第6章
Schwartzwashavingagooddealofdifficultytonavigate。I
willsayforhimthathehaddonewell，butnowIcouldseethathisstrengthwasgoingonhiminspiteofhimself。Heknewit，allright，forwhenwerestedthatdayhetookallthegoldcoinsandspreadtheminarow，andcountedthem，andputthembackinhispocket，andthenallofasuddensnatchedouttwohandfulsandthrewthemasfarashecould。
"Tooheavy，"hemuttered，butthatwasallhecouldbringhimselftothrowaway。
Allthatnightwewanderedhighintheair。Iguesswetriedtokeepageneraldirection，butIdon"tknow。Anyway，alonglate，butbeforemoonrise——shewasnowonthewane——Icameto，andfoundmyselflookingovertheedgeofatwenty-footdrop。RightbelowmeImadeoutafaintglimmerofwhiteearthinthestarlight。SomehowitremindedmeofalittletrailIusedtoknowunderabigrockbackinTexas。
"Here"satrail，"Ithought，morethanhalfloco；"I"llfollowit！"
Atleastthat"swhathalfofmethought。Theotherhalfwassensible，andknewbetter，butitseemedtobekindofstandingtooneside，alittlescornful，watchingtheperformance。SoI
slidandslippeddowntothestripofwhiteearth，and，sureenough，itwasatrail。Atthatthelocohalfofmegavethesensiblepartthelaugh。Ifollowedthepathtwentyfeetandcametoadarkhollowundertherock，andinitaroundpoolofwateraboutafootacross。Theysayamankillshimselfdrinkingtoomuch，afterstarvingforwater。Thatmaybe，butitdidn"tkillme，andIsuckedupallIcouldhold。Perhapsthefishhookcactushadhelped。Well，sir，itwassurprisinghowthatdrinkbroughtmearound。AminutebeforeI"dbeenontheedgeofgoingplumbloco，andhereIwasasclear-headedasalawyer。
IhuntedupDentonandSchwartz。Theydrank，themselvesfull，too。Thenwerested。Itwasmightyhardtoleavethatspring——
Oh，wehadtodoit。We"dhavestarvedsure，there。Thetrailwasagametrail，butthatdidusnogood，forwehadnoweapons。
Howwedidwishforthecoffeepot，sowecouldtakesomeaway。
Wefilledourhats，andcarriedthemaboutthreehours，beforethewaterbegantosoakthrough。Thenwehadtodrinkitinordertosaveit。
Thecountryfairlystooduponend。Wehadtoclimbseparatelittlehillssoastoavoidrollingrocksdownoneachother。Ittookitoutofus。Aboutthistimewebegantoseemountainsheep。Theywouldcomerightuptotheedgesofthesmallcliffstolookatus。Wethrewstonesatthem，hopingtohitoneintheforehead，butofcoursewithoutanyresults。
Thegoodeffectsofthewaterlastedusaboutaday。Thenwebegantoseethingsagain。OffandonIcouldseewaterplainascouldbeineveryhollow，andgameofallkindsstandingaroundandlookingatme。Iknewthesewereallfakes。BymakinganeffortIcouldswingthingsaroundtowheretheybelonged。I
usedtodothateveryonceinawhile，justtobesureweweren"tdoublingback，andtolookoutforrealwater。Butmostofthetimeitdidn"tseemtobeworthwhile。Ijustletallthesevisionsriotaroundandhaveagoodtimeinsidemeoroutsideme，whicheveritwas。IknewIcouldgetridofthemanyminute。
Mostofthetime，ifIwasinanydoubt，itwaseasiertothrowastonetoseeiftheanimalswererealornot。Therealonesranaway。
Webegantoseebandsofwildhorsesintheuplands。OnedaybothDentonandIplainlysawonewithsaddlemarksonhim。Ifonlyoneofushadseenhim，itwouldn"thavecountedmuch，butwebothmadehimout。Thisencourageduswonderfully，thoughI
don"tseewhyitshouldhave。Wehadtoppedthehighcountry，too，andhadstarteddowntheothersideofthemountainsthatranoutonthepromontory。DentonandIwerestillnavigatingwithoutanythoughtofgivingup，butSchwartzwasgettinginbadshape。I"dhatetopacktwentypoundsoverthatcountryevenwithrest，food，andwater。Hewastotingitonnothing。Wetoldhimso，andhecametoseeit，buthenevercouldpersuadehimselftogetridofthegoldallatonce。Insteadhethrewawaythepiecesonebyone。Eachsacrificeseemedtonervehimupforanotherheat。Icanshutmyeyesandseeitnow——thewide，glaring，yellowcountry，thepasteboardmountains，wethreedraggingalong，andthefiercesunshineflashingfromthedoubloonsasonebyonetheywentspinningthroughtheair。
CHAPTERFOURTEEN，THECHEWEDSUGARCANE
"I"dliketohavetrailedyoufellows，"sighedavoicefromthecorner。
"Wouldyou！"saidColoradoRogersgrimly。
Itwasfivedaystothenextwater。Buttheywereworsethantheeightdaysbefore。Wewerelucky，however，foratthespringwediscoveredinadeepwashnearthecoast，wasthedried-upskullofahorse。Ithadbeentherealongtime，butafewshredsofdriedfleshstillclungtoit。Itwastheonlythingthatcouldbedescribedasfoodthathadpassedourlipssincebreakfastthirteendaysbefore。Inthattimewehadcrossedthemountainchain，andhadcomeagaintothesea。TheLordwasgoodtous。
Hesentusthewater，andthehorse"sskull，andthesmoothhardbeach，withoutbreaksorthenecessityofclimbinghills。Andweneededit，oh，Ipromiseyou，weneededit！
Idoubtifanyofuscouldhavekeptthedirectionexceptbysuchanobviousandcontinuouslandmarkastheseatoourleft。Ithardlyseemedworthwhiletofocusmymind，butIdiditoccasionallyjustbywayoftestingmyself。Schwartzstillthrewawayhisgoldcoins，andonce，inoneofmyrareintervalsoflookingaboutme，IsawDentonpickingthemup。Thissurprisedmemildly，butIwastootiredtobeverycurious。Onlynow，whenIsawSchwartz"sarmsweepoutinwhathadbecomeamechanicalmovement，Ialwaystookpainstolook，andalwaysI
sawDentonsearchforthecoin。Sometimeshefoundit，andsometimeshedidnot。
Thefiguresofmycompanionsandtheyellow-browntidesandundermyfeet，andaconsciousnessoftheblueandwhiteseatomyleft，areallIremember，exceptwhenwehadtopullourselvestogetherforthepurposeofcuttingfishhookcactus。Ikeptgoing，andIknewIhadagoodreasonfordoingso，butitseemedtoomuchofanefforttorecallwhatthatreasonwas。
Schwartzthrewawayagoldpieceasanothermanwouldtakeastimulant。Gradually，withoutreallythinkingaboutit，Icametoseethis，andthenwentontosabewhyDentonpickedupthecoins；andagreatadmirationforDenton"sclevernessseepedthroughmelikewaterthroughthesand。HewassavingthecoinstokeepSchwartzgoing。Whenthelastcoinwent，Schwartzwouldgiveout。Itallsoundsqueernow，butitseemedallrightthen——anditWASallright，too。
Sowewalkedonthebeach，losingentiretrackoftime。AndafteralongintervalIcametomyselftoseeSchwartzlyingonthesand，andDentonstandingoverhim。Ofcoursewe"dallbeenfallingdownalot，butalwaysbeforewe"dgotupagain。
"He"sgiveout，"croakedDenton。
Hisvoicesoundedasifitwasmilesaway，whichsurprisedme，but，whenIanswered，minesoundedmilesaway，too，whichsurprisedmestillmore。
Dentonpulledoutahandfulofgoldcoins。
"Thiswillbuyhimsomemorewalk，"saidhegravely，"butnotmuch。"
Inodded。Itseemedallright，thisnew，strangepurchasingpowerofgold——itWASallright，byGod，andasrealasbuyingbricks——
"I"llgoon，"saidDenton，"andsendbackhelp。Youcomeafter。"
"ToMollyhay！"saidI。
ThisfarIreckonwe"dhungontoourselvesbecauseitwasserious。NowIbegantolaugh。SodidDenton。Welaughedandlaughed。
"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay。"
saidI。Thenwelaughedsomemore，untilthetearsrandownourcheeks，andwehadtoholdourpoorweaksides。Prettysoonwefetchedupwithagasp。
"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，"
whisperedDenton，andthenoffwewentintomoreshrieks。Andwhenwewouldsoberdownalittle，oneortheotherofuswouldsayitagain；
"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，"
andthenwe"dlaughsomemore。Itmusthavebeenasweetsight！
AtlastIrealisedthatweoughttopullourselvestogether，soI
snubbedupshort，andDentondidthesame，andwesettolayingplans。Buteveryminuteorsooneofuswouldcatchonsomeword，andthenwe"dtrailoffintorhymesandlaughterandrepetition。
"Keephimgoingaslongasyoucan，"saidDenton。
"Yes。"
"Andbesuretosticktothebeach。"
Thatfaritwasallrightandclear-headed。Buttheword"beach"
letusout。
"I"mapeachUponthebeach，"
singsI，andtherewewerebothoffagainuntiloneortheothermanagedtogropehiswaybacktocommonsenseagain。Andsometimeswecrow-hoppedsolemnlyaroundandaroundtheprostrateSchwartzlikeapairofInjins。
Butsomehowwegotourplanlaidatlast，slippedthecoinsintoSchwartz"spocket，andsaidgood-bye。
"Oldsocks，good-bye，YoubetI"lltry，"
yelledDenton，andlaughingfittokill，dancedoffupthebeach，andoutintoasortofgreymistthatshutoffeverythingbeyondacertaindistancefrommenow。
SoIkickedSchwartz，hefeltinhispocket，threwagoldpieceaway，and"boughtalittlemorewalk。"
Myentirevisionwasfiftyfeetorsoacross。Beyondthatwasgreymist。InsidemycircleIcouldseethesandquiteplainlyandDenton"sfootprints。IfImovedalittletotheleft，thewashofthewaterswouldlapundertheedgeofthatgreycurtain。
IfImovedtotheright，Icametocliffs。ThenearerIdrewtothem，thefartherupIcouldsee，butIcouldneverseetothetop。ItusedtoamusemetomovethisareaofconsciousnessabouttoseewhatIcouldfind。Actualphysicalsufferingwasbeginningtodull，andmyheadseemedtobegettingclearer。
Oneday，withoutanyapparentreason，Imovedatrightanglesacrossthebeach。Directlybeforemelayapieceofsugarcane，andoneendofithadbeenchewed。
Doyouknowwhatthatmeant？Animalsdon"tcutsugarcaneandbringittothebeachandchewoneend。Anewstrengthranthroughme，andactuallythegreymistthinnedandliftedforamoment，untilIcouldmakeoutdimlythelineofcliffsandthetumblingsea。
Iwasnotabithungry，butIchewedonthesugarcane，andmadeSchwartzdothesame。WhenwewentonIkeptclosetothecliff，eventhoughthewalkingwassomewhatheavier。
Irememberafterthatitsgettingdarkandthenlightagain，sothenightmusthavepassed，butwhetherwerestedorwalkedIdonotknow。Probablywedidnotgetveryfar，thoughcertainlywestaggeredaheadaftersun-up，forIremembermyshadow。
Aboutmidday，Isuppose，Imadeoutadimtrailleadingupabreakinthecliffs。Plentyofsuchtrailswehadseenbefore。
Theyweregenerallymadebypeccariesinsearchofcast-upfish——
Ihopetheyhadbetterluckthanwe。
Butinthemiddleofthis，asthoughforasign，layanotherpieceofchewedsugarcane。
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
THECALABASHSTEW
IhadagreedwithDentontosticktothebeach，butSchwartzcouldnotlastmuchlonger，andIhadnottheslightestideahowfaritmightprovetobetoMollyhay。SoIturnedupthetrail。
Weclimbedamountaintenthousandfeethigh。Imeanthat；andI
know，forI"veclimbedthemthathigh，andIknowjusthowitfeels，andhowmanytimesyouhavetorest，andhowlongittakes，andhowmuchitknocksoutofyou。Thosearethethingsthatcountinmeasuringheight，andsoItellyouweclimbedthatfar。ActuallyIsupposethehillwasacoupleofhundredfeet，ifnotless。ButonaccountofthegreymistImentioned，I
couldnotseethetop，andtheillusionwascomplete。
Wereachedthesummitlateintheafternoon，forthesunwassquareinoureyes。Butinsteadofblindingme，itseemedtoclearmysight，sothatIsawbelowmealittlemudhutwithsmokerisingbehindit，andasmallpatchofcultivatedground。
I"llpassoverhowIfeltaboutit：theyhaven"tmadethewords——
Well，westumbleddownthetrailandintothehut。AtfirstI
thoughtitwasempty，butafteraminuteIsawaveryoldmancrouchedinacorner。AsIlookedathimheraisedhisblearedeyestome，hisheadswingingslowlyfromsidetosideasthoughwithakindofpalsy。Hecouldnotseeme，thatwasevident，norhearme，butsomeinstinctnotyetdecayedturnedhimtowardanewpresenceintheroom。InmywilddesireforwaterIfoundroomtothinkthatherewasamanevenworseoffthanmyself。
Avesselofwaterwasinthecorner。Idrankit。ItwasmorethanIcouldhold，butIdrankevenafterIwasfilled，andthewasteranfromthecornersofmymouth。IhadforgottenSchwartz。Theexcessmademealittlesick，butIhelddownwhatIhadswallowed，andIreallybelieveitsoakedintomysystemasitdoesintothedesertearthafteradrought。
InamomentorsoItookthevesselandfilleditandgaveittoSchwartz。Thenitseemedtomethatmyresponsibilityhadended。
Asuddengreatdreamylassitudecameoverme。IknewIneededfood，butIhadnowishforit，andnoambitiontosearchitout。
Themaninthecornermumbledatmewithhistoothlessgums。I
rememberwonderingifwewerealltostarvetherepeacefullytogether——Schwartzandhisremaininggoldcoins，themanfargoneinyears，andmyself。Ididnotgreatlycare。
Afterawhilethelightwasblottedout。Therefollowedaslightpause。ThenIknewthatsomeonehadflowntomyside，andwaskneelingbesidemeandsayingliquid，pityingthingsinMexican。
Iswallowedsomethinghotandstrong。InamomentIcamebackfromwhereverIwasdrifting，tolookupataMexicangirlabouttwentyyearsold。
Shewasnogreatmatterinlooks，butsheseemedlikeanangeltomethen。Andshehadsense。Noquestions，nonothing。Justbusiness。TheonlythingsheaskedofmewasifIunderstoodSpanish。
Thenshetoldmethatherbrotherwouldbebacksoon，thattheywereverypoor，thatshewassorryshehadnomeattoofferme，thattheywereVERYpoor，thatalltheyhadwascalabash——asortofsquash。Allthistimeshewasbustlingthingstogether。NextthingIknowIhadabigbowlofcalabashstewbetweenmyknees。
Now，strangelyenough，Ihadnogreatinterestinthatcalabashstew。Itastedit，satandthoughtawhile，andtasteditagain。
ByandbyIhademptiedthebowl。Itwasgettingdark。Iwasverysleepy。Amancamein，butIwastoodrowsytopayanyattentiontohim。Iheardthesoundofvoices。ThenIwaspickedupbodilyandcarriedtoanout-buildingandlaidonapileofskins。Ifelttheweightofablanketthrownoverme——
Iawokeinthenight。Mindyou，Ihadpracticallyhadnorestatallforamatterofmorethantwoweeks，yetIwokeinafewhours。And，remember，evenineatingthecalabashstewIhadfeltnohungerinspiteofmylongfast。ButnowIfoundmyselfravenous。Youboysdonotknowwhathungeris。ItHURTS。AndalltherestofthatnightIlayawakechewingontherawhideofapack-saddlethathungnearme。
NextmorningtheyoungMexicanandhissistercametousearly，bringingmorecalabashstew。Ifellonitlikeawildanimal，andjustwallowedinit，soeagerwasItoeat。Theystoodandwatchedme——andIsupposeSchwartz，too，thoughIhadnowlostinterestinanyonebutmyself——glancingateachotherinpityfromtimetotime。
WhenIhadfinishedthemantoldmethattheyhaddecidedtokillabeefsowecouldhavemeat。Theywereverypoor，butGodhadbroughtustothem——
Iappreciatedthisafterward。AtthetimeImerelycaughtattheword"meat。"ItseemedtomeIcouldhaveeatentheanimalentire，hide，hoofs，andtallow。Asamatteroffact，itwasmightyluckytheydidn"thaveanymeat。Iftheyhad，we"dprobablyhavekilledourselveswithit。Isupposethecalabashwasaboutthebestthingforusunderthecircumstances。
TheMexicanwentouttohuntuphishorse。Icalledthegirlback。
"HowfarisittoMollyhay？"Iaskedher。
"Aleague，"saidshe。
Sowebadbeennearourjourney"sendafterall，andDentonwasprobablyallright。
TheMexicanwentawayhorseback。Thegirlfeduscalabash。Wewaited。
Aboutoneo"clockagroupofhorsemenrodeoverthehill。WhentheycamenearenoughIrecognisedDentonattheirhead。Thatmanwasoftemperedsteel——
Theyhadfollowedbackalongthebeach，caughtourtrailwherewehadturnedoff，andsodiscoveredus。Dentonhadfortunatelyfoundkindandintelligentpeople。
Wesaidgood-byetotheMexicangirl。ImadeSchwartzgiveheroneofhisgoldpieces。
ButDentoncouldnotwaitforustosay"hullo"even，hewassoanxioustogetbacktotown，sowemountedthehorseshehadbroughtus，androdeoff，verywobbly。
WelivedthreeweeksinMollyhay。Ittookusthatlongtogetfedup。TheladyIstayedwithmadeadishofkidmeatandstuffedolives——
Why，anhourafterfillingmyselfuptothemuzzleI"dbehungryagain，andscoutingroundtohouseslookingformoretoeat！
Wetalkedthingsoveragooddeal，afterwehadgainedalittlestrength。IwantedtotakealittleflyeratGuaymastoseeifI
couldrunacrossthisHandySolomonperson，butDentonpointedoutthatAndersonwouldbeexpectingjustthat，andwouldtakemightygoodcaretobescarce。Hisideawasthatwe"ddobettertogetholdofaboatandsomewatercasks，andlugoffthetreasurewehadstumbledover。Dentontoldusthattheideaofgoingbackandscoopingallthatdineroupwithashovelhadkepthimgoing，justastheideaofgettingevenwithAndersonhadkeptmegoing。Schwartzsaidthatafterhe"dcarriedthatheavygoldoverthefirstday，hemadeuphismindhe"dgetthespendingofitorbust。That"swhyhehatedsotothrowitaway。
Therewerelotsoffishingboatsintheharbour，andwehiredone，andamantorunitfornexttonothingaweek。Welaidacoursenorth，andinsixdaysanchoredinourbay。
Itellyouitlookedqueer。Therewerethecharredsticksofthefire，andthecoffeepotlyingonitsside。WetookoffourhatsatpoorBilly"sgraveaminute，andthenclimbedoverthecholla-coveredhillcarryingourpicksandshovels，andthecanvassackstotakethetreasureawayin。
Therewasnotroubleinreachingthesandyflat。Butwhenwegottherewefoundittornupfromoneendtotheother。Afewscatteredtimbersandthreeemptychestswiththecoverspriedoffaloneremained。HandySolomonhadbeentherebeforeus。
Wewentbacktoourboatsickatheart。Nobodysaidaword。WewentaboardandmadeourGreaserboatmanheadforYuma。Ittookusaweektogetthere。Wewereallofusglum，butDentonwastheworstofthelot。Evenafterwe"dgotbacktotownandfallenintoouroldwaysoflife，hecouldn"tseemtogetoverit。Heseemedplumbpossessedofgloom，andmopedaroundlikeachickenwiththepip。Thissurprisedme，forIdidn"tthinkthelossofmoneywouldhithimsohard。Itdidn"thitanyofusveryhardinthosedays。
OneeveningItookhimasideandfedhimadrink，andexpostulatedwithhim。
"Oh，HELL，Rogers，"heburstout，"Idon"tcareabouttheloot。
But，sufferingcats，thinkhowthatfellowsizedusupforalotofpattern-madefools；andhowrighthewasabout，it。Whyallhedidwastosailoutofsightaroundthenextcorner。Heknewwe"dstartacrosscountry；andwedid。Allwehadtodowastolaylow，andsaveourlegs。HewasBOUNDtocomeback。Andwemighthavenailedhimwhenhelanded。"
"That"saboutalltherewastoit，"concludedColoradoRogers，afterapause，"——exceptthatI"vebeenlookingforhimeversince，andwhenIheardyousingingthatsongInaturallythoughtI"dlanded。"
"Andyouneversawhimagain？"askedWindyBill。
"Well，"chuckledRogers，"Ididabouttenyearlater。ItwasinTucson。Iwasinthebackofastore，whenthedoorinfrontopenedandthismancamein。Hestoppedatthelittlecigar-casebythedoor。InaboutonejumpIwasonhisneck。Ijerkedhimoverbackwardsbeforeheknewwhathadstruckhim，threwhimonhisface，gotmyhandsinhisback-hair，andbegantojumphisfeaturesagainstthefloor。ThenallatonceInotedthatthismanhadtwoarms；soofcoursehewasthewrongfellow。"Oh，excuseme，"saidI，andranoutthebackdoor。"
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
THEHONK-HONKBREED
ItwasSundayattheranch。Forawondertheweatherbadbeenfavourable；thewindmillswereallworking，thebogshaddriedup，thebeefhadlastedover，theremudahadnotstrayed——inshort，therewasnothingtodo。Sanghadgivenusabakedbread-puddingwithraisinsinit。Wefilledit——inawashbasinfullofit——ontopofafewincidentalpoundsofchilecon，bakedbeans，sodabiscuits，"airtights，"andotherdelicacies。Thenweadjournedwithourpipestotheshadysideoftheblacksmith"sshopwherewecouldwatchtheravensontoptheadobewallofthecorral。Somebodytoldastoryaboutravens。Thisledtoroad-runners。Thissuggestedrattlesnakes。TheystartedWindyBill。
"Speakin"ofsnakes，"saidWindy，"Imindwhentheycatchedthegreat-granddaddyofallthebullsnakesupatLeadintheBlackHills。Iwasonlyakidthen。Thiswasn"tnosuchtur"blelongasnake，buthewasmore"nafootthick。Lookedjustlikeasahuarostalk。MannameofTerwilligerSmithcatchedit。HenamedthisyerebullsnakeClarence，andgotitsoplumbgentleitfollowedhimeverywhere。OnedayoldP。T。BarnumcomealongandwantedtobuythisClarencesnake——offeredTerwilligerathousandcold——butSmithwouldn"tpartwiththesnakenohow。SofinallytheyfixedupadealsoSmithcouldgoalongwiththeshow。TheyshovedClarenceinaboxinthebaggagecar，butafterawhileMr。Snakegetssolonesomehegnawsoutandstartstocrawlbacktofindhismaster。Justasheishalf-waybetweenthebaggagecarandthesmoker，thecouplin"giveway——rightonthatheavygradebetweenCusterandRockyPoint。Well，sir，Clarencewoundhishead"roundonebrakewheelandhistailaroundtheother，andheldthattraintogethertothebottomofthegrade。Butitstretchedhimtwenty-eightfeetandtheyhadtoadvertisehimasaboa-constrictor。"
WindyBill"sstoryofthefaithfulbullsnakearousedtoreminiscencethegrizzledstranger，whothereuponheldforthasfollows：
Wall，I"veseethingsandI"veheerdthings，someofthemornery，andsomeyou"dlovetobelieve，theywasthatgorgeousandimprobable。Nat"ralhistorywasalwaysmyhobbyandsportin"
eventsmyspecialpleasureandthisyarnofWindy"sremindsmeoftheonlychanstIeverhadtoringinbusinessandpleasureandhobbyallinonegrandmerry-go-roundofjoy。Itcomeaboutlikethis：
Oneday，afewyearback，Iwassittin"onthebeachatSantaBarbarawatchin"theskystayup，andwonderin"whattodowithmyyear"swages，whenalittlesquinch-eyeround-facewithbigbowspectaclescameandplumpeddownbesideme。
"Didyoueverstoptothink，"sayshe，shovin"backhishat，"thatifthehorsepowerdeliveredbythemwavesonthisbeachinonesinglehourcouldbeconcentratedbehindwashin"machines，itwouldbeenoughtowashalltheshirtsforacityoffourhundredandfifty-onethousandonehundredandthirty-sixpeople？"
"Can"tsayIeverdid，"saysI，squintin"athimsideways。
"Fact，"sayshe，"anddiditeveroccurtoyouthatifallthefoodamaneatsinthecourseofanaturallifecouldbegatheredtogetheratonetime，itwouldfillawagon-traintwelvemileslong？"
"Youmakemehungry，"saysI。
"Andain"titinterestin"toreflect，"hegoeson，"thatifallthefinger-nailparin"softhehumanraceforoneyearwastobecollectedandsubjectedtohydraulicpressureitwouldequalinsizethepyramidofCheops？"
"Lookyere，"saysI，sittin"up，"didYOUeverpausetoexcogitatethatifallthehotairyouisdispensin"wastobecollectedtogetheritwouldfillaballoonbigenoughtowaftyouandmeoverthatBullyvardofPalmstoyonderginmillonthecorner？"
Hedidn"tsaynothin"tothat——justyankedmetomyfeet，facedmetowardstheginmillabovementioned，andexertedconsiderablepressureonmyarminurgin"ofmeforward。
"Youain"tsomuchofadreamer，afterall，"thinksI。"Inimportantmattersyouareplumbdecisive。"
Wesatdownatlittletables，andmyfriendorderedabeerandachickensandwich。
"Chickens，"sayshe，gazin"atthesandwich，"isadollarapieceinthiscountry，andplumbscarce。Didyoueverpausetoponderoverthereturnschickenswouldgiveonasmallinvestment？Sayyoustartwithtenhens。Eachhatchesoutthirteenaigs，ofwhichallowalossofsaysixforchildishaccidents。Attheendoftheyearyouhaseightychickens。Attheendoftwoyearsthatflockhasincreasedtosixhundredandtwenty。Attheendofthethirdyear——"
Hehadthemedicinetongue！Tendayslaterhimandmewasoccupyin"ofanoldranchfiftymilefromanywhere。Whentheyrunstage-coachesthisjointusedtobearoadhouse。Theoutlookwasonaboutathousandlittlebrownfoothills。Aroadtwomilesfourrodstwofooteleveninchesinsightrunbyinfrontofus。
Itcomeoveronefoothillanddisappearedoveranother。Iknowjusthowlongitwas，forlaterinthegameImeasuredit。
Outbackwasaboutahundredlittlewirechickencorralsfilledwithchickens。Wehadtwokinds。Thatwasthedoin"sofTuscarora。MypardnercalledhimselfTuscaroraMaxillary。I
askedhimonceifthatwashisrealname。
"It"stherealestlittleoldnameyoueverheerdtellof，"sayshe。"Iknow，forImadeitmyself——likedthesoundofher。
Parentsain"tgotnorightstonametheirchildren。Parentsdon"thavetobecalledthemnames。"
Well，thesechickens，asIsaid，wasoftwokinds。Thefirstwastheselow-set，heavyweightpropositionswithfeathersontheirlaigs，andnotmuchlaigsatthat，calledCochinChinys。Theotherwasatallridiculousoutfitmadeupentireofbulgin"
breastandganglelaigs。Theystoodabouttwofootandahalftall，andwhentheywenttopeckthegroundtheirtailfeathersstuckstraightuptothesky。Tuskycalled"emJapaneseGames。
"Whichthechiefadvantageofthemchickensis，"sayshe，"thatinweightaboutninetypercentof"emisbreastmeat。Nowmyideeis，thatifwecancross"emwiththeseCochinChinyfowlswe"llhavealow-hung，heavyweightchickenrunnin"strongonbreastmeat。TheseJapGamesistoosmall，butifwecanbring"emupinsizeandshortentheirlaigs，we"llshorehaveawinner。"
Thatlookedgoodtome，sowestartedinonthatidee。Thetheerywasbully，butshedidn"tworkout。ThefirstbroodswehatchedgrowedupwithbighuskyCochinChinybodiesandlittleshortnecks，percheduponlaigsthreefootlong。Themchickenscouldn"treachgroundnohow。Wehadtobuildatablefor"emtoeatoff，andwhentheywentoutrustlin"forthemselvestheyhadtoconfinethemselvestosidehillsorflyin"insects。Theirbreastswasallright，though——"Andthinkofthemdrumsticksfortheboardinghousetrade！"saysTusky。
Sofarthingswasn"tsobad。Wehadagoodgrubstake。Tuskyandmeusedtofeedthemchickenstwictaday，andthenusedtosetaroundwatchin"theplayfulcritterschasegrasshoppersupan"
downthewirecorrals，whileTuskyfiggeredoutwhat"dhappenifsomebodywasdumfoolenoughtogatherupsomethin"andfixitinbasketsorwagonsorsuch。Thatwaswhereweshowedourignoranceofchickens。
OnedayinthespringIhitchedup，rustledadozenoftheyoungstersintocoops，anddruvovertotherailroadtomakeourfirstsale。Icouldn"tfoldthemchickensupintothemcoopsatfirst，butthenIstuckthecoopsuponaidgeandtheyworkedallright，thoughIwilladmittheywasacomicalsight。AttherailroadoneofthemtoweristtrainshadjustsloweddowntoahaltasIcomeup，andthetoweristwasparadin"upanddownallowin"theywasparticularenjoyin"ofthewarmCalifornysunshine。Oneoldterrapin，withgreychinwhiskers，projectedover，withhiswife，andtookapeekthroughtheslatsofmycoop。Hestraighteneduplikesomeonehadtouchedhimoffwithared-hotpoker。
"Stranger，"saidhe，inascaredkindofwhisper，"what"sthem？"
"Them"schickens，"saysI。
Hetookanotherlonglook。
"Marthy，"sayshetotheoldwoman，"thiswillbeaboutall！WecomeoutfromIowaytoseetheWondersofCaliforny，butIcan"tgonothin"strongerthanthis。Iftheseischickens，Idon"twanttoseenoBigTrees。"
Well，Isoldthemchickensallrightforadollarandtwobits，whichwasbetterthanIexpected，andgotanorderformore。
AbouttendayslaterIgotaletterfromthecommissionhouse。
"Wearereturnin"asampleofyourArtsandCraftschickenswiththelovin"marksoftheteethstillontohim，"saysthey。"Don"tsendanymoretilltheystopspursuin"ofthenimblegrasshopper。
Dentistbillwillfoller。"
Withthelettercametheremainsofoneofthechickens。TuskyandI，veryindignant，cookedherforsupper。Shewastough，allright。Wethoughtshemightdobetterbiled，soweputherinthepotovernight。Narybit。Well，thenwegotinterested。
Tuskykep"thefiregoin"andIrustledgreasewood。Wecookedherthreedaysandthreenights。Attheendofthattimeshewassortofpaleandfrazzled，butstillgivin"pointstothree-year-oldjerkyoncohesionandotheruncompromisin"forcesofNature。Weburiedherthen，andwentoutbacktorecuperate。
Therewecouldgazeonthesmilin"landscape，dottedbyaboutfourhundredlong-laiggedchickensswoopin"hereandthereaftergrasshoppers。
"Wegottostopthat，"saysI。
"Wecan"t，"murmuredTusky，inspired。"Wecan"t。It"sbornin"em；it"saprimalinstinct，liketheloveofamotherforheryoung，anditcan"tbeeradicated！Themchickensisconstructedbyadivineprovidencefortheexpresspurposeofchasin"
grasshoppers，jestasthebeaverismadeforbuildin"dams，andthecow-puncherismadeforwhiskyandfaro-games。Wecan"tkeep"emfromit。Ifwewastoshut"eminadarkcellar，they"dflopafterimaginarygrasshoppersintheirdreams，anddieemaciatedinthemidstofplenty。Jimmy，we"reupagintheCosmos，theoversoul——"Oh，hehadthemedicinetongue，Tuskyhad，andrisin"onthewingsofeloquencethatway，hehadmefadedintenminutes。InfifteenIwasweddedsolidtothenotionthatthebottomhaddroppedoutofthechickenbusiness。
Ithinknowthatifwe"dshutthemhensup，wemighthave——still，Idon"tknow；theywasagooddealinwhatTuskysaid。
"TuscaroraMaxillary，"saysI，"didyoueverstoptoentertainthatbeautifulthoughtthatifallthedumfoolishnesspossessednowbythehumanracecouldbegatheredtogether，andlinedupalongsideofus，thefirstfellertocomealongwouldsaytoit"Why，hello，Solomon！""
Wequitthenotionofchickensforprofitrightthenandthere，butwecouldn"tquittheplace。Wehadn"tmuchmoney，foronething，andthenwe，kindoflikedloafin"aroundandraisin"alittlegardentruck，and——oh，well，Imightaswellsayso，wehadanotionaboutplacersinthedrywashbackofthehouseyouknowhowitis。Sowestayedon，andkepta-raisin"theselong-laigsforthefunofit。Iusedtoliketowatch"emprojectin"around，andIfed"emtwictadayaboutasusual。
SoTuskyandIlivedalonetheretogether，happyasducksinArizona。Aboutonc"tinamonthsomebody"dpikealongtheroad。
Shewasn"tmuchofaroad，generallymorechuckholesthanbumps，thoughsometimesitwastheotherwayaround。UnlessithappenedtobeamanhorsebackormaybeafreighterwithoutthefearofGodinhissoul，wedidn"thavenowordswiththem；theywastoobusycussin"thehighwaysandgenerallytoomadforsocialdiscourses。
Onedayearlyintheyear，whenthe"dobemudmaderutstoaddtothebumps，oneoftheseautomobeelswentpast。ItwasthefirstTuskyandmehadseeninthemparts，sowerunouttoviewher。
Owin"tothehighspotsontheroad，shelookedlikeoneofthesemovin"picters，astoblurandwobble；soundedlikeacyclonemingledwithcuss-words，andsmeltlikehellonhousecleanin"
day。
"Whichthemfolksdon"tseemtobeenjoyin"ofthescenery，"saysItoTusky。"Doyoureckonthattherebluetrailissmokefromthemachineorremarksfromtheinhabitantsthereof？"
Tuskyraisedhisheadandsniffedlongandinquirin"。
"It"slangwidge，"sayshe。"Didyoueverstoptothinkthatallthewordsinthedictionarystretchedendtoendwouldreach——"
ButatthatminuteIcatchedsightofsomethin"brasslyin"intheroad。Itprovedtobeacurled-upsortofhornwitharubberbulbontheend。Isquozethebulbandjumpedtwentyfootovertheremarkshemade。
"Jarredoffthemachine，"saysTusky。
"Oh，didit？"saysI，mynervesstillwrong。"Ithoughtmaybeithadgrowedupfromthesoillikeatoadstool。"
Aboutthistimeweabolishedthewirechickencorrals，becauseweneededsomeofthewire。Themlong-laigsthereuponscatteredallovertheflatsearchin"outtheirprey。WhenfeedtimecomeI
hadtoscreechmylungsoutgettin"of"emin，andthensometimestheydidn"tallhear。Itwasplumbdiscouragin"，andImightynighmadeupmymindtoquit"em，buttheyhadcometobesortofpets，andIhatedtoturn"emdown。ItusedtotickleTuskyalmosttodeathtoseemeouttherehollerin"awaylikeanoldbull-frog。Heusedtocomeoutreg"lar，withhispipelit，justtoenjoyme。FinallyIgotmadandopeneduponhim。
"Oh，"heexplains，"itjustplumbamusesmetoseethedumfoolathischildishwork。Whydon"tyouteach"emtocometothatbrasshorn，andsaveyourvoice？"
"Tusky，"saysI，withfeelin"，"sometimesyoudoseemtogetaglimmerofrealsense。"
Well，firstoffthemchickensusedtothrowback-sommersetsoverthathorn。Youhavenoideehowslowchickensistolearnthings。Icouldtellyouthingsaboutchickens——say，thisyerebluffaboutroostersbein"gallantisallwrong。I"vewatched"em。Whenonefindsanicefeedhegobblesitsofastthatthepiecesfollerdownhisthroatlikeyearlin"sthroughaholeinthefence。It"sonlywhenhescratchesupameaslyone-grainquick-lunchthathecallsupthehensandstandsnobleandself-sacrificin"tooneside。Thatain"tthepoint，whichis，thataftertwomonthsIhadthemlong-laigssothey"ddropeverythin"andcomekitin"attheHONK-HONKofthathorn。Itwasapurtysighttosee"em，sailin"infromalldirectionstwentyfootatastride。Iwasproudof"em，andnamed"emtheHonk-honkBreed。Wedidn"thavenoothers，forbynowthecoyotesandbob-catshadnailedthestraight-breds。Therewasn"tnowildcatorcoyotecouldcatchoneofmyHonk-honks，no，sir！
Wemadealittleonourplacer——justenoughtokeepinterested。
Thenthesupervisorsdecidedtofixourroad，andwhat"smore，THEYDONEIT！That"stheonlypartinthisyarnthat"shardtobelieve，but，boys，you"llhavetotakeitonfaith。Theyploughedher，andcrownedher，andscrapedher，androlledher，andwhentheymovedonwehadthefanciesthighwayintheStateofCaliforny。
Thatnoon——thedaytheycalledherajob——TuskyandIsatsmokin"
ourpipesasperusual，whenwayoverthefoothillsweseenacloudofdustandfainttoourcarswasboreawhizzin"sound。
Thechickenswasgatheredunderthecottonwoodfortheheatoftheday，buttheydidn"tpaynoattention。Thenfaint，butclear，weheardanotherofthembrasshorns：
"Honk！honk！"saysit，andeveryoneofthemchickenswokeup，andstoodatattention。
"Honk！honk！"itholleredclearerandnearer。
Thenoverthehillcomeanautomobeel，blowin"vigorousateveryjump。
"MyGod！"IyellstoTusky，kickin"overmychair，asIspringstomyfeet。"Stop"em！Stop"em！"
Butitwastoolate。Outthegatesprintedthempoordevotedchickens，anduptheroadtheytrailedinvainpursuit。Thelastweseenof"emwasaminglingofdustanddimfiggersgoin"
thirtymileanhourafteradisappearin"automobeel。
Thatwasallweseenforthemoment。Aboutthreeo"clockthefirststragglercamelimpin"in，hiswingshangin"，hismouthopen，hiseyesglazedwiththeheat。Bysundownfourteenhadreturned。Alltheresthaddisappearedutter；weneverseen"emagain。Ireckontheyjustnaturallyrunthemselvesintoasunstrokeanddiedontheroad。
Ittakesalongtimetolearnachickenathing，butaheaplongertounlearnhim。Afterthattwoorthreeoftheseyereautomobeelswentbyeveryday，alla-blowin"oftheirhorns，allkickin"upahellofadust。AndeverytimethemfourteenHonk-honksofminetookalongafter"em，justasI"dtaught"emtodo，layin"togettotheircornwhentheycaughtup。Nomoreof"emdied，butthatfourteendidgetintoeleganttrainin"。
Afterawhiletheygotplumbtoenjoyin"it。Whenyoucomerightdowntoit，achickendon"thavemanyamusementsandrelaxationsinthislife。Searchin"forworms，chasin"grasshoppers，andwallerin"inthedustisaboutthelimitsofjoysforchickens。
Itwassureafinesighttosee"emaftertheygotwellintothegame。Aboutnineo"clockeverymornin"theywouldsaunterdowntotheriseoftheroadwheretheywouldwaitpatientuntilamachinecamealong。Thenitwouldwarmyourhearttoseetheenthusiasmofthem。With，exultantcacklesofjoythey"dtrailin，reachin"outlikequarter-horses，theirwingshalfspreadout，theireyesbeamin"withdelight。Atthelowerturnthey"dquit。Then，aftertalkin"itoverexcited-likeforafewminutes，they"dcalmdownandwaitforanother。
Afterafewmonthsofthissortoftrainin"theygotpurtygoodatit。Ihadonetwo-year-oldroosterthatmadefifty-fourmileanhourbehindoneofthosesixty-horsepowerPanhandles。Whencarsdidn"tcomealongoftenenough，they"dallturnoutandchasejack-rabbits。Theywasn"tmuchfunatthat。Afterashort，briefsprinttherabbitwouldcrouchdownplumbterrified，whiletheHonk-honkspulledofftriumphaldancesaroundhisshrinkin"form。
Ourranchgottobepurtywellknownthemdaysamongautomobeelists。Thestrengthoftheircarswashorse-power，ofcourse，butthespeedofthemtheygottoratin"bychicken-power。SomeofthemusedtocomewayupfromLosAngelesjusttotryoutanewcaralongourroadwiththeHonk-honksforpace-makers。Wechargedthemalittlesomethin"，andthen，too，weopeneduptheroad-houseandthebar，sowedidpurtywell。
Itwasn"tnecessarytoworkanylongeratthatbogusplacer。
Evenin"swesataroundoutsideandswappedyarns，andIbraggedonmychickens。Thechickenswouldgatherroundclosetolisten。
Theylikedtoheartheirpraisessung，allright。Youbettheysabe！Theonlyreasonachicken，oranyothercritter，isn"tintelligentisbecausehehasn"tnochancetoexpand。
Why，weusedtorunraceswith"em。Someofuswouldholdtwoormorechickensbackofachalkline，andthestarter"dblowthehornfromahundredyardstoamileaway，dependin"onwhetheritwasasprintorfordistance。Wehadpoolsontheresults，gaveodds，madebooks，andkeptrecords。Afterthethinggotknowedwemademoneyhandoverfist。
Thestrangerbrokeoffabruptlyandbegantorollacigarette。
"Whatdidyouquititfor，then？"venturedCharley，outofthehushedsilence。
"Pride，"repliedthestrangersolemnly。"Haughtinessofspirit。"
"Howso？"urgedCharley，afterapause。
"Themchickens，"continuedthestranger，afteramoment，"stoodaroundlistenin"tomea-braggin"ofwhatsuperiorfowlstheywasuntiltheygotallpuffedup。Theywouldn"thavenothin"
whatevertodowiththeordinarychickenswebroughtinforeatin"purposes，butstoodaroundlookin"boredwhentherewasn"tnosportdoin"。TheygottobejustlikethatFourHundredyoureadaboutinthepapers。Itwasonecontinualroundofgrasshopperballs，racemeets，andafternoonhen-parties。Theygotidleandhaughty，justlikefolks。Thencomeracesuicide。
Theygottofeelin"soaristocraticthehenswouldn"thavenoeggs。"
Nobodydaredsayaword。
"WindyBill"ssnake——"beganthenarratorgenially。
"Stranger，"brokeinWindyBill，withgreatemphasis，"astothatsnake，Iwantyoutounderstandthis：yereafterinmyestimationthatsnakeisnothin"butanorneryangleworm！"
PARTII
THETWOGUNMAN
CHAPTERONE
THECATTLERUSTLERS
BuckJohnsonwasAmericanborn，butwithablackbeardandadignityofmannerthathadearnedhimthetitleofSenor。HehaddriftedintosoutheasternArizonainthedaysofCochiseandVictorioandGeronimo。Hehadpersisted，andsointimehadcometocontrolthewater——andhencethegrazing——ofnearlyalltheSodaSpringsValley。Histroublesweremany，andhisdifficultiesgreat。Thereweretheordinaryproblemsofleananddryyears。TherewerealsotheextraordinaryproblemsofdevastatingApaches；rivalsforearlyandill-definedrangerights——andcattlerustlers。
SenorBuckJohnsonwasamanofcapacity，courage，directnessofmethod，andperseverance。Especiallythelatter。ThereforehehadsurvivedtoseetheApachessubdued，therangerightsadjusted，hiscattleincreasedtothousands，grazingtheareaofaprincipality。Now，alltheenergyandfireofhisfrontiersman"snaturehehadturnedtowipingoutthethirduncertaintyofanuncertainbusiness。Hefounditataskofsomemagnitude。
ForSenorBuckJohnsonlivedjustnorthofthatterraincognitafilledwiththemysteryofadoublechanceofdeathfrommanortheflamingdesertknownastheMexicanborder。There，bynaturalgravitation，gatheredallthedesperatecharactersofthreeStatesandtworepublics。Hewhorodeintoittookgoodcarethatnooneshouldridebehindhim，livedwarily，sleptlight，andbreatheddeepwhenoncehehadagainsightedthefamiliarpeaksofCochise"sStronghold。Nooneprofessedknowledgeofthosewhodwelttherein。Theymoved，mysteriousasthedesertillusionsthatcompassedthemabout。Asyourode，therangesofmountainsvisiblychangedform，themonstrous，snaky，sea-likegrowthsofthecactusclutchedatyourstirrup，mocklakessparkledanddissolvedinthemiddledistance，thesunbeathotandmerciless，thepowdereddryalkalibeathotlyandmercilesslyback——andstrange，grimmen，swarthy，bearded，heavilyarmed，withred-rimmedunshiftingeyes，rodesilentlyoutofthemistsofillusiontolookonyousteadily，andthentoridesilentlybackintothedeserthaze。Theymightbeonlytheherdersofthegauntcattle，oragaintheymightbelongtotheLostLegionthatpeopledthecountry。Allyoucouldknowwasthatofthemenwhoenteredin，butfewreturned。
Directlynorthofthisunknownlandyouencounteredparallelfencesrunningacrossthecountry。Theyenclosednothing，butofferedachecktothecattledriftingtowardtheclutchoftherenegades，andanobstacletoswift，dashingforays。
Ofcattle-rustlingtherearevariousforms。Theboldestconsistsquitesimplyofrunningoffabunchofstock，hustlingitovertheMexicanline，andtheresellingittosomeofthebigSonoraranchowners。Generallythissortmeanswar。Alsoaretheresubtlermeans，gradinginskillfromthere-brandingthroughawetblanket，throughthecraftyrefashioningofabrandtothevariousmethodsofseparatingthecowfromherunbrandedcalf。
InthecourseofhistaskSenorBuckJohnsonwouldhavetodowiththemall，butatpresentheexistedinastateofwarfare，fightinganenemywhostoleastheIndiansusedtosteal。
Alreadybehadfoughttwopitchedbattlesandhadwonthemboth。
Hiscattleincreased，andhebecamerich。Neverthelessheknewthatconstantlyhisresourceswerebeingdrained。TimeandagainheandhisnewTexasforeman，JedParker，hadfollowedthetrailofastampededbunchoftwentyorthirty，followedthemondownthroughtheSodaSpringsValleytothecutdriftfences，theretoabandonthem。For，asyet，anarmedforcewouldbeneededtopenetratetheborderland。Onceheandhismenbadexperiencedthegloryofanightpursuit。Then，atthedriftfences，hehadfoughtoneofhisbattles。ButitwasimpossibleadequatelytopatrolallpartsofarangebiggerthansomeEasternStates。
BuckJohnsondidhisbest，butitwaslikesteppingwithsandtheinnumerablelittleleaksofadam。DidhisriderswatchtowardtheChiricahuas，thenascoreofbeefsteersdisappearedfromGrant"sPassfortymilesaway。Pursuitheremeantleavingcattleunguardedthere。Itwasuseless，andtheSenorsoonperceivedthatsoonerorlaterhemuststrikeinoffence。
Forthispurposehebeganslowlytostrengthentheforcesofhisriders。MenwerecominginfromTexas。Theyweregoodmen，addictedtothegrass-rope，thedoublecinch，andtheox-bowstirrup。SenorJohnsonwantedmenwhocouldshoot，andhegotthem。
"Jed，"saidSenorJohnsontohisforeman，"thenextsonofagunthatrustlesanyofourcowsissureloadinghimselffulloftrouble。We"llhithistrailandwillstaywithit，andwe"llreachhiscattle-rustlingconsciencewitharope。"