er and his white gloves showing up clean and white
against the dusty grey surroundings. I waited until the sentry had
passed the gate, then putting spurs to my horse I dashed straight for
and through the gate into the yard. The surprised sentry called halt,
but I paid no attention to him. Making for the cannon at full speed my
rope left my hand and settled square over the cannon, then turning and
putting spurs to my horse I tried to drag the cannon after me, but
strain as he might my horse was unable to budge it an inch. In the
meantime the surprised sentry at the gate had given the alarm and now I
heard the bugle sound, boots and saddles, and glancing around I saw the
soldiers mounting to come after me, and finding I could not move the
cannon, I rode close up to it and got my lariat off then made for the
gate again at full speed. The guard jumped in front of me with his gun
up, calling halt, but I went by him like a shot, expecting to hear the
crack of his musket, but for some reason he failed to fire on me, and I
made for the open prairie with the cavalry in hot pursuit.

My horse could run like a wild deer, but he was no match for the big,
strong, fresh horses of the soldiers and they soon had me. Relieving me
of my arms they placed me in the guard house where the commanding
officer came to see me. He asked me who I was and what I was after at
the fort. I told him and then he asked me if I knew anyone in the city.
I told him I knew Bat Masterson. He ordered two guards to take me to the
city to see Masterson. As soon as Masterson saw me he asked me what the
trouble was, and before I could answer, the guards told him I rode into
the fort and roped one of the cannons and tried to pull it out. Bat
asked me what I wanted with a cannon and what I intended doing with it.
I told him I wanted to take it back to Texas with me to fight the
Indians with; then they all laughed. Then Bat told them that I was all
right, the only trouble being that I had too much bad whiskey under my
shirt. They said I would have to set the drinks for the house. They came
to $15.00, and when I started to pay for them, Bat said for me to keep
my money that he would pay for them himself, which he did. Bat said that
I was the only cowboy that he liked, and that his brother Jim also
thought very much of me. I was then let go and I joined the boys and we
continued on our way home, where we arrived safely on the 1st of June,
1877.

[Illustration: I Rope