Year: 1875

cided effect on Miss Castle. Here, again,
was directly traceable the influence
which Reynolds exerted on her. The
dominant feeling seemed to be sort OF
dread.


Determined to solve the mystery,
elected from Miss Castle, by few we'll
timed questions, the following disclosures,
which you may easily imagiue were not,
under the circumstances. either crafty
ing or soothing.


Reynolds, it appeared, was well known
to Miss Castle. In his youth he had
studied for the ministry. Possessed of
wealth, his education had been of a supe-
rior character, and he had early given
promise of a useful, distinguished career.
Deep, continued study, however, united
with religious enthusiasm, unsettled his
reason. He had at first appeared harm
less, but in time the nature of his malady
so changed that he at intervals became
violent and dangerous He was finally
placed under the care of keeper, but
not before he had twice attempted the
life of his friends during his periodical
ATTACKS of insanity. He was at last
placed in an asylum, and was, no doubt,
supposed by his friends to be in custody
at the very time when it was my fortune
to have him for travelling companion.
In word, the MISUNDERSTANDING
gentleman out there on the drivers box,
apparently so anxious to take charge of
our destinies, was L'ne other than an
escaped lunatic.


The dangerous nature of the road, and
the now accelerated speed at which we
were going, were grave causes for alarm.


A sense of impending peril possessed
me. The conversation between Reynolds
and the driver, which had fer time
somewhat lulled, was resumed in some
what louder, angrier tones than before.


Noticed that "Old Jimmy's" veice was
thick, and his words spoken with an in
distinctness characteristic of man under
the influence Of liquor.


What if Reynolds, with a madman's
cunning, had piled him with liquor, the


Suddenly we heard sounds of a strug-
gle, cries and oaths, thud on the coach
top, as of heavy fall then gasping
and choking, as though some one were
trying to get breath.


Now thoroughly alarmed, and feeling
certain that something wrong had taken
place, Ileaned as far as possible out of the
window, and saw something which is as
clear in my memory to-day as though it
had happened but yesterday.


Standing on the foot-board were the
driver and Reynolds engaged in terri
BILE struggle.


They swayed backward and forward with
the motions Of the coach, at times almost
falling forward under the horses, or to
the side under the wheels. The drivers
face was red, and swollen almost to burst
ing his arms were around the body of
his adversary as though in death-grip.
The herculean form Of Reynolds was al
most erect; his hat off, his long hair
streaming; his eyes flashing like those of
beast of prey about to spring on its
victim. Both of his hands clasped the
drivers throat, who at length, unable to
withstand the vice-like grip, -loosed his
hold and fell heavily, almost under the
wheels.


Our wild ride now commenced.


Reynolds seized the reins and whip and
lashed the horses into madness not much
less than his own. At intervals he uttered
cry, something of a yell and laugh, that
chilled one to the heart Onward
we sped with the rapidity of the wind.


/ turned to my companions. They had
evidently taken in the situation. The
farmer, though very much alarmed, was
self.possessed and courageous. The young
lady was terrified to such an extent that
her face was blanched and her features
fairly distorted.


The situation was awful. How to es-
cape was the question. My first thought
was that we could leap from the coach,
but one look Mt the jagged rocks on one
side and the deep ravine on the other con-
vinced me that such course would be
our certain destruction. To remain
seemed equally hopeless. Wewere threat
ened with instant annihilation.


Our mad driver piled the lash and
yelled at his maddened steeds. The noise
was fearful. The coach rocked from side
to side, and several times nearly turned
over. Our fate seemed to waver between
death by being dashed to pieces against
the rocks on one side and precipitation
into the ravine on the other. The wheels
often shaved the edge of the precipice,
sending the rocks tumbling below. My
acquaintance with all the features of the
road, having travelled it once or twice be-
fore, enabled me to decide on some plan
of escape.


About a mile ahead there was fork
in the road. The left hand was the route
formerly travelled, but being through
bad part of the country, and always con-
sidered dangerous, it had long been
abandoned, was out of repair, its bridges
down, etc. The right hand, or new road,
was wide, level, and in good condition. i
decided that if the left was taken it
would be better to risk death by leaping
from the coach, than to remain and face
inevitable destruction. But If the right
was taken, our chances would be al
together better, it being evident that the
horses could not much longer keep up
their break-neck gait, and that they
would probably run themselves down to
such an extent as to make our exit from
the vehicle comparatively safe.


As soon as declared my plan it was
accepted as the only feasible one. We
must bide our time. The suspense be-
came intense. How concentrating is
dangerl In the presence of imminent
peril how small seems the expanse of the
universe! The whole world, the whole
of life seems to be compressed into the
small space Immediately around us, and
every thing depends on our own saliva
ton. All is forgotten save our immediate
safety. So strong is the instinct of self
preservation.


The decisive moment approached. On
ward still onward with undated
rapidity. Objects flew past without
shape; the heavens turned circle.
Would the devil who was driving give us
but one chance for our lives?


felt relieved when the time for action
arrived. l pushed open the coach door,
grasped the doorpost, leaned forward,
and glanced up the road. Ahead was a
steep descent, at the foot of which was
the place where the roads parted. And
yet no lack in speed the wild, infuriated
animals dashed on; the merciless driver,
now demon with bloodshot eyes and