第9章
Let"srustleupsomeflatcactusesan"corralhim。"
"TharupontheseyereRoadRunnersturnsinmightydiligent；an"notmakin"nomorenoisethanshadows，theygoespokin"outontheplainsontiltheyfindsaflatcactuswhichisdead；sotheycantearofftheleaveswiththeirbills。DocPeetsan"mesetsinoursaddlessurveyin"theirplay；an"thewaythemRoadRunnersgoesaboutthelaborsoftheirsnakekillin"impressesusitain"tthefirstbootcheryofthekindtheyappearsin。Theyshorelydon"tneednosoopervisin"。
"Oneaftertheother，Jiman"Billteetersup，allsilent，withaflatcactusleafintheirbeaks，an"startstofenceintherattlesnakewith"em。Theybuildsacorralofcactusallabouthim，whichthesameismebbysix-footacross。Themengineerin"featstakesJiman"Billtwentyminutes。Buttheycompletes"em；an"
thar"stherattlesnake，plumbsurrounded。
"Theseyerecactuses，asyoumostlikelysaveys，isthornynolimit；
an"thespikesisthatsharp，needlesisfutileto"em。Jiman"Billknowstherattlesnakecan"tcrossthisthornycorral。
"Hedon"tlookitnone，butfromthewayheplayshishand，Itakesitarattlesnakeissensitivean"easyhurtonderthechin。
"An"it"splaintomean"PeetsthemRoadRunnersisawareofsaidweaknessesofrattlesnakes，an"isbankin"theirplaytharon。We-
allsfiggers，lookin"on，thatJiman"Billaimstoputtherattlesnakeinprison；leavehimcaptivethata-wayinacactuscalaboose。Butwedon"tsizeupJiman"Billaccurateatall。Themtwofowlsisshorelyprofound。
"Nosooneristhecorralmade，thanJiman"Bill，withoutawordofwarnin"，opensupawarjig"roundtheoutside；flappin"theirpinionsan"screechin"likesquaws。Nacherallytherattlesnakewakesup。ThesightofthemtwoRoadRunners，Jiman"Bill，cussin"an"
swearin"athim，an"carryin"onthata-wayscareshim。
"It"stroothtosayBillan"Jimcertainlyconductsthemse"fsscand"lous。Theepithetstheyheapsonthatporeignorantrattlesnake，thetauntstheyflingsathim，wouldhavedoneApachesproud。
Therattlesnakebuzzesan"quilsup，an"onsheathshisfangs，an"
makesbluffstostrikeBillan"Jim，buttheyonlyhopsan"dancesabout，thinkin"upmoreornerythingstosay。Everytimetherattlesnakegoestocrawlaway——whichhedoesfrequent——hestrikesthecactusthornsan"pullsback。Byan"byheseeshe"selected，an"hegetsthatenragedheswellsuptillhe"sbigastwosnakes；
Billan"Jimmaintainin"theirsass。ThemRoadRunnersisabreastoftheplayeveryminute，youcanseethat。
"Atlastcomesthefinish，an"mattersgetsdealtdowntotheturn。
Therattlesnakesuddenlycrookshisneck，he"ssoplumblocoedwithragean"fear，an"sockshisfangsintohimse"f。That"sthefact；
biteshimse"f，an"neverletsuptillhe"sdead。
"Itdon"tseemtoastoundJiman"Billnonewhentherattlesnake"sassinateshimse"fthata-way，an"Ireckonstheyhasthisyeresooicideinview。Theykeepspesterin"an"projectin"aboutontiltherattlesnakeisplumbdefunct，an"thentheyemitsawhirlwindofnewwhoops，an"goesovertoonesidean"pullsoffaskelpdance。
Jiman"Billisshorelycel"bratin"avic"try。
"Aftertheskelpdanceisover，Billan"Jimtiptoesovermightyquietan"sedate，an"Jimtakestheirpreybythetailan"yanksit。
Aftertherattlesnake"sdrugoutstraight，himan"Billrunstheireyesalonghimlikethey"ssizin"himup。Withthisyerelast，however，it"scl"artheRoadRunnersregardsthedealasclosed。
Theysa"ntersoffdownthetrail，arminarmlike，conversin"inlowtonessoPeetsan"meneverdoeshearwhattheysays。Whenthey"sinwhattheytakestobethec"rrectp"sition，theystopsan"looksbackatmean"Peets。BillturnstoJimlikehe"ssayin":
""Thar"sthemtwoshort-hornsag"in。Iwondersiftheyeveraimstopulltheirfreight，ordotheyreckonthey"llpitchcamprightyere？""
CHAPTERXXII。
OLDSAMENRIGHT"S"ROMANCE。"
"Itmebbyis，thatromancescomestopassontherangewhenI"mthar，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，meditatively，"butifsobe，I
nevernotes"em。Theyshorelygetsplumbbymeinthenight。"
Theoldgentlemanhadjustthrowndownadailypaper，andevenashespokeIreadontheupturnedpagetheglaringheadline:"RomanceinRealLife。"Hisrecentliteraturewastheevidentcauseofhisreflections。
"Ofcourse，"continuedtheOldCattleman，turningforcomforttohisinevitabletobaccopipe，"ofcourse，atsechepocksassomedegradedsharptakestodealin"doubleinapokergame，orthekyardsbeginstocometwoataclatteratfaro-bank，theproceedin"sfrequenttakesonwhatyou-allmightcallahueofromance；an"Iadmitstheywaslikelytogetsomehectic，myse"f。ButasIstates，forwhatyou-allwouldbrandasclean。strainromance，Iain"trecallin"
none。"
"Howaboutthoseloveaffairsofyouryouth？"Iventured。
"WhichIdon"tdeny，"repliedtheoldgentleman，betweenpuffs，"thatbackinTennessee，asIonfoldsbefore，Ihasmyflower-
scenteddays。ButIdon"twednothin"，asyou-allknows，an"evenwhileI"mridin"an"ropin"atthemyoungfemalepersons，thar"snevernoromancetoit，onlessit"sinthefactthattheyallescapes。
"Butspeakin"oflove-tangles，OldManEnrightoncerecountsastory；whichthesameshowshowfemalefancyisrootlessan"
onstablethata-way。
""Allerscopperafemale。"saysCherokeeHall，oneday，whenTexasThompsonisrelatin"howhiswifemaltreatshim，an"roundsupadivorcefromhimdownatLaredo。"Allersplay"emtolose。Nell，yere，"goesonCherokee，asherunshishandoverthecurlsofFaroNell，who"slookoutforCherokee，"Nelly，yere，istheonlyoneI
evermeetswhocanbedependedontocomewinnereverytrip。"
""Whichfemales，"saysOldManEnright，who"ssettin"tharatthetime，"an"partic"lar，youngfemales，isaheapfrivolous，nacheral。Arainbowwillstampedemostof"em。Formyse"f，I"dshorelyprefertotryan"holdabunchoffivehundredponiesonabadnight，thanrideherdontheheartofonelady。Betweengentan"
gentthata-way，Imore"nhalffiggerthe"ffectionsofafemaleismigratory，sameasbuffaloeswasbeforetheywaskilled，an"sortergoesnorthlikeinthespring，an"southag"ininthewinter。"
""Asforme；saysTexasThompson，who"smoodytouchin"themdivorceplayshiswifeismakin"，"you-allscangambleIpassesallfemalesup。NomatterhowstrongIholds，itlookslikeontheshowdownstheyoutlucksmeeverytime。WhereforeIquits"emcold，an"anygentwhowantsmychancewithfemalescanshorelyhavethesame。"
""Oh，Idon"tknow!"remarksDocPeets，gettin"inonwhat"sageneralplay，"I"vebeenallthroughtheherd，an"ImustsayI
deemswomengoodpeopleeverytime；aheapfinerfolksthanmen，an"
faithfuller。"
""WhichIdon"tdenyfemalesisfinefolks，"saysTexas，"butwhatI"mallowin"is，they"sfitful。Theydon"tstaynone。You-allscanhobblean"sideline"embothatnight；an"whenyourollsoutinthemornin"，they"sgone。"
""Whatdoyou-allthink，Nell？"saysDocPeetstoFaroNell，who"spercheduponherstoolbyCherokee"sshoulder。"Whatdoyou-allreckonnowofTexasyere，a-malignin"ofyoursex？Whydon"tyoup"inthimtoDaveTuttan"TucsonJennie？Whichtheygetsmarried，an"thartheybe，gettin"alongaspeacefulastwosix-shootersonthesamebelt。"
""Idon"tmindwhatTexassays，none，"repliesFaroNell。"Texasisallright，an"onthesquare"。Ishouldn"twondernoneifthisyereMissisThompsondoessawitoffonhimsomeshabby，gettin"thatsep"ration，an"Idon"tmarvelathisremarks。ButaslongasCherokeeyerethinksI"mright，Idon"tletnobody"sviewspestermealittlebit，sothar。"
""It"swhatIsaysawhileback，"interruptsEnright。"TexasThompson"swife"smotivesmightylikelyain"tinvidiousnone。It"saheapprobableifthetroothisknown，thatsheain"taimin"nothin"
speshulatTexas；sheonlychangeshermind。AbouttheearliesteventIremembers，"goesonEnright，"isconcernin"awomanwhochangeshermind。It"syearsagowhenI"mayearlin"。Ourcompanyismakin"around-upatacampcalledWarwhoopCrossin"，inTennessee，organizin"toembarkintheMexicanwarawholelot，an"thinouttheGreasers。NooneeverdoesknowwhyI，personal，declar"smyse"finonthisyereimbroglio。Iain"tbigger"nachargeofpowder，an"
thatlimitedastolaigsIhastoclamberontoalogtomountmypony。
""ButasI"mtellin"，we-allscomestogetheratWarwhooptomakethestart。Ireckonsnowthar"sfivehundredpeoplethar。`"Whichtheoccasion，an"theinterestthepublictakesinthebusiness，jestcombstheregionoffolksformilesabout。
""Thar"saheapofhand-shakin"an"well-wishin"goin"on；mothersan"sisters，an"sweetheartsiskissin"usgood-bye；an"whilethar"ssomehilaritythar"smoresobs。It"snot，asIlooksback"ard，whatyou-allswouldcallagayaffair。
""Whileallthisyerelovean"tearsisflowin"，thar"sagent——he"sourCaptain——who"ssettin"offaloneinhissaddle，an"ain"ttakin"
nohand。Thar"snosweetheart，nomother，nosisterforhim。
""NooneaboutWarwhoopknowsthisyerepartymuch；more"nhisnameisBent。He"scaptainwiththeGov"nor"scommission，an"comesfrom"way-offyondersome"ers。An"sohesetsthar，griman"solidinhissaddle，lookin"vague-likeoffatwherethetreesmeetsthesky，whiletherestofusisgoin"aboutpermiscus，finishin"upourkissin"。
"""Ain"thegotnosweethearttowishgoodbyetohim？"asksagirlofme。"Ain"ttharnoonetokisshimforgoodluckasheridesaway？"
""Thisyeremaiden"snameisSanders，an"it"sashorefactshe"stheprettiestyoungfemaletoevermakeamoccasintrackinWestTennessee。I"da-killedmyponyan"goneafoottobringsechalookintohereyes，asshinestharwhenshegazesattheCaptainwherehe"ssilentan"sol"taryonhishoss。
""No，"Ireplies，"he"saorphan，Ireckons。He"splumbabandonedthata-way，an"sothar"snobodyyeretokisshim，orshakehishand。"
""ThisyereprettySandersgirl——an"I"mpausin"ag"intostateshe"sahumansunflower，thata-way——thisSandersbeauty，I"msayin"，looksatthispartybyhimse"fforamoment，an"thenthebigtearsbeginstowellinherblueeyes。Sheblusheslikeasunset，an"walksovertothisyerelonegent。
""MisterCaptain，"shesays，raisin"herfacetohimlikearose，"I"mshoresorryyouain"tgotnosweethearttosay"good-bye；"an"
bein"you"relonesome，thata-way，I"llkissyouan"sayadiosmyse"f。"
""Willyou，mylittlelady？"saysthelonesomeCaptain，asheswingsfromhissaddletothegroundbyherside；an"thar"ssunshineinhiseyes。
""I"llthinkofyoueverydayforthat，"hesays，whenhekissesher，"an"ifIgetsbackwhenthewar"sdone，I"llshorelylookforyouyere。"
""ThelittleSandersgirl——sheisshorelyashandsomeasaacefullonkings——blushesaheapvividatwhatshe"sdone，an"lookswarman"tender。Which，whiletheplayissomeonusualan"outofline，everybodyagreesit"sallright；bein"thatwe-allsisgoin"toawar，thata-way。
""Nowyere，"goesonEnright，atthesametimecallin"forred-eyeall"round，"iswhatyouallsagreesisamightyromanticdeal。
Yere"saloveaffairgetslaunched。"
""Doesthisyerelone-handgentwhogetskissedbytheSandersladyoutlivethewar？"asksTexasThompson，whohasbracedupan"getsmightyvivaciouslistenin"tothestory。
""Whichheshorelyoutlivesthatconflict，"repliesEnright。"An"
youcangamblehe"sinthethickofthestampede，too，everytime。I
willsayforthisyereCaptain，thatwhileIain"twithhimplumbthrough，he"sasgameasportaseverfoughtuphill。He"sthesortwhichfightsangoesfor"ardtohismanatthesametime。Thar"snowhitefeathersonthatkind；they"sgameasbadgers。An"bad。"
""Whichifhedon"tgetdownednone，"saysTexasThompson，"an"hitsTennesseealive，IofferstentooneheleadsthisyereSandersfemaletothealtar。"
""Whichyou"dlose，awholelot，"saysEnright，atthesametimeraisin"hiswhiskeyglass。
""That"swhatIstateswhenItrailsoutonthisyereromance。
Femalesisfrivolousan"plumblightoffancy。ThisCaptainpartycomesbacktoWarwhoop，say，it"stwoyearsan"ahalflater，an"
whatdoyou-allsreckon？ThatSandersgirl"sbeenmarriedmightynightwoyzars，an"hasaninfantchildasbigasab"arcub，whichisbeginnin"tomakeabluffatwalkin。"
""Now，onthesquar"，an"I"mass"prisedaboutitasyoube——I"mmore"ns"prised，I"mpained——Idon"tallow，lookin"overresultsan"
recallin"thefactofthatb"ar-cubinfantchild，thatforallherblushin"，an"allhertears，an"kissin"thatCaptainpartygood-bythata-way，thattheSandersgirlcaresahoss-h"arropeforhiminaweek。An"itallproveswhatIremarks，thatwhilefemalesain"tmalev"lentmalicious，an"don"tdotheseyerethingstopierceagentwithgrief，their"ffectionsisalwayshonin"forthetrail，an"isshorelypronetomovecamp。But，bless"em!theycan"the"pitnoneiftheirheartsbequicksands，an"Ilibatesto"emag"in。"
"Whereatwe-allsdrinkswithEnright；feelin"aheapsim"lar。
""WhateverbecomesofthisyercporeCaptainparty？"asksFaroNell。
""Well，thefactaboutthatCaptain，"repliesEnright，settin"downhisglass，"whilethesameismereincident，an"don"thavenodirectbearin"onwhatIrelates；thefactinhiscaseishe"sweddedalready。Nacherallyaftersayin""howdy!"tothelittleSandersgirl，an"applaudin"ofherprogeny——whichitlookslikehefullyendorsesthata-way——thisyereCaptaingenthitsthetrailforNashville，wherehiswife"sbeenkeepin"campan"waitin"forhimallthetime。""
CHAPTERXXIII。
PINONBILL"SBLUFF。
"Thisnarrativeiswhatyou-allmightcallsomewidespread，"saidtheOldCattleman，ashebeameduponme，evidentlyinthebestofhumors。"IttellshowPinonBillgetsahossonJackMoore；leavesthecampboggeduptothesaddle-girthsindoubtaboutwhodownsBurke；an"stakestheDeefWomansoshepullsherfreightfortheStates。
"PinonBillisreckonedahardgame。He"sonlyinWolfvillenowan"
then，an"ain"tcuttin"nofiggerinpubliccalc"lationsmore"nit"sregardedassagacioustopackyourgunwhilePinonBill"sabout。
"No；hedon"tdownnowhitemennooneeverhearsof，butthar"sstoriesabouthowhesmugglesfreightan"plundervariousfromMexico，an"drivesoffMexicancattle，an"onceinawhilestretchesaMexicanhimse"fwhoobjectstothementerprisesofPinonBill"s；
butthar"snothin"insechtalestointerestAmericans，more"ntohear"eman"commenton"emasplays。
"ButwhilePinonBillneverturnshistalentstoAmerican，themlibertieshetakeswithGreasersgiveshimaheapofbadrepoote，asamightyorneryan"oneasyperson；an"mostofussorterkeepstabonhimwheneverhefavorsWolfvillewithhispresence。
""ThistimehecollideswithJackMoore，an"sotospeak，leavesthedrinksonJack，he"sbeentrackin""roundcampmebbyit"ssixweeks。
""Likewisethar"sanoldlonghorntheycallsthe"Major"；he"sbeenhangin"aboutforevenlongeryet。Don"tgotofiggerin"onnohostilitiesbetweenthisPinonBillan"theMajor，fortheirtrailsneverdoescrossonce。Anotherthing"PinonBillain"tnacheraliyhostileneither；ain"twhatyou-allcallstrailin"trouble；whereastheMajor"salsoaheaptoodrunktogivewaytowar，bein"tankedthata-waycontinuous。
"WhichIdon"treckonthar"stheslightestdoubtbuttheMajor"sabiggersotthanOldMonte，thoughthesameisindispoote；CherokeeHallan"Boggsa-holdin"heis；an"DocPeetsan"Tuttplayin"theotherend；Enrightan"JackMoore，ondecided。
"Peetsconfidesinmeofan"concernin"theMajorthatthar"satime——an"nofurtherupthetrailthanfiveyears——whentheMajorisshore-"noughaMajor；bein"quartermasterorsomesechbluffinthearmy。
"ButonedayUncleSamcomesalongan"wantstocashin；an"tharthisyerecrazy-hossMajoriswithtentimesasmanychipsoutashe"sgotbank-rolltomeet，an"itallfatiguesthegov"menttothatextenttheMajor"scashiered，an"toldtovamosthearmyforgood。
"Iallersallowsit"swhiskeyan"kyardsgetstheMajor"srollthattime。Peetssaysheseeshim"waybackonceoversome"ersneartheMohaveDesert——Wingate，mebby——an"whiskeyan"pokerhastheMajorroped；onebythehorns，theotherbythehoofs；an"theyjestthrowshiman"drughim，an"drughiman"throwshim，alternate。TheMajornevershakesloosefromtheloopsofthemvices；nonewhatever。
"An"that"smightylikely，jestasIsays，howtheMajorfindshimse"fcashieredan"afoot；an"nothin"butdisgracetogetridofan"whiskeytoget，tofillthefuturewith。
"SoitcomeswhenItrailsupontheMajorhe"sadrunkardcomplete，hangin""roundwithatin-hornan"ahandfulofdice，tryin"togetMexicansorChinamentogoag"in"emforanysmallthingtheynames。
"It"sonaccountofthisyeredrunkardtheMajorthattheDeefWomancomesstagin"itinwithOldMonteoneday。Gotapapoosewithher，theDeefWomanhas，aboycomin"three，an"it"smyfirmbelief，whichthisviewiscommonan"frequentwithallWolfville，ashowtheDeefWoman"stheMajor"swife。
"Itain"tnocinchplaythatthisfemale"sdeef，neither；whichit"sallersplainshehearsthemostfeeblesomeyelpofthatinfant，allthewayfromthedance-halltotheO。K。House，an"thatmeansacrossthecampcomplete。
"Boggsputsitupshemerelygivesitoutshe"sdeefthata-waytocutoffdebatewiththecamp，an"declineallconfidencesgoin"an"
comin"。
"Thar"snoreasontosaytheDeefWoman"stheMajor"swife，more"nshetumblesintocampasonlookedforasOldMontesober，an"it"seasytonoteshes"prisesan"dismaystheMajoralot，evendrunkan"soakedwithnosepaintasheshorelyis。
"TheDeefWomanhasabriefpow-wowwithhimaloneoverattheO。K。
House，followin"ofwhichtheMajorappearsthewhitiestan"theshakiestIeverbeholdshim——thelastbein"somestrongasastatement——an"afterbeggin"adrinkattheRedLight，p"intsoutafootforRedDog，an"isseennomore。
"WhattheDeefWomansaystotheMajor，orhimtoher；orwhatmakeshimhitthetrailforRedDogthata-waynoonelearns。TheDeefWomanain"tseemin"toregardtheMajor"sjumpin"theoutfitasnoloss，however。Whereinshe"splentyaccurate，forthatMajorshorelyain"tworthropin"tobrand。
"Afterhe"sgone——an"theMajor"smoccasintrackain"tneverseeninWolfvillenomore，he"sgonethatgood——thenextwe-allshearsofthedeal，thisyereDeefWoman"splayin"thepianoatthedance-
hall。
"DocPeetsan"Enright，likewisetherest，don"tlikethisnonewhatever，forshedon"tshowdance-hally"earmarks，an"ain"tthedance-hallbrand；butitlookslikethey"spowerlesstointerfere。
"Peetstriestotalktoher，butsheblushesan"can"thearhim；
whileEnrightan"MissisRucker——whichthelastbein"afemaleherse"fisrunginontheplay——don"twinoutnothin"more。LookslikealltheDeefWomanwantsistobeletalone，whileshemakesaplaythebestshecanforahome-stake。
"Ipausestomention，however，thatdurin"theweektheDeefWomanturnshergameatthepiano——forshedon"tstayonlyaweekastheplayrunsout——shecomesmightynearkillin"thedance-hallbusiness。ThefactisthiswereDeefWomanplaysthatremarkablesweetnoonedancesatall；jestnacherallysets"roundhungerin"forthemmelodies，an"cadencestothatextenttheyactooallyoverlooksdrinks。
"That"sright；an"youcangambleyourdeepestchipwhenfolksbeginstooverlookdrinks，an"aglassofwhiskeylastsenergeticpeoplehalfanhour，they"sshorelysomerapt。
"Eventhecoyotescashesinan"quitstheirhowlswhenevertheDeefWomandrugherchairuptothatpianoan"throwsloose。An"themcoyotesafterward，whensheturnsupherboxan"stopsdealin"，getsthatbashfulan"taciturntheyain"tsayin"aword；butjestwithholdsallyellsentiretherestofthenight。
"Butthar"snousetalkin"hoursabouttheDeefWoman"smusic。Itonlylastsaweek；evenifWolfvilledoesbragofityet。
"It"sthisa-way:It"swhilePinonBillisromancin"roundthetimeImentions，thatwe-allsrollsoutenourblanketsonemornin"an"
picksupapartywhosename"sBurke。ThisyereBurkeisshotintheback；plumbdead，an"iscampedwhenwefindshimallcoldan"stiffoutbackoftheNewYorkstore。
"Thedaybefore，Burke，who"saminer，diggin"an"projectin""roundoverintheFloridas，isincamplayin"inpowderan"fuseawholelot，withwhichhemeanstokeeponshootin"upthehe"plessbosomsofthehillslikethemlocoedminerpeopledoes。
"Atnighthe"sdrunk；an"whilethar"sgentsasseesBurkeaslate，mebbyit"stwohoursafterthelastwalseatthedance-hall，thar"snobodywhoupsan"impartshowBurkegetsplugged。AllWolfvilleknowsisthatatfirst-drinktimeinthemornin"，tharthisBurkeisplumbpeteredthata-way。
"An"theworstfeatureshorelyisthatthebulletgoesinhisback，whichmakesitmurderplain。Tharain"tamoccasintracktohe"ptellwhodropsthisyereBurke。Nacrerally，everybody"sdeeplytakentoknowwhodoesit；forifthar"sapartyincampwho"souttoshootwhenyourback"sturned，findin"ofhiman"hangin"himcan"tbetoopop"laran"needfulasaplay。But，asIremarks，we"rebaffled，an"upag"institabsoloote。NoonehastheleastnotionwhogetsthisyereBurke。It"smoneyasistheobjectofthemurder，forBurke"swar-bagsdon"tdisclosenotasinglecentousewhenthecommitteegoesthrough"empriortotheobsequies。
"It"stwodaysthecampistalkin"overwhodoesthiscrime，whenTexasThompsonbeginstoshedabeamoflight。Thislastwasonlookedfor，an"tharforeallthemoreinterestin"。
"TexasThompsonisajedgeofwhiskeysechasanygentmighttieto。
He"samiddlin"shotwithaColt"s。44an"canprotecthimse"fatpoker。ButnobodyeverreckonsbeforethatTexascanthink。WhichI
evenyetdeemsthispartic"lartimeainspiration，inwhicheventTexasThompsondon"thavetothink。
"It"soverintheRedLightthesecondafter。noonwhenTexasturnslooseawholelot。
""Enright，"hesays，"IshorehasapreemonitionthisyereBurkegetspluggedbyPinonBill。"
""Howdoesthekyardsrunsoastodeals"picionsonPinonBill？"
saysEnright。
""Thisa-way，"saysTexas，someconfidentan"cl"ar；"somebodydownsBurke；that"sdeadcertain。Burkedon"tputthatholeinthemiddleofhisbackhimse"f；nomatterhowmuchhereckonsitimproveshim。
Then，whenit"ssomeoneelsewhoisit？Now，"goesonTexas，asglibaswolves，"yere"showIargues:You-alldon"tdoit；Peetsdon"tdoit；Boggsdon"tdoit；thar"snotoneofuswhodoesit。An"tharyoubeplumbdowntoPinonBill。Intheverynacherofthedeal，whennooneelsedoesitan"it"sdone，PinonBill"sgottodoit。I
tellsyouasshoreasmyformerwifeatLaredo"swritin"insultin"
letterstomerightnow，thisyerePinonBill"sthepartywhoshootsupthatminergentBurke。"
"WhatTexasThompsonsaysmakesanimpression；whichit"saboutthefirstthoughtfulremarkheevermakes，an"tharforewe"repronetogiveitmore"nusualattention。
"Weimbibesonitan"talksitupan"down，mebbyit"shalfanhour；
an"themorewedrinksan"theharderwethinks，thecl"areritkeepsgettin"thatmightylikelythisyereTexashasstruckthetrail。AtlastJackMoore，who"s，asIoftensays，promptan"
vig"lantthata-way，linesouttohuntthisyerePinonBill。
"WhyeverdotheycallhimPinonBill？Nothin"much；onlyoncehecomesintocampdrunkan"locoed；an"bein"inthedarkan"himhawg-hungry，heb"ilesakettleofpinon-nuts，a-holdin"of"emerroneoustobebeans，an"assechaimin"togetsomefoodouten"emawholelot。Hegoestosleepwhilehe"spesterin"with"em，an"
whentheotherstumblestohisgameinthemornin"，he"sbrandedas"PinonBill"evermore。
"WhenJackhopsouttoround-upPinonBill，allhedoesisgointothestreet。ThefirstthinghenotesisthisyerePinonBill"sponystandin"saddledoverbytheO。K。House，likeheplanstopullhisfreight。
""Whichthatbroncostandin"thar，"saysJacktoEnright，"makesitlooklikeTexascallstheturnwiththemsurmises。"An"itshorelydoes。
"ThisponymakesJack"splayplentysimple；allhedoesnowistosa"nter"roundtheponycasooallikean"layforPinonBill。
"Jack"stoowellbroughtuptogosurgin"intoroomslookin"forPinonBill，whereJack"seyescomin"inoutenthesunthata-way，can"tseeforaminutenohow，an"wherePinonBillhasadvantages。
It"sbettertowaitforhimoutside。
"You-allsaveyshowit"sdoneintheWest。Whenagent"sneededyouallersopensthegamewithagun-play。
""Holdupyourhands!"saysyou，sorterindicatin"awholelotatyourpreywithagun。
"Which，bytheway，ifhedon"tenterintothesperitofthethingpromptan"p"inthispawsheavenwardan"nodelay，you-allmustn"tfallintonoabstractionsan"forgettoshootsome。Whenyouobservestoafellow-bein"thata-way"Holdupyourhands!"youmustbepartic"laran"seehedoesit。
Whichifyougrowslaxonthisp"inthe"smightylikelytoputyourlightoutrightthar。
"An"jestasJackMooretellsmeoncewhenwe"reputtin"insomeleesurehoursan"whiskeymingled，youdon"twanttogotooclosetostandupyourgent。OverintheGunnisoncountry，Jacksays，amarshalheknowsgetsinadvertentthata-way，an"thoughtless，an"
goesupclose。
""Throwupyourhands"saysthisyeremarshal。
"Histoneshowshe"sennuied；hehassomanyoftheseyereblazerstorun；that"swhyhe"scareless，mebby。Whenthepartythrowsuphishands，heiscarefulanknocksthemarshal"sgunonesidewithhislefthand，bein"he"stoocloseasIsays，atthesametimepullin"hisownwherewithhethensendsthatmarshaltothehappyhuntin"groundsinonemotion。BeforeeverthatGunnisonoffishulgetsitoutenhisheadthatthatsport"sholdin"uphishands，he"sreceivin"noticeonhightohustle"roundan"findhisharpan"
standinontheeternalchorusforallhe"sworth。
""Whichthepublic，"saysJackMoore，thetimeherelatesaboutthisyereGunnisonmarshalbeinover-playedthattime，"takesan"hangsthekillerinaminute。An"he"sshorelyabadman。
""Doesyou-allwanttopray？"saysoneofthegentswho"sstringin"
ofhim。
""No，Ed，"hesaysthata-way，"prayin"sablindtrailtomyeyesan"Ican"trunitainch。"
"""Whatforaracket，"saysthisyereEd，"woulditbetopickoutasporttoprayforyouawholelot；sorterplayyourhand？"
"""That"sallright，"saysthisculprit。"Nominateyoursharpan"
tellhimtowadeinan"rollhisgame。Ireckonsit"sagoodhedge，an"alittleprayin"mebbydoesmegood。"
""Tharuponthecommitteeputsfor"ardagentwho"sagoodtalker；
butnottakin"aninterestmuch，hemakesamightyweakorison，thata-way。Thar"snohodylikesit，fromtheculprit，who"sstandin"tharwiththelariat"roundhisneck，tothelastgentwho"scomeup。
Thispartyblundersalong，mebbyit"saminute，whentheculprit，who"splumbdisgusted，breaksin。
"""That"sahellofapra"r，"hesays，"an"Idon"twantnomoreofitinmine。Gimmeadrinkofwhiskey，gents，an"swingmeoff。"
""Thecommittee，whosesympathiesisallwiththisyerepartywho"stohang，callsdownthegentaheapwho"sprayin"，givestheotherhisfortydrops，an"cincheshimupsomefreeoftheground；whichthesamebein"ampleforstrang"lation。
""But，"concloodsJack，"whiletheyhangshimallrightan"proper，thatdon"tputoffthefuneralofthemarshalnone，whogetscarelessan"goestooclose。"An"youbetJack"sright。
"Butgoin"back:AsIremarks，Jackstandsroundloosean"
indifferentwithhiseyeontheponyofPinonBill"s，whichitlooksnowlikethisyereBillisawareofJack"slittlegame。Hecomesoutshore-"nough，buthe"sorganized。He"sgothisguninhishand；an"
alsohe"spackin"theDeefWoman"syearlin"infrontofhisbreastan"face。
"Jackgiveshimtheword，butPinonBillonlylaughs。ThenJackmakesabluffwithhisgunlikehe"sgoin"toshootPinonBill，theinfant，an"allinvolvedtharin。ThisyerelastmoverattlesPinonBill，an"heupsan"slamslooseatJack。Butthebaby"sinhiswayasmuchmebbyasitisinJack"s，an"heonlygrazesJack"sframeawholelot，whichamountstosomebloodan"nodeepharm。
""Downhispony，Jack!"shoutsDaveTutt，jumpin"outentheRedLightlikeheaimstogetinonthedeal。
"ButthisyerePinonBillshiftsthecuton"em。
""Ifoneofyou-allssomuchascracksacap，"hesays，"Iblowstheheadoffenthisyereblessedchild。"
"An"tharuponheshoveshisgunupaginthatbaby"slefty"earthata-way，soitshorecurdlesyourblood。Hedoesitasreadilyasifit"sgrown-upfolks。Itshoresendsachillthroughme；an"DanBoggsisthat"fectedheturnsplumbsick。Boggsain"teatin"athing，leastwisenothin"butwhiskey，fortwodaysafterheseesPinonBilldoit。
""That"sonthelevel，"saysthisPinonBillag"in——Thefirstvestichofagun-playIwitnesses，orifanygentstartstofollowmeontilI"mamileaway，I"llsendthisyearlin"scoutin"afterBurke。An"you-allshearsmesayit。"
"Tharitis；asquar"caseofstand-off。Tharain"tagentwho"sgametomakeamove。Seein"weain"tgotakyardlefttoplay，thisyerePinonBillgrinswidean"satisfactory，an"swingsintothesaddle。
"Allthistime——which，afterall，itain"tsolong——thebabyain"tsayin"nothin"，andtakesthedealinplumbsilence。ButjestasPinonBilllandsinthesaddleitonfurlsayelllikeawrongedpanther。That"swhatbringstheDeefWomanstampedin"tothescene。
Shedon"thearamorselofallthisriotJackan"Tuttan"PinonBillkicksup；neverevengetsahintofPinonBill"ssix-shooter。
Butwiththeearliestsqueakofthatinfantthata-way，youbet!shecomesa-runnin"。
"Thesecondsheseeswhereherbaby"sat，upinthesaddlealongwithPinonBill，shemakesaspringforthewholeoutfit。We-allsstandslookin"on。Tharain"toneofusdarescrookafinger，forthisPinonBilliscoolan"ca"mplumbthrough。He"sstillgotthedroponthekid，whilehe"sholdin"babyan"bridlebothwiththeotherarman"hand。HissharpeyesisontheDeefWoman，too。
"Shesprings，butshenevermakesit。PinonBilljumpshisponysidewaysoutofherreach，an"atthattheDeefWomanc"lapsesonherfacean"shoulderinadeadswoon。
""Adios!"saysPinonBill，totherestofus，backin"an"sidlin"
hisponyupthestreetsohedon"tlosesightoftheplay。"Tenminutesfromnowyou-allsfindsthisyereinfantamilefromcampassafean"solidasasodhouse。"
""Bill，"saysEnright，allatonce，"Imakesyouaprop"sition。
Restorethebabytome，an"tharain"tagentincampwhofollowsyouafoot。IgivesyouthewordofWolfville。"
""Doesthatgo？"demandsPinonBill，turnintoJack，who"sshakin"
thebloodoffenhisfingerswhereitrunsdownhisarm。
""Itgoes，"saysJack；"goeswhereverEnrightsetsit。Imakesgoodhisbluffsatalltimesonfootorinthestirrups。"
""An"Itakesyourpromise，"saysPinonBillwithalaugh，"an"
yere"sthebaby。WhichnowI"mgoin"，Idon"tmindconfidin"inyou-
alls，"goesonthisPinonBill，"thatIneverintendstohurtthatinfantnohow。"
"Enrightgetsthechild，an"innotimelaterthatPinonBillisfledfromsight。Youcanbelieveit；ittakesaloadoffenthepublicmindaboutthatinfantwhenthekyardscomesthata-way。
"Whichthestory"ssoontoldnow。It"sthreedayslater，an"，seein"
it"srefreshedinourthoughts，Enrightan"therestofusisresoomedop"rationstouchin"thisDeefWoman，aboutgettin"heroutencamp，an"she"sbeginnin"torecoverherobduracyaboutnotsayin"orhearin"nothin"，whenincomesapackagebyOldMontean"
thestage。It"sforEnrightfromthathoss。thief，PinonBill。
Thar"saletteran"
Sooforthebaby。
""TellthatDecfWoman，"saysthisyerePinonBill，"thatIhasaneventhousanddollarsinmywar-bags，whenIstacksinheroffspringag"instthecamptowin；an"Ideemsitonlysquar"todividethepotwiththebaby。Thekidan"me"spartnersintheplaythata-way，an"theenclosedisthekid"sshare。Sawthisyeredinerooffonhersomehow；an"makeherpullherfreight。Wolfville"snogoodplacetoraisethatbaby。"
""WhichthisPinonBillain"tsobadneither，"saysDanBoggs，whenhehearsit。"Gents，Iproposesthehealthofthisoutlaw。Barkeep，seewhattheytakesinbehalfofPinonBill。"
"Theletteran"themoney"sdeadstraight，an"theDeefWomancan"tdodgeorgo"round。AllofwhichMissisRuckertakesadayoffan"
beatsitintoherbymakin"signs。It"sliketwoInjunstalkin"。ItallwindsupbytheDeefWomanp"intin"outonherwaysome"ersEast，an"tharain"toneofuseverseestheMajor，theDeefWoman，thekid，noryetthisPinonBill，nomore。Whichthislast，however，isnotregardedasfoodfordeepregrets，"
CHAPTERXXIV。
CRAWFISHJIM。
"Don"tInevertellyouthestoryofthedeathofCrawfishJim？"
TheOldCattlemanbentuponmeaneyeofbenevolentinquiry。I
assuredhimthatthedetailsofthetakingoffofCrawfishJimwereasasealedbooktome。ButIwouldblithelylisten。
"WhatwasthefateofCrawfishJim？"Iasked。Thenameseemedapromiseinitself。
"Nothin"muchforafate，Crawfish"sain"t，"rejoinedtheOldCattleman。"Nothin"whatevercomparedtosomefatesIkeepstabsonto。Itwasthisa-way:CrawfishJimwasasheep-man，an"hasacampoutinthefoothillsoftheTresHermanas，mebbyit"sthirtymilesbackfromWolfville。ThisyereCrawfishJimwasapecooliarperson；plumblocoed，likeallsheep-men。Theyhastobecrazyortheywouldn"tpester"roundinnosechdisrepootablepursootsassheep。
You-allhasseentheseyeregentsasmakespetsofsnakes。Mebbyit"sonceinathousandtimesyoucutsthetrailofsechaparty。
Snakesiskittenstohim，an"he"slikelytobepackin"specimens"roundinhisclothesanytime。
"That"sthewaywiththisCrawfishJim。Imindstalkin"tohimathiscamponedaywhenI"mhuntin"abunchofcattle。ThefirstI
notes，snakestickshisheadoutenCrawfish"sshirt，an"looksatmemalev"lentanddistrustful。AnotherprotroodsitsnoseoutupbyCrawfish"scollar。
""Whichyoushoreseemsha"ntedofsnakes？"Isays，steppin"backan"p"intin"atthereptiles。
""Them"smydumbcompanions，"saysCrawfishJim。"Theysharesmysolitood。"
""You-alldoseemsomepop"larwith"em，"Iobserves，forIsaveysatoncehe"splumboffhismentalreservation；an"whenaparty"slocoedthata-wayitmakeshimhostileifyouderideshislittlegameorbuckshisnotions。
"ItakesgrubwithCrawfishthatsameday；goodchuck，too；mainlysheep-meat，salt-hoss，an"bakin"-powderbiscuit。Iwatcheshimsomenarrowaboutthemsnakeshe"sinfestedwith；Iloathin"of"em，an"
notwantin""emtotransfernolovetome，nortaketoenlivenin"mysecloosionnone。
"Well，son，thisyereCrwafishJimisasadenofserpents。I
reckonsnowhehasaplumbdozenmowedawayinhisraiment。Thar"snoharmin"em；bein"allbull-snakes，whichisinnocuousan"
withoutp"ison，fangs，orconvictions。
"WhenCrawfishgoestocook，hedumpsthesefolksoatenhisclothes，an"lets"emhustlean"play"roundwhilegrub"sgettin"。
""Theseyerelittleanimals，"hesays，"likestheirreecreationssameashumans，soIallersgives"emaplay-spellwhileI"mbusyroundcamp。"
""Don"ttheyeverstampedeoffnone？"Iasks。
""Shorelynot，"saysCrawfish。"Bull-snakesisthemostdomesticalsnaketharis。IfI"dleaveoneoftheseyeretendercreaturesereovernighthe"ddieofhomesickness。"
"WhenCrawfishgetsreadytobilethecoffee，hetumblesthebiggestbullsnakeI"dseenyetoutenthecoffee-potontothegrass。Thenhefillsthekettlewithwater，dumpsinthecoffee，an"setsheronthecoalstostew。
""Thisyerepartic"larsnake，"saysCrawfish，"whichIcallshimJuliusCaesar，istoobigtotote"roundinmyshirt，an"sohelivesinthecoffee-potwhileI"maway，an"keepscampforme。"
""Don"tyouyearnfornorattlesnakestofondle？"Iinquires，jesttoseewhatkyardhe"dplay。
""No，"hesays，"rattlesnakesisallright——good，sociable，moralsnakesenough；butinasperitofhumortheymaybiteyouorsomeplaylikethat，an"tharyou"dbe。No；bull-snakesisas"fectionateasrattles，an"don"truntop"ison。Youdon"thavenoinadvertencieswith"em。"
""Can"tyoubustthefangsoutenrattlesnakes？"Iasks。
""Theygrowsrightinag"in，"saysCrawfish，sameasyourfinger-
nails。Iain"tgotnotimetogoscoutin"arattlesnake"smoutheveryday，lookin"upteeth，soIdon"tworrywith"em，butplaysbull-snakesstraight。Thisbein"dentistforrattlesnakeshasresks，whichthesamewouldbefoolishtoassoom。"
"Whilegrub"scookin"an"Crawfishan"me"spow-wowin"，alittleolddogCrawfishhas——oneofthemno-accountnce-dogs——comesupan"
makesasmalluprisin"offtoonesidewithJuliusCaesar。Thedogyelpsan"snaps，an"JuliusCaesarblowsan"strikesathim，sameasarattle。snake。However，theyain"tdoin"noharm，an"Crawfishdon"tpaynoheed。
""They"srunnin"blazersoneachother，"saysCrawfish，"an"don"tmeannothin"。BimebyCaribouPete——whichthesameisthedog——willgoliedownan"sleep；an"JuliusCaesarwillquileupag"inhimtobewarm。Caribou，bein"adogthata-way，isawarm-bloodanimal，whileporeJuliushasgotcoldbloodlikeafish。Sohegoesoveran"campsonCaribou，an"allthesameputshisfeetonhimfortobecomfortable。"
"Ofcourse，I"maheapinterestedinthisyeresnakeknowledge，an"
tellsCrawfishso。Butitsortercoppersmyappetite，an"Crawfishsavesonsheep-meatan"sow-bellybyhisdiscoursepowerful。
Thinkin"an"a-lookin"atthemblessedsnakes，speshulatJuliusCmsar，Ishoreain"thungrymuch。Butasyousays:howaboutCrawfishJimgettin"killed？
"OnedayCrawfishallowsallalonebyhimse"fhe"llhopintoWolfvillean"buysomestuffforhiscamp，——flour，whiskey，tobacker，air-tights，an"sech。
"What"sair-tights？WhichyouEasternshorthornsisshoreignorant。
Air-tightsiscanpeaches，cantomatters，an"sim"larbluffs。
"AsIwassayin"，alongcomesporeoldCrawfishovertoWolfville；
ridesinonaburro。That"sright，son；comesloafin"alongonaburrolikeaMexican。Theseyeresheep-menisthatabandonedan"
vulgartheyain"tgotpridetorideahoss。
"AlongcomesCrawfishonaburro，an"it"shisfirstvisittoWolfville。YeretoforetheoldCimmarongoesovertoRedDogforhisplunder，thesamebein"abustedlow-downcampontheLordsburgtrail，whichonceholdsit"sarivaltoWolfville。Itain"t，however；thesamenotbein"ofthesameimportance，commercial，asaprairie-dogtown。
"Thistime，however，CrawfishpintsupforWolfville。An"tomakehimse"floved，Ireckons，whateverdoeshedobutbringalongJuliusCaesar。
"Idon"treckonnowheeverplaysJuliusCaesarnoneonRedDog。
Mightylikelythisyerewasthebull-snake"sfirstengagement。I
clingstothisnotionthatRedDogneverseesJuliusCaesar；forifshehad，themdrunkardswhichinhabitssaidcampwouldn"thavequityellin"yet。WhichJuliusCaesar，withthatRedDogwhiskeytheywassoakedin，wouldhaveshoregiven"emsomemightyheenousvisions。
Factis，CrawfishtoldJackMoorelaterhenevertakesJuliusCaesarnowherebefore。
"ButallthesameCrawfishprancesintocamponthisyereoccasionwithJuliusbushwacked"way"roundbackinhisshirt，an"sechvacantspacesabouthispersonasain"totherwiseoccupieda-
nourishin"ofminorbull-snakesplentyprofuse。
"Ofcoursethemsnakesisallholdin"back，bein"，afterall，timidcattle；an"sononeofuss"spectsCrawfishispackin"anysechs"prises。NoneoftheboysabouttownknowsofCrawfishhavin"thisbull-snakehabitbutme，nohow。Sotheoldmanstampedes"roundan"
buyswhathe"safter，an"allgoeswell。Nobodyain"tevendreamin"
ofreptiles。
"AtlastCrawfish，havin"turnedhislittlegameforflour，air-
tights，an"jig-juice，asIsays，getsintotheRedLight，an"
bracesupag"inthebaran"callsfornose-paintall"round。Thisyereisproperan"p"lite，an"everybodywithinhearin"oftheyelllinesup。
"It"satthiscrisisCrawfishJimstartsintomakehimse"fageneralfav"ritc。Everybody"ssloppedouthisperfoomcry，an"DanBoggsisjestsayin":"Yere"slookin"atyou，Crawfish，"whenthatcrazy-bossshepherdsorterswarms"roundinsidehisshirtwithhishand，an"lugsoutJuliusCesarbethescruffofhisneck，a-
squirmin"an"a-blowin"，an"madder"nadrunkensquaw。OncehegetsJuliusout，hespreadshim"roundprofuseontheRedLightbaran"
sorterherdshimwithhishandtokeephimfromchargin"offamongthebottles。
""Gents，"saysthislocoedCrawfish，"Iain"tnoboaster，butI
offersahundredtofifty，an"standstomakeituptoathousanddollarsinwoolorsheep，JuliusCaesaristhefattestan"finestserpentinArizona；alsothebestbehaved。"
"Tharain"tnoonetakin"Crawfish"sbet。ThemomentheslamsJuliusonthebar，more"ntenofourleadin"citizensfallstothefloorinfits，an"emergesoutenonepar"xysmonlytoslumpintoanother。
Whichweshorelyhasageneralround-upofallsortsofspells。
""Whatever"sthematterofyou-allpeople？"saysCrawfish，lookin"
mightyaghast。"Thar"snomoreharminJuliusCaesarthanifhe"safullblownrose。"
"JackMoore，bein"marshal，ofcoursestandshishand。It"shisoffishuldootytoplayapathandonbull-snakesan"dangerinallan"anyforms。An"Jackdoesit。
"WhileCrawfishisbusyrecountin"theattainmentsofJuliusCaesar，a-holdin"ofhispetwithonehand，JackMooretakesasnapshotathimalongthebarwithhissix-shooter，an"awaygoesJuliusCaesar"sheadlikeapuffofsmoke。ThenMooreroundsupCrawfish，an"，perceivin"oftheotherbull-snakes，hesearches"emoutonebyonean"massacres"em。
""CalloverDocPeets，"saysJackMoorefinal，"an"bringBoggsan"
Tuttan"therestoftheseyereinvalidsto。"
"DocPeetsan"EnrightbothtrailsinonthelopefromtheNewYorkStore。TheyhearsMoore"sgun-playan"iscur"ous，nacheral"nough，toknowwhocallsit。Well，theyturnsinan"bringstheotherinhabitantsoutentheirfits；pendin"whichMoorekillsoffthelastremainin"bull-snakeinCrawfish"sherd。
"Son，I"veseenpeoplemad，an"I"veseen"emgay，an"I"veseen"embitbygrief。ButI"myeretoremarkIneverrunsuponagentwhogoesplumbmadwithsadnessontilIseesCrawfishthatdayJackMooreimmolateshisbull-snakepets。Hestandsthar，white，an"
ain"tsayin"aword。Looksforaminutelikehecan"tmove。Crawfishdon"tpacknogun，orIallersallowedwe"dhadnoticeofhimsome，whilethembullsnakesiscashin"in。
"Butatlasthesortercomesto，an"walksoutwithoutsayin"
nothin"。Theyain"tnoneofusregardin"ofhimmuchatthetime；
bein"busydrinkin"an"recoverin"fromtheshock。
"Now，whatdoyous"posethisoldNavajodoes？LopesstraightovertotheNewYorkStore——isca"masaJunedayaboutit，too——an"getsasix-shooter。
"ThenextinformationwegetsofCrawfish，"bang!"goeshisnewgun，an"thebulletcutsalongoverJackMoore"sheadtoohighforresults。Newgunthata-way，an"Crawfishnotuponhispractice；ofcourseheovershoots。
"Well，theporeoldmurdererneverdoesgetasecondcrack。I
reckonseightpeoplehehasinterestedshootsallatonce，an"
CrawfishJimquitsthisearthlydealunanimous。Hestopseverybullet；eightof"em，likeIsays。
""Tharain"tamanofuswhodon"tfeelregrets；butwhat"stheuse？
Tharwebe，upag"instthedeal，withCrawfishcleanlocoed。It"stheonlywagon-trackout。
""Ishorehopeshe"sonthehottrailofthembull-snakesofhis"n，"
saysDanBoggs，aswelaysCrawfishoutonamonte-table。"Seemslikehethoughtmonstrouswellof"em，an"itwouldmightylikelypleasehimtorunupon"emwherehe"sgone。"
"Whateverdidwedo？Why，wedigsagraveoutbackofthedance-hallan"plantsCrawfishan"hispetstharin。
""Ireckonswebetterburythemreptiles，too，"saysDocPeets，aswegetsCrawfishstretchedoutallcomfortableinthebottom。"Ifhe"slookin"downontheseyereceremoniesit"llmakehimfeeleasier。"
"DocPeetsismightysentimentalan"romanticthata-way，an"allersthinksofthetouchin"thingstodo，whichImore"noncenoticeslikewise，thatagentbein"deadthata-wayallersbringsoutthesoftsideofPeets"snacher。Youbet!he"splumbsympathetic。
"Wecountsinthesnakes。Thar"s"levenof"embesidesJuliusCaesar；whichwelayshimonCrawfish"sbreast。Youcanfindthegraveto-day。
"Shore!westicksupaheadboard。Itsaysonit，thesamebein"
furnishedbyDocPeets——an"IwantstosayDocPeetsisthebesteddicatedgentinArizona-asfollowsSACREDTOTHEMEMORYOF
CRAWFISHJIM，JULIUSCAESAR
AND
ELEVENOTHERBULLSNAKES，THEYMEANTWELL，BUTTHEYMISUNDERSTOODEXISTENCE
ANDDIED。
THISBOARDWASREAREDBYAN
ADMIRINGCIRELEOFFRIENDS
WHOWASWITHDECEASED
TOTHELAST。
"An"don"tyou-allknow，son，thisyereonfortunateweedin"outofporeCrawfishthata-way，sortersettlesdownonthecampan"preysonusformightylikelyit"saweek。Itshorelyisasourceofgloom。Moreover，itdonegivesDanBoggsthefan-tods。AsIrelatesprior，Boggsisemotionalawholelot，an"oncelethimgetwhatyou-allcallsashock——same，forinstance，asthembull-snakes——itsshoreduetosetBoggs"sintellectstomillin"。An"that"swhathappensnow。We-allsdon"tgetBoggs；beddeddownnonefortendays，hisvisionsisthatacoote。
""Whichofcourse，"saysBoggs，whilewe-allssettin"upadministerin"thingstohim，"whichofcourseI"mplumbawaretheseyereismereilloosions；butallthesame，ascl"araseverInotesanace，nomatterwhereIlooksat，IdiscernsthatJuliusCaesarserpenta-regardin"mereproachfuloutentheatmospher。An"gents，sechspectaclesletsmeoutaheapeverytime。You-allscangamble，Iain"tslumberin"nonewithnosnake-spookthata-waya-gyardin"ofmydreams。"
"That"salltharistothedeathofCrawfishJim。Tharain"tnoharminhim，noryet，Ireckons，inJuliusCaesaran"therestofCrawfish"sfam"ly。ButthewaytheygetstangledupwithWolfville，an"takestorunnin"countertopublicsentimentan"themeightsix-
shooters，Crawfishan"hislive-stockhastogo。"