The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-07


mo, no." said Benson, peremptoriiy.
you amt 1T to go down, SIR" persisted
his follower. I've never seen you look
20 before. Now f.
mind your business" said his master.
curtiy.
George became silent and the three
walked with swinging strides through the
long wet grass to the well. Bob hung the
rope on the ground and at sign from
his master handed him the candlestick.
Here's the line for 1t, SIR" said Bob.
fumbling In his pockets
Benson took II from him and slowly tied
II to the candlestick. Then he placed It
on the edge OF the well and striking a
match lit the candle and began slowly to
lower It.
Hold hard, SIR said George quickly,
laying his hand on his arm; you must tilt
1t or the stringll burn through"
Even as he spoke the string parted and
the candlestick fell into the water below.
'Ill soon get another said George,
starting UP.
Never mind. the wells all right" said
Benson.
ut won't take moment, SIR" said the
other over his shoulder.
Are you master here, or am II" said
Benson, hoarsely.
George came back slowly. glance at his
masters face stopping the protest upon
his tongue, and he stood by watching him
sullSily as he sat on the well and removed
his outer garments. Both men watched
him curiousiy as. having completed his
preparations, he stood grim and silent with
his hands by his side
IT wish you'd let me go. SIR said
George, plucking up courage to address
him. you amt fit to go, you've got
chill or something. shouldn't wonder
it's the typhoid. They've got 1t In the VII
lage bad"
For a moment Benson looked at him
angrily; then his gaze softened. mot this
time, George" he said quietly. He took
the looped end Of the rope and placed 1t
under his arms. and sitting down threw
one leg over the other side of the well.
"How are you going about 1t, sir?'
quericd George. laying hold OF the rope
and signing to Bob to do the same.
''I'll call out when 1 reach the water"
said Benton; then pay out three yards
more quickly so that can get to the bot
TOM"
VERY good, sir" answered both.
Their master threw the other leg over
| the coping and sat motionless. His back
| was turned toward the men as he sat with
head bent, looking down the shaft. He
sat for so long that George became uneasy.
"All right, sir?" he inquired.
Yes said Benson, slowly. IF I tug
| at the rope George. pull up at once. Lower
| away
The rope passed steadily through their
| hands until hollow cry from the dark
| ness and faint splashing warned them
{, that he had reached the water. They gave
| him three yards more, and stood with re-
| Taxed grasp and strained ears. waiting.
| "He's gone under" said Bob In a low
voice.
| The other nodded and moistening his
! huge palms, took a firmer grip of the rope.
| IerrI mi, r,al oil nd hn IAN ha-
| gan to exchange uneasy glances. Then a
sudden tremendous jerk, followed by a
| series OF feebler ones, nearly tore the
rope from their grasp.
| "Pullr' shouted George. placing one foot
| on the side and hauling desperately;
| ''Pull! pull! He's stuck fast; he's not
coming; P-U-LL!"
| In response to their terrific exertionS
! the rope came slowly in, inch by inch,
| until at length a violent splashing was
| heard, and at the same moment scream
! of unutterabe horror came echoing up
| the shaft.
| what a weight he isl" painted Bob.
Hes stuck fast or something. Keep
| still, sir; for heavens sake. keep stillv
| For the taut rope was being jerked vio-
| lently by the struggles of the weight at
the end of it. Both men, with grunts and
4 signs, hauled it in foot by foot
| "All right. SIR" cried George, cheerfully.
He had one foot against the we'll sand
| was pulling manfully; the burden was near
ing the top. A long pull and strong pull.
and the face Of dead man with mud in
| the eyes and nostrils came peering over
the edge Behind 1t was the CHASTITY face
| of his master: but this he saw too late.
| for with a great cry he let go his hold
| of the rope and stepped back. The sud-
| denness overthrow his assistant, and the
| rope tore through his hands. There was
| frightful splash.
You fool!' stammered Bob, and ran to
| the well helplessly.
| RUM cried George. run for another
| line"
| He bent over the coping and called eager
| ly down as his assistant sped back to the
| stables shouting wildly. His voice re.
echoed down the shaft. but all else was
silence.