Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-07-18
A HOT CHASE.

y lOCOUnOItfc cIlS liIeei anu Ii'h S"S'
neer are two very different persons, for
one has charge Of locomotive engine,
and the other has charge of, and controls,
variety Of instruments. First is the
transit, then the level, the levolling-rod,
the flag, chains, axes aud stakes, all III
charge of competent men. An engineer
ing party, to do good work quickly, should
consist of at least ten persons.
The chief Of the party usually goes
ahead and picks out tho route the others
are to follow, and often takes n flag-pole
along with him. Sticking this into the
ground, he waves his hand for the others
to 'ceme ahead" and the transitman sets
his instrument In that direction, and
causes tho vertical cross-hair in tho .c!e-
scope to cut the pole, optically, in two.
But am afraid some readers may not
know what cross-hairs are. Most of you
know tie principle Of a telescope; an OBJ
ject-glass collects largo number of rays
of light and concentrates them, and lens,
or Il series Of lenses, magnifies them. That
is the simple principle, and in transit,
or level, just where the object-gI lass
forms tho image and the eye-picce magni-
Ges It, there are two cobwcbs, SO fine that
the unaidcd eye can hardly sec them,
stretched across round brass ring, at
right angles with each othor, one perfectly
vertical and ono horizontal. The point
where they cross each other IS the exact
center of the lens.
These are the cross-hGirs, and they are
on the optical axis of tho instrument.
With thoir aid straight liue can be pro-
longed any distance or in n level, tho d!f-
ference, in elevation, between two points
can bo determined to the thousandth part
of n foot, provided the operator and In
strumcnt be in good order, and II the rod
man, who holds jointcd pole graduated
to one-thousandth Of a foot, understands
his business.
To explain the working Of m engineer
ing party world be tedious and uninter-
csting to many, and AS that has nothing
to do with my story, l will not do so.
Instead Of that, imagine me and my rod
man running a line Of levels from stream
Of water to new railroad, to SEQ whether
there WAS elevation to force it into the
tank, and the rest Of the "party" miles
away, busy ut something. That WAS the
very thing | was doing one day on the
Northern Pacific Railroad Gt was not that
railroad, bat It is handy one to use on
this occasion).
Tho stream Of water was two miles
away from tho new track, and that MORN
Ing We had ridden from our boarding
place, ten miles, on little hand car. The
grade there was descending one, west
ward, for long distance, and all we had
to do, when going in that direction, was
to sit still and ly along over the new rails.
About five miles further west a large
gang of men were working, laying track;
and tho smoke of the engine OH the "con-
struction train" was plainly vi.ible across
the undulating prarics.
George anG /, therefore, di6.not feel lost
or alone, and we worked hard all the
morning and ate our lunch in the cool
shade OF the tnnk-housc, just finished. AS
we had nothing more to do that day, de-
tcrmimed to put the truck OH the track,
after we were done eating, ride down to
the track-layers, and return with them on
81; .or tl,at avaninn
But was hungry and ate great deal,
and then began to feel strangely drowsy;
the last thing l remember before [ fell
asleep, wa5 George Standing by the level
in the hot sun, and looking through it 1T
the hills cast Of us.
cannot say how long 1 dozed, for |
was startled so suddenly rs to clog" my
memory 20 an alarming extent.
"InGians" heard some one cry; and
began to rub my eyes slcepily.
But did not rub them long, for saw
George throwing the truck oil the track,
IN state of great excitement. I was at
his side in All instant, and quick glance
around showed me the true state of things.
Eastward, about mile distant, were five
mounted Indisns, riding toward us full
speed. The camp had several times been
raidcd during the mems absence. 1 had
no doubt they n ere hostile. was not ex-
cited rs George was, however, for [ put
MY level and levelling-rod and two spruce
ties on the car before showed of.
The rails were new and rough, aud tile
hand car was not worn much yet, but as
Jumped OF, felt it gaining speed down
the straight track, and arranged the two
ties in the form Of barrieadc. Then /
looked back.
The five Indiana evidently meant busi-
ness, for they were coming as fast as they
could toward us, and were gaining upon
Us; and when heard George moaning as
lie crouc.ied behind the ties, l did no: feel
very cheerful or hopeful. reached for
my revolver in ny liip-pocket, and cxam-
incl lis CHARGES as coollv as could, There