52

TAKING A MESSAGE THROUGH.

So they must expect naught else but death If they try to take a message through!

The engine was cleaned and prepared for the trip,

Till her sound little works looked bright

and new;

And now for the cause she would do her

best,

And that was all that an engine could do.

They bid farewell, then mounted the cab;No one would choose their work to do, But the life of an army was at stake— They'll die, or take a message through!

And then from the midst of that silent crowd They slowly moved away,

And soon they came to a well-known spot Where a rebel battery lay.

Then missiles of death were hurled at them; 'Twas a storm of shot and shell and grape;

They cared not how or where they fell,
So they hit in any shape.

"More fire!" was the word from the engineer, "We must try those irons to miss;— For if the rebs should hit their mark, We'll fire no more in this!"

They passed by battery number one;
Their loss was small, as they could tell;
To them it was a useless piece of brass,
And left by the wayside where it fell.

One battery was passed but there were two

more.

The shrieking iron then filled the air! "Fill up the furnace, or we are doneThere's no hope but in despair!"

Just then a shell—a monster-struck them, Crushed through the cab, broke the fireman's arm;

He groaned "who'll fire the rest of the trip?"

Your comrade, for that shell has done him no harm.

They're safe!" they said, with a sigh of re

lief;

They'd passed their last works, their road now was clear,

But the fireman groaned "we ain't through with it yet;

The worst is to come-they are following, I fear!"

They looked at the man, and thought he was

crazed;

But listning intently found out he was

right.

They had pulled out the engine they passed on the track;

Now they were chasing them—almost in

sight!

The furnace was kept to its highest heat, Till the boiler wheazed and groaned for breath;

The wheels

spun around upon the trackIt seemed like sure and certain death!

"More fire, more fire!" said the engineer.

"They're gaining on us fast!" he cried. And then he opened the furnace door, And cramed it full from side to side.

"Is there naught else that we can do?
Try something quick to stop their speed!
Let's throw a bar across the track!"
To which they quickly all agreed.

Again they came with redoubled speed! "Here, throw a coat across the track!" The coat was caught-but I shrink to tell, 'Twas only a moment it kept them back.

Again they come, fierce and faster than before,

The engine emitting great clouds of smoke. Just then they knew not what to do,

When thus the thoughtful fireman spoke: