During all of the ruckus, Arliss grabbed the bag of money sitting by the door, and ran out of the car. “Stop these games, Mad Dog, my money is gettin’ away!” He shouted. “We ain’t doin’ nothin’ Mr. Carner, why should we?”
“Because if you get it back, I’ll share it with ya, Mad Dog, fifty/fifty!” He leered. “How ’bout sixty/forty, then ya got yourself a deal?” Mad Dog said. “It’s a deal!” He winked.
Arliss ran as fast as he could through the aisles, desperately searching for a way out. He looked back to see where Mad Dog and his gang were, so far there was no sign of them, suddenly Arliss heard his warning call! “Get Arliss Black, you dimwits!” Mr. Carner was heard shouting from the back car. He ran faster, until he reached the last passenger car, Arliss searched the room to find a way out; the window was his only option. Arliss maneuvered passed the passengers who were sitting there, and climbed over them. He pushed open the window and squeezed his slender body through the opening.
Arliss climbed down to the ledge of the train, with the train in motion, he reached up to grab the ladder leading to the roof of the train. He jumped up on his toes and finally was able to reach the ladder. Before he could pulled himself up, Arliss found that he was not alone in his plan.
It was then Arliss spotted Mad Dog dragging himself along the ledge, his approach was still far enough away, but he was not about to take the chance of getting caught. He pulled himself up onto the ladder and shimmied his way up, but met a dead end on his arrival. “Didn’t think you’d be seeing me again, did ya, Black?” Mad Dog said. “Alone are ya, Chuckie Ray?”
“What can I say, Black, I just wanted to get ya all to myself.” Mad Dog snarled. “I was hopin’ we might see each other again too, I so wanted to see your face when I get my hands on the loot, oh, that’s right, it’s Mr. Carner’s ain’t it; too bad he’s not gonna be sharin’ it with ya, Chuckie Ray!” Arliss boasted. “Didn’t I warn you ’bout callin’ me that again?” Mad Dog murmured. “Yes, you did, but I’ve learned when to ignore you!” Arliss shot back. “Do ya really think it’s gonna be that easy, Black?”
“I’m hopin’ so, I’ve already got it away from ya, haven’t I?” He rebuked. “Yeh well, I’m tellin’ you one thing, you aint leavin’ here with my money, alive.” Mad Dog warned.
“And how do you suppose it’s your money, Mad Dog?” Arliss reminded him.
“Didn’t ya hear him, we made a deal, sixty/forty?” He said. “And what makes you think, he’s gonna honor that deal, he’d be more like to kill your first, than hand over his hard-earned, stolen money!” Arliss made sure to keep steady as he moved forward on the top of the train. Soon Arliss would have Mad Dog in his range, he threw his fist into his face, but didn’t make a single dent into his iron jaw.
“You’re gonna give me my money, or I’m pushin’ ya right off of this train; you gonna regret doin’ that, Black!” He snarled at Arliss. “You truly are stupid, ain’t ya? You keep sayin’ it’s your money, but, do you really believe, he’s gonna give you a dime of that?” Mad Dog used the same forceful movements as Arliss tried on him, and slugged him straight across the jaw. “He ain’t gonna give you that money, he lied to us, and he’s lyin’ to you! If you wanna kill anybody, I’d start with him!”
“Shut up or I’ll knock you off of this train upside down!” Mad Dog punched him in the face one more time. Arliss flinched as soon as he felt Mad Dog’s fist connect with his face. He went skidding to the other end of the train, and dropped down the side of the ladder. As he fell down, Arliss grabbed onto the metal ladder. Dangling off the last rung, he tried to pull himself back up; the thumping of Mad Dog’s powerful footsteps were heard moving toward him.
Arliss had a surprise waiting for him, when he looked down the ladder, Arliss grabbed Mad Dog by his neck, and pushed him backwards with his feet. When he was taken completely off guard, Arliss pulled Mad Dog’s head, and hurled him across the rooftop, but, unfortunately he was quick to get back onto his feet. The two men punched and dragged each other across the top of the train, all at once, Mad Dog threw Arliss down, he thought he had him beaten. Celebrating his victory over Arliss, Mad Dog stood over him with his gun pointed down. “I don’t, care what you say, Black, I’m keepin’ the money! You Might as well give it up, you’re all but surrounded!” He growled.
One by one, a group of men joined Arliss up on the roof. Quickly, Mad Dog snatched the bag of money, right out of Arliss’ hands. “You won’t be needing this!” He sneered. “No, you’re the one who’s surrounded.” Arliss managed out of breath. “I aint fallin’ for that one, twice, Black!” He grimaced. His haughty attitude faded once he heard the sound of several guns being cocked behind him; Mad Dog slowly turned around. There were ten men standing behind him, all of them were members of Sheriff Connell’s volunteer police department. The men looked almost as gruff as Mad Dog’s clan, but fighting for the side of good, the same side Arliss and his gang were on. With their guns pointed on Mad Dog, they were forced to surrender. “It’s nice having friends in high places aint it?” Arliss boasted.
Tony and Ross raced up onto the rooftop to see what was going on. “Who are those guys, they were takin’ Mad Dog away?” Tony exclaimed. “Those were Connell’s boys, would you believe, Connell had it figured out all along; I’m sure we won’t even get even an honorable mention!” Arliss sulked. “At least if you cain’t trust the law, you can always trust us!” Kalib tipped his hat.
