of the
gymnastics of the erratic stage. Bill, who had always found delight in
seeing how near he could come to missing things and who was elated at
the joy of getting over the worst parts of the trail with speed, decided
that this was a rare and most auspicious occasion to show just what he
could do in the way of fancy driving. The return to town had spoiled
his chances for a record, but he still could do some high-class work
with the reins. The weight of the baggage on the tail-board bothered
him until he discovered that it acted as a tail to his Concord kite,
and when he learned that he joyously essayed feats which he had long
dreamed of doing. The result was fully appreciated by the terrified
passengers who, choking with the dust which forced its way in to them,
could only hold fast to whatever came to their grasp and pray that they
would survive.

As he passed a peculiarly formed clump of organ cacti, which he regarded
as being his half-way mark, he happened to glance behind, and his face
blanched in a sudden fear which gripped his heart in an icy grasp.

He leaped to his feet, wrapping the reins about his wrists, and the
"blacksnake" coiled and writhed and hissed. Its reports sounded like
those of a gun, and every time it straightened out a horse lost a bit of
hair and skin. Both of the leaders had limp and torn ears, and a sudden
terror surged through the team, causing their eyes to dilate and grow
red. The driver's voice, strong and full, rang out in blood-curdling
whoops, which ended in the wailing howl of a coyote, wonderfully well
imitated. The combination of voice and whip was too much, and the six
horses, maddened by the terrible sting of the lash and the frightful,
haunting howl, became frenzied and bolted.

Braced firmly on the footboard, poised carefully and with just the right
tension on the reins, the driver scanned the trail before him, avoiding
as best he could the rocks and deep ruts, and watching alertly for a
stumble. His sombrero had deserted him and his long brown hair snapped
behind him in the wind. Bill was frightened, but not for himself alone.
With all his bravado he was built of good timber, and his one thought was
for the women under his care. He unconsciously prayed that they might not
be brought face to face with the realization of what menaced them; that
they would not learn why the coach lurched so terribly; that the trunk
which obstructed the back window of the coach would not shift