Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-15
When we reached the


grade to onct. When we reached the
bottom of the hill down at the station,
the old hoss dropped dead, an the
people on the stage just come to me
a.crying an a-thanking me for saving
their lives, an took on turruble.
Look lat that rock |" he calculated.
We gszed with startled eyes in the
direction indicated. "Oh, I guess it's
all right this time, but always ex-
pect to have a man step out from be-
hind that rock-fnest place to rob a
stage in the country. Two men held
me up there about fifteen years ago,
when I first began to drive here
didn't get anything, though. Now
we're past. Guess that sigh of relief,
amt it? This is a mighty dangerous
country bout here, but I guess I'll
git you through, ladies. Don't you
fear. If we git attacked, just sit
still-keep perfectly cool an cam, an
you probably won't git more than two
or three scattering Shots"
We were all frightened by this time.
The schoolmistress on the back seat
held her peace, but the rest of us
were looking about nervously, and
trusting our lives to this wonderful
Tennessee. The pretty widow was no
longer naughty and distant, but at
every noise in the bush grasped the
arm of the brawny driver and looked
appealingly into his face.
"Now, ladies, when we start down
this mountain, we are on the home
stretch to Angels. Just one mile
more. I always feel glad when we
pass this knoll. Joaquin Murietta
held me up right here the first month
was on the road. I had five miners
on board, an they showed fight, an
they got the worst of it, too. I just
held my horses an kept cool. Indis-
cretion is no kind of valor, you know.
Well, Murietta strung up every one
of them five miners to tree, an told
me to 60 into Angels an say that
Tennessee was the only man about
with any sense, an for other people
to take warning. That's the old tree
over there, an there's the ropes yet.
See them right there"
"Oh, do drive on fast-do drive
on |" we all exclaimed, shudderingly.
"Well, I guess we'll have to 60 on,
an pretty fast, too. The horses can't
hold back much on this down grade.
If we turn over, ladies, guess it will
be on my side, 80 just be prepared to
swing yourselves out"
Down we started. In few seconds
the horses were galloping, and in q
few seconds more they were running.
Five badly frightened people hung on
in desperation to the seats, and the
pretty widow hung to the arm of Ten
nessee. His feet were braced against
the dashboard, and his body was stiff
ened out as he hung on to the taut
lines. Swinging, humping, pitching,
We careened down the long hill and
went tearing into the little mining
camp of Angels.
We drew up with a flourish at the
door of the primitive hotel, and fairly
fell into the arms of Tennessee, who
had sprung to the ground to receive us.
Six thankful, admiring people stood
in the tiny hotel parlor awaiting the
next stage and driver. The little
brown schoolmistress was there, too.
"Why," said the little widow, ~
think should have died of fright on
that dreadful road if it hadn't been
for Tennessee"
eyes, indeed" cried number two.
"The very thought of that brave man
kept me calm, and I know if any one
else had been driving, we would have
been killed surely. What splendid
fellow he is !"
"Just the kind of a driver I have
always heard about" cried number
three.
"You could pick him out from a 1000
as regular old stager," said number
four.
"He's the bravest man I've ever
seen," said number five.
"He's a great, big hearted, fine fel-
low," said the timid man, land gen.
uine hero, too. I'm thankful we had
such a competent man over that fear
full road"
"Pardon me-" said the little brown
schoolmistress, who had been a silent
listener, "but I think you are all mis-
taken. Tennessee isn't much of a
hero. He's only been in the state two
weeks, and to judge by his driving he
never saw a stage before, and-well-
the postmistress is engaged to that
shotgun messenger, and all those rob-
berry stories he told you happened to
Fred Green, who drove you down to
Murphy's this morning. Evidently
Tennessee knew what was expected of
him, and proved himself equal to the
occasion. ."-Argonaut.