The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-14


way was now completely covered. For
q time 1t seemed an even chance
against the incoming water. Then,
with Swanson's clay and the increas-
Ing air pressure, the flow slowly less
ened.
Were beating her" observed the
sub-boss.
Swanson removed his hand from Jer.
nigan's body, for the air pressure now
supported him firmly in place. More
clay was brought and plugged In
around Jernigan's body, and presently
the tunnel no longer grumbled,
Now, Swanson" said Jernigan, you
80 up and get those men out here He
said other things about his crew not
necessary to set down in this place.
Swanson started promptly, but he
had not gone far when he heard Jern!
gan shout. He turned and saw the
sub-boss spread out his arms and be-
gin to struggle. The big Swede ran
STOPPING through the water. He saw
instantly what the matter was. The
air pressure was driving Jernigan bod
lily into the soft mud. Already his body
had nearly disappeared, His head rest
ed against the rim of the tunnel and
he was grasping desperately TO hold
himself inside. His face was white,
and he could not speak. Swanson
seized him by the collar; his shirt tore
away. Then the great Sw-de took hold
of his arms and drew him from the en-.
gulfng mud by main force. He fell
unconscious In Swanson's arms. In.
stantly there came the gurglng of es.
Gaping air. then wild inrushing tor.
rent of mud and water.
Swanson ran, at first with the sub
boss In his arms, the water sursins
about his legs, but he was soon SO ham.
pered that he drew Jernigan's shoul.
ders unde, him arm and then rushed
on again, dragging his burden. The
heavy air ;oared in his ears. and he
choked with the humping of his heart.
He had Already been under pressure
longer thar the usual time. And still
he waded, the water now up to his
waist He held Jernigan's head above
the flood.
Thus he came to the air lock and
pounded on the steel door. He knew
that there was not one chance III a
thousand taat any one would dare to
open it. for the water was already
above the upper frame. There, too,
had come Billy, the tunnel mule, drag.
ging his empty car behind him. He
had not hurried, though he realized that
something vas wrong. and he now
stood with quiet patience, his nose
close pressed to the steel door. II had
always opened to him before. He had
faith to believe 1t would open now.
Although sore pressed, Swanson
stroked The mules rough neck, then |
bent bis shoulder into the water and |
unlocked the harness traces. He felt |
that there was no chance for any of |
them, but be wanted to give Billy an |
equal opportunity to fight for his life. |
There were presently just room and air |
between the top Of the tunnel and the
top Of the water to accommodate Swan |
sons head and Jernigan's, which
Swanson held up. Swanson could see
the long row of electric lights cleaning |
on the muddy food. They were at the
highest posrt In the tunnel, and the
water had not yet reached them.
Again hc knocked on the wall, and
some one knocked In reply. Swanson
fancied there were voices, but he could
not make ont what was said for the
buzzing in MS ears, but the door did
not open. 4 few feet away the soft
gray nose IF Billy, the mule. rose above
the water Swanson reached out and
touched it with dripping fingers. There
was beseeching look In the dumb eyes,
as II the mule knew that he could not
last much longer. Swanson said moth
ing. There was strange likeness be-
tween the man and the brute. Both
were slow, dull, powerful Of body, with
the patience that outwears suffering
and the dumb, accomplishing faith
that goes down to death without a
quiver Neither made an outcry. Hav-
ing done all that was possible, they
waited. Swanson's eyes presently be-
gan to fail him. The lights grew dim,
but he still held Jernigan's head above
the water.
All this time the great pumps above
ground were drawing to their utmost
on the flood, and the engines were driv-
Ing compressed air into the deep work
ings, though those outside had little
hope Of rescuing the entombed men,
and yet, what human hands were so
weak in doing, blind circumstance had
already accomplished, for the terrific
thrush of water at the tunnels end had
brought in great quantities Of sand,
clay and powders, which soon filled the
tunnel for many feet and finally chok-
ed the break, so that water could no
longer enter.
The tunnel had oyerreached itself In
Its treachery, and now, slowly, the
pumps and the compressors began to
lower the flood within the pressure
Swanson was dimly con-
scious of the change. He felt the wa