The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1890-09-26

once put his foot down there was no get
ting him to bulge until his humor
changed.
We were now coming close upon Water
ford Station and had already done about
five and twenty miles Of the Journey.
Ben's eyes were still upon the track. 1t
was clear ahead, yet expected to see him
close the throttle and slow down while
passing through the station.
But | was mistaken. With a roar and
a rush we dashed right through, and the
next minute we were tearing along a level
stretch on the other side.
More coal !" Not only the words
themselves, but the manner in which
they were uttered, caused me serious
alarm. began to suspect that something
was wrong. Still, il hesitated it might
only aggravate him, so ! flung in a small
quantity.
"Go on-go on "
What was | to do? didn't dare to re-
fuse. The wild look in Norris eyes fright
ened me, and went on shoveling ia the
fuel, | glanced at the guage. Great
Heavens! it marked go! This pressure
of steam where no cars were attached to
the engine meant fearful rate of speed.
The engineers manner was strangely
altered. Instead of being silent and mo-
rose, he was now excited and laxative,
" That's it," he cried, and / could
barely catch the words above the roaring
of the engine. Now we're travelling
Ha; Ha ! The President faster than the
Grant? Not likely I'll catch up to her
yet, see if I don'tl"
SHALL | ever forget those terrible words
They actually seemed to paralyze me-
AS stood there clinging for support tc
the side Of the cab, the awful truth flashed
through my mind. The engineer was mad
And, worse still, he was under the delu
sion that the President was on in front
With this insane idea in his head he de-
termined to try the speed of the two en-
gines.
My first impulse, when had partly
recovered from the shock was to sprins
forward and grasp the reversing-rod. Blu
a moments reflection showed me tina
this might instantly seal my doom. Nor
ris would have grappled with me, and i
it came to struggle, | was lost. HI
would fling me headlong from the en-
CINE.
Then another thought occurred to me
Heaven forgive me but must strik
him from behind in order to save my life
I looked around for weapon. AS die
so he seemed to guess what | was at, ant
turning round, thrust his hand into hi
breast. The next moment he held re
volver towards me, while his blazing eye
threatened instant death, if l did not de
sist.
After that I gave myself up for lost
Unless Providence interposed in my be
half horrible end awaited me. Up t
this / had felt the heat oppressive, bu
now | shivered. My hands were cold an
clammy. A band of iron seemed to en-
circle my head.
On we tore, the engine swaying feal
fully. Every moment l expected to
4 blown to atoms by the bursting of tn
boiler. Norris never ceased to rave abor
the race with the " President" And W
though he was so absorbed in his worl
he kept his eye on me the whole time.
Then it was that an idea flashed acros
me. A faint hope sprang up in my mine
| must overcome him by cunning; it we
the only chance!
! advanced to examine the indicator
and, though my heart sank when l sa
the hand quivering at 250 made it appei
as If were delighted.
Good" | cried, "we'll beat her yet
. But we want more coal"
/ made toward the tender, placed m
left hand upon lump Of coal and struc
it across the back with the sharp edge
the shovel. The blow left cash fro
which the blood came freely. | gave
: cry, and Norris instantly turned roun,
l held up my hand that he might 81
: the blood dripping from it. Then stoC
Q with my back toward him and pretendt
to bind up the wound, But | only wra
t ped handkerchief around it, and quiC
as lightning drew out my pOcket-boo
I l tore away the leaves which were wri
ten, on and placing the book upon II
. knee, scrawled these words across the fir
q page
Driver mad Wire: Grease rails
2 Then holding it in my injured han
g thrust it under my jacket and returned
!. the engineers side.
We were now rapidly approachil
Weston, but | knew that Norris did n
n intend to stop. And / was right. I
: blew long whistle, as if to startle Il
officials, and the engine shot through t
: station like a rocket.
But l managed to drop my pockC
: book at the side of the track.
| didn't dare to look back or make t
y slightest sign to the Weston officials.
| had done so | certainly would have 9
g bullet through me, Still 1 fancied
e had caught glimpse of man hurryil
forward to where the book had falle
o The suspense was terrible. Even if tn
IS noticed the pocket-book, they might L
g be able to understand what was writ
inside, for it may be imagined that u
: der the circumstances the scrawl W
y barely legible.
Q 1had made up my mind what to expe
; The next station was Red Fork, abe
fifteen miles further on. l was sure