The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-08-05

There was still daylight enough for
the experiment, and he tried it without
loss Of time. A single attempt TO throw
the cumbersome anchor up through the
hole in the roof answered the question.
The short-hoaded pick used by the
miners is much lighter than the common
implement of that name, but even with
this advantage he could not throw it to
the required height, and, in addition, he
saw at once that, even il he had the
strength, it would take hours of prac-
tice to bring the skill necessary to en-
able him to hurl the thing through the
narrow gap in the rocks. Not to weary
himself needlessly, he desisted after the
first trial, and sat down to eat his scanty
supper by the last rays of fading light.
After it had been washed down by an
other drink from the pool, he made his
simple arrangements to pass another
night in the cavern, and tried to go to
sleep; but his brain was too actively at
work trying to devise new expedients,
and after tossing and rolling upon his
sandy couch for awhile he sat up to try
to think it out. Since the night was,
clear and calm. the silence in the cave
was profound, and, knowing that the.
ordinary noises of the upper world
could not reach him, he was startled
from his revery by sound like the
shuffling Of cautious footsteps, followed
Immediately by the appearance Of a dull
glow of light in the chamber beyond the
crevice. His first thought WIS that his
esptors had come to make another at,
tempt to kill him, and IL brought with
IL fit Of terror similar to that which
had attacked him ON the previous night,
but he set his teeth and overcame 1t,
flattening himself against the wall and
waiting breathlessly for what should
follow. 1t was . trying moment, and
he was surprised TO find himself grow
ing calmer and more collected with the
passing Of the tagging seconds; then
The tingling of his nerves told him that
he had once more passed the mysterious
boundary between helpless fear and
courageous resolution, and, drawing his
revolver, he waited in grim silence for
the appearance Of face at the opening,
While he watched, the light began to
fade, and the explanation came to him
mt once. They've gone into the mine;
that's better; perhaps can catch them
rs they come out" In q few minutes
the duh glow began to return, and he
saw the two men assthey emerged from
abe gallery leading to the mine. They
were talking in low tones, and Ring
brand listened.
"Itop We hit was too soon, the one who
carried the lamp was saying; "we-aA II
5est have to wait yere a spell till them
3eIIers get sleepy"
They passed out of Ringbrand's range
cI vision, but he could still hear every
word that was said, and the reply made
him almost sorry that he had held his
hand while he had them in sight:
They'll get sleepy bime-by. Wonder
if that thar neighbor of our'n in yon-
der's still a-snoozin' like he was when
yc plugged him?"
"Ye can jest bet on hit, Buddy; I low
was some shaky, but / reckon l amt
missin' anything as big as a man at that
Thar distance"
There was little silence, and then
one of them spoke again: whilst
we're a-waitin' yere, jeff, ye mought GO
over what you-alrs a-fgurin' on fer to-
morrer night. hain't got hit right
clear in my haid yet"
"Jest hol' on minute. Gimme that
thar light, till see if the city fellsr's
Hhar he ort to be-"
Curiosity TO know what was to be ex'