The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-01-03
The ,noIrn,tics put upon him. and his


ever dol" he declared; and he con-
firmed il with an oath.
But Callahan was getting bis 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. Il was a 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 Galatians nerve flick
cred, and he shut of the steam. But
before Il 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 planks came through
the cab window. missing the engineer
by no more than hands-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?" easped the re-
celver.
Halkett pointed to the bonfire. reced-
ing like a fading star in the Fearward
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, well 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.
mo good" he muttered. ''The
Irishman bled our tank before he start
ed. Help me set the hand brakes.
a couple Of you"
Danforth and the governor took hold
OF the brake wheel with him. and for
a minute or two the terrible speed
slackened a little. Then some part
Of the disused hand-gear gave way I'M
der the three-man strain and that
hope was gone.
There's one thing left" said the
superintendent, indomitable TO the
last. "we1l uncouple and let him
drop US behind"
The space in the forward vestibule
was narrow and cramped, and with the
strain of the dragging car TO make the
pin stick, II took two of them lying
fat. waiting for the back-surging mo-
ment and wiggling II for slack, TO pull
It. The coupling dropped out Of the
hook and the engine shot ahead to
the length Of the safety chains; thus
far, but no farther.
Halkett stood up.
tits up to you. Danforth," he said,
raising his voice to be heard above
the pounding roar Of the wheels.
You're the youngest and lightest: get
down on the 1,010's brake-beam and
unlock those chains"
The secretary looked once into the
trap with the lodging jaws and the
backward-fying bottom and declined
the honor.
Il can't get down there" he cried.
"And l shouldn't know what TO do
IL I could"
Once more the superintendent ex-
hibited his nerve. He had nothing at
stake save a desire to defeat Callahan;
but he had the persistent courage OF
the bull-terrier. With Bucks and the
secretary 10 steady him he lowered
himself in the gap till he could stand
upon the brake-beam Of the 1,010's
tender and grope with one free hand
for the hook Of the nearest safety
chain Death nipped at him every
time the engine gave or took up the
slack of the loose coupling. but he
lodged and hung on until he had sat
isfied himself.
Its no good" he announced. when
they had dragged him by main
strength back to a footing in the mar
row vestibule. "The hooks are bent
into the links. We're due to go
wherever that damned Irishman is TAX
ing us"
Shovel was firing and the trailing
smoke and cinders quickly made the
forward vestibule untenable. When
they we're driven in, Bucks and the re-
ceiver went through to the rear plat
form. where they were presently
Joined by Halkett and Danforth.
1--WE been trying the air again."
said the superintendent, "but. it's no
go. What's next"
The governor gave the word.
wait" he said; and the four of
them chung to the hand-rails, swaying
and bending TO the bounding lurches
OF the flying car.
Mile after mile reels from beneath
the relentless wheels, and still the
speed increases. Station Donerail il
passed, and now the pace is so furious
that the watchers on the rallied plat
form cannot make out the signals In
the volleying wake Of dust. Station
Scbofield is passed, and again the sig
mails, II any there be. are swiftly
drowned in the gray dust-smother.
From Schofeld TO Aqua Callente is but
a scant ten miles; and as the flying
train rushes on toward the state
boundary, two faces In the quartet of