The evening world., 1916-02-17
CHAPTER VII


Up tho line Rhinelander. the dep
uties, the train crew and the engineer
end fireman OF the stolen engine sur
rounding the marooned coach,
searched the horizon vainiy for sign
or assistance. The conductor, the mo-
'ment after he had raised Helen on
the wire and told her Of their plight
out between stations on the main line,
had not been able to get another word
from the Las Vegas Office. In his
tmpatience and excitement Rhine
lander had taken over the telephone
and used his best endeavors to make
himself heard by Helen. The sus-
picion came TO him that Seagrue, by
some unsupported deviltry. had sue
ceeded in cutting off even wire COM
rnunication from the helpless rescue
party. But as he dropped the receiver
In despair a shout arose among the
deputies. and. looking down the far
perspective of the long tangent that
separated them from Las Vegas,
Rhinelander's men saw a faint line OF
smoke on the horizon. 1t rapidly grew
more distinct and spread blacker and
heavier. An engine was bearing down
on them. The railroad men were nom
plused. None OF them could recognize
tn the distance the stumbling gait OF
the queer flyer. and Soda Water Sal
was well upon them before they real
lied II was she. None the less hearty.
In ha. H..
the expectant throng made out
Helens face at the cab window a
chorus Of shouts went up TO greet her.
With her hair in the wind and her
eyes burning with excitement, the
white-faced girl brought tho aston
ished old machine to q stop close to
the coach. Rhinelander and the con-
ductor ran to greet her Few words
were needed in explanation, few
were lost. Coupling the coach ahead
OF the switch engine and hustling the
deputies aboard, the conductor from
The rear platform gave Helen her sig
nal. Helen opened the throttle again
and away went Soda Water Sal.
pushing the loaded coach UP the line
ahead. To Soda Water Sal q coach
was a mere toy-a plaything; indeed,
she felt as II she were only now
coming into her own when she had
something in her hands to push And
without showing tho slightest np-
pearance OF strain. Soda Water Sal
alto up the miles ahead of her like
city blocks and got within sight OF
Soagrua's two stalwart tools, who
were trying to run away with tho
engine OF tho special. Indeed, the
pair in the stolen cab felt quite Sc
cure in their quick getaway until
Bill, acting as driver, looking back
saw train behind and an ominous
cloud OF smoke pouring from the
stack OF Soda Water Sal-thu con-
ductor 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 rasc0ls could make
out the armed deputies, Had there
been any doubt in their minds az q
the temper Of the men pursuine
them, littlO puffa OF white smok,
rising from tho cuach front, and thu
whine o; rifle bullets about then
ears would have convinced Lug anC
Bill OF the danger threatening them
Safety first was n household wor,
with the two. Nothing OF the dis
/ position OF martyrs had place II
their makeup, and. abandoning tine
engine, Lug, with word 10 lSlll &c
ease tho pace. descended tho step!
Il OF the tender and tumbled down {
X soft bank to the right OF way: hi'
companion followed; in IA few minute
Soda Water sal, rounding the curve
behind. shot past them with he
Keeling coach.
Overtaking the abandoned engine ol
a grade. n few miles ahead, the coac'
was again coupled to II by the Rhine
lander party, ana when the queer
looking combination reached the frs