A bull caught me three times in the same day. The first time, he chases me outta the yard an’ tells me he don’t wanna see my ass on railroad property again. I ain’t one ta argue ‘less there’s a call fer it, so I started walkin’ outta the yard. I made like I was walkin’ out, ‘n soon’s he was nowhere in sight, I ducked inta a shanty. Waited a few hours in there, ‘n tried ta catch out a second time. Damned if he didn’t catch me again. He tol’ me he’d take me ta jail if he even seen me ‘roun’ the yard one more time.

I knew good ‘n well I was gonna make it outta the yard sooner er later, so I did the only thing I could do. Foun’ me a spot off railroad property where I could see ‘em makin’ up the trains. I was crouched down in amongst this thicket, ‘n soon’s I seen the next train gettin’ get ta pull, I made my way down ta the tracks ‘n started ta climb aboard an empty. ‘N I’ll be a son of a bitch if that bull wasn’t waitin’ there fer me. He comes walkin’ over, ‘n ‘fore he could say anathing, I didn’t even give him a chance ta open his mouth, I sez, “Come on, take me ta jail. Come on, let’s git it over with. Take me ta jail.”  He sez, “What?” I sez, “Take me ta jail. You might as well. It’s either that or I ride this freight train outta here.” He was shakin’ his head; said he never seen anyone so boun’ n’ determined ta git on a train. I tol’ him I been doin’ it fer forty years ‘n I ain’t a-gonna stop now. ‘N give my things a heave inta the car ‘n rode out on that train.

108.