Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-10

heard as the train burrOwed through
deep cutting. Then, louder, clearer,
nearer than before, 1t sounded on the
night, and confused murmur OF
voices rose along the sleeps. Angered
and desperate as they were, few of the
railway men could bear the thought Of
that train, freighted with human life,
rushing on to destruction. A light as
of a lantern shot suddenly into view on
the opposite bank. Somebody ut the
same instant, lantern swinging, darted
down the bluff ON the Big Horn side.
A howl of rebuke and menace rose
from the gang of tramps, volley of
stones and coal chunks shattered the
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, 1t settled to crawl and soon
came to a full stop. Bending over the
brink, Melville and the sheriff could
see some half dozen lanterns dancing
briskly up the curving track and pres
emily clustered about single spot.
They had come upon the east end of
the obstructing cars. Then the sher-
lifts voice was heard on the gathering
night.
Below there! Can you hear me dis
tinctly?'
AYE, aye!' was the answer after
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
n voice from below, at sound of which
Melville perceptibly started and bent
more eagerly forward. 1t rang out on
the night deep and resonant, in mark
ed contrast to the "whang' of the west
erner's official tone.
"Who are your
Hawkins, sheriff of Brentwood coun-
ty," piped the answer.
A moments pause; then "All right
Mr.. 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.
81 knew the voice at once"
Eyes, and he's trump; helped us
more'n can tell you in the week he's
been with me. Hang those lunatics!
They're firing rocks at the bridge now.
D'you hear EN-? 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 CIR
der in the darkness. There were other
reasons besides this that caused Mel
Vile grayely 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-
ers could be seen In excited conference
Others still were clustered few yards
west of the bridge, and the CLEAN of
pick and shovel could be family seen.
Cutting out under the tracli| said
Charming between his set teeth Il
expected that. But we'll show 'em."
Another quarter of an hour Of silent
preparation; then, painting little from
the eXertion of the climb, two of tho
four companies We're lined up along the
bluff facing the position OF the strikers
across the gulch. The other two, UNI
der command of the major, knelt in
the darkness OH 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 rush away from
the track and yells of Look outw
"Stand from under!' She's comingw
followed almost instantly by cries of
chagrin and batiled hate. Slowly at
first the massive train began to move,
but instead of the sound of bang and
bump that told Of powerful shove
there rose n quick series of ringing,
metallic Jerks. at sound of which the
leaders gazed an Instant at each other
in dismay, then led a rush for the
bridge. Too late! Claiming had out
witted them and Instead of showing the
train into tn" trap was drawing 1t Into
safety on the eastern side. Follow
they dare not. There We're two min
utes of pandemonium, gradually dying
away to silence, and then from across
the deep rayine voice they never for