Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-02-08
CHAPTER lIl-continued

the big wheel which manipulate,
the wings.
They were nearing the first 0a,
point, and John leaned forward t,
see better.
"Ready. there? Open you
wingsP he called. ard the men be
low bent on the wheel. turning Il
TO force the wings outward so they
would toss the displaced snow faI
to either side.
Al immense, Impending cataract
S-me over the front of the plow
shutting off their view completely
John fell their speed diminish as
though velvet-faced b~rakeshoes had
grioped the wheels and Tucker
bawled:
LET 'em in"
A man at the wheel kicked the
trip; the wings we're squeezed back
against the sides of the pillow; they
held their pace a moment longer
Inc then came to a stop.
Johns srow fences had func-
toned and some of the cuts were
easy TO traverse because of these
barriers which caught and held the
snow TO windward. but In other
places the going was impossible. A
dozen times the shovelers were out.
tossing aside and waiting to shovel
the pillow free when Tiny wedged
IL into the drift.
AT five In the morning they gained
d mainline crossing. Atop the
ridge as II was the snow had most
~ blown away, but Tucker held the
wings open until they approached
the last switch.
Bring EN- inf" he called. and
chewed briskly as they bumped,
cross the points. II vas the only
place on the line where caution
must be used with the wings; the
n standard switch-stand on the
whole line vas located there. and
to pass il with wings extended
might mean derailment
John had arranged for breakfast
at the crossing tenders house by
telephone before they left town. and
as he watched the men fall to the
steaming food he grinned. The bat
tie wasn't over yet but h, had held
his OWL so far. He had check
mated old Toms ruthlessness he
was wrestling an even break from
the weather. He would nor
have been so easy of mind. would
not have taken such q fierce glory
In the conflict with snow. had ne
known that late yesterday after
moor | IN the shadow of a car of logs
Tucker had listened TO Pau Gorbel
while the man talked. slowly at first.
as n feeling his way, rapidly
later, as one who has achieved his
end.
And now on into camp; hours
OF battle through the barren chop
pings until they gained the shelter
of timber. Tiny must tinker for
hall an hour with his engine; men
must rest. Fresh shovelers could
be taken on at camp. hut the en-,
CINE crew could not be replaced.
AS day waned the wind dropped
and snow thinned. The tempera
ture fell. too. hut the back of the
storm was broken. All that remained
now was to reopen the road from
the crossing on into Shnestring.
seven miles and all down grade.
John opened the pillow door. walt
Ing for that stop. The wings were
spread and he could hear the fun
of snow they showed out to either
side.
Up above. alone now, Tucker
grasped the hand rail tightly and
Draced his feet. One of the men
sf the wheel spoke to his mate and
looked upward, a bit puzzled. Thai
standard switch-stand was Inst
ahead.
From the engine came a muffled
foot Brakes set sharply They
slowed, but II was too late.
From the right a thud and O rasp
ing rattle as the wing caught the
switch-siand. tearing II from its an
chorage- A Jolt and a clank from
the moving switch Just as the pIow's
rear truck met the point and the
wheels dropped down on the
ties
"0fi" yelled John. Jump your
He led the way. hurting himself out
the snow bank. p,
The plow bncked. careened tilted
A s%nlintering sound as the front ,
left the steel. and with a rack .
and a crash the pillow was on Its
side and John was laundering
In the snow watching the Iocomo
tive. He saw her stick her pilot int
the DRIFT. saw the fireman leap. saw
Tiny follow him. The engine. all the :
power they had. settled slOw I
~ to Its side. carrying the tank over
with IT,
Excitement Men were In the :
Enow men were shouting the 4
wae spewing more men a
Anybody hnrf7 Guess not Put :,
we're deraIled. man. AerHIledi 8