The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-06-13


took cigar with the agent and the mel
Y walked shout or sston the edge of tn
4 platform. One Of them. who obtaipe,
Il 8 sprreptitious glance at his silent com
4 mshder, told his cognpanions E,at Their,
4 was trouble ahead for somebody. Il Is
Il That just the way, The. Leftenau
i looked, boys. hid he, ..svbsn we wa
laying for them Apaches that raidet
Jones ranch and killed the women ant
little chAdfen. M
| In short time the officer looked a
his watch. formed his men, and directed
them to taks their places on the seats o
the car. They had hardly done so
when the whistle of the approaching
train was heard. When it came up, thu
conductor. who had his instruction.
from Sinclair, had the engine detached
And backed On the siding for the soldiers
car, which thus came between it and the
forsmost bAggage-car, when the train
YVES ;again made up. As arranged, ii
was announced that the troops were te
beEtaken a certain distance to join a
scouting party, and the curiosity of the
passengers was but slightly excited
The soldiers sat quietly-in their seat,
their repeating rifles held between their
knees, and the officer in front. Sinclair
| joined the latter and had few words
with him as the train moved on. A lit
tie later, wheno the stars. were shining
brightly overhead, they passed into the
express-car. and sent for the conductors
and ether train-men, and for Foster, In
a few words Sinclair explained the posi-
fif,ss nj f3o i,~c su-c Of
ceived with perfect GOODNESS. and the
men only isked what they were to do.
S.1 hope. boys" said Sinclair, -'that
we are going to put thisgang' tonight
where they willmake no more trouble.
Lieutenant Halsey will bear the brunt
of the fight, and it only remains for you
to standby tine interests committed to
your care. Mr.. Express Agent, what
help do you wantp'' The: person adj,
dressed, good-na.ured giant, girded
with cartridge-belt, smiled as he re-
piled: 81 80 - r. .7fs
"WelL sir, FIN wearing watch
which tho company gave me for stand
ing OF the James gang in Missouri for
half an hour, when we hadn't a ghost
of soldier about. PHtake the con-
tract, and welcome, to hold this fort
very iwell.' said Sinclair. "Fos-
ter. what progress have you nader
"MajOr, / have got ten or fifteen as
good men as ever drawed bead, and
just red-hot for fight. .Gn Z
?" That will do very well. Conductor.
give the train-men the rifles from the
bsggage-car, and let them act under
Mr.. Foster. Now, boys, I am sure you
will do your duty. That is ali.''
From the next station Sinclair tele-
graphed ali ready to the Superin-
tendent, who was pacing his office in
much suspense. Then he said few
words to his, anxious wife, and walked
to the rear platform. On it were sew
eral armed men who babe him good
evening, and asked him when the fun
was going to begin" Walking through
the train, he found every platform SIM
ilarly occupied. and Foster going from
one to the other. Tho latter whispered
as he passed him: 80.
t'Majur, / found Arizona Joe, the
scout, in the smokin' car and he is on
the front platform. That lets me out,
aad although I know as well as you
TINT there amt no danger about that
rear sleeper where the madam is, l
amt a-goinI to be far off from her"
Sinclair shook him by the hand. then
he looked at his watch.-- 1t was half
past eight. He passed through the
baggage and express ears, finding in
the latter the agent sitting behind his
safe, on which lay two large revolvers.
On the platform-car he found the sol
diers and their commander sitting
silent and unconcerned as before. |
When Sinclair had reached the latter |
and nodded, he rose and faced the |
men, and his fine voice was clearly
heard above the rattle of the train.
Company, 'tention!'' The. soldiers
Strengthened themselves in second.
with ball cartridge. loadr' 1t was
done with the precision of a machine.
Then the Lieutenant spoke, in the same |
clear, crisp tones that the troops had
heard in more than one fierce battle.
!; /. Men, said he, sin few minutes
the Perry gang, which you will remem-
ter, are going to try and run this, train
off the track. wound and Kill the pas
sengers. and rob the cars and the
United States mail. 1t is our business
TO prevent them. Sergeant Wilson" ia
gray-haired non-commissioned officer
Il am going on the engine.
See that my orders are repeated. Now,
men. aim low, and don't waste any
shots" He and Sinclair climbed over
the tender and spoke to the engine
driver. who received the news with
great noDchalancc. rrE'i ErEI -,.ry |
"How are the air-brakes workingp"
asked Sinclair. ai'-,.II
"First-rate." '.y-..IfI
5ssThen If you slow down. you could
stop the train in third of her length,
you?" ,,-..-Iv.
:. Easy; ifyou don't mind being shaken hal N.
That is good. How is the country
about the --xth mile-post?"
..Dead level. and smooth
Good again. Now, Lieutenant Hal
'ey, this is a splendid headlight, and
we can see long way with my night
glass. will have a." -7.-5T
Eighth mile post just passed." in
corrupted the engine-driver.- DDS
''Only one more to pass, then, before
We ought to strike them. Now, Lieu
;euant, / undertake to stop the train
within very short distance of the gang.
They will be on both sides of the track,
10 doubt; and the ground, As you hear,
$ quite level. You will best know what
% do" lIrs -gTlt a..t I'll -...si,.
The officer stepped baek. Ser
,eant," called he, do you hear me
- ,'Hs'z.F #. |
..Yes, sir.''i ''s -e-zlt-ii --.gs,-
.Have the men fix bayopets. When
he train stops, and wave my sword,
eft half jump off each side, run up
mickly. and form line abreast of the