The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-04-16
IN THE NICK
OF TIME


AS the freight train rumbled past
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 it 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
to Nash 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 a 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.
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 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 CEN
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 flags on the cabin. Sud
denly he drew in his breath with an
exclamation:
Were broken in two" Only
about ten cars, third Of the train
remained with the engine. The other
! twenty were either within or beyond
| the tunnel.
The engineer at once brought his
| ix.y, l., h i- 1atFa
over and opened the throttle.
Now, my lad, well see what you
are made Of" thought he.
Puff! Puff! Back they rolled al
a six-mile gait, heavy black smoke
coils pouring off the green coal
Farther in, and still farther, the thicl
smoke making a midnight around
them. 1t had been bad enough be
fore, but this was ten times worse.
Suddenly, as the locomotive neareC
the centre, where the water was deep
! est, a mufled yell burst forth from
the brakeman. He had spied the
other section close behind Maclear
shut his throttle just as the car!
crashed together.
The engine stopped. Through tn,
open dampers and up into the fire
swished the water with a tremendous
| Kissing,
Whooshl Out burst a flaming
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 of the cracklini
Goals it was impossible TO live in tn
cab.
Maclean pulled the throttle wid
open. This was no place for humal
beings dependent on oxygen. But tn,
big drivers spun helplessly in tn,
water without catching the slipper.
rails. His fingers instructive foun,
the sand lever. Then he drew bacl
his hand. OF what use was the SAM
with three feet Of tide on the track
They must have a hotter fire, evei
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