West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-01-24

ENNNn - 1850 $3.50
son." Jernigan said. .The old lady
amt playin' her chunes any more"
But Jernigan spoke too soon Not
ten minutes later one OF the Italians
sprang back with n shout; he had open
ed n little pocket OF silt neer the top
and at one side OF the tunnels end.
For n moment the soft earth gushed
out; then there was the wailing sound
Of escaping air. Instantly Swanson
drove n clay ball into the hole, but In
stead OF remaining there II disappeared
at once. being driven upward by the
escaping mir. Other balls followed in
like manner; the air was going fast.
Half the crew were throwing the clay,
but II either went out Of sight or
sloughed down with the incoming mud.
Then, OF a sudden, IN gushed n torrent
Of water as big as n mans leg. JernI-
gan rang for more air pressure. and the
men %redoubled their efforts, but all to
no avail. Suddenly. while Jernigan
himself was working NJ the breach. the
Italians boltcd. Jernigan yelled at
them, but they were too desperately
frightened and ran at the top OF their
speed for the air lock. The other men
paused undecided for an instant, and
then they. too, followed. 1t seemed GER
tain death to remain with that stream
Of water pouring into the tunnel. II
would require only a moment TO wear
n larger hole, and then the whole river
would be I'm on them. and there were
nearly GOO feet OF running 10 the mir
lock and safety.
Jernigan looked around. Only Swan
son was left. calmly yet swiftly gath
erlng up more clay balls.
For an instant the two men looked at
each other. Jernigan had promised to
see the work through, and ace Il
through he would, water or no water.
Swanson saw him spring suddenly up
on the low earth bank which the me
used when working around The upper
rim of the tunnel. He turned swiftly
and braced himself into the mud Of the
tunnels end. driving his body into the
pocket of quicisand.
Here, Swanson, plug me ln.' he or
dered.
Swanson brought clay balls and drove
them into the mud around Jernigan's
body. "She's comm fast, Meester Yer
higan," he observed. The water pour
ed out everywhere around him, and
when the clay began to stop its course
the pressure was so great on Jerni-
gan's back that Swanson was compel
led to push against him and hold him
In with II of his huge hands while
with the other he plugged away with
the clay.
"Give It to her, SWANSON said Jernl-
gan cheerfully, although his face was
twisted with the pain Of his position.
Swanson worked furiously, with the
water rising about his legs. The other
workmen were already safe In the air
lock. The dim tunnel seemed like a
long pathway Of water, for the road
way was now completely covered. For
a 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. Moro
clay was brought and plugged In
around Jernigan's body, and presently
the tunnel no longer grumbled.
Now, Swanson" said Jernigan, you
go 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 Jernl-
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
mir pressure was driving Jernlgan 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 grasplng 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 Swede took hold
OF his arms AID drew him from the en-
gultlng mud by main force. He fell
unconscious in Swanson's arms. In
staAtly there came the gurgllng of cs-
Gaping air. then a Wild lurushing tor
rent OF mud and water.
Swanson run, Nt arst with the sub
boss In his arms, the water surglng
about lls legs, but lie was sOon 20 ham
pc-el tl.t lie drew Jernlgan's shout
de.5 glls. him aria ANA then rushed
on again. GT, slns his burden. The
heavy air roarGI in his ears, and he
choked with the humping OF his heart.
He had already been under pressure
longer than the usual time. And Sill
he wadcd, the water now UP to his
waist. lie held Jernigan's Eend above
the flood.
Thus le came to the air lock and
pounded on the steel door. lie knew
that there was not one chance In a
thousand that any one would dare to
open 1t, for the wator was already
nDOvc the upper frame. There. too.
had come Billy, the tunnel mule. drag
cling his empty car behind him. He
had not hurried, though he realized that
something was wrong, and ne now
stood with quiet patience. his nose
close pressed to the steel door. 1t had
always opened 10 him before. lie had
faith to believe It would open now.
Although sore pressed. Swanson
strokcd the mules rough neck. rien
bent his shoulder into the water and
unlocked the harness traces. lie felt
that there was mo- chance for my OF
thcm. but he wanted TO give Billy an
cIral opportunity to Sight for his life.
There were presently just room ana air
between the top Of the tunnel and the
top OF The water to accommodate Swan
r.i3 l'el .n1 J~c-uig1n's. Which
i..sisuI Lci. Ju. Swanson could see
tHo long ro" OF electric lights cleaning
on tlc muddy Hood They were at tho