The National tribune., 1899-03-30

black hearts. 'Twouldn't be the first time
nuther. The catfish around Jeffersonville
could tell some stories, if they could talk,
about the Lincoln hounds I'ye fed to 'em
| only want good chance at 'em agin. /
may go, but I'll take several of 'em with me-
I'll die in my tracks afore I'll stand this
any longer. 1 hate everything that wears
blue worse'n do mad-dog.
"And I p:omise you," said Shorty SOL
emnly, "that you shall have all the chance
you want, sooner'n you think for. know a
great deal more'n dare tell you now, but
things is wOrkin' to head mighty fast, and
you'll hear something drop before the next
change o. the moon. You kin jest bet your
shirt on that"
The day was passing, and as the evening
approached the train was running through
a wilder, heavily-wooded country. Shorty
companions took their seats on the opposite
side of the car, and peered anxiously ont OF
the window, to recognize features of the
darkening landscape They were evidently
getting near their destination.
Shorty overheard the Captain" say to
his partner:
"The train'll stop for water in the middle
| take path that leads right to the lodge.n
carpet-bags?" grumbled the other.
Shorty slipped his hand into his pocket,
grasped his revolvers aud eased them around
so that he could be certain to draw them
when he wanted to. He was determined
that those men should not leave the train
! before the stopping place arranged for his
fellow-soldiers He felt confident of being
able to handle the two, but did not know
how many conlederates might be in waiting
for them
"Pll 60 it if there's a million of 'em, said
lie to himself "I'll save these two fellers
anyway, if there's any good in 45-caliber
bullets in their carcasses. Pm jest achin'
to put half-ounce O. lead jest where that
old scoundrei matches his deyilmentn
The engine whistled long and shrilly.
That's the pumpin'-station, said the
Captain " rising and laying hold Of the
handles of the carpet-bag
drop that. You can't leave this car till
I give the word," said Shorty, rising as the
train stopped, and putting himself in the
door.
Cant, eh?" said the Captain" with
a look of rage rs lie comprehended the situa-
tion. His dirk came out and opened with a
wicked snap. "I'll cut Your black heart
out, you internal spy"
"lou will, eh?". sneered Shorty, covering
him with heavy Remington. How'd
you like the looks o. that, old Butternut
Your murderin' dirk amt deuce high.
Move step, and you'll know how it feels to
have daylight through you.'
"The Captain " smashed the window
with backward blow of his fist, thrust his
head out, and yelled the railying-cry of the
knights:
"Asai Asa!"
The sound of rushing feet was heard, and
4 man armed with shot-gun came into the
plane of light from the open caboose door,
Shorty was on the lookout for him, and as
he appeared shouted,
Halt, there Drop that CUR. II You move,
I'll kill this whelp here, and then you"
"Do as lie says, Stallins," groaned the
frightened Captain" "He's got the drop
on me. Drop yOur gun, but holler to the
boys in the front car to come out"
To Shorty's amazement score of men
came rushing back from the car next ahead
of the caboose. They had, by 4 precon-
certed arrangement, been jumping on the
train ever since it grew dark, and collected
in that car. Some of them had guns, but the
most appeared unarmed.
We'll, have stirred up yallerjacket's
nest for sure" thought Shorty, rather
tickled at the odds which were arrayed
against him. ''But believe kin handle
'em, until either the train puls'o or the
boys hear the ruction and come to my help"
Then he called ont sternly as he raised the
revolver in his lett hand:
Pm shoot-the first man that attempts to
come on this ear, and I'll kill your Captain,
that Pve got covered, dead. You man with
that shotgun, pint it straight up in the air,
or I'll drop You in your tracks. Now fire of
both barrels.'