The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-07

by the sharp CLEAN Of revolvers in the
moonlight, as they were held to the win
dow for inspection, showed that Calvert,
of Simpkins. whose exploits in the past
and reputation as man of nerve and
grit were known in every mining town in
California, had not mistaken his men.
He surveyed, evidently with the utmost
satisfaction, the readiness displayed in the
preparations for a resistance /; and then
breaking into q low laugh he turned to
his companion on the box and said :
Pard, guess we can 90 it; so while I'm
lookin' to the HOSES and seein' thet ther
harness is all right for a squirt, you better
unstrap thet box and git inside with it"
The messenger jumped from his
seat, unstrapped a heavy iron box and
swung il to the ground. He then pulled
a pair Of derringcrs from his belt and ex-
aninej them critically in the moonlight.
Having satisfied himself that they were
ready for use, he throwed them back into
their places, and picking up the box lifted
il into the coach. One look at his up
turned face ~ he stood in the moonlight,
revealed to the three men within that
they ould rely upon its owner. no matter
what might come. Though young man
he was cool and determined, a quick and
sure shot. and being accustomed to have
large sums constantly entrusted to his
care, he had proven on more occasions
than one his ability and determination t.
guard his trust. He seemed to know ex-
actly what 10 do under the circumstances,
and, like a Aillful soldier, knew how to
make the most of his scanty forces. No
sooner had he entered the coach than he
began TO give directions for the coming
battle. The iron box was frs, secreted
under pile OF blankets and portmaneaus,
and then positions were assigned to the
three men. To Harris was given the task
of guarding one window: Haywood and
Allen were placed at the other. the one
at which the robbers would be most likely
to attempt TO enter; while the express
messenger himself took up his position
in the rear ready to oppose any who
might attempt to follow them up from
behind.
A low word TO the driver that ali was
ready. and the stage moved forward. bu,
SO cautiously that the rumbling OF the
wheels could not have been heard at
distance of ten feet from the road. AS
they rode along in silence. the two partners
ins,ine,Nely oiasped hands but said roth
ing. Suddenly the long whip q. the
driver whis,led through the air and tel!
upon tie back OF the leader. there WAS a
sharp yell of command 10 the hind
horses. and the stage sprang forward up
the slope. The horses seemed TO under
stand wha, WAS expected from them and rs
the cruel lash swiftly rose and fell dashed
forward at full speed. hey had reached
the summit and turning the sharp bend
were dashing down the mountain at full
seed, when men on horse dashed out
from the woods and others on foot start
ing up from the rocks on each side of the
road. surrounded the coach. Calvert, of
Simpkins. had fastended the lines to the
box, and as the horses dashed down the
steep road, there Came two ringing reports
from his pistol and the horsemen in the
road in front of the coach jumped from
their horses. which reeled to the roadside
with bullet in each of their breasts. The
dismounted riders gave yell of disap-
pointment. and sent flying after the brave
driver. two bullets, one Of which went
wide of its mark. but the other lodged in
his left arm, causing it to fall limp and
helpless at his side. In the meantime A
volley Of bullets had been fired at the
body of the coach by the highwaymen,
which had been promptly answered by
those At the windows: there had been an
other solley sent after the retreating
coach and then few wild plunges, and
the point Of danger was left far behind.
But groan from Haywood. as he fell
back from the window, showed that he
was wounded while the sound Of horses
hoofs on the hard road5cd behind. every
moment growing louder, told them that
they were pursued and their pursuers
were rapidly gaming upon them. A mo-
mens later three men dashed IN sight. and
sen, as many bullets flying after The prize
that had so easily escaped them. In his
perch IN the rear of the coach sat the ex-
press messenger peering OF, from i little
hoe IN the Canvass b sck, and waiting for
their puisuers 10 come nearer. He did
no, have TO wait but for moment for
suddenly one of the highwaymen. who
looked very much like kentucky Bill, and
whose horse seemed swifter than those of
his companions, shot ahead and APP
preached within a few feet Of the coacn.
There came the report of a pistol. muf-
Hed but sudden. which caused him to
rtin up quickly, but too late, for he reeled
and fell from his horse with a bullet in
his breast. The two remaining horsemen
followed the flying stage for a mile or SO,
bu; not caring to share the fate of their
at last relned up their horses
and began to retrace their steps.
Though they 70 longer had OCCASION
To tear their attackers. the occupants
of the coach seemed dashing down 10
certain destruction. On the box. the
driver. With his broken arm. WAS power
less to rein up his horses. and for time
il seemed as II the now thoroughly mad
dened beasts would drag them all to
their death. A, last a Sigh, level was
reached. and the messenger succeeded
in climbing out upon the :op of the coach
in safety. where he so, possession of the
lines, and, bringing the horses to halt.
helped the driver to disnount. 4, the /
same moment yolny Harris iearAd o,,