We had not traveled far when the news came that a freight train was ditched a short distance up the road. Our train stopped, and the superintendents went to the wreck of the engine. Then I saw my chance and got up a foot race among the passengers. Meanwhile Billy opened up on a log as the contestants were getting ready to run. A crowd soon collected around Billy's booth, and he garnered in 1,200 good dollars and some fine gold watches. Up came the engine, and when the superintendents heard of it, they said, "We might have known that Devol would fix up some plan to get these suckers' money."
Thus it was that I was always blamed for all the devilment that was done. I really believe if a horse had been stolen the verdict would have been: Devol did it.
FORTY MILES AN HOUR.
The train was going out of Louisville.
The rate of speed was forty miles an hour.
Ten Owen County yahoos had been beaten at three-card monte.
They pulled at long black bottles. The vacuum made by the loss of their money, they filled with whisky.
"Boys, let's have our money and watches back, or kill that gambler," shouted one of them.
Owen County boys are rough, and tough.
It's a word and a blow, and the blow first.