The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-01-16

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 Oh at
his utmost speed, and yet was alive
to every tone and motion Of his rider.
lie gathered up his feet and set them
down with the agility and precision
of cat.
There was need Of the very best ttai
man and horse could do. Tie narrow,
icy track, down which they were
speeding so desperately, ran high
along the face Of the steep, rocky sioe
of the rayine. On the one hand rose
a nearly perpendicular wall of rock;
on the other sheer precipice dropped
into the foaming current of Mountain
river.
They had, in reality. got a long start
in the race, but it seemed to DR.. Gra-
ham that they had done almost moth
ing when the pursuing train swept
through the cutting and into the ra-
vine behind with a shrek and cIaug.
He could feel the horse shrink be-
meath him at the sound
"Brayely, Frank, bravely and fast
he said. bending far forward to- speak
encouragement.
The splendid horse fairly few down
the grade. But the train thundered
nearer and nearer each moment TO
the desperate rider it seemed almost
upon them He fought rcsoulely
against an overmastering desire 10
look back lie knew we'll the risls Of
taking his attention from his horse
even for an instant.
But a point was reached when he
could stand the terrible uncertainty
Of it no longer, and he cast a quick
glance over his shoulder. almost ex-
pecting to be dazzled 10y the glare If
the headlight at his very heels Tohis
astonishment he saw only q great
dark object sweeping down the track,
still a 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 culyert scarcely hundred
yards ahead. The remembrance Of
this terrifying obstacle brought with
it more than mere selfish fear-he had
a swift vision Of his mothers anguish
should the assurance Of "no danger"
which he had given her, fail.
A little beyond the culvert lay the
possibility Of safety; at il death
awaited failure. Its gridiron surface
stood out clearly in the moonlight.
Franks pace was tremendous as he
galloped down upon it. Could he
would he rise at the right moment?
DR.. Graham almost stood i'm bis tir-
rups with body bent far forward.
Franks nose was near the cuiyert
when the quick, final signal came.
He rose to il. The doctor uttered
a 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 f.
Of his fierce machine for there was F
sudden hoarse shrieking os whistle
and grinding Of brakes. The race,
however. continued 10 be a mad and
doubtful one for many PAGES further. /
Then the horse drew rapidly away, and /
a minute later his rider turned him .
aside at the crossing Of the road to .
Sam Williams barnyard.
The doctor rode on toward the sta
bic with q look back at his late pur-
suer, which had come almost TO
standstill, but which, seeing him out
IF danger. went on its way again.
It consisted Of an engine, tender and
,aboose, headed by a high old-fash-
ioned 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
inc for service elsewhere. 1t was the
plow which had concealed the light Of
he engine, and no doubt, il had been
The cause Of his not being seen before.
DR.. Graham hurried his horse into
4 warm stall, and made for the house
without delay. a single glance within
showed him that he had come none
loo soon. The injured boy was lying
unconscious and apparently lifeless,
with his mother sobbing and moaning /
over him.
The doctor set TO work Instantly,
almost without hope at first but he
.oon had the assurance that bis ter
.ible railway ride had not been in vain.
Bob was able to open his eyes and
mile a faint welcome to his father
when he returned.
As soon as Williams had made GER
ain of his sons safety, the doctor
luestioned him eagerly about the
tate Of affairs at his own home.
"No." said Sam. confidently, they
ant know a thing about that tram
omin' out. I must have been in the
table when it went by, and ! never
card il. And no one was stirrin'
bout the house when left"
"Thank God for that!" said the doc
or. 1T is the one thing which has
een troubling me."-Youth's Com
,anioD.
THE STEAM AUTO
II