Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-22
CHAPTER VII.

eooPcneu, anu IL haunted me ike u pas
sion. Its darkness and perils had a
fascination for me, and l was not content
thl l had explored every Granny and ia
miliarized myself with the mining art or
science. l read every book on. the sub
Ject that 1 could buy or borrow, and in
a short TIM l could have passed a pretty
sum examination as an engineer.
L must now pass over, at one swift
bound, a lapse of eight years. During
that time l had exchanged the duties of
clerk for that of assistant overseer, and
then, on the death of Mr.. Redruth, for
those of overseer-in-chief. Behold me,
then, at twenty-five years of age, the
mainstay Of the Pendragon household
rough, robust, full of strength, and its
rude pride. 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 1
saw two figures coming from the direc-
ton of the village. One was my cousin
Annie, now a comely young woman; the
other was young George Redruth, whom
had scarcely set eyes upon since the
-Ao AuthCl . Cul
They were talking earnestly, and did
not seem at frst to notice me; but pres
emily l saw Annie give a startled look
In my direction, and afterward they ap-
preached together. He strolled up care
lessly, swinging his cane and smoking a
cigar.
All, 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 W mind why Annie had chosen
to make herself the mouthpiece of the
men.
Il suppose it's safe enough ?" he said,
after a moment. You know, though l
am a 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.
Ii anything happened, you would be re-
sponsible."
For the men, of course; but it's their
living, and no doubt they know how to
look after themselves. Be good enough
to make all ready, Trelawney, for I'm
going down at once"
l walked off toward the office. Look
ing back over my shoulder, l saw him
glance after me, and then, with a con-
temptuous laugh, say something to Annie.
My blood boiled angrily, and my cheeks
grew crimson. l could nave turned back
and struck him in the face. Close to
the Office l found my uncle, who had Just
ANNA III frAp. YDIl k1lI Ii.
the young master was going down, and he
was delighted.
Hes a brave lad, Master Jarge," he
cried. "TIl gaw wi 'un, and shaw 'un
where the wall be breaking down"
Presently Redruth came along, and
followed be into the Office, where sew.
eral 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 OF
the gname-like figures at work in the
submarine darkness. My uncle still led
the way, stopping from time to time tC
pilot Redruth over awkward stones and
dangerous trap-holes. Our progress was
now very slow. Walking, STOPPING
crawling, climbing, descending, we pro
ceeded; now crossing black abysses, thin
ly covered with quaking planks; past wild
figures k~neeling or lying, and laboring
with short pickaxes at the ore; and as we
went, the roar which had been in our ears
from the beginning d%eepened, while the
solid rocks above us seemed quaking il
the act to fall.
"Where are we now?" asked the young
master.
"Whar, Master Jarge?" repeated my
uncle, with a friendly grin, right dawr
under the sac. Twenty fathoms under
the sea level, and three hundred feet, OF
more, out beyond low water mark"
well, where's the damage? 1t al
seems snug enough"
"Come this way, Master Jarge!" sale
my uncle, crawling forward. until We
reached a narrow space with just room
for two of us to stand abreast. Sud
denly, we found ourselves ankle deep il
water, and at the same time thick drop!
like heavy rain fell from the rocks allow
us. Ny uncle reached up with his hands
and touched the roof, which was par
TALLY fortified with wood and cement.
II plugged this var last night, MasteI
Jarge," he explained; 1.-THE salt wateI
were streaming in like a fall"
As he spoke, the, roar deepened to
crash, and we could distinctly hear thu
sea grinding on the pebbles, right allow
our heads. 1t seemed momently as i
the whole fabric of the rock would breal
IN, under the fux and refux of the roll
ing waves. l saw Redruth start bacl
and glance toward the gallery dow
which we had come. But he recovered
his sang froid in a moment
How thick is the ceiling here, Ire
lawney" he asked.
six feet at the thickest, sir; at tn,
thinnest, where you see the wooden plug