The Forrest City times., 1891-04-03
TERROR ON THE SIERRA.
DOWN A MOUNTAIN TRACK BE-
 HIND A RUNAWAY TEAM,
A Thrilling Tale of old stage Days in the Big Mountains-A Dozen Hair- breadth Escapes-A Broken
 Wheel at Last,

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 One night was crossing tho Sierra Nevadas in a stage. was the only passenger aboard. and hence had a lonely and dreary night of it. The long slow pull of the ascent had con- sumed all of the forepart of the night and much of tho early morn. It was about 3 o'clock when the summit was reached, all unawares to either myself or the driver in front---for In the tedi- ousness of the long climb, and the silence and solitariness of tho sur rounding, we had fallen asleep. Suddenly there was sharp rolling of the wheels, violent jostling of the seats and we both awoke to the con- sciousness that we were going down the mountain at q most frightful gait "a runaway team in front
 When the down grade had been struck. the driver-usually careful and vigilant man--was so fast asleep that brakes were not applied as prompt ly as was necessary; and tho horses, finding that they were not under con- trol. with the heavy stage rushing upon them, became ut once frightened and fed in frantic speed down the steep descent
 Whom the driver first awoEe and realized the situation he was in mid air, having been violently thrown from his seat. He had had the lines wrapped about his hands and wrists, and hold ing fast unconsciously he was being jerked forward in the furious leaps of tho team. Yet it was but moment or two until he struck tho ragged ledge below the railway, and l discovered my situation as heard him utter a horrible shriek, and then a low moan as of one in tho death agony.
 By that time the lower wheels of the stage Were off the roadway: the stage itself was on tho edge of the fearful precipice and the axle of the vehicle being dragged along over the stone wall that supported the lower side of the road-bed
 Tho scream of horror piercing my ears emphasized the frightful situation, for the driver was not only being dashed 10 death. as I supposed, in the darkness below. but there was the aw- ful possibility that in the next moment the stage and the horses would go over tho brink and land in the dismal un- known abyss of canyon beneath. The driver was pulling with all his weight in the direction of that abyss.
 Tho half-upset stage and tho vigor- ous jerks of the frightened team in front brought additional horrors to me. Nevertheless l determined to make an effort to save my life, if possible, in leap upward. So l sprang out of the stage in desperate jump from the higher side. l reached the ground in safety. but not moment too soon
 The stars were bright overhead and through an opcning in the forest trees around on either hand, saw the ..lead- ers' of the team making desperate ef- fort to avoid being pulled over the precipiee, tho lines still in the hands of the driver below, the man clinging to the ribbons with the clutch Of death; nnd the rough stone edges of the lower wall of the roadway having broken the speed, since the axle had to be dragged forcibly over tho uneven surface.
 With swift decision of mind I saw what must be done to stay the tragedy 70 jumped to the front seized the leader by the bridle rein, and at ohS pulled his face square to the upper bank. thus stopped tho horses and kept the stage on the road
 But where was tho drivsrp This was the narrowing thought now in my mind for tho mans cries were hushed. Il cried aloud for him, but no answcr.ap voice came in reply, no so.nd was heard save tho echo from the opposite wall of the carson beyond, and the frightfHl panting of the trembA ing horses now well in my hands, Again and again cried-louder and wider and deeper in my distress, But hoard nothing in response save tho mocking echoes and the hcgving sound of the re s,ess horses. It was the most terrible moment of my hfe-terribls beyond expression.
 Hope grow stronger for the next moment came another and still another groan, this tune from a man evidently with vital energy and a rallying strug- Ss dend, up tho bank, but the only thing be seemed to bo thankful for. and the only fact he appeared to appreciate, was his courage in holding on to the limos whilc he was being dashc9 and dragged on tho rocks bolowl In the darSaess she first thing he wanted seen was tho manner in which he had per formed the fearful feat oi-holding the rein'! I, still trembling. held the frightened horses against the upper bank. doing all l csuld ts quiet the fears of the painting beasts.
 By tho hid of matches We soon had a good liyht and t.e situation was fully revealed. Tho poor driver was fright fslly mangled and tern, one ear being we'll nigh severed from the head as he struck the sharp edge of rocks below.
 l lied up the man as best could. VIC mendod the broken stage and got it back into the road and then came the slow and cautious and painftA descent to the nex. station at the foot of the range. Detroit Free Press.