第7章
""Whenhegoestopay，agentwho"sstandin"nearshovesbackhisdust，an"says:"ThisisJackRainey"sweek——it"sthegreatannyooalfestivalofJackRainey，an"yourmoney"snogood。"
"""ButIaimstodrinksomemorepocotiempo，"saysthisCaribouSam，whoisnewtoLido，an"neveryethearsofJackRaineyan"hislittlegame，"an"beforeIpermitsagenttosubsidizemythirst，an"gostackin"informybaseappetites，youcangambleIwanttomeethiman"makehisacquaintance。WhereisthisyeresportJackRainey，an"whateverishedoin"thison？"
""ThepartywhoshovesCaribou"sdinerooffthebar，tellshimhecan"tpay，an"explainstheplay，an"exhortshimtodrinkfreean"
frequentan"keephischipsinhiswar-bags。
"""AsItellsyou，"saysthispartytoCaribou，"myfriendJackRaineyhastreedthecamp，an"nomoneygoesyerebuthistillhisfurthercommandsisknown。Fillyourhide，butdon"tflourishnofunds，orgoenlargin"onanyweaknessyouhasforbuyin"yourownlicker。Asforseein"JackRainey，it"splumbimpossible。He"sgottoofulltovisitfolksorbevisitedby"em；buthe"supsta"rsonsomeblankets，an"ifhisreasonisrestoredbytomorry，yousendsupyourkyardan"payshimyourregyards——pendin"ofwhichsocialfunction，takeanotherdrink。Barkeep，pumpanotherdoseintothisstranger，an"chargethesametoJack。"
"""Thisyeresoundsgood，"saysCaribouSam，"butitdon"twinoverme。OntilIseesthispersonRainey，Ishallshorelydeclineallbottleswhichispresentedinhisname。I"vehadaclosecallaboutabroncoIstoleto-day，an"whenthejurymakesaverdictthatthey"resorrytosaytheevidenceain"tenoughtoconvict，thejedgewarnsmetobeaheapcarefulofthecompanyImaintains。Heexhortsmetolivedownmypast，orfailin"whichhe"llhangmeyet。Withthisblufffromthebenchringin"inmyyears，Ishallrefoosedrinkswithallonknownsots，ontilIseesformyse"fthey"spropercharactersformetobesociablewith。Tharfore，barkeep，Irenoomydeterminationtopayforthemdrinks；atthesametune，Iordersanotherround。Doyouturnformeorno？""""Notnoneyoudon"t，"
saysthefriendofJackRainey。"Youcandrink，butyoucan"tpay——
leastwise，you-allcan"tpaywithoutgettin"allsorto"actiononyourmoney。ThisRaineyyou"reworriedaboutisasgoodagentasme，an"notatalllikelytoshakethestandin"ofacommonhoss-
thiefbymerelybuyin"hisnose-paint。"
"""Mineisshorelyadifficultp"sition，"saysCaribouSam。"Whatyouimpartsisscarceencouragin。"IfthisyereRaineyain"tnoimprovementontoyou，Iabsolootelyweakensonhiman"turnsasidefromallrelationsofhisproposin"。I"minmightybadreportasthegamestands，an"Itharforeinsistsag"inonpayin"formyownwarmedicine，asbein"amovenecessarytoprotectmyattitoodesbeforethepublic。"
Withthescyereobservations，CaribouSammakesabluffatthebarkeepwithahandfulofmoney。Inremonstratin"，JackRainey"spardnacherallypullsagun，aslikewisedoesCaribouSam。Thar"sthecustomaryquantityofshootin"，an"whileneitherCaribounorhisfoegetsdrilled，abulletgoesthroughtheceilin"an"sorto"
sa"ntersinacareless，indifferentwayintoporeJackRainey，wherehe"sbeddeddownan"snorin"upabove。
""Shore，he"sdead，Raineyis，"concloodesDave，"an"hisontimelytakin"offmakesLidoquitloserforthreedaysoflickerfreeasair。He"sasplendid，gen"roussoul，JackRaineyis；an"asIsaysatthebeginnin"，hefallsasacrificetohisloveforothers，an"
intryin"athisownexpensetopromotethehappinessan"liftthemburdensofhisfellow-men。"
""Thisyeremiscreant，Caribou，"saysTexasThompson，"isamightysighttoopunctiliousaboutthemdrinks；whichthar"snodoubtofit。Dotheylynchhim？"
""No，"saysTutt；"fromthecalibreofthegunwhichfirestheleadthatsnatchesRaineyfromus，itiscl"arthatit"sthegentwho"scontendin"withCaribouwhodoesit，Stillpublicopinionissomesouroverlosin"themthreedays，an"soCaribougoeslopin"outofLidosurreptitiousthatsameevenin"，an"don"twaitnoneonRainey"sobsequies。CariboumerelysendsregretsbythebarkeepoftheSunflower，reiteratestherighttopayforthemdrink，an"Lidoseeshimnomore。""
CHAPTERXV。
TheDefianceofGeneWatkins。
"BeIreligiousthata-way？"Moretoembarkhimonsomecurrentofconversationthanfromanygnawingeagernesstodiscoverhiscreed，IhadaimedthequestionatmyOldCattleman。
"No，"hecontinued，decliningaprofferedcigar，"I"llsmokemyoldpipeto-night。BeIreligious？saysyou。Well，Iain"tshorelylivin"inwhatyou"dcall"grace，"stillIhasmybeliefs。BackinTennesseemyfolksisMethodis"，heldtosprinklin"an"sech；
however，formyse"f，Ineverbanksnoneonthemtechnicalities。It"sdeedsthatcountswithOmnipotence，sameaswithavig"lancecommittee；an"，whetheragentissprinkledordippedorisasaversetowaterasHugginsorOldMonte，won"tsettlewhetherhewinsoutaharporahotpitchforkintheeternalbeyond。
"No，Iain"tabelieverinthatenthoosiasticsensethatfightsitswaytothemourner"sbenchan"manifestsitse"fwithgroansthatdauntshoot-owlsintosilence。Thardon"tappearmanypreachersoutWestinmyday。Nowan"thenoneoftheseyeredivines，who"sgotstrayedordriftedfromhisproperrange，comesbuttin"hiswayintoWolfvillean"putsusupasermon，oratalkee-talkee。Insecheventsweallerslistensrespcetful，an"whenthecontreebutionboxshowsdown，westakes"emontheirwindin"way；butit"sallasmuchforthenameofthecampasanybeliefinthemministrationsdoin"
localgood。Shore!theseyeresky-scoutsisallrightatthat。ButWolfville"sahard，practicaloutfit，whatyoumightcallaheapobdurate，an"it"sgoin"totakemorethanthemfitfulan"
o"casionalsermonsIalloodesto，ahourlongan"more"nthreemonthsapartonaav"rage，toreachtherootsofitssoul。WhenI
looksbackonPeetsan"Enright，an"Boggsan"Tutt，an"TexasThompsonan"Moore，an"Cherokee，tosaynothin"ofColonelSterett，an"recallstheirnacheralobstinacy，an"thecheerfulconceitwherewiththeyadherestotheirsystemsofexistence，Irealizesthatthemordinary，every-daypulpitutterancesofthesortthatsavesan"satisfiestheEast，wouldhaveaboutasmuchser"ouseffectonthemcimmaronpardsofmineasthrowin"wateronadrownedrat。Whichtheylivesirreg"lar，an"they"redootodieirreg"lar，an"iftheycan"tbeadmittedtothepromisedlandirreg"lar，they"reshoredestinedtopitchcampoutside。An"inasmuchasI
onderstandsthemaforetimecomradesofmine，an"saveysan"esteemstheirways，why，IreckonsI"llstringmygamewiththeirsawholelot，an"getinorgetbarredwithWolfville。
"No；I"venonotionatallag"instagospelspreader。WhenShortCreekDavegetsreligionoverinTucson，an"descendsonusasaexhorter，althoughIonlyknowsShortCreekthartoforeasthecoldestpokersharpthatevercatchesagentMuffin"ona4-flush，I
hesitatesnot，butencouragesan"capshisgame。ButIcan"tsaythatthesightofapreacher-gentaffordsmepeace。Apreacherfretsme；notforhimse"fexactly，butyouneverseespreacherswithoutseein"p"licefolks——preachersan"p"licegohandinhand，likeprairiedogsan"rattlesnakes——an"bornasIbeinTennessee，wherewehasourfeudsan"wherelawisainterferencean"neveraprotection，I"mnacherallyloathin"constablescomplete。
"ButifIain"treligious，"herambledonwhilehepuffedathisBullDurhamvigorously。"youcanreskasmallstackthatneitherI
ain"tsooperstitious。TakeBoggsan"Cherokee，you-allrecallshowlongagoItellsyouhowsooperstitiousthemtwois。Speakin"ofBoggs，who"sasgoodagentan"astrooafriendasevertouchesyourglass；he"ssooperstitiousfromhiswrought-steelspurstohisbullionhatband。Boggshasmoresignsan"omensthansomefolkshasmoney；everythingisatiporahunchtoBoggs；an"helivessurroundedbyinflooences。
"Thar"sapeakedoldsportnamedRyderpervadesWolfvilleforawhile。He"ssurlyan"gnurllyan"omeny，Ryderis；an"hasoneofthemawfullookin"faceswherethefeachersisallc"llectedinthemiddleofhisvisage，an"buncheduplikethey"safraidofInjunsorsomethin"elsethatthreatenin"an"hostile——themsortofcountenancesyounotescarvedonthefarendsoffiddles。We-allisaversetoRyder。An"thisyereRyderhimsc"fisthatcontentiousan"
contradictoryhewon"tagreetonothin"。JesttoshowyouaboutRyder:Ihasinmindoncewhenapasselofusislookin"atapaperthat"scomefloatin"infromtheStates。Thar"sthepictureofacow-puncherintoitwho"sadeadringerforDaveTutt。Fromy"earstohocksthatpictureisTutt；an"tharwe-allbeadmirin"thelikenessan"takin"ourlickerconjunctive。Whilethusspec"latin"
onthenresemblances，thisyeresouroldmaverick，Ryder，showsupatthebarfornourishment。
""Don"ttellRyderabouthowthisyeredeelineationlookslikeTutt，"SaysDocPeets；"I"llsawitoffonhimrawforhisviews，andaskhimwhateverdoeshethinkhimse"f。
""Seeyere，Ryder，"saysPeets，shovin"thepaperondertheoldt"rant"ler"snoseashesetsdownhisglass，"whoeverdoesthispictureputyouinmindof？Doesitlooklikeanysportyouknows？"
""No，"saysRyder，takin"thepaperan"puttin"onhisspecks，an"
atthesametimeasthanklessafterhisnose-paintasifhe"dbeenrefoosedthebeverage；"no，itdon"tputmeinmindofnothin"nornobody。Onethingshore，an"you-allhold-upscanropeontothatforafact，itdon"tremindmenoneofDaveTutt。"
"WhichBoggs，who，asIsays，isallersherdin"ghosts，issooperstitiousaboutoldRyder。That"sstraight；Boggswon"tputdownabetwhilethisRyderperson"sinsight。I"vebeheldBoggs，jestashe"sgothischipsplaced，lookupan"c"llectaglimpseofthemfiddle-feachersofRyder。
""Whoop!"saysBoggstoCherokee，whowouldbebehindthebox，an"
spreadin"hishandsinreemonstrance；"nothin"goes!"An"thenBoggswouldglareatthisRyderpartyontilhe"dfadefromtheroom。
"He"stimidofBoggs，too，thisyereRyderis；an"asmuchaseverit"sthishorrorofBoggswhichprevailsonhimtoshifthisblanketstoRedDog——thesamebein"alow-downplazainhabitedbydrunkardsan"Mexicans，inproportionsaboutaevenbreakofeach，an"whichassoomesinitsdeliriumtreecnorswaytobearivalofWolfville。
""WhichI"mapublicbenefactor，"saysBoggs，whenhe"sinformedthathe"sdonefrozethisRyderoutofcamp，"an"ifyousportsa"preciatesmeatmytroovalyoo，you-allwouldproffermesomesechmementoinebbyasasilvertea-set。Memakin"thisRydervamosisthegreatestpublicimprovementWolfville"sexperiencedsincethelynchin"ofFarCreekStanton。You-allain"ts"fficientlyonthequeevee，astheysaysinFrench，tobeawareofthem"lignantatmospheresofthisyereRyder。He"dhoodooahill，orapine-tree，Ryderwould，letaloneanythin"asonstableasmymethodsofbuckin"
faro-bank。GonetoRedDog，hashe？Bueno!Heleavesusan"attacheshimse"ftoourenemies。I"llbetapintohossthatsomethin"happenstothemRedDogtarrapinsinsideofaweek。"
"An"，son，whilesaidriotouspropheciesofBoggsdon"timpressmealittlebit，I"mboundtoadmitthatthesecondnightfollowin"theheegiraofthisyereRyder，an"hisadventthata-wayintoRedDog，aoutcastfromtheFloridas，whogoeslocoedasthefrootesofaweekofRedDoggayety，setsfiretothesityooationwhileshootin"
outthedance-halllamps，an"burnsuphalfRedDog，withthedancehallan"theonlytwos"loonsintheoutfit；tharbyincloodin"everydropofwhiskeyintheholycaust。Itwasawful!Which，ofcoarse，wecomestotherescoo。RedDog"sourfoe；buttharbec"lamities，son，whichleavesnoroominthehoomanheartforanythin"butpity。An"
thisisone。Wolfvillerollsouttheneedednose-paintforRedDog，desolatedasIsays，an"holdsthefraternalglasstotheRedDoglipstillitsfreightersbringsrelieffromTucson。"Allthesame，whileasIassuresyouthar"snothin"sooperstitiousaboutme，I
can"the"p，whenRedDogburnsthata-way，butthinkofthembluffsofBoggsaboutthisyereoldRyderpartybein"ahoodoo。Shore!itconfirmsBoggsinthemweaknesses。An"heevenwaxespuffedupan"
putsondogaboutit；an"ifeverthar"sadispooteaboutoneofhisomens——an"thar"salotfromtimetotime，becauseBoggsisplumbreedic"lousasto"em——heupsan"staggersthecampbydemandin"，"Don"tIcalltheturnthattimewhenRydergoesretreatin"overtoRedDog？IfIdon"t，I"llturnChinkan"openalaundry。"
"Speakin"ofomens，ofcoursetharbesome，asItellyouyeretoforeinthatWolfvillebookyou"vedoneprinted，socommonan"practicaleverygentmustyieldto"em。Thar"splaceswheremeresooper。
stitiongetsupfromthetable，an"mule-sensetakesitsseat。IfI
meetsagentevolvin"outcriesofglee，an"walkin"onbothsidesofthestreet，an"mostlikelyemptyin"aColt"spistolatthefirmament，an"allwithoutobv"ouscause，Idedoocesthepresenceinthatgent"sinteriorofalib"ralfreightofnose-paint。If，asI"mproceedin"aboutmydestinies，Ihearsthevoiceofagun，Iarguestheexistenceofaweeponinmyvicinity。Iftheleadtharfromcutsmysaddle-horn，orcreasesmypony，orplugsadoubleholeinmysombrero，orsomesechlittleplay，Idiestoatheerythattheknighterrantwho"sbackoftheracketmeansme，onlimbersmyfieldpiece，an"entersintothesperitoftheeepisode。WhichIgivesyouthisinalmostthemverywordsbefore。Still，signsan"omensinwhatDocPeetswouldtermtheir"occultisms，"Ipassesup。I
wouldn"tliveinthemapprehensionsthatbeleaguersBoggsforafullherdofthree-year-olds。"WhichI"llneverforgetthemeloocidationsberightonfoldsonBoggsoneevenin"aboutthemournin"an"thehowlin"ofsomehound-dogsthat"sbeensendin"thrillsthroughBoggs。It"swhensomeoutfitofmountebanksisgivin"ashowcalled"UncleTom"sCabin，"overtoHuggins"BirdCageOp"ryHouse，an"
theseyeresaddenin"canines——big，lop-y"earedhound-dogs，theybe——
worksinthepiece。
""Doyou-allhearthemhound-clogsa-mournin"an"a-bayin"lastevenin"？"askedBoggsofEnright。
""Shore!Ihears"em，"saysEnright。
"Enright，thata-way，isallerscombatin"ofBoggs"sooperstitions。
Ashesays，ifsomebodydon"theadBoggsoff，themdeloosionsspreads，an"thefirstnewsyougets，Wolfville"sholdin"table-
tippin"san"isgoin"allspraddledoutonseancesan"sim"larimbecilities，sameasthemsperit-rappin"hold-upsoneencountersintheEast。Insechevent，RedDog"sdootodeemuslocoed，an"couldtreatuswithjestifieddisdain。Enrightdon"taimtoallowWolfville"sgoodrepootetobogdowntoanysechextent，nonewhatever；an"sostand"sintoprotectboththecampan"poreBoggshimse"ffromBoggs"weirdan"ranikabooidees。SoEnrightsaysag"in:"Shore!Ihears"em。An"whatofit？Can"tyou-allletaporepuphowl，whenhisheartislowan"hisdestiniesmostlikelyhasgottangledintheirrope？"
""jestthesame，"saysBoggs，"themoutcriesoftheirsmakesmefeelaheapambiguous。I"mdrawin"kyardstoapa"roffoursthatfirsthowltheyemits，an"Ismellsbadluckan"thinkstomyse"f，"Here"swhereyougetkilledtoodeadtoskin!"ButasItakesinthreeaces，an"astheharvesttharofiscrowdin"hardtowardstwohundreddollars，Iconcloodes，final，themdogsdon"thavemeontheirmindafterall；an"soI"mappeasedawholelot。Still，I"mcur"oustoknowwhateverthey"rehowlin"aboutanyhow。"
""Whichyou"retooconceited，Boggs，"saysTutt，cuttin"inonthepowwow。"You-allisallersthinkin"everythin"meansyou。Now，I
hearsthemdogshowlin"，an"havin"beheldthespectacletheyperformsin，Isorto"allowsthey"resorrowin"overtheirdisgracefulemployment——sorto""shamedoftheirgame。An"wellthemdogsmightbebowedinsperit!foramoremendaciousan"lyin"
meelodramythansaid"UncleTom"sCabin，"Ineveryetpaysfourwhitechipstosee；an"I"mfromIllinoy，an"wasaAbeLincolnmanan"arankblackab"litionistbesides。"
""Seein"IonceownsacoupleofhundredGuineas，"saysEnright，"myfeelin"sag"inslaverynevermountssohighasTutt"s；butasforeloocidatin"themdog-songsthat"ssetyournervestomillin"，Boggs，it"seasy。Wheneveryou-allhearsadogmournin"an"howlin"
likethemhound-pupsdoeslastnight，that"sbecausehesmellssomethin"hecan"tlocate；an"nacherallyhe"sagitatedtharby。Nowyereafter，neverletyourimaginationpullitspicket-pinthata-
way，an"gotocavortin""roundpermiscus——don"tgoromancin"offonanyofthemghostround-upsyou"readdictedto。Thar"sthewholegroosomemyst"rylaidb"ar；thempupsmerelysmellsthingstheycan"tlocate，an"itfrets"em。"
""Nonetheless，"remarksCherokeeHall，"whileIreckonsEnrightgivesusthec"rrectlineondogsthatgetsaudiblethata-way，an"
onravelsthemhowlsinalltheirmeanin"s，IconfessesI"maheaplikeBoggsaboutsigns。Mebby，asIsaysprior，it"sbecauseI"makyardsharpan"allersfacesmyfootureoverafarolayout。Anyhow，signsan"omenspressesonme。Foronething，I"msooperstitiousaboutmakin"ofonyoosalarrangementstoprotectmyplay。Ineveryettriestocinchaplay，an"nevernotesanybodyelsetry，butwe-
allquitsloser。Itain"tnouse。Everygent，fromhiscradletohiscoffin，hasgottotakeagambler"schance。Lifeislikestud-poker；
an"Destiny"sgotanaceburiedeverytime。Iteitherout-lucksyouorout-playsyouwheneverit"ssoinclined；an"itseemsallerssoinclined，Destinydoes，jestasyou"reflatterin"yourse"fyou"vegotashorething。Agent"sboundtoplayfa"rwithDestiny；hecanputabetdownonthat。Youcan"tholdsixkyards；youcan"tdealdouble；youcan"tplaynocoldhands；youcan"tbluffDestiny。Allyou-allcandoishumblyan"meeklypickupthefivekyardsthatbelongstoyou，an"inasperitofthankfulnessan"praise，an"
franklyadmittin"thatyou"reluckytobeallowedtoplayatall，doyourlowlybesttharwith。Ain"tIright，Doc？"An"Cherokee，lookin"
warman"earnest，turnstoPeets。
""AsabsolootelyrightasthesightsofaSharp"srifle，"saysPeets；"an"，whileI"mnotyeretorenderyougiddywithencomiums，Cherokee，youshoreoughttoexpandthemsentimentsintoalecture。"
""Jestto"llustratemymeanin"，"resoomsCherokee，"letmeonbosommyse"fastowhathappensapartybackinPoseyCounty，Injeanny。
I"mplumbcallowatthetime，bein"onlyaboutthesizean"valyooofapa"roffives。butI"mplentyimpressedbythemeventsI"mabouttorecount，an"themem"ryisfreshenoughforyesterday。Buttocomeflutterin"frommyperch。Thar"sasportwhomakeshishome-
campinthathamletwhichfostersmyinfancy；thatis，he"stharaboutsixmonthsintheyear。Hislongsuitisplayin"theponies——
hecanbeattheraces；an"wherehefallsdownisfaro-bank，whichneverfailstofreezetoallthecoinhechangesin。That"sthepalin"offhisfence；faro-bank。Heneverdoestriumphatitonct。
An"stillthedevicehashimlocoed；hecan"tletitalone。Jestsoshorelyashefindsafaro-bank，jestsoshorelyhesetsinag"instit，an"jestsoshorelyheain"tgotatail-featherleftwhenhequits。
""Theracesisoverfortheseason。It"sthefirstsnowofwinterontheground，whenoursportcomestrailin"intomakehisannyooalcamp。He"saboutsixthousanddollarsstrong；for，asIstates，hepicksbossesright。An"he"sbeenthinkin"，too；thisyeresportI"mrelatin"of。He"sbeenroominatin"thebalefuleffectsoffaro-bankinhisspeshulcase。Heknowsit"snousehimsayin"hewontbuckthegame。Thisperson"smadethemvowsbefore。An"theyholdshimaboutlikecobwebsholdsacow——lastsaboutaslongasadrinkofwhiskey。He"sbound，intheveryirreg"laritiesofhisnacher，an"
thedeadlyidlenessofawinterwithnothin"todobutthink，togototransactin"faro-bank。An"，asahigh-steppin"patriotoncesays，"jedgin"ofthefooturebythepast，"oursport"sgoin"tobeskinnedalive——chewedup——comparedtohimaDiggerInjunwillloomupinthematteroffinancelikeaSteveGirard。An"heknowsit。
Whereforethisyerecraftysharpstartsintocinchaplay；startsintodefyfate，an"ropeupan"brandthefooture，foratleastsixmonthstocome。An"，jestasIargues，Destinyacceptsthechallengeofthisvainglorioussharp；accceptsitwithagrin。Yere"swhathedoes，an"yere"swhatcomestopass。""Ourwise，forethoughtfulsportseeksouttherobberwhokeepsthetavern。"TheponieswillbebackinMay，"sayshe，"an"I"mperishin"ofcur"ositytoknowhowmuchmoneyyoudemandstofeedan"sleepmetillthen。"Thetavernmannamesthebundle，an"thethoughtfulsportmakesgood。Thenhestiffensthebarkeepforabouttendrinksadayontiltheadventofthemponies。Followin"which，hesearchesoutatailorshopan"
accoomulatesalibh"raltrousseau，an"hasitpackeddowntothetavernan"filedawayinhisrooms。"Thar!"hesays；"whichI
reckonsnowI"mstrongenoughtogothedistance。Notevenabracegameoffaro-bank，noryetanysim"lardead-fall，prevailsag"instme。Iflattersmyse"f；foronctinaway，I"veorganizedmydestiniessothat，forsixmonthsatleast，they"vedonegottoruntroo。"""It"saftersupper；oursport，who"sbeensobusyalldaytreein"thechancesan"runnin"of"emoutonalimb，isloafin"
aboutthebar。O"casionallyhecongratulateshimse"fonhavin"alongheadlikeamule；thenag"inheoneasilyrevertstothefarogamethat"stossin"an"heavin"withallsortso"goodan"badluckjestacrossthestreet。
""Atfirsthe"splumbinflex"blethata-way，an"isgoin"todenyhimse"ftofaro-bank。Hewaxesquiteheroicaboutit，oursportdoes；aconditionofsperits，bytheway，I"veallersnoticedispronetoimmejetlyprecedecompletec"llapse。
""Theseyerereformthoughtsofoursportconsoomesahour。Aboutthattime，however，heengageshimse"fwiththefifthdrinkofnose-
paint。Tharuponfaro-banktakesonadifferenttint。Hisattitoodetowardsthatamoosementbecomesenlarged；atleasthedecideshe"llpranceoversomean"takeafalloutofitfor，say，ahundredorsoeitherway，merelytoseeifhisluck"sasblackasformer。An"overcapersoursport。
""It"sthesameoldsongbythesameoldmockin"-bird。Atseconddrinktimefollowin"midnightoursportisbroke。Ashegetsupan"
stretches"roundawholelotinahalf-disgustedway，hestillcan"the"pexultin"onhowplumbcunnin"he"sbeen。"Idon"tsaythisinanysperitofderision，"heremarkstothedealerhe"sbeensettin"
opp"sitetoforeighthours，an"whomanoovershisfiscalover-
throw，asaforesaid，"an"shorelywithnointenttomortifyawolflikeyou-all，who"sasremorselessashe"sgame，butIforeseesthisracketan"insuresforitsdefeat。Youfiggersyou"vedownedme。
Mebbyso。Allthesame，I"vegotmygamestakedoutsothatIeats，drinks，sleeps，an"wearsclothestillthecomin"ofthemponies；
an"you，an"theangelsabove，an"thedemonsdownonderthesea，ispowerlesstoputacrimpinthemcalc"lations。I"vegotthenextsixmonthspris"ner；I"veturnedthekeysonto"emsameasifthey"reinacalaboose。An"nopowercanrescoo"emnone；an"theycan"tbreakjail。"
""An"jesttoshowyou-all，"continyoosCherokee，afterpausin"totipthebottleforaspoonful，aswellasletthesityooationsorto"trickleintousinallitsoutlines——Cherokeeisplentygraphicthata-way，an"knowshowtoframeupthemrecitalssotheytakeseffect——"an"jesttoshowyou，asIremarksformer，thateverygentisboundtotakeagambler"schancean"thatshore-thingsdon"texist，letmeaskyouwhathappens？Ourconfidentsportain"thardlygotthatbluffhumgupbefore——"Inglegojang!inglegojang!"goesthechurchbellinalarm；thetavern"stookfirean"burnsplumbtotheground；drinks，chuck，bed，raiment，thewholebunchoftricks；an"
thar"sourwisesportoutinthesnowan"nothin"butablackruckofsmokin"ruinstoremindhimofthatcinchofhis。
""It"salessontohim，though。Ashestandstharmeditatin"ontheexpectednessoftheunexpected，heobservestohimse"f，"Providence，ifsominded，canbeataroyalflush；an"anygentholdin"contraryviewsisaliar，amen!""
""Good，Cherokee!"saysTexasThompson，asCherokeecomestoahalt；
"I"myeretoobserveyou"reamightyexcellentracontoor。Yere"slookin"atyou!"an"Thompsonraiseshisglass。
""Icatchesyoureye，"saysCherokee，aheappleased，ashep"litelycaromshisglassag"inThompson"s。
""ButCherokee，"whispersFaroNell，fromwhereshe"sclostbyhisside，"ifthar"ssomethin"Idesiresawholelot，an"isdoin"mylevelbesttodeservean"keepitallmylife，doyou-allreckonnowthatProvidenceupsan"throwsmedown？"
""Notyou，Nell，"saysCherokee，ashesmilesonFaroNell，an"kindo"surreptitiouspatsherhar；"notyou。Providenceguidesyourgamean"guaranteesit。I"monlydiscussin"ofmen。It"soneofthebestthingsaboutbothProvidencean"woman，an"tothecreditofallconcerned，thattheyallersagrees——allersgoeshandinhand。"
""An"thatlastutteranceisafact，"observesDaveTutt，who"sbeeninteresteddeep。"WhenIfirstwedsTucsonJenniethattime，I
doubtsthemtenets。That"soverayearago，an"youbetI"msettin"
yereto-dayinpossessionofanewfaith。Ittakestimetoteachme，butInowseesthatTucsonJennie"stheonfalterin"mouth-pieceofeternaltrooth；thefullpartnerofProvidence，a-holdin"downthepostoflookout；an"thatwhenshesetsforththings，themthingsisdecreedan"foreordained。""
Andnowmyfriendlapsedintosilenceandbegantoreloadhispipe。
"IusedtosmokeLoneJackoutontheplains，"hemurmured，"ormebbyFrootesan"Flowers；butIdon"tknow!IfiggersthisyereBullDurham"sgotmoreforceofchar"cter。"
Thencamemoresilence。Butthenightwasyoung；IwasdisposedtohearfurtherofWolfvilleanditsworthycitizens。Myreadiestmethodwastoputforthaquestion。
"Buthowaboutyourself？"Iasked。"Doyou，likeHallandBoggs，believethatHeavenespeciallyinterfereswiththeplansofman；orthatachallenge，directorotherwise，tothePowersAbove，isliabletoearnreply？"
"Istatesag"in，"heretorted，puffingacalmativecloudthewhile，"Istatesag"in:Thar"snosooperstitionridin"therangesofmybreast。YetIseesenoughinalongan"moreorlesseventfullife——
nottosayanill-employedlife——toknowthatProvidencepacksagun；an"，asmorethanonescofferfindsout，shedon"tgoheeledforfun。Thar"sthatGeneWatkins，whogetskilledbylightnin"overbytheEagleClawthattime；downedforblasphemin"，heis。"
"LetmehearaboutthisWatkins，"Iurged；"nooneismoreinterestedinthedoingsofProvidencethanI。"
"WhichfromwhatlittleInotesofyou，"heobserved，regardingmewithaglanceofdubious，soursuspicion，"you-allshoreoughttobe。An"I"lltellyouonething:IfProvidenceevergetsweariedofthewayyouacts——an"itain"tnoneonlikely——youmightaswellsetinyourchipsan"quit。
"ButastothisyereWatkins:Idon"tknowaboutthewisdomofburdenin"youwithWatkins。It"sgettin"plentylate，an"I"msomefatiguedmyse"f；Imustbeorganizin"tobedmyse"fdownalotforthenight。Iain"tsocap"bleofsleeplessnessasIam"waybackyonderintheyearswhenI"mworkin"cattlealongtheoldJonesan"
Plummertrail。However，itwon"ttakelong，thisWatkinskillin"；
an"seein"mymoodsisinthesaddlethata-way，Imayaswellletyouhaveit。Thisyereain"tastoryexackly；it"smorelikeaaneckdote；butitallersstrikesmeassheddin"arayonthemspeshulProvidences。
"ThisWatkinsisamereyooth；hejumpsintoWolfvillefromtheTexasPanhandle，where，it"srumored，he"sbeenoverfreewithagun。However，thatdon"tbotherusabit。Arizonaconductsherse"fontheprincipleofeverybodyridin"hisownsign-camps，an"sheain"troundin"upescapedfelonsfornocommoonitybutherse"f。
"ThefirsttimeIseesthisWatkinspartyisoneevenin"whenhesa"ntersdownthemiddleaisleoftheBirdCageOp"ryHouse，withhislariatinhishands，an"tossestheloopoveraladywho"sjestthenrenderin"thatgoodoldhymn:
"Inthedaysofold，thedaysofgold，Thedaysofforty-nine!
"It"smightydiscouragin"，thisWatkinsbreakin"inonthemmelodies。It"smorethandiscouragin"，it"sscand"lous。Theloopisabitbig，an"fallscl"ardownan"fastenstothiscantatricebythefetlocks。An"thenthislocoedWatkinsturnsloosetopullheroverthefootlights。Whichtheworstis，havin"herbytheheels，an"shesettin"downthata-way，hepullsthatladyoverthefootlightsthewrongway。
"It"satthisepock，JackMoore，whoinhiscapac"tyofmarshalisdomineerin"aboutdowninfront，whacksWatkinsovertheheadwithhissix-shooter，an"thelady"ssaved。
""Whatbeyou-alltryin"todowiththisdiva？"demandsMooreoftheWatkinsparty。
""WhichI"menamoredofher，"saysthisyereWatkins，"an"thar"saheapofthingsIwasaimin"topourintoheryears。Butnowyou"vedonepoundedmeontopwiththatgun，theyallgetsjoltedoutofmymind。"
""Jestthesame，"saysMoore，"ifIwasyou，I"dtakethesaddleoffmyemotions，an"hobble"emouttorestsome。MeanwhileI"dthinkupanewsystem。You-alllacksreticence；alsoyou"reaheaptoomuchdisposedtokeepyourse"finthepubliceye。Idon"tknowhowitisinTexas，butyereinArizonaagentwhogetstoocel"bratedgetsshot。Also，ImightaddinconcloosionthatyourPanhandlenotionsofagoodwaytogetconfidenshulwithaladydon"tobtainnoneyere——theydon"tgo。An"soIwarnsyou，neverexpressyourfeelin"swithalariatinthistheayternomore。Wolfvilleyieldsleeniencytoign"ranceonce，butneverag"in。"
"But，asI"msayin"；aboutthisWatkinsoverontheEagleClaw:
Thar"sahalf-dozenofus——afloatin"outfitwebe，ridin"therange，pickin"upwhatcalvesmissesthespringbrandin"——an"we"rebringin"alongmebbythreehundredcowsan"half-growncalves，an"
headin"forthebar-B-eight——that"sEnright"sbrand——corraltomarkthecalves。It"slateinAugust，jestatthebeginnin"oftherains。
Thar"sastorm，an"everybody"sinthesaddle，plumbdowntothecook，tryin"toholdthebunch。It"sflashonflashoflightnin"；
an"thunderfollowin"ontheheelsofthunder-clap。Aswe-alliscirklin"thelittleherd，an"singin"to"emtorestoretheirreasonwithsoundstheysaveys，tharcomesamostinord"nateflashoflightnin"，an"acrashofthunderlikeamountainfallin"；itsorto"standsusuponourhocks。Itmakestheporecattlebattheireyes，an"almostknockstheirhornsoff。
"Thar"samomentofsilencefollowin"；an"thenthisyereontamedWatkins，tossin"hishandatthesky，shoutsout:
""Blazeaway!mygray-headcreator!You-allhasbeenshootin"atmefortwentyyears；youain"thitmeyet!"
"WatkinsisclosetoBoggswhenhecutsloosethisyeredefiance；
an"itsimplyscaresBoggscold!He"safraidhe"llgetpickedoffalongwithWatkins。Boggs，inhisfrenzy，pullshissix-shooter，an"
goestodictatin"withittowardsWatkins。
""Pullyourfreight，"roarsBoggs；"don"tyoustaynearmenone。
Get，orI"llgiveyoueveryloadinthegun。"
"ThisWatkinspersonspurshiscayouseaway；atthesametimehe"slaughin"atBoggs，deemin"histerrorsthata-wayasreedic"lous。Ashedoes，astreakofwhitefirecomesdown，straightasablazin"
arrer，an"withitsechawhirlofthunder，whichIthoughttheearthhadsplit!An"itshorelyrunsthedevil"sbrandonWatkins。
"Whenwerecovers，tharhelies；dead——an"hisponydeadwithhim。
An"hemusthavegotthelimit；for，son，theveryrowelsofhisspursismelted。Rightinthemiddleofhisleatherhat-band，whereitcovershisfore"ead，thar"sburnedaholeaboutthesizeofa44-
calibrebullet；that"swheretheboltgoesin。Iremembers，aswegathers"round，howBoggspicksupthehat。It"sstoppedrainin"ofasudden，an"thestarsisshowin"twoorthree，wherethecloudsispartin"away。Boggsstandstharlookin"firstatthesky，an"thenatthehatwheretheholeis。Thenheshakeshishead。"She"salongshot，butacenterone，"saysBoggs。"
CHAPTERXVI。
ColonelSterett"sWarRecord。
Ithadbeendarkandovercastastoskies；theweather，however，wasfoundsereneandbalmyenough。AsIclimbedthestepsaftermyafternooncanter，IencounteredtheOldCattleman。Hewasre-
locatingoneofthebigverandachairsmoretohiscomfort，andthebettertoenjoyhistobacco。HegavemeaglanceasIcameup。
"Them"smightypunyspurs，"heobservedwithaneyeofhalfcommiseration，halfdisdain；"them"sshorereedic"lous。Whichthey"ddestroyyourstandin"withacowpony，utter。He"dfillupwithcontemptforyoulikeawater-holeinApril。Shore!it"stherowels；
theyoughterbeaboutthesizean"shapeofamornin"star，themrowelshad。Thenagentmighthopeforaction。An"whyeverdon"tyou-allwearleatherchappsthata-way，insteadofthemjimcrowbootsan"trousers？They"replumbamoosin"，themgarmentsbe。No，I
onderstands；youdon"tgochargin"aboutinthebreshan"don"tneedchapps，butstillyououghterdon"emforthelooks。Thar"sawrongan"arightwaytodo；an"chappsisright。Thar"sJohnnyCookoftheTurkeyTrack；he"slikeyou；hecontemnschapps。Johnnychargesintoawirefenceonemidnight，sorto"sidlesintosaidboundaryfullsurge；afterthatJohnnywearschappsallright。Doesithurthim？Son，themwirest"arsenoughhideoffJohnny，fromsome"ersaboutthehock，tomakeasaddlecover，an"helosesbloodsufficienttopaintahouse。Hecomesmightyneargoin"shyalaigonthedeal。It"salessononc"rrectcostumesthatJohnnydon"tsoonforget。
"No，Ineverridesahossnonenow。TheseyereEasternsaddlesain"ttherightmodel。Whichthey"saheaptoolowinthecantlean"toolowinthehorn。An"themstirrupleathersistooshort，an"twoinchestoofarfor"ard。Ineverdoesgradeover-highforridin"ahoss，evenatmybest。No，Idon"tgetpitchedoffmore"niscomin"
tome；still，Iain"tp"intedouttotenderfeetasno"Centaur"asDocPeetscalls"em。Igetsalongwithoutbuckin"straps，an"myfriendsdon"thavetotienorollofblanketsacrossmysaddle-horn，an"that"saboutthebestIcanreport。
"TexasThompsonmostlikelyisthechiefequestr"anofWolfville。
OnetimeTexasmakesawagerofagallonoflickerwithJackMoore，an"son!yere"swhatTexasdoes。Iseeshimwiththeseeyes。Texastakeshisropean"tiesdownabronco；onetherecordwhereofisthathe"sthattoomultuousnoonecanridehim。Mostgentswouldhaveduckedatthenameofthisyeresteed，thesamebein"
"Dynamite。"ButTexasmakesthebetImentions，an"laysforthisonroolycayousewithalltheconfidenceofvirgingoldthata-way。
"Texasropesan"tieshimdownan"cinchesthesaddleontohimwhilehe"slayin"thar；Tuttkneelin"onhislocoedheaddoorin"theceremony。ThenTuttthrowshimloose；an"whenhegetsuphenacherallyriseswithTexasThompsononhisback。
"First，thatbroncostandsinadaze，an"Texastakesadvantageofhistrancetolaytwosilverdollarsonthesaddle，oneondereachofhislaigs。An"final，youshouldshorelyhavebeheldthatbroncoputhisnosebetweenhislaigsan"archhimse"fan"buck!Reg"larworm-fencebuckin"itis；an"whenheain"thittin"theground，he"sshoreabundantinthatatmospherealot。
"Inthemidstoftheseyereflights，whichthesameisenoughtostim"latetheimaginationofaApache，Texas，asca"man"onmovedastheSpanishPeaks，rollsan"lightsacigarette。Thenhepicksupthebridlean"givesthatroysterin"broncojestenoughoftheMexicanbittofillhismouthwithbloodan"hismindwithdoubts，an"stopshim。WhenTexasswingstotheground，themtwosilverdollarscomesjinglin"along；whichheholds"emtothesaddlethata-waythroughoutthemexercises。It"sthemdollarsan"thecigarettethatraisesthelickerissuebetweenJackan"Texas；an"ofcourse，Texasquitswinnerforthenose-paint。"
Ihadsettledbythistimeintoachairconvenienttomyreminiscentcompanion，andrelishingtherestfuleaseafteratwenty-milerun，decidedtoprolongthetalk。Feelingforsubjects，Ibecametentativelycuriousconcerningpolitics。
"Cowpeople，"saidmyfriend，"neversaveyspol"tics。Iwouldn"tgiveaMexicansheep——whichisthethingoflowestvalyooIknowsofexceptMexicansthemse"fs——ortheviewsofanycow-puncheronthemquestionsofstate。Youcangamblean"maketheroofthelimit，themopinions，whenyou-alloncegets"emroundedup，wouldbeshoreloodicrous，nottosayfootile。
"Now，we-allwolvesofWolfvilleusedtoletColonelSterettdoourpolit"calyelpin"forus；sorto"tookhiswordforp"sitionan"
stoodpattharon。It"sintheRedLighttheveryevenin"whenTexassubdoosthatbronco，an"letsthewheyoutenJackMooretotheextentofsaidjugofValleyTan，thatColonelSterettgoesoffataroundroad-gaitonthisyereverytopicofpol"tics，an"windsupbytellin"usofhisattitood，personal，doorin"thecivilwar，an"thedebtheowessomeGen"ralnamedWheelerforsavin"ofhislife。
""Pol"tics，"remarksColonelSterettonthato"casion，re-fillin"
hisglassfortheseveralethtime，"jestnacherallyoozesfromaeditor，asyou-allwhoreadsreg"larlytheCoyoteb"arswitness；
he"ssaturatedwithpol"ticssameasHugginsiswithwhiskey。Asformyse"f，asidefrommyvocationsofthemtripods，pol"ticsisinborninme。Igets"emfrommygrandfather，astallasportan"ashigh-
rollin"astatesmanaseverpacksabowieorwinsthebeefatashootin"matchinoldKaintucky。Yes，sir，"saystheColonel，anthar"sapensivelookinhiseyeslikehe"scountin"upthatancestor"smeritsinhismem"ry；"pol"ticswithmethat-awayisshorecongenital。"
""Congenital!"saysDanBoggs，an"histonesisaheapsatisfact"ry；
"an"thar"sawordthat"sgoodenoughforadog。IreckonsI"lltieitdownan"branditintomybunchrightyere。"
""Mygrandfather，"goesontheColonel，"isaJacksonman；fromthetopofthedeckplumbdowntothehockkyard，he"snothin"butJackson。Thisyereattitoodofmygrandsire，an"himcampedintheswarmin"midstofaHenryClaycountry，isfrootfulofadventuresan"callsforplentynerve。ButtheoldSpartangoesthrough。
""Oftenasachild，thatoldgenthasdonetookmeonhiskneean"
toldmehowhemeetsupfirstwithGen"ralJackson。He"sgoin"downtheriverinoneofthemlittleoldsteamboatsofthatday，an"theboatisshorecrowded。Mygrandfatherhastosleeponthefloor，asanymoreinthebunkswouldmeanastruggleforlifean"death。
Thar"splentyofbunklessgents，however，besideshim，an"ashesinksintothemsoundan"dreamlessslumberswhichistheher"tageoffolkswhoseconsciencesruntrop，hehears"emdrinkin"an"
talkin"an"barterin"mendacity，an"argyfyin"pol"ticsonallsides。
""Mygrandfathersleepsonforhours，an"isonlyarousedfromthemtorpors，final，bysomesportchunkin"himathumpintheback。Theoldlionissleepin"onhisface，thata-way，an"whenhegetsmauledlikeIrelates，hewakesupan"goestostruggletohisfeet。
"""Barsan"buffaloes!"saysmygrandfather；"whatever"sthat？"
"""Laystill，stranger，"saysthepartywhosmiteshim；"I"veonlygottwotogo。"
""That"swhatitis。It"sacoupleofgentsplayin"seven-up；an"
bein"crowded，theyyootilizesmygrandfatherforatable。Thissportisswingin"theacefortheopp"siteparty"sjack，an"heboardshiskyardwiththatenthoosiasmitcomesmightyclosttodislocatin"myoldgent"sshoulder。Buthe"sthelastKaintuckiantogointerfcrin"withthereecreationsofothers，sohelaystharstillan"pronetillthehand"splayedout。
"""High，jack，game!"saysthestranger，countin"up；"thatputsmeoutan"oneoverforlannyap。"
""Thisyereseven-upgentturnsouttobeGen"ralJackson，an"himan"mygrandfathercampsdowninacorner，drinksupthequartofCincinnatiRectifiedwhichisthestakes，an"becomesmootuallyacquainted。An"，gents，Isaysitwithpride，theherooftheHoss-
shoe，an"thewalloperofthemEnglishatNewOrleanstakestomygrandfatherlikeahoneysuckletoafrontporch。
""Mygrandfathercomesplentynearforfeitin"thengoodopinionsoftheGen"ral，though。It"sthenextday，an"thatancestorofminean"theGen"ralisrecoverin"themse"fsfromtheconversationofthenightbeforewithaglassortwooftanzybitters，whenalady，whodescendsontheboatatMadison，comesbulgin"intothegents"
cabin。Thecaptainan"twoorthreeoftheboat"sfolkstriestoherdherintothewomen"scabin；butshewithers"emwithalook，breshes"emaside，an"stampedesalonginamongthemen-peoplelikeIexplains。Aboutfortyof"em"ssmokin"；an"astobaccoisafav"riteweaknessofthetribeofSterett，mygrandfatherissmokin"
too。
"""Iwantsyou-alltomaketheseyeremiscreantsstopsmokin"，"saystheladytothecaptain，whofollowsalongthinkin"mebbyhegetsherheadedrightaftershe"shadherrunoutan"tiresdownsome。
"You"rethecaptainofthistub，"saysthelady，"an"Idemandsmyrights。Makethesebarb"rousmiscreantsstopsmokin"，orIleavestheboatag"inrightyere。"
""Thelady"splumbfierce，an"herface，whichissternan"heroic，carriesacapac"tyfortroublelurkin""roundinit，sameasoneofthembaldhornet"snestsonabeechlimb。Nacherallymygrandfather"sgazegetsrivetedonthisladyawholelot，hispipehangin"forgetfulfromhislips。Thelady"seyesallatoncecomesdownonmygrandfather，partic"laran"personal，likeamilk-crockfromahighshelf。
"""An"Imeansyouspeshul，"saysthelady，p"intin"thefingerofscornatmygrandfather。"Theideeofyoustandin"tharsmokin"inmyveryface，an"meatotterin"invalid。Itshorelyshowsyouain"tnothin"butabrute。IfIwasyourwifeI"dgiveyoup"isen。"
"""Whichifyouwasmywife，I"dshoretakeit，"saysmygrandfather；forthemepithetsspurshimontheraw，an"heforgetshe"sagent，thata-way，an"letsflythisyereretortbeforehecangivehimse"fthecurb。
""Themomentmygrandfathermakesthemobservations，theladycatchesherface——whichasItellsyouisacrossbetweenagridironan"asteeltrap——withbothherhands，shakesherha"rdownherback，an"cutslooseascreamwhich，likeab"arinahawg-pen，carriesallbeforeit。Thenshefallsintothecaptain"sarmsan"
ordershimtopackheroutondeckwhereshecanfaint。
"""Whateverbeyou-allinsultin"thisyereladyfor？"saysapassenger，turnin"onmygrandfatherlikeacrateofwildcats。
"WhichI"mtheRoarin"WolverineofSmokyBottoms，an"Iwaitsforareply。"
""Mygrandfatherisstandin"tharsomeconfoosedan"wroughtup，an"
aswarmasawolf，thinkin"howorneryhe"sbeenbygettin"acridwiththatlady。Thewayhefeels，thisyereRoarin"Wolverinepartycomesfor"ardasaboon。Theoldgentsimplyfallsuponhim，jawan"
claw，an"goestosmashin"furniturean"fixin"swithhim。
""TheRoarin"Wolverineallowsafter，whenhiman"mygrandfatherdrinksatoddyan"comparesnotes，whileajack-laigdoctorwho"saboardsewstheRoarin"Wolverine"sy"earbackon，thathethinksatthetimeit"stheboatblowin"up。
"""She"sshorethevividestskrimmageIeverpartic"patesin，"saystheRoarin"Wolverine；"an"thebusiest。Iwouldn"thavemisseditforasmallclayfarm。"
""ButGen"ralJacksonwhenhecomesbackfromofferin"condolencestothelady，looksdignifiedan"shakeshisheadaheapgrave。