The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-10-01

~ w nut 10 you say
9TH 60 sir"
The passenger reached for the rope
and the bells clangor sounded through
the howl OF the storm. Ben tried the
water guages looked ut the fire. ani
then with his slender white hand
drew the lever to let the steam into
the cylinder.
With an angry hiss the engine
started on Its way followed by loud
hurrahs and waving caps from the
Office men. On she sped faster and
faster down the inclined track click
ing over the switches and then out on
the two threads OF steel that skirted
the edge OF the mountain side agains:
which the storm was beating.
The mayor sat very stiffiy upright
and the fireman was perched back on
the tender while little misshapen
Ben with hand on the throttle. was
piercing through the rain and mist
guiding the whirring wheels.
The watchers at the station looked
after the locomotive until they saw 1t
shoot into the black opening OF
short tunnel half mile down the
canon. Then they saw tho putf OF
smoke on the other side and know
that all was we'll Soon they had re-
turned To their duties and had for
gotten the trio taking the long and
dangerous flight
The old Pilgrim went laundering
on down the road. Two miles five
miles ten miles His honor grew
-. l.
ridden at snch a speed on that
crooked mountain road. now on one
side Of the stream and now on the
other. now into tunnels darkness
and now out on a trestle over the
water
But Ben was calm. The roar OF
machinery and laundering tread OF
the wheels prevented them from talk
ing and the locomotive bounded and
swayed as they rolled fiercely over
the track. ~
The Pilgrim seemed to exult In
conscious power and many admiring
gazers watched 1t speed through the
little mining towns that afternoon.
Tho storm had lessened. but a mucky
atmosphere still encompassed the val.
ley.
Ben's thin. white hand clutched the
lever and his sharp eyes scanned
eagerly the track ahead and the ma
chinery below. Town after town and
then came Woodlawn. an incipient
summer resort for tourists. just half
way. Here they stopped for water.
The mems faces were black with Gin
ders
Shall we get to the Springs in
timer" asked the mayor. looking at
his watch. I'VE have come this far
in thirty-five minutes. Can we do the
other half In thirty-i ve?"
Yes; SIR" said Ben. cheerily. ain
less time than thatw
Then you shall have two hundred
dollars"
Ben secretly determined to get
to the Springs In thirty minutes
he failed to do it
They rushed on again. Cascade
was passed. Manitou. Ute Park-they
were now only fifteen miles from the
city.
The mayor grew more and more
anxious as they approached their des-
tination. In his minds eye he saw
the city IN the hands OF a mob and
fearful battles going on In the street
Twelve miles!
Ten miles!
Eight miles
In the region through which they
were now passing the storm had
ragged most iiercely OF anywhere on
the route Although the clouds had |
now passed away except for few
hanging about the hoary head OF
Pixies peak. the roaring stream
showed how great had been the vol
ume OF water poured down by their |
force.
Just after they passed Longmont
there was a long descending grade.
At the bottom the little stream.
now swollen into river which they |
had been following made sharp |
turn. crossing the railways course.
gurgling under long bridge one hun
dred feet from side to side and sup
ported on piles driven into the earth |
OF the canon and the bed OF the river. |
Down the grade toward the bridge |
rushed the engine with fearful veloc-
lty. the cab swinging from side to side
until 1t seemed that it must throw the |
three passengers out
All at once Ben, straining his eyes |
toward the flying perspective OF rocks
and track ahead perceived something
that made his heart leap into his |
throat. The water on the lower side |
of the bridge was thick with mud.
This was evidently from the banking
behind the piers OF the structure.
Was 1t possible that the bridge was
giving wayp
To stop tho engine was now out OF |
the question. Ben made up his mind |
In an instant With a quick. nervous
jerk he pulled the lever and let on a
full head OF steam. The Pilgrim
sprang forward like a frantic crea-
ture. The mayor turned and gazed
at his frail engineer. Ben was lean
ing forward with flashing eyes scan
ming the danger His lips were set
firmly and the concentrated intensity
OF his look made the boy almost |