The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-04

i"s 'a'OF upon humanity at large.
LEWISTON, November 2.
The morning after the lecture at Pataha, the
weather had sensibly moderated, and the
snow by noon was melting rapidly under the
influence Of brilliant sunshine.
AT ! p. II. We started for Lewiston. By three
o'clock We were out beyond the snow, and
bowling up and down the dusty roads. Later.
and we descended a long. steep and winding
grade on the trough lock, !" and at anything
but double quick" Then we came into the
valley or the AlpOwa, little river, along
which there reside several Indian farmers,
who have renounced their tribal relations and
| builded themselves comfortable homes. The
stage road crosses the Alpowa eleven times
within a few miles, and the scenery on either
band is decidedly picturesque and Wild
Our stage had crossed the river FOR the last
time, and we had come within four miles OF
the Snake River ferry. when we saw, to the
right, and running along "A bend in the creek
a man carrying gun. The thought OF robbers
crossed our brain for an instant, but there
were two wagons near with drivers, and two
Indians farther on, and we supposed the
man was only after a bird or other small game
The fellow came up in front Of the stage and
crossed the road, and still we thought nothing
OF H. But when he came up to the team, and
pointing needle-gun at the driver and the
undersigned, so close that we both looked
down the barrel and almost into eternity, and
when he ordered a halt, as though the lnstitu-
tion belonged 10 him, we saw at once that the
game he was after was OF considerable proper
uOns.
"stop ?" he cried earnestly, and what his
word didn't accomplish was finished mp by
that gittering "penuader."
We stopped.
Put out that box - he exclaimed, with
felnt az taking aim.
The driver, an honest and worthy denizen
OF Dayton, W. r. Dixon by name, put on the
brake gave the lines a twist, and went for the
express box with alacrty. But il was not
under the front seat, and he had 10 dismount
and nsh II out from under the back seat, on
which frightened Chinamau and his asth-
matte wife sat like statues. The robber fol-
lowed the driver with his "persuader" and
kept him covered with it so closely that there
was no chance for dodging.
Once the fellow looked at u with a sort Of
eomical expression, as though the situation
was ludicrous, and we should have begun a
sparring conversation then and there, only
there was too much cash I'm our side pocket for
Us TO risk joke with highwayman. lie
taught us one lesson, however Wen never
go staging again with cash about us in any
quantity worth stealing.
While the driver was getting the sox for the
bandit, we took another square look al the
fellow, and are sure we'd know him again
anywhere. He was shout five feet eight inches
Ina height, would weigh about $50 pounds. was
square-featured, Intelligent, smooth shaven.
comfortably dressed and handsome. He had
partly covered his face with dust from the
roadside, but did not conceal his features nor
try 10 avoid detection.
The men in the wagons sat by in a sort OF
daze while the robbery was going on
The box once in the robbers possession, he
demanded the express packet, but took the
drivers word that there was none along unless
IL was IN the box.
"All right" said the robber. 81 have three
pals on the road above, aud If they try to stop
you, say 'Skookum chuck aud they'll und er-
stand il and let you Off"
When the driver mounted the stage again
and took the ribbons 10 'traveI," he was pant
ing like quarter horse at the end Of a mile
heat. He drove on few yards, when we said,
laughingly;
"That fellow'H get caught. I've marked him
SO well that I'd know him II was coasting and
should meet him In Kamtschatka."
"Schse-se-sei Don't talk 90 he exclaimed, i'm
nervous whisper, and we then realized that
We ought 10 have been frightened little. too
We had some curiosity 20 see what the robber
would do with the express box, and what the
men In the wagons would do with him, but
couldn't afford 70 delay the United states mail
rsuch a trife; and, 10 tell the truth, we were
not sorry 10 maze rapid tracks for Lewiston,
nine miles away.
And here we are, on Thanksgiving, in this
little garden city between the Snake and the
Clearwater, from whence you shall hear from
us again. ASD