The leader., 1899-04-05

AN ARIZONA EPISODE.

noon in November absorbed In some
mAtb einxtical calculations connected
with my work, when Isheard . .tre-
mendous splsshing in the river few
hundred yards below. followed by
shots and yells and the sound Of gal
looping horses. A moment later four
men rode into camp like swhirlwind.
Loud cries of Where 10 hs?" sDon't
let him get away'' who's got the
roper. gave me an inkling Of what
they were after. They wanted me.
The camp ives Q, large one, and gent
orally there were eight OF, ten white
men and forty or fifty Indians about;
but this happened to be holiday, and
all the men had gone away except my
8 tent mate, Barton, and myself. We
were building soms large irrigating
bitches, and / had come out to take
charge Of the work only short time
before. I had found it necessary to
discharge Q number Of the men and
replace them by others. Only the
day before I had had trouble with OF Q
of the men, Leonard BY name. He
went little too far. and I knocked
him down. AZ he arose he picked mp
heavy club and came at me with it,
but throwing up my left hand to guard
my head I caught the blow on it aud
knocked him, down again with my
right. That settled the matter, ! sup
posed, for the fellow went of to his
tent swearing roundly aud calling
fora gun with which to clean out the
camp. ~ .e,,..5sss.s $3.50 5r'e
Bat when heard the splashing at
the ford remembered the incident OF
the day before, and ON the instant it
flashed into my mind that I had no
weapon of any kind and that might
need one. Islipped out quickly, and
running down to tent near the end
OF the line seized revolver and
belt of cartridges which ! knew were
there and was back when the men rode
up. Il 81 igs es.zs
remained in my tent while the
men dismounted and tied their horses
together. Leonard appeared to be the
leader of the gang, for l heard him
say; "a
look here, boys, I'm the captain
of this outfit, aud you've got to do
just what tell you. Well do all
that we came down here to do b fore
we leave; you must leave it to me-"
"All right" responded another.
"We're here for fun"
''We'1l have our fun all right" re-
piled Leonard. ''Come into my tent |
and talk it over. You, Miller, stay
here With the horses and watch that
tent there so he can't get away"
Leaving one Of their number out
side With the horses under the big
tree, the mon went into the tent next
to mine. They had al been drinking,
and as ! was separated from them |
only by two thin canvas walls and
twenty feet Of space, their converse
ton was easily audible. /
The conversation heard was anus
ing, even under the circumstances.
Leonard was laying out tho program
to be followed and telling his COM
paniops what q worthless cuss"
was, the burden of his accusations
being that I wore white shirts in
camp and was ga long legged cuss
from the east. !" @
The man left on guard outside
knew; he was one of our own men.
While the talking was going on in the
next tent he came in to see me and 10
explain that he had been forced to
come down with the others against
his will. He added that if I wished
to get away he would make no effort
to stop me.
Ny plan was to run out just as the
rife WAS fred and bringing down the
man who had it, for could hardly
miss him at twenty feet distance. get
in one more shot a. the others crowded
to, the door and were well punched to-
gsther and then break for the big tree,
rom behind which rs shelter would
stand as good chance as two men in |
The open. al
Filling my coat pocket with loose
and taking my revolver in |
my right hand. i was on the point Of |
outside and opening the pro-
when heard one Of the men
ray: 9 ~ hai7g Fs1f
Sssfhat's no fun. Let's make him |
put up his fists before We hang him;
u, il he won't do that, we'll make
him wade the river. "{si
That's great" replied another.
we might IS well have some fun ont
Of him frst Come on u 50
Remembering the old western
sNsvsr show Z gun until you
pse il, !" / tucked my revolver into my
vest so that it was out Of sight, but
With the butt not more than. two inches
hon my hand IS held my pipe TO my
mouth, / turned 10 Barton, who vas
aud cAutioninG him to con-
troll himself ] lighted my pipe and rs-
sumsd my stool near the front Of the
tent. A m6nSnt latsr the canvas door
vas thrust aside and I man entered,
followed BY two others. le7iss 4
The 1rst conner was little fellow, 4
alender and not much over ave fest in
heiehk bnt he hsd wicked look in
his eyes and the fAce Of . professional
d4eperados Ilearnod siterward that
re vas cohsiderod the bad man, of
tie naighborhoOd. Behind him was
( Zig man ii : hahnsl shirt and no
coat with 3 ~ Colt tucked into Tie
vaistband IL HI trodsersa He VS. q
saloon keeper in I ANAL toen nssr by-
and had iprovId6d Ne .seourags'' for
the expSd 1tion. Backo ~ him came.
Leonard. his face in6amed with drink.
! remainsd sseted, whiIs barton ba<ksa
o. TO the rear u ~ teri. aa's