We had got the horses, blankets and rifles of the murderers, and now began the watch that was to last until daylight.  The wind was fierce, even in the shelter of the timber, and a cold snow drifted over us.  We had not only to guard the house, but the shed in which the horses were tied as well.  Besides, we did not know what would happen when daylight came and they should discover that our party numbered five, instead of twenty, as they supposed.  When daylight finally came I went to the door and told those inside to come out and to come out unarmed.  They obeyed at once, and eleven men filed out of the cabin.  Of the number, there was but one that any of us had ever seen before, or to my knowledge ever saw again.  The one was a brother of Langdon, and we at once placed him under arrest that he might not render his brother assistance.

We had agreed on our plans during the night, and taking young Langdon, Long and I started back to town, while the others began to circle for tracks of the fugitives in the snow.  I should have stated that when the shooting began the night before, Mr. Johnson mounted his horse and rode home at top speed.  Arriving there, he sent one of his sons to Prineville and the other up the Ochoco, telling them that we had the murderers surrounded and were fighting as long as he was in hearing, and were in need of help.  Going up the mountain I discovered the tracks of the fugitives in the snow, and as we reached the summit we met 75 or 80 men coming out to help us.  I turned them all back, saying the murderers had escaped, and that the rest of our party were coming a short distance behind.  I had directed Long to keep by the side of young Langdon and that if he attempted to escape to kill him.  I then called out four young men whom I could trust and told them to drop behind and watch for the trail of the fugitives when they should leave the road.  We then all returned to Prineville and I turned the young man over to the Deputy Sheriff, telling him to lock him up.

The four young men struck the trail at the foot of the Mill Creek mountain, and following it until convinced the fugitives were endeavoring to reach home to get horses, abandoned it and struck out through the mountains the nearest route to the Langdon place.  They reached the ranch just as the men had got horses and some food and were coming through the gate.  Five—­even one minute and they would have been too late.  But leveling their shot guns on the murderers they surrendered.  They were then brought to town, and instead of awakening the officers, they came to my house and asked me to get up and take charge of the prisoners.  This circumstance enabled my enemies, especially the outlaw gang, to accuse me of being the head of the vigilantes.  The prisoners were held at the livery stable, and as soon as I arrived I sent for the Deputy Sheriff and City Marshal, and on their arrival moved the prisoners to the bar room of the hotel.  The Deputy asked me to remain and assist