第1章
TheGreatWolfvilleStrike。
"No，sir，evenonderspuran"quirt，mymem"rycanonlycanterbacktooneuprisin"oflaborinWolfville；thatwasprinters。"
AtthistheOldCattlemanlookedundulysagacious，refreshedhimselfwithapuffortwoathispipe，andallwiththeairofonewhomight，didheseefit，considerthegravequestionsofcapitalandlaborwithanabilityequaltotheirsolution。Hisremarkwasgrowthofthestrikestoryofsomemillworkmen，toldglaringlyinthenewspaperheheldinhishands。
"Wolfvilleisnotatthattime，"hecontinued，"whatyou-allEastwouldcallaswirlin"vortexoftrade；stillshehashermarts。
Thar"sthecoppermines，theBirdCafeOp"ryHouse，theRedLight，theO。K。Restauraw，theDanceHall，theNewYorkStorean"sim"larhivesofcommerce。Whichondoubtedthebarkeepsisthehardestworkedfolksincamp，an"yetnoneof"emevergoesonthewarpathforshorterhoursorlongerpay，sofarasIhasnotice。Barkeepsthata-wayisalight-heartedbandan"cheerfulondertheirburdens。
OncewhenOldMontebringsthestageinlatebecauseofsomeboggin"
downhedoesoverataquicksandfordinthefoothills，ashorthornwhoarriveswithhimasapassengercomesedgin"intotheRedLight。
Bein"it"sfouro"clockinthemornin"，thetenderfootseemsamazedatsechactivitiesasfaro-bank，an"high-ball，saiddevicesbein"
infullcareer；tosaynothin"oftheDanceHall，which"TempleofMirth，"asHamiltonwhoisproprietortharofnamesit，iswhoopin"
itupacrossthestreet。
""Ain"tyouopenratherlate？"saystheshorthorn。Histonesisapol"getican"nooffenceistook。
"That"soneofthemgratefyin"thingsabouttheSouthwest。Thattemperateregiondon"tgopirootin""roundstrivin"torunitsbrandontothingsasinsultswherenoneain"tmeant。TheSouthwestropesonlyattheintention。Youmayevengosofarastoshootthewronggentinadarkenedway，an"aslongasyoupullsofftheplayinasperitofhonesty，an"thepartypluggeddon"thappentobeapop"laridol，abouttheworstyou"dgetwouldbeacautionfromtheStranglerstobemoreacc"rateinyourfeuds，sechisthefairmindednessan"tolerationofSouthwestsentiment。
"AsIsu"gests，thebarkeep，realizin"thatthestranger"sbluffarisesfromcur"osityratherthananynotionofwhatbooksportscalls"captiouscriticism，"feelsnoombrage。
""Whatwasyou-allpleasedtoremark？"retortsthebarkeepasheslamshisnose-paintwheretheshorthorncangetaction。
""Nothin"，"repliestheshorthorn，imbibin"ofhisfortydrops，"onlyitsorto"lookstomyonaccustomedeyelikethisdeadfallisopenratherlate。"
""Whichsheissomelate，"admitsthebarkeep，ashesoftlyswabsthecounter；"whichitissomelatefornightbeforelast，butit"sjesttheshankoftheevenin"forto-night。"
"But，asIobservesabitbackonthetrail，Ineverdohearofanymurmurofresentmentonthepartofthetoilin"massesofthetown，saveintheoneinstancewhenthatbunchoflocoedprinterscapersoutan"defiestheeditoran"publisheroftheWolfvilleCOYOTE，thesamebein"thedailypaperoftheoutfit。
"Thisyereimprint，theCOYOTE，isdoneownedan"runbyColonelWilliamGreeneSterett。An"I"llpauserightyereforthedoublepurposeoftakin"adrinkan"sympathisin"withyouawholelotinnotknowin"theColonel。Younacherallyain"tasacootelyawareofthefactasIbe，butyoucangambleabloostackthatnotknowin"
ColonelSterettbordersonadeeprivation。Heisshorewise，theColonelis，an"whenitcomestobein"fullyinformedoneveryp"int，fromthevalyooofqueensupbeforethedrawtothepoliticaleffectoftheDeclarationofIndependence，he"sanevenbreakwithDocPeets。An"asI"veassertedfrequent——an"Idon"tpinchdownachip——DocPeet"sisthefinesteddicatedsharpinArizona。
"We-allwillpassupthetaleatthiscrisis，butI"lltellyoulaterabouthowColonelSterettcomesa-weavin"intoWolfvillethattimean"foundstheCoyote。It"senoughnowtoknowthatwhentheseyereprinterstakestoghost-dancin"thattime，theColonelhasbeeninourmidstcrowdin"hardonthehocksofayear，an"isheldinhighregyardbyOldAlanEnright，DocPeets，JackMoore，Boggs，Tutt，CherokeeHall，FaroNell，andothermoldersoflocalopinion，an"sorto"trailsinnextafterEnrightan"Peetsinpublicesteem。
TheColonelisshorelistenedtoan"heededatsechepocksasWolfvillesetsdownserioustothink。
"ThemprintersoftheColonel"sstampedesthemse"fsjestfollowin"
thelatter"smisonderstandin"withHuggins，whoconductstheBirdCageOp"ryHouse，an"whoasI"veallersmaintained，incitesthemmechanics，private，torebellion，asaschemeofrevengeontheColonel。Thetroublewhichbearsitsfinalfrooteinthislaboruprisin"islikethis。Huggins，asnoted，holdsdowntheBirdCageOp"ryHouseasmanager，an"whenlie"sdrunk——which，seein"thatHugginsisabiggersotthanOldMonte，isrightalongheallowshe"sa"Impressario。"Mebbyyousaveys"Impressario，"an"
experiencesnodifficultywiththesameasaterm，butBoggsan"
Tuttgoestothefringeofagunplaydispootin"aboutitsmeanin"
thetimeHugginsplaysitonthecampfirstasdeescriptifofhisgame。
""AImpressarioisafiddler，"saysBoggs；`IcutsthetrailofoneintheStatesonce，ropeshimup，an"wehasashoreenoughtime。"
""Sechobservations，"observesTutt，towhomBoggsvouchsafesthisinformation，"sechobservationsmakemetired。Theydisplaystheonlimitedabilityforignoranceofthehoomanmind。Boggs，Idon"twanttobedeemedinsultin"，butyou-alloughtergotonight-schoolsome"ersontilyoulearnstheroodimentsoftheAmericanlanguage。"
"Whenthisyorecolloquyensooes，I"mawayonthespringround-up，an"tharfornotpresenttharat；butasgoodajedgeasJackMoore，insiststhattheremainderoftheconversationwouldhavecomeoffinthesmokeifhehadn"t，inhiscapacityofmarshal，pulledhissix-shooteran"invokedBoggsan"Tutttoaca"mermood。
"Butspeakin"ofthisHugginsparty，Ineverlikeshim。Asidefromhisbein"mostlydrunk，which，nomatterwhatsomemaysayorthink，Iholdsimpairsagent"svalyooasasocialfactor，Hugginsisavariciousan"dotesonmoneytothep"intofbein"sordid。He"dgloatoveradollarlikeitwasacharlotteroose，Hugginswould。
So，asIsays，Iain"tfondofHuggins，an"takesnomorepleasureofhiscompanythanifhe"sawetdog。Still，thar"ssechathingasdooty；so，whenHugginscomeswanderin"wild-eyedintotheRedLightaboutfirstdrinktimeoneevenin"，an"confidestomeinawhisperthatthar"sajackrabbitoutsidewhichhassworntotakehislife，an"isrightthenbushwhackin"aboutthedoorwaitin"toexecootethethreat，IcallsDocPeets，an"aidsintyin"Hugginsdownsothathisvisionscanbemetan"copedwithmedical。
"PeetsridesherdonHugginsforaboutaweek，an"atlasteffectshisrescoofromthathostilejackrabbitan"themcrimsonrattlesnakesan"blue-wingedbatsthathasj"ineddogswithitinitsattemptsag"inHuggins。Later，whenPeetssendshischarges，thisyereingrateHuggins——lovin"moneyasIstates——wantstosquar"
itwithaquartortwoofwhiskeychecksontheBirdCagebar。
Nacherally，Peetswavesasidesechignobleproffersasinsultstohisprofessionalstandin"。
""An"youalldon"towemeasplinter，Huggins，"saysPeets，asheturnsdowntheprop"sitiontotakewhiskeychecksashisreward。
"We"lljestcallthemservicesofmineinsubdooin"yourdeliriumtreemorsacontreebution。ItshouldshorelyberemoonerationenoughtoknowthatI"vepreservedyoutotheWolfvillepublic，an"thatthecampcanstillboastthepossessionofthemeanestsportan"
profoundestdrunkardoutsideoftheTexasPanhandle。"
"Barnone，DocPeetsisthebitterestgent，verbal，thatevermakesamoccasintrackintheSouth-west。An"whileHugginsain"tpleasednone，themstrictureshastogo。Totaketopawin""roundforturmoilwithPeetswouldbeencroachin"ontotheediotic。Evenifheemergesalivefromsechcontroversies——an"it"sfourtoonehewouldn"t；forPeets，who"sallersframedupwithabraceofderringers，isaboutasvividanenterpriseasWolfvilleaffords——
theStranglerswouldconvenewithOldManEnrightinthecha"r，an"
Hugginswouldn"tlastaslongasadrinkofwhiskey。Asitis，Hugginsgulpshisfeelin"san"offersnothin"inreturntoPeets"sremarks。
"No；ofcourseDocPeetsain"tthatdiffusiveinhisconfidencesastogosurgin"abouttellin"thisstorytoeverygenthemeets。It"sag"inrooleforphysiciansthata-waytogodraggin"theirlariats"roundpermiscusan"impartin"alltheyknows。You-allcanseeyourse"fthatifphysiciansisthatingenuous，itwouldprodooceallsortsoftroublesinthemostonlooked-forplacesan"mostonexpectedforms。No；Peetswouldn"tgivewaytoconductsoonbecomin"amedicinemanan"asport。Butrooleshastheirexceptions；ansoFeets，inoneofthemmomentsofsympathyan"
confidence，whichtwohighlyeddicatedgentsaftertheeighthdrinkisboundtofeelforeachother，relatestoColonelSterettconcernin"Hugginsan"hisperfidywiththemBirdCagechecks。
"Thisyereonbosomin"ofhimse"ftotheColonelain"tnonediscreetofPeets。TheColonelhasmanyexcellencies，butkeepin"secretsain"tamong"em；nonewhatever。TheColonelisdeevoidoftalentsforsecrets，an"sothenextdayheprintsthisyereoutrageonderaderisiveheadlinetouchin"Huggins"froogality。
"Hugginsdon"tgradeover-highfornervean"isalongwayfrombein"cleanstraingame；buthefiggers，soIallersreckons，thattheColonelain"tnothunderboltofwarhimse"f，sowhenhereadsastohiman"Peetsan"themtreemorsan"thewhiskeychecks，hestartsintodrinkan"discussabouthishonor，an"givesitouthe"llhaverevenge。
"It"sthebarkeepattheRedLightpostsColonelSterettastothemperils。AMexicancomestrackin"alongintotheColonel"sroominthesecondstory——whathecallshis"sanctum"——withanote。It"sfromthebarkeepan"readslikethis:
REDLIGHTSALOON。
DEARCOLONEL:——
Hugginsisinheretankin"upan"makin"warmedicine。He"spackin"
twoguns。Hesayshe"sgoingtoplugyouforthatpiece。Icankeephimhereanhour。Meanwhile，heelyourse"f。I"llhavehimsodrunkbythetimeheleavesthatheoughttobeeasy。
Yourssincerely，BLACKJACK。
P。S。BettersendovertotheExpressCompanyforoneofthemshot-
guns。Buckshot，thata-way，isacinch；an"ifyou"realeetlenervousitdon"tmakenodifference。B。J。
"Aboutthetimethe10-gaugecomesovertotheColonel，withthecomplimentsoftheWells-FargoExpress，an"twentyshellsholdin"
twenty-onebuck-shottotheshell，DocPeetshimse"fcomessa"nterin"intothesanctum。
""You-alloughtnevertohaveprintedit，Colonel，"saysPeets；"I"mplumbchagrinedoverthatexposureofHuggins。"
""Don"tyoureckon，Doc，"saystheColonel，sorto"coaxin"theplay，"ifyouwastogodowntotheRedLightan"saytothisinebriatedmiscreantthatyoumakesgood，itwouldsteadyhimdownawholelot？"
""IfIwastotakesechstepsasyouurges，Colonel，"saysPeets，"itwouldcomeouthowIgivesawaythesecretsofmypatients；itwouldhurtmyp"sition。Onthelevel!Colonel，I"damightysightsooneryou"dbeefHuggins。"
""Butseeyere，Doc，"remonstratestheColonel，wipin"offthewateronhisfore"ead，"murderisnewtome，an"Ishrinksfromit。
Anotherthing——Idon"tthirsttodonofiveortenyearsatLeavenworthfordownin"Huggins，an"allonaccountofyoudeclinin"
whiskeychipsasahonorariumforthemservices。"
""Itain"tnoquestionofLeavenworth，"arguesPeets；"sechthoughtsisfigments。Yere"showit"llbe。Hugginscomeschargin"up，hungerin"forblood。You-allisr"aredbackyerewiththat10-gauge，allorganized，an"youcoldlydownshim。Tharain"tnojury，an"
tharain"tnoVigilanceCommittee，inArizona，who"sgoin"tocarpatthatalittlebit。Besides，he"sthatornery，thegamelawisoutonHugginsan"hasbeenforsometime。Asforanyresktoyourse"f，personal，fromHuggins；why!Colonel，yousnapsyourfingerstharat。
YouhearsHugginsonthestairs；an"yougiveshimbothbarrelsthesecondheshowsinthedoor。It"sasplainasmonte。BeforeHugginscandeclar"himse"f，Colonel，he"syours，toodeadtoskin。It"ssechashorething，"concloodesPeets，"that，afterall，sinceyou"remerelyoutforsafety，I"dgethiminthewing，an"letitgoatthat。Oncehisarmisgone，itwon"tbenotroubletoreasonwithHuggins。"
""Don"ttalktomeaboutnoarms，"retortstheColonel，stillmoppin"hisfeachersplentydesperate。"Iain"tgoin"todonofancyshootin"。IfHugginsshowsupyere，youcanputdownayellowstackonit，I"llbusthimwherehelooksbiggest。Hugginsisgoin"totakeallthechancesofthisembroglio。"
"ButHugginsneverarrives。It"sDanBoggswhoabateshiman"
assoomesthepressurefortheColonel。BoggsisgratefuloversomecomplimentstheColonelpayshimintheCoyotetheweekprevious。
It"srightinthemidstofHuggins"prep"rationsforbloodthatBoggshappensuponhimintheRedLight。
""Seeyere，Huggins，"saysBoggs，assoonaseverhegetstheImpressario"sgrievancestraightinhismind，"you-allisfollowin"
offthewrongwagontrack。TheColonelain"tyourproperpreyatall；it"sme。IcontreebutesthatpieceintheCoyoteaboutyouplayin"itlowonPeetsmyse"f。"
"HugginsgazesatBoggsan"neveruttersaword；Boggsistoomanyforhim。
""WhichI"mthelastsport，"observesBoggsafterapause，`toputalimitonthereccreationsormeddlewiththepicnicsofanygent，butthisyerevoylenceofyours，Huggins，hasgonetoofar。I"mobleegedtosay，tharfore，thatonlessyouaimstofurnishthepainfulspectacleofmebendin"agunoveryourhead，youhadbettersinkintosilencean"pullyourfreight。I"maslow，hardteamtostart，Huggins，"saysBoggs，"butonceIgoesintothecollar，I"mirresist"ble。"
"Hugginsdon"tknowmuch，butheknowsBoggs；an"so，followin"
Boggs"remarks，Hugginsupsan"ceasestoclamorfortheColonelrightthar。Lambsisbellig"rentcomparedwithHuggins。Thebarkeep，intheinterestsofpeace，cutsinontheplaywiththenewsthatthedrinksisonthehouse，an"withthattheeepisodecomestoaclose。
"Nowyou-allhasmostlikelybeguntomarvelwherethemlaborstrugglescomesbuttin"in。We"rewithinropin"distancenow。It"snotmadecl"ar，but，asIremarksprior，IallersfeltlikeHugginsisthebugonderthechipwhenthemprintersgetshostilethattimean"leavestheagency。Hugginsain"tfeebleenoughmentaltobelieveforamomentBoggswritesthatpiece。ThefactthatBoggscan"tevenwritehisownname——bein"onfortunatelywantin"utterlyineddication——isofitse"fenoughtobreeddoubts。Still，Idon"tondervalueHugginsnoneinlayin"downtoBoggs，thattimeBoggsallowshe"stheauthor。Withnothin"atstakemorethanafact，an"
nomoneyupnornothin"，heshorelywouldn"tbejestifiedincontendin"withagentofBoggs"extravagantimpulses，an"whoisbornwiththetheerythatsix-shootersisargyments。
"But，asIwasobservin"，HugginsisnomoremisledbythembluffsofBoggsthanheislikelytogiveuphisthoughtsofrevengeontheColonel。Bein"headedofffromlayin"fortheColoneldirect——forBoggsremindshimatclosin"that，havin"assertedhispersonalrespons"bilityforthatpiece，he"lltakeitasaffrontsifHugginspersistsingoin"projectin""roundforColonelSterett——thar"snodoubtinmymindthatHugginsgoestoslyin"about，an"jumpin"
sidewaysatthemprintersonthequiet，anfillin""emupwithnose-
paintan"notionsthatthey"rewrongedinequalquantities。An"
Hugginsgetsresults。
"WhichtheColonelpaysoffhisfiveprinterseveryweek。It"smebbythesecondSaturdayaftertheHugginstrouble，an"theColonelisjestfinishedmeasurin"upthe"strings，"ashecalls"em，an"
disbursin"thedinero。Atthefinish，thehead-printerstiffensup，an"thefourothersfallsbackapacean"looksplentyhard。
""Colonel，"saysthehead-printer，"we-allsendsontothenationalcouncil，winsoutacharter，an"organizesourse"fsintoaunion。
You"reyerebynotifiedweclaimsunionwages，thesamebein"forty-
fivecentouseathousandemsfromnowontilfurtherorders。"
""Jim，"retortstheColonel，"whatyouan"yournobleassistantsdemandsatmyhands，goes。FromnowIpaystheunionschedoole，thesamebein"fivecentsathousandemsmorethanformer。TheCoyoteasyetisnotself-supportin"，butthatshallnotaffectthisplay。I
havesofarmadeupdeeficienciesbydraw-poker，whichIfindstobefairlysoftan"certaininthiscamp，an"yoursu"gestionsofaraisemerelymeansthatI"vegottosetupaleetlelaterinagame，an"beatriflemoreremorselessonashorehand。WharforeIyieldstoyourrequestswithpleasure，asIsaysprior。"
"It"smightylikelyColonelSterettacquiescesinthemdemandstooquick；theprintersisledtothethoughtthathe"sassimpletoworkasaWinchester。It"shoomannaturetobrandasmanycalvesasyoucan，an"sonoone"ssurprisedwhen，twoweekslater，themvoraciousprinterscomesfrontin"upformore。Thehead-printerstiffensup，an"thefourothersassoomeseyesofiron，sameasbefore，an"thepowwowre-opensasfollows:
""Colonel，"saystherangebossfortheprinters，whiletheothersstandslookin"an"listenin"likecattlewiththeiry"earsallfor"ard，"Colonel，thechapel"shadameetin"，an"we-allhasdecidedthatyou"vegottomakebackpaymentsatunionratesforthelastsixmonths，whichiswhenwesendsbacktotheStatesforthatcharter。Thewholethrowistwelvehundreddollars，ortwohundredandfortyagent。Noonewantstocrowdyourhand，Colonel，an"ifyoudon"tjesthappentohavesaidtwelvehundredinyourwar-bags，weallowsyouoneweektojump"roundan"rustleit。"
"ButtheColonelturnsoutbad，an"showshecanprotecthimse"fatprintin"sameashecanatpoker。Hewhirlsonthemsharpslikeamountainlion。
""Gents，"saystheColonel，"you-allisupag"instit。Idon"tcarenoneifthecathedral"shadameetin"，Ideclinestobowtoyourclaims。AsIstatesbefore，Iobtainsthemoneytoconductthisyerejournalbyplayin"poker。NowIcan"tplaynoexpostfactopoker，norgetinonanyrectroactivehands，whichofitse"fdisplaysyourattitoodeonthiso"casionasonjust。Whatyou-allasksisrefoosed。"
""Seeyere，Colonel，"saysthehead-printer，beginnin"toarchhisbacklikehe"sgoin"tobucksome，"don"tputonnospurstoconversewithus；an"don"tthinktostampedeusnonewiththemLatinbluffsyoumakes。YoueitherpaysunionratessinceFebruary，orwegoesp"intin"outforastrike。"
""Strike!"saystheColonel，an"histonesisdecisive，"strike，saysyou!Whichifyou-allwillwaittillIgetsmycoat，I"llstrikewithyou。"
"Tharupontheentirepassel，theColonelan"themfiveprinters，comesovertotheRedLight，takesadrinkontheColonel，an"
dispersesthemse"fsonthestrike。OfcourseWolfvillelooksonsomeamazedatthisyerelabormovement，butdeclar"sitse"fnootral。
""Leteverygentskinhisowneel，"saysEnright；"thesamebein"afav"riteproverbbackinTennesseewhenI"mayooth。ThiscollisionbetweenColonelSterettan"themfreean"independentprintershehasinhisherdisshorelywhatmaybecalledaprivategame。Thar"snoreasonan"nocallforthecamptobeheard。What"syouridea，Doc？"
""Iyooniteswithyouinthemstatements，"saysPeets。"Whilemypersonalsymp"thiesiswithColonelSterettinthisinvolvement，asyetthesityooationoffersnoreasonforthepublictosaddleupan"
gotoridin""roundtharin。"
""Don"tyou-allthink，"saysBoggs，appealin"toEnright，"don"tyoureckonnowifmean"Tuttan"JackMoore，allcasooallike，wastotakeourgunsan"gocuttin"upthedustaboutthemoccasinsofthemmalcontentprinters——merelyinourprivatecapacity，Imeans——itwouldhe"psolvethisyeredeadlockawholelot？"Boggsisaheapheadlongthata-way，an"likin"theColonel，nacherallyhe"seagertotakehisend。
""Boggs，"repliesEnright，an"histonesissterntothevergeofbeingferocious；"Boggs，onlessyouwantsthelaw-abidin"elementtohangyouinhobbles，youhadbetterholdyourse"finmoresubjection。Moreover，whatyouproposesischildish。Ifyouwastoappearinthemidstofthisindustr"alexcitement，an"taketoromancin""roundasyousu"gests，you"dchaseeveryoneoftheseyereprintersplumbofftherange。Whichthey"dhitafewhighplacesinthelandscapean"begoneforgood。ThentheColonelnevercouldgetoutthatCoyotepapernomore。LettheColonelfillhishandan"playithisownway。I"llbet，an"goasfarasyoulike，thatifwe-allturnsourbacksonthis，an"don"ttaketopesterin"
eitherside，theColonelhasthempartiesallbackinthecorralag"ininsideofaweek。"
"OldManEnrightisright，sameasheeveris。It"saboutfourthdrinktimeintheevenin"ofthesecondday。ColonelSterett，who"sbeenconsoomin"hislickeratintervalsnottoolongapart，isseatedintheRedLightinareelaxedmood。He"ssayin"toBoggs，whohasbeenfaithfulathiselbowfromthefirst，soastokeepuphissperits，thathelooksonthisstrikeasaffordin"himamuch-
neededrest。
""An"fromthestandp"intofrest，Dan，"observestheColoneltoBoggsasthebarkeepbringsthemfreshglasses，"Ireallywelcomesthisdifferencewiththemblacksmithsofmine。Ishorelyneedsthislay-off；literatoorthata-way，Dan，an"partic"lardailypaperliteratooroftheelevatedcharacterI"vebeensawin"offonthiscampintheCoyote，isfa-tiguin"tothelimit。Whenthemmisguidedpartiessurrenderstheirabsurddemands——an"betweenus，Dan，I
smellsHugginsinthisan"expectstolayforhimlatertharfor——I
say，whentheseobtooseprintersgivesup，an"returnstotheir"llegiance，I"llassoomethetripodlikeagiantrefreshed。"
""That"swhatever!"saysBoggs，coincidin"withtheColonel，thoughheain"tnoneshoreastohisdrift。
""I"llberecooperated，"continuestheColonel，sloppin"outanotherdrink；"I"llbeanewmanwhenItakesholdag"in，an"willmaketheCoyote，evertheleadin"mediumoftheSouthwest，asstrongan"
invincibleasfourkingsan"aace。"
"It"satthisp"intthefivewho"sonthewarpathcomesintotheRedLight。Thehead-printer，lookin"apol"getican"dejected，j"insBoggsan"theColonelwheretheysits。
""Colonel，"observesthehead-printer，"thechapel"shadanothermeetin"；an"theshortan"thelongis，theboyskindo"figgerthey"reonjustinthemdemandsforbackpay——sorto"overplaystheirhands，They"vedecided，Colonel，thatyou"redeadright；an"I"myerenowtosaywe"resorry，an"we"llallgobackan"openupan"
gettheCoyoteoutag"ininold-timeform。"
""Haveadrink，Jim，"saystheColonel，an"hisfacehasacloudofregretsontoit；"takefourfingersofthisred-eyean"cheerup。
You-allassoomestoosombreaviewofthiscontention。"
""I"mobleegedtoyou，Colonel，"repliesthehead-printer；"butI
don"tmuchcaretodrinknonebeforetheboys。Theyain"tgotnobank-rollan"nocreditlikeyouhas，Colonel——that"swhatmakesthemseetheirerrors——an"theplaintroothistheyain"thadnothin"todrinkfortwenty-fourhours。That"swhyIdon"ttakenothin"。Itwouldshoreseeminvidiousformetobesettin"yereh"istin"inmynose-paint，an"myporecomradeslookin"he"plesslyon；that"swhatever!I"mtoomuchafriendoflabortodoit，Colonel。"
""What!"saysBoggs，quitewroughtup；"doyou-allmeantotellmethemonhappysportsain"thadadrinksinceyesterday？It"sastainonthecamp!Whoopee，barkeep!seewhatthemgentswillhave；an"
keepseein"whatthey"llhaveendoorin"thisconference。"
""Jim，"saystheColonel，mightyreluctant，"ain"tyou-allabandonin"yourp"sitionprematoor？Thar"ssomethin"dootoaprinciple，Jim。I"dratherlookedforacontinyooationofthisestrangementforawhileatleast。I"dshoretaketimetoconsideritbeforeeverI"dletthisstrikec"llapse。"
""That"sallright，Colonel，"saysthehead-printer，"aboutc"llapsin"；an"Ionderstandsyourfeelin"san"symp"thisestharwith。ButI"veexplainedtoyouthefinancialconditionofthismovement。Tharstandstheboys，pourin"inthefirstfire-waterthathaspassedtheirlipsforaday。An"youknows，Colonel，nogent，norsetofgents，canconductstrikestoasuccessfulissuewithoutwhiskey。"
""But，Jim，"pleadstheColonel，whohatestocomeoffhisvacation，"ifIfixestheRedLightsayforfifteendrinksall"roundeachday，don"tyoureckonyoucanprevailonthemrecalcitrantprinterstoputthisreeconciliationoffaweek？"
"However，Enright，whoatthisp"intcomestrailin"in，takesupthehead-printer"sside，an"showstheColonelit"shisdooty。
""YouowesittotheWolfvillepublic，Colonel，"saysEnright。"TheCoyotehasnowbeensuppressedtwodays。We-allhasbeendeprivedofourdailyenlightenmentan"ourintellectsisboggin"down。FortwoentiredaysWolfvillehasbeenindarknessastoworldlyevents，an"
isrightnowknockin""roundintheproblemofexistencelikeablinddoginameatshop。Yourattitoodeofdelay，Colonel，isimpossible；thepublicrequestsyourreturn。Ifyouain"tbackattheCoyoteofficeto-morrymornin"byseconddrinktime，dealin"
yourwontedgame，Iwouldn"tondertaketostatewhatshapeajestpop"larresentmentwillassoome。"
""An"，ofcourse，"observestheColonelwithasigh，"whenyou-allputsitinthatloocidan"convincin"way，Enright，thar"snomoretobesaid。Thestrikeisnowoveran"thelastkyarddealt。Jim，youan"mean"themprinterswillreturntothevineyardofourefforts。Thisover-workmaybeonderminin"me，butWolfvilleshallnotcalltomeinvain。""
CHAPTERII
TheGrindingofDaveTutt。
"Yes，"saidtheOldCattleman，ashetookoffhissombreroandcontemplatedtherattlesnakebandwhichenvironedthecrown，"cow-
punchersisqueerpeople。Theyneedsaheapofwatchin"an"herdin"。
IknowedonebythenameofStevensondownontheTurkeyTrack，asmeritsplentyoflookin"after。ThisyereStevensonain"texactlyornery；butbein"restless，an"withadisp"sitiontobeemphaticwheneverhe"sfillin"himse"fup，keepin"youreyeonhimisgood，safejedgment。Heispublic-sperited，too，an"sometimestakeslotsofpainstopleasefolksan"bepop"lar。
"Irecallsoncewhenwe"rebringin"upabeefherdfromthePanhandlecountry。We"reag"inthesouthbankoftheArkansaw，tryin"tothrowtheherdacross。Thar"sabridge，butthenatifsallowsit"splentyweak，sowe"remakin"theherdswim。Steveispostedatthemouthofthebridge，toturnbackanyloosecattlethattakesanotiontotryan"crossthata-way。Thar"snothin"muchtoengageSteve"sfaculties，an"he"sa-settin"onhisbronco，an"
bothismightynearasleep。Somewomenpeople——fromthefarEast，I
reckons——asiscampedintown，comesoveronthebridgetoseeuscrosstheherd。They"velinedoutclostuptoSteve，a-leanin"oftheiryoungEasternchinsonthetoprail。
""WhichIdon"tregyardthismuch，"saysoneyoungwoman；"thar"snothrillintoit。Whyeverdon"ttheydosomethin"excitin"？"
"Steveobserveswithchagrinthatthisyereladyisdispleased；an"，ashecan"tfiggernothin"elseoutquicktoentertainher，hegivesawhoop，slamshissix-shooteroffintothescenery，sockshisspursintothepony，an"hopshimse"foverthesideofthebridgeawholelotintotheshallowwaterbelow。Thejumpissometwentyfeetan"
buststhepony"slaigsliketoothpicks；alsoitbreaksSteve"scollarbonean"disperseshisfeachers"roundsomefreean"frightfulonaccountofhissorto"lightin"onhisface。
"Well，weshootsthepony；an"Steveridesinthegrubwagonfourorfivedaysrecooperatin"。It"sjestthemercyofhellhedon"tbreakhisneck。
""Whateverdoyoujumpofffor？"IasksStevewhenhe"scomin"
"round。
""WhichIperformssaidequestrianismstoamoosethatshe-shorthornwhoiscussin"usout。"saysSteve"Iain"tpermittin"forhertogobacktotheStates，malignin"ofuscow-men。"
"Stevegetshimse"fdownedayearafter，an"strikesoutfornewrangesintheskies。He"soverontheupperRedRiverwhenhegetscreased。He"ssettin"intoapokergame。
"Steveneveroughtergamblednone。Heisagoodcow-boy——splendidround-uphand——an"candohisday"sworkwithropeorironinabrandin"penwithanybody；butcomin"righttocases，hedon"tknownomoreaboutplayin"pokerthanhedoesaboutpreachin"。Actooally，he"dbacktwopa"rlikethar"snorecordoftheirbein"beat。Thisyere，ofcourse，leadstofrequentpoverty，butitdon"tconfernowisdomonSteve。
"Onthiso"casion，whentheyshipsStevefortherealmsoflight，oneoftheboysgetsatrey-full；Stevebeingpossessedofaheartflush，nineatthehead。Intwominuteshedon"thaveevenhisblanketsleft。
"Afterhe"sbroke，Steveh"istsinadrinkortwoan"sours"roundawholelot；an"jestasthetrey-fullboygetsintohissaddle，Stevecomesroamin"alongupan"hailshim。
""Pard，"saysSteve，aheapgloomy，"I"vebeentryin"toschoolmyse"ftob"arit，butitdon"tgo。Tharfore，I"myeretosayyoustealsthatpa"rofkingsascompletedmyrooin。Comin"tothemdecisions，I"mgoin"tocallonyouforthatbric-a-bracIlose，an"
Ilookstogainsomefav"rablereplies。"
""Oh，youdo，doyou!"saysthetrey-fullboy。"Whichyou-allisaheaptoosanguine。DoyoureckonIgivesupthefrootesofatrey-
full——ashardahandtoholdasthatis？YoucangotentooneI
won"t:notthisround-up!Sechrequestsispreepost"rous!"
""Don"twaxflippantaboutthisyererobbery，saysSteve。"It"senoughtobeplunderedwithoutbein"insultedbygayeties。Now，whatIsaysisthis:EitherIgetsmystuff，orIseversourrelationswithagun。"An"tharuponStevepullshispistolan"takesholdofthetrey-fullboy"sbridle。""Ifthar"sonethingmakesmemorewearythananother，"saysthetrey-fullboy，"it"sagunplay；an"
toavoidsechexhibitionsIfreelyreturnsyourplunder。Butyouan"
medon"tplaykyardsnomore。"
"Whereupon，thetrey-fullboygetsoffhishoss，an"Steve，allowin"
thedebateisclosed，putsuphisgun。Steveispreematoor。Thenextsecond，"bang!"goesthetrey-fullboy"ssix-shooter，thebulletgetsSteveintheneck，withthemheavenlyresultsIyeretoforeonfolds，an"atfirstdrinktimethatevenin"wehasahastybutsuccessfulfooneral。
""Idon"treckon，"saysWatPeacock，whoisrangeboss，"thar"sneedofhavin"anylaw-suitsaboutthisyerekillin"。IknowsSteveforlongan"likeshim。ButI"myeretoannouncethatthemideeshefostersconcerinin"thevalyooofpokerhands，onreasonablean"
plumbextrav"gantastheyshorelyis，absolootelypreecloodedSteve"sreachin"tooldage。An"Stevehaswarnin"s。OncewhenhetriestogethislifeinsureddowninAustin，he"srefoosed。
"""Inafive-handgame，tablestakes，whatisapairofacesworthbeforethedraw？"isoneofthemquestionsthatcompanyasks。
"""Tablestakes？"saysSteve。"Everychipyou"vegot。"
"""Thatsettlesit，saysthecompany；"wedon"twantnosechresk。
Tharneverissechrecklessness!Youwon"tliveayear；you"reluckytobealiverightnow。"An"theydeclinestoinsureSteve。"
"However，"continuedmyfriendmusingly，"I"vebeenputtin"ituptomyself，thatmightylikelyIdoeswrongtotellyoutheseyeretales。Whichyou"reignorantofcowfolks，an"formetogoonloadin"ofsechrevelationsmebbygivesyouimpressionsthat"saloterroneous。NowIreckonsfromthatoneeepisodeyouhalffiggerscowpeopleismorosean"ferociousasabunch？"
Astheoldgentlemangavehistonestheinflectionofinquiry，I
hastenedtointerposediversflatteringdenials。Hisrecitalshadinspiredanadmirationforcowmenratherthanthereverse。
Thissettingforthofmyapprovalpleasedhim。HegavemehiswordthatIinnosortassumedtoomuchinthematter。Cowmen，heasserted，werealight-heartedbrood；over-cheerful，perhaps，attimes，andseekingamusementinwaysbeyondtheunderstandingoftheEast；butsafe，upright，andofsplendidgenerosity。Eagertocorrectwithinmeanymal-effectsofthetragedyjusttold，herecalledthestoryofaTucsondayofmerryrelaxationwithDaveTutt。Heopinedthatitfurnishedapictureofthepeopleofcowsinlighter，brightercolors，andsogavemedetailswithasketchygladness。
"Whichyou"reacc"rateinthemthoughts，"hesaid，referringtomywordthatIheldcowfolktobeengagingcharacters。Afterelevatinghisspiritwithaclove，Hewentforward。"Tharain"tmuchpawan"
bellowtoacowboy。Speakin"gen"ral，an"notallowin"fortheminflooenceswhichdisturbsnone——Iadvertstomescalan"monte，an"
sechabnormalities——he"spassivean"easy；nomoreharmintohimthanajackrabbit。
"Ofcoursehehashismoodstobemerry，an"mebbythar"shourswhenhe"sgaytothep"intofover-play。Buthisheart"sasstraightasariflebar"leverytime。
"It"sadayIputsinwithDaveTuttwhichmakeswhattheseyerelaw-sharpscalls"acaseinp"int，"an"whichIrelateswithoutreserve。Itgivesyousomenotionofhowacowboy，havin"aleesurehour，onbucklesan"ishappynacheral。
"ThisyereispriortoDaveweddin"TucsonJennie。I"mpirootin"
"roundTucsonwithDaveatthetime，Dave"sworkin"asmallbunchofcattle，"wayoverneartheCowSprings，an"isinTucsonforarest。
We"vebeensloshin""roundtheOrientalallday，findin"newvirchoosinthewhiskey，an"amoosin"ourse"fsatourownexpense，whenaboutfifthdrinktimeintheevenin"Daveallowshe"ssomesickofsechrevels，an"concloodshe"llp"intoutamongthe"dobys，sorto"explorin"thingsupalot。Whichwetharupongoesinconcert。
"Iain"tfrothin"atthemouthnonetogomyse"f，notseein"
reelaxationinpokin"aboutpermiscusamongapasselofMexicans，an"meloathin"of"emfrombirth；butIgoes，aimin"torideherdonDave。Whichhisdisp"sitionissomefreean"various；an"bein"
amongMexicans，thata-way，he"sliabletomixhimse"fintotrouble。
NotthatDaveisbad，nonewhatever；butbein"sevenoreightdrinkswinner，an"ofthatOrientalwhiskey，too，itbroadenshiman"makeshimfeelfriendly，an"deloodeshimintoclaimin"acquaintancewithpeopleheneverdoesknow，an"refoosin"toonderstandhowtheyshowssymptomsofdoubt。Sowecapersalong；Davewarblin""TheDeathofSamBass"inthecoyotekey。
"Thesenorasan"senoritas，hearin"therow，wouldlookoutan"
smile，an"Davewouldwavehisbighatan"whoopfromglee。Ifhestartstoward"em，aimin"forapowwow——whichhedoesfrequent，bein"amightyamiablegentthata-way——theycarolsforthasquawkimmediatean"shetsthedoor。Davegoeson。Mebbyhegivesthedoorakickortwo，a-proclaimin"ofhisdiscontent。
"Allatonce，whilewe"reprowlin"uponeofthemspaciousalleysaMexicanthinksisastreet，wecomesuponaEytalianwithamusicoutfitwhichhe"sgrindin"。Thisyeremusicain"tsobad，an"I
hearsaheapworsestrains。AssoonasDaveseeshimhetriestofiggeronadance，butthe"localtalent"declinestodancewithhim。
""Inwhichevent，"saysDave，"Iplaysalonehand。"
"SoDaveputsupasmalldance，likeaNavajo，accompanyin"ofhimse"fwithoutcriessameasaInjun。ButtheEytaliandon"tplayDave"skindofmusic，an"thebaileecomestoahalt。
""Whateveristhematterwiththisyeretune-box，anyhow？"saysDave。"Gimmethemusicforagreen-corndance，an"don"tmakenodelay。"""Thisyeregentcan"tplaynogreen-corndance，"Isays。
""Hecan"t，can"the？"saysDave；"waittillheropesatitonce。I
knowsthisgentofyore。ImeetshimtwoyearsagoinElPaso；whichmean"himshorelyshakesupthatvillage。"
""Whateverishisname，then？"Iasks。
""AntonioMarino，"saystheEytalian。
""Merino？"saysDave；"that"sright。Irecallsit，"causeitmakesmethinkatthejumphe"sasheepman，an"Igetsplumbhostile。"
""Ineverseesyou，"saystheEytalian。
""Yesyoudo，"saysDave；"youjestthinkyoudidn"tseeme。Wedrinkstogether，an"goesoutan"shootsupthecamp，arman"arm。"
"ButtheEytalianinsistshenevermeetsDave。ThismakesDaveuglyalot，an"beforeIgetstobuttinan"stopit，heoutswithhissix-shooter，an"putsaholeintothemusic-box。"
""TheseyeretunesIhearssofar，"saysDave，"istoofrivolous；I
figgersthatoughtersober"emdownawholelot。"
"WhenDaveshoots，theEytalianpartyheavesthestrapofhishewgagoverhishead，an"flies。Davegrabsthemusic-box，keepin"itfromfallin"，an"thenbeginsturnin"thecranktotryit。Itplaysallright，onlyeverynowan"thenthar"saholeintothemelodylikeit"slostatooth。
""Thisyere"sgoodenoughforadog!"saysDave，a-twistin"awayonthehandle。"Where"sthisyereMerino？Whateveristhematterwiththatshorthorn？Whydon"thestandhishand？"
"ButMerinoain"tnoomerousnomore；soDaveallowsit"sashametoletitgothata-way，an"Mexicanssufferin"formelody。Withthathestrapsonthetune-box，an"roams"roundfromone"dobytoanother，turnin"itloose。
""HowlongdoesMerinodealhistunes，"saysDave，"beforehec"llects？However，Imakesnewroolesforthegame，rightyere。I
playsthesecadencesfiveminutes；an"thenIgetsactionon"emforfive。IsplitsevenwiththeseMexicans，whichisshorelyfair。"
"SoDavetwistsawayforfiveminutes，an"mea-timin"ofhim，an"
thenleansthehewgagupag"ina"doby，an"startsintomakearound-up。He"lltackleahousehold，sorto"terrorisin"at"emwithhisgun；an"tharuponthemembersgetsthatgeneroustheyevennegotiatesloansan"thruststhemproceedsonDave。That"sright；
they"rethatambitioustodonate。
"Onetimeherunsuponabandoftenderfeet，who"sskallyhootin"
"round；an"theycomesupan"bendstheiry"earsa-while。They"returnin"togojestbeforec"llectin"time。
""Holdon，"saysDave，pickin"uphisColt"soffenthetopofthehewgag；"don"tgetcoldfeet。WhichI"veseenpeopleturnthatkyardinchurch，butyoubetyoudon"tjumpnogameofminethata-way。
You-alllineupag"inthewalltharontilItuckstheblanketsinonthisyereoutbreakinFflat，an"I"llbewithyou。"
"WhenDavewindsup，hegoesalongthelineofthemtremblin"
towerists，an"theycontreebutes"levendollars。
""Theyaimstogostampedin"offwiththemnocturnes，an""peggios，an"arias，an"neversaynothin"，"saysDave；"buttheycan"tworknotwistlikethat，an"mea-ridin"herd；nonewhatever。"
"Davecarriesonsim"larforthreehours；an"whatonsplits，an"
whatonbetshewins，he"soverahundreddollarsahead。Butatlasthe"splumbfatigued，an"allowshe"llquitan"callitaday。Sohepacksthetom-tomdowntoFranklin"soffice。FranklinismarshalofTucson，an"Daveturnsoverthelayoutan"themoney，an"tellsFranklintoroundupMerinoan"enrichhimtharwith。
""WhereisthisyereDago？"saysFranklin。
""HoweverdoIknow？"saysDave。"LastInotesofhim，he"scanterin"offamongthescenerylikeantelopes。"
"It"satthisp"intMerinocomestoview。Hestartsintobeaheapdejectedaboutthatbullet；butwhenhegetsDave"sdonationthata-
way，hishopesrevives。Hebeginstoregyarditasaheapgoodscheme。
""Butyou"llhavetocirkleuptothealcalde，Tutt，"saysFranklin。
"Iain"tshorenoneyouain"tbeenbreakin"somelaw。"
"Davegrumbles，an"allowsTucsonisgettin"aheaptoostaidforhim。
""It"sgettin"so，"saysDave，"afreeAmericancitizendon"tobtainnoencouragements。YereIputsinhalfaday，amassin"wealthforaforeigngentwhoissettin"inbadluck；an"elevatin"Mexicans，whoshorelyneedsit，an"forafinishI"mlaidforbythemarshallikeafelon。"
"Well，we-allgoessurgin"overtothealcalde"s。Franklin，Davean"
thealcaldedoesaheapofpokin"abouttoseewhatevercrimes，ifany，Dave"sdone。Whichtheygetsbythecaptureofthehewgag，an"