The times., 1899-06-25

car. and Immediately stepped on the face
OF a man who was lying down. The few
oaths he uttered as he sprang to his feet
did not alarm me- The accident was soon
accounted for and later he asked If l had
bottle of liquor. After informing him to
the contrary a conversation ensued, during
which / learned my new acquaintance was
cowboy who had just received his wages
after cattle roundup in northern Texas.
and was on the way to st. Louis, Mo. to
spend his money in general good time.
He considered railroads legitimate prey
and would not pay fare, but attired like q
tramp would rather steal his way, and with
revolver protect his money. which he
carried in belt beneath his clothing.
also found him rough but agreeable
chap, and gained a great deal of informa-
tion from him as to my route. The dark
ness was intense and we huddied together
to keep warm. He loaned me his pipe, in
the glow of which could occasionally see
his face. Later I fell asleep in his arms,
and nothing disturbed our siumber until
the train stopped for water and the car
door was stealthily opened. when the form
of a man could be seen. who uttered pc
culiar grunt as he climbed in.
" That's an Indian whispered the cow
boy.
Have you bottle?' asked my friend,
and the half-breed grunted afirmatively.
i Immediately commenced to grope for the
liquor. So did the cowboy. However it
reached me first, and l was Just in the act
OF removing the cork with the intention of
inviting him to drink when the bottle was
wrested from my hand. l grew angry at
this discourtesy and was about to express
my opinion. when match was lighted by
the cowboy. who held it behind the flask
and gazed for second at its contents 1t
u-ac ha first 7 haI to hfr
face. which was as pale as death. His lips
quivered, and as the light died in his fin
gers | saw countenance over which crept
the sarcastic smile of a desperate man,
who calmly fixed his eyes on me. l was
dumfounded. The roar of the train and
the extreme darkness added to my amaze
ment, and before | could speak there rang
out three wicked barks from a huge re-
volver. l saw the three sudden flashes
cross my breast in the direction of the
Indian. l could not move. l thought of
every sin of my life, of mothers lullabies.
and grass grown graves. then sank to the
floor, feeling that my end was near. RealiZ-
ing there were two remaining cartridges
in the revolver and thinking lunatic was
TO be dealt with, l gathered my remaining
strength and groped for the cowboy nn my
hands and knees. Discovering he had not
moved l attempted to reach his hand
crying out For God sake, don [ shoot l
wanted to persuade him to give me the
gun, which | believed was soon TO send
my soul 10 eternity. When / laid my hands
on his shoulder pleading, praying, and
crying. he grasped my by the nape OF the
neck and grUffiy told me to Lay low
In the few seconds all this happened !
lived century and, being almost Paralyzel
with fear, could scarcely move but finally
found my way to the end Of the car and
attempted to open the door, hoping TO e5-
cape. l had scarcely moved an inch when
was hurled to the floor by the cowtoy,
who lay on my chest, and placing his
mouth to my ear warned me IL valued
my life to keep quiet.
Don't kill mel cried
' 4 don't intend to- whispered he. but
the Indian will if he amt dead; and he
couldn't have a better target than y-u
crawling out that door
How long l remained In that position
do not know. 1t seemed ages. I realized
that we could not strike match, because
have US at his mercy. so l Just trembled
and prayed. Finally the train slackened
its speed, and when about 10 stop We could
hear heavy breathing in the centre of the
car.
"By this time the cowboy and myself
were sitting side by side. he ever on the
alert. myself thinking how to escape.
He's breathing as If dying | whis-
pered.
THAT might be bluff. You can't trust
a redskin, softly replied my companion.
when the train stopped we heard gut