The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-09-27
AN ADVENTURE IN CALIFORNIA

There were five OF us in the coach, a
huge, solid affair resembling an i'm
mense box. 1t rested on en- nJrmous leath-
er straps that allowed il 10 swing with a
motion that ls best described by saying
it was diagonal, though in fact it was
not diagonal at all. One moment we
found ourselves sliding toward the fore
most corner on the left, as the wheel on
that side dropped heavily into some al
most b0ttOmless hole; the next instant
we would be flying with pleasant unani-
nifty through the rear window on the
right, and again, seeking TO force an
outlet through the roof or floor. But the
resultant of these motions, put together
added, and divided, is most nearly de.
scribed by the word diagonal, and 30
diagonal it is.
All five of the passengers were riding
inside, for it was day in November
cold and cloudy, and light snow was
spasmodically falling, as if really uncer-
tain whether TO stop or go on, but on
the whole, rather in favor of going on,
it being a characteristic Of Western hab-
its never to give up anything for any
cause whatever, once it is begun. So,
while seat outside just at that time
no means so desirable as a seat inside.
The road we were to travel led through
the mountains of Colorado, frOnl the
mining camp of Greenwood, (though
why Greenwood none can say-it was
far above timber line) to Leadville. 1t
was fairly good wheeling, as that word
is understood in the Rockies, hut six
stout mules had all they could do to
ll.., Al.
were grOaning and strainink up some
steep incline, the next fairly lifted from
their feet as we dashed furiously down
hill, our speed only partially checked
by the brake, which Tommy, the driver,
would frantically apply.
Every one in the West has a title OF
some sort, no matter whether he has
right to it or not, and the five men in
the coach were known as the colonel,
the major, the judge, the doctor and the
professor, 1t is surprising how soon one
becomes acquainted with his compan-
ions in such place. Whether this is
due to the community OF sensations that
govern the passengers, as the vehicle
lurches to the right or left, or the sOcia-
bility of the men themselves, | cannot
say. The fact remains, however, and in
less than half an hour after we had
started l was on familiar terms with the
past history, present occupation, size OF
pile and name Of each OF my fellow tray
elprs.
On the coach was an express box, said
to contain thirty thousand dollars in
bullion, the product of the Greenwood
mines. In rack near the drivers feet
hung two Colts revolvers and a VIM
chester rifle. The road was considered
safe enough, for no ROBBERY had occurred
there since the camp had been in exist.
ence; still the stage company preferred
to take reasonable precautions, hence
the weapons.
After we bad exchanged our names
and such parts Of our personal history as
we felt free to give, we relapsed into 81
lence. The Westerner, although a socia-
BILE, is not a talkative animal; he con-
verses in heats. For time our quiet
was unbroken, save by the groaning and
creaking Of the coach, the cracking OF
the drivers whip and his rapidly utter
ed oaths.
Perhaps it is we'll that Justice can
never be done-in print-to the profani-
ty ot the Western mule-drIver. Il Ia as
impossible TO describe as the singing Of
some beautiful aria by some sweet-vOiced
singer. Not that the two can be com
pared in any way; | merely wished to
illustrate the utter inadequacy OF words
in type to repT esent the sounds.
1t was at the end Of one of TOmmye
floTery periods (Which came to our reH.
cue when the coach, stuck fast at the
foot of a verilable hill of difficulty, had
at last been dragged up by the mules,
inspired by the outpouring) that the
gentlemen occupying the middle seat
(left) broke the silence. We knew HIM
as Professor Blood, "ths hull owner of
the Blackeye mine Of Greenwood, and
several other" II was at the close OF
Tommy's exhortation, say, which be-
gan softly, then gradually increased in
volume, speed and power, until the flow
was SIMPLY over whelming, that the
professor remarked pleasantly
Tommy seems to swear tol'ably easy,
I'm thinkin'. It's great gift; wonder
ful what twill do sometimes. When
was teamiu' it up tp Leadville, would
het wllin' could cuss dead mule uD
a sixhundrcd-foot grade, with a load,
aud all by the parts O. speech, It's just
like anythin' else, though-Lakes pTac-
tice.
Those were great days." he went on
with a retrospective sigh, great dsys."
We were getiin' twenty and thirty cents
a pound for stuff, and maxim slathers o.
money an losin' it.too," he added with
a laugh. II member comm down over
the divide one night alone, with three
thousand dollars in my pocket, when a
id road agent held me up and cleaned
me out. was pretty blamed mad, but
| had 10 ante"
"I'd like to knew said the doctor.
chow one or two men can stop and rob
a dozen, all well armed. IL looks is il
they had no nerve, don't think I'D
stand it," 1.f
The Judge whistled softly at this re-