The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-06

l
Yes. yes; | remember that well
enough snapped the conductor in an
irritated manner. But there's some
i difference between then and now, |
can tell you. If we get through all
right it'll be because
He stopped short in what he had
been about to say. took another long
stare ahead ard then, without speak
ing again, climbed back over the ten
der, swung himself upon the first car
and disappeared.
whats got into Tom Brainerd to-
night?'' said Hal. Il never saw him
this way before If l didn't know he
never touches drop l should say he'd
been drinking. but that can't be-
During the next half hour Brainerd
repeatedly appeared on the top of the
car, gazing toward the rapidly increas-
ing light ahead. The occasional glare
from the furnace door showed the
same anxious, alarmed expression upon
his usually stern face.
The cars were SO few that he had no
brakeman with him. This fact might
account for his restlessness, since 1t
obliged him to keep watch Of the train.
But why did he come here? He could
have kept watch as well from his
proper position in the lookout on the
rear car.
What can be the trouble with him."
Hal asked when Brainerd appeared for
the tenth time above them. HE seems
to be terribly afraid Of that fire, but
can't see why he should be scared"
The train, making good time, had
half finished it's journey. The smoke
had become so thick that nothing
it came the intermittent, nearing
flashes of the great fire.
The air grew hot, and little drifts of
ashes formed against the projecting
parts Of the locomotive. Sparks and
dead cinders ratified against the cab
windows.
I'VE are running right into it," said
Hal. coughing and wiping his infiamed
eyes upon his coat sleeve without re-
moving either hand from the machin-
cry.
"And it looks to me as If it was
sweeping up on both sides of u.s." add
ed Roy. as there any danger, Hal?"
"Nno." answered the engineer-'that
| is, not unless the heat warps the rails.
which isn't probable. for the roadway
Is too wide for that. Well blister our
| out blaze or two on the cars, but
| that'll be all. I've been in just such
places before
A few minutes passed, and then, as
II curtain had been drawn away. the
smoke disappeared and the train
| plunged into relatively clear air be-
4 tween two lines of flaming trees which
sent up great gushes Of fire under the
hurrying clouds of black vapor that
they had rolled into the sky.
As far down the track as one could
see. away to the vanishing point where
the two burning fronts of the forest
seemed to join. 1t was the same
"Whewr' exclaimed Hal. This is
scorcher! I'll let her out a bit and
make a rush through it's
Just then Brainerd leaped into the
cab
What are you doing. Kinsley?' he
shouted. You are not going on?"
Going on?' gasped Hal, utterly
amazed. "Of course I'm going on. I'm
not afraid of little fire, l hope; but
by George. Tom Rrainerd believe
you are"
| Reverse quick. man. and back us
outp' said Brainerd in harsh, vehe-
ment voice. Selling the engineers arm
| with both hands. Eyes. I'm afraid
| Reverse her. tell you''
Hal pushed the conductor aside with
thrust of his strong elbow. Don't
you know better than that?" cried he
angrily. What's the matter with you
Tom Brainerd? You act like a crazy
| man.
"I'll be dead one and you and the
boy. too, if you don't back out" per-
sisted Brainerd DO you know what
we've got for freight?''
Hal and Roy looked at him half
frightened He had certainly lost bis
senses. they thought.
mo, and | don't care,'' said Hal
But what is it?'
Blasting powderv' screamed the
conductor.
"Whatw cried the brothers together
Eyes. tons of it for the Silverton
mines. And the handlers loosened the
slaves of two or three kegs when they
loaded it. so that there's loose powder
scattered all about the next car
Kinsley pulled the throttle wide open.
'.Sit down, Tom," he commanded
calmly without looking at the con-
ductor. I'VE can't go back The fires
all along that way by this time. We
must put her through. Coal up. Roy
but not too much. Quick, boyr
When in position of peril deter
mined, strong willed man makes up
his mind to a certain course there is
something about him which makes all
others yield to his plans Brainerd
did not attempt to assert his authority
over the train, but sat perfectly STILL |
HI