The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-08-15

something very solemnin it. as lie replied
Tell the station-master ut Ammering
Junction. and any people you see. thai
the south reservoir viii not last three hours.
II will burst down the valley. and will de.
stroy the Apps viaduct. and carry away tbs
bridges on the Holmesdalc branch. Stop
the traffic. aud save the passengers. God
bless you and. bark .ye ride for. your life.
| will FIRE the signal cannon as warning
Good bye.
Ainmering Junction was some miles a.
way. My route lay through an unknown
country. across moorland intersected by
flooded streams and swept BY the fierce wind
and ram.
| must do Il, | thought. as my horse
picked bis cautious way amid the loose
stones down the steep by road we had as
cenced the previous day. should need
oil my strength, though, to execute my
task. SO | pressed on A valuable slice out
Of my time had been expended when
reached the broad highway and nrged my
horse to speed. | had to turn OF again,
knew. but lfancied should easily find the
path. Besides, was there not sign. post
| reached the turning and pulled up to
read the direction | srould take. | nearly
tainted with horror as Y read. The fatal
finger pointed up the cross-road I was pur-
sulng--to llolnlesdale and Sesham. The
opposite index pointed-to Ruddall and
Ammering could scarce credit my sem
ses. Surely | was rgh. We had come
up the previous day. and up tie hill to the
reservoirs. had merely to reverse the
route had travelled. This was terrible
mistake. Il was now past 6 o'clock. 0ne
Of the tree precious hours had elapsed. and
| was further FROM Alnmcring than when
started. was seized with despair; what
ever could do now? Two hours rem ain
ed, and had three uphill miles TO ride.
and then about seven more across the moor
before | could reach the Junction. and be-
fore that the trains might have started, and
them!
| burst out Into cold perspiration st The
thought. aud then desperate. and only half
conscious. / rode madly back 10 the Am-
mering road. and up the bill again. +.
The SUBMITS Of the neighboring hills
were shrouded in veil Of mist. but far in
advance. on the level. could trace the rail
road line. From the elevation at which
stood. | could trace the channel Of the
Apps river down the valley; and could
guess the spot at which the food would
strike lie railroad. aud the branch line over
the spur of the hill. could just distin-
guirh the Junction in fhe middle distance.
a dark smoke appeared 70 be rising from il !;
an engine perhaps waiting 70 start with q
train. aud wa. lingering on the hill. All
This. and more. | could perceive as | rested
on the summit. So,1eshat refreshed. 1
rode manfully forward into tic storm. "
How my horse kept bis feet do not to
this hour understand.
l was quite slone. not human being in
sight. bus suddenly the whistle Of locomo~
tive was carried 70 my san. An engine
moved out Of the ststicn. Another whls-
tie shortly af:erward. That train was safe.
watched il glide away over the yisduct.
Fnc minutes later | fode into the station,
aud called for the station.master. As
dismounted the clock struck eight. The
tune was up aud no signal frum McCaus-
Land. Telegfaphihg would now be easy.
A porter came cut in response 70 ny suns
mons.
I'm sorry 70 lost tho express be be-
gan.
4 don't want tho train | replied. L
must telegraph az once through. Where Is
the station.mastcr
'lle'l II be here in minute. But 20 can't
telegraph. Tho wires are blown down. we
had 10 send pilot with tho express TO
clear the line up 70 Ilandlcigh.'
Not telegraph [ tell you, man. must
stop the traffic. Tho South uollnesdale
reservoir will burst this very hour.
.Cau that be sruer inquired cool. gen.
tlemanly man al my elbow. q Was the
station. master himself.
True I echoed. Il, Is only too true.
| have ridden to tell you. Mc must stop
the trains.
The excursion leaves Handleigh at s :O5.
mused the station master. There may be
time come with me- lie crossed the liLe
aud entered she'd opposite. followed.
just then loud bcoa.lng sound rent the
air. The sound came back from The hills
like thunder.
IL Is tho signal. | exclaimed. Tho wa
Ter is out. Heaven help US nowl
The station.mas,er called out. A clean.
81 appeared. .ls that engine readyi'
Yes. slr. waiting for the excursion.
Run and open the points. Now. sir.
get up
iobeycd mechanically. aud before quite
realized the situation We bad crossed TO the
up liue. The station. master stopped 20 get
a red flag and give a few instructions to bis
Inow perceived that wo we're
to race tho food. Steam versus wa.er.
Which would oonquerS
A whistle We started. The food, the
food + shouted the porter. We turned
N.a ..l.... l.. ...1f-m A A. ~.