Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-27

Tom," cried Seth; CHATS it.
now"
A bullet from Seth's steady hand |
passed through the glass of the
other engine and shattered the driy-
ing arm of the man who held the
regulator.
"Bullyw exclaimed the delighted
Seth. "Now for another log" The
fire was blown up, and like an ar
row the engines flew along; but no
more shots were exchanged, for as
they were running neck and neck
for one instant Seth perceived
light on the line ahead, and before
his companion was aware Of his in
tention shut off the steam. The
other engine fed away into the
darkness, leaving Seth and Tom
far behind.
"What did you shut eff for?"
cried Tom in amazement.
"Look ahead and you'll know"
was the grim reply. ta
Tom looked ahead. A weird
light was playing on the track, a
halo of unearthly appearance. 1t
shimmered and moved about like q
will-'o-the-wisp. 1t was a most
ghastly white mist-a ghostly warn
ing.
"What can it be?" said Tom, his
superstitious terrors being now ex-
cited. "What is it?"
"It's u light, that's ALL" said
Seth with a fiendish grin. 81
know it, though; Pve seen it be-
fore. There's somebody under
meath the bridge, and, you bet,
they're cutting the track for the
specie train"
"Gracious heaven, and that en-
gine!"
"That engine will be in the river
in two minutes" said Seth Mar
tin.
ooh! hurry up and save them il
we cam" exclaimed Tom. SCI
ahead!"
: Gently, mate, gently; let then
get on a bitp He turned on steam
E but ere they had passed half thu
: distance in the direction Of the ligh
t a loud crash was heard, and annie
? screams Of human agony the trestl
E bridge sank iown-down-gently
a slowly, but surely, to the stream be
: low. The ponderous engine dippe
!, forward, gave one heavy roll, right
d cd again, and then turning CON
}. pletely over, fell with a thunderin
e noise into the cannon below.
The lights were suddenly extir
i guished, and the piercing scream
d Of wounded and scalded men arose
y mingled with the Kissing steam an
5 the dull roar of thunder, The storI
y had burst.
"Caught in their own trap" e'
y claimed Seth. "Seryes them right
/ Poor critters, Pm kiGder sOrr
is too"
"Let us help them," cried Tom.
;, "Help! yes; let us run on
d Dartford and stop the traffic; I'll
specie is due in ten minutes"
ID "Cross that bridge?" exclaime
the fireman.
e eyes, sir, cross that bridge. II
y a-goin' to try it," replied Set
Il "Will you chance itl"
n "Yes," was the brave answer; it
II kill or cure !"
y, "Here goes then; shake hand
God bless ye, male; if we don
a meet again, tell them | died at n
le post like a man."
le The driver and fireman claspe
d. hands in silence, and Seth turnir
lit on the full pressure of steam, Il
ut engine gathered itself up for
ed final race.
Not a sound escaped either
t. the men. Side by side they stoo
r AS they approached they could S
the red glare. The bridge ha
ne caught fire. AS they shot past,
Mt form or two hurried quickly out
st sight-some Of the desperate bal
lr now cowed and crushed. In a m
1n ment more the bridge was in lr
re view. The cracking timbers
O. the up line were all burning arour
We the mighty menster engine, whiC
all still emitted smoke and flame.
flash of lightning will in o.
I'd brief second reveal all surroundil
ne objects distinctly, 50 the glare
0p the engine furnace lit up the scel
he below. The engine dashed along
We roar, a creaking noise, the Aau
gu leaped up beneath-and the dang
nd was over. The down line had n
I'd been undermined.
AS they slackened speed lol
d. deep whistle was heard, and a di
he speok like pins head was seen
rp the line in front.
m "Thore's the specie, Tom. We
Ter done our duty. Run down ca
or and then see il we can't help
EN- unfortunate loafers under
Tor bridge. 1t was narrow squeak
1t was, indeedl The specie tra
was saved though, and the filibr
cts ters taken in the act. Three VIZ
ler drowned, and two moro so terril