The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-09-06

kept Abel's revolver in readiness, but
after time noticed two figures pro-
ceeding in the direction of some log
huts which lay some little distance
down the line upon the left. AS the
strangers disappeared over the brow OF
the hill turned my attention to Abel.
To my astonishment he responded to
my first adurations by saying, as he
gained a sitting posture, I" Darn them
cusses, have they gone right away ?''
For moment stared in speechless
"Why, thought you were drunk"
cried at length.
"Drunk" he echoed, "those fellows
would have you on your back in q
coon's jump but for me. knew them,
the 'Injun thieves, they're after our
specie, my boy, as sure as shootin', but
I'll tail 'em, the varmints. Which is
the specie wagon"
"Number eight" I replied, wonder.
ingly.
"Of with it. and tackle it on the
passenger train" cried Abel excitedly;
we'll fix their flints yet, by gosh."
II ~
while we were uncoupling the wagon
the other train arrived. Abel com mu.
nicated his suspicious to the conductor,
and in a few moments the specie was
safely included among the passenger
cars. BY this time the evening was
closing in, and when we had placed the
train ON the siding at the toy Of tn in.
cline, to clear the track for the passen.
gers, began to hope that our fears Of
an attack we're groun dless.
We ran down again with steam on,
to get in the rear of the passenger
train, and the other engine followed at
the points, just beyond the log huts |
have mentioned, several figures rose
from their concealment. Without
warning of any kind, they deliberately
fred at the engines as they passed.
Surprise, more than fear, kept US for a
moment inactive. But Abel quickly
recovered himself Shouting to me to
lie down, he discharged two barrels at
the nearest of our assailants. With a
groan, he fell dead in his tracks. In a
few seconds we had run out of range,
but those upon the other engine were
less fortunate. Unarmed as they were,
the driver and fireman could make no
resistance, and we, as well AS the pas
sengers, who were now turning out to
their assistance, were obliged to remain
passive spectators. The poor fellows
were tumbled off the engine by their
assailants, whose intention to seize the
specie wagon was now evident. But in
this they were foiled. Some of the pas
sengers, having got within range, had
by this time commenced pretty hot
fire against the "filibusters," who now
found themselves in q fix. as Abel, re.
versing his engine, returned to the
attack. Their position thus becoming
untenable, they started their engine
and ran quickly out of the range of the
passengers fire. But Nemesis was be.
hind them. And seeing their msneuver
turned on full pressure, and swore he'd
shoot them ere he slept. Now com.
menced the most extraordinary chase
ever heard Of.
The engine in front had a start of
about half mile, but we had great
power, and understood the manage.
ment of the machine. Both locomo.
tives were well supplied with wood and
water. One Of our opponents attempted
to jump off as the speed was for mo.
ment slackened, but he was hurled
upon the line a bleeding mass. His
terrible fate deferred his companions,
who increased their distance and disap.
peared over the brow of the hill. We
followed, going at a terrific rate, bump.
ing and oscillating to such a degree
upon the uneven track that | fancied
we should run off the line. We kept
our course, however, gaining slightly
for q time, Abel taking every oppor-
tuuity of sending q bullet Through the
weather.board of the retreating en-.
CINE.
As the excitement cooled little, |
for the first time discovered that had
been chit" A trickling Of blood from
a wound in my arm, and numb sen.
sation we're any thing but agreeable. A
rough bandage stopped the bleeding,
and we were then at liberty to observe
the chase once more. Darkness came
on, yet there was no token of any abate.
ment of the speed, nor any apparent
change in our relative positions. Occa
sionally a defiant whistle was borne
back to US, but still on we swept
the night. Suddenly the red |
glow upon the track in front seemed to
stop. We neared it rapidly.
"Dive," roared Abel, just in time.
As he spoke two shots came whizzing
through the glass in front, and fell |
harmless from the iron plate before US.
"a shave thatl' laughed my com.
panion. But Ill be quits" As he
spoke he got out upon the frame and
told me to lie cached.
What on earth are you about ?'' |
asked. His reply made me shudder-