第6章

Schwartzwashavingagooddealofdifficultytonavigate。I

willsayforhimthathehaddonewell，butnowIcouldseethathisstrengthwasgoingonhiminspiteofhimself。Heknewit，allright，forwhenwerestedthatdayhetookallthegoldcoinsandspreadtheminarow，andcountedthem，andputthembackinhispocket，andthenallofasuddensnatchedouttwohandfulsandthrewthemasfarashecould。

"Tooheavy，"hemuttered，butthatwasallhecouldbringhimselftothrowaway。

Allthatnightwewanderedhighintheair。Iguesswetriedtokeepageneraldirection，butIdon\'tknow。Anyway，alonglate，butbeforemoonrise——shewasnowonthewane——Icameto，andfoundmyselflookingovertheedgeofatwenty-footdrop。RightbelowmeImadeoutafaintglimmerofwhiteearthinthestarlight。SomehowitremindedmeofalittletrailIusedtoknowunderabigrockbackinTexas。

"Here\'satrail，"Ithought，morethanhalfloco；"I\'llfollowit！"

Atleastthat\'swhathalfofmethought。Theotherhalfwassensible，andknewbetter，butitseemedtobekindofstandingtooneside，alittlescornful，watchingtheperformance。SoI

slidandslippeddowntothestripofwhiteearth，and，sureenough，itwasatrail。Atthatthelocohalfofmegavethesensiblepartthelaugh。Ifollowedthepathtwentyfeetandcametoadarkhollowundertherock，andinitaroundpoolofwateraboutafootacross。Theysayamankillshimselfdrinkingtoomuch，afterstarvingforwater。Thatmaybe，butitdidn\'tkillme，andIsuckedupallIcouldhold。Perhapsthefishhookcactushadhelped。Well，sir，itwassurprisinghowthatdrinkbroughtmearound。AminutebeforeI\'dbeenontheedgeofgoingplumbloco，andhereIwasasclear-headedasalawyer。

IhuntedupDentonandSchwartz。Theydrank，themselvesfull，too。Thenwerested。Itwasmightyhardtoleavethatspring——

Oh，wehadtodoit。We\'dhavestarvedsure，there。Thetrailwasagametrail，butthatdidusnogood，forwehadnoweapons。

Howwedidwishforthecoffeepot，sowecouldtakesomeaway。

Wefilledourhats，andcarriedthemaboutthreehours，beforethewaterbegantosoakthrough。Thenwehadtodrinkitinordertosaveit。

Thecountryfairlystooduponend。Wehadtoclimbseparatelittlehillssoastoavoidrollingrocksdownoneachother。Ittookitoutofus。Aboutthistimewebegantoseemountainsheep。Theywouldcomerightuptotheedgesofthesmallcliffstolookatus。Wethrewstonesatthem，hopingtohitoneintheforehead，butofcoursewithoutanyresults。

Thegoodeffectsofthewaterlastedusaboutaday。Thenwebegantoseethingsagain。OffandonIcouldseewaterplainascouldbeineveryhollow，andgameofallkindsstandingaroundandlookingatme。Iknewthesewereallfakes。BymakinganeffortIcouldswingthingsaroundtowheretheybelonged。I

usedtodothateveryonceinawhile，justtobesureweweren\'tdoublingback，andtolookoutforrealwater。Butmostofthetimeitdidn\'tseemtobeworthwhile。Ijustletallthesevisionsriotaroundandhaveagoodtimeinsidemeoroutsideme，whicheveritwas。IknewIcouldgetridofthemanyminute。

Mostofthetime，ifIwasinanydoubt，itwaseasiertothrowastonetoseeiftheanimalswererealornot。Therealonesranaway。

Webegantoseebandsofwildhorsesintheuplands。OnedaybothDentonandIplainlysawonewithsaddlemarksonhim。Ifonlyoneofushadseenhim，itwouldn\'thavecountedmuch，butwebothmadehimout。Thisencourageduswonderfully，thoughI

don\'tseewhyitshouldhave。Wehadtoppedthehighcountry，too，andhadstarteddowntheothersideofthemountainsthatranoutonthepromontory。DentonandIwerestillnavigatingwithoutanythoughtofgivingup，butSchwartzwasgettinginbadshape。I\'dhatetopacktwentypoundsoverthatcountryevenwithrest，food，andwater。Hewastotingitonnothing。Wetoldhimso，andhecametoseeit，buthenevercouldpersuadehimselftogetridofthegoldallatonce。Insteadhethrewawaythepiecesonebyone。Eachsacrificeseemedtonervehimupforanotherheat。Icanshutmyeyesandseeitnow——thewide，glaring，yellowcountry，thepasteboardmountains，wethreedraggingalong，andthefiercesunshineflashingfromthedoubloonsasonebyonetheywentspinningthroughtheair。

CHAPTERFOURTEEN，THECHEWEDSUGARCANE

"I\'dliketohavetrailedyoufellows，"sighedavoicefromthecorner。

"Wouldyou！"saidColoradoRogersgrimly。

Itwasfivedaystothenextwater。Buttheywereworsethantheeightdaysbefore。Wewerelucky，however，foratthespringwediscoveredinadeepwashnearthecoast，wasthedried-upskullofahorse。Ithadbeentherealongtime，butafewshredsofdriedfleshstillclungtoit。Itwastheonlythingthatcouldbedescribedasfoodthathadpassedourlipssincebreakfastthirteendaysbefore。Inthattimewehadcrossedthemountainchain，andhadcomeagaintothesea。TheLordwasgoodtous。

Hesentusthewater，andthehorse\'sskull，andthesmoothhardbeach，withoutbreaksorthenecessityofclimbinghills。Andweneededit，oh，Ipromiseyou，weneededit！

Idoubtifanyofuscouldhavekeptthedirectionexceptbysuchanobviousandcontinuouslandmarkastheseatoourleft。Ithardlyseemedworthwhiletofocusmymind，butIdiditoccasionallyjustbywayoftestingmyself。Schwartzstillthrewawayhisgoldcoins，andonce，inoneofmyrareintervalsoflookingaboutme，IsawDentonpickingthemup。Thissurprisedmemildly，butIwastootiredtobeverycurious。Onlynow，whenIsawSchwartz\'sarmsweepoutinwhathadbecomeamechanicalmovement，Ialwaystookpainstolook，andalwaysI

sawDentonsearchforthecoin。Sometimeshefoundit，andsometimeshedidnot。

Thefiguresofmycompanionsandtheyellow-browntidesandundermyfeet，andaconsciousnessoftheblueandwhiteseatomyleft，areallIremember，exceptwhenwehadtopullourselvestogetherforthepurposeofcuttingfishhookcactus。Ikeptgoing，andIknewIhadagoodreasonfordoingso，butitseemedtoomuchofanefforttorecallwhatthatreasonwas。

Schwartzthrewawayagoldpieceasanothermanwouldtakeastimulant。Gradually，withoutreallythinkingaboutit，Icametoseethis，andthenwentontosabewhyDentonpickedupthecoins；andagreatadmirationforDenton\'sclevernessseepedthroughmelikewaterthroughthesand。HewassavingthecoinstokeepSchwartzgoing。Whenthelastcoinwent，Schwartzwouldgiveout。Itallsoundsqueernow，butitseemedallrightthen——anditWASallright，too。

Sowewalkedonthebeach，losingentiretrackoftime。AndafteralongintervalIcametomyselftoseeSchwartzlyingonthesand，andDentonstandingoverhim。Ofcoursewe\'dallbeenfallingdownalot，butalwaysbeforewe\'dgotupagain。

"He\'sgiveout，"croakedDenton。

Hisvoicesoundedasifitwasmilesaway，whichsurprisedme，but，whenIanswered，minesoundedmilesaway，too，whichsurprisedmestillmore。

Dentonpulledoutahandfulofgoldcoins。

"Thiswillbuyhimsomemorewalk，"saidhegravely，"butnotmuch。"

Inodded。Itseemedallright，thisnew，strangepurchasingpowerofgold——itWASallright，byGod，andasrealasbuyingbricks——

"I\'llgoon，"saidDenton，"andsendbackhelp。Youcomeafter。"

"ToMollyhay！"saidI。

ThisfarIreckonwe\'dhungontoourselvesbecauseitwasserious。NowIbegantolaugh。SodidDenton。Welaughedandlaughed。

"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay。"

saidI。Thenwelaughedsomemore，untilthetearsrandownourcheeks，andwehadtoholdourpoorweaksides。Prettysoonwefetchedupwithagasp。

"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，"

whisperedDenton，andthenoffwewentintomoreshrieks。Andwhenwewouldsoberdownalittle，oneortheotherofuswouldsayitagain；

"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，"

andthenwe\'dlaughsomemore。Itmusthavebeenasweetsight！

AtlastIrealisedthatweoughttopullourselvestogether，soI

snubbedupshort，andDentondidthesame，andwesettolayingplans。Buteveryminuteorsooneofuswouldcatchonsomeword，andthenwe\'dtrailoffintorhymesandlaughterandrepetition。

"Keephimgoingaslongasyoucan，"saidDenton。

"Yes。"

"Andbesuretosticktothebeach。"

Thatfaritwasallrightandclear-headed。Buttheword"beach"

letusout。

"I\'mapeachUponthebeach，"

singsI，andtherewewerebothoffagainuntiloneortheothermanagedtogropehiswaybacktocommonsenseagain。Andsometimeswecrow-hoppedsolemnlyaroundandaroundtheprostrateSchwartzlikeapairofInjins。

Butsomehowwegotourplanlaidatlast，slippedthecoinsintoSchwartz\'spocket，andsaidgood-bye。

"Oldsocks，good-bye，YoubetI\'lltry，"

yelledDenton，andlaughingfittokill，dancedoffupthebeach，andoutintoasortofgreymistthatshutoffeverythingbeyondacertaindistancefrommenow。

SoIkickedSchwartz，hefeltinhispocket，threwagoldpieceaway，and"boughtalittlemorewalk。"

Myentirevisionwasfiftyfeetorsoacross。Beyondthatwasgreymist。InsidemycircleIcouldseethesandquiteplainlyandDenton\'sfootprints。IfImovedalittletotheleft，thewashofthewaterswouldlapundertheedgeofthatgreycurtain。

IfImovedtotheright，Icametocliffs。ThenearerIdrewtothem，thefartherupIcouldsee，butIcouldneverseetothetop。ItusedtoamusemetomovethisareaofconsciousnessabouttoseewhatIcouldfind。Actualphysicalsufferingwasbeginningtodull，andmyheadseemedtobegettingclearer。

Oneday，withoutanyapparentreason，Imovedatrightanglesacrossthebeach。Directlybeforemelayapieceofsugarcane，andoneendofithadbeenchewed。

Doyouknowwhatthatmeant？Animalsdon\'tcutsugarcaneandbringittothebeachandchewoneend。Anewstrengthranthroughme，andactuallythegreymistthinnedandliftedforamoment，untilIcouldmakeoutdimlythelineofcliffsandthetumblingsea。

Iwasnotabithungry，butIchewedonthesugarcane，andmadeSchwartzdothesame。WhenwewentonIkeptclosetothecliff，eventhoughthewalkingwassomewhatheavier。

Irememberafterthatitsgettingdarkandthenlightagain，sothenightmusthavepassed，butwhetherwerestedorwalkedIdonotknow。Probablywedidnotgetveryfar，thoughcertainlywestaggeredaheadaftersun-up，forIremembermyshadow。

Aboutmidday，Isuppose，Imadeoutadimtrailleadingupabreakinthecliffs。Plentyofsuchtrailswehadseenbefore。

Theyweregenerallymadebypeccariesinsearchofcast-upfish——

Ihopetheyhadbetterluckthanwe。

Butinthemiddleofthis，asthoughforasign，layanotherpieceofchewedsugarcane。

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

THECALABASHSTEW

IhadagreedwithDentontosticktothebeach，butSchwartzcouldnotlastmuchlonger，andIhadnottheslightestideahowfaritmightprovetobetoMollyhay。SoIturnedupthetrail。

Weclimbedamountaintenthousandfeethigh。Imeanthat；andI

know，forI\'veclimbedthemthathigh，andIknowjusthowitfeels，andhowmanytimesyouhavetorest，andhowlongittakes，andhowmuchitknocksoutofyou。Thosearethethingsthatcountinmeasuringheight，andsoItellyouweclimbedthatfar。ActuallyIsupposethehillwasacoupleofhundredfeet，ifnotless。ButonaccountofthegreymistImentioned，I

couldnotseethetop，andtheillusionwascomplete。

Wereachedthesummitlateintheafternoon，forthesunwassquareinoureyes。Butinsteadofblindingme，itseemedtoclearmysight，sothatIsawbelowmealittlemudhutwithsmokerisingbehindit，andasmallpatchofcultivatedground。

I\'llpassoverhowIfeltaboutit：theyhaven\'tmadethewords——

Well，westumbleddownthetrailandintothehut。AtfirstI

thoughtitwasempty，butafteraminuteIsawaveryoldmancrouchedinacorner。AsIlookedathimheraisedhisblearedeyestome，hisheadswingingslowlyfromsidetosideasthoughwithakindofpalsy。Hecouldnotseeme，thatwasevident，norhearme，butsomeinstinctnotyetdecayedturnedhimtowardanewpresenceintheroom。InmywilddesireforwaterIfoundroomtothinkthatherewasamanevenworseoffthanmyself。

Avesselofwaterwasinthecorner。Idrankit。ItwasmorethanIcouldhold，butIdrankevenafterIwasfilled，andthewasteranfromthecornersofmymouth。IhadforgottenSchwartz。Theexcessmademealittlesick，butIhelddownwhatIhadswallowed，andIreallybelieveitsoakedintomysystemasitdoesintothedesertearthafteradrought。

InamomentorsoItookthevesselandfilleditandgaveittoSchwartz。Thenitseemedtomethatmyresponsibilityhadended。

Asuddengreatdreamylassitudecameoverme。IknewIneededfood，butIhadnowishforit，andnoambitiontosearchitout。

Themaninthecornermumbledatmewithhistoothlessgums。I

rememberwonderingifwewerealltostarvetherepeacefullytogether——Schwartzandhisremaininggoldcoins，themanfargoneinyears，andmyself。Ididnotgreatlycare。

Afterawhilethelightwasblottedout。Therefollowedaslightpause。ThenIknewthatsomeonehadflowntomyside，andwaskneelingbesidemeandsayingliquid，pityingthingsinMexican。

Iswallowedsomethinghotandstrong。InamomentIcamebackfromwhereverIwasdrifting，tolookupataMexicangirlabouttwentyyearsold。

Shewasnogreatmatterinlooks，butsheseemedlikeanangeltomethen。Andshehadsense。Noquestions，nonothing。Justbusiness。TheonlythingsheaskedofmewasifIunderstoodSpanish。

Thenshetoldmethatherbrotherwouldbebacksoon，thattheywereverypoor，thatshewassorryshehadnomeattoofferme，thattheywereVERYpoor，thatalltheyhadwascalabash——asortofsquash。Allthistimeshewasbustlingthingstogether。NextthingIknowIhadabigbowlofcalabashstewbetweenmyknees。

Now，strangelyenough，Ihadnogreatinterestinthatcalabashstew。Itastedit，satandthoughtawhile，andtasteditagain。

ByandbyIhademptiedthebowl。Itwasgettingdark。Iwasverysleepy。Amancamein，butIwastoodrowsytopayanyattentiontohim。Iheardthesoundofvoices。ThenIwaspickedupbodilyandcarriedtoanout-buildingandlaidonapileofskins。Ifelttheweightofablanketthrownoverme——

Iawokeinthenight。Mindyou，Ihadpracticallyhadnorestatallforamatterofmorethantwoweeks，yetIwokeinafewhours。And，remember，evenineatingthecalabashstewIhadfeltnohungerinspiteofmylongfast。ButnowIfoundmyselfravenous。Youboysdonotknowwhathungeris。ItHURTS。AndalltherestofthatnightIlayawakechewingontherawhideofapack-saddlethathungnearme。

NextmorningtheyoungMexicanandhissistercametousearly，bringingmorecalabashstew。Ifellonitlikeawildanimal，andjustwallowedinit，soeagerwasItoeat。Theystoodandwatchedme——andIsupposeSchwartz，too，thoughIhadnowlostinterestinanyonebutmyself——glancingateachotherinpityfromtimetotime。

WhenIhadfinishedthemantoldmethattheyhaddecidedtokillabeefsowecouldhavemeat。Theywereverypoor，butGodhadbroughtustothem——

Iappreciatedthisafterward。AtthetimeImerelycaughtattheword"meat。"ItseemedtomeIcouldhaveeatentheanimalentire，hide，hoofs，andtallow。Asamatteroffact，itwasmightyluckytheydidn\'thaveanymeat。Iftheyhad，we\'dprobablyhavekilledourselveswithit。Isupposethecalabashwasaboutthebestthingforusunderthecircumstances。

TheMexicanwentouttohuntuphishorse。Icalledthegirlback。

"HowfarisittoMollyhay？"Iaskedher。

"Aleague，"saidshe。

Sowebadbeennearourjourney\'sendafterall，andDentonwasprobablyallright。

TheMexicanwentawayhorseback。Thegirlfeduscalabash。Wewaited。

Aboutoneo\'clockagroupofhorsemenrodeoverthehill。WhentheycamenearenoughIrecognisedDentonattheirhead。Thatmanwasoftemperedsteel——

Theyhadfollowedbackalongthebeach，caughtourtrailwherewehadturnedoff，andsodiscoveredus。Dentonhadfortunatelyfoundkindandintelligentpeople。

Wesaidgood-byetotheMexicangirl。ImadeSchwartzgiveheroneofhisgoldpieces。

ButDentoncouldnotwaitforustosay"hullo"even，hewassoanxioustogetbacktotown，sowemountedthehorseshehadbroughtus，androdeoff，verywobbly。

WelivedthreeweeksinMollyhay。Ittookusthatlongtogetfedup。TheladyIstayedwithmadeadishofkidmeatandstuffedolives——

Why，anhourafterfillingmyselfuptothemuzzleI\'dbehungryagain，andscoutingroundtohouseslookingformoretoeat！

Wetalkedthingsoveragooddeal，afterwehadgainedalittlestrength。IwantedtotakealittleflyeratGuaymastoseeifI

couldrunacrossthisHandySolomonperson，butDentonpointedoutthatAndersonwouldbeexpectingjustthat，andwouldtakemightygoodcaretobescarce。Hisideawasthatwe\'ddobettertogetholdofaboatandsomewatercasks，andlugoffthetreasurewehadstumbledover。Dentontoldusthattheideaofgoingbackandscoopingallthatdineroupwithashovelhadkepthimgoing，justastheideaofgettingevenwithAndersonhadkeptmegoing。Schwartzsaidthatafterhe\'dcarriedthatheavygoldoverthefirstday，hemadeuphismindhe\'dgetthespendingofitorbust。That\'swhyhehatedsotothrowitaway。

Therewerelotsoffishingboatsintheharbour，andwehiredone，andamantorunitfornexttonothingaweek。Welaidacoursenorth，andinsixdaysanchoredinourbay。

Itellyouitlookedqueer。Therewerethecharredsticksofthefire，andthecoffeepotlyingonitsside。WetookoffourhatsatpoorBilly\'sgraveaminute，andthenclimbedoverthecholla-coveredhillcarryingourpicksandshovels，andthecanvassackstotakethetreasureawayin。

Therewasnotroubleinreachingthesandyflat。Butwhenwegottherewefoundittornupfromoneendtotheother。Afewscatteredtimbersandthreeemptychestswiththecoverspriedoffaloneremained。HandySolomonhadbeentherebeforeus。

Wewentbacktoourboatsickatheart。Nobodysaidaword。WewentaboardandmadeourGreaserboatmanheadforYuma。Ittookusaweektogetthere。Wewereallofusglum，butDentonwastheworstofthelot。Evenafterwe\'dgotbacktotownandfallenintoouroldwaysoflife，hecouldn\'tseemtogetoverit。Heseemedplumbpossessedofgloom，andmopedaroundlikeachickenwiththepip。Thissurprisedme，forIdidn\'tthinkthelossofmoneywouldhithimsohard。Itdidn\'thitanyofusveryhardinthosedays。

OneeveningItookhimasideandfedhimadrink，andexpostulatedwithhim。

"Oh，HELL，Rogers，"heburstout，"Idon\'tcareabouttheloot。

But，sufferingcats，thinkhowthatfellowsizedusupforalotofpattern-madefools；andhowrighthewasabout，it。Whyallhedidwastosailoutofsightaroundthenextcorner。Heknewwe\'dstartacrosscountry；andwedid。Allwehadtodowastolaylow，andsaveourlegs。HewasBOUNDtocomeback。Andwemighthavenailedhimwhenhelanded。"

"That\'saboutalltherewastoit，"concludedColoradoRogers，afterapause，"——exceptthatI\'vebeenlookingforhimeversince，andwhenIheardyousingingthatsongInaturallythoughtI\'dlanded。"

"Andyouneversawhimagain？"askedWindyBill。

"Well，"chuckledRogers，"Ididabouttenyearlater。ItwasinTucson。Iwasinthebackofastore，whenthedoorinfrontopenedandthismancamein。Hestoppedatthelittlecigar-casebythedoor。InaboutonejumpIwasonhisneck。Ijerkedhimoverbackwardsbeforeheknewwhathadstruckhim，threwhimonhisface，gotmyhandsinhisback-hair，andbegantojumphisfeaturesagainstthefloor。ThenallatonceInotedthatthismanhadtwoarms；soofcoursehewasthewrongfellow。"Oh，excuseme，"saidI，andranoutthebackdoor。"

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

THEHONK-HONKBREED

ItwasSundayattheranch。Forawondertheweatherbadbeenfavourable；thewindmillswereallworking，thebogshaddriedup，thebeefhadlastedover，theremudahadnotstrayed——inshort，therewasnothingtodo。Sanghadgivenusabakedbread-puddingwithraisinsinit。Wefilledit——inawashbasinfullofit——ontopofafewincidentalpoundsofchilecon，bakedbeans，sodabiscuits，"airtights，"andotherdelicacies。Thenweadjournedwithourpipestotheshadysideoftheblacksmith\'sshopwherewecouldwatchtheravensontoptheadobewallofthecorral。Somebodytoldastoryaboutravens。Thisledtoroad-runners。Thissuggestedrattlesnakes。TheystartedWindyBill。

"Speakin\'ofsnakes，"saidWindy，"Imindwhentheycatchedthegreat-granddaddyofallthebullsnakesupatLeadintheBlackHills。Iwasonlyakidthen。Thiswasn\'tnosuchtur\'blelongasnake，buthewasmore\'nafootthick。Lookedjustlikeasahuarostalk。MannameofTerwilligerSmithcatchedit。HenamedthisyerebullsnakeClarence，andgotitsoplumbgentleitfollowedhimeverywhere。OnedayoldP。T。BarnumcomealongandwantedtobuythisClarencesnake——offeredTerwilligerathousandcold——butSmithwouldn\'tpartwiththesnakenohow。SofinallytheyfixedupadealsoSmithcouldgoalongwiththeshow。TheyshovedClarenceinaboxinthebaggagecar，butafterawhileMr。Snakegetssolonesomehegnawsoutandstartstocrawlbacktofindhismaster。Justasheishalf-waybetweenthebaggagecarandthesmoker，thecouplin\'giveway——rightonthatheavygradebetweenCusterandRockyPoint。Well，sir，Clarencewoundhishead\'roundonebrakewheelandhistailaroundtheother，andheldthattraintogethertothebottomofthegrade。Butitstretchedhimtwenty-eightfeetandtheyhadtoadvertisehimasaboa-constrictor。"

WindyBill\'sstoryofthefaithfulbullsnakearousedtoreminiscencethegrizzledstranger，whothereuponheldforthasfollows：

Wall，I\'veseethingsandI\'veheerdthings，someofthemornery，andsomeyou\'dlovetobelieve，theywasthatgorgeousandimprobable。Nat\'ralhistorywasalwaysmyhobbyandsportin\'

eventsmyspecialpleasureandthisyarnofWindy\'sremindsmeoftheonlychanstIeverhadtoringinbusinessandpleasureandhobbyallinonegrandmerry-go-roundofjoy。Itcomeaboutlikethis：

Oneday，afewyearback，Iwassittin\'onthebeachatSantaBarbarawatchin\'theskystayup，andwonderin\'whattodowithmyyear\'swages，whenalittlesquinch-eyeround-facewithbigbowspectaclescameandplumpeddownbesideme。

"Didyoueverstoptothink，"sayshe，shovin\'backhishat，"thatifthehorsepowerdeliveredbythemwavesonthisbeachinonesinglehourcouldbeconcentratedbehindwashin\'machines，itwouldbeenoughtowashalltheshirtsforacityoffourhundredandfifty-onethousandonehundredandthirty-sixpeople？"

"Can\'tsayIeverdid，"saysI，squintin\'athimsideways。

"Fact，"sayshe，"anddiditeveroccurtoyouthatifallthefoodamaneatsinthecourseofanaturallifecouldbegatheredtogetheratonetime，itwouldfillawagon-traintwelvemileslong？"

"Youmakemehungry，"saysI。

"Andain\'titinterestin\'toreflect，"hegoeson，"thatifallthefinger-nailparin\'softhehumanraceforoneyearwastobecollectedandsubjectedtohydraulicpressureitwouldequalinsizethepyramidofCheops？"

"Lookyere，"saysI，sittin\'up，"didYOUeverpausetoexcogitatethatifallthehotairyouisdispensin\'wastobecollectedtogetheritwouldfillaballoonbigenoughtowaftyouandmeoverthatBullyvardofPalmstoyonderginmillonthecorner？"

Hedidn\'tsaynothin\'tothat——justyankedmetomyfeet，facedmetowardstheginmillabovementioned，andexertedconsiderablepressureonmyarminurgin\'ofmeforward。

"Youain\'tsomuchofadreamer，afterall，"thinksI。"Inimportantmattersyouareplumbdecisive。"

Wesatdownatlittletables，andmyfriendorderedabeerandachickensandwich。

"Chickens，"sayshe，gazin\'atthesandwich，"isadollarapieceinthiscountry，andplumbscarce。Didyoueverpausetoponderoverthereturnschickenswouldgiveonasmallinvestment？Sayyoustartwithtenhens。Eachhatchesoutthirteenaigs，ofwhichallowalossofsaysixforchildishaccidents。Attheendoftheyearyouhaseightychickens。Attheendoftwoyearsthatflockhasincreasedtosixhundredandtwenty。Attheendofthethirdyear——"

Hehadthemedicinetongue！Tendayslaterhimandmewasoccupyin\'ofanoldranchfiftymilefromanywhere。Whentheyrunstage-coachesthisjointusedtobearoadhouse。Theoutlookwasonaboutathousandlittlebrownfoothills。Aroadtwomilesfourrodstwofooteleveninchesinsightrunbyinfrontofus。

Itcomeoveronefoothillanddisappearedoveranother。Iknowjusthowlongitwas，forlaterinthegameImeasuredit。

Outbackwasaboutahundredlittlewirechickencorralsfilledwithchickens。Wehadtwokinds。Thatwasthedoin\'sofTuscarora。MypardnercalledhimselfTuscaroraMaxillary。I

askedhimonceifthatwashisrealname。

"It\'stherealestlittleoldnameyoueverheerdtellof，"sayshe。"Iknow，forImadeitmyself——likedthesoundofher。

Parentsain\'tgotnorightstonametheirchildren。Parentsdon\'thavetobecalledthemnames。"

Well，thesechickens，asIsaid，wasoftwokinds。Thefirstwastheselow-set，heavyweightpropositionswithfeathersontheirlaigs，andnotmuchlaigsatthat，calledCochinChinys。Theotherwasatallridiculousoutfitmadeupentireofbulgin\'

breastandganglelaigs。Theystoodabouttwofootandahalftall，andwhentheywenttopeckthegroundtheirtailfeathersstuckstraightuptothesky。Tuskycalled\'emJapaneseGames。

"Whichthechiefadvantageofthemchickensis，"sayshe，"thatinweightaboutninetypercentof\'emisbreastmeat。Nowmyideeis，thatifwecancross\'emwiththeseCochinChinyfowlswe\'llhavealow-hung，heavyweightchickenrunnin\'strongonbreastmeat。TheseJapGamesistoosmall，butifwecanbring\'emupinsizeandshortentheirlaigs，we\'llshorehaveawinner。"

Thatlookedgoodtome，sowestartedinonthatidee。Thetheerywasbully，butshedidn\'tworkout。ThefirstbroodswehatchedgrowedupwithbighuskyCochinChinybodiesandlittleshortnecks，percheduponlaigsthreefootlong。Themchickenscouldn\'treachgroundnohow。Wehadtobuildatablefor\'emtoeatoff，andwhentheywentoutrustlin\'forthemselvestheyhadtoconfinethemselvestosidehillsorflyin\'insects。Theirbreastswasallright，though——"Andthinkofthemdrumsticksfortheboardinghousetrade！"saysTusky。

Sofarthingswasn\'tsobad。Wehadagoodgrubstake。Tuskyandmeusedtofeedthemchickenstwictaday，andthenusedtosetaroundwatchin\'theplayfulcritterschasegrasshoppersupan\'

downthewirecorrals，whileTuskyfiggeredoutwhat\'dhappenifsomebodywasdumfoolenoughtogatherupsomethin\'andfixitinbasketsorwagonsorsuch。Thatwaswhereweshowedourignoranceofchickens。

OnedayinthespringIhitchedup，rustledadozenoftheyoungstersintocoops，anddruvovertotherailroadtomakeourfirstsale。Icouldn\'tfoldthemchickensupintothemcoopsatfirst，butthenIstuckthecoopsuponaidgeandtheyworkedallright，thoughIwilladmittheywasacomicalsight。AttherailroadoneofthemtoweristtrainshadjustsloweddowntoahaltasIcomeup，andthetoweristwasparadin\'upanddownallowin\'theywasparticularenjoyin\'ofthewarmCalifornysunshine。Oneoldterrapin，withgreychinwhiskers，projectedover，withhiswife，andtookapeekthroughtheslatsofmycoop。Hestraighteneduplikesomeonehadtouchedhimoffwithared-hotpoker。

"Stranger，"saidhe，inascaredkindofwhisper，"what\'sthem？"

"Them\'schickens，"saysI。

Hetookanotherlonglook。

"Marthy，"sayshetotheoldwoman，"thiswillbeaboutall！WecomeoutfromIowaytoseetheWondersofCaliforny，butIcan\'tgonothin\'strongerthanthis。Iftheseischickens，Idon\'twanttoseenoBigTrees。"

Well，Isoldthemchickensallrightforadollarandtwobits，whichwasbetterthanIexpected，andgotanorderformore。

AbouttendayslaterIgotaletterfromthecommissionhouse。

"Wearereturnin\'asampleofyourArtsandCraftschickenswiththelovin\'marksoftheteethstillontohim，"saysthey。"Don\'tsendanymoretilltheystopspursuin\'ofthenimblegrasshopper。

Dentistbillwillfoller。"

Withthelettercametheremainsofoneofthechickens。TuskyandI，veryindignant，cookedherforsupper。Shewastough，allright。Wethoughtshemightdobetterbiled，soweputherinthepotovernight。Narybit。Well，thenwegotinterested。

Tuskykep\'thefiregoin\'andIrustledgreasewood。Wecookedherthreedaysandthreenights。Attheendofthattimeshewassortofpaleandfrazzled，butstillgivin\'pointstothree-year-oldjerkyoncohesionandotheruncompromisin\'forcesofNature。Weburiedherthen，andwentoutbacktorecuperate。

Therewecouldgazeonthesmilin\'landscape，dottedbyaboutfourhundredlong-laiggedchickensswoopin\'hereandthereaftergrasshoppers。

"Wegottostopthat，"saysI。

"Wecan\'t，"murmuredTusky，inspired。"Wecan\'t。It\'sbornin\'em；it\'saprimalinstinct，liketheloveofamotherforheryoung，anditcan\'tbeeradicated！Themchickensisconstructedbyadivineprovidencefortheexpresspurposeofchasin\'

grasshoppers，jestasthebeaverismadeforbuildin\'dams，andthecow-puncherismadeforwhiskyandfaro-games。Wecan\'tkeep\'emfromit。Ifwewastoshut\'eminadarkcellar，they\'dflopafterimaginarygrasshoppersintheirdreams，anddieemaciatedinthemidstofplenty。Jimmy，we\'reupagintheCosmos，theoversoul——"Oh，hehadthemedicinetongue，Tuskyhad，andrisin\'onthewingsofeloquencethatway，hehadmefadedintenminutes。InfifteenIwasweddedsolidtothenotionthatthebottomhaddroppedoutofthechickenbusiness。

Ithinknowthatifwe\'dshutthemhensup，wemighthave——still，Idon\'tknow；theywasagooddealinwhatTuskysaid。

"TuscaroraMaxillary，"saysI，"didyoueverstoptoentertainthatbeautifulthoughtthatifallthedumfoolishnesspossessednowbythehumanracecouldbegatheredtogether，andlinedupalongsideofus，thefirstfellertocomealongwouldsaytoit\'Why，hello，Solomon！\'"

Wequitthenotionofchickensforprofitrightthenandthere，butwecouldn\'tquittheplace。Wehadn\'tmuchmoney，foronething，andthenwe，kindoflikedloafin\'aroundandraisin\'alittlegardentruck，and——oh，well，Imightaswellsayso，wehadanotionaboutplacersinthedrywashbackofthehouseyouknowhowitis。Sowestayedon，andkepta-raisin\'theselong-laigsforthefunofit。Iusedtoliketowatch\'emprojectin\'around，andIfed\'emtwictadayaboutasusual。

SoTuskyandIlivedalonetheretogether，happyasducksinArizona。Aboutonc\'tinamonthsomebody\'dpikealongtheroad。

Shewasn\'tmuchofaroad，generallymorechuckholesthanbumps，thoughsometimesitwastheotherwayaround。UnlessithappenedtobeamanhorsebackormaybeafreighterwithoutthefearofGodinhissoul，wedidn\'thavenowordswiththem；theywastoobusycussin\'thehighwaysandgenerallytoomadforsocialdiscourses。

Onedayearlyintheyear，whenthe\'dobemudmaderutstoaddtothebumps，oneoftheseautomobeelswentpast。ItwasthefirstTuskyandmehadseeninthemparts，sowerunouttoviewher。

Owin\'tothehighspotsontheroad，shelookedlikeoneofthesemovin\'picters，astoblurandwobble；soundedlikeacyclonemingledwithcuss-words，andsmeltlikehellonhousecleanin\'

day。

"Whichthemfolksdon\'tseemtobeenjoyin\'ofthescenery，"saysItoTusky。"Doyoureckonthattherebluetrailissmokefromthemachineorremarksfromtheinhabitantsthereof？"

Tuskyraisedhisheadandsniffedlongandinquirin\'。

"It\'slangwidge，"sayshe。"Didyoueverstoptothinkthatallthewordsinthedictionarystretchedendtoendwouldreach——"

ButatthatminuteIcatchedsightofsomethin\'brasslyin\'intheroad。Itprovedtobeacurled-upsortofhornwitharubberbulbontheend。Isquozethebulbandjumpedtwentyfootovertheremarkshemade。

"Jarredoffthemachine，"saysTusky。

"Oh，didit？"saysI，mynervesstillwrong。"Ithoughtmaybeithadgrowedupfromthesoillikeatoadstool。"

Aboutthistimeweabolishedthewirechickencorrals，becauseweneededsomeofthewire。Themlong-laigsthereuponscatteredallovertheflatsearchin\'outtheirprey。WhenfeedtimecomeI

hadtoscreechmylungsoutgettin\'of\'emin，andthensometimestheydidn\'tallhear。Itwasplumbdiscouragin\'，andImightynighmadeupmymindtoquit\'em，buttheyhadcometobesortofpets，andIhatedtoturn\'emdown。ItusedtotickleTuskyalmosttodeathtoseemeouttherehollerin\'awaylikeanoldbull-frog。Heusedtocomeoutreg\'lar，withhispipelit，justtoenjoyme。FinallyIgotmadandopeneduponhim。

"Oh，"heexplains，"itjustplumbamusesmetoseethedumfoolathischildishwork。Whydon\'tyouteach\'emtocometothatbrasshorn，andsaveyourvoice？"

"Tusky，"saysI，withfeelin\'，"sometimesyoudoseemtogetaglimmerofrealsense。"

Well，firstoffthemchickensusedtothrowback-sommersetsoverthathorn。Youhavenoideehowslowchickensistolearnthings。Icouldtellyouthingsaboutchickens——say，thisyerebluffaboutroostersbein\'gallantisallwrong。I\'vewatched\'em。Whenonefindsanicefeedhegobblesitsofastthatthepiecesfollerdownhisthroatlikeyearlin\'sthroughaholeinthefence。It\'sonlywhenhescratchesupameaslyone-grainquick-lunchthathecallsupthehensandstandsnobleandself-sacrificin\'tooneside。Thatain\'tthepoint，whichis，thataftertwomonthsIhadthemlong-laigssothey\'ddropeverythin\'andcomekitin\'attheHONK-HONKofthathorn。Itwasapurtysighttosee\'em，sailin\'infromalldirectionstwentyfootatastride。Iwasproudof\'em，andnamed\'emtheHonk-honkBreed。Wedidn\'thavenoothers，forbynowthecoyotesandbob-catshadnailedthestraight-breds。Therewasn\'tnowildcatorcoyotecouldcatchoneofmyHonk-honks，no，sir！

Wemadealittleonourplacer——justenoughtokeepinterested。

Thenthesupervisorsdecidedtofixourroad，andwhat\'smore，THEYDONEIT！That\'stheonlypartinthisyarnthat\'shardtobelieve，but，boys，you\'llhavetotakeitonfaith。Theyploughedher，andcrownedher，andscrapedher，androlledher，andwhentheymovedonwehadthefanciesthighwayintheStateofCaliforny。

Thatnoon——thedaytheycalledherajob——TuskyandIsatsmokin\'

ourpipesasperusual，whenwayoverthefoothillsweseenacloudofdustandfainttoourcarswasboreawhizzin\'sound。

Thechickenswasgatheredunderthecottonwoodfortheheatoftheday，buttheydidn\'tpaynoattention。Thenfaint，butclear，weheardanotherofthembrasshorns：

"Honk！honk！"saysit，andeveryoneofthemchickenswokeup，andstoodatattention。

"Honk！honk！"itholleredclearerandnearer。

Thenoverthehillcomeanautomobeel，blowin\'vigorousateveryjump。

"MyGod！"IyellstoTusky，kickin\'overmychair，asIspringstomyfeet。"Stop\'em！Stop\'em！"

Butitwastoolate。Outthegatesprintedthempoordevotedchickens，anduptheroadtheytrailedinvainpursuit。Thelastweseenof\'emwasaminglingofdustanddimfiggersgoin\'

thirtymileanhourafteradisappearin\'automobeel。

Thatwasallweseenforthemoment。Aboutthreeo\'clockthefirststragglercamelimpin\'in，hiswingshangin\'，hismouthopen，hiseyesglazedwiththeheat。Bysundownfourteenhadreturned。Alltheresthaddisappearedutter；weneverseen\'emagain。Ireckontheyjustnaturallyrunthemselvesintoasunstrokeanddiedontheroad。

Ittakesalongtimetolearnachickenathing，butaheaplongertounlearnhim。Afterthattwoorthreeoftheseyereautomobeelswentbyeveryday，alla-blowin\'oftheirhorns，allkickin\'upahellofadust。AndeverytimethemfourteenHonk-honksofminetookalongafter\'em，justasI\'dtaught\'emtodo，layin\'togettotheircornwhentheycaughtup。Nomoreof\'emdied，butthatfourteendidgetintoeleganttrainin\'。

Afterawhiletheygotplumbtoenjoyin\'it。Whenyoucomerightdowntoit，achickendon\'thavemanyamusementsandrelaxationsinthislife。Searchin\'forworms，chasin\'grasshoppers，andwallerin\'inthedustisaboutthelimitsofjoysforchickens。

Itwassureafinesighttosee\'emaftertheygotwellintothegame。Aboutnineo\'clockeverymornin\'theywouldsaunterdowntotheriseoftheroadwheretheywouldwaitpatientuntilamachinecamealong。Thenitwouldwarmyourhearttoseetheenthusiasmofthem。With，exultantcacklesofjoythey\'dtrailin，reachin\'outlikequarter-horses，theirwingshalfspreadout，theireyesbeamin\'withdelight。Atthelowerturnthey\'dquit。Then，aftertalkin\'itoverexcited-likeforafewminutes，they\'dcalmdownandwaitforanother。

Afterafewmonthsofthissortoftrainin\'theygotpurtygoodatit。Ihadonetwo-year-oldroosterthatmadefifty-fourmileanhourbehindoneofthosesixty-horsepowerPanhandles。Whencarsdidn\'tcomealongoftenenough，they\'dallturnoutandchasejack-rabbits。Theywasn\'tmuchfunatthat。Afterashort，briefsprinttherabbitwouldcrouchdownplumbterrified，whiletheHonk-honkspulledofftriumphaldancesaroundhisshrinkin\'form。

Ourranchgottobepurtywellknownthemdaysamongautomobeelists。Thestrengthoftheircarswashorse-power，ofcourse，butthespeedofthemtheygottoratin\'bychicken-power。SomeofthemusedtocomewayupfromLosAngelesjusttotryoutanewcaralongourroadwiththeHonk-honksforpace-makers。Wechargedthemalittlesomethin\'，andthen，too，weopeneduptheroad-houseandthebar，sowedidpurtywell。

Itwasn\'tnecessarytoworkanylongeratthatbogusplacer。

Evenin\'swesataroundoutsideandswappedyarns，andIbraggedonmychickens。Thechickenswouldgatherroundclosetolisten。

Theylikedtoheartheirpraisessung，allright。Youbettheysabe！Theonlyreasonachicken，oranyothercritter，isn\'tintelligentisbecausehehasn\'tnochancetoexpand。

Why，weusedtorunraceswith\'em。Someofuswouldholdtwoormorechickensbackofachalkline，andthestarter\'dblowthehornfromahundredyardstoamileaway，dependin\'onwhetheritwasasprintorfordistance。Wehadpoolsontheresults，gaveodds，madebooks，andkeptrecords。Afterthethinggotknowedwemademoneyhandoverfist。

Thestrangerbrokeoffabruptlyandbegantorollacigarette。

"Whatdidyouquititfor，then？"venturedCharley，outofthehushedsilence。

"Pride，"repliedthestrangersolemnly。"Haughtinessofspirit。"

"Howso？"urgedCharley，afterapause。

"Themchickens，"continuedthestranger，afteramoment，"stoodaroundlistenin\'tomea-braggin\'ofwhatsuperiorfowlstheywasuntiltheygotallpuffedup。Theywouldn\'thavenothin\'

whatevertodowiththeordinarychickenswebroughtinforeatin\'purposes，butstoodaroundlookin\'boredwhentherewasn\'tnosportdoin\'。TheygottobejustlikethatFourHundredyoureadaboutinthepapers。Itwasonecontinualroundofgrasshopperballs，racemeets，andafternoonhen-parties。Theygotidleandhaughty，justlikefolks。Thencomeracesuicide。

Theygottofeelin\'soaristocraticthehenswouldn\'thavenoeggs。"

Nobodydaredsayaword。

"WindyBill\'ssnake——"beganthenarratorgenially。

"Stranger，"brokeinWindyBill，withgreatemphasis，"astothatsnake，Iwantyoutounderstandthis：yereafterinmyestimationthatsnakeisnothin\'butanorneryangleworm！"

PARTII

THETWOGUNMAN

CHAPTERONE

THECATTLERUSTLERS

BuckJohnsonwasAmericanborn，butwithablackbeardandadignityofmannerthathadearnedhimthetitleofSenor。HehaddriftedintosoutheasternArizonainthedaysofCochiseandVictorioandGeronimo。Hehadpersisted，andsointimehadcometocontrolthewater——andhencethegrazing——ofnearlyalltheSodaSpringsValley。Histroublesweremany，andhisdifficultiesgreat。Thereweretheordinaryproblemsofleananddryyears。TherewerealsotheextraordinaryproblemsofdevastatingApaches；rivalsforearlyandill-definedrangerights——andcattlerustlers。

SenorBuckJohnsonwasamanofcapacity，courage，directnessofmethod，andperseverance。Especiallythelatter。ThereforehehadsurvivedtoseetheApachessubdued，therangerightsadjusted，hiscattleincreasedtothousands，grazingtheareaofaprincipality。Now，alltheenergyandfireofhisfrontiersman\'snaturehehadturnedtowipingoutthethirduncertaintyofanuncertainbusiness。Hefounditataskofsomemagnitude。

ForSenorBuckJohnsonlivedjustnorthofthatterraincognitafilledwiththemysteryofadoublechanceofdeathfrommanortheflamingdesertknownastheMexicanborder。There，bynaturalgravitation，gatheredallthedesperatecharactersofthreeStatesandtworepublics。Hewhorodeintoittookgoodcarethatnooneshouldridebehindhim，livedwarily，sleptlight，andbreatheddeepwhenoncehehadagainsightedthefamiliarpeaksofCochise\'sStronghold。Nooneprofessedknowledgeofthosewhodwelttherein。Theymoved，mysteriousasthedesertillusionsthatcompassedthemabout。Asyourode，therangesofmountainsvisiblychangedform，themonstrous，snaky，sea-likegrowthsofthecactusclutchedatyourstirrup，mocklakessparkledanddissolvedinthemiddledistance，thesunbeathotandmerciless，thepowdereddryalkalibeathotlyandmercilesslyback——andstrange，grimmen，swarthy，bearded，heavilyarmed，withred-rimmedunshiftingeyes，rodesilentlyoutofthemistsofillusiontolookonyousteadily，andthentoridesilentlybackintothedeserthaze。Theymightbeonlytheherdersofthegauntcattle，oragaintheymightbelongtotheLostLegionthatpeopledthecountry。Allyoucouldknowwasthatofthemenwhoenteredin，butfewreturned。

Directlynorthofthisunknownlandyouencounteredparallelfencesrunningacrossthecountry。Theyenclosednothing，butofferedachecktothecattledriftingtowardtheclutchoftherenegades，andanobstacletoswift，dashingforays。

Ofcattle-rustlingtherearevariousforms。Theboldestconsistsquitesimplyofrunningoffabunchofstock，hustlingitovertheMexicanline，andtheresellingittosomeofthebigSonoraranchowners。Generallythissortmeanswar。Alsoaretheresubtlermeans，gradinginskillfromthere-brandingthroughawetblanket，throughthecraftyrefashioningofabrandtothevariousmethodsofseparatingthecowfromherunbrandedcalf。

InthecourseofhistaskSenorBuckJohnsonwouldhavetodowiththemall，butatpresentheexistedinastateofwarfare，fightinganenemywhostoleastheIndiansusedtosteal。

Alreadybehadfoughttwopitchedbattlesandhadwonthemboth。

Hiscattleincreased，andhebecamerich。Neverthelessheknewthatconstantlyhisresourceswerebeingdrained。TimeandagainheandhisnewTexasforeman，JedParker，hadfollowedthetrailofastampededbunchoftwentyorthirty，followedthemondownthroughtheSodaSpringsValleytothecutdriftfences，theretoabandonthem。For，asyet，anarmedforcewouldbeneededtopenetratetheborderland。Onceheandhismenbadexperiencedthegloryofanightpursuit。Then，atthedriftfences，hehadfoughtoneofhisbattles。ButitwasimpossibleadequatelytopatrolallpartsofarangebiggerthansomeEasternStates。

BuckJohnsondidhisbest，butitwaslikesteppingwithsandtheinnumerablelittleleaksofadam。DidhisriderswatchtowardtheChiricahuas，thenascoreofbeefsteersdisappearedfromGrant\'sPassfortymilesaway。Pursuitheremeantleavingcattleunguardedthere。Itwasuseless，andtheSenorsoonperceivedthatsoonerorlaterhemuststrikeinoffence。

Forthispurposehebeganslowlytostrengthentheforcesofhisriders。MenwerecominginfromTexas。Theyweregoodmen，addictedtothegrass-rope，thedoublecinch，andtheox-bowstirrup。SenorJohnsonwantedmenwhocouldshoot，andhegotthem。

"Jed，"saidSenorJohnsontohisforeman，"thenextsonofagunthatrustlesanyofourcowsissureloadinghimselffulloftrouble。We\'llhithistrailandwillstaywithit，andwe\'llreachhiscattle-rustlingconsciencewitharope。"