Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-07-31
into the Darkroom and watch while they

into the Darkroom and watch while the,
conferred together.
81 passed nearly an hour in the back
room, listening to the talk going forward il
front. From the broken words l heard
Pieced out the following:
"The supply train, due to- morrow, was t.
pass this afternoon, and the outlaws wer,
plotting its destruction.
THE track was nearly mile from thu
house, and the leader concluded to go a
asst. He entered the room where l sat
and ordered the guards to watch me closely
"One of them pleaded SO strongly to &c
Upon the expedition that the leader sub
mitted, and when the men left was alone
aith the old woman and the single robber.
"My own fears and troubles had beer
swallowed up by the more important newt
had received regarding the train.
1T was quite valuable, besides beins
much required by the troops at the time
There were several officers on board, also
and their capture or death would be grea
loss.
ITO shorten long story, had flask Of
liquor in my ocket; tie outlaw had I
larger in his own possession, and he also
had an appetite for q larger quantity thar
was obtainable.
HE drank up the liquor in his own fash
In very few minutes, and my own followed
Immediately afterward.
"As might have been expected, the cold
and the liquor threw him in q drunken
slumber. Inow decided to leave the house
at any risk.
The old woman had remained in the
front room. Slowly drew away the ruff.
fans weapons. l had been left unbound
ard warned by my own escape, I proceeded
to secure the fellow without awakening
him. I Their entered the front room and
prevailed with the old lady to allow me to
serve her in the same way.
Five minutes later l had mounted my
horse and was riding at break meek speed
toward the railroad track.
Il heard the engine whistle shrilly rs
left the stable, and knew the probabilities
were against my reaching the spot in time
to do any good.
Il rode with the speed Of the wind over
the snow-covered ground, and came into
view of the track just as the train halted.
Running the steed back, I looked at the
cars; they were already in the possession
of the outlaws.
"a couple Of the men had gone up the
track with red flag, and had halted the
train-in IN ambush Of their fellows.
"They jumped on board, with shouts and
screams of triumph, while the bullets rat
lied fiercely.
Disappointed that had not been few
minutes earlier, watched the rascals.
"The soldiers upon the train were soon
all dead or prisoners, and then the outlaws
left the c,rs.
standing together in body, they con-
suited for moment, and then the engine
was uncoupled, two men leaped upon it and
drove down the track.
Il watched them with bated breath. What
did they intend to do? 1t was soon ex-
planned.
"The locomotive was stopped again q
few miles away, then the lever was thrown
back, and the engine rushed back upon the
cars with the speed of the avalanche.
"a moment, and it collided with the
foremost car, plowed its way through
and soon the valuable supply train was but
a mass C emoking ruins"
The Colonel stopped and drew long
breath.
II tell you it was thrilling night" he
said, after moment; but the guerrlIias
soon paid for the damage.
II escaped without difficulty, and reached
camp again that night. The following
week witnessed the destruction of that band
Of bushwhackers, for the soldiers were
maddened by the loss of their supplies,
and rested not moment until they re.
venged it."