第1章

CHAPTERONE

THEOLEVIRGINIA

Theringaroundthesunhadthickenedalldaylong，andtheturquoiseblueoftheArizonaskyhadfilmed。Stormsinthedrycountriesareinfrequent，butheavy；andthissurelymeantstorm。

Wehadriddensincesun-upoverbroadmesas，downandoutofdeepcanons，alongthebaseofthemountaininthewildestpartsoftheterritory。Thecattlewerewindingleisurelytowardthehighcountry；thejackrabbitshaddisappeared；thequaillacked；wedidnotseeasingleantelopeintheopen。

"It\'sacaseofholeup，"theCattlemanventuredhisopinion。"I

havearanchoverintheDoubleR。CharleyandWindyBillholditdown。We\'lltackleit。Whatdoyouthink？"

Thefourcowboysagreed。Wedroppedintoalow，broadwatercourse，ascendeditsbedtobigcottonwoodsandflowingwater，followeditintoboxcanonsbetweenrim-rockcarvedfantasticallyandpaintedlikeaMoorishfacade，untilatlastinawideningbelowaroundedhill，wecameuponanadobehouse，afruittree，andaroundcorral。ThiswastheDoubleR。

CharleyandWindyBillwelcomeduswithsodabiscuits。Weturnedourhorsesout，spreadourbedsonthefloor，filledourpipes，andsquattedonourheels。Variousdogsofvariousbreedsinvestigatedus。Itwasverypleasant，andwedidnotmindtheringaroundthesun。

"Somebodyelsecoming，"announcedtheCattlemanfinally。

"UncleJim，"saidCharley，afteraglance。

Ahawk-facedoldmanwithalongwhitebeardandlongwhitehairrodeoutfromthecottonwoods。Hehadonabatteredbroadhatabnormallyhighofcrown，carriedacrosshissaddleaheavy"eightsquare"rifle，andwasfollowedbyahalf-dozenlollopinghounds。

Thelargestandfiercestofthelatter，catchingsightofourgroup，launchedhimselfwithlightningrapidityatthebiggestoftheranchdogs，promptlynailedthatcaninebythebackoftheneck，shookhimviolentlyascoreoftimes，flunghimaside，andpouncedonthenext。DuringtheensuingfewmomentsthathoundwasthebusiestthingintheWest。Hesatisfactorilywhippedfourdogs，pursuedtwocatsupatree，upsettheDutchovenandtherestofthesodabiscuits，stampededthehorses，andraisedacloudofdustadequatetorepresentthesmokeofbattle。Weothersweretooparalysedtomove。UncleJimsatplacidlyonhiswhitehorse，histhinkneesbenttotheox-bowstirrups，smoking。

Intensecondsthetroublewasover，principallybecausetherewasnomoretroubletomake。Thehoundreturnedleisurely，lickingfromhischopsthehairofhisvictims。UncleJimshookhishead。

"Trailer，"saidhesadly，"isalittlesevere。"

Wegreedheartily，andturnedintowelcomeUncleJimwithafreshbatchofsodabiscuits。

Theoldmanwasneofthetypical"longhairs。"HehadcometotheGaliuroMountainsin\'69，andsince\'69hehadremainedintheGaliuroMountains，spiteofmanorthedevil。Atpresenthepossessedsomehundredsofcattle，whichhewasreputedtowater，inadryseason，fromanordinarydishpan。Intimespasthehadprospected。

Thatevening，thesevereTrailerhavingdroppedtoslumber，heheldforthonbig-gamehuntinganddogs，quartzclaimsandApaches。

"Didyoueverhaveanyveryclosecalls？"Iasked。

Heruminatedafewmoments，refilledhispipewithsomeawfultobacco，andtoldthefollowingexperience：

InthetimeofGeronimoIwaslivingjustaboutwhereIdonow；

andthatwasjustaboutinlinewiththeraiding。Yousee，Geronimo，andJu[1]，andoldLocousedtopileoutofthereservationatCampApache，raidsouthtotheline，slipoverintoMexicowhenthesoldiersgottoopromiscuous，andraidthereuntiltheygotreadytocomeback。Thentherewasalwaysabigmedicinetalk。SaysGeronimo：

[1]Pronounced"Hoo。"

"Iamtiredofthewarpath。IwillcomebackfromMexicowithallmywarriors，ifyouwillescortmewithsoldiersandprotectmypeople。"

"Allright，"saystheGeneral，beingonlytoogladtogethimbackatall。

So，then，intenminutestherewouldn\'tbeabuckincamp，butnextmorningtheyshowsupagain，eachwithaboutfiftyheadofhosses。

"Where\'dyougetthosehosses？"askstheGeneral，suspicious。

"Had\'empasturedinthehills，"answersGeronimo。

"Ican\'ttakeallthosehosseswithme；Ibelievethey\'restolen！"saystheGeneral。

"Mypeoplecannotgowithouttheirhosses，"saysGeronimo。

So，acrossthelinetheygoes，andbacktothereservation。Inaboutaweekthere\'sfifty-twofranticGreaserswantingtoknowwhere\'stheirhosses。Thearmyisnothingbutanimporterofstolenstock，andknowsit，andcan\'thelpit。

Well，asIsays，I\'mbetweenCampApacheandtheMexicanline，sothateveryraidingpartygoesrightonpastme。ThepointisthatI\'mathousandfeetorsoabovethevalley，andtherenegadesisinsuchadevilofahurryaboutthattimethattheyneverstoptoclimbupandcollectme。OftenI\'vewatchedthemtrailingdownthevalleyinacloudofdust。Then，inadayortwo，asquadofsoldierswouldcomeup，andcampatmyspringforawhile。Theyusedtosendsoldierstoguardeverywaterholeinthecountrysotherenegadescouldn\'tgetwater。Afterawhile，fromnotbeingbotherednone，IgotthinkingIwasn\'tworthwhilewiththem。

MeandJohnnyHooperwerepeckingawayattheoldVirginiaminethen。We\'dgotdownaboutsixtyfeet，alltimbered，andwasthinkingofcross-cutting。OnedayJohnnywenttotown，andthatsamedayIgotinahurryandleftmygunatcamp。

Iworkedallthemorningdownatthebottomoftheshaft，andwhenIseebythesunitwasgettingalongtowardsnoon，Iputinthreegoodshots，tamped\'emdown，litthefusees，andstartedtoclimbout。

Itain\'tnowayspleasanttolightafuseinashaft，andthenhavetoclimboutafifty-footladder，withitburningbehindyou。Ineverdidgetusedtoit。Youkeepthinking，"Nowsupposethere\'saflawinthatfuse，orsomething，andshegoesoffinsixsecondsinsteadoftwominutes？where\'llyoubethen？"Itwouldgiveyouagoodboosttowardsyourhomeonhigh，anyway。

SoIclimbedfast，andstuckmyheadoutthetopwithoutlooking——andthenIfrozesolidenough。There，aboutfiftyfeetaway，climbingupthehillonmightytiredhosses，wasadozenoftheugliestChiricahuasyoueverdon\'twanttomeet，andinadditionaMexicanrenegadenamedMaria，whowasworsethananyof\'em。Iseeatoncetheirbosseswastiredout，andtheyhadanotionofcampingatmywaterhole，notknowingnothingabouttheOleVirginiamine。

FortwobitsI\'dhaveletgoallholtsanddroppedbackwards，trustingtomythickheadforeasylighting。ThenIheardalittlefizzandsputterfrombelow。AtthatmyhairrizrightupsoIcouldfeelthebreezeblowundermybat。ForaboutsixsecondsIstoodtherelikeanimbecile，grinningamiably。ThenoneoftheChiricahuasmadeasortofgrunt，andIsabedthatthey\'dseentheoriginalexhibityourUncleJimwasmakingofhimself。

ThenthatfusegaveanothersputterandoneoftheApachessaid"Undah。"Thatmeans"whiteman。"ItwashardertoturnmyheadthanifI\'dhadastiffneck；butImanagedtodoit，andIseethatmyoredumpwasn\'tmorethantenfootaway。Imightynearoverjumpedit；andthenextIknewIwasononesideofitandthoseApachesontheother。ProbablyIflew；leastwaysIdon\'tseemtorememberjumping。

Thatdidn\'tseemtodomemuchgood。Therenegadesweregrinningandlaughingtothinkhoweasyathingtheyhad；andIcouldn\'trightlythinkupanyargumentsagainstthatnotion——atleastfromtheirstandpoint。TheywerechatteringawaytoeachotherinMexicanforthebenefitofMaria。Oh，theyhadmealldistributed，downtomysuspenderbuttons！Andmesquattingbehindthatoredumpaboutasformidableasabrushrabbit！

Then，allatonce，oneofmyshotswentoffdownintheshaft。

"Boom！"saysshe，plentybig；andaslatherofrock，andstonescomeoutofthemouth，andbegantodumpdownpromiscuousonthescenery。Igotonelittleoneintheshoulder-blade，andfoundtimetowishmyoredumphadaroof。Butthoserenegadescaughtitsquareinthethickoftrouble。Onegotknockedoutentirelyforaminute，byanicepieceofcountryrockinthehead。

"Otravez！"yellsI，whichmeans"again。"

"Boom！"goestheOleVirginiapromptasananswer。

Iputinmytimedodging，butwhenIgetsachancetolook，theApacheshasallgottocover，andislookingscared。

"Otravez！"yellsIagain。

"Boom！"saystheOleVirginia。

Thiswasthebiggestshotofthelot，andshesurelycutloose。

Ioughttohavebeenhalf-wayupthebillwatchingthingsfromasafedistance，butIwasn\'t。Luckyformetheshaftwasalittleonthedrift，soshedidn\'tquiteshootmyway。Butshedistributedaboutatonoverthoserenegades。Theysortofhalfgottotheirfeetuncertain。

"Otravez！"yellsIoncemore，asboldasifIcouldkeephershootingallday。

Itwasjustacold，rawblazer；andifitdidn\'tgothroughI

couldseemeasanApacheparlourornament。Butitdid。ThoseChiricahuasgiveoneyellandskipped。Itwassurelyafunnysight，aftertheygotaboardtheirwarponies，toseethemtryingtodigoutonhorsestootiredtotrot。

Ididn\'tstoptogetallthelaughs，though。Infact，Igiveonejumpoffthatledge，andIlita-running。Aquarter-hosscouldn\'thavebeatmetothatshack。ThereIgrabbedoldMeat-in-the-potandmadeaclimbforthetallcountry，aimingtowaitarounduntildark，andthentopulloutforBenson。JohnnyHooperwasn\'texpectedtillnextday，whichwaslucky。FromwhereIlayIcouldseetheApachescampedoutbeyondmydraw，andIdidn\'tdoubtthey\'dvisitedtheplace。Alongaboutsunsettheyalllefttheircamp，andwentintothedraw，sothere，Ithinks，Iseesagoodchancetomakeastartbeforedark。Idroppeddownfromthemesa，skirtedthebutte，andangleddownacrossthecountry。AfterI\'dgoneahalfmilefromthecliffs，IranacrossJohnnyHooper\'sfreshtrailheadedtowardscamp！

Myheartjumpedrightupintomymouthatthat。HerewaspooroldJohnny，adaytooearly，withapack-muleofgrub，walkinginnocentasayearling，rightintothebandsofthosehostiles。

Thetraillookedprettyfresh，andBenson\'sagoodlongdaywithapackanimal，soIthoughtperhapsImightcatchhimbeforeherunsintotrouble。SoIranbackonthetrailasfastasIcouldmakeit。Thesunwasdownbynow，anditwasgettingdusk。

Ididn\'tovertakehim，andwhenIgottothetopofthecanonI

crawledalongverycautiousandtookalook。Ofcourse，I

expectedtoseeeverythingupinsmoke，butInearlygotupandyelledwhenIseeeverythingallright，andoldSukey，thepack-mule，andJohnny\'shosshitchedupaspeacefulasbabiestothecorral。

"THAT\'Sallright！"thinksI，"they\'rebackintheircamp，andhaven\'tdiscoveredJohnnyyet。I\'llsnailhimoutofthere。"

SoIrandownthehillandintotheshack。Johnnysatinhischair——whattherewasofhim。Hemusthavegotinabouttwohoursbeforesundown，forthey\'dhadlotsoftimetoputinonhim。That\'sthereasonthey\'dstayedsolongupthedraw。PooroldJohnny！Iwasgladitwasnight，andhewasdead。ApachesaretheworstInjunsthereisfortortures。TheycutoffthebottomsofoldmanWilkins\'sfeet，andstoodhimonanant-hill——。

Inaminuteorso，though，mywitsgetstowork。

"Whyain\'ttheshackburned？"Iasksmyself，"andwhyisthehossandthemuletiedallsopeacefultothecorral？"

Itdidn\'ttakelongforamanwhoknowsInjinstoanswerTHOSE

conundrums。Thewholethingwasatrap——forme——andI\'dwalkedintoit，chuckle-headedasaprairie-dog！

WiththatImakesarunoutside——bynowitwasdark——andlistens。

Sureenough，Ihearshosses。SoImakesarapidsneakbackoverthetrail。

EverythingseemedallrighttillIgotuptotherim-rock。ThenIheardmorehosses——aheadofme。AndwhenIlookedbackIcouldseesomeInjunsalreadyattheshack，andstartingtobuildafireoutside。

Inatightfix，amanisprettyapttogetscaredtillallhopeisgone。Thenheisprettyapttogetcoolandcalm。Thatwasmycase。Icouldn\'tgoahead——therewasthosehossescomingalongthetrail。Icouldn\'tgoback——therewasthoseInjinsbuildingthefire。SoIskirmishedaroundtillIgotabrightstarrightoverthetrailhead，andItrainedoldMeat-in-the-

pottobearonthatstar，andImadeupmymindthatwhenthestarwasdarkenedI\'dturnloose。SoIlaythereawhilelistening。Byandbythestarwasblottedout，andIcutloose，andoldMeat-in-the-potmissedfire——sheneverdiditbeforenorsince；Ithinkthatcartridge——

Well，Idon\'tknowwheretheInjinscamefrom，butitseemedasifthehammerhadhardlyclickedbeforethreeorfourofthembadpiledonme。IputupthebestfightIcould，forIwasn\'tfiguringtobecaughtalive，andthismiss-firedealhadfooledmeallalongtheline。Theysurelyhadalivelytime。I

expectedeveryminutetofeelaknifeinmyback，butwhenI

didn\'tgetitthenIknewtheywantedtobringmeinalive，andthatmademefightharder。Firstandlast，werolledandplungedallthewayfromtherim-rockdowntothecanon-bed。ThenoneoftheInjinssungout：

"Maria！"

AndIthoughtofthatrenegadeMexican，andwhatI\'dheardbouthim，andthatmademefightharderyet。

Butafterwe\'dfoughtdowntothecanon-bed，andhadlostmostofourskin，ahalf-dozenmorefellonme，andinlessthannotimetheyhadmetied。Thentheypickedmeupandcarriedmeovertowherethey\'dbuiltabigfirebythecorral。"

UncleJimstoppedwithanairoffinality，andbeganlazilytorefillhispipe。Fromtheopenmudfireplacehepickedacoal。

Outside，therain，faithfultotheprophecyofthewide-ringedsun，beatfitfullyagainsttheroof。

"ThatwastheclosestcallIeverhad，"saidheatlast。

"But，UncleJim，"wecriedinaconfusedchorus，"howdidyougetaway？WhatdidtheIndiansdotoyou？Whorescuedyou？"

UncleJimchuckled。

"ThefirstmanIsawsittingatthatfire，"saidhe，"wasLieutenantPriceoftheUnitedStatesArmy，andbyhimwasTomHorn。"

"\'What\'sthis？\'heasks，andHorntalkstotheInjinsinApache。

"\'Theysaythey\'vecaughtMaria，\'translatesHornbackagain。

"\'Maria-nothing！\'saysLieutenantPrice。\'ThisisJimFox。Iknowhim。\'"

"Sotheyturnedmeloose。Itseemsthetroopshaddrivenofftherenegadesanhourbefore。"

"AndtheIndianswhocaughtyou，UncleJim？YousaidtheywereIndians。"

"WereTontoBasinApaches，"explainedtheoldman——"governmentscoutsunderTomHorn。"

CHAPTERTWO

THEEMIGRANTS

AftertherainthathadheldusholedupattheDoubleRoveroneday，wediscussedwhatweshoulddonext。

"Theflatswillbetooboggyforriding，andanywaythecattlewillbeinthehighcountry，"theCattlemansummedupthesituation。"We\'dbogdownthechuck-wagonifwetriedtogetbacktotheJ。H。Butnowaftertheraintheweatheroughttobebeautiful。Whatshallwedo？"

"WasyoueverintheJacksoncountry？"askedUncleJim。"It\'sthewildestpartofArizona。It\'sabigcountryandrough，andnoonelivesthere，andthere\'slotsofdeerandmountainlionsandbear。Here\'smydogs。Wemighthaveahunt。"

"Good！"saidwe。

Weskirmishedaroundandfoundacondemnedarmypacksaddlewithaparejos，andasawbucksaddlewithkyacks。Onthese，wemanagedtocondenseourgrubandutensils。Therewereplentyofhorses，soourbeddingweboundflatabouttheirnakedbarrelsbymeansofthesquaw-hitch。Thenwestarted。

ThatdayfurnisheduswithademonstrationofwhatArizonahorsescando。Ourwayledfirstthroughacanon-bedfilledwithroundedbouldersandrocks，slipperyandunstable。Bigcottonwoodsandoaksgrewsothickaspartiallytoconcealthecliffsoneithersideofus。Therim-rockwasmysteriouswithcaves；beautifulwithhanginggardensoftreefernsandgrassesgrowingthickinlongtransversecrevices；wonderfulincolourandshape。Wepassedthelittlecanonsfencedoffbytherustlersascorralsintowhichtoshuntfromtheherdstheirchoiceofbeeves。

TheCattlemanshookhisheadatthem。"ManyamanhascomefromTexasandestablishedaherdwithnootherassetthanacoupleofhorsesandabranding-iron，"saidhe。

Thenweworkedupgraduallytoadivide，whencewecouldseearangeofwildandruggedmountainsonourright。Theyrosebyslopesandledges，steepandrough，andatlastendedinthethousand-footcliffsofthebuttes，runningsheerandunbrokenformanymiles。Duringalltherestofourtriptheyweretobeourcompanions，theonlyconstantfactorsinthetumultoflesserpeaks，precipitouscanons，andtwistedsystemsinwhichwewereconstantlyinvolved。

Theskywassun-and-shadowaftertherain。EachandeveryArizonanpredictedclearing。

"Why，italmostneverrainsinArizona，"saidJedParker。"Andwhenitdoesitquitsbeforeitbegins。"

Nevertheless，aboutnoonathickcloudgatheredaboutthetopsoftheGaliurosaboveus。Almostimmediatelyitwasdissipatedbythewind，butwhenthepeaksagainshowed，westaredwithastonishmenttoseethattheywerewhitewithsnow。Itwasasthoughamagicianhadpassedasheetbeforethemthebriefinstantnecessarytoworkhisgreattransformation。Shortlytheskythickenedagain，anditbegantorain。

Travelhadbeenprecariousbefore；butnowitsdifficultieswereinfinitelyincreased。Theclaysub-soiltotherubbleturnedslipperyandadhesive。Onthesidesofthemountainsitwasalmostimpossibletokeepafooting。Wespeedilybecamewet，ourhandspuffedandpurple，ourbootssoddenwiththewaterthathadtrickledfromourclothingintothem。

"Overthenextridge，"UncleJimpromisedus，"isanoldshackthatIfixedupsevenyearsago。Wecanallmakeouttogetinit。"

Overthenextridge，therefore，weslippedandslid，thankingthegodofluckforeachtenfeetgained。Itwasgrowingcold。Thecliffsandpalisadesnearathandshoweddimlybehindthefallingrain；beyondthemwavedandeddiedthestormmiststhroughwhichthemountainsrevealedandconcealedproportionsexaggeratedintounearthlygrandeur。Deepinthecleftsoftheboxcanonsthestreamswerefilling。Theroaroftheirrapidsechoedfrominnumerableprecipices。Asoftswishofwaterusurpedtheworldofsound。

Nothingmoreuncomfortableormoremagnificentcouldbeimagined。

Werodeshivering。Eachsaidtohimself，"Icanstandthis——rightnow——atthepresentmoment。Verywell；Iwilldoso，andIwillrefusetolookforwardevenfiveminutestowhatImayhavetostand，"whichisthetruephilosophyoftoughtimesandtheonlyeffectivewaytoendurediscomfort。

Byluckwereachedthebottomofthatcanonwithoutafall。Itwaswide，wellgrownwithoaktrees，andbellydeepinrichhorsefeed——anidealplacetocampwereitnotforthefactthatathinsheetofwateraquarterofaninchdeepwasflowingovertheentiresurfaceoftheground。Wespurredondesperately，thinkingofawarmfireandachancetosteam。

Theroofoftheshackhadfallenin，andthefloorwassixinchesdeepinadobemud。

Wedidnotdismount——thatwouldhavewetoursaddles——butsatonourhorsestakinginthedetails。FinallyUncleJimcametothefrontwithasuggestion。

"Iknowofacave，"saidhe，"closeunderabutte。It\'sabigcave，butithassuchasteepfloorthatI\'mnotsureaswecouldstayinit；andit\'sbacktheothersideofthatridge。"

"Idon\'tknowhowtheridgeistogetbackover——itwasslipperyenoughcomingthisway——andthecavemayshootusoutintospace，butI\'dliketoLOOKatadryplaceanyway，"repliedtheCattleman。

Weallfeltthesameaboutit，sobackovertheridgewewent。

AbouthalfwaydowntheothersideUncleJimturnedsharptotheright，andasthe"hogback"droppedbehindus，wefoundourselvesoutonthesteepsideofamountain，theperpendicularcliffoverustotheright，theriverroaringsavagelyfardownbelowourleft，andsheetsofwaterglazingthefootingwecouldfindamongthebouldersanddebris。Hardlycouldtheponieskeepfromslippingsidewaysontheslope，asweproceededfartherandfartherfromthesolidityoftheridgebehindus，weexperiencedtheillusionofventuringoutonatightropeoverabyssesofspace。Eventhefeelingofdangerwasonlyanillusion，however，compositeofthefallingrain，thedeepeningtwilight，andthenightthathadalreadyenvelopedtheplungeofthecanonbelow。

FinallyUncleJimstoppedjustwithinthedripfromthecliffs。

"Heresheis，"saidhe。

Wedescendedeagerly。Adeerboundedawayfromthebaseofthebuttes。Thecaveransteep，inthemannerofaninclinedtunnel，farupintothedimness。Wehadtodigourtoesinandscrambletomakewayupitatall，butwefounditdry，andafteralittlesearchdiscoveredafoot-ledgeofearthsufficientlybroadforaseat。

"That\'sallright，"quothJedParker。"Now，forsleepingplaces。"

Wescattered。UncleJimandCharleypromptlyannexedtheslightoverhangofthecliffwhencethedeerhadjumped。Itwasdryatthemoment，butweutteredpessimisticpredictionsifthewindshouldchange。TomRichandJimLesterhadalittletent，andinsistedondescendingtothecanon-bed。

"Gottocookthere，anyways，"saidthey，anddepartedwiththetwopackmulesandtheirbedhorse。

ThatlefttheCattleman，WindyBill，JedParker，andme。InamomentWindyBillcameuptouswhisperingandmysterious。

"Getyourcavallosandfollowme，"saidhe。

Wedidso。Heledustwohundredyardstoanothercave，twentyfeethigh，fifteenfeetindiameter，levelasafloor。

"How\'sthat？"hecriedintriumph。"FoundherjustnowwhileI

wasrustlingnigger-headsforafire。"

Weunpackedourbedswithchucklesofjoy，andspreadthemcarefullywithintheshelterofthecave。Exceptfortheveryedges，whichdidnotmuchmatter，ourblanketsand"so-guns，"

protectedbythecanvas"tarp，"werereasonablydry。Everyonceinawhileaspasmofconsciencewouldseizeoneortheotherofus。

"Itseemssortofmeanontheotherfellows，"ruminatedJedParker。

"Theyhadtheirfirstchoice，"criedweall。

"UncleJim\'sanoldman，"theCattlemanpointedout。

ButWindyBillhadthoughtofthat。"Itoldhimofthisyerecavefirst。Butheallowedhewasplumbsatisfied。"

Wefinishedlayingoutourblankets。Theresultlookedgoodtous。Weallburstoutlaughing。

"Well，I\'msorryforthosefellows，"criedtheCattleman。Wehobbledourhorsesanddescendedtothegleamofthefire，likeguiltyconspirators。Thereweatehastilyofmeat，breadandcoffee，merelyforthesakeofsustenance。Itcertainlyamountedtolittleinthewayofpleasure。Thewaterfromthedirectrain，theshiveringtrees，andourhatbrimsaccumulatedinourplatesfasterthanwecouldbailitout。Thedisheswerethrustunderacanvas。RichandLesterdecidedtoremainwiththeirtent，andsowesawthemnomoreuntilmorning。

Webrokeoffback-loadsofmesquiteandtoiledupthehill，tastingthicklythehighaltitudeintheseverelabour。Atthebigcavewedumpeddownourburdens，transportedourfuelpiecemealtothevicinityofthenarrowledge，builtagoodfire，satinarow，andlitourpipes。Inafewmoments，theblazewasburninghigh，andourbodieshadceasedshivering。Fantasticallythefirelightrevealedtheknobsandcrevices，theledgesandthearchingwalls。Theirshadowsleaped，followingtheflames，recedingandadvancinglikeplayfulbeasts。Faraboveuswasasingletinyopeningthroughwhichthesmokewassuckedasthroughachimney。Theglowruddiedthemen\'sfeatures。Outsidewasthickdarkness，andtheswishandrushandroarofrisingwaters。Listening，WindyBillwasremindedofastory。Weleanedbackcomfortablyagainsttheslopingwallsofthecave，thrustourfeettowardtheblaze，smoked，andhearkenedtothetaleofWindyBill。

There\'satur\'blelotofwaterrunningloosehere，butI\'veseenthetimeandplacewhereevenwhatisinthatdripwouldbeworthagoldmine。Thatwasintheemigrantdays。Theyusedtocomeoversouthofhere，throughwhattheycalledEmigrantPass，ontheirwaytoCaliforny。Iwasakidthen，abouteighteenyearold，andwhatIdidn\'tknowaboutInjinsandAgencycattlewasn\'tapatchofalkali。Ihadakidoutfitofh\'arbridle，lotsofsilverandsuch，andIusedtorideoverandbethehandsomeboybeforesuchoutfitsashappenedalong。

Theywerequeerpeople，mostof\'emfromMissouryandsuch-likesouthernseaports，andtheyweretur\'blesickoftravelbythetimetheycomeinsightofEmigrantPass。UptoSantaFetheymostlyhikedalonganyoldway，butoncetheretheyherdeduptogetherinbunchesoftwentywagonsorso，\'countofouroldfriends，GeronimoandLoco。Agoodmanyof\'emhadhornedcattletotheirwagons，andtheycrawledalongabouttwomilesanhour，hotter\'nhellwiththebloweron，nothin\'tolookatbutamountainaweekway，chuckfullofalkali，plentyofsage-brushandrattlesnakes——butmightylittlewater。

Why，youboysknowthatcountrydownthere。BetweentheChiricahuaMountainsandEmigrantPassit\'smaybeathreeorfourdays\'journeyfortheseyerebull-slingers。

Mostlytheyfilleduptheirbelliesandtheirkegs，hopingtolastthrough，buttheysurefounditdrierthancorklegs，andgenerallylongbeforetheyhittheSpringstheirtongueswashangin\'outafoot。Yousee，foralltheirplumbnerveincomin\'

sofar，themostofthemdidn\'tknowsic\'em。Theywereplumbinnocentinregardtosavin\'theirwater，andInjins，andsuch；

andthelong-hairedbuckskinfakestheypickedupatSantaFeforguideswasn\'tmuchbetter。

ThatwaswhereTexasPetemadehiskilling。

TexasPetewasatoughcitizenfromtheLoneStar。Hewasaboutasbroadashewaslong，andworeallsortsofbigwhiskersandblackeyebrows。Hisheartwasverybad。YouneverCOULDtellwhereTexasPetewasgoin\'tojumpnext。Hewasaside-winderandadiamond-backandalittleblackrattlesnakeallrolledintoone。IbelievethatTexasPetepersoncaredaboutaslittleforkillin\'amanasfortakin\'adrink——andheshorelydrankwithoutaneffort。Peaceablecitizensjustspokesoftandmindedtheirownbusiness；onpeaceablecitizensTexasPeteusedtoplantoutinthesagebrush。

NowthisTexasPetehappenedtodiscoverawaterholerightoutintheplumbmiddleofthedesert。Hepromptlyannexedsaidwaterhole，digsherout，timbersherup，andlaysforemigrants。

Hechargedtwobitsahead——manorbeast——andnobodygotamouthfultillhepaidupinhardcoin。

Thinkofthewadsherakedin！Iusedtofigureitup，justforthejoyofenvyin\'him，Ireckon。Anaveragetwenty-wagonoutfit，firstandlast，wouldbringhiminsomewheresaboutfiftydollars——andbesideshehadforty-rodatfourbitsaglass。Andoutfitsatthattimewerethicker\'nspatter。

Weusedalltogodownsometimestowatchthemcomein。Whentheyseethatlittlecanvasshackandthatwell，theybeguntocheerupandmovefast。Andwhentheyseethatsign，"Water，twobitsahead，"theireyesstuckoutliketworawoysters。

Thencomethekicks。Whatahowltheydidraise，shorely。Butitdidn\'tdonomannerofgood。TexasPetedidn\'tdonothin\'butsitthereandsmoke，withakindofsulkygleaminonecornerofhiseye。Hedidn\'teventakethetroubletoanswer，buthisWinchesterlayacrosshislap。Therewasn\'tnohumourinthesituationforhim。

"Howmuchisyourwaterforhumans？"asksoneemigrant。

"Can\'tyoureadthatsign？"TexasPeteaskshim。

"Butyoudon\'tmeantwobitsaheadforHUMANS！"yellstheman。

"Why，youcangetwhiskyforthat！"

"Youcanreadthesign，can\'tyou？"insistsTexasPete。

"Icanreaditallright？"saystheman，tryin\'anewdeal，"buttheytellmenottobelievemore\'nhalfIread。"

Butthatdon\'tgo；andMr。Emigrantshellsoutwiththerest。

Ididn\'tblamethemforraisin\'theirhowl。Why，atthattimetheregularwaterholeswaschargin\'fivecentsaheadfromthegovernmentfreighters，andthemottowasalways"HoldupUncleSam，"atthat。Onceinawhilesomeoutfitwouldgetmadandgochargin\'offdry；butitwasalong，longwaytotheSprings，andmightyhotanddusty。TexasPeteandhisonelonesomewaterholeshorelydidabigbusiness。

LateoneafternoonmeandGentlemanTimwasjoggin\'alongaboveTexasPete\'splace。Itwasatur\'blehotday——youhadtoprimeyourselftospit——andwewasjustgettin\'backfromdrivin\'somebeefuptothetroopsatFortHuachuca。WewasduetocrosstheEmigrantTrail——she\'sworeintur\'bledeep——youcanseetherutsto-day。Whenwetoppedtheriseweseealittleoldoutfitjustmakin\'outtodragalong。

Itwasonelittleschoonerallbyherself，drugalongbytwopooroldcavallosthatcouldn\'thavepulledmyhatoff。Theirtongueswasout，andeveryonceinawhilethey\'dstickinachuck-hole。

Thenamanwouldgetdownandputhisshouldertothewheel，andeverybody\'dtakeaheave，andupthey\'dcome，alla-tremblingandweak。

TimandIrodedownjusttotakealookatthecuriosity。

Athin-lookin\'manwasdrivin\'，allhumpedup。

"Hullo，stranger，"saysI，"ain\'tyou\'fraidofInjins？"

"Yes，"sayshe。

"Thenwhyareyoutravellin\'throughanInjincountryallalone？"

"Couldn\'tkeepup，"sayshe。"CanIgetwaterhere？"

"Ireckon，"Ianswers。

HedroveuptothewatertroughthereatTexasPete\'s，meandGentlemanTimfollowin\'alongbecauseourtrailledthatway。

Buthehadn\'tmore\'nstoppedbeforeTexasPetewasout。

"Costyoufourbitstowaterthemhosses，"sayshe。

Themanlookedupkindofbewildered。

"I\'msorry，"sayshe，"Iain\'tgotnofourbits。Igotmyrollliftedoff\'nme。"

"Nowater，then，"growlsTexasPetebackathim。

Themanlookedabouthimhelpless。

"Howfarisittothenextwater？"heasksme。

"Twentymile，"Itellshim。

"MyGod！"hesays，tohimself-like。

Thenheshruggedhisshouldersverytired。

"Allright。It\'sgettin\'thecooloftheevenin\'；we\'llmakeit。"Heturnsintotheinsideofthatoldschooner。

"Gi\'methecup，Sue。"

Awhite-facedwomanwholookedmightygoodtousalkalisopenedtheflapsandgaveoutatincup，whichthemanpointedouttofill。

"Howmanyofyouisthey？"asksTexasPete。

"Three，"repliestheman，wondering。

"Well，sixbits，then，"saysTexasPete，"cashdown。"

Atthatthemanstraightensupalittle。

"Iain\'taskin\'fornowaterformystock，"sayshe，"butmywifeandbabyhasbeenoutinthissunalldaywithoutadropofwater。OurcaskslippedahoopandbustjustthissideofDosCabesas。Thepoorkidisplumbdry。"

"Twobitsahead，"saysTexasPete。

Atthatthewomancomesout，alittlebitofababyinherarms。

Thekidhadfuzzyyellowhair，anditsfacewasflushedredandshiny。

"Shorelyyouwon\'trefuseasickchildadrinkofwater，sir，"

saysshe。

ButTexasPetehadsomesortofaspecialgrouch；Iguesshewasjustbeginningtogethissnowshoesoffafterafightwithhisownforty-rod。

"Whatthehellareyou-alldoin\'onthetrailwithoutnomoneyatall？"hegrowls，"andhowdoyouexpecttogetalong？Suchplumbtenderfeetdrivemeweary。"

"Well，"saystheman，stillreasonable，"Iain\'tgotnomoney，butI\'llgiveyousixbits\'worthofflourortradeoran\'thin\'I

got。"

"Idon\'trunnotruck-store，"snapsTexasPete，andturnssquareonhisheelandgoesbacktohischair。

"Gotsixbitsaboutyou？"whispersGentlemanTimtome。

"Notared，"Ianswers。

GentlemanTimturnstoTexasPete。

"Let\'emhaveadrink，Pete。I\'llpayyounexttimeIcomedown。"

"Cashdown，"growlsPete。

"You\'rethemeanestmanIeversee，"observesTim。"Iwouldn\'tspeaktoyouifImetyouinhellcarryin\'alumpoficeinyourhand。"

"You\'rethesoftest_I_eversee，"sneersPete。"Don\'ttheyhaveanygenooineTexansdownyourway？"

"Notenoughtomakeitdisagreeable，"saysTim。

"Thatletsyouout，"growlsPete，gettin\'hostileandhandlin\'ofhisrifle。

Whichthemanhadbeenstandin\'therebewildered，thecuphangin\'

fromhisfinger。Atlast，lookin\'prettydesperate，hestoopeddowntodigupalittleofthewetfromanoverflowpuddlelyin\'

athisfeet。Atthesametimethehosses，leftsortoftothemselvesandbein\'drierthanacoveredbridge，drugforwardandstucktheirnosesinthetrough。

GentlemanTimandmewassittin\'thereonourhosses，alittletooneside。WesawTexasPetejumpupfromhischair，takeaquickaim，andcutloosewithhisrifle。Itwasplumbunexpectedtous。Wehadn\'tthoughtofanyshootin\'，andoursix-shooterswastiedin，\'countofthejumpycountrywe\'dbeendrivin\'thesteersover。ButGentlemanTim，whohadunslunghisrope，aimin\'tohelpthehossesoutofthechuckhole，snatchedheroffthehorn，andwithoneoftheprettiesttwenty-footflipthrowsIeverseedonehesnakedoldTexasPeterightoutofhiswicky-up，gunandall。Theoldrenegadedidhisbesttotwistaroundforashotatus；butitwasnogo；andIneverenjoyedhog-tyingacrittermoreinmylifethanIenjoyedhog-tyingTexasPete。Thenweturnedtoseewhatdamagehadbeendone。

Weweresomerelievedtofindthefamilyallright，butTexasPetehadboredoneofthempooroldcrow-baithossesplumbthroughthehead。

"It\'sluckyforyouyoudon\'tgettheoldman，"saysGentlemanTimveryquietandpolite。

WhichGentlemanTimwasanIrishman，andI\'dbeenontherangelongenoughwithhimtoknowthatwhenhegotquietandpoliteitwastimetododgebehindsomething。

"Ihope，sir"sayshetothestranger，"thatyouwillgiveyourwifeandbabyasatisfyingdrink。Asforyourhoss，praydonotbeunderanyapprehension。Ourfriend，Mr。TexasPete，here，haskindlyconsentedtomakegoodanydeficienciesfromhisowncorral。"

Timcouldtalkhigh，wide，andhandsomewhenhesetoutto。

Themanstartedtosaysomething；butImanagedtoherdhimtooneside。

"Lethimalone，"Iwhispers。"Whenhetalksthatway，he\'smad；

andwhenhe\'smad，it\'sbettertoleavenaturetosupplythelightnin\'rods。"

Heseemedtosabeallright，sowebuiltusalittlefireandstartedsomegrub，whileGentlemanTimwalkedupanddownverygrandandfierce。

Byandbyheseemedtomakeuphismind。HewentoveranduntiedTexasPete。

"Standup，youhound，"sayshe。"Nowlistentome。Ifyoumakeabreaktogetaway，orifyourefusetodojustasItellyou，I

won\'tshootyou，butI\'llmarchyouupcountryandseethatGeronimogetsyou。"

Hesortedoutashovelandpick，madeTexasPetecarrythemrightalongthetrailaquarter，andstartedhimtodiggin\'ahole。

TexasPetestartedinhardenough，Timsittin\'overhimonhishoss，hissix-shooterloose，andhisropefree。ThemanandI

stoodby，notdarin\'tosayaword。AfteraminuteorsoTexasPetebegantoworkslowerandslower。Byandbyhestopped。

"Lookhere，"sayshe，"isthisherethingmygrave？"

"Iamgoin\'toseethatyougivethegentleman\'shossdecentinterment，"saysGentlemanTimverypolite。

"Buryahoss！"growlsTexasPete。

Buthedidn\'tsayanymore。Timcockedhissix-shooter。

"Perhapsyou\'dbetterquitpantingandsweatalittle，"sayshe。

TexasPeteworkedhardforawhile，forTim\'squietnesswasbeginningtoscarehimuptheworstway。Byandbyhehadgotdownmaybefourorfivefeet，andTimgotoffhishoss。

"Ithinkthatwilldo，"sayshe。

"Youmaycomeout。Billy，myson，coverhim。Now，Mr。TexasPete，"hesays，coldassteel，"thereisthegrave。Wewillplacethehossinit。ThenIintendtoshootyouandputyouinwiththehoss，andwriteyouanepitaphthatwillbeacomforttosuchtravellersoftheTrailasarehonest，andawarnin\'tosuchasarenot。I\'dassoonkillyounowasanhourfromnow，soyoumaymakeabreakforitifyoufeellikeit。"

Hestoopedovertolookintothehole。Ithoughthelookedanextralongtime，butwhenheraisedhisheadhisfacehadchangedcomplete。

"March！"saysheverybrisk。

Weallwentbacktotheshack。FromthecorralTimtookTexasPete\'sbestteamandhitchedhertotheoldschooner。

"There，"sayshetotheman。"Nowyou\'dbetterhitthetrail。

Takethatwhiskykegthereforwater。Good-bye。"

Wesattherewithoutsayin\'awordforsometimeaftertheschoonerhadpulledout。ThenTimsays，veryabrupt：

"I\'vechangedmymind。"

Hegotup。

"Comeon，Billy，"sayshetome。"We\'lljustleaveourfriendtiedup。I\'llbebackto-morrowtoturnyouloose。Inthemeantimeitwon\'thurtyouabittobealittleuncomfortable，andhungry——andthirsty。"

Werodeoffjustaboutsundown，leavin\'TexasPetelashedtight。

Nowallthisknockedmehell-westandcrooked，andIsaidso，butIcouldn\'tgetawordoutofGentlemanTim。AlltheanswerI

couldgetwasjustlittlelaughs。

Wedrawedintotheranchnearmidnight，butnextmornin\'Timhadalongtalkwiththeboss，andtheresultwasthatthewholeoutfitwasinstructedtoarmupwithapickorashovelapiece，andtogetsetforTexasPete\'s。Wegottherealittleafternoon，turnedtheoldboyout——withoutfirearms——andthenbegantodigataplaceTimtoldusto，nearthatgraveofTexasPete\'s。

Inthreehourswehadthefinestwater-holedevelopedyoueverwanttosee。Thenthebossstuckupasignthatsaid：

PUBLICWATER-HOLE。WATER，FREE。

"Nowyouoldskin，"sayshetoTexasPete，"chargeallyouwanttoonyourownproperty。ButifIeverhearofyourlayin\'claimtothisotherhole，I\'llshoremakeyouhardtocatch。"

Thenwerodeoffhome。Yousee，whenGentlemanTiminspectedthatgrave，henotedindicationsofwater；anditstruckhimthatrunnin\'theoldrenegadeoutofbusinesswasaneaterwayofgettin\'eventhanmerelykillin\'him。

Somebodythrewafreshmesquiteonthefire。Theflamesleapedupagain，showingathintrickleofwaterrunningdowntheothersideofthecave。Thesteadydownpouragainmadeitselfprominentthroughthere-establishedsilence。

"WhatdidTexasPetedoafterthat？"askedtheCattleman。

"TexasPete？"chuckledWindyBill。"Well，heputinaheapofhissparetimelettin\'Timalone。"

CHAPTERTHREE

THEREMITTANCEMAN

AfterWindyBillhadfinishedhisstorywebegantothinkittimetoturnin。UncleJimandCharleyslidandslippeddownthechute-likepassageleadingfromthecaveanddisappearedinthedirectionoftheoverhangbeneathwhichtheyhadspreadtheirbed。Afteramomentwetoreofflongbundlesofthenigger-headblades，littheresinousendsatourfire，andwiththesetorchesstartedtomakeourwayalongthebaseoftheclifftotheothercave。

Oncewithouttheinfluenceofthefireourimpromptulinkscastanadequatelight。Thesheetsofrainbecamesuddenlyvisibleastheyenteredthecircleofillumination。BycarefulscrutinyofthefootingIgainedtheentrancetoourcavewithoutmishap。I

lookedback。Hereandthereirregularlygleamedandsplutteredmycompanions\'torches。Acrosseachslantedtherain。Allelsewasofinkyblacknessexceptwhere，betweenthemandme，afaintredreflectionshoneonthewetrocks。ThenIturnedinside。