“Very well. Guard the vestibules, but in no circumstances open the vestibule door. The other passengers will please remain in their berths to avoid the possibility of being shot, and you young women will be careful that you do not shoot the train crew. Challenge first, then shoot, if you are not positive as to who any person is. Have you men ammunition?”
“Yes,” answered Hippy. “Lead us to it. We haven’t had any action in so long that we are going stale.”
“We will go out by the rear door,” announced the sheriff. “Please do not use your weapons until you are ordered to do so. The most we can hope to accomplish is to drive the bandits off—make them think they are attacked by a posse. There isn’t much chance of our being able to capture the gang or any of them, much as I should like to do so. Yet I’m going to try to get hold of at least one. All ready!”
“Be careful, Hippy darling,” begged Nora as the little party moved towards the rear of the car.
“You watch my smoke,” chuckled Hippy.
“Good luck,” smiled Grace, waving a kiss to Tom as he turned to nod in return for her parting words.
Ford stepped out into the rear vestibule and peered through the window into the darkness.
“I’ll go first,” he said. “You follow when I give the signal. Not a word from any of you. Wait!” Lifting the trap-door in the vestibule floor, the sheriff let himself down on the steps, then cautiously stood up on the outside, revolver in hand for use in case of trouble.
“Come out!” he commanded in a low voice. “There appears to be no one here. There goes the express car!” he added as a slight jolt of the train was heard. “They’ve cut out that car and are going to pull it up the track a piece and force it open. We’ll have to hurry.”
Ford started on a run, the others falling in behind him.