"Thengotoworkforme——orformyfather，rather，thoughI
　　engagealltheservants。Ineedasecondcoachman——"
　　"Andwearauniform？"heinterruptedsharply，thesneerofthefree—bornWestinhisvoiceandonhislips。
　　Shesmiledtolerantly。
　　"Evidentlythatwon’tdo。Letmethink。Yes。Canyoubreakandhandlecolts？"
　　Henodded。
　　"Wehaveastockfarm，andthere’sroomforjustsuchamanasyou。Willyoutakeit？"
　　"WillI，ma’am？"Hisvoicewasrichwithgratitudeandenthusiasm。"Showmetoit。I’lldigrightinto—morrow。AndI
　　cansurepromiseyouonething，ma’am。You’llneverbesorryforlendingHughieLukeahandinhistrouble——"
　　"IthoughtyousaidtocallyouDave，"shechidedforgivingly。
　　"Idid，ma’am。Idid。AndIsurebegyourpardon。Itwasjustplainbluff。MyrealnameisHughieLuke。Andifyou’llgivemetheaddressofthatstockfarmofyours，andtherailroadfare，Iheadforitfirstthinginthemorning。"
　　Throughouttheconversationshehadneverrelaxedherattemptsonthebell。Shehadpresseditineveryalarmingway——threeshortsandalong，twoandalong，andfive。Shehadtriedlongseriesofshorts，and，once，shehadheldthebuttondownforasolidthreeminutes。Andshehadbeendividedbetweenobjurgationofthestupid，heavy—sleepingbutleranddoubtifthebellwereinorder。
　　"Iamsoglad，"shesaid;"sogladthatyouarewilling。Therewon’tbemuchtoarrange。ButyouwillfirsthavetotrustmewhileIgoupstairsformypurse。"
　　Shesawthedoubtflickermomentarilyinhiseyes，andaddedhastily，"ButyouseeIamtrustingyouwiththethreehundreddollars。"
　　"Ibelieveyou，ma’am，"hecamebackgallantly。"ThoughIjustcan’thelpthisnervousness。"
　　"ShallIgoandgetit？"
　　Butbeforeshecouldreceiveconsent，aslightmuffledjarfromthedistancecametoherear。Sheknewitfortheswing—doorofthebutler’spantry。Butsoslightwasit——moreafaintvibrationthanasound——thatshewouldnothaveheardhadnotherearsbeenkeyedandlisteningforit。Yetthemanhadheard。Hewasstartledinhiscomposedway。
　　"Whatwasthat？"hedemanded。
　　Foranswer，herlefthandflashedouttotherevolverandbroughtitback。Shehadhadthestartofhim，andsheneededit，forthenextinstanthishandleapedupfromhisside，clutchingemptinesswheretherevolverhadbeen。
　　"Sitdown！"shecommandedsharply，inavoicenewtohim。
　　"Don’tmove。Keepyourhandsonthetable。"
　　Shehadtakenalessonfromhim。Insteadofholdingtheheavyweaponextended，thebuttofitandherforearmrestedonthetable，themuzzlepointed，notathishead，buthischest。Andhe，lookingcoollyandobeyinghercommands，knewtherewasnochanceofthekick—upoftherecoilproducingamiss。Also，hesawthattherevolverdidnotwabble，northehandshake，andhewasthoroughlyconversantwiththesizeofholethesoft—nosedbulletscouldmake。Hehadeyes，notforher，butforthehammer，whichhadrisenunderthepressureofherforefingeronthetrigger。
　　"IreckonI’dbestwarnyouthatthattheretrigger—pullisfileddreadfulfine。Don’tpresstoohard，orI’llhaveaholeinmethesizeofawalnut。"
　　Sheslackedthehammerpartlydown。
　　"That’sbetter，"hecommented。"You’dbestputitdownalltheway。Youseehoweasyitworks。Ifyouwantto，aquicklightpullwilljiffyherupandbackandmakeaprettymessalloveryournicefloor。"
　　Adooropenedbehindhim，andheheardsomebodyentertheroom。
　　Buthedidnotturnhisbead。Hewaslookingather，andhefounditthefaceofanotherwoman——hard，cold，pitilessyetbrilliantinitsbeauty。Theeyes，too，werehard，thoughblazingwithacoldlight。
　　"Thomas，"shecommanded，"gotothetelephoneandcallthepolice。Whywereyousolonginanswering？"
　　"IcameassoonasIheardthebell，madam，"wastheanswer。
　　Therobbernevertookhiseyesfromhers，nordidshefromhis，butatmentionofthebellshenoticedthathiseyeswerepuzzledforthemoment。
　　"Begyourpardon，"saidthebutlerfrombehind，"butwouldn’titbebetterformetogetaweaponandarousetheservants？"
　　"No;ringforthepolice。Icanholdthisman。Goanddoit——quickly。"
　　Thebutlerslipperedoutoftheroom，andthemanandthewomansaton，gazingintoeachother’seyes。Toheritwasanexperiencekeenwithenjoyment，andinhermindwasthegossipofhercrowd，andshesawnotesinthesocietyweekliesofthebeautifulyoungMrs。Setliffecapturinganarmedrobbersingle—handed。Itwouldcreateasensation，shewassure。
　　"Whenyougetthatsentenceyoumentioned，"shesaidcoldly，"youwillhavetimetomeditateuponwhatafoolyouhavebeen，takingotherpersons’propertyandthreateningwomenwithrevolvers。Youwillhavetimetolearnyourlessonthoroughly。
　　Nowtellthetruth。Youhaven’tanyfriendintrouble。Allthatyoutoldmewaslies。"
　　Hedidnotreply。Thoughhiseyeswereuponher，theyseemedblank。Intruth，fortheinstantshewasveiledtohim，andwhathesawwasthewidesunwashedspacesoftheWest，wheremenandwomenwerebiggerthantherottendenizens，ashehadencounteredthem，ofthethricerottencitiesoftheEast。
　　"Goon。Whydon’tyouspeak？Whydon’tyouliesomemore？Whydon’tyoubegtobeletoff？"
　　"Imight，"heanswered，lickinghisdrylips。"Imightasktobeletoffif……"
　　"Ifwhat？"shedemandedperemptorily，ashepaused。
　　"Iwastryingtothinkofawordyouremindedmeof。AsIwassaying，Imightifyouwasadecentwoman。"
　　Herfacepaled。
　　"Becareful，"shewarned。
　　"Youdon’tdastkillme，"hesneered。"Theworld’saprettylowdownplacetohaveathinglikeyouprowlingaroundinit，butitain’tsoplumblowdown，Ireckon，astoletyouputaholeinme。You’resurebad，butthetroublewithyouisthatyou’reweakinyourbadness。Itain’tmuchtokillaman，butyouain’tgotitinyou。There’swhereyouloseout。"
　　"Becarefulofwhatyousay，"sherepeated。"Orelse，Iwarnyou，itwillgohardwithyou。Itcanbeseentowhetheryoursentenceislightorheavy。"
　　"Something’sthematterwithGod，"heremarkedirrelevantly，"tobelettingyouaroundloose。It’scleanbeyondmewhathe’supto，playingsuch—liketricksonpoorhumanity。NowifIwasGod——"
　　Hisfurtheropinionwasinterruptedbytheentranceofthebutler。
　　"Somethingiswrongwiththetelephone，madam，"heannounced。
　　"Thewiresarecrossedorsomething，becauseIcan’tgetCentral。"
　　"Goandcalloneoftheservants，"sheordered。"Sendhimoutforanofficer，andthenreturnhere。"
　　Againthepairwasleftalone。
　　"Willyoukindlyansweronequestion，ma’am？"themansaid。
　　"Thatservantfellowsaidsomethingaboutabell。Iwatchedyoulikeacat，andyousurerungnobell。"
　　"Itwasunderthetable，youpoorfool。Ipresseditwithmyfoot。"
　　"Thankyou，ma’am。IreckonedI’dseenyourkindbefore，andnowIsureknowIhave。Ispoketoyoutrueandtrusting，andallthetimeyouwaslyinglikehelltome。"
　　Shelaughedmockingly。
　　"Goon。Saywhatyouwish。Itisveryinteresting。"
　　"Youmadeeyesatme，lookingsoftandkind，playingupallthetimethefactthatyouworeskirtsinsteadofpants——andallthetimewithyourfootonthebellunderthetable。Well，there’ssomeconsolation。I’dsoonerbepoorHughieLuke，doinghistenyears，thanbeinyourskin。Ma’am，hellisfullofwomenlikeyou。"
　　Therewassilenceforaspace，inwhichtheman，nevertakinghiseyesfromher，studyingher，wasmakinguphismind。
　　"Goon，"sheurged。"Saysomething。"
　　"Yes，ma’am，I’llsaysomething。I’llsuresaysomething。DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？I’mgoingtogetrightupfromthischairandwalkoutthatdoor。I’dtakethegunfromyou，onlyyoumightturnfoolishandletitgooff。Youcanhavethegun。It’sagoodone。AsIwassaying，Iamgoingrightoutthatdoor。Andyouain’tgoingtopullthatgunoffeither。Ittakesgutstoshootaman，andyousureain’tgotthem。Nowgetreadyandseeifyoucanpullthattrigger。Iain’tgoingtoharmyou。I’mgoingoutthatdoor，andI’mstarting。"
　　Keepinghiseyesfixedonher，hepushedbackthechairandslowlystooderect。Thehammerrosehalfway。Shewatchedit。Sodidhe。
　　"Pullharder，"headvised。"Itain’thalfupyet。Goonandpullitandkillaman。That’swhatIsaid，killaman，spatterhisbrainsoutonthefloor，orslapaholeintohimthesizeofyour。fist。That’swhatkillingamanmeans。"
　　Thehammerloweredjerkilybutgently。Themanturnedhisbackandwalkedslowlytothedoor。Sheswungtherevolveraroundsothatitboreonhisback。Twiceagainthehammercameuphalfwayandwasreluctantlyeaseddown。
　　Atthedoorthemanturnedforamomentbeforepassingon。A
　　sneerwasonhislips。Hespoketoherinalowvoice，almostdrawling，butinitwasthequintessenceofallloathing，ashecalledheranameunspeakableandvile。
　　THEMEXICAN
　　NOBODYknewhishistory——theyoftheJuntaleastofall。Hewastheir"littlemystery，"their"bigpatriot，"andinhiswayheworkedashardforthecomingMexicanRevolutionasdidthey。Theyweretardyinrecognizingthis，fornotoneoftheJuntalikedhim。Thedayhefirstdriftedintotheircrowded，busyrooms，theyallsuspectedhimofbeingaspy——oneoftheboughttoolsoftheDiazsecretservice。ToomanyofthecomradeswereincivilanmilitaryprisonsscatteredovertheUnitedStates，andothersofthem，inirons，wereeventhenbeingtakenacrossthebordertobelinedupagainstadobewallsandshot。
　　Atthefirstsighttheboydidnotimpressthemfavorably。Boyhewas，notmorethaneighteenandnotoverlargeforhisyears。HeannouncedthathewasFelipeRivera，andthatitwashiswishtoworkfortheRevolution。Thatwasall——notawastedword，nofurtherexplanation。Hestoodwaiting。Therewasnosmileonhislips，nogenialityinhiseyes。BigdashingPaulinoVerafeltaninwardshudder。Herewassomethingforbidding，terrible，inscrutable。Therewassomethingvenomousandsnakelikeintheboy’sblackeyes。Theyburnedlikecoldfire，aswithavast，concentratedbitterness。HeflashedthemfromthefacesoftheconspiratorstothetypewriterwhichlittleMrs。Sethbywasindustriouslyoperating。Hiseyesrestedonhersbutaninstant——shehadchancedtolookup——andshe，too，sensedthenamelesssomethingthatmadeherpause。Shewascompelledtoreadbackinordertoregaintheswingofthelettershewaswriting。
　　PaulinoVeralookedquestioninglyatArrellanoandRamos，andquestioninglytheylookedbackandtoeachother。Theindecisionofdoubtbroodedintheireyes。ThisslenderboywastheUnknown，vestedwithallthemenaceoftheUnknown。Hewasunrecognizable，somethingquitebeyondthekenofhonest，ordinaryrevolutionistswhosefiercesthatredforDiazandhistyrannyafterallwasonlythatofhonestandordinarypatriots。Herewassomethingelse，theyknewnotwhat。ButVera，alwaysthemostimpulsive，thequickesttoact，steppedintothebreach。
　　"Verywell，"hesaidcoldly。"YousayyouwanttoworkfortheRevolution。Takeoffyourcoat。Hangitoverthere。Iwillshowyou，come——wherearethebucketsandcloths。Thefloorisdirty。Youwillbeginbyscrubbingit，andbyscrubbingthefloorsoftheotherrooms。Thespittoonsneedtobecleaned。
　　Thentherearethewindows。"
　　"IsitfortheRevolution？"theboyasked。
　　"ItisfortheRevolution，"Veraanswered。
　　Riveralookedcoldsuspicionatallofthem，thenproceededtotakeoffhiscoat。
　　"Itiswell，"hesaid。
　　Andnothingmore。Dayafterdayhecametohiswork——sweeping，scrubbing，cleaning。Heemptiedtheashesfromthestoves，broughtupthecoalandkindling，andlightedthefiresbeforethemostenergeticoneofthemwasathisdesk。
　　"CanIsleephere？"heaskedonce。
　　Ah，ha！Sothatwasit——thehandofDiazshowingthrough！TosleepintheroomsoftheJuntameantaccesstotheirsecrets，tothelistsofnames，totheaddressesofcomradesdownonMexicansoil。Therequestwasdenied，andRiveraneverspokeofitagain。Heslepttheyknewnotwhere，andatetheyknewnotwherenorhow。Once，Arrellanoofferedhimacoupleofdollars。
　　Riveradeclinedthemoneywithashakeofthehead。WhenVerajoinedinandtriedtopressituponhim，hesaid：
　　"IamworkingfortheRevolution。"
　　Ittakesmoneytoraiseamodernrevolution。andalwaystheJuntawaspressed。Themembersstarvedandtoiled，andthelongestdaywasnonetoolong，andyetthereweretimeswhenitappearedasiftheRevolutionstoodorfellonnomorethanthematterofafewdollars。Once，thefirsttime，whentherentofthehousewastwomonthsbehindandthelandlordwasthreateningdispossession，itwasFelipeRivera，thescrub—boyinthepoor，cheapclothes，wornandthreadbare，wholaidsixtydollarsingoldonMaySethby’sdesk。Therewereothertimes。
　　Threehundredletters，clickedoutonthebusytypewriters（appealsforassistance，forsanctionsfromtheorganizedlaborgroups，requestsforsquarenewsdealstotheeditorsofnewspapers，protestsagainstthehigh—handedtreatmentofrevolutionistsbytheUnitedStatescourts），layunmailed，awaitingpostage。Vera’swatchhaddisappeared——theold—fashionedgoldrepeaterthathadbeenhisfather’s。
　　LikewisehadgonetheplaingoldbandfromMaySetbby’sthirdfinger。Thingsweredesperate。RamosandArrellanopulledtheirlongmustachesindespair。Thelettersmustgooff，andthePostOfficeallowednocredittopurchasersofstamps。ThenitwasthatRiveraputonhishatandwentout。Whenhecamebackhelaidathousandtwo—centstampsonMaySethby’sdesk。
　　"IwonderifitisthecursedgoldofDiaz？"saidVeratothecomrades。
　　Theyelevatedtheirbrowsandcouldnotdecide。AndFelipeRivera，thescrubberfortheRevolution，continued，asoccasionarose，tolaydowngoldandsilverfortheJunta’suse。
　　Andstilltheycouldnotbringthemselvestolikehim。Theydidnotknowhim。Hiswayswerenottheirs。Hegavenoconfidences。
　　Herepelledallprobing。Youththathewas，theycouldnevernervethemselvestodaretoquestionhim。
　　"Agreatandlonelyspirit，perhaps，Idonotknow，Idonotknow，"Arrellanosaidhelplessly。
　　"Heisnothuman，"saidRamos。
　　"Hissoulhasbeenseared，"saidMaySethby。"Lightandlaughterhavebeenburnedoutofhim。Heislikeonedead，andyetheisfearfullyalive。"
　　"Hehasbeenthroughhell，"saidVera。"Nomancouldlooklikethatwhohasnotbeenthroughhell——andheisonlyaboy。"
　　Yettheycouldnotlikehim。Henevertalked，neverinquired，neversuggested。Hewouldstandlistening，expressionless，athingdead，saveforhiseyes，coldlyburning，whiletheirtalkoftheRevolutionranhighandwarm。Fromfacetofaceandspeakertospeakerhiseyeswouldturn，boringlikegimletsofincandescentice，disconcertingandperturbing。
　　"Heisnospy，"VeraconfidedtoMaySethby。"Heisapatriot——markme，thegreatestpatriotofusall。Iknowit，I
　　feelit，hereinmyheartandheadIfeelit。ButhimIknownotatall。"
　　"Hehasabadtemper，"saidMaySethby。
　　"Iknow，"saidVera，withashudder。"Hehaslookedatmewiththoseeyesofhis。Theydonotlove;theythreaten;theyaresavageasawildtiger’s。Iknow，ifIshouldproveunfaithfultotheCause，thathewouldkillme。Hehasnoheart。Heispitilessassteel，keenandcoldasfrost。Heislikemoonshineinawinternightwhenamanfreezestodeathonsomelonelymountaintop。IamnotafraidofDiazandallhiskillers;butthisboy，ofhimamIafraid。Itellyoutrue。Iamafraid。Heisthebreathofdeath。"
　　YetVeraitwaswhopersuadedtheotherstogivethefirsttrusttoRivera。ThelineofcommunicationbetweenLosAngelesandLowerCaliforniahadbrokendown。Threeofthecomradeshaddugtheirowngravesandbeenshotintothem。TwomorewereUnitedStatesprisonersinLosAngeles。JuanAlvarado，theFederalcommander，wasamonster。Alltheirplansdidhecheckmate。Theycouldnolongergainaccesstotheactiverevolutionists，andtheincipientones，inLowerCalifornia。
　　YoungRiverawasgivenhisinstructionsanddispatchedsouth。
　　Whenhereturned，thelineofcommunicationwasreestablished，andJuanAlvaradowasdead。Hehadbeenfoundinbed，aknifehilt—deepinhisbreast。ThishadexceededRivera’sinstructions，buttheyoftheJuntaknewthetimesofhismovements。Theydidnotaskhim。Hesaidnothing。Buttheylookedatoneanotherandconjectured。
　　"Ihavetoldyou，"saidVera。"Diazhasmoretofearfromthisyouththanfromanyman。Heisimplacable。HeisthehandofGod。"
　　Thebadtemper，mentionedbyMaySethby，andsensedbythemall，wasevidencedbyphysicalproofs。Nowheappearedwithacutlip，ablackenedcheek，oraswollenear。Itwaspatentthathebrawled，somewhereinthatoutsideworldwhereheateandslept，gainedmoney，andmovedinwaysunknowntothem。Asthetimepassed，hehadcometosettypeforthelittlerevolutionarysheettheypublishedweekly。Therewereoccasionswhenhewasunabletosettype，whenhisknuckleswerebruisedandbattered，whenhisthumbswereinjuredandhelpless，whenonearmortheotherhungwearilyathissidewhilehisfacewasdrawnwithunspokenpain。
　　"Awastrel，"saidArrellano。
　　"Afrequenteroflowplaces，"saidRamos。
　　"Butwheredoeshegetthemoney？"Verademanded。"Onlyto—day，justnow，haveIlearnedthathepaidthebillforwhitepaper——onehundredandfortydollars。"
　　"Therearehisabsences，"saidMaySethby。"Heneverexplainsthem。"
　　"Weshouldsetaspyuponhim，"Ramospropounded。
　　"Ishouldnotcaretobethatspy，"saidVera。"Ifearyouwouldneverseemeagain，savetoburyme。Hehasaterriblepassion。NotevenGodwouldhepermittostandbetweenhimandthewayofhispassion。"
　　"Ifeellikeachildbeforehim，"Ramosconfessed。
　　"Tomeheispower——heistheprimitive，thewildwolf，thestrikingrattlesnake，thestingingcentipede，"saidArrellano。
　　"HeistheRevolutionincarnate，"saidVera。"Heistheflameandthespiritofit，theinsatiablecryforvengeancethatmakesnocrybutthatslaysnoiselessly。Heisadestroyingangelinmovingthroughthestillwatchesofthenight。"
　　"Icouldweepoverhim，"saidMaySethby。"Heknowsnobody。Hehatesallpeople。Ushetolerates，forwearethewayofhisdesire。Heisalone……lonely。"Hervoicebrokeinahalfsobandtherewasdimnessinhereyes。
　　Rivera’swaysandtimesweretrulymysterious。Therewereperiodswhentheydidnotseehimforaweekatatime。Once，hewasawayamonth。Theseoccasionswerealwayscappedbyhisreturn，when，withoutadvertisementorspeech，helaidgoldcoinsonMaySethby’sdesk。Again，fordaysandweeks，hespentallhistimewiththeJunta。Andyetagain，forirregularperiods，hewoulddisappearthroughtheheartofeachday，fromearlymorninguntillateafternoon。Atsuchtimeshecameearlyandremainedlate。Arrellanohadfoundhimatmidnight，settingtypewithfreshswollenknuckles，ormayhapitwashislip，new—split，thatstillbled。
　　II
　　Thetimeofthecrisisapproached。WhetherornottheRevolutionwouldbedependedupontheJunta，andtheJuntawashard—pressed。Theneedformoneywasgreaterthaneverbefore，whilemoneywashardertoget。Patriotshadgiventheirlastcentandnowcouldgivenomore。Sectionganglaborers—fugitivepeonsfromMexico——werecontributinghalftheirscantywages。
　　Butmorethanthatwasneeded。Theheart—breaking，conspiring，underminingtoilofyearsapproachedfruition。Thetimewasripe。TheRevolutionhungonthebalance。Oneshovemore，onelastheroiceffort，anditwouldtrembleacrossthescalestovictory。TheyknewtheirMexico。Oncestarted，theRevolutionwouldtakecareofitself。ThewholeDiazmachinewouldgodownlikeahouseofcards。Theborderwasreadytorise。OneYankee，withahundredI。W。W。men，waitedthewordtocrossovertheborderandbegintheconquestofLowerCalifornia。Butheneededguns。AndclearacrosstotheAtlantic，theJuntaintouchwiththemallandallofthemneedingguns，mereadventurers，soldiersoffortune，bandits，disgruntledAmericanunionmen，socialists，anarchists，rough—necks，Mexicanexiles，peonsescapedfrombondage，whippedminersfromthebull—pensofCoeurd’AleneandColoradowhodesiredonlythemorevindictivelytofight——alltheflotsamandjetsamofwildspiritsfromthemadlycomplicatedmodernworld。Anditwasgunsandammunition，ammunitionandguns——theunceasingandeternalcry。
　　Flingthisheterogeneous，bankrupt，vindictivemassacrosstheborder，andtheRevolutionwason。Thecustomhouse，thenorthernportsofentry，wouldbecaptured。Diazcouldnotresist。Hedarednotthrowtheweightofhisarmiesagainstthem，forhemustholdthesouth。Andthroughthesouththeflamewouldspreaddespite。Thepeoplewouldrise。Thedefensesofcityaftercitywouldcrumpleup。Stateafterstatewouldtotterdown。Andatlast，fromeveryside，thevictoriousarmiesoftheRevolutionwouldcloseinontheCityofMexicoitself，Diaz’slaststronghold。
　　Butthemoney。Theyhadthemen，impatientandurgent，whowouldusetheguns。Theyknewthetraderswhowouldsellanddelivertheguns。ButtoculturetheRevolutionthusfarhadexhaustedtheJunta。Thelastdollarhadbeenspent，thelastresourceandthelaststarvingpatriotmilkeddry，andthegreatadventurestilltrembledonthescales。Gunsandammunition！Theraggedbattalionsmustbearmed。Buthow？Ramoslamentedhisconfiscatedestates。Arrellanowailedthespendthriftnessofhisyouth。MaySethbywonderedifitwouldhavebeendifferenthadtheyoftheJuntabeenmoreeconomicalinthepast。
　　"TothinkthatthefreedomofMexicoshouldstandorfallonafewpaltrythousandsofdollars，"saidPaulinoVera。
　　Despairwasinalltheirfaces。JoseAmarillo，theirlasthope，arecentconvert，whohadpromisedmoney，hadbeenapprehendedathishaciendainChihuahuaandshotagainsthisownstablewall。Thenewshadjustcomethrough。
　　Rivera，onhisknees，scrubbing，lookedup，withsuspendedbrush，hisbarearmsfleckedwithsoapy，dirtywater。
　　"Willfivethousanddoit？"heasked。
　　Theylookedtheiramazement。Veranoddedandswallowed。Hecouldnotspeak，buthewasontheinstantinvestedwithavastfaith。
　　"Ordertheguns，"Riverasaid，andthereuponwasguiltyofthelongestflowofwordstheyhadeverheardhimutter。"Thetimeisshort。InthreeweeksIshallbringyouthefivethousand。
　　Itiswell。Theweatherwillbewarmerforthosewhofight。
　　Also，itisthebestIcando。"
　　Verafoughthisfaith。Itwasincredible。Toomanyfondhopeshadbeenshatteredsincehehadbeguntoplaytherevolutiongame。HebelievedthisthreadbarescrubberoftheRevolution，andyethedarednotbelieve。
　　"Youarecrazy，"hesaid。
　　"Inthreeweeks，"saidRivera。"Ordertheguns。"
　　Hegotup，rolleddownhissleeves，andputonhiscoat。
　　"Ordertheguns，"hesaid。
　　"Iamgoingnow。"
　　III
　　Afterhurryingandscurrying，muchtelephoningandbadlanguage，anightsessionwasheldinKelly’soffice。Kellywasrushedwithbusiness;also，hewasunlucky。HehadbroughtDannyWardoutfromNewYork，arrangedthefightforhimwithBillyCarthey，thedatewasthreeweeksaway，andfortwodaysnow，carefullyconcealedfromthesportingwriters，Cartheyhadbeenlyingup，badlyinjured。Therewasnoonetotakehisplace。KellyhadbeenburningthewiresEasttoeveryeligiblelightweight，buttheyweretiedupwithdatesandcontracts。
　　Andnowhopehadrevived，thoughfaintly。
　　"You’vegotahellofanerve，"KellyaddressedRivera，afteronelook，assoonastheygottogether。
　　HatethatwasmalignantwasinRivera’seyes，buthisfaceremainedimpassive。
　　"IcanlickWard，"wasallhesaid。
　　"Howdoyouknow？Everseehimfight？"
　　Riverashookhishead。
　　"Hecanbeatyouupwithonehandandbotheyesclosed。"
　　Riverashruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Haven’tyougotanythingtosay？"thefightpromotersnarled。
　　"Icanlickhim。"
　　"Who’dyoueverfight，anyway！"MichaelKellydemanded。Michaelwasthepromotor’sbrother，andrantheYellowstonepoolroomswherehemadegoodlysumsonthefightgame。
　　Riverafavoredhimwithabitter，unansweringstare。
　　Thepromoter’ssecretary，adistinctivelysportyyoungman，sneeredaudibly。
　　"Well，youknowRoberts，"Kellybrokethehostilesilence。"Heoughttobehere。I’vesentforhim。Sitdownandwait，thoughfromthelooksofyou，youhaven’tgotachance。Ican’tthrowthepublicdownwithabumfight。Ringsideseatsaresellingatfifteendollars，youknowthat。"
　　WhenRobertsarrived，itwaspatentthathewasmildlydrunk。
　　Hewasatall，lean，slack—jointedindividual，andhiswalk，likehistalk，wasasmoothandlanguiddrawl。
　　Kellywentstraighttothepoint。
　　"Lookhere，Roberts，you’vebeenbraggingyoudiscoveredthislittleMexican。YouknowCarthey’sbrokehisarm。Well，thislittleyellowstreakhasthegalltoblowinto—dayandsayhe’lltakeCarthey’splace。Whataboutit？"
　　"It’sallright，Kelly，"cametheslowresponse。"Hecanputupafight。"
　　"Isupposeyou’llbesayin’nextthathecanlickWard，"Kellysnapped。
　　Robertsconsideredjudicially。
　　"No，Iwon’tsaythat。Ward’satop—notcherandaringgeneral。
　　Buthecan’thashhouseRiverainshortorder。IknowRivera。
　　Nobodycangethisgoat。Heain’tgotagoatthatIcouldeverdiscover。Andhe’satwo—handedfighter。Hecanthrowinthesleep—makersfromanyposition。"
　　"Nevermindthat。Whatkindofashowcanheputup？You’vebeenconditioningandtrainingfightersallyourlife。Itakeoffmyhattoyourjudgment。Canhegivethepublicarunforitsmoney？"
　　"Hesurecan，andhe’llworryWardamightyheapontopofit。
　　Youdon’tknowthatboy。Ido。Idiscoveredhim。Heain’tgotagoat。He’sadevil。He’sawizzy—woozifanybodyshouldaskyou。He’llmakeWardsitupwithashowoflocaltalentthat’llmaketherestofyousitup。Iwon’tsayhe’lllickWard，buthe’llputupsuchashowthatyou’llallknowhe’sacomer。"
　　"Allright。"Kellyturnedtohissecretary。"RingupWard。I
　　warnedhimtoshowupifIthoughtitworthwhile。He’srightacrossattheYellowstone，throwin’chestsanddoingthepopular。"
　　Kellyturnedbacktotheconditioner。"Haveadrink？"
　　Robertssippedhishighballandunburdenedhimself。
　　"NevertoldyouhowIdiscoveredthelittlecuss。Itwasacoupleofyearsagoheshowedupoutatthequarters。IwasgettingPraynereadyforhisfightwithDelaney。Prayne’swicked。Heain’tgotatickleofmercyinhismake—up。I
　　choppeduphispardner’ssomethingcruel，andIcouldn’tfindawillingboythat’dworkwithhim。I’dnoticedthislittlestarvedMexicankidhangingaround，andIwasdesperate。SoI
　　grabbedhim，shovedontheglovesandputhimin。Hewastougher’nrawhide，butweak。Andhedidn’tknowthefirstletterinthealphabetofboxing。Praynechoppedhimtoribbons。Buthehungonfortwosickeningrounds，whenhefainted。Starvation，thatwasall。Battered！Youcouldn’thaverecognizedhim。Igavehimhalfadollarandasquaremeal。Yououghtaseenhimwolfitdown。Hehadn’thadtheendofabiteforacoupleofdays。That’stheendofhim，thinksI。Butnextdayheshowedup，stiffan’sore，readyforanotherhalfandasquaremeal。Andhedonebetterastimewentby。Justabornfighter，andtoughbeyondbelief。Hehasn’taheart。He’sapieceofice。AndhenevertalkedelevenwordsinastringsinceIknowhim。Hesawswoodanddoeshiswork。"
　　"I’veseen’m，"thesecretarysaid。"He’sworkedalotforyou。"
　　"Allthebiglittlefellowshastriedoutonhim，"Robertsanswered。"Andhe’slearnedfrom’em。I’veseensomeofthemhecouldlick。Buthisheartwasn’tinit。Ireckonedheneverlikedthegame。Heseemedtoactthatway。"
　　"He’sbeenfightingsomebeforethelittleclubsthelastfewmonths，"Kellysaid。
　　"Sure。ButIdon’tknowwhatstruck’m。Allofasuddenhisheartgotintoit。Hejustwentoutlikeastreakandcleanedupallthelittlelocalfellows。Seemedtowantthemoney，andhe’swonabit，thoughhisclothesdon’tlookit。He’speculiar。Nobodyknowshisbusiness。Nobodyknowshowhespendshistime。Evenwhenhe’sonthejob，heplumbupanddisappearsmostofeachdaysoonashisworkisdone。Sometimeshejustblowsawayforweeksatatime。Buthedon’ttakeadvice。
　　There’safortuneinitforthefellowthatgetsthejobofmanagin’him，onlyhewon’tconsiderit。Andyouwatchhimholdoutforthecashmoneywhenyougetdowntoterms。"
　　ItwasatthisstagethatDannyWardarrived。Quiteapartyitwas。Hismanagerandtrainerwerewithhim，andhebreezedinlikeagustydraughtofgeniality，good—nature，andall—conqueringness。Greetingsflewabout，ajokehere，aretortthere，asmileoralaughforeverybody。Yetitwashisway，andonlypartlysincere。Hewasagoodactor，andhehadfoundgenialityamostvaluableassetinthegameofgettingonintheworld。Butdownunderneathhewasthedeliberate，cold—bloodedfighterandbusinessman。Therestwasamask。
　　ThosewhoknewhimortraffickedwithhimsaidthatwhenitcametobrasstackshewasDanny—on—the—Spot。Hewasinvariablypresentatallbusinessdiscussions，anditwasurgedbysomethathismanagerwasablindwhoseonlyfunctionwastoserveasDanny’smouth—piece。
　　Rivera’swaywasdifferent。Indianblood，aswellasSpanish，wasinhisveins，andhesatbackinacorner，silent，immobile，onlyhisblackeyespassingfromfacetofaceandnotingeverything。
　　"Sothat’stheguy，"Dannysaid，runninganappraisingeyeoverhisproposedantagonist。"Howdedo，oldchap。"
　　Rivera’seyesburnedvenomously，buthemadenosignofacknowledgment。HedislikedallGringos，butthisGringohehatedwithanimmediacythatwasunusualeveninhim。
　　"Gawd！"Dannyprotestedfacetiouslytothepromoter。"Youain’texpectin’metofightadeefmute。"Whenthelaughtersubsided，hemadeanotherhit。"LosAngelesmustbeonthedinkwhenthisisthebestyoucanscareup。Whatkindergartendidyouget’mfrom？"
　　"He’sagoodlittleboy，Danny，takeitfromme，"Robertsdefended。"Notaseasyashelooks。"
　　"Andhalfthehouseissoldalready，"Kellypleaded。"You’llhavetotake’mon，Danny。Itisthebestwecando。"
　　DannyrananothercarelessandunflatteringglanceoverRiveraandsighed。
　　"Igottabeeasywith’m，Iguess。Ifonlyhedon’tblowup。"
　　Robertssnorted。
　　"Yougottabecareful，"Danny’smanagerwarned。"Notakingchanceswithadubthat’slikelytosneakaluckyoneacross。"
　　"Oh，I’llbecarefulallright，allright，"Dannysmiled。"I’llgetinatthestartan’nurse’imalongforthedearpublic’ssake。Whatd’yesaytofifteenrounds，Kelly——an’thenthehayforhim？"
　　"That’lldo，"wastheanswer。"Aslongasyoumakeitrealistic。"
　　"Thenlet’sgetdowntobiz。"Dannypausedandcalculated。"Ofcourse，sixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts，sameaswithCarthey。Butthesplit’llbedifferent。Eightywilljustaboutsuitme。"Andtohismanager，"Thatright？"
　　Themanagernodded。
　　"Here，you，didyougetthat？"KellyaskedRivera。
　　Riverashookhishead。
　　"Well，itisthisway，"Kellyexposited。"Thepurse’llbesixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts。You’readub，andanunknown。YouandDannysplit，twentypercentgoin’toyou，an’
　　eightytoDanny。That’sfair，isn’tit，Roberts？"
　　"Veryfair，Rivera，"Robertsagreed。
　　"Yousee，youain’tgotareputationyet。"
　　"Whatwillsixty—fivepercentofthegatereceiptsbe？"Riverademanded。
　　"Oh，maybefivethousand，maybeashighaseightthousand，"
　　Dannybrokeintoexplain。"Somethinglikethat。Yourshare’llcometosomethinglikeathousandorsixteenhundred。Prettygoodfortakin’alickingfromaguywithmyreputation。Whatd’yesay？"
　　ThenRiveratooktheirbreathsaway。"Winnertakesall，"hesaidwithfinality。
　　Adeadsilenceprevailed。
　　"It’slikecandyfromababy，"Danny’smanagerproclaimed。
　　Dannyshookhishead。
　　"I’vebeeninthegametoolong，"heexplained。
　　"I’mnotcastingreflectionsonthereferee，orthepresentcompany。I’mnotsayin’nothingaboutbook—makersan’frame—upsthatsometimeshappen。ButwhatIdosayisthatit’spoorbusinessforafighterlikeme。Iplaysafe。There’snotellin’。MebbeIbreakmyarm，eh？Orsomeguyslipsmeabunchofdope？"Heshookhisheadsolemnly。"Winorlose，eightyismysplit。Whatd’yesay，Mexican？"
　　Riverashookhishead。
　　Dannyexploded。Hewasgettingdowntobrasstacksnow。
　　"Why，youdirtylittlegreaser！I’veamindtoknockyourblockoffrightnow。"
　　Robertsdrawledhisbodytointerpositionbetweenhostilities。
　　"Winnertakesall，"Riverarepeatedsullenly。
　　"Whydoyoustandoutthatway？"Dannyasked。
　　"Icanlickyou，"wasthestraightanswer。
　　Dannyhalfstartedtotakeoffhiscoat。But，ashismanagerknew，itwasagrandstandplay。Thecoatdidnotcomeoff，andDannyallowedhimselftobeplacatedbythegroup。Everybodysympathizedwithhim。Riverastoodalone。
　　"Lookhere，youlittlefool，"Kellytookuptheargument。
　　"You’renobody。Weknowwhatyouvebeendoingthelastfewmonths——puttingawaylittlelocalfighters。ButDannyisclass。
　　Hisnextfightafterthiswillbeforthechampionship。Andyou’reunknown。NobodyeverheardofyououtofLosAngeles。"
　　"Theywill，"Riveraansweredwithashrug，"afterthisfight。"
　　"Youthinkforasecondyoucanlickme？"Dannyblurtedin。
　　Riveranodded。
　　"Oh，come;listentoreason，"Kellypleaded。"Thinkoftheadvertising。"
　　"Iwantthemoney，"wasRivera’sanswer。
　　"Youcouldn’twinfrommeinathousandyears，"Dannyassuredhim。
　　"Thenwhatareyouholdin’outfor？"Riveracountered。"Ifthemoney’sthateasy，whydon’tyougoafterit？"
　　"Iwill，sohelpme！"Dannycriedwithabruptconviction。"I’Ilbeatyoutodeathinthering，myboy——youmonkeyin’withmethisway。Makeoutthearticles，Kelly。Winnertakeall。Playitupinthesportin’columns。Tell’emit’sagrudgefight。
　　I’llshowthisfreshkidafew。"
　　Kelly’ssecretaryhadbeguntowrite，whenDannyinterrupted。
　　"Holdon！"HeturnedtoRivera。
　　"Weights？"
　　"Ringside，"cametheanswer。
　　"Notonyourlife，FreshKid。Ifwinnertakesall，weweighinattenA。M。"
　　"Andwinnertakesall？"Riveraqueried。
　　Dannynodded。Thatsettledit。Hewouldentertheringinhisfullripenessofstrength。
　　"Weighinatten，"Riverasaid。
　　Thesecretary’spenwentonscratching。
　　"Itmeansfivepounds，"RobertscomplainedtoRivera。
　　"You’vegiventoomuchaway。You’vethrownthefightrightthere。Danny’lllickyousure。He’llbeasstrongasabull。
　　You’reafool。Youain’tgotthechanceofadewdropinhell。"
　　Rivera’sanswerwasacalculatedlookofhatred。EventhisGringohedespised，andhimhadhefoundthewhitestGringoofthemall。
　　IV
　　BarelynoticedwasRiveraasheenteredthering。Onlyaveryslightandveryscatteringrippleofhalf—heartedhand—clappinggreetedhim。Thehousedidnotbelieveinhim。HewasthelambledtoslaughteratthehandsofthegreatDanny。Besides，thehousewasdisappointed。IthadexpectedarushingbattlebetweenDannyWardandBillyCarthey，andhereitmustputupwiththispoorlittletyro。Stillfurther，ithadmanifesteditsdisapprovalofthechangebybettingtwo，andeventhree，tooneonDanny。Andwhereabettingaudience’smoneyis，thereisitsheart。
　　TheMexicanboysatdowninhiscornerandwaited。Theslowminuteslaggedby。Dannywasmakinghimwait。Itwasanoldtrick，buteveritworkedontheyoung，newfighters。Theygrewfrightened，sittingthusandfacingtheirownapprehensionsandacallous，tobacco—smokingaudience。Butforoncethetrickfailed。Robertswasright。Riverahadnogoat。He，whowasmoredelicatelycoordinated，morefinelynervedandstrungthananyofthem，hadnonervesofthissort。Theatmosphereofforedoomeddefeatinhisowncornerhadnoeffectonhim。HishandlerswereGringosandstrangers。Alsotheywerescrubs——thedirtydriftageofthefightgame，withouthonor，withoutefficiency。Andtheywerechilled，aswell，withcertitudethattheirswasthelosingcorner。
　　"Nowyougottabecareful，"SpiderHagertywarnedhim。Spiderwashischiefsecond。"Makeitlastaslongasyoucan——them’smyinstructionsfromKelly。Ifyoudon’t，thepapers’llcallitanotherbumfightandgivethegameabiggerblackeyeinLosAngeles。"
　　Allofwhichwasnotencouraging。ButRiveratooknonotice。Hedespisedprizefighting。ItwasthehatedgameofthehatedGringo。Hehadtakenupwithit，asachoppingblockforothersinthetrainingquarters，solelybecausehewasstarving。Thefactthathewasmarvelouslymadeforithadmeantnothing。Hehatedit。NotuntilhehadcomeintotheJunta，hadhefoughtformoney，andhehadfoundthemoneyeasy。Notfirstamongthesonsofmenhadhebeentofindhimselfsuccessfulatadespisedvocation。
　　Hedidnotanalyze。Hemerelyknewthathemustwinthisfight。
　　Therecouldbenootheroutcome。Forbehindhim，nervinghimtothisbelief，wereprofounderforcesthananythecrowdedhousedreamed。DannyWardfoughtformoney，andfortheeasywaysoflifethatmoneywouldbring。ButthethingsRiverafoughtforburnedinhisbrain——blazingandterriblevisions，that，witheyeswideopen，sittinglonelyinthecorneroftheringandwaitingforhistrickyantagonist，hesawasclearlyashehadlivedthem。
　　Hesawthewhite—walled，water—powerfactoriesofRioBlanco。
　　Hesawthesixthousandworkers，starvedandwan，andthelittlechildren，sevenandeightyearsofage，whotoiledlongshiftsfortencentsaday。Hesawtheperambulatingcorpses，theghastlydeath’sheadsofmenwholaboredinthedye—rooms。
　　Herememberedthathehadheardhisfathercallthedye—roomsthe"suicide—holes，"whereayearwasdeath。Hesawthelittlepatio，andhismothercookingandmoilingatcrudehousekeepingandfindingtimetocaressandlovehim。Andhisfatherhesaw，large，big—moustachedanddeep—chested，kindlyaboveallmen，wholovedallmenandwhoseheartwassolargethattherewaslovetooverflowingstillleftforthemotherandthelittlemuchachoplayinginthecornerofthepatio。InthosedayshisnamehadnotbeenFelipeRivera。IthadbeenFernandez，hisfather’sandmother’sname。HimhadtheycalledJuan。Later，hehadchangedithimself，forhehadfoundthenameofFernandezhatedbyprefectsofpolice，jefespoliticos，andrurales。
　　Big，heartyJoaquinFernandez！AlargeplaceheoccupiedinRivera’svisions。Hehadnotunderstoodatthetime，butlookingbackhecouldunderstand。Hecouldseehimsettingtypeinthelittleprintery，orscribblingendlesshasty，nervouslinesonthemuch—cluttereddesk。Andhecouldseethestrangeevenings，whenworkmen，comingsecretlyinthedarklikemenwhodidilldeeds，metwithhisfatherandtalkedlonghourswherehe，themuchacho，laynotalwaysasleepinthecorner。
　　AsfromaremotedistancehecouldhearSpiderHagertysayingtohim："Nolayin’downatthestart。Them’sinstructions。Takeabeatin’andearnyourdough。"
　　Tenminuteshadpassed，andhestillsatinhiscomer。TherewerenosignsofDanny，whowasevidentlyplayingthetricktothelimit。
　　ButmorevisionsburnedbeforetheeyeofRivera’smemory。Thestrike，or，rather，thelockout，becausetheworkersofRioBlancohadhelpedtheirstrikingbrothersofPuebla。Thehunger，theexpeditionsinthehillsforberries，therootsandherbsthatallateandthattwistedandpainedthestomachsofallofthem。Andthen，thenightmare;thewasteofgroundbeforethecompany’sstore;thethousandsofstarvingworkers;
　　GeneralRosalioMartinezandthesoldiersofPorfirioDiaz，andthedeath—spittingriflesthatseemednevertoceasespitting，whiletheworkers’wrongswerewashedandwashedagainintheirownblood。Andthatnight！Hesawtheflatcars，piledhighwiththebodiesoftheslain，consignedtoVeraCruz，foodforthesharksofthebay。Againhecrawledoverthegrislyheaps，seekingandfinding，strippedandmangled，hisfatherandhismother。Hismotherheespeciallyremembered——onlyherfaceprojecting，herbodyburdenedbytheweightofdozensofbodies。AgaintheriflesofthesoldiersofPorfirioDiazcracked，andagainhedroppedtothegroundandslunkawaylikesomehuntedcoyoteofthehills。
　　Tohisearscameagreatroar，asofthesea，andhesawDannyWard，leadinghisretinueoftrainersandseconds，comingdownthecenteraisle。Thehousewasinwilduproarforthepopularherowhowasboundtowin。Everybodyproclaimedhim。Everybodywasforhim。EvenRivera’sownsecondswarmedtosomethingakintocheerfulnesswhenDannyduckedjauntilythroughtheropesandenteredthering。Hisfacecontinuallyspreadtoanunendingsuccessionofsmiles，andwhenDannysmiledhesmiledineveryfeature，eventothelaughter—wrinklesofthecornersoftheeyesandintothedepthsoftheeyesthemselves。Neverwastheresogenialafighter。Hisfacewasarunningadvertisementofgoodfeeling，ofgoodfellowship。Hekneweverybody。Hejoked，andlaughed，andgreetedhisfriendsthroughtheropes。Thosefartheraway，unabletosuppresstheiradmiration，criedloudly："Oh，youDanny！"Itwasajoyousovationofaffectionthatlastedafullfiveminutes。
　　Riverawasdisregarded。Forallthattheaudiencenoticed，hedidnotexist。SpiderLagerty’sbloatedfacebentdownclosetohis。
　　"Nogettin’scared，"theSpiderwarned。
　　"An’rememberinstructions。Yougottalast。Nolayin’down。Ifyoulaydown，wegotinstructionstobeatyouupinthedressingrooms。Savve？Youjustgottafight。"
　　Thehousebegantoapplaud。Dannywascrossingtheringtohim。
　　Dannybentover，caughtRivera’srighthandinbothhisownandshookitwithimpulsiveheartiness。Danny’ssmile—wreathedfacewasclosetohis。TheaudienceyelleditsappreciationofDanny’sdisplayofsportingspirit。Hewasgreetinghisopponentwiththefondnessofabrother。Danny’slipsmoved，andtheaudience，interpretingtheunheardwordstobethoseofakindly—naturedsport，yelledagain。OnlyRiveraheardthelowwords。
　　"YoulittleMexicanrat，"hissedfrombetweenDanny’sgailysmilinglips，"I’llfetchtheyellowoutayou。"
　　Riveramadenomove。Hedidnotrise。Hemerelyhatedwithhiseyes。
　　"Getup，youdog！"somemanyelledthroughtheropesfrombehind。
　　Thecrowdbegantohissandboohimforhisunsportsmanlikeconduct，buthesatunmoved。AnothergreatoutburstofapplausewasDanny’sashewalkedbackacrossthering。
　　WhenDannystripped，therewasohs！andahs！ofdelight。Hisbodywasperfect，alivewitheasysupplenessandhealthandstrength。Theskinwaswhiteasawoman’s，andassmooth。Allgrace，andresilience，andpowerresidedtherein。Hehadproveditinscoresofbattles。Hisphotographswereinallthephysicalculturemagazines。
　　AgroanwentupasSpiderHagertypeeledRivera’ssweateroverhishead。Hisbodyseemedleaner，becauseoftheswarthinessoftheskin。Hehadmuscles，buttheymadenodisplaylikehisopponent’s。Whattheaudienceneglectedtoseewasthedeepchest。Norcoulditguessthetoughnessofthefiberoftheflesh，theinstantaneousnessofthecellexplosionsofthemuscles，thefinenessofthenervesthatwiredeverypartofhimintoaspendidfightingmechanism。Alltheaudiencesawwasabrown—skinnedboyofeighteenwithwhatseemedthebodyofaboy。WithDannyitwasdifferent。Dannywasamanoftwenty—four，andhisbodywasaman’sbody。Thecontrastwasstillmorestrikingastheystoodtogetherinthecenteroftheringreceivingthereferee’slastinstructions。
　　RiveranoticedRobertssittingdirectlybehindthenewspapermen。Hewasdrunkerthanusual，andhisspeechwascorrespondinglyslower。
　　"Takeiteasy，Rivera，"Robertsdrawled。
　　"Hecan’tkillyou，rememberthat。He’llrushyouatthego—off，butdon’tgetrattled。Youjustandstall，andclinch。
　　Hecan’thurtcoverup，much。Justmakebelievetoyourselfthathe’schoppin’outonyouatthetrainin’quarters。"
　　Riveramadenosignthathehadheard。
　　"Sullenlittledevil，"Robertsmutteredtothemannexttohim。
　　"Healwayswasthatway。"
　　ButRiveraforgottolookhisusualhatred。Avisionofcountlessriflesblindedhiseyes。Everyfaceintheaidience，farashecouldsee，tothehighdollar—seats，wastransformedintoarifle。AndhesawthelongMexicanborderaridandsun—washedandaching，andalongithesawtheraggedbandsthatdelayedonlyfortheguns。
　　Backinhiscornerhewaited，standingup。Hissecondshadcrawledoutthroughtheropes，takingthecanvasstoolwiththem。Diagonallyacrossthesquaredring，Dannyfacedhim。Thegongstruck，andthebattlewason。Theaudiencehowleditsdelight。Neverhaditseenabattleopenmoreconvincingly。Thepaperswereright。Itwasagrudgefight。Three—quartersofthedistanceDannycoveredintherushtogettogether，hisintentiontoeatuptheMexicanladplainlyadvertised。Heassailedwithnotoneblow，nortwo，noradozen。Hewasagyroscopeofblows，awhirlwindofdestruction。Riverawasnowhere。Hewasoverwhelmed，buriedbeneathavalanchesofpunchesdeliveredfromeveryangleandpositionbyapastmasterintheart。Hewasoverborne，sweptbackagainsttheropes，separatedbythereferee，andsweptbackagainsttheropesagain。
　　Itwasnotafight。Itwasaslaughter，amassacre。Anyaudience，saveaprizefightingone，wouldhaveexhausteditsemotionsinthatfirstminute。Dannywascertainlyshowingwhathecoulddo——asplendidexhibition。Suchwasthecertaintyoftheaudience，aswellasitsexcitementandfavoritism，thatitfailedtotakenoticethattheMexicanstillstayedonhisfeet。ItforgotRivera。Itrarelysawhim，socloselywasheenvelopedinDanny’sman—eatingattack。Aminuteofthiswentby，andtwominutes。Then，inaseparation，itcaughtaclearglimpseoftheMexican。Hislipwascut，hisnosewasbleeding。
　　Asheturnedandstaggeredintoaclinch，theweltsofoozingblood，fromhiscontactswiththeropes，showedinredbars。
　　acrosshisback。Butwhattheaudiencedidnotnoticewasthathischestwasnotheavingandthathiseyeswerecoldlyburningasever。Toomanyaspiringchampions，inthecruelwelterofthetrainingcamps，hadpracticedthisman—eatingattackonhim。Hehadlearnedtolivethroughforacompensationoffromhalfadollaragouptofifteendollarsaweek——ahardschool，andhewasschooledhard。
　　Thenhappenedtheamazingthing。Thewhirling，blurringmix—upceasedsuddenly。Riverastoodalone。Danny，theredoubtableDanny，layonhisback。Hisbodyquiveredasconsciousnessstrovetoreturntoit。Hehadnotstaggeredandsunkdown，norhadhegoneoverinalongslumpingfall。TherighthookofRiverahaddroppedhiminmidairwiththeabruptnessofdeath。
　　TherefereeshovedRiverabackwithonehand，andstoodoverthefallengladiatorcountingtheseconds。Itisthecustomofprize—fightingaudiencestocheeracleanknock—downblow。Butthisaudiencedidnotcheer。Thethinghadbeentoounexpected。
　　Itwatchedthetollofthesecondsintensesilence，andthroughthissilencethevoiceofRobertsroseexultantly：
　　"Itoldyouhewasatwo—handedfighter！"
　　Bythefifthsecond，Dannywasrollingoveronhisface，andwhensevenwascounted，herestedononeknee，readytoriseafterthecountofnineandbeforethecountoften。Ifhiskneestilltouchedthefloorat"ten，"hewasconsidered"down，"andalso"out。"Theinstanthiskneeleftthefloor，hewasconsidered"up，"andinthatinstantitwasRivera’srighttotryandputhimdownagain。Riveratooknochances。Themomentthatkneeleftthefloorhewouldstrikeagain。Hecircledaround，buttherefereecircledinbetween，andRiveraknewthatthesecondshecountedwereveryslow。AllGringoswereagainsthim，eventhereferee。
　　At"nine"therefereegaveRiveraasharpthrustback。Itwasunfair，butitenabledDannytorise，thesmilebackonhislips。Doubledpartlyover，witharmswrappedaboutfaceandabdomen，hecleverlystumbledintoaclinch。Byalltherulesofthegametherefereeshouldhavebrokenit，buthedidnot，andDannyclungonlikeasurf—batteredbarnacleandmomentbymomentrecuperated。Thelastminuteoftheroundwasgoingfast。Ifhecouldlivetotheend，hewouldhaveafullminuteinhiscornertorevive。Andlivetotheendhedid，smilingthroughalldesperatenessandextremity。
　　"Thesmilethatwon’tcomeoff！"somebodyyelled，andtheaudiencelaughedloudlyinitsrelief。
　　"ThekickthatGreaser’sgotissomethingGod—awful，"Dannygaspedinhiscornertohisadviserwhilehishandlersworkedfranticallyoverhim。
　　Thesecondandthirdroundsweretame。Danny，atrickyandconsummateringgeneral，stalledandblockedandheldon，devotinghimselftorecoveringfromthatdazingfirst—roundblow。Inthefourthroundhewashimselfagain。Jarredandshaken，neverthelesshisgoodconditionhadenabledhimtoregainhisvigor。Buthetriednoman—eatingtactics。TheMexicanhadprovedatartar。Instead，hebroughttobearhisbestfightingpowers。Intricksandskillandexperiencehewasthemaster，andthoughhecouldlandnothingvital，heproceededscientificallytochopandweardownhisopponent。HelandedthreeblowstoRivera’sone，buttheywerepunishingblowsonly，andnotdeadly。Itwasthesumofmanyofthemthatconstituteddeadliness。Hewasrespectfulofthistwo—handeddubwiththeamazingshort—armkicksinbothhisfists。
　　Indefense，Riveradevelopedadisconcertingstraight—left。
　　Againandagain，attackafterattackhestraight—leftedawayfromhimwithaccumulateddamagetoDanny’smouthandnose。ButDannywasprotean。Thatwaswhyhewasthecomingchampion。Hecouldchangefromstyletostyleoffightingatwill。Henowdevotedhimselftoinfighting。Inthishewasparticularlywicked，anditenabledhimtoavoidtheother’sstraight—left。
　　Herehesetthehousewildrepeatedly，cappingitwithamarvelouslockbreakandliftofaninsideupper—cutthatraisedtheMexicanintheairanddroppedhimtothemat。Riverarestedononeknee，makingthemostofthecount，andinthesoulofhimheknewtherefereewascountingshortsecondsonhim。
　　Again，intheseventh，Dannyachievedthediabolicalinsideuppercut。HesucceededonlyinstaggeringRivera，but，intheensuingmomentofdefenselesshelplessness，hesmashedhimwithanotherblowthroughtheropes。Rivera’sbodybouncedontheheadsofthenewspapermenbelow，andtheyboostedhimbacktotheedgeoftheplatformoutsidetheropes。Hereherestedononeknee，whiletherefereeracedofftheseconds。Insidetheropes，throughwhichhemustducktoenterthering，Dannywaitedforhim。NordidtherefereeinterveneorthrustDannyback。
　　Thehousewasbesideitselfwithdelight。
　　"Kill’m，Danny，kill’m！"wasthecry。
　　Scoresofvoicestookitupuntilitwaslikeawar—chantofwolves。
　　Dannydidhisbest，butRivera，atthecountofeight，insteadofnine，cameunexpectedlythroughtheropesandsafelyintoaclinch。Nowtherefereeworked，tearinghimawaysothathecouldbehit，givingDannyeveryadvantagethatanunfairrefereecangive。
　　ButRiveralived，andthedazeclearedfromhisbrain。Itwasallofapiece。TheywerethehatedGringosandtheywereallunfair。Andintheworstofitvisionscontinuedtoflashandsparkleinhisbrain——longlinesofrailroadtrackthatsimmeredacrossthedesert;ruralesandAmericanconstables，prisonsandcalabooses;trampsatwatertanks——allthesqualidandpainfulpanoramaofhisodysseyafterRioBlancaandthestrike。And，resplendentandglorious，hesawthegreat，redRevolutionsweepingacrosshisland。Thegunsweretherebeforehim。Everyhatedfacewasagun。Itwasforthegunshefought。
　　Hewastheguns。HewastheRevolution。HefoughtforallMexico。
　　TheaudiencebegantogrowincensedwithRivera。Whydidn’thetakethelickingthatwasappointedhim？Ofcoursehewasgoingtobelicked，butwhyshouldhebesoobstinateaboutit？Veryfewwereinterestedinhim，andtheywerethecertain，definitepercentageofagamblingcrowdthatplayslongshots。BelievingDannytobethewinner，neverthelesstheyhadputtheirmoneyontheMexicanatfourtotenandonetothree。MorethanatriflewasuponthepointofhowmanyroundsRiveracouldlast。Wildmoneyhadappearedattheringsideproclaimingthathecouldnotlastsevenrounds，orevensix。Thewinnersofthis，nowthattheircashriskwashappilysettled，hadjoinedincheeringonthefavorite。
　　Riverarefusedtobelicked。Throughtheeighthroundhisopponentstrovevainlytorepeattheuppercut。Intheninth，Riverastunnedthehouseagain。Inthemidstofaclinchhebrokethelockwithaquick，lithemovement，andinthenarrowspacebetweentheirbodieshisrightliftedfromthewaist。
　　Dannywenttothefloorandtookthesafetyofthecount。Thecrowdwasappalled。Hewasbeingbestedathisowngame。Hisfamousright—uppercuthadbeenworkedbackonhim。Riveramadenoattempttocatchhimashearoseat"nine。"Therefereewasopenlyblockingthatplay，thoughhestoodclearwhenthesituationwasreversedanditwasRiverawhodesiredtorise。
　　Twiceinthetenth，Riveraputthroughtheright—uppercut，liftedfromwaisttoopponent’schin。Dannygrewdesperate。Thesmileneverlefthisface，buthewentbacktohisman—eatingrushes。Whirlwindashewould，becouldnotdamageRivera，whileRiverathroughtheblurandwhirl，droppedhimtothematthreetimesinsuccession。Dannydidnotrecuperatesoquicklynow，andbytheeleventhroundhewasinaseriousway。Butfromthentillthefourteenthheputupthegamestexhibitionofhiscareer。Hestalledandblocked，foughtparsimoniously，andstrovetogatherstrength。Also，hefoughtasfoullyasasuccessfulfighterknowshow。Everytrickanddeviceheemployed，buttingintheclincheswiththeseemingofaccident，pinioningRivera’sglovebetweenarmandbody，heelinghisgloveonRivera’smouthtocloghisbreathing。Often，intheclinches，throughhiscutandsmilinglipshesnarledinsultsunspeakableandvileinRivera’sear。Everybody，fromtherefereetothehouse，waswithDannyandwashelpingDanny。Andtheyknewwhathehadinmind。Bestedbythissurprise—boxofanunknown，hewaspinningallonasinglepunch。Heofferedhimselfforpunishment，fished，andfeinted，anddrew，forthatoneopeningthatwouldenablehimtowhipablowthroughwithallhisstrengthandturnthetide。Asanotherandgreaterfighterhaddonebeforehim，hemightdoarightandleft，tosolarplexusandacrossthejaw。Hecoulddoit，forhewasnotedforthestrengthofpunchthatremainedinhisarmsaslongashecouldkeephisfeet。
　　Rivera’ssecondswerenothalf—caringforhimintheintervalsbetweenrounds。Theirtowelsmadeashowing，butdrovelittleairintohispantinglungs。SpiderHagertytalkedadvicetohim，butRiveraknewitwaswrongadvice。Everybodywasagainsthim。Hewassurroundedbytreachery。InthefourteenthroundheputDannydownagain，andhimselfstoodresting，handsdroppedatside，whiletherefereecounted。IntheothercornerRiverahadbeennotingsuspiciouswhisperings。HesawMichaelKellymakehiswaytoRobertsandbendandwhisper。Rivera’searswereacat’s，desert—trained，andhecaughtsnatchesofwhatwassaid。Hewantedtohearmore，andwhenhisopponentarosehemaneuveredthefightintoaclinchoveragainsttheropes。
　　"Gotto，"hecouldhearMichael，whileRobertsnodded。"Danny’sgottowin——Istandtoloseamint——I’vegotatonofmoneycovered——myown。IfhelaststhefifteenthI’mbust——theboy’llmindyou。Putsomethingacross。"
　　AndthereafterRiverasawnomorevisions。Theyweretryingtojobhim。OnceagainhedroppedDannyandstoodresting，hishandsathisslide。Robertsstoodup。
　　"Thatsettledhim，"hesaid。
　　"Gotoyourcorner。"
　　Hespokewithauthority，ashehadoftenspokentoRiveraatthetrainingquarters。ButRiveralookedhatredathimandwaitedforDannytorise。Backinhiscornerintheminuteinterval，Kelly，thepromoter，cameandtalkedtoRivera。
　　"Throwit，damnyou，"heraspedin，aharshlowvoice。"Yougottalaydown，Rivera。StickwithmeandI’llmakeyourfuture。I’llletyoulickDannynexttime。Buthere’swhereyoulaydown。"
　　Riverashowedwithhiseyesthatheheard，buthemadeneithersignofassentnordissent。
　　"Whydon’tyouspeak？"Kellydemandedangrily。
　　"Youlose，anyway，"SpiderHagertysupplemented。"Thereferee’lltakeitawayfromyou。ListentoKelly，andlaydown。"
　　"Laydown，kid，"Kellypleaded，"andI’llhelpyoutothechampionship。"
　　Riveradidnotanswer。
　　"Iwill，sohelpme，kid。"
　　AtthestrikeofthegongRiverasensedsomethingimpending。
　　Thehousedidnot。Whateveritwasitwasthereinsidetheringwithhimandveryclose。Danny’searliersuretyseemedreturnedtohim。TheconfidenceofhisadvancefrightenedRivera。Sometrickwasabouttobeworked。Dannyrushed，butRiverarefusedtheencounter。Heside—steppedawayintosafety。Whattheotherwantedwasaclinch。Itwasinsomewaynecessarytothetrick。
　　Riverabackedandcircledaway，yetheknew，soonerorlater，theclinchandthetrickwouldcome。Desperatelyheresolvedtodrawit。HemadeasiftoeffecttheclinchwithDanny’snextrush。Instead，atthelastinstant，justastheirbodiesshouldhavecometogether，Riveradartednimblyback。AndinthesameinstantDanny’scornerraisedacryoffoul。Riverahadfooledthem。Therefereepausedirresolutely。Thedecisionthattrembledonhislipswasneveruttered，forashrill，boy’svoicefromthegallerypiped，"Rawwork！"
　　DannycursedRiveraopenly，andforcedhim，whileRiveradancedaway。Also，Riveramadeuphismindtostrikenomoreblowsatthebody。Inthishethrewawayhalfhischanceofwinning，butheknewifhewastowinatallitwaswiththeoutfightingthatremainedtohim。Giventheleastopportunity，theywouldlieafoulonhim。Dannythrewallcautiontothewinds。Fortworoundshetoreafterandintotheboywhodarednotmeethimatclosequarters。Riverawasstruckagainandagain;hetookblowsbythedozenstoavoidtheperilousclinch。DuringthissupremefinalrallyofDanny’stheaudiencerosetoitsfeetandwentmad。Itdidnotunderstand。Allitcouldseewasthatitsfavoritewaswinning，afterall。
　　"Whydon’tyoufight？"itdemandedwrathfullyofRivera。
　　"You’reyellow！You’reyellow！""Openup，youcur！Openup！"
　　"Kill’m，Danny！Kill’m！""Yousuregot’m！Kill’m！"
　　Inallthehouse，barnone，Riverawastheonlycoldman。Bytemperamentandbloodhewasthehottest—passionedthere;buthehadgonethroughsuchvastlygreaterheatsthatthiscollectivepassionoftenthousandthroats，risingsurgeonsurge，wastohisbrainnomorethanthevelvetcoolofasummertwilight。
　　IntotheseventeenthroundDannycarriedhisrally。Rivera，underaheavyblow，droopedandsagged。Hishandsdroppedhelplesslyashereeledbackward。Dannythoughtitwashischance。Theboywasat，hismercy。ThusRivera，feigning，caughthimoffhisguard，lashingoutacleandrivetothemouth。Dannywentdown。Whenhearose，Riverafelledhimwithadown—chopoftherightonneckandjaw。Threetimesherepeatedthis。Itwasimpossibleforanyrefereetocalltheseblowsfoul。
　　"Oh，Bill！Bill！"Kellypleadedtothereferee。
　　"Ican’t，"thatofficiallamentedback。"Hewon’tgivemeachance。"
　　Danny，batteredandheroic，stillkeptcomingup。Kellyandothersneartotheringbegantocryouttothepolicetostopit，thoughDanny’scornerrefusedtothrowinthetowel。Riverasawthefatpolicecaptainstartingawkwardlytoclimbthroughtheropes，andwasnotsurewhatitmeant。ThereweresomanywaysofcheatinginthisgameoftheGringos。Danny，onhisfeet，totteredgroggilyandhelplesslybeforehim。TherefereeandthecaptainwerebothreachingforRiverawhenhestruckthelastblow。Therewasnoneedtostopthefight，forDannydidnotrise。
　　"Count！"Riveracriedhoarselytothereferee。
　　Andwhenthecountwasfinished，Danny’ssecondsgatheredhimupandcarriedhimtohiscorner。
　　"Whowins？"Riverademanded。
　　Reluctantly，therefereecaughthisglovedhandandhelditaloft。
　　TherewerenocongratulationsforRivera。Hewalkedtohiscornerunattended，wherehissecondshadnotyetplacedhisstool。Heleanedbackwardontheropesandlookedhishatredatthem，sweptitonandabouthimtillthewholetenthousandGringoswereincluded。Hiskneestrembledunderhim，andhewassobbingfromexhaustion。Beforehiseyesthehatedfacesswayedbackandforthinthegiddinessofnausea。Thenherememberedtheyweretheguns。Thegunswerehis。TheRevolutioncouldgoon。