The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-10-09
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rear Pullman.
Little sleeping villages flashed by
and in two hours they were within
40 miles of st. Louis. Then the
train Unexpectedly came to stop
for water
Come now, get down out of
that" commanded gotd-laced
brakeman
by thunder, hate to be ditched
like that" muttered Bennett. as
they slid to the ground. Lets try
The blind baggage. Wen beat this
train yet"
Elliott doubted the wisdom Of
this second attempt, but they went
forward.
We're safe for st. Louis now"
remarked Bennett with satisfac-
ton. He glanced over his shoulder
and his face suddenly FELL r. Then
he burst into a fit of laughter.
Done again! This blind isn't
ths ea at e all," he cried D0iraipps to
1t was hideously true. There was
narrow door which they had not
| observed in the end of the car.
Anyhow" said Elliott, plucking
up courage, every minute they
leave us in peace means almost an
other mile gained"
Yes, and there's a chance that
nobody opens this door
They were not far from West AL
ton, and that was practically st.
Louis, when the door opened sud
denly and the brakeman again
came out, followed by the con-
ductor.
Come now, get off," command.
ed the chief crisply.
We'll get off If we have to-"
said Bennett. "You must slow up
for us. though"
"Slow hell" returned the con-
ductor. Hit the grit now!"
Great heavens. man, you
wouldn't throw US off with the train
going a mile minute. 1t would
be murder" pleaded Bennett.
I've no time to talk. Jump or
advanced menacingly, with the
brakeman at his shoulder.
! Bennett lifted his arm with a
gesture that the conductor mistOok
for aggression. He whipped out his
revolver and thrust it in Benefits
face. The adventurer, startled.
stepped quickly back, clean off the
platform, and vanished
A wave of rage choked Elliott's
throat, and he barely restrained
himself from flying at the threats
of his uniformed tormentors.
\ Now you've done it," he said,
finding speech with difficulty.
you've killed the man"
/ The conductor, looking con-
science stricken and anxious, pull
ed the bell cord
"He needn't have jumped. |
wouldn't have thrown him off," he
muttered. II
"He didn't jump. You assaulted
him. You pulled your gun On him
when neither of US was armed. It's
murder" e.
You'd better go back and look
after him." the conductor said in
a subdued manner. I'm mighty
sorry. I'd never have hurt him if
he'd stayed quiet. You can take
him into st. Louis all right. I'd
wait and take you in myself If |
wasn't Is minutes late already"
i. The train moved ahead and Ell.
lott ran back to Bennett, who look
ed at him in a daze. His face was
terribly cut and bruized with the
gravel, and the blood had made a
sort of paste with the smoke dust
on his cheeks. His clothes were
rent into great tatters.
Don't wait for me-" he muttered
thickly. $50 ahead. Don't miss
the train. I'm-all right"
But his head dropped helplessly,
and he sank down. The ditch was
full of running water, and Elliott
brought his hat full and bathed the
wounded mans head.
Elliott remained beside him,
though with increasing anxiety.
After an hour or two, however, he
was relieved by the appearance of
gang Of section workers with
their hand car, to whom Elliott ex-