Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-10
CHAPTER IT.

the tram under telegraphlc orders from the company and went some distance up the road.
 He had brought lint and bandages and soothing lotions, but in several cases said no change was advisable, that, with handlkerchiefs contributed by the passengers and bandages made from surplus shirts, little Miss Ray had extemporized we'll and had skill fully treated her bewildered patients. Questioned and complimented both, Miss Ray blushingly admitted that she had studied First Aid to the Wounded" and had had some instruc- tions in the post hospitals of more than one big frontier post. Passen- gers had ransacked bags and trunks and presented spare clothing to the few recruits whom the garments would fit. But most of the men were shoeless and blanketed when morn ing dawned, and all were thankful when served with coffee and light breakfast, though many even then were too much excited and some in too much pain to eat. Mellen, the laughing and joyous lad of yesterday, was nursing blistered hand and arm and stalking about the car in stocking feet and pair of trousers two sizes too big for him. Murray, now that the corporal was no longer able to retain active com mand, had resumed his truculent and swaggering manner. Almost the first thing he did was to demand more money of Foster, and call him 8 liar when told that every dollar was burned. Then he sought to pick fight with Hunt, who had, as he ex- pressed it, ''roped him like a steer,' but the carload by this time had had too much of his buster and nfade common cause against him.
 Two brawny lads gave him fair warning that if he laid a finger on Hunt they would Hay him out" Then he insisted on seeing the corporal and complaining of ill-treatment. And with such diversion the long day wore on.
 Stuyvesant, refreshed by several hours of sleep, yet looking somewhat singed and blistered, went through the car to see the sufferers along to- wards Il o'clock. He had inquired Of 
 visible when he had finished his toilet, and was told that she had re- mained up until after the doctor came aboard, and was now sleeping. Finding three of the. men stretched in the berths with comrades flaming them, he ordered cooling drinks com pounded by the steward, and later, as they began the climb of the Sierras and the men grew hungry, he sought to get substantial luncheon for them on the diner, but was told their supply on hand was barely sufficient for the regular passengers.
 So when the train stopped at Truckee he tumbled off with three of the party, bought up a quantity of bread and cheese, soda crackers and fruit, and after consultation with the conductor wired ahead to Sacramen- to for hot dinner for IS men to be ready at the restaurant in the station, it being now certain that they could not reach San Francisco before midnight. 'sThe company ought to do that" said the trainmen, and "the company had authorized the light breakfast rendered earlier in the day. In view of the fact that every item of personal property in possession of the recruits had been destroyed, together with every crumh of their rations, nobody questioned that the company would only be, too glad to do that much for the men so rearly burned alive in their travel ing holocaust.
 Not doubt was entertained among either passengers or trainmen as to the origin of the fire. It had started underneath, and the dry woodwork burned like finder, and what was there to cause it but those blazing boxes on the forward truck. The conductor knew there had been no smoking aboard the car, and that every man was asleep when he went through at two o'clock. The brake lman had prophesied disaster and danger. It was Gods mercy that warned the poor fellows in time.
 Not until along in the afternoon, as they were spinning swiftly down through the marvellous scenery about Blue Canyon and Cape Horn. did Miss Ray again appear. Stuyvesant had been sitting awhile by Connolly, and had arranged with him to wire to the Presidio for ambulances to meet the party at Oakland, Pier, for two at least would be unable to walk, and, until provided with shoes and cloth ing, few could march the distance. Then he had spent few minutes with the other patients.
 When he returned to the sleeper, there at last was the object of so many of his thoughts. But she was reclining wearily, her head upon pillow, and the austere maid and two other women stood guard over her. "A severe headache" was the ex- planation, and Stuyvesant felt that he must defer his intrusion until later.
 Somewhere down the westward slope of the Sierras he found at station some delicious cherries, and a little basket of the choicest he made 5old to send with his compliments and the hope that her indisposition