Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER xxx.

rounded the kitchen door.
CHAPTER xxx.
What has happened?" l cried, run
ming up and facing the terror-stricken
men.
One Of them, Michael Penmaur, a stall
wart fellow OF ive-and-twenty. stepped
forward and acted as spokesman.
What you allays said would happen,
Measter Hugh. The main shaft be food
ed WI the sea-"
Speak, lads" cried. Tell me ev-
erything."
Michael Penmaur told, in a few rapid
words, all he knew; that In the course
Of the afternoon George Redruth had de-
scended the mine In company with my
uncle for the purpose of inspecting the
outer galleries; that suddenly, while all
were busy below, the alarm had been
given, and, throwing down their tools,
the men had rushed up the ladders, while
simultaneously they heard a rush and
roar like the sound Of the entering sea ;
that a. they ascended in wild alarm, the
lower ladder broke beneath the weight
Of some Of the men, who were precipi-
tated with 1t into the darkness; and that.
finally, when they collected at the mouth
of the mine, they missed, besides several
Of their comrades, both George Rudruth
and my uncle.
l rushed to the door. BY this time It
was quite dark, and it was blowing hard
from the southwest, with hail and rain.
l thought with horror of that subm arine
darkness, and Of those who were lying
even then within 1t, alive or dead. My
mind was made up in a moment. l did
not even wait to speak to Annie or my
aunt, but, calling on the men to follow
me, ran right away In the direction Of
the mine.
The men followed me In 4 body. When
we reached the cliffs, we found the wild
news had spread, and an excited throng
was gathered at the mine head, some car
rying torches, which cast lurid CLEANS on
the rainy darkness. A heavy sea was
rolling In on the strand beneath, and the
white blllows were flashing and crashing.
Suddenly a light hand was placed upon
my arm, and turning. l saw Madeline (;
close to her, like q gaunt specter, Mrs.
Redruth.
THANK heaven, you are here" cried
my darling. "Is there any hope?"
looked into her white face, and saw
In Its wild anxiety only love for my rival;
but at that supreme moment 1 felt no
1ealousy-only supreme pity for him.
Then l glanced at his mother, and heard
her quick CRY Of supplication:
Save him! Save my sonr'
walked to the mouth Of the mine, and
threw open the wooden lid. Then, kneel-
ing down, held my ear over the mouth,
and listened. A sound like thunder-a
horrible rushing and roarlng-came from
below. 1 had no doubt now that the
worst had happened.
There was only one chance for those
below, II by any possibility they sur
vived. Some one must descend and make
an inspection, even at the risk of his
life: and, without a moments hesitation,
determined to volunteer for the task.
Strange to say, my head became quite
cool and clear directly my resolve was
made.
Listen. lads!" said. There's hope
yet, and I'm going down"
l explained my plan. Several of them,
Michael Penmaur among the number,
agreed to descend with me to the plat.
form. and to lower me thence down the
bottom shaft. In less time than It takes
to write these lines, the messengers re-
turned with several coils Of rope, and
candles; l stuck several of the latter
about my person. Then was ready. !
had set my foot on the first rung of the
ladder. and was about to descend, when
Madeline bent over me.
"God bless you," she cried, "and bring
you safe bnckr'
1 reached up, and taking her hand
pressed 1t to my lips.
"If he lives" I said, "Ill restore him
to you. and to his mother. Don't cry
Miss Graham! There's a chance YETI!
Scarcely realizing the significance OF
what had occurred, 1 descended rapidly
followed by Michael and the volunteers
A went, the roar from below increased
and the solid rock on which the ladder
was set seemed to shake as with earth.
quake. In pitch darkness reached the
first platform. Here l paused, and, strik.
Ing q light, lit the candles on my person
My companions did tho same. The lurid
light Lit up their pale, anxious faces, and
shot faint rays down into the mine.
"Now, then, lads" I cried, descending r
the second stage Of ladders. Some OF
these were very shaky. Ind I had to use
great caution: but knew the way blind
fold. and all my old experience of the
place stood me In good stead.
At last. with no harm done to anyone
we reached the central platform. Here
} the roar was deafenins, and the solid
rock seemed splitting with the sound. ]