Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-14

| two ttalwart tools. who were trying to
run away with the engine of the special.
Indeed. the pair in the stolen cab felt
quite secure in their quick getaway until
Bill. acting az driver, looking back saw
train behind and an ominoua cloud Of
smoke pouring from the stack of Soda
Water Sol-the conductor was firing for
Helen and he understood his job.
In spite of everything. the two out
laws could do. Helen closed up the gap
that separated the coach from them.
and on the front end OF the latter the
fleeing rascals could make out tho armed
deputies. Had there been any doubt In
their minds as 10 the temper of the men
pursuing them. little puffs OF white
smoke rising from the coach front. and
the whine OF rifle bullets about their
ears would have convinced Lug and Bill
OF the danger threatening them. Safety
first was household word with the two.
Nothing OF the disposition OF martyrs
had place in their makeup, and. aban-
donlng the engine, Lug. with a word to
Bill 70 ease the pace, descended the
steps OF the tender and tumbied down q
soft bank OF the right-of-way; his com
panion followed; few minutes later
Soda Water Sal, rounding the curve be-
hind. shot past them with her reeling
coach.
overtalxing the abandoned engine on
a grade. a few miles ahead, the coach
was again coupled to Il by the Rhine
lander party, and when the queer-look-
ing combination reached the first passing
track. the engine of the special. almost
dead, was vigorously kicked by Soda
Water Sal. together with the car, out
into the clear. And Helen. with the more
venturous of her legal lights clinging TO
the foot board and running boards OF
Soda Water Sal and others swarming
in its tender and crowdlng the cab, again
rushed the posse on to the scene OF the
trouble.
At the camp Rhlnelander's forces were
in trouble. Seagrue's strategy had COM
pieteiy blocked them-everybody was
stumped by seagrues audaeity. And
while the leaders were trying to pull
themselves together. seagrues men were
rapidly extending their possession OF the
disputed ground.
storm, realizing that at any cost the
situation must somehow be recouped. ran
over to where Wood was watching the
enemy. and whispered TO him. Whatever
the proposal. the old man was startled
when George Storm made IT,
Wood looked toward the camp dub
iously. II don't know" he said. finally.
That's pretty radical medicine. But
Rhinelander isn't here and I suppose
we've got to do something. It's cinch
they've got us beat out OF three months
time in another hour. for II they once
get hold OF this section we've got 70
drag them into court. II you think the
old man will stand for II, George. slam
away. You know as well as do. But !
can't take the responsibility"
II will" cried Storm emphatically He
| turned 20 the foreman Of their switch
ing crew. who stood near. and pointed
TO the engine putting at some little dis
lance. Couple onto that outfit car.
Carly. as quick as the Lord will let you,
and get ready for a run"
Carly hurried down the track. Storm,
/ giving orders right and left. asked Wood
90 send a crew OF men TO throw every
thing movable in the outfit car out on
the sand.
! seagrue. watching from a distance the
| sudden activity among Rhinelander's
forces watched the new developments
with much curiosity and some little anx-
! iety lie saw the switch engine speed
down the line. couple 20 the outfit CIR
and back away with II for a dash. In
! the cab all was excitement Under
/ Storms orders preparations were being
made for a record dash. and as the en-
CINE stopped with the outfit car in front
OF Il down below the second switch.
huge columes OF smoke pouring from the
stack into the blazing sunshine convinced
seagrue that something was up. Rhine
lander's laborers and track layers under
| Storms directions parted and stood ex-
pectant at each side OF the run OF track
on which cassidy's house had been so
uneeremonlously dropped. Seagrue saw,
roo late. what storms radical move in
the front meant.
! Storm, scent OF battle In his nostrils.
stood on the footboard as the sturdy
switch engine started. on Il came. &C