The National tribune., 1901-03-28

'yipi zip, hooray" yelled eight or ten
of Kilpatrick's cavalry, who were in the
front car, as they caught their guards.
and flung them out. ''Hooray for Abe
Lincoln, and Billy Sherman
They jumped out, snatched up the
rebelss guns, and joined the rest on the
bank. Leaving Harry. Monty and the rest
to gather up the prisoners, 81 and Shorty
walked back To look over the train. Ii
was a small one of six cars, made up
to carry the family of the Superintendent
of the machine shops at Griswoldvie, and
those of some other high officials to n
place of safety. The last three contained
the ladies of the families, with whom the
Captain, Lieutenant and conductor had
been flirting Mt the time 81 rudcly inter
rupted the passage. The first car had the
capttred cavalrymen and guards, the sec
Ond fine tools and delicate machinery from
the shops, and the third provisions and
household goods.
Some of the women had promptly faint
ed, but not receiving much sympathy or at
tentiOn from their sisters, had recovered
and gone to screaming. The rest were
looking as if the end Of the world had
come.
Don't be alarmed, ladies'" said 81, po-
Iitely lifting his hat. Sorry to have in
terrupted your journey, but you'll be per
fectiy safe. Conductor, as we haven't
any use for you, you'll stay here and take
care of the ladies'
Tom Brainard jumped into the cab. and
seized the throttle, while Bill Grimshaw
uncoupled the four rear cars, and Shorty
set the prisoners to work removing the
obstruction.
Brainard ran the engine, with the two
cars, ahead little way to where there
was rail fence on one side of the road,
and one of pine stumps on the other.
Wen just make big bonfire Of her.
and send her bowling down to Tenille Sta
tion with our compliments to Joe Wheel
or, he said. as he began fastening down
the safety valve with a piece of telegraph
wire. Il hope she'll run right into the
middle of his camp and bust wide open,
and blow him and his whole yelling.
thieTing crew into the middle Of next
month"
While Shorty was making the prisoners
pile rails and stumps on the cars, Grim
shaw and the other engineer were picking
out rich bits of fat pine with which to
stuff the firebox, and fill the cab.
With Goals from the engine. Shorty
started big blazes in the cars. and Brain
ard, examining into the firebox the last
splinter of pine that it would hold, set
FIRE to the stuff in the cab. and pulling
open the throttle, jumped from the cab
and let her 90. The boys raised cheer as
she sped down the track, and then started
to regain the road upon which the army
was advancing.
during the day and sent forward with his
regiment to push back Joe Wheelers cav
airy, and not finding any particular diff
Guilty in the job, had pushed on to Teniiie
Station, where he arrived about dark, and
went into camp upon some open, level
ground along a switch of the railroad
His tent had been put up near the track.
Il pleasant fire built of railroad timbers,
aud he and the Adjutant were seated
near it smoking. while Aunt Minerva Ann
was busy preparing a savory supper at
another fire. The rest of the regiment was
near by, all lively, occupied in getting
their evening meal and fixing for the night.
1t was as pleasant and picturesque q
camp-scene as was ever beheld. The
bright fires sparkled in the darkness: all
was quiet, save for the hum of agreeable
occupation; the days march had been an
enjoyable one, with just enough excite
ment With the cavalry to give il zest, and
the Colonel and the Adjutant were talk
ing about the end of the war, and what
they would do when mustered out
Suddenly huge mass of flame came
tearing up the railroad with a frightful,
deafening roar. Everybody sprang up,
and stood looking at it, with his eyes pro-
truding, and his heart in his mouth. What
could it be?
An enormous meteor?
A new kind of a rebel internal ma
chine?
Aunt Minerva Ann collapsed to her
knees aid began Historically shouting:
DE Judgment Day! De Judgement
Dayi Gabriel blowin' de hornI o, God
Almighty, hab mercy on pore niggerr'
The switch was open, and the frightful
mass whirled from the main track, and
up toward Col. McGillicuddy's quarters.
Everybody ran back in terror
Col. McGillicuddy quickly OWNED what
the thing was. and his smooth. soft, bugIe-
like tones rang out penetratingly
Steady, men. It's only a train on
fire.
STEADY, men, repeated the officers.
The engine dashed against the stopping
block at the end of the switch and rolled
over on its side.
Look, out. there, Look. out,'' yelled
a number. ''She's going to bust!'
Col. McGillicudy thought of Elder
Hornblower, who. in a spasm of terror.
was vainly kicking and straiuing to break
his stout halter Around him were horses.
all frantic with fear. Regardless of their
flying heels, the Colonel sprang in to
| rescue his beloved steed from the danger
of the explosion. He was followed by the
Adjutant, similarly intent for his own
horses safety. They cut the halter straps.
led the animals away, and quieted them
with assuring words.
The expected explosion did not take
place. and the panic quickly disappearing.
the laughing, yelling boys gathered around
to inspect the thing as the flames died
down, and indulge in comments upon the
marvellous happening.
Another scheme of the damned, cow
ardly rebels to murder US ALL" said ths
angry Adjutant
Il doubt it, said the Colonel 81 doubt
il they had time to think of such thing
since we've been here. It's most likely
the other way. and l wouldn't be sur
priSed to find ST Klegg and Shorty mixed
up in it somehow. I've somehow got in
the habit of connecting them with every
thing that's unexpected"
ITO be continued)