Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-18

the torrent swirling around his feet. At last, after a struggle that left them completely exhausted, they reached the first drift from the bot tom. There was 2 wooden platform here, and the drift ran out into the sides of the hill several hundred feet. Stuart and his unknown rescuer lean- ed a moment panting against the side of the wall, while Eric lay on the plat form to all appearances lifeless. "We can't stay here long" gasped Stuart. ''See the water coming upr' He pointed down the black we'll from which they had climbed so painfully. The rushing water and the falling in of ore banks made terrifying uproar about them.
 We can get out on this level,'' re- l piled his companion.
 What. How's that? We are 800 | feet below ground here"
 '"The old Beury shaft opens into this | drift. I walked in here this afternoon myself. Here is where I heard you shout for help. There. Don't you feel ! that breeze blowing through the urift?' | Stuart turned his face and felt the 1 passing of q cool wave of air. And 
 several years before, when boy, he l had himself climbed down into the old | Ecury shaft. which opened up on the | side of the hill, and made his way to | the level of the Davis mine where he | now stood. The mines were some times connected in this way, though | the abandoned passage would often be- come choked and blocked up by falling | masses of ore.
 But there was no time to lose, even with this unexpected avenue of escape. l The two men caught up Eric and hur- | ried as fast as their burden would al | low up the passage connecting the main with the deserted shaft. After walking with their burden about POO feet the drift turned abruptly to the right and began to ascend sharply. It grew more difficult to carry Erie, but the danger from the water was now over. The old passage was really q | tunnel let into the side of the hill st a 1 sharp incline instead of q shaft sunk | down vertically from above. When 1 they had reached q point above the inn mediate reach of the water, they sank | down eyIauSted again, and by tie l flickering light Stuart first noticed who ! his reScuer was.
 II haven't any cards with me, but I'll introduce myself,' he said in q tone that made Stuart smile, and yet there was nothing fippant or lacking in ser- ousness about the man. T am the new minister at the church with the clock in the tower--St. Johns. I arrived in Champion two days ago. Ly name is ! T,. the mine owner? 1 am glad to meet you.''
 He reached out his hand. and Stuart took it, clasping it over the body of Erie. He felt strange thrill as he did so. Somehow the peculiar formality of the mans speech struck him as token of . special kind of strength. He seemed to feel that here was a man who, whatever his oddities, was pos sessed of qualities that were really very rare and valuable.
 T owe you my life and that of my friend here," he said. Tt all seems very strange to me. your appearance. I had given myself up for lost. should certainly have drowned if you had not appeared.'
 Yes; 1 think you would-that is. un- less you had left the body of your friend here, and you don't look like the kind of man to do that. But we ought to move on. We need to get him to the doctor as soon as possible. My appear ance here is very simple, and can tell that afterward. Shall we move on:'
 Stuart eagerly assented. and they stumbled on up the tunnel. Their prog ress was very slow, for Erie was en- trely dead weight. and neither Stu Ert nor his companion was a powerful man physically: They had gone but a short distance, however. when lights appeared farther up the shaft, and soon they were surrounded by group of miners, accompanied by Dr. Saxon.
 There was no time for more than the briefest explanations. The party took Eric from Stuart and the minister, and soon they were standing out on the side of the hill in. the starlight. The cool night air blew about Stuart, and he thanked God for his life. Farther up on the hill heap of blazing ruins marked the place where the engine house had stood, while at q distance the ladder hole smoked and famed like I small volcano. showing that the tim bers were blazing 1iercely below.
 Take Eric to my house. We are not far from it." said Stuart.
 Yes, and hurry up, men, added the doctor. I'll go on ahead with them, Stuart Erie needs attention as soon as possible"
 The doctor and the miners with Eric hurried down the hill, while Stuart followed With the minister as fast as he could. But now that the strain was over he felt weak and faint
 You must come in and stop with me tonight, MT. Burke. 1 want to know the story of your appearance ill the mine. And, besides, 1 have not had time to thank you"
 T shall be glad to accept your invita- ton. In fact, feel the need of wash ing up before I go back to the town. I am stopping at the hotel" replied Burke.
 As the two walked along, picking their way slowly down the narrow path, q peculiar noise came waited up