The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-28
Texas dropped the match.
II knocked you off," he said, briefly.
Loose nv hands

4
loose my hands !"
| "Loose them yourself, you can"
After trying in vain to burst the strap. jim
| lay back painting. Hetried to think who this
man might be.
| "Who are you," he muttered in a low voice.
"Are there so few men that have a spite
| against you that you ask How many men
have you thrown off your train that you didn't
kill? Have you never wondered none of then,
| tried to finish your Hyou want to know who
| am I'll tell you. Pm the brother OF the man
| you slung off just here the night before last
His head struck rock, and It dashed his brains
out. You red-hearted cur! But I've got You -
AS Texas spoke. the conductor was trying
desperately to work his hands loose. When he
found it vain he answered.
HE shot at me-"
"After you kicked him-after you got him
foul"
"What are you going to do, then2" asked
Jim, hoarsely.
"Have you any kind of notion, Red Jim ?"
And Red Jim did not answer. For long
time they remained without uttering word (;
the silence was only disturbed by the con-
ductor's heavy breathing. But his senses were
more keenly alive to everything about them
than the Texans, and he was the first to catch
the faint vibrations which portended another
train. Presently Texas heard it.
"What trains that, Red Jim?"
1.-The heavy s0uth-bound freight"
"When is your train due back here?"
"Why do you ask, y0u-you devil?"
"YOu can tell me or not" said Texas.
You'll be on time, Jim. You'll be here. My
brother is here, waiting for You. Two days
ago ! was waiting for him, and now he's
buried on the other side of the track. Damn
you, lie STILL"
For Jim was struggling hard. He did not
obey, and with a sudden fierce jerk Texas
rolled him over on his face. Taking piece Of
cord out of his pocket, he dashed his legs with
it securely, and finding there were two yards
to spare he took out his bowie-knife and cut
them off.
when are you due back here Jim ?" asked
Texas again, as he rolled him on his back once
more.
AT 3 tomorrow morning" said the con.
ductor. Was it not best to tell2 For il he
kept him talking he might be able to get the
freight to stop if he only shouted loud enough.
The freight was very near now; it came on
heavily. heavily, but with steady persistence.
In his heart he knew they would never stop,
even if he screamed himself blind, and yet he
hoped against hope, against destiny. The
train was almost at the top of the pass. But
even now Texas was knotting his handker-
chief. and in the knot was lump Of wood.
"Open your mouth! I'm going to gag you"
"And if l dont?"
Texas pulled out his knife again, and Jim
opened his mouth with snarl. He heard the
freight, his one hope, come to the top OF the
pass, and heard the single blast that meant
down brakes " as the dull painting of the loco
motive ceased and the train began the long de-
scent. Now he must lie there and hear it 60
by-gaqged, gagged, unable to utter one word,
one scream, though his life, his very life, de-
pended on it. And. ss he lay back in mo-
mentary sickening despair, wondering what
should be his fate Texas lifted him in his arms
and carried him on to the track.
In the very early dawn of'the next morning
the north bound passenger stayed at the sum
to hunt for their lost conductor. They found
his body in the ditch close to the track; but,
for all their searching, they could find no head.
While every ones attention was drawn to the
southern slope of the dim mountain pass man
ran out of the dark brush just by the locomo-
tive, and, avoiding the glare of the headlight,
crawled onto the pilot. He stayed there for
moment or two, and then disappeared on the
west side of the track. Mean while the train
hands carried the conductors body into the
caboose, and, putting the brakes on, the train
ran down into Caliente! 1t was not yet broad
daylight when 1t reached the town and drew
up at the depot; but even at that early hour
Hub. who had been. waiting to hear of some.
thing happening to his old enemy. Was sitting
kicking his heels against case of dry goods at
the end of the platform. When the train drew
up the locomotive was close to him. He looked
at it idly for a moment, and then turned as
white as sheet. He pointed to the top OF the
cow catcher, but did not speak, and his motions
attracted the attention of the engineer and
fireman. They came to see what it WAS that
made him look 80 at their engine Red Jim's
head was tied to the top of the pilot.