The Dillon tribune., 1886-12-10

dreary waste as ship captains in mid
ocean," exclaimed Thatcher to the baleful-
eyed stranger. Mr.. Wilcs-whom the reader
has recognizetl-asscnted with the public side
of his face, but looked vengeance at Yuba
Bill with the other, while Thatcher, innocent
Of the presence of ono Of his worst enemies,
placatc,: Bill SO far as to restore Wiles to his
rights Wics thanked him. "Shall I l,a 70
the pleasure of your company far!" Wiles
asked, insinuatingly. ITO Wasl ington," rc-
piled Thatcher, frankly. "Washington is Il
gay city during the session." again suggested
tho stranger. I'm going ON business, said
Thatcher. bluntly.
a triiiiny incident occurred at Pine Tree
Crossing which did not Lcighten Yuba Bills
admiration of tho stranger. As Bill opened
the double locked box in the "boot" Of tho
coach-sacrcl to Wells, Fargo 6, Co.'S express
and the Overland company's treasurcs-Mr.
Wilcs perceived a small, black morocco porte
mantcau among the parcels. "Ah, you carry
baggage there, tooy' he said, sweetly. "Not
oftcn," responded Yuba Bill, shortly. "Ah,
this then contains valuables?" ut belongs to
that man whose scat you've got, said Yuba
Bill, who, for insulting purposes of his own,
preferred to establish tho fiction that Wiles
was an intcrlopr, land Of lie rcckons, in q
sortcr mixed kempeny like this, to lock up
his portlnantle, i don't know Who's business
it is Who!" continued Bill, flashing himself
into simulated rage, "who in blank is rum
ming this yer tcama Hey! Mobile you think,
sittin' up thar on the box seat, you are.
Mebhe you think you kin SEQ round corners
with that thar eye and kin pull up for tealns
round corners on down grades mile aheatl!"
But hero Thatcher, who, with something Of
Laucelot's concern for Modrcd, had u noble
pity for all infirmities, interferctl 50 sternly
that Yuba Bill stopped.
On the fourth day they struck q binding
snow storm while ascending the drcary pla.
teau that henccforwa,.l for COO miles wus 10
be their road5ed. Tho horses, after founder.
ing through the drift, gave out completely on
reaching the next station and the prospects
ahead, to all but the experienced eye, looked
doubtful. A few passengers advised taking
to sledgcs, others postponenc,lt Of the jour-
ney until tho weather changed. Yuba Bill
alone was FOR pressing forward Us they were.
1.-TWO miles more and we're Oh the l,isI.
grade, whar tho wind is strong enough ~
blow you through tho windy and jst Ieart
enough to pack away over them ellis every
inch of snow that falls. I'll list skirlnsl
round in and out q them drifts on these four
wheels whar ye can't drag ono @ them flat
bottomed dry goods boxes through drift"
Bill had a California whips contempt for q
sledge But he was warmly seconded Ivy
Thatcher, who had tho next best thing to ex-
character, and take advantage Ut another
mans experience "Thenl that wants to stop
kin do So" said Bill authoritatively, cutting
the Gordian knot; "the,n as wants to take /:
sledge can do SO, thar's ono in the barn.
Them as wants to go on with mo and tic
relay will come on" Mr.. Wilcs selected tic
sledge and a driver, few remained for the
next stage, and Thatcher, with two others,
decided to accompany Yuba Bill. These
changes took up some valuable time; and tho
storm continuing, the stage was run under
the shed, tho passengers gathering around the
station fire: and not until after midnight did
Yuba Bill put in tho relays. II wish you
good Journey" said Wiles, as he drove from
tho shed as Bill entered. Bill vouchsafcd no
reply, but, addressing himself to tho driver,
said CURLY, as if giving an order for tho de-
livery of goods, "Shove him out at Rawlings
and passed contemptuo,,sly around TO tie tail
board of tho sled, and returned to the harness
ing of his relay.
The moon came out and shonc high as Yula
Bill once more tool; the lels in his hands.
The wind, which instantly attacked them n
they reached the level, seemed to make liz:
drivers theory plausible, and for half IL niL
tho road bed was swept clean, and tr..z+r
hard. Further on a tongue Of snow, cxte,"l
ing from a bowlder to the right, reached
across their path to the height of two or three
feet. But Yuba Bill dashed through & rai
it, and ly skillful r,ancuvoring cir'um
vented tue rest. But oven as the ol.statl>,
was passed, tho coach dropped XIII. an
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