Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE COACHMAN OF THE MOUNTAINS. A L SHATTUC drove the Denver stage Along the mountain steep; Like lightning by the chasm's edge, Ten thousand fathom deep ; While whistling whip he fearless played, And urged his leaders undismayed. The ambushed savage strove to hold His passengers a prey, But Shattuc kept, with spirit bold, The wiley foe at bay ; And sped unscathed and fearless through, Through dangers crowded on his view! He stood a hero 'niong the clan Of daring, hardy soula ; Excelled them all in skill—a man A generous heart controlls; Ambitious that each hardy steed Should all things fast in fleetness lead. Wild Colorado's mountain step Loud echoed neath the tread Of flying steeds that swiftly swep Like torrent o'er its bed Of gleaming cliffs and channeled rocks Whose voice the crashing thunder mocks! The perils of the mountain road Are all in safety past; The skulking savage's abode Has sunk from sight at last; For Al. has found an easy drive Where prairie hamlets rise and thrive. From Newton to young Wichita, Through Sedgwick fair he sped; They praised his greys who wondering saw His high vehicle red, That o'er the prairie winding glides While travelers peer from latticed sides. Al. Shattuc mounted as of yore, Behind six prancing steeds, Strikes toward his leader far before, That little urging needs,— A spring!—o'erturned !—Al's mid the crash! Dragged neath those hoofs that madly dash ! Crushed neath his stage's ponderous wheels, A writhing mass he lay; Death o'er those palid features steals— He perished with the day:— " By Mary's grave there let me lie." He said, and closed his eyes to die. True hero! in thy calling brave! Oh! daring, early dead ! A tribute lies upon thy grave ...