The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-07-21

asked me if Mr.. NOrcross was on the
engine. l told him he was, and that
ended it. What with the rattle and
bang Of the coach, the bowling OF the
speed-made wind In the ventilators,
and the shrill scream Of the spinning
wheels, there wasn't any room for
talk during the whole of that breath
taking race to the old "Y" In the hills
beyond Banta.
knowing, from what Mr.. Norcross
had said, the point at which we were
going to side-track and wait for the
special and the wild engine, l grew
sort of nervous and worked-up after
we had crashed through the Banta
yard and the day-coach began to sway
and lurch around the hill curves. What
If the special had been making bet
ter time than the boss he counted
upon? In that case, we'd probably hit
her In head-ender somewhere on one
of those very curves. And with the
time we were making, and the time
she'd be making, there wouldn't be
enough left for either train to be
worth picking up.
A mile or so short of the ~" sid
ing went up ahead and handed N.Y.
self out to the forward platform to
see if couldn't get a squirt past the
storming engine. l got 1t now and
then, on the swing of the curves, but
there was nothing in sight. Just the
same it was mighty scary, and | took
relief breath SO deep that it nearly
made me sick at my stomach when
| l finally realized that Kirgan had shut
off and was slowing for the stop at the
farther switch of the old "Y."
What was done at the switch was
| done swiftly, as men work when they
have the fear Of death gripping ut
them. If the special should come up
while we were making the back-in, the
| result would be just about the same as
It would have been II we had met 1t
on the curves.
With our own engine silent, | could
hear a faint sound like the far-away
duttering of safety-valve. We were
not ten seconds too soon. The special
was coming.
Mr.. Norcross, who was still in the
engine cab, shot an order at Rirgan.
Filing your coat over the headlight,
and then be ready to snatch 1t and
get Oft" he shouted. IF they see 1t
as they come up, 1t may stop them!"
Then, catching a glimpse Of me on the
ground: Break the coupling on the
coach, Jimmie-quick"
As I jumped to obey I understood
what was to be done. The fireman at
the switch was to let the special 90
hv and then the boss-just the boss
alone on the engine-was to be let
out on the main track to put himself
between the chaser and the chased. 1t
was a hair.raising proposition, but per.
haps-just perhaps-not quite so sui
cidal as it looked. With skilful han.
ding the interposed engine might pos.
slbly be kept out Of the way by back
inp and its warning headlight shin
Ing full into the eyes Of the men in
the 4l8s cab would surely be enough
to stop them-if anything would.
| had just finished uncoupling the
day.coach and the boss was easing our
engine ahead bit to make sure thnl
she was loose, when the car door
opened behind me and the major and
Mrs. Sheila came out in the front
vest,bule, It was Mrs. Sheila who
spoke to me, and her voice had Dor
rowed some Of the big terror that
had seen in her eyes while she wa
sitting In the Office at Portal City.
To BE CoNTINUED)