Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 691 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Having yielded up everything of value to the midnight marauders, it was now expected that the latter would immediately withdraw, leaving the train free to continue its way; but, alas! the next movement of the masked leader quickly put these hopes to flight, The train-robbers had by no means completed their dark night’s work—a fact that was speed- ily demonstrated to the luckless excursionists, CHAPTER V. NICK NORMAN CELEBRATES, IT was with che arrogant air of a mighty con- queror that the robber captain re-entered Presi- dent Melrose’s private car, meeting with rare effrontery the battery of eyes fixed inquiringly upon him, The travelers still naintained a non- belligerent attitude, sitting with arms pointing heavenward, a picture of abject humility. The spectacle evidently struck the unknown as somewhat ludicrous, for he laughed long and boisterously. “Ha, ba! What a docile crowd, to be sure! And such a distinguished gathering! To think of all the great luminaries of the R, & 8. R, R. being corraled like sheep ina pen, subject to the wishes of yours truly, once an humble and de- spised employee of this road, but whonow comes into the game with a band full of trumps, prepared to pneee the board and capture the ps It really tickles my vanity to— But, stop! had forgotten, gentlemen, that you are apt to be a trifle sensitive over the matter, and must crave pardonif by chance [ have unwit- tingly wounded your feelings in the exuberance of my glee. ‘*t bad returned to announce that my able corps of collectors have already completed their task, and the result I believe is quite equal to expectations. Roughly estimating the value of your contributions, I should say we are enrich- ed thereby to the extent of several thousand dollars in cool cash, not to mention enough watches, rings and other valuables to start a first-class jewelry establishment, For your generosity in responding to my request for con- tributions, | beg you to accept my expressions of heartfelt gratitude.” And with this the mocking scoundrel bowed so low that the broad rimof his sombrero al most grazed the floor. ‘* Pray spare your breath and our feelings at the same time, Sir Robber,” ejaculated Maurice Melrose, white from suppressed passion, ‘* And pow, having plundered us to your heart’s con- tent, suppose you go your way and kindly per- mit us to goours! The sooner we are well rid of your evil presence, the better we shall like ‘** Indeed!” uttered the masked captain, in no wise abashed by these cutting, words. ‘'I am exceedingly sorry, my dear Melrose, that I can- not immediately or with your request. It being but seldom that I find myself in such dis- tinguished company, I am exceedingly loth to tear myself away.’ ‘* What, then, do you propose to do—keep us sitting here all night?’ demanded Superin- teudent Renwood, ‘‘Far from it, my friend. You shall be free to depart before the arrival] of the second sec- tion, which [I am aware was ordered to leave Belmont exactly one hour behind this train, According to my calculations, it will be some- thing over half an hour befor train number two reaches this point, and in the mean time I pro- pose to treat myself and men to an impromptu _ entertainment, for which I have already found abundant material aboard, ** You see, gentlemen, I was deterred by pres- sure of business from joining in the great jubilee at Belmont to-day, and knowing this, [ trust you willexcuse meif I insist upon a little celebra- tion of my own. If you are not already sur- feited with amusement, I shall bepleased to have you unbend your official dignity and join in the merrymaking. Now, please step from the car, as the entertainment is about to commence.” There was a geveral look of bewilderment upon the faces of the passengers, none of whom had the slightest idea of what this audacions unknown was driving at, ‘** What infernal nonsense is this? We shall by no means leave our seats—” began President Melrose, in a towering rage; but, the ominous ‘click—click!” of pistol locks speedily brought him to a pause, and banished all idea of resist- auce from his mind. ‘Everybody will please leave the car, instant- ly!” reiterated the masked leader, sharply; and this time there was no remonstrance. Realizing the wisdom of prompt obedience, the passengers arose with the meekness of lambs going tothe slanghter, und the car was cleared Headlight Harry’s Haul. in an incredibly short time. Meanwhile the oc- cupants of the other coaches were compelled to join in the general exodus, and so it was that the entire party found themselves huddled beside the track, shivering in the cold night air, and surrounded by a formidable gang of ruffians whose weapons glistened dangorously in the moonlight. | | At this point the railroad was skirted on one | | ceptably—much better, in fact, than I anticipat- side by a narrow strip of meadow, through which flowed a broad and sluggish stream; and upon this level expanse the robber chief pro- proposed to hold what he was pleased to call bis ** little celebration.” ' ed, Under his direction the excursionists were | quickly arranged in a circle, around the outside | of which extended a cordon of outlaws, who stood prepared to enjoy the fun and at the same | time frustrate any hostile movement on the part of their reluctant guests, ‘* Now, then, [ reckon everything is in readi- ness for the entertainment, declared the leader, gayly, as he glanced approvingly around. ‘‘Sorry there are no seats for the ladies; but you must bear in mind that this is quite an im- promptu affair,so much so in fact that it is necessary to draw upon the audience for ma- terial, there being no opportunity to engage other talent for the occasion. Now, let’s see— ah! What have we here? A full-fledged, brass- band, sure enough! Well, 1 don’t object to a little music for a starter. Step out here, you fellows, and show what you can do with the in- struments,” The members of the Richville brass-band were by no means pleased at this peremptory command; on the contrary, they felt exceeding- ly loth to exhibit their skill for the benefit of the scoundrels who had unscrupulously robbed them but a few minutes before. However there was no alternative, so, like the sensible fellows they were, the musicians stepped out and pre- pared to play. The leader of the band was a facetious in- dividual, who looked upon the affair in its ludi- crous light, and resolved to get as much fun as possible out of this disagreeable and unre- munerative task. With rare tact he selected a piece, and immediately the inspiring strains of ‘* Hail to the Chief” floated upon the clear night air. Loud cries of ‘' Bravo!” greeted the perfor- mance, coming from the lips of the delighted outlaws, while the tall captain doffed his som- brero and gracefully bowed his acknowledg- ments, ‘* Many thanks, gentlemen, both for the music and the compliment conveyed thereby,” he ex- claimed, ‘*‘ And now, I must trouble you once more! Give us a lively one, if you please— something that will stir up my sleepy men and a them wide-awake!” he band responded promptly, and again the welkin rung with soul-stirring melody, It was truly an extraordinary scene, and one the like of which was probably never witnessed before or since. Tbe capture of the excursion train and robbery of its passengers was of it- self bold enough; but the subsequent proceed- ings of the marauders implied a degree of au- dacity absolutely without a parallel. The sight of such a distinguished party, embracing rail- way directors and officials, with many impor- tant citizens, not to mention military, civic and musical organizations, all subservient to the extravagant notions of a facetious ruffian, was indeed as ludicrous as it was remarkable, The midnight moon, soaring bigh iv the cloud- less heavens, shed its ghostly radiance upon the earth, revealing on one side the stream-skirted meadrw with a fringe of forest beyond, and on the other a high embankment supporting the track upon which stood the throbbing locomo- tive and a line of brilliantly lighted cars, while in the space between stood several hundred people, men, women, and children, forming a gathering that seemed strangely out of place at such an bour and amid such weird surround- ings. It is safe to assert that a more exasperated collection of human beings never existed than was this particular party of excursionists. Some few were there who looked upon the matter as a huge joke, and welcomed so sensational] and oo agp a wind-up to the day’s progwectngss but these were generally the ones whose pockets had suffered little or nothing from the light- fingered touch of the train-robbers, Ag for the members of the president’s party, they were fairly beside themselves with disgust and anger, not so much because of their Revn omy loss as on account of the humiliating position in which they were placed, However, there was no alternative but to smother their 5 wrath and await the pleasure of the robber chief, which they did with fast increasing impa- tience, © The band ceased playing, and again the de- lighted ruffians united in a burst of hearty applause, which continued until their leader waved his hand for silence. ‘““Well done, my good fellows!” he com- plimented.” I will admit you play very ac- I should certainly demand an encore, were it not that time is exceedingly limited, and my desire is to give everybody an equal chance. So, you will please clear the stage to make way for the next feature,”—a command which the tired musicians were quite willing to obey. Among the excursionists who had so unex- pectedly come to grief might be seen a full- fledged company of militia, comprising a set of fine, stalwart young fellows—the pride of Rich- | ville—who had cut a brilliant figure in the grand parade, with brand-new uniforms and glittering accouterments, winning no little applause for their neat appearance and perfect military bearing. Very bold and warlike they seemed, then, keeping step to a lively tune, with polished muskets gleaming in the sun, maneuvering with the skill and precison of battle-scarred veterans. But,alas! how deceitful ofttimes are appearances! Behold them, now, encompassed by a horde of armed ruftians, passively accepting the situa- tion without a show of resistance; for, indeed, what could their efforts avail? Their muskets were empty, while the cartridges in their belts were harmless blanks. Bayonets were their only available weapons, and the situation did not warrart the recklessness of opposing these to the death-dealing six-shooters of their captors. t was this organization that soon attracted the attention of the robber chief, ‘*Hello! What have we here?” was his excla- mation. ‘Is it possible that I have the honor of capturing a company of bona fide soldiers? Really, they are a fine-looking set of fellows, and, of course, as brave as they are handsome, Ha, ha! Who commands these blooming dan- dies, if I may ask?” ‘‘T am the captain of the company, sir,” faintly responded a dapper youth, who at that moment looked as though he would have gladly forfeited his proud position for the privilege of being a thousand miles away. ‘* You are the captain, eh? Well, be so kind as to step out here,” and the cflicer meekly obeyed. ‘*T am a great admirer of military tactics,” went on the outlaw, suavely. ‘‘ Nothing inter- ests me so much as the evolutions of trained troops, such as I know your men to be. Now, would it trouble you too much to put your com- pany through a few exercises, just to show my benighted savages bow the thing is done?” The polite utterance of the speaker implied a command that was not to be disregarded, and, realizing tbat fact, the officer lost no time in getting his disgusted followers into line. Flour- ishing his sword, he made a desperate attempt to appear at ease as he proceeded to go through the manual of arms, The militia were evidently unaccustomed to drilling under such unfavorable conditions, and the presence of the outlaws seemed to havea demoralizing effect upon their soldiership, They displayed no little nervousness throughout, and gave an exhibition far below their usual stand- ard, These shortcomings by no means escaped the critical eye of the conductor of ceremonies, ‘*So you call these fellows soldiers, eh?’ he said, scornfully. ‘‘ I’m sorry to say that I dis- agree with you. As a street spectacle I dare say they’ll pass muster; but what earthly use would they be on a battle-field? Fellows that lose their heads in the presence of peaceable, law-abiding citizens like ourselves, with no sign of danger, can bardly be depended upon to face a storm of flying cannon-balls. “ Captain, it is plain that your men were not cut out for soldiers. Tbey have mistaken their vocation, and it behooves me, as a benefactor of the human race, to set them right. Asan initiatory step, please march them to the bank of yonder creck, and dump therein all these cumbersome traps—guns, knapsacks, canteens and so on, not forgetting that shining sword o yours!” This paca igrpd fell like a pocgshas upon the ears of the dapper young officer. Me Wha—what’s that?” he "aaah hardly be- lieving he had heard aright, ‘*There’s no necessity for repeating the com- mand, I reckon, since I spoke plainly enough for the dullest mind to comprehend. I will merely LL