Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-01-14

coupled and backed In on the siding
for the purpose OF kicking the caboOse
In which Shirley and Colonel Penning
ton had ridden to the woods. out Ontc
the main line again-where, owing to
slight downhill grade, the caboose
controlled by the brakeman could
coast gently forward and be hooked
onto the end Of the log train for the
return journey to Sequoia.
Throughout the afternoon Shirley
! following the battle royal between
Bryce and the Pennington retainers,
had sat disrnally in the cabOose. She
was prey to many conflicting emo
lions; but having had what her sex
term "a good cry" she had TO great
extent recovered her customary poise
and was busily specializing on the
rapidity with which she could leave
Sequoia and forget she had ever met
Bryce Cardlgan-when the log train
rumbled into the landing and the last
of the long string Of trucks came to a
stop directly opposite the cabOOse-
Shirley happened to be looking
through the grimy caboose window at
that moment. On the top log OF the
load the object Of her unhappy specu-
lations was seated, apparently quite
oblivious Of the fact that he was back
once more in the haunt Of his enemies,
although knowledge that the double
bitted ak he had so unceremoniOusly
borrowed OF Colonel Pennington was
driven deep into the log beside him
with the. haft convenient 10 his hand
probably had much to do with Bryce's
air Of detached Indifference.
Shirley told herself that should he
move, should he show the slightest
disposition to raise his head and bring
his eyes on a level with hers, she
would dodge away from the window
in time TO escape his scrutiny.
She reckoned without the engine.
With a smart bump It struck the ca
bose and shunted it briskly up the
siding; at the sound OF tie impact
Bryce raised his troubled glance just
in time to see ShirIey's body. yield
ing to the shock, sway into full view
at the window.
With difficulty he suppressed a grin
all bet my immortal soul she was
peeking at me-" he solilOquized. 'Con-
found the lucki Another meeting this
afternoon would be embarrassing.
TactfuIly he resumed his study Of his
feet, not even looking up when the
caboose. after gaining the main track,
slid gently down the slight grade and
was coupled to the rear logging truck.
He heard the engineer shout 10 the
had ridden down from
the head OF the train to unlock the |
siding switch and couple the caboose !
to hurry up, lock the switch, and |
get back aboard the engine.
Cant get this DANCED key to turn
in the lock-" the brakeman shouted |
presently. Locks rusty. and some
things gone bust inside"
Minutes passed. Bryce's assumed /
abstraction became real, for he had /
many matters TO occupy his busy /
brain, and it was impossible for him to
sit idle without adverting TO some Of
them. Presently he was subcOnscious-
" aware that the train was moving
gently forward; almost Immediately,
{ seemed 70 him. the long string of
.rucks had gathered their customary
speed: and then suddenly it dawned
lpon Bryce that the train had started
,ff without a single jerk-and. that it
vas gathering Roadway rapidly.
He looked ahead-and his hair grew
reepy at the roots. There was no To-
.omotive attached to the trainl It
vas running away down two per
ent grade, and because OF the ire
nendOus weight OF the train, it was
momentum at fearful rate.
The reason for the runaway dawned
n Bryce instantly. The road. being
rivately owned. was, like most log
ing roads, neglected as to rOadbed /
nd rolling stock; also it was under
named, and the brakeman. who also
cted as switchman, had failed to set
he hand-brakes on the leading truck
fter the engineer had locked the air
rakes. As a result, during the five or
* minutes required to spot in" the
aboose. and an extra minute or two
,st while the brakeman struggled .
18th the recalcirant lock on the ,
witch. the air had leaked away
trough the worn valves and rubber ;
lbing. and the brakes had been re-
ased-so that the train. without :
arning. had quietly and almost noise
sSly slid out of the iog-landing and /,
arted on its mad career. There was :,
,thing to do now save watch the wild },
inaway and pray, for Of all the mad >
naways in & mad world, loaded :
gging train is by far the worst
For an instant after realizing his :,
Bryce Cardigan was
mpted to jump and take his chance
a few broken bones. before the .
hin could reach a greater speed than ;
enty miles an hour. His next i'm q
Use was to RON forward and set the u
nd-brake on the leadIns truck. but IL
-lopca showed him that even Wlrh