The Nine-Mile Hold-Up 



came both wheelers. A terrific explosion a few rods in 

 front of the soldiers sent the rocks sliding and tumbling 

 into the trail, completely blocking it. The whole 

 canyon seemed to be falling down. Enormous boulders 

 rattled and bounded down the steep mountain-side, and 

 finally went crashing into the canyon bottom. Before 

 the rocks had ceased sliding in front of the now panic- 

 stricken detail, there was another awful explosion, and 

 an avalanche of rocks cascaded into the trail behind them, 

 effectually cutting off their retreat. Besides the noise 

 and unexpected apparition of a small volcano almost 

 under their feet, the coloured cavalrymen were pelted 

 with flying rocks and sand. 



This startling combination threw them into utter 

 confusion. Several horses went over the ledge, their 

 riders saving their own lives by throwing themselves 

 from the saddle. The other horses rushed madly up and 

 down the narrow trail, jamming and crushing each other, 

 almost uncontrolled by their frightened riders. The 

 Lieutenant stood up in the wagon, and was partially 

 succeeding in restoring discipline among the frightened 

 troop, when a sharp order rang out from the rocks above. 



" Halt !" commanded the voice; and again, " Halt !" 

 in menacing accents. This was accompanied by a whole 

 babble of gruff voices in the surrounding cliffs. 



" Blow up the damned niggers !" " Blow 'em to 

 Hell !" " Kill the black sons o' guns !" 



The frightened soldiers looked in vain for something 

 to shoot at. There was not a man in sight. 



Still the voices kept on : " Blow up the damned niggers !" 

 " Blow 'em to Hell !" There was something uncanny 

 in those gruff, menacing voices and not a speaker showing 

 himself. The soldiers, who had dismounted at the 

 Lieutenant's command, cowered in fear. The Lieu- 

 tenant had a creepy feeling in the small of his back, and 



191 



