CHAPTER XIX.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1571, 29 July 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XIX.

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punipr-, and when he returned he found they had been able to get them into working order. Soon a stream of water was issuing out of the sluice at the side of the mine, and the welkin rang again with the cheers of the great crowd which had now gathered. At first it seemed as if no progress were made, although the utmost stroke was put 01? ; but, after a while, the great rush of water ceased, which might be attributable to the fact that all the engines in the neighborhood had at once been get to work, and drainage operations were carried on without cessation. But, when the water had be^n beaten down, to a certain depth the pumps were ineffective, as they Avero broken there. To repair them was to peril a life ; but with that noblo self-sacri-fice and devotion which characterise the true miner, who in many traits resembles the sailor, there was no lack of volunteers to undertake the dangerous ta°k, and after incredible labor, it was accomplished just aB tho dawn was breaking in the east. At that very moment a very aged I member of the canine species could be seen trotting through the crowd to the mouth of the shaft. It was old Spot, who waa accu&tomed at this hour to como lip to his master. Spot eyed the ciowd with curiosity, and snapped rather viciously at them, blinking his almost sightless eyes. Coming to the shaft ho lay down with a whine, as if he expected Jack to appear. Whenever a miner omerged from tho cage ho rose with a sort of welcome bark, which, however, subsided to a growl tho moment ho found ho w"s mistaken. "Poor dog," said the crowd; "ho'll never see hih master again. Poor Spot, if jou wait there till docmbday Jack won't come." Spot snarled viciously at the crowd, just as much as to say he did'nt believe a word of it. Some of the rough men there felt the tears come into their eyes as they Avatchcd the faithful animal. But Spot was thoroughly roused when. Obadiah Swcetcomfort came upon the scene. Obadiah was of courso prepared for tho occasion ; his face was about a yard longer than usual, and he held a prayer-book under his arm. " 'Fellow minors," he said solemnly (he knew William Brown was below fixing the pumps), "Fellow miners, on this solemn occasion let us fly to the arms of tho Holy one of Israel ; kt us pour forth our souls upon tho altar and seek, in prayer, the life of our dear brother, who, peradventure, may yet live. Brethring let us pray."