The Delta independent., 1914-10-23

on the sizing ana Degan TO move mOIc
swiftly on moderate down grade.
Behind 1t the thunder of an ap-
preaching train grew momentarily in
volume, lending color to the theory of
Mr.. Barcus that what they had heard
had been the whistle of freighter
rather than of the light engine. But
just as Alan was about to. advocate
leaving the tracks and taking the hand
car with them, to clear the way for the
train, its rumble began to diminish,
grew less and beautifully less, and was
stilled.
"What do you make of that?" Alan
painted across the racking bar.
"The obvious" Barcus returned
"The freight has taken the siding to
wait for some other through train to
pass. Well have to look sharp and bs
ready to jump"
The grade became a trace more
steep; the car moved with less reluc
tance.
LET CO." Alan advised: It'll coast
down the balance of this incline-and
we'd better save our strength"
But they had barely regained their
breath and mopped the streaming
sweat away from their eyes when a
second whistle. of different tone,
startled both back to their task.
Catching the eye of Barcus Alan
nodded despairingly.
Afraid it's all up with US now" he
groaned; that sounded precisely like
the whistle of the light engine"
Sure it did" Barcus agreed "It
wouldn't be US If we had any better
luck. The saints be praised for this
grade!'
For all its age and decrepitude the
hand car made very fair pace at the
urge Of the two who rose and sagged
again without respite on either side
the handlebar; and the grade was hap
PLY long, turning and twisting like
snake through the hills.
A little grace was granted them,
moreover, through the circumstance
(as they afterward discovered) that
the light engine had stopped at the
siding long enough to couple up Trine's
Pullman-thus automatically ceasing
to be light engine, and becoming a
special
1t was fully quarter of an hour be-
fore the growing rumble of the latter
warned the trio on the hand car, Just
as 1t gained the end of the grade and
addressed itself to a level though tor
tuous stretch of track.
! And at this point discovery of the
switch Of spur line that shot off
southwark into the hills furnished Alan
with his independent inspiration.
Stopping the hand car after 1t had
5olted over the frogs, he jumped down.
set the switch to shunt the pursuit of
to the spur, and leaped back upon
the car.
Hardly had they succeeded in work
Ing the hand car up round the shoulder
Of the next bend when the special took
the switch without pause and the roar
of its progress. shut of by an inter-
vening mountain, was suddenly stilled
to murmur.
But even SO, there was neither rest
for the weary nor much excuse for
self-congratulation; the rumble of the
special was not altogether lost to hear
ing when the thunder of the freight
replaced and drowned 1t out.
OF sudden, releasing the handle
bar. Alan stood up and signed to Bar
Gus to initiate his example.
"Well-?" this last painted. when he
had obeyed.
Jump on-leave the hand car where
IT is-they'll havc to stop to clear it OF
the track"
"And them"
'Tll buy lift from them II 1t takes
my last dollar in the world" Alan
promised. IT'S our only hope. We
can't keep up this heartbreaking busi-
ness forever-and 1t can't be long be-
fore Trine and Marrophat discover
their mistake!"