Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-07-30

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 non
chalance.
"How are the air-brakes working?"
asked Sinclair.
"First-rate."
"Then if you slow down now, you
could stop the train in third of her
length, couldn't you?"
"Easy, if you don't mind being shaken
up a bit?"
"That is good. How is the country
about the -xth mile-post?"
dead level and smooth"
"Good again. Now, Lieut.. Halsey
this is splendid headlight, and we can
see long way with my night-glass. I
will have a."
Eighth mile-post just passed." in
terrupted the engine driver.
"Only one more to pass, then, before
we ought to strike them. Now, ieuten-
ant, undertake to stop the train with
in 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 back. Sergeant, !"
called he, edo you hear me plainly?"
eyes, sir"
"Have the men fix bayonets. When
the train stops, and I wave my sword,
left half Jump off each side, run no
quickly, and form line abreast of the en-
Rine-not ahead"
"Jack," said Sinclair to the engine
driver, sis your hand steady?" The
man held it up with a 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
off by the sudden stop. Now for a look
ahead!" and he brought the binocular
to his eyes.
The great parabolic headlight illum-
mated the track long way in advance,
all behind it, of course, in darkness.
Suddenly Sinclair cried out:
"The tools have a light there, as I am
living man and there is little red
one nearer us. What Can that be? All
ready, Jacki By heavens they have
taken up two rails. Now, hold on all 1!
Stop herl"
The engine-driver shut his throttle
valve with jerk. Then, holding hard
by it, he sharply turned brass handle
There was fearful jolt-a grating
and the trains way was checked. The
lieutenant, standing sidewise, had
drawn his sword. He waved it, and al
most before he could get off the engine,
the soldiers were up and forming, still
in shadow, while the 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 SER
geant had said:
"Boys, you hear? It's that
Perry gang. Now don't forget Larry
and Charley, that they murdered last
year," and there had come from the
soldiers sort of fierce. subdued growl.
The volley was followed by bayonet
charge, and it required all the officers
authority to save the lives even ofthose
who threw up their hands. Large as
the gang was Communicating the
troops), well armed and desperate as
they were, every one was dead, wounded
or a prisoner when the men who
guarded the train platforms ran up.
The surgeon, with professional cool
ness, walked up to the robbers, his in
strument case under his arm.
"Not much for me to do here, Lieu
tenant" said he. ''That practice for
Creedmoor is telling on the shooting.
Good thing for the gang, too. Bullets
are better than rope, and Colorado
jury will give them plenty of that"
Sinclair had sent man to tell his
wife that all was over. Then he or
dered fire lighted and the rails relaid.
The flames Lit strange scene as the
passengers focked up. The Iieuten-
ant posted men to keep them back.
els there telegraph station not far
ahead, Sinclair?" asked he. eyes? ALI
right" He drew a small pad from his
pocket and wrote dispatch to the post
'sBe good enough to send that for
me- said he, "and leave orders at
Bankers for the night express east
ward to stop for us, and to bring posse
to take care of the wounded
and prisoners. And now, my dear
Sinclair, I suggest that you get the
passengers into the cars and 90 on as
soon as those rails are spiked. When
they realize the situation some of them
will feel precious ugly, and you know
we can't have any lynching."
Sinclair glanced at the rails and gave
the word at once to the conductor and
brakeman, who began vociferating, Cali
aboardP Just then Foster appeared.
an expression of intense satisfaction
showing clearly on his face in the fire.
light.
'Maior," said he, ST didn't use to
take much stock in special providence
or things being ordered, but I'm darned
if [ don't believe in them from this day.
[ was bound to stay where you put me.
but was uneasy and wild to be in the
o-,J boJ L.