第1章
CHAPTERONE
THEOLEVIRGINIA
Theringaroundthesunhadthickenedalldaylong，andtheturquoiseblueoftheArizonaskyhadfilmed。Stormsinthedrycountriesareinfrequent，butheavy；andthissurelymeantstorm。
Wehadriddensincesun-upoverbroadmesas，downandoutofdeepcanons，alongthebaseofthemountaininthewildestpartsoftheterritory。Thecattlewerewindingleisurelytowardthehighcountry；thejackrabbitshaddisappeared；thequaillacked；wedidnotseeasingleantelopeintheopen。
"It"sacaseofholeup，"theCattlemanventuredhisopinion。"I
havearanchoverintheDoubleR。CharleyandWindyBillholditdown。We"lltackleit。Whatdoyouthink？"
Thefourcowboysagreed。Wedroppedintoalow，broadwatercourse，ascendeditsbedtobigcottonwoodsandflowingwater，followeditintoboxcanonsbetweenrim-rockcarvedfantasticallyandpaintedlikeaMoorishfacade，untilatlastinawideningbelowaroundedhill，wecameuponanadobehouse，afruittree，andaroundcorral。ThiswastheDoubleR。
CharleyandWindyBillwelcomeduswithsodabiscuits。Weturnedourhorsesout，spreadourbedsonthefloor，filledourpipes，andsquattedonourheels。Variousdogsofvariousbreedsinvestigatedus。Itwasverypleasant，andwedidnotmindtheringaroundthesun。
"Somebodyelsecoming，"announcedtheCattlemanfinally。
"UncleJim，"saidCharley，afteraglance。
Ahawk-facedoldmanwithalongwhitebeardandlongwhitehairrodeoutfromthecottonwoods。Hehadonabatteredbroadhatabnormallyhighofcrown，carriedacrosshissaddleaheavy"eightsquare"rifle，andwasfollowedbyahalf-dozenlollopinghounds。
Thelargestandfiercestofthelatter，catchingsightofourgroup，launchedhimselfwithlightningrapidityatthebiggestoftheranchdogs，promptlynailedthatcaninebythebackoftheneck，shookhimviolentlyascoreoftimes，flunghimaside，andpouncedonthenext。DuringtheensuingfewmomentsthathoundwasthebusiestthingintheWest。Hesatisfactorilywhippedfourdogs，pursuedtwocatsupatree，upsettheDutchovenandtherestofthesodabiscuits，stampededthehorses，andraisedacloudofdustadequatetorepresentthesmokeofbattle。Weothersweretooparalysedtomove。UncleJimsatplacidlyonhiswhitehorse，histhinkneesbenttotheox-bowstirrups，smoking。
Intensecondsthetroublewasover，principallybecausetherewasnomoretroubletomake。Thehoundreturnedleisurely，lickingfromhischopsthehairofhisvictims。UncleJimshookhishead。
"Trailer，"saidhesadly，"isalittlesevere。"
Wegreedheartily，andturnedintowelcomeUncleJimwithafreshbatchofsodabiscuits。
Theoldmanwasneofthetypical"longhairs。"HehadcometotheGaliuroMountainsin"69，andsince"69hehadremainedintheGaliuroMountains，spiteofmanorthedevil。Atpresenthepossessedsomehundredsofcattle，whichhewasreputedtowater，inadryseason，fromanordinarydishpan。Intimespasthehadprospected。
Thatevening，thesevereTrailerhavingdroppedtoslumber，heheldforthonbig-gamehuntinganddogs，quartzclaimsandApaches。
"Didyoueverhaveanyveryclosecalls？"Iasked。
Heruminatedafewmoments，refilledhispipewithsomeawfultobacco，andtoldthefollowingexperience：
InthetimeofGeronimoIwaslivingjustaboutwhereIdonow；
andthatwasjustaboutinlinewiththeraiding。Yousee，Geronimo，andJu[1]，andoldLocousedtopileoutofthereservationatCampApache，raidsouthtotheline，slipoverintoMexicowhenthesoldiersgottoopromiscuous，andraidthereuntiltheygotreadytocomeback。Thentherewasalwaysabigmedicinetalk。SaysGeronimo：
[1]Pronounced"Hoo。"
"Iamtiredofthewarpath。IwillcomebackfromMexicowithallmywarriors，ifyouwillescortmewithsoldiersandprotectmypeople。"
"Allright，"saystheGeneral，beingonlytoogladtogethimbackatall。
So，then，intenminutestherewouldn"tbeabuckincamp，butnextmorningtheyshowsupagain，eachwithaboutfiftyheadofhosses。
"Where"dyougetthosehosses？"askstheGeneral，suspicious。
"Had"empasturedinthehills，"answersGeronimo。
"Ican"ttakeallthosehosseswithme；Ibelievethey"restolen！"saystheGeneral。
"Mypeoplecannotgowithouttheirhosses，"saysGeronimo。
So，acrossthelinetheygoes，andbacktothereservation。Inaboutaweekthere"sfifty-twofranticGreaserswantingtoknowwhere"stheirhosses。Thearmyisnothingbutanimporterofstolenstock，andknowsit，andcan"thelpit。
Well，asIsays，I"mbetweenCampApacheandtheMexicanline，sothateveryraidingpartygoesrightonpastme。ThepointisthatI"mathousandfeetorsoabovethevalley，andtherenegadesisinsuchadevilofahurryaboutthattimethattheyneverstoptoclimbupandcollectme。OftenI"vewatchedthemtrailingdownthevalleyinacloudofdust。Then，inadayortwo，asquadofsoldierswouldcomeup，andcampatmyspringforawhile。Theyusedtosendsoldierstoguardeverywaterholeinthecountrysotherenegadescouldn"tgetwater。Afterawhile，fromnotbeingbotherednone，IgotthinkingIwasn"tworthwhilewiththem。
MeandJohnnyHooperwerepeckingawayattheoldVirginiaminethen。We"dgotdownaboutsixtyfeet，alltimbered，andwasthinkingofcross-cutting。OnedayJohnnywenttotown，andthatsamedayIgotinahurryandleftmygunatcamp。
Iworkedallthemorningdownatthebottomoftheshaft，andwhenIseebythesunitwasgettingalongtowardsnoon，Iputinthreegoodshots，tamped"emdown，litthefusees，andstartedtoclimbout。
Itain"tnowayspleasanttolightafuseinashaft，andthenhavetoclimboutafifty-footladder，withitburningbehindyou。Ineverdidgetusedtoit。Youkeepthinking，"Nowsupposethere"saflawinthatfuse，orsomething，andshegoesoffinsixsecondsinsteadoftwominutes？where"llyoubethen？"Itwouldgiveyouagoodboosttowardsyourhomeonhigh，anyway。
SoIclimbedfast，andstuckmyheadoutthetopwithoutlooking——andthenIfrozesolidenough。There，aboutfiftyfeetaway，climbingupthehillonmightytiredhosses，wasadozenoftheugliestChiricahuasyoueverdon"twanttomeet，andinadditionaMexicanrenegadenamedMaria，whowasworsethananyof"em。Iseeatoncetheirbosseswastiredout，andtheyhadanotionofcampingatmywaterhole，notknowingnothingabouttheOleVirginiamine。
FortwobitsI"dhaveletgoallholtsanddroppedbackwards，trustingtomythickheadforeasylighting。ThenIheardalittlefizzandsputterfrombelow。AtthatmyhairrizrightupsoIcouldfeelthebreezeblowundermybat。ForaboutsixsecondsIstoodtherelikeanimbecile，grinningamiably。ThenoneoftheChiricahuasmadeasortofgrunt，andIsabedthatthey"dseentheoriginalexhibityourUncleJimwasmakingofhimself。
ThenthatfusegaveanothersputterandoneoftheApachessaid"Undah。"Thatmeans"whiteman。"ItwashardertoturnmyheadthanifI"dhadastiffneck；butImanagedtodoit，andIseethatmyoredumpwasn"tmorethantenfootaway。Imightynearoverjumpedit；andthenextIknewIwasononesideofitandthoseApachesontheother。ProbablyIflew；leastwaysIdon"tseemtorememberjumping。
Thatdidn"tseemtodomemuchgood。Therenegadesweregrinningandlaughingtothinkhoweasyathingtheyhad；andIcouldn"trightlythinkupanyargumentsagainstthatnotion——atleastfromtheirstandpoint。TheywerechatteringawaytoeachotherinMexicanforthebenefitofMaria。Oh，theyhadmealldistributed，downtomysuspenderbuttons！Andmesquattingbehindthatoredumpaboutasformidableasabrushrabbit！
Then，allatonce，oneofmyshotswentoffdownintheshaft。
"Boom！"saysshe，plentybig；andaslatherofrock，andstonescomeoutofthemouth，andbegantodumpdownpromiscuousonthescenery。Igotonelittleoneintheshoulder-blade，andfoundtimetowishmyoredumphadaroof。Butthoserenegadescaughtitsquareinthethickoftrouble。Onegotknockedoutentirelyforaminute，byanicepieceofcountryrockinthehead。
"Otravez！"yellsI，whichmeans"again。"
"Boom！"goestheOleVirginiapromptasananswer。
Iputinmytimedodging，butwhenIgetsachancetolook，theApacheshasallgottocover，andislookingscared。
"Otravez！"yellsIagain。
"Boom！"saystheOleVirginia。
Thiswasthebiggestshotofthelot，andshesurelycutloose。
Ioughttohavebeenhalf-wayupthebillwatchingthingsfromasafedistance，butIwasn"t。Luckyformetheshaftwasalittleonthedrift，soshedidn"tquiteshootmyway。Butshedistributedaboutatonoverthoserenegades。Theysortofhalfgottotheirfeetuncertain。
"Otravez！"yellsIoncemore，asboldasifIcouldkeephershootingallday。
Itwasjustacold，rawblazer；andifitdidn"tgothroughI
couldseemeasanApacheparlourornament。Butitdid。ThoseChiricahuasgiveoneyellandskipped。Itwassurelyafunnysight，aftertheygotaboardtheirwarponies，toseethemtryingtodigoutonhorsestootiredtotrot。
Ididn"tstoptogetallthelaughs，though。Infact，Igiveonejumpoffthatledge，andIlita-running。Aquarter-hosscouldn"thavebeatmetothatshack。ThereIgrabbedoldMeat-in-the-potandmadeaclimbforthetallcountry，aimingtowaitarounduntildark，andthentopulloutforBenson。JohnnyHooperwasn"texpectedtillnextday，whichwaslucky。FromwhereIlayIcouldseetheApachescampedoutbeyondmydraw，andIdidn"tdoubtthey"dvisitedtheplace。Alongaboutsunsettheyalllefttheircamp，andwentintothedraw，sothere，Ithinks，Iseesagoodchancetomakeastartbeforedark。Idroppeddownfromthemesa，skirtedthebutte，andangleddownacrossthecountry。AfterI"dgoneahalfmilefromthecliffs，IranacrossJohnnyHooper"sfreshtrailheadedtowardscamp！
Myheartjumpedrightupintomymouthatthat。HerewaspooroldJohnny，adaytooearly，withapack-muleofgrub，walkinginnocentasayearling，rightintothebandsofthosehostiles。
Thetraillookedprettyfresh，andBenson"sagoodlongdaywithapackanimal，soIthoughtperhapsImightcatchhimbeforeherunsintotrouble。SoIranbackonthetrailasfastasIcouldmakeit。Thesunwasdownbynow，anditwasgettingdusk。
Ididn"tovertakehim，andwhenIgottothetopofthecanonI
crawledalongverycautiousandtookalook。Ofcourse，I
expectedtoseeeverythingupinsmoke，butInearlygotupandyelledwhenIseeeverythingallright，andoldSukey，thepack-mule，andJohnny"shosshitchedupaspeacefulasbabiestothecorral。
"THAT"Sallright！"thinksI，"they"rebackintheircamp，andhaven"tdiscoveredJohnnyyet。I"llsnailhimoutofthere。"
SoIrandownthehillandintotheshack。Johnnysatinhischair——whattherewasofhim。Hemusthavegotinabouttwohoursbeforesundown，forthey"dhadlotsoftimetoputinonhim。That"sthereasonthey"dstayedsolongupthedraw。PooroldJohnny！Iwasgladitwasnight，andhewasdead。ApachesaretheworstInjunsthereisfortortures。TheycutoffthebottomsofoldmanWilkins"sfeet，andstoodhimonanant-hill——。
Inaminuteorso，though，mywitsgetstowork。
"Whyain"ttheshackburned？"Iasksmyself，"andwhyisthehossandthemuletiedallsopeacefultothecorral？"
Itdidn"ttakelongforamanwhoknowsInjinstoanswerTHOSE
conundrums。Thewholethingwasatrap——forme——andI"dwalkedintoit，chuckle-headedasaprairie-dog！
WiththatImakesarunoutside——bynowitwasdark——andlistens。
Sureenough，Ihearshosses。SoImakesarapidsneakbackoverthetrail。
EverythingseemedallrighttillIgotuptotherim-rock。ThenIheardmorehosses——aheadofme。AndwhenIlookedbackIcouldseesomeInjunsalreadyattheshack，andstartingtobuildafireoutside。
Inatightfix，amanisprettyapttogetscaredtillallhopeisgone。Thenheisprettyapttogetcoolandcalm。Thatwasmycase。Icouldn"tgoahead——therewasthosehossescomingalongthetrail。Icouldn"tgoback——therewasthoseInjinsbuildingthefire。SoIskirmishedaroundtillIgotabrightstarrightoverthetrailhead，andItrainedoldMeat-in-the-
pottobearonthatstar，andImadeupmymindthatwhenthestarwasdarkenedI"dturnloose。SoIlaythereawhilelistening。Byandbythestarwasblottedout，andIcutloose，andoldMeat-in-the-potmissedfire——sheneverdiditbeforenorsince；Ithinkthatcartridge——
Well，Idon"tknowwheretheInjinscamefrom，butitseemedasifthehammerhadhardlyclickedbeforethreeorfourofthembadpiledonme。IputupthebestfightIcould，forIwasn"tfiguringtobecaughtalive，andthismiss-firedealhadfooledmeallalongtheline。Theysurelyhadalivelytime。I
expectedeveryminutetofeelaknifeinmyback，butwhenI
didn"tgetitthenIknewtheywantedtobringmeinalive，andthatmademefightharder。Firstandlast，werolledandplungedallthewayfromtherim-rockdowntothecanon-bed。ThenoneoftheInjinssungout：
"Maria！"
AndIthoughtofthatrenegadeMexican，andwhatI"dheardbouthim，andthatmademefightharderyet。
Butafterwe"dfoughtdowntothecanon-bed，andhadlostmostofourskin，ahalf-dozenmorefellonme，andinlessthannotimetheyhadmetied。Thentheypickedmeupandcarriedmeovertowherethey"dbuiltabigfirebythecorral。"
UncleJimstoppedwithanairoffinality，andbeganlazilytorefillhispipe。Fromtheopenmudfireplacehepickedacoal。
Outside，therain，faithfultotheprophecyofthewide-ringedsun，beatfitfullyagainsttheroof。
"ThatwastheclosestcallIeverhad，"saidheatlast。
"But，UncleJim，"wecriedinaconfusedchorus，"howdidyougetaway？WhatdidtheIndiansdotoyou？Whorescuedyou？"
UncleJimchuckled。
"ThefirstmanIsawsittingatthatfire，"saidhe，"wasLieutenantPriceoftheUnitedStatesArmy，andbyhimwasTomHorn。"
""What"sthis？"heasks，andHorntalkstotheInjinsinApache。
""Theysaythey"vecaughtMaria，"translatesHornbackagain。
""Maria-nothing！"saysLieutenantPrice。"ThisisJimFox。Iknowhim。""
"Sotheyturnedmeloose。Itseemsthetroopshaddrivenofftherenegadesanhourbefore。"
"AndtheIndianswhocaughtyou，UncleJim？YousaidtheywereIndians。"
"WereTontoBasinApaches，"explainedtheoldman——"governmentscoutsunderTomHorn。"
CHAPTERTWO
THEEMIGRANTS
AftertherainthathadheldusholedupattheDoubleRoveroneday，wediscussedwhatweshoulddonext。
"Theflatswillbetooboggyforriding，andanywaythecattlewillbeinthehighcountry，"theCattlemansummedupthesituation。"We"dbogdownthechuck-wagonifwetriedtogetbacktotheJ。H。Butnowaftertheraintheweatheroughttobebeautiful。Whatshallwedo？"
"WasyoueverintheJacksoncountry？"askedUncleJim。"It"sthewildestpartofArizona。It"sabigcountryandrough，andnoonelivesthere，andthere"slotsofdeerandmountainlionsandbear。Here"smydogs。Wemighthaveahunt。"
"Good！"saidwe。
Weskirmishedaroundandfoundacondemnedarmypacksaddlewithaparejos，andasawbucksaddlewithkyacks。Onthese，wemanagedtocondenseourgrubandutensils。Therewereplentyofhorses，soourbeddingweboundflatabouttheirnakedbarrelsbymeansofthesquaw-hitch。Thenwestarted。
ThatdayfurnisheduswithademonstrationofwhatArizonahorsescando。Ourwayledfirstthroughacanon-bedfilledwithroundedbouldersandrocks，slipperyandunstable。Bigcottonwoodsandoaksgrewsothickaspartiallytoconcealthecliffsoneithersideofus。Therim-rockwasmysteriouswithcaves；beautifulwithhanginggardensoftreefernsandgrassesgrowingthickinlongtransversecrevices；wonderfulincolourandshape。Wepassedthelittlecanonsfencedoffbytherustlersascorralsintowhichtoshuntfromtheherdstheirchoiceofbeeves。
TheCattlemanshookhisheadatthem。"ManyamanhascomefromTexasandestablishedaherdwithnootherassetthanacoupleofhorsesandabranding-iron，"saidhe。
Thenweworkedupgraduallytoadivide，whencewecouldseearangeofwildandruggedmountainsonourright。Theyrosebyslopesandledges，steepandrough，andatlastendedinthethousand-footcliffsofthebuttes，runningsheerandunbrokenformanymiles。Duringalltherestofourtriptheyweretobeourcompanions，theonlyconstantfactorsinthetumultoflesserpeaks，precipitouscanons，andtwistedsystemsinwhichwewereconstantlyinvolved。
Theskywassun-and-shadowaftertherain。EachandeveryArizonanpredictedclearing。
"Why，italmostneverrainsinArizona，"saidJedParker。"Andwhenitdoesitquitsbeforeitbegins。"
Nevertheless，aboutnoonathickcloudgatheredaboutthetopsoftheGaliurosaboveus。Almostimmediatelyitwasdissipatedbythewind，butwhenthepeaksagainshowed，westaredwithastonishmenttoseethattheywerewhitewithsnow。Itwasasthoughamagicianhadpassedasheetbeforethemthebriefinstantnecessarytoworkhisgreattransformation。Shortlytheskythickenedagain，anditbegantorain。
Travelhadbeenprecariousbefore；butnowitsdifficultieswereinfinitelyincreased。Theclaysub-soiltotherubbleturnedslipperyandadhesive。Onthesidesofthemountainsitwasalmostimpossibletokeepafooting。Wespeedilybecamewet，ourhandspuffedandpurple，ourbootssoddenwiththewaterthathadtrickledfromourclothingintothem。
"Overthenextridge，"UncleJimpromisedus，"isanoldshackthatIfixedupsevenyearsago。Wecanallmakeouttogetinit。"
Overthenextridge，therefore，weslippedandslid，thankingthegodofluckforeachtenfeetgained。Itwasgrowingcold。Thecliffsandpalisadesnearathandshoweddimlybehindthefallingrain；beyondthemwavedandeddiedthestormmiststhroughwhichthemountainsrevealedandconcealedproportionsexaggeratedintounearthlygrandeur。Deepinthecleftsoftheboxcanonsthestreamswerefilling。Theroaroftheirrapidsechoedfrominnumerableprecipices。Asoftswishofwaterusurpedtheworldofsound。
Nothingmoreuncomfortableormoremagnificentcouldbeimagined。
Werodeshivering。Eachsaidtohimself，"Icanstandthis——rightnow——atthepresentmoment。Verywell；Iwilldoso，andIwillrefusetolookforwardevenfiveminutestowhatImayhavetostand，"whichisthetruephilosophyoftoughtimesandtheonlyeffectivewaytoendurediscomfort。
Byluckwereachedthebottomofthatcanonwithoutafall。Itwaswide，wellgrownwithoaktrees，andbellydeepinrichhorsefeed——anidealplacetocampwereitnotforthefactthatathinsheetofwateraquarterofaninchdeepwasflowingovertheentiresurfaceoftheground。Wespurredondesperately，thinkingofawarmfireandachancetosteam。
Theroofoftheshackhadfallenin，andthefloorwassixinchesdeepinadobemud。
Wedidnotdismount——thatwouldhavewetoursaddles——butsatonourhorsestakinginthedetails。FinallyUncleJimcametothefrontwithasuggestion。
"Iknowofacave，"saidhe，"closeunderabutte。It"sabigcave，butithassuchasteepfloorthatI"mnotsureaswecouldstayinit；andit"sbacktheothersideofthatridge。"
"Idon"tknowhowtheridgeistogetbackover——itwasslipperyenoughcomingthisway——andthecavemayshootusoutintospace，butI"dliketoLOOKatadryplaceanyway，"repliedtheCattleman。
Weallfeltthesameaboutit，sobackovertheridgewewent。
AbouthalfwaydowntheothersideUncleJimturnedsharptotheright，andasthe"hogback"droppedbehindus，wefoundourselvesoutonthesteepsideofamountain，theperpendicularcliffoverustotheright，theriverroaringsavagelyfardownbelowourleft，andsheetsofwaterglazingthefootingwecouldfindamongthebouldersanddebris。Hardlycouldtheponieskeepfromslippingsidewaysontheslope，asweproceededfartherandfartherfromthesolidityoftheridgebehindus，weexperiencedtheillusionofventuringoutonatightropeoverabyssesofspace。Eventhefeelingofdangerwasonlyanillusion，however，compositeofthefallingrain，thedeepeningtwilight，andthenightthathadalreadyenvelopedtheplungeofthecanonbelow。
FinallyUncleJimstoppedjustwithinthedripfromthecliffs。
"Heresheis，"saidhe。
Wedescendedeagerly。Adeerboundedawayfromthebaseofthebuttes。Thecaveransteep，inthemannerofaninclinedtunnel，farupintothedimness。Wehadtodigourtoesinandscrambletomakewayupitatall，butwefounditdry，andafteralittlesearchdiscoveredafoot-ledgeofearthsufficientlybroadforaseat。
"That"sallright，"quothJedParker。"Now，forsleepingplaces。"
Wescattered。UncleJimandCharleypromptlyannexedtheslightoverhangofthecliffwhencethedeerhadjumped。Itwasdryatthemoment，butweutteredpessimisticpredictionsifthewindshouldchange。TomRichandJimLesterhadalittletent，andinsistedondescendingtothecanon-bed。
"Gottocookthere，anyways，"saidthey，anddepartedwiththetwopackmulesandtheirbedhorse。
ThatlefttheCattleman，WindyBill，JedParker，andme。InamomentWindyBillcameuptouswhisperingandmysterious。
"Getyourcavallosandfollowme，"saidhe。
Wedidso。Heledustwohundredyardstoanothercave，twentyfeethigh，fifteenfeetindiameter，levelasafloor。
"How"sthat？"hecriedintriumph。"FoundherjustnowwhileI
wasrustlingnigger-headsforafire。"
Weunpackedourbedswithchucklesofjoy，andspreadthemcarefullywithintheshelterofthecave。Exceptfortheveryedges，whichdidnotmuchmatter，ourblanketsand"so-guns，"
protectedbythecanvas"tarp，"werereasonablydry。Everyonceinawhileaspasmofconsciencewouldseizeoneortheotherofus。
"Itseemssortofmeanontheotherfellows，"ruminatedJedParker。
"Theyhadtheirfirstchoice，"criedweall。
"UncleJim"sanoldman，"theCattlemanpointedout。
ButWindyBillhadthoughtofthat。"Itoldhimofthisyerecavefirst。Butheallowedhewasplumbsatisfied。"
Wefinishedlayingoutourblankets。Theresultlookedgoodtous。Weallburstoutlaughing。
"Well，I"msorryforthosefellows，"criedtheCattleman。Wehobbledourhorsesanddescendedtothegleamofthefire，likeguiltyconspirators。Thereweatehastilyofmeat，breadandcoffee，merelyforthesakeofsustenance。Itcertainlyamountedtolittleinthewayofpleasure。Thewaterfromthedirectrain，theshiveringtrees，andourhatbrimsaccumulatedinourplatesfasterthanwecouldbailitout。Thedisheswerethrustunderacanvas。RichandLesterdecidedtoremainwiththeirtent，andsowesawthemnomoreuntilmorning。
Webrokeoffback-loadsofmesquiteandtoiledupthehill，tastingthicklythehighaltitudeintheseverelabour。Atthebigcavewedumpeddownourburdens，transportedourfuelpiecemealtothevicinityofthenarrowledge，builtagoodfire，satinarow，andlitourpipes。Inafewmoments，theblazewasburninghigh，andourbodieshadceasedshivering。Fantasticallythefirelightrevealedtheknobsandcrevices，theledgesandthearchingwalls。Theirshadowsleaped，followingtheflames，recedingandadvancinglikeplayfulbeasts。Faraboveuswasasingletinyopeningthroughwhichthesmokewassuckedasthroughachimney。Theglowruddiedthemen"sfeatures。Outsidewasthickdarkness，andtheswishandrushandroarofrisingwaters。Listening，WindyBillwasremindedofastory。Weleanedbackcomfortablyagainsttheslopingwallsofthecave，thrustourfeettowardtheblaze，smoked，andhearkenedtothetaleofWindyBill。
There"satur"blelotofwaterrunningloosehere，butI"veseenthetimeandplacewhereevenwhatisinthatdripwouldbeworthagoldmine。Thatwasintheemigrantdays。Theyusedtocomeoversouthofhere，throughwhattheycalledEmigrantPass，ontheirwaytoCaliforny。Iwasakidthen，abouteighteenyearold，andwhatIdidn"tknowaboutInjinsandAgencycattlewasn"tapatchofalkali。Ihadakidoutfitofh"arbridle，lotsofsilverandsuch，andIusedtorideoverandbethehandsomeboybeforesuchoutfitsashappenedalong。
Theywerequeerpeople，mostof"emfromMissouryandsuch-likesouthernseaports，andtheyweretur"blesickoftravelbythetimetheycomeinsightofEmigrantPass。UptoSantaFetheymostlyhikedalonganyoldway，butoncetheretheyherdeduptogetherinbunchesoftwentywagonsorso，"countofouroldfriends，GeronimoandLoco。Agoodmanyof"emhadhornedcattletotheirwagons，andtheycrawledalongabouttwomilesanhour，hotter"nhellwiththebloweron，nothin"tolookatbutamountainaweekway，chuckfullofalkali，plentyofsage-brushandrattlesnakes——butmightylittlewater。
Why，youboysknowthatcountrydownthere。BetweentheChiricahuaMountainsandEmigrantPassit"smaybeathreeorfourdays"journeyfortheseyerebull-slingers。
Mostlytheyfilleduptheirbelliesandtheirkegs，hopingtolastthrough，buttheysurefounditdrierthancorklegs，andgenerallylongbeforetheyhittheSpringstheirtongueswashangin"outafoot。Yousee，foralltheirplumbnerveincomin"
sofar，themostofthemdidn"tknowsic"em。Theywereplumbinnocentinregardtosavin"theirwater，andInjins，andsuch；
andthelong-hairedbuckskinfakestheypickedupatSantaFeforguideswasn"tmuchbetter。
ThatwaswhereTexasPetemadehiskilling。
TexasPetewasatoughcitizenfromtheLoneStar。Hewasaboutasbroadashewaslong，andworeallsortsofbigwhiskersandblackeyebrows。Hisheartwasverybad。YouneverCOULDtellwhereTexasPetewasgoin"tojumpnext。Hewasaside-winderandadiamond-backandalittleblackrattlesnakeallrolledintoone。IbelievethatTexasPetepersoncaredaboutaslittleforkillin"amanasfortakin"adrink——andheshorelydrankwithoutaneffort。Peaceablecitizensjustspokesoftandmindedtheirownbusiness；onpeaceablecitizensTexasPeteusedtoplantoutinthesagebrush。
NowthisTexasPetehappenedtodiscoverawaterholerightoutintheplumbmiddleofthedesert。Hepromptlyannexedsaidwaterhole，digsherout，timbersherup，andlaysforemigrants。
Hechargedtwobitsahead——manorbeast——andnobodygotamouthfultillhepaidupinhardcoin。
Thinkofthewadsherakedin！Iusedtofigureitup，justforthejoyofenvyin"him，Ireckon。Anaveragetwenty-wagonoutfit，firstandlast，wouldbringhiminsomewheresaboutfiftydollars——andbesideshehadforty-rodatfourbitsaglass。Andoutfitsatthattimewerethicker"nspatter。
Weusedalltogodownsometimestowatchthemcomein。Whentheyseethatlittlecanvasshackandthatwell，theybeguntocheerupandmovefast。Andwhentheyseethatsign，"Water，twobitsahead，"theireyesstuckoutliketworawoysters。
Thencomethekicks。Whatahowltheydidraise，shorely。Butitdidn"tdonomannerofgood。TexasPetedidn"tdonothin"butsitthereandsmoke，withakindofsulkygleaminonecornerofhiseye。Hedidn"teventakethetroubletoanswer，buthisWinchesterlayacrosshislap。Therewasn"tnohumourinthesituationforhim。
"Howmuchisyourwaterforhumans？"asksoneemigrant。
"Can"tyoureadthatsign？"TexasPeteaskshim。
"Butyoudon"tmeantwobitsaheadforHUMANS！"yellstheman。
"Why，youcangetwhiskyforthat！"
"Youcanreadthesign，can"tyou？"insistsTexasPete。
"Icanreaditallright？"saystheman，tryin"anewdeal，"buttheytellmenottobelievemore"nhalfIread。"
Butthatdon"tgo；andMr。Emigrantshellsoutwiththerest。
Ididn"tblamethemforraisin"theirhowl。Why，atthattimetheregularwaterholeswaschargin"fivecentsaheadfromthegovernmentfreighters，andthemottowasalways"HoldupUncleSam，"atthat。Onceinawhilesomeoutfitwouldgetmadandgochargin"offdry；butitwasalong，longwaytotheSprings，andmightyhotanddusty。TexasPeteandhisonelonesomewaterholeshorelydidabigbusiness。
LateoneafternoonmeandGentlemanTimwasjoggin"alongaboveTexasPete"splace。Itwasatur"blehotday——youhadtoprimeyourselftospit——andwewasjustgettin"backfromdrivin"somebeefuptothetroopsatFortHuachuca。WewasduetocrosstheEmigrantTrail——she"sworeintur"bledeep——youcanseetherutsto-day。Whenwetoppedtheriseweseealittleoldoutfitjustmakin"outtodragalong。
Itwasonelittleschoonerallbyherself，drugalongbytwopooroldcavallosthatcouldn"thavepulledmyhatoff。Theirtongueswasout，andeveryonceinawhilethey"dstickinachuck-hole。
Thenamanwouldgetdownandputhisshouldertothewheel，andeverybody"dtakeaheave，andupthey"dcome，alla-tremblingandweak。
TimandIrodedownjusttotakealookatthecuriosity。
Athin-lookin"manwasdrivin"，allhumpedup。
"Hullo，stranger，"saysI，"ain"tyou"fraidofInjins？"
"Yes，"sayshe。
"Thenwhyareyoutravellin"throughanInjincountryallalone？"
"Couldn"tkeepup，"sayshe。"CanIgetwaterhere？"
"Ireckon，"Ianswers。
HedroveuptothewatertroughthereatTexasPete"s，meandGentlemanTimfollowin"alongbecauseourtrailledthatway。
Buthehadn"tmore"nstoppedbeforeTexasPetewasout。
"Costyoufourbitstowaterthemhosses，"sayshe。
Themanlookedupkindofbewildered。
"I"msorry，"sayshe，"Iain"tgotnofourbits。Igotmyrollliftedoff"nme。"
"Nowater，then，"growlsTexasPetebackathim。
Themanlookedabouthimhelpless。
"Howfarisittothenextwater？"heasksme。
"Twentymile，"Itellshim。
"MyGod！"hesays，tohimself-like。
Thenheshruggedhisshouldersverytired。
"Allright。It"sgettin"thecooloftheevenin"；we"llmakeit。"Heturnsintotheinsideofthatoldschooner。
"Gi"methecup，Sue。"
Awhite-facedwomanwholookedmightygoodtousalkalisopenedtheflapsandgaveoutatincup，whichthemanpointedouttofill。
"Howmanyofyouisthey？"asksTexasPete。
"Three，"repliestheman，wondering。
"Well，sixbits，then，"saysTexasPete，"cashdown。"
Atthatthemanstraightensupalittle。
"Iain"taskin"fornowaterformystock，"sayshe，"butmywifeandbabyhasbeenoutinthissunalldaywithoutadropofwater。OurcaskslippedahoopandbustjustthissideofDosCabesas。Thepoorkidisplumbdry。"
"Twobitsahead，"saysTexasPete。
Atthatthewomancomesout，alittlebitofababyinherarms。
Thekidhadfuzzyyellowhair，anditsfacewasflushedredandshiny。
"Shorelyyouwon"trefuseasickchildadrinkofwater，sir，"
saysshe。
ButTexasPetehadsomesortofaspecialgrouch；Iguesshewasjustbeginningtogethissnowshoesoffafterafightwithhisownforty-rod。
"Whatthehellareyou-alldoin"onthetrailwithoutnomoneyatall？"hegrowls，"andhowdoyouexpecttogetalong？Suchplumbtenderfeetdrivemeweary。"
"Well，"saystheman，stillreasonable，"Iain"tgotnomoney，butI"llgiveyousixbits"worthofflourortradeoran"thin"I
got。"
"Idon"trunnotruck-store，"snapsTexasPete，andturnssquareonhisheelandgoesbacktohischair。
"Gotsixbitsaboutyou？"whispersGentlemanTimtome。
"Notared，"Ianswers。
GentlemanTimturnstoTexasPete。
"Let"emhaveadrink，Pete。I"llpayyounexttimeIcomedown。"
"Cashdown，"growlsPete。
"You"rethemeanestmanIeversee，"observesTim。"Iwouldn"tspeaktoyouifImetyouinhellcarryin"alumpoficeinyourhand。"
"You"rethesoftest_I_eversee，"sneersPete。"Don"ttheyhaveanygenooineTexansdownyourway？"
"Notenoughtomakeitdisagreeable，"saysTim。
"Thatletsyouout，"growlsPete，gettin"hostileandhandlin"ofhisrifle。
Whichthemanhadbeenstandin"therebewildered，thecuphangin"
fromhisfinger。Atlast，lookin"prettydesperate，hestoopeddowntodigupalittleofthewetfromanoverflowpuddlelyin"
athisfeet。Atthesametimethehosses，leftsortoftothemselvesandbein"drierthanacoveredbridge，drugforwardandstucktheirnosesinthetrough。
GentlemanTimandmewassittin"thereonourhosses，alittletooneside。WesawTexasPetejumpupfromhischair，takeaquickaim，andcutloosewithhisrifle。Itwasplumbunexpectedtous。Wehadn"tthoughtofanyshootin"，andoursix-shooterswastiedin，"countofthejumpycountrywe"dbeendrivin"thesteersover。ButGentlemanTim，whohadunslunghisrope，aimin"tohelpthehossesoutofthechuckhole，snatchedheroffthehorn，andwithoneoftheprettiesttwenty-footflipthrowsIeverseedonehesnakedoldTexasPeterightoutofhiswicky-up，gunandall。Theoldrenegadedidhisbesttotwistaroundforashotatus；butitwasnogo；andIneverenjoyedhog-tyingacrittermoreinmylifethanIenjoyedhog-tyingTexasPete。Thenweturnedtoseewhatdamagehadbeendone。
Weweresomerelievedtofindthefamilyallright，butTexasPetehadboredoneofthempooroldcrow-baithossesplumbthroughthehead。
"It"sluckyforyouyoudon"tgettheoldman，"saysGentlemanTimveryquietandpolite。
WhichGentlemanTimwasanIrishman，andI"dbeenontherangelongenoughwithhimtoknowthatwhenhegotquietandpoliteitwastimetododgebehindsomething。
"Ihope，sir"sayshetothestranger，"thatyouwillgiveyourwifeandbabyasatisfyingdrink。Asforyourhoss，praydonotbeunderanyapprehension。Ourfriend，Mr。TexasPete，here，haskindlyconsentedtomakegoodanydeficienciesfromhisowncorral。"
Timcouldtalkhigh，wide，andhandsomewhenhesetoutto。
Themanstartedtosaysomething；butImanagedtoherdhimtooneside。
"Lethimalone，"Iwhispers。"Whenhetalksthatway，he"smad；
andwhenhe"smad，it"sbettertoleavenaturetosupplythelightnin"rods。"
Heseemedtosabeallright，sowebuiltusalittlefireandstartedsomegrub，whileGentlemanTimwalkedupanddownverygrandandfierce。
Byandbyheseemedtomakeuphismind。HewentoveranduntiedTexasPete。
"Standup，youhound，"sayshe。"Nowlistentome。Ifyoumakeabreaktogetaway，orifyourefusetodojustasItellyou，I
won"tshootyou，butI"llmarchyouupcountryandseethatGeronimogetsyou。"
Hesortedoutashovelandpick，madeTexasPetecarrythemrightalongthetrailaquarter，andstartedhimtodiggin"ahole。
TexasPetestartedinhardenough，Timsittin"overhimonhishoss，hissix-shooterloose，andhisropefree。ThemanandI
stoodby，notdarin"tosayaword。AfteraminuteorsoTexasPetebegantoworkslowerandslower。Byandbyhestopped。
"Lookhere，"sayshe，"isthisherethingmygrave？"
"Iamgoin"toseethatyougivethegentleman"shossdecentinterment，"saysGentlemanTimverypolite。
"Buryahoss！"growlsTexasPete。
Buthedidn"tsayanymore。Timcockedhissix-shooter。
"Perhapsyou"dbetterquitpantingandsweatalittle，"sayshe。
TexasPeteworkedhardforawhile，forTim"squietnesswasbeginningtoscarehimuptheworstway。Byandbyhehadgotdownmaybefourorfivefeet，andTimgotoffhishoss。
"Ithinkthatwilldo，"sayshe。
"Youmaycomeout。Billy，myson，coverhim。Now，Mr。TexasPete，"hesays，coldassteel，"thereisthegrave。Wewillplacethehossinit。ThenIintendtoshootyouandputyouinwiththehoss，andwriteyouanepitaphthatwillbeacomforttosuchtravellersoftheTrailasarehonest，andawarnin"tosuchasarenot。I"dassoonkillyounowasanhourfromnow，soyoumaymakeabreakforitifyoufeellikeit。"
Hestoopedovertolookintothehole。Ithoughthelookedanextralongtime，butwhenheraisedhisheadhisfacehadchangedcomplete。
"March！"saysheverybrisk。
Weallwentbacktotheshack。FromthecorralTimtookTexasPete"sbestteamandhitchedhertotheoldschooner。
"There，"sayshetotheman。"Nowyou"dbetterhitthetrail。
Takethatwhiskykegthereforwater。Good-bye。"
Wesattherewithoutsayin"awordforsometimeaftertheschoonerhadpulledout。ThenTimsays，veryabrupt：
"I"vechangedmymind。"
Hegotup。
"Comeon，Billy，"sayshetome。"We"lljustleaveourfriendtiedup。I"llbebackto-morrowtoturnyouloose。Inthemeantimeitwon"thurtyouabittobealittleuncomfortable，andhungry——andthirsty。"
Werodeoffjustaboutsundown，leavin"TexasPetelashedtight。
Nowallthisknockedmehell-westandcrooked，andIsaidso，butIcouldn"tgetawordoutofGentlemanTim。AlltheanswerI
couldgetwasjustlittlelaughs。
Wedrawedintotheranchnearmidnight，butnextmornin"Timhadalongtalkwiththeboss，andtheresultwasthatthewholeoutfitwasinstructedtoarmupwithapickorashovelapiece，andtogetsetforTexasPete"s。Wegottherealittleafternoon，turnedtheoldboyout——withoutfirearms——andthenbegantodigataplaceTimtoldusto，nearthatgraveofTexasPete"s。
Inthreehourswehadthefinestwater-holedevelopedyoueverwanttosee。Thenthebossstuckupasignthatsaid：
PUBLICWATER-HOLE。WATER，FREE。
"Nowyouoldskin，"sayshetoTexasPete，"chargeallyouwanttoonyourownproperty。ButifIeverhearofyourlayin"claimtothisotherhole，I"llshoremakeyouhardtocatch。"
Thenwerodeoffhome。Yousee，whenGentlemanTiminspectedthatgrave，henotedindicationsofwater；anditstruckhimthatrunnin"theoldrenegadeoutofbusinesswasaneaterwayofgettin"eventhanmerelykillin"him。
Somebodythrewafreshmesquiteonthefire。Theflamesleapedupagain，showingathintrickleofwaterrunningdowntheothersideofthecave。Thesteadydownpouragainmadeitselfprominentthroughthere-establishedsilence。
"WhatdidTexasPetedoafterthat？"askedtheCattleman。
"TexasPete？"chuckledWindyBill。"Well，heputinaheapofhissparetimelettin"Timalone。"
CHAPTERTHREE
THEREMITTANCEMAN
AfterWindyBillhadfinishedhisstorywebegantothinkittimetoturnin。UncleJimandCharleyslidandslippeddownthechute-likepassageleadingfromthecaveanddisappearedinthedirectionoftheoverhangbeneathwhichtheyhadspreadtheirbed。Afteramomentwetoreofflongbundlesofthenigger-headblades，littheresinousendsatourfire，andwiththesetorchesstartedtomakeourwayalongthebaseoftheclifftotheothercave。
Oncewithouttheinfluenceofthefireourimpromptulinkscastanadequatelight。Thesheetsofrainbecamesuddenlyvisibleastheyenteredthecircleofillumination。BycarefulscrutinyofthefootingIgainedtheentrancetoourcavewithoutmishap。I
lookedback。Hereandthereirregularlygleamedandsplutteredmycompanions"torches。Acrosseachslantedtherain。Allelsewasofinkyblacknessexceptwhere，betweenthemandme，afaintredreflectionshoneonthewetrocks。ThenIturnedinside。