Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-03-18
CHAPTER XXXY.
THE COMING OF THE SEA.

TIE COMING OF TIE SEA.
'What has happened?" | cried, running
mp and facing the terror-stricken man.
One of Them Michael Penmaur, a staIwart
fellow Of tVe-and-twenty, stepped forward
and acted rs spokesman.
''What YOU aIlayS said would happen,
MeaSter Hugh. The main shaft be flooded
wi the sea"
What this betokened l well knew; if the
Sea had entered, that portion of the NINE
was destroyed forever.
That's bad lookout, my lads. Well, it
was bound to come about; and if there is no
| one down below, and no life lost, perhaps
It's all for the best"
As spoke, l saw them look wildly at one
another and whisper, and ! guessed that
they had something more to tell.
''Wh&, is it. lads?" cried. Speak,
Come outside, Measter Hugh" answered
Michael Penmam: "FIl tell zee there"
But my amt with a wild cry, sprung Tor
ward and graoped him by the arm.
You Stall tell it naw!' she cried. Il can
see it in your face, and my dreams ha' come
true. Summats happened to my man!
Hugh, make him speak. l can bear it:2'
Al that moment Annie entered the room,
descending from the chamber above, and the
moment she appeared my oWl; addressed her
wildly:
You ha' come in time, Annie Pendragon.
! All the trouble began wi eel Bid them
speak. then, and tell what's happened 10
your father"
"Oh, Hugh, what is it?" exclaimed poor
Annie. coming to my side.
/ told her that the waters had flooded the
| mine.
..And Gather? where is fathcr?' she said,
with "A sharp presentimcnt al the truth.
Michael Peumaur exchanged another rapid
| look with his companions, and then replied:
'Iour father be dawn belaw wi the young
| ma~terr
| My aunt uttered a scream. and threw her
! hands up into the air.
"Deadr' she cried. My dream again!
| You ha' killed him, Annie-you ha' killed
/ your father
NO, no, mother! Don't say thatr'
Speak. ladSw said Tell M every
| thing. Tor Gods S&keI'
/ Then Michael Peumam, as Spoks sman,
! told me, in Il few rapid words, all he knew /;
| that in the course of the afternoon George
| Redruth had descended the mine intcompany
| with my uncle Tor the purpose of inspecting
| the outer gaiicries-my uncle indeed, hav-
| inc fetched him for that very purpose; that
| suddenly. while all were busy below the
| alarm had been given, and. throwing down
| their tools. the men had rushed up tie lad
| ders, while simultaneously they heard 4 rush
| and roar like the sound of the entering sea;
that as they assembled in wild alarm, the
| lower ladder broke beneath the weight .!
some OF the men, who were precipltated with
it into the darkness; and that, finally, when
| they collected nj the mouth of the IaIiie, they
missed besides several of their comrades
both George Redruth and my uncle
| rushed 10 the door. b. this time 1t was
quite dark and it was blowing hard from
! the southwest with hail and rain. | thought
| with horror OF that submarine darkness. ana
o. those wGo were lying even then within il
alive or deaf. Ny mind was made up in s
moment did not even wait to speak to
Annie or my aunt but, calling on the men
to follow me, ran right away in the direction
CT the mine.
The IHen followed me in body. When
we reached the cliffs, we found the wild
news had spread, and an excited throng was
gathered at the mine-head, some carrying
torches, which cast lurid CLEANS on the rainy
darkness. A heavy sea was rolling in on
the strand beneath, and the white pillows
were flashing and crashing.
| Suddenly light hand was placed upon