The Ordway new era., 1915-10-08
ly. They answered and hurried to meet

The Dodge girl must nave picheu uP
one OF the messages that came from
below. She's coming over the 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
a moment was to be lost, for already
they could see us coming over the
crest of the hill.
In a few seconds they reached the
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 tho 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. The old
man was sweeping the Sound with his
glasses, as If he expected to see some
thing any moment.
To his surprise. however, he caught
a flash of the hcliograph from the
land. Quickly he turned and jotted
down the signals. AS he did so, he
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 a 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
stopped. in despair.
With a gesture of vexation he took
step or two mechanically off 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 plunser
when all of sudden a branch in the
thicket beside him cracked. There
stood the farmer and his dog.
Instantly the farmer seemed to take
in the situation. With a 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 us. It was as though
thousand tires had blown out at once
Elaine shut of 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
paused, startled. and stared out. AT
that instant the old farmer saw MS
chance. 1t was all over and he bolted.
calling the dog.
Along the road to the bridge he
ran, two of the men after him.
Come back" growled the leader
Let him go. Do you want Us all 10
get caught?"
As the farmer ran up to the bridge
he saw 1t in ruins. But down the
road he could gee Elaine and myself
sitting in the car, staring back at the
peril which we had SO narrowly es
capped. His face lighted up in as
great Joy as a few moments before 1t
had shown despair.
What can that have been?' asked
Elaine, starting to get out Of the car
What caused it,"
II don't know" I 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 the
car. We can get out before anyone
does anything more. Let's do II
Things are going on about US OF which
we know nothing. The safest thing
Is to get away"
Elaine looked at the bridge In ruins
and shuddered. 1t was the closest we