Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-12-11

4
behind. The doctor refined his horse
almost violently. In the momentary
silence which followed, he heard the
rumble of an approaching train. Tho
horse heard it, too, and showed fear.
STEADY, frank, steady, lad, and let
me think while there's time!" cried
the doctor. ''We haven't moment
to lose. That trains whistling at the
last road we crossed. Before we could
get back over the culvert and to
place where we could leave the track
it would be upon us. Our only chance
is to go ahead. Forward"
Frank cleared the cutting at few
strides and passed within the ravine,
where straight but perilous road lay
before him.
STEADY, boy!" urged the doctor,
with glance behind. "Fast as you
can, but sure-footed for your life and
mine. A slip or stumble now will end
us. We must have half mile to go
before we can leave the track. But
you're good for it, boy! You're good
for it,"
The horse seemed fully to under
stand the situation. He galloped on at.
his utmost speed, and yet was alive
! to every tone and motion of his rider.
He gathered up his feet and set them
down with the agility and precision
of cat. 1857 s
There was need of the very, best that
man and horse could do. The narrow,
icy track, down which they were
speeding so desperately, ran high
along ,be face of the steep, rocky side
of the lzvine. On the one hand rose
nearly perpendicular wall of rock;
on the other sheer precipice dropped
into the foaming current of Mountain
river. ..... ......s
They had, in reality, got long start
in the race, but it seemed to DR.. Ora
ham that they had done almost Moth
ing when the pursuing train swept
through the cutting and into the RAJ
vine behind with shrek and clang.
He could feel the horse shrink be-
meath him at the sound.
"Bravely, Frank. bravely and fast!"
he said, bending far forward t. speak
engagement.
The splendid horse fairly flew down
the grade. But the train Numbered
nearer and nearer each moment. To
the desperate rider it seemed almost
upon them. He fought resolutely
against an overmastering desire 10
look back. He knew we'll the risk of
taking his attention from his horse
even for an instant.
But q point was reached when he
could stand the terrible uncertainty
of it no longer, and he cast quick
glance over his shoulder, almost ex-
pecting to be dazzled by the glare Of
the headlight at his very heels. To his
establishment he saw only great
dark object sweeping down the track,
still considerable distance behind.
What the absence of headlight
might indicate he could not guess, and
there was not time to think about it,
for just then came the recollection of
the second culvert scarcely hundred
yards ahead. The remembrance Of
this terrifying obstacle brought with
it more than mere selfish fear-he had
swift vision of his mothers anguish
should the assurance, of mo DANGER
which he had given her, fail.
A little beyond the culverts lay tho
possibility of safety; at it death
awaited failure. It's gridiron surface
stood out clearly in the moonlight.
Franks pace was tremendous as he
galloped down upon it. Could he
| ha rio OF hn srh%
DR.. Graham almost stood in his stir
rups, with body bent far forward.
Franks nose was near the culvert
when the quick, final signal came.
He rose to il. The doctor uttered
great shout of encouragement and
triumph as he flung himself back in
his saddle for the drop-many feet
on the farther side of the culvert.
Frank few on with unbroken stride.
The train was right on them, and
some echo of that shout must have
reached the engineer above the rattle
of his fierce machine, for there was q
sudden hoarse shrieking of whistle
and grinding of brakes. The race,
however, continued to be mad and
doubtful one for many PAGES further.
Then the horse drew rapidly away, and
minute later his rider turned him
aside at the crossing of the road to
Sam Williams barnyard. u@
The doctor rode on toward the sta.
BILE with look back at his late pur-
suer, which had come almost to q
standstill, but which, seeing him out
of danger, went on its way again.
1t consisted of an engine, tender and
caboose, headed by high, old-fash-
toned snow-plow-the one, as he after
, ward learned, which had been brought
!. in by the evening express, and which
was now being returned to the main
| line for service elsewhere. 1t was the
plow which had concealed the light of
the engine, and, no doubt, it had been
the cause of his not being seen before.
DR.. Graham hurried his horse into
a warm stall, and made for the house
without delay. A single glance within