The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-07-25

the express at Howl6y"
my orders were to let her como on,"
he replied.
But hold her, hold her, for heav-
ems sakel A derrick has fallen right
across the trackl"
"Click, click" went the little In
strument under Roberts active fingers.
Hold the expresel"
"She started five minutes ago." came
instantly back.
There was no time TO be loet. Robert
did not wait. He seized a red lantern
and started up the road. lie must
meet the express as far away as pos
sible, for In those days there were no
air-brakes, and IL would take some dis
lance for the train to slocken speed
and come to halt, since 1t would, of
course, be running at full speed.
The SNOW was still coming down In
binding sheets; 1t seemed as If the
storms fury had increased, If that were
possible.
Not line OF rail was Visible, but only
the softly-heaped ridges where the
wheels of the last train had outlined
the track.
Robert set out with frantic energy,
blowing his way through the damp
masses, struggling over the uneven
surfaces of the ties, and slipping and
foundering to such degree that 1t
seemed as if he made no progress at
ell.
His lantern shed such faint CLEAN
that he was afraid, no matter what his
effort, the engineer would not be able
to see it--a mere spark through the
whirling snow that enveloped 1t.
He had started none too soon, for,
with his senses painfully strained, he
was certain he felt the first faint Vi
brations of the on-coming wheelh 1t
was like spur he did not need, for he
was already putting forth his utmost
strength.
1t was indeed the vibration sent
along the hidden rails, for presently he
heard a distant, muff1ed rumble as the
train crossed bridge. Inches seemed
of value in this crisis, and he plunged
forward as many more steps as he
dared before taking stand to make
his despairing signal.
Nearer came the train, flying along
at throbbing speed, and now almost
upon him, its painting breath echoing
from the deep sides of the rocky cut
at either hand. Then its great head
light cleaned vaguely upon him Like q
pale moon.
Robert swung his lantern in wide,
slow circle at first, and then faster and
faster, as the engines glowing eye be-
came more and more distinct.
There was no answering whistle.
They did not see it.
He leaped over the rail into o ditch
alongside, and from that scrambled to
the opposite bank, screaming and fling
Ing his arms wildly about as if his puny
voice could be heard above all that
roar.
No answer yet.
The full rays of the headlight were
on him, and the engine nearly abreast,
when with final vehement swing he
let go the handle of his lantern and
hurled it headlong into the window of
the engineers cab. AS he did SO he
sank helpless upon the ground.
In second there was terrific shrek
of the whistle, and Robert could hear
the grinding OF the brakes. That he
was not too late, that the train would
be saved, were his Last thoughts as he
became unconscious.
Presently he became aware of NOV
ing lights about him, of voices and of
somebody trying to lift him up and
stand him on his feet
awake up, Robertl What's the mat
ter? Where's your lantern7" said q
kindly voice.
It was Sandy Odds, the fireman.
Was it all dream? No, for the snow
atill fell, and he was chilled and wet
and weary.
1.-THE express9" he gasped.
-she stopped with the tip Of her
nosejust at the derrick" was answered,
In the same questioning tone.
"Why-why didn't she whistler"
asked Robert, fit to cry from exhaus-
ton. and still dazed and excited.
Sandy shook him q little and tried
again to get him on his feet
"She did. But try to stand up, Rob-
ert. We want to be getting home"
AS soon as Robert had staggered for
ward few steps, the life seemed
to return to his limbs. He refused to
be carried, but let comrade assist him
at either side.
"You spoiled that cab window, Rob
ert," said Sandy, land the engineers
got black eye, too. You needn't say
anything, but it's my private opinion
that he was asleep"
81 whirled my light till saw they
weren't going to pay any attention to
1T, and then slung it at them" said
Robert.
ave know you did. The engineer al
lowed he sew the light, and that when
he whistled 'down-brakes, the brake
chain snapped and flew up and hit him
on the cheek. But laughed, because
] found that red lantern of yours
smashed all to flinders in the cab"
The train-men made bunk for him
until the express had got on It's way,
4