Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-08-15

| duu hWd1G LILY 1hCe3s WHICH, OUS0TVeO GQal
quite current of water, on small
scale, was making its way down the side
of the cave.
At first I was alarmed, as I thought it
might 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 advan.
tage. Why could I not so direct it that
it would wash away sufficient earth in
its progress to the outlet of the cave to
admit the air, and perhaps make an
opening large enough to allow me to
crawl out through it? Even If I only
succeeded in making an air-hole, it
would enable me to exist till my part
ners could come to my assistance. Care.
fully examining the course of the water,
1 succeeded in finding the spot where it
entered the cave, and to my great joy
ascertained that I could easily direct it
by cutting a channel out of the side of
my prison to the mass of earth that
blocked up the entrance to the tunnel.
| The air at this time was quite close and
| sitting, and became aware that what
ever was done must be done quickly, or
should perish from want of oxygen.
After had cut channel for the water
to flow toward the entrance, enlarged
the opening by which the stream enter
ed the cave, and was delighted to oh.
serve that it flowed with redoubled force.
Taking my shovel, pushed it through
the moistened earth asfar as I was able,
and then awaited the further action of
the water. In few minutes was en-
abled to push it still further, till at last
it was out of my reach. Then, placing
my pick-handle against it, 1 pushed
both as far as l could. With what ca
gernees did I watch to see the frstopen-
ing made by the water! At first it was
swallowed up by the earth, but was
soon grati6ed by observing that it flow
ed in a steady stream in the direction in
which had pushed the pick and shovel.
In few minutes I discovered faint
glimmering in the distance, which might
be an opening or the effect of an excited
imagination, I scarcely knew which.
But the doubt soon resolved itself into
certainty, and an opening some five
inches in diameter speedily disclosed it.
self. Larger and larger the opening
grew; lump after lump of earth was
washed away by the stream, till the
channel became large enough for me to
place my head in it, and balloo Justify
for assistance. Just as I was drawing
my head back, I caught sight of buck
skin bag. Hastily Selling it found
that it was the one we had been in search
of, and which, but for the accident, I
would never have found Wishing to
surprise my comrades, concealed it,
and redoubled my cries. In few min
utes they came running up the hill, and
soon liberated me from my unpleasant
position.
"Wel], Ned" said Jack, as he shook
me by the hand. '1'm glad you're safe,
old iellow-,he more SC, as Bill and
have been deceiving you little. You
know We have been trying all the sum-
mer to get you to go into tapneling
operation, and you have only laughed at
us?"
Eyes" eaid I, wondering what would
come next.
"Well, when you found that letter,
Bill and made up our minds that we
would go into the job with you; lot in
the hope of finding any bag, but because
we knew you would work twice as hard
with such an inducement, intending,
meanwhile, to wash the excavated dirt
This we have done; and my boy, we have
never made less than $500 day since we
commenced"
"Then you think the bag humbug,
do you"
"Why, of course" said he.
"Well, I don't, and I intend to go on
looking for it.
CHOW, what's the use of being fool
ish?" quoth Bill Jennings. "We've got
as much dirt as we can wash for some
time, and it pays. can't see the use of
continuing such wild-goose chase as
the hunt for that bag"
'Be that as it may" said I, II intend
to follow it up"
Bill and Jack conferred together
awhile, and then the former said:
"Well, Ned, We might as we'll tell you
first as last. I wrote that letter in order
to get you to go into tunneling."
"And the 'blazed' tree" said, show
about that? The 'blaze' is certainly two
years DID,"
Jack hesitated. "Why, you see, said
he, 1--WE found that tree, and wrote the
letter to suit it"
''Then what do you think of this, .
asked I, showing him the bag I had
found in the cave.
Jack was nonpiussed. On opening
the bag we found about $1,000. Jacl
never would own up, but always insisted
that the variance between the statment
in the letter and the amount in the bag
was proof enough that the letter and il
had no connection with each other.
| Rv;An~nn R,>n~-h