Coolly facing about, he levelled his gun at
the approaching travellers, three workmen, and remarked,
"Gentlemen, you have surprised me. Please deliver your guns, and stand
upon that log," indicating a prostrate pine four feet in diameter.
Needless to say, the men mounted the log and held up their hands. Then a
load of hay approached, and the driver mounted the log with the others.
Then came another wagon, with two men and a ten-year old boy, George
Williams. The robber ordered these to stand upon the log, whereupon
little George, in great trepidation, exclaimed,
"Good Mr. Robber, don't shoot, and I will do anything you tell me!"
About this time one barrel of the robber's gun was accidentally
discharged into the log, and he remarked:
"That was damned careless," and immediately reloaded with buckshot.
At length the stage came along; and promptly holding it up, he tossed
the driver a sack, directing him to put his gold dust therein. This
done, he sent each separate vehicle upon its way as cool as a marshal on
dress parade.
With Nevada City only four miles away, the canon of the South Yuba
safely passed, and the stage bowling along over an easy road, it seemed
a good story.
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