Inimmediateechothecryarose，"They’reoff！They’reoff！"andneckswerestrainedtocatchaglimpseofthefirstthatshouldappearwherethecoursetookaslightturn。
　　Inafewsecondsthetwoleadinghorsesareseen，theriderslowovertheirnecks，andbehindthem，almosthiddenbythedust，thecrowdofyelling，waving，shootinghorsemen。
　　TheDemonisleading，theSwallowcloseonhisflank。AstheycomewithinclearviewtheexperiencedeyesofthecrowdseethatwhiletheDemon，thoughasyetuntouchedbywhiporspur，isdoingallthatisinhim，theSwallowisholdinghimeasily。Onallsidesthemenofthewestraiseapaeanofvictory，"TheSwallow！TheSwallow！
　　Goodboy，Kiddie！Lethergo！Lethergo！""You’vegothimstanding！""Bullyboy！"
　　FiftyyardsfromthewinningpostTheKidleansoverhismare’sneckandshakesouthisflutteringreins。LikethebirdwhosenameshebearstheSwallowdartstothefront，alengthahead。InvaintheCaptaincallstotheDemon，plyingfiercelywhipandspur。Withnostrilsdistendedandblood—red，witheyesstartingfromtheirsockets，andmouthfoamingbloodyfroth，thenobleanimalrespondsandessayshisfinalattempt。
　　Itisamagnificenteffort。SlowlyhecreepsuptotheSwallow’sflank，butbeyondthathecannotmakeaninch，andsotheyremaintothewinningpost。
　　Downthestreetbehindtheleaders，yellingwildoaths，shootingofftheirguns，flinginghatsintheair，andallenvelopedinacloudofdust，thundersthepursuingcavalcade。
　　JustastheSwallowshootstothefront，outfromthecloudofdustbehind，withhiscowboyhathighinonehandandhisreinsflutteringlooselyintheother，IkeemergesonhisbelovedSlipper。
　　Ateveryboundthebuckskingainsupontherunnersinfront，butwhenlevelwiththeDemon，Ikesteadieshimdown，forhewouldnotbeguiltyofthebadtasteof"shovinghisnoseintoanotherman’sfight，"norwouldhedeprivethelittlemare，whocarriedthefortunesofthemenofthewest，ofthegloryofhervictory。
　　Theriotthatfollowstheracepassesdescription。Themenfromthewestgomad。AboutTheKidandhislittlemaretheysurgeinawaveoffranticenthusiasm。IntotheRanchers’Roosttheycarrytheridertowashdownthedust，whileasmanyascanfindroomforahandgetvigorouslytoworkupontheSwallow。
　　Aftertheriothadsomewhatsubsidedandthestreethadbecomepartiallyclear，sidebyside，threadingtheirwaythroughthecrowd，appearedthetwocompetitorsfortheCup。Onallsidestheyweregreetedwithrenewedcheers，andundertheexcitementofthehourtheyabandonedthecustomaryreserveofthecowboy，andbeganperformingwhatseemedtoShockimpossiblefeatsofhorsemanship。
　　"IbetyouI’llrideherintotheRoost，Captain，"criedTheKiddie。
　　"Done，forthedrinks！"repliedtheCaptain。
　　Theboycanteredhismareacrossthestreet。
　　"Outofthewaythere！"hecried。"Outoftheway，youfellows！I’mcoming！"
　　AshespokeheputthelittlemarestraightattheflightofstepsleadinguptothedooroftheRoost。Thecrowdpartedhastily，buttheSwallowbalkedandswerved，andbutforthefinehorsemanshipoftheriderhewouldhavebeenthrown。
　　Withanoath，theKidtookholdofhishorseagain，andridingcarelessly，facedheroncemoreatthesteps。Butagainsheplunged，reared，swunground，andsetoffatarundownthestreet。
　　Theladrodehereasilyback，broughtheruptothestepsatawalk，quietedherwithvoiceandhand，andthen，canteringacrossthestreet，camebackagainataneasylopetothesteps。Themaremadeasiftobalkagain。
　　"Up，girl！"criedtheboy，liftingherwiththerein;andthen，assherose，touchingherwiththespur，Likeacatthelittlemareclamberedupthesteps，andbeforeshecouldchangehermindshefoundherselfthroughthedoor，standinginthebar—roomwithherrideronherback。
　　Throughtheouterentrancethrongedthecrowdofmen，givingventtotheiradmirationinyellsandoaths，andliningupatthebarwaitedforthepaymentofthebet。
　　Shock，whohadbeensingularlyattractedbythehandsome，boyishfaceoftherider，walkeduptothedoorandstoodlookingin，hisgreatformtoweringabovethecrowdofmenthatswayedandjostled，chaffingandswearing，inside。Ashestoodlookingattheboy，sittinghishorsewithsuchcarelessgrace，andlisteningwithpleasedandsmilingfacetothevariedandpicturesqueprofanityinwhichthecrowdwereexpressingtheiradmiration，thewordsofhisConvenercametohismind，"Theymaynotwantyou，buttheyneedyou。"
　　"Yes，"hemutteredtohimself，"theyneedme，or，someonebetter。"
　　Agreatpityfortheladfilledhisheartandoverflowedfromhiseyes。
　　Theboycaughtthelook。Withagaylaughhecried，"Iwoulddrinktoyourverygoodhealth，sir！"hishigh，clearvoicepenetratingthedinandbringingthecrowdtosilence。"Butwhycarrysograveafaceatsuchajoyousmoment？"HeliftedhisglassoverhisheadandbowedlowtoShock。
　　Arrestedbyhiswords，thecrowdturnedtheireyestowardthemanthatstoodinthedoor，waitinginsilenceforhisreply。
　　AquickflushrosetoShock’sface，butwithoutmovinghiseyesfromthegay，laughingfaceoftheboy，hesaidinaclear，steadyvoice，"Ithankyou，sir，foryourcourtesy，andIaskyourpardonifmyfacewasgrave。Iwasthinkingofyourmother。"
　　Asifsomeonehadstrickenhimtheboyswayedoverhishorse’sneck，butinamomentrecoveringhimselfhesatupstraight，andliftinghighhisglass，hesaidreverently，asifhehadbeentoastingtheQueen:"Gentlemen，mymother！Godblessher！"
　　"Godblessher！"echoedthemen。
　　Drinkingofftheglasshedismountedand，followedbythecheersofthecrowd，ledhishorseoutoftheroomanddownthesteps，androdeaway。
　　MeantimeShockwentinsearchofthedoctor。InacorneroftheInternationalbarhefoundhiminsdrunkensleep。Aftervaineffortstowakehim，withoutmoreadoShockliftedhiminhisarms，carriedhimouttothebuckboardanddroveaway，followedbythejibesandcomplimentsoftheastonishedcrowd。
　　Butwhattodowithhimwasthequestion。Therewasnoroomforhimself，muchlessforhischarge，inanyofthehotelsorstoppingplaces。
　　"Mayaswellbeginnow，"Shocksaidtohimself，anddroveouttoalittlebluffofpoplarsattheriverbanknearthetown，andpreparedtocamp。
　　Hedisposedofthedoctorbylayinghiminthebackofhisbuckboard，coveredwiththebuffalo。Heunhitchedandtetheredthepony，and，accordingtohiscrudenotionsofwhatacampshouldbe，begantomakehispreparations。Withveryconsiderabledifficulty，hefirstofallstartedafire。
　　"Hello！Ratherchillyforcampin’outyit？"
　　HelookedupandsawIke。
　　"Iguessyouaintlivedmuchoutofdoors，"continuedhisvisitor，glancingattheapologyforafire，andnoticingtheabsenceofeverythingincamp—makingthatdistinguishestheexperiencedcamper。
　　"No，thisismyfirstcamp，"saidShock。"ButIsupposeeverymanmustmakeabeginning。"
　　"Yes，"agreedIke，"whenhe’sgotto。ButIhavealingerin’
　　suspicionthatyou’dbebetterinsideto—night。Itaintgoin’tobepleasant。"
　　"Oh，I’llbeallright，"repliedShockcheerfully。
　　"Ihaveasmalltent，acoupleofcoats，apairofblankets，andmyponyhasgothisoats。"
　　"Yes，"drawledIke，regardingthecayusewithcontemptuouseyes，"he’sallright。Youcan’tkillthemfellers。But，asIremarked，you’dbebetterinside。"
　　Hewalkedaroundthebuckboardandhiseyesfelluponthedoctor。
　　"Whatthe——"Ikecheckedhimself，eitheroutofdeferencetoShock’sprofessionormorelikelyfromsheeramazement。
　　Heturneddownthebuffalo，gazedatthesleepingfigurewithlongandgraveinterest，thenliftinghisheadheremarkedwithimpressivesolemnity，"Well，Ibechawedandswallered！YouHAVEgothim，eh？Now，howdidyoudoit？"
　　"Well，"saidShock，"itwasnotdifficult。IfoundhimasleepintheInternational。Icarriedhimout，andthereheis。"
　　"Say，"saidIke，lookingatShockwithdawningadmirationinhiseyes，"you’reabird！Isthereanythin’elseyouwantinthattown？
　　Guessnot，elseitwouldbehere。TheGeneralsaidyou’dkidnaphim，andhewasright。Now，whatyougoin’todowhenhecomesto？Thereaintmuchshelterinthisbluff，andwhenhewakeshe’llneedsomeonetosetupwithhim，sure。He’saterror，adog—gonedterror！"
　　"Oh，we’llmanage，"saidShocklightly。"Imeantostartearlyinthemorning。"
　　"Beforehegetsup，eh？AsIremarkedbefore，you’reabird！"
　　ForsomemomentsIkehungaboutthecamp，pokingthefire，evidentlysomewhatdisturbedinhismind。Finallyhesaidinahesitatingtone，"Itaintmuchtoofferanyman，butmyshackkinholdtwomenaswellasone，andIguessthreecouldsqueezein，speciallyifthethirdisintheconditionhe’sin，"noddingtowardthedoctor。"Wekinlayhimonthefloor。Ofcourse，itaintdoneupwithnopictersandhangin’s，butitkeepsoutthebreeze，andthereaintnobugs，youbet。"
　　Shock’sexperienceofWesternshackshadnotbeensufficientlyvariedandextensivetoenablehimtoappreciatetothefullthislastcommendationofIke’s。
　　Ike’shesitationinmakingtheofferdeterminedShock。
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"hesaidcordially。"Ishallbedelightedtogowithyou。"
　　"Allright，let’sgit，"saidIke，proceedingtohitchupthepony，whileShockgatheredhisstufftogether。Inafewminutestheywerereadytostart。
　　"Guesshe’llridecomfortablewhereheis，"saidIke。"Youcan’tkilladrunkman。Strange，aintit？"
　　Itwasgrowingduskastheydrovethroughthetown，butthestreets，thehotelstoops，andbarswerefilledwithmeninvariousstagesofintoxication。AstheycaughtsightofIkeandrecognisedhiscompanion，theyindulgedthemselvesinvariousfacetiousremarks。
　　"Hello，Ike。Goin’tomeetin’？"
　　"No，"retortedIkeshortly。"Goin’toschoolfermanners。Wanttocome？"
　　"Ikey’sgotreligion。Caughtontothefire—escapeyoubet。"
　　"No，he’sgoin’tolearnthatrasslin’trick。"
　　"Ikey’sshowin’thestrangerthetown。He’sonforabust，youbet。"
　　"Blanklotofjaybirds，"saidIkegrimly，inalowtone。"I’llsee’emlater。You’dthinkthey’dneverseenastrangerbefore。"
　　"Thatisallforme，Isuppose，Ike，"saidShockapologetically。
　　"Don’tyouworry。Itwon’tgivemeanygreyhair。"Ikeemphasisedhisindifferencebytiltinghishattillitstruckontheextremebackofhishead，andloungingbackinhisseatwithhisfeetonthedashboard。
　　"Theyallseenyougivin’methath’istthisafternoon，"hecontinued，"andtheycan’tgetoverthatweaintfightin’。And，"headded，hittingthehubofthewheelwithastreamoftobaccojuice，"itisaratherremarkablereminiscence。"
　　Ikehadafondnessforwordsnotusuallycurrentamongthecowboys，andinconsequencehisEnglishwasmoreorlessreminiscent，andoftenphoneticratherthanetymoligical。
　　Ike’sshackstoodatthefurthersideofthetown。UponenteringShockdiscoveredthatitneedednoapologyforitsappearance。Theboardwallswereadornedwithillustrationsfrommagazinesandpapers，miscellaneousandwithouttaintofprejudice，theSundayMagazineandthePoliceGazettehavingplacesofequalhonour。Onthewall，too，werenailedheadsofmountainsheepandgoats，ofwapitiandotherdeer，proclaimingIkeahunter。
　　Everythingintheshackwasconspicuouslyclean，fromthepots，pans，andcookingutensils，whichhungonarowofnailsbehindthestove，tothedish—cloth，whichwasspreadcarefullytodryoverthedishpan。HadShock’sexperienceofbachelors’shacksandbachelors’
　　dishesbeenlarger，hewouldhavebeenmoreprofoundlyimpressedwiththatcookingoutfit，andespeciallywiththedish—cloth。Asitwas，thedishclothgaveShockasenseofsecurityandcomfort。
　　Depositingthedoctoruponabuffaloskinonthefloorinthecorner，withapillowunderhishead，theyproceededtotheirduties，Iketopreparetheeveningmeal，andShocktounpackhisstuff，wonderingallthewhilehowthiscowboyhadcometohunthimupandtreathimwithsuchgeneroushospitality。
　　Thismysterywasexplainedastheysataboutthefireafterthetea—
　　disheshadbeenmostcarefullywashedandsetaway，IkesmokingandShockmusing。
　　"Thatoldskunkratherturnedyoudown，Iguess，"remarkedIke，afteralongsilence;"thatoldMacfarren，Imean，"inanswertoShock’slookofenquiry。
　　"Iwassurprised，Iconfess，"repliedShock。"Yousee，Iwasledtobelievethathewaswaitingforme，andIwasdependinguponhim。
　　Now，Ireallydonotknowwhattothink。"
　　"Movin’out，perhaps？"saidIke，castingasharplookathimfromoutofhishalf—closedeyes。
　　"What？Leavethispost，doyoumean？"saidShock，hisindignantsurpriseshowinginhistone。"No，sir。Atleast，nottillmychiefsaysso。"
　　AgleamshotoutfromunderIke’sloweredeyelids。
　　"Theoldfellow’llmakeithotforyou，ifyoudon’tmove。Guessheexpectsyoutomove，"saidIkequietly。
　　"Move！"criedShockagain，stirredattheremembranceofMacfarren’streatmentthatafternoon。"Wouldyou？"
　　"Seehimblankedfirst，"saidIkequietly。
　　"SowillI，"saidShockemphatically。"Imean，"correctinghimselfhastily，"seehimsavedfirst。"
　　"Eh？Oh——well，guessheneedssome。Heneedsmanners，anyhow。He’llworryyou，Iguess。Yousee，hesurmiseshe’stheentirebunch，butaman’sopinionofhimselfdon’treallyaffectthesizeofhishatband。"
　　Shockfelttheopportunitytobegoldenforthegatheringofinformationaboutmenandthingsinthecountrywherehisworkwastobedone。HefeltthattoseelifethroughtheeyesofamanlikeIke，whorepresentedalargeandpotentelementinthecommunity，wouldbevaluableindeed。
　　ItwasdifficulttomakeIketalk，butbycarefulsuggestions，ratherthanbyquestioning，Ikewasfinallyledtotalk，andShockbegantocatchglimpsesofaworldquitenewtohim，andaltogetherwonderful。HemadetheastoundingdiscoverythatthingsthathadallhislifeformedthebasisofhisthinkingweretoIkeandhisfellowsnotsomuchunimportantasirrelevant;andasforthegreatspiritualveritieswhichlayattherootofallShock’smentaland，indeed，physicalactivities，furnishingmotiveanddeterminingdirection，thesetoIkewerequiteremotefromallpracticalliving。
　　WhathadGodtodowithroundingupcattle，orbroncho—busting，orhorse—trading？True，theelementalvirtuesofjustice，truth，charity，andloyaltywereaspotentoverIkeasoverShock，buttheirmoralstandardsweresowidelydifferentthattheseveryvirtuescouldhardlybeclassifiedinthesamecategories。Truthwassacred，butlyingwasonethingandhorse—swappinganother，andifamanwas"whitetotheback"whatmorewouldyouask，eventhoughatpokerhecouldcleanyououtofyourwholeoutfit？Hitherto，amanwhopaidnorespecttothedecenciesofreligionShockhadregardedas"aheathenmanandapublican，"butwithIkereligion，withallitsgreatcredos，withallitscustoms，hadsimplynobearing。ShockhadnottalkedlongwithIkeuntilhebegantofeelthathemustreadjustnotonlyhiswholesystemoftheology，butevenhismoralstandards，andhebegantowonderhowthefewsermonsandaddresseshehadgarneredfromhisministryinthecitywardswoulddoforIkeandhispeople。Hewasmakingthediscoverythatclimatechangesthecomplexion，notonlyofmen，butofhabitsofthoughtandaction。
　　AsShockwasfindinghiswaytonewadjustmentsandnewstandardshewasincidentallyfindinghiswayintoanewfeelingofbrotherhoodaswell。Thelinesofcleavagewhichhadhithertodeterminedhisinterestsandaffinitieswerebeingobliterated。Thefictitiousandaccidentalwerefadingoutunderthisnewatmosphere，andthegreatlinesofsheerhumanitywerecomingtostandoutwithstartlingclearness。Uptothistimecreedandclasshadlargelydeterminedbothhisinterestandhisresponsibility，butnow，apartfromclassandcreed，menbecameinteresting，andformenhebegantofeelresponsibility。Herealisedasneverbeforethatamanwasthegreatassetoftheuniverse——nothisclothes，material，socialorreligious。
　　Itwasthisnewfeelingofinterestandresponsibilitythatmadehimask，"Whowasthatladthatrodethewinninghorseto—day？"
　　"Thatchap？"repliedIke。"He’smyboss。TheKid，theycallhim。"
　　Menoflaconicspeechsaymuchbytoneandgesture，andoftenbysilence。InIke’stoneShockreadcontempt，admiration，pity。
　　"Arancher？"heenquired。
　　"Well，he’sgotaranch，andhorsesandcattleonit，liketherestof’em。Butranchin’——"Ike’ssilencewasmorethansufficient。
　　"Well，"saidShock，withadmiringemphasis，"heseemstobeabletoride，anyway。"
　　"Ride！Ishouldsurmise！Ride！Thatkidcouldrideanythin’fromahe—goattoarampagin’，highpottopotamus。Why，lookhere！"Ikewagedenthusiastic。"He’sbeentwoyearsinthiscountry，andhe’sgotusalllickedgoodandquiet。Why，hecouldgivepointstoanycattle—
　　maninAlberta。"
　　"Well，what’sthematterwithhim？"
　　"Money！"saidIkewrathfully。"Someblamedfooluncleathome——he’sgotnoparents，Iunderstand——keepsa—sendin’himmoney。
　　Consequently，everyremittancehecutsthingsloose，witheveryoneinsighta—helpin’him。"
　　"Whatashame！"criedShock。"Hehasaniceface。Ijustliketolookathim。"
　　"That’sright！"answeredIke，withnowaningofhisenthusiasm。
　　"He’swhite——buthe’ssoft。Makesmesoblankmad！Hedon’tknowthey’replayin’him，andmakin’himpayforthegame。Theonlyquestionis，willheholdoutlonger’nhismoney。"
　　"Why！hasn’theanyfriendsherewhowouldremonstratewithhim？"
　　"Remonstrate！Remonstrate！"Ikerolledthewordunderhistongueasifitfeltgood。"Youtrytoremonstrate，andseehimlookatyou，andthensmile，tillyoufeellikeacluckin’henthathaslosthernest。Notanyforme，thankyou。Butit’sablankpity！He’sawhitekiddie，heis。"
　　"Andthatfriendofhiswhowasridingwithhim——whoishe？"
　　"Harricomb——CaptainHalHarricomb，theycallhim。Goodsortoffellow，too，butlazy——andconsiderablemoney。Goin’ataprettygoodlick。Wifepullshimup，Iguess。Goodthingforhim，too。
　　LivesupbytheGeneral’s——oldgent，youknow，satbywhenyousetmedownoutyonder。Mightyslick，too。Wasn’tontoyou，though。"
　　"No，"Shockhastenedtosay，"itwasaflukeofcourse。GeneralBrady，youmean。Yes，hewasverykind，indeed。"
　　"Oh，theGeneral’sagentleman，youbet！Horseranch。Notverybig，butmakesitgo。"
　　"CouldnotamanliketheGeneral，now，helpthatyoungfellow——whatishisname？"
　　"Hisname？Well，hegoesby’TheKid。’Hisname’sStanton，Ithink。
　　Yes，Stanton——VicStanton。Thoughhenevergetsit。"
　　"Well，couldnottheGeneralhelphim？"repeatedShock。
　　"HelpTheKid？Nothe，noranyoneelse。Whenahorsewithbloodinhimgetsa—goin’，why，he’sgottogotillhiswindgivesout，unlessyouthrowhimrightdown，andthat’sresky。You’vegottowaithistime。Then’syourchance。Andthatremindsme，"saidIke，risingandknockingthelashesoutofhispipe，"thatI’vegotajobonhand。There’llbedoin’sto—nightthereafterthehappytimeisover。"
　　Shocklookedmystified。
　　"They’llgettheladiesoff，youknow，andthenthefun’llbegin。"
　　"Fun？"
　　Ikewinkedalong，significantwink。"Yes。Lit’rarySociety，youknow。Alittlegameinthebackroom。"
　　"Andareyougoingtoplay，Ike？"
　　"Notto—night，thankyou。Iaintnosaint，butIaintablankfoolaltogether，andto—nightIgottokeeplevel。To—day’stheboss’sremittanceday。He’sgothischeque，I’veheard，andthey’regoin’
　　torollhim。"
　　"Rollhim？"
　　"Yes，cleanhimout。SoIsurmiseit’dbewiseformetobeonhand。"
　　"Why，whathaveyougottodowithit，Ike？"
　　Ikepausedforafewmoments，whilehefilledhispipe，preparatorytogoingout。
　　"Well，that’swhatIdon’trightknow。Itaintanyofmyownbusiness。Coursehe’smyboss，butitaintthat。Somehow，thatKiddiehasgotahitchontomyinnards，andIcan’tlethimgetaway。He’sgotsuchablankslickwaywithhimthathemakesyoufeellikedoin’thethingsyouhatetodo。Why，whenhesmilesatyouthesunbeginstoshine。That’sso。Why，yousawthatracethisafternoon？"
　　"Yes，thelastheat。"
　　"Well，didyouobserveSlippercomein？"
　　"Well，yes，Idid。AndIcouldnotunderstandwhySlipperwasnotrunning。Whydidn’tyourunhim，Ike？"
　　"Why？"saidIke，"that’swhatIdon’tknow。Thereaintnothin’onfourlegswithhorsehideoninthesehereTerritoriesthatcanmakeSlippertakedust，butthen——well，IknowedhehadmoneyontheSwallow。ButIguessImustbegoin’。"
　　"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"Oh，I’llfalldownsomewheresandgotosleep。Youseelotsofthingswhenyou’reasleep，providin’youknowhowtoaccomplishit。"
　　"ShallIgowithyou？"askedShock。
　　Ikeregardedhimcuriously。
　　"Guessyouwouldn’tcaretobemixedupinthiskindofthing。Butblameit，ifIdon’tthinkyou’dstaywithitifitwasinyourline，whichitaint。"
　　"Butsupposeyougetintodifficulty。"
　　"Well，"saidIke，smilingaslowsmile，"whenIwantyouI’llsendforyou，"andwiththathepassedoutintothenight。
　　XII
　　HISKEEPER
　　TilllongaftermidnightShocksatoverthefireponderingtheeventsoftheday，andtryingtomakerealtohimselfthestrangeseriesofhappeningsthathadmarkedhisintroductiontohisworkinthiscountry。Hislifeforthelastmonthhadbeensounlikeanythinginhispastastoseemquiteunnatural。
　　Ashesatthusmusingoverthepastandplanningforthefuture，aknockcametothedoor，andalmostimmediatelytherecameinalittleman，shortandsquat，withhumpedshoulders，bushy，grizzledhairandbeard，throughwhichpeeredsharplittleblackeyes。HisheadandfaceandeyesmadeonethinkofalittleScotchterrier。
　　"Ye’rethemeenister？"hesaidbriefly。
　　"Yes，"repliedShock，greatlysurprisedathisvisitor，butwarmingtotheScotchvoice。
　　"Aye。Ye’rewanted。"
　　"Wanted？Bywhom？"
　　"Themanthatlivesinthishoose。He’sdeein’，I’mthinkin’。"
　　"Dying！"saidShock，startingupandseizinghishat。"What！Ike？"
　　"Aye，Ike。He’sverraill。"
　　"Goon，then，"saidShock。"Quick！"
　　"Aye，quickitis。"Andthelittleman，withoutfurtherwords，plungedintothedarkness。Afewminutes’swiftwalkthroughtheblacknightbroughtthemtotheRanchers’Roost。There，inacorneroftheroomatthebackofthebar，hefoundIkelyingalmostunconscious，andapparentlyveryill。
　　"Why，what’sthematter？"criedShock，droppingonhiskneesbesideIke。ButIkeseemedstupefied，andmumbledafewincoherentwords。
　　Shockcaughtthewords，"thegang，"and"dope。"
　　HelookedinanagonyofhelplessnessatthelittleScotchman，whostoodbylookingdownuponthesickmanwithfacequiteunmoved。
　　"Doyouknowwhathesays？"enquiredShock。
　　"He’snosayin’much，"saidthelittleScotchmancalmly。
　　AgainIketriedtospeak，andthistimeShockcaughtthewords，"Theboss——gang’sgothim——SmileySimmons——backroom——fetchhim。"
　　"Whatdoeshemean？"criedShock。
　　"It’sha—r—r—dtotellthat，"saidthelittleScotchman。"He’stalkin’aboutsomebossorother。"
　　"Oh，yes，Iknowwhatthatmeans。Heisreferringtohisboss，youngStanton。"
　　"Oh，ay！"saidthelittleScotchman，withalightbreakingonhisface。"Isawthebodies。They’vegaeno’ertothecreatureSimmons’。"
　　"Showmetheway，"saidShock。"Quick！"
　　"Come，then，"saidthelittleScotchman，leadingoncemoreintothedarkness。
　　SomedistancedownthestreetstoodSmiley——orassomepreferredtocallhimSlimy——Simmons’generalstore。Atthebackofthestoretherewasasidedoor。
　　"They’reinyonder，"saidthelittleScotchman，anddisappeared。
　　Shockknockedatthedoor，buttherewasnoresponse。Heturnedthehandle，openedthedoor，andwalkinginfoundhimselfinthebackofthestore，inaroomdimlylightedbyahanginglantern。Seatedonastoolatahighdesk，evidentlybusywithhisledger，sataman，tall，slender，andwiry。Hehadasharp，thinface，withhighforehead，protrudingnose，andrecedingchin。ThemomenthespokeShockdiscoveredatoncehowitwashecamebyhisnickname。
　　Hissmilewasthemoststrikingcharacteristicofhismanner。
　　Indeed，sopermanentandpervasivedidhissmileappear，thatitseemedalmosttobeafixedfeatureofhisface。
　　HecameforwardtoShock，rubbinghishands。
　　"Ah，goodevening，"hesaid，inamostinsinuatingvoice。"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？"
　　"Yes，"saidShock，instinctivelyshrinkingfromhim。"IwanttoseeMr。Stanton。"
　　"Mr。Stanton——Mr。Stanton？Letmesee。IsawMr。Stantonsomehoursago。Letmethink。WasitattheInternational？Yes，IthinkitwastheInternational。No，intheRoyal。Ihavenodoubtyouwillfindhimthere。Ishallbepleasedtoshowyou，forIseeyouareastranger。Wearealwaysdelightedtoseestrangersandwetrytomakethemwelcometoourtown。"
　　Hemovedtowardthedoorashespoke。Shockknewatoncehewaslying。
　　"Mr。StantonisnotattheRoyal。Ihavebeeninformedheisinthisbuildingsomewhere。"
　　"Inthisbuilding？"murmuredSmiley，inapuzzledtone。"Inthisbuilding？"Heglancedupattheceilingasifexpectingtoseethemissingmanthere。"Strange，"hecontinued。"Now，Ihavebeenhereforsometime，forhours，indeed。Iamabusyman，Mr。——"
　　"Macgregor，"repliedShock。
　　"Mr。Macgregor。Ifinditnecessarytopursuemyavocationintothehourswegenerallydevotetoslumber。Andto—daybusinesshasbeenunusuallyinterrupted。ButIhavefailedtonoticeMr。Stantonenter。"