And, say! Call Solan to the 'phone.... Is this Solan? Mr. Solan, get out
the best engine you've got in the yards, couple to it a caboose, and put
on a crew to make a run to Elkins Junction, as quick as God'll let you!
Do you understand? Give me Schwartz and his fireman.... Yes, and
Corcoran, too. Andy, this is a case of life and death--of life and
death, do you understand? See that the line's clear, and no stops. I've
got to connect east at Elkins Junction with a special on that line....
_Got to_, d'ye see? Have the special wait at the State Street crossing
until we come aboard!"

CHAPTER XXV.

That Last Weird Battle in the West.

There was still some remnant of daylight left when we stepped from a
closed carriage at the State Street crossing and walked to the train
prepared for us. The rain had all but ceased, and what there was came
out of some northern quarter of the heavens mingled with stinging
pellets of sleet, driven by a fierce gale. The turn of the storm had
come, and I was wise enough in weather-lore to see that its rearguard
was sweeping down upon us in all the bitterness of a winter's tempest.

Beyond the tracks I could see the murky water of Brushy Creek racing
toward the river under the State Street bridge.

"I believe," said I, "that the surface-water from above is showing the
flow from the flume."

"Yes," said Jim absently, "it must be about ready to break up. I hope we
can get out of the valley before dark."

The engine stood ready, the superabundant power popping off in a
deafening hiss. The fireman threw open the furnace-door and stoked the
fire as we approached. Engineer Schwartz, the same who had pulled us
over the road that first trip, was standing by his engine, talking with
our old conductor, Corcoran.

"Here's a message for you, Mr. Elkins," said Corcoran, handing Jim a
yellow paper, "from Agnew."

We read it by Corcoran's lantern, for it was getting dusky for the
reading of telegraph operator's script.

"Water out over bottoms from Hinckley to the Hills," so went the
message. "Flood coming down valley. Snow and drifting wind reported from
Elkins Junction and Josephine. Look out for washouts, and culverts and
bridges damaged by running ice and water. Pendleton special fully up to
running schedule, at Willow Springs."

"Who've you got up there, Schwartz? Oh, is that you, Ole?" said Mr.
Elkins. "Good! Boys, to-night our work has got to be done in time, or we
might as well go