第8章

CHAPTERXLVII。

Somebodyhassaidthatinordertoknowacommunity，onemustobservethestyleofitsfuneralsandknowwhatmannerofmentheyburywithmostceremony。Icannotsaywhichclassweburiedwithmosteclatinour“flushtimes，“thedistinguishedpublicbenefactororthedistinguishedrough——possiblythetwochiefgradesorgranddivisionsofsocietyhonoredtheirillustriousdeadaboutequally；andhence，nodoubtthephilosopherIhavequotedfromwouldhaveneededtoseetworepresentativefuneralsinVirginiabeforeforminghisestimateofthepeople。

TherewasagrandtimeoverBuckFanshawwhenhedied。Hewasarepresentativecitizen。Hehad“killedhisman“——notinhisownquarrel，itistrue，butindefenceofastrangerunfairlybesetbynumbers。

Hehadkeptasumptuoussaloon。Hehadbeentheproprietorofadashinghelpmeetwhomhecouldhavediscardedwithouttheformalityofadivorce。

HehadheldahighpositioninthefiredepartmentandbeenaveryWarwickinpolitics。Whenhediedtherewasgreatlamentationthroughoutthetown，butespeciallyinthevastbottom-stratumofsociety。

OntheinquestitwasshownthatBuckFanshaw，inthedeliriumofawastingtyphoidfever，hadtakenarsenic，shothimselfthroughthebody，cuthisthroat，andjumpedoutofafour-storywindowandbrokenhisneck——andafterduedeliberation，thejury，sadandtearful，butwithintelligenceunblindedbyitssorrow，broughtinaverdictofdeath“bythevisitationofGod。”Whatcouldtheworlddowithoutjuries?

Prodigiouspreparationsweremadeforthefuneral。Allthevehiclesintownwerehired，allthesaloonsputinmourning，allthemunicipalandfire-companyflagshungathalf-mast，andallthefiremenorderedtomusterinuniformandbringtheirmachinesdulydrapedinblack。Now——

letusremarkinparenthesis——asallthepeoplesoftheearthhadrepresentativeadventurersintheSilverland，andaseachadventurerhadbroughttheslangofhisnationorhislocalitywithhim，thecombinationmadetheslangofNevadatherichestandthemostinfinitelyvariedandcopiousthathadeverexistedanywhereintheworld，perhaps，exceptintheminesofCaliforniainthe“earlydays。”SlangwasthelanguageofNevada。Itwashardtopreachasermonwithoutit，andbeunderstood。

Suchphrasesas“Youbet！““Oh，no，Ireckonnot！““NoIrishneedapply，“andahundredothers，becamesocommonastofallfromthelipsofaspeakerunconsciously——andveryoftenwhentheydidnottouchthesubjectunderdiscussionandconsequentlyfailedtomeananything。

AfterBuckFanshaw\'sinquest，ameetingoftheshort-hairedbrotherhoodwasheld，fornothingcanbedoneonthePacificcoastwithoutapublicmeetingandanexpressionofsentiment。Regretfulresolutionswerepassedandvariouscommitteesappointed；amongothers，acommitteeofonewasdeputedtocallontheminister，afragile，gentle，spiritualnewfledglingfromanEasterntheologicalseminary，andasyetunacquaintedwiththewaysofthemines。Thecommitteeman，“Scotty“Briggs，madehisvisit；andinafterdaysitwasworthsomethingtoheartheministertellaboutit。Scottywasastalwartrough，whosecustomarysuit，whenonweightyofficialbusiness，likecommitteework，wasafirehelmet，flamingredflannelshirt，patentleatherbeltwithspannerandrevolverattached，coathungoverarm，andpantsstuffedintoboottops。

Heformedsomethingofacontrasttothepaletheologicalstudent。ItisfairtosayofScotty，however，inpassing，thathehadawarmheart，andastrongloveforhisfriends，andneverenteredintoaquarrelwhenhecouldreasonablykeepoutofit。Indeed，itwascommonlysaidthatwheneveroneofScotty\'sfightswasinvestigated，italwaysturnedoutthatithadoriginallybeennoaffairofhis，butthatoutofnativegood-heartednesshehaddroppedinofhisownaccordtohelpthemanwhowasgettingtheworstofit。HeandBuckFanshawwerebosomfriends，foryears，andhadoftentakenadventurous“pot-luck“together。Ononeoccasion，theyhadthrownofftheircoatsandtakentheweakersideinafightamongstrangers，andaftergainingahard-earnedvictory，turnedandfoundthatthementheywerehelpinghaddesertedearly，andnotonlythat，buthadstolentheircoatsandmadeoffwiththem！ButtoreturntoScotty\'svisittotheminister。Hewasonasorrowfulmission，now，andhisfacewasthepictureofwoe。Beingadmittedtothepresencehesatdownbeforetheclergyman，placedhisfire-hatonanunfinishedmanuscriptsermonundertheminister\'snose，tookfromitaredsilkhandkerchief，wipedhisbrowandheavedasighofdismalimpressiveness，explanatoryofhisbusiness。

Hechoked，andevenshedtears；butwithanefforthemasteredhisvoiceandsaidinlugubrioustones:

“Areyoutheduckthatrunsthegospel-millnextdoor?“

“AmIthe——pardonme，IbelieveIdonotunderstand?“

Withanothersighandahalf-sob，Scottyrejoined:

“Whyyouseeweareinabitoftrouble，andtheboysthoughtmaybeyouwouldgiveusalift，ifwe\'dtackleyou——thatis，ifI\'vegottherightsofitandyouaretheheadclerkofthedoxology-worksnextdoor。”

“Iamtheshepherdinchargeoftheflockwhosefoldisnextdoor。”

“Thewhich?“

“Thespiritualadviserofthelittlecompanyofbelieverswhosesanctuaryadjoinsthesepremises。”

Scottyscratchedhishead，reflectedamoment，andthensaid:

“Yourutherholdoverme，pard。IreckonIcan\'tcallthathand。Anteandpassthebuck。”

“How?Ibegpardon。WhatdidIunderstandyoutosay?“

“Well，you\'veruthergotthebulgeonme。Ormaybewe\'vebothgotthebulge，somehow。Youdon\'tsmokemeandIdon\'tsmokeyou。Yousee，oneoftheboyshaspassedinhischecksandwewanttogivehimagoodsend-

off，andsothethingI\'monnowistoroustoutsomebodytojerkalittlechin-musicforusandwaltzhimthroughhandsome。”

“Myfriend，Iseemtogrowmoreandmorebewildered。Yourobservationsarewhollyincomprehensibletome。Cannotyousimplifytheminsomeway?

AtfirstIthoughtperhapsIunderstoodyou，butIgropenow。Woulditnotexpeditemattersifyourestrictedyourselftocategoricalstatementsoffactunencumberedwithobstructingaccumulationsofmetaphorandallegory?“

Anotherpause，andmorereflection。Then，saidScotty:

“I\'llhavetopass，Ijudge。”

“How?“

“You\'veraisedmeout，pard。”

“Istillfailtocatchyourmeaning。”

“Why，thatlastleadofyournistoomanyforme——that\'stheidea。I

can\'tneither-trumpnorfollowsuit。”

Theclergymansankbackinhischairperplexed。Scottyleanedhisheadonhishandandgavehimselfuptothought。

Presentlyhisfacecameup，sorrowfulbutconfident。

“I\'vegotitnow，so\'syoucansavvy，“hesaid。“Whatwewantisagospel-sharp。See?“

“Awhat?“

“Gospel-sharp。Parson。”

“Oh！Whydidyounotsaysobefore?Iamaclergyman——aparson。”

“Nowyoutalk！Youseemyblindandstraddleitlikeaman。Putitthere！“——extendingabrawnypaw，whichclosedovertheminister\'ssmallhandandgaveitashakeindicativeoffraternalsympathyandferventgratification。

“Nowwe\'reallright，pard。Let\'sstartfresh。Don\'tyoumindmysnufflingalittle——becuzwe\'reinapoweroftrouble。Yousee，oneoftheboyshasgoneuptheflume——“

“Gonewhere?“

“Uptheflume——throwedupthesponge，youunderstand。”

“Thrownupthesponge?“

“Yes——kickedthebucket——“

“Ah——hasdepartedtothatmysteriouscountryfromwhosebournenotravelerreturns。”

“Return！Ireckonnot。Whypard，he\'sdead！“

“Yes，Iunderstand。”

“Oh，youdo?WellIthoughtmaybeyoumightbegettingtangledsomemore。Yes，youseehe\'sdeadagain——“

“Again?Why，hasheeverbeendeadbefore?“

“Deadbefore?No！Doyoureckonamanhasgotasmanylivesasacat?

Butyoubetyouhe\'sawfuldeadnow，pooroldboy，andIwishI\'dneverseenthisday。Idon\'twantnobetterfriendthanBuckFanshaw。

Iknowedhimbytheback；andwhenIknowamanandlikehim，Ifreezetohim——youhearme。Takehimallround，pard，thereneverwasabulliermaninthemines。NomaneverknowedBuckFanshawtogobackonafriend。Butit\'sallup，youknow，it\'sallup。Itain\'tnouse。

They\'vescoopedhim。”

“Scoopedhim?“

“Yes——deathhas。Well，well，well，we\'vegottogivehimup。Yesindeed。It\'sakindofahardworld，afterall，ain\'tit?Butpard，hewasarustler！Yououghttoseenhimgetstartedonce。Hewasabullyboywithaglasseye！Justspitinhisfaceandgivehimroomaccordingtohisstrength，anditwasjustbeautifultoseehimpeelandgoin。

Hewastheworstsonofathiefthateverdrawedbreath。Pard，hewasonit！HewasonitbiggerthananInjun！“

“Onit?Onwhat?“

“Ontheshoot。Ontheshoulder。Onthefight，youunderstand。

Hedidn\'tgiveacontinentalforanybody。Begyourpardon，friend，forcomingsonearsayingacuss-word——butyouseeI\'monanawfulstrain，inthispalaver，onaccountofhavingtocrampdownanddraweverythingsomild。Butwe\'vegottogivehimup。Thereain\'tanygettingaroundthat，Idon\'treckon。Nowifwecangetyoutohelpplanthim——“

“Preachthefuneraldiscourse?Assistattheobsequies?“

“Obs\'quiesisgood。Yes。That\'sit——that\'sourlittlegame。Wearegoingtogetthethingupregardless，youknow。Hewasalwaysniftyhimself，andsoyoubetyouhisfuneralain\'tgoingtobenoslouch——

solidsilverdoor-plateonhiscoffin，sixplumesonthehearse，andaniggerontheboxinabiledshirtandaplughat——how\'sthatforhigh?

Andwe\'lltakecareofyou，pard。We\'llfixyouallright。There\'llbeakerridgeforyou；andwhateveryouwant，youjust\'scapeoutandwe\'ll\'tendtoit。We\'vegotashebangfixedupforyoutostandbehind，inNo。1\'shouse，anddon\'tyoubeafraid。Justgoinandtootyourhorn，ifyoudon\'tsellaclam。PutBuckthroughasbullyasyoucan，pard，foranybodythatknowedhimwilltellyouthathewasoneofthewhitestmenthatwaseverinthemines。Youcan\'tdrawittoostrong。Henevercouldstandittoseethingsgoingwrong。He\'sdonemoretomakethistownquietandpeaceablethananymaninit。I\'veseenhimlickfourGreasersinelevenminutes，myself。Ifathingwantedregulating，hewarn\'tamantogobrowsingaroundaftersomebodytodoit，buthewouldpranceinandregulateithimself。Hewarn\'taCatholic。Scasely。Hewasdownon\'em。Hiswordwas，\'NoIrishneedapply！\'Butitdidn\'tmakenodifferenceaboutthatwhenitcamedowntowhataman\'srightswas——andso，whensomeroughsjumpedtheCatholicbone-yardandstartedintostakeouttown-lotsinithewentfor\'em！Andhecleaned\'em，too！Iwasthere，pard，andIseenitmyself。”

“Thatwasverywellindeed——atleasttheimpulsewas——whethertheactwasstrictlydefensibleornot。Haddeceasedanyreligiousconvictions?

Thatistosay，didhefeeladependenceupon，oracknowledgeallegiancetoahigherpower?\'

Morereflection。

“Ireckonyou\'vestumpedmeagain，pard。Couldyousayitoveroncemore，andsayitslow?“

“Well，tosimplifyitsomewhat，washe，orratherhadheeverbeenconnectedwithanyorganizationsequesteredfromsecularconcernsanddevotedtoself-sacrificeintheinterestsofmorality?“

“Alldownbutnine——set\'emupontheotheralley，pard。”

“WhatdidIunderstandyoutosay?“

“Why，you\'remosttoomanyforme，youknow。WhenyougetinwithyourleftIhuntgrasseverytime。Everytimeyoudraw，youfill；butIdon\'tseemtohaveanyluck。Letshaveanewdeal。”

“How?Beginagain?“

“That\'sit。”

“Verywell。Washeagoodman，and——“

“There——Iseethat；don\'tputupanotherchiptillIlookatmyhand。

Agoodman，saysyou?Pard，itain\'tnonameforit。Hewasthebestmanthatever——pard，youwouldhavedotedonthatman。HecouldlamanygalootofhisinchesinAmerica。Itwashimthatputdowntheriotlastelectionbeforeitgotastart；andeverybodysaidhewastheonlymanthatcouldhavedoneit。Hewaltzedinwithaspannerinonehandandatrumpetintheother，andsentfourteenmenhomeonashutterinlessthanthreeminutes。Hehadthatriotallbrokeupandpreventednicebeforeanybodyevergotachancetostrikeablow。Hewasalwaysforpeace，andhewouldhavepeace——hecouldnotstanddisturbances。Pard，hewasagreatlosstothistown。Itwouldpleasetheboysifyoucouldchipinsomethinglikethatanddohimjustice。HereoncewhentheMicksgottothrowingstonesthroughtheMethodis\'Sundayschoolwindows，BuckFanshaw，allofhisownnotion，shutuphissaloonandtookacoupleofsix-shootersandmountedguardovertheSundayschool。Sayshe，\'NoIrishneedapply！\'Andtheydidn\'t。Hewasthebulliestmaninthemountains，pard！Hecouldrunfaster，jumphigher，hitharder，andholdmoretangle-footwhiskywithoutspillingitthananymaninseventeencounties。Putthatin，pard——it\'llpleasetheboysmorethananythingyoucouldsay。Andyoucansay，pard，thathenevershookhismother。”

“Nevershookhismother?“

“That\'sit——anyoftheboyswilltellyouso。”

“Well，butwhyshouldheshakeher?“

“That\'swhatIsay——butsomepeopledoes。”

“Notpeopleofanyrepute?“

“Well，somethataveragesprettyso-so。”

“Inmyopinionthemanthatwouldofferpersonalviolencetohisownmother，oughtto——“

“Cheeseit，pard；you\'vebankedyourballcleanoutsidethestring。

WhatIwasadrivin\'at，was，thatheneverthrowedoffonhismother——

don\'tyousee?Noindeedy。Hegiveherahousetolivein，andtownlots，andplentyofmoney；andhelookedafterherandtookcareofherallthetime；andwhenshewasdownwiththesmall-poxI\'md——difhedidn\'tsetupnightsandnussherhimself！Begyourpardonforsayingit，butithoppedouttooquickforyourstruly。

You\'vetreatedmelikeagentleman，pard，andIain\'tthemantohurtyourfeelingsintentional。Ithinkyou\'rewhite。Ithinkyou\'reasquareman，pard。Ilikeyou，andI\'lllickanymanthatdon\'t。I\'lllickhimtillhecan\'ttellhimselffromalastyear\'scorpse！Putitthere！“[Anotherfraternalhand-shake——andexit。]

Theobsequieswereallthat“theboys“coulddesire。SuchamarveloffuneralpomphadneverbeenseeninVirginia。Theplumedhearse，thedirge-breathingbrassbands，theclosedmartsofbusiness，theflagsdroopingathalfmast，thelong，ploddingprocessionofuniformedsecretsocieties，militarybattalionsandfirecompanies，drapedengines，carriagesofofficials，andcitizensinvehiclesandonfoot，attractedmultitudesofspectatorstothesidewalks，roofsandwindows；andforyearsafterward，thedegreeofgrandeurattainedbyanycivicdisplayinVirginiawasdeterminedbycomparisonwithBuckFanshaw\'sfuneral。

ScottyBriggs，asapall-bearerandamourner，occupiedaprominentplaceatthefuneral，andwhenthesermonwasfinishedandthelastsentenceoftheprayerforthedeadman\'ssoulascended，heresponded，inalowvoice，butwithfeelings:

“AMEN。NoIrishneedapply。”

Asthebulkoftheresponsewaswithoutapparentrelevancy，itwasprobablynothingmorethanahumbletributetothememoryofthefriendthatwasgone；for，asScottyhadoncesaid，itwas“hisword。”

ScottyBriggs，inafterdays，achievedthedistinctionofbecomingtheonlyconverttoreligionthatwasevergatheredfromtheVirginiaroughs；

andittranspiredthatthemanwhohaditinhimtoespousethequarreloftheweakoutofinbornnobilityofspiritwasnomeantimberwhereoftoconstructaChristian。Themakinghimonedidnotwarphisgenerosityordiminishhiscourage；onthecontraryitgaveintelligentdirectiontotheoneandabroaderfieldtotheother。

IfhisSunday-schoolclassprogressedfasterthantheotherclasses，wasitmatterforwonder?Ithinknot。Hetalkedtohispioneersmall-fryinalanguagetheyunderstood！Itwasmylargeprivilege，amonthbeforehedied，tohearhimtellthebeautifulstoryofJosephandhisbrethrentohisclass“withoutlookingatthebook。”Ileaveittothereadertofancywhatitwaslike，asitfell，riddledwithslang，fromthelipsofthatgrave，earnestteacher，andwaslistenedtobyhislittlelearnerswithaconsuminginterestthatshowedthattheywereasunconsciousashewasthatanyviolencewasbeingdonetothesacredproprieties！

CHAPTERXLVIII。

Thefirsttwenty-sixgravesintheVirginiacemeterywereoccupiedbymurderedmen。Soeverybodysaid，soeverybodybelieved，andsotheywillalwayssayandbelieve。Thereasonwhytherewassomuchslaughteringdone，was，thatinanewminingdistricttheroughelementpredominates，andapersonisnotrespecteduntilhehas“killedhisman。”Thatwastheveryexpressionused。

Ifanunknownindividualarrived，theydidnotinquireifhewascapable，honest，industrious，but——hadhekilledhisman?Ifhehadnot，hegravitatedtohisnaturalandproperposition，thatofamanofsmallconsequence；ifhehad，thecordialityofhisreceptionwasgraduatedaccordingtothenumberofhisdead。Itwastediousworkstrugglinguptoapositionofinfluencewithbloodlesshands；butwhenamancamewiththebloodofhalfadozenmenonhissoul，hisworthwasrecognizedatonceandhisacquaintancesought。

InNevada，foratime，thelawyer，theeditor，thebanker，thechiefdesperado，thechiefgambler，andthesaloonkeeper，occupiedthesamelevelinsociety，anditwasthehighest。Thecheapestandeasiestwaytobecomeaninfluentialmanandbelookeduptobythecommunityatlarge，wastostandbehindabar，wearacluster-diamondpin，andsellwhisky。Iamnotsurebutthatthesaloon-keeperheldashadehigherrankthananyothermemberofsociety。Hisopinionhadweight。Itwashisprivilegetosayhowtheelectionsshouldgo。Nogreatmovementcouldsucceedwithoutthecountenanceanddirectionofthesaloon-

keepers。Itwasahighfavorwhenthechiefsaloon-keeperconsentedtoserveinthelegislatureortheboardofaldermen。

Youthfulambitionhardlyaspiredsomuchtothehonorsofthelaw，orthearmyandnavyastothedignityofproprietorshipinasaloon。

Tobeasaloon-keeperandkillamanwastobeillustrious。HencethereaderwillnotbesurprisedtolearnthatmorethanonemanwaskilledinNevadaunderhardlythepretextofprovocation，soimpatientwastheslayertoachievereputationandthrowoffthegallingsenseofbeingheldinindifferentreputebyhisassociates。Iknewtwoyouthswhotriedto“killtheirmen“fornootherreason——andgotkilledthemselvesfortheirpains。“TheregoesthemanthatkilledBillAdams“washigherpraiseandasweetersoundintheearsofthissortofpeoplethananyotherspeechthatadmiringlipscouldutter。

ThemenwhomurderedVirginia\'soriginaltwenty-sixcemetery-occupantswereneverpunished。Why?BecauseAlfredtheGreat，whenheinventedtrialbyjuryandknewthathehadadmirablyframedittosecurejusticeinhisageoftheworld，wasnotawarethatinthenineteenthcenturytheconditionofthingswouldbesoentirelychangedthatunlessherosefromthegraveandalteredthejuryplantomeettheemergency，itwouldprovethemostingeniousandinfallibleagencyfordefeatingjusticethathumanwisdomcouldcontrive。Forhowcouldheimaginethatwesimpletonswouldgoonusinghisjuryplanaftercircumstanceshadstrippeditofitsusefulness，anymorethanhecouldimaginethatwewouldgoonusinghiscandle-clockafterwehadinventedchronometers?Inhisdaynewscouldnottravelfast，andhencehecouldeasilyfindajuryofhonest，intelligentmenwhohadnotheardofthecasetheywerecalledtotry——

butinourdayoftelegraphsandnewspapershisplancompelsustoswearinjuriescomposedoffoolsandrascals，becausethesystemrigidlyexcludeshonestmenandmenofbrains。

Irememberoneofthosesorrowfulfarces，inVirginia，whichwecallajurytrial。AnoteddesperadokilledMr。B。，agoodcitizen，inthemostwantonandcold-bloodedway。Ofcoursethepaperswerefullofit，andallmencapableofreading，readaboutit。Andofcourseallmennotdeafanddumbandidiotic，talkedaboutit。Ajury-listwasmadeout，andMr。B。L。，aprominentbankerandavaluedcitizen，wasquestionedpreciselyashewouldhavebeenquestionedinanycourtinAmerica:

“Haveyouheardofthishomicide?“

“Yes。”

“Haveyouheldconversationsuponthesubject?“

“Yes。”

“Haveyouformedorexpressedopinionsaboutit?“

“Yes。”

“Haveyoureadthenewspaperaccountsofit?“

“Yes。”

“Wedonotwantyou。”

Aminister，intelligent，esteemed，andgreatlyrespected；amerchantofhighcharacterandknownprobity；aminingsuperintendentofintelligenceandunblemishedreputation；aquartzmillownerofexcellentstanding，wereallquestionedinthesameway，andallsetaside。Eachsaidthepublictalkandthenewspaperreportshadnotsobiasedhismindbutthatsworntestimonywouldoverthrowhispreviouslyformedopinionsandenablehimtorenderaverdictwithoutprejudiceandinaccordancewiththefacts。Butofcoursesuchmencouldnotbetrustedwiththecase。

Ignoramusesalonecouldmeteoutunsulliedjustice。

Whentheperemptorychallengeswereallexhausted，ajuryoftwelvemenwasimpaneled——ajurywhosworetheyhadneitherheard，read，talkedaboutnorexpressedanopinionconcerningamurderwhichtheverycattleinthecorrals，theIndiansinthesage-brushandthestonesinthestreetswerecognizantof！Itwasajurycomposedoftwodesperadoes，twolowbeer-housepoliticians，threebar-keepers，tworanchmenwhocouldnotread，andthreedull，stupid，humandonkeys！Itactuallycameoutafterward，thatoneoftheselatterthoughtthatincestandarsonwerethesamething。

Theverdictrenderedbythisjurywas，NotGuilty。Whatelsecouldoneexpect?

Thejurysystemputsabanuponintelligenceandhonesty，andapremiumuponignorance，stupidityandperjury。Itisashamethatwemustcontinuetouseaworthlesssystembecauseitwasgoodathousandyearsago。Inthisage，whenagentlemanofhighsocialstanding，intelligenceandprobity，swearsthattestimonygivenundersolemnoathwilloutweigh，withhim，streettalkandnewspaperreportsbaseduponmerehearsay，heisworthahundredjurymenwhowillsweartotheirownignoranceandstupidity，andjusticewouldbefarsaferinhishandsthanintheirs。

Whycouldnotthejurylawbesoalteredastogivemenofbrainsandhonestyandequalchancewithfoolsandmiscreants?Isitrighttoshowthepresentfavoritismtooneclassofmenandinflictadisabilityonanother，inalandwhoseboastisthatallitscitizensarefreeandequal?Iamacandidateforthelegislature。Idesiretotamperwiththejurylaw。Iwishtosoalteritastoputapremiumonintelligenceandcharacter，andclosethejuryboxagainstidiots，blacklegs，andpeoplewhodonotreadnewspapers。ButnodoubtIshallbedefeated——

everyeffortImaketosavethecountry“missesfire。”

Myidea，whenIbeganthischapter，wastosaysomethingaboutdesperadoisminthe“flushtimes“ofNevada。Toattemptaportrayalofthateraandthatland，andleaveoutthebloodandcarnage，wouldbelikeportrayingMormondomandleavingoutpolygamy。Thedesperadostalkedthestreetswithaswaggergradedaccordingtothenumberofhishomicides，andanodofrecognitionfromhimwassufficienttomakeahumbleadmirerhappyfortherestoftheday。Thedeferencethatwaspaidtoadesperadoofwidereputation，andwho“kepthisprivategraveyard，“asthephrasewent，wasmarked，andcheerfullyaccorded。

Whenhemovedalongthesidewalkinhisexcessivelylong-tailedfrock-

coat，shinystump-toedboots，andwithdaintylittleslouchhattippedoverlefteye，thesmall-fryroughsmaderoomforhismajesty；whenheenteredtherestaurant，thewaitersdesertedbankersandmerchantstooverwhelmhimwithobsequiousservice；whenheshoulderedhiswaytoabar，theshoulderedpartieswheeledindignantly，recognizedhim，and——

apologized。

Theygotalookinreturnthatfrozetheirmarrow，andbythattimeacurledandbreast-pinnedbarkeeperwasbeamingoverthecounter，proudoftheestablishedacquaintanceshipthatpermittedsuchafamiliarformofspeechas:

“How\'reye，Billy，oldfel?Gladtoseeyou。What\'llyoutake——theoldthing?“

The“oldthing“meanthiscustomarydrink，ofcourse。

ThebestknownnamesintheTerritoryofNevadawerethosebelongingtotheselong-tailedheroesoftherevolver。Orators，Governors，capitalistsandleadersofthelegislatureenjoyedadegreeoffame，butitseemedlocalandmeagrewhencontrastedwiththefameofsuchmenasSamBrown，JackWilliams，BillyMulligan，FarmerPease，SugarfootMike，PockMarkedJake，ElDoradoJohnny，JackMcNabb，JoeMcGee，JackHarris，Six-fingeredPete，etc。，etc。Therewasalonglistofthem。Theywerebrave，recklessmen，andtraveledwiththeirlivesintheirhands。Togivethemtheirdue，theydidtheirkillingprincipallyamongthemselves，andseldommolestedpeaceablecitizens，fortheyconsidereditsmallcredittoaddtotheirtrophiessocheapabaubleasthedeathofamanwhowas“notontheshoot，“astheyphrasedit。Theykilledeachotheronslightprovocation，andhopedandexpectedtobekilledthemselves——

fortheyhelditalmostshametodieotherwisethan“withtheirbootson，“astheyexpressedit。

Irememberaninstanceofadesperado\'scontemptforsuchsmallgameasaprivatecitizen\'slife。Iwastakingalatesupperinarestaurantonenight，withtworeportersandalittleprinternamed——Brown，forinstance——anynamewilldo。Presentlyastrangerwithalong-tailedcoatoncamein，andnotnoticingBrown\'shat，whichwaslyinginachair，satdownonit。LittleBrownsprangupandbecameabusiveinamoment。Thestrangersmiled，smoothedoutthehat，andofferedittoBrownwithprofuseapologiescouchedincausticsarcasm，andbeggedBrownnottodestroyhim。Brownthrewoffhiscoatandchallengedthemantofight——

abusedhim，threatenedhim，impeachedhiscourage，andurgedandevenimploredhimtofight；andinthemeantimethesmilingstrangerplacedhimselfunderourprotectioninmockdistress。Butpresentlyheassumedaserioustone，andsaid:

“Verywell，gentlemen，ifwemustfight，wemust，Isuppose。Butdon\'trushintodangerandthensayIgaveyounowarning。IammorethanamatchforallofyouwhenIgetstarted。Iwillgiveyouproofs，andthenifmyfriendherestillinsists，Iwilltrytoaccommodatehim。”

Thetableweweresittingatwasaboutfivefeetlong，andunusuallycumbersomeandheavy。Heaskedustoputourhandsonthedishesandholdthemintheirplacesamoment——oneofthemwasalargeovaldishwithaportlyroastonit。Thenhesatdown，tilteduponeendofthetable，settwoofthelegsonhisknees，tooktheendofthetablebetweenhisteeth，tookhishandsaway，andpulleddownwithhisteethtillthetablecameuptoalevelposition，dishesandall！Hesaidhecouldliftakegofnailswithhisteeth。Hepickedupacommonglasstumblerandbitasemi-circleoutofit。Thenheopenedhisbosomandshowedusanet-workofknifeandbulletscars；showedusmoreonhisarmsandface，andsaidhebelievedhehadbulletsenoughinhisbodytomakeapigoflead。Hewasarmedtotheteeth。HeclosedwiththeremarkthathewasMr——ofCariboo——acelebratednamewhereatweshookinourshoes。Iwouldpublishthename，butforthesuspicionthathemightcomeandcarveme。HefinallyinquiredifBrownstillthirstedforblood。Brownturnedthethingoverinhismindamoment，andthen——askedhimtosupper。

Withthepermissionofthereader，Iwillgrouptogether，inthenextchapter，somesamplesoflifeinoursmallmountainvillageintheolddaysofdesperadoism。Iwasthereatthetime。Thereaderwillobservepeculiaritiesinourofficialsociety；andhewillobservealso，aninstanceofhow，innewcountries，murdersbreedmurders。

CHAPTERXLIX。

Anextractortwofromthenewspapersofthedaywillfurnishaphotographthatcanneednoembellishment:

FATALSHOOTINGAFFRAY——Anaffrayoccurred，lastevening，inabilliardsaloononCstreet，betweenDeputyMarshalJackWilliamsandWm。Brown，whichresultedintheimmediatedeathofthelatter。

Therehadbeensomedifficultybetweenthepartiesforseveralmonths。

Aninquestwasimmediatelyheld，andthefollowingtestimonyadduced:

OfficerGEO。BIRDSALL，sworn，says:——IwastoldWm。BrownwasdrunkandwaslookingforJackWilliams；sosoonasIheardthatIstartedforthepartiestopreventacollision；wentintothebilliardsaloon；sawBillyBrownrunningaround，sayingifanybodyhadanythingagainsthimtoshowcause；hewastalkinginaboisterousmanner，andofficerPerrytookhimtotheotherendoftheroomtotalktohim；Browncamebacktome；remarkedtomethathethoughthewasasgoodasanybody，andknewhowtotakecareofhimself；hepassedbymeandwenttothebar；don\'tknowwhetherhedrankornot；Williamswasattheendofthebilliard-table，nexttothestairway；Brown，aftergoingtothebar，camebackandsaidhewasasgoodasanymanintheworld；hehadthenwalkedouttotheendofthefirstbilliard-tablefromthebar；Imovedclosertothem，supposingtherewouldbeafight；asBrowndrewhispistolIcaughtholdofit；hehadfiredoneshotatWilliams；don\'tknowtheeffectofit；caughtholdofhimwithonehand，andtookholdofthepistolandturneditup；thinkhefiredonceafterIcaughtholdofthepistol；Iwrenchedthepistolfromhim；walkedtotheendofthebilliard-tableandtoldapartythatIhadBrown\'spistol，andtostopshooting；Ithinkfourshotswerefiredinall；afterwalkingout，Mr。FosterremarkedthatBrownwasshotdead。

Oh，therewasnoexcitementaboutit——hemerely“remarked“thesmallcircumstance！

Fourmonthslaterthefollowingitemappearedinthesamepaper(theEnterprise)。Inthisitemthenameofoneofthecityofficersabovereferredto(DeputyMarshalJackWilliams)occursagain:

ROBBERYANDDESPERATEAFFRAY——OnTuesdaynight，aGermannamedCharlesHurtzal，engineerinamillatSilverCity，cametothisplace，andvisitedthehurdy-gurdyhouseonBstreet。Themusic，dancingandTeutonicmaidensawakenedmemoriesofFaderlanduntilourGermanfriendwascarriedawaywithrapture。Heevidentlyhadmoney，andwasspendingiffreely。LateintheeveningJackWilliamsandAndyBlessingtoninvitedhimdownstairstotakeacupofcoffee。Williamsproposedagameofcardsandwentupstairstoprocureadeck，butnotfindinganyreturned。OnthestairwayhemettheGerman，anddrawinghispistolknockedhimdownandrifledhispocketsofsomeseventydollars。Hurtzaldaredgivenoalarm，ashewastold，withapistolathishead，ifhemadeanynoiseorexposedthem，theywouldblowhisbrainsout。Soeffectuallywashefrightenedthathemadenocomplaint，untilhisfriendsforcedhim。

Yesterdayawarrantwasissued，buttheculpritshaddisappeared。

Thisefficientcityofficer，JackWilliams，hadthecommonreputationofbeingaburglar，ahighwaymanandadesperado。ItwassaidthathehadseveraltimesdrawnhisrevolverandleviedmoneycontributionsoncitizensatdeadofnightinthepublicstreetsofVirginia。

Fivemonthsaftertheaboveitemappeared，Williamswasassassinatedwhilesittingatacardtableonenight；agunwasthrustthroughthecrackofthedoorandWilliamsdroppedfromhischairriddledwithballs。

Itwassaid，atthetime，thatWilliamshadbeenforsometimeawarethatapartyofhisownsort(desperadoes)hadswornawayhislife；anditwasgenerallybelievedamongthepeoplethatWilliams\'sfriendsandenemieswouldmaketheassassinationmemorable——anduseful，too——byawholesaledestructionofeachother。

Itdidnotsohappen，butstill，timeswerenotdullduringthenexttwenty-fourhours，forwithinthattimeawomanwaskilledbyapistolshot，amanwasbrainedwithaslungshot，andamannamedReederwasalsodisposedofpermanently。SomemattersintheEnterpriseaccountofthekillingofReederareworthnothing——especiallytheaccommodatingcomplaisanceofaVirginiajusticeofthepeace。Theitalicsinthefollowingnarrativearemine:

MORECUTTINGANDSHOOTING——Thedevilseemstohaveagainbrokenlooseinourtown。Pistolsandgunsexplodeandknivesgleaminourstreetsasinearlytimes。Whentherehasbeenalongseasonofquiet，peopleareslowtowettheirhandsinblood；butoncebloodisspilled，cuttingandshootingcomeeasy。NightbeforelastJackWilliamswasassassinated，andyesterdayforenoonwehadmorebloodywork，growingoutofthekillingofWilliams，andonthesamestreetinwhichhemethisdeath。ItappearsthatTomReeder，afriendofWilliams，andGeorgeGumbertweretalking，atthemeatmarketofthelatter，aboutthekillingofWilliamsthepreviousnight，whenReedersaiditwasamostcowardlyacttoshootamaninsuchaway，givinghim“noshow。”GumbertsaidthatWilliamshad“asgoodashowashegaveBillyBrown，“meaningthemankilledbyWilliamslastMarch。Reedersaiditwasad——dlie，thatWilliamshadnoshowatall。Atthis，GumbertdrewaknifeandstabbedReeder，cuttinghimintwoplacesintheback。OnestrokeoftheknifecutintothesleeveofReeder\'scoatandpasseddownwardinaslantingdirectionthroughhisclothing，andenteredhisbodyatthesmalloftheback；anotherblowstruckmoresquarely，andmadeamuchmoredangerouswound。Gumbertgavehimselfuptotheofficersofjustice，andwasshortlyafterdischargedbyJusticeAtwill，onhisownrecognizance，toappearfortrialatsixo\'clockintheevening。

InthemeantimeReederhadbeentakenintotheofficeofDr。Owens，wherehiswoundswereproperlydressed。Oneofhiswoundswasconsideredquitedangerous，anditwasthoughtbymanythatitwouldprovefatal。Butbeingconsiderablyundertheinfluenceofliquor，Reederdidnotfeelhiswoundsasheotherwisewould，andhegotupandwentintothestreet。HewenttothemeatmarketandrenewedhisquarrelwithGumbert，threateninghislife。Friendstriedtointerferetoputastoptothequarrelandgetthepartiesawayfromeachother。IntheFashionSaloonReedermadethreatsagainstthelifeofGumbert，sayinghewouldkillhim，anditissaidthatherequestedtheofficersnottoarrestGumbert，asheintendedtokillhim。AfterthesethreatsGumbertwentoffandprocuredadouble-

barreledshotgun，loadedwithbuck-shotorrevolverballs，andwentafterReeder。Twoorthreepersonswereassistinghimalongthestreet，tryingtogethimhome，andhadhimjustinfrontofthestoreofKlopstock&Harris，whenGumbertcameacrosstowardhimfromtheoppositesideofthestreetwithhisgun。HecameupwithinabouttenorfifteenfeetofReeder，andcalledouttothosewithhimto“lookout！getoutoftheway！“andtheyhadonlytimetoheedthewarning，whenhefired。Reederwasatthetimeattemptingtoscreenhimselfbehindalargecask，whichstoodagainsttheawningpostofKlopstock&Harris\'sstore，butsomeoftheballstookeffectinthelowerpartofhisbreast，andhereeledaroundforwardandfellinfrontofthecask。Gumbertthenraisedhisgunandfiredthesecondbarrel，whichmissedReederandenteredtheground。Atthetimethatthisoccurred，therewereagreatmanypersonsonthestreetinthevicinity，andanumberofthemcalledouttoGumbert，whentheysawhimraisehisgun，to“holdon，“and“don\'tshoot！“Thecuttingtookplaceaboutteno\'clockandtheshootingabouttwelve。Aftertheshootingthestreetwasinstantlycrowdedwiththeinhabitantsofthatpartofthetown，someappearingmuchexcitedandlaughing——declaringthatitlookedlikethe“goodoldtimesof\'60。”MarshalPerryandofficerBirdsallwerenearwhentheshootingoccurred，andGumbertwasimmediatelyarrestedandhisguntakenfromhim，whenhewasmarchedofftojail。Manypersonswhowereattractedtothespotwherethisbloodyworkhadjusttakenplace，lookedbewilderedandseemedtobeaskingthemselveswhatwastohappennext，appearingindoubtastowhetherthekillingmaniahadreacheditsclimax，orwhetherweweretoturninandhaveagrandkillingspell，shootingwhoevermighthavegivenusoffence。Itwaswhisperedaroundthatitwasnotalloveryet——

fiveorsixmoreweretobekilledbeforenight。ReederwastakentotheVirginiaCityHotel，anddoctorscalledintoexaminehiswounds。Theyfoundthattwoorthreeballshadenteredhisrightside；oneofthemappearedtohavepassedthroughthesubstanceofthelungs，whileanotherpassedintotheliver。Twoballswerealsofoundtohavestruckoneofhislegs。Assomeoftheballsstruckthecask，thewoundsinReeder\'slegwereprobablyfromthese，glancingdownwards，thoughtheymighthavebeencausedbythesecondshotfired。Afterbeingshot，Reedersaidwhenhegotonhisfeet——

smilingashespoke——“Itwilltakebettershootingthanthattokillme。”Thedoctorsconsideritalmostimpossibleforhimtorecover，butashehasanexcellentconstitutionhemaysurvive，notwithstandingthenumberanddangerouscharacterofthewoundshehasreceived。Thetownappearstobeperfectlyquietatpresent，asthoughthelatestormytimeshadclearedourmoralatmosphere；butwhocantellinwhatquartercloudsareloweringorplotsripening?

Reeder——oratleastwhatwasleftofhim——survivedhiswoundstwodays！

NothingwaseverdonewithGumbert。

Trialbyjuryisthepalladiumofourliberties。Idonotknowwhatapalladiumis，havingneverseenapalladium，butitisagoodthingnodoubtatanyrate。NotlessthanahundredmenhavebeenmurderedinNevada——perhapsIwouldbewithinboundsifIsaidthreehundred——andasfarasIcanlearn，onlytwopersonshavesufferedthedeathpenaltythere。However，fourorfivewhohadnomoneyandnopoliticalinfluencehavebeenpunishedbyimprisonment——onelanguishedinprisonasmuchaseightmonths，Ithink。However，Idonotdesiretobeextravagant——itmayhavebeenless。

However，oneprophecywasverified，atanyrate。Itwasassertedbythedesperadoesthatoneoftheirbrethren(JoeMcGee，aspecialpoliceman)

wasknowntobetheconspiratorchosenbylottoassassinateWilliams；

andtheyalsoassertedthatdoomhadbeenpronouncedagainstMcGee，andthathewouldbeassassinatedinexactlythesamemannerthathadbeenadoptedforthedestructionofWilliams——aprophecywhichcametrueayearlater。Aftertwelvemonthsofdistress(forMcGeesawafanciedassassinineverymanthatapproachedhim)，hemadethelastofmanyeffortstogetoutofthecountryunwatched。HewenttoCarsonandsatdowninasaloontowaitforthestage——itwouldleaveatfourinthemorning。Butasthenightwanedandthecrowdthinned，hegrewuneasy，andtoldthebar-keeperthatassassinswereonhistrack。Thebar-keepertoldhimtostayinthemiddleoftheroom，then，andnotgonearthedoor，orthewindowbythestove。Butafatalfascinationseducedhimtotheneighborhoodofthestoveeverynowandthen，andrepeatedlythebar-

keeperbroughthimbacktothemiddleoftheroomandwarnedhimtoremainthere。Buthecouldnot。Atthreeinthemorningheagainreturnedtothestoveandsatdownbyastranger。Beforethebar-keepercouldgettohimwithanotherwarningwhisper，someoneoutsidefiredthroughthewindowandriddledMcGee\'sbreastwithslugs，killinghimalmostinstantly。BythesamedischargethestrangeratMcGee\'ssidealsoreceivedattentionswhichprovedfatalinthecourseoftwoorthreedays。

CHAPTERL。

Thesemurderandjurystatisticsremindmeofacertainveryextraordinarytrialandexecutionoftwentyyearsago；itisascrapofhistoryfamiliartoalloldCalifornians，andworthytobeknownbyotherpeoplesoftheearththatlovesimple，straightforwardjusticeunencumberedwithnonsense。IwouldapologizeforthisdigressionbutforthefactthattheinformationIamabouttoofferisapologyenoughinitself。AndsinceIdigressconstantlyanyhow，perhapsitisaswelltoeschewapologiesaltogetherandthuspreventtheirgrowingirksome。

Capt。NedBlakely——thatnamewillansweraswellasanyotherfictitiousone(forhewasstillwiththelivingatlastaccounts，andmaynotdesiretobefamous)——sailedshipsoutoftheharborofSanFranciscoformanyyears。Hewasastalwart，warm-hearted，eagle-eyedveteran，whohadbeenasailornearlyfiftyyears——asailorfromearlyboyhood。Hewasarough，honestcreature，fullofpluck，andjustasfullofhard-headedsimplicity，too。Hehatedtriflingconventionalities——“business“wastheword，withhim。Hehadallasailor\'svindictivenessagainstthequipsandquirksofthelaw，andsteadfastlybelievedthatthefirstandlastaimandobjectofthelawandlawyerswastodefeatjustice。

HesailedfortheChinchaIslandsincommandofaguanoship。Hehadafinecrew，buthisnegromatewashispet——onhimhehadforyearslavishedhisadmirationandesteem。ItwasCapt。Ned\'sfirstvoyagetotheChinchas，buthisfamehadgonebeforehim——thefameofbeingamanwhowouldfightatthedroppingofahandkerchief，whenimposedupon，andwouldstandnononsense。Itwasafamewellearned。Arrivedintheislands，hefoundthatthestapleofconversationwastheexploitsofoneBillNoakes，abully，themateofatradingship。Thismanhadcreatedasmallreignofterrorthere。Atnineo\'clockatnight，Capt。Ned，allalone，waspacinghisdeckinthestarlight。Aformascendedtheside，andapproachedhim。Capt。Nedsaid:

“Whogoesthere?“

“I\'mBillNoakes，thebestmanintheislands。”

“Whatdoyouwantaboardthisship?“

“I\'veheardofCapt。NedBlakely，andoneofusisabettermanthan\'tother——I\'llknowwhich，beforeIgoashore。”

“You\'vecometotherightshop——I\'myourman。I\'lllearnyoutocomeaboardthisshipwithoutaninvite。”

HeseizedNoakes，backedhimagainstthemainmast，poundedhisfacetoapulp，andthenthrewhimoverboard。

Noakeswasnotconvinced。Hereturnedthenextnight，gotthepulprenewed，andwentoverboardheadfirst，asbefore。

Hewassatisfied。

Aweekafterthis，whileNoakeswascarousingwithasailorcrowdonshore，atnoonday，Capt。Ned\'scoloredmatecamealong，andNoakestriedtopickaquarrelwithhim。Thenegroevadedthetrap，andtriedtogetaway。Noakesfollowedhimup；thenegrobegantorun；Noakesfiredonhimwitharevolverandkilledhim。Halfadozensea-captainswitnessedthewholeaffair。Noakesretreatedtothesmallafter-cabinofhisship，withtwootherbullies，andgaveoutthatdeathwouldbetheportionofanymanthatintrudedthere。Therewasnoattemptmadetofollowthevillains；therewasnodispositiontodoit，andindeedverylittlethoughtofsuchanenterprise。Therewerenocourtsandnoofficers；

therewasnogovernment；theislandsbelongedtoPeru，andPeruwasfaraway；shehadnoofficialrepresentativeontheground；andneitherhadanyothernation。

However，Capt。Nedwasnotperplexinghisheadaboutsuchthings。Theyconcernedhimnot。Hewasboilingwithrageandfuriousforjustice。

Atnineo\'clockatnightheloadedadouble-barreledgunwithslugs，fishedoutapairofhandcuffs，gotaship\'slantern，summonedhisquartermaster，andwentashore。Hesaid:

“Doyouseethatshipthereatthedock?“

“Ay-ay，sir。”

“It\'stheVenus。”

“Ay-ay，sir。”

“You——youknowme。”

“Ay-ay，sir。”

“Verywell，then。Takethelantern。Carryitjustunderyourchin。

I\'llwalkbehindyouandrestthisgun-barrelonyourshoulder，p\'intingforward——so。Keepyourlanternwellupso\'sIcanseethingsaheadofyougood。I\'mgoingtomarchinonNoakes——andtakehim——andjugtheotherchaps。Ifyouflinch——well，youknowme。”

“Ay-ay，sir。”

Inthisordertheyfiledaboardsoftly，arrivedatNoakes\'sden，thequartermasterpushedthedooropen，andthelanternrevealedthethreedesperadoessittingonthefloor。Capt。Nedsaid:

“I\'mNedBlakely。I\'vegotyouunderfire。Don\'tyoumovewithoutorders——anyofyou。Youtwokneeldowninthecorner；facestothewall——now。BillNoakes，putthesehandcuffson；nowcomeupclose。

Quartermaster，fasten\'em。Allright。Don\'tstir，sir。Quartermaster，putthekeyintheoutsideofthedoor。Now，men，I\'mgoingtolockyoutwoin；andifyoutrytoburstthroughthisdoor——well，you\'veheardofme。BillNoakes，fallinahead，andmarch。Allset。Quartermaster，lockthedoor。”

NoakesspentthenightonboardBlakely\'sship，aprisonerunderstrictguard。EarlyinthemorningCapt。Nedcalledinallthesea-captainsintheharborandinvitedthem，withnauticalceremony，tobepresentonboardhisshipatnineo\'clocktowitnessthehangingofNoakesattheyard-arm！

“What！Themanhasnotbeentried。”

“Ofcoursehehasn\'t。Butdidn\'thekillthenigger?“

“Certainlyhedid；butyouarenotthinkingofhanginghimwithoutatrial?“

“Trial！WhatdoIwanttotryhimfor，ifhekilledthenigger?“

“Oh，Capt。Ned，thiswillneverdo。Thinkhowitwillsound。”

“Soundbehanged！Didn\'thekillthenigger?“

“Certainly，certainly，Capt。Ned，——nobodydeniesthat，——but——“

“ThenI\'mgoingtohanghim，that\'sall。EverybodyI\'vetalkedtotalksjustthesamewayyoudo。Everybodysayshekilledthenigger，everybodyknowshekilledthenigger，andyeteverylubberofyouwantshimtriedforit。Idon\'tunderstandsuchbloodyfoolishnessasthat。Tried！

Mindyou，Idon\'tobjecttotryinghim，ifit\'sgottobedonetogivesatisfaction；andI\'llbethere，andchipinandhelp，too；butputitofftillafternoon——putitofftillafternoon，forI\'llhavemyhandsmiddlingfulltillaftertheburying——“

“Why，whatdoyoumean?Areyougoingtohanghimanyhow——andtryhimafterward?“

“Didn\'tIsayIwasgoingtohanghim?Ineversawsuchpeopleasyou。

What\'sthedifference?Youaskafavor，andthenyouain\'tsatisfiedwhenyougetit。Beforeorafter\'sallone——youknowhowthetrialwillgo。Hekilledthenigger。Say——Imustbegoing。Ifyourmatewouldliketocometothehanging，fetchhimalong。Ilikehim。”

Therewasastirinthecamp。ThecaptainscameinabodyandpleadedwithCapt。Nednottodothisrashthing。Theypromisedthattheywouldcreateacourtcomposedofcaptainsofthebestcharacter；theywouldempanelajury；theywouldconducteverythinginawaybecomingtheseriousnatureofthebusinessinhand，andgivethecaseanimpartialhearingandtheaccusedafairtrial。Andtheysaiditwouldbemurder，andpunishablebytheAmericancourtsifhepersistedandhungtheaccusedonhisship。Theypleadedhard。Capt。Nedsaid:

“Gentlemen，I\'mnotstubbornandI\'mnotunreasonable。I\'malwayswillingtodojustasnearrightasIcan。Howlongwillittake?“

“Probablyonlyalittlewhile。”

“AndcanItakehimuptheshoreandhanghimassoonasyouaredone?“

“Ifheisprovenguiltyheshallbehangedwithoutunnecessarydelay。”

“Ifhe\'sprovenguilty。GreatNeptune，ain\'theguilty?Thisbeatsmytime。Whyyouallknowhe\'sguilty。”

Butatlasttheysatisfiedhimthattheywereprojectingnothingunderhanded。Thenhesaid:

“Well，allright。YougoonandtryhimandI\'llgodownandoverhaulhisconscienceandpreparehimtogo——likeenoughheneedsit，andI

don\'twanttosendhimoffwithoutashowforhereafter。”

Thiswasanotherobstacle。Theyfinallyconvincedhimthatitwasnecessarytohavetheaccusedincourt。Thentheysaidtheywouldsendaguardtobringhim。

“No，sir，Iprefertofetchhimmyself——hedon\'tgetoutofmyhands。

Besides，I\'vegottogototheshiptogetarope，anyway。”

Thecourtassembledwithdueceremony，empaneledajury，andpresentlyCapt。Nedentered，leadingtheprisonerwithonehandandcarryingaBibleandaropeintheother。Heseatedhimselfbythesideofhiscaptiveandtoldthecourtto“upanchorandmakesail。”Thenheturnedasearchingeyeonthejury，anddetectedNoakes\'sfriends，thetwobullies。

Hestrodeoverandsaidtothemconfidentially:

“You\'reheretointerfere，yousee。Nowyouvoteright，doyouhear?——orelsethere\'llbeadouble-barreledinquestherewhenthistrial\'soff，andyourremainderswillgohomeinacoupleofbaskets。”

Thecautionwasnotwithoutfruit。Thejurywasaunit——theverdict。

“Guilty。”

Capt。Nedsprungtohisfeetandsaid:

“Comealong——you\'remymeatnow，mylad，anyway。Gentlemenyou\'vedoneyourselvesproud。IinviteyoualltocomeandseethatIdoitallstraight。Followmetothecanyon，amileabovehere。”

Thecourtinformedhimthatasheriffhadbeenappointedtodothehanging，and——

Capt。Ned\'spatiencewasatanend。Hiswrathwasboundless。Thesubjectofasheriffwasjudiciouslydropped。

Whenthecrowdarrivedatthecanyon，Capt。Nedclimbedatreeandarrangedthehalter，thencamedownandnoosedhisman。HeopenedhisBible，andlaidasidehishat。Selectingachapteratrandom，hereaditthrough，inadeepbassvoiceandwithsinceresolemnity。Thenhesaid:

“Lad，youareabouttogoaloftandgiveanaccountofyourself；andthelighteraman\'smanifestis，asfarassin\'sconcerned，thebetterforhim。Makeacleanbreast，man，andcarryalogwithyouthat\'llbearinspection。Youkilledthenigger?“

Noreply。Alongpause。

Thecaptainreadanotherchapter，pausing，fromtimetotime，toimpresstheeffect。Thenhetalkedanearnest，persuasivesermontohim，andendedbyrepeatingthequestion:

“Didyoukillthenigger?“

Noreply——otherthanamalignantscowl。ThecaptainnowreadthefirstandsecondchaptersofGenesis，withdeepfeeling——pausedamoment，closedthebookreverently，andsaidwithaperceptiblesavorofsatisfaction:

“There。Fourchapters。There\'sfewthatwouldhavetookthepainswithyouthatIhave。”

Thenheswungupthecondemned，andmadetheropefast；stoodbyandtimedhimhalfanhourwithhiswatch，andthendeliveredthebodytothecourt。Alittleafter，ashestoodcontemplatingthemotionlessfigure，adoubtcameintohisface；evidentlyhefeltatwingeofconscience——amisgiving——andhesaidwithasigh:

“Well，p\'rapsIoughttoburnthim，maybe。ButIwastryingtodoforthebest。”

WhenthehistoryofthisaffairreachedCalifornia(itwasinthe“earlydays“)itmadeadealoftalk，butdidnotdiminishthecaptain\'spopularityinanydegree。Itincreasedit，indeed。Californiahadapopulationthenthat“inflicted“justiceafterafashionthatwassimplicityandprimitivenessitself，andcouldthereforeadmireappreciativelywhenthesamefashionwasfollowedelsewhere。

CHAPTERLI。

Viceflourishedluxuriantlyduringthehey-dayofour“flushtimes。”Thesaloonswereoverburdenedwithcustom；sowerethepolicecourts，thegamblingdens，thebrothelsandthejails——unfailingsignsofhighprosperityinaminingregion——inanyregionforthatmatter。Isitnotso?Acrowdedpolicecourtdocketisthesurestofallsignsthattradeisbriskandmoneyplenty。Still，thereisoneothersign；itcomeslast，butwhenitdoescomeitestablishesbeyondcavilthatthe“flushtimes“areattheflood。Thisisthebirthofthe“literary“paper。

TheWeeklyOccidental，“devotedtoliterature，“madeitsappearanceinVirginia。Alltheliterarypeoplewereengagedtowriteforit。Mr。F。

wastoeditit。Hewasafelicitousskirmisherwithapen，andamanwhocouldsayhappythingsinacrisp，neatway。Once，whileeditoroftheUnion，hehaddisposedofalabored，incoherent，two-columnattackmadeuponhimbyacontemporary，withasingleline，which，atfirstglance，seemedtocontainasolemnandtremendouscompliment——viz。:“THELOGICOF

OURADVERSARYRESEMBLESTHEPEACEOFGOD，“——andleftittothereader\'smemoryandafter-thoughttoinvesttheremarkwithanotherand“moredifferent“meaningbysupplyingforhimselfandathisownleisuretherestoftheScripture——“inthatitpassethunderstanding。”Heoncesaidofalittle，half-starved，waysidecommunitythathadnosubsistenceexceptwhattheycouldgetbypreyinguponchancepassengerswhostoppedoverwiththemadaywhentravelingbytheoverlandstage，thatintheirChurchservicetheyhadalteredtheLord\'sPrayertoread:“Giveusthisdayourdailystranger！“

WeexpectedgreatthingsoftheOccidental。Ofcourseitcouldnotgetalongwithoutanoriginalnovel，andsowemadearrangementstohurlintotheworkthefullstrengthofthecompany。Mrs。F。wasanableromancistoftheineffableschool——Iknownoothernametoapplytoaschoolwhoseheroesarealldaintyandallperfect。Shewrotetheopeningchapter，andintroducedalovelyblondesimpletonwhotalkednothingbutpearlsandpoetryandwhowasvirtuoustothevergeofeccentricity。ShealsointroducedayoungFrenchDukeofaggravatedrefinement，inlovewiththeblonde。Mr。F。followednextweek，withabrilliantlawyerwhosetaboutgettingtheDuke\'sestatesintotrouble，andasparklingyoungladyofhighsocietywhofelltofascinatingtheDukeandimpairingtheappetiteoftheblonde。Mr。D。，adarkandbloodyeditorofoneofthedailies，followedMr。F。，thethirdweek，introducingamysteriousRoscicrucianwhotransmutedmetals，heldconsultationswiththedevilinacaveatdeadofnight，andcastthehoroscopeoftheseveralheroesandheroinesinsuchawayastoprovideplentyoftroublefortheirfuturecareersandbreedasolemnandawfulpublicinterestinthenovel。Healsointroducedacloakedandmaskedmelodramaticmiscreant，puthimonasalaryandsethimonthemidnighttrackoftheDukewithapoisoneddagger。HealsocreatedanIrishcoachmanwitharichbrogueandplacedhimintheserviceofthesociety-young-ladywithanulteriormissiontocarrybillet-douxtotheDuke。

AboutthistimetherearrivedinVirginiaadissolutestrangerwithaliteraryturnofmind——ratherseedyhewas，butveryquietandunassuming；almostdiffident，indeed。Hewassogentle，andhismannersweresopleasingandkindly，whetherhewassoberorintoxicated，thathemadefriendsofallwhocameincontactwithhim。Heappliedforliterarywork，offeredconclusiveevidencethathewieldedaneasyandpracticedpen，andsoMr。F。engagedhimatoncetohelpwritethenovel。

HischapterwastofollowMr。D。\'s，andminewastocomenext。Nowwhatdoesthisfellowdobutgooffandgetdrunkandthenproceedtohisquartersandsettoworkwithhisimaginationinastateofchaos，andthatchaosinaconditionofextravagantactivity。Theresultmaybeguessed。Hescannedthechaptersofhispredecessors，foundplentyofheroesandheroinesalreadycreated，andwassatisfiedwiththem；hedecidedtointroducenomore；withalltheconfidencethatwhiskyinspiresandalltheeasycomplacencyitgivestoitsservant，hethenlaunchedhimselflovinglyintohiswork:hemarriedthecoachmantothesociety-young-ladyforthesakeofthescandal；marriedtheDuketotheblonde\'sstepmother，forthesakeofthesensation；stoppedthedesperado\'ssalary；createdamisunderstandingbetweenthedevilandtheRoscicrucian；threwtheDuke\'spropertyintothewickedlawyer\'shands；

madethelawyer\'supbraidingconsciencedrivehimtodrink，thencetodeliriumtremens，thencetosuicide；brokethecoachman\'sneck；lethiswidowsuccumbtocontumely，neglect，povertyandconsumption；causedtheblondetodrownherself，leavingherclothesonthebankwiththecustomarynotepinnedtothemforgivingtheDukeandhopinghewouldbehappy；revealedtotheDuke，bymeansoftheusualstrawberrymarkonleftarm，thathehadmarriedhisownlong-lostmotheranddestroyedhislong-lostsister；institutedtheproperandnecessarysuicideoftheDukeandtheDuchessinordertocompasspoeticaljustice；openedtheearthandlettheRoscicrucianthrough，accompaniedwiththeaccustomedsmokeandthunderandsmellofbrimstone，andfinishedwiththepromisethatinthenextchapter，afterholdingageneralinquest，hewouldtakeupthesurvivingcharacterofthenovelandtellwhatbecameofthedevil！

Itreadwithsingularsmoothness，andwitha“dead“earnestnessthatwasfunnyenoughtosuffocateabody。Buttherewaswarwhenitcamein。

Theothernovelistswerefurious。Themildstranger，notyetmorethanhalfsober，stoodthere，underascathingfireofvituperation，meekandbewildered，lookingfromonetoanotherofhisassailants，andwonderingwhathecouldhavedonetoinvokesuchastorm。Whenalullcameatlast，hesaidhissaygentlyandappealingly——saidhedidnotrightlyrememberwhathehadwritten，butwassurehehadtriedtodothebesthecould，andknewhisobjecthadbeentomakethenovelnotonlypleasantandplausiblebutinstructiveand——

Thebombardmentbeganagain。Thenovelistsassailedhisill-chosenadjectivesanddemolishedthemwithastormofdenunciationandridicule。

Andsothesiegewenton。Everytimethestrangertriedtoappeasetheenemyheonlymademattersworse。Finallyheofferedtorewritethechapter。Thisarrestedhostilities。Theindignationgraduallyquieteddown，peacereignedagainandthesuffererretiredinsafetyandgothimtohisowncitadel。

Butonthewaythithertheevilangeltemptedhimandhegotdrunkagain。

Andagainhisimaginationwentmad。Heledtheheroesandheroinesawilderdancethanever；andyetallthroughitranthatsameconvincingairofhonestyandearnestnessthathadmarkedhisfirstwork。Hegotthecharactersintothemostextraordinarysituations，putthemthroughthemostsurprisingperformances，andmadethemtalkthestrangesttalk！

Butthechaptercannotbedescribed。Itwassymmetricallycrazy；itwasartisticallyabsurd；andithadexplanatoryfootnotesthatwerefullyascuriousasthetext。Irememberoneofthe“situations，“andwillofferitasanexampleofthewhole。Healteredthecharacterofthebrilliantlawyer，andmadehimagreat-hearted，splendidfellow；gavehimfameandriches，andsethisageatthirty-threeyears。Thenhemadetheblondediscover，throughthehelpoftheRoscicrucianandthemelodramaticmiscreant，thatwhiletheDukelovedhermoneyardentlyandwantedit，hesecretlyfeltasortofleaningtowardthesociety-young-lady。Stungtothequick，shetoreheraffectionsfromhimandbestowedthemwithtenfoldpoweruponthelawyer，whorespondedwithconsumingzeal。Buttheparentswouldnoneofit。WhattheywantedinthefamilywasaDuke；

andaDuketheyweredeterminedtohave；thoughtheyconfessedthatnexttotheDukethelawyerhadtheirpreference。Necessarilytheblondenowwentintoadecline。Theparentswerealarmed。TheypleadedwithhertomarrytheDuke，butshesteadfastlyrefused，andpinedon。Thentheylaidaplan。Theytoldhertowaitayearandaday，andifattheendofthattimeshestillfeltthatshecouldnotmarrytheDuke，shemightmarrythelawyerwiththeirfullconsent。Theresultwasastheyhadforeseen:gladnesscameagain，andtheflushofreturninghealth。Thentheparentstookthenextstepintheirscheme。Theyhadthefamilyphysicianrecommendalongseavoyageandmuchlandtravelforthethoroughrestorationoftheblonde\'sstrength；andtheyinvitedtheDuketobeoftheparty。TheyjudgedthattheDuke\'sconstantpresenceandthelawyer\'sprotractedabsencewoulddotherest——fortheydidnotinvitethelawyer。

SotheysetsailinasteamerforAmerica——andthethirddayout，whentheirsea-sicknesscalledtruceandpermittedthemtotaketheirfirstmealatthepublictable，beholdtheresatthelawyer！TheDukeandpartymadethebestofanawkwardsituation；thevoyageprogressed，andthevesselnearedAmerica。

But，byandby，twohundredmilesoffNewBedford，theshiptookfire；

sheburnedtothewater\'sedge；ofallhercrewandpassengers，onlythirtyweresaved。Theyfloatedabouttheseahalfanafternoonandallnightlong。Amongthemwereourfriends。Thelawyer，bysuperhumanexertions，hadsavedtheblondeandherparents，swimmingbackandforthtwohundredyardsandbringingoneeachtime——(thegirlfirst)。TheDukehadsavedhimself。Inthemorningtwowhaleshipsarrivedonthesceneandsenttheirboats。Theweatherwasstormyandtheembarkationwasattendedwithmuchconfusionandexcitement。Thelawyerdidhisdutylikeaman；helpedhisexhaustedandinsensibleblonde，herparentsandsomeothersintoaboat(theDukehelpedhimselfin)；thenachildfelloverboardattheotherendoftheraftandthelawyerrushedthitherandhelpedhalfadozenpeoplefishitout，underthestimulusofitsmother\'sscreams。Thenheranback——afewsecondstoolate——theblonde\'sboatwasunderway。Sohehadtotaketheotherboat，andgototheothership。Thestormincreasedanddrovethevesselsoutofsightofeachother——drovethemwhitheritwould。

Whenitcalmed，attheendofthreedays，theblonde\'sshipwassevenhundredmilesnorthofBostonandtheotheraboutsevenhundredsouthofthatport。Theblonde\'scaptainwasboundonawhalingcruiseintheNorthAtlanticandcouldnotgobacksuchadistanceormakeaportwithoutorders；suchbeingnauticallaw。Thelawyer\'scaptainwastocruiseintheNorthPacific，andhecouldnotgobackormakeaportwithoutorders。Allthelawyer\'smoneyandbaggagewereintheblonde\'sboatandwenttotheblonde\'sship——sohiscaptainmadehimworkhispassageasacommonsailor。Whenbothshipshadbeencruisingnearlyayear，theonewasoffthecoastofGreenlandandtheotherinBehring\'sStrait。Theblondehadlongagobeenwell-nighpersuadedthatherlawyerhadbeenwashedoverboardandlostjustbeforethewhaleshipsreachedtheraft，andnow，underthepleadingsofherparentsandtheDukeshewasatlastbeginningtonerveherselfforthedoomofthecovenant，andprepareforthehatedmarriage。

Butshewouldnotyieldadaybeforethedateset。Theweeksdraggedon，thetimenarrowed，ordersweregiventodecktheshipforthewedding——aweddingatseaamongicebergsandwalruses。Fivedaysmoreandallwouldbeover。Sotheblondereflected，withasighandatear。Ohwherewashertruelove——andwhy，whydidhenotcomeandsaveher?AtthatmomenthewasliftinghisharpoontostrikeawhaleinBehring\'sStrait，fivethousandmilesaway，bythewayoftheArcticOcean，ortwentythousandbythewayoftheHorn——thatwasthereason。Hestruck，butnotwithperfectaim——hisfootslippedandhefellinthewhale\'smouthandwentdownhisthroat。Hewasinsensiblefivedays。Thenhecametohimselfandheardvoices；daylightwasstreamingthroughaholecutinthewhale\'sroof。Heclimbedoutandastonishedthesailorswhowerehoistingblubberupaship\'sside。Herecognizedthevessel，flewaboard，surprisedtheweddingpartyatthealtarandexclaimed:

“Stoptheproceedings——I\'mhere！Cometomyarms，myown！“

Therewerefoot-notestothisextravagantpieceofliteraturewhereintheauthorendeavoredtoshowthatthewholethingwaswithinthepossibilities；hesaidhegottheincidentofthewhaletravelingfromBehring\'sStraittothecoastofGreenland，fivethousandmilesinfivedays，throughtheArcticOcean，fromCharlesReade\'s“LoveMeLittleLoveMeLong，“andconsideredthatthatestablishedthefactthatthethingcouldbedone；andheinstancedJonah\'sadventureasproofthatamancouldliveinawhale\'sbelly，andaddedthatifapreachercouldstanditthreedaysalawyercouldsurelystanditfive！

Therewasafiercerstormthaneverintheeditorialsanctumnow，andthestrangerwasperemptorilydischarged，andhismanuscriptflungathishead。Buthehadalreadydelayedthingssomuchthattherewasnottimeforsomeoneelsetorewritethechapter，andsothepapercameoutwithoutanynovelinit。Itwasbutafeeble，struggling，stupidjournal，andtheabsenceofthenovelprobablyshookpublicconfidence；

atanyrate，beforethefirstsideofthenextissuewenttopress，theWeeklyOccidentaldiedaspeacefullyasaninfant。

Aneffortwasmadetoresurrectit，withtheproposedadvantageofatellingnewtitle，andMr。F。saidthatThePhenixwouldbejustthenameforit，becauseitwouldgivetheideaofaresurrectionfromitsdeadashesinanewandundreamedofconditionofsplendor；butsomelow-

pricedsmartyononeofthedailiessuggestedthatwecallittheLazarus；andinasmuchasthepeoplewerenotprofoundinScripturalmattersbutthoughttheresurrectedLazarusandthedilapidatedmendicantthatbeggedintherichman\'sgatewaywereoneandthesameperson，thenamebecamethelaughingstockofthetown，andkilledthepaperforgoodandall。

Iwassorryenough，forIwasveryproudofbeingconnectedwithaliterarypaper——prouderthanIhaveeverbeenofanythingsince，perhaps。

Ihadwrittensomerhymesforit——poetryIconsideredit——anditwasagreatgrieftomethattheproductionwasonthe“firstside“oftheissuethatwasnotcompleted，andhencedidnotseethelight。Buttimebringsitsrevenges——Icanputitinhere；itwillanswerinplaceofateardroppedtothememoryofthelostOccidental。Theidea(notthechiefidea，butthevehiclethatbearsit)wasprobablysuggestedbytheoldsongcalled“TheRagingCanal，“butIcannotremembernow。Idoremember，though，thatatthattimeIthoughtmydoggerelwasoneoftheablestpoemsoftheage:

THEAGEDPILOTMAN。

OntheErieCanal，itwas，Allonasummer\'sday，IsailedforthwithmyparentsFarawaytoAlbany。

FromoutthecloudsatnoonthatdayTherecameadreadfulstorm，Thatpiledthebillowshighabout，Andfilleduswithalarm。

Amancamerushingfromahouse，Saying，“SnubupyourboatIpray，[Thecustomarycanaltechnicalityfor“tieup。”]

Snubupyourboat，snubup，alas，Snubupwhileyetyoumay。”

Ourcaptaincastoneglanceastern，Thenforwardglancedhe，Andsaid，“MywifeandlittleonesInevermoreshallsee。”

SaidDollingerthepilotman，Innoblewords，butfew，——

“Fearnot，butleanonDollinger，Andhewillfetchyouthrough。”

Theboatdroveon，thefrightenedmulesTorethroughtherainandwind，Andbravelystill，indanger\'spost，Thewhip-boystrodebehind。

“Come\'board，come\'board，“thecaptaincried，“Nortemptsowildastorm；“

Butstilltheragingmulesadvanced，Andstilltheboystrodeon。

Thensaidthecaptaintousall，“Alas，\'tisplaintome，Thegreaterdangerisnotthere，Buthereuponthesea。

Soletusstrive，whileliferemains，Tosaveallsoulsonboard，Andthenifdieatlastwemust，Let……Icannotspeaktheword！“

SaidDollingerthepilotman，Tow\'ringabovethecrew，“Fearnot，buttrustinDollinger，Andhewillfetchyouthrough。”

“Lowbridge！lowbridge！“allheadswentdown，Thelaboringbarkspedon；

Amillwepassed，wepassedchurch，Hamlets，andfieldsofcorn；

Andalltheworldcameouttosee，AndchasedalongtheshoreCrying，“Alas，alas，thesheetedrain，Thewind，thetempest\'sroar！

Alas，thegallantshipandcrew，Cannothinghelpthemmore?“

AndfromourdecksadeyeslookedoutAcrossthestormyscene:

Thetossingwakeofbillowsaft，Thebendingforestsgreen，ThechickensshelteredundercartsInleeofbarnthecows，Theskurryingswinewithstrawinmouth，Thewildsprayfromourbows！

“Shebalances！

Shewavers！

Nowlethergoabout！

Ifshemissesstaysandbroachesto，We\'reall“——thenwithashout，]

“Huray！huray！

Avast！belay！

Takeinmoresail！

Lord，whatagale！

Ho，boy，haultautonthehindmule\'stail！“

“Ho！lightenship！ho！manthepump！

Ho，hostler，heavethelead！

“Aquarter-three！——\'tisshoalingfast！

Threefeetlarge！——t-h-r-e-efeet！——

Threefeetscant！“Icriedinfright“Oh，istherenoretreat?“

SaidDollinger，thepilotman，Asonthevesselflew，“Fearnot，buttrustinDollinger，Andhewillfetchyouthrough。”

Apanicstruckthebravesthearts，Theboldestcheekturnedpale；

Forplaintoall，thisshoalingsaidAleakhadbursttheditch\'sbed！

And，straightasboltfromcrossbowsped，Ourshipswepton，withshoalinglead，Beforethefearfulgale！

“Severthetow-line！Cripplethemules！“

Toolate！Therecomesashock！

Anotherlength，andthefatedcraftWouldhaveswuminthesavinglock！

ThengatheredtogethertheshipwreckedcrewAndtookonelastembrace，WhilesorrowfultearsfromdespairingeyesRandowneachhopelessface；

AndsomedidthinkoftheirlittleonesWhomtheynevermoremightsee，Andothersofwaitingwivesathome，Andmothersthatgrievedwouldbe。

ButofallthechildrenofmiserythereOnthatpoorsinkingframe，Butonespakewordsofhopeandfaith，AndIworshippedastheycame:

SaidDollingerthepilotman，——

(Obraveheart，strongandtrue！)——

“Fearnot，buttrustinDollinger，Forhewillfetchyouthrough。”

Lo！scarcethewordshavepassedhislipsThedauntlessprophetsay\'th，WheneverysoulabouthimseethAwondercrownhisfaith！

Andcountyeall，bothgreatandsmall，Asnumberedwiththedead:

Formarinerforfortyyear，OnErie，boyandman，Ineveryetsawsuchastorm，Orone\'twithitbegan！“

SooverboardakegofnailsAndanvilsthreewethrew，Likewisefourbalesofgunny-sacks，Twohundredpoundsofglue，Twosacksofcorn，fourdittowheat，Aboxofbooks，acow，Aviolin，LordByron\'sworks，Arip-sawandasow。

Acurve！acurve！thedangersgrow！

“Labbord！——stabbord！——s-t-e-a-d-y！——so！——

Hard-a-port，Dol！——hellum-a-lee！

Hawtheheadmule！——theaftonegee！

Luff！——bringhertothewind！“

Forstraightafarmerbroughtaplank，——

(Mysteriouslyinspired)——

Andlayingituntotheship，Insilentaweretired。

TheneverysuffererstoodamazedThatpilotmanbefore；

Amomentstood。Thenwonderingturned，Andspeechlesswalkedashore。