Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-10-21

er. nc added, ''and be off.
Seth thanked him, adding gloomily,
"H We fail, we'll mover come back alive.
For US to be hocussed with bourbon is
disgrace enough"
"A whistlel The foreman opened the
points and the engine sped away on the
down line in full pursuit of the desper-
ADDE'S to save the specie train if posi-
| bic.
"We've no head lamp!" exclaimed
oom, suddenly.
$50 much the better; we don't want
toadvertlse ourselves tonight. There's
a fash of something; guess we'll have a
storm"
The remark was not uncalled for. The
gleam of lightning every now and then
appeared to rest upon the steel handles
and CLINT along the rails. There was
meaning sound in the air, feeling of
oppression, while occasionally a heavy
plash Of rain would drop upon the roof
of the ''cab" in which the men journey.
ed.
They absolutely few along the track.
Over the apparently boundless prairie
the line was laid. Not a station for
miles. A few watering placing at in
tervals alone broke the level character
of the prospect when the fitful lightning
lit up the surroundings. Pitch dark
overhead except when the flashes came
and the only light below the rapidly
moving glare of the furnace fire on the
.road."
"It's past eleven said the driver.
"We ought to have pulled them up.
We've run this thirty miles in the half
hour. There's Buffalo creek" he added,
as they skinned past.
"Well, then, hartford is only another
thirty, and the trestle siding on the top
of the cutting is only twenty-five"
"We must pass them at the curve,
below. Halo ! look out, mind that
hand-lamp."
Tom turned the slide and looked
ahead. SETH shut off steam.
"There they are J! Lucky we are run
ming tender foremost. or they would
have seen our fire. Well wait on them
gentle till they get to the trestle curve.
Then we'll wire In and drop them.
Steady, mate ~
, The engine came silently to stand
still. The gentle hiss of the steam,
which was just raising the valves, was
| the only audible sound. Broad flashes
, of sheet lightning lit up the heavy
masses of cloud, but no thunder follow.
/ ed. Seth looked to his revolver
Tom fed the fire, and they waited; il
. was their only chance-a surprise.
t For quite twenty minutes the mer
waited the engine in front had long
t ago disappeared. At last Seth said
| "Now, Tom, is our time I'll run then
l a race down to hartford City. and, if
: get there first, there's be scalps to sci
. tomorrow. Well round that curve be
: fore they see us, and come in all fying
h Are you ready ?'
e Tom signifed his consent, and away
i darted the ponderous engine across tn,
e boundless prairie at top speed. On on
v never mind the rough track; it's deatl
e if leave it; it's death, most likely, i
! you remain. There is one chance, ant
!, only one-if you reach hartford Cit,
e and give the alarm
e "Press on, Seth. it's nigh midnight.
n So whispered Tom, as the engine swung
a round the sharp curve. There, seem
g ingly motionless, was the other engine
p Faster and faster ratified the pursuel
They were seen at last. The men wer
" visible through the glass for an instant
d '.Iie down p roared Seth.
% Only just in time. Two bullets cam
crashing overhead: another hit the han
l. die of the steam whistle and sent out
scream of defiance into the night. Set
e rose slowly, and, pistol in hand, watche
er the foe.
q, Hes going to race US, but he don
know the trick of firm No. 2OO,' Ton
3. Well pass him then"
ID Seth's face. as he spoke and clutche
3 his revolver, was sufficient to explai
i. his meaning without words.
le On, on, speeding across the prairie
Now Seth was gaining, now the Other
al shot ahead. .More wood into the flu
is mace pile it in, Tom," cried Seth
c. s'that's it-now-
n. A bullet from Seth's steady hand pas
ry ed through the glass of the other engir
ut and shattered the driving arm of Il
man who held the regulator.
ut "Bully r exclaimed the delighte
ce Seth. "Now for another log. The fl
re was blown up, and like an arrow the e.
gines few along but no more shots we
i'd exchanged. for as they were runnir
ke neck and neck for one instant Seth pc
ne ceived light on the line ahead, al
We before his companion was aware of b
lst intention shut off the steam. The 9th
engine fed away into the darknes
Il. leaving Seth and Tom far behind.