The Lamar register., 1901-02-27

"Are you mad?" was the icy re
joinder. Better reverse the engines
and back the train to the end We came
in at. But see. here comes rs g1erd
back again. Well?"
Its anything but 'veIl,' guess"
growled the guard, glancns unsAstfy
at the women folk. Lowering his
voice, he went on to the male passen-
gers: "The plain truth is. we're In
death trap. God help US ALL" Then
he hesitated.
Man, speak out. What Is it?"
''I've bin way back a goodish bit,
and found a worse thing behind US al
most than this!" He pointed to tho
wall of flame. Gentlemen. there's bin
a terrible snow slide happened on our
heels. 1t has smashed through into
the shed and blocked the line from
floor to roof. Never saw such big
snow slide in the Rockies, not even In
the springtime O. year.
"'Twas the warmish spell we had
lately has loosened the snow on the
mountain-side, and now it's come down
all in heap-tons of 1t! Besides
frozen cargoes of snow. there's hull
trees torn up by the roots and boulders
all blocking up the shed. We're choked
in behind. and you can see for your
self what's afore us. We're bound to
die like rats in hole!"
AS the last words were added. break
ing in an irrepressible cry from the
mans white lips, the huddled groups
of terrified passengers shrieked and
shouted in unison: for. gazing up,
their starting eyes discovered that the
fire was spreading in the roof toward
them.
I'VE must be very near the outlet
Of this snow shed!" quickly calculated
the stranger who had assisted Ger
Wis.
"Why?" hoarsely screamed the pas
sengers. Somehow they turned in
stinctively to this man, as human be-
ings will to any true leader.
"In that case. 1t would be worth
while to rush it," said Gervis. He had
raised GLADLY from the ground, and
stood holding her close to hin Sare-
fully hiding her eyes with ais left
hand.
well. then. let us rush 1t together
in the train, and God in His mercy
help us through" came the suggestion
from passenger.
And suppose we are burnt up like
chips!" gloomily said another.
And. truly. the long. fierce tongues
of fire were gaining along the roof.
Strong men shuddered, while all the
women were now covering their eyes.
and some were praying wildly. Here
and there a child, with frightened sobs,
hid its little face in its mothers skirts.
1t was. in truth, terrible death trap.
The helpless human beings. herding
together. were paralyzed. Those Of
them for whom their Father in heaven
was an ever-present reality cried out
from their hearts for His merciful
help; others were mute.
"'God is our refuge and strength.
very present help in trouble; there
fore we shall not fear" The clear
voice of a woman that began bravely
ended abruptly in a smothered sob.
The flesh was weaker than the spirit.
and pair of dark eyes criticised,
with a sneen in their black depths. the
speaker as she covered down on her
knees.
'It would be as we'll not waste the
minutes In talk" said the owner of the
eyes. TITS time for action now II We
are to save our lives"
With swift glance at Gladys
shrinking figure lying in her husbands
arms, he strode forward to the front
Gathered round the engine was group
of excited passengers. arguing, order
ing and pleading with the bewildered
stokers, who stubbornly refused to risk
all and rush the fire.
(To be continued.)