The Red Cloud chief., 1900-11-16

Are you mad3" was the icy re,
joinder. Better reverse the engines
and back the train to the END we came
In at. But see. here comes tao glar1
back again. Well2"
TITS anything but well I guess,s
growled the guard. e,ancius un ,sstty
ut the women folk. LowsrinS his
voice, he went ON 10 the male passeu>
gers: THE plain truth IA, we're In .
death trap. God help us ell!" Then
he hesitated.
Man, speak out. What is ~" .
I've bin way back n goodish biz
and found a worse thing behind us al
most than this!" lie pointed to the
wall of flame. Gentlemen. there's bin
a terrible snow slide happened on our
heels. IL has smashed through into
the shed and blocked the line from
floor to roof. Never saw such a big
snow slide In the Rockies, not even In
the springtime o. year.
Twas the warinish spell we had
lately has loosenei the snow on the
mountain-sidc, and now It's come down
all In "a ~heap--tons OF Il! Besides
frozen cargoes of snow, there's hula
trees torn up by the roots and boulders
all blocking up the shed. We're ohoked
In behind, and you caD Q for your
self what's afore us. We're bound to
die like rats In a hole!"
As the last words were added, break
Ing In an irrepressible cry from tho
man's white lips, the huddled groups
Of terrified passengers shrieked and
shouted In unison. for, gazing ND,
their starting eyes discovered that the
fire was spreading In tho roof toward
them.
We must be very near the outlc1
Of this snow she'd" quickly calculated
the stranger who had assisted Ger.
Wis.
"why?" hoarsely screamed the pas
sengers. Somehow they turned In
stinctively to this man. as human be-
ings will to any true leader.
In that case. II would be worth
while to rush IT," said Gervis. He had
raised GLADLY from the ground. ana
stood holding her close to him, care
fully hiding her eyes with his left
hand.
We'll, then. let us rush II togethes
In the train. and God In His mercy
help us through" came the suggestions
from a passenger.
And suppose we are burnt up like
chips!" slo0mily said another.
And. truly. the long, fierce tongues
OF fire were gaining along the roof.
Strong men shuddered, while all the
women were o covering their eyes.
and some were praying wildly. Here
and there a child, with frightened sobs.
hid It's little face In its mothers skirta
IL was. In truth. a terrible death traA.
The helpless human beings. herdino
together, were paralyxed. Those %
them for whom their Father in heaven
was an ever-present reality cried QUE
from their hearts for His mercifuD
help; others were mute.
"'GOd IL u refuge and strength, q
very present help in trouble; there
fore we shall not fear" The cleav
voice OF a woman that began bravelx
ended abruptly in q smothered sob.
The flesh was weaker than the spirit.
and a pair Of dark eyes criticised.
with a sneer in their black depths, the
speaker AZ she covered down on hep
knees.
1T would be Is well not waste the
minutes In talk" said the owner Of the
eyes. IT'S time for action now II w
are TO save our lives"
With q swift glance at 0laddy's
shrinking figure lying In her husbands
arms, he strobe forward to the 'front.'
Gathered round the engine was q group
OF excited passengers. arguing. order.
ing and pleading with the bewildereA
stokers, who stubbornly refused TO risA
all and rush the IRE.
ITO be c~ontinued.)