The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-09

Tim ran rapidly TO the power house ana
called to Bosworth. The engineer was at
his station, and responded promptly
What's the matter with the pumps?"
Tim gasped, his face pale with appre-
hension.
Il don't know. my boy. I'm looking
for the trouble"
The engineer was down among the
cranks and rods, tapping here and there
with his hammer, and testing the steam
generators to see If they were all right
Tim sprang down with him, and the two
went over every part of the machinery.
II must be in the pumps themselves, ="
Bosworth finally announced.
The two hurried out to the pumps, but
as they passed Tim glanced at the water
in the reservoir. 1t had already risen
half an inch. How long would it take to
reach the level of the dam and pour
over?
He followed Bosworth into the pumping
station. and tried to iend what aid he
| could, but il was little that he could sug-
| gest or accomplish. There was some
| complication in the electrical machine or
In the pumps that he could not fathom.
! Bosworth labored long and earnestly
the perspiration pouring from his heated
brow. He was a skilled mechanic and
engineer. and when at last he spoke,
Tim knew that the worst was realized.
Send somebody down the valley to
warn the men," he said In a husky voice
you stay here l need somebody with
me-"
The mans face was white through the
| black oil and SCOT. and when Tim left
him to give the alarm he looked ten years
older. II was five miles down to the near-
est camp. and messenger would barely
have time to reach II before the flood.
I Tim looked the RalIRo I'm
the reservoir on his way back and was
startled at the rapidity Of the rising
water.
THE water is six inches higher" he
gasped as he rushed into the pumping
station.
Yes, / know It," Bosworth replied
Then without another word the strong
man burst into tears.
Tim stood a moment almost paralyzed
at the situation, while a tear stood In his
own eyes.
Cant we do something" he almost
pleaded.
mo, I've done my best" replied the
engineer, slowly. The pumps are stuck.
J They've mastered me, and / shall 60
down with em, Poor StevensH'
The words OF Mr. Stevens came back
to Tim. and he exclaimed excitedly;
Come over to the other side of the
reservoir We can break down the side
there, and let the waters run into the
mountain gorgev'
The engineer shook his head. mot
1 time enough" he said.
Tim tried to draw him forth, but with
out avail. Then he rushed out of the
house, and raced over the rough path
toward the stone quarry. He knew he
would find men there getting out the
stone for the entertainments of the canal
below. Breathlessly he rushed upon them
and told his taie.
The men dropped their work and hur-
ried to the entertainments OF the reservoir
Their practiced eye soon took In the stu
alton. The waters had already risen "a
foot. and another foot would mean de-
struction of the canal, IL not the loss Ct
many lives.
"Qulckl Tear down this embankmentp
screamed Tim. selling a pickax and dig
ging frantically at the earthwork.
The men set 10 work with a will But
the embankment was high and thick here.
Nearby was a heavy train of cars for
carrying the quarried stone. A temporary
sidetrack backed up TO the very edge Of
the reservoir embankment.
"Oh. how fast the water seemed 10 risel
Inch by inch II came up. creeping like a
stealthy panther up the sloping bank. The
men we're toiling fearfully. doggedly, but
the embankment refused to fall.
Five inches. six inches. seven, eight. the
boy measure with his rod. A rise Of two
more inches and II would be too late.
4 Tins eyes wandered despairingly down