The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07
AN INGENUE
OF THE SIERRAS.

Icoprright lses by Bret Harte.

We ell hello our breath as the coach
rushed through the semi-darkness Of
Galloper's Ridge. The vehitle itself was
only huge numbering shadow; its side
lights were carefully extinguished. and
Yuba Bill had just politely removed
from the lips of an outside passenger
even the cigar with which he had been
ostentatiously exhibiting his GOODNESS. For
it had been rumored that the Ramon Mar
tinez gang of "road agents" were ''lay-
ing" for US on the second grade, and
would time the passage Of our lights
across Galloper's in order to intercept US
in the "brush" beyond. If We could
cross the ridge without being seen, and
so get through the brush before they
reached 1t. We were safe. If they fol-
lowed it would only be stern chase, with
the odds in our favor.
The huge vehicle swayed from side to
side. rolled, dipped and plunged, but Bill
kept the track, as if, in the whispered
words Of the expressman, he could ''feel
and smell" the road he could no longer
see. We knew that at times we hung per-
ilously over the edge of slopes that eventu-
ally dropped 600 feet sheer to the tops Of
the sugar pines below. but we knew that
Bill knew it also. The haif-visble heads
of the horses, drawn wedgewise together
by the frightened reins. appeared TO cleave
tho darkness like a ploughshare, held be-
tween his rigid hands. Even the hoof-
beats Of the six horses had fallen into o
vague. monotonous, distant roll. Then
the ridge was crossed, and We plunged
into the still. black obscurity of the
brush. Rather We no longer seemed to
move-it was only the phantom night
that rushed by us. The horses might
have been submerged in some swift
Lsthean stream; nothing but tho top Of
the coach and the rigid bulk of Yuba Bill
arose above them. Yet even in that awful
moment our speed was unslackened: it
was as If Bill cared no longer to guide but
only to drive. or as IL the direction of this
huge machine was determined by other
hands than his. An incautious whisperer
hazardsd the paralyxing suggestion of our
meeting another team" To our great
astonishment Bill overheard it; to our
greater astonishment he replied. at 'ud
be only . neck and neck race which would
get to hi first" he said quietly. But We
were relieved-for he had spokeni Almost
simultaneously the wider turnpike began
to glimmer family as q visible track before
us: the wayside trees fell out of line
opened up and dropped Off one after an
other: We were on the broader tableland,
out Of danger and apparently unperceived
and unpursued-
broke out again with the relighting of the
lamps and the comments, congratulations
and "reminiscences that were freely ex-
changed, Yuba Bill preserved dissatisfied
and even reseptful silence. The most
generous praise of his skill and courage
awoke no response. II reckon the old
man wax Just spiiin' for a fight and is feel
IN disappointed" said passenger. But
those who knew that Bill had the true
fighters scorn for any purely purposeless
conflict were more or less concerned and
watchful of him. lie would drive steadily
for four or five minutes with thoughtfullv
knitted brows. but eyes still keenly observ-
ant under his slouched hat, and then. re-
taxing his strained attitude, would give
way 10 moment of Impotence. you
amt uneasy about anything, Bill, are
You ~ asked the expressman confident
tally. Bill lifted his eyes with a slightly
contem ptuous surprise. Not about any
thing ter come. It's what hes happened
that don't exactly sabe. i don't see no
signs of Ramon's gang ever havin' been
out at all. and es they were out don't see
why they didn't go for Us"
THE simple fact Is that our ruse was
successful" said an outside passenger.
"They waited 10 see our lights on the
ridge. and. not seeing them, missed US
until We had passed. That's my opinion. "
"Sou amt putin any price on that
opinion, air YER inquired Bill. politely
mo"
"'Cos thars comic paper in Frisco
pays for them things, and I've seen worse
things in IT."
Come OFT Bill. " retorted the passenger,
slightly netted by the tittering of his
companions. Then what did you put out
the lights forp"
We'll" returned Bill. grimly. cit mout
have been because | didn't keer TO hev
you chaps bsszin' away at the first bush
you thought you saw move in your skeer,
and oringin' down their fire on us"
The explanation. though unsatisfactory.
was py no means al improbable one. and
We thought - better 10 accept II with a
laugh. Bill. however. assumed his alb
stFact manner.
Nv ho got i'll at the SummitT" he AZ last
asked abruptly Of the expressmsn.
Derrick and Simpson of Cold Spring.
and one Of the Excelsior boys. responded
The expressman.
"And that Pike county girl from Dow,
Fiat. with her bundles. Don't forget her, {"
added the outside passenger, ironically
Does anybody here know her?' con-
tinued Bill. ignoring the irony.
You'd better ask Judge Thompson: he
was mighty attentive 10 her. eettin' her a
seat by the OFF window and lookin' after
her bundles and things"
''Gettin' her seat by the window" re-
peAted Bill.
Yes. she wanted 20 see everything, and
wasn't afraid Of the shooting"
YES" broke in q third passenger, land
he was so id civil that when she
dropped her ring in the straw he struck a
match. agin ali your rules. you know. and
held il for her 20 find II. And IL Mas Just
81 We were crossin' through the brush. too
] saw the hull thing through the window,
Tor | wss hanging over the wheels with
my gun ready for action. And il WASH I
no fault Of Judge Thompson If his d!
foollshness hadn't shown Us up. and got
Us a Shot from the gang"
ti1 gave short gTu0t-hut drove
steadily On without further comment OF
even turning his eyes 10 the speaker
We were new not more than s mile from
the station ~ the CROSSROADS where We
were tn change horses. The lights already
gammeTed II the distance. anu there was
, falni suggestion OF the coming dawn on
the SUBMITS Of the ridge 10 ihe west. We
mad plunged into = belt Of timber. when
suddenly horseman emerged at 8 sharp
csnier from trail that seemed 70 be par
a..e- MIN our own. We were al slightly