Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-09-20

subjected, never was more prepared
tor intense thought in my life. l tip-
ped my chair against the door sitting
with my hand on my revolver, in which
position knew it was impossible TO
surprise me, and still thinking over all
sorts of plans, finally dropped asleep
and did cot open my eyes until dwight
However, when reused up aud look
el around l had fixed upon line OF ac-
ton. Whether ii would take me through
or u renamed to be seen.
The next morning when the stage
with four vigorous horses halted in front
OF the hotel, the landlord went out and
told the driver that 1 who had engaged
seat on the outside was so i'll | would
not be able to 90 with them for several
DAYS. l was stealthily watching pro-
ceedings from the upper window, and
when the Stage numbered off it took
with it the two men who were follow
ing me. My belief was that they would
leave the stage at some point on the
road and wait until l came along, when
the robbery would take place. There
were quite number ofrassengers, and
[ had meditated taking several Of them
into my confidence, but as they were
strangers, perhaps it was well that l
RETAINED.
An hour later / sauntered down the
street and came upon an open wagon
into which farmer was climbing. |
asked him where he lived.
AT New Braunfels-a long ways
from here,' he answered in decided
German accent.
New Braunfels is a Germin settle
ment about half way to San Antonio,
aud was generally reached BY stage
about the middle of the afternoon.
Are you alb out to 90 home"
He replied that he was.
IN give you $40 to ALLOW me to ride
with you.'
He sturdily refused to accep. any
thing, and SAID there would be little
enjoyment in the trip as he expected
to drive rapidly.
This suited ME, however, and took
my seat beside him. He had some
more business after placed my Yalise
inside, and we were some two hours
behind the stage when we crossed the
Colorado.
I became convinced from the style
of the team which l Tas riding that we
would pass the stage before reaching
New Braunfels, and as was sure my
German friend was an honest fellow |
made confidant Of him. lie naturally
asked how the men could rob me, when
there were over a dozen passengers
besides, who were doubtless armed,
while was able to do something my
self.
Il see. he answered they have an
understanding with the James boys,
who will stop the stage alon9 the
road
The dickens!p l exclaimed, are the
James boys in Texas?'
Il saw them ride through New Braun
fels last week, and we shall meet them
along the road
This was rather disquieting iDiorma-
ton. l drew from my valise an old
coat and hat which l donned. In the
hat was some frowsy yellow hair which
| banged about my forehead and ears
80 that my German friend broke ou
laughing at my changed appearance.
Now said l, Let me mold the reiu
land YOU can keep the team going. Ii
? an driving less attention will be at
traced to me-
The accommodating fellow at ouce
complied and striking the spirited horses
sbarp blow we ratified off. At tae
first stopping place where the stage
changed horses, we were less thar
an hour behind, and we soon expected
to gain sight Of 1t.
And sure enough we did. Only a
few miles away we saw the stage on
the top of hill, as It the driver was
giving his horses rest after a heavy
pull. There were l8 passengers. as we
learned. We pushed steadily up the
long i cline until within hundred feet
of the stage, when my German irlen'
exclaimed
Great thunder That's Jesse James!
There was one medium.sized mar
sitting on a small Texan pony, with his
Winchester rife cooked aud pointed TO-
ward the stage. On the other side
0 was another robber, standing close tt
the vehicle with a cooked revolver II
, each hand, while tblrl was supe'l ''
| tending the spoliation Of the pi'sen'
f gers. who were passing on: watches
t purses and valuables with the alacri''
h always displayed on such occasions
h Twas 30 startled by the sight that
g drew out 10 hurry by when Jesse Jane
r called to me with lrightful oath
/. stop where was and wait I'LL lll
r. paulc was over. 1t Ia needless to say
e complied, and was an absorbed spec
e lator OF the robbery. The pAsseng
of joked and laughed and tried to hid
" their possessions in all sorts oil places
ID The james boys INDUCED IN le