Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-12-17


gorge to the west of the camp, and
the last load for the day was put
into the cart to be hauled to the
dump.
just at this time one of the men,
in passing, made playful motion
toward the old mule. Quick as a
flash he sprang at the man, drag
ging the heavy cart, and before
Dennis could reach him, he was
going at full speed down the grade.
The man saved himself by quick
" running mp the hillside into a
clump of bushes; but the mule had
become frantic, and urged on by
the loaded cart behind him and
frightened by the noise it made,
dashed furiously on down the grade,
with Dennis in full pursuit at an
overwhelming distance behind.
The men, who were just leaving
the mine, gis::.h.ered at place where
the grade was plainly visible all Inc
way TO Dead Mans Point, nearly
two miles below.
Sure said one of the miners,
Il hope there's no one OH the grade
about now. 'Twould be a bad day
for 'em to meet Old Lightning with
all that load of rock in the cart,
too. They'd all go TO the bottom
of the canon together
Never fear, said another, there s
nobody on it at this time. There'll
be no danger to any one but old
Old Lightning, and I'm thinking
he'll never cart any more tailings.
Among the others who stood
looking down the grade was the
superintendent, Doctor Green.
The flying cart and mule were
momentarily lost sight of at a
slight curve, and most of the men
were looking at the figure of Den
mis- far behind, but running as il
his life depended upon it.
Suddenly the superintendent ut
tered an exclamation of horror, and
10 aad several Others rushed for
8allI ID LIZ edg u ihe nat.
Just coming into view at Dead
Mans Point, and turning the curve
so that the procipice was at its very
wheel, was the camp wagon. In il
were Mrs. Green, the invalid girl,
and Pete; and the mule and heavily
loaded cart were almost upon them.
There was barely enough room
for one wagon. They must go ovel
the grade, fall the dreadful dis
tance and be crushed below.
The people at the mine did not
know exactly what had happened
until Mrs. Green was able to tel
her story; and this is what she
said:
AS soon as we reached Gaylord:
we learned that the Overland train
had been telegraphed as on time.
greatly to the surprise of every one
and at eleven o'clock it arrived with
my niece, Alice, on board.
we took dinner at Mrs. At
woods, where we had arranged t.
stay over night; and as niece wa
tired of travel, and as | knew tha
the accommodations we had pre-
pared for her at home were better
than she could obtain at Gaylord
| made up my mind to push on III
the mountain.
AS We were driving away. Mrs
Atwood called to us, and came
running out with large blue
cotton umbrella.
You'd better take this she said
you are going just away from th'
sun, and it will shine in at the
back of the wagon and make the
poor girl uncomfortable if you
don't have something to shade
her.
we took it, although | hardly
thought it would bo necessary tC
spread it.
The mules kept along at the
rate of about three of four miles al
hour, so that at five O'clock we were
approaching Dead Mans Point.
Alice, lying back upon her pill
lows, had been much charmed al
the way by the scenery. So. as w
came to Dead Mans Point, anC
stopped to allow the team to tax,
breath. called her attention to the
grandeur of the view here.
But she could hardly look at it
she was in such fear of the deel
chasm of the canon on our lef
hand, which we seemed to overhang