第1章
ThesetalesbytheOldCattlemanhavebeensubmittedtoperhapsadozenpeople。Theyhaveread，criticised，andadvised。Theadvicewasgood；thecriticismjust。SomesuggestedasketchwhichmightindetailsetforthToffville；therewerethosewhowantedsomethinglikeapictureoftheOldCattleman；whileothersurgedanelaborationofthepersonalcharacteristicsofOldManEnright，DocPeets，CherokeeHall，Moore，Tutt，Boggs，FaroNell，OldMonte，andTexasThompson。Ihave，how-ever，concludedtoleaveallthesematterstotheillustrationsofMr。Remingtonandtheimaginationsofthosewhoread。Ithinkitthebetterway-certainlyitistheeasieroneforme。IshallthereforepermittheOldCattlemantotellhisstoriesinhisownfashion。Thestylewillbecrude，abrupt，andmeagre，butItrustitwillproveassatisfactorytothereaderasithastome。
A。H。L。
NewYork，May15，1897。
CHAPTERI。
WOLFVILLE"SFIRSTFUNERAL。
"TheseyereobsequieswhichI"maboutmentionin"，"observedtheOldCattleman，"isthefirstrealfuneralWolfvillehas。"
Theoldfellowhadlightedacobpipeandtiltedhischairbackinafashionwhichproclaimedaplantobecomfortable。Hehadbeguntotolerate——evenencourage——mysociety，althoughitwasclearthatasatenderfootheregardedmewithaspeciesofgentledisdain。
IhadprovokedthesubjectoffuneralceremoniesbyarecurrencetotheaffairoftheYellowhouseMan，andaqueryastowhatwouldhavebeentheprogrammeofthepublic-spiritedhamletofWolfvilleifthatinvalidhaddiedinsteadofyieldingtothenursingofJackMooreandthattariffondraw-pokerwhichthegeniusofOldManEnrightdecreed。
Itcameineasyillustration，asanswertomyquestion，fortheOldCattlemantorecallthefuneralofaformerleadingspiritofSouthwesternsociety。ThenameofthisworthywasJackKing；andwithabriefexpositionofhismoresalienttraits，mygrizzledraconteurleddowntohisburialwiththeremarkbeforequoted。
"Ofcourse，"continuedtheOldCattleman，"ofcoursewhilethar"ssomelikethisYallerhousegentwhosurvives；thar"sothersoftheboyswhoisdownedonetimean"another，an"goesshoutin"hometoheavenbyvarioustrails。ButontiltheeventInowrecalls，theremaindershasbeenfreightedeastorwesteverytime，an"thecampgetsleft。It"shardluck，butatlastitcomestowardus；an"tharwebeonedaywithacorpseallour"n，an"nopartnershipwithnobodynornothin"。
""It"sthechanceofourlife，"saysDocPeets，"an"weplaysit。
Thar"snothin"toorichforourblood，an"theseobsequiesisgoin"
tobespread-eagle，youbet!We"llshowRedDogan"sim"larvillagestheyain"tsign-campscomparedwithWolfville。"
"Sowebeginstodrawinourbeltsan"getabigready。JackKing，asIsaysbefore，iscorpse，eemergin"outenagameofpokerassech。Whichpriortharto，Jack"sbeenpeevish，an"pesterin"an"
pervadin""roundforseveraldays。Thecampstandsaheapo"troublewithhiman"triestosmoothitalongbygivin"himhiswhiskeyan"
hiswayaboutashewants"em，hopin"forachange。Butmanisonlyhuman，an"whenJackstartsinonenighttomakeaflushbeatatrayfullforsevenhundreddollars，heaskstoomuch。
"Tharain"tnoondertakers，soweroundsuptheoutfit，an"knowin"
he"dtakeaprideinit，an"dotheslam-upthing，weputsinDocPeetstodealthegameunanimous。
""Gents，"hesays，aswe-allsturnsintotheRedLighttoberefreshed，"inassoomin"thepresentpressureIfeelsthecomplimentspaidmeintheseelection。Ishallactforthecreditofthecamp，an"Ineedsyourhelp。Idesiresthattheseritesbeahowlin"vict"ry。Idon"twantpeoplecomin""roundnextweekallowin"tharain"tbeennofuneral，an"Idon"treckonmuchthattheywill。We"vegotthecorpse，an"ifwegetsbuckedoffnowit"sourfault。"
"Soheapp"intsOldMontean"DanBoggstogoforaboxforJack，an"detailsacoupleofniggersfromthecorraltodigatomb。
""An"mindyou-alls，"saysPeets，`Iwantsthatholeatleastamilefromcamp。Inordertomakeafuneralasuccess，youneedsdistance。
That"swheredeceasedgetsaction。Itgivestheprocessionachancetospreadan"showup。Youcan"tmakenofuneralimposin"exceptyou"replumbliberalondistances。"
"Itallgoessmoothrightoffthereel。Wegetsaboxan"graveready，an"Peetssticksupanoticeonthestage-stationdoor，settin"theexcitementforthird-drinktimenextday。Promptatthedropofthehatthecampletsgoallholdsan"turnslooseinabodytoputJackthroughright。He"slaidoutinsplendidshapeintheNewYorkStore，withnothin"tocomplainofifhe"saskedtomakethekickhimse"f。Hehasanewsilknecktie，blueshirtan"pearlbuttons，trousers，an"boots。Someone——BensonAnnie，Ireckons——haspastedsomeco"tplasterovertheholeonhischeek-bonewherethebulletgetsin，an"all"roundJacklooksbetterthanIeverseeshim。
""Letthecongregationremoveitshats，"saysPeets，a-settin"downonaboxupatJack"shead，"an"asmanyascanwillpleasegetsomethin"tocampon。Now，myfriends，"hecontinues，"tharain"tnoneedofmyputtin"onanyfrillsorgettin"inanyscrollwork。Theobjectsofthisconventionisplainan"straight。MisterKing，herepresent，isdead。Deceasedisaveryheadstrongperson，an"persistsyesterdayinentertainin"viewstouchin"aclubflush，queenatthehead，whichresultsinlifeeverlastin"。Now，gents，thisisaracketfullofsolemnity。Wewantsnothin"butgoodwords。Don"tmindaboutthetrooth；whichthesameain"tinplayatafuneral，nohow。WeallknowsJack；weknowshisrecord。Ourinformationisamplethata-way；howhestealsahossatTucson；howberobsagentlastfallatTombstone；howhedownsapartyatCruces；howthatscaronhisneckhegetsfromWells-Fargo"speoplewhenhestandsupthestageoverontheLordsburgtrail。Butwelaysitallasideto-
day。Wedon"tcoppernarybet。Yesterdaymornin"，accompaniedbythereportofaColt"sforty-five，MisterKing，wholiesyeresocoolan"easy，leavesustoenterinbehindthegreatwhiteshinin"gatesofpearlan"gold，whichswingsinwardtogloryeternal。It"sagreatsetbackatthistimetharain"tnosky-pilotinthecamp。
Thisdeeficiencyinsky-pilotsisahossontous，butwedoesourbest。AtatimelikethisIhearsthatsingin"isagood，safebreak，an"ItharforecallsonthatlittlegirlfromFlagstafftogiveus"TheDyin"Ranger。"
"SothelittleFlagstaffgirlcl"arshervalveswithadrink，an"
givesusthesong；an"whentheentirecongregationdrawskyardsonthelastverseitdoeseverybodygood。
""FarawayfromhisdearoldTexas，Welaidhimdowntorest；
Withhissaddleforapillow，Andhisgunacrosshisbreast。"
"ThenPeetsgetsouttheScriptures。"I"mgoin"toreadachapteroutentheseyereTestaments，"hesays。"Iain"tmakin"noclaimforit，exceptit"spartofthegamean"accordin"toHoyle。Ifthar"sapreacheryerehe"ddoit，butbein"thar"snosechbrandonthisrangeImakesitasaforcedplaymyse"f。"
"Sohereadsus，achapteraboutthesepulcher，an"MaryMagdalene，an"theresurrection；an"everybodytakesitinprofoundasprairie-
dogs，forthat"stheleadtomake，an"weknowsit。
"ThenPeetsallowshe"dliketohearfromanygentondertheheadof"goodoftheorder。"
""MisterOndertakeran"Chairman，"saysJimHamilton，"Iyieldstoaninwardimpulsetosaythatthisyereplayweighsonmeplumbheavy。Askeeperofthedance-hallIseesaheapofthecorpsean"
knowshimwell。MisterKingismyfriend，an"whilehismoodsisvariablean"oncertain；an"it"scl"arlyworthwhiletowearyourgunwhilehe"shoverin"near，Iloveshim。Hehashisweaknesses，asdoweall。Adisp"sitiontomakenewroolesasheplaysalongforsechgamesofchanceasenjoyshisnoticeisperhapshisgreatestfailin"。Hisgivin"waytothishabitisprimar"lythecauseofhisbein"garneredin。Ihopeshe"llgetalongthar，an"offersasidebet，evenmoney，uptofivehundreddollars，hewill。Hemayalterhissysteman"standwayupwiththeangelsan"seraphs，an"ifwordsfrommecouldfixit，I"dshorelystack"emin。Iwouldsayfurtherthatafterconsultin"withBillyBurns，whokeepstheRedLight，wehas，inhonorofthedeadan"tomarktheoccasionofhiscashin"in，agreeduponabusinessdepartureofinteresttoall。
ThisdepartureMisterBurnswillstate。Imournfullygiveswaytohimforsaidpurpose。"
""MisterPeets，an"ladiesan"gents，"saysBurns，"likeMisterHamilton，whoI"mproudtomeetyereasgent，citizen，an"friend，I
knowsdeceased。He"sagoodman，an"adead-gamesportfrom"wayback。Aprotractedwrastlewiththeremorselessdrinksofthefrontierhadbeguntotellonhim，an"forayearorsohe"sbeenliabletohavespells。Referrin"totheremarksofMisterHamilton，Istatesthatbyagreementbetweenusan"inhonortodeparted，thequotationsonwhiskeyinthisyerecamp，fromnowon，willbetwodrinksfortwobits，insteadofoneasprevious。Wedon"twanttoonsettletrade，an"wedon"tbelievethiswill。Wemakesitasarayoflightinthedarknessan"gloomofthehour。
"Afterthisyereutterance，whichiswellreceived，weformstheprocession。DocPeets，withtwobuglersfromtheFort，takesthelead，withJackan"hisboxinoneofthestagecoachescomin"next。
Enright，Tutt，Boggs，ShortCreekDave，TexasThompson，an"me，bein"thesixpallbearers，isonhossesnextinline；an"JackMoorecommandin"oftherestoftheoutfit，linesoutpermiscus。
""ThisisagreatdayforWolfville，"saysPeets，asheridesupan"
downtheline。"Tharain"tnocampthissideofSt。Looeycouldturnthistrick。WhichIonlywishesJackcouldseeithimse"f。It"smorecalculatedtobringthisoutfitintofav"rablenoticethanalynchin"。"
"Atthegraveweturnsinan"givesthreecheersforKing，an"threeforDocPeets；an"lastwegivesthreemorean"atigerforthecamp。Thebuglerscutslooseeverythin"theyknows，fromthe"water-
call"tothe"retreat，"an"whiletheniggersisa-shovelin"inthesandwebangsawaywithoursix-shootersforgeneralresultsdelightful。Youcangambletharain"tbeennofunerallikeitbeforeorsince。
"AtthelastPeetshaulsoutenthestageweusesforJack，aheadboard。Whenit"ssetupitlookslikeifJackain"tsatisfied，he"sshorelyhardtosuit。Onitinbiglettersis:
JaCKKinG
LIfEAiN"T
IN
HOLDiNGAGOODHAND
BUT
InPLAYiNGAPOREHANdWeLL。
""Yousees，wehastoworkinalittlesentiment，"saysDocPeets。
"Thenwedetailstheniggerstostandwatch-an"-watcheverynighttillfurtherorders。No；weain"tafraidJack"llgetoutnone，butthecoyotesisshoreduetocomean"digforhim，sotheniggershastostandgyard。Wedon"tallowtofindspec"mensofJackspread"roundlooseafterallthetroublewetakes。"
CHAPTERII。
THESTINGINGLIZARD。
"Thar"snosorterdoubttoit，"saidtheOldCattlemanafteralongpausedevotedtomeditation，andfinallytotherefillingofhiscobpipe，"tharain"ttheslightestroomforcavilbutthemceremoniesoverJackKing，deceased，isthemostsatisfactorypageantWolfvilleeverpromotes。"
ItwasatthispointIprovedmycunningbysayingnothing。Iwaspleasedtoheartheoldmantalk，andrightlytheorizedthatthebettermethodofinvokinghisreminiscencesjustatthistimewastosayneveraword。
"However，"hecontinued，"Idon"treckonit"smanyweeksafterwefollowsJacktothetomb，whenwecomesaheapnearschedoolin"
anotherfuneral，withthegeneralpublica-contributin"ofthecorpse。Tobespeecific，Ireferstoaoccasionwhenwe-allscomespowerfulclosetolynchin"CherokeeHall。
"Idon"tmindonbosomin"myselfaboutit。It"sallamisonderstandin"；thesamebein"Cherokee"sfaultcomplete。Wedon"tknowhimmore"ntomerelydrinkwithatthateepock，an"he"sthatslyan"furtiveinhisplays，an"covershistrailssospeshul，henacherallybreedssechsuspicionsthatwhenthestagebeginstobestoodupreg"laronceaweek，an"allonaccountable，Cherokeecomesmightyclosetoculminatin"inarope。Whichgoestoshowthatyoucan"tbetooopenan"freeinyourgame，an"Cherokeewouldtellyousohimse"f。
"ThisyeretangleI"mthinkin"ofain"tmore"namonthafterCherokeetakestoresidin"inWolfville。Hecomestrailin"inoneevenin"fromTucson，an"onfoldsalayoutan"goestoturnin"faro-
bankintheRedLight。Nooneremarksthispartic"lar，whichsaidspectaclesisfrequent。ThegeneralideeisthatCherokee"sonthesquar"an"hisgameisstraight，an"ofcoursepublicinterestdon"tdelvenofurtherintohisaffairs。
"Cherokee，himse"f，isoneoftheseyereslim，silentpeoplewhoain"ttalkin"much，an"hiseyeforcolorisoneofthemrawgrays，likeanewbowie。
"It"sperhapsthethirddaywhenCherokeebeginstostruggleintopublicnotice。Thar"safelonwhosenameisBoone，butwhocallshimse"fthe"Stingin"Lizard，"an"who"sbeenpesterin""roundWolfville，mebby，it"samonth。ThisyereStingin"LizardistharwhenCherokeecomesintocamp；an"itlooksliketheStingin"Lizardtakesanotionag"inCherokeefromthejump。
"NotthatthisyereLizardislikelytocontrolpublicfeelin"inthematter；nonewhatever。He"ssomeonpop"larhimself。He"stootoomultuousforonething，an"hehasahabitofmolestin"toweristsan"folkshedon"tknowatall，whichpallsondisinterestedpeoplewhohasdootiestoperform。AboutonceaweekthisLizardmangoesan"getsthetreemers，an"thenthecamphastosetupwithhimtillhisvisionssubsides。Factis，he"swhatyou-allsEastcalls"adisturbin"element，"an"wemakesreadytohanghimonceortwice，butsomethin"comesupan"putsitoff，an"wesorterneglectsit。
"ButasIsays，hetakesanotionag"inCherokee。It"sthethirdnightafterCherokeegetsin，an"he"sca"mlybehindhisboxattheRedLight，wheninperamb"latesthisLizard。SeemslikeCherokee，bein"oneofthemquietwolves，foolsuptheLizardalot。ThisLizard"sbeenhostilean"blood-hungryallday，an"IreckonsheallatoncerecallsCherokee；an"，deemin"ofhimeasy，heallowshe"llgoan"chewhismanesomeforrelaxation。
"IfIwaslowan"ornerylikethisLizard，Iain"tnoneshorebutI"dbefooledthemdaysonCherokeemyse"f。He"sbeenfretfulabouthiswhiskey，Cherokeehas，——puttin"itupshedon"ttasteright，whichnotonlikelyitdon"t；butbeyondpickin"flawsinhisnose-
painttharain"tmuchtotakeholdonabouthim。He"ssosliman"
noiselessbesides，tharain"tnoneofusbutfiggersthisyereStingin"Lizard"sduetostampedehimifhetries；whichmakeswhatfollowsallthemoreimpressive。
"SotheLizardprojectsalongintotheRedLight，whoopin"an"
carryin"onbyhimse"f。Straightwayhegoesupag"instCherokee"slayout。
"Idon"tbuynochips，"saystheLizardtoCherokee，ashegetsinopposite。"Iputsmoneyinplay；an"whenIwinsIwantsmoneysim"lar。Thar"sfiftydollarsonthekingcoppered；an"fiftydollarsontheeightopen。Turnyourkyards，an"turn"emsquar"。Ifyoudon"t，I"llpeeltheha"ran"hideplumboffthetopofyourhead。"
"CherokeelooksattheLizardsortersoopercillusan"indifferent；
buthedon"tsaynothin"。Hegoesonwiththedeal，an"，thekyardscomin"thata-way，hetakesintheLizard"stwobets。
"Durin"thenextdealtheLizardain"tsayin"muchdirect，butkeepscussin"an"wranglin"tohimse"f。Buthe"sgettin"hismoneyupallthetime；an"withthefiftydollarsheloseontheturn，he"sshymebbyfourhundredan"fiftyattheclose。
""Bein"intheholeaboutfivehundreddollars，"saystheLizard，inamannerwhichisaheaponrespectful，"an"sothatawayfarin"
gentmaynotbemisledtorooinutter，Inowrisestoaskwhatforalimitdoyouputonthisdeadfallanyhow？"
""Thebridle"splumbofftoyou，amigo，"saysCherokee，an"histonesissomehard。Inoticesitallrightenough，"causeI"mdoin"
businessatthetablemyse"fatthetime，an"keepin"likewisecaseonthegame。`Thebridle"splumboffforyou，"saysCherokee，"soanynotionyouentertainsinfavorofbankruptin"ofyourse"fquickmayriotrightalong。"
""You"redeadshoreofthat？"saystheLizardwithasneer。`NowI
reckonsathousand-dollarbetwouldscarethispuerilegameyoudealsa-screechin"upatreeorintoahole，tooeasy。"
"`Ineverlikestoseenogentstrugglin"inthecoilsoferror，"
saysCherokee，withasneerasizelargerthantheLizard"s；`I
don"tknowwhatwadsofwealththemporeoldclothesofyoursconceals，butjestthesameItellsyouwhatI"lldo。Climbrightontothelayout，body，soul，an"roll，an"putafiggeronyourworthlessse"f，an"I"llturnyouforthewholeshootin"-match。
You"reinyeretomakethingsinterestin"，Iseesthat，an"I"llvoylatemybusinessprinciplesan"takeanightofftoentertainyou。"An"yereCherokeelugsoutarollofbillsbigenoughtochokeacow。
""IgoesyouifIlose，"saystheStingin"Lizard。Thenassoomin"asooperiorair，heremarks:"Mebbyit"sadrinkbackonthetrailwhenIhasmisgivin"sastotherectitoodofthisyerebraceyou"redealin"。Bein"public-speritedthata-way，inmyfirstfrenzyI
allowsI"lltakemygunan"abateitawholelot。Butaca"mermoodcomeson，an"Idecides，asnotbein"solikelytodisturbapeace-
lovin"camp，Iremovesthistrapfortheonwarybymerelybustin"
thebank。Thar，"goesontheStingin"Lizard，atthesametimedumpin"alargewadonthelayout，"thar"sevenfourthousanddollars。Rollyourgameforthatjestasitlays。"
""Straightenupyourdust，"saysCherokee，hiseyesgettin"akindofgleaminto"em，"straightenupyourstuffan"getitsome"ers。
Don"tleaveitallspraddledoverthescene。Iturnsforitreadyenough，butweain"tgoin"toarguenoneastowhereitlaysafterthekyardfalls。"
"Therestofuswho"sbeenbuckin"thegamemoderatean"rightcashesinatthis，an"leavesanonobstructedclothtotheStingin"
Lizard。Thisyere"smorecautionthangoodnacher。Aslongasfolksisbettin"alonginlimits，sayonderfiftydollars，tharain"tnoshootin"likelytoensoo。Butwheneveragamegetsimmoderatethata-way，an"thelimit"soff，an"thingsisgoin"thatlocoedtheybeginstoplayathousandan"overonakyardan"screamforaction，gentsofexperiencestandsreadytogotoduckin"leadan"dodgin"
bulletsinstanter。
"Buttoresoome:TheStingin"Lizardlinesuphisstuff，an"thedealbegins。Itain"tthirtysecondstillthebankwins，an"theStingin"Lizardisthewrongsideofthelayoutfromhismoney。Hetakesitonusualugly，onlyheain"tsayin"much。Hesa"ntersovertothebar，an"getsabigdrink。Cherokeeisrifflin"thedeck，butInoteshe"sgothisgrayeyeontheStingin"Lizard，an"myrespectforhimincreasesrapid。Iseesheain"tgoin"togettheworstofnodeal，an"isorganizedtoprotecthisgameplumbthroughifthisLizardmakesabreak。""Doyou——allknowwhereIhailsfrom？"askstheStingin"Lizard，comin"backtoCherokeeafterhe"sdonehidhisdrink。
""WhichIshorelydon"t；"saysCherokee。"Ihasfromtimetotimemuchworthlessinformationthrustuponme，butsofarIescapesallnewsofyoucomplete。"
""WhereIcomesfrom，whichisTexas，"saystheLizard，ignorin"ofCherokee"smanner，thesamebein"someinsultin"，`theyteachesthebabiestwothings，-nevereatyourownbeef，an"neverletnokyard-
thiefdownyou:
""Whichishighlythrillin"，"saysCherokee，"asreminiscencesofyouryooth，butwheredoesyou-allgetactionon"eminArizona？"
""WhereIgetsactionwon"tbenoquestionlong，"saystheLizard，mightytruculent。"Inowannouncesthatthisyeregameisaskinan"
abrace。TharforeIreturnsformymoney；an"，tobefrank，I
returnsa-shootin":
"It"satthisp"intwe-allswhorepresentsthepublickicksbackourchairsan"stampedesoutenrange。AstheLizardmakeshisbluffhishandgoestohisartillerylikeaflash。
"TheLizard"ssomequick，butCherokee"stoosoonforhim。WiththefirstmoveoftheLizard"shand，hesearchesoutabowiefromsom"ersbackofhisneck。I"msomeemployedplacin"myse"fatthetime，an"don"tdecernitnonetillCherokeebringsitoverhisshoulderlikeastreamofwhitelight。
"It"sshoregreatknife-work。CherokeegivestheLizardaigeanp"int，an"allinonemotion。BeforetheLizardmore"nliftshisweepon，Cherokeehalfslasheshisgun-handoffatthewrist；an"
then，jestastheLizardbeginstowonderatit，hegetsthenine-
inchbladeplumbthroughhisneck。He"sletoutrightthar。
""ItlookslikeIhasmoreofthisthingtodo，"saysCherokee，an"
histoneshowshe"shalf-waymournin"overit，`thananysportintheTerritory。Itriestokeepoutenthis，butthatLizardgentwouldhaveit。"
"Afterthekillin"，Enrightan"DocPeets，withBoggs，Tutt，an"
JackMoore，sortertalksitoverquiet，an"allowsit"sallright。
""ThisStingin"Lizardgent，"saysEnright，hasbeenprojectin"
"roundlustin"fortroublenow，mebbyit"ssixweeks。It"samazin"
tomehelastsaslongashedoes，an"itspeaksvolumesfortheforbearin"，law-abidingtemperoftheWolfvillepublic。ThisLizard"samightyoppressiveperson，an"aheapobnoxious；an"whileIdon"tlikeaknifenonemyse"fasatrailout，an"inclinestodistrustagentwhodoes，Is"poseit"safterallaheapamatteroftastean"thewayyourfolksbringsyouup。Ileanstotheview，gents，thatthisyerecorpseisconstructedonthesquar"。Whatdoyou-allthink，Peets？"
""Ientertainsideassim"lar，"saysDocPeets。"OfcourseItakesitthiskyard-sharp，Cherokee，aimstoburyhisdead。Henacherallyain"tlook。in"forthecamptogo"roundcleanin"upafterhimnone。""That"sabouthowitstands。NobodyfindsfaultwithCherokee，an"asheupsan"plantstheStingin"Lizard"sremainderthenextday，makin"thedealwithastainedbox，crape，an"thefullregalia，itallleavesthecampwithamightydecentimpression。Byfirst-drinktimeintheevenin"ofthesecondday，weain"tthinkin"nomoreaboutit。
"Nowyou-allbeginstomarvelwheredowegettothehangin"ofCherokeeHall？We"reworkin"intowardsitnow。
"Yousees，followin"theStingin"Lizard"sjumpintothemistybeyond——whichit"sthatsuddenIofferstwotoonethemangelsnotesalookofs"priseontheStingin"Lizard"sfaceastohowhecomestomakethetrip-Cherokeegoesondealin"farosameasusual。AsI
saysbefore，heain"tnotalker，nohow；nowhesayslessthanever。
"Butwhatstrikesusasonusualis，hesaddlesupapintoponyhe"sgotovertothecorral，an"jumpsoffeverynowan"thenfortwoan"
threedaysataclatter。Nooneknowswherehep"intsto，more"nhesayshe"sdueoverinTucson。TheseyerevacationsofCherokee"sisallinthemonthaftertheStingin"Lizardgetsdowned。"It"saboutthistime，too，thestagegetsheldupsechascand"lousnumberoftimesitgivespeopleatiredfeelin"。Allbyoneparty，too。HemerelyprancesoutinonexpectedplaceswithaWinchester；standsupthestageinanonconcernedway，an"thengoesthrougheverythin"
an"everybody，frommail-bagstopassengers，likethegraceofheaventhroughacamp-meetin"。Nacheral，itallcreatesaheapofdisgust。""Ifthisyereindustrioushold-upkeepsuphislick，"saysTexasThompsonaboutthethirdtimethestagegetsrustled，`an"
headsoffafewmorelettersofmine，allIhastosayismywifebackinLaredoain"tgoin"toonderstanditnone。Sheain"tlottin"
muchonmenohow，an"ifthecorrespondencebetweenusgetsmuchmorefitful，she"sgoin"p"intin"outforadivorce。Thisdeal"sliabletoturnasplitformeinmydomesticaffairs。"An"that"sthewaywe-allsfeels。ThisstageagentisshorelyindisrepootsomeinWolfville。Ifhe"dbeenshakin"upRedDog"sletter-bags，wewouldn"thavemindedsomuch。
"Ineverdoesknowwho"sthefirsttothinkofCherokeeHall，butallatonceit"sallovercampTalkin"itover，it"snoticedmightysoonthat，comerighttocases，nooneknowshisrecord，wherehe"sbeenorwhyhe"syere。Thenhisstampedin"outofcamplikehe"sbeendoin"foramonthistoomanyforus。
""IputsnotrustinthemTucsonlieshetells，neither，"saysDocPeets。"Whateverwouldhebeshakin"upoverinTucson？Hisgame"syere，an"thistheerythathe"sgottogoscatterin"overtharonceaweekissomegauzy。"
""That"swhatever，"saysDanBoggs，whoallerstrailsinafterDocPeets，an"playsthesamesystememphatic。An"Isaysmyse"f，notfindin"nofaultwithBoggstharfor，thatthisyerePeetsisthefinest-eddicatedan"levelest-headedsharpinArizona。
""Well，"saysJackMoore，whoasIsaysbeforedoestheropeworkfortheStranglers，"ifyou-allsgetsitsettledthatthisfarogent"sturnin"themtrickswiththestagean"mail-bags，thesoonerhe"sswingin"tothewindmill，thesoonerwehearsfromourlovedonesathome。Whatdoyousay，Enright？"
""Why，"saysEnright，allthoughtful，"Ireckonsit"sacase。S"poseyoucaperoverwherehefeedsattheO。K。Housean"bringhimtous。
Thesignsan"signal-smokesshorelyp"intstothisyereCherokeeasourmeat；butthesethingshastobedoneinorder。Bringhimin，Jack，an"，tosaveanothertrip，s"poseyoubringalariatfromthecorralatthesametime。"
"Itdon"ttakeMoorenotimetothrowagunonCherokeewherehe"sconsoomin"flapjacksattheO。K。House，an"tellhimthecommitteeneedshimattheNewYorkStore。Cherokeedon"tbucknone，butcomesalong，passiveasatabbycat。
""Whatever"sthehockkyardtoallthis？"hesaystoJackMoore。"IsitthisStingin"Lizardplayamonthago？"
""No，"saysMoore，"t"ain"tquitesechancienthist"ry。It"sstagecoaches。Thar"sapasselofpeopledownyereasallowsyou"vebeenrustlin"themails。"
"OldManRucker，whokeepstheO。K。House，isawaywhenMooreroundsuphisparty。ButMissisRucker"sthar，an"thewaythatoldladytalkstoEnrightan"thecommitteeisashame。Shecomesovertothestore，too，alongofMoorean"Cherokee，an"prancesinan"
comesmightynearstampedin"thewholeoutfit。
""Seeyere，SamEnright，"sheshouts，wipin"herhandsonherbib，"whatbeyou-allsaimin"fortodo？Linin"up，Is"posetohangtheonlydecentmanintown？"
""Ma"am，"saysEnright，"thisyeresharpis"cusedofstandin"upthestagethemtimesrecentoverbyTucson。Doyouknowanythin"
aboutit？"
""No；Idon"t，"saysMissisRucker。"Youdon"treckon，now，Ididitnone，doyou？Isaysthis，though；it"saheapsightmorelikelysomedrunkarda-settin"rightyereonthiscommitteestopsthemstagesthanCherokeeHall。"
""Woman"snacher"sthatemotional，"saysEnrighttotherestofus，"she"soncapableofdoin"right。Whileshe"stheloveliestofcreatedthings，stillsechistheinfirmitiesofherintellects，thatgov"mentwouldbogdowninitsmostimportantfunctions，iflefttowoman。"
""Bogdownornot，"saysMissisRucker，gettin"redan"heated，"youfoolssettin"uptharlikeabandofprairie-dogsdon"thangthisyereCherokeeHall。"Notherthing，youain"tgoin"tohangnobodytothewindmillag"innohow。Ihasmyworktodo，an"thar"senoughonmyhands，feedin"sechswineasyou-allsthreetimesaday，withouthavin"tocutdowndeadfolksoutenmywayeverytimeIgoesforabucketofwater。You-allstakesnoticenow；youdon"thangnothin"
tothewindmillnomore。AsforthisyereCherokee，heain"tstoppednomorestagesthanIbe。"
""Butyouseesyourse"f，ma"am，youhasn"ttheslightestevidencetharof，"saysEnright，tryin"tosootheherdown。
""Ihas，however，what"samightysightbetterthanevidence，"saysMissisRucker，"an"that"smyfirmconvictions。"
""Well，seeyere，"saysCherokee，who"sbeenlistenin"allpeaceful，"letmeinonthis。Whatbeyou-allsdoin"thison？IreckonsI"mentitledtoalookatyourhandformymoney。"
"Enrightgoesonan"laysitoffforCherokee；howhe"soutencampeverytimethestageisrobbed，an"theideeisabroadhedoesit。
""Asthekyardslayinthebox，"saysCherokee，"Idon"treckonthar"smuchdoubtbutyou-allswillwindupthedealbyhangin"me？"
""It"sshorelyfivetoonethata-way，"saysEnright。"AlthoughI"mboundtosayitain"tnonedecisiveasyet。"
""Thetroothis，"saysCherokee，sorterthoughtful，"Iwasn"taimin"
tobehungnonethisautumn。Iain"tgottime，gents，foronething，an"hasarrangedaheapdiff"rent。Inthenextplace，Ineverstandsupnostage。"
""That"swhattheyallsays，"putsinBoggs，who"samightyimpatientman。"Ishorelynotesnoreasonwhywe-allscan"tproceedwiththisyerelynchin"atonce。S"posethisCherokeeain"tstoodupnostage；he"sdoneplentyofotherthingsasmeritsdeath。Itstrikesmethar"sasightofonnecessarytalkyere。"
""Ifyouain"toutworkingtheroad，"saysDocPeetstoCherokee，notheedin"ofBogg"spetulance，"themstage-robbin"times，s"poseyouonfoldswhereyouwasat？"
"Well，son，nottostringthisyerestoryoutlonger"nthreedrinks，yereishowitis:ThisCherokeeitlookslikeissoft-heartedthata-way，——whatyoucallsromantic。An"itseemslikewisethatshovin"
theStingin"Lizardfromshorethattimesortertakesadvantagean"
feedsonhim。Sohegoesbrowsin""roundthepostmasterallcasooal，an"putsquestions。Cherokeegetsap"interaboutsomeyearlin"orotherinTucsonthisStingin"Lizardsendsmoneytoan"makesgoodfor，whichhefindsthesametobefactoncaperin"over。It"sanephyorsomesechplay。An"theStingin"Lizardhastheyoungonestakedoutoverthar，an"isputtin"upforhisraimentan"gruballreg"larenough。
""WhichIyereafterbacksthisinfant"splaymyse"f，"saysCherokeetothebarkeepoftheOrientalSaloonoverinTucson，whichisthepartytheStingin"Lizardpasturestheyoungoneon。"You"reallright，Bill，"goesonthisCherokeetothebarkeep，"butnowIgoesbackoftheboxforthisinfantboy，IreckonsI"llsawhimoffontoapreacher，orsomesharpsim"lar，wherehegetsaChristianexample。Whateverdoyouthink？"
"Thebarkeepsayshimse"fheallowsit"stheplaytomake。Sohean"
Cherokeegoessurgin""round，an"atlasttheycampstheboy——who"ssevenyearscomin"grass——ontheonlypulpit-sharpinTucson。Thisgospel-spreadersayshe"llfeedan"beddowntheboyforsomesum；
whichwasshoreagiantone，butthefiggersInowforgets。
"Cherokeegiveshimastackofbluestostarthisgame，an"isnowpesterin""roundinaco"ttryin"togettheyoungonecounter-
brandedfromtheStingin"Lizard"soutfitintohis，an"giventhenameofCherokeeHall。That"swhattakeshimovertoTucsonthemtimes，an"notstage-robbin"。
"Twodayslater，infact，tomakeshorealldoubtsisover，Cherokeeevenringsinsaiddivineonus；whichthedivinetellsthesamestory。Idon"treckonnowhe"smuchofapreacherneither；forhegivesWolfvilleonewhirlforluckoverinthewarehousebackoftheNewYorkStore，an"Ishorehears"emasmakesamightysightmorenoise，an"bangstheBibletwiceashard，backintheStates。IsayssotoCherokee；butheputsituphedon"tbanknoneonhispreachin"。
""WhatIaimsat，"saysCherokee，"issomeonewhoridesherdontheboyallright，an"don"tlethimstampedeoffnoneintoviciousways。"
""Whydon"tyoukeepthecampinformedofthisyereorphanan"theplayyoumakes？"saysEnright，atthetimeit"sexplainedtothecommittee，——thetimetheytreesCherokeeaboutthemstages。
""It"sthatbenev"lentan"mushy，"saysCherokee，"I"mplumbashamedofthedeal，an"don"tallowtogopostin"nonoticestharof。Butalongcomesthisyerehold-upbusiness，an"，allinadvertent，tipsmyhand；whichthesameIstands，however，jestthesame。"
""It"sallright，"saysEnright，somedisgustedthough；"butthenexttimeyoumakesthemfoundlin"asylumtrips，don"twalkinthewatersomuch。LeaveyourtrailsoWolfvilleseesit，an"thenfolksain"tsolikelytojumpyourcampinthedarkan"taketoshootin"
youupforInjunsan"sim"larhostiles。"
""Butonethingmore，"continuesEnright，an"thenweordersthedrinks。JackMooreisyerebyinstructedtopresentthecomplimentsofthecommitteetoRucker，whenhetrailsinfromTucson；whichhealsonotifieshimtohobblehiswifeyereafterdurin"sessionsofthisbody。She"snottogodraggin"herlariat"roundloosenomore，settin"lawan"orderatdefiancedurin"sechhoursasisgiventobusinessbytheStranglers。"
CHAPTERIII。
THESTORYOFWILKINS
"No；Idon"treckonIevercutsthetrailofthisyereWilsonyoumentions，once。IfIdoes，thefact"sdonepulleditspicket-pinan"
strayedfrommyrecollections。"
Ihadrecalledthenameofaformerfriend，oneWilson，who，soregiventoliquor，haddriftedtoArizonamanyyearsbeforeanddisappeared。Suggesting"Wilson"totheOldCattleman，IaskedifhehadmetwithsuchanameandcharacterinhisWolfvillerambles。
Asoftenchanced，however，thequestionborefruitinastory。Itfrequentlyneededbutaslightblowfromtherodofcasualinquiry，andthefountainsofmyoldfriend"sreminiscencesgushedforth。
"No，Inevercrossesupwithhim，"observedtheoldCattleman；"butspeakin"ofWilsonputsinmymindagentbythenameofWilkins，whoit"ssomelikelyisasdisrepootableasyouroldpardWilson。"
"WhataboutWilkins？"Iasked。
"Nothin"thrillin"，"answeredtheoldgentleman；"nothin"you"dstayupnightstohear，Idon"treckon。It"sWilkins"sdaughterwhoistheonlyredeemin"thingabouttheoldCimmaron；an"it"saheaplikelyrightnowit"sherIremembersaboutinsteadofhim。
"Notatall，"hecontinued，"Idon"tmindonfoldin"astoWilkins，noryetofan"concernin"hisdaughter。YouseethisWilkinsisherdin""roundWolfvillewhenIfirsttrailsin。Ineverdoesknowwherehehailsfrom。Idon"treckon"though，heevergradesnowayshigh，an"atthecrisisI"mmentionin"hisspeshulplayisgettin"
drunkmostly；an"notallowin"tohurthimse"fnonewithwork。
""Workin"withyourfins，"saysthisWilkins，"islowan"
onendoorin"toagentwithpridetowound。Itain"tnouseneither。
Iknowsfolksasworks，an"folksasdon"t，an"youcan"ttellonefromwhich。Theygetsalongentirelysim"lar。
""Buthowyougoin"tolive？"saysDaveTutt，whenhemakesthisremark，an"whoisfussin"withWilkinsforbein"soreedic"lousan"
shiftless。
""That"sallrightaboutmylivin"，"saysWilkins；"don"tyou-allpassnorestlessnightsonmyaccount。GoreadyourScriptures；readthatbluffaboutfeedin"theyoungravensan"sparrers。Well，that"smethistrip。I"mgoin"torapforashow-downonthempromisesan"
seewhat"sin"em。"
""Thiscampain"tstrongonHolyWrit，nohow，"saysDaveTutt，"an"
I"mpartic"larpunythata-way。It"syourgamethough，an"yourAmericanjedgementgoessoopremeastohowyouplaysit。"
"ThisWilkinslivesinawickeyupoutontheaigeofthetown，an"agirl，whichshe"shisdaughter，about19yearsold，keepscampforhim。Nooneknowsherwell。Shestaysonherreservationmightyclose，an"neverseemsvisiblemuch。InoticesherintheNewYorkStoreonce，buyin"somesalthoss，an"sheain"tnodreamoflovelinessneitherastolooks。
"Herfacemakesyoufeelshe"sgoodpeoplethough，withherbigsofteyes。Theyhasatired，broke-downlook，likesomehowshe"sbeenpackedmore"nshecancarry，an"hastwoorthreenotionsaboutlayin"downwiththeload。
"It"smebbytwoweeksafterDaveTutt"stalkwithWilkins，whenwe"reallintheRedLighttakin"ourfortydrops，an"SamEnrightbringsupthisyereWilkins。
""Ithasbeenaquestionwithme，"hesays，"howthisoldshorthornandhisgirlmanagesfortomakeout；an"whileIcarenonewhateverforWilkins，itain"tnocredittoalivecamplikethistopermitayoungfemaletosuffer，an"Ipausesyeretoadd，itain"tgoin"tooccurnomore。Yesterday，allowin"tobushwhacksometroothabout"em，IwaitstilloldWilkinsdriftsovertothecorral，an"thenI
goesprojectin""roundforfacts。Iworksitplentycunnin"，an"
sorterhappensuptotheoldman"stepee。Icallsthegirloutan"
putsitupIwantstoseeherpawaheaponsomebusiness。
"""Iwantstoseehimspeshul，""Isays。
"""Well，heain"therenow，""saysthegirl，"sowhatever"llyoudo？""
"""Idon"treckonyoucouldprance"roundsomean"findhimforme，couldyou，Miss？""Isays。
""Sothegirl，"continuesEnright，"whichhernameisSusan，putsonhershakeran"goesstampedin"off；an"whileshe"sgoneIinjunsan"spies"roundawholelot；an"，comin"downtotheturn，Wilkinsan"thatgirlain"tgotnothin"toeat。Thequestionnowis，whatactiondoesWolfville"naugerateatajuncturesechasthis？"
""What"sthematterwithtakin"upadonationliketheydoesforapreacher，an"sawitontothegirl？"saysDanBoggs。
""Youcouldn"topenyourgamethata-way，nohow，"saysDocPeets。
"That"saccordin"toHoyleforsky-pilotsan"missionarypeople；butayoungfemalea-hoidin"ofherse"fhighspurnsyourmoney。Thar"snothin"ketchesmelikeafemaleofmyspeciesindistress，an"I
recallsofferin"tostakealady，who"slosthermoneysomehow，backinSt。Looeyonce。Thisyerefemalewasstrangetomeentire，butifshe"dknowedmefrom"waybackshecouldn"ta-blazedupmorefrightful。TheminuteIpullsmybankrollonher，shegoescavortin"