Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-04-21
THE GREAT K. & A.
TRAIN ROBBERY
BY PAUL LEICESTER FORD.
Copyright, 1896, by J. B. Lippincott Company.

oany.
| of the snar1, and when I saw the Judge
finish off his signature with flourish 1
played pretty desperate card
you're Just too late, gentlemen" I
said, ,ointing out the side window OF
the Sc DON. "There comes the cavalry. "
Th.. three conspirators jumped to their
feet I'd bolted for the window. Even
the 81 eriff turned to look. AS he did so
gave him a shove toward the three,
which sent them all sprawling on the
floor in a pretty badly mixed up condi-
tion. made dash for the door, and
as I went through it I grabbed the key
and locked them in. AS I turned to do
80 I saw the lot struggling up from the
floor, and, knowing that it wouldn' t
take them many seconds to find their
way out through the window, l didn't
waste much time in watching them.
Camp, Baldwin and the judge had
left their horses just outside the saloon,
and there they were still patiently stand
ing, with their brides thrown over their
heads, as only western horses will stand.
It didn't take me long to have those
brides back in place, and as I tossed
each over the peak Of the Mexican sad
die gave two Of the ponies slaps which
started them off at a lope across the
railroad tracks. swung myself into
the saddle of the third and ficked him
with the loose ends Of the bride in a
way which made him understand that I
meant business.
Baldwin's cowboys had most Of them
scattered to the various saloons Of the
place, but two of them were standing in
the doorway of store. I acted so quick
", however, that they didn't seem to
take in what Twas about till was well
mounted Then I heard yell, and,
fearing that they might shoot-for the
cowboy does love to use his gun-Lturn-
ed sharp ut the saloon corner and rode
up the side street, just in time to see
Camp climbing through the window,
with Baldwin's head in view behind
him.
Before I had ridden 100 feet I realiz-
ed that I had done up horse under me,
and, considering that he had covered
over 40 miles that afternoon in pretty
quick time, it was not surprising that
there wasn't very much go left in him.
knew that Baldwin's cowboys could
get new mounts in plenty without vast
ing many minutes and that then they
would overhaul me in very short order.
Clearly there was no use in my attempt
ing to escape by running. And, as l
wasn't armed my only hope was to beat
them by some finesse.
Ash Forks, like all western railroad
towns, is one long line Of buildings run
ming parallel with the railway tracks.
Two hundred feet, therefore, brought
me to the edge Of the town, and wheel
ed my pony and rode Gown behind the
rear of the buildings. In turning look
ed back and saw half d dozen mounted
men already in pursuit, but lost sight
Of them the next moment. AS soon as l
reached street leading back to the rail
road I turned again and rode toward it,
my one thought being to get back, If
possible, to the station and put the let
tiers into the railroad agents safe.
When I reached the main street,
saw that my hope was futile, for an
other batch of cowboys were coming in
full gallop toward me, very thoroughly
heading me off in that direction. To es-
cape them I headed up the street away
from the station, with the pack in close
pursuit. They yelled at me to hold up,
and expected every moment to hear
the crack of revolvers, for the poorest
shot among them would have found no
difficulty in dropping my horse at that
distance if they had wanted to stop me.
1t isn't very nice sensation to keep
your cars pricked up in expectation OF
hearing the shooting begin and to know
that any moment may be your last. /
don't suppose I was OH the ragged edge
more than 80 seconds, but they were
enough to prove to mo that to keep one's
back turned to an enemy rs one runs
away takes deal more pluck than to
stand up and face his gun. Fortunately
for me, my pursuers felt so sure of my
capture that not one Of them drew a
bead on me.
The moment I saw that there was no
escape I put my hand in my breast
pocket and took out the letters, intend