Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-13

l from the gang of tramps, volley of l stones and coal chunks shattered the l glass and stunned the bearer, and then, | almost as though in relief and rejoic- ing, shout went up across the stream from which side the train was now, in plain view. Above the mingled roar of waters and voices, sharp and clear; | could be heard the hiss of escaping steam. The engineer had shut off. The long train was slowing down, and presently, 400 yards away from the bridge, it settled to crawl and soon came to full stop. Bending over the brink, Melville and the sheriff could see some half a dozen lanterns dancing briskly up the curving track and pres ently clustered about single spot. They had come upon the east end of the obstructing cars. Then the sher- iff's voice was heard on the gathering night.
 Below there! Can you hear me dis tinctly?" s..s
 "Aye, aye!" was the answer after a moments delay.
 '"Then don't attempt to send men across yet. There's mob waiting there Major Melville wants to see the gentleman in charge"
 Silence one moment, and then uprose voice from below, at sound of which Melville perceptibly started and bent more eagerly forward. It rang out on the night deep and resonant, in mark ed contrast to the ''whang" of the west erner's official tone.
 "Who are youY
 Hawkins, sheriff of Brentwood coun- l ty," piped the answer.
 l A moments pause; then "All right MT. Charming will be up there present. ly."
 Ten minutes later the manager and Major Melville had clasped hands on the bluff, and four men were gathered in consultation.
 You've got Langdon with you," were almost the first words Melville spoke. ''I knew the voice at once." "Yes, and he's trump; helped us more'n I can tell you in the week he's been with me. Hang those lunatics! D'you hear 'em? And I've got to get on to Brentwood and save the rest of that stock"
 Ten minutes of counsel followed. The veteran major was for leading his men straight across on top of the iron cars. They could not step from girder to gir- der in the darkness, There were other reasons besides this that caused Mel villeN Ngravely to shake his head. In the glare of bonfires started by the tramps up the track and well back on the west ward bluffs dark groups of the strik- CTS could be seen in excited conference. Others still were clustered few yards west of the bridge, and the gleam of pick and shovel could be faintly seen. Cutting out under the trackp said Charming between his set teeth. q expected that. But we'll show ,'emp'
 Another quarter of an hourNof silent preparation; then, panting little from the exertion of the climb, two of the four companies were lined up along the bluff facing the position of the strikers across the gulch. The other two, un- der command of the major, knelt in the darkness on both sides of the track and close to the bridge. The engine, detached from the passenger car, ran quickly forward and amid shouts of excitement not unmingled with warn ing coupled on to the train of flats. Then arose yells of glee, defiance and delight from the dense groups of tramps and strikers on the northern shore. There was a rush away from the track and yells of Look outY' Stand from underp' She's comingw followed almost instantly by cries of chagrin and baff1ed hate. Slowly at first the massive train began to move, but instead of the sound of bang and bump that told of a powerful shove there rose a quick series of ringing, metallic jerks, at sound of which the leaders gazed an instant at each other in dismay, then led rush for the bridge. ' Too late! Charming had out witted them and instead of showing the train into the trap was drawing it into safety on the eastern side. Follow they dare not. There were two min utes of1pandemonium, gradually dying away to silence, and then from across the deep ravine voice they never for got spoke out, clear, deep and power ful:
 Stand clear across there! We cover you with 300 ball cartridges. Our work men must cross the bridge and repair that track. If you give them as much as a shot or stone, order 'Firer" (To Be Continued)