The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-20

Ter and faster ratified the pursusr. They
we're seen 1t last The men we're visible
through the glass for an instant.
aLie doWbl' roared Seth.
Only lust In time. Two bullets camo
crashing overhead; another hit the han.
die Of the steam whistle and sent out .
scream OF defiance into the night. Seth
roae slowly, and, pistol In hand, watched
the foe.
aHes Roln' to race US, bat he don't
know the trick Of 6rin,. No. 200,' Tom.
Well pass him, and then-"
Settle face, as be spoke, and clutched
his revolver, was sufficient 10 explain his
meaning without words.
On, on, speeding across the prairiel
Now, Seth was gaining, now the others
shot ahead. "More wood into the fur.
mace; pile II In, Tom, p cried seth-"thst's
it-noW."
A bullet from seth's steady hand pass
ed through the glass Of the other engine,
and shattered the driving arm Of the man
who held the regulator.
aBullyp exclaimed the delighted Seth.
Now for another. log. The fire VISA
blown up, and like an arrow the engines
few along; but no more shots were ex.
changed, Tor as they were running neck
and neck for one instant, Seth perceived
4 light on the line ahead, and before his
companion was aware Of hisintention shut
off the steam. The other engine fed away
into the darkness, leaving Seth and Tom
far behind.
@What did you shut of fort" cried
Tom 10 amsLement.
"Look ahead and you'll know" was
the grim reply. $50
Tom looked ahead. A weird light was
playing on The track, a halo Of unearth:
ly appearance. 1t shimmered and moved
like will.o'.the.Wisp. It was ghastly
white mist-a ghostly warning. p
"What can it bel" said Tom, his super.
stitiouS terrors being now excited. "What
ia i'm
alta a light that's all,r said Seth with
fiendish grin. know 1t though; I've
seen IL before. There's somebody under.
meath the rails in the bridge, and you bet,
they're cutting the track for the specie
trainl'
"Gracious heaven, and that engine!" 2
"That engine will be in the river in
two minutes said Seth Martin.
"ohl hurry up and save them II We
can" exclaimed Tom. Go ahead"
Gently, mate; gently; let them get on
8 bit" He turned on steam, but ere they
had passed half the distance In the direc.
ton Of the light, loud crash was heard,
and amid screams OF human agony the
trestle bridge sank down-down-gently,
slowly, but surely, TO the stream below.
The ponderous engine dipped forward,
gave one heavy roll, righted again, and
then turning completely over, fell with q
laundering noise into the canon below.
The lights were suddenly extinguished,
and the piercing screams Of wounded
and scalded men arose, mingled with
the kissing steam and the dull roar Of
thunder. The storm had burst.
"Caught 10 their own trap" eIclaim.
ed Seth. "serves them right! Poor
critters, I'm kinder sorry too"
aLet Us help them" cried Tom.
Helpl zee; let US run ou-to Dart
ford and STOP the traffic; the specie Ia
due In ten minutes
aCross that bridge'' exclaimed the
fireman.
@Yes, sir, across that bridge, I'm a.
goin' to tryit" replied Seth. "Will you
chance it?7
" Yes" was the brave answer; ats
kill or curep
"Here goes then; shake hands. God
bless ye, mate; II we don't meet again,
tell them l died at my post like man."
The driver and fireman cIasped hands
in silence, and Seth turning on the full
pressure Of steam, the engine gathered IT.
self up for the final race.
Not sound escaped either OF the men
Side by side they stood. As they approach.
ed they could see red glare. The bridge
had caught ERE. As they shot past, 4
form or two hurried quickly out Of sight
some Of the desperate band now coWed
and crushed. In q moment more the
bridge was in full view. The cracking
timbers Of the up line were all burning
around the mighty monster engine, which
still emitted smoke and fame. As a flash
OF lightning will 10 one brief second re-
veal ali surrounding objects distinctly,
so the glare Of the engine furnace lit up
the scene below. The engine dashed
along-a rosr,a creakipg noise, the flame
leaped up beneath-and the danger was
over. The down had not been nndermin.
ed.
As they slackened speed a long deep
whistle was heard, and dim -peck was
seen like pins head on the line 10 front.
"There's the specie, Tom. We've done
our duty. Run down easy and see il We
can't help the unfortunate loafers under
the bridge It was narrow squeak"
It was Indeed. The specie train was
saved though, and the flibusters taken
ia the act. Three were drowned and,
two more we're so terribly injured that
they died soon after from the effects.
Seth and Tom were rewarded, and the
former was subsequently made inspector;
but he and Tom often talked Of the sums
mer night when they were so nearly kill.
ed while running pilot.