The sun., 1915-06-13
The McWllI1AMS SPECIALLY Frank H. Spearmao

alfalfa meadows and over the sweep OF
willows along the Mattaback River
The Mattaback bridge was on fire
with the McWiliams special on one
side and Denver on the other.
Jerry tMacE,lroy yelled-the engineer
didn't even look around; only whistled
an alarm back to Pat Francis, eased
her down the grade bit like a man
rejecting, and watched the smoke and
flames that rose to bar the McWill-
Jams special out Of Denver.
The Five-Nine SKINNED across the
meadows without a break and pulled
up q hundred feet from the burning
bridge. II was an old Howe truss, and
snapped like popcorn as the flames
bit into the rotten shed.
Pat Francis and his brakeman ran
forward. Across the river they could
see half a dozen section men chasing
wildly about, throwing impotent
buckets Of water on the burning truss
Were UP against 1t, Georgie," cried
Francis.
mot IL we can get across before the
bridge tumbles into the river" re-
turned Sinclair.
"You don't mean you'd try t?"
Would I? Wouldn't I? You know
the orders. That bridge is good for
an hour yet. Pat, if you're game, III
run it,"
Holy smoke" unused Pat Francis.
who would have run the river without
any bridge at all II so ordered. They
told US to deliver the goods. didn't
they?'
1--WE might as we'll be starting. Pat"
suggested Jerry MacElroy. who depre-
Gated losing good time. "There1l be
plenty OF time to talk after we get
into Denver. or the Mattaback."
Think quick. Pat" urged Sinclair;
his safety was popping murder.
Back her up. then. and let her co.
cried Francis I'D just as lief have
that baggage car at the bottom Of the
river as on my hands any longer"
There was some sharp footing then
the Mcwilliams special backed; backed
away across the meadow, halted. and
screamed hard enough to wake the
dead. George was trying to warn the
section men. At that instant the door
OF the baggage car opened and a sharp
featured young man peered out.
whats the row-whats all this
screeching about. conductor" he
asked, as Francis passed.
Bridge burning ahead there"
"Bridge burning" he cried. looking
nervously forward. well. that's a
deal. What you going to do about it,"
run 1t. Are you McWilliams?"
INC Williams? / wish I was for just
one minute. I'm one Of his clerks"
Where is he?"
81 left him on La Sale street yes
terday afternoon.
whats your name?"
Just plain Ferguson"
We'll. Ferguson. it's none Of my
business. but as long as we're going
to put you into Denver or into the
river in about minute, I'm curious to
know what the bazes you're hustling
along this way for
"Me? I've got twelve hundred thou
sand dollars in gold coin in this car
for the Sierra Leone National Bank
that's all. Didn't you know that five
big banks there closed their doors yes
terday. Worst panic in the United
States. That's what I'm here for, and
fve huskies with me eating and Sleep
ing in this car continued Ferguson.
looking ahead. You're not going to
tackle that bridge. are you?"
I'VE are. and right off. II there's
any OF your huskies want to drop out.
now's their chance said Pat Fran
cis, as Sinclair slowed up for his run.
Ferguson called his men. The five
with their rifles came cautiously for
ward.
Boys" said Ferguson briefly,
there's bridge afire ahead. These
guys are going to try TO run it. It's
not in your contract. that kind Of a
chance. Do you want to get off?
stay with the specie. myself. You can
do exactly as you please. Murray,