I did not answer. It was all I could do to keep from attacking him
despite the disadvantage I was at. The thought of the bridge, however,
restrained any hasty action.
We left the station with the troop train closely following. According
to orders, our first stop would be at Juliaca station. I knew that
when we reached there the telegraph office would be destroyed.
Telegraph communication was cut off between Juliaca station and Puno.
Nearing the station, we stopped to take water from a tank. I asked
permission from the leader to allow my fireman to go and draw some
oil, explaining that I had none and it was necessary, that his going
there would not create suspicion, and it would save much time. I was
greatly surprised when he consented. I took a small piece of paper and
wrote the following in English: "Van Buren, I am coming with rebels to
destroy Sumbay bridge. Hurry up troops. Buchan." After writing, I read
aloud in Spanish: "Procure from Senor Southers, the station master,
two quarts of engine oil for the Arequipena." I handed it to Manuel
who understood my meaning. He took the engine cans and walked to the
office.
My heart beat rapidly. I fairly held my breath. Would he be able to
see Southers before I took water? Would Southers understand my meaning
and get the message off before we arrived at the platform and find the
office destroyed? I delayed taking water as long as possible, then
pulled slowly down the track to the platform. The moment we stopped,
the officers rushed in the telegraph office and disconnected the
instruments from the wires. Don Rodrigo and his three soldiers never
left me for a moment, which made me suspect that my every movement
would be closely watched.
The fireman came down the platform, both engine oil cans in his hands.
I asked him if he had seen Southers. He replied that he had and that
everything was all right. I received the oil and looked at him. His
look told plainly that the message was sent. I felt that a heavy load
had been lifted and breathed freer. I looked at Don Rodrigo. I was
satisfied that in a short time we would meet in a struggle that would
be the final one between us.
After the office had been destroyed we started again, the troop train
always close behind us. We stopped at Cabanillas, Maravillas and Santa
Lucia and carried away their telegraph instruments; then we ran direct
to Vincocaya. Arriving there the telegraph office suffered like the
others. I pulled down in front of the hotel, then told the officers
that the passenger train was due in an hour, and that it would be
impossible to proceed until its arrival. I showed him the time card to
satisfy him I was telling the truth, and remarked that advantage might
be taken of the time by having supper. Accordingly all of them, left
the Arequipena except Don Rodrigo and the three soldiers. The officers
left their arms in the little coach. Now was the time to act. Should I
fail now, no other chance would present itself, for, after the arrival
of the passenger train, the only stop would be at Sumbay bridge, when
it would be too late. I figured that, after Van Buren had received my
message from Juliaca the troops could not possibly arrive at Sumbay
bridge before eight o'clock that night. It was four o'clock when we
reached Vincocaya and the passenger would be leaving Sumbay station.
Pucacancha was another station between Sumbay and Vincocaya. The grade
being 160 feet to the mile, the train makes very slow time between
Sumbay and Pucacancha. It was my only hope to succeed in getting to
Pucacancha before the arrival of the passenger train.
I was nervous. I got off the engine, then called to Manuel to hand me
another oil can. I spoke to him in English to have everything ready. I
was going to run away with the engine--would he assist me? This I
asked while I was pretending to oil the engine, and I had to trust
largely to Manuel's intuition, as he knew but little English. He
returned to the engine and raised a full head of steam. I noticed Don
Rodrigo watching me from one of the side doors of the coach. I climbed
back on the engine and put away the oil can, when Rodrigo said with a
significant tone: "My time will soon come when I can avenge the insult
I received at Tiravaya."
I did not answer. I knew his meaning. When my services were no longer
required, he would, with his cowardly instinct, devise a means to kill
me. The three soldiers were a fair sample of the poor ignorant
Peruvians. They were armed with breech-loading rifles of French
pattern, bayonets fixed. After Rodrigo had muttered his threat, he
went into the little coach, sitting directly behind me, and could, by
his position, observe every move I made. Manuel was standing on the
left watching me. Although I had endeavored to make him understand, he
was not aware of my plans. I looked back and saw the troop train
taking water at the tank. I looked at Manuel, and he understood "the
time had come."
With my left hand, I threw the throttle wide open and with my right
blew the signal agreed upon. With a prayer to God I threw myself upon
the nearest soldier.