The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-09-20
A Race for Life.

had gone on visit to Homesdale, a
little town in the north of England.
McCausland was engineer to the water
company there, and had invited me to 60
down for week.
After the usual interval for dressing,
We sat down at the excellent little dinner.
Not unnaturally the conversation turned
upon the weather.
II am sorry this rain continues" said
McCausland; sit spoils my water supply
People bully me as if l could help it,
Are your reservoirs near the towns"
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 climbed, 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.
''Is all right, Johnson9" inquired Nc
Causland.
Eyes, all is right but
'Well, but what?'
III don't quite like the South Reservoir
embankment," 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
embankment. which confined the waters
of the largest Of the three reservoirs of
the Holmesdsle Company.
There is the spot l was looking at
this morning." said johnson.
"You had better have few men to
puddle up this" said McCausland, indi-
eating tiny crack that would have es-
capped less experienced eyes.
We then continued our inspection, but
during our progress round the works the
clouds had masscd themselves in wild
grandeur above the hills, and lay heavily
above the Apps Valley in front. The
railroad crossed the valley in a graceful
viaduct near Ammering Junction.
A low moaning sound was in the air.
1t was not the wind, for the breeze had
strangely lulled. The men had all gone
up to the reservoirs. McCausland and
sat chatting together.
"Do you think you could find your way
back alone" he asked suddenly.
h. ~ s-<
main here' Is there any danger1"
well, scarcely that; but l think l
ought to be on the spot. / will return
tomorrow or next day"
"Cannot l stay, tool"
Certainly if you desire it. We rough
it up here though"
II do not mind that" replied. So it
vas settled. Fortunate it was that did
remain. As we were preparing to visit
the sluices again we were startled by a
vivid flash of lightning, which had hardly
passed when the rocks rang out with q
thousand thunder echoes.
This was the signal. The windows of
heaven opened, and perfect deluge de-
scended upon the devoted valley. The
little brooks leaped up, and danced down
the hillsides, in white array. Tiny wa
terfalls swelled themselves into cataracts,
and foamed down to the streams.
But still the men worked hard amid
the gathering gloom and thunder by
lantern-li light. and Mature rested not that
livelong night.
But turned in and got some sleep in
defiance of the elemental war without
At five O'Clock in the morning, as the
gray light was struggling into life, Nc
Causland came, fully. dressed, into my
room. started up.
"Dress yourself as quickly as you can,
and come down stairs, he said. | began
to ask questions. "Lose no time there
good fellow; want your assistance. y
He left the room.
1 jumped up at once, hurried to the
window and looked out. Day was jus,
breaking through the misty sky, and all
the world was raining.
Ever and anon q sharp snap denoted q
bough torn from its place and whirled to
the soaking earth.
Idrcssed quickly and joined McCaus-
land 10 the little parlor. He was study
ing private copy of the railroad time
tables, which a. an official he always
carried.
"Will you take the horse and ride down
to Ammering Junction with messagef'
His collected manner assured me. Was
this allY A ride through the rain was
not much. s"Of course, will 60"