The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-06-14


the tender and spoke to the engine
driver. who received the news with |
great nonchalancc.
GLOW are the air-brakes working?"
asked Sinclair.
.First-rate."
"Tben if YOU slow down, you could |
stop the train in third of her length. |
couldn't youg"
easy; ifyou don't mind being shaken
up bit''
THAT is good How is the country
about the -xth mile-postp"
.sDead level, and smooth"
Good again Now, Lieutenant Hal
sey, this is splendid headlight, and
we can see long way with my night
glass. | will have "a"
Eighth mile-post just passed." in
terrupted the engine-driver.
/ "Onlv one more to pass, then, before
we ought to strike them. Now, Lieu
! tenant. | undertake to stop the train
within very short distance of the gang.
| They will be on both sides of the track,
no doubt; and the ground, as you hear,
is quite level. You will best know what
to do"
The officer stepped bacR. Ser
geant," called he, ''do you hear me
plainly"
Yes, sir"
"Have the men fix bayonets. When
the train stops, and | wave my sword,
left half Jump off each side, run up
quickly, and form line abreast of the
engine-not ahead"
Jack" said Sinclair to the engine
driver, sis your hand steadyP" The
man held it up with smile. ''Good.
Now stand by your throttle and your
air-brake. Lieutenant, better warn the
men to hold on tight, and tell the SER
geant to pass the word to the boys on
the platforms, or they will be knocked
of by the sudden stop. Now for look
aheadr' and he brought the binocular
to his eyes.
The great parabolic headlight illumi-
mated the track long way in advance,
all behind it being, of course, in dark
ness. Suddenly Sinclair cried out:
The fools have light there, as 1
am living man; and there is little
red one nearer us. What can that be?
BY Heavens! they have taken up two
rails. Now, hold on all! Stop her!''
The engine-driver shut his throttle
valve with jerk. Then, holding haEd
by it, he sharply turned brass handle.
There was fearful iolt--a grating--and
the trains way was checked. The Lieu
tenant, standing sidewise, had drawn
his sword. He waved it, and almost
before he could get off the engine. the
soldiers were up and forming, still in
shadow, while bright light was thrown
, on a body of men ahead.
Surrender, or you are dead men!"
roared the officer. Curses and several
shots were the reply. Then came the
, orders, quick and sharp:
Forward! Close up! Double quick!
Halt! Fire!''
- 1t was speedily over. Left on
the car with the men, the old Sergeant
+ had said:
T, Boys, you hearP It's that cursed
, Perry gang. Now don't forget Larry
+ and Charley, that they murdered last
year, and there had come from the
I soldiers sort of fierce, subdued growl
/. The volley was followed by a bayonet
charge, and it required all the officer S
, authority to save the lives even of those
: who threw up their hands. Large a.
;, the gang was Communicating the
+ troops), we'll armed and desperate -
: they were, every one was dead
+ wounded or aprisoner when the mer
who guarded the train platforms raj
: up. The surgeon, with ps >fessiona
GOODNESS, walked up to the n bbers, hi
9 instrument case under his arm.
l mot much for me to do here
Lieutenant" said he. THAT practic'
:. for Creedmooor is telling on the shoot
q ing Good thing for the gang, too
r Bullets are better than rope, and
n Colorado jury will give them plenty o
that"
: Sinclair had sent man to tell hi
: wife that all was over. Then he or
n dered fire lighted and the rails relaid
" The flames lit strange scene as tn
Il passengers flocked up. The Lieuten
> ant posted men to keep them back.
d "Is there telegraph station not ia
n ahead, Sinclair" asked he. "YesP Al
h right" He drew a small pad from hi
! pocket and wrote dispatch to the pos
n commander.
4 'Be good enough to send that 70
me, said he, land leave orders a
10 Bankers for the night express eastwar
n to stop for us, and to bring a posse +
! take care of the wounded and prison
N ers And now, my dear Sinclair,
# suggest that you get the passengers in
I to the cars and go on rs soon as thos
- rails are spiked. When they realiz
n the situation some of them will fee
f precious ugly, and you know we can
le have any lynching."
n Sinclair glanced at the rails and CAV
is the word at once to the conductor an
5. brakeman, who began vociferatins
/ 'All aboard!" Just then Foster az
g peared, an expression of intense satii
e. faction showing clearly on his face i
er the freight.
he major" said he, 81 didn't use