Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-16

peared ana ms 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.
 Guilford's sigh of relief was almost groan.
 My God!" he said; 1t makes me cold to think what might happen Ii he should pull us over into the other state!"
 But Halkett was still smarting from the indignities put upon him, and his comment was vindictive threat.
 "Ill send that damned Irishman over the road for this, if 1t is the last thing I ever dol" he declared; and he con. flrmed 1t with an oath.
 But Callahan was getting t'1 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 a 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 him into stopping. One minute later the air was full of flying splinters, and that danger was passed. But one of the broken blanks came through the cab window, missing the engineer by no more than a hand's-breadth. And the shower of splinters, sucked by the whirl of the train, broke glass in the private car and sprinkled the quartet on the platform with split kindling and wreckage.
 What was that?" gasped the re- ceiver.
 Halkett pointed to the bonfire, reced- ing like fading star in the rearward distance. ..
 Our friends are beginning to throw stones, since clods won't stop him." he said.
 Bucks shook his head.
 If that is the case, we'll have to do something on our own account. The next obstruction may derail us."
 Halkett stepped into the car and pulled the cord of automatic air.
 "No good," he muttered. "The [rishman bled our tank before he start ed. Help me set the hand brakes, 3 couple of you"
 Danforth and the governor took hold of the brake wheel with him, and for ] minute or two the terrible speed 'lackened little. Then some part ,f the disused hand-gear gave way un- fer the three-man strain and that lope was gone.
 There's one thing left" said the superintendent, indomitable to the ast. Well uncouple and let him lrop us behind"
 The space in the forward vestibule vas narrow and cramped, and with the train of the dragging car to make the in stick, 1t took two of them lying lat, waiting for the back-surging mo- nent and wiggling it for slack, to pull |. The coupling dropped out of the ook and the engine shot ahead to he length of the safety chains; thus ar, but no farther. Halkett stood up. "It's up to you, Danforth," he said, aising his voice to be heard above he pounding roar of the wheels. You're the youngest and lightest: get own on the 1,010's brake-beam and nhook those chains." The secretary looked once into the rap with the lodging jaws and the ackward-fying bottom and declined he honor. .-. | "I can't get down there," he cried. And I shouldn't know what to do 1 [ I could" Once more the superintendent ex- ibited his nerve. He had nothing at | take save desire to defeat Callahan; ut he had the persistent courage of | he bull-terrier. With Bucks and the | to steady him he lowered | imself in the gap till he could stand | pon the brake-beam of the 1,010s | ender and grope with one free hand l pr the hook of the nearest safety hain. Death nipped at him every | lme the engine gave or took up the lack of the loose coupling, but he edged and hung on until he had sat- ;fled himself.
 Its no good" he announced, when 1ey had dragged him by main trength back to a footing in the mar DIV vestibule "The hooks are bent ito. the links. We're due to go 'herever that damned Irishman is talk ig us"
 Shovel was firing and the trailing
  noke and cinders quickly made the ,rward vestibule untenable. When icy were driven in. Bucks and the re- siver went through to the rear plat 'rm. where they were presently lined by Halkett and Danforth. Eve been trying the air again." lid the superintendent, but it's no }. Whats next" The governor gave the word. Wait" he said: and the four of Iem clung to the hand-rails. swaying i'd bending to the bounding lurches the flying car.
 Mile after mile reels from beneath e relentless wheels, and still the 'eed increases. Station Donerail is Issed. and now the pace Is SO furious