The sun. (Fayetteville, N.C.) 1883-188?, 1884-06-17

| was terribly excited, thoug h
tried to appear cool. When | was
all ready threw several heavy pack
ages on the lid, sat down on the box
and hastily nailed down the lid.
heard a noise within and felt press.
ure as my prisoner endeavored tc
raise the lid. The weight was toe
great, and | soon had all the nails
driven in to hold him fast. He was
secured, but to make sure of him
surrounded the box with heavy
bundles and piled upon it the heavi-
est boxes the car contained.
| sat down for a minute to recov-
er myself, then taking down a rifle,
| cooked it loud enough for him tc
hear.
''How many more are there aboard
the tramp | asked, placing my
mouth to a crack between the bricks.
In reply | heard a muffled sound
resembling curse, and as all the
holes through which he might shoot
were coyered with gold and silver,
put my mouth nearer and asked
the question again.
| received no reply, and going to
the other end of the car, | quietly
opened the door leading to the plat
form. The night air rushed in and
the noise Of the train came with it,
making a din in my ears. We were
running at a high rate Of speed
around the hills that abound in that
region.
| stepped to the platform Of the
next car. 1t was a smoking car.
The train-robbers were already at
work, Two men, in the forward
end, within five feet Of me, COM
manding view Of every passenger
with their leveled revolvers, and two
more were going down the aisle for
the vaiuables.
1t was a terrible moment to me.
| felt keen sympathy for the pas
sengers, whose terrOr-stric ken faces
| could see in the dim light from
the lamps, but I was helpless; doubt
less a similar scene was being en-
acted in the other passenger and
sleeping-cars.
[ was hot and cold by turns. |
watched the Williams going coolly on
with their work until began to
think Of my own safety. Charley
Slate, brakeman, was bound hand
and foot to the forward seat: in
few minutes they would finish their
daring work and come to my car. |
did not doubt that the fellow | had
imprisoned in the pine box was an
accomplice, and if they should find
the door Of the express ear locked,
they would break it open to see
what had become Of him, and kill
me if [ resisted.
This would enable them to take
possession of the monery, bullion and
valuable packages, and escape. l
knew that they would not kill any
one if he did not resist; and inside
of five minutes they would demand
all entrance to my car.
= Already the two robbers had near
ly reached the farther end Of the
smoking-car; thousands Of dollars
were in my care; must save it.
Without any more hesitation |
to the platform of my car,
grasped the lever that operated the
Miller coupling, and, with quick
strong pull, separated the two draw
heads. | was not. a moment too
soon. Before the engine and ex-
press car had shot two hundred feet
ahead Of the train, the door Of the
opened and the rob-
bers stepped out [ heard their cry
Of rage, saw the flashes Of their re-
and felt the bullets strike
the woodwork behind me. Hurry
ing forward, I told the engineer
what | had done.
~ He heartily approved of my ac-
ton and his words reassured me.
had taken a desperate course, but |
had saved a great deal Of valuable
property.
We hurried on through the dark
ness, and soon reached the next |
station, from which the news was
telegraphed to the company's offices
in San Francisco and Tucson. The
robber in the pine box was then
secured, but refused tn say word,
and with gang of track-men