The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-07-18
RACE FOR LIFE.

From Cassell's Magazine-l
"My dear fellow, | am delighted to
see you" exclaimed my friend McCaus-
land, as he met me at the door of his
house.
| had gone on a visit to Homesdale,
little town in the north of England.
McCausland was engineer to the water
company there, and had invited me to
90 down for week.
After the usual interval for dressing,
we sat down TO an excellent little dinner.
Not unnaturally the conversation turned
upon the weather.
Il am sorry this rain continues" said
McCausland; sit 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 90 over tomorrow if you like.
Pm due there. "
The excursion was arranged. We
agreed to start at II o'clock next morn
ing, 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. In
to 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 d" Reser-
voir" We got out of the gig gladly.
An engineer foreman hurried up and,
accosted us politely.
els all right, johnson 2 inquired Nc
Causland.
Yes, all is right but
"WelI, but what?"
Il don't quite like the South Reservoir
embankment," was the reply.
McCousland turned pale to the very
lips.
Come with me-" he said abruptly.
We hurried after him in silence, and
with a strange dread upon us.
We soon came in sight of the extern
sive embankment, which confined the
waters of the largest of the three rescr-
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 upon this said McCausland, in
dicating tinya crack that would have
escaped 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 heavi
~ above the Apps Valley in front.
The railroad crossed the valley on a
graceful viaduct near Ammering juno
ton.
A low moaning sound was in the air
7 Il e A. l. i
strangely lulled. The men had gone up
to the reservoirs. McCausland and |
sat chatting together.
'Do YOU think you could find your
way back alone ?" he asked suddenly
"Why?" l said. do you intend to
remain here? Is there any danger?"
"Well, scarcely that; but l think l
ought to be on the spot. l will return
to morrow or next day."
''Can not stay, too ?"
Certainly, if you desire it. We
rough it up here, though.
81 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 a
vivid flash of lightning, which had hard
{ ~
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 hill-sides, in white array.
Tiny waterfalls swelled themselves into
cataracts, and foamed down to the
streams.
But still the men worked hard amid
the gathering gloom and thunder by lam
ternlight, and nature rested not that live
long night.
But turned in and got some sheep in
defiance of the elemental war without.
At 3 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 | be-
gan to ask questions. Lose no time,
there's good fellow; | want your assist
| anee." 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 a sharp snap denoted a
bough torn from its place and whirled to
the soaking earth.
dressed quickly and joined McCaus-
land in the little parlor. He was study
ing private copy of the railroad time
tables, which as an official he always car
ried
evil you take the horse and ride
down to Ammering junction with mes
sage ?"
His collected manner assured me. Was
/ this all? A ride through the rain was
not much. ..Of course, will CO."
He grasped my hand frmlY. i" Are
you nervous ?" he said, as he held it in
/ his own steady 0rasn