Destiny of Eagles Read Online Free PDF

shouted, but even as he did so, Cephus was already on the brake lever.
    â€œI heard ’em!” he called back. “There’s a red lantern wavin’ ahead too!”
    â€œDamn!” Clyde said. “The trestle must be out!”
    â€œSee if you can see anything!”
    Clyde leaned out of the side of the cab and stared ahead, but though the headlamp threw its beam through the night, it showed only an unbroken line of track.
    The wheels squealed as they skidded along the track, steel sliding on steel. Behind them, the Westinghouse Air Brakes had automatically set the brakes on all the cars, so the train was losing momentum rapidly.
    * * *
    â€œIf I was you, I wouldn’t be standin’ in the middle of the tracks like that,” Thad said.
    â€œI want to be sure he sees me,” Buddy replied.
    â€œWell, hell, you know he did. He’s slowin’ down now, you can hear the wheels a-squealin’,” Thad said. “Ever’body, get your masks on.”
    The four men had kerchiefs tied around their necks, and they lifted them now so that their noses and mouths were covered. Then they watched as the train, though slowing noticeably now, continued its forward momentum. Finally, it came to a complete stop about thirty feet down the track from where Buddy stood with his lantern.
    â€œOkay, boys, that’s it!” Thad said. “Buddy, you go up to talk to the engineer and keep him busy. Rufus, you and Curly come with me.”
    Buddy walked directly down the track toward the train, which now sat puffing rhythmically as the relief valve vented off the unused steam. Thad and the other two moved up the other side of the track, staying out of the light of the headlamp.
    The engineer stepped out onto the platform at the rear of the engine cab.
    â€œWhat is it?” he asked as Buddy came walking up alongside. “Is there a bridge out?”
    Buddy raised his pistol and pointed it at the engineer.
    â€œNah, there ain’t no bridge out. This here is a holdup,” Buddy said. “You and the fireman step on down from that engine cab,” he ordered.
    â€œThe hell we will!” Cephus stepped back into the cab and pushed the throttle forward. Even as he did so, Thad and Rufus were climbing up onto the engine from the other side of the track. Thad shot the engineer, hitting him in the back.
    â€œGet this train stopped!” he yelled, turning the gun toward the fireman.
    Clyde closed the throttle and applied the brakes. The train, which had started forward when Cephus opened the throttle, once more jerked to a stop.
    â€œLet all the steam out,” Thad said.
    â€œI’m just the fireman,” Clyde said. “That’s not my job.”
    Thad fired at Clyde, and the bullet shredded an earlobe. With a cry of pain, Clyde slapped his hand to his ear.
    â€œNow let all the steam out like I told you,” he said. “Or I’ll shoot your other ear, and I’ll take it clean off.”
    Shaking in fear, Clyde pulled the relief-valve cord and steam began rushing from the valves. The steam pressure dropped to way below 100 PSI.
    â€œNow, you sit there and be a good boy while we take care of our business.”
    â€œCan I see about the engineer?”
    â€œSure, look over him if you want. He’s not going anywhere,” Thad said. “And without the steam, neither is this train.”
    By now the conductor was out of the train, walking up alongside the track to see what was going on.
    â€œWhat’s going on here?” he called when he saw Buddy standing beside the engine. “What’d you stop us for? And why is the steam being vented?”
    Buddy turned toward Dexter. It wasn’t until then that Dexter noticed that he was wearing a kerchief over his nose and mouth and was holding a gun. He raised it, and pointed it toward Dexter.
    â€œWait,” Dexter said in sudden fear. He threw his hands up and backed up a few steps.