Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-03-21


he saw a level bed from side to side
and from door to f1ue sheet.
The passengers had ceased talking.
Darkness all around, the big boiler
surging like living thing beside them
the din Of pounding metal, the roar Of
the exhaust, and the occasional deep
tones of the whistle over their heads,
awed them. They knew that here a
bluff rose straight up hundred feet
or more with a face of treacherOus, Slip
perry, sliding clay; that there a precipi-
tous slope fell as far again on the other
side to the pines of the canon; here,
from the sound, they were crossing a
long trestle with a rOck-bedded creek
far below between it's spidery bents,
and, knowing these perils and seeing
none Of them, fear shook hands with
every member Of the party.
The grade grew sleeper and the
work of the engines more labored. The
cab swayed and creaked crafty as the
train pushed up the hill. Hungarily
the 30 ate up the coal, and Jacks eff
forts redOubled.
Taking a minutes breathing space,
he looked up the mountain past Bar
ney's broad shoulders. Far, far away
two little red stars winked at him. He
brushed the glare of the furnace from
his eyes and looked again.
He could not brush them away.
There they were, the wicked-lool1ing
little pin-points dancing like will-o-
wisps They grew larger and larger,
disappearing for a second as though
shut out by a curtain, but never for
long.
He caught Barney's arm, and silent
ly pointed.
There was no need for explanation.
An imperious signal sounded from the
32's whistle, and, as Daggett saw the
phantom bearing down upon them, the
428 responded with a frightened
scream.
Barney pulled the old hog over into
the breeding, and threw the air into
the emergency notch.
The 428 paved for a second, then
responded to Daggett's hand, and
-
slowed down, stopped, and, in the
catch of breath, as a deer whirls
when it sees danger in its path, start
ed back down the slope.
The red spots were the markers Of
freight train, and their dancing told
that the train had broken in two on
the grade, and its hind cars, unre-
strained, were bringing destruction to
everything in their path.
Barney, knowing they could not out
race the runaway that was gaining
speed and momentum every second,
yelled to his companions to jump for
their lives, and leaped out into the
darkness.
Kitty, Belle and Dick, huddled to-
gether against the protecting bulk of
the boiler. were too dazed to act, and
before Jack could get them to the
gangway, the train Numbered back on
to the Marent trestle, two hundred
feet above the rocks Of the gorge.
There was one way to save the girl
he loved and the train itself, and. des-
perate as it was, he could not hest
tate.
I'VE must get the girls back to the
other engine. Be quick and bring
Belle" he shouted to Dick, and,
catching Kitty in his arms, leaped ND
over the tumbling coal, with the others
close behind. He paused at the dick
ey Of the tank. and pointed down to
the 428's pilot, swaying beneath it's
headlight.
'Climb down there. Catch the girls
as 1 swing them over to you. Then
pull the pin, turn those air cocks. and
get Kitty and Belle into Daggett's
cab. l can save you and the train"
he said, adding impatiently: Eyes,
yes; I'm Jack Everett, but never mind
that. Be quick
Dick swung himself down to the
tank casting, then leaped to the mar
row, triangular platform. Belle was
passed into his arms, and Jack turned
to the girl who knelt beside him.
'Kitty, my darlingY
It was only for second there in the
glare Of the 1855 headlight Her arms
were hung around his neck, and
brought his face to hers. She could
not speak. He kissed her and
strained her close as they swayed
there; then, with an effort of will.
unclasped her arms and swung her
across the gulf to Dick, who stood
braced on the quivering pilot.
Then, in an instant, the coupling
pin was out, the hose was cut, and
Jack waved a farewell and stumbled
back over the slippery coal to the cab
Of the engine.
'Now, old girl, our work is going to
be pretty fierce" he muttered, as he
threw the engine into forward motion
and opened the throttle
The drivers spun, held, and then,
with jerk, the 80 started back, with
Jack goading her on to meet the down
TIIShiOO aQrC ho 10arod 49,