Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 673 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

y. ee The Lightning Express Detective. a ee ee regularity and precision, that showed the de- tails of the plan had been arranged beforehand. The chief led the way to the platform of the Mail-and-Express car, which was next ahead of the smoker, while two of his followers has- tened to detach the 9 lee a. and thus leave the passenger-cars behind. So rapidly did they work, that when the occu- ts of the smoker rushed to the door, it was find themselves left fifty yards behind, with the engine and Express car rapidly receding in the distance. The grade at this point was re- markably heavy, and, deprived of the services of the locomotive, the speed of the detached cars lessened perceptibly with every passing moment. Meanwhile, the train-robber chief, pausing only to note the success of his men, had thrown himself against the aoor of the Express car. It was locked; but gave way before Bart’s mas- sive frame, and the leader rushed into the car, only to recoil with a cry of dismay. At the furthermost end of the compartment, in front of a massive safe, stood the Express messenger. He was in the act of opening the safe when the assault came. The ponderous outer door was swung open, and the messenger, keys in hand, stood ready to unlock the inner oor, Just then the racket outside reached his ears, warning him of danger. Like a flash, the mes- senger’s trusty revolver lea into his hand, and, as the door flew open he fired shot after shot at the robber chief, Crack !—crack!—crack! Bullets flew like hail about the outlaw’s ears. One plowed a blood furrow in his cheek; another cli a loc from his swarthy brow, then buried itself in the shoulder of a brawny ruffian beyond. Then Bart recovered himself, and with an angry snarl leaped forward like a wounded tiger. His own trusty shooter spoke spitefully, and the brave messenger fell prone upon the floor, shot through the breast. With an inarticulate cry of triumph the rob- ber chief bounded forward, The inner door of the safe was locked, but he caught the gleam of steel in the hand of the stricken man, and eager- ly bent to seize the precious keys. But the gallant messenger still had a vital spark left. Brave and faithful to the last, he raised himself with a supreme effort, and with his last departing strength, hurled the bunch of keys far out through the open window. t was his last effort, for blood gushed from, the poor fellow’s mouth and nose, and he fell back, dead. But the keys were irretrievably lost, and the scheme of the Brotherhood temporarily frus- trated. Knowing every foot of the road, Black Bart had no culty in locating their whereabouts. The train had reach«d the top of the heavy grade, and was now plunging swiftly down into valley where nestled cosey Richville. Soon this stopping-place would be reached; and the robber saw that only prompt and energetic ac- tion could save his scheme from defeat. **Out .with your tools, boys!” he yelled. ** Drills, hammers and ape of powder! The bullion sha)l be mine,if I have to blow the whole train to kingdom come. Work lively, for there’s not a second to lose.” The outlaws went to work with a will to blow off the safe-door, while their commander paced up and down the car like a caged lion, impa- tientl directing their movements, FF ! This will never do! The train must be stopped at once, or we will run our precious necks into the hangman’s noose.” _ “Shall we detach the car, cap’n?”’ ' **No, you idiot! The road is steeper than Jacob’s ladder, and all the brakesin Christendom couldn’t hold us on this infernal grade. The only thing that remains is to take the engine. >» * You, Long Pete, hail the engineer. Order him to stop the train, and if he refuses, riddle him with lead.”’ ‘6 Ay, cap’n!” A tall, lanky outlaw hurried from the car, to upon the front platform,revolver in hand, ** Hello, there, engineer! Reverse your en- gine and stop the train, or off goes your head!” This was the peremptory summozrs that reach- ed the ears of the two occupants of the locomo- tive cab; and asthe young engineer turned his head, only to find himself covered by a glitter- ing revolver, a true sense of the situation flashed upon his mind like lightning. He realized that the outlaws were in possession of the Express car, and failing to get to the treasure, were determined to stop the train be- fore Richville was reached. This it was Ralph Renwood’s duty to prevent; yet, brave as es was, there was no denying the fact that the rob- ber had him nicely covered, and in the mellow firelight that illuminated the cab, the form of the engineer presented an inviting target for pistol practice, But before Ralph could move a finger, the problem was solved in a manner quite unex- pected. Headlight Harry had entirely escaped the ob- servation of the outlaw, whose gaze was riveted upon the engineer; and the lad was quick to im- prove his opportunity. Snatching up a heavy stick of firewood, he hurled it with all his strength at the man on the platform, The missile sped true to its aim, striking the robber upon the right arm with terrific force; and as the arm dropped useless to his side, the pistol fell from the nerveless grasp, while its contents were discharged harmlessly into the air. ‘‘Bravo, Harry!” cried Renwood, and in a twinkling he pulled the throttle wide open. The Atalanta bounded ahead with increased velocity, while the engineer, with a warning cry to his companion, threw himself prone upon the floor of the cab. The precaution was well-timed, for the baffled ruffian on the platform had drawn another wea- pon with his uninjured hand, and now a bullet went crashing into the engine, passing the very spot where Ralph’s head had been, Headlight Harry was prompt to follow: his friend’s example; and now the two crouched low behind the iron water-tanks, secure from the robber’s fire. ‘*Whew! Things are gettin’ superaiely interesting, [ll allow,” gasped the boy, excited- ly. ‘* This is railroad life with a vengeance!” The engineer’s only response was to produce a brace of revolvers—small, delicate tools, yet capable of doing good execution in experienced hands, One of these he handed to his com- panion. ‘* You know how to use it, Harry,” he said, ‘‘Tf you have to shoot, keep cool, and make every shot count.” ‘*You bet!” returned the intrepid youth, as he resolutely clutched the death-dealing wea- n. ” Tovether, the trxo watched and waited. The baffled outlaw had gone to rejoin his comrades and nothing could be heard save the rattle and roar of the speeding train. ‘* My fears are realized, you see,” exclaimed Ralph. ‘‘I anticipated trouble, and it has come. The Brotherhood have taken the train, but, for some reason, don’t appear to have been successful in getting at the treasure,” ‘‘ Why don’t they cut off the Express car, an’ so rob it at their leisure?” ‘* Black Bart knows better than to attempt it. 1 Syoanases at such terrific speed on a down-grade, it would be impossible to stop the car, No: their only chance is to sy) grea the engine, and that I am determined shall not be done.” ‘* An’ I’m with you, ev’ry time. If them ga- loots try to take the Atalanta, we'll show ’em we're mighty hard trees ter climb,” declared Headlight Harry resolutely. ‘‘ But, jee-whizz! How the old engine whoops ’er up! hy, we're fairly flyin’!” Indeed, the Atalanta was running at an alarming speed. Rocking, swaying, throbbing, her headlight piercing the Stygian gloom, the beautiful machine rushed over the irons like a fire-breathing monster. Myriads of sparks drifted heavenward, and the air rung with the ceaseless pounding of the huge driving-wheels, asthe engine leaped madly away, threatening each moment to jump the track, and send all on board to destruction. But Ralph Renwood had perfect confidence in his machine, knowing the rest of the road was straight as an arrow; and he gave his attention to the movements of the robbers in the rear. ‘* Black Bart’s efforts must be made quickly,” grimly said the ete engineer, *‘ for in twenty minutes we shall be at home, providing we keep the track. Hark!” To the defenders’ ears was wafted the sound of feet clumsily climbing over the wood-pile up- on the tender. The crisis was at hand! ‘* They are coming, Harry.” warned Renwood, coy ‘* Steady, my boy, and don’t waste your ead! A dozen shadowy forms rushed into view, and the next moment the sharp rattle of pistol-shots rose above the noise of the speeding train! CHAPTER IV. DEFENDING THEIR TRUST. YELLING like a pack of wildcats, the Bandit Brotherhood, with Black Bart at their head, scrambled desperately upon the tender, dete mined to annihilate the brave defenders of the. locomotive. The latter, undismayed at the overwhelming odds, crouched low behind the iron tanks, one upon each side, and met the fierce assault with the steadiness of veterans. | ‘Crack! Crack!” Spitefully spoke the re- volvers of the gallant defenders, One stalwart, outlaw threw up his arms, and leaped wild] into the air; another fell back severely wound- ed, while the remainder came on like demons, firing a volley into the caba gs hey rapidly ad- vanced, | Then Pandemonium seemed at iarge, as the two parties came together in a terrible struggle for possession of the locomotive. Far above the roar of the whirling train rose the shouts of the combatants, and the sharp, ceaseless crack of rapidly-exploding firearms, mingled with the crash of glass, and the buzz of deadly bullets flying through the air. It was a trying moment for the defenders of the engine; but not for an instant did their courage fail them, Side by side they grimly faced the outlaws’ scathing fusilade. The young engineer was anexpert marksman, and did good execution with his trusty weapon; while Headlight Harry, though this was his. maiden battle, kept his head at the critical mo- ment, and fired with telling effect. Shot followed shot in swift succession, until the Brotherhood, though they still outnumbered them five to one, actually wavered before the leaden tempest. Hope leaped high in tne breast of the en- “reese as his quick eye observed the discom- ture of the train-robbers. **Give it to’em, Harry!”he yelled. ‘‘ Only a minute more, and the murderous hounds will turn tail.” But alas! Even as he spoke, the hammer of the young man’s pistol descended with an ominous click. No report followed, and the en- gineer thrilled with dismay, for he knew his. weapon was empty. An instant later, Headlight Harry was in the same ‘predicament. Loud yells of triumph pealed from the rob- bers’ lips, as they surged forward with renewed spirit, eager to take advantage of their oppo- nents’ misfortune, , however, was equal to the occasion. At this trying moment, when all seemed lost, the lad’s eyes fell upon the long, heavy poker lying upon the floor at his feet. Grasping the ponderous utensil with both hands, the railroad boy brought it round with terrific force. The foremost bandit, who happened to be just within range, caught the iron bar full on the neck. There followed a faint cry, together with a glimpse of a flying form, and the luck- less outlaw sailed out into the gloom as though a cyclone had struck him, k came the ponderous poker, and the next man saw more stars than ever ventured out on an autumn night. Bullets flew like hail about the daring boy, but: - it seemed as if he bore a charmed life, for not a bullet touched him, as with dauntless courage he continued to flourish his formidable weapon, to the imminent discomfiture of the Brother- Meanwhile, Ralph Renwood had taken ad- vantage of this diversion, and rapidly reloaded his revolver, the contents of which he now hast- ened to pour into the fast-thinning ranks of the outlaws. Luck was against the latter, despite their ad- vautage in numbers; but the idea of being cheated of their anticipated plunder by two mere striplings was enough to madden them to desperation. Black Bart, furious with rage, threw himself at the head of his dwindling band, and fought like a tiger. ‘* Hooray! We're home at last!” It wag the voice of Headlight Harry that rung cheerily above the sound of conflict. Sure enough, the lights of Richville could now be seen just ahead, twinkling like fireflies in the darkness, Black Bart saw them, too; saw that, in spite of his strenuous endeavors, the precious contents of the Express car were fated into other hands than his. 1n his desperation he had re- mained on board rather Jonger than was con- ducive to safety; and now their proximity to the town warned the chief that n but in- stant flight could save him from capture and the hangman’s noose, | Accordin ly Black Bart reluctantly gave the signal for flig t, Gs ‘com CDOOK tx