Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 811 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ly-polished metai-work that gleamed in the rays of the blazing summer sun, There, along row of freight-cars, engineless, and without a human hand to control them, plunging madly down the heavy grade, straight toward the doomed Express. As, toiling laboriously up the steep ascent, the ‘Wildfire swept round a sharp curve, and enter- ed the long, straight stretch beyond, the sharp- eyed engineer saw the impending danger, and realized they were face to face with death. It was easy to explain the presence of the run- away cars, which were doubtless part of the Through Freight, that passed this point several minutes ahead of the Express, and in the same direction. This heavy grade extended for sev- eral miles, being locally known as Jacob’s Lad- der, and at the summit was a long side-track; here the Freight was supposed to stop, and wait for the Express to pass. It would seem that the train had parted, ere reaching the siding, and the rear portion, con- sisting of about a dozen heavily-loaded cars, had eluded the trainmen, and started on an indepen- dent trip over the back track, gaining fresh speed with every passing moment, When seen by the occupants of the cab, the ‘‘wild” train was some distance away, but ap- proaching with frightful velocity. <A terrible collision was the question of buta few moments. And such an event--seemingly inevitable— could have but one result—the complete de- atruction of the Express and all on board. | It was a terrible moment. Rufe Ruffle, the fireman, sat on his seat like a graven image—his eyes protruding like peeled onions, bis hair fair- ly bristling with horror. Not so with Headlight Harry. The brave outh took in the whole situation ata glance. e realized that to him were intrusted the lives of the scores of people, who rode at ease in the following cars, unconscious of the menacing danger. It was his duty to save them. There was a slight chance left, but only An and fearless action could improve it. he awful danger only served to inspire the youth with superhuman energy; and after that one brief moment of indecision, Headlight Har- ry was himself again—cool, steady and reliable, ° Toot!” Sharpand shrill, a single whistle for “‘ brakes” rung out upon the air, ** Tbe hand-brakes, Rufe! Quick, man!” yelled ‘the engineer, as, with lightning-like movements, he closed the throttle and threw back the pon- derous lever, The words and actions of his fearless associ- site roused Rufe Ruffle from his lethargy, and he sprung to the brakes with alacrity, eanwhile the signal had brought the brake- men to their posts; and every one on board the train was thrown into a state of wild confusion, as they eagerly sought to learn the cause of the commotion. On rolled the Express; but the brakes were working well, and, with the grade against it, the speed of the train steadily decreased. It was the boy engineer’s purpose to run his train back over the line, in front of the flying runaway, trusting to superior speed to escape a collision, until they reached the adverse grade existing several miles behind, which would serve to chick thejmad career of the strange pur- suer, Was it possible toaccomplishthis? Even san- guine Harry felt the chances were decidedly . against them. ith appalling velocity the runaway came on. Would that it might beg the track! But no; it clung tenaciously to the iron trail, as though Sale bent on annihilating everything in its path. . eantime, the Express was rapidly coming to a standstill. Standing firmly at his post, Head- light Harry carefully calculated the fast-de- creasing distance. he runaway was close upon them now; but the beart of the young en- gineer beat hopefully, as the huge wheels of the Wildfire ceased to revolve, and the rain stood motionless upon the rails, ** Toot !—toot!”—off brakes} Swiftly the lever was ‘reversed—the throttle opened wide! Like lightning the great wheels spun round upon the pil steel. ‘Sand, Rufe!” yelled Headlight Harry, and the fireman sprung to obey. . The Wildfire, snorting and groaning, shot - ‘backward like a rocket. Nota second too soon! With a crash, the foremost car overtook and struck the locomotive, which fortunately was reversed in time to escape the full force of the shock, Even then, the cow-catcher was crushed and torn away, while the whole machine trem- pled at the blow; but the Wildfire gallantly kept £ + by? “t, , The White Phenix. the track, and then began a thrilling race for e Panting, throbbing, lurching violently from side to side, the engine plunged madly down the dizzy decline, threatening each moment to over- turn. The velocity was frightful; but, by a miracle, the train kept the rails. One hand upon the throttle, Headlight Harry, cool and confident, keenly watched the pursu- ing cars, from which, now, only a few feet separated them, ‘Itis nip and tuck, but we manage to hold our own,” he exclaimed, ‘‘ Our safety is assured —unless we jump the iron!” Rufe Ruffle, clinging desperately to the side of the cab, forgot bis own terror to admire the nonchalance of his young companion. ‘*Shoot me for a pole-cat! For unadulterated coolness you win first money. An iceberg has no earthly show with you,” he managed to ejaculate. On sped the racers! The steep decline was ended and the Express flashed upon the level grade beyond, closely pursued by the runaway. Hitherto, so great was the velocity acquired by the latter, that it easily held its own with the locomotive ; but now the situation changed. On the level, the pursuer, with decreased impetus, soon began to lose ground. Steadily the gap widened. ‘** Safe at last!” cried Rufe Ruffle, exultantly. ‘* Now nothing remains for us but to keep on, until them cars git tired an’ stop of their own free will.” But Headlight Harry gave a sudden cry of dismay, ‘*The Special!” he exclaimed. ‘‘I had for gotten we are followed by an Extra! In fleeing from one danger we are only rushing upon an- other equally as terrible,” Aguin Rufe Ruffle’s face assumed an ashy hue, ar W hat’s to be done?” he breathlessly demand- ed. For a moment Headlight Harry was distress- ingly disconcerted: The Special train which followed a few minutes behind the Express, must now be dangerously near. A collision seemed inevitable. ; The young engineer cast a hasty glance ahead. Hesaw they were fast approaching an immense ridge, from which the company ob- tained their supply of gravel, Along this bank a short, open side-track was constructed, Fruitful in expedients, Headlight Harry de- termined to throw the runaway train upon this siding! Quickly heshutoffsteam, The Freight cars were scarcely a hundred feet away, and yet running rapidly. ‘Take care of the engine, Rufe,” the young man commanded, ; The next instant he stood upon the step of the cab, Between his teeth he gripped a switch- key. As the train flashed past the switch, Head- light rine? swung lightly to the ground. With catlike agility he alighted upon his feet. Ina twinkling he was at the switch, Rarely eas the switch was rusty and swollen) and obstinately refused to operate. But des- peration endowed the resolute engineer with superhuman strength. Like a madman _ he strained and tugged at the resisting lever, which slowly yielded, inch by inch, and then— The runaway shot upon the spot like a meteor! Delighted, Headlight Harry saw the wheels spin upon the rails of the side-track! ‘Che Express train was saved! ; The Freight cars pp reached the end of the siding, and plunged down the precipitous bank, piling upon one another, a total wreck, their wild career checked at last! re ig « the switch, Headlight Harry ran quickly to his engine which Rufe Ruffle, in the mean time had brought to a sudden stop. Mod- estly receiving the flood of thanks and praise ouring from the lips of those whom his indom- itable pluck and coolness had saved from death, the intrepid engineer climbed to his seat and the delayed Express once more moved on its way. ‘ ‘ CHAPTER IT, THE KIDNAPPER, NEAR the outskirts of Richville, on an ele- vated site commanding an excellent view of that thriving Western community, stood the stately residence of Gilbert Garland, the weal- thy railroad magnate; a masterpiece of archi- tectural beauty, surrounded by spacious grounds, with smooth lawns and shaded walks and driveways. ; : One balmy night in early June, the splendid home of the Garlands was pervaded with an air ee ee ee ee of unusual stir and activity, The man& wreatbed from roof to basement with gay B ing, intermingled with countless festoons ¢ flowers and evergreens, while flags and stream- ers flaunted guy!y from every available posi- tion. Lights gleamed hospitably from every window, while the building and adjacent grounds were hung with myriads of colored lanterns. Crowds of people, hurrying to and fro, lent life and animation to the pleasing scene, The Garlands were in gala attire; and really there was cause for mirth and gladness, for was it not the wedding anniversary of their only daughter Grace and Ralph Renwood, the pon lar young superintendent of the R. & 8. R. RR. Nearly two years had passed since the series’ of stirring adventures, in which Grace Garland and Renwood, then an engineer, figured so prominently, and which ended in the overthrow and destruction of the Black Brotherhood, in- cluding the leader, Black Bart, and Dave Darke, his crafty subaltern. Ralph’s heroism bad served to establish him firmly in the good graces of the magnate, and the result was rapid promotion, until he now held the superintendency of the Western Divi- sion. lt was exactly a year since the dashing young fellow led fair Grace Garland to the altar; and the parents of the bride, wishing to celebrate the anniversary in a fitting manner, caused a grand ball and reception to be held at the man- sion, to which the public was cordially invited. Needless to say the invitation was not. ig- nored. , Legions of friends flocked to the scene of festivity, and filled the grand mansion to overflowing. , The, young couple—he tall, handsome and manly, she slight, graceful, and radiantly beau- tiful, were, of course, the subjects of universal attention, and anodestly received the congratu- lations of their many friends. Millionaire Garland was here, there and everywhere, with sprightly step and rubicund countenance, bearing the weight of his sixty years with an air of sublime contentment, that only a happy combination of health and wealth could produce, As the evening advanced, the spacious par- lors were cleared for dancing, and amid the merry mazes of the waltz, dull cure was left behind, and unalloyed enjoyment filled every breast, But the Fates had planned an untimely ter- mination to the merrymaking. When the festivity was at 1ts hight, a terrible cry was suddenly heard:, “ Wire !—fire!” The next instant, a servant dashed breathless- ly in. : , ve Fire!—fire! The stablesareallablaze! For Heaven’s sake, gentlemen, make haste, or we shall all be burned alive!” spluttered the terror- stricken menial, who, making a dash for the open air, stumbled and. fell sprawling upon the floor in an ungainly heap. This dread announcement had a demoralizing effect upon the merrymakers, Ladies screamed, some fainted, while the gentlemen made a gen- eral rush out upon the lawn, only to find that the servant’s words were true. The elegant stables, and other out-buildings, were built of wood and located about a bundred feet. to the rear of the mansion. When the party reached the lawn, both ends of the long stable were ablaze, showing without doubt that the fire was of incendiary origin. Fanned by a strong breeze, the flames leaped furiously over the dry timbers, threatening the entire building with destruction. Immediately the men united in a gallant ef- fort to save the stable, or at least its contents, among which were a number of blooded horses highly prized by their owner. Knights of the ball-room quickly became amateur firemen, who made up in zeal what they lacked in experience. Richville was with- out the services of a fire department; but a quantity of buckets and ladders were obtained, and then commenced a fierce battle with the flames, | Working like beavers, little thought they that the sensation of the night was yet to follow— that the incendiary fire was but a cunning ruse, designed to pave the way for the accomplish- ment of a still more dastardly outrage! Suddenly upon the ears of the fire-fighters was wafted a chorus of shrill shrieks and pite- ous cries for help. They came from the interior of the mansion, where the ladies had gathered at the windows to witness the conflagration. All eyes were turned in that direcvion, just as the tall, uncouth figure of a man appeared in f im | 9700 (ECO) Cc ~