The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-29
A Coast and
IA Capture.
Continued from Page 3.

ing phantom, shaking the earth as it thun-
dered along, and bearing down with menace
and fury upon all venturesome atoms that
should stand in its way. A thin volume of
black smoke trailed backward from the
smoke. stack, like long, dusky feather and
the glare of the headlight was binding to
my eyes.
My mind was almost parlyzed, and my
muscles only worked mechanically.
| was too insignificant an object to be
seen by the engineer and my life was
very small thing just then.
But turn back could not. And so with
the earth jarIiDg beneath me, the rumble
OF the heavy machinery in my ears and
the binding effulgence of the headlight in
my eyes, | swept my machine upon the
rails.
Once, twice, thrice | bounced. My
wheel zigzagged, my heart stood still; but
in moment more | was on the other side,
untouched, unhurt, though shivering and
shaking to the very marrow in my bones.
Something like prayer of thanksgiving
escaped me, though l had no breath nor
voice to frame it. But there are silent
pnans, and l daresay they are quite as
acceptable as formulated prisons.
And then-oh the Joy of it!-my pur-
haI To ,holo
which was an eastward bound express, and
long one, had passed by. This was an
inestimable advantage to me.
would gladly have turned into another
road but. unfortunately, at that point there
was none other, except along the rails, and
| must perforce keep straight on, in full
view, in the heavy moonlight.
Again | started. The dangers | had
passed through in some way kept up my
courage, though | was fearing every mo-
ment to feel the reaction.
For a few seconds had the intense relief
of bearing no echoing whir, and then, all
of sudden, it started up again, horrifying,
startlin' in the stiffness.
redoubed my speed; prayed for help,
and my aching limbs did their best.
But my pursuers seemed to have gained
strength also possibly through their en-
forced wait at the rails-and they came on
-nearer-nearer.
My mother and the boys had often called
me lazy, and made fun of me because |
could not run a long seam on the sewing
machine
What would they have thought could
| they have seen me then.
l had ridden about eight miles, all at the
top of my speed and over the worst roads
in our neighborhood. | had not stopped
for moment; and although there had been
times when it didn't seem as if | could
hold out a moment longer. still had kept
on, and my pursuers had not gained much
| on me.
, had lost my title to laziness forever.
Another squirt of strength came to me,
and used it all in pushing ahead.
felt insensibly that the distance was
widening, and l was encouraged.
In little while now l should be in the
village of the next town, and surely help
in some form or other would come to me
there.
The path that lay before me was narrow
one, and much darker than the high road
on account Of the tall trees that bounded
it on either side
But the riding was not half so good, and
was Obliged to turn into the footpath,
on account of the sand. and ride on the
embankment. 1t was dangerous path,
for every now and then my tires bumped
against the gnayled roots OF trees, and
would bounce half foot out of the
saddle.
But if only l could reach the village,
there might be IA policeman, or night
Waterman, Or someone, who might cap
ture my pursuers and take them to the
place to which they had spoken of taking
me.
l resolved to speak to the first person l
met, and to throw myself upon his mercy.
Anything were better than to keep up
this terrible fight.
The idea Of the village spurred me on.
My life depended upon reaching there.
Bump! Bump! Bump!
Thank heaypnl That root was nassed in
safety. oh. if only there might be no
more!
The men were still following. | could
hear their breathing and the grinding of
their chains as they came over the roots
after me. They were obliged to ride single
file now, and what sight it must have
been-three creatures flying madly over a
narrow dangerous path; the chase headed
by terrified, hapless girl.
got off the embankment first-I fairly
flew from it-and once again upon the high
road, "sprinted."
They were quite way behind, now-I
could scarcely hear them. The village
The village
A light or two glimmered beyond the
trees, and could hear the distant twanging
OF banjo or some other instrument.
l was just about to cry out, in my graft