The Portland daily press., 1881-03-24
Hands Up.

Catch a rat in trap and he will fight. Trap
man, and-well, you can't rely on him. It's
according to the trap. I'm the heavy stage
coach as we roll out of Leadville, says FROM
tier letter, are seven men. One is an army of
fcer who has a half dozen scars to prove his
bravery. Cut off from his command on the
plains last summer, by score of Indians, he
entrenched himself and fought the band off
until help arrived. Two of the others are des-
peradoes who have killed their men. Three
of the others are stalwart miners, each armed
with two revolvers and they look as if they
would prove ugly customers in fight.
The seventh man might do some shooting on
pinch, but he hopes there will be no pinch.
In. the crowd are ten revolvers, two derringers,
| three repeating rifles, and four or five bowie
knives, and there is perfect good feeling as the
stage rolls along. 1t is tacitly understood that
the army captain is to assume command
in case the stage is,attacked and that all are to
keep cool and fire to kill.
1t is 10 o'clock in the morning The win
dows are down and the passengers smoking
and talking, and seeking for comfortable po-
sitions. The coach has Just reached the top of
a HILL when every horse is suddenly pulled up.
"If it's bar we'll have some fun,' growled
one OF the miners, as he put his head out Of the
window.
"If it's robber, gin me the first pop at
him." whispered one Of the desperadoes.
No one could say what the trouble was when
wiry little chap, about i've feet six inches
tall, with black eyes and hair, clean face and
thin lips, appeared at the left hand door with
a cooked revolver in either hand, and said:
"Gents, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I've
got to make raise this morning. Please
leave your shooters and climb down here, one
at time"
1t was sudden. 1t was so sudden that it took
ten seconds to understand the drift of his
marks. Then every eye turned to the right
hand door, and the two revolvers held by
second robber were seen at the open window.
1t was trap. The rats were caught, and
would they fight?
"Gents, I'm growing leet,e impatient {"
continued the first robber, "and want to see
the procession begin to move"
Let's see. The captain was to lead and we
were to be cool and fire to kill. But the cap
tain was growing white around the mouth, and
nobody had weapon in hand. The rats were
not going to fight. One of the miners opened
the door and descended and the other six hum
bly, followed. The seven were drawn up in
line across the road, and while the robber held
his shooter on the line he coolly observed to
his partner:
"Now William, you remove the weapons
from the coach, and then search these gentle
men,"
AS William obeyed, every victim was or.
dered to hold his hands above his head, and
whatever plunder was taken from his pockets
was dropped into Williams hat. Four gold
watches, two diamond pins, telescope, a dia-
mond ring, gold badge, and 81 200 in cash
changed hands in ten minutes. Not a man had
a word to say The driver of the coach did not
leave his seat and was not interfered with.
When the last man had been plundered the
genteel Dick Turpin kindly observed:
"You are the most decent set of men ever
robbed, and if times weren't SO blasted hard I'd
make each of you present of $40. Now. then,
climb back to your places and the coach will
go on"
The crowd "clumb," anil the vehicle re-
sumed its journey. Not weapon or a time
piece or dollar had been saved. Seven we'll
armed men had been cleaned out by two, and
not a shot fred or wound given. Each man
took his seat without word. Mile after mile
was passed in silence, and finally the seventh
man-the one who might fight on pinch, but
didnt-plaintively suggested:
Cant some of you gentlemen think of
few remarks which would be apropos to the
occasion?"
No one could, and the silence was renewed.