Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-05-30

as we passed out or the gap ileli'
later, as noted through crack IL
the swaylng "f1sp" opposite.
The road was now smoother, and
I settled back in my corner, as my
companion had done, to get a little
solid sleep If possible. I dozed
off for a time, but was awakened
by the groanlng of the old man be-
side me. He seemed to be in great
pain, and writhed about nervously.
1 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 mex crick. He'll wa.
ter likely, m I've jest got t stretch
my legs er die. Ye see Pm troub'
led with crsmp rheumatism, an
th' amt no room in hyer to- git the
cramp out o. my legs"
told him 1 would speak to the
driver when We halted, few min
utes later, ut the bank of a stream
White river, l believe. thrust
my head out at the side and asked
that the old gentleman might be
let out for a moment to stretch his
legs.
"All right p said the driver, as
he clambered down from his own
seat. "Pm goin' ter oncheck m
let the hosses take a pull at the
drink"
l then helped the old man to dis
mount, steadying him by the arm
as he got down. He seemed to
have 3 good deal of difficulty in
ahghuDg, and grosned IN a most
lugubrious fashion. The flap swung
to after him, as had unbuttoned
it all around to let him out. The
young man opposite me lay curled
up on his seat, but 1 could see that
his eyes were wide open, and that
he was eyeing me with sharp, keen
glance. My eyes probably re-
sponded when they tell upon his,
for he Strengthened up in an alert
fashion and leaned toward me.
"Say," he whispered, "do you
think that old chaps all right?
STRIKES me that groaning 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 re-
ply when a gun or pistol shot rang
in our ears, followed by a yell
either of pain or surprise, and a
lurch of the hack threw me forward
against my companions knees.
Either the shot or the yell had
started our team, and we went
down the bank into the stream
with a lunge. heard shOts-one,
two, three-as we splashed through
the water. Then more yells, loud
and fierce.
My notion of what had happened
or what was happening was con-
fused for a moment, and then |
saw my contradiction the light
still burned-crawllng through to
the DRYERS seat as we went careen-
ing up the opposite bank.
A second later he had gathered
the lines, which were tied in front,
aud while he held them with one
hand he grssped a rib Of the hack
with the other. Then he leaned
out and glanced back.
Luckily the horses, which were
going at a gslIop-they were ami
mails which needeu no urging-kept
to the road, and the cool headed
young fellow was not pitched out.
"There's a lot FEM" be shouted
in at me a moment later. 81 can
Just see four or FIVE getting on their
horses. They've killed:the driver,
| guess, and are after US now"
With that he gathered up tie
long lash whip, which lay in the
boot, and, dropping upon his knees
began yelling and laying tne Wnlp
upon the team.
In a moment we we're going at
fearful pace, aud despite the ex'
citement and fright of the moment
| noticed that our four horses came
to hand and ran with a steady,
even gait, which did credit to the
young mans driving.
sect ready for 'em now" he
screamed back at me, "theyHl be
down on us In a minute. Open
the back flap m pour it into 'eu
with your guns, and when they're
empty get mine under the seatp
He was my captain as we'll az
driver, aud l obeyed instinCtIvely
for l certainly hsd formed no plar
Of defense or action on my owl
account.
managed to uubutton and rol
up the leather behlnG, and peerln
out, on my knees before the bScl
seat, | saw that we were iDdee'
Ieud II uoa li0hf an0uph n