第2章
shootin"thatbulletintoitsbowelsdon"tbother"emabit。EvenDave"sstandin"upthemtowerists，an"therapinethatensoosdon"tworry"emnone；butthequestionofthemusicitse"fsetsthealcaldetobuckin"。
""I"mshorelydepressedtosayit，Dave，"saysthealcalde，whoisasportnamedSteele，"butyou"vebeena-bustin"oford"nancesaboutplayin"musiconthestreetwithoutnolicense。"
""Can"twe-allbeatthegamenoway？"saysDave。
""WhichIshorelydon"tseehow，"saysthealcalde。
""Normeneither，"saysFranklin。
""Whateveristhematterwithcounter-brandin"themtunesovertoMerino"slicense？"saysDave。
""Can"tdoitnohow，"saysthealcalde。
""Well，isthisyereord"nanceaccordin"toHoylean"theDeclarationofIndependence？"saysDave。"Idon"tstanditnoneonless。"
""Shore!"saysthealcalde。
""Antean"passthebuck，then，"saysDave。"I"malaw-abidin"
citizen，an"allIwantsisasquar"dealfromthewarmdeck。"
"SotheyfinesDavefiftydollarsforplayin"themharmonieswithoutnolicense。DaveasksmelaternottomentionthisyereoutcomeinWolfville，an"Ineverdoes。Butyereit"sdifferent。"
CHAPTERIII。
TheFeudofPickles。
"Thar"sabigcrowdinWolfvillethatJuneday。"TheOldCattlemantiltedhischairbackandchallengedmyinterestwithhiseye。"Thecorralsisfullofpackmulesan"bullteamsan"wagon-trains；an"
whitemen，Mexicans，half-breedsan"Injunsisa-mixin"an"
meanderin""round，a-lyin"an"a-laughin"an"a-drinkin"ofRedLightwhiskeymightyprofuse。Fourorfivemuleskinnershastheirlonglimbersixteen-footwhips，whichisloadedwithdust-shotfrombutttotip，an"iscrackin"of"ematamark。I"veseenoneoftheseyeremuleexpertswiththemosteasy，delicate，delib"ratetwistofthewristmakehiswhipsquirmintheairlikeahurtsnake；an"thenhe"llstraightenitoutwiththecrackoftwentyrifles，an"thebuckskinpoppercutsaholeinaloosebuffalorobehe"shungup；an"allwithoutinvestin"twoouncesofactooalstrength。SeveralofusWolfvillegentsisonthesidewalkinfrontoftheO。K。Restauraw，applaudin"ofthegoodshots，whenDaveTuttspeaksuptoJackMoore，nexttome，an"says:
""Jack，youmindsthatoldNavajoyoudownsoverontheSanSimonlastFall？""
""Imindshimmightycl"ar，"saysJack。"He"sstealin"myAlizanhossatthetime，an"Icanproveitbyhisskelponmybridlenow。"
""Well，"saysDave，p"intin"toaornery，saddle-coloredhalf-breedwho"smakin"himse"fsomefrequent，"thatInjuntheycalls"Pickles"
ishisnephy，an"youwantstolookoutawholelot。Ihearshimallowthatthekillin"ofhisrelatifismightyrank，an"thathedon"tlikeitnohow。"
""That"sallright，"saysJack；"Picklesan"mehasbeenkeepin"
casesoneachotheranhour；an"I"llpostyou-allprivate，ifhegoestoplayhossalittlebit，himan"hisonclewillbeabletotalkthingsoverbeforenight。"
"Whichit"smightysoonwhenPicklescomesalongwherewebe。
""Hello，Jack，"hesays，an"hismannerisinsultin"；"beenmakin"
itsmokydownontheoldSanSimonlately？"
""No；notsincelastfall，"saysJack，plentylightan"free；"an"
nowIthinksofit，Ib"lievesIseesthatNavajohoss-thiefofanoncleofyourswhenI"mdowntharlast。Iain"trunuponhimnonelately，though。Wheredoyou-allreckonhe"sdone"lopedto？"
""Can"tsay，myse"f，"saysPickles，withakindo"wickedcheerfulness；"ourfam"lyhasaround-upofitse"foveronB"arCreeklastspring，an"Idon"tcounthisnoseamong"emnone。Mebbyhehasanengagement，an"can"tgetthar。Mebbyhe"soutsquanderin"
"roundinthehighgrasssome"ers。Greatmantogo"roundpermiscus，thatInjunis。"
""Yousee，"saysJack，"Idon"tknowbuthemightbedead。WhichthetimeIspeaksof，I"msettin"incamponeday。Somethingattractsme，an"Ihappenstolookup，an"thar"smyhoss，Alizan，withaperfectstrangeronhim，pitchin"an"buckin"，an"itlookslikehe"sgoin"tocripplethatstrangershore。Pickles，youknowsme!
I"dlosetwohossesratherthanhaveagentIdon"tknownonegethurt。SoIgrabsmyWinchesteran"allowstokillAlizan。Butit"sanewgun；an"youknowwhatnewsightsis——coarseassandburrs；youcoulddragadogthrough"em——an"Iholdstoohigh。Ifetchesthestranger，"bang!"rightbackofhislefty"ear，an"thebulletcomesoutenhisrighty"ear。Youcanbetthelimit，Ineveramsodispleasedwithmyshootin"。Theideeofmeholdin"fourfoottoohighinahundredyards!Ineveristhatembarrassed!I"msoplumbdisgustedan"ashamed，Idon"tgonearthatequestrianstrangertillafterIfinishesmygrub。Alizan，hecomesupallshiverin"an"
sweatin"an"standsthar；an"mebbyinahourorsoIstrollsouttothedeceased。ItshorelyweariesmeawholelotwhenIseeshim；
he"snothin"butacommonDiggerbuck。YoucandrinkonitifI
ain"trelieved。Bein"ano-accountInjun，ofcourse，Idon"tpawhimovermuchforbrands；butdoyouknow，Pickles，fromthecasooalglanceIgives，itstrikesmeatthetimeit"smightylikelytobeyouroncle。Thisoldbroncofancier"sskelpisoveronmybridle，ifyouthinksyou"dknowit。"
""No，"saysPickles，mightyonconcerned，"itcan"tbemyonclenohow。Ifhe"soneofmyfam"ly，itwouldbeyourha"ronhisbridle。ItmustbesomeoldshorthornofaMohaveyoudowns。Let"salltakeadrinkonit。"
"Sowe-allgoesweavin"overtotheRedLight，Jackan"Picklessurveyin"eachotherclosean"interested，thata-way，an"therestofusonthequeevee，togoswarmin"outofrangeiftheytakestoshootin"。
""It"sshoresadtopartwithfriends，"saysPickles，ashesecreteshisnose-paint，"butjestthesameImustsaddlean"stampedeoutofyere。Iwantstoseethatoldvillyun，TomCooke，an"Idon"treckonnoneI"llfindhimanythissideofPrescott，neither。Beyouthinkin"ofleavin"campyourse"f，Jack？"
""Idon"tputitupI"llleaveforalongtime，"saysJack。"Mebbynotforamonth——mebbyit"sevenyearsbeforeIgowanderin"off——sodon"tgotomakin"nofriendly，quietwaitsformenowherealongtheroute，Pickles，"causeyou"dmostlikelyrunoutofwaterorchuckorsomethingbeforeeverItrailsup。"
"Itain"tlongwhenPicklessaddlesupan"comeschargin""roundonhislittlebuckskinhoss。Picklestakestocuttin"allmanneroftricks，reachin"forthingsontheground，snatchin"offMexicans"
hats，an"jumpin"hisponyoverwagontonguesan"campfixin"s。Allthetimehe"swhoopin"an"yellin"an"carryin"on，anhavin"ahightimeallbyhimse"f。Whichyoucanseehe"sgettin"uphisbloodan"
nerve，reg"larInjunfashion。
"Nexthetakesdownhisropean"goestowhirlin"that。Twoorthreetimeshecomesflashin"bywherewebe，an"IlookstoseehimmakeatryatJack。Buthe"stoofarback，orthar"stoomany"roundJack，orPicklescan"tgetthedistance，orsomething；forhedon"tthrowitnone，butjestkeepsyellin"an"ridin"louderan"faster。
Picklesshorelyputsupaheapofriotthata-way!It"snowthatEnrightcallstoPickles。
""Lookyere，Pickles，"hesays，"I"vepassedthewordtothefivebestgunsincamptocurlyouupifyoupitchthatropeonce。Bein"
asthenewsconcernsyou，personal，Iallowsit"snothin"more"nfriendlytotellyou。Thenag"in，Idon"tliketolosetheRedLightsechacustomerlikeyoutillit"saplumbcaseofcrowd。"
"WhenEnrightvouchsafesthiswarnin"，Picklesswingsdownan"
leaveshisponystandin"，an"comesover。
""Doyouknow，Jack，"hesays，"Idon"tliketheonrespectfultoneswhereinyoutalksofInjuns。I"mInjun，part，myse"f，an"Idon"tlikeit。"
""No？"saysJack；"Is"posethat"safact，too。An"yet，Pickles，notintendin"nothin"personal，forIwouldn"tbepersonalwithaprairiedog，I"mnotonlyonrespectfulofInjuns，an"thinksthegov"mentoughttopayabountyfortheirskelps，butIstatesbeliefsthatahoss-stealin"，skulkin"mongrelofahalf-breedisloweryet；Iholdin"heain"tevenpeople——ain"tnothin"，infact。
Buttochangethesubjeck，aswellasopenanavenooforanotherroundofdrinks，I"llgamble，Pickles，thatyou-allstolethathossdownthar，an"thatthe"7K"brandonhisshoulderain"tnobrandatall，butpickedonwiththep"intofaknife。"
"WhenJackputsitalloverPicklesthata-way，welooksforshootin"shore。ButPicklescan"tsteadyhimse"fonthecall。He"slikeponiesI"vemet。He"llriderightatathingasthoughhe"sgoin"plumbthroughorover，an"atthelastsecondhequitsan"
flinchesan"weakens。Son，itain"tPickles"fault。Tharain"tnobreedofgentbutthepurewhitewhocanplayadesp"ratedealdownthrough，an"calltheturnforlifeordeathattheclose；an"
Pickles，thata-way，isonlyhalfwhite。Sohelaughssorto"uglyatJack"sbluff，an"allowsheordersdrinkswithoutnowagers。
""An"then，Jack，"hesays，"Iwantsyoutocomefeedwithme。I"llhaveMissisRuckerburnusupsomethingright。"
""I"llgoyou，"saysJack，"ifitain"tnothin"butsalthoss。"
""I"llfixyou-allfolksupafeed，"saysMissisRucker，aheapgrim，"butyoudon"tdonobanquetin"innodinin"roomofmine。
I"llspreadyourgrubinthecamp-house，t"othersidethecorral，an"you-allcanthenbeassociablean"smokyasyouplease。Whichyou"llbealoneoverthar，an"canconductthereepastinanyfashiontosuityourse"fs。Butyoudon"tgetintothedinin"roomreg"lar，an"gotoweedin"outmyboardersaccidental，withthemfeudsofyours。"
"Afteralittle，theirgrub"sgotreadyinthecamphouse。It"sajo-darterofafeed，withcake，pie，airtights，an"thefullgame，an"Jackan"Pickleswalksoversidean"side。Theygoesinalonean"shetsthedoor。Inaboutfiveminutes，thar"ssomeemphaticremarksbytwosix-shooters，an"we-allgoeschargin"tofindout。
WediscoversJackeatin"awayallright；Picklesistheotherside，withhisheadinhistinplate，hisintellectsrunnin"outoverhiseye。Jack"sshoresubdooedthatsavageforalltime。
""Itdon"tlooklikePicklesishungrynone，"saysJack。
"Theybothpullstheirweeponsastheysetsdown，an"puts"emintheirlaps；butbein"bredacross，thata-way，Picklescan"tstandthestrain。Hegetsnervousan"grabsforhisgun；themuzzlecatchesonderthetable-top，an"thar"shisbulletallsafeinthewood。Jack，bein"cleanstrainAmerican，hasbetterluck，an"
Picklesisgot。Shore，it"srightan"onthesquar"!
""Yousees，"saysDanBoggs，"thiskillin"sboundtoberightfromthejump。ItcomesoffbyPickles"earnestdesire；Jackcouldn"trefoose。Hewouldhavelostbothskelpan"standin"ifhehad。
Which，however，ifthisyere"liminationofPickleshasgottohaveaname，myideeistocallheracaseofself-deestructiononPickles"part，an"letitgoatthat。""
CHAPTERIV。
JohnnyFlorer"sAxleGrease。
Itwastheafternoon——coolandbeautiful。Ihadbeennursingmyindolencewithacigarandoneofthelargearm-chairswhichtheverandaofthegreathotelafforded。
NowandthenIconsideredwithinmyselfastothewhereaboutsofmyOldCattleman，andwasinahalfhumortohunthimup。Justasmythoughtswerehardeningintodecisioninthatbehalf，ahigh，waveringnote，evidentlymeantforsong，camefloatingaroundthecornerofthehouse，fromtheverandaontheend。Thesingerwasoutofrangeofeye，butIknewhimformyagedfriend。Thushegaveforth:
"Dogville，Dogville!
Atavernan"astill，That"salltharisinallDog-ville。"
"Howdoyoufeelto-day？"IaskedasItookachairnearthevenerablemusician。"Happyandhealthy，Itrust？"
"Neverfeelsbetterinmylife，"respondedtheOldCattleman。"IfI
wastofeelanybetter，I"dshorelygoan"seeadoctor。"
"Youareasinger，Iobserve。"
"I"mmelodiousnacheral，butI"mgettin"soIsorto"stumblesinmynotes。Shoutin"an"singin""roundapasselofcattletokeep"emfromstampedin"onbadnightshassp"iledmyvoice，thata-way。
Thar"snothin"soweakenin"，vocal，asthemeffortsintheopenairan"inthemidstofthestormsan"theelements。WhatforasongisthatI"mrenderin"？Son，Ilearnsthatballadlongago，backwhenI"maboyinoldTennessee。It"swrit，wordandmusic，bylittleMollieHines，wholiveswithherpap，oldHomerHines，overonthe"PossumTrot。MollieHinesisshoreapoet，an"hasamightysightoffame，local。She"swhatyou-allmightcallajo-darterofapoet，Mollieis；an"letanythin"touchin"orromantichappenanywherealongthe"PossumTrot，soastogiveherasubjeck，an"Molliewouldbedownonit，instanter，likeafallin"star。Sheshorelyisaversemaker，an"isknownintheCumberlandcountryas"TheNightingaleofBigBoneLick。"IrememberswhenaShylockovertotheDudleytownbankforeclosesamortgageonoldHomerHines，an"
offershissettlementsatpublicvanduethata-way，howMollieprancesoutan"poursapoemintothemiscreant。Thar"sahundredan""levcnversesintoit，an"eachonelikeabulletoutenaWinchester。Itgoeslikethis:"Thar"sawordtobeutteredtotherichmaninhispride。
(Whichagentisfrequentrichestwhenit"sjestbeforehedied!)
Thar"sawordtobeutteredtothehawga-eatin"truck。
(Whichahawgisfrequentfattestwhenit"sjestbeforehe"sstuck!)
"Mightysperitedepick，that!YourecallsthatEnglishpreachersharpthatcomessquanderin""roundthetavernyereforhishealthaboutamonthago？Shore!Iknowsyoucouldn"thaveoverlookednobetlikethatdivine。Well，thatnightinthemparlors，whenhereadssomerhymesinabook，——whateveristhatpiecehereads？
LocksleyHall；rightyoube，son!AsIwassayin"，whenhe"sthroughrenderin"saidLocksleyHall，hecomesbuttin"intoatalkwithmewhereI"mcampedinacornerallcosyasatoadonderacabbageleaf，reecoverin"myse"fwithlickerfromthemrecitalsofhis，an"
hesaystome，thisparsonpartydoes:
""Whichit"sshorelyaset-backAmericahasnopoets，"sayshe。
""It"sevident，"Isays，"thatyouneverhearsofMollieHines。"
""No，neveronce，"hereplies；"isthisyereMissHinesapoet？"
"IsMollieHinesapoet!"Irepeats，formyscornatthemereideekindo"stiffensitskneesan"takestobuckin"some。"MollieHinescouldmakethatLocksleyHallgentyouwasreadin"from，oreventhepartywhowritesWatt"sHymns，gotothediskyard。"An"thenI
repeatssomefortyofthemstanzas，whereofthatoneIjestnowrecitesisaspeciment。
"Whatdoesthispulpitgentsay？HeseeIhashimcinched，an"he"splumbmute。Heconfineshimse"ftoturnin"uphisnoseindisgustlikeBillStoreydoeswhenhisfather-in-lawhorsewhipshim。"
Followingthis，theOldCattlemanandIwrappedourselvesinthoughtfulsmoke，forthespaceoffiveminutes，asoneswhoponderedthegeniusof"TheNightingaleofBigBoneLick"——MollieHinesonthebanksofthePossomTrot。Atlastmyfriendbrokeforthwithaquestion。
"Whoeveristhemfar-offfolksyou-allwastellin"meisrelatedtoInjuns？"
"TheJapanese。"Ireplied。"UndoubtedlytheIndiansandtheJapaneseareofthesamestock。"
"WhichI"mfoaledlikeamule，"saidtheoldgentleman，"acompletepreytoinbornnotionsag"inInjuns。Iwouldn"thaveonepesterin"
"roundmemore"nI"deatoffenthesameplatewithasnake。Ishorehasaversionsto"emawholelot。Ofcourse，IneverseesthemJaps，butIsaveysInjunsfromfeatherstomoccasins，an"comparin"JapstoInjuns，Ifeelsabout"emlikeoldBillRawlinssaysabouthisbrotherJim"swife。"
"Andhowwasthat？"Iasked。
Theafternoonwaslazyandgood，andIinamoodtolistentomyramblinggreycomradetalkofanybodyoranything。
"It"sthisa-way，"hebegan。"ThisyereBillan"JimRawlinsisbrothersan"abidesinRoanoke，Virginny。Theysplitsupintheiryooth，an"Jimgoesp"intin"outfortheWest。Whichheshoregetsthar，an"nothin"isheardofhimforfortyyears。
"BillRawlins，backinRoanoke，waxesaheaprich，an"atlastclearsuphisgamean"resolveslietakesarest。Alsoheconcloodstotravel；an"aslongashe"sgoin"totravel，heallowshe"llsorto"goprojectin""roundan"seeifhecan"tlocateJim。
"Hegetsaoldan"mustytipaboutJim，thisBillRawlinsdoes，an"
itworksoutallright。BillcutsJim"strail"wayoutyonderontheSlopeatameetropoliscalledLosAngeles。ButthisyereJimain"ttharnone。ThefolkstellsBilltheyreckonsJimisovertoVirginnyCity。
"It"samonthlater，an"Billisromancin"alongononeofthemNevadamountain-meadowtrails，whenhehappensuponalow，squattydugout，thesamebein"acampratherthanahouse，an"belongswithahayranche。Inthedoorisstandin"amostorneryseemin"gent，withlong，tangledha"ran"beard，an"hisclotheslookslikehe"sshorelywitnessedtimes。Thehandsofthisha"rygentisinhispockets，an"heexhibitsamightysooperciliousair。Billpullsuphiscayouseforapowwow。
"HowfarisittoaplacewhereIcancampdownforthenight？"asksBill。
""It"sabouttwentymilestothenextwickeyup，"saysthesooperciliousgent。
""WhichIcan"tmakeitnoneto-night，then，"saysBill。
""Notonthathoss，"saysthesooperciliousgent，forBill"sponythata-wayisplentyplayed。
""Mebby，then，"saysBill，`I"dbetterbunkinyere。"
""Youcangambleyou-alldon"tsleepyere，"saysthesooperciliousgent；"nonewhatever!"
"An"whynot？"asksBill。
""BecauseIwon"tletyou，"saysthesooperciliousgent，a-bitin"
offapieceoftobacco。"Thisismycamp，an"force"bleinvasionsbycasooalhold-upslikeyou，don"tpreevailwithmealittlebit。I
resentstheintroosiononmyprivacy。"
""ButI"llhavetosleepontheseyereplains，"saysBillaheapplaintif。
""Thar"sbettersportsthanyou-allsleptonthemplains，"saysthesooperciliousgent。
"Meanwhile，thar"samoveortwo，speshullythewayhebatshiseyes，aboutthissooperciliousgentthatsetsBilltorummagin"
"roundinhismem"ry。Atlastheasks:
""IsyournameRawlins？"
""Yes，sir，myname"sRawlins，"saysthesooperciliousgent。
""JimRawlinsofRoanoke？"
""JimRawlinsofRoanoke；"an"thesooperciliousgentreachesinsidethedoorofthedugout，searchesforthariflean"pumpsacartridgeintothebar"l。
""Stan"yourhand，Jim!"saysBill，atthesametimeslidin"tothegroundwiththehossbetweenhiman"hisrelatif；"don"tgetimpetyoous。I"myourbrotherBill。"
""What!"saysthesooperciliousgent，abandonin"themhostilemeasures，an"joysettlin"overhisface。"What!"hesays；"youmybrotherBill？Well，don"tthatbeatgrizzlyb"arsamazin"!Comein，Bill，an"restyourhat。Whichit"ssimplythetendernessofhellI
don"tmissyou。"
"WhereuponBillan"Jimtracksalonginsidean"goestocanvassin"
upan"downastowhatensooesdoorin"themfortyyearsthey"vebeenparted。JimwantstoknowallaboutRoanokean"howthingsstacksupinoldVirginny，an"he"schuckin"inhisquestionsplentyrapid。
"WhileBill"sreplyin"，hiseyeiscaughtbyafrightful-lookin"
femalewhogoesslyin"inan"out，a-organizin"ofsomegrub。She"sthecolorofasaddle，an"Billcan"tmakeoutwhethershe"sawhite，aMexican，aDiggerInjunoranigger。An"she"sthathideous，thisfemaleis，shecomesmightyneargivin"Billheartfailure。Son，you-allcan"thavenoideehowturribiethispersonlooks。She"ssouglytheflieswon"tlightonher。Yes，sir!uglyenoughtobringsicknessintoafam"ly。Billcanfeelallsortso"
horrorsstampedin"aboutinhisframeashegazesonher。Hereyeslooksliketwobulletholesinaboard，an"therestofherfeachersistetotaciouslyindeescrib"ble。Bill"sintellectsattheawfulsightofthisyerepersonalmostlosestheirformation，asarmygentswouldsay。AtlastBillgetsinaquestiononhisrapid-firerelatif，who"sshootin"himupwithqueriestouchin"Roanoketobeataroyalflush。
""Jim，"saysBill，sorto"scaredlike，"whoeveristhisyereladywho"sroamin"thescene？"
""Well，tharnow!"saysJim，likehe"splumbdisgusted，"Ihopemygunmayhangfire，ifIdon"tforgettointrodooceyou!Bill，that"smywife。"
"ThenJimgoessurgin"offallspraddledoutaboutthenoomerousan"
manifestexcellenciesofthisfemale，an"holdsforthalarmin"ofan"concernin"hervirchoosan"lovelinessoffacean"form，an"alltosechascand"lousdegree，Billhastostepoutdoorstoblush。
""An"，Bill，"goesonJim，an"he"splumbrapturous，thata-way，"mayIneverholdthreeofakindag"in，ifsheain"tgotasisterwho"sasmuchlikeherastwopokerchips。I"mco"tin"bothof"emmightynearfouryearsbeforeeverIcanmakeupmymindwhicheverof"emIneeds。They"rebothsoabsolootelysim"larforbeauty，an"
boththataloorin"totheheart，Isimplycan"ttellhowtosetmystackdown。Atlast，afterfouryears，Iupsan"cutsthekyardsforit，an"winsoutthisone。"
""Well，Jim，"saysBill，who"sbeensettin"tharshudderin"throughthemrhapsodies，an"nowan"thengettin"aglimpseofthisyerefemalewiththetailofhiseye:"Well，Jim，farbeitfromme，an"
meyourbrother，togoavouchin"viewstomakeyoufeeldoobiousofyourchoice。Butcandor"sgotthedroponmean"compelsmetospeakmythoughts。Ineverseesthissisterofyourwife，Jim，butjestthesame，I"daheapsightratherhaveher。"
"An"asIobservesprevious，"concludedtheoldgentleman，"IfeelsaboutJapsan"InjunslikeBilldoesaboutJim"swifethattime。I
neverseesnoJaps，butI"damightysightratherhave"em。"
Therewasanotherpauseafterthis，andcigarswereproduced。Foratimethesmokecurledinsilence。Thenmyfriendagaintookupdiscussion。
"TharcomesfewInjunsinvestigatin"intoWolfville。Doorin"thememutesofCochise，an"Geronimo，an"Nana，theApachesgoesNo"than"Southclostinbythatcampofours，butyoubet!they"reneverthatlocoedastoropeonceatWolfville。We-allwouldshorelyhaveadmiredtoentertainthemhostiles；butasIsu"gests，they"reaheaptooenlightenedtogiveusachance。
"Savagesneverfindsmuchencouragementtocomeha"ntin"aboutWolfville。Aboutthefirstvisitin"Injunmeetswithacontreetemps；
thoughthisisinadvertentaheapan"notdesigned。Thisbuck，aNavajo，Itakesit，fromhisfeathers，hasbeenpirootin"aboutforadayortwo。AtlastIreckonsheallowshe"lleelopeoffintothefoothillsag"in。Ascarryin"outthemroodeplanswhichheforms，hestartstoscrambleontotheTucsonstagejestasOldMonte"sc"llectin"uphisreins。Butitdon"tgo；Injunsisbarred。Thegyard，who"sperchedupinfrontnexttoOldMonte，pokesthisyereaborigineinthemiddleofhisfacewiththemuzzleofhisrifle；
an"astheInjungoestumblin"，thestagestarts，an"bothwheelspassesoverhimthelongestway。ThatInjungivesagroanliketwentysinners，anhislampisout。
"OldMontesetsthebrakean"climbsdownan"sizesuptheremainder。Thenhegetsbackonthebox，picksuphissixhossesan"
isgettin"out。
""Yere，you!"saysFrench，who"stheWells-Fargoagent，a-callin"
afterOldMonte，"comebackan"eitherplantyourgameorpackitwithyou。I"mtoobusyagenttoletyouoranyotherblindeddrunkardgoleavin"afooneralatmydoor。Thar"senoughtodohereasitis，an"Idon"twantnodeadInjunsonmyhands。"
""Don"tputhimuptharan"gosp"ilin"themmail-bags，"howlsOldMonte，asFrenchan"ahoss-hustlerfrominsidethecorrallaysholdoftheNavajotothrowhimonwiththebaggage。
""Thencomedownyerean"rideherdontheplayyourse"f，youmurderin"sot!"saysFrench。
"An"withthat，heshorecutsloosean"cussesOldMontefrightful；
cussestillacottonwoodtreeinfrontofthestationshedsallitsleaves，an"hedeadensthegrassforahundredyardsabout。
""Promotin"asepulcherinthisrock-ribbedlandscape，"saysFrench，asJackMoorecomesup，kindo"apol"gisin"forhisprofanevoylenceatOldMonte；"framin"upatomb，Isay，inthisyererock-ribbedlandscapeain"tnochild"splay，an"I"mnotallowin"noneforthathomicideMontetoputnosechtasksonme。HeknowstheWolfvilleroole。Everygentskinshisownpolecatsan"plantshisownprey。"
""That"swhatever!"saysJackMoore，"an"onlessOldMonteisthirstin"fortroubleinelab"rateforms，heacquiescestharin。"
"WiththatOldMontehitchestheNavajotothehindaxlewithalariatwhichFrenchbringsout，an"thenthestage，withthesavagecoastin"alongbehind，goesrackin"offtotheNo"th。Later，Montean"thepassengershangsthisyereremainderupinapinetree，atanInjuncrossin"inthehills，asawarnin"。Whetherit"sawarnin"
orno，weneverlearns；allthat"sshoreisthattheremainderan"
thelariatisgonenextday；butwhateverideestheotherInjunsentertainsoftheplayis，asIoncehearsalecturesharppromulgate，"concealedwiththecustomarystoicismoftheAmericansavage。"
"Mostlikelythemantipathiesofmineag"inInjunsisaheapenhancedbywhatIexperiencesbackontheoldJonesan"Plummertrail，whentheywaswonttostampedeourherdsaswegoesdrivin"
throughtheInjunTerritory。Anylittleolddarknightoneofthemsavagesisliabletocomeskulkin"uponthewind"ardsideoftheherd，flapablanket，cutlooseayell，an"thenextsecondthar"sahundredan"twentythousanddollars"worthofpropertyskally-
hootin"offintospaceonfrenziedhoofs。Nextday，themsameontooteredchildrenofthewoodsan"fieldswoulddemandfourbitsforeveryheadtheyhe"psroundupan"returntothebunch。It"sasourceofsavagerevenoo，troo；butplumbirritatin"。ThemInjunscorralssometimesasmuchasahundreddollarsbysechtreacheries。
An"thenwe-allhastorestoveronedaytowinitbackatpoker。
"WillInjunsgamble？Shore!an"tothelimitatthat!Ofcourse，bein"，asyousaveys，abenightedpeoplethata-way，they"resomeeasy，havin"nomorejedgmentastothevalyooofahandthanSteveStevenson，an"Stevewouldtakeapa"rofninesan"bet"emhigherthanacat"sback。Weallersrecoversourdinero，butthar"stimean"sleepwelosean"don"tgetback。
"Yes，indeed，son，Injunscommonisasorneryassoapweed。Theonlygoodyou-allcansayof"emis，they"renacheral-bornlonghorns，isoncomplainin"，an"saveystheWestlikemyblackboysaveyslicker。
Onetime——thisyereis"waybackinmyTexasdays——onetimeI"mcampedforlongoverontheUpperHawgthief。It"srainedaheap，an"
bein"asI"monlowgroundanyhow，itgetsthatsoftan"swampywhereIbeitwouldbogabutterfly。ForonceI"mtooksick；hasafever，thata-way。An"loseflesh!shorelyyoushouldhaveseenme!
Ifallsofflikepersimmonsafterafrost，an"getsasga"ntan"
thinasacowinApril。SoIallowsI"lltakealay-offforacoupleofmonthsan"reecooperatesome。
"Cossettin"an"pettin"ofmyhealth，asIstates，Isaddlesupan"
goescavortin"overintotheOsagenationtovisitanoldcompadreofminewho"satradertharbythenameofJohnnyFlorer。ThisyereFlorerisanold-timerwiththeOsages；beenwith"emit"smightylikelytwentyyearatthattime，an"iswith"emyetforallthenoticeIeverreceives。
"Ontheo"casionofthisambassyofmine，Ihasachancetostudythemsavages，an"getalineontheirchar"ctersawholelot。ThistuneI"mwithJohnny，whatyou-allmightcallOsageuppercirclesisaheaptornbytheontowardrivalriesofabraceofeminentbuckswho"seachstrugglin"toleadthefashionforthetribean"raisetheotherout。
"ThemOsages，whileblanketInjuns，isplumbopulent。Thar"ssixteenhundredof"em，an"theyhastothemse"fs1，500，000acresofasgoodlandasevercomesslippin"fromthepalmoftheInfinite。Also，thegov"mentisweak-mindedenoughtoconferoneveryoneof"em，eachbuckdrawin"thedineroforhisfam"ly，ahundredan"fortybigirondollarsanyooally。Wherefore，asIobserves，themOsagesisplentystrong，financial。
"Theseyeretwohigh-rollin"bucksIspeaksof，who"sstrugglin"forthesocialsoopremacy，isinthemidstofthemstrifeswhileI"mvisitin"Florer。It"ssometwomoonspriorwhenoneof"em，whichwe"llcallhimthe"AstorInjun，"takesaheavyfalloutoftheopp"sitionbygoin"overtoCherryvalean"buyin"asooperannuatedtwo-seatRockawaybuggy。Tothishehooksupaspanofponies，loadsinhissquaws，an"p"rades"roundfromPawhuskytoGreyhoss——thesamebein"acoupleofOsagecamps——an"tharbyredoocestheenemy——
whatwe"llnamethe"VanderbiltInjuns"——todesp"ration。TheAstorsavageshorelyhasthecallwiththatRockaway。
"ButtheVanderbiltOsageisaheaphardtodown。HetakesonelookattheAstorInjun"sRockawaywithallitsblindin"splendors，an"
thengoesstreakin"itforCherryvale，likeadrunkardtoabarbecue。An"heseestheRockawayan"goesitseveralbetter。Whatdoyou-allreckonnowthatsavageequipshimse"fwith？Hewinsoutahearse，agoodbigblackroomyhearse，withploomesontoitan"
glasswindersinthesides。
"AssoonaseverthisVanderbiltInjunstiffenshishandwiththehearse，hecomestroopin"backtocampwithit，himse"fontheboxdrivin"，an"puttin"onenoughoflordlydogtomakeapackofhounds。WhichheshorelysquelchestheAstors；theyjestsimplylaydownan"weptatsechgrandeur。TheirRockawayain"tone，two，three，——ain"tinthemoney。
"An"everydaytheVanderbiltInjunwouldloadhissquawsan"
papoosesinsidethehearse，an"thar，wroppedintheirblanketsan"
squattin"onthefloorofthehearseforseats，theywouldbelookin"outo"thewindersatcommonsavageswhoain"tinitan"
don"thavenohearse。Meanwhiles，thebuckVanderbiltisdrivin"theoutfitalloveran""roundthecantonments，theentirebunchassassyan"asflippantasacoopo"catbirds。It"salltheAstorscandotokeepfromgoin"plumblocoed。TheVanderbiltswin。
"Onemornin"，whenFloreran"mehasjestrunourbrandsontothefourthdrink，anoldbuckcomestrailin"intothestore。Hisblanketispulledoverhishead，an"he"spantin"an"givin"itouthe"spowerfulill。
""Howismyfather？"saysJohnnyinOsage。
""Oh，myson，"saystheInjun，placin"onehandonhisstomach，an"
allmightytender，"yourfatherisplentysick。Yourfathergetsupthismornin"，an"hisheartisverybad。Youmustgivehimmedicineoryourfatherwilldie。"
"Johnnypassestheinvalidacinnamonstickan"exhortshimtochewonthat，whichhedoespromptan"satisfactory，likecattleontheircud。Thiscinnamonkeepshimsteadyfor"mostfiveminutes。
""Whateveristhematterwiththissavage？"IasksofJohnny。
""Nothin"partic"lar，"saysJohnny。"Lastnighthecomespushin"inyerean"buysabottleofWorcestershiresauce；an"thenhegetsgaudyan"quaffsitalluponatheeryshe"sanew-fangledfirewater。Hegetsawaywiththeentirebottle。It"snowherealizesthemerrors，an"takestogroanin"an"allowin"itgiveshimabadheart。WhichIshouldshorelyadmitasmuch!"
""Yourfatherisworse，"saystheOsage，ashecomescuttin"inonJohnnyag"in。"Musthavestrongermedicine。Thatmedicine，"holdin"
upsomeofthecinnamon，"thatnotbadenough。"
"Atthis，Johnnypasseshis"father"overadoublehandfulofblackpepperbeforeit"sground。
""Letmyfathergetawaywiththat，"saysJohnny，"an"he"llfeellikeabird。Itwillmakehimgayan"fullofp"isen，likearattlesnakeinAugust。"
"Outtother"arofJohnny"sstoreispileduponderashedmore"ntwothousandboxesofaxlegrease。ItwassentintothenationconsignedtoJohnnybysomeill-advisedsportsinNewYork，whofiggersthatbecausetheOsagesasatribeaboundsinwagons，tharmustshorelybeamarketforaxlegrease。That"swherethemNewYorkpersonsmissesthefordalot。Themsavageshaswagons，troo；buttheynomorethinksofgreasin"themaxlesthanpaintin"therunnin"
gear。Theynevergoesag"instthataxlegreasegameforsomuchasasinglebox；saidointmentisadrug。Whenhedon"tdisposeofitnone，Johnnystoresitoutonderashedsometwentyrodsaway，an"
regyardsitasatotalloss。""Axlegrease，"saysJohnny，"makesap"intincivilizationtowhichthesavagehasnotyetclambered，an"themoptimists，East，whosendsitonyere，shouldhavenevermadenosechbreak。"
"Mebbyit"sbecausethisaxlegreasegrowssullenan"feelsneglectedthata-way；mebbyit"stheheatsoftwosummersan"thefrostsoftwowinterswhichsp"ilesitsdisp"sition；shoreitisatanyratethatatthetimeI"mthar，thatonguentseemsfrettedtothecore，an"isgivin"forthaprotestin"fragrancethathasstoodoffacoyotean"madehimquitatadistanceoftwohundredyards。
YoumightevensayithascausedNacherherse"ftopausean"catchherbreath。
"It"swhentheailin"Osage，whosemaladyistoodeep-seatedtobereachedbycinnamonorpimento，comesfrontin"upforathirdpreescription，thattheaxlegreaseideeseizesJohnny。
""Father，"saysJohnny，"comewithme。Yoursonwillnowsawoffsomebigmedicineonyou；amedicinemeantforfull-blowngentslikeyouan"me。Come，father，comewithyourson，an"youshallbecuredinhalfthetimeittakestorunalooponalariat。"
"Johnnybreaksopenoneoftheaxlegreaseboxes，armsthesavagewithachipforaspoon，an"exhortshimtocutinonitawholelot。
"Son，theodorsofthemwaresisawful；Kansasbutterisvioletstoit；butitneverfluttersthatOsage。IletakesJohnny"schipan"
goestowork，spadin"thataxlegreaseintohismouth，likeheain"tgotaminutetolive。Whenhe"sgotawaywithhalfthebox，hetucksthebalanceonderhisblanketan"retirestohisteepeewithalookofgratitoodeonhisface。Hishearthasceasedtobebad，an"themillnesses，whichaforetimehashimonthego，surrenderstothepowersofthisyerenewmedicinelikewillowstothewind。Withthis，hegoescaperin"outforhiscamp，idlyhummin"awarsong，sechishisrelief。
"An"here"swhereJohnnygetsactiononthataxlegrease。Itshorelyteaches，also，theexcellenceofthemmaxims，"Castyourbreaduponthewatersan"you"llbeonvelvecbeforemanydays。"Withintwohoursacoupleofthissickbuck"ssquawscomessidlin"tiptoJohnnyan"desiresaxlegrease。It"squotedatfourbitsabox，an"
thesquawschangesinfivepesosan"beatsaretreat，carryin"awaytenboxes。Thenthefameofthisbig，newmedicinespreads；thataxlegreasebecomesplentypop"lar。Otherbucksan"othersquawsshowsup，changesintheirmoney，an"ismadehappywithaxlegrease。Theyneverhassechatime，themOsagesdon"t，sincethebattleoftheHoss-shoe。Son，theypacksitoffinblankets，freightsitawayinwagons。Theyturnslooseonareg"laraxlegreasespree。Inaweekeveryboxissold，an"thar"sordersstackeduponFlorer"sdeskfortwokyar-loadsmore，whichisbein"hurriedonfromtheEast。EventheInjuns"agentgetswroughtupaboutit，an"beginstobellowan"paw"roundbywayofcomplimentstoJohnny。
HemakesJohnnyaspeech。
""WhichI"vemadeyourexcellentdiscovery，Mr。Florer，"saysthisagent，"thebasisofareporttothegov"mentatWashin"ton。IsetsforththemadpassionoftheseyereOsagesforaxlegreaseasacondiment，abeverage，an"acure。Iexplainsthetriballeanin"
thatexistsforthatspeshulaxlegreasewhichiscrownedwithyears，an"ownsastrengthwhichcomesonlyasthecor"laryofhardexperience。Axlegreaseislikemusican"soothsthesavagebreast。
Itisoilonthetroubledwatersofaboriginalexistence。Itsfeetisthefeetofpeace。Atthetouchofaxlegreasethehostileabandonsthewarpathan"surrendershimse"f。Hewashesoffhispaintan"becomethwithaxlegreaseasthelambthatbleateth。Thegreatestpossibleuprisin"couldbequelledwithaconsignmentofaxlegrease。Mr。Florer，Icongratulateyou。Fromahumblestore-
keep，sellin"soap，herrin"an"salthoss，youtakesyourstandfromnowwiththeph"lanthropistsan"leadersamongmen。YouhaveconjoinedInjunsan"axlegrease。Forcenturiesthesavagehasbeenaproblemwhichhasdefiedgov"ment。Hewilldosonomore。Mr。
Florer，youhavesolvedthesavagewithaxlegrease。""
CHAPTERV。
ToothpickJohnson"sOstracism。
"Yousees，"observedtheOldCattleman，ashemovedintothedeepershade；"youseesthisyereToothpickdisgracesWolfville；that"showitis。Downsaparty，ToothpickJohnsondoes，an"nogunonthegent，thesamebein"outofrooleentire。Nacherally，whilenooneblamesToothpick，whomakestheplaywhatyou-allcalls"bonyfidis，"thepublicsorto"longsforhiseelopement。An"thatsettlesit；Toothpickhastohuntoutfordifferentstampin"
grounds。
"ItallcomesfromToothpickbein"bynacheroneoftheseyereover-
zealouspeople，an"prematoorelypronethata-way。He"sborneager，Toothpickis，an"can"the"pitnone。
"You-allhastrackeduponthatbreedofcimmaronplentyfrequentnow。They"rethekindwhopicksupapokerhand，kyardbykyard，astheycomes。They"rethatfor"ard，——thatheadlongtogetouterthepresentan"intothefooture，theyjestcan"twaitforthingstohaveachancetohappen。
""Whyeverdoyoupullinyourkyardsthata-way？"IsaystoToothpick，reprovin"ofhim。"Whycan"tyoulet"emlaytillthehand"sdealt？"
""WhichI"mshorelythatlocoedtolookifIain"tgotthreeacesorsomesech，"saysToothpick，"Imustturn"emuptosee。"
""Well，"saysI，an"thesameiswisdomeverytime，"you-allwouldappearmorelikeadeadcoldsporttolet"embe，an"pickupyourwholehandtogether。Likewise，you"ddisplayamightysightmoresaveyifyoukeepsyoureyesonthedealertillhelaysdownthedeck。You"dbelessafflictedbydisagreeablesurprisesifyou"dfreezetothelastidee；an"you"dlayupmoneybesides。"
"Butthat"sthenotionI"maimin"toconvey；Toothpickistooquick。
Hisintellects，itlookslike，isoneternaltip-toetogetinastack。
""He"stoosimooltaneous，isToothpick，"saysJackMooreonce，whenhiman"Boggsisdiscoursin"together，sizin"upToothpick。"He"sthatsimooltaneoushecomesmightynearbein"awholelottooadjacent。"
"WhatdoesToothpickdothattimewe-alldisapprovesan"stampedeshim？It"saaccidentalkillin"。
"It"sseconddrinktimeintheevenin"，an"theTucsonstageisin。
Thar"sapasselofuswhohasropedupourmail，an"nowwe"restandin""roundinfrontoftheRedLight，breakin"intolettersan"
papers，an"a-makin"ofcomments，whenalongwandersapartywho"sbeenpicnicin"withthecamp。Asthedealturns，heneverdoesstaylongnohow；neverlongenoughtobecomea"genial"quaintancean"afav"riteofall。"
"Thispartywhocomessidlin"upis，aswehears，latefromRedDog；
an"doorin"themfourhourswhereinheconfershissocietyontous，hestaysdrunkhabityooalan"neverdoeslapseintobein"soberforasecond。It"sshoreremark"ble，now，howallthemRedDogpeoplestaysintox"catedwhiletheysojournsinWolfville。Neverknowsittofail；an"Iallows，asas"lootionthata-way，it"sowin"tothesooperiormeritsofournose-paint。It"sacomplimenttheypaysus。
"However，thisRedDoggent"sdrinkin"ishisownaffairs。An"hisearnestnessaboutlickermayhavebeenhissystem；thenag"initmaynot；Idon"tgopryin"nonetodetermine。Butbein"he"splumbdrunk，asyoureadilydiscerns，itkeepsupabarrierag"ingrowin"
intimatewiththisparty；an"ontilToothpickopensonhim，hisintercoursewithWolfvilleisnacherallyonlyformal。
"ThisvisitorfromRedDog——whichRedDogitse"fisaboutaslow-
flungabunchofcrim"nalsasevergetsroundedupan"calledacamp——but，asI"msayin"，thistotterin"wreckImentionscomesstragglin"up，moreorlesspermiscusan"vague，an"，withoutsayin"
awordormakin"asign，orevenshakin"abush，standsaboutlariatdistanceawayan"star"satToothpick，blinkin"hiseyesmightymalevolent。
"Itain"tnotimewhenthisyerebluffonthepartofthedrinkin"
RedDoggentattractsToothpick，who"sbeenskirmishin""roundamonguswherewe"restandin"，an"isatthattimementionin"Freighter"sStew，asagoodthingtoeat，toDaveTutt。
""Whobeyou-alladmirin"now？"asksToothpickoftheRedDogparty，who"sglarin"towardshim。It"sthenInotesthelightsbegintodanceinToothpick"seyes；withthatimpulsivesperitofhis，he"sdootobecomeabruptwithourvisitoratthedropofthehat。
"ThatRedDoggentdon"tmakenoretort，butstandstharwithhiseyespicketedonToothpicklikehe"sfoundavictim。Toothpickisfidgetin"onhisfeet，withhisthumbsstuckinhisbelt；whichthislastisabadsymptom，asitleavesagent"sartilleryeasytoreach。
"Itstrikesmeatthetimethatit"sevenmoneythar"sgoin"tobesomeshootin"。Idon"tthennornowknowwhynone。Butthatignoranceiscommonaboutshootin"s；twotimesinthreenobodyeverdoesknowwhy。
"Ireckonsnowit"sToothpick"sfidgetin"makesmesuspicioushe"sonthebrinkofrousin"theo"casionwithhissix-shooter。Whichifhe"scoolan"ca"m，itwouldnevercometomethata-way；acoolgentneverpullsthefirstgun，leastwaysneverwhenthepretextisfriv"lousan"don"tcomeondertheheadof"Must"。
""Well。"savsToothpickag"in，"whateverbeyou-allgloatin"over，I
asks？Or，mebbyyou"rethinkin"of"doptin"measasonorsomethin"？"saysToothpick。
"StillthepartyfromRedDogdon"tsaynothin"。AsToothpickceases，however，thisRedDogpersonmakesamove，whichisreasonablequick，forhiship。He"sgotonalongcoat，an"whilenogentcansee，thar"snoneofushasdoubtsbutheisfullydressed，an"thathe"ssearchin"outhisColt"s。
"That"swhatToothpickallows；an"theRedDogparty"shandain"ttraveledtwoinchesonderhissurtoot，whenToothpickcutsfreehis"44，an"theRedDogpartyhitstheground，facedown，likeakyardjestdealt。
"Yes，he"sdeadenough；neverdoeskickorflutteronce。It"sshorelyashotinthecross。
"`Doyou-allnotehowhetriestofillhishandonme？"asksToothpick，mightycheerful。
"ToothpickstoopsdownfortheRedDogman"sgun，an"whatdoyou-
allthink？Hedon"thavenoweapon，nonewhatever；nothin"morevig"rousthanapeacefulflaskofwhiskey，whichthesameisstillallsafeinhisr"arpocket。
""Hewarn"theeled!"saysToothpick，straightenin"upan"lookin"atusapol"getican"disgusted。
"It"sjesticetoToothpicktosay，Ineveryetovertakesthatgentwho"smoreabashedan"discouragedthanheiswhenhefindsthispersonain"tpackin"nogun。Hesurveystheremainderasecond，an"
says:
""Gents，ifeverthelickerforthecampisonToothpickJohnson，it"snow。Butthar"sonelastdootytoperformtouchin"deceased。
It"sevident，departedisabouttoaskmetodrink。It"sthisyeremotionhemakesforhiswhiskeywhichImistakesforagunplay。
TharIerrs，an"stacksupthisRedDogpersonwrong。NowthatI
onderstands，whileacknowledgin"myfal"cies，theleastIcandoistorespectdeceased"slastwishes。Itharfore，"saysToothpick，raisin"theRedDogparty"sflask，"complieswithwhat，ifIhadn"tinterruptedhim，wouldhavebeenhislastrequests。An"regrettin"I
don"tsaveysooner，Idrinkstohim。"
"No，"concludedtheOldCattleman，"asIintimatesatthego-off，Toothpickdon"tstaylongafterthat。Noonetalksofstringin"himforwhat"saplaincaseofbadjedgment，an"nothin"more。Butstill，Wolfvilletakesanotionag"inhim，an"don"twanthim"roundnone。Sohehastofreightout。
""Youareallright，Toothpick，speakin"gen"ral，"saysOldManEnright，whenhiman"DocPeetsan"JackMoorecomesuponToothpicktonotifyhimit"stheStranglers"ideehe"dbetterpackhiswagonsan"hitthetrail，"butyoudon"tholdyoursix-shooterenoughinwhatDocPeetsyerecalls"abeyance。"Withoutputtin"nostainonyourcharacter，it"srighttosayyouain"tsedentaryenough，an"
thatyou-allisaheaptoosoonbesides。Inview，tharfore，ofwhatIstates，an"ofyoudroppin"thisyereRedDoggent——notanounceofirononhimatthetime!——whileweexonerates，wedecideswithoutadissentin"votetosorto"look"roundthecampforyouto-morry，sayatsundown，an"hangyousome，shouldyouthenbepresentyere。
That"showtheherdisgrazin"，Toothpick:an"ifyou"reouttocommitsooicide，you"llbepartic"lartobewithusatthehourI
names。""
CHAPTERVI。
TheWolfvilleDailyCoyote。
You-allremembersback，"saidtheOldCattleman，"thatyeretoforeI
su"gestshowatsomeappropriateepock，Irelatesaboutthecomin"
ofColonelWilliamGreeneSterettan"thatadventofWolfville"sgreatdailypaper，theCoyote。"
Itwaseveningandsharplyinthewakeofdinner。Weweregathereduntoourselvesinmyfriend"sapartments。InexcellentmoodtohearofColonelSterettandhiscelebratedjournal，Ieagerlyassuredhimthathispromiseinsaidbehalfwasfreshandfragrantinmymemory，andthatItrustedhewouldfindpresentopportunityforitsredemption。Thusencouraged，theoldgentlemanshovedtheboxofcigarstowardsme，pouredagenerousglass，anddisposedhimselftobegin。
"RedDoginasperitofvaincompetition，"observedmyfriend，"startsapaperaboutthesametimeColonelSterettfoundstheCoyote；an"，son，forawhile，themimprintshasaluridlife!TheRedDogpaperdon"tlastlongthough；itlacksthemelementsoflongevitywhichtheCoyotepossesses，an"itain"trunnin"manyweeksbeforeitsorto"rotsdownallatonce，an"theeditorjumpsthegame。
"It"severbeenasubjectofdissensionsbetweenColonelSterettan"
myse"fastowhereimpartialjesticeshouldlaytheblameofthatRedDogpaper"sfailure。ColonelSterettchargesitontotheeditor；
butit"smybeliefs，an"I"mj"inedtharinbyBoggsan"TexasThompson，thatnoeditorcouldflourishan"nopapersurviveinsurroundin"ssoplumbvenomousan"p"isenasRedDog。Moreover，I
holdsthatColonelSterett，onintentionalnodoubt，takesaja"ndicedviewofthatbrotherpublisher。ButIridesaheadofmytale。