The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-03-06
Russia Takes the Plunge.

Merrick's first inclination when he
realized the dastardly nature of the
outrage that had been perpetrated
upon them was to do something in
order to strike back
Jones had. however, weighed the
situation we'll and knew best how to
handle it.
He had Merrick stretch out upon one
of the seats, and with rug made a
very fair dummy of himself upon the
other. In the Pickering, uncertain
light II would require an extraordina-
rily sharp pair of eyes to discover any
. thing wrong.
1t CHANGED that while prowling
about, looking under the seats, Jones
had run across small piece of timber
some four feet long, by as many
inches In diameter, which. being
round, had somewhat the appearance
of post 1t was an elegant substi
tute for a battering ram.
Aind Jones welcomed its appearance
with more than little satisfaction
indeed, the article itself no doubt sug-
gested the legitimate use to which so
CleNeIly COuStruCteu WedpOu SuOulu
be put.
Eagerly Jones waited. transferring
his watch back and forward from one
door to the other.
All! what was that-a hand at the
window, an arm raised to hold on by
some projection above!
Evidently the intruder had expected
n in fha window o1ncod-ot 1aact
had come prepared for such an OBJ
stacle.
Jones saw 1t coming in time to low
er his head, when there was a crash
of glass and the whole window went
to bits.
When the job OF smashing the glass
had been completed in such an heroic
manner, the face of man appeared in
the opening.
One glance told Jones his Identity
there could be no mistaking that yell
low head Of hair and the blazing orbs
OF the Russian.
II Jones had any scruples with re-
gard to what he proposed doing they
never made themselves known. He
had his battering ram in readiness and
at the proper time he let it go.
The projectile struck fair and
square, and with enough power to tear
loose the insecure grip he had upon
the carriage.
Merrick heard yell such as the
Cossack of the Don gives when he
meets his fate in the mad rush of bat
tie.
Hes gomez" demanded Merrick
who was partly in the dark as to what
had occurred. and eager for news, OF
course.
"Yes-I struck him square in the
face, a tremendous blow, with this af-
fair. It knocked him clear off the cal
and the bridge. ! could just see his
big figure go whirling down. with arms
and legs extended. And | heard the
splash when he struck. Ugh it will
haunt me for many day. l guess"
The picture thus conjured up was
so exceedingly dramatic and full o
horror that Merrick also shuddered
although his eyes had not beheld thu
actual occurrence.
you believe the big Russian II
dead, them" he asked.
"Oh! no, that would be too good
but he'll have perfectly delightful
time getting out Of the mud heart
him swearing after he struck"
The excitement over they settled
down to make the best Of bad bar
gain.
Suddenly the little motor ahead be
gan to send out series of shrill
agonizing screeches such as electrified
even those of strongest nerve, sine
1t seemed to presage dreadful catas
trophe.
Jones and Merrick unconsciousl.
sprang to their feet, and the forme
made as though to thrust his head GU
to see what was coming; but ere h
could do so there came a shock tina
sent them both sprawling against tn
cushioned back Of the forward seat.
When Jones and his comrade thu
scrambled about among the cushion
and small luggage in the endeavor [
maintain some decent sort of eQuili
thing out Of the ordinary had happen
ed.
Perhaps accidents are far less frt
quent on European railways than
the case in America, where create
hazards are taken in making speed
but nevertheless they do occur g
times. and with just as fearful const
quences.
A hasty examination gave Merric
and Jones the pleasing informatio
that beyond few Commissions of sma
moment they had not suffered an
damage from the accident.
Apparently there were others VIII
could not lay claims to such luck.
At any rate, the death-like silent
that had followed the last grand cras
was succeeded by cries of terro
shrieks and the hoarse voices {
alarmed men calling for assistance.
These appealed to the inmates {