The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-12

ox-hide bucket The windlass creaked and groaned under the pull of the cable, and the crank whirled wfftfy. , Presently thump announced that the bucket had hit the bottom. I gaspadi in surprise wondering If the bandit had survived the shock of that crazy descent.
 How far does that shaft go?" I in quired of the miner. who had just picked himself up and stood glaring l at me in angry astonishment
 Thirty feet" was the reply. What l the devil"
 Hold or" interposed grasping the crank, as Shercliffe came rushing up. That man is Bull Grierson, and we want him for murder Who else is there down in that shaft?"
 My pardner, and he aint got no weapons. either. He has a hole ready to fire, and was just about to come up.
 Hes in a bad box, then" remarked Shercliffe as he stared down the mouth of the pit
 Crack. crack, crack came three shots in rapid succession, and Sher- cliffe jumped back with an oath of sur- prise, his hat falling off his head.
 "A close call he said, coolly, as he picked up his riddled headgear and gazed at the groove cut in the crown by bullet Well all his ammunition is gone, anyway. Whats next to be done?'
 l turned the crank vigorously and the end of the rope appeared. but the bucket was missing. The rope had been cut clean through with knife
 Whose claim is this?" inquired of the miner
 Jackson's, that's me-" was the re- ply. There's a 25-foot levc. at the bottom of the shaft and a hole for ventilation over there"
 He pointed to a small mound not far from the ore dump.
 Could a man get through the ven- tilator shaft?" 1 asked.
 He might; but there's no ladder there. Here's one, but
 Jackson stopped short and pointed to the mouth of the shaft Shercliffe's head was disappearing from view. l. sprang forward to pull him back, but he was out of reach and descending the ladder rapidly
 Johnny, you fool, come back here,' I shouted. but that cheerful youth only responded with mocking laugh, and | saw that there was no chance to inter- fere. Catching the rope, l started in the direction of the air shaft and the windiass again groaned in response to the pull
 Whats the move now?" demanded Jackson
 I'm going down that ventiator hole was my response. You cut that rope loose when it's all run out.'
 The words had scarcely left my mouth when the sound of an explosion followed and a volume of smoke rushed from the shaft
 Somebody set off that hole Bill had loaded" yelled Jackson. Them fel- lows will all be killed by flying rocks or smothered by the fumes
 Perhaps not" I said, hopefully. That air shaft should clear the mine quickly. But come along and help me get down the ventilator.'
 Together we fastened one end of the rope at the surface and allowed the other to drop below. Grasping it tight ly, I lowered myself into the narrow opening The descent was anything but pleasant, taking into consideration the disagreeable and sickening fumes of the blast but at last faint light I bottom of the shaft. Advancing eau tiously l reached ledge on which stood burning candle and as the smoke cleared away crept forward. re- volver in hand. Suddenly I caught sight of two figures locked in a deadly embrace, writhing and twisting on the ground. The uppermost was Johnny. that underneath the giant form of Grierson
 For an instant l stood gripping my revolver by the barrel anxious to strike. yet afraid of injuring Shercliffe, so closely knit together were the strug- gling forms. Although Grierson was underneath, such was the vitality of his iron frame and so furious his at- tempts to dislodge his antagonist that 1 Sherciffe with all his athletic train 1 ing and bull dog courage could do no more than hold the advantage he pos i sessed But at last Johnny managed to shift his right hand from the out laws shoulder to his throat, and as Griersons head went back to the ground, saw my chance and brought the revolver butt down on his skull with all my strength. The bandits limbs relaxed Imply, he groaned and lay still Shercliffe rose with a sigh of relief, and shook hands with me enthusiastically.
 "A bully wind-up. wasn't it?" was his sage comment. Say, but it's no won. der they named that chap Bull Grier- son. He's a strong one, all right. I might have handled him but I'm not sorry you stepped around when you did"