Free Those Jensen Boys! by William W. Johnstone Page A

hairpin turns. “We always stop here for a half hour or so to let the horses blow again. Then we’ll tackle the last stretch to the top.”
    Ace and Chance dismounted so their horses could rest, too. From where they were, they could look out across the valley and easily see all the way to Shoshone Gap ten miles away.
    â€œFrom up here it looks like the stage road runs straight as a string,” Ace commented.
    â€œWell, not quite,” Bess said. “There are a few turns. But yes, it’s almost straight. It’s an easy route.”
    He nodded. “That makes it good for a stagecoach. This part we’re on now is the roughest part of the whole run, I reckon.”
    Emily said, “That’s the truth.”
    â€œEver have a coach go off the road on the way up or down?”
    â€œNot yet. Hopefully not ever.”
    Chance said, “If one ever did, anybody unlucky enough to be on it wouldn’t survive the fall.”
    â€œLet’s not talk about that,” Bess suggested. “We know what the risks are, and we’re willing to run them.” She started to pick up the reins. “The horses are probably rested enough by now—”
    Before she could go on, a loud scraping noise came from somewhere above them, followed by an ominous rumble. Ace jerked his head back, looked up toward the pass, and saw dust starting to rise. That could only mean one thing.
    â€œAvalanche!” he yelled.

C HAPTER E IGHT
    The boulders bouncing and crashing down the slope were headed straight for where the stagecoach was parked. Bess had already turned it to head up the next stretch of trail, so at least it was pointed in the right direction as she slashed and yelled at the team. The horses leaped forward and jolted the coach into motion. Getting out of the way of the rockslide was the only chance.
    It was no good, Ace saw almost immediately. The stagecoach wouldn’t have time to get clear, but the road was a little wider, wide enough for one man on horseback to get past if he was careful.
    Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to be careful, either. Ace jabbed his boot heels into the chestnut’s flanks and galloped up next to the coach. The sheer drop down to the next lowest section of trail was only inches away from the horse’s pounding hooves. Chance followed close behind.
    â€œBess!” Ace shouted over the growing thunder of the avalanche. “Come on!”
    She glanced frantically over her shoulder at him and cried, “I can’t abandon the coach!”
    â€œYou have to! Jump while you can!”
    It was a matter of moments before the falling rocks would sweep over them. Bess saw how desperate the situation was and let out a cry of despair. She dropped the reins and launched herself off the driver’s box, landing on the chestnut’s back behind Ace and clutching at him.
    He reached back with his free hand to grab her as the horse stumbled and Bess started to slip. His fingers closed tightly on her vest and hung on. The chestnut recovered and surged ahead of the valiantly struggling team.
    Chance moved up and shouted, “Emily! Come on!”
    Her face, shadowed by the broad-brimmed brown hat and framed by curly blond hair, was pale and drawn with fear. Only seconds remained, but Emily didn’t budge. Chance leaned over in the saddle, held out his free hand to her, and shouted again, “Emily!”
    Finally, she broke the grip of terror that paralyzed her and slid over on the seat. She stood up and launched herself into space as she reached for Chance’s hand. He locked his fingers around her wrist and pulled her toward him. She landed in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck as he embraced her waist and held her tightly. The horse lunged ahead.
    A heartbeat later, the first boulder struck the coach and crashed through its roof. The impact made the vehicle lean far out over the brink. The horses screamed in pain as the