Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-04-14


I'd come for il. -
Once more tue horses slowed down to
a gentle trot, aud tie sturdy driver
hdgeted the box WITH his foot. The
spell OF temptation nearly conquered.
The hiding place was near at hand. The
horses stopped as if by instinct; but this
very TACT startled the man.
"No, no. What ais mel Git up, We
brutes, what are We stoppin' fort |
wasn't gUln' to do anything. was only
thinkiu' how it might be done. Git
upw
lie was ner vous and excited, glauclns
around him many times.
"PhawP Pm superstitious, no ex.
claimed with laugh. "Who do think
will see me here. There amt nothin' to
be afraid of. I'll just stop to quiet my
nerves. Whoa, there!"
The stage coach came to a dead halt.
Ben Tillotsol jumped down from his
high seat and walked up to the heads of
the animals.
"a mighty lonely place. Nobody in
twenty miles of me-Nnd five, six or
seven thousand dollars in gold. Maybe
there's more. Let me see how heavy the
box is. Ay, but that is heavyl
| Shouldn't wonder Of there was more
probably ten thousand dollars-all gold.
| wonder CT l could lift it. Yes, an
throw it in the bushes. Easy as can be.
Held up by highwaymen, nice story, two
bullets in the clothes, aud one throu1h
the hat. Hal ha! HI! I'll try it, yes
no. Hcy-whatl'
A stone rolled down the side of tho
canyon wall, and the man looked up ner-
vously. 1t was only grey squirrel, but
the bead like eyes were Watching him
intently.
"What am I doin'," the man NUT
tered, with the cold perspiration rua.
ming down his face. "Robbin', s.ealin'
AN ordinary highwayman. Heavens
Git up herel Hurry, boys, or I'll 80
crazy"
The coach seemed to rush along at
lightning speed. The heavy box fell
back to its original position, but the
drivers hands trembled 50 that he could
hardly hold the reins. Down the canyon
horses and driver rolled in cloud Of dust.
The man saw nothing around him, and
the whisperiugs Of his own constance
shut out every external sound. The
horses followed the road by instinct, aud
that alone saved the coach from entire
destruction. Faster and faster he urged
the plunging animals forward until the
limit Of their speed was reached. Tney
rushed a sudden curve with their flnks
reekirg with white foam, and then they
came to a staudstll so suddenly that Ber
Tillotson barely retained his seat.
GLANDS up! Hands up, quick"
Was he dreaming, or was his brain
turningl Was his mind still dwelling
upon the old idea, or was he held up in
carnest7 Mechanically, however, ne
raised his hands, and when his befogge5
brain was clear enough to understand hi!
position he realized that heavy Win.
chester was staring him in the face.
Don't move, Old man, or yell die, y
the masked highwaymln said, calmly.
"Yese caught this time. Hand over
the box quick. Hands up!"
the rifle moved threateningly nearer,
and Ben had nothing to do but obey.
He had never been caught before, and
the thought Of delivering his treasure tC
a hlghwayman reused all of his latent
cunning and courage.
"Here We are. Get hold Of it.
must hold the horses"
"Never mind the horses. Shove the
box toward me-"
Ben obeved. lie pushed the bcs
slowly along with his feet. He could
see that the man was green at the bust.
ness, and he waited for his opportunity.
When the box was close to tho highway.
man the rifle was lowered for an instant
Ben was within three feet OF it, and with
a sudden spring he caught the barrel OIL
1t in his left hand.
"Hold up, stranger; | have the droE
this time he calmly said, producing {
revolver and holding it within foot oil
the mans head.
Courses on ye,' came from behind the
mask.
"Drop that rifle, and hold up your
hands. Drop it, | say, or you'll 80 into
eternity without warnin'."
The mau reluctantly obcyel. III
could do nothing else under the circu II,
stances.
Now of with that mask. No; I'll
take it off myself"
The highwaymau sought to catch the
mask, but Ben tore 1t off with one sweep
OF his hand, holding the revolver tight
in his right.
"uarry Somersl' he gasped.
The two men gazed at each other for
several moments. The uncovered high.
wayman was pale, aud Ben Tillotsor
trembled at the sudden revelation. The
penalty OF such crime was death, and
the driver would be justified in shooting
his rival without a word of warning
On the other hand, il he showed mag.
unanimous spirit, and forced him, at the
point of his revolver, to accompany hin
to the nearest point OF civilization, he
would be strung up at tho first tree,
The choice OF deaths was not encouraS-
ing.
"Wcll, what are you goin' to do will
met" the captured man asked ID voice
that was intended to be brave. "Yot
have me in your power an my life il
yours, l s'pose. | could have shot yo'
before, but couldn't commit murder
You can shoot me, M nobody will call l
murder. 1t will be justice. Or you cal
take me to the town an have my bod.
grace tree. Manly Duyval will b
there, an' she'll rejoice with you at thu
sight,
At the mention OF his sweetheart