第4章

Butnowthesurfaceofthegroundwasslippery，andtherapidmanoeuvringofhorseshadbecomeamatterprecariousintheextreme。Timeandagaintheponiesfairlysatontheirhaunchesandslidwhennegotiatingasuddenstop，whilequickturnsmeanttherapidscramblingsthatonlyacow-horsecouldaccomplish。

Neverthelesstheworkwentforwardunchecked。Themenoftheotheroutfitscuttheircattleintothestray-herd。Thelatterwasbynowofconsiderablesize，forthiswasthethirdweekoftheround-up。

Finallyeveryoneexpressedhimselfassatisfied。Thelargelydiminishedmainherdwasnowstartedforwardbymeansofshrillcowboycriesandbeatingofquirts。Thecattlewereonlytooeagertogo。Frommypositiononalittleriseabovethestray-herdIcouldseetheleadersbreakingintoarun，theirheadsthrownforwardastheysnuffedtheirfreedom。Onthemesasidethesentinelridersquietlywithdrew。Fromtherearandflanksthehorsemenclosedin。Thecattlepouredoutinasteadystreamthroughtheopeningthusleftonthemesaside。Thefringeofcowboysfollowed，urgingthemon。Abruptlythecavalcadeturnedandcamelopingback。Thecattlecontinuedaheadonatrot，graduallyspreadingabroadoverthelandscape，losingtheirintegrityasaherd。Someoftheslowerorhungrierdroppedoutandbegantograze。Certainofthemorewarydisappearedtorightorleft。

Now，aftertheday\'sworkwaspracticallyover，wehadourfirstaccident。ThehorseriddenbyayoungfellowfromDosCabesasslipped，fell，androlledquiteoverhisrider。Atoncetheanimallungedtohisfeet，onlytoheimmediatelyseizedbythenearestrider。ButtheDosCabesasmanlaystill，hisarmsandlegsspreadabroad，hisheaddoubledsidewaysinahorriblysuggestivemanner。Wehoppedoff。Twomenstraightenedhimout，whiletwomorelookedcarefullyovertheindicationsontheground。

"Allright，"sangoutoneofthem，"thehorndidn\'tcatchhim。"

Hepointedtotheindentationleftbythepommel。Indeedfiveminutesbroughtthemantohissenses。Hecomplainedofaverytwistedback。Homersetoneofthemeninafterthebed-wagon，bymeansofwhichthesuffererwasshortlytransportedtocamp。

Bytheendoftheweekhewasagaininthesaddle。Howmenescapefromthiscommonaccidentwithinjuriessoslighthasalwayspuzzledme。Thehorserollscompletelyoverhisrider，andyetitseemstobetherarestthingintheworldforthelattertobeeitherkilledorpermanentlyinjured。

NoweachmanhadtheprivilegeoflookingthroughtheJHcutstoseeifbychancesteersofhisownhadbeenincludedinthem。

Whenallhadexpressedthemselvesassatisfied，thevariousbandswerestartedtothecorrals。

FromaslighteminencewhereIhadpausedtoenjoytheeveningI

lookeddownonthescene。Thethreeherds，separatedbygenerousdistanceonefromtheother，crawledleisurelyalong；theriders，theirhatsthrustback，lolledintheirsaddles，shoutingconversationtoeachother，relaxingaftertheday\'swork；

throughthecloudsstrongshaftsoflightbelittledthelivingcreatures，threwintoproportionthevastnessofthedesert。

CHAPTERSEVEN

ACORNERINHORSES

Itwasdarknight。Thestay-herdbellowedfranticallyfromoneofthebigcorrals；thecow-and-calf-herdfromasecond。Alreadytheremuda，driveninfromtheopenplains，scatteredaboutthethousandacresofpasture。Awayfromtheconveniencesoffenceandcorral，menwouldhavehadtopatrolallnight。Now，however，everyonewasgatheredaboutthecampfire。

Probablyfortycowboyswereinthegroup，representingalltypes，fromoldJohn，whohadbeeninthebusinessfortyyears，andhadpunchedfromtheRioGrandetothePacific，totheKid，whowouldhavegivenhischanceofsalvationifhecouldhavebeentakenfortenyearsolderthanhewas。AtthemomentJedParkerwasholdingforthtohisfriendJohnnyStoneinreferencetoanotheroldcronywhohadthateveningjoinedtheround-up。

"Johnny，"inquiredJedwithelaborategravity，andentirelyignoringthepresenceofthesubjectofconversation，"whatisthatthingjustbeyondthefire，andwherediditcomefrom？"

JohnnyStonesquintedtomakesure。

"That？"hereplied。"Oh，thisevenin\'thedogsseesomethingrundownahole，andtheydugitout，andthat\'swhattheygot。"

Thenewcomergrinned。

"Thetroublewithyoufellows，"heproffered"isthatyou\'resoplumbalkaliedyoudon\'tknowtherealthingwhenyouseeit。"

"That\'sright，"supplementedWindyBilldrily。"HEcomefromNewYork。"

"No！"criedJed。"Youdon\'tsayso？Didhecomeinoneboxorintwo？"

Undercoverofthelaugh，thenewcomermadearaidonthedutchovensandpails。Havingfilledhisplate，hesquattedonhisheelsandfelltohisbelatedmeal。Hewasatall，slab-sidedindividual，withalean，leatheryface，asweepingwhitemoustache，andagraveandsardoniceye。Hisleatherchapswereplainandworn，andhishathadbeenfashionedbytimeandwearintomuchindividuality。IwasnotsurprisedtohearhimnicknamedSacatoneBill。

"Justaskhimhowhegotthatgamefoot，"suggestedJohnnyStonetomeinanundertone，so，ofcourse，Ididnot。

Latersomeonetoldmethatthelamenessresultedfromhisrefusalofanurgentinvitationtoreturnacrossariver。Mr。SacatoneBillhappenednottoberidinghisownhorseatthetime。

TheCattlemandroppeddownbesidemeamomentlater。

"Iwish，"saidheinalowvoice，"wecouldgetthatfellowtalking。Heisaqueerone。Prettywelleducatedapparently。

Claimstobewritingabookofmemoirs。Sometimeshewillopenupingoodshape，andsometimeshewillnot。Itdoesnogoodtoaskhimdirect，andheisasshyasanoldcrowwhenyoutrytoleadhimuptoasubject。WemustjustlielowandtrusttoProvidence。"

Amanwasplayingonthemouthorgan。Heplayedexcellentlywell，withallsortsofvariationsandfrills。Wesmokedinsilence。Thedeeprumbleofthecattlefilledtheairwithitsdiapason。Alwaystheshrillcoyotesravedoutinthemesquite。

SacatoneBillhadfinishedhismeal，andhadgonetositbyJedParker，hisoldfriend。Theytalkedtogetherlow-voiced。Theeveninggrew，andtheeasternskysilveredoverthemountainsinanticipationofthemoon。

SacatoneBillsuddenlythrewbackhisheadandlaughed。

"RemindsmefthetimeIwenttoColorado！"hecried。

"He\'soff！"whisperedtheCattleman。

Adeadsilencefellonthecircle。EverybodyshiftedpositionthebettertolistentothestoryofSacatoneBill。

AbouttenyearagoIgotplumbsickofpunchin\'cowsaroundmypartofthecountry。Shehadn\'trainedsinceNoah，andI\'dforgotwhatwateroutsideapailoratroughlookedlike。SoI

scoutedaroundinsideofmetoseewhatpartoftheworldI\'djumpto，andasIseemedtoknowaslittleofColoradoandminin\'

asanythingelse，ImadeupthepintofbeansoupIcallmybrainstogothere。SoIcatchesmeabuyeratHensonandturnsovermyporelittlebunchofcattleandpreparedtofly。ThelastdayIhauledupabouttwentygoodbucketsofwaterandthrewherupagainstthecabin。Mybuyerwassettin\'hishosswaitin\'

formetogetready。Hedidn\'tsaynothin\'untilwe\'dgotdownabouttenmileorso。

"Mr。Hicks，"sayshe，hesitatin\'like，"Ifinditagoodruleinthiscountrynottooverlookotherfolks\'plays，butI\'dtakeitmightykindifyou\'dexplainthoseactionsofyourswiththepailsofwater。"

"Mr。Jones，"saysI，"it\'sverysimple。Ibuiltthatshackfiveyearago，andit\'sneverrainedsince。Ijustwantedtosettleinmymindwhetherornotthatdamnroofleaked。"

SoIquitArizona，andinaboutaweekIseemyreflectioninthewindersofalittleplacecalledCyanideintheColoradomountains。

Fellows，shewasabird。Theywasn\'taponyinsight，norasquar\'footoflandthatwasn\'teitherstreetorstraightup。Itmademeplumblonesomeforacountrywhereyoucouldseealongwaysevenifyoudidn\'tseemuch。Andthisearlyintheevenin\'

theywasn\'thardlyanybodyinthestreetsatall。

Itookalookatthemdark，gloomy，oldmountains，andasniffatabreezethatwouldhavefrozenthewhiskersofhope，andImadeadiveforthenearestlitwinder。Theywasasignoveritthatjustsaid：

THISISASALOON

Iwasgladtheylabelledher。I\'dneverhaveknownit。Theyhadafifteen-yearoldkidtendin\'bar，nogamesgoin\'，andnotasoulintheplace。

"Sorrytodisturbyourrepose，bub，"saysI，"butseeifyoucansortoutanyryeamongthemcollectionsofsassaparillerofyours。"

Itookadrink，andthenanothertokeepitcompany——Iwasbeginnin\'tosympathisewithanythin\'lonesome。ThenIkindofsaunteredouttothebackroomwherethehurdy-gurdyoughttobe。

Sureenough，therewasagirlsettin\'onthepiannerstool，anotherinachair，andaniceshinyJewdrummerdanglin\'hisfeetfromatable。Theylookedupwhentheyseemecomein，andwentrightontalkin\'。

"Hello，girls！"saysI。

Atthattheystoppedtalkin\'complete。

"How\'stricks？"saysI。

"Who\'syourwoollyfriend？"theshinyJewasksofthegirls。

Ilookedathimaminute，butIseehe\'dbeenraisedapet，andthen，too，IwassohungryforsassietyIwaswillin\'topassabetortwo。

"Don\'tyouADMIREthesecowgents？"snickersoneofthegirls。

"Playsomethin\'，sister，"saysItotheoneatthepianner。

Shejustgrinnedatme。

"Interdooceme，"saysthedrummerinakindofawaythatmadethemalllaughaheap。

"Giveusatune，"Ibegs，tryin\'tobejolly，too。

"Shedon\'tknowanypieces，"saystheJew。

"Don\'tyou？"Iasksprettysharp。

"No，"saysshe。

"Well，Ido，"saysI。

Iwalkeduptoher，jerkedoutmyguns，andreachedaroundbothsidesofhertothepianner。Irunthemuzzlesupanddownthekeyboardtwoorthreetimes，andthenshotouthalfadozenkeys。

"That\'sthepieceIknow，"saysI。

ButtheothergirlandtheJewdrummerhadpunchedthebreeze。

Thegirlatthepiannerjustgrinned，andpointedtothewinderwheretheywassomeraggedglasshangin\'。Shewasdeadgame。

"Say，Susie，"saysI，"you\'reallright，butyourfriendsistur\'ble。Imayberough，andIain\'tneverbeencurriedbelowtheknees，butI\'mbettertotietothanthemsonsofguns。"

"Ibelieveit，"saysshe。

Sowehadadrinkatthebar，andstartedouttoinvestigatethewondersofCyanide。

Say，thatnightwasawonder。Susiefadedafteraboutthreedrinks，butIdidn\'tseemtomindthat。IhookeduptoanothersaloonkeptbyathinDutchman。AfatDutchmanisstupid，butathinoneisallright。

IntenminutesIhadmorefriendsinCyanidethantheyisfiddlersinhell。IbeguntoconcludeCyanidewasn\'tsolonesome。Aboutfouro\'clockincomesalittleIrishmanaboutfourfoothigh，withmoreupperlipthanamuleycow，andenoughredhairtomakeanartificialaurorerborealis。Hehadbigredhandswithfrecklespastedontothem，andstiffredhairsstandin\'upseparateandlonesomelikesignalstations。Alsohislegswasbowed。

Hegetsadrinkatthebar，andstandsbackandyells：

"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"

Now，thiswasnoneofmytown，soIjuststeppedbackoftheendofthebarquickwhereIwouldn\'tstopnolead。Theshootin\'

didn\'tbegin。

"ProbablyDutchydidn\'ttakenonoteofwhatthelocoedlittledogieDIDsay，"thinksItomyself。

TheIrishmanbellieduptothebaragain，andpoundedonitwithhisfist。

"Lookhere！"heyells。"ListentowhatI\'mtellin\'ye！GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！Doyehearme？"

"Sure，Ihearye，"saysDutchy，andgoesonswabbin\'hisbarwithatowel。

Atthatmysouljustgrewsick。IaskedthemannexttomewhyDutchydidn\'tkillthelittlefellow。

"Killhim！"saysthisman。"Whatfor？"

"Forinsultin\'ofhim，ofcourse。"

"Oh，he\'sdrunk，"saystheman，asifthatexplainedanythin\'。

Thatsettleditwithme。Ileftthatplace，andwenthome，anditwasn\'tmorethanfouro\'clock，neither。No，Idon\'tcallfouro\'clocklate。Itmaybealittlelatefornightbeforelast，butit\'sjusttheshankoftheevenin\'forto-night。

Well，ittookmesixweeksandtwodaystogobroke。Ididn\'tknowsicem，aboutminin\'；andbeforelongIKNEWthatIdidn\'t\'knowsic\'em。MostalldayIpokedaroundthemmountains——-notlikeour\'n——toomuchtimbertobecomfortable。AtnightIgottodroppin\'inatDutchy\'s。Hehadacoupleofquietgamesgoin\'，andtheywasonefellowamongthatlotofgrubbin\'prairiedogsthathadheerdtellthatcowshadhorns。Hewasthewisestofthebunchonthecattlebusiness。SoIstowedawaymyconsolation，andmadeouttoforgetcomparingColoradowithGod\'scountry。

AboutthreetimesaweekthisIrishmanItoldyouof——nameO\'Toole——comesbulgin\'in。Whenhewassoberhetalkedminin\'

high，wide，andhandsome。Whenhewasdrunkhepoundedbothfistsonthebarandyelledforaction，tryin\'togetDutchyonthepeck。

"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"heyellsaboutsixtimes。"Say，doyouhear？"

"Sure，"saysDutchy，calmasamilkcow，"sure，Ihearsye！"

IwasplumbsorryforO\'Toole。I\'dliketohavegivenhimarun；

but，ofcourse，Icouldn\'ttakeitupwithoutmakin\'myselfoutafriendofthisDutchyparty，andIcouldn\'tstandforthat。ButIdidtackleDutchyaboutitonenightwhentheywasn\'tnobodyelsethere。

"Dutchy，"saysI，"whatmakesyouletthatbow-leggedcrossbetweenabulldogandaflamin\'redsunsettromponyouso？Itlookstomelikeyou\'replumbspiritless。"

Dutchystoppedwipingglassesforaminute。

"Justyouholdon"sayshe。"Iain\'treadyyet。BimebyImakehimsick；alsothoseotherswholaughwithhim。"

Hehadalittlegreyflickerinhiseye，andIthinkstomyselfthatmaybethey\'dgetDutchyonthepeckyet。

AsIsaid，Iwentbrokeinjustsixweeksandtwodays。AndI

wasbrokeaplenty。Nohold-outsanywhere。Itwasaheaplongwaystocows；andI\'dbeteetotallychawedupandspitoutifI

wasgoin\'tojointheseminin\'terrapinsdefacin\'thebosomofnature。Itsurelookedtomelikehardwork。

WhileIwasfigurin\'whatnext，Dutchycamein。WhichIwastur\'blesurprisedatthat，butIsaidgood-mornin\'andwouldheresthispoorfeet。

"Youliketomakesomemoney？"heasks。

"Thatdepends，"saysI，"onhoweasyitis。"

"Itiseasy，"sayshe。"Iwantyoutobuyhossesforme。"

"Hosses！Sure！"Iyells，jumpin\'up。"Youbetyou！Why，hossesiswhereIlive！Whathossesdoyouwant？"

"Allhosses，"sayshe，calmasafarodealer。

"What？"saysI。"Elucidate，mybucko。Idon\'ttakenosuchblanketorder。Spreadyourcards。"

"Imeanjustthat，"sayshe。"Iwantyoutobuyallthehossesinthiscamp，andinthemountains。Everyone。"

"Whew！"Iwhistles。"That\'salargeorder。ButI\'myourmeat。"

"Comewithme，then，"sayshe。Ihadn\'tbutjustgotup，butI

wentwithhimtohislittleoldpoisonfactory。Ofcourse，I

hadn\'thadnobreakfast；buthestakedmetoaKentuckybreakfast。What\'saKentuckybreakfast？Why，aKentuckybreakfastisathree-poundsteak，abottleofwhisky，andasetterdog。What\'sthedogfor？Why，toeatthesteak，ofcourse。

Wecometoanagreement。Iwastogettwo-fiftyaheadcommission。SoIstartedout。Therewasn\'tmanyhossesinthatcountry，andwhattherewastheownershadn\'tmuchuseforunlessitwastoworkawhim。Ipickedupaboutahundredheadquickenough，andreportedtoDutchy。

"Howaboutburrosandmules？"IasksDutchy。

"Theygoes，"sayshe。"Mulessameashosses；burrosfourbitsaheadtoyou。"

AttheendofaweekIhadaremudaofprobablytwohundredanimals。Wekeptthemoverthehillsinsome"parks，"asthesesotscallmeadowsinthatcountry。IrodeintotownandtoldDutchy。

"Gotthemall？"heasks。

"Allbutacross-eyedbuckskinthat\'smean，andthebaymarethatNoahbredto。"

"Getthem，"sayshe。

"Thebanditswanttoomuch，"Iexplains。

"Getthemanyway，"sayshe。

Iwentawayandgotthem。Itwasscand\'lous；suchprices。

WhenIhitCyanideagainIranintoscenesofwildexcitement。

Thewholepasselofthemwasonthatonestreetoftheir\'n，talkin\'sixteenouncestothepound。InthemiddlewasDutchy，drunkasasoldier-justplainfoolishdrunk。

"GoodLord！"thinksItomyself，"heain\'tcelebratin\'gettin\'

thatbunchofbuzzards，ishe？"

ButIfoundhewasn\'tthatbad。Whenhecaughtsightofme，hefellonmedrivellin\'。

"Lookthere！"heweeps，showin\'mealetter。

Iwasthelasttocomein；soIkeptthatletter——heresheis。

I\'llreadher。

DearDutchy：——IsupposeyouthoughtI\'dflewthecoop，butI

haven\'tandthisistoproveit。Packupyouroutfitandhitthetrail。I\'vemadethebiggestfreegoldstrikeyoueversee。I\'msendingyouspecimens。There\'stonsjustlikeit，tonsandtons。

IgotalltheclaimsIcanholdmyself；butthere\'sheapsmore。

I\'vewrittoJohnnyandEdatDenvertocomeon。Don\'tgivethisaway。Maketracks。ComeintoBuckCanonintheWhetstonesandoblige。

Yourstruly，HenrySmithSomebodyshowedmeahandfulofwhiterockwithyellerstreaksinit。Hiseyeswasbulgin\'untilyoucouldhavehungyourhatonthem。ThatO\'Toolepartywaswalkin\'around，wettin\'hislipswithhistongueandswearin\'soft。

"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！"sayshe。"Andthefoolhadtogetdrunkandgiveitaway！"

Theexcitementwasjuststarted，butitdidn\'tlastlong。Thecrowdgotthesamenotionatthesametime，anditjustmelted。

MeandDutchywasleftalone。

Iwenthome。PrettysoonafellownamedJimmyTackcomearoundalittleoutofbreath。

"Say，youknowthatbuckskinyouboughtoff\'nme？"sayshe，"I

wanttobuyhimback。"

"Oh，youdo，"saysI。

"Yes，"sayshe。"I\'vegottoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andIgottohavesomethin\'topack。"

"WaitandI\'llsee，"saysI。

OutsidethedoorImetanotherfellow。

"Lookhere，"hestopsmewith。"HowaboutthatbaymareIsoldyou？Canyoucallthatsaleoff？Igottoleavetownforadayortwoand——"

"Wait，"saysI。"I\'llsee。"

Bythegatewasanotherhurryin\'up。

"Oh，yes，"saysIwhenheopenshismouth。"Iknowallyourtroubles。Youhavetoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andyouwantbackthatlizardyousoldme。Well，wait。"

AfterthatIhadtoquitthemainstreetanddodgebackofthehogranch。Theywasallheadedmyway。Iwasaspopularasasnakeinaprohibitiontown。

IhitDutchy\'sbythebackdoor。

"Doyouwanttosellhosses？"Iasks。"Everyoneintownwantstobuy。"

Dutchylookedhurt。

"Iwantedtokeepthemforthevalleymarket，"sayshe，"but——HowmuchdidyougiveJimmyTackforhisbuckskin？"

"Twenty，"saysI。

"Well，lethimhaveitforeighty，"saysDutchy；"andtheothersinproportion。"

Ilaybackandbreathedhard。

"Sellthemall，buttheonebesthoss，"sayshe——"no，theTWO

best。"

"Holysmoke！"saysI，gettin\'mybreath。"Ifyoumeanthat，Dutchy，youlendmeanothergunandgivemeadrink。"

Hedoneso，andIwentbackhometowherethewholecampofCyanidewaswaitin\'。

IgotupandmadethemaspeechandtoldthemI\'dsellthemhossesallright，andtocomeback。ThenIgotanInjinboytohelp，andwerustledovertheremudaandheldtheminablindcanon。ThenIcalleduptheseminersoneatatime，andmadebargainswiththem。Roar！Well，youcouldhearthematDenver，theytellme，andtheweatherreportssaid，"Thunderinthemountains。"Butitwascashondelivery，andtheyallpaidup。

Theyhadseenthatwhitequartzwiththegoldstickin\'intoit，andthat\'sthesameasadoseoflocotominergents。

Whydidn\'tItakeahossandstartfirst？Ididthinkofit——foraboutonesecond。Iwouldn\'tstayinthatcountrythenforamilliondollarsaminute。Iwasplumbsickandloathin\'it，andjustwaitin\'tomakehighjumpsbacktoArizona。SoIwasn\'taimin\'tojointhisstampede，anddidn\'thavenovividemotions。

Theygottofightin\'onwhichshouldgetthefirsthoss；soI

bentmygunonthemandmadethemdrawlots。Theyroaredsomemore，butdoneso；andasfastaseachonehandedoverhisdustordinerohemadearushforhiscabin，piledonhissaddleandpack，andpulledhisfreightonacloudofdust。Itwassureagrandstampede，andIenjoyeditnolimit。

SobysundownIwasalonewiththeInjin。Thosetwohundredheadbroughtinabouttwentythousanddollars。Itwasheavy，butI

couldcarryit。Iwasaboutaloneinthelandscape；andtherewerethetwobesthossesIhadsavedoutforDutchy。Iwassuresometempted。ButIhadenoughtogethomeonanyway；andI

neveryetdrankbehindthebar，evenifImightholdupthesaloonfromthefloor。SoIgrievedsomeinsidethatIwassotur\'bleconscientious，shoulderedthesacks，andwentdowntofindDutchy。

Imethimheadedhisway，andcarryin\'ofasheetofpaper。

"Here\'syourdinero，"saysI，dumpin\'thefourbigsacksontheground。

Hestoopedoverandheftedthem。Thenhepassedoneovertome。

"What\'sthatfor？"Iasks。

"Foryou，"sayshe。

"Mycommissionain\'tthatmuch，"Iobjects。

"You\'veearnedit，"sayshe，"andyoumighthaveskippedwiththewholewad。"

"HowdidyouknowIwouldn\'t？"Iasks。

"Well，"sayshe，andInotedthatjagofhishadflew。"Yousee，Iwasbehindthatrockupthere，andIhadyoucovered。"

Isaw；andIbegantofeelbetteraboutbein\'sotur\'bleconscientious。

Wewalkedalittlewayswithoutsayin\'nothin\'。

"Butain\'tyougoin\'tojointhegame？"Iasks。

"Guessnot，"sayshe，jinglin\'ofhisgold。"I\'msatisfied。"

"Butifyoudon\'tgetawiggleonyou，youaresuregoin\'togetleftonthosegoldclaims，"saysI。

"Thereain\'tnogoldclaims，"sayshe。

"ButHenrySmith——"Icries。

"Thereain\'tnoHenrySmith，"sayshe。

Iletthatsoakinaboutsixinches。

"Butthere\'saBuckCanon，"Ipleads。"Pleasesaythere\'saBuckCanon。"

"Oh，yes，there\'saBuckCanon，"heallows。"Nicelimestoneformation——makegoodhardwater。"

"Well，you\'reamarvel，"saysI。

WewalkedntogetherdowntoDutchy\'ssaloon。

Westoppedoutside。

"Now，"sayshe，"I\'mgoin\'totakeoneofthosehossesandgosomewhereselse。Maybeyou\'dbetterdolikewiseontheother。"

"YoubetIwill，"saysI。

Heturnedaroundandtakedupthepaperhewascarryin\'。Itwasasign。Itread：

THEDUTCHHASRUSTLED

"Nicesentiment，"saysI。"ItwillbeappreciatedwhenthecrowdcomesbackfromthatlittlepasearintoBuckCanon。Butwhynottackherupwherethetrailhitsthecamp？Whyonthisparticulardoor？"

"Well，"saidDutchy，squintin\'atthesignsideways，"youseeI

soldthisplacedaybeforeyesterday——toMikeO\'Toole。"

CHAPTEREIGHT

THECORRALBRANDING

Allthatnightwesleptlikesticksofwood。Nodreamsvisitedus，butinaccordancewiththeimmemorialhabitofthosewholiveout——whetherinthewoods，ontheplains，amongthemountains，oratsea——onceduringthenighteachofusroseonhiselbow，lookedabouthim，anddroppedbacktosleep。Iftherehadbeenafiretoreplenish，thatwouldhavebeenthemomenttodoso；ifthewindhadbeenchangingandtheseasrising，thatwouldhavebeenthetimetocastaneyealoftforindications，tofeelwhethertheanchorcablewasholding；ifthepack-horseshadstraggledfromthealpinemeadowsunderthesnows，thiswouldhavebeentheoccasionforintentlisteningforthefaintlytinklinghellsothatnextdayonewouldknowinwhichdirectiontolook。Butsincethereexistedforusnoresponsibility，weeachreporteddutifullyattheroll-callofhabit，anddroppedbackintoourblanketswithagratefulsigh。

Irememberthemoonsailingagoodgaitamongapparentlystationarycloudlets；Irecalladeep，blackshadowlyingbeforedistantsilverymountains；Iglancedoverthestark，motionlesscanvases，eachofwhichconcealedaman；theairtrembledwiththebellowingofcattleinthecorrals。

Seeminglybutamomentlaterthecook\'showlbroughtmetoconsciousnessagain。Aclear，lickinglittlefiredancedintheblackness。Beforeitmovedsilhouettesofmenalreadyeating。

Ipiledoutandjoinedthegroup。Homerwasbusydistributinghismenfortheday。Threeweretocarefortheremuda；fiveweretomovethestray-herdfromthecorralstogoodfeed；threebrandingcrewsweretoldtobrandthecalveswehadcollectedinthecutoftheafternoonbefore。Thattookupabouthalfthemen。Therestweretomakeashortdriveinthesaltgrass。I

joinedtheCattleman，andtogetherwemadeourwayafoottothebrandingpen。

Weweretheonlyoneswhodidgoafoot，however，althoughthecorralswerenotmorethantwohundredyards\'distant。Whenwearrivedwefoundthestringofponiesstandingaroundoutside。

Betweentheuprightbarsofgreasewoodwecouldseethecattle，andneartheoppositesidethemenbuildingafirenextthefence。Wepushedopenthewidegateandentered。Thethreeroperssattheirhorses，idlyswingingtheloopsoftheirropesbackandforth。Threeothersbroughtwoodandarrangeditcraftilyinsuchmannerastogetbestdraughtforheatin，——agoodbrandingfireismostdecidedlyaworkofart。Onestoodwaitingforthemtofinish，asheafoflongJHstampingironsinhishand。Alltherestsquattedontheirheelsalongthefence，smokingcigarettesadchattingtogether。Thefirstraysofthesunslantedacrossinonegreatsweepfromtheremotemountains。

IntenminutesCharleypronouncedtheironsready。Homer，Wooden，andoldCaliforniaJohnrodeinamongthecattle。Therestofthemenaroseandstretchedtheirlegsandadvanced。TheCattlemanandIclimbedtothetopbarofthegate，whereweroosted，hewithhistally-bookonhisknee。

Eachriderswunghisropeabovehisheadwithonehand，keepingthebroadloopopenbyaskilfulturnofthewristattheendofeachrevolution。InamomentHomerleanedforwardandthrew。Astheloopsettled，hejerkedsharplyupward，exactlyasonewouldstriketohookabigfish。Thistightenedtheloopandpreventeditfromslippingoff。Immediately，andwithoutwaitingtoascertaintheresultofthemanoeuvre，thehorseturnedandbeganmethodically，withoutunduehaste，towalktowardthebrandingfire。Homerwrappedtheropetwiceorthriceaboutthehorn，andsatoverinonestirruptoavoidthetightenedlineandtopreservethebalance。Nobodypaidanyattentiontothecalf。

Thecritterhadbeencaughtbythetwohindlegs。Astheropetightened，hewassuddenlyupset，andbeforehecouldrealisethatsomethingdisagreeablewashappening，hewasslidingmajesticallyalongonhisbelly。Behindhimfollowedhisanxiousmother，herheadswingingfromsidetoside。

Nearthefirethehorsestopped。Thetwo"bull-doggers"

immediatelypounceduponthevictim。Itwaspromptlyfloppedoveronitsrightside。Onekneltonitsheadandtwistedbackitsforeleginasortofhammer-lock；theotherseizedonehindfoot，pressedhisbootheelagainsttheotherhindlegclosetothebody，andsatdownbehindtheanimal。Thusthecalfwasunabletostruggle。Whenonceyouhavehadthewindknockedoutofyou，oraribortwobroken，youceasetothinkthisunnecessarilyrough。Thenoneortheotherthrewofftherope。

Homerrodeaway，coilingtheropeashewent。

"Hotiron！"yelledoneofthebull-doggers。

"Marker！"yelledtheother。

Immediatelytwomenranforward。Thebranderpressedtheironsmoothlyagainsttheflank。Asmokeandthesmellofscorchinghairarose。Perhapsthecalfblattedalittleastheheatscorched。Inabriefmomentitwasover。Thebrandshowedcherry，whichisthepropercolourtoindicateduepeelingandasuccessfulmark。

Inthemeantimethemarkerwasengagedinhiswork。First，withasharpknifehecutoffslantingtheupperquarterofoneear。

Thenhenickedoutaswallow-tailintheother。ThepieceshethrustintohispocketinorderthatatthecompletionoftheworkhecouldthuschecktheCattleman\'stally-boardastothenumberofcalvesbranded。[3]Thebull-doggerletgo。Thecalfsprangup，wasappropriatedandsmelledoverbyhisworriedmother，andthetwodepartedintotheherdtotalkitover。

[3]Forthebenefitofthesqueamishitmightbewelltonotethatthefragmentsoftheearswerecartilaginous，andthereforenotbloody。

Itseemstomethatagreatdealofunnecessarytwaddleisabroadastotheextremecrueltyofbranding。Undoubtedlyitistosomeextentpainful，andcouldsomeothermethodofreadyidentificationbedevised，itmightbeaswelltoadoptitinpreference。Butinthecircumstanceofafreerange，thousandsofcattle，andhundredsofowners，anyothermethodisoutofthequestion。IrememberaNewEnglandmovementlookingtowardsmallbrasstagstobehungfromtheear。InextinguishablelaughterfollowedthespreadofthisdoctrinethroughArizona。Imagineapuncherdescendingtoexaminepolitelytheear-tagsofwildcattleontheopenrangeorinaround-up。

But，asIhaveintimated，eventheinevitablebrandingandear-markingarenotsopainfulasonemightsuppose。Thescorchinghardlypenetratesbelowtheoutertoughskin——onlyenoughtokilltherootsofthehair——besideswhichitmustberememberedthatcattlearenotsosensitiveasthehighernervousorganisms。Acalfusuallybellowswhentheironbites，butassoonasreleasedhealmostinvariablygoestofeedingortolookingidlyabout。Indeed，Ihaveneverseenoneeventakethetroubletolickhiswounds，whichiscertainlynottrueinthecaseoftheinjuriestheyinflictoneachotherinfighting。

Besideswhich，ithappensbutonceinalifetime，andisoverintenseconds；acomfortdeniedtothoseofuswhohaveourteethfilled。

Inthemeantimetwoothercalveshadbeenropedbythetwoothermen。Oneofthelittleanimalswasbutafewmonthsold，sotheriderdidnotbotherwithitshindlegs，buttossedhisloopoveritsneck。Naturally，whenthingstightenedup，Mr。Calfenteredhisobjections，whichtooktheformofmostvigorousbawlings，andthemostcomicalbucking，pitching，cavorting，andboundingintheair。Mr。Frost\'sbull-calfaloneinpictorialhistoryshowstheattitudes。Andthen，ofcourse，therewasthegorgeouscontrastbetweenallthisfranticanduncomprehendingexcitementandtheabsolutematter-of-factimperturbabilityofhorseandrider。Onceatthefire，oneofthemenseizedthetightenedropeinonehand，reachedwellovertheanimal\'sbacktogetaslackoftheloosehidenextthebelly，liftedstrongly，andtripped。Thisiscalled"bull-dogging。"Asheknewhisbusiness，andasthecalfwasasmallone，thelittlebeastwentoverpromptly，bitthegroundwithawhack，andwaspounceduponandheld。

Suchgoodluckdidnotalwaysfollow，however。Anoccasionalandexceedinglyhuskybullyearlingdeclinedtobeupsetinanysuchmanner。Hewouldcatchhimselfononefoot，scramblevigorously，andendbystrugglingbacktotheupright。Thententoonehemadeadashtogetaway。Insuchcasehewasgenerallysnubbedupshortenoughattheendoftherope；butonceortwicehesucceededinrunningaroundagroupabsorbedinbranding。Youcanimaginewhathappenednext。Therope，attachedatoneendtoaconscientiousandimmovablehorseandattheothertoarecklessandvigorouslittlebull，sweptitstautanddestroyingwayaboutmid-kneehighacrossthatgroup。Thebranderandmarker，whowerestanding，promptlysatdownhard；thebull-doggers，whoweresitting，immediatelyturnedseveralmostcapablesomersaults；theothercalfaroseandinextricablyentangledhisropewiththatofhisaccomplice。Hotirons，hotlanguage，anddustfilledtheair。

Anothermethod，andonerequiringslightlymoreknack，istograsptheanimal\'stailandthrowitbyaquickjerkacrossthepressureoftherope。Thisisproductiveofsomefunifitfails。

Bynowthebrandingwasinfullswing。Thethreehorsescameandwentphlegmatically。Whenthenoosesfell，theyturnedandwalkedtowardthefireasamatterofcourse。Rarelydidthecastfail。Menrantoandfrobusyandintent。Sometimesthreeorfourcalveswereonthegroundatonce。Criesaroseinaconfusion："Marker""Hotiron！""Tallyone！"Dusteddiedanddissipated。Behindallwereclearsunlightandtheorganrollofthecattlebellowing。

Towardthemiddleofthemorningthebull-doggersbegantogetalittletired。

"Nomoreneckedcalves，"theyannounced。"Catch\'embythehindlegs，orbull-dog\'emyourself。"

Andthatwent。Onceinawhiletherider，lazy，orcareless，orbotheredbythepressofnumbers，draggedupavictimcaughtbytheneck。Thebull-doggersflatlyrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithit。Anobviouswayoutwouldhavebeentoflipofftheloopandtryagain；butofcoursethatwouldhaveamountedtoaconfessionofwrong。

"Youfellowsdrivemeplumbweary，"remarkedtherider，slowlydismounting。"Alittlebitofacalflikethat！Whatyouallneedisaniggertocutupyourfoodforyou！"

Thenhewouldspitonhishandsandgoatitalone。Ifluckattendedhisfirsteffort，hissarcasmwasprofound。

"There\'syorelittlecalf，"saidhe。"Wouldyouliketohavemetoteittoyou，ordoyoureckonyoucouldtoddlethisfarwithyorelittleoldiron？"

Butifthecalfgavemuchtrouble，thenallworkceasedwhiletheunfortunatepuncherwrestleditdown。

Towardnoontheworkslacked。Unbrandedcalveswerescarce。

Sometimesthemenrodehereandthereforaminuteorsobeforetheireyesfellonapairofuncroppedears。FinallyHomerrodeovertotheCattlemanandreportedthebrandingfinished。Thelattercountedthemarksinhistally-book。

"Onehundredandseventy-six，"heannounced。

Themarkers，squattedontheirheels，toldoverthebitsofearstheyhadsaved。Thetotalamountedtobutanhundredandseventy-five。Everybodywenttosearchingforthemissingbit。

Itwasnotforth-coming。FinallyWoodendiscovereditinhishippocket。

"Felthertharallthetime，"saidhe，"butthoughtitmustshorelybeachawoftobacco。"

Thismattersatisfactorilyadjusted，themenallranfortheirponies。Theyhadbeendoingawrestler\'sheavyworkallthemorning，butdidnotseemtobetired。Isawonceinsomecrankphysicalcultureperiodicalthatacowboy\'slifewasphysicallyill-balanced，likeanoarsman\'s，inthatitexercisedonlycertainmusclesofthebody。Thewritershouldbeturnedlooseinabrandingcorral。

Throughthewidegatesthecattlewereurgedouttotheopenplain。Theretheywereheldforoveranhourwhilethecowswanderedaboutlookingfortheirlostprogeny。Acowknowshercalfbyscentandsound，notbysight。Thereforethenoisewasdeafening，andthemotionincessant。

Finallythelastandmostfoolishcowfoundthelastandmostfoolishcalf。Weturnedtheherdloosetohuntwaterandgrassatitsownpleasure，andwentslowlybacktochuck。

CHAPTERNINE

THEOLDTIMER

Aboutaweeklater，inthecourseoftheround-up，wereachedthevalleyoftheBoxSprings，wherewecampedforsomedaysatthedilapidatedandabandonedadobestructurethathadoncebeenaranchhouseofsomeimportance。

Justatduskoneafternoonwefinishedcuttingtheherdwhichourmorning\'sdrivehadcollected。Thestray-herd，withitsnewadditionsfromtheday\'swork，wepushedrapidlyintoonebigstockcorral。Thecowsandunbrandedcalvesweurgedintoanother。Fiftyheadofbeefsteersfoundasylumfromdust，heat，andracingtoandfro，inthemilesquarewireenclosurecalledthepasture。Alltheremainder，forwhichwehadnofurtherusewedroveoutoftheflatintothebrushandtowardthedistantmountains。Thenweletthemgoasbestpleasedthem。

Bynowthedesertbadturnedslate-coloured，andthebrushwasolivegreenwithevening。Thehard，uncompromisingranges，twentymilestoeastward，hadsoftenedbehindawonderfulveilofpurpleandpink，vividasthechiffonofagirl\'sgown。TothesouthandsouthwesttheChiricahuasandDragoonswerelostinthundercloudswhichflashedandrumbled。

Wejoggedhomewards，ourcuttingponies，tiredwiththequick，sharpwork，shufflingkneedeepinaduskthatseemedtodisengageitselfandriseupwardsfromthesurfaceofthedesert。

Everybodywashungryandtired。Atthechuckwagonwethrewoffoursaddlesandturnedthemountsintotheremuda。Someofthewisestofus，rememberingthethunderclouds，stackedourgearundertheverandaroofoftheoldranchhouse。

Supperwasready。Weseizedthetinbattery，filledtheplateswiththemeat，bread，andcannedcorn，andsquattedonourheels。

Thefoodwasgood，andweatehugelyinsilence。Whenwecouldholdnomorewelitpipes。Thenwehadleisuretonoticethatthestormcloudwasmountinginaportentoussilencetothezenith，quenchingthebrilliantdesertstars。

"Rolls"werescatteredeverywhere。Arollincludesacowboy\'sbedandallofhispersonalbelongings。Whentheoutfitincludesabed-wagon，therollassumesbulkyproportions。

Assoonaswehadcometoadefiniteconclusionthatitwasgoingtorain，wedesertedthecampfireandwentrustlingforourblankets。Attheendoftenminuteseverybedwassafewithinthedoorsoftheabandonedadoberanchhouse，eachownerrecumbentonthefloorclaimhehadpre-empted，andeverymanhopingferventlythathehadguessedrightastothelocationofleaks。

Ordinarilywehaddependedonthelightofcampfires，sonowartificialilluminationlacked。Eachmanwasindicatedbythealternatelyglowingandwaninglozengeofhiscigarettefire。

Occasionallysomeonestruckamatch，revealingforamomenthigh-lightsonbronzedcountenances，andthesilhouetteofashadinghand。Voicesspokedisembodied。Astheconversationdeveloped，wegraduallyrecognisedthemembershipofourownroomful。Ihadforgottentostatethattheranchhouseincludedfourchambers。Outside，therainroaredwithArizonaferocity。

Inside，mencongratulatedthemselves，orsworeasleaksdevelopedandlocalised。

Naturallywetalkedfirstofstampedes。Cowsandbearsarethetwogreatcattle-countrytopics。Thenwehadamouth-organsoloortwo，whichnaturallyledontosongs。Myturncame。Istruckupthefirstverseofasailorchanteyaspossessingatleasttheinterestofnovelty：

Oh，oncewewerea-sailing，a-sailingwerewe，Blowhigh，blowlow，whatcarewe；

Andwewerea-sailingtoseewhatwecouldsee，DownonthecoastoftheHighBarbaree。