The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-10-23
The Defense Of the stage.
CHAPTER v.

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.
spiring instinct. It 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 q boy, had
put 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, single glance gave him q 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 un Ter 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 brandishins
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 a 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 1t 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, ED unceremoniously
jerking the men iI.o position for de-
tense.
Here, quick now! Don't waste
time! It's q matter of seconds, I tell
you! They're coming--a horde of
them. Here. Moylan, take this rife
barrel and knock hole through the
back there big enough to sight out of.
Hit 1t hard, damn you, it's q 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 a gun-man; now let's
see you prove 1t. Get back in the cor.
ner miss. so / can slip past-no, lie
down below the fire Incl"
"But-but will not!" and she faced
him, her face white. but her eyes shin.
Ing, Il can shoot! See!" and she
flashed a pearlhandled revolver def.
ahtiy. The Sergeant thrust her I'M
ceremoniousy aside and plunged
across to the opposite window, grip.
ping his Henry rife.
DO as say" he growled. "This
Is our fight. Get down! Now, you
terriers, let them have it,"
lhere 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
uuii bark Of Henry, the boom Of a
Mihchester, the sharp splitting of a
ooN The smoke rolled out in a
loud pungent, concealing, nervous
myers pressing the triggers again
ana again. They could see Keeling
norses, men gripping their ponies
names to keep erect, staring, fright.
sHeu eyes, animals flung back on their
,r ne rearing m IDLY In the air.
ne Heree yell of exultation changed
,D.o savage scream, bullets crashed
i"'o the thin sides of the coach; Il
IocNed with the contact of a half.
n ir body flung forward by n plung-
Us morse; the Mexican swore wildly
spanish, and then--the smoke blew
"siue and they saw the field; the dead
rnu uylng ponies, three motionless
dues dues huddled on the grass, a few
CG ns stragglcrs racing ON foot
o., a tne river bank, and squad of rid.
s clrciing beyond the trail. Hamlin
tpt tne mingled sweat and blood
o oIu OF his eyes, smiled grimiy. and
irai back into the coach. instinct.
b ns'y slipping fresh cartridges into his
into lat one time those fellows ran
nn anti hornets nest" he commented
isheSE al trace of excitement van.
n am'a, Better load up, boys. for we're
,os Cnrongh yet-theyIl only be more
a e,ui next time. Anybody hurtY
rr,' 9omethin' creased my back" re-
i, .',I Moylan' complainingly, and try
49, .''2ly to put a hand on the spot
TO-. .. IKE a streak o. fire." The Ser
to r,.. reached across. lingering tbe
a'lrt cautiously.
~, cared the flesh, pardner. but NJ
'rA worth p1anti,,g. -,