The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-15

the BLACK fever''-hideous and terri
flying.
Dick Harley took his macintosh
from the rack, pulled on pair of
1 thigh boots and slipped out of the fe-
It'd atmosphere of the shed into the
Smothering rain. His destination was
the native she'd where wretched rem
nant of the black laboring contingent
still survived.
But the rain was heavier than ever
| that morning-So heavy, indeed, that il
closed around the boy like wall. and
I he could not see yard on either hand
This, doubtless, was the reason why he
1 strayed out of his way, and presently
/ found himself at the rear of the ma
tives' shed, instead of in front of tha'
! structure.
Feeling his way through the coarse
grass with the aid of the shed wall, he
/ stumbled over something. and fell
Hastily examining the object which
had tripped him, he found, hidden in
the grass, an abandoned or forgotten
handcar, the kind upon which section
hands and navvies ride along the
tracks from point to point without the
aid of an engine. Dick uttered a shout
of jUbilation.
Ten minutes later the boy was argu-
ing furiously with Red Pat Shea, and,
despairinS worthy from his couch in
the white mems she'd
Come on, Pat" he cried; when they
took every other bit of rolling stock
they left US that
Grumbling sorely, Red Pat Shea, fol-
lowed Dick and the American through
the rain. But when the prospect of
actual work was set squareiy before
him he forgot his trials, and soon his
!.
car, and the rusty wheels were sent
moving down the slope to the track
The car, firmly fixed by the united eff
ports of the three upon the b. & NJ.
rails, Dick ciambered aboard. Shea
followed, and Long Jim Green took the
first turn at the lever by which the
machine was propelled.
Now, boys" said Dick, for the
doctors sake and the sake of the camp.
let us make all speed"
Greene gave the lever a powerful
wrench. Cracking horribly the car
shot forth upon its daring dash for
civilization and aid. The rain came
down as fiercely as ever; the vapor
rose in clouds from Dicks macintosh;
but still the little car was sent hurry
ing as rapidly as its rust would al
low, toward Beird.
Red Pat Shea relieved Greene at the
feeble strength at the iron bar. Net for
a moment did they rest; for this was
a race between the pitiless rain, that
seemed to soak into their very mar
rows, and the natural courage and en-
durance that was theirs.
Dick had resigned the lever to Long
Jim Greene, and was squatting on the
car, staring through the fog at the
wild karoo that stretched nOrthward
ward. Suddenly he heard a yell, and
turning, saw Pat Shea leap from the
moving cart. Greene stopped, and
together they went back TO search for
the Irishman. They found him, lying
with a broken arm and sprained ankle,
by the side of the track. de had sud
denly became delirious, and was raving
as they picked him up, and dashed him
to the car with a stout cord. Then,
once more, the race commenced. Greene
was growing weary; and the pushcar
moved more slowly along the slippery
rails. Dick lent a hand, and for a
time they tugged at the lever to-
gether. Night descended upon the
karoo-a starless, moonless night, and
still they went speeding onward,
through the treacherous mist.
At last Long Jim took his blistered
hands away from the lever.
DlChys he idlltlcug Neil WpI n
no longer. Let US stop and crawl I'M
derneath the car for the night"
That would mean DEATH" whispered
Dick. Rest a bit, Jim. Maybe you'll
be able to pull some more in a little
while
So the plucky boy went at the lever
all by himself, swinging upon the iron
bar with all his remaining strength
but knowing full well that the time
was at hand when utter exhaustion
must case him to give in.
They had passed several of the new
wayside stations without observing any
signs of life: and Dick hoped to be able
to reach the shed at Fort Robinson,
where a roof more desirable than that
afforded by the car might be found.
Fort Robinson was now at hand. AL
ready they had passed the signal post,
which (when the railroad was opened)
was to be operated from the station.
Dick Hurley turned his head to see if
he could discern the black line of the
shed building.
As he did so joyous exclamation es-
capped his lips.
"A light" he cried.
A light in good earnest there was
a welcome beam which shone from one
of the windows of the shed, and cut like
q flaming sword through the banks of
fog and rain. Dick summoned together
all his force, and sent the car whirring
along the track. 1t stopped directly
in front of the lighted window. The
boy put his hands before his mouth and
sent a shrill cry pealing into the night.
Then, entirely spent, he fell fainting
across the bodies of his comrades.