Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-02-27

other end, the black form of the pursu.
ing engine, followed by the car, through
whose lighted windows crowd of
armed men were visible. Here we had
a momentary advantage, for, desperate
rs our enemies might be, their engineer
dared not carry his weighty engine over
the light framework rs rapidly as we
had gone, 1t was hut trifling gain,
however, for once on the solid road-bed
again the monster came on at redoubled
speed.
"More fire, Captain muttered the
engineer at this moment; 'on this grade
we must do our best or il will be all
over in five minutes.
81 opened the furnace door and be-
gan shoveling in the coal Upon the
instant there was a flash and report
from the cab windows of the pursuing
engine, and a rifle ball smashed the
clock in our cab, within an inch of the
engineers head.
"'The flames give them fine mark
observed the engineer calmly. That
ball was meant for me, and but for the
swaying of the engine it would have hit,
too
II completed my task as speedily as
possible and closed the furnace door.
We were now in darkness again, and if
ball reached us 1t must be by acct
dent. Our enemies made no further
attempt, however, confident, doubtless,
of running.us down very shortly. And
well they might be. We had ten miles
yet TO run before reaching point where
they would themselves be in danger of
capture or destruction from our own di-
vision at Kanakia. During the last ten
miles they had decreased the distance
one-half, and running as we now were
ii would be all up with us in five miles
more.
is there nothing we can doP' l
asked, anxiously
".'Pitch something on the track said
the fireman from his corner. May be
you can catch their wheels. Try one of
the fire-bars.'
"Its good idea, John, replied the
engineer, perhaps you had better make
the experiment, Captain
II seized one of the heavy bars, u
piece of metal rs 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
mel but with what interest l waited for
some crash or cutlery which would sig
nal the destruction of our pursuers. In
u moment more there was sharp clang
along the rails behind us, and crack
ling among the bushes lining the road.
"'She has kicked il off, said the en-
gineer. 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
al did as directed. The garment fell
across the track, and exactly where the
forward trucks could strike it. Present
ly there was n heavy jolting sound be-
hind us and shrill escape of steam.
4" Caught cried the engineer. If it
has only wedged into the piston bar,
they may work it out
Some accident had certainly hap
pened.to our enemies, for all sounds of
pursuit rapidly died away and we began
TO breath freer. We had now reached
a point within five miles of Kanakia, in
two or three more we should be within
the line of our outposts. AT this mo.
ment | saw the engineer lean forward
and listen again intently.
''What is itP' | asked.
"'After us again, lie said, quietly.
The coat merely retarded them little.
There they arep
81 could now plainly perceive the
black figure of the engine, emitting
white clouds of steam into the pale
night sky, whirling swiftly around a
curve not sixty rods behind. Angered
with the delay, and knowing that If wo
were to be captured at all it must be
within the neat ten minutes, they were
coming more rapidly than ever. We
were at the foot of this very up grade
where we now are. IL extends for near
ly three miles beyond Kanakia, and is
one of the heaviest in the country. 1t
was ut this point that our fate was de-
cided. From the moment we ran up it
our light engine began to lose ground
Our pursuers were now so
near that we could plainly observe the
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 making
ready for an exterminating volley.
"'Oh, for five minutes morer' !
groaned. 1T is horrible to be trapped
or killed in sight of friends and safety
"'Yes, muttered the engineer; there
is no hope now. When they fire there
won't be much left of us. And they
will, too, in half n moment
I've an idea, said tho fireman,
arising sillly from his corner. Il can't
fight and l can't fire the machine, but
I've one arm left, and that'll hold her
steady while you and William puts q
spoke in their wheel.
But how, cried the engineer.
Speak quick, John; moments are gold
now.
Where are the tallow cans we put
aboardP' asked the fireman.
Bravo, John, just the thingr OK.
the engineer, as if perceiving
in the other 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
q lifetime
"By this time the fireman was stand
ing at the valves, and the engineer had
found the tallow cans, two brass ves-
sells, each holding u gallon or more,
with long curved spouts. One of these
he gave to me, while he kept the other
and we scrambled over the coal
TO the rear of the tender. l had not the
remotest idea of what we were going to
accomplish, and there was no time to
lose in explanation.
Now said my companion, In an
excited tone, lean over and pour tai.
low carefully upon the track as we go
along. Don't waste drop, and don't
leave foot of rail unoiled.'
81 obeyed him in silence, ana soon
the tracks for long distance behind us
were shining with thick, greasy fluid.
When the contents of the cans were ex-
hausted, the engineer said, as he arose
from his positions 81 think we have
fixed them. John, old man, you can
ease her up triile. We needn't smash
the machine with trying TO get away.
We shall have no more trouble to-
night"
81 looked back, and saw that our
haI snpf ntaI he .,;toI