Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-03
Gales aud Skttthfs.
OILIyG YHE TRACK.
fcontinueo from yesterday. }

I W1n0OW Oh Lne pursuing CuSihc. o1u "a
rifle ball smashed the clock in our cab
within an inch of the engineers head :.
The flames give them a fine mark,
observed the engineer calmly. That
bail was meant for me, and but for the
swinging of the engine it would have hit.
too
Il completed my task rs speedily as
possible and closed the furnace door. We
were now in darkness again and if ball
reached rs it must be by accident. Our
enemies made no further attempt. how
ever. confident. doubtless. of running US
down very shortly. And well they might
be. We had ten miles yet to run before
reaching a point where they would them
selves be in danger of capture or destruc-
ton from our own division at kanakla.
During the last ten miles they had de-
creased the distance one-half, and running
as we now were it would be all up with
US in five miles more.
/ - is there nothing we can do y ask
/ ed. anxiously.
| Pitch something on the track, SAID
the fireman from his corner. Maybe you
/ can catch their wheels. Try one OF those
/ fire bars
:. It's good idea, john replied the
engineer. Perhaps you had better try
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 for some crash or outcry
which should signal the destruction OF
our pursuers. A moment more there was
a sharp elang along the rails behind us.
and a cracking among the bushes along
the road.
She has kicked it 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 so that
YOU couldn't stir them an inch
Il did as directed. The garment tell
across the track, and exactly where the
forward truck would strike it. Presently
there was heavy jolting sound behind us
and shrill escape of steam.
= Caught y cried the engineer. If it
has only wedged into the piston bar, they
NAV work it out
.'Some accident had certainly happened
to our enemies, for all sounds of pursuit
rapidly died away and we began to breathe
freer. We had now reached point with
in five miles OF Kanaka; in two or three
more we should be within the line OF our
outposts. At this moment | saw the en-
eineer lean forward and listen again int
tently.
" What is itp | asked.
latter us again he said quickly.
The coat merely retarded them little.
There they are.'
Il :,l tho hi onE
figure of the engine emitting white clouds
Of steam into the pale night sky. whirling
around curve not 60 rods behind. An
gered with the delay. and knowing that if
we were captured at all it must be within
the next 10 minutes, they were coming
more rapidly than ever. We were at the
foot of this very up grade where we now
are 1t extends tor nearly three miles be-
vond Kanakia. and is one of the heaviest
in the country. 1t was at this point that
our tate was decided From the moment
we rar up it our light engine began to
lose ground hopelessly. Our pursuers
were now so near that we could plainly
observe the movements 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 morei | 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 a moment
1--WE an idea said the fireman, arising o
-: l. Il E,rlt a
can't fire the machine. but I've one al NJ
you and William are putting spoke in
their wheel
".But how? p cried the engineer. Speak
quick John; moments are gold now
".Where are the tallow cans we put on
board p asked the fireman.
j. "'Bravo. John; just the thing!" ex-
claimed the engineer, as if perceiving 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 standing
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 these 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 were going to accomplish.
and there was no time to lose in any ex-
; PLANTATION.
Now said my companion, in an ex-
r cited tone. lean over and pour your tai
r low carefully upon the track as we 90
? along. Don't waste drop, and don't
leave foot of rail unoiled.'
: 81 obeyed him in silence. and soon the
tracks for a long distance behind us were
shining with the thick. greasy fluid. When
the contents of the cans were exhausted,
the engineer said. as he arose from his
cramped position:
II think we've fixed 'em. John. old
man, you can ease her up trifle We
, needn't smash the machine with trying to
get away. We shall have no more trouble
tonight
Il looked back and saw that cur pur.
. suers had Just reached the oiled section of
| the track. Their own momentum carried
them forward some distance, then there
was harsh. whirring sound and furious
escape of steam. All was plain to ns now