Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-09
The Argus Daily Story
The Road Agents-By Sarah L. oldfield.
Copyrighted 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

behind rock in front of Us and put
up his hand as signal for us to stop.
was surprised that the driver obeyed
the order instantly since the man
showed no weapon. but l soon learned
the cause. The driver knew full well
that rifles were pointed at him from
men in concealment
As soon as the coach came to a
standsttn four other men sprans ND
from behind the rise In the ground and
advanced toward Us.
You'll find 1t in the boot" said the
driver quietly, and they went back
and unstrapping the cover, took out
the boxes and placed them beside the
road. while two robbers stood on each
side OF the coach with rides In their
hands ready for use at the slightest
indication OF resistance. But SO great
were the expressions OF terror from
the passengers that they soon lowered
their guns, and two of them dropped
their rifles and went to the assistance
Of the man who was unloading the
treasure.
So far didn't feel much afraid, for
would relieve the express company of
the treasure and let Us go on. Besides,
the expressions OF terror OF those in
side the coach excited my contempt.
Strong men were begging the robbers
to spare their lives, while shrieks came
from the women. 70 did not seem to
me that they were In any danger 30
long as they did not offer resistance,
but that they had lost their heads
through cowartiice.
My friend the driver sat quieting the
horses by a word now and then-for
they seemed to know what was going
on and were very restive-but be SEEM
ed anxious about me. Why l couldn't
understand, because / had no idea OF
resistance, and didn't believe the rob
bers would modest a woman. did not
even believe that they would collect
the valuables OF the passengers since
they had seven or eight boxes OF bull
lion to take care Of
The boxes were unloaded and piled
on one another beside the road. Two OF
the men who had laid their rites down
and helped to carry the treasure were
about to pick them up; the other armed
man held his weapon. muzzle down, In
the hollow of his arm, and the fourth
armed man was looking with satisfac-
ton at the fine haul he had made
when the driver said to me In a quick
sharp voice:
"Get DOWN.
Before l could obey I heard the
cracking of rifles inside the coach and
saw two OF the road agents topple over.
None of the others had their hands on
their weapons. and before they could
get them every one was laid low. 1t
was all done in less than a quarter of
minute, and l saw that getting down
under the seat was unnecessary.
But whence came the firing? Surely
not from the cowardly passengers. l
looked at the driver for an explanation.
but he was busy with the horses. who
were rearing and plunging, and it was
] no time for the satisfaction OF my curl
osity.
The robbers were all dead or dying,
and the passengers were getting out
of the coach. The women tore off their
dresses and exposed mems clothes.
Every one was armed to the teeth,
though the weapons were concealed.
''Why didn't you get down when 1
told you to? By Jove, I'm glad you're
all right!'
The explanation of the affair came
to me piecemeal. The coach had been
sent out as a decoy. All inside were
men with concealed weapons. The
| The agent had contrived to have 1t re-
ported TO the road agents that treas
ure would go by that coach with a
view to an ambush. When | came up
! at the starting and asked to be allow
ed to go on the coach the agent nat
| urally demurred to take on a woman
under the circumstances. The driver,
wishing to have my company, argued
that at the springtng of the trap l could
| get down where no stray bullet would
! be likely to hit me. Nevertheless he
was much worried on my account and
! much relieved when it was all over.
| Leaving some of the passengers
| they were all in the service Of the ex-
! press company-w the dead and
wounded robbers. we drove on to the
next relay station and sent a wagon
| back for the wounded. But so far as
/ was concerned the adventure was
ended. And yet IL cannot be said to
/ have ended, because IN 1t | found my
fate. My drubbing the three RS into
/ chiIdren's heads did not last very long
My acquaintance with the stage driver
was enduring, and after a brief court
ship of a month-rather lengthy for
that country at that time-I married
! him.
His stage driving did not last long
Receiving some capital from the east.
he entered into the business of mining
machinery and supplies and prospered.
And now that the region In which we
live has grown populous and civilized
we enjoy a beautiful home. IN which
we are very happy. surrounded by nu-
merous children and grandchildren.