Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-03-19

I horse heard il, too, and showed fear.
STEADY, Frank, steady, lad, and let
me think while there's timel" cried
| the doctor. I'VE haven't a moment
( to lose. That trains whistling at the
last road we crossed. Before we could
get back over the culvert and to a
place where we could leave the track
ii would be upon US. Our only chance
I is to 60 ahead. Forward"
Frank cleared the cutting at a few
strides and passed within the ravine,
where a straight but perilous road lay
before him.
STEADY, boyl" urged the doctor,
with a glance behind. Fast as you
can, but sure-footed for your life and
mine. A slip or stumble now will enL
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 i'll"
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.
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 the face of the steep, rocky size
of the rayine. On the one hand rose
a nearly perpendicular wall of rock;
on the other a sheer precipice dropped
into the foaming current of Mountain
river
They had, in reality, got long start
in the race, but it seemed TO DIR. Gra-
ham that they had done almost Moth
ing when the pursuing train swept
through the cutting and into the RAJ
vine behind with a shrek and elang.
He could feel the horse shrink be-
meath him at the sound.
"Brayelyi Frank, bravely and fast
he said bending far forward to speak
encouragement
The splendid horse fairly flew down
the grade. But the train Numbered
nearer and nearer each moment. To
the desperate rider il seemed almost
upon them. He fought resolutely
against an overmastering desire 10
look back. He knew well the risk of
taking his attention from his horse
even for an instant.
But a point was reached when be
could stand the terrible uncertainty
of it no longer, and he cast a quick
glance over HIS shoulder, almost ex-
peeting to be dazzled by the glare Of
the headlight at his very heels. To his
establishment he saw only a 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 10 think about il,
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 |
swift vision Of his mothers anguish |
should the assurance of ''no danger"
which he had given her. fail.
A little beyond the culvert by the
of safety; at it 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? |
DIR. 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 |
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 flew 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 a
sudden hoarse shrieking of whistle |
and grinding of brakes. The race,
however, continued to 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
BILE with a look back at his late pur-
suer. which had come almost to a
standstill, but which, seeing him out
of danger, went on its way again.
1t consisted Of an engine, tender and
caboose, headed by a high, old-fash-
toned -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. Ii was tho
pillow 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
showed him that he had come none
too soon. The injured boy was lying
unconscious and apparently lifeless.