Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-05
4 Race for Life.

"My dear fellow, am delighted to see
YOU" exclaimed my friend M'Causland,
as he met me at the door of his house.
had gone on visit to Ilolmcsdalc, Il
little town on the north of England
M'Causland was engineer to the water
company there, and had invited me TO
90 down for a week.
After the usual interval for dressing we
sa. down to an excellent little dinner
Not unnaturally the conversation turned
upon the weather,
= am sorry this rain continues" said
MCausland: " it spols the water supply.
People bully me as if could help it,"
" Are your reservoirs near town.
asked.
q" 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 Il small inn.
Here we found country gig awaiting us.
Into this we clambered, and proceeded
along wooded by-road, stony and rutful.
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, Johnson?' inquired
MCausland.
Yes, all is right; but"
Well. but what?'
al don't quite like the South Reservoir
ombankment," was the reply.
M'Caus!and tnrncd pale to his very
lips.
=" Come with me-" he said abruptly.
We hurried after him in silence, and with
a strange dread upon US.
We sooE came in sight Of the extensive
cmbankment which confined the waters OF
the largest of the. three reservoirs OF
Ilolmesdalc Company. y fresh breeze
was blowing the waters in small though
noisy waves against the paved top of the
bank. Here and there Il tongue Of liquid
spat upon the stone work, and ut one spot
it trickled down into and apparently came
through the grass.
This is the spot was looking at this
morning. said johnson.
- lou Hdu DellcI udNc II lCW lllcH u
puddle this up" said M'Causland indica.
ling tiny crack that would have escaped
less experienced eyes.
We then continued our inspection, bu
during our progress round the works tho
clouds had masscd themselves in wild
grandeur above the hills. and lay heavy
above the App Valley in front. The rail
road crossed the valley on graceful via
duct near Ammcrng Junction. The dark
slaty clouds hung suspended over this
district Long tendrils of the scud came
forth from them like fingers. These
clutched now II rock, then solitary tree
now swept up again and brought down a
larger mass of cloud to place upon the
ground ever stealing onward and down.
ward. leaving all in s stealthy track danb
and foggv. A low moaning sound was in
the air. 1t was not the wind, for the
breeze had strangely lulled. The trees
scarce moved, get the water rolled W
against the reservoir banks as if agitated
by an unseen wheel. We all seemed con.
scious of the disturbance of the atmospher.
ic conditions, and the leaves whispered
strange condolences to the motionlcss
boughs above our heads.
The men had all gone up TO the rescr'
vors. M'Causland and | sat chatting
together.
:" DO you think you could find youl
way back alone?' he asked suddenly.
Why?n said. " Do you intend tC
remain here? Is there any danger?'
Well, scarcely that; but | think
ought to be on the spot. will return TO.
morrow or next day,n
=" Can not | stay too?'
Certainly, if you desire. We rougI
it up here though ~
:" do not mind that" replied. So il
was settled. Fortunate it was that | did
remain. As we were preparing to visit
the sluces again, we were startled by a
vivid flash of lightning, which had hardly
passed when the rocks rang out with Il
thousand thunder echoes.
This was the signal. The windows d
Heaven opened, and perfect deluge de
scended upon the devoted valley. The
little brooks lcaped up and danced down
the hill.sides in white array. Tiny water
/ falls sweled themselves into cataracts,an
| foamed down to the streams. The wine
rose up from its sleep, and forced grea
rolling waves across the coping Of tho
reservoirs, and stones and grass became
commingled.
Now the sluice valves were all opeUcd
and the long.imprisoned waters gladly
dashed from out its prison to meet its M
tive river once again. The channel Of thc