others to communicate with, and answer the questions of their deliverers, displayed, in all his replies, a gayety quite in keeping with the French character.  On being asked what day he thought it was, and on being informed that it was Monday, instead of Sunday, as he had supposed, “Ah!” said he, “I ought to have known that, as we yesterday indulged ourselves freely in drinking—­water.”  Strange that a man should have the heart to joke, who had been thus “cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d,” during five days, destitute of food, deprived of air, agitated by suspense, and in jeopardy of perishing by the most horrible of all deaths!

There still remained full sixteen feet of solid rock between the two anxious parties; but the workmen’s labors were now, if possible, redoubled by the certainty of complete success.  At intervals, light nourishment in regulated quantities, continued to be passed to the miners; this, however they soon rejected, expressing but one desire, that their friends would make haste.  Their strength began to fail them; their respiration became more and more difficult; their utterance grew feebler and fainter; and toward six o’clock in the evening, the last words that could be distinguished, were—­“Brothers make haste!”

The general anxiety was now wound up to the highest pitch; it was, perhaps, the most trying crisis yet experienced since the commencement of their benevolent labors; at length the moment of deliverance was, all at once, announced, and at ten o’clock it was accomplished.  One by one, they appeared, like specters, gliding along the gallery which had just been completed; their weak and agitated forms supported by the engineers, on whom they cast their feeble eyes, filled with astonishment, yet beaming with gratitude.  Accompanied by the doctors, they all with one single exception, ascended to the entrance of the mine, without aid; such was their eagerness to inhale the pure air of liberty.  From the mouth of the mine to the temporary residence allotted them, the whole way was illuminated.  The engineers, pupils, and the workmen, with the National Guard under arms, were drawn up in two lines to form a passage; and thus, in the midst of a religious silence, did these poor fellows traverse an attentive and sympathizing crowd, who, as they passed along, inclined their heads, as a sort of respect and honor to their sufferings.

Such are the affecting particulars of an event, during the whole of which, every kind of business was suspended at St. Etienne; an event which exhibited the entire population of a large town, forming, as it were, but one heart, entertaining but one thought, imbued with one feeling, for the god-like purpose of saving the lives of eight poor, obscure individuals.  Christians, men of all countries, whenever and wherever suffering humanity claims your aid—­“Go ye and do likewise!”

[Illustration:  SHIP TOWED BY BULLOCKS.]

SHIP TOWED TO LAND BY BULLOCKS.