Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-07-30

river to keep them busy for the rest of the
day, so I had nothing to hope from their
assistance. Thequestion that first presented
itself to my mind was, How long can life be
sustained in this confined state? had read
dozen times statistics in relation to the
amount of air consumed hourly by human
beings lungs, but, like almost almost ev-
erybody else, had merely wondered at the
time and then forgot the figures.
How much would I have given then to
have been able to recall them The next
thought was, How can proceed to eXtri-
cate 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 extremely likely that all which
could be able to remove would be lmmedl-
ately replaced by that which would fall from
above. This was not pleasant. ! racked
my brain to devise some means of liberatlng
myself, but without effect.
Leaning against the wall in utter de-
spondency, was about to throw myself on
the ground and await my fate, when l OBJ
served quite current of water, on small
scale, was making its way down the side OF
the cave. At first / was alarmed, as
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 advantage
Why could not so direct it 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
it? If it only succeeded in making an air
hole, it would enable me to exist till my
partners could come to my rescue. Care
fully examining the course of the water, L
succeeded in finding the spot where it en-
tered the cave, and to my great JOY. ascer-
tanned that could easily direct it by cut
ting channel out of the side of my pris-
on 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 OK
ygen. After had cut a channel for water
to flow toward the entrance, enlarged the
opening by which the stream entered the
cave, and was delighted to observe that it
flowed with redoubled force. Taking my
shovel I forced it through the moistened
earth as far as I was able and then waited
the further action of the water. In few
minutes I was enabled to push it still furth-
er, till at last it was out of my reach. Then
placing my pick handle against it, pushed
both as far as could. With what eagerness
did watch to see the first opening made by
the water, and I was soon gratitied by OBJ
serving that it flowed in steady stream IN
the direction which had pushed tne PICK
and shovel.
In few minutes discovered a faint
glimmering in the distance, which might
be an opening or the effect OF an excited
imagination, scarcely knew which. But
the doubt soon resolved itself into a certain
ty, and an opening some five inches in di-
ameter' speedily disclosed itself: Larger
and larger the opening grew; lump upon
lump was washed away by the stream un-
til the channel became large enough for me
to place my head in and halloa Justify for
assistance. Just as was drawing my head
back 1 caught sight of a buckskinl bag.
Hastily selling it, found it was the one
we We're in search of, and which, for the
accident, would never have found. wish
ing to surprise my companions concealedit
and redoubled my cries. In few minutes
they came running up the hill, and soon
liberated me from my unpleasant position: m
Thousand dollars worth of gold. We could
never ascertain anything about Mr.. For
rest, so we divided the money among us.