# Holding Up a Train explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

A former outlaw recounts the methods, ease, and dangers of train robbery in the Old West, describing his first holdup in 1890, the importance of surprise, the psychology of passengers, and the constant threat of betrayal by former comrades turned lawmen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Consequence

The narrator details the practical aspects of train robbery and the inevitable betrayal and danger that follow.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Passengers' exaggerated fear and the contrast between the outlaw's luxurious hideout and the newspaper's false report of their death.

## Character check-ins

### Jim

Narrator's partner in the 101 Ranch incident and train robbery; shot a deputy marshal.

### Unknown Narrator

Former outlaw who tells the story of train robbery in first person.

## Key lines

> Most people would say, if their opinion was asked for, that holding up a train would be a hard job. Well, it isn't; it's easy.

Contrary to popular belief, train robbery is not difficult.

_The narrator sets up the central argument of the chapter._

> Five out of six Western outlaws are just cowboys out of a job and gone wrong. The sixth is a tough from the East who dresses up like a bad man and plays some low-down trick that gives the boys a bad name.

Most outlaws are unemployed cowboys who turned to crime, while a few are Easterners posing as desperadoes.

_Explains the typical origins of train robbers._

> If you have ever seen a horse that has eaten loco weed you will understand what I mean when I say that the passengers get locoed.

Passengers become irrational with fear, like a horse that has eaten locoweed.

_Describes the psychological advantage of the robbers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/holding-up-a-train
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters