The Delta independent., 1914-01-30
BoB's RECKLESS DRIVE
BY W. r. CODY.

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A typical man of the west was talk
ing to a few friends and discussing
the good old times Of the overland
stage and pony express, Indian fights.
and when the real bad man from Bit
ter Creek was much In evidence.
The westerner was Col. M. B. Rus
sell Of Deadwood, and he looked just
what he was-a man who had been
there
There was one drive over the Over
land trail which I guess the six Eng
lishmen who took it will remember to
their day of passing in their chips. II
they have not already cashed in and
gone across the Great Divide" said
the colonel.
ut was in Bob Scott's coach and
run, and be it known Bob was the
best. yet the most reckless, driver on
the Overland trail.
TT was in the early '60s, and the
coach came in to Horseshoe with the
six Britishers only, and was loaded
down with their baggage.
There Bob Scott was to take the
reins and drive the old hearse through
to Fort Laramie, and the driver that
brought them in told how the six pas
sengers had grumbled all along the
trail against the slow rate they went.
Each driver had taken his share of
abuse, and each one had passed word
along to Bob about it.
"Blarst me bloody eyes. but you
don't know anything about staging in
this blarsted heather country" said
one of the party to Bob Scott
Bob Scott smiled and said, simply:
I'll see what can do to please
you
Then Bob went to the stables and
got the stock tenders to hitch up six
of the pony express riders horses for
his team that day, and animals not all
broken to coaching.
"WeIl strike Laramie on time, or
I'll know why not" grimly said Bob
Scott, and he mounted the box as the
Englishmen came out from dinner and
eyed the new team, with men holding
them on the earth.
I'm blest If 1 don't believe that's
a fair going team of cobs,' said one.
"'All aboardi' shouted Bob.
"'Blarst you, turn 'em loose!' and
other things were said to Bob, along
with much abuse.
THE trail led up long hill, half a
dozen miles in length. but then came
a sharp and rough descent.
Then came Bob's chance, and, wild
at the abuse heaped upon him, he gave
a yell. threw the reins. three on one
side, three on the other, to drag on
the ground, and began to lay the whip
upon the team.
III the Englishmen at first were
pleased, it was only for q moment. as
Bob drew his revolver and fred SIX
shots in the air. yelling as he fired.
His next mad act was to tear hrst
one lamp, then the other from the
sides, and hurl them full force at the
leaders. the tingling Of the broken
glass startling them the more.
"The Englishmen were scared half
out of their wits by this time.
"They dared not jump out, though
hasty council Of war decided unani-
mously that they were being driven by
a madman.
ITO add fuel to the fire, Bob leaned
back and calmly asked:
Gentlemen, does this style OF
staging please your
"A groan in chorus was the an
swer.
"The next station was ten miles
from Horseshoe, and with hop, skip
and jump the coach went along
dragged by the maddened team.
"The stock tenders heard the noise,
saw the horses tearing along, and
knew that they were running away,
and quickly threw the stable doors
wide open, knowing the animals would
rush in.
"It was a close call for all. but Bob
ordered the coach backed out, fresh
team hitched up, and quietly called
out:
"'All aboard, gentlemen!
But the six Englishmen had hao
more than their moneys worth and
their fill Of Bob Scott. and refused to
ride further with him"
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz