started the machine moving 1 . This we did slowly at first,
until the switch had been crossed, and then on hearing 1 the
shouts of the section boss to “ come back, you young - vil
lains!” we increased our speed until we had Parker’s train
surpassed by far.
On getting - out of this danger the crowd settled down to
have a good time and were soon joking and laughing 1 . Going
up the grades was something analagous to work, but the
crowd wasn’t after “grades” so there was no “dragging”
done by the fellows.
At last we reached the point where a good long coast
was in order. Every one had voted to keep the brakes off,
and to say we flew is putting it mild. As we neared a place
called Waddles some one, pointing ahead, said, “There’s
Waddles.” We shot by and a voice in answer yelled out,
“No, there is Waddles, 'way back there. ” We kept on our
course, intending to go to a town some miles farther on, but
at a point about four miles below Waddles we noticed a light
on the track ahead. Some were in favor of going on but tbe
majority were not, so we stopped to investigate.
A great discussion arose as to what it meant. Several
in the party were in favor of turning back. These were
overruled and four of us left the car and walked down the
track to see what was the trouble. As we proceeded many
lanterns could be seen flashing about and voices were heard,
but we could not distinguish what was on the track. Finally
we were able to make out that the object was really another
handcar with a force of men. The operator at the station
we had passed must have telegraphed ahead to have us cap
tured and this force was for that purpose. They must have
seen us also, for they immediately started their car in motion
and it was up to us to retreat. It was a good long stretch
to run but you know that when a fellow is chased he can
sprint a little.
Our crowd heard us coming and had the car at a pretty
The Free Lance,