第5章
""Thisyeremeetin"，"saysEnright，meanwhilebeatin"withthebuttofhissix-shooteronthepoker-table，"issomesuddenan"
permiscus；buttheobjectsiseasyan"plain。We-allsconvenesourse"fstoconsiderthephysicalconditionofthispartyfromYallerhouse，whichreportsaysislocoedan"can"ttalknoneforhimself。Tomakethisinquiryasuccess，we-allsoughterseethisYallerhousegent；an"astharisfewerofhimthanofus，Iapp"intsJackMoore，DanBoggs，an"ShortCreekDave，acommittee，ofthree，tobringhimbeforeusinabody。Pendin"thereturnofthecommitteethemeetin"willtakeadrinkwiththechair。"
"Inaboutnotimebackcomestheoutfit，packin"theYallerhousemanalleasyenoughinablanket，an"spreadshimoutonthefloor。Helookssorterred"roundinspots，likesomethin"sbeenstingin"ofhim，butit"sevident，asBoggssays，he"slocoed。Helaysthar，rollin"hiseyesan"carryin"ontohimse"f，buthedon"taddressthechairoroffertotakenopartinthemeetin"。Enrightquaffshisdrinkallslowan"dignified，an"gazesattheYallerhousemanonthefloor。
""Well，gents，"saysEnrightatlast，settin"downhisglass，an"
givin"thepoker-tablealittletapwithhisgun，"yere"stheparty，an"thequestionisnow:"What"shegot？"DoIhearanyremarks？"
""Bein"inthelines，MisterPres"dent，"saysBoggs，"ofpreviousassertion，an"forthepurposeofbringin"thequestionsquar"
beforethishouse，InowmovesyouthisyereYallerhousepartyhasthesmallpox。Iain"taimin"hereinatplayin"itlowonTutt，an"
su"geststhatthechair，inputtin"thequestion，alsoinformsthemeetin"astothemwagers；whichthemoneytharofisnowinthewar-
bagsofthebarkeep。Ibelievesingivin"everygentallnecessarylightwhereintomakeuphismind；an"，asIsays，toopenthegamealllogical，Iag"inmovesthisYallerhousemanhasthesmallpox。"
""Yotambien，"yellsaMexicanovernearthedoor。
""PutthatGreaserout!"shoutsEnright，atthesametimebangin"
thetable。"Thisain"tnointernationalincidentatall，an"nothin"
buttheclean-strainAmericanwolfiseligibletohowl。"
"TheGreasergoesoutonhissaddle-coloredhead，an"EnrightputsBoggs"smotion。
""Everygent，"saysEnright，"infavorofthisYallerhousemanhavin"thesmallpox，say"Aye"；contrary"No。""
"Everybodyshouts"Aye!"
""Whichthe"Ayes"hasitunanimous，"saysEnright。"TheYallerhousepartyhasthesmallpox，an"thenextchickenontheparliamentaryroostisthequestion:"Whateveristobedonetomakethisyeremaladyasuccess？"Istharanysu"gestions？"
""MisterPres"dent，"saysTexasThompson，risin"inhisplace，"I"vedonetooknohandintheseproceedin"ssofar，throughignoranceofthepurposesofthisyereconvocation。Saidpurposesbein"nowforthefirsttimelinedoutallrightinmymind，an"thequestionbein"，"What"stobedonewithourcaptive？"Iasksyourindulgence。
Myfirstideeisthatourdootyan"ourpathisplain；thesamebein"simplytotakealariatan"hangthisYallerhousepersontothedance-hallwindmill；butthiscourse，onsecondthought，seemsprematooran"theoffspringsofnacheralimpulse。Still，somethin"
mustbedone；an"whilemymindisbynomeanscl"ar，Isu"gestsweturnthegentovertoJackMoore，whichisthemarshalhereof，torideherdonhimtillfurtherorders；an"Imakesamotiontothateffect。"
""Secondsthemotion!"saysShortCreekDave。
""Youdon"thavetoputthatmotion，MisterPres"dent，"saysJack；
"I"vebeencirelin"theideesomemyse"f，an"Ireckonsit"smydootytotakechargeofthisYallerhousegent。Youcanbetanythin"
whichgetssawedontomeasmydootygoes，an"don"tmakenodoubtaboutit。Yere"showItrailsoutonthis:Ifitain"tmydootytotakecareofthisperson，whosedootyisit？"Tain"tnobody"s。
TharforeIplaysthehand。"
""Whichthesamebein"eminentsatisfactory，"saysDaveTutt，risin"，asifhethinksofsomethin"speshul，"InowinquireswhetherthisyereishelddecisiveofthembetsImakeswithBoggs。
Iholdin"，meanwhile，contraryviewsemphatic。"
""Thisbein"aquestionofpriv"lege，"saysEnright，"thechairwillanswerit。Theseproceedin"sdecidesyourbetswithBoggs，an"thebarkeeppaysBoggsthedinero。Thisisagov"mentofthepeople，forthepeople，bythepeople，an"foundedonavoxpopulibluff。Thevoiceofthemajoritygoes。YoutharforeloseyourbetstoBoggs；
drinksonBoggs，ofcourse。Tharisanothermatter，"continuesEnright，"abetweoverlooks。Takin"careofthisYallerhousegentwillcostastackortwo，an"meansmustbeprovided。Itharforemakesasanorderthatyereafterthar"stobearakeontens-uporbetter，showed，tomakeafundtobackthisplay；saidraketogoontilMisterMoorereportssaidYallerhousegentassafeorceasedtobe。"
"JacktakesthisYallerhousepartyovertothecalaboosean"layshimawayonsomeblankets。Thecalabooseisdry，an"whatyou-allsmightcall，commodious。It"saslam-upcamp；yesindeed!NeverhasbutSteveStevensoninit。PutsSteveinonenightwhenhe"sdead-
drunk。Thecalabooseisnewthen，an"we-allsisthatproudan"
anxioustotryitan"putittosomeuse，wecouldn"tresist，soinStevegoes。
"AboutfourhourslaterStevecomesbackuptotheRedLight，hotter"naburntboot。Seemslikehecomesto，an"isthatoutragedan"indignantaboutbein"corralledthata-way，hebuststhecorneroutenthecalaboosean"issuesforthawholelottofindwhodoesit。
"WhenhecomesintotheRedLighthereviveshimse"fwithadrink，an"theninquireswhetherit"shumorous，ordowemeanit？Seein"
howspeshullowStevetakesit，we-allsallowsit"sajoke；an"
Steve，whileheevidentfeelssomefretted，concloodstoletitgoatthat。
"ButonaccountoftheholethroughwhichSteveemerges，an"whichhemakesliberalan"big，thecalabooseisamightycommodiousplace。SoJackbedsdowntheYallerhousemanallrightan"startsintobringin"himthrough。Therestofusdon"tcrowd"roundnonetowatchtheplay，don"thoveroveritthata-way，"causeweain"taimin"toacquirenothin"ourse"fs。
"Jackhasaheapoftroublean"worry。Neverseesnosmallpoxdoyou？Folkslocoedmostusual，——cleanoffupintheairan"pitchin"
ontheirropes。OfcoursetheYallerhousegenthasallheneeds。
Thatrakeontens-upthemdayswouldhavetookcareofafam"ly。ButhekeepsJackherdin"himallthetime。Otherwise，notbein"
watched，an"crazythata-way，he"sliabletocomestampedin"overtotheRedLight，orsome"erselse，anytime，an"skeerusupsome。
""He"saworld-beater，"saysJackoneday，whenhecomesoverforadrink。"He"sshorelyfourkingsan"anace。Youcan"tridehimwithbuckin"-strapsan"aSpanishbit。It"sgotsonow——hisdiseasebein"
atacrisislike——thatIsimplyhastobewiththisYallerhousepartydayan"night。He"dshorelylaywastethiscampifIdidn"t。"
"AtlasttheYallerhousepartyan"Jacksomehowbeatsthesmallpox，butYallerhousecomesoutshyaneye。ThesmallpoxgougesitoutoneofthemtimeswhenJackain"tlookin"outhisgamesharp。It"shispistoleye，too；whichmakeshimfeelthelossmorekeen，an"
createsgeneralsympathy。TheYallerhousemangetssomemoroseoverit，whichain"t，afterall，onnacheral。Agentain"tgotsomanyeyeshecanaffordtogoshortoneoneverylittlegameheplays。SohefindsfaultwithJackalot，an"allowsifhehashimbackintheStateshe"dsuehimforneglectofdooty。
""Which，Ishorelylikesthat!"saysJacktotheYallerhouseparty，gettin"peevishoverhisfault-findin"。"Don"tyouknowit"smerelyowin"tothemercyofhellan"mywatchfulcare，you-allain"tbustin"yourharp-stringsan"raisin"allrounddiscordamongtheheavenlyhostsonhighrightnow，insteadofbein"safean"wellyereinWolfville？Youdon"tactlikeagentwhosaveyswhenhemakesawinnin"。S"poseyoubeaneyeout；you"restilllookin"atthingsterrestrialwiththeother。Youtalksofgrossneglectofdooty!Nowletmeinformyouofsomethin":Youcomepesterin""roundmesomemorean"I"llbendagunoveryourhead。"
""Whichifitain"tmysix-shootereyewhich"sout，"saystheYallerhouseparty，mightyugly，"doyouknowwhatI"ddo？Well，thisyerewouldbethebasisofafirst-classgun-play。Youcangambletharwouldn"tbenojim-crowmarshalgopirootin""round，losin"noeyeofminean"gettin"awaywithit，an"thentalkofbendin"gunsonme；nonewhatever。"
"ButitallpreysonJack。An"a-seein"ofthisYallerhousegent"roundcampa-lookin"athiminafault-findin"wayoutenhisoneeyesorteraggravatesJacklikeit"sanightmare。
""Iwouldn"tminditsomuch，"saysJacktome，confidential，"ifthisYallerhousegentquitsalaigoranarmbehind，"causeinwhicheventwepieceshimoutwithwood，easy。Butabouteyes，it"sdifferent。Aneyeoutisaneyeout；an"thatsettlesit。"
"OnedayJackcan"tb"aritnolonger，an"，resolvin"toendit，hewalksuptotheYallerhousepartyintheRedLight，allbriskan"
brief。
""It"saroughdealonaone-eyedgent，"saysJack，"an"Ishoreaskspardonan"statesregretsinadvance。Butthingshasgottoashow-down。I"mslowlybecomin"onfitforpublicdooty。Nowyere"sanoffer，an"youcanhaveeitherend。You-allcangetahossan"ahundreddollarsofme，an"pullyourfreight；oryoucanfixyourse"fwithagunan"haveamightystirrin"an"eventfultimewithmerightyere。Asanoutcomeofthelast，thepublicwillhaveoneofustoplant，an"mebbyavacancytofillinthepostofkettle-tender。Whichisit，an"whatdoyousay？"
""Whatforahossisshe？"askedtheYallerhouseparty。
""Whichshe"sapinto，"saysJack；"asexcellentapaintponyaseverisroped。"
""Doesthisyerethreatyou-allmakesincloodeasaddlean"spurs？"
askstheYallerhouseparty。
""Itshorelydoes，"repliesJack。"Isitago？"
""Well，"saystheYallerhouseman，afterponderin"ituponewayan"
downtheother，"thisideeofsettlin"foreyesforahossan"ahundreddollarsisfarfrombein"usualwithme。IfIhasmyeyeag"in，I"dshorelystayan"shootitout，an"admiretobepresent。
Butnowsechthoughtsisvanity。Soroundupyourmoneyan"yourponyattheRedLightinfifteenminutesbythewatch，an"assoonasIgetsabottlefilledI"mreadytogo。Ishorelyshouldnotregretleavin"an"outfitwhichputsfolksinjailforbein"sick，an"connivesbyrecklessan"criminalneglectofdootyattheirbein"blindedforlife。""
CHAPTERXIII。
JACKSUPONEIGHTS。
"No；youcanhazardyourwealthalot，thar"snosooperstitionlurkin""roundinmeormyenvirons；nonewhatever。Iattachesnoimportancetowhatyou-allcallsomens。"
Somebodyhadundertakenadisquisitionondreams，andattemptedtociteinstanceswherethefuturehadbeenindicatedinthesehazyvisionsofoursleep。ThishadservedtoturntheOldCattleman"strainofthoughtupontheweird。
"Thar"ssigns，ofcourse，towhichI"dshorelybow，nottosaypayabsorbin"heed。IfsomegentwithwhomIchoosestodiffertouchin"
somematterthat"saheaprelevantatthetime，upsan"reachesforhisgunabrupt，itfillsmefullofpreemonitionsthatthenearfutureismightyliabletobecomeloadedwithleadan"interestforme。Nowthar"sanomenIdon"tdiscount。ButafterallIain"tconsentin"tocallthemapprehensionsofminethefrootofnosooperstition，neither。I"mmerelychary；that"sall。
"It"sCherokeeHallwhoiswhatIonhesitatin"lydescribesassooperstitious。Cherokeeisafflictedbymoresignsan"omensincarryin"onhisbusinessthananalmanac。It"sawaykyardsharpsgetsinto，Ireckons；sortergrowsoutentheirtrade。LeastwiseI
nevercreepsupononeyetwhoain"tbein"guidedbyallsortsofmiraclesan"warnin"sthata-way。An"sometimesitdoeslookliketheyacquiresap"interthatcomesto"emonstraightlines。As"llustratin"thisyerelast，itreturnstomesomevividhowCherokeean"Boggsgetstoprophesyin"oneday，an"howtheycallsofftheplaybetween"emsoplumbc"rrectthata-way，it"smorethanamazin"；it"ssinister。
"It"sahotAugustday，thisoccasionIhasinmind，an"whilenotpossessin"oneofthemheat-gaugestosayackerate，I"mallowin"
it"sridin"hardonsechweatherasthis。Abandofusisatthepost-officea-wrastlin"ourletters，whenintrailsCherokeeHalllookin"somemoody，an"setshimse"fdownonabox。
""Whichyou-allnodoubtallowsyou"lltakesomemissivesyourse"fthismornin"，"saysDocPeets，a-noticin"ofhisgloom，an"aimin"
top"inthisideesupsomeothertrail。Doc，himse"f，isfeelin"
somegala。"PassoverthemdocumentsforCherokeeHall，an"don"tholdoutnothin"ontous。We-allsis"waytoopeevishtostandanyoffishulgaietiesto-day。"
""Thar"snooneweak-minded"noughtowritetomenone，"saysCherokee。`WhichIremarksthisyerephenomenonwithpleasure。Mail-
bagspacksmoregriefthanjoy，an"Iain"thonin"fornohandinthegamewhatever。It"sfifteenyearssinceIbuysastamporgetsaletter，an"allthirsttharforisassuagedcomplete。"
""Fifteenyearsisshorealongtime，"saysEnright，sortertohimse"f，an"thenwe-allshopsintoourlettersag"in。FinallyCherokeebreaksinoncemore。
"`Iain"taimin"toinvestWolfvilleinnosooperstitiousfears，"
saysCherokee，"an"ImerelychroniclesasacurrenteventhowIwassettin"intoalittlepokerlastnight，an"threetimesstraightI
picksup"thehandthedeadmanheld，"jacksuponeights，an"itwinseverytime。"
"`Wholosetoit？"asksDanBoggs。
""Why，"saysCherokee，"it"severytimethatoldlonghornascomesinfromTucsonbacksometwoweeksago。"
""Thatsettlesit，"saysBoggs，mightydecided。"Youcanbetyoursaddlean"throwtheponyin，Deathisfixin"hissightsforhimrightnow。It"sshorelyawarnin"，an"I"mplumbgladitain"tnoneoftheboys；that"sall。"
"YouseethisyerestrangerwhoCherokeealloodsatcomesoverfromTucsonalittlewhilebefore。Hehaslongwhiteha"ran"beard，an"，jedgin"fromtheringsonhishorns，he"smebbya-comin"sixty。Heseemslikehe"splentyofmoney，an"wetakesithe"sallright。Hisleavin"Tucsonshowshehassense，sowecasheshiminathisfigger。Ofcoursewe-allsneveraskshisnamenone，asaskin"namesan"lookin"atthebrandsonaponyisspeshulroodeintheWest，an"showsyourbringin"up；butheallowshe"scalled"OldBillGentry"totheboys，an"hean"FaroNell"spartic"larfriendly。
""Talkin"tohim，"saysNell，"islikelayin"intheshade。Heknowseverythin"，too；allaboutbooksan"thingsallovertheworld。Hewasa-tellin"me，too，ashowhehadadaughterlikemethatdied"waybacksome"ersaboutwhenIwasayearlin"。Hefeelsaheapbadaboutityet，an"Igetssosorryforhim；sooldan"
white-ha"red。"
""An"youcangamble，"saysDaveTutt，"ifNelllikeshim，he"sallright。"
""IfNelllikeshim，thatmakeshimallright，"saysCherokee。
"We-allsisstilltalkin"an"readinoverourmailinthepost-
office，whenallatoncewehearsJackMooreoutside。
""What"sthisyereliteratoorasaffrontsmyeyes，pastedontotheoutsideofUncleSam"swickeyup？"saysJack，mightytruculent。We。
allsgoesout，an"thar，shore-"nough，isanoticeofferin"fifteenhundreddollarsrewardforsomesharpwho"sbeena-standin"upthestageovertowardsPrescott。
""Whoevertacksthisup？Iwonder，"saysEnright。`Itneverisyeretenminutesago。"
""Well，jestyou-allhover"roundan"watchthegloryofitscomin"
down，"saysJack，a-cuttin"ofitloosewithhisbowie，an"tearin"
itup。"Iyerewithfurnishestheinformationcold，thiscampofWolfvilleknowsitsbusinessan"don"thavetobenotifiedofnothin"。Thisyereoutfithasavig"lancecommitteeallreg"lar，whichI"mkettle-tendertharfor，an"whenitcomesnacheraltoannouncesomenoticetothepublic，you-allswillperceivemea-
pervadin"ofthesceneryonahossan"promulgatin"ofsaidnoticevivervoce。AmIright，Enright？"
""Rightaspreachin"，Jack，"saysEnright。"Youspeakstroothlikearunnin"brook。"
""Butwhoeversticksthatnotice？——that"stheinformationIpantsfor，"saysBoggs，pickin"upan"readin"ofthepiece。""IreckonsI
poststhatnoticesomemyse"f，"saysabig，squar"-builtgentwe-
allsdon"tknow，an"whocomesintheothermornin"withOldMonteonthestage。Ashesaysthishe"ssa"nterin"aboutthesuburbsofthecrowd，listenin"tothetalk。
""Well，don"tdoitnomore，partner，"saysJack，mightygrave。"AsacommoonityWolfville"snodoubt"waywrong，butwe-allshasourpridesan"ourownpecooliarlittlenotions，thata-way，aboutwhatlooksgood；so，afternow，don"talterthelandscapenone"roundyeretillyouc"lectsourviews。"
""I"mofferin"evenmoney，postin"noticesdon"thurtthisyerecampalittlebit，"saysthestranger。
""Comin"righttocases，"saysEnright，"itdon"thurtnone，butitgratesawholelot。Theideeofamerestrangera-strollin"inan"
a-pastin"upofnotices，likehe"sstandin"apathandonwhatheknowsan"wenotinit，isaheaponpleasant。Sodon"tdoitnomore。"
""WhichIdon"taimtodoitnomore，"saysthesquar"-builtgent，"butIstillclingstomyideethatnoticesain"tnoset-backtothiscamp。"
""Thesamebein"ameretheery，"saysDocPeets，"personaltoyourse"f，Iholdsitwouldbeonp"litetodiscussit；solet"sallwheelondercoverforadrink。"
"Atthiswe-allslinesupontheRedLightbaran"nacherallydrinksendsthetalk，astheyallersought。
"Alongtowardssundownwe-allsgetssomecooler，an"bysecond-drinktimeintheevenin"everyoneismovin"about，an"，asithappens，quiteabandisintheRedLight；somedrinkin"an"exchangin"ofviews，an"somebuckin"thevariousgameswhichisgoin"wideopenall"round。Cherokee"ssettin"behindhisbox，an"FaroNellisupathisshoulderonthelookoutstool。Thegame"sgoin"plentylivelywhenalongcomesOldGentry。Cherokeetakesaglanceathiman"
seemsworriedalittle，reflectin"，nodoubt，ofthem"handsthedeadmanheld，"buthegoesondealin"withoutaword。
""Where"syou-alldonebeenallday？"saysNelltotheoldman。"I
ain"tseenyounonewhateversinceyesterday。"
""Why，Igetstiredan"doneupalot，settinag"instCherokeelastnight，"saystheoldman，"an"soIprowlsdowninmyblanketsan"
sleepssometillaboutanhourago。"
"Theoldmanbuysastackofbluesan"sets"emontheten。It"sjestthenincomesthesquar"-builtgent，who"sbeenpostin"ofthenoticeformer，an"p"intsasix-shooteratGentryan"says""Putyourhandsup!put"emupquickorI"lldrillyou!Oldasyoube，Idon"ttakenochances。"
""AtthefirstwordNellcomesoffherstoollikeasmalllandslide，whileCherokeebringsagunintoplayontheinstant。Theoldman"supevenwiththeproceedin"s，too；an"standsthar，hisguninhishand，hiseyesa-glitterin"an"hiswhitebearda-curlin"likeacat"s。He"scleanstrain。
""Letmegetawordin，gents，"saysCherokee，plentyca"m，"an"
don"tnoonesetinhisstackon。lesshe"sgotahand。Idoesbusinessyeremyway，an"I"mduetodownthefirsthold-upwhoshootsacrossanylayoutofmine。Don"tmakenomistake，orthenextcensus"llbeshy，shore。"
""Whatbeyou-allsaimin"tocel"brateanyhow？"saysJackMoore，gettin"thesquar"-builtgent"sgunwhileBoggscorralsGentry"s。"
Who"sWolfvilleentertainin"yere，I"dlikefortoknow？"
""I"maWells-Fargodetective，"saysthesquar"-builtgent，"an"
thisyere，"p"intin"toOldGentry，"isJimYates，thebiggesthold-
upan"stage-robberbetweenhellan""Frisco。Thatoldtarrapin"llstopastagelikeayoung-onewouldaclock，merelytoseewhat"sintoit。He"sthepartyI"mpastin"upthenoticeforthismornin。"
""He"saliar!"saystheoldman，a-gettin"ugliereveryminute。
`Giveusoursix-shootersanthrowusloose，an"ifIdon"tlancetheroofofhislyin"mouthwiththefrontsightofmygun，I"llcashinforahold-uporwhateverelseyou-allssays。"
""Whatdoyousay，Enright？"saysJack。"Let"sgive"emtheirjewelryan"let"emlope。I"vegotmoneyassaystheWells-Fargobill-pastercan"ttakethisold"Cimmaronalittlebit。"
""WhichItrailsin，"saysBoggs，"withafewchipsonthesamekyard。"
""No，"saysEnright，"ifthisyereparty"srustlin"themails，we-
allscan"tcallhishandtooquick。Wolfville"sastraightcampan"
don"tbacknocrim"nalplays；nonewhatever。"
"Enrighttharuponcallsameetin"oftheStranglers，an"we-allslinesoutfortheNewYorkStoretotalkitover。Beforewedonepow-wowstwominutesupcomesOldMonte，withthestage，alldustan"cuss-words，an"allowshe"sbeenstoodupoutbythecowspringssixhoursbefore，an"isbehindthemail-bagan"theAdamsCompany"sboxonthedeal。We-allslooksatOldManGentry，an"heshorelyseemstocrippledown。""Gentry，"saysPeets，afterOldMontetellshisadventures，"IhearsyoutellNellyouwassleepin"allday。
S"poseyoutakesthisyerecommitteetoyourbudweran"exhibitstoushowitlookssome。"
""Theturn"sag"inme，"saystheoldman，"an"Ilose。I"llcutitshortforyou-alls。Iholdsupthatstagethisafternoonmyse"f。"
""Thisyere"sstraightgoods，Itakesit，"saysEnright，"an"ourdootyisplain。Goovertothecorralan"getalariat，Jack。"
""Don"tletEnrighthangtheoldman，Cherokee，"saysNell，beginnin"toweepawholelot。"Pleasedon"tlet"emhanghim。"
""Thisholdin"agunonyourfriendsain"tnopicnic，"whispersCherokeetoNell，an"flushin"upan"thenturnin"pale，"butyourwordgoeswithme，Nell。"ThenCherokeethinksaminute。"Now，thisyereisthewaywedoes，"hesaysatlast。"I"llmake"emalongtalk。You-allrunovertothecorralan"bringthebesthossyouseessaddled。I"llbetalkin"whenyoucomesback，an"youcreepupan"whispertotheoldmantomakeajumpfortheponywhileI
coversthedealwithmysix-shooter。It"splayin"itlowonEnrightan"DocPeetsan"therest，butI"lldoitforyou，Nell。Itallcomesfromthemjacksuponeights。"
"Withthis，CherokeetellsNell"good-by，"an"squar"shimse"f。Hebeginstotalk，an"Nellmakesaquietlittlebreakforthecorral。
"Butnohossiseverneeded。Cherokeedon"ttalkaminutewhenOldGentrycomesbuckin"offenhischairina"plepticfit。A"plepticfitispermiscusan"tryin"，an"whenOldGentrygetsthroughan"
comestohimse"f，he"scampedjestthissideofthedeadline。Hecanonlywhisper。
""Comeyere，"sayshe，motionin"toCherokee。"Thar"sastackofblueswhereIsets"emonthetenopen，whichyouain"tturnedfornoneyet:TakeallIhasbesidesan"putwithit。Ifitlose，it"syours；ifitwin，giveittothelittlegirl。"
"ThisisallOldGentrysays，an"hecashesintheverynextsecondonthelist。
"Enrightgoesthrough"em，an"thar"sovertwothousanddollarsinhiswar-bags；an"，obeyin"themlastbehests，we-allsgoesovertotheRedLightan"putsitonthetenalongofthestackofblues。
It"soverthelimit，butCherokeeproceedswiththedeal，an"whenitcomesI"mblessedifthetenain"tloseran"Cherokeegetsitall。
""ButIwon"twinnoneag"inadeadman；saysCherokee。An"hegivesittoNell，whoain"tsooperstitious。
""Doyou-allsb"arinmind，"saysBoggs，aswetakesadrinklater，"howIforeseesthisyererackettheminuteIhearsCherokeea-
tellin"abouthis"Jacksuponeights"——the"handthedeadmanholds？"""
CHAPTERXIV。
THERIVALDANCE-HALLS。
Itwassweetandcoolaftertherain，andtheOldCattlemanandI，movedbyanadmirationfortheopenairwhichwasmutual，foundourselvestogetherontheporch。
Asinpartrecompenseforhisreminiscencesoftheseveraldaysbefore，Iregaledmyoldfriendwiththehistoryofabank-failure，thedetailsaswellasthecausesofwhichwerejustthenforcingthemselvesuponmeintheguiseofbusiness。
"Thefactis，"Isaid，asIcametotheendofmystory，"thefactis，thetruecauseofthisbank"sdownfallwasarivalry——whatonemightcallabusinessfeud——whichgrewintobeingbetweenitandasimilarinstitutionwhichhadopenedasitsneighbor。Inthecompetitionwhichfellouttheyfairlycuteachother"sthroat。Theybothfailed。"
"An"Itakesit，"remarkedtheOldCattlemanincomment，"oneoftheseyeretradedooelsthata-waygoesonvindictivean"
remorseless，sameasifit"sapersonalfightbetweencow-folksovercattle。"
"Quiteright，"Isaid。"Moneyisoftenmorecruelthanmen；andabusinessvendettaisfrequentlymeremurderwithouttheincidentofblood。Idon"tsupposethelifeofyourArizonatownwouldshowthesetradewars。ItwouldtakeEastern——thatis，older——conditions，toprovokeandcarryoneon。"
"No，"repliedtheoldgentleman，withanairofretrospection，"I
don"trecallnothin"ofthesortinWolfville。We"retoomuchinahuddle，anyway；tharain"troomfornosechfracas，nohow。Nowthenearestwe-allscomestoanythin"ofthekindiswhenthenewdance-
hallstartsthattime。
"WhichIreckons，"continuedtheOldCattle。man，ashebeganarrangingasmoke，"whichInowreckonsthisyereistheonlycatyclismintradeWolfvillesuffers；theonlytimeitcomestowhatyou-allEasternsportswouldcallashowdownincommerce。Ofcoursethar"sthelaundrywar，butthat"sbetweenfemalesan"don"tcount。
Females——whileit"snosorterdoubtthey"sthenoblestan"mostexhilaratin"workoftheirRedeemer——isnervousthata-way，an"dueanytimetolettheirha"rdowntheirbacks，emitascreech，an"
clawan"layforeachotherforluck。An"，asIsays，ifyouconfinesthefestivitiestothemfemalesengaged，an"preventsthemenstandin"inontheplay，it"sshoretowindupinsobsan"
forgiveness，an"tharforeitdon"tgo。
"AsIsays，whatInowrelatesistheonlyindustrialtroubleI
recallsinWolfville。Iallersremembersit，"cause，bein"ashowI
knowsthepartywho"stheaggravatin"causetharof，itmortifiesmethewayhejumpsintocampan"carrieson。
"WhenIseeshimfirstisagesbefore，whenIfreightswitheightmulesovertheOldFortBascometrailfromVegastothePanhandle。
Thissharp——whichhe"satenderfootatthetime，butplumbwolfbynacher-trailsuptomeintheEarlyRoseSalooninVegasoneday，an"allowshe"dliketomakeadealan"goprojectin"overintothePanhandlecountrywithmeforatrip。"Freightin"thata-waythreeweeksaloneonthetrailissomeharrowin"tothesperitsofagentwholovescompanylikeme，soIagrees，an"nodelaytoit。
"WhichI"myeretomentionIregretslaterI"mthateasyItakesthispersonalong。Notthatheturnshostile，buthe"sallershavin"
adventures，an"thingskeepshappenin"tohim；an"final，Ithinkshe"sshorelydeadan"gonecomplete——thesame，asIafterwardlearns，bein"error；an"，takin"ituponetrailan"downanother，thattripbreaksmeoffenfoolin"withshorthornscomplete，an"I
don"tgonear"emforyears，more"nifthey"sstingin"lizards。
"Whateverdoesthisyeremaverickdotome？Well，nothin"muchtomepersonal；buthekeepsa-breedin"ofeventswhichpestersme。
"We"reoutaboutfourdayswhenthemmishapsbegins。IcampsoveronesunontheConchatorestmymules。I"mloadedsomeheavywithsixthousandpoundsinthelead，an"mebbyfourthousandpoundsinthetrailwagon；an"Istopsadaytogivemystockachancetorollan"breathean"braceup。Myoff-wheelmule——areg"larshave-tail——
isbadmed"cine。Whichhe"snotonlyeagertokicktoweristsan"
othershetakesanotionag"inst；buthe"slikewisewhatyou-allscallsakleptomaniac，an"isouttostealan"sim"larlow-downplays。
"Iwarnsthisyeretenderfoot——hisname"sSmith，butIpullsonhimwhenconversin"as"Colonel"——Iwarnsthisshorthornnottofuss"roundmyJerrymule，bein"，asIstates，amulewhosemoodisornery。
""Don"tgonearhim，Colonel，"saysI；"an"partic"lardon"tgocrowdin""roundtogetnor"arviewsofhim。You-allhasnoideeoftheradiusofthatmule；whatyoumightcallhissweep。Youneverwilltillhe"skickedyouonceortwice，an"theinformationain"tworthnosechprice。SoIdon"treckonI"dfoolwithhim，nonewhatever。
""An"speshul，Colonel，"Igoeson，forIshoreaimstodomydootybyhim，"don"tlaynothin""roundloosewherethisyereJerrymulecangrabitoff。I"mthelastfreighteronthePlainstogoslanderin"an"detractin"ofaporehe"plessmuleonlessit"sstraight；butifyou-alltakestoleavin"keepsakesan"mementoeslayin"aboutcasooalan"carelessthata-way，Jerry"lleat"em；an"
thefirstyousaveysyourkeepsakesiswithinJerry"sinterior，an"
tharyoube。
""Thefactis，stranger，thisJerrymule"sathief，"Isays。"Ifhe"sahuman，Jerrywouldbelynched。Butotherwisehe"sasincere，earnestmule；anuphillorataquicksandcrossin"Jerrygoesintohiscollarlikealion；soIforgiveshimbein"athiefan"allowsit"sapeccadillo。"
""Well，youbet!"saysthistenderfootColonel，"thisyereJerrybetternotcomenopeccadillosonme。"
""Ifyou-allmaintainsabouttwentyfeet，"Ireplies，"betweenJerry"shind-Hocksan"you；an"ifyoukeepsyourbric-a-bracinyourwar-bags，youan"Jerry"llgetalonglikelambs。Now，Iwarnsyou，an"that"sgottodo。IfJerryan"yougetstangledupyereafteryou-allain"tgoin"toharbornorevengesag"inhim，normakenoranikabooplaystogeteven。"
"AsIstates，I"mcampedontheConcha，an`theColonel，who"sallersouttotryexperimentsan"newdeals，putsituphe"llgodowntotheriveran"takeaswim。Tharuponhelinesoutforthewater。
"Jerry"shangin"aboutcamp——forhe"ssorterapetmule——allowin"
mebbyIsubmitsaham-rindorsomesechdelicacytohimtochewon；
an"hehearstheColonelsu"gesthe"llswimsome。SowhentheColonelp"intsfortheConcha，Jerrysa"ntersalongafter，figgerin"，mightylikely，ashowhe"llpassthehoura-watchin"theColonelswim。
"I"mbusyonflapjacksatthetime——whichflapjacksisshoregoodfood——an"Idon"tobservenothln"ofJerrynortheColonelneither。
They"sawayhalfanhourwhenIoverhearsejac"lations，thoughI
can"tmakeoutnowords。Idon"thavetogetcaughtinnolandslidetotumbletoagame，an"I"mawareatoncethatJerryan"theColonelhasgottheirdestiniesmixed。
"Nacherally，Igoesovertotheheldofstrife，aimin"tosaveJerry，orsavetheColonel，whicheverhastheotherdown。WhenI
burstsonthescene，theColonelstartsforme，splutterin"an"
makin"noisesan"p"intin"atJerry，whostandstharwithanairofinnocence。TheColonel"supperliphangsdownqueer，likeanant-
eater"s，an"hecan"ttalk。It"sallmightyamazin"。
""What"sallthistoomultabout？"Isays。
"Theshortoftheriotisthis:TheColonelgoesinforaswim，an"
helaysouthisfalseteeththata-wayonastone。Whenhecomesforhisteeththey"sshorelygone，an"tharstandsJerryputtin"itonhe"sasleep。ThemteethisfiledawayinJerry。
"WhichtheColonelraves"roundfrightful，an"wantstokillJerryan"amputatehim，an"scoutfortheteeth。ButIwon"thaveit。I"mgoin"toneedJerrydownfurtheronthequicksandfordsoftheCanadian；an"，asIexplains，themteethisawreckbynow，an"nogoodifheget"s"emag"in；Jerrymunchin"ofhisfoodpowerful。
"AfterawhileIroundsuptheColonelan"herdshimbacktocamp。
Jerryhasshoresawedoffasoreafflictiononthattenderfootwhenhetakesinthemteeth；Icanseethat。Hisliphangslikeablacksmith"sapron，an"hecan"ttalkalittlebit；jestmakessignsormotions，likehe"sInjunordeef。
"It"smebbytwoweekslaterwhenJerrygetsanothershotattheColonel。It"stheevenin"afterthenightJerrysneaksintocamp，soft-footasacoyote，nosesopenthegrub-box，an"eatsfivebottlesofwhiskey；allwehas。We"vepitchedcamp，an"I"vehobbledthisJerrymulean"hismate——theotherwheeler——an"throwed"emloose，an"isbusyhobblin"mynigh-swingmule，whentroublebeginsfomentin"betweenmytenderfootan"Jerry。
"Thefactisit"sdonefomented。ThisColonel，bein"someheatedaboutthatwhiskey，an"plumbsoreonJerryonaccountofthemteeth，allowstohimse"fhe"lltakeatrace-chainan"warpJerryonceforluck。
"Ifthisyeretenderfoothadbeenfreewithme，an"invitedmeintohisconfidencetouchin"hisdesigns，I"dtookalariatan"ropedan"
throwedJerryforhim，an"tiedthefelondown，an"lettheColonelwallophimanhourorso:buttheColonel"sfullofvarietythata-
way，ormebbyhethinksI"llsidewithJerry。Anyhow，heselectsatrace-chain，an"，withoutsayin"aword，dancesallcautioustowardshisprey。WhichthisisrelaxationforJerry。
[drawingofJerrykickingtheColonelwithcaption:"Thathe"plessshorthornstopsbothheels。]
"WhilethatColoneltenderfootisarodaway，Jerryturnshistailsomesuddeninhisdirection，an"thenextinstantthathe"plessshorthornstopsbothheelssome"ersaboutthesecondbuttonofhisshirt。Thatsettlesit；theColonel"saninvalidimmediate。I
shorelyhasatimewithhimthatnight。
"Thenextdayhecan"twalk，an"hecan"trideinthewagon"causeofthejolts。Italltouchesmyheart，an"atlastIupsan"makeahammockoutenaNavajoblanket，whichisgoodan"strong，an"swingstheColoneltothereachofthetrailwagon。
"It"smostlyagoodscheme。Wheretheground"sleveltheColonelcomesonallright；butnowan"then，whenawheelslumpsintoarut，theColonelcan"the"pnonebutsmitethegroundwherehe"sthelowest，an"italldrawsgroansan"lamentsfromhimaheap。
"Onetime，whentheColonel"sagonymakeshimgroanspeshulstrong，IseesJerrybathiseyeslikeheenjoysit；an"thenJerrymentionssomethin"tohismateoverthechain。We"retrottin"alongthetrailatthetime，an"，bein"he"sthenigh-wheeler——whichisthesaddle-
muleofateam——I"mridin"Jerry"scompadre，an"whenInoteshowJerryisthatjoyousaboutitIreachesacrossan"beltshimsomeabruptbetweenthey"earswiththebuttofashot-filledblack-
snake。ItratherletsthewheyoutenJerry"sglee，an"hedon"tgetsomuchblissfromthattenderfoot"smisfortunesashedid。
"ItgoesalongallrightontilIswingsdowntothecrossin"oftheCanadian。It"saboutfourth-drinktimeintheafternoon，an"I"mallowin"tofordtheCanadianthatevenin"an"campont"otherside。
Theriverishighan"rapidfromrainsome"ersbackonitsheadwaters，an"it"swidean"ugly。Itain"tmore"nfourfootdeep，butthebottomisquicksand，an"thatfalse，ifIletsmywagonsstoptensecondsanywherebetweenbankan"bank，I"mgoin"tobeshywagonsattheclose。I"llbeluckyifIwinoutthemules。It"sshoreahard，swiftcrossin"。
"Iswingsdown，asIsays，totheriver"saigewithmymindfilledupabouttherushI"vegottomake。It"sgothroughontherunorbogdown。FirstIsettlesinmysaddle，givestheoutfittheword，an"then，pourin"thewhipintothetwoleaders，Isendsthewholeeightintothewateronthejump。Theriverisrunnin"likeascaredwolf，an"thelittleleadmuleshardlytouchesbottom。
"Asthetrailwagontakesthewater，an"thetwoleadersisplumbintothey"ears，ahowldevelopstother"ar。It"smyporetenderfootinhishammockonderthetrailwagon。Heshrieksasthewatergetstohim；an"itallhitsmelikeabullet，forIplumboverlookshim，thinkin"ofthatquicksandcrossin"。
"It"sshoretoolatenow；I"min，an"Ican"tstop。Tomakethingsmorecomplex，asthewatercutsoffthetenderfoot"syelllikepuffin"outacandle，alittleoldblackmule，whichismyoff-
p"inter，loseshisfeetan"goesdown。Ipourstheleatherintotheteamtheharder，an"theotherssoarsintotheircollarsan"drugmyblackp"interwith"em；onlyhe"sonderwater。OfcourseIallowsboththeblackp"interan"theColonel"sshorelyduetodrownawholelot。
"Wegetsacross，thesevenothermulesan"me；an"thesecondhe"sskatedoutonthesandonhisside，thedrownedmulegetsupan"
singsastriumphantasIeverhears。Swimmin"ondertheriverdon"twearonhimabit。
"ThenIgoesscoutin"fortheColonel，buthe"svanishedcomplete。
Nacherally，Itakeshimforadead-an"-gonegent；an"figgersifsomeeddyorcounter-currentdon"tgethim，orhedon"tgoagroundonnosand-bar，hisfellow-menwillfishhimoutsome"ersbetweenmean"NewOrleans，an"planthiman"holdservicesoverhim。
"Bein"asIcan"tbeofnousewhereit"saclean-sweepplaylikethis，IdismissestheColonelfrommymind。Afterhobblin"an"
throwin"loosemyteam，Ilugsoutthegrub-boxallsorrowfulan"
goesintocamp。
"WhichIshouldallershaveplayedtheColonelfordead，ifitain"tthatyearslaterheonedaycomeswanderin"intoWolfville。Heain"ttendernow；he"sashardasmoss-agates，an"asworthless。
"Irenewsmyacquaintancewithhim，an"hetellshowhegetsoutentheCanadianthatday；butbeyondthatweconsoomesadrinkortwotogether，Iratherpasseshimup。Thar"saheapabouthimIdon"ttaketo。
"TheColonellays"roundWolfvillemebbyit"saweek，peerin"an"
spyin"about。Hesayshe"slookin"foranopenin"。An"Ireckonsheis，forattheendofaweekheslapsupajointoutentent-clothan"fence-boards，an"opensadance-hallsquar"ag"instJimHamilton"swhichisalreadythar。
"Thisyerealoneislikelytobroodan"hatchtrouble；but，asiftakin"astraightheaderintoHamilton"sgameain"tenough，thisColonelofminedon"tgetnopianer；don"tround-upnomusicofhisown；butstandspatan"pullsoffreels，an"quadrilles，an"green-
corndancestoHamilton"smusicgoin"onnextdoor。
"I"mthroughtheLincolnCountywar，an"hasbeenromancin"aboutthefrontierforyears；butInevertracksuponnosechoutrageinmylifeasthisdisgracefulColonelopenin"ahurdy-gurdyag"inHamilton"s，an"maverickin"hismusicthata-way，an"dancin"
tharunto。
"It"sthesecondnight，an"Hamiltonconcloodshe"llseeaboutitsome。HecomesintotheColonel"sjoint，ca"man"considerate，an"
givesitoutthar"sgoin"tobetroubleiftheColoneldon"tclosehisgameorplayinhisownfiddlers。
""Whichifyou-alldon"tcloseyourgameorhuntoutyourownmusic，"saysHamilton，"I"mmightylikelytogetmysix-shooteran"
closeitforyou。"
""Seeyere，"saysmyColonel——whichhe"sshorebeenlearnin"sinceI
partswithhimontheCanadian——"thefirsthold-upwhocomesfoolin"
"roundtobreakupabaileofmine，I"llshorelymakehimhardtofind。Whatbusinessyougotfillin"upmyplacewithyourmelodies？
Yourollsyourtunesinyerelikeyouownstheranch；an"thenyoucomescurvin"overan"talksofagun-play"cause，insteadoflayin"
foryouforthatyoudisturbsmypeacewiththemharmonies，I"mthatgood-nacheredIyieldsthep"intan"dancesto"em。You-allpullyourfreight，"saystheColonel，"orI"llfillyoufulloflead。"
"ThisargumentoftheColonel"sdazzlesHamiltontothatdegreehedon"tknowwhetherhe"sgotthehighhandornot。Hethinksaminute，an"thenp"intsovertotheRedLightforEnrightan"DocPeets。Asheleavestherivaldance-hall，theColonel，who"scallin"
offhisdances，turnstothequadrille，whichispausinpendin"thedispoote，an"shouts:
""YoubetIknowsmybusiness!Righthandtoyourpartner；grandrightan"left!"
"WhenHamiltonturnsawaythey"sshoremakin"thingsrockan"
tremble；an"alltothestrainsof"TheArkansawTraveller，"whichisbein"evolvednextdooratHamilton"sexpense。
"Whichsomethin"sgoin"topop；saysHamilton，mightyuglytoEnrightan"therestofus，ashepoursadrinkintohisneck。"I
allowsintheinterestsofpeacethatIcantersoveran"seesyou-
allsfirst。Iain"touttoshakeupWolfville，norgiveRedDogachancetocriticiseusnoneasadisorderlycamp；butIasksyougents，ascitizensan"membersofthevig"lancecommittee，whetherI"mtostandan"letthisyeresharpround-upmymusictoholdhisrevelsby，an"putitallovermenightly？"
""Idon"tseenodifference，"saysDanBoggs，"betweenthisconvicta-stealin"ofHamilton"smusic，thanifhegoesan"standsupOldMontean"thestage。"
""Thesamebein"myideeexact，"saysTexasThompson。"Yere"sHamiltoncaterin"tothiscampwithadance-hall。It"sapublicgoodthing。Ifagent"smorose，an"hiswhiskey"sslowplacin"itse"f，hegoesovertoHamilton"shurdy-gurdyan"findsrelaxationan"relief。
Nowyerecomesthisstranger——an"Imakesitfiftydollarsevenhe"sfromMassachusetts——an"whatdoeshedo？Neverantesnorsticksinawhitechip，butpurloinsHamilton"sstrains，an"pullsoffhisdancestharby。It"splumbwrong，an"whatthispartyneedsishangin"。"
""Oh，Idon"tknow，"saysCherokeeHall，who"sinonthetalk。
"Hamilton"sallright，an"asquar"man。Allhewantsisjestice。
Now，whileIdeemstheconductofthisstrangerlowan"ornery；
still，comin"downtotheturn，he"sonhistrailallright。Asthissharpsays:WhogivesHamiltonanylicensetogofillin"hishurdy-
gurdyfullofdance-music？S"posethisgentwouldcomecaperin"overan"setinastackag"inHamiltonforoverloadin"hisjointwithpianeran"fiddlenoiseswithouthisconsent；an"puttin"ituphe"souttodragthecampifHamiltondon"tcease？TheonlywayHamiltongets"roundthatkindofcomplaintis，hedon"townthemwalsesan"
quadrillesaftertheyfetchesloosefromhisfiddle；thattheyain"thisquadrillesnomore，an"he"snotresponsibleaftertheystampedesoffintospace。"
""That"sstraight，"saysDaveTutt，"you-allscan"trunnobrandonmelodies。Agentcan"townnomusicafterhecutsitloosethata-
way。Theminuteitleavesthebosomsofhisfiddles，that"swhereheletsgo。Afterthatitbelongstoanygenttodanceby，cryby，setby，orfightby，ashedeemsmeetan"pleasantatthetime。"
""Whatdoyou-allssay？"saysHamiltontoEnrightan"Peets。"Doesthisyerepieceofoppressiononaleadin"citizen，perpetratedbyarankoutsider，go？Ishorewaitsforyourreplywithimpatience，forIeetchestogobackan"shootupthisnewhurdy-gurdyfromnowtillsun-up。"
"EnrighttakesDocPeetsdownbytheendofthebar——an"thar"snodoubtaboutit，thatPeetsisthewisestlonghornwestoftheMissoury——an"theyhasadeepconsultation。We-allsiswaitin"。someinterested，toseewhattheysays。It"sshoreafinep"intthisColonel"smakin"tojestifyan"backhisgame。
""Getamoveonyou，Enright!"atlastsaysDanBoggs，whoisahasty，eagerman，wholikesaction；"getamoveonyou，youan"
Peets，an"settlethis。You"requeerin"thekyardsan"delayin"theplay。"
""Well，gents，"saysEnrightatlast，comin"backwherewe-allsisbythedoor，"Peetsan"meseesnoneeddecidin"onthemquestionsaboutwhoownsatuneaftersaidtunehasbeenplayed。Buttharisasubject，thata-way，whichrequiresconsideration；an"whichmostlikelysolvesthisdance-halldeadlock。Inalltrademattersinagrowin"camplikeWolfville，it"sbettertopreserveaequilibrium。
It"sag"inpublicinteresttohavetwoorthreedance-halls，ortwoorthreesaloons，allinabunchthata-way。It"sbettertheybespraddled"roundwideapart，whichismoreconvenient。SoPeetsan"
meproposesasarooleforthisyerecampthattwohurdy-gurdiesbeforbidtobecarriedonwithinfivehundredfeetofeachother。Asitlookslikenobodyobjects，weconcloodsit"sadopted。Nacherally，thelasthurdy-gurdyuphastomove，whichdisposesofthisyeretrouble。"
""BeforeIendswhatIhastosay，"goesonEnright，"Iwantstothankourtownsman，MisterHamilton，forconsultin"oftheStranglerspriortoakillin"。Itshowshe"salaw-abidin"gentan"
acredittothecamp。An"mightylikelyheprolongshisstayonearth。Ifhe"dprancedinan"skelpedthismaraudin"stranger，I
don"treckonwecouldavoidswingin"himattheendofalariatwithoutmakin"adangerouspreceedent。Asitis，hisrivalwillberoutedan"hislifemadesereenasyeretofore。"
""Astotheexecutionofthisnewroole，"concloodsEnright，"weleavesthattoJackMoore。Hewillwaitonthispartyan"explaintheplay。Hemustupstakesan"movehiscamp；an"ifhecallsonanothershindigafterhe"swarned，we-allstakesourponiesan"ourropesan"yankshisoutfitupbytheroots。Agentofhisenterprise，however，willcometoadeadhalt；an"hispersecutionsofHamiltonwillcease。"
""An"you-allcallsthisyereafreeAmericanoutfit!"saysmyColonel，mightyscornful，whenJackMoorenotifieshim。"IfIdon"tlineoutfort"otherendofcampyou-allsisallowin"toropemyjointan"pullitdown!Well，thatletsmeout；Iquitsyou。I"dbeshorelydegradedtoputinmytimewithanysechlow-flungpasselofsports。You-allmaygobackan"tellyourfolksthatasyouleavesyouhearsmegivethecalltomyguests，"Allpromenadetothebar"；
an"thedancin"isdone。To-morrowIdepartsforRedDogtobeginlifeanew。Wolfvilleistooslowacampforanygentwithanyswiftnesstohim。""
CHAPTERXV。
SLIMJIM"SSISTER。
"Whichthar"sfolksinthiscaravansaryIdon"tlikenone，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，asIjoinedhimoneafternoononthelawn。Histonewasasofonehalfsullen，halfhurt，andashejerkedhisthumbtowardthehotelbehindus，itwasagesturefullofscorn。
"Thar"sfolksthar，takin""emupan"down，horns，hide，tallow，an"
beef，whoain"tworthheatin"arunnin"-irontobrand。"
"What"sthetrouble？"Iinquired，asIorganizedforcomfortwithmybackagainsttheelm-treewhichshadowedus。
"Notroubleatall，"repliedmyoldfriendsourly，"leastwisenothin"poignant。It"sthatyoothfulpartyintheblacksurtootwhocomespesterin"meamomentagoabouttheWestbein"，ashesays，aroodean"irreligiousoutfit。"
"He"sayoungpreacher，"Iexplained。"Possiblyhewasmovedbyananxietytouchingyoursoul"swelfare。"
"Well，ifhe"souttosavesouls，"retortedtheoldgentleman，"heoughterwhirlabiggerloop。No，no，hewon"tdo，"hecontinued，shakinghisheadwithanairofmournfulyetresentfuldecision，"thisyeregent"stoonarrow；whichhisheadisbuilttoomuchtheshapeofaquail-trap。Hemaydotochasejack-rabbitsan"sech，buthe"sasizetoosmallforgamelikeme。Savesouls，saysyou!Why，ifthatonp"liteyoungpersonwastomeetasoullikeminecomin"upthetrail，he"dshorelyomitwhattodoentire；he"dbethatstampeded。He"dbesomehardtolocate，Itakesit，afterhemeetsupwithasoullikemineawholelot。"
TheOldCattlemanmadethisproclamationrathertohimselfthanme，butIcoulddetectanairofpride。Thenhewenton:
""ThisyereWestyouemanatesfrom，"saysthisyoungpreacher-sharptomethata-way，"thisyereWestyouhailsfromisroode，an"don"tyieldnonetoreligiousinflooences。"
""Well，"Isaysbacktohim，fillin"mypipeatthesametime，"I
reckonsyoushorelycanc"llectmorewithagunthanacontreebutionboxintheWest，ifthat"swhatyou-allisaimin"at。Butifyoufiggerswedon"tmakeourownlittlereligiousbreaksoutinArizona，stranger，youfiggersaheapwrong。YououghterhaveheardShortCreekDavethattimewhenheturns"vangelistan"prancesintothewarehousebackoftheNewYorkStore，an"showsWolfvilleshe"sshoreh"ar-hungan"breeze-shakenoverhellthata-way。ShortCreekhasthecampallspraddledoutbeforeheturnshisdeal-boxupan"
closeshisgame。"
""ButthisyereShortCreekDave，"heremonstratestome，"ain"tnoreg"larlicenseddivine。Heain"tworkin"inconjunctionswithnoshore"nough"sociation，Itakesit。ThisShortCreekpersonismostlikelyoneofthemirrelevantexhortin"folks，an"thatmakesadifference。Hedon"tbelongtonoreg"lardenom"nation。"
""That"stroo，too，"Isays。"ShortCreekain"tworkin"withnoreg"larreligiousround-up；he"ssorterrunnin"afloatin"outfit，criss-crossin"therange，prowlin"formavericksan"straysonhisowngame。Butwhatofthat？He"sshorelytyin""emdownan"brandin"
"emrightalong。"
""Oh，Idon"tdispootenonetheefficacyofyourfriend"sworkthata-way，"repliestheyoungpreacher-sharp，"butit"sirreg"lar；it"splumboutofline。Nowwhatyou-allsneedsintheWestisrealchurches，sameaswe-allshasintheEast。"
"`Iain"tnoneshoreofthat。"Isays，"an"I"mgettin"alittlewarmonderthecollarsomewiththemfrillsheputson；"Iain"tnoneshore。TheEastneedn"tdeemitse"ftheonlykinginthedeck；
nonewhatever。TheWestcanaffordtheusualroolesan"letallbetsgoastheylays，an"stillgetupwinneronthedeal。Itakesityou-allsnevernotestheWestsendin"Eastforhe"p？"
""Butthatain"ttheidee，"heurges。"Churchesthata-wayistherightthing。Theymoldsacommoonity，churchesdoes。Youb"arswitnessyourse"fthatwherechurchesexiststhecommoonityisthemostorderlyan"fullerofquietoodan"peace。"
""NotnecessarilyIdon"t，"Irepliesback，forI"mgoin"toplaymyhandoutifitgetsmylastchip，"notnecessarily。WhatIb"arswitnesstoisthatwherethecommoonityisthemostorderlythata-
wayan"fullerofquietoodan"peace，thechurchesexists。"
""WhichI"mshorelysomeafraid，"hesays，——an"hislooksshowshe"sgettin"ahorrorofme，——"youbelongstoaperversegeneration。You-
allisvainofyourownevil-doin"。LookatthemmurdersthatreddenstheWest，an"thensityerean"tellmeitdon"tneednoinflooences。"
""Themain"tmurders，"Ianswers；them"skillin"s。An"asforinflooenccs，ifyou-alldon"treckonthepresenceofavig"lancecommitteeinacampdon"tcauseagenttopausean"pondernonebeforehepullshisgun，youdwellsinignorance。However，I"myeretoadmit，Idon"tdiscernnosechsin-encrustedplayinakillin"
whenthepartiesbreaksevenatthestart，an"bothgentsisworkin"
tothesameendunanimous。Itdoessomefolksaheapofgoodtokill"emalot。"
"It"satthisp"inttheyoungpreacher-sharppullshisfreight，an"
Iobserves，bythewayhestacksmeupwithhiseyesthata-way，heallowsmebbyI"mlocoed。"
TheOldCattlemansaidnomoreforamoment，butpuffedathiscobpipeinthoughtandsilence。Ihadnonotionofinvolvingmyselfinanycombatofmoralsortheology，soIdidnotinvadehismood。AtlastIsuggestedinahalf-toneofinoffensivesympathythattheWestwasnodoubtmuchmisunderstood。