Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
”
However,thedrummerhadgotthewindowupandhadleanedoutbeforetheotherscouldinterfereanddrawhimaway.
“Say,byjove,”heshouted,asheturnedbacktothecar,“ourengine’sgone.We’restandingonacurveandyoucanseetheendofthetrain.She’sgone,Itellyou.Well,lookforyourself.”
Inspiteoftheirprecautions,oneafteranother,hisfriendslookedout.Sureenough,thetrainwaswithoutalocomotive.
“They’vedoneitsowecan’tgetaway,”vociferatedthedrummerwiththepistol.“Now,byjiminy-Christmas,they’llcomethroughthecarsandstandusup.They’llbeinhereinaminute.LORD!WHATWASTHAT?”
Fromfarawayupthetrack,apparentlysomehalf-mileaheadofthetrain,camethesoundofaheavyexplosion.Thewindowsofthecarvibratedwithit.
“Shootingagain.”
“Thatisn’tshooting,”exclaimedAnnixter.“They’vepulledtheexpressandmailcaronaheadwiththeengineandnowtheyaredynamitingheropen.”
“Thatmustbeit.Yes,sure,that’sjustwhattheyaredoing.”
Theforwarddoorofthecaropenedandclosedandtheschool-teachersshriekedandcowered.Thedrummerwiththerevolverfacedabout,hiseyesbulging.However,itwasonlythetrainconductor,hatless,hislanterninhishand.Hewassoakedwithrain.Heappearedintheaisle.
“Isthereadoctorinthiscar?”heasked.
Promptlythepassengerssurroundedhim,volublewithquestions.Buthewasinabadtemper.
“Idon’tknowanythingmorethanyou,”heshoutedangrily.“Itwasahold-up.
