As the flying team was nearing the station, the stock tender saw that they were running away and that the driver had no control over them whatever.  Being aware that the pony express horses were accustomed to running right into the stable on arriving at the station, he threw open the large folding doors, which would just allow the passage of the team and coach into the stable.  The horses, sure enough, made for the open doorway.  Capt.  Cricket, the messenger, and Scott got down in the boot of the coach to save themselves from colliding with the top of the stable door.  The coach would probably have passed through into the stable without any serious damage had it not been for the bar or threshold that was stretched across the ground to fasten the doors to.  This bar was a small log, and the front wheels struck it with such force that the coach was thrown up high enough to strike the upper portion of the door frame.  The top of the coach was completely torn off, and one of the passenger’s arms was broken.  This was the only serious injury that was done; though it was a matter of surprise to all, that any of the travelers escaped.

The coach was backed out, when the running gear was found to be as good as ever.  The top was soon patched up, a change of team was made, and Bob Scott, mounting the box as if nothing had happened, took the reins in hand, and shouted, “All aboard!” The Englishmen, however, had had enough of Bob Scott, and not one of the party was willing to risk his life with him again.  They said that he was drunk, or crazy or both, and that they would report him and have him discharged for what he had already done.

Bob waited a few minutes to give them an opportunity to take their seats in the coach, but they told him most emphatically that he could drive on without them, as they intended to wait there for the next stage.  Their traps were taken off, and Bob drove away without a single passenger.  He made his usual time into Fort Laramie, which was the end of his run.  The Englishmen came through on the next day’s coach, and proceeded on to Atchison, where they reported Bob to the superintendent of the line, who, however, paid little or no attention to the matter, as Bob remained on the road.  Such is the story of the liveliest and most reckless piece of stage-driving that ever occurred on the Overland stage road.

CHAPTER X.

QUESTIONABLE PROCEEDINGS.

Having been away from home nearly a year, and having occasionally heard of my mother’s poor health, I determined to make her a visit; so procuring a pass over the road, I went to Leavenworth, arriving there about June 1st, 1861, going from there home.  The civil war had broken out, and excitement ran high in that part of the country.  My mother, of course, was a strong Union woman, and had such great confidence in the government that she believed the war would not last over six months.