The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-11-02

gwen me and / mounted the engine
which was either to carry me to my
death or save the army. 1t was not
powerful machine, but it was the best
at our disposal, and in good order fort
unately. One of our men who haG
been an engineer undertook to manage
the engine, and another to fire it. Boil
were cool, tried men, but as we stepped
into the cab together l saw them shake
hands with their comrades and bic
them farewell. Evidently neither Of
them expected to get through alive.
"'Put in couple of extra tallow
cans. john said the engineer. We
are going in to make time, and 1 ex.
pect the old machine will heat up
finely
1.-The cans were slowed away in the
caboose, the engineer opened the throt.
tie valve, and amid an impressive ST.
lence in the crowd surrounding the
starting point we moved slowly away.
About two miles distant lay the first
battery which the enemy had thrown
up to command the road; beyond that
Were several more, to say nothing OF
the picket lines scattered along the
tracks. So you will perceive we were
to run pretty warm gauntlet.
1--WE had proceeded but a very short
distance when there was flash and re-
port from the shrubbery skirtinS the
road, and bullet crashed through the
window of the cab. An outpost had al
ready discovered us, and had given us a
toretaste of what we had to expect fur
Their on.
"'Let her out' said to the engi-
neer. There is no use in trying to
hide ourselves. Speed is our only
chance now.'
every good, SIR replied the engi-
neer, opening the valve as he spoke.
The engine bounded like spurred
horse. On we went, swaying from side
to side, until it seemed as if we must
jump the track. Meanwhile our friends
along the road were not idle. Bullet
after bullet whistled by us. but fortu-
nately, what with the darkness and the
rapidity of our motion, none of them
reached us.
1--WE had now arrived in sight of the
first battery. BY the lights moving
hurriedly along the parapet, it was OBJ
vious that our approach was expected.
As we passed abreast the battery, it
gave US its first compliment in the shape
of round shot, followed by a storm of
grape. Here, again, the darkness and
our speed saved us. Several of the
grape-shot glanced off the frame of the
engine without doing any damage, how
ever.
"'Give her some more fire, john
said the engineer, grimly. If they
happen to knock hole in us with one
of them bits of iron, you won't do no
more firing, my boy. 1 can tell you
that
".Not in this world. anyway re-
sponded the fireman. with saturnine hui
NOR. Can't tell what ] may do in the
next, William
1.-The reckless bravery of the two men
in the face of such danger shamed away
my own arising tremor. and folded my
arms and looked toward the battery,
which was evidently preparing to give
us another salute. 1t came in the
shape of a conical shot, with so true an
aim that it whizzed within a foot of the
boiler. and carried off the bell. which
fell with a clang among the bushes.
THANK you,' said the engineer, with
grin, we don't need the bell, any
how. You can use it yourself to ring TO
dim ar with
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 june
ton of our road with another running
south. There was also a station at this
point, and as we whirled by | saw an
engine standing upon a siding with
steam up. caught sight of a number
of men running toward If. as well as
others busy with a car which stood near
it. What they were at 1 could not make
OCT, for we passed them like flash of
lightning. At this moment, too, the
batteries. which had probably received
Geographic notice of our approach,
opened fire upon us, and for moment
the air seemed to be alive with Shrek
ing iron.
more fire, John, cried the engineer;
ram her full to the door, or it's all up
with US
THE fireman stopped to obey, but at
that moment a shell struck upon the
caboose and burst within three feet of
us. 1twaS a ten-inch monster, and how
any OF us escaped alive fail to see. As
it was, when the smoke and dust cleared
away found the top of the cab gone, a
portion of the cabooSe torn off, and the
fireman lying on heap on the floor,
with his arm broken.
"'Fm knocked out, William he
groaned, and who's to fire her for the
rest of the trip?'
81 will, said L; Il think can man.
age it,
''After placing the poor fellow in as
comfortable position as possible,
seized the shovel ard began my new
duties.
by this time we had passed out of
range of the batteries, which now and
then, however, sent sullen shot in our
direction, as a parting evidence of their
good will.
1--WE are SAFE said, with sigh of |
relief; that was their last line of works. |
The road is clear before us
So. 1 hope so, sir responded the en-
gineer. .How's your arm, John?'
Very bad. William groaned the
fireman; but that amt the worst of it.
We amt through with the trouble vet
"'What do you mean,' asked. The
scouts say that there are no troops be-
yond US, except our own at kanakia
station
81. But they're following u.s. replied
the fireman. They are after us hot and
heavy
Il looked at the engineer under the
that the poor fireman was in
d delirium with his injury.
He's right, Captain, said the en-
yineer, listening intently. Sure as fate
.hey have pulled out that engine we saw