Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-27

of steam into the pale night sky, whrling
swiftly around a curve not sixty rods
behind. Angered with the delay, and
knowing that if we were to be captured al
all, it must be within the next ten minutes
they are coming on more rapidly than
ever. We are at the foot of this very
upgrade where we now are. 1t extends
for nearly three miles beyond Kanakia
and is one of the heaviest in the country.
1t was at this point that our fate was to
be decided From the moment we ran
upon it, our light engine began to lose
ground hopelessly. Our pursuers were
now so near that we could plainly observe
by the light of their gauge lamp. The
men, cooking their muskets and making
ready for an exterminating volley.
'Oh, for five minutes moren | groaned.
1t is horrible to be trapped and killed in
sight of friends and safety.
no hope now. When they fire there won't
in half a moment
stfly from his corner. | can't fire the
| illtCIiuCs Dut We OtlC al LII lOits pud ltite II
do to hold her steady while you and
| William put spoke in their wheel.
But, how, cried the engineer. Speak
quick, John; moments are gold now
where are the tallow cans we put aboardp'
thing.' exclaimed the engineer, as if per.
which csc lped utterly. Captain. those
| ft;c,,o tnhA fn nd tp
John; for never should have thought OF
it in lifetime
by this TINE the fireman was standing
at the valves, and the engineer had found
the tallow cans, two brass vessels, each
holding a gallon or more, with long curv-
ed spouts. One of these he gave TO me,
while he kept the other himself, and we
scrambled over the coal to the rear of thu
terder, | had not the remotest idea OF
what we were going to accomplish, but
there was no time to lose in explanation.
Now said my companion. in IN excited
tone, lean over, and pour the tal!ow
carefully upon the track as we go along
| Don't waste a drop, and don leave IA
foot of rail unoled.
obeyed hi in silence, and soon the
tracks for Il 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 position, Il think We have fixed
them. John, old man, you Can ease her
up trife. We needn't smash the
machine trying to get away. We shall
have no more trouble tonight
Il looked back and saw that our pursuers
had Just reached the oiled section of the
track. Their own momentum carried
them forward some distance; then there
was furious escape of steam. All wa
plain to me now. Ga the up grade the
driver, finding no resistance on the oiled
track, simply whirled around, without
bearing the engine onward foot. Ii
was at belpless as hamstrung elephant.
AT this moment u shot was fired in the
road before US, and hoarse voice com
manded us to halt Well aware that W
were now among friends, our engine wa~
stopped and the facts explained to the
officer in command of the detachment.
| There is little more to relate. Our
pursuers and their engine were neatly
captured. Stockton's division made q
forwad movement and relieved Thomas
and his army from their perious position
AS for myself and my brave companions,
we were not forgotten, and am glad to
say that the inventive John, whose timely
suggestion 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.