The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-23

4le was an auepL at fiQluN on the
trucks. and IN his two years as tramp
had travelled thousands Of miles, curled
up over the spinning wheels or
stretched out on the platform between
the engine tender and the mail car.
Mike was only IS years old, but he had
seen nearly every state in the country,
and knew all Of the large cities inti-
mataly
This morning Mike felt that he had
encountered a streak Of bad luck. Every
time he slipped under a car the brake
man or conductor caught him and
hauled him out with rough hands and
rougher language But Mike was used
to this sort Of treatment. and took il
as a matter Of course.
The afternoon was we'll along toward
evening when the west-bound limited
express came around the curve. and
the engine stopped under the huge
goose-neck pipe which served to pass
the water from the reservoir to the
tank Of the tender. Mikes keen,
bright eyes watched every movement
Of the train crew, although be ap-
peared to have no interest In the train,
It's crew or passengers. Luck was with
him this time. As soon az the Kissing
cylinders sent the first Jets OF white
steam over the bitches Nike sprung
from the ties. and Ia a second was
nattened out on the platform between
the mail car and the engine. There
he was safe until the next stop. unless
the fireman saw him, for there was no
door TO the platform from the car.
For an hour the train sped over the
smooth rails. through farm lands and
past towns and villages, rounding
curves and coasting down grades. Mike
sat at ease on the steps. caring nothing
for the hot cinders which ralned down
when the fireman fed his hungry
charge with coal. Just as the train
passed through a deep cut the engine
whistle gave two sharp blasts. and the
grinding Of the brake shoes on the
wheels told Mike that the engineer had
applied the air-brakes.
Something's wrong" said Mike to
himself, when he felt the car ahiver and
jump under the pressure Of the power
ful brakes. Hes givin' her all the
air she'll stand"
He did not dare 10 swing out and
look ahead. for he knew that the con-
ductor and every brakeman on the
train were doing that. and he would be
seen. He was well acquainted with the
country. and knew that there was no
town, side-track. water tank or stop-
ping place within ten miles OF the cut
The train slowed up with Jerks. and
just IS Il came to a standstin. Mike
jumped from the steps and dove into
a thick clump Of bushes.
He glanced toward the engine and
aaw on the track. not hfty feet from
the pilot, q pile Of ties on the rails. At
the same instant he heard a pistol
shot. and then from the bushes on both
sides Of the track a score Of men rushed
toward the train. Two Of them. with
revolrers in their hands. sprung into
the engine cab.
The engineer seized q iong-handled
monkey-wreneh and the fireman
grssped an iron bar. but before they
could use them they were shot down
and thrown from the cab. Hoarna
shouts and pistol shots mingled with
the screams of women and the yeiis Of
men. Half dozen Of the train robbers
attacked the heavy side doors OF the ex-
press car. and others entered the PAS
sengsr cars and sieepers with revolvers
In their handa
The men who were trying 10 hreat
down The door Of the express car with
a sledge hammer called % the ma.-
ssnger inside to open the door. bit they
received a shot from a s1e which sent
bullet through the heavy oak. ii
struck one Of the robbers. and Sc fell
10 the ground
Bring hat dynamite. shouted enc
ol tte men.