The Winslow mail., 1913-06-28
CHAPTER v.
The pefense Of the STAGE.

There were times when Haml1n's
mental processes seemed slow, almost
sluggish, but this was never true in
moments of emergency and peril.
Then he became swift, impetuous,
seemingly borne forward by some in
spring instinct 1t was for such ex-
periences as this that he remained In
the service-his whole nature respond
ing almost joyously to the bugle-call
of action, of imminent danger, his
nerves steadying into rock. These
were the characteristics which had
won him his chevrons in the unre-
warded service of the frontier, and.
when scarcely more than boy, had
put a captains bars on the gray col
lar of his Confederate uniform.
Now, as he struggled to his knees,
gripping the iron foot-rail with one
hand, a single glance gave him dis
tinct impression of their desperate sit
uation. With that knowledge, there
likewise flashed over his mind the
only possible means of defense. The
Indians, numbering at least thirty, had
ridden recklessly out from under the
protection of the river bank, spread
ing to right and left, as their ponies
hoofs struck the turf, and were now
charging down upon the disabled
coach, yelling madly and brandishing
their guns. The very reckless aban-
don of their advance expressed the
conception they had Of the situation
they had witnessed the fight of the
two fugitives, the runaway of the
wheelers, and believed the. remaining
passengers would be helpless victims.
They came on, savage and confident,
not anticipating fight, but massa-
cre-shriekiug prisoners, and glut of
revenge.
With one swing of his body, Hamlin
was upon the ground, and had jerked
open the inside door of the coach,
forcing it back against the dirt of the
bluff which lowered in protection
above. His eyes were quick to per-
ceive the peculiar, advantage of posi-
ton; that their assailants would be
compelled to advance from only one
direction The three within were bare
ly struggling to their feet. dazed. be-
wildered, failing as yet to comprehend
fully those distant yells. when he
sprang into their midst, uttering his
swift orders, and unceremoniously
jerking the men into position for de-
fense.
Here, quick now! Don't waste
time! It's matter of seconds, I tell
you! They're coming-a horde of
them. Here, Moylan, take this rifle
barrel and knock a hole through the
back there big enough to sight out of.
Hit 1t hard, damn you, it's case Of
life or death! What have you got, Con
zales? A revolver? Into that win
dow there, and blaze away; you've got
the reputation of gun-man; now let's
see you prove it. Get back in the cor
ner, miss, SO l can slip past-no, lie
down below the fire line!"
"But-but will not!" and she faced
him, her face white, but her eyes shin
ing. II can shoot! See!" and she
flashed a pearl-handled revolver def
antly. The Sergeant thrust her un-
tremendously aside and plunged
across to the opposite window, grip
ping his Henry rifle.
do as l say" he growled. This
is our fight. Get down! Now, you
terriers, let them have it,"
There was a wild skurrying of
mounted figures almost at the coach
wheels, hair streaming, feathers wav-
ing, lean, red arms thrown up, the air
vocal with shrill outcries-then the
dull bark Of Henry, the boom of a
Winchester, the sharp splitting of a
Colt. The smoke rolled out in a
cloud, pungent, concealing, nervous
Gngers pressing the triggers again
and again. They could see reeling
horses, men gripping their ponies
names to keep erect, staring, fright
ened eyes, animals flung back on their
launches, rearing madly in the air.
The fierce yell of exultation changed
into a savage scream, bullets crashed
into the thin sides of the coach; it