The Portland daily press., 1878-08-24
From CasselPs Magazine.
Running "PilOt."

"Who is standing pilot this evening?' said
the Superintendent or "boss," as he was
called.
s'Seth Martini" was the foreman's reply.
"Tell him to come here, will you? and hur-
ry up"
The foreman fastened away, and both he
and Seth Martin must have "spread them
Selves" as the former said, for in few min
utes the engne-driver stood before his chief.
The great man took a comprehensive look
at the engineer, who flinched not a muscle.
His clear steady eyes were as blue as as the
sky; a handsome brown beard oEnamented
his face, which, albeit rather dirty, was full
of character and determination. To use the
popular expression, she was pure gold down
to bedrock"
The Superintendent, satisfied with his scru-
tiny, nodded to the engine-driver, and said:
"There's specie train up out of Collinsville
tonight, Seth"
81 know that" was the curt response.
"And it will require close watching" con-
tnued the chief.
~ s'pose SOL know that" repeated Seth.
"You are mighty KNOWN this evening""
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, do" replied the engine-driver.
"Who in thunder told you, then? 1 didn't
know it myself till ten minutes ago."
"You told me this minute, then l knew it,"
replied Seth, smiling, and disclosing his white
even teeth. sI'm ready. boss"
"Seth Martin, you ought to be a judge;
your talents are thrown away on this line.
But listen; we've no time to split straws in
chafL There's very festive gang of des-
peradoes hanging about up hartford way.
They nearly wrecked the through Pacific last
week. Fortunately the passengers was handy
with their shootin' irons, and bullets was
rainin' pretty thick, else there would have
been something unpleasant"
"Wa'alI," said the engine-driver, ego
ahead"
'sNow you must run pilot to the specie
train, and see that the lines clear up as far
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 good lookout"
'You bet!' was Seth's reply. cpd better
take my six shooter, suppose. Well have
to fight, maybe?"
Most likely" replied the Superintendent,
coolly. Keep this quiet. I've got men
on the lookout along the line. Who's your
mate?"
English Tom Atkins" was the reply.
Giles gritv'
eau right, them" said the chief. SNOW
don't drink; keep full head of steam !;
brink back the specie safe. and"
sWa'll," drawled the other, cooly.
s'Pu provide for your family if you are
hurt or shot; if not. I'll reward you"
rs that all, thens Well, good night, boss,
"Good luck" was the answer; "Pll not
forget you"
Saith Martin turned away with nod of
acknowledgment and directed his steps to
the shed where his engine was standing
pilot" This means the engine had steam up
Tor was sin steam," to speak technically;9
and was ready for any sudden emergency.
The driver was just as well pleased to run a
couple Of hundred miles on a dark night,
even with a chance of being shot, as to have
an invitation to the "White House" itself.
stomp
"Hallop' came back in an unmistakabe
English voice.
''Fire up a bit; we're bound west; specie
pilot; 10 O'Clock. Keep it quiet"
A man unseen by the driver put up his
head to listen.
Seth was man of action, and so was his
mate, Tom Atkins. They looked to the en-
CINE and their revolvers; put dozen car
tridSes in tin can; filled similar can with
some old Bourbon whiskey at saloon close
by, whittier they were followed by the man
who had been listening to their conversation,
and who noted their preparations.
After communicating with some accom-.
plice, this mysterious individual left the
saloon and made his way toward the signal
box which stood some distance down the
line.
AS soon as the engine driver and his mate
were recognized, they were warmly well
coined, for they were favorites. Many drinks
were rendered for their acceptance, and de-
clined on various pleas, till at length one
man declared the Britisher wanted to fix an
insult on a free-born citizen. He offered
Seth and Tom glass APIECE, saying:
whats up, mate? Swore of, chip
"For this evening"" replied Seth, shut as
I'd rather drink than fight just now, I'll take
your treat" So the men each took the prof
fered glass. but scarcely tasted it; and soon
afterward Seth, fearing that some inkling of
his intended mission might leak out, beck
oned to his fireman to follow as soon as pos
sible, and then left the saloon. He lit eli.
gar, climbed up into the "cab" of his engine
can American locomotives are protected and
closed in), and began to smoke.
BE smoked in comfort for about quarter
of an hour then he felt "queer." 'These
be stronger cigars than usual" he muttered,
and he threw it from him. But the oppres-
sion on his brain became heavier; he felt
very sleepy now.
II think I'll have nap; it's only about 9
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-
Iupted. All at once it flashed upon him
that he himself had been "drugged" in the
saloonI
"Thaps it; what laundering idiot am p
He essayed to rise, but felt quite bewldered.
He made hopeless attempts to stand upright,
but could do nothing. He was as useless as
child but, worse than all, he was conscious
OF his inability to do his duty. Ten O'Clock
rang out. He struggles to his feet. His
head was spinning round, his feet were
heavy as leaden weights. He opened the
slidlng-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 low but hearty
chuckle, started it out from the siding.
II think we did that neat" said the short
est 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, STRIP
"The Savage will do the bridge, I SUD
pose," said another. "He's to work on the
up line, isn't he?"
"Aye, only on that side. Ye did that
Britisher pretty, must say. He and Seth
was kinder cautious, too"
II mixed it strong," said the other, with a
Abe?"
'.Aye; telegraphed ourselves on special,
and then cut the wires and smashed the in
struments. We're clear now to hartford
City. What's thatP" he added, hastily, as
the engine lurched for second and lifted.
"Only the points. We're out now, We
can run easy, I s'pose. She won't bust, 1
hope. Here goes"
The speaker, who knew little about engine
driving, turned on the steam and away they
went. He turned his head for a moment.
There's something moving yonder they've
found Seth, likely.'
But this portion of the gang of desperadoes
had met their match in English Tom Atkins.
For 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