AndhereIam，blazingoutintoprintwiththewholestoryjustashetoldittomeaswesatonabenchbythelagoonbeforethePalaceofFineArtswiththecriesoftheseagullsinourears。
　　Well，heshouldhavekepthisappointmentwithme。ButI
　　anticipate。
　　Aswestartedtoleavethebuildingandhuntforaseat，asmallwoman，possiblythirtyyearsofage，withawashed-outcomplexionofthefarmer’swifesort，darteduptohiminabird-likeway，foralltheworldlikethedartingveeringgullsoverourheadsandfastenedherselftohisarmwiththeaccuracyanddispatchandinevitablenessofapieceofmachinery。
　　"Thereyougo！"sheshrilled。"A-trottin’rightoffandnevergivin’meathought。"
　　Iwasformallyintroducedtoher。Itwaspatentthatshehadneverheardofme，andshesurveyedmebleaklywithshrewdblackeyes，setclosetogetherandasbeadyandrestlessasabird’s。
　　"Youain’tgoin’totellhimaboutthathussy？"shecomplained。
　　"Well，now，Sarah，thisisbusiness，yousee，"hearguedplaintively。"I’vebeenlookin’foralikelymanthislongwhile，andnowthathe’sshownupitseemstomeIgotarighttogivehimthehangofwhathappened。"
　　Thesmallwomanmadenoreply，butsetherthinlipsinaneedle-
　　likeline。ShegazedstraightbeforeherattheTowerofJewelswithsoaustereanexpressionthatnoglintofrefractedsunlightcouldsoftenit。Weproceededslowlytothelagoon，managedtoobtainanunoccupiedseat，andsatdownwithmutualsighsofreliefaswereleasedourweightsfromourtorturedsightseeingfeet。
　　"Onedoesgetsomortalweary，"assertedthesmallwoman，almostdefiantly。
　　Twoswanswaddledupfromthemirroringwaterandinvestigatedus。
　　Whentheirsuspicionsofourniggardlinessorlackofpeanutshadbeenconfirmed，Joneshalf-turnedhisbackonhislife-partnerandgavemehisstory。
　　"EverbeeninEcuador？Thentakemyadvice-anddon’t。ThoughI
　　takethatback，foryouandmemightbehittingitfortheretogetherifyoucanrustleupthefaithinmeandthebackboneinyourselfforthetrip。Well，anyway，itain’tsomanyyearsagothatIcameamblinginthereonarusty，foul-bottomed，trampcollierfromAustralia，forty-threedaysfromlandtoland。Sevenknotswasherspeedwheneverythingfavoured，andwe’dhadatwoweeks’galetothenorth’ardofNewZealand，andbrokeourenginesdownfortwodaysoffPitcairnIsland。
　　"Iwasnosailoronher。I’malocomotiveengineer。ButI’dmadefriendswiththeskipperatNewcastlean’comealongashisguestforasfarasGuayaquil。Yousee，I’dheardwageswas’wayupontheAmericanrailroadrunnin’fromthatplaceovertheAndestoQuito。NowGuayaquil-"
　　"Isafever-hole，"Iinterpolated。
　　JulianJonesnodded。
　　"ThomasNastdiedthereofitwithinamonthafterhelanded-HewasourgreatAmericancartoonist，"Iadded。
　　"Don’tknowhim，"JulianJonessaidshortly。"ButIdoknowhewasn’tthefirsttopassoutbyalongshot。Why，lookyouthewayIfoundit。Thepilotgroundsissixtymilesdowntheriver。
　　’How’sthefever？’saidItothepilotwhocameaboardintheearlymorning。’SeethatHamburgbarque，’saidhe，pointingtoasizableshipatanchor。’Captainandfourteenmendeadofitalready，andthecookandtwomendyingrightnow，andthey’rethelastleftofher。’
　　"Andbyjinkshetoldthetruth。AndrightthentheyweredyingfortyadayinGuayaquilofYellowJack。Butthatwasnothing，asIwastofindout。Bubonicplagueandsmall-poxwereraging，whiledysenteryandpneumoniawerereducingthepopulation，andtherailroadwasragingworstofall。Imeanthat。Forthemthatinsistedinridingonit，itwasmoredangerousthanalltheotherdiseasesputtogether。
　　"WhenwedroppedanchoroffGuayaquilhalfadozenskippersfromothersteamerscameonboardtowarnourskippernottoletanyofhiscreworofficersgoashoreexcepttheoneshewantedtolose。
　　AlaunchcameoffformefromDuran，whichisontheothersideoftheriverandistheterminaloftherailroad。Anditbroughtoffamanthatsoaredupthegangwaythreejumpsatatimehewasthateagertogetaboard。Whenhehitthedeckhehadn’ttimetospeaktoanyofus。HejustleanedoutovertherailandshookhisfistatDuranandshouted：’Ibeatyoutoit！Ibeatyoutoit！’
　　"’Who’dyoubeattoit，friend？’Iasked。’Therailroad，’hesaid，asheunbuckledthestrapsandtookoffabig’44Colt’sautomaticfromwhereheworeithandyonhisleftsideunderhiscoat，’I
　　stavedaslongasIagreed-threemonths-anditdidn’tgetme。
　　Iwasaconductor。’
　　"AndthatwastherailroadIwastoworkfor。Allofwhichwasnothingtowhathetoldmeinthenextfewminutes。TheroadranfromsealevelatDuranuptotwelvethousandfeetonChimborazoanddowntotenthousandatQuitoontheothersidetherange。Anditwassodangerousthatthetrainsdidn’trunnights。Thethroughpassengershadtogetoffandsleepinthetownsatnightwhilethetrainwaitedfordaylight。AndeachtraincarriedaguardofEcuadorianosoldierswhichwasthemostdangerousofall。Theyweresupposedtoprotectthetraincrews，butwhenevertroublestartedtheyunlimberedtheirriflesandjoinedthemob。Yousee，wheneveratrainwreckoccurred，thefirstcryofthespiggotieswas’KilltheGringos！’Theyalwaysdidthat，andproceededtokillthetraincrewandwhateverchanceGringopassengersthat’descapedbeingkilledintheaccident。Whichistheirkindofarithmetic，whichItoldyouawhilebackasbeingdifferentfromours。
　　"Shucks！BeforethedaywasoutIwastofindoutformyselfthatthatex-conductorwasn’tlying。ItwasoveratDuran。IwastotakemyrunonthefirstdivisionouttoQuito，forwhichplaceI
　　wastostartnextmorning-onlyonethroughtrainrunningeverytwenty-fourhours。Itwastheafternoonofmyfirstday，alongaboutfouro’clock，whentheboilersoftheGOVERNORHANCOCK
　　explodedandshesankinsixtyfeetofwateralongsidethedock。
　　ShewasthebigferryboatthatcarriedtherailroadpassengersacrosstherivertoGuayaquil。Itwasabadaccident，butitwasthecauseofworsethatfollowed。Byhalf-pastfour，bigtrainloadsbegantoarrive。Itwasafeastdayandthey’drunanexcursionupcountrybutofGuayaquil，andthiswasthecrowdcomingback。
　　"Andthecrowd-therewasfivethousandofthem-wantedtogetferriedacross，andtheferrywasatthebottomoftheriver，whichwasn’tourfault。ButbytheSpiggotyarithmetic，itwas。’KilltheGringos！’shoutsoneofthem。Andrighttherethebeanswerespilled。Mostofusgotawaybytheskinofourteeth。IracedontheheelsoftheMasterMechanic，carryingoneofhisbabiesforhim，forthelocomotivesthatwasjustpullingout。Yousee，waydownthereawayfromeverywheretheyjustgottosavetheirlocomotivesintimesoftrouble，because，withoutthem，arailroadcan’tberun。HalfadozenAmericanwivesandasmanychildrenwerecrouchingonthecabfloorsalongwiththerestofuswhenwepulledout;andtheEcuadorianosoldiers，whoshouldhavebeenprotectingourlivesandproperty，turnedloosewiththeirriflesandmusthavegivenusallofathousandroundsbeforewegotoutofrange。
　　"Wecampedupcountryanddidn’tcomebacktocleanupuntilnextday。Itwassomecleaning。Everyflat-car，box-car，coach，asthmaticswitchengine，andevenhand-carthatmobofSpiggotieshadshovedoffthedockintosixtyfeetofwaterontopoftheGOVERNORHANCOCK。They’dburnttheroundhouse，setfiretothecoalbunkers，andmadeascandaloftherepairshops。Oh，yes，andtherewerethreeofourfellowsthey’dgotthatwehadtoburymightyquick。It’shotweatherallthetimedownthere。"
　　JulianJonescametoafullpauseandoverhisshoulderstudiedthestraight-before-hergazeandforbiddingexpressionofhiswife’sface。
　　"Iain’tforgottenthenugget，"heassuredme。
　　"Northehussy，"thelittlewomansnapped，apparentlyatthemud-
　　henspaddlingonthesurfaceofthelagoon。
　　"I’vebeentravellingtowardthenuggetrightalong-"
　　"Therewasnevernoreasonforyoutostayinthatdangerouscountry，"hiswifesnappedinonhim。
　　"Now，Sarah，"heappealed。"Iwasworkingforyourightalong。"
　　Andtomeheexplained："Theriskwasbig，butsowasthepay。
　　SomemonthsIearnedashighasfivehundredgold。AndherewasSarahwaitingformebackinNebraska-"
　　"An’usengagedtwoyears，"shecomplainedtotheTowerofJewels。
　　"-Whatofthestrike，andmebeingblacklisted，andgettingtyphoiddowninAustralia，andeverything，"hewenton。"Andluckwaswithmeonthatrailroad。Why，IsawfellowsfreshfromtheStatespassout，someofthemnotaweekontheirfirstrun。Ifthediseasesandtherailroaddidn’tgetthem，thenitwastheSpiggotiesgotthem。Butitjustwasn’tmyfate，eventhattimeI
　　rodemyenginedowntothebottomofaforty-footwashout。Ilostmyfireman;andtheconductorandtheSuperintendentofRollingStock（whohappenedtoberunningdowntoDurantomeethisbride）
　　hadtheirheadsknifedoffbytheSpiggotiesandparadedaroundonpoles。ButIlaysnugasabugunderacoupleoffeetoftendercoal，andtheythoughtI’dheadedfortalltimber-laythereadayandanighttilltheexcitementcooleddown。Yes，Iwaslucky。
　　TheworstthathappenedtomewasIcaughtacoldonce，andanothertimehadacarbuncle。Buttheotherfellows！Theydiedlikeflies，whatofYellowJack，pneumonia，theSpiggoties，andtherailroad。ThetroublewasIdidn’thavemuchchancetopalwiththem。Nosooner’dIgetsomeintimatewithoneofthemhe’dupanddie-allbutafiremannamedAndrews，andhewentlocoforkeeps。
　　"Imadegoodonmyjobfromthefirst，andlivedinQuitoina’dobehousewithwhackingbigSpanishtilesontheroofthatI’drented。AndIneverhadmuchtroublewiththeSpiggoties，whatoflettingthemsneakfreeridesinthetenderoronthecowcatcher。
　　Methrowthemoff？Never！Itooknotice，whenJackHarrisputoffabunchofthem，thatIattendedhisfuneralMUYPRONTO-"
　　"SpeakEnglish，"thelittlewomanbesidehimsnapped。
　　"Sarahjustcan’tbeartotoleratemespeakingSpanish，"heapologized。"ItgetssoonhernervesthatIpromisednotto。
　　Well，asIwassaying，thegoosehunghighandeverythingwasgoinghunky-dory，andIwaspilingupmywagestocomenorthtoNebraskaandmarrySarah，whenIrunontoVahna-"
　　"Thehussy！"Sarahhissed。
　　"Now，Sarah，"hertoweringgiantofahusbandbegged，"IjustgottomentionherorIcan’ttellaboutthenugget-ItwasonenightwhenIwastakingalocomotive-notrain-downtoAmato，aboutthirtymilesfromQuito。SethMannerswasmyfireman。Iwasbreakinghimintoengineerforhimself，andIwaslettinghimrunthelocomotivewhileIsatupinhisseatmeditatingaboutSarahhere。I’djustgotaletterfromher，beggingasusualformetocomehomeandhintingasusualaboutthedangersofanunmarriedmanlikemerunningaroundlooseinacountryfullofsenoritasandfandangos。Lord！Ifshecouldonlya-seenthem。Positivefrights，that’swhattheyare，theirfacespaintedwhiteascorpsesandtheirlipsredas-assomeofthetrainwrecksI’vehelpedcleanup。
　　"ItwasalovelyAprilnight，notabreathofwind，andatremendousbigmoonshiningrightoverthetopofChimborazo-
　　Somemountainthat。Therailroadskirtedittwelvethousandfeetabovesealevel，andthetopofittenthousandfeethigherthanthat。
　　"MebbeIwasdrowsing，withSethrunningtheengine;butheslammedonthebrakessosuddenhardthatIdarnnearwentthroughthecabwindow。
　　"’Whatthe-’Istartedtoyell，and’Holyhell，’Sethsays，asbothofuslookedatwhatwasonthetrack。AndIagreedwithSethentirelyinhisremark。ItwasanIndiangirl-andtakeitfromme，Indiansain’tSpiggotiesbyanymannerofmeans。Sethhadmanagedtofetchastopwithintwentyfeetofher，andusbowlingdownhillatthat！Butthegirl。She-"
　　IsawtheformofMrs。JulianJonesstiffen，althoughshekepthergazefixedbalefullyupontwomud-hensthatwereprowlingalongthelagoonshallowsbelowus。"Thehussy！"shehissed，onceandimplacably。Joneshadstoppedatthesound，butwentonimmediately。
　　"Shewasatallgirl，slimandslender，youknowthekind，withblackhair，remarkablylonghanging，downloosebehindher，asshestoodtherenomoreafraidthannothing，herarmsspreadouttostoptheengine。Shewaswearingaslimpsysortofgarmentwrappedaroundherthatwasn’tclothbutocelotskins，softanddappled，andsilky。Itwasallshehadon-"
　　"Thehussy！"breathedMrs。Jones。
　　ButMr。Joneswenton，makingbelievethathewasunawareoftheinterruption。
　　"’Hellofawaytostopalocomotive，’IcomplainedatSeth，asI
　　climbeddownontotherightofway。Iwalkedpastourengineanduptothegirl，andwhatdoyouthink？Hereyeswereshuttight。
　　Shewastremblingthatviolentthatyouwouldseeitbythemoonlight。Andshewasbarefoot，too。
　　"’What’stherow？’Isaid，nonetoogentle。Shegaveastart，seemedtocomeoutofhertrance，andopenedhereyes。Say！Theywerebigandblackandbeautiful。Believeme，shewassomelooker-"
　　"Thehussy！"Atwhichhissthetwomud-hensveeredawayafewfeet。ButJoneswasgettinghimselfinhand，anddidn’tevenblink。
　　"’Whatareyoustoppingthislocomotivefor？’IdemandedinSpanish。Naryananswer。Shestaredatme，thenatthesnortingengineandthenburstintotears，whichyou’lladmitisuncommonbehaviourforanIndianwoman。
　　"’Ifyoutrytogetridesthatway，’IslungatherinSpiggotySpanish（whichtheytellmeissomedifferentfromregularSpanish），’you’llbetakingonesmearedalloverourcowcatcherandheadlight，andit’llbeuptomyfiremantoscrapeyouoff。’
　　"MySpiggotySpanishwasn’tmuchtobragon，butIcouldseesheunderstood，thoughsheonlyshookherheadandwouldn’tspeak。ButgreatMoses，shewassomelooker-"
　　IglancedapprehensivelyatMrs。Jones，whomusthavecaughtmeoutofthetailofhereye，forshemuttered："Ifshehadn’tbeendoyouthinkhe’da-takenherintohishousetolive？"
　　"Nowholdon，Sarah，"heprotested。"Thatain’tfair。Besides，I’mtellingthis-Nextthing，Sethyellsatme，’Goin’tostayhereallnight？’
　　"’Comeon，’Isaidtothegirl，’andclimbonboard。Butnexttimeyouwantaridedon’tflagalocomotivebetweenstations。’Shefollowedalong;butwhenIgottothestepandturnedtogiveheralift-up，shewasn’tthere。Iwentforwardagain。Notasignofher。Aboveandbelowwassheercliff，andthetrackstretchedaheadahundredyardsclearandempty。AndthenIspottedher，croucheddownrightagainstthecowcatcher，thatcloseI’dalmoststeppedonher。Ifwe’dstartedup，we’dhaverunoverherinasecond。Itwasallsononsensical，Inevercouldmakeoutheractions。Maybeshewastryingtosuicide。Igrabbedherbythewristandjerkedhernonetoogentletoherfeet。Andshecamealongallright。Womendoknowwhenamanmeansbusiness。"
　　IglancedfromthisGoliathtohislittle，bird-eyedspouse，andwonderedifhehadevertriedtomeanbusinesswithher。
　　"Sethkickedatfirst，butIboostedherintothecabandmadehersitupbesideme-"
　　"AndIsupposeSethwasbusyrunningtheengine，"Mrs。Jonesobserved。
　　"Iwasbreakinghimin，wasn’tI？"Mr。Jonesprotested。"SowemadetherunintoAmato。She’dneveropenedhermouthonce，andnosooner’dtheenginestoppedthanshe’djumpedtothegroundandwasgone。Justlikethat。Notathankyoukindly。Nothing。
　　"ButnextmorningwhenwecametopulloutforQuitowithadozenflatcarsloadedwithrails，thereshewasinthecabwaitingforus;andinthedaylightIcouldseehowmuchbetteralookershewasthanthenightbefore。
　　"’Huh！she’sadoptedyou，’Sethgrins。Anditlookedlikeit。Shejuststoodthereandlookedatme-atus-likealovinghounddogthatyoulove，thatyou’vecaughtwithastringofsausagesinsideofhim，andthatjustknowsyouain’tgoingtoliftahandtohim。
　　’Gochaseyourself！’ItoldherPRONTO。"（Mrs。JonesherproximitynoticeablewithawinceattheSpanishword。）"Yousee，Sarah，I’dnouseforher，evenatthestart。"
　　Mrs。Jonesstiffened。Herlipsmovedsoundlessly，butIknewtowhatsyllables。
　　"AndwhatmadeithardestwasSethjeeringatme。’Youcan’tshakeherthatway，’hesaid。’Yousavedherlife-’’Ididn’t，’I
　　saidsharply;’itwasyou。’’Butshethinksyoudid，whichisthesamething，’hecamebackatme。’Andnowshebelongstoyou。
　　Customofthecountry，asyououghttoknow。’"
　　"Heathenish，"saidMrs。Jones，andthoughhersteadygazewassetupontheTowerofJewelsIknewshewasmakingnoreferencetoitsarchitecture。
　　"’She’scometodolighthousekeepingforyou，’Sethgrinned。I
　　lethimrave，thoughafterwardsIkepthimthrowinginthecoaltoofasttoworkhismouthverymuch。Why，say，whenIgottothespotwhereIpickedherup，andstoppedthetrainforhertogetoff，shejustfloppeddownonherknees，gotahammerlockwithherarmsaroundmyknees，andcriedallovermyshoes。WhatwasItodo？"
　　WithnoperceptiblemovementthatIwasawareof，Mrs。JonesadvertisedhercertitudeofknowledgeofwhatSHEwouldhavedone。
　　"AndthemomentwepulledintoQuito，shedidwhatshe’ddonebefore-vanished。SarahneverbelievesmewhenIsayhowrelievedIfelttobequitofher。Butitwasnottobe。Igottomy’dobehouseandmanagedacrackingfinedinnermycookhadreadyforme。
　　ShewasmostlySpiggotyandhalfIndian，andhernamewasPaloma-
　　Now，Sarah，haven’tItoldyoushewasolder’nagrandmother，andlookedmorelikeabuzzardthanadove？Why，Icouldn’tbeartoeatwithheraroundwhereIcouldlookather。Butshedidmakethingscomfortable，andshewassomeeconomicalwhenitcametomarketing。
　　"Thatafternoon，afterabiglongsiesta，what’dIfindinthekitchen，justasmuchathomeasifshebelongedthere，butthatblamedIndiangirl。AndoldPalomawassquattingatthegirl’sfeetandrubbingthegirl’skneesandlegslikeforrheumatism，whichIknewthegirldidn’thavefromthewayI’dsizedupthewalkofher，andkeepingtimetotherubbingwithafunnysortofgibberishchant。AndIletlooserightthereandthen。AsSarahknows，Inevercoulda-bearwomenaroundthehouse-young，unmarriedwomen，Imean。Butitwasnogo！OldPalomasidedwiththegirl，andsaidifthegirlwentshewent，too。Also，shecalledmemorekindsofafoolthantheEnglishlanguagehasaccommodationfor。You’dliketheSpanishlingo，Sarah，forexpressingyourselfinsuchways，andyou’dhavelikedoldPaloma，too。Shewasagoodwoman，thoughshedidn’thaveanyteethandherfacecouldkillastrongman’sappetiteinthecradle。
　　"Igavein。Ihadto。ExceptfortheexcusethatsheneededVahna’shelparoundthehouse（whichshedidn’tatall），oldPalomaneversaidwhyshestuckupforthegirl。Anyway，Vahnawasaquietthing，neverintheway。Andshenevergadded。Justsatin-
　　doorsjabberingwithPalomaandhelpingwiththechores。ButI
　　wasn’tlongingettingontothatshewasafraidofsomething。Shewouldlookup，thatanxiousithurt，wheneveranybodycalled，likesomeoftheboystohaveagasoragameofpedro。ItriedtowormitoutofPalomawhatwasworryingthegirl，butalltheoldwomandidwastolooksolemnandshakeherheadlikeallthedevilsinhellwasliabletoprecipitateavisitonus。
　　"AndthenonedayVahnahadavisitor。I’djustcomeinfromarunandwaspassingthetimeofdaywithher-Ihadtobepolite，evenifshehadbuttedinonmeandcometoliveinmyhouseforkeeps-
　　whenIsawaqueerexpressioncomeintohereyes。InthedoorwaystoodanIndianboy。Helookedlikeher，butwasyoungerandslimmer。Shetookhimintothekitchenandtheymusthavehadagreatpalaver，forhedidn’tleaveuntilafterdark。Insidetheweekhecameback，butImissedhim。WhenIgothome，Palomaputafatnuggetofgoldintomyhand，whichVahnahadsenthimfor。Theblamedthingweighedalloftwopoundsandwasworthmorethanfivehundreddollars。SheexplainedthatVahnawantedmetotakeittopayforherkeep。AndIhadtotakeittokeeppeaceinthehouse。
　　"Then，afteralongtime，cameanothervisitor。Weweresittingbeforethefire-"
　　"Himandthehussy，"quothMrs。Jones。
　　"AndPaloma，"headdedquickly。
　　"Himandhiscookandhislighthousekeepersittingbythefire，"
　　sheamended。
　　"Oh，IadmitVahnadidlikemeawholeheap，"heassertedrecklessly，thenmodifiedwithapangofcaution："Aheapmorethanwasgoodforher，seeingthatIhadnoinclinationherway。
　　"Well，asIwassaying，shehadanothervisitor。Hewasalean，tall，white-headedoldIndian，withabeakonhimlikeaneagle。
　　Hewalkedrightinwithoutknocking。Vahnagavealittlecrythatwashalflikeayelpandhalflikeagasp，andflumpeddownonherkneesbeforeme，pleadingtomewithdeer’seyesandtohimwiththeeyesofadeerabouttobekilledthatdon’twanttobekilled。
　　Then，foraminutethatseemedaslongasalife-time，sheandtheoldfellowglaredateachother。Palomawasthefirsttotalk，inhisownlingo，forhetalkedbacktoher。ButgreatMoses，ifhewasn’tthehighandmightyone！Paloma’soldkneeswereshaking，andshecringedtohimlikeahounddog。Andallthisinmyownhouse！I’dhavethrownhimoutonhisneck，onlyhewassoold。
　　"IfthethingshesaidtoVahnawereasterribleasthewayhelooked！Say！Hejustspitwordsather！ButPalomakeptwhimperingandbuttingin，tillsomethingshesaidgotacross，becausehisfacerelaxed。HecondescendedtogivemetheonceoverandfiredsomequestionatVahna。Shehungherhead，andlookedfoolish，andblushed，andthenrepliedwithasinglewordandashakeofthehead。Andwiththathejustnaturallyturnedonhisheelandbeatit。Iguessshe’dsaid’No。’
　　"ForsometimeafterthatVahnausedtoflusterupwhenevershesawme。Thenshetooktothekitchenforaspell。Butafteralongtimeshebeganhangingaroundthebigroomagain。Shewasstillmightyshy，butshe’dkeeponfollowingmeaboutwiththosebigeyesofhers-"
　　"Thehussy！"Iheardplainly。ButJulianJonesandIwereprettywellusedtoitbythistime。
　　"Idon’tmindsayingthatIwasgettingsomeinterestedmyself-
　　oh，notinthewaySarahneverletsuplettingmeknowshethinks。
　　Thattwo-poundnuggetwaswhathadmegoing。IfVahna’dputmewisetowhereitcamefrom，Icouldsaygood-byetorailroadingandhitthehighplacesforNebraskaandSarah。
　　"Andthenthebeanswerespilled……byaccident。ComealetterfromWisconsin。MyAuntEliza’ddiedandupandleftmeherbigfarm。IletoutawhoopwhenIreadit;butIcouldhavecannedmyjoy，forIwasjobbedoutofitbythecourtsandlawyersafterward-notacenttome，andI’mstillpaying’mininstalments。
　　"ButIdidn’tknow，then;andIpreparedtopullbacktoGod’scountry。Palomagotsore，andVahnagottheweeps。’Don’tgo！
　　Don’tgo！’Thatwashersong。ButIgavenoticeonmyjob，andwrotealettertoSarahhere-didn’tI，Sarah？
　　"Thatnight，sittingbythefirelikeatafuneral，Vahnareallyloosenedupforthefirsttime。
　　"’Don’tgo，’shesaystome，witholdPalomanoddingagreementwithher。’I’llshowyouwheremybrothergotthenugget，ifyoudon’tgo。’’Toolate，’saidI。AndItoldherwhy。
　　"AndtoldheraboutmewaitingforyoubackinNebraska，"Mrs。
　　Jonesobservedincold，passionlesstones。
　　"Now，Sarah，whyshouldIhurtapoorIndiangirl’sfeelings？OfcourseIdidn’t。
　　"Well，sheandPalomatalkedIndiansomemore，andthenVahnasays：
　　’Ifyoustay，I’llshowyouthebiggestnuggetthatisthefatherofallothernuggets。’’Howbig？’Iasked。’Asbigasme？’Shelaughed。’Biggerthanyou，’shesays，’much，muchbigger。’’Theydon’tgrowthatway，’Isaid。Butshesaidshe’dseenitandPalomabackedherup。Why，tolistentothemyou’dhavethoughttherewasmillionsinthatonenugget。Paloma’dneverseenitherself，butshe’dheardaboutit。Asecretofthetribewhichshecouldn’tshare，beingonlyhalfIndianherself。"
　　JulianJonespausedandheavedasigh。
　　"AndtheykeptoninsistinguntilIfellfor-"
　　"Thehussy，"saidMrs。Jones，pertasabird，atthereadyinstant。
　　"’No;forthenugget。WhatofAuntEliza’sfarmIwasrichenoughtoquitrailroading，butnotrichenoughtoturnmybackonbigmoney-andIjustcouldn’thelpbelievingthemtwowomen。Gee！I
　　couldbeanotherVanderbilt，orJ。P。Morgan。That’sthewayI
　　thought;andIstartedintopumpVahna。Butshewouldn’tgivedown。’Youcomealongwithme，’shesays。’Wecanbebackhereinacoupleofweekswithallthegoldthebothofuscancarry。’
　　’We’lltakeaburro，orapack-trainofburros，’wasmysuggestion。
　　Butnothingdoing。AndPalomaagreedwithher。Itwastoodangerous。TheIndianswouldcatchus。
　　"Thetwoofuspulledoutwhenthenightsweremoonlight。Wetravelledonlyatnight，andlaidupinthedays。Vahnawouldn’tletmelightafire，andImissedmycoffeesomethingfierce。WegotupintherealhighmountainsofthemainAndes，wherethesnowononepassgaveussometrouble;butthegirlknewthetrails，and，thoughwedidn’twasteanytime，wewereafullweekgettingthere。Iknowthegeneraltrendofourtravel，becauseIcarriedapocketcompass;andthegeneraltrendisallIneedtogetthereagain，becauseofthatpeak。There’snomistakingit。Thereain’tanotherpeaklikeitintheworld。Now，I’mnottellingyouitsparticularshape，butwhenyouandIheadoutforitfromQuitoI’lltakeyoustraighttoit。
　　"It’snoeasythingtoclimb，andthepersondoesn’tlivethatcanclimbitatnight。Wehadtotakethedaylighttoit，anddidn’treachthetoptillaftersunset。Why，Icouldtakehoursandhourstellingyouaboutthatlastclimb，whichIwon’t。Thetopwasflatasabilliardtable，aboutaquarterofanacreinsize，andwasalmostcleanofsnow。Vahnatoldmethatthegreatwindsthatusuallyblew，keptthesnowoffofit。
　　"Wewerewinded，andIgotmountainsicknesssobadthatIhadtostretchoutforaspell。Then，whenthemooncomeup，Itookaprowlaround。Itdidn’ttakelong，andIdidn’tcatchasightorasmellofanythingthatlookedlikegold。AndwhenIaskedVahna，sheonlylaughedandclappedherhands。Meantimemymountainsicknesstunedupsomethingfierce，andIsatdownonabigrocktowaitforittoeasedown。
　　"’Comeon，now，’Isaid，whenIfeltbetter。’Stopyourfoolingandtellmewherethatnuggetis。’’It’snearertoyourightnowthanI’lleverget，’sheanswered，herbigeyesgoingsuddenwistful。’AllyouGringosarealike。Goldistheloveofyourheart，andwomendon’tcountmuch。’
　　"Ididn’tsayanything。ThatwasnotimetotellheraboutSarahhere。ButVahnaseemedtoshakeoffherdepressedfeelings，andbegantolaughandteaseagain。’Howdoyoulikeit？’sheasked。
　　’Likewhat？’’Thenuggetyou’resittingon。’
　　"Ijumpedupasthoughitwasared-hotstove。Andallitwaswasarock。Ifeltnayheartsink。Eithershehadgonecleanlocoorthiswasherideaofajoke。Wrongonbothcounts。Shegavemethehatchetandtoldmetotakeahackattheboulder，whichIdid，againandagain，foryellowspotssprangupfromundereveryblow。
　　BythegreatMoses！itwasgold！Thewholeblamedboulder！"
　　Jonesrosesuddenlytohisfullheightandflungouthislongarms，hisfaceturnedtothesouthernskies。Themovementshotpanicintotheheartofaswanthathaddrawnnearerwithamiablypredatorydesigns。Itsconsequentabruptretreatcollideditwithastoutoldlady，whosquealedanddroppedherbagofpeanuts。
　　Jonessatdownandresumed。
　　"Gold，Itellyou，solidgoldandthatpureandsoftthatIchoppedchipsoutofit。Ithadbeencoatedwithsomesortofrain-proofpaintorlacquermadeoutofasphaltorsomething。NowonderI’dtakenitforarock。Itwastenfeetlong，alloffivefeetthrough，andtaperingtobothendslikeanegg。Here。Takealookatthis。"
　　Fromhispockethedrewandopenedaleathercase，fromwhichhetookanobjectwrappedintissue-paper。Unwrappingit，hedroppedintomyhandachipofpuresoftgold，thesizeofaten-dollargold-piece。Icouldmakeoutthegreyishsubstanceononesidewithwhichithadbeenpainted。
　　"Ichoppedthatfromoneendofthething，"Joneswenton，replacingthechipinitspaperandleathercase。"AndluckyIputitinmypocket。Forrightatmybackcameoneloudword-morelikeacroakthanaword，inmywayofthinking。Andtherewasthatleanoldfellowwiththeeaglebeakthathaddroppedinonusonenight。AndtherewasaboutthirtyIndianswithhim-allslimyoungfellows。
　　"Vahna’dfloppeddownandbegunwhimpering，butItoldher，’Getupandmakefriendswiththemforme。’’No，no，’shecried。’Thisisdeath。Good-bye，AMIGO-’"
　　HereMrs。Joneswinced，andherhusbandabruptlycheckedtheparticularflowofhisnarrative。
　　"’Thengetupandfightalongwithme，’Isaidtoher。Andshedid。Shewassomehellion，thereonthetopoftheworld，clawingandscratchingtoothandnail-aregularshecat。AndIwasn’tidle，thoughallIhadwasthathatchetandmylongarms。Buttheyweretoomanyforme，andtherewasnoplaceformetoputmybackagainstawall。WhenIcometo，minutesafterthey’dcrackedmeonthehead-here，feelthis。"
　　Removinghishat，JulianJonesguidedmyfingertipsthroughhisthatchofsandyhairuntiltheysankintoanindentation。Itwasfullythreeincheslong，andwentintotheboneitselfoftheskull。
　　"WhenIcometo，therewasVahnaspread-eagledontopofthenugget，andtheoldfellowwithabeakjabberingawaysolemnlyasifgoingthroughsomesortofreligiousexercises。Inhishandhehadastoneknife-youknow，athin，sharpsliverofsomeobsidian-likestuffsameastheymakearrow-headsoutof。I
　　couldn’tliftahand，beinghelddown，andbeingtooweakbesides。
　　And-well，anyway，thatstoneknifedidforher，andmetheydidn’tevendothehonourofkillingthereontoptheirsacredpeak。Theychuckedmeoffofitlikesomuchcarrion。
　　"Andthebuzzardsdidn’tgetmeeither。Icanseethemoonlightyet，shiningonallthosepeaksofsnow，asIwentdown。Why，sir，itwasafive-hundred-footfall，onlyIdidn’tmakeit。Iwentintoabigsnow-driftinacrevice。AndwhenIcometo（hoursafterIknow，foritwasfulldaywhenInextsawthesun），Ifoundmyselfinaregularsnow-caveortunnelcausedbythewaterfromthemeltingsnowrunningalongtheledge。Infact，thestoneaboveactuallyoverhungjustbeyondwhereIfirstlanded。Afewfeetmoretotheside，eitherway，andI’dalmostbegoingyet。Itwasastraightmiracle，that’swhatitwas。
　　"ButIpaidforit。ItwastwoyearsandoverbeforeIknewwhathappened。AllIknewwasthatIwasJulianJonesandthatI’dbeenblacklistedinthebigstrike，andthatIwasmarriedtoSarahhere。Imeanthat。Ididn’tknowanythinginbetween，andwhenSarahtriedtotalkaboutit，itgavemepainsinthehead。Imeanmyheadwasqueer，andIknewitwasqueer。
　　"Andthen，sittingontheporchofherfather’sfarmhousebackinNebraskaonemoonlightevening，Sarahcameoutandputthatgoldchipintomyhand。Seemsshe’djustfounditinthetornliningofthetrunkI’dbroughtbackfromEcuador-Iwhofortwoyearsdidn’tevenknowI’dbeentoEcuador，orAustralia，oranything！
　　Well，Ijustsattherelookingatthechipinthemoonlight，andturningitoverandoverandfiguringwhatitwasandwhereit’dcomefrom，whenallofasuddentherewasasnapinsidemyheadasifsomethinghadbroken，andthenIcouldseeVahnaspread-eagledonthatbignuggetandtheoldfellowwiththebeakwavingthestoneknife，and……andeverything。Thatis，everythingthathadhappenedfromthetimeIfirstleftNebraskatowhenIcrawledtothedaylightoutofthesnowaftertheyhadchuckedmeoffthemountain-top。Buteverythingthat’dhappenedafterthatI’dcleanforgotten。WhenSarahsaidIwasherhusband，Iwouldn’tlistentoher。Tookallherfamilyandthepreacherthat’dmarriedustoconvinceme。
　　"LateronIwrotetoSethManners。Therailroadhadn’tkilledhimyet，andhepiecedoutalotforme。I’llshowyouhisletters。
　　I’vegotthematthehotel。Oneday，hesaid，makinghisregularrun，Icrawledoutontothetrack。Ididn’tstandupright，Ijustcrawled。Hetookmeforacalf，orabigdog，atfirst。Iwasn’tanythinghuman，hesaid，andIdidn’tknowhimoranything。AsnearasIcanmakeout，itwastendaysafterthemountain-toptothetimeSethpickedmeup。WhatIateIdon’tknow。MaybeI
　　didn’teat。ThenitwasdoctorsatQuito，andPalomanursingme（shemusthavepackedthatgoldchipinmytrunk），untiltheyfoundoutIwasamanwithoutamind，andtherailroadsentmebacktoNebraska。Atanyrate，that’swhatSethwritesme。Ofmyself，I
　　don’tknow。ButSarahhereknows。Shecorrespondedwiththerailroadbeforetheyshippedmeandallthat。"
　　Mrs。Jonesnoddedaffirmationofhiswords，sighedandevidencedunmistakablesignsofeagernesstogo。
　　"Iain’tbeenabletoworksince，"herhusbandcontinued。"AndI
　　ain’tbeenabletofigureouthowtogetbackthatbignugget。
　　Sarah’sgotmoneyofherown，andshewon’tletgoapenny-"
　　"Hewon’tgetdowntoTHATcountrynomore！"shebrokeforth。
　　"But，Sarah，Vahna’sdead-youknowthat，"JulianJonesprotested。
　　"Idon’tknowanythingaboutanything，"sheanswereddecisively，"exceptthatTHATcountryisnoplaceforamarriedman。"
　　Herlipssnappedtogether，andshefixedanunseeingstareacrosstowheretheafternoonsunwasbeginningtoglowintosunset。I
　　gazedforamomentatherface，white，plump，tiny，andimplacable，andgaveherup。
　　"Howdoyouaccountforsuchamassofgoldbeingthere？"IqueriedofJulianJones。"Asolid-goldmeteorthatfelloutofthesky？"
　　"Notforamoment。"Heshookhishead。"ItwascarriedtherebytheIndians。"
　　"Upamountainlikethat-andsuchenormousweightandsize！"I
　　objected。
　　"Justaseasy，"hesmiled。"Iusedtobestumpedbythatpropositionmyself，afterIgotmymemoryback。NowhowinSamHill-’Iusedtobegin，andthenspendhoursfiguringatit。AndthenwhenIgottheanswerIfeltdownrightidiotic，itwasthateasy。"Hepaused，thenannounced："Theydidn’t。"
　　"Butyoujust-saidtheydid。"
　　"Theydidandtheydidn’t，"washisenigmaticreply。"Ofcoursetheynevercarriedthatmonsternuggetupthere。Whattheydidwastocarryupitscontents。"
　　Hewaiteduntilhesawenlightenmentdawninmyface。
　　"Andthenofcoursemeltedallthegold，orweldedit，orsmeltedit，allintoonepiece。YouknowthefirstSpaniardsdownthere，underaleadernamedPizarro，wereagangofrobbersandcut-
　　throats。Theywentthroughthecountrylikethehoof-and-mouthdisease，andkilledtheIndiansofflikecattle。Yousee，theIndianshadlotsofgold。Well，whattheSpaniardsdidn’tget，thesurvivingIndianshidawayinthatonebigchunkontopthemountain，andit’sbeenwaitingthereeversinceforme-andforyou，ifyouwanttogoinonit。"
　　Andhere，bytheLagoonofthePalaceofFineArts，endedmyacquaintancewithJulianJones。Onmyagreeingtofinancetheadventure，hepromisedtocallonmeatmyhotelnextmorningwiththelettersofSethMannersandtherailroad，andconcludearrangements。Buthedidnotcall。ThateveningItelephonedhishotelandwasinformedbytheclerkthatMr。JulianJonesandwifehaddepartedintheearlyafternoon，withtheirbaggage。
　　CanMrs。JoneshaverushedhimbackandhiddenhimawayinNebraska？Irememberthataswesaidgood-bye，therewasthatinhersmilethatrecalledthevulpinecomplacencyofMonaLisa，theWise。
　　Kohala，Hawaii，MAY5，1916。
　　STORY：LIKEARGUSOFTHEANCIENTTIMES
　　ITwasthesummerof1897，andtherewastroubleintheTarwaterfamily。GrandfatherTarwater，afterremainingproperlysubduedandcrushedforaquietdecade，hadbrokenoutagain。ThistimeitwastheKlondikefever。Hisfirstandoneunvaryingsymptomofsuchattackswassong。Onechantonlyheraised，thoughherememberednomorethanthefirststanzaandbutthreelinesofthat。Andthefamilyknewhisfeetwereitchingandhisbrainwastinglingwiththeoldmadness，whenheliftedhishoarse-crackedvoice，nowfalsetto-cracked，in：
　　LikeArgusoftheancienttimes，WeleavethismodernGreece，Tum-tum，tum-tum，tum，tum，tum-tum，TosheartheGoldenFleece。
　　Tenyearsearlierhehadliftedthechant，sungtotheairofthe"Doxology，"whenafflictedwiththefevertogogold-mininginPatagonia。Themultitudinousfamilyhadsatuponhim，buthadhadahardtimedoingit。Whenallelsehadfailedtoshakehisresolution，theyhadappliedlawyerstohim，withthethreatofgettingoutguardianshippapersandofconfininghiminthestateasylumfortheinsane-whichwasreasonableforamanwhohad，aquarterofacenturybefore，speculatedawayallbuttenmeagreacresofaCaliforniaprincipality，andwhohaddisplayednobetterbusinessacumeneversince。
　　TheapplicationoflawyerstoJohnTarwaterwasliketheapplicationofamustardplaster。For，inhisjudgment，theywerethegentry，morethananyother，whohadskinnedhimoutofthebroadTarwateracres。So，atthetimeofhisPatagonianfever，theverythoughtofsodrasticaremedywassufficienttocurehim。HequicklydemonstratedhewasnotcrazybyshakingthefeverfromhimandagreeingnottogotoPatagonia。
　　Next，hedemonstratedhowcrazyhereallywas，bydeedingovertohisfamily，unsolicited，thetenacresonTarwaterFlat，thehouse，barn，outbuildings，andwater-rights。Alsodidheturnovertheeighthundreddollarsinbankthatwasthelong-savedsalvageofhiswreckedfortune。Butforthisthefamilyfoundnocauseforcommittaltotheasylum，sincesuchcommittalwouldnecessarilyinvalidatewhathehaddone。
　　"Grandfatherissurepeeved，"saidMary，hisoldestdaughter，herselfagrandmother，whenherfatherquitsmoking。
　　Allhehadretainedforhimselfwasaspanofoldhorses，amountainbuckboard，andhisoneroominthecrowdedhouse。
　　Further，havingaffirmedthathewouldbebeholdentononeofthem，hegotthecontracttocarrytheUnitedStatesmail，twiceaweek，fromKeltervilleupoverTarwaterMountaintoOldAlmaden-whichwasasporadicallyworkedquick-silvermineintheuplandcattlecountry。Withhisoldhorsesittookallhistimetomakethetwoweeklyroundtrips。Andfortenyears，rainorshine，hehadnevermissedatrip。Norhadhefailedoncetopayhisweek’sboardintoMary’shand。Thisboardhehadinsistedon，intheconvalescencefromhisPatagonianfever，andhehadpaiditstrictly，thoughhehadgivenuptobaccoinordertobeabletodoit。
　　"Huh！"heconfidedtotheruinedwaterwheeloftheoldTarwaterMill，whichhehadbuiltfromthestandingtimberandwhichhadgroundwheatforthefirstsettlers。"Huh！They’llneverputmeinthepoorfarmsolongasIsupportmyself。Andwithoutapennytomynameitain’tlikelyanylawyerfellows’llcomesnoopin’
　　aroundafterme。"
　　Andyet，preciselybecauseofthesehighlyrationalacts，itwasheldthatJohnTarwaterwasmildlycrazy！
　　Thefirsttimehehadliftedthechantof"LikeArgusoftheAncientTimes，"hadbeenin1849，when，twenty-twoyears’ofage，violentlyattackedbytheCalifornianfever，hehadsoldtwohundredandfortyMichiganacres，fortyofitcleared，forthepriceoffouryokeofoxen，andawagon，andhadstartedacrossthePlains。
　　"AndweturnedoffatFortHall，wheretheOregonemigrationwentnorth’ard，andswungsouthforCaliforny，"washiswayofconcludingthenarrativeofthatarduousjourney。AndBillPingandmeusedtoropegrizzliesoutoftheunderbrushofCacheSloughintheSacramentoValley。"
　　Yearsoffreightingandmininghadfollowed，and，withastakegleanedfromtheMercedplacers，hesatisfiedtheland-hungerofhisraceandtimebysettlinginSonomaCounty。
　　DuringthetenyearsofcarryingthemailacrossTarwaterTownship，upTarwaterValley，andoverTarwaterMountain，mostallofwhichlandhadoncebeenhis，hehadspenthistimedreamingofwinningbackthatlandbeforehedied。Andnow，hishugegauntformmoreerectthanithadbeenforyears，withaglintingofbluefiresinhissmallandclose-seteyes，hewasliftinghisancientchantagain。
　　"Therehegoesnow-listentohim，"saidWilliamTarwater。
　　"Nobodyathome，"laughedHarrisTopping，daylabourer，husbandofAnnieTarwater，andfatherofherninechildren。
　　Thekitchendooropenedtoadmittheoldman，returningfromfeedinghishorses。Thesonghadceasedfromhislips;butMarywasirritablefromaburnthandandagrandchildwhosestomachrefusedtodigestproperlydilutedcows’milk。
　　"Nowthereain’tnouseyoucarryin’onthatway，father，"shetackledhim。"Thetime’spastforyoutocutandrunforaplaceliketheKlondike，andsingingwon’tbuyyounothing。"
　　"Justthesame，"heansweredquietly。"IbetIcouldgotothatKlondikeplaceandpickupenoughgoldtobuybacktheTarwaterlands。"
　　"Oldfool！"Anniecontributed。
　　"Youcouldn’tbuythembackforless’nthreehundredthousandandthensome，"wasWilliam’seffortatsquelchinghim。
　　"ThenIcouldpickupthreehundredthousand，andthensome，ifI
　　wasonlythere，"theoldmanretortedplacidly。
　　"ThankGodyoucan’twalkthere，oryou’dbestartin’，Iknow，"
　　Marycried。"Oceantravelcostsmoney。"
　　"Iusedtohavemoney，"herfathersaidhumbly。
　　"Well，youain’tgotanynow-soforgetit，"Williamadvised。
　　"Themtimesispast，likeropingbearwithBillPing。Thereain’tnomorebear。"
　　"Justthesame-"
　　ButMarycuthimoff。Seizingtheday’spaperfromthekitchentable，sheflourisheditsavagelyunderheragedprogenitor’snose。
　　"WhatdothoseKlondikerssay？Thereitisincoldprint。OnlytheyoungandrobustcanstandtheKlondike。It’sworsethanthenorthpole。Andthey’velefttheirdeada-plentytherethemselves。
　　Lookattheirpictures。You’refortyyearsolder’ntheoldestofthem。"
　　JohnTarwaterdidlook，buthiseyesstrayedtootherphotographsonthehighlysensationalfrontpage。
　　"Andlookatthephotysofthemnuggetstheybroughtdown，"hesaid。"Iknowgold。Didn’tIgophertwentythousandoutatheMerced？Andwouldn’tita-benahundredthousandifthatcloudbursthadn’tbustedmywing-dam？NowifIwasonlyintheKlondike-"
　　"Crazyasaloon，"Williamsneeredinopenasidetotherest。
　　"Anicewaytotalktoyourfather，"OldManTarwatercensuredmildly。"Myfather’dhavewallopedthetaroutofmewithasingle-treeifI’dspoketohimthatway。"
　　"ButyouAREcrazy，father-"Williambegan。
　　"Reckonyou’reright，son。Andthat’swheremyfatherwasn’tcrazy。He’da-doneit。"
　　"Theoldman’sbeenreadingsomeofthemmagazinearticlesaboutmenwhosucceededafterforty，"Anniejibed。
　　"Andwhynot，daughter？"heasked。"Andwhycan’tamansucceedafterhe’sseventy？Iwasonlyseventythisyear。AndmebbeI
　　couldsucceedifonlyIcouldgettotheKlondike-"
　　"Whichyouain’tgoingtogetto，"Maryshuthimoff。
　　"Oh，well，then，"hesighed，"seein’sIain’t，Imightjustaswellgotobed。"
　　Hestoodup，tall，gaunt，great-bonedandgnarled，asplendidruinofaman。Hisraggedhairandwhiskerswerenotgreybutsnowywhite，aswerethetuftsofhairthatstoodoutonthebacksofhishugebonyfingers。Hemovedtowardthedoor，openedit，sighed，andpausedwithabackwardlook。
　　"Justthesame，"hemurmuredplaintively，"thebottomsofmyfeetisitchingsomethingterrible。"
　　Longbeforethefamilystirrednextmorning，hishorsesfedandharnessedbylanternlight，breakfastcookedandeatenbylampfight，OldManTarwaterwasoffandawaydownTarwaterValleyontheroadtoKelterville。Twothingswereunusualaboutthisusualtripwhichhehadmadeathousandandfortytimessincetakingthemailcontract。HedidnotdrivetoKelterville，butturnedoffonthemainroadsouthtoSantaRosa。Evenmoreremarkablethanthiswasthepaper-wrappedparcelbetweenhisfeet。Itcontainedhisonedecentblacksuit，whichMaryhadbeenlongreluctanttoseehimwearanymore，notbecauseitwasshabby，butbecause，asheguessedwhatwasatthebackofhermind，itwasdecentenoughtoburyhimin。
　　AndatSantaRosa，inasecond-handclothesshop，hesoldthesuitoutrightfortwodollarsandahalf。Fromthesameobligingshopmanhereceivedfourdollarsfortheweddingringofhislong-
　　deadwife。Thespanofhorsesandthewagonhedisposedofforseventy-fivedollars，althoughtwenty-fivewasallhereceiveddownincash。ChancingtomeetAltonGrangeronthestreet，towhomneverbeforehadhementionedthetendollarsloanedhimin’74，heremindedAltonGrangerofthelittleaffair，andwaspromptlypaid。
　　Also，ofallunbelievablementobeinfunds，hesofoundthetowndrunkardforwhomhehadboughtmanyadrinkintheoldandpalmydays。AndfromhimJohnTarwaterborrowedadollar。Finally，hetooktheafternoontraintoSanFrancisco。
　　Adozendayslater，carryingahalf-emptycanvassackofblanketsandoldclothes，helandedonthebeachofDyeainthethickofthegreatKlondikeRush。Thebeachwasscreamingbedlam。Tenthousandtonsofoutfitlayheapedandscattered，andtwicetenthousandmenstruggledwithitandclamouredaboutit。Freight，byIndian-back，overChilcoottoLakeLinderman，hadjumpedfromsixteentothirtycentsapound，whichlatterwasarateofsixhundreddollarsaton。Andthesub-arcticwintergloomednearathand。Allknewit，andallknewthatofthetwentythousandofthemveryfewwouldgetacrossthepasses，leavingtheresttowinterandwaitforthelatespringthaw。
　　SuchthebeacholdJohnTarwatersteppedupon;andstraightacrossthebeachandupthetrailtowardChilcootheheaded，cacklinghisancientchant，averyGrandfatherArgushimself，withnooutfitworryintheworld，forhedidnotpossessanyoutfit。Thatnighthesleptontheflats，fivemilesaboveDyea，attheheadofcanoenavigation。HeretheDyeaRiverbecamearushingmountaintorrent，plungingoutofadarkcanyonfromtheglaciersthatfeditfarabove。
　　Andhere，earlynextmorning，hebeheldalittlemanweighingnomorethanahundred，staggeringalongafoot-logunderallofahundredpoundsofflourstrappedonhisback。Also，hebeheldthelittlemanstumbleoffthelogandfallface-downwardinaquieteddywherethewaterwastwofeetdeepandproceedquietlytodrown。Itwasnodesireofhistotakedeathsoeasily，buttheflouronhisbackweighedasmuchasheandwouldnotlethimup。
　　"Thankyou，oldman，"hesaidtoTarwater，whenthelatterhaddraggedhimupintotheairandashore。
　　Whileheunlacedhisshoesandranthewaterout，theyhadfurthertalk。Next，hefishedoutaten-dollargold-pieceandofferedittohisrescuer。
　　OldTarwatershookhisheadandshivered，fortheice-waterhadwethimtohisknees。
　　"ButIreckonIwouldn’tobjecttosettin’downtoafriendlymealwithyou。"
　　"Ain’thadbreakfast？"thelittleman，whowaspastfortyandwhohadsaidhisnamewasAnson，queriedwithaglancefranklycurious。
　　"Narybite，"JohnTarwateranswered。
　　"Where’syouroutfit？Ahead？"
　　"Naryoutfit。"
　　"ExpecttobuyyourgrubontheInside？"
　　"Naryadollartobuyitwith，friend。Whichain’tsoimportantasawarmbiteofbreakfastrightnow。"
　　InAnson’scamp，aquarterofamileon，Tarwaterfoundaslender，red-whiskeredyoungmanofthirtycursingoverafireofwetwillowwood。IntroducedasCharles，hetransferredhisscowlandwrathtoTarwater，who，geniallyoblivious，devotedhimselftothefire，tookadvantageofthechillmorningbreezetocreateadraughtwhichtheotherhadleftstupidlyblockedbystones，andsoondevelopedlesssmokeandmoreflame。Thethirdmemberoftheparty，BillWilson，orBigBillastheycalledhim，cameinwithahundred-and-forty-poundpack;andwhatTarwateresteemedtobeaveryrottenbreakfastwasdishedoutbyCharles。Themushwashalfcookedandmostlyburnt，thebaconwascharredcarbon，andthecoffeewasunspeakable。
　　Immediatelythemealwaswolfeddownthethreepartnerstooktheiremptypack-strapsandheadeddowntrailtowheretheremainderoftheiroutfitlayatthelastcampamileaway。AndoldTarwaterbecamebusy。Hewashedthedishes，forageddrywood，mendedabrokenpack-strap，putanedgeonthebutcher-knifeandcamp-axe，andrepackedthepicksandshovelsintoamorecarryableparcel。
　　WhathadimpressedhimduringthebriefbreakfastwasthesortofaweinwhichAnsonandBigBillstoodofCharles。Once，duringthemorning，whileAnsontookabreathingspellafterbringinginanotherhundred-poundpack，Tarwaterdelicatelyhintedhisimpression。
　　"Yousee，it’sthisway，"Ansonsaid。"We’vedividedourleadership。We’vegotspecialities。NowI’macarpenter。WhenwegettoLakeLinderman，andthetreesarechoppedandwhipsawedintoplanks，I’llbossthebuildingoftheboat。BigBillisaloggerandminer。Sohe’llbossgettingoutthelogsandallminingoperations。Mostofouroutfit’sahead。WewentbrokepayingtheIndianstopackthatmuchofittothetopofChilcoot。Ourlastpartnerisuptherewithit，movingitalongbyhimselfdowntheotherside。Hisname’sLiverpool，andhe’sasailor。So，whentheboat’sbuilt，he’sthebossoftheoutfittonavigatethelakesandrapidstoKlondike。
　　"AndCharles-thisMr。Crayton-whatmighthisspecialitybe？"
　　Tarwaterasked。
　　"He’sthebusinessman。Whenitcomestobusinessandorganizationhe’sboss。"
　　"Hum，"Tarwaterpondered。"Veryluckytogetsuchabunchofspecialitiesintooneoutfit。"
　　"Morethanluck，"Ansonagreed。"Itwasallaccident，too。Eachofusstartedalone。WemetonthesteamercomingupfromSanFrancisco，andformedtheparty-Well，Igottobegoin’。
　　CharlesisliabletogetkickingbecauseIain’tpackin’myshare’
　　justthesame，youcan’texpectahundred-poundmantopackasmuchasahundred-and-sixty-pounder。"
　　"Stickaroundandcookussomethingfordinner，"Charles，onhisnextloadinandnotingtheeffectsoftheoldman’shandiness，toldTarwater。
　　AndTarwatercookedadinnerthatwasadinner，washedthedishes，hadrealporkandbeansforsupper，andbreadbakedinafrying-panthatwassodelectablethanthethreepartnersnearlyfounderedthemselvesonit。Supperdisheswashed，hecutshavingsandkindlingforaquickandcertainbreakfastfire，showedAnsonatrickwithfoot-gearthatwasinvaluabletoanyhiker，sanghis"LikeArgusoftheAncientTimes，"andtoldthemofthegreatemigrationacrossthePlainsinForty-nine。
　　"Mygoodness，thefirstcheerfulandhearty-likecampsincewehitthebeach，"BigBillremarkedasheknockedouthispipeandbeganpullingoffhisshoesforbed。
　　"Kindofmadethingseasy，boys，eh？"Tarwaterqueriedgenially。