The fireman obeyed. There was nothing else for him to do. For about a mile and a half the engineer ran at about twenty-five miles per hour.
“Cut her down,” ordered the masked man. They were entering a deep cut, where the road turned sharply to the left.
“Slow down and stop here at the end of the cut.”
The man was brisk and business-like, wasting no words. The engine slowed and stopped, and the engineer waited for the next order.
“Both of yuh go down ahead of me. No funny business. I’m not takin’ any chances.”
The engine crew descended, and close on their heels came the masked man. It was then that they realized that the express car was still attached to the engine.
“March back to the express car—single-file. Remember it’s light enough for good shootin’.”
They went back along the track, stumbling over stones and tie-ends, until they were at the door of the car.
“You know this messenger?” asked the bandit.
“I don’t,” said the engineer.