第5章
IhadjustgonesofarwhenIwasbroughtupshortbyatremendousoathbehindme。Atthesameinstantamatchflared。
Iturnedtofaceastrangerholdingthelittlelightabovehishead，andpeeringwithfieryintentnessoverthegroupsprawledaboutthefloor。
Hewasevidentlyjustinfromthestorm。Hisdrippinghatlayathisfeet。Ashockofstraight，close-clippedvigoroushairstoodupgreyabovehisseamedforehead。Bushyiron-greyeyebrowsdrawnclosetogetherthatchedapairofburning，unquenchableeyes。Asquare，deepjaw，lightlystubbledwithgrey，wasclampedsotightthatthecheekmusclesaboveitstoodoutinknotsandwelts。
Thenthematchburnedhisthick，squarefingers，andhedroppeditintothedarknessthatascendedtoswallowit。
"Whowassingingthatsong？"hecriedharshly。Nobodyanswered。
"Whowasthatsinging？"hedemandedagain。
BythistimeIhadrecoveredfrommyfirstastonishment。
"Iwassinging，"saidI。
Anothermatchwasinstantlylitandthrustintomyveryface。I
underwentthefiercescrutinyofaninstant，thenthetaperwasthrownawayhalfconsumed。
"Wheredidyoulearnit？"thestrangeraskedinanalteredvoice。
"Idon"tremember，"Ireplied；"itisacommonenoughdeep-seachantey。"
Aheavypausefell。Finallythestrangersighed。
"Quitelike，"hesaid；"Ineverheardbutonemansingit。"
"Whoinhellareyou？"someonedemandedoutofthedarkness。
Beforereplying，thenewcomerlitathirdmatch，searchingforaplacetositdown。Ashebentforward，hisstrong，harshfaceoncemorecameclearlyintoview。
"He"sColoradoRogers，"theCattlemanansweredforhim；"Iknowhim。"
"Well，"insistedthefirstvoice，"whatinhelldoesColoradoRogersmeanbybustin"inonoursongfiestathatway？"
"Tellthem，Rogers，"advisedtheCattleman，"tellthem——justasyoutolditdownontheGilatenyearsagonextmonth。"
"What？"inquiredRogers。"Whoareyou？"
"Youdon"tknowme，"repliedtheCattleman，"butIwaswithBuckJohnson"soutfitthen。Giveustheyarn。"
"Well，"agreedRogers，"passoverthe"makings"andIwill。"
Herolledandlitacigarette，whileIrevelledinthememoryofhisrich，greatvoice。Itwasofthesortmadetodeclaimagainsttheseaortherushofriversor，ashere，thefallofwatersandthethunder——full，fromthechest，withthecaressingthroatvibrationthatgivescolourtothemostordinarystatements。Aftertenwordswesankbackobliviousofthestorm，forgetfuloftheleakyroofandthedirtyfloor，lostinthestorytoldusbytheOldTimer。
CHAPTERTEN
THETEXASRANGERS
IcamefromTexas，likethebulkofyoupunchers，butagoodwhilebeforethemostofyouwereborn。Thatwasforty-oddyearsago——andI"vebeenontheColoradoRivereversince。That"swhytheycallmeColoradoRogers。Aboutadozenofuscameouttogether。WehadallbeenTexasRangers，butwhenthewarbrokeoutwewereoutofajob。WenoneofuscaredmuchfortheJohnnyRebs，andstilllessfortheYanks，sowestruckoverlandfortheWest，withtheideaofhittingtheCaliforniadiggings。
Well，wegotswitchedoffonewayandanother。WhenwegotdowntoaboutwhereDouglasisnow，wefoundthattheMexicanGovernmentwasofferingabountyforApachescalps。Thatlookedprettygoodtous，forInjinchasingwasourjob，sowestartedintocollect。Didprettywell，too，foraboutthreemonths，andthentheInjinsbegantogettooscarce，ortooplentyinstreaks。Lookedlikeourjobwasoverwith，butsomeoftheboysdiscoveredthatMexicans，havingstraightblackhair，youcouldn"ttelloneoftheirscalpsfromanApache"s。Afterthatthebountybusinesspickedupforawhile。Itwastoomuchforme，though，andIquittheoutfitandpushedonaloneuntilI
strucktheColoradoaboutwhereYumaisnow。
AtthattimetheCaliforniaimmigrantsbythesouthernrouteusedtocrossjustthere，andtheseYumaInjinshadamonopolyontheferrybusiness。Theywereapeaceful，fine-lookinglot，withoutathingonbutagee-string。Thewomenhadbeltswithrawhidestringshangingtotheknees。Theyputthemononeovertheotheruntiltheydidn"tfeeltoodecollotey。Itwasn"tuntilthesoldierscamethattheofficers"wivesgotthemtowearhandkerchiefsovertheirbreasts。Thesystemwasallright，though。Theywallowedaroundinthehot，cleansand，likechickens，andkepthealthy。Sincetheytooktowearingclothesthey"vebeenpeteringout，anddyingofdirtandassorteddiseases。
Theyranthisferrymonopolybymeansofboatsmadeoftules，chargedascand"louslowprice，andeverythingwashappyandlovely。Iranonalittlebarandpannedoutsomedust，soI
campedawhile，washinggold，gettingfriendlywiththeYumas，andtalkinghorseandotherthingswiththeimmigrants。
Aboutamonthofthis，andtheTexasboysdriftedin。Seemstheysortofoverdidthescalpmatter，andgotfoundout。Whentheysawme，theystoppedandwentintocamp。They"dtravelledaheapofdesert，andweregettingsickofit。Forawhiletheytriedgoldwashing，butIhadtheonlypocket——andthatwasaboutskinned。OneeveningafellownamedWalleyeannouncedthathehadbeendoingsomefiguring，andwantedtomakeaspeech。Wetoldhimtofireahead。
"Nowlookhere，"saidhe，"what"stheuseofgoingtoCalifornia？
Whynotstayhere？"
"Whatinhellwouldwedohere？"someoneasked。"CollectGilamonstersfortheirgoodlooks？"
"Don"tgetgay，"saidWalleye。"What"sthematterwithgoingintobusiness？Here"saheapofpeoplegoingthrough，andmorecomingeveryday。Thisferrybusinesscouldbemadetopaybig。
ThemInjinschargestwobitsahead。That"sacrimefortheonlywayacross。Andhowmuchdoyousupposewhisky"dbeworthtodrinkafterthatdesert？Andaman"ssosickofhimselfbythetimehegetsthisfarthathe"dplaychuck-a-luck，letalonefaroormonte。"
Thatkindoftalkhitthemwheretheylived，andYumawasfoundedrightthenandthere。Theyhadn"tanywhiskyyet，butcardswereplenty，andtheferrymonopolywastooeasy。WalleyeservednoticeontheInjinsthatadollaraheadwent；andweallsettobuildingatuleraftliketheothers。Thenthewildbunchgotuneasy，sotheywalkedupstreamonemorningandstoletheInjins"
boats。TheInjinscameaftertheminnocentasbabies，thinkingtherafthadgoneadrift。Whentheygotintocampourmenopenedupandkilledfourofthemasakindofhint。Afterthattheferrycompanydidn"thaveanytrouble。TheYumasmovedupriveraways，wherethey"velivedeversince。Theygotthecorpsesandburiedthem。Thatis，theydugatrenchforeachoneandlaidpolesacrossit，withafuneralpyreonthepoles。Thentheyputthebodyontop，andthewomenofthefamilycuttheirhairoffandthrewiton。Afterthattheysetfiretotheoutfit，and，whenthepolesbadburnedthrough，thewholebusinessfellintothetrenchofitsownaccord。Itwastheneatest，automatic，self-cocking，double-actionsortofafuneralIeversaw。Therewasn"tanyceremony——onlycrying。
Theferrybusinessflourishedatpriceswhichweresometimeshardtocollect。Butitwasacaseofpayorgoback，anditwasatur"blelongwaysback。Wegotustimbersandmadeascow；builtabaileandsaloonandhousesoutofadobe；andcalledherYuma，aftertheInjinsthathadreallystartedher。WegotoursuppliesthroughtheGulfofCalifornia，wheresailingboatsworkeduptheriver。Peoplebegantocomeinforonereasonoranother，andfirstthingweknewwehadastoreandallsortsoftrimmings。Infactwewasareallivetown。
CHAPTERELEVEN
THESAILORWITHONEHAND
Atthismomenttheheavybeatofthestormontheroofceasedwithmiraculoussuddenness，leavingtheoutsideworldemptyofsoundsavefortheDRIP，DRIP，DRIPofeaves。Nobodyventuredtofillinthepausethatfollowedthestranger"slastwords，soinamomenthecontinuedhisnarrative。
Wehadeverysortofpeoplewithusoffandon，and，asIwaslookoutatapopulargame，Isawthemall。OneeveningIwasonmywayhomeabouttwoo"clockofamoonlitnight，whenontheedgeoftheshadowIstumbledoverabodylyingpartacrossthefootway。AtthesameinstantIheardtheripofsteelthroughclothandfeltasharpstabinmyleftleg。ForaminuteI
thoughtsomedrunkhadusedhisknifeonme，andImightynearderringeredhimashelay。ButsomehowIdidn"t，andlookingcloser，Isawthemanwasunconscious。ThenIscoutedtoseewhathadcutme，andfoundthatthefellowhadlostahand。Inplaceofitheworeasharpsteelhook。ThisIhadtangledupwithandgottenwellpricked。
Idraggedhimoutintothelight。Hewasaslim-builtyoungfellow，withstraightblackhair，longandlankandoily，aleanface，andbighookednose。Hehadononlyathinshirt，apairofroughwoolpants，andtherawhidehome-madezapatostheMexicansworetheninsteadofboots。Acrosshisforeheadranalonggash，cuttinghislefteyebrowsquareintwo。
Therewasnodoubtofhisbeingalive，forhewasbreathinghard，likeamandoeswhenhegetshitoverthehead。Itdidn"tsoundgood。Whenamanbreathesthatwayhe"smostlyallgone。
Well，itwasreallynoneofmybusiness，asyoumightsay。Mengotbattedovertheheadoftenenoughinthosedays。ButforsomereasonIpickedhimupandcarriedhimtomy"dobeshack，andlaidhimout，andwashedhiscutwithsourwine。Thatbroughthimto。Sourwineisfinetoputawoundinshapetoheal，butit"snosoothingsyrup。Hesatupasthoughhe"dbeentouchedwithahotpoker，staredaroundwild-eyed，andcutloosewiththatsongyouweresinging。Onlyitwasn"tthatverse。
Itwasanotheronefurtheralong，thatwentlikethis：
Theircoffinwastheirship，andtheirgraveitwasthesea，Blowhigh，blowlow，whatcarewe；
Andthequarterthatwegavethemwastosinktheminthesea，DownonthecoastoftheHighBarbaree。
Itfairmademyhairrisetohearhim，withthebig，still，solemndesertoutside，andthequietmoonlight，andtheshadows，andhimsittingupstraightandgaunt，hiseyesblazingeachsidehisbigeaglenose，andhissnakyhairhangingovertherawcutacrosshishead。However，Imadeouttogethimbandagedupandinshape；andprettysoonhesortofwenttosleep。
Well，hewascleanoutofhisheadfornightwoweeks。Mostofthetimehelayflatonhisbackstaringatthepoleroof，hiseyesburningandlookingliketheysaweachonesomethingadifferentdistanceoff，thewaycrazyeyesdo。Thatwaswhenhewasbest。Thenagainhe"dsingthatBarbareesonguntilI"dgooutandlookattheoldColoradoflowingbyjusttobesureI
hadn"tdiedandgonebelow。Orelsehe"djusttalk。Thatwastheworstperformanceofall。Itwaslikelisteningtooneendofatelephone，thoughwedidn"tknowwhattelephoneswereinthosedays。Hebeganwhenbewasakid，andhegavehissideofconversations，pausingforreplies。Icouldmightynearfurnishtherepliessometimes。Itwasqueerlingo——aboutshipsandships"officersandgalesandcalmsandfightsandpearlsandwhalesandislandsandbirdsandskies。Butitwasalllittlestuff。Iusedtolistenbythehour，butInevermadeoutanythingreallyimportantastowhothemanwas，orwherehe"dcomefrom，orwhathe"ddone。
AttheendofthesecondweekIcameinatnoonasperusualtofixhimupwithgrub。Ididn"tpayanyattentiontohim，forhewasquiet。AsIwasbendingoverthefirehespoke。UsuallyI
didn"tbotherwithhistalk，foritdidn"tmeananything，butsomethinginhisvoicemademeturn。Hewaslyingonhisside，thoseblackeyesofhisblazingatme，butnowbothofthemsawthesamedistance。
"Wherearemyclothes？"heasked，veryintense。
"Youain"tinanyshapetowantclothes，"saidI。"Liestill。"
Ihadn"tanymorethangotthewordsoutofmymouthbeforehewasatopme。Hismethodwasawinner。Hehadmebythethroatwithhishand，andIfeltthepointofthehookprickingthebackofmyneck。Onelittlesqueeze——Talkaboutyourdeadlyweapons！
Buthe"dbeentoosickandtoolongabed。Heturneddizzyandkeeledover，andIdumpedhimbackonthebunk。ThenIputmysix-shooteron。
Inaminuteorsohecameto。
"Nowyou"reanice，sweetproposition，"saidI，assoonasIwassurehecouldunderstandme。"HereIpickyouuponthestreetandsaveyourworthlesscarcass，andthefirstchanceyougetyoutrytocrawlmyhump。
Explain。"
"Where"smyclothes？"hedemandedagain，veryfierce。
"Forheaven"ssake，"Iyelledathim，"what"sthematterwithyouandyouroldclothes？Thereain"tenoughofthemtodustafiddlewithanyway。WhatdoyouthinkI"dwantwiththem？
They"resafeenough。""
"Letmehavethem，"hebegged。
"Now，lookhere，"saidI，"youcan"tgetupto-day。Youain"tfit。"
"Iknow，"hepleaded，"butletmeseethem。"
JusttosatisfyhimIpassedoverhisoldduds。
"I"vebeenrobbed，"hecried。
"Well，"saidI，"whatdidyouexpectwouldhappentoyoulyingaroundYumaaftermidnightwithaholeinyourhead？"
"Where"smycoat？"heasked。
"YouhadnocoatwhenIpickedyouup，"Ireplied。
Helookedatmemightysuspicious，butdidn"tsayanythingmore——
hewouldn"tevenanswerwhenIspoketohim。Afterhe"deatenafairmealhefellasleep。WhenIcamebackthateveningthebunkwasemptyandhewasgone。
Ididn"tseehimagainfortwodays。ThenIcaughtsightofhimquiteawaysoff。Henoddedatmeverysour，anddodgedaroundthecornerofthestore。
"GuesshesuspicionsIstolethatoldcoatofhis，"thinksI；andafterwardsIfoundthatmysurmisehadbeencorrect。
However，hedidn"tstaylonginthatframeofmind。Itwasalongtowardsevening，andIwaswalkingonthebankslookingdownoverthemuddyoldColorado，asIalwayslikedtodo。Thesunhadjustset，andthemountainshadturnedhardandstiff，astheydoaftertheglow，andtheskyabovethemwasathousandmillionmilesdeepofpalegreen-goldlight。ApairofGreaserswereaheadofme，butIcouldseeonlytheiroutlines，andtheydidn"tseemtointerfereanywiththescenery。Suddenlyablackfigureseemedtoriseupoutoftheground；theMexicanmanwentdownasthoughhe"dbeenjerkedwithastring，andthewomanscreeched。
Iranup，pullingmygun。TheMexwasflatonhisface，hisarmsstretchedout。Onthemiddleofhisbackkneltmyone-armedfriend。AndthatsharphookwascaughtneatlyunderthepointoftheMexican"sjaw。Youbethelaystill。
IreallythinkIwasjustintimetosavetheman"slife。
AccordingtomybeliefanotherminutewouldhaveburiedthehookintheMexican"sneck。Anyway，IthrustthemuzzleofmyColt"sintothesailor"sface。
"What"sthis？"Iasked。
Thesailorlookedupatmewithoutchanginghisposition。Hewasnottheleastbitafraid。
"Thismanhasmycoat，"heexplained。
"Where"dyougetthecoat？"IaskedtheMex。
"IweenheematmonteoffAntonioCurvez，"saidhe。
"Maybe，"growledthesailor。
Hestillheldthehookundertheman"sjaw，butwiththeotherhandheranrapidlyunderandovertheMexican"sleftshoulder。
InthehalflightIcouldseehisfacechange。Thegleamdiedfromhiseye；thesnarllefthislips。Withoutfurtherdelayhearosetohisfeet。
"Getupandgiveithere！"hedemanded。
TheMexicanwasonlytoogladtogetoffsoeasy。Idon"tknowwhetherhe"dreallywonthecoatatmonteornot。Inanycase，heflewpocopronto，leavingmeandmyfriendtogether。
Themanwiththehookfelttheleftshoulderofthecoatagain，lookedup，metmyeye，mutteredsomethingintendedtobepleasant，andwalkedaway。
ThiswasinDecember。
Duringthenexttwomonthshewasagooddealabouttown，mostlydoingoddjobs。Isawhimoffandon。Healwaysspoketomeaspleasantlyasheknewhow，andoncemadesomesortofabluffaboutpayingmebackformytroubleinbringinghimaround。
However，Ididn"tpaymuchattentiontothat，beingatthetimealmightybusyholdingdownmycardgames。
ThelastdayofFebruaryIwassittinginmyshacksmokingapipeaftersupper，whenmyone-armedfriendopenedthedoorafoot，slippedin，andshutitimmediately。BythetimehelookedtowardsmeIknewwheremysix-shooterwas。
"That"sallright，"saidI，"butyoubetterstayrightthere。"
Iintendedtotakenomorechanceswiththathook。
Hestoodtherelookingstraightatmewithoutwinkingorofferingtomove。
"Whatdoyouwant？"Iasked。
"Iwanttomakeuptoyouforyourtrouble，"saidhe。"I"vegotagoodthing，andIwanttoletyouinonit。"
"Whatkindofagoodthing？"Iasked。
"Treasure，"saidhe。
"H"m，"saidI。
Iexaminedhimclosely。Helookedallrightenough，neitherdrunknorloco。
"Sitdown，"saidI——"overthere；theothersidethetable。"Hedidso。"Now，fireaway，"saidI。
HetoldmehisnamewasSolomonAnderson，butthathewasgenerallyknownasHandySolomon，onaccountofhishook；thathehadalwaysfollowedthesea；thatlatelyhehadcoastedthewestshoresofMexico；thatatGuaymashehadfalleninwithSpanishfriends，incompanywithwhomhehadvisitedtheminesintheSierraMadre；thatonthisexpeditionthepartyhadbeenattackedbyYaquisandwipedout，healonesurviving；thathisblanket-matebeforeexpiringhadtoldhimofgoldburiedinacoveofLowerCaliforniabytheman"sgrandfather；thatthemanhadgivenhimachartshowingthelocationofthetreasure；thathehadsewnthischartintheshoulderofhiscoat，whencehissuspicionofmeandhisbeingsolocoaboutgettingitback。
"Andit"sabigthing，"saidHandySolomontome，"forthey"snotonlygold，butaltarjewelsanddiamonds。Itwillmakeusrich，andadozenlikeus，andyoucankisstheBookonthat。"
"Thatmayallbetrue，"saidI，"butwhydoyoutellme？Whydon"tyougetyourtreasurewithouttheneedofdividingit？"
"Why，mate，"heanswered，"it"sjustplaingratitude。Didn"tyousavemylife，andnussme，andtakecareofmewhenIwasnighkilled？"
"Lookhere，Anderson，orHandySolomon，orwhateveryoupleasetocallyourself，"Irejoinedtothis，"ifyou"regoingtodobusinesswithme——andIdonotunderstandyetjustwhatitisyouwantofme——you"llhavetotalkstraight。It"sallverywelltosaygratitude，butthatdon"tgowithme。You"vebeenaroundherethreemonths，andbarringahalf-dozencivilwordsandtwiceasmanyoftheotherkind，I"vefailedtoseeanyindicationsofyourgratitudebefore。It"saqualitywithahellofahang-firetoit。"
Helookedatmesideways，spat，andlookedatmesidewaysagain。
Thenheburstintoalaugh。
"Thedevil"sapreacher，ifyouain"tlostyourpinfeathers，""
saidhe。"Well，it"sthisthen：Igottohaveaboattogetthere；andshemustbestocked。AndIgottohavehelpwiththetreasure，ifit"slikethisfellowsaiditwas。AndtheYaquisandcannibalsfromTiburonisthroughthecountry。It"smoneyI
gottohave，andit"smoneyIhaven"tgot，andcan"tgetunlessI
letsomebodyinaspardner。"
"Whyme？"Iasked。
"Whynot？"heretorted。"Iain"tseeanybodyIlikebetter。"
Wetalkedthematteroveratlength。Ihadtoforcehimtoeachpoint，forsuspicionwasstronginhim。Istoodoutforalargerparty。Hestronglyopposedthisasdepreciatingtheshares，butIhadnointentionofgoingaloneintowhatwasthenconsideredawildanddangerouscountry。Finallywecompromised。Athirdofthetreasurewastogotohim，athirdtome，andtherestwastobedividedamongthemenwhomIshouldselect。Thisschemedidnotappealtohim。
"HowdoIknowyouplaysfair？"hecomplained。"They"llbefourofyoutooneofme；andIdon"tlikeit，andyoucankisstheBookonthat。"
"Ifyoudon"tlikeit，leaveit，"saidI，"andgetout，andbedamnedtoyou。"
Finallyheagreed；butherefusedmealookatthechart，sayingthathehadleftitinasafeplace。Ibelieveinrealityhewantedtobesurerofme，andforthatIcanhardlyblamehim。
CHAPTERTWELVE
THEMURDERONTHEBEACH
Atthismomentthecookstuckhisheadinattheopendoor。
"Say，youfellows，"hecomplained，"Igottobeupatthreeo"clock。Ain"tyounevergoingtoturnin？"
"Shutup，Doctor！""Somebodykillhim！""Here，sitdownandlistentothisyarn！"yelledasavagechorus。
Thereensuedaslightscuffle，afewobjections。Thensilence，andthestrangertookuphisstory。
IhadachumnamedBillySimpson，andIrunghiminforfriendship。Thentherewasasolemn，tallTexasyoungfellow，strongasabull，straightandtough，broughtupfightingInjins。
Heneversaidmuch，butIknewhe"dberighttherewhenthegongstruck。ForfourthmanIpickedoutaGermannamedSchwartz。HeandSimpsonhadjustcomebackfromtheminestogether。ItookhimbecausehewasafriendofBilly"s，andbesideswasyoungandstrong，andwastheonlymanintownexceptingthesailor，Anderson，whoknewanythingaboutrunningaboat。IforgottosaythattheTexasfellowwasnamedDenton。
HandySolomonhadhisboatallpickedout。ItbelongedtosomeBasqueswhohadsailedheraroundfromCalifornia。ImustsaywhenIsawherIfeltinclinedtorenig，forshewasn"tmore"nabouttwenty-fivefeetlong，wasopenexceptforalittlesortofcubbyholeupinthefrontofher，hadonemast，andwaspointedatbothends。However，Schwartzsaidshewasallright。Heclaimedheknewthekind；thatshewasthesortusedbyFrenchfishermen，andcouldstandallsortsoftrouble。Shedidn"tlookit。
WeworkedheruptoYuma，partlywithoarsandpartlybysails。
Thenweloadedherwithgrubforamonth。Eachofushadhisownweapons，ofcourse。Inadditionweputinpicksandshovels，andasmallcaskofwater。HandySolomonsaidthatwouldbeenough，astherewaswatermarkeddownonhischart。Wetoldthegangthatweweregoingtrading。
Attheendoftheweekwestarted，andwereoutfourdays。Therewasn"tmuchroom，whatwiththesuppliesandthebaggage，forthefiveofus。Wehadtocurlup"mostanywherestosleep。Anditcertainlyseemedtomethatwewereinlotsofdanger。Thewavesweremuchbiggerthanshewas，andsplashedonusconsiderable，butSchwartzandAndersondidn"tseemtomind。Theylaughedatus。Andersonsangthatsongofhis，andSchwartztoldusoftheplacershehadworked。HeandSimpsonhadmadeaprettygoodclean-up，justenoughtomakethemwanttogetrich。ThefirstdayoutSimpsonshowedusabeltwithaboutanhundredouncesofdust。Thishegottiredofwearing，sohekeptitinacompass-box，whichwasempty。
Attheendofthefourdaysweturnedinatadeepbayandcametoanchor。Thecountrywastheusualproposition——verylight-brown，brittle-lookingmountains，abouttwothousandfeethigh；lotsofsageandcactus，apebblybeach，andnotasignofanythingfreshandgreen。
ButDentonandIweremightygladtoseeanysortofland。
Besides，ourkegofwaterwasprettylow，anditwasgettingabouttimetodiscoverthespringthechartspokeof。Sowepiledourcampstuffinthesmallboatandrowedashore。
Andersonledthewayconfidentlyenoughupadryarroyo，whosesideswereclayandconglomerate。But，thoughwefollowedittotheend，wecouldfindnoindicationsthatitwasanythingmorethanawashforrainfloods。
"That"smainqueer，"mutteredAnderson，andreturnedtothebeach。
Therehespreadoutthechart——thefirstlookatitwe"dhad——andsettostudyingit。
ItwasacarefulpieceofworkdoneinIndiaink，prettyold，tojudgebythelookofit，andwithallsortsofpicturesofmountainsanddolphinsandshipsandanchorsaroundtheedge。
Therewasourbay，allright。Twocrossesweremarkedonthelandpart——onelabelled"oro"andtheother"agua。"
"Nowthere"sthehighcliff，"saysAnderson，followingitout，"andthere"stheroundhillwiththeboulder——andifthembearingsdon"tpointdueforthatravine，thedevil"sapreacher。"
Wetrieditagain，withthesameresult。Asecondinspectionofthemapbroughtusnolightonthequestion。Wetalkeditover，andlookedatitfromallpoints，butwecouldn"tdodgethetruth：thechartwaswrong。
Thenweexploredseveralofthenearestgullies，butwithoutfindinganythingbutloosestonesbakedhotinthesun。
Bynowitwasgettingtowardssundown，sowebuiltusafireofmesquiteonthebeach，madeussupper，andboiledapotofbeans。
Wetalkeditover。Thewaterwasaboutgone。
"That"swhatwe"vegottofindfirst，"saidSimpson，"noquestionofit。It"sGodknowshowfartothenextwater，andwedon"tknowhowlongitwilltakeustogetthereinthatlittleboat。
Ifwerunourwaterentirelyoutbeforewestart，we"regoingtobeintrouble。We"llhaveagoodlookto-morrow，andifwedon"tfindher，we"llrundowntoMollyhay[4]andgetafewextracasks。"
[4]Mulege-IretaintheOldTimer"spronunciation。
"Perhapsthatmapiswrongaboutthetreasure，too，"suggestedDenton。
"Ithoughtofthat，"saidHandySolomon，"butthen，thinksItomyself，thisoldripprobablydon"tmakenolongstayhere——justdodgesinandoutlike，betweentides，toburyhisloot。Hewouldneednowateratthetime；buthemightwhenhecameback，sohemarkedthewateronhismap。Buthewasn"tnowaysparticularANDexact，beinginahurry。ButyoucankisstheBooktoitthathedidn"tmakenosuchmistakesabouttheswag。"
"Ibelieveyou"reright，"saidI。
Whenwecametoturnin，Andersonsuggestedthatheshouldsleepaboardtheboat。ButBillySimpson，inmindperhapsofthehundredouncesinthecompass-box，insistedthathe"djustassoonasnot。AfteralittleobjectionHandySolomongavein，butIthoughtheseemedsouraboutit。Webuiltagoodfire，andinabouttensecondswereasleep。
Now，usuallyIsleeplikealog，anddidthistimeuntilaboutmidnight。ThenallatonceIcamebroadawakeandsittingupinmyblankets。Nothinghadhappened——Iwasn"tevendreaming——butthereIwasasalertandclearasthoughitwerebroadnoon。
BythelightofthefireIsawHandySolomonsitting，andathissideourfiveriflesgathered。
Imusthavemadesomenoise，forheturnedquietlytowardme，sawIwasawake，andnodded。Themoonlightwassparklingonthehardstonylandscape，andathindampnesscameoutfromthesea。
AfteraminuteAndersonthrewonanotherstickofwood，yawned，andstoodup。
"It"swet，"saidhe；"I"vebeenfixingtheguns。"
Heshowedmehowhewasinsertingalittlepatchoffeltbetweenthehammerandthenipple，aschemeofhisownforkeepingdampfromthepowder。Thenherolledupinhisblanket。Atthetimeitallseemedquitenatural——Isupposemymindwasn"tfullyawake，forallmyheadfeltsoclear。AfterwardsIrealisedwhataridiculousbluffhewasmaking：forofcoursethecapalreadyonthenipplewasplentytokeepoutthedamp。Ifullybelieveheintendedtokillusaswelay。Onlymysuddenawakeningspoiledhisplan。
Ihadabsolutelynoideaofthisatthetime，however。Nottheslightestsuspicionenteredmyhead。Inviewofthatfact，I
havesincebelievedinguardianangels。Formynextmove，whichatthetimeseemedtomeabsolutelyaimless，wastochangemyblanketsfromonesideofthefiretotheother。Andthatbroughtmealongsidethefiverifles。
Owingtothisfact，Iamnowconvinced，weawokesafeatdaylight，cookedbreakfast，andlaidtheplanfortheday。
Andersondirectedus。Iwastoclimbovertheridgebeforeusandsearchintheravineontheotherside。Schwartzwastoexploreupthebeachtotheleft，andDentontotheright。
AndersonsaidhewouldwaitforBillySimpson，whohadoversleptinthedarknessofthecubbyhole，andwhowasnowpaddlingashore。Thetwoofthemwouldpushinlandtothewestuntilahighhillwouldgivethemachancetolookaroundforgreenery。
Westartedatonce，beforethesunwouldbehot。ThehillIhadtoclimbwassteepandcoveredwithchollas，soIdidn"tgetalongveryfast。WhenIwasabouthalfwaytothetopIheardashotfromthebeach。Ilookedback。Andersonwasinthesmallboat，rowingrapidlyouttothevessel。DentonwasrunningupthebeachfromonedirectionandSchwartzfromtheother。Islidandslippeddownthebluff，gettingprettywellstuckupwiththechollaspines。
AtthebeachwefoundBillySimpsonlyingonhisace，shotthroughtheback。Weturnedhimover，buthewasapparentlydead。Andersonhadhoistedthesail，hadcutloosefromtheanchor，andwassailingaway。
Dentonstoodupstraightandtall，looking。Thenhepulledhisbeltinahole，grabbedmyarm，andstartedtorunupthelongcurveofthebeach。BehinduscameSchwartz。Werannearamile，andthenfellamongsometulesinaninletatthefartherpoint。
"Whatisit？"Igasped。
"Ouronlychance——togethim——saidDenton。"He"sgottogoaroundthispoint——bigwind——perhapshismastwillbust——thenhe"llcomeashore——"Heopenedandshuthisbigbrownhands。
Sotherewetwofoolslay，likepanthersinthetules，takingouronlyone-in-a-millionchancetolayhandsonAnderson。Anysailorcouldhavetoldusthatthemastwouldn"tbreak，butwehadwindedSchwartzaquarterofamileback。Andsowewaited，oureyesfixedontheboat"ssail，grudginghereveryinch，justburningtofixthingstosuitusalittlebetter。AndnaturallyshemadethepointinwhatInowknowwasonlyafreshbreeze，squaredaway，anddroppeddownbeforethewindtowardGuaymas。
Wewalkedbackslowlytoourcamp，swallowingthecoppertasteoftoohardarun。Schwartzwepickedupfromaboulder，justrecovering。Wewereallofuscrazymad。Schwartzhalfwept，andblamedandcussed。Dentongloweredawayinsilence。I
groundmyfeetintothesandinahelplesssortofanger，notonlyatthemanhimself，butalsoatthewholewaythingshadturnedout。Idon"tbelievetheleastnotionofourpredicamenthadcometoanyofus。Allweknewyetwasthatwehadbeendoneup，andwewerehostileaboutit。
Butatcampwefoundsomethingtooccupyusforthemoment。PoorBillywasnotdead，aswehadsupposed，butveryweakandsick，andaholesquarethroughhim。Whenwereturnedhewasconscious，butthatwasaboutall。Hiseyeswereshut，andhewasmoaning。Itoreopenhisshirttostanchtheblood。Hefeltmyhandandopenedhiseyes。Theywereglazed，andIdon"tthinkhesawme。
"Water，water！"hecried。
Atthatweotherssawallatoncewherewestood。IrememberI
rosetomyfeetandfoundmyselfstaringstraightintoTomDenton"seyes。WelookedateachotherthatwayforIguessitwasafullminute。ThenTomshookhishead。
"Water，water！"beggedpoorBilly。
Tomleanedoverhim。
"MyGod，Billy，thereain"tanywater！"saidhe。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
BURIEDTREASURE
TheOldTimer"svoicebrokealittle。Wehadleisuretonoticethateventhedripfromtheeaveshadceased。Afaint，diffusedlightvouchsafedusdimoutlinesofsprawlingfiguresandtumbledbedding。Farinthedistanceoutsideawolfyelped。
Wecoulddonothingforhimexceptshelterhimfromthesun，andwethisforeheadwithsea-water；norcouldwethinkclearlyforourselvesaslongasthesparkoflifelingeredinhim。Hischestroseandfellregularly，butwithlongpausesbetween。
Whenthesunwasoverheadhesuddenlyopenedhiseyes。
"Fellows，"saidhe，"it"sbeautifuloverthere；thegrassissogreen，andthewatersocool；Iamtiredofmarching，andI
reckonI"llcrossoverandcamp。"
Thenhedied。Wescoopedoutashallowholeabovetide-mark，andlaidhiminit，andpiledoverhimstonesfromthewash。
Thenwewentbacktothebeach，verysolemn，totalkitover。
"Now，boys，"saidI，"thereseemstomejustonethingtodo，andthatistopikeoutforwaterasfastaswecan。"
"Where？"askedDenton。
"Well，"Iargued，"Idon"tbelievethere"sanywateraboutthisbay。Maybetherewaswhenthatchartwasmade。Itwasalongtimeago。Andanyway，theoldpiratewasasailor，andnoplainsman，andmaybehemistookrainwaterforaspring。We"velookedaroundthisendofthebay。Thechancesarewe"duseuptwoorthreedaysexploringaroundtheother，andthenwouldn"tbeaswelloffaswearerightnow。"
"Whichway？"askedDentonagain，mightybrief。
"Well，"saidI，"there"sonethingI"vealwaysnoticedincaseoffolksheldupbythedesert：theygenerallygowanderingabouthereandtherelookingforwateruntiltheydienotfarfromwheretheygotlost。Andusuallythey"vecoveredaheapofactualdistance。"
"That"sso，"agreedDenton。
"Now，I"vealwaysfiguredthatitwouldbeagooddealbettertostartrightoutforsomeparticularplace，evenifit"stenthousandmilesaway。Amanisjustaslikelytostrikewatergoinginastraightlineasheisgoinginacircle；andthen，besides，he"sgettingsomewhere。"
"Correct，"saidDenton，"So，"Ifinished，"Ireckonwe"dbetterfollowthecoastsouthandtrytogettoMollyhay。"
"Howfaristhat？"askedSchwartz。
"Idon"trightlyknow。Butsomewheresbetweenthreeandfivehundredmiles，ataguess。"
Atthathefelltogloweringandgroomingwithhimself，broodingoverwhatahardtimeitwasgoingtobe。ThatisthewaywithaGerman。Firstoffhe"splumbscaredattheprospectofsufferinganything，andwouldratherdierightoffthantakelongchances。
Afterhegetsintotheswingofit，hebehavesaswellasanyman。
"Wetookstockofwhatwehadtodependon。Thetotalassetsprovedtobejustthreepairsoflegs。Apotofcoffeehadbeenonthefire，butthatvillainhadkickeditoverwhenheleft。
Thekettleofbeanswasthere，butsomehowwegotthenotiontheymighthavebeenpoisoned，soweleftthem。Idon"tknownowwhyweweresofoolish——ifpoisonwashisgame，he"dhavetrieditbefore——butatthattimeitseemedreasonableenough。Perhapsthehorrorofthemorning"swork，andthesightofthebrittle-brownmountains，andtheghastlyyellowglareofthesun，andthebluewavesracingbyoutside，andthebigstrongwindthatblewthroughussohardthatitseemedtoblowemptyoursouls，hadturnedourjudgment。Anyway，weleftafullmealthereinthebeanpot。
SowithoutanyfurtherdelaywesetoffuptheridgeIhadstartedtocrossthatmorning。Schwartzlagged，sulkyasamuleycow，butwemanagedtokeephimwithus。Atthetopoftheridgewetookourbearingsforthenextdeepbay。Alreadywehadmadeupourmindstosticktothesea-coast，bothonaccountofthelowercountryoverwhichtotravelandtheoffchanceoffallinginwithafishingvessel。Schwartzmutteredsomethingaboutitsbeingtoofareventothenextbay，andwantedtositdownonarock。Dentondidn"tsayanything，buthejerkedSchwartzupbythecollarsofiercelythattheGermangaveitoverandcamealong。
Wedroppeddownintothegully，stumbledovertheboulderwash，andbegantotoilintheankle-deepsandofalittlesage-brushflatthissideofthenextascent。Schwartzfollowedsteadilyenoughnow，buthadfallenfortyorfiftyfeetbehind。Thiswasanuisance，aswebadtokeepturningtoseeifhestillkeptup。
Suddenlyheseemedtodisappear。
DentonandIhurriedbacktofindhimonhishandsandkneesbehindasagebrush，clawingawayatthesandlikemad。
"Can"tbewateronthisflat，"saidDenton；"hemusthavegonecrazy。"
"What"sthematter，Schwartz？"Iasked。
Foranswerhemovedalittletooneside，showingbeneathhiskneeonecornerofawoodenboxstickingabovethesand。
Atthiswedroppedbesidehim，andinfiveminuteshaduncoveredthewholeofthechest。Itwasnotverylarge，andwaslocked。
Arockfromthewashfixedthat，however。Wethrewbackthelid。
Itwasfulltothebrimofgoldcoins，throwninloose，nightwobushelsofthem。
"Thetreasure！"Icried。
Thereitwas，sureenough，orsomeofit。Welookedtherestthrough，butfoundnothingbutthegoldcoins。Thealtarornamentsandjewelswerelacking。
"Probablyburiedinanotherboxorso，"saidDenton。
Schwartzwantedtodigaroundalittle。
"Nogood，"saidI。"We"vegotourworkcutoutforusasitis。"
Dentonbackedmeup。Wewerebotholdhandsatthebusiness，hadeachinourtimesufferedthe"cotton-mouth"thirst，andthememoryofitoutweighedanydesirefortreasure。
ButSchwartzwasmoney-mad。Lefttohimselfhewouldhavestaidonthatsandflattoperish，ascertainlyashadpoorBilly。Wehadfairlytoforcehimaway，andthensucceededonlybecausewelethimfillallhispocketstobulgingwiththecoins。Aswemovedupthenextrise，hekeptlookingbackandutteringlittlemoansagainstthecrimeofleavingit。
Luckilyforusitwaswinter。Weshouldn"thavelastedsixhoursatthistimeofyear。Asitwas，thesunwashotagainsttheshaleandthelittlestonesofthosecussedhills。Weploddedalonguntillateafternoon，toilinguponehillanddownanother，onlytorepeatimmediately。Towardssundownwemadethesecondbay，whereweplungedintothesea，clothesandall，andweregreatlyrefreshed。Isupposeamanabsorbsagooddealthatway。
Anyhow，italwaysseemedtohelp。
Wewerenowprettyhungry，and，aswewalkedalongtheshore，webegantolookforturtlesorshellfish，oranythingelsethatmightcomehandy。Therewasnothing。Schwartzwantedtostopforanight"srest，butDentonandIknewbetterthanthat。
"Lookhere，Schwartz，"saidDenton，"youdon"trealiseyou"reenteredagainsttimeinthisrace——andthatyou"readamnfooltocarryallthatweightinyourclothes。"
Sowedraggedalongallnight。
Itwasweirdenough，Icantellyou。Themoonshonecoldandwhiteoverthatdead，drycountry。Hotwhiffsrosefromthebakedstonesandhillsides。Shadowslayunderthestoneslikeanimalscrouching。Whenwecametotheedgeofasilveryhillwedroppedoffintopitchyblackness。Therewestumbledoverbouldersforaminuteorso，andbegantoclimbthesteepshaleontheotherside。Thiswasfearfulwork。Thetopseemedalwaysmilesaway。Bymorningwedidn"tseemtohavemademuchofanywhere。Thesameoldhollow-lookingmountainswiththesharpedgesstuckupinaboutthesameoldplaces。
Wehadgotoverbeingveryhungry，and，thoughwewereprettydry，wedidn"treallysufferyetfromthirst。AboutthistimeDentonranacrosssomefishhookcactus，whichwecutupandchewed。Theyhaveastickywetsortofinside，whichdoesn"tquenchyourthirstany，buthelpstokeepyoufromdryingupandblowingaway。
Allthatdaywepluggedalongasperusual。Itwasmainhardwork，andwegottothatstatewherethingsaredisagreeable，butmechanical。Strangetosay，Schwartzkeptinthelead。Itseemedtomeatthetimethathewasusingmoreenergythantheoccasioncalledfor——justasmanrunsfasterbeforehecomestothegiving-outpoint。However，thehourswentby，andhedidn"tseemtogetanymoretiredthantherestofus。
Wekeptasharplookoutforanythingtoeat，buttherewasnothingbutlizardsandhornedtoads。Laterwe"dhavebeengladofthem，butbythattimewe"dgotoutoftheirdistrict。Nightcame。Justatsundownwetookanotherwallowinthesurf，andchewedsomemorefishhookcactus。Whenthemooncameupwewenton。
I"mnotgoingtotellyouhowdeadbeatwegot。Wewereprettytoughandstrong，forallofushadbeenusedtohardliving，butafterthethirddaywithoutanythingtoeatandnowatertodrink，itcametobeprettyhardgoing。ItgottothepointwherewehadtohavesomeREASONforgettingoutbesidesjustkeepingalive。Amanwouldsometimesratherdiethankeepalive，anyway，ifitcameonlytothat。ButIknowImadeupmymindI
wasgoingtogetoutsoIcouldsmashupthatAnderson，andI
reckonDentonhadthesameidea。Schwartzdidn"tsayanything，buthepumpedonaheadofus，hisbackbentover，andhisclothessaggingandbulgingwiththegoldhecarried。
Weusedtotravelallnight，becauseitwascool，andrestanhourortwoatnoon。Thatisalltherestwedidget。Idon"tknowhowfastwewent；I"dgotbeyondthat。Wemusthavecrawledalongmightyslow，though，afterourfirststrengthgaveout。
ThewayIusedtodowastocollectmyselfwithaneffort，lookaroundformybearings，pickoutalandmarkalittledistanceoff，andforgeteverythingbutit。ThenI"dplodalong，knowingnothingbutthesandandshaleandslopeundermyfeet，untilI"dreachedthatlandmark。ThenI"dclearmymindandpickoutanother。
ButIcouldn"tshutoutthefigureofSchwartzthatway。Heusedtowalkalongjustaheadofmyshoulder。Hisfacewasalltwistedup，butIrememberthinkingatthetimeitlookedmoreasifhewasworriedinhismindthanlikebodilysuffering。Theweightofthegoldinhisclothesbenthisshouldersover。
Aswewentonthecountrygraduallygottobemoremountainous，and，asweweresteadilygrowingweaker，itdidseemthingswerepilinguponus。Theeighthdayweranoutofthefishhookcactus，and，beingonahighpromontory，wereoutoftouchwiththesea。Forthefirsttimemytonguebegantoswellalittle。
Thecactushadkeptmefromthatbefore。Dentonmusthavebeeninthesamefix，forhelookedatmeandraisedoneeyebrowkindofhumorous。