85 



ness; on the tub reaching the floor of the mine I got out 

 and was surrounded by about half a dozen black faced 

 mortals, full of curiosity as to what I could want there. 

 What had the bottles in them? Was it gin? My conductor 

 replied, " nobhut water " ; loud laughter followed, "Neaw, 

 lads," says the conductor, "look handy; two of you go with 

 me and this lad as far as we can with candles and then 

 stop for orders." 



The conductor took the basket preceded by one of the 

 men. I followed, and a man followed me ; in this order we 

 marched along the mine. I felt the iron rails beneath 

 my feet. After proceeding for a considerable distance I 

 heard a noise like thunder, and enquired what it was. The 

 conductor said only the wagons. Now, said he, stand close 

 to the wall. I had no sooner done so when four wagons of 

 coal were pushed past by lads. We then proceeded as before; 

 at last we got to a point that the conductor called out. 

 Halt, and put out all candles but one that was put into a 

 lump of clay and fasten'd on the wall of the passage. 



" Now go on carefully," Soon after we came to a turn 

 and enter'd another drift, where we had to creep in a bent 

 position. My breathing at this time became difficult, I 

 felt great oppression about my chest, and the perspiration 

 was profuse all over my body. The conductor called out to 

 me, " Heaw dost feel, lad ?" I said, "Not very well !" "Con 

 theaw manage a bit further ?" I replied, " I think I can." 

 We then proceeded, but in a short time we stopped. The 

 conductor declared it was not safe to go further, " Neaw, 

 lad," said he, " get done what theaw has to do." He gave 

 me the basket, I felt for the bottles, took one and gave a 

 cork to one of the party, and having emptied the water out 

 gave the bottle to be corked well, instructing him to force it 

 in well, and so on with the other three bottles, which when 

 finished, I said I was ready to return, the bottles being put 

 mouths downwards into the basket. 



