第4章

"Thestagejoltsalongtwoorthreemiles，an\'nothin\'morebein\'

said。Theblack-coatgenthegroansoccasionally，whichworriesTexas；an\'thetwoinfants，gettin\'restless，comestumblin\'overontoCherokeean\'issearchin\'ofhispocketsformementoes。Whichthisisaboutasrefreshin\'toCherokeeasbein\'burnedatthestake。Butthemothersheleansbackan\'smiles，an\'ofcoursehe\'splumbhe\'pless。Finallytheblack。coatgentp\'intsinforanothertalk。

"\'Whatisyourname，myporeworm？\'saystheblack-coatgent，addressin\'ofTexas；\'an\'whateveravocationhasyouan\'yourlostcompanion？\'

"IWhy，\'saysTexas，\'thisyere\'sHall——CherokeeHall。HeturnsfarointheRedLight；an\'，\'continuesTexas，a-lowerin\'ofhisvoice，\'he\'sassquar\'agentasevercountedadeck。Actooally，pard，youmightnotthinkit，butallthatgentknowsaboutsettin\'upkyards，ordealin\'double，oranvsechsinfulscheme，ismeretradition。\'

"\'Brother，\'saysthefemale，bristlin\'upan\'tacklin\'theblack-

coatgent，\'don\'ttalktothempersonsnomore。Them\'sgamblers，an\'

mightyawfulmen；\'an\'withthatshesnatchesawaytheyearlin\'slikethey\'scontam\'nated。

\'ThisisrelieftoCherokee，buttheyoung-oneshowlslikecoyotes，an\'wantstocomebackan\'finishpillagin\'him。Butthemothershespanks\'em，an\'whenTexasisgoin\'togive\'emsomecartridgesoutenhisbelttoamoose\'em，shesasseshimscand\'lous，an\'allowssheain\'tneedin\'noattentionsfromhim。ThenshesnortsatTexasan\'Cherokeecontemptuous。Theyoung-oneskeepsonyellin\'inamightyonmelodiousway，an\'whileCherokeeisca\'man\'don\'tseemlikehemindsitmuch，Texasgetssomenervous。AtlastTexaslugsoutabottle，aimin\'tocomposehisfeelins\'，whichthey\'ssomeharrowedbynow。

"`Well，Inever!\'shoutsthewoman；\'Ishorelyseesinebriateserenow，butatleasttheyhasthedecencynottopullabottlethata-

waybeforealady。\'"ThisstampedesTexascomplete，an\'hethrowsthewhiskeyoutenthestagean\'don\'tgetnodrink。"It\'salonglateinthemornin\'whenthestagestrikestheupperendofApacheCanyon。Thisyerecanyonislatelyreckonedsomebad。Nothin\'everhappensontheline，butthemisthedayswhenCochiseiscavortin\'\'roundplentyloose，an\'

it\'smightypossibletostirupApachesanytimea-layin\'inthehillsalongthetrailtoTucson。Iftheyevergetsanotiontostandupthestage，they\'sshoreduetobeinthiscanyon；whereforeCherokeean\'Texasan\'OldMontewho\'sdrivin\'regardsits\'picious。"\'Send\'emthroughonthejump，Monte，\'saysCherokee，stickin\'outhishead。"Thesixhosseslinesoutataten-milegait，whichrattlesthings，an\'makestheblack-coatgentsigh，whiletheyoung-onespoursforthsomeappallin\'shrieks。Thefemalegetsspeshulmadatthis，allowin\'

they\'splayin\'itlowdownonherfam\'ly。Butshetakesitoutincuffin\'theyearlin\'snowan\'then，jesttokeep\'emyellin\'，an\'

don\'tsaynothin\'。"Whichthestageisabouthalfthroughthecanyon，whenuponbothsidesaselectassortmentofWinchestersbeginstobangan\'jumppermiscus；thesamegoin\'hand-in-handwithwhoopsofonusualmerit。WiththefirstshotOldMontepourstheleatherintotheteam，an\'themhossessurgesintothecollarslikecyclones。"It\'sluckyaboriginesain\'tnoshots。Theyneveryetgetsthephelosophyofahindsightnone，an\'generallyyoucan\'treachtheirbulletswithaten-footpole，they\'sthathighaboveyourhead。TheonlythingasgetshitthistimeisTexas。Aboutthebeginnin\'，alittlecloudofdustfliesoutentheshoulderofhiscoat，hisfaceturnspale，an\'

Cherokeeknowshe\'screased。"\'Didtheygetyou，OldMan？\'saysCherokee，someanxious。"\'No，\'saysTexas，tryin\'tobracehimse\'f。

\'I\'llbeonvelvetag\'ininasecond。Inowlongs，however，forthatwhiskeyIhurlsoverboardsograceful。\'"TheApachescomestumblin\'downontothetrailan\'giveschase，a-shootin\'an\'a-yellin\'aheapzealous。Asthey\'sonfoot，an\'asOldMonteismakin\'fifteenmilesanhourbynow，theymerelymanagestoholdtheirownintherace，aboutfortyyardstother\'ar。

"Thisdon\'tgoonlongwhenCherokee，afterthinkin\'，saystoTexas，\'ThisyereisthewayIfiggersit，Ifwe-allskeepson，themInjunsisthatferventtheyrunsinonusattheford。Withhalfluckthey\'sduetodowneitherahossorMonte——mebbyboth；inwhicheventthestageshorelystops，an\'it\'safight。Thisbein\'troo，an\'asI\'m\'lectedforwaranyhow，I\'mgoin\'tocaperoutrightyere，an\'pullonthebailemyse\'f。This\'llstopthechase，an\'

betweenus，pard，it\'saboutthelastchanceintheboxthisporefemalean\'heroffspringshas。An\'Iplaysitfor\'em，winorlose。\'

"\'Them\'smymotives；saysTexas，tryin\'topullhimse\'ftogether。

\'Shallwetakethishe-shorthornalong？\'An\'hep\'intswherethemfourtenderfootsismixeduptogetherinthebackofthestage。

"\'Hewouldn\'tbeworthawhitechip，\'saysCherokee，\'an\'you-allistoohardhittogo，Texas，yourse\'f。SotakemyregardstoEnrightan\'theboys，an\'smooththisallyouknowforFaroNell。Imakesthetripalone。\'

"\'Notmuch，\'saysTexas。\'Mystackgoestothecenter，too。\'

"Butitdon\'t，though，\'causeTexashasbledmore\'nhethinks。Thefirstmovehemakeshetipsoverinafaint。

"CherokeepicksuphisWinchester，an\'，openin\'thedoorofthestage，jumpsplumbfree，an\'theyleaveshimtharonthetrail。

"\'It\'smebbyanhourlaterwhenthestagecomesintoWolfvilleonthelope。Texasisstillinafog，speakin\'mental，an\'aboutbledtodeath；whilethemexhortin\'peopleisoutentheirmindsentire。

"Innotimethar\'sadozenofuslinedoutforCherokee。Dowelocatehim？WhichIshouldsayweshorelydiscovershim。Thar\'sabulletthroughhislaig，an\'tharheiswithhisbackag\'inarockwall，hisWinchestertothefront，hiseyesglitterin\'，a-holdin\'

thecanyon。TharneverisnoInjungetsbyhim。Ofcoursetheystampedespromptwhentheyhearsusa-comin\'，sowedon\'tgetnofight。

"\'Ihopesyounailsone，Cherokee，\'saysEnright；\'playin\'evenonthisyerelaigtheyshoots。\'

"\'Iwinonce，Ireckons\'，saysCherokee，\'overbehindthatbigrocktotheleft。\'

"\'Shoreenoughhe\'sgotoneInjunspreadout；an\'，comin\'alongalittle，JackMooreturnsupasecond。

"\'Yere\'sanother，\'saysJack，\'whichbreaksevenonthebulletinTexas。\'

"\'That\'sright，\'saysCherokee，\'Iremembersnowthanistwo。Thekyardsiscomin\'someTast，an\'Ioverlooksabet。\'

"We-allsgetsCherokeeinallright，an\'nextday\'roundcomesthefemaletenderfoottoseehim。

"\'Iwantstothankmydefender，\'shesays。

"\'Youain\'tondernoobligations，whatever，ma\'am\'，saysCherokee，risin\'upalittle，whileFaroNellputsanothergoose-h\'arpilleronderhim。\'Isimplypreferstodomyfightin\'inthecanyontodoin\'itattheford；that\'sall。It\'sonlyamatterofstraightbusiness；nothin\'more\'napreferenceIhas。Anotherthing，ma\'am；

you-allforgivesit，seein\'I\'magentonusedtochildishways:butwhenImakestheplayyounames，Isimplyseizesonthemsavagesthata-wayasanexcusetogetloosefromthemblessedchildrenofyour\'nawholelot。\'"

CHAPTERX。

TEXASTHOMPSON\'S"ELECTION。"

"An\'betweenus，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，theobservationbeingrelevanttothesubjectofourconversationontheoccasionofoneofourmanyconfabs，"betweenyouan\'me，Iain\'tnoneshoreaboutthemeritsofwhatyou-allcallslawan\'order。Nowapains-takin\'

an\'discreetvig\'lancecommitteeismynotionofabulwark。Letanyoutfittakeabaleofropean\'aweekoff，an\'iftheircampain\'tweededdowntorightprinciplesan\'aquietlifeattheendtharof，thenI\'vepassedmydaysasvainasanycoyotewhicheveryelps。

"OfcoursethardawnsatimewhenWolfvillehastocometoit，sameasothers。Theytakestodiggin\'forcopper；an\'theybuildstheBirdCageOp\'ryHouse，an\'putsinimprovementsgeneral。Weevenculminatesinapaper，whichDocPeetsassuresusistheflowerofourprogress。Nacherallyontheheelsofallthemoutburstswegivesupoursimpleschemes，organizes，an\'pullsoffan\'lection。ButasOldManEnrightismadealcaldetharby，withJackMooremarshal，thejoltisnotseverenorthechangesofullofnotice。

"It\'snotlongpriortotheseyerestampedesintoahighermoonicipallife，however，whenquiteab\'ilin\'ofusisintheRedLightdiscussin\'somesechfuture。Ourrival，RedDog，isallowin\'

it\'sgoin\'tohaveamayororsomethin\'，an\'wesorterfeelslikeourhandsisforced。

"\'Formyse\'f，\'saysOldManEnright，whenthetopiciscirc\'latin\'，withthewhiskeyfollowin\'suit，an\'eachgentisairin\'hisideesan\'paintin\'hisnoseaccordin\'tohistaste，\'formyse\'f，Icanseeitcomin\'。Thar\'stobelawyerean\'\'lections；an\'whileatfirstit\'smightylikelybothisgoin\'toturnoutdisturbin\'elements，stillIlooksontheirapproachwithoutfear。Wolfvilleistoostrong，an\'Wolfvilleintelligenceistoowellfounded，toletanylawlocoitorsetittomillin\'。\'

"\'Still，\'saysDanBoggs，\'ImustremarkIprefersadoolyauthorizedbandofStranglers。Avig\'lancecommitteegetsmygamerightalong。They\'smorehonestthananyoftheseyerelawsharpswho\'s\'lectedtobeajedge；an\'they\'saheapmorezealous，whichlastisimportant。\'

"\'Boggsisright，\'repliesEnright。\'Itmaynotbecomeme，whoisheadofthelocalbodyofthatsort，tomakeboastsoftheexcellenceofavig\'lancecommittee；butIain\'tbluffin\'onafour-

flushwhenIchallengesanygenttoputhistonguetoaneventwhereavig\'lancecommitteestretchesapartywhoain\'tinneedtharof；orwhichgoeswastin\'itslariatsonthedesertair。Iputsittoyou-

allswithoutheatorpride，gents；JedgeLynchisrighteverytime。\'

"\'Putmedown，\'saysDocPeets，atthesametimemakin\'signsforthebarkeeptorememberhismissiononearth，\'putmedownascoincidin\'inthemsentiments。An\'Isaysfurther，thatanypartywho\'slookin\'fortheplacewherethebadmanisscarce，an\'alaw-

abidin\'genthasthefullestliberty，peggedouttotheshorestsafetytood，lethimlocatewherehefindsthemostlynchin\'s，an\'

whereavig\'lancecommitteeissteadilyengageddiscriminatin\'

\'roundthroughthecommunity。

Whichacampthusprovidedisamodelofheavenlypeace。\'

"\'Youcangamble，ifanybody\'splumbawareoftheseyoretrooths，it\'sme，\'

saysTexasThompson。

\'WhenI\'mdownintheSouthPalodurocountry，workin\'apasselofBar-K-7cattle，Iaidsinaneffortto\'lectajedgean\'institootreg\'larshore-\'noughlaw；an\'thesamecomesmightynearleavin\'theentirehamletahowlin\'waste。Itdeciminatesaheapofourbestcitizens。

"\'Thisyeremisguidedbluffcomestopasspeculiar；an\'Iallersallowsifitain\'tfortheonforeseenwaywhereinthingsstacksup，an\'themuddlewe-allsgetsintotryin\'tofindatrail，thePlazaPalodurowouldhavebeenasceneofbleatin\'peacethatday，insteadofastric\'lycorpse-an\'-cartridgeoccasion。Thedeathraterisestothatdegreeinfactthatthenextroundupisshyonmen；an\'tharain\'tenoughcartridgesincamp，whenthesmokeblowsaway，tobeseedforasecondcrop。Onthesquar\'，gents，that\'lectiondayontheSouthPalodurowaswhatyou-allsmighttermamassacre，an\'getitrighteverytime。\'

"\'Well，whatofthisyeretoomultuous\'lection？\'demandsDaveTutt，whogetsimpatientwhileTexasrefresheshimse\'finhisglass。\'You-

allremindsmeamightysight，Texas，oftheTucsonpreacherwhopullshisfreighttheotherday。Theyputsittohim，theTucsonfolksdo，thathetalksan\'hetalks，buthedon\'tp\'intout；an\'heargufiesan\'heargufies，buthenevershowswherein。Apartywho\'sgoin\'tomakeapulpit-play，orshineinArizonaasaracontoor，hasdonegottocult\'vateadirect，incisivestyle。\'

"\'That\'sallc\'rect，\'remarksTexas，somesavage，asherecovershisnoseoutenhisglass；\'neveryoufretmenoneaboutmystylenotbein\'incisive。Tharbeotherplayswhereanygentwhocomesputtin\'

itallovermewithroodean\'intemp\'rateremarkswillfindmeplentyincisive；nottosaysomesoon:

"\'Yere!\'interruptsEnright，quickan\'sharp。\'Thisisplumboutsidetheline。Texasain\'tgotnocalltowakeupsomalignantoverwhat\'smostlikelynothin\'worsethanhumoronTutt\'spart；an\'，Tutt，itain\'tuptoyounoneneither，togospurrin\'TexasintheshoulderinthemidstofwhatI\'myeretomaintainisamightythrillin\'narration。\'

"\'Texasisgoodpeople，\'saysDave，\'an\'thelastgentwithwhichI

thirststodigupthewar-axe。WhichI\'mproudtobehisfriend；an\'

ImeansnooffensewhenIsu\'geststhathewhirlasmallerloopwhenheonbosomshimse\'fofatale。IyeretendersTexasmyhand，assurin\'ofhimthatImeansmylanguagean\'ain\'tholdin\'outnothin\'。Shake!\'An\'atthisDavereacheshispistol-handtoTexasThompson，an\'thesameisseizedpromptan\'friendly。

"`Thisyereismyfault，\'saysTexas。\'Ireckonsnowmywiferecoverin\'thatLaredodivorceI\'mmentionin\'toyou-alls，sorterleavesmeaheappetulant，thata-way。Buttogobacktothiswar-

jigIwasrelatin\'aboutdownatPlazaPaloduro。

"\'It\'sthisa-way:No，Nellie；thar\'snofemaleinit。Thisyeregrowsfromabusinesstransaction；an\'theefforttharfromtoimproveonpresentconditions，institootareignoflaw，an\'lectajedge。

"\'Whichthecomin\'ofamiscreantnamedCimmaronPete，fromsome\'ersovernearthe\'DobyWalls，isthebeginnin\'ofthedeal。ThisCimmaronPetecomestrailin\'inoneday；an\'ashorthorncalledGlidden，whorunsastoreattheford，comesropin\'atCimmaronPetetoraceponies。"\'"Whatforstakesdoyou-allaimtoracefor？"

demandsthisCimmaronPete。

"\'"I\'llrunyouforhossan\'saddle，"saysGlidden。

"\'"Sayhossag\'inhoss，"saysCimmaronPete，"an\'I\'mliabletogoyou。Saddlesishardtoget，an\'Iwon\'treskmine。Ponies，however，iseasy。Icanget\'emeverymoonlightnight。"

"\'Whenthemsportsisracin\'，——whichtherunistobeaquarterofamile，onlytheyneverfinishes，——jestasCimmaronbeginstopullahead，hisponybein\'ashadesuddenerthanGlidden\'s，whateverdoesthelatterdobutropethisCimmaronPete\'sponybythefeetan\'

downhim。

"\'It\'sshorefineworkwithalariat，butitcomeshighforGlidden。

For，ashestampedesby，thisCimmaronturnsloosehissix-shooterfromwherehe\'stangledupwithhisbroncoontheground；an\'asthefirstbulletgetsGliddeninthebackofhishead，hislightgoesoutlikeacandle。

"\'WhenthecommitteelooksintotheplaytheyjestifiesthisCimmaron。"Whileonthesurface，"theysays，"thedealseemsalittleflorid；still，whenagentarmedwithnothin\'butacoldsenseofjesticecomestopirootin\'plumbthroughtheaffairwithalantern，he\'sduetoemergealotwiththeconvictionthatGlidden\'swrong。"SoCimmaronisfreeinaminute。

"\'Butthar\'sGlidden\'sstore!Thar\'snobodytoclaimit；tharbein\'

nofam\'lytoGliddennohow；notevenahiredman。

"\'"Which，asitseemstobeacaseopentodoubt，"observesthisyereCimmaron，"InacherallytakesthisGliddenparty\'sstorean\'

dealshisgamemyse\'f。"

"\'Itain\'tmuchofastore；an\'bein\'astherestofusishavin\'

allwe-allscanrideherdonforourse\'fs，nogentmakesobjections，an\'Cimmaronturnshimse\'flooseinGlidden\'sstore，an\'beginstosellthingsawholelot。He\'sshorelydoin\'well，Ireckons，whenmebbyit\'saweeklaterhecomeschargin\'overtoapasselofusan\'

allowshewantsthecommitteetosettlesometroublewhichhascuthistrail。

"\'"It\'saboutthedebtsofthisyereGlidden，deceased，"saysCimmaron。"Isucceedstothebusinessofcourse；whichit\'slittleenoughfordepartedropin\'myponythattime。Butyou-allscangambleIain\'tgoin\'\'waybackonthisyeredeadperson\'strail，an\'

settleallhisgrayan\'hoaryindebtnesses。Woulditberight，gents？Iputsittoyou-allsonthesquar\'；doIimmersemyse\'f，I\'dlikefortobetold，indeceased\'sliabilitiesmerelyforresentin\'

ofhiswrongsag\'inmewithmygun？Ifagentcangoblindlyshootin\'himse\'fintobankruptcythata-way，theAmericangov\'mentisarankloser，an\'theStateofTexasisplumbplayedout。"

Whenwe-allsproceedstoferretintothisyeremyst\'ry，wefindsthar\'sasharpcomeupfromDallaswhoclaimsthatCimmaron\'sgottopayhimwhatGliddenowes。ThisyereDallaspartyputssaidindebtednessesatfivestacksofblues。

"\'An\'thisyerelonghorn\'sgot\'emtomakegood，"saystheDallassharp，p\'intin\'atCimmaron，"\'causeheinheritsthestore。"

"\'Now，whateverdoyou-allsthinkofthat？"saysCimmaron，appealin\'

tous。"YereI\'vetoldthisperversesportthatGlidden\'sdonecashedinan\'quit；an\'nowhelaysformewiththemindebtednesses。

Itshorelyweariesme。"

"\'Itdon\'ttakethevig\'lancecommitteenotimetoagreeitain\'tgotnothin\'tosayinthecase。

"\'"It\'sonlyonkillin\'s，an\'hoss-rustlin\'s，an\'sim\'larbreaks。"

explainsOldMonroe，who\'schiefofthePaloduroStranglers，"wherewe-allsgetskyards。Weain\'tinonwhat\'samereopen-an\'-shetcaseofdebt。"

"\'ButthisDallassharpstaysrightwithCimmaron。Hegivesitoutcoldhe\'sgoin\'toc\'lect。Heputsituphe\'llshoresueCimmaronalot。

"\'You-allsdon\'tmeantosaytharain\'tnojedgeyere？"remarkstheDallassharp，whenOldMonroeexplainsweain\'torganizednoneforsechgamesaslawcases。"Well，thisyerePlazaPaloduroisforcertainthelocodestcampofwhichIevercutsthetrail!You-allsbettergetahustleonrightnowan\'\'lectajedge。IfIgoesbacktoDallasan\'tellsthisstoryofhowyou-allsain\'tgotnojedgenornolawyere，theywon\'tletthisPlazaPalodurogetcloseenoughto\'eminbusinesstohand\'emaripepeach。Ifthar\'senoughsenseinthiscamptomakebakin\'-powderbiscuit，you-allswillhaveajedge\'lectedreadyformetohavelawcaseswithbysecond-drinktimeto-morrowmornin\'。"

"\'Afterhangin\'upthisblufftheDallassharp，puttin\'onaheapofhawtooran\'dog，walksovertothetavernag\'in，an\'leavesustosizeuptheplayatourlcesure。

"\'WhatthisobduratepartyfromDallassays，"finallyremarksOldMonroe，"isnotwith。outwhattheComanchescallstum-tum。Thar\'ssaveyan\'jesticeinthemobservations。It\'smyidee，thattharbein\'nojedgeyere，thata-way，tomakeamoneyround-upforagentwhenhisdebtordon\'tmakegood，ismightylikelyapalin\'offenourfence。Ishorelythinkswebetterrectifythemomissionsan\'\'lectajedgeatonce。"

"\'WhichI\'mopposedtotheseproceedin\'s，"interruptsCimmaron。"I\'mplumbadversetoco\'ts。Themlaw-wolvesgetsinto\'em，an\'whentheycan\'tfindnogatetocomeatyou，theyupsan\'pushesdownapaneloffence，an\'laysforyou，cross-lots。I\'mdeadag\'intheseproceedin\'s。"

"\'Seeyere，"saysOldMonroe，turnin\'onthisCimmaron，"you-allisbecomin\'tooapparentinthiscamp；whatImightdescribeasaheaptooobvious。Nowifyougetsyourstackinag\'inwhenitain\'tyourturn；orpicksupanybody\'shandbutyourown，I\'llfindashortwayofknockin\'yourhornsoff。Youdon\'tseemgiftedenoughtorealizethatyou\'reluckytobealiverightnow。"

"\'BarCimmaron，wholapsesintosilenceafterOldMonroegiveshimnotice，theentirecamplinesupfav\'rableontheideeto\'lectajedge。Theysendsovertothecorralan\'getsanose-bagfortodepositthevotes；an\'it\'sdecidedthatOldMonroean\'aCross-Z

partynamedRandallhasgottodotherunnin\'。Randallisplentyp\'lite，an\'allowshedon\'twanttobejedgenonenohow，an\'says，giveittoOldMonroe；butthelattergent，whoisorganizin\'theplay，insiststhatitwouldn\'tbelegal。

"\'"Thar\'sgottobetwogentstodotherunnin\'，"soOldMonroesays，"oritdon\'tgo。The\'lectionain\'tlegalthata-wayonlessthar\'stwocandidates。"

"\'TheyputsBroncoCharliean\'asportnamedOrmsbyintobe\'lectionsupervisors。Theywastoholdthenose-bag；an\'asvotesisdroppedin，they\'stocount\'emoutaccordin\'toHoyle，sowe-allscantellwheretheplay\'sheadin\'。BroncoCharlieisjedgeforRandall，an\'Ormsbyfrontsupallsim\'larforOldMonroe。The\'lectionwe-allsdecidestoholdintheLoneStarSaloon，so\'stobeconductedwithcomfort。

"\'"Makeyourgame，now，gents，"saysOldMonroe，wheneverythin\'isshorelyready。"Getinyourvotes。Theseyerepollsisopenforonehour。"

"\'"OneforRandall，"saysBroncoCharlieasOldMonroevotes。

"\'"An\'oneforOldMonroe，"remarksOrmsbywhenRandallvotesnext。

"\'ThisgivesthedealtonetohaveRandallan\'OldMonroep\'intoutbyvotin\'foreachotherthata-way，andtharain\'toneofuswhodon\'tfeelmorerespectablebyit。

"\'It\'stheopinionoflevel-headedgentsevenyet，thatthePlazaPalodurocouldhavepulledoffthis\'lectionan\'gotplumbaway，an\'

neverhadnofriction，ifitain\'tforaGreaserfromSanAntoniowhotriestoringinonus。Thar\'stwenty-oneofushasvoted，an\'

itstandsnineforRandallan\'twelveforOldMonroe；whenuplopesthisyereMexicanan\'allowshe\'slocoedtovote。"\'Whodoyou-allthinkyou\'regoin\'tovotefor？"asksOrmsby。

"\'"SeniorMonroe，"saystheMexican，p\'intin\'atOldMonroe。

"\'Stopthisdeal，"yellsBroncoCharlie，"\'Ichallengesthatvote。

Mexicansisbarred。"

"\'WhichMexicansisnotbarred，"repliesOrmsby。"An\'thevoteofthisyereenlightenedmaverickfromsouthoftheRioGrandegoes。

ThirteenforOldMonroe。"

"\'TwelveforOldMonroe，"remonstratesBroncoCharlie，feelin\'forhisgun。

"\'ThirteenforOldMonroe，"retortsOrmsby，ashisColt\'scomesintoactionan\'hebustsBronco\'sarmattheelbow。

"\'Ashisobstinacyhasdestroyedthefurtherefficiencyofmycolleague，"goesonOrmsby，asheshakesdowntheballotsinthenose-bag，"I\'llnowconducttheseyerepollsalone。Gentswhohaven\'tvotedwillpleasecomea-runnin\'。AsIstatesamomentago，shestandsthirteenforOldMonroe。"

"\'An\'Isaysshe\'stwelveforOldMonroe，"shoutsRedRiverTom，crowdin\'for\'ard。"\'You-allcan\'tringinMexicansan\'snakenoplayonus。Thisyere\'lection\'sgoin\'tobeonthesquar\'，orit\'sgoin\'

tocomeoffinthesmoke。"

"\'Withthis，RedRiver，who\'sbeensorterdomineerin\'atOrmsbywithhissix-shooterwhilehe\'sfreein\'hismind，slamsherloose。RedRiverover-shoots，an\'Ormsbydownshimwithabulletinhislaig。

"\'ThirteenforOldMonroe，"saysOrmsby。

"\'Butthat\'swherethe\'lectionends。Followin\'thesubsidenceofRedRiverTom，theairisasfullofleadasabagofbullets。

Throughthesmoke，an\'theflashes，an\'thenoise，youcanhearOrmsbywhoopin\'

"\'ThirteenforOldMonroe。"

"\'YoucangambleOrmsby\'sassquar\'a\'lectionjedgeasanygentcouldask。YougetsaplayforyourmoneywithOrmsby；buthediesthenextday，soheneveris\'lectionjedgenomore。Fivegentsgetsdowned，an\'awholecorralfullishurt。I，myse\'f，reapssomeleadintheshoulder；an\'evenatthatInevergoesnearerthanthesuburbsofthefight。

"\'No；CimmaronPeteclawsoffallsound，an\'nonewholesinhim。

ButastheDallasparty，whocomescaperin\'overwiththefirstshot，islayin\'atthewindupoutsidetheLoneStardoor，plumbdefunct，thar\'sanendtotherootofthedisorder。

"\'The\'lectionitse\'fislookedonasadraw。OldMonroeallowsthat，allthingsconsidered，hedon\'tregardhimse\'fas\'lectednone；andRandall，whoadoctorisfeelin\'\'roundinforabulletatthetime，sendsoverwordthatheindorsesOldMonroe\'sp\'sition；

an\'thataslongastheDallassharphitsthetrailafterGlidden，an\'istharbyabletolookafterhisdebtshimse\'f，he，Randall，holdsit\'snousedisturbin\'ofareturnedsereenity，an\'toleteverythin\'goasitlays。

"\'An\'that，\'concloodsTexasThompson，ashereachesforhislicker，\'iswhatcomesofaneffortatlawan\'orderinPlazaPaloduro。I

ain\'tover-statin\'it，gents，whenIsays，thatthat\'lectionleavesmeplumbgun-shyforoverayear。\'"

CHAPTERXL。

AWOLFVILLEFOUNDLING。

"DoesJackMoorehavesand？Son，isthisyerequerymeantforhumorbyyou？WhichformeresandtheMohavedesertisafooltoJack。"

TheOldCattleman\'sfacewasfullofanearnest，finesincerity。Itwasplain，too，thatmyquestionnettledtheoldfellowabit；asmightadoubtcastatanidol。Butthesharpnesshadpassedfromhistonewhenheresumed"NotonlyisJacklongonsandthata-way，buthe\'splumbloadedwithwhatyou-allscalls\'nitiative。Leastwisethat\'swhatoneoftheseyerefernologistsallows，whostragglesintocampan\'goestothumbin\'ourbumpsoneday。

"\'Whichthisyoungperson，\'saysthebumpsharp，whilehisfingersiscaperin\'aboutonJack\'shead，Iisremarkableforhis\'nitiative。

He\'sthesortofgentwhobuildshisfirebeforehegetshiswood；

an\'issuesmoreinvitestodrinkthanhereceives。Whichhisweakness，speakin\'general，isheoverplays。\'

"Whichthisyerebumppartymighthavegonewronginhiswagersaheapoftimes；butheshorelycallstheturnonJackwhenhesayshe\'ssomestrongon\'nitiative。

"An\'it\'sthisyerepronenessfortheprematoor，an\'nacheralwillin\'nesstoopenanypotthata-way，thatmakesJacksechaslam-

upoffishul。Bein\'fullof\'nitiative，likethisfernologiststates，Jackdon\'tidlealongontilsomethin\'shappened。Notmuch；heabatesitinthebud。

"Oncewhenmostoftheoutfit\'soverinTucson，an\'Jackissorterholdin\'downthecampalone，abandofrustlerscomestrackin\'in，allowin\'they\'llrunWolfvillesome。Which，that\'swhereJack\'s\'nitiativeshowsupbig。Hegoesafter\'emreadily，likethey\'santelope。Themhold-upsisalongmajorityoverJack，an\'heeled；

butthatJackstandsthar——rightupag\'intheiron——an\'hetells\'emwhathethinksan\'whyhethinksitfor；makeshisminorityreportonto\'emallfree，likeheoutnumbers\'emtwotoone；an\'windsupbybackin\'thegamewithhisguninawaythatcommandsconfidence。

"\'You-allshearsmyremarks，\'hesaysattheclose，brieflyflashin\'

hissix-shootersontheoutfit；\'tharain\'tnobandofbadmeninArizonacantreethistownan\'meinformed。Nowgoslow，orI\'lljeststretchafewofyouforluck。It\'ssechconsoomin\'toil，a-

diggin\'ofsepulchersinthisyererock-ribbedlandscape，orI\'ddoitanyhow。\'

"An\'tharuponthemrustlers，notin\'Jack\'sgotthedropon\'em，kicksupadensecloudofdustanisseennomore。

"Butbein\'repletewithsandan\'\'nitiative，thata-way，don\'tstatealltharisgoodofJack。Letanypore，he\'plesspartycutJack\'strail，an\'he\'splumbtender。OnsechtimesJack\'sadove；leastwisehe\'sadoveawholelot。

"Onehotafternoon，Enrightan\'DocPeetsisawayaboutsomecattleIreckons。Whichtherestofusisnoomerousenough；an\'we\'resorterrevolvin\'\'roundthepost-office，a-waitin\'forOldMontean\'

thestage。Yereshecomes，final，a-rattlin\'an\'a-creakin\'；thatolddrunkardMontea-poppin\'ofhiswhip，thesixhossesonthecanter，an\'thewholesheebangputtin\'onmoredogthanaMexicanofficerofrevenoo。Whenthestagedrawsup，OldMontethrowsoffthemailbagsan\'theWells-Fargobox，an\'getsdownan\'opensthedoor。Butnobodyemergesout。

"\'Well，I\'macoyote!\'saysMonte，aheapdisgusted，`whereveristhefemale？\'

"Thenwe-allspeersintothestagean\'thar\'sonlyababy，withmebbyaten-months\'startdownthisvaleoftears，inside；an\'nomothernornothin\'along。JackMoore，jestasIsayswhenIbegins，reachesinan\'getshim。Thebabyain\'tsayin\'nothin\'，an\'sortertakesitoutinsmilin\'onJack；whichlastpleaseshimexcessive。

"\'Heknowsmeforahundreddollars!\'saysJack。\'I\'manApacheifheain\'tallowin\'heknowsme!Whereverdidyougethim，Monte？\'

"\'Givemeadrink，\'saysMonte，p\'intin\'alongintotheRedLight。

\'Thisyeremakesmesick。\'

"AfterOldMontegetsaboutfourfingersofcarnationonderhisbelt，heturnsinan\'explainsashowthemotherstartsalonginthestageallrightenoughfromTucson。Thelasttimeheseesher，soheputsitup，isatthelaststationbacksometwentymilesinthehills；an\'hes\'posesallthetimelater，she\'sinsideridin\'herdonherprogeny，ontilnow。

"\'Idon\'treckon，\'saysOldMonte，lookin\'gloomy-likeattheinfant，\'thatladyisaimin\'tosawthisyoreyoung-oneontothestagecompanynone？\'

"\'Don\'tupsetyourwhiskeyfrettin\'aboutthecompany，\'saysJack，a-plantin\'oftheinfantonthebar，whilewe-allscrowdsinforalookathim。`Thecamp\'llplaythishand；an\'thecompanyain\'tgoin\'tobeinitalittlebit。\'

"\'IwishEnrightan\'Peetswasyere，\'saysCherokeeHall，\'tobeheardhereon；whichIshoredeemsthisagraveoccasion。Yerewe-

allsfindsourse\'fspossessedofanonexpectedchildoftenderyears；an\'thequestionnacheralenoughis，whatever\'llwedowithit？\'

"\'Let\'smaverickit，\'saysDanBoggs，who\'samightygoodman，butonthinkfulthata-way。

"\'No，\'saysCherokee；\'itsmother\'llcomehoppin\'alongto-morrow，a-yellin\'。ThisyeresotMontehasjestdonedroveoffan\'lefthersome\'ersupthetrail；she\'llcomeromancin\'alongintime。\'

"\'Meanwhile，\'saysJack，\'theinfant\'sgottobetookcareof，towhichdootyIvolunteers。Thar\'satenderfoota-sleepin\'intheroombackofthedance-hall，an\'he\'sthat\'feminatean\'effeet，he\'sgotashore-\'noughbedan\'somegoose-ha\'rpillers；whichthesameIdoyerebyconfiscatetopublicusetotakecareofthisyearlin\'。Isthesentimentpleasin\'？\'

"\'Jack\'sschemeisright，\'saysBoggs；\'an\'I\'mpresenttoannouncehe\'sallersright。Lettheshorthorngosleeponderamesquite-bush；

it\'lldohimgoodawholelot。\'

"\'I\'msomedoobersomeofthisplay，\'saysCherokee。\'Smallinfantsismightymyster\'ouspeople，an\'nolivin\'gentiseverontotheirgamean\'abletoforeseetheirneeds。Doyou-allreckonnowyoucantakecareofthisyereyoung-one，Jack？Beyouequaltoit？\'

"\'Takecareofasmallbabylikethis\'saysJack，plentyscornful；

\'whichthesameain\'tweighin\'twentypounds？Well，it\'llbesomefunnyifIcan\'t。Icouldbreakevenwithhimifhe\'sfourtimesasbig。AllIasksisforyou-allstostandbyincrisisesan\'backtheplay；an\'，thatsettled，youcangomakesidebetswe-allscomesoutwinnersonthedeal。\'

\'Iain\'tabsolootlyshore，\'saysDaveTutt，\'bein\'someshyofpracticewithinfantsmyse\'f，butjedgin\'byhislookin\'smoothan\'

silky，Ioffersfiftydollarsevenheain\'tweanednoneyet。\'

"\'Iwon\'tbetnoneonhisbein\'weanedcomplete；saysJack，\'butI\'llhangupfiftyhedrinksoutenabottleaseasyasOldMonte!

"\'I\'llgoyouonce，\'saysTutt；\'it\'sfiftydollarsevenhegrowscontemptuousatabottle，an\'disdainsit。\'

"Whichwe-allstalksitoveran\'decidesthatJack\'stonursesaidinfant；afterwhichapasselofusproceed\'stomakeaprocessionforthetenderfoot\'sbed，whichheshorelyresignswithoutastruggle。WepacksitbacktoJack；an\'CherokeeHallan\'Boggsthengoesovertothecorralan\'laysforagoattomilkher。Thisyeregoatismightyreluctant，an\'refusestoenterintothesperitofthething；buttheyswingsan\'rastleswithher，makestheirp\'intrightalong，an\'afterafrightfultimecomesbackwith\'mostadipper-full。

"\'That\'sallright，\'saysJack，who\'sdonecampedinaroombackoftheRedLight，\'nowhopoutan\'tellthebarkeeptogiveyouapintbottle。We-allshasthisyeregamepayin\'div\'dendsintwominutes。\'

"Jackgetshisbottlean\'fillsherupwithgoat\'smilk；an\'makesastopperoutencottonclothan\'molassesfortheinfanttodrawitthrough。Whichit\'saboutthistimetheinfantputsupayell，an\'

refusespeaceag\'intillJackgiveshimhissix-shootertoplaywith。

"\'Whichshowsmyconfidenceinhim，\'saysJack。\'Thar\'sonlyafewfolksleftI\'llpassmygunto。\'

"Jackgetsalongwithhimfirst-rate，a-feedin\'ofhimthegoat\'smilk，whichhegoesforwithavidity；tharbynettin\'JackthatfiftyfromDaveTutt。BoggsbuildsafiresoJackkeepsthemilkwarm。

Jackturnsloosethatearnesthedon\'tevengofornogrub；jestnacherallyhas\'empackittohim。

"\'We-alls\'llhavetostandnightgyardsonthisyerefoundlin\'to-

night，Ireckons？"asksBoggsofJack，whenhe\'sbringin\'Jackthings。

"\'Is\'posemostlikelywe\'llhavetomakeaplaythata-way，\'saysJack。

"\'Allright，\'saysBoggs，tappin\'hisshirtwithhispistol-finger；

\'you-allknowsmean\'Cherokee。We\'reinonthisyereanytimeyousays。\'

"SoabandofussortercampsalongwithJackan\'theinfantontilmebbyit\'ssecond-drinktimeatnight。Theinfantdon\'traisethewar-yellonce；jesttakesitoutingoat\'smilk；an\'inlaughin\'，an\'playin\'withJack\'sgun。

"\'Excuseme，gents，\'finallysaysJack，mightydignified，\'butI\'vebeenfiggerin\'thisthing，an\'Iallowsit\'stimetobedthisyereyoung-onedownforthenight。Ifyou-allswillwithdrawsome，I\'llseehownearIcomestomakin\'runnin\'ofit。Staywithinwhoopin\'

distance，though；soifhetriestostampedeortakestomillin\'I

cangethe\'p。\'

"We-allslinesoutan\'leavesJackan\'theinfant，an\'turnsinonfaroan\'pokeran\'sim\'lardeviceswhichisbein\'wagedintheRedLight。Mebbyit\'sanhourwhenJackcomesin。

"\'Boggs，\'hesays；\'s\'poseyou-allsetsinan\'playsmyhandaminutewiththatinfantchild，whileIgoesoveran\'adjournsthemfrivolitiesinthedance-hall。Itlookslikethisyerecampisspeshultoomultuousto-night。\'

"Boggsgoesinwiththeinfant，an\'Jackproceedstothebailehousean\'statesthecase。

"\'Idon\'twanttoonsettlethereg\'larprogramme，\'saysJack，\'butthisyereyoung-oneI\'mresponsiblefor，getsthatengagedinthesoundsoftheseyererevels，itdon\'tlooklikehe\'sgoin\'tosleepnone。Soifyou-allswillcallthelastwaltz，an\'windherupforto-night，it\'llshorelybeahe\'p。Thekid\'smother\'llbeyerebysun-up；whichheradventthata-wayalterstheplayall\'round，an\'

mattersthengoesbacktooldlines。\'

"\'Enoughsaid，\'saysJimHamilton，whorunsthedance-hall。\'Youcangamblethistempleofmirthain\'tlayin\'downonwhat\'sright，an\'

tonight\'sshindigclosesrightyere。Allpromenadetothebar。Wetakesadrinkonthehouse，quits，an\'callsitaday。\'

"ThenJackcomesback，aheapgravewithhiscares，an\'relievesBoggs；who\'sonwatch，straddledofachair，a-eyein\'oftheinfant，who，a-settin\'upag\'inagoose-ha\'rpiller，islikewisea-eyein\'ofBoggs。

"\'He\'sa\'wayupgoodinfant，Jack，\'saysBoggs，givin\'uphisseat。

"\'Youcanbetyourlifehe\'sagoodinfant，\'saysJack；\'butitshorelookslikehedon\'taimtoturninan\'slumbernone。Mebbythegoat\'smilkistooinvigeratin\'for\'him，an\'keepshimawakethata-way。\'

"Aboutanotherhourgoesby，an\'outcomesJackintotheRedLightag\'in。

"\'Iain\'taimin\'todisturbyou-allsnone，\'hesays，\'but，gents，ifyou-allscouldclosethesegamesyere，an\'shetupthestore，I\'lltakeitasapersonalfavor。Hecanheartheclickofthechips，an\'

it\'stoomanyforhim。Don\'tgoaway；jestcloseupan\'sortercamp\'roundquiet。\'

"Whichwe-allsdoesasJacksays；closesthegames，an\'thensets\'roundinourchairsan\'keepsquiet，a-waitin\'fortheinfanttoturnin。Ahalf-hourlaterJackappearsag\'in。

"\'Itain\'tnouse，gents，\'hesays，goin\'backofthebaran\'

gettin\'abigdrink；\'thatchildisontous。Hewon\'thaveit。Youcangamble，he\'sfixeditupwithhimse\'fthatheain\'tgoin\'tosleepnoneto-night。Iallowsit\'s\'causehe\'samongrankstrangers，an\'hefiggersit\'sagoodsafeplaytolookouthisgameforhimse\'f。\'

"\'Iwondercouldn\'twesinghimtosleep，\'saysCherokeeHall。

"\'Nothin\'ag\'inatry，\'saysJack，somedesp\'rate，wipin\'hislipsafterthedrink。

"\'S\'posewe-allsgiveshim"TheDyin\'Ranger"an\'"SandyLand"foranhourorso，an\'see，\'saysBoggs。

"Inwetrails。Cherokeelinesupononesideoftheinfant，an\'Jackont\'other；an\'therestofustakeschairsan\'camps\'round，Westartsinan\'shoresingshimallweknows；an\'wekeepsitupforhours。Allthetime，thatchildisa-settin\'thar，a-battin\'hiseyesan\'a-starin\'，sleeplessasowls。ThelastIremembersisBoggs\'svoiceon\'SandyLand\'

"\'Greatbigtatersonsandyland，Getthar，Eli，ifyoucan。\'

"ThenextthingI\'mawareof，thar\'sawhoopan\'ayelloutside。We-

allswakesup——allexcepttheinfant，who\'swideawakeallalong——

an\'yereitis；fouro\'clockinthemornin\'，an\'themotherhascome。Comesoveronaspeshulbuckboardfromthestationwherethatoldinebriate，Monte，droveoffan\'lefther。Well，son，everybody\'splumbwillin\'an\'gladtoseeher。An\'forthatmatter，splittin\'

even，so\'stheinfant。"

CHAPTERXII。

THEMANFROMYELLOWHOUSE。

"That\'sstraight，son；youshorelyshouldhaveseenJackMoore，"

continuedtheOldCattleman，afterabriefpause，ashehitchedhischairintoacomfortableposition；"notseein\'Jackiswhatanygentmightcalldeeprivation。

"Backintheolddays，"hewenton，"JackMoore，asIrelates，iskettle-tenderan\'doestheropeworkoftheStranglers。WhateveristheStranglers？WhichyouasksBornelate。Imentionsthisassemblyaheapfrequentyeretofore。Well，somefolkscalls\'ernthe\'vig\'lancecommittee\'；butthat\'slongforaname，soinWolfvilleweallersalloodedto\'emas`Stranglers。\'Thisyereisbrief，an\'

likewiseshedssomelight。

"ThisJackMoore——whichI\'mproudtosayhe\'smyfriend——IreckonsisthemostprobonopublicogentintheSouthwest。He\'souttodoanythin\'fromfighttofiddleatadance，so\'sit\'sapublicplay。

"An\'thenhisideesabouthisdootiesiswide。Hejestscoutsfaran\'near，an\'don\'tpaynomoreheedtodistancean\'fatiguethanasteerdoestocobwebs。

"\'Aoffishul，"saysJack，\'whodon\'tdiffusehimse\'f\'roundnone，an\'confineshisendeavorstohisownbailiwick，isreestrictedan\'

oneffectooal，an\'couldn\'tkeepdowncrimeinavillageofprairie-

dogs。\'An\'thenhe\'dcinchonhissaddle，an\'mebbygocurvin\'offasfarnorthastheFlintHills，oreasttotheTurkey-track。

"That\'sright；whenitcomestobein\'active，Jackiswhatyoumightcallanall-roundseelection。An\'cleanstrain？Gameashornets。

Neverknowedhimtoquitanythin\'inhislife——notevenwhiskey。I

saystohimmyse\'fonetime:\'Jack；whyeverdon\'tyourenigonwhiskey？Lookslikeit\'ssortergettin\'behindyousome，ain\'tit？

Somedaymebbyitoutholdsyouwhenyoucan\'tstandtolose。\'

"\'SometimesIthinksI\'llpassitup，myse\'f，\'saysJack，\'butdon\'tyouknow，Ican\'tdoit。I\'mtoosperited，thata-way，an\'

chivalrous。That\'swhatever!I\'mtoochivalrous。\'An\'Ishorereckonshewas。

"Butasfordoin\'hisdooty!WhichthesameissimplyrelaxationtoJackMoore。Irecallsoneinstancespeshul。Onedaytharcomestrailin\'alongintoWolfvilleapartyfromdown\'roundYallerhousesome\'ers。ThisyereYallerhousegentlooksdisperitedan\'offcolorastohealth。Butofcoursewe-allsdon\'trefernonetoit；forwhetherthisstranger\'ssickorwellishisbusiness，notours；

leastwiseinitsfirststages。Thisyere\'sbeforeDocPeetsinhabitsWolfvilleorhe\'dinformedustouchin\'thisparty\'sthata-way。

"WhichtheYallerhousegenttracksalongintotheRedLight，an\'

tellsthebarkeeptosetoutthenose-paint。Hedrinksalone，notinvitin\'ofthepop\'lace，wherebyweknowsforshorehe\'soffenhisfeed。

"Well，afterhecorralshisfortydrops，thisinvalidcampsdowninonecornerofthestagestation，an\'nextmornin\'hewakesupoutenhisheadan\'plumblocoed。

"\'ThisyereYallerhouseman，\'saysDanBoggs，comin\'alongintotheRedLightaboutfirst-drinktimethesamemornin\'，an\'speakin\'

general，\'iswhatconserv\'tiveopinionmightcall"somesick。"I

stopsaminuteagoan\'askshimhowhe\'sstackin\'uplike，butitain\'tnouse。He\'splumboffhismentalreservation，an\'crazyasawoman\'swatch。\'

"\'Whateverdoyouallowisthematterofhim，Boggs？\'asksOldManEnright。

"\'Smallpox，\'saysBoggs，mightyconfident。

"\'Smallpox!\'repeatsEnright；\'beyoushore？\'

"\'That\'swhatIsays，\'answersBoggs；\'an\'youcangamblemylongsuitispickin\'outsmallpoxeverytime。Iknowsthesignalsmokelikemyowncampfire。\'

"\'Well，seeyere，\'saysDaveTutt，who\'scomein，\'IjestnowroundsupthemsymptomsofthisYallerhousegent；an\'talkin\'ofsmallpox，Ioffersahundreddollarsevenheain\'tgotnosmallpox。Bein\'outsolelyforlegit\'matesport，\'continuesTutt，\'an\'notaimin\'tooffendBoggsnone，Iwillin\'lycallsitfiftytoonehundredheain\'tgotnothin\'。\'

"\'WhichItakesbothbets，\'saysBoggs，\'an\'deems\'emeasy。Whichbothislikerobbin\'abird\'s-nest。Yere\'sthecirc\'latin\'medium。

Thar；coveritan\'fileitawaywiththebarkeeptowaitresults。\'

SoTuttan\'Boggsmakestheirbetsmightyeager，an\'thebarkeepholdsthestakes。

"AssoonasitgetsblownthroughWolfvillethisYallerhousepartyhassmallpox，everybodycomescanterin\'overtotheRedLight，getsadrink，an\'wantstoholdamassmeetin\'overit。Bypartic\'larrequestEnrighttakesthechairan\'calls\'emtoorder。