The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-15
"A MESSENGERS ADVENTURE
Youths Companion.I

OutnS' COmpanlon.l
 always knew served the company n dangerous capacity, but had beea an express messe ger for SO many years that thought little or nothing of the risks l ran. My route was through rough region, too, after was changed from the Central Pacific to the Southern Pacific road, region but half settled and half civilized, where Indians and ruffans were IS plentiful as Chinamen in Frisco.
 My" run was a long one, through a new country, where railroad stations were often one hundred miles apart. The miles passed slowly after had assorted and billed the expfessage; my pipe was kept burning; and the constant roar and rumble of the train cheered me in the day, and lulled me to sleep at night, when the win lows were securely fastened, the lamps lighted, and several rifles and revolvers hung around in case of an em- ergency.
 ran as express messenger several years without being in railroad aoci- dent, or having the train stopped by rob- beTs- Some of my brother mes sengers met with adventures on nearly every uip, but fer long time l was unmolested, Ahth tO QiSkCSAQ luC altogether.
 Train-rohberies had lately been frc- queut, aud, while did not expect to be attacked, learned to be on the lookout. had g set of signals with the bell-rope so let the trainmen know when was in danger. Robberies were of,en made while the trains were in motion, and the express messengers were either bound hand and foot or killed the robbers being desperate men who hesitated at nothing. Occasionally, however, did relax my vigilance, and slept 's soundly as at tn. hoel where boarded. Finally my turn came.
 The train arrived at Tucson one night nearly an hour late. There was a great deal of express mater to exchange, and for fifteen minutes was kept busy load ing and unloading bundles and bcx .s The passengers walked up and down the platform to stretch their legs; the en- gine's safety-valve hummed with escAp ing steam, and the long train of cars, reaching the full length of the platform, presented picture of hustle and activity
 When the last bundle was piled away, had chance to talk few minutes with the eXpressman; then the train started, and closed the door, locked it, and tuned to the boxes and packages that were scattered around. The first thing that attracted my attention was a long, pine box.
 had not noticed it when it was loaded, and thinking it was a queer time for funeral to start east, examined the ad- dress. It was consigned to New Orleans entered 1t on the book with the other express, and for an hour or more, while Sorting over the packages, took no no- hce of my silent companion.
 It was a common thing te have one or two funerals the whole length of the trip eastward, and l thought of this as l thought of the others: oome poor fel low who left a pleasant home to come here in search ot fortune, only to die on the alkah plains without friend"
 And after l had showed the box against che side of the car, opened bundle os newspapers and selected one to read. It was not very late, and tilting my chair against the side os the car beneath 8 lamp, was soon interested in the news of the day.
 How long was in that position do not know, but unconsciously fell into a A&ut SiCCp WHSn l ndQ uulSncQ rcaQlnR the paper. awoke with feeling of dread and fascination in complete pos session Of me. did not move: could not. Something held me almost breath less, and several minutes passed before could open my eyes. When did my heart gave quick throb!
 The top ot the pine box partly raised, and the features of a man, shaded from the dim light, were revealed to my acute sensesi
 Even then, though greatly startled. did not make a melton, and my eyes were zM but closed. Peering from the corner of one eye. 1 tried to make out his fea- tures, but saw nothing beyond the brutal eyes and half-savage mouth. In an in- =skznt 1t flashed across me that he was '1rain-robber! He was evidently waiting to see if was fast asleep, for he did not S1o~e during several minutes, keeping his eyes fastened on me with the steadiness of an animal.
 tscGTcely breathed.
 The rifles and revolvers were on the opposite side of the car. If attempted %ats get them, he would shoot before