The new South-news., 1909-05-08

IN THE NICK


AS lHe 1relgnt train rumbled paS1
Stanton Station, Fireman Robert Nash
swung out from the cab and plucked
a yellow telegraph form from be-
tween the agents thumb and fore.
finger. Engineer Harry Maclean
spelled out the scrawl, Look out for
tide In Rockleigh tunnel" Maclean
grunted. He knew what that meant
The fireman did not. for 1t was his
FIRST run on the branch. He was
anxious to please his new chief. who
was reputed the "crankiest" locomo-
tive driver on the line.
The engineer had taken a dislike
toNash on sight that morning in the
engine sheds With strong disfavor
he noted the slim figure and sloping
shoulders. What do they mean by
giving me young sprout like that?"
growled he. under his breath.
In half an hour they were rush
Ing through the open country at a
thirty mile speed. Maclean noted
that his subordinate was perspiring
and short OF breath
He won't last long" was his un-
spoken comment. Just about twen-
ty miles more'll find him all in"
But at the end OF that distance
Nash was still at work
The tunnel will finish him, "
thought Maclean.
Presently from the dazzling glare
outside they plunged into a hot.
smoky blackness. The tunnel sloped
gradually toward the centre. which
was four feet lower than either end.
A single track ran through it.
Suddenly came a splashing ahead.
Then the pilot began to toss the spray
against the walls. A strong salty
smell pervaded the air.
On through the deepening food
plowed the locomotive. until the GEN.
tre was passed and the tide began to
shoal.
Then the track grew dry again.
the smoke thinned and the gloom
lightened; and suddenly they burst
once more into the dazzling sunlight.
Maclean was looking back for the
red signal nags on the cabin. Sud-
denly he drew In his breath with an
exclamation:
"We're broken in two." Only
about ten cars. a third Of the train
remained with the engine. The other
twenty were either within or beyond
the tunnel.
The engineer At once brought his
section to q stop. He threw his lever
over and opened the throttle.
Nov, my lad. we'll see what you
are made Of" thought he.
Pun! Puff! Back they rolled =,
= six-mile gait, heavy black smoke
coils pouring on the green coal
Farther In. and still farther, the thick
smoke making a midnight around
them. 1t had been bad enough be-
fore, but this was ten times worse.
Suddenly, as the locomotive nearet
the centre, where the water was deep
est, a mufied yell burst forth from
the brakeman. He had spied tn.
>ther section close behind. Macleal
bat his throttle just a. the carr
crashed together.
The engine stopped. Through thu
open dampers and up into the fir.
swished the water with a tremendou
Kissing.
Whoosh! Out burst a famin:
cloud OF gas and steam. Nash, stoop
ing forward with a heaped shovel
had his face blown full of cinders
Scalded and almost blinded, he stag
gered back. Then he seized the chair
and swung the door shut; for Will
the gas pouring on the cracklin,
Goals it was impossible to live in th,
cab. - s-s- .<~--ss~.->-.
Maclean pulled the throttle wild
open. This was no place for humaI
beings dependent on oxygen But tn
big drivers spun help,essly in th
water without catching the slipper
rails. His fingers instructive forn,
the sand lever. Then he drew bacl
his hand. OF what use was the SAN
with three feet OF tide on the track
They must have a hotter fre, eve
though 1t meant more smoke and gas
Put on your blower." gasped Mac
lean.
The fireman paved for the blower
valve, found the little wheel, an
spun it round A rushing in the fire
box responded
Hot and murky and dense, tn
black smoke. belching up continual
against the low roof. rolled down o
each side OF tbs cab in chokin