St. Landry democrat., 1884-07-05


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 nonchalance.
''How are the brakes working?"
asked Sinclair,
'sFirst-rate.'
.'Then if you slow down, you could
stop the train in third of her length,
couldn't you?"
easy. if you don't mind being shaken
up bit!''
THAT is good. How is the country
about the -xth mile-post?"
''Dead 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 az
Eighth mile-post just passed." in
terrupted the engine-driver.
"Only 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. I"
The officer stepped back. Ser
geant," called he, ''do you hear me
plainly?"
Eyes, 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 steady?" 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
off by the sudden stop. Now for look
ahead!'' 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:
1.-The fools have a light there, as I
am living man; and there is q little
red one nearer us. What can that be-?
By Heavens! they have taken up two
rails. Now, hold on all! Stop hern
The engine-driver shut his throttle
valve with jerk. Then, holding hard
by.it, he sharply turned q brass handle.
There was fearful jolt--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 a bright light was thrown
on body of men ahead.
Surrender, or you are dead menu
roared the officer. Curses and several
shots were the reply. Then came the
orders, quick and sharp:
Forward! Close up! Double quick!
Halt! Fret
*** 1t was speedily over. Left on
the car with the men, the old Serge. mt
had said:
boys, you hear? It's that cursed
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 of those
who threw up their hands. Large as
the gang was (outnumbering the
troops), well armed and desperate rs
they were, every one was dead,
wounded or aprisoner when the men
who guarded the train plN forms ran
up. The surgeon, with ps OCCASIONAL
GOODNESS, walked up to the n obers, his
instrument case under his arm.
''Not much for me to do here,
Lieutenant" said he. THAT practice
for Creedmooor is telling on the shoot
ing. Good thing for The gang, too.
Bullets are better than rope, and a
Colorado jury will give them plenty of
that
Sinclair had sent a 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 Lieuten-
ant posted men to keep them back.
SIS there q telegraph station not far
ahead, Sinclair" asked he. Eyes? All
right" He drew small pad from his
pocket and wrote dispatch TO the post
commander.
..Be good enough to send that for
me, said he. s.and leave orders at
Barlzer's for the night express eastward
to stop for us, and to bring q posse TO
take care OF the wounded and prison.
ers. And now, my dear Sinclair, |
suggest that you get the passengers in
to the cars and go on as soon as those
rails are spiked. When they realize
the situation some of them will feel
precious ugly. and you know we cant
have any lynching. !"
Sinclair glanced at the rails and gave
the word at once to the conductor and
bra kenlan who heran Eociferating: