第3章
"TharcomesadaywhenOldManEnrightheadsintotheRedLight，wherewe-allisdiscussin"ofeepisodes，an"hepacksaletterinhishand。
""Yere"samatter，"hesays，"ofpublicconcern，an"Iasksforafullexpressionofthecampforanswer。Yere"sasharpbythenameofColonelWilliamGreeneSterett，whowritesmeashowhe"ssufferin"toletgoallholtsintheStatesan"startapaperinWolfville。Itshallbe，hesays，aprogressifan"enlightenedjournal，devotedtothemoral，mentalan"materialupheavalofthisyerecommoonity，an"heaimstolearnourviews。DoIhearanyremarksonthislitteratoor"sprop"sition？""Tellhimtocomea-
runnin"，Enright，"saysJackMoore；"an"drawitstrong。Ifthar"sonewantwhichisslowlybutshorelycrowdin"Wolfvilletothewall，it"sadearthofliteratoor；yere"sourchance，an"weplaysitquickanhigh。"
"Iain"tsogalaconfidentofallthis，"saysDanBoggs。"I"msorto"allowin"thishamlet"stoofeebleyetforapaper。Startin"apaperinasmallcampthisa-wayislikegivin"asix-shootertoaboy；mostlikelyheshootshimse"f，ormebbybuststheneighbor，tharwith。"
"Oh，Idon"tknow，"saysDocPeets，who，Iwantstosay，isassuddenawhiteman，mental，asIeversees；"mynotionistobringhimalong。Themereideeofapaper"lldoaheapforthetown。"
"I"mentertainin"sentimentssim"lar，"saysEnright；"an"IguessI"llwritethisColonelSterettthatwe"llgohimonceifwelose。
I"massistedtothisconcloosionbyhearin"，thelasttimeI"minTucson，thatRedDog，whichisourrival，isouttostartapaper，inwhicheventitbehoovesWolfvilletosplitevenwith"emattheleast。"
"That"swhatever!"saysMoore。"IfweallowsRedDogtoputitontousthata-waywemightjestaswelldissolveWolfvilleasacamp，an"reepairtothewoodsinabody。"
"EnrightsendsColonelSterettword，an"infourweekshecomespackininhislayoutan"opensuphisgame。ColonelSterett，personal，isabroad，thick，fine-seemin"gent，withasmooth，highfor"ead，greyeyes，an"along，honestfacelikeahoss。TheColonelhasafar-offlookinhiseyes，likehe"sdreamin"ofthingssublime，whichDocPeetssaysisthecommonlookoflit"rarygentsthata-way。TexasThompson，however，allowshewitnessesthesamedistantexpressionintheeyesofafoogitivefromjestice。
"ColonelSterettmakesagoodimpression。Heevolveshisjournalan"
namesittheCoyote，anameapplaudedbyusall。I"llreadyouafewofthemearliestitems；whichI"mabletogivetheseyerenoticesexact，asIpreservesafileoftheCoyotecomplete。Ishorelywouldn"tbewithoutit；nonewhatever!
"MissFaroNell，Wolfville"sbeautifulandaccomplishedsocietybelle，condescendedtogracethepostoflookoutlastnightforthegamepresidedoverbyoureminenttownsman，Mr。CherokeeHall。
"Ain"titsweet？"saysFaroNell，whenshereadsit。"Ithinksit"sjestlovely。Thedrinksisonme，barkeep。"Thenwegoeson:
"Mr。SamuelJohnsonEnright，anamesakeofthegreatlexicographer，andtheLycurgusofWolfville，paidavisittoTucsonlastweek。
"Anypersonpossessingleisureandastackofchipscanadventurethelatterunderconditionsabsolutelyequitablewiththatdistinguishedcourtieroffortune，Mr。CherokeeHall。
"IfMr。JohnMoore，ourefficientMarshal，willrefrainfrompinninghistargetsforpistolpracticetotheexteriorofourbuilding，wewillbowourgratitudewhennextwemeet。Thebulletsgorightthrough。
"WeweredistressedlastweektonotethatMr。JamesHamilton，thegentlemanlyandurbaneproprietorofWolfville"stempleofterpsichoir(seead，inanothercolumn)hadchangedwhiskeysonus，andwasdispensingwhatseemedtoourthroatatinctureofthecommoncarpettackofcommerce。ItisourhopethatMr。H。，onseeingthis，willatoncerestorethestatuquoathisjustlypopularresort。
"ArecklessMexicanwasparadingthestreettheothernightcarryinginhishandamonkeywrench。Itwasdark，andMr。DanielBoggs，aleadingcitizenofWolfville，whomethim，mistakingthewrenchforapistolwhichtheMexicanwascarryingforsomevilepurpose，veryproperlyshothim。Mexicansarefartoocarelessthisway。
"TheO。K。RestaurawisoneofthefewsuperiorhostelriesoftheTerritory。Mrs。Rucker，itscharmingproprietress，isacookwhomightoutrivaleventhatcelebratedchef，nowdead，M。Soyer。Herpiesarepoems，herbreadanepic，andherbeansadream，Mrs。
Ruckerhascookedherwaytoeveryheart，andherfamedestablishmentisjustlyregardedasthebrightparticulargeminWolfville"smunicipalcrown。
"ItisnotneededforustoremindourreadersthatWolfvillepossessesinthepersonofthatcelebratedpractitionerofmedicine，Mr。CadwalladerPeets，M。D。，ascientistwhosefameisworld-wideandwhoserenownhasreachedtofurthestlands。DoctorPortshasbeautifullymountedtheskullofthathorse-stealingignobility，BearCreel。Stanton，whorecentlysufferedthepunishmentduehismanycrimesatthehandsofourlocalvigilancecommittee，atribunalwhichunderthediscerningleadershipofPresidentEnright，neverfailsintheadministrationofjustice。DoctorPeetswillbegladtoexhibitthismementomoritoallwhocaretocall。DoctorPeets，whoiseminentasaphrenologist，aversthatsaidskullisremarkableforitsthickness，andthatitsconformationpointstothepossessionbyBearCreek，whileheworeit，ofthemostpowerfulnaturalinclinationstocrime。FromthesediscoveriesofDoctorPeets，thecommitteewhichsuspendedthisfelontothewindmillistobecongratulatedonactingjustintime。Itseemsplainfromthecontourofthisskullthatitwouldnothavebeenlong，hadnotthecommitteeintervened，beforeBearCreekwouldhaveaddedmurdertohorselarceny，andto-daythetownmightbemourningthedeathofavaluedcitizeninsteadoffelicitatingitselfoverthetaking-offofavillainwhoseverybumpsindictandconvicthimwitheveryfairandenlightenedintelligencethatisbroughttotheircontemplation。
"Ourrespectedfriendandsubscriber，Mr。DavidTutt，andhisbeautifulandaccomplishedlady，Mrs。DavidTutt，neeTucsonJennie，havereturnedfromtheirstayinSilverCity。Lastnightinhonoroftheircoming，andtoseetheirfriends，thisamiableandpopularpairgaveanAtHome。Therewaseveryformofrefreshment，andjoyandmerrimentwasunconfined。MissFaroDellwasadmittedlythebelleofthisfestiveoccasion，andDianawouldhaveenviedheras，radiantandhappy，sheledthegrandmarchleaningonthearmofMr。
CherokeeHall。ByrequestofMr。DanielBoggs，the"LariatPolka"
wasaddedtotheprogrammeofdances，aswasalsothe"PocatelloReel"attheinstanceofMr。TexasThompson。Astheballprogressed，andattheparticulardesireofthosepresent，Mr。BoggsandMr。
Thompsonentertainedthecompanywiththatdifficultandintricatedanceknownasthe"MountainLionMazourka，"accompanyingtheireffortswithspiritedvocalismsmeanttoimitatethedefiantscreamsofapantheronitsnativehills。Thesecries，aswellasthedanceitself，werehighlyrealistic，andMessrs。B。andT。weremadetherecipientsofmanycompliments。Mr。andMrs。Tuttaretobecongratulatedonthesuccessofthefunction；tofullydescribeitsmanyexcellentfeatureswouldexhaustencomium。
"Whichwereadstheforegoin"withonmixedpleasure，an"tharain"tagentbutwho"splumbconvincedthatanewspaper，thata-way，isthebulwarkofcivilizationsan"corner-stoneofAmericaninstitootions，whichit"sallowedtobebythevoicesofthemages。
""Thisyereimprint，theCoyote，"saysJackMoore，"isahowlin"
triumph，an"anygentdisposedcangoan"makeaswellbetonitwitheverycertaintyofa-killin"。Also，Iremembersyereafteraboutthembullets。"
"Meanwhile，likeIstatesprior，RedDoghasitseditor，whowhirlslooseapaperwhichhecallstheStingin"Lizard。TheRedDogsheetain"tamarkertoColonelSterett"sCoyote，an"it"stheyooniversalideeinWolfville，afterca"mlycomparin"thetwopapers，thatColonelSterettasaeditorcansimplybackthatRedDogpersonplumbofftheground。
"Itain"tnotimebeforeColonelSterettan"theRedDogeditortakestocirklin"fortrouble，an"thefrightfulnamestheyappliestoeachotherintheirrespectifjournals，an"theaccoosationsan"
themepithetstheyhurls，wouldshorecurdlethebloodofagrizzlyb"ar。
"An"asiftocomplicatethesityooationforthatonhappysportwho"sgettin"outtheRedDogStingin"Lizard，hebeginstohavetroublelocal。Thar"sachuck-shopatRedDog——it"saplumblowj"int；Ineverknowsittohaveanygrubbetterthanbeans，saltpigan"airtights，——whichiscalledtheAbeLincolnHouse，an"iskeptbyapartynamedPeteBland。WhichthisyereBlandalsoownsagoat，thesamebein"agiftofaMexicanwho"sgotintheholetoBlandan"squar"saccountsthata-way。
"Thisgoatisjestasimple-minded，every-day，commonkindofagoat；buthe"smightythoroughinhisway，allersonthehustle，an"
ifheeveroverlooksaplay，noonedon"tknowit。Oneday，whentheRedDogeditorisprintin"offhispapers，upcomesthegoat，an"
diskyardin"ofthetin-canwhichhe"schewin"，hebeginsdebauchin"
ofhimse"fwiththisyereeditionoftheStingin"Lizard。It"smightysoonwhentheeditordiscoversitan"laysforthegoatpermiscus；hegoestochunkin"ofhimupawholelot。Thegoat"sgamean"declar"shimse"f，an"tharstartsaaltercationwiththeeditoran"thegoat，ofwhichthar"snotellin"thewind-up，an"
whichendsonlywhenthisyereBlandcutsin，an"thegoat"sdrugBorne。Thepaperisstoppedan"theeditorputsinthis:
"Ourpressesarestoppedto-daytosaythatiftheweak-mindedpersonwhomaintainsthelarge，blackgoatwhichinfestsourstreets，doesnotkillthebeast，wewill。To-day，whileengagedinworkingoffourmammotheditionoutbackofourbuilding，thethievishcreatureapproachedunnoticedandconsumedseventeencopiesoftheStingin"Lizard。
"WhichthisyereBlandgetsincensedatthis，an"putsituptheeditorcan"teatwithhimnomore。Butbettercounselsmoothsitover，an"atlastthisBlandforgivestheeditor，an"allisforgot。
Thegoat，however，neverdoes；an"hestampshisfootan"prowls"roundforafracaseverytinehiman"thateditormeets。
"AllthisyeretimeColonelSterettan"thissameRedDogeditormaintainsthemhostilities。Thewaytheylamslooseateachotherintheirpapersisaterror。IallersreckonsColonelSterettgetsaheapthebestofthisyeremane-chewin"；we-allsoregardsit，an"
sodoeshe，an"hekeepshisendupwithgreatsperitan"voylence。
"Theseyoreink-riotsdon"tgoonmore"ntwomonths，however，whenColonelSterettdecidesthattheo"casioncallsforsomethin"moreexplicit。Ashesays，"Patienceceasestobetrumps，"an"sohesaddlesupawholelotan"ridesovertoRedDog，personal。ColonelSterettdon"timpartthemplansofhistonoone；hesimplydescendsonhisfoe，solean"alone，likethatgamean"chivalrousgentofbellletterswhichheshorelyis；an"，son，ColonelSterettmakesaexampleofthatslander-mongerin"RedDogeditor。
"It"saboutthelastdrinktimeinthemornin"，an"apasselofthemRedDogsportsisconvenedinfrontoftheTubofBloods"loon，whenthey-allhearsacrashan"looksup，an"thar"stheireditora-
soarin"outofhissecond-storywindow。Ofcourse，inasecondorso，hehitstheground，an"themRedDogfolksgoesovertogettherightsofthisyerephenomenon。Heain"thurtsobutwhathegetsupan"limps"round，an"hetells"emit"stheWolfvilleeditordoesit。NexttimetheStingin"Lizardcomesout，wereadsaboutit:
"Thegasconadingreptilewhoisresponsiblefortheslimylifeofthatprurientsheet，theCoyote，paidusasneakingvisitSaturday。
Ifhehadgivenusnoticeofhisintentions，wewouldhavepreparedourselvesandtornhisleproushidefromhisdehauchedandwhiskey-
poisonedframe，andpollutedourfencewithit，buthedidnot。Truetohislow，currishnature，hecreptuponusunawares。Ourbackwastowardhimasheentered，perceivingwhichthecowardlypoltroonseizedusandthrewusthroughourownwindow。Havingaccomplishedhisfiendishwork，themiscreantleft，justlyfearingourwrath。TheStingingLizard"sexposureofthisscoundrelasadrunkard，embezzler，wife-beater，jail-bird，thief，andgeneralall-roundblacklegpromptedthisoutrage。Nevermind，thecreaturewillhearfromus。
""Whichthisnewspaperbusinessisshorelygettin"somebilious，nottosayhectic，awholelot，"saysDanBoggs，aswereadsthis。"I
wonderiftheseyerefolksmeansfight？"
""Why，"saysEnright，"Idon"tknowasthey"dfightnoneifwe-alllets"emalone，butIdon"tseehowwecan。ThissortofracketgoesonforyearsintheEast，butWolfvillecan"tstandit。SechtalkasthismeansbloodinArizona，an"weinsistsonthemtraditionsthata-waybein"respected。Besides，weowessomethin"toColonelSterett。"
"SoEnrightan"Cherokeehuntsupoureditoran"askshimwhateverheaimstodo，an"tellshimhe"sarousedpublicsentimentstosechheightsthar"llbeapop"lardisapp"intmentifhedon"tchallengetheRedDogeditoran"beefhim。ColonelSterettallowshe"scrazytodoit，an"thattheWolfvillepubliccangamblehe"llgothedistance。SoCherokeean"JackMooreputsontheirgunsan"goesovertoRedDogtofixtimean"place。TheRedDogeditorsayshe"swith"em，an"theyshakesdiceforplace，an"Cherokeean"Moorewins。
""Whichasevidenceofgoodfaith，"saysCherokee，"wepicksRedDog。Wepullsthisthingoffontheverysceneofthevict"ryofColonelSterettwhenhehurlsyoureditorthroughhiswindowthattime。Iholdsthesametobeamightyproperscheme。"
""You-allneedn"tbetimidnonetocome，"saystheRedDogsports。
"Yougetsasquar"dealfromastraightdeck；youcangambleonthat。"
""Oh，weain"tapprehensifnone，"saysCherokeean"Jack；"youcanshorelylookforus。"
"Well，theday"scome，an"allWolfvillean"RedDogturnsouttoseethetrouble。JackMoorean"CherokeeHallrepresentsforoureditor，an"abraceofRedDogpeopleshowsdownfortheStingin"
Lizardman。Topreventaccidents，Enrightan"theRedDogchiefmakeseverygentbutthemInames，leavetheirweeponssome"erselse，whereforetharain"taguninwhatyou-allmightcallthehandsofthepop"laces。
"Buttharcomesainterruption。Jestasthemdooelistsgetsplaced，thar"sastoopendouscommotion，an"chargin"throughthecrowdcomesthatabandonedgoat。Thepresenceofsomanyfolksseemslikeitmakeshimonusualhostile。Withoutwaitin"tocatchhisbreatheven，helaysfortheRedDogeditor，who，seein"himcomin"，bangsawaywithhis"45an"misses。Thegoathitsthatauthorinthetailofhiscoat，an"overhegoes；buthekeepsonslammin"awaywiththe"45jestthesame。
"Whichnacherallyeverybodyscattersfurcoveratthefirstshot，"causetheeditorain"tcarin"wherehep"ints，an"inasecondnobody"sinsightbutthemtwojournalistsan"thatgoat。I"llsayrightyere，son，ColonelSterettan"hisfelloweditoran"thegoatwagestheawfullestbattlewhichIeverbeholds。Whichyoushorelyoughterheardtheirexpressions。Eachof"emletsgoeveryloadhe"sgot，butthegoatdon"tgethitonct。
"Whenwe-allcountstwelveshots——sixapiece——wegoesoutan"
subdoosthegoatbythepowerofnumbers。Ofcourse，thedooel"sended。TheRedDogfolksborriesawagonan"takesawaytheirman，who"ssufferedaheap；an"Peets，hestaysovertharan"fusses"roundallnightsavin"ofhim。Thegoat"sallrightan"goesbacktotheAbeLincolnHouse，wherethisyerePeteBlandisonreasonableenoughtobackthatshockinconductofhis"n。
"Whichit"sthelastoftheRedDogStingin"Lizard。Thateditorallowshewon"tstay，an"Bland，stilladherin"tohisgoat，allowshewon"tfeedhimnoneifhedoes。ThenextissueoftheStingin"
Lizardcontainsthis:
"WebidadieutoRedDog。WewillhereafterpublishapaperinTucson；andifwehavebeenweakandmendaciousenoughtospeakinfavorofapartyofthenameofBland，whomisconductsalowbeanerywhichinsultsanhonourablemanbystealinghisname——werefertothatfeed-troughcalledtheAbeLincolnHouse——wewillcorrectourselvesinitscolumns。Thispersonharboursavilegoat，forwhosedeathwewillpay5，andgivebesidesalife-longsubscriptiontoournewpaper。Lastweekthismadanimalmadeanunprovokedassaultuponusandaprofessionalbrother，andbeat，butted，wounded，bruisedandill-
treatedusuntilwesufferinourwholeperson。Wegivenoticeaswedepart，thatundernocircumstanceswillwereturnuntilthisgoatisextinct。
"Followin"theonexpectedan"thrillin"finishofColonelSterett"sdooelwiththeRedDogeditor，an"fromwhichColonelSterettemergesonscathed，an"leavin"Peetswithhisnewpatient，weallreturnsinabodytoWolfville。AfterrefreshmentsintheRedLight，Enrightgiveshisviews。
""Ondoubted，"observesEnright，"ourgent，ColonelSterett，conductshimse"finthempainfulscenesbetweenhiman"thegoatan"thatRedDogeditorinamannertocommandrespects，an"hereturnswithhonorsfromthemperils。Ther"snomoretobedone。Theaffaircloseswithoutastainonthe"scutcheonofWolfville，orthefairfameofColonelSterett；whichlastmaycontinyootopromulgatehisvalyooablepaper，shoreofourconfidencean"upheldbyouresteem。
Itisnotincumbentonhimtofurtherpursoothisaffair。
Hisnamean"honorissatisfied；besides，nogentcanaffordtherecognitionsandprivilegesofthedooellotoapartywho"ssunksolowastohavehostiledifferenceswithagoat，an"whopersistspubliclyinfollowin"emtobitteranvoylentconcloosions。ThisRedDogeditor"sdoneputhimselfoutsidethepaleofanyhigh-speritedgent"sconsiderationbythemactions，an"canclaimnofurthernotice。Gents，inthenameofWolfville，Itenderscongrat"lationstoColonelSterettonthewayinwhichhemeetsthedangersofhisp"sition，an"thesooperbfashion!!!whichheplacesbeforeusoneofthegreatestjournalsofourtimes。Gents，wedrinkstoColonelWilliamGreeneSterettan"theCoyote。""
CHAPTERVII。
CherokeeHallPlaysPoker。
"NacherallyI"mnotmuchofasport，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，ashelaiddownapaperwhichtoldaMonteCarlostoryofafortunelostandwon。"WhichI"mnotremorselessenoughtobeacleanstraingambler。Ofcourse，akyardsharpcanmakebenevolencesan"lavishdustontheneedyontheside，butwhenitgetstoagameformoney，hecan"taffordnoruthfulnessthata-way，tryin"nottohurtthesorepeople。Hemustplayhissystemthrough，an"withnomoreconsciencethancows，nomatterwho"srundowninthestampede。"Forwhichcauses，bein"plumbtenderan"sympathetic，I"mshorenogoodwithkyards；an"wheneverIdalliestharwith，itisondertheheadofamoosements。"DoIregyardgamblin"asimmoral？No；Idon"treckonnonenowIdo。Thisbein"whatyou——allchurchsharpscallsmoralissomewhatamatterofhealth，an"likewisethewayyoufeels。Sickfolksusualisaheapmoremoralthanwhentheirhealth"sthatexcellentit"stantalizin"。"Speakin"ofmorals，I
recallspeoplewhowouldscornkyards，butwho"dadmiretobuyawidow"ssteersforfourdollarsan"saw"emoffag"inforforty。
They"dtakefourhundreddollarsifsomeparty，locoedtoadegreewhichpermitssaidoutrage，wouldturnup。Therightorwrong，whatyoucallsthemoralityofgatherin"steersforfourdollarsan"
plunderin"peoplewith"ematfortydollars，wouldn"tbother"emabit。Whichthequestionwiththeseyerewolvesissimply:"HowlittlecanIpayan"howmuchcanIget？"An"yet，asIsays，sechpartiesmightylikelyholdsthemse"fsmoraltoadegreewhichismountainous，an"wouldn"ttakeatwistatfaro-bank，orpickupapokerhand，more"nthey"dminglewitht"rant"lersan"stingin"
lizards。An"someoftheirmoralsportsissoonlib"ral!Itellsyou，son，I"vemetupwith"emwho"sthatstingythatiftheyownedalake，theywouldn"tgiveaduckadrink。
""Gamblin"isimmoralthata-way，"saystheseyeresports。
"An"yetIdon"tseenosechheinousdifferencebetweensearchin"agentforhisrollwithsteersatfortydollars——thesamestandin"
youinfour——an"layinforhimbyraisin"theanteforthelimitbeforethedraw。Mightylikelythar"sareasonwhyone"smoralan"
theother"sblackan"bad，butIadmitsonblushin"lythattheonearthin"tharofisshoretoomanyfordim-eyedfolkslikeme。Theystrikesmeaheapsim"lar；onlythekyardsharpgoesoutag"instchanceswhichthesteersharpescapescomplete。
"IreckonsCherokeeHallan"mediscusseshowwronggamblin"ishundredsoftimesonleesuredays；wefrequenttalksofitimmoderate。Cherokee"sviewsan"mineissidean"side，mostly，although，makin"hislivin"turnin"kyards，ofcoursehe"smorequalifiedtospeakthanme。
""WhichIshorefindsnothin"wronginfarobank，"saysCherokee。
"Thar"stimes，however，whensomesportwho"slocoedbybadluck，orthinkshe"swrongedgetsdiffusivewithhisgun。Atsechepocksthisdevicehasitsburdens，Iconcedes。ButIdon"tperceivenoimmorality；nonewhatever。"
"Yes，nowyouasksthequestion，IdoesinformyouawhilebackofthisCherokeeHallbein"pronetocharity。Heneverismuchofatalker，butinhiswayhe"samightygregar"ousgent。Aboutsomethingshe"sgameashornets，Cherokeeis；buthisnervefailshimwhenitcomestoseein"otherpeoplesuffer。Hecanstandbadluckhimse"f，an"neverturnaha"r；butnooneelse"sbadluck。
"Itain"tonceaweek，butit"severyday，whenthisyeregray-eyedsportisrobbin"hisrollforsomebodywho"ssettin"inag"instdisaster。Fact；Cherokee"saheapweakthata-way。
"Ofcourse，turnin"faro，Cherokeeknowswhohasmoneyan"whoneedsit；keepstab，sotospeak，onthefluctooationsofthecamp"sfinancescloser"nanybody。Therichesan"thepovertyofWolfvilleissorto"exposin"itse"f"roundonderhisnose；it"saopenbooktohim；an"theknowledgeofwho"sflat，orwho"sflush，isthrustontohimcontinyoous。AsIsays，bein"somesentimentalaboutthemhardshipsofothers，theinformationcostsCherokeehardontoadiurnalstackortwo。
""Whichyou"retooimpulsiveawholelot，"Iarguesonctwhenaprofligatehe"sstaked，an"whoreportshimse"fasjumpin"sidewaysforgrubprevious，goescareerin"overtothedancehallwiththemalmshe"swrung，an"proceedsonadebauch。"Yououghternotallowthemorneryfolkstodoyou。Ifyou"dcultivatethehabitoflettin"
everygentgoa-foottillhecanbuyahoss，you"dcleanupforaheapmoreattheendoftheweek。Nowthisingratewhosehandyoustiffensain"tbuyin"nothin"butnose-painttharwith。"
""Whichthesameplantsnoregretswithme，"saysCherokee，allcarelessan"indifferent。"Ifthispersonissufferin"forwhiskeyworse"nhe"ssufferin"forbread，lethimloosewiththewhiskey。
Themoney"shis。WhenIgivesagentastake，thar"snothin"heldback。Idon"tgoplayin"thedespotastohowheblowsit。IfthisyerepartyIrelieveswantswhiskeyan"isbuyin"whiskey，I
approveshisplay。IfI"veaweaknessatall，it"sforseein"folksfetterlessan"free。"
"Whileholdin"Cherokee"sviewserroneous，sofarasheseekstoapply"emtopauperstankin"upondonations，stillIallowsit"sdealin"farowhichhassp"iledhim；an"asyoucan"tmakenogentovernew，Iquitsan"don"tbuckhisnotionsaboutdispensin"
charitynomore。"Thar"stimeswhenthisyereCherokeeHallcaromsonagentwho"shigh-strungthata-way，an"won"ttakenodonations；
whichthisyeresportmaybeplentyneedytothep"intofperishin"，too。That"sstraight；thar"snacherswhichisthatreluctantaboutaid，theysimplydiesstandin"beforethey"lleverask。
"OnceortwicewhenCherokeecrossesupwithoneoftheseyeresensitifsouls，an"who"sindistress，heneversaysawordaboutgivin"himanythin"；heturnsfoxyan"capshimintoalittlepoker。
An"inthecourseofanhour——forhehastogoslowan"cunnin"，sohedon"tarousethevictimtosuspicionsthathe"sbein"played——
Cherokee"lldisarrangethingssohelosesasmallstaketohim。Whenhe"sgotthisdistressedgent"sfinancesreehabilitatedsome，heshovesoutan"quits。
""An"youcanputitflatdown，"remarksCherokee，who"ssooperstitious，"Ineverlosesnothin"norquitsbehindontheseyerebenevolences。WhichIoftobservesthatProvidencecomesbackofmyboxbeforeevertheweek"sout，an"makesgood。"
""IonceknowsasportinLaredo，"saysTexasThompson，towhomCherokeeistalkin"，"an"issorto"intimatewithhim。He"sholdin"
tosomethin"likeyoursystem，too，an"playsitrightalong。
Wheneverluck"sag"inhimtoap"intwherehe"slosthalfhisroll，hebreaksthelasthalfintwoan"givesoneparttosomecharityracket。hetellsmehimse"fhe"sbeenaddictedtothisschemesolongit"sgottobeaappetite，an"thatheneverfailstowinhimse"foutentheholewithwhat"sleft。Youbet!Ibelievesit；I
seesthishold-updoit。"
"Iain"tnoneshoretharain"tsomebottomtothembluffswhichCherokeean"TexasputsupaboutProvidencestockin"adeckyourway，an"makin"goodthemgifts。Atleast，thar"stimeswhenitlookslikeitaheap。An"whatI"llnowrelateshowsit。
"OnetimeCherokeehasitsunkdeepinhisbosomtohe"pagentnamedEllistosomethin"likeayellowstack，sohecanpullhisfreightforhome。He"scomespraddlin"intotheWestfullofhope，an"allowin"he"sgoin"togetrichinaday。An"nowwhenhefindshowtheWestisswiftan"hardtobeat，he"shomesicktodeath。
"ButEllisain"tgotthedinero。NowCherokeelikeshim——forEllisisamightydecentformofshorthorn——an"concloodes，allbyhimse"f，he"llstandinonEllis"destiniesan"fix"emupalot。
Bein"asEllisisaeasymavericktowound，Cherokeedecidesit"sbettertolethimthinkhewinsthestuff，an"notlaceratehimbynogiftsdirect。Anotherthing，thisyereEllistenderfootisplumbcontrary；he"sshorecontrarytothenotchofbein"cap"bleofdeclinin"almsabsoloote。
"TomakecertainEllisisgotridof，an"headedhomewardhappy，CherokeepullsonalittlepokerwithEllis；an"hetakesinDanBoggsontheplay，makin"herthree-handed，thata-wayforablind。
Danisinformedoftheobjectsofthemeetin"，an"ain"tallowin"tomore"nplayadummyhandtharin。
"ThisyereEllismakesatangleatfirst，wantintoplayfaro-bank；
butCherokee，whocan"tcontrolnofarogamelikehecanpoker，says"No；"he"sdeadwearyoffaro，turnin"itdayan"dark；rightthenheisoutforalittlestretchatpokerasmererelief。AlsoDanobjectsstrenyoous。
""WhichIdon"thavenoluckatfaro-bank，"saysDan。"Idoesnothin"butloseforamonth；I"mmadesullenbyit。TheonlybetI
standstowinatfaro，forplumbfourweeks，isahundreddollarswhichIputsonacasequeen，coppered，overinTucsontheotherday。An"Ilosethat。I"mahoss-thiefif，exacklyasthequeeniscomin"myway，thatlocoedTucsonmarshaldon"ttakeaslamatagentwithhissix-shooteran"miss；an"thebullet，whichisdodgin"
an"meanderin"downtheroom，crossesthelayoutbetweenthedealeran"me，an"takesthetopchipoffmybet。An"withitgoesthecopper。BeforeIcanrestorethemconditions，thequeenfallstolose；an"nothavin"nocopperonmybet，ofcourse，I"mimpoverishedforthathundredasaforesaid。Youknowstheroole——
everybetgoesasitlays。SaidstatooteisfullyinforceinTucson；an"declinin"toallowanythin"forwildshootin"bythatfoolmarshal，themoutcastscorralsmychips。"HoweverdoIknowthar"sanaccident？"saysthedealer，asherakesinthatqueenbet，whileI"mexpoundin"whyitshouldbecomin"tome。"Mebbyshe"sanaccident，an"mebbyag"inthathom"cidewho"sbustin""roundyerewithhisgun，isinleaguewithyou-all，an"shootsthatcopperoffdesignful，thinkin"thequeen"scomin"theotherway。Ifaccidentsisallowedtocontrolinfaro-bank，thehousewouldneverwinachip。"So，"concloodesDan，"theygetsawaywithmyhundred，invokin"strictroolesontome。WhileIcan"tsaytheyain"tright，Imakesupmymindmyluck"stoorankforfaro，an"registersvowsnottoputapesoonanotherlayoutforayear。Asthetimelimitain"tup，Ican"tbuckfaro-banknone；butifyouan"Ellis，Cherokee，cantol"ratealittledraw，I"myouronmurmurin"dupe。"
"AsIrelatesprior，theplayistoletElliswinahome-stakean"
quit。Atlasttheybegins，Ellisseein"thar"snochanceforfaro-
bank。Danplaysbutlittle；usual，hemerelypicksuphiskyards，cussesalot，an"passesout。Nowan"then，whenit"shisante，orCherokeestaysoutforthelooksofthething，Dangoestothefrontan"sweetensEllisforahandfulofchips。
"Littlebylittle，bylayin"downgoodhands，breakin"pa"rsbeforeadraw，an"gen"rallycarryin"ontail-firstan"scand"lous，Cherokeean"Danisgettin"afewlayersoffatonEllis"ribs。Buttheyhastolaylowtodoit。Oh!he"dkickoverthetableinasecondifheevensmellstheplay。
"Nowyere"swhereProvidencemakesitsdeboo。Ithappenswhilethesecharitiesisproceedin"，aavariciousgent——astrangerwithinourgates，heis——afterregyardin"thegameawhile，takestodeemin"iteasy。Theavariciousgentwantsin；an"asEllis，who"saheapelatedathisluckan"isalreadytalkin"ofthekillin"he"smakin"，says"Yes，"an"asDanan"Cherokeecan"tsay"No"withoutbein"onp"lite，theavariciousgentbuttsin。ItalldisturbsCherokee，who"sanervoussharp；an"whenheseeshowgreedytheavariciousgentisforwhathedeemstobeashorething，heconcloodestodrophimplentyhard。"It"sfour-handpokernow，an"
thegamewagsonforadozenhands。Danisinhardluck；Cherokeeonhispartgetsdrivenouteachhand；an"Ellisan"theavariciousgentisdoin"whatlittlewinnin"sbein"done，between"em。It"sevidentbythistime，too，theavariciousgent"slayin"forCherokee。ThisoninstructedpersonlooksonCherokeeasbothimbecilean"onluckytoboot。
"Theavariciousgentgetsactionsuddenerthanhethinks。It"sajackpot。ShegoesbyEllisan"Dan；thenCherokeebreaksherforthelimit，twobloochips，theparvaluewhereofistendollars。
""Youbreaksforten？"saystheavariciousgent，who"sonCherokee"sleftan"hasthelastsay；"well，Iseesthebreakan"liftsitthelimit。"An"theavariciousgentputsupfourbloos。Ellisan"Dan，holdin"nothin"an"gettin"crafty，ducks。
"Whentheavariciousgentputsuphisfourbloobeans，Cherokeedoessomethin"nooneeverseeshimdobefore。Hegetsquer"lousan"
complainin"，an"beginstofussalotoverhisbadluck。
""Whatdidyou-allcomeinfor？"hesaystotheavariciousgent，aspeevishasasickinfant。"Youseesmesettin"yereinthemuddiestofluck；can"tyoua-beartoletmewinapot？Youain"tgotnohandtocomeinonneither，an"I"llbetonit。Youjestnacherallystacksin，relyin"onbluffin"me，orout-luckin"meonthedraw。
Well，youcan"tbluff；I"llseethisyerethrough，"saysCherokee，puttin"uptwomoresky-coloredbeansan"actin"likehe"sgettin"
heated，"ifittakesmylastchip。AsIdo，however，jesttoonmaskyouan"showmyfriends，asIsays，thatyouain"tgotathing，I"llwageryoutwoontheside，rightnow，thatthepa"rofjacksI
breakson，isbiggerthanthehandonwhichyoucomesinan"makesthattwo-buttontilt。"Ashesaysthis，Cherokeeregyardstheavariciousgentlikehe"splumbdisgusted。
"Itturnsout，whenCherokeemakesthisyerelongan"fretfulbreak，theavariciousgent"sholdin"abraceofkings。He"sdelightedwithCherokee"suproar，an"thinkshowsoft，an"whatacaseofopen-
work，heis。
""YouofferstwobloosIcan"tbeatapa"rofjacks？"saystheavariciousgent。Whichhe"splumbwolf，an"outforeverydropofblood!
""That"swhatIsays，"repliesCherokee，somesullen。
"`Igoesyou，"saystheavariciousgent，showin"apa"rofkings。
""Tharyoube，"snarlsCherokee，withahowllikeasore-headdog，a-chuckin"theavariciousgentacoupleofchips；"tharyougoag"in!Ican"tbeatnothin"；whichIcouldn"tbeatadrum!"Theavariciousgentc"llectsthemtwoazurebones；afterwhichhediskyardsthree，drawin"tohistwokings，an"setsbacktowinthemainpot。Heshoreconcloodesit"saredletterround-upforhim。
"`IreckonsnowthatIknowswhatyouhas，"saysCherokee，displayin"aaceinafoolishway，"Iupholdsthisyereaceonthesidean"asksfortwokyards。"
"Theavariciousgentaddsathirdkingtohislistan"feelslikesunnyweather。Cherokeepicksuphishandafterthedraw，an"theavariciousgent，who"sviewin"himsharp，notesthathelooksaheapmorbid。
"AllatonceCherokeebracesupmightysavage，likehe"suglyan"
desp"rateabouthisbadluck。
""Ifthisyerelimitwasanysizeatall，abloodedgentmightstandsomeshow。WhichI"dbluffyououtenyourmoccasinsifIwasn"treepressedbyalimitwhereofachildshouldbeashamed。Ishoredon"tknowhowImislaysmyse"f-respecttosechapitchastogosettin"intotheseyerepaltryplays。"
""Whichyouseeyerealot!"saystheavariciousgent，shakin"withdelight，an"lookin"atthemthreecrownedheadsheholds；"don"thowlallnightaboutawrongwhat"ssoeasytorectify。Weremovesthelimits，an"youcanspreadyourpinionsan"soartoanyaltitoodeyouplease。"
"Cherokeelooksathimhatefulasamurderer；heseemslikehe"sbein"goaded。Then，likehe"smadeuphismindtodierightyere，Cherokeeturnsinwithoutnomorewordsan"betsfivehundreddollars。ItmakesEllis，who"snewan"plumbpoorthata-way，sorto"drawalongbreath。
""Whichyou"llclimbsomeforthispotifyougetsit，"saysCherokee，afterhismoney"sup；an"histonesisshoreresentful。
"Theavariciousgentthinksit"sabluff。Hedeemsthemthreekingsgood。Cherokeemostlikelydon"tbetterbythedraw。Ifhedoes，it"snothin"worsethanacesup，oratriangleofjacks。That"sthewaythissordidsportlinesupCherokee"shand。""Merelytoshowyoutheerrorofyourways，"heremarks，"an"toteachyoutoleada"happieran"abetterlife，Iseesyourfivehundredan"raisesherbackthesame。"An"theavariciousgentcountsoffathousanddollars。"Thar，"hesayswhenit"sup，"nowgoasfarasyoulike。
Makeitaceilin"playifthesperitmovesyou。"
""Iseesitan"liftsherforfivehundredmore，"retortsCherokee。
An"heshoveshisdusttothecenter。"Cherokee"speevishnessisgone，an"hisfault-findin"isover。He"sturnedasconfidentan"
easyasaoldshoe。
"Itstrikestheavariciousgentasalarmin"，thisquickswitchinthewayCherokeefeels。It"scl"ar，asonelooksinhisface，thatthemtrioofkingsain"tnosechmonstrositiesastheywas。Heain"thalfsoshoretheywins。Afterlookin"awhilehesays，an"histonesshowshe"splumbdoobious:
""Thatlastraiseover-sizesme。"
"`That"sit!"groansCherokee，likehiscontemptforallmankindiscomin"back。"BythetimeIgetsadecenthandeverysportatthetable"sbroke。WhatshowdoIhave!However，Ipinchesdowntomeetyourpoverty。Putupwhatstuffyouhas。"
"Theavariciousgentslowlygetsuphislastpeso；he"soutonalimb，an"hesomehowbeginstofeelit。Whenthemoney"sup，Cherokeethrowsdownthreeacesan"apa"rofnines，an"rakesthedust。
""Nexttime，"saysCherokee，"don"tcomefomentin""roundpokergameswhichisstrangerstoyoucomplete。Moreover，don"tletagenttalkyouintofal"ciestouchin"hishand。WhichI"mtheproudproprietorofthemthreeaceswhenIbreaksthepot。You-alllosethistime；butifyou"llonlypastethemdogmasIgivesyouinyoursombrero，an"read"emoverfromtimetotime，you"llnoticetheyflowsaprofit。Wethree，"concloodesCherokee，turnin"ag"intoDanan"Ellis，"willnowresoomeourwrong-doin"atthep"intwherethisyereformerplootocratinterrupts。AbenignProvidencehasfixedmeplentystrong。Wherefore，ifeitherofyousportsshouldtapmeforahandfulofhundreds，themveinsofminewillstandthedrain。Dan，it"syourdeal。""
CHAPTERVIII
TheTreacheryofCurlyBen"ere!youblackboy，Tom!"andtheOldCattleman"svoiceroseloudlyashecommandedtheapproachofthatbuoyantservitor，whosupervisedhismaster"sdestinies，andperformedinthetriangularroleofvalet，guardianandfriend。"Yere，you；gotothebarkeepofthistavernan"tellhimtoframemeupapitcherofthatpeachbrandyan"honeythewayIshowshimhow。An"whenhe"sgotherorganized，bringitouttouswithtwoglassesbythefire。You-allain"tfilin"noobjectionstoadrink，beyou？"Thislastwastome。
"Asforme，personal，"hecontinued，"youcanputdownabetI"masdryasacoveredbridge。"Ireadilyassentedtopeachandhoney。I
wouldagreetorawwhiskeyifitwereneededtoappeasehimandpermitmetoremaininhisgraces。
"Thar"sonething，oneredeemin"thingImightsay，abouttheEast，"
hewenton，whenthepeachandhoneyappeared，"an"thesameclaimsmyrespectsentire；that"sitsnose-paint。WhichweshorelysuffersintheSouthwestfrombeveragesofthemostornerykind。"
"There"sawordI"vewantedtoaskyouaboutmorethanonce，"I
said。"Whatdoyoumeanby"ornery，"andwheredoyougetit？"
"WheredoIgetit？"heresponded，withatingeofscorn。"WheredoIropeontoanyword？Ijestnacherallyreachesoutan"acquiresitawholelot，likeIdotherestofthelanguageIemploys。Asforwhatitmeans，Iwouldhaveallowedthatanygentwhoescapesbein"
asweak-mindedasThompson"scolt——an"thatcayouseisthatimbecileheusedtoswimarivertogetadrink——wouldhesitatewithshametoasksechquestions。
""Ornery"isawordthemeanin"whereofisgoin"todependaheaponwhatyoubrandswithit。"Thiswassaidlikeanoracle。"Also，thesamemeansmoreorlessaccordin"towhoallputsthewordinplay。
Iremembersamightydecentsortofsport，oldCapeWillinghamitis；an"yetDanBoggsisforeverreferrin"tooldCapeas"ornery。"
An"IreckonDanthinksheis。WhichthetroublewithCape，fromDan"sstandpoint，isthis:Capeisoneoftheseyerepreciseparties，acc"rateastoallhedoes，an"plentypartic"larabouthislooks。AnOsagebuck，paintin"foradance，wouldn"tworrymoreoverhisfeachers，an"thewaytheochershouldbestreakedon。
"NowthisyereCapeisshyaneye，whereanApachepokesitoutwithalance，backinCochise"stime；an"，asheregyardshiscountenanceasseemin"overrocky，bein"redoocedtooneeyeasIrelates，hesendsEastan"getsaglasseye。Thisain"twhereCape"stechnical"tiesabouthislookstrailsin，however；an"，ifhehadpausedtharinhisrehabilitations，Boggsallersputituphe"da-
foundnofault。ButCapenoticesthatabouttenthdrinktimehisshore-enougheyebeginsfortoshowupbloodshot，an"isabadmatefortheglasseye，thesamebein"onaffectedbydrink。SowhatdoesCapedobuthaveabloodshoteyemade，an"takestopackin"thesameonhispersonconstant。AsCapedrinkshisfortydropsallcommodious，hesorto"keepstabsonhimse"finthelookin"glassbackofthebar；an"whenthegoodeyecommencestoturnredwiththemlibationshe"scountin"intothecorral，heupsan"shiftshisbresh；digsoutthewhiteeyean"plantsthedrunkeneyeintheplace。
"Shore!noneofuscaresexceptDanBoggs；butDanfeelsittothatextent，it"sallColonelSterettan"DocPeetsan"OldManEnrightcando，addedtoDan"sbein"bynacheraborngentthata-way，tokeepDanfrommentionin"ittooldCape。
""Agentwhocomesfromagoodfam"ly，likeyou-all，"saysOldManEnrighttoDan，sorto"soothin"ofhim，"oughterberemovedabovemakin"commentsonporeoldCapeshiftin"hisoptics。Troo!it"saweakness，butwhereisthesportwhohasn"tweaknesseslikewise。
Whichyou-allisamightysighttoonesideofbein"perfectyourse"f，Dan，an"yetwedon"tgo"roundbreakin"theinformationoffinyoueverytinicyoumakesaqueerplay。An"youmustb"arwithCape，an"themcapricesofhis。"""Iain"tdenyin"nothin"，"
declar"sDan。"I"mthelastlonghorninWolfvilletoberevilin"oldCape，an"refoosin"himhisplainAmericanrighttogopirootin"
"roundamonghiseyesassuitshistaste。ButI"mamightynervousmanthata-way，an"Capeknows，oroughterknow，how，asIstates，I"mnacherallyallonstrung，an"thathiscarryin"sonwiththemeyesgivesmethefantods。Onderallthecircumstances，Iclaimshisconductisornery，an"notwhatainvalidlikemehasarighttoexpect。"
"No；Danneversaysnothin"toCape；ordoesanythin""cepttalktoEnrightan"therestofusabouthowhecan"tstandCapeshiftin"
themeyes。An"itain"taffectationonthepartofDan；heshorelyfeelsthemshifts。Manyatime，whenit"sgotoberedeyetimewithCape，an"asthelatterisscroop"louslymakin"saidtransfers，haveIbeheldDanariseinsilentagony，an"gotobitehunksoutenapineshelfthatisbuiltontheRedLightwall。
""WhichthatorneryCape，"saysDan，ashepicksthesplintersfromhismouthaftersechexercises，"woulddrivemeaslocoedasacoyoteifIdon"ttakerefoogeinsomesechplaylikethat。"
"But，asIsu"gestsaboutthisterm"ornery；"itdependsalotonwhousesit，an"whatfor。NowDanneverreferstooldCapeexceptas"ornery；"whileEnrightan"therestofusseesnothin"fromsodatohockinCape，doorin"themfewmonthshemingleswithus，whichmeritssechobloquys。
"No；orneryisawordthatmeanswhatitsaysan"isshoredeescriptif。Coyotesisornery，sheepisornery；an"themlow-flunghoomanswhoherdssheepisornery，speshul。Ofcourse，thetermhasmisapplications；asanextremecase，I"veevenheardign"ranttenderfeetwhoalloodestothewholeWestas"ornery。"Butthemfolksistoodebasedan"toodarkenedtodemandcomments。"
"YouareveryloyaltotheWest，"Iremarked。
"WhichIshorelyoughterbe，"retortedtheoldgentleman。"TheWesthasbeensomeloyaltome。Troo!itstandstoreasonthatapartyfreshfromtheEast，wherethehornshasbeenknockedoffeneverythin"fortwoorthreehundredyears，an"conditionsgenialisassoftasagoose-ha"rpillow，isgoin"tonoticesometurgidchangeswhenhelandsinArizona。Butashorthorn，thata-way，shouldreservehisjedgmenttillhegetsacquainted，orgetslynched，orotherwiseexperiencestheWestinitstroocolors。WhileArizona，forspeciment，don"tgoupan"putherarmsabouttheneckofeverytoweristthatcomeschargin"intocamp，herfailuretoperformsaidritesarisesratherfromdignitythanhauteur。Arizonadon"tputondog；butshehasherse"f-respectin"ways，an"standsapathandontowerists。
"IfIwascalledontolayoutasystemtoguideatenderfootwhoisconsiderin"onmakin"Arizonahishome-camp，I"dadvisehimtomakehisdeboointhatterritoryinasperitofca"man"silentse"f-
reliance。SechagentmightresideinWolfville，saythreemonths。
Hemightmeethercitizens，buckherfaro-banks，drinkhernose-
paint，shakeahilarioushoofinherhurdygurdies，askforhisletters，orchangeinwhateversumsseemsmeettohimattheNewYorkStoreforshirts。Also，hemightcomebuttin"alongintotheO。
K。Restaurawthreetimesadaywiththebalanceoftheband，an"
MissisRuckerwouldshorelyturnhergrub-gameforhim，forthelimitifhesopleased。Butstill，mostlikelyeverygentincampwouldmaintaindoorin"hisnovitiateadecentdistancewiththisyerestranger；theywouldn"tonbucklean"bedrunkwithhimfreean"
sociallike，an"withthebridleoff，likepardswhohascrossedtheplainstogetheran"seenextremes。Allthis，withachillontoit，atenderfootwouldfindhimse"fag"instforthefirstfewmonthsinWolfville。
"An"yet，mysteertohimwouldbenottogetdiscouraged。Thecamp"ssizin"himup；that"sall。Ifheperseveres，ca"man"
c"llectedlikeIstates，alongthetrailofhisdestiny，he"llshorecomewinneronthedeal。Attheendofthreemonths，ormebbyinonusualcasesfourmonths，jestasthisyeremaverickisgoin"intothedancehall，ormebbytheRedLight，somegentwillchunkhimoneinthebackwithhisshetfistan"say，"Howbeyou？Youdouble-
dealin"，cattle-stealin"，foogitivesonofamurdererin"hoss-thief，howbeyou？"
"Now，rightthariswharthisyereshorthornwantstomaintainhispresenceofmind。Hedon"twanttogomakin"novainplaysforhissix-shooter，orindulgeinnosourranikabooretorts。Thatgentlikeshim。WithWolfvillesocialconditions，thisyeregreetin"iswhatyousportswhocomesfromthefarNo"thcalls"thebeginnin"ofthethaw。Theiceisbreakin"up；an"ifourcandidatesetsinhissaddlesteadyan"withwisdomatthisback-thumpin"，name-callin"
epock，an"don"ttaketomillin""roundfortrouble，intwominuteshiman"thatgregar"ousgentwho"saccostedhimisdrinkin"an"
fraternizin"togetherliketwostagehold-upsinastrangecamp。TheWestain"tornery；she"ssimplyreservedawholelot。
"Mightylikelynow，"continuedmyfriend，followingaprofoundpausewhichwascomfortablyfilledwithpeachandhoney；"it"smightylikelynow，comin"downtofolks，thatthemostornerypartyIeverknowsisCurlyBen。ThisyereBeniskilled，final；clownedbyoldCaptainMoon。Thar"sastrangecircumstanceattendin"，asthepaperssay，theobliterationofthisCurlyBen，an"itmakesaheapofanimpressiononmeatthetime。Itshowshowtheinstincttodothings，thatabentisallerscarryin""roundinhismind，getssorto"locatedinhisnervesmebby，an"he"lldo"emwithouthisintellectsridin"herdontheplay——do"emlikeCurlyBendoes，afterhislightisoutcomplete。
"ThisyereiswhatI"mtrailin"upto:WhenCaptainMoonfetchesCurlyBenthattime，Curlyisplayin"kyards。He"sjestdealin"，when，onbeknowntohim，MooncomesInjunin"upfromther"arsurreptitious，an"drillsCurlyBenthroughthehead；an"thebulletbein"a"45Colt"s——forMoonain"ttoyin"withCurlyan"meansbusiness——goesplumbthroughan"emergesfromonderCurlyBen"soffeye。Forthatmatter，itbreaksthearmofapartywho"splayin"
opp"sitetoCurly，an"whoisskinnin"hispasteboardsatthetime，thinkin"nothin"ofwar。Whichthequeerpartisthis:Curly，asI
states——an"heneverknowswhathitshim，an"isasdeadasSantaAnnainamoment——isdealin"thekyards。He"sgotthedeckinhishands。An"yet，whenthepublicpicksCurlyoffthefloor，he"spulledhistwoguns，an"hasgotonecocked。Nowwhatdoyou——alldeemofthatfortheworkin"ofaleft-overimpulsewhenagentisdead？
"But，asIremarksyeretofore，CurlyBenisthemostornerypersonI
everovertakes，an"thefeelin"softhecampisinnowiselaidwastewhenMoonaddshimtothelistthattimeintheRedLightbar。It"sthisa-way:
"It"saboutamonthbefore，whenCaptainMoonan"hisnephy，withtwo8-muleteamsandfourbigthree-an"-a-halfBainwagons，twoleadan"twotrailtheybe，comesfreightin"outofSilverCitywiththeireyesonWolfville。It"sthefourthnightout，an"they"recampednearaInjunagency。Aboutmidnightahalfdozenofthebuckscomesscoutin""roundtheircamp，allowin"toamoralcertaintythey"llseewhat"sloosean"littleenoughfor"emtopull。Theaboriginesmakestheerrorofgoin"upthewindfromMoon"smules，whichisgrazin"aboutwithhobbleson，an"themsagaciousanamilesactooallyhasfits。It"safact，ifyouwanttoseeamulegoplumbintotheairan"remain，jestlethimgetagood，ample，onmistakablesmellofaInjun!Itsimplyonhingeshisreason；heain"tnomoreresponsiblethanacimmaronsheep。No，itain"tthatthesavageisouttodoanythingoncommontothemule；it"smerelyoneofthemule"silloosions，asI"vetoldyouoncebefore。Jestthesame，ifthemInjunsiscomin"tobraidhistailan"braidittight，thatmulecouldn"tfeelmorefrantic。
"Whentheseyerefaithfulmulestakestosurgin"aboutthesceneontwofeet，Moon"snephygrabsaWinchesteran"pumpsaloadorsointothedarknessforgen"ralresults。An"hehasaheapofluck。HeshorelystopsoneofthemApachesinhislopin"up，an"downthelandforgoodan"all。
"InlessthannotimethewholetribeisdownonCaptainMoonan"
hisnephy，demandin"blood。Thar"splentyofsomesortsofwisdomaboutasavage，an"theseyereApachesain"trunnin"rightinonMoonan"hisrelatifneither。TheywasperfeeklyfamiliarwiththeaccoomulationofcartridgesinaWinchester，an"tharforegoesaboutthestirrin"upofMoonan"thatnepbyplumbwary。
"Moonan"theboygoesinbetweenthewagons，blazin"an"bangin"
awayatwhatevermovesormakesanoise；an"asthey"vebeenallthroughsechfestivalsbefore，theyregyardstheirfinalchancestobeasgoodasanevenbreak，orbetter。
"WhilethemApachesisdodgin"aboutamongtherocks，an"howlin"
contempt，an"passin"resolootionsofrevengetouchin"thetwoMoons，theInjunagentcomestroopin"along。Heseekstoround-uphissavagesan"herd"embacktotheagency。TheApaches，ontheirside，isdemandin"thecaptureofthenephyMoonforsp"ilin"oneoftheiryoungmen。
"TheagentisaprairiedogjestoutfromtheEast，an"don"tknowhalfasmuchaboutwhat"sgoin"oninsideofaApacheasahornedtoad。Hecomesdowntotheaigeofhostil"ties，asyou-allmightcallit，an"makesMoonan"hisWinchesterworkin"nephyaspeech。
Headdresses"emawholelotontheenormityofdownin"Apacheswhogoesprowlin"aboutan"scarin"upyourmulesatmidnight，inwhatthisyerewitlessagentcallsa"motifofchildishcur"osity，"an"
hewindsupthepowwowwithdemandin"thesurrenderofthe"hom"cide。"
""Surrendernothin"!"saysCaptainMoon。"YoutellyourInjunstolineoutfortheircamp；an"don"tyouyourse"fgettoozealousneitheran"cometooclost，orasshoreasIcastsmyfirstvoteforMattyVanBuren，I"llplugyouplumbcenter。"
"Butthenephy，hethinksdifferent。InspiteofCaptainMoon"sprotests，hegiveshimse"fuptotheagentonthepromiseofprotection。
""You"regone，lad，"saysMoon，whenthenephyinsistsonyieldin"；
"youwon"tlastaslongasapintofwhiskeyinafive-handpokergame。"