第5章
""She"stoonoomerousinthemsteepsan"deecliv"ties，"saysGrief。
"WhatIneedsisalandscapewheretheprevailin"feacheristhehor"zontal。Iwasshorelybornwithayearnin"forthelevelground。"An"soGriefmoveshiscampdownontheriverbottoms，wheretharain"tnohills。
"He"sthatmis"rableidlean"shiftless，thisyereGriefis，thatoncehestartshuntin"an"thendecideshewon"t。Grieflaysdownbytheaigeofthebranch，withhismoccasinstowardsthewater。Itstartsintorain，an"thestormprouncesdownonGrieflikeamink:
onasettin"hen。Oneofhispardsseeshimacrossthebranchan"
thinkshe"sasleep。Soheshoutsan"yellsathim。
""Whoopee，Grief!"hesingsovertowhereGrief"slayin"allquiledupsameasawater-moccasinsnake，an"therainpeltin"intohimlikeetarnalwrath；"wakeuptharan"crawlforcover!"
""I"mawake，"saysGrief。
""Well，whydon"tyougetoutentherain？"
""I"mallwetnowan"theraindon"tdonohurt，"saysGrief。
"An"thisyerelazyGriefMudlowkeepsonlayin"thar。Itain"tnotimewhenthebranchbeginstoraise；thewatercrawlsupaboutGrief"sfeet。Sohispardshoutsathimsomemore:
""Whoopee，youGriefag"in!"hesays。"Ifyoudon"tpullyourfreight，thebranch"llgetyou。It"sdonerizoverthestockofyourrifle。"
""Waterwon"thurtthewoodnone，"saysGrief。
""YouGriefoverthar!"roarstheotherafterawhile；"yourfeetan"
laigsishalfintothebranch，an"thewater"sgotuptothelockofyourgun。"
""Thar"snoloadinthegun，"saysGrief，stilla-layin"，"an"
besidessheneedswashin"out。Asforthemfeetan"laigs，Inevercatchescold。"
"An"tharthatorneryGriefreposes，tooplumblazytomove，whilethebranchcreepsupabouthim。It"scropeupsohigh，final，thathisy"earsan"thebackofhisheadisinit。AllGriefdoesissorto"lifthischinan"laysquar"，tokeephisnoseoutso"shecanbreathe。
An"heshorelybeatsthegame；fortherainceases，an"thebranchdon"trisenohigher。ThisyereGrieflaystharontilthebranchrunsdownan"he"shighan"dryag"in，an"thenthesunshinesoutan"drieshisclothes。It"sthatsamenightwhenGriefhasdrughimse"fhometosupper，hesaystohiswife，"Thar"snothin"likeexercise，"an"thencounselsthatladyoverhiscornponean"
chitlinstotakeinwashin"likeIrelates。"
WewalkedoninmuteconsiderationoftheextraordinaryindolenceoftheworthlessMudlow。Oursilenceobtainedforfulltenminutes。
ThenIproposed"courage"asasubject，andputaquestion。
"Thar"sfiftykindsofcourage，"respondedmycompanion，"an"agentwho"splumbweakan"craven，thata-way，ondercertaincircumstances，isasfullofsandasthebedoftheArkansawonderothers。Thar"shoss-backcouragean"thar"sfootcourage，thar"sdaycouragean"nightcourage，thar"sguncouragean"knifecourage，an"
noendofcouragesbesides。An"thenthar"sthecourageofvanity。
More"nonce，whenI"myounger，I"msweptdownbythislastformofheroism，an"IevenrecallshowinasperitofvaingloryIridesabuffalobull。Itellsyou，son，thatwhilethatfranticbuffaloissquanderin"abouttheplainsthattime，an"meontohim，hefeelsamightysightliketheridgeofalltheyooniverse。Howdoesitend？
It"stoolongataletotellwalkin"an"withoutreecooperatifs；
sufficeitthatitendsdisastrous。Ishallneverridenobuffaloag"in，leastwisewithoutasaddle，onlessitsaspeshulo"casion。
"No，indeed，thatword"courage"hastobedefinednewforeachcase。Thar"soldTomHarrisoverontheCanadian。IbeholdsTomonetimeatTascosadothemostb"ar-facedtrick；onewhichmostsportsofcommonsens"bilitieswouldhaveshrunkfrom。Thar"sawarrantoutforTom，an"JimEastthesheriffputshisgunonTomwhenTom"slookin"t"otherway。
""Seeyere，Harris!"saysEast，thata-way。
"Tomwheels，an"islookin"intothemouthofEast"ssix-shooternotayardoff。
""Putupyourhands!"saysEast。
"ButTomdon"t。HelooksoverthegunintoEast"seye；an"hefreezeshim。Thenslowan"delib"rate，an"glarin"likeamountainlionatEast，TomgoesbackafterhisColt"san"pullsit。HelaysheralongsideofEast"swiththemuzzlep"intin"atEast"seye。An"
thartheystands。""Youdon"tdar"shoot!"saysTom；an"Eastdon"t。
"Theybreaksawayan"nopowderburned；TomstandsEastoff。
""Warrantornowarrant，"saysTom，"allthesheriffsthateverjinglesaspurinthePanhandlecountry，can"ttakeme!Noralltherangersneither!"An"theyshorecouldn"t。"Nowthisyerebreak-awayofTom"s，whenEastgetsthedropthattime，takescourage。Itain"tonegentinathousandwhocouldmakethattripbutTom。An"yetthisyereTomisfearedofadarkroom。"TakeInjuns；——give"emtheirdoo，evenifweain"tgotroomforthemmiscreantsinourhearts。Onhislinesan"athisgames，aInjunisascleanstrainastheymakes。He"sgotcourage，an"candiewithoutbattin"aneyeorwaggin"ay"ear，onceit"scomehisturn。An"thesquawsisascoldaprop"sitionasthebucks。Afterafightwiththemsavages，whenyougoes"roundtocountupan"skinthegame，youfindsmostasmanysquawslyin"about，an"bulletsthrough"em，asyoufindsbucks。
"Courageissometimesknowledge，sometimesignorance；sometimescourageisdesp"ration，an"thenag"init"sinnocence。"Once，abouttwomilesoff，whenI"montheStakedPlains，an"neartheaigewherethar"spiecesofbrokenrock，IobservesaMexicanonfoot，franticallychunkin"upsomethin"。He"slefthisponystandin"offalittle，an"haswithhimamightynoisyformofsomelowkindofmongreldog，thislatterstandin"intoworrywhateveritistheMexican"schunkin"at，thata-way。Iridesovertoinvestigatethewar-jig；an"I"mamesquitedigger!ifthisyeretransplantedCastillianain"tdoneupafull-grownwildcat!It"sjestcoughin"
itslastwhenIarrives。Son，Iwouldn"thaveopenedagameonthatfeline——thesamebein"asbigasacoyote，an"asthoroughlyorganizedfortroubleasagatling——withanythin"morepunythanaWinchester。An"yetthatguilelessMexicanlayshimoutwithrocks，andregyardssechfeatsastrivial。AnAmerican，too，bymerelygrowlin"towardsthisMexican，wouldmakehimquitoutlikeajackrabbit。"AsIobservesprior，courageisfrequentthefrootsofwhatagentdon"tknow。Takegrizzlyb"ars。Backfiftyyears，whenthemsquirrelriflesispreevalent；whenaacornshellholdsachargeofpowder，an"bulletsrunsaslightan"littleassixty-fourtothepound，whyson!you-allcouldshootupagrizzlytillsundownan"
hardlygainhisdisdain。It"saflukeifyoudownsone。Thatsportwhocanshowasetofgrizzlyb"arclaws，themtimes，hasfame。
They"reasgoodasabankaccount，themclawsbe，an"entitlessaidpartytocreditindancehall，barrooman"store，bymerelyslammin""emonthecounter。"Atthattimethegrizzlyb"arhascourage。Whyeverdoeshehaveit，youasks？Becauseyoucouldn"tstophim；he"soutofhoomanity"sreach——asorto"AlexanderSelkirkofab"ar，an"youcouldn"twinfromhim。Inthemepocks，thegrizzlyb"artreatsagentcontemptuous。Heswatshim，orheclawshim，orhehugshim，orhecruncheshim，orhequitshimaccordin"
tohismoods，orthenumberofthemengagementswhichispressin"onhimatthetime。An"thelastthingheconsidersisthefeelin"softhatpartic"larpartyhe"sdallyin"with。Now，however，allischanged。Thar"srifles，burnin"fourinchesofthisyerefulminatin"
powder，thatcanchuckabulletthroughafootofgreenoak。Wiselydirected，theyletssunshinethroughagrizzlyb"arlikehe"sapaneofglass。An"，son，themb"arsisplumbontotheplay。
"What"sthefinish？To-dayyoucan"tgetclostenoughtoagrizzlytohandhimaripepeach。Lethimglimpseorsmellawhiteman，an"
hegoesscatterin"offacrosshillan"canyonlikeaquartoflickeramongfortymen。They"reshoreapprehensifeofthembigbulletsan"
hard-hittin"guns，themb"arsis；an"theywouldn"tlistentoyou，evenifyoutalksnothin"butbee-treean"givesabondtokeepthepeacebesides。Yes，sir；thedaywhenthegrizzlyb"arwillstandwithouthitchin"hasdeepartedthecalendarawholelot。Theynolongerattemptsinsolentan"coarsefamiliar"tieswithfolks。
Insteadofregyardin"arifleasarottoncornstalkindisguise，they"reasgun-shyasafemaleinstitoote。Bigb"arsan"littlebars，it"sallsim"lar；fortheoldonestellsittotheyoung，an"
thelessonisspreadthroughouttheentirenationofb"ars。An"
yere"swhereyouobserves，enlightenmentthata-waymeansa-
weakenin"ofgrizzly-b"arcourage。
"What"sthat，son？You-allthinksmystoriessmellsometall!Youexpressesdoubtsaboutanamilesconversin"withoneanother？That"swhereyou"reignorant。Allanamilestalks；theycommoonicatesthenewstooneanotherlikehoomans。WhenI"vebeenfreightin"fromDodgedowntowardstheCanadian，Ihadaeight-muleteam。Asshoreaswe"rewalkin"——asshoreasI"mpinin"foradrink，I"velistenedtothemmulesgossipbythehourasweswingsalongthetrail。LotsoftimesIsaveyswhattheysays。OnceIhearstheoff-leadertellhismatethatthejockeystickissawin"himonderthechin。I
investigatesan"findsthecomplainttrooan"relieveshim。Thenighswingmuleisawit；an"alldaylonghe"dbethrowin"offremarksthatkeepsarippleoflaughtergoin"upan"downtheteam。You-allfindstroublecreditin"themstatements。Fact，jestthesame。I"velaughedatthejokesofthatswingmulemyse"f；an"evenJerry，theoffwheeler，who"sacynicthata-way，couldn"trepressasmile。
Shore!anamilestalksallthetime；it"sonlythatwe-allhoomansain"teddicatedtoonderstand。
"Speakin"ofbeaststalkin"，letmeimparttoyouofwhatpassesbeforemyeyesoverontheCaliente。Inthefirstplace，I"llsofarilloomineyourmindastotellyouthatcattle，sameaspeople——an"
speshullymountaincattle，wherethewindsansnowsdon"tgettodrive"eman"drift"emsouth——livesalltheirlivesinthesameplaces，yearafteryear；an"asyouridesyourranges，you"reallersmeetin"upwiththesameoldcattleinthesamecanyons。Theynevermoves，oncetheyselectsahome。
"AsIobserves，I"vegotacampontheCaliente。Thar"stenponiesinmybunch，asI"msaddlin"threeadayan"coverin"aconsiderabledealofrangeinmyridin"。Seein"asI"mcampedyeresomesixmonths，Imakestheaquaintanceofthecattleforovertwentymiles"round。Amongothers，thar"sagiantbullinLong"sCanyon——he"sshoreiyasbigasaloghouse。Himan"meispartic"larfriends，cnlyIdon"ttrackuponhimmorefrequentthanonceaweek，ashe"smilesfrommycamp。IalmostforgetstosaythatwiththisyereGoliathbullisamilk-whitesteer，withlong，slimhornsan"afacewhichisthecombinedhomeofvainconceitan"utterwitlessness。
Thismilkyan"semi-edioticsteerisamostabjectadmireroftheGoliathbull，an"they"reallerstogether。AsIstates，thismountainofabullan"hisweak-mindedfollowerlivesinLong"sCanyon。
"Thar"stwomorebulls，thesamebein"，asColonelSterettwouldsay，also"personsofthisyeredramy。"Oneisafive-year-oldwhoabidesontheupperRedRiver；an"theother，whoisonlyathree-
year-old，hangsoutontheCalienteinthevicinityofmycamp。
"WhichsinceI"vegottotalkofan"concernin"themanamiles，I
mightaswellgive"emtheirpropernames。Theygetstheselastallreg"larfromaplay-actorpartywhocomesswarmin"intothehillswhileI"mthartotrythepinetreesonhis"tooberclosis，"ashedescribessaidmalady，an"whoseweaknessistosawoffcognomensoneverythin"hesees。Asfastashe"sintrodoocedto"em，thisactorsportnamestheLong"sCanyonbull"Falstaff"；theRedRiverfive-
year-old"Hotspur，"bein"he"splumbb"lligerentan"allersmakin"
warmedicine；whilethelittlethree-year-old，whoinhabitsaboutmycampintheCaliente，headdressesas"PrinceHal。"Thefoolofawhitesteerthat"sworshippin"about"Falstaff"getsnamed"Pistol，"
althoughthar"smightylittleabouttheweak-kneedhumbugtoremindyouofanythin"asvehementasagun。Falstaff，Pistol，Hotspuran"
PrinceHal；them"sthetitlesthisdramatistconfersonsaidcattle。
"WhichtheWestisagreatplacetodigoutnewappellationsthata-
way。Thar"sagentle-mindedpartycomessoarin"downonWolfvilleoneevenin"。No，hedon"townnorealbusinesstotransact；he"souttohaveaheart-to-heartinterviewwiththegreatSouthwest，isthewayheexpoundstheobjectsofhissearch。
""An"he"splentytender，"saysBlackJack，who"sbarkeepattheRedLight。"Hecornespushin"alonginyerethismornin"；an"wliatdoyou-allreckonnowhewants。Asksforice!Nowwhateverdoyoumakeofit!IceinAugust，an"withinfortymilesoftheMexicolineatthat。"Pard，"Isays，"we"reontheconfinesofthetropics；an"
whileoldArizonaissomequeer，an"wedigsforwoodan"climbsforwater，an"indulgesinmuchthatismorallyan"physicallytheteetotalreverseofright-side-up-with-care，sofarinourmeanderin"sweain"toncoverednoglaciersnorcutthetrailofanyice。Whichifyou"vebroughtsnowshoeswithyounow，orbeenfiggerin"onaArizonasleighride，you"resettin"inhardluck。""
"JestasBlackJackgetsthatfarinthemstatements，thisyeretenderfootshowsinthedoor。
""BeyouaresidentofWolfville？"asksthisshorthornofDaveTutt。
""I"moneofthesevenorig"nalwolves，"saysTutt。
""Yere"smykyard，"saystheshorthorn，an"hebeamsonDaveinawidean"balmyway。
""ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，"saysDave，readin"offthekyard。ThenDavegoesuptotheside，an"allsolemnan"grave，pinsthekyardtotheboardwithhisbowie-knife。"ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，"an"Daverepeatsthewordsplumbcareful。"That"syourfullan"c"rrectname，isit？"
"Theshorthornallowsitis，an"surveysDaveinawoozywaylikeheain"tinformednoneofthemeanin"oftheseyeremanoovers。
""Didyou-allcomethroughTucsonwiththisname？"asksDave。
"Hesayshedoes。
""An"wasn"tnothin"saidordoneaboutit？"demandsDave；"don"tthemTucsonsportstakenoaction？"
"Hesaysnothin"isdone。
""It"sasIfears，"saysDave，shakin"hisheadaheaploogubrious，"thatTucsonoutfitismorallygoin"towaste。It"sworsethancareless；it"scallous。That"swhatever；thatcampiscallous。Wasyouaimin"tostayforlonginWolfvillewiththisyeretitle？"asksDaveatlast。
"Theshorthornmentionsaweek。
""ThisyereWolfville，"explainsDave，"istoosmallforallthatname。ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt!Itshorelysoundslikeahossinadancehall。Butit"stoolongforWolfville，an"
Wolfvilleevendoherbest。Oneendofthatnameisboundtoprotrood。Orelseitgetsallbrunkleduplikealongniggerinashortbed。However，"goesonDave，ashenotestheshorthornlookin"
alittledizzy，"don"tloseheart。Wedoesthebestwecan。Ilikesyourlooks，an"shallcomesomewhattoyourrescoomyse"finyourpresenttroubles。Gents，"an"DaveturnstowhereBoggsan"Cherokeean"TexasThompsonislistenin"，"Imovesyouwesuspendstherooles，an"re-namesthisexcellentan"well-meanin"maverick，"ButcherknifeBill。""
""Isecondsthemotion，"saysBoggs。"ButcherknifeBillisaneatan"compactname。Icongratulatesourvisitin"friendfromtheEastonthecasewherewithhewinsitout。Iwouldonlymakeonesu"gestion，thesamebein"inthenacherofamendmentstotheorig"nalresolootion，an"whichis，thatinallgamesofshortkyards，oratsechtimesaswe-allissuesinvitationstodrink，oratanyotherepockwhentimeshouldbesavedan"quickactionisdesir"ble，saidcognomenmaylegallyberedooced，to"Butch。""
""Tharbein"noobjections，"saysTutt，"itisregyardedasthesenseofthemeetin"thatthisyerevisitin"sharpfromtheStates，yeretoforecloggedinhisflightbythenameofArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，beyereafterknownas"ButcherknifeBill"；orfailin"leesureforthefullname，as"Butch，"orbothatthediscretionoftheco"t，withthedrinksonButchasthegentnowprofitin"bythisplay。Barkeep，setupallyourbottlesan"c"llectfromButch。"
"ButtogobacktomylongagocampontheCaliente。PrinceHalisapolishedan"p"litesorto"anamile。TheseconddayafterIpitchescamp，PrinceHalshowsup。Hepawsthegrass，an"declar"shimse"f，an"givesnoticethatwhileI"mplumbwelcome，hewantsitonderstoodthathe"spartyofthefirstpartinthatvalley，an"
aimstosocontinyoo。AsIatonceagreestohisclaims，heispacified；thenhecountsupthecamplikehe"ssizin"uptheplunder。It"satthispointIsignsPrinceHalasmyfriendforlifebygivin"himaboutafootofbacon-skin。Hestandsan"chewsonthatbacon-skinfortwohours；an"thar"sheaveninhislooks。"ItgetssoPrinceHalputsinallhisspar"timeatmycamp。An"I
donatesflapjacks，bacon-skinsan"foodcomfortsyeretoforeonknowntoPrinceHal。Heregyardsthatcampofmineasopenin"aneweraontheCaliente。
"Whennototherwiseengaged，PrinceHalstandsintocurrymyponieswithhistongue。Theonehe"dbeworkin"onwouldplanthimse"frigid，withy"earsdrooped，eyesshet，an"taila-quiverin"；an"
you-allcouldseethatPrinceHal，withhisroughtongue，isjestburnin"upthatbroncofromforetoptofetlockswiththejoyofthemattentions。WhenPrinceHalhasbeenspeshulfriendly，I"dpasshimoutaplugofClimaxtobacco。Sick？Neveronce!ItmerelyelevatesPrinceHal"ssperitsinamellowway，thattobaccodoes；makeshimfeelvividan"galaawholelot。
"Whichwe"reallgettin"onaspleasantan"oneventfulasalitterofpupsoverontheCaliente，whenonemornin"acrossthedividefromRedRivercomesthisyerepugnaciousperson，Hotspur。Hemakeshisadventr"arin"an"slidin"downthehillsideintoourvalley，promulgatin"insults，an"stampin"forwar。YoucanseeitinHotspur"seye；he"souttoowntheCaliente。
"PrinceHaliscurryin"aponywhenthisyereinvadercomescrashin"
downthesidesofthedivide。Hiseyesburnred，heevolveshiswarcryinadeepbassvoice，an"goescurvin"outontothelevelofthevalley-bottomtomeettheenemy。Gin"ralJackson，couldn"thavedisplayedmorepromptitood。
"Tharain"tmuchactioninoneofthemcattlebattles。First，Hotspuran"PrinceHalstalks"round，pawin"upasodnowan"then，an"sw"arin"agaleofoathstothemse"fs。ItlookslikePrinceHalcouldsaythemostbitterthings，foratlastHotspurleavesoffhispawin"ail"profanityan"b"arsdownonhim。Thetwoputstheirfore"ardstogetheran"goesinforapushin"match。
"Butthisdon"tlast。Hotspuristwoyearsolder，an"over-weighsPrinceHalaboutthreehundredpounds。PrinceHalfeelsHotspurout，an"seesthatbythetimethedealgoestotheturn，he"llbeshoreloser。Aplancomesintohismind。PrinceHalsuddenlybacksaway，an"keepsonbackin"ontilhe"scl"aredhimse"ffromhisfoebyeightyfeet。Hotspurstandswatchin"；it"sanewwrinkleinbullfightstohim。HecalltellthatthisyerePrinceHalain"tconquerednone，bothbythevoylentremarkshemakesaswellastheplumbdefiantwayhewearshistail。SoHotspurstandsan"ponderstheplay，guessin"atwhat"slikelytobreakloosenext。
"ButtheconductofthisyerePrinceHalgetsmorean"moremysterious。Whenhe"sasafeeightyfeetaway，hejumpsintheair，crackshisheelstogether，hurlsafrightfulcurseatHotspur，an"
turnsan"walksoffaheaprapid。Hotspurcan"treadthemsignsatall；an"tobefrank，nomorecanI。PrinceHalneverlooksback；hesurgesstraightahead，climbsthehillontheotherside，an"islostintheoakbushes。
"Hotspurwatcheshimoutofsight，getsadrinkintheCaliente，an"
thenclimbsthehillsidetowhereI"mcamped，todecideaboutme。Ofcourse，Hotspuran"Iarrivesatatreatyofpeacebythebacon-rindroute，an"thingsag"inquietsdownontheCaliente。
"It"snextmornin"aboutfourthdrinktime，an"I"moverhaulin"asaddlean"makin"upsomebeliefsonseveralsubjectsofinterest，whenIobservesHotspur"sfacewearin"aonusualan"highlyhang-dogexpression。An"Ican"tseenocause。Isweepsthescenerywithmyeye，butInotesnothin"。An"yetit"sasevidentasaclubflushthatHotspur"sscaredtoastandstill。Heain"tsayinnothin"，butthat"sbecausehethinkshe"llsavehisbreathtogroanwithwhendyin"。It"safact，son；Icouldn"tseenorhearathing，an"yetthatHotspurbullstandstharfullyaware，somehow，thatthar"sawarrantoutforhim。
"AtlastI"mmadepostedofimpendin"events。AcrossthewideCalientecomesafaintbutf"rociouswarsong。Iglanceoverthata-
way，an"tharthroughtheoakbreshcomesPrinceHal。An"althoughhe"samileoff，he"sp"intin"straightforthisyereinvader，Hotspur。AtfirstIthinksPrinceHal"salone，an"I"mmarvellin"
whateverhereckonshe"sgoin"toa"complishbythisreturn。ButjestthenIgetsaglimmer，fartoPrinceHal"sr"ar，ofthatreedic"lousPistol，themilk-whitesteer。
"Ibeholdsitall；Falstaffiscomin"；onlybein"adarkbrownI
can"tyetpickhimouto"thebresh。PrinceHalhastravelledovertoLong"sCanyonan"toldthegiantFalstaffhowHotspurjumpsintotheCalientean"putsitalloverhimthata-way。Falstaffislumberin"over——it"sajourneyofmiles——toputthisredundantHotspurbackonhisreservation。PrinceHal，bein"warm，livelyan"
plumbzealoustorecoverhisvalley，isnacherallyaquarterofamileaheadofFalstaff。
"It"sallersaquestionwithmewhythisyerefoolhardyHotspurdon"tstampedeoutforsafety。Buthedon"t；hestandstharlookin"
onusuallimp，an"awaitshisfate。PrinceHaldon"trushupan"
minglewithHotspur；he"splayin"asysteman"hedon"tdeviatetharfrom。liestandsoffaboutfiftyyards，callin"Hotspurnames，an"waitin"forFalstafftoarrive。
"An"thar"saby-playgetspulledoff。ThisranikabooPistol，whocouldn"tfightalittlebit，an"who"scaperin"alongtenrodsintheleadofFalstaff，getsthesuddencrazy-bossnotionthathe"llmeteoutpunishmenttoHotspurhimse"f，an"makeareputationasawar-eaglewithhispardan"patron，Falstaff。Withthat，PistolcurveshistaillikealetterS，and，lowerin"hisknittin"-needlehorns，comesdancin"uptoHotspur。ThebluffofthisyereignoblePistolistoomuch。Hotspurr"arsloosean"chargeshim。ThisegreegiousPistolgetscrumpledup，an"Hotspurgoesoverhimlikeabaggagewagon。TheshockissechthatPistolfallsoverawash-bank；
an"afterswappin"endforend，landstwentyfeetbelowwithagroanan"asplashintheCaliente。Pistolisshorelyusedup，an"crawlsoutontheflatgroundbelow，asdisconsolateaheado"cattleasevertemptstheechoeswithhiswails。
"ButHotspurhasnospacewhereintosinghisvict"ry。Falstaffdecendsuponhimlikeafallin"tree。Withonerushin"charge，an"anotelikethunder，hesimplydistributesthatHotspurallovertherange。Thar"sonlyoneblow；assoonasHotspurcanrounduphisfragmentsan"nettohishoofs，hegoessailin"downthevalley，hiseyesstickin"outso"shecanseehissins。Ashestarts，PrinceHal，who"sbeenhoppin"abouttherimoftheriot，clapshishornstoHotspur"sflyin"hocksan"keepshimgoin"。Butitain"tneedednone；thatFalstaffactooallyruinsHotspurwiththefirstcharge。
"ThatnightFalstaff，withtheporePistoljestabletototter，stayswithus，an"PrinceHalfussesan"bosses""round，sorto"
directin"theirentertainment。ThenextafternoonFalstaffgivesadeepbellowortwo，likehe"sextendin""adios"totheentireCalientecanyon，an"thengoespirootin"offforhomeinLong"s，withPistol，wholooksan"feelslikealaughin"stock，limpin"athisheels。That"stheend。Fourdayslater，asI"mswingin""roundtherange，IfindsFalstaffan"PistolinLong"sCanyon；PrinceHalisontheCaliente；whileHotspur——an"hisairisbothwisean"sad——
istamelywherehebelongsontheUpperRed。An"nowrecallin"howIcomestoplungeintothisyereidyl，Idesirestoaskyou-all，howeverPrinceHalbringsFaistafftothewarsthattime，ifcattlecan"ttalk？"
CHAPTERXII。
HowWolfvilleMadeaJest。
"It"ssoonafterthattimeItellsyouofwhenRainbowSamdiesoff，"andtheOldCattlemanassumedtheairsofaconversationalFroude，"whenthecampturnsinan"hasitslittlejestwiththeSignalServicesharp。Youseeswe"rethatdepressedaboutRainbowcashin"in，weneedcreelaxatinthata-way，sowe-allnacheralenoughdivertsourse"fswiththisSignalpartywhocomesbulgin"upallhandy。
"Don"tmakenomistakennotionsaboutWolfvillebein"aidlean"adangerouscamp。Whichonthecontrary，Wolfvilleisshorelythehomeofjestice，an"asquar"mangetsasquar"gameeverytime。Tharain"tno"badmen""roundWolfville，publicsentimentbein"obdurateonthatp"int。Hardpeople，whohasfiledthesightsoffentheirsix-shootersorfanstheirgunsinafight，don"tgettolerated，nonewhatever。
"Ofcourse，thar"sgentsinWolfvillewhohasseentroublean"seenitinthesmoke。CherokeeHall，forinstance，soDocPeetsmentionstomeprivate，onetimean"anotherdowns"levenmen。
"ButCherokee"sbynacherkindo"warman"nervous，an"bein"he"sbehindafarogame，mostlikelyheseesmoreo"casion；atanyrate，it"scommonknowledgethatwhateverhe"sdoneisright。
"Hedon"tbeefthem"leveninWolfville；allIrecallswithus，isthemanfromRedDog，theStingin"Lizard，an"mebbyastrayedMexicanorso。ButeachtimeCherokee"shandisforcedbytheseyereparties，an"he"sexculpatedineverygent"smindwhoismadeawar"
tharof。
"No；Cherokeedon"trelyallersonhisgunneither。He"sahurryin"
knifefighterforagentwithwhomknivesain"tnacher。Eitherway，however，gunorknife，Cherokeeisaheapreliable；an"youcanputdownabetthatwhathemissesinthequadrillehe"llshoremakeupinthewaltzwithallwhoaskshimtoawardance。Butspeakin"ofknives:Cherokeecomesasquickan"straightwithabowieasarattlesnake；an"nothalfthebuzzaboutit。
"Butjestthesame，whilethar"sgentsincamplikeCherokee，whohasbeenag"institmore"nonce，an"whowinsan"getsaway，stillWolfviile"sitsquietan"sincereanoutfitasanychristiancouldask。
"It"safact；whenShotgunDowlingcapersinan"allowshe"sabouttoabidewithusawholelot，he"snotifiedtohuntanotherholethefirstday。
""Sofarfromyou-alllivin"withus，Shotgun，"saysJackMoore，who"sdepootedtogiveShotgunDowlingtherein；"sofarfromyoubunkin"inyereforgood，weain"tevenaimin"topermityourvisits。Mynotionisthatyoubetterpullyourfreightsomeinstant。
Thar"sahalf-formedthoughtinthepublicbosomthatifanybodyseesyourtrailto-morry，allhands"llturninan"arrangeyouforthegrave。"
""Nevermindaboutarrangin"nothin"，"saysShotgun；"Iquitsyouafterthenextdrink；whichlibationItakesalone。"An"Shotgunridesaway。
"WhatisthematterwithShotgun？Well，he"soneoftheseyeremurderin"folks，goin"aboutdownin"Mexicansmerelytosee"emkick，an"thatsortofthing，an"allofwhichnose"f-respectin"
outfitstands。Hewinsouthisname"Shotgun"themtimeswhenhe"sdep"tymarshaloveratPrescott。
""Youmustbepartic"laran"serveyourwarrantonagentbeforeyoudownshim，"saysthejudge，ashegivesShotgunsomepapers。"Firstserveyourwarrant，an"thenit"slegaltokillhim；butnotwithout!"
"SoShotgunDowlingtakesthisyerewarrantan"cramsitdownthemuzzleofashotgunan"hammersheroutflatontopthembuckshot。
""Tharyoube!"saysDowling。"Ireckons"nowthewarrantgetstohimaheadofthelead；whichmakesitonthelevel。"
"TharuponShotguncantersoutan"bustshisgent——warrant，leadan"
all——an"thatgiveshimthenameof"Shotgun"Dowling。
"Butatthetimehecomesriotin"alongintoWolfville，allowin"
he"llresidesome，he"sregyardedhard；havin"beenwolfin""round，copperin"Mexicansan"friskin"aboutgeneral；so，nacheral，wewarnshimoutasaforesaid。WhichI，tharfore，ag"inremarks，thatWolfvilleisamightyproperan"peacefulplace，an"itswitticismwiththisyereSignalServicepartyneedn"tbeinferredag"instit。
"Thisyeregenthasbeengoin"aboutcasooal，an"hisairisaheaphigh-flown。He"sbeenpesterin"an"irritatin"aboutthepost-officeformightylikeanhour，whenallatoncehecrossesovertotheRedLightan"squar"suptothebar。Hedon"tinvitenoneofustolicker——jesthimse"f；whichonp"litenessisshorereceivedinvidious。
""Gimmeacocktail，"saysthisSignalpersontothebarkeep。
"Astheyain"tmixin"nodrinksattheRedLightformanorbeast，noryetatHamilton"shurdy-gurdy，thissportinyooniformdon"tgetnococktail。
""Can"tmixnodrinks，"saysBlackJack。
""Can"tmixnococktail？"saystheSignalsharp。"Why!whatabandofprairiedogsthisyerehamletis!What"sthematterwithyou-allthatyoucan"tmixnococktails？Don"tyousaveyenough？"
""Dowe-allsaveyenough？"saysBlackJack，somefacetiousthata-
way。"Stranger，wesimplysufferswithwhatwesaveys。Butthar"salawag"incocktailsan"allmixin"ofdrinks。Yousees，aMexicanfemaleoverinTucsonisonedaymixin"drinksforagentshe"sa-
harborin"ideesag"in，an"sheringsinthelocoontohim，an"hegoesplumbcrazy。ThentheLegislatoorearousesitse"ftoitsperil，thata-way，an"upsanmakesalawabatin"ofmixeddrinks。Thisyerebein"gospeltrooth，you"llhavetodrinkstraightwhiskey；an"
youmightaswelldrinkitoutenatincup，too。"
"Ashesaysthis，BlackJacksetsupabottlean"atincup，an"
thenforablazerslamsasix-shooteronthebaratthesametime。
Lookin"someblootharat，theSignalsharptakesagulportwoofstraightnose-paint，cavilin"hotatthetincup，an"don"tmentionnothin"moreofcocktails。
""Whateveristhedamageanyhow？"hesaystoBlackJack，soonashe"squitgaggin"overthewhiskey，thesametastin"rawan"vicioustohim，an"himwithhislady-likethroatframedreadyforcocktails。"What"sthartopay？"
""Narycontouse，"saysBlackJack，moppin"ofthebarcomplacent。
"Notasoomarkee。Thatdrink"sonthehouse，stranger。"
"WhenthisSignalsharpgoesout，Enrightsayshe"sgotporemanners，an"hemarvelssomehe"sstillwalkin"theearth。
""However，"saysEnright，"Is"posehislivin"solongarisesmainlyfromstayin"East，wheretheydon"tmakenop"intonbein"p"lite，an"runsthingslooser。"
""Whatever"sthematterofchasin"thisinsultin"tenderfoot"roundalot，"asksTexasThompson，"an"havin"amoosementwithhim？Tharain"tnothin"doin"，an"weoughternotbegretchahalf-day"swork，puttin"knowledgeintothisparty。Ifsomethin"ain"tdoneforthwithtoinformhismindastothemsocialdootieswhilehestaysinArizona，youcangamblehewon"tlasttogoEastnomore。"
"AswhatTexasThompsonsayshasweight，tharbeginstogrowagen"raldesiretoenlightenthisyeresport。AsTexassu"geststheidee，itfollowsthathegoesfor"ardtobeginitsexecootion。
""Butbediscreet，Texas，"saysEnrialit，"an"don"tforcenoshowdownwiththisSignalgent。Attainin"wisdomisonething，an"
bein"killedthata-way，isplumbdifferent；an"whileIseesnoobjectiontoswellin"thegeneralfundofthisyoungperson"sknowledge，Idon"tpurposethatyou-all"sgoin"toconfernodiplomas，an"graduatehimintothechoirabovenonewithagun，atonean"thesametime。"
""Nonewhatever，"saysTexasThompson；"wemerelytoyswiththistenderfootan"neversomuchasbreakshiscrust，orbringsadropofblood，theslightestmorsel。He"stakin"lifetoolightly；an"
allwep"intsouttodo，issoberhiman"teachhimathoughtfuldeecorum。"
"TexasThompsongoesa-weavin"upthestreetsoastocrossthetrailofthisSignalparty，who"sheadeddown。Astheypasses，Texasturnsasf"rociousasfortytimberwolves，an"clapshishandontheshoulderoftheSignalparty。
""How"sthisyere？"saysTexas，shakin"backhislongha"r。An"heshorelylookshardened，thata-way。
""How"swhat？"saystheSignalman，who"sastonishedtodeath。
""Yousaveysmightywell，"saysTexas。"Youfailstobowtome，aimin"toinsultan"putitallovermeinthepresenceofthisyeremultitood。Thinkofit，gents!"goesonTexas，beginnin"tofroth，an"a-raisin"ofhisvoicetoawhoop；"thinkofit，an"methewar-
chiefofthePanhandle，withforty-twoskelpsonmybridle，tobeinsultedan"disdainedbyafeebleshorthornlikethis。ItshoremakesmewonderbeIalive!
""Stranger，"goesonTexas，turnin"totheSignalparty，an"hishanddropsonhisgun，an"hebreathesloudlikeabuffalo；"nothin"
butbloodisgoin"todomenow。IfIwastrootomyse"fatthismoment，I"dtakeaknifean"shorelysplityoulikeamackerel。ButIrestrainsmyse"f；alsoIdon"tnoticenoweeponontoyou。Gotharfore，an"heelyourse"f，forbynextdrinktimetheavenger"llbehuntin"onyourtrail。Igivesyouhalfanhourtolive。Notonyouraccount，"causeitain"tcomin"toyou；butmerelynottoketchnoangelsofftheirgyard，an"toallow"emachancetoorganizeforyourreception。Besides，Idon"taimtospringnocorpsesonthiscamp。Pendin"hostil"ties，Ishallrestmyse"fintheRedLight，permittin"youtheadvantagesofthedancehall，whereHamilton"lllendyoupen，ink，paper，an"montetable，wharbytoconcoctyourlastwill。Stranger，adios!"
"BythetimeTexasgetsoffthistalkan"startsfortheRedLight，theSignalsportislookin"somesallowan"perturbed。He"sshorelyalarmed。
""Seeyere，pard，"saysDanBoggs，breakin"looseallatonce，likehe"ssohonesthecan"trestrainhimse"f，an"jestasTexasheadsoutfortheRedLight；"you"reaheaponknowntome，butItakesachancean"standsyourfriend。Nowyere"swhatyoudo。Youstiffenyourse"fupwithaColt"s"44，an"layforthisTexasThompson。He"sarustleran"ahoss-thief，an"amurdererwho，ashesays，hasplantedforty-two，notcountin"Injuns，Mexicansan"mavericks。Heoughterbemassacred；an"asit"scomeyourway，whypranceinan"
spillhisblood。Thiscamp"lljustifyan"applaudtheplay。
""ButIcan"tfightnone，"saystheSignalparty。"It"sag"intheroolesan"reg"lationsofthearmy。"
""WhichIdon"tseenonehowyou"regoin"torenig，"saysDaveTutt。
"Thisdebaucheeisdootoshootyouonsight。Themarmyroolesshortlyshouldpermitagenttoscoutofftoonesidethestricttrailalittle；partic"larwhenit"scomedowntosavin"hisownskelp。"
"Onewayan"another，Tuttan"Boggsmakesitcl"araspainttotheSignalpartythatthar"sonlytwochancesleftinthebox；eitherhedownsTexasorTexasgetshim。TheSignalpartysaysit"swhathecallsa"dreadalternatif。"
""WhichwhenIthinksofthegorethisyeremurderousThompsonalreadydabblesin，"saysBoggstotheSignalparty，"Iendorsesthemexpressions。However，youputyourse"finthehandsofmean"
Dave，an"wedoesourbest。Ifyoulivesthroughit，thedrinksisonyou；an"ifTexasbeefsyou——which，whiledeplorable，isnoneremoteconsiderin"thisyereTexasisareg"larengineofdestruction——weseesthatyourremaindergoesbacktotheStatessuccessful。"
"TheSignalpartysayshe"sthankfulhe"sfoundfriends，an"
tharuponthey-alllinesoutforthedancehall，wheretheygetsdrinks，an"theSignalman，who"ssomepallidbynow，figgershe"llwritethemlettersan"sorto"straightenuphischipsfortheworst。Boggsobservesthatit"sagoodmove，an"thatTuttan"he"lltakeano"casionaldrinkan"rideherdonhisinterestswhilehedoes。
"Tuttan"Boggshavegottheirbrandsontomebbytwodrinks，whenovercomesDocPeets，lookin"deadlydignifiedan"severe，an"says:
""Who-allrepresentsyereforthisgentwho"soutforthebloodofmyfriend，TexasThompson？"
""Talktomean"Tutt，"saysBoggs；"an"cuthershort，"causeit"stheopinionofourgentthisrancorousThompsoninfeststheearthtoolong，an"he"shungerin"tobeginhisbutchery。"
""Whichthar"senoughsaid，"saysPeets；"ImerelyappearstonotifyyouthatinfiveminutesIparadesmygentinfrontofthepost-
office，an"theatrocitiescanproceed。Theyfightswithsix-
shooters；nowwhat"sthedistance？"
""Makeitacrossablanket，"saysTutt。
""An"foldtheblanket，"breaksinBoggs。
""Youcan"tmakeittooclostformygent，"saysPeets。"AsIstartstothisyereconference，hesays:"Doc，makehersix-shootersan"
overahandkerchief。Ithirststoshovetheironplumbag"insttheheartthatinsultsme，asIonhooksmyweepon。""
"Ofcourse，thepoorSignalparty，tryin"towriteoverbyamontetable，an"spillin"inkalloverhimse"f，listenstothemremarks，an"itmakeshimfeelpartic"larpensif。
""Infiveminutes，then，"saysPeets，"you-allorganizeyourgentan"comea-runnin"。ImustcanterovertoseehowTexasisholdin"
himse"f。He"sthatfretfulaminuteback，he"st"arin"hunksoutenawhite-ashtablewithhisteethlikeit"sginger-cake，an"moanin"
forblood。OldMonte"slookin"afterhim，butIbettergetback。
Whichhemightinhisfrenzy，thata-way，comescatterin"looseanymoment，an"gor"arin"aboutan"killin"yourgentwithoutorders。
Sechaplaywouldbeonelegantan"nodelicacytoit；an"Inowreturnstogyardag"init。"
"AssoonasPeetsisstartedfortheRedLight，Tuttag"inturnstotheSignalparty，who"ssettin"tharlookin"he"plessan"worried，likehe"saprairiedogwho"scomebackfromvisitin"someotherdog，an"findsarattlesnake"sdonepitchedcampinthemouthofhishole。
""Nowthen，stranger，"saysTutt，"ifyou-allhasa"complishedthatclericalwork，mean"Danwillleadyoutoyourmeat。Whenyougetstoshootin"，aimlowan"beshorean"seeyourvictimeverytimeyoucutsherloose。"
"TheSignalpartytakesitplumbgrayan"haggard，butnotseein"nootherway，hegetsup，an"afterstampin"aboutatriflenervous，allows，sinceit"sthebesthecando，he"sready。
""Whichitisspokelikeaman，"saysBoggs。"Socomealong，an"
we"llhuntoutthisannihilatorfromLaredoan"makehimthinkhe"sbeencaughtinacloudburst。"
"OldMontehasspreadadoubledblanketinfrontofthepost-office；
an"asTuttan"BoggsstartswiththeirSignalparty，thar"sayelllikefortyApachespoursforthfromacrossthestreet。
""That"sThompson"swaryelp，"saysBoggs，explainin"ofthemclamorstotheSignalparty。"Whichitwouldseemfromthefervorheputsintoit，he"sshorelyallkeyedup。"
"AsDocPeetscomesouta-leadin"ofTexas，it"snoticedthatTexashasgotatincup。
""Whatever"syourgenta-packin"ofthatyootensilfor？"demandsTutt，mightytruculent。"Isthisyeretobeacombatwithdippers？"
""Oh，no!"saysPeets，likehe"stryin"toexcusesomethin"，"butheinsistsonfetchin"itsohard，thatatlasttosoothehimIgivesmyconsent。"
""Well，wechallengesthedipper，"saysTutt。"You-allwillfightonthesquar"，orweremovesourgent。"
""Don"t，don"t!"shoutsTexas，likehe"sagitatcdnolimit；"don"ttakehimoutenmysightnomore。Ionlyfetchesthecuptodrinkhisblood；butit"sasmalldetail，whichIshorerelinquishesbeforeeverIallowsmyheaven-sentpreytheleastloopholetoescape。"
"WhenPeetsgoesupan"takesTexas"scup，thetwodebatestogetherinawhisper，Texaslettin"onhe"smightyhotan"furious。AtlastPeetssaystohim:
""WhichItellsyousechaproposalisirreg"lar；butsinceyouinsists，ofcourseInamesit。Mygentyere，"goesonPeetstoBoggsan"Tutt，"wantstoagreethatthesurvivor"stobeallowedtoskelphisdepartedfoe。Doesthebluffgo？"
""It"swhatourgent"sbeenurgin"fromthejump，"saysBoggs；"an"
tharforeweconsentswithglee。Roundupthatoutlawofyoursnow，an"let"sgettoshootin"。"
"Idon"treckonIeverseesanybodywhoseemsasfatiguedasthatSignalpersonwhenBoggsan"Tuttstartstoleadhimuptotheblanket。Hisfacelookslikeacancelledpostage-stamp。Whilethey"restandin"uptheirfolks，Texasgoesragin"looseag"inbecauseit"safightoverablanketan"notahandkerchief，ashedemands。
""What"sthemeanin"ofacoldan"formalracketsechasthis？"hehowls，turnin"toPeets。"Iwantstogoclosttomywork；Iwantstocrowdinwhereit"swarm。"
""Iproposesahandkerchief，"saysPeets；"butTuttobjectsonthegroundsthathisman"sgotheartpalp"tationsorsomethin"。"
""You"realiar，"yellsTutt；"ourgent"sheart"sassolidasasodhouse。"
""WhatdoIhear？"shoutsPeets。"Youcallsmealiar？"
"AtthisTuttan"Peetslugsouttheirgunsan"blazesawayateachothersixtimesliketherollofadrum——Texasallthetimeyellin"
foraweepon，an"cavortin"aboutinthesmokethatdemoniache"dscareme，onlyIknowsit"syoomerous。OfcoursePeetsan"Tuttmisseseveryshot，andatthewindup，afterglarin"ateachotherthroughtheclouds，PeetssaystoTutt:
""Thisyereismerepetulance。Let"sproceedwithourdooties。AssoonasTexashaskilledan"skelpedthehold-upyourepresents，I"llshootitoutwithyou，ifittakestheautumn。"
""That"sgoodenoughforadog，"saysTutt，stickin"hisgunbackinthescabbard；"an"nowweproceedswiththeorig"nalbaite。"
"Buttheydon"tproceednone。AsTuttturnstohisSignalsharp，who"sallbutlocoedbytheshootin"，an"hastobedetainedbyBoggsfromrunnin"away，JackMoorecomeschargin"uponhisponyan"throwsagunonthewholeoutfit。
""Handsupyere!"hesays，sharpan"brief；"orIprovidesthecoyoteswithmeatforamonthtocome。"
"Everybody"shandsgoesup；an"it"splainMoore"scomin"ain"tnodisapp"intmenttotheSignalperson。He"sthatrelievedheshowsit。
""Don"tlooksotickled，"growlsBoggstohim，asMooreheadstheround-upfortheNewYorkStore；"don"tlooksolightaboutit；youmortifiesme。"
"MooretakesthebandovertotheNewYorkStore，whereEnright"ssettin"asajedge。Heallowshe"sgoin"toput"emallontrialfordisturbin"ofWolfville"speace。TheSignalsharpstartstosaysomethin"，whenPeetsinterrupts，an"thatbringsBoggstothefront，an"afterthatagen"raluproarbreakslooselikeastampede。
""Gimmeaknife，somebody，"howlsTexas，"an"letmegetinonthisasIshould。AmItoberobbedofmyrevengelikethis？"
"ButEnrightjumpsforaoldSpencerseven-shooter，an"announcesitcold，he"souttodownthefirstgentthattalksbacktohimasecondtime。Thisca"ms"em，an"theriotsorto"simmers。
""NotthatIobjectstoastreetfight，"saysEnright，discussin"ofthecase；"butyou-alltalkstoomuch。Fromthejabberaswasgoin"
for"ardoverthatblanketoutthar，itshorelyremindsmemoreofapasselofoldladiesataquiltin"bee，thanaconvocationofdiscreetan"se"f-respectin"gentswho"spullin"offadooel。Tocuthershort，thepublicdon"ttoleratenosechrackets，an"yere-uponIputsTexasThompsonan"thisSignalpartyonderfifty-thousand-
dollarbondstokeepthepeace。"
"Texasissetloose，withPeetsan"CherokeeHallonhispapers；buttheSignalsharp，bein"strangeincamp，can"tputupnobonds。
""Whlchasthar"snocalaboosetoputyouinto，"saysEnright，whenhe"stoldbytheSignalpartythathecan"tmakenobonds；"an"asit"splumbag"intheconstitootionofArizonatoletyougo，Ishoreseesnotrailoutbuthangin"。Iregretsthemsternnecessitieswhichfeedsaporeyoungmantothehalter，butyouseesyourse"ftheUnionmustan"shallbepreserved。Jack，goovertomyponyan"
fetchtherope。It"sanewhalf-inchmanilla，butIcheerfullypartswithitinthecauseofjestice。"
"WhenMooregetsbackwiththerope，an"everybody"slookin"
serious，thata-way，itshakestheSignalpartytosechadegreethathecampsdownonashoe-boxan"allowsheneedsadrink。Boggssayshe"llgoafterit，whenTuttbreaksinan"announcesthathe"sgotablufftohandup。
""IfI"mdeadcertain，"saysTutt，surveyin"oftheSignalpartyaheapdoubtful；"ifIwasshorenowthatthisgentwouldn"tleavethereservationnone，I"dgothatbondmyse"f。ButI"minnosechfixfinancialasmakesitrightformetogetputintheholeforfiftythousanddollarsbynostranger，howeverintimatewebe。Butyere"swhatI"mwillin"todo:Ifthissharpwearshobblessohecan"tupan"canteroff，why，ratherthanseeayounggent"sneckafootlonger，Igoesthisbailmyse"f。"
"TheSignalpartyiseagerforhobbles，an"hegivesTutthiswordtosignupthedocumentsan"hewontrunalittlebit。
""Whichthesamebein"nowsettled，congenialan"legal，"saysEnright，whenTuttsignsup；"JackMoorehe"psthegentonwiththemhobbles，an"thecourtstandsadjournedtillfurtherorders。"
"Afterhe"sallhobbledan"safe，Tuttan"theSignalpartystartsoverforthepost-office，bothprogressin"someslowan"reluctantbecauseoftheSignalparty"shobblesholdin"himdowntoashuffle。
Astheytoilsalong，Tuttsays:
""An"nowthatthisyereaffairendssosuccessful，I"dshoreadmiretoknowwhateveryouan"thatcut-throattakestochewin"ofeachother"smanesfor，anyway？Whydidyourefoosetobow？"
""WhichIneverrefoosesonce，"saystheSignalparty；"IsalootesthisTexasgentwithpleasure，ifthat"swhatheneeds。"
""Inthatcase，"saysTutt，"youmakeyourse"fcomfortableleanin"
ag"inthisbuildin"，an"I"llprojectoveran"seeifthisembrogliocan"tbereeconciledalot。Mootualapol"giesan"whiskey，lookslike，oughttoreepairthemdissensionseasy。"
"SotheSignalpartyleansupag"inthefrontofthepost-officean"
surveyshishobblesmightymelancholy，whileTuttgoesovertotheRedLighttolookupTexasThompson。Itain"tnotimewhenhe"sheadedbackwithTexasan"thebalanceoftheband。
""Giveusyourhand，pard，"saysTexas，aheapeffoosive，ashecomesuptotheSignalparty；"Ilearnsfromourcommonfriend，DaveTutt，thatthisyere"samistake，an"Itharforeforgivesyoufreelyallthetroubleyoucauses。It"sovernowan"plumbforgot。You"readeadgamesport，an"Ishakesyourhandwithpride。"
""Sameyere，"saysDocPeets，alsoshakin"oftheSignalparty"shand，whichissorto"limpan"cheerless。
"However，weripsoffhishobbles，an"thentheoutfitsteersovertotheRedLighttoberegaledafterallourhardwork。
""Yere"shopin"luckan"longacquaintance，stranger，"saysTexas，holdin"uphisglasstotheSignalparty，whoislikewisep"lite，butfeeble。
""Whichthejoyousoutcomeofthistangleshows，"saysDanBoggs，ashehammershisglassonthebaran"shoutsforanotherall"round，"thatyou-allcan"thavetoomuchtalkswappin"，whentheobjectsofthemeetin"istoavertblood。Howmuchbetterwefeels，standin"
yeredrinkin"ournose-paintallcoolan"comfortable，an"
congrat"latin"thetwobravesportswho"swithus，thanifwehasacorpsesawedontousonexpected，an"isdriventogograve-diggin"
insechsun-blistered，sizzlin"weatherasthis。"
""That"swhatever，"saysDaveTutt；"an"Ifillsmycupinapproval，youcangamble，ofthemobservations。""
CHAPTERXIII
Death；andtheDonnaAnna。
"Locoweed？DoIsaveyloco？"TheOldCattleman"sfaceofferedfullhintofhisamazementasherepeatedintheidiomofhisdayandkindthesubstanceofmyinterrogatory。
"Why，son，"hecontinued，"everylonghornwho"severcinchedaColoradosaddle，orropedasteer，isplumbawareoflocoweed。LocoisMexicanoformad——crazy。An"cattleormulesorponiesoranythin"else，thatmakesarepastoflocoweed——whichasarooletheydon"t，bein"postedinstinctifthatlocothata-wayisnobueno——goescrazy；whatwe-allintheSouthwestcalls"locoed。"
"Whateverdoesthisyereplantresemble？Iain"tnosharponloco，butthebrandIencountersisgreen，bunchy，stiff，an"standstallerthanthegrassaboutit。An"itain"tallerstharwhenlookedfor，locoain"t。It"soneoftheseyeremigratoryweeds；you"llseeitgrowin"abouttherangemebbyoneortwoseasons，an"thenitsorto"pullsitsfreight。Tharwontcomenomorelocoforyears。
"Mostly，asIobservesprior，anamilesdisdainsloco，an"passesitupasbadmedicine。They"reorganizedwithanotionag"instit，sameasag"instrattlesnakesAn"asforthemlatterreptiles，youcantakeapreacher"shoss，foaledinthelapofcivilization，whoain"tseennothin"morebroadenin"thanthereg"larchurchservice，withnowan"thenarevival，an"yethe"sbornknowin"somuchaboutrattlesnakesinalltheirhein"ousness，thathe"llhunchhisbackan"gosoarin""wayupyonderatthefirstZizzz-z-z-z。
"DocPeetsinformsmeoncewhenwecrossesupwithsomelocoweedoverbytheCowSprings，thatthar"stwoorthreebreedsofthismalignantvegetable。Hewritesdownformethescientificnameofthesortwegetsag"inst。Tharsheis。"
AndmyfriendproducedfromsomerecessofagiganticpocketbookacardwhereonthelearnedPeetshadwrittenoxytropisLamberti。
"That"swhatPeetssayslocois，"heresumed，asIhandedbackthecard。"Ofcourse，Idon"tgosurgin"offpronouncin"nosechwords；
shorelynotinmixedcompany。Somegentmighttakeitpersonalan"
resentit。ButIlikestopack"emabout，an"search"emoutnowan"
then，jesttogazeonan"thinkwhatadeadcoldscientistDocPeetsis。He"sshorelythehighkyard；tharneveristhatdrug-sharpinthecowcountryinmydaywho"sfittopayforPeets"whiskey。
Scientifican"eddicatedtoafeatheraige，Peetsis。"You-alloughterheardhimlayforoneofthemcliff-climbin"，bone-huntin"
stonec"llectorswhocomesoutfromWashin"tonfortheGov"ment。OneoftheseyeredeeppeoplestrikesWolfvilleononeofthemrock-