The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25

On the foothills of Long Valley -
guarded on the east by the towering peaks
OF the Mendocino Mountains, and skirted
on the west by Long Valley Creek-lies the
little town of Laytonville. 1t has only
few people; eighteen or twenty real resi-
dents are all even a census-taker could
scrape together from its streets and
houses, but they seem to keep the place on
the map, and besides do little teamwork
when the humor strikes them.
They lead quiet life in Laytonville, but
in their own way the people there and in
the country round manage to CLEAN con-
siderable enjoyment from their discus
sions over the horse block, or under the
big oak in front of the blacksmith shop.
And then, too, when everything else fails,
they have the stage. The stage passes
south at 10 O'Clock at night, and passes
north at in the morning, both times
stopping to change horses, for Layton
vile is a stage station, and the gossip OF
the road is always rife among the in
habitants.
Billy Baird used to drive on the Ukiah
line, from Willis north to Bell Springs.
He was typical mountaineer, who spoke
his words with a twang ana chewed to-
bacco, wore overalls and a jumper, except
on the most momentous occasion, and
always carried gun. He could use IL too,
but man of his reputation and his good
nature seldom had to do more than draw
it in a friendly fight over ''Purdy's" bar
for Billy took his day off regularly every
two weeks, and he always spent it in Lay
tonville.
for 10 mic
Yates, the daughter OF old John Gates,
who kept the stage stable, was just out OF
the town school, and was considered the
"lik'liest gal in the upper valley by many
besides Billy; but his opinion was the only
one she appreciated, as it was we'll under
stood that she was "Billy's gal, ana the
boys from the ranges and those entitled to
q place by the horse block acted accord
ingly. Besides, Billy could shoot, even
after night at "Purdy's."
Winter in Long Valley is a season OF
roaring creeks and waterccurses and roads
with from ten to twenty inches of mul
upon them. Christmas time is nevertne-
less rigidly observed by the upper valley
and festivities are always in order, but the
mails must come and go and the stag
the road. By rights it was Biily's day off,
but the hrst installment to pay TIE miners
in the new coal fields, near Covelo, had
been shipped to Ukiah on Christmas eve
and Billy had TO take the run, but he
would get into Laytonyille by o'clock III
the morning, just when the dance was well
going, and he would drop into the set with
Jennie Gates while Jim Mcdowell took his
place on the box to Bell Springs.
This was what Billy was thinking of as
he gathered up his reins at Willis. He
meant to put the team through in spite OF
the mud, so he braced one foot on the
treasure box and the other on the bra Ike
and started down the hill at run. There
was no one but himself in the coach, SO he
could go as he pleased. There was not
much mail and only one Wells-Fargo pack
age-the box. 1t was heavy, but shaking
up would never hurt the money, 50 Billy
cracked his whip again and urged his
leaders on. He knew OF the treasure; but
he had carried treasure before. ana his
only preparation was to SHIFT his belt a
little to bring his holster farther to the
front. There were others, too, though,
who knew of the treasure, and other prep
arations were going on up among the hills.
1t stormed enough for any stage-driver,
but Laytonville was only short dista nee
ahead, and that distance was rapidly
growing shorter. II it hadn't been rain
ing Billy might almost have seen the lights
of the town from the last grade, but it was
raining, and besides it was very dark.
The stage creakeG and ratified on and
q +l,a = ,o,,
churned in the mud, drowned all other
sounds. But sound caught the quick
ear of the driver and be stiffened in his
seat like man of steel. What he heard
was the splash of hoofs. but they beat in a
wild gallop while his own horses were 60
ing or steady trou. Laytonville was
only two miles await must be some
reveler returning home-but Baird shifted
his belt still farther forward, and grasping
his reins and whip in his left hand he
kept his right free.
Near came the splash of the approach
ing horse and before the driver knew it
the leaders reared on their launches and
the wheelers, forced onward by the rat
Ting stage, piled up beside them in tan
gled mass OF reins and traces.
''Standr' cried voice from the road
ahead, and moment after a mounted
figure doomed up in the darkness.
STAND be damned {" came from the box,
and two shots flashed in the air and min
gled their reports with the crack of the
drivers whip as it few out over the horses.
They sprang forward and the stage
lurched heavily as the wheels ground the
fallen rider into the roadway. He must
escape the rest of the gang, was Baird
only thought as he piled the lash and
shouted 10 his team.
There was group around the gate oil
Van Helms hotel when Billy ierked his
four bays to a stands.ill under the lantern.
ayr horses, boysi" the driver yelled
s'Y'r horses and y'r guns. They tried t
hold me mp piece down the road, an
bagged one. Quick! Git y'r horses and
come alone"
Van Helm caught Baird by the arm as