Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-03-15
Caught In a Corner.

70, said theexprtssi messenger ""@
when was travelling on the South
ern Pacific read. i had just awoke
up out OF a nap in the express ROOM
when / saw something that froze my
blood in my veins. There was a COT
fin in one end of the room, and
could just catch glimpse Ola cruel
face turned upward tome. lifelong
to a train rObber, Twas sure, and my
rifles were on the other side OF the
car. If made "A step he would shoot
me dead. And then notify his asso-
ciates, who were probably in the pas
senger car.
We had enough gold on board to
make a man rich. / ielt the response
bility, and knew Unjust act at once.
| pretended to awaken by making
| two or three movements with my
hands and to my intense relief the
cover of the pine box quickly and
quietly dropped to its place, Win,
out making any hurried motion, |
rubbed my eyes CAPPED once or twiee
and slowly rose TO my feet.
"Well, vel" said aloud, rive
been asleep."
Then | proceeded 10 rummage
around theear as il nothing had hap.
pened, but my nerves were not relaxed
AN instant. Before the train had gone
five miles further had some nails in
my pocket. A quick, careless glance
showed me a hole in the side Of the
box through which the robber was
undoubtedly watching every move
ment | made.
/ did not 20 near the revolvers or
rifles. 1t would have taken but u
second tor him 10 have raised the lid
and shot me, aud knew he would do
SO il | approached them. Instead OF
that | carelessly assorted a pile OF
express matter near the box, with a
view TO what | was to do.
was terribly excited, though l
tried 60 appear cool. When ] was
all ready, threw several packages
on the I'D. sat down on the box, and
hastily nailed doNn the lid ! heard
a noise within, and telt "A pressure as
my prisoner endeavored To raise the
It'd. The weight was too great, and
| soon had all the nails driven In to
hold fast. He was secured, but To-
make sure Of him | surrounded this
box with heavy bundles, and piled
upon ii the heaviest boxes the car
contained.
sat down for n minute TO recover
myself then, taking down a rifle,
cooked il loud enough tor him %
hear.
How many more are there ABOARD
the truin?" laskcd, placing my mouth
TO crack between the bricks
In reply I heard a muiiiad sound
, resembling curse. and As all the
holes through which be- might shoot
were covered with gold ana silver, !
put my mouth nearer mud usked tbs
question again.
= | received no reply, and. going ia
the other end of the cat. / quietly
opened the door leading To- The plat
, form The night air rushed Ia and
! the noise Of ths train with II, making
! a din in my ears. We were running
Z at high rate OF speed around chs
hills that abound IN that region.
= | stepped TO the platform Ui the
next ear. II was "A smoking.cnr. Tbs
J. train robbers were already at work
Two men IN the forward end. within
T five feet Of me, commanded view
: Of every passenger with their lcvellsd
revolveis, and two more were going
:: down the aisle for the yalunbles.
y 1t was terrible moment TO mo
I felt a keen sympathy for tho pussen
gers, whose terror stricken faccs
9 could see in the dim light from III,
: lamps, but | was helpless, doubles,
p n similar scene was being enacted il
z the other passenger and sleeping ears
! wns hot and cold by turns.
! watched the yilliuns going cody OF
y with their work until I began Il
I think Of my own safety. Charlie,
2 Slate a brakeman. was bound han,
u and foot to the forward sent: In
lew minutes they would finish thei
y daring work and came Co my chr.
! did not doubt TINT the fellow ha,
J imprisoned In the pine box was ri
o nccomplice, and II they should fin,
!, the door OF the express car locke,
' they would break il open 10 see WIN
: had become Of him, and Kill ms If
resisted.
This would enable them to tak
possession Of the money, bullion nm,
l. valuable packages and escape.
, knew they would not kill my one
= he did not resist. and inside Of fty
e minutes they would demand an on
d trance to my car.
D, Already tho two robbers had neaI
4 ~ reached the iartber end ot III
/. smoking car. Thousands Of dollar
i were in my care; must save II.
i Without any more hesitation
!. stepped to the platform Of INV enl
a grasped the lever that operated IN
d Miller coupling, aud with q quicl
d strong pull separated the two drn,
= heads. | was not moment to