Stikeen River journal., 1899-03-25

or not. As took the engine around to the depot I wondered hOwW- would like the work had laid out for him.
 While was oling around he made his appearance, greeting me with Il ] cheerful and hearty "IellO, Tom.' that made me feel better.
 "Do you know where you are going, lad?"
 "Yep. Going with you.''
 "But where am going:'
 "With the l2l6'
 Do you rcalze that there is danger ahead?"
 "Sce here. Tom, you are going to make run and you asked the M. NJ. to send me along to keep her hot for you. and that's all | want to know. and he sprang up on the engine. putting on his ovcralls as he whistlcd one of the popular airs of the day. He was only twenty years old, but knew he would be in at the finish.
 As l completed the job of oilng, the conductor came to me with copy of the bricfest orders l ever run under. l The conductor, d brakeman. the fire men and myself constituted the train crew: the engine and one combination coach made up the train.
 took my place in the engine. looked at my guugcs. asked the fireman if he was ready. and receiving an affirmative answer sad "Pull your bell, then, and we'll get out
 W rang the bell as he leaned out on his side to see the signal to start. while I leaned out on my side to make sure the switches were set right. In a moment he sprang to the deck with a smile and said. All right, Tom.' then he began to "keep her hot "
 With one swift glance around. opened the throttle and we glided out of the depot. our dangerous run of 9S miles commenced. Slowly We crept across the Sacramento river bridge and through the little town of Washington, was over d trestle. and as We left it saw the rails for the last time on that trip. The river bank had given away at Payne's ranch, about a quarter of d mile below the bridge. and the country was flooded for miles. I realized that we were in for it, and 1 glanced at W. He was throwing coal into the i fire-boX at a great rate, and although 1 could not hear him, l knew by the shape of his mouth that he was whist ting.
 We were fairly flying now. and the telegraph poles seemed to be punched. 1 Occasionally 1 could see where two or three were missing. The drivers were picking up the water and 1 amused myself by watching it fly off the wheels at d tangent. No use looking ahead, for there was nothing but water to be seen, and if there vas anything wrong with that track ahead of nl, would know it i when we came to it---Or nevc!. know l it.
 ! Presently Dixon came in to view. caus l ing me to figure as to how much time would be consumed in taking water and getting away from there. Impa- ticnt at the delay this would occasion. jerked the throttle wide open, causing the engine to leap frantcally. W looked up quickly, smiled. and coming to my side shouted:
 "I thought we were in the ditch that time, sure"'
 returned his smile with the remark: "No, we're on earth yet" Then I reached for the whistle-lever and gave one long blast of warning for Dixon station. That was my last consions movement until opened my eyes in a darkened room and heard W say to me: Lay still Tom. You have a bu'sted driver, d broken side-rod and d cracked crOwn-sheet. He meant that had broken my arm and leg and cut my head. W? Oh he got not scratch. You couldn't kill that boy with double-barreled shot gun at two paces! The car did not turn over and that saved the con. and brakie's bacon.' as my fireman remarked as he