The morning before the robbery the barn and corral were a bustle of activity as horses were saddled, equipment and guns checked and rechecked, and the plan was reviewed one final time. Conversation was minimal as each person mentally prepared himself.
When they were fifteen miles from the chosen site of the robbery they stopped and those responsible for the fresh horses were to make camp. The others moved to within five miles of the designated location of the robbery. Here they made camp. In the morning they would start out at sunrise and set to work gathering wood and tinder to build a large bonfire.
About an hour before the train was scheduled to arrive, the bonfire was set ablaze and the gang moved back and spread out.
Then they waited...
The train whistle could be heard long before the train was in sight. When they heard the screeching of the brakes, they spurred their horses forward, guns drawn.
"Stand and deee-liver," Heyes shouted as the engineer poked his head out the open window of the engine.
"Do as your told and we'll get this done quick," Heyes instructed the engineer.
Every gang member moved to his designated position, guns drawn and pointed. The train crew was instructed to exit the train and to sit down under a clump of trees where two outlaws kept a careful guard. Other outlaws entered the two passenger cars and kept everyone in their sets. Heyes, Curry, Wheat, and Kyle moved to the first of two freight cares. Wheat and Kyle dismounted and slid the door open, looked inside, then confirmed to Heyes that the safe was not there.
That left one remaining freight car and Heyes took a deep breath and steeled himself for the possibility of facing a ready, willing, and able posse. He gave Wheat and Kyle the go ahead nod and they ran to the remaining freight car and flung open the door.
Much to Heyes' relief, there was no posse inside. There was not even a guard. Wheat poked his head inside, then turned and nodded to Heyes.
"Make haste," Kid told his partner as he reached for Heyes reins.
Heyes headed to the freight car and hoisted himself inside. Kid tethered the horses and grabbed the four sets of saddle bags. He tossed the saddle bags into the car and hoisted himself inside.
Kid watched Heyes carefully rotate the tumblers, his ear pressed against the safe. Heyes smiled, gave Kid a 'here goes' glance, and turned the knob. The safe door slid open and Heyes and Kid stared at the stacks of tens, twenties, and hundred dollar bills. Together they filled the saddle bags, tossing one each to Kyle and Wheat and each hoisting one over their shoulders. They jumped from the freight car and quickly mounted their horses.
"See you back at the Hole," Heyes shouted and Kyle and Wheat spurred their horses into a gallop.
"Meet you on the ridge," Kid told his partner and moved his horse back down the path of the train. As Kid rode passed the passenger cars he shouted "Let's go," to the outlaws inside.
Then Kid moved on toward the engine. There he stopped, his gun drawn and pointing at the train crew. He nodded to the two guards who quickly mounted and headed up to the ridge to join their leader.
"Gentlemen, we apologize for this inconvenience to you," Kid said as he holstered his gun.
"Who are you?" the engineer asked.
Kid smiled. "The most successful outlaws in the west," he proclaimed, then turned his horse and spurred the animal into a fast gallop.
They met up with the men waiting with fresh horses and mounted new steeds before racing on ahead. All four riders carrying the saddle bags arrived safely back at Devil's Hole an hour before the other outlaws began straggling in.
With the robbery a grand success, and not a sole injured, Heyes directed everyone except Kid to the bunkhouse. Heyes and Kid carried the saddle bags to the cabin where it would later be counted and divided evenly among each member. Then they returned to the bunk house with several bottles of whiskey and a glorious celebration ensued.
In the wee hours of the morning, the celebration drawn to a close, Heyes and Curry sat blurry eyed on the porch of the cabin. Tired and drunk, with too much adrenaline to sleep still pumping through their exhausted bodies, they watched the sun slowly rise.
"You did it, Heyes. Another perfect plan," Kid slurred.
"I think we'd better stay away from Union Pacific trains for a while, though. They'll be upping the bounty on us if we're not careful."
"Maybe do a bank job next," Kid mumbled.
"No time soon, Kid. This past week as been hell."
Kid nodded."But it paid off, Heyes"
Heyes smiled. "Yea, now we can all get a new pair of boots," he joked.
"Heyes?"
"Yea?"
"You think men having honest jobs get this much satisfaction out of getting paid?"
"Doubt it."
"Yea. Makes you wonder why the world ain't full of outlaws."
Heyes smiled. "Yep, it makes you wonder..."