The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1913-12-11
NIGH UNTO
DEATH
By ALvA R. HUNTINGTON

II was at time when the trans
r,;ssssippi country was developing. and
instead of the iron horse. with its tram
dashing along at the rate OF hfty miles
an hour. the stagecoach numbered III
the rate of i've or six. One OF THESE
coaches left Denver one morning
struck the mountains at Golden City'
mounted to the highest point and moy-
ed on downward and upward alternate
ly toward Georgetown.
On the top of the coach gentleman
and his family We're enjoying 'he
scenery. The driver sat on ms poA
irving to keep awake. for he had been
drinking. while beside him sat Il young
man whose costume denoted that ne
was resident OF the region. Tne
coach reached the top of an ascent
and the road in front wound downward
in one of those frequent dips In the
mountains. 1t had begun the descent
and the young man sitting beside the
driver. noticing that he had failed 10
nrt on the brake looked aside ut him
10 see what 1t meant. The fellow was
asleep and had not only failed 70
"brake." but had let go his hold on
+ha reins. which were now down on the
pole.
punch in the ribs awoke the driver
who seeing the reins dangling from
the pole and the coach rolling rapidly
down the crooked road. jumped IRON
his seat. preferring rather to be inJur
ed.by a fall on the stony road than &c
be hurled over precipice ne knew U
be at turn farther down.
There were shrieks from the womei
Messengers. while the men were para
lived. But among the latter there wa
one exception. The young man let
alone on the box let himself down o.
the pole. gathered up the reins. climb
cd hack on to the box and put on IN
brake. The horses were by this tim
so wild and the speed so great that
was very difficult to control the on
and lessen the other. Not an eighth 9
mile distant was the turn In To
road. with gulf a thousand feet zee
ON one side. The cries and shrieks ma
ceased with the effort thus far mad
IN regain control. and every eye wa
fixed on the danger ahead, every breat
held in terror.
The man on the box kept a firm han
on the reins and pushed with all q
strength with his right foot on ti
break There was lessening OF q
sneed but would it be reduced SUI
GENTLY TO go safely round the curve
The hearts of those whose lives we
Mt stake were throbbing in time WI
the jumping of the horses. Wnen u
turn was reached the velocity w
st;ll so great that there was little nor
rrhe women recommended to ,shriek.
"Stop that said the driver. iou
excite the horses"
The cries ceased. There was
sound except what came from I
horses hoofs and the creaking OF I
coach while every one held with
FIGHT grin to his seat and looked WI
straiping eyes at the gulf before nj
The driver guided the horses as Mt
the rock on the inner side as he oar
for should be hit 1t the coach Wo'
be knocked over the precipice. n
withstanding his effort SO great y
its swing when it made the turn q
a hind wheel slid over a slope
feet from the edge. The driver 81
veil to the horses and threw the lt
lash of his whip among them VIII
crack. Every animal gave jump
wheel came back on level ground;
the rest of the turn was made
safety.
The final effort caused the her
n break forth again. and again Z
must be brought under control
now the road was comparau'
straight and soon the inclination be