The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-02-28

NV companions attention was again
fixed upon the road before him. Pres
emily he turned toward me aud ex-
claimed excitedly:
"Who says that the Grant Is not the
fastest engine on the road?'
''Moxly declared that the President
was faster" | replied.
Then he liedr cried Norris. 1.-The
President faster-we shall see. we shall
sect"
thought his manner very strange.
% say the least OF IL. But knew his
ways and said nothing. He was al
ways considered rather eccentric. Be-
sides. he was easily excited and could
not bear TO be contradlcted. Still
there was not driver on tho line bet
ter acquainted with his business.
Aud. by the way. have forgotten
10 say word IS 10 his appearance.
Well. then. he was big. powerful fell
low. with broad. red face. and
bushy beard. Ii was hard TO deal
with such man. II he once put his
foot down there was no getting him to
bulge until his humor changed.
We were now coming close upon
Waterford station. and had already
done about fiye-andstwenty miles of
the journey. Ben's eyes were still up
on the track. IL was all clear ahead.
vet I expected TO see him close the
throttle and slow down while passing
through the station.
Rut | was mistaken. With a roar
and a rush we dashed right through.
aud the next minute we were tearing
along level stretch on the other side.
More coalm Not only the words
themselves. but the manner in which
they were uttered caused me serious
alarm. began to suspect that some
thing was wrong. Still. IL | hesitated
II might only aggravate him. SO l flung
IN small quantity.
Go on--go on!'
What was | 10 dop didn't dare TO
refuse. The wild look in Norris eyes
frightened me. and / went OH shovel
ing in the fuel. / glanced at the
gauge. Great heavens! IL marked $50!
The pressure of steam. where no cars
were attached to the engine. meant a
fearful rate of speed.
The engineers manner was strangely
altered. Instead of being silent aud
morose he was now excited and talk
alive.
That's itr' he cried. and l could
barely catch the words above the roar
ing OF the engine. Now we're travel
ingi Hal hal The President faster
than the Grant, Not likely! I'll catch
up to her yet. see il don't!'
Shall | ever forget those terrible
wordsl They actually seemed 10 par
alyze ME. As | stood there. clinging
forsupport TO the side OF the cab, the
awful truth flashed through my mind.
The engineer was mad. And worse
still, he was under the dclusion that
the President was on in front. With
this insane idea In his head he deter
mined to try the speed OF the two en-
gines.
Ny first impulse. when ! had partly
recovered from the shock. was to
spring forward and grasp the revers-
ing rod. But moments reflection
showed me that this might instantly
seal my doom. Norris would have
grappled with me. and II IL came to q
struggle | was lost He would illng
me headlong from the engine.
Then another thought occurred TO
me. HcaveG forgive mel--but | must
strike him from behind in order to
save my life. | looked around for a
weapon. As / did so he seemed to
guess what | was at. and turning
round thrust his hand into his breast.
The next moment he held revolver
toward me- while his blazing eyes
threatened instant death IL | did not
desist.
After that gave myself up for lost.
Unless providence interposed on my
behalf horrible end awaited me. Up
TO this | had felt the heat oppressive.
but now / shivered. My hands were
cold and clammy. A band Of iron
seemed to encircle my head.
On we tore. the engine swaying
fearfully Every moment | expected
to be blown to atoms by the bursting
of the boiler. Norris never ceased to
rave about the race with the President.
And yet. though he was so absorbed
in his work. no kept his eye on me the
whole time.
Then IL was that an idea flashed
across me. A faint hope sprang up in
my mind | must overcome him by
cunning; II was the only chance.
/ advanced 10 examine the indicator;
aud. though my heart sank when |
saw the hand quivcring ut $50. | made
it appear as II were delighted.
Good" cried. well beat her yeti
Hut we want more coal"
made toward the tender. placed
my left hand upon lump Of coal aud
struck il across the back with the
sharp edge OF the shovel. The blow
left cash from which the blood flowed
freely. gave cry and Norris in
stantly turned ronnd.
held up my right hand that he
might see the blood dripping from It,
Then | stood with my back toward
him and pretended TO bind up the
wound. But only wrapped a hand
kerchlef round II. and quick as light