The National tribune., 1900-09-27
THE AMERICAN
CATALINA
CONTINUED from first pnse.D

ton of the rumbling and laboring of the
coach, added to the stiffness of the night
made it very quiet indeed. The pantinl
of the horses communicated tremulou
motion to the coach, as if it were in
state of agitation. The hearts of tn
coachman and boy beat loud enough to be
heard by their mistress, had she not beer
so busy with her schemes to 'entrap the
Colonel"
The sound of horses at a gallop came
fast and furious up the hill.
"Boggsr'
"Tomr'
Let us make a run for it."
The coachman had been thinking of this
himself, and his long whip cracked over
the backs of the horses, starting the
coach off with a jerk SO violent as to
quite upset the Elizabethan pose, roust
Asa from nap, and almost precipitatc
the Colonel into the center of the carriagc
1t would be difficult to describe the con
dition of Boggs' mind at that moment
He had brace of pistols in the box undel
the seat, the Colonel was armed, and
courageous man, but Tom would fly at
first fire, and Asa would be Of less use in
a fight than his mother. The prospect OF
sitting on the box a target for the bullets
Of the highwaymen was very displeasing
to Boggs, consequently he dashed the
horses to the top of their speed. Tom.
being mounted on feet animal, soon dis
appeared and was seen no more that
night.
In vain Mrs. Jarvis shrieked, her son
yelled, and the Colonel swore, the coach
Numbered on like modern express train,
until one of their pursuers, better mounten
than his companions, dashed up to the
leaders, snatched the reins and almost
jerking the animals to their haunches
cried:
Soho! Will you never stopF
The headlong pace of the coach was al
once checked, and, with much splashing
and foundering, the voice Of Boggs called
out from the mist:
Spare our lives, please, Mr.. Robberv'
At this juncture, while the Coioners
and his hand feeling for the butt of a PTS
toll, the sharp, shrill voice Of Mrs. Jarvis
might have been heard at the coach door
on the right crying:
''Boggs! Boggs!'
An instant later the voice Of her son
was heard repeating at the left door:
''Boggs! Boggs!'
w hat are you ABOUT there, Dogs!
demanded the shril voice on the right.
Eyes, Boggs, what are you about?" on
the left.
Are you drunk, STRIP
"Tell me, are you drunk, Boggs?" re-
peated the son.
This is very extraordinary, Boggsw
eyes, really very extraordinary" repeat
ed the son with owl-like gravity.
Then from out the darkness and mist
there came a voice which did not belong
to Boggs, who sat paralyzed with fear Oh
the seat.
Madame, beg pardon for interrupting
you in this manner, but l must speak
with the Colonel"
AT sound of the voice the Colonel showed
back the pistol which he had half drawn
Mrs. Jarvis in her shrillest tones proceed
ed to pour out the walls of her wrath on
the head of the men who had dared to in
terrupt their journey.
'You wretch, you monsterp she gasped,
putting her head further out, aud trying to
penetrate gloom and mist.
Yes, you wretch, you monster" the
hopeful son and heir screamed from his
side.
You deserve to be horsewhipped."
$50 you do, deserve to be horsewhip- |
ped"
The stranger, who had been making |
frantic but futile efforts to apologize and |
explain, now rode to the left side of the |
coach, causing Asa to withdraw his head !
and burrow in the cushions. Leaning over |
in his saddle the stranger tapped on the |
carriage door with his riding whip and |
said:
Colonel, Colonel, this won't do"
What do you want, John?" the Colonel |
asked.
I'VE must talk with you"
"Mrs. Jarvis" said the Colonel, perfect
y composed, these are friends who wish |
to see me on business; you must excuse |
me-"
A change came over the lady at once,
and placing her hand to her skinny throat |
IS if to stif1e her anger, she exclaimed:
Friends Of the e-Presdent-why.
'eally, this is most extraordinary"
And her son from under the cushions,
the latter part of her speech, with i!
| vague impression that it referred to an
lttack from robbers, repeated:
Most extraordinary!
Excuse me" the Colonel said, pushing
'pen the door and leaping out.
You will return, dearest Colonel"
said Mrs. Jarvis in her most skillfuly
noduated tone, from which all shrillness
lad disappeared.
Il hope to do So"
Sweetest Alice will be heart-broken if
he does not see you''
Another hOrseman came up, leading a |
iderless steed at his side.
who is with you, Swartout?" asked
he man who had alighted from the car
iage.
Van Ness"
What has happened?" the Colonel
sked, as he followed his two friends be-
Ond the hearing of Mrs. Jarvis.
Nothing has happened yet, Colonel"
Then why did you follow me-pull I'D
he coach like highwayman?
Colonel, this must not bev' said the
IAN called Swartout, in a voice calm but
rm.
What do you mean?'
GU must not go to Albany on this err
and and with this woman"
For moment the Colonel almost lost | II
is temper, and in a voice little ruffied il
sked if they were his keepers, or the
Idges of his conduct. But Swartout
new him we'll and appealed to the most
point of his reason.
Col Burr he said, you are too sensi-
e to be offended at the actions of friends
hose sole aim is your good. Think of
!amilton's triumph and the cabals of
heetham if this visit and it's purpose was v
become known. 1t will not do I
1t will not be KNOWN" he answered,
Don't tiatter yourself that your acts, =
nd even your thoughts, are not known to
he enemy. Agents have been stationed
1 along the way, and ere this courier is
'lng to Albany to await your arrival, and