Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-08
cHApTrR VII

vii 1 had explored every Granny and Ia
miliarized myself with the mining art or
science. / read every book on the sub
ject that l could buy or borrow, and in
short time could have passed pretty
stiff examination as an engineer.
must now pass over. at one swi-t
bound, lapse of eight years. During
shat time | had exchanged the duties of
clerk for that of assistant oyerseer and
then. on the death Of Dir. Redruth, for
those of oyerseer-in-chief Behold me,
then, at twenty-five years of age, the
hnainstay of the Pendragon household
rough, robust, full Of strength, and its
rnde ride. In my twenty second year
occurred an event which was destined to
exercise no little influence over my whole
future life.
was standing one day on the cliffs,
close to the mouth of the mine, when l
saw two figures coming from the direc-
tion of the village. One was my cousin
Annie now comely young woman; the
pther was young George Redruth, whom
1 had scarcely set eyes upon since the
fine of his fathers death.
They were talking earnestly, and did
not seem at first to notice me; but pres
emily | saw Annie give a startled look
In my direction, and afterward they APP
preached together. He strolled up care
iessly, swinging his cane and smoking
cigar
-Ah. Trelawney," he said. with a nod;
your cousin Annie has been telling me
that there are complaints again about
the outlying shafts of the mine. So I'm
going down TO have a look round
Very well. sir" l replied, wondering
in my own mind why Annie had chosen
20 make herself the mouthpiece of the
men.
II suppose it's safe enough? ?" he said,
after a moment. You know, though |
am mine owner, l don't know much
about the business; l used to leave all
that to the governor.
1t is only right. was my reply. "taht
you should judge its safety for yourself.
IL anything happened. YOU would be re-
sponsible."
For the men Of course; but ~ their
living, and no doubt they know how to
look after themselves. Be good enough
70 make all ready, Trelawney, for I'm
going down at once"
| walked off toward the Office. Look
ing back over my shoulder. | saw him
glance after me. and then, with a con-
Eemptuous laugh. say something to Annie.
My blood boiled angrily, and my cheeks
gRw crimson. could have turned back
and struck him in the face. Close to
the Office | found my uncle, who had Just
come up from underground l told him
the young master was going down, and he
was delighted
Hes brave lad. Master URGE" he
cried. "Pll gaw wi Jun, and shaw 'un
where the wall be breaking down.
Presently Redruth came along, and
Followed be into the office, where sew
seral wooden costumes were hanging. He
laughed gaily, as he transformed himself
into a miner My uncle led the way
down the trap, showing infinite care and
tenderness for the young master. The
earth soon swallowed US, and the only
light we had was the light of the candles
stuck in our hats.
From ladder to ladder we went, till we
reached the central platform. Then
down we crept again, till we reached the
lowest galleries, and became conscious o.
the gname-like figures at work in the
submarine darkness. My uEcle still led
the way. stopping from time to time TO
pilot Redruth over awkward stones and
dangerous trap-hoIes. Onr progress was
now very slow. Walking. STOPPING
crawling, climbing, descending, we pro-
ceeded; now crossing black abysses. thin
" covered with quaking planks; past wild
figures kneeling or 4, .hg, and laboring
vvith short pickaxes at the ore; and as we
went, the roar which had been an our ears
from the beginning deepened, while the
solid rocks above us seemed quaking in
the act to fall.
Where are we now?' asked the young
master.
..whar. Master Jarge?" repeated my
uncIe, With friendly grin. right dawn
under the sac. Twenty fathoms under
the sea level, aid three hundred feet, or
more, out beyond low water mark"
We'll where's the damage? 1t all
seems snug enough"
.sCome this way Master larger said
my uncle, crawling forward, until we
reached narrow space with just room
for two of us to stand abreast Sud
deny. we found ourselves ankle deem in
ssat,r. and at the same time thicl drops
like heavy rain fell from the rocks above
us. My uncle reached up with his hands.
and touched the roof, which was par
.Ially fortified with wood and cement
Il plugged this var last night, Master
large" he explained; 'the salt water
were streaming in like fall"
As he spoke. the roar deepened to a
crash. and we could distinctly hear the
sea grinding on the pebbles. right above
orr heads. Ii seemed momently as if
4he whole fabric of the rock would break
IN. under the fiux and refux of the roll
ing waves. / saw Redruth start back
and glance toward the gallery down
which we had come. But he recovered
his sang froid in moment
How thick is the ceiling here, Ire
Iawney?'' he asked.
six feet at the thicAest, sir: at the
thinnest. where you see the wooden plug.
not more than three"
Young Redruth looked up again, and
taking a candle from his person. exam
ined the rock. 1t was actually percoIat-
ed with sea water oozing through the
solid granite mass, but through all the
dampness and sliminess the stripes Of
pure copper ran in rich bars. forming
part OF the finest and most precious lode
in the whole rhine.
why, it's almost solid ore" be said
--eIss, Master Jarge." reblrned my un-
esle. but us can't go no further this ways
without flooding the shaft 1t would be
warth thousands O. pounds to gaw on.
and twill cost a heap to keep tight and
safe as il be"
The Young master made no further re-
mark just then. bat continued his exam.
Ination Of the other parts Of the mine
In several other places the roof was
dangerous. My uncle pointed out the
various unsafe portions.
At last we re-ascended to the sunshine.
How brirhf aud dazzling m Sesnasd after