The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-03-06
Jones. forcing a door, crawled out

jones, lurClng Gour, crawled out- |
side. followed by his comrade.
A scene of turmoil and confusion
presented itself such as they must re-
member long.
From the windows and smashed
doors of the wrecked carriages men
and women were crawling with almost
ludicrous haste, like terrified bees es-
Gaping from hive into which the
smoke of tobacco has been injected
Jones was man equal to the occa-
sion.
Whenever he saw a head he sprang
to the rescue.
Some were bruised and cut more or
less, for the shake-up had been pretty
rough, and flying glass carries danger
with 1t; but it seemed as though by
the mercy of Providence there were to
be no fatal casualties.
While he worked, Jones was endeav-
oring to solve the problem as to how
this had happened, so when he rea: III
ed the vicinity of the overturned mo-
tor, he began search for the driver.
If he had stuck by his engine :he
chances were that he must be under
meath the helpless monster and beyond
all hope of saving
Presently, however, a voice address,
ed him in French, and calmly begged
that he would lend hand toward res
cue; and turning, he beheld a man
who, from his garb. he lnew must
have been on the motor, pinned down
| by heavy wooden beam or log.
1t YVES the work of but minute to
extricate the man. and as jones sur
missed, he turned out to be the engine
driver.
He was bruised and sore, but gave
thanks that no bones seemed broken.
When Jones had hastily questioned
him with the facility of lawyer. all
he discovered was that the alarm had
been given when the driver found he
was swooping directly down upon a
pile of logs that had been purposely
placed upon the track. with the inten-
ton of stopping the Nice express, and
upon which red lantern had been
placed, but which signal was seen at
such short range that there was not
time to bring the train to stop,
though he made desperate attempt to
do so-his stoker had jumped. but he
remained on his motor to see the logs
fly in every direction and then find
himself pinned under one. ten yards
away from the track.
At least Jones had satisfied himself
there was no accident but dark design
back of the wreck
What he had learned made him I'M
easy. If robbery was intended those
who took so desperate a means Of ac-
complishing their purpose might
doubtless be found looting the wrecked
coaches even now.
He started the cry Of alarm and
sent it along-every man became
aroused by the possibility Of new dan
ger and for the time being their hurts
and losses gave way before the posi-
bility of marauders coming from the
birder Of Italy.
There were other chances, political
ones. France was inwardly seething-
Royalists were increasingly plotting to
bring about a crisis whereby the army
might swing over to their cause, and
dS Iue army went 50 lie peOple Woulu
incline.
Some important dignitary in mutt
might be on board this train, whose
capture would be a feather in the cap
of the plotters.
Stranger things have happened in
France ere now.
Jones, who had evolved this clever
explanation from his brain. looked
around to see If he could not find cor
roboration.
I And yet he was more or less startled
when he did actually discover moving
figures among the trees and rocks
figures of men carrying guns, and who
had apparently remained hidden until
now for some reason or other.
That they were brigands their mum.
! Der and military precision of move.
ment seemed to veto.
J Jones dropped behind a rock ant
concluded to watch the game-he die
not believe 1t was any of his funeral
but all the same 1t paid to be on the
safe side.
Now, II they would only lay hands
on the count, for instance, and carry
him off, no one would shed many
tears.
To Jones' surprise, however ne saw
, plain signals pass between the grin
leader of the marauders and the mar
, from Africa's burning sands, which
: proved that honest Count Leon him
self was in sympathy with the secre
7 movement not to overthrow the repub
+ lie, and place the Royalists again il
t power.
e The distressed passengers huddle,
t together like a flock of frightened
e sheep, while some of the armed mel
stood on guard others scrutinized eacl
S group, and few more searched tn
s carriages, doubtless appropriatinl
0 what loose valuables they discovered
= He who seemed to be a leader drew
: the count aside and sternly covere,
: him with pistol while he asked fey