offtoohostiletotalk。Ittakestenminutestogetherbacktotheagencytohearme'pologize，an'eventhensheglaresan'snortslikeshe'sliabletostampedeag'in。No；youdon'twanttotryan'
　　givethisgirlnomoney。Whatwe-allsneedsistohuntupsomethin'
　　forhertoworkatan'payher。'
　　"'TheDoc'sright，'saysEnright，'an'thethingistofindsomethin'forthisyereladytodo。Anygentwithanotiononthesubjectcan'tspeaktooquick。'
　　"'Nopartyneedtakemyremarksaspersonal，'saysBurns，whorunstheRedLight，'asnothin'invidjousisintended；butIrisestosaythataheapofmybusinessisoncredit。Agentcomesinfreean'
　　sociable，nameshissozodont，an'getsit。Ifhepayscash，allright；ifhewantscredit，allright。"Younamesyourdaytodrink，an'younamesyourdaytopay，"ismymotto，asyou-allsknows。Thisbein'troo，onderpresentexigenceswhatforaschemewoulditbeformetogetanoutfitofbooks，——day-books，week-books，ledgers，an'therestofthelayout，——an'letthisyeremaidenkeep'emawholelot？Ithrowsthisoutasasu'gestion。'
　　"'Iain'tmeanin'nothin'ag'instBurns'ssu'gestion，'saysTexasThompson，'butinmyopinionthiscampain'tripeforkeepin'booksasyet。Thingslikethathastobecometobydegrees。I'veknowedaheapoftroublearisefromkeepin'books，an'aslongasthisyere'sapeacefulcamplet'skeepitthata-way。'
　　"'Thatsettlesit，'saysBurns，'thar'senoughsaid，an'Idon'tkeepnobooks。'
　　"'You-allspresentknowsme，'saysCherokeeHall，who，asIsaysprevious，isturnin'farointheRedLight，'an'mostofyouhasmetmefrequentinabusinessway。Thar'smygamegoin'everynightreg'lar。Thar'snothin'tin-hornaboutit。Itain'tnoskingameneither。Anygentwithdoubtscanstepoveran'testmybox，whichhe'llfindallcomfortableonthelayoutawaitin'hisconvenience。
　　Itain'tbeenusualformetoblowmyownbazootoanyextent，an'I
　　onlydoesitnowasbein'preliminarytothestatementthatmygameain'tnodeadfall，an'isoneasarespectablean'virchusfemalepersoncouldsetinonwithperfectsafetytoodtoherreputation。
　　Thisyereladyinquestionneedslight，reg'laremployment，an'I
　　letsitflythatifshewantsinonanysechdealI'llgoherabluestackaweektoholddownthechairaslook-outformygame。'
　　"'Cherokee'sofferisallright，'saysEnright；'it'sgoodtalkfromasquar'man。Women，however，ispartic'lar，an'likehossestheyshiesatthingstharain'tnodangerin。Youseeshowthatis；awomandon'treasonnothin'，shefeelsan'mightylikelythisyoungpersonisloadedtothegyardswithsechnotionsag'ingamblin'aswouldsendherflyin'atthebaremention。Thefactis，Ithinksofsomethin'sim'lar，buthastogiveitup。Ifiggers，firstdashouto'thebox，thatasafe，easytrailtohighgroundistogiveheratablean'letherdealalittlestudfortheboys。Thisyerewouldn'tbenoresk，an'therakeisashorethingfornineortendollarsanight。Bein'abenev'lence，Iknowstheboyswouldsetinmightyfree，an'thetroublewouldbecorraledrightthar。WiththisyereinmymindItapshergentlyaboutourvariousgameswhenI
　　callsforherpaw；an'toputitstraight，shetakesitreluctantan'disgustedatthemerehint。Ofcoursewe-allshastostandthesethingsfromwoman，an'wemightaswellp'intupsomeotherwayan'
　　notimelost。'
　　"'Don'tyou-allsreckonfortomakeaspeshulrakeonallpokergoin'，sameasaboutthatYallerhousegent，mightbeanondefeasiblewaytogetattheneckofthisbusiness？'saysDaveTutt。'Imerelyasksitasaquestion。'
　　"'Thatwouldn'tdo，'saysDocPeets，'butanyhowyerecomesWilkinshow，an'if，asEnrightsays，the'reoutofchuckuphisway，I
　　reckonsI'llloseasmallbettotheoldshorthornontilsechtimesaswedevisessomeschemeallreg'lar。'
　　"'Howdy，Wilkins？'saysDoc，mightygayan'genial，'how'sthingsstackin'up？'
　　"'Mightyornery，'saysWilkins。
　　"'Feellikemakin'alittlewagerthisA。M。？'saysDoc。
　　"'Whatdoyou-allwanttogambleat？'saysWilkins。
　　"'Oh，'saysDoc，'I'mfeelin'aheapcarelessaboutwhatIdogambleat。S'poseIgoesyoutendollars'sworthofgrubtheLordsburgbuckboarddon'tshowupnoneto-day？'
　　"'IfIhadtendollarsI'daboutcallyoualotonthat，'saysWilkins，'butI'maporecussan'ain'tgotnotendollars，an'
　　what'stheuse？Noneofyou-allsain'tgotnoRedLightwhiskey-
　　chipsyouain'tusin'，beyou？S'poseyou-allsgropesaboutinyourwar-bagsan'sees。I'mneedin'ofadrinkmightybad。'
　　"OldWilkinslookssomequeerabouttheeyes，an'more'nusualshaky，sowegiveshimabigdrinkan'hesorterbracesup。
　　"'I'llbackWilkins'sendofthatbetyouoffers，Doc，'saysTutt，'soconsideritmade，willyou？'
　　"'Youwasofferin'tobetgrub，'saystheoldman，powerfulpeevishan'fretful。'Whatfordoyouwanttobetgrub？Whydon'tyoubetmoney，soIgetswhatIwantswithit？It'smymoneywhenIwins。
　　MebbyIdon'twantnogrub。MebbyIwantsclothesorwhiskey。Youain'tnosport，Doc，totieupaplaywithastringlikethat。Gimmeanotherdrinksomeone，I'mmostdyin'forsome。'
　　"Theoldman'pearslikehe'smightysickthata-way，sothar'snothin'foritbuttogivehimanotherhooker，whichwedoesaccordin'。
　　"'I'mfeelin'likeIwasshothardbysomethin'，'hesays，'an'I
　　don'tlikefortogohometillI'mbetter，an'scareSue。IreckonI'llcampdownonthisyeremontetableforanhourtillIcomes'round。'
　　"SoWilkinscurlsuponthetable，an'noonenoticeshimforabouttwentyminutes，whenalongcomesrattlin'uptheLordsburgmail。
　　"'Youwin，Wilkins，'saysPeets；'comeovertotheNewYorkStorean'cutoutyourstuff。'"Theoldmanactslikehedon'thear，soDocshakeshimupsome。Nouse，tharain'tnogetupinhim。
　　"'Lookslikehe'sgonetosleepforgood，'saysDoc。
　　"Thenhewalks'roundhim，shakeshim，an'takesalookathiseye，a-openin'ofitwithhisfinger。Finallyhestandsback，stickshisthumbinhisbelt，an'whistles。
　　"'What'sup？'saysCherokeeHall。'Heain'ttryin'toworkusforanotherdrinkIhopes。'
　　"Well，thisisadeal，'saysDoc，'an'nohumbugneither。Gents，I'mblessedifthisyereoldprairie-dogain'tshorelyupan'died。'
　　"We-allscomesupan'takesalookathim，an'Dochascalledtheturn。Shoreenoughtheoldmanhascashedin。
　　"`Thisisahossonus，an'nodoubtaboutit，'saysEnright。'I
　　ain'tworryin'forWilkins，ashemostlikelyisaheadonthedeal；
　　butwhatgetsmeishowtobreakthenewstothisyeremaiden。It'sgoin'tobeahair-lineplay。Ireckons，Doc，it'syouan'me。'
　　"SotheygoesovertoWilkins'swickeyupan'callstheyoungSuegirlout，an'Enrightbeginstellin'hermightysoftashowherpawistookbaddowntotheRedLight。Butthegirlseemstogetitasrightasifshe'sscoutedforitamonth。
　　"'He'sdead!'shesays；an'thencripplesdownalongsideofthedooran'beginstosob。
　　"'Tharain'tnousedenyin'it，Miss，'saysEnright，'yourpawstruckinonthebigtrailwherethehoof-printsallp'intsoneway。
　　Butdon'ttakeithard，Miss，tharain'tagentdon'tgiveyousympathy。Whatyoudonowisstayrightyere，an'thecamp'lltendtothefuneral，an'putituprightan'jestasyousays，youbein'
　　mourner-in-chief。Youcantrustusfortheproperplay；sinceweburiesJackKing，obsequiesisourlongsuit。'
　　"ThelittleSuegirlstrugglesthroughsomehow，an'hashernervewithher。Thefuneral，youbet，isright。Thistimeweropesinapreacherbelongin'tosomedeep-wateroutfitoverinTucson。Hesomehowisstrayed，an'happensalongourway，an'wegetshimsquar'inthedoor。Hejumpsinan'givesthemceremoniesascientificwhirlasain'tpossiblenohowtoamatures。All'roundwewouldn'thaveputonmoredogifwe'dbeenplantin'Enright；allofcourseonthelittleSuegirl'saccount。Nextdaytheoutfitgoesovertofindoutwhateversheallowstodo。
　　"'Yousees，Miss；saysEnright，'anythin'yousays，goes。Notwaitin'tolearnitsname，even，I'mdirectedtostateashowthecampbacksyourplayan'makesgood。'
　　"'I'mallowin'togototheStates，'saysthegirl，'an'I'mobleegedtoyou。'
　　"'Wewashopin'，'saysEnright，'asyou'dstayyere。We-allssorterfiggersyou'dteachusaschool。Ofcoursetharain'tnopapoosesyet，butasaforcedplaywearrangestoborrowasmallherdfromTombstone，an'candoittooeasy。Then，ag'in，anight-schoolwouldhitourneedsright；sayonenightaweek。Thar'saheapofignoranceinthisyerecamp，an'weneedsanight-schoolbad。Itwouldwinforfiftydollarsaweek，Miss；an'youthinksofit。'
　　"No，theporegirlcouldn'tthinkofitnohow。
　　"'Ofcourse，Miss，saysEnright，'weallsain'texpectin'youtoopenthisyereacademythefirstkyardsoffthedeck。Youneedstimetolineupyouraffairs，an'amlikewisewrungwithgrief。Youtakesyourleesureastothat；meanwhileofcourseyourstipendgoesonfromnow。'
　　"ButthelittleSuegirlcouldn'tlisten。Herpawisdead，an'nowshe'sdueintheStates。Shesaysthingsisallrightthar。Shehasfriendsasherpawneverlikes；butwho'sfriendsofhers，an'
　　she'llgotothem。
　　"'Well，Miss，'saysEnright，mightyregretful，'ifthat'showitlays，Ireckonsyou'llgo，sothar'snothin'forustodobutsettleupan'forkoversomedustweowesyourpaw。Hebein'nowdeceased，ofcourseyourepresents。'
　　"Thegirlcouldn'tseehowanyoneowesherpaw，''causehe'sbeentoosicktowork，'shesays。
　　"'Weoweshimallthesame，'saysEnright，mightyferocious。'Weonderstandswellenoughhowwecomestoowehim，don'twe，Doc？'
　　"'Youcanstackinyourlifewedo，'saysDoc，plentypromptan'
　　cheerful。'We-allsowesforhisnailin'themhoss-thiefswhentheytriestocleanoutthecorral。'
　　"'That'sit，'saysEnright，'forketchin'ofsomerustlerswholaysforourstock。It'sallright，Miss；youneedn'tlooksodoubtful。
　　Youwouldn'tifyouknowedthiscamp。It'sthelastoutfitonearthaswouldgoan'givemoneytopeople。It'sagoodstraightcamp，Wolfvilleis；butbusinessisbusiness，an'weain'tpirootin'
　　'roundnone，givin'nothin'away，bewe，Doc？'
　　"'Notmuch，'saysDoc。'It'senoughforagenttopaydebts，withoutstampedin''roundmakin'presentsofthings。'
　　"'That'swhatever，'saysEnright；'soMiss，meanDoc'llvamosovertotheRedLightan'getthedust，an'Ireckonswe'llbebackinanhour。Is'poseweowesMisterWilkinsabout'fivehundreddollars，don'twe，Doc？'
　　"'Tain'tsomuch，'saysDoc，who'sguilefulthata-way。AsheseesthelittleSuegirlarchin'foranotherbuck，hepullsoutapaperan'makesabluff。'Yereitis，——fourhundredan'ninety-threedollarsan'seventy-fourcents。Iputsitdownallaccurate，'causeIdon'tallownosharptocome'roundan'beatmenone。'
　　"We-allsthrows'roundan'makesupthepottocometoDoc'sfigger——
　　whichIwantstosayrightyere，DocPeetsistheablestgentI
　　eversees——an'thelittleSuegirlhastotakeit。
　　"Whichthismoneyletsheroutright，an'shecriesan'thanksus，an'thenextdayshetakesthestageforTucson。We'rethartosay'good-by'an'wishthelittleSuegirlluck。
　　"'Adios，'saysPeets，takin'offhishattoher；'itain'tdownonthebillsnone，butifyou-allcouldmanagetokissthisyereoutfitonceapiece，Miss，itwouldberegarded。Youneedn'tbeafraid。Someof'emlooksalittleoff，butthey'reallright，an'b'arhuggin'
　　isbarred。'
　　"SothelittleSuegirlbeginswithEnrightan'kissesusall，a-
　　sobbin'meantimesomefree。Astheaffectionproceeds，Cherokeesortershovesbackan'allowshe'llpass。
　　"'Notanypass!'saysEnright。'AnygentwhothrowsoffonthattharlittleSuegirl，shewillin'，needn'tlookforanyluckbutlynchin'。'
　　"'Thatsettlesit，'saysCherokee，'Isalootsthisyerelady。'
　　"Soheupsan'kissesthelittleSuegirllikeshe'sahotflat-
　　iron，an'backsintothecrowd。
　　"'Cherokeemakesmetired，'saysPeets，who'sridin'herdontheplay。Whenitcomeshisturnhekissesherslowan'rapturous，an'
　　iscontemptuousofCherokee。
　　"Whenshe'sinthestagea-startin'，Cherokeewalksup，allrespectful。
　　"'You'vebeenawayfromtheStatessometime，Miss，'hesays，'an'
　　it'sanevenbreakyouwon'tfindthingsthewayyouexpects。Now，youremember，shore；whatevergame'sbein'turnedbackthar，ifitgoesag'inyou，raisethelongyellforasharpcalledCherokeeHall；an'hisbank'syourstogobehindyourplay。'"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　THEWASHWOMAN'SWAR。
　　Itwasevening。Thefirstdarkforeshadowingofthecomingnightclothedallinhalfobscurity。ButIknewtheway；Icouldhavetravelledthelittlepathatmidnight。Therehewas，theOldCattleman，underafavoritetree，thebettertoavoidtheheavydew。
　　Hesatmotionlessandseemedtobesoakinghimself，asonemightsay，inthebalmyweatherofthathour。
　　MywisdomhadorderedJim，myblackman，toattendmysteps。Thelaconic，half-sadsalutationofmyoldfriendatoncegaveBlackJimamission。Hewasdispatchedinquestofstimulants。AftercertainexactandalmostelaboratecommandstoBlackJim，andthatusefulAfrican'sdeparture，Igentlyprobedmycompanionwithaquestion。
　　"No，thar'snothin'thematterofme；sorterpensive，that'sall，"
　　wasmyreturn。
　　TheOldCattlemanappearedsilentandoutofsorts。FollowingthecomingofBlackJim，however，whobroughtalustytoddy，heyieldedtoabettermood。
　　"ItsimplymeansI'mgettin'old；mysettin''roundbalkythisa-
　　way。Thar'ssomeseventywrinklesonmyhorns；nothin'youngorrecentaboutthat。Whichnowitoftenhappenstome，likeitdoestooldfolksgeneral，thatjestwhenitbeginstogrownight，Igetsmoodyan'bad。Lookslikemythoughtshasbeenoutonsomementalfeed-groundallday，an'theycomesstringin'inlikecattletogetbeddeddownforthenight。Nacheral，Is'posetheysortermillsan'
　　stands'roundoneasylikeforawhilebeforetheyliesdownallcomfortable。Oldpeoplepartic'largetsdissatisfied。Ifthey'ssingle-footerslikemean'ain'tweddednone；campin''roundattavernsan'findin'of'emmockeries；theywishestheyhasawifeawholelot。Iftheybe，theywishshe'dgovisitherfolks。Gettin'
　　oldthata-wayan'lonelymakesfolksfrequentmightycontrary。
　　"No，asIimpartstoyouyeretofore，——mebbyit'samonth，——Inevermarriesnothin'。Ireckonstoo，I'minloveoneround-upan'anothermightynearadozentimes。ButsomehowIallerslosethetrailan'
　　neverdoesrunupwithnoneof'emonce。
　　"DownintheBrazoscountrytharwasalittleblue-eyedgirl，——backfortyyearsitis，——an'thewayIadoresherplumbtirespeople。I
　　reckonsIropesathermore'nfiftytimes，butInevercouldfasten。
　　TharcomesatimewhenitlookspowerfullikeI'mgoin'torunmybrandontoher；butshelearnsthatBillJenksmarks150calvesthelastspringround-up，an'meonlyforty，an'thatsettlesit；shetakesJenks。
　　"It'sastonishin'howlittleIdeemsofthisyeremaidenafterBillgetsher。Twomonthsbefore，I'drodemyponytodeathtolookonceinhereyes。She'slikesunshineinthewoodstome，an'Idotesoneverywordsheutterslikeit'saroastapple。ButaftershegetstobeBill'swifeIcoolscomplete。
　　"Notthatlovin'Bill'swife，withhisgeniusforshootin'apistol，isgoin'toproveapicnic，——an'himsorterpeevishan'hostilenacheral。Butlettin'thatgointhediscard，Ishoredon'tcarenothin'abouthernohowwhenshe'sBill's。
　　"IrecallsthatpriortothemnuptialswithBillIgetsthatlocoedlovin'thisgirlIgoesbulgin'outtomakesomepoetryoverher。I
　　compilesonestanza；an'I'myeretoremarkit'sharderworkthanaJunedayinabrandin'pen。Ropin'an'flankin'calvesan'standin'
　　offanoldcowwithonehandwhileyouironsupheroffspringwitht'other，fromsun-uptilldark，issedentarycomparedtomakin'
　　stanzas。WhatwastheonImakes？Well，youcanbetahossIain'tforgotitnone。
　　"'Abeautifulwomanisshorelyamoon，Thenightsofyourlifetoilloomine；She'sallthatisgraceful，guilefulan'soon，Iswoman，lovelywoman。'
　　"I'mplumbtangledupinmyropewhenIgetsthisfar，an'Itakesalay-off。BeforeIgathersstrengthtotackleitag'in，Jenksgetsher；sobein'thar'snolongernothin'tharinInevermakesafinish。IallersalloweditwouldhavebeenapowerfulgoodpoemifI'dstampededalongcl'arthrough。
　　"Yes，son；womenthata-wayisshorelyrangycattlean'allersonthemove。Thar'satimeoncewhentwoof'emcomesmightynearsplittin'Wolfvillewideopenan'leavin'itonbothsidesofthetrail。Allthateversavesthedayistheca'mjedgementan'
　　promptitoodofOldManEnright。
　　"ThisishowWolfvillewalksintothispetticoatambush。Thecampisgettin'alongallpeacefulan'serenean'man-fashion。Thar'sthepost-officeforourletters；thar'stheRedLightforourbug-juice；
　　thar'stheO。K。Restaurawforourgrub；an'thar'sthestagean'
　　ourponiestopullourfreightwithwhenWolfvillelifebeginstopullonusastoopastoral，an'wethirstsforthemeetropolitangayetyofTucson。
　　"AsIsaysweallshasallthatheartcanhungerfor；thatishungeronthesquar'。
　　"Amongotherthings，thar'saChinkrunnin'alaundryan'a-doin'ofourwashin'。Thisyeretub-trundler'snameisLung，which，however。
　　brandsnocattleyere。
　　"It'soneafternoonwhenDocPeetsgetsaletterfromabarkeepoverinTucsonsayin':DearDoc:
　　Thar'sanesteemableladydueinWolfvilleonto-morrer'sstage。
　　She'sp'intin'outtorunalaundry。Pleasebackherplay。Ifthar'saChinamanintown，runhimout。
　　Andobleege，yours，Dick。
　　"'Whateverdoyouthink，Enright？'saysDocPeetsafterreadin'ustheletter。
　　"'That'sallright，'saysEnright，'theChinkgoes。It'sonbecomin'
　　asaspectacleforaCaucasianwomanoffullbloodtobecontendin'
　　forfoulshirtswithaslothfulMongol。Wolfvillepermitsnosechdebasin'exhibitions，an'Lungmustvamos。Jack，'hesays，turnin'
　　toJackMoore，'takeyourgunan'sa'nteroveran'stampedethisyereopium-slave。Tellhimifhe'svisibletothenakedeyeinthesceneryyere-aboutsto-morrowwhenthisladyjumpsintocamp，he'sshoreaskedthepriceofsoapthelasttimeheeverwillinthisvaleoftears。'
　　"'What'sthematteroflynchin'thisyereChink？'saysDanBoggs。
　　'Thecamp'sdeadlydull，an'itwouldcheerupthingsawholelot，besidesbein'complimentstothisyoungfemaleOldMonte'sbringin'
　　inonthestage。'
　　"'Ohno，'saysEnright，'noneedofstringinhimnone。Onsecondthought，Jack，Idon'treckonI'drunhimoutneither。Itdignifieshimtoomuch。S'poseyoucanteruptohistub-campan'bringhimover，an'we'llrevealthisupheavalinhisshirt-burnin'destiniesbywordofmouth。Ifhegrowsreluctantjestropehim'roundtheneckwithhisqueue，an'yankhim。Itimpresses'eman'shows'emthey'reupag'inthelaw。Is'pose，Peets，Ivoicesyoursentimentsinthis？'
　　"'Shore，'"saysDocPeets——whichthisPeetsisthefinest-eddicatedmanIevermeets。'ThisChinamanmustpullhisfreight。We-allsowesitnotonlytothisTucsonlady，buttothelovelysexsherepresents。Woman，woman，whathasshenotdoneforman!AsJohannaofArcshefreesthesensuousvine-cladhillsoffar-offSwitzerland。AsGraceDarlingshesmoothsthefever-heatedpillowoftheCrimea。Inreecompensesheasksonelittle，punyboon——tofirefromourmidstaheathenfromtheOrient。Gents，thar'sbutoneanswer:Weplaysthereturngamewithwoman。ThisChinamanmustgo。'
　　"WhenJackcomesbackwithLung，whichhedoesprompt，Enrightstartsintodealthegame。
　　"'Itain'tnouse，Lung，'saysEnright，'tryin'toexplaintoyou-
　　allwhat'sup。YourweakAsiaticintellectcouldn'tgetthedropontoitno-how。You'vebeenbroughttoashow-downag'inawoman，an'you'reout-held。You'vegottoquit；savey？Don'tletusfindyouyereto-morrow。Bythird-drinktimewe'llbea-scoutin'foryouwithsomethin'besidesanop'ryglass，an'ifyou'renoticedaspartofthelandscapeyou'regoin'tohaveaheapofbadluck。I'dadviseyoutop'intforRedDog，butastothatyouplaysyourhandyourse'f。"
　　"NextdaythatolddrunkardMontecomesswingin'inwiththestage；
　　thesixhossesonthejump，sameasheallersdoeswithawomanalong。Overatthepost-office，wherehestops，aladygetsout，an'
　　ofcoursewe-allsbowsp'litean'hopesshe'swellan'frisky。Sheallowssheis，an'headsfortheO。K。House。
　　"Itfloatsoverprettysoonthathername'sAnnie，an'asnoneofuswantstocallherjest'Annie'——thesamebein'toofreeaplay——an'
　　hearin'shelivesayearortwoatBenson，weconcloodstocallherBensonAnnie，an'letitgoatthat。
　　"'Thesamebein'musicalan'expressive，'saysDocPeets，aswealllinesupag'intheRedLightbar，'Isu'gestswebaptizethislady"BensonAnnie，"an'yere'stohersuccess。'
　　"Sowe-allsturnsupourglasses，an'BensonAnnieitis。
　　"ThenextdaythefetidLungisathingofthepast，an'BensonAnniehasthegametoherse'f。Twodayslatersheraisesthetarifftofiftycentsonshirts，insteadoftwenty-five，aspreviouswiththeChink。Butnoonerenigs。
　　"'Agent，'saysDocPeets，'asholdsthataCaucasianwomanisgoin'
　　towashashirtforthemiserablestipendofaslaveoftheOrientmustbeplumblocoed。Wolfvillepaysfiftycentsforshirtsan'isproudtharof。'
　　"Thingsgoesalongformightylikeamonth，an'thenthisyereBensonAnnieallowsshe'llhaveavisitor。
　　"'I'mplumb，cleansick，'shesays，'ofseein'nothin'butalotofdrunken，good-for-nothin'sotsa-pesterin''round，an'IdonereckonsI'llhavemyfriendSalcomeoverfromTombstonean'seemeawholelot。It'llbesomerelaxation。'
　　"Mebbyit'sfourdaysafterwhenthisyereSalhopsoutenthestage，an'forthenextweektharain'tnowashin'donewhatever，whileBensonAnniean'Salworksthewireaigeoffentheirvisit。
　　"`Agentaswouldbegretchtwopore，hard-workin'girlsalay-offofaweek，'saysEnright，'ain'tcleanstrain，an'Idon'twanttoknowsechahoss-thiefnohow'；an'we-allsfeelslikewise。
　　"Butslapontheheelsofallthisyeregregar'ousnessonthepartofBensonAnniean'Sal，thedealbeginstocomequeer。Attheendoftheweekthetwogirlshasarow，an'intheturnSalgoestot'otherendofcampan'opensalaundry。Thatdoessettleit。BensonAnniegivesSalfits，an'Salshorelysends'emback。Thentheyquitsspeakin'，anwhentheymeetsonthestreettheyconcoctssnootsateachother。ThisscaresEnright，buthedoeshislevelbestan'triestokeeptheboysfromtakin'sides。
　　"'Inaplaylikethisyere，'hesays，'thiscampdon'ttakenokyards。ForthefirsttimeWolfvillepassesout，an'offerstomakeitajack'
　　"Butasonedayan'thenexttrailsby，theboyssortergetslineduponewayan't'other；someforBensonAnniean'someforSal，an'
　　thingsisshorelygettin'hot。Hamilton，overatthedance-hall，upsan'nameshisplacethe'SalSaloon，'an'BurnstakesdownthesignontheRedLightan'callsitthe'BensonAnnieHouse。'Finallythingssorterculminates。
　　"DanBoggs，who'saopen，voylentAnnieman，comesa-prancin'intotheRedLightonenight，an'afterstampin'an'rappin'hishorns'roundawholelot，allowshisshirtiscleanerthanDaveTutt's。
　　"Tuttsayshedon'tcarenothin'forhimse'f，an'nonewhateverfortheshirt；an'whilehean'Dan'sallersbeenfriendsan'crossedtheplainstogether，stillhedon'tallowhe'llstand'roundmuchan'seeaporeondefendedfemale，likeSal，maligned。SoTuttoutswithhisgunan'getsBoggsinthelaig。
　　"Thisyerebringsthingsdowntocases。Enrightisworriedsickatit。Buthe'sbeenthinkin'mightyarduousforquiteaspell，an'
　　whenBoggsgetscreased，heseessomethin'mustbedone，an'beginstolinehimse'fforaplayforout。
　　"It'sthenextdayafterBoggsgetsag'inTutt，an'DocPeetshaspluggedupthehole，whenEnrightroundsupthewholepasselofusintheRedLight。Helooksthatdignifiedan'whatyou-allscallsimpressive，thatthebarkeep，yieldin'tothegravityofthesituation，allowsthedrinksisonthehouse。We-allsgetsourfortydrops，an'sorterstandspattharoninsilence，waitin'forEnrighttoonfoldhisgame。Weshoreknowsifthar'satrailhe'llfindit。
　　"'IGents，'hesaysatlast，——an'itseemslikehe'ssorryan'hurtthata-way，——'I'llnotdriftintothemharrowin'differenceswhichhasrentasunderwhatwasaforetimesthepeacefullestcampinArizona。Iwantsyou-alls，however，totakenoteofmyremarks，forwhatIsaysisshorelygoin'togo。'
　　"YereEnrightpausestotakeasmalldrinkbyhimse'f，whilewe-allstarriesabout，someoneasyan'anxiousastowhatkyardsfallsnext。
　　AtlastEnrightp'intsoutonthetrailofhisremarksag'in。
　　"'Itiswithpainan'mortification，'hesays——an'yerehefixeshiseyesomehardan'delib'rateonayoungtenderfootnamedFrench，who'sbeenlostfromtheStatessomethin'likesixmonths——'itiswithpainan'mortification，Isays，thatInotesforaweekpastouryoungfriendan'townsman，WillyumFrench，payin'markedan'
　　ondiscreetattentionstoBensonAnnie，afemalepersonwhomweallrespects。Atalltimes，dayan'night，whenhecouldescapehisdootiesasbook-keepforthestagecompany，hehaspitchedcampinhers'ciety。Wolfvillehasbeenshocked，an'apureladycompromised。Standin'aswe-allsdoesinthelightofaparenttothisporeyoungfemale，wehavedeterminedthewrongmustbemaderight，an'MisterFrenchmustmarrythegirl。IhavesubmittedtheseyereviewstoBensonAnnie，an'sheconcurs。I'vetookthetroubletobringagospel-sharpoverfromTucsontodothemarryin'，an'
　　I'vesetthehappyeventforto-night，toconcloodwithablow-outinthedance-hallatmyexpense。Wewill，ofcourse，yerebyloseBensonAnnieinthemindustrialwalksshenowadorns，forIpausestogiveMisterFrenchap'inter；thesentimentsofthiscampisag'inamarriedfemaletakin'inwashin'。NottoplayittoolowdownonMisterFrench，who，whileperformin'aprivatedooty，isalsoworkin'forapublicgood，Iheadsasubscriptionwithfiftydollarsforapresentforthebride。I'dsayinclosin'thatifI
　　wasMisterFrenchIwouldn'tcaretoobjecttothisunion。Theladyisgood-lookin'，thesubscriptioniscash，an'inthepresentheatedconditionofthepublicmind，an'withtheheartofthecampsetonthisweddin'，Iwouldn'tberesponsibleifhedoes。Now，gents，who'llfollowmyfiftydollarswithfiftymore？Barkeep，doyourdootywhilethesubscription-papergoes'round。'
　　"Thebiddin'ismightylively，an'intenminutessevenhundreddollarsisraisedforadowry。ThenFrench，whohasbeensettin'inasortofdaze，getsup:
　　"'MisterEnrightan'gents，'hesays，`thisyereisas'prise-partytome，butitgoes。It'sahossonme，butIstandsit。Iseeshowitis，an'asaforcedplayImarriesBensonAnnieintheinterestsofpeace。Whichthesamebein'settled，ifBensonAnnieisyere，whirlherupan'I'llcomeflutterin'frommyperchlikeapanofmilkfromatopshelf，an'putanendtothisonhealthfulexcitement。
　　"We-allsapplaudsFrenchan'isproudtonotehe'sgame。
　　"`An'tobefreean'openwithyou，French，'saysTexasThompson，soastomakehimfeelhe'saheadonthedeal；whichheshoreis，forthisyereBensonAnnieiscorn-fed，'ifitain'tforahigh-speritedladybackinLaredowhoreliesonme，I'dbeplayin'yourhandmyse'f。'
　　"Well，noonedelaysthegame。EnrightbringsoverBensonAnnie，who'sblushin'some，butain'tholdin'back；an'shean'Frenchfrontsupforbusiness。Thisyerepreacher-sharpEnright'sropedupisjestshufflin'forthedeal，when，whateverdoyoureckontakesplace？I'maMexicanifthisyereSaldon'tcomewanderin'in，a-
　　cryin'an'a-mournin'powerful。SheallowswithsobsifherdearfriendAnnie'sgoin'togetmarriedshewantsinonthegameasbridesmaid。
　　"'Whichyou-allshorelygetsahandassech，'saysDocPeets，who'sactin'lookoutforthedeal；an'sohestakesoutSaloverbythenighsideofBensonAnnie，whokissesherquitefrantic，an'unitesherwailstoSal's。Bothof'emweepin'thata-wayshorelymakestheoccasionmightysympathetican'damp。ButPeetssaysit'sthereg'larcaper，an'youcangamblePeetsknows。"'Thar，'saysEnright，whenthelastkyard'soutan'theFrenchfam'lyisreceivin'congratulations，'Ireckonsthatnow，withonlyonelaundry，Wolfvilleseesaseasonofpeace。It'sallright，butI'myeretoremarkthatthenextladyasdazzlesthiscampwithherdeebut，an'onfurlsapurposetoplungeintowork，ain'tgoin'tokeepalaundrynone。Gents，thebridle'splumboffthehoss。We'llnowrepairtothedance-hall，ifsobemeetsyourtastes，an'takethefirststepsinadebauchfromwhich，whenit'sover，thisyerecampofWolfvilledatestime。'"
　　CHAPTERV。
　　ENRIGHT'SPARD，JIMWILLIS。
　　"Ifmymem'ry'sdealin'asquar'game，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，ashemovedhischairabitmoreintotheshade，"it'ssome'ersoverinthefoot-hillsof，theFloridaswhenEnrightvouchsafeswhyhehatesMexicans。"
　　Themorningwasdrowsy。Conversationbetweenushadinasleepywayrangedawidefield。AshadgrowntobeourhabitweatlastsettledonWolfvilleanditsvolatileinhabitants。IaskedtobeenlightenedastothesageEnright，andwasinformedthat，asidefromhiscourageandloveofstrictjustice，theprominentcharacteristicofourWolfvilleLycurguswashiswrathagainstMexicans。
　　"NotthatEnrightloathessomuchashedeplores'em，"continuedtheoldgentleman。"However，Idon'taimtobeheldassayin'heindorsestheirexistencealittlebit；nonewhatever。
　　"Enright'stellin'ofthistalearisesoutenatrivialincidentwhichaMexicanisthemarrowof。We'reoutonthespringround-up，an'combin'thedrawsan'dryARROYASoverbetweenthecowspringsan'theFloridas，whenonenightaMexicanrunsoffapasselofourponies。Thehoss-hustlerisasleep，Ireckons，atthetimethisMexicanstacksin。Hesayshimse'fhe'slyin'alongthebackofhisbroncogazin'atthestarswhenthisrobberjumpsattheponiesan'
　　flapsablanketorsomethin'，an'awaypatterseveryhoofintheband。
　　"ThisyereMexicandon'trunoffwithonlyaboutahandful；Itakesithecan'troundupnomoreinthedark。Whenyou-allstampedesabunchofponiesthata-waytheydon'tholdtogetherlikecattle，butplungesoffdiffusive。It'severybroncoforhimse'f，disdainfulofallelse，an'whenit'ssun-upyoufinds'emspatteredalloverthescenean'notregardin'ofeachothermuch。
　　"ButthisyereMexican，afterhestampedes'em，huddleswhathecantogether——asIsaysmebbyit'sadozen——an'p'intsoffintothehills。
　　"Ofcourseitain'tnotimeafterthesunshowsthetrackswhenEnright，JackMoore，an'myse'fisonthetrail。Tuttan'DanBoggswantsinontheplay，butwecan'tspar'somanyfromtheround-up。
　　"It'soneofthestolenponiestipsthisGreaser'shand。It'sthesecondday，an'we-allslosesthetrailformebbyit'sfifteenminutes。We'resmellin'alongacanyontofinditag'in，whenfromoverap'intofrockswehearsabronconicker。HegetsthescentofanacquaintancewhichMoore'sridin'on，an'says'How!'pony-
　　fashion。
　　"Thar'snoneedgoin'intowearyin'details。Followin'thenickerwecomessurgin'inonourprey，an'it'soverinaminute。Thar'stwoMexicans，——ourcriminaltrackin'upwithapardthatmornin'。Butofcoursewe-allsknowshe'stharlonghoursbackbythetracks，soitain'tnos'prise。
　　"ThisyeresecondMexicanisdownedontherun-in。Heshowsaheapofinterestinourcomin'，an'takestoshootin'usupmightyvividwithaWinchesteratthetime；an'soEnright，who'sclosein，jumpssomeleadintohiman'stretcheshim。Hedon'tmanagetodonoharm，nohow，more'nhecreasesmyhossalittle。However，asthisyerehossisamazin'low-sperited，an'asbein'burntthata-waywithabulletsorterlivenshimupaheap，Idon'tcomplainnone。StillEnright'sall-wiseenoughtocoppertheGreaser，fortharain'tnosayin'whatluckthefelonhaswiththatlittleoldgunofhisifhekeepsonshootin'。Which，asIobserves，Enrightdownshim，an'hispowder-burnin'an'hoss-rustlin'stopsimmediate。
　　"AsfortheotherMexican，whichhe'sthepartywhojumpsourponiesinthefirstplace，hethrowsuphishandsan'allowshecashesinhischipsforwhateverthebanksays。
　　"We-allsropesoutourcaptive；sorterhog-tieshimhandan'foot，wristan'fetlock，an'thengoesintocampallcomfortable，wherewerunsuponourgame。
　　"JackMooredropstheloopofhislariatovertheoffmoccasinofthedeceasedMexican，an'cantershisponydownthedrawwithhim，so'sweain'toffendednonebythevisionofhimspraddledoutthata-waydead。Thisyere'sthoughtfulofJack，an'showshe'snacherallyrefinedan'objectstoremainderslyin''roundloose。
　　"'No，itain'tsomuchI'mrefined，'saysJack，whenIcomplimentshimthatheexhibitshisbringin'up，an'himbein'toomodestthata-waytoaccept；'itain'tthatI'mrefinednone——whichmynacherisshorecoarse——Ijestsorterprotestsinmybosomag'inhavin'acorpseidlin''roundthata-waywhereI'mcamped。TharforeItakesmyropean'snatchesdeceasedoffwhereheain'tnoticeableonthescenery。'
　　"Jackdoesitthatgentlean'considerate，too，thatwhenwepassestheMexicannextdayonourwayin，excepthe'ssomeraveledan'
　　frayedcoastin'alongwhereit'srocky，an'whichcan'tbehe'pednone，he'sasexcellentacorpseaswhenhecomesofftheshelf，warmastherifleEnrightthrowshimwith。
　　"'Whateverbewegoin'todowiththisyerehoss-thiefpris'nerofours？'saysJackMooretoEnrightthenextday，whenwe'resaddlin'
　　upan'organizin'topullourfreight。'He'sshoreduetobotherusalot。We'replumbsixtymilesfromTuttan'theboys，an'ridin'
　　herdonthisyeresaddle-coloredgent，a-keepin'ofhimfromlopin'
　　off，ismightylikelytobeaheapexhaustin'。Iknowsmen，'Jackremarksattheclose，lookin'wistfulatEnright，'aswouldbeefhimrightyerean'leavehimasacompanionpiecetothatcompadreofhisyoudowns。'
　　"'Nachersaswouldexecuteapris'nerincoldblood，'saysEnright，'isroodean'oncivilized。WhichIdon'tmeantheyislowneither；
　　butit'sonconsideratethata-waytogoan'ca'mlykillapris'ner，an'noco'tnorcommitteeauthorizin'thesame。Ineverknowsofitbein'donebutonce。It'sMexicanswhodoesitthen；whichiswhytheyain'tnonepop'larwithmesince。'
　　"'It'sshorewhatyoucallsamightyinduratedplay，'saysJack，shakin'hishead，'togoshootin'somehe'plessgentyou'vetook；
　　but，asIstates，it'sacinchit'llbeaheapfatiguin'keepin'
　　casesonthisyereMexicantillwemeetsupwithaquorumofthecommittee。Stillit'sourdooty，an'ofcoursewedon'tdouble-deal，norputbackkyardsonwhat'sourplaindooty。'
　　"'Whatyou-allstates，'saysEnright，'`istoyourcredit，butI'lltellyou。Tharain'tnoharmmountin'thismarauderonaslowponythata-way；an'bein'humanes'fficienttoleavehishandsan'feetontied。Ofcourseifhetakesadvantageofourleniencyan'goesstampedin'offtomakehisescapesome'ersalongthetrail，I
　　reckonsyou'llshorelyhavetoshoot。Thar'snopass-outthenbutdownhim，an'wesadlytreadstharin。An'，'goesonEnright，somethoughtful，ifthisyereMexican，afterwe-allsisthatpatientan'
　　liberalwithhim，abusesourconfidencesan'escapes，weleavesitalone-handplaytoyou。Myeyesisgettin'someoldan'off，anyway；
　　an'besides，ifwethreetakestobangin'awaysimooltaneous，intheardorofcompetitionsomeofusmightshootthepony。Soifthisyerecaptiveruns——whichhelookstame，an'Idon'texpectnonehewill——weleavesthedetainin'ofhim，Jack，toyouentire。"
　　"InspiteofEnright'sfaithitshoreturnsoutthisMexicanisorneryenough，wherethetrailskirtstheriver，towheelsuddenan'
　　goplungin'across。ButJackgetshiminmidstream。Ashegoesoverthebronco'sshoulder，hatfirst，heswingsonthebridlelongenoughwithhisdyin'handtoturntheponysoitcomesoutag'inonourside。
　　"WhichI'mgladhelivess'fficienttoheadthathossourway，'saysjack。"Itsavessplashin'acrossafterhiman'wettin'yourlegginsalot。"
　　"It'sthatnightincampwhenjackbringsupwhatEnrightsaysaboutthetimetheMexicansdownsapris'ner，an'tharbyfixeshisviewsof'em。
　　"'It'salongtrailback，'saysEnright，'an'Idon'tlikethisyarnenoughtofindmyse'frelatin'ittoanyexcessivedegrees。Itdrawsthecinchsometightan'painful，an'Idon'tteachmymindtodwellonitnomore'nisnecessary。
　　"'ThisisallwhenI'maboy；mebbyIain'ttwentyyearsyet。It'sdurin'theMexicanwar。Igetsastackofwhitechipsan'standsinonthedealinaboyishway。AllIsaveysofthewarisit'sag'intheMexicans，which，whileIain'tgotnofeudwith'empersonalatthetime，makesitplentysatisfactorytome。
　　"'It'sdownofftwodaystothewestofChihuahua，an'sevenofusisprojectin''roundseein'whatevercanwetiedownan'brand，whensomeMexicansgetsusoutonalimb。Itain'tasquar'deal；stillI
　　reckonsit'ssquar'enough，too；onlybein'whatyou-allscallsstrategic，it'soffensivean'sneakin'asaplay。
　　"'Thisyerelieutenantwho'sleadin'us'roundpermiscus，lookslikehe'ssomeromanticaboutayoungMexicanfemale，who'scalledthePrincessofCasaGrande。WhichtherepooteofthisyerePrincesswomanisbad，an'Istrikesastoryseveraltimesofhowshe'sthatincensedag'inAmericanssheoncesawsoffathimblefuloflocoonacaptaininsomewhiskeyhe'sallowin'todrink，an'hegoesplumbcrazyan'dies。
　　"'Butlocoornoloco，thisyerePrincesspersonisshorethatgoodlookin'apintoponydon'tcomparetharwith；an'whenshegetsherblackeyesonourlieutenant，thatsettlesit；weroundsupatherhaciendaan'goesintocamp。
　　"'Besidesthelieutenantthar'ssixofus。Oneof'em'sashorthornwhomatchesmeforage；whichhisname'sWillis——JimWillis。"'NowI
　　ain'touttomakenodescriptionsofthefriendshipwhichgoesonbetweenthisyereWillisan'me。IseesashowonetimewhenI'mpesterin''roundbackinSt。Looey——an'I'myeretoremarkIdon'tgothatfareastnomore——whichtakesonaboutacoupleofsportswho'snamedDamonan'Pythias。Themtwopeople'sallright，an'game。An'theyshoredeemshighofoneanother。ButatthetimeIseesthisyereDamonan'
　　Pythias，Isaystomyse'f，an'eversinceImakesonhesitatin'
　　assertiontharof，thatthebrotherlyviewsthemtwogentsentertainsain'tamarkertoJimWillisan'me。"'ThisyereJimIknowssincewe'reyearlin's。We-allsjumpsoutenthecorraltogetherbackinTennessee，an'goesoffintothisMexicanwarliketwins。An'bein'
　　twoboysthata-wayamongabandofmen，Iallowstharain'tnothin'before，northen，norafter。whichIloveslikeJim。"'AsIobserves，Jiman'me'sintheoutfitwhenthisyerelieutenantcomestrackin''roundthatPrincessofCasaGrande；whichherloveforhimisabluffan'adeadfall；an'thesamegetsallofusbeforewe'rethrough。An'itgetsmyJimWillisspeshul。"Mebbyit'sthethirdmornin'afterwe-
　　allsmeandersintothisnestofMexicans，an'thelieutenantgetslinedoutforthatPrincessofCasaGrande。Weain'tbeenturnin'
　　outearlynohow，tharbein'nothin'
　　toturnoutabout；butthisthirdmornin'somebodyarousesusaheapvigorous，liketheyaimstotransactsomebusinesswithus。Whichtheyshorelydoes；it'sanoutfitofGreaserguerillas，an'we-allsain'tnothin'moreorlessthancaptives。"'Theorneryan'
　　ongratefulpartisthatthePrincesssendsoneofherownpeoniesscoutin''roundinthehillstobringinthisbandofcattle-eatersontous。"'WhenthelieutenanthearsoftheperfidyofthePrincessfemale，he'sthatmortifiedhegetsapistolthefirstjumphemakesan'blowsoffthetopofhishead；whichifheonlyblowsoffthetopofhersitwouldhavegoneaheapfurtherwiththerestofus。
　　Ifhe'dconsultedanyofus，itwouldhaveshorelybeenadvised。Buthemakesanimpulsiveplaythata-way；an'isthatsorean'chagrinedhejestgrabsaguninafrenziedwayan'casheshischipsabrupt。"'No，asIstates，'saysEnright，musin'tohimse'f，'ifthelieutenanthadonlydownedthatPrincesswhoplaysusinaspris'nerssosmoothan'easy，itwouldhavebeenregarded。Hecouldhavegonecaperin'overthebrinkafterherwiththebridleoffthenextsecond，an'we-allswouldstilltalkwellofhim。"'Asitis，however，thisriotousfemaledon'tlasttwomonths。
　　Whichit'salsoafactthattakin'usthattimemusthavebeenaheapon。luckyforthemGreasers。Thar'snineof'em，an'everylastmandiesinthenextfivemonths；an'neveraone，noryetthePrincess，knowswhatthey'reag'instwhentheyquits；orwhatbreezeblowstheirlightout。Iknows，becausemean'apartywhosenameisTate——
　　BillTate——neverleavesthemhillstillthelastofthatoutfit'sgothisheapofrockspiledup，withitslittlepinecrossstickin'
　　outenthepeaktharof，showin'he'sdonejumpedthisearthlygameforgood。"'ThisBillTatean'mebreakscamponthemGreaserstogetherwhilethey'retankin'uponmescal，mebbyit'stwodayslater；an'theynevergetstheirlariatsonusnomore。"'"Youain'tgotnodates，norspeshulengagementswithnobodyintheStates，haveyou？"saysTatetomewhenwe'resafeoutenthemMexican'shands。"'"No，"saysI，"whatevermakesyouask？"'"Oh，nothin'，"saysTatelookin'attheskysorterblackan'ugly，"onlysinceyou-allhastheleesure，whatforaplaywoulditbetomakealongcampbackinthesehillsbysomewater-holesome'ers，an'standpatontilwedownstheseyereGreasers——squawsan'all——
　　who'shadustreed？Itoughterbedid；an'ifwe-ailsdon'tdoitnone，it'saheaplikelyit'sgoin'tobeneglectedcomplete。It'seasyasaplay；everyhoss-thiefof'emlivesrightintheseyerevalleys，forIhears'emtalk。Allwehastodoissa'nterbackinthehills，makeacamp；an'bybein'slowan'shore，an'takin'timean'pains，webushwhacksan'killsthelastone。""'ThewayIfeelsaboutWillismakestheprospectmightyallurin，'an'tharuponTatean'meopensagamewiththemMexicansittakesfivemonthstodeal。"'Butit'splumbdealtout，an'wewin。WhenTatecrossestheRioGrandewiththearmygoin'
　　back，heshorelyhastheskelpofeveryMexicanincloosiveofsaidPrincess。"'ButIwandersfromWillis。WherewasIatwhenIbogsdown？AsIsays，thislieutenantnabsapistolan'goesflutterin'fromhislimb。Butthisdon'tdothemGreasers。TheyputsupaclaimthatsomeAmericanstracksupononeoftheiroutfitan'killshimoff，theysays，fivedaysbefore。
　　Theyallowsthat，breakin'evenonthedeal，oneofusisduetodie。Tateofferstolet'emcountthelieutenant，buttheyshakestheirheadstillthelittlebellsontheirsombrerostinkles，an'
　　declinesthelieutenantemphatic。"'Theyp'intsoutthisyerelieutenantdiesinhisowngame，onhisowndeal。It'snoracketoftheirs，an'itdon'tgotomatchthemanthey'reshy。"`Oneofussixwho'slefthastodietocountevenforthisGreaserwho'sbeencalledinthemfivedaysago。Tatecan'tmove'em；allhesaysisnouse；sohequits，an'ashe'sbeentalkin'Spanish——whichthesameistoomuddyalanguagefortherestofus——Tateturnsinan'tellsushowthethingsizesup。"`"Oneofusisshorelyelectedtotrailoutafterthelieutenant，"saysTate。"Theresttheyholdsaspris'ners。Eitherwayit'sahard，deepcrossin'，an'one'saboutasroughatossastheother。""'ThislastTatestacksintomebbywinoutalittlecomfortfortheonetheMexicanscutsoutenourbunchtokill。"`Afterabriefpow-wowtheGreaserwho'sactin'range-bossfortheoutfitputssixbeansinabuckskinbag。Fiveiswhitean'one'sblack。ThemGreasersisonthegamblebigger'nwolves，an'theycrowdsupplentygleefultoseeustakeagambler'schanceforourlives。Theoneofuswhodrawsablackbeanistop'intoutafterthelieutenant。"`Sayin'somethin'
　　inSpanishwhichmostlikelymeans"Agebeforebeauty，"theMexicansmakesWillisan'mestandbackwhilethefourotherssearchesoneaftertheotherintothebagforhisbean。"`Tategoesfirstan'winsawhitebean。
　　"`Thenashiftless，no-accountpartywhomwe-allscalls"ChickenBill"reachesin。Ishorelyhopes，seein'it'sboundtobesomebody，thatthisChickenBillacquirestheblackbean。Butluck'sag'inus；
　　ChickenBillbacksoffwithawhitebean。"`WhenthethirdgentturnsoutawhitebeantheshadowbeginstofallacrossJimWillisan'me。IlooksatJim；an'IgivesittoyoustraightwhenIsaysthatIain'tatthattimethinkin'ofmyse'fsomuchasaboutJim。
　　Toseethisyeredeal，blackasmidnight，closin'inonJim，iswhat'shurtin'；itdon'tsomehowoccurtomeI'mlikewiseupag'intheironmyse'f。"`"Lookslikethisyereamiabledeeviceisouttorunitsbrandontooneofus，"saysJimtome；an'Ilooksathim。
　　"`An'then，asthefourthfindsawhitebeaninthebag，an'drawsadeepsighan'standsback，Jimsays:"Well，Sam，it'suptous。"
　　ThenJimlooksatmekeenan'steadyawholelot，an'theMexicans，bein'ratherpleasedwiththesituation，ain'tgoadin'ofustohurryupnone。
　　"`Whenit'stoJiman'metheyselectsmeoutastheonetopullforthenextbean。Jim'sstilllookin'atmehard，an'Iseesthewaterinhiseye。'
　　"`"Letmehaveyourdraw，Sam，"hesays。
　　"`"Shore，"Ireplies，standin'astepofffromthebag。"It'syourstooquick。"
　　"`ButtheMexicansdon'tseeitthata-way。It'smyturnan'mydraw，an'Jimhastotakewhat'sleft。SotheMexicanstellsTatetosendmeaftermybeanag'in。
　　"`"Holdonasecond，Sam，"saysJim，an'bythistimehe'ssteadyasachurch。"Sam，"hegoeson，"thar'snouseyou——allgettin'theshortendofthis。Thar'sreasonsforyoulivin'，whichmycaseisvoidtharof。Nowletmeaskyou:beyouuponbeans？Canyoutellablackfromawhitebeanbythefeel？"
　　"`"No，"Isays，"beansisallaheapthesametome。"
　　"'"That'swhatIallows，"goesonthisJim。"Nowyere'swheremysooperiorknowledgegetsin。IftheseMexicanshadletmedrawforyouI'dfixedit，butitlooksliketheyhasscrooples。Butlisten，an'youbeatsthedealasitis。Thar'sadifferenceinbeanssameasinponies。Blackbeansisroughlikeacactuscomparedtowhitebeans，whichsaidlastvegetableisshorelyassmoothasglass。Nowyere'swhatyou——alldoes；jestgrp[ean'scout'roundinthatbaguntilyoupicksoutthesmoothbean。That'syourbean；that'sthewhitebean。Cinchthesmoothbeanan'theblackonecomestome。"
　　"WhenJimsaysallthisitseemslikeI'minadazean'sorterwoozy。Ineverdoubtshimforamoment。OfcourseIdon'ttakenoadvantageofwhathesays。Irecallstheadvicemyoldmothergivesme；it'slongenoughagonow。Theoldladysays:"Samyool，neverletmehearofyouweakenin'。Beaman，oramouse，oralong-tailrat。"
　　SowhenJimlaysitoffaboutthemtwobeansbein'smoothan'roughthata-way，an'thewhitebein'thesmoothbean，Inacherallysearchesouttheroughbean，allowin'she'llshorebeblack；whichshowsmyintellectscan'tcopewithJim'snone。
　　"`ThebeanIbringstothesurfaceiswhite。I'mpaleasaghost。Myheartwiltslikewaterinsideofme，an'Ifeelswhiteasthebeanwhereitlaysinmyhand。OfcourseI'msomeyoungthemdays，an'itdon'tneedsomuchtostaggerme。"`Irecollectslikeitwasinavisionhearin'Jimlaugh。"Sam，"hesays，"Ireadsyoulikesomuchsunshine。An'Ishorelyfoolsyouupalot。Don'tyoureckonI
　　allowsyou'lldoubleonthetrail，p'intin'southifIsays'north'
　　atashowlikethis？Thewhitebeanisallersarough，sandybean；
　　allerswasan'allerswillbe；an'neverletnoonefoolyouthata-
　　wayag'in。An'now，Sam，ADIOS。"
　　"'I'mstandin'lookin'atthewhitebean。IfeelsJimgripmyotherhandasliesays"ADIOS，"an'thenextisthe"bang!"oftheMexicans'sguns。Jim'sdeadthen；he'soutinasecond；neverbatsaneyenorwagsay'ear。
　　"'Whichnow，'saysEnrightattheend，asheyankshissaddle'roundsohemakesaplaceforhishead，'whichnowthatyou-allsisfullyinformedwhyIappearsaversetoGreasers，IreckonsI'llslumbersome。Ineverdoesseeone，Idon'tthinkofthatboy，JimWillis；
　　an'IneverthinksofJimbutIwantstomurderaMexican。'
　　"Enrightdon'tsaynomore；sorterrollsupinhisblankets，dropshisheadonhissaddle，an'laysalongtimequiet，likehe'sasleep。JackMoorean'meain'tsayin'nothin'；merelysettin'tharpeerin'intothefirean'listenin'tothecoyotes。AtlastEnrightliftshisheadoffthesaddle。
　　"'Mebbyit'stwentyyearsagowhenapartyoverontheRioGrandeallowsashowJim'saimin'tocold-deckmewhenheonfoldsaboutthehabitsofthembeans。Ittakessevenmonths，aironconstitootion，an'threemedicine-sharps——an'eachasgoodasDocPeets，——beforethatRioGrandepartyisregardedasoutendanger。'"
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　TUCSONJENNIESHEART。
　　"'Whyeverain'tImarried？'saysyou。"TheOldCattlemanrepeatedthequestionaftermeashesettledhimselfforoneofourmany"pow-wows，"ashedescribedthem。"Lookslikeyou'vedealtmethatconundrumbefore。Whyain'tIwedded？Theanswertothat，son，isalongshotan'alimbintheway。
　　"NowIreckonsthereasonwhyI'mallerswifelessawholelotismainlyduetothewidepop'larityofthemfemalesItakesafter。
　　Someothergentsortergetsherfirsteachtime，an'nacherallythatbarsme。BillJenks'swifeonthatoccasionisaspec'mencase。
　　That'soneofthedisapp'intmentsIonfoldstoyou。Nowthar'samaidenInotonlywants，butneeds；jestthesame，Billgetsher。