The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-09-20


"Nonsense," I replied, laughing; "I'l
be ready in five minutes if it's important
Is the horse readyg"
ran up for my waterproofs. When
came down the horse was at the door,
and McCausland inspecting him. l
mounted.
"Now," said. "for this great message,
if you please" McCausland's tone had
something very solemn in it, as he re-
piled:
"Tell the station master at Ammering
Junction, and any people you see, that
the South Reservoir will not last three
hours. 1t will burst down the valley,
and will destroy the Apps Viaduct, and
carry away the bridges on the Holmes
dale branch. Stop the traffic and save
the passengers. God bless you; and, bark
We, ride for your life. will fire the sig
nal cannon as a warning. Goodbye"
Ammering Junction was some miles
away. My route lay through an unknown
country, across moreland intersected by
flooded streams and swept by the fierce
wind and rain.
must do it, thought, as my horse
picked his cautious way amid the loose
stones down the steep by-road we had as
cended the previous day. l should need
all my strength, though, to execute my
task, so pressed on. A valuable slice
out of my time had been expended when
l reached the broad highway and urged
my horse to speed. l had to turn off
again, l knew, but l fancied 1 should
easily find the path. Besides, was there
not sign post9
reached the turning and pulled up to
tainted with horror as read. The fatal
finger pointed to the cross road was
pursuing-To Holmesdale and Seaham.
The opposite index pointed-To Ruddall
and Ammering. could scarcely credit
my senses. Surely, I was right! We
had come up the previous day, and up the
hill to the reservoirs. l had merely to
reverse the route we had travelled. This
was terrible mistake. 1t was now past
six o'clock. One of the three precious
hours had elapsed, and I was further
from Ammering than when I started. l
was seized with despair; whatever could
l do now9 Two hours remained, and l
had three up hill miles to ride, and then
about seven more across the moor before
l could reach the junction, and before
that the trains might have started, and
then!
burst into cold perspiration at the
thought, and then desperate, and only
half conscious, l rode madly back to the
Ammering road, and up the hill again.
The summit of the neighboring hills
were shrouded in veil of mist, but far
in advance, on the level, could trace the
railroad 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 flood
would strike the railroad, and the branch
line over the spur of the hill. l could
just distinguish the Junction in the mid
die distance. A dark smoke appeared to
be rising from it; an engine perhaps wait
ing to start with train, and was linger-
ing on the hill. This, and more, I could
perceive as l rested on the summit.
Somewhat refreshed, I rode manfully for-
ward into the storm.
How my horse kept his feet I do not to
this hour understand.
was quite alone, not human being
in sight, but suddenly the whistle of a
locomotive was carried to my ears. An
engine moved out of the station. An
other whistle shortly afterwards. The
train was safe. L watched it glide away
over the viaduct. Five minutes later l
rode into the station, and called for the
station master AS 1 dismounted the
clock struck eight. The time was up
and no signal from McCausland. Tele-
graphing would now be easy. A porter
came out in response to my summons.
"I'm sorry ye lost the express" he
began.
II don't want the train" replied, II
must telegraph at once. Where is the
station MASTER"
Hell be here in a minute. But ye
can't telegraph. The wires are blown.
We had to send pilot with the express
to clear the line up to Haadleigh."
"Not telegraph! tell you must stop
the traffic. The South Holmesdale Reser-
voir will burst this very hour.
"Can that be truel" inquired cool,
gentlemanly man at my elbow. 1t was
the station master himself.
True" echoed. at is only too true.
have ridden to tell you. We must stop
the trains"
1.-THE excursion leaves Handleigh at
8 :05," unused the station master. There
may be time; come with me-" He
crossed the line and entered a shed op-
posite. 1 followed him. Just then
loud booming sound rent the air. The