The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-08-22
CHASED BY FIRE.

NhaSED lAbs
In the coal regions of Pennsylvania
there ary railroads called gravity roads"
over which the long trains run without
the aid OF locomotives.
The tracks are laid on gentle incline
till they come to steep ascending planes.
where stationary engines are placed,
either at the head or foot of the slope.
Here strong iron ropes are attached to
the cars, drawing them to the top of the
hills. when they again run down on the
other side, controlled only by the brake
men, till other elevations are reached.
These roads have two tracks, not par
allel, but sometimes a mile or more
apart The one on which the loaded
cars pass is called the heavy and the
other, where the cars turn, the eight
track They are built along the sides
of the mountains, and at times climb to
the mountain SUBMITS, giving the eye
grand sweep over the broad and beauti-
full landscapes. Then, gently descend
ing. they follow the mountain curves,
sometimes hanging over the deep ravines
and sometimes dashing through dense
forests. where the trees form an unbro-
ken Shade over the track.
In the spring of 1875, John Ward, the
hero of this story, was head brakeman
on one of the coal trains. During that
spring, this part of the country was Wis
tied by an unusual drought. Day after
dav the sun rose clear, and ran its course
over a cloudless sky. But at length a
veil gathered over the landscape, thrO'
which the sun shOne only like dull red
disk. The people said the forest fires
were raging in the lumber districts
north.
Near the close of a day in the month
of Nav. Ward and two other brakemen
in charge of an empty train noticed a
cloud of smoke at the head of the plane
next above them. As they ran down to
the engine-house, which was here at the
foot of the slope, they inquired if the
woods along the track were on fire.
The engineer replied that they were,
but he thought they could shoot by with
out danger.
The men resolved to try. But when
they reached the top of the plane, they
saw that they had no time to lose. The
fire was rushing toward them, and they
could feel its hot breath. LOOsening
the brakes they sped down the track
with covered faces and suspended breath.
But a few moments sufficed to carry
them out of danger, as they supposed.
The road then wound round curve of
Two mics IIlIOlRu tllt utliot Dlilt IOltSl-
Josh and Dan McChing, Wards two
companions, congratulated themselves
on their escape +; but Ward felt anxious
lest this was just the beginning of their
troubles. His home was in the midst of
the woods some miles further down; and
for the first time he realized what a ter
rible foe fire might become.
Scarcely had these thoughts passed
through his mind when the train round
ed the curve, and there before them was
the fire crossing their path.
They had gone so far down the plane
that it was impossible to run the cars
back. They felt that they had better
abandon them and return, while there
was yet a chance, to the engine-hOuse at
| the foot of the slope.
/ But on rounding the curve again, they
saw. to their dismay, that the fire had
1 reached the track behind them and was
/ furiOusly burning on both sides. All
/ chance of retreat was cut off. But the
/ forest where they stood was cool and
! green, and the underground SO luXuriant
and damp, that it did not seem possible
| that it could burn.
The next moment, however, burning
/ twig lodged in one of the tall trees neal
1 them, and igniting the pine needles
/ darted out tongue OF flame.
The men now saw that they must pusl
their way through the fire in front ol
perish. With hearts trembling will
fear, they took off the brakes, and were
about to rush down the burning track
| when a woman darted out from the tree:
dragging a little boy by the hand, ant
screaming to them in tone of agony:
''Stop and take us in -
Josh McChing shouted back ''W,
! ing to tall tree left standing in tn,
clearing ahead, against which cord-wooC
| had been piled, and which was alread,
in flames. But with a firm hand, Ware
pressed down the brake, and ordered TIN
others to do the same, saying: "WoulC
YOU leave woman and her child to burr
like rats in a barn ?"
Don't you see we must get by tha
tree, before it falls across the track 2
cried McChing in a rage.
Il know" replied Ward, sternly
''but they shall 60 with us or we'll al
perish together. Quick, quick, my wO
man we've no time to lose -
He dared not leave the front of tn
train to help her, for he knew the othe
men. in their fright, would raise tn
brakes and desert them.
She struggled forward, but when al
most up to the cars she stumbled an
fell. With a bound, Ward sprang t
her side. lifted her, and handed to JOsl
McChing, who stood in the rear cal
He then caught up the child, and turn
ed to spring in, but the train was alread
moving. Josh, made utterly selfish b
his fear. had raised the brakes.
Ward ran with the energy of despera
tion. threw the child into Dams out
stretched arms, and then caught the las
car. where he clung, unable at the spec
they were moving, with MS utmo;
strength, to do more than keep his holC
In a few moments they left the gree
woods, and passing though the blaZin
brush on either side, were almost blinC
ed and suffocated with the smoke an
heat, while burning twigs and busht
IL. lll.tl.