rms in her defense, I object to having snap judgment
rendered against me. If the honorable court which you have the pleasure
to represent is willing to dispossess me of my property in favor of
a ring of government thieves, and on only hearing one side of the
question, then consider me in contempt. I'll gladly go back to Omaha
with you, but you can't so much as look at a hoof in my possession. Now
call your troops, or take me with you for treating with scorn the orders
of your court."

Meanwhile every man on our side had an eye on Archie Tolleston, who
had gradually edged forward until his horse stood beside that of the
marshal. Before the latter could frame a reply to Lovell's ultimatum,
Tolleston said to the federal officer:

"Didn't my employers tell you that the old ---- -- -- ---- would defy
you without a demonstration of soldiers at your back? Now, the laugh's
on you, and--"

"No, it's on you," interrupted a voice at my back, accompanied by a
pistol report. My horse jumped forward, followed by a fusillade of shots
behind me, when the hireling deputies turned and plunged into the river.
Tolleston had wheeled his horse, joining the retreat, and as I brought
my six-shooter into action and was in the act of leveling on him, he
reeled from the saddle, but clung to the neck of his mount as the animal
dashed into the water. I held my fire in the hope that he would right in
the saddle and afford me a shot, but he struck a swift current, released
his hold, and sunk out of sight. Above the din and excitement of the
moment, I heard a voice which I recognized as Reed's, shouting, "Cut
loose on that team, boys! blaze away at those harness horses!" Evidently
the team had been burnt by random firing, for they were rearing and
plunging, and as I fired my first shot at them, the occupants sprang out
of the vehicle and the team ran away. A lull occurred in the shooting,
to eject shells and refill cylinders, which Lovell took advantage of by
ordering back a number of impulsive lads, who were determined to follow
up the fleeing deputies.

"Come back here, you rascals, and stop this shooting!" shouted the old
man. "Stop it, now, or you'll land me in a federal prison for life!
Those horsemen may be deceived. When federal courts can be deluded with
sugar-coated blandishments, ordinary men ought to be excusable."

Six-shooters were returned to their holsters. Several horses and two men
on our side had received slight flesh wounds, as