The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-07-11
A RACE FOR LIFE.
CHAPTER I.

"My dear fellow, l am delighted to see you,
exclaimed my friend McCausland, as he met me
at the door Of his house.
I had gone on a visit to Holmesdale, little
town in the north OF England. McCausland
was an engineer to t. Q water company there,
and had invited me to go down for week.
After the usual interval for dressing, we sat
down to au excellent little dinner. Not I'LL
naturally the conversation turned upon the
weather.
J II am sorry this rain continues said Nc
Causlaud "it spoils my water supply. People
bully me as if could help it."
Are your reservoirs near the town.? l
asked.
"No." he replied, "away in the hills. We
can 60 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
inr the brow, reached q small inn. Here we
found q country gig awaiting us. Into this we
clambercd, and proceeded along 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 ali right, Johnson" inquired McCaus-
land.
eyes all right but
"Wei, LH WHAT
~ don't fnite 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 il silence, and with strange
dread Ipon Us.
We soon came in sight Of the extensive en-
baakment, which confined the waters Of the
largest of the three reservoirs of the Holmes
dale company A fresh breeSe was blowing
the water in small noisy waves against the
paved top of the bank. Here and there q
tongue OF liquid spat upon tue stonework, and
ct one spot it trickled down into and apparent
j. came through the grass
"This is the spot was looking at this nlori-
ing" said Johnson. -
.You had better have few men to puddle
up this, said McCausland, indicating tiny
crack that would have escaped less experienced
We then continued our Inspection. but dur
ing our progress round the works the clouds
had msssed themselves in wild grandeur above
hehills, and " heavily above the Apps valley
In front. The railroad crossed the valley on n
graceful viaduct near Anlmering junction.
The dark slaty clouds hung suspended over
this district. Long tendrils OF the scui came
forth from them Ike fingers. These cllltched
now a rock, then solitary tree, now swept n:
again and brought down alarger mass Of clond
to place upon the ground-tver ste aling OH
ward and downward, leaving all III its stealthy
track dark and foggy. low moaning sound was
in the cir. It was not the wind, for the freeze
had strangely lulled The trees scarcely
moved, vet the water rolled up against the
reservoir banks as if sgitated by al unseen
Wheel We all seemed conscious OF the dis
turbance OF the atmospheric condition. and
the leaves whispered strange condolences to the
motioness boughs above our heads.
The men had NIL gone up to the reservoirs.
McCausland and sat chatting together.
"Do you think you conld find your way back
alone?" he asked. suddenly.
"Why?" said. Do you intend to remain
here? Is there any dangcr?'
"Well, scarcely that but think | ought 10
be On the spot. I will return tomorrow or
next day."
"Cannot stay too?"
'"Certainy, if you desire it. We rough itup
here, though"
"f do not mind that,"I replied. So it was
settled. Fortunate it was that I did remain.
As we were preparing to visit the sluices again
we were startled by vivid flash Of lightning
which had hardly passed when the rocks rang
ont w tn thousand thunder echoes.
This was the signal The windows OF
heaven opened, and perfect deluge descended
leaped up and danced down the hill sides in
white array. Tiny waterfalls sweled 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 commingled.
Now the sluice valves were all opened, and
the long imprisoned water gladly dashed from
out it's prison to meet its native river once
again. The channel OF the Holmesdale, ono,
more filled with water, divided on the hill. Bu
sill the men worked hard amid the gathering
rl)om and thunder by lantern light, and natur,
rest,d not that livelong night.
But turned in and got some sleep in de-
fiance Of the elemental war without.
At I've o'clock in the morning, as the gray
light was struggling into life, McCauslant
came. 'uly dressed, into my room. 1 started up
sDres yourself as quick as you can anc
como dsrn stairs" he said. I began to asl
question. "Lose no time, there's good fel
low ant your assistance" He left tht
room.
jumpe up at once, hurried to the window
and lookd out. Day was just breaking
through th misty sky, and all tho worlC
was raining The water was FLASHING from tht
caves, and mingled with the heavy drops
burst into aeparate stream in every rut ant
furrow. The ind beat the tall trees and roaret
amid the braihes. Ever and anon sharp snaI
denoted blgh torn from its place ant
whirled to theoaking earth.
dressed qukly and joined McCausland il
the little parlC He was studying private
copy of the raioad time tables, which as 81
official he alwaycarried.
"Will you TAX the horse and ride down Il
Ammerng juncti' with message?"
His collected Miner assured me. Was thi
al o.? ride throth the rain was not much
"Of course, I willo."
He grasped mNand firmly. "Afe yo'
nervous 2" he said.s he held it in his owl
steady grasp.