White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-03
"T4e TRAIL"

SlOOu on a sluluk. MS ucciciou was
instantaneous. Summoning his men
to climb aboard. he backed the train
on to the track and started in pur-
suit.
The race was eve till they struck
the grade. and then Rawls' train with
every car loaded. had a greater
motive power than any engine
gravity. As the two trains slid
down the mountain the distance be-
tween grew less and less. Both sides
were firing as rapidly and continuous
Is as human fingers could load and
press the triggers. Narrower and
narrower grew the intervening space
till the trains seemed TO couple and
lock. And now, back and forth over
the swaying ore cars, there waged a
hand-to-hand battle. First one side
would take the upper hand, then the
other. in a desperate rush. would
carry the fighting back.
But this could not last. As Casey
turned the bend leading down to the
burned bridge he knew In his heart
that defeat was very close. Out {
numbered, his men would be virtual
~ surrounded as soon as the train
came 20 a stop. The only way out
was across the bridge itself. trusting
TO a higher power that the oharred
supports and sleepers would bear
x-As1hT kl-ard - fhnrafoFa nassau |
along that all hands we're to make
for the bridge as Don as the engine
halted. A moment later Casey closed
the throttle. and calling his men to
follow. leaped to the ground and
started over the flimsy framework
toward safety. IL was a costly opera 9
ton but most of the men had made
their way unhurt to the center of the
bridge and were holding of their as
sailants with fair success when a new
enemy appeared in the rear.
Won Bleck, Shoestring and One
had mounted a gatiing gun on :
the front of the engine and were !
bearing down on Casey from the
other side of the bridge. The fire
had been less severe on this side, and
the engine crept put over the sleep 4,
ers with its deadly weapon pouring i,
forth a flying fusilade of bullets. II 7
was only by swinging their bodies a
underneath and hanging by the :
beams that the stouthearted little p.
band of defenders could saye them
selves. i,
Election day dawned bright and
clear. and Hogan. his red machine /,
conspicuous with campaign banners.
vas greeted with cheers wherever he ,
went. The events of the day before
had turned the tide, and Causley's ,
defeat vas a foregone conclusion.
But the candidate dropped his cam
paign smile for a hearty laugh when
he suddenly came upon Casey twist
ing his hat with boyish embarrass-
ment before a young lady's praise.
Isn't he-I mean it-perfectly
lovely . she exclaimed with enthus-
iasm as Hogan drove up. DO you
know What Mr.. Casey did last night?
Captured a rabnd new gattling gun
Won Bleck had shipped from the East
Isn't that simly magnificent She
was bearning on the big Irishman
with frank admiration. elapping her
hands and murmuring those girlish
ordinations which prove so often
fatal to any mans self-possession
Casey welcomed the newcomer as a
p~rovidential diversion.
The Won came too far. that's all.
he explained. We worked along
the side of the engine. and the gat
couldn't turn on such a wide angie.
But they still have the mine. and a
gang OF men is working now rebuild
ing the bridge. Gwyn and | decided
we 100 could s the bridge. 70 we
are not disturbing them. And now
tell me how the election is going.
Fine" grinned Hogan. Mrs.
Gwyn here Is the best little politician
I've seen In many a day. And by
the way. old man Taylor. the poor
old skeleton hat keeps the deeds.
i told me this morning he had changed
his mind about the title to the mine
and corrected the records in her lady
ships favor. wouldn't wonder IN
he we're something of a politician
himself. eh9"-
BY noon the ballot was almost
complete. with Hogan leading by a
safe majority.
Well" he told Gwyn, since your
wife fought for me I'll repay the
favor. The boys are having a holiday
to-day. and don't know any kind of
| celebration that'd please EN- better