Frank Reade Library, Vol. VIII, No. 191 — page 5: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FRANK READE, JR., IN TEXaS. ——oo——— SS ———_—_—_—_— The people came out in a great crowd to weeane the “aan Man. » e Man an 8 rs were objects of much interest and curiosity ; But through the crowd su hastily pushed. rank ised them as and Fair. He stepped down from the pleasantly to meet them, but was surpri to see how pale and agonized both looked. They pressed forward and gripped the young inventor's hand. “We are glad to welcome you to Pecan City, Mr. warmth of manner. CHAPTER IV. 4 DARING ACT, ** ‘You may be sure of meeting with a right royal reception, Mr. Reade,” said Rollin, ear- nestly. ‘The known to shirk hospitality.” **I am very favorably impressed with the people and with Pecan City,” said Frank, wit liteness, denly two men | Austin, containing gold to ars, e,” said Fair, with much | leaving Pecan City, s Then he realized that it was necessary to get to work at once. An opportunity preset icself. It was known that a through train from e@ amount of fifty thousand dol that ed would Reade, J am them, and at once | over this branch of the railroad and throug n Pecan City. Everybody was on the tiptoe of excitement. It was firmly believed that this train would be held up by Mosely. Accordingly, Frank made preparations to frustrate the designs of the robbers. that the train, on uld carry armed men. It should proceed at a slow rate of speed to the junction with the main line. he Steam Man was to run alongside the train across the prairie, which was, for fifty miles, as hard and smooth as a floor. This, it was believed, would be a sufficient guard to intimidate the train robbers and carry the treasure safely through. Accordingly, an armed band of Vigilants It had been artanned oO peopie of the West are never | were at the station waiting for the train at the appointed hour. The Steam Man was at a point below the station, and where 4 clear course could be as- oe sured. e heard of poe little affair up the| Thus matters were when aloud shout went hel said young ** You were lucky in not falling into Mose- ly's hands,” said Rollin. ‘You certainly acted in a plucky manner.” ‘*T had no idea whatever of falling into the villain’s hands if I could he)p it,” said Frank, modestly. ‘* There is no doubt but that you can give Mike a good whipping at any time.” ** EF shall try it. ‘But we ave come not only to welcome | qyimnfounded to air. “And we exult in| up that the train was coming. It rolled into the depot in a few moments. There were but three passengers aboard. The mail car was closed and locked, and armed men were inside. The express car was the same. Into the passenger coach the Vigilants had started to climb, when a thrilling thing occurred. Suddenly a sharp, quick whistle went up from across the aabol vard. Then the astonished mob of spectators were witness a coupe-de-main, you kindly,” said Rollin, * but to apr ise YOu | the equal of which for daring could hardly of a terrible affliction which has befallen us. ** Indeed!” exclaimed Frank, with not a little of surprise. ‘‘ What can that be?” “TI have a daughter,” continued Rollin, “and she isthe light of my life. Indeed, I have never thought of giving her up even to; with Jack here without pain. But, God belp me it is hard to bear; she has been snatched away from me by cruel and evil hands.” ** What !” exclaimed Frank with horror. **Do you mean kidnapped f” Cy) bd “That ts horrible !” **I see that you appreciate my position. I am quite qdnerved acd my heart is full to bursting.” Frank's eyes flashed. All the chivalric impulses of his nature were roused. He could never hear of wrong being done one of the gentler sex without a strong de- sire or impulse to go to their relief. “Who has stolen your daughter away f” he asked, briefly. ‘“*T believe it was Mike Mosely. He knows that I was the most bitter enemy he had in these parts and that it was through me that you have come here. I believe his motives are revengeful.” “‘ Indeed ! So this bold train robber makes war upon women,” Frank, contemptu- ons ‘s “TI shall know how to deal with such a villain. “Oh, Frank!” said Jack Fair, in a low, tense voice, ‘‘ you will rescue her, I feel sure. I will never cease to bless your" “I will certainty do it if it is in my power,” replied Frank. *I know that it is.” ‘‘But in what manner was the abduction er” ‘It bappened in this way,” said Rollin, with quivering voice: ‘‘ While we were absent at estown to see you, the villain Mosely, by means of a forged letter, decoyed Katie to the house of a sick woman, whom she has heen kind to in a charitable way. Mosely was secreted near, and with severa: of his men seized Katie and forcibly took her away. have been unable to get any clew as to her whereabouts since.” ‘It was an infamous thing to dol” declared Frank, hotiy. ‘Have no fears, gentlemen; I will rescue the young faay or break some- thing in the atromp ts ; The people of Pecan City vied with each other fe SDOwinD their distinguished visitors 08 ty. y wae feted and dined, and there was no denying the honor. Frank stood a day and night of this. be conceived. Across the yard, coming from no one knew where, there came a g@ of armed men. Fierce, desperate fellows they were. They were led by a powerful framed man eavy whiskers. It was Mike Mosely. This startling appearance of the redoubt- able train robber and his daring gang right in the heart of Pecan City was so astonish- ing, that for a moment the crowd gaped in wonderment and terror. The Vigilants were stupefied. This aided the daring villains. This delay proved fatal. The train robbers reached the train. Quick as a flash revolvers were pulled and a volley fired at the Vigilants. Six men fell beneath that fire. The Vigilant taken so suddenly off thelr guard fell back. The train robbers were in an instant aboard othe conductor and the th © conductor an ree passengers fled for their lives. The fireman leaped from the cab, and two an robbers hurled the engineer after ni. A volley swept into the dense crowd and caused them to retreat in terror. The throttle was flung open and the train leaped forward. A desperate attempt was made to gain the cab by a number of the Vigilante. But they failed to do so. Mike Mosely’s daring move proved a bril- liant success. Out of the city fled the treasure train, com- pletely in the power of the train robbers. This most daring and unheard-of piece of recklessness was never equaled in any part of the world before. The excitement of the people of Pecan City cannot be expressed in wo They were simply frantic. Yet Mosely seemed to hold the winning card, and there was no way to defeat or thwart him, as it seemed. To be sure there were men in the mail and express cars, locked in, and they would resist to the last. But it would be an easy matter for Mosely to run out on the prairie and ditch the train. It would then be impossible for the de- fenders to hold the fort long. Of course quick action was made in the depot as soon as it was seen that Mosely had succeeded in getting away with the train. ‘Pull out another train! was the cry. **Go after Mosely. Give him a hot pursait He must be overtaken!” Bie it required some time to get out a 8 e PWhen it did come it was quickly filled with armed; Vigilants,‘and it sped away,in pursuit. But the train robbers would have had plenty of time to have ditched the train and made away with the treasure before the special could overtake them. This was certain, as every one would There was one reflection, however, which wasce bit of comfort to many. The Steam Man had been waiting on level ground beyond. Frankand Barney and Pomp had seen the daring move of Mosely, without being able to prevent it. But there was one thing they could do, and Frank acted quickly. As the express came thundering along, Frank pulled the Steam Man's throttls wide open. ‘abe Man leaped forward like a thing of e. The next moment the Man and the express were running sidc by side. In a flash of time they had swept through the pass and out upontthe prairie., The robber engineer saw the Steam Man alongside and smiled. He piled on more steam expecting to easily outrun the Man. But the ground was now as level and hard as a floor. On such a course the Steam Man was capa- ble of attaining a frightful rate of speed. He kept up with the express without much apparent trouble. ut now an exciting battle began. It was a sort of running fight as it were. The train robbers all leaned out of the car windows and began to fire at the men in the Bt course their bullets rattled harmlessly ainst the impervious netting. rney and Pomp, on the other hand, be- gan firing in return. Their shots told with a vengeance, for the outlaws in the car windows and upon the platforms were an easy mark, The armed guards in the express and mail cars did not participate, for they could not get the range of their foes, It was a thrilling sight, this novel running tght along the railroad track. ords cannot do it justice. But the advantage scemed clearly to lay with our friends aboard the Steam Man. Every shot they fired seemed to count. Now and then a train robber fell back Geers as one of the bullets sped true to the mar Mile after mile was covered. In vain the robber engineer tried to shake off the pursuers. He might as well bave apared himself the trouble. The Steam Man bung on With re lentless persistence. On and on they sped. Still the desultory fight was kept up. The outlaws in vain tried to pierce the steel cage with their bullets. But the mad run could not last forever. The int was reached where it was necessary for osely to stop the train and attempt tocarry off the treasure. The train began to slow up. So also did the Steam Man. Barney and Pomp were at the loop-holes with their rifies, while Frank was at the dasher. It was evident that the critical mo- ment had arrived. CHAPTER V. THE TRAIN ROBBERS DEFEATED. Moszg.y had noted the ease with which the Steam Man kept up with the train, “Ie saw the futility of trying to shake off the dread pursuer, and curses loud an« deep drop from his lips. “Confound that man Reade!” he hinaaed. “I'll Jay for him and I'll bave his heart's blood yet*” But threats are harmless miesiles. Frank at least was not injured by this one. The train slowed up, and so did the Steam Man. At length both came to a halt. Then Mossly conceived an idea to protect his men. He unloaded them upon the opposite side of the car. There was an embankment here, which served as an admirable breast work. GEOG ooo C SS (SO)