ToMessrs。Harper&BothersandHenryMillsAldenwhosefriendlinessandfairdealingIamgladofthischancetorecordOwenWisterPrefaceIt’sveryplainthatifathing’sthefashion——
　　Toomuchthefashion——ifthepeopleleapTodoit，ortobeit，inapassionOfhasteandcrowding，likeaherdofsheep，WhythenthatthingbecomesthroughimitationVulgar，excessive，obvious，andcheap。
　　NogentlemandesirestobepursuingWhateveryTomandDickandHarry’sdoing。
　　Stranger，doyouwritebooks？Iaskthequestion，BecauseI’mtoldthateverybodywritesThatwhatwithscribbling，eating，anddigestion，Andproperslumber，allourdaysandnightsArewhollyfilled。Itseemsanoddsuggestion——
　　Butifyoudowrite，stopit，leavethemasses，Readme，andjointhesmallselectedclasses。
　　TheJimmyjohnBossI
　　OnedayatNampa，whichisinIdaho，aruddyoldmassivejovialmanstoodbytheSilverCitystage，pattinghisbeardwithhislefthand，andwithhisrighttheshoulderofaboywhostoodbesidehim。HehadcomewiththeboyonthebranchtrainfromBoise，becausehewasacarefulGermanandlikedtosayeverythingtwice——twiceatleastwhenitwasamatterofbusiness。Thiswasamatterofveryparticularbusiness，andtheGermanhadrepeatedhimselffornineteenmiles。Presentlytheeast—boundonthemainlinewouldarrivefromPortland；thentheSilverCitystagewouldtaketheboysouthonhisnewmission，andthemanwouldjourneybythebranchtrainbacktoBoise。FromBoisenoonecouldsaywherehemightnotgo，westoreast。HewasagreatandpervasivecattlemaninOregon，California，andotherplaces。VogelandLex——evento—dayyoumayhearthetworanchpartnersspokenof。SotheveteranVogelwasnowoncemoregoingoverhisnotionsandcommandstohisyouthfuldeputyduringthelastpreciousminutesuntiltheeast—boundshouldarrive。
　　"Undifonlyyouhafsomedinglikedis，"saidtheoldman，ashetappedhisbeardandpattedtheboy，"itwouldbefivehoondertmoredollarssalaryinyourliddlepants。"
　　Theboywinkedupathisemployer。Hehadagray，humorouseye；hewasslimandalert，likeasparrow—hawk——thesortofboyhisfatheropenlyrejoicesinandhismotherissecretlyinprayerover。Only，thisboyhadneitherfathernormother。Sincetheageoftwelvehehadlookedoutforhimself，neverquitewithoutbread，sometimesattainingchampagne，gettingalonginhisAmericanwayvariously，onhorseorafoot，acrossregionsofwideplainsandmountains，throughtownswherenotasoulknewhisname。Heclosedoneofhisgrayeyesathisemployer，andbeyondthismadenoremark。
　　"Vatyoumeanbydatvink，anyhow？"demandedtheelder。
　　"Say，"saidtheboy，confidentially——"honestnow。Howaboutyouandme？
　　FivehundreddollarsifIhadyourbeard。You’vegotarecordandI’vegotafuture。Andmybloom’sonmerich，withoutascratch。Howmanydollarsyougifmefordatbloom？"Thesparrow—hawksailedintoafreakishimitationofhismaster。
　　"Youarealiddlerascal！"criedthemaster，shakingwithentertainment。
　　"UndifderpeoplesvastohearyousassoldMaxVogelindisstyletheywouldsay，’PooroldMax，helosehisgr—rip。’ButIdon’tloseit。"Hisgreathandclosedsuddenlyontheboy’sshoulder，hisvoicecutcleanandheavyasanaxe，andthennomorejokingabouthim。"Hafyouunderstandthat？"hesaid。
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Howoldareyou，son？"
　　"Nineteen，sir。"
　　"Ohmy，thatisoffleyoungforthejobIgifyou。Someofdosemanyougotobossmightbeyourfather。Undhowmuchdoyouweigh？"
　　"Aboutahundredandthirty。"
　　"Toolight，toolight。UndIhafkeepmyeyeonyouinBoise。Youarenotsogootaboyasyoumightbe。"
　　"Well，sir，Iguessnot。"
　　"Butyouwasnotsobadaboyasyoumightbe，neider。Youdon’tlieaboutit。Nowitmustbefarewelltoallthatfoolishness。Hafyouunderstand？Yougotosetanexamplewhereoneisneededverybad。Ifthosemenseeyoudrinkaliddle，theydrinkabiglot。Youforbidthem，theylaughatyou。Youmustnotallowonedropofwhiskeyatthewholeplace。Hafyouwellunderstand？"
　　"Yes，sir。Meandwhiskeyarenotnecessarytoeachother’shappiness。"
　　"Itisnotyou，itisthem。Howareyoumityourgun？"
　　Vogeltooktheboy’spistolfromitsholsterandaimedatanemptybottlewhichwasstickinginthethinDeceiversnow。"Canyoudothis？"hesaid，carelessly，andfired。Thesnowstruckthebottle，buttheunharmingbulletwasburiedhalfaninchtotheleft。
　　Theboytookhispistolwithsolemnity。"No，"hesaid。"GuessIcan’tdothat。"Hefired，andtheglasssplinteredintoshapelessness。"ToldyouI
　　couldn’tmissascloseasyoudid，"saidhe。
　　"Youareadarling，"saidMr。Vogel。"Gifmedatlofelyweapon。"
　　Afortunatestoreofbottleslay，leaned，orstoodaboutinthewhitesnowofNampa，andMr。Vogelbeganatthem。
　　"MayIaskifanythingisthematter？"inquiredamildvoicefromthestage。
　　"Stickthatlilyheadin—doors，"shoutedVogel；andthefaceandeye—glasseswithdrewagainintothestage。"Theschool—teacherhewillbebeautifoolvirtuouscompanyforyouatMalheurAgency，"continuedVogel，shootingagain；andpresentlythelargeoldGermandestroyedabottlewithacrashingsmack。"Ah！"saidhe，inunisonwiththesmack。"Ah—ha！
　　NovonshallsayderoldMaxlosehisgr—rip。Ishootitefrytimenow，butthetrainshewhistle。Ihearher。"
　　Theboyaffectedtolistenearnestly。
　　"Bah！ItellyouIheardewhistlecoming。"
　　"Didyousaytherewasawhistle？"venturedtheoccupantofthestage。
　　Thesnowshonewhiteonhisglassesashepeeredout。
　　"Nobodywhistleforyou，"returnedtherobustVogel。"Youlistentome，"
　　hecontinuedtotheboy。"Youareoffleyoong。ButIwatchyouplentythislongtime。IseeyouworkmitmystockontheOwyheeandtheMalheur；Iseeyoumitmyodermen。Mymentheysayalwaysmoreandmore，’YoongDrakeheisagootone，’undIthinkyouareagootonemineownself。IamthebiggestcattlemanonthePacificslope，undIamalsoanolddevil。Ihavethinkalot，undIlikeyou。"
　　"I’mobligedtoyou，sir。"
　　"Shutoop。Ilikeyou，undthereforeImakeyoumynewsooperintendentatmyMalheurAgencyr—ranch，mitabiggersalaryasyoudon’tgetbefore。
　　Ifyouareasookcess，Ir—raiseyousomemore。"
　　"Iamsatisfiednow，sir。"
　　"Bah！Neverdoyoutellanygootbusinessmanyouaresatisfiedmitvathegifyou，foreiderhedon’tbelieveyouorelsehethinkyouareafool。Undeiderwaysyougodowninhisestimation。YoumakethosemenatMalheurAgencybehavethemselvesundIr—raiseyou。OnlyIdovish，Idocertainlyvishyouhadsomebeardonthatyoongchin。"
　　Theboyglancedathispistol。
　　"No，no，no，myson，"saidthesharpoldGerman。"Idon’twantgunpowderindisaffair。Youmustactkvietunddecisifundkeepyourliddleshirton。Whatyouaccomplishshootin’？Youkillsomebody，undthen，pop！
　　somebodykillsyou。Whatgootisallthatnonsensetome？"
　　"Itwouldannoymesome，too，"retortedtheboy，eyeingthecapitalist。
　　"Don’tleavemeoutoftheproposition。"
　　"Broposition！Broposition！NowyougethotmitoldMaxfornothing。"
　　"Ifyoudidn’tcontemplatetrouble，"pursuedtheboy，"whatwasyourpointjustnowinsamplingmymarksmanship？"Hekickedsomesnowinthedirectionoftheshatteredbottle。"It’sunderstoodnowhiskeycomesonthatranch。Butifnogunpowdergoesalongwithme，either，let’scallthedealoff。Buysomeotherfool。"
　　"Youhafnotunderstand，myboy。UndyougetveryhotbecauseIhappentomakethatliddlejokeaboutsomebodykillingyou。WasyouthinkingmaybeoldMaxnotcarewhathappentoyou？"
　　Amomentofsilencepassedbeforetheanswercame："Supposewetalkbusiness？"
　　"Verywell，verywell。Onlynoticethisthing。Whenoderpeoplestalkooptomelikeyouhafdonemanytimes，itisnottheywhodoesthegettinghot。Itisme——oldMax。UndwhenoldMaxgetshotheslingsthemoutofhisroadanywheres。Somehafbeenverysorrytheygetsoslung。Youinvitemetobuysomeoderfool？Oh，myboy，Iwillbuynooderfoolexceptyou，forthatwasjustlikemewhenIwasyoongMax！"Againtheruddyandgrizzledmagnateputhishandontheshoulderoftheboy，whostoodlookingawayatthebottles，attherailroadtrack，atanythingsavehisemployer。
　　Theemployerproceeded："Iwasafraidofnobodyundnodinginthosedays。
　　Youareafraidofnobodyandnoding。Butthosedayswasdifferent。NoPullmansleepers，norailroadatall。WecomeooptheColumbiainthesteamboat，wetravelhoondertsofmilesbyteam，wesleep，weeatnowheresinparticularmitmanyunexpectedinterooptions。TherewasIndians，therewasofflebadwhitemen，undifyouwasnotoffleyourselfyouvanishedquickly。ThereforeinthosedayswasMaxVogelhellundrepeat。"
　　Themagnatesmiledabroadfondsmileoverthepastwhichhehadkicked，driven，shot，bled，andbattledthroughtopresentpower；andtheboywinkedupathimagainnow。
　　"Idon’tproposetovanish，myself，"saidhe。
　　"Ah—ha！youwasnolongermadmitderoldMax！OfcoorseIcarewhathappenstoyou。Iwasaloneintheworldmyselfinthoselofelywickeddays。"
　　Reserveagainmadeflintytheboy’sface。
　　"NeiderdidItalkaboutmyfeelings，"continuedMaxVogel，"butInefershowthemtooquick。IfIwasinjuredIwait，andIstriketokill。Weallpaddlesourowndugout，eh？Weasknofavorsfromnobody；wemustwinourspurs！Notso？NowItalkbusinesswithyouwhereyouinterrooptme。
　　Ifcow—boyswasnotsoofflescarceinthecountry，Iwouldlongagohafbouncethelotofthosedrunkenfellows。Buttheycannotbespared；wemustgetalongso。IcannotsendBrock，heisneededatHarper’s。ThedumbfellowatAlvordLakeistoodumb；heisnotquicklycourageous。
　　Theywouldplayhighjinksmithim。ThereforeIsendyou。Brockhesaytomeyouhafjoodgement。Iwatch，andIsaytomyselfalso，thisboyhafgootjoodgement。Andwhenyoulookatyourpistolsoquick，ItellyouquickIdon’tsendyoutokillmenwhentheyaresoscarcealready！Myboy，itiseverthemoral，thesay—nodingstrengthwhatgetsthere——mitalwaystheliddlepistolbehind，incase——joostincase。Hafyouunderstand？Iaskyoutoshoot。Iseeyouknowhow，asBrocktoldme。I
　　recommendyoutoletthemseethataggomplishmentinafriendlyway。
　　Maybeashooting—matchmitprizes——Ipayforthem——prettysoonafteryoucome。Undjoodgement——undjoodgement。Herecomesthattrain。Hafyouwellunderstand？"
　　Uponthisthetwoshookhands，lookingsquarefriendshipineachother’seyes。Theeast—bound，longquietanddarkbeneathitsflowingclotsofsmoke，slowedtoahalt。Afewvalisesandlegsdescended，ascended，herdingandhurrying；afewtrunkswerethrownresoundinglyinandoutofthetrain；awoolly，crookedoldmancamewithaboxandabandannabundlefromthesecond—classcar；thetravellersofathousandmileslookedtorpidlyathimthroughthedim，dustywindowsoftheirPullman，andsettledagainforathousandmilesmore。Thentheeast—bound，shootingheavierclotsofsmokelaboriouslyintotheair，drewitsslowlengthoutofNampa，andaway。
　　"Where’sthatstage？"shrilledthewoollyoldman。"That’swhatI’mafter。"
　　"Why，hello！"shoutedVogel。"Hello，UnclePasco！Iheardyouwasdead。"
　　UnclePascoblinkedhissmalleyestoseewhohailedhim。"Oh！"saidhe，inhislight，crustyvoice。"DutchyVogel。No，Iain’tdead。Youguessedwrong。Notdead。Helpmeup，Dutchy。"
　　AtolerantsmilebroadenedVogel’sface。"ItwastenyearssinceIseeyou，"saidhe，carryingtheoldman’sbox。
　　"Shouldn’twonder。Maybeit’llbeanothertentillyouseemenext。"Hestoppedbythestagestep，andwheelingnimbly，surveyedhisold—timeacquaintance，notingthegoodhat，theprosperouswatch—chain，thebig，well—blackedboots。"Notseenmefortenyears。Hee—hee！No。Usen’ttohaveacentmorethanme。Twinsinpoverty。That’showDutchyandmestarted。Ifwewasburiedto—morrowthey’dmarkhim’Pecunious’andme’Impecunious。’That’swhat。Twinsinpoverty。"
　　"Isticktovonbusinessatatime，Uncle，"saidgood—natured，successfulMax。
　　Aflickerofaberrationlightedintheoldman’seye。"H’m，yes，"saidhe，pondering。"Stucktoonebusiness。Soyoudid。H’m。"Then，suddenlysly，hechirped："ButI’vestruckitrichnow。"Hetappedhisbox。
　　"Jewelry，"hehalf—whispered。"Minersandcow—boys。"
　　"Yes，"saidVogel。"Thosepoor，deludedfellows，theybuysuchstuff。"
　　Andhelaughedattheseedyvisionarywhohadbegunfrontierlifewithhimonthebottomrungandwouldenditthere。"Doyouplaythatconcertinayet，Uncle？"heinquired。
　　"Yes，yes。Ialwaysplay。It’sinherewithmytooth—brushandsocks。"
　　UnclePascoheldupthebandanna。"Well，he’sgettingreadytostart。I
　　guessI’llbeclimbinginside。HolyGertrude！"
　　Thisshrillcommentwasatsightoftheschool—master，patientwithinthestage。"Whatbusinessareyouin？"demandedUnclePasco。
　　"Iaminthespellingbusiness，"repliedtheteacher，andsmiled，faintly。
　　"Hell！"pipedUnclePasco。"Takethis。"
　　Hehandedinhisbandannatothetraveller，whoreceiveditpolitely。MaxVogelliftedtheboxofcheapjewelry；andbothheandtheboycamebehindtoboosttheoldmanuponthestagestep。Butwithanettledlookheleapeduptoevadethem，totteredhalf—way，andthen，lightasahuskofgrain，gothimselftohisseatandscowledattheschoolmaster。
　　Afterabriefinspectionofthatpale，spectacledface，"Dutchy，"hecalledoutofthedoor，"thiscountryisnotwhatitwas。"
　　ButoldMaxVogelwasinattentive。Hewasspeakingtotheboy，DeanDrake，andheldaflaskinhishand。Hereachedtheflasktohisnewsuperintendent。"Drinkhearty，"saidhe。"There，son！Don’tbeshy。Hafyouforgotitisforbiddenfruitafternow？"
　　"Kidswornoff？"inquiredUnclePascooftheschool—master。
　　"Iunderstand，"repliedthisperson，"thatMr。Vogelwillnotallowhiscow—boysattheMalheurAgencytohaveanywhiskeybroughtthere。
　　Personally，Ifeelgratified。"AndMr。Bolles，thenewschool—master，gavehisfaintsmile。
　　"Oh，"mutteredUnclePasco。"Forbiddentobringwhiskeyontheranch？
　　H’m。"Hiseyeswanderedtothejewelry—box。"H’m，"saidheagain；andbecomingthoughtful，helaidbackhismoth—eatenslyhead，andspokenofurtherwithMr。Bolles。
　　DeanDrakeclimbedintothestageandthevehiclestarted。
　　"Gootluck，gootluck，myson！"shoutedtheheartyMax，andopenedandwavedbothhisbigarmsatthedepartingboy：Hestoodlookingafterthestage。"Ihopehecomeback，"saidhe。"Ithinkhecomeback。IfhecomeIr—raisehimfiftydollarswithoutanybeard。"
　　II
　　ThestagehadnottrundledsofaronitsSilverCityroadbutthatawhistlefromNampastationreacheditsthreeoccupants。ThiswasthebranchtrainstartingbacktoBoisewithMaxVogelaboard；andtheboylookedoutatthelocomotivewithasigh。
　　"Onlyfivedaysoftown，"hemurmured。"Sixmonthsmorewildernessnow。"
　　"Mylifehasbeentoomuchtown，"saidthenewschool—master。"Iamlookingforwardtoalittlewildernessforachange。"
　　OldUnclePasco，leaningback，saidnothing；hekepthiseyesshutandhisearsopen。
　　"ChangeiswhatIdon’tget，"sighedDeanDrake。Inafewmiles，however，beforetheyhadcometotheferryoverSnakeRiver，therecentleave—takingandhisemployer’skindbutdominatingrepressionliftedfromtheboy’sspirit。Hisgrayeyewakenedkeenagain，andhebegantowhistlelightoperatunes，lookingabouthimalertly，likethesparrow—hawkthathewas。"EverseeJeannieWinstonin’Fatinitza’？"heinquiredofMr。Bolles。
　　Theschool—master，withastartled，thankfulcountenance，statedthathehadnever。
　　"Oughtto，"saidDrake。
　　"Youaman？thatcan’tbetrue！
　　Menhavenevereyeslikeyou。"
　　That’swhatthegirlsintheharemsinginthesecondact。Gollywhiz！"
　　Theboygleamedoverthememoryofthatevening。
　　"Youhaveahardjobbeforeyou，"saidtheschool—master，changingthesubject。
　　"Yep。Hard。"ThewaryDrakeshookhisheadwarninglyatMr。Bollestokeepoffthatsubject，andheglancedinthedirectionofslumberingUnclePasco。UnclePascowasquiteawareofallthis。"Iwouldn’ttakeanotherlonesomejobsosoon，"pursuedDrake，"butIwantthemoney。I’vebeenworkingelevenmonthsalongtheOwyheeasasortofjuniorboss，andI’dearnedmyvacation。JustgotitstartedhotinPortland，whenbiff！
　　oldVogeltelegraphsme。Well，I’llbesavinginsteadofsquandering。Butitfeelssogoodtosquander！"
　　"Ihaveneverhadanythingtosquander，"saidBolles，rathersadly。
　　"Youdon’tsay！Well，oldman，Ihopeyouwill。Itgivesamanalothe’llnevergetoutofspelling—books。Areyoucold？Here。"Anddespitetheschool—master’sprotest，DeanDraketuckedhisbuffalocoatroundandoverhim。"Someday，whenI’mold，"hewenton，"Imeantoliverespectableundermyowncabinandvine。Wifeandeverything。Butnot，anyway，tillI’mthirty—five。"
　　Hedroppedintohisoperatunesforawhile；butevidentlyitwasnot"Fatinitza"andhisvanishedholidayoverwhichhewaschieflymeditating，forpresentlyheexclaimed："I’llgivethemashooting—matchinthemorning。Youshoot？"
　　Bolleshopedhewasgoingtolearninthiscountry，andexhibitedaSmith&Wessonrevolver。
　　Drakegrievedoverit。"Wrapitupwarm，"saidhe。"I’lllendyouarealonewhenwegettotheMalheurAgency。Butyoucaneat，anyhow。Christmasbeingnextweek，yousee，myprogrammeis，shootallA。M。andeatallP。M。Iwishyoucouldlightonanotionwhatprizestogivemybuccaroos。"
　　"Buccaroos？"saidBolles。
　　"Yep。Cow—punchers。Vaqueros。BuccaroosinOregon。BastardSpanishword，yousee，driftedupfromMexico。Vogelwouldnotcaretohavemegive’emmoneyasprizes。"
　　AtthisUnclePascoopenedaneye。
　　"Howmanybuccarooswilltherebe？"Bollesinquired。
　　"AttheMalheurAgency？It’stheheadquartersoffiveofourranches。
　　Thereoughttobequiteacrowd。Adozen，probably，atthistimeofyear。"
　　UnclePascoopenedhisothereye。"Here，you！"hesaid，draggingathisboxundertheseat。"Pullit，can’tyou？There。Justwhatyou’reafter。
　　There’syourprizes。"Querulousandwatchful，likesomeaged，ricketyape，theoldmandrewouthistrinketsinshallowshelves。
　　"Soonergive’emnothing，"saidDeanDrake。
　　"What’sthat？What’sthematterwiththem？"
　　"Guesstheboyshavehadallthebrassringsandglassdiamondstheywant。"
　　"That’sallyouknow，then。IsoldthatboxcleanemptythroughthePalousecountrylastweek，’ceptthebottomdrawer，andanoutfitonMeacham’shilltookthat。Showsallyouknow。I’mgoingcleanthroughyourcountryafterI’vequitSilverCity。I’llstartinbyBakerCityagain，andI’llstrikeHarney，andmaybeI’llgotoLinkville。Iknowwhatbuccarooswant。I’llgotoFortRinehart，andI’llgototheIslandRanch，andfirstthingyou’llbeseeingyourboyswearingmystuffallovertheirfingersandSundayshirts，andgivingtheirgirlsmystuffrightinHarneyCity。That’swhat。"
　　"Allright，Uncle。It’safreecountry。"
　　"Shaw！Guessitis。Iwasinitbeforeyouwas，too。YouwerewetbehindtheearswhenIwasjammin’allaroundhere。Howmanyaretheyupatyourplace，didyousay？"
　　"Isaidabouttwelve。Ifyou’recomingourway，stopandeatwithus。"
　　"MaybeIwillandmaybeIwon’t。"UnclePascocrosslyshovedhisboxback。
　　"Allright，Uncle。It’safreecountry，"repeatedDrake。
　　Notmuchwassaidafterthis。UnclePascounwrappedhisconcertinafromtheredhandkerchiefandplayednimblyforhisownbenefit。AtSilverCityhedisappeared，and，findinghehadstolennothingfromthem，theydidnotregrethim。DeanDrakehadsomeaffairstoseetoherebeforestartingforHarper’sranch，anditwaspleasanttoBollestofindhowDrakewasesteemedthroughthiscountry。Theschool—masterwastoboardattheMalheurAgency，andhadcomethiswayroundbecausethenewsuperintendentmustsotravel。Theywerescarcelybirdsofafeather，DrakeandBolles，yetsinceoneremoteroofwastocoverthem，thein—doormanwasgladthisboy—hosthadwonsomuchgood—willfromhighandlow。ThattheshrewdoldVogelshouldtrustsomuchinanineteen—year—oldwasproofenoughatleastofhischaracter；butwhenBrock，theforemanfromHarper’s，cameforthematSilverCity，BolleswitnessedtheaffectionthattheroughermanheldforDrake。Brockshooktheboy’shandwiththatseriousquietnessandabsenceofwordswhichshowstheWesternheartisspeaking。AfteralookatBollesandasilentbestowingofthebaggageaboardtheteam，hecrackedhislongwhipandthethreerattledhappilyawaythroughthedipsofanopencountrywhereclearstreamsranbluebeneaththewinterair。TheyfollowedtheJordan（thatIdahoJordan）westtowardsOregonandtheOwyhee，Brockoftenturninginhisdriver’sseatsoastospeakwithDrake。Hehadalong，gradualchapterofconfidencesandevents；throughmilesheunburdenedthesetohisfavorite：
　　TheCaliforniamarewascoringwellinharness。TheeagleoveratWhitehorseranchhadfoughtthecatmostterrible。Gilberthadgotamule—kickinthestomach，butwaseatinghisthreemeals。Theyhadanewboywhoplayedtheguitar。Heusedmaple—syrupanhismeat，andclaimedhewasfromAlabama。Brockguessedthingswereaboutasusualinmostways。Thenewwellhadcavedinagain。Then，inthemidstofhisgossip，thethinghehadwantedtosayallalongcameout："We’repleasedaboutyourpromotion，"saidhe；and，blushing，shookDrake’shandagain。
　　Warmthkindledtheboy’sface，andnext，withasuddenseverity，hesaid：
　　"You’rekeepingbacksomething。"
　　ThehonestBrocklookedblank，thenlaboredinhismemory。
　　"HasthesorrelgirlinHarneymarriedyouyet？"saidDrake。
　　Brockslappedhisleg，andthehorsesjumpedathismirth。Hewasmostlygrave—mannered，butwhenhisboysuperintendentjoked，herejoicedwiththesamepridethathetookinallofDrake’sexcellences。
　　"Theboysinthiscountrywillbackyouup，"saidhe，nextday；andDrakeinquired："WhatnewsfromtheMalheurAgency？"
　　"SincethenewChinamanhasbeencookingforthem，"saidBrock，"theyhavebeenpeacefulasamancouldwish。"
　　"They’llapproveofme，then，"Drakeanswered。"I’mfeeding’emhyasChristmasmuck—a—muck。"
　　"Andwhatmaythatbe？"askedtheschoolmaster。
　　"YounokumtuxChinook？"inquiredDrake。"Travelwithmeandyou’lllearnallsortsoflanguages。Itmeansjustabigfeed。Allwhiskeyisbarred，"
　　headdedtoBrock。
　　"It’stheonlyway，"saidtheforeman。"They’vegotthosePennsylvaniamenupthere。"
　　Drakehadnotencounteredthese。
　　"ThethreebrothersDrinker，"saidBrock。"Full，Half—pastFull，andDrunkarewhattheycallthem。Them’sthenames；they’vebroughtthemfromKlamathandRogueRiver。"
　　"IshouldnotthinkaChinamanwouldenjoysuchcomrades，"venturedMr。
　　Bolles。
　　"Chinamendon’thavecomradesinthiscountry，"saidBrock，briefly。
　　"Theylikehiscooking。It’salonesomesectionupthere，andaChinamancouldhardlyquitit，notifhewasexpectedtostay。Supposetheykickaboutthewhiskeyrule？"hesuggestedtoDrake。
　　"Can’thelpwhattheydo。Oh，I’llgiveeachboyhisturninHarneyCitywhenhegetsanxious。It’sthewholeunitedlotIdon’tproposetohavecutuponme。"
　　AlookofconcernfortheboycameoverthefaceofforemanBrock。
　　Severaltimesagainbeforetheirpartingdidhethuslookathisfavorite。TheypausedatHarper’sforadaytoattendtosomematters，andwhenDrakewasleavingthisplaceoneofthemensaidtohim："We’llstandbyyou。"ButfromhisblitheappearanceandtalkastheslimboyjourneyedtotheMalheurRiverandHeadquarterranch，nothingseemedtobeonhismind。Oregontwinkledwithsunandfinewhitesnow。Theycrossedthroughaworldofpinesandcrevicedstreamsandexhilaratingsilence。Thelittlewatersfelltinklingthroughiciclesinthelonelinessofthewoods，andsnowshoerabbitsdivedintothebrush。EastOregon，theOwyheeandtheMalheurcountry，theoldtrailsofGeneralCrook，thewillowsbythestreams，theopenswales，thehighwoodswhereonceBuffaloHornandChiefE—eganteandO—itsthemedicine—manprospered，throughthisdomainofwarandmemorieswentBollestheschool—masterwithDeanDrakeandBrock。ThethirdnoonfromHarper’stheycameleisurelydowntotheoldMalheurAgency，whereoncethehostileIndianshaddrawnpicturesonthedoor，andwhereCastleRockfrowneddownunchanged。
　　"IwishIwasgoingtostayherewithyou，"saidBrocktoDrake。"ByIndianCreekyoucansendwordtomequickerthanwe’vecome。"
　　"Why，you’reanoldbat！"saidtheboytohisforeman，andclappedhimfarewellontheshoulder。
　　Brockdroveaway，thoughtful。Hewasnotalargeman。Hisfacewasclean—cut，almostdelicate。Hehadawell—trimmed，yellowmustache，anditwaschieflyinhisblueeyeandleancheek—bonethatthefrontiersmanshowed。HelovedDeanDrakemorethanhewouldevertell，eventohimself。
　　Theyoungsuperintendentsetatworktoranch—workthisafternoonofBrock’sleaving，andthebuccaroosmadehisacquaintanceonebyoneandstaredathim。Villanydidnotsitoutwardlyupontheirfaces；theywerenotvillains；buttheystaredattheboysenttocontrolthem，andtheyspoketogether，laughing。Draketooktheheadofthetableatsupper，withBollesonhisright。Downthetablesomesilence，somestaring，muchlaughingwenton——therichbrutelaughofthebellyuntroubledbythebrain。Sam，theChinaman，rapidandnoiseless，servedthedishes。
　　"Whatisit？"saidabuccaroo。
　　"Canitbite？"saidanother。
　　"Ifyouguesswhatitis，youcanhaveit，"saidathird。
　　"It’smeat，"remarkedDrake，incisively，helpinghimself；"andtougherthanitlooks。"
　　Thebrutelaughrosefromthecrowdandfellintosurprisedsilence；butnorejoindercame，andtheyatetheirsuppersomewhatthoughtfully。TheChinaman’squick，softeyehadglancedatDeanDrakewhentheylaughed。
　　Heservedhisdinnersolicitously。InhiskitchenthateveningheandBollesunpackedthegoodthings——theolives，thedriedfruits，thecigars——broughtbythenewsuperintendentforChristmas；andfindingBollesharmless，likehisgentleAsiaticself，Samlookedcautiouslyaboutandspoke：
　　"Younotknowwhytheylaugh，"saidhe。"Theynottalkaboutmymeatthen。Theymeannewboss，MisserDlake。Hevellyyoungboss。"
　　"Ithink，"saidBolles，"Mr。Drakeunderstoodtheirmeaning，Sam。Ihavenoticedthatattimesheexpresseshimselfpeculiarly。Ialsothinktheyunderstoodhismeaning。"
　　TheOrientalpondered。"MelikeMisserDlake，"saidhe。Anddrawingquiteclose，heobserved，"Theynotnicemanvellymuch。"
　　Nextdayandeveryday"MisserDlake"wentgaylyabouthisbusiness，athisdeskoronhishorse，vigilant，nearandfar，withnosignsaveasteadierkeennessinhiseye。FortheChristmasdinnerheprovidedstillfurthersendingtotheGrandeRondecountryforturkeysandotherthings。
　　HewontheheartofBollesbylendinghimagoodhorse；butthebuccaroos，thoughtheywereboisterousoverthecomingChristmasjoy，didnotseemespeciallygrateful。Drake，however，kepthisworriestohimself。
　　"Thisthinghappensanywhere，"hesaidonenightintheofficetoBolles，puffingacigar。"I’veseenatroopofcavalrydemoralizeitselfbyasortofcontagionfromtwoorthreemen。"
　　"Ithinkitwaswickedtosendyouherebyyourself，"blurtedBolles。
　　"Poppycock！It’sthechanceofmylife，andI’lljamherthroughorbust。"
　　"Ithinktheyhavedecidedyouaregettingturkeysbecauseyouareafraidofthem，"saidBolles。
　　"Why，ofcourse！Butd’youfigureI’mthemantoabandonmyChristmasturkeybecausemymotivesforeatingitaremisconstrued？"
　　DeanDrakesmokedforawhile；thenaknockcameatthedoor。Fivebuccaroosenteredandstoodclose，asisthewaywiththeguiltywhofeeluncertain。
　　"Wewerethinkingasmaybeyou’dletusgoovertotown，"saidHalf—pastFull，thespokesman。
　　"When？"
　　"Oh，anydayalongthisweek。"
　　"Can’tspareyoutillafterChristmas。"
　　"Maybeyou’llnotobjecttooneofusgoin’？"
　　"You’lleachhaveyourturnafterthisweek。"
　　Aslightpausefollowed。ThenHalf—pastFullsaid："WhatwouldyoudoifIwent，anyway？"
　　"Can’timagine，"Drakeanswered，easily。"Go，andI’llbeinapositiontoinformyou。"
　　Thebuccaroodroppedhisstolidbulleyes，butraisedthemagainandgrinned。"Well，I’mnotparticularaboutgoin’thisweek，boss。"
　　"That’snotmyname，"saidDrake，"butit’swhatIam。"
　　Theystoodamoment。Thentheyshuffledout。Itwasanorderlyretreat——almost。
　　DrakewinkedovertoBolles。"Thatwasagraze，"saidhe，andsmokedforawhile。"They’llnotgothistime。Questionis，willtheygonext？"
　　III
　　Draketookafreshcigar，andthrewhislegsoverthechairarm。
　　"Ithinkyousmoketoomuch，"saidBolles，whomthreedayshadmadefamiliarandfriendly。
　　"Yep。Havetojustnow。That’swhat！asUnclePascowouldsay。Theyareahalf—breedlot，though，"theboycontinued，returningtothebuccaroosandtheirrecentvisit。"Weakeninthefaceofastraightbluff，yousee，unlesstheygetwhiskey—courageous。AndI’vecalled’emdownonthat。"
　　"Oh！"saidBolles，comprehending。
　　"Didn’tyouseethatwastheirgame？Buthewillnotgoafterit。"
　　"Thefleshisalltheyseemtounderstand，"murmuredBolles。
　　Half—pastFulldidnotgotoHarneyCityforthetabooedwhiskey，nordidanyone。Drakereadhisbuccarooslikethechildrenthattheywere。Afterthelateencounterofgrit，theatmospherewasrelievedofstorm。Thechildren，theprimitive，pagan，dangerouschildren，forgotallaboutwhiskey，andlustedjoyouslyforChristmas。Christmaswascoming！Nowork！Ashooting—match！Abigfeed！CheerfulnessbubbledattheMalheurAgency。Theweatheritselfwasintune。CastleRockseemednolongertofrown，butroseintotheshiningair，amassoffriendlystrength。Exceptwhenararesledgeorhorsemanpassed，Mr。Bolles’sjourneystotheschoolwerealltoshowitwasnotsomepioneercolonyinanew，white，silentworldthatheardonlytheplayfulshoutsandsongsofthebuccaroos。Thesunoverheadandthehard—crushingsnowunderfootfilledeveryonewithacrisp，tinglinghilarity。
　　BeforethesunfirsttouchedCastleRockonthemorningofthefeasttheywereupandinhighfeatheroveratthebunk—house。TheyracedacrosstoseewhatSamwascooking；theybeggedandjoyfullyswallowedlumpsofhisrawplum—pudding。"MerryChristmas！"theywishedhim，and"MellyClismas！"saidhetothem。Theyplayedleap—frogoverbythestable，theyputsnowdowneachother’sbacks。Theirshoutsrangroundcorners；itwaslikeboysletoutofschool。WhenDrakegatheredthemfortheshooting—match，theycheeredhim；whenhetoldthemtherewerenoprizes，whatdidtheycareforprizes？Whenhebeatthemallthefirstround，theycheeredhimagain。Pityhehadn’tofferedprizes！Hewasn’tagoodbusinessman，afterall！
　　Theroundsatthetargetproceededthroughtheforenoon，Draketheacclaimedleader；andtheChristmassundrewtomid—sky。Butasitssplendorintheheavensincreased，thehappyshoutingsonearthbegantowane。Thebodywasallthatthebuccaroosknew；well，thefleshcomesprettynaturaltoallofus——andwhohadevertaughtthesemenaboutthespirit？Thefurthertheywerefrombreakfastthenearertheyweretodinner；yetthehappyshootingswaned！Thespiritisastrangething。
　　Oftenitdwellsdumbinhumanclay，thenunexpectedlyspeaksoutoftheclay’sdarkness。
　　ItwasnolongeracrowdDrakehadatthetarget。Hebecameawarethatquietnesshadbeengraduallycomingoverthebuccaroos。Helooked，andsawamanwanderingbyhimselfinthelane。Anotherleanedbythestablecorner，withavacantface。Throughthewindowsofthebunk—househecouldseetwoorthreeontheirbeds。Thechildrenweretiredofshouting。Drakewentin—doorsandthrewagreatlogonthefire。Itblazeduphighwithsparks，andhewatchedit，althoughthesunshownbrightonthewindow—sill。Presentlyhenoticedthatamanhadcomeinandtakenachair。ItwasHalf—pastFull，andwithhisbootsstretchedtothewarmth，hesatgazingintothefire。Thedooropenedandanotherbuckarooenteredandsatoffinacorner。Hehadabundleofoldletters，smearedsheetstiedtriteatwistedoldribbon。Whilehislarge，top—toughenedfingerssoftlyloosenedtheribbon，hesatwithhisbacktotheroomandpresentlybegantoreadthelettersover，onebyone。Mostofthemencameinbeforelong，andsilentlyjoinedthewatchersroundthetreatfireplace。Drakethrewanotherlogon，andinashorttimethis，too，brokeintoampleflame。Thesilencewaslong；asliceofshadowhadfallenacrossthewindow—sill，whenayoungmanspoke，addressingthelogs：
　　"IskinnedacooninSanSaba，Texas，thisdayayear。"
　　Atthesoundofavoice，someoftheireyesturnedonthespeaker，butturnedbacktothefireagain。Thespirithadspokenfromtheclay，aloud；andtheclaywasuncomfortableathearingit。
　　Aftersomemoreminutesaneighborwhisperedtoaneighbor，"Playyouagameofcrib。"
　　Themannodded，stoleovertowheretheboardwas，andbroughtitacrosstheflooroncreakingtip—toe。Theysetitbetweenthem，andnowandthenthecardsmadealightsoundintheroom。
　　"ItreedthatcoononHoney，"saidtheyoungman，afterawhile——"HoneyCreek，SanSaba。Kindo’drycreek。UsedtoflowintoBigBradywhenitrained。"
　　Theflamescrackledon，theneighborsstillplayedtheircribbage。Stillwasthedaybright，buttheshrinkingwedgeofsunhadgoneentirelyfromthewindow—sill。Half—pastFullhaddrawnfromhispocketamouthorgan，breathinghalf—tunesuponit；inthemiddleof"SuwaneeRiver"themanwhosatinthecornerlaidtheletterhewasbeginningupontheheaponhiskneesandreadnomore。Thegreatgeniallogslayglowing，burning；
　　fromthefresheronetheflamesflowedandforked；alongtheemberedsurfaceoftheothersranredandblueshiversofiridescence。Withlegsandarmscrookedandsprawled，thebuccaroosbrooded，staringintotheglowwithseldom—winkingeyes，whiledeepinsidetheclaythespiritspokequietly。ChristmasDaywaspassing，butthesunshonestilltwogoodhourshigh。Outside，overthesnowandpines，itwasonlyinthedeeperfoldsofthehillsthattheblueshadowshadcome；therestoftheworldwasgoldandsilver；andfromfaracrossthatsilenceintothissilencebythefirecameatinklingstirofsound。Sleighbellsitwas，steadilycoming，tooearlyforBollestobebackfromhisschoolfestival。
　　Thetoy—thrillofthejinglinggrewclearandsweet，aspiritofenchantmentthatdidnotwakethestillness，butcastitintoadeeperdream。Thebellscamenearthedoorandstopped，andthenDrakeopenedit。
　　"Hello，UnclePasco！"saidhe。"ThoughtyouwereSantaClaus。"
　　"SantaClaus！H’m。Yes。That’swhat。ToldyoumaybeI’dcome。"
　　"Soyoudid。Turkeyisduein——let’ssee——ninetyminutes。Here，boys！
　　someofyoutakeUnclePasco’shorse。"
　　"No，no，Iwon’t。Youleavemealone。Iain’tstoppin’here。Iain’thungry。Ijustgrubbedattheschool。Sleepin’atMissouriPete’sto—night。Gottomaketherailroadtomorrow。"Theoldmanstoppedhisprecipitatestatements。Hesatinhissledgedeep1ymuffled，blinkingatDrakeandthebuccaroos，whohadstrolledouttolookathim，"Doneabigbusinessthistrip，"saidhe。"ToldyouIwould。Nowifyouwasonlygivin’yourchildrenaChristmas—treelikethatIseenthatfelleryerschoolmarmdoin’justnow——hee—hee！"Fromhisblanketsherevealedthewell—knowncase。"Themthingswouldshineonatree，"concludedUnclePasco。
　　"Hang’eminthewoods，then，"saidDrake。
　　"Jewelry，isit？"inquiredtheyoungTexasman。
　　UnclePascowhippedopenhiscase。"Thereyouare，"saidhe。"Allwhat’sleft。Thatring’llcostyouadollar。"
　　"I’veadollarsomewheres，"saidtheyoungman，fumbling。
　　Half—pastFull，ontheothersideofthesleigh，stoodvisiblyfascinatedbythewareshewasgivenaskilfulglimpseofdownamongtheblankets。
　　HepeeredandheponderedwhileUnclePascogliblyspoketohim。
　　"Scatteryourtruckoutplain！"thebuccarooexclaimed，suddenly。"I’mnotbuyinginthedark。Comeovertothebunk—houseandscatter。"
　　"Brasswilllookjustthesameanywhere，"saidDrake。
　　"Brass！"screamedUncle。"Brassyoureye！"
　　Butthebuccaroos，plainlygladfordistraction，tookthewoollyoldscoldingmanwiththem。Drakeshoutedthatifgettingcheatedcheeredthem，byallmeanstoinvestheavily，andhereturnedalonetohisfire，whereBollessoonjoinedhim。Theywaited，accordingly，andby—and—bythesleigh—bellsjingledagain。Astheyhadcomeoutofthesilence，sodidtheygointoit，theirlittlesilverytinkledancingawayinthedistance，faintandfainter，then，likeabreath，gone。
　　UnclePasco’strinketshadaudiblyraisedthemen’sspirits。Theyremainedinthebunkhouse，theirlaughterreachingDrakeandBollesmoreandmore。Sometimestheywouldscuffleandlaughloudly。
　　"Doyouimagineit’smoreleap—frog？"inquiredtheschool—master。
　　"Gambling，"saidDrake。"They’llkeepatitnowtilloneofthemwinseverythingtheresthavebought。"
　　"Havetheybeenlivelyeversincemorning？"
　　"Hadareactionaboutnoon，"saidDrake。"Regularhome—sickspell。Ifeltsorryfor’em。"
　　"Theyseemfullofreaction，"saidBolles。"Listentothat！"
　　Itwasnownearfouro’clock，andSamcamein，announcingdinner。
　　"Allready，"saidthesmilingChinaman。
　　"Passthegoodwordtothebunk—house，"saidDrake，"iftheycanhearyou。"
　　Samwentacross，andtheshoutingstopped。Thenaroseathickvolleyofscreamsandcheers。
　　"Thatdon’tsoundright，"saidDrake，leapingtohisfeet。InthenextinstanttheChinaman，terrified，returnedthroughtheopendoor。BehindhimlurchedHalf—pastFull，andstumbledintotheroom。Hisbootcaught，andhepitched，butsavedhimselfandstoodswaying，heavilylookingatDrake。Thehaircurleddenseoverhisbullhead，hismustachewasspreadwithhisgrin，thelightofcloddishhumoranddestructionburnedinhisbigeye。Theclayhadburiedthespiritlikeacavingpit。
　　"Twasfalsejewelryallright！"heroared，atthetopofhisvoice。"A
　　goodoldjimmyjohnfull，boss。Say，boss，goin’torunourjimmyjohnofftheranch？Tryiton，kid。Comeoverandtryiton！"Thebullbeatonthetable。
　　DeanDrakehadsatquicklydowninhischair，hisgrayeyeuponthehulkingbuccaroo。Smallanddauntlesshesat，asparrow—hawkcaughtinatrap，andgametotheend——whateverend。
　　"It’satrifletardytooutlineanypolicyaboutyourdemijohn，"saidhe，seriously。"Youfolkshadbettercomeinandeatbeforeyou’rebeyondappreciating。"
　　"Ho，we’lleatyourgrub，boss。Sam’scookinggoes。"Thebuccaroolurchedoutandawaytothebunk—house，wherenewbellowingwassetup。
　　"I’vegottocarvethisturkey，friend，"saidtheboytoBolles。
　　"I’lldomybesttohelpeatit，"returnedtheschool—master，smiling。
　　"MisserDlake，"saidpoorSam，"Isollyyou。Ivellysollyyou。"
　　IV
　　"Reserveyoursorrow，Sam，"saidDeanDrake。"Giveusyoursoupforastarter。Come，"hesaidtoBolles。"Quick。"
　　Hewentintothedining—room，promptinhisseatattheheadofthetable，withtheschool—masternexttohim。
　　"Niceman，UnclePasco，"hecontinued。"Buthistimeisnotnow。Wehavenothingtodoforthepresentbutsitlikeeverydayandactperfectlynatural。"
　　"Ihaveknownsimplertasks，"saidMr。Bolles，"butI’llbeginbyspreadingthisexcellentlycleannapkin。"
　　"You’renoschoolmarm！"exclaimedDrake；"youpleaseme。"
　　"Theworstofabadthing，"saidthemildBolles，"ishavingtimetothinkaboutit，andwehavebeensparedthat。"
　　"Heretheycome，"saidDrake。
　　Theydidcome。ButDrake’salertstrategyservedtheendhehadtriedfor。Thedrunkenbuccaroosswarmeddisorderlytothedoorandhalted。
　　Oncemorethenewsuperintendent’swaystookthemaback。Herewasthedecenttablewithlightsserenelyburning，withunwontedgoodthingsarrangeduponit——theolives，theoranges，thepreserves。Neatasparadedrillwerethemen’splaces，allthecupsandforkssymmetricalalongthewhitecloth。There，waitinghisguestsatthefarend，sattheslimyoungbosstalkingwithhisboarder，Mr。Bolles，thepartsintheirsmoothhairgoingwithalltherestofthispropriety。Eventhedailytindisheswerebanishedinfavorofcrockery。
　　"BashfulofSam’snapkins，boys？"saidtheboss。"Orisitthebald—headedchina？"
　　Atthisbiddingtheycameinuncertainly。Theirwhiskeywasashamedinside。Theytooktheirseats，glancingacrossateachotherinatransientsilence，drawingtheirchairsgingerlybeneaththem。Thusceremonyfellunexpecteduponthegathering，andforawhiletheyswallowedinawkwardnesswhattheswift，noiselessSambroughtthem。Heinalongwhiteapronpassedandre—passedwithhisthingsfromhiskitchen，doublyefficientandcivilunderstressofanxietyforhisyoungmaster。Inthepausesofhisservinghewatchedfromthebackground，withafacethatpresentlycaughtthenoticeofoneofthem。
　　"Smile，youalmond—eyedhighbinder，"saidthebuccaroo。AndtheChinamansmiledhisbest。
　　"I’veforgotsomething，"saidHalf—pastFull，rising。"Don’tlet’emskipacourseonme。"Half—pastlefttheroom。
　　"That’swhatIhavebeenhopingfor，"saidDraketoBolles。
　　Half—pastreturnedpresentlyandcaughtDrake’slookofexpectancy。"Ohno，boss，"saidthebuccaroo，instantly，fromthedoor。"You’reontome，butI’montoyou。"Heslammedthedoorwithostentationanddroppedwithaloudlaughintohisseat。
　　"FirstsmartthingI’veknownhimdo，"saidDraketoBolles。"Iamdisappointed。"
　　Twobuccaroosnextlefttheroomtogether。
　　"Theymaygetlostinthesnow，"saidthehumorousHalf—past。"I’lljustshow’emthetrail。"Oncemoreherosefromthedinnerandwentout。
　　"Yes，heknewtoomuchtobringitinhere，"saidDraketoBolles。"Heknewnonebuttwoorthreewoulddaredrink，withmelookingon。"
　　"Don’tyouthinkheisafraidtobringitinthesameroomwithyouatall？"Bollessuggested。
　　"Andmetemperancethisseason？Now，Bolles，that’sunkind。"
　　"Oh，dear，thatisnotatallwhat——"
　　"Iknowwhatyoumeant，Bolles。Iwasonlyjustmakingalittlemerryoverthiscasualty。No，hedon’tmindmetothatextent，exceptwhenhe’ssober。Lookathim！"
　　Half—pastwasreturningwithhisfriends。Quiteevidentlytheyhadallfoundthetrail。
　　"UnclePascoisaniceoldman！"pursuedDrake。"Ihaven’tgotmygunon。
　　Haveyou？"
　　"Yes，"saidBolles，butwithasheepishswerveoftheeye。
　　Drakeguessedatonce。"NotBabyBunting？Oh，Lord！andIpromisedtogiveyouanadultweapon！——thekindthey’rewearingnowbywayoffull—dress。"
　　"Talkin’secrets，boss？"saidHalf—pastFull。
　　Thewell—meaningSamfilledhiscup，andthisproceedingshiftedthebuccaroo’struculentattention。
　　"What’sthatmud？"hedemanded。
　　"Coffee，"saidSam，politely。
　　Thebuccarooswepthiscuptotheground，andthenextmanhowleddismay。
　　"Burnyourpoorlegs？"saidHalf—past。Hepouredhisglassoverthevictim。Theywrestled，thecompanypoundedthetable，bettinghoarsely，untilHalf—pastwenttothefloor，andhisplatewithhim。
　　"Goeasy，"saidDrake。"You’resmashingthecompany’sproperty。"
　　"Bald—headedchinaforsure，boss！"saidasecondofthebrothersDrinker，anddroppedadish。
　　"I’llmerelytellyou，"saidDrake，"thatthecompanydon’tpayforthischinatwice。"
　　"Nottwice？"saidHalf—pastFull，smashingsomemore。"Howaboutthrice？"
　　"Wantyourmoneynow？"anotherinquired。
　　Ariotofbanterseizeduponallofthem，andtheybegantolaughanddestroy。
　　"Howmuchdidthiscost？"saidone，pryingaskewhisthree—tinedfork。
　　"Howmuchdidyoucostyourself？"saidanothertoDrake。
　　"What，ourkidboss？Twobits，Iguess。"
　　"Hyasmarkook。Toodear！"
　　Theybawledattheirownjokes，loudandominous；threatsoundedbeneaththeirlightestword，thenewcrashesofchinathattheythrewonthefloorstrucksharplythroughtheforebodingdinoftheirmirth。ThespiritthatDrakesincehisarrivalhadkeptunderinthemdaybyday，butnotquelled，rosevisiblyeachfewsucceedingminutes，swellingupwardasthetidedoes。Buoyeduponthewhiskey，itglitteredintheireyesandyelledmutinouslyintheirvoices。
　　"I’mwaitingallorders，"saidBollestoDrake。
　　"Ihaven’tany，"saidDrake。"Newones，thatis。We’vesatdowntoseethismealout。Gottokeepsitting。"
　　Heleanedback，eatingdeliberately，sayingnomoretothebuccaroos；
　　thustheysawhewouldneverleavetheroomtilltheydid。Ashehadtakenhischairthefirst，sowastheboyboundtoquititthelast。Thegameofpryingfork—tinesstaledonthemonebyone，andtheytooktosongs，mostlyofloveandparting。Withtheredwhiskeyintheireyestheyshoutedplaintivelyofsweethearts，andvows，andlips，andmeetinginthewildwood。Fromthesetheywenttoballadsofthecattle—trailandtheYubaRiver，andsoinevitablyworkedtotheoldcoastsong，madeofthreelanguages，withitsversesrhymedoneachyearsincethefirstbeginning。Traditionlaiditheavyuponeachsingerinhisturntokeepthepota—boilingbymemoryorbynewinvention，andthechantwentforwardwithhypnoticcadencetoatuneoflarkish，rippinggayety。Hewhohadreadoverhisoldstainedlettersinthehomesickafternoonhadwakedfromsuchdreamingandnowsang：
　　"Oncejes’oncedintheyearo’49，Imetafancythingbythenameo’Keroline；
　　Inevercouldpersuadeherfortoleavemebe；
　　Shewentandshetookandshemarriedme。"
　　Hisneighborwasreadywithanoriginalcontribution：
　　"Once，onceagainintheyearo’’64，BythecityofWhatcomdownalongtheshore——
　　Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe——
　　ASiwashsquawwentandtookandmarriedme。"
　　"Whatwasyoudoin’betweenallthemyears？"calledHalf—pastFull。
　　"Shutyermouth，"saidthenextsinger：
　　Once，onceagainintheyearo’71
　　（’TwasthesuddenestdeedthatIeverdone）——
　　Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe——
　　Arichbanker’sdaughtershetookandmarriedme。"
　　"Thisislookingbetter，"saidBollestoDrake。
　　"Don’tyoubelieveit，"saidtheboy。
　　Tenoradozenyearswerethussung。
　　"Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe"tempestuouslybroughtdownthechorusandthefists，untilthedrunkardscouldsitnomore，butstooduptosing，trampingthetuneheavilytogether。Then，justastheturncameroundtoDrakehimself，theydashedtheirchairsdownandherdedoutoftheroombehindHalf—pastFull，slammingthedoor。
　　DrakesatamomentattheheadofhisChristmasdinner，thefallenchairs，thelumpywreck。Bloodchargedhisfacefromhishairtohiscollar。"Let’ssmoke，"saidhe。Theywentfromthedinnerthroughtheroomofthegreatfireplacetohisofficebeyond。
　　"Haveamildone？"hesaidtotheschoolmaster。
　　"No，astrongoneto—night，ifyouplease。"AndBollesgavehismildsmile。
　　"Youdomegoodnowandthen，"saidDrake。
　　"Dearme，"saidtheteacher，"Ihavefoundittheotherway。"
　　Alltheroomsfrontedontheroadwithdoors——theold—timeagencydoors，wherethehostileshaddrawntheirpicturesinthedaysbeforepeacehadcometoreignoverthiscountry。Drakelookedout，becausethesinginghadstoppedandtheywereveryquietinthebunk—house。HesawtheChinamanstealfromhiskitchen。
　　"Samistiredofus，"hesaidtoBolles。
　　"Tired？"
　　"Runningaway，Iguess。I’dpreferanewsituationmyself。That’swhereyou’redeficient，Bolles。Onlygotsenseenoughtostaywhereyouhappentobe。Hello。Whatisheupto？"
　　Samhadgonebesideawindowofthebunkhouseandwaslisteningthere，flatlikeashadow。Suddenlyhecrouched，andwasgoneamongthesheds。
　　Outofthebunk—houseimmediatelycameaprocession，thebuccaroosstillquiet，acareful，gradualbody。
　　Drakeclosedhisdoorandsatinthechairagain。"They’reescortingthatjugoverhere，"saidhe。"Anewmove，andabigone。"
　　HeandBollesheardthementerthenextroom，alwayswithoutmuchnoiseortalk——theloudestsoundwasthejugwhentheysetitonthefloor。
　　Thentheyseemedtosit，talkinglittle。
　　"Bolles，"saidDrake，"thesunhasset。IfyouwanttotakeafterSam——"
　　Butthedoorofthesitting—roomopenedandtheChinamanhimselfcamein。
　　Heleftthedoora—swingandspokeclearly。"MisserDlake，"saidhe，"slovebloke"（stovebroke）。
　　Thesuperintendentcameoutofhisoffice，followingSamtothekitchen。
　　Hegavenolookorwordtothebuccarooswiththeirdemijohn；hemerelyheldhiscigarsidewiseinhisteethandwalkedwithnohurrythroughthesitting—room。Samtookhimthroughtothekitchenandroundtoahindcornerofthestove，pointing。
　　"MisserDlake，"saidhe，"slovenobloke。Iheartheminside。Theygoingkillyou。"
　　"That’saboutthewayIwasfiguringit，"musedDeanDrake。
　　"MisserDlake，"saidtheChinaman，withappealingeyes，"Ivellysollyyou。Theynohurteeme。Mecook。"
　　"Sam，thereismuchmeatinyourwords。Condensedbeefdon’tclasswithyou。Butreserveyoursorrowsyetawhile。Nowwhat’smypolicy？"hedebated，tappingthestovehereandthereforappearances；somebodymightlookin。"ShallIgobacktomyofficeandgetmyguns？"
　　"Younotgoin’runnow？"saidtheChinaman，anxiously。
　　"Ohyes，Sam。ButIlikemyguntravelling。Keepsmekindofwarm。Nowiftheyshouldgetasightofmearming——no，she’sgottostayheretillI
　　comebackforher。Solong，Sam！Seeyoulater。AndI’llhavetimetothankyouthen。"
　　Drakewenttothecorralinastrollingmanner。Thereheropedthestrongestofthehorses，andalsotheschool—master’s。Inthemidstofhissaddling，Bollescamedown。
　　"CanIhelpyouinanyway？"saidBolles。
　　"You’vedoneit。Savedmeabotheringtouch—and—goplaytogetyououthereandseeminnocent。I’mgoingtodrift。"
　　"Drift？"
　　"Therearetimestostayandtimestoleave，Bolles；andthisisacaseofthelatter。Haveyouarealgunonnow？"
　　PoorBollesbroughtoutguiltilyhis。22Smith&Wesson。"Idon’tseemtothinkofthings，"saidhe。
　　"Cheerup，"saidDrake。"Howcouldyouthought—readme？HideBabyBunting，though。Nowwe’reoff。Quietly，atthestart。Asifweweremerelyjoggingtopasture。"
　　Samstoodathiskitchendoor，mutelywishingthemwell。Thehorseswerewalkingwithoutnoise，butHalf—pastFulllookedoutofthewindow。
　　"We’reby，anyhow，"saidDrake。"Quicknow。Burntheearth。"Thehorsesprangathisspurs。"Dust，yousonofagun！Rattleyourhocks！Brindle！
　　Vamoose！"Eachshoutedwordwasalashwithhisquirt。"Duck！"hecalledtoBolles。
　　Bollesducked，andbulletsgroovedthesprayingsnow。Theyroundedacornerandsawthecrowdjumpingintothecorral，andSam’sdooremptyofthatprudentCelestial。
　　"He’saverywiseChinaman！"shoutedDrake，astheyrushed。
　　"What？"screamedBolles。
　　"VerywiseChinaman。He’llbreakthatstovenowtoprovehisinnocence。"
　　"Whodidyousaywasinnocent？"screamedBolles。
　　"Oh，Isaidyouwere，"yelledDrake，disgusted；andhegaveoverthiseffortatconversationastheirhorsesrushedalong。
　　V
　　Itwasadim，widestretchofwinterintowhichDrakeandBollesgallopedfromthehowlingpursuit。TwilightalreadyveiledthebaseofCastleRock，andastheyforgedheavilyuparidgethroughthecakingsnow，andtheyellscameafterthem，BolleslookedseriouslyatDeanDrake；butthatyouthworeanexpressionofrisingmerriment。Bolleslookedbackattheduskfromwhichtheyellsweresounding，thenforwardtothespreadingskeinofnightwherethetrailwastakinghimandtheboy，andinneitherdirectioncouldhediscerncauseforgayety。
　　"MayIaskwherewearegoing？"saidhe。
　　"Away，"Drakeanswered。"Justaway，Bolles。It’sahealthyresort。"
　　Tenmilesweretravelledbeforeeitherspokeagain。Thedrunkenbuccaroosyelledhotontheirheelsatfirst，holdingmoreobstinatelytothischasethansoberruffianswouldhaveattempted。Tencold，darkmilesacrossthehillsittooktocurethem；butwhentheirshootings，thathadfollowedoverheightswherethepinesgrewanddownthroughtheopenswalesbetween，droppedoff，anddiedfinallyawayamongthewillowsalongthesouthforkoftheMalheur，Drakereinedinhishorsewithajerk。
　　"Nowisn’tthattoobad！"heexclaimed。
　　"Itisallverybad，"saidBolles，sorrytoheartheboy’stoneofdisappointment。
　　"Ididn’tthinkthey’dfoolmeagain，"continuedDrake，jumpingdown。
　　"Again？"inquiredtheinterestedBolles。
　　"Why，they’vegonehome！"saidtheboy，indisgust。
　　"Iwashopingso，"saidtheschool—master。
　　"Hoping？Why，it’ssad，Bolles。FourmilesfartherandI’dhavehadthemlost。"
　　"Oh！"saidBolles。
　　"Iwantedthemtokeepafterus，"complainedDrake。"SoonaswehadagoodleadIcoaxedthem。Coaxedthemalongonpurposebyatrailtheyknew，andfourmilesfromhereI’dhaveswungsouthintothemountainstheydon’tknow。Therethey’dhavebeengoodandfarfromhomeinthesnowwithoutsupper，likeyouandme，Bolles。Butafterallmytroublethey’vegonebacksnugtothatfireside。Well，letusbeascoseyaswecan。"
　　Hebuiltabrightfire，andhewhistledashekickedthesnowfromhisboots，busyingoverthehorsesandtheblankets。"Takearest，"hesaidtoBolles。"Oneman’senoughtodothework。Bewithyousoontoshareourlittlecottage。"PresentlyBollesheardhimrecitingconfidentiallytohishorse，"TwasthenightafterChristmas，andallinthehouse——onlywearenotallinthehouse！"HeslappedthebellyofhishorseTyee，whogambolledawaytothelimitofhispicket—rope。
　　"Appreciatingthemoon，Bolles？"saidhe，returningatlengthtothefire。"Whatareyousogazefulabout，father？"
　　"Thisisallmyowndoing，"lamentedtheschool—master。
　　"What，themoonis？"
　　"Ithasjustcomeoverme，"Bollescontinued。"ItwasbeforeyougotinthestageatNampa。Iwastalking。ItoldUnclePascothatIwasgladnowhiskeywastobeallowedontheranch。Itallcomesfrommyfolly！"
　　"Why，youhungryoldNewEnglandconscience！"criedtheboy，clappinghimontheshoulder。"HowintheworldcouldyouforeseethecrookednessofthathoaryBeelzebub？"
　　"That’sallverywell，"saidBolles，miserably。"Youwouldneverhavementionedityourselftohim。"
　　"YouandI，Bolles，aredifferent。Iwasraisedonmiscellaneouswickedness。Alookatmyinsideswouldbeliabletomakeyousayyourprayers。"
　　Theschool—mastersmiled。"IfIsaidanyprayers，"hereplied，"youwouldbeinthem。"
　　Drakelookedmoodilyatthefire。"TheLordhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves，"saidhe。"I’veprospered。Foranineteen—year—oldI’vehookedmyclawfairlydeephereandthere。Asforto—day——why，that’sinthegametoo。Itwastheirdeal。Couldtheyhavewonitontheirownplay？Ajokerdroppedintotheirhand。It’smydealnow，andIhavesomejokersmyself。Gotosleep，Bolles。We’vearideaheadofus。"
　　Theboyrolledhimselfinhisblanketskillfully。Bollesheardhimsayonceortwiceinasortofjudicialconversationwiththeblanket——"andallinthehouse——butwewerenotallinthehouse。Notall。Notafullhouse——"Histonesdrowsedcomfortablyintomurmur，andthentoquietbreathing。Bollesfedthefire，thatchedtheunneededwind—break（forthecalm，drynightwasbreathless），andforalongwhilewatchedthemoonandatuftofthesleepingboy’shair。