South Bend news-times., 1921-05-22

4nouBn the move was pFluehL
one. and not incompatible with
Buds well-known courage. it raised
dissension among the members OF
the band. In fact. while they thus
lay ingloriously perdu in the brush,
the question OF Bud Kings fitness
for the leadership was argued. with
closed doors. as IL were. by his fol-
lowers. Never before had Buds skill
or efficiency been brought 20 criti-
cism; but his glory was waning( and
such IS glory's fate) in the light OF
a newer star. The sentimen. Of the
band was crystalIzinr into the opin-
ION that Black Eagle could ltad them
with moro lustre. profit. and dis
tinction.
This Black Eagle-sub-titled the
Terror OF the Border''-had been a
member OF the gang about three
months
one night while they were IN camp
on the San Miguel water-hOle a soil
bers Of the band-eight in number
were sprawling around the fire,
lingering over their supper. When
Bud and Cactus ceased talking they
heard Piggy's formidable voice hold
ing forth 10 the others as usual
while he was engaged in checking,
though never satisfying. his raven
ing appetite.
Watts de use. f." he was saying. ''of
chasin' little red covvses and hosses
round for 'tousands Of miles? Dere
ain't nuttin' In IL. Gallopin' trough
desc bushes and briers. and gettin'
first dat a brewery couldn't put
out, and missin' mealsi Sayi You
know what I'd do II 7 was main
finger of dis bunch? I'd stick up a
train. I'd blow de express car and
make hard dollars where you guys
gets wind. Youse makes me tired.
Dis cook-cow kind of cheap sport
gives me a pain"
Later on, n deputation waited on
Bud. They stood on one leg, chew
ed mesquit twigs and circumlocuted,
for they hated TO hurt his feelings.
Bud foresaw their business. and
made it easy for them. Bigger risks
and larger profits was what they
wanted.
The suggestion Of Piggy's about
holding up a train had fred their
imagination and increased their ad-
miration for me dash and boldness
Of the instigator. They were such
simple. artless and CUSTOM bound
bush-rangers that they had never be-
fore thought Of extending their
habits beyond the running off Of
livestock and the shooting of such
Of their acquaintances as ventured
TO interfere.
Bud acted ION the level" agree
ing TO take a subordinate place in
the gang until Black Eagle should
have been given a trial as leader.
After a great deal Of consultation
studying Of timetables. and discus
sion OF the countTys topography, the
time and place for carrying out their
new enterprise was decided upon. At
that time there was g. feedstuff fam
inc in Mexico and a cattle famine
in certain parts Of the1United States,
and there was a brisk international
trade. Much money was being ship
ped along the railroads that con-
nected the two republics. 1t was
agreed that the most promising place
for the contemplated robbery was at
Espina, a little station on the I. and
G. y, about 40 miles north of
Laredo. The train stopped there one
minute; the country around was
wild and unsettled; the station con-
sisted Of but one house in which
the agent lived.
Black Eagles band set out, riding
by night. Arriving in the vicinity Of
Espina they rested their horses all
day in a thicket a few miles dis
tant.
The train was due at Espina at
1880 p. m. They could rob the
train and be well over the Mexican
border with their booty by daylight
the next morning.
To do Black Eagle justice. he ex-
hibited no signs of finching from the
responsible honors that had been
conferred upon him.
He assigned his men TO their re-
spective posts with discretion, and
coached them carefully as TO their
duties. on each side Of the track
four Of the band were to be con-
cealed I'm the chaparral. Gotch-Ear
Rodgers was to stick up the station
agent. Bronco Charlie was 20 re-
main with the horses. holding them
in readiness. At a spot where it was
calculated the engine would be when
the train stopped. Bud King was TO
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 20 the rear Then the
express car would be looted and the
escape made. No one was TO move
until Black Eagle gave the signal by
firing his revolver. The plan was
perfect.
At 10 minutes 10 train time every
man was at his post effectually con-
cealed by the thick chaparral that
grew almost 20 the rails. The night
was dark ana lowering. with a fine
drizzle falling from the ying gulf
clouds. Black Eagle crouched be-
hind 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.
A star appeared far down the
track which soon waxed into the
headlight Of the approaching train.
II came one with an increasing roar;
the engine bore down upon the am
bushinC desperadoes with a glare and
a shrek like some avenging monster
come 10 deliver them 10 justice.
Black Eagle fattened himself upon
the ground. The engine. contrary
10 their calculations. instead of stop