20 - 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 (00:01):
The Young Railroaders by F. Lovell Coombs, chapter nineteen, The
Enemy's Hand Again and a capture. Good morning, ward, any
word of the progress made by the k and Z,
inquired Construction Superintendent Finnan the following morning Sunday. Looking into

(00:22):
the telegraph car, Alex threw down his towel and stepped
to the instrument table. Yes, sir, here's one that came
late last night. It says they started from Red Deer
yesterday morning and made nearly three and a half miles.
The superintendent looked somewhat glum as he read the message
that beats us by half a mile. He remarked, if

(00:44):
the news is reliable, that is, they may plan to
give out inflated distances in order to discourage us. That
would be a small matter to them after trying to
burn us out. There has been no sign of Little
Hawk yet, Sir alexed, No, I'm beginning to think the
rascal has gone over to the k and Z, said

(01:06):
the superintendent. Turning away at the door, He paused, by
the wayward, remind me to give you a message tomorrow
morning asking for two more operators. We will have made
six or seven miles by Monday night and will be
running the train down the branch, and the temporary station
is almost completed, he added, glancing from the window toward

(01:28):
a box car which had been lifted from its trucks
and placed on a foundation of ties beside the main
line tracks. Alex promised gladly it meant the coming of
Jack Orr and Wilson Jennings. Following breakfast, the morning being
a beautiful one, Alex determined on a walk and set
off along the main line to the west. Two miles distant,

(01:51):
he struck a small bridge in a deep dry creek bed, and,
turning south along its border, headed for the distant railhead
of the new branch. At a bend in the creek,
some two hundred yards from the track machine and its
string of flat cars, Alex sharply paused. Two saddled ponies
were hobbled together in the creek bottom. Casting a glance

(02:12):
toward the construction train, Alex leaped into the gully out
of sight. He had not a doubt that the horses
belonged to men in the service of the K and Z,
and that something was on foot similar to the attempted
burning of the bridge car. What should he do return
the three miles to the junction or continue onto the

(02:32):
track machine, for undoubtedly the owners of the horses were there,
and the machine, he knew, was in the sole charge
of an oiler. Alex decided on the latter course, and
making his way along the bed of the stream, passed
the hobbled ponies and on to the new bridge fifty
feet in rear of the construction train. As he there halted,

(02:54):
low voices reached Alex's ears. Peering cautiously out, and seeing
no one, he crept forth and made his way along
the side of the embankment toward the train. A few
feet from the rear car, Alex came upon a three
wheeled track velocipede used by Elder, the superintendent's clerk, in
running backwards and forwards between the railhead and the junction. Pausing,

(03:18):
he debated whether he should not put it on the
rails and make a run for the junction immediately. Finally,
Alex concluded first to learn something further of what was
going on, and to count on the velocipede as a
means of making his escape in case of emergency. To
this end, he proceeded cautiously to place the little jigger

(03:38):
in a position from which he could quickly swing it
on to the irons. Then continuing forward under the edge
of the train, he reached the pilot car. Yes, yes,
it's a first class machine, the best on the market.
The voice was that of the oiler. Apparently he had
been showing the strangers over the track machine. For a

(04:01):
brief space, Alex wondered whether, after all his suspicions were justified,
But at once came the thought, why had the strangers
hidden their horses in the creek bottom if they were
genuine visitors? And he remained quiet, where is the boiler?
Inquired a new voice, evidently one of the owners of
the horses. There is none. The steam comes from the

(04:24):
engine behind. The oiler responded, here it comes in here.
So and does the machine get out of order? Very easily,
asked a second voice. There was something in the tone
that caused Alex to prick up his ears. Almost never,
it's all simple, nothing intricate, the man in charge replied,

(04:48):
I suppose it could be put out of order, though,
say you fellows were to go on strike and wanted
to disable things. Eh, huh, that's rather a funny question.
But I suppose it could anything could for that matter,
what do they pay you? As? Oiler? Say? What are you?

(05:10):
Two fellas? Driving at? The oiler demanded sharply. There was
a momentary silence, during which Alex imagined the two strangers
looking questioningly at one another. Then one of them spoke,
look here, whatever you get, we will give you one
hundred dollars a month extra to put this machine out

(05:31):
of order two or three times a week. Nothing very bad,
but just enough to lose two or three hours work
each time. We are well, never mind who we are,
the thing stands this way. We have a big bet
on that the K and Z will win in this
building race for Yellow Creek. And well, you see the point.

(05:52):
I guess what do you say? During the pause that followed,
Alex waited breathlessly, and with growing employment, was the oiler
considering the bribe? Well, said the oiler at length? Is
that your best offer? Couldn't you make it a thousand?

(06:12):
A thousand? Nonsense? Two thousand? Then what do you mean?
Just this? Cried the oiler, and simultaneously there was a
rush of feet and a sound of blows. Exultingly, Alex
was scrambling forth to go to the Oiler's assistance, when
just above him, was a crash of falling bodies, and

(06:33):
a figure bounded over the side of the car and
rolled sprawling down the embankment. It was the plucky Oiler,
and Alex shrank back in horror as the man came
to a stop flat on his back and lay immovable,
blood trickling from a wound over his eyes. Overhead was
the sound of someone getting to their feet. He nearly

(06:53):
got you, said a voice, nearly, but I got him
one better. Is he safe for a while? Do you think?
As the two men moved to the edge of the
car and apparently gazed down at the prostrate figure in
the ditch, Alex shrank back with apprehension. On his own account,
perhaps we'd better make sure of him, all right, here's

(07:16):
a bit of rope. Hurriedly, Alex crawled beneath the nearby
truck behind the wheels, and a tall figure in the
garb of a cowboy dropped to the ground before him
and ran down to the still unconscious Oiler. Binding the
prostrate man's feet together at the ankles. The cowman turned
the Oiler on his face and secured his hands behind

(07:36):
his back, turning him again face up. He studied his
eyes a moment and announcing good job. Only stunned, he
returned to the car and drew himself up on it. Now,
what'll we do, inquired his companion. That idiot has knocked
our plans to pieces. We can't go back and say

(07:56):
we neither made the deal nor did anything else. For
our mind, We'll have to tear things up ourselves, said
the first man decisively. Let us see what we can
do in the engine room. Here the footsteps passed into
the engine house, and Alex at once crawled forth to
make his way back to the velocipede. As he emerged

(08:18):
from beneath the car, he paused to glance down at
the prostrate oiler. Should he leave him lying there? It
did not seem right, despite the obvious necessity of heading
for the junction without a moment's delay. As he hesitated,
the eyes of the prostrate man flickered and opened. Alex
dodged back lest the oiler should betray his presence to

(08:40):
the men on the car. As he dropped down, there
came the recollection that there were two seats on the velocipede.
Why not take the man with him if he sufficiently
recovered good Anxiously, Alex watched as The stunned man blinked
about him, finally comprehension. Then a hot flush of rage
appeared in the oiler's face, and with a violent kick,

(09:03):
he twisted about toward the car, springing into view. Alex
caught the oiler's startled eye and made a warning gesture.
The man stared dully for a moment, then nodded, and,
on Alex's further urgent signaling, dropped back and again closed
his eyes. Alex produced and opened his jackknife. The men

(09:24):
above were busily fumbling about in the engine room, only
pausing to make sure they were entirely occupied. Alex slipped forth,
cautiously crept down the embankment, reached the bound demand, and
with a slash of the knife, freed his feet in hands.
Let us slip back to the velocipede. It's ready to
throw on the rails and make a dash of it

(09:46):
for the junction, Alex whispered. The oiler arose, and with
one eye on the engine room door, they crept up
under the edge of the car and on toward the
rear of the train. They reached the little track car,
and cautiously he lifted it on to the rails better
push it aways the oiler advised in a low voice,

(10:07):
they might hear the rumble with their weight on it. Gently,
they sent the velocipede in motion. With the first move,
one of the wheels gave forth a shrill screech. The
two paused as the sounds on the pilot car immediately ceased.
If we hear one of them going to the edge
to look for me, we'll make a run of it,

(10:27):
said the oiler. They may go on tiptoe, Alex pointed out.
The suggestion was followed by a sharp exclamation from the
head of the train. The oiler's gone, cried a voice. Simultaneously,
there was the sound of someone springing to the ground,
and Alex and the Oiler scrambled into the velociped seats,

(10:49):
Alex facing the rear, and threw themselves against the handles.
The oiler's wheel again screeched, and from the pilot car
rose the cry around at the end quick Alex and
the Oiler wrenched the handles backwards and forwards with all
their might, and the little car leaped ahead. Before they
had gained full headway, however, one of the machine wreckers

(11:11):
appeared about the end of the train, and, with a
cry to his companion, dashed after he ran like a deer,
and despite the increasing speed of the velocipede, quickly gained
upon them. He'll get us, Alex exclaimed. The creek bridge
is just ahead. That'll stop him, said the oiler. The

(11:31):
second man appeared and joined in the chase. The first
runner saw the bridge and redoubled his efforts. In spite
of their best endeavors. He drew rapidly nearer. A hand
shot out to clutch the oiler's shoulder. It reached him,
and with a rumble, they were on and over the bridge,
and their pursuer had sprawled forward, flat on his face.

(11:52):
He was on his feet again like a wild cat, however,
and crossing the bridge three ties at a time, leaped
to the flat ground beside the train, and was again
after the velociped like a race horse. Try as they would,
Alex and the oiler could get no more speed out
of the low geared machine, and with alarm, Alex saw
the runner once more drawing near the second man. They

(12:14):
had out distanced closer the cowman came stop. He shouted,
stop you may as well, I've got you. Determinedly, they
held on working the handles desperately, Alex watching the grim
clean shaven face and the fluttering dotted neckerchief around the
pursuing man's neck with a curious fascination. At last he

(12:36):
was parallel with him, still running, he drew his revolver. Stop,
he ordered, stop, or I'll put one through you. Keep
it up, boy, the oiler directed sharply. He daresn't fire,
he daresn't add murder to it, and he'd be heard
at the junction. The runner snapped his gun back into
its holster, and, putting on an extra spurt, rushed slanting

(12:59):
up the the embankment, and threw himself bodily upon the oiler.
They tumbled off backwards in a struggling heap. Throwing his
weight against the handles, Alex stopped the velocipede, sprang off
and dashed to the oiler's assistance. The cowman's revolver had
fallen from his belt. Alex caught it up and pressed
it against the back of the man's head. Stop it,

(13:21):
let go, he cried, I'll certainly shoot. The man half
relaxed and glared up sideways. Alex brought the muzzle to
his eyes, and slowly he freed his hand on the oiler.
Oh very well, he muttered, with a curse. You win, No, don't,
said Alex, as the enraged Oiler spun about to strike

(13:44):
the half prostrate man. He's down and is given up.
At that moment, interruption came from another quarter. It was
a shrill cry from the direction of the creek bed,
and turning all three saw a round shouldered figure on
horseback scrambling from the creek bottom, leading the ponies of
the two would be wreckers, and the second cowman running

(14:05):
toward him. It's little hawk, Alex exclaimed. The cowboy reached
the Indian sprang at him. There was a terrific scrimmage,
and the white man sprang from the melee with the
bridle of one of the ponies, leaped into the saddle
and was off across the prairie in a whirl of dust.
So interested had Alex been in the second conflict, that

(14:26):
momentarily he had forgotten the man on the ground before him.
He was reminded by suddenly finding himself sprawling upon his
back and regaining his feet, found their prisoner, also racing
off at top speed. The Oiler darted after, but quickly
gave it up. He was no match for the light
footed cowman. Seeing the pistol still in Alex's hand, he cried, shoot,

(14:50):
shoot him. Alex raised the revolver, faltered and lowered it.
No I can't, he said, I can. The Oiler darted
back and wrested it from Alex's hand. As he whirled
about to fire, Alex grasped his arm. No wait, look,
he exclaimed, the Indian is after him. Turning, the oiler

(15:13):
saw the Indian with his own and one of the
other ponies storming across the ground in pursuit of the runner. Silently,
they watched as he heard the pounding hoofs behind him.
The fleeing cowboy glanced about and set on a greater
speed than ever. Quickly, however, the horses cut down the
distance between them. The Indian leaned toward the second pony,

(15:35):
took something from the saddle horn and began to adjust
it on his arm. He's going to last, sue him,
said Alex breathlessly. Nearer drew the Indian to the fleeing man,
and hand and lasso went into the air and began
to weave circles tensely. The two on the embankment watched closer.

(15:55):
The horses drew wider. The circle of the laso extended.
Suddenly it leaped through the air like a great snake.
The runner saw the shadow of it, and, with a
cry that they heard half turned and threw out his
arms to ward it off. The loop was too large,
the cowman missed it, and as the Indian pulled up
in a cloud of dust, he whipped in the slack,

(16:16):
and the noose tightened fairly about the renegade's waist. An
instant after, however, the second pony, plunging ahead of the Indians,
threw the rider forward, slackening the lariat. In a twinkle,
the cowman had loosened the noose and was wriggling out
of it. He had freed one foot before the Indian
had recovered himself. Then, with a terrific yank, the horseman

(16:37):
snapped in the slack. The cowman's feet flew from under him, and,
with one foot taut in the air, caught at the ankle,
he lay, cursing and shaking an impotent fist. As Alex
and the Oiler ran forward. The Indian sat on his
horse like a statue, holding the lariat taut. The oiler
reached the prisoner first revolver in hand. Get up you,

(17:01):
he ordered, sullenly. The man obeyed, removing a handkerchief from
about his neck. The Oiler gave it to Alex, who
securely bound the man's hands behind him, throwing off the lasso.
They turned toward the Indian with some wonder. They saw
he was carefully examining the hoofs of the pony he
was leading. Concluding the inspection with a grunt, he came forward,

(17:24):
winding up the rope and halted before them. You hoss,
he asked of the prisoner, pointing over his shoulder. The
cowboy looked at him contemptuously and responded, well, what if
it is old, ugly mug? The Oiler brought up the pistol.
I don't know why he wants to know, but you

(17:44):
go ahead and tell him, he ordered, threateningly. He's twice
the man you are. Is it your horse? Yes? Little
Hawk turned away, with a grunt of satisfaction, and mounting
his pony, rode off towards It's the junction. What the
Indian meant, Alex learned when, with their prisoner between them,

(18:06):
he and the Oiler approached the boarding train and met
Little Hawk, returning with Superintendent Finnan That him, said the
Indian briefly as they drew near him. Burned cars from
the prisoner came a hissing gasp as Alex turned upon
him with a sharp ejaculation of understanding. However, the man

(18:26):
assumed an indifferent air and strode on nonchalantly. What do
you want, he demanded insolently of the superintendent. Can't a
man pull off a a little joke without these idiots
of yours going out of their heads. It was nothing
more than a bit of fun me and my mate
was having, he affirmed boldly. Superintendent Finnan smiled sardonically. That

(18:52):
is what the k and Z call it. Eh. Alex,
still with a hand on the prisoner's arm, felt him start,
but reasonly. The man replied, k and Z. What's the
K and Z A ranch brand? I never heard of it.
On a thought, Alex stepped forward and whispered a word
in the official's ear. Go ahead, said the superintendent. I'm

(19:17):
going to search your pockets, Alex announced, stepping back to
the side of the renegade cowmen. No objection, I suppose,
since you don't know what K and Z means, search ahead,
agreed the prisoner, half smiling. A good luck to you
if you find anything to connect me if you find anything,

(19:37):
he corrected quickly. From a trouser pocket, Alex drew out
a large jackknife with a suspicion of trembling. He opened
one of the blades and examined it, while the owner
regarded him curiously. With a shake of the head, the
young operator opened the second blade, A quick smile of
triumph lit up his face, and delving into a vest pocket,

(20:00):
he brought forth a scrap of paper, unfolded it, and
took out a fragment of charred pine shaving. Turning his
back on the now anxiously watching, though still puzzled owner
of the knife, he held the shaving against the edge
of the blade. The superintendent bent over it and uttered
a delighted exactly Triumphantly, Alex turned toward the prisoner and

(20:23):
held the hand with the knife and shaving before him.
Does this help you to recall what K and Z means?
He asked, Recall, I don't see these two little ridges
on the shaving, see these two little nicks in the blade.
With a hoarse cry, the man flung himself backward and

(20:43):
bound as he was began struggling like a madman. Alex
the Superintendent and the Indian were to the Oiler's assistance
in a twinkle, however, and a few minutes later saw
the renegade in their midst on the way to the
boarding train, and as it finally proved to the jail
at d Exeter. I don't know who to thank most,

(21:04):
said Superintendent finnin later you Ward or the Oiler or
little Hawk, nor what appreciation to suggest higher up? You
might make it a blanket in Winchester for the Indian
and a purse for the Oiler for the NOXI got
and the bribe he refused, Alex suggested, and yourself. Oh,

(21:26):
just let me keep the rascal's knife as a memento,
responded Alex modestly. Very well, we'll agree on that for
the present, said the Superintendent. End of chapter