CHAPTER XXI.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XXI.

While these scenes were passing at the Patriot, two wretohed creatures were lying 1 in tho casuulty ward of the hospital of Grit. Bridget O'Regari' and her hubband had never rallied after their brutal treatment. They were so nearly dead when J;hc attack was made that life was easily driven out of their wretched bodies. The husband died very soon after he was admitted, and Bridget seemed likely to end her troubles ere the morning broke. But, as she had nlwtiys had a strong mind of her own and was naturally contrary, sho disappointed tho doctors. As the first beams of the morning sun lit up the beds of tho patients she opened her eyes, just as the doctors expected her to close them for ever She was too weak to speak much, however, and was commanded by the warders to bo quiet. " Hush," 6aid tho head warder, " he's dead." The woman l.iy back with a sigh. It Reomed as if she had collected all her strength for this effort, and now that it had appeared vain, sho sank again into a sullen lethargy. How earnestly and unceasingly tho men worked at the Hesperus Extended ! How the crowd cheered the shifts as they came up went down ! In spite of the counter attractions of the election, which began to be at its hottest about twelve o'clock, the crowd still gathered, until thousands of poisons were collected around the claim. Electors slipped away now and then to recoid their votes, and leturned immediately. In all directions cabs were flying, bearing posters, " Voto for Miall," " Vate for the champion of the people, Hector Mrcinnis," and these occasionally thinned the ciom d considerably, but fresh accesions kept up its dimensions. Messengers were running backwards and forwards, eagerly giving information of the state of the poll. This was soondisplayed on a blackboard on which were chalked the names of the candidates, the numbers being continually erased, and fresh figuics substituted, all of which proved that Hector Macinnis was forging ahead. At four o'clock the blackboard showed :—: — Hector Macinnis 1(303 William H. Miall Joo2 A great cheer burst from the assembly as these figures were ckalked tip, varied by a little hooting from Mr Miall's supporters. Suddenly a tremendous cheer was heard from those assembled close to the shaft. It was so different from the other, so full of human rejoicing and sympathy that its meaning was at once conveyed to even those dullest of apprehension. The explanation was soon given. Jack appeared on the brace. Then the enthusiasm of the multitude broke forth, and cheer after cheer rang through the air, until the very hills reverberated. The miners whom Jack's timely warning had saved, rushed forward, and one after another grasped his hand in the wildest enthusiasm. There was only one face in the huge host that became gloomy. Obadiah Sweetcomfort bestowed one glance of hate, ferocity, and fear upon Jack, and then, muttering to himself, sprang into tho nearest cab. This action was unnoticed. Obadiah had only just come up to communicate the state of the poll. He had been too busy all clay, rounding up Hector's suppoi'ters, to think of Jack. Jack's heart rose as he saw the thousands of faces around him, all beaming with satisfaction at his escape. Hunger and weariness were forgotten, and, waving his hand, he addressed them :—: — of Grit," -I will never forget this occasion. The terrible danger I have, undergone, death*,' and all its terrors , are ■ compensated by'thia> ready and earnest sympathy. It is ■ on 1 such occasions tliat 1 we forget the petty jealousiek 'and meanness* o? life,* and become' r brothers' in

reality. Let me thank my fellow miners for the noble manner in which they themselves to save me, sparing nothing — not even their lives. And what they have clone for me, I, yes, and everyone here, would do for them !" Amidst ceeer after cheer Jack was placed upon the shoulders of four men, and a procession formed. Hallam, the bandmaster of Grit, was present. He had been all day playing with his men for Hector Machmis at the Patriot ; but the moment he found that Jack had been saved, he sent a cabmen post haste for his baud. Just as the procession neared the hospital, which lay in its route the band met them. Hallam at once set himself at its head, and soon the air rang with the stirr- j ing strains of "See the Conqueriug Hero Conies." It was a stirring spectacle ; the moving crowd of enthusiastic, chceing people ; the gay unifoims of the band, and the rescued miner, placed on high above his fellows, his eyes gleaming with the light of pleasure. Just as they came to the hospital gates the head doctor rushed out, and made his way to Jack. All respected the man, and the procession at once halted. The doctor bhook Jack's hand warmly, and congratulated him on his escape. "A poor woman, who waa illuaed last night by the crowd at the Patriot, and who is dying," said the doctor, "lias been abking for you all the morning. We thought she was dead. When a warder i ushed in with the news that you were saved, and then the woman roused herself, and passionately entreated that you would come to her. Her name was Bridget o'B.egan." Jack's face changed. Memories of that awfulscene in the large room of the Patriot, where he knocked down Dr Rouse, came into his mind. Glancing towards the valley he could Fee the spot where his unfoitunate mother lay. Could this woman know anything about this terrible mystery which eushrouded his parent's death ? He distinctly remembered the hesitation with which she gave her evidence at the inquest. Ho would go in see her. The crowd made no objection. The band stopped playing, and Jack walked into the hospital with the doctor. It did not take them long to reach the room in which Bridget lay dying. Her eyes were fixed earnestly upon the door as they entered Her faoe lit up with a wild joy when she saw Jack. He came by to her bed, and took her hand. What a change had come over this woman since he knew her firnt ! He recollected her when she was a fine, buxom woman, the happiest and gayest of the wive? of Grifc. And now ? Well, well, how the demon, Drink, had changed her. Ho remembered his uwn mother, and the tears came into his eyes. >She looked at him ; she saw the tears, and from her own oibs, fast clouding in the night of death, the drops of human feeling came. " I wish to spake to him alone," she feebly murmured ; and the doctors and the attendants went out leaving Jack and this poor creature alone, save the other patients, who turned round their weary heads to look at Jack, who was known to most of them. What passed between Jack and the dying woman no one knew. A few minutes after the warders left the room Jack came out. His face was flushed, his eyes glistened, and a wild excitement appeared to pervade his frame. " You can go in now,'' he said, " Sheia dead."