The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-05-17

usrAsst ssy WV pf*t Rst<ty t.ss ss' Nst"f.
had thrown mp 70 command the road. BE
yopd thai we're several more 10 SAY moth
ing Of the picket lines scattered along th,
track. So. you ~iIl perceive, ve we're Il
rua pretty warm gauntlet
We bad proceeded but very short dis
when there Was fash and report from
the sbrubbery skirting the rcsd. and |
bullet era1hed through the window OF ths
cab. An outpost had already discovered
us and had given us foretaste Of what ",
were TO expect further on.
Let her out. ! said 10 the engineer
There is no use in trying to hide oVselves
Speed Is our only chance now.
Very we'll, sir. replied the engineer. op
enine the valve IS he spoke. The engine
bounded like . spurred horse. On w
went. swsying from side 10 side, until i
seemed as IL we must jump the track
Meanwhile, our friends along the road
we're not idle; bullet after bullet whistled
by us; but. fortunately, what with the
darkness and the rapidity Of our motion,
none OF them reached us.
We had now arrived in sight Of the first
battery. by the lights moving hurriedly
along the parapet it was obvious that our
approach was expected. As we passed
abreast Of the battery, it gave us its first
compliment in the shape Of o round shot,
followed by storm Of grape. Here.
again. the darkness and our speed saved
us. Several Of the grape shot glanced of
the frame Of the engine without doing any
damage, however.
Give her some more fire, John. said the
engineer grimly. II they happen to knock
. hole in us with one OF those bits of iron,
you won't do any more firing. my boy, /
can tell you that.
BY this time we had passed out OF range
OF the first battery and were under the
guns OF two more. These works had been
constructed to command the junction Of
our road with another running south.
There was also astation at this point, and
as we whirled by l saw an engine upon a
siding with steam up l caught sight OF
Q number OF men running towards it, as
well as others busy with a car that stood
near 1t. What they were at | could not
make out, for we passed them like fash
OF Tightening. At this moment. too, the
which had probably received
notice of our approach, opened
fire upon ms, and for moment the air
seemed to be alive with shrieking iron.
More fire. John, cried the engineer
Ram her full to the doors or it's all up
with usl
The fireman stoopsd to obey, but at that
q shell struck the tender and
burst within three feet OF US. 1t was a
,en.inch monster and how any Of us eS-
,aped alive l fail to see. As it was, when
he smoke and dust cleared away, ! found
he top OF the cab gone, q portion OF the
ender gone. and the fireman lying in a
reap on the floor with his arm broken.
I'm knocked out, William, he groaned.
md who's to fire her for the rest OF the
rip?
| will. said /. think ] can manage it.
After placing the poor fellow in as com.
ortabla position as possible, ! seized the
hovel aud began my new duties.
By this time we had passed out Of range
Il the batteries, which now and then, how.
ver, sent sulen shot in our direction as
,arting evidence OF their good will
We are safe. said with sigh Of relief;
hat was their last line OF works, the road
3 clear before us.
hope SO. sir, responded the engineer.
Iow's your arm, John?
Very bad. William, groaned the fireman.
'ut that amt the worst Of it. We amt
hrough with the trouble yet
What DO you mean. / asked. The scouts
~ there are no troops beyond us except
ur own at Kanaika station.
But they're following us, replied the
reman. They're after us hot and
eavy.
looked at the engineer uhder the i'm.
ression that the poor fireman was in
elirium with bis injury.
He is right. captain said the engineer,
stening intently. Sure rs fate they have
ulled out that engine we saw at the juno
on and are chasing us.
But there is no possibility OF their over
king US, replied.
1 don't know about that. he said grave
:. That engine is Leavy one, and I've
zen her make good. fifty miles with
ain behind her. This one is light ma
line ard cant promise more than forty
lilies at best Besides, they have the ad-
antage Of us in the fact that they have q
N attached, while we are runn;ng alone.
/ should suppose that our lightness
ould be rather in our favor than other
Use, responded.
Got something TO balance her, grunted
10 fireman sententiously.
John is right, sir. explained the engin-
r. You see, sir, il an engine has no
eight behind her, she is apt to jump and
onnd the rails. and il you put ner at full
,eed to get of the track altogether. So
bile that engine behind us can do her
vel best. We cant even let ont to forty
lies 40 hour without danger OF smash
p.
Meanw bile our own little machine was
ot idle. ! had kept the furnace at
hite heat. The steam, pent up in the
,iler, grosned and wheezed like an i'm
risoned giant The wheels spun around
pon the tracks. crashing from side TO
de, until thers were moments when even
le engineer peered out Of the side window