Scene—­the Dutch Flat Stage Road, at 12 P.M., on a Night of 1864.

COWBOY CHARLEY: 

My boss, I fear she is delayed to-night. 
Already it is past the hour, and yet
My ears have reached no sound of wheels; no note
Melodious, of long, luxurious oaths
Betokens the traditional dispute
(Unsettled from the dawn of time) between
The driver and off wheeler; no clear chant
Nor carol of Wells Fargo’s messenger
Unbosoming his soul upon the air—­
his prowess to the tender-foot,
And how at divers times in sundry ways
He strewed the roadside with our carcasses. 
Clearly, the stage will not come by to-night.

LELAND, THE KID: 

I now remember that but yesterday
I saw three ugly looking fellows start
From Colfax with a gun apiece, and they
Did seem on business of importance bent. 
Furtively casting all their eyes about
And covering their tracks with all the care
That business men do use.  I think perhaps
They were Directors of that rival line,
The great Pacific Mail.  If so, they have
Indubitably taken in that coach,
And we are overreached.  Three times before
This thing has happened, and if once again
These outside operators dare to cut
Our rates of profit I shall quit the road
And take my money out of this concern. 
When robbery no longer pays expense
It loses then its chiefest charm for me,
And I prefer to cheat—­you hear me shout!

HAPPY HUNTY: 

My chief, you do but echo back my thoughts: 
This competition is the death of trade. 
’Tis plain (unless we wish to go to work)
Some other business we must early find. 
What shall it be?  The field of usefulness
Is yearly narrowing with the advance
Of wealth and population on this coast. 
There’s little left that any man can do
Without some other fellow stepping in
And doing it as well.  If one essay
To pick a pocket he is sure to feel
(With what disgust I need not say to you)
Another hand inserted in the same. 
You crack a crib at dead of night, and lo! 
As you explore the dining-room for plate
You find, in session there, a graceless band
Stuffing their coats with spoons, their skins with wine. 
And so it goes.  Why even undertake
To salt a mine and you will find it rich
With noble specimens placed there before!

LELAND, THE KID: 

And yet this line of immigration has
Advantages superior to aught
That elsewhere offers:  all these passengers,
If punched with care—­

COWBOY CHARLEY: 

Significant remark! 
It opens up a prospect wide and fair,
Suggesting to the thoughtful mind—­my mind—­
A scheme that is the boss lay-out.  Instead
Of stopping passengers, let’s carry them. 
Instead of crying out:  “Throw up your hands!”
Let’s say:  “Walk up and buy a ticket!” Why
Should we unwieldy goods and bullion take,
Watches and all such trifles, when we might
Far better charge their value three times o’er
For carrying them to market?