Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-02-07
THE
CRAFTERS
3Y
FRANCIS Lynn DE
4 Copyright. 1901. BY The Bobbs-Nsrrul Co.,
CHAPTER XXVI1I.-CONT1NU

CHAPTER XXVI1I.-CoNr1SUED
This is no time to quarrel" he
said. ''The thing to be done is to stop
this train without getting ourselves
ripped open by that fellow behind the
headlight yonder. The stop-signals
prove that Hawk and the others are
doing their best, but we must do ours.
What do you say, Halkett?"
There is only one thing" replied
the superintendent; we've got to
make the Irishman run ahead fast
enough and far enough to give us room
to stop or take siding"
The governor planned it in a few
curt sentences. Was there weapon
to be had? Danforth, the private Sec
rotary, reused from his nap in the
wicker chair, was able to produce a
serviceable revolver Two minutes
later, the sleep still tingling in his
nerves to augment another tingling
less pleasurable, the secretary had
spanned the terrible gap separating the
car from the engine and was making
his way over the coal, fluttering his
handkerchief in token OF his peaceful
Intentions.
He was charged with message to
Callahan mandatory in it's first FORM
and bribe-promising in it's second;
vestibule Of the private car by re-
vOlver in the hands of a resolute and
determined state executive.
Zone of them's comm ahead over
the COAL" warned James Shovel; and
Callahan found his hammer.
Run ahead an take siding, is ut?"
he shouted, glazing down on the mes
senger. II have ME ardhers firm bet
Their men than thin that stint you. Go
back an tell thin So
you'll be paid if you do, and you'll
be shot if you DON'T" yelled the Sec
rotary, persuasively.
Tell the boss he can't shoot two
av us to wanst; an the wan that's left
IL slap on the air." was Callahan's an
swer; and he Stacked off a little to
bring the following train within easy
striking distance.
Danforth went painfully and care
fully back with this defiance, and
while he was bridging the nerve-try-
Ing gap, another station with the stop
board down and red lights frantically
swinging was passed with a roar and
q whistle shrek.
''Fwhat are they doing now?" called
Callahan to his fireman.
They've gone inside again. was
the reply.
go back an thry the TANK" was the
command; and Jimmy Shovel climbed
over the coal and let himself down
feet foremost into the manhole When
he Slid back to the footplate his legs
were wet to the mid shin.
"1t's only up to there" he reported,
measuring with his hand.
Callahan looked at his watch. There
was yet full hours run ahead of
him, and there was no more than
scant foot of water in the tank with
which to make it.
Thereafter he forgot the Naught-
seven, and whatever menace it held
for him, and was concerned chiefly with
the thing mechanical. Would the wat
err last him through? He had once
made 40 miles on special run with
the 1,010 without refilling his tank; but
that was with the light engine alone
Now he had the private car behind
him, and it seemed at times TO pull
with all the drag of a heavy train.
But one expedient remained, and
that carried with it the risk of his
life. An engine, not overwhelmed,
uses less water proportionately to
miles run as the speed is increased He
could outpace the safeguarding mail,
save water-and take the chance of be-
ing shot in the back from the forward
vistibule of the Naught-seven when
he had gained lead enough to make a
main line stop safe for the men be-
hind him.
Callahan thought once of the child
mothered by the Sisters of Loretto in
the convent at the capital, shut his
eyes to that and to all things extran-
eous, and sent the 1,010 about her busi-
ness. At the first reversed curve he
hung out of his window for backward
look. Tischer's headlight had disap-
peared and his protection was gone.
On the rear platform of the private
car four men watched the threatening
second section fade into the night.
"Our man has thought better of it,"
said the governor, marking the in
creased speed and the disappearance
of the menacing headlight
:~l>
a groan.
my God!" he said; ut makes me
cold to think what might happen if
he should pull us over into the other
stated"
But Halkett was still smarting from
the indignities put upon him, and his
comment was vindictive threat.
I'LL send that damned Irishman over
the road for this, if it is the last thing
I ever dol" he declared; and he con-
6rmed it with an oath. il"
But Callahan was getting his punish
ment as he went along. He had scarce
ly settled the 1,010 into her gait for the
final run against the failing water
supply when another station came in
sight. It was small cattle town, and
In addition to the swinging red lights
and huge bonfire to illuminate the
yards, the obstructionists had torn
down the loading corral and were pill
ing the lumber on the track.
/ Once again Callahan's nerve flick
cred, and he shut off the steam. But
before it was too late he reflected that
the barrier WAS meant only To scare