The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-14

at once we would open fire Thoy had
seen enough Suddenly they dismounted
came up one by one, gave up their pistols,
and In half an hour were all in Jail
ARREsTTNG A RANCHER
"Another time squad of six of US, un-
der the command of a well known lieu
tenant, the bravest and coolest man
ever knew, were sent way out west to ar
rest wealthy old ranchman, Mr. j.. who
had committed a good many outrages
When we reached his ranch we found
him almost alone, only two men being
with him. We promptly arrested him
and started back at once, anticipating
trouble before we got back as he had
twenty-five or thirty cowboys I'm his en-
ploy, four or five grown sons and sons
in-law and lot of friends, the bulk of
them desperate men, who cared little for
law.
I'VE rode about forty miles, and, our
horses being tired out, we made camp,
selecting place on the south side of an
abrupt, deep and narrow ravine, and
where we were exactly opposite the only
crossing for a number of miles up and
down. As we knew we could not be sur
rounded there we placed a sentinel at the
crossing and went TO sleep. About ~
O'Clock we were aroused by the tramp of
many horses feet and the sentinel's chal-
lenge, and Immediately got ready for
trouble On the challenge of the sentinel
the pursuers halted on the brink of the
ravine, and one of the old mans sons.
who appeared TO be the leader, prompt
ly cried out that they had come for his
father and intended to have him if they
killed all of US; that they numbered over
100, while we were only seven.
"Our lieutenant, who heard the de-
mand, hurriedly returned to whore we
were with the prisoner, and calling TO
myself and another, instructed each of us
to stand by the old man, each with his
pistol cooked, and on the firing of the
first shot, no matter by whom, to blow
out his brains. He then went back TO
the ravine and tried TO argue the case
with them, but nothing would do but that
he should surrender the old man, other
wise they would at once cross the ravine
and the fighting would commence.
DEFEATING RESCUE.
"Our lieutenant, seeing they were
about to cross, cried out so all could hear
him: There are men in your outfit who
know me, and know / never go back on
my word. Now, have Mr.. j. closely
guarded by two Of my best men, who will
obey orders regardless Of consequences,
and my instructions 10 them are to blow
out the old mans brains on the firing of
the first shot Now, open the fight if you
will, but you will never get him alive. |
know that you Outnumber me twenty TO
one and can kill us all, but we propose to
die doing our duty
"He then called to US 10 bring the old
man forward, which we did and j., call
ing TO his friends, explained how matters
were, and begged them 10 90 back They
knew that the lieutenant would do as he
said, and Of course, they did not wish
the old man killed After consulting
awhile they mounted and rode away
with many a wild threat That was the
last we saw of them and we carried orr
prisoner in / followed ranging six
months, and came to the conclusion that
in one sense it was not as healthy as
travelling, so quit and went pack to the
old business 49, trying to talk men to
death y