THE KOBBEHS OF THE ROCKIES.

Tuapeka Times, Issue 1491, 19 September 1888, Page 5

THE KOBBEHS OF THE ROCKIES.

Dr J. Cameron Lees gives, in the July number of " G-ood Words," an account of his experiences last November, when the train in which he crossed the Eocky Mountains on his way from San Francisco to New York fell into the hands of robbers. He writes : — ' There were a good many carriages on the train, and the ' Pulman ' in which I travelled had about twenty passengers. We were very sociable, and time passed quickly. As soon as it was dark the berths on each side of the car were made up by the negro attendant, the heavy curtains drawn, and we all went to bed. I had been sleeping soundly when I was awakened at 2 in the morning by the train being brought suddenly to a standstill. Being in the lower berth, I had the advantage of having a window to look out of. As there was no railway station visible, and the train showed no sign of going on, I became convinced that something was wrong, and awakened my fellowpassenger in the opposite berth. As he was partially dressed, he said he would go and see what was up, and made his way to the open platform of the car. On his appearing outside be was asked by a man standing near the track what he wanted. He replied that he merely wished to know what had stopped the train, when he received the not very assuring answer, emphasised by a gun pointed at him, 1 Go back, you , or I'll drill a hole through you !' The occupants of the car were now wide awake, and popping their heads out from behind tbe curtains of their berths, discussed the situation in a lively manner. It was now evident that we were ' held up,' and the conversation turned on what was likely to be the upshot. I was particularly struck by the good humour with whicq everyone seemed to regard the occurrence. It apparently was regarded by them as a very amusing experience, and by none more than by the ladies of our party, who joined freely in the conversation. No one could at all have imagined that they were expecting every moment a summons to march out in dishabille and take their stand in a row on the railway bank. Shouts of laughter abounded as one Yankee after another made dry observations as to what was likely to happen, and how the robbers would make bay of tbe beds while we stood shivering in the moonlight. Amid the merriment, however, there was evidently an effort by the passengers to make their money as safe as circumstances would permit. From all parts of the compartment there resounded the clink of coin. One person opposite me put his watch into a boot. ' Where have you put your money?' I heard a passenger in the next berth say to another. 'I have ripped up my mattress and put it there.' * Put it all in ?' < Yaas.' ' Well, then, I guess you had better take some out. Them boyj knows you warn't travelling this line without a cent' Then there was more clinking heard, as a reasonable sum was trans* ferred from the mattress to tbe owner's purse. From an opposite berth I saw a lady emerge, robed in a dressing-gown. She marched down the compartment to the door, where there stood a large tin cistern holding iced water. The lid of this she lifted and dropped in some hundred dollars. Eeplacing the lid she went back to her couch triumphantly. ' Guess they won't look there,' she said to me as she passed by. Looking out of the window again I saw a curious sight. By the side of the truck stood the enginedriver and two others in* a row with their hands above their heads. They appeared like so many boys at school ; I saw no one else but a stout middleaged man in a huge cowboy hat, with a gun in his hand. He looked like a

well-to-do farmer. While I was watching, the engine-driver and his mates got up on the train, the engine gave a sharp snort, and to our great astonishment on we went. At the first station we stopped, and we then got information as to what had really occurred. The engine-driver had seen a light set on the middle of tbe track. This was the usual signal to stop, and he pulled up. He found five men, dressed like cowboys, and with blackened faces, waiting for him, who told him and his mates to come down and hold up their bands. Each of the robbers carried pistols and a rifle. Having placed a guard over the three men, they proceeded to the mail- car. This they left in a state of inexpressible confusion. The bags, I think thirtysix in number, containing registered letters they took possession of. They then went to the car where the safe was kept, and ordered the man inside to open it. He said he could not do that, as it opened by an arrangement of letters composing a word. The word had been telegraphed on ahead, and he did not know it. ' I'll give you ten minutes,' said the other, ' and if you don't open it, guess you'll have to die.' When the ten minutes had elapsed he was going to execute his threat, but one of his comrades interfered, saying be believed the man was telling the truth. They then worked at the safe for some time, but after many attempts bad to give up hopes of opening it. Afterwards they held a consultation as to whether they should go through the cars, but decided there were too many passengers for them to cope with. Going down to the track, they removed two logs of woods they had placed across the rails. ' Gret up,' said the leader politely to the enginedriver. * Now you may go on — goodnight !' Their whole booty was thus only the mail -bags with the registered letters, the value of which it was impossible to tell."