Running "pilot."

" Who is standing pilot this evening," said the superintendent or "boss,"as he was called. "Seth Martin," was the foreman's reply. "Teil him to come here, will you? j and hurry up 1" The foreman hastened away, and both he and. Seth Martin must have " spread themselves," as the former said, l'or in a few minutes the euginedriver stood before his chief. The great man took a comprehensive look at the engineer, who flinched not a i iiiuscle. His clear, steady eyes were aa I blue as the sky; a handsome brown beard ornamented his face, which, albeit rather dirty, was full of character and determinatíon. To use the popular expression, " he was pure gold down te bed rock." The superintendent, satiafied with his scrutiny, nodded to the engine-driver, ; and said: "There's a specie train up out of Collinsville to-night, Seth," " I know that," was the curt response. " And it will require close watching," continued the chief. "I s'pose so - I know that," repeated Seth. "You are mighty knowin' this evening," said the superintendent, smiling; " but there is one thing you don't know, Sonny. You don't know that you are going to run pilot to that train." " Yes, I do," replied the enginedriver. " Who in thunder told you, then ? I didn't know it myself till ten minutes ago !" "You told me this minute, then T knew it," replied Seth, smiling, and disclosing his white, even teeth. "I'm ready, boss." "Seth Martin, you ought to be a Judge; your talents are thrown away on this line. But listen; we've no time to split straws in chaff. There's a very festive gang of desperadoes hanging about up Dartford way. They nearly wreoked the through Pacific last week. Fortunately, the passengers was handy with their shootin'-irons and bullets was rainin' pretty thick, else there would have been something unpleasant." " Wa'al," said the engine-driver, " go ahead." "Now you must run pilot to the specie train and see that the line's clear up as far as Dartford City. Ye can shant at the Trestle-Bridge siding and wait to pull the wagons up the Bunker incline through the cutting. Once safe i there ye can rattle along, and mind ye keep a good lookout." " You bet !" was Seth's reply. " I'd better take my six-shooter, I suppose. We'll have to fight, maybe ?" " Most likely," replied the superintendent, coolïy. "Keep this quiet. I've got men on the lookout along the line. Who's your mate ?" "English Torn Atkins," was the reply. "He'sgrit!" "All right, then," said the chief. " Now don't drink; keep a full head of steam ; bring back the specie safe, and " " Wa'al ?" drawled the other, coolly. " I'll provide for your family if you're luwt or sliot; if not, I'll reward yon." " Is that all, then ? Well, good night, boss, and thank ye." " Good luck," was the answer; "I'll not forget you." Seth Martin turned away with a nod of acknowledgment and directed his steps to the sned where his engine was "standing pilot." This means that the engine had steam up (or was "in steam," to speak teolmically) and was ready for any sudden eniergeney. The drivèr was just as well pleased to run a oouple of hundred miles on a dark night, oven when the chance of being shot, as to ha-wi an invitation to the " White House " itself. I "Torn!" " Hallo !" cameback in anunmistakable EngHsh voice. "Pire up a bit; we're bound west; specie pilot ; 10 o'clock. Keep it quiet. " A man, unseen by the driver, put up his head to listen. Seth was a man of action, and so was his mate, Torn Atkins. They looked to the engine and their revolvers ; put a dozen cartridges in a tin can; filled a similar can with some oíd Bourbon whisky at a saloon close by, whither they were followed by the man who had been listening to their conversation, and who noted their preparations. After communicating with some acoomplice, this mysterious individual left the saloon and made his way toward the signal box, which stood some distance down the line. As soon as the engine driver and his mate were recognized they were warmly welcomed, for they were favorites Jiany dripke were tepdered for their ac ceptance, and declined on various pleas, till at length one man declared the Britisher wanted to fix an insult on a freeborn citizen. He offered Setli and Tom a glass apiece, saying : "Wliat'sup, mate? Swore off, eh?" "For tbis evening," replied Scth, "but, as I'd rather drink than fight just now, I'll take your treat." So the men each tpok the proffered glass, but scarceIv tasted it ; and soon afterwards Seth, fêaring that some inkling of bis intended mission might leak out, beckoned to his fireman to follow as soon as possible, and then left the saloon. He lit a cigar, elimbed up into the "cab" of hisengine (all American locomotives are protected and closed in), and began to smoke. He smoked in comfort for about half an hour, then he feit " queer." " These is stronger cigars than usual," he muttered, and he threw it f rom him. But the oppression on his brain became heavier ; he feit very sleepy now. "I think I'll have a nap; it's only about 9 o'clock. I must ; there's an hour yet. I wonder where Tom is. It's my opinión Tom will drink too much or His train of thought was suddenly interrupted. All at once it flashed upon him that he himselt' had been " drugged" in the saloon. " That's it ; -what a thundering idiot I am !" He essayed to rise, but feit quite bewildered. He made hopeless attempts to stand upright, but could do nothing. He was as uselees as a child ; but, worse than all, he was conscious of I his inability to do his duty. Ten o'clock rang out. He struggled to his feet. His head was spinning round, his feet were heavy as leaden weights. He opened the slidiDg-door, but, ere he could descend, a blow from behind sent him flying into space - a splash, and down he sank into a large pond eontaining a quantity of surplus water for the locomotive tanks. At the same moment three men climbed up on the engine, and, with a low but hearty chuckle, started it out from the siding. " I think we did that neat," said the shortest of the party. "I didn't listen to the boss for nothin' this time. The Hpeoie tram will run aiter all, tbis time. j Oh ! they couldn't oatch me tripping. No, sir !" "The Savage will do the., bridge, I suppose," said another. "He's to work ou the up line, isn't he?" " Aye, only on that side. Ye did that Britisher pretty, I must say. He and Seth was kiüder cautious, too." "I mixed it strong," said the other, with a savage laugh. "Did you settle the signáis, Abe ?" "Aye; telegraphed ourselves on special, and then cut the wires and smashed the instrumenta. We're olear now to Dartford City. What's that ?" he added, hastily, as the engine lurohed for a seoond and lifted. "Only the points. We're out now. We can run easy, I s'pose. She won't bust, I hope. Here goes." The speaker, who knew a little about engine-driving, turncd on the steam and away they went. He turned his head for a moment. There's somethiüg moving yonder; they'vefound Seth, likely." I But this portion of tb e gang of desperadoes had met their match in English Torn Atkins. For a moment or two he had been overeóme by the drugged whisky, hut a simple and very effective remedy cured him at the cost of a few moments' sickness. Creeping along the ground. for he eould not walk, he conceived the idea of following these men, so he held the points open and sent the " bravoes " away into the night on the up line. He proposed to give the alarm and follow (on the down metáis) with a superior force. But fate was drawing the fugitives to destruction. The up line was cut at the bridge. " Lend a hand, mate, I'm drowndin' !" This is what Torn heard as he crawled rather than walked across the metáis to seek assistance. "Seth- Seth Martin; what's happened to you?" " Them varmint tossed me in here when I was half stupid, but the water has done me good. Help me out, Torn, and we '11 flx them yet." Torn, who was rapidly recovering, lent all the assistance he could; and then the dripping driver, quickly wringing the water from his clothes, said, when his mate had told him what he had done " Don't breathe a syllable to mortal man. I know Bob Franklin's engine is in steam by now for the cross traffic. We'll flre her up and run them down. We may save the specie yet. Hurry down to the signal-box while I get out the engine." Torn hastened away as desired, but soon came back with the intelligence that the box was empty and the wire ent. " We daresn't say a word now," said Seth. "What fools we were to take them drinks ! Now, Torn, shove in some wood whiie I oil the cranks. I'll ieave word for the foreman; we must trust him." All these preparations were made almost as quickly as they are here described. In ten minutes the engine was ready, and as noiselessly as possible the great locomotive was brought out of the shed, but tender nrst. "Never mind," said Seth, when Torn objeetcd. "We can run about asquiek. Now, are ye ready?" The foreman came up at th at moment. "If ye do buoceed," he said, "yotirfortunes are made. If you fa.il I wouldn't answer f or your lives". Take my revolver, " lie added, "and be off." Seth thanked him, adding gloomily, " If we fail, we'll never come back alive. For us to be hocussed with ' bourbon ' is disgrace enough." A whistle ! The foreman opened the points and the engine sped away on the down line in full pursuit of the desperadoes to save the specie train if possible. " We've no head lamp !" exclaimed Torn, suddenly. "So much the better; we don't want to advertías ourselves to-night. Thero's a flash of something; guess we'll have a storm," The remark was not uncalled for. The gleam of lightning every now and then appoared to rest upon the steel handles and glint along the rails. There was a moaning sound in the air, a feeling of opprossion, while occasionally.a heavy plash of rain would drop upon the roof of the "cab" in which the men journeyed. They absolutely flew along tho track. Over the apparently boundless prairie the line was laid. Not a station for miles. A few watering-places at intervals alone broke the level character of the prospect when the filful liehtning lit up the surrounings. Pitch dark overhead except when the flashes came ; and the only light below the rapidly moving glare of the furnace flre on the "road." "Jt's past eleven," said the driver, "We ought to have pulled them np. We've run this thirty miles in the halfhour. There's Buffalo creek," headded, as tbey skimmed past. " Well, then, Dartforcl is only another thirty, and the trestle siding on the top of the cutting is only twenty-five." "We must pass them at the curve, below. Hallo I look out, mind that handlamp." Torn turned the slide and looked abt ad. Seth shut off steam. " There they are ! Lueky we are runuing tender foremost, or they would have seen our fire. We'll wait on them gently till they get to the trestle curve. Then we'11 ' wire in ' and drop them. Steady, mate !" The engine carne silently to a standBtill. The gentle hiss of the steam, which -was just raising the valves, was the only audible sound. Broad flashes of sheet lightning lit up the heavy masses of cloud, but no thunder followed. Seth looked to his revolver. Torn fed the fli-6, and they waited ; it was their only chance - a surprise. For quite twenty minutes the men waited ; the engine in front had long ago disappeared. At last Seth said, "Now, Tom, is our time ! I'll run them a race down to Dartford City, and, if I get theie first, there'll be ecalps to sell to-morrow. We'll round that curve bef ore they see us, and come in all flying. Are y ou ready ?" Tom signifled his consent, and away darted the ponderous engine across the boundless prairie at top speed. On ! on ! never mind the rough track ; it's death if you leave it ; it's death, most likely, if you remain. There is one chance, and only one - if you reach Dartford City iind givè the alarm ! " Press on, Seth, it's nigh midnight." So whispered Tom, as the engine swung round the sharp curve. There, seemingly motionless, was the other engine. Faster and faster rattled the pursuer. They were seen at last. The men were visible through the glass for an instant. "Lie down !" roared Seth. Only just in time. Two bullets carne crashing overhead ; another hit the handle of the steam whistle and sent out a scream of defiance into the night. Seth rose slowly, and, pistol in hand, watched the íoe. " He's going to race us, but he don't know the trick of firin' ' No. 200,' Tom. We'li pass him and then - " Seth's face, as he spoke and clutehed his revolver, was sufficient to explain his meaning ■without words. On, on, speeding across. the prairie ! Now Seth was gniíiing, new the others shot ahead. " More wood into the furnace ; pile it in, Tom," cried Seth - " that's it - now - " A bullet from Seth's steady hand passed througli the glass of the other engine and shattered the driving arm of the man who held the regulator. " Búlly I" exclaimed the delighted Seth. " Now for another log. The flre was blown up, and like an arrow the engines flewalong; bnt no more shots were exchanged, for as they were running neck and neck íor one instant Seth perceived a light on the line ahead, and before his companion was aware of his inttntion shut off the steam. The other engine fled away into the darkness, leaving Seth and Tom far behind. "What didyou shut off for?" cried Toin in amazement. "Look ahead and you'll know," was the grim reply. Tom looked ahead. A weird light was playing on the track, a halo of unearthly appearance. It shimmered and moved about like a will-o'-the-wisp. It was a most ghastly white mist - a ghostly warning. " What can it be ?" said Tom, his superstitious terrors being iiow excited. "Whatisit?" " It's light, that's all," said Seth with a fiendish grin. "I know it though; I've seen it before. There's somebody underneath the rails in the bridge, and, you bet, they're cutting the track for the special train I" " Gracious heaven, and that engme !" "That engine will be in the river in two minutes," said Seth Martin. " Oh ! hurry up and save them if we can," exelaimed Toni. "Go ahead!" "Gently, mate, gently; let them get on a bit." He turned on steam, but ere they had passed half the distance in the direction of the light a loud crash was heard, andamid screanisof human agony the Trestle bridge sank down - down - j gently, slowly but surely to the stream below. The ponderous engine dipped forward, gave one heavy roll, righted again.and then, turning completelyover, feil with a thundering noise into the canon below. The lights were suddenly extinguished and the piercing sereams of wounded and scalded men arose, mingled with the hissicg steam and the dull roar of thunder. The storm had burst. " Caught in their own trap," eyclaimed Seth. "Serves them right ! Poor critters, I'm kinder sorry, too." " Let us help them," cried Tom. "Help! yes; let us run on to Dartford and stop the traffic; the specie is due in ten minutes." "Cross that bridge?" exclaimed the flreman. "Tes, sir, across that bridge. I'm agoin' to try it," replied Seth. "Willyou ehance it?" "Yes,""was the brave answer; " it's kill or cure." "Here goes, then; shake hands. God bless ye, mate; if we don't meet again, tell them I died at my post like a man." The driver and flreman clasped hands in silence, and Seth turning on the íull pressure of steam, the engine gatliered itself up for iis final race. Not a sound escaped either of the men. Side by side they stood. As tb ey approached they could see a red glare. The bridge had caught fire. As they shot past, a form of two hurried quickly out of sight - soine of the desperate band now cowed and crushed. Tn a moment more the bridge was in f uil view. The crackling timbera of the up line were all bui-ning around the mighty monster engine, which still emitted smoke and flame. As a flash of lightning will in one brief second reveal all surrounding objects diatinctly, so the glare of the engine furnace lit up the scène below. The engine dashed along - a roar, a creaking noise, the flame leaped up beneath - and the danger was over. The down line had not been undermined. As they slackened speed a long whistle was heard, and a dim speek was seen like a pin's head on the line in front. "Tlicre's the specie, Torn. We've done our duty. Run down easy and then see if we can't help theunforkmate loafers und.ee the bridge. It was a narrow squeak !" It was, indeed ! The specie train was saved, tliough, and the filibusters taken in the act. Three were drowned, and two more so terribly injured tbat they died soon after irom the effects, Seth and Torn were rcwardert, and the f ormer ■was subsequentiy made inspector, but e and Torn often talk of that summer night -when tbey were bo cearly killed ■while innning pilot. - Cassell's Macazine.