The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-03-07

~ even the eIought of at L
fest, she saw short, broad boaIu, an
an idea struck her. She slid down the
embankment and scrambled back with
the board.
az can't fall off it, if I can only do it, "
she said to herself Anyway, Imustn' t
think about it, and it is long enough, -
N she thrust it out before her upon the
ties inside and next the rail.
There was also narrow plank upon
the outside, which she had not dared to
venture upon alone. Now she knelt
upon the two and, grasping tne rail with
her hands, shut her eyes and crawled on
in that position until she felt the end of
her board Then she braced herself with
one hand, found footing for her knee
upon a tie, and pulled forward the board
to bridge another set of ties.
It was slow and dangerous work, and
she screwed her eyes close shut for fear
she might see what would unnerve her.
Once her board caught and 1t seemed to
be slipping. 1t was horrible thought,
and she felt as though she, too, were
slipping, but she clutched rail and board
and it held firm as she crawled along.
Suddenly the rails vibrated under her
hand. Were was she? Was she any
where near the end9 The special was
coming-how far away she dared not try
to see. With one more conyulsive effort
she pulled the board forward, crawled
its length, then sharp whistle shrieked
out-two of them. She gave one gasp
and looked. She saw few more ties
between her and safety-saw the engine
flying right at her-heard another shrek
from the whistle, wavered a half second,
then in desperation rose to her feet and
bonded with swaying arms along the
narrow outer plank, to strike the solid
earth, leap aside, and roll down the en-
-hankment. while the train came to a stop
upon the bridge.
Cressy was not hurt, only unnerved,
and to the questions poured in upon her,
she could find no answer but that she
must see Ned before the gravel train left
cts something important. No person
would ever try crawling over the long
bridge less 1t was" the fireman OBJ
served.
siCan we make it2n suddenly asked the
conductor, looking at his watch.
''Yes, sir," the engineer replied briefly,
and Cressy found herself swung up into
the cab beside him and the train sped
back, to the bewilderment of the passen-
gers, over the last half mile.
The engine came to a stop right oppo-
site Ned, and he was astonished to see
Cressy, who cried out
"Oh, Ned, I've found him"
'sWhy, Cressy Carter, how did you
come herel"
ION our hands and knees, youngster,
some of the way the engineer put in.
"But I have found him"
"Whoq"
ssThe prisoner, she whispered.
''Cressy Carterm Ned was too as
founded to say more
'.What is til" the conductor asked, /
coming up curious to know.
Ned explained briefly. when the con-
iuctor caught him by the arm.
Jump aboard, boy" he cried. ''Put
IN, Billy, /" TO the brakeman, and before
hey were hardly aware of it, they were
iteaming back to the valley station.
A little quiet work, and three men ac-
Ned TO the other side of the /
The man was taken entirely
IF his guard when a revolver was pre-
ented with a command to throw up his
lands. Ned had the satisfaction of plac-
NC the handouts which he had in his
:, ol1et upon his pr
i'm
Town, fastened toA-
''You see, thought
iandcuifs so they couldn't rL-a -,
yed explained slyly, so he delivered him
.ver to his uncle.
The latter was delighted at the deed,
pgbsd heartily at Ned's reminder