The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-15
~ By General Charles Kine

night, night Clear and start
that almost of death.
short time to draw conclusions They there to
keep an eye so to speak that midnight flyer for it's
often carried in gold. Very prob
ably that the tonight and the major nd been
warned that a hold up planned
Then it's Kid Hendricks gang that's at bottom
OF II whispered Donnelly TO a felow sergeant he
and his pals have been oang about Rincon the last week
Red Morrissey bukin faro at the Alcazar when
went in with dispatches"
'*Then why don't ride in to Picacho and load up
the cab and the cars? Couldn't stand off dozen like
Hendricks?" growled pet aversion of Donnelly's,
thick-headed, tough-sknned trooper-Kelly'
That's like you Kelly! Sure don't to stand
EN- off, We want to shoe them on, then capture the
whole Do you what you're told, Kelly and lave
sthrategy to betthers. Yes sorr' added, aloud,
sprngng instantly to feet the troop
commander, Captain Dana, heard calling for Ser
geant Donnelly
"Three men to ride to Piacacho? Yes sir. Here you.
and Cross and Kelly. No. Gallagher, not you-wd
ranch close to the sidn'-"
But again came the captains low voice:
Have we a man that knows telegraphy?"
Silence for just five seconds, then, with sudden Inn
pulse Gallagher strobe forward out of the dusk eouched
the brm of his campaign hat and sad II do, sir. At
least enough for railway work"
'"Then lead out and report to Major Blake
'That means another blind drunk, and big drunk
blind-b soldier slang for the fine imposed by
court martial-mutered Donnelly, with rueful shake
Of the head the little party leading their horses
moved off thru the gloom demonstrate he could not.
Silence again fell the troop until someone towards
passed the word that the major with the little
squad and the "cowboy-offcer' had again ridden
towards the dim light at the station BY this time the
men, with their briddlereins their horses
heads, sprawling squatting in the sand Two
in which to do nothing but watch their horses and
wait
And yet it COUNT have been five minutes after the
major when the watchers scattered along the
edge of bank startled the sight of brilliant
little meteor sweeping into full view around distant
Of the desert to the northwes-the headlight be-
yond all question: of the night express.
Saddle up!" the instant ORDER and with the
of long practice the men sprang to their work.
"Comin' down grade, runnn' like scared DEER
muttered the sergeant leaving the reins to No in
set, troopers again quilted their places
toned sight.
They marked the steady coming Of the FREELY of the
desert the waxing radiance Of the cleaning
'front.' marked the low, distant rumble it grew
to rushing thunder heard the shril1 whistle that
echoes far the valley prolonged and piercing
waited those who knew, for the sharp saccato sig
toot, oo that should tell the of the
swift flying steed to pull at Picacho, but
without falter with added velocity
flyer flaming thru the night, drove among the
black shadows and beary lights the sandy level
shot thru the station like mammoth fire arrow
bow of giant, and went
eastward needless of the frantic swinging lantern
along the platform just after had passed
"Good Heavens!" said Donnely. 'Shes got the bit
in her teeth and is runnin' away"
But that was bad guess. just as the tail lights
growing dim in the distance with the her rapid
flight the Welkin with the sharp sudden
the whistle followed by the screech Of the
Something's miles down the track had
what Picacho had failed to do-given warming of
ahead for red light swinging square
her PATH and jarring rumbling, shrilling night
the slowing down to enforced as