The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-17

mimi nor ole Cap Black nor heny on us !!
An [ don't b'leeve has ELL git nobody
'ere'bouts fool 'nough t. go down hin that
there thing to be drowned like rat in a
ole, neither an hit nothin' but ghosts,
tooW For Tregaskis, in common with
many, still firmly believed in the super
natural character of raps which were heard
on the compressor pipe from time to time.
Few men being able to work, the most
of the English employees are at the COM
pany's clearinghouse at the supper hour,
when the notice is posted for all hands to
be at the engine-yard of the new shaft at
P. NJ. No women are admitted.
When the whistle blows at that time the
gates are closed; and there are in and
around the shafthouse at least 200 Next
cans and 400 Cornishmen, many of them
with lanterns.
The yard is further lighted by several To-
connective headlights.
Mr.. Rose mounts a lumber pile in the
glare of headlight.
Hoping to convince some of the least SUI
perstitious of the miners, the manager re-
counts the evidence that their comrades
are alive in the mine; reminds them that
it is more than two days since they have
had any food, and assures them that their
mates must die of starvation unless re-
lieved before the mine with its long drifts
can possibly be cleared of water.
Mr.. Rose also declares his confidence in
the practicability of Colonel Bestor's res
cue apparatus, which, but for his age, he
says, he would try himself; offers reward
of $500 to whoever will go down, and, if
married, to provide for their families in
case of disaster. And after feeingly cor
traying the situation of their mates who
are waiting and trusting to them for deliv-
erance, even such a deliverance as they
may one day need themselves he asks,
''Who will go?"
Many brave men are in the yard, and
some of them have more than once taken
their lives in their hands to save their work
mates from death among the thousand
dangers incident to the life of miner, and
some OF these very heroes are sobbing now.
But so thoroughly has the rumor of the
distrust of the "bosses" as to the safety OF
the prepared apparatus been circulated
that no one offers to go.
Somebody is rafting the yard gate and
clamoring to get in.
What" entreats Mr.. Rose, sis there
not man of you brave
Mr.. Rose" interrupts the surveyor, 81
can't stand this; I'll CO.,
mo, sir,' decidedly replied the man.
ager; you shall not. -
The. gate opens, and Jimmie James,
after last word with two weeping women,
enters.
"Will no one go?" again appeals the
manager.
'|Ye mustn't blame we, ner think has all
on US his towards, er ave no cart" said
Captain Vivian; "but none of we's ready
fer t. commit suicide. Show US on'y one
chanel, an f no one helse III go, hill go.
But | SEE, SEE hi, has that there bag'll
bust, an wat then?p
"Old as / am" said the manager, 81 see
L must 60 myself"
Jimmie James has mounted the lumber
pile. and is standing behind Mr.. Rose, who
does not yet see him.
please, Mr.. Rose, .mayn't I go?' says
the chain bearer, stepping in front of the
manager, and taking off his cap and pulling
at lock of his thin, lank. clay-colored
hair, and making an awkward attempt at a
bow. ~
What" exclaimed the m anager, scarce
crediting his ear.
'Hooray ~ shouts the crowd.
eff ye'll on'y take care o my old mann
my if hi do be killed. explained Jimmie
faye, thatI WILL my brave fellow" said
Mr., Rose, grasping his hand. "But you're
not going to be hurt, but to save those poor
| fellows and get $500 for it."
| eli don't go fer no money" protested