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Show 44 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. through the bottom of the coach. When released, he drew a large knife, and the frightened passengers got out in tumultuous haste. Upon this statement they were allowed to proceed. The strange passenger died soon after being thrown from the coach, and was buried by the side of the road. "It was learned subsequently that the man had lived in Denver, and being suspected of cattle stealing was ordered off by the, vigilance committee. He took the first coach for the East, and the probabilities are that his fright unsettled his mind, and he had attacked what in his delirium were his foes. His name was never learned, and perhaps his friends in the East, or over in ' Fader-land,' are still awaiting his return." CHAPTER IX. REMINISCENCE OF A FREIGHTER. " Twenty odd years ago," said Mr. G, "supplies for all the country west of the Missouri river were furnished by wagon trains, and the Pawnees, Sioux and Cheyennes were the lords of the public domain. In order to avoid trouble with them, it was necessary for the freighters to gratify their whims, and occasionally feed them when they came about the camp, especially if in any considerable number. We often had to resort to 'ways that are dark' in order to get even with them. I was camping once with my freight trains down on the old overland route, and just about dark a band of Cheyennes, numbering probably thirty or forty, and headed by a venerable dilapidated looking sub-chief, came trailing over the |