CHAPTER IX 



A FAMOUS COACH ROAD 



ALL California is famous for its coaching, its 

 coach roads, and its fine drivers. Hank Monk 

 and the dozen or more wonderful whips who 

 took passengers over the historic roads of the high 

 Sierras in the days of forty-nine are familiar names 

 to many. 



The coaches are gradually being supplanted by 

 motor cars, but on Santa Catalina coaching after the 

 old fashion still holds. Here is found what has been 

 described as the most remarkable stage road in the 

 world, extending from Avalon up into the Cabrillo 

 Mountains, across the island, and down almost its 

 entire length to the Isthmus, and five miles beyond 

 on the north island. 



One of the owners of the island. Captain William 

 Banning, is probably the finest amateur six-in-hand 

 driver in the United States; to see him handle his 

 famous team on the island roads, or anywhere in Cali- 

 fornia, is something worth while. I think the one 

 experience at Santa Catalina Island that made the 

 most lasting impression on me was the first ride down 

 the mountain road with Captain Banning and his 

 private six-in-hand when he "let them out." It was 

 as near an aeroplane as anything could be, and I think 

 we made the run down in about eighteen minutes. 

 To-day the coaches are owned and run by one of the 



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