第2章
offtoohostiletotalk。Ittakestenminutestogetherbacktotheagencytohearme"pologize，an"eventhensheglaresan"snortslikeshe"sliabletostampedeag"in。No；youdon"twanttotryan"
givethisgirlnomoney。Whatwe-allsneedsistohuntupsomethin"
forhertoworkatan"payher。"
""TheDoc"sright，"saysEnright，"an"thethingistofindsomethin"forthisyereladytodo。Anygentwithanotiononthesubjectcan"tspeaktooquick。"
""Nopartyneedtakemyremarksaspersonal，"saysBurns，whorunstheRedLight，"asnothin"invidjousisintended；butIrisestosaythataheapofmybusinessisoncredit。Agentcomesinfreean"
sociable，nameshissozodont，an"getsit。Ifhepayscash，allright；ifhewantscredit，allright。"Younamesyourdaytodrink，an"younamesyourdaytopay，"ismymotto，asyou-allsknows。Thisbein"troo，onderpresentexigenceswhatforaschemewoulditbeformetogetanoutfitofbooks，——day-books，week-books，ledgers，an"therestofthelayout，——an"letthisyeremaidenkeep"emawholelot？Ithrowsthisoutasasu"gestion。"
""Iain"tmeanin"nothin"ag"instBurns"ssu"gestion，"saysTexasThompson，"butinmyopinionthiscampain"tripeforkeepin"booksasyet。Thingslikethathastobecometobydegrees。I"veknowedaheapoftroublearisefromkeepin"books，an"aslongasthisyere"sapeacefulcamplet"skeepitthata-way。"
""Thatsettlesit，"saysBurns，"thar"senoughsaid，an"Idon"tkeepnobooks。"
""You-allspresentknowsme，"saysCherokeeHall，who，asIsaysprevious，isturnin"farointheRedLight，"an"mostofyouhasmetmefrequentinabusinessway。Thar"smygamegoin"everynightreg"lar。Thar"snothin"tin-hornaboutit。Itain"tnoskingameneither。Anygentwithdoubtscanstepoveran"testmybox，whichhe"llfindallcomfortableonthelayoutawaitin"hisconvenience。
Itain"tbeenusualformetoblowmyownbazootoanyextent，an"I
onlydoesitnowasbein"preliminarytothestatementthatmygameain"tnodeadfall，an"isoneasarespectablean"virchusfemalepersoncouldsetinonwithperfectsafetytoodtoherreputation。
Thisyereladyinquestionneedslight，reg"laremployment，an"I
letsitflythatifshewantsinonanysechdealI"llgoherabluestackaweektoholddownthechairaslook-outformygame。"
""Cherokee"sofferisallright，"saysEnright；"it"sgoodtalkfromasquar"man。Women，however，ispartic"lar，an"likehossestheyshiesatthingstharain"tnodangerin。Youseeshowthatis；awomandon"treasonnothin"，shefeelsan"mightylikelythisyoungpersonisloadedtothegyardswithsechnotionsag"ingamblin"aswouldsendherflyin"atthebaremention。Thefactis，Ithinksofsomethin"sim"lar，buthastogiveitup。Ifiggers，firstdashouto"thebox，thatasafe，easytrailtohighgroundistogiveheratablean"letherdealalittlestudfortheboys。Thisyerewouldn"tbenoresk，an"therakeisashorethingfornineortendollarsanight。Bein"abenev"lence，Iknowstheboyswouldsetinmightyfree，an"thetroublewouldbecorraledrightthar。WiththisyereinmymindItapshergentlyaboutourvariousgameswhenI
callsforherpaw；an"toputitstraight，shetakesitreluctantan"disgustedatthemerehint。Ofcoursewe-allshastostandthesethingsfromwoman，an"wemightaswellp"intupsomeotherwayan"
notimelost。"
""Don"tyou-allsreckonfortomakeaspeshulrakeonallpokergoin"，sameasaboutthatYallerhousegent，mightbeanondefeasiblewaytogetattheneckofthisbusiness？"saysDaveTutt。"Imerelyasksitasaquestion。"
""Thatwouldn"tdo，"saysDocPeets，"butanyhowyerecomesWilkinshow，an"if，asEnrightsays，the"reoutofchuckuphisway，I
reckonsI"llloseasmallbettotheoldshorthornontilsechtimesaswedevisessomeschemeallreg"lar。"
""Howdy，Wilkins？"saysDoc，mightygayan"genial，"how"sthingsstackin"up？"
""Mightyornery，"saysWilkins。
""Feellikemakin"alittlewagerthisA。M。？"saysDoc。
""Whatdoyou-allwanttogambleat？"saysWilkins。
""Oh，"saysDoc，"I"mfeelin"aheapcarelessaboutwhatIdogambleat。S"poseIgoesyoutendollars"sworthofgrubtheLordsburgbuckboarddon"tshowupnoneto-day？"
""IfIhadtendollarsI"daboutcallyoualotonthat，"saysWilkins，"butI"maporecussan"ain"tgotnotendollars，an"
what"stheuse？Noneofyou-allsain"tgotnoRedLightwhiskey-
chipsyouain"tusin"，beyou？S"poseyou-allsgropesaboutinyourwar-bagsan"sees。I"mneedin"ofadrinkmightybad。"
"OldWilkinslookssomequeerabouttheeyes，an"more"nusualshaky，sowegiveshimabigdrinkan"hesorterbracesup。
""I"llbackWilkins"sendofthatbetyouoffers，Doc，"saysTutt，"soconsideritmade，willyou？"
""Youwasofferin"tobetgrub，"saystheoldman，powerfulpeevishan"fretful。"Whatfordoyouwanttobetgrub？Whydon"tyoubetmoney，soIgetswhatIwantswithit？It"smymoneywhenIwins。
MebbyIdon"twantnogrub。MebbyIwantsclothesorwhiskey。Youain"tnosport，Doc，totieupaplaywithastringlikethat。Gimmeanotherdrinksomeone，I"mmostdyin"forsome。"
"Theoldman"pearslikehe"smightysickthata-way，sothar"snothin"foritbuttogivehimanotherhooker，whichwedoesaccordin"。
""I"mfeelin"likeIwasshothardbysomethin"，"hesays，"an"I
don"tlikefortogohometillI"mbetter，an"scareSue。IreckonI"llcampdownonthisyeremontetableforanhourtillIcomes"round。"
"SoWilkinscurlsuponthetable，an"noonenoticeshimforabouttwentyminutes，whenalongcomesrattlin"uptheLordsburgmail。
""Youwin，Wilkins，"saysPeets；"comeovertotheNewYorkStorean"cutoutyourstuff。""Theoldmanactslikehedon"thear，soDocshakeshimupsome。Nouse，tharain"tnogetupinhim。
""Lookslikehe"sgonetosleepforgood，"saysDoc。
"Thenhewalks"roundhim，shakeshim，an"takesalookathiseye，a-openin"ofitwithhisfinger。Finallyhestandsback，stickshisthumbinhisbelt，an"whistles。
""What"sup？"saysCherokeeHall。"Heain"ttryin"toworkusforanotherdrinkIhopes。"
"Well，thisisadeal，"saysDoc，"an"nohumbugneither。Gents，I"mblessedifthisyereoldprairie-dogain"tshorelyupan"died。"
"We-allscomesupan"takesalookathim，an"Dochascalledtheturn。Shoreenoughtheoldmanhascashedin。
"`Thisisahossonus，an"nodoubtaboutit，"saysEnright。"I
ain"tworryin"forWilkins，ashemostlikelyisaheadonthedeal；
butwhatgetsmeishowtobreakthenewstothisyeremaiden。It"sgoin"tobeahair-lineplay。Ireckons，Doc，it"syouan"me。"
"SotheygoesovertoWilkins"swickeyupan"callstheyoungSuegirlout，an"Enrightbeginstellin"hermightysoftashowherpawistookbaddowntotheRedLight。Butthegirlseemstogetitasrightasifshe"sscoutedforitamonth。
""He"sdead!"shesays；an"thencripplesdownalongsideofthedooran"beginstosob。
""Tharain"tnousedenyin"it，Miss，"saysEnright，"yourpawstruckinonthebigtrailwherethehoof-printsallp"intsoneway。
Butdon"ttakeithard，Miss，tharain"tagentdon"tgiveyousympathy。Whatyoudonowisstayrightyere，an"thecamp"lltendtothefuneral，an"putituprightan"jestasyousays，youbein"
mourner-in-chief。Youcantrustusfortheproperplay；sinceweburiesJackKing，obsequiesisourlongsuit。"
"ThelittleSuegirlstrugglesthroughsomehow，an"hashernervewithher。Thefuneral，youbet，isright。Thistimeweropesinapreacherbelongin"tosomedeep-wateroutfitoverinTucson。Hesomehowisstrayed，an"happensalongourway，an"wegetshimsquar"inthedoor。Hejumpsinan"givesthemceremoniesascientificwhirlasain"tpossiblenohowtoamatures。All"roundwewouldn"thaveputonmoredogifwe"dbeenplantin"Enright；allofcourseonthelittleSuegirl"saccount。Nextdaytheoutfitgoesovertofindoutwhateversheallowstodo。
""Yousees，Miss；saysEnright，"anythin"yousays，goes。Notwaitin"tolearnitsname，even，I"mdirectedtostateashowthecampbacksyourplayan"makesgood。"
""I"mallowin"togototheStates，"saysthegirl，"an"I"mobleegedtoyou。"
""Wewashopin"，"saysEnright，"asyou"dstayyere。We-allssorterfiggersyou"dteachusaschool。Ofcoursetharain"tnopapoosesyet，butasaforcedplaywearrangestoborrowasmallherdfromTombstone，an"candoittooeasy。Then，ag"in，anight-schoolwouldhitourneedsright；sayonenightaweek。Thar"saheapofignoranceinthisyerecamp，an"weneedsanight-schoolbad。Itwouldwinforfiftydollarsaweek，Miss；an"youthinksofit。"
"No，theporegirlcouldn"tthinkofitnohow。
""Ofcourse，Miss，saysEnright，"weallsain"texpectin"youtoopenthisyereacademythefirstkyardsoffthedeck。Youneedstimetolineupyouraffairs，an"amlikewisewrungwithgrief。Youtakesyourleesureastothat；meanwhileofcourseyourstipendgoesonfromnow。"
"ButthelittleSuegirlcouldn"tlisten。Herpawisdead，an"nowshe"sdueintheStates。Shesaysthingsisallrightthar。Shehasfriendsasherpawneverlikes；butwho"sfriendsofhers，an"
she"llgotothem。
""Well，Miss，"saysEnright，mightyregretful，"ifthat"showitlays，Ireckonsyou"llgo，sothar"snothin"forustodobutsettleupan"forkoversomedustweowesyourpaw。Hebein"nowdeceased，ofcourseyourepresents。"
"Thegirlcouldn"tseehowanyoneowesherpaw，""causehe"sbeentoosicktowork，"shesays。
""Weoweshimallthesame，"saysEnright，mightyferocious。"Weonderstandswellenoughhowwecomestoowehim，don"twe，Doc？"
""Youcanstackinyourlifewedo，"saysDoc，plentypromptan"
cheerful。"We-allsowesforhisnailin"themhoss-thiefswhentheytriestocleanoutthecorral。"
""That"sit，"saysEnright，"forketchin"ofsomerustlerswholaysforourstock。It"sallright，Miss；youneedn"tlooksodoubtful。
Youwouldn"tifyouknowedthiscamp。It"sthelastoutfitonearthaswouldgoan"givemoneytopeople。It"sagoodstraightcamp，Wolfvilleis；butbusinessisbusiness，an"weain"tpirootin"
"roundnone，givin"nothin"away，bewe，Doc？"
""Notmuch，"saysDoc。"It"senoughforagenttopaydebts，withoutstampedin""roundmakin"presentsofthings。"
""That"swhatever，"saysEnright；"soMiss，meanDoc"llvamosovertotheRedLightan"getthedust，an"Ireckonswe"llbebackinanhour。Is"poseweowesMisterWilkinsabout"fivehundreddollars，don"twe，Doc？"
""Tain"tsomuch，"saysDoc，who"sguilefulthata-way。AsheseesthelittleSuegirlarchin"foranotherbuck，hepullsoutapaperan"makesabluff。"Yereitis，——fourhundredan"ninety-threedollarsan"seventy-fourcents。Iputsitdownallaccurate，"causeIdon"tallownosharptocome"roundan"beatmenone。"
"We-allsthrows"roundan"makesupthepottocometoDoc"sfigger——
whichIwantstosayrightyere，DocPeetsistheablestgentI
eversees——an"thelittleSuegirlhastotakeit。
"Whichthismoneyletsheroutright，an"shecriesan"thanksus，an"thenextdayshetakesthestageforTucson。We"rethartosay"good-by"an"wishthelittleSuegirlluck。
""Adios，"saysPeets，takin"offhishattoher；"itain"tdownonthebillsnone，butifyou-allcouldmanagetokissthisyereoutfitonceapiece，Miss，itwouldberegarded。Youneedn"tbeafraid。Someof"emlooksalittleoff，butthey"reallright，an"b"arhuggin"
isbarred。"
"SothelittleSuegirlbeginswithEnrightan"kissesusall，a-
sobbin"meantimesomefree。Astheaffectionproceeds，Cherokeesortershovesbackan"allowshe"llpass。
""Notanypass!"saysEnright。"AnygentwhothrowsoffonthattharlittleSuegirl，shewillin"，needn"tlookforanyluckbutlynchin"。"
""Thatsettlesit，"saysCherokee，"Isalootsthisyerelady。"
"Soheupsan"kissesthelittleSuegirllikeshe"sahotflat-
iron，an"backsintothecrowd。
""Cherokeemakesmetired，"saysPeets，who"sridin"herdontheplay。Whenitcomeshisturnhekissesherslowan"rapturous，an"
iscontemptuousofCherokee。
"Whenshe"sinthestagea-startin"，Cherokeewalksup，allrespectful。
""You"vebeenawayfromtheStatessometime，Miss，"hesays，"an"
it"sanevenbreakyouwon"tfindthingsthewayyouexpects。Now，youremember，shore；whatevergame"sbein"turnedbackthar，ifitgoesag"inyou，raisethelongyellforasharpcalledCherokeeHall；an"hisbank"syourstogobehindyourplay。""
CHAPTERIV。
THEWASHWOMAN"SWAR。
Itwasevening。Thefirstdarkforeshadowingofthecomingnightclothedallinhalfobscurity。ButIknewtheway；Icouldhavetravelledthelittlepathatmidnight。Therehewas，theOldCattleman，underafavoritetree，thebettertoavoidtheheavydew。
Hesatmotionlessandseemedtobesoakinghimself，asonemightsay，inthebalmyweatherofthathour。
MywisdomhadorderedJim，myblackman，toattendmysteps。Thelaconic，half-sadsalutationofmyoldfriendatoncegaveBlackJimamission。Hewasdispatchedinquestofstimulants。AftercertainexactandalmostelaboratecommandstoBlackJim，andthatusefulAfrican"sdeparture，Igentlyprobedmycompanionwithaquestion。
"No，thar"snothin"thematterofme；sorterpensive，that"sall，"
wasmyreturn。
TheOldCattlemanappearedsilentandoutofsorts。FollowingthecomingofBlackJim，however，whobroughtalustytoddy，heyieldedtoabettermood。
"ItsimplymeansI"mgettin"old；mysettin""roundbalkythisa-
way。Thar"ssomeseventywrinklesonmyhorns；nothin"youngorrecentaboutthat。Whichnowitoftenhappenstome，likeitdoestooldfolksgeneral，thatjestwhenitbeginstogrownight，Igetsmoodyan"bad。Lookslikemythoughtshasbeenoutonsomementalfeed-groundallday，an"theycomesstringin"inlikecattletogetbeddeddownforthenight。Nacheral，Is"posetheysortermillsan"
stands"roundoneasylikeforawhilebeforetheyliesdownallcomfortable。Oldpeoplepartic"largetsdissatisfied。Ifthey"ssingle-footerslikemean"ain"tweddednone；campin""roundattavernsan"findin"of"emmockeries；theywishestheyhasawifeawholelot。Iftheybe，theywishshe"dgovisitherfolks。Gettin"
oldthata-wayan"lonelymakesfolksfrequentmightycontrary。
"No，asIimpartstoyouyeretofore，——mebbyit"samonth，——Inevermarriesnothin"。Ireckonstoo，I"minloveoneround-upan"anothermightynearadozentimes。ButsomehowIallerslosethetrailan"
neverdoesrunupwithnoneof"emonce。
"DownintheBrazoscountrytharwasalittleblue-eyedgirl，——backfortyyearsitis，——an"thewayIadoresherplumbtirespeople。I
reckonsIropesathermore"nfiftytimes，butInevercouldfasten。
TharcomesatimewhenitlookspowerfullikeI"mgoin"torunmybrandontoher；butshelearnsthatBillJenksmarks150calvesthelastspringround-up，an"meonlyforty，an"thatsettlesit；shetakesJenks。
"It"sastonishin"howlittleIdeemsofthisyeremaidenafterBillgetsher。Twomonthsbefore，I"drodemyponytodeathtolookonceinhereyes。She"slikesunshineinthewoodstome，an"Idotesoneverywordsheutterslikeit"saroastapple。ButaftershegetstobeBill"swifeIcoolscomplete。
"Notthatlovin"Bill"swife，withhisgeniusforshootin"apistol，isgoin"toproveapicnic，——an"himsorterpeevishan"hostilenacheral。Butlettin"thatgointhediscard，Ishoredon"tcarenothin"abouthernohowwhenshe"sBill"s。
"IrecallsthatpriortothemnuptialswithBillIgetsthatlocoedlovin"thisgirlIgoesbulgin"outtomakesomepoetryoverher。I
compilesonestanza；an"I"myeretoremarkit"sharderworkthanaJunedayinabrandin"pen。Ropin"an"flankin"calvesan"standin"
offanoldcowwithonehandwhileyouironsupheroffspringwitht"other，fromsun-uptilldark，issedentarycomparedtomakin"
stanzas。WhatwastheonImakes？Well，youcanbetahossIain"tforgotitnone。
""Abeautifulwomanisshorelyamoon，Thenightsofyourlifetoilloomine；She"sallthatisgraceful，guilefulan"soon，Iswoman，lovelywoman。"
"I"mplumbtangledupinmyropewhenIgetsthisfar，an"Itakesalay-off。BeforeIgathersstrengthtotackleitag"in，Jenksgetsher；sobein"thar"snolongernothin"tharinInevermakesafinish。IallersalloweditwouldhavebeenapowerfulgoodpoemifI"dstampededalongcl"arthrough。
"Yes，son；womenthata-wayisshorelyrangycattlean"allersonthemove。Thar"satimeoncewhentwoof"emcomesmightynearsplittin"Wolfvillewideopenan"leavin"itonbothsidesofthetrail。Allthateversavesthedayistheca"mjedgementan"
promptitoodofOldManEnright。
"ThisishowWolfvillewalksintothispetticoatambush。Thecampisgettin"alongallpeacefulan"serenean"man-fashion。Thar"sthepost-officeforourletters；thar"stheRedLightforourbug-juice；
thar"stheO。K。Restaurawforourgrub；an"thar"sthestagean"
ourponiestopullourfreightwithwhenWolfvillelifebeginstopullonusastoopastoral，an"wethirstsforthemeetropolitangayetyofTucson。
"AsIsaysweallshasallthatheartcanhungerfor；thatishungeronthesquar"。
"Amongotherthings，thar"saChinkrunnin"alaundryan"a-doin"ofourwashin"。Thisyeretub-trundler"snameisLung，which，however。
brandsnocattleyere。
"It"soneafternoonwhenDocPeetsgetsaletterfromabarkeepoverinTucsonsayin":DearDoc:
Thar"sanesteemableladydueinWolfvilleonto-morrer"sstage。
She"sp"intin"outtorunalaundry。Pleasebackherplay。Ifthar"saChinamanintown，runhimout。
Andobleege，yours，Dick。
""Whateverdoyouthink，Enright？"saysDocPeetsafterreadin"ustheletter。
""That"sallright，"saysEnright，"theChinkgoes。It"sonbecomin"
asaspectacleforaCaucasianwomanoffullbloodtobecontendin"
forfoulshirtswithaslothfulMongol。Wolfvillepermitsnosechdebasin"exhibitions，an"Lungmustvamos。Jack，"hesays，turnin"
toJackMoore，"takeyourgunan"sa"nteroveran"stampedethisyereopium-slave。Tellhimifhe"svisibletothenakedeyeinthesceneryyere-aboutsto-morrowwhenthisladyjumpsintocamp，he"sshoreaskedthepriceofsoapthelasttimeheeverwillinthisvaleoftears。"
""What"sthematteroflynchin"thisyereChink？"saysDanBoggs。
"Thecamp"sdeadlydull，an"itwouldcheerupthingsawholelot，besidesbein"complimentstothisyoungfemaleOldMonte"sbringin"
inonthestage。"
""Ohno，"saysEnright，"noneedofstringinhimnone。Onsecondthought，Jack，Idon"treckonI"drunhimoutneither。Itdignifieshimtoomuch。S"poseyoucanteruptohistub-campan"bringhimover，an"we"llrevealthisupheavalinhisshirt-burnin"destiniesbywordofmouth。Ifhegrowsreluctantjestropehim"roundtheneckwithhisqueue，an"yankhim。Itimpresses"eman"shows"emthey"reupag"inthelaw。Is"pose，Peets，Ivoicesyoursentimentsinthis？"
""Shore，""saysDocPeets——whichthisPeetsisthefinest-eddicatedmanIevermeets。"ThisChinamanmustpullhisfreight。We-allsowesitnotonlytothisTucsonlady，buttothelovelysexsherepresents。Woman，woman，whathasshenotdoneforman!AsJohannaofArcshefreesthesensuousvine-cladhillsoffar-offSwitzerland。AsGraceDarlingshesmoothsthefever-heatedpillowoftheCrimea。Inreecompensesheasksonelittle，punyboon——tofirefromourmidstaheathenfromtheOrient。Gents，thar"sbutoneanswer:Weplaysthereturngamewithwoman。ThisChinamanmustgo。"
"WhenJackcomesbackwithLung，whichhedoesprompt，Enrightstartsintodealthegame。
""Itain"tnouse，Lung，"saysEnright，"tryin"toexplaintoyou-
allwhat"sup。YourweakAsiaticintellectcouldn"tgetthedropontoitno-how。You"vebeenbroughttoashow-downag"inawoman，an"you"reout-held。You"vegottoquit；savey？Don"tletusfindyouyereto-morrow。Bythird-drinktimewe"llbea-scoutin"foryouwithsomethin"besidesanop"ryglass，an"ifyou"renoticedaspartofthelandscapeyou"regoin"tohaveaheapofbadluck。I"dadviseyoutop"intforRedDog，butastothatyouplaysyourhandyourse"f。"
"NextdaythatolddrunkardMontecomesswingin"inwiththestage；
thesixhossesonthejump，sameasheallersdoeswithawomanalong。Overatthepost-office，wherehestops，aladygetsout，an"
ofcoursewe-allsbowsp"litean"hopesshe"swellan"frisky。Sheallowssheis，an"headsfortheO。K。House。
"Itfloatsoverprettysoonthathername"sAnnie，an"asnoneofuswantstocallherjest"Annie"——thesamebein"toofreeaplay——an"
hearin"shelivesayearortwoatBenson，weconcloodstocallherBensonAnnie，an"letitgoatthat。
""Thesamebein"musicalan"expressive，"saysDocPeets，aswealllinesupag"intheRedLightbar，"Isu"gestswebaptizethislady"BensonAnnie，"an"yere"stohersuccess。"
"Sowe-allsturnsupourglasses，an"BensonAnnieitis。
"ThenextdaythefetidLungisathingofthepast，an"BensonAnniehasthegametoherse"f。Twodayslatersheraisesthetarifftofiftycentsonshirts，insteadoftwenty-five，aspreviouswiththeChink。Butnoonerenigs。
""Agent，"saysDocPeets，"asholdsthataCaucasianwomanisgoin"
towashashirtforthemiserablestipendofaslaveoftheOrientmustbeplumblocoed。Wolfvillepaysfiftycentsforshirtsan"isproudtharof。"
"Thingsgoesalongformightylikeamonth，an"thenthisyereBensonAnnieallowsshe"llhaveavisitor。
""I"mplumb，cleansick，"shesays，"ofseein"nothin"butalotofdrunken，good-for-nothin"sotsa-pesterin""round，an"IdonereckonsI"llhavemyfriendSalcomeoverfromTombstonean"seemeawholelot。It"llbesomerelaxation。"
"Mebbyit"sfourdaysafterwhenthisyereSalhopsoutenthestage，an"forthenextweektharain"tnowashin"donewhatever，whileBensonAnniean"Salworksthewireaigeoffentheirvisit。
"`Agentaswouldbegretchtwopore，hard-workin"girlsalay-offofaweek，"saysEnright，"ain"tcleanstrain，an"Idon"twanttoknowsechahoss-thiefnohow"；an"we-allsfeelslikewise。
"Butslapontheheelsofallthisyeregregar"ousnessonthepartofBensonAnniean"Sal，thedealbeginstocomequeer。Attheendoftheweekthetwogirlshasarow，an"intheturnSalgoestot"otherendofcampan"opensalaundry。Thatdoessettleit。BensonAnniegivesSalfits，an"Salshorelysends"emback。Thentheyquitsspeakin"，anwhentheymeetsonthestreettheyconcoctssnootsateachother。ThisscaresEnright，buthedoeshislevelbestan"triestokeeptheboysfromtakin"sides。
""Inaplaylikethisyere，"hesays，"thiscampdon"ttakenokyards。ForthefirsttimeWolfvillepassesout，an"offerstomakeitajack"
"Butasonedayan"thenexttrailsby，theboyssortergetslineduponewayan"t"other；someforBensonAnniean"someforSal，an"
thingsisshorelygettin"hot。Hamilton，overatthedance-hall，upsan"nameshisplacethe"SalSaloon，"an"BurnstakesdownthesignontheRedLightan"callsitthe"BensonAnnieHouse。"Finallythingssorterculminates。
"DanBoggs，who"saopen，voylentAnnieman，comesa-prancin"intotheRedLightonenight，an"afterstampin"an"rappin"hishorns"roundawholelot，allowshisshirtiscleanerthanDaveTutt"s。
"Tuttsayshedon"tcarenothin"forhimse"f，an"nonewhateverfortheshirt；an"whilehean"Dan"sallersbeenfriendsan"crossedtheplainstogether，stillhedon"tallowhe"llstand"roundmuchan"seeaporeondefendedfemale，likeSal，maligned。SoTuttoutswithhisgunan"getsBoggsinthelaig。
"Thisyerebringsthingsdowntocases。Enrightisworriedsickatit。Buthe"sbeenthinkin"mightyarduousforquiteaspell，an"
whenBoggsgetscreased，heseessomethin"mustbedone，an"beginstolinehimse"fforaplayforout。
"It"sthenextdayafterBoggsgetsag"inTutt，an"DocPeetshaspluggedupthehole，whenEnrightroundsupthewholepasselofusintheRedLight。Helooksthatdignifiedan"whatyou-allscallsimpressive，thatthebarkeep，yieldin"tothegravityofthesituation，allowsthedrinksisonthehouse。We-allsgetsourfortydrops，an"sorterstandspattharoninsilence，waitin"forEnrighttoonfoldhisgame。Weshoreknowsifthar"satrailhe"llfindit。
""IGents，"hesaysatlast，——an"itseemslikehe"ssorryan"hurtthata-way，——"I"llnotdriftintothemharrowin"differenceswhichhasrentasunderwhatwasaforetimesthepeacefullestcampinArizona。Iwantsyou-alls，however，totakenoteofmyremarks，forwhatIsaysisshorelygoin"togo。"
"YereEnrightpausestotakeasmalldrinkbyhimse"f，whilewe-allstarriesabout，someoneasyan"anxiousastowhatkyardsfallsnext。
AtlastEnrightp"intsoutonthetrailofhisremarksag"in。
""Itiswithpainan"mortification，"hesays——an"yerehefixeshiseyesomehardan"delib"rateonayoungtenderfootnamedFrench，who"sbeenlostfromtheStatessomethin"likesixmonths——"itiswithpainan"mortification，Isays，thatInotesforaweekpastouryoungfriendan"townsman，WillyumFrench，payin"markedan"
ondiscreetattentionstoBensonAnnie，afemalepersonwhomweallrespects。Atalltimes，dayan"night，whenhecouldescapehisdootiesasbook-keepforthestagecompany，hehaspitchedcampinhers"ciety。Wolfvillehasbeenshocked，an"apureladycompromised。Standin"aswe-allsdoesinthelightofaparenttothisporeyoungfemale，wehavedeterminedthewrongmustbemaderight，an"MisterFrenchmustmarrythegirl。IhavesubmittedtheseyereviewstoBensonAnnie，an"sheconcurs。I"vetookthetroubletobringagospel-sharpoverfromTucsontodothemarryin"，an"
I"vesetthehappyeventforto-night，toconcloodwithablow-outinthedance-hallatmyexpense。Wewill，ofcourse，yerebyloseBensonAnnieinthemindustrialwalksshenowadorns，forIpausestogiveMisterFrenchap"inter；thesentimentsofthiscampisag"inamarriedfemaletakin"inwashin"。NottoplayittoolowdownonMisterFrench，who，whileperformin"aprivatedooty，isalsoworkin"forapublicgood，Iheadsasubscriptionwithfiftydollarsforapresentforthebride。I"dsayinclosin"thatifI
wasMisterFrenchIwouldn"tcaretoobjecttothisunion。Theladyisgood-lookin"，thesubscriptioniscash，an"inthepresentheatedconditionofthepublicmind，an"withtheheartofthecampsetonthisweddin"，Iwouldn"tberesponsibleifhedoes。Now，gents，who"llfollowmyfiftydollarswithfiftymore？Barkeep，doyourdootywhilethesubscription-papergoes"round。"
"Thebiddin"ismightylively，an"intenminutessevenhundreddollarsisraisedforadowry。ThenFrench，whohasbeensettin"inasortofdaze，getsup:
""MisterEnrightan"gents，"hesays，`thisyereisas"prise-partytome，butitgoes。It"sahossonme，butIstandsit。Iseeshowitis，an"asaforcedplayImarriesBensonAnnieintheinterestsofpeace。Whichthesamebein"settled，ifBensonAnnieisyere，whirlherupan"I"llcomeflutterin"frommyperchlikeapanofmilkfromatopshelf，an"putanendtothisonhealthfulexcitement。
"We-allsapplaudsFrenchan"isproudtonotehe"sgame。
"`An"tobefreean"openwithyou，French，"saysTexasThompson，soastomakehimfeelhe"saheadonthedeal；whichheshoreis，forthisyereBensonAnnieiscorn-fed，"ifitain"tforahigh-speritedladybackinLaredowhoreliesonme，I"dbeplayin"yourhandmyse"f。"
"Well，noonedelaysthegame。EnrightbringsoverBensonAnnie，who"sblushin"some，butain"tholdin"back；an"shean"Frenchfrontsupforbusiness。Thisyerepreacher-sharpEnright"sropedupisjestshufflin"forthedeal，when，whateverdoyoureckontakesplace？I"maMexicanifthisyereSaldon"tcomewanderin"in，a-
cryin"an"a-mournin"powerful。SheallowswithsobsifherdearfriendAnnie"sgoin"togetmarriedshewantsinonthegameasbridesmaid。
""Whichyou-allshorelygetsahandassech，"saysDocPeets，who"sactin"lookoutforthedeal；an"sohestakesoutSaloverbythenighsideofBensonAnnie，whokissesherquitefrantic，an"unitesherwailstoSal"s。Bothof"emweepin"thata-wayshorelymakestheoccasionmightysympathetican"damp。ButPeetssaysit"sthereg"larcaper，an"youcangamblePeetsknows。""Thar，"saysEnright，whenthelastkyard"soutan"theFrenchfam"lyisreceivin"congratulations，"Ireckonsthatnow，withonlyonelaundry，Wolfvilleseesaseasonofpeace。It"sallright，butI"myeretoremarkthatthenextladyasdazzlesthiscampwithherdeebut，an"onfurlsapurposetoplungeintowork，ain"tgoin"tokeepalaundrynone。Gents，thebridle"splumboffthehoss。We"llnowrepairtothedance-hall，ifsobemeetsyourtastes，an"takethefirststepsinadebauchfromwhich，whenit"sover，thisyerecampofWolfvilledatestime。""
CHAPTERV。
ENRIGHT"SPARD，JIMWILLIS。
"Ifmymem"ry"sdealin"asquar"game，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，ashemovedhischairabitmoreintotheshade，"it"ssome"ersoverinthefoot-hillsof，theFloridaswhenEnrightvouchsafeswhyhehatesMexicans。"
Themorningwasdrowsy。Conversationbetweenushadinasleepywayrangedawidefield。AshadgrowntobeourhabitweatlastsettledonWolfvilleanditsvolatileinhabitants。IaskedtobeenlightenedastothesageEnright，andwasinformedthat，asidefromhiscourageandloveofstrictjustice，theprominentcharacteristicofourWolfvilleLycurguswashiswrathagainstMexicans。
"NotthatEnrightloathessomuchashedeplores"em，"continuedtheoldgentleman。"However，Idon"taimtobeheldassayin"heindorsestheirexistencealittlebit；nonewhatever。
"Enright"stellin"ofthistalearisesoutenatrivialincidentwhichaMexicanisthemarrowof。We"reoutonthespringround-up，an"combin"thedrawsan"dryARROYASoverbetweenthecowspringsan"theFloridas，whenonenightaMexicanrunsoffapasselofourponies。Thehoss-hustlerisasleep，Ireckons，atthetimethisMexicanstacksin。Hesayshimse"fhe"slyin"alongthebackofhisbroncogazin"atthestarswhenthisrobberjumpsattheponiesan"
flapsablanketorsomethin"，an"awaypatterseveryhoofintheband。
"ThisyereMexicandon"trunoffwithonlyaboutahandful；Itakesithecan"troundupnomoreinthedark。Whenyou-allstampedesabunchofponiesthata-waytheydon"tholdtogetherlikecattle，butplungesoffdiffusive。It"severybroncoforhimse"f，disdainfulofallelse，an"whenit"ssun-upyoufinds"emspatteredalloverthescenean"notregardin"ofeachothermuch。
"ButthisyereMexican，afterhestampedes"em，huddleswhathecantogether——asIsaysmebbyit"sadozen——an"p"intsoffintothehills。
"Ofcourseitain"tnotimeafterthesunshowsthetrackswhenEnright，JackMoore，an"myse"fisonthetrail。Tuttan"DanBoggswantsinontheplay，butwecan"tspar"somanyfromtheround-up。
"It"soneofthestolenponiestipsthisGreaser"shand。It"sthesecondday，an"we-allslosesthetrailformebbyit"sfifteenminutes。We"resmellin"alongacanyontofinditag"in，whenfromoverap"intofrockswehearsabronconicker。HegetsthescentofanacquaintancewhichMoore"sridin"on，an"says"How!"pony-
fashion。
"Thar"snoneedgoin"intowearyin"details。Followin"thenickerwecomessurgin"inonourprey，an"it"soverinaminute。Thar"stwoMexicans，——ourcriminaltrackin"upwithapardthatmornin"。Butofcoursewe-allsknowshe"stharlonghoursbackbythetracks，soitain"tnos"prise。
"ThisyeresecondMexicanisdownedontherun-in。Heshowsaheapofinterestinourcomin"，an"takestoshootin"usupmightyvividwithaWinchesteratthetime；an"soEnright，who"sclosein，jumpssomeleadintohiman"stretcheshim。Hedon"tmanagetodonoharm，nohow，more"nhecreasesmyhossalittle。However，asthisyerehossisamazin"low-sperited，an"asbein"burntthata-waywithabulletsorterlivenshimupaheap，Idon"tcomplainnone。StillEnright"sall-wiseenoughtocoppertheGreaser，fortharain"tnosayin"whatluckthefelonhaswiththatlittleoldgunofhisifhekeepsonshootin"。Which，asIobserves，Enrightdownshim，an"hispowder-burnin"an"hoss-rustlin"stopsimmediate。
"AsfortheotherMexican，whichhe"sthepartywhojumpsourponiesinthefirstplace，hethrowsuphishandsan"allowshecashesinhischipsforwhateverthebanksays。
"We-allsropesoutourcaptive；sorterhog-tieshimhandan"foot，wristan"fetlock，an"thengoesintocampallcomfortable，wherewerunsuponourgame。
"JackMooredropstheloopofhislariatovertheoffmoccasinofthedeceasedMexican，an"cantershisponydownthedrawwithhim，so"sweain"toffendednonebythevisionofhimspraddledoutthata-waydead。Thisyere"sthoughtfulofJack，an"showshe"snacherallyrefinedan"objectstoremainderslyin""roundloose。
""No，itain"tsomuchI"mrefined，"saysJack，whenIcomplimentshimthatheexhibitshisbringin"up，an"himbein"toomodestthata-waytoaccept；"itain"tthatI"mrefinednone——whichmynacherisshorecoarse——Ijestsorterprotestsinmybosomag"inhavin"acorpseidlin""roundthata-waywhereI"mcamped。TharforeItakesmyropean"snatchesdeceasedoffwhereheain"tnoticeableonthescenery。"
"Jackdoesitthatgentlean"considerate，too，thatwhenwepassestheMexicannextdayonourwayin，excepthe"ssomeraveledan"
frayedcoastin"alongwhereit"srocky，an"whichcan"tbehe"pednone，he"sasexcellentacorpseaswhenhecomesofftheshelf，warmastherifleEnrightthrowshimwith。
""Whateverbewegoin"todowiththisyerehoss-thiefpris"nerofours？"saysJackMooretoEnrightthenextday，whenwe"resaddlin"
upan"organizin"topullourfreight。"He"sshoreduetobotherusalot。We"replumbsixtymilesfromTuttan"theboys，an"ridin"
herdonthisyeresaddle-coloredgent，a-keepin"ofhimfromlopin"
off，ismightylikelytobeaheapexhaustin"。Iknowsmen，"Jackremarksattheclose，lookin"wistfulatEnright，"aswouldbeefhimrightyerean"leavehimasacompanionpiecetothatcompadreofhisyoudowns。"
""Nachersaswouldexecuteapris"nerincoldblood，"saysEnright，"isroodean"oncivilized。WhichIdon"tmeantheyislowneither；
butit"sonconsideratethata-waytogoan"ca"mlykillapris"ner，an"noco"tnorcommitteeauthorizin"thesame。Ineverknowsofitbein"donebutonce。It"sMexicanswhodoesitthen；whichiswhytheyain"tnonepop"larwithmesince。"
""It"sshorewhatyoucallsamightyinduratedplay，"saysJack，shakin"hishead，"togoshootin"somehe"plessgentyou"vetook；
but，asIstates，it"sacinchit"llbeaheapfatiguin"keepin"
casesonthisyereMexicantillwemeetsupwithaquorumofthecommittee。Stillit"sourdooty，an"ofcoursewedon"tdouble-deal，norputbackkyardsonwhat"sourplaindooty。"
""Whatyou-allstates，"saysEnright，"`istoyourcredit，butI"lltellyou。Tharain"tnoharmmountin"thismarauderonaslowponythata-way；an"bein"humanes"fficienttoleavehishandsan"feetontied。Ofcourseifhetakesadvantageofourleniencyan"goesstampedin"offtomakehisescapesome"ersalongthetrail，I
reckonsyou"llshorelyhavetoshoot。Thar"snopass-outthenbutdownhim，an"wesadlytreadstharin。An"，"goesonEnright，somethoughtful，ifthisyereMexican，afterwe-allsisthatpatientan"
liberalwithhim，abusesourconfidencesan"escapes，weleavesitalone-handplaytoyou。Myeyesisgettin"someoldan"off，anyway；
an"besides，ifwethreetakestobangin"awaysimooltaneous，intheardorofcompetitionsomeofusmightshootthepony。Soifthisyerecaptiveruns——whichhelookstame，an"Idon"texpectnonehewill——weleavesthedetainin"ofhim，Jack，toyouentire。"
"InspiteofEnright"sfaithitshoreturnsoutthisMexicanisorneryenough，wherethetrailskirtstheriver，towheelsuddenan"
goplungin"across。ButJackgetshiminmidstream。Ashegoesoverthebronco"sshoulder，hatfirst，heswingsonthebridlelongenoughwithhisdyin"handtoturntheponysoitcomesoutag"inonourside。
"WhichI"mgladhelivess"fficienttoheadthathossourway，"saysjack。"Itsavessplashin"acrossafterhiman"wettin"yourlegginsalot。"
"It"sthatnightincampwhenjackbringsupwhatEnrightsaysaboutthetimetheMexicansdownsapris"ner，an"tharbyfixeshisviewsof"em。
""It"salongtrailback，"saysEnright，"an"Idon"tlikethisyarnenoughtofindmyse"frelatin"ittoanyexcessivedegrees。Itdrawsthecinchsometightan"painful，an"Idon"tteachmymindtodwellonitnomore"nisnecessary。
""ThisisallwhenI"maboy；mebbyIain"ttwentyyearsyet。It"sdurin"theMexicanwar。Igetsastackofwhitechipsan"standsinonthedealinaboyishway。AllIsaveysofthewarisit"sag"intheMexicans，which，whileIain"tgotnofeudwith"empersonalatthetime，makesitplentysatisfactorytome。
""It"sdownofftwodaystothewestofChihuahua，an"sevenofusisprojectin""roundseein"whatevercanwetiedownan"brand，whensomeMexicansgetsusoutonalimb。Itain"tasquar"deal；stillI
reckonsit"ssquar"enough，too；onlybein"whatyou-allscallsstrategic，it"soffensivean"sneakin"asaplay。
""Thisyerelieutenantwho"sleadin"us"roundpermiscus，lookslikehe"ssomeromanticaboutayoungMexicanfemale，who"scalledthePrincessofCasaGrande。WhichtherepooteofthisyerePrincesswomanisbad，an"Istrikesastoryseveraltimesofhowshe"sthatincensedag"inAmericanssheoncesawsoffathimblefuloflocoonacaptaininsomewhiskeyhe"sallowin"todrink，an"hegoesplumbcrazyan"dies。
""Butlocoornoloco，thisyerePrincesspersonisshorethatgoodlookin"apintoponydon"tcomparetharwith；an"whenshegetsherblackeyesonourlieutenant，thatsettlesit；weroundsupatherhaciendaan"goesintocamp。
""Besidesthelieutenantthar"ssixofus。Oneof"em"sashorthornwhomatchesmeforage；whichhisname"sWillis——JimWillis。""NowI
ain"touttomakenodescriptionsofthefriendshipwhichgoesonbetweenthisyereWillisan"me。IseesashowonetimewhenI"mpesterin""roundbackinSt。Looey——an"I"myeretoremarkIdon"tgothatfareastnomore——whichtakesonaboutacoupleofsportswho"snamedDamonan"Pythias。Themtwopeople"sallright，an"game。An"theyshoredeemshighofoneanother。ButatthetimeIseesthisyereDamonan"
Pythias，Isaystomyse"f，an"eversinceImakesonhesitatin"
assertiontharof，thatthebrotherlyviewsthemtwogentsentertainsain"tamarkertoJimWillisan"me。""ThisyereJimIknowssincewe"reyearlin"s。We-allsjumpsoutenthecorraltogetherbackinTennessee，an"goesoffintothisMexicanwarliketwins。An"bein"
twoboysthata-wayamongabandofmen，Iallowstharain"tnothin"before，northen，norafter。whichIloveslikeJim。""AsIobserves，Jiman"me"sintheoutfitwhenthisyerelieutenantcomestrackin""roundthatPrincessofCasaGrande；whichherloveforhimisabluffan"adeadfall；an"thesamegetsallofusbeforewe"rethrough。An"itgetsmyJimWillisspeshul。"Mebbyit"sthethirdmornin"afterwe-
allsmeandersintothisnestofMexicans，an"thelieutenantgetslinedoutforthatPrincessofCasaGrande。Weain"tbeenturnin"
outearlynohow，tharbein"nothin"
toturnoutabout；butthisthirdmornin"somebodyarousesusaheapvigorous，liketheyaimstotransactsomebusinesswithus。Whichtheyshorelydoes；it"sanoutfitofGreaserguerillas，an"we-allsain"tnothin"moreorlessthancaptives。""Theorneryan"
ongratefulpartisthatthePrincesssendsoneofherownpeoniesscoutin""roundinthehillstobringinthisbandofcattle-eatersontous。""WhenthelieutenanthearsoftheperfidyofthePrincessfemale，he"sthatmortifiedhegetsapistolthefirstjumphemakesan"blowsoffthetopofhishead；whichifheonlyblowsoffthetopofhersitwouldhavegoneaheapfurtherwiththerestofus。
Ifhe"dconsultedanyofus，itwouldhaveshorelybeenadvised。Buthemakesanimpulsiveplaythata-way；an"isthatsorean"chagrinedhejestgrabsaguninafrenziedwayan"casheshischipsabrupt。""No，asIstates，"saysEnright，musin"tohimse"f，"ifthelieutenanthadonlydownedthatPrincesswhoplaysusinaspris"nerssosmoothan"easy，itwouldhavebeenregarded。Hecouldhavegonecaperin"overthebrinkafterherwiththebridleoffthenextsecond，an"we-allswouldstilltalkwellofhim。""Asitis，however，thisriotousfemaledon"tlasttwomonths。
Whichit"salsoafactthattakin"usthattimemusthavebeenaheapon。luckyforthemGreasers。Thar"snineof"em，an"everylastmandiesinthenextfivemonths；an"neveraone，noryetthePrincess，knowswhatthey"reag"instwhentheyquits；orwhatbreezeblowstheirlightout。Iknows，becausemean"apartywhosenameisTate——
BillTate——neverleavesthemhillstillthelastofthatoutfit"sgothisheapofrockspiledup，withitslittlepinecrossstickin"
outenthepeaktharof，showin"he"sdonejumpedthisearthlygameforgood。""ThisBillTatean"mebreakscamponthemGreaserstogetherwhilethey"retankin"uponmescal，mebbyit"stwodayslater；an"theynevergetstheirlariatsonusnomore。"""Youain"tgotnodates，norspeshulengagementswithnobodyintheStates，haveyou？"saysTatetomewhenwe"resafeoutenthemMexican"shands。"""No，"saysI，"whatevermakesyouask？"""Oh，nothin"，"saysTatelookin"attheskysorterblackan"ugly，"onlysinceyou-allhastheleesure，whatforaplaywoulditbetomakealongcampbackinthesehillsbysomewater-holesome"ers，an"standpatontilwedownstheseyereGreasers——squawsan"all——
who"shadustreed？Itoughterbedid；an"ifwe-ailsdon"tdoitnone，it"saheaplikelyit"sgoin"tobeneglectedcomplete。It"seasyasaplay；everyhoss-thiefof"emlivesrightintheseyerevalleys，forIhears"emtalk。Allwehastodoissa"nterbackinthehills，makeacamp；an"bybein"slowan"shore，an"takin"timean"pains，webushwhacksan"killsthelastone。"""ThewayIfeelsaboutWillismakestheprospectmightyallurin，"an"tharuponTatean"meopensagamewiththemMexicansittakesfivemonthstodeal。""Butit"splumbdealtout，an"wewin。WhenTatecrossestheRioGrandewiththearmygoin"
back，heshorelyhastheskelpofeveryMexicanincloosiveofsaidPrincess。""ButIwandersfromWillis。WherewasIatwhenIbogsdown？AsIsays，thislieutenantnabsapistolan"goesflutterin"fromhislimb。Butthisdon"tdothemGreasers。TheyputsupaclaimthatsomeAmericanstracksupononeoftheiroutfitan"killshimoff，theysays，fivedaysbefore。
Theyallowsthat，breakin"evenonthedeal，oneofusisduetodie。Tateofferstolet"emcountthelieutenant，buttheyshakestheirheadstillthelittlebellsontheirsombrerostinkles，an"
declinesthelieutenantemphatic。""Theyp"intsoutthisyerelieutenantdiesinhisowngame，onhisowndeal。It"snoracketoftheirs，an"itdon"tgotomatchthemanthey"reshy。"`Oneofussixwho"slefthastodietocountevenforthisGreaserwho"sbeencalledinthemfivedaysago。Tatecan"tmove"em；allhesaysisnouse；sohequits，an"ashe"sbeentalkin"Spanish——whichthesameistoomuddyalanguagefortherestofus——Tateturnsinan"tellsushowthethingsizesup。"`"Oneofusisshorelyelectedtotrailoutafterthelieutenant，"saysTate。"Theresttheyholdsaspris"ners。Eitherwayit"sahard，deepcrossin"，an"one"saboutasroughatossastheother。"""ThislastTatestacksintomebbywinoutalittlecomfortfortheonetheMexicanscutsoutenourbunchtokill。"`Afterabriefpow-wowtheGreaserwho"sactin"range-bossfortheoutfitputssixbeansinabuckskinbag。Fiveiswhitean"one"sblack。ThemGreasersisonthegamblebigger"nwolves，an"theycrowdsupplentygleefultoseeustakeagambler"schanceforourlives。Theoneofuswhodrawsablackbeanistop"intoutafterthelieutenant。"`Sayin"somethin"
inSpanishwhichmostlikelymeans"Agebeforebeauty，"theMexicansmakesWillisan"mestandbackwhilethefourotherssearchesoneaftertheotherintothebagforhisbean。"`Tategoesfirstan"winsawhitebean。
"`Thenashiftless，no-accountpartywhomwe-allscalls"ChickenBill"reachesin。Ishorelyhopes，seein"it"sboundtobesomebody，thatthisChickenBillacquirestheblackbean。Butluck"sag"inus；
ChickenBillbacksoffwithawhitebean。"`WhenthethirdgentturnsoutawhitebeantheshadowbeginstofallacrossJimWillisan"me。IlooksatJim；an"IgivesittoyoustraightwhenIsaysthatIain"tatthattimethinkin"ofmyse"fsomuchasaboutJim。
Toseethisyeredeal，blackasmidnight，closin"inonJim，iswhat"shurtin"；itdon"tsomehowoccurtomeI"mlikewiseupag"intheironmyse"f。"`"Lookslikethisyereamiabledeeviceisouttorunitsbrandontooneofus，"saysJimtome；an"Ilooksathim。
"`An"then，asthefourthfindsawhitebeaninthebag，an"drawsadeepsighan"standsback，Jimsays:"Well，Sam，it"suptous。"
ThenJimlooksatmekeenan"steadyawholelot，an"theMexicans，bein"ratherpleasedwiththesituation，ain"tgoadin"ofustohurryupnone。
"`Whenit"stoJiman"metheyselectsmeoutastheonetopullforthenextbean。Jim"sstilllookin"atmehard，an"Iseesthewaterinhiseye。"
"`"Letmehaveyourdraw，Sam，"hesays。
"`"Shore，"Ireplies，standin"astepofffromthebag。"It"syourstooquick。"
"`ButtheMexicansdon"tseeitthata-way。It"smyturnan"mydraw，an"Jimhastotakewhat"sleft。SotheMexicanstellsTatetosendmeaftermybeanag"in。
"`"Holdonasecond，Sam，"saysJim，an"bythistimehe"ssteadyasachurch。"Sam，"hegoeson，"thar"snouseyou——allgettin"theshortendofthis。Thar"sreasonsforyoulivin"，whichmycaseisvoidtharof。Nowletmeaskyou:beyouuponbeans？Canyoutellablackfromawhitebeanbythefeel？"
"`"No，"Isays，"beansisallaheapthesametome。"
"""That"swhatIallows，"goesonthisJim。"Nowyere"swheremysooperiorknowledgegetsin。IftheseMexicanshadletmedrawforyouI"dfixedit，butitlooksliketheyhasscrooples。Butlisten，an"youbeatsthedealasitis。Thar"sadifferenceinbeanssameasinponies。Blackbeansisroughlikeacactuscomparedtowhitebeans，whichsaidlastvegetableisshorelyassmoothasglass。Nowyere"swhatyou——alldoes；jestgrp[ean"scout"roundinthatbaguntilyoupicksoutthesmoothbean。That"syourbean；that"sthewhitebean。Cinchthesmoothbeanan"theblackonecomestome。"
"WhenJimsaysallthisitseemslikeI"minadazean"sorterwoozy。Ineverdoubtshimforamoment。OfcourseIdon"ttakenoadvantageofwhathesays。Irecallstheadvicemyoldmothergivesme；it"slongenoughagonow。Theoldladysays:"Samyool，neverletmehearofyouweakenin"。Beaman，oramouse，oralong-tailrat。"
SowhenJimlaysitoffaboutthemtwobeansbein"smoothan"roughthata-way，an"thewhitebein"thesmoothbean，Inacherallysearchesouttheroughbean，allowin"she"llshorebeblack；whichshowsmyintellectscan"tcopewithJim"snone。
"`ThebeanIbringstothesurfaceiswhite。I"mpaleasaghost。Myheartwiltslikewaterinsideofme，an"Ifeelswhiteasthebeanwhereitlaysinmyhand。OfcourseI"msomeyoungthemdays，an"itdon"tneedsomuchtostaggerme。"`Irecollectslikeitwasinavisionhearin"Jimlaugh。"Sam，"hesays，"Ireadsyoulikesomuchsunshine。An"Ishorelyfoolsyouupalot。Don"tyoureckonI
allowsyou"lldoubleonthetrail，p"intin"southifIsays"north"
atashowlikethis？Thewhitebeanisallersarough，sandybean；
allerswasan"allerswillbe；an"neverletnoonefoolyouthata-
wayag"in。An"now，Sam，ADIOS。"
""I"mstandin"lookin"atthewhitebean。IfeelsJimgripmyotherhandasliesays"ADIOS，"an"thenextisthe"bang!"oftheMexicans"sguns。Jim"sdeadthen；he"soutinasecond；neverbatsaneyenorwagsay"ear。
""Whichnow，"saysEnrightattheend，asheyankshissaddle"roundsohemakesaplaceforhishead，"whichnowthatyou-allsisfullyinformedwhyIappearsaversetoGreasers，IreckonsI"llslumbersome。Ineverdoesseeone，Idon"tthinkofthatboy，JimWillis；
an"IneverthinksofJimbutIwantstomurderaMexican。"
"Enrightdon"tsaynomore；sorterrollsupinhisblankets，dropshisheadonhissaddle，an"laysalongtimequiet，likehe"sasleep。JackMoorean"meain"tsayin"nothin"；merelysettin"tharpeerin"intothefirean"listenin"tothecoyotes。AtlastEnrightliftshisheadoffthesaddle。
""Mebbyit"stwentyyearsagowhenapartyoverontheRioGrandeallowsashowJim"saimin"tocold-deckmewhenheonfoldsaboutthehabitsofthembeans。Ittakessevenmonths，aironconstitootion，an"threemedicine-sharps——an"eachasgoodasDocPeets，——beforethatRioGrandepartyisregardedasoutendanger。""
CHAPTERVI。
TUCSONJENNIESHEART。
""Whyeverain"tImarried？"saysyou。"TheOldCattlemanrepeatedthequestionaftermeashesettledhimselfforoneofourmany"pow-wows，"ashedescribedthem。"Lookslikeyou"vedealtmethatconundrumbefore。Whyain"tIwedded？Theanswertothat，son，isalongshotan"alimbintheway。
"NowIreckonsthereasonwhyI"mallerswifelessawholelotismainlyduetothewidepop"larityofthemfemalesItakesafter。
Someothergentsortergetsherfirsteachtime，an"nacherallythatbarsme。BillJenks"swifeonthatoccasionisaspec"mencase。
That"soneofthedisapp"intmentsIonfoldstoyou。Nowthar"samaidenInotonlywants，butneeds；jestthesame，Billgetsher。