The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

Pat Francis and his brakeman ran for
ward Across the river they could see half
a dozen section-men chasing wildly about,
throwing impotent buckets of water on the
burning truss.
Were up against it, Georgie!" cried
Francis.
Not If we can get across before the
bridge tumbles into the river" replied Sim
clair.
You don't mean to try it?"
Would L? Wouldn't 1? You know the
orders. The bridge is good for an hour yet.
Pat. if you're game, I'll run it."
Holy smoke" unused Pat Francis, who
| would have run into the river without any
bridge at all If so ordered. ''They told US
| to deliver the goods. didn't they?"
I'VE might swell be starting, Pat" sug-
| gested Jerry MacElroy, who deprecated
losing good time. "There'll be plenty Of
time to talk after we get into Denver-or
| the Mattaback."
Think quick, Pat urged Sinclair; his
safety was popping murder.
Back her up, then, and let her CO."
cried Francis; I'D just lief have that
| baggage-car at the bottom of the river as
| on my hands any longer
There was some sharp footing, then the
McWilliams Special backed away across
! the meadow, halted and screamed hard
| enough to wake the dead. George was try
ing to warn the section-men. At that in
| slant the door Of the baggage-car opened
and sharp-featured young man peered
| out
| Whats the row-what's all this screech-
| ing about, CONDUCTOR" he asked, as
/ Francis passed.
Bridge burning ahead there"
Bridge burningl" he cried. looking ner-
vously forward. well, that's deal What
| are you going to do about it?"
| Run it, Are you McWilliams?"
| "McWiliams? L wish 1 was for just one
minute. I'm one of his clerks"
| Where is hep"
II left him on La Sale street yesterday
| afternoon"
| What's your Manner
Just plain Ferguson
well, Ferguson, it's none of my business,
but as long as we're going to put you into
Denver or into the river in about min
ute I'm curious to know what the blazes
you're hustling about this way for"
me? I've got ST. 900 in gold coin in this
car for the Sierra Leone National Bank
that's all. Didn't you know that five big
banks there closed their doors yesterday?
Worst paic In the United States. That's
what I'm here for, and five huskies with me
eating and sleeping in the car" continued
Ferguson, looking ahead. You're not going
to tackle that bridge. are your
I'VE are. and right off. If there's any of
your huskies want to drop out, now's their
chance" said Pat Francis as Sinclair slowed
up for his run.
Ferguson called his men. The five with
their rifles came cautiously forward.
Boys" said Ferguson. briefly. there's
bridge afire ahead. These boys are going
to try to run it. It's not in your contract,
that kind of a chance. Do you want to get
off? / stay with the specie myself. You
can do exactly you please. Murray.
what do you say?" he asked addressing
the leader of the force, who appeared to
| weigh about 260.
| What do 1 say?" echoed Murray, with
decision, he looked for soft spot to
alight along the track; II say I'll drop out
right here. L don't mind train robbers, but
don't tackle burning bridge-not if
know it," and he jumped off.
well, Peaters," asked Ferg, son, of the
second man. coolly. "do you want to stay?'
the mass of flame leaping upward, "me
stay? Well, not in a thousand years. You
can have my gun, Mr.. Ferguson, and send
my check to 4S9 Milwaukee avenue. if you
please. Gentlemen, good-day." And OF
went Peaters.
And off went every last man of the valor-
Gus detectives except one lame fellow, who
said he would just lief be dead alive,
anyway, and declared he would stay with
Ferguson and die rich!
Sinclair, thinking he might never get an
other chance, was whistling sharply for
orders. Francis, breathless with the news
ran forward.
"Coin? How much? Twelve hundred
thousand. Whew!'' cried Sinclair. Swing
up. Pat. We're Off"
The Five-Nine gathered herself with a
spring. Even the engineers heart quailed
as they got Roadway. He knew his bust
ness, and he knew that If only the rails
hadn't bucked they were perfectly safe
for the heavy truss would stand a lot OF
burning before giving way under swift
ly moving train Only. as they flew nearer
the blaze rolling up in dense volumes
looked horribly threatening.
After all IL was foolhardy, and he felt 1t
but he was past the stopping now, and he
pulled the choker to the limit. 1t seemed
as If she never covered steel so fast. Under
the head she now had the cracking bridge
was less than five hundred-four hundred
three hundred-two hundred feet. and there
was no longer time to think. With stare
Sinclair shut off. He wanted to push or
| IN no TIa ON a.