Part 6 (1/2)

Suddenly a bystander leveled his mittened hand above his eyes and gazed up the long trail across the lake. The road was ”brushed out” by little bushes set along at regular intervals.

Away off on the distant perspective a dot was advancing. It resolved itself into horse and sleigh. Puffs of vapor from the steaming animal indicated the urgent precipitancy of its speed.

”I reckon that'll be Colonel Gideon Ward!” called the man who had just observed the team.

Parker, busy with his gages and oil-can, gave one look up the road and went on with his labors. In a few moments the jangling beat of many bells throbbed on the frosty air. As if answering a challenge, the locomotive's escape valve shot up its hissing volume of steam.

”We are very nearly ready, gentlemen!” called Parker. He gave an order to his volunteer fireman, and suggested that intending pa.s.sengers get aboard the sleds.

”I'll sound the whistle,” said he. ”There may be some still waiting up at the store.”

The whistle shrieks were many and prolonged. The horse, speeding down the lake, was only a few rods away. He stopped, crouched, and dodged sidewise in terror. An old man stood up and began to belabor the frightened animal.

He was a queer figure, that old man, in the high-backed, high-fender sleigh. On his head was a tall peaked fur cap, with a barred c.o.o.n tail flopping at its apex. A big fur coat, also covered with c.o.o.n tails, made the man's figure almost Brobdingnagian in circ.u.mference. It was Colonel Gideon Ward.

CHAPTER FIVE--HOW COLONEL GIDEON WAS BACKED DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE

Above the purple k.n.o.bs on his cheekbones Colonel Gideon Ward's little gray eyes snapped malevolently. He roared as he lashed at his trembling horse. The animal dodged and backed and stubbornly refused to advance on the strange thing that was pouring white clouds into the air and uttering fearful cries.

At last the horse reared, stood upright and fell upon its side, splintering the thills. Several of the men ran forward, but before the animal could scramble to its feet Ward leaped out, tied its forelegs together with the reins, and left it floundering in the snow. Then he came forward with his great whip in his hand. The crowd drew aside apprehensively, and he tramped straight up to the locomotive.

”What do ye mean,” he roared, ”by having engines out here to scare hosses into conniptions? Take that thing off this lake and put it back on the railroad tracks up there where it belongs!” He shook his fists over his shoulder in the direction of the distant embankment.

”You will observe,” said Parker, blandly, ”that there is some twenty inches difference between the gage of the wheels and the gage--”

”I don't care that”--and Colonel Ward snapped the great whip--”for your gages and your gouges! Take that engine off this ro'd.”

”I don't care to discuss the matter,” returned Parker, quietly. ”I am busy about my own affairs--too busy to quarrel.”

”There's no use of me and you backin' and fillin'!” shouted the old man. ”You know me and I know you. You think you're goin' to tote your material up over this lake and build that railroad across my carry at Poquette?”

”Yes, that's what I am going to do.”

Ward shot out his two great fists.

”Naw, ye ain't!” he howled.

Parker turned and consulted his steam-gage and water indicator. Then he rang the bell.

”All aboard!” he shouted. ”First train for Poquette.”

A nervous little laugh went round at his quiet jest, and twoscore men boarded the sleds. For the first time in his roaring, reckless and quarrelsome life Colonel Gideon Ward found himself in the presence of a man who defied him scornfully and facing an obstacle that promised ridiculous defeat.

The t.i.tter of the crowd spurred his rage into fury. He took his whip between his teeth, and grasping the hand-rods, was about to lift himself into the cab. Parker put his gloved hand against the old man's breast.

”Not without an invitation, Colonel Ward,” he said. ”Our party is made up.”

”Don't want to ride in your infernal engine!” bellowed Ward, ”I'm goin'

to hoss-whip you, you--”