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

\ whistle, The foreman opened the
points and they sped away on the down
line IN full pursuit of the desperadoes
to save the specie train if possible.
" We've NO head lamp" exclaimed
Tom. suddenly.
80 much the better; we don't want
to advertise ourselves tonight. "The res
flash OF something; guess we'll have
a storm
The remark was not uncalled for.
The CLEAN of lightning every now and
then appeared To rest upon the steel
handles and CLINT along the line. There
was moaning sound in the air. feel
ing OF oppression, while occasionally
heavy splash of rain would drop unon
the roof of the "cab" in which the
men lourneyed
They absolutely flew along the track.
over the apparently bouudless prairie
the line WAS laid. Not a station for
miles. A few watering. places at inter.
walls alone broke the level character of
the prospect when the ftful lightning
Int up the surroundings. Pitch dark
overhead, except when the flashes came.
and the only light below the rapidly
moving glare of the furnace ire ON the
road"
" Its past eleven" said the driver.
We ought to have pulled them.
We've run this thirty miles i'm the half.
hour. There's Buffalo Creek" he added,
rs they skinned past.
well, then, hartford is only another
thirty, and the trestle siding on the top
oi 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 Lucky we are run
nlng tender foremost, or they would
have seen our fire. Wen wait on them
gently till they get on TO the trestle
curve. Then wen wire i'm and drop
them. Steady, matew
The engine came silently To n stand
still. The gentle hiss of the steam.
which was just raising the valves. was
the only audible sound. Broad flashes
OF sheet lightning lii up the heavy
masses of cloud, but no thunder fol-
lowed. Seth looked to his revolver.
Tom fed the fire and they waited it
was their only chance-a surprise.
FOR quite twenty minutes the men
waited; the engine in front had long
ago disappeared. At length Seth said.
" Now, Tom, is our time I'll run them
"A race down to hartford City, and if |
get there first, thercll Toe scalps To sell
tomorrow. Wen round that curve be-
fore they see us, and come in all flying.
Are you readyY'
Tom signified his consent, and away
darted the ponderOus engine across the
boundless prairie at top speed. On onl
never mind the rough track; it's death
1 Np
II you remain. There is one chance.
and only one-if you reach Dartford
City and give the alarm!
" Press on, Seth, it's nigh midnight"
80 whispered Tom, IA the engine swung
around the curve. There seemingly
motionless, was the other engine. Faster
and iaster ratified the pursuer. They
were seen at last. The men were visi-
BILE through the glass for an instant.
Lie down" roared Seth.
Only just in time. Two bullets came
crashing overhead another hit the han.
die OF the steam-whistle and sent out a
scream of defiance into the night.
Seth rose slowly, and, pistol in hand,
watched the foe
He's goin' TO race us, but he don't
know the trick of firm 200, Tom.
Wen pass him and then"
Seth's face, as he spoke and clutched
his revolver, was insufficient TO explain
his meaning without words.
On, on. speeding across the prairie
Now Seth was gaining, now the Others
shot ahead.
" More wood into the furnace: pile it
in, Tom" cried Seth that's it--now-"
a bullet from Seth's steady hand
passed through the glass Of the other
window and shattered the driving-arm
of the man who held the regulator.
" BullyW exclaimed the delighted
Seth. Now for the log" The fire
was blown up, and like an arrow the en-
gines flew along; but no more shots
were exchanged, for As they were run
ming neck and neck for one instant
Seth perceived light on the line ahead
and before his companion was aware Of
his intention shut off the steam. The
other engine fed away into the dark
ness, leaving Seth and Tom far behind.
What did you shut of for2" cried
Tom in amazement
Look ahead and you'll know" was
the grim reply.
Tom looked ahead.
A weird light was playing on the
track, n halo Of uncarthly appearance.
~ HliIHtItu anu moved about Ike
will-O'-the-wisp. It was most ehastly
white mist-a ghOstiy warning
What can it beY' said Tom, his
superstitious terrors being now excited.
" What is itp
" It's a light, that's all" said Seth.
with fendish grin. ~ know IL.
though; I've seen 10 before. There's
somebody underneath the rails i'm the
bridge, and you bet they're cutting the
track for the specie trainw
Gracious heaven and that enpinew
"That engine will be in the river i'm
two minutes" said Seth Martin.
Oh hurry up and save them, if we
can !! exclaimed Tom Go ahead w
Gently, mate, gently; let them get
ON % bit"
He turned on the steam, but ere they
had passed half the distance i'm the d.
rection Of the light q loud craeh 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 com
pletely over, fell with a laundering
noise down into the canon below.