The Washington times., 1906-06-10

OF the country's topography. the time
and place for carrying oJt their new
enterprise was decided upon At that
time there was feed-stun famine in
Mexico. and a cattle famine in GER
tain parts OF the United States. and
there was a brisk International trade.
Much money was being shipped along
the railroads that connected the two
republics. II was agreed that the most
promising place for the contemplated
robbery was at Espima. a little sta
ton on the l. * G. N. about forty
miles north Of Laredo The train
stopped there one minute: the country
around was wild and unsettled: the
station consisted Of but one house In
which the agent lived.
Black Eagles band set out. riding
by night Arriving in the vicinity OF
t-spina they rested their horses all day
IN a thiclCet a few miles distant
The train was due at EspIna az 1870
j. m. They could rob the train and
be well over the Mexican border with
their booty by daylight the next morn
ing
To do Black Eagle justice. he ex-
hibited no signs OF fiinching from the
responsible honOrs that had beer. con-
ierred upon him.
He assigned his men 20 their re-
sDectiVe posts with discretion, and
coached them carefully as TO their
duties On each side OF the track four
Of The band were to lie concealed in
The chapar-ai- Gotch-Ear Rodgers
was 10 stick up the station agent.
Broncho Charlie vas 70 remain with
the horses. holding them in readiness.
ge
engine would be when the train stop
Fed, Bud King was 70 lie hidden on
one side. and Black Eagle himself on
The other The two would get the
drop on the engineer and fireman,
force them TO descend and proceed 10
the rear. Then the express car would
be looted. and the escape made. No
one was 10 move until Black Eagle
gave the signal by firing his revolver
The plan was perfect.
At ten minutes 10 train time every
man was at his posi-. effectually con-
cealed by the thick chaparral that
grew almost 70 the rails. The night
was dark and lowering. with a fine
drizzle falling from the flying gulf
clouds. Black Eagle crouched behind
a bush within five yards OF the track
Two six-shooters were belted around
him Occasionally he drew a large
black bottle from his pocket and raised
It TO his mouth.
star appeared far down the track
which soon waXed into the headlight
OF the approaching train 1t came on
with an increasing roar; the engine
bore down upon the ambushing des-
peradoes with a glare and a shrek
Ike some avengtng monster come to
deliver them 10 justice. Black Eagle
dattened himself upon the ground The
engine, contrary to their calculations,
instead OF stopping between him and
Bud Kings place Of concealment. pass
ed fully forty yards farther before Il
came 20 a stand.
The bandit leader rose 20 his feet
and peered around the bush His men
all lay quiet, awaiting the signal I'M
mediately opposite Black Eagle was
thing that drew his attention Instead
OF being a regular passenger train II
was a mixed one. Before him stood q
box car. the door OF which by some
means had been left slightly open
Black Eagle went up 10 Il and pushed
the door farther open. An odor came
forth-a damp. rancid, familiar. musty,
intoxicating. beloved odor, stirring
strongly at old memories Of happy
davs and travels. Black Eagle snifed
at the witchlng smell as the returned
wanderer smells OF the rose that
tvyines his boyhood's cottage home
Nostalgia seized him He put his hand
inside. ExcelsIOr-dry. springy. curiy,
soft, enticing. covered the floor Out
side the drizzle had turned 20 chill
ing rain
The train bell changed The bandit
chief unbuckled his belt and cast II,
with its revolvers. upon the ground
His spurs followed quickly, and his
broad sombrero. Black Eagle was
moulting. The train started with a
rattIing jerk The EXTERIOR OF the
Border scrambled into the box car and
closed the door. Stretched luxurious
" upon the excelsior, with the black
bottle clasped closely 10 his breast, his
eyes closed. and a foolish. happy smile
upon his terrible features. Chicken
Ruggles started upon his return trip.
Cndlsturbed. with the band OF des-
peratc bandits lying motionless, await
ing the signal 10 attack. the train pull
ed out from Espina. AS its speed in
creased. the black masses Of chaparTal
went whizzing past on their side. tie
express messenger, lighting his pipe,
looked through his window and re-
marked feelingly:
What jim-dandy place for a hold
up.''
Copyright. 1906. by AinsIee Magazine Coz