The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-13

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 and 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 | didn't know be
never touches 11sstp | should say he'd
been drinking. hl.- 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 lie had no
brakeman with him. This fact might
account for his restleSsncss. 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 hiln:"
Hal asked when Dralnerd 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 its journey. The smoke
had become so thick that nothing
could be seen a rod away. aud through
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
1--WE are running right into 1t" said
Hal. coughing and wiping his inf!amcd
eyes upon his coat sleeve without re-
movia. either hand from the machin
cry.
And it looks to me as if it was
sweeping M on both sides OF u.s.. add
ed Roy. is there any danger, Hal?'
"N-no," answered the ergiHccr-"that
is, not unless the heat warps the rails.
which isn't probable. for the roadway
is too wide for that Well blister our
paint trif1e and maybe have to put
out q blaze or two on the cars, but
that'u be all. I've been in just such
places before"
A few minutes passed, and then, as
If a curtain had been drawn away. the
smoke disappeared and the train
plunged into relatively clear air be.
tween two lines of flaming trees which
sent up great gushcs Of fire under the
hurrying clouds Of black vapor that
they had rolled into the Sky.
AS far down tile track as one could
see. away TO the vanishing point where
the two burning fronts of the forest
seemed to join. it was the same.
'Wheww exclaimed HAL This is Il
scorcher. I'll let her out bit and
make a rush through it."
Just then BrMnerd leaped into the
cab.
"What are you doing. Kinsley:' he
shouted. "You are not going on?'
"Going on?" gaspcd Hal, utterly
amazed. "Of course I'm going on. I'm
not afraid of little fire. hope; but
by George, Tom Braincrd, i believe
you are"
"ReverSe quick. man. and back us
outm said Braincrd in harsh. vehe-
ment voice. sci7Ans the engineers arm
with both hands Yes. Fin afraid.
Reverse h"r. tell you"
Hal pushed the conductor aside with
4 thrust OF his strong elbow. Don't
you know berter than that" cried he
angrily. whats the matter with you.
Tom Brainerd? You act like a crazy
man."
"I'n be a 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 his
senses, they thought.
mo, and I don't care said Hal.
"But what is it?'
"Blasting POWDER screamed the
conductor.
what" cried the brothers together.
"Yes. 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.
'sSit down, Tom." he commanded
calmly without looking at the con-
Iuctor. "We can't go back. The fires
all along that way by this time. We
must put her through. Coal up, Roy,
out not too much. Quick, boy"
When in a position of peril deter
mined, strong willed man makes UP
his mind to 4 certain course there Is
something about him which makes all
others yield to his plans Brainerd
did not attclSpt to assert his authority
over the train, hut sat perfectly still,
his fists clinched his eyes set. Roy.
pale faced. bur steady. fed the trcboX
as If he were part Of the machinery.
The engine lcapel and bounded under
Halls hard driving, crashing and rat
ting so fierccly that the roaring
flames on either side sent no sound to