Year: 1866

ties, logs, etc while at the point where the
curve was the sharpest-before reaching
the gorge-were several more tugging fu-
riously at rail, one end of which seemed
to battle them as they pulled it outwards.
We were within a mile of them when we
discovered them, and as we noticed them,
the shout came simultaneously FROM both of
us-s'the wrong side of the curve!' The
miserable fools we're pulling out the inside
rail instead of the outside. In the latter
case nothing could have saved us from run.
ming off the track, and probably into the
gorge. Our single brakeman, seeing the
danger-I suppose from habit-was CON-
mencing tc tighten the brake, but look
from Joe, I signalled "off brakes" Joe
meanwhile opened the throttle to its widest
extent as we dashed down the grade at a
positively frightful velocity As we Dearod
them, a party Of them huddled together
near the track. seized . light stick of
wood, intending, if possible to hurt "some'
body" We were going altogether too swift
to fear their taking aim at us; and for that
matter, suppose they considered our destruc-
ton such certainty that firing at us would
be needless. Twas posing the big stick of
wood, and guessing the rate of speed-I've
had some practice in throwing parcels from
trains in motion-when Joe suddenly pulled
the whistle rope. The hoarse shrek seemed
to startle them for an instant; they hud-
died closer together, and tossed the stick
outwards and downwards. I had barely
time to see it crush through group with
the force of thunderbolt, when, with jar
ring plunge, the wheels on one side struck
the naked ties. That part of the trouble
We had feared but little, as the. impetus of
the engine was almost sure to make It
mount the track again. On the track
again, but few yards ahead of us was the
formidable barricade, and beyond that the
yawning cbasm. Joe was standing up now
with his eyes blazing, still holding the
throttle wide open, as he braced himself
for the shock I had grasped the back
rod of the tender the instant I threw the
stick of wood. Crash my hold didn't
avail me, and I was pitched head over
heels against the fire box, and laid fiat
on my back on the foot board or floor of the
engine.


Joe was as suddenly jerked half way
around, his back striking q little door in
front of where he stood, breaking the door
and shivering the glass to atoms But we
were through, how, I couldn't tell, except,
we were Oh the track, and laundering over
the gorge. Joe's spirits rose with the oc.
casion. Extricatiug himself almost as sud
denly as be had been deposited in the little
glass door, he jerked tin flask from his
pocket, sprang TO the top of the tender and
from thence to the roof of the cab. Steady.
ing himself for moment with his face to.
wards the rebels, be shouted "good bye"
and made them low bow, and took drink
perfectly regardless of the white puffs of
smoke, as one after another discharged their
pieces at him, as be afterwards explained,
the engine made too much noise, for him to
hear the bullets, as they didn't seem to be
hitting anybody.


After having, in spite of sore bones, per.
formed ajig he.had extemporized for the
occasion for tbe express edifcasion of the
rebs, Joe descended from his perch, and
deliberately shutting of steam stopped


We were still in sight of them, though
at a tolerably safe distance, and now I saw
q group of them standing near several
men who had been wounded, perhaps
some killed by that 'irrepressible" stick of
wood


Our damages were few bruises each,
but no serious hurts. Our engine suffered
the loss of the pilot, or COW catcher and
head light, the front of the smoke box was
stove in, besides sundry dents aud bruises
on the brass castings of the cylinders; but
was, for running purposes, absolutely un-
injured, the rebels having piled the logs
squarely across the top Of the track, the
point of the cow killer had gone under
them and though broken by the shock,
had raised them sufficiently to keep them
from under the wheels, while the en-
CINE dashed them right and left into the
gorge.


The rebels seeing US stop, started in
pursuit, but as we found nothing serious to
impede our further progress, and, as in tbs
case, Substance lends enohantment to the
view," we were off again iu high spirits,
and without further adventure worth
recounting, arrived safely at our destina-
ton.


Poor Joe, after being shot at SO ofteu as
to have acquired sovereign contempt for
rebel bullets, was shot dead sometime after,
while running government engine near
Chattanooga.


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