The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-09-23

Just got n hellograph," he panted4
THE Dodge girl must have picked up.
one of the messages that came from
below. She's coming over the hilt
now in n car. We've got to blow up
the bridge as she crosses"
The men were hurrying now toward
the bridge which they had mined. Noe
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 10 explode the charge
under the bridge. There they crouc;. -
In the brush ready TO press the plung
or 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 emissarles had not reck.
oned. however, that anyone else might
DO about to whom the ~heliograph was
an open book.
But, farther up the hill, hiding
among tho trees. the old farmer and
his dog were sitting quietly. The old
man was sweeping the Sound with his
glasses. as n he expected to see some.
thing any moment.
To his surprise, however. he caught
a fash OF tho %heliograph 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. lie put up his glasses
and hurried down the hill toward the
bridge. Then he broke into a run,
the dog scouting ahead.
We were going along the road nice
ly, now. coasting down the hill. IA
We approached tho bridge Elaine
slowed up n bit 10 cross. for the plank
ing was loose.
Just then the farmer who had been
running down the hill saw US.
stop no shouted.
But We did not hear. He ran after
us, but the chase was hopeless. Iio
stopped. In despair.
With a gesture OF veXaticn he took
a step or two mechanically OF tho
road.
Elaine and | were coming fast to
the bridge now.
IN their hiding place Dol Mars mon
were watching breathlossly. Tic lead
or was just about to press the plunger
when all of n sudden a branch in tho
thicket beside him cracklcd. There
stood the farmer and his dog.
Instantly the farmer seemed TO tako
in the situation. With a cry he threw
himself at tho man who had the
plungor. Another man lcapcd at the
farmer. The dog settled him. The
others piled in, and a terrific struggle
followed, II 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 plungcr box.
Our car was now in the middle OF
tho 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 pluuger.
With a shout he pushed it down.
Our car had just cleared the bridge
when we were startled BY a terrific
roar behind US. 1t was as though IA
thousand tires had blown out at once.
Elaine shut of the engine automaticai.
ly and we locked 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 his
chance. 1t was all over and he bolted,
calling the dog.
Along the road 10 the bridge he
ran. W OF the men after him.
Come back" growled the leader.
Let him go. DO YOU want us oil to
get caught"
AS the farmer ran up to the bridge
no saw Il In ruins. But down the
road he could SEQ Elaine and m self.
sitting in the car, staring back at the
peril which We had 80 narrowly es.
capped. His face lighted up In az
great JOY hs a few moments before IL
had shown despair.
What can that have been?" asked
starting TO get out OF the car.
What caused IT,"
i don't know" I returned, taking
her arm firmly. "But enough has hap.
pened today. II was intended for us.
we'd better hasten. Someone might
a shot at us. Come, We have the
car' We can get out before anyone
loes anything more. Let's do Il.
Ihings are going on about US OF which
know nothing. The safest thing
IS TO get away"
Elaine looked at the bridge In ruins