Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-02-08
CHAPTER III.-(Continued.)

Its our only chance, certainly"
Instantly agreed the last conner. III
we silly-shally over the doing OF ii
much longer, we shall die like rats in
hole, as the guard says!"
Then we'd better tear these OBJ
stinate fools off the engine and man it
ourselves!" suggested a frantic pas
senger. 1--WE can rush it through
somehow"
mot SOL" was the calm answer.
Our only chance in rushing the dan
ger is the speed. Now, If and you, all
amateurs, man the engine and bungle
the thing, the chance is we should
roast before we got quite through the
flames.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen"-he
turned courteously to the passengers
surging round-"I must ask you to
trust your bodies to me, and your souls
well, according to your several
creeds!" --.
With a strangely harsh, empty laugh,
the stranger assembled the engine,
turning his dark face to say peremp-
toGly: take your places aboard the
train Instantly, every man. woman and
child!
'Now. my friends, I'll tackle you!"
He faced round to the engine men.
So near was the train to the fir.
that the heat was insufferable-the
faces OF the men were almost skinned.
Warm work, my hearties, this!"
the stranger said, almost cheerfully, as
he beat the hot air slowly with wav-
ing hands, and pressed his face closer
to the scorched visages on the engine.
"You get off this engine, mister!"
furiously began the driver. "I'll brain
any man who tries to boss"
The wrathful words ended in a sud-
den sigh, and the drivers arms fell
softly at his sides as the invader Of the
engine turned to the stoker, a power
fully built man.
"You heard what my mate said,
didn't yer?" struck in the man. "You
git off, or I'll-Ill--" There was
the same singular collapse, the same
lamb-like attitude. Both grimy men
stood motionless and meek facing the
intruder.
Gust So" observed the last equally.
Then, leaning over, his strident voice
changed harshly along the snow shed:
Every soul aboard? Keep all win
dows and doors fast for your lives!"
What is it, Gervis? Are we safe
yet?' family whispered GLADLY. The
girl, who had only seemed to shake
off her curious attack of insensibillty
within the last few minutes, was star
ing vaguely round the car.
She wondered idly why most Of the
women we're on their knees, and why
the little children were clasped so
frantcally to their mothers. Surely
the tiny creatures would be smothered
in such embraces.
And why was Gervis, her husband
breathing in that curiously labored
fashion. as If he had been running
hard?
Then she became aware. as he laid
his cheeks against her own, that his
face was wet and cold, clammy per-
spiration.
"Gervis!" she cried. vague alarm
awakening her at last, "speak to mel"
Cant you pray, Gladdy?" whispered
Gervis, and the clasp of his arms tight
ened round his wife.
pray, Gervis? What do you mean"
wonderingly said GLADLY. And Gervis
drew his brows together.
And yet was it not better that she
should know. poor little GLADLY in her
newly welded happiness?
Outside the cars, now tightly closed,
the men on the engine, who were going
to fight the flames doggedly. were
grimly and rapidly making ready.
The heat had become intolerable,
and redly glowing sparks we're shower
Ing down the blazing roof. The peril
was already so deadly that there was
no choice. A dash for dear life must
be made!
Suddenly a great tongue OF flame
darted along the roof with a Kissing
sound. The haggard, white faces in
the cars could distinguish every tim
Der In the sheds wooden walls in the
new glare The fire was gaining with
g deadly sureness.
Quick, men! We are taking our
lives in our hands! Here, reach me
that bale Of waterproofng! We must
divide it between US to cover as much
of our persons as we CAM"
1t was sharp, vibrating voice, with
a note OF command, that hastily or
dered.
Then came the hoarse order for
which the cowed enginemen were
meekly waiting.
Ready? Then go! Top speed"
The long train, with its large cars,
creaked and groaned; the tongues Of
flame darted upward hissingly; the
burning rafters cracked and snapped;
the smoke rolled along in heavy clouds
that ci1oked all who rode on the ILL.,
fated train
God in His ,aer, 7, help us! We're
off,"
The train was cutting It's way
through the sheet Of flame that had