Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1914-12-18


most without jar. on the outskirts Of
a city whose name Alan never learned.
For the biplane was barely at
standstill before he was out and, reel.
ing with the giddiness that affects men
after long flights, making his way as
best he might toward the managers
office connected with a trainyard i'm
mediately adjacent to the spot where
they had come to earth.
Lavish disbursements of money won
him his way against official protests
that what he demanded was an impos.
sibility. Within twenty minutes, leav-
ing Coast to follow on when and as
best he might, Alan and Judith were
spinning through open country in the
cab of an engine running light, with
! only clear track between It and the
special.
The several hours that ensued be-
fore the rear lights of the special were
brought to view were none too many
for the task imposed upon Alan Of
overcoming the scruples Of the en-
gineer and fireman.
Another minute, and less than fifty
feet separated the two--the special
train and the light engine. both hur-
Ting through the light at top speed.
With word to the engineer Alan.
crept out along the side of the boiler
with only greasy handrail and mar
row foothold between himself and
what meant death, or something close
ly resembling It, should he be shaken:
of by the tearing wind and the sway
ing of the locomotive.
1t seemed an hour before he worked
himself up to the cowcatcher-now
within four feet of the rear platform
of the special.
On this last he could see wom-il'o
figure indistinctly silhouetted against
the light through the door. and beside
her man in white coat, clinging for
dear life to the knob of the door
holding it against the frantic efforts of
some persons inside to tear it open.
Another hour of suspense dragged
out-or such was the effect-while the
light engine with intolerable slowness
bridged those four scant feet.
At length 1t was feasible to attempt
the thing. Rose The could see her
strained white face quite plainly now)
was half over the rail of the car ahead.
ready to jump.
His heart failed him. 1t was too
hazardous risk. He dared not let her
take It.
Something very like shot sounded
from the train and something very like
a bullet whistled past his cheek, and
proved the signal for several more.
Strangely, that knowledge steadied
his nerves. straining forward and
holding on to . bar so hot that 1t
scorched his palm, he offered hand
to the girl on the rail.
Her hand fell confidently into 1t. She
jumped. His arm wound round her az
she landed on the platform of the cow
catcher. He heard her breathe his
name, then hurriedly passed her be-
tween himself and the boiler to tho
footway at the side. The fireman was
waiting there to help her. Alan turned
his attention to Barcus.
To his dismay he found that the en-.
CINE was losing ground. The space
was widening rapidly as Barcus re-
leased the knob and threw himself
over the rail.
BY miraculous. flying leap. the
man accomplished that incredible feat
and gained the platform.
An instant later ten feet separated
the engine from the special. as the en-.
gineer applied the brakes.
And this he did none too soon: for
at the same time Marrophat and an.
other appeared on the rear platform
and opened hot. but. thanks to tho
widening distance, inehectual fire.
The engine ground slowly to halt
as the rear lights of the special train
swept from sight round a bend.
|, (TO BE CONTINUED)