The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-08
NED HINES, THE OUTLAW.
HOW HE OUTWITTED a POOR MI
NER AND ROBBED HIM.

From the Philadelpnl3 llIneS.
Six fares inside and three fares outside
nine passengers when we left Lower Bar,
and slowly climbed the three-mile grade
to Bidwell Canyon.
The April day was clear, warm and
cloudless. with a gentle south breeze
The slopes Of the hills were covered with
great beds Of gorgeous blue and yellow
blossoms, and the buckeye was in full
bloom The rich, dark glossy leaves OF
the poison oak, the white trunks of the
gigantic sycamores and the broad-spread-
ing tops of the huge live oaks formed
pleasing contrasts of which the eye OF
even so prosaic person as myself never
tired.
l call myself prosaic because 1 dare not
think of a scared and hardened old stage
driver being poet or having a poetic in
stinct. 1t is quite contrary to the canons
of all the romances, and 1 humbly apollo
gize for having INDUCED myself beyond
all bounds.
It was in California, in the spring OF
1851. 1 was on the box holding the RIB
hons over some of the widest and most
unmanageable teams that were ever har-
messed to a passenger coach. The ami
mails were half-broken, Mexican horses
tough. wiry and vicious, ready to bite or
kick at a moments notice, and watching
for every opportunity to run away. My
route was from Marysville to Bidwel
Bar. which was then a rich and populous
mining camp, and as the distance be-
tween the two was but thirty mics anu
the regular fare was eight dollars the
stage company was making money
The passengers, who were miners, were
taking over the rich discoveries that mad
been made on the West branch, and on
the HEADQUARTERS of the South Fork OF the
Feather river and some were discussing
these new mines when we reached the top
of the grade, and l gave "Whoop 70
my fiery animals, and they dashed OF on
q run for the next two miles, putting an
end to all conversation. Some distance
further on I pulled up at Garden ranch,
where there was a large hotel, in front
of which l stopped to have the horses
watered. One of the passengers left mo
on the box. 1t did not remain long I'M
occupied. Half a mile further on l saw
two men sitting beside the road and as
we dashed up one of the men stopped
us with Shout. He was a gigantic fei-
low, tall rawboned and loose-jointed,
with huge reddish whiskers already slight
ly tinged with gray, and large, bright ana
animated blue eyes. As he rose TO his fees
/ thought 1 had seldom seen more pow
erful man. He had no spare flesh, and
was strongly built, sinewy and bony,
with a foot like the paw of. a gigantic
bear. He was dressed in a blue flannel
shirt dark pantaloons tucked inside or
strong cowhide boots, and his head was
covered with an old white wOolen hat.
At his right side was strapped a huge
navy revolver and to the left fine hunt
ing knife with a buckhorn handle.
His companion presented a contrast,
for he was small and emaciated, with
large, dark eyes rather hollow and thin,
sharp face. partially covered with stray
Cling black beard.
AS the big man stretched himself up to
his full height he called out in a voice that
fairly rang through the woods Have
you room for one more passenger to Ma
rysville?'
Yes replied but be alive about get
ting aboard, for my team don't like to
stand"
whats the fare?" asked the big fellow,
his broad face breaking into smiles, as he
watched my half-wild horses twisting and
pranoing and paving the ground in their
eagerness to go.
Eight dollars" was my sharp answer,
board If you are going"
The big man reached his hand down in
his capacious pocket and drew forth
handful of gold and silver coins, from
which he selected the right change and
handed It to me- saying: Here is your cash
but / amt the passenger. 1t Is my little
friend here, who is sick, fiat broke be-
sides, and wants to go TO Marysville to
see a doctor"
The small man had in the meantime
slowly and YEARLY climbed upon the stage
and dropped down into the seat beside me
with a sort of groan.
Take good care of him." cried the big
friend, land If thar Is any extra expense l
will pay you the next time we meet" /
was just on the point of starting my team
when the tall man pulled off his old white
hat. and, looking up, anxiously asked
"Thar amt been no shoOtin nor robbin
nor lynching affairs up around the Barr"
mo" was my reply, but teamster
was robbed yesterday down at the Prai-
RE house by that rascal, Ned Hines, and
they say he has stopped several men and
robbed them lately near Bangor on the
Honcut.''
''Sho, don't tell me-" cried the big trav-
eler, his large blue eyes opening in Won
der, as he grasped tightly the belt in
which he doubtless had his money. Rob
bed, you say and by that precious ras-
Cal, Neu itlneSG 4 wish could draw
bead on that fellow. I'd put an end to
his Robin decent folks. But take keer
of my little friend there, and see that
he gets through to Marysville all right"
and with this he turned and disappeared
suddenly in the dense bushes that fringed
the road.
Away went the team, and / had all
could do to hold the horses for the next
ten minutes, consequently / paid no at
tention TO my new passenger. When
did look at him was greatly surprised to
see the tears slowly trickling down his
thin and wasted cheeks. To comfort him.
l said: Hold your grip till we get to
the next stopping place. and / will get
you stiff horn Of whisky" 0his was a
cure-all among miners) you feel pretty
sick, don't your"
II am not Sick" was the reply in a
voice just then tremulous with emotion.
Not sickT' / cried. what the deuce
ais you ,then?' and stared at the fellow
with much interest.
Il have been robbed was his replv
while the big tears now fairly rolled down
his cheeks.
Robbed ?"eried one Of the passengers
just behind him. who robbed Won
It,"
Thus requested, the small man stifed
ne hos l.