The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1900-09-15


bed on the wool sacks, what you
want?"
In an instant his mother was by his
side, almost carrying his to the open
air.
".Where-where are the boys?"
"Sailn' tn White Dove"
Link was almost afraid to tell lest
he should lose his promised ride, but
the look in his mothers face decided
him.
Where-where do you mean?"
He pointed to the north. She could
see two small forms standing on the
low car, struggling with a Tapping
cloth, evidently too large for their
strength.
Come" and half dragging the roly-
poly Lin she raced over the plain to-
ward the track. The fire line had
swung in an irregular course, and,
while 1t skirted the bluffs in one direc-
ton and was dying out in the short
oAooo VI lie HILLS U6ulnu WHICH Lu6i
men were working, it blazed more,
fiercely than ever to the southeast and
east. She could not find safety in any
direction but to the north.
Rob and Tad, toiling with the un-
wieldy sail, has not noticed the fire,
nor did they see their mother until
she was by their side. Then they
started guilty.
I'VE amt hurtln' any began
Rob, but he glanced at his mothers
face and all thought of excuses van
ished.
Come, boys, run she gasped,
looking along the track. wondering if
the narrow stretch Of fresh earth
would save them.
She made a start over the ties, still
holding to Links hand, when Rob
| spoke: Lets get on the car-and you
help u.s."
and sail It," added Tad.
1t was a new idea, but the quickened
wits of the woman grasped 1t. Lifting
little Link to the splinter-covered plat
form of the car, she helped Rob with
tlC sail WHilC ldu CidI1DeTSQ ABOARD.
With her assistance the heavy cross
piece and its burden of bagging was
hoisted. Then each held a lower COR
ner Of the cloth, while with the hot
wind, heated more intensely by the
blaze a few rods away, it filled and
bulged and strained.
Rob slid to the ground and pushed
the nqr until IL uyac ,,ndar nlIox.
to his seat. Glory! The wind was
carrying them Observation-Disclosures!
Following a slough, the fire had run
ahead in places and now blazed on
both sides of the track a mile ahead.
For an instant smoke blinded them,
little darts of flame were here and
there, the sail was in danger. Rob
n Tad lost courage and bowed their
faces close to their knees; Their they
rushed out into the clear air again,
and the fire was behind-one tall pill
lar of smoke far away telling of their
cabin homes destruction.
Swifter and swifter whirled the.
wheels of the little car, tighter chung
the mother to Links chubby form.
Mrs. Mangold's hair streamed loose in
the wind. The sail rounded beauti-
fully and they were pushed forward at
a rate that would nave been a delight
under different circumstances, and
ever then gave Rob and Tad a thrill
of pleasure.
Ten miles away was the village of
Manchester.
AS they passed the little depot the
agent came out waving his hands fran
tically. Peering under the sail in front
of the car, sure enough they could see
danger-the daily train from the north
was coming,
Rob looked at his mother. She
shouted the n word: Jump"
Rob and Tad tumbled off on the
fresh earth on one side while the
mother, clasping Link, went off the
other, none being much hurt.
The car plunged forward with little
slackened speed. In vain the engin-
eer tried to stop and get away from
the queer-looking thing bearing down
upon him.
A clank, a crash, a cracking of tim
bers, and the White Dove lay partly
IN the ditch, partly on the engines
front. Its cruise was Invertebrates
Moreau Harger in Chicago Record.