第6章
"Lifethere，"Iremarked，"amidnewandroughconditionsmustbefullofhardshipandtragedy。"
Thisvaguearrowintheairhadtheeffectofsendingtheoldfellowoffatatangent。Hisbentwasevidentlydiscursive，andallthoughtsofhislatereligiouscontroversyseemedtopassfromhismind。
"Fullofhardshipan"tragedyisyourremark，"heretorted，"an"I
joinsyoutharin。TakethemdisastersthatpouncesonSlimJim。WhathappensinthecaseofthisyereSlimJimtenderfoot，"theoldfellowcontinuedasadampgleamofsympathyshoneinhiseye，"isbothhardshipan"tragedy。Whichofcoursethar"samightysightofdifference。Ahardshipagentlivesthrough；butit"satragedywhenhislight"sputout。An"asSlimJimdon"tlivethroughthisnone，it"snacherallyatragedythata-way。
"Ifrequentseesbadlucktootherfolks，aswellascomin"tomepersonal，intheyearsIinhabitsthegrasscountry，butthiswasshorelythetoughest。Itevenoverplaysanythin"RainbowSameverisag"inst；an"thehardluckofRainbowSamisaproverbofArizona。
""WhichIreckonsIwasfoaledwithacopperonme，"saysthisRainbowSamtoEnrightoneday。"InallmyborndaysInevermakesakillin"——nevergetsupwinneronce。Iwasfoaledaloser，an"I"llkeepa-losin"ontilthisyeremalady——whichit"sconsumption-whichhasmeinchargedeliversmetotheangelsan"getsitsreceipt。"
"It"samockerywhattranspirestouchin"thisRainbowSam。Jestashestates，theconsumption"sgothimtreedan"outonalimb。DocPeetssays，himse"f，nothin"canhe"phim；an"whenPeetsquitsalittlethinglikeconsumptionan"shoveshischairback，you-allscangambleagent"shealth，thata-way，isonadeadkyard。
"IrecallshowRainbowSamdies；whichheridesoutintoeternityeasyan"painless。We-allsisintoapoker-gamennenight-thatis，fiveofus——whenDocPeetsiscalledaway。
""Seeyere，Rainbow，"saysPeetstoRainbowSam，who"spennilessan"
tharforelookin"on；"youneverhasamorselofluckinyourlife。
Now，yere:Youplaymyhandan"chipsawhile。I"monvelvetforthreehundredan"fifty，an"I"dassoonyou"dloseitintothegameasanysportIknows。An"torouseyourmoralnacherIwantstotellyou，whateveryourakesinyoukeeps。Nowthar"sluckatthejump；
youcan"tlosean"youmaywin，sosetinyere。Napoleonneverhashalftheshow。"
"Peetsgoesawayforanhouraboutsomethin"，an"RainbowSamtakeshisseat；an"，merelytoshowhowonegentoutlucksanother，whilePeetshashadtheluckofdogsit"sthatprofusean"good，itlookslikethebestRainbowcangetisanevenbreak。Forhalfanhourhewinsan"helosesaboutequal；an"he"sshoretryin"hardtowin，too。
""IfItakesinacoupleofhundredorso，"saysthisRainbowtome，"IallowsI"llvisitmyfolksintheStatesonceforluck。"
"Buthenevervisitsthemfolksheadvertsto。It"sonBoggs"sdeal，an"he"sthrowin"thekyards"roundwhenRainbow"stookbad。Hisconsumptionsortermutiniesontohimallatonce。He"sgottheseatontheleftofBoggs，too，——gottheage。
""Playmyhand，"hesaystoHamilton，who"ssteppedinfromthedance-hall；"playmyhand，Jim，tillIfeelsalittlebetter。I"llbeallrightinamoment。Barkeep，dealmesomewhiskey。"
"SoRainbowwalksovertothebar，an"Hamiltonpicksuphiskyards。
InotesthatRainbowstepsoffthattimesometottersome；buthe"ssoplumbweakthata-way，catsisrobusttohim；an"soIdeemsnothin"tharof。I"mskinnin"mykyardsabitinterestedanyhow，bein"intheholemyse"f。
"Everybodycomesinthisdeal，an"whenthechipsisinthecenter——
thisyere"sbeforethedraw——Hamilton，speakin"upforRainbow，says:
""Theseyere"sDocPeets"schipsanyhow？"
""Whichtheyshorelybe，"saysBoggs，"soplay"emmerciless，"causePeetsisrich。"
""That"swhatIasksfor，"saysHamilton，"forIdon"taimtomakenomistakeswithporeRainbow"smoney。"
""That"sallright，"saysBoggs，"dump"emin。Ifyou-alllose，it"sPeets"s；ifyouwin，it"sRainbow"s。"
""Play"emgamean"liberal，OldMan，"saysRainbowoverbythebar，——an"itstrikesmeatthetimehistonesisweakan"queer；butbein"asIjestthennotesathirdqueeninmyhand，Idon"thavenochancetodwellonthefact。"Play"emgamean"free，"saysRainbowag"in。"Freeasthewatersoflife。Winorlose，she"sallthesameahundredyearfromnow。"
"Hamiltontakesanotherlookan"thenraisestheanteahundreddollars。Thisyereistablestakes；thisgamewas；an"thestakesisfivehundred。
""WhichIplaysthis，"saysHamilton，ashecomesupwiththehundredraise，"thesameasIwouldformyse"f，whichthesamemeansplenteousan"freeasaking。"
"Thar"sthreeofuswhostays，oneofthesamebein"me。Iallersrecallsiteasy，"causeitfrost-bitesmythreequeensforoverthreehundreddollarsbeforetheexcitementdiesaway。Boggs，who"ssovociferousrecentaboutHamiltonplayin"wideopen，staysout；
nothavin"asgoodasnine-high。
"OnthedrawHamiltonallowsRainbow"shandneedsonekyard，an"hegetsit。Itakesonealso；thesamebein"futile，sofarashe"pin"
myhandgoes；an"theotherstakeskyardsvarious。
"Thar"sonlyoneraise，an"that"swhenitgetstoHamilton。Hesetsinalittleovertwohundreddollars，bein"thebalanceofthestake；an"twoofusisfeeble-mindedenoughtocall。Whatdoeshehave？Well，it"sampleforourondoin"thata-way。It"sastraightflushofdiamonds；jackattheheadoftheclass。Itshorelycarriesoffthepotlikeit"sawhirlwind。AsnearasIcanmeasure，HamiltonclawsoffwithaboutsixhundreddollarsforRainbowonthatonehand。
""Yereyoube，Rainbow!"shoutsBoggs。"Comea-runnin"!It"snowyouvisitsthemrelations；youmakesakillin"atlast。"
"ItturnsoutsomelateforRainbowthough。Thar"snoreplytoBoggs"stalk，an"whenwe-allsgoesovertohimwherehe"ssetdownbytheendofthebarthar，withhisarmonamonte-table，an"hischinonhisshirt，RainbowSamisdead。
""WhichIregrets，"saysDocPeetswhenhereturns，"thatRainbowdon"tstaylongenoughtoonderstandhowlucksetshiswayatlast。
Itmostlikelycomfortshiman"makeshisgoin"outmorecheerful。"
""It"sagoodsign，though，"saysCherokeeHall，"thatstraightflushis。WhichitshowsRainbowstrikesastreakofluck；an"mebbyitlastslongenoughtogethimbythegatesaboveallright。That"sallIaskswhenmytimecomes；thatIdieswhenI"mcommencin"arunofluck。"
"Oh!aboutthisSlimJimtenderfootan"histragedy!DoyouknowI
plumboverlookshim。Igetstrailedoffthata-wayafterporeoldRainbowSam，an"SlimJimescapesmymem"rycomplete。
"Whichthestoryofthisgent，eventhelittlewe-allsknows，isaheaponusual。Noone，onlesshe"sthepostmaster，everdoeshearhisname。Hesorterha"ntsaboutRedDogan"Wolfvilleindiscriminateformightynighayear；an"theycallshim"SlimJim"withus，an"
"TheTenderfoot"inRedDog；but，asIsays，what"shisrealnameneverdoespokeupitshead。
"WhateverbringsthisyereSlimJimintothecowcountryistooboggyacrossin"forme。Tharain"tathinghecandoorlearnto。
We-allshashimononeround-up，an"it"scl"arfromthejumpheain"tmeantbyProvidenceforthecattlebusiness。Themeekestbroncointhebunchbuckshimoff；an"actooallyhe"sthattimidhe"splumbafraidofponiesan"cattleboth。
"We-allsfixesSlimJim"ssaddlewithbuckin"-straps；an"evenfastensarollofblanketsacrossthesaddle-horn；butitain"tenough。Nothin"bartyin"SlimJimintothesaddle，likethehoss-
backInjunsdoestopapooses，couldsavehim。
"An"asidefromnacheralawk"ardnessan"alightan"fitfulseatinasaddle，itlookslikethisSlimJimhasbalefuleffectsonabronco。Toshowyou:Onemornin"weropesupforhimaponywhichhasrenownforitslowsperits。Itacts，thisyereponydoes，likeit"ssufferedsomedisapp"intmentwhichblightsitan"breaksitsheart；an"noamountoftightenin"ofthebackcinch；notevenspurrin"ofitintheshoulderan"necklikeplayfulpeoplewho"soutforacircusdoes，iseverknowntoevolveabuck-jumpoutenhim，he"sthatsad。Whichthisissowellknown，thepony"snameis"Remorse。"
"AsIsays，merelytoshowthemalignantspellthisyereSlimJimcastsoverabronco，we-allsthrowshimontothisRemorseponyonemornin"。
""Whichifyoucan"tgetalongwiththatcayouse，"remarksJackMooreatthetime，"Ireckonsit"sforeordainedyou-allhastogoafoot。"
"An"that"showitturnsout。NosoonerisSlimJiminthesaddlethanthatRemorseponyarcheshisbacklikeahoop，stickshisnosebetweenhisknees，an"giveswaytosechafitofrealoldworm-
fencebuckin"aslandsSlimJimonhissombrero，an"makesexpertponiessimplystandan"admire。
"That"sthelastround-upSlimJimattempts；workin"cattlehesayshimse"fistoodeepagameforhim，an"heneverdoestrynomore。
SohehangsaboutWolfvillean"RedDogalternate，turnin"littlejim-crowtricksfortheexpresscompany，orhe"pin"overtothestagecompany"scorrals，an"sortermanagestolive。
"Nowan"thensomepartywho"sbusydrinkin"，an"tharforehasn"ttimeforfaro，an"yetisdesirousthesamebeplayed，stakesSlimJimag"instthegame；an"ithappensattimeshemakesasmallpick-
upthata-way。Buthismeansoflivelihoodisshorelywhatyou-allswouldcallprecar"ous。
"An"yet，asIsendsmymindbackoverthetrail，Ineverknowsofnothin"badthisyereSlimJimdoes。Youneedn"tgoinferrin"none，fromhishavin"aterrorofsteersan"broncosthata-way，thathe"stimidplumbthrough。Thar"sreasontodeemhimgamewhenhe"supag"instmereman。
"Once，sotheytellsthestory，CurlyBillroundsupthisSlimJiminaRedDoghurdy-gurdyan"concloodstohavesomeentertainmentwithhim。
""Dance，youshorthorn!"saysthisyereCurlyBill，yankin"outhissix-shooteran"p"intin"itmightysuddenatSlimJim"sfoot；
"shufflesomethin"rightpeartnow，oryou-allemergesshyatoe。"
"DoesthisSlimJimdance？Nevercavortsastep。AtthefirstmoveheswarmsalloverthisCurlyBilllikeawild-cat，makeshimdrophisgun，an"sendshimoutofthehurdy-gurdyonacanter。That"sstraight；that"sthepainfulfactinthecaseofCurlyBill，whomakesovergaywiththewronggent。
"Later，mebbyanhour，sothepartysayswhorelatesittome，CurlyBillsendsbackwordintothehurdy-gurdy，tellin"thebarkeep，ifhiscredit"sgoodaftersechvicissitoodes，totreatthehouse。Heallowsthedrinksisonhim，an"thatacommitteecanfindhimsettin"onthepostofficestepssortergoin"overhimse"fforfractures，ifit"sheldnecessaryforhimtobepresentwhenthedrinksistook。
"Whichofcourseanygent"screditisgoodatthebarthata-way；
an"soasmalldelegationofthreeropesupthisyereCurlyBillan"
bringshimbacktothehurdy-gurdy，wherehegetshisgunag"in，an"
SlimJiman"himmakesup。
""WhichIrenouncesallideeofeverseein"youdancesome，"saysCurlyBill，whenhean"Jimshakes；"an"Iyerebymarksyourmoccasinsplumboffmylistoftargets。"
"Everybody"spleasedatthis；an"thebarkeepisdelightedspeshul，asoneofthemreeconciliationsthata-wayismightycondoosivetothesaleofnose-paint。I"myeretoremark，iftharain"tnomorereeconciliationsonearth，an"everybodystandspatonthemhatredsan"enmitiesofhis，whiskey-drinkin"fallsoffhalf。
"Ionlysu"gestthisturn-upwithCurlyBillto"lustratethatit"saboutasIsays，an"thatwhileSlimJim"sreluctantan"hesitatin"
inthepresenceofwildsteers，an"can"tadheretoaponymuch，thisyeregirlishnessdon"textendtomennone；whichlasthefacespromptan"willin"asalion。
"Thar"stimeswhenIshorelypondersthecaseofthisSlimJimamightysight，"causehekeepsstrikin"measagoodgentgonebad，an"asbein"therightgentinthewrongplace。
""ThisporemaverickisplumbEastern，that"sall，"saysEnrightoneday，whilehe"sdiscussin"ofthisSlimJim。"Heain"ttoblame，butheain"tnevergoin"todo，nonewhatever，outyere。Hecan"tnomoregetusedtoArizonathanoneoftheDisciples，an"hemightcamp"roundforyears。"
"It"smebbyhardontoayearwhenalongcomesthebeginnin"oftheendasfarasthisSlimJim"sconcerned，onlywe-allsdon"tknowit。
Thepostmastersaysafterwardhegetsaletter；an"bywhat"sfoundontheremainderitlookslikethepostmaster"sright，an"thislettersetshimgoin"wrong。Iallersallows，afterhegetsthismissive，thatheseestheneedofmoneythata-wayan"plentyofit；
an"thatit"sgottocomequick。
"Mostlikelyhe"sbeenbluffin"somepartiesintheEastabouthowrichheisan"howlucrativehe"sdoin"，——sechbluffsbein"commonintheWest，——an"nowalongcomeseventsan"folkshe"sfooled，an"
hisbluffiscalled。
"Whenitarrives，noneofusknowsofthisyereletterthepostmastermentions，an"whichislaterreadbyall；butit"saboutthattimeSlimJimactsqueeran"locoed。He"sflusteredan"
stampededaboutsomethin"，we-allsnotesthat；an"DaveTuttevenforgetshimse"fasagentsofarastoaskSlimJimwhat"sup。
"`Whichyoulooksoneasytheseautumndays，"saysTutttoSlimJim。
"What"swrong？"
""Nothin"，"saysSlimJim，lookin"abitwoozy，"nothin"wrong。A
friendofmineislikelytoshowupyere；that"sall。"
""Whichhehastheairofafugitivefromjesticewhenhesaysit，"
observesTutt，whenhespeaksofitafterall"sover；"thoughjedgin"bythepartywho"sonhistrailthattimeIdon"treckonhe"sdonenothin"neither。"
"It"sshorelytheneedofmoneydrivesthisSlimJimtoturnin"
route-agentan"goholdin"upthestage，fortheevenin"hequitscamphesaystoCherokeeHall:"S"poseIasksyou-alltolendmemoney，quiteabundle，say，wouldyoudoit？"
""Iturnsfaroformymoney，"saysCherokee；"whichImerelymentionsittoshowIcomeshonestlybymyroll。Astoborrowin"ofme，you-alloranygentinhardlinescangetmymoneybyshowin"heneedsitworsethanIdo；an"toencourageyouImightsayIdon"tneedmoneymuch。So，goonan"tellmethenewsaboutyourse"f，an"
ifit"sasbadasthewayyoulooks，IreckonsI"llhavetostakeyou，evenifittakeshalfmypile。"TharuponCherokeeurgesSlimJimtoonfoldhisstory。
"ButSlimJimgetsshyan"won"ttalkortellCherokeewhat"spesterin"him，orhowmuchmoneyheneeds。
""No，"hesays，afterthinkin"alittle，"Ineverbegsastakeyet，an"Ineverwill。AnyhowIseesanotherwaywhichisbetter。"
"Countin"nosesafterwards，it"sprobablythistalkwithCherokeeisthelastSlimJimhasbeforehebreaksoverintothehillsonthehuntformoney。Hegoesafoot，too；forhedon"townnopony，an"hecouldn"t，asIexplainsprevious，stayonhimifhedoes。
"Buthefixeshimse"fwithaWinchesterwhichhegetsfromthestage-companypeoplethemse"fsonatalkhemakesabouttakin"somereecreationwiththecoyotes，an"p"intsstraightoverintoRawhideCanyon，——mebbyit"ssixmilesfromcamp。Whenthestagegetsalonganhourlater，thisSlimJim"smadehimse"famaskwithahandkerchief，an"isafull-fledgedhold-upwhichanyexpresscompanycouldbeproudtodown。OldMonterelateswhathappensinthecanyon，"causefromwherehe"sstuckupontheboxhegetsabetterview。
""Yere"showthishappens，"saysOldMonte，whilerenooin"hisyoothwithRedLightlickerafterhe"sgotin。"It"salittlehazyinthecanyon，comin"evenin"thata-way，an"myeyesiswaterywiththeshootin"goin"on，an"Itharforedon"tsayInotesthingsnoneminoote；butasnearasIcan，yougetsthestory。
"`Thar"sonlyonepassenger，an"she"sawoman。Whichforthatmattershe"sabeautifulgirl，witheyeslikeabuckantelope"s；butbein"she"slayin"overtothestagestationdefunctrightnow，alongwiththisyereSlimJim，Idon"tdwellnoneonhowshelooks。"
""WhenIpullsoutfromTucsonIhasthisyereyoungfemaleinside；
an"thecompanyputstwoWells-Fargogyardsontopofthecoach，thesamebein"thefirsttimeinmonths。TheseWells-Fargopartiesain"talongforhold-ups，butjest"causetheyhasbusinessoveryere，an"
socomesbystagesameasothergents。
"`ItallgoessmoothontilI"mrattlin"alonginRawhideCanyonnothalf-a-dozenmilesfromwherewe-allsisnowdrinkin"allfreean"
amiable，likelife"snothin"butsunshine。
""Thefirstp"interIhasthatI"mupag"instit，bang!goesaWinchester，an"throwsmyoffleaderdeadag"instthetrail。Thar"snogoin""roundthedeadhoss，an"barthenacheralrarin"an"
pitchin"oftheotherfiveonbeholdin"oftheontimelyendoftheircompanionthata-way，thewholebusinesscomestoadeadstop。
"""Holdupyourhands!"saysavoiceuptherocksononeside。
""Myhandsisalreadyup，forI"manoldstage-driver，gents，an"
you-allscangambleIknowsmytrade。I"mhiredtodrive。Itain"tnopartofmygametofighthold-upsan"standoffroute-agentsthata-way，an"getshotdeadforitbytheirpardsthenexttrip；so，asIsays，themomentthatWinchestergoesoff，Iclampsmyfingersbackofmyheadan"setsthar。OfcourseItalksbackatthishold-
upaheapprofane，forIdon"taimtohavethenameofallowin"anygenttorustlemystagean"menotcusshimout。""ButtheseyereWells-Fargosharps，theyneverholdsuptheirhands。That"snacheralenough，forthemgentsishiredtofight，an"thispartic"lartripthar"sfullsixthousanddollarstogotowarover。
"WiththefirstshottheWells-Fargogents——theywasgameasgoatsbothof"em——slidesoffenthecoachan"takestoshootin"。Thegunsismakin"ahigholdrattleofit，an"I"mhopin"thehold-upwon"tgettoover-shootin"an"drillme，whenthefirstcasooaltyoccurs。
OneoftheWells-Fargosportsgetsabulletplumbthroughhisframe，an"isdeadan"outinthecrackofawhip。
""Itlookslikethehold-upseeshimtumble，forit"sthenhecutslooseawhoop，jumpsdownontothetrailan"charges。Hecomesa-
shootin"，too，an"thewaytheleadan"firefetchesforthfromthatWinchesterhe"smanagin"shoreremindsmeofthemRomancandleslastJuly。
""Allthisyeredon"ttaketenseconds。An"itdon"tlasttensecondsmore。Asmyhold-upcomeschargin"an"shootin"towardsthestage，Ioverhearsascreaminside，an"thenextmomentthatyoungfemalepassengeropensthedooran"comesscamperin"out。
""Ifshetriesshecouldn"thaveselectednoworseepock。Shehitstheground，an"thesecondshedoes——forI"mlookin"overatheratthetime——shestopsoneofthathold-up"sbulletsan"goesdownwithagreatcry。
""It"sonme，gents，atthisp"inttotakeallresksan"godownan"
look-outtheplayforthegirl。ButInevergetsachance，an"it"saswellIdon"t；fortowardsthelasttheshootin"oftheremainin"
Wells-Fargopersonisrecklessan"inordinate。It"splumbreedundant；thatshootin"is。ButasIremarks，Ineverhasnooccasiontogotothegirl；forasIfeelstheimpulseIhearsthehold-upshout:
"""God!it"sMary!It"smysister!"
""Thar"saletteronhimwefindslater，whichshowsthisstatementaboutmypassengerbein"hissisteristroo；an"thatshe"sp"intin"
outwhendowned，nowthey"sorphans——whichtheletterstatestheirfather"sjestcashedin——tocomean"keephouseforhim。Asthehold-upmakesthisyereexclamationaboutthegirlbein"hisrelativethata-way，hisWinchestergoesa-rattlin"ontothetrailan"hegathersherinhisarms。However，hedon"tlastlongerthanadrinkofwhiskeynow。Hedon"tnomore"nliftherup，beforeevenhekissesher，theremainin"Wells-Fargogentdownshim，an"theriot"sovercomplete。
""Threekilledan"nonewoundedishowresultsstacksup；an"aftermean"theliveWells-Fargogentcl"arsthedeadleaderoutenthetrail，we-allslaysouttheremaindersinsideallpeaceful，an"
comesa-curvin"ontoWolfville。It"sthen，asweputs"eminthecoach，Iseesthatmyhold-up"sthatonfortunatefelon，SlimJim。
WhichIwasshorelyastonished。IsaystotheWells-Fargogent，aswelooksatSlimJim:
"""Pard，thedrinksisduefrommeonthis。IfIhasaweektoguessin，I"dneversaid"SlimJim。""
CHAPTERXVI。
JAYBIRDBOB"SJOKE。
"WhatevermakesthisyerejaybirdBobbelievehe"sahumorist，"saidtheOldCattlemanoneafternoonasweslowlyreturnedfromawalk，"whateveritismisleadshimtosodeemhimselfisshorelytoomanyforme。DocPeetstellshimhimse"fonedayhe"splumbwrong。
""You-all"snacherallyasomber，moroseparty，"saysDocPeetsthistime，"an"nothin"jocoseorjocundaboutyou。Yourdisp"sition，Jaybird，don"tnomoreruntojokesthanaprairie-dog"s。"
""WhichIwouldadmiretoknowwhynot？"saysJaybirdBob。
""Well，"goesonDocPeets，"youthinkstooslow——toomuchlikeacowinaswamp。Yourmindmovessluggishthata-way，an"sortersinkstothehockseachstep。Ifyouwasborntobefunnyyourintellectswouldbelimberan"frivolous。"
""Bein"allthisispersonaltome，"saysJaybirdBob，"Itakesleavetoregardyouaswrong。Myjokesisgood，high-gradejokes；
an"whenyou-alltalksofmebein"morose，it"samerecaseofbluff。"An"soJaybirdgoesona-holdinofhimse"ffunnyontilwe-
allshashimtobury。
"No；Jaybirdain"thisshore-"noughname；it"sjestahandletohis"dentity，sowe-allspicksituphandyandeasy。Jaybird"srealnameisGraingerford，——PoindexterGraingerford。Butthesameiscumbersoman"onwieldyawholelot；sowhenhefirsttrailsintoWolfvillewe-
allsconsidersamongourse"fsan"settlesit"sashortcuttocallhim"JaybirdBob，"thata-way。An"wedoes。
"It"sonthespringround-upthisyereJaybirdfirstdevelopsthatheregardshimse"fwitty。It"sinthemorningaswe-allshassaddledupan"linesouttocombtherangeroundaboutforcattle。Thar"satenderfootalongwhosenameisTodd，an"，ashe"scanterin"off，Jaybirdcomesa-curvin"uponhisbroncoan"reachesoveran"tailsthisshorthorn"spony。
"What"stailin"apony？It"sridin"upfromther"aran"takin"ahalf-hitchonyoursaddle。hornwiththetailofanothergent"spony，an"thenspurrin"byan"swappin"endswiththewholeoutfit，——
gent，hoss，an"all。
"It"sreallytootoomultuousforajoke，an"mebbybreaksthepony"sneck，mebbytherider"s。Butwhetherhesaveshisneckorno，thepartywhoseponyisthustailedallersemergerstharfromdeshevelledan"wrought-up，an"hotterthanawolf。Sonooneplaysthisyerejokemuch；nottillhe"sreadytogetshotat。
"AsIsays，thisJaybirdwatchesToddasheridesoff。Bein"newontherangethata-way，Todddon"trideeasy。Acowsaddleain"tbuiltliketheseyereEasternhulls，nohow。Thestirrupissettwoinchesfurtherbackforonething，an"it"scompiledaheapdifferentotherways。Bein"onusedtocowsaddles，an"forthatmattercowponies，thisToddlopsoverfor"ardan"beatswithhiselbowslikehe"sacurleworsomethin"flyin"，an"Ireckonsit"ssechproceedin"smakesJaybirdallowhe"sgoin"tobefunnyan"tailTodd"spony。
"AsIexplains，hecapersalongafterToddan"reachesoveran"getsahandfulofthepony"stail；an"then，wroppin"it"roundhissaddle-horn，hegoesbyonthejumpan"spreadsToddan"hisbroncopermiscusaboutthescene。ThisyereToddgoesalongthegrassonallfourslikeajack-rabbit。
"WhichTodd，Ireckons，isthehostilestgentinsouth-eastArizona。
Beforeeverheofferstogetup，helugsouthissix-shooteran"
makessomemightysinceregesturesthata-waytoshootupJaybird。
Buthe"sslowwithhisweepon，bein"spraddledoutonthegrass，an"
itgivesDaveTuttan"Enrightachancetojumpinbetweenan"stopthedeal。
"We-allspicksToddup，an"roundsuphispony，——whichscramblestoitsfeetan"isnowcavortin"aboutlikeitsmindisoverturned，——
an"explainstohimthisyereisajoke。Buthe"ssurlyan"
relentlessaboutit；an"itdon"ttakenohawktoseehedon"tforgiveJaybirdalittlebit。
""Tailin"agent"spony，"saysTodd，"isnodoubtthrillin"
amoosementforfolkslookin"on，butthar"snothin"ofaredeemin"
natureinitfromthestandp"intofthepartywhosepony"supheavedthata-way。Nottobemisonderstoodatthisyerecrisis，"goesonthisTodd，"Iwantstoannouncethatfromnowfor"ardlifewillhavebutonepurposewithme，which"llbetodownthenextgentwhoevertailsaponyofmine。Thepresentincidentgoesasawitticism；butyoucangamblethenextwon"tbesoregarded。"
"Thatsorterendsthetalk，an"allofusbutthecookan"thehoss-
hustlersbein"inthesaddlebynow，wedispersesourse"fsthroughthescenerytoworkthecattlean"proceedwiththeround-upwe-allsison。Wenotes，though，thattailin"Todd"sponydon"tgoag"inwithsafety。
"It"swhenwe-allsridesawaythatDocPeets——who"soutwiththeround-up，thoughheain"tgotnocattle-brandhimse"f——tellsJaybirdhe"snotahumorist，likeIalreadyrepeats。
"But，asIsu"gests，thisJaybirdBobcan"tbelieveitnone。He"smightyshoreabouthisjokesbein"excellentgoodjokes；an"whileit"splainToddain"tgotnoconfidenceinhiman"distrustshimcompletesincehetipsoverhisbroncothatmornin"，itlookslikeJaybirdcan"tlethimalone。An"themmisdeedsofJaybird"skeepsgoin"on，ontilbythemerestmistake——forit"sshoreanaccidentifeveronehappensinthecowcountry——thisyeretenderfootshootsupJaybirdan"killshimforgood。
"Itlookstouslikeit"saspeshulProvidencetowarnfolksnottogoprojectin"about，engagedinwhatyoumightcallphysicaljestsnone。Still，thisyereremovalofJaybirddon"ttakeplacetillmightynearthecloseoftheround-up；an"intervenin"，he"spirootin""round，stockin"thekyardsan"settin"uphandsontheporeshorthorncontinuous。
"OneofJaybird"sjokes——"oneofhisbest，"Jaybirdcallsit——
resultsinstampedin"theherdofcattlewe-allsisbringin"alongatthetime——bein"allcowsan"theircalves——toabrandin"-pen。
Whichthar"stwothousand，bigan"little，inthebunch；an"
Jaybird"shumorputs"emtoflightlikesomanyblackbirds；an"ittakestwodayshardridin"forthewholeoutfittobring"emtogetherag"in。
"AmongotherweaknessesthisToddimportsfromtheStatesis，he"safraidofsnakes。Rattlesnakesishisabhorrence，an"ifeachisadisembodiedsperithecan"twant"emfurtheroff。He"sallersalarmedthatmebby，somehow，arattlesnakewillcomepokin"inonderhisblanketsnights，an"campwithhimwhilehe"sasleep。An"thisyerewretchedJaybirdfostersthemdelusions。
""Aboutthemserpents，"IoverhearsJaybirdsaytohimoneevenin"
whilewe-allsissettin""round；——allbutMoorean"Tutt，who"sridin"herd；""boutthemserpents；agentcan"tbetoopartic"lar。
Itlooksliketheyhasbutonehope，whichit"stocrawlintoagent"sblanketsan"sleepsomewithhim。Which，ifhemovesorturnsover，theysimplyemitsabuzzan"grabshimIknowsoffortyfolkswho"sbitthata-waybysnakes，an"naryaonelivestoexplainthegame。"
""BerattlesnakesthickinArizona？"IhearsToddsaytothisJaybird。
""Betheythick？"answersJaybird。"Well，IshorewishesIhadwhiskeyforalltherattlesnakestharisyereabouts。Idon"twanttogooverstatin"thecensustoagentwhoisoutplayin"forinformation，an"who"slearnin"fast，butIs"posenowtharain"tnonelessthanabillionsnakesinsoutheastArizonaalone。IfI
couldsawoffthelittlepasselofcattleIhasonthisrange，youcangambleI"dpullmyfreightto-morrow。It"sallrightforsecholdCimmaronsasEnright，an"sechpartiesasthatsawbonesPeets，togobluffin"aboutthar"bein"norattlesnakestospeakof，an"
thattheycouldn"tp"isonyoutodeathnohow；butyoubetIain"tseenfortyofmynearestfriendscashinofsnake-bites，an"notlearnnothin"。An"almosteverytimeit"sarattlesnakeascomesslidin"intobedwith"emwhilethey"slockedindreams，an"whogetshotan"goestochewin"of"em，becausetheywantstoturnoutbeforethesnakedoes。Rattlesnakesthata-waywantstosleeptillit"sfourth-drinktimean"thesun"s"wayupyonder。An"whenagentgoestorollin"outofhisblanketssayatsun-up，itmakes"emmonstrousangrytobedisturbed；an"thefirstheknowsofwheretheybean"howtheylooksonearlyrisin"，theirteeth"sinhimuptothegyard，an"beforenightthar"sonelessgenttocookfor，an"
anextrasaddleridesalonginthegrub-wagonwiththeblanketswhentheynextmovescamp。"
"OfcourseallthisisaheapimpressivetoTodd；an"whileEnrightan"PeetsbothtellshimJaybird"shavin"funwithhim，youcanseehe"smortalafraideverynightwhenhespreadshisblankets，an"hemakesacireleaboutwherehesleepsatwithahorse-ha"rlariathe"sgotfromaMexican，an"whotellshimit"llticklethesnakes"
neckswhentheygoestocrawlacrossit，an"make"emkeepaway。
"ThewaythisyereJaybirdmanagestostampedethebunchthattimeisthisa-way。Jaybirdcomesridin"infromthecattleaboutthreehoursbeforesun-up，toturnoutTutt，whoisduetotakehisplaceonherd。Jaybird"sgotarawhideropethathe"sdruggedaboutinthegrass，whichmakesitdampan"cold。AsJaybirdridesuptocampheseesthisToddrolledinhisblankets，snorin"tobeatfourofakind。
"NacherallyJaybird"souttobejoyousinasecond。Heridesupclosetothishe"plessshorthornashelaysasleep，an"tossesaloopofhiswetrawhideacrosshiscountenancewhereit"sturnedupinthemoonlight。Asitsettlesdowncoldan"startlin"onTodd"sskin，Jaybirdyells:
"Snake，Todd!Thar"sarattlesnakeonyoubigger"nadog。"
"JaybirdsayslaterashowthisToddbehavestremendous。Heb"ilesupintotheatmospherewithahowllikeawolf；an"，grabbin"ablanketineachhand，hestartsoutovertheplainsinastateoffrenzy。Whichtheworstishechargesheadlongtowardtheherd；an"
whatwiththemshriekshevolunteers，an"theblanketsflappin"an"
wavin"，tharain"tacowinthebunchwhostaysinherrightmindamoment。Whichshespringstoherfeet，antakin"heroffspringalong，goessurgin"offintothehillsforgood。Youcouldn"theadorstop"emthen。It"sthecompletestcaseofstampedeIeverturnsouttobehold。
"No；thisyereToddnevergatherstherightsoftheeepisode。He"sthatpeevishan"voylentbynachernoonetellshimit"sJaybird；
an"onless，inthelightofknowin"more，hehassincefiggeredoutthetrooth，heallowstothisdayarattlesnakeasbigasarollofblanketstriestoreclineonhisfacethattime。
"Tokeeppeaceincampan"notlethimgotopawin""roundforrealtroublewiththefestiveJaybird，Enrightstandsintocapthegamehimse"f；an"putsitupinconfabwiththisToddthenextdayashowheseestherattlesnake，an"thatit"smightynearbein"awhopper。
""It"sshore，"saysEnright，whenhean"Toddisconversin"tharon，"themostgiantserpentIeverseeswithouttheaidoflicker。An"
whenhegoesstreakin"offintothegloom，bein"amazedan"rattledbyyourcries，heleaves，sofarasI"mconcerned，atrailofreliefbehind。You-allcangamble，Iwasn"tinterruptin"ofnosechsnake，normakin"ofnopretextsforhisdetainment。
""Whatforwashisrattleslike？"saysTodd；an"hegetspaleatthemeresoundofEnright"stalk。
""Astothemrattles，"saysEnright，likehe"smightythoughtfultryin"torecall"emtomind，"astothisreptile"srattles，it"sthatdarkthatwhileIsees"emIcouldn"tbutjest。SofarasI
notesanythin"theylookslikeabeltfullofcar-tridges，sortercorrugatedan"noomerous。
"NowthisyerewhichIrelates，whilenodoubtburnin"experiencestoTodd，isafterallharmlessenough。An"topeoplenotcarefulaboutthebasisoftheirgleeitmightdosometolaughat。Butitallclosesuponaplaywithnothin"gaynormerryinit；leastwisenotforJaybirdBob。
"Thisyerefinishjokeofjaybird"stranspiresoneevenin"asthecook"sstartin"intorustlesomechuck。Thegrub-wagon"sbeenstoppedinthemouthofPeeledPineCanyon。Everygent"sincampbutthisyeretenderfootTodd。Enright，who"sactin"asround-upbossfortheoutfit——foreverybody"scattle"sbein"workedtogetherthata-way，likeweallersdoes——hassentToddpeerin""roundforcattle，"wayoffupthevalleyintowhichthePeeledPineCanyonopens。Thisyereshorthorn"sduetobebackanytimenow，"causeit"sonlyaquestionofhowfarupthevalleydoeshego。Hedon"trunnoshowtobelost，fornothin"lessaerialthangoatscouldclimboutofthecanyonhe"sin，an"tharforehe"sboundtofindcamp。
"Ofcourse，knowin"everygent"sstationintheday"sridin"，we-
allsisplentyawarethatthistenderfootToddissome"ersaboveusinthevalley。Noneoftherestofusisturnin"ourmindstohimprobably，exceptJaybirdBob。Itallofabumplikeabuckin"ponystrikesJaybirdthathe"smissin"aonusualchancetobebuoyant。
""Whatforaplaywoulditbe，"saysJaybird，rousin"upfromwherehelayswatchin"ofthecookslicesalthossforthefryin"-pan，"whatforagamewoulditbe，Isays，forapasselofustolayoutupthedraw，an"bush-whackthisyereontaughtpersonToddashecomesridin"downtocamp？We-allscouldhopoutathim，a-whoopin"
an"shoutin"，an"bein"wroppedupinblankets，heallowsit"sshoreInjunsan"goesplumblocoed。"
"`You-allwillkeepharrowin"awayatthisToddparty，Jaybird，"
saysEnright，"ontilyouarisesfromthegameloser。NowIdon"treckonnoneI"dplayApacheifI"myou。Thar"stoomucheffortinbein"anApachethata-way。I"dlayyerean"thinkupsomejokewhichdon"tdemandsomuchindustry，an"ain"tcalc"latedtoscareaninnocentgenttodeath。"
"ButJaybirdwon"tlisten。Hefallsintoadmirationofhisscheme；
an"atlastTuttan"JackMooreallowsthey"llgoalongan"playthey"saborigineswithJaybirdan"notehowthetenderfootstandstheracket。
""AslongasthisyereJaybird"sboundtomaketheplay，"saysJackMooretoEnright，talkin"oneside，"it"saheapbettertohavetheconserv"tiveelementrepresentedinthedeal。SoIputsitup，it"sagoodsagemoveformean"Tuttstostandin。We-allswillcomehandytopullJaybirdan"thisshorthornapartiftheygetstheirhornslockedinthecourseofthemgaities。"
"Enrighttakesthesameview；soJaybirdan"Moorean"Tuttwandersoffupthecanyonamile，an"laysinwaitsurreptitioustoheadoffTodd。Jacktellsmethestorywhenhiman"Tuttcomesridin"backwiththecorpse。
""Thisishowwedoes，"saysJack。"Mean"Tuttan"deceased——whichlastisJaybirdallrightenough——isensconcedbehindap"intofrocks。Jaybird"sgothisblanketwropped，"roundhimsohelookslikeasavage。Itain"tlongwhenwe-allshearsthetenderfootcomin"downthecanyon；it"slikelyhe"shalf-mileaway。He"srunnin"ontousataroad-gait；an"whenhe"sabouttwohundredyardsoffJaybirdturnsoutayelltomakeyoushiver，shakesaloadortwooutenhisgun，goessurgin"outfrom"roundthep"intofrocks，an"chargesstraightatthisonthinkin"tenderfoot。Itisduetotroothtosay，mean"TuttfollowsthisJaybird"ssuit，onlynotsovoylentastowhoops。
""Doesitscareupthetenderfoot？Well，itshorelyalarmshimaheap。HetakesJaybirdforanInjunan"makesnoquestion；whichthesameisnowisestrange；I"dtookhimforasavagemyse"f，only，bein"inthedealthata-wayIknowsit"sJaybird。So，asIremarks，ithorrifiesthetenderfootonend，an"atthefirstsightofJaybirdhewhirlshisponyan"lightsoutupthatvalleylikeantelope。
""Nacherallywe-allsfollows；Jaybirdleadin"，a-whoopin"，an"a-
shootin"，an"throwin"noendofsperitintoit。It"sasuccess，thispieceofwitis，uptothisjuncture，an"Jaybirdputsaheapofzestintoit。
""Theweakspotinallthisyerehumorgrowsoutoftheideesthistenderfoot"sbeengainin"，an"theimprovementshe"sbeenmakin"，whilestragglin"aboutinours"ciety。Ionhesitatin"lystatesthatifthisyerejokeispulledoffbyJaybirdwhenToddfirstentersourmidst，itmighthavebeenthevict"ryofhislife。ButJaybirddefersittoolong。ThistenderfoothasacquiredafewWesternways；
enoughtospoilthefunan"sendporeJaybirda-curvin"tohishomeonhigh。
""Thisiswhatthatshorthorndoeswhichteachesmehe"slearnin"。
Whilehe"shumpin"offupthecanyon，an"mean"Jaybirdan"Tuttisstampedin"alonginpursoot，thefugitivethrowsloosehissix-
shooter，an"withouteventurnin"hisheadorlookin"backatus，heonhookstheentirebundleofleadourway。
"Whichtheworstfeatureofitis，thisbackhanded，blindshootin"
isawinner。TheveryfirstshotsmitesJaybirdplumbthroughthehat，an"hegoesoffhisponywithoutevenmentionin"aboutittoeitherTuttorme。
"`That"salltharistothereport。Davean"mepullsupourbroncos，abandonsthejoke，laysJaybirdacrosshissaddlelikeasackofcorn，an"returnstostatethecase。"
""Whateverdidyou-allsdowiththisfrightenedstranger？"asksEnright。
""Whichweneverdoesnothin"，"saysJack。"ThelastIbeholds，he"sflyin"upthevalley，hittin"nothin"butthehighplaces。An"
assoomin"hisprojectistogetaway，he"ssucceedin"admirable。Ashevanishes，Ishouldjedgefromhismotionshe"sreloadin"hisgun；
an"fromtheluckhehaswithJaybird，Tuttan"meisledtobelievethar"snorealobjectinfollowin"himnofurther。Idon"tpressmys"cietyonnogent；shorelynotonsomelocoedtenderfootthata-waywho"spulledhisgunan"isdoneblazin"awayerratic，withoutpurposeoraim。"
""Don"tyouan"Tuttknowwhereheisat？"demandsEnright。
""Whichweshorelydon"t，"saysJack。"Ifhishossholds，an"hedon"tswervenonefromthedirectionhe"sp"intingoutinwhenhefadesfromview，he"sgoin"tobeoverintheSanSimoncountrybyto-morrowmornin"whenweeatsourgrub；an"that"shalfwaytotheBoraxdesert。Ifyouyearnsformyimpressions，"concloodsJack，"drawnfroma-seein"ofhimdepart，I"mfreetosayIdon"treckonyou-allsisgoin"tomeetthisyeretenderfootnonesoon。"
"An"that"saboutthesizeofit。Jackcallstheturn。Jaybird"slastjokealarmsthistenderfootToddplumboutenArizona，an"tharain"tnoneofuseverseesha"r，horn，norhoofmarkofhimnomore。
An"hetakeswithhim，thisTodddoes，thebossponyinourbunch。"
CHAPTERXVX。
BOGGS"SEXPERIENCE。
"No；thar"snothin"prolixaboutBoggs。Whichonthecontrary，hisnacherisshorelyarduousthata-way。Ifit"sameetin"ofthecommittee，forinstance，withintentthenan"thartodwellawholelotonthedoin"sofsomemalefactor，Boggsallersgetstoamentalshow-downaheadoftheothergentsinvolved。Eitherhe"souttothrowthispartyloose，orstretchhisneck，orrunhimoutencamp，orwhatever"sdeemedexactjestice，longbeforesechslow-an"-shorepeopleasOldManEnrightevenlooksattheirhands。Thetroothis，Boggsain"tsostrongonjedgement；hislongsuitisinstinct。An"
moreoverIknowsfromhisdrawin"fourkyardssomuchinpoker，Boggsisplumbemotional。"
AtthispointinhisdiscoursetheOldCattlemanpausedandputinseveralprofoundminutesinapparentcontemplationofBoggs。Thenhewenton。
"That"sit；Boggsisemotional；an"Ishorelyreckonswhichhe"devenbeenaheapreligious，onlythar"snochurchesmuchonBoggs"srange。Boggstellsmehimse"fhecomesmightynearbein"caughtinsomesperitualround-uponetime，an"Iallersallows，afterhearin"
Boggsrelatethetale，thatifhe"donlybeensubmergedinwhatyou-
allscallsbenignerinflooencesthata-way，he"dmostlikelymadethefoldallrightan"gotgarneredinwiththesheep。
"It"sjustafterShortCreekDavegetstobeoneofthem"vangelists。Davehasbeenexhortin"ofWolfvilletoleaveoffitsways，overinthewarehouseoftheNewYorkStore，an"thatsameevenin"Boggs，bein"somemoved，confidesinmehowoncehemebbyhalf-waymakesuphismindhe"llbesaved。
""Leastwise，"saysBoggs，whenhetakesmeintohispastthata-way，"IallowsI"llbereligiousinthespringaftertheround-upisover。ButIdon"t；soyoucan"t，afterall，callitareligiousexper"encenone；nothin"more"naeepisode。
""It"swinterwhenImakesthemgrace-of-heavendeterminations，"
goesonthisBoggs，"an"thespringround-upismonthsaway。ButI
allersputsitupI"dshorelyfilledmyhandan"gotplumbintotheplay，onlyit"sabadwinter；an"inthespringthecattle，weakan"
starved，isgettin"downan"chillin"todeathaboutthewater-
holes；an"asresultstharofI"mridin"thehills，a-cussin"an"a-
swearin"；an"all"roundit"sthatrough，an"I"mthatprofanean"
voylent，IreckonstowardsAprilprobablymysoul"sburiedondertenfootofcuss-words，an"thatj"inin"thechurchinmycaseismightylikelytobeabluff。An"soIpassesitup。
""Yousees，"saysBoggs，"thar"snogoodtryin"toholdoutkyardsonyourRedeemer。Ifyourheartain"trightit"snousetosetintothegame。Nocolddeckgoes。Heseesplumbthrougheverykyardyouholds，an"nothin"butastraightdealdoeswithHim。Nacherally，then，Ithinks——bein"ashowyoucan"tbluffyourwayintoheaven，an"recallin"thebadlanguageIusesworkin"themcattle——Iwon"teventry。An"that"swhy，whenresolvin"onewintertogetreligionmebbynextJune，Ipersistsinmysinfullife。
""It"sovertoTaosIacquiresthisreligiousidee。I"mcomenewtothecampfromsome"ersdown"roundSevenRiversinthePecoscountry，an"Idon"tknowagent。WhichI"mbynachergregar"ous；sonotknowin"folksthata-wayweighsonme；an"thefirstnightI"mthar，Ihastenstoremedythisyereevil。I"mthepossessorofwealthtoalimit，——forIshoredespisesbein"brokecomplete，an"
generallykeepsasgoodasabluestackinmywar-bags，——an"Igoesprojectin""roundfromdance-halltobaile，an"deciminatesmydineroan"drawstomenose-paintan"friends。Astharain"tbutthreegin-mills，incloosiveofthehurdy-gurdy，I"mgoin"curvin"inthemgrandroundswhichIinstitoots，onasortoftriangle。
""Whichitcan"tbesaidIdon"tmakerunnin"ofit，however；I
don"treckonnowit"smor"nanhourbeforeIknowsallTaos，barMexicansan"whatsomefolkscalls"thebetterelements。"Italsofollows，likeitslariatdoesaloosepony，thatI"msomeorganizedbywhiskey，nottosayconfused。
""It"sbecauseI"mconfusedI"mmisledintothisyerepra"r-meetin。"
Notthatthemexercisesisduetodimmyeternalgamenone，nownoryereafter；butasIain"tliabletoadorntheplaynortakeproperparttharin，I"dshorelypassedoutan"keptontothehurdy-gurdyifI"dknowed。Asitstands，Iblundersintothemorisonsinadvertent；but，havin"pickedupthehand，Inacherallycontinuesan"playsit。
""It"sthisa-wayaboutthemreligiousexercises:I"memergedfromtheTubofBlood，an"amp"intin"outforthedance-hall，whenI
strikesawickeyupalllighted，an"singin"ontheinside。ItakesitforajointIain"tseennoneasyet，an"tharuponheadsupan"
enters。Fromthenoise，Iallowsmebbyit"sMexican；whichGreasersusualputsupaheapofsingin"an"scufflin"an"talkin"ineverythin"frommontetoabull-fight。
""OnceI"min，Inotesitain"tMexicansan"itain"tmonte。Goodfolksthough，Iseesthat；an"asapasselof"emnearthedoorlooksshockedatthesightofme，I"mtoobashfultobreakoutag"in，butsorteraigesintothenearestseatan"standspat。
""Icantelltheoutfitfiggersonmeraisin"thelongyellan"
stampedin"roundtomaketrouble；soIthinkstomyse"fI"llfool"emupalot。Ijestwon"tsayaword。SoIsetssilentasacoyoteatnoon；an"afterawhilethesharpwho"sdealin"for"emgoesonwiththempetitionsIinterruptsasIcomesbulgin"in。
""Theirrange-bosssaysonethingIremembers。It"saboutcastin"
yourbreaduponthewaters。Heallowsyou"llgetitag"inan"abandofmaverickswithit。It"splayin"whitechipstowinblues；that"swhatthissharpsays。
""Itshorelystrikesmeaseasy。Everytimeyoudoesgood，saysthisparty，Fateisouttoplayareturngamewithyou；an"it"swrittenyouquitswinneronallthegoodyoupromulgatesthata-way。
""Isetsthedealoutan"getssomesleepyatit，too。ButIwon"tleavean"scand"lizethecongregation；an"asIgivesupstrongwhentheplategoesby，Iain"tregardedasnosetback。
""Whenthecontreebution-box——whichshe"satinplate——comeschargin"by，I"msorternoddin，"I"mthatweary。Inotesthejingleofmoney，an"rousesup，allowin"mebbyit"sajack-pot，Ireckons。
"""Howhardbeyou-allin？"Isaystothegentnexttome，who"sgonetothecenterforapeso。
"""Dollar，"saysthegent。
"""Well，"Isays，"Iain"tseenmyhandsincethedraw，butI"llraiseyounineblind。"An"Iboardsaten-dollarbill。
""Whentherestgoes，Isortersidlesforthan"linesoutforthedance-hall。ThefactisI"mneedin"whatyou-allscallsstimulants。
Butallthesameitsticksinmyheadaboutcastin"gooddeedsonthewaterthata-way。Itstickstharyet，forthatmatter。
"Bein"releasedfromthemdevotions，Istartstodrinkin"ag"inwithzealan"earnestness。An"tharcomesatimewhenallmymoney"sinmyboots。Yere"show:IonlytakestwostacksofredswhenIembarksonthisyeredebauch。Bein"deepan"crafty，an"anewInjunatthatagencythata-way，an"notknowin"whatgameImaygoag"inst，I
putstherestofmybank-rolloverinHoward"sstore。Itturnsout，too，thateverytimeIacquiressilverinchange，Icommitsittomyleftboot，whichishighan"ampletoholdsaidspecie。WhyIputsthisyeresilvermoneyinmyboot-laigisshoretoomanyforme。ButIfeelsmightycunnin"overitatthetime，an"regardsitasa"way-upplay。
""AsItellsyou，thararrivesanhourwhileI"mintheTubofBloodwhenmymoney"sallinmyboot，an"thar"sstilllickertodrink。
Factis，IjestmeetsagentnamedFrosty，asgoodacitizenaseverrifflesadeckorpullsatrigger，an"p"litenessdemandswe-allsputsthenose-paintinplay。That"swhyIhastohavemoney。
""Idon"tcaretogopullin"offmymoccasinsintheTubofBlood，an"makin"avulgardisplayofmywealthbypourin"thesilverontothefloor。Thar"sapeckofit，ifthar"sdosreals；an"sechanexhibitionasspillin"itoutintheTubofBloodisboundtomortifyme，an"thebarkeep，an"Frosty，an"mostlikelyleadtomakin"remarks。SoIconcloodsI"llroundupmysilveroutsidean"
thenreturn。