“Pull ahead and stop the train with the express car on the north side of Escambia River bridge, or I will blow the top of your head off,” was the stern command.
“All right, Captain,” said the engineer.
The bridge was about three quarters of a mile north of the station. While en route, Rube said:
“If you obey my orders, I will not harm you, but the penalty is instant death if you disobey.”
On arriving at the bridge the sharp command “Stop!” was given, and the engineer instantly complied.
“Get down,” said Rube to the engineer and fireman, and he followed the two men to the ground.
The colored fireman, as soon as he reached terra firma, made instant flight from the scene. Rube fired two shots at him as he fled, which had no other effect, however, than to increase his speed.
When called upon afterwards to explain the cause of his retreat, the darkey replied:
“I thought I heerd him say run, and as we was all ’beyin’ orders, I run.”
Rube now ordered the engineer to take the coal pick which he gave him and break in the front door of the express car. While the engineer was engaged in doing so, Rube, standing on the platform of the car behind him, fired five shots into the air on the one side, and four shots on the other side, and by this ruse made it appear that the woods were full of robbers.