West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-08-17
RUNNING &" "PILOT."

Who is standing pilot this evening ?''
said the superintendent or boss" as he
was called.
Seth Martin" was the foremans S re-
ply.
Tell him TO come here, will you and
hurry upw
The foreman hastened away, and both
he and Seth Martin must have spread
" themselves" as the former said, for i'm
few minutes the engine driver stood
before his chief.
The great man took comprehensive
look at the engineer, who flinched not a
muscle. His clear, steady eyes were as
blue as the sky; a handsome brown
beard Ornamented his face. which.
albeit rather dirty, was full of character
and determination. To use the popular
expression, che was pure gold down to
bedrock"
The superintendent satisfied with his
scrutiny, nodded to the engine-driver,
and said:
"There's specie train up out of Col
Hnsville tonight, Seth"
"I know that" was the curt re-
sponse.
4" And it will require close Watching"
continued the chief.
spose sol know that" repeated
Seth.
You are mighty KNOWN this even
ing" said the superintendent, smiling
" but there is one thing you don't
know, Sonny. You don't know that
you are going to run pilot to that
train"
Yes, l do" replied the engine
driver.
"Who in the thunder told you, then ?
didn't know it myself till ten minutes
agop
You told me this minute; then |
knew it" replied Seth, smiling, and dis
closing his white, even teeth. "Pm
ready, boss"
g Seth Martin, you ought to be
Judge; your talents are thrown away on
this line, but listen; we've no time to
split straws in chaf. There's a very
festive gang of desperadoes hanging
about up Dartford way. They nearly
wrecked the through Pacific last week.
Fortunately, the passengers were handy
with their shoOtin' irons and bullets
was rainin' pretty thick, else there
would have been something unpleas-
ant"
"Wa'al," said the engine-driver, "g go
ahead"
" Now you must run pilot to the specie
train and see that the lines clear up as
far az hartford City. Ye can shunt at
the Trestle Bridge siding and wait to
pull the wagons up the Bunker Incline
through the cuttings Once safe there
ye can rattle along, and mind ye keep a
good lookout"
"You betp was Seth's reply. "Pd
better take my six-shooter, ] suppose.
Well have to fight, maybe?'
Most likely" replied the superin-
tendent cOolly. Keep this quiet. I've
got men on the lookout along the line.
Who's your mateP'
English Tom Atkins" was the reply.
He's grit"
Ali right, then" said the chief.
Now don't drink keep a full head
of steam; bring back the specie safe,
and"
"WaalT' drawled the other coolIv.
I'll provide for your family if
you're hurt OF shot; if not, I'll reward
you"
"Is that all, then? Well, good night
boss, and thank ye."
Good luck, was the answer; "In
not forget you"
Seth Martin turned away with a nod
OF acknOWledgment and directed his
steps TO the shed where his engine was
standing pilot" This means that the
engine had steam up Cor was "in
steam" To speak technically and was
ready for any sudden emergency. The
driver was just as we'll pleased to run a
couple of hundred miles on dark night.
even with the chance Of being shot. as
70 have an invitation to the " White
House itself
"Tom !"
Hallow came back i'm an unmistaka-
bic English voice.
"Fire up a bit we're bound West
specie pilot ten O'Clock. Keep il
quiet"
A man unseen by the driver put up
his head to listen.
Seth was q man of action, and 30 was
MS mate, Tom Atkins. They looked TO
the engine and their revolvers; put a
dozen cartridges in a tin can filled a
similar can with some old Bourbon
whisky at a saloon close by, whittier