Rail Mates

The train’s whistle was heard again and again, seeming to tell them, ‘Let’s go, boys.’ Of course, they didn’t know if it was going to stop.

“Let’s get down track,” Shorty announced and started to run as fast as he could, with the boys right beside him. After all that waiting, they weren’t even ready. As they ran south beside the tracks, the train was catching up to them. The whistle gave one more blast to announce it’s presence as it steamed into town and again on it’s way out.

As they ran beside it to catch it, the engineer looked down and said “My God boys! Be careful.”

The fireman was also looking. When the engine and coal car went by, they could see lots of empties waiting for them. After twelve cars went by, an empty approached with six hobos in it.

One of them said, “Grab on, buddy,” And Chesty was right there.

He threw his handbag into the empty boxcar and a strong, friendly hand jerked his light body in. Bill was falling behind but he latched onto the rear ladder of the same empty and swung himself off the ground. Now he was rolling. His heart was pounding but felt he was safe.

He looked back and saw Shorty running with his trench coat open, slowing his chances. Shorty was two boxcars back and his last chance to get aboard was now. The engine whistle sounded off a long signal. Shorty’s right hand latched onto the ladder rung and his body came off the ground in a life-saving effort to swing himself to safety.

Bill hadn’t moved and was still on the bottom rung. When Shorty seemed safe, Bill went up two rungs as Chesty and the others cheered. Bill turned for a fast look at Shorty. His two feet were on the bottom rung and his body was pulled tight to the steel ladder. He needed a short rest and Bill kept his eyes on him, not moving. The train was pulling a long grade and not gaining any speed.  Now Bill kept his eyes on Shorty until he finally smiled and started for the top.  Bill did too.

When Bill was on top, he waited for Shorty and they walked toward the big door where Chesty and the others were waiting. For them to get from the top of the boxcar to the inside was a little tricky. Bill handed his bag down to Chesty and then insisted that Shorty go first. The train had picked up a little speed and as Shorty let himself over the side of the boxcar, three other hobos were there, ready to swing him in. There were no convenient handles to hold onto. His right foot rested on the protruding boxcar door lock. When his arms released his weight, all three men swung him in.

What a relief – now Bill. As he laid belly down on the boxcar roof and hung his right leg over, he looked down and saw Chesty’s arm hanging out, wanting to help. He was pulled back in and a big strong arm was now waiting. Bill’s right foot rested on the same steel lock and as he lowered himself, he felt this big arm around him. His life was in the hands of a person he had never seen. His heart was running wild, he had put himself here; and had no choice, he had to let go. The train whistle sounded off just as he was swung from the roof of the empty to the hollow but welcome interior. The big man set him on the floor and burst into laughter. Bill fell backward on his seat and spread his face with a smile.

Chesty offered a hand and then he lit into Bill, “This is what you want?  Free ride on a freight train huh? This is a sweet way to get dead.”

Shorty butted in. “Hold it Chesty, this was a tough one, I mean for the first time, this was one we had to catch, not just jump aboard in a freight yard.”

Chesty came back, “Yeah, you can have it, I’ll ride my thumb, then I won’t get dead.”

Bill became more relaxed, “Come on Chesty, let’s give it a chance these guys ridem’ everyday, besides, look at us, we’re rollin’. Come on smile. I’m the guy that just about lost it.”

“Hold it yerself, I didn’t leave home to get dead. When I’m drivin’ a stock car and it cracks up, that’s my doin’ not some damn freight train.”

The big guy that swung Bill into safety stepped up, “Hold it boys, just hold it, I know you kids are friends, now shake hands and shut up.

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

Evening turned into darkness as the train slowed down, coming into another small community. They all went to a now open boxcar door and just waited. The train stopped and then went forward again. Chesty looked up ahead and saw two stake trucks parked close to the tracks. There were two men in each truck and when the engine went by them, they ducked down so as not to be seen.

Then the train came to a stop and they heard the engine let off a full head of steam. The men in the two stake trucks started their trucks and drove right up to the three empty boxcars. They both turned to back up and Chesty noticed that there was no license plate on either truck.

“Uh-oh,” Don said. “You guys get back. I think I’ve got trouble. Now stay back.”

The one truck backed right up to the boxcar and a man jumped out of the right side of the cab with a double-barrel shotgun. He jumped onto the back of the truck as Don tried to slide the steel door shut. Too late. The would-be horse thief jumped i