第4章
"Thestagejoltsalongtwoorthreemiles，an"nothin"morebein"
said。Theblack-coatgenthegroansoccasionally，whichworriesTexas；an"thetwoinfants，gettin"restless，comestumblin"overontoCherokeean"issearchin"ofhispocketsformementoes。Whichthisisaboutasrefreshin"toCherokeeasbein"burnedatthestake。Butthemothersheleansbackan"smiles，an"ofcoursehe"splumbhe"pless。Finallytheblack。coatgentp"intsinforanothertalk。
""Whatisyourname，myporeworm？"saystheblack-coatgent，addressin"ofTexas；"an"whateveravocationhasyouan"yourlostcompanion？"
"IWhy，"saysTexas，"thisyere"sHall——CherokeeHall。HeturnsfarointheRedLight；an"，"continuesTexas，a-lowerin"ofhisvoice，"he"sassquar"agentasevercountedadeck。Actooally，pard，youmightnotthinkit，butallthatgentknowsaboutsettin"upkyards，ordealin"double，oranvsechsinfulscheme，ismeretradition。"
""Brother，"saysthefemale，bristlin"upan"tacklin"theblack-
coatgent，"don"ttalktothempersonsnomore。Them"sgamblers，an"
mightyawfulmen；"an"withthatshesnatchesawaytheyearlin"slikethey"scontam"nated。
"ThisisrelieftoCherokee，buttheyoung-oneshowlslikecoyotes，an"wantstocomebackan"finishpillagin"him。Butthemothershespanks"em，an"whenTexasisgoin"togive"emsomecartridgesoutenhisbelttoamoose"em，shesasseshimscand"lous，an"allowssheain"tneedin"noattentionsfromhim。ThenshesnortsatTexasan"Cherokeecontemptuous。Theyoung-oneskeepsonyellin"inamightyonmelodiousway，an"whileCherokeeisca"man"don"tseemlikehemindsitmuch，Texasgetssomenervous。AtlastTexaslugsoutabottle，aimin"tocomposehisfeelins"，whichthey"ssomeharrowedbynow。
"`Well，Inever!"shoutsthewoman；"Ishorelyseesinebriateserenow，butatleasttheyhasthedecencynottopullabottlethata-
waybeforealady。""ThisstampedesTexascomplete，an"hethrowsthewhiskeyoutenthestagean"don"tgetnodrink。"It"salonglateinthemornin"whenthestagestrikestheupperendofApacheCanyon。Thisyerecanyonislatelyreckonedsomebad。Nothin"everhappensontheline，butthemisthedayswhenCochiseiscavortin""roundplentyloose，an"
it"smightypossibletostirupApachesanytimea-layin"inthehillsalongthetrailtoTucson。Iftheyevergetsanotiontostandupthestage，they"sshoreduetobeinthiscanyon；whereforeCherokeean"Texasan"OldMontewho"sdrivin"regardsits"picious。""Send"emthroughonthejump，Monte，"saysCherokee，stickin"outhishead。"Thesixhosseslinesoutataten-milegait，whichrattlesthings，an"makestheblack-coatgentsigh，whiletheyoung-onespoursforthsomeappallin"shrieks。Thefemalegetsspeshulmadatthis，allowin"
they"splayin"itlowdownonherfam"ly。Butshetakesitoutincuffin"theyearlin"snowan"then，jesttokeep"emyellin"，an"
don"tsaynothin"。"Whichthestageisabouthalfthroughthecanyon，whenuponbothsidesaselectassortmentofWinchestersbeginstobangan"jumppermiscus；thesamegoin"hand-in-handwithwhoopsofonusualmerit。WiththefirstshotOldMontepourstheleatherintotheteam，an"themhossessurgesintothecollarslikecyclones。"It"sluckyaboriginesain"tnoshots。Theyneveryetgetsthephelosophyofahindsightnone，an"generallyyoucan"treachtheirbulletswithaten-footpole，they"sthathighaboveyourhead。TheonlythingasgetshitthistimeisTexas。Aboutthebeginnin"，alittlecloudofdustfliesoutentheshoulderofhiscoat，hisfaceturnspale，an"
Cherokeeknowshe"screased。""Didtheygetyou，OldMan？"saysCherokee，someanxious。""No，"saysTexas，tryin"tobracehimse"f。
"I"llbeonvelvetag"ininasecond。Inowlongs，however，forthatwhiskeyIhurlsoverboardsograceful。""TheApachescomestumblin"downontothetrailan"giveschase，a-shootin"an"a-yellin"aheapzealous。Asthey"sonfoot，an"asOldMonteismakin"fifteenmilesanhourbynow，theymerelymanagestoholdtheirownintherace，aboutfortyyardstother"ar。
"Thisdon"tgoonlongwhenCherokee，afterthinkin"，saystoTexas，"ThisyereisthewayIfiggersit，Ifwe-allskeepson，themInjunsisthatferventtheyrunsinonusattheford。Withhalfluckthey"sduetodowneitherahossorMonte——mebbyboth；inwhicheventthestageshorelystops，an"it"safight。Thisbein"troo，an"asI"m"lectedforwaranyhow，I"mgoin"tocaperoutrightyere，an"pullonthebailemyse"f。This"llstopthechase，an"
betweenus，pard，it"saboutthelastchanceintheboxthisporefemalean"heroffspringshas。An"Iplaysitfor"em，winorlose。"
""Them"smymotives；saysTexas，tryin"topullhimse"ftogether。
"Shallwetakethishe-shorthornalong？"An"hep"intswherethemfourtenderfootsismixeduptogetherinthebackofthestage。
""Hewouldn"tbeworthawhitechip，"saysCherokee，"an"you-allistoohardhittogo，Texas，yourse"f。SotakemyregardstoEnrightan"theboys，an"smooththisallyouknowforFaroNell。Imakesthetripalone。"
""Notmuch，"saysTexas。"Mystackgoestothecenter，too。"
"Butitdon"t，though，"causeTexashasbledmore"nhethinks。Thefirstmovehemakeshetipsoverinafaint。
"CherokeepicksuphisWinchester，an"，openin"thedoorofthestage，jumpsplumbfree，an"theyleaveshimtharonthetrail。
""It"smebbyanhourlaterwhenthestagecomesintoWolfvilleonthelope。Texasisstillinafog，speakin"mental，an"aboutbledtodeath；whilethemexhortin"peopleisoutentheirmindsentire。
"Innotimethar"sadozenofuslinedoutforCherokee。Dowelocatehim？WhichIshouldsayweshorelydiscovershim。Thar"sabulletthroughhislaig，an"tharheiswithhisbackag"inarockwall，hisWinchestertothefront，hiseyesglitterin"，a-holdin"
thecanyon。TharneverisnoInjungetsbyhim。Ofcoursetheystampedespromptwhentheyhearsusa-comin"，sowedon"tgetnofight。
""Ihopesyounailsone，Cherokee，"saysEnright；"playin"evenonthisyerelaigtheyshoots。"
""Iwinonce，Ireckons"，saysCherokee，"overbehindthatbigrocktotheleft。"
""Shoreenoughhe"sgotoneInjunspreadout；an"，comin"alongalittle，JackMooreturnsupasecond。
""Yere"sanother，"saysJack，"whichbreaksevenonthebulletinTexas。"
""That"sright，"saysCherokee，"Iremembersnowthanistwo。Thekyardsiscomin"someTast，an"Ioverlooksabet。"
"We-allsgetsCherokeeinallright，an"nextday"roundcomesthefemaletenderfoottoseehim。
""Iwantstothankmydefender，"shesays。
""Youain"tondernoobligations，whatever，ma"am"，saysCherokee，risin"upalittle，whileFaroNellputsanothergoose-h"arpilleronderhim。"Isimplypreferstodomyfightin"inthecanyontodoin"itattheford；that"sall。It"sonlyamatterofstraightbusiness；nothin"more"napreferenceIhas。Anotherthing，ma"am；
you-allforgivesit，seein"I"magentonusedtochildishways:butwhenImakestheplayyounames，Isimplyseizesonthemsavagesthata-wayasanexcusetogetloosefromthemblessedchildrenofyour"nawholelot。""
CHAPTERX。
TEXASTHOMPSON"S"ELECTION。"
"An"betweenus，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，theobservationbeingrelevanttothesubjectofourconversationontheoccasionofoneofourmanyconfabs，"betweenyouan"me，Iain"tnoneshoreaboutthemeritsofwhatyou-allcallslawan"order。Nowapains-takin"
an"discreetvig"lancecommitteeismynotionofabulwark。Letanyoutfittakeabaleofropean"aweekoff，an"iftheircampain"tweededdowntorightprinciplesan"aquietlifeattheendtharof，thenI"vepassedmydaysasvainasanycoyotewhicheveryelps。
"OfcoursethardawnsatimewhenWolfvillehastocometoit，sameasothers。Theytakestodiggin"forcopper；an"theybuildstheBirdCageOp"ryHouse，an"putsinimprovementsgeneral。Weevenculminatesinapaper，whichDocPeetsassuresusistheflowerofourprogress。Nacherallyontheheelsofallthemoutburstswegivesupoursimpleschemes，organizes，an"pullsoffan"lection。ButasOldManEnrightismadealcaldetharby，withJackMooremarshal，thejoltisnotseverenorthechangesofullofnotice。
"It"snotlongpriortotheseyerestampedesintoahighermoonicipallife，however，whenquiteab"ilin"ofusisintheRedLightdiscussin"somesechfuture。Ourrival，RedDog，isallowin"
it"sgoin"tohaveamayororsomethin"，an"wesorterfeelslikeourhandsisforced。
""Formyse"f，"saysOldManEnright，whenthetopiciscirc"latin"，withthewhiskeyfollowin"suit，an"eachgentisairin"hisideesan"paintin"hisnoseaccordin"tohistaste，"formyse"f，Icanseeitcomin"。Thar"stobelawyerean""lections；an"whileatfirstit"smightylikelybothisgoin"toturnoutdisturbin"elements，stillIlooksontheirapproachwithoutfear。Wolfvilleistoostrong，an"Wolfvilleintelligenceistoowellfounded，toletanylawlocoitorsetittomillin"。"
""Still，"saysDanBoggs，"ImustremarkIprefersadoolyauthorizedbandofStranglers。Avig"lancecommitteegetsmygamerightalong。They"smorehonestthananyoftheseyerelawsharpswho"s"lectedtobeajedge；an"they"saheapmorezealous，whichlastisimportant。"
""Boggsisright，"repliesEnright。"Itmaynotbecomeme，whoisheadofthelocalbodyofthatsort，tomakeboastsoftheexcellenceofavig"lancecommittee；butIain"tbluffin"onafour-
flushwhenIchallengesanygenttoputhistonguetoaneventwhereavig"lancecommitteestretchesapartywhoain"tinneedtharof；orwhichgoeswastin"itslariatsonthedesertair。Iputsittoyou-
allswithoutheatorpride，gents；JedgeLynchisrighteverytime。"
""Putmedown，"saysDocPeets，atthesametimemakin"signsforthebarkeeptorememberhismissiononearth，"putmedownascoincidin"inthemsentiments。An"Isaysfurther，thatanypartywho"slookin"fortheplacewherethebadmanisscarce，an"alaw-
abidin"genthasthefullestliberty，peggedouttotheshorestsafetytood，lethimlocatewherehefindsthemostlynchin"s，an"
whereavig"lancecommitteeissteadilyengageddiscriminatin"
"roundthroughthecommunity。
Whichacampthusprovidedisamodelofheavenlypeace。"
""Youcangamble，ifanybody"splumbawareoftheseyoretrooths，it"sme，"
saysTexasThompson。
"WhenI"mdownintheSouthPalodurocountry，workin"apasselofBar-K-7cattle，Iaidsinaneffortto"lectajedgean"institootreg"larshore-"noughlaw；an"thesamecomesmightynearleavin"theentirehamletahowlin"waste。Itdeciminatesaheapofourbestcitizens。
""Thisyeremisguidedbluffcomestopasspeculiar；an"Iallersallowsifitain"tfortheonforeseenwaywhereinthingsstacksup，an"themuddlewe-allsgetsintotryin"tofindatrail，thePlazaPalodurowouldhavebeenasceneofbleatin"peacethatday，insteadofastric"lycorpse-an"-cartridgeoccasion。Thedeathraterisestothatdegreeinfactthatthenextroundupisshyonmen；an"tharain"tenoughcartridgesincamp，whenthesmokeblowsaway，tobeseedforasecondcrop。Onthesquar"，gents，that"lectiondayontheSouthPalodurowaswhatyou-allsmighttermamassacre，an"getitrighteverytime。"
""Well，whatofthisyeretoomultuous"lection？"demandsDaveTutt，whogetsimpatientwhileTexasrefresheshimse"finhisglass。"You-
allremindsmeamightysight，Texas，oftheTucsonpreacherwhopullshisfreighttheotherday。Theyputsittohim，theTucsonfolksdo，thathetalksan"hetalks，buthedon"tp"intout；an"heargufiesan"heargufies，buthenevershowswherein。Apartywho"sgoin"tomakeapulpit-play，orshineinArizonaasaracontoor，hasdonegottocult"vateadirect，incisivestyle。"
""That"sallc"rect，"remarksTexas，somesavage，asherecovershisnoseoutenhisglass；"neveryoufretmenoneaboutmystylenotbein"incisive。Tharbeotherplayswhereanygentwhocomesputtin"
itallovermewithroodean"intemp"rateremarkswillfindmeplentyincisive；nottosaysomesoon:
""Yere!"interruptsEnright，quickan"sharp。"Thisisplumboutsidetheline。Texasain"tgotnocalltowakeupsomalignantoverwhat"smostlikelynothin"worsethanhumoronTutt"spart；an"，Tutt，itain"tuptoyounoneneither，togospurrin"TexasintheshoulderinthemidstofwhatI"myeretomaintainisamightythrillin"narration。"
""Texasisgoodpeople，"saysDave，"an"thelastgentwithwhichI
thirststodigupthewar-axe。WhichI"mproudtobehisfriend；an"
ImeansnooffensewhenIsu"geststhathewhirlasmallerloopwhenheonbosomshimse"fofatale。IyeretendersTexasmyhand，assurin"ofhimthatImeansmylanguagean"ain"tholdin"outnothin"。Shake!"An"atthisDavereacheshispistol-handtoTexasThompson，an"thesameisseizedpromptan"friendly。
"`Thisyereismyfault，"saysTexas。"Ireckonsnowmywiferecoverin"thatLaredodivorceI"mmentionin"toyou-alls，sorterleavesmeaheappetulant，thata-way。Buttogobacktothiswar-
jigIwasrelatin"aboutdownatPlazaPaloduro。
""It"sthisa-way:No，Nellie；thar"snofemaleinit。Thisyeregrowsfromabusinesstransaction；an"theefforttharfromtoimproveonpresentconditions，institootareignoflaw，an"lectajedge。
""Whichthecomin"ofamiscreantnamedCimmaronPete，fromsome"ersovernearthe"DobyWalls，isthebeginnin"ofthedeal。ThisCimmaronPetecomestrailin"inoneday；an"ashorthorncalledGlidden，whorunsastoreattheford，comesropin"atCimmaronPetetoraceponies。"""Whatforstakesdoyou-allaimtoracefor？"
demandsthisCimmaronPete。
"""I"llrunyouforhossan"saddle，"saysGlidden。
"""Sayhossag"inhoss，"saysCimmaronPete，"an"I"mliabletogoyou。Saddlesishardtoget，an"Iwon"treskmine。Ponies，however，iseasy。Icanget"emeverymoonlightnight。"
""Whenthemsportsisracin"，——whichtherunistobeaquarterofamile，onlytheyneverfinishes，——jestasCimmaronbeginstopullahead，hisponybein"ashadesuddenerthanGlidden"s，whateverdoesthelatterdobutropethisCimmaronPete"sponybythefeetan"
downhim。
""It"sshorefineworkwithalariat，butitcomeshighforGlidden。
For，ashestampedesby，thisCimmaronturnsloosehissix-shooterfromwherehe"stangledupwithhisbroncoontheground；an"asthefirstbulletgetsGliddeninthebackofhishead，hislightgoesoutlikeacandle。
""WhenthecommitteelooksintotheplaytheyjestifiesthisCimmaron。"Whileonthesurface，"theysays，"thedealseemsalittleflorid；still，whenagentarmedwithnothin"butacoldsenseofjesticecomestopirootin"plumbthroughtheaffairwithalantern，he"sduetoemergealotwiththeconvictionthatGlidden"swrong。"SoCimmaronisfreeinaminute。
""Butthar"sGlidden"sstore!Thar"snobodytoclaimit；tharbein"
nofam"lytoGliddennohow；notevenahiredman。
"""Which，asitseemstobeacaseopentodoubt，"observesthisyereCimmaron，"InacherallytakesthisGliddenparty"sstorean"
dealshisgamemyse"f。"
""Itain"tmuchofastore；an"bein"astherestofusishavin"
allwe-allscanrideherdonforourse"fs，nogentmakesobjections，an"Cimmaronturnshimse"flooseinGlidden"sstore，an"beginstosellthingsawholelot。He"sshorelydoin"well，Ireckons，whenmebbyit"saweeklaterhecomeschargin"overtoapasselofusan"
allowshewantsthecommitteetosettlesometroublewhichhascuthistrail。
"""It"saboutthedebtsofthisyereGlidden，deceased，"saysCimmaron。"Isucceedstothebusinessofcourse；whichit"slittleenoughfordepartedropin"myponythattime。Butyou-allscangambleIain"tgoin""waybackonthisyeredeadperson"strail，an"
settleallhisgrayan"hoaryindebtnesses。Woulditberight，gents？Iputsittoyou-allsonthesquar"；doIimmersemyse"f，I"dlikefortobetold，indeceased"sliabilitiesmerelyforresentin"
ofhiswrongsag"inmewithmygun？Ifagentcangoblindlyshootin"himse"fintobankruptcythata-way，theAmericangov"mentisarankloser，an"theStateofTexasisplumbplayedout。"
Whenwe-allsproceedstoferretintothisyeremyst"ry，wefindsthar"sasharpcomeupfromDallaswhoclaimsthatCimmaron"sgottopayhimwhatGliddenowes。ThisyereDallaspartyputssaidindebtednessesatfivestacksofblues。
""An"thisyerelonghorn"sgot"emtomakegood，"saystheDallassharp，p"intin"atCimmaron，""causeheinheritsthestore。"
""Now，whateverdoyou-allsthinkofthat？"saysCimmaron，appealin"
tous。"YereI"vetoldthisperversesportthatGlidden"sdonecashedinan"quit；an"nowhelaysformewiththemindebtednesses。
Itshorelyweariesme。"
""Itdon"ttakethevig"lancecommitteenotimetoagreeitain"tgotnothin"tosayinthecase。
"""It"sonlyonkillin"s，an"hoss-rustlin"s，an"sim"larbreaks。"
explainsOldMonroe，who"schiefofthePaloduroStranglers，"wherewe-allsgetskyards。Weain"tinonwhat"samereopen-an"-shetcaseofdebt。"
""ButthisDallassharpstaysrightwithCimmaron。Hegivesitoutcoldhe"sgoin"toc"lect。Heputsituphe"llshoresueCimmaronalot。
""You-allsdon"tmeantosaytharain"tnojedgeyere？"remarkstheDallassharp，whenOldMonroeexplainsweain"torganizednoneforsechgamesaslawcases。"Well，thisyerePlazaPaloduroisforcertainthelocodestcampofwhichIevercutsthetrail!You-allsbettergetahustleonrightnowan""lectajedge。IfIgoesbacktoDallasan"tellsthisstoryofhowyou-allsain"tgotnojedgenornolawyere，theywon"tletthisPlazaPalodurogetcloseenoughto"eminbusinesstohand"emaripepeach。Ifthar"senoughsenseinthiscamptomakebakin"-powderbiscuit，you-allswillhaveajedge"lectedreadyformetohavelawcaseswithbysecond-drinktimeto-morrowmornin"。"
""Afterhangin"upthisblufftheDallassharp，puttin"onaheapofhawtooran"dog，walksovertothetavernag"in，an"leavesustosizeuptheplayatourlcesure。
""WhatthisobduratepartyfromDallassays，"finallyremarksOldMonroe，"isnotwith。outwhattheComanchescallstum-tum。Thar"ssaveyan"jesticeinthemobservations。It"smyidee，thattharbein"nojedgeyere，thata-way，tomakeamoneyround-upforagentwhenhisdebtordon"tmakegood，ismightylikelyapalin"offenourfence。Ishorelythinkswebetterrectifythemomissionsan""lectajedgeatonce。"
""WhichI"mopposedtotheseproceedin"s，"interruptsCimmaron。"I"mplumbadversetoco"ts。Themlaw-wolvesgetsinto"em，an"whentheycan"tfindnogatetocomeatyou，theyupsan"pushesdownapaneloffence，an"laysforyou，cross-lots。I"mdeadag"intheseproceedin"s。"
""Seeyere，"saysOldMonroe，turnin"onthisCimmaron，"you-allisbecomin"tooapparentinthiscamp；whatImightdescribeasaheaptooobvious。Nowifyougetsyourstackinag"inwhenitain"tyourturn；orpicksupanybody"shandbutyourown，I"llfindashortwayofknockin"yourhornsoff。Youdon"tseemgiftedenoughtorealizethatyou"reluckytobealiverightnow。"
""BarCimmaron，wholapsesintosilenceafterOldMonroegiveshimnotice，theentirecamplinesupfav"rableontheideeto"lectajedge。Theysendsovertothecorralan"getsanose-bagfortodepositthevotes；an"it"sdecidedthatOldMonroean"aCross-Z
partynamedRandallhasgottodotherunnin"。Randallisplentyp"lite，an"allowshedon"twanttobejedgenonenohow，an"says，giveittoOldMonroe；butthelattergent，whoisorganizin"theplay，insiststhatitwouldn"tbelegal。
"""Thar"sgottobetwogentstodotherunnin"，"soOldMonroesays，"oritdon"tgo。The"lectionain"tlegalthata-wayonlessthar"stwocandidates。"
""TheyputsBroncoCharliean"asportnamedOrmsbyintobe"lectionsupervisors。Theywastoholdthenose-bag；an"asvotesisdroppedin，they"stocount"emoutaccordin"toHoyle，sowe-allscantellwheretheplay"sheadin"。BroncoCharlieisjedgeforRandall，an"Ormsbyfrontsupallsim"larforOldMonroe。The"lectionwe-allsdecidestoholdintheLoneStarSaloon，so"stobeconductedwithcomfort。
"""Makeyourgame，now，gents，"saysOldMonroe，wheneverythin"isshorelyready。"Getinyourvotes。Theseyerepollsisopenforonehour。"
"""OneforRandall，"saysBroncoCharlieasOldMonroevotes。
"""An"oneforOldMonroe，"remarksOrmsbywhenRandallvotesnext。
""ThisgivesthedealtonetohaveRandallan"OldMonroep"intoutbyvotin"foreachotherthata-way，andtharain"toneofuswhodon"tfeelmorerespectablebyit。
""It"stheopinionoflevel-headedgentsevenyet，thatthePlazaPalodurocouldhavepulledoffthis"lectionan"gotplumbaway，an"
neverhadnofriction，ifitain"tforaGreaserfromSanAntoniowhotriestoringinonus。Thar"stwenty-oneofushasvoted，an"
itstandsnineforRandallan"twelveforOldMonroe；whenuplopesthisyereMexicanan"allowshe"slocoedtovote。""Whodoyou-allthinkyou"regoin"tovotefor？"asksOrmsby。
"""SeniorMonroe，"saystheMexican，p"intin"atOldMonroe。
""Stopthisdeal，"yellsBroncoCharlie，""Ichallengesthatvote。
Mexicansisbarred。"
""WhichMexicansisnotbarred，"repliesOrmsby。"An"thevoteofthisyereenlightenedmaverickfromsouthoftheRioGrandegoes。
ThirteenforOldMonroe。"
""TwelveforOldMonroe，"remonstratesBroncoCharlie，feelin"forhisgun。
""ThirteenforOldMonroe，"retortsOrmsby，ashisColt"scomesintoactionan"hebustsBronco"sarmattheelbow。
""Ashisobstinacyhasdestroyedthefurtherefficiencyofmycolleague，"goesonOrmsby，asheshakesdowntheballotsinthenose-bag，"I"llnowconducttheseyerepollsalone。Gentswhohaven"tvotedwillpleasecomea-runnin"。AsIstatesamomentago，shestandsthirteenforOldMonroe。"
""An"Isaysshe"stwelveforOldMonroe，"shoutsRedRiverTom，crowdin"for"ard。""You-allcan"tringinMexicansan"snakenoplayonus。Thisyere"lection"sgoin"tobeonthesquar"，orit"sgoin"
tocomeoffinthesmoke。"
""Withthis，RedRiver，who"sbeensorterdomineerin"atOrmsbywithhissix-shooterwhilehe"sfreein"hismind，slamsherloose。RedRiverover-shoots，an"Ormsbydownshimwithabulletinhislaig。
""ThirteenforOldMonroe，"saysOrmsby。
""Butthat"swherethe"lectionends。Followin"thesubsidenceofRedRiverTom，theairisasfullofleadasabagofbullets。
Throughthesmoke，an"theflashes，an"thenoise，youcanhearOrmsbywhoopin"
""ThirteenforOldMonroe。"
""YoucangambleOrmsby"sassquar"a"lectionjedgeasanygentcouldask。YougetsaplayforyourmoneywithOrmsby；buthediesthenextday，soheneveris"lectionjedgenomore。Fivegentsgetsdowned，an"awholecorralfullishurt。I，myse"f，reapssomeleadintheshoulder；an"evenatthatInevergoesnearerthanthesuburbsofthefight。
""No；CimmaronPeteclawsoffallsound，an"nonewholesinhim。
ButastheDallasparty，whocomescaperin"overwiththefirstshot，islayin"atthewindupoutsidetheLoneStardoor，plumbdefunct，thar"sanendtotherootofthedisorder。
""The"lectionitse"fislookedonasadraw。OldMonroeallowsthat，allthingsconsidered，hedon"tregardhimse"fas"lectednone；andRandall，whoadoctorisfeelin""roundinforabulletatthetime，sendsoverwordthatheindorsesOldMonroe"sp"sition；
an"thataslongastheDallassharphitsthetrailafterGlidden，an"istharbyabletolookafterhisdebtshimse"f，he，Randall，holdsit"snousedisturbin"ofareturnedsereenity，an"toleteverythin"goasitlays。
""An"that，"concloodsTexasThompson，ashereachesforhislicker，"iswhatcomesofaneffortatlawan"orderinPlazaPaloduro。I
ain"tover-statin"it，gents，whenIsays，thatthat"lectionleavesmeplumbgun-shyforoverayear。""
CHAPTERXL。
AWOLFVILLEFOUNDLING。
"DoesJackMoorehavesand？Son，isthisyerequerymeantforhumorbyyou？WhichformeresandtheMohavedesertisafooltoJack。"
TheOldCattleman"sfacewasfullofanearnest，finesincerity。Itwasplain，too，thatmyquestionnettledtheoldfellowabit；asmightadoubtcastatanidol。Butthesharpnesshadpassedfromhistonewhenheresumed"NotonlyisJacklongonsandthata-way，buthe"splumbloadedwithwhatyou-allscalls"nitiative。Leastwisethat"swhatoneoftheseyerefernologistsallows，whostragglesintocampan"goestothumbin"ourbumpsoneday。
""Whichthisyoungperson，"saysthebumpsharp，whilehisfingersiscaperin"aboutonJack"shead，Iisremarkableforhis"nitiative。
He"sthesortofgentwhobuildshisfirebeforehegetshiswood；
an"issuesmoreinvitestodrinkthanhereceives。Whichhisweakness，speakin"general，isheoverplays。"
"Whichthisyerebumppartymighthavegonewronginhiswagersaheapoftimes；butheshorelycallstheturnonJackwhenhesayshe"ssomestrongon"nitiative。
"An"it"sthisyerepronenessfortheprematoor，an"nacheralwillin"nesstoopenanypotthata-way，thatmakesJacksechaslam-
upoffishul。Bein"fullof"nitiative，likethisfernologiststates，Jackdon"tidlealongontilsomethin"shappened。Notmuch；heabatesitinthebud。
"Oncewhenmostoftheoutfit"soverinTucson，an"Jackissorterholdin"downthecampalone，abandofrustlerscomestrackin"in，allowin"they"llrunWolfvillesome。Which，that"swhereJack"s"nitiativeshowsupbig。Hegoesafter"emreadily，likethey"santelope。Themhold-upsisalongmajorityoverJack，an"heeled；
butthatJackstandsthar——rightupag"intheiron——an"hetells"emwhathethinksan"whyhethinksitfor；makeshisminorityreportonto"emallfree，likeheoutnumbers"emtwotoone；an"windsupbybackin"thegamewithhisguninawaythatcommandsconfidence。
""You-allshearsmyremarks，"hesaysattheclose，brieflyflashin"
hissix-shootersontheoutfit；"tharain"tnobandofbadmeninArizonacantreethistownan"meinformed。Nowgoslow，orI"lljeststretchafewofyouforluck。It"ssechconsoomin"toil，a-
diggin"ofsepulchersinthisyererock-ribbedlandscape，orI"ddoitanyhow。"
"An"tharuponthemrustlers，notin"Jack"sgotthedropon"em，kicksupadensecloudofdustanisseennomore。
"Butbein"repletewithsandan""nitiative，thata-way，don"tstatealltharisgoodofJack。Letanypore，he"plesspartycutJack"strail，an"he"splumbtender。OnsechtimesJack"sadove；leastwisehe"sadoveawholelot。
"Onehotafternoon，Enrightan"DocPeetsisawayaboutsomecattleIreckons。Whichtherestofusisnoomerousenough；an"we"resorterrevolvin""roundthepost-office，a-waitin"forOldMontean"
thestage。Yereshecomes，final，a-rattlin"an"a-creakin"；thatolddrunkardMontea-poppin"ofhiswhip，thesixhossesonthecanter，an"thewholesheebangputtin"onmoredogthanaMexicanofficerofrevenoo。Whenthestagedrawsup，OldMontethrowsoffthemailbagsan"theWells-Fargobox，an"getsdownan"opensthedoor。Butnobodyemergesout。
""Well，I"macoyote!"saysMonte，aheapdisgusted，`whereveristhefemale？"
"Thenwe-allspeersintothestagean"thar"sonlyababy，withmebbyaten-months"startdownthisvaleoftears，inside；an"nomothernornothin"along。JackMoore，jestasIsayswhenIbegins，reachesinan"getshim。Thebabyain"tsayin"nothin"，an"sortertakesitoutinsmilin"onJack；whichlastpleaseshimexcessive。
""Heknowsmeforahundreddollars!"saysJack。"I"manApacheifheain"tallowin"heknowsme!Whereverdidyougethim，Monte？"
""Givemeadrink，"saysMonte，p"intin"alongintotheRedLight。
"Thisyeremakesmesick。"
"AfterOldMontegetsaboutfourfingersofcarnationonderhisbelt，heturnsinan"explainsashowthemotherstartsalonginthestageallrightenoughfromTucson。Thelasttimeheseesher，soheputsitup，isatthelaststationbacksometwentymilesinthehills；an"hes"posesallthetimelater，she"sinsideridin"herdonherprogeny，ontilnow。
""Idon"treckon，"saysOldMonte，lookin"gloomy-likeattheinfant，"thatladyisaimin"tosawthisyoreyoung-oneontothestagecompanynone？"
""Don"tupsetyourwhiskeyfrettin"aboutthecompany，"saysJack，a-plantin"oftheinfantonthebar，whilewe-allscrowdsinforalookathim。`Thecamp"llplaythishand；an"thecompanyain"tgoin"tobeinitalittlebit。"
""IwishEnrightan"Peetswasyere，"saysCherokeeHall，"tobeheardhereon；whichIshoredeemsthisagraveoccasion。Yerewe-
allsfindsourse"fspossessedofanonexpectedchildoftenderyears；an"thequestionnacheralenoughis，whatever"llwedowithit？"
""Let"smaverickit，"saysDanBoggs，who"samightygoodman，butonthinkfulthata-way。
""No，"saysCherokee；"itsmother"llcomehoppin"alongto-morrow，a-yellin"。ThisyeresotMontehasjestdonedroveoffan"lefthersome"ersupthetrail；she"llcomeromancin"alongintime。"
""Meanwhile，"saysJack，"theinfant"sgottobetookcareof，towhichdootyIvolunteers。Thar"satenderfoota-sleepin"intheroombackofthedance-hall，an"he"sthat"feminatean"effeet，he"sgotashore-"noughbedan"somegoose-ha"rpillers；whichthesameIdoyerebyconfiscatetopublicusetotakecareofthisyearlin"。Isthesentimentpleasin"？"
""Jack"sschemeisright，"saysBoggs；"an"I"mpresenttoannouncehe"sallersright。Lettheshorthorngosleeponderamesquite-bush；
it"lldohimgoodawholelot。"
""I"msomedoobersomeofthisplay，"saysCherokee。"Smallinfantsismightymyster"ouspeople，an"nolivin"gentiseverontotheirgamean"abletoforeseetheirneeds。Doyou-allreckonnowyoucantakecareofthisyereyoung-one，Jack？Beyouequaltoit？"
""Takecareofasmallbabylikethis"saysJack，plentyscornful；
"whichthesameain"tweighin"twentypounds？Well，it"llbesomefunnyifIcan"t。Icouldbreakevenwithhimifhe"sfourtimesasbig。AllIasksisforyou-allstostandbyincrisisesan"backtheplay；an"，thatsettled，youcangomakesidebetswe-allscomesoutwinnersonthedeal。"
"Iain"tabsolootlyshore，"saysDaveTutt，"bein"someshyofpracticewithinfantsmyse"f，butjedgin"byhislookin"smoothan"
silky，Ioffersfiftydollarsevenheain"tweanednoneyet。"
""Iwon"tbetnoneonhisbein"weanedcomplete；saysJack，"butI"llhangupfiftyhedrinksoutenabottleaseasyasOldMonte!
""I"llgoyouonce，"saysTutt；"it"sfiftydollarsevenhegrowscontemptuousatabottle，an"disdainsit。"
"Whichwe-allstalksitoveran"decidesthatJack"stonursesaidinfant；afterwhichapasselofusproceed"stomakeaprocessionforthetenderfoot"sbed，whichheshorelyresignswithoutastruggle。WepacksitbacktoJack；an"CherokeeHallan"Boggsthengoesovertothecorralan"laysforagoattomilkher。Thisyeregoatismightyreluctant，an"refusestoenterintothesperitofthething；buttheyswingsan"rastleswithher，makestheirp"intrightalong，an"afterafrightfultimecomesbackwith"mostadipper-full。
""That"sallright，"saysJack，who"sdonecampedinaroombackoftheRedLight，"nowhopoutan"tellthebarkeeptogiveyouapintbottle。We-allshasthisyeregamepayin"div"dendsintwominutes。"
"Jackgetshisbottlean"fillsherupwithgoat"smilk；an"makesastopperoutencottonclothan"molassesfortheinfanttodrawitthrough。Whichit"saboutthistimetheinfantputsupayell，an"
refusespeaceag"intillJackgiveshimhissix-shootertoplaywith。
""Whichshowsmyconfidenceinhim，"saysJack。"Thar"sonlyafewfolksleftI"llpassmygunto。"
"Jackgetsalongwithhimfirst-rate，a-feedin"ofhimthegoat"smilk，whichhegoesforwithavidity；tharbynettin"JackthatfiftyfromDaveTutt。BoggsbuildsafiresoJackkeepsthemilkwarm。
Jackturnsloosethatearnesthedon"tevengofornogrub；jestnacherallyhas"empackittohim。
""We-alls"llhavetostandnightgyardsonthisyerefoundlin"to-
night，Ireckons？"asksBoggsofJack，whenhe"sbringin"Jackthings。
""Is"posemostlikelywe"llhavetomakeaplaythata-way，"saysJack。
""Allright，"saysBoggs，tappin"hisshirtwithhispistol-finger；
"you-allknowsmean"Cherokee。We"reinonthisyereanytimeyousays。"
"SoabandofussortercampsalongwithJackan"theinfantontilmebbyit"ssecond-drinktimeatnight。Theinfantdon"traisethewar-yellonce；jesttakesitoutingoat"smilk；an"inlaughin"，an"playin"withJack"sgun。
""Excuseme，gents，"finallysaysJack，mightydignified，"butI"vebeenfiggerin"thisthing，an"Iallowsit"stimetobedthisyereyoung-onedownforthenight。Ifyou-allswillwithdrawsome，I"llseehownearIcomestomakin"runnin"ofit。Staywithinwhoopin"
distance，though；soifhetriestostampedeortakestomillin"I
cangethe"p。"
"We-allslinesoutan"leavesJackan"theinfant，an"turnsinonfaroan"pokeran"sim"lardeviceswhichisbein"wagedintheRedLight。Mebbyit"sanhourwhenJackcomesin。
""Boggs，"hesays；"s"poseyou-allsetsinan"playsmyhandaminutewiththatinfantchild，whileIgoesoveran"adjournsthemfrivolitiesinthedance-hall。Itlookslikethisyerecampisspeshultoomultuousto-night。"
"Boggsgoesinwiththeinfant，an"Jackproceedstothebailehousean"statesthecase。
""Idon"twanttoonsettlethereg"larprogramme，"saysJack，"butthisyereyoung-oneI"mresponsiblefor，getsthatengagedinthesoundsoftheseyererevels，itdon"tlooklikehe"sgoin"tosleepnone。Soifyou-allswillcallthelastwaltz，an"windherupforto-night，it"llshorelybeahe"p。Thekid"smother"llbeyerebysun-up；whichheradventthata-wayalterstheplayall"round，an"
mattersthengoesbacktooldlines。"
""Enoughsaid，"saysJimHamilton，whorunsthedance-hall。"Youcangamblethistempleofmirthain"tlayin"downonwhat"sright，an"
tonight"sshindigclosesrightyere。Allpromenadetothebar。Wetakesadrinkonthehouse，quits，an"callsitaday。"
"ThenJackcomesback，aheapgravewithhiscares，an"relievesBoggs；who"sonwatch，straddledofachair，a-eyein"oftheinfant，who，a-settin"upag"inagoose-ha"rpiller，islikewisea-eyein"ofBoggs。
""He"sa"wayupgoodinfant，Jack，"saysBoggs，givin"uphisseat。
""Youcanbetyourlifehe"sagoodinfant，"saysJack；"butitshorelookslikehedon"taimtoturninan"slumbernone。Mebbythegoat"smilkistooinvigeratin"for"him，an"keepshimawakethata-way。"
"Aboutanotherhourgoesby，an"outcomesJackintotheRedLightag"in。
""Iain"taimin"todisturbyou-allsnone，"hesays，"but，gents，ifyou-allscouldclosethesegamesyere，an"shetupthestore，I"lltakeitasapersonalfavor。Hecanheartheclickofthechips，an"
it"stoomanyforhim。Don"tgoaway；jestcloseupan"sortercamp"roundquiet。"
"Whichwe-allsdoesasJacksays；closesthegames，an"thensets"roundinourchairsan"keepsquiet，a-waitin"fortheinfanttoturnin。Ahalf-hourlaterJackappearsag"in。
""Itain"tnouse，gents，"hesays，goin"backofthebaran"
gettin"abigdrink；"thatchildisontous。Hewon"thaveit。Youcangamble，he"sfixeditupwithhimse"fthatheain"tgoin"tosleepnoneto-night。Iallowsit"s"causehe"samongrankstrangers，an"hefiggersit"sagoodsafeplaytolookouthisgameforhimse"f。"
""Iwondercouldn"twesinghimtosleep，"saysCherokeeHall。
""Nothin"ag"inatry，"saysJack，somedesp"rate，wipin"hislipsafterthedrink。
""S"posewe-allsgiveshim"TheDyin"Ranger"an""SandyLand"foranhourorso，an"see，"saysBoggs。
"Inwetrails。Cherokeelinesupononesideoftheinfant，an"Jackont"other；an"therestofustakeschairsan"camps"round，Westartsinan"shoresingshimallweknows；an"wekeepsitupforhours。Allthetime，thatchildisa-settin"thar，a-battin"hiseyesan"a-starin"，sleeplessasowls。ThelastIremembersisBoggs"svoiceon"SandyLand"
""Greatbigtatersonsandyland，Getthar，Eli，ifyoucan。"
"ThenextthingI"mawareof，thar"sawhoopan"ayelloutside。We-
allswakesup——allexcepttheinfant，who"swideawakeallalong——
an"yereitis；fouro"clockinthemornin"，an"themotherhascome。Comesoveronaspeshulbuckboardfromthestationwherethatoldinebriate，Monte，droveoffan"lefther。Well，son，everybody"splumbwillin"an"gladtoseeher。An"forthatmatter，splittin"
even，so"stheinfant。"
CHAPTERXII。
THEMANFROMYELLOWHOUSE。
"That"sstraight，son；youshorelyshouldhaveseenJackMoore，"
continuedtheOldCattleman，afterabriefpause，ashehitchedhischairintoacomfortableposition；"notseein"Jackiswhatanygentmightcalldeeprivation。
"Backintheolddays，"hewenton，"JackMoore，asIrelates，iskettle-tenderan"doestheropeworkoftheStranglers。WhateveristheStranglers？WhichyouasksBornelate。Imentionsthisassemblyaheapfrequentyeretofore。Well，somefolkscalls"ernthe"vig"lancecommittee"；butthat"slongforaname，soinWolfvilleweallersalloodedto"emas`Stranglers。"Thisyereisbrief，an"
likewiseshedssomelight。
"ThisJackMoore——whichI"mproudtosayhe"smyfriend——IreckonsisthemostprobonopublicogentintheSouthwest。He"souttodoanythin"fromfighttofiddleatadance，so"sit"sapublicplay。
"An"thenhisideesabouthisdootiesiswide。Hejestscoutsfaran"near，an"don"tpaynomoreheedtodistancean"fatiguethanasteerdoestocobwebs。
""Aoffishul，"saysJack，"whodon"tdiffusehimse"f"roundnone，an"confineshisendeavorstohisownbailiwick，isreestrictedan"
oneffectooal，an"couldn"tkeepdowncrimeinavillageofprairie-
dogs。"An"thenhe"dcinchonhissaddle，an"mebbygocurvin"offasfarnorthastheFlintHills，oreasttotheTurkey-track。
"That"sright；whenitcomestobein"active，Jackiswhatyoumightcallanall-roundseelection。An"cleanstrain？Gameashornets。
Neverknowedhimtoquitanythin"inhislife——notevenwhiskey。I
saystohimmyse"fonetime:"Jack；whyeverdon"tyourenigonwhiskey？Lookslikeit"ssortergettin"behindyousome，ain"tit？
Somedaymebbyitoutholdsyouwhenyoucan"tstandtolose。"
""SometimesIthinksI"llpassitup，myse"f，"saysJack，"butdon"tyouknow，Ican"tdoit。I"mtoosperited，thata-way，an"
chivalrous。That"swhatever!I"mtoochivalrous。"An"Ishorereckonshewas。
"Butasfordoin"hisdooty!WhichthesameissimplyrelaxationtoJackMoore。Irecallsoneinstancespeshul。Onedaytharcomestrailin"alongintoWolfvilleapartyfromdown"roundYallerhousesome"ers。ThisyereYallerhousegentlooksdisperitedan"offcolorastohealth。Butofcoursewe-allsdon"trefernonetoit；forwhetherthisstranger"ssickorwellishisbusiness，notours；
leastwiseinitsfirststages。Thisyere"sbeforeDocPeetsinhabitsWolfvilleorhe"dinformedustouchin"thisparty"sthata-way。
"WhichtheYallerhousegenttracksalongintotheRedLight，an"
tellsthebarkeeptosetoutthenose-paint。Hedrinksalone，notinvitin"ofthepop"lace，wherebyweknowsforshorehe"soffenhisfeed。
"Well，afterhecorralshisfortydrops，thisinvalidcampsdowninonecornerofthestagestation，an"nextmornin"hewakesupoutenhisheadan"plumblocoed。
""ThisyereYallerhouseman，"saysDanBoggs，comin"alongintotheRedLightaboutfirst-drinktimethesamemornin"，an"speakin"
general，"iswhatconserv"tiveopinionmightcall"somesick。"I
stopsaminuteagoan"askshimhowhe"sstackin"uplike，butitain"tnouse。He"splumboffhismentalreservation，an"crazyasawoman"swatch。"
""Whateverdoyouallowisthematterofhim，Boggs？"asksOldManEnright。
""Smallpox，"saysBoggs，mightyconfident。
""Smallpox!"repeatsEnright；"beyoushore？"
""That"swhatIsays，"answersBoggs；"an"youcangamblemylongsuitispickin"outsmallpoxeverytime。Iknowsthesignalsmokelikemyowncampfire。"
""Well，seeyere，"saysDaveTutt，who"scomein，"IjestnowroundsupthemsymptomsofthisYallerhousegent；an"talkin"ofsmallpox，Ioffersahundreddollarsevenheain"tgotnosmallpox。Bein"outsolelyforlegit"matesport，"continuesTutt，"an"notaimin"tooffendBoggsnone，Iwillin"lycallsitfiftytoonehundredheain"tgotnothin"。"
""WhichItakesbothbets，"saysBoggs，"an"deems"emeasy。Whichbothislikerobbin"abird"s-nest。Yere"sthecirc"latin"medium。
Thar；coveritan"fileitawaywiththebarkeeptowaitresults。"
SoTuttan"Boggsmakestheirbetsmightyeager，an"thebarkeepholdsthestakes。
"AssoonasitgetsblownthroughWolfvillethisYallerhousepartyhassmallpox，everybodycomescanterin"overtotheRedLight，getsadrink，an"wantstoholdamassmeetin"overit。Bypartic"larrequestEnrighttakesthechairan"calls"emtoorder。