An Old English Home and Its DependenciesBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
History
An Old English Home and Its Dependencies
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
England -- Social life and customs
The entombment at Drakewalls took place on Tuesday, February 5th,
1889, and the two miners shut in by the run of ground were John Rule,
aged thirty-five, and William Bant, aged twenty-one, the former being
somewhat deaf. They had pasties to eat, and burnt their candles so long
as they could keep them alight. They suffered most from cold and damp
and want of water, their water keg being buried in the rush of sand. At
one time, while they were discussing the chances of rescue, Rule said
to Bant, "I believe they will come through. You never did any crime bad
enough to be kept here"; to which Bant replied "No"; and Rule added,
reflectively, "This would be a right place for Jack the Ripper. Us two
cu'd settle'n--and ate'n too, if hard put to't." They were rescued
on the night of Saturday, February 9th. The pitman, Thomas Chapman,
had worked night and day without cessation from February 5th to the
night of February 9th, and, moreover, was lowered eighty feet to where
they were confined. None of the other men would undertake to descend,
fearing lest the entombed men might have lost their reason in their
long confinement. One of the most curious facts connected with the
entombment was that the two men had not lost account of time, but knew
almost exactly what day and hour it was. In reply to a question, they
said, "It's Saturday midnight," and, as a matter of fact, it was about
one o'clock on the Sunday morning.
Bant was found in a somewhat dazed condition. Not so Rule, who walked
out with great composure, and the remark he made was, "Any fellow han'
me a light and a bit o' baccy for my pipe?" and on reaching the grass
he said, "I wonder if my old woman have got summot cookin' for me."
He was much surprised that all wished to shake him by the hand. "Why,"
said he, "what is all this about? I ain't done nothin' but sit in
darkness."
Chapman received the Victoria medal for his devotion. He had to go up
to town for it, and was presented with it by the Princess of Wales.
Very often the captains are sober, and teetotalers. But this is not
always the case, unhappily; and some are temperance advocates on the
platform, but something else in the public-house. There was an old
chap of this description who was known far and wide for his ardent
temperance harangues, and for the astounding instances he was able to
produce of the judgments that followed on occasional indulgence. A very
good friend one day went with him to prospect a promising new district.
They entered to refresh at the little tavern, situated some twelve
hundred feet above the sea, perhaps the highest planted public-house
in England. The friend was amused to see Captain Jonas take the whisky
bottle and half fill his glass, holding his hand round the tumbler to
hide how much he had helped himself to.
"Halloa, cap'n!" exclaimed the friend, "I thought you took naught but
water."
"Sir," answered Jonas with great composure, "us must live up to our
elevation. I does it on principle."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account