Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-09-04

III place on top OF the pipe, and fastened
it securely there. Then Long attached
a battery to the end of the wire n
carried the battery outside the derrick.
"All Set?" he asked.
Long jerked the handle of the bat
terry.
For n moment nothing seemed to
happen. Then the earth beneath their
feet shivered slightly. The dull faint
sound of a distant boom came to their
ears.
Long vas on his feet, walking rapidly
toward the derrick. Charley, the major
and Jimmy followed him.
just as Long reached the edge of the
derrick he stopped, cooked his head.
The others did the same. In the heavy
silence that EMBODIED them they heard
a low sullen rumbling that seemed to
grow i'll intensity even as they stood
there listening.
Jimmy found himself retreating step
by step as though pushed by a force
outside himself. That lone stark der
rick standing there had ceased to be
a network OF steel girders standing in
animate on the scar, bare Texas plain.
1t was now a living thing, sending out
that awesome rising note that was
tearing up from the depths.
The boards around the lower part of
the derrick prevented them from see
ing the top of the pipe. But suddenly
the note broke into a roar that raSped
at the drums of their ears. A burst of
black water and mud and Oil shot up
in the middle of the derrick.
Higher, higher it rose until it struck
the crown block at the top. 1t burst
past the crown block, shredding itself
into black oily spray that showered
far out around the derrick.
They turned and frankly ran.
Even as they turned, Long uttered a
sound that was almost a moan My
God!' he cried. Look at that"
The rushing roar Of gas and oil. the
sullen spatter of heavy drops on the
ground, was cut into by a crisp
cracking sound, Ominous in timber.
Everything was happening in split
seconds. AS Jimmy faced about his
heart seemed to stop for a moment. His
eyes had left the black, oily, spouting
column of a big gusher. They saw
now a plume of fire that was curling
and licking around the top of the der
rick. Fire!
1IlG IildJOl gave ~ l1d&AC CACltllld-
ton, and then stood for a brace of
! seconds with his eyes or this shower
ing inferno that had suddenly turned
riches into the promise of ruin.
But even as he looked pityingly at
come up to a belligerent angle as the
r old fellow bit down hard on it.
!, "Long!" the major shouted, we've
rot RI mt IL n,tf rirhf ouyov
Long was getting over some of his
/ surprise also. His face set in lines of
determination. If we can get in there
flow of oil off" he stated, shell burn
herself out in a little while"
! How are we going to get in there?'
the major demanded.
, Long answered the majors question
crisply: Wen have to get Carter out
here from Astoria. He's got an asbestos
suit. He can walk right through the
fire and close the valve"
The major nodded. 1--WE heard of
him." he said. will he Gomez"
Sure. His price is high, but it's
worth it. Look at the oil going to
WaSte!"
The major turned to Jimmy, taking
OllC Nl5oL AlOlll Ia lllOulAl dAl0 sNDLQA-
ing with it. Can you take him into
Astoria right away?" he demanded,
and bring back this fellow Carter?'
Jimmy nodded. Yes, there's enough
gas left to do it,"
The major spoke one word, briefly
In order and a plea, Hurry"
Jimmy al toward the plane, cor
graduating himself as he did SO that
II hn hoI ponxod II hoply RI % cofn die
lance.
The motor caught quickly, as though
it sensed the need for haste. BY the
time Long was climbing unaided into
the front cockpit the prop was kicking
dust up behind, and the tachometer
needle was quivering or the thousand
mark.
Jimmy flew low, throttle wide open.
, The miles flashed beneath. The build
, ings of Astoria soon came in sight
Flat unfenced vacant ground extended
right up to the outermost fringe OF
buildings. Jimmy picked a likely look
, ing spot, sidestepped down and made
a stall landing. Long was climbing
) over the side before the ship stopped
rolling.
= Come with me-" he requested loudly
Might need you to help carry some
> thing"
Jimmy closed the switch, cut thu
gasoline off, set the brakes and lief
the plane standing there.
They went a full quarter of a mile
! Both were painting heavily when Lonl
i turned into the lawn Of a small franz
i house, dashed up to the porch ant
knocked sharply on the door. 1t wa
q answered after a moment by a frai
= little woman wiping her hands nervous
, ly on an apron. She had evidentl
n been washing.
Garter IMP" Long painted.
whats the matter?" she asked !
!, alarm.
"Nothin'. Well burning. Want hin
4 to come with his asbestos suit an,
o turn the head valve off,"
T She shook her head. Will is in be,
{ with a broken leg. He can't 60"
"Any one else around here who doe
n that sort of thing?" demanded Long.
q mo. Will does it ALL"
/ where is he? Can he see us?"
n "Why, 1 guess So" She surveye
them doubtfullv. then stepped bacl
. admitted them to the house, and lie
+ the way back to a rear bedroom. O
a bed there, fiat on his back, lay
. Yr~Jor +Lo co1rarc h;c hoJx Iidr