The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-12-08

h'IoWeu Dy the car, through whose
lighted windows crowd of armed
men were visible. Here we had
momentary advantage for, desper.
ate as our enemies might be, their
engineer dared not carry his weighty
engine over the light framework as
rapidly as we had gone. 1t was but
trl,Ing gain, however, for once on the
solid roadbed again the monster came
on at redoubled speed.
More fire, Captain muttered the
engineer at this moment. On this
grade we must do our hest, or it will
be all over in less than five minutes
II opened the furnace door and ue.
gan to shovel in the coal. Upon the
instant there was q fash and report
from the cab windows Of the uursu.
ing engine, and rifle ball smashed
the clock in our cab, within an inch
of the engineers head.
"'The flames give them d fine
mark observed the engineer, calm.
~. That ball was meant for me. and
ut for the swaying of the engine, it
would haye hit, too.'
81 completed my task as speedily
as possible, and closed the furnace
door. We were now in darkness
again, and if a ball reached US, il
must be by accident. Our enemies
made no further attempt. however,
confident, doubtless. of running US
down very shortly. And we'll they
might be. We had ten miles vet to
run before reaching a point where
they would themselves be in danger
of capture or destruction from our
own division at Kanakia. During
the last ten miles they had decreased
the distance One-half, and running as
we now were. it would be all up with
US in five miles more.
"'Is there nothing we can do?'I
asked anXiousIy.
"'Pitch something on the track
said the fireman from his corner.
Maybe you can catch their wheels.
Try one of those fire bars.'
Its good idea, John,' replied
the engineer. Perhaps you had bet
ter make the experiment. Captain
II seized one of the heavy bars, q.
piece of metal as thick as crowbar
and ten feet long, and clambering
over the coal in the caboose, leaned
down and dropped the bar as nearly
as l could across the track, Heaven
forgive me! But with what interest
l waited for some crash or outcry
which should signal the destruction
of ours pursuers. In moment more
there was sharp clang along the rails
behind us, and cracking among the,
bushes lining the road.
"'She has kicked it off, said the,
engineer. TRY my heavy overcoat.
I've known a piece of cloth like that
to get among the wheels and jam
them so that you couldn't stir them
an inch.'
81 did as directed. The garment
fell across the track, and exactly
where the forward trucks could strike
it. Presently there was heavy Jolt
Ing sound behind us, and shrill es
cape of steam.
Caught! !! cried the engineer. IF
it has only wedged into the piston
bar, they may work it OUT
"S0me accident had certainly hap.
pened to our enemies. for all sounds
OF pursuit rapidly died away, and we
began to breathe freer. We had now
reached a point within five miles of
kanakia in two or three more we
should he within the line of our out
posts. At this moment saw the en-
gineer lean forward and listen again.
intently.
"'What is it ~ asked.
"After us again. he said quietly.
The coat merely retarded them
little. There they are."
Il could now plainly perceive the
black figure of the engine. emitting
white clouds of steam into the pale
night sky, whiring swiftly around a
curve net sixty rods behind. An
gered with the delay, and knowing
that if we were to be captured at all
it must be WITHIN the next ten min
utes, they were coming more rapidly
than ever. We were at the foot of
this very up grade where we now are,
1t extends tor nearly three miles be-
yond Kanakia, and is one of the
heaviest in the country. 1t was at
this point that our fate was decided.
From the moment we ran up it, our
light engine began to lose ground
hopelessly. Our pursuers were now
SO near that we could plainly observe
the movements of those in the engine
cab by the light of their gauge lamp.
The platform of the car was crowded
with men, cooking their muskets and