Year: 1868

that, even sprung as it was, the touch o.
it would give him courage.


"Where is it, boy ?' he said, hoarsely


and then looking into his face, which was
turned to me, l saw that his eyes were
drawn together, squirting and bloodshot
and knew that the fright had driven him
blind. So pushing myself to him,
placed my arm round his waist and
worked round to the rod, which put in
his hand and then looked below, to see
whether they were trying to help us bu,
there was no sign. The yard was full ol
people, all running hither and thither
and Us afterwards knew, all in the great.
est CONSERVATION; the cradle hayins fallen
on one OF the overseers of the works kill.
ing him on the spot, and so occupying the
attention of those near, that We unfor.
tunates were for the time forgotten. l was
straining my eyes, in hope Of seeing some
effort made to help US, when was star,
tied by horrible yell, and brought to q
sense of new danger, for looking round,
saw Ben champiDg with his teeth and
toaming at the mouth, and gesticulating
in an unearthly way. Fear had not only
blinded him, but crazed his brain.


Scarcely had time to comprehend this,
when he began edging his way toward
me; and every hair on my head seemed
to stand on end, as moved away, keep.
ing as far of ~ could, and scarcely
daring to breathe, lest he should hear me,
for see me he could not that was nv only
consolation. Observation-Disclosures, he fol.
lowed me around the mouth of that horri.
BILE chimney; then, no doubt thinking
had fallen over, he gave up the search, and
began trying to get on to his feet. What
could now do to save his life? To touch
him was certain death to myself as we'll
as him, for he would inevitably seize me,
and We would both 90 over together. 10
let him stand up was to witness his equal,
ly certain destruction.


l thought Of poor Mary, and remem>
Der that if he died, she might get to care
for me. The devil put that thou ght in NY
mind, suppose; but, thank God, there
was o stronger than Satan near, and at the
risk OF my life, roared out, ''Sit still, or
you will fall, Ben Lloyd!'


He crouched down and held on with
clenched teeth, shivering and shaking.
In after-days, he told me that he thought
it was my spirit sent to warn and save
him.


"Sit STILL" repeated from time to time,
watching with aching eyes and brain for
some sign Of aid. Each minute seemed to
be an hour. My lips grew dry, nv tongue
literally Glove to my mouth, and the per-
spiration running down blinded mo. At
last-at last-hope came. The crowd
began to gather in the yard, people were
running in from distant lanes, and sea
of faces were turned upward; then some
one who had got speaking trumpet,
shouted, "keep heart, boys. we'll save
your A few minutes more and the kite
began to rise higher and higher it comes,
on and on. How l watched the white
winged messenger, comparing it in my
heart to an angel and surely, as an angel
was 1t permitted to come to US poor sin.
ners, hanging on the verge Of eternity.
U? it came, nearer and nearer, guided by
the skillful flyer. The slack rope crossed
the chimney and we were saved.


l could not shout hurrah, even had
dared; hut in every beat Of my heart was
a thanksgiving to the God l had never
truly known till that hour, and whose
mereiful providence l can never doub,
again.


The block was fixed, the cradle came up
again, and Ben, obeying my order, got in.
l followed; but no sooner did l touch him
than he began trying to get out. l got
hold of him, and taking into his head
that was attempting to throw him over,
he struggled and fought like the madman
he was-grasping, tearing with his teeth,
shouting, sbrieking and praying all the
way down, while the cradle strained and
cracked. swinging to and fro like the PEN
dolum Of clock. As we came near the
ground could hear the roar of voices,
and an occasional cheer then suddenly
all was silent, for they had heard Ben's
cries. and when the cradle touched the
ground, scarcely man dare look in. The
first who did saw horrible sight, for,
exhausted by the struggle and excitement,
so soon as the cradle stopped ! had tainted,
and Ben feeling my hands relax, and fast
ened his teeth into my neck.


20 wonder the men fell back with
faces: they saw that Ben was
crazed; but they thought that he had kill
ed me, for, as they said, he was actually
me like cog.


At last the master got to us and pulled
Ben off me. soon came round, but it
was long time before he got we'll, poor
fellow; and when he did come out of the
asylum, he was never fit for his old trade
again, so he and Mary went to Australia,
and the last heard Of them was, Ben had
got couple Of thousand sheep, and was
doing capitally.


gave up the trade, too, soon after,
6nding that got queer in the head when.
tried to face height. So, you see, that
work changed two mems lives.


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