“I’ve got to go,” replied Southmayd; “and if you’ll get me a double-barrelled shotgun, I’ll take my chances.” The agent complied with this request, and the coach left Bannack with Southmayd, Stinson, Ray, and a lad of sixteen years for passengers, and Tom Caldwell the driver. The coach was an open hack. Southmayd sat on the driver’s seat with Caldwell, and the boy took the back seat, and facing him were Stinson and Ray on the middle seat. Southmayd said to the boy on starting, “If we have any trouble, do you shoot, or I’ll shoot you.” “You may be sure I’ll do it, too, Southmayd,” said the boy. “I’m not afraid of them.” Southmayd kept watch of the two robbers. The drive through the day was undisturbed, until the coach reached the crossing of the Stinking Water. In the three persons standing in front of the station, Southmayd recognized Bob Zachary, Bill Graves, and another noted rough known as Alex Carter. Stinson shouted, addressing them as road agents. Each was fully armed with gun, pistol, and knife. Southmayd whispered to Caldwell, “Tom, I guess they’ve got us.” “That’s so,” replied Caldwell. Caldwell drove on to Cold Spring station followed by the three roughs on horseback, who soon came up. This was the supper station. Two of the robbers left their guns at the door. Carter’s was strung upon his back. They entered the house in a boisterous manner, with Zachary, feigning drunkenness, in their lead. “I’d like,” said that ruffian with brutal emphasis and gesture, “to see the man who don’t like Stone.” The banter was made for the purpose of exciting a quarrel. “Just show me the man that don’t like him, or let any man here just say he don’t like him, if he wants a healthy fight on his hands,” blustered the villain. No one replied. Seemingly every one present entertained a high opinion of Mr. Stone. Failing to rouse a quarrel, he ordered “drinks all round,” bought a bottle of whiskey, and preserved the swagger and braggadocio of a drunken ruffian through supper time. After supper, and while preparing to leave, Southmayd said privately to Caldwell, “Tom, I see through it all. You must take Stinson on the seat with you. I’ll sit behind and watch him, and the boy can watch Ray.” When ready to start, and this arrangement was made known to Buck Stinson, he did not relish it, and said, “I don’t want to ride up there.” “Well, you will,” replied Southmayd sternly, pointing to the seat. “This is pretty rough, isn’t it?” said Stinson with an oath, as he mounted to the seat.