Lake Tahoe glistened with facets of emerald green and deep blue from it’s depth seen through the shimmering reflection of a cloudless azure blue sky. A gem set high in these magnificent mountains of granite and tall pines. Spring morning in the high Sierras can be breathtaking and this was such a morning. The sun cast both shadows and great shafts of light upon the trail around us. A squirrel hesitated on the trail then scampered out of my path as I ambled my wagon along, carrying my passengers up the steep and winding road. The air was still among the trees and the people were filled with awe and wonder as we breathed in the smell of pines enhancing the magnificence of a new day.

A shot rang out to my right and I pulled the wagon to a quick stop jostling my passengers just a bit. They were already startled for out of an old shack had jumped an angry looking bandit. He waved his gun in the air and demanded money from my passengers. This was no time for a fool to try and be a hero so I kept my hands high in the air and hoped my jacket covered the pistol on my hip. Of my forty guests there was not one willing to part with cash for this ruffian. He threatened their lives if they did not hand over their watches and jewelry; still yielding nothing from the wagon he considered taking a hostage. One man tried to save the others by offering his wife. The bandit discarded the woman saying, “I want money not a money pit”.

At this point I could not let my passengers be insulted or in further danger so I shouted out at this rude cowboy. “Leave the passengers alone, I’ve got the gold”. His eyes narrowed as he turned towards me and I found myself looking down the long barrel of his colt revolver. “Throw down that moneybag” were the words he spat at me as if he’d been deceived. The guests were silent, as his venom became focus on me. I held the moneybag for a moment and knew that the first one of us to make a mistake would die. I tossed the bag at his feet but his eyes never left mine. He picked up the bag and backed away becoming quite pleased with himself. He turned slightly to the wagonload of guest and gloated just a bit as he started to move away. No longer hesitating, I challenged his gun. As I bellowed my challenge he spun in my direction. In his left hand he held the bag of gold and in the other his lightning pistol already drawn. He had the hammer already back, fully cocked; there would be no more words. My hand flew to my holstered six-shooter as a grin broke across his face. The holdup was for the money but this chance to test his gun against mine was what he had been looking for.