Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-14

the opposite bank Somebody at 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
btones and coal chunks shattered the
glass and stunned the bearer, and then.
almost as though in relief and reioic-
ing shout went up across the stream
from which side the train was now III
plain view. Above the mingled rear Of
waters and voices. sharp and clear,
could be heard the hiss of escaping
-,team. The engineer had shut III. The
.ong train was slowing dowa, and
presently, 400 yards away from the
bridge. it settled 10 a crawl and soon
came to a full stop. Bending over the
brink, Melville and the sheriff could
zee some half q dozen lanterns dancing
priskly up the cllrving track and pres
emily clustered about single spot.
They had come upon the east end Of
/ the obstructing cars. Then the sher-
| I'll S voice was heard OF the gathering
night.
Below there: Can you hear me dis
! tinctly:"
AYE, aver 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
crner's official tone.
WHO are you?"
Hawkins. sheriff of Brentwood ccun-
ty," piped the answer
a moments pause; then IAN right
Mr.. Claiming will be up there present
ly."
Ten minutes later the manager and
Major Melville had clasped hands on
the bluff. and four men We're gathered
in consultation.
You've got Langdon with YOU" were
almost the first words Melville spoke.
Il knew the voice at once"
Yes, 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 'em? 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 gravely to shake his head. In the
glare Of bontires 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 trackv' said
Claiming between his set teeth. II
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 the
four companies were lined up along the
bluff facing the position of the strikers
across the gulch. The other two, I'M
der command of the major. knelt in
the darkness on 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 fats.
Then arose yells of glee. defiance and
delight from the dense groups or
tramps and strikers on the northern
shore. There was rush away from
the track and yells of Look outr'
.'Stand from under!' She's comingn'
followed almost instantly by cries of
chagrin and bafl1ed hate. Slowly at
first the massive train began to move
but instead of the sound of bang and
bump that told of a powerful shove
there rose quick series of ringing,
metallic jerks. at sound of which the
leaders gazed an instant at each other
in dismay, then led rush for the
bridge. Too late! Claiming had out
witted them and instead of showing the
train into the trap was drawing it into
safety on the eastern side. Follow
they dare not. There were two min
utes Of pandemonium, gradually dying
away to silence, and then from across
the deep ravine 81 voice they never for
got spoke out, clear, deep and power
full:
Stand clear across there! We cover
you with 300 bali cartridges. Our work.
men must cross the bridge and repair
that track. If you give them as much
as a shot or a stone, order 'FireT"
CHAPTER VII.