Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-05-24

hours he had been comforting himsel
with the thought that about everything
" wheels owned by the Huckleberr,
was at the western terminus of tn
road.
1T amt much Of a relief train. MI
Oakley. Two cars, loaded with fir
kDgines and a lot Of old hose. The,
are on the siding now"
Were any men sent here with tn,
relief trainT questioned Oakley.
mo; Antioch just wanted hose ant
engines. The waters played out, ant
they got to depend ON the river If tn,
fire strikes the town. They're In pretty
bad shape, with nothing but one ole
hand engine. You see, their water
mains are about empty and their hose
carts amt worth much"
Oakley turned on his heel and strode
from the office. The operator followed
him. AS they gained the platform
Dan paused. The very air was heavy
with smoke. The sun was sinking be-
hind blue film. Its dull disk was the
color of copper He wondered if the
same somber darkness was settling
gown on Antioch. The element of
danger seemed very real and present.
To Dan this danger centered about
Constance Emory. He quite over
looked the fact that there were several
thousand other people in Antioch.
Durks, at his side, rubbed the sandy
t1stles on his chin with the back Of
bis hand and tried to believe he had
thought Of everything and had done
everything there was to do.
The woods were on fire all about
the Junction, but the town itself was
In no especial danger, as cultivated
fields interviewed to shut away the
flames. In these fields Dan could see
men and women busy at work tearing
down fences. On hillside a mile of
barn was blazing.
There goes Warwick's barn." re-
marked the operator.
What was the last word from An
tioch? Do you remember exactly what
was saidY asked Dan.
"The message was that a strong
north wind was blowing and that the
flown was pretty certain to burn unless
the engines and hose reached there to-
night. But they have been saying that
for two days, and the winds always
changed at the right moment and driv-
EN- the fire back"
Dan glanced along the track and saw
the relief train, consisting of an en-
gine, tender and two fat cars, loaded
with hose and fire engines, on one OF
the sidings. He turned on Durks with
an angry scowl
"Why haven't you tried to start that
train through? It's ready" ,
mo one is here to go with 1t, Mr..
Oakley. l was sort of counting on the
freight crew for the job
A"Where's Baker2"
"He went home on the 6:10. He
lives up at Carson, you know"
This was the first stop on the NJ. and
W. east of Buckhorn.
"Why did you let him leave? Do
you mean to say that he's been loaf
Ing around here all day with his hands
In his pockets? He'll never pull an.
other throttle for the Huckleberryw
Durks did not attempt to reply to
this explosion of wrath.
"Who made up the train?" demand.
ed Dan.
Baker did-him and his fireman. / !
didn't know but the freight might come |
up from Parkers Run, and | wanted
to be fixed for 'em. l couldn't do |
thing with Baker. told him his or
ders were to try and reach Antioch !
with the relief train, but he said he
didn't care who gave the order, he
wasn't going to risk his life"
But Dan had lost interest In Baker.
Look here" he cried. you must
get fireman for me, and I'll take out
the train myself"
He wondered why he had not thought
of this before.
81 guess I'll manage to reach Anti
och," he added as he ran across to the
siding and swung himself into the cab.
A faded blue blouse and a pair Of
greasy overalls were lying on the seat
In the cab. He removed his coat and
vest and put them on. Durks, who had
followed him, climbed up on the steps.
You'll have TO run slow. Mr.. Oakley.
because it's likely the heat has spread
the rails, If it amt twisted them loose
frAm the ties" he volunteered. For
answer Oakley thrust a shovel into his
hands.
Here. throw in some coal" he or.
dered, opening the furnace door.
Duiks turned Il slckly. mottled white
81 can't leaves he gaspcd
You idiot. You don't suppose III
take you from your post What wan.
you TO do IS to help me get up steam"
The operator attacked the coal on
he telder vigorously. He felt an i'm
Eense sense OF comfort.
Dams railroad experience covered
nearly every branch So it chanced
fhat he had fired for "A year prior to
taking an Office position. Indeed. his
frst ambition had been to be an en-
glneer. II was now quite dark, aud.
the fires being raked down, he lit Il
torch and Inspected his engine with a