Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

JERRY THE SPIRITED. He was immediately followed by two other men. The group at the end of the car, listening and waiting in the darkness, drew their revolvers. Jerry was afraid that there would be a clash before the men started to rob the pay-car. That was the last thing he wanted. He must catch them in the act of robbery. But the three men stood just inside the door. They, too, were listening, watching and waiting. Suddenly one of them chuckled. It was the marble-faced man who had defied Jen- sen in the club. ‘“Ain’t that Swede the dumbest thing that ever reared up on two hind legs?” he asked in a low voice. ‘‘ He didn’t think we’d be takin’ that train, did he? And him and his two misfits come blunderin’ onto the train without lockin’ to see who was aboard. I guess I wasn’t wise to keep you fellows back till the train was startin’, and then hop on and see just who there was among our fellow passengers that we’d be int’rested in. Hell, I don’t see how some of these apes lives. I do’ know where they keep their brains.” “ An’ it was a good idea to hop down before the train stopped and skip over here,” one of the other men said. “ But we want to keep our eyes peeled. We want to lay them three out before they begin makin’ a noise at the pay-car door. The paymaster and whoever is with him in that car will shoot at the first sign of any trouble.”’ “We'll descend on ’em sudden as they come up to the car,” the other said. ‘‘ Each pick a man and clout him good with the butt of a gun. Then we got to use the maul on the door and batter it down before a man can open an eye and cock an ear. Where’d you put that maul?” “It’s right here under the door,” the third man said. ‘“ Easy there!” The men at the end of the car saw him lean out of the door. Then he stooped and sprang lithely to the ground. The others followed him. ‘“Come on,” Jerry whispered. They tiptoed to the door. Peering out, O13 Jerry saw the three men running alongside the pay-car through the snow. ; Jerry jumped down and the others fol- lowed him. They hugged the box car till they came to the end of it. Then ahead of them Jerry sa‘v three men lying cn the ground. Two other men were bending over them going through their pockets. “I guess our friend Jensen will have a, >> sore head in the morning,” Jerry said. “That gang is saving us some trouble.” They waited for a minute and then the men stood up from those whom they had struck down. They disappeared around the end of the pay-car. “Now’s the time,” ‘Take ’em by surprise.” They ran along the car. As they came to the rear platform there was the sound of a heavy blow. One of the men raised the maul! for a second blow. The railroad men covered the three with their revolvers. ‘Hands up!” Jerry called. “ We’ve got you covered. ‘‘ You”’—to the man who seemed td be the leader—‘‘ we’ve got a couple of suns on you. Up with ’em quick!” Doubtless this was not a new experience for the three men on the platform. They wheeled, and their guns came up. Three reports came together. One of Dayton’s men fell, but he dragged himself around to the side of the car and sat up. ‘“ Never mind me,” he called. “ It’s only a bullet in my leg. I got it as I jumped back. Go to it, boys.” Simultaneously with the firing of the three shots, the men had jumped from the platform of the pay-car and had begun to run along the track beyond the car. Jerry comprehended that they had schooled themseives to meet emergencies like these. They would fire once in the hope of killing, maiming cr at least confus- ing their foes, and then they would flee. The railroad men stepped out on the track and began firing. One of the fleeing men dropped. When Jerry and the others reached Him he was lying across the track with his face upturned to the falling snow. Pay-cars would hold no interest for him any more. The two other men did not stop to see Jerry whispered. COMmMicloooks (C@