The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-02-26

must be done, and done quickly, for an
this had taken place in far less time
than it takes to tell it.
There he was, held in little two-foot
space, between the side of the cab and
the boiler, not knowing but what his
father and the fireman were already
crushed to death beside.
No way of stopping, no way of warn
ing the people on the train behind him,
and running down red flag at the rate
of a mile minute!
If he could reach the throttle, he
could shut off the steam; or if he could
get his hand on the valve, it would be
but an instant's work to turn on the
air brake But not only was he unable
to reach them from where he was, but
had he been free, he would have been
powerless, because they were so COW
cred by the broken timbers that it
would have been impossible to move
either one of them.
Even the whistle lever was broken
and the rocking of the engine was such
that the entire cab seemed liable to top
pie off at any instant and carry him
with it.
Suddenly an idea came to him, sug-
gested by the broken whistle lever as
it swung to and fro with every rock of
the engine. If he could only reach the
whistle, he would be able to warn the
people on the train, and they would be
able to "set the automatic" which is
done by pulling the extra bell cord that
Iruns along the side of every passenger
coach, and thus bring the train to a
standstill.
He knew that small strip of wood
was nailed along the roof of The cab,
a few inches from the edge, TO keep the
rain from dripping in the side win
dows. and if he could grasp it, he might
be able to pull himself up on top. and
by some means or other sound the
whistle for brakes.
After making two or three deter
mined efforts, he succeeded in grasping
the strip with one hand, and then, brac-
his feet, for the cab was swaying at a
frightful rate, he quickly reached out
and up with the other hand, took firm
grasp on the strip, pulled himself up
till he was sitting in the window, then
succeeded in getting his feet upon the
sill, and, with one last mighty effort,
drew himself upon the roof of the shak-
ing and trembling cab.
But now he must reach the whistle,
which was the hardest part of bis task,
for not only was the cab rocking, but
the roof was standing at such an angle
he had to lie down and hold OH to the
edge to keep from slipping off.
After trying in vain to think of some
safe means to reach the whistle dome.
he decided that the only way was to let
go his hold, and take his chances of
catching it as he rolled.
To miss meant instant death, but to
stay where he was meant death, any
way; so with long breath and an in
ward prayer for help, he turned over,
let go his hold, and threw himself for
ward with all the power at his COM
mand.
There was an instant of terrible anx-
iety, slip, rock or two, and then a
jar as he found himself lying against
the whistle dome.
Rising slowly, and bracing himself
as well as he could, he Strengthened
himself up, caught hold of the little
strip of iron that works the whistle
valve, and sent out short, sharp and
decisive call for brakes.
Waiting a moment, he gave another
Jerk and then another, and the sound
of the grinding and crunching as the
brakes gripped the wheels told him
that his signal was heard.
| Their speed slackened, became slow
err, then much slower, and finally they
stopped altogether but few feet from
the rear section of the freight train that
had broken in two, with the wrecked
cab still holding in place, and with
Willie hanging on to the top of the
whistle dome.
Bridge inspecting was for the mo.
ment forgotten, and everybody turned
in to rescue the two imprisoned men as
Willie climbed down from his. perilous
position and hurriedly explained the
state of affairs.
The two men were found still uncon.
scious, but not seriously hurt; and
after they had been brought to and
made comfortable back in the coaches
attention was directed to Willie's part
in the affair, and he was praised and
complimented till he refused even to
talk about the occurrence, but sat close
to his father, as if he were in need OF
protection, and looking very unlike a
boy who had just exhibited the judg.
ment and displayed the nerve that is
not found once in hundred.
As they were stopped close to the