The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-05-09
THE ENGINEER's STORY.
[Concluded.1

|
your best to gain time and keep ahead o
the Lightning p"
No; / will notr' he answered sullen
ly.
Every well; here is substitute tina
will. Make room for Mr. Atwate -
He can do as he pleases," said Nc
Leod, stiff1y, rising to yield me his place
II wash my hands of the whole thing
now and hereafter, Bear witness, Carev
and Atwater, chat protest against thi
rash and fool hardy thing ~
Not word more did he utter, but sa
down silent and rigid as a galvanized
corpse watching me with his deep Sc
eyes until the very consciousness OF tha
steady surveillance made me uncomfort
able. Uncomfortable, but not nervous
[ never in. the whole course of my life
was more entirely In possession of all N,
facuttles, or more composed than at tina
moment, as [ mechanically examined
screws and valves and satisfied myself a
to the correctness of every detail. Al
was right; Mcleod was a good enginee
if not an agreeable companion.
CHOW then, my Lady, >" I said t.
myself, Wei see if you keep up all you
old pluck -
l turned to give some directions to tn,
fremen, and when I was about to 81
down Mcleod seized my arm.
Not there | tell you not there -
"And why not there % I demanded
with momentary fear crossing my mine
that the man was deranged.
-- Because another already occupies the
| place." he cried in the shrill, shriedine
voice he often used when much excited.
s'Death is a passenger on this train with
us, and death sits there ghostly and still
No, know you don't see him; but sec
ond sight is a gift in the family come
off his fell errand, but you-you and that
cursed Carew wouldn't let me. Now go
your own mad, reckless way, and see
where it will bring you. And remember,
Frank Atwater, that it's not your own
worthless life that hangs ON the balance
but the lives Of all who travel on this
train.
Argument with man in this excited
frame of mind would have been but folly.
l sat down without word, smiling in
spirit Of myself, and resumed my intent
supervision of the engine while Mcleod
sat silently by with folded arms. "
Never did the Lady Franklin show
finer mettle than on that night. The
machinery was perfect, the crank well
oiled, the heat steady and intense. The
fireman worked IN concert with me, fully
comprehending my intentions, and the
Lady rushed over the rails like a Iiv-
ing, breathing thing.
'How are you getting along, Frank ?''
asked Carew, coming forward with his
lantern, as we left our first stopping
place.
ooh, splendidly!" answered.
81 have Just telegraphed back to Seld-
town; we have gained five minutes on
the lightning already
Il thought we were gaining" / re-
piled, quietly. But | was very much
excited. The idea of pressing this mag
nIiicent piece of mach merry to her utmost
speed; of eluding the lightning pursuit
of the express train which followed
pursued us; of identifying my own nerves
and sinews with the iron and steel of the
Lady Franklin, was exciting in itself
nor had McLeod's wild talk been entire
ly without effect on ME. | was not super
stitious but we all know the mesmeric
effect with the strong belief of another
person, however ill-founded that belief
may be, Invariably exerts on the mind
That Mcleod firmly believed that he and
| were not alone In this little glazed com
partment L entertained no doubt, and his
horror reacted upon me, baseless though
| knew it to be SO.
II wish we were at B" I thought,
leaning my elbows on the woodwork and
gazing out into the stormy night, athwart
which our huge headlight threw a
streaming banner of lurid light as it
rushed along. At that instant my shout
der was touched.
''Atwater," said Mcleod, IN husky,
unnatural voice, If you have any prayers
to say, say them now. Death is very
near to you
A cold chill ran through me.
81 am always prepared to meet death, !"
| answered, trying to speak composedly
death? yes, but not death by suicide
You will be suicide, Francis Atwater :;
nor do [ wish longer to interfere. The
hour or grace is past.
ooh, Mcleod don't talk nonsense.
Go back in the baggage car and sleep the
liquor off, -
Liquor? You think Tn drunk. You
think IN mad You take me to be SUI
perstitious heard you'll heard you
talking to her You best keep clear o!
her, young man. You see this, Ell ?''
and he drew huge knife from hls bosom.
eyes, | see it, | answered, laying my
hand ON the brake, as if | could use il
for defense.
"With this I could have silenced you
long ago, and saved the victims you are
sacrificing. But prefer not What is
to be is to be; as well might attempt
to stem the current of the Mississippi
with a straw as to check the tide of Fate
with my feeble hand Only [ would
| warn you to say word or two of prayer
before the fatal moment comes.
My heart seemed to stand still Will
| death terror. Was [ indeed shut up il
this narrow spot with maniac?' Would
be murdered before [ could call for help.
But [ remembered that in GOODNESS and
presence of mind lay my only chance O
safety, and resolved to abide the result
We were now putting on brakes for oul
second and last stopping place ere we
reached B. Mcleod sprang out
upon the platform as we stopped, and
went into a bar-room adjoining the sta
| ton. [ went back and spoke to one o.
the brakemen, an athletic Maine man
with thews and sinews of iron, and the
stature of a giant.
Jim" | said in low tone of voice
his name was Jim Torrance-ssI wan
You to keep your eye or Mcleod, anC
come on the locomotive with me. He
talks and acts very~strangely o-night
and he may attempt some violence ~
| Il saw him draw out that outlandisf
knife o his, sir, minute or two ago.
said Jim shrewdE. I could easily ierl
it away from him when we're moyin
again.
No. do not wish you to use force O
any kind unless it is absolutely necessary
l think he is harmless, but it is just a.
] well to keen a little watch over him