Fred Linch … Sergio’s one time friend … flinched as the bullet hit near him.  He turned briefly and his eye’s found Billy’s for just a fraction of a second before the second bullet tore through his hat and the outlaw dropped like a sack of potatoes, his plans to gain access to the train’s engine thwarted.

Meanwhile, Taylor had the advantage over the one-eyed bandit leader and fired down toward where he was just entering the express car.  A grunt of pain confirmed the man had been struck, just as he disappeared into the express car.  Was he dead?  Or just injured?  A bullet tore up through the roof of the train car only a moment later, right between the pair riding on top.  “You working for the train now Black Jack?  Did ya tell 'em bout that job in Mexico?” Bobby yelled, barely audible, his voice strained, hinting that he had been badly injured.  


[hr]


There had been a short reprieve in the passenger car while the bandits were more focused on boarding the train.  Several of the passengers had tentatively poked their heads up.  But as Misti’s arrow was quickly followed by the two pistol shots from Phineas, nearly all of them were quick to again get as low to the floor as possible.  

Petunia Krump was on the floor in the seat beside Mistikohman and in front of Phineas, trying to stifle her sobs and she yelped in fright as Mistikohman’s war cry and then Finney’s gunshots were almost directly over top of her.   The baby in the front is still squalling loudly. 

Finny's second shot hit the man in the lead square in the chest and the other two were quick to back off, though one of them fired several times into the passenger car as they tried to retreat. … 

“They’re runnin’!” Zeke cheered from behind.