第4章
Butnowthesurfaceofthegroundwasslippery，andtherapidmanoeuvringofhorseshadbecomeamatterprecariousintheextreme。Timeandagaintheponiesfairlysatontheirhaunchesandslidwhennegotiatingasuddenstop，whilequickturnsmeanttherapidscramblingsthatonlyacow-horsecouldaccomplish。
Neverthelesstheworkwentforwardunchecked。Themenoftheotheroutfitscuttheircattleintothestray-herd。Thelatterwasbynowofconsiderablesize，forthiswasthethirdweekoftheround-up。
Finallyeveryoneexpressedhimselfassatisfied。Thelargelydiminishedmainherdwasnowstartedforwardbymeansofshrillcowboycriesandbeatingofquirts。Thecattlewereonlytooeagertogo。Frommypositiononalittleriseabovethestray-herdIcouldseetheleadersbreakingintoarun，theirheadsthrownforwardastheysnuffedtheirfreedom。Onthemesasidethesentinelridersquietlywithdrew。Fromtherearandflanksthehorsemenclosedin。Thecattlepouredoutinasteadystreamthroughtheopeningthusleftonthemesaside。Thefringeofcowboysfollowed，urgingthemon。Abruptlythecavalcadeturnedandcamelopingback。Thecattlecontinuedaheadonatrot，graduallyspreadingabroadoverthelandscape，losingtheirintegrityasaherd。Someoftheslowerorhungrierdroppedoutandbegantograze。Certainofthemorewarydisappearedtorightorleft。
Now，aftertheday"sworkwaspracticallyover，wehadourfirstaccident。ThehorseriddenbyayoungfellowfromDosCabesasslipped，fell，androlledquiteoverhisrider。Atoncetheanimallungedtohisfeet，onlytoheimmediatelyseizedbythenearestrider。ButtheDosCabesasmanlaystill，hisarmsandlegsspreadabroad，hisheaddoubledsidewaysinahorriblysuggestivemanner。Wehoppedoff。Twomenstraightenedhimout，whiletwomorelookedcarefullyovertheindicationsontheground。
"Allright，"sangoutoneofthem，"thehorndidn"tcatchhim。"
Hepointedtotheindentationleftbythepommel。Indeedfiveminutesbroughtthemantohissenses。Hecomplainedofaverytwistedback。Homersetoneofthemeninafterthebed-wagon，bymeansofwhichthesuffererwasshortlytransportedtocamp。
Bytheendoftheweekhewasagaininthesaddle。Howmenescapefromthiscommonaccidentwithinjuriessoslighthasalwayspuzzledme。Thehorserollscompletelyoverhisrider，andyetitseemstobetherarestthingintheworldforthelattertobeeitherkilledorpermanentlyinjured。
NoweachmanhadtheprivilegeoflookingthroughtheJHcutstoseeifbychancesteersofhisownhadbeenincludedinthem。
Whenallhadexpressedthemselvesassatisfied，thevariousbandswerestartedtothecorrals。
FromaslighteminencewhereIhadpausedtoenjoytheeveningI
lookeddownonthescene。Thethreeherds，separatedbygenerousdistanceonefromtheother，crawledleisurelyalong；theriders，theirhatsthrustback，lolledintheirsaddles，shoutingconversationtoeachother，relaxingaftertheday"swork；
throughthecloudsstrongshaftsoflightbelittledthelivingcreatures，threwintoproportionthevastnessofthedesert。
CHAPTERSEVEN
ACORNERINHORSES
Itwasdarknight。Thestay-herdbellowedfranticallyfromoneofthebigcorrals；thecow-and-calf-herdfromasecond。Alreadytheremuda，driveninfromtheopenplains，scatteredaboutthethousandacresofpasture。Awayfromtheconveniencesoffenceandcorral，menwouldhavehadtopatrolallnight。Now，however，everyonewasgatheredaboutthecampfire。
Probablyfortycowboyswereinthegroup，representingalltypes，fromoldJohn，whohadbeeninthebusinessfortyyears，andhadpunchedfromtheRioGrandetothePacific，totheKid，whowouldhavegivenhischanceofsalvationifhecouldhavebeentakenfortenyearsolderthanhewas。AtthemomentJedParkerwasholdingforthtohisfriendJohnnyStoneinreferencetoanotheroldcronywhohadthateveningjoinedtheround-up。
"Johnny，"inquiredJedwithelaborategravity，andentirelyignoringthepresenceofthesubjectofconversation，"whatisthatthingjustbeyondthefire，andwherediditcomefrom？"
JohnnyStonesquintedtomakesure。
"That？"hereplied。"Oh，thisevenin"thedogsseesomethingrundownahole，andtheydugitout，andthat"swhattheygot。"
Thenewcomergrinned。
"Thetroublewithyoufellows，"heproffered"isthatyou"resoplumbalkaliedyoudon"tknowtherealthingwhenyouseeit。"
"That"sright，"supplementedWindyBilldrily。"HEcomefromNewYork。"
"No！"criedJed。"Youdon"tsayso？Didhecomeinoneboxorintwo？"
Undercoverofthelaugh，thenewcomermadearaidonthedutchovensandpails。Havingfilledhisplate，hesquattedonhisheelsandfelltohisbelatedmeal。Hewasatall，slab-sidedindividual，withalean，leatheryface，asweepingwhitemoustache，andagraveandsardoniceye。Hisleatherchapswereplainandworn，andhishathadbeenfashionedbytimeandwearintomuchindividuality。IwasnotsurprisedtohearhimnicknamedSacatoneBill。
"Justaskhimhowhegotthatgamefoot，"suggestedJohnnyStonetomeinanundertone，so，ofcourse，Ididnot。
Latersomeonetoldmethatthelamenessresultedfromhisrefusalofanurgentinvitationtoreturnacrossariver。Mr。SacatoneBillhappenednottoberidinghisownhorseatthetime。
TheCattlemandroppeddownbesidemeamomentlater。
"Iwish，"saidheinalowvoice，"wecouldgetthatfellowtalking。Heisaqueerone。Prettywelleducatedapparently。
Claimstobewritingabookofmemoirs。Sometimeshewillopenupingoodshape，andsometimeshewillnot。Itdoesnogoodtoaskhimdirect，andheisasshyasanoldcrowwhenyoutrytoleadhimuptoasubject。WemustjustlielowandtrusttoProvidence。"
Amanwasplayingonthemouthorgan。Heplayedexcellentlywell，withallsortsofvariationsandfrills。Wesmokedinsilence。Thedeeprumbleofthecattlefilledtheairwithitsdiapason。Alwaystheshrillcoyotesravedoutinthemesquite。
SacatoneBillhadfinishedhismeal，andhadgonetositbyJedParker，hisoldfriend。Theytalkedtogetherlow-voiced。Theeveninggrew，andtheeasternskysilveredoverthemountainsinanticipationofthemoon。
SacatoneBillsuddenlythrewbackhisheadandlaughed。
"RemindsmefthetimeIwenttoColorado！"hecried。
"He"soff！"whisperedtheCattleman。
Adeadsilencefellonthecircle。EverybodyshiftedpositionthebettertolistentothestoryofSacatoneBill。
AbouttenyearagoIgotplumbsickofpunchin"cowsaroundmypartofthecountry。Shehadn"trainedsinceNoah，andI"dforgotwhatwateroutsideapailoratroughlookedlike。SoI
scoutedaroundinsideofmetoseewhatpartoftheworldI"djumpto，andasIseemedtoknowaslittleofColoradoandminin"
asanythingelse，ImadeupthepintofbeansoupIcallmybrainstogothere。SoIcatchesmeabuyeratHensonandturnsovermyporelittlebunchofcattleandpreparedtofly。ThelastdayIhauledupabouttwentygoodbucketsofwaterandthrewherupagainstthecabin。Mybuyerwassettin"hishosswaitin"
formetogetready。Hedidn"tsaynothin"untilwe"dgotdownabouttenmileorso。
"Mr。Hicks，"sayshe，hesitatin"like，"Ifinditagoodruleinthiscountrynottooverlookotherfolks"plays，butI"dtakeitmightykindifyou"dexplainthoseactionsofyourswiththepailsofwater。"
"Mr。Jones，"saysI，"it"sverysimple。Ibuiltthatshackfiveyearago，andit"sneverrainedsince。Ijustwantedtosettleinmymindwhetherornotthatdamnroofleaked。"
SoIquitArizona，andinaboutaweekIseemyreflectioninthewindersofalittleplacecalledCyanideintheColoradomountains。
Fellows，shewasabird。Theywasn"taponyinsight，norasquar"footoflandthatwasn"teitherstreetorstraightup。Itmademeplumblonesomeforacountrywhereyoucouldseealongwaysevenifyoudidn"tseemuch。Andthisearlyintheevenin"
theywasn"thardlyanybodyinthestreetsatall。
Itookalookatthemdark，gloomy，oldmountains，andasniffatabreezethatwouldhavefrozenthewhiskersofhope，andImadeadiveforthenearestlitwinder。Theywasasignoveritthatjustsaid：
THISISASALOON
Iwasgladtheylabelledher。I"dneverhaveknownit。Theyhadafifteen-yearoldkidtendin"bar，nogamesgoin"，andnotasoulintheplace。
"Sorrytodisturbyourrepose，bub，"saysI，"butseeifyoucansortoutanyryeamongthemcollectionsofsassaparillerofyours。"
Itookadrink，andthenanothertokeepitcompany——Iwasbeginnin"tosympathisewithanythin"lonesome。ThenIkindofsaunteredouttothebackroomwherethehurdy-gurdyoughttobe。
Sureenough，therewasagirlsettin"onthepiannerstool，anotherinachair，andaniceshinyJewdrummerdanglin"hisfeetfromatable。Theylookedupwhentheyseemecomein，andwentrightontalkin"。
"Hello，girls！"saysI。
Atthattheystoppedtalkin"complete。
"How"stricks？"saysI。
"Who"syourwoollyfriend？"theshinyJewasksofthegirls。
Ilookedathimaminute，butIseehe"dbeenraisedapet，andthen，too，IwassohungryforsassietyIwaswillin"topassabetortwo。
"Don"tyouADMIREthesecowgents？"snickersoneofthegirls。
"Playsomethin"，sister，"saysItotheoneatthepianner。
Shejustgrinnedatme。
"Interdooceme，"saysthedrummerinakindofawaythatmadethemalllaughaheap。
"Giveusatune，"Ibegs，tryin"tobejolly，too。
"Shedon"tknowanypieces，"saystheJew。
"Don"tyou？"Iasksprettysharp。
"No，"saysshe。
"Well，Ido，"saysI。
Iwalkeduptoher，jerkedoutmyguns，andreachedaroundbothsidesofhertothepianner。Irunthemuzzlesupanddownthekeyboardtwoorthreetimes，andthenshotouthalfadozenkeys。
"That"sthepieceIknow，"saysI。
ButtheothergirlandtheJewdrummerhadpunchedthebreeze。
Thegirlatthepiannerjustgrinned，andpointedtothewinderwheretheywassomeraggedglasshangin"。Shewasdeadgame。
"Say，Susie，"saysI，"you"reallright，butyourfriendsistur"ble。Imayberough，andIain"tneverbeencurriedbelowtheknees，butI"mbettertotietothanthemsonsofguns。"
"Ibelieveit，"saysshe。
Sowehadadrinkatthebar，andstartedouttoinvestigatethewondersofCyanide。
Say，thatnightwasawonder。Susiefadedafteraboutthreedrinks，butIdidn"tseemtomindthat。IhookeduptoanothersaloonkeptbyathinDutchman。AfatDutchmanisstupid，butathinoneisallright。
IntenminutesIhadmorefriendsinCyanidethantheyisfiddlersinhell。IbeguntoconcludeCyanidewasn"tsolonesome。Aboutfouro"clockincomesalittleIrishmanaboutfourfoothigh，withmoreupperlipthanamuleycow，andenoughredhairtomakeanartificialaurorerborealis。Hehadbigredhandswithfrecklespastedontothem，andstiffredhairsstandin"upseparateandlonesomelikesignalstations。Alsohislegswasbowed。
Hegetsadrinkatthebar，andstandsbackandyells：
"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"
Now，thiswasnoneofmytown，soIjuststeppedbackoftheendofthebarquickwhereIwouldn"tstopnolead。Theshootin"
didn"tbegin。
"ProbablyDutchydidn"ttakenonoteofwhatthelocoedlittledogieDIDsay，"thinksItomyself。
TheIrishmanbellieduptothebaragain，andpoundedonitwithhisfist。
"Lookhere！"heyells。"ListentowhatI"mtellin"ye！GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！Doyehearme？"
"Sure，Ihearye，"saysDutchy，andgoesonswabbin"hisbarwithatowel。
Atthatmysouljustgrewsick。IaskedthemannexttomewhyDutchydidn"tkillthelittlefellow。
"Killhim！"saysthisman。"Whatfor？"
"Forinsultin"ofhim，ofcourse。"
"Oh，he"sdrunk，"saystheman，asifthatexplainedanythin"。
Thatsettleditwithme。Ileftthatplace，andwenthome，anditwasn"tmorethanfouro"clock，neither。No，Idon"tcallfouro"clocklate。Itmaybealittlelatefornightbeforelast，butit"sjusttheshankoftheevenin"forto-night。
Well，ittookmesixweeksandtwodaystogobroke。Ididn"tknowsicem，aboutminin"；andbeforelongIKNEWthatIdidn"t"knowsic"em。MostalldayIpokedaroundthemmountains——-notlikeour"n——toomuchtimbertobecomfortable。AtnightIgottodroppin"inatDutchy"s。Hehadacoupleofquietgamesgoin"，andtheywasonefellowamongthatlotofgrubbin"prairiedogsthathadheerdtellthatcowshadhorns。Hewasthewisestofthebunchonthecattlebusiness。SoIstowedawaymyconsolation，andmadeouttoforgetcomparingColoradowithGod"scountry。
AboutthreetimesaweekthisIrishmanItoldyouof——nameO"Toole——comesbulgin"in。Whenhewassoberhetalkedminin"
high，wide，andhandsome。Whenhewasdrunkhepoundedbothfistsonthebarandyelledforaction，tryin"togetDutchyonthepeck。
"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"heyellsaboutsixtimes。"Say，doyouhear？"
"Sure，"saysDutchy，calmasamilkcow，"sure，Ihearsye！"
IwasplumbsorryforO"Toole。I"dliketohavegivenhimarun；
but，ofcourse，Icouldn"ttakeitupwithoutmakin"myselfoutafriendofthisDutchyparty，andIcouldn"tstandforthat。ButIdidtackleDutchyaboutitonenightwhentheywasn"tnobodyelsethere。
"Dutchy，"saysI，"whatmakesyouletthatbow-leggedcrossbetweenabulldogandaflamin"redsunsettromponyouso？Itlookstomelikeyou"replumbspiritless。"
Dutchystoppedwipingglassesforaminute。
"Justyouholdon"sayshe。"Iain"treadyyet。BimebyImakehimsick；alsothoseotherswholaughwithhim。"
Hehadalittlegreyflickerinhiseye，andIthinkstomyselfthatmaybethey"dgetDutchyonthepeckyet。
AsIsaid，Iwentbrokeinjustsixweeksandtwodays。AndI
wasbrokeaplenty。Nohold-outsanywhere。Itwasaheaplongwaystocows；andI"dbeteetotallychawedupandspitoutifI
wasgoin"tojointheseminin"terrapinsdefacin"thebosomofnature。Itsurelookedtomelikehardwork。
WhileIwasfigurin"whatnext，Dutchycamein。WhichIwastur"blesurprisedatthat，butIsaidgood-mornin"andwouldheresthispoorfeet。
"Youliketomakesomemoney？"heasks。
"Thatdepends，"saysI，"onhoweasyitis。"
"Itiseasy，"sayshe。"Iwantyoutobuyhossesforme。"
"Hosses！Sure！"Iyells，jumpin"up。"Youbetyou！Why，hossesiswhereIlive！Whathossesdoyouwant？"
"Allhosses，"sayshe，calmasafarodealer。
"What？"saysI。"Elucidate，mybucko。Idon"ttakenosuchblanketorder。Spreadyourcards。"
"Imeanjustthat，"sayshe。"Iwantyoutobuyallthehossesinthiscamp，andinthemountains。Everyone。"
"Whew！"Iwhistles。"That"salargeorder。ButI"myourmeat。"
"Comewithme，then，"sayshe。Ihadn"tbutjustgotup，butI
wentwithhimtohislittleoldpoisonfactory。Ofcourse，I
hadn"thadnobreakfast；buthestakedmetoaKentuckybreakfast。What"saKentuckybreakfast？Why，aKentuckybreakfastisathree-poundsteak，abottleofwhisky，andasetterdog。What"sthedogfor？Why，toeatthesteak，ofcourse。
Wecometoanagreement。Iwastogettwo-fiftyaheadcommission。SoIstartedout。Therewasn"tmanyhossesinthatcountry，andwhattherewastheownershadn"tmuchuseforunlessitwastoworkawhim。Ipickedupaboutahundredheadquickenough，andreportedtoDutchy。
"Howaboutburrosandmules？"IasksDutchy。
"Theygoes，"sayshe。"Mulessameashosses；burrosfourbitsaheadtoyou。"
AttheendofaweekIhadaremudaofprobablytwohundredanimals。Wekeptthemoverthehillsinsome"parks，"asthesesotscallmeadowsinthatcountry。IrodeintotownandtoldDutchy。
"Gotthemall？"heasks。
"Allbutacross-eyedbuckskinthat"smean，andthebaymarethatNoahbredto。"
"Getthem，"sayshe。
"Thebanditswanttoomuch，"Iexplains。
"Getthemanyway，"sayshe。
Iwentawayandgotthem。Itwasscand"lous；suchprices。
WhenIhitCyanideagainIranintoscenesofwildexcitement。
Thewholepasselofthemwasonthatonestreetoftheir"n，talkin"sixteenouncestothepound。InthemiddlewasDutchy，drunkasasoldier-justplainfoolishdrunk。
"GoodLord！"thinksItomyself，"heain"tcelebratin"gettin"
thatbunchofbuzzards，ishe？"
ButIfoundhewasn"tthatbad。Whenhecaughtsightofme，hefellonmedrivellin"。
"Lookthere！"heweeps，showin"mealetter。
Iwasthelasttocomein；soIkeptthatletter——heresheis。
I"llreadher。
DearDutchy：——IsupposeyouthoughtI"dflewthecoop，butI
haven"tandthisistoproveit。Packupyouroutfitandhitthetrail。I"vemadethebiggestfreegoldstrikeyoueversee。I"msendingyouspecimens。There"stonsjustlikeit，tonsandtons。
IgotalltheclaimsIcanholdmyself；butthere"sheapsmore。
I"vewrittoJohnnyandEdatDenvertocomeon。Don"tgivethisaway。Maketracks。ComeintoBuckCanonintheWhetstonesandoblige。
Yourstruly，HenrySmithSomebodyshowedmeahandfulofwhiterockwithyellerstreaksinit。Hiseyeswasbulgin"untilyoucouldhavehungyourhatonthem。ThatO"Toolepartywaswalkin"around，wettin"hislipswithhistongueandswearin"soft。
"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"sayshe。"Andthefoolhadtogetdrunkandgiveitaway！"
Theexcitementwasjuststarted，butitdidn"tlastlong。Thecrowdgotthesamenotionatthesametime，anditjustmelted。
MeandDutchywasleftalone。
Iwenthome。PrettysoonafellownamedJimmyTackcomearoundalittleoutofbreath。
"Say，youknowthatbuckskinyouboughtoff"nme？"sayshe，"I
wanttobuyhimback。"
"Oh，youdo，"saysI。
"Yes，"sayshe。"I"vegottoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andIgottohavesomethin"topack。"
"WaitandI"llsee，"saysI。
OutsidethedoorImetanotherfellow。
"Lookhere，"hestopsmewith。"HowaboutthatbaymareIsoldyou？Canyoucallthatsaleoff？Igottoleavetownforadayortwoand——"
"Wait，"saysI。"I"llsee。"
Bythegatewasanotherhurryin"up。
"Oh，yes，"saysIwhenheopenshismouth。"Iknowallyourtroubles。Youhavetoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andyouwantbackthatlizardyousoldme。Well，wait。"
AfterthatIhadtoquitthemainstreetanddodgebackofthehogranch。Theywasallheadedmyway。Iwasaspopularasasnakeinaprohibitiontown。
IhitDutchy"sbythebackdoor。
"Doyouwanttosellhosses？"Iasks。"Everyoneintownwantstobuy。"
Dutchylookedhurt。
"Iwantedtokeepthemforthevalleymarket，"sayshe，"but——HowmuchdidyougiveJimmyTackforhisbuckskin？"
"Twenty，"saysI。
"Well，lethimhaveitforeighty，"saysDutchy；"andtheothersinproportion。"
Ilaybackandbreathedhard。
"Sellthemall，buttheonebesthoss，"sayshe——"no，theTWO
best。"
"Holysmoke！"saysI，gettin"mybreath。"Ifyoumeanthat，Dutchy，youlendmeanothergunandgivemeadrink。"
Hedoneso，andIwentbackhometowherethewholecampofCyanidewaswaitin"。
IgotupandmadethemaspeechandtoldthemI"dsellthemhossesallright，andtocomeback。ThenIgotanInjinboytohelp，andwerustledovertheremudaandheldtheminablindcanon。ThenIcalleduptheseminersoneatatime，andmadebargainswiththem。Roar！Well，youcouldhearthematDenver，theytellme，andtheweatherreportssaid，"Thunderinthemountains。"Butitwascashondelivery，andtheyallpaidup。
Theyhadseenthatwhitequartzwiththegoldstickin"intoit，andthat"sthesameasadoseoflocotominergents。
Whydidn"tItakeahossandstartfirst？Ididthinkofit——foraboutonesecond。Iwouldn"tstayinthatcountrythenforamilliondollarsaminute。Iwasplumbsickandloathin"it，andjustwaitin"tomakehighjumpsbacktoArizona。SoIwasn"taimin"tojointhisstampede，anddidn"thavenovividemotions。
Theygottofightin"onwhichshouldgetthefirsthoss；soI
bentmygunonthemandmadethemdrawlots。Theyroaredsomemore，butdoneso；andasfastaseachonehandedoverhisdustordinerohemadearushforhiscabin，piledonhissaddleandpack，andpulledhisfreightonacloudofdust。Itwassureagrandstampede，andIenjoyeditnolimit。
SobysundownIwasalonewiththeInjin。Thosetwohundredheadbroughtinabouttwentythousanddollars。Itwasheavy，butI
couldcarryit。Iwasaboutaloneinthelandscape；andtherewerethetwobesthossesIhadsavedoutforDutchy。Iwassuresometempted。ButIhadenoughtogethomeonanyway；andI
neveryetdrankbehindthebar，evenifImightholdupthesaloonfromthefloor。SoIgrievedsomeinsidethatIwassotur"bleconscientious，shoulderedthesacks，andwentdowntofindDutchy。
Imethimheadedhisway，andcarryin"ofasheetofpaper。
"Here"syourdinero，"saysI，dumpin"thefourbigsacksontheground。
Hestoopedoverandheftedthem。Thenhepassedoneovertome。
"What"sthatfor？"Iasks。
"Foryou，"sayshe。
"Mycommissionain"tthatmuch，"Iobjects。
"You"veearnedit，"sayshe，"andyoumighthaveskippedwiththewholewad。"
"HowdidyouknowIwouldn"t？"Iasks。
"Well，"sayshe，andInotedthatjagofhishadflew。"Yousee，Iwasbehindthatrockupthere，andIhadyoucovered。"
Isaw；andIbegantofeelbetteraboutbein"sotur"bleconscientious。
Wewalkedalittlewayswithoutsayin"nothin"。
"Butain"tyougoin"tojointhegame？"Iasks。
"Guessnot，"sayshe，jinglin"ofhisgold。"I"msatisfied。"
"Butifyoudon"tgetawiggleonyou，youaresuregoin"togetleftonthosegoldclaims，"saysI。
"Thereain"tnogoldclaims，"sayshe。
"ButHenrySmith——"Icries。
"Thereain"tnoHenrySmith，"sayshe。
Iletthatsoakinaboutsixinches。
"Butthere"saBuckCanon，"Ipleads。"Pleasesaythere"saBuckCanon。"
"Oh，yes，there"saBuckCanon，"heallows。"Nicelimestoneformation——makegoodhardwater。"
"Well，you"reamarvel，"saysI。
WewalkedntogetherdowntoDutchy"ssaloon。
Westoppedoutside。
"Now，"sayshe，"I"mgoin"totakeoneofthosehossesandgosomewhereselse。Maybeyou"dbetterdolikewiseontheother。"
"YoubetIwill，"saysI。
Heturnedaroundandtakedupthepaperhewascarryin"。Itwasasign。Itread：
THEDUTCHHASRUSTLED
"Nicesentiment，"saysI。"ItwillbeappreciatedwhenthecrowdcomesbackfromthatlittlepasearintoBuckCanon。Butwhynottackherupwherethetrailhitsthecamp？Whyonthisparticulardoor？"
"Well，"saidDutchy，squintin"atthesignsideways，"youseeI
soldthisplacedaybeforeyesterday——toMikeO"Toole。"
CHAPTEREIGHT
THECORRALBRANDING
Allthatnightwesleptlikesticksofwood。Nodreamsvisitedus，butinaccordancewiththeimmemorialhabitofthosewholiveout——whetherinthewoods，ontheplains，amongthemountains，oratsea——onceduringthenighteachofusroseonhiselbow，lookedabouthim，anddroppedbacktosleep。Iftherehadbeenafiretoreplenish，thatwouldhavebeenthemomenttodoso；ifthewindhadbeenchangingandtheseasrising，thatwouldhavebeenthetimetocastaneyealoftforindications，tofeelwhethertheanchorcablewasholding；ifthepack-horseshadstraggledfromthealpinemeadowsunderthesnows，thiswouldhavebeentheoccasionforintentlisteningforthefaintlytinklinghellsothatnextdayonewouldknowinwhichdirectiontolook。Butsincethereexistedforusnoresponsibility，weeachreporteddutifullyattheroll-callofhabit，anddroppedbackintoourblanketswithagratefulsigh。
Irememberthemoonsailingagoodgaitamongapparentlystationarycloudlets；Irecalladeep，blackshadowlyingbeforedistantsilverymountains；Iglancedoverthestark，motionlesscanvases，eachofwhichconcealedaman；theairtrembledwiththebellowingofcattleinthecorrals。
Seeminglybutamomentlaterthecook"showlbroughtmetoconsciousnessagain。Aclear，lickinglittlefiredancedintheblackness。Beforeitmovedsilhouettesofmenalreadyeating。
Ipiledoutandjoinedthegroup。Homerwasbusydistributinghismenfortheday。Threeweretocarefortheremuda；fiveweretomovethestray-herdfromthecorralstogoodfeed；threebrandingcrewsweretoldtobrandthecalveswehadcollectedinthecutoftheafternoonbefore。Thattookupabouthalfthemen。Therestweretomakeashortdriveinthesaltgrass。I
joinedtheCattleman，andtogetherwemadeourwayafoottothebrandingpen。
Weweretheonlyoneswhodidgoafoot，however，althoughthecorralswerenotmorethantwohundredyards"distant。Whenwearrivedwefoundthestringofponiesstandingaroundoutside。
Betweentheuprightbarsofgreasewoodwecouldseethecattle，andneartheoppositesidethemenbuildingafirenextthefence。Wepushedopenthewidegateandentered。Thethreeroperssattheirhorses，idlyswingingtheloopsoftheirropesbackandforth。Threeothersbroughtwoodandarrangeditcraftilyinsuchmannerastogetbestdraughtforheatin，——agoodbrandingfireismostdecidedlyaworkofart。Onestoodwaitingforthemtofinish，asheafoflongJHstampingironsinhishand。Alltherestsquattedontheirheelsalongthefence，smokingcigarettesadchattingtogether。Thefirstraysofthesunslantedacrossinonegreatsweepfromtheremotemountains。
IntenminutesCharleypronouncedtheironsready。Homer，Wooden，andoldCaliforniaJohnrodeinamongthecattle。Therestofthemenaroseandstretchedtheirlegsandadvanced。TheCattlemanandIclimbedtothetopbarofthegate，whereweroosted，hewithhistally-bookonhisknee。
Eachriderswunghisropeabovehisheadwithonehand，keepingthebroadloopopenbyaskilfulturnofthewristattheendofeachrevolution。InamomentHomerleanedforwardandthrew。Astheloopsettled，hejerkedsharplyupward，exactlyasonewouldstriketohookabigfish。Thistightenedtheloopandpreventeditfromslippingoff。Immediately，andwithoutwaitingtoascertaintheresultofthemanoeuvre，thehorseturnedandbeganmethodically，withoutunduehaste，towalktowardthebrandingfire。Homerwrappedtheropetwiceorthriceaboutthehorn，andsatoverinonestirruptoavoidthetightenedlineandtopreservethebalance。Nobodypaidanyattentiontothecalf。
Thecritterhadbeencaughtbythetwohindlegs。Astheropetightened，hewassuddenlyupset，andbeforehecouldrealisethatsomethingdisagreeablewashappening，hewasslidingmajesticallyalongonhisbelly。Behindhimfollowedhisanxiousmother，herheadswingingfromsidetoside。
Nearthefirethehorsestopped。Thetwo"bull-doggers"
immediatelypounceduponthevictim。Itwaspromptlyfloppedoveronitsrightside。Onekneltonitsheadandtwistedbackitsforeleginasortofhammer-lock；theotherseizedonehindfoot，pressedhisbootheelagainsttheotherhindlegclosetothebody，andsatdownbehindtheanimal。Thusthecalfwasunabletostruggle。Whenonceyouhavehadthewindknockedoutofyou，oraribortwobroken，youceasetothinkthisunnecessarilyrough。Thenoneortheotherthrewofftherope。
Homerrodeaway，coilingtheropeashewent。
"Hotiron！"yelledoneofthebull-doggers。
"Marker！"yelledtheother。
Immediatelytwomenranforward。Thebranderpressedtheironsmoothlyagainsttheflank。Asmokeandthesmellofscorchinghairarose。Perhapsthecalfblattedalittleastheheatscorched。Inabriefmomentitwasover。Thebrandshowedcherry，whichisthepropercolourtoindicateduepeelingandasuccessfulmark。
Inthemeantimethemarkerwasengagedinhiswork。First，withasharpknifehecutoffslantingtheupperquarterofoneear。
Thenhenickedoutaswallow-tailintheother。ThepieceshethrustintohispocketinorderthatatthecompletionoftheworkhecouldthuschecktheCattleman"stally-boardastothenumberofcalvesbranded。[3]Thebull-doggerletgo。Thecalfsprangup，wasappropriatedandsmelledoverbyhisworriedmother，andthetwodepartedintotheherdtotalkitover。
[3]Forthebenefitofthesqueamishitmightbewelltonotethatthefragmentsoftheearswerecartilaginous，andthereforenotbloody。
Itseemstomethatagreatdealofunnecessarytwaddleisabroadastotheextremecrueltyofbranding。Undoubtedlyitistosomeextentpainful，andcouldsomeothermethodofreadyidentificationbedevised，itmightbeaswelltoadoptitinpreference。Butinthecircumstanceofafreerange，thousandsofcattle，andhundredsofowners，anyothermethodisoutofthequestion。IrememberaNewEnglandmovementlookingtowardsmallbrasstagstobehungfromtheear。InextinguishablelaughterfollowedthespreadofthisdoctrinethroughArizona。Imagineapuncherdescendingtoexaminepolitelytheear-tagsofwildcattleontheopenrangeorinaround-up。
But，asIhaveintimated，eventheinevitablebrandingandear-markingarenotsopainfulasonemightsuppose。Thescorchinghardlypenetratesbelowtheoutertoughskin——onlyenoughtokilltherootsofthehair——besideswhichitmustberememberedthatcattlearenotsosensitiveasthehighernervousorganisms。Acalfusuallybellowswhentheironbites，butassoonasreleasedhealmostinvariablygoestofeedingortolookingidlyabout。Indeed，Ihaveneverseenoneeventakethetroubletolickhiswounds，whichiscertainlynottrueinthecaseoftheinjuriestheyinflictoneachotherinfighting。
Besideswhich，ithappensbutonceinalifetime，andisoverintenseconds；acomfortdeniedtothoseofuswhohaveourteethfilled。
Inthemeantimetwoothercalveshadbeenropedbythetwoothermen。Oneofthelittleanimalswasbutafewmonthsold，sotheriderdidnotbotherwithitshindlegs，buttossedhisloopoveritsneck。Naturally，whenthingstightenedup，Mr。Calfenteredhisobjections，whichtooktheformofmostvigorousbawlings，andthemostcomicalbucking，pitching，cavorting，andboundingintheair。Mr。Frost"sbull-calfaloneinpictorialhistoryshowstheattitudes。Andthen，ofcourse，therewasthegorgeouscontrastbetweenallthisfranticanduncomprehendingexcitementandtheabsolutematter-of-factimperturbabilityofhorseandrider。Onceatthefire，oneofthemenseizedthetightenedropeinonehand，reachedwellovertheanimal"sbacktogetaslackoftheloosehidenextthebelly，liftedstrongly，andtripped。Thisiscalled"bull-dogging。"Asheknewhisbusiness，andasthecalfwasasmallone，thelittlebeastwentoverpromptly，bitthegroundwithawhack，andwaspounceduponandheld。
Suchgoodluckdidnotalwaysfollow，however。Anoccasionalandexceedinglyhuskybullyearlingdeclinedtobeupsetinanysuchmanner。Hewouldcatchhimselfononefoot，scramblevigorously，andendbystrugglingbacktotheupright。Thententoonehemadeadashtogetaway。Insuchcasehewasgenerallysnubbedupshortenoughattheendoftherope；butonceortwicehesucceededinrunningaroundagroupabsorbedinbranding。Youcanimaginewhathappenednext。Therope，attachedatoneendtoaconscientiousandimmovablehorseandattheothertoarecklessandvigorouslittlebull，sweptitstautanddestroyingwayaboutmid-kneehighacrossthatgroup。Thebranderandmarker，whowerestanding，promptlysatdownhard；thebull-doggers，whoweresitting，immediatelyturnedseveralmostcapablesomersaults；theothercalfaroseandinextricablyentangledhisropewiththatofhisaccomplice。Hotirons，hotlanguage，anddustfilledtheair。
Anothermethod，andonerequiringslightlymoreknack，istograsptheanimal"stailandthrowitbyaquickjerkacrossthepressureoftherope。Thisisproductiveofsomefunifitfails。
Bynowthebrandingwasinfullswing。Thethreehorsescameandwentphlegmatically。Whenthenoosesfell，theyturnedandwalkedtowardthefireasamatterofcourse。Rarelydidthecastfail。Menrantoandfrobusyandintent。Sometimesthreeorfourcalveswereonthegroundatonce。Criesaroseinaconfusion："Marker""Hotiron！""Tallyone！"Dusteddiedanddissipated。Behindallwereclearsunlightandtheorganrollofthecattlebellowing。
Towardthemiddleofthemorningthebull-doggersbegantogetalittletired。
"Nomoreneckedcalves，"theyannounced。"Catch"embythehindlegs，orbull-dog"emyourself。"
Andthatwent。Onceinawhiletherider，lazy，orcareless，orbotheredbythepressofnumbers，draggedupavictimcaughtbytheneck。Thebull-doggersflatlyrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithit。Anobviouswayoutwouldhavebeentoflipofftheloopandtryagain；butofcoursethatwouldhaveamountedtoaconfessionofwrong。
"Youfellowsdrivemeplumbweary，"remarkedtherider，slowlydismounting。"Alittlebitofacalflikethat！Whatyouallneedisaniggertocutupyourfoodforyou！"
Thenhewouldspitonhishandsandgoatitalone。Ifluckattendedhisfirsteffort，hissarcasmwasprofound。
"There"syorelittlecalf，"saidhe。"Wouldyouliketohavemetoteittoyou，ordoyoureckonyoucouldtoddlethisfarwithyorelittleoldiron？"
Butifthecalfgavemuchtrouble，thenallworkceasedwhiletheunfortunatepuncherwrestleditdown。
Towardnoontheworkslacked。Unbrandedcalveswerescarce。
Sometimesthemenrodehereandthereforaminuteorsobeforetheireyesfellonapairofuncroppedears。FinallyHomerrodeovertotheCattlemanandreportedthebrandingfinished。Thelattercountedthemarksinhistally-book。
"Onehundredandseventy-six，"heannounced。
Themarkers，squattedontheirheels，toldoverthebitsofearstheyhadsaved。Thetotalamountedtobutanhundredandseventy-five。Everybodywenttosearchingforthemissingbit。
Itwasnotforth-coming。FinallyWoodendiscovereditinhishippocket。
"Felthertharallthetime，"saidhe，"butthoughtitmustshorelybeachawoftobacco。"
Thismattersatisfactorilyadjusted，themenallranfortheirponies。Theyhadbeendoingawrestler"sheavyworkallthemorning，butdidnotseemtobetired。Isawonceinsomecrankphysicalcultureperiodicalthatacowboy"slifewasphysicallyill-balanced，likeanoarsman"s，inthatitexercisedonlycertainmusclesofthebody。Thewritershouldbeturnedlooseinabrandingcorral。
Throughthewidegatesthecattlewereurgedouttotheopenplain。Theretheywereheldforoveranhourwhilethecowswanderedaboutlookingfortheirlostprogeny。Acowknowshercalfbyscentandsound，notbysight。Thereforethenoisewasdeafening，andthemotionincessant。
Finallythelastandmostfoolishcowfoundthelastandmostfoolishcalf。Weturnedtheherdloosetohuntwaterandgrassatitsownpleasure，andwentslowlybacktochuck。
CHAPTERNINE
THEOLDTIMER
Aboutaweeklater，inthecourseoftheround-up，wereachedthevalleyoftheBoxSprings，wherewecampedforsomedaysatthedilapidatedandabandonedadobestructurethathadoncebeenaranchhouseofsomeimportance。
Justatduskoneafternoonwefinishedcuttingtheherdwhichourmorning"sdrivehadcollected。Thestray-herd，withitsnewadditionsfromtheday"swork，wepushedrapidlyintoonebigstockcorral。Thecowsandunbrandedcalvesweurgedintoanother。Fiftyheadofbeefsteersfoundasylumfromdust，heat，andracingtoandfro，inthemilesquarewireenclosurecalledthepasture。Alltheremainder，forwhichwehadnofurtherusewedroveoutoftheflatintothebrushandtowardthedistantmountains。Thenweletthemgoasbestpleasedthem。
Bynowthedesertbadturnedslate-coloured，andthebrushwasolivegreenwithevening。Thehard，uncompromisingranges，twentymilestoeastward，hadsoftenedbehindawonderfulveilofpurpleandpink，vividasthechiffonofagirl"sgown。TothesouthandsouthwesttheChiricahuasandDragoonswerelostinthundercloudswhichflashedandrumbled。
Wejoggedhomewards，ourcuttingponies，tiredwiththequick，sharpwork，shufflingkneedeepinaduskthatseemedtodisengageitselfandriseupwardsfromthesurfaceofthedesert。
Everybodywashungryandtired。Atthechuckwagonwethrewoffoursaddlesandturnedthemountsintotheremuda。Someofthewisestofus，rememberingthethunderclouds，stackedourgearundertheverandaroofoftheoldranchhouse。
Supperwasready。Weseizedthetinbattery，filledtheplateswiththemeat，bread，andcannedcorn，andsquattedonourheels。
Thefoodwasgood，andweatehugelyinsilence。Whenwecouldholdnomorewelitpipes。Thenwehadleisuretonoticethatthestormcloudwasmountinginaportentoussilencetothezenith，quenchingthebrilliantdesertstars。
"Rolls"werescatteredeverywhere。Arollincludesacowboy"sbedandallofhispersonalbelongings。Whentheoutfitincludesabed-wagon，therollassumesbulkyproportions。
Assoonaswehadcometoadefiniteconclusionthatitwasgoingtorain，wedesertedthecampfireandwentrustlingforourblankets。Attheendoftenminuteseverybedwassafewithinthedoorsoftheabandonedadoberanchhouse，eachownerrecumbentonthefloorclaimhehadpre-empted，andeverymanhopingferventlythathehadguessedrightastothelocationofleaks。
Ordinarilywehaddependedonthelightofcampfires，sonowartificialilluminationlacked。Eachmanwasindicatedbythealternatelyglowingandwaninglozengeofhiscigarettefire。
Occasionallysomeonestruckamatch，revealingforamomenthigh-lightsonbronzedcountenances，andthesilhouetteofashadinghand。Voicesspokedisembodied。Astheconversationdeveloped，wegraduallyrecognisedthemembershipofourownroomful。Ihadforgottentostatethattheranchhouseincludedfourchambers。Outside，therainroaredwithArizonaferocity。
Inside，mencongratulatedthemselves，orsworeasleaksdevelopedandlocalised。
Naturallywetalkedfirstofstampedes。Cowsandbearsarethetwogreatcattle-countrytopics。Thenwehadamouth-organsoloortwo，whichnaturallyledontosongs。Myturncame。Istruckupthefirstverseofasailorchanteyaspossessingatleasttheinterestofnovelty：
Oh，oncewewerea-sailing，a-sailingwerewe，Blowhigh，blowlow，whatcarewe；
Andwewerea-sailingtoseewhatwecouldsee，DownonthecoastoftheHighBarbaree。