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


up into the cab of his engine (all Amer-
can locomotives are protected and closed in)
and began to smoke.
He smoked in comfort for about quarter
of an hour then he felt queer These is
stronger cigars than usual he muttered and
he threw it from him. But the oppression
on his brain became heavier he felt very
sleepy now.
L think I'll have nap; it's only about
o'clock. / must there's an hour yet
| wonder where Tom is. It's my opinion
Tom will drink too much Or
His train of thought was suddenly inter
rupted. All at once it flashed upon him that
he himself had been 'drugged' in the sa
loon
That's it ; what a thunderingldiot am 7 |
He essayed to rise, but felt quite bewildered. |
lie made hopeless attempts to stand upright |
but could do nothing. He was as useless as
a child but, worse than all, he was con-
scious OF his inability to do his duty. Ten
o clock rang out He struggled to his feet
His head was spinning round, his feet wer,
heavy as leaden weights He op, ned the
sliding door, but ere he could descend "A blow
from behind sent him f,ng into space
! a splash, and down he sank intoa large pot
containing quantity of surplus water tor
| the locomotive tanks.
AT the same moment three men climbed
up on the engine and, with a low but hearty
cnuckle, started it out from the siding
Il think we did that neat said the short
est of the party 4 didn't listen to the boss
for nothin' this time. The specie train will
run after all, you see. Oh! they couldn't
catch me tripping, No, SIR!
'The Savage will do the bridget suppose
said another. He's to work on the up line,
isn't he?
Aye, only on that side Ye did that
Brtisher pretty, | must say. He and Seth
was kinder cautious, too
Il mixed it strong, said the other, with
savage laugh. Did you settle the signals,
Abe p
AYE; telegraphed ourselves on special and
then cut the wires and smashed the nstru-
ments We're clear now to hartford City.
CINE lurched for second and lifted
Only the points. We're out now. We
can run easy, s'pose. She won't bust, |
hope, Here gees
The speaker, who knew little about en-
ginedriviug, turned on the steam, and away
they went. He turned his head for mo-
ment. There's something moving yonder;
they've found Seth, likely
But this portion of the gang of despera-
does had met their match in English Tom
Atkins. For moment or two he had been
overcome by the drugged whiskey, but a
? simple and very effective remedy cured him
at the cost of a few moments sickness
t Creeping along the ground, for he could moi
walk, he conceived the idea of following
these men so he held the points open anC
t sent the 'bravos' away into the night on the
up line. He proposed to give the alarm anc
follow ton the down metals) with superio
G force. But fate was drawing the fugitives tc
destruction. The up line was cut at tn,
; bridge.
Lend a hand, mate. Pm drowndin'
n This is what Tom heard as he crawled rath
l. er than walked across the metals to seek as
sistauce.
'Selh-Seth Martin what's happened t
Is YOU?
Is Them varmint tossed me here when l wa
half stupid but the water has done me goot
u Help me out, Tom, and we'll fix theI
yet.
20 Tom, who was rapidly recovering, lent a
the assistance he could and then the driI
lie ping driver, quickly wringing the watt
Ar from his clothes, said, when his mate ha
s. told him what he had done
g Don't breathe syllable to mortal man.
It. know Bob Franklin's engine is in steam
e, now for the cross traffic. Wen fire her u
and run them down. We may save Il
er specie yet. Hurry down to thu signal bo'
We while get ou the engine
Tom fastened away as desired, but s'c
At, came back with the intelligence that the b'
on was empty and the wire cut
ur we darsen't say word now, said Set
'What fools we were to take them drink
iy. Now Tom, shove in some wood while {
the cranks I'll leave word for the forema
W. we must trust him.
All these preparations were made almo
as quickly as they are described. In t
minutes the engine was ready, and as noi'
art lessly as possible the great locomotive "
brought out of the shed, but tender first.
'ss Never mind said Seth, when Tom q
iected. We can run about as quick, Nc
Ao' are ye ready"
The foreman came up at that moment
-" We do succeed he said, your fortune
~ made. If you fail wouldn't answer
'"s your lives Take my revolver he add
49, and be Off
No Seth thanked him, adding, gloomily,
, q we fail, we'll never come back alive.
III us to be hocused with Bourbon is disgr
m enough.
its. A whistle Tne foreman opened
points and the engine sped away on
down line in full pursuit of the desperad
BILE to save the specie train, if possible.
We've no head light = exclaimed Tt
ec suddenly.
so much the better; we don't want to
his verise ourselves tonight. There is fl
of something guess we'll have a storm,
MS The remark was not uncalled for.
en- CLEAN of lightning every now and then
art- pearsd to rest upon the steel handles
nth CLINT along the rails. There was moan
lose sound in the air, a feeling of oppress
nan while occasionally heavy plash of !
rsa' would drop upon the roof the Ecab in wi
the men journeyed,
pm They absolutely flew along the tr
sa- Over the apparentlv boundless prairie
ynal line was laid. Not station for miles,
tie few watering places at intervals alone bl
the level character of the prospect when