CHAPTER XV.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1568, 22 July 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XV.

Jack very nearly missed the shift. He was met at the mouth of the shaft by William Brown, his old friend, now manager of the Hesperus Extended. William had had many ups and downs since we first introduced him. " You're almost too late Jack," said he; bis face lighting- up with a pleasant smile ; for he was very fond of his brightfaced employe" ; " I have had a great disturbance with that Obadiah Sweetcomfort; he's been at his prayer-meeting business again, the lazy " villain ; you recollect the time he said he had had a visit from the angel Gabriel, and I told him it was the angel of laziness," " I have a small nccount to settle with Mr Obadiah," said Jack, shutting his teeth. "I have settled with him, and sent him about his business," said William ; " Jack, this is a weary world. When I came to Grit, 1 thought 1 would have made a foitune, and gone home to be married to the girl I loved. Well, what's the result? Here I am, poorer than ever, paying into claims that don't turn out a spec of gold. I seem to be a sort of Jonah ; no matter how well a claim may be paying, the moment I go into it, calls become the rule." "Don't despair, Will," said Jack, " thiners will be all right presently. See how Mr White was paying into claims for a long time, and was at the lowest ebb when the Hesperus Extended struck gold." And Jack stepped into the cage. "Be careful," said William, "when you are knocking down the props, which is your duty to-day. I am not sure the ground is secure. I fear it has been badly timbered. "Oh," said Jack, lightly, "I don't think there's much danger." And down he went into the depths. On stepping on the landing he found all the miners assembled on the plat, their candles in their hands. They were waiting for him. The level was strewn with timber for the sett they had to be put in before they went to work. The sett was put in, then the temporary props knocked down. '" Why, Jack," said the captain of the shift, "we've been waiting for you. Come along, let's get to work. You fellows get up that timber; and, Jack, go antiknock out the prop and see how the ground looks. Be careful, and keep on the right side, so that you can make a run if the ground looks like tumbling." Jack paid little heed to all this. He had knocked down many a prop, and had not seen much danger. Besides, one gets so accustomed to such things that he does not care. Jack therefore tripped along the lead in advanoe of his mates, and stepped out of the drive into the gloom of the workings, while his comrades remained at the mouth awaiting his instructions. The paity took this opportunity to eagerly discuss the event that had just taken place ; sonic blaming Obadiah, but not a few standing up for him. They had it pretty much their own way, for no one ventured to speak up for the excommissioner. The miners, to a man, felt they ought to vote for the candidate Bunakum proposed.Suddenly there pealed through the vault the voice of Jack— "Save yourselves!" Instantly the men rushed back. A tremendous crash followed. The mine rocked as if shaken by a furious wind. The candles were blown out instantaneously. Then followed a final " thud," and all was still. The newly timbered ground had fallen in. There must have been a defective prop that gave way when the tomporary stay was removed. Scared and horror strickeD, the men gathered at the flat, their faces dimly shown by the feeble ghastly light that travelled down the shaft. "Good God!" cried the foreman, "where is Jack ?"' " Jack ! Jack !" cried several voices. But there was no response. "Bariedin the fall," said the captain. "Poor Jack! He prave us warning at the risk of his own life." Sobbing was heai'd on every side. They all Joyed the poor fellow ; and now those strong men were melted into tears. "Como, como, men; he may yet bo alive," said tbo captain. " Let us send a man up to tell what has happened, and at once set about seeing what has taken place." " What's this F' cried one of the men. " The water's pouring in like a flood." Already the level was flooded. " Some new reef has been tapped," said the foreman, violently pulling the signal rope, " and our pumps are oub of order. Wo must save ourselves." The frightened men sprang eagerly into the cage when it arrived. Up it went at double speed, and returned for the ieit. "Poor Jack," said the foreman, stepping out of the water into the cage, "we must leave you dead or alive. A better and kinder fellow never lived." By this time the water had filled the level, and the men had scarcely time to save their lives."