The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-30
at his belt: "I'll be messenger and
coachman both then.'

"But," still continued the other,
"there's one thing more," and he lean
ed forward so that his lips touched his
companions ear. "copper" Tom and his
pal, old Jim, are on the road. A man
from Cross Trees was robbed by them
laat night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his
hand fell from his pistol butt. cooper
Tom," was the worst road-agent in Mon
tana-a desperate, with both courage
and brains.
Don't send the rags"
"I mustl'' said the expressman,
anxiously. "The order is peremptory;
the money must go to-day, messenger or
no messenger. Now, will you take it
and carry it through ?"
Jake laughed.
"I'll take it; that's part of my busi-
ness. Throw the safe under the seat and
give me your pistol 1 may need two."-
And he took the others revolver from
the desk where it lay and thrust it into
his boot-top. AS to the carrying it
throughS that's another matter, with
those fellows to stop it. But I'll prom
ise you this-if go through, the safe
safe shall !"
The agent grasped his hand and shook
it warmly. The door was thrown open,
the driver mounted his seat, the iron box
was slowed beneath his feet, the single
passenger IAN old woman, to be left at
ha Rret fafi In, fba xxyl,; oly
ed, the horses plunged, the coach lurch-
ed heavily forward, and, amid shower
of mud, disappeared down the steep
mountain road.
Although 1t was May, the morning
was cold, and it was not until the sun
had climbed well up the eastern sky that
the chill thawed out of the air and by that
hour Pool was more than twenty miles
upon his journey, with fresh horses in
their traces, and an empty coach behind
him. He began to brighten with the
sun.
After 1 get through the Devils
Pass" said he to himself, Copper Tom
or any other man may whistle for me,
for from that to Dickson's is as hand
some a road as ever horse struck foot
upon, and whoever tries to stop me
there, unless he shoots first, will go
under the leaders feet. 1 intend to
make that seven miles in just twenty
eight minutes without brakes !"
And he gathered his reins with firm
er hand, as if already whirling at that
mad pace down the mountain side.
Let's see," he continued, "if moth
ing goes wrong and the roads all right,
1 ought to make my last change by five
o'clock and reach the pass before six
1t will then be broad daylight, so can
rattle right along, and then, after the
spin down the 'causeway,' I'll strike
Dickson's before seven, certain. Beyond
that the road is too open and too much
travelled into Helena to be dangerous
BY Jove he concluded, his heart warm
ing as he struck his heel against the
safe beneath the seat, 1" L don t see where
the agents can stop me, unless-Good
heavens what If they try it in the very
Pass itselfY 1 had not thought OF
that ~
The man was silent for moment, and
his face grave; then, Frightening, he
shook his reins, loosened his revolvers
in boot and belt, and, with sigh con-
cluded his soliloquy with the remark:
Well, if they should meet me in the
Pass, twill be about an even thing. If
they miss their first shot, I'll run 'em
down, drive 'em into the canyon, or
drop em with my pistols. If they don't
miss, why then the swag's theirs !"
1t was now high noon, and soon sta
ton two was reached, where horses
were again changed, and where Pool
dined upon jerked bear-meat, hot bread
and black coffee. Strong food but none
too strong for the long ride yet before
him.
AS he mounted the box and prepared
to depart, the keeper of the station slip
ped from his dug-out and drew near.
Theirs an old pard down the road a
piece, III want a ride. He war here
bout two hours ago. He'll bear watch
in'."
And the rough frontiersman touched
the pistol-butt which protruded from his
open shirt front to emphasize his warn
ing.
Jake nodded.
Thanks Tom I'll keep my eyes
open. So-longl
The fresh steeds in harness sprang