Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-04-28

uties aboard, the conductor from the
rear platform gave Helen her signal.
Helen opened the throttle again and
away went Soda Water Sal, pushing
the loaded coach up the line ahead.
To Soda Water Sal a coach was a
mere toy-a plaything; indeed, she
felt as if she were only now coming
into her own when she had something
in her hands to push. And without
showing the slightest appearance of
strain, Soda Water Sal ate up the
miles ahead of her like city blocks and
got within sight of ~Seagrue's two stall
wart 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 as driver, looking
back, saw a train behind and an omi-
stack of Soda Water Sal-the conduc-
tor was firing for Helen and he I'M
derstood 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 lat
ter the fleeing rascals could make out
the armed deputies. Had there been
any doubt in their minds as to the
temper of the men pursuing them, lit
tie 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 a
household word with the two. Moth
ing of the disposition of martyrs had
place in their makeup, and, abandon
ing the engine, Lug, with a word to
Bill to ease the pace, descended the
steps of the tender and tumbled down
a soft bank to the right of way; his
companion followed; a few minutes
later Soda Water Sal, rounding the
curve behind, shot past them with her
Keeling coach.
Overtaking the abandoned engine on
a grade, a few miles ahead, the coach
was again coupled to it by the Rhine
lander party, and when the queer
looking combination reached the first
passing track, the engine of the spe-
cial, 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 footboard
and running boards of Soda Water
Sal and others swarming in her ten
der and crowding the cab, again
rushed the posse on to the scene of
the trouble.
At the camp Rhinelander's forces
were in trouble. Seagrue's strategy
had completely blocked them-every-
body was stumped by Seagrue's audac-
ity. And while the leaders were try
ing to pull themselves together, Sea.
grue's 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 dubi-
ously. 81 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 a
cinch they've got us beat out of three
months time in another hour, for if
they once get hold of this section,
we've got to drag them into court. If
you think the old man will stand for
it, George, slam away. You know as
well as I do. But I can't take the
responsibility"
II will" cried Storm emphatically.
He turned to the foreman of their
switching crew, who stood near, and
pointed to the engine putting at some
little distance. Couple on to 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 to send a crew of men