The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-29

matched-I soon discovered that-but, il
anything, my opponent was little the
stronger.
The struggle continued Ia silence, for
neither of us had any breath to waste.
The grip on each others throat had been
broken, and now. as we tossed about locked
tightly together, our faces were so close that
could feel nv assailantS hot breath upon
my cheek. Suddenly he tore himself partly
loose, and then made deSrerate attempt to
dash my head against the ties. But read
lily OWNED his Intention anu frustrated 1t by
clasDing his neck with both hands.
1t made he sick at heart TO realize the
danger | was in, for the issue Of the strug-
gle must be life or death. l was ready
enough now to submit peacefully to the de-
mands of my foe, but nv determined re-
sistance seemed TO have driven all thoughts
of plumber from his mind. and as he snarled
and tore at me like wild beast, he APP
prared to be intent only upon revenge.
Had the struggle kept up much longer !
am confident that he would have killed me,
for in spite of my efforts | was fast losing
strength. Meanwhile we had rolled back
onto the track, and were houndering about
over the ties.
Suddenly a low rumbng noise reached
my ears. At first | was at loss to account
for it, but as sudden shift of position gave
me chance to glance up, / was Mortified
to see great globe of yellow light advanc-
L
the sound increased, and the rails began to
shake.
train was coming through the tunnel !
We were in the very center of the track
The awful sensations of that moment are
with me as l write. For a few seconds
was weak from fear, then fresh strength
seemed TO leap into my veins ana | made a
desperate attempt to tear loose from my an
tagoniSt. But he clung to me with grip like
iron. We had been lying side by side, and
now he rolled me clear over, and his heavy
bulk held me there in the very middle of the
track unable TO move an inch.
The train! The train! shrieked,
don't you see 1t cOmIng2 We shall be cut
to pieces"
The man laughed hoarsely-I believe he
was out OF his senses with passiOn-and
shouted something in my ear The train
WAS too close for me to catch the words, and
the glare from the headlight was flooding
the track and the Shiny walls and roof of
the tunnel. In ali instant more the iron
wheels would grind us TO atoms.
The thought was horrible, and shrieked
at the top of my voice again and again.
Then, as though in dream, / saw a red
light flashing 10y the side Of the track, and
just as the headlight of the advancing loco
motive seemed TO be scOrching my face
heavy weight was lifted from ME and | felt
myself fOrcibly ierked off the track. After
that l knew nothing.
When l came back TO consciousness / was
out into the open air lying on grass patch
by the side Of the track. Jack and Tom
were bending oven me, and the switchman
was pressing wet handkerchief to my face.
My late enemy was nowhere to be seen.
/ owed my life to the switchman. He
had seen us enter the tunnel together and
had followed US up, reaching the spot barely
in time 10 drag US from under the very
wheels Of the train. The other man, he de-
claTed, broke away aud fed farther hack
into the tunnel. The switchman did not
pursue him, but sought the open air at once,
carrying me in his arms, and was met out
side the tunnel by my companions, who had
been attracted by my pistol shots. | soon
recovered from the faint. and, accOmpani ed
by the switchman and his lantern, We went
back 10 make an inspection. The gun was
found leaning against the wall, but the thief
had no doubt, gone on through the tunnel,
and we concluded that il would be useless
to pursue him.-Phladelphi Times.