Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-26

rified ears. My mate turned, his face
as white as milk, and the perspiraton
standing on his forehead
''Merciful powers." he screamed in
a harsh, discordant voice, the up
mail. Heaven have mercy on him."
and he hid his face in his hands, as
with a deafening Shrek we flew
toward each other and crashed past
in the darkness, but above the din !.
fancied l heard the wild scream of ter
ror as the wretched man realized his
horrible peril. 1t was a full minute
before I could turn my throbbing head
behind
With a feeling of sickness that was
new to me l peered through the glass
Thank God" l CALCULATED fervently
as the blood rushed through the veins
once more There, with his body
pressed fiat against the oscillating
surface, still stood the man who had
been SO near to an awful death. Slow
~ he moved his head in our direction
and with an expression of grim reso-
luton he pulled himself together.
With bated breath we wondered what
lie would do next. AS far as we could
see his way was stopped, but. unde-
TERED. he steadied himself and. reach
ing forward, felt around the corner of
he coach.
Unexpectedly his hand encountered
one of the steps by which the men
mount to the roof. and though we
could not see his face distinctly. VIC
fancied he set his lips in a terrible
l.,
clutched it and with a desperate effori
pulled himself to the end of the foot.
board and round into comparativ,
safety ON to the couplings between The
tender and the coach.
by Jove," Bin exclaimed. when a
last. the tension removed from his
nerves. he could speak. Hes good
plucked 'un, an no mistake. But
what's his game. | wonder"
The mailman is coming on the en-
CINE" | burst out excitedly, divinins
his intention as | saw his head appea
for a brief instant above the coal.
anyhow. we can't see him commit
guicide without raising a hand to STOP
him, he returned, and began to
scramble over the coal. where [ saw
him stoop down and grasp the man,
dragging him With an almost superhu
man effort on to the tender. where he
sank down utterly exhausted
Coming forward my mate threw
open the stoke hole with the intention
of replenshing the fire and the ruddy
glow from the raging furnace within
lit up the tender from end to end.
Good heavens l calculated, as
ma ha he, nd fac pf he
rescued delinquent. Ernest Deval!"
and my nerveless hand fell from the
polished lever.
Pen" he gasped, wonderingly, his
wild eyes encountering mine, as he
struggled toward us.
My lips refused TO frame the QueS-
lions that unanimously arose to them
and my mate silently handed me his
can.
Take drink" he said, CURLY,
land pull yourself together
l complied readily. The cool draught
brought me round somewhat and I
resumed control of the engine.
Now, Mr.. Deval,' l shouted, hotly.
perhaps you will be good enough to
explain the meaning of the little game
you've been playing tonight, but let
me tell you, if you think you've fur
thered your chances of escape you're
wrong
Yes. mate" Bill sternly remarked.
you haven't done a lot for yourself
by coming here
Benz he at last ierked forth, gasp
ing for breath. his bloodshot eyes
wandering round the cab and into the
as we flew along "Ren I've
been a fool-you saw the detective on
my track-he's in the train now-Fve
been betting-and you know-the
books at the ofiice-found out this
morning-Ive fled for my life-but
you'll help me to give them the slip
Benz" and the shivering wretch fell
down helpless and clasped my knees.
Don't talk nonsense, man." / an
swered, roughly; what you ask is an
My duty as a servant |
of the company is to hand you over to |
the authorities who will be waiting for |
you at Crewe; beside. your own sense |
should tell you there is no place to |
hide a child here"
'Oh, yes" added my mate. grimly; |
you're every bit as bad off as if you
were sitting on them comfortable
cushions in the carriage there.
give much for your chance"
but you can help me if you like"
he screamed. his eager face upturned
and the hunted expression of a wild
animal at bay in his eyes. 'Slow up
he train a little-you can do it. I've
If we told YOU that your babv