to discern it, because the darkness there was not quite so dark as that
which lay against the mountains on either side. He was hopeful that
they might yet reach it before the Southern force could close down upon
them, but before they went many yards further he heard the beat of
horses' feet both to right and left and knew that the enemy was at hand.

"Take the train on through the pass, Canby!" shouted Colonel Newcomb.
"We'll cover its retreat, and join you later--if we can."

The train began to rattle and roar, and its speed increased. Showers
of sparks shot from the funnels of the two engines, and gleamed for an
instant in the darkness. The beat of horses' feet grew to thunder.
Colonel Newcomb with great presence of mind drew the two parallel lines
of his men close together, and ordered them to lie down on either side
of the railroad track and face outward with cocked rifles. Dick,
the Vermonter, and Sergeant Whitley lay close together, and the three
faced the north.

"See the torches!" said Whitley.

Dick saw eight or ten torches wavering and flickering at a height of
seven or eight feet above the ground, and he knew that they were carried
by horsemen, but he could not see either men or horses beneath. Then
the rapid beat of hoofs ceased abruptly at a distance that Dick thought
must be about two hundred yards.

"Lie flat!" cried Whitley. "They're about to fire!"