17 - Young Railroaders by Francis Lovell Coombs

Teen telegraphers battle bandits, derail disasters, and outsmart thieves in Young Railroaders, a thrilling ride through America’s emerging West. Grit, brains, and bravery light the tracks.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Young Railroaders by F. Lovelcomb's Chapter sixteen, a dramatic flagging.
Since shortly following Jack Ore's appointment to Midway Junction, Alex
had been agitating, as he called it, for his friends
transferred to the telegraph force at the division terminal at Length.

(00:21):
Early in the fall, Alex's efforts bore fruit, and Jack
was offered and accepted the night trick at one of
the big yard towers at Exeter. Of course, the two
chums were now always together, and the day of the
big flood that October was no exception to the rule.
All afternoon the two boys had wandered up and down

(00:42):
the swollen river, watching the brown, whirling waters almost bank high,
and the trees, fences, even occasional farm buildings which swept
by from above. When six o'clock came, they reluctantly left
it for supper and the night's duties. Well what do
you think of the river, ward, inquired the Chief Knight

(01:02):
dispatcher as Alex entered the dispatching room. It looks rather bad, sir,
doesn't it. Do you think the bridge is quite safe? Quite?
It's been through several worse floods than this, it's as
strong as the hills, the dispatcher affirmed. Despite the chief's confidence. However,
when about five o'clock in the morning, there came reports

(01:24):
of a second cloudburst up the river, he requested Alex
to call up Jack at the yard tower, which overlooked
the bridge, and asked him to keep them posted. Tell
him the crest of this new flood will likely reach
us in half an hour, he added, and that by
that time, as it is turning colder, they'll probably be

(01:45):
a heavy fog on the river. Twenty five minutes later,
Jack suddenly called and announced the new flood's coming. There
is a heavy mist and I can't see, but I
can hear it. Can you see it from up there?
Alex and the chef dispatcher moved to one of the
western windows, raised it, and in the first gray light

(02:05):
of dawn, gazed out across the valley below. Instead of
the dark waters of the river and the yellow embankment
of the railroad following it, winding away north was a
broad blanket of fog stretching from shore to shore. But
distinctly to their ears came a rumble as of thunder.
It must be a veritable Niagara remarked the Chief with

(02:27):
some uneasiness. I never heard a bore come down like
that before. Here she comes, clicked jack from the tower.
They stepped back to his instruments say. There was a
pause while the Chief and Alex exchanged glances of apprehension.
Then came quickly. Something has struck one of the western

(02:49):
spans of the bridge and carried it clean away. No, no,
it's there yet, but it's all smashed to pieces. Only
the upper structure seemed to be holding sharply. The dispatcher
turned to an operator at one of the other wires,
McLaren forty six, hasn't passed Norfolk? Yes, sir, five minutes ago.

(03:12):
A cry broke from the Chief and he ran back
to the window. Alex followed and found him as pale
as death. What's the matter, mister Allen, he exclaimed, matter
why Norfolk is the last stop between that train and
the bridge. She'll be down here in twenty minutes. And
even if we can get someone across the bridge immediately,

(03:34):
how can they flagger in that wall of mist? Hopelessly?
He pointed, where on the farther shore the tracks were
completely hidden in the blanket of white vapor. And there's
no time to send down torpedoes. At the thought of
the train rushing upon the broken span and plunging from
sight in the whirling flood below, Alex felt the blood

(03:56):
draw back from his own face. But we will try
so something, We must try something, he cried. At that moment,
the office door opened and Division Superintendent Cameron appeared. Good morning, boys,
he said, genially, I'm quite an early bird this morning.
Eh came down to meet the wife and children. They're

(04:17):
getting in from their vacation by forty six. Why allan,
what is the matter? The Chief swayed back against the
window latch. One of the bridge spans has just gone,
he responded, thickly. Henn forty six past Norfolk. The Superintendent

(04:37):
stared blankly a moment, started forward, then staggered back into
a chair, But in another instant he was on his feet,
pallid but cool. Well what are you doing to stop her?
He demanded sharply. The Chief pulled himself together. It only
happened this moment, sir. The man at the yard tower

(04:57):
just reported one of the western spans was struck by something.
Only the upper structure is hanging, he says, can't you
send someone over on foot with a flag or torpedoes.
There are no torpedoes at the bridge house, and there's
not time to send them down as to flagging. Look
at the mist over the whole valley bottom, said the dispatcher,

(05:20):
pointing except directly opposite where the wind between the hills
breaks it up. At times the engineer couldn't see three
feet ahead of him. The Superintendent gripped his hands convulsively.
Suddenly he turned to Alex Ward. Can't you suggest something?
He appealed. You have always shown resource and emergencies. I

(05:41):
have been trying to think of something, sir. But as
the chief says, even if we could get a man
across the bridge, what could he do? I was down
by the river yesterday morning and the haze was like
a blind wall. Couldn't the fire be built on the tracks?
Not quickly enough, sir? Everything is soaking wet. The Superintendent

(06:04):
strode up and down helplessly. And of course it had
to happen after the Riverside Park station it closed for
the season, he said, bitterly. If we had had an
operator there, we The interruption was a cry from Alex
I've something oil. He dashed for the tower wire. What

(06:24):
what's that? Cried the superintendent, running after oil on a
pile of ties or anything, sir providing? Or can get
over the bridge, Alex explained hurriedly as he whirled off
the letters of Jack's call. The official dropped into the
chair beside him. I I t r, answered Jack. Or

(06:46):
have you any oil in the tower? Shot Alex? No,
but there's some of the lamp shed just below. Look here,
could you possibly get across the bridge? I might manage it.
There is a rail bicycle in the lamp house. If
the rails are hanging together, perhaps I could shoot over
with that. Why forty six is two and twenty minutes,

(07:10):
and apparently we have no way of stopping her except
through you. Why certainly I'll risk it, buzz the sounder.
I suppose the oil is to make a quick blaze
to flag her, Jack added, catching Alex's idea. That's it.
Make it just this side of the Riverside Park station. Okay,

(07:30):
here goes good luck, said Alex, with a sudden catch
in his throat as he realized the danger his chum
was so cheerfully running. God help him, added the superintendent fervently. Jack,
in the distant tower. Took little time to think of
the danger himself, Catching up a lantern and lighting it,

(07:52):
he was quickly out and down the tower steps and
running for the nearby shed. Fortunately it was unlocked. Darting
in he found a large can of oil, carrying it
out to the main line track. He returned and hurriedly
dragged forth the yard lampman's rail bicycle, a three wheeled
affair with the seat and gear of an ordinary bicycle.

(08:14):
Swinging the little car onto the rails, he placed the
oil can on the platform between the arms, swung the
lantern over the handlebars, mounted, and was off, pedaling with
all his might. As he speedily neared the downgrade of
the bridge approach, and the roar of the flood met
him in full force, Jack for the first time began

(08:34):
to realize the danger of his mission, but with grimly
set lips, he refused to think of it and pedaled ahead. Determinedly.
He topped the grade and below him was a solid
roof of mist, only the bridge towers showing apprehensively, but
without hesitation, he sped downward. The first dampness of the

(08:54):
vapor struck him. The next moment he was lost in
a blinding wall of white. Not see the rails on
he pedaled with bowed head. Suddenly came a roar beneath him.
He was over the water. Jack's occasional views from the
tower had shown him where the bridge was shattered, and
for some distance he continued ahead at a good speed. Then,

(09:17):
judging he was nearing the wrecked portion, he slowed down
and went on very slowly, peering before him with straining
eyes and listening sharply for a note in the tumult
of water below, which might tell of the broken timbers
and twisted iron. It came a roar of swirling, choking,
and gurgling. Simultaneously, there was a trembling of the rails

(09:39):
beneath him. He was on the shattered span. At a crawl.
Jack proceeded. The vibration became more violent. On one side,
the track began to dip. Momentarily, Jack hesitated and paused.
At once came a picture of the train rushing toward him,
and conquering his fear, he went on. Suddenly, the track

(10:01):
swayed violently, then dipped sharply sideways. With a cry, Jack
sprang off backwards and threw himself flat on his face
on the sleepers trembling. Deafened by the roar of the
cataract just beneath him, he lay afraid to move, believing
the swaying structure would give way every instant. But finally
the rails steadied and partly righted, and regaining his courage,

(10:25):
Jack rose to his knees and began working his way
forward from tie to tie, pushing the bicycle ahead of him.
Presently the rails became steadier. Cautiously, he climbed back into
the saddle, and slowly at first, then with quickly increasing
speed and rising hope, pushed on. The vibration decreased, the

(10:47):
track again became even and firm. Suddenly, at last the
thunder of the river passed from below him, and he
was safely across a few yards from the bridge, and
still in the midst jac peered down to see that
the oil can was safe. He caught his breath. Reaching out,
he felt about the little platform with his foot. Yes,

(11:09):
it was gone. The tipping of the car had sent
it into the river. As the significance of its loss
burst upon him, and he thought of the peril he
had come through to no purpose, Jack sat upright in
the saddle, and the tears wailed to his eyes. Promptly, however,
came remembrance of the Riverside Park station a mile ahead

(11:30):
of him. Perhaps there was oil there. Clenching his teeth
and bending low over the handlebars, Jack shot on, determined
to fight it out to the finish meantime. At the
main office, the entire staff, including the Superintendent, the chief dispatcher,
and Alex, were crowded in the western windows, watching, waiting,

(11:53):
and listening. Shortly after Alex had announced Jack's departure, a
suppressed shout had greeted this tiny light of his lantern
on the bridge approach, and a subdued cheer of good
luck had followed him as he had disappeared into the
wall of mist. Then had succeeded a painful silence, while
all eyes were fixed anxiously on the spot opposite, where

(12:14):
a light west wind blowing down through a cut in
the hills, occasionally lifted the blanket of fog and dimly
disclosed the river bank and track. Minute after minute passed, however,
and Jack did not reappear. The silence became ominous. Surely

(12:35):
he should be over by this time. We should have
had a glimpse of his light, said the Chief, unless
an electrifying cry of there he is interrupted him, and
all momentarily saw a tiny twinkling light and a small
dark figure shooting along the distant track. A moment after,
the buzz of excited hope as suddenly died from the north,

(12:58):
came a long, low pitch ooooooooooooooo the train how far up?
Allan three miles? The superintendent groaned. He'll never make it,
He'll never do it. She'll be at the bridge in
five minutes. No broad is careful, declared the Chief, referring

(13:22):
to the engineer of the coming train. He won't keep
up that speed when he strikes the worst of the fog.
There are eight or ten minutes. Yet long came the long,
mellow notes of the big engine whistling a crossing. Who's that?
Said Alec, suddenly half turning from the window. The next

(13:42):
moment with a cry of he's at the station, or's
at the park station? He darted to the calling instruments
and shot back in answer. The rest rushed after and
crowded about him. I'm at the park station, whirled the sounder.
I broke in. I lost the oil camp on the bridge,
there is no oil here? What shall I do? As

(14:04):
the Chief read off the excited words to the superintendent,
the official sank limply and hopelessly into a chair. But
might there not be some there somewhere who would know,
mister Allen. At Alex's words, the Chief spun about McLaren.
Call Flanagan on the phone, he cried. Quick. The operator

(14:25):
sprang to the telephone, and in intense silence, the party waited.
He got the number. Hello is Flanagan there? Say? Is
there any oil across the river at the park station?
For Heaven's sake, don't ask questions? Is there? Yes? He says,
there's a half barrel in the shed behind, reported the operator.

(14:48):
Alex's hand shot back to the key. At the first
dot he paused. Through the open window, came a whistle,
strong and clear. The Chief threw up his hands. Alexi
sank back in his chair helplessly. Suddenly he again started forward.
I have it with the sharp words. He again grasped
the key, and while those about him listened with bated breath,

(15:12):
he sent, like a flash jack, there's a barrel of
oil in the shed at the rear. Knock the head in,
spill it and set a match to it burn the station.
The chief and the operators gasped, then, with one accord,
set up a shout, and darted back for the windows.
The superintendent told of the message, rushed after in absolute silence,

(15:36):
all fixed their eyes on the spot a mile up
the river where lay the little summer depot. Once more
came the long, drawn ooooooooooooo for a crossing. The next'll tell,
said the chief, tensely, for the cross on this side
of the station. Or it came. It was the crossing,

(15:59):
But the next instant from the mists shot up a
lurid flare. From the windows rose a cry higher, leaped
the flames, and suddenly, across the quiet morning air came
a long series of quick, sharp toots. Again they came,
then the short sharp note for breaks, and the boys
and the flames had won. The Superintendent turned and held

(16:21):
out his hand ward. Thank you, He said, huskily, thank you,
you are a genuine railroader. And about the station queried Alex,
a sudden apprehension in his face and voice. For the
moment the crisis was past. He had realized with dismay
that he had issued the unprecedented order for the burning

(16:45):
of the station entirely on his own responsibility the station.
The superintendent laughed, huh my boy, that was the best
part of it. That was the generalship of it. There
was no time to ask, only act. The fraction of
a second might have lost the train. No, that is

(17:05):
just why I say you are a genuine railroader. The
burning of the station was a piece of the finest
kind of railroading. And this reminds me, added the superintendent
some minutes later, leading Alex aside and speaking in a
lower voice. We expect to start construction on the Yellow
Creek branch in six weeks and we'll be wanting an

(17:27):
advance guard of three or four heady, resourceful operators with
a construction train or on ahead. Would you like to
go and your friend or There'll be plenty of excitement
before we are through. I'd like nothing better, sir, or
or either I know, declared Alex with immediate interest. But

(17:47):
where will the excitement come in? Sir? You have heard
the talk of the K and Z also running a
line to the new Goldfield from Red Deer, and that
they were held up by right of way trouble. Well,
we have just learned that that was all a bluff
that they have been quietly making preparations and are about
to start construction almost immediately. And you see what that means.

(18:12):
A race for the Yellow Pass, A race and more
than that. Did you ever read of the great war
between the Santa Fe and the Rio Grande for the
Grand Canyon of Colorado, regularly organized bands of fighting men
on either side and pitch battles. Well, I don't anticipate
matters coming to that point between us and the ky

(18:32):
and Z, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came
near it before we are through the lines traverse wild country,
and the K and Z people have men in their
construction department who would pull up track or cut wires
as soon as light a pipe. In the latter case,
they would cut at critical times. There is where an
operator with a head for difficulties might prove invaluable. I

(18:56):
would be more than glad to tackle it, Sir, agreed
Alex enthusiastically. Very well, then you may consider yourself and
your friend or appointed, and if you know of any
one else of the same brand, you might suggest him.
The superintendent concluded, I don't think I do, Sir, at
the moment, Alex responded. The week succeeding brought Alex that

(19:20):
suggestion end of chapter