HOW TO ROB A TRAIN IN ONE HARD LESSON

Drena Hills

'A man is known by the company he organizes.'

-

Ambrose Bierce

They ascended onto the train with the precision and speed of a bullet slicing through the center of a target.

It was, as the engineer remarked later with grudging admiration, like watching an eagle swoop down on its prey. You were sympathetic to the victim, but lordy you did have to admire the skill involved.

The Union Railroad's Denver to Salt Lake City had been on time up until its three passenger car's full of paying customers were jerked to a halt somewhere in the middle Colorado by 'them'.

That's the way the word spread through the train, 'It's Them!" Said with excitement, some nervous, some fearful, but all eager and interested.

There was the farmer from Laramie in the front car, who immediately became concerned over his fiancée in the last car. (They had boarded the train arguing and moved further apart as the argument continued until the conductor feared the man would request to ride with the driver). The fiancée, in the last seat of the back car (the caboose not being available no matter how much she needed to 'Be as far away as possible from THAT man').

There was the weary middle aged mother coming home from a grueling trip of caring for a sick father to a family that would be hungry, loud, and unappreciative. Not to mention a mother in law who would find a way to make the delay her fault and a husband too tired to want to deal with it or admit he'd missed her.

There was the school marm, retiring after thirty years on a pension you wouldn't give a dog and returning back to a sister and her family who neither welcomed nor wanted her and begrudged having to take her in. Gone, her dreams of travel, her world now the small town up the line.

There was the 14-year-old boy who had stowed away and finally peaked out of the baggage car when the shouting started. Tired and hungry, he relaxed when he saw it was 'only' train robbers and not the uncle whose beatings had forced him to flee.

There was the ancient minister, assured by man that his usefulness on earth was over due to his age and traveling back home stripped of his purpose and therefore his reason to wake up each morning.

But out of them all, the farmers, the cowboys, the families, the salesmen, the old and the young, the rich and poor, not one was apathetic about the announcement the train was being robbed by the Devil's Hole Gang.

After all, how often did one get held up by legends?

***************************

"All right folks settle down, just need to remove something from the mail car and then we'll have you on your way," Kid Curry said to the people assembled before him.

"Kid we got us a problem here," Heyes called from the mail car.

"Do we ever not?" Kid sighed getting off his horse and walking over to where his partner was sitting in awe in front of an old ancient safe.

"What's the matter you've opened that one before and we got a whole hour for we need to move out," Kid said at his puzzlement.

"They cemented the door shut."

"THEY WHAT?" Kid said jumping up incredulous.

"That's not the best of it, they also stuck it firm to the boxcar," Heyes said amused in spite of himself.

Kid found himself laughing, "Well the owner of this here railroad was bound to be getting a little annoyed you hitting it three times running."

"I know, but how's he gonna open it!" Heyes said pushing back his hat clearly delighted with the problem even though he tried to hide it.

"I don't think he cares as long as you don't," Kid grinned.

"Gonna take a little finesse and some nitro, but I can open this. Tell Hank to rig me up a handle detonator. Stick shut my safe will they!"

"Well as long as you enjoy yourself Heyes, that's the only reason we pull these little jobs," Kid said walking away to begin shouting orders.

"Excuse me, I hate to bother you?" Heyes looked up surprised at the tired eyes looking up at him as he sat studying the safe from the boxcar floor.

She had wife and mother written all over her and as a rule this kind wanted nothing to do with him and usually made sure they kept as much distance as possible.

"Yes ma'am?" he asked politely.

"I was just wondering if you knew how long we would be delayed? My family, well my husband won't want to wait extra, his mother gets weary and…" she stopped suddenly feeling dreadfully foolish as she looked up at the dashing young outlaw and back down at her red work worn hands and faded cotton dress. "I'm sorry, forgive me, never mind."

Heyes was touched by the sheer weight of her weariness and on impulse jumped down and caught her arm.

"Not a problem Miss?"

"Eloise Brown, Mrs. Eloise Brown," she said surprised.

"Hannibal Heyes at your service ma'am," he said tipping his hat and noting the wisps of hair all ready hinting at gray, but appreciatively took in the wide brown eyes and freckles. She had been pretty once, maybe she still was, just nobody bothered to tell her so she could remember to be.

"Hannibal Heyes," she said and almost smiled, the adventure of meeting him breaking up her existence and she came alive at the brush with such excitement.

"Just got us a little delay, railroad is getting uppity about us opening their safes," Heyes said as Kid walked over. "Pretty ladies tend to make the waiting worth it though," he suddenly said dangerously, causing his partner to blink at him.

It took her a moment to realize he meant her and she looked up gratefully startled.

"Eloise," he continued improperly using her first name without permission and saying it like no man had ever said it before or ever would again. "This is my partner Kid Curry. Let's get you comfortable over in the shade over there. Kid, have Preacher keep an eye on her. I think me and the lady are gonna need to get better acquainted before we pull out."

He then gave her a wicked wink that caught her and his partner off guard and taking her arm in his possessively strolled off with her.

What are you doing Heyes? Kid thought confused. Not that he didn't think the lady was worth the interest, but Heyes had a strict and fast rule about the passengers and nobody, but nobody broke it.

"Uh will do," Kid said and for a split second took another look and suddenly saw what Heyes had seen. Sometimes life needed an edge or a hint of one, just so you could tell the days apart.

"That was very nice of your partner," Leonora Crimley, smiled from where she had been watching.

Kid took in the older woman and her kind smile and serviceable lady like clothes and guessed schoolteacher correctly.

"Retired," she said filling in the blank and he smiled embarrassed.

"Sorry ma'am didn't mean to stare, don't often see ladies traveling alone this far west, figured you for a teacher."

"Ah they are ones no one bothers with so they can?" she guessed laughing.

"Nope, just usually have a confidence about them," he said and it was clear it was a compliment. "So you traveling now your retired?"

"I had hoped to, but well sometimes life doesn't always allow us our dreams."

"No ma'am, but life can be reasoned with if you prod it enough," he said sincerely.

She smiled and he liked what it did to her. This woman had spirit and heart and he admired such qualities.

"You are your partner are very nice for outlaws," she said amused.

"Nice ma'am? Don't be thinking that, notorious the lot of us. Might also want to keep in mind the leaders of the gang always gets to take their pick of the pretty women on the train."

"Oh and I would be in danger?" she smiled.

"Doubly so ma'am, if I get past those angel eyes of yours I might just want a resourceful lady like yourself to join the gang."

She smiled, but he glared to show he was serious and got back to the job at hand.

**********************************

"This is gonna take a little longer than we figured folks, so why don't you all just set down and get comfortable. Nice day for a picnic!" Heyes ordered. "And when you finish eating we'll let you watch us blow that safe sky high."

His tone was so friendly and helpful the event took on a day at the fair and soon blankets were being spread out and families settling down to lunch and chatting happily with each other.

"Ain't you got no lunch?" Kyle said quietly to the lone boy leaning against the train.

"Nah, ain't hungry," Nick, aged 14 lied badly.

"I'm always hungry," Kyle grinned. "Usually carry me some jerky and an apple, ya never know with posses, names Kyle Mertree," Kyle said offering his hand and an apple.

"Uh Nick," the boy said uncomfortable with the man's easy kindness, but taking the apple and after pausing only a second devouring it. "You really gonna blow that safe?" he asked between desperate bites.

"If Heyes's says so. Trick is not to blow the money sky high as well."

"That happens?" Nick asked wide-eyed.

"Does when Kyle sets the dynamite," Wheat said going by with guffaw.

"Can I help?" Nick asked eagerly.

Kyle shifted eyeing up the skinny child and the painful way he moved. He knew what it was like to be beat and he knew the signs of someone recovering from a bad one. "Well I reckon we can find something for you to do. Jes remember were fierce and wanted outlaws and don't try nuthin' funny."

"Oh no sir! Thank you!"

**************************

"No lunch?" Kid said passing by Miss Crimley seated on the step reading.

She looked up, "I decided I could do with either the trip or eating, sometimes the soul is hungrier than the body," she smiled. "Don’t look so concerned Mr. Curry my stop is only two more up the line in Greendale."

"Yes ma'am," Kid nodded thoughtfully and then glanced down the train and back to the people. "Kyle," he said calling him over and frowned when Nick came with him.

"He's sort of helping me," Kyle explained nervously.

"You've taken on an apprentice?" Heyes said coming up and then turned to Kid. "I'm gonna need another 20 minutes."

"All right, but some of these people haven't got food, Kyle you and you're…" Kid rolled his eyes. "Apprentice go raid the private car at the front and pass out food for everyone that needs it, compliments of the railroad for their being delayed."

"Oh and make sure the lady over there gets something," Heyes said. "Oh and Kyle? If they got any champagne, bring her it as well."

"Champagne?" Kid said as Kyle and Nick hurried off.

"You always give champagne to the pretty ladies you carry off trains to ravish," Heyes said knowledgeably.

"Where do you get this stuff?"

"Kyle's latest dime novel."

"I told you to stop reading that stuff, gives you ideas," Kid said.

"Your just mad you didn't think of it first," Heyes said smugly.

************************

"Ah Reverend can I ask a favor?" Kid said and the old man got up with great dignity.

"Certainly young man."

"Uh we got some hungry people here, but I don't know as they are gonna take getting food from a bunch of outlaws. I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind helping pass it out, might go over better come from a man of God."

"Loaves and fishes?"

"Ah no sir, we got enough," Kid grinned.

"You know your Bible."

"My mother did sir, she made sure I did then as well."

"And yet you rob trains?" he said not unkindly. "Doesn't that grieve her?"

"Yes sir, I think it might, but the best I can do is rob 'em as right as I can."

The old man looked at him and Kid shifted under the gaze fearing a sermon, but instead he merely received compassion and a smile

"Certainly, I am at your disposable."

"Thank you sir," Kid said relieved.

"However Mr. Curry I must warn you that having met you I will be forced to pray for you and your partner now."

"Well sir, can't stop you and I'm grateful for the thought. Kinda a lost cause us two though."

The old man watched him walk away, "No lost causes with God Mr. Curry," he smiled and filled with energy at the thought of being needed he flagged down Kyle and Nick and got to work.

*****************************

"They taking good care of you?" Heyes smiled down at Eloise who was still staring at the glass of champagne and plate of food she had been handed.

"This is champagne!"

Heyes picked up the bottle; "Good stuff too, only the best for my lady!"

And with another of those winks he walked away whistling.

"His lady?" she stared unsure why such a claim made her suddenly feel 10 years younger.

"Yep Heyes he got himself a rule, leader always get the prettiest girl on the train," Preacher lied poker faced refilling her glass and his. "Does wear on the rest of us something fierce though," he admitted woefully.

She drank the champagne in one gulp and suddenly didn't care when or if the train ever got into the station.

******************************

"I think your hateful, Noah Montgomery and I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth," Lucy Bradley said hands on her hips.

"They're fighting again Wheat," Kyle said shaking his head watching in amazement with Nick and the Reverend, now that the food had been distributed.

"Tarnation why doesn't he just kiss the woman," Wheat grumbled. "You there, you a reverend?"

"Yes sir I am," Reverend Hemming said surprised.

"You marry people?"

"Yes son I do…if they want to be married."

"Yea well hang on a minute I got a job for you. Wait for my signal."

"How will I know…"

"You'll know," Wheat ordered. "Things I gotta do to keep a simple train robbery going…"

With that Wheat walked over and stopped and slowly and agonizingly looked Lucy up and down. "Hey Kyle what you think of this one?"

"She's pretty," Kyle said appreciatively.

"Yea well I figure if Heyes is taking women, I get to take one, come one sweetheart, you and me is gonna have us a little fun," he went to grab her arm, but instantly Noah was between them.

"Unhand my fiancée sir!"

"She ain't your wife?"

"Well no, not yet."

"Then she's fair game," Wheat said matter of factly. "Heyes says we can take any woman that's single. Married ones are off limits."

"Oh Noah!" Lucy said suddenly in his arms petrified.

"You'll get my woman over my dead body!" Noah said bravely, but his hands were shaking.

"Perhaps sir I can help with this problem, Reverend Hemmings," the minister introduced as Wheat coughed loudly and glared at the Pastor who jumped to attention. "If this couple were married then the lady would be of no concern to you is that true?"

"Yea I reckon," Wheat said after a moment.

"And since you young people are planning on tying the knot all ready perhaps I could just do it now?"

"Marry him…now?" Lucy said startled.

"Well lessin you'd rather be my girl," Wheat said hopeful

"Oh no! NO, I mean, I love Noah, I always have. If he doesn't mind…"

"How could I mind? I adore you!" he said kissing her.

"Hot damn we got us a wedding!" Kyle yelled and then added sincerely. "Can I be best man?"

*********************************

"What are those two doing over there?" Heyes said looking up from the final step on setting up the explosion on the safe.

"Seems we got a wedding," Kid said trying not to smile knowing his partner's response.

"A what! Kid we got picnic and now wedding, what kind of outlaws are people gonna think we are?"

"Sociable ones, I just hope they all don't start expecting lunch every time we take a train now. Besides champagne Heyes?"

Heyes glared at him uncomfortable, "I can have any woman I want, I'm the leader of the gang! Besides she reminds me of…never mind, I just can and if we happen to pull out before I have my wicked way with her well, sometimes it works that way."

"Uh huh," Kid laughed.

"You wanna just get everyone ready so we can blow this," Heyes said ignoring him.

"Hang on I got somebody I want to do the job."

"You what?"

"You got your woman, I got mine."

****************************

"You ready?" Kid asked Miss Crimley who giggled like a schoolgirl making the crowd let out another cheer.

"This isn't a train robbery it’s a state fair," Heyes said rolling his eyes at the circus like atmosphere. Everyone had gathered around on the announcement the safe was going up and Miss Crimley, hands shaking, was going to be the one to blow it.

"This is very nice of you boys to let me do this," she said eyes sparkling.

"Told you we could use you in the gang," Kid grinned. "When you're ready ma'am."

She frowned in concentration and then leaned down on the handle.

A moment a later the explosion rocked the earth and everyone peered up eagerly.

Kyle and Kid reached the boxcar first and Kyle let out a whoop.

"She's open!" Kyle yelled!

The cheer was thunderous.

*********************

"I figure I should at least get to kiss the bride," Wheat said hat in hand and before Lucy could object he had kissed her on the cheek and turned to walk away, but not before adding. "You look after her boy. Not every man beats out an outlaw for a woman."

Noah nodded putting a protective arm around her shoulders suddenly growing in stature in her and his eyes.

"Don't you got a sister named Lucy?" Kyle asked innocently as they walked away.

"Shut up Kyle."

****************************

"So what you say Mr. Curry can I join the gang?" Nick asked hesitantly. He had asked Kyle first, but Mertree had been wise enough to explain he needed to talk to one of the two outlaw leaders.

Kid took in the skinny boy in front of him and stared him down hard, "Yea I reckon we could use a man like you, ever kill a anyone?" he added matter of factly as if that would be a bonus.

Nick swallowed, "No sir."

"Well you get used to it."

"I don't think I could get used to that sir."

Kid nodded, "Well some don't, look you want to be an outlaw or just looking for work?"

"For work sir," the boys said eager to have an out.

"That's what I thought. Reverend?" Kid asked as the man stood off to the side listening concerned. "Wonder if you could do me a favor. I got a job here for Nick, there a telegraph in your town?"

"Uh yes, yes there is, about six stops down the line."

"That be about right. You mind if he gets off with you and you show him where it is?"

"No, I think that would be all right. Nick and I seem to be getting along rather well," the Reverend smiled. "And I would be glad of the company."

"Yea well I need a telegraph sent with some money, quite a bit of money, you think you can manage that Nick? I'll give you a hundred dollars you get it right, you don't I'll shoot you where you stand."

"Oh no Mr. Curry I'll get it right!" Nick said positive.

"Okay it's to go to a town a couple of stops up the line, Greendale, and the message is this…"

******************************

.

"Guess I got unlucky and ran out of time," Heyes smile down at Eloise who looked up a little breathless. "Sure would like to take you with me, but posses chase harder when you take the women."

"You're letting me go?"

"Regretfully. You tell that husband of yours he got lucky this time," Heyes said, "But he better understand I ever get a second chance, I won't let you get away again."

And leaning over he pulled her to him and kissed her just long enough to matter.

"Good Bye Eloise," he smiled tipping his hat and helping her up the steps.

"Good bye Mr. Heyes," the pretty young woman smiled back.

"Don't know what her family is gonna say when they hear about that!" one of the women from the train gasped to the other.

"Just make sure they do," Heyes said under his breath with a smile and signaled the engineer.

*******************************

"Well we got $35,000, not a bad day's work," Heyes said watching the train pull away.

"Put on enough of a show to do it," Wheat said disgusted. "Letting a school teacher blow the safe."

"Well it weren't no worse than feeding orphans or marrying folks!" Kid growled back.

"I think we need to spend a little less time socializing with the passengers on our next job," Heyes said firmly.

The group as one stared at him.

"What?" he asked innocently and then yelled, "All right lets move 'em out."

"Champagne," Kid sighed disgusted as they did.

"At least I didn't let a school teacher join the gang! She's never gonna take that money you sent her as her share," Heyes pointed out.

"I know, that's why the school board is sending it with regrets for the error all those years in her pay," Kid grinned back pleased with himself.

"You really are getting devious," Heyes said genuinely impressed. "How did you get like that?"

"I have no idea Heyes, but I'm hoping watching you will cure me of these notorious and wicked ways," Kid said dryly.

"I should hope so," Heyes said and then added with great emphasis and resolve. "I mean its not like we got big hearts or are getting soft. We rob trains and banks, and rob them pretty darn well I might add."

"Of course we do Heyes," Kid said innocently causing his partner eyes to narrow as he looked at him, but Kid merely went on sincerely. "And just as long as you're enjoying yourself we'll keep robbing them as right as we can."