The Republican journal., 1883-12-06

| ming dS we now were, IL would DG all up
with us in five miles more.
''ls there nothing we can do y asked,
anXiously.
| "Pitch something on the track said
the fireman from his corner. Maybe you
can catch their Wheelsg Try one of those
fire bars
g It's good idea, John, replied the
engineer. Perhaps you had better make
the experiment, Captain
II seized one of the heavy bars, piece
Of metal as thick as a crowbar and ten
feet long, and clambering over the coal
in the caboose, leaned down and dropped
the bar as nearly as | could across the
| track Heaven forgive me- But with
what interest waited tor some crash or
Outcry which should signal the destruc-
tion Of our pursuers, In moment more
there was a sharp clang along the rails
behind us, and cracking among the
bushes lining the road
she has kicked 1t off,. said the engi,
neer. Try my heavy overcoat. I've
known piece of cloth like that to get
among the wheels and Jam them 50 that
you couldn't stir them an inch
II did as directed The garment fell
across the track, and exactly where the
forward trucks could strike it, Presently
there was a heavy jolting sound behind
US, and a shrill escape Of steam,
Caught" cried the engineer. If it
has only wadged into the piston bar, they
may work it out
"Some accident bad certainly happen
to our enemies, for all sounds Of pursuit
rapidly died away, and we began to
| breathe treer. We had now reached a
! point within five miles of kanakia, in two
Or three more we should be within the
ine Of our out posts. At this momenl
saw the engineer lean forward and lis
ten again, intcntly.
What is it ~ | asked,
After us again." he said. quietly
The coat merely retarded them little
There they arc"
81 could now plainly perceive the black
flgure OF the engine, emitting white clouds
Of steam into the pale night Sky, whir ing
swiftly around a curve not sixty rods be
mind, Angered with the delay, and
| knowing that if we We're to be captured at
all, it must be within the next ten min
utes, they were coming more rapidly than
ever We We're at the foot Of this very
up grade where we now are. 1t extends
for nearly three miles beyond kanakia,
ana is one Of the heaviest in the country.
Ii was at this point that our fate was de
| cded FROM the moment We ran up it,
our light engine began to lose ground
! hopclessly. Our pursuers were now 50
near that we could plainly observe the
movements Of those in the engine cab by
the light Of there guage lamp. The plat
form of the Car was crowded with men,
cooking their muskets and making ready
for an eXterminatng volIey.
oh, for five minutes more" " groan-
ed. 1T is horrible to be trapped or
killed ID sight Of friends and safety
$40 Yes muttered the engineer, ''there
is no hope now. When they tire there
won't be much left Of Us. Ana they WILL
too, in halt a moment
"'l've an idea said the fireman, aris-
ing stitt1y from his corner | can't fight,
and G nit fire the machine, but I've one
arm left, and that'll 90 to hold her steady
while YOU and William are putting Il
spoke in their wheel"
But how cried the engineer
Speak quick, John, moments are gold,
now
"'Where are the talloW cans we put
on boardg asked the fireman
"'Brav0, John, just tile thing" cN-
claimed the engineer, as if perceiying a
meaning in the others words which es-
capped me utterly Captain, those dis
/ patches are safe, and YOU owe it to John
| for | should never have thought Of it in a
lifetime
"By this time the fireman was stand
/ ing at the valves, and the engineer had
| found the tallow cans, two brass vessels.
each holding gallon or more, with long
curved SpOuts. One of them he gave to
me, While he Kept the other himself, and
we scrambled over the coal to the rear of
the tender. had not the remotest idea
Of what we We're going to accomplish,
and there was no time to lose in any eX-
PLANTATION.
"'NoN,' said my companion, in an eX-
cited tone, lean over and pour your tai
low carefully upon the track as we 90
along. Don't waste drop, and don't
leave a foot Of rail unoiled.'
al obeyed him in silence, and soon the
tracks for long distance behind Us
were shining with the thick greasy fluid.
! When the contents of the cans were eX-
hauSted, the engineer said, as he arose
from his cramped positlon
80 think we've fixed them John.
| old man. you can ease her up a tritie.
We needn't smash the machine With try-
| ing to get away. We shall have no more
trouble to night
II looked back and saw that our pun
sners had just reached the oiled section
of the track. Their own momentum
carried them forward some di stance, then
there was a harsh, whirling sound, and
furious escape of steam. All WGS plain
to US now On the up grade, the driy-
erS, finding no resistance on the oiled
track, Whirled around, without bearing
| the engine on foot. 1T was as HELPLESS
as hamstung elephant.
"At this moment a shot was fired in
the road before Us, and a hparse voice
commanded us to halt. Well aware that
we were now among friends, our engine
was stopped, and the facts explained to
the officer in command Of the de ach-
ment.
"There is little more to relate. Our
pursuers and their engine We're neatly
captured. Stockton's division made a
forward movement and relieved Thomas
and his army from their perllous position.
AS for myself and my brave companions,
We were not forgotten, and | am glad to
say that the inventive John. whose time
ly suggestions had saved our engine, and
perhaps our army, left the service with
the rank Of captain. in the engineer
corps
Having finished his story, and our train
at the same time beginning to move ON,
my interesting companion wrapped him
self up in his cloak, and was soon asleep.
Sheridans Bald Headed Baby