The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-08-03

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 nine 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 in
terrupted All at once it flashed upon
him that he himself had been "drugged"
in the saloonl
"That's it; what laundering idiot /
| ami" He essayed to rise, but felt quite
bewildered He made hopeless attempts
to stand upright, but could do nothing.
He was as useless as a child; but, worse
than all, he was conscious of his inability
to do his duty Ten o'clock rang out.
He struggled to his feet. His head was
spinning round, his feet were heavy as
leaden weights. He opened the sliding
door, but ere he could descend blow
from behind sent him flying into space
a splash, and down he sank into large
pond containing quantity of surplus
water for the locomotive tanks.
At the same moment three men climbed
up on the engine, and, with a low but
hearty chuckle started it out from the
siding.
81 think we did that neat" said the
shortest of the party. 81 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!
1.-The Savage will do the bridge, | sup
pose" said another. Hes to work on
the up line, isn't he?"
Aye, onlyson that side. Ye did that
Britisher pretty, | must say. He and
Seth was kinder cautious, too"
mixed it strong" said the other,
with a savage laugh. did you settle
the signals, Abe?"
"Aye; telegraphed ourselves on spe-
cial, and then cut the wires and smashed
the instruments. We're clear now to
hartford City. What's that?" he add
ed, hastily, as the engine lurched for a
second and lifted.
"Only the points. We're out now
We can run easy, | s'pose. She won't
bust, | hope. Here goes"
The speaker, who knew little about
engine-driving, turned on the steam, and
away they went. He turned his head for
moment. "There's something moving
yonder They've found Seth likely.
But this portion of the gang of despe-
radOes had met their match in English
Tom Atkins. For 4 moment or two he
had been overcome by the drugged
whisky, but simple and very effective
remedy cured him at the cost of a few
moments sickness. Creeping along the
ground, for he could not walk. he con-
ceived the idea of following these men,
SO he held the points open and sent the
bravoes' away into the night on the
up line. He proposed to give the alarm
and follow Con the down metals) with a
superior force. But fate was drawing
| the fugitives to destruction. The up line
was cut ut the bridge.
Lend 4 hand, mate, Pm drownain'w
| This is what Tom heard as he crawled
rather than walked across the metals to
| seek assistance.
"Seth-Seth Martin; what's happened
to you?"
Chem varmints tossed me in here
when | was half stupid, but the water
has done me good. Help me out, Tom,
and We'll fix them yet"
| Tom, vino rapidly recovering, lent all
the assistance he could; and then the
dripping driver, quickly wringing the
water from his clothes, said, when his
mate had told him what he had done
"Don't breathe syllable TO mortal
man. [ know Bob Franklin's engine is
in steam by now for the cross traffic.
We may save the specie vet. Hurry
down to the signal-box while | get out
| the engine"
Tom fastened away as desired, but
soon returned with the intelligence that
the box was empty and the wire cut.
owe daresn't say a word, now," said
Seth. "What fools we were to take
them drinks. Now, Tom, shove in some
wood while | oil the cranks. I'll leave
word for the foreman; we must trust
him"
All these preparations were made al
most as rapidly as they are here describ-
ed. In ten minutes the engine was
ready, and as noiselessly as possible the
great locomotive was brought out of the
she'd, but tender first.
"Never mind" said Seth when Tom
objected. eve can run about as quick.
Now, are We ready?'
The foreman came up at that moment.
IF we succeed" he said, your for
tunes are made. If you fail, | wouldn't
answer for your lives Take my revol-
yer, and be off," he added
Seth thanked him, adding gloomiIy
off we fall" Wen never return alive
For us to be hocussed with Bourbon is
disgrace enough"
\ whistle! The foreman opened the
points and the engine sped away on the
down line in full pursuit of the des
peradoes to save the specie train if pos
sible
"We've no head lamp" exclaimed
| Tom suddenly.
50 much the better; we don't wan
, to advertise ourselves tonight There
: a flash of something; guess we'll have {
; Storm"
r The remark was uncalled for. The
CLEAN of lightning every now and ther
{ appeared to rest upon the steel handle
and CLINT along the rails There was
moaning sound in the air, feeling o
oppression, while occasionally heayy
plash of rain would drop upon the roo
of the cab " III which the men jour
neyed.
They absolutely flew along the track
Over the apparently boundless prairi
the line was laid. Not a station 70
miles. a few watering places at inter
walls alone broke the level character 0
the prospect when the lightning lit upth
surroundings. Pitch dark overhea,
except when the flashes came; and tb
only light below the rapily moving glar
of the furnace fire on the road
cts past eleven" said the driver
! La, IL lcl H..