第7章
""Excuseme，"IsaystoFrosty。"Youstayrightyerewiththebottle，an"I"llbeamongyouag"ininaminuteallspraddledout。"
""Igoeswanderin"outbackoftheTubofBlood，whereit"slonesome，an"campsdownbyaSpanish-bayonet，an"tugsawaytogetmybootoffan"mydinerointocirc"lation。
""An"whileI"matit，sleepan"nose-paintseizesme，an"mylightgoesplumbout。Irollsoverbehindthebayonet-bushan"raisesasnore。AsforthatFrosty，hewaitsawhile；thenhepullshisfreight，allowin"I"mtoodeliberateaboutcomin"back，forhim。
""Itmusthavemadethemcoyotesstopan"considerawholelotaboutwhatIbe。Toshowyouhowgoodthemcoyotesis，Iwantstotellyou:Idon"tnoticeitontilthenextday。WhileI"mcurleduptother"arofthatbushtheycomesmightyneargnawin"thescabbardoffenmygun。Fact；theleatherlookslikesomepuphasbeenchewin"
it。ButrightthenIain"tmindin"nothin"sooninterestin"asacoyotebitin"ontheleatherofmygun。
""Nowthisiswherethatbluffaboutbreadonthewaterscomesin；
an"itfallssopatontheheelsofthemdevotionsofmine，ithe"psbranditonmymem"ry。WhileI"mlayin"thar，an"mightylikelywhilethemcoyotesislunchin"offenmyscabbardthata-way，alongcomesarankstrangertheycallsSpanishBill。
""IlearnsafterwardhowthisSpanishBillishard，plumbthrough。
He"srustledeverythin"fromabunchofponiestothemail-bags，an"
isnothin"butahold-upwhoneedshangin"everyhour。WhatevertakeshimtowhereIlaysbymybayonet-bushIneverknows。Hedon"tdisclosenothin"onthatp"intafterward，an"mebbyhetracksuponmeaccidental。
""Butwhatinformsmeplainthatheexploresmywar-bagsforstuff，beforeeverheconcloodstolookaftermyhealth，isthis:Later，whenwegetsacquaintedan"Ionfurlsmyfinancesontohim，heseemsdisapp"intedan"hurt。
""ThestatisticsofthebarkeepoftheTubofBloodnextday，goestotheeffectthatI"mshorelyouttharfourhours；an"whenSpanishBilldiscoversmeI"mmightynearfroze。TaosnightsinNovemberhasaheapofthingsincommonwiththemArticregionswehearsof，wherethemfur-linedsportsgoesinpursootofthatNorthPole。
Bein"froze，an"mebbyfromanover-dabofnose-paint，IneversaveysaboutthisyereSpanishBillmeetin"upwithmethata-wayontillater。Butbywhatthebarkeepsays，hedrugmeintotheTubofBloodan"allowshe"sgotamaverick。
"""Fixthisyerefrozegentupsomethin"withteeth，"saysSpanishBilltothebarkeep。"Idon"tknowhisnamenone，buthe"ssufferin"
an"hasgottoberecoveredifittakestheentirecheck-rack。"
""Whichthebarkeepstandsinan"bringsmeto。Icomes"roundan"
canwalksomeifSpanishBillgoesalongsteadyin"ofmebythecollar。TharuponsaidBillridesherdonmedowntotheJacksonHousean"spreadsmeonsomeblankets。
""It"sdaylightwhenIbeginstobeawaremyname"sBoggs，an"thatI"manativeofKentucky，an"littlepersonalitieslikethat；an"
whatwakesmeupisthisSpanishBill。
"""Seeyere，"saysthishold-up，"I"mgoin"toturninnow，an"it"stimeyou-allisup。Yere"swhatyoudo:Thar"sfivewhiskey-checksontheTubofBlood，whichwillhe"pyoutoanappetite。Followin"
ofas"fficientquantityoffire-water，youwillreturntotheJacksonHousean"eat。Ipaysforit。Iwon"tbeoutenmyblanketsbythen；buttheyknowsthatSpanishBillmakesgood，"causeI
impressesiton"emspeshulwhenIcomesin。
"""You-alldon"tknowme，"goesonthisSpanishBill，asIsetsupan"blinksathimsomefoggyan"blurred，"an"Idon"tknowyou"——
whichwe-allsallows，outenp"liteness，isadeadlosstoboth。"Butmyname"sSpanishBill，an"I"mturnin"monteintheBankExchange。
I"llbetharatmytablebyfirst-drinktimethisevenin"；an"ifyousa"ntersthata-wayatthatepock，we"llhaveadrink；an"bein"
asyou"rebusted，ofcourseIstakesyoumoderateonyourway。"
""It"sthisbluffaboutmenothavin"moneyputsmeinmindlaterthatthisBillmusthaverustledmyraimentswhenhefindsmethattimewhenI"mpresidedoverbycoyoteswhileIsleeps。Whenhesaysit，however，ImerelyremarksthatwhileI"mgratefultohimasmockin"-birds，moneyafterallain"tnoobjectwithme；an"，pullin"
offmynighmoccasin，Ipourssometwopoundsofspecieontotheblankets。
"""WhichIpacksthisinmyboot，"Iobserves，"toputmysc"finmindI"vegotarollbigenoughtofillanose-bagovertoHoward"sstore。"
"""An"I"mfeelin"thegaliesttohearit，"saysthisSpanishBill；
thoughasIsu"gestsheactspainedan"amazed，likeagentwho"sover-lookedabet。
""Well，that"salltharistothatpart。That"swhereSpanishBilllaunchesthatbreadofhis"n；an"thewayitlaterturnsoutitsorterb"arsdownonme，an"keepsmerememberin"whatthatskyscoutsaysatthepra"r-meetin"abouttheactionagentgetsbyplayin"agooddeedtowin。
""It"sthemiddleofJanuary，mebbytwomonthslater，whenI"moverontheUpperCalienteaboutfiftymilesbackoftheSpanishPeaks。
I"mworkin"abunchofcattle；Cross-Kisthebrand；y"ear-marksaswallow-forkintheleft，withtherighty"earonderhacked。"
"What"sthegoodofay"ear-markwhenthar"sabrand？"repeatedtheOldCattlemanafterme，forIhadinterruptedwiththequestion。
"Whatever"sthegoodofy"ear-marks？Why，whenmixedcattleisinabunch，standin"socloseyoucan"tseenobrandsontheirsides，an"
you-allisridin"throughtheoutfitcuttin"out，y"ear-marksiswhatyougoesby。Cattleturnstolookasyoucomesridin"an"
pesterin"among"em，an"theirtwoy"earsp"intsfor"ardlikefans。
Yougetstheiry"ear-markslikeprintin"onthepageofabook。Ifyouwastogooveraherdbythebrands，youwouldn"tcutoutasteeranhour。ButtotrailbackafterBoggs。
"`It"stwomonthslater，an"I"mridin"downadrawoneday，"saysthisDanBoggs，"cussin"therangean"theweather，whenmyponygoestohavin"symptoms。Thisyereponyisthatsagaciousthatwhileitmakesnottheslightestmentionofcattlewhenthey"snear，itnevercomesupondeer，orpeopleinthehills，butittakestogivin"ofmanifestations。ThisissoIcansquarmyse"fforwhatevergametheyopensonus。
"`AsIsays，mean"thisyerewiseponyispushin"outintotheCalientewhentheponybeginstomakesigns。Ibringshimdownallcautiouswherewecanlookacrossthevalley，an"
[Illustrationwithcaption:"NacherallyIstopsan"surveyshimcareful]
you-allcangambleI"msomeastonishedtoseeagentwalkin"alongafoot，offmebbyacouplehundredyards。Hesorterlimpsan"leansoverononesidelikehe"shurt。NacherallyIstopsan"surveyshimcareful。It"splentystrangehe"stharatall；an"strangerstillhe"safoot。Ilookshimoverforweepons；Iwantstonotewhathe"slikean"howhe"sheeled。
""Yousaveysaswellasmeitdon"tdotogocanterin"outtostrangersthata-wayinthehills；speshullyastrangerwho"safoot。
Hemighthungerforyourponyforonething，an"openaplayonyouwithhisgun，aswouldleaveyouafootan"likewisetoodeadtoknowit。
""I"mallerscautiousthata-way，aroundapartywho"slosthishoss。Itlocoeshiman"makeshimf"rocious；Is"posebein"afoothefeelshe"pless，an"letoutan"crazy。Agentafootisaheapeasiertoaggravate，too；an"amightysightmorelikelytolayforyouthanwhenhe"sinaTexassaddlewithaponybetweenhisknees。
""WhichiswhyIremarks，thatIstacksupthispedestriancarefulan"accuratebeforeIgoesafterhim。
""AsIsays，hecarriesonlikehe"shurt；an"he"spackin"asix-
shooter。Heseemsfamiliar，too；an"whileIlookshimoverI"mwonderin"whereIcutshistrailbefore。
""AsIhastheadvantageofaWinchester，Iatlastridesintotheopenan"givesawhoopee。Thepartyturns，comeslimpin"towardme，an"whoeverdoyouallowitis？Whichit"sshorelySpanishBill；an"
it"srightyerehegetsactiononthatbreadonthewatersheplaysinwhenherecoversmethattimeinTaos。
""Tomakeitbrief，SpanishBilltellsmethatafterIleavesTaoshegoesoveran"dealsmonteabitatWagonMound。OnenightaMexicancomescaperin"in，an"Billgiveshimalayoutortwo。Atlasthemakesanalcybetoffiftydollarsonthequeen；whattheGreaserscallsthe"hoss。"TheMexicanloses；an"insteadoftakin"
iteasylikeasportshould，hegrabsthemoney。
""Aswashisdooty，SpanishBillbendshissix-shooterovertheMexican。Tharuponhesearchesoutaknife；an"thisyeresocomplicatesthebusiness，Bill，tosimplifythings，plugstheMexicanfullofholes。
""Thisshootin"isonthesquar"，an"noonetakeshostilenoticeofit。SpanishBillgoesonlayin"outhismontesameasusual。Twodayslater，though，hegetsap"intertheMexicansisfixin"forhim。Sothatnighthemovescamp——mebbytowhereit"sahundredan"
sixtymilesfromWagonMound，overontheVermejo。
""ButitlooksliketheGreasershangstothetrail；forthedaybeforeItracksuponhimabandof"emhopsoutenadryarroya，wherethey"sbush-wackin"forhim，an"goestoshootin"。Asmightbeexpected，SpanishBillturnsloose，freean"frequent，an"theyallshorelyhasahigh，excessivetime。
""TheMexicansdownsSpanishBill"spony，an"abulletcreasesBill"sside；whichlastiswhatcurveshimoveran"indooceshimtolimpwhenItrailsupwithhim。
""AsSpanishBillgoesdown，theMexicansscatter。Thegameistoohighfor"em。Theywasshytwopeople，withanotherpluggeddeepan"
strong；bywhichyounotesthatBillisaimin"lowan"good。
""Aftertheshootin"SpanishBillcrawlsovertoaranch，an"，gettin"aponyan"saddle，whichheeasydoes，hebreaksbackintothehillswhereIencountershim。It"sthatmorninghisponygetstiredofthedeal，an"buckshimoff，an"goesstampedin"back。
That"swhyhe"safoot。
""Whilehe"stalkin"allthis，IrecallshowSpanishBillroundsmeupthatnightinTaos，soIdon"thesitate。Itakeshimovertomycamp。Thenextmornin"heturnshisnoseforTexasonmybestpony；
whichisthelastIseesorhearsofSpanishBill，onlesshe"stheBillwho"slynchedovernearEaglePassayearlater，ofwhichI
surmisesit"ssomelikely。
""ButwhetherBill"slynchedornot，itallbringsupag"inwhatthatGospel-gentsaysaboutdoin"benev"lences；an"howaftermanydaysyoudiesan"makesawinnin"，an"livesonvelvetalleternity。
An"don"tyouknowthisSpanishBillpickin"meupthatnight，an"
theninlessthantwomonths，whenhe"safootan"hurtinthehills，gettin"ag"instmean"drawin"outofthegameaheadasaddle，aponyan"safety，makesitseemlikethatBible-sharpisrightawholelot？
""That"showitstrikesme，"concloodsBoggs。"An"asItellsyou；
ifsomanycattledon"tdiethatspring；an"ifIdon"tgivewaysofrightfulinmytalk，I"dshorelyhunteddownacongregationthenextJune，an"stoodin。""
CHAPTERXVIII。
DAWSON&RUDD，PARTNERS。
"Whatever"sthedifferencebetweentheEastan"theWest？"saidtheOldCattleman，repeatingmyquestionratherforthepurposeofconsiderationthanfromanyfailuretounderstand:"What"sthedifferencebetweentheEastan"theWest？Which，sofarasInotes，torelapseintometaphor，asyou-allssays，thebigdifferenceisthattheEastallersshootsfromarest；whiletheWestshootsoffhand。
"TheWestshorelearnseasyan"isquicktochangeasystemoralteraplay。It"splumbswift，theWestis；an"whatsomeregardsasroughismererapidity。TheWestmightgobrokeatfaro-bankinthemornin"，an"berichatrouletteintheafternoon；youcan"ttell。I
knowspartnersinArizonawhorollsoutinthegraylightofbreakin"dayan"beginsworkbydissolvin"an"windin"upthefirm"saffairs。Bydarkthemsamegentsispardsag"ininanewenterprisecomplete。Folks"llfightatsun-upan"cooktheirchileconcarnetogetheratnight，an"thensleeponderthesameblankets。Forwhichcausesthar"snoprophetsintheWest；aWesternfuturethata-waybein"somightyoncertainnoprophetcanfastenhislariat。
"Speakin"ofpardsan"thefogwhichsurroundswhatthesameislikelytodo，makesmethinkoftheonlicensedan"onlooked-forcarryin"s-onof"DobyDawsonan"CopperQueenBillyRudd。Themtwogentsfostersafeudamongthemse"fsthatsplits"emwideopenan"
keeps"empesterin"eachotherforyears；whichthedoin"softhemlocoedpeopleisthescandalofWolfvillewhileitlasts。
"It"smebbythespringafterweerectstheBirdCageOp"ryHouse，an"Wolfvilleisgettin"tobeconsiderableofacamp。We-allsisorganizedforashore-"noughtown，anJackMooreisashore-"noughmarshal，withEnrightforalcaldethata-way，an"thar"saheapofimprovements。
"WhenIfirsttracksintoWolfville，cowsiswhatyoumightcalltheleadin"industry，withwhiskeyan"faro-bankontheside。Butinthedaysof"DobyDawsonan"CopperQueenBillyRudd，orehasbeenonearthed，theminesisopened，an"Wolfville"sswelledtremendous。
We-allsevenwinsacounty-seatfightwithRedDog，whereinweputsitalloverthatorneryhamlet；an"weshorelydealsthegamefortheentireregion。
"AsIstates，it"sthespringafterwepromotestheBirdCageOp"ryHouse——whichtempleofamoosementsiscompletethefallbefore——that"Dobyan"BillyturnsupinWolfville。Iknowsshe"sspring，forI"mawayworkin"theround-upatthetime，an"themgentsisboththardrunkwhenIcomesin。
""Dobyan"Billy"sbeenpardsfortenyears。They"sminerfolks，an"
"Dobytellsmehimse"fonedaythathiman"BillyhasstoodinoneverymineexcitementfromAlaskatoLowerCaliforny。An"neveroncedoestheygettheirtrailscrossedorhavearow。
"ThetwogentsstrikesatWolfvillewhentheminesisfirstopened，an"stakesoutthreeclaims；onefor"Doby，oneforBilly。an"oneforbothof"em。They"scampedoffupadrawabouthalfamilefromtown，wheretheirclaimsis，an"hasalittlecabinan"seemstobegettin"alongpeacefulasachurch；an"Ireckonsthar"s"nodoubtbuttheybe。
"When"Dobyan"Billyfirstcomescaperin"intoWolfvillethey"sthatthickan"friendlywitheachother，it"sashametothieves。I
recallshowtheirrelationsthata-wayexcitesgeneraladmiration，an"DocPeetsevengoessofarhecalls"em"Jonathanan"David。"
WhichPeetswouldhavekeptoncallin""em"Jonathanan"David"
plumbthrough，butBillygetshostile。
""Itain"tmeIcaresfor，"saysBilly，——whichhewaitsonDocPeetswithhisgun，——"butnogent"sgoin"tomalign"DobyDawsonnonean"
alloodetohimas"Jonathan"withoutrebooke。"
"Seein"itpainsBilly，an"astharain"tevenawhitechipinmerenomenclaturethata-way，ofcourseDocPeetsdon"tcall"em"Jonathanan"David"nomore。
""Dobyan"Billy"sbeenaroundmightylikelysixmonths。Thecampgetsusedto"eman"likes"em。Theydigsan"blastsawayinthembadger-holestheycallsshaftsallday，an"thencomeschargin"downtotheRedLightatnight。Afterthetwoisdrunksuccessful，theymutuallytakeseachotherhome。An"astheylinesoutfortheircampupholdin"an"he"pin"ofeachother，an"boththatdeadsoakedinnose-painttheylongbeforeabandonstryin"tohe"pthemse"fs，I
tellsyou，son，theirloveisapicturean"alesson。
""Whichthewaythempore，locoedsots，"saysOldManEnrightonenight，as"Dobyan"BillyfallsoutentheRedLighttogether，an"
thenturnsinan"assistseachothertorise，——"whichthewaythemporedarkeneddrunkardsridesherdoneachother，an"isonse"fishan"generousthata-way，an"backseachother"splay，isasgoodassermons。You-allyoungmen，"saysEnright，turnin"onJackMoorean"
Boggsan"Tutt，"you-allimatoorbuckswhosecharacterain"treallyformednoneyet，oughterprofitplentybytheirexample。"
"AsIremarks，"Dobyan"Billy"sbeeninhabitin"Wolfvilleformightyhardonsixmonthswhenthetroublebetween"emfirstshowsitsteeth。AsBillywalksoutonemornin"tosnifftheclimatesome，heremarksaMexican——whichhisnameisJoseSalazar，butdon"tcutnofiggernohow——sorter"propriatin"ofamule。
""Thesame，"asBillysays，inrelatin"thecasooaltylater，"bein"
ourstarmule。"
"Nacherally，onnotin"themisdeedsofthisyereGreaser，Billyreachesinsidethecabin，an"sortsoutaWinchesteran"plugssaidculpritinamonghisthoughts，antharbybringshismule-rustlin"
an"hisreflectionstoapausesome。
"It"stwohourslater，mebby，whenthedefunct"sdaughter——theoutfitabidesoverinChihuahua，whichistheMexicanpartofWolfville——goestoashow-downwith"Dobyan"Billyanwantstoknowdoesshegetthecorpse？
""Shore，"says"Doby，"whichwe-allshasnofurtheruseforyourpaw，an"hisremainderisfreean"welcometoyou。Youcanbetmean"Billyain"tholdin"outnopaternalcorpsesnoneontheirweepin"offsprings。"
"Followin"ofhisbluff，"Dobygoesoveran"consoleswiththeMexican"sdaughter，whichhername"sManuela，an"shedon"tlooksobadneither。DocPeets，whosejedgementoffemalesisacinch，allowsshe"sasprettyasadiamondflush，an"youcangambleDocPeetsain"tmakinnoblindleadswhenit"saquestionofsquaws。
"So"DobyconsolesthisyereManuelaawholelot，whileBilly，who"smakin"coffeean"bakin"。powderbiscuitinside，don"treallynoticehe"sdoin"it。Factis，Billy"splumbbusy。TheNewYorkStorehavin"changedbakin"-powderontoustheweekbefore——thesameredoocin"biscuitstoaconundrumforamonthafter——an"thatbakin"-powderchangesorterengagin"Billy"sfacultieswholly，heforgetsaboutdeceasedan"hisdaughtercomplete；thatis，completetemporary。Later，whenthebiscuitsisdonean"offenhismind，Billyrecallsallaboutitag"in。
""But"Doby，who"sagoodtalkeran"amightytendergentthata-
way，jumpsinan"comfortsManuela，an"showsherhowthismuleherpawisstealin"isbywayan"farthebestmuleincamp，an"atlastshedrieshertearsan"allowsinherlanguagethatshe"sgrowin"
resigned。"Dobywindsupbyhe"pin"Manuelahomewithwhat"sleftofherpaw。
""Whichit"sjestlikethat"Doby，"saysBilly，whenhehearsofhispartnerpackin"homehispreythata-way，an"histonesshowsheadmires"Dobynolimit，`whichit"sshorelylikehim。Takefolksindistress，an"you-allscanbetyourlastchip"Dobycan"tdotoomuchfor"em。""Billy"sdisgustsetsinliketherainyseason，however，whenabouttwomonthslater"Dobyupsan"wedsthisMexicangirlManuela。WhenBillylearnsofsaidceremony，hedeclinesaseatinthegame，an"won"tgonearthemnuptialsnohow。
""An"Ideclar"smyse"frightyere，"saysBilly。"Fromnowfor"ardit"sacaseoflonehandwithme。Idon"twantnomorepartners。
WhenagentwithwhomfortenyearsI"vecamped，trailed，an"
prospectedwith，allthewayfromtheDallstotheGila，quitsmecoldan"clammyforasquawhedon"tknowtenweeks，youcangamblethatletsmeplumbout。I"vedonegotmymed"cine。an"I"mreadytoquit。"
"But"Dobyan"Billydon"tactooallymakenoassignment，norgointowhatyou-allEasternsharpscallsliquidation。Thetwogoesonan"
workstheirclaimstogether，an"thefirmnamestillwavesas"DobyDawsonan"CopperQueenBillyRudd，"onlyBillywon"tgointo"Doby"snewwickeyupwherehe"sgotManuela，——notafoot。
""WhichImighthaveconqueredmynativereluctance，"saysBilly，"sotodo，an"Ievenmakesupmymindonenight——it"safterI"vegotmygrub，an"you-allsknowshowplumbsoftan"forgivin"thata-
wayagentiswhenhisstomach"sfullofgrub——togoupan"visit"emalot。ButasIgetstothedoorIhearsanoiseIdon"tsavey；
an"whenIInjunsuptoacrackan"surveysthescene，I"macoyoteiftharain"t"Doby，withhiswifeinhislap，singin"toher。
That"ssquar"；actooallysingin"；whichsecheffortsremindsmeofballardsbycinnamonb"ars。
""Iain"tnoneshore，"goesonBilly，asherelatesaboutittome，"butI"dstoodsechegreegiousplays，chargin"itgeneralto"Doby"sgettin"locoedan"mushy；butwhenthisyereingrateendshiswar-
song，whatdoyou-allreckonnowhedoes？Turnsinan"begins"pologizin"formedownin"herdad。Whichtheoldhold-upisonthemulean"goin"hell-bentwhenIcurlshimup。Well，thatendsthingswithme。Iturnsonmyheelsan"goesdowntotheRedLightan"getsdrunkplumbthrough。Yourecallsit；thetimeI"mdrunkamonth，an"
CherokeeHallbarsmeatfaro-bank，allowin"I"monconsciousofmysurroundin"s。"
"Billygoesonlivin"attheiroldcamp，an""Dobyan"Manuelaatthenewone"Dobybuilt。Thislastismebbyfourhundredyardsmoreupthedraw。Durin"theday"Dobyan"Billyturnsinan"worksan"
digsan"drillsan"blaststogetherasofyore。Themainchangeisthatatevenin"Billygetsdrunkalone；an"as"Dobyain"talongtohe"pBillyhomean"needBilly"she"ptogethome，lotsoftimesBillyfallsbythetrailan"putsinthenightamongthemesquite-
bushesan"thecoyotesimpartial。
"Thisyeregoesonforplumbayear，an"whilethingsiscooleran"
moredistantbetween"em，sameasit"sboundtobewhentwogentssleepsindifferentcamps，still"Dobyan"Billyistrackin"alongallright。Onemornin"，however，Billygoesdowntotheholesthey"sprojectin"over，butno"Dobyshowsup。Itgoesonontilmightylikelyfifth-drinktimethatforenoon，an"asBillydon"tseenotrace，sign，norsignal-smokeofhispard，hegetsoneasy。
""It"safact，"saysBillyafterward，"thar"shourswhenImore"nhalfallowsthisyeresquawof"Doby"shasdonetookaknife，orsomesechweepon，an"getsevenwith"Doby，whilehesleeps，formepluggin"herpawaboutthemule。It"sthisyereideewhichtakesmeoutentheshaftI"msinkin"，an"sendsmecavortin"upto"Doby"scamp。Ipassesaresolutiononmywaythatifshe"scashed"Doby"schipsforhimthata-way，I"llshorelysa"nteroveran"laywasteallChihuahuatoplayevenfortheblow。"
"Butasallturnsout，themsurmisesofBilly"sisidle。Hegetsmebbyeasysix-shooterdistancefromthedoor，whenhediscernsasmallcrylikeafox-cub"swhine。Billylistens，an"theyelpcomesascl"aronhisyearsasthewhistleofacurlew。Billytumbles。
""I"maChinaman，"saysBilly，"ifitain"takid!"
"Sohebacksoffquietan"noiselessontilhe"sdeadsafe，an"thenheliftsthelongyellfor"Doby。When"DobyemergesheconfirmsthembeliefsofBilly"s；it"sakidshore-"nough。
""Boyorgirl？"saysBilly。
""Boy，"says"Doby。"
""WhichIshorelyquitsyoucoldifit"sagirl；saysBilly。"Asitis，Istandsbyyouinyourtroubles。Iain"tnones"prisedatyourluck，"Doby，"goesonBilly。`Ihalfforeseessomesechracketasthistheminuteyougetsmarried。However，ifit"saboyshegoes。I
ain"tthegenttolaydownonanold-timerunnin"-matewhileluck"sag"inhim；an"I"llstillbeyourpartneran"playoutmyhand。"
"Ofcourse，"Dobyhastogobacktolookouthisgame。An"asBilly"sthatrentan"shakenbythemnewshecan"tworknone，hetakestwoorthreedrinksofnose-paint，an"thenpromulgatesashowit"saholiday。Billyfeels，too，thatwhilethisyere"sablow，stillit"sagreatoccasion；an"ashetakestofeelin"hiswhiskeyan"
roominatin"onthetangledstateofaffairs，itsuddenlystrikeshimhe"lljestnacherallycloseupthetrailbythehouse。
""Womenisfrailpeoplean"can"tabidenoisesthata-way，"saysBilly，`an""Doby"sshorelookin"somefadedhimse"f。Ireckons，tharfore，I"llsorterstopcommercealongthisyerethoroughfar"
ontilfurtherorders。What"Dobyan"hissquawneedsnowisquietoodan"peace，an"youcanwagerallyou-allsisworththeyain"tgoin"
tosuffernodisturbances。"
"Itain"thalfanhourafterthisbeforeBilly"sgottwosigns，bothdownan"upthetrail，warnin"ofpeopletohuntanotherwagon-
track。Thesignsismadeoutenpineboards，an"Billyhasmarkedthisyeremottoonto"emwithaburntstick""DOBY"SGOTAPAPOOSE，SO
PULLYOURFREIGHT。"
"Itain"tnotimeafterBillypostshiswarnin"s，an"he"sstillmusin"over"emmightyreflective，whenalongprojectsaMexicanwithapairofburroshe"spackin"freighton。TheMexican"sgoin"
bythenoticeswitboutpayin"theleastheedtharto。Butthisdon"tdoBilly，an"hestandshimup。
""Canyouread？"saysBillytotheMexican，atthesametimep"intin"tothesigns。
"TheMexicanallowsinSpanish——whichthesameBillysaveysan"
palaversliberal——thathecan"tread。Thenhep"intsouttogobyag"in。
""Noyoudon"tnone，onlessinthesmoke；saysBilly，an"throwsagunonhim。"Pausewhereyoube，myproudCastilian，an"I"llfloodyourdarkenedignorancewithlightbynacherallyreadin"thisyereinscriptiontoyouawholelot。"
"TharuponBillyreadsoffthenoticeaheapimpressive，an"windsupbycommandin"oftheMexicantolineoutonthetrailback。
""Vamos!"saysBilly。"Whichifyouinsistsonpushin"alongthroughyereI"llturninan"crawlyourhumpsome。"
"ButtheMexicangetsuglyasat"ran"tleratthis，an"withonemotionhelugsoutasix-shooteran"onbosomsthesame。
"Billyisatriflepreviouswithagunhimse"f，an"whiletheMexicanismightyabrupt，hegetsnonethebestofBilly。WhichtheoutcomeistheMexican"sshotplumbdeadinhismoccasins，whileBillytakesasmallcreaseonhischeek，thesamenotbein"deadly。
Billythenconfiscatestheburros。
""WhichIplays"eminforfuneralexpenses，"saysBilly，an"isturnin"of"emintothecorralbyhiscampjestas"Dobycomesprancin"outwithasix-shootertotakepartinwhatevergameisbein"rolled。
"When"DobyseesBilly"ssignsthata-way，he"s"fectedsoheweepstears。HeputshishandsonBilly"sshoulder，an"lookin"athim，whilehiseyesisswimmin"，hesays:
""Billy，you-allisthethoughtfullestpardthateverlived。"
""Dobythrowssomuchsoulintoit，an"himgivin""waytoemotions，itcomesmightynearonhingin"Billy。
""IknowsIbe，"hesays，shakin""Dobybythehandforaminute，"but，OldMan，youdeservesit。It"scomin"toyou，an"youbetyourlifeyou"regoin"togetit。Withsomefolksthisyerewouldbecastin"pearlsbeforeswine，butnotwithyou，"Doby。Youcan"preciateaplay，an"I"mproudtobeyourpartner。"
"Thenextfewmonthsgoeson，an""Dobyan"Billykeepspeggin"awayattheirclaims，an"gettin"drunkan"richaboutequal。Billyisstillthatreedic"loushewon"tgoupto"Doby"scamp；but"Dobycomesoveran"seeshimfrequent。ThefirstthrowoutoftheboxBillytakesanotionag"inthekidan"allowshedon"twantnotrafficwithhim，——nonewhatever。
"But"Dobywon"thaveitthata-way，an"whenit"saboutsixmonthsoldhepackssaidinfantoveronemornin"whileBilly"satbreakfast。
""Ain"thehell!"says"Doby，aheapgleeful，atthesametimesawin"theinfantontoBillydirect。
"OfcourseBillyhastoholdhimthen。Whichheactslikehe"sahottamale，an"shiftshimaboutinhisarms。Butit"splainheain"tsodispleasedneither。Atlastthekidreachesoutswiftan"cinchesontoBilly"sbeardthata-way。ThisdelightsBilly，while"Dobykeepstrackin""roundtheroomtootickledtosetdown。Allhecanremark——an"hedoesitfrequent，likeittellstheentirestory——is:
""Billy，ain"thehell？"
"An"Billyain"tnoneback"ardadmittin"heis，an"allowsonhesitatin"it"sthehunkiestbabyinArizona。
""An"I"vegotdustintothethousands，"remarksBilly，"whichsayshe"stheprizepapooseofthereservation，an"saysittentoone。
Thisyereoffspringisacredittoyou，"Doby，an"Imarvelsyou-allisthatmodestoverit。"
""Youcanbetitain"tnoSiwash，"says"Doby。"It"scleanstrain，thatinfantis，ifIdoessayit。"
""That"swhatever。"saysBilly。lookingtheinfantoveran"
beginnin"tofeelasproudofitas"Dobyhimse"f，"that"swhatever。
An"I"myeretoremark，anygentwhocanupan"withoutnotalkorboastin"havesuchapapooseasthat，islicensedtoplumehimse"ftharon，an"putondogoverit，thesamewithoutrestraint。Ifeveryoucallstheturnforthelimit，pard，it"swhenyouhasthisyerechild。"
"Atthis"Dobyan"Billyshakeshandslikeit"saceremony，an"bothisgravean"dignifiedaboutit。"Dobyputsitupthatusualhe"sbeyondflattery，butwhenagentofjedgementlikeBillylooksoveraplaythata-way，an"indorsesit，youcanbethe"snotinsensible。
Thentheyshakeshandsag"in，an""Dobysays:
""Moreover，notmeanin"nocompliments，nortossin"ofnoboquets，oldpard，mean"Manuelanamesthisyoungperson"Willyum"；sameasyou-all。"
"Billycomesmightyneardroppin"theinfantontheflooratthis，an"thesmallvictimofhisonthoughtfulnessthata-wayyellslikeacoyote。
""Thatsettlesit，"saysBilly。"Agentwhocouldcomedowntoblastin"an"drillin"——meremenialtasks，astheyshorelybe——ontheheelsofhonorlikethis，isamightysightmoresordidthanCopperQueenBillyRudd。"Doby，thisyereisaremarkableoccasion，an"wecel"brates。"
"Bythistimetheinfantisgrownplumbhostile，an"ishowlin"tobeattheband；so"Dobyputsituphe"lltakehimtohismotheran"
afterwardshe"sreadytojoinBillyinanorgy。
""IjestnacherallystampedesbacktotheagencywiththisyereWillyumchild，"says"Doby，an"thenwe-allsrepairstotheRedLightan"relaxes。"
"Theyshorelydoes-Idon"trecallnosechdebauch——thatis，nonesoextremean"broadcast——sinceWolfvilleandRedDogengagesinthemThanksgiviin"exercises。
"Dobyan"Billy，astimegoesby，allersalloodstotheinfantas"Willyum，"so"snottogethiman"Billymixed；an"durin"thenexttwoyears，whileBillystillgoesshysofarastrackin"overto"Doby"sranchisconcerned，assoonashewalks，WillyumcomesdownthecanyontoseeBillyeveryday。
"Oh，no，Billyain"tnoneonforgivin"toManuelaforropin"up"Dobyan"weddin"himthata-way；butyouseedownin"herpawforstealin"
themulethattimegetssoitmakeshimbashfulan"reluctant。
""Itain"tthatI"mtimorousneither，noryetassoomin"airs，"thisyereBillysaystomewhenhebringsituphimse"fhowhedon"tgooverto"Doby"s，"butI"mnevernohandtoset"roundan"visitfreean"easythata-waywiththeposterityofagentwhichIhashadcausetoplant。Thisyereain"troodness；it"sscrooples，"saysBilly，"an"soit"splumbuselessformetogogettin"sociablewith"Doby"swife。"
"It"scrowdin"closeontwoyearsaftertheinfant"sbornwhen"Dobyan"BillygetsuptheirfeudwhichIspeaksofatthebeginnin"。
Yere"showitgetsfulminated。Billy"sloafin"overbythepost-
officedooroneevenin"，talkin"toTuttan"Boggsan"apasselofus，whenwhocomesprojectin"along，p"intin"fortheNewYorkStore，but"Doby"swifean"Willyum。Astheytrailsby，WillyumseesBilly——Willyumcanmakeasmallbluffattalkin"bynow——an"，p"intin"hisfingeratBilly，hesagsbackonhismother"sdresslikeheaimstohalther，an"says:
""Pop-pa!Pop-pa!"meanin"Billythata-way；althoughthesameiserroneousentire，aseverygentinWolfvilleknows。
""WhichifWillyum"sforefingerhep"intswithisaColt"sforty-four，an"insteadofsayin"`Poppa!"heonhooksthesameatBillydirect，nowIdon"treckonBillycouldhavebeenmoreputout。"Doby"swifedragsWillyumalongatthetimelikehe"sacalfgoin"tobebranded，an"sheneverhaltsorpauses。ButBillyturnsallkindsofhues，an"isthatprostratedhesurgesacrosstotheRedLightan"getstwodrinksalone，neverinvitin"nobody，beforeherealizes。Whenhedoesinviteusheadmitsfrankhe"splumblocoedforamomentbytheshock。
""Youbet!"saysBilly，ashegetshisthirddrink，thesamebein"
tookincommonwiththepop"lacepresent，"youbet!tharain"tagentincampI"dinsultbynoneglect；butwhenWillyummakesthemchargesan"doesitpublicly，itonhingesmyreason，an"themtwotimesIdon"tinviteyou-alls，I"mnotresponsible。"
"We-allsseesBilly"swounded，an"tharforeit"saha"r-linedealtosayanythin"；butaswellaswecanwetellshimthatwhatWillyumsays，thata-way，bein"less"ntwoyearold，isthemereprattleofachild，an"he"snottobedepressedbyit。
""Sechbreaks，"saysDanBoggs，"istookjocosebackintheStates。"
""Shore!"saysTexasThompson，backin"Boggs"splay；"themlittlebluffsofinfancy，gettin"tangledthata-wayabouttheirprogenitors，isregardedjoyousinLaredo。Whichthar"snottheslightestneedofBillybein"castdowntharat。"
""Iain"tsayin"aword，gents，"remarksBilly，an"histonesissad。You-allsmeansproperanfriendly。ButIwarnstheworldatthistimethatInowembarksonthespreeofmylife。I"mgointogetdrunkan"neverhedgeabet；anmylastrequests，thesamebein"
addressedtothebarkeep，personal，istoseteverybottleofbug-
juiceintheshebangonthebar，thartoreposewithinthereachofallontilfurtherorders。"
"It"saboutanhourlater，an"Billy，who"sfiledawayaquartoffire-waterinhisinteriorbynow，isvibratin"betweentheRedLightan"thedance-hall，growin"drunkan"dejectedevenup。It"sthenhesees"Dobyheadin"upthestreet。"DobyhearsofhissonWillyum"swildplayfromhiswife，an"itmakeshimhotthata-way。
Butheain"tnonotionofblamin"Billy；nonewhatever。
"However，"Dobydon"thaveentirechargeoftheround-up，an"hehastofiggerwithBillyrightalong。
""Doby，"shoutsBilly，ashenoteshispardapproachin"，whilehebalanceshimse"finhismoccasinsaheapdifficult，""Doby，yourinfantWillyumisaeediot。WhichifIwastheparentofafoolpapooselikeWillyum，I"dshorelydrophimdownashaftawholelotan"filluptheshaft。Hewon"tassaytwoouncesofsensetotheton，Willyumwon"t；an"heain"tworthpowderan"fusetoworkhim。
Actooally，thatporeimbecilebabyWillyum，don"tknowhisownfather。"
"Whichtherageof"Dobyisbeyondboundscomplete。Forabouthalfaminutehiman"Billyfrothsan"cusseseachotheroutscand"lous，an"thencomestheguns。Theartilleryisacaseofs"prise，themostexperiencedgentinWolfvillenotloekin"fornogun-playbetweenfolkswho"sbeenpardsan"blanket-matesforyears。
"However，itdon"tlastlong；itlookslikebothgetssorterconscience-strickenthata-way，an"letsup。Still，whileit"sshort，it"slongenoughforBillytogethislaigoustedwithoneof"Doby"sbullets，an"italllaysBillyupforDocPeetstofusswithforoverthreemonths。
"WhileBilly"sstretchedout，an"DoePeetsisridin"herdonhislaig，"DobykeepsassavageasanApachean"don"tcomenearBilly。
Thesame，however，ain"tfullproofofcoldness，neither；forBilly"sdonegiveitouthe"lldown"Dobyifhepokeshisheadinthedoor，an"arrangeshisgunswherehecanwork"eminontheenterpriseeasy。
"ButWillyumdon"ttakenostand-off。ThelastthingWillyum"safraidofisBilly；sohecomeswaltzin"overeachday，clumsyasacubcinnamononhisshortlaigs，an"makeshimse"fplumbabundant。
HeplayswithBilly，an"hesleepswithBilly，Willyumdoes；an"heeatseverytimethenigger，who"scomeoverfromthecorraltolookoutBilly"sdomesticgamewhilehe"sdown，rustlessomegrub。
""Doby"sdisgustedwithWillyum"sherdin""roundwithBillythata-
way，bein"sociablean"visitin"ofhim，an"helaysforWillyuman"
wallopshim。WhenBillylearnsofit——whichhedoesfromWillyumhimse"fwhenthatinfantp"intsinforavisitthedayafter——he"saswildasamountainlion。Billycan"tgetoutnone，forhislaigisaheapfragmentaryasyet，——"Doby"sbulletgettin"alltheresultswhichiscomin"thattime，——buthesends"DobywordbyPeets，ifhehearsofanymorepunishmentsbein"metedtoWillyum，heregardsitasaspeshulaffronttohim，an"holds"Dobyresponsiblepersonalassoonashecanhobble。
""Tellhim，"saysBilly，"thatifhecommitsanyfurtheratrocitiesag"inthisinnocentWillyumchild，I"llshoreleavehimtoodeadtoskin。"
""ThisyereBilly"sgettin"locoedentire，"saysEnright，whenhe"stoldofBilly"sbluff。"Therighttomaulyourimmediatedescendantsthata-wayisguaranteedbytheconstitootion，an"isoneofthemthingswe-allsfightsforatBunkerHill。However，IreckonsBilly"smerelyblowin"hishorn；bein"sickan"cantankerouswithhisgameknee。"
"Billygetswellafterawhile，an"himan""Dobysorterplanstoavoideachother。Whateverworktheyputsinontheclaimtheyholdsinpartnership，theyhiresothergentstodo。Personal，eachworkstheclaimheholdshimse"f，whichkeeps"emasunderawholelot，an"
isfrootfulofpeace。""DeepinsidetheirshirtsIallersallowstheseyerepersonsdeemshighan""fectionateofoneanotherrightatthetimethey"shangin"uptheirhardestbluffsan"carryin"onmosthostile。Whichtrivialincidentsdisclosesthis。
"OnceintheRedLight，whenapartywho"snewfromTucson，turnsintotellsomelightstoryofBilly，——himnotbein"presentnone，——
"Dobygoesalloverthisyereracontoorlikealandslide，an"
retireshimfroms"cietyforaweek。An""Dobydon"texplainhisgameneither；jestreprimandsthisoffensiveTucsongent，an"letsitgoasitlays。Ofcourse，we-allsonderstandsit"s"cause"Dobyain"tputtin"upwithnocarpin"criticismofhisoldpard；whichthesameisnacheralenough。
"Don"tyou-allevernotice，son，howonceyoutakestofightin"forapartyan"indorsin"ofhisplays，itgetstobeahabit，——same，mebby，asfire-water？Whichyoulaysforhisdetractorsan"pullsonwarforhimthata-waylongafteryouceasestohavetheslightestuseforhimyourse"f。It"sthata-waywith"DobyaboutBilly。
"An"thisyereBilly"sfeelin"sabout"Dobyisheatedan"sedulousallsim"lar。"Dobygetslaidoutforaweekbyrheumatics，whichheacquiresyearsbefore——heshoredon"tropeontothemrheumaticsnone"roundWolfville，youcangamble!saidcampbein"salooberousthata-way——overontheNevadaplateaus，an"whilehe"streedan"can"tcomedowntohisclaim，apasselofsharpsupsan"mavericksit；
whatminerscalls"jumpsit。"WhateverdoesBillydo？Paintsforwarpromptan"enthoosiastic，takeshisgun，an"thewayhestampedesan"scattersthemmaraudersdon"tbotherhimabit。
"Butwhile，asIstates，thisyeretrickofmakin"war-med"cinewhich"Dobyan"Billyhas，an"schedoolin"troubleforfolkswhocomesprojectin""roundinvadin"oftheother"srights，mebbyisaheaphabit，Igleansfromittheideelikewisethatonderthesurfacetheyholdseachotherinesteemtoap"intwhichisromantic。
"Dobyan"Billylivesonforayearafter"DobyplugsBillyinthelaig，keepin"wideapartan"notspeakin"。Willyumisgotsoheputsinmostofhisnightsan"allofhisdayswithBilly；whichthespectacleofBillypackin"Willyumaboutcampnightsisfrequent。
"Dobynever"pearstofilenoprotest；Ireckonshelooksonitasafore-ordainedan"hopelessplay。However，Billy"saheapcarefulofWillyum"smorals，an"isshorelylinin"himupright。
"Onceanewbarkeepinthedance-hallallowshe"llpromoteWillyum"sfeelin"ssomewithaspoonfulofnose-paint。
""No，youdon"t，"saysBilly，plentysavage；"an"sincethemattercomesupIannouncescoldthat，noworyereafter，thefirstgentwhosawsoffnose-paintonWillyum，orlaysforthemoralsofthisinnocentinfanttocorrupt"em，I"llkillan"skelphimsoshoreasIpacksgunorknife。"
""Whichshows，"saidDanBoggslater，whenhehearsofBilly"sblazer，"thatthisyereBillyRuddisamightyhigh-mindedgent，an"
you-allscanplayittowinhehasmyregards。HecancountmeinonthisdealtokeepWillyumfromstrongdrinks。"
""Ithinksmyse"fhe"sright，"saysCherokeeHall。"Willyumisnowbutthreeyearsold，whichisshorenotaged。MyideewouldbetoraiseWillyum，an"notlethimdrinkadropofnose-paintever，merelytoshowthecampwhatcomesofsechexperiments。"
"ButBilly"sthatpos"tivean"self-relianthedon"tneednoencouragementabouthowheconductsWillyum"shabits；an"，followin"
hisremarks，Willyumallersgetsignoredcompleteoninvitationstolicker。Packin"thekid"roundthata-wayshortensupBilly"sboozealot，too。Hedon"tfeelsofreetogettankedexpansivewithWillyumonhismindan"handsthata-way。
"It"sshorelyapicture，thetendernessBillylavishesonWillyum。
ManyanightwhenBilly"sstayin"late，tryin"towinhimse"foutenthehole，Ibeholdshimplayin"poker，ormebbyit"sfarebank，withWillyumcurleduponhislapan"shirt-front，snorin"awayallsoundan"genial，an"Billymakin"hisraisesan"callin"hisdrawtothedealerinwhispers，forfearhewakesWillyum。
"Buttharcomesatimewhenthefeudisover，an""Dobyan"Billyturnsinbetterfriendsthanbefore。Foramonthmebbythar"saMexicangirl——whichshe"sacousinthata-wayorsomekinto"Doby"swife——who"sbeenstayin"at"Doby"shouse，sorterbackin"theirplay。
"ItfallsoutfrequentthisMexicangirl，Marie，trailsovertoBilly"s，roundin"upan"collectin"ofWillyumtoputanothershirtontohim，orsomesechbenefit。Billyneveractslikehe"simpressedbythisyeregirl，an"，whileherelinquishesWillyumeverytime，hegrowlsan"putsituphe"smalev"lentoverit。
"Butthesenioritaisgame，an"don"tputnostorebyBilly"sgrowls。SheropesupWillyuman"dragshimawaymightydecisive。
Willyumhowlsan"callsonBillyforaid，whichmostlikelyispaintoBilly"sheart；buthedon"tgetitnone。ThesenoritaharnessesWillyumintoacleanshirt，an"thenshethrowsWillyumlooseontherangeag"in，an"hedriftsbacktoBilly。
"It"sthegeneralviewthatBillyneveroncethinksofwedlockwiththesenoritaifhe"sletalone。ButonedayDocPeetswaxesfacetious。
""Inamonth，"saysPeetstoBilly，whilewe-allsisrenooin"ourspcritsintheRedLight，"thisyereMarie"llquitcomin"overforWillyum。"
""Why？"saysBilly，glarin"atPeetss"picious。
""Cause，"repliesPeets，allcareless，""causeyouupsan"wedsherbythen。Iseesitinyoureye。Then，whenshe"stharforgood，I
reckonsshenacherallyquitscomin"over。"
""Oh，Idon"tknow，"saysTexasThompson，who"stakin"inDocPeets"
remark；"Idon"tallowBilly"sgotthenervetomarrythisyereMarie。Notbutwhatshe"sasprettyasanantelope。Butthinkof"Doby。Hejestneverwouldquitchewin"Billy"smaneifhegoespullin"offanynuptialceremonieswithhiswife"srelativethata-
way。"
"Billylookshardasgraniteatthis。Heain"tsayin"nothin"，buthegetsoutsideofanotherdrinkinawaywhichshowshismind"smadeup，an"thenhegoesp"intin"offtowardshiscamp，sameasagentwhoentertainsdesigns。
""Ioffersthreetoone，"saysCherokeeHall，lookin"afterBillysorterthoughtfulthata-way，"thatBillywedsthisyereMexicangirlinaweek；an"I"llgofivehundreddollarsevenmoneyhegetsherbeforenight。"
""An"notakers，"saysDocPeets，"forIaboutthinksyoucallstheturn。"
"An"that"swhathappens。IntwohoursafterthisimpulsiveBillyprancesoutoftheRedLightontheheelsofTexasThompson"sremarksabouthowhostile"DobywouldbeifheevergetsMarie，he"sdoneluredherbeforethepadreoverinChihuahua，an"thepadremarries"emasquickasyoucouldtakearunnin"-ironan"burnabrandonacalf。
""Whichthisisnotall。Liketheywasouttoaddtotheexcitementawholelot，I"maMohaveif"Dobyan"hiswifedon"tturnloosean"
haveanotherinfantthatsameday。
""Ineverseesagentgetsoexcitedoveranothergent"sgameasBillydoesover"Doby"snumbertwo。Hesendshisnewwifeupto"Doby"sontherun，whilehetakesWillyuman"comespirootin"backtotheRedLighttobraceup。Billy"sshorenervousan"needsit。
""Myporechild，"saysBillytoWillyumaboutthethirddrink——
Willyumissettin"onamonte-tablean"payin"heedtoBillyaheapdecorousan"respectfulforathree-year-old——"myporechild，"saysBillythata-way，"you-allisag"inahardgameupatyourpaw"s。
Thisyereisplayin"itplumblowonyou，Willyum。Itlooksliketheyfillsahandag"inyou，son，an"youain"tinitnomoreat"Doby"s；who，whateverisyourfoolclaimsonthatp"intayearago，isstillyourdadondoubted。Butyou-allknowsme，Willyum。YouknowsthattalkinHolyWrit。Ifyourfatheran"mothershakesyou，yourUncleBillytakesyouup。I"mpowerful"fraid，Willyum，you"llhavetohaveactiononthempromises。"
"WillyumlistenstoBillyplentygravean"owly，buthedon"tmakenoobservationsonhisluckorcommunicatenoviewstoBillyexceptthathe"shungry。Thisyereain"trelevantnone，butBillyatoncepastureshimoutonacanofsardinesan"somecrackers，whilehekeepsonbein"liberaltohimse"faboutwhiskey。
""Idon"tfeellikedenyin"myse"fnothin"，"hesays。"YereIgetsmarried，an"inless"nanhourmywifeisravagedawayatthewhoopofdootytorideherdonanothergent"sfam"ly，；leavin"me，herhusband，withthatothergent"sabandonedprogenyonmyhands。Thisyere"sgettin"tobeaboggyfordforBillyRudd，youbet。"
"ButwhileBillytakesonaheap，hedon"timpressmelikehe"shurtnoneafterall。WhenDocPeetstrailsinfrom"Doby"s，wherehe"sbeenintheinterestsofsciencethata-way，Billyatoncedrughimasideforapow-wow。TheytalksoverinonecorneroftheRedLightawhile，thenBillylooksuplikeoneload"soffenhismind，an"
yells:
""Barkeep，it"sanotherboy。Usemynamefreelyinurgin"drinksonthecamp。"
"ThenBillygoesonwhisperin"toDocPeetsan"layin"downsomethin"，likehisheart"ssotonit。AtlastDocsays:
""Thebestway，Billy，isformetobring"Dobyover。"WiththisDocPeetsgetsontohisponyatthedooran"goescurvin"backto"Doby"s。
""It"saboy，"saysBillytotherestofusafterDocPeetslinesout，`an"childan"motherbothonvelvetan"winnin"rightalong。"
"Theseyereeventscrowdin"eachotherthata-way——firstaweddin"
an"thenaninfantboy——hasabrightenin"effectonpublicsperit。
Itmakesusfeellikethecamp"sshorelygettin"astart。Whilewe-
allsisgivin"waytoBilly"sdesiretobuywhiskey，Peetscomesback，bringin""Doby。
"Thar"snothin"whatyou-allscallsdramaticabout"Dobyan"Billycomin"together。Theymeetsan"shakes，that"sall。Theytakesadrinktogether，whichshowsthey"souttobefriendsforgood，an"
thenBillysays:
""ButwhatIwantspartic"lar，"Doby，isthatyoumakesovertomeyoursonWillyum。He"sshorethefinestyoung-oneinArizona，an"
Mariean"meneedshimtosorterorganizeon。"
""Billy，"says"Doby，"you-allan"meispartnersforyears，an"
we"repartnersyet。Wehasourstormcloud，an"wehasalsoourerasofpeace。Standin"aswedoonthebrinkofoneofsaideras，an"asshowin"sincerity，IyerebycommitstoyoumysonWillyum。
Yereafter，whenhecallsyou"Pop，"itgoes，an"thesamewillnotbetookinvidious。"
"""Doby，"repliesBilly，takin"himbythehand，"thisyereday"lustratestheprophetwhenhesays:"Inthemidstoflifewe"reinluck。"Ifyou-allnotestearsinmyeyesI"mresponsiblefor"em。
Willyum"smine。AsIr"arshimitwillbewithyouasamodel。Nowyougobackwheredootycallsyou。Whenyouceasestoneedmywife，Marie，sendherbacktocamp，an"notifymetharof。Pendin"ofwhichsaidnotice，however，"concloodsBilly，turnin"tousafter"Dobystartsback，"Willyuman"meentertains。""
CHAPTERXIX。
MACEBOWMAN，SHERIFF。
"Andsoyouthinkthetroublelieswiththemanandnotwiththewhiskey？"Isaid。
TheOldCattlemanandIwerediscussing"temperance。"
"Rightyoube。Thisyerewhiskey-drinkin"，"continuedtheoldgentlemanashetoyedwithhisemptyglass，"isamightycur"ousplay。Iknowsgentsascantamperwiththeirlittleoldfortydropsfrequentan"reg"lar。Asfarashurtin"of"emisconcerned，itdon"tcometothrowin"wateronadrownedrat。Then，ag"in，I"vecutgents"strailsasdrinkin"whiskeyislikeplayin"aharpwithahammer。Whichwe-allsain"tallupholsteredalike；that"swhatever。
Wedon"tallshowthesamebrandsan"y"earmarksnohow:What"smed"cineforoneisp"isenfort"other；an"tharyoube。
"Bein"areg"lar，reliabledrunkardthata-waycomesmightynearbein"adisease。Itain"tnoquestionofnerve，neither。Somedead-
gamegentsIknows——an"who"sthatobstinatetheywouldn"tmovecampforaprairie-fire——couldn"tpesteralittlebitwithwhiskey。