The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-09-06

would nave you on your oaCh III
coon's jump but for me. knew them,
the Injun thieves they're after our
specie, my boy, as sure as shootln, ont
III tail 'em, the varmints. when
the specie wagon?"
"Number eight" | replied, wonder
ingly. -,
"Of with it, and tackle it on the
passenger train, cried Abel excltedly
. we'll fix their flints yet, by gosh.
So we set to work with will but
while we were uncoupling the wagon
the other train arrived. Abel commu-
nicated his suspicious TO the conductor,
and in a few moments the specie was
safely included among the passenger
cars By this time the evening was
closing in. and when we had placed the
train on the siding at the top of the in
cline. to clear the track for the passen.
gers, began to hope that our fears Of
an attack were groundless.
We ran down again with steam on,
to get in the rear of the passenger
train. and the other engine followed at
little distance. As our engine neared
the points. just beyond the log huts |
have mentioned, several figures rose
from their concealment. Without
warning of any kind, they deliberately
fred at the engines as they passed.
Surprise, more than fear, kept US for a
moment inactive. But Abel quickly
recovered himself Shouting to me to
lie down, he discharged two barrels at
the nearest of our assailants. With a
groan, he fell dead in his tracks. In a
Al ! Of
but those upon the other engine were
less fortunate. Unarmed as they were,
the driver and fireman could make no
resistance, and we, as we'll AS the pas
sengers, who were now turning out to
their assistance, were obliged to remain
passive spectators. The poor fellows
were tumbled off the engine by their
assailants, whose intention to seize the
specie wagon was now evident. But in
this they were foied. Some of the pas
sengers, having got within range, had
by this time commenced a pretty hot
fire against the "tilibusters, who now
found themselves in a fix as Abel, re-
versing his engine, returned to the
attack. Their position thus becoming
untenable, they started their engine
and ran quickly out Of the range OF the
passenge fire. But Nemesis was be
hind them. And seeing their maneuver
turned on full pressure, and swore he'd
shoot them ere he slept. Now COM
menced the most extraordinary chase
ever heard Of.
The engine in front had start of
about half mile, but we had great
power, and understood the manage
ment of the machine. Both locomo-
tives were we'll supplied with wood and
water. One of our opponents attempted
to Jump off as the speed was for mo-
ment slackened, but he was hurled
upon the line a bleeding mass. His
terrible fate deferred his companions,
who increased their distance and disap-
peared over the brow of the hill. We
followed, going at a terrific rate, bump
ing and oscillating TO such a degree
upon the uneven track that fancied
we should run off the line. We kept
our course, however, gaining slightly
for time, Abel taking every oppor-
tuuity Of sending bullet through the
weather board Of the retreating en-
CINE.
As the excitement cooled little,
for the first time discovered that | had
been hit" trickling Of blood from
a wound in my arm, and a numb sem
sation were anything but agreeable. A
rough bandage stopped the bleeding,
and we were then at liberty to observe
the chase once more. Darkness came
on, vet there was no token OF any abate
ment of the speed, nor any apparent
change in our relative positions. Occa-
sionally defiant whistle was borne
back 10 Us, but still on we swept
through the night. Suddenly the red
glow upon the track in front seemed to
stop. We neared it rapidly.
olive" roared Abel, just in time.
As he spoke two shots came whizzing
through the glass in front, and fell
/ harmless from the iron plate before us.
- A shave Ihat!" laughed my COM
panion. But I'll be quits As he
spoke he got out upon the frame and
told me to lie cached.
" What on earth ale you about ?"
asked. His reply made me shudder.
" I'm going to kill them on that en-
gin. Good bye, friend" He was gone
creeping over the wheel castings to
the buffer beam.
Now determined to win, | employed
every means to do so. We were surely
gaining Another log upon the al
ready roaring furnace. The valves dis
charged a cloud of kissing steam, but
went on hurrying to destruction.
In few moments more the engines
were almost touching; another shot,
but no harm done We bumped a
grinding noise was heard, then another
bump. Hurrah," | cried, or rather
tried to cry, for my throat was so parch.
ed that | could scarcely utter a sound,
and regardless Of risk was about To join
Abel, when a shrill noise rose beneath
us, and the other engine shot into the
darkness ahead. With an oath, shut
of the steam further progress knew
was impossible with the heated ma.
chinery), and shouted to Abel. As
soon as | could pull up, | jumped oil
and ran TO the front Abel had disap.
peared Gracious Heaven had he
fallen when the engines touched?
began to fear the worst, and to call
wildly in the vain hope he might hear,
but the whisper of the wind was the
only reply. 1t was impossible that he