第2章
Now，tojudgefromthecrumblingpowderofthefooting，thatcavehadbeendrysinceNoah。Infact，itsroofwasnearlyathousandfeetthick。Butsincewehadspreadourblankets，thepersistentwatershadsoakeddownandthrough。Thethousand-footroofhadasprungaleak。Threeseparateanddistinctstreamsofwaterranasfromspigots。Iloweredmytorch。Thecanvastarpaulinshonewithwet，andinitsexactcentreglimmeredapoolofwaterthreeinchesdeepandatleasttwofeetindiameter。
"Well，I"llbe，"Ibegan。ThenIrememberedthosethreewendingtheirwayalongawetanddisagreeabletrail，happyandpeacefulinanticipationofwarmblanketsandalevelfloor。Ichuckledandsatonmyheelsoutofthedrip。
FirstcameJedParker，hisheadbenttoprotectthefireinhispipe。Hegainedtheverycentreofthecavebeforehelookedup。
Thenhecastoneglanceateachbed，andoneatme。Hisgrave，hawk-likefeaturesrelaxed。Afaintgrinappearedunderhislongmoustache。Withoutawordhesquatteddownbesideme。
NexttheCattleman。Helookedabouthimwithacomicalexpressionofdismay，andburstintoaheartylaugh。
"IbelieveIsaidIwassorryforthoseotherfellows，"heremarked。
WindyBillwasthelast。Hestoopedhisheadtoenter，straightenedhislankfigure，andtookinthesituationwithoutexpression。
"Well，thisishandy，"saidhe；"Iwasgettin"tur"bledry，andwasthinkin"Iwouldhavetoclimbwaydowntothecreekinallthisrain。"
Hestoopedtothepoolinthecentreofthetarpaulinanddrank。
Butnowourtorchesbegantorunlow。Asmalldrybushgrewneartheentrance。Weignitedit，andwhileitblazedwehastilysortedablanketapieceandtumbledtherestoutofthedrip。
Ourreturnwithouttorchesalongthebaseofthatbuttewassomethingtoremember。Thenightwassothickyoucouldfeelthedarknesspressingonyou；themountaindroppedabruptlytotheleft，andwasstrewnwithbouldersandblocksofstone。
Collisionsandstumbleswerefrequent。OnceIsteppedoffalittleledgefiveorsixfeet——nothingworsethanabarkedshin。
Andallthewhiletherain，peltingusunmercifully，searchedoutwhatpoorlittleremnantsofdrynesswehadbeenabletoretain。
Atlastweopenedoutthegleamoffireinourcave，andaminutelaterwereengagedinstrugglingdesperatelyuptheslantthatbroughtustoourledgeandtheslopeonwhichourfireburned。
"MyLord！"pantedWindyBill，"amanhadoughttohavehooksonhiseyebrowstoclimbuphere！"
Werenewedthefire——andblessedtheback-loadofmesquitewehadpackedupearlierintheevening。Ourblanketswewrappedaroundourshoulders，ourfeetwehungovertheledgetowardtheblaze，ourbacksweleanedagainstthehollowslantofthecave"swall。Wewerenotuncomfortable。Thebeatoftherainsprangupinthedarkness，growinglouderandlouder，likehorsemenpassingonahardroad。Graduallywedozedoff。
Foratimeeverythingwaspleasant。Dreamscamefusedwithrealities；thefirelightfadedfromconsciousnessorreturnedfantastictoourhalf-awakening；adeliciousnumbnessoverspreadourtiredbodies。Theshadowsleaped，becamesolid，monstrous。
Wefellasleep。
Afteratimethefactobtrudeditselfdimlythroughourstuporthattheconstantpressureofthehardrockhadimpededourcirculation。Westirreduneasily，shiftingtoabetterposition。
Thatwasthebeginningofawakening。Thenewpositiondidnotsuit。Aslightshiveringseizedus，whichthedrawingcloseroftheblanketfailedtoend。FinallyIthrewasidemyhatandlookedout。JedParker，avividpatch-workcomforterwrappedabouthisshoulders，stooduprightandsilentbythefire。I
keptstill，fearingtoawakentheothers。InashorttimeI
becameawarethattheothersweredoingidenticallythesamething。Welaughed，threwoffourblankets，stretched，andfedthefire。
Athickacridsmokefilledtheair。TheCattleman，rising，leftatrailofincandescentfootprints。Weinvestigatedhastily，anddiscoveredthatthesupposedearthontheslantofthecavewasnothingmorethanbatguano，tonsofit。Thefire，eatingitswaybeneath，hadrendereduntenableitsimmediatevicinity。Wefeltasthoughwewerelivingoveravolcano。Howsoonourledge，ofthesamematerial，mightbeattacked，wehadnomeansofknowing。Overcomewithdrowsiness，weagaindisposedourblankets，resolvedtogetasmanynapsaspossiblebeforeeventheseconstrainedquartersweretakenfromus。
Thishappenedsoonerandinamannerotherwisethanwehadexpected。WindyBillbroughtustoconsciousnessbyawildyell。
Consciousnessreportedtousastrange，hurriedsoundlikethelongrollonadrum。Investigationshowedusthatthiscave，too，hadsprungaleak；notwithanypremonitorydrip，butallatonce，asthoughsomeonehadturnedonafaucet。Intensecondsaverycompetentstreamletsixincheswidehaderodedacoursedownthroughtheguano，pastthefireandtotheouterslope。Andbytheironyoffatethatone——andonlyone——leakinalltheroofexpanseofabigcavewasdirectlyoveroneendofourtinyledge。TheCattlemanlaughed。
"Remindsmeoftheoldfarmerandhiskindfriend，"saidhe。
"Kindfriendhuntsuptheoldfarmerinthevillage。
""John，"sayshe，"I"vebadnewsforyou。Yourbarnhasburnedup。"
""MyLord！"saysthefarmer。
""Butthatain"ttheworst。Yourcowwasburned，too。"
""MyLord！"saysthefarmer。
""Butthatain"ttheworst。Yourhorseswereburned。"
""MyLord！"saysthefarmer。
""But，thatain"ttheworst。Thebarnsetfiretothehouse，anditwasburned——totalloss。"
""MyLord！"groansthefarmer。
""Butthatain"ttheworst。Yourwifeandchildwerekilled，too。"
""Atthatthefarmerbegantoroarwithlaughter。
""Goodheavens，man！"crieshisfriend，astonished，"whatintheworlddoyoufindtolaughatinthat？"
""Don"tyousee？"answersthefarmer。"Why，it"ssodarnCOMPLETE！"
"Well，"finishedtheCattleman，"that"swhatstrikesmeaboutourcase；it"ssodarncomplete！"
"Whattimeisit？"askedWindyBill。
"Midnight，"Iannounced。
"Lord！Sixhourstoday！"groanedWindyBill。"How"dyouliketobedoin"anicequietjobatgardenin"intheEastwhereyoucouldbellyuptothebarreg"lareveryevenin"，anddrinkapussycafeandsmoketailor-madecigareets？"
"Youwouldn"tlikeitabit，"putintheCattlemanwithdecision；
whereuponinproofhetoldusthefollowingstory：
WindyhasmentionedGentlemanTim，andthatremindedmeofthefirsttimeIeversawhim。HewasanIrishmanallright，buthehadbeeneducatedinEngland，andexceptforhisaccenthewasmoreanEnglishmanthananythingelse。AfreightoutfitbroughthimintoTucsonfromSantaFeanddumpedhimdownontheplaza，whereatonceeveryidlerintowngatheredtoquizhim。
CertainlyhewasoneofthegreenestspecimensIeversawinthiscountry。HehadonapairofballoonpantsandaNorfolkjacket，andwassurroundedbyahalf-dozenbabytrunks。Hisfacewasred-cheekedandaggressivelyclean，andhiseyelimpidasachild"s。Mostofthosepresentthoughtthatindicatedchildishness；butIcouldseethatitwasonlyutterself-unconsciousness。
Itseemedthathewasoutforbiggame，andintendedtogoaftersilver-tipssomewhereintheseverymountains。Ofcoursehewasofferedplentyofadvice，andwouldprobablyhavemadeengagementsmuchtoberegrettedhadInottakenastrongfancytohim。
"Myfriend，"saidI，drawinghimaside，"Idon"twanttobeinquisitive，butwhatmightyoudowhenyou"rehome？"
"I"mayoungerson，"saidhe。Iwasgreenmyselfinthosedays，andknewnothingofprimogeniture。
"Thatisaveryinterestingpieceoffamilyhistory，"saidI，"butitdoesnotanswermyquestion。"
Hesmiled。
"Wellnow，Ihadn"tthoughtofthat，"saidhe，"butinamannerofspeaking，itdoes。Idonothing。"
"Well，"saidI，unabashed，"ifyousawmetryingtobeayoungersonandlikelytoforgetmyselfanddosomethingwithoutmeaningto，wouldn"tyoubeapttowarnme？"
"Well，"ponhonour，you"reaqueerchap。Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imeanthatifyouhireanyofthosementoguideyouinthemountains，you"llbeoutrageouslycheated，andwillbeluckyifyou"renotgobbledbyApaches。"
"Doyoudoanyguidingyourself，now？"heasked，mostinnocentofmanner。
ButIflaredup。
"Youdamnungratefulpup，"Isaid，"gotothedevilinyourownway，"andturnedsquareonmyheel。
Buttheyoungmanwasatmyelbow，hishandonmyshoulder。
"Oh，Isaynow，I"msorry。Ididn"trightlyunderstand。DowaitonemomentuntilIdisposeoftheseboxesofmine，andthenIwantthehonourofyourfurtheracquaintance。"
HegotsomeGreaserstotakehistrunksovertothehotel，thenlinkedhisarminminemostengagingly。
"Now，mydearchap，"saidhe，"let"sgosomewhereforaB&S，andfindoutabouteachother。"
Wewerebothyoungandexpansive。Weexchangedviews，names，andconfidences，andbeforenoonwehadarrangedtohunttogether，Itocollecttheoutfit。
TheupshotofthematterwasthattheHonourableTimothyClareandIhadamostexcellentmonth"sexcursion，shotseveralgoodbear，andreturnedtoTucsonthebestoffriends。
AtTucsonwasSchieffleinandhisstoriesofabigstrikedownintheApachecountry。Nothingwoulddobutthatweshouldbothgotoseeforourselves。Wejoinedthesecondexpedition；creptinthegullies，tiedbushesaboutourselveswhenmonumentingcorners，andsohelpedestablishthetownofTombstone。Wemadenothing，norattemptedto。Neitherofusknewanythingofmining，butwewereboththirstyforadventure，andtookaschoolboydelightinplayingthegameoflifeordeathwiththeChiricahuas。
Infact，IneversawanybodytaketothewildlifeaseagerlyastheHonourableTimothyClare。Hewantedtoattempteverything。
Withhimitwasnosoonerseethantry，andhehadsuchanabundanceofenthusiasmthathegenerallysucceeded。Theballoonpantssoonwent。Inamonthhisoutfitwasirreproachable。Heusedtostudyusbythehour，takingineverydetailofourequipment，fromthesmallesttothemostimportant。Thenheaskedquestions。Forallhisdesiretobeoneofthecountry，hewasneverashamedtoacknowledgehisignorance。
"Now，don"tyouchapsthinkitsillytowearsuchhighheelstoyourboots？"hewouldask。"Itseemstomeaveryuselesssortofvanity。"
"Novanityaboutit，Tim，"Iexplained。"Inthefirstplace，itkeepsyourfootfromslippingthroughthestirrup。Inthesecondplace，itisgoodtogriponthegroundwhenyou"reropingafoot。"
"ByJove，that"strue！"hecried。
Sohe"dgethimapairofboots。Forawhileitwasenoughtowearandownallthesethings。Heseemedtodelightinhissix-shooterandhisropejustasornamentstohimselfandhorse。
Buthesoongotoverthat。Thenhehadtolearntousethem。
Forthetimebeing，pistolpractice，forinstance，wouldabsorballhisthoughts。He"dbangawayatintervalsallday，andfigureoutnewtheoriesallnight。
"Thatballyschemewon"twork，"hewouldcomplain。"IbelieveifIextendedmythumbalongthecylinderitwouldhelpthatsidejump。"
Hewasalwayseasingthetrigger-pull，orfilingthesights。Intimehegottobeafairlyaccurateandveryquickshot。
Thesamewaywithropingandhog-tyingandalltherest。
"What"stheuse？"Iusedtoaskhim。"Ifyouweregoingtobeabuckeroo，youcouldn"tgointohardertraining。"
"Ilikeit，"wasalwayshisanswer。
Hehadonlyonerealvice，thatIcouldsee。Hewouldgamble。
Studpokerwashisfavourite；andIneversawaBritisheryetwhocouldplaypoker。Iusedtoheadhimoff，whenIcould，andhewasalwaysgrateful，butthepassionwasstrong。
AfterwegotbackfromfoundingTombstoneIwasbustedandhadtogotowork。
"I"vegotplenty，"saidTim，"andit"sallyours。"
"Iknow，oldfellow，"Itoldhim，"butyourmoneywouldn"tdoforme。"
BuckJohnsonwasjustseeinghischancethen，andwaspreparingtotakesomebreedingcattleoverintotheSodaSpringsValley。
Everybodylaughedathim——saiditwasrightinthelineoftheChiricahuaraids，whichwastrue。ButBuckhadbeenintherewithAgencysteers，andthoughtheknew。Sohecollectedatrailcrew，broughtsomeOregoncattleacross，andbuilthishomeranchofthree-footadobewallswithportholes。Ijoinedthetrailcrew；andsomehoworanothertheHonourableTimothygotpermissiontogoalongonhisownhook。
Thetrailwasalongone。WehadthirstandheatandstampedesandsomeIndianscares。Butinthequeeratmosphericconditionsthatprevailedthatsummer，Ineversawthedesertmorewonderful。ItwaslikewakingtothegloryofGodtositupatdawnandseethecolourschangeonthedryranges。
Atthehomeranch，again，Timmanagedtogetpermissiontostayon。Hekepthisownmountofhorses，tookcareofthem，hunted，andtookpartinallthecowwork。WelostsomecattlefromIndians，ofcourse，butitwastooneartheReservationforthemtodomorethanpickupafewstrayheadontheirwaythrough。
Thetroopswerealwaysafterthemfulljump，andsotheyneverhadtimetoroundupthebeef。Butofcoursewehadtolookoutorwe"dloseourhair，andmanyacowboyhaswonouttothehomeranchinanalmightyexcitingrace。ThiswasnutsfortheHonourableTimothyClare，muchbetterthanhuntingsilver-tips，andheenjoyeditnolimit。
Thingswentalongthatwayforsometime，untiloneeveningasIwasturningoutthehorsesabuckboarddrewin，andfromitdescendedTonyBriggsandadapperlittlefellowdressedallinblackandwithaplughat。
"WhichIaccountsforsaidhatreachin"theranch，becauseit"sFridayandtheboysnotintown，"Tonywhisperedtome。
AsIhappenedtobetheonlymaninsight，thestrangeraddressedme。
"Iamlooking，"saidheinapeculiar，sing-songmannerIhavesincelearnedtobeEnglish，"fortheHonourableTimothyClare。
Ishehere？"
"Oh，you"relookingforhimareyou？"saidI。"Andwhomightyoube？"
Yousee，IlikedTim，andIdidn"tintendtodeliverhimoverintotrouble。
Themanpickedapairofeye-glassesoffhisstomachwheretheydangledattheendofachain，perchedthemonhisnose，andstaredmeover。Imusthavelookeduncompromising，forafterafewsecondsheabruptlywrinkledhisnosesothattheglassesfellpromptlytohisstomachagain，felthiswaistcoatpocket，andproducedacard。Itookit，andread：
JEFFRIESCASE，Barrister。
"Alawyer！"saidIsuspiciously。
"Mydearman，"herejoinedwithaslightimpatience，"Iamnotheretodoyouryoungfriendaharm。Infact，myfirmhavebeenhisfamilysolicitorsforgenerations。"
"Verywell，"Iagreed，andledthewaytotheone-roomadobethatTimandIoccupied。
IfIhadexpectedanenthusiasticgreetingfortheboyhoodfriendfromtheoldhome，Iwouldhavebeendisappointed。Timwassittingwithhisbacktothedoorreadinganoldmagazine。Whenweenteredheglancedoverhisshoulder。
"Ah，Case，"saidhe，andwentonreading。Afteramomenthesaidwithoutlookingup，"Sitdown。"
Thelittlemantookitcalmly，depositedhimselfinachairandhisbagbetweenhisfeet，andlookedabouthimdaintilyatourroughquarters。Imadeamovetogo，whereuponTimlaiddownhismagazine，yawned，stretchedhisarmsoverhishead，andsighed。
"Don"tgo，Harry，"hebegged。"Well，Case，"headdressedthebarrister，"whatisitthistime？Mustbesomethingdevilishimportanttobringyou——howmanythousandmilesisit——intosuchacountryasthis。"
"Itisimportant，Mr。Clare，"statedthelawyerinhisdrysing-songtones；"butmyjourneymighthavebeenavoidedhadyoupaidsomeattentiontomyletters。"
"Letters！"repeatedTim，openinghiseyes。"Mydearchap，I"vehadnoletters。"
"AddressedasusualtoyourNewYorkbankers。"
Timlaughedsoftly。"Wheretheyare，withmylasttwoquarters"
allowance。Iespeciallyinstructedthemtosendmenomail。Onespendsnomoneyinthiscountry。"Hepaused，pullinghismoustache。"I"mtrulysorryyouhadtocomesofar，"hecontinued，"andifyourbusinessis，asIsuspect，theoldoneofinducingmetoreturntomydearuncle"sarms，Iassureyouthemissionwillprovequitefruitless。UncleHillaryandIcouldneverliveinthesamecounty，letalonethesamehouse。"
"Andyetyouruncle，theViscountMar，wasveryfondofyou，"
venturedCase。"Yourallowances——"
"Oh，IgrantyouhisgenerosityinMONEYaffairs——"
"Hehascontinuedthatgenerosityinthetermsofhiswill，andthosetermsIamheretocommunicatetoyou。"
"UncleHillaryisdead！"criedTim。
"HepassedawaythesixteenthoflastJune。"
Aslightpauseensued。
"Iamreadytohearyou，"saidTimsoberly，atlast。
Thebarristerstoopedandbegantofumblewithhisbag。
"No，notthat！"criedTim，withsomeimpatience。"Tellmeinyourownwords。"
Thelawyersatbackandpressedhisfingerpointstogetheroverhisstomach。
"ThelateViscount，"saidhe，"hasbeengraciouslypleasedtoleaveyouinfeesimplehisentireestateofStaghurst，togetherwithitsbuildings，rentals，andprivileges。This，besidestheresidentialrights，amountstosometenthousandspoundssterlingperannum。"
"Alittlelessthanfiftythousanddollarsayear，Harry，"Timshotoverhisshoulderatme。
"Thereisonecondition，"putinthelawyer。
"Oh，thereis！"exclaimedTim，hiscrestfalling。"Well，knowingmyUncleHillary——"
"Theconditionisnotextravagant，"thelawyerhastilyinterposed。"ItmerelyentailscontinuedresidenceinEngland，andaminimumofninemonthsontheestate。Thisprovisionisabsolute，andtheestaterevertsinitsdiscontinuance，butmayI
bepermittedtoobservethatthemajorityofmen，myselfamongthenumber，arecontenttospendthemostoftheirlives，notmerelyintheconfinesofakingdom，butbetweenthefourwallsofaroom，formuchlessthantenthousandpoundsayear。AlsothatEnglandisnotwithoutitsattractionsforanEnglishman，andthatStaghurstisacountryplaceofmanypossibilities。"
TheHonourableTimothyhadrecoveredfromhisfirstsurprise。
"Andiftheconditionsarenotcompliedwith？"heinquired。
"Thentheestaterevertstotheheirsatlaw，andyoureceiveanannuityofonehundredpounds，payablequarterly。"
"MayIaskfurtherthereasonforthisextraordinarycondition？"
"Mydistinguishedclientneverinformedme，"repliedthelawyer，"but"——andatwinkleappearedinhiseye——"asanoccasionaldisburseroffunds——MonteCarlo——"
Timburstoutlaughing。
"Oh，butIrecogniseUncleHillarythere！"hecried。"Well，Mr。
Case，IamsureMr。Johnson，theownerofthisranch，canputyouup，andto-morrowwe"llstartback。"
Hereturnedafterafewminutestofindmesitting"smokingamoodypipe。IlikedTim，andIwassorrytohavehimgo。Then，too，Iwasruffled，inthesenselessmannerofyouth，bythesuddenaltitudetowhichhischangedfortuneshadliftedhim。
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroom，surveyingme，thencameacrossandlaidhisarmonmyshoulder。
"Well，"Igrowled，withoutlookingup，"you"reaveryrichmannow，Mr。Clare。"
Atthathejerkedmebodilyoutofmyseatandstoodmeupinthecentreoftheroom，theIrishblazingoutofhiseyes。
"Here，noneofthat！"hesnapped。"Youdamnlittlefool！Don"tyou"Mr。Clare"me！"
Soinfiveminutesweweretalkingitover。Timwasverymuchexcitedattheprospect。HeknewStaghurstwell，andtoldmeallaboutthebigstonehouse，andtheavenuethroughthetrees；andthehedge-rowroads，andthelawnwithitspeacocks，andtheroundgreenhills，andthelabourers"cottages。
"It"shome，"saidhe，"andIdidn"trealisebeforehowmuchI
wantedtoseeit。AndI"llbeamanofweightthere，Harry，andit"llbemightygood。"
WemadeallsortsofplansastohowIwasgoingtovisithimjustassoonasIcouldgettogetherthemoneyforthepassage。
Hehadthedelicacynottooffertoletmehaveit；andthatclinchedmytrustandloveofhim。
ThenextdayhedroveawaywithTonyandthedapperlittlelawyer。IamnotashamedtosaythatIwatchedthebuckboarduntilitdisappearedinthemirage。
IwaswithBuckJohnsonallthatsummer，andthefollowingwinter，aswell。Wehadourfirstround-up，foundthenaturalincreasemuchinexcessofthelossbyIndians，andextendedourholdingsupovertheRockCreekcountry。WewitnessedthestartofmanyIndiancampaigns，participatedinafewlittlebrusheswiththeChiricahuas，sawthebeginningofthecattle-rustling。
Amanhadnotmuchopportunitytothinkofanythingbutwhathehadrightonhand，butIfoundtimeforafewspeculationsonTim。Iwonderedhowhelookednow，andwhathewasdoing，andhowinblazeshemanagedtogetawaywithfiftythousandayear。
AndthenoneSundayinJune，whileIwaslyingonmybunk，Timpushedopenthedoorandwalkedin。Iwasyoung，butI"dseenalot，andIknewtheexpressionofhisface。SoIlaidlowandsaidnothing。
Inaminutethedooropenedagain，andBuckJohnsonhimselfcamein。
"Howdo，"saidhe；"Isawyourideup。"
"Howdoyoudo，"repliedTim。
"Iknowallaboutyou，"saidBuck，withoutanypreliminaries；
"yourman，Case，haswroteme。Idon"tknowyourreasons，andI
don"twanttoknow——it"snoneofmybusiness——andIain"tgoin"
totellyoujustwhatkindofadamnfoolIthinkyouare——that"snoneofmybusiness，either。ButIwantyoutounderstandwithoutquestionhowyoustandontheranch。"
"Quitegood，sir，"saidTimveryquietly。
"WhenyouwereoutherebeforeIwasgladtohaveyouhereasasortofguest。ThenyouwerewhatI"veheerdcalledagentlemanofleisure。Nowyou"renothin"butaremittanceman。Yourmoney"snothin"tome，buttheprincipleofthethingis。Thecountryisplumbpesteredwithremittancemen，doin"nothin"，andIdon"taimtorunnohomeforincompetents。Ihadasonofadukedrivin"wagonforme；andhecouldn"tdrivenailsinasnowbanks。Sodon"tyouherdupwiththeideathatyoucancomeonthisranchandloaf。"
"Idon"twanttoloaf，"putinTim，"Iwantajob。"
"I"mwillingtogiveyouajob，"repliedBuck，"butit"sjestanordinarycow-puncher"sjobatfortyamonth。Andifyoudon"tfillyoursaddle，itgoestosomeoneelse。"
"That"ssatisfactory，"agreedTim。
"Allright，"finishedBuck，"sothat"sunderstood。YourfriendCasewantedmetogiveyoualotofadvice。Amangenerallyhasaboutasmuchuseforadviceasacowhasforfourhindlegs。"
Hewentout。
"ForGod"ssake，what"sup？"Icried，leapingfrommybunk。
"Hullo，Harry，"saidhe，asthoughhehadseenmethedaybefore，"I"vecomeback。"
"Howcomeback？"Iasked。"Ithoughtyoucouldn"tleavetheestate。Havetheybrokenthewill？"
"No，"saidhe。
"Isthemoneylost？"
"No。"
"Thenwhat？"
"Thelongandshortofitis，thatIcouldn"taffordthatestateandthatmoney。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"I"vegivenitup。"
"Givenitup！Whatfor？"
"Tocomebackhere。"
Itookthisallinslowly。
"TimClare，"saidIatlast，"doyoumeantosaythatyouhavegivenupanEnglishestateandfiftythousanddollarsayeartobearemittancemanatfivehundred，andacow-puncheronasmuchmore？"
"Exactly，"saidhe。
"Tim，"Iadjuredhimsolemnly，"youareadamnfool！"
"Maybe，"heagreed。
"Whydidyoudoit？"Ibegged。
Hewalkedtothedoorandlookedoutacrossthedeserttowherethemountainshoveredlikesoap-bubblesonthehorizon。Foralongtimehelooked；thenwhirledonme。
"Harry，"saidheinalowvoice，"doyourememberthecampwemadeontheshoulderofthemountainthatnightwewerecaughtout？Anddoyourememberhowthedawncameuponthebigsnowpeaksacrosstheway——andallthecanonbelowusfilledwithwhirlingmists——andthesteelstarsleavingusonebyone？WherecouldIfindroomforthatinEnglishpaddocks？AnddoyourecallthedaywetrailedacrosstheYumadeserts，andthesunbeatintoourskulls，andthedry，brittlehillslookedlikepapier-mache，andthegreysage-bushranoffintotheriseofthehills；andthencamesunsetandthehard，drymountainsgrewfilmy，likegauzeveilsofmanycolours，andmeltedandglowedandfadedtoslateblue，andthestarscameout？TheEnglishhillsareroundedandgreenandcurried，andtheskyisnear，andthestarsonlyafewmilesup。AnddoyourecollectthatdarknightwhenoldLocoandhiswarriorswerecampedatthebaseofCochise"sStronghold，andwecreptdownthroughthevelvetdarkwonderingwhenwewouldbediscovered，ourmouthsstickywithexcitement，andthelittlewindsblowing？"
Hewalkedupanddownahalf-dozentimes，hisbreastheaving。
"It"sallverywellforthemanwhoisbroughtuptoit，andwhohasseennothingelse。Casecanexistinfourwalls；hehasbeenbroughtuptoitandknowsnothingdifferent。Butamanlikeme——
"Theywantedmetocanterbetweenhedge-row，——IwhohaveriddenthedesertwheretheskyovermeandtheplainundermewerebiggerthantheIslander"suniverse！Theywantedmetooverseelittlefarms——Iwhohavewatchedthesunrisingoverhalfaworld！Talkofyourtenthou"ayearandwhatit"llbuy！Youknow，Harry，howitfeelswhenasteertakestheslackofyourrope，andyourponysitsback！WhereinEnglandcanIbuythat？
Youknowtherisingandthefallingofdays，andtheboundlessspaceswhereyourheartgrowsbig，andthethirstofthedesertandthehungerofthetrail，andasunthatshinesandfillsthesky，andawindthatblowsfreshfromthewideplaces！
Whereinparcelled，snug，green，tightlittleEnglandcouldI
buythatwithtenthou"——aye，oranhundredtimestenthou"？
No，no，Harry，thatfortunewouldcostmetoodear。Ihaveseenanddoneandbeentoomuch。I"vecomebacktotheBigCountry，wherethepayispoorandtheworkishardandthecomfortsmall，butwhereamanandhissoulmeettheirMakerfacetoface。"
TheCattlemanhadfinishedhisyarn。Foratimenoonespoke。
Outside，thevolumeofrainwassubsiding。WindyBillreportedafewstarsshiningthroughriftsintheshowers。Thechillthatprecedesthedawnbroughtusasclosetothefireasthesmoulderingguanowouldpermit。
"Idon"tknowwhetherhewasrightorwrong，"musedtheCattleman，afterawhile。"Amancandoaheapwiththatmuchmoney。Andyetanold"alkali"isneverhappyanywhereelse。
However，"heconcludedemphatically，"onethingIdoknow：rain，cold，hunger，discomfort，curses，kicks，andviolentdeathsincluded，thereisn"toneofyougrumblerswhowouldholdthatgardeningjobyouspokeofthreedays！"
CHAPTERFOUR
THECATTLERUSTLERS
Dawnbroke，sowedescendedthroughwetgrassestothecanon。
There，aftersomedifficulty，wemanagedtostartafire，andsoatebreakfast，therainstillpouringdownonus。Aboutnineo"clock，withmiraculoussuddenness，thetorrentstopped。
Itbegantoturncold。TheCattlemanandIdecidedtoclimbtothetopofthebutteaftermeat，whichweentirelylacked。
Itwasratherastiffascent，butonceabovethesheercliffswefoundourselvesonarollingmeadowtablelandahalf-milebroadby，perhaps，amileandahalfinlength。Grassgrewhigh；
hereandthereweresmallliveoaksplantedpark-like；slightandroundedravinesaccommodatedbrooklets。Aswewalkedback，theedgesblendedintheedgesofthemesaacrossthecanon。Thedeepgorges，whichhadheretoforeseemedthemostprominentelementsofthescenery，werelost。Westood，apparently，inthemiddleofawideandundulatingplain，diversifiedbylittleridges，andrunningwithafreesweeptotheveryfootofthesnowyGaliuros。Itseemedasthoughweshouldbeabletoridehorsebackinalmostanygivendirection。Yetweknewthattenminutes"walkwouldtakeustothebrinkofmoststupendouschasms——sodeepthatthewaterflowinginthemhardlyseemedtomove；soruggedthatonlywiththegreatestdifficultycouldahorsemanmakehiswaythroughthecountryatall；andyetsoancientthatthebottomssupportedforests，richgrasses，androunded，gentleknolls。Itwasamostastonishingsetofdoubleimpressions。
Wesucceededinkillinganice，fatwhite-tailbuck，andsoreturnedtocamphappy。Therain，heldoff。Wedugditches，organisedshelters，cookedawarmmeal。Forthenextdayweplannedabearhuntafoot，farupamanzanitacanonwhereUncleJimknewofsome"holingup"caves。
Butwhenweawokeinthemorningwethrewasideourcoveringswithsomedifficultytolookonagroundcoveredwithsnow；treesladenalmosttothebreakingpointwithsnow，andtheairfilledwithit。
"Nobeartoday"saidtheCattleman。
"No，"agreedUncleJimdrily。"Nob"ar。Andwhat"smore，unlessyo"reaimin"tostopheresomewhatofaspell，we"llhavetomakeoutto-day。"
Wecookedwithfreezingfingers，atewhiledodgingavalanchesfromthetrees，andpackedreluctantly。Theropeswerefrozen，thehobblesstiff，everythingeithercracklingorwet。Finallythetaskwasfinished。Wetookalastwarmingofthefingersandclimbedon。
Thecountrywaswonderfullybeautifulwiththewhitenotyetshakenfromthetreesandrockledges。Alsoitwaswonderfullyslippery。Thesnowwassoftenoughtoballunderthehorses"
hoofs，sothatmostofthetimethepooranimalsskatedandstumbledalongonstilts。Thuswemadeourwaybackovergroundwhich，nakedofthesedifficulties，wehadconsideredbadenough。
Imagineridingalongaslantofrockshelvingofftoabadtumble，sosteepthatyourponyhastodomoreorlessexpertankleworktokeepfromslippingoffsideways。Duringthepassageofthatrockyouareapttositverylight。Nowcoveritwithseveralinchesofsnow，stickasnowballoneachhoofofyourmount，andtryagain。Whenyouhaveriddenit——oritsduplicate——afewscoreoftimes，selectasteepmountainside，coveritwithroundrocksthesizeofyourhead，andoverthatspreadaconcealingblanketofthesamestickysnow。Youareprivilegedtovarythesetothelimitsofyourimagination。
Onceacrossthedivide，weranintoanewsortoftrouble。Youmayrememberthatonourjourneyoverwehadbeenforcedtotravelforsomedistanceinanarrowstream-bed。Duringourpassagewehadscrambledupsomerathersteepandroughslopes，andhoppedupsomefairlyhighledges。Nowwefoundtheheretoforedrybedflowingagoodeightinchesdeep。Thesteepslopeshadbecomecascades；theledges，waterfalls。Whenwecametothem，wehadto"shoottherapids"asbestwecould，onlytolandwithaPLUNKinanindeterminatelydeeppoolatthebottom。Someofthepackhorseswentdown，sousingagainourunfortunatebedding，butbythegraceoffortunenotasaddleponylosthisfeet。
Afteratimethegorgewidened。Wecameoutintotheboxcanonwithitstrees。Herethewaterspreadandshoaledtoadepthofonlytwoorthreeinches。Wesplashedalonggailyenough，for，withtheexceptionofanoccasionalquicksandorboggyspot，ourtroubleswereover。
JedParkerandIhappenedtoridesidebyside，bringinguptherearandseeingtoitthatthepackanimalsdidnotstrayorlinger。Aswepassedthefirstoftherustlers"corrals，hecalledmyattentiontothem。
"Gotakealook，"saidhe。"Weonlygotthosefellowsoutofheretwoyearsago。"
Irodeover。Atthispointtherim-rockbroketoadmittheingressofaravineintothemaincanon。Ridingashortdistanceuptheravine，Icouldseethatitendedabruptlyinaperpendicularcliff。Asthesidesalsowereprecipitous，itbecamenecessaryonlytobuildafenceacrosstheentranceintothemaincanontobecomepossessedofacorralcompletelyclosedin。Rememberingtheabsoluteinvisibilityofthesesunkencanonsuntiltheriderisalmostdirectlyoverthem，andalsotheextremeroughnessandremotenessofthedistrict，I
couldseethatthespotwasadmirablyadaptedtoconcealment。
"There"squiteayarnaboutthegangthatheldthishole，"saidJedParkertome，whenIhadriddenbacktohim"I"lltellyouaboutitsometime。"
Weclimbedthehill，descendedontheDoubleR，builtafireinthestove，driedout，andwerehappy。Afterasquaremeal——andadryone——IremindedJedParkerofhispromise，andso，sittingcross-leggedonhis"so-gun"inthemiddleofthefloor，hetoldusthefollowingyarn：
There"sagooddealofromancebeenwrittenaboutthe"badman，"
andthere"saboutthesameamountofnonsense。Thebadmanisjustaplainmurderer，neithermorenorless。Heneverdoesgetintoareal，good，plain，stand-upgunfightifhecanpossiblyhelpit。Hiskillin"saredonefrombehindadoor，orwhenhe"sgothismandeadtorights。There"sSamCook。You"veallheardofhim。Hehadnerve，ofcourse，andwhenhewasbackedintoacornerhemadegood；hewassuresuddendeathwithagun。Butwhenhewentforamandeliberate，hedidn"ttakenospecialchances。ForawhilehewasmarshalatWillets。Prettysoonitwasnotedthattherewasaheapofcasesofresistingarrest，whereSamasmarshalhadtoshoot，andthatthosecasesalmostalwayshappenedtobehispersonalenemies。Ofcourse，thatmightbeallright，butitlookedsuspicious。ThenonedayhekilledpooroldMaxSchmidtoutbehindhisownsaloon。Calledhimoutandshothiminthestomach。SaidMaxresistedarrestonawarrantforkeepin"openoutofhours！ThatwasasweetwarranttotakeoutinWillets，anyway！Mrs。Schmidtalwaysclaimedthatshesaythatdealplayed，andthat，whiletheyweretalkin"perfectlypeacable，Cookletdrivefromthehipatabouttwoyards"range。Anyway，wedecidedweneededanothermarshal。
Nothin"elsewaseverdone，fortheVigilanteshadn"tbeenformed，andyourindividualanddecentcitizendoesn"tcaretobemarkedbyagunofthatstripe。Leastwise，unlesshewantstogoinforbad-manmethodsanddoalittleambusheein"onhisownaccount。
Thepointis，thattheseyerebadmenarealow-down，miserableproposition，andplain，cold-bloodmurderers，willin"towaitforasurething，andwithoutnocompunctionswhatsoever。Thebadmantakesyouunawares，whenyou"resleepin"，ortalkin"，ordrinkin"，orlookin"toseewhatforadayit"sgoin"tobe，anyway。Hedon"tgiveyounoshow，andsoonerorlaterhe"sgoin"togetyouinthesafestandeasiestwayforhimself。
Thereain"tnoromanceaboutthat。
And，untilyou"veseenafewmencalledoutoftheirshacksforafriendlyconversation，andshotwhentheyhappentolookaway；oraskedforadrinkofwater，andkilledwhentheystooptothespring；orpottedfrombehindastheygointoaroom，it"sprettyhardtobelievethatanymancanhesoplumblackin"infairplayorpityorjustnaturalhumanity。
Asyouboysknow，IcomeinfromTexastoBuckJohnson"sabouttenyearback。IhadaprettygoodmountofponiesthatIknew，andIhatedtoletthemgoatpricestheywereofferin"then，soImadeupmymindtorideacrossandbringtheminwithme。Itwasn"tsoawfulfar，andIfiguredthatI"dliketotakeinwhatNewMexicolookedlikeanyway。
AboutdownbyAlbuquerqueItrackedupwithanotheroutfitheadedmyway。Therewasfiveofthem，threemen，andawoman，andayearlin"baby。Theyhadadozenhosses，andthatwasaboutallI
couldsee。Therewasonlytwopacked，andnowagon。Isupposethewholeoutfit——pots，pans，andkettles——wasworthfivedollars。ItwasjustsupperwhenIrunacrossthem，anditdidn"ttakemore"nonelooktodiscoverthatflour，coffee，sugar，andsaltwasalltheycarried。Ayearlin"carcass，half-skinned，laynear，andthefry-panwas，fullofmeat。
"Howdy，strangers，"saysI，ridin"up。
Theynoddedalittle，butdidn"tsaynothin"。Myhossesfelltograzin"，andIeasedmyselfaroundinmysaddle，andmadeacigareet。Themenwastall，lankfellows，withkindofsullenfaces，andsly，shiftyeyes；thewomanwasdirtyandgenerallymussedup。Iknowedthatsortallright。Texaswasgettin"toomanyfencesforthem。
"Havin"supper？"saysI，cheerful。
Oneof"emgrunted"Yes"atme；and，afterawhile，thebiggestaskedmeverygrudgin"ifIwouldn"tlightandeat，Itoldthem"No，"thatIwastravellin"inthecooloftheevenin"。
"Youseemtohavemoremeatthanyouneed，though，"saysI。"I
couldusealittleofthat。"
"Helpyourself，"saysthey。"It"samaverickwecomeacross。"
Itookasteak，andnotedthatthehidehadbeenmightywellcuttoribbonsaroundtheflanksandthattheheadwasgone。
"Well，"saysItothecarcass，"Noone"sgoingtobeabletoswearwhetheryou"reamaverickornot，butIbetyouknewthefeelofabrandin"ironallright。"
Igavethemathank-you，andclimbedonagain。Myhossesactedsomesurprisedatbein"gatheredupagain，butIcouldn"thelpthat。
"Itlookslikeaplumbimposition，cavallos，"saysItothem，"afteranall-day，butyousuredon"twanttojointhatoutfitanymorethanIdotheangels，andifwecampherewe"relikelytodoboth。"
Ididn"tseethemanymoreafterthatuntilI"dhittheLazyY，andhadstartedinrunnin"cattleintheSodaSpringsValley。
LarryEagenandIrodetogetherthosedays，andthat"showIgottoknowhimprettywell。Oneday，overintheElmFlat，weransmackonthisTexasoutfitagain，headednorth。ThistimeIwasonmyownrange，andIknewwhereIstood，soIcouldshowalittlemorecuriosityinthecase。
"Well，yougotthisfar，"saysI。
"Yes，"saysthey。
"Whereyouheaded？"
"Overtowardsthehills。"
"Whattodo？"
"Makearanch，raisesometruck；perhapsbuyafewcows。"
Theywenton。
"Truck"saysItoLarry，"isfineprospectsinthiscountry。"
Hesatonhishorselookingafterthem。
"I"msorryforthem"sayshe。"Itmusthealmightyhardscratchin"。"
Well，werodetherangeforupwardsoftwoyear。InthattimewesawourTexasfriends——nameofHahn——twoorthreetimesinWillets，andheardofthemoffandon。TheyboughtanoldbrandofSteveMcWilliamsforseventy-fivedollars，carryin"sixoreightheadofcows。Afterthat，fromtimetotime，weheardofthembuyingmore——twoorthreeheadfromoneman，andtwoorthreefromanother。TheybrandedthemallwiththatMcWilliamsiron——T0——so，prettysoon，webegantoseethecattleontherange。
Now，agoodcattlemanknowscattlejustaswellasyouknowpeople，andhecantellthemaboutasfaroff。Hornedcritterslookaliketoyou，buteveninacountrysupportin"agoodmanythousandhead，amanusedtothebusinesscanrecognisemosteveryindividualasfarashecanseehim。Someisbetterthanothersatit。Isupposeyoureallyhavetobebroughtuptoit。
SoweboysattheLazyYnotedallthecattlewiththenewT0，andcouldestimateprettyclosethattheHahnoutfitmightown，maybe，thirty-fiveheadalltold。
Thatwasallverywell，andnobodyhadanykickcomin"。Thenonedayinthespring，wecameacrossourfirst"sleeper。"
What"sasleeper？Asleeperisacalfthathasbeenear-marked，butnotbranded。Everyownerhasacertainbrand，asyouknow，andthenhecropsandslitstheearsinacertainway，too。Inthatmannerhedon"thavetolookatthebrand，excepttocorroboratetheears；and，asthecrittergenerallystickshisearsupinquirin"-liketoanyoneridin"up，it"seasytoknowthebrandwithoutlookin"atit，merelyfromtheear-marks。Onceinagreatwhile，whenamancomesacrossanunbrandedcalf，anditain"thandytobuildafire，hejustear-marksitandlet"sthebrandin"gotilllater。Butitisn"tdoneoften，andouroutfithadstrictordersnevertomakesleepers。
Well，onedayinthespring，asIsay，Larryandmewasridin"，whenwecameacrossaLazyYcowandcalf。Thelittlefellowwasear-markedallright，sowerodeon，andneverwouldhavediscoverednothin"ifabushrabbithadn"tjumpedandscaredthecalfrightacrossinfrontofourhosses。Thenwecouldn"thelpbutseethattherewasn"tnobrand。
Ofcourseweropedhimandputtheirononhim。Itookthechancetolookathisears，，andsawthatthemarkinghadbeendonequiterecent，sowhenwegotinthatnightIreportedtoBuckJohnsonthatoneofthepuncherswasgettin"lazyandsleeperin"。Naturallyhewentafterthemanwhohaddoneit；