III.

The sun never shone more brightly and the air was never more clear and

bracing than when Sinclair helped his wife off the train at Pawnee

Junction. The station-master's face fell as he saw the lady, but he

saluted the engineer with as easy an air as he could assume, and watched

for an opportunity to speak to him alone. Sinclair read the despatches

with an unmoved countenance, and after a few minutes' reflection simply

said: "All right. Be sure to keep the matter perfectly quiet." At

breakfast he was _distrait_--so much so that his wife asked him what was

the matter. Taking her aside, he at once showed her the telegrams.

"You see my duty," he said. "My only thought is about you, my dear

child. Will you stay here?"

She simply replied, looking into his face without a tremor:

"My place is with you." Then the conductor called "All aboard," and the

train once more started.

Sinclair asked Foster to join him in the smoking-compartment and tell

him the promised story, which the latter did. His rescue at Barker's, he

frankly and gratefully said, _had_ been the turning point in his life.

In brief, he had "sworn-off" from gambling and drinking, had found

honest employment, and was doing well.

"I've two things to do now, Major," he added; "first, I must show my

gratitude, to you; and next--" he hesitated a little--"I want to find

that poor girl that I left behind at Barker's. She was engaged to marry

me, and when I came to think of it, and what a life I'd have made her

lead, I hadn't the heart till now to look for her; but, seeing I'm on

the right track, I'm going to find her, and get her to come with me. Her

father's a--old scoundrel, but that ain't her fault, and I ain't going

to marry _him_."

"Foster," quietly asked Sinclair, "do you know the Perry gang?"

The man's brow darkened.

"Know them?" said he. "I know them much too well. Perry is as ungodly a

cutthroat as ever killed an emigrant in cold blood, and he's got in his

gang nearly all those hounds that tried to hang me. Why do you ask,

Major?"

Sinclair handed him the despatches. "You are the only man on the train

to whom I have shown them," said he.

Foster read them slowly, his eyes lighting up as he did so. "Looks as if

it was true," said he. "Let me see! Fort----. Yes, that's the--th

infantry. Two of their boys were killed at Sidney last summer by some of

the same gang, and the regiment's sworn vengeance. Major, if this

story's on the square, that crowd's goose is cooked, and _don't you

forget it_! I say, you must give me a hand in."

"Foster," said Sinclair, "I am going to put responsibility on your

shoulders. I have no doubt that, if we be attacked, the soldiers will

dispose of the gang; but I must take all possible precautions for the

safety of the passengers. We must not alarm them. They can be made to

think that the troops are going on a scout, and only a certain number of

resolute men need be told of what we expect. Can you, late this

afternoon, go through the cars, and pick them out? I will then put you

in charge of the passenger cars, and you can post your men on the

platforms to act in case of need. My place will be ahead."

"Major, you can depend on me," was Foster's reply. "I'll go through the

train and have my eye on some boys of the right sort, and that's got

their shooting-irons with them."

Through the hours of that day on rolled the train, till over the crisp

buffalo grass, across the well-worn buffalo trails, past the prairie-dog

villages. The passengers chatted, dozed, played cards, read, all

unconscious, with the exception of three, of the coming conflict between

the good and the evil forces bearing on their fate; of the fell

preparations making for their disaster; of the grim preparations making

to avert such disaster; of all of which the little wires alongside of

them had been talking back and forth. Watkins had telegraphed that he

still saw no reason to doubt the good faith of his warning, and Sinclair

had reported his receipt of authority and his acceptance thereof.

Meanwhile, also, there had been set in motion a measure of that power to

which appeal is so reluctantly made in time of peace. At Fort----, a

lonely post on the plains, the orders had that morning been issued for

twenty men under Lieutenant Halsey to parade at 4 P.M., with overcoats,

two days' rations, and ball cartridges; also for Assistant Surgeon

Kesler to report for duty with the party. Orders as to destination were

communicated direct to the lieutenant from the post commander, and on

the minute the little column moved, taking the road to the station. The

regiment from which it came had been in active service among the Indians

on the frontier for a long time, and the officers and men were tried and

seasoned fighters. Lieutenant Halsey had been well known at the West

Point balls as the "leader of the german." From the last of these balls

he had gone straight to the field and three years had given him an

enviable reputation for _sang froid_ and determined bravery. He looked

every inch the soldier as he walked along the trail, his cloak thrown

back and his sword tucked under his arm. The doctor, who carried a Modoc

bullet in some inaccessible part of his scarred body, growled

good-naturedly at the need of walking, and the men, enveloped in their

army-blue overcoats, marched easily by fours. Reaching the station, the

lieutenant called the agent aside and with him inspected, on a siding, a

long platform on which benches had been placed and secured. Then he took

his seat in the station and quietly waited, occasionally twisting his

long blond mustache. The doctor took a cigar with the agent, and the men

walked about or sat on the edge of the platform. One of them, who

obtained a surreptitious glance at his silent commander, told his

companions that there was trouble ahead for somebody.

"That's just the way the leftenant looked, boys," said he, "when we was

laying for them Apaches that raided Jones's Ranch and killed the women

and little children."

In a short time the officer looked at his watch, formed his men, and

directed them to take their places on the seats of the car. They had

hardly done so, when the whistle of the approaching train was heard.

When it came up, the conductor, who had his instructions from Sinclair,

had the engine detached and backed on the siding for the soldiers'

which thus came between it and the foremost baggage-car, when the train

was again made up. As arranged, it was announced that the troops were to

be taken a certain distance to join a scouting party, and the curiosity

of the passengers was but slightly excited. The soldiers sat quietly in

their seats, their repeating rifles held between their knees, and the

officer in front. Sinclair joined the latter, and had a few words with

him as the train moved on. A little later, when the stars were shining

brightly overhead, they passed into the express-car, and sent for the

conductor and other trainmen, and for Foster. In a few words Sinclair

explained the position of affairs. His statement was received with

perfect coolness, and the men only asked what they were to do.

"I hope, boys," said Sinclair, "that we are going to put this gang

to-night where they will make no more trouble. Lieutenant Halsey will

bear the brunt of the fight, and it only remains for you to stand by the

interests committed to your care. Mr. Express Agent, what help do you

want?" The person addressed, a good-natured giant, girded with a

cartridge belt, smiled as he replied:

"Well, sir, I'm wearing a watch which the company gave me for standing

off the James gang in Missouri for half an hour, when we hadn't the

ghost of a soldier about. I'll take the contract, and welcome, to hold

_this_ fort alone."

"Very well," said Sinclair. "Foster, progress have you made?"

"Major, I've got ten or fifteen as good men as ever drew a bead, and

just red-hot for a fight."

"That will do very well. Conductor, give the trainmen the rifles from

the baggage-car and let them act under Mr. Foster. Now, boys, I am sure

you will do your duty. That is all."

From the next station Sinclair telegraphed "All ready" to the

superintendent, who was pacing his office in much suspense. Then he said

a few words to his brave but anxious wife, and walked to the rear

platform. On it were several armed men, who bade him good-evening, and

asked "when the fun was going to begin." Walking through the train, he

found each platform similarly occupied, and Foster going from one to the

other. The latter whispered as he passed him:

"Major, I found Arizona Joe, the scout, in the smokin'-car, and he's on

the front platform. That lets me out, and although I know as well as you

that there ain't any danger about that rear sleeper where the madam is,

I ain't a-going to be far off from her." Sinclair shook him by the hand;

then he looked at his watch. It was half-past eight. He passed through

the baggage and express cars, finding in the latter the agent sitting

behind his safe, on which lay two large revolvers. On the platform-car

he found the soldiers and their commander, sitting silent and

unconcerned as before. When Sinclair reached the latter and nodded, he

rose and faced the men, and his fine voice was clearly heard above the

rattle of the train.

"Company, 'ten_tion_!" The soldiers straightened themselves in a second.

"With ball cartridge, _load_!" It was done with the precision of a

machine. Then the lieutenant spoke, in the same clear, crisp tones that

the troops had heard in more than one fierce battle.

"Men," said he, "in a few minutes the Perry gang, which you will

remember, are going to try to run this train off the track, wound and

kill the passengers, and rob the cars and the United States mail. It is

our business to prevent them. Sergeant Wilson" (a gray-bearded

non-commissioned officer stood up and saluted), "I am going on the

engine. See that my orders are repeated. Now, men, aim low, and don't

waste any shots." He and Sinclair climbed over the tender and spoke to

the engine-driver.

"How are the air-brakes working?" asked Sinclair.

"First-rate."

"Then, if you slow down now, you could stop the train in a third of her

length, couldn't you?"

"Easy, if you don't mind being shaken up a bit."

"That is good. How is the country about the--xth mile-post?"

"Dead level, and smooth."

"Good again. Now, Lieutenant Halsey, this is a splendid head-light, and

we can see a long way with my night glass, I will have a--"

"--2d mile-post just passed," interrupted the engine-driver.

"Only one more to pass, then, before we ought to strike them. Now,

lieutenant, I undertake to stop the train within a very short distance

of the gang. They will be on both sides of the track no doubt; and the

ground, as you hear, is quite level You will best know what to do."

The officer stepped back. "Sergeant," called he, "do you hear me

plainly?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have the men fix bayonets. When the train stops, and I wave my sword,

let half jump off each side, run up quickly, and form line _abreast of

the engine_--not ahead."

"Jack," said Sinclair to the engine-driver, "is your hand steady?" The

man held it up with a smile. "Good. Now, stand by your throttle and your

air-brake. Lieutenant, better warn the men to hold on tight, and tell

the sergeant to pass the word to the boys on the platforms, or they will

be knocked off by the sudden stop. Now for a look ahead!" and he brought

the binocular to his eyes.

The great parabolic head-light illuminated the track a long way in

advance, all behind it being of course in darkness. Suddenly Sinclair

cried out:

"The fools have a light there, as I am a living man; and there is a

little red one near us. What can that be? All ready. Jack! By heavens!

they have taken up two rails. Now, _hold on, all_! STOP HER!!"

The engine-driver shut his throttle-valve with a jerk. Then, holding

hard by it, he sharply turned a brass handle. There was a fearful

jolt--a grating--and the train's way was checked. The lieutenant,

standing sidewise, had drawn his sword. He waved it, and almost before

he could get off the engine, the soldiers were up and forming, still in

shadow, while the bright light was thrown on a body of men ahead.

"Surrender, or you are dead men!" roared the officer. Curses and several

shots were the reply. Then came the orders, quick and sharp:

"_Forward! Close rip! Double-quick! Halt_! FIRE!"

It was speedily over. Left on the car with the men, the old sergeant had

said:

"Boys, you hear. It's that ---- Perry gang. Now, don't forget Larry and

Charley that they murdered last year," and there had come from the

soldiers a sort of fierce, subdued _growl_. The volley was followed by a

bayonet charge, and it required all the officer's authority to save the

lives even of those who "threw up their hands." Large as the gang was

(outnumbering the troops), well armed and desperate as they were, every

one was dead, wounded, or a prisoner when the men who guarded the train

platforms ran up. The surgeon, with professional coolness, walked up to

the robbers, his instrument case under his arm.

"Not much for me to do here, Lieutenant," said he. "That practice for

Creedmoor is telling on the shooting. Good thing for the gang, too.

Bullets are better than rope, and a Colorado jury will give them plenty

of that."

Sinclair had sent a man to tell his wife that all was over. Then he

ordered a fire lighted, and the rails relaid. The flames lit a strange

scene as the passengers flocked up. The lieutenant posted men to keep

them back.

"Is there a telegraph station not far ahead Sinclair?" asked he. "Yes?

All right." He drew a small pad from his pocket, and wrote a despatch to

the post commander.

"Be good enough to send that for me," said he "and leave orders at

Barker's for the night express eastward to stop for us, and to bring a

posse to take care of the wounded and prisoners. And now, my dear

Sinclair, I suggest that you get the passengers into the cars, and go on

as soon as those rails are spiked. When they realize the situation, some

of them will feel precious ugly, and you know we can't have any

lynching."

Sinclair glanced at the rails and gave the word at once to the conductor

and brakemen, who began vociferating, "All aboard!" Just then Foster

appeared, an expression of intense satisfaction showing clearly on his

face, in the firelight.

"Major," said he, "I didn't use to take much stock in special

Providence, or things being ordered; but I'm darned if I don't believe

in them from this day. I was bound to stay where you put me, but I was

uneasy, and wild to be in the scrimmage; and, if I had been there, I

wouldn't have taken notice of a little red light that wasn't much

behind the rear platform when we stopped. When I saw there was no danger

there, I ran back, and what do you think I found? There was a woman, in

a dead faint, and just clutching a lantern that she had tied up in a red

scarf, poor little thing! And, Major, it was Sally! It was the little

girl that loved me out at Barker's, and has loved me and waited for me

ever since! And when she came to, and knew me, she was so glad she 'most

fainted away again; and she let on as it was her that gave away the job.

And I took her into the sleeper, and the madam, God bless her!--she knew

Sally before and was good to her--she took care of her, and is cheering

her up. And now, Major, I'm going to take her straight to Denver, and

send for a parson and get her married to me, and she'll brace up, sure

pop."

The whistle sounded, and the train started. From the window of the

"sleeper" Sinclair and his wife took their last look at the weird scene.

The lieutenant, standing at the side of the track, wrapped in his cloak,

caught a glimpse of Mrs. Sinclair's pretty face, and returned her bow.

Then, as the car passed out of sight, he tugged at his mustache and

hummed:

"Why, boys, why,

Should we be melancholy, boys,

Whose business 'tis to die?"

In less than an hour, telegrams having in the mean time been sent in

both directions, the train ran alongside the platform at Barker's; and;

Watkins, inperturbable as usual, met Sinclair, and gave him his letters.

"Perry gang wiped out, I hear, Major," said he "Good thing for the

country. That's a lesson the 'toughs' in these parts won't forget for a

long time. Plucky girl that give 'em away, wasn't she. Hope she's all

right."

"She is all right," said Sinclair, with a smile.

"Glad of that. By-the-way, that father of her'n passed in his checks

to-night. He'd got one warning from the Vigilantes, and yesterday they

found out he was in with this gang, and they was a-going for him; but

when the telegram come, he put a pistol to his head and saved them all

trouble. Good riddance to everybody, I say. The sheriff's here now, and

is going east on the next train to get them fellows. He's got a big

posse together, and I wouldn't wonder if they was hard to hold in, after

the 'boys in blue' is gone."

In a few minutes the train was off, with its living freight--the just

and the unjust, the reformed and the rescued, the happy and the anxious.

With many of the passengers the episode of the night was already a thing

of the past. Sinclair sat by the side of his wife, to whose cheeks the

color had all come back; and Sally Johnson lay in her berth, faint

still, but able to give an occasional smile to Foster. In the station on

the Missouri the reporters were gathered about the happy superintendent,

smoking his cigars, and filling their note-books with items. In Denver,

their brethren would gladly have done the same, but Watkins failed to

gratify them. He was a man of few words. When the train had gone, and a

friend remarked:

"Hope they'll get through all right, now," he simply said:

"Yes, likely. Two shots don't 'most always go in the same hole." Then he

went to the telegraph instrument. In a few minutes he could have told a

story as wild as a Norse _saga_, but what he said, when Denver had

responded, was only--

_"No. 17, fifty-five minutes late."_