would see us immediately after the performance, so Whitaker and myself had to rest our souls in patience until such time as it suited the convenience of the public prosecutor to talk business with us.
We were both somewhat disgusted with the turn of events by this time, and 1 told Whitaker candidly that, having- given the county peace officials ample notice that our lives were in danger, so that in case of any subsequent Court proceedings it could be shown that we were acting upon the defensive, 1 was in favor of returning to the cabin forthwith and preparing for the expected attack. My plan as outlined to Whitaker was for all three of us—Whitaker, the hired man Joe. and myself—to take up separate positions in the form of a semi-circle around the cabin at a measured distance of 200 yards, so that if necessary we could concentrate a triangular fire upon any would-be assailants. I felt satisfied that no attack would be made that night, as it was bitterly cold, besides too dark for them to proceed in our direction with any degree of caution, knowing, also, that they were aware that we had received warning of their proposed coming. My idea in suggesting a defense at such a long distance from the cabin was based upon the fact that I had had considerable experience over the 200-yard range at target practice, while a member of various rifle clubs, and knew that it would give me an advantage, should the worst come to the worst. I felt satisfied, also, that if any attack was made, it would be about daybreak, in accordance with Indian methods, and that if we put up a game defense, it would have a tendency to disconcert our assailants.
Whitaker opposed such measures, contending that we ought to exhaust every process of securing legal protection rather than adopt any course that was liable to result in bloodshed. While we were deliberating upon a plan of action the 'bus drove up in front of the Southern Hotel, and a number of passengers alighted. We saw the Deputy United States Marshal hand a paper to one of those who had just registered, and guessed that it must be Canfield who was being served with the restraining order from Judge Ross.
"Let's go in and ask him if he really intends to resort to violence in ousting you from .Section 4," suggested Whitaker. I agreed to this, and we walked up to him in the crowded lobby of the hotel.
"Is this Mr. Canfield?" inquired Whitaker. "It is," was the gruff response.
Whitaker handed him his card and continued: "We understand, Mr. Canfield, that you have brought down an armed force from Fresno for the purpose of putting Mr. Stevens here off from Section 4—is there any truth in that report?"
"If Mr. Stevens is on my land I shall certainly resort to force to put him off!" replied Canfield, with a determined expression. He was a square-jawed individual, and I should imagine was a person of considerable bravery so long as the odds were strongly in his favor.
"What land do you claim?" I asked.
He drew a map from his pocket and spread it on the table. "Our lease covers this portion of Section 4," he said, pointing to some tracts that had been colored red.
I looked and saw that it related to the west half of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the west half of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 29, South, Range 28 East, Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian. The strip was an eighth of a mile wide and half a mile long, running north and south, and contained 40 acres.
My cabin was very near the center of the section, in the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and more than an eighth of a mile from the western line of the Chanslor & Canfield lease. I had placed it there purposely, as there was a deep gorge separating us, and besides all that was necessary for me to hold possession of the whole northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter—which included the Chanslor & Canfield lease—was to get my cabin on any legal subdivision embraced in the forest reserve selection, and this I had done. I indicated with my pencil the exact location of the cabin, whereupon Canfield responded rather loftily:
Page 400
