The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-16

the end of Track II at the coal docks
and ii took an hour aud a half TO ge
her on the rails :gain.
Dan was new fireman and shoult
not have touched the throttle, but h
did it TO save Ben Balch, engineer
from a reprimand and demerits 70
being late at his engine. Ben haC
q sick wife at home. and Dan knew
that was the reason for his tardi
ness.
The yardmaster was angry at the
awkward result OF Dams venture, and
said some savage things. But because
Ben was respected by him and be
cause Ben understood Dams motive
and because Ben would have il so the
report went in TO the superintendent S
Office reading as If the engineers hand
instead Of Dams had been on the throt.
tIe-Dan kept his new job and "his
chance" "My fault, anyway" said
the engineer, when Dan protested.
sought to have been here"
Dan Coryell could not forget it, and
swore allegiance to Ben. He did not
know how he could ever pay the debt,
but it seemed to him lifelong obiga-
ticn, and he kept on the alert for his
opportunity.
This story tells how his opportunity
came and how he used il.
II coming events really 10 cast their
shadows before, no one had eyes TO see
the fOrcwarning of the occurrences Of
that bleak November nj ght. Dan had
iust finished coaling up and swung
himself over 10 his high seat as No. -,
pulling the evening express, left the
long bridge above NettlctOn and pound
cd out on the embsnkmcnt once more,
on her way 10 the city. The hollow
roar of the train on the bigh trestle
gave place TO a solid hum over stone
ballasted slecpers, and Ben cut down
the stroke as No. - settled into her
gait Dan had leaned forward for n
look al the track ahead when the thun-
derbolt came.
Throw up yer hands"
The words were shouted almost II
Dams ear, and h turned uncompre-
hendingly. He had read enough news
paper stories Of train robberes to un-
derstand the phrase, aud he had heard
the command perfectly. only the diff
fculty OF understanding quickly that
he, Dan Corycll, was actually victim
OF real holdup made this compre-
hension slow.
His understanding was helped might
lily, however by steel ring some
eighteen inches from his nosc-the
muzzle Of n forty y-four.calibre revolver
The fircman's hands went up. He
had thought-when he read the stories
-whHt he would do under such cir
cumstances. But something In the
pair OF ugly eyes he now saw back
of the revolver put IDEAS Of resistance
out OF his head.
Then he looked at Ben. The engineer
had turned and was staring over his
shoulder, opcn-mouthed, at man
standing on the steel apron between
the cab and the tank. and covering him
with pistol as the other man covered
Dan. There was no fear IN Bcn's face
even Dan recognized that on the in
stant-but there was plenty Of amaze
ment.
"Stop herr commanded the man who
faced Ben.
The engineers big left hand mcchan-
icaly tightcNed on the throttle, but he
made on other move.
Get busyw dictated the bandit, mov-
ing forward
Ron turnnd ond nueh,J Iho throtuo
home, while his right hand sharply ap-
piled the air. No. 81 slowed with n
jerk, then slowed again and stopped.
Ben was not lacking in courage, but
his valor contained the element of dis
cretion.
Now look out for EN-"
The man who had given the com
nands turned quickly. dropped from
the engine, and disappeared in the
darkness toward the rear of the train.
His fellow stepped back to place mid
way between his two charges and eyed
them alternately, holding his pistol
ready TO meet hostile or insubordin-
ate move.
'Now," he said. IL you two are
good you won't get hurt and you can
put your hands down"
He settled back against the edge Of
the cab door and pulled the curtain
somewhat about him, for the wind
was cold.
He wore no mask, contrary to all
Dams ideas of an up-to date train rob
bcr. His face was dark. clean shaven
and rather thin, the features, especially
the nose, bein. wcll.cIt.
The eyes were dark and carried in
them the light of reckless readiness to
Gcht.
Dan looked him over from head 10
foot in silent aStonShmeut. 1t was al
most past belief, tins sudden break in
The routine Of his life. He was wildly
excited ana his muscles were instinct
lively tense for the action which he
dared not initiate
He looked again Ht Ben, and some
Thing in the engineers attitude in
stantly alarmed him. 1t meant fight,
and Dan was sure that his friend
whom be had reason 10 love, would be
hurt IL lie made n stir toward resist
ance. The terrOr OF the thought
stopped his breath for an instant. and
the wild determination to shield him
became uppermost in his mind
No. 80 puisated with the exhaust OF
her alr.pumps. The steam pressur,
was rising rapidly. as result of Dan,
good fire aud her sudden stop. He