The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-27
TrialS
81 The Story Of . Soldiers Struggle :
x By Brisadier General
s. Charles King 1
~ Copyright 1901, by Charles King

the west and then swept the line OF the
Seattle across the Red Water. Those Oh
level with himself were I'm black silhou-
cite against the pallid western sky: those
down across the Red Water were but
dimly visible for the sun was now be-
mind bank OF cloud at the horizon. and
IL was nearly O'Clock.
Voices and Jeers rising from the foot
OF the bluff where ran the line OF the
Big Horn told that many men were still
there, but they could not be distin-
guished. Observant OF his duty, Melville
had notified the sheriff OF the new com
plication, and together they had driven
out OF Brentwood by northeastern road
until we'll away from town and then.
taking the first turn 10 the east. had
swept round over the hard. smooth
prairie highways and had finally come
down along the east bank OF the brook
well out OF sight OF the strikers at the
bridge. reaching their lookout In good
time and without detection. Further
tidings had come before their start to
the effect that Mr.. Claiming, the ener-
getic manager, was aboard the train
bearing the militia boys. This could only
mean that the situation 20 the east OF tho
Missouri was now so far improved that
the keenest officials were giving their
main effort TO the west. Even before the
major had completed his calm, methodi-
cal survey OF the situation he was re-
Joined by the sheriff II was then 80 near
darkness that the stars were peeping
in the eastward sky, and over across the
rushing Red Water the glow OF little
fire started by some OF the Seattle crowd
lighted the rocky face OF the railway
cut and threw gleam upon the waters.
And still no sign OF the expected train.
"Feelin her way" said the sheriff.
"Dasn't take any chances" A spike or
two withdrawn, fishplate removed on
any one of the half dozen sharp curves
aIa ha angina
over the bank and into the boiling wa
ters, with car after car pitching atop
of It. Reckon twill be another hour
before 1t gets here" concluded he.
Melville made no reply. He was watch
ing a little light swinging like the Ian
tern OF a trainhand over on the southern
shore and high up on projecting point
half a mile TO the southeast A moment
earlier no light was there. Now IL was
swinging like a pendulum FREELY, swiftly
20 and fro. There was instant excitement
among the strikers across the Red Water
and over against them where the Big
Horn leaders seemed 10 have gathered.
Comm sure as DEATH" whispered the
sheriff, and together he and the major
strode swiftly to the edge OF the cliff
overlooking the single track at its base.
Away down the Red Water a faint
rumble and pant OF a laboring engine
could just be heard above the rush OF
the stream, ana presently the euBe vi a
glowing disk came steadily into view;
then the full glare OF headlight, which
pointed an instant or two toward the
opposite shore, swung across the seething
rapids. dived into and under the bluff on
the north side and disappeared from
view. Behind It. snakelike. trailed the
dim line OF glow worn lights OF the troop
cars, and then they. too, were swallowed
up in darkness.
''Runnin' keerful." muttered the sheriff.
'They know nun not to come head on
and full speed. She'll pull UP somewhere
down here and send forward to smell the
bridge"
In silencs and suspense they waited.
All voices were hushed along the rocky
baHks-Enr a few minutes even the pant
ing OF the engine could not be heard as