Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-09-04

On the Santa Fe Route.
Four Of us-a young lady, governsss
in an officers family-a wealthy mer-
chant, middle aged-the companys
horse -shoer, bound for the stables at
Denver-and myself, government as
saver and mineral expert, had left
Santa Fe, n. NJ, on the s. F. & D.
stage one scorching summer after
noon. 1t was not two o'clock in the
morning. We had just congratulated
ourselves on being safely out OF the
most dangerous passes, and were
driving briskly toward the Canadian
fork.
The full moon lightened our way,
making the bushes and trees adjacent
cast sharp decided shadows across
the road. had changed places with
the little horse-shoer on the roof for
the sake Of little more air. The in
sides" were doing, but | felt wake
full and alert. We beguiled the sultry
hours by story telling. Suddenly l
saw something moving in the shadows
ahead Of us.
What is that y | said
The driver looked, his eyes round
ing like the moon. Nothing but a
burro," he replied, referring to the
pack mules that frequently strayed
down the mountain side. 1t disap-
peared quickly in the shade, and from
thence, as il by magic, two men, the
polished barrels OF their rifles gleam-
Ing in the moonlight, sprang into the
road.
They wore huge slouched sombreros
and army cloaks. The stoutest OF the
pair caught the brides Of the leaders;
the other, covering us with his Win
chester, roared:
Stir a finger an yer dead men,
Advancing closer, and keeping us
within range OF his muzzle, he shout
ed:
pitch out the treasure box, quick!
We're in hurry
The driver began to stammer re-
ply, but l stopped him with a NUT
tered, shut up! Let me talk to
these chaps! There's no treasure
aboard tonight !"
LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL.
said this coolly, at the same time
swaying my body to and fro, to get
out Of the range OF the muzzIe; the
man was evidently very determined
as well as very near. As l intended
he should, he took lie for an express
messenger, and as neither driver nor
messenger is supposed to possess any
yaluables they are seldom molested.
None oyer nonsense " replied the
bandit Hand out the treasure or
yell see trouble, blast yer"
The scoundrel at the reins, who held
his rifle pointed at me from between
the horses heads, evidently enjoyed
my endeavors to get out OF range, for
he suueaked In high falsetto voice:
Does them bar'ls look big :" Yes,
l said, echoing the old joke current
among the miners; Il can read all
the advertisements on the wadding!
He gave a hoarse chuckle. "Hy' ar,
hy'ar; heave out that specie box!
roared the ruffian with the Winches-
ter. Insisted there was none. Here
look at the way bill; II there's any
such thing aboard 1t will be among
the items"
/ threw him the way bill; he
dropped his rife, and picking it up,
looked it over in tho moonlight.
Profiting by the action, | undertook
to slip my pocketbook into my boot
and moved my hand round to get at
the pocket.
The driver, mistaking the move
ment, whispered, Have you got
oneY" The man at the horses heads
noticed our little conference, and
yelled at us. The other instantly
leveled his gun straight at my head:
None o'that! Hands up!
We threw up our hands and he
again turned to the way bill. Ibid
manage, though, to slip my money In
to my boot.
"You see, there's no mention made
of the treasure, and il it was sent it
would certainly be noticed on the bill.
However, you can get up and look in
the box and satisfy yourself"
TRICK vLLIsE.
He hesitated a moment, then climb
ed up, rife in hand, and looked in the
box; in doing SO he kicked my valise.
AS a government expert, | was we'll
known to the bankers OF Santa Fe.
They never hesitated to intrust me
with large amounts OF money, and
this trip was no exception, having
with me nearly $4,000 in gold, Sc
cured partly in an inner belt around
nv waist, partly by a false bottom
improvised in my valise by gum
ming strong wrapping paper over the
precious parcels, an inner lining OF
the bag. "Open this hyar grip!
cried the road agent. | did SO, care
fully taking out its contents and let
ting him look inside. The wrapping
paper deceived him.
Nav" he growled, "ther's no
treasure on this stage, but we've
sworn to have $500 tonight, an ef we
don't fin it in yer treasure box We
lnought fin it in yer baggage. Who's
inside!'
Two men and a lady. None oi
them rich; one OF them is a horse