The passengers all saw the panic-stricken road-agents, half a dozen in number, and, encouraged by the boldness of old Huck, kept up a hot fire, which they felt confident had not been thrown away.
When pursuit was no longer feared, old Huck drew his team down to a trot, and, leaning over, called out:
"We done 'em up thet time, pards."
The passengers cheered the old driver, and when he drew rein at the hotel in Last Chance they quickly made known his act of heroism, for, throwing the reins upon the backs of his horses, he had gotten down from the box, reported the safe arrival of the coach to Landlord Larry, and gone in to his supper.
When the story was told, of how bravely he had run the gantlet, Landlord Larry went in to have a talk with him, but found that he had finished his supper and gone.
It was a cold evening, and there was snow flying, so, looking over to the hill where the little shanty of old Huck was located, Landlord Larry saw a bright fire burning and at once went there.
There sat old Huck enjoying his pipe and warming his feet before the fire in the clay chimney he had built.
He had a canvas covering the doorway, to keep out the cold and snow, and seemed as contented as could be in his lone quarters.
"Well old man, you seem happy," he said.
"Why not?"