The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-12-06

Halo look out, mind that hand lamp
Tom turned the slide and looked ahead.
Seth shut off the steam.
There they are Lucky we are running
tender foremost, or they would have seen
oar fire. Well wait on them gently till they
go on to the trestle cnrve Then we'll wire
in and drop them. Steady mate
The engine came silently to stand still.
The gentle hiss of the steam, which was Just
raising the valves, was the only audible
sound. Broad flashes of sheet lightning lit
up the heavy masses of cloud, but no thun-
der followed. Seth looked to his revol-
yer.
Tom fed the fire and they waited it was
their only chance-a surprise.
For quite twenty minutes the men waited;
the engine in front had long ago disappear t
ed. At last Seth said, Now, Tom, is our
time I'll run them race down to Dart
ford City, and, if get there first, there'll be |
scaps to sell tomorrow. Well round that
curve before they see us and come in all fly |
Ing. Are you ready?'
Tn i n fied is cpnsc nj, and away DART
ed the pOnderous engine across the bound.
less prairie at top speed. On on never
mlnd the rough track it's DEATH. it's death
t. leave it ; it's death, most likely, if you
remain. There is one chance aud only one
| 1T you reach hartford City and give the
| alarm.
Press on, Seth, it's nigh midnight" So
whispered Tom, as the engine swung round
the sharp curve. There, seemingly motion
less, was the other engine. Faster and fast
er ratified the pursuer. They were seen at
last. The men were visible through the
glass for an instant.
Lie down. roared Seth.
Only just in time. Two bullets came
crashing overhead another hit the handle
of the steam whistle and sent out scream
of defiance into the night. Seth rose slowly,
and, pistol in hand, watched the foe.
He's gon' to race us. but he don't know
the trick of firin; NO. 200,' Tom. Wen
pass, and then
Seth's face as he spoke, and clutched his
revolver was sufficient to explain his mean
ing without words.
On, on, speeding across the prairie Now,
Seth was gaining, now the others shot
ahead. More wood into the furnace pile
: it in, Tom, cried Seth-'that's it-now.'
A bullet from Seth's steady hand passed
through the glass of the other engine, and
shattered the driving arm of the man who
held the regulator.
'Bullyr exclaimed the delighted Seth
Now for another log. The fire was blowr
7 up, and like an arrow the engine flew along
but no more shots were exchanged, for al
=; they were running neck and neck for on
instant Seth perceived a light on the lin
ahead, and before his..companion was awar
q of his intention shut off the steam. Th
n other engine fed away into the darkness
a leaving Seth and Tom far behind.
a What do you shut off for p cried Tom il
. amazement.
t Look ahead and you'll know was th'
9 grim reply.
4 Tom looked ahead A weird light wa
q playing on the track, halo of unearthy ap
d pearance. 1t shimmered and moved like
# will-o'-the wisp. 1t was a CHASTITY whit
0 mist-a ghostly warning.
q What can it be p said Tom, his superst
tious terrors being now excited. 'Whs
p is it p
!. IT'S a light, that's all, said Seth, with
& fiendish grin. l know it, though I've see
it BEFORE There's somebody underneat
to the rails in the bridge, and you bet, they
cutting the track for the specie train =
as Gracious heaven, and that engine ?
d. That engine will be in the river in tw
IN minutes, said Seth Martin.
oh hurry up and save them if we car
MI exclaimed Tom. Go ahead j
p Gently, mate gently let them go on
q. Bit He turned on steam, but ere they ha
au passed half the distance in the direction
the light, loud crash was heard and am
screams Of human agony the trestle brids
" sank n-down-gently, slowly. but sur
iP ly t, the stream below. The ponderous e
W. CINE dipped forward, gave one heavy .ro
A. righted again, and then, turning compete
over, fell with laundering noise into Il
V" canon below.
On The lights were suddenly extinguishe
and the piercing screams of wounded al
'"' scalded men arose, mingle with the hissil
IS steam and the dull roar of thunder. II
oil storm had burst.
an; Caught in their own trap, exclaim
Seth. Serves them right Poor critic
ost I'm kinder sorry, too
ten Let us help Them cried Tom.
Sc Help yes let us run on to Dartford a
vas stop the traffic the specie is due in ten m
utes,'
Oh Gross that bridge?' exclaimed the fl
ow, man.
Yes, sir across that bridge. I'm a-g,
Tf to try it, replied Seth. will you char
is itY
for Yes, was the brave answer Its kill
led, cure ?
Here goes, then Shake hands. {
-, bless ye, mate if we don't meet again,
them died at my post like man.
The driver and fireman clasped hand'
'' silence, and Seth, turning on the full pl
sure of steam, the engine gathered itself
'ne or the final race.
the Not a sound escaped either of the n
ioes Side by side they stood As they approa
ed they could see red glare. The hrl
ON, had caught fire. A. they shot past, f
of two hurried quickly out of sight s.
ad of the desperate band cowed and crusl
lash In moment more the bridge was in
; view. The cracking timbers of the up
The were all burning around the mighty mon
APP engine, which still emitted smoke and fla
and As fash OF lightning will in one brief
ling ond reveal all surrounding objects disti
sion, ly, 50 the glare of the engine furnace Ii
rain the scene below. The engine dashed a
hich "a roar, a creakiug noise, the fame LEI
up beneath-and the danger was over.