in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt. As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape

he track. Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them. As they ran both of them sent a shot at the man o

engineer; "we will beat th

you," re

of stones, Ketchel gave it a quick, searching look, then in a few strides they got to cover in a culvert

but it won't do to stay here very

down there," cried Jim,

ff the track and quick, too," declar

off under fire," said Jim composedly,

is usually noncommittal face, "but I've got something here, that will help us in thi

it?" qu

gineer, producing a small

up the engine,

nt," said Ketchel. "We wil

mistake for your tobacco?" queried Jim in a matter-of

engineer; "keep the beggars lying

," replied Jim brief

hat the enemy in ambush could not get a bead on him. Flashing the fire of his revolver this side and that at a cluster of rock,

drawing off quickly threw himself flat down by the track. Then there came an upheaval that shook things. A geyser of rocks shot into the air, and in a jiffy Jim

e I guess, and I don't think the railroad company will complain at t

e cab and had turned the engine loose on the sanded rails. Within a remarkably short distance he

" cried Jim, who had swun

om a catapult, rolling over and over down a steep embank

ed the engineer; "we h

n the coal!"

ly, Jim was able to drag their submerged ally from the retreat that had almost

fireman in half humorous indignation. "Why didn't you whistle and give me fair warning as to your intentio

get, Bill," yelled back t

rry black marks the rest of their lives,

of your salary for wasting t

e too good to do it," remarke

ve got to make the siding this side of the Divide to get out of the way of '

s he bent his back to the work of shoveling,

Jim to the engineer; "there seemed to be a lot goin

ded the engineer, "because we

Jim, "I'll go over the roofs. I can ma

re speeding now, and the train is twisting so

declared Jim, "and been aloft in some h

ften goes before destruction and Jim cam

g, lad?" asked Bill Sheehan, as Jim

ared to death and why some of those guys in the sleepers didn'

ng on no such trip young feller." He made a dive for Jim but that worthy was not to be detained and was half way up the little iron ladder before Bill Sheehan had recove

, as he watched the daring James. "I'

in a line of hills and a fierce wind tore at his body as though trying to fling him loose. He felt that it was more than he had bargained for, as the grimy roof slipped this way an

of life. He drew himself up slowly with every ounce of his strength. The rod bent but held and once more he was back on the roof. So he took his perilous way a