The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-03
A Midnight Ride on q Cow-catcher.
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A Midnight Ride on q COw.catcher.
A writer in the Oneida Circular describes
a singular adventure
I" The train was to start at Has, and 1t
wanted but few minutes of the time. AS
I stood there in the darkness within few
feet Of the kissing monster my heart began
TO fail me, and I almost resolved to abandon
nv hazardous undertaking. What If l
should lose my hold and be thrown of in
front of that crushing mass Of machinery -!
What if there should be something on the
track Such thoughts kept whirling through
my mind, and I hesitated. Suddenly the
bellrang. Hardly realizing what did, has
tily left the dark recess and stepped on the
heavy framework in front Of the engine.
By means of stout leather strap / bound
myself on by passing it round my body and
under one of the strong bars of the cow
catcher. While I was thus engaged, the
train had left the depot and with rapidly
increasing speed was passing through the
city. I had some fears lest some Of the flag
men at the street-crossings should discover
me, and signal to the engineer for l well
knew that if Fl. should become aware of my
perilous situation he would stop the train
and take me off. My fears were groundless.
The strong glare of the headlight directly
over me made my position, by contrast,
almost invisible to any one in front.
"Passing the last crossing with rush
and a roar, we sped on through the suburbs
and into the open country. The city lights
disappeared one by one in the distance,
and we were fairly on our way. 1t was q
wild night. The light of the moon strug-
gled with difficulty through the dark clouds
which were driven before a strong wind
from the southwest. Now and then an
opening would illumine the landscape with
sudden burst Of silvery light, to be
Immediately followed by almost total
darkness as the heavy cumuli rolled
up in masses of inky blackness. The
cone of light from the dazzling lens above
me would then cut the darkness in its on
ward rush with startling clearness. Now
flashing up the rocky sides Of some noun
tain gorge, Illuminating rock, tree, and
shrub with almost daylight distinctness
anon losing itself in the surrounding dark
ness as we emerged into the open country
beyond; then shooting along the rails
ahead. making them look like glistening
threads until they disappeared in the dark
ness beyond.
"Mile after mile we sped along. I had
become somewhat used to my strange posi-
ton, but it required constant attention to
prevent my feet from slipping from the
lower bar of the frame on which | was
standing. At best, had but partial foot
hold, and the constant jar of the engine on
the short curves would almost throw me off.
In passing through the s. mountains the
road was very rough and crooked. The
ponderous engine bounded along with now
and then sudden side lurch in its SEEM
ingly mad effort to plunge into the black
chasms which yawned on every side. In
one of these sudden movements the
buckle on my strap broke, and / was only
saved from instant death by wedging my
hands between the bars of the cow-catcher
and clasping them underneath. I must
hold on now for dear life. Once l opened
my mouth to scream, in the hope that H..
would hear me. A second thought con-
WINGED me Of the uselessness of attempting
to make my voice heard at that distance
above the roar of the engine. Even when
standing on the foot board it was with
difficulty that we could hear each other.
My only hope was that my stifening fingers
would hold on for the remaining ten miles.
An occasional glimpse of the country show
ed me that we had gone two-thirds of our
distance, and had also, most fortunately,
passed the toughest points. Twenty minutes
more and should be safe.
"We have now passed the mountains,
and the road became straighter and smooth
er. AS we emerged from the tunnel on the
spur of the mountains | caught sight, far
down the line, of the headlight Of the c.
express. The road is there perfectly
straight for three miles, and l had an I'M
obstructed view. Brighter and brighter
grew the headlight till it seemed to glare
with demoniac fierceness. Although l
knew there was no danger, yet the sight
of that ponderous creature laundering to-
wards me sent through me momenta-
ry thrill of horror, and l involuntarily
chung closer, and closed my eyes as the
train rushed past. A long whistle from our
own engine announced our approach to LIS,
and | assure you it was music to my ears.
could not have held on fifteen minutes
longer. AS the train stopped l unclasped
my benumbed fingers and stepped to the
ground, but could not walk three steps, my
legs were SO stiff from being SO long in a
cramped position. At last l reached the
side of the road and sat down. The moon
had long been obscured, and few heavy
drops betokened the coming storm"