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Updated: May 10, 2025
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 troop train could not reach there for fifteen minutes, because at all obscure places it would have to go slow for fear of meeting obstructions on the track. I reached Pucacancha, stopping far enough back to allow the passenger to pull up and back on the side track. The siding had only one switch, chiefly used for ballast for the road bed. I looked anxiously for the passenger.
My blood almost froze, but realizing that this was no time for fright, I determined to master the situation. I knew the two soldiers would not attempt to molest us. They had learned a lesson. I looked at my watch. In five minutes the passenger, if on time, would be at Pucacancha.
The struggle had lasted but a short time, but it had seemed to me hours. Manuel bandaged my head and arm. The two soldiers remained perfectly passive, suffering from severe blows. The one felled by Manuel was still unconscious. We were within three miles of Pucacancha, rounding a sharp curve, when I looked back and exclaimed: "My God, Manuel, the troop train is coming!"
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?
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