第9章
"Liesinthelumpthata-way，"saidtheOldCattleman，aproposofsomeslightdiscussioninwhichwewereengaged，"isbad——an"makenodoubtaboutit!——thatis，lieswhichistoldmalev"lent。
"Butthar"sasortofranikabooliaronearth，an"Idon"tmindhimnorhisfabrications，nonewhatever。He"soneoftheseyereamiablegentswho"smerelyaimin"toentertainyouan"elevateyourmoods；
an"carryin"outsechplans，hesorto"spreadshimse"f，an"getsexcursiveinconversation，castin"loosefromfactsasvainthingsonworthyofhim。Tharusedtobejestsechamendaciouspartywhocamps"roundWolfvilleforawhile——ifIdon"tmisrecollect，hegetspluggedstandin"upathroughstage，final——whoiswonttoliethata-way；wecallshim"Lyin"Amos。"Butthey"reonlymeanttoentertainyou；themstoriesbe。Amosisneverreallyouttoputyouonawrongtrailtoyourondoin"。
"We-alllikesAmosexcellent；but，ofcourse，whenhetakestothehillsasahold-up，somebodyhastodownhim；an"mymem"ryonthatp"intis，theyshorelydo。WhatforlieswouldthisyereAmostell？
Well，forinstance，Amosonceregalesmewithavividpictureofhowhebacksintoacorneran"pullshislonelygunontwentygents，all"bad。"ThisyereisoverinDeming。An"hegoesondilatin"totheeffectthathestopssixof"emforgoodwiththesixloadsinhisweepon，an"thenmakesitastand-offontheremainin"fourteenwiththeemptygun。
""Itistheslumberin"terrorsofmyeye，Ireckons，"saysthisLyin"Amos。
"Whichit"sreason，an"likewisefact，thatsechtalesismerestfigmentsontheirfaces；tosaynothin"ofthehist"ryofthatcampofDeming，whichdon"tspeakofnosechblood。
"But，asIsays，whatofit？PoreLyin"Amos!——he"scashedinan"
settledlongago，likeImentions，goin"fortheWells-Fargoboxesoncttoofrequent!Whichthepitchergoestoooftentothewell，thata-way，an"Amosfindsitout!Still，Amosisonlyouttoentertainmewhenheonfurlshowluckyan"howferociousheisthattimeatDeming。Amosissimplywhilin"thehoursawaywhenheconcoctsthemromances；an"sofarfrombein"distrustfulofhimonaccounttharof，orholdin"ofhimlowbecauseheletshisfancystampedean"getawaywithhim，oncewesaveyshislittlegameinallitsharmlessness，itmakesAmospop"lar。WeencouragesAmosinthemexpansions。
"Speakin"oflyin"，an"bein"we"reonthesubject，itain"ttoomuchtostatethatthar"splentyo"casionswhenlyin"isnotonlyproperbutgood。It"sthethingtodo。
"Comin"tocases，theworld"sbeenforeverbasin"itsgameontheliesthat"stold；an"Ireckonsnowifeverygentwastoturninan"
tellnothin"butthetroothforthenextfewhours，tharwouldbeaheapoffolkssomehardtofindatthecloseofthemmootualconfidences。Whichplacesnowflourishin"likeagreenbay-treewouldbedesertedwastesan"solitoodes。Yes，asIsays，nowIgetsplumbcog"tativeaboutit，sechattemptstoputdownfictionmightresultinonpreecedenteddisaster。Tharbetimeswhentroothshouldshorelyhaveacopperonit；butweletsthatpassasspec"lative。
"Asmymindisledbackalongthetrail，tharloomsbeforethemirrorofmem"ryahourwhenthewholeWolfvilleoutfitquitseveryothergametoturnitse"floosean"lie。Whichforoncewetakesthelimitoff。Notonlydowetalklies，weacts"em；an"Enrightan"
DocPeetsan"TexasThompson，aswellasMoorean"Tuttan"Boggs，tosaynothin"ofmyse"fan"CherokeeHall，an"therestoftheround-up，getsinontheplay。Whicheverygentstandspatontheminventionstothisyereday，disdainin"excoosesan"declinin"
forgivenesstharfor。Moreover，weplaysthesamesystemag"in，layoutan"dealboxbein"sim"lar。Thefactis，ifeveraoutfit"shandgetscrowded，it"sours。
"Thedemandsfortheseyerefalsehoodshasitsfirstseedsoneevenin"whenadrunkenpartycomesstaggerin"intocampfromRedDog。It"sstrange；butitlookslikeWolfvillehasafasc"nationforthemRedDogsots；whichthey"reallerscomin"over。Thisvictimofalcoholisnotastrangertous，notbynomeans；thoughmostlyheholdshisrevelsinhisRedDoghome。HisnameIdisremembers，buthegoeswhenhe"sinWolfvillebythenameof"WhiskeyBilly。"Ifhehasalastname，whichit"slikelysomehehas，eitherweneverhearsitoritdon"tabidewithus。Mebbyheneverdeclar"shimse"f。
Anyhow，whenhegetshisnose-paintan"weariesfolksinWolfville，sechproceedin"sishadonderthenomdeploomeof"WhiskeyBilly，"
withnothin"addedbywayoffurtherbrandsory"ear-markstharonto。
"Thispartic"lardatewhenheonloadsonushiscompanionship，WhiskeyBillyisshorethedrunkestan"mostedioticIeversees。
Troo，hesaveysenoughtopullhisfreightfromRedDog；butI
allersallowsthat"smerelytheworkofaloocidinterval。
"WhiskeyBillyain"tbrightenedWolfvillewithhissocietymore"nanhour——heonlygetsonedrinkwithus——whenhelapsesintothemtreemors。An"，youhearme，son，heshorelyhas"embad；Huggins"
attacksthata-wayispooerileto"em。
"ItlookslikethatRedDogwhiskeyisspeshulmalignant。I"vebeheldgentswhohasvisionsbeforeeverWhiskeyBillyemitsthatpreelim"naryyelpintheRedLight，an"allowsthatBlackJackispawin""roundtoskelphim；butI"myeretoremark，an"readytoenforcemystatementswithmoney，argymentsorguns，Ineverwitnessesnocasewhichisafour-spottoWhiskeyBilly"s。
"Why，itgetssobeforehequitsout——whichhedoesafterfrothin"
atthemouthfordays，an"Boggs，an"Tutt，an"JackMoore，withDocPeetssoopervisin"，ridin"herdontohiman"holdin"himdowninhisblanketsallthetime——thatifWhiskeyBillygoestotakeadrinkofwater，hethinksthebeverageturnstoblood。Ifheseesanythin"toeat，itchangesintoaGilamonster，orsomesechcreepin"an"
disrepootablereptile；an"Billyjestsimplyr"arsbackan"yells。
"AsIintimates，heyieldstothemerrorstouchin"hisgruban"
drinkfordays；followin"which，Billynacherallygiveswaytodeath，tothereliefofallconcerned。
""YoucangambleI"mneversopleasedtoseeagentdieinmylife!"
saysDanBoggs。
"It"smostlikelytheseconddayafterBilly"sbeenseein"things，an"we"vecorraledhiminawickeyupoutbackofthedancehall，whenDocPeetsisintheRedLightthoughtfullyabsorbin"hiswhiskey。
""Thisyereriotouspatientofmine，"saysPeets，asheleansonthebaran"talksgeneralan"freetoall，"thisnoisypartywhomyounowhearscallin"DanBoggsarattlesnake，bein"misledtothatextentbyRedDoglicker，hasaca"mmomentaboutfirstdrinktimethismornin"，an"beseechesmetosendforhismother。Asasickgenthasarighttodictatetermsthata-way，Idispatchesatelegramtotheladyhenames，sendin"ofthesamebyOldMontetobeslammedthroughfromTucson。Ireckonsshegetsitbynow。OldMontean"thestagehasbeeninTucsonformore"nanhour，an"as"lectricityisplentysuddenasameans，ItakesitWhiskeyBilly"smotherisinformedthathe"saskin"forherpresence。"
""Whichifhe"scallin"an"honin"forhismother，"saysTexasThompson，who"satthebarwithPeets，"it"scattletosheephe"sagoner。Youcanallerstellwhenasportisdowntohislastchip；heneveromitstowanttoseehismother。"
""That"swhatever!"saysEnright。"LikeTexas，IholdssechdesiresonthepartofthisyereRedDogmartyrasmarkin"thebeginnin"oftheend。"
""Bein"he"splumblocoed，"remarksPests，afterTexasan"Enrightexpressesthemse"fs，"ItakesthelibertytorustlethemclothesofBilly"sforsigns。Idevelopedlettersfromthisnearrelatifhe"sclamorin"for；alsoapictureasshowsshe"sasfineaoldladyasevermakesaflapjack。Fromthewayshewrites，it"sallplainan"
easyhe"sbeensendin"hersomerainbowsabouthowhe"sloomin"up，likeSlimJimdoeshissisterthata-way。He"sjestnowindustriouslytrackin""round，lookin"tolocatehimse"fasalawyer。Idon"treckonthisyeremotherhastheslightestideehe"snothin"more"naragged，bustedvictimofRedDog。Lookin"atitthata-way，"concloodesPests，"I"mwonderin"whetherIdon"tmakeacrazy-bossplaysendin"thisladythemsummons。"
""Whenshegetshere，ifshecomes，"saysEnright，an"hisvoiceshowsaheapofsympatheticinterest；"whenshefindsoutaboutWhiskeyBilly，it"sgoin"tobreakherheart。Thatsheain"tgametomakethetripisshorelytobehoped。"
""Youcangambleaponyshecomes，"saysTexas。"Ifit"sawife，now，likemine——whichgoesropin""roundforadivorceoverinLaredorecent；an"，asyou-allisaware，sheshorelytiesitdown——
tharmightbeachanceoutag"inheradvent。Butbein"she"shismother，Wolfvillemayaswellbraceitse"ffortheshock。"
""Idon"treckonthar"snodoubtofit，neither，"repliesEnright，drawin"asigh；"whichbein"thecase，we"vegottoorganize。Thiscampmustturninwhenshegetsherean"deloodethatporeoldmotherintothebeliefthathersonBilly"sbeenthepropan"stayofArizona，an"thathisontimelycuttin"offquenchesthemostshinin"lightthata-wayoftheagewhereinwelives。"
""Mightylikely，"saysPeets，"wegetsamessagefromherto-morry，whenOldMontetrailsin。That"lltelluswhattoexpect。I"mlikeyou-all，however；Idon"tallowthar"samorselofdoubtaboutthatmothercomin"。"
""WhichIshorelyhopesshedoes，"saysTexas"an"Iyerebydrinkstoit，an"urgeseverygentlikewise。Ifthar"sathingonearththatmeltsme，it"soneo"themgray-ha"redoldladies。Youngfemalesthata-wayisallright，an"it"splentynacheralforagenttobecur"ousan"pleasedtharwith；butIneverdoestrackupwithanoldlady，white-ha"redan"motherlymindyou，butItakesoffmysombreroan"says:"You"llexcuseme，marm，butIwantstotrespassonyourtimelongenoughtoaskyourpardonforlivin"。"That"sright；that"sthewayIfeels；plumbreligiousatthemeresightof"em。IfIwastomeetasmanyastwoof"ematonct，I"dj"inethechurch。Thesamebein"troo，I"msayin"thatthisyereWhiskeyBilly"smothercan"tstrikecamptoosoonnorstoptoolongforTexasThompson。"
""EverygentIreckonsfeelsallsim"lar，"saysCherokeeHall。"A
oldladyistheonesplendidthingtheLordevermakes。IknowsagentoverbackofPrescott，an"thesightofagoodoldwomanwouldstophisnose-paintforaweek。Wouldn"tdrinkadropnorplayakyard，thispartywouldn"t，foraweekafterhecutsthetrailofsomebody"soldmother。Heallowsitrevivesmem"riesofhisown，an"
thatheain"touttomixnosechvisionswithfaro-bankan"whiskeybottles。"
""An"IapplaudsthisyerePrescottperson"sviews，"saysTexasThompson，"an"wouldbeproudtoknowthegent。"
""Howlong，Peets，"saysEnright，who"sbeenthinkin"hardan"
serious，"howlong——an"startatonct——beforeeverthisyereWhiskeyBilly"sparentisgoin"tostrikethecamp？"
""It"llbefivedaysshore，"answersPeets。"She"s"waybackyondertheothersideoftheMissouri。"
"WhenOldMontecomesrumblin"alonginnextday，thar"sthemessagefromWhiskeyBilly"smother。She"sshorea-comin"。ThisyereBillyissoplumbintheair，mental，heneverdoesknowit，an"hediestenhoursbeforetheoldladydrivesin。ButWolfville"sready。
That"sthetimewhenthewholebandsimplysuspendseverythin"tolie。
"WhiskeyBillyisarrayedinDocPeets"bestraiment，so，asPeetssays，helooksprofessionallikealawsharpshould。An"bein"aswedevotestoBillyallthewaterthewindmillcandrawinahour，heisapatternofpersonalneatnessthata-way。
"Enright——an"tharneveristhegentwhogetsaheadofthatoldsilvertip——takin"thewordfromPeetsinadvance，sendsovertoTucsonforacoffinasfineasthedance-hallpiano，an"itcomesalonginthestageaheadofBilly"smother。Whenshedoesgetthar，Billy"salllaidouthandsomean"tranquilinthedinin"-roomoftheO。K。Restauraw，an"therestofusiseatin"supperinthestreet。
Itlooksselfishtogocrowdin"ahe"plessremainderthata-way，an"
himgettin"readytoquittheearthforgood；sothedinin"-roombein"small，an"thecoffinneedin"thespace，therestofusvamosesintothecauseway，an"MissisRuckerisdealin"usourchuckwhenthestagearrives。
"Thar"saadjournmentprompt，however，an"we-allgoesovertocheerupWhiskeyBilly"smotherwhenshegetsout。Enrightleadsoff，an"
theresttrailsinan"followshisplay，shakin"theoldlady"shandan"givin"herthewordwhatasuccessherboyiswhilehelives，an"whatablowitiswhenhepeters。Itcomesplumbeasy，thatmendacitydoes，for，asTexasThompsonsurmises，sheisshorelythebeautifulestoldladyIeverseesputahandkerchieftohereyes。
""Don"tweep，marm，"saysEnright。"ThisyerecampofWolfville，knowin"Willyuman"hisvirchooswell，byfeelin"itsownonmeasuredloss，putsnobound"riesonitssympathyforyou。"
""Deathlovesashinin"mark，marm，"saysDocPeets，ashepressestheoldlady"shandan"takesoffhishat，"an"thesamebein"troo，it"snomarvelthedestroyerexperiments"roundontilhegetsyoursonWillyum"srange。We"relikebrothers，Willyuman"me，an"fromaclose，admirin"friendshipwhichextendsovertheyearan"ahalfsinceheleavesyouintheStates，I"mshorequalifiedtostatehowWillyumisthebrightest，bravestgentinArizona。"
"An"doyouknow，son，thisyere，whichseemsamockerywhileI
repeatsitnow，isliketherealthingatthetime!I"macoyote!ifitdon"taffectTexasThompsonsoheshedstears；an"DanBoggsan"
Tuttan"Moorean"CherokeeHallislookin"farfrombrightabouttheeyesthemse"fs。
"We-allgoesovertotheO。K。House，followin"thecomin"ofthestage，an"leadstheoldgraymotherintothesideofherson，an"
leavesherthar。Enrighttellsher，asweturnscat-foottotrailoutsoshewon"tbepesteredbythepresenceofus，ashowPeets"llcomebackinahourtoseeher，an"thatasallofus"llbejestacrossthestreet，it"llbeplentyeasytofetchusifshefeelslikecompany。AswestartsfortheRedLighttogetsomethin"tocheerusup，Iseesherwhereshe"ssettin"withherarman"faceonthecoffin。
"It"sgreatwork，though，themlieswetells；an"Inoteshowthemother"sprideoverwhatagoodan"risin"sporthersonhasbeen，half-waybreaksevenwithhergrief。
"Tharisonlyonethingwhichhappenstodisturban"marthehour，an"notawhisperofthiseverdriftstoWhiskeyBilly"smother。
She"sbusywithhersorrowwhereweleavesher，an"sheneverhearsasoundbutherownsobs。It"swhilewe"rewaitin"，allquietan"
pensif，campedabouttheRedLight。AnotheroutlawfromRedDogcomescavortin"in。Ofcourse，heisignorantofourbein"bereavedthata-way，buthe"dnoneedtobe。
""Whatever"sthematterwithyou-allwolvesyere？"hedemands，ashecomesbulgin"alongintotheRedLight。"Where"sallyourhowls？"
"Texasarisesfromwherehe"ssettin"withhisfaceinhishands，an"wipin"theemotionoutenhiseyes，softlyan"reverentiallybeatshisgunoverthisyereparty"shead；whereuponhec"llapsesintothecornertillcalledfor。Thenwe-allsetsdownsilentan"
sympatheticag"in。
"It"sthenextdaywhenWhiskeyBillytakeshislastrideovertoTucsononabuckboard。Adozenofusgoesalong，makin"goodthembluffsaboutBilly"sworth；Enrightan"Peetsisinthestagewiththeoldmother，an"therestofusonourponiesasabodygyardofhonor。
""An"itiswell，marm，"saysEnright，aswe-allshakeshands，asBillyan"hismotherisabouttoleaveTucson，an"westandsb"ar-
headedtosayadios；"an"deathquitsloserhalfitsgloomwhenonereflectsthatwhileWillyumdies，heleavestheworldan"allofusbetterforthemexamplesheexertsamongus。Willyummaydie，buthismem"rywilllivelongtoleadan"guideus。"
"Icouldseetheoldmother"seyesshinewithpridethroughhertearswhenEnrightsaysthis；an"asshecomes"roundan"shakesan"
thanksusallspeshul，I"mshorelyproudofWolfville"schief。Soiseverybody，Ireckons；forwhenwe"reaboutamileoutonthetrailback，an"allridin"silentan"quiet，Texasupsan"shakesEnrightbythehandaheapsudden，an"says:
""SamEnright，Iain"treportedasnoneemotional，butI"myourstocommandfromnowtilldeath，an"yere"sthehandan"wordofTexasThompsononit。""
CHAPTERXIX。
WhentheStageWasStopped。
"Campdownintothatcharthar，son，"saidtheOldCattlemanwithmuchheartiness。"WhichI"mwaitin"forthatblackboyTomtocomeback；Isendshimformywar-bags。No，Idon"tneed"emnone，onlyI"vegottogivethisyereimbecileTommoney。ThemSenegambiansisshoreapecooliarpeople。Theygetsanewreligionsameasyou-allgetsanewhat，an"theychangestheirnameslikesomefolksdoestheirshirt。Whichthey"rethatloosean"liableaboutchurchesan"
cognomens!
"Asformoney，takethisboyTom。Heactooallytransactshislifeonthetheerythathehaspriorclaimsoneverysplinterofmybank-
roll。Jestnowhedescendsontomean"e"labe"ratelystateshistitletotenpesos。Sayshe"sdonej"inedanewchurch，an"hasbeenmaderound-upbossorsomethin"toaoutfitcalled，"TheAfro-
AmericanWidows"ReadyReliefSociety，"an"thathisdoosistenchips。Ofcourse，hehastohavethedinero，soIdismisseshimformywalletlikeIsays。
"Doesthemfolkschangetheirnames？Theychanges"emasread"lyasaInjunbreakscamp；doesitatthedropofthehat。ThisyereGuineaofmine，hisname"sTom。Yetatvar"oustimes，heinformsmeofthemmootationshe"sinstitooted，He"sbeen"Jim"an""Sam"an"
"WillyumHenry，"an"allintwomonths。Shore，Idon"tpaynoheedtosechvagaries，butgoesoncallin"him"Tom，"jestthesame。An"
hekeepscomin"whenIcalls，too，orI"dshoreburntheground"roundhimtoacinder。I"dbeadisgracetooldTennesseetoletmyboyTomgopreescribin"whatI"mtocallhim。Buttheybecur"ousfolks!Thelasttimethishirelin"changeshisname，Iasksthereason。
""Tom，"Isays，"thisyereisthe"leventhtimeyoucinchesonanewname。Now，tellme，whybeyou-allattemptin"toshiftto"WillyumHenry？""
""Why，Marse，"hesays，afterthinkin"hardawholelot，"Idon"tknow，onlymysistergetsmarriedag"inlastnight，an"Ican"tthinkofnothin"elsetodo，soIsorto"allowsI"llchangemyname。""
Amomentlatertheexuberantandmany-titledTomappearedwiththepocket-book。Myoldfriendselectedaten-dollarbillandwithanairofseveritygaveittohisexpectantservitor。
"Tharyoube，"heobserved。"Now，gopaythemdoos，an"don"thanker"roundmeformoneynomoreforamonth。Youcan"twillfrommeag"inbeforeChristmas，nomatterhowoftenyouchangesyourname，orhowmanynewchurchesyouplaysinwith。Foranigger，you-allisamightysighttoovol"tile。Yoursperitsistootireless，an"staystoolongonthewing。Which，onlessyoucultivatesaplacidermoodan"studiesreeposeawholelot，I"llgoforagin"aboutinmyplunderan"searchforthaquirt，ormebbysomesechstinsin"trifleasatrace-chain，an"warpyouintoquietoodan"peace。Ireckonsnowsechceremonieswouldgosomewaystowardsbeddin"youdownan"
inculcatin"lessonsofpatienceaheap。"
TheundauntedTomlistenedtohismaster"sgloomythreatswithanairofcheer。Therewasahappygrinonhisfaceasheacceptedthemoneyandscrapeda"Thanky，sah!"ToleaveareligiousimpressionwhichseemedmostconsistentwiththebasisofTom"sappeal，thatduskyclaimantoftendollars，ashewithdrew，hummedsoftlyacamp-
meetingsong:
"Tu"naroundan"tu"nyo"face，Untoethemsweethillso"grace。
(D"pow"rsofSinyo"emscornin"!)
Lookaboutan"lookaroun"，Flingyo"sin-packond"groun"。
(Yo"willmeetwidd"Lordind"mornin"。)"
"Speakin"aboutthisyerevacillatin"Tom，"saidtheoldgentleman，ashewatchedthatpersondisappear，"shiftin"hisreligiousgrazin"
groundthata-way，letmetellyou。Themcoloredfolkspullsonan"
pullsofftheirbeliefsaseasyasaMexican。An"theirfaithnevergetsintheirway；themtenetsneverseemstogetbetweentheirhocksan"trip"emupinanythin"theywantstodo。Theygoesrangin""round，draggin"themreligiouslariatsoftheirs，an"I
neveryetbeholdsthatchurchwhichcandriveanypicketpinofdoctrines，orprodooceanyhobblesofacreed，that"llholdaMexicanoranigger，orkeephimfromprancin"outafterthefirstnotionthatnodsorbeckonstohim。Thar"snowhiman"nofancywhichcanmakesolightawagon-trackhewon"tfollowitoff。
"Speakin"ofchurchesthata-way:ThisyereTom"sbeenwithmeyears。Onedayabouttwomonthsago，hefrontsuptomean"says:
""I"segottobemightycarefulwhatIdoesnow；I"sedonej"ined。I
givesmysoultoheavenonhighlastnight，an"wropsmyse"ftightan"fastinbondsofsavin"gracewidd"Presbyter"anchu"ch。Yes，sah，I"machristian，an"Idon"twantnoone，incloodin"mysc"f，togoforgettin"it。"
"Thisyerenewsdon"tweighonmepartic"lar，an"Imakesnocomments。It"sthreeweekslaterwhenTomcutslooseanothercommoonication。
""Yourec"llects，"hesays，"aboutmebein"aj"ineran"hookin"upwidd"Presbyter"ans？Well，I"sedoneshook"em；Iquitthatsanchooaryford"Mefodis。"D"Presbyter"anisaheaptoogloomyareligionforaniggah，sah。Deylamslooseatmewidforeord"nationan"preedest"nation，an"howd"badplaceispavedwidchil"ensskulls，an"howsomanyiscalled，an"onlyoneinabillionbeatsd"gate；an"fin"lly，las"Sunday，B"rerPeters，he"sd"preacher，heupsan"p"intsatmeinspeshulan"saysheseesinadreamhowI"mb"ar-hungan"breeze-shakenoverhell；an"，sah，hesimplyscaredisniggahtowhereIjestlaydownind"pewan"howl。AfterI"sedonelamentedtillmyheart"sbroke，Ipassesinmyresignation，an"
nowI"segonean"doneattachmyse"ftod"Mefodis"。Thar"sadealmo"sunshineamongd"Mefodis"folks，an"d"game"samightysighteasier。Allyoudoesisgetsprunkled，an"tharyoube，inwidd"
sheep，kerzip!"
"Inless"namonthTomopensuponthemreligioustopicsoncemore。
Iallersallowshimtotalkaslongan"asmuchaseverhelikes，asyou-allcouldn"tstophimnonewithoutbuckin"an"gaggin"him，sowhat"stheuse？
""Iaimstoexcusemyse"ftoyou，sah，"saysTomthislasttime，"forthemmisstatementsaboutmeleavin"d"Presbyter"ansford"
Mefodis。"Idoesdoitfortroo，butnowI"segoneover，woolan"
weskit，tod"Baptis"。An"，sah，Ifeelsmightypenitentan"
promisin"，Idoes；I"mgwinetomakeastickofitdistime。It"sreskytogochangin"aboutfromonefoldtotheotherlikeI"sebeendoin"；amanmightdiebetween，an"thenwhereishe？"
""ButhowaboutthisswaptotheBaptistchurch？"Iasks。"IthoughtyoutellsmehowtheMethodistreligionisfullofsunshinethata-
way。"
""SoIdoes，sah，"saysTom；"soIdoes，wordforword，likeyouremembersit。ButIdon"tknowd"entirestorythen。TheobjectionsIhastod"Mefodis"isthem"speriencemeetin"stheyholds。They"spectsyoutostan"upan"tell"emaboutallyo"sins，an"fessallyou"vebeenguiltyofendoorin"yo"life!Now，sechdoin"stu"nsoutmightyembarrassin"foraboylikeTom，who"sbeena-livin"sorto"loosean"livelyforalikelynumbahofyears，sah，an"I
couldn"tstan"it，sah!I"mtoomodes"tobeaMefodis"。SoI
explainsan""pologizestod"elders，thenIshinsoutford"
Baptis"folksnextdoor。An"it"sallright。I"matpeacenow:I"mind"Baptis"chu"ch，sah。Yougointerd"watah，kersause!an"thatsetsyo"safeind"loveofd"Lamb。""
Followingtheserevelationsofmyfriendconcerningthejauntyfashioninwhichthe"boyTom"worehisreligionaswellashisname，Imaintainedarespectfulsilenceforperhapsaminute，andthenventuredtoseekanewsubject。IhadbeengoingoverthevigorousdetailsofaWesternrobberyinthepapers。AfterbrieflytellingthestoryasIrememberedit，initsbroaderlinesatleast，Icarriedmycuriositytothatinterestingbodypolitic，thetownofWolfville。
"Intheolddays，"Iasked，"didWolfvilleeversufferfromstagerobberies，ortheoperationsofbandittiofthetrail？"
"Wolfville，"respondedmyfriend，"goesag"instthehold-upgamesooftenwelosethecount。Mostly，itdon"tcausemore"napassin"
irr"tation。Themrobberiesan"rustlin"sdon"t，speakin"general，meanmuchtothepublicatlarge。Theexpresscompanymaygnashitsteethsome，butcomin"downtocases，whatisaWells-Fargogrieftous？Personal，we"reoutlettersan"missifsfromhome，an"I"vebeheldindividooalswhogetsthatheatedaboutityoudon"tdar"ask"emtolibateontiltheycools，butas"acommonthing，we-alldon"tsuffernopracticalset-backs。We"reshyletters，butsechwoundsishealedbytimean"othermailstocome。Wegainswhatcomfortwecanfromsw"arin"alot，an"turnstothehopefulfooturefortherest。
Thar"sonetime，however，whenWolfvillegetswroughtup。
"WhichtheWolfvilletemper，usual，isca"man"onperturbedthata-
way。Thar"sasteadinesstoWolfvillethatshowsthecamphasdepth；
itcanlosewithoutthinkin"ofsooicide，itcanwinan"notgetdrunk。TheWolfvilleemotionssetssquar"an"steadyinthesaddle，an"ittakesmorethanmerecommonplacebuckin"tosomuchasthrowitsfootloosefromastirrup，letalonesenditflyin"fromitsseat。
"Onthisyereo"caslon，however，Wolfvillegetsstirredawholelot。
Forthatmatter，thebalanceofSoutheastArizonagiveswaylikewise，an"excitementisgenialan"shorelymountsplumbhigh。I
remembersplain，nowmymindisonthemtopics，howRedDoggoeshystericalcomplete，an"setsupnightsan"screams。Whichthevocalcarryin"sonofthatpridelessvillageisashametocoyotes!
"It"shold-upsthatsowringsthepublic"sfeelin"s。Stagesisstoodup；passengers，mail-bagsan"expressboxesgetscleanedoutfortheirlastsplinter。An"itain"tconfinedtojestonetrail。Thisfestivalofcrimeincloodesawholeregion；an"twentystages，inasmanydifferentplacesan"almostasmanydays，yieldsuptotheseyerebandits。OldMonte，lookslike，isaspeshulfav"rite；theygoesthroughthatolddrunkardtwiceforalltharisinthevehicle。
Thelasttimethegyardgetsdowned。
"No，thestagedriverain"tinnoperilofbein"plugged。Thar"sroolesaboutstagerobbin"，sameastharistofaro-bankan"poker。
It"sonderstoodbyallwho"sinterested，fromthemanagerofthestagecompanytothegentinthemaskwho"sholdin"theWinchesterontheoutfit，thatthedriverdon"tfight。He"sthartodrive，notshoot；an"sowhenhehearsthesu"gestion，"Handsup!"thata-way，hestopstheteam，setsthebrake，hookshisfingerstogetheroverhishead，an"nacherallyletsthemroadagentsan"passengersan"
gyards，settleeventsintheirownonfetteredway。Thedriver，usual，cussesoutthebrigandsfrightful。Thelawsofthetrailaccordshimthemprivileges，imposin"noreestrictionsonhismouth。
He"splumbfreetomakewhatinsultin"observationshewill，solongashekeepshishandsupan"don"tstarttheteamnoneontilhe"sgiventheproperword，thesamecomin"fromthehold-upsorthegyards，whoeveremergeswinnerfromsaidemeutes。
"AsIstates，thelasttimeOldMonteismadetofronttheiron，theWells-Fargogyardgetspluggedasfullofleadasabagofbullets。
An"astothatbusinessoflootan"plunder，themmiscreantsshorelyharvestsabackload!ItcatchesEnrightaheaphard，thissecondbreakwhichtheseyerefelonsmakes。
"CherokeeHallan"meissettin"intheRedLight，whilin"awaytimebetweenbev"rageswithargyments，whenEnrightcomesploddin"alonginwiththetidin"s。Cherokeean"me，byasing"larcoincidence，isdiscussin"thetopicof"probity"thata-way，althoughourloocubrationsdon"tflourishnoneconcernin"stagerustlin"。
Cherokeeissayin":
""Now，Iholdsthattrade——whatyou-allmightcallcommerce，isplentysappenin"totheintegrityoffolks。Meanin"noaspersionsonanygentincamp，shorelynotontheproprietorsoftheNewYorkStore，whatIreiteratesisthatInevermeetsupwiththepartywhomakeshislivin"weighin"things，orwhoownsapa"rofscales，who"sonthelevelthata-way。Whichthembalances，lookslike，weavesaspellonagent"smoralprinc"ples。He"snolongeronthesquar"。"
"I"mr"aredbackonmyhocksorganizin"tocombatthefal"ciesofCherokee，whenEnrightpullsupacha"r。Bythecloudsonhisface，bothmean"Cherokeeseesthar"ssomethin"ontheoldchief"smindalot，whereforewelaysasideourowndispootes——whichafterall，hasnorealmeanin"，an"iswhatColonelWilliamGreeneSterettcalls"ac"demic"——an"turnstoEnrighttodiscoverwhateverisup。BlackJackfeelsthar"snewsintheairan"promotesthenose-paintwithouts"licitation。Enrightfreightshisglassan"thensays:
""You-allhearsofthenoomerousstagerobberies？Well，Wolfvilleloseag"in。I，myse"f，thistripamputintheholepartic"lar。IfI
onderstandsthedriftofmyownprivateaffairs，thar"soverfortythousanddollarsofmineonthestage，bein"whatbalanceisdoomefromthatlastbunchofcattle。It"smightylikelythoughshe"sindraftsthata-way:an"IjestdispatchesoneofmybestriderswithaleadhosstoscatterovertoTucsonan"wireinformationseast，tofreezeontothatmoneyontilfurthertidin"s；saiddrafts，ifsechtharbe，havin"gotintothehandsoftheseyerediligenthold-upsaforesaid。"
""Fortythousanddollars!"remarksCherokee。"Whichthatisajoltforshore!"
""Itshorelyshowstheoncertaintiesofthings，"saysEnright，ag"inreferrin"tohisglass。"I"mintheveryactofcongratulatin"
myse"f，mental，thatthisyereisthebestseasonIeversees，whenapartyridesinfromthefirststagestationtowardsTucson，withthetale。It"sshoreaparadox；it"sacasewherethemoreIwin，themoreIlose。However，I"monthetrailofJackMoore；aconferencewithJackiswhatIneedsrightnow。I"llbebackbynextdrinktime；"an"withthatEnrightgoessurgin"offtolocateJack。
"Cherokeean"me，asmightbeexpected，turnsourpowersofconversationloosewiththisnewlasteepisodeofthetrail。
""An"I"mstruckspeshul，"saysCherokee，"aboutwhatEnrightobservesatthefinish，thatit"sainstancewherethemorehewins，themoreheloses；an"howthis，hisbestseason，isgoin"tobehisworst。Ihasexperiencessim"larmyse"fonct。Whichthecasesisplumbparallel!
""Thistimewhenmyownindividooalgamestrikessomethin"an"
glancesoff，is"wayback。IgetsoffaboatontheupperriveratacampcalledRockIsland。Youneveristhar？Idon"taimtoencourageyou-allondooly，stillyourfailuretoseeRockIslandneedn"tpreyonyouastherooinofyourc"reer。IgoesashoreasIrelates，an"
thefirstgentIencountersisoldPeg-laigJones。ThisyerePeg-
laigisamadmantospec"lateatkyards，an"theinstantheseesme，hepullsmeoneside，plentybreathlesswithaplanhe"sevolved。
"Son，"saysthisyerePeg-lalg，"howmuchmoneyhasyou？"
""ItellshimIain"toverstrong；somethin"liketwohundreddollars，mebby。
"""That"senough，"saysPeg-lalg。"Son，giveittome。I"llputthreehundredwithit，an"that"llmakearolloffivehundreddollars。Withacarefulmanlikemetodeal，sheshorelyoughterbeenough。"
"""Whateverdoestheseyerefiscalbluffsofyoursportend？"Iasks。
"""Theyportendsasfollows，"saysPeg-laig。"ThisyereRockIslandoutfitisplumblocoedtoplayfaro-bank。I"vegotadeckofkyardsan"adealboxinmypocket。Son，we"lllayoveradaya"breakthevillage。"
""Thar"snousetryin"toheadoffoldPeg-laid。He"sthemostinvet"ratesportthata-way，an"farobankishisleadin"weakness。
TheyeventellsoncthowthisPeg-laigisinasmallcampinIowaan"isbuckin"acrookedgame。Apardseeshiman"takesPeg-laigtotask。
"""Can"tyou-allseethemsharpsisskinnin"you？"saysthisfriend，an"histonesisloadedwithdisgust。"Ain"tyouwiseenoughtoknowthisgameain"tonthesquar"，an"themoutlawshasaend-squeezeboxan"isdealin"twokyardsataclatteran"puttin"backrightonderyourignorantnose？Whichyouconductsyourse"flikeyouwasbornlastweek!"
"""Ofcourse，Iknowsthegameiscrooked，"saysPeg-laig，plentydoleful，"an"Iregretsitasmuchasyou。ButwhatevercanIdo？"
"""Do!"sayshisfriend；"do!You-allcanquitgoin"ag"instit，can"tyou？"
"""Butyoudon"tonderstand，"saysPeg-laig，eageran"warm。"It"sallplumbeasyforyoutostandtharan"sayIdon"thavetogoag"instit。ItmaychangeyournotionawholelotwhenIinformsyouthatthisyereistheonlygameintown，"an"withthatthisreedic"lousPeg-laighurriesbacktohisseat。
""AsIassertsformer，it"snousemetryin"tomakeoldPeg-laigstopwhenoncehe"sstartedwiththemschemesofhis，soIturnsovermytwohundreddollars，an"leansbacktoseewhateverPeg-
laig"sgoin"toa"complishnext。Ashesays，he"sgotaboxan"adecktodealwith。Sohefakesalayoutwithasuiteofjimcrowkyardshebuys，local，an"aoil-clothtable-cover，an"tharheisorganizedtobegin。Forchips，hegoesovertoastorean"buystwentystacksofbigwoodenbuttonmolds，sameastheysewstheclothontoforovercoatbuttons。WhenPeg-laigisready，youshouldhavebeheldtheenthoosiasmofthemRockIslandfolks。Theygoesag"instthatbraceofPeg-laig"slikeaavalanche。
""Peg-laigdealsformightylikelyit"sanhour。Jestasheputsitup，he"sacarefuldealer，an"theresultiswewinallthebigbetsan"mostallthelittleones，an"I"msorto"estimatin"inmymindthatwe"reaheadaboutfourhundredsimoleons。Ofa-sudden，Peg-laigstopsdealin"，up-endshisboxandturnstomewithalookwhichshowshe"splumbdismayed。P"intin"atthecheck-rack，Peg-laigsays:
"""Son，lookthar!"
""Nacherally，Ilooks，an"IatoncerealizestherootsofthatconsternationofPeg-laig"s。It"sthis:Whilethar"smoreofthembuttonmoldsinfrontofPeg-laig"srightelbowthanweembarkswithorig"nal，thar"sstilltwenty-twohundreddollars"worthinthehandsoftheRockIslandpop"lacewaitin"tobecashed。Howeverdotheydoit？Theygoesstampedin"overtothisyerestorekeepan"
purchases"emforfourbitsagross。Theybuysthatvagrantoutthata-way。Theyevenbuysnewkindsonus，an"it"sapartytryin"tobetastackofpantsbuttonsonthehighkyardthatcallsPeg-laig"sattentiontothemfrauds。
""Thar"snohe"pforit，however；themvillagersisstonyan"
adamantine，an"sofaraswehasmoneytheyshorelymakesuspay。WewalksoutofRockIsland。Aboutamilefreeofthecamp，Peg-laigstopsan"surveysmeaheapmournful。
"""Son，"hesays，"wewaswinnin"，wasn"twe？
"""Whichweshorewas，"Ireplies。
"""Exactly，"saysPeg-laig，shakin"hishead，"wewasshorelywinners。An"Iwanttoadd，son，thatifwe-allcouldhavekeptonwinnin"fortwohoursmore，we"da-losteightthousanddollars。"
""It"slikethisyerestagehold-uponEnright，"concloodesCherokee；"it"saharassin"instanceofwherethemoreyouwins，themoreyoulose。"
"Aboutthistime，Enrightan"JackMoorecomesin。ColonelSterettan"DanBoggsj"inesusaccidental，an"we-allsixholdsapowwowinlowtones。
""WhichJack，"observesEnright，likehe"sexperimentin"an"ropin"
forourviews，"allowsit"shisbeliefsthatthisyereguilelesstenderfoot，Davis，whosayshe"sfromBuffalo，an"who"sbeenprancin"abouttownforthelasttwodays，isinvolvedinthemfelonies。"
""Itain"tnoneonlikely，"saysBoggs；"speshullysincehe"sfromBuffalo。Ineverdoesknowbutonesquar"gentwhocomesfromBuffalo；he"soldJenks。An"atthat，oldJenksgetsdowned，final，bythesheriffoveronSandCreekforstealin"ahoss。"
""You-allwantstoonderstand，"saysJackMoore，cuttin"inafterBoggs，"Idon"tpretendnonetonoproofs。Ijestreckonsit"sso。
It"sacommonscandalhowdeadinnocentthisyereshorthornDavisassoomestobe；howhewantsCherokeetoexplainfaro-banktohim；
an"howhecan"tonderstandnonewhyBlackJackan"thedance-hallwon"tmixnodrinks。WhichImight，inthehurryofmydooties，havepassedbythemchildishbluffsonchallengedan"withnothin"morethanpityin"thoughtsoftheignoranceofthisyeremaverick，butgents，thispartyoverplayshishand。Lastevenin"heasksmetolethimtakemygun，sayshe"scur"oustoseeone。Thatsettlesitwithme；thisDavishasbeenaobjectofsuspicioneversince。No，itain"tthatIallowshe"souttoqueermyweeponnone，butthinkofsechapretenceofinnocence!Ileavesittoyou-all，collectifan"
individooal，doyoureckonnowthar"sanybody，howevertender，who"sthatguilelessastogoaskin"aperfectstrangerthata-waytopasshimouthisgun？Isaysno，thisgentisoverdoin"themroles。Heain"tsotenderasheassoomes。An"fromthemomentIhearsofthislaststand-upofthestagebackinthecanyon，Ifeelsthatthisyerepartyissomehowintheplay。Thar"sfourinthisbandwho"sbeenspreadin"woeamongthestagecompanieslately，an"thar"sonlytwoof"emshowsinthislatestracketwhichtheygivesOldMonte，an"thatexpressgyardtheyshotup。Themothertwosportswhoain"tpresentisshoresome"ers，an"Igivesitasmyopinionsoneof"em"srightyereinouronthinkin"center，actin"silly，askin"
egreegiousquestions，an"allowin"hisnameisDavisan"thathehailsfromBuffalo。"
"WhileJackisevolvin"thislongtalk，we-allisthinkin"；an"，son，somehowitstrikesusthatthar"smightylikelysomethin"inthisnotionofJack"s。We-allagrees，however，tharbein"nothin"
def"nitetogoon，wecan"tdonothin"butwait。Still，proan"conlike，wepushesforthindiscussionofthisperson。
""ItdoeslooklikethisDavis，"saysColonelSterett，"nowJackbringsitup，isshorelyplayin"apart；whichhe"sovereasyan"
ontaught，evenfortheEast。Thismornin"，jesttogiveyou-allasample，hecomessidlin"uptome。"Istharanygoodfishin"aboutyere？"heasks。"WhichIshoreyearnstofishsome。"
"""Doesthisyerelandscape，"Isays，wavin"myarmaboutthehor"zon，"remindyoumuchoffish？Stranger，"Isays，"fishan"
christiansispartic"larsparseinArizona。"
""ThenthispersonDavisla"nchesoutintotalesdeescriptifofhowhegoesanglin"backintheStates。"Whichtheeelisthegamestfish，"saysthisDavis。"WhenI"mvisitin"inVirginny，Iusedtogofishin"。Idon"tfishwithareel，an"oneofthemlimberpoles，an"
letafishgoswarmin"upan"downastream，a-breedin"falsehopesinhisbosoman"lettin"himthinkhe"sloose。Notme；Iwouldn"tsodeloode——wouldn"tplayitthatlowonafish。Igoesanglin"inaformal，se"f-respectin"way。Iusesashortlinean"apolewhichisstiffan"strong。WhenIgetsabite，Iyankshimoutan"letshimknowhisfaterightthar。"
"""Buteelsain"tnogamefish，"Isays。"Bassisgame，butnoteels。"
"""Eelsain"tgamenone，ain"tthey？"saysthisyereDavis，lettin"
onhe"saheapinterested。"You-alllistentome；letmetellyouofaeelIsnagsontodownbyCulpepper。WhenhebitesthattimeI
giveshimbothhands。Thateelcomesthroughtheairjestwhistlin"
an"w"irlin"。Islamshimag"instthegreatstateofVirginny。
Supposeoneofthembassyouboastsoftakessechajolt。Whateverwouldhehavedone？He"dlaytharpantin"an"rollin"hiseyes；
mebbyhecurlshistailalittle。Thatwouldbetheutmostofthemresentmentsofhis。Whatdoesmyeeldo？Stranger，hestandsuponhistailan"fightsme。Game!thateel"sgameasscorpions!MydogFido"swithme。Fidowadesintotheeel，an"thecommotionisawful。
ThateelwhipsFidointwominutes，Washin"tontime。Howmuchdoesheweigh？WhateverdoIknowaboutit？Whenhe"sdoneputthegaffsintoFido，henacherallysa"ntersbackintothebranchwherehelivesat。Idon"tgethimnone；IdeemsI"mplumbluckywhenhedon"tgetme。Still，ifanygenttalksofgamefishthata-way，I
wantsitonderstood，IstringsmymoneyonthatCulpeppereel。""
""Thar，it"sjestasItellsyou-all，gents!"saysJackMooreaheapdisgusted，whenColonelSterettgetsthrough。"ThisyereDavisisaimposter。Whichthar"snomortalsportcouldknowaslittleasheletsonan"livetoreachhisage。"
"Wesetstharan"laysplans。Atlastinpursooanceofthemdevices，itgetsroomoredaboutcampthatthenextdaybutone，bothEnrightan"theNewYorkStoreaimstosendovertoTucsonarollofmoneythesizeofawagonhub。
""Thar"snodangerofthemhold-ups，"saysEnrighttothisDavis，lettin"onhe"saheapconfidenshul。"Theywon"tbelookin"fornosechrichesbein"freightedoverslapontheheelsofthisyererobbery。An"wedon"taimtoputupnogyardsalongsideofOldMonteneither。Gyardsisnogood；theygetsbeefedthefirstvolley，an"
theirpresenceonacoachthata-wayisnoticethatthar"splentyoftreasureaboard。"
"It"sinthiswayEnrightfillsthatDavisasfullofmisinformationasabottleofrum。Also，wedeemsitsomesignif"cantwhensaidshorthornsaddleshishossovertothecorralan"goesskally-
hootin"forTucsonaboutfirstdrinktimeinthemornin"。
""I"veaengagementintheOrientalS"loon，"hesays，biddin"usgood-byeplentycheerful，"butI"llbebackamongyou-allsportsinaweek。Ilikesyourwaysawholelot，an"Iwantstolearn"emsome。"
""WhichIoffersfourtoone，"saysJackMoore，lookin"afterhimasheridesaway，"you"llbebackyeresoonerthanthat，an"you-allwon"tknowitnone，atthat。"
"It"sthenextdaywhenthestagestarts；OldMonteiscrackin"hiswhipinahardenedway，carin"nothin"forroadagentsaslongastheydon"tinterferewiththelickertraffic。Thar"sonlyonepassenger。
"Shoreenough，jestasit"sclosin"insomedarkinApacheCanyon，an"thestageisgroanin"an"creakin"alongonaupgrade，thar"satrioofhold-upsshowsonthetrail，an"theprocessioncomestoahalt。OldMontesetsthebrake，wropsthereinsaboutit，lockshishandsoverhishead，an"turnsintocuss。Thehold-upstakesnonotice。TheyyanksdowntheWells-Fargochest，pullsofftheletterbag，acceptsawatchan"apocket-bookfromthegentinside，who"sscaredan"shiverin"an"scroogin"backinthedarkestcorner，he"sthatterror-bit，an"thentheyappliesafewepithetstoOldMontean"commandshimtopullhisfreight。An"OldMonteshorelyobeysthemmandates，an"goescrashin"offupthecanyonontherun。
"Themoutlawshaulstheplundertoonesideofthetrailan"laysforthemail-bagwithabowie。Allthreeisasbusyasprairydogsafterarain，rippin"openlettersan"lookin"forchecksan"
drafts。Latertheyaimsatsomeop"rationsontheexpresscompany"sbox。
"Buttheynevergetstothebox。Thar"sthelivelytonesofaWinchesterwhichstartsthecanyon"sechoestotalkin"。Thatrifleain"tfortyfootaway，an"itspeaksthreetimesbeforeeveryou-
all，son，couldsnapyourfingers。An"thatweepondon"tmakethemobservationsinvain。Itain"tfirin"nosalootes。Quickasisthework，thesightsshiftstoanewtargeteverytime。Atthelast，allthreehold-upslayskickin"an"jumpin"likechickensthata-way，twoisdeadan"theotheristoohardhittorespond。
"Whoeverdoesit？JackMoore，he"sthatoneshiverin"passengerthattime。Heslidesoutenthestageassoonaseveritturnstheangleofthecanyon，an"comesscoutin"an"crawlin"backonhisprey。An"
Imightadd，itshoresoothesJack"svanityalot，whenthefirstremaindershowsdownasthatartlessmaverick，Davis。Jacklightsapinesplinteran"lookshimover-palean"deadan"done。
""Whichyou-allisthevictimofover-play，"saysJacktothisyereDavis，sameasifhehearshim，"Ifyouneveraskstoseemygunthattime，it"sevenmoneymysuspicionsconcernin"youmightbesleepin"yet。""