hey could not run away with the train.

A swarm of the thieves had approached the passenger coaches under the
leadership of Frank, and dividing into several detachments, each party
took a car.

The train only consisted of the locomotive, the express car, two day
coaches and two sleepers.

As the bandits crowded into the doorways they began to fire into the
cars to intimidate the passengers.

A tremendous clamor arose.

Women shrieked and fainted, men yelled for mercy, and a wild panic
ensued that beggars description.

The bandits rushed in in the midst of the confusion, and flourishing
their knives and pistols in the faces of the terrified passengers, they
demanded their valuables.

Out came pocketbooks, watches, rings, studs, bracelets, lace pins, and
scores of other things.

While this was going on, Jesse and several of the men had gone to the
door of the express car.

It was guarded by an express messenger, and a trainman.

"Open that door!" yelled Jesse.

"Never!" came the determined reply from within. "Never for you!"

"If you don't we'll blow it open!"

"You can't do it!"

"We can't, hey?"

And crack--bang! went Jesse's revolver.

The ball tore a hole through the car.

It was echoed by a fusillade from within.

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

One of the bullets hit Jack Keene, and made him yell with pain.

It infuriated the bandits to have the two men resist them in that
summary fashion, and they let drive a volley.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang! went the shots.

"There's but a slim show to hit them," said McMillan.

"I'll teach them a lesson!" said Jesse, savagely.

He got several sticks of dynamite, tied them in a bunch, and fastened
them along the door sill.

Standing back, he aimed his revolver at it and fired.

Boom! thundered the explosive.

There was a lurid gleam, and the stout planks of the door were torn and
shattered, and a yell of delight pealed from the bandits, for an opening
had been made into the car.

The force of the explosion had almost hurled the express car from the
tracks.

Jesse made a rush for the opening.

He looked like a demon now, for his temper was up.

"Charge!" he yelled.

After him rushed several of the men.

Before they could get into the car, three strange-looking apparitions
came dashing down the track.

They were Jack, Tim and Fritz, in their metal suits.

Losing not an instant, they opened fire upon the bandits, their bullets
fly