Arizona republican., 1901-11-09


 for the reason that their dollars were knocked into twisted shapes and whirled singing into space as the bullet caught them in mid air.
 He seemed equally as expert in the saddle as when on foot and would ride at full speed by can or rock suspend ed by a string, cutting the string vith his siX-shooter, or driving a nail with d bullet. One of his favorite pastimes was to sit without cabin or near some convenient board, and with two six shooters working simultaneously, trace his initials, "B. w. on the available surface.
 I remember when first coming to the territory, We logged along, the stage driver being in a communicative mood began relating some of Bill Williams exploits with the gun. Being a tender foot then. and thinking the fellow was amusing himself at my expense I laughed at his recitals, whereupon he grew quite angry and stated he could prove his assertions. Later on I was thoroughly convinced upon witnessing one of his exhibitions. not scheduled. Williams had discharged one of his cowpunchers for drinking too frequent ly and neglecting his duties. Shortly after the man secured a companion and together bracing themselves to a fight
  whiskey, they went in search of Bill with blood in their eyes and six shooters on- They met him on the streets of -. then a small adobe town of but few buildings and a num- Der of saloons. Without a word both bad men opened fire. One bullet graZcd Williams arm. another struck a rib. glanced around his body and came out behind without doing serious harm, although he did not know it at the time.
 With that wonderful quickness and accuracy that were his mainstay in battle he drew both guns and fred knocking the pistol from one mans hand and shattering the latter, and dis abling the others right arm. Again he shot. this time removing goodly portion of one bad mans ear and talk ing off the end of his former employees noise, as he stopped nursing his shatter- ed arm. It was all over in few mins utes, but it was some time before the two bad men were able to present a fairly respectable appearance. VII Hams quietly walked to a doctors of flee. but. upon finding his hurt was of slight moment after having his wound dressed, went about his business as though nothing had happened.
 But in this fight the bullets of the en- circling Indians bespattered his rocky breastwork, and one had found lodge ment in his thigh. for he was not fully protected. Had the Apaches been bet ter marksmen it would have gone hard with him. His only hope lay in his killing as many of his enemies as pos sible before they rushed in upon him .n body, should they screw up sufficient courage to do so. Firing quickly whenever opportunity offered. soon six Indians were stretched lifeless upon the ground. The six remaining assailants now withdrew to respectful distance for consultation. giving Williams time to bind his wound. Fortunately the bone was not shattered. Darkness was now fast closing down upon the land scape. It was evident the Indians in- tended making final combined effort to exterminate their plucky foe.
 That day Lieutenant Mott and his wife. after an unusually extended can ter across the desert and hills. upon consulting the lieutenant's chronometer found. by close calcula ton, they could reach the fort by dark by hard riding. They had turned their horses heads about and in silence were pushing for- ward swiftly in the direction of the fort, when faintly to their ears from ahead and to the left came the sound of firing.
 What could it mean?
 Undoubtedly someone was in need of assistance. The lieutenant was a brave man and his wife a true army woman. Drawing rein to listen, he turned questioningly, looking into her eyes. In her steady unfiinching gaze he read assent Again they put spurs to their animals but this time heading in the direction from whence the sound of firing came. As they drew near the shots rang clear just beyond low rise in the desert Cautiously they ap- preached and this is what they saw: Six painted, yelling Indians preparing to make a combined charge on a single wounded white man fortified behind q scant breastwork of rock.
 | Clearly assistance was needed and that immediately. Unslinging his rifle. ! it was decided the lieutenant should make a dash to the rescue. his wife 10 1 fire rapidly from her shelter to give | the impression of numbers. Just as the Indians sprang forward for the charge. the lieutenant with a yell and | firing his revolver in the air. rushed down upon them. his wife keeping up a | fusilade meanwhile.
 This unexpected onslaught from their rear momentarily threw the redskins into confusion. Taking advantage of this the white man behind his breast work was not idle. The spitefuI cracks | of his rifle rang out in rapid succession. | By the time the Apaches had collected | their senses, three more of their num- Der had bitten the dust. The three | survivors suddenly concluded their presence was more desirable in the midst of their tribal companions and with all speed made off in the direction | they had come.
 I ar,t | behind which Williams had been shel- | tering himself. and found him in the l act of lighting brown paper cigarette, | that he had rolled, of which he was Il T | inveterate consumer. With some diff l ficulty the lieutenant captured one of