Year: 1869

But he only shook and swayed NOR
and more, groaning, and crying. on tha


lie was lost; and / could see that If h


did not mind, he would overbal


ance.. ii. .v "a


Get hold of the rod" I said, think


ing that, even sprung as 1t was


the touch of it would give him cour
age. nj


where isit, boy" he said hoarsely
and then looking into his face, whicl
was turned to ME, 1 saw that his eye.
were drawn together squirting ant
bloodshot, and knew that the fright had
driven him blind. So pushing myself
to him, placed my arm round his waist
and worked roundto the rod, which ]
put in his hand: and then / looked be
low, to see whether they were trying
to help us, but there was no sign. The
yard was full! of people, all running
hither and thither; and, as l afterwards
knew, all in the greatest CONSERVATION;
the cradle havingSallen on one of the
overseers of the works, killing him on
the spot, and so occupying the attention
OF those near, that we unfortunates were
for the time forgotten was straining
my eyes, in hope of seeing some effort
made to help us, when was startled by
horrible yell, and brought to sense OF
new danger, for looking round, l saw
Ben champing with his teeth, and
foaming at the mouth, and gesticulating
in al unearthly way. Fear had not
only blinded him, but crazed his
brain.


Scarcely had time to comprehend
this, when he hegan edging his way
towards me; and every hair on my head
seemed to stand on end, as l moved
away, keeping as far off as I could, and
scarcely daring to breathe, lest he
should hear ME, for see me he could not
that was my only consolation. Once
-twice-thrice-hef followed me round
the mouth of that horrible chimney:
then, no doubt thinking I had fallen
over, he gave up the search and began
trying to get on his feet What could [
do now 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 should both go over together.
10 let him stand up was to witness his
equally certain destruction.


thought of poor Mary, and remem-
bered that If he died, she might get to
care for me. The devil put that thought
IN my mind, suppose; but, thank God
there was stronger than Satan near,
and at the risk of my life, roared out,
1Sit sti!i, or you will fall, Ben
Lloydd"


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


"Sit still,' / repeated from time to
time, watching with aching ewes and
brain for some sign Of aid. Each min
ute seemed to be an hour NV lips
grew dry, my tongue literally cave to
my mouth, and the perspration running
down blinded me- 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 upwards; then some one
VINO had got speaking trumpet shout
eel, keep heart, boys, We'll save you -
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 an
gel 1t was permitted to come to us poor
sinners hanging on the verge Of eterni-
w., Up 1t came, nearer and nearer,
guided by the skilful. The slack rope
crossed the chimney, and we were
saved.


I could not shout hurrah even had l
dared; but in every beat Of my heart was
"A thanksgiving to the God had never
truly known till that hour, and whose
merciful providence can never doubt
again.


The block was fixed, the cradle came
up again, and Ben obeying my order got
in. l followed; but no sooner did I
touch him than he began to get out. l
got hold of him, and taking it in his
head that l was going to throw him
over, he struggled and fought like the
madman he was-grappling, tear
ing with his teeth, shouting, shrieking
and praying all the way down, while
the cradle strained and creaked, swing
ing to and fro like the pendulum of
clock. As we come near the ground
could hear the roar of voices, and an oc-
casional cheer; then suddenly all was
silent, for they heard Ben's cries; and
when the cradle touched the ground,
scarcely man dare to look in The
first who did saw horrible sight, for,
exhausted by the struggle and excite
ment, so soon rs the cradle stoned I
had tainted. And Ben feeling my Hands
relax, had fastened his teeth into my
neck


No wonder the men fell back with
bianched faces; they saw that Ben was
crazed; but they thought that Ben had
killed me, for as they said he was actual
ly worrying me like dog.


At last the master got to us and took
Ben IF ne. | soon came round, but it
was long time before he got well, poor
fellow; and when he did come out ofthe
asylum, he was never fit for his old trade
again, SO he and Mary went out to Aus
tralia, and the last heard of them they
were doing capitally.


l gave up the trade, too, soon after,
finding that got queer in the head
when tried to face hight. So, you see
that mornings work changed two
mems lives.


..... l.. ID. FENToN.