The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-06-22

To employ my attention about the village,
went early to the station, and was usherCd
into the watingroom by the Waterman, n
stout, goOd-naturcd looking man in the
prime of life, who wore, pinned across his
breast, an empty sleeve.
AS had uu hour or more Of leisure before
my train would arrive, passed the time
chatting with the Waterman, and he told me
the story Of the adventure in which lie lost
his arm repeat his narrative as nearly ms
possible in his own words.
Before | was intrns,cd with the night
duties OF tbs station formed one of crew
OF three section men, who had in charge
seven miles OF track upon our road some
three hundred miles west Of here. in the
toughest aud most lawlcSs part OF the Ter
ritnry.
Our duties were 10 keep in thorough order
the track upon our section, and We we've
held responsible to the company for any
thing that would cndangcr or delay this
trains while upon it.
Our section began at Summit Station and
ran east seven miles. Thence to Brewslers,
the next station east of Summit, fifteen miles
distant from it was another section eight
miles long.
The night duty of section hand is not
-,
section must be patrollcd by one mau-vhO
employs in good weathcra light hand car
for the purpOsc-aheGd OF our Overland
Pullman train. This train passed over our
section at midnight, and our departure was
timed so Us TO inspect the track Immediately
ahead of it..
So, taking turns at that duty, we started
from Summit at ten o'clock sharp, and usual
~ arrived at the halfway house" about ten
minutes ahead Of the train. Here we met
one of the men from the section cast of us,
who had started about the same time, and
for the same purpose. You see the precuu-
ton taken by all well managed roads for the
safety Of its patrons.
How many the passengers on the Over
land tonight know, or knowing, gave n
thought to the men who, since darkness set
tied upon them, have been plunging through
the snow-tor hand cars are useless in such
weather us this-swinging their lanterns
from side to side, examining carefully every
cut for fear of falling rocks, every bridge for
broken rails, thus enabling them to ride in
safety.
AS | said before, the men from each section
having patrollcd fifteen miles of track, meet
at II little shanty situated beside the track
just large enough to hold small stove and
few necessary supplies, and allow the men
to enter. Here they stay until the train comes
in sight; then outside, and display their TWO
white lights that the engineer may know nil
is well. Failure to do this would result in
report to headquarters and possibly in dis
charge from the service
One night ii came my turn TO run the sec
ton. Before starting, it occurred to me that
our supply Of lantern oil ut the halfway
house was low, 50 | procured and filled
quart hottie of lard oil, the kind which is
used for the purpose put it into the inside
pocket of my heavy coat, OuttOncd il snugly
about me, and started
1t was q stormy summers night, rs black
as ink My car ran smoothly over the rails
and soon travelled about half the distance,
and arrived at Il bridge crossing Snake River
Here dismounted from the car and push
ing it ahead of INC MS passed, gave the
structure careful examination, found every.
thing all right, and was about mounting my
car again, when | received violent blow
upon the head which stretched me Senscless
upon the rails.
Recovering consciousness after few mo-
ments, found myself bound, gagged and
lying but few feet from n gang OF masked
men, whom | saw, as well as the darkness
would permit, at work with bars removing
one of the rails just at the entrance of the
bridge.
Train wrecRcrsl ! had heard great deal
about the desperate character of these ruff
ans, but was now making my first acquant
ancc with them.
As they worked they discussed the situa-
ton, and how they should dispose ofme.
Il tell yer, Sam" one big fellow cxclain.-
ed. BEST way is to tie him across the rails,
and let em finish him."
Yes, that's SOL echoed the party. Dead
y
faces.
II won't listen TO such Il plan said one
who seemed to exercise some influence over
them. We shall have enough to answer for
before this job is tiEished without killing
him. How this nail sticks + he added with
an oath. THE man who drove the spikes
must have meant 'cm to stay. Come, mates,
IIeis safe enough, and if we mean business
we must be lively. The train will be here in
twenty minutes, and we have no time to
lose" and at the rail they MI sprang with
will.
Twenty minutes! What could hope to
do to save the train in my condition, with SO
short time?
The thought of the terrible wreck which
must result if the Gerailed train struck the
bridge made mo desperate Straining at the
chords which bound my wrists, | hucicd
trick of the nccromancers who free them
selves from their bonds by alternately con-
tracing and expanding the muscles, and
lay in silence, workisE in perfect frenzy of
excitement until | was able to free my hands
In an instant my knife was out nfmy pocket
and my feet free
Without waiting to free myself from the
gag, sprang to my feet, and, at the top uf
my speed, started down the track in the d.
roclion of the approaching train. With a
yell which told me | was discovered, the
whole gang started in pursuit; but l had
some little start of them, and bounded along
the ties, bent upon stopping the train nj any
cost
In the mky hlackncss of the night pursuit
was difficult. Soon pop! pop! pop! from
the rcvolvers of the gang They were firing
down the track, in the hope of stopping me
with bullet
AS the gag, which l had not removed,
hindered my breathing, was forced TO stop