The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-10-17
.or the Noapafsal. :


tn0 GSVAb8sSASs
4 Rile In stage CsscA.
Twas seated in . stage-coach. Ny com.
,.n;ons were four in number. We had yet
formed no acquaintance. One that sat BY
INV side, was ! large, well built, muscular
man. One that eat innediately in front Of
me, was Of common. stature, but was COM
pletely enveloped in the folds Of naasy
cloak; he had upon his head . cap, the bs'm
Of which, was turned down and drawn over
his face, that his vissgs could not be seen.
Thinking it rather strange for . fellow pas
senger to conceal his person in such asuspi-
cious manner, We commenced conversa-
ton upon topic, which called Tor . reply
from any in the coach having knowledge
of the subject, but to it, he paid no atten-
ton The coach was rolling along moderate
". and We ware gradually ascending one Of
the rocky chains of the Alleghanies. noticed
in our masked companion, restless uneasi-
ness. We we're now at considerable eleya-
ton, to the left was an almost steep ascent,
and to the right, a rocky perpendicular Of
hundred feet or more; the road now as
Stunning an almost level; the driver cried out
in a death-like voice. Oh, l knew it; and
simultaneously gave the reins to his pranc-
ing steeds, and the lash was unsparingly ap-
piled. Their speed increased to every mo-
ment of time. Now we were on the brink
of the precipice. Now within an inch OF
striking some Of the projecting rocks, which
must dash us to pieces. The
frantic cry of the driver to his steeds, to
increase their already awful velocity, was
now continued ring, q death dirge to our
auttering hearts. Help! help!I cried, hold!
stop, for Heavens sake, We all shall be pre-
cipitated down this mighty precipice; but my
cries only aroused him to redoubled fury
the lash was more powerfully applied
Mercy! mercy! O!save MS, was the response
of ali in the coach, save he in mask. l
raised from my seat, and with . deathly
grasp, tore the hangings from before US,
which gave US access to the seat of the drl-
yer. grasped for the reins, but was re-
pulsed by the drivers strong arm, and his
eyes we're turned upon me, with CLASSY
stare. We now turned the Summit, and with
our descent, an increase of speed, my ef-
forts to get command of the reins being un-
successful, the large muscular man came to
my assistance, and as we were in the act OF
securing the reins, the man in mask, as quick
as lightning, seized me by the throat, and
with the strength of a lion, hurled me to the
opposite end Of the coach, and instantly ne
was in the grapple of my assistant, but his
strong arm was powerless, he was thrown
upon me with much force, and a revolyer's
muzzle within half-coach distance of our
hearts, resting upon the words: ''stir, and
YOU'RE dead.' The cold death sweat was
standing upon my brow, death was certain
on either side. l became desperate, and
with the bound of tiger, l was in clnch
with my antagonist. The struggle was des-
perate, felt my heart expand, and swell,
my lungs refused to initiate. l was gasp
ing, but in vain, for my breath. A sensi-
bic conclusion, a report as clear as a rife,
and almost senseless and exhausted, found
myself in ringing sheets of perspiration. 1t
was an attack of the nightmare.
N. J. NJ.