Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-12-19

than to dig down; for, as he said, we
would be more likely TO find the bag in
the bed of the ravine by following It up
than by digging down in any one place.
The result was that in few days we
had formed quite cave in the side of
the hill.
We worked at this tunnel for four
days without finding the bag. On the
fourth day Jack proposed that he and
my other partner, Bill Jennings, should
carry the dirt we had excavated down
to the river and wash it, leaving me to
dig in the tunnel. In that way they
thought they might make grub
while searching for the hidden money.
| thought the idea foolish, but as they
entered so eagerly into my views re.
garding the buried bag of dust, made
no objections TO the plan, and dug away
with redoubled energy, In fact, had
thought so much about the object of
our search that had become utterly
regardless of almost everything else. |
had dreamed of it when sleeping, mused
on it when waking, and it had obtained
complete control of my mind. Day
after day we worked, l digging, and
my companions washing; yet, strange
to say, did not become discouraged
They said nothing about the bag of
gold dust. and l asked them nothing
about the result of their washing the ex-
cavated soil.
We had worked about three weeks,
and had formed tunnel extending
about fifteen feet into the hill when,
completely tired out, l sat down to rest
in the cave. l had only intended to sit
little while, but five minutes had not
elapsed before l was sound asleep.
was awakened by a crash, and found
my feet and legs completely covered by
mass of dirt and stones. The front
part of the tunnel had fallen in, and in
a manner buried me alive. About ten
feet of the tunnel remained firm, and
from my observation of its structure
prior to the accident, was convinced
that had no reason to apprehend any
danger in that quarter. My partners
had carried dirt enough to the river to
keep them busy there for the rest of the
day, so l had nothing to hope from
their assistance. The question that
first presented itself to my mind was
how long can life be sustained in this
confined stateP 1 had read a dozen
times statistics in relation to the amount
of air consumed hourly by human be-
ings' lungs, but like almost everybody
else, had merely wondered at the time,
and then forget the figures.
How much l would have given then
to be able to recall themp The next
thought was: How can I proceed to
extricate MYSELF This question was
difficult of solution. If went to work
with shovel and pick to clear away the
dirt that had fallen, it was very likely
that all l should be able to remove
would be Immediately replaced by that
which would fall in from above. This
was pleasant! l racked my poor brains
to devise some means of liberating my
self, but without effect.
Leaning against the wall in utter de-
spondency, l was about to throw my
self down on the ground and await my
fate, when l observed that quite cur
rent of water, on q small scale, was
making its way down the side of the
cave. At first / was alarmed, as
thought it light loosen the earth above,
and bring another mass down on my
head. The next moment the thought
struck me that it might be turned to
my advantage. Why could not direct
it so that it would wash away sufficient
earth in its progress to the outlet of the
cave to make an opening large enough
to allow me to crawl through itP Even
if only succeeded in making an air.
hole, it would enable me at least to ex-
ist until my partners could come to my
rescue.
Carefully examining the course of the
water, succeeded in finding the spot
where it entered the cave, and to my
great Joy, ascertained that could east
ly direct it by cutting a channel out of
the sides of the prison to the mass of
earth that blocked up the entrance to the
tunnel.
The air at this time was quite hot
and sitting, and l became aware that
whatever was done must be done
quickly, or should perish for want of
oxygen.
After cutting channel for the water
to flow toward the entrance, enlarged
the opening by which the stream en-
tered the cave, and rejoiced to see that
it flowed with redoubled force. TAX
ing my shovel l pushed it through the
moistened earth as far as l was able,
and then awaited the further action of
the water. In few minutes could
push it further, till at last it was out of
my reach. Then placing the pick-han-
die against it, pushed both as far as l
could. With what eagerness did |
watch to see the first opening made by
the water, but was soon gratified by
observing that it flowed in a steady
stream in the direction in which l
pushed the pick and shovel.
In few minutes discovered faint
glimmering in the distance, which
might be an opening or the effect of an
excited imagination. l scarcely know
which. But the doubt soon resolved
itself into a certainty, and an opening
some five inches in diameter speedily
disclosed itself.
Larger and larger the opening grew;
lump after lump of earth was washed
away by the stream, till the channel
became large enough to place my head
in and call Justify for assistance.
just as was drawing my head back,
L caught sight of a buckskin bag.
Hastily seizing it, found it was the one
we were in search of, and which, but
for the accident, never would have
found. Wishing to surprise my COM
panions, concealed it, and redoubled
my cries. In few minutes they came
running up the hill, and soon liberated
me from my unpleasant position.
"Well, Ned" said Jack, as he shook
my hand, 81 am glad to see you're
safe, old fellow, the more so as Bill and
l have been deceiving you little. You
know we have been trying all summer
to get you into tunneling operation,
and you have only laughed at u.s."
Yes" said.
"Well, when you got that letter, we
made up our minds that we would 90
into the job with you, not with the hope
of finding any bag, but because we
knew you would work twice as hard