shootin'thatbulletintoitsbowelsdon'tbother'emabit。EvenDave'sstandin'upthemtowerists，an'therapinethatensoosdon'tworry'emnone；butthequestionofthemusicitse'fsetsthealcaldetobuckin'。
　　"'I'mshorelydepressedtosayit，Dave，'saysthealcalde，whoisasportnamedSteele，'butyou'vebeena-bustin'oford'nancesaboutplayin'musiconthestreetwithoutnolicense。'
　　"'Can'twe-allbeatthegamenoway？'saysDave。
　　"'WhichIshorelydon'tseehow，'saysthealcalde。
　　"'Normeneither，'saysFranklin。
　　"'Whateveristhematterwithcounter-brandin'themtunesovertoMerino'slicense？'saysDave。
　　"'Can'tdoitnohow，'saysthealcalde。
　　"'Well，isthisyereord'nanceaccordin'toHoylean'theDeclarationofIndependence？'saysDave。'Idon'tstanditnoneonless。'
　　"'Shore!'saysthealcalde。
　　"'Antean'passthebuck，then，'saysDave。'I'malaw-abidin'
　　citizen，an'allIwantsisasquar'dealfromthewarmdeck。'
　　"SotheyfinesDavefiftydollarsforplayin'themharmonieswithoutnolicense。DaveasksmelaternottomentionthisyereoutcomeinWolfville，an'Ineverdoes。Butyereit'sdifferent。"
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　TheFeudofPickles。
　　"Thar'sabigcrowdinWolfvillethatJuneday。"TheOldCattlemantiltedhischairbackandchallengedmyinterestwithhiseye。"Thecorralsisfullofpackmulesan'bullteamsan'wagon-trains；an'
　　whitemen，Mexicans，half-breedsan'Injunsisa-mixin'an'
　　meanderin''round，a-lyin'an'a-laughin'an'a-drinkin'ofRedLightwhiskeymightyprofuse。Fourorfivemuleskinnershastheirlonglimbersixteen-footwhips，whichisloadedwithdust-shotfrombutttotip，an'iscrackin'of'ematamark。I'veseenoneoftheseyeremuleexpertswiththemosteasy，delicate，delib'ratetwistofthewristmakehiswhipsquirmintheairlikeahurtsnake；an'thenhe'llstraightenitoutwiththecrackoftwentyrifles，an'thebuckskinpoppercutsaholeinaloosebuffalorobehe'shungup；an'allwithoutinvestin'twoouncesofactooalstrength。SeveralofusWolfvillegentsisonthesidewalkinfrontoftheO。K。Restauraw，applaudin'ofthegoodshots，whenDaveTuttspeaksuptoJackMoore，nexttome，an'says:
　　"'Jack，youmindsthatoldNavajoyoudownsoverontheSanSimonlastFall？'"
　　"'Imindshimmightycl'ar，'saysJack。'He'sstealin'myAlizanhossatthetime，an'Icanproveitbyhisskelponmybridlenow。'
　　"'Well，'saysDave，p'intin'toaornery，saddle-coloredhalf-breedwho'smakin'himse'fsomefrequent，'thatInjuntheycalls"Pickles"
　　ishisnephy，an'youwantstolookoutawholelot。Ihearshimallowthatthekillin'ofhisrelatifismightyrank，an'thathedon'tlikeitnohow。'
　　"'That'sallright，'saysJack；'Picklesan'mehasbeenkeepin'
　　casesoneachotheranhour；an'I'llpostyou-allprivate，ifhegoestoplayhossalittlebit，himan'hisonclewillbeabletotalkthingsoverbeforenight。'
　　"Whichit'smightysoonwhenPicklescomesalongwherewebe。
　　"'Hello，Jack，'hesays，an'hismannerisinsultin'；'beenmakin'
　　itsmokydownontheoldSanSimonlately？'
　　"'No；notsincelastfall，'saysJack，plentylightan'free；'an'
　　nowIthinksofit，Ib'lievesIseesthatNavajohoss-thiefofanoncleofyourswhenI'mdowntharlast。Iain'trunuponhimnonelately，though。Wheredoyou-allreckonhe'sdone'lopedto？'
　　"'Can'tsay，myse'f，'saysPickles，withakindo'wickedcheerfulness；'ourfam'lyhasaround-upofitse'foveronB'arCreeklastspring，an'Idon'tcounthisnoseamong'emnone。Mebbyhehasanengagement，an'can'tgetthar。Mebbyhe'soutsquanderin'
　　'roundinthehighgrasssome'ers。Greatmantogo'roundpermiscus，thatInjunis。'
　　"'Yousee，'saysJack，'Idon'tknowbuthemightbedead。WhichthetimeIspeaksof，I'msettin'incamponeday。Somethingattractsme，an'Ihappenstolookup，an'thar'smyhoss，Alizan，withaperfectstrangeronhim，pitchin'an'buckin'，an'itlookslikehe'sgoin'tocripplethatstrangershore。Pickles，youknowsme!
　　I'dlosetwohossesratherthanhaveagentIdon'tknownonegethurt。SoIgrabsmyWinchesteran'allowstokillAlizan。Butit'sanewgun；an'youknowwhatnewsightsis——coarseassandburrs；youcoulddragadogthrough'em——an'Iholdstoohigh。Ifetchesthestranger，"bang!"rightbackofhislefty'ear，an'thebulletcomesoutenhisrighty'ear。Youcanbetthelimit，Ineveramsodispleasedwithmyshootin'。Theideeofmeholdin'fourfoottoohighinahundredyards!Ineveristhatembarrassed!I'msoplumbdisgustedan'ashamed，Idon'tgonearthatequestrianstrangertillafterIfinishesmygrub。Alizan，hecomesupallshiverin'an'
　　sweatin'an'standsthar；an'mebbyinahourorsoIstrollsouttothedeceased。ItshorelyweariesmeawholelotwhenIseeshim；
　　he'snothin'butacommonDiggerbuck。YoucandrinkonitifI
　　ain'trelieved。Bein'ano-accountInjun，ofcourse，Idon'tpawhimovermuchforbrands；butdoyouknow，Pickles，fromthecasooalglanceIgives，itstrikesmeatthetimeit'smightylikelytobeyouroncle。Thisoldbroncofancier'sskelpisoveronmybridle，ifyouthinksyou'dknowit。'
　　"'No，'saysPickles，mightyonconcerned，'itcan'tbemyonclenohow。Ifhe'soneofmyfam'ly，itwouldbeyourha'ronhisbridle。ItmustbesomeoldshorthornofaMohaveyoudowns。Let'salltakeadrinkonit。'
　　"Sowe-allgoesweavin'overtotheRedLight，Jackan'Picklessurveyin'eachotherclosean'interested，thata-way，an'therestofusonthequeevee，togoswarmin'outofrangeiftheytakestoshootin'。
　　"'It'sshoresadtopartwithfriends，'saysPickles，ashesecreteshisnose-paint，'butjestthesameImustsaddlean'stampedeoutofyere。Iwantstoseethatoldvillyun，TomCooke，an'Idon'treckonnoneI'llfindhimanythissideofPrescott，neither。Beyouthinkin'ofleavin'campyourse'f，Jack？'
　　"'Idon'tputitupI'llleaveforalongtime，'saysJack。'Mebbynotforamonth——mebbyit'sevenyearsbeforeIgowanderin'off——sodon'tgotomakin'nofriendly，quietwaitsformenowherealongtheroute，Pickles，'causeyou'dmostlikelyrunoutofwaterorchuckorsomethingbeforeeverItrailsup。'
　　"Itain'tlongwhenPicklessaddlesupan'comeschargin''roundonhislittlebuckskinhoss。Picklestakestocuttin'allmanneroftricks，reachin'forthingsontheground，snatchin'offMexicans'
　　hats，an'jumpin'hisponyoverwagontonguesan'campfixin's。Allthetimehe'swhoopin'an'yellin'an'carryin'on，anhavin'ahightimeallbyhimse'f。Whichyoucanseehe'sgettin'uphisbloodan'
　　nerve，reg'larInjunfashion。
　　"Nexthetakesdownhisropean'goestowhirlin'that。Twoorthreetimeshecomesflashin'bywherewebe，an'IlookstoseehimmakeatryatJack。Buthe'stoofarback，orthar'stoomany'roundJack，orPicklescan'tgetthedistance，orsomething；forhedon'tthrowitnone，butjestkeepsyellin'an'ridin'louderan'faster。
　　Picklesshorelyputsupaheapofriotthata-way!It'snowthatEnrightcallstoPickles。
　　"'Lookyere，Pickles，'hesays，'I'vepassedthewordtothefivebestgunsincamptocurlyouupifyoupitchthatropeonce。Bein'
　　asthenewsconcernsyou，personal，Iallowsit'snothin'more'nfriendlytotellyou。Thenag'in，Idon'tliketolosetheRedLightsechacustomerlikeyoutillit'saplumbcaseofcrowd。'
　　"WhenEnrightvouchsafesthiswarnin'，Picklesswingsdownan'
　　leaveshisponystandin'，an'comesover。
　　"'Doyouknow，Jack，'hesays，'Idon'tliketheonrespectfultoneswhereinyoutalksofInjuns。I'mInjun，part，myse'f，an'Idon'tlikeit。'
　　"'No？'saysJack；'Is'posethat'safact，too。An'yet，Pickles，notintendin'nothin'personal，forIwouldn'tbepersonalwithaprairiedog，I'mnotonlyonrespectfulofInjuns，an'thinksthegov'mentoughttopayabountyfortheirskelps，butIstatesbeliefsthatahoss-stealin'，skulkin'mongrelofahalf-breedisloweryet；Iholdin'heain'tevenpeople——ain'tnothin'，infact。
　　Buttochangethesubjeck，aswellasopenanavenooforanotherroundofdrinks，I'llgamble，Pickles，thatyou-allstolethathossdownthar，an'thatthe"7K"brandonhisshoulderain'tnobrandatall，butpickedonwiththep'intofaknife。'
　　"WhenJackputsitalloverPicklesthata-way，welooksforshootin'shore。ButPicklescan'tsteadyhimse'fonthecall。He'slikeponiesI'vemet。He'llriderightatathingasthoughhe'sgoin'plumbthroughorover，an'atthelastsecondhequitsan'
　　flinchesan'weakens。Son，itain'tPickles'fault。Tharain'tnobreedofgentbutthepurewhitewhocanplayadesp'ratedealdownthrough，an'calltheturnforlifeordeathattheclose；an'
　　Pickles，thata-way，isonlyhalfwhite。Sohelaughssorto'uglyatJack'sbluff，an'allowsheordersdrinkswithoutnowagers。
　　"'An'then，Jack，'hesays，'Iwantsyoutocomefeedwithme。I'llhaveMissisRuckerburnusupsomethingright。'
　　"'I'llgoyou，'saysJack，'ifitain'tnothin'butsalthoss。'
　　"'I'llfixyou-allfolksupafeed，'saysMissisRucker，aheapgrim，'butyoudon'tdonobanquetin'innodinin'roomofmine。
　　I'llspreadyourgrubinthecamp-house，t'othersidethecorral，an'you-allcanthenbeassociablean'smokyasyouplease。Whichyou'llbealoneoverthar，an'canconductthereepastinanyfashiontosuityourse'fs。Butyoudon'tgetintothedinin'roomreg'lar，an'gotoweedin'outmyboardersaccidental，withthemfeudsofyours。'
　　"Afteralittle，theirgrub'sgotreadyinthecamphouse。It'sajo-darterofafeed，withcake，pie，airtights，an'thefullgame，an'Jackan'Pickleswalksoversidean'side。Theygoesinalonean'shetsthedoor。Inaboutfiveminutes，thar'ssomeemphaticremarksbytwosix-shooters，an'we-allgoeschargin'tofindout。
　　WediscoversJackeatin'awayallright；Picklesistheotherside，withhisheadinhistinplate，hisintellectsrunnin'outoverhiseye。Jack'sshoresubdooedthatsavageforalltime。
　　"'Itdon'tlooklikePicklesishungrynone，'saysJack。
　　"Theybothpullstheirweeponsastheysetsdown，an'puts'emintheirlaps；butbein'bredacross，thata-way，Picklescan'tstandthestrain。Hegetsnervousan'grabsforhisgun；themuzzlecatchesonderthetable-top，an'thar'shisbulletallsafeinthewood。Jack，bein'cleanstrainAmerican，hasbetterluck，an'
　　Picklesisgot。Shore，it'srightan'onthesquar'!
　　"'Yousees，'saysDanBoggs，'thiskillin'sboundtoberightfromthejump。ItcomesoffbyPickles'earnestdesire；Jackcouldn'trefoose。Hewouldhavelostbothskelpan'standin'ifhehad。
　　Which，however，ifthisyere'liminationofPickleshasgottohaveaname，myideeistocallheracaseofself-deestructiononPickles'part，an'letitgoatthat。'"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　JohnnyFlorer'sAxleGrease。
　　Itwastheafternoon——coolandbeautiful。Ihadbeennursingmyindolencewithacigarandoneofthelargearm-chairswhichtheverandaofthegreathotelafforded。
　　NowandthenIconsideredwithinmyselfastothewhereaboutsofmyOldCattleman，andwasinahalfhumortohunthimup。Justasmythoughtswerehardeningintodecisioninthatbehalf，ahigh，waveringnote，evidentlymeantforsong，camefloatingaroundthecornerofthehouse，fromtheverandaontheend。Thesingerwasoutofrangeofeye，butIknewhimformyagedfriend。Thushegaveforth:
　　"Dogville，Dogville!
　　Atavernan'astill，That'salltharisinallDog-ville。"
　　"Howdoyoufeelto-day？"IaskedasItookachairnearthevenerablemusician。"Happyandhealthy，Itrust？"
　　"Neverfeelsbetterinmylife，"respondedtheOldCattleman。"IfI
　　wastofeelanybetter，I'dshorelygoan'seeadoctor。"
　　"Youareasinger，Iobserve。"
　　"I'mmelodiousnacheral，butI'mgettin'soIsorto'stumblesinmynotes。Shoutin'an'singin''roundapasselofcattletokeep'emfromstampedin'onbadnightshassp'iledmyvoice，thata-way。
　　Thar'snothin'soweakenin'，vocal，asthemeffortsintheopenairan'inthemidstofthestormsan'theelements。WhatforasongisthatI'mrenderin'？Son，Ilearnsthatballadlongago，backwhenI'maboyinoldTennessee。It'swrit，wordandmusic，bylittleMollieHines，wholiveswithherpap，oldHomerHines，overonthe'PossumTrot。MollieHinesisshoreapoet，an'hasamightysightoffame，local。She'swhatyou-allmightcallajo-darterofapoet，Mollieis；an'letanythin'touchin'orromantichappenanywherealongthe'PossumTrot，soastogiveherasubjeck，an'Molliewouldbedownonit，instanter，likeafallin'star。Sheshorelyisaversemaker，an'isknownintheCumberlandcountryas'TheNightingaleofBigBoneLick。'IrememberswhenaShylockovertotheDudleytownbankforeclosesamortgageonoldHomerHines，an'
　　offershissettlementsatpublicvanduethata-way，howMollieprancesoutan'poursapoemintothemiscreant。Thar'sahundredan''levcnversesintoit，an'eachonelikeabulletoutenaWinchester。Itgoeslikethis:"Thar'sawordtobeutteredtotherichmaninhispride。
　　Whichagentisfrequentrichestwhenit'sjestbeforehedied!
　　Thar'sawordtobeutteredtothehawga-eatin'truck。
　　Whichahawgisfrequentfattestwhenit'sjestbeforehe'sstuck!
　　"Mightysperitedepick，that!YourecallsthatEnglishpreachersharpthatcomessquanderin''roundthetavernyereforhishealthaboutamonthago？Shore!Iknowsyoucouldn'thaveoverlookednobetlikethatdivine。Well，thatnightinthemparlors，whenhereadssomerhymesinabook，——whateveristhatpiecehereads？
　　LocksleyHall；rightyoube，son!AsIwassayin'，whenhe'sthroughrenderin'saidLocksleyHall，hecomesbuttin'intoatalkwithmewhereI'mcampedinacornerallcosyasatoadonderacabbageleaf，reecoverin'myse'fwithlickerfromthemrecitalsofhis，an'
　　hesaystome，thisparsonpartydoes:
　　"'Whichit'sshorelyaset-backAmericahasnopoets，'sayshe。
　　"'It'sevident，'Isays，'thatyouneverhearsofMollieHines。'
　　"'No，neveronce，'hereplies；'isthisyereMissHinesapoet？'
　　"IsMollieHinesapoet!'Irepeats，formyscornatthemereideekindo'stiffensitskneesan'takestobuckin'some。'MollieHinescouldmakethatLocksleyHallgentyouwasreadin'from，oreventhepartywhowritesWatt'sHymns，gotothediskyard。'An'thenI
　　repeatssomefortyofthemstanzas，whereofthatoneIjestnowrecitesisaspeciment。
　　"Whatdoesthispulpitgentsay？HeseeIhashimcinched，an'he'splumbmute。Heconfineshimse'ftoturnin'uphisnoseindisgustlikeBillStoreydoeswhenhisfather-in-lawhorsewhipshim。"
　　Followingthis，theOldCattlemanandIwrappedourselvesinthoughtfulsmoke，forthespaceoffiveminutes，asoneswhoponderedthegeniusof"TheNightingaleofBigBoneLick"——MollieHinesonthebanksofthePossomTrot。Atlastmyfriendbrokeforthwithaquestion。
　　"Whoeveristhemfar-offfolksyou-allwastellin'meisrelatedtoInjuns？"
　　"TheJapanese。"Ireplied。"UndoubtedlytheIndiansandtheJapaneseareofthesamestock。"
　　"WhichI'mfoaledlikeamule，"saidtheoldgentleman，"acompletepreytoinbornnotionsag'inInjuns。Iwouldn'thaveonepesterin'
　　'roundmemore'nI'deatoffenthesameplatewithasnake。Ishorehasaversionsto'emawholelot。Ofcourse，IneverseesthemJaps，butIsaveysInjunsfromfeatherstomoccasins，an'comparin'JapstoInjuns，Ifeelsabout'emlikeoldBillRawlinssaysabouthisbrotherJim'swife。"
　　"Andhowwasthat？"Iasked。
　　Theafternoonwaslazyandgood，andIinamoodtolistentomyramblinggreycomradetalkofanybodyoranything。
　　"It'sthisa-way，"hebegan。"ThisyereBillan'JimRawlinsisbrothersan'abidesinRoanoke，Virginny。Theysplitsupintheiryooth，an'Jimgoesp'intin'outfortheWest。Whichheshoregetsthar，an'nothin'isheardofhimforfortyyears。
　　"BillRawlins，backinRoanoke，waxesaheaprich，an'atlastclearsuphisgamean'resolveslietakesarest。Alsoheconcloodstotravel；an'aslongashe'sgoin'totravel，heallowshe'llsorto'goprojectin''roundan'seeifhecan'tlocateJim。
　　"Hegetsaoldan'mustytipaboutJim，thisBillRawlinsdoes，an'
　　itworksoutallright。BillcutsJim'strail'wayoutyonderontheSlopeatameetropoliscalledLosAngeles。ButthisyereJimain'ttharnone。ThefolkstellsBilltheyreckonsJimisovertoVirginnyCity。
　　"It'samonthlater，an'Billisromancin'alongononeofthemNevadamountain-meadowtrails，whenhehappensuponalow，squattydugout，thesamebein'acampratherthanahouse，an'belongswithahayranche。Inthedoorisstandin'amostorneryseemin'gent，withlong，tangledha'ran'beard，an'hisclotheslookslikehe'sshorelywitnessedtimes。Thehandsofthisha'rygentisinhispockets，an'heexhibitsamightysooperciliousair。Billpullsuphiscayouseforapowwow。
　　"HowfarisittoaplacewhereIcancampdownforthenight？'asksBill。
　　"'It'sabouttwentymilestothenextwickeyup，'saysthesooperciliousgent。
　　"'WhichIcan'tmakeitnoneto-night，then，'saysBill。
　　"'Notonthathoss，'saysthesooperciliousgent，forBill'sponythata-wayisplentyplayed。
　　"'Mebby，then，'saysBill，`I'dbetterbunkinyere。'
　　"'Youcangambleyou-alldon'tsleepyere，'saysthesooperciliousgent；'nonewhatever!'
　　'An'whynot？'asksBill。
　　"'BecauseIwon'tletyou，'saysthesooperciliousgent，a-bitin'
　　offapieceoftobacco。'Thisismycamp，an'force'bleinvasionsbycasooalhold-upslikeyou，don'tpreevailwithmealittlebit。I
　　resentstheintroosiononmyprivacy。'
　　"'ButI'llhavetosleepontheseyereplains，'saysBillaheapplaintif。
　　"'Thar'sbettersportsthanyou-allsleptonthemplains，'saysthesooperciliousgent。
　　"Meanwhile，thar'samoveortwo，speshullythewayhebatshiseyes，aboutthissooperciliousgentthatsetsBilltorummagin'
　　'roundinhismem'ry。Atlastheasks:
　　"'IsyournameRawlins？'
　　"'Yes，sir，myname'sRawlins，'saysthesooperciliousgent。
　　"'JimRawlinsofRoanoke？'
　　"'JimRawlinsofRoanoke；'an'thesooperciliousgentreachesinsidethedoorofthedugout，searchesforthariflean'pumpsacartridgeintothebar'l。
　　"'Stan'yourhand，Jim!'saysBill，atthesametimeslidin'tothegroundwiththehossbetweenhiman'hisrelatif；'don'tgetimpetyoous。I'myourbrotherBill。'
　　"'What!'saysthesooperciliousgent，abandonin'themhostilemeasures，an'joysettlin'overhisface。'What!'hesays；'youmybrotherBill？Well，don'tthatbeatgrizzlyb'arsamazin'!Comein，Bill，an'restyourhat。Whichit'ssimplythetendernessofhellI
　　don'tmissyou。'
　　"WhereuponBillan'Jimtracksalonginsidean'goestocanvassin'
　　upan'downastowhatensooesdoorin'themfortyyearsthey'vebeenparted。JimwantstoknowallaboutRoanokean'howthingsstacksupinoldVirginny，an'he'schuckin'inhisquestionsplentyrapid。
　　"WhileBill'sreplyin'，hiseyeiscaughtbyafrightful-lookin'
　　femalewhogoesslyin'inan'out，a-organizin'ofsomegrub。She'sthecolorofasaddle，an'Billcan'tmakeoutwhethershe'sawhite，aMexican，aDiggerInjunoranigger。An'she'sthathideous，thisfemaleis，shecomesmightyneargivin'Billheartfailure。Son，you-allcan'thavenoideehowturribiethispersonlooks。She'ssouglytheflieswon'tlightonher。Yes，sir!uglyenoughtobringsicknessintoafam'ly。Billcanfeelallsortso'
　　horrorsstampedin'aboutinhisframeashegazesonher。Hereyeslooksliketwobulletholesinaboard，an'therestofherfeachersistetotaciouslyindeescrib'ble。Bill'sintellectsattheawfulsightofthisyerepersonalmostlosestheirformation，asarmygentswouldsay。AtlastBillgetsinaquestiononhisrapid-firerelatif，who'sshootin'himupwithqueriestouchin'Roanoketobeataroyalflush。
　　"'Jim，'saysBill，sorto'scaredlike，'whoeveristhisyereladywho'sroamin'thescene？'
　　"'Well，tharnow!'saysJim，likehe'splumbdisgusted，'Ihopemygunmayhangfire，ifIdon'tforgettointrodooceyou!Bill，that'smywife。'
　　"ThenJimgoessurgin'offallspraddledoutaboutthenoomerousan'
　　manifestexcellenciesofthisfemale，an'holdsforthalarmin'ofan'concernin'hervirchoosan'lovelinessoffacean'form，an'alltosechascand'lousdegree，Billhastostepoutdoorstoblush。
　　"'An'，Bill，'goesonJim，an'he'splumbrapturous，thata-way，'mayIneverholdthreeofakindag'in，ifsheain'tgotasisterwho'sasmuchlikeherastwopokerchips。I'mco'tin'bothof'emmightynearfouryearsbeforeeverIcanmakeupmymindwhicheverof'emIneeds。They'rebothsoabsolootelysim'larforbeauty，an'
　　boththataloorin'totheheart，Isimplycan'ttellhowtosetmystackdown。Atlast，afterfouryears，Iupsan'cutsthekyardsforit，an'winsoutthisone。'
　　"'Well，Jim，'saysBill，who'sbeensettin'tharshudderin'throughthemrhapsodies，an'nowan'thengettin'aglimpseofthisyerefemalewiththetailofhiseye:'Well，Jim，farbeitfromme，an'
　　meyourbrother，togoavouchin'viewstomakeyoufeeldoobiousofyourchoice。Butcandor'sgotthedroponmean'compelsmetospeakmythoughts。Ineverseesthissisterofyourwife，Jim，butjestthesame，I'daheapsightratherhaveher。'
　　"An'asIobservesprevious，"concludedtheoldgentleman，"IfeelsaboutJapsan'InjunslikeBilldoesaboutJim'swifethattime。I
　　neverseesnoJaps，butI'damightysightratherhave'em。"
　　Therewasanotherpauseafterthis，andcigarswereproduced。Foratimethesmokecurledinsilence。Thenmyfriendagaintookupdiscussion。
　　"TharcomesfewInjunsinvestigatin'intoWolfville。Doorin'thememutesofCochise，an'Geronimo，an'Nana，theApachesgoesNo'than'Southclostinbythatcampofours，butyoubet!they'reneverthatlocoedastoropeonceatWolfville。We-allwouldshorelyhaveadmiredtoentertainthemhostiles；butasIsu'gests，they'reaheaptooenlightenedtogiveusachance。
　　"Savagesneverfindsmuchencouragementtocomeha'ntin'aboutWolfville。Aboutthefirstvisitin'Injunmeetswithacontreetemps；
　　thoughthisisinadvertentaheapan'notdesigned。Thisbuck，aNavajo，Itakesit，fromhisfeathers，hasbeenpirootin'aboutforadayortwo。AtlastIreckonsheallowshe'lleelopeoffintothefoothillsag'in。Ascarryin'outthemroodeplanswhichheforms，hestartstoscrambleontotheTucsonstagejestasOldMonte'sc'llectin'uphisreins。Butitdon'tgo；Injunsisbarred。Thegyard，who'sperchedupinfrontnexttoOldMonte，pokesthisyereaborigineinthemiddleofhisfacewiththemuzzleofhisrifle；
　　an'astheInjungoestumblin'，thestagestarts，an'bothwheelspassesoverhimthelongestway。ThatInjungivesagroanliketwentysinners，anhislampisout。
　　"OldMontesetsthebrakean'climbsdownan'sizesuptheremainder。Thenhegetsbackonthebox，picksuphissixhossesan'
　　isgettin'out。
　　"'Yere，you!'saysFrench，who'stheWells-Fargoagent，a-callin'
　　afterOldMonte，'comebackan'eitherplantyourgameorpackitwithyou。I'mtoobusyagenttoletyouoranyotherblindeddrunkardgoleavin'afooneralatmydoor。Thar'senoughtodohereasitis，an'Idon'twantnodeadInjunsonmyhands。'
　　"'Don'tputhimuptharan'gosp'ilin'themmail-bags，'howlsOldMonte，asFrenchan'ahoss-hustlerfrominsidethecorrallaysholdoftheNavajotothrowhimonwiththebaggage。
　　"'Thencomedownyerean'rideherdontheplayyourse'f，youmurderin'sot!'saysFrench。
　　"An'withthat，heshorecutsloosean'cussesOldMontefrightful；
　　cussestillacottonwoodtreeinfrontofthestationshedsallitsleaves，an'hedeadensthegrassforahundredyardsabout。
　　"'Promotin'asepulcherinthisrock-ribbedlandscape，'saysFrench，asJackMoorecomesup，kindo'apol'gisin'forhisprofanevoylenceatOldMonte；'framin'upatomb，Isay，inthisyererock-ribbedlandscapeain'tnochild'splay，an'I'mnotallowin'noneforthathomicideMontetoputnosechtasksonme。HeknowstheWolfvilleroole。Everygentskinshisownpolecatsan'plantshisownprey。'
　　"'That'swhatever!'saysJackMoore，'an'onlessOldMonteisthirstin'fortroubleinelab'rateforms，heacquiescestharin。'
　　"WiththatOldMontehitchestheNavajotothehindaxlewithalariatwhichFrenchbringsout，an'thenthestage，withthesavagecoastin'alongbehind，goesrackin'offtotheNo'th。Later，Montean'thepassengershangsthisyereremainderupinapinetree，atanInjuncrossin'inthehills，asawarnin'。Whetherit'sawarnin'
　　orno，weneverlearns；allthat'sshoreisthattheremainderan'
　　thelariatisgonenextday；butwhateverideestheotherInjunsentertainsoftheplayis，asIoncehearsalecturesharppromulgate，'concealedwiththecustomarystoicismoftheAmericansavage。'
　　"Mostlikelythemantipathiesofmineag'inInjunsisaheapenhancedbywhatIexperiencesbackontheoldJonesan'Plummertrail，whentheywaswonttostampedeourherdsaswegoesdrivin'
　　throughtheInjunTerritory。Anylittleolddarknightoneofthemsavagesisliabletocomeskulkin'uponthewind'ardsideoftheherd，flapablanket，cutlooseayell，an'thenextsecondthar'sahundredan'twentythousanddollars'worthofpropertyskally-
　　hootin'offintospaceonfrenziedhoofs。Nextday，themsameontooteredchildrenofthewoodsan'fieldswoulddemandfourbitsforeveryheadtheyhe'psroundupan'returntothebunch。It'sasourceofsavagerevenoo，troo；butplumbirritatin'。ThemInjunscorralssometimesasmuchasahundreddollarsbysechtreacheries。
　　An'thenwe-allhastorestoveronedaytowinitbackatpoker。
　　"WillInjunsgamble？Shore!an'tothelimitatthat!Ofcourse，bein'，asyousaveys，abenightedpeoplethata-way，they'resomeeasy，havin'nomorejedgmentastothevalyooofahandthanSteveStevenson，an'Stevewouldtakeapa'rofninesan'bet'emhigherthanacat'sback。Weallersrecoversourdinero，butthar'stimean'sleepwelosean'don'tgetback。
　　"Yes，indeed，son，Injunscommonisasorneryassoapweed。Theonlygoodyou-allcansayof'emis，they'renacheral-bornlonghorns，isoncomplainin'，an'saveystheWestlikemyblackboysaveyslicker。
　　Onetime——thisyereis'waybackinmyTexasdays——onetimeI'mcampedforlongoverontheUpperHawgthief。It'srainedaheap，an'
　　bein'asI'monlowgroundanyhow，itgetsthatsoftan'swampywhereIbeitwouldbogabutterfly。ForonceI'mtooksick；hasafever，thata-way。An'loseflesh!shorelyyoushouldhaveseenme!
　　Ifallsofflikepersimmonsafterafrost，an'getsasga'ntan'
　　thinasacowinApril。SoIallowsI'lltakealay-offforacoupleofmonthsan'reecooperatesome。
　　"Cossettin'an'pettin'ofmyhealth，asIstates，Isaddlesupan'
　　goescavortin'overintotheOsagenationtovisitanoldcompadreofminewho'satradertharbythenameofJohnnyFlorer。ThisyereFlorerisanold-timerwiththeOsages；beenwith'emit'smightylikelytwentyyearatthattime，an'iswith'emyetforallthenoticeIeverreceives。
　　"Ontheo'casionofthisambassyofmine，Ihasachancetostudythemsavages，an'getalineontheirchar'ctersawholelot。ThistuneI'mwithJohnny，whatyou-allmightcallOsageuppercirclesisaheaptornbytheontowardrivalriesofabraceofeminentbuckswho'seachstrugglin'toleadthefashionforthetribean'raisetheotherout。
　　"ThemOsages，whileblanketInjuns，isplumbopulent。Thar'ssixteenhundredof'em，an'theyhastothemse'fs1，500，000acresofasgoodlandasevercomesslippin'fromthepalmoftheInfinite。Also，thegov'mentisweak-mindedenoughtoconferoneveryoneof'em，eachbuckdrawin'thedineroforhisfam'ly，ahundredan'fortybigirondollarsanyooally。Wherefore，asIobserves，themOsagesisplentystrong，financial。
　　"Theseyeretwohigh-rollin'bucksIspeaksof，who'sstrugglin'forthesocialsoopremacy，isinthemidstofthemstrifeswhileI'mvisitin'Florer。It'ssometwomoonspriorwhenoneof'em，whichwe'llcallhimthe'AstorInjun，'takesaheavyfalloutoftheopp'sitionbygoin'overtoCherryvalean'buyin'asooperannuatedtwo-seatRockawaybuggy。Tothishehooksupaspanofponies，loadsinhissquaws，an'p'rades'roundfromPawhuskytoGreyhoss——thesamebein'acoupleofOsagecamps——an'tharbyredoocestheenemy——
　　whatwe'llnamethe'VanderbiltInjuns'——todesp'ration。TheAstorsavageshorelyhasthecallwiththatRockaway。
　　"ButtheVanderbiltOsageisaheaphardtodown。HetakesonelookattheAstorInjun'sRockawaywithallitsblindin'splendors，an'
　　thengoesstreakin'itforCherryvale，likeadrunkardtoabarbecue。An'heseestheRockawayan'goesitseveralbetter。Whatdoyou-allreckonnowthatsavageequipshimse'fwith？Hewinsoutahearse，agoodbigblackroomyhearse，withploomesontoitan'
　　glasswindersinthesides。
　　"AssoonaseverthisVanderbiltInjunstiffenshishandwiththehearse，hecomestroopin'backtocampwithit，himse'fontheboxdrivin'，an'puttin'onenoughoflordlydogtomakeapackofhounds。WhichheshorelysquelchestheAstors；theyjestsimplylaydownan'weptatsechgrandeur。TheirRockawayain'tone，two，three，——ain'tinthemoney。
　　"An'everydaytheVanderbiltInjunwouldloadhissquawsan'
　　papoosesinsidethehearse，an'thar，wroppedintheirblanketsan'
　　squattin'onthefloorofthehearseforseats，theywouldbelookin'outo'thewindersatcommonsavageswhoain'tinitan'
　　don'thavenohearse。Meanwhiles，thebuckVanderbiltisdrivin'theoutfitalloveran''roundthecantonments，theentirebunchassassyan'asflippantasacoopo'catbirds。It'salltheAstorscandotokeepfromgoin'plumblocoed。TheVanderbiltswin。
　　"Onemornin'，whenFloreran'mehasjestrunourbrandsontothefourthdrink，anoldbuckcomestrailin'intothestore。Hisblanketispulledoverhishead，an'he'spantin'an'givin'itouthe'spowerfulill。
　　"'Howismyfather？'saysJohnnyinOsage。
　　"'Oh，myson，'saystheInjun，placin'onehandonhisstomach，an'
　　allmightytender，'yourfatherisplentysick。Yourfathergetsupthismornin'，an'hisheartisverybad。Youmustgivehimmedicineoryourfatherwilldie。'
　　"Johnnypassestheinvalidacinnamonstickan'exhortshimtochewonthat，whichhedoespromptan'satisfactory，likecattleontheircud。Thiscinnamonkeepshimsteadyfor'mostfiveminutes。
　　"'Whateveristhematterwiththissavage？'IasksofJohnny。
　　"'Nothin'partic'lar，'saysJohnny。'Lastnighthecomespushin'inyerean'buysabottleofWorcestershiresauce；an'thenhegetsgaudyan'quaffsitalluponatheeryshe'sanew-fangledfirewater。Hegetsawaywiththeentirebottle。It'snowherealizesthemerrors，an'takestogroanin'an'allowin'itgiveshimabadheart。WhichIshouldshorelyadmitasmuch!'
　　"'Yourfatherisworse，'saystheOsage，ashecomescuttin'inonJohnnyag'in。'Musthavestrongermedicine。Thatmedicine，'holdin'
　　upsomeofthecinnamon，'thatnotbadenough。'
　　"Atthis，Johnnypasseshis'father'overadoublehandfulofblackpepperbeforeit'sground。
　　"'Letmyfathergetawaywiththat，'saysJohnny，'an'he'llfeellikeabird。Itwillmakehimgayan'fullofp'isen，likearattlesnakeinAugust。'
　　"Outtother'arofJohnny'sstoreispileduponderashedmore'ntwothousandboxesofaxlegrease。ItwassentintothenationconsignedtoJohnnybysomeill-advisedsportsinNewYork，whofiggersthatbecausetheOsagesasatribeaboundsinwagons，tharmustshorelybeamarketforaxlegrease。That'swherethemNewYorkpersonsmissesthefordalot。Themsavageshaswagons，troo；buttheynomorethinksofgreasin'themaxlesthanpaintin'therunnin'
　　gear。Theynevergoesag'instthataxlegreasegameforsomuchasasinglebox；saidointmentisadrug。Whenhedon'tdisposeofitnone，Johnnystoresitoutonderashedsometwentyrodsaway，an'
　　regyardsitasatotalloss。"'Axlegrease，'saysJohnny，'makesap'intincivilizationtowhichthesavagehasnotyetclambered，an'themoptimists，East，whosendsitonyere，shouldhavenevermadenosechbreak。'
　　"Mebbyit'sbecausethisaxlegreasegrowssullenan'feelsneglectedthata-way；mebbyit'stheheatsoftwosummersan'thefrostsoftwowinterswhichsp'ilesitsdisp'sition；shoreitisatanyratethatatthetimeI'mthar，thatonguentseemsfrettedtothecore，an'isgivin'forthaprotestin'fragrancethathasstoodoffacoyotean'madehimquitatadistanceoftwohundredyards。
　　YoumightevensayithascausedNacherherse'ftopausean'catchherbreath。
　　"It'swhentheailin'Osage，whosemaladyistoodeep-seatedtobereachedbycinnamonorpimento，comesfrontin'upforathirdpreescription，thattheaxlegreaseideeseizesJohnny。
　　"'Father，'saysJohnny，'comewithme。Yoursonwillnowsawoffsomebigmedicineonyou；amedicinemeantforfull-blowngentslikeyouan'me。Come，father，comewithyourson，an'youshallbecuredinhalfthetimeittakestorunalooponalariat。'
　　"Johnnybreaksopenoneoftheaxlegreaseboxes，armsthesavagewithachipforaspoon，an'exhortshimtocutinonitawholelot。
　　"Son，theodorsofthemwaresisawful；Kansasbutterisvioletstoit；butitneverfluttersthatOsage。IletakesJohnny'schipan'
　　goestowork，spadin'thataxlegreaseintohismouth，likeheain'tgotaminutetolive。Whenhe'sgotawaywithhalfthebox，hetucksthebalanceonderhisblanketan'retirestohisteepeewithalookofgratitoodeonhisface。Hishearthasceasedtobebad，an'themillnesses，whichaforetimehashimonthego，surrenderstothepowersofthisyerenewmedicinelikewillowstothewind。Withthis，hegoescaperin'outforhiscamp，idlyhummin'awarsong，sechishisrelief。
　　"An'here'swhereJohnnygetsactiononthataxlegrease。Itshorelyteaches，also，theexcellenceofthemmaxims，'Castyourbreaduponthewatersan'you'llbeonvelvecbeforemanydays。'Withintwohoursacoupleofthissickbuck'ssquawscomessidlin'tiptoJohnnyan'desiresaxlegrease。It'squotedatfourbitsabox，an'
　　thesquawschangesinfivepesosan'beatsaretreat，carryin'awaytenboxes。Thenthefameofthisbig，newmedicinespreads；thataxlegreasebecomesplentypop'lar。Otherbucksan'othersquawsshowsup，changesintheirmoney，an'ismadehappywithaxlegrease。Theyneverhassechatime，themOsagesdon't，sincethebattleoftheHoss-shoe。Son，theypacksitoffinblankets，freightsitawayinwagons。Theyturnslooseonareg'laraxlegreasespree。Inaweekeveryboxissold，an'thar'sordersstackeduponFlorer'sdeskfortwokyar-loadsmore，whichisbein'hurriedonfromtheEast。EventheInjuns'agentgetswroughtupaboutit，an'beginstobellowan'paw'roundbywayofcomplimentstoJohnny。
　　HemakesJohnnyaspeech。
　　"'WhichI'vemadeyourexcellentdiscovery，Mr。Florer，'saysthisagent，'thebasisofareporttothegov'mentatWashin'ton。IsetsforththemadpassionoftheseyereOsagesforaxlegreaseasacondiment，abeverage，an'acure。Iexplainsthetriballeanin'
　　thatexistsforthatspeshulaxlegreasewhichiscrownedwithyears，an'ownsastrengthwhichcomesonlyasthecor'laryofhardexperience。Axlegreaseislikemusican'soothsthesavagebreast。
　　Itisoilonthetroubledwatersofaboriginalexistence。Itsfeetisthefeetofpeace。Atthetouchofaxlegreasethehostileabandonsthewarpathan'surrendershimse'f。Hewashesoffhispaintan'becomethwithaxlegreaseasthelambthatbleateth。Thegreatestpossibleuprisin'couldbequelledwithaconsignmentofaxlegrease。Mr。Florer，Icongratulateyou。Fromahumblestore-
　　keep，sellin'soap，herrin'an'salthoss，youtakesyourstandfromnowwiththeph'lanthropistsan'leadersamongmen。YouhaveconjoinedInjunsan'axlegrease。Forcenturiesthesavagehasbeenaproblemwhichhasdefiedgov'ment。Hewilldosonomore。Mr。
　　Florer，youhavesolvedthesavagewithaxlegrease。'"
　　CHAPTERV。
　　ToothpickJohnson'sOstracism。
　　"Yousees，"observedtheOldCattleman，ashemovedintothedeepershade；"youseesthisyereToothpickdisgracesWolfville；that'showitis。Downsaparty，ToothpickJohnsondoes，an'nogunonthegent，thesamebein'outofrooleentire。Nacherally，whilenooneblamesToothpick，whomakestheplaywhatyou-allcalls'bonyfidis，'thepublicsorto'longsforhiseelopement。An'thatsettlesit；Toothpickhastohuntoutfordifferentstampin'
　　grounds。
　　"ItallcomesfromToothpickbein'bynacheroneoftheseyereover-
　　zealouspeople，an'prematoorelypronethata-way。He'sborneager，Toothpickis，an'can'the'pitnone。
　　"You-allhastrackeduponthatbreedofcimmaronplentyfrequentnow。They'rethekindwhopicksupapokerhand，kyardbykyard，astheycomes。They'rethatfor'ard，——thatheadlongtogetouterthepresentan'intothefooture，theyjestcan'twaitforthingstohaveachancetohappen。
　　"'Whyeverdoyoupullinyourkyardsthata-way？'IsaystoToothpick，reprovin'ofhim。'Whycan'tyoulet'emlaytillthehand'sdealt？'
　　"'WhichI'mshorelythatlocoedtolookifIain'tgotthreeacesorsomesech，'saysToothpick，'Imustturn'emuptosee。'
　　"'Well，'saysI，an'thesameiswisdomeverytime，'you-allwouldappearmorelikeadeadcoldsporttolet'embe，an'pickupyourwholehandtogether。Likewise，you'ddisplayamightysightmoresaveyifyoukeepsyoureyesonthedealertillhelaysdownthedeck。You'dbelessafflictedbydisagreeablesurprisesifyou'dfreezetothelastidee；an'you'dlayupmoneybesides。'
　　"Butthat'sthenotionI'maimin'toconvey；Toothpickistooquick。
　　Hisintellects，itlookslike，isoneternaltip-toetogetinastack。
　　"'He'stoosimooltaneous，isToothpick，'saysJackMooreonce，whenhiman'Boggsisdiscoursin'together，sizin'upToothpick。'He'sthatsimooltaneoushecomesmightynearbein'awholelottooadjacent。'
　　"WhatdoesToothpickdothattimewe-alldisapprovesan'stampedeshim？It'saaccidentalkillin'。
　　"It'sseconddrinktimeintheevenin'，an'theTucsonstageisin。
　　Thar'sapasselofuswhohasropedupourmail，an'nowwe'restandin''roundinfrontoftheRedLight，breakin'intolettersan'
　　papers，an'a-makin'ofcomments，whenalongwandersapartywho'sbeenpicnicin'withthecamp。Asthedealturns，heneverdoesstaylongnohow；neverlongenoughtobecomea'genial'quaintancean'afav'riteofall。'
　　"Thispartywhocomessidlin'upis，aswehears，latefromRedDog；
　　an'doorin'themfourhourswhereinheconfershissocietyontous，hestaysdrunkhabityooalan'neverdoeslapseintobein'soberforasecond。It'sshoreremark'ble，now，howallthemRedDogpeoplestaysintox'catedwhiletheysojournsinWolfville。Neverknowsittofail；an'Iallows，asas'lootionthata-way，it'sowin'tothesooperiormeritsofournose-paint。It'sacomplimenttheypaysus。
　　"However，thisRedDoggent'sdrinkin'ishisownaffairs。An'hisearnestnessaboutlickermayhavebeenhissystem；thenag'initmaynot；Idon'tgopryin'nonetodetermine。Butbein'he'splumbdrunk，asyoureadilydiscerns，itkeepsupabarrierag'ingrowin'
　　intimatewiththisparty；an'ontilToothpickopensonhim，hisintercoursewithWolfvilleisnacherallyonlyformal。
　　"ThisvisitorfromRedDog——whichRedDogitse'fisaboutaslow-
　　flungabunchofcrim'nalsasevergetsroundedupan'calledacamp——but，asI'msayin'，thistotterin'wreckImentionscomesstragglin'up，moreorlesspermiscusan'vague，an'，withoutsayin'
　　awordormakin'asign，orevenshakin'abush，standsaboutlariatdistanceawayan'star'satToothpick，blinkin'hiseyesmightymalevolent。
　　"Itain'tnotimewhenthisyerebluffonthepartofthedrinkin'
　　RedDoggentattractsToothpick，who'sbeenskirmishin''roundamonguswherewe'restandin'，an'isatthattimementionin'Freighter'sStew，asagoodthingtoeat，toDaveTutt。
　　"'Whobeyou-alladmirin'now？'asksToothpickoftheRedDogparty，who'sglarin'towardshim。It'sthenInotesthelightsbegintodanceinToothpick'seyes；withthatimpulsivesperitofhis，he'sdootobecomeabruptwithourvisitoratthedropofthehat。
　　"ThatRedDoggentdon'tmakenoretort，butstandstharwithhiseyespicketedonToothpicklikehe'sfoundavictim。Toothpickisfidgetin'onhisfeet，withhisthumbsstuckinhisbelt；whichthislastisabadsymptom，asitleavesagent'sartilleryeasytoreach。
　　"Itstrikesmeatthetimethatit'sevenmoneythar'sgoin'tobesomeshootin'。Idon'tthennornowknowwhynone。Butthatignoranceiscommonaboutshootin's；twotimesinthreenobodyeverdoesknowwhy。
　　"Ireckonsnowit'sToothpick'sfidgetin'makesmesuspicioushe'sonthebrinkofrousin'theo'casionwithhissix-shooter。Whichifhe'scoolan'ca'm，itwouldnevercometomethata-way；acoolgentneverpullsthefirstgun，leastwaysneverwhenthepretextisfriv'lousan'don'tcomeondertheheadof'Must'。
　　"'Well。'savsToothpickag'in，'whateverbeyou-allgloatin'over，I
　　asks？Or，mebbyyou'rethinkin'of'doptin'measasonorsomethin'？'saysToothpick。
　　"StillthepartyfromRedDogdon'tsaynothin'。AsToothpickceases，however，thisRedDogpersonmakesamove，whichisreasonablequick，forhiship。He'sgotonalongcoat，an'whilenogentcansee，thar'snoneofushasdoubtsbutheisfullydressed，an'thathe'ssearchin'outhisColt's。
　　"That'swhatToothpickallows；an'theRedDogparty'shandain'ttraveledtwoinchesonderhissurtoot，whenToothpickcutsfreehis'44，an'theRedDogpartyhitstheground，facedown，likeakyardjestdealt。
　　"Yes，he'sdeadenough；neverdoeskickorflutteronce。It'sshorelyashotinthecross。
　　"`Doyou-allnotehowhetriestofillhishandonme？'asksToothpick，mightycheerful。
　　"ToothpickstoopsdownfortheRedDogman'sgun，an'whatdoyou-
　　allthink？Hedon'thavenoweapon，nonewhatever；nothin'morevig'rousthanapeacefulflaskofwhiskey，whichthesameisstillallsafeinhisr'arpocket。
　　"'Hewarn'theeled!'saysToothpick，straightenin'upan'lookin'atusapol'getican'disgusted。
　　"It'sjesticetoToothpicktosay，Ineveryetovertakesthatgentwho'smoreabashedan'discouragedthanheiswhenhefindsthispersonain'tpackin'nogun。Hesurveystheremainderasecond，an'
　　says:
　　"'Gents，ifeverthelickerforthecampisonToothpickJohnson，it'snow。Butthar'sonelastdootytoperformtouchin'deceased。
　　It'sevident，departedisabouttoaskmetodrink。It'sthisyeremotionhemakesforhiswhiskeywhichImistakesforagunplay。
　　TharIerrs，an'stacksupthisRedDogpersonwrong。NowthatI
　　onderstands，whileacknowledgin'myfal'cies，theleastIcandoistorespectdeceased'slastwishes。Itharfore，"saysToothpick，raisin'theRedDogparty'sflask，"complieswithwhat，ifIhadn'tinterruptedhim，wouldhavebeenhislastrequests。An'regrettin'I
　　don'tsaveysooner，Idrinkstohim。"
　　"No，"concludedtheOldCattleman，"asIintimatesatthego-off，Toothpickdon'tstaylongafterthat。Noonetalksofstringin'himforwhat'saplaincaseofbadjedgment，an'nothin'more。Butstill，Wolfvilletakesanotionag'inhim，an'don'twanthim'roundnone。Sohehastofreightout。
　　"'Youareallright，Toothpick，speakin'gen'ral，'saysOldManEnright，whenhiman'DocPeetsan'JackMoorecomesuponToothpicktonotifyhimit'stheStranglers'ideehe'dbetterpackhiswagonsan'hitthetrail，"butyoudon'tholdyoursix-shooterenoughinwhatDocPeetsyerecalls'abeyance。'Withoutputtin'nostainonyourcharacter，it'srighttosayyouain'tsedentaryenough，an'
　　thatyou-allisaheaptoosoonbesides。Inview，tharfore，ofwhatIstates，an'ofyoudroppin'thisyereRedDoggent——notanounceofirononhimatthetime!——whileweexonerates，wedecideswithoutadissentin'votetosorto'look'roundthecampforyouto-morry，sayatsundown，an'hangyousome，shouldyouthenbepresentyere。
　　That'showtheherdisgrazin'，Toothpick:an'ifyou'reouttocommitsooicide，you'llbepartic'lartobewithusatthehourI
　　names。'"
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　TheWolfvilleDailyCoyote。
　　You-allremembersback，"saidtheOldCattleman，"thatyeretoforeI
　　su'gestshowatsomeappropriateepock，Irelatesaboutthecomin'
　　ofColonelWilliamGreeneSterettan'thatadventofWolfville'sgreatdailypaper，theCoyote。"
　　Itwaseveningandsharplyinthewakeofdinner。Weweregathereduntoourselvesinmyfriend'sapartments。InexcellentmoodtohearofColonelSterettandhiscelebratedjournal，Ieagerlyassuredhimthathispromiseinsaidbehalfwasfreshandfragrantinmymemory，andthatItrustedhewouldfindpresentopportunityforitsredemption。Thusencouraged，theoldgentlemanshovedtheboxofcigarstowardsme，pouredagenerousglass，anddisposedhimselftobegin。
　　"RedDoginasperitofvaincompetition，"observedmyfriend，"startsapaperaboutthesametimeColonelSterettfoundstheCoyote；an'，son，forawhile，themimprintshasaluridlife!TheRedDogpaperdon'tlastlongthough；itlacksthemelementsoflongevitywhichtheCoyotepossesses，an'itain'trunnin'manyweeksbeforeitsorto'rotsdownallatonce，an'theeditorjumpsthegame。
　　"It'severbeenasubjectofdissensionsbetweenColonelSterettan'
　　myse'fastowhereimpartialjesticeshouldlaytheblameofthatRedDogpaper'sfailure。ColonelSterettchargesitontotheeditor；
　　butit'smybeliefs，an'I'mj'inedtharinbyBoggsan'TexasThompson，thatnoeditorcouldflourishan'nopapersurviveinsurroundin'ssoplumbvenomousan'p'isenasRedDog。Moreover，I
　　holdsthatColonelSterett，onintentionalnodoubt，takesaja'ndicedviewofthatbrotherpublisher。ButIridesaheadofmytale。