The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

334 with stars, which relieved the darkness to some extent. The surrounding fields, which were on a level with the track, were shrouded in gloom, and were visible for only a few yards on each side. In glancing about him Dash finally noticed a couple of shadowy figures moving along parallel to the track. For fear they would miss him, he shouted: ‘*Hallo, there! Come this way. I've got my foot fast- ened in the cattle guard.” The figures stopped, as if listening, and then came in his direction. Reaching the road crossing, they were able to see him crouched down on the cattle guard. One of them lit a match to take in the situation. ‘Hello, pard! What's the diffikilty with yer?” asked the latter. ‘*My all! if it ain’t a brakesey,” he continued to his com- panion, on catching a glimpse of Dash’s cap on the ground. By the light from the tiny match flame, Dash had seen enough of the pair to tell him they were undoubtedly tramps, but assistance was welcome from any source in his present situation. ‘I’ve got my foot caught in these slats,’ he repeated, ‘and I'd like one of you to help me get it out.” ‘Why, cert, pard ; an’ mebbe you'll git us a lift over th’ road,” responded the one who had first spoken, as he started forward to pive his assistance. ‘Hold on!" interposed his companion, and a whispered conversation ensued. Dash wondered what they had to parley about before coming to his help, but he was not left long in doubt. The spokesman, closely followed by his companion, felt his way along the side of the guard till he was near the im- prisoned brakeman. Suddenly a pair of arms were thrown about Dash’s shoulders and his arms were pinioned to his sides. Then his hands were drawn behind him and fastened with something at the wrists. At the same moment he felt another pair of hands going through his pockets. He realized then that, instead of securing the hoped for assistance from the tramps, he was to be robbed by them ; but he had no idea of the still further depth of their villainy. Almost bursting with indignation at such unfair treatment, he struggled desperately to frustrate their designs. But his efforts were useless, and they only caused him to wrench his imprisoned ankle so badly that the pain made him weak and faint. He felt the removal of his pocketbook, containing all his money, and then his watch and chain, that he prized far above its intrinsic value, as the only memento he had of his mother. ‘Cowards !” he gasped. ‘* You wouldn't dare do this if I were free, even though you are two to one.” ‘Right ye are, brakesey ; and that’s the reason we’se adoin’ of it ; see?” chuckled the fellow who no doubt sug- gesicd the robbery. “Tll make it lively for you when I get out out of this,” continued Dash desperately ; ‘t and you needn't think you'll getso far away [ll not find vou.” “Haw thaw! That's good, brakesey ; but ye ain't agoin’ to git out o' this; see?” Janghed the tramp, in significant tones, as he and his companion withdrew to one side, having removed everything of any value from Dash’s person. «You'll see me just the same,” said the latter boldly, more for effect than anything’ else. ‘Well, I guess not, my chipper brakesey ; not after a train passes erlony this way, mocked the speaker, as he prepared to move off, “You aren't going to leave me in this fix, with my hands tied!" gasped Dash, with a chill of horror. THE ARGOSY ‘‘ What's the difference? Ye'll be runned over anyhow.” responded the tramp heartlessly. ‘* Well, at least leave me as you found me,” pleaded Dash ; though, as the fellow had stated, it could probably make little difference, as he was as effectually secured to the track as if he had been bound there both hand and foot. A whispered consultation followed his request, and he could hear words of earnest remonstrance coming from the least hardened of the pair. Finally, one of them came for- ward and cut the bonds about Dash’'s wrists, though it is probable it was done more for policy than any desire to please him; for if he was run over, and it was found his hands had been tied, it would be direct evidence of foul play. e ‘Ta!lta! brakesey ; we'se goin’ to leave yer,” were the parting words of the ringleader in the robbery, as they moved off into the darkness. ‘We'll meet again, never you fear, and when you least expect it,” responded Dash, determined to show a bold front to the last, without knowing how true his words would be proved. _ He was once more left to himself, and fora moment his thoughts were of the loss of all his savings and his watch, and what he was to doto reach his destination without a cent of money, if he was able to get out of his present pre- dicament. Then his sensitive and confidiug nature was shocked on realizing that human beings could become sunk so low as to rob a helpless person and then leave him in im- mediate peril of a horrible death. This was followed by a reaction of indignation and an intense desire that the wretches should be punished. | Though he wanted the cowardly robbers to believe re was confident of release from his dangerous position, he felt no assurance that he could effect his own deliverance. Another trial,and he found his foot and ankle as immovable and fixed as ever, if, indeed, it was not wedged tighter by his struggles with the robbers. Hark! ‘lhe distant rumble of a fast mioving train was borne on the still night air. ‘*‘ Was it on the track where he lay, or was it on a neighboring one, not far distant?” Dash asked himself. He struggled desperately. frantically, to release his foot, but it only produced an agony of pain and caused cold drops of perspiration to stand out on his brow, with no loosening of the imprisoned member. Completely exhausted, he sank over to one side, and his ear rested near one of the rails; but he instantly raised him- self again, as if he had received an electric shock. There was the unmistakable sound of an approaching train borne in the connected steel rails ? Soon it could be heard distinctly without their aid, and finally the headlight of a locomotive burst into view. Dash made another ineffectual effort for liberty, and then, in despair, sank over, almost fainting. Tho noise of the rumbling train increased, and he closed his eyes in horror, as he pictured the grinding, crunching of his poor body by those ponderous wheels. CHAPTER Xl. A SERIOUS PREDICAMENT. OR an instant Dash lay as if paralyzed by the nearness and certainty of his impending fate. Then, as if by mavic, the light of renewed hope shot into his brain, inspired by a means of release that had just occurred to him. It surprised him that he had not thought of it hefore. He raised himself to a sitting position, and then bent forward, ecoMmceoooks COLL