The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-07-19


the drink"
then helped the old man TO dis
monut -steadying him by the arm ms
he got down. He seemed 10 have a
good deal Of difficulty in alighting. and
groaned in most lugubrious fashion.
The young man opposite me lay curled
up on his seat. bat could see that his
eyes were wide open. and that be was
cycling me with a sharp. keen glance.
My eyes probably responded when they
fell upon his. for he Strengthened up
in an alert fashion and leaned toward
me.
Say" he whispered. do yon think
that old chaps all rightP Strikes me
that grooming of his was put on. What
dye think?"
The question startled me no less than
the young fellows manner, and L was
about 10 make some reply when gun
or pistol shot rang in our ears. fol-
lowed by a yell either of pain or sur.
prise. and a lurch of tho hack threw
me forward against my companions
knees.
Either the shot or the yell had start
led our team. and we went down the
bank aud into the stream with 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
was happening was confused for a mo-
ment. and then | saw my comrade-
for the light still burned--crawling
through TO the drivers seat as we
went carecning up the opposite bank.
A second later he had gathered the
lines. which were tied In front. and
while he held them with one hand he
grasped rib of the hack with the
other. Then he leaned out and glanced
back.
Luckily the horses. which were go
Ing at n gauop-they were animals
which needed no urging to the
road. and the cool-headed young fell
low was not pitched out.
There's lot of 'em.n he shouted in
ut me n moment later. II can just
see four or live getting onto their
horses They've killed the driver
guess. and are after us now"
With that he gathered up the long
dashed whip. which lay in the boot.
and. dropping upon his knees. began
yelling and laying the whip upon the
team.
In moment we were going nj
fearful pace. aud. despite the excite
ment and fright of the moment, mo-
ticed that our horses came To hand.
and ran with steady. even gait. which
did credit To the young mans driving
Get ready for 'em now he yelled
back AT me; -'they'll be down on ms in
a minute. Open the back Hap n pour
i into 'em with your guns, and when
they're empty get mine under the
seat"
He was my captain rs wcal rs driver,
and | obeyed instinctively, for | GER
tainly had formed no plan OF defense
or action.
/ managed TO unbutton and roll up
The leather behind. aud l,eering out. l
saw that we were indeed followed. 1t
was light enough TO distinguish objects
iimly at a 100 yards, and there were al
east five horsemen in our rear. tearing
along at the top of their animals speed.
Knowing that they were within rifle
shot open fire on them over the seat.
worked the lever of my gun as rapid
" as could but made awkward BUSH
ness of il. Presently got shell
stuck. and began trying to get il out.
In the meantime our pursuers were
gaining with every second.
They were within fifty yards before
could get out my shell, and ! was too
excited TO think of using, another gun.
the light in the hack went
'ut, and hand npon my shoulder
erked me backward. Then voice
ielled in my ear:
Let me get nc theml Load tho
yuns for me N let tire team 90. We
night s well smash rs be riddled with
bullets. Here--here's two boxes of
| dropped back TO tire other seat and
rave place TO him. He threw his car
zine over the back Of the hind seat and
began firing. Crack crack crack Ii
eemed to me that a steady stream OF
ire poured out of the back of the stage
nd before | had filled the magazine of
ny gun his was empty. lie snatchcd
nine, however. aud thrust his own
'ack TO me.
Loading was awkward business at
irst, rs ! had TO feel for the feeder. but
managed soon TO thrust them into
ny gun as fast as he could work the
ever of his own. The men. whoever
nd whatever they were, rode up to
within twenty-five or thirty yards. and
out. opened fire on ns.
Keep close down in the bottomm
houtcd my c0mrade, as he kept on
With his firing.
Tho "road agents" did not come
carer. evidently fearing too great cx-
osure TO the stream OF shots from the
ack, and my courage rose TO some
hing near the level of my companions.