Show us some old-time stage-driving."

I gave the horses a sounding crack with the whip, and they jumped into
their work with a real interest. The load was light and their pace
increased with every second.

Soon they were fairly flying over the ground, and I had all I could do
to maintain any control over them. At last we reached a steep hill, or
divide, the further side of which sloped down to the creek. There was
no brake on the wagon, and the four horses were not in the least
inclined to hold back, appearing to be wholly unconcerned as to what
might happen.

It was impossible to restrain them. My work was cut out for me in
keeping them on the track. So I let them set their own pace down the
hill. The wagon bounded and rebounded from the bumps in the road, and
my two distinguished passengers had to keep very busy holding their
seats.

However, when they saw that the horses were being kept in the road they
assumed an appearance of enjoying themselves. I was unable to slacken
the pace of the horses until they dashed into the camp where we were to
obtain a relay. There I succeeded in checking them.

[Illustration: STAGE-COACH DRIVING WAS FULL OF HAIR-RAISING
ADVENTURES]

The Grand Duke and the general said they had got a lot of enjoyment out
of the ride, but I noticed that thereafter they were perfectly willing
to travel at an easier pace.

When we arrived at North Platte, the Grand Duke invited me into his
car, and there, over a few bottles of champagne, we went over all the
details of the hunt. He said the trip was one which he would never
forget and professed himself as wholly unable to thank me for my part
in it.

As I was leaving the car one of his suite approached me, and, extending
a big roll of greenbacks, begged me to accept it as a slight token of
the Grand Duke's appreciation of my services.

I told him I could take nothing for what I had done. He then handed me
a small jewel box, which I slipped into my pocket without examining,
and asked if I would not also accept the magnificent fur overcoat which
Alexis had worn on the hunt.

I had frequently admired this coat, which was made of many fine Russian
furs. I was glad to receive it as a remembrance from one of the most
agreeable men I had ever guided on a hunting expedition.

After leaving us Alexis telegraphed to the most famous of New York
jewelers and had made for me a wonderful set of sleeve-links and a
scarf-pin, studded with diamonds and ru