114 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNLV 



about to walk into the sea, or drop into space. We 

 are ever rising. New peaks come into view, new 

 ranges of purple mountains silvered with flecks of fog. 

 So on and on, until the horses step out upon the loop, 

 a clever turn where the young lady on the box seat 

 looks into space and apparently sees the leaders 

 coming toward her, so sudden is the turn. This 

 point, taken on the run in the descent, comes as a 

 slight shock to the nerves of some people, but of course 

 not to yours. 



Higher the horses climb to the summit, where they 

 face the sea. The entire island is seen from here — 

 a maze and jumble of peaks and ranges, so high above 

 the ocean that the vessels appear like chips floating 

 on its surface. The climb of the six horses has taken 

 possibly an hour and a half. If you are in luck, you 

 can return in eighteen or twenty minutes, if it happens 

 you are on the stage that does not go through, and 

 particularly desire speed. It is the acme of coaching 

 possibilities, but the regular drivers are not allowed 

 to make the descent at more than a very moderate 

 speed, and there is no danger. 



The six horses are ''let out," and the full delights 

 of mountain coaching are realized. With foot on the 

 heavy brake, lines well in hand, Greeley starts his 

 team, the horses gaining speed until all six are seem- 

 ingly on the dead run down the incline. The party 

 have left their nerves on the summit, so there is noth- 

 ing to mar the complete enjoyment of the rush. It 

 is not only the scenery which impresses the passengers, 

 but the splendid handling of the six horses. The 

 driver has the animals absolutely in hand and his 

 spirit is infectious. Now the horses make a sharp 



