The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-28

''wHo ARE YoU?"
carriage with malevolent leer Of sat-
isfaction. as he perceived that the com
partment was not furnished with the
usual appliance for signaling.
''All right, gunner said he, in a
hoarse, low voice "Noneed to trouble
yerself You surely don't want to him
convenience the rest of the passengers
by delaying the train
who are you, and what do you
want" said I. slowly clearing my limbs
of the folds of the rug which enveloped
me.
"Who am I. an what do I want?" he
repeated That's axing, sir, amt it?
However, I amt a-going to tell you
who | am, an as for what / want,
you'll be finding that out before very
long"
His manner and the looks of the man,
rather than his words, made me feel
uneasy. Judging from his appearance
/ guessed him to be more than my
match in point Of strength, and [ was
quite unar1ned.
lie turned, and let down the frame
of the window against which he stood,
then thrusting his arm out tried the
handle, but found the door was locked.
He uttered an inarticulate curse be-
twixt his teeth. and pulled up the win
dow with a vehemence which | should
have expected would shiver the glass in
it to fragments. The train at that mo-
ment dashed shrieking through a con-
siderable station, the lamps of which
ran past in lcng glare, like streak
of lightning, and the man shrank back
as though fearful of being seen.
Let's try the door at your end,
guv'ner," said he, coming along the
compartment. with his hand upon the
hat rack to steady himself | hastily
rose as he approached and backed away
a step or two while he lowered the win
dow and leaned out to turn the handle.
This door proved to be unlocked. Peo-
pie to whom have told this story as
sure me that it ought not to have been
unlocked. as the Otf-dOors of train are
always locked. ! believe this Is SO, but
the fact remains that the particular
off-door Of that part of the carriage in
which | CHANGED to be opened at once
when the man tried it. He drew in his
head again with an exclamation of sat-
isfaction, leaving the door unlocked.
though the rush of wind created by the
passage of the train prevented it from
swinging open.
Now, mister" said he, grutfiy, meas
6 l,
tie deep-set eyes as he spoke, you've
got to change clothes with me, dye see?
must have them toys of yourn."
''Yon viii do nothing of the kind" |
answered, resolutely, though with my
heart starting to beat trifie quicker.
Come, now, said he, don't make no
fuss Ye'd best chop quietly"
Again / cast my eyes round the COM
partment in the hope Of discovering the
communicating cord, but without any
result. At that instant the locomotive
gave 4 long screa ming whistle, and the
train plunged with a roar into tunnel
Look here. now" exclaimed the fei-
low, putting on a most menaeing air,
and leaning towards me with his fists
clinched. If you don't do what l want,
then out you 60 through that door"
Without answering again sat down
in the middle seat of the carriage On
this the man stood looking at me for a
moment as though undecided how to
act Then, perceiving my silk hat rest
ing on the ra.ll overhead. he took it
down and put it on. This impudeut act
of the dirty villain so incensed me that,
scarcely thinking what | was about. |
jumped up and snatched i off his head
In second he whipped round and
struck me blow fail in the chest. with
his heavy fist; | grappled with him and
then began fierce and desperate con-
fllct.
As soon as ever l closed with the ruff
fan felt that his whole effort waste
get me close to the door and thrust me
through It. He was an immensely
strong fellow, but As clumsy as bear
in his struggles. !. on the other hand,
was light and nimble. with some small
/ scientific knowledge Of boxing. But. for
all that, l felt myself greatly out
matched in that hand 10 hand fight.
No sooner had ! grappled with the vii
lain on his tirst striking me than he
gave me blow right in the face savage
enough to have broken my nose and
knocked ont goodness knows how many
teeth had he delivered it with as much
Judgment a. he did violence But had
taken him by the throat with both
hands. with the idea Of throttling him
into pasSiveneSS. and | continued
clutching his vjndpipe with the tenac-
ity Of a bull terrier. We twisted. and
wriggled. and bumped from side TO side
! of the confined space, and all the
/ while felt him dragging me in the d.
T rection Of the open door. At last /
twined my foot about his leg. and
/ threw him: he fell heavily. striking his
head against the cushioned seat. and
/ down / came with him. still clinginc %
! his iron hard. muscular throat. upon
! which my grip seemed 10 make scarcely
/ auy impression Ne rolled about for
awhile. each eudcavoring 10 keep up
permes;. and when with his superior
strength he got above me. ard zneit
. upou my chest ! thought ne would br,l-
; tally murder me a lay in that almost
hcloleSs pasture- En- insta2i =. eza-r.-..i