The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-07-12
NIGHT WITH
AN OUTLAW.

attempting to take the steam
launch Major Powell down the
canyon of the Green and Colorado
rivers in Utah to the cataracts ol
the latter in order to determine
the nayigability of about 200 miles
of the canyon.
The boat had worked many miles
down the canyon since the walls
were entered. 1t was nearing
night, says Lutte johnson, in the
Denver Republican, and it was
necessary to tie up at some one OF
! the timbered bottoms that formed
ages ago originally as sandbars
in bends of the circuitOus stream.
The pilot had been down in a row
boat few weeks before and knew
something of the lay of the conn-
try. To the others it was a con
stant uncertainty of what was
coming next. The bends in the
river, confined as it is in narrow,
precipitous walls, shut off all view
beyond the width of the river
ahead of the PROV of the boat.
"We may find somebody at the
bottom that lies just around this
bend" the pilot called back to the
other members of the crew. 81
guess it will be all right, though" :"
he added. There was mystery
in his words for which we were not
prepared. The bottom came in
view, apparently one OF about 200
acres in extent, and covered with
a luxuriant growth of grass, tim
bercd with cottonwoods and
scrub black oak, its edge fringed
with willows, its backing solid
precipice 1000 feet high.
The whistle on the launch broke
into a screech that echoed down
those canyon walls in a most ter
way. In response series
of rifeshots fired in rapid success
sion came from point in the will
low fringe, but only a Whit of
smoke indicated the location Of
the tirer. There had been slight
of the willows.
"He'sstill here, all right" called
the pilot, in subdued voice. 'Lay
down your guns and keep your
eyes peeled, but don't do anything
rash. 1t will come out all right"
His words called for an explana.
ton.
"It's Phil Foote," the pilot ex-
planned. ~ saw him here when
was down before, but promised to
say nothing about him being here,
even to you fellows. He is suspi-
cious of us--is expecting officers
down to take him, and although
told him his party was coming heT
is evidently afraid that it is trick
to catch him."
This added zest to our trip. We
had come expecting dangers OF
'apids and whirlpools, but there
lad been no suspicion of human
element to be met. We had not
igured on confronting man pre-
Jared to fight for his life and ac-
.epting us as possible enemies.
The boat proceeded around the
rescent-shaped face of the bot.
ON to the lower end, where land
ng was to be made. The whistle
vas footing at intervals and we
we're doing our best to act the part
II visitors on purely social intent.
We made the landing, but still
he firer of the first welcoming
hots failed to appear. We busted
ourselves making the boat safe,
xpecting FOOte to become con
inced that we were friendly and
D come down to greet US, as by
his time we were all rather curl
US to meet the outlaw. But he
ould not feel secure. In the party
ere some western men with that
lugb and ready go of the from
ersman who has grown up with
gun at his side and knows how
use it. One in particular, we
'arned afterward, had been
Icked upon by FOote, in his scru.
ny of the party from his shelter
the willows, as a man who
Ould be formidable antagonist, !
royiding he had come, as the out
W suspected, TO effect capture.
happened that this man was the
cry kind of one who could have
zen chosen to go upon such a cap
lring expedition, and the fact .
lat Foote had singled him out as U
dangerous conner TO his hiding y
ace showed how well he was l
'le to judge character. :
The pilot advised us to leave our !.
ms on the boat and let it be seen :
AT we were all unarined, wait :,
ere and he would go and explain =