Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-06-07

stack of Soda Water Sal-the couduc-
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 rife
bullets about their ears would have
convinced Lug and Bill of the danger
threatening them. Safety first was
household word with the two Moth
ing of the disposition of martyrs had
piece in their makeup, and, abandon
ing the engine, Lug, with g 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; few minutes
later Soda Water Sal, rounding the
curve behind, shot past them with her
reeiing coach.
Overtaking the abandoned engine on
a grade. 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 stumpea 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. Il don't know" he said filahy.
That's pretty radical medicine But
Rhinelander isn't here and l 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 get to drag them into court II
you think the old man will stand for
it, George. slam away. You know as
well as I do. But l can't take the
responsibility"
Il will" cried Storm emphatically.
He turned to the foreman of their
switching crew, who stood near, and
poi1ted 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 q crew of men
to throw everything movable in the
outfit car out on the sand.
Seagrue. watching from a distance
the sudden activity among Rhineland-
er's forces, watched the new develop
ments with much curiosity and some
little anxiety. He saw l.. switch EN-
CINE speed down the me. couple TO
the outfit car and back away with it
for a dash. In the cab all was ex-
element Under Storms orders. prep
arations were being made for a rec
ord dash. and as the engine stopped
with the outfit car in front OF it down
below the second switch, huge vol
umes of smoke pouring from the stack
into the blazing sunshine convinced
Seagrue that something was up
Rhinelander's laborers and track lay
ers under Storms directions parted
and stood expectant at each side of