The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-22
California Drivers,

The California ranchmen have won derfu
aptitude for driving, and one sees some
pretty good examples among tho hills. The
road down the mountain sides is entirely
unguardcd upon the outer edge, and tho de-
scent In most places is perceptions. A
balliy horse or a fractured wheel, or u slight
careessness in hand ing the rcins. might
easily send q carriage load of people to dcs-
truction--and on awful destruction. too
The path is wide enough for one pair of
wheels, only, but, at intervals, in favorable
places, it Droadcns SO that teams may pass
each other. TO drive in such manner as
not to meet another traveller midway be-
tween these places is a special branch Of the
art. The huge lumber teams which carry
wood from the mills in the mountains to the
yards in the valleys, beng unwcldy and
very heavy, are especially hard to manage.
Yet the drivers always seem easy and non
chalant. First, there is large four wheeled
oakcn truck, with scat in front ten feet
above the ground; behind it is another
truck, somewhat shorter but still enormous
ly stout. These are fastened together and
loaded with from ten to fifteen tons of fresh
ly sawn lumber-boards and ioists. This
mass is drawn by six or eight mules or
horses, guided by rcins and protIiglously
long whip. The first wagon has Il powerful
| brake, worked by long iron lever by the
driver upon his scat. Tho driver is a man
of nerve and courage. His skill must be
of the highest order. 1t will not do for him
to take fright even if in imminent danger.
| and he must know to hairs breadth where
he can 60, and where he can not. Towering
| up far above the road, overlooking the most
slupcndous depths, and guiding with few
slender lines tremendous force, he must
needs to be an adept and tirclcss one
But boholder-ignorant Of the danger that
constantly surrounds him--would say that
his work was simple, and that he managed
matters with case. True, he seems So
With his broad-brimod hat shading his sun
burned face, his sinewy hands holding the
rcins with carclcssncss, lis legs outstretch-
cd. with one foot feeling the all-mportant
brake, he jogs onward with his monster
charge without trouble or concern the bells
upon the horses breasts jingle little tune;
the great wheels crush the stones in the
path; the load creaks like ships hull in a
sudden gust; wild birds sweep down into
hazy, sunny depths below; yet the driver
seems to take no heed. But let scare take
place; let herd of runaway cattle appear
at bend and set the horses wild, and then
see what will happen. The day dreamer
will become q giant of strength he is up
i'll flash: he shortcns his hold upon the
rcins, and feeling his wagon start up beneath
him, places q foot of iron on the brake
The horses snort and rear and surge; the
harness rattle, tho dust arises, the load
shricks again, and the huge wheels turn
fatally faster and faster. An instant may
ls,rl the wagon down into the valley with
its struggling train; !rainEa az mad rush to the
horrible plunge. muscle, eye, brain, skill
are then brought to work so splendidly to-
gcther that the peril is averted, and the
looler-on, who knows not the wa. Of the
land, regards the tcamster with profound
| respect thereafter.