Work was resumed, and “Jacky! Jacky! Jacky!” was called more vehemently and distinctly than before.
Jacky threw down his heavy hammer, and went from his companion, resolved to satisfy himself as to the caller.
He had not proceeded many yards from the spot on which he had been standing at work, when a mass of rock fell from the roof of the level, weighing many tons, which would have crushed him to death. Martin had been stooping, holding the borer, and a projecting corner of rock just above him turned off the falling mass. He was securely enclosed, and they had to dig him out, but he escaped without injury. Jacky declared to his dying day that he owed his life to Dorcas.
Although Dorcas’s shaft remains a part of Polbreen Mine, I am informed by the present agent that her presence has departed.
HINGSTON DOWNS.
“Hengsten Down, well ywrought,
Is worth London town dearly bought.”
Carew—Lord De Dunstanville’s Edition.
It may be worthy of consideration whether we have not evidence in this distich of the extent to which mining operations were carried on over this moorland and the adjoining country by the ancient Cornish miners.