Connecticut western news., 1878-10-09


 the spot at which the flood would strike the railroad, and the branch line over the spur of the hill I could just dis tinguish the junction in the middle distance. A dark smoke appeared to be rising from it :: an engine, perhaps, waiting to start with 8 train, and I was lingering on the hill. All this, and more, could perceive as rested on the summit. Somewhat refreshed, I rode manfully forward into the storm.
 How my horse kept his feet do not to this hour understand. The wind, which had been high before, appeared to have gathered new force while we had halted, and it rushed across the track terri6cally. Pebbles were frequently blown across the road, and every pool had it's waves, like miniature sea. Some helgless crows were blown over my head, and sinister-looking raven skinned the moor close by, uttering a weird croak which fell upon my ears like a hnell and chilled my blood. was quite alone, not human being in sight, but suddenly the whistle of locomotive was carriedsato my ears. An engine moved out off &the station. Another whistle shortly afterward. That train was safe. I watched it glide away over the viaduct. Five minutes later rode into the station and called for the station-master. As dismounted the clock struck eight. The time was up, and no signal from M'Causland. Telegraphing would now be easy. A porter came out in response to my summons.
 "I'm sorry ye lost the express" he began.
 "I don't want the train," I replied i; "I must telegraph at once, though. Where is the station-master? ?"
 He'll be here in minute. But ye can't telegraph. The wires is blown down. We had to send a pilot with the express to clear the line up to Handleigh."
 "Not telegraph tell you, man, I must stop the traffic. The South Holmesdale Reservoir will burst this very hour"
 "Can that be true ?" inquired cool, gentlemanly man at my elbow. It was the station-master himself.
 True p I echoed. It IS only too true. I have ridden to tell you. We must stop the trains.
 "The excursion leaves Hadleigh at 8:5," mused the station-master. "There may be time; come with me-" He crossed the line and entered shed op- posite. I followed. Just then loud booming sound rent the air. The sound came back from the hills like thunder.
 "It is the signal" I exclaimed. "The water is out Heaven help us now!"
 The station-master called out. A cleaner appeared. els that engine ready ?"
 "Yes, sir, waiting for the excursion. !"
 "Run and open the points. Now, SIT, get up."
 I obeyed mechanically, and before l quite realized the situation we had ! crossed to the up line. The station master stopped to get red flag and give a few instructions to his subordi- nate. I now perceived that we were to race the flood. Steam versus Water. Which would conquer?
 A whistle; we started. "The flood the flood p shouted the porter. We turned one glance up the valley. A nov ing brown wall, capped with a snowy ridge, was tearing down to the devoted viaduct. No time to lose. "Go ahead P cried the station-master. I turned on steam, put the lever over another "notch," and the race began in earnest.
 We flew along the metals. A few minutes would decide It. We must gel to the viaduct and over it first, or the excursion, unwarned, would dash tc destruction. A depression in the ground ran beside the railroad for short dis tance, We trusted to this turn the velocity of the approaching water. Il was an exciting race, and one never to be forgotten. On rolled the flood. w were running "neck and neck for ont terrible half minute. Now the resist less flood bore directly to the bridge Stones were rolled before it like mar bles, Trunks of trees, hay y-stacks debris of every description, came head long down upon the doomed structure We fled like lightning over the rails Our speed told now. Sparks flew fron the chimney. Another notch "-th beat of the piston quickened to an almos inconceivable rapidity. We were on tn
 bridge. Hurrah! The curling way beneath seemed to spring forward. broke against the buttresses. In secon we were across. I shut off the stean the station master put down the brakes , A tearing, rending sound that was nc
 the brakes-a crash We looked bacl o The line dropped behind us like stag trap. The bridge gave way, and, with roar that was heard two miles off, tE pretty viaduct was swept away by u . boiling, furious water.
 I We were truly thankful for our narro l, escape. And now to save the excursion II Speeding forward again, whistling lil ! demon, our good engine -Vigilant l # name-soon came in sight of the excu
 sion train. By waving our red flag V , ayerted another danger-a collisio ,e The telegraph posts being down, trai l. had to run upon the same line es far 10 Handleigh, but our timely action set ,e to rights at last.
 1t We soon gave the bewildered passe le gers to understand the narrow esca 1e they had had. Fervent and sincere we H. 4lSo @banks ua received from all aYce