Year: 1860




There could be no doubt as to th,
cause of this phenomenon; the mine hat
caved in. Their mule was brought to |
stand, and the Scotchmao, accompanied
by the miner who had served as the Je
hu of the party, proceeded onward t.
make an exploration. In short time
they returned and reported that the fal
of earth and rock was so great that i
would take at least three days to dig Z
passage way out; and that there was grea
danger of further falls, the earth being
now loosened. Here was predicament
Buried beneath mountain beyond any
possible help for three days, with no wa
ter or food, and the air so close that un.
accustomed lungs could hardly breathe il
the stoutest heart might we'll quail al
the contemplation of such condition
But female heroism rose superior to this
misfortune, and the ladies of the party
''stood as those who championed hun an
fears" One of them declared that they
could skill the mule and live upon th at
three days, or until they could be dug
out"


After consultation among the miners,
the Stoteh guide announced that there
was an air shaft ascending from the end
Of the mine to the summit OF the noun
tain, and that it was barely possible that
this might afford way of egress. The
party therefore returned to the extremi-
ty of the drift, aud the miner who had
accompanied them was sent up the shaft
to ascertain If it was open to the surface.
For near two hours the company anxious
ly awaited the return OF their messenger.
At the end Of that time be came back with
the report that he had reached the sur
face with great difficulty, and that the
shaft was open but in very dangerous
condition Time had rotted away the
tiubers which kept its sides from falling
together, and the stones hung loose in
many places, ready to fall at the slightest
touch. But still there was hope of es-
cape; and when humanity is reduced to
desperation, feats can be accomplished
which in calmer moments, would be con-
siderod impossible.


This air shaft was less than two feet in
diameter, and rose to height of near six
hundred feet. In some places it was per-
pendicular, and in others it was carried
up at an angle. The dampness of years
had covered the timbers around it with
slime. aud where they had rotted away q
soft mud oozed out of the earth. But
notwithstanding oil these difficulties, ad-
ded to the danger that falling rock
might wedge them in beyond the power OF
escape, and leave them to die the liuger-
ing death of being buried alive, they de-
termiued to attempt the ascent.


Their party consisted of the two ladies,
the two gentlemen who acted as their es-
cort, the Scotchman, who was their guide,
and two miners. The ladies prepared
themselves for the perilous undertaking by
removing all their superfuous clothing,
and the ascent was commenced. The
guide with one miner #ent first, the two
gentlemen followed, then came the ladies,
and lastly the rem aiming miner. Pain
fully they toiled upward, now dragging
themselves over decaying timters and
projecting rocks, now forcing themselves
through spaces where it seemed almost
Impossible for them to pass, and nov
drawing each other up by hand, from step
to step. where the ascent was perpendicu
lar Through all this the fortitude of the
ladies never deserted them. They were
cheerful aud hopeful, when the men who
accompanied them were ready to despopd
After two hours of almost superhuma Ell
exertion. the blue sky appeared above
them, and the fragrant air filed them
with delight. Thank God they were
saved.


But what an appearance did they pre-
sent I From head to foot they were GOV.
cred with mud and filth. Their clothe!
we're IN tatters, and their hands were la
cerated and bleeding. Night had descen
ded, and they were three miles from hone
in the midst of wilderness. But tht
greatest danger was passed, and with
cheerfulness which almost banishet thei
fatigue they commenced their homewar'
journey. At length they reached the cir
Gle Of their friends, who bad suffered al
anxiety almost as painful as their oWl
terrible experience. 1t vas not until tn
haven of rest was reached, where tearfu
faces welcomed them, that the two younl
ladies gave way; and then, the peril belnt
all over, and the occasion for heroisE
past, feminine delicacy resumed its sway
and those who had borne so much, an
SO Dobly, sank into swoon.


I have written this adventure just as
occurred, without an effort at embellish
ments, and without desire to mike tb
heroism of two young girls, aceustome
to all the care and luxury of city life, az
pear in any brighter light than it reals
deserves 1t is almost impossible to Ia
imagine greater trials than those throug
which they passed. and their condu'
throughout is another evidence of tbi
nobleness of female nature which ha
found historic representatives in Grae
Darling and Jessie Brown.


w. B. S