CHARLES I.. YOUNGBLOOD. 131 



have on the rest. It might so frighten them 



as to make them leave in a hurry, but it might 



exasperate them and cause them to rush right 



upon me and overpower me, which they 



could easily do should they take a notion to 



do so. It was the most trying time I ever 



experienced, and I held them in this manner 



for more than an hour, when they gave up the 



hope of getting to shake hands with me, and 



began to try to steal back to their guns, but 



when one would make a move toward his 



horse I would instantly cover him and order 



him back into the squad. My attention was 



called to one who acted as if he did not know 



I was anywhere near, and was doing his best 



to assume a careless air, and seemed to be 



carelessly twirling a lariot which he held in 



his hand. After swinging it round a while, he 



arrarently let it loose accidentally, and one end 



of it fell almost at my feet. After letting it lie 



for a moment he began winding it up, but 



instead of drawing the rope toward him, he 



was following it tow.vrd me as he wound •;r 



v.py but I understood his plan, and stopped > -s 



