第8章
"Thar"smyfriend，MaceBowman。Maceiscleanstraincl"arthrough，an"yetIdon"treckonheevergetstoashow-downwithwhiskeyoncewhichheain"toutheld。Butforgrimnerveas"llnevershiver，thisyereBowmanisatpareverytime。
"Bowmandiesapreytohisambition。HestartsinoncetodrinkallthewhiskeyinWolfville。Byhispartic"larrequestmostofthewhitemalepeopleofthecampstandsinonthedeal，a-backin"hisplayfortomakeWolfvilleadrycamp。AtthecloseofthemtwoluridweeksMacelasts，goodjedges，likeEnrightan"DocPeets，allowshe"sshorelymadeitscarcesome。
"ButWolfville"stoobigforhim。AnyothergentbutMacewouldhaveropedatasmalleroutfit，butthatwouldn"tbeMacenohow。Ifthar"sabiggercampthanWolfvilleanywhereabout，that"swherehe"dbeen。He"smightyhigh-heartedan"ambitiousthata-way，an"
it"skillabullornothin"whenhelinesoutforbuffalo。
"Butthethirteenthday，hestrikesinonthebigtrail，whereyounevermeetsnooutfitscomin"back，an"thatsettlesit。Theboys，nothavin"noleader，withMacepetered，givesupthegame，an"thebigraidonnose-paintinWolfvilleisonlyhist"rynow。
"WhenIknowsBowmanfirsthe"ssheriffoverinnortheastNewMexico。AgoodsheriffMaceis，too。Tharain"tnothin"getsrunoffwhilehe"ssheriff，youbet。Whenheallowsanythin"shisdooty，helaysforitpermiscus。He"saplumbsincereoffishulthata-way。
"OnetimeIrecallsashowawagon-trainwithhouseholdsoffolksintoitcampstwoorthreedayswhereMaceissheriff。Theseyerepeople"sheadin"forsome"ersdownontheRioGrande，aimin"tosettleawholelot。Mebbyit"sthethirdmornin"alongofsun-upwhentheystringsoutonthetrail，an"we-allsthinksnomoreof"em。It"sgettin"aboutthird-drinktimewhenbackridesagent，sorterfretfullike，an"allowshe"sdoneshyaboy。
""Whendoyou-allseethisyereinfantlast？"saysMace。
""Why，"saysthegent，"Ishorelyhashimyesterday，"causemyoldwomandonerounds"emupan"counts。"
""Whattimeisthatyesterday？"
""Boutfirst-drinktime，"saysthebereavedparty。
""Howmanyoftheseyereoffsprings，corralcount，doyou-alllayclaimtoanyway？"asksMace。
""WhichI"vegotmybrandonto"levenof"em，"saystheporeparent，beginnin"tosobawholelot。"Ofcoursethisyereyoung-onegettin"
strayedthisa-wayleavesmeshortone。Itmakesitamightyroughcrossin"，stranger，afterbringin"thatboysofar。Theoldwoman，shebogsrightdownwhensheknows，an"Idon"treckonshe"llbethesamehe"pmeettomeonlessIfindshimag"in。"
""Oh，well，"saysMace，tryin"tocheerthisbereftpersonup，"welosekyardsintheshufflewhichthesameturnsupallrightinthedeal；an"Ireckonswe-allswalksdownthisyearlin"ofyoursag"in，too。Whatforbrandsory"earmarks，doesheshow，soI"llknowhim。"
""Astobrandsan"y"earmarks，"saystheparty，a-wipin"ofhiseye，"he"sshyacoupleofteeth，bein"milk-teethashe"sshed；an"
thar"samarkonhisfor"ardwherehismotherswipeshimwithadipper，thata-way，bringin"himupproper。That"sallIremembersquick。"
"Macetellsthepartytotakeacinchonhisfeelin"s，an"stampedesovertotheMexicanpartofcamp，whichiscalledChilili，onascoutfortheboy。Whateverdoyou-allreckon"sbecomeofhim，son？
I"mawolfifaMexicanain"tsomehowcuthimoutoftheherdan"
stolehim。Takeshimin，sameasyoumavericksacalf。Whyinthenameofhoss-stealin"heeveryearnsforthatyoung-oneisallerstoomanyforme。
"WhentheabductorhearshowMaceisonhistrail，whichhedoesfromotherMexicans，heswingsontohisbroncoan"beginsp"intin"
out，takin"boyan"all。ButMacehasgottoofaruponhim，an"
stopshimmightyhandywitharifle。MacecouldworkaWinchesterlikeyou"dwhirlarope，an"thewayhegetsabulletonderthatblack-an"-tan"sleftwingdon"tworryhimalittlebit。Thebullettearsaholethroughhislungs，an"thesamebein"nofurtheruseforhimtobreathewith，hecomestumblin"likeashotpigeon，bringin"theparty"soffspringwithhim。
"Whichthisyereisalmightyflatterin"toMaceasashot，an"itplumbticklestheboy"ssire。Heallowshe"slivedinArkansaw，an"
shorelyknowsgoodshootin"，an"thisyere"sspeshulgood。An"thenhecorralstheGreaser"sskelptotakebackwithhim。
""It"llcomehandytohumoruptheoldwomanwith，whenIgetsbacktocamp，"hesays；sohetuckstheskelpintohiswar-bagsan"
thanksMacefortheinteresthetakesinhishousehold。
""That"sallright，"saysMace；"notroubletocurryalittleshorthosslikethat。"
"HeshakeshandswiththeArkansawgent，an"we-allsroundsuptoBobStep"san"getsadrink。
"Butthecathasquiteatailjestthesame。AMexicanthata-wayisplentyoncertain。Forinstance:You"resettin"inonalittlegameofmonteallfreean"sociable，an"oneof"emcomescrowdin""roundfortrouble，an"youdownshim。Allgoodenough，saysyou。NootherMexicanseemslikehewantstoassoomenopressurepersonal；noonegoesbrowsin""roundtonosheriff；an"tharyoubedeludedintotheeriesthatsaidkillin"squitbein"aquestion。That"swhereyou-
allisthevictimoferror。
"WhichinthiscasetheMexicanMacestretcheshasunclesorsomethin"downoffChaperita。Themrelativesisrich。Inaweek——nooneneversaveyshow——everybodyknowsthatthar"sfivethousanddollarsupforthefirstpartywhokillsMace。Ispeakstohimaboutitmyse"f，allowin"he"doughterbecarefulhowhegoesspraddlin"
aboutpermiscus。Mebby，whenhe"slookin"northsometime，somebodygetshimfromthesouth。
""Iain"tworryin"none，"saysMace；"Iain"tgotnofriendsaswoulddownme，nohow；an"myenemiesain"tlikelynonetothinkit"senoughdinero。Killin"meisliabletocomemightyhigh。"
"Afterwhichannouncementshegoesromancin"alonginhischeerful，light-heartedway，drinkin"hiswhiskeyan"bein"sheriff，mingled，an"inaweekorsowe-allsbeginstoforgetaboutthemrewards。OnedayalittleMexicangirlwhoMacecallsBonita——she"dshorelygiveahossforasmilefromhimanytime——scoutsoveran"whisperstoMaceashowthreeGreasersfromdownaroundAntonChicoisincamponahuntforhisha"r。Themmurderersisoutforthefivethousand；
they"soverinChililirightthen。
""WhereaboutsinChililibethemMexicans？"asksMace，kinderinterested。
""OvercampedinoldSantaAnna"sdance。hall，a-drinkin"ofmescalan"waitin"fordark，"saysthegirl。
""Allright，"saysMace；"I"llpranceoverpocotiempo，an"it"smightylikelythemaliensfromAntonChicoisgoin"tohaveafitfultime。"
"MacekissesthelittleBonitagirl，an"tellshernottochirpnothin"tonoMexican；an"withthecaressthata-wayherblackeyesgetsblackeran"brighter，an"theredcomesinhercheek，an"batscouldseeshe"dswapthewholeMexicanoutfitforawordfromMace，an"throwherse"finforlaniyap。
"Macep"intsouttogetanothergun；whichisproperenough，forhe"sonlyoneinhisbelt，an"inacaselikethisyerehe"smightylikelytoneedtwoalot。
""SomeofusoughtergooverwithMace，Ireckons，"saysapartynamedBenson，sortergeneraltothecrowd。"Whatdoyou-allsthinkyourse"fs？"
""Gonothin"!"retortsagentwho"scalledDriscoll，an"who"suptothehocksintoagameofpoker，an"don"tliketoseeitbreakupan"himbehind。"ThehandMaceholdsdon"tneednohe"p。IfMaceisoutaftertwoorthreeoftheboysnow，itwouldbeplentydifferent；butwhoeverhearsofawhiteman"swantin"he"pthata-
waytodownthreeGreasers，an"himtoopenthegame？MacecouldbringbackalltheskelpsinChililiifhe"sthatf"rociousan"
wantsto，an"nothalftry。"
"Thisseemstobethegeneralidee，an"，asideofsomebetswhichismade，noonetakesnointerest。BobShortputsituphe"dbetahundreddollarsevenMacegetsoneof"em；ahundredtotwohundredhegetstwo，an"ahundredtofivehundredhegets"emall；an"someshort-kyardsharpwho"supfromSocorro，afterfiggerin"itallsilenttohimse"f，takes"emall。
""NowIdon"treckon，stranger，"saysBenson，sorterreproachful，totheshort-kyardparty，"youknowsMaceBowmanmightywell？Ifyou-
alldidyouwouldn"tgoupag"inashorethinglikethat。"
"Wenevergetsanythin"butMace"sstoryforit。Hetellslaterhowhesa"ntersintoSantaAnna"san"findshisthreeAntonChicofelonsallsettin"aloneatatable。Theyknowshim，hesays，an"hecampsdownoveropp"sitean"callsforadrink。They"swatchin"Mace，an"
himdoin"sim"larbythem。Final，hesays，oneof"emmakesaplayforhisgun，an"，seein"thar"snothin"tobemadewaitin"，Macejumpsupwithasix-shooterineachhand，an"thar"ssomenoisean"
aheapofsmoke，an"themthreeMexicansiseliminatedinabunch。
"WhenheplayshishandoutMacecomesbackovertous——nootherMexicansallowin"fortocallhim——an"relateshowitis，an"
nacheralwesaysit"sallright，whichitshorelyis。IasksoldSantaAnnaforthedetailsoftheshake-uplater，buthespreadshishands，an"shrugshisshoulders，an"whines""Noquiensabe。"
"An"，ofcourse，asIcan"ttell，an"asSantaAnnadon"t，Igives"
upaskin"。"
CHAPTERXX。
AWOLFVILLETHANKSGIVING。
Itwasintheearlierdaysofautumn。Summerhadgone，andtherewasalreadyacrispsentimentofcomingcoldintheair。TheOldCattlemanandIhadgivenwaytoatasteforpedestrianismthathadlaindormantthroughthehotmonths。Itwasatthecloseofourwalk，andwewereslowlymakingourwayhomeward。
"An"nowtheyear"sgotintowhathoss-folkscallsthelastquarter，"remarkedtheoldgentlemanmusingly。"Youcanfeelthefrostintheatmosphere；youcanseewhereit"sbittheleavesalot，an"someof"em"spalewiththepain，an"othersisblood-redfromthewound。"WhichIdon"tregardwintermuch，saytwentyyearsago。Thar"smanyanightwhenIspreadsmyblanketsintheColoradohills，flakesofsnowa-fallin"assoftan"bigan"whiteasawoman"shand，an"neverheeds"emalittlebit。Butthemdaysisgone。Thar"snoroofneededinmydestiniesthen。An"asforbed，aslickeran"apairofhobblesissumptuous。
"Whenagentroundsupseventyyearshe"smightylikelytogetaheapinterestedinweather。It"stheheelofthehuntwithhimthen，an"he"swornan"tired，andturnsnacherallytorestan"fire。"
Weploddedforwardashetalked。Tohissagecommentsontheseasons，andaswelltheoldageofmen，Iofferednothing。Mysilence，however，seemedalwaystomeetwithhistacitapproval；nordidheallowittoimpedehisconversationalflow。
"Well，"observedtheoldfellow，afterapause，"IreckonsI"llseethewinterthroughallright；likewisethefall。I"mamightysightlikethatoldlonghornwhoallowshe"sallersnoticedifhelivesthroughthemonthofMarchhelivesthroughtherestoftheyear；soIfiggersI"llholdtogetherthata-wayontilshorelyMarchcomin"。
AnyhowIregardsitasanevenbreakIdoes。
"Thar"sonethingaboutfallan"winterwhichremovesthedrearinesssome。IalloodstothemfestivalssechasThanksgivin"an"Christmasan"NewYear。Dowe-allscel"bratetheseyereeventsinWolfville？
Whichweshorelydoes。TakeChristmas:You-allcouldn"tfindasobergentinWolfvilleonthatholyoccasionwithasearch-warrant；thefeelin"tocel"brateisthatwide-spreadan"fervid。
"Thanksgivin"ain"tsomuchlottedon；whichforonethingwefrequentforgetsitarrivesthata-way。Thar"sonce，though，whenwetakesnoteofitsapproach，an"nacherally，bein"organized，weketchesitsquar"inthedoor。ThemThanksgivin"doin"sisshorelygreatfestivitiesthattime。It"scertainlyawhirl。
"OldManEnrightmakesthefirstbreak；hesorterarrangesthegame。
Butbeforeallisover，thefoodweeats，thewhiskeywedrinks，an"
thelieswetellsan"listensto，isashockan"ashametoArizona。
"Thar"sapasselofusprowlin""roundintheRedLightoneday，whenalongcomesEnright。He"sgotapaperinhishand，an"fromtheairheassoomsit"sshoreplainhe"sonthebrinkofsomethin"。
""WhatI"mthinkin"of，gents，isthis，"saysEnright，final。"I
observesto-morrowtobeThanksgivin"bythisyerepaperOldMontepacksinfromTucson。TheGreatFathersetsto-morrowforanationalblow-out，a-puttin"ofitinhismessageonthebroadgroundthateverybody"sluckywhoescapesdeath。Now，thequestionis，beweinthis？an"ifso，whatformthesaturnaliatakes？"
What"sthematterofushoppin"overan"shootin"upRedDog？"saysDanBoggs。"Thatbunchoftarrapinsain"tbeenshookupnoneforthreemonths。"
""Technicalspeakin"，"saysDocPeets——whichPeets，heshorelyisthelongest-headedsharpIeversees，an"thegaliest——"shootin"upRedDog，whileit"sallrightasaprop"sitionan"highlycreditabletoBoggs，isnotaThanksgivin"play。Thegame，turnedstrict，confinesitse"ftoeatin"，drinkin"，an"lyin"。"
""Thar"splentyofwhiskeyincamp，"saysJackMoore，meditative-
like，"wherebythatdrinkin"partcomeseasy。"
""Iassoomsit"sthewillofalltopulloffaproperThanksgivin"
caper，"saysEnright，"an"tharforeIsu"geststhatDocPeetsandBoggswaitsonMissisRuckerattheO。K。restaurawan"learnswhatforabanquetshecanrustlean"gothelimit。Pendin"thereturnofPeetsan"BoggsIallowsthebalanceofthisdevotedbandbetterimbibesome。Barkeep，sortoutsomebottles。"
"Thecommitteecomesbackafteralittle，an"allowsMissisRuckerreportsherse"fshyonviandsonaccountofthefreightersbein"
back"ardcomin"in。
""But，"saysPeets，"she"supholsteredtomakeastrongplayonsalthossan"bakedbeans，withcoffeean"biscuitsforgamesontheside。"
""That"sgoodenoughforadog，"saysJackMoore，"tosaynothin"ofmerepeople。Anygentwhothinkshewantsmoreistheeffectvictimofwhims。"
"Whilewe-allsisdiscussin"thegroundplansforthisyerefeast，thar"saclatterofpony-hoofsan"awildyelloutside，an"nextthar"sabig，shaggy-lookin"vagrant，a-settin"onhishossinfrontoftheRedLight"sdoor。
""Getanaxe，somebody，"heshouts，"an"widenthisyereportalsome。Iaimstocomeinonmyhoss。"
"`Handsup，thar!"saysJackMoore，reachin"forhissix-shooter。
"Handsup!I"lljestfoolyouupaboutcomin"inonyourhoss。Youworkinonewinktoomanynow，an"Iputsaholeinyourfacerightovertheeye。"
""Goslow，Jack，"saysEnright。"Whomayyou-allbe？"hegoesontothelocoedmanonthehoss。
""Me？"saysthelocoedman。"I"mRedDogBill。Tellthatsot，"hecontinues，p"intin"atJack，"toputdownhisgunan"notofferitatmenomore。He"saheaptoovividwiththatweepon。OnlyI"mawhite-wingedharbingerofpeace，Ishoreupsan"makeshimeatthemuzzleoffenit。"
""Well，whateverbeyouthirstin"for，anyhow？"saysEnright。"Youcomesridin"inyerelikeyouain"tgotnoregardsfornothin"。Isthisafriendlycall，orbeyoupresentonatheerythatyourunsthetown？"
""I"mtheRedDogcommitteeoninvitations，"hesays。"RedDogsendsitscomps，an"asksWolfvilletoburythehatchetforonedayinhonorofto-morrowbein"Thanksgivin"，an"comefeedwithus。"
""Let"sgohim，"saysDanBoggs。
""Nowstandyourhandasecond，"saysEnright，"don"tlet"soverlooknobets。WhateverhasyouRedDoghold-upsgottoeat，anyhow？"
""Ain"tgotnothin"toeatmuch——maybesomecanstuff——whatyou-allscallsair-tights，"saystheRedDogman。"Butwehasliquid，nolimit。"
""Gotanycantomatters？"saysBoggs。
""Cantomatterswe-allsis"speshulstrongon，"saystheRedDogman。"It"swherewe-allslivesat；cantomattersis。"
""Itellsyouwhatyou-alldo，"saysEnright，"an"whenIspeaks，I
representsforthisyerecamp。"
""Whichheshoredoes，"saysJack。"He"stheBigGrayWolfyere，youcangamble。Ifhedon"tsay"goslow"whenyoucomesa-yellin"up，yourremainswoulda-beencoverin"halfanacrerightnow。Itwouldlooklikeit"sbeef-dayatthisyereagency，shore。"
""You-allgobacktoRedDog，"saysEnright，payin"nonoticetoJack"sinterruptions，"an"tell"emweplantsthewar-axeforoneday，an"tocomeoveran"smokeponieswithus，insteadofwe-allscomethar。We"regoin"tohavebakedbeansan"salthoss，an"welooksforRedDoginabody。NextThanksgivin"weeatsinRedDog。
Doesthisyerego？"
"`Itgoes，"saystheRedDoggent；"butbeyou-allsshorethar"ss"fficientwhiskeyinyourcamp？RedDogfolksisadryan"burnin"
outfitan"isduetoneedaheap。"
""Theliquid"sallright，"saysBoggs。"Ifyouallswantstodoyourse"fproud，freightinahundred-weightofthemcantomatters。
Whichwerunsoutentire。"
ThenextdayMissisRuckersetstablesalloverherdinin"-rooman"
bringsonherbeans。EighteenRedDoggentsisthar，eachtotin"ofacanoftomatters。An"letmeimpartrightyere，son，weneverhasamorefreean"peacefullerdaythansaidThanksgivin"。
""Thembeansisalittlehard，ain"tthey？"saysDocPeets，whilewe-allsiseatin"，bein"p"litean"elegantlike。"Mebbytheydon"tgetb"ileds"fficient？"
""Thembeansisallright，"saystheWarChiefoftheRedDogs。
"Theybesomehard，butyoucan"the"pitnone。It"sthealtitood；
thehigherupyougets，thelowerheatittakestob"ilewater。Soitdon"tmushupbeanslikeitshould。"
""That"sc"rrecteverytime，"saysEnright；"Imindbein"overbackofPrescottonce，an"upneartimber-line，an"Ican"tb"ilenobeansatall。I"mupthathighthewaterissocoldwhenitb"ilesthaticeformsonitsome。Ib"ilesan"b"ilesonsomebeansfourdays，an"itdon"thavenomoreeffectthanthrowin"wateronadrownedrat。Afterpersistentb"ilin"，Iskimsoutahand。fulan"
drops"emontoatinplatetotest"em，an"itsoundslikebuckshot。
Asyousays，it"sthealtitood。"
""Gents，"saysthebossofRedDog，allofasudden，an"standin"upbyEnright，"Ioffersthetoast:"Wolfvillean"RedDog，nowan"
yereafter。""
"Ofcoursewe-allsdrinks，an"DocPeetsmakesatalk。Hespeaksmightyhighofeverygentpresent；whichcomplimentsgetsbigactioninsechagame。TheRedDogchief——an"he"samightycivilized-
lookin"gent——hetalksback，an"callsWolfvillean"RedDoggreatcommercialcenters，whichtheysorebe。Hesays，"We-allsisfriendlyto-day，an"fightstherestoftheyear，"whichwe-allsagreestocordial。Hesaysfightin"。or，ashecallsit，"agenerousrivalry，"doescampsgood，an"Ireckonshe"sright，too，"causeitshoreresultsinthecashin"inofsomemightybadan"disturbin"
elements。Whenhesetsdown，thar"sthundersofapplause。
"It"sbythistimethatthedrinkin"becomesfrequentan"common。
Thetalkgetsgeneral，an"theliesthempeopleevolvesan"sawsoffoneachotherwouldstampedestock。
"AnydaybutThanksgivin"sechtaleswouldshoreleadtoreecriminationsan"blood；butasitis，everygentseemsrelaxedan"onbuckledthata-wayinhonorofthehour，an"itlookslikelyin"isexpected。
"Howmendaciousbethempeople？IfIrecallsthemscenesc"rrectly，it"sTexasThompsonbeginsthecampaignag"introoth。
"ThisyereTexasThompsontells，allcareless-like，how"waybackintheforties，whenhe"saboy，heputsinaThanksgivin"intheGreatSaltLakevalleywithOldJimBridger。ThisisbeforetheMormonsopenstheirlittlegamethar。
""An"thesnowfallstothatextent，mebbyit"ssixfootdeep，"saysTexas。"Bridgeran"memakessnow-shoesan"goesslidin"an"
pesterin""roundallfineenough。Buttheporeanimalsinthevalleygetsaroughtime。
""It"safact；Bridgeran"mefindsadroveofbuffalosboggeddowninthesnow，——Ireckonsnowthar"stwentythousandof"em，——andneverabuffalocanmoveawheelorturnakyard。Thartheybeplantedinthesnow，an"onlycanjestwagtheiry"earsan"battheireyes。
""Well，tocutitbrief，Bridgeran"megoesprojectin""roundan"
cutsthethroatsofthemtwenty-thousandbuffalo；whichwe-allsisoutforthemrobesawholelot。Ofcoursewedon"tskin"emnonewhilethey"sstuckinthesnow；butwhenthesnowmeltsinthespring，wecapersforthan"peelsoffthehideslikeshuckin"peas。
They"sfrozestiffatthetime，forthesunain"tgot"roundtothawthebeefnoneyet；an"sothemeat"sasgoodasthedaywedowns"em。
""An"thatbringsustothecur"ouspart。Asfastaswe-allspeelsabuffalo，werollshiscarcassdownhillintoSaltLake，an"whatdoyou-allsreckonstakesplace？Thewater"sthatbriny，itpicklessaidbuffalo-meatplumbthrough，an"everyyearafter，whenBridgeran"meisbackthar——we"retrappin"an"huntin"themtimes，——allwehastodoishauloneofthemtwentythousandpickledbuffalosashorean"eathim。
""WhentheMormonscomeswanderin"along，bein"shortongrubthata-way，theynacherallyjumpsinan"consoomsupthewholeoutfitinoneseason，whichiswhyyou-allsdon"tfindpickledbuffaloinSaltLakenomore。
""Bridgeran"mestartsin，whenwelearnsaboutit，tofusswiththempolygamiststhata-wayforgettin"awaywithoursaltbuffalos。
Butthey"stoonoomerousforus，an"wedonequits"ematlastan"
letsitgo。"
"NobodysaysmuchwhenTexasThompsonisthrough。Wemerelysets"roundan"drinks。ButIseestheRedDogfolksfeelsmortified。
Afteraminutetheycallsontheirleadin"prevaricatorforayarn。
Hisname"sLyin"JimRiley，whichthepeoplewhobaptizeshimshorelytumblestohistalents。
"ThisyereLyin"Jimfillsatincupwithnose-paint，an"leansbacklistless-likean"looksatEnright。
""Inevertellsyou-alls，"hesays，"abouthowtheRatonsgetsafiremightypecooliar，an"comesneara-roastin"ofmeupsome，doI？
It"sthisa-way:I"mpervadin""roundoneafternoontryin"tocompassawildturkey，whichthar"sbandsof"emthatFallintheRatonsa-eatin"ofthepinyon-nuts。I"vegotaSharp"swithme，whichthesame，asyou-allsknows，isasingle-shot，butIdon"tseenoturks，nonewhatever。Nowan"thenIhearssomelittleoldgobbler，"crossacanyon，a-makin"ofsland"rousremarksaboutothergobblerstosomehenhe"sdeloodin"，butInevermanagesashot。AsI"mcomin"backtocamp——I"mstrollin"downadrawatthetimewherethar"snotreesnornothin"——tharemanatesablack-tailbuckfromoveramongthebushesonthehill，an"startstoheadin"mywayawholelot。Hishornsisjestgettin"overbein"velvet，an"he"sfeelin"plentygoodan"sassy。Iseesthatbuck——hishornseetchesiswhatmakeshim——jumpeighteenfeetintotheairan"combthemantlersofhis"nthroughthehangin"pinelimbs。Doesittostoptheeetchin"an"rubthevelvetoff。OfcourseIcutsdownonhimwiththeSharp"s。It"sanewgunthata-way，an"thesightsistoocoarse——youdragsadogthroughthehindsightseasy——an"Iholdshigh。Thebulletgoesplumbthroughthebaseofhishorn，closeintotheha"r，an"allnacheralfetcheshimsprawlin"。Iain"twaitin"toloadmygunnone，whichnotwaitin"toload，I"myeretomention，iserroneous。I"myeretosaytharoughterbeanactofCongressag"innotloadin"yourgun。Theyoughterteachittotheyearlin"sintheschools，an"likewiseintheclassontheSabbath。Allersloadyourgun。Whoisthatsharp，MisterPeets，whosays，"Beshoreyou"reright，thengoahead"？Heonceranchessome"ersdownontheGlorieta。Butwhatheoughtersayis:"Beshoreyourgun"sloaded，thengoahead。""
""That"swhatever!"saysDanBoggs，he"pin"himse"fan"startin"thebottle；"an"ifhehasalickofsense，that"swhathewouldsay。"
""WhichIlaysdownmyemptygun，"goesonthisLyin"Jim，"an"
startsformybucktobootcherhisneckalot。WhenIgetswithintenfeethespringstohishoofsan"standsglarin"。Youcangamble，Iain"ttamperin""roundnowoundedbuck。I"dsoonergopesterin"
"roundawidowwoman。"
""Igetsmingledupwithawoundedbuckonce，"saysDaveTutt，takin"adabofpaint，"an"Inacherallywrastleshimdownan"lopsoneofhisfrontlaigsoverhisantlers，an"tharIhashim；nomoreharmleftinhimthanachamber-maid。Mine"sawhite-taileddeeroverontheCareese。"
""Thisyere"sablack-tail，whichisdifferent；saysLyin"Jim；
"it"sexactlythemfrontlaigsyoutalksofsolightlyI"m"fraidof。
"`Thebuckhestandstharsorterdazedan"battin"ofhiseyes。I
ain"tnotimetogobackformySharp"s，an"mysix-shooterisleftincamp。Rightnearisahighrockwithasteepfaceaboutfifteenfeetstraightupan"down。Iscramblesontothisan"breathesag"in，"causeIknowsnodeerisevercompiledyetwhomakesthetrip。Thebuck"scometocompletebynow，an"whenheobservesmeontherock，hisrageisasboundlessasthegloryofTexas。"
""Gents，we-allstakesanothercow-swaller，rightyere，"shoutsTexasThompson。"It"saroolwithmetodrinkeverytimeIhearsthesacrednameofTexas。"
"Whenwe-allsconcealsourfortydropsintheusualplace，Lyin"Jimproceeds:
""Whenthisbucknotesme，he"sthatfrenziedhebacksoffan"jumpsag"inthefaceoftherockstiff-laiged，an"strikesitwiththemhoofsofhim。Whichhedoesthisnoomeroustimes，an"everyhoofcutslikeacold-chisel。Itmakesthesparksgospittin"an"flyin"
likeit"sablacksmith-shop。
""I"mtakin"itca"menough，onlyI"mwonderin"howI"mgoin"tofetchloose，whenInoticesthemsparksfromhishoofssetsthepinetwigsan"needlesa-blazin"downbythebaseoftherock。
""That"swhatcomestomyrelief。Intwominutesthisyerespreadstoageneralconflagration，andthelastIseesofmydeerhe"sflyin"overtheDivideintothenextcanyonwithhistaila-blazin"
an"himutterin"shrieks。Ihasonlytimetomakecamp，saddleup，an"lineoutofthar，tokeepfrombein"burnedbeforemytime。
""Thisyerefireragesfortwomonths，an"burnsupabilliondollarsworthofmountains，I"macoyoteifsomefolksdon"ttalkoflawin"meaboutit。"
""That"sayarnwhichhastheyear-marksoftrooth，butallthesameit"sdeerassavesmylifeonce，"saysDocPeets，sortertrailin"ininnocent-likewhenthisLyin"Jimgetsthrough；"leastwisetheirmeatsavesit。I"mouthuntin"sameasyouis，thistimetowhichI
alloods。
""I"mcampedonupperRedRiver；upwheretheriverisonlyabouttwelvefeetwide。Itain"tdeepnone，onlyafewinches，butit"sdugitsbanksdownaboutfourfeet。Theriverrunsalongthecenterofamile-widevalley，whichtheyain"tnotreesinit，butallcl"aran"open。It"ssnowin"powerfulhardone，evenin"about3
o"clockwhenIcomesbackalongtheridgetowardsmycamponderthepines。WhileI"mridin"alongIcrossesthetrailofnineteendeer。
Itakesittooquick，"causeIneedsdeerinmybusiness，an"I
knowstheseiscloseortheirtrackswouldbecovered，thewayitsnows。
""Irunsthetrailoutintotheopen，headin"fortheotherridge。
Thesnowisplentydeepoutfromonderthepines，butIkeepson。
Final，jestinthemouthofacanyon，overtheothersidewherethepinesbeginsag"in，upjumpsablack。tailfrombehindayaller-pinelog，andIdropshim。
""Mypony"splumbbrokedownbynow，soImakesupmymindtocamp。
It"sa"waygoodsite。Thar"swatercomin"downthecanyon；thar"sabig，flatfloorofrocks——bigasthedance-hallfloor——an"allprotectedbyahighrock-facedbluff，sonosnowdon"tgettharnone；an"outinfront，sometwelvefeet，isabigpitch-pinelog。
WhichIcouldn"ta-fixedthingsbetterifIworksayear。
""Isetsfiretothelog，cutsupmydeer，an"sortercampsoverbetweenthelogan"bluff，an"takesthingsasba"myassummer。I
hasmysaddle-blanketan"aslicker，an"that"sallIneeds。
""Tharain"tnograssnoneforthelittlehoss，butIpeelshimaboutabushelofquakin"-ashbark，an"he"sdoin"well"nough。
Lord!howitsnowsoutside!WhenIpeersoutinthemornin"itscaresme。Isaddlesup，"causemypropercampisinthepinest"othersideofthisyereopenstretch，an"I"vegottomakeit。
""Myponyisweak，an"canonlypushthroughthesnow，whichisfivefeetdeep。I"mwalkin"alongallcomfortable，a-holdin"ofhistail，when"swish"hegoesplumboutensight。Ipeersintotheorificewhichketcheshim，an"findshe"sdoneslumpedoffthatfour-footbankintoRedRiver，kerslop!Whichhe"satoncesweptfromview；
theriverrunnin"inondcrthesnowlikeatunnel。
"Thatsettlesit；Igoespirootin"back。Ilivesinthatcanyontwomonths。ItsnowsaheapafterIgetsback，an"makesthingsdeeper"never。Ihasmydeertoeat，notloadin"myponywithitwhenI
starts，an"Ipeelssomesugar-pines，likeIseesInjuns，an"
scrapesoffthewhiteskinnextthetrees，an"makesapastykindofbreadofit，an"I"mallright。
""Onemornin"，jestbeforeIgetsoutofmeat，Iseestroubleoutinthesnow。Themeighteendeer——thar"snineteen，butIc"llectsone，asIsays——comessa"nterin"downmycanyonwhileI"masleep，an"
goesoutan"getsstuckinthesnow。Iallowsmebbytheydressesaboutsixtypoundseach，an"wallersafter"emwithmyknifean"
killssix。
""Thisyeregivesmemeatforseventy-twodays——fivepoundsaday，whichwiththepinebarkisshoreenough，TheothertwelveIturns"roundan"he"psoutintothecanyonag"in，an"doyouknow，themdeer"sthatgratefultheywon"tleavenone？It"safact，theysimplyhangs"roundallthetimeI"msnowedin。
""Intwomonthsthesnowmeltsdown，an"Isaysadiostomytwelvedeeran"startsforcamp。Whichyou-allsmebbyimaginesmys"prisewhenIbeholdsmyponya-grazin"outintheopen，saddleonan"
right。Yere"showitis:He"sbeenparadin"upan"downthebedofRedRiveronderthatsnowtunnelfortwomonths。Oh!hefeedseasyenough。Jestbitestheyerbagealongthebanks。Thissnowtunnelisfourfeethigh，an"he"sgotplentyofroom。
""I"msomegladtomeetupwithmyponythata-way，youbet!an"
ketcheshimupan"ridesovertomycamp。An"I"mfollowedbymytwelvedeer，whichcomescavortin"alongallgenialan"cordialan"
neverleavesme。No，myhossissound，onlyhisfeetisalittlewater-soakedan"tender；an"hiseyes，bein"solonginthathalf。
darkplaceonderthesnow，issomeweakan"sore。"
"AsnooneseemsdesiroustolienomoreafterDocPeetsgetsthrough，we-allseatsan"drinksallwecan，an"thengoesovertothedance-hallan"whoopsherupinhonorofRedDog。Nothin"couldgosmoother。
"Whenitcomestimetoquit，wehasalittletroublegettin"
sep"ratefrom"em，butnotmuch。We-allsstartsoutto"scort"emtoRedDogasaguardofhonor，an"thenthey，bustin"withp"liteness，"scortsusbacktoWolfville。Thenwe-alls，nottoberaisedout，sees"emtoRedDogag"in，an"nottohavetheoddhossonto"eminthematter，backtheycomeswithus。
"Idon"tknowhowoftenwemakesthisyereroundtripfromonecamptot"other，causemymem"ryissomedarkonthelatereventsofthatThanksgivin"。Myponygetstiredofitaboutthethirdtimeback，an"humpshimse"fan"bucksmeoffawholelot，whereuponIdon"tgowiththemRedDogfolksnofurther，butnacherallycampsdownbackofthemesquiteIlightsinto，an，sleepstillmornin"。Youbet!
it"sagreatThanksgivin"。"
CHAPTERXXL。
BILLHOSKINS"SCOON。
"NowIthoroughlysaveys，"remarkedtheOldCattlemanreflectively，atacrisisinourconversationwhenthetalkturnedonmenofsmallandcowardlymeasure，"Ithoroughlysaveysthattasteforbattlethatlurksinthedeefilesoffolk"snacherlikeawolfinthehillsWhichIreckonsnowthatI，myse"f，isoneofthepeacefullestpeopleaseverbeltsonaweepon；butinmyinstincts——whileIneverjestifiesorfollowshisexample——Icl"arlyapprehendstheemotionsofagentwhoconveneswithanothergentallsim"lar，an"expresseshisviewswithhisgun。Sechishumannacheronrestrained，an"thesame，whiledeplorable，isnots"prisin"。
"ButthisyereOlsonIhasinmymem"rydon"thavenosechmanlyfeelin"sasgoeswithagunplay。Olsonisthatcowardlyhe"sevenfurtive；an"foralow-flungmeaslygameletmetellyou-allwhatOlsondoes。It"sshorelyornery。
"Itallarisesyearsago，backinTennessee，an"getsitsfirststartoutofahawgwhichisownedbyOlsonan"isdownedbyagentnamedHoskins——BillHoskins。It"sthisa-way。
"BackinTennesseeinmydream-wreathedyooth，whenlivestockgoesprojectin"aboutpermiscus，apartyhastobuildhisfences"bullstrong，hawgtight，an"hosshigh，"orhetakesresults。WhichHoskinsdon"tmakehisfencestoconformtothisyereroolnone；
leastwisetheyain"thawgtightasisshownbyoneofOlson"shawgs。
"Thehawgcomespirootin"aboutHoskins"sfence，an"hegoesthrougheasy；an"thewaythatinvadin"animalturnsBill"spotatoesbottomupdon"thinderhimabit。HeshorelylootsBill"slot；that"swhatever。
"ButBill，perceivin"ofOlson"shawglayin"wastehiscrop，reachesdowna8-squar"rifle，30tothepound，an"stretchesthehawg。
WhichthisiswhereBillfallsintoerror。Layin"asidethemdeeficienciesinBill"sfence，it"scl"arataglanceahawgcan"tbeheldresponsible。Hawgsisignorantan"tharforeinnocent；an"
whilehawgscanbewhatDocPeetscallsa"CASUSBELLI，"theycan"tberegardedasafoelegitimate。
"NowwhatBilloughterdone，ifhefeelslikethisyorehawg"sdoneputitalloverhim，istogoan"layforOlson。SechactionbyBillwouldhavebeensomeexcessive，——somehighsotospeak；butitwouldhavebeenalineshot。Whereaskillin"thehawgis"waytoonesideofthemark；an"onder。
"However，asIstates，Billbein"hastythata-way，an"oncapableofperhapsrefinedreasonin"，downsthepig，an"standspat，waitin"
forOlsontofillhishand，ifhefeelssomoved。
"It"satthispinchwherethecowardlynacherofthisyereOlsonbeginstoshine。He"suglyasawolfaboutBillcopperin"hishawgthata-way，buthedon"tpackthenervetogoafterBillan"makearound-upofthemgrievances。An"heain"tallowin"topassitupnoneonrevengedneither。Nowyere"swhatOlsondoes；he"sassinatesBill"spetraccoon。
"That"sright，son，jestmassacresapore，confidin"raccoon，whodon"tnomorestandinonthathawg-killin"ofBill"s，thanmean"
you，——don"tevenadviseit。
"WhichIshorelyallowsyousaveysalltharistoknowaboutaraccoon。No？Well，araccoon"slikethis:Inthefirstplacehe"splumbeasy，an"ain"tlookin"fornogenttoholdoutkyardsorringacolddeckonhim。That"sstraight；araccoonissimple-mindedthata-way；an"hisimpressivetraitis，he"smeditative。Besidesbein"
nacherallythoughtful，araccoonisaheapmelancholy，——hejestsetstharan"absorbsmelancholyfrommerelybein"alive。
"Butifaraccoonismelancholyorgetswroppedinthoughtthata-
way，it"safterallhisownplay。It"stohiscreditthatoncewhenhe"stamed，he"sgotmountainousconfidenceinmen，an"willcurluptosleepwhereyoubean"shetbotheyes。He"splumbtrustful；an"
moreover，nomatterhowmournfularaccoonfeels，orhowplumbmelancholyhegets，hedon"tpesteryouwithnoyarns。
"IreckonsIconverseswiththisyereidenticalraccoonofBill"splentyfrequent；whenhefeelsblue，an"ag"inwhenhe"sathisgailiest，an"heneverremarksnothin"tomeexceptp"litegeneral"ties。
"IfthisyereOlsonwasadeadgamepartywhoregardshimse"fwronged，he"dsearchedoutagun，oraknife，ormebbyaclub，an"
prancedoveran"rectifiedBillawholelot。Buthe"stootimidan"
toocowardly，an"afraidofBill。Sotoplayeven，helinesouttobushwhackthishe"pless，oninstructedraccoon。Olsonfiggerstotakeadvantageofwhat"scl"arlyaloop-holeinaraccoon"sconstitootion。
"Mebbyyounevernoticesitaboutaraccoon，butoncehegetsinterestedinapursoot，he"sriggedsohecan"tquitnoneontiltheproject"sasuccess。Thar"sherdsan"bandsoffolksan"animalswho"sfixedsim"lar。Theycanstart，an"theycan"tletup。Thar"sbull-dogs:Theybeginsawartooeasy；butthec"pacitytoquitisleftoutofbull-dogsentire。Sameaboutnose-paintwithgentsI
knows。Theycapersuptowhiskeyatthebeginnin"likeakittentowarmmilk；an"theyneverdoesceasenomore。An"that"showthekyardsfallstoraccoons。
"Knowintheseyeredeefectsinraccoons，thisOlsonplotstotakeadvantagetharof；an"byplayin"itlowonBill"sraccoon，getevenwithBillaboutthatdeadhawg。WhichBillwouldn"thavetookadroveofhawgs；noindeed!notthewholeFallround-upofhawgsinallofWestTennessee，an"losethatraccoon。
"It"swhenBill"sovertoPineKnotlayin"intobacker，an"nose-
paintan"cornmeal，an"sechnecessaries，whenOlsonstandsintodownBill"spet。Hegoesinjunnin"overtoBill"san"findsthecampalldeserted，excepttheraccoon"sthar，settin"，battin"hiseyesmournfulan"lonesomeonthedoorstep。ThisOlsoncampsdownbythedooran"fondlestheraccoon，an"strokeshiscoat，an"letshimsearchhispocketswithhisblackhandsontilhegetsthatfriendlyan"confidentaboutOlsonhe"dtoldhimanythin"。It"sthenthisyeremiscreant，Olson，springshisgame。"H"sgotacoupleofcrawfishwhichhe"sfreshcaughtattheBranch。Nowraccoonsregardscrawfishasonusualgoodeatin"。Formyse"f，Ican"tsayIdeemsnonehighofcrawfishasviands，butraccoonsisdifferent；an"thewaytheylooksatit，crawfishispie。
"ThisOlsonbringsouthistwocrawfishan"fetchin"ajarofwaterfromthespring，hedropsinacrawfishan"incitesan"aggravatesZekiel——that"sthenameofBill"sraccoon——tofeelinan"gethimawholelot。
"Zekielain"tnoneshyontheplay。Heknowscrawfishlikeagamblerdoesaredchip；soturnin"hiseyesuptothesky，likearaccoondoeswho"swroppedinpleasantanticipationsthata-way，heplungesinhispawan"getsit。
"OnceZekielacquireshim，theporecrawfishdon"tlastaslongastwo-bitsatfaro-bank。WhenZekielhashimplumbdevouredheturnshiseyesonOlson，sorterthankful，an""waitsdevelopments。
"Olsonputsinthesecondcrawfish，an"Zekieltakeshimintocampsameast"other。It"snowthatOlsononfurlshisplotonZekiel。
Olsondropsadozenbuckshotintothejarofwater。Nacherally，Zekiel，who"sgothismindallframeduptouchin"crawfish，goesafterthebuckshotwithhisforefoot。Butit"sdifferentwithbuck-
shot；Zekielcan"tpick"emup。Hetriesan"trieswithhishonest，simplefaceturneduptoheaven，buthecan"tmakeit。AllZekielcandoisfeel"emwithhisfoot，an"roll"emaboutonthebottomofthejar。
"NowasIremarksprior，whenaraccoongetsembarkedthata-way，hecan"tquit。Heain"tarrangedsohecancease。Olson，who"splumbawaretharof，nosoonergetsZekielstartedonthembuckshot，thanknowin"thatnachercanbereliedontoplayherhandout，hesa"ntersofftohiswickeyup，leavin"Zekieltohisfate。Billwon"tbehometillMonday，an"Olsonknowsthatbeforethen，onlessZekielisinterrupted，he"llbeevenforthathawgBilldrops。AsOlsonconestoaplaceinthetrailwherehe"sgoin"tolosesightofBill"scamp，heturnsan"looksback。Thepictureisallhisrevengecanask。TharsetsZekielonthedoorstep，withhishappycountenanceturneduptothedomeabove，an"hisrightpawelbowdeepinthejar，stillrollin"an"feelin"thembuckshot"round，an"
allowin"he"sduetoketchacrawfisheverymoment。
"WhichitworksoutexactlyasthewretchedOlsonfiggers。Thesungoesdown，an"theSundaysuncomesupan"setsagain；an"stillporeZekielisplantedbythejar，withhishopefuleyesonhigh，stillfeelin"ofthembuckshot。Hecan"tquitnomore"nifhe"sloserinapokergame；Zekielcan"t。WhenBillridesuptohisdooraboutsecond-drinktimeMondayafternoon，Olsonisshorelyevenonthathawg。TharlaysZekiel，dead。He"sjestsettharwiththembuck-shotan"felthimse"ftodeath。
"Butspeakin"ofthesapiencyofBillHoskins"sZekiel，"continuedtheoldgentlemanaswelightedpipesandlapsedintodesultorypuffing，"whileZekielforaraccoonissomedeep，afterallyou-allisjestamazedatZekiel"causeIcallsyourattentiontohimawholelot。Ifyouwastogointocampwith"em，an"setdownan"
watch"em，you"dshorelybes"prisedtonotehowlevel-headedallanimalsbe。
"Nowifthar"sanythin"inArizonaforwhosejedgementIdon"thaverespectnacheral，it"sbirds。Arizonaforsechfolksasyouan"me，an"coyotesan"jack-rabbits，isagoodrange。Sechaswe-allssorterfitsintothegeneralplayan"getsactionforourstacks。
Butwhateverabirdcanfindentrancin"insomeofthemSouthwesterndesertsisallerstoomanyforme。
"AsIsu"gests，Iformerholdsfowls，whooffreechoicecontinuesaresidenceinArizona，asimbeciles。Yetnowan"thenIobservesthingsthatmakesmeoncertainifI"montoabird"ssystem；an"ifafterallArizonaissechadeadkyardforbirds。It"spossibleagentmightbewayoffonbirdsan"theviewstheyholdsoflife。Hemightwatchtheplayan"esteem"emloser，whenfromabird"sp"intofviewthey"smakin"akillin"，an"evencallin"theturneverydeal。
"Whathe"pstoopenmyeyesalotonbirdsistwoRoadRunnersDocPeetsan"memeetsupwithoneafternooncomin"downfromLordsburg。
TheseyereRoadRunnersisalankykindofprop"sition，jestashadeofffromspringchickensforsize。Whichtheirarrangementsastoneckan"laigsisonrestrictedan"liberal，an"theirlongsuitisrunnin"upan"downthesun-bakedtrailsofArizonawithnoobject。
Wherehe"spartic"larstrong，thisyereRoadRunner，isinwaitin"
ontilsomegentcomesalong，sameasDocPeetsan"methattime，an"
thenattachin"ofhimse"fsaidcavalcadean"racin"alongahead。A
RoadRunnerkeepsupthisexerciseformiles，an"beaboutthelengthofalariataheadofyourpony"snoseallthetime。Whenyou-
allletsoutalinkortwoan"stiffensyourponywiththespur，theRoadRunneronbucklessim"laran"exultstharat。Youain"tgoin"torunuponhimwhilehecanwavealaig，youcangambleyourlastchip，an"youconfersfavorsonhimbysendin"yourponyathim。
Tharhestays，rackin"alongaheadofyouontilsatiated。Usualthar"stwoRoadRun。ners，an"theyclipsitalongsidebysideasifthar"ssomethin"initfor"em；an"Ireckons，rightlysaveyed，tharis。However，theprofitstoRoadRunnersofthemexcursionsain"tobvious，nonewhatever；soIwon"ttrytoset"emforth。Themjourneystheymakesupan"downthetrailshorelyseemsaimlesstome。
"ButaboutDocPeetsan"mepullin"outfromLordsburgforWolfvillethatevenin":Ourponiesisputtin"thelandscapebehind"ematagoodroad-gaitwhenwenotesabraceofthemRoadRunnerswithwingshalflifted，pacin"tomatchourspeedalongthetrailinfront。AsRoadRunnersisfrequentwithus，ourmindsdon"tbotherwith"emnone。Nowan"thenDocan"mecanseetheyconversesastheygoesspeedin"alongalevelordownaslope。It"sasifonesaystot"other，somethin"likethisyere""How"syourwind，Bill？Isitcomin"easy？"
""Shore，"itwouldseemlikeBillanswers。"Valvesneverisinsechshape。I"monvelvet；how"syourlaigsstandin"thepace，Jim？"
""Laigsisworkin"likethey"snewoiled，"Jimrepliesback；"it"saplumbeasygame。Ireckons，Bill，mean"youcouldkeepaheadofthemmavericksayearifwe-allsfeelslikeit。"
""Betabluestackonit，"Billanswers。"Ideemstheseyeregentssoft。BeforeI"dridesechponiesasthem，I"dgoprojectin""roundsomenightan"stealone。"
""Themponiesisshorelyaheapslothful，"Jimanswers。
""AtthismebbythemRoadRunnersrufflestheirfeathersan"runsonswifter，jesttoshowwhataslowracketkeepin"aheadofmean"
Peetsis。An"theseyerelocoedbirdskeepsupsechconversationsforhours。
"MindIain"tsayin"thatwhatItellsyouiswhatthemRoadRunnersreallyremarks；butIturnsitovertoyou-allthewayitstrikesmean"Docatthetime。WhatIaimstorelate，how-ever，isanincidentasshedslightonhowwisean"foxyRoadRunnersbe。
"DocPeetsan"me，asIstates，ain"tlavishin"noonreasonablenoticeontheseyerebirds，an"they"vebeenscatterin"alongthetrailformebbyit"sanhour，whenoneof"emcomestoaplumbhalt，sharp。Theotherstopslikewisean"roundsupag"insthismate；an"
bein"cur"oustonotewhat"spesterin"em，Peetsan"mecurbstoastand-still。TheRoadRunnerwhostopsfirst——thesamebein"Bill——
islookin"sharpan"interested-likeoveracrosstheplains。
""Rattlesnake，"heimpartstohissidepartner。
""Where"sheat？"saysthesidepartner，whichisJim，"where"sthisyeresnakeat，Bill？Idon"tnotenorattlesnake。"
""Comeroundyerebyme，"Billsays。"Nowonalinewiththetopofyondermesaan"aleetletotheleftofthatsoap-weed；don"tyou-
allseehimquileduptharasleep？"
""WhichIshorelydoes，"saysJim，locatin"therattlesnakewithhisbeadyeye，"an"he"ssomesunkinslumber。Bill，thatserpentisourmeat。"
""Moveyourmoccasinseasy，"saysBill，"so"snottoturnhimout。