The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-01-03
THE
CRAFTERS
by
FRAN CTS Lynn D 3
Copyright. 1904. By The BObbs-Msrrin Coz
CHAPTER xxvIII.-coNrrNuED.

CHAPTER AANlll.-CoNTINUKD
This Is no time to quarrel" he
said. The thing to be done is to stop
this train without getting ourselves
dipped 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, Halkettf"
There is only one thing" replied
abe 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 II In few
curt sentences Was there a weapon
Go be had? Danforth, the private sec
rotary, reused from bis 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, futtering his
handkerchief IN token Of his peaceful
Intentions.
He was charged with a message 10
Callahan, mandatory In It's first form,
and bribe-promising in its second;
and he was covered from the forward
vestibule Of the private car by a re-
volver in the hands Of a resolute and
determined state executive.
zone OF them's comm ahead over
che COAL" warned James Shovel; and
Callahan found his hammer.
Run ahead an take siding, is ut?"
he shouted, glazing down on the mes
senger. Il have me ardhers firm bet
ther men than thin that STINT you. Go
back an tell thin So"
You'll be paid II you do. and you'll
be shot II you don't" yelled the sec
rotary. personal---very..
Tell the boss he can't shoot two
nv US to wanst; an the wan that's left
III slap on the air" was Galatians an
swer; and he Stacked on 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.
TITS 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 a
scant foot OF water in the tank with
which to make 1t.
Thereafter he forgot the Naught-
seven, and whatever menace IL held
for him, and was concerned chiefly with
the thing mechanical. Would the wat
err last him through? He had once
made 10 miles on a special run with
the 1,010 without reflling his tank; but
that was with the light engine alone.
Now he had the private car behind
him, and IL seemed at times to pull
with all the drag of heavy train
Bat one expedient remained, and
that carried with 1t the risk Of his
life. An engine. not overburdened,
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-
fng shot in the back from the forward
vistibule Of the Naught-seven when
he had gained lead enough to make
main line stop safe for the men be-
mind him.
Callahan thought once of the child
mothered by the Sisters OF Loretto in
eyes to that and TO all things extran-
eous. and seat the ,010 about her busi-
ness. At the first reversed curve he
hung out OF his window for a backward
look. Tischer's headlight had disap-
peared and his protection was gone.
On the rear platform OF the private
ear four men watched the threatening
second section fade into the night
"Our mar, has thought better Of IT,"
said the governor. marking the in
creased speed and the disappearance
Of the nenacing headlight
Guilfcrd's sigh of relief was almost
. groan.
MY God." he said; at makes me
sold 10 think what might happen II
f4e should pull us over into the other
state,"
Bat Halkett was still smarting from