Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-02-09

'em with my pistols. III they don't miss,
why then the swag's theirs"
II was now high noon, and soon station
twow reached, where horses were again
changed. and where Pool dined upon
jerked bear-m 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 clipped
from his dug-out and drew near.
There's an old pard down the road
apiece who'll want ride. He war here
bout two hours ago. He'll bear. watch
in"
And the rough frOntiersman touched
the pistol which protruded from his
open shirt-front to emphasize his warn
ing.
Jake nodded.
Thanks, Tom! I'll keep my eyes open.
So longr
The fresh steeds in harness sprang
strongly forward, and the empty coach
whirled away.
ats Old Jim, sureT whispered Pool
to himself, as his trained eyes searched
the winding road before him. "The old
scamp wants to ride so that he'll be on
hand when Copper Tom turns up in the
pass. see it ALL"
The teeth closed with snap.
"Good" he continued moment later
"He shall ride"
Some five miles were passed when, in
the shadow of great pine that grew near
the trail, Jake espied his prospective pas.
senger, prone upon the ground at the foot
Of the tree apparently resting. As the
rafting coach drew near, the man be-
stirred himself and slowly rose.
"Hullo, driver Kin ye favor an old
beggar with lift? I'm played, fur I'm
too old to tramp as used to, an too poor
to pay fur ride. Kin We give me one"
He stepped forward as he spoke. Poor
he was. if tattered garments betoken pow
erty, for his clothing was but a single
patched rag from head to foot. Old he
certainly was, for the withered skin and
scanty gray locks, the claw-like hands
and sunken eyes, could not well be dis
guised.
Half in scorn and half in pity, yet with
brain awake to his danger, Jake drew
rein and replied to his petitioner:
ayes! Be lively and climb up here
am behind time now. Where do you
go?"
"Dickson's."
A touch of the whip and the horses
were again upon quick trot. Pool eyed
his companion as they rode onward, and
almost unconsciously dropped his hand to
his boot-top and loosened the revolver
carried there.
"Cold day for May" said the newcomer,
shivering. "This yer winds sharp, too"
"Yes," responded the other, mentally
wondering where about his ragged clothes
the scoundrel at his side had concealed
his weapons, at is cold; but you'll find it
warmer in the pass"
"Sure" responded the worthy, his blood
chilling with the covert hint in the word /;
and he urged his horses to yet greater
speed.
The grade was sharply descending now
and the road rocky and rough. A mile
more and the pass would be reached
The coach fairly swayed under its rapid
motion.
Old Jim was forced to cling to his seat
with both hands in order to avoid being
hurled to the ground. This was as Pool
desired, and he smiled grimly as he no.
ticed the others action.
"Yer-a drivin'-purty-fastw scream
ed the gray-haired desperate, the words
fairly jerked from him as the coach sprang
forward, rocking from side to side. "Ye'll
-hev-to-hold- at--the-pass-I-
reckon"
Jake shut his teeth.
The granite walls of the pass were now
just before them, and the roadway, de-
scending and steep, ran into the shadow
of the coming night and the gloom of the
grave-like opening-a narrow path, but
little wider than the coach itself.
The roar of the angry river far below
knelled never-ending warning as it ran,
ragged and torn among the jagged rocks,
and the death-like mist that crept upward
was damp and chill
II won't hold up" and with these
words the driver struck his horses sharp
ly, and, snorting, they sprang forward in
to the Devils Pass.
At the same instant, halfway through
the terrible gorge, standing motionless in
the center Of the roadway, beetling wall
Of rock upon the one hand, a chasm of un-
known depth upon the other, was seen a
man!
Copper Tom was awaiting his quarry!
The old man at Pools side uttered a
cry, and loosening his grasp of the seat
with one hand, he would have thrust it
into his breast; but the other leaned sud-
denly toward him,and pressing revolver
muzzle against his forehead, whispered,
hoarsely:
"Down with yer hand! If ye stir ag'in
I'll kill ye! l know ye, old Jim, an ye
can't catch Jake Pool nor his load this
time! Down with yer hand"
The shuddering rascaPs hand fell at his
side; his face grew ashen-hued and his
eyes stared before him. They were rap
idly approaching Copper Tom.
For an instant as they drew near that
worthy stood facing them; then through
the fading light he saw the position of his
pal, upon whom he had depended-he
saw the stern, set face of the driver-he
saw the furious horses plunging down up
on him-and with terror-stricken cry be
turned and fled! G.g
Could he but reach the lower end Of the
causeway he might escape-could he but
find single spot to turn aside he would
be safe: but il was not to be.