The National tribune., 1882-02-11

that night at the hotel I sat down to decide what
should be done, for there could be no mistaking
the fact that the crisis was at hand. Instead Of
being mentally tired and worn out from the con-
tinual strain to which 1 had been subjected,
never was more prepared for intense thought in
all my life. tipped my chair against the door,
sitting with my hand on my loaded revolver, in
which position I knew it would be impossible to
surprise me, and still thinking and turning over
all sorts of plans finally dropped asleep and did
not open my eyes until daylight. However, when
I reused up and looked around me l had fixed
upon line of action. Whether it would take
me through or not remained to be seen but did
not hesitate to follow out the line had laid out
for myself.
The next morning when the stage with the four
vigorous horses halted in front of the hotel, the
landlord went out and told the dnver that |, who
had engaged a seat on the outside, was so ill L
would not be able to 60 with them for several
days was stealthily watching proceedings from
the upper window, and when the heavy vehicle
numbered off, it took with it the two men who
were following me for the purpose of robbery.
My belief was that they would leave the stage at
some point on the road and wait until it brought
me along, when the robbery would take place.
There were quite number of passengers and l
had meditated taking several of them into my
confidence, but as they were strangers perhaps
it was well that I refrained.
An hour later | sauntered down Austin avenue
and came upon an open wagon, in which far
mer was climbing, as if about to start homeward
AS he gathered the lines in hand I asked him
where he lived.
At New Braunfels-a long ways from here"
he answered in decided German accent, while
he politely paused to see whether I had any
more questions to ask.
New Braunfels is German settlement some
what more than half the distance to San Antonio,
and was generally reached by the stage about
the middle of the afternoon.
care you about to 60 home?"
He replied that he was
"I'll give YOU ten dollars to allow me to ride
with you"
He sturdily refused to accept anything, but
said was welcome though there would be little
enjoyment on the trip, as his wagon was without
springs and he expected to drive quite rapidly.
This suited me, however, and / took my seat be-
side him. He had some more business after [
had placed my valise inside and we were some
two hoars behind the stage when we drove over
the high bridge which spans the Colorado and
struck off through the rich lands of Southwestern
Texas.
l became convinced from the style of the team
behind which 1 was riding that we would pass
the stage before reaching New Braunfels, and as
+ was sure my German friend was an honest fel
low I made a confident of him and told him of
my dilemma. l had in my possession some very
valuable iewelry, and there were two men in the
stage ahead who had planned to rob me. He
naturally asked how that could be done, when
there were over dozen passengers besides, who
were doubtless armed, while l was able to do
something in my own defense"
II see" he answered; they have an under
standing with the James boys, who will stop the
stage somewhere along the road
"The dickens!" / exclaimed, are the James
boys in Texas?"
II saw them ride through New Braunfels last
week, and we shall meet them somewhere along
the road
This was rather disquieting information, but
could only make the best oft. l drew from my
valise an old coat and damaged hat which don
ned In the hat was. some frowzy, yellow hair,
which banged" about my forhead and ears, so
that my German friend broke out laughing at my
changed appearance.
'Now, said l. Let me hold the rens and you
can keep the team going. If 1 am driving less
attention will be attracted to me-"
The accommodating fellow complied at once,
and striking the spirited horses sharp blow we
ratified Off over the country at lively gait. l
was considerably disturbed for l could feel no
assurance that the not brilliant strategem of
mine had thrown my dreaded acquaintance off
the scent. At the first stopping place, where the
conveyance changed horses, we were less than an
hour behind, so we expected to gain sight of it
within short time.
And sure enough we did Only few miles
away we saw the stage standing still on the top
of hill, as if the driver was giving his horses
rest after the heavy pull. There were eighteen
passengers, as we learned, so that the four ami
mails had an unusually heavy load So we push
ed steadily up the long incline until within a
hundred feet of the motionless stage, when my
German friend exclaimed
"Great thunder! That's Jesse James,"
There was one medium-sized man sitting on
small Texan pony, with his Winchester rifle
cooked and pointed toward the stage On the
other side was another robber, standing close to
the vehicle with cooked revolver in each hand,