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out of sight behind the ridge. I kept behind the outfit until it was safely across the creek & then rode on & overtook it & looking back saw 5 men on their horses where they had stopped when they saw me while the leader had ridden up [[strikethrough]] to the top of [[/strikethrough]] on an adjacent slope & [[strikethrough]] was watching us [[/strikethrough]] watched us until we went out of sight. Had I been at the head of the outfit as usual, or had these men not seen me they undoubtedly have tried to hold up the outfit. My coming up behind with my rifle turned the tables on them and put them at my mercy if they made any offensive move as to get at the outfit they would have to pass along the foot of a low hill on which I would be stationed. This is the first time in the country where we have to our knowledge been in direct danger of trouble. The circumstances were so favorable for ourselves that I rather hoped they would not see me until they showed their hand. A long range win-