Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-07-13
A RACE FOR LIFE.
From Caswell's Magazine.

MY Uear IcllOW, l. am uellgntcu 10
see you" exclaimed my friend McCaus-
land, as he met me at the door of his
house.
| had gone on a visit to Holmesdale, a
little town in the north of England.
McCausland was engineer to the water
company there, and had invited me to
go down for week.
After the usual interval for dressing.
we sat down to an excellent little dinner
Not unnaturally the conversation turn
ed upon the weather
am sorry this rain continues" said
McCausland; it spoils the water sup
ply. People bully me as if | could
help it"
Are your reservoirs near the town?
l asked.
No. he replied, "away in the hills.
We will go over tomorrow, if you like.
I'm due there.
The excursion was arranged, and we
agreed to start at II o'clock next morn
ing. We started punctually. We pur-
sued our way up the hill, and crossing
the brow, reached a 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.
s Is all right, johnson? "
Yes, all is right; but"
We'll, but what?
Il don't quite like the South Reser-
voir embankment," was the reply
McCausland turned pale to his very
:" 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 eXten-
sive embankment, which confined the
waters of the largest of the three rcser-
voirs of the Holmesdale Company.
This is the spot was looking at this
morning" said johnson.
You had better have a 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 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 June
ton.
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.
"Why?' | said. Do you intend to
remain here? Is there any danger?"
well, scarcely that; but | think |
ought to be on the spot; | will return
tomorrow or next day"
Cannot | stay, tOo?'
Certainly, if you desire it. We
rough it up here, though"
i do not mind that" | replied. So
it was settled. Fortunate it was that |
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 out
with 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 hillside in white array. Tiny water
falls swelled themselves into cataracts,
and foamed down to the streams.
But still the men worked hard amid
the gathering gloom and thunder by Ian
tern-hght, and Nature 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 I started up.
Dress yourself as quickly asyou can
and come down stairs" he said
[ began to ask questions. Lose no
time, there's a good fellow; [ want your
assistance, saying which he left the
room.
| jumped up at once, hurried to the
window and looked out. Day was just
breaking through the misty sky, and all
the world was raining.
Ever and anon sharp snap denoted a
bough torn from its place and whirled to
the soaking earth.
| dressed quickley and joined Nc
Causland in the little parlor. He was
studying a private copy of the railroad
time tables, which as an official he al
ways carried.
will you take the horse and ride
down to Ammering Junction with a
message?"
His collected manner assured me
Was this all? A ride through the rain
was not much. "Of course, | will CO.
He grasped my hand firmly. ."Are
you nervous?" he said, as he held it in
his own steady grasp,
Nonsense" l replied laughing; "I'l
be ready in five minutes, if it's import
ant, Is the horse here?"
ran up for my waterproofs. Wher
[ came down the horse was at the door
and McCausland was inspecting him.
mounted. Now" | said, " for this great
message, if you please" McCausland's
tone had something very solemn in it, as
he replied:
"Tell the station-master at Ammer
ing Junction, and any people you see
that the South Reservoir will not last
three hours. It will burst down the
valley, and will destroy the Apps via
duct, and carry away the bridges on thu
Holmesdale Branch. Stop the traffic
and save the passengers. God bless
you; and, hark ye, ride for your life.
will fire the signal cannon as warning
Goodbye"
| L.