Now I was satisfied that I had found the sheep and one of the men and as good as got the other one where I could put my hand on him at any time.  I rode down to Canyonville and telegraphed Mr. Manning, the sheriff, that I had found the sheep and one of the men and had the other one located.  He answered me by saying that I would have help the following day from Roseburg, that being the county seat of Douglas county, which is sixteen miles from Canyonville, where I then was and which was in the same county.  I waited patiently the next day for assistance, but it did not come.  Late that evening I went to the constable of that precinct and asked him to go with me and assist in making the arrest, but he refused, saying:  “That man Barton is a hard case.  I don’t want to have anything to do with him.”  I did not tell him the particulars of the case, and I must admit that I did not know enough of civil law to know that it was necessary for me to be armed with a warrant to go and make the arrest.  On the refusal of the constable to accompany me, I at once walked down to the stable and ordered my horse saddled, and inquired the way to John Barton’s place.  The proprietor of the stable told me how to go.

So concluding to tackle him alone, I mounted my horse just after dark and started for Barton’s Ferry.  I found the place without difficulty, and although I rode very slowly, I got to the river some time before daylight.  I tied my horse in the brush and walked the road until daylight.  As soon as it was daylight I saw the house on the other side of the river, and kept my eye on it until just before sunrise, when I saw the smoke commence to curl up from the chimney, and in about fifteen minutes I saw a man come out in his shirt sleeves and bare-headed.  I at once mounted my horse and rode down to the river and halloed for him to bring the boat over as I wished to cross the river.  He answered by saying:  “I’ll be there in a minute as soon as I get my hat and coat.”  He stepped into the house, got his hat and coat and came across.  When he landed I walked on to the boat and asked if he was Mr. Barton.  He said that was his name, and in a second he was looking down the muzzle of my pistol, and I informed him that he was my prisoner.  He asked me what for.  I said for the murdering of McMahon.

“Have they found the body?” were the first words that fell from his lips, which he doubtless would not have uttered had I not caught him off his guard.  I told him they had, which was false.

“You want to take me away with you and not let me see my wife and bid her good-bye?”

I informed him that I would, telling him that she could come to see him if she liked.  He offered all manner of excuses to get back to his house.  After I had listened awhile I gave him two minutes to get off the boat and take the road, which he did at once.  I did not try to put the handcuffs on him alone, not wishing to give him any drop on me whatever.