第7章

Soitcameaboutthatalittlearmycrossedthedriftfencesandenteredthebordercountry。Twodayslateritcameout，andmightypleasedtobeabletodoso。Theropehadnotbeenused。

Thereasonforthedefeatwasquitesimple。Thethiefhadrunhiscattlethroughthelavabedswherethetrailatoncebecamedifficulttofollow。Thisdelayedthepursuingparty；theyranoutofwater，and，astherewasamongthemnotonemanwellenoughacquaintedwiththecountrytoknowwheretofindmore，theyhadtoreturn。

"Nouse，Buck，"saidJed。"We"danyofuscomeinonagunplay，butwecan"tbuckthedesert。We"llhavetogetsomeonewhoknowsthecountry。"

"That"sallright——butwhere？"queriedJohnson。

"There"sPereza，"suggestedParker。"It"stheonlytowndownnearthatcountry。"

"Mightgetsomeonethere，"agreedtheSenor。

Nextdayherodeawayinsearchofaguide。Thethirdeveninghewasbackagain，muchdiscouraged。

"Thecountry"snogood，"heexplained。"Theregularinhabitants"reasetofMexicanbumsandoldsoaks。Thecowmen"sallfromnorthanddon"tknownothingmorethanwedo。Ifoundlotswhoclaimedtoknowthatcountry，butwhenItold"emwhatIwantedtheyshiedlikeacolt。Icouldn"thire"em，fornomoney，togodowninthatcountry。Theyain"tgotthenerve。Itooktwodaystoher，too，androdeouttoaranchwheretheysaidamanlivedwhoknewallaboutitdownthere。Naryriffle。Manlookedallright，buthistailwentdownliketherestwhenItoldhimwhatwewanted。Seemedplumbscairttodeath。Sayshelivestooclosetothegang。Saysthey"dwipehimoutsureifhedoneit。

SeemedplumbSCAIRT。"BuckJohnsongrinned。"Itoldhimsoandhegothosstylerightoff。Didn"tseemnowaysscairtofme。I

don"tknowwhat"sthematterwiththatoutfitdownthere。

They"replumbterrorised。"

Thatnightabunchofsteerswasstolenfromtheverycorralsofthehomeranch。Thehomeranchwasfarnorth，nearFortShermanitself，andsohadalwaysbeenconsideredimmunefromattack。

Consequentlythesesteerswereveryfineones。

ForthefirsttimeBuckJohnsonlosthisheadandhisdignity。

Heorderedthehorses。

"I"mgoingtofollowthat————intoSonora，"heshoutedtoJedParker。"Thisthing"sgottostop！"

"Youcan"tmakeher，Buck，"objectedtheforeman。"You"llgetheldupbythedesert，and，ifthatdon"tfinishyou，they"lltangleyouupinallthoselittlemountainsdownthere，andambushyou，andmassacreyou。Youknowitdamnwell。"

"Idon"tgivea——"explodedSenorJohnson，"iftheydo。Nomancanslapmyfaceandnotgetarunforit。"

JedParkercommunedwithhimself。

"Senor，"saidhe，atlast，"it"snogood；youcan"tdoit。Yougottohaveaguide。YouwaitthreedaysandI"llgetyouone。"

"Youcan"tdoit，"insistedtheSenor。"Itriedeverymaninthedistrict。"

"Willyouwaitthreedays？"repeatedtheforeman。

Johnsonpulledloosehislatigo。Hisfirstangerhadcooled。

"Allright，"heagreed，"andyoucansayformethatI"llpayfivethousanddollarsingoldandgiveallthemenandhorsesheneedstothemanwhohasthenervetogetbackthatbunchofcattle，andbringinthemanwhorustledthem。I"llsuremakethisatestcase。"

SoJedParkersetouttodiscoverhismanwithnerve。

CHAPTERTWO

THEMANWITHNERVE

Ataboutteno"clockoftheFourthofJulyaridertoppedthesummitofthelastswellofland，andlopedhisanimaldownintothesinglestreetofPereza。Thebuildingsoneithersidewereflat-roofedandcoatedwithplaster。Overthesidewalksextendedwoodenawnings，beneathwhichopenedverywidedoorsintothecoolnessofsaloons。Eachoftheseplacesranabar，andalsogamesofroulette，faro，craps，andstudpoker。Eventhisearlyinthemorningeverygamewaspatronised。

Thedaywasalreadyhotwiththedry，breathless，butexhilarating，beatofthedesert。Athrongofmenidlingattheedgeofthesidewalks，jostlingupanddowntheircentre，oreddyingintotheplacesofamusement，acknowledgedthepowerofsummerbylooseningtheircollars，carryingtheircoatsontheirarms。Theywereasyetbusilyengagedinrecognisingacquaintances。Latertheywoulddrinkfreelyandgamble，andperhapsfight。Towardallbutthosewhomtheyrecognisedtheypreservedanattitudeofpotentialsuspicion，forhereweregatheredthe"badmen"ofthebordercountries。Acertainjealousyortouchyegotismlesttheothermanbeconsideredquickeronthetrigger，bolder，moreaggressivethanhimself，kepteachstrungtotension。Anoccasionalshotattractedlittlenotice。Meninthecow-countriesshootascasuallyaswestrikematches，andsomesubtleinstincttoldthemthatthereportswereharmless。

Astheriderenteredtheonestreet，however，amoredefinitecauseofexcitementdrewtheloosepopulationtowardthecentreoftheroad。Immediatelytheirmassblottedoutwhathadinterestedthem。Curiosityattractedthesaunterers；theninturnthefrequentersofthebarsandgamblinggames。Inaveryfewmomentsthebarkeepers，gamblers，andlook-outmen，heldaloofonlybythenecessitiesoftheircalling，aloneofallthepopulationofPerezawerenotincludedinthenewly-formedring。

Thestrangerpushedhishorseresolutelytotheouteredgeofthecrowdwhere，fromhispointofvantage，hecouldeasilyoverlooktheirheads。Hewasaquiet-appearingyoungfellow，ratherneatlydressedinthebordercostume，rodea"centrefire，"orsingle-cinch，saddle，andworenochaps。Hewaswhatisknownasa"two-gunman"：thatistosay，heworeaheavyColt"srevolveroneitherhip。Thefactthatthelowerendsofhisholstersweretieddown，inordertofacilitatetheeasywithdrawaloftherevolvers，seemedtoindicatethatheexpectedtousethem。Hehadfurthermoreaquietgreyeye，withtheglintofsteelthatboreouttheinferenceofthetiedholsters。

Thenewcomerdroppedhisreinsonhispony"sneck，easedhimselftoanattitudeofattention，andlookeddowngravelyonwhatwastakingplace。Hesawovertheheadsofthebystandersatall，muscular，wild-eyedman，hatless，hishairrumpledintostaringconfusion，hisrightsleeverolledtohisshoulder，awicked-lookingnine-inchknifeinhishand，andaredbandanahandkerchiefhangingbyonecornerfromhisteeth。

"What"sbitingthelocoedstranger？"theyoungmaninquiredofhisneighbour。

Theotherfrownedathimdarkly。

"Dare"sanyonetotaketheotherendofthathandkerchiefinhisteeth，andfightitoutwithoutlettinggo。"

"Nicejoyfulproposition，"commentedtheyoungman。

Hesettledhimselftocloserattention。Thewild-eyedmanwastalkingrapidly。Whathesaidcannotbeprintedhere。Mainlywasitderogatoryofthesoutherncountries。Shortlyitbecameboastfulofthenorthern，andthenofthemanwhoutteredit。

Heswaggeredupanddown，becomingalwaysthemoreinsolentashischallengeremaineduntaken。

"Whydon"tyoutakehimup？"inquiredtheyoungman，afteramoment。

"Notme！"negativedtheothervigorously。"I"llgoyorelittleoldgunfighttoafinish，butIdon"twantanycoldsteelinmine。Ugh！itgivesmetheshivers。It"sareg"larMexicantrick！Withagunit"sdownandout，butthisknifeworkistooslowandsearchin"。"

Thenewcomersaidnothing，butfixedhiseyeagainontheragingmanwiththeknife。

"Don"tyoureckonhe"sbluffing？"beinquired。

"Notany！"deniedtheotherwithemphasis。"He"sjestdrunkenoughtobecrazymad。"

Thenewcomershruggedhisshouldersandcasthisglancesearchinglyoverthefringeofthecrowd。ItrestedonaMexican。

"Hi，Tony！comehere，"hecalled。

TheMexicanapproached，flashinghiswhiteteeth。

"Here，"saidthestranger，"lendmeyourknifeaminute。"

TheMexican，anticipatingsportofhisownpeculiarkind，obeyedwithalacrity。

"Youfellowsmakemetired，"observedthestranger，dismounting。

"He"sgotthewholetownfulofyoubluffedtoastandstill。DamnifIdon"ttryhislittlegame。"

Hehunghiscoatonhissaddle，shoulderedhiswaythroughthepress，whichpartedforhimreadily，andpickeduptheothercornerofthehandkerchief。

"Now，youmangysonofagun，"saidhe。

CHAPTERTHREE

THEAGREEMENT

JedParkerstraightenedhisback，rolledupthebandanahandkerchief，andthrustitintohispocket，hitflatwithhishandthetouselledmassofhishair，andthrustthelonghuntingknifeintoitssheath。

"You"rethemanIwant，"saidhe。

Instantlythetwo-gunmanhadjerkedloosehisweaponsandwascoveringtheforeman。

"AMI！"hesnarled。

Notjestthatway，"explainedParker。"Mygunisonmyhoss，andyoucanhavethisoldtoad-stickerifyouwantit。Ibeenlookingforyou，andtookthiswayoffindingyou。Now，let"sgotalk。"

Thestrangerlookedhimintheeyefornearlyahalfminutewithoutloweringhisrevolvers。

"Igoyou，"saidhebriefly，atlast。

Butthecrowd，missingthepurport，andinfacttheveryoccurrenceofthiscolloquy，didnotunderstand。Itthoughtthebluffhadbeencalled，andnaturally，findingharmlesswhathadintimidatedit，gavewaytoanexasperatedimpulsetogeteven。

"You——————bluffer！"shoutedavoice，"don"tyouthinkyoucanrunanysuchranikaboohere！"

JedParkerturnedhumorouslytohiscompanion。

"Dowegetthattalk？"heinquiredgently。

Foranswerthetwo-gunmanturnedandwalkedsteadilyinthedirectionofthemanwhohadshouted。Thelatter"shandstrayeduncertainlytowardhisownweapon，butthemovementpausedwhenthestranger"sclear，steeleyerestedonit。

"Thisgentleman，"pointedoutthetwo-gunmansoftly，"isanoldfriendofmine。Don"tyougettocallingofhimnames。"

Hiseyesweptthebystanderscalmly。

"Comeon，Jack，"saidbe，addressingParker。

OntheoutskirtsbeencounteredtheMexicanfromwhomhebadborrowedtheknife。

"Here，Tony，"saidhewithaslightlaugh，"here"sapeso。

You"llfindyourknifebacktherewhereIhadtodropher。"

Heenteredasaloon，noddedtotheproprietor，andledthewaythroughittoaboxlikeroomcontainingaboardtableandtwochairs。

"Makegood，"hecommandedbriefly。

"I"mlookingforamanwithnerve，"explainedParker，withequalsuccinctness。"You"retheman。"

"Well？"

"Doyouknowthecountrysouthofhere？"

Thestranger"seyesnarrowed。

"Proceed，"saidhe。

"I"mforemanoftheLazyYofSodaSpringsValleyrange，"

explainedParker。"I"mlookingforamanwithsandenoughandsabeofthecountryenoughtoleadaposseaftercattle-rustlersintothebordercountry。"

"Iliveinthiscountry，"admittedthestranger。

"Sodoplentyofothers，buttheireyesstickoutliketworawoysterswhenyoumentionthebordercountry。Willyoutackleit？"

"What"stheproposition？"

"Comeandseetheoldman。He"llputittoyou。"

Theymountedtheirhorsesandrodetherestoftheday。Thedesertcompassedthemabout，marvellouslychangingshapeandcolour，andeverycharacter，withallthenoiselessnessofphantasmagoria。Ateveningthedesertstarsshonesteadyandunwinking，liketheflamesofcandles。Bymoonrisetheycametothehomeranch。

Thebuildingsandcorralslaydarkandsilentagainstthemoonlightthatmadeoftheplainaseaofmist。Thetwomenunsaddledtheirhorsesandturnedthemlooseinthewire-fenced"pasture，"thenecessarynoisesoftheirmovementssoundingsharpandclearagainstthevelvethushofthenight。Afteramomenttheywalkedstifflypasttheshedsandcookshanty，pastthemen"sbunkhouses，andthetallwindmillsilhouettedagainstthesky，tothemainbuildingofthehomeranchunderitsgreatcottonwoods。Therealightstillburned，forthiswasthethirdday，andBuckJohnsonawaitedhisforeman。

JedParkerpushedinwithoutceremony。

"Here"syourman，Buck，"saidhe。

Thestrangerhadsteppedinsideandcarefullyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Thelamplightthrewintoreliefthebold，freelinesofhisface，thedetailsofhiscostumepowderedthickwithalkali，theshinybuttsofthetwogunsintheiropenholsterstiedatthebottom。EquallyitdefinedtheresolutecountenanceofBuckJohnsonturnedupininquiry。Thetwomenexaminedeachother——andlikedeachotheratonce。

"Howareyou，"greetedthecattleman。

"Good-evening，"respondedthestranger。

"Sitdown，"invitedBuckJohnson。

Thestrangerperchedgingerlyontheedgeofachair，withanappearancelessofembarrassmentthanofhabitualalertness。

"You"lltakethejob？"inquiredtheSenor。

"Ihaven"theardwhatitis，"repliedthestranger。

"Parkerhere——？"

"Saidyou"dexplain。"

"Verywell，"saidBuckJohnson。Hepausedamoment，collectinghisthoughts。"There"stoomuchcattle-rustlinghere。I"mgoingtostopit。I"vegotgoodmenherereadytotakethejob，butnoonewhoknowsthecountrysouth。ThreedaysagoIhadabunchofcattlestolenrightherefromthehome-ranchcorrals，andbyoneman，atthat。Itwasn"tmuchofabunch——abouttwentyhead——butI"mgoingtomakeastarterrighthere，andnow。I"mgoingtogetthatbunchback，andthemanwhostolethem，ifIhavetogotohelltodoit。AndI"mgoingtodothesamewitheverycaseofrustlingthatcomesupfromnowon。Idon"tcareifit"sonlyonecow，I"mgoingtogetitback——everytrip。Now，Iwanttoknowifyou"llleadapossedownintothesouthcountryandbringoutthatlastbunch，andthemanwhorustledthem？"

"Idon"tknow——"hesitatedthestranger。

"Iofferyoufivethousanddollarsingoldifyou"llbringbackthosecowsandthemanwhostole"em，"repeatedBuckJohnson。

"AndI"llgiveyouallthehorsesandmenyouthinkyouneed。"

"I"lldoit，"repliedthetwo-gunmanpromptly。

"Good！"criedBuckJohnson，"andyoubetterstartto-morrow。"

"Ishallstartto-night——rightnow。"

"Betteryet。Howmanymendoyouwant，andgrubforhowlong？"

"I"llplayheralonehand。"

"Alone！"exclaimedJohnson，hisconfidencevisiblycooling。

"Alone！Doyouthinkyoucanmakeher？"

"I"llbebackwiththosecattleinnotmorethantendays。"

"Andtheman，"supplementedtheSenor。

"Andtheman。What"smore，IwantthatmoneyherewhenIcomein。Idon"taimtostayinthiscountryovernight。"

AgrinoverspreadBuckJohnson"scountenance。Heunderstood。

"Climatenothealthyforyou？"hehazarded。"Iguessyou"dbesafeenoughallrightwithus。Butsuityourself。Themoneywillbehere。"

"That"sagreed？"insistedthetwo-gunman。

"Sure。"

"Iwantafreshhorse——I"llleavemine——he"sagoodone。Iwantalittlegrub。"

"Allright。Parker"llfityouout。"

Thestrangerrose。

"I"llseeyouinabouttendays。"

"Goodluck，"SenorBuckJohnsonwishedhim。

CHAPTERFOUR

THEACCOMPLISHMENT

ThenextmorningBuckJohnsontookatripdownintothe"pasture"

offivehundredwire-fencedacres。

"Hemeansbusiness，"heconfidedtoJedParker，onhisreturn。

"ThatcavalloofhisisaheapsightbetterthantheShortyhorsewelethimtake。Jed，youfoundyourmanwithnerve，allright。

Howdidyoudoit？"

Thetwosettleddowntowait，ifnotwithconfidence，atleastwithinterest。Sometimes，rememberingthedesperatecharacteroftheoutlaws，theirfiercedistrustofanyintruder，thewildnessofthecountry，BuckJohnsonandhisforemaninclinedtothebeliefthatthestrangerhadundertakenataskbeyondthepowersofanyoneman。Again，rememberingthestranger"scoolgreyeye，thepoiseofhisdemeanour，thequicknessofhismovements，andthetwogunswithtiedholsterstopermitofeasywithdrawal，theywerealmostpersuadedthathemightwin。

"He"soneofthoselong-chancefellows，"surmisedJed。"Helikesexcitement。Iseethatbythewayhetakesupwithmyknifeplay。He"dratherleavehishideonthefencethanstayinthecorral。"

"Well，he"sallright，"repliedSenorBuckJohnson，"andifheevergetsback，whichsameI"msomedoubtfulof，hisdinero"llbehereforhim。"

InpursuanceofthisherodeintoWillets，whereshortlytheoverlandtrainbroughthimfromTucsonthefivethousanddollarsindoubleeagles。

Inthemeantimetheregularlifeoftheranchwenton。EachmorningSang，theChinesecook，rangthegreatbell，summoningthemen。Theyate，andthencaughtupthesaddlehorsesfortheday，turningthosenotwantedfromthecorralintothepasture。

Shortlytheyjingledawayindifferentdirections，twobytwo，ontheslowSpanishtrotofthecow-puncher。Alldaylongthustheywouldride，withoutfoodorwaterformanorbeast，lookingtherange，identifyingthestock，brandingtheyoungcalves，examininggenerallyintothestateofaffairs，gazingalwayswithgraveeyesonthemagnificent，flaming，changing，beautiful，dreadfuldesertoftheArizonaplains。Ateveningwhenthecolouredatmosphere，catchingthelastglow，threwacrosstheChiricahuasitsveilofmystery，theyjingledinagain，twobytwo，untired，unhasting，thegloryofthedesertintheirdeep-set，steadyeyes。

Andallthedaylong，whiletheywereabsent，thecattle，too，madetheirpilgrimage，stragglinginsingly，inpairs，inbunches，inlongfiles，leisurely，ruminantly，withouthaste。

There，atthelongtroughsfilledbythewindmilloftheblindfoldedpumpmule，theydrank，thenfiledawayagainintothemistsofthedesert。AndSenorBuckJohnson，orhisforeman，Parker，examinedthemfortheircondition，notingtheincrease，remarkingthestraysfromanotherrange。Later，perhaps，they，too，rodeabroad。Thesamethinghappenedatnineotherranchesfromfivetotenmilesapart，wheredweltotherfierce，silentmenallundertheauthorityofBuckJohnson。

Andwhennightfell，andthetopazandvioletandsaffronandamethystandmauveandlilachadfadedsuddenlyfromtheChiricahuas，likeaveilthathasbeenrent，andtherampartshadbecomeslate-greyandthenblack——thesoft-breathednightwanderedhereandthereoverthedesert，andthelandfellunderanenchantmentevenstrangerthantheday"s。

Sothedayswentby，wonderful，fashioningthewaysandthecharactersofmen。Sevenpassed。BuckJohnsonandhisforemanbegantolookforthestranger。Eight，theybegantospeculate。

Nine，theydoubted。Onthetenththeygavehimup——andhecame。

Theyknewhimfirstbythesoftlowingofcattle。JedParker，dazzledbythelamp，peeredoutfromthedoor，andmadehimoutdimlyturningtheanimalsintothecorral。Amomentlaterhispony"shoofsimpactedsoftlyonthebakedearth，hedroppedfromthesaddleandenteredtheroom。

"I"mlate，"saidhebriefly，glancingattheclock，whichindicatedten；"butI"mhere。"

Hismannerwasquickandsharp，almostbreathless，asthoughhehadbeenrunning。

"Yourcattleareinthecorral：allofthem。Haveyouthemoney？"

"Ihavethemoneyhere，"repliedBuckJohnson，layinghishandagainstadrawer，"andit"sreadyforyouwhenyou"veearnedit。

Idon"tcaresomuchforthecattle。WhatIwantedisthemanwhostolethem。Didyoubringhim？"

"Yes，Ibroughthim，"saidthestranger。"Let"sseethatmoney。"

BuckJohnsonthrewopenthedrawer，anddrewfromittheheavycanvassack。

"It"shere。Nowbringinyourprisoner。"

Thetwo-gunmanseemedsuddenlytoloomlargeinthedoorway。

Themuzzlesofhisrevolverscoveredthetwobeforehim。Hisspeechcameshortandsharp。

"ItoldyouI"dbringbackthecowsandtheonewhorustledthem，"hesnapped。"I"veneverliedtoamanyet。Yourstockisinthecorral。I"lltroubleyouforthatfivethousand。I"mthemanwhostoleyourcattle！"

PARTIIITHERAWHIDE

CHAPTERONE

THEPASSINGOFTHECOLT"SFORTY-FIVE

ThemanofwhomIamnowtotellyoucametoArizonaintheearlydaysofChiefCochise。HesettledintheSodaSpringsValley，andtherepersistedinspiteofthedevastatingforaysofthatApache。Afteratimeheownedallthewellsandspringsinthevalley，andso，naturally，controlledthegrazingonthatextensivefreerange。Onceadaythecattle，intwosandthrees，inbands，instrings，couldbeseenwindingleisurelydownthedeep-troddenandconvergingtrailstothewatertroughsatthehomeranch，thereleisurelytodrink，andthenleisurelytodriftawayintothesaffronandvioletandamethystdistancesofthedesert。Attenotheroutlyingranchesthisdailyscenewasrepeated。Allthesecattlebelongedtotheman，greatbyreasonofhispriorityinthecountry，thebalanceofhisevencharacter，andthegrimdeterminationofhisspirit。

WhenhehadfirstenteredSodaSpringsValleyhiscompanionshadcalledhimBuckJohnson。Sincethenhisformhadsquared，hiseyeshadsteadiedtotheserenityofagreatauthority，hismouth，shadowedbythemoustacheandthebeard，hadclosedstraightinthelineofpowerandtaciturnity。TherewasabouthimmorethanatraceoftheSpanish。SonowhewasknownasSenorJohnson，althoughinrealityhewasstraightAmericanenough。

SenorJohnsonlivedatthehomeranchwithaChinesecook，andParker，hisforeman。Thehomeranchwasofadobe，builtwithloopholeslikeafort。Intheobsolescenceofthisnecessity，otherbuildingshadsprungupunfortified。Anadobebunkhouseforthecow-punchers，anadobeblacksmithshop，along，lowstable，ashed，awindmillandpond-likereservoir，awholesystemofcorralsofdifferentsizes，awalled-invegetablegarden——thesegatheredtothemselvescottonwoodsfromthemoistureoftheirbeing，andsoaddedeachalittletothegreenspotinthedesert。Inthesmallestcorral，betweenthestableandtheshed，stoodabuckboardandaheavywagon，theonlywheeledvehiclesabouttheplace。Undertheshedwererowsofsaddles，riatas，spursmountedwithsilver，bitsornamentedwiththesamemetal，curvedshortironsfortherangebranding，long，heavy"stamps"forthecorralbranding。Behindthestablelaythe"pasture，"athousandacresofdesertfencedinwithwire。

Therethehardycow-poniessoughtoutthesparse，butnutritious，bunchgrass，sixtyofthem，beautifulasantelope，fortheywerethepickofSenorJohnson"sherds。

Andallaboutlaythedesert，shimmering，changing，many-tinted，wonderful，hemmedinbythemountainsthatseemedtenuousandthin，likebeautifulmists，andbytheskythatseemedhardandpolishedlikeaturquoise。

Eachmorningatsixo"clockthetencow-punchersofthehomeranchdrovethehorsestothecorral，neatlyropedthedozentobe"keptup"forthatday，andrewardedtherestwithafeedofgrain。Thentheyrodeawayatalittlefoxtrot，twobytwo。

Alldaylongtheytravelledthus，conductingthebusinessoftherange，andatnight，havingcompletedthecircle，theyjingledagainintothecorral。

Atthetenotherranchesthisprogrammehadbeenduplicated。Thehalf-hundredmenofSenorJohnson"soutfithadcoveredtheareaofaEuropeanprincipality。Andallofit，everyacre，everyspearofgrass，everycactusprickle，everycreatureonit，practicallybelongedtoSenorJohnson，becauseSenorJohnsonownedthewater，andwithoutwateronecannotexistonthedesert。

Thisresulthadnotbeengainedwithoutstruggle。ThefactcouldbereadinthesettledlinesofSenorJohnson"sface，andthegreatcalmofhisgreyeye。Indiandaysdrovehimoftentotheshelteroftheloopholedadoberanchhouse，theretoawaitthesoldiersfromtheFort，inplainsightthirtymilesawayontheslopethatledtothefootoftheChiricahuas。Helostcattleandsomemen，buttheprofitsweregreat，andintimeCochise，Geronimo，andthelesserlightshadflickeredoutinthewindsofdestiny。Thesheepterrormerelythreatened，foritwassoondiscoveredthatwiththefeedofSodaSpringsValleygrewaburrthatannoyedtheflocksbeyondreason，sothebleatingscourgesweptbyfortymilesaway。CattlerustlingsoneartheMexicanlinewasaneasymatter。ForatimeSenorJohnsoncommandedanarmedband。Hewaslordofthehigh，thelow，andthemiddlejustice。Heviolatedinternationalethics，andforthelawsofnationshesubstitutedhisown。Onebyoneheannihilatedthethievesofcattle，sometimesinopenfight，butoftenerbysurpriseanddeliberatemassacre。Thecountrywasdelivered。

Andthen，withindefatigableenergy，SenorJohnsonbecameaskilleddetective。Alone，orwithParker，hisforeman，herodethecountrythrough，gatheringevidence。Whentheevidencewasunassailablehebroughtoffenderstobook。Therebrandingthroughawetblanketheknewandcouldprove；theear-markingofanunbrandedcalfuntilitcouldbeweanedheunderstood；theparingofhoofstopreventtravellinghecouldtellasfarashecouldsee；thecraftyalterationofsimilarbrands——aswhenaMexicanchangedJohnson"sLazyYtoaDumb-bellBar——hesawthroughataglance。Inshort，thehundredandonepettytricksofthesneak-thiefheferretedout，indangerofhislife。ThenhesenttoPhoenixforaRanger——andthatwasthelastoftheDumb-bellBarbrand，ortheThreeLinkBarbrand，ortheHourGlassBrand，orahalfdozenothers。TheSodaSpringsValleyacquiredareputationforgoodorder。

SenorJohnsonatthisstageofhiscareerfoundhimselfdroppingintoaroutine。InMarchbeganthespringbranding，thenthecorrallingandbreakingofthewildhorses，thesummerrange-riding，thegreatfallround-up，theshippingofcattle，andtheridingofthewinterrange。Thishappenedoverandoveragain。

YouandIwouldnothavesufferedfromennui。Theropingandthrowingandbranding，thewildswinganddashofhandlingstock，themadracestoheadthemustangs，thefiercecombatstosubduetheseragingwildbeaststothesaddle，thespectacleoftheround-upwithitsbrutishmultitudesanditsgracefulriders，thedustandmonotonyandexcitementandgloryoftheTrail，andespeciallythehundredsofincidentalandgratuitousadventuresofbearsandantelope，ofthirstandheat，ofthejoyoftakingcareofone"sself——allthesewouldhavefilledourdayswiththeglittering，changingthrongoftheunusual。

ButtoSenorJohnsonithadbecomeanoldstory。Afterthedaysofconstructionthedaysofaccomplishmentseemedtohimlean。

Hismendidtheworkandreapedtheexcitement。SenorJohnsonneverthoughtnowofridingthewildhorses，ofswingingtheropecoiledathissaddlehorn，orofroundingaheadoftheflyingherds。Hisinspectionswerebusinessinspections。Thecountrywastame。Theleatherchapswiththesilverconchashungbehindthedoor。TheColt"sforty-fivedependedattheheadofthebed。

SenorJohnsonrodeinmufti。Ofhiscowboydayspersistedstillthehigh-heeledbootsandspurs，thebroadStetsonhat，andthefringedbuckskingauntlets。

TheColt"sforty-fivehadbeenthelasttogo。FinallyoneeveningSenorJohnsonreceivedanexpresspackage。HeopeneditbeforetheundemonstrativeParker。Itprovedtocontainapocket"gun"——anickel-plated，thirty-eightcalibreSmith&Wesson"five-shooter。"SenorJohnsonexamineditalittledoubtfully。

Incomparisonwiththesix-shooteritlookedlikeatoy。

"Howdoyou，likeher？"heinquired，handingtheweapontoParker。

Parkerturneditoverandover，asachildarattle。Thenhereturnedittoitsowner。

"Senor，"saidhe，"ifeveryoushootmewiththatlittleoldgun，ANDIfinditoutthesameday，I"lljustraisehellwithyou！"

"Idon"treckonshe"dINJUREamanmuch，"agreedtheSenor，"butperhapsshe"dcallhisattention。"

However，the"littleoldgun"tookitsplace，notinSenorJohnson"shippocket，butinsidethefrontwaistbandofhistrousers，andtheoldshinyColt"sforty-five，withitswornleather"Texasstyle"holster，becameabedroomornament。

Thus，fromafrontiersmandroppedSenorJohnsontothestatusofapropertyowner。Inageneralwayhehadtoattendtohisinterestsbeforethecattlemen"sassociation；hehadtoarrangeforthebuyingandshipping，andtherestwasleisure。Hecouldnowhavegoneawaysomewhereasfarastimewent。Socanafishliveintrees——asfarastimegoes。Andinthedailyriding，riding，ridingovertherangehefoundtheopportunityforabstractthoughtwhichthefrontierlifehadcrowdedaside。

CHAPTERTWO

THESHAPESOFILLUSION

Everyday，asalways，SenorJohnsonrodeabroadovertheland。

Hissurroundingshadbeforebeenacceptedcasuallyasamoreorlesspertinentsettingofactionandcondition。NowhesensedsomeofthefascinationoftheArizonadesert。

Henoticedmanythingsbeforeunnoticed。Ashejingledlooselyalongonhiscow-horse，heobservedhowtheanimalwadedfetlockdeepinthegorgeousorangeCaliforniapoppies，andthenhelookedupandabout，andsawthattherichcolourcarpetedthelandscapeasfarashiseyecouldreach，sothatitseemedasthoughhecouldrideonandonthroughthemtothedistantChiricahuas。Only，closeunderthehills，lay，unobtrusive，anarrowstreakofgrey。Andinafewhourshehadreachedthestreakofgrey，andriddenoutintoittofindhimselfthecentreofalimitlessalkaliplain，sothatagainitseemedthevalleycouldcontainnothingelseofimportance。

Lookingback，SenorJohnsoncoulddiscernatenuousribbonoforange——thepoppies。Andperhapsaheadalittleshadowblottedthefaceofthealkali，which，beingreachedandentered，spreadlikefireuntilit，too，filledthewholeplain，untilit，too，arrogatedtoitselftherightoftypifyingSodaSpringsValleyasashimmeringprairieofmesquite。Floweredupland，deadlowland，brush，cactus，volcanicrock，sand，eachoftheseforthetimebeingoccupiedthewholespace，broadasthesea。Inthecircletofthemountainswasroomformanyinfinities。

AmongthefoothillsSenorJohnson，forthefirsttime，appreciatedcolour。Hundredsofacresofflowersfilledthevelvetcreasesofthelittlehillsandwashedoverthesmooth，roundedslopessoaccuratelyintheplacingandmanneroftintedshadowsthatthemindhaddifficultyinbelievingthecolournottohavebeenshadedinactuallybyfreesweepsofsomegiganticbrush。Adozenshadesofpinksandpurples，adozenofblues，andthentheflamereds，theyellows，andthevividgreens。

Beyondwerethemountainsintheirgloryofvolcanicrocks，richasthetapestryofaFlorentinepalace。And，modifyingalltheothers，thetintedatmosphereofthesouth-west，refractingthesunthroughtheinfinitesimalearthmotesthrownupconstantlybythewinddevilsofthedesert，drewbeforethesceneadelicateandgauzyveiloflilac，ofrose，ofsaffron，ofamethyst，orofmauve，accordingtothetimeofday。SenorJohnsondiscoveredthatlookingatthelandscapeupsidedownaccentuatedthecoloureffects。Itamusedhimvastlysuddenlytobendoverhissaddlehorn，thetopofhisheadnearlytouchinghishorse"smane。Thedistantmountainsatoncestartedoutintoredderprominence；

theirshadowsofpurpledeepenedtotheroyalcolour；theroseveilthickened。

"She"stheprettiestcountryGodevermade！"exclaimedSenorJohnsonwithentireconviction。

Andnomatterwherehewent，norintohowfamiliarcountryherode，theshapesofillusionofferedalwaysvariety。OnedaytheChiricahuaswereatableland；nextdayaseriesofcastellatedpeaks；nowananvil；nowasawtooth；andrarelytheythrewamagnificentsuspensionbridgeacrosstheheavenstotheirneighbours，therangesonthewest。Lakesripplinginthewindandbreakingontheshore，cattlebigaselephantsorsmallasrabbits，distancesthatdidnotexistandforeststhatneverwere，bedsoflavaalongthehillsswearingtoacloudshadow，whiletheskywaspolishedlikeapreciousstone——these，andmanyotherbeautifulandmarvellousbutemptyshowsthegreatdesertdisplayedlavishly，withtheglitterandinconsequenceofadream。SenorJohnsonsatonhishorseinthehotsun，hischininhisband，hiselbowonthepommel，watchingitallwithgrave，unshiftingeyes。

Occasionally，belated，hesawthestars，thewonderfuldesertstars，blazingclearandunflickering，liketheflamesofcandles。Orthemoonworkedhernecromancies，hemminghiminbymountainstenthousandfeethighthroughwhichtherewasnopass。

Andthenasherode，themountainsshiftedlikethescenesinatheatre，andhecrossedthelittlesanddunesoutfromthedreamcountrytotheadobecorralsofthehomeranch。

Allthesethings，andmanyothers，SenorJohnsonnowsawforthefirsttime，althoughhehadlivedamongthemfortwentyyears。

Itstruckhimwiththefreshnessofasurprise。Alsoitreactedchemicallyonhismentalprocessestogenerateanewpowerwithinhim。Thenewpower，beingasyetunapplied，madehimuneasyandrestlessandalittleirritable。

HetriedtoshowsomeofhiswonderstoParker。

"Jed，"saidhe，oneday，"thisisagreatcountry。"

"YouKNOWit，"repliedtheforeman。

"Thosetouristsintheirnickel-platedPullmanscallthisadesert。Desert，hell！Lookatthemflowers！"

Theforemancastaneyeonaglorioussilkenmantleofpurple，ahundredyardsbroad。

"Sure，"heagreed；"showswhatwecoulddoifweonlyhadalittlewater。"

Andagain："Jed，"begantheSenor，"didyouevernoticethemmountains？"

"Sure，"agreedJed。

"Ain"tthataprettycolour？"

"Youbet，"agreedtheforeman；"nowyou"retalking！Ialways，saidtheywasmineralisedenoughtomakeagoodprospect。"

Thiswasunsatisfactory。SenorJohnsongrewmorerestless。Hiscriticaleyebegantotakeaccountofsmalldetails。Attheranchhouseoneeveninghe，onasudden，bellowedloudlyforSang，theChineseservant。

"Lookatthese！"heroared，whenSangappeared。

Sang"seyesopenedinbewilderment。

"There，andthere！"shoutedthecattleman。"Lookatthemoldnewspapersandthemgunrags！Theplaceislikeacow-yard。Whyinthenameofheavendon"tyoucleanuphere！"

"Alleelight，"babbledSang；"Icleanhim。"

Thepapersandgunragshadlainthereunnoticedfornearlyayear。SenorJohnsonkickedthemsavagely。

"It"stimewetookabracehere，"hegrowled，"we"relivin"likealotofOilers。"[5]

[5]Oilers：Greasers——MexicansCHAPTERTHREE

THEPAPERAYEAROLD

Sanghurriedoutforabroom。SenorJohnsonsatwherehewas，hisheavy，squarebrowsknit。Suddenlyhestooped，seizedoneofthenewspapers，drewnearthelamp，andbegantoread。

ItwasaKansasCitypaperand，byastrangecoincidence，wasdatedexactlyayearbefore。ThesheetSenorJohnsonhappenedtopickupwasoneusuallypassedoverbytheaveragenewspaperreader。Itcontainedonlycolumnsoflittletwo-andthree-lineadvertisementsclassifiedasHelpWanted，SituationsWanted，LostandFound，andPersonal。ThelatteritemsSenorJohnsoncommencedtoreadwhileawaitingSangandthebroom。

Thenoticeswerefiveinnumber。Thefirstthreewereofthemysteriousnewspaper-correspondencetype，inwhichBirdiebeseechesJacktomeetheratthefountain；thefourthadvertisedaclairvoyant。OverthefifthSenorJohnsonpausedlong。Itreads"WANTED-Byanintelligentandrefinedladyofpleasingappearance，correspondencewithagentlemanofmeans。Objectmatrimony。

JustthenSangreturnedwiththebroomandbegannoisilytosweeptogetherthedebris。TherustlingofpapersarousedSenorJohnsonfromhisreverie。Atonceheexploded。

"Getoutofhere，youdebasedMongolian，"heshouted；"can"tyouseeI"mreading？"

Sangfled，sorelypuzzled，fortheSenorwascalmandunexcitedandaloofinhiseverydayhabit。

SoonJedParker，tall，wiry，hawk-nosed，deliberate，cameintotheroomandflunghisbroadhatandspursintothecorner。Thenheproceededtolighthispipeandthrewtheburnedmatchonthefloor。

"BeenovertolookattheGrantPassrange，"heannouncedcheerfully。"She"snogood。Drierthancorklegs。Th"countrywouldn"tsupportthreehornedtoads。"

"Jed，"quoththeSenorsolemnly，"Iwishtyou"dhangupyourhatlikeIhave。Itdon"tlookgoodthereonthefloor。"

"Why，sure，"agreedJed，withanastonishedstare。

Sangbroughtinsupperandslungitontheredandwhitesquaresofoilcloth。Thenhemovedthelampandretired。

SenorJohnsongazedwithdistasteintohiscup。

"Thiscoffeewouldfloatawedge，"hecommentedsourly。

"She"snopulinginfant，"agreedthecheerfulJed。

"Andthis！"wentontheSenor，pickingupwhatpurportedtobeplumduff："Bogdownafewcurrantsindoughandcallherpudding！"

Heateinsilence，thenpushedbackhischairandwenttothewindow，gazingthroughitsgrimypanesatthemountains，etherealintheireveningsaffron。

"BlamedChink，"hegrowled；"whydon"thewashthesewindows？"

Jedlaiddownhisbusyknifeandidleforktogazeonhischiefwithamazement。BuckJohnson，theaustere，thealoof，thegrimlytaciturn，thedangerous，tobethuscomplaininglikeaquerulouswoman！

"Senor，"saidhe，"you"reoffyourfeed。"

SenorJohnsonstrodesavagelytothetableandsatdownwithabang。

"I"msickofit，"hegrowled；"thisthingwillkillmeoff。I

mightaswellgobeabucknunandbedonewithit。"

Withoneround-armsweepheclearedasidethedishes。

"Givemethatpenandpaperbehindyou，"herequested。

Foranhourhewroteanddestroyed。Thefloorbecamelitteredwithtornpapers。Thenheenvelopedameagreresult。Parkerhadwatchedhiminsilence。

TheSenorlookeduptocatchhisspeculativeeye。Hisowneyetwinkledalittle，butthetwinklewasdeterminedandsinister，withonlyanalloyofhumour。

"Senor，"venturedParkerslowly，"thiseventsureknocksmehell-westandcrooked。Ifthelocoyouhaveculledhasn"tparalysedyourspeakingparts，wouldyoumindtellingmewhatinthenameofheaven，hell，andhigh-waterisup？"

"Iamgoingtogetmarried，"announcedtheSenorcalmly。

"What！"shoutedParker；"whoto？"

"Toalady，"repliedtheSenor，"anintelligentandrefinedlady——

ofpleasingappearance。"

CHAPTERFOUR

DREAMS

Althoughthepaperwasayearold，SenorJohnsoninduetimereceivedananswerfromKansas。Acorrespondenceensued。SenorJohnsonenshrinedabovethebigfireplacethephotographofawoman。Beforethisheusedtostandforhoursatatimeslowlyconstructinginhismindwhathehadhithertolacked——anidealofwomanandofhome。ThisidealheusedsometimestoexpresstohimselfandtotheironicalJed。

"Itmustsurebenicetohavealittlewomanwaitin"foryouwhenyoucomeinoff"nthedesert。"

Or："Now，awomanwouldhavethemwindowsjustbloomingwithflowersandwhitecurtainsandsuchtruck。"

Or："IbetthatSangwouldgetawiggleonhimwithhislittleoldcleaningdudsifhehadawomanaholdofhisjerkline。"

Slowlyhereconstructedhislife，thelifeoftheranch，intermsofthishypothesisedfeminineinfluence。Thenmatterscametoanunderstanding，SenorJohnsonhadsenthisownportrait。

EstrellaSandswrotebackthatsheadoredbigblackbeards，butshewasafraidofhim，hehadsuchafascinatingbadeye：nowomancouldresisthim。SenorJohnsonatoncetookthingsforgranted，sentontoKansasapreposteroussumof"expense"moneyandarailroadticket，andraidedGoodrich"sstoreatWillets，ahundredmilesaway，forallmannerofgaudycarpets，silverware，fancylamps，worksofart，pianos，linen，andgimcracksfortheadornmentoftheranchhouse。Furthermore，heofferedwagesmorethanequaltoahundredmilesofdeserttoayoungIrishgirl，namedSusieO"Toole，tocomeoutashousekeeper，decorator，bossofSangandanotherChinaman，andcompaniontoMrs。Johnsonwhensheshouldarrive。

Furthermore，helaidofffromtherangeworkBrentPalmer，themostskilfulmanwithhorses，andsethimto"gentling"abeautifullittlesorrel。AsidesaddlehadarrivedfromElPaso。

Itwas"centrefire，"whichistosayithadbutthesinglehorsehaircinch，broad，tasselled，verygenteelinitssuggestionofpleasureuseonly。Brentcouldbeseenatalltimesofday，canteringhereandthereonthesorrel，ablankettiedaroundhiswaisttosimulatethelongridingskirt。Hecarriedalsoasulkyandevilgleaminhiseye，warningagainstunduelevity。

JedParkerwatchedthesevariousproceedingssardonically。

Once，thebabylightofinnocenceblueinhiseye，heinquiredifhewouldberequiredtodressfordinner。

"Ifso，"hewenton，"I"llhavemymanbrushupmylow-neckedclothes。"

ButSenorJohnsonrefusedtobebaited。

"Goon，Jed，"saidhe；"youknowyouain"tgotclothesenoughtodustafiddle。"

TheSenorwashappythesedays。Heshoweditbyanunwontedjovialityofspirit，byaslightbutevidentunbendingofhisSpanishdignity。Nolongerdidthesplendourofthedesertfillhimwithavagueyearninganduneasiness。Helookeduponitconfidently，notingitsvariousphaseswithcare，rejoicingineachnewdevelopmentofcolourandlight，offormandillusion，storingthemawayinhismemorysothattheirrecurrenceshouldfindhimpreparedtorecogniseandexplainthem。Forsoonhewouldhavesomeonebyhissidewithwhomtoappreciatethem。Inthatsharingbecouldseethereasonforthem，thereasonfortheirstrangebitter-sweeteffectsonthehumansoul。

Oneeveningheleanedonthecorralfence，lookingtowardtheDragoons。Thesunhadsetbehindthem。Gigantictheyloomedagainstthewesternlight。Fromtheirsummits，likeanaureola，radiatedthesplendourofthedust-motedair，thiseveningadeepumber。Afaintreflectionofitfellacrossthedesert，glorifyingthereachesofitsnothingness。

"I"lltakeheroutonaneveninglikethis，"quothSenorJohnsontohimself，"andI"llmakeherkeephereyesonthegroundtillwegetrightupbyRunningBearKnob，andthenI"llletherlookupalltoonce。Andshe"llsurelyenjoythislife。Ibetsheneversawasteerropedinherlife。ShecanridewithmeeverydayoutovertherangeandI"llshowherthebustingandthebrandingandthatbandofantelopeoverbytheTallWindmill。I"llteachhertoshoot，too。Andwecanmakelittlepacktripsoffinthehillswhenshegetstoohot——uptherebyDeerskinMeadows"mongstthehighpeaks。"

Hemused，turningoverinhismindanewpictureofhisownlife，aims，andpursuitsasmodifiedbythesympatheticandunderstandingcompanionshipofawoman。Hepicturedhimselfashemustseemtoherinhisdifferentpursuits。Thepicturesquenesspleasedhim。Thesimple，directvanityoftheman——thewholesomevanityofastraightforwardnature——awakenedtopreenitsfeathersbeforetheideaofthemate。

Theshadowsfell。OvertheChiricahuasflaredtheeveningstar。

Theplain，self-luminouswiththeweirdlucenceofthearidlands，showedghostly。JedParker，comingoutfromthelamp-litadobe，leanedhiselbowsontherailinsilentcompanywithhischief。He，too，lookedabroad。Hismind"seyesawwhathisbody"seyehadalwaystoldhimweretheinsistentnotes——thealkali，thecactus，thesage，themesquite，thelava，thechokingdust，theblindingbeat，theburningthirst。Hesighedinthedimhalfrecollectionofpastdays。

"Iwonderifshe"lllikethecountry？"hehazarded。

ButSenorJohnsonturnedonhimhissteadyeyes，filledwiththegreatgloryofthedesert。

"Likethecountry！"hemarvelledslowly。"Ofcourse！Whyshouldn"tshe？"