Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

TRAIN AND STATION. There was decided evidence of an approaching storm when he retired. He slept little, for the night was very close and warm, and he was oppressed with anxious thoughts as to the out- come of the serious suspicions that had been directed against him. When the operator called him, he was easily awakened, and was quickly down in the office. The former went immediately home and to bed. / The approaching storm had not yet burst, though the lightning was flash- ing frequently, and the rolling thunder © was getting louder. The electric fluid played in sizzling sparks about the switchboard above the operator’s table at each flash of lightning, the wind moaned without, and the wires running into the office over the window gave forth a metallic humming like a distant chorus of steam whistles. Dykeman took no notice of these things, as he again went over every- thing concerning the safe robbery, and incidentally listened to what was being said on the ticking instrument before him. An hour passed, and the only change in the situation was the nearer ap- proach of the warring elements. Then there came a blinding flash of lightning and a deafening peal of thun- der, and Dykeman heard the latch to the office door at his back raised as if some one was entering. The thought . occurred to him that it was somebody who had come to the station early for the two o'clock night express. He turned his head leisurely to see who it was. Then he gave a start of amazement at what he saw and tried to spring to his feet. A tall man dressed in black, with a slouch hat and a half mask, stood just inside the door with a Colt’s revolver pointed straight at the agent’s head. ‘Down, young fellow, or [ll blow the top of your head off! Hands up!” came the command in hoarse, stern tones. 167 Dykeman sank back in his chair and raised his hands into the air, though they trembled and swayed as badly as the trees outside in the storm. He in- stantly decided that the fellow was after the remaining six thousand dollars in Forsdyke’s safe. Two more men, also masked, then came in, and in a moment Dash was bound hand and foot and a gag forced into his mouth. The agent’s heart beat fast with excitement as his eyes took in every movement of the robbers. After he had been secured, one of them removed the telegraph keys from the instruments, no doubt to prevent his calling for assistance, but the latter wondered how they expected him to do it when his hands and feet were con- fined. — Suddenly the ‘man who had first come in uttered an imprecation, and, stepping over, gazed intently into the agent’s face. “Tt’s him, as sure as_ shooting, boys,” he cried, with cruel satisfaction ; ‘the same fellow that spoiled our game at the Cut. But he'll never have an- other chance to block us, for I’ m going to settle him right now.’ Dykeman’s heart came up into his throat, and a chill shot over him, as he recognized the speaker as the one who had been addressed as Orloff in the at- tempted train robbery at Big Rock Cut. He felt the urgent necessity of speak- ing, but the cruel gag effectually kept him silent ; and it is doubtful if he could have uttered a word without it, he was so paralyzed with horror. The outlaw deliberately raised his pistol on a line with the agent’s head, and the latter watched him with fasci- nated gaze, feeling that his time had undoubtedly come. The _ robber pressed the trigger, but there was no report—only the click of the hammer. It had missed fire. The reaction was so sudden that Dykeman swooned. With another im- _ precation, the marauder cocked his re- ECOMNUE DOO <S eo