Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-05-16
A WILD NIGHT RIDE.

At O'Clock one September evening in 1876
took the coach which left Custer City-ol
Custer village, for the town consisted Of
twenty thirty log structures-to go to Sid
ney A coach l suppose it should be
cazld, though on the plains this vehicle
which has the drivers seat on the same leve
as the passengers seats, is called a shack"
Ihad gone to the "Hills'' to engage in min
ing, but after four months of prospecting had
decided to open a general supply store at the
new town of Deadwood, and was on my way
to Omaha to purchase goods for the venture
A tin lamp, fastened in one corner Of the
Shack" discovered to me two passengers
within as I entered and took my seat. One
was an old gentleman, apparently weak and
ill, for, although it was not a cold night
he was muffied in coarse, heavy ulster over
coat Moreover, such of his face as l could
see between a gray beard, which almost Gov
cred it, and the rim of a SLOUGH hat, was pale
and thin, and the eyes looked sunken and un-
natural. At least, so they struck me at a
cursory glance
The other passenger was a young fellow OF
twenty-five or twenty -three years, judged,
decidedly dandiffed in his dress for that re-
gion. He wore a stiff hat and stand up col
lar encircled by neat tie, and had on a dark
suit, evidently custom made, which was an
unusual ''get up" for that region, and one
which at once aroused my suspicion, for the
only persons I had seen about the mining
towns dressed in anything like that fashion
were gamblers, class of men l had made it
point to avoid
Just before setting out the driver came to
the side of the vehicle, thrust in a light Win
oo,b1,a nd r1aood baf "
knees.
81 see you didn't have no gum" said he,
San keep couple of extra ones fer sech. :"
That was all. No further explanation was
necessary in those days.
took charge of the weapon, although
was as little expert in its use as I was in ham
ding the Smith & Wesson in my hip pocket,
which, indeed, had never discharged.
knew enough of life in the mines to know
that the ''bad man with a gum is usually
the man who gets into difficulty rather than
the peaceable and unarmed citizen; but a
stage ride from Custer to Sidney at that
time was trip not altogether likely to be
without its adventures, and for once I re-
GREETED my unfamiliarity with shooting
Irons"
1t occurred to me that if we were dumped
by road agents" as the phrase went, the free
hooters of the route would have little to fear
from the occupants of the hack, whether they
got much money or not. There were usually
yaluables of some sort in the iron box under
the drivers seat.
The young man who sat opposite me had
carbine across his lap, but fancied he knew
even less of its use than did. AS we started
he sat without noticing me, twirling slight
mustache and humming tune. ga fresh
gamester, if one at ALL" l said to myself
upon second look at him
The old man had no arms in sight. The
driver no doubt regarded him as out of the
fight in any event.
As we rolled up into Buffalo Gap I had a
few words of conversation with my compan-
IONS learned that the elder was an Iowa
farmer, who had come out to see what he
could do in the new mines, but he had been
Ill with mountain fever, and afterward at
tackled by rheumatism, SO that he had been
forced to abandon his projects and return
to the east. He spoke freely, and in the care
less English of western men.
The young fellow said he was from New
York. ''Neh Yawk," he pronounced it. He
was, he said, student Of mining engineer
ing, but he did not mention what his business
had been in that region; but that was not
strange, for we could not talk much. A jolt
ing stage bowling over rough country at
eight miles an hour does not give the best OPP
portunity for conversation.
ION became sleepy, and leaning back in
orner took such momentary cat maps as
the nature Of the road permitted. At II
o'clock we made a brief halt at a temporary
stage station, where the drivers four-in-hand
team was exchanged for fresh horses
, - 81
of two men with lanterns, of a low structure
of sod or adobe family outlined, and of the
black side Of a pine covered mountain beyond.
The night was quite dark with floating clouds
and no moon. 1t became somewhat lighter
as we passed out of the gap little later, as 1
noted through crack in the swaying clap"
opposite.
The road was now smoother, and settled
back in my corner, as my companion had
done, to get little solid sleep if possible 1
dozed off for time, but was awakened by
the grooming of the old man beside me. He
seemed to be in great pain, and writhed about
nervously. asked him what was the trouble
He replied that the rheumatism in his legs
was nearly killing him.
81 wisht the driver'd let me aout we git to-
tn nex' crick. He'll water likely, m I've
Jest got t. stretch my legs er die. Ye see I'm
troubled with cramp rheumatism, an tn
amt no room in hyer to- git the cramp out O.
my legs"
I told him would speak to the driver when
we halted, few minutes later, at the bank
of stream-White river, believe. l thrust
my head out at the side and asked that the
old gentleman might be let out for moment
to stretch his legs.
'All right" said the driver, as he clam
bered down from his own seat. sI'm goin' ter
oncheck m let the bosses take a pull at tn
drink
l then helped the old man to dismount,
steadying him by the arm as he got down.
He seemed to have good deal of difficulty
In alighting, and groaned in most lugubri-
GUS fashion. The flap swung to after him, as
lshad unbuttoned it all around to let him out
The young man opposite me lay curled up on
his seat, but I could see that his eyes were
wide open, and that he was eying me with
sharp, keen glance. My eyes probably re-
sponded when they fell upon his, for he
Strengthened up in an alert fashion and leaned
toward me.
"Say," he whispered, 'do you think that
old chaps all rights Strikes me that groan-
ing of his was put on. What dye think:'
The question startled me no less than the
young fellows manner, and ! was about to
make some reply when gun or pistol shot
rang in our ears, followed by yell either of
pain or surprise, and lurch of the hack
threw me forward against my companions
knees.
Either thu shot or the yell had started
team and we went down the bank and into
the stream with lunge. heard shots-one,
two, three-as wesplashed through the water.
Then more yells, loud and fierce.
My notion of what had happened or what
was happening was confused for a moment,
and then I saw my comrade-for the light
still Misunderstanding through to the drivers
seat as we went careening up the opposite
bank
A second later he had gathered the lines,
which were tied in front and while be held