The Elbert County tribune., 1915-08-20
y. They answered and hurried to meet

Just got heliograph. he panted-t
The Dodge girl must have picked up
one OF the messages that came from
below. She's coming over tho hill
now In car. We've got to blow up
the bridge as she crosses"
The men were hurrying now toward
the bridge which they had mined. Not
moment was to be lost, for already
they could see us coming over the
crest OF the hill.
In a few seconds they reached tho
hidden plunger firing box which had
been arranged to explode the charge
under the bridge. There they crouched
In the brush ready to press the plung-
er the moment our car touched the
planking.
One OF the men crept out a little
nearer the road They're coming,"
he called back. dropping down again.
Get ready"
Del Mars emIssaries had not reck-
oned, however. that anyone else might
be about to whom the heliograph was
an open book.
But, farther up the hill. hiding
among the trees. the old farmer and
his dog were sitting quietly. Tho old
man was sweeping the Sound with his
glasses, as II he expected to see some
thing any moment.
To his surprise. however, he caught
fash of the heliograph from the
land. Quickly he turned and jotted
down the signals. AS he did so. hs
seemed greatly excited, for the mes
sage read
Dodge girl has message from be-
low. Coming In car. Blow first bridge
she crosses"
Quickly he turned his glasses down
the road. There he could see our car
approaching. He put up his glasses
and hurried down the hill toward the
bridge. Then he broke into run,
the dog scouting ahead.
We were going along the road nice
ly. now. coasting down the hill AS
we approached the bridge Elaine
slowed up bit to cross. for the plank
ing was loose.
Just then the farmer who had been
running down the hill saw us.
'Stop!" he shouted.
But we did not hear. He ran after
US, but the chase was hopeless. He
stopped. in despair.
With a gesture OF vexation he took
step or two mechanically on the
road
Elaine and | were coming fast to
the bridge now.
In their hiding place Del Mars men
were watching breathlessly. The lead
er was Just about to press the plunger
w oil Of attdtan n brpprb in tba
thicket beside him cracked. There
stood the farmer and his dog.
Instantly the farmer seemed to take
in the situation. With cry he threw
himself at the man who had the
plunger. Another man leaped at the
farmer. The dog settled him. The
others piled in, and terrific struggle
followed. 1t was all SO rapid that. to
ALL seconds seemed like hours.
We were just starting to cross the
bridge.
One of the men broke away and
crawled toward the plunger box.
Our car was now In the middle of
the bridge.
Over and over rolled the men. the
dog doing his best to help his master.
The man who had broken away
reached toward the plunger.
With shout he pushed 1t down.
,
Our car had Just cleared the bridge
when we were startled by terrific
roar behind u.s. 1t was as though n
} thousand tires had blown out at once
Elaine shut off the engine automatical
ly and we looked back.
The whole bridge had been blown
up. A second before we had been
. in the middle of it.
AS the explosion came. the men who
, had been struggling in the thicket
r paused, startled, and stared out. Al
that instant the old farmer saw his
chance. 1t was all over and he bolted.
7 calling the dog.
| Along the road to the bridge hs
, ran, two of the men after him.
3 Come back" growled the leader.
Let him go. Do you want US all to
r get caught?"
3 AS the farmer ran up to the bridgs
he saw 1t in ruins. But down the
!, road he could zee Elaine and myself.
1 sitting In the car, staring back at ths
peril which we had so narrowly es.
I capped. His face lighted up in IA
!. great Joy as few moments before IL
, had shown despair.
: What can that have been?" asked
!. Elaine, starting to get out OF the car
a What caused it?"
Il don't know" / returned, taking
her arm firmly. But enough has hap
pened today 1t was intended for US.
we'd better hasten. Someone might
take a shot at us. Come. we have ths
!, car We can get out before anyone
| does ANYTHING more Let's do IL.