Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-06-30
A RACE FOR LIFE.
CHAPTER l.
TIL L NJ e S SAG Z.

THE MESSAGE.
"My dear fellow, am delighted to see you, -
exclaimed my friend McCausland, as he met me
at the door of his house.
| had gone on visit to Holmesdale, lille
town in the north of England McCausand
was an engineer to IL e water company there.
and had invited me to go down for q week.
After the usual interval for dressing, we sat
down to an excellent little dinner. Not uIl-
naturally the conversation turned upon the
weather.
~ am sorry this rain continues" said Nc
Causland "itspoils my water supply. People
bnlIy me as if l could help it,"
g. Are your reservoirs near the town." I
asked
NO." he replied, "away in the hills. We
can go over tomorrow if you like. I'm due
there"
The excursion was arranged. We agreed to
start at eleven o'clock next morning, and we
started punctually
We pursued our way up the hill, and cross
ing the brow, reached small inn. Here we
found country gig awaiting us. Into this we
clambered, and proceeded along a wooded by
road, stony and rut-full. At length, when hope
had almost given way to bad language, we
pulled up at another small inn called the
" Reservoir" We got out of the gig gladly"
An engineer foreman hurried up and accosted
us politely.
g Is all right, johnson ?" inquired McCaus-
land.
"Yes, all right; butt
:" Well, but what?"
81 don't quite like the south reservoir en-
bankment," was the reply.
McCausland turned pale to his very lips.
Come with me-" he said abruptly. We
hurried after him in silence, and with strange
dread upon us.
We soon came in sight of the extensive en-
bankment, which confined the waters of the
largest of the three reservoirs of the Holmes
dale company. A fresh breeze was blowing
the water in small noisy waves against the
paved top of the bank. Here and there q
tongue of liquid spat upon the stonework, and
at one spot it trickled down into and apparent
ly came through the grass.
This is the spot was looking at this morn
ing )" said johnson.
" You had better have few men to puddle
up this, said McCausland, indicating q tiny
crack that would have escaped less experienced
eyes.
We then continued om inspection, but dur
ing our progress round the works the clouds
had massed themselves in wild grandeur above
the hills, and lay heavily above the Apps valley
in front. The railroad crossed the valley on a
graceful viaduct near Ammering Junction
The dark slaty clouds hung suspended over
this district. Long tendrils of the scud came
forth from them like fingers. These clutchod
now rock, then a solitary tree, now swept up
again and brought down alarger mass of cloud
to place upon the ground-ever stealing on
ward and downward, leaving all in its stealthy
track dark and foggy. A low moaning sound was
in the air. 1t was not the wind for the breeze
had strangely lulled. The trees scarcely
moved, yet the water rolled up against the
reservoir banks as if agitated by an unseen
wheel. We all seemed conscious of the dis
turbance of the atmospheric conditions, and
the leaves whispered strange condolences to the
motionless boughs above our heads.
The men had all gone up to tn reservoirs.
McCausland and sat chatting together.
do you think you could find your way back
alone?" he asked, suddenly.
"Why" said. "Do you intend to remain
here? Is there any danger?"
"Well, scarcely that but 1 think ought to
be on the spot. will return tomorrow OF
next day."
'Cannot I stay too?"
Certainly, if you desire it. We rough itur
here, though"
81 do not mind that replied So it was
settled. Fortunate it was that l did remain
AS we were preparing to visit the suces again
we were startled by vivid flash of lightning
which had hardly passed when the rocks rang
out with thousand thunder echoes.
This was the signal. The windows OF
heaven opened, and perfect deluge descended
upon the devoted valley. The little brooks
leaped up and danced down the hill sides il
White array. Tiny waterfalls swelled them.
selves into cataracts, and foamed down to the
streams. The wind rose from its sleep and
forced great rolling waves across the cop
ing of the reservoirs, and stones and grass be-
came commngled.
Now the sluice valves were all opened anc
the long imprisoned water gladly dashed from
out its prison to meet its native river once
again. The channel of the Homesdale ono,
more filled with water, divided on the hill. Bu
still the men worked hard amid the gathering
gloom and thunder by lantern light, and natur,
rested not that livelong night.
But | turned in and got some sleep in de
fance of the elemental war without
At five o'clock in the morning, as the gra,
light was struggling into life, MoCauslant
came, fully dressed, into my room. I started up
DRESS yourself as quick as you can an,
come down stairs" he said. began to asl
questions. Lose no time, there's a good fel
low; want your assistance" He left tin
room.
I jumped up at once, hurried to the windoy
and looked out. Day was Just breaking
thro ugh the misty sky, and all the worl
was raining The water was plashing from tli
caves, and mingled with the heavy drops