Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-06-30
CHAPTER II.
A WILD RIDE,

CHAPTER IL.
A WILD RIDE.
Mechanically 1 gathered up the reins nodded
to McCausland, for 1 was too stupefed to re-
ply in words, and started upon my wild ride.
Three hours hence and the water would be
pouring down the valley through which my
course lay. No wonder l had to ride for my
life, and perhaps the lives of hundreds of my
fellow creatures depended on mine. Ammer-
ing junction was some miles away. My route
lay through an unknown country, across moor
land intersected by flooded streams and swept
by the fierce wind and rain.
l must do it, thought as my horse picked
his cautious way amid the loose stones down
the steep by-road we had assembled the previous
day. should need all my strength, though,
to execute my task, so pressed on. A valua-
BILE slice out of my time had been expended
when 1 reached the broad highway and urged
my horse to speed. | had to turn off again, l
knew, but fancied l should easily find the
path. Beside, was there not sign-post?
Therefore, urged by dreadful tidings, and with
the fierce wind and biting rain by turns and all
together assailing me, l urged my horse on
ward. | reached the turning and pulled up to
read the direction ! should take. I nearly
tainted with horror as read The fatal finger
pointed up the cross road was pursuing
''To Holmesdale and Seaham." The opposite
index pointed-"To Ruddall and Ammering."
SOulu hCdlCo ClCulG NY sSilSGS' E9utSIN NdS
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. AT that
moment, if you will believe me- the true state
of.the case, and my own stupidity, flashed upon
me. We had come from Holmesdale 1 was
now bound for Ammering, which lay at the
opposite side.
This was terrible mistake. 1t was now past
six o'clock. One of the three precious hours
had elapsed, and was further from Ammering
than when l started. [ was seized with de-
spair. Whatever could do now? Two hours
remained, and had three up hill miles to ride,
and then about seven more across the moor,
before / could reach the junction, and before
that the trains might have started, and then =
burst out into cold perspiration at the
thought and then, desperate, and only half
conscious, rode madly back to the Ammcr-
ing road and up the hill again. But the storm
tiend was abroad and had arrayed all his
forces against me.
AS we gained the more open ground the blast
came down with such violence as to stagger us.
II tore across the hillside, and Missed among
the gorse and swaying grass. The rain came
down more determinedly than ever. At length
reached small cluster of stone cottages, and
halted under the lee of the last one to take
breath for fresh struggle over the moor
which lay before me. A straight road lay over
it-a good road, but crossed at intervals by
idpLu NIllCu lldl ONGIuOWGu UuSlT USUAL
limits, and gwelled over their boundaries across
the flinty stones which had defed them all the
summer long.
The SUBMITS 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 1 could just dis
tinguish the junction in the middle distance. A
dark smoke appeared to be rising from it an
engine perhaps waiting to start train, and
Vas lingering on the hill. All this, aud more,
could perceive as 1 rested on the summit.
Somewhat refreshed, rode manfully forward
into the storm.
How my horse kept his feet do not to this
hour understand The wind, which had been
high before, appeared to have gathered new
force while we had halted, and it rushed across
the track terrifcally. Pebbles were frequently
blown across the road, and every pool had its
waves, like miniature sea. Some helpless
crows were blown over my head, and sinister
looking raven skinned the moor close by,
uttering weird croak which fell upon my ears
like knell, and chilled my blood. / was quite
alone, not a human being in sight, but suddenly
| the whistle of o locomotive was carried to my
ears. An engine moved out of the station.
Another whistle shortly afterwsrd The train
was safe. L watched it glide eway over the via
duct Five minutes later I rode into the sta
ton, and called for the station-master AS dis
mounted 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.
| ~ don't want the train, replied, ''I must
telegraph at once, though. Where is the sta
| tion-master
"He1l be here in minute. But We can't
telegraph. The wires is blown down. We had
to send pilot with the express to clear the
line up to Handeigh" an
"Not telegraph / tell you, man, must
stop the traffic. The South Holmesdale reser-
voir will burst this very hour"
" Can this be trueY' inquired a cool, gentle
manly man at my elbow 1t was the station.
> master himself.
"True !" / echoed. cts only too true. ]
have ridden to tell you. We must stop the
trains" naNfh VIZ
"The excursion leaves Handleigh at sos,
unused the station-master. "There may be
time come with me-"
He crossed the line and entered the shed op
posite. | followed. Just then loud booming
sound rent the air. The sound came back from
the hills like thunder.
F" 1t is the signal" exclaimed "The water
is out. Heaven help us now p
The station-master called out. A cleaner ap
peared.
Is that engine ready?"
eyes, sir, waiting for the excursion"
" Run and open the points. Now, sir, ge
up"
1 obeyed mechanically, and before quite
realized the situation we had crossed to the IL,
line The station-master stopped to get rei
flag and give few instructions to his subordi
liate now perceived that we were to rae,
the flood. Steam versus water. WhIchwoult
conquer2
A whistle-we started. Mly
'The flood the flood y shouted the porter
We turned one glance up the valley. A mov
ing brown wall, capped with snowy ridge, wa
tearing down to the devoted viaduct. No TIM
to lose.
SEQ ahead, " cried the staton-master.
turned on steam,put the lever over anothe
notch, and the race began in earnest.
We flew along the metals. A few minute
would decide it. We must get to the viaduc
and over it first, or the excursion, unwarned
would dash to destruction. A depressionin tn
ground ran beside the railroad for short dis
tance We trusted to this to turn the velocit
of the approaching water. 1t was an exciting
race, and one never to be forgotten.