Project Gutenberg's Jack Wright and His Electric Stage;, by "Noname" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Jack Wright and His Electric Stage; or, Leagued Against the James Boys Author: "Noname" Release Date: September 19, 2007 [EBook #22670] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK WRIGHT ELECTRIC STAGE *** Produced by Richard Halsey header JACK WRIGHT AND HIS ELECTRIC STAGE; OR, Leagued Against the James Boys. By "NONAME," Author of "Jack Wright and His Electric Battery Diver," etc., etc. CHAPTER I. THE BANDIT KING. As the 11:30 A. M. express train from New York was speeding toward the fisher village of Wrightstown, one of the passengers went out on the rear platform of the last car and intently gazed back along the rails. He was a compactly built man, with rather rough clothing on, and the soft felt hat on his head shaded a bearded face, which denoted a daring, reckless disposition. A half smothered oath escaped his lips as he caught view of a locomotive chasing the train he was on, for he distinctly saw a man in the cab whom he recognized as one of his worst enemies. "Sheriff Timberlake!" he growled between his clenched teeth, as a dark scowl mantled his brow. "Curse him! he is hot after us now, and if he overhauls this train he may give us no end of trouble." "The skunk has followed us all the way from Missouri, and after we saw the sights of New York, and gave him the slip, he must have discovered that we started for home in this train. Now he has evidently hired that locomotive to chase and capture us. I'll go in and tell the boys. We must keep out of his reach." His anxiety was caused by observing that the pursuing locomotive was slowly but surely gaining on the train. Opening the door, he passed into the car. It was occupied by four men, who were part of a gang of outlaws whom he commanded, for the bearded man was the notorious bandit king, Jesse James. The men who were with him were known as Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell Miller and Frank James–a brother of Jesse. Sitting in a bunch, they were quietly laughing and talking over their experience in New York, when the chief hurried in with a look of supreme disgust upon his face. The moment the rest glanced up at him and saw it, they knew something out of the ordinary had happened. "What's the matter, Jesse?" demanded Jim Cummins. "You look as if you'd seen a ghost!" laughed Frank, jocularly. "What sent you out on the rear platform!" asked Wood Hite. "Timberlake is after us," said Jesse, with a steely glitter in his eyes. "Thunder!" roared Clell Miller. With one accord the quartet pulled revolvers from their pockets, bounded to their feet and sprang into the aisle. A grim smile passed over the face of Jesse James for a moment, and as it faded sway, he made as impatient gesture and said: "He is on a locomotive that is chasing us." "Sure!" asked Cummins, with a dubious look. "I saw him in the caboose." "Can he overtake us?" asked Frank. "Eventually; but we mustn't let him." "How can we prevent it?" queried Miller. "By jumping off at the next curve and hiding." "Good!" exclaimed Wood Hite, "Where's the curve?" "Just before we reach Wrightstown." "Let's get ready for it then," suggested Frank. "All right," assented the bandit king; "but be careful that no one detects us. To avoid being seen we must leave by the rear platform." As he said this he thrust his head out the open window, and peering ahead, he studied the roadbed. Satisfied with his scrutiny; he said to his companions: "There's the curve about a mile ahead." "Well?" demanded Cummins. "The train is bound to slacken speed when it goes around. A mass of timber, bushes and rocks abutt into the curve. It will hide our movements from the sheriff's view. We can easily hide there." Stationing themselves near the rear door, they waited. In a few minutes the cars reached the curve and went around. As the last car turned they dashed out upon the rear platform, and one after another they sprang to the ground. Then they plunged late the bushes. Gathering speed again, the express train ran away without them, and a few minutes afterward a locomotive came flying along in pursuit of it with an engineer, a stoker and the sheriff in the cab. The bandits glared from their coverts at Timberlake like so many wild beasts as he sped by, ignorant of the trick they played upon him, and nearly all of them gripped their pistols with a burning desire to fire at him. It would have been too rash to do that. In fact Jesse observed their anxiety, and hissed in warning tones: "Don't drop him!" In a moment more the locomotive was gone. The outlaws emerged from their places of concealment. "How long before Timberlake will discover our ruse?" asked Frank. "If the train goes on, not for an hour yet," replied Jesse, as he cast a swift glance around. "But we are in a sorry plight now." "How do you mean?" "You know we all lost every dollar we had, playing faro in the city. How are we going to ride back to Missouri without a cent? It's my opinion that we'll have to do some work about Wrightstown to get ahead. The last dollar I had went for the purchase of tickets to Missouri, which we gave the conductor." The gang looked very glum. "What sort of a place is Wrightstown?" asked Cummins, finally. "I've heard that it's a fisher village. A young fellow named Jack Wright lives there. He's an inventor of electric machines for flying through the air, navigating under water, and running over the land. Everybody has heard of him. He has the reputation of being one of the richest boys in the country. By means of his famous inventions he has made a barrel of money." "Then he's our game," said Frank, decisively. "Yes," assented Jesse. "He's about the only one from whom we could expect to make a rich haul. I hope he's at home. I've got a plan in view now by means of which I can bunco him out of several thousands of dollars, if we can operate the game before the Wrightstown Bank closes." "What are you going to do?" eagerly asked Miller. "I'll show you when I try the trick. It's a very smooth game, and if I'm clever enough I'll succeed. Come on to the village, and see if we can operate it. We've got to have money. If we can't get it by means of the plan in view, I'm going to lay out the first man I meet, and go through him." The rest chuckled at this remark. Going to the village, they found it to be a thriving place at the head of a beautiful bay on the Atlantic sea coast. There was a bank on the main street, and when it was located, Jesse said to Frank: "In nearly all banks there is a desk or table, for the benefit of depositors, on which are pens, ink, deposit slips, and blank checks. You go into the bank, and pocket several of the checks. There's an old hostelry down there near the bay called the Sea Spider House. We will register there, and you'll find us in the bar room." Frank James nodded, and in a moment his compact and wiry body was going rapidly down the street. Although Frank was a desperate, fearless ruffian, he had a pleasant face, keen gray eyes, a light mustache, and a most quiet air and unassuming manner. No one would have suspected him of being a bandit, and as he was a fairly good talker, full of grit and coolness, and best suited for the work in hand, Jesse trusted him implicitly. The outlaws registered at the hostelry with as much sang froid as if their pockets were lined with gold. They patronized the bar liberally, had the drinks charged to their account, and ordered a fine luncheon. Frank soon returned. He had the blank checks. Handing them to Jesse he said in low tones: "No trouble at all. The clerks paid no attention to me." "They'll soon have reason to remember us," grimly answered Jesse. Telling his companions to remain there until he returned, he left the hotel, asked a pedestrian the way to Jack Wright's house, and having received the desired information, made his way there. It proved to be a magnificent mansion, standing in the midst of a handsome garden which sloped down to a creek. There was a fine big workshop standing at the foot of the garden, upon the bank of this creek, in which the young inventor constructed the machines that made him world renowned. Jesse James boldly ascended the piazza, rang the bell, and an old sailor with a sandy beard, a glass eye and a wooden leg, answered it. His name was Tim Topstay, and he lived with the inventor and not only aided him to build his inventions, but always went with Jack on the adventurous journeys he made. "Waal, messmate," said he, in bluff, hearty tones, as he took a chew of navy plug, and scanned the outlaw with his solitary eye. "Wot kin I do fer yer ter-day?" "Is Mr. Jack Wright in?" politely asked the bandit. "He are," replied Tim. "D'yer wanter see him?" "Yes, sir, and on important business too." "Then step inter ther library an I'll call him fer ye." Ignorant of the dangerous nature of the caller Tim ushered him into a cozy library and left him there. A fat young Dutchman was in the room, but he immediately left it, casting an inquiring look at the bandit king. His name was Fritz Schneider, and he had yellow hair, watery blue eyes, an enormous stomach and a pugnacious temperament. Fritz and Tim were chums and the fat fellow occupied about the same position in the house as the old marine did. A few moments afterward Jack Wright entered. The outlaw keenly sized him up and observed that he was a well dressed young fellow with a sturdy figure, not particularly good looking as his features were very angular, but his dark eyes showed a very high spirit. "You wish to see me, sir?" he asked, as he studied Jesse and felt a most repugnant sensation creep over him. "I have called on a begging expedition," bluntly replied the bandit, inventing a plausible lie. "I live in Missouri, and wish to go home. I was unlucky enough to lose my pocket-book. I am an utter stranger here, and did not know what to do to raise ten dollars to pay my car fare. Having been told that you was a charitable man, I wish to know if you will lend me the money. I will gladly mail the amount to you when I reach home." "Why certainly I'll let you have it," replied Jack. "To prove to you that I want the money only for the purpose I mentioned," glibly preceded the outlaw, "you can make out a check payable to the bearer, and you will find the voucher stamped or endorsed by the railroad company in payment for my ticket." "I would have been obliged to give you a check anyway," laughed Jack, "for I've only got three or four dollars in cash in my pocket. Just wait, and I'll give you the check." He sat down at his desk, and Jesse saw him pick up several checks exactly like the ones purloined from the bank by Frank. Jack filled out one of the orders for ten dollars. He handed it to Jesse, and the bandit thanked him like a very grateful man, repeated his assurance that he would refund the money upon his arrival at home, and then departed. Jesse James was delighted at his success thus far. Returning to the hotel, he procured pen and ink, retired to his room and studied Jack's check intently. The signature to it was a very peculiar one that the most expert forger in the world would have found it almost impossible to imitate. But the rest of the writing was easy to copy. The bandit practiced the formation of the different letters for over an hour, and made a good imitation of them. "And now to raise Wright's cheek," he muttered in tones of exultation, when he saw how successful he was. CHAPTER II. SWINDLING THE INVENTOR. The date, number, amount, and figures designating the amount of money Jack's check called for were written. Jesse now took one of the blank checks Frank got for him, and imitating Jack's writing, he filled it in with the same number as the good check; after the words: "Pay to the order of—" he wrote, "Bearer," as Jack had done; before the word "Dollars," on the next line he wrote "Five thousand," and after the mark "$–" he put "5,000." He left out the date and signature. These were unnecessary in the trick he was playing. Having satisfied himself that his writing bore a close resemblance to that on Jack's check, he laid the check he had filled out one top of the one Jack gave him with the greatest care, so that all the lines on one were exactly opposite the lines on the other. This he ascertained by holding them up to the light and staring through the thin paper. When he had them matched exactly, he located a spot across the width of both where no writing was seen. Holding the checks tightly together he tore them in two, just as if the two checks were one thickness of paper. Consequently both were torn exactly alike. Taking off the two top pieces he laid them side by side, joining the edges where they were torn, and then did the same with the other check. This done he took the right hand piece of Jack's check, upon which were the date at the top and signature at the bottom. He then took the left hand piece of the check he had made out and put it to the piece with the signature which Jack inscribed. The check now, instead of being for ten dollars, called for $5,000 and although a composite thing the signature was no forgery, and that was the principal writing studied by the paying tellers of banks. It looked like a perfectly genuine check torn in two, for as both checks had been torn together, the curves of one fit the grooves of the other piece to perfection. Jesse now burned up the remaining two pieces. "Eureka!" he exclaimed, with an evil smile. "I've done it well. The most experienced bank clerk in the country would fail to detect the deception. Now to get it cashed!" He put on his hat, and holding the two pieces of check in his hand, he left the Sea Spider House. Making his way to the Wrightstown bank, he coolly entered, and approaching the paying teller's little brass barred window, he thrust in the two pieces of check and said blandly: "Please cash that for me." "You've torn the check in two," said the paying teller. "I had it in my breast pocket, and as I was coming in the door I put my hand in my pocket to draw it out, when the end of the check caught in some books and it ripped in two." The paying teller matched the torn ends. They fitted with the utmost accuracy. He then keenly scanned the signature. Familiar with Jack Wright's checks as he was, he saw at a glance that the signature was genuine. Without the slightest hesitation he cashed the check, paying the bandit with one hundred dollar bills. Jesse requested him to give him bills of smaller denomination for one of the bank notes, and when this was done, he leisurely counted the money, placed it in his pocket and strolled out into the Street. Here he came face to face with Jack. The young Inventor was just about to enter the bank. The shock upon a man of weaker nerves than Jesse James had, to thus meet Jack, would have been awful. But the bandit king bad nerves of steel. He did not start, turn pale, or twitch a muscle. On the contrary he assumed a cheerful smile, shook hands very heartily with Jack, and said in apologetic tones: "I deemed it best to pay for my railroad fare in cash, so I came here and got the money for your check, Mr. Wright." "It's just as well you did," replied the Inventor. "I'm a director of this bank, and hold the position of president. The board meets to- day, and as I need some cash, I'm killing two birds with one stone." "Very clever," said Jesse. "Good-bye. I must be off." "Good-day, sir," said Jack, and he entered the bank. The bandit strode swiftly to the Sea Spider House. He found his companions dining, and joining them, he made a good meal, and at its conclusion all hands repaired to the bar again, and indulged in several more drinks. Jesse then startled his companions by pulling out his big wad of bills, and paying the landlord for their fare. The moment the gang got him alone, Frank whispered: "Where did you get the roll, Jess?" "From Jack Wright," laughed the outlaw. "Tell us about it!" "Certainly. It was the easiest game I ever played, and I got $5,000 out of it, too. Ha, ha, ha!" Looks of intense astonishment appeared on the faces of his friends. He then explained what he had done. A roar of delight went up from the gang when he finished. "Bully for you, Jess!" "Oh, Lord, what a game!" "You've done splendidly." "What a roasting for the bank!" They laughed and chuckled over it for some time. But suddenly the solemned-faced Frank exclaimed in startled tones: "Say! Suppose Jack Wright finds out in the bank what you've done! We'll have all the police in this town looking for us. Hadn't we better get out of here?" "Oh, don't hurry yourself," coolly replied Jesse, as he noted the blank look of dismay on the faces of the rest produced by his brother's words. "There's no danger." The bandit king always exercised a powerful influence over his brother and his men, and they immediately became imbued with his reckless carelessness, and got over the sadden fright which had for a moment shocked them. Jesse then questioned the hotel keeper about the departure of trains from there, and learned that they could not leave Wrightstown in less than an hour. He told his companions the news. Before the train came in which, they intended to depart, another one arrived from the opposite direction. Sheriff Timberlake was aboard. His locomotive had caught up with the express train, and he boarded her, and learned that a passenger had seen five men spring aground at the Wrightstown curve. As Jesse James and his men were not aboard, he at once presumed it was they who had thus eluded him. He, therefore, alighted at the next station, and boarded the first train back for Wrightstown. By dint of inquiring, he discovered that five men who answered to the description of his prey, were at the Sea Spider Hotel, and made his way there. When he reached the hotel, he learned that the men were there, and had retired to one of the rooms. Timberlake was a man who never wasted words. When he spoke or acted, it was to the point. He therefore made no remark, but quickly made his way up-stairs, sure that he had his prey cornered. By moving quietly, and listening at the different doors, he finally located the sound of several voices coming from the room occupied by the James Boys. He recognized them at once as the voices of the gang whom he had tracked to New York. "It's time to get ready, boys," he heard Jesse say. "We've got ten minutes yet," replied Cummins. "Just time enough to reach the depot," added Frank. The sheriff smiled, and produced a brace of revolvers. Flinging open the door he saw the five men in the bedroom, sitting around a table upon which stood an empty whisky bottle and a deck of cards with which they had been amusing themselves. Leveling his pistols at the outlaws he cried: "Hands up!" "Timberlake!" roared Jesse. "Quick, obey or I'll fire!" "Caught!" muttered Frank. "I've got the drop on you!" They saw that resistance was simply madness, so up went their hands and the keen glance of the sheriff swept over the party and he counted four men. Miller was missing. For a moment there was deep silence. The bandits had time to recover from their panic. "Let up, Timberlake, and I'll give you $5,000," said Jesse. "Not for ten times that amount," replied the sheriff. "You can't take all of us." "Two will do–you and Frank." "Will nothing bribe you?" "Absolutely nothing." Jesse uttered a sharp signal whistle. It echoed piercingly through the hotel, and the sheriff started and demanded with a frown: "What did you do that for?" "To summon assistance," coolly replied Jesse. "You won't get any here." "Oh, yes, we will. You'll see." "I am going—" He never finished that sentence. Miller had heard the danger signal, came up in the hall, saw how the situation stood, and stealing up quietly behind Timberlake, he dealt the plucky officer a stunning blow with the butt of his pistol. It knocked the sheriff down. He was hardly prostrate before the whole gang was upon him, and while one took the pistols away from him, the rest bound and gagged him. He thus was rendered perfectly helpless. When he recovered from the effect of the blow, he found himself at the mercy of the gang, unable to move or speak, and tied up to the old-fashioned bed post. "Fool," said Jesse, standing before him, and bending a burning glance upon him of mingled hate and rage. "Are you soft enough to imagine you can get away with all of us single handed?" Timberlake did not reply of course. But the look of intense fury he bestowed upon Jesse, amply evinced all that was passing in his mind. "We are going to leave you here," preceded the king of the bandits, "and we are going back to Clay County. I'd like to blow your head off before we go, but that would run my bead in the hangman's noose. If you are unlucky enough to stumble across my path again, though, I shall be less merciful. I'd wipe you out as I would a viper." Gagged as he was, Timberlake remained silent. "Come, boys, let us begone," said Jesse turning to his companions. "We barely have time to catch the train." They filed out of the room, and Jesse locked the door, carried the key away, and they left the hotel. Making speed, they quickly reached the railroad depot. A train was just leaving. They quickly boarded it. Away they were whirled to Missouri. And that was the last Wrightstown ever saw of them. CHAPTER III. THE ELECTRIC STAGE. Toward evening a chambermaid in the Sea Spider House went up to the room which had been occupied by the James Boys and discovered Sheriff Timberlake bound and gagged. She was very much frightened at first, and ran screaming from the room, for she thought the apartment was vacant and had gone up to put it in order. The landlord heard her shrieks, learned what frightened her, and hastening up to the room liberated the sheriff. "Another victim of these villains!" he exclaimed. "Have they got the best of some one else?" asked Timberlake. "Yes; the evening paper contains an account of a clever check swindle they played on the Wrightstown Bank, by duping Jack Wright, the most respected young citizen in this town." "How long have they been gone?" "They departed a few minutes after you went up here at noon." "Do you know which way they went?" "The paper says they boarded a westbound train." "In that case they've given me the slip again." "Why did they treat you this way?" "I am the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, and they were Jesse and Frank James, the notorious bandits, and three of their gang." "Good heavens! and I harbored them here!" "Of course you did not know who they were." "Certainly not, if I had I would have handed them over to the police." "Let me read the newspaper account." The landlord handed him the paper. He read the article, which gave an account of how Jack Wright had been cheated, and added, in conclusion, that after the inventor entered the bank he discovered the swindle. The police were notified. They traced the James Boys to the hotel. But when they got there the birds had flown. Hastening to the railroad depot, they discovered that the bandits had made their escape on the cars. They telegraphed to the authorities ahead of the train at its first stopping place to arrest the bandits. But the reply finally came back that the cars did not stop there, as the bandits had taken possession of the engine, and were seen forcing the engineer to keep the train going by menacing him with their pistols. Timberlake was not surprised at this. He knew that there were no more desperate men than the James Boys, and was aware that they would resort to any means to escape. "I can't do anything farther," he sighed. "At least, not until I get back to Missouri. I think I'll call on Jack Wright, and get all the facts from him of the bank swindle." He thereupon left the hotel. Going to Jack's house, he found the inventor in. Introducing himself, and showing his credentials, the sheriff had a long talk about the matter with the inventor. In conclusion, he said: "For a long time I have tried every means to capture those bandits. But they slip away from me with the most remarkable ease every time I feel surest I've got them. There's a reward of $5,000 offered by the governor of the State for their capture, and I and a Pinkerton detective named Carl Greene have been making the most desperate efforts to capture the James Boys, and break up their gang. We have thus far failed to do so." "Why has it been such a difficult task?" asked Jack. "In the first place, Jesse James owns a horse named Siroc which is unequaled in speed and intelligence by any horse in the world that I know of, and he can easily outfoot the fleetest animal that ever chased him." "Well," asked Jack, "suppose an electric overland engine were to chase that remarkable quadruped, don't you think he might be overtaken? The engine I refer to can run at the rate of fifty miles an hour over rough ground." "Any engine could last longer than a horse, and such a machine as you mention could outspeed that horse. But, of course, such an engine is an utter impossibility." "You are mistaken," said Jack, quietly. "How so?" asked Timberlake, with a puzzled look. "Because I have got such an engine." "You have?" "Just finished building it." "And it runs by electricity?" "Entirely so." "Without tracks?" "On the ground." "And at fifty miles an hour?" "Yes. I have tested her to that speed." "This, if true, is most extraordinary." "No, it isn't. I have constructed such machines before." "I've been told you are an inventor of electrical contrivances." "Do you doubt the probability of such an engine?" "Candidly, I do." "Do you want me to prove it?" "By all means." "Then come with me. I'll show it to you." "I am burning with curiosity to see the wonderful affair." Jack smiled and led his caller out into the yard. Proceeding to the door of the workshop he opened it with a latch key and they entered a very large room. It was cast in gloom. Jack turned a switch on the wall. Instantly scores of brilliant incandescent electric lamps were put in circuit and blazed out, illuminating the room as if by day. A strange-looking vehicle in the form of a stage was disclosed standing in the middle of the apartment. Jack pointed at it and said: "There's the machine that will do all I claimed for it." "By thunder, that's an odd looking affair!" "She certainly is a peculiar carriage." "Yet she is very handsome, light, and durable." "Lift one end of her. You will be amazed at her weight." "How can one man lift such a heavy thing as that?" "Try, and you'll see." The sheriff complied. He was astonished to find he could raise her, Jack burst out laughing at his amazed expression. "I can't imagine what material she can be made of!" said the officer. "It's aluminum," replied Jack, "Have you a revolver?" "Yes–a 32 calibre weapon." "If you will put a bullet through her I'll give you $10,000." Timberlake's surprise increased, and he drew his weapon. Aiming it at the vehicle in various places he blazed away. Six shots were thus fired. He then closely examined the Terror, as the stage was named, and although he saw where each of the heavy caliber bullets had struck the machine, he failed to find a perforation. In fact he picked up the bullets from the ground fused and battered out of shape. Jack watched him with an amused smile. "What do you think of that for bullet-proof armor?" he asked. "It is simply wonderful–extraordinary!" Timberlake scanned the engine with newly awakened interest. It was about thirty feet long, by ten in breadth, rode on four broad cogged wheels, and was set on strong, flexible springs. Under the middle of the car was a powerful motor for revolving the wheels, in front of the dashboard was a projecting ram over which stood a search-light of 90,000 candle power, above the forward wheels were air brakes, the driver's seat was in front, and before it stood a steering wheel and several levers. All the actions of the Terror were controlled by these levers. Each side of the car was indented with four windows and four bull's-eyes, there was a door front and back, and a rear platform from which hung a ladder to get on and off. The lower section of the walls consisted of metal plates, while the upper part was made of aluminum wire netting, there was a small smokestack on top of the roof, and on each side a railed platform. Her interior was divided by partitions into three rooms, the forward one being a general living room containing bunks for sleeping, the middle one was a combined dining room and kitchen, the cooking being done on an electric stove, and the rear room was for storage. In it water and provisions, arms and ammunition, tools and many other useful articles were to be stowed. There were two compartments–one under the sleeping room floor in which stood the mechanism for running the Terror, and the other beneath the store room floor, in which stood a small powerful dynamo which operated automatically by a spring clockwork. All the room lamps and the search-light derived their current from the dynamo, while it worked the motor, and that in turn operated the driving wheel machinery. "It don't require a skilled electrician to see how the Terror operates." said Jack, as he showed the sheriff the interior, "for I have based her construction upon the simplest known principles." "Oh, I can readily see how she ought to work." "I'll give you an example," said Jack, seating himself behind the steering wheel and pulling a lever. That set the clockwork in motion, it spun the dynamo armature, a current was generated, flashed into the motor, the shaft operated the machinery, and the Terror rolled ahead. When she reached the end of the room he reversed the lever and she backed to the other wall. He then ran her around the room in a circle, steering by the wheel, and attained a tremendous velocity; he put on the brakes and she stopped within a few feet, and he turned a switch that caused the search-light and lamps in her to glow. By the time he finished the sheriff was wild with admiration of the extraordinary vehicle. "For what purpose did you build her? he asked Jack, when they finished maneuvering her, and alighted. "Just for fun, I have plenty of money and leisure, and a strong liking for building these electrical inventions." "But why did you say she could catch Jesse James' horse Siroc?" "Simply because I have made up my mind to do so?" "What! Go to Missouri in pursuit of the James Boys?" asked Timberlake, as he took up Jack's remark. "Yes, sir. I or the bank have lost five thousand dollars by a mean trick the bandit king played on me, and I mean to recover it." "League yourself with the State Government against the outlaws, and you may not only recover the stolen money, but you stand a mighty good chance of winning the standing reward of five thousand dollars for the arrest and conviction of the James Boys." "The money is no temptation to me whatever," asserted Jack. "I don't need it. But you must consider that I was greatly chagrined and mortified when I discovered what a clever game had been played upon me, and I am very anxious to even matters up with those villains. Besides, I rather like the wild, exciting adventures in view if I run after those outlaws." "You must not forget that it may cost your life." "Oh, I am aware of that! And say—" "Well?" "How would you like to accompany us?" "First-rate. I would be of great help to you, too, as I am familiar with all parts of the State." "That settles the matter then. You go with us." "When will you depart?" "I'm going to write to the Governor of Missouri, and I'll go just as soon as I get a reply from him." "I'll write him at the same time then, and I feel confident that we won't be there long before we break up that gang of outlaws, and have the James Boys behind the bars." CHAPTER IV. OFF FOR MISSOURI. The sheriff resolved to remain in Wrightstown, and start from there on the Terror, with Jack and his two friends. While awaiting a reply from the Governor of Missouri he put up at the Sea Spider house, and went daily to the young inventor's workshop to help get the engine ready. Jack had to purchase many necessary articles to equip the electric engine, and while they were stocking her, he said one day to Timberlake: "As you are the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, I cannot understand what, right you had to desert your post of duty there, and go off on a chase after the James Boys all the way to New York." "That mystery can easily be explained," replied Timberlake with a smile. "I was taking a vacation, to which I am entitled, when I learned of their proposed trip to the metropolis to see the sights. Instead of taking a rest, I became excited into a longing to capture them, and started in pursuit as a detective would have done." "Oh, that accounts for it!" "You see I always carry with me a warrant for the arrest of the James Boys and their gang, and therefore was prepared to take them had luck favored me." Just then Tim stumped up to them, and proffering a plug of tobacco to the sheriff he asked: "Have a chew?" "No, I never use plug." "Yer werry welcome, said Tim, and he took a bite. "Don't mention it," laughed the sheriff. "I've been havin' a awful hard time o' it, Timberlake." "You don't say, Tim! What has happened?" "Oh, 'twuzn't nuthin' wot occurred lately." "To what do you refer then?" asked the perplexed sheriff. "A leetle incident wot happened ter me when I wuz aboard o' the ole frigate Wabash in ther navy." "Indeed! Was you in the navy?" "A good many years, sir. Whar else did I git this leg blowed off?" "You was just going to mention something that happened." "Ay, ay. So I wuz. Yer see, it happened this way. We wuz a coastin' through ther Red Sea one brilln' arternoon, watchin' ther monkeys an' crocodiles on ther Arabian shore when all at onct I noticed a queer yaller-redness in ther sky on ther Afriky shore. It wuz caused by a simoom. Great clouds o' sand, driv' by the wind, wuz a-rushin' acrost ther desert toward ther ship, an' as it came out toward us, we seed we wuz doomed." "You were in a mighty tight box," observed the sheriff, interestedly. "Keel haul me if we wuzn't," agreed Tim, with a nod. "Waal, sir, we knowed that ther minute them ere clouds o' red-hot sand came down on ther ship, it would bury us an' bake us ter death. All my messmates wuz skeered ter death, an' droppin' down upon thar marrer bones about ther deck, they begun ter pray like sons of guns. Did I give away ter ther general panic? Not much. "Cause why? I'll tell yer. A way ter save ther ship an' crew occured ter me. Wot wuz it? Yer'll see. Yer know as crocodiles is reckoned ther fastest swimmers in ther water. Waal, sir, as soon as I seed that ere storm abarin' down on us I knowed as our only chance to save ourselves laid in runnin' away from it. Now thar wuzn't wind enough for ther sails ter do it, so wot does I do but gits a rope; then I jumped overboard right in ther midst o' them crocodiles. Afore yer could count ten I made a slipnoose fast about ther necks o' forty o' them animiles, got back aboard the frigate an' tied ther other and o' ther line ter the capstan. Then I took a spear an' cllmbin' out on ther bowsprit I began ter jab 'em an' away they went, pullin' ther frigate along like greased lightning—" "Say, Tim—" "I ain't done yet—" "But I tell you—" "Awarst thar! As I wuz asayin' along we went like fury, ther simoon chasing arter us. It wuz a terrible race an' I yelled and poked at them ere crocodiles like mad. "In a few moments we wuz makin' eighty knots an hour, an' I noticed as we wuz pullin' away from that ere storm werry stiddy, ontil at last we lef it astarn, an' ther ship wuz saved. You'd oughter seed how glad my poor messmates wuz when I finally cut ther crocodiles loose an' we sailed in clear water—" "It must have been great," dryly said Timberlake. "Ay now," proudly replied Tim. "That it wuz, sir." "Say, Tim, that would be a splendid yarn only for one thing." "An' wot might that be, Mr. Timberlake?" "Crocodiles can't live in salt water, and as the Red Sea is exceedingly briny, I don't understand how the ones you captured could have been there and submitted to being harnessed as you did it, without offering to make a meal of you." A rather startled look crossed Tim's face. He thoughtfully rubbed his big red nose and gasped: "Gee whiz!" The fact was Tim was an awful liar. He seldom spun a yarn without being tripped up. That is the trouble with most liars; they generally make an error in their stories which won't stand analysis. "Will you be kind enough to explain how those saurians happened to be in that sea in such a docile frame of mind, Tim?" asked Timberlake, with a provoking smile of derision. "No, sir," flatly answered the old sailor, who was utterly at a loss how to clear himself. "The fact are, sir, as I never gives explanations e' my yarns, an'—" But here he was interrupted. By the wild shriek of an accordeon. In the hands of Fritz. The Dutchmen hated Tim's yarns. And Tim hated Fritz's music with equal fervor. Consequently, while the yarn caused the fat fellow to strike up his frantic melody, the music grated on Tim's ears so that a wild desire entered his soul to pulverize the Dutchman. "Hey!" he howled, shaking his fist at Fritz. "Belay thar!" "Shiminey Christmas, vos yer tink I vould listen ter some more ohf dem lies mitoud dot I trownd it oud alretty?" fiercely bellowed Fritz, working away at the wheezy box. "Ye kin dash my toplights if I don't wipe up ther floor wi' yer then!" yelled Tim, and he made a rush for Fritz. "Shtood beck!" roared the Dutchman. "Stob a leedle, or py yiminey I soak yer in der chaw mit dot moosic!" He brandished his accordeon in the air by the strap as he spoke, and as it opened out and his fingers were pressing on several of the keys, it let out a shrieking groan horrible to hear. Tim did not pause. His spunk was up. As soon as he reached Fritz be gave a whoop and jumped on him. The next moment they were tangled up in a heap on the floor, and a terrific struggle began between them, the sailor trying to put his wooden leg through the accordeon, and the Dutchmen industriously striving to gouge Tim's glass eye out. In the midst of the scuffle, a monkey and parrot came flying in from the next room, howling like fiends. The parrot was named Bismarck. Whiskers was the name of the monkey. Fritz owned the bird, and Tim claimed the animal. They had once been captured in Africa by their masters. Since then the sailor and Dutchman invariably took their pets off on the expeditions they made in Jack's inventions. Between Bismarck and Whiskers there existed a deep rooted enemity, which always culminated in pitched battles. The monkey had been chasing the parrot when Tim and Fritz got fighting, and as these two creatures possessed more than ordinary intelligence, they at once determined to take sides with their respective owners. "Whee!" bowled Whiskers, and he hopped on top of Fritz's head, grabbed him by the hair, and tried to pull it out by the roots. "Mild up, Boilvar!" yelled the slangy bird, as he fastened his beak in Tim's ear. "Waow! Whoop her up, boys! Cracker! Crack—" Biff! went Tim's hand against Bismarck's head, interrupting him. Bang! went Fritz fist against the monkey's neck sending him spinning. "Wow!" screamed Whiskers. "Root, you sucker, root!" yelled Bismarck. Then he made a dive at the monkey, and as Whiskers scampered away, the parrot flew after him, plunged his beak in Whiskers' tail, and away they flew into the next room. Just then Jack interrupted the fracas. "Stop, boys, and attend to business!" he sung out. Tim and Fritz were accustomed to obeying him, and ceasing hostilities at once, they rose, and the old sailor asked solemnly: "Goin' ter stop playin' if I stops yarnin'?" "For sure, Mikes," replied Fritz. "Put it dere." They shook hands and that settled the matter. Work on the electric stage was resumed, and by noon they had her in perfect condition for her long journey. When they entered the house they met Jack's beautiful wife and bright little son. Answers had arrived from Missouri. The governor wrote Jack the following lines: "Mr. Jack Wright,–In reply to your letter I beg to assure you of my heartfelt gratitude for your kind offer to try to apprehend the James Boys and break up their villainous gang. These outlaws have too long been a terror to the community, and there is not a decent man, woman or child in the state who would not be glad to hear of the extermination of the gang. The list of crimes for which the James Boys are amenable is too long and too horrible to enumerate here in detail. Let it suffice that there are charges of every description in the category against them, including many atrocious murders. "So bitter is the feeling against them that a reward of five thousand dollars has been offered for the James Boys, dead or alive. I enclose warrants and all necessary authority for you to act in league with the officers of this State in the capture or killing of the bandits in question, and sincerely trust that you will meet with entire success. By this mail have also written to Sheriff Timberlake whom I am delighted to hear intends to go with you on your perilous expedition. He is a brave and true man, in whom I have the most implicit confidence. Yours truly, John Doe." The papers in Jack's envelope were entirely satisfactory. Timberlake's letter was of a personal nature, and when he finished reading it, and heard what was communicated to Jack, he said: "Well, now that all details are settled, when do you intend to go in pursuit of the outlaws?" "To-night," replied Jack. "We have everything ready but the stowage of our clothing aboard." "Good! The sooner the better." "I tink so neider," agreed Fritz. "That settles it, then," Tim added. It did not take them long to put their clothing and the parrot and monkey aboard the Terror. When night fell, Jack took leave of his wife and child. They all then boarded the electric stage. Jack taking his seat at the wheel, and she started. Many people in the village streets saw them as they went flying by, and heartily cheered them on their way, as the news of Jack's intention had got abroad. The Terror soon left Wrightstown behind. Following the hard country road he sped along swiftly, and soon was lost to the view of the villagers. CHAPTER V. THE JAMES BOYS' MOTHER. The trip to Missouri was made without adventure by the Terror, but her peculiar appearance aroused the wonder of everybody who saw her during her journey through several States. Late in the afternoon of a pleasant day she passed Kearney, in Clay County, and followed an old country road. A few miles from the town she arrived near a neat old log house standing back in a wooded pasture near the road. This house contained three rooms; in the front yard were several lilac bushes, and all the way from its fences to the town many farm houses lined the road. Sheriff Timberlake sat on the steerer's seat of the electric stage beside Jack, and the moment the old fashioned Western home referred to came in view he pointed at it and said: "There is the home of the James Boys."