The log cabin Democrat., 1909-09-23

left my official residence at Tue son for Payson as soon as possible The latter town is located in one oi the most isolated sections of Arizona 100 miles from telegraph wire or rail- road, and in those days telephone serv ice was utterly unknown there. Tho nearest point on the railway Is Globe. From there I boarded stage coachs drove up into the mountains, crossed Salt river at point called Livingston and followed the river for several miles. I then continued up Blue Can yon and passed over a mountain which reaches an altitude of 1000 feet at its highest point, arriving at Payson about four D. m. on the day following my departure from Globe. Payson at that time, although called a town by courtesy, possessed only 90 inhabit- ants and lay nesting in the depths of pine forest with the mountains frowning darkly down upon it from all sides
 From the postmaster I learned that Williams had been into town for mall the day before and that he lived about eight miles southeast of Payson. l then made arrangements to secure a team and accompanied by deputy sheriff left for the Williams camp. My companion informed me that Will jams was a noted horse thief who with band of outlaws that regarded him as chief dwelt in a wild region so difficult of access that it was not thought likely that any officers would endeavor to run them down. The roughness of the trail bore out the truth of his assertion and the journey was an exceedingly tiresome one, so much so that I was heartily pleased when we finally came to halt at the barn of lone rancher, which my com. panion said was but mile from the Williams stronghold.
 At this point I secured a riding horse on which to finish my journey. had determined to go the rest of the way alone, as the presence of my companion might have excited sus- picion. whereas single man would find it easier to explain his visit. The principal point of danger to my mind | lay in the fact that Fordham had met me once and, If he were with the out laws. might recognize me. But 1 comforted myself with the reflection that my quarry had been pretty drunk on the occasion of our meeting and would hardly be likely to remember me. At all events I was resolved to take the risk and in short while dis mounted at the outlaw camp.
 There were five men there-and 1 Fordham was not among them Per haps it was just as well. for they were the toughest looking set 1t had 1 ever been my fortune to see and had they guessed my mission the chances would have been strongly against my | leaving their mountain lair alive. AS l it was, my position was none too pleas ant, for I felt that strangers were not exactly welcome. However, I put bold face on the matter and entered | into conversation with Williams whose identity I guessed from the authority | he appeared to exercise over his com panions I informed him that I was a mining expert and while up in the Norman Lake region had heard that . former friend of mine named Wylis | Fordham was staying at this place. and as I was passing through Payson, decided to run down and see him. [ explained also that I had met Ford ham in Silver City, N. NJ. when had | first come out from the states as . tenderfoot and had punched cows with him for several months.
 
 fellow with square set jaws and black piercing eyes stared hard at me while was speaking as though he were try. ing to read my inmost thoughts. [ bore calm countenance under his scrutiny, although l could not help wondering whether I had succeeded in deceiving him, and felt the pressure of my A Colt against my belt to bs
 my sole comfort. Yet it might no<
 have availed me to any great extent.
 They were five of them, drawn closs around me, all armed-truly evil odds
 for single player to contend with. But at last Williams spoke and much
 to my relief in mild tones.
 He said that Fordham had left tho camp with a pack animal about two
 weeks before and was bound for Graham. adding that my old pal was
 wearing bunch of whiskers now. which changed his face so much that would hardly know him. Had 1t not been for the remark about the whis- kers I would scarcely have believed the outlaws statement as it did not seem credible that Fordham would venture into Graham again so soon af, ter his escapade. And, moreover. his sweetheart must assuredly have posted | him as to developments therei But after all it was possible that the very fact of this girl being in Graham might account for his daring to return. | trusting to the heavy growth of hair on his face for disguise He wouldn't | be the first fugitive from justice whose affection for one of the fair sex had led him into the tolls.
 And so indeed it proved. After . l