The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1905-10-07

When he looks again he discovers
Jack dashing out of the telegraph of
fee.
His manner is not that of conf
dent man who by a bold stroke. has
accomplished what he set out to do.
On the contrary. Jack appears ex-
clted-his face is almost as pale as
one who has seen a ghost, and he
glances sharply from right to left as
he runs toward them, after the man
ner oI man who seeks a remedy for
some dreadful malady.
As he draws near where Smithers
stands, he can be heard exclaining
aloud, as though to save even the pre-
clous seconds of time:
Wires down-Maceo raided the
outskirts OF Havana-impossible to
reach even the first station-no way
OF reaching the train-now been gone
seven and a half minutes. and already
four miles away"
Yes, they can hear the rumble of
the train among the hills-it comes
very plainly during cessation of
noise about the station. though grad
ually growing fainter and more dis
tant.
Can you suggest anythinG?" cries
Jack, endeavorins to cudgel his
brains to greater rapidity of action
Think as you never did before.
What can overtake the special. since
telegraphing is out of the question:"
Smithers is looking down the tracks,
where they CLEAN in the lights be-
yond
IF We had an engine We might do
lit"
Jack snatches at the idea like a
drowning man might clutch at
straw.
Then we will have an engine if it
takes a thousand-five thousand dol
lars-all | have in the world. Follow
me- he calculates.
Jack has not started off at random
he generally knows what he means
to accomplish before setting out to
begin.
Some moving object has caught his
eye just down the track-something
that in this crisis of his existence
looks more valuable than the best
paying mine in the Cripple Creek re-
gion 1t is an engine just emerging
from shed, upon turntable. Smoke
is pouring from the large, old-styled
stack, black smoke burning resinous
pinewood, than which few species of
fuel will generate steam more quick
ly.
1t means possible chance to solve
the terrible problem that has been
suddenly set before them-it means
the case of life and death may yet be
decided in favor of continued exist
ence.
Under these conditions, therefore, it
can be readily understood with what
tremendous satisfaction Jack starts in
the direction of this locomotive.
AS he advances with such a burst
of speed he takes note of several
things. Everyone connected with the
engine seems to be in the utmost
haste, and this is the more wonderful
w>n the fact is taken into considera-
tion that in such hot countries as
Cuba they.do not. as general thing.
use any too much speed in anything
undertaken.
He sees the stoker tossing pine
knots into the yawning mouth of the
fire box, while the engine driver leans
part way out of the cab window, his
face streaked with CRIME. but looking
anxious in the light of the fire.
Thus bearing down upon the scene.
Travers is not long in reaching the
u-h
ready to turn the engine around on
the revolving table.
Two men stand beside the trucks.
one of them having an official air. and
holding paper in his hand that may
be an order.
His companion seems to be an ordi-
nary citizen-a Spaniard judging
from his olive skin and black hair.
Jack instantly surmises that the of
fetal is the party who can attend to
his wants, and he means to obtain
possession Of that engine if money
can buy it.
Senior. are you in charge here
have missed the special by a hairs
breadth. 1t is very important that
should overtake it. l would have sent
a message, but the wires are down.
The Official shoots quick but ex-
pressive glance toward his companion.
who moves little Closer cooking his
ears as though he takes ap unusual
interest in what Jack says.
Isl, senor, the wires are down-that
Maceo is always on the move. and he
keeps the wires cut so that we in
Havana may not know what he is do
ing. 1t is very sad is the consoling
remark made by the official.
But. senior, you did not answer my
Guestion-are you in charge here?'
For the night-yes,' is the reply
Il wish to hire a special
A what?' calculates the other.
"A special-an engine to overtake