Part 21 (1/2)

Billie jumped out of the machine, wis.h.i.+ng with all her heart that somebody would invent a motor car that wouldn't need to be cranked up.

”Beggin' your pardon, Miss, will you kindly stay where you are?” said a soft, drawling voice behind them.

They turned quickly and faced another broad-shouldered individual with a sombrero half covering his lean, sunburned face. His gray eyes twinkled with amus.e.m.e.nt when he saw their consternation.

”We won't do no harm to you, ladies, except to ask you for a lift after this little business is over. Jes' keep perfectly quiet and ask no questions, and we'll tell you no lies.”

Somehow, Billie did not feel frightened at this gentle, humorous person.

”Suppose we don't care to give you a lift,” she said, her hand on the cranking lever.

”That would be a pity, Miss,” answered the man coaxingly, ”because,” he went on slowly, ”you see--” his hand slipped in his hip pocket and drew out a small, dangerous-looking revolver.

”Billie, darling, don't oppose the creature!” cried Miss Campbell in a strangled voice.

”Steady! steady!” said the man. ”Don't git nervous, lady. You'll come through the ordeal as well as you ever was in your life. Jes' draw in a bit.”

Never had the moments dragged so slowly as they did now. Through the car windows they could see men and women with arms uplifted. Was it possible that one man could rob fifty? No; not one. They perceived two confederates, who had sprung up from somewhere, followed behind with a pistol in each hand. An intense quiet seemed to hang over the place as the robbers went silently through the train, and at last emerged from the back. The herd of officials were now made to get out and walk toward the engine. The engineer was permitted to climb into his engine, the others climbed in anywhere after him. As the train began to get up steam a man called out:

”Good heavens! there's an automobile full of girls. We can't leave them at the mercy of these blackguards.”

”They're confederates!” called another man.

”Confederates? Nonsense! Don't you see that fellow has a pistol aimed at them?”

As the train started, the pa.s.senger ran back to the platform and jumped off. The next moment three train robbers and a young man without any hat surrounded the Comet:

”Now, don't try any monkey business, young feller,” said the first robber, pointing his pistol at the pa.s.senger. ”Jes' stay right where you are. I don't want to commit murder.”

”Put that pistol up, Jim Bowles. I'm not afraid of you or of any of your disreputable acquaintances. These ladies are friends of mine, and I intend to stay with them.”

The girls, who had huddled down in the car white and silent, took courage and looked up.

It was Daniel Moore who was speaking.

Miss Campbell gave a little tremulous cry like a child's.

”Oh, Mr. Moore, I implore you not to leave us.”

”I mean what I say,” pursued Jim Bowles. ”If you wanter be still breathing fresh air in another two minutes, stay where you are.”

Daniel Moore looked him calmly in the eye.

”Do you remember Christmas Eve at Silver Bow two years ago?” he asked.

The robber's face was curiously twisted with emotion.

”Yes,” he replied.

”I cut you down,” said Daniel Moore. ”You would have been strung up there yet if I hadn't come back in time. The scar is still there, I see.”