Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-08-22
4 RACE FOB LIFE.

NV ueiI ltllOW, L ALL ucllSlllcu 10
see YOU" exclaimed my friend McCaus-
land as he met me at the door Of his
house.
had gone on a visit to Homesdaie, a
little town in the north of England.
NcCausland was engineer to the water
company there, and had invited me to
90 down for a week.
After the usual interval for dressing,
We sat down to an excellent little dinner.
Not ~unnaturally the conversation turned
u.on the weather.
II am sorry this rain continues" said
McCausland, cit spoils my water sup
ply. People bully me as if / could
help it"
Are your reservoirs near the town.
[ asked.
NO" he replied, away in the hills.
We can 90 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
crossing the brow, reached a small inn.
Here we found a country gig awaiting
us, l'llD lIllS We CldlllDClCu, dllu Dlo-
ceeded along % wooded by-road, stony
and %rut-fuli. At length, when hope had
almost given way to bad language, we
pulled up ut 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, johnson" inquired Nc
Causland.
Yes, all is right; but
well, but what?'
II don't quite like the South Reser-
voir 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 IL strange dread upon us.
We soon came in sight of the extern
oive embankmcnt, which confined the
waters of the largest of the three reser-
voirs of the Homesdale 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 "a tiny crack that would have
escaped less experienced eyes.
We then continued our inspection, but
during Il progress round the works the
clouds had massed themselves in wild
grandeur above the hills, and lay heav-
lily across the Apps Valley in front. The
railroad crossed the valley on u graceful
viaduct near Ammering junction.
\ 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 l
ought to be on the spot. | will return
tomorrow on next day"
Cannot | stay, tooY'
Certainly, if you desire it. We rough
1t up here, though"
Il do not mind that" | replied. SO it
was settled. Fortunate it twas that did
remaln. As we were preparing to visit
the sIuices again we were startled by u
vivid flash of lightning, which had
hardly passed when the rocks rang out
with Il thousand thunder echoes.
This was a signal. The windows of
heaven opened, and a perfect deluge
descended upon the devoted valley.
The little brooks leaped up, and danced
down the hlllsides, in white array. Tiny
waterfalls swelled themselves into cata-
racts, and foamed down the streams.
But still the men worked hard amid
the gathering gloom and thunder by
lantern light, and nature rested not that
l~yelong night.
But turned III and got some sleep III
defiance of the elemental war without.
AT D 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,
n come down stairs" he said. | be-
gan to ask questions. lose no time,
there's a good fellow; | want your as
sstance." He left the room.
l 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 q shap snap denoted a
Dough torn from its place and whirled
10 n soaking earth.
dressed quickly and joined McCaus-
ana IN the little parlor. He was study
ing a private copy Of the railroad time
soles, which As an official he always
carried.
VIII you take the horse and ride
uo"n TO Ammering Junction with a
message ~