ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡
the underground city-µØϳÇ(Ó¢ÎÄ°æ)-µÚ2²¿·Ö
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿! Èç¹û±¾ÊéûÓÐÔĶÁÍ꣬ÏëÏ´μÌÐø½Ó×ÅÔĶÁ£¬¿ÉʹÓÃÉÏ·½ "Êղص½ÎÒµÄä¯ÀÀÆ÷" ¹¦ÄÜ ºÍ "¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©" ¹¦ÄÜ£¡
¡¡The¡¡internal¡¡heat¡¡had¡¡not¡¡as¡¡yet¡¡been¡¡collected¡¡in¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡globe¡£¡¡The¡¡terrestrial¡¡crust£»¡¡thin¡¡and¡¡inpletely¡¡hardened£»¡¡allowed¡¡it¡¡to¡¡spread¡¡through¡¡its¡¡pores¡£¡¡¡¡This¡¡caused¡¡a¡¡peculiar¡¡form¡¡of¡¡vegetation£»¡¡such¡¡as¡¡is¡¡probably¡¡produced¡¡on¡¡the¡¡surface¡¡of¡¡the¡¡inferior¡¡plas£»¡¡Venus¡¡or¡¡Mercury£»¡¡which¡¡revolve¡¡nearer¡¡than¡¡our¡¡earth¡¡around¡¡the¡¡radiant¡¡sun¡¡of¡¡our¡¡system¡£
The¡¡soil¡¡of¡¡the¡¡continents¡¡was¡¡covered¡¡with¡¡immense¡¡forests¡£¡¡Carbonic¡¡acid£»¡¡so¡¡suitable¡¡for¡¡the¡¡development¡¡of¡¡the¡¡vegetable¡¡kingdom£»¡¡abounded¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡feet¡¡of¡¡these¡¡trees¡¡were¡¡drowned¡¡in¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡immense¡¡lagoon£»¡¡kept¡¡continually¡¡full¡¡by¡¡currents¡¡of¡¡fresh¡¡and¡¡salt¡¡waters¡£¡¡¡¡They¡¡eagerly¡¡assimilated¡¡to¡¡themselves¡¡the¡¡carbon¡¡which¡¡they£»¡¡little¡¡by¡¡little£»¡¡extracted¡¡from¡¡the¡¡atmosphere£»¡¡as¡¡yet¡¡unfit¡¡for¡¡the¡¡function¡¡of¡¡life£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡may¡¡be¡¡said¡¡that¡¡they¡¡were¡¡destined¡¡to¡¡store¡¡it£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡form¡¡of¡¡coal£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡very¡¡bowels¡¡of¡¡the¡¡earth¡£
It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡earthquake¡¡period£»¡¡caused¡¡by¡¡internal¡¡convulsions£»¡¡which¡¡suddenly¡¡modified¡¡the¡¡unsettled¡¡features¡¡of¡¡the¡¡terrestrial¡¡surface¡£¡¡¡¡Here£»¡¡an¡¡intumescence¡¡which¡¡was¡¡to¡¡bee¡¡a¡¡mountain£»¡¡there£»¡¡an¡¡abyss¡¡which¡¡was¡¡to¡¡be¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡an¡¡ocean¡¡or¡¡a¡¡sea¡£¡¡¡¡There£»¡¡whole¡¡forests¡¡sunk¡¡through¡¡the¡¡earth's¡¡crust£»¡¡below¡¡the¡¡unfixed¡¡strata£»¡¡either¡¡until¡¡they¡¡found¡¡a¡¡resting¡place£»¡¡such¡¡as¡¡the¡¡primitive¡¡bed¡¡of¡¡granitic¡¡rock£»¡¡or£»¡¡settling¡¡together¡¡in¡¡a¡¡heap£»¡¡they¡¡formed¡¡a¡¡solid¡¡mass¡£
As¡¡the¡¡waters¡¡were¡¡contained¡¡in¡¡no¡¡bed£»¡¡and¡¡were¡¡spread¡¡over¡¡every¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡globe£»¡¡they¡¡rushed¡¡where¡¡they¡¡liked£»¡¡tearing¡¡from¡¡the¡¡scarcely¡formed¡¡rocks¡¡material¡¡with¡¡which¡¡to¡¡pose¡¡schists£»¡¡sandstones£»¡¡and¡¡limestones¡£¡¡¡¡This¡¡the¡¡roving¡¡waves¡¡bore¡¡over¡¡the¡¡submerged¡¡and¡¡now¡¡peaty¡¡forests£»¡¡and¡¡deposited¡¡above¡¡them¡¡the¡¡elements¡¡of¡¡rocks¡¡which¡¡were¡¡to¡¡superpose¡¡the¡¡coal¡¡strata¡£¡¡In¡¡course¡¡of¡¡time£»¡¡periods¡¡of¡¡which¡¡include¡¡millions¡¡of¡¡years£»¡¡these¡¡earths¡¡hardened¡¡in¡¡layers£»¡¡and¡¡enclosed¡¡under¡¡a¡¡thick¡¡carapace¡¡of¡¡pudding¡stone£»¡¡schist£»¡¡pact¡¡or¡¡friable¡¡sandstone£»¡¡gravel¡¡and¡¡stones£»¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡of¡¡the¡¡massive¡¡forests¡£
And¡¡what¡¡went¡¡on¡¡in¡¡this¡¡gigantic¡¡crucible£»¡¡where¡¡all¡¡this¡¡vegetable¡¡matter¡¡had¡¡accumulated£»¡¡sunk¡¡to¡¡various¡¡depths£¿¡¡A¡¡regular¡¡chemical¡¡operation£»¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡distillation¡£¡¡All¡¡the¡¡carbon¡¡contained¡¡in¡¡these¡¡vegetables¡¡had¡¡agglomerated£»¡¡and¡¡little¡¡by¡¡little¡¡coal¡¡was¡¡forming¡¡under¡¡the¡¡double¡¡influence¡¡of¡¡enormous¡¡pressure¡¡and¡¡the¡¡high¡¡temperature¡¡maintained¡¡by¡¡the¡¡internal¡¡fires£»¡¡at¡¡this¡¡time¡¡so¡¡close¡¡to¡¡it¡£
Thus¡¡there¡¡was¡¡one¡¡kingdom¡¡substituted¡¡for¡¡another¡¡in¡¡this¡¡slow¡¡but¡¡irresistible¡¡reaction¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡vegetable¡¡was¡¡transformed¡¡into¡¡a¡¡mineral¡£¡¡¡¡Plants¡¡which¡¡had¡¡lived¡¡the¡¡vegeta¡tive¡¡life¡¡in¡¡all¡¡the¡¡vigor¡¡of¡¡first¡¡creation¡¡became¡¡petrified¡£¡¡Some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡substances¡¡enclosed¡¡in¡¡this¡¡vast¡¡herbal¡¡left¡¡their¡¡impression¡¡on¡¡the¡¡other¡¡more¡¡rapidly¡¡mineralized¡¡products£»¡¡which¡¡pressed¡¡them¡¡as¡¡an¡¡hydraulic¡¡press¡¡of¡¡incalculable¡¡power¡¡would¡¡have¡¡done¡£
Thus¡¡also¡¡shells£»¡¡zoophytes£»¡¡star¡fish£»¡¡polypi£»¡¡spirifores£»¡¡even¡¡fish¡¡and¡¡lizards¡¡brought¡¡by¡¡the¡¡water£»¡¡left¡¡on¡¡the¡¡yet¡¡soft¡¡coal¡¡their¡¡exact¡¡likeness£»¡¡¡¨admirably¡¡taken¡¡off¡£¡¨
Pressure¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡have¡¡played¡¡a¡¡considerable¡¡part¡¡in¡¡the¡¡formation¡¡of¡¡carboniferous¡¡strata¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡fact£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡to¡¡its¡¡degree¡¡of¡¡power¡¡that¡¡are¡¡due¡¡the¡¡different¡¡sorts¡¡of¡¡coal£»¡¡of¡¡which¡¡industry¡¡makes¡¡use¡£¡¡Thus¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lowest¡¡layers¡¡of¡¡the¡¡coal¡¡ground¡¡appears¡¡the¡¡anthracite£»¡¡which£»¡¡being¡¡almost¡¡destitute¡¡of¡¡volatile¡¡matter£»¡¡contains¡¡the¡¡greatest¡¡quantity¡¡of¡¡carbon¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡higher¡¡beds¡¡are¡¡found£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡contrary£»¡¡lignite¡¡and¡¡fossil¡¡wood£»¡¡substances¡¡in¡¡which¡¡the¡¡quantity¡¡of¡¡carbon¡¡is¡¡infinitely¡¡less¡£¡¡¡¡Between¡¡these¡¡two¡¡beds£»¡¡according¡¡to¡¡the¡¡degree¡¡of¡¡pressure¡¡to¡¡which¡¡they¡¡have¡¡been¡¡subjected£»¡¡are¡¡found¡¡veins¡¡of¡¡graphite¡¡and¡¡rich¡¡or¡¡poor¡¡coal¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡may¡¡be¡¡asserted¡¡that¡¡it¡¡is¡¡for¡¡want¡¡of¡¡sufficient¡¡pressure¡¡that¡¡beds¡¡of¡¡peaty¡¡bog¡¡have¡¡not¡¡been¡¡pletely¡¡changed¡¡into¡¡coal¡£¡¡¡¡So¡¡then£»¡¡the¡¡origin¡¡of¡¡coal¡¡mines£»¡¡in¡¡whatever¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡globe¡¡they¡¡have¡¡been¡¡discovered£»¡¡is¡¡this£º¡¡the¡¡absorption¡¡through¡¡the¡¡terrestrial¡¡crust¡¡of¡¡the¡¡great¡¡forests¡¡of¡¡the¡¡geological¡¡period£»¡¡then£»¡¡the¡¡mineralization¡¡of¡¡the¡¡vegetables¡¡obtained¡¡in¡¡the¡¡course¡¡of¡¡time£»¡¡under¡¡the¡¡influence¡¡of¡¡pressure¡¡and¡¡heat£»¡¡and¡¡under¡¡the¡¡action¡¡of¡¡carbonic¡¡acid¡£
Now£»¡¡at¡¡the¡¡time¡¡when¡¡the¡¡events¡¡related¡¡in¡¡this¡¡story¡¡took¡¡place£»¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡most¡¡important¡¡mines¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Scottish¡¡coal¡¡beds¡¡had¡¡been¡¡exhausted¡¡by¡¡too¡¡rapid¡¡working¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡region¡¡which¡¡extends¡¡between¡¡Edinburgh¡¡and¡¡Glasgow£»¡¡for¡¡a¡¡distance¡¡of¡¡ten¡¡or¡¡twelve¡¡miles£»¡¡lay¡¡the¡¡Aberfoyle¡¡colliery£»¡¡of¡¡which¡¡the¡¡engineer£»¡¡James¡¡Starr£»¡¡had¡¡so¡¡long
directed¡¡the¡¡works¡£¡¡¡¡For¡¡ten¡¡years¡¡these¡¡mines¡¡had¡¡been¡¡abandoned¡£¡¡No¡¡new¡¡seams¡¡had¡¡been¡¡discovered£»¡¡although¡¡the¡¡soundings¡¡had¡¡been¡¡carried¡¡to¡¡a¡¡depth¡¡of¡¡fifteen¡¡hundred¡¡or¡¡even¡¡of¡¡two¡¡thousand¡¡feet£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡James¡¡Starr¡¡had¡¡retired£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡with¡¡the¡¡full¡¡conviction¡¡that¡¡even¡¡the¡¡smallest¡¡vein¡¡had¡¡been¡¡pletely¡¡exhausted¡£
Under¡¡these¡¡circumstances£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡plain¡¡that¡¡the¡¡discovery¡¡of¡¡a¡¡new¡¡seam¡¡of¡¡coal¡¡would¡¡be¡¡an¡¡important¡¡event¡£¡¡Could¡¡Simon¡¡Ford's¡¡munication¡¡relate¡¡to¡¡a¡¡fact¡¡of¡¡this¡¡nature£¿¡¡This¡¡question¡¡James¡¡Starr¡¡could¡¡not¡¡cease¡¡asking¡¡himself¡£¡¡Was¡¡he¡¡called¡¡to¡¡make¡¡conquest¡¡of¡¡another¡¡corner¡¡of¡¡these¡¡rich¡¡treasure¡¡fields£¿¡¡¡¡Fain¡¡would¡¡he¡¡hope¡¡it¡¡was¡¡so¡£
The¡¡second¡¡letter¡¡had¡¡for¡¡an¡¡instant¡¡checked¡¡his¡¡speculations¡¡on¡¡this¡¡subject£»¡¡but¡¡now¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡that¡¡letter¡¡no¡¡longer¡£¡¡¡¡Besides£»¡¡the¡¡son¡¡of¡¡the¡¡old¡¡overman¡¡was¡¡there£»¡¡waiting¡¡at¡¡the¡¡appointed¡¡rendezvous¡£¡¡The¡¡anonymous¡¡letter¡¡was¡¡therefore¡¡worth¡¡nothing¡£
The¡¡moment¡¡the¡¡engineer¡¡set¡¡foot¡¡on¡¡the¡¡platform¡¡at¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡his¡¡journey£»¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man¡¡advanced¡¡towards¡¡him¡£
¡¨Are¡¡you¡¡Harry¡¡Ford£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡engineer¡¡quickly¡£
¡¨Yes£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr¡£¡¨
¡¨I¡¡should¡¡not¡¡have¡¡known¡¡you£»¡¡my¡¡lad¡£¡¡¡¡Of¡¡course¡¡in¡¡ten¡¡years¡¡you¡¡have¡¡bee¡¡a¡¡man£¡¡¨
¡¨I¡¡knew¡¡you¡¡directly£»¡¡sir£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡the¡¡young¡¡miner£»¡¡cap¡¡in¡¡hand¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡have¡¡not¡¡changed¡£¡¡¡¡You¡¡look¡¡just¡¡as¡¡you¡¡did¡¡when¡¡you¡¡bade¡¡us¡¡good¡by¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Dochart¡¡pit¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡haven't¡¡forgotten¡¡that¡¡day¡£¡¨
¡¨Put¡¡on¡¡your¡¡cap£»¡¡Harry£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡engineer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡pouring£»¡¡and¡¡politeness¡¡needn't¡¡make¡¡you¡¡catch¡¡cold¡£¡¨
¡¨Shall¡¡we¡¡take¡¡shelter¡¡anywhere£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡young¡¡Ford¡£
¡¨No£»¡¡Harry¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡weather¡¡is¡¡settled¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡will¡¡rain¡¡all¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡am¡¡in¡¡a¡¡hurry¡£¡¡¡¡Let¡¡us¡¡go¡¡on¡£¡¨
¡¨I¡¡am¡¡at¡¡your¡¡orders£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡Harry¡£
¡¨Tell¡¡me£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡is¡¡your¡¡father¡¡well£¿¡¨
¡¨Very¡¡well£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr¡£¡¨
¡¨And¡¡your¡¡mother£¿¡¨
¡¨She¡¡is¡¡well£»¡¡too¡£¡¨
¡¨Was¡¡it¡¡your¡¡father¡¡who¡¡wrote¡¡telling¡¡me¡¡to¡¡e¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Yarrow¡¡shaft£¿¡¨
¡¨No£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡I¡£¡¨
¡¨Then¡¡did¡¡Simon¡¡Ford¡¡send¡¡me¡¡a¡¡second¡¡letter¡¡to¡¡contradict¡¡the¡¡first£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡engineer¡¡quickly¡£
¡¨No£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡the¡¡young¡¡miner¡£
¡¨Very¡¡well£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Starr£»¡¡without¡¡speaking¡¡of¡¡the¡¡anonymous¡¡letter¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡continuing£»¡¡¡¨And¡¡can¡¡you¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡what¡¡you¡¡father¡¡wants¡¡with¡¡me£¿¡¨
¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¡my¡¡father¡¡wishes¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡you¡¡himself¡£¡¨
¡¨But¡¡you¡¡know¡¡what¡¡it¡¡is£¿¡¨
¡¨I¡¡do£»¡¡sir¡£¡¨
¡¨Well£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡I¡¡will¡¡not¡¡ask¡¡you¡¡more¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡let¡¡us¡¡get¡¡on£»¡¡for¡¡I'm¡¡anxious¡¡to¡¡see¡¡Simon¡¡Ford¡£¡¡¡¡By¡the¡bye£»¡¡where¡¡does¡¡he¡¡live£¿¡¨
¡¨In¡¡the¡¡mine¡£¡¨
¡¨What£¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡Dochart¡¡pit£¿¡¨
¡¨Yes£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡Harry¡£
¡¨Really£¡¡¡has¡¡your¡¡family¡¡never¡¡left¡¡the¡¡old¡¡mine¡¡since¡¡the¡¡cessation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡works£¿¡¨
¡¨Not¡¡a¡¡day£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr¡£¡¡¡¡You¡¡know¡¡my¡¡father¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡there¡¡he¡¡was¡¡born£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡there¡¡he¡¡means¡¡to¡¡die£¡¡¨
¡¨I¡¡can¡¡understand¡¡that£»¡¡Harry¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡can¡¡understand¡¡that£¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡native¡¡mine£¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡like¡¡to¡¡abandon¡¡it£¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡are¡¡you¡¡happy¡¡there£¿¡¨
¡¨Yes£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡the¡¡young¡¡miner£»¡¡¡¨for¡¡we¡¡love¡¡one¡¡another£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡have¡¡but¡¡few¡¡wants¡£¡¨
¡¨Well£»¡¡Harry£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡engineer£»¡¡¡¨lead¡¡the¡¡way¡£¡¨
And¡¡walking¡¡rapidly¡¡through¡¡the¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡Callander£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡few¡¡minutes¡¡they¡¡had¡¡left¡¡the¡¡town¡¡behind¡¡them¡£
CHAPTER¡¡III¡¡THE¡¡DOCHART¡¡PIT
HARRY¡¡FORD¡¡was¡¡a¡¡fine£»¡¡strapping¡¡fellow¡¡of¡¡five¡¡and¡¡twenty¡£¡¡His¡¡grave¡¡looks£»¡¡his¡¡habitually¡¡passive¡¡expression£»¡¡had¡¡from¡¡childhood¡¡been¡¡noticed¡¡among¡¡his¡¡rades¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mine¡£¡¡His¡¡regular¡¡features£»¡¡his¡¡deep¡¡blue¡¡eyes£»¡¡his¡¡curly¡¡hair£»¡¡rather¡¡chestnut¡¡than¡¡fair£»¡¡the¡¡natural¡¡grace¡¡of¡¡his¡¡person£»¡¡altogether¡¡made¡¡him¡¡a¡¡fine¡¡specimen¡¡of¡¡a¡¡lowlander¡£¡¡Accustomed¡¡from¡¡his¡¡earliest¡¡days¡¡to¡¡the¡¡work¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mine£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡strong¡¡and¡¡hardy£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡brave¡¡and¡¡good¡£¡¡Guided¡¡by¡¡his¡¡father£»¡¡and¡¡impelled¡¡by¡¡his¡¡own¡¡inclinations£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡early¡¡begun¡¡his¡¡education£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡an¡¡age¡¡when¡¡most¡¡lads
are¡¡little¡¡more¡¡than¡¡apprentices£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡managed¡¡to¡¡make¡¡himself¡¡of¡¡some¡¡importance£»¡¡a¡¡leader£»¡¡in¡¡fact£»¡¡among¡¡his¡¡fellows£»¡¡and¡¡few¡¡are¡¡very¡¡ignorant¡¡in¡¡a¡¡country¡¡which¡¡does¡¡all¡¡it¡¡can¡¡to¡¡remove¡¡ignorance¡£¡¡¡¡Though£»¡¡during¡¡the¡¡first¡¡years¡¡of¡¡his¡¡youth£»¡¡the¡¡pick¡¡was¡¡never¡¡out¡¡of¡¡Harry's¡¡hand£»¡¡nevertheless¡¡the¡¡young¡¡miner¡¡was¡¡not¡¡long¡¡in¡¡acquiring¡¡sufficient¡¡knowledge¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡him¡¡into¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡class¡¡of¡¡the¡¡miners£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡would¡¡certainly¡¡have¡¡succeeded¡¡his¡¡father¡¡as¡¡overman¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Dochart¡¡pit£»¡¡if¡¡the¡¡colliery¡¡had¡¡not¡¡been¡¡abandoned¡£
James¡¡Starr¡¡was¡¡still¡¡a¡¡good¡¡walker£»¡¡yet¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡easily¡¡have¡¡kept¡¡up¡¡with¡¡his¡¡guide£»¡¡if¡¡the¡¡latter¡¡had¡¡not¡¡slackened¡¡his¡¡pace¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡young¡¡man£»¡¡carrying¡¡the¡¡engineer's¡¡bag£»¡¡followed¡¡the¡¡left¡¡bank¡¡of¡¡the¡¡river¡¡for¡¡about¡¡a¡¡mile¡£¡¡¡¡Leaving¡¡its¡¡winding¡¡course£»¡¡they¡¡took¡¡a¡¡road¡¡under¡¡tall£»¡¡dripping¡¡trees¡£¡¡Wide¡¡fields¡¡lay¡¡on¡¡either¡¡side£»¡¡around¡¡isolated¡¡farms¡£¡¡In¡¡one¡¡field¡¡a¡¡herd¡¡of¡¡hornless¡¡cows¡¡were¡¡quietly¡¡grazing£»¡¡in¡¡another¡¡sheep¡¡with¡¡silky¡¡wool£»¡¡like¡¡those¡¡in¡¡a¡¡child's¡¡toy¡¡sheep¡¡fold¡£
The¡¡Yarrow¡¡shaft¡¡was¡¡situated¡¡four¡¡miles¡¡from¡¡Callander¡£¡¡¡¡Whilst¡¡walking£»¡¡James¡¡Starr¡¡could¡¡not¡¡but¡¡be¡¡struck¡¡with¡¡the¡¡change¡¡in¡¡the¡¡country¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡not¡¡seen¡¡it¡¡since¡¡the¡¡day¡¡when¡¡the¡¡last¡¡ton¡¡of¡¡Aberfoyle¡¡coal¡¡had¡¡been¡¡emptied¡¡into¡¡railway¡¡trucks¡¡to¡¡be¡¡sent¡¡to¡¡Glasgow¡£¡¡¡¡Agricultural¡¡life¡¡had¡¡now¡¡taken¡¡the¡¡place¡¡of¡¡the¡¡more¡¡stirring£»¡¡active£»¡¡industrial¡¡life¡£¡¡The¡¡contrast¡¡was¡¡all¡¡the¡¡greater¡¡because£»¡¡during¡¡winter£»¡¡field¡¡work¡¡is¡¡at¡¡a¡¡standstill¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡formerly£»¡¡at¡¡whatever¡¡season£»¡¡the¡¡mining¡¡population£»¡¡above¡¡and¡¡below¡¡ground£»¡¡filled¡¡the¡¡scene¡¡with¡¡animation¡£¡¡¡¡Great¡¡wagons¡¡of¡¡coal¡¡used¡¡to¡¡be¡¡passing¡¡night¡¡and¡¡day¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡rails£»¡¡with¡¡their¡¡rotten¡¡sleepers£»¡¡now¡¡disused£»¡¡were¡¡then¡¡constantly¡¡ground¡¡by¡¡the¡¡weight¡¡of¡¡wagons¡£¡¡¡¡Now¡¡stony¡¡roads¡¡took¡¡the¡¡place¡¡of¡¡the¡¡old¡¡mining¡¡tramways¡£¡¡James¡¡Starr¡¡felt¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡was¡¡traversing¡¡a¡¡desert¡£
The¡¡engineer¡¡gazed¡¡about¡¡him¡¡with¡¡a¡¡saddened¡¡eye¡£¡¡He¡¡stopped¡¡now¡¡and¡¡then¡¡to¡¡take¡¡breath¡£¡¡¡¡He¡¡listened¡£¡¡The¡¡air¡¡was¡¡no¡¡longer¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡distant¡¡whistlings¡¡and¡¡the¡¡panting¡¡of¡¡engines¡£¡¡¡¡None¡¡of¡¡those¡¡black¡¡vapors¡¡which¡¡the¡¡manufacturer¡¡loves¡¡to¡¡see£»¡¡hung¡¡in¡¡the¡¡horizon£»¡¡mingling¡¡with¡¡the¡¡clouds¡£¡¡No¡¡tall¡¡cylindrical¡¡or¡¡prismatic¡¡chimney¡¡vomited¡¡out¡¡smoke£»¡¡after¡¡being¡¡fed¡¡from¡¡the¡¡mine¡¡itself£»¡¡no¡¡blast¡pipe¡¡was¡¡puffing¡¡out¡¡its¡¡white¡¡vapor¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡ground£»
formerly¡¡black¡¡with¡¡coal¡¡dust£»¡¡had¡¡a¡¡bright¡¡look£»¡¡to¡¡which¡¡James¡¡Starr's¡¡eyes¡¡were¡¡not¡¡accustomed¡£
When¡¡the¡¡engineer¡¡stood¡¡still£»¡¡Harry¡¡Ford¡¡stopped¡¡also¡£¡¡The¡¡young¡¡miner¡¡waited¡¡in¡¡silence¡£¡¡¡¡He¡¡felt¡¡what¡¡was¡¡passing¡¡in¡¡his¡¡panion's¡¡mind£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡shared¡¡his¡¡feelings£»¡¡he£»¡¡a¡¡child¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mine£»¡¡whose¡¡whole¡¡life¡¡had¡¡been¡¡passed¡¡in¡¡its¡¡depths¡£
¡¨Yes£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡all¡¡changed£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Starr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡at¡¡the¡¡rate¡¡we¡¡worked£»¡¡of¡¡course¡¡the¡¡treasures¡¡of¡¡coal¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡exhausted¡¡some¡¡day¡£¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡regret¡¡that¡¡time£¿¡¨
¡¨I¡¡do¡¡regret¡¡it£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Harry¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡work¡¡was¡¡hard£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡interesting£»¡¡as¡¡are¡¡all¡¡struggles¡£¡¨
¡¨No¡¡doubt£»¡¡my¡¡lad¡£¡¡¡¡A¡¡continuous¡¡struggle¡¡against¡¡the¡¡dangers¡¡of¡¡landslips£»¡¡fires£»¡¡inundations£»¡¡explosions¡¡of¡¡firedamp£»¡¡like¡¡claps¡¡of¡¡thunder¡£¡¡¡¡One¡¡had¡¡to¡¡guard¡¡against¡¡all¡¡those¡¡perils£¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡say¡¡well£¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡struggle£»¡¡and¡¡consequently¡¡an¡¡exciting¡¡life¡£¡¨
¡¨The¡¡miners¡¡of¡¡Alva¡¡have¡¡been¡¡more¡¡favored¡¡than¡¡the¡¡miners¡¡of¡¡Aberfoyle£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£¡¡¨
¡¨Ay£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡so¡¡they¡¡have£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡the¡¡engineer¡£
¡¨Indeed£»¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man£»¡¡¡¨it's¡¡a¡¡pity¡¡that¡¡all¡¡the¡¡globe¡¡was¡¡not¡¡made¡¡of¡¡coal£»¡¡then¡¡there¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡last¡¡millions¡¡of¡¡years£¡¡¨
¡¨No¡¡doubt¡¡there¡¡would£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡it¡¡must¡¡be¡¡acknowledged£»¡¡however£»¡¡that¡¡nature¡¡has¡¡shown¡¡more¡¡forethought¡¡by¡¡forming¡¡our¡¡sphere¡¡principally¡¡of¡¡sandstone£»¡¡limestone£»¡¡and¡¡granite£»¡¡which¡¡fire¡¡cannot¡¡consume¡£¡¨
¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡say£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr£»¡¡that¡¡mankind¡¡would¡¡have¡¡ended¡¡by¡¡burning¡¡their¡¡own¡¡globe£¿¡¨
¡¨Yes£¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡of¡¡it£»¡¡my¡¡lad£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡the¡¡engineer¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡earth¡¡would¡¡have¡¡passed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡last¡¡bit¡¡into¡¡the¡¡furnaces¡¡of¡¡engines£»¡¡machines£»¡¡steamers£»¡¡gas¡¡factories£»¡¡certainly£»¡¡that¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡our¡¡world¡¡one¡¡fine¡¡day£¡¡¨
¡¨There¡¡is¡¡no¡¡fear¡¡of¡¡that¡¡now£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡yet£»¡¡the¡¡mines¡¡will¡¡be¡¡exhausted£»¡¡no¡¡doubt£»¡¡and¡¡more¡¡rapidly¡¡than¡¡the¡¡statistics¡¡make¡¡out£¡¡¨
¡¨That¡¡will¡¡happen£»¡¡Harry£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡my¡¡opinion¡¡England¡¡is¡¡very¡¡wrong¡¡in¡¡exchanging¡¡her¡¡fuel¡¡for¡¡the¡¡gold¡¡of¡¡other¡¡nations£¡¡¡I¡¡know¡¡well£»¡¨¡¡added¡¡the¡¡engineer£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡neither¡¡hydraulics¡¡nor¡¡electricity¡¡has¡¡yet¡¡shown¡¡all¡¡they¡¡can¡¡do£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡some¡¡day¡¡these¡¡two¡¡forces¡¡will¡¡be¡¡more¡¡pletely
utilized¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡no¡¡matter£¡¡¡¡¡Coal¡¡is¡¡of¡¡a¡¡very¡¡practical¡¡use£»¡¡and¡¡lends¡¡itself¡¡easily¡¡to¡¡the¡¡various¡¡wants¡¡of¡¡industry¡£¡¡Unfortunately¡¡man¡¡cannot¡¡produce¡¡it¡¡at¡¡will¡£¡¡¡¡Though¡¡our¡¡external¡¡forests¡¡grow¡¡incessantly¡¡under¡¡the¡¡influence¡¡of¡¡heat¡¡and¡¡water£»¡¡our¡¡subterranean¡¡forests¡¡will¡¡not¡¡be¡¡reproduced£»¡¡and¡¡if¡¡they¡¡were£»¡¡the¡¡globe¡¡would¡¡never¡¡be¡¡in¡¡the¡¡state¡¡necessary¡¡to¡¡make¡¡them¡¡into¡¡coal¡£¡¨
James¡¡Starr¡¡and¡¡his¡¡guide£»¡¡whilst¡¡talking£»¡¡had¡¡continued¡¡their¡¡walk¡¡at¡¡a¡¡rapid¡¡pace¡£¡¡¡¡An¡¡hour¡¡after¡¡leaving¡¡Callander¡¡they¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡Dochart¡¡pit¡£
The¡¡most¡¡indifferent¡¡person¡¡would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡touched¡¡at¡¡the¡¡appearance¡¡this¡¡deserted¡¡spot¡¡presented¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡like¡¡the¡¡skeleton¡¡of¡¡something¡¡that¡¡had¡¡formerly¡¡lived¡£¡¡¡¡A¡¡few¡¡wretched¡¡trees¡¡bordered¡¡a¡¡plain¡¡where¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡was¡¡hidden¡¡under¡¡the¡¡black¡¡dust¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mineral¡¡fuel£»¡¡but¡¡no¡¡cinders¡¡nor¡¡even¡¡fragments¡¡of¡¡coal¡¡were¡¡to¡¡be¡¡seen¡£¡¡All¡¡had¡¡been¡¡carried¡¡away¡¡and¡¡consumed¡¡long¡¡ago¡£
They¡¡walked¡¡into¡¡the¡¡shed¡¡which¡¡covered¡¡the¡¡opening¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Yarrow¡¡shaft£»¡¡whence¡¡ladders¡¡still¡¡gave¡¡access¡¡to¡¡the¡¡lower¡¡galleries¡¡of¡¡the¡¡pit¡£¡¡The¡¡engineer¡¡bent¡¡over¡¡the¡¡opening¡£¡¡¡¡Formerly¡¡from¡¡this¡¡place¡¡could¡¡be¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡powerful¡¡whistle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡air¡¡inhaled¡¡by¡¡the¡¡ventilators¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡now¡¡a¡¡silent¡¡abyss¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡like¡¡being¡¡at¡¡the¡¡mouth¡¡of¡¡some¡¡extinct¡¡volcano¡£
When¡¡the¡¡mine¡¡was¡¡being¡¡worked£»¡¡ingenious¡¡machines¡¡were¡¡used¡¡in¡¡certain¡¡shafts¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Aberfoyle¡¡colliery£»¡¡which¡¡in¡¡this¡¡respect¡¡was¡¡very¡¡well¡¡off£»¡¡frames¡¡furnished¡¡with¡¡automatic¡¡lifts£»¡¡working¡¡in¡¡wooden¡¡slides£»¡¡oscillating¡¡ladders£»¡¡called¡¡¡¨man¡engines£»¡¨¡¡which£»¡¡by¡¡a¡¡simple¡¡movement£»¡¡permitted¡¡the¡¡miners¡¡to¡¡descend¡¡without¡¡danger¡£
But¡¡all¡¡these¡¡appliances¡¡had¡¡been¡¡carried¡¡away£»¡¡after¡¡the¡¡cessation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡works¡£¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡Yarrow¡¡shaft¡¡there¡¡remained¡¡only¡¡a¡¡long¡¡succession¡¡of¡¡ladders£»¡¡separated¡¡at¡¡every¡¡fifty¡¡feet¡¡by¡¡narrow¡¡landings¡£¡¡Thirty¡¡of¡¡these¡¡ladders¡¡placed¡¡thus¡¡end¡¡to¡¡end¡¡led¡¡the¡¡visitor¡¡down¡¡into¡¡the¡¡lower¡¡gallery£»¡¡a¡¡depth¡¡of¡¡fifteen¡¡hundred¡¡feet¡£¡¡This¡¡was¡¡the¡¡only¡¡way¡¡of¡¡munication¡¡which¡¡existed¡¡between¡¡the¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Dochart¡¡pit¡¡and¡¡the¡¡open¡¡air¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡to¡¡air£»¡¡that¡¡came¡¡in¡¡by¡¡the¡¡Yarrow¡¡shaft£»¡¡from¡¡whence¡¡galleries¡¡municated¡¡with¡¡another¡¡shaft¡¡whose¡¡orifice¡¡opened¡¡at¡¡a¡¡higher¡¡level£»¡¡the¡¡warm¡¡air¡¡naturally¡¡escaped¡¡by¡¡this¡¡species¡¡of¡¡inverted¡¡siphon¡£
¡¨I¡¡will¡¡follow¡¡you£»¡¡my¡¡lad£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡engineer£»¡¡signing¡¡to¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man¡¡to¡¡precede¡¡him¡£
¡¨As¡¡you¡¡please£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Starr¡£¡¨
¡¨Have¡¡you¡¡your¡¡lamp£¿¡¨
¡¨Yes£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡only¡¡wish¡¡it¡¡was¡¡still¡¡the¡¡safety¡¡lamp£»¡¡which¡¡we¡¡formerly¡¡had¡¡to¡¡use£¡¡¨
¡¨Sure¡¡enough£»¡¨¡¡returned¡¡James¡¡Starr£»¡¡¡¨there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡fear¡¡of¡¡fire¡damp¡¡explosions¡¡now£¡¡¨
Harry¡¡was¡¡provided¡¡with¡¡a¡¡simple¡¡oil¡¡lamp£»¡¡the¡¡wick¡¡of¡¡which¡¡he¡¡lighted¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡mine£»¡¡now¡¡empty¡¡of¡¡coal£»¡¡escapes¡¡of¡¡light¡¡carburetted¡¡hydrogen¡¡co
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿!
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԴ´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡