The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-02-09
Can't be he would tempt Providence not 10

l
hams bein' jest as submissive as they could
s'pos'n the agents did come"
And think with you" said the thir
passenger, lady-like, rather pretty youn
woman, somewhat better dressed than tn
others. 1--WE could do nothing to resist
gang of men fully armed and determined.
am sure, for my part, l only came to-da
because thought it would be an UNUSUAL,
safe time Lightning rarely strikes twic
in the same place"
That's what father said" here spoke u
Enrique. He judged it fitting time to sa,
a word, and was heartily tired of keeping
still. HE thought the robbers would kee
away from this stage for awhile" he wen
on, land hide, may be, for a spell, like mice
The bright animated countcnance of th
boy and especially his great. dark Spanish
eyes had been observed by his fellow-pas
scngers for some time, but his rather shy
manner had prevented their making any
| advances toward acquaintance. They wert
| glad to hear his voice, and at once replied
to him. They had succeeded in finding on
most of his brief history, and had learned
that he was nearly ten years old, when they
were interrupted by the coach stopping.
The passengers all glanced out, in some
| alarm. but were reassured by discovering
that it was merely pause for way y-pas
senger. He seemed to have come out of q
kind of gorge, and appeared to have come
across from another road. He was short
stoutly-built man, dressed in gray bust.
ness suit, was smoothly shaven and wore
green spectacles. He appeared to be about
forty five or perhaps fifty years old.
81 think l will ride inside, if there is
room" he said, in pleasant, rather low
pitched voice. AS he spoke he came up to
the coach door.
"Plenty of room," said the driver. He de.
sccnded as he spoke, and letin the stranger.
The others made room for him promptly,
and he was soon seated beside the pleasant
young lady. He had no baggage, but car
ricd simply stout cane.
There was something attractive about the
mans face, and all were pleased with him.
Perhaps they thought he would be valua-
BILE aid in case there should be trouble from
the dreaded agents"
Now the road begun to ascend once more,
and soon the coach had reached the loftiest
altitude of the trip. The whole Santa Clara
Valley lay spread out like q map at their
feet and far in the distance loomed the blue
peaks OF the northern spur of the Coast
Range. The air here was thin and hard to
breathe, and one seemed almost neighbor to
the blue summer sky with its tracery of
white, low-lying clouds.
The driver now urged his horses q little
and they bowled along at a good pace over
the mile or so of smooth road that extended
along the summit. Soon they entered upon
Il narrow, winding way, penetrating a
growth of low-branched trees, and with its
course cut out of the side of the mountain
like shelf. So onward till at last they
reached the open again. 1t was high noon
now, and time they reached Weeks's Ranch.
A tremendous crack of the drivers whip,
a swinging, cradling gallop, and they tore
around low hill, and in moment were de-
scending little declvity to large farm
house. 4 dexterous, back handed twist of
he whip, dropping it in its socket, quick |
gathering of the reins in the drivers hands, |
low a firm foot on the brake. Presto! it |
vas done. One sudden jerk, and then Jolt. |
'How are ye, Mr. Weelssl" says the |
lriver 1t was an old trick with him, and |
Why should he not be cool! But Enrique
hought that it was wonderful perform
nee, and his admiration for the driver in
The passengers fastened to rid themselves
f what dust they could, and sat down to
inner This was presently over and they
aw the four new horses put to, in place of
he six that had brought them hither, and
hen they took their places again.
"Why do they put only four horses in place
( the siX!'' Enrique ventured TO askthe new
assenger, as they started.
because said the man, with n pleasant
mile, "thc way is mostly down hill"
"Thank you," said Enrique, much graft
ed. The man smiled again.
He's first-class chap" thought the lad
, himself. 81 reckon he likes boys"
The fresh horses now seemed disposed to
low their mettle, and the driver was will
e that they should. So they dashed on
ravcly for awhile, and during the interval
, one seemed disposed to talk. A few
lies further, and they came down to a
over pace, and now the way was growing
ilder and more rocky.
sit was along here somewhere. was told,
at the stage was robbed" said the gentle
an with the spectacles. His hearers
arted.
"Great Joshua! l hope the amt none
und MiS time" said the old lady, who had
EN- formerly for war. ~ told Mr.. Dilly-
'ck fore / left this mornin'," she went on,
hat jest as likely as not some of the crit
RS might ounce on us. He only Jest | )
fed at me-"
huu ooiu WtN luC OlncE | /,
der woman, "says |, Mr.. Pennidgs, if /
me back dead tonight, you mustn't be
rprised, and he said he wouldn't. do =
lieve he didm't feel jest right about havn' q
. come, though, truly"
The young lady and the gentleman smiled !, :
spite of themselves, and even Enrique
rs amused. The two women chartered on.
'on they passed through the romantic little !.
llage of San GregOrio. Here the two old |
lies made some talk about ''gittin' out and !,
,ppin' over" but made no move to carry :,
Q idea into execution. Now they were "
lirling through desolate region, ana
esently the horses were holding back,
led by the brake, down a long and peril !,
sly steep hill.
Looking out Enrique saw, on one hand, a =
gh, bald cliff. and ON the other frightful
vine, and still further on long success
IN of gulches, precipitous cliffs, and bare, =.
clfy hill-sides. Always on the left rose u
0 frowning, craggy mountain. He drew "
his head with little sigh. u !,
What is itH' asked the young lady, q
-
Nothing" said Enrique, trying to smile ~
ck He was ashamed of the depression n,
IS wild scenery gave him, and like the .,
lie man he was would not say any thing -
disturb the others. Now the stage
chcd. and came to an abrupt halt.
Yes" they heard the driver say, ~ saw -
D." ~
Then drive slowly" said voice, which ~ y,
" recognized as that of the tall young ., .,
n. 1"
Get your pop ready" he added next mo- "
mt, II do believe there's going to be bust
49,"
he young lady turned deadly pale. The
er women uttered dismal groans. Even
In, lae ola |