第7章

Soitcameaboutthatalittlearmycrossedthedriftfencesandenteredthebordercountry。Twodayslateritcameout，andmightypleasedtobeabletodoso。Theropehadnotbeenused。

Thereasonforthedefeatwasquitesimple。Thethiefhadrunhiscattlethroughthelavabedswherethetrailatoncebecamedifficulttofollow。Thisdelayedthepursuingparty；theyranoutofwater，and，astherewasamongthemnotonemanwellenoughacquaintedwiththecountrytoknowwheretofindmore，theyhadtoreturn。

"Nouse，Buck，"saidJed。"We\'danyofuscomeinonagunplay，butwecan\'tbuckthedesert。We\'llhavetogetsomeonewhoknowsthecountry。"

"That\'sallright——butwhere？"queriedJohnson。

"There\'sPereza，"suggestedParker。"It\'stheonlytowndownnearthatcountry。"

"Mightgetsomeonethere，"agreedtheSenor。

Nextdayherodeawayinsearchofaguide。Thethirdeveninghewasbackagain，muchdiscouraged。

"Thecountry\'snogood，"heexplained。"Theregularinhabitants\'reasetofMexicanbumsandoldsoaks。Thecowmen\'sallfromnorthanddon\'tknownothingmorethanwedo。Ifoundlotswhoclaimedtoknowthatcountry，butwhenItold\'emwhatIwantedtheyshiedlikeacolt。Icouldn\'thire\'em，fornomoney，togodowninthatcountry。Theyain\'tgotthenerve。Itooktwodaystoher，too，androdeouttoaranchwheretheysaidamanlivedwhoknewallaboutitdownthere。Naryriffle。Manlookedallright，buthistailwentdownliketherestwhenItoldhimwhatwewanted。Seemedplumbscairttodeath。Sayshelivestooclosetothegang。Saysthey\'dwipehimoutsureifhedoneit。

SeemedplumbSCAIRT。"BuckJohnsongrinned。"Itoldhimsoandhegothosstylerightoff。Didn\'tseemnowaysscairtofme。I

don\'tknowwhat\'sthematterwiththatoutfitdownthere。

They\'replumbterrorised。"

Thatnightabunchofsteerswasstolenfromtheverycorralsofthehomeranch。Thehomeranchwasfarnorth，nearFortShermanitself，andsohadalwaysbeenconsideredimmunefromattack。

Consequentlythesesteerswereveryfineones。

ForthefirsttimeBuckJohnsonlosthisheadandhisdignity。

Heorderedthehorses。

"I\'mgoingtofollowthat————intoSonora，"heshoutedtoJedParker。"Thisthing\'sgottostop！"

"Youcan\'tmakeher，Buck，"objectedtheforeman。"You\'llgetheldupbythedesert，and，ifthatdon\'tfinishyou，they\'lltangleyouupinallthoselittlemountainsdownthere，andambushyou，andmassacreyou。Youknowitdamnwell。"

"Idon\'tgivea——"explodedSenorJohnson，"iftheydo。Nomancanslapmyfaceandnotgetarunforit。"

JedParkercommunedwithhimself。

"Senor，"saidhe，atlast，"it\'snogood；youcan\'tdoit。Yougottohaveaguide。YouwaitthreedaysandI\'llgetyouone。"

"Youcan\'tdoit，"insistedtheSenor。"Itriedeverymaninthedistrict。"

"Willyouwaitthreedays？"repeatedtheforeman。

Johnsonpulledloosehislatigo。Hisfirstangerhadcooled。

"Allright，"heagreed，"andyoucansayformethatI\'llpayfivethousanddollarsingoldandgiveallthemenandhorsesheneedstothemanwhohasthenervetogetbackthatbunchofcattle，andbringinthemanwhorustledthem。I\'llsuremakethisatestcase。"

SoJedParkersetouttodiscoverhismanwithnerve。

CHAPTERTWO

THEMANWITHNERVE

Ataboutteno\'clockoftheFourthofJulyaridertoppedthesummitofthelastswellofland，andlopedhisanimaldownintothesinglestreetofPereza。Thebuildingsoneithersidewereflat-roofedandcoatedwithplaster。Overthesidewalksextendedwoodenawnings，beneathwhichopenedverywidedoorsintothecoolnessofsaloons。Eachoftheseplacesranabar，andalsogamesofroulette，faro，craps，andstudpoker。Eventhisearlyinthemorningeverygamewaspatronised。

Thedaywasalreadyhotwiththedry，breathless，butexhilarating，beatofthedesert。Athrongofmenidlingattheedgeofthesidewalks，jostlingupanddowntheircentre，oreddyingintotheplacesofamusement，acknowledgedthepowerofsummerbylooseningtheircollars，carryingtheircoatsontheirarms。Theywereasyetbusilyengagedinrecognisingacquaintances。Latertheywoulddrinkfreelyandgamble，andperhapsfight。Towardallbutthosewhomtheyrecognisedtheypreservedanattitudeofpotentialsuspicion，forhereweregatheredthe"badmen"ofthebordercountries。Acertainjealousyortouchyegotismlesttheothermanbeconsideredquickeronthetrigger，bolder，moreaggressivethanhimself，kepteachstrungtotension。Anoccasionalshotattractedlittlenotice。Meninthecow-countriesshootascasuallyaswestrikematches，andsomesubtleinstincttoldthemthatthereportswereharmless。

Astheriderenteredtheonestreet，however，amoredefinitecauseofexcitementdrewtheloosepopulationtowardthecentreoftheroad。Immediatelytheirmassblottedoutwhathadinterestedthem。Curiosityattractedthesaunterers；theninturnthefrequentersofthebarsandgamblinggames。Inaveryfewmomentsthebarkeepers，gamblers，andlook-outmen，heldaloofonlybythenecessitiesoftheircalling，aloneofallthepopulationofPerezawerenotincludedinthenewly-formedring。

Thestrangerpushedhishorseresolutelytotheouteredgeofthecrowdwhere，fromhispointofvantage，hecouldeasilyoverlooktheirheads。Hewasaquiet-appearingyoungfellow，ratherneatlydressedinthebordercostume，rodea"centrefire，"orsingle-cinch，saddle，andworenochaps。Hewaswhatisknownasa"two-gunman"：thatistosay，heworeaheavyColt\'srevolveroneitherhip。Thefactthatthelowerendsofhisholstersweretieddown，inordertofacilitatetheeasywithdrawaloftherevolvers，seemedtoindicatethatheexpectedtousethem。Hehadfurthermoreaquietgreyeye，withtheglintofsteelthatboreouttheinferenceofthetiedholsters。

Thenewcomerdroppedhisreinsonhispony\'sneck，easedhimselftoanattitudeofattention，andlookeddowngravelyonwhatwastakingplace。Hesawovertheheadsofthebystandersatall，muscular，wild-eyedman，hatless，hishairrumpledintostaringconfusion，hisrightsleeverolledtohisshoulder，awicked-lookingnine-inchknifeinhishand，andaredbandanahandkerchiefhangingbyonecornerfromhisteeth。

"What\'sbitingthelocoedstranger？"theyoungmaninquiredofhisneighbour。

Theotherfrownedathimdarkly。

"Dare\'sanyonetotaketheotherendofthathandkerchiefinhisteeth，andfightitoutwithoutlettinggo。"

"Nicejoyfulproposition，"commentedtheyoungman。

Hesettledhimselftocloserattention。Thewild-eyedmanwastalkingrapidly。Whathesaidcannotbeprintedhere。Mainlywasitderogatoryofthesoutherncountries。Shortlyitbecameboastfulofthenorthern，andthenofthemanwhoutteredit。

Heswaggeredupanddown，becomingalwaysthemoreinsolentashischallengeremaineduntaken。

"Whydon\'tyoutakehimup？"inquiredtheyoungman，afteramoment。

"Notme！"negativedtheothervigorously。"I\'llgoyorelittleoldgunfighttoafinish，butIdon\'twantanycoldsteelinmine。Ugh！itgivesmetheshivers。It\'sareg\'larMexicantrick！Withagunit\'sdownandout，butthisknifeworkistooslowandsearchin\'。"

Thenewcomersaidnothing，butfixedhiseyeagainontheragingmanwiththeknife。

"Don\'tyoureckonhe\'sbluffing？"beinquired。

"Notany！"deniedtheotherwithemphasis。"He\'sjestdrunkenoughtobecrazymad。"

Thenewcomershruggedhisshouldersandcasthisglancesearchinglyoverthefringeofthecrowd。ItrestedonaMexican。

"Hi，Tony！comehere，"hecalled。

TheMexicanapproached，flashinghiswhiteteeth。

"Here，"saidthestranger，"lendmeyourknifeaminute。"

TheMexican，anticipatingsportofhisownpeculiarkind，obeyedwithalacrity。

"Youfellowsmakemetired，"observedthestranger，dismounting。

"He\'sgotthewholetownfulofyoubluffedtoastandstill。DamnifIdon\'ttryhislittlegame。"

Hehunghiscoatonhissaddle，shoulderedhiswaythroughthepress，whichpartedforhimreadily，andpickeduptheothercornerofthehandkerchief。

"Now，youmangysonofagun，"saidhe。

CHAPTERTHREE

THEAGREEMENT

JedParkerstraightenedhisback，rolledupthebandanahandkerchief，andthrustitintohispocket，hitflatwithhishandthetouselledmassofhishair，andthrustthelonghuntingknifeintoitssheath。

"You\'rethemanIwant，"saidhe。

Instantlythetwo-gunmanhadjerkedloosehisweaponsandwascoveringtheforeman。

"AMI！"hesnarled。

Notjestthatway，"explainedParker。"Mygunisonmyhoss，andyoucanhavethisoldtoad-stickerifyouwantit。Ibeenlookingforyou，andtookthiswayoffindingyou。Now，let\'sgotalk。"

Thestrangerlookedhimintheeyefornearlyahalfminutewithoutloweringhisrevolvers。

"Igoyou，"saidhebriefly，atlast。

Butthecrowd，missingthepurport，andinfacttheveryoccurrenceofthiscolloquy，didnotunderstand。Itthoughtthebluffhadbeencalled，andnaturally，findingharmlesswhathadintimidatedit，gavewaytoanexasperatedimpulsetogeteven。

"You——————bluffer！"shoutedavoice，"don\'tyouthinkyoucanrunanysuchranikaboohere！"

JedParkerturnedhumorouslytohiscompanion。

"Dowegetthattalk？"heinquiredgently。

Foranswerthetwo-gunmanturnedandwalkedsteadilyinthedirectionofthemanwhohadshouted。Thelatter\'shandstrayeduncertainlytowardhisownweapon，butthemovementpausedwhenthestranger\'sclear，steeleyerestedonit。

"Thisgentleman，"pointedoutthetwo-gunmansoftly，"isanoldfriendofmine。Don\'tyougettocallingofhimnames。"

Hiseyesweptthebystanderscalmly。

"Comeon，Jack，"saidbe，addressingParker。

OntheoutskirtsbeencounteredtheMexicanfromwhomhebadborrowedtheknife。

"Here，Tony，"saidhewithaslightlaugh，"here\'sapeso。

You\'llfindyourknifebacktherewhereIhadtodropher。"

Heenteredasaloon，noddedtotheproprietor，andledthewaythroughittoaboxlikeroomcontainingaboardtableandtwochairs。

"Makegood，"hecommandedbriefly。

"I\'mlookingforamanwithnerve，"explainedParker，withequalsuccinctness。"You\'retheman。"

"Well？"

"Doyouknowthecountrysouthofhere？"

Thestranger\'seyesnarrowed。

"Proceed，"saidhe。

"I\'mforemanoftheLazyYofSodaSpringsValleyrange，"

explainedParker。"I\'mlookingforamanwithsandenoughandsabeofthecountryenoughtoleadaposseaftercattle-rustlersintothebordercountry。"

"Iliveinthiscountry，"admittedthestranger。

"Sodoplentyofothers，buttheireyesstickoutliketworawoysterswhenyoumentionthebordercountry。Willyoutackleit？"

"What\'stheproposition？"

"Comeandseetheoldman。He\'llputittoyou。"

Theymountedtheirhorsesandrodetherestoftheday。Thedesertcompassedthemabout，marvellouslychangingshapeandcolour，andeverycharacter，withallthenoiselessnessofphantasmagoria。Ateveningthedesertstarsshonesteadyandunwinking，liketheflamesofcandles。Bymoonrisetheycametothehomeranch。

Thebuildingsandcorralslaydarkandsilentagainstthemoonlightthatmadeoftheplainaseaofmist。Thetwomenunsaddledtheirhorsesandturnedthemlooseinthewire-fenced"pasture，"thenecessarynoisesoftheirmovementssoundingsharpandclearagainstthevelvethushofthenight。Afteramomenttheywalkedstifflypasttheshedsandcookshanty，pastthemen\'sbunkhouses，andthetallwindmillsilhouettedagainstthesky，tothemainbuildingofthehomeranchunderitsgreatcottonwoods。Therealightstillburned，forthiswasthethirdday，andBuckJohnsonawaitedhisforeman。

JedParkerpushedinwithoutceremony。

"Here\'syourman，Buck，"saidhe。

Thestrangerhadsteppedinsideandcarefullyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Thelamplightthrewintoreliefthebold，freelinesofhisface，thedetailsofhiscostumepowderedthickwithalkali，theshinybuttsofthetwogunsintheiropenholsterstiedatthebottom。EquallyitdefinedtheresolutecountenanceofBuckJohnsonturnedupininquiry。Thetwomenexaminedeachother——andlikedeachotheratonce。

"Howareyou，"greetedthecattleman。

"Good-evening，"respondedthestranger。

"Sitdown，"invitedBuckJohnson。

Thestrangerperchedgingerlyontheedgeofachair，withanappearancelessofembarrassmentthanofhabitualalertness。

"You\'lltakethejob？"inquiredtheSenor。

"Ihaven\'theardwhatitis，"repliedthestranger。

"Parkerhere——？"

"Saidyou\'dexplain。"

"Verywell，"saidBuckJohnson。Hepausedamoment，collectinghisthoughts。"There\'stoomuchcattle-rustlinghere。I\'mgoingtostopit。I\'vegotgoodmenherereadytotakethejob，butnoonewhoknowsthecountrysouth。ThreedaysagoIhadabunchofcattlestolenrightherefromthehome-ranchcorrals，andbyoneman，atthat。Itwasn\'tmuchofabunch——abouttwentyhead——butI\'mgoingtomakeastarterrighthere，andnow。I\'mgoingtogetthatbunchback，andthemanwhostolethem，ifIhavetogotohelltodoit。AndI\'mgoingtodothesamewitheverycaseofrustlingthatcomesupfromnowon。Idon\'tcareifit\'sonlyonecow，I\'mgoingtogetitback——everytrip。Now，Iwanttoknowifyou\'llleadapossedownintothesouthcountryandbringoutthatlastbunch，andthemanwhorustledthem？"

"Idon\'tknow——"hesitatedthestranger。

"Iofferyoufivethousanddollarsingoldifyou\'llbringbackthosecowsandthemanwhostole\'em，"repeatedBuckJohnson。

"AndI\'llgiveyouallthehorsesandmenyouthinkyouneed。"

"I\'lldoit，"repliedthetwo-gunmanpromptly。

"Good！"criedBuckJohnson，"andyoubetterstartto-morrow。"

"Ishallstartto-night——rightnow。"

"Betteryet。Howmanymendoyouwant，andgrubforhowlong？"

"I\'llplayheralonehand。"

"Alone！"exclaimedJohnson，hisconfidencevisiblycooling。

"Alone！Doyouthinkyoucanmakeher？"

"I\'llbebackwiththosecattleinnotmorethantendays。"

"Andtheman，"supplementedtheSenor。

"Andtheman。What\'smore，IwantthatmoneyherewhenIcomein。Idon\'taimtostayinthiscountryovernight。"

AgrinoverspreadBuckJohnson\'scountenance。Heunderstood。

"Climatenothealthyforyou？"hehazarded。"Iguessyou\'dbesafeenoughallrightwithus。Butsuityourself。Themoneywillbehere。"

"That\'sagreed？"insistedthetwo-gunman。

"Sure。"

"Iwantafreshhorse——I\'llleavemine——he\'sagoodone。Iwantalittlegrub。"

"Allright。Parker\'llfityouout。"

Thestrangerrose。

"I\'llseeyouinabouttendays。"

"Goodluck，"SenorBuckJohnsonwishedhim。

CHAPTERFOUR

THEACCOMPLISHMENT

ThenextmorningBuckJohnsontookatripdownintothe"pasture"

offivehundredwire-fencedacres。

"Hemeansbusiness，"heconfidedtoJedParker，onhisreturn。

"ThatcavalloofhisisaheapsightbetterthantheShortyhorsewelethimtake。Jed，youfoundyourmanwithnerve，allright。

Howdidyoudoit？"

Thetwosettleddowntowait，ifnotwithconfidence，atleastwithinterest。Sometimes，rememberingthedesperatecharacteroftheoutlaws，theirfiercedistrustofanyintruder，thewildnessofthecountry，BuckJohnsonandhisforemaninclinedtothebeliefthatthestrangerhadundertakenataskbeyondthepowersofanyoneman。Again，rememberingthestranger\'scoolgreyeye，thepoiseofhisdemeanour，thequicknessofhismovements，andthetwogunswithtiedholsterstopermitofeasywithdrawal，theywerealmostpersuadedthathemightwin。

"He\'soneofthoselong-chancefellows，"surmisedJed。"Helikesexcitement。Iseethatbythewayhetakesupwithmyknifeplay。He\'dratherleavehishideonthefencethanstayinthecorral。"

"Well，he\'sallright，"repliedSenorBuckJohnson，"andifheevergetsback，whichsameI\'msomedoubtfulof，hisdinero\'llbehereforhim。"

InpursuanceofthisherodeintoWillets，whereshortlytheoverlandtrainbroughthimfromTucsonthefivethousanddollarsindoubleeagles。

Inthemeantimetheregularlifeoftheranchwenton。EachmorningSang，theChinesecook，rangthegreatbell，summoningthemen。Theyate，andthencaughtupthesaddlehorsesfortheday，turningthosenotwantedfromthecorralintothepasture。

Shortlytheyjingledawayindifferentdirections，twobytwo，ontheslowSpanishtrotofthecow-puncher。Alldaylongthustheywouldride，withoutfoodorwaterformanorbeast，lookingtherange，identifyingthestock，brandingtheyoungcalves，examininggenerallyintothestateofaffairs，gazingalwayswithgraveeyesonthemagnificent，flaming，changing，beautiful，dreadfuldesertoftheArizonaplains。Ateveningwhenthecolouredatmosphere，catchingthelastglow，threwacrosstheChiricahuasitsveilofmystery，theyjingledinagain，twobytwo，untired，unhasting，thegloryofthedesertintheirdeep-set，steadyeyes。

Andallthedaylong，whiletheywereabsent，thecattle，too，madetheirpilgrimage，stragglinginsingly，inpairs，inbunches，inlongfiles，leisurely，ruminantly，withouthaste。

There，atthelongtroughsfilledbythewindmilloftheblindfoldedpumpmule，theydrank，thenfiledawayagainintothemistsofthedesert。AndSenorBuckJohnson，orhisforeman，Parker，examinedthemfortheircondition，notingtheincrease，remarkingthestraysfromanotherrange。Later，perhaps，they，too，rodeabroad。Thesamethinghappenedatnineotherranchesfromfivetotenmilesapart，wheredweltotherfierce，silentmenallundertheauthorityofBuckJohnson。

Andwhennightfell，andthetopazandvioletandsaffronandamethystandmauveandlilachadfadedsuddenlyfromtheChiricahuas，likeaveilthathasbeenrent，andtherampartshadbecomeslate-greyandthenblack——thesoft-breathednightwanderedhereandthereoverthedesert，andthelandfellunderanenchantmentevenstrangerthantheday\'s。

Sothedayswentby，wonderful，fashioningthewaysandthecharactersofmen。Sevenpassed。BuckJohnsonandhisforemanbegantolookforthestranger。Eight，theybegantospeculate。

Nine，theydoubted。Onthetenththeygavehimup——andhecame。

Theyknewhimfirstbythesoftlowingofcattle。JedParker，dazzledbythelamp，peeredoutfromthedoor，andmadehimoutdimlyturningtheanimalsintothecorral。Amomentlaterhispony\'shoofsimpactedsoftlyonthebakedearth，hedroppedfromthesaddleandenteredtheroom。

"I\'mlate，"saidhebriefly，glancingattheclock，whichindicatedten；"butI\'mhere。"

Hismannerwasquickandsharp，almostbreathless，asthoughhehadbeenrunning。

"Yourcattleareinthecorral：allofthem。Haveyouthemoney？"

"Ihavethemoneyhere，"repliedBuckJohnson，layinghishandagainstadrawer，"andit\'sreadyforyouwhenyou\'veearnedit。

Idon\'tcaresomuchforthecattle。WhatIwantedisthemanwhostolethem。Didyoubringhim？"

"Yes，Ibroughthim，"saidthestranger。"Let\'sseethatmoney。"

BuckJohnsonthrewopenthedrawer，anddrewfromittheheavycanvassack。

"It\'shere。Nowbringinyourprisoner。"

Thetwo-gunmanseemedsuddenlytoloomlargeinthedoorway。

Themuzzlesofhisrevolverscoveredthetwobeforehim。Hisspeechcameshortandsharp。

"ItoldyouI\'dbringbackthecowsandtheonewhorustledthem，"hesnapped。"I\'veneverliedtoamanyet。Yourstockisinthecorral。I\'lltroubleyouforthatfivethousand。I\'mthemanwhostoleyourcattle！"

PARTIIITHERAWHIDE

CHAPTERONE

THEPASSINGOFTHECOLT\'SFORTY-FIVE

ThemanofwhomIamnowtotellyoucametoArizonaintheearlydaysofChiefCochise。HesettledintheSodaSpringsValley，andtherepersistedinspiteofthedevastatingforaysofthatApache。Afteratimeheownedallthewellsandspringsinthevalley，andso，naturally，controlledthegrazingonthatextensivefreerange。Onceadaythecattle，intwosandthrees，inbands，instrings，couldbeseenwindingleisurelydownthedeep-troddenandconvergingtrailstothewatertroughsatthehomeranch，thereleisurelytodrink，andthenleisurelytodriftawayintothesaffronandvioletandamethystdistancesofthedesert。Attenotheroutlyingranchesthisdailyscenewasrepeated。Allthesecattlebelongedtotheman，greatbyreasonofhispriorityinthecountry，thebalanceofhisevencharacter，andthegrimdeterminationofhisspirit。

WhenhehadfirstenteredSodaSpringsValleyhiscompanionshadcalledhimBuckJohnson。Sincethenhisformhadsquared，hiseyeshadsteadiedtotheserenityofagreatauthority，hismouth，shadowedbythemoustacheandthebeard，hadclosedstraightinthelineofpowerandtaciturnity。TherewasabouthimmorethanatraceoftheSpanish。SonowhewasknownasSenorJohnson，althoughinrealityhewasstraightAmericanenough。

SenorJohnsonlivedatthehomeranchwithaChinesecook，andParker，hisforeman。Thehomeranchwasofadobe，builtwithloopholeslikeafort。Intheobsolescenceofthisnecessity，otherbuildingshadsprungupunfortified。Anadobebunkhouseforthecow-punchers，anadobeblacksmithshop，along，lowstable，ashed，awindmillandpond-likereservoir，awholesystemofcorralsofdifferentsizes，awalled-invegetablegarden——thesegatheredtothemselvescottonwoodsfromthemoistureoftheirbeing，andsoaddedeachalittletothegreenspotinthedesert。Inthesmallestcorral，betweenthestableandtheshed，stoodabuckboardandaheavywagon，theonlywheeledvehiclesabouttheplace。Undertheshedwererowsofsaddles，riatas，spursmountedwithsilver，bitsornamentedwiththesamemetal，curvedshortironsfortherangebranding，long，heavy"stamps"forthecorralbranding。Behindthestablelaythe"pasture，"athousandacresofdesertfencedinwithwire。

Therethehardycow-poniessoughtoutthesparse，butnutritious，bunchgrass，sixtyofthem，beautifulasantelope，fortheywerethepickofSenorJohnson\'sherds。

Andallaboutlaythedesert，shimmering，changing，many-tinted，wonderful，hemmedinbythemountainsthatseemedtenuousandthin，likebeautifulmists，andbytheskythatseemedhardandpolishedlikeaturquoise。

Eachmorningatsixo\'clockthetencow-punchersofthehomeranchdrovethehorsestothecorral，neatlyropedthedozentobe"keptup"forthatday，andrewardedtherestwithafeedofgrain。Thentheyrodeawayatalittlefoxtrot，twobytwo。

Alldaylongtheytravelledthus，conductingthebusinessoftherange，andatnight，havingcompletedthecircle，theyjingledagainintothecorral。

Atthetenotherranchesthisprogrammehadbeenduplicated。Thehalf-hundredmenofSenorJohnson\'soutfithadcoveredtheareaofaEuropeanprincipality。Andallofit，everyacre，everyspearofgrass，everycactusprickle，everycreatureonit，practicallybelongedtoSenorJohnson，becauseSenorJohnsonownedthewater，andwithoutwateronecannotexistonthedesert。

Thisresulthadnotbeengainedwithoutstruggle。ThefactcouldbereadinthesettledlinesofSenorJohnson\'sface，andthegreatcalmofhisgreyeye。Indiandaysdrovehimoftentotheshelteroftheloopholedadoberanchhouse，theretoawaitthesoldiersfromtheFort，inplainsightthirtymilesawayontheslopethatledtothefootoftheChiricahuas。Helostcattleandsomemen，buttheprofitsweregreat，andintimeCochise，Geronimo，andthelesserlightshadflickeredoutinthewindsofdestiny。Thesheepterrormerelythreatened，foritwassoondiscoveredthatwiththefeedofSodaSpringsValleygrewaburrthatannoyedtheflocksbeyondreason，sothebleatingscourgesweptbyfortymilesaway。CattlerustlingsoneartheMexicanlinewasaneasymatter。ForatimeSenorJohnsoncommandedanarmedband。Hewaslordofthehigh，thelow，andthemiddlejustice。Heviolatedinternationalethics，andforthelawsofnationshesubstitutedhisown。Onebyoneheannihilatedthethievesofcattle，sometimesinopenfight，butoftenerbysurpriseanddeliberatemassacre。Thecountrywasdelivered。

Andthen，withindefatigableenergy，SenorJohnsonbecameaskilleddetective。Alone，orwithParker，hisforeman，herodethecountrythrough，gatheringevidence。Whentheevidencewasunassailablehebroughtoffenderstobook。Therebrandingthroughawetblanketheknewandcouldprove；theear-markingofanunbrandedcalfuntilitcouldbeweanedheunderstood；theparingofhoofstopreventtravellinghecouldtellasfarashecouldsee；thecraftyalterationofsimilarbrands——aswhenaMexicanchangedJohnson\'sLazyYtoaDumb-bellBar——hesawthroughataglance。Inshort，thehundredandonepettytricksofthesneak-thiefheferretedout，indangerofhislife。ThenhesenttoPhoenixforaRanger——andthatwasthelastoftheDumb-bellBarbrand，ortheThreeLinkBarbrand，ortheHourGlassBrand，orahalfdozenothers。TheSodaSpringsValleyacquiredareputationforgoodorder。

SenorJohnsonatthisstageofhiscareerfoundhimselfdroppingintoaroutine。InMarchbeganthespringbranding，thenthecorrallingandbreakingofthewildhorses，thesummerrange-riding，thegreatfallround-up，theshippingofcattle，andtheridingofthewinterrange。Thishappenedoverandoveragain。

YouandIwouldnothavesufferedfromennui。Theropingandthrowingandbranding，thewildswinganddashofhandlingstock，themadracestoheadthemustangs，thefiercecombatstosubduetheseragingwildbeaststothesaddle，thespectacleoftheround-upwithitsbrutishmultitudesanditsgracefulriders，thedustandmonotonyandexcitementandgloryoftheTrail，andespeciallythehundredsofincidentalandgratuitousadventuresofbearsandantelope，ofthirstandheat，ofthejoyoftakingcareofone\'sself——allthesewouldhavefilledourdayswiththeglittering，changingthrongoftheunusual。

ButtoSenorJohnsonithadbecomeanoldstory。Afterthedaysofconstructionthedaysofaccomplishmentseemedtohimlean。

Hismendidtheworkandreapedtheexcitement。SenorJohnsonneverthoughtnowofridingthewildhorses，ofswingingtheropecoiledathissaddlehorn，orofroundingaheadoftheflyingherds。Hisinspectionswerebusinessinspections。Thecountrywastame。Theleatherchapswiththesilverconchashungbehindthedoor。TheColt\'sforty-fivedependedattheheadofthebed。

SenorJohnsonrodeinmufti。Ofhiscowboydayspersistedstillthehigh-heeledbootsandspurs，thebroadStetsonhat，andthefringedbuckskingauntlets。

TheColt\'sforty-fivehadbeenthelasttogo。FinallyoneeveningSenorJohnsonreceivedanexpresspackage。HeopeneditbeforetheundemonstrativeParker。Itprovedtocontainapocket"gun"——anickel-plated，thirty-eightcalibreSmith&Wesson"five-shooter。"SenorJohnsonexamineditalittledoubtfully。

Incomparisonwiththesix-shooteritlookedlikeatoy。

"Howdoyou，likeher？"heinquired，handingtheweapontoParker。

Parkerturneditoverandover，asachildarattle。Thenhereturnedittoitsowner。

"Senor，"saidhe，"ifeveryoushootmewiththatlittleoldgun，ANDIfinditoutthesameday，I\'lljustraisehellwithyou！"

"Idon\'treckonshe\'dINJUREamanmuch，"agreedtheSenor，"butperhapsshe\'dcallhisattention。"

However，the"littleoldgun"tookitsplace，notinSenorJohnson\'shippocket，butinsidethefrontwaistbandofhistrousers，andtheoldshinyColt\'sforty-five，withitswornleather"Texasstyle"holster，becameabedroomornament。

Thus，fromafrontiersmandroppedSenorJohnsontothestatusofapropertyowner。Inageneralwayhehadtoattendtohisinterestsbeforethecattlemen\'sassociation；hehadtoarrangeforthebuyingandshipping，andtherestwasleisure。Hecouldnowhavegoneawaysomewhereasfarastimewent。Socanafishliveintrees——asfarastimegoes。Andinthedailyriding，riding，ridingovertherangehefoundtheopportunityforabstractthoughtwhichthefrontierlifehadcrowdedaside。

CHAPTERTWO

THESHAPESOFILLUSION

Everyday，asalways，SenorJohnsonrodeabroadovertheland。

Hissurroundingshadbeforebeenacceptedcasuallyasamoreorlesspertinentsettingofactionandcondition。NowhesensedsomeofthefascinationoftheArizonadesert。

Henoticedmanythingsbeforeunnoticed。Ashejingledlooselyalongonhiscow-horse，heobservedhowtheanimalwadedfetlockdeepinthegorgeousorangeCaliforniapoppies，andthenhelookedupandabout，andsawthattherichcolourcarpetedthelandscapeasfarashiseyecouldreach，sothatitseemedasthoughhecouldrideonandonthroughthemtothedistantChiricahuas。Only，closeunderthehills，lay，unobtrusive，anarrowstreakofgrey。Andinafewhourshehadreachedthestreakofgrey，andriddenoutintoittofindhimselfthecentreofalimitlessalkaliplain，sothatagainitseemedthevalleycouldcontainnothingelseofimportance。

Lookingback，SenorJohnsoncoulddiscernatenuousribbonoforange——thepoppies。Andperhapsaheadalittleshadowblottedthefaceofthealkali，which，beingreachedandentered，spreadlikefireuntilit，too，filledthewholeplain，untilit，too，arrogatedtoitselftherightoftypifyingSodaSpringsValleyasashimmeringprairieofmesquite。Floweredupland，deadlowland，brush，cactus，volcanicrock，sand，eachoftheseforthetimebeingoccupiedthewholespace，broadasthesea。Inthecircletofthemountainswasroomformanyinfinities。

AmongthefoothillsSenorJohnson，forthefirsttime，appreciatedcolour。Hundredsofacresofflowersfilledthevelvetcreasesofthelittlehillsandwashedoverthesmooth，roundedslopessoaccuratelyintheplacingandmanneroftintedshadowsthatthemindhaddifficultyinbelievingthecolournottohavebeenshadedinactuallybyfreesweepsofsomegiganticbrush。Adozenshadesofpinksandpurples，adozenofblues，andthentheflamereds，theyellows，andthevividgreens。

Beyondwerethemountainsintheirgloryofvolcanicrocks，richasthetapestryofaFlorentinepalace。And，modifyingalltheothers，thetintedatmosphereofthesouth-west，refractingthesunthroughtheinfinitesimalearthmotesthrownupconstantlybythewinddevilsofthedesert，drewbeforethesceneadelicateandgauzyveiloflilac，ofrose，ofsaffron，ofamethyst，orofmauve，accordingtothetimeofday。SenorJohnsondiscoveredthatlookingatthelandscapeupsidedownaccentuatedthecoloureffects。Itamusedhimvastlysuddenlytobendoverhissaddlehorn，thetopofhisheadnearlytouchinghishorse\'smane。Thedistantmountainsatoncestartedoutintoredderprominence；

theirshadowsofpurpledeepenedtotheroyalcolour；theroseveilthickened。

"She\'stheprettiestcountryGodevermade！"exclaimedSenorJohnsonwithentireconviction。

Andnomatterwherehewent，norintohowfamiliarcountryherode，theshapesofillusionofferedalwaysvariety。OnedaytheChiricahuaswereatableland；nextdayaseriesofcastellatedpeaks；nowananvil；nowasawtooth；andrarelytheythrewamagnificentsuspensionbridgeacrosstheheavenstotheirneighbours，therangesonthewest。Lakesripplinginthewindandbreakingontheshore，cattlebigaselephantsorsmallasrabbits，distancesthatdidnotexistandforeststhatneverwere，bedsoflavaalongthehillsswearingtoacloudshadow，whiletheskywaspolishedlikeapreciousstone——these，andmanyotherbeautifulandmarvellousbutemptyshowsthegreatdesertdisplayedlavishly，withtheglitterandinconsequenceofadream。SenorJohnsonsatonhishorseinthehotsun，hischininhisband，hiselbowonthepommel，watchingitallwithgrave，unshiftingeyes。

Occasionally，belated，hesawthestars，thewonderfuldesertstars，blazingclearandunflickering，liketheflamesofcandles。Orthemoonworkedhernecromancies，hemminghiminbymountainstenthousandfeethighthroughwhichtherewasnopass。

Andthenasherode，themountainsshiftedlikethescenesinatheatre，andhecrossedthelittlesanddunesoutfromthedreamcountrytotheadobecorralsofthehomeranch。

Allthesethings，andmanyothers，SenorJohnsonnowsawforthefirsttime，althoughhehadlivedamongthemfortwentyyears。

Itstruckhimwiththefreshnessofasurprise。Alsoitreactedchemicallyonhismentalprocessestogenerateanewpowerwithinhim。Thenewpower，beingasyetunapplied，madehimuneasyandrestlessandalittleirritable。

HetriedtoshowsomeofhiswonderstoParker。

"Jed，"saidhe，oneday，"thisisagreatcountry。"

"YouKNOWit，"repliedtheforeman。

"Thosetouristsintheirnickel-platedPullmanscallthisadesert。Desert，hell！Lookatthemflowers！"

Theforemancastaneyeonaglorioussilkenmantleofpurple，ahundredyardsbroad。

"Sure，"heagreed；"showswhatwecoulddoifweonlyhadalittlewater。"

Andagain："Jed，"begantheSenor，"didyouevernoticethemmountains？"

"Sure，"agreedJed。

"Ain\'tthataprettycolour？"

"Youbet，"agreedtheforeman；"nowyou\'retalking！Ialways，saidtheywasmineralisedenoughtomakeagoodprospect。"

Thiswasunsatisfactory。SenorJohnsongrewmorerestless。Hiscriticaleyebegantotakeaccountofsmalldetails。Attheranchhouseoneeveninghe，onasudden，bellowedloudlyforSang，theChineseservant。

"Lookatthese！"heroared，whenSangappeared。

Sang\'seyesopenedinbewilderment。

"There，andthere！"shoutedthecattleman。"Lookatthemoldnewspapersandthemgunrags！Theplaceislikeacow-yard。Whyinthenameofheavendon\'tyoucleanuphere！"

"Alleelight，"babbledSang；"Icleanhim。"

Thepapersandgunragshadlainthereunnoticedfornearlyayear。SenorJohnsonkickedthemsavagely。

"It\'stimewetookabracehere，"hegrowled，"we\'relivin\'likealotofOilers。"[5]

[5]Oilers：Greasers——MexicansCHAPTERTHREE

THEPAPERAYEAROLD

Sanghurriedoutforabroom。SenorJohnsonsatwherehewas，hisheavy，squarebrowsknit。Suddenlyhestooped，seizedoneofthenewspapers，drewnearthelamp，andbegantoread。

ItwasaKansasCitypaperand，byastrangecoincidence，wasdatedexactlyayearbefore。ThesheetSenorJohnsonhappenedtopickupwasoneusuallypassedoverbytheaveragenewspaperreader。Itcontainedonlycolumnsoflittletwo-andthree-lineadvertisementsclassifiedasHelpWanted，SituationsWanted，LostandFound，andPersonal。ThelatteritemsSenorJohnsoncommencedtoreadwhileawaitingSangandthebroom。

Thenoticeswerefiveinnumber。Thefirstthreewereofthemysteriousnewspaper-correspondencetype，inwhichBirdiebeseechesJacktomeetheratthefountain；thefourthadvertisedaclairvoyant。OverthefifthSenorJohnsonpausedlong。Itreads"WANTED-Byanintelligentandrefinedladyofpleasingappearance，correspondencewithagentlemanofmeans。Objectmatrimony。

JustthenSangreturnedwiththebroomandbegannoisilytosweeptogetherthedebris。TherustlingofpapersarousedSenorJohnsonfromhisreverie。Atonceheexploded。

"Getoutofhere，youdebasedMongolian，"heshouted；"can\'tyouseeI\'mreading？"

Sangfled，sorelypuzzled，fortheSenorwascalmandunexcitedandaloofinhiseverydayhabit。

SoonJedParker，tall，wiry，hawk-nosed，deliberate，cameintotheroomandflunghisbroadhatandspursintothecorner。Thenheproceededtolighthispipeandthrewtheburnedmatchonthefloor。

"BeenovertolookattheGrantPassrange，"heannouncedcheerfully。"She\'snogood。Drierthancorklegs。Th\'countrywouldn\'tsupportthreehornedtoads。"

"Jed，"quoththeSenorsolemnly，"Iwishtyou\'dhangupyourhatlikeIhave。Itdon\'tlookgoodthereonthefloor。"

"Why，sure，"agreedJed，withanastonishedstare。

Sangbroughtinsupperandslungitontheredandwhitesquaresofoilcloth。Thenhemovedthelampandretired。

SenorJohnsongazedwithdistasteintohiscup。

"Thiscoffeewouldfloatawedge，"hecommentedsourly。

"She\'snopulinginfant，"agreedthecheerfulJed。

"Andthis！"wentontheSenor，pickingupwhatpurportedtobeplumduff："Bogdownafewcurrantsindoughandcallherpudding！"

Heateinsilence，thenpushedbackhischairandwenttothewindow，gazingthroughitsgrimypanesatthemountains，etherealintheireveningsaffron。

"BlamedChink，"hegrowled；"whydon\'thewashthesewindows？"

Jedlaiddownhisbusyknifeandidleforktogazeonhischiefwithamazement。BuckJohnson，theaustere，thealoof，thegrimlytaciturn，thedangerous，tobethuscomplaininglikeaquerulouswoman！

"Senor，"saidhe，"you\'reoffyourfeed。"

SenorJohnsonstrodesavagelytothetableandsatdownwithabang。

"I\'msickofit，"hegrowled；"thisthingwillkillmeoff。I

mightaswellgobeabucknunandbedonewithit。"

Withoneround-armsweepheclearedasidethedishes。

"Givemethatpenandpaperbehindyou，"herequested。

Foranhourhewroteanddestroyed。Thefloorbecamelitteredwithtornpapers。Thenheenvelopedameagreresult。Parkerhadwatchedhiminsilence。

TheSenorlookeduptocatchhisspeculativeeye。Hisowneyetwinkledalittle，butthetwinklewasdeterminedandsinister，withonlyanalloyofhumour。

"Senor，"venturedParkerslowly，"thiseventsureknocksmehell-westandcrooked。Ifthelocoyouhaveculledhasn\'tparalysedyourspeakingparts，wouldyoumindtellingmewhatinthenameofheaven，hell，andhigh-waterisup？"

"Iamgoingtogetmarried，"announcedtheSenorcalmly。

"What！"shoutedParker；"whoto？"

"Toalady，"repliedtheSenor，"anintelligentandrefinedlady——

ofpleasingappearance。"

CHAPTERFOUR

DREAMS

Althoughthepaperwasayearold，SenorJohnsoninduetimereceivedananswerfromKansas。Acorrespondenceensued。SenorJohnsonenshrinedabovethebigfireplacethephotographofawoman。Beforethisheusedtostandforhoursatatimeslowlyconstructinginhismindwhathehadhithertolacked——anidealofwomanandofhome。ThisidealheusedsometimestoexpresstohimselfandtotheironicalJed。

"Itmustsurebenicetohavealittlewomanwaitin\'foryouwhenyoucomeinoff\'nthedesert。"

Or："Now，awomanwouldhavethemwindowsjustbloomingwithflowersandwhitecurtainsandsuchtruck。"

Or："IbetthatSangwouldgetawiggleonhimwithhislittleoldcleaningdudsifhehadawomanaholdofhisjerkline。"

Slowlyhereconstructedhislife，thelifeoftheranch，intermsofthishypothesisedfeminineinfluence。Thenmatterscametoanunderstanding，SenorJohnsonhadsenthisownportrait。

EstrellaSandswrotebackthatsheadoredbigblackbeards，butshewasafraidofhim，hehadsuchafascinatingbadeye：nowomancouldresisthim。SenorJohnsonatoncetookthingsforgranted，sentontoKansasapreposteroussumof"expense"moneyandarailroadticket，andraidedGoodrich\'sstoreatWillets，ahundredmilesaway，forallmannerofgaudycarpets，silverware，fancylamps，worksofart，pianos，linen，andgimcracksfortheadornmentoftheranchhouse。Furthermore，heofferedwagesmorethanequaltoahundredmilesofdeserttoayoungIrishgirl，namedSusieO\'Toole，tocomeoutashousekeeper，decorator，bossofSangandanotherChinaman，andcompaniontoMrs。Johnsonwhensheshouldarrive。

Furthermore，helaidofffromtherangeworkBrentPalmer，themostskilfulmanwithhorses，andsethimto"gentling"abeautifullittlesorrel。AsidesaddlehadarrivedfromElPaso。

Itwas"centrefire，"whichistosayithadbutthesinglehorsehaircinch，broad，tasselled，verygenteelinitssuggestionofpleasureuseonly。Brentcouldbeseenatalltimesofday，canteringhereandthereonthesorrel，ablankettiedaroundhiswaisttosimulatethelongridingskirt。Hecarriedalsoasulkyandevilgleaminhiseye，warningagainstunduelevity。

JedParkerwatchedthesevariousproceedingssardonically。

Once，thebabylightofinnocenceblueinhiseye，heinquiredifhewouldberequiredtodressfordinner。

"Ifso，"hewenton，"I\'llhavemymanbrushupmylow-neckedclothes。"

ButSenorJohnsonrefusedtobebaited。

"Goon，Jed，"saidhe；"youknowyouain\'tgotclothesenoughtodustafiddle。"

TheSenorwashappythesedays。Heshoweditbyanunwontedjovialityofspirit，byaslightbutevidentunbendingofhisSpanishdignity。Nolongerdidthesplendourofthedesertfillhimwithavagueyearninganduneasiness。Helookeduponitconfidently，notingitsvariousphaseswithcare，rejoicingineachnewdevelopmentofcolourandlight，offormandillusion，storingthemawayinhismemorysothattheirrecurrenceshouldfindhimpreparedtorecogniseandexplainthem。Forsoonhewouldhavesomeonebyhissidewithwhomtoappreciatethem。Inthatsharingbecouldseethereasonforthem，thereasonfortheirstrangebitter-sweeteffectsonthehumansoul。

Oneeveningheleanedonthecorralfence，lookingtowardtheDragoons。Thesunhadsetbehindthem。Gigantictheyloomedagainstthewesternlight。Fromtheirsummits，likeanaureola，radiatedthesplendourofthedust-motedair，thiseveningadeepumber。Afaintreflectionofitfellacrossthedesert，glorifyingthereachesofitsnothingness。

"I\'lltakeheroutonaneveninglikethis，"quothSenorJohnsontohimself，"andI\'llmakeherkeephereyesonthegroundtillwegetrightupbyRunningBearKnob，andthenI\'llletherlookupalltoonce。Andshe\'llsurelyenjoythislife。Ibetsheneversawasteerropedinherlife。ShecanridewithmeeverydayoutovertherangeandI\'llshowherthebustingandthebrandingandthatbandofantelopeoverbytheTallWindmill。I\'llteachhertoshoot，too。Andwecanmakelittlepacktripsoffinthehillswhenshegetstoohot——uptherebyDeerskinMeadows\'mongstthehighpeaks。"

Hemused，turningoverinhismindanewpictureofhisownlife，aims，andpursuitsasmodifiedbythesympatheticandunderstandingcompanionshipofawoman。Hepicturedhimselfashemustseemtoherinhisdifferentpursuits。Thepicturesquenesspleasedhim。Thesimple，directvanityoftheman——thewholesomevanityofastraightforwardnature——awakenedtopreenitsfeathersbeforetheideaofthemate。

Theshadowsfell。OvertheChiricahuasflaredtheeveningstar。

Theplain，self-luminouswiththeweirdlucenceofthearidlands，showedghostly。JedParker，comingoutfromthelamp-litadobe，leanedhiselbowsontherailinsilentcompanywithhischief。He，too，lookedabroad。Hismind\'seyesawwhathisbody\'seyehadalwaystoldhimweretheinsistentnotes——thealkali，thecactus，thesage，themesquite，thelava，thechokingdust，theblindingbeat，theburningthirst。Hesighedinthedimhalfrecollectionofpastdays。

"Iwonderifshe\'lllikethecountry？"hehazarded。

ButSenorJohnsonturnedonhimhissteadyeyes，filledwiththegreatgloryofthedesert。

"Likethecountry！"hemarvelledslowly。"Ofcourse！Whyshouldn\'tshe？"