The Elbert County tribune., 1905-11-23

| ulb car Is ike the uuge ptuuuiun VI
clock. We have swung to the left
and to the right-now we will go for
ward again"
Smithers grasps his meaning, and
mentally swears at his own stupidity
In falling to conceive such simple
remedy.
You have discovered the only pos
sible chance Good luck to you. sir.
The sooner we are on the toboggan
the better; and. All Sin, see to 1t that
you have your great joss guard us as
we rush between those fiery hands
joined across the track below, for
should spark enter one of those COM
partments. we're done for. II you
need any assistance, sir" But
/ Travers is already out of the door and
bending low beside one of the front
wheels.
Again he matches his superb mus
cular ability against the grim adhes
i've qualities of cold iron. His for
mer experience has taught him some
thing, and he does not waste any pre-
cious time in useless pulling, but
works the pin backward and forward
with resolute jerks.
AS before, he wins-pluck and
Drawn have again triumphed over
cold metal.
No sooner does he feel the car be-
gin to move than he makes a plunge
again for TIE door which Smithers
has held open. This time it might be
very unpleasant hanging outside on
the footboard, since sea of fire
awaits them below.
Hardly has he gained the interior
and the door been closed than they
are in 1t. There is a flash of fame
on either side as the fire licks the
framework of the moving carriage.
Those in the secret of the ammuni-
ton hold their breath in very sus-
pense, but greatly to their relief no
explosion follows:
The bottom reached, a run across,
and up the opposite rise they pass.
about halfway to the point from which
their first dash occurred.
Jack is in readiness. Much depends
on his ability to block the wheels
again,
Hanging from the footboard, he
leaps off at the proper moment, and
applies his novel brake with the same
success as before.
They seem to have escaped another
great danger.
Smithers Is uneasy. He makes a
circuit of the carriage, shifting the
air. Jack is below, and almost in,-
mediately he hears the agent utter an
exclamation. Then Smithers' head
appears against the sky.
"The roof is afire-right over one of
the other sections. and can't get at
it with my hand or foot! If you could
secure small quantity of water"
But Jack has already leaped into
the guards den and seized upon
gallon can he remembers discovering
there.
''Here-here! Take it and be quick,
my dear fellow!' he says, handing it
up.
Smithers promptly seizes hold OF the
can. and turns to accomplish his pur-
pose, reappearing minute later with
relieved air and an empty water YES
sci.
1.-THE country is saved. SIR" is his
cheering report, and from this Travers
understands that the deluge of water
fell upon the right spot
There is much to think of still.
While danger from the blazing
woods need not alarm them-for the
time being. at least-they dread to
think of what might happen should
there be change of wind, and this is
apt to occur at any hour.
Jack and Smithers talk it over in
the forward compartment, and Senior
Roblado joins them.
The Spanish artist does not seem
as enthusiastic as before. He asks
questions and makes suggestions. but
evidently his spirit is tanned. Perhaps
the multitude of dangers descending
| upon them in succession have some
thing to do with this change in his
manner.
There Is one who thinks different
| ly, and this is the astute Mr. Smithers.
| When Roblado retires again to the
other compartment, to ascertain how
the ladies' are faring, the agent takes
advantage of his fitting to hastily re.
mark in an undertone:
well. he's guessed it, Senor Jack.
/ He knows you are the Squire John
again against whom they played their
cards in Edinburgh"
what do you suppose he will do?'
Nothing just at present"
But he hates me-"
quite true: and yet just at present
he depends upon you for his very life.
When we get back to Havana, il For
tune is SO kind as to allow us. then
look out for storms, but not here"
"It's little care. you know, so long
| as | am able to serve her. That is the