第3章

TheRev。HenryGushington，D。D。，ofBoston，makingabronchialtourofCalifornia，wrotetothe"ChristianPathfinder"anaffectingaccountofhisvisittothem，placedDaddyDowney’sageat102，andattributedtherecentconversionsinRough-and-Readytotheirinfluence。ThatgiftedliteraryHessian，BillSmith，travelingintheinterestsofvariouscapitalists，andthetrustworthycorrespondentoffour"onlyindependentAmericanjournals，"quotedhimasanevidenceofthelongevitysuperinducedbytheclimate，offeredhimasanexampleofthesecurityofhelplesslifeandpropertyinthemountains，usedhimasanadvertisementoftheUnionDitch，anditissaidinsomevaguewaycitedhimasprovingthecollateralfactsofatimberandore-producingregionexistinginthefoot-hillsworthytheattentionofEasterncapitalists。

Praisedthusbythelipsofdistinguishedreport，fosteredbythecareandsustainedbythepecuniaryofferingsoftheirfellow-

citizens，theSaintsledfortwoyearsapeacefullifeofgentleabsorption。Torelievethemfromtheembarrassingappearanceofeleemosynaryreceipts，——anembarrassmentfeltmorebythegiversthantherecipients，——thepostmastershipofRough-and-ReadywasprocuredforDaddy，andthedutyofreceivinganddeliveringtheUnitedStatesmailsperformedbyhim，withtheadviceandassistanceoftheboys。Ifafewletterswentastrayatthistime，itwaseasilyattributedtothisundisciplinedaid，andtheboysthemselveswerealwaysreadytomakeupthevalueofamissingmoney-letterand"keeptheoldman’saccountssquare。"TothesefunctionspresentlywereaddedthetreasurershipsoftheMasons’

andOddFellows’charitablefunds，——theoldmanbeingfaradvancedintheirrespectivedegrees，——andeventhepositionofalmoneroftheirbountieswassuper-added。Here，unfortunately，Daddy’shabitsofeconomyandavariciouspropensitycamenearmakinghimunpopular，andveryoftenneedybrotherswereforcedtoobjecttothequantityandqualityofthehelpextended。Theyalwaysmetwithmoregenerousrelieffromtheprivatehandsofthebrothersthemselves，andtheremark，"thattheol’manwastryingtosetanexample，——thathemeantwell，"——andthattheywouldyetbethankfulforhiszealouscareandeconomy。Afew，Ithink，sufferedinnoblesilence，ratherthanbringtheoldman’sinfirmitytothepublicnotice。

AndsowiththishonorofDaddyandMammy，thedaysoftheminerswerelongandprofitableinthelandofthefoot-hills。Theminesyieldedtheirabundance，thewintersweresingularlyopenandyettherewasnodrouthnorlackofwater，andpeaceandplentysmiledontheSierreanfoothills，fromtheirhighestsunnyuplandtothetrailingfaldaofwildoatsandpoppies。Ifacertainsuperstitiongotabroadamongtheothercamps，connectingthefortunesofRough-

and-ReadywithDaddyandMammy，itwasagentle，harmlessfancy，andwasnot，Ithink，altogetherrejectedbytheoldpeople。A

certainlarge，patriarchal，bountifulmanner，oflatevisibleinDaddy，andtheincreaseofmuchwhitehairandbeard，keptupthepoeticillusion，whileMammy，daybyday，grewmoreandmorelikesomebody’sfairygodmother。Anattemptwasmadebyarivalcamptoemulatethesepayingvirtuesofreverence，andanagedmarinerwasprocuredfromtheSailor’sSnugHarborinSanFrancisco，ontrial。

Buttheunfortunateseamanwasmoreorlessdiseased，wasnotalwayspresentable，throughaweaknessforardentspirits，andfinally，tousethepowerfulidiomofoneofhisdisappointedfoster-children，"upanddiedinaweek，withoutslingingaryblessin’。"

Butvicissitudereachesyoungandoldalike。YouthfulRough-and-

ReadyandtheSaintshadclimbedtotheirmeridiantogether，anditseemedfitthattheyshouldtogetherdecline。ThefirstshadowfellwiththeimmigrationtoRough-and-Readyofasecondagedpair。

ThelandladyoftheIndependenceHotelhadnotabatedhermalevolencetowardstheSaints，andhadimportedatconsiderableexpensehergrand-auntandgrand-uncle，whohadbeenenjoyingforsomeyearsasequesteredretirementinthepoorhouseatEastMachias。Theywereindeedveryold。Bywhatmiracle，evenasanatomicalspecimens，theyhadbeenpreservedduringtheirlongjourneywasamysterytothecamp。Insomerespectstheyhadsuperiormemoriesandreminiscences。Theoldman——AbnerTrix——hadshoulderedamusketinthewarof1812；hiswife，Abigail，hadseenLadyWashington。Shecouldsinghymns；hekneweverytextbetween"theleds"ofaBible。Thereislittledoubtbutthatinmanyrespects，tothesuperficialandgiddycrowdofyouthfulspectators，theywerethemoreinterestingspectacle。

Whetheritwasjealousy，distrust，ortimiditythatovercametheSaints，wasneverknown，buttheystudiouslydeclinedtomeetthestrangers。Whendirectlyapproacheduponthesubject，DaddyDowneypleadedillness，kepthimselfincloseseclusion，andtheSundaythattheTrixesattendedchurchintheschool-houseonthehill，thetriumphoftheTrixpartywasmitigatedbythefactthattheDowneyswerenotintheiraccustomedpew。"YoubetthatDaddyandMammyislyinglowjesttoketchthemoldmummiesyet，"explainedaDowneyite。Forbythistimeschismanddivisionhadcreptintothecamp；theyoungerandlatermembersofthesettlementadheringtotheTrixes，whiletheolderpioneersstoodnotonlyloyaltotheirownfavorites，buteven，inthetruespiritofpartisanship，begantoseekforaprincipleunderlyingtheirpersonalfeelings。"I

tellyewhat，boys，"observedSweetwaterJoe，"ifthisyercampisgoin’toberunbygreenhorns，andoldpioneers，likeDaddyandtherestofus，musttakebackseats，it’stimeweemigratedandshovedout，andtukDaddywithus。Why，they’retalkin’ofrotationinoffiss，andofputtingthatskeletonthatMa’amDeckersetsupatthetable，totakeherboarders’appetitesaway，intothepost-

officeinplaceo’Daddy。"And，indeed，thereweresomefearsofsuchaconclusion；thenewermenofRough-and-Readywereinthemajority，andwieldedamorethanequalinfluenceofwealthandoutsideenterprise。"Frisco，"asaDowneyitebitterlyremarked，"alreadyownedhalfthetown。"TheoldfriendsthatralliedaroundDaddyandMammywere，likemostloyalfriendsinadversity，inbadcasethemselves，andwerebeginningtolookandact，itwasobserved，notunliketheiroldfavorites。

AtthisjunctureMammydied。

ThesuddenblowforafewdaysseemedtoreunitedisseveredRough-

and-Ready。BothfactionshastenedtothebereavedDaddywithcondolements，andoffersofaidandassistance。Buttheoldmanreceivedthemsternly。Achangehadcomeovertheweakandyieldingoctogenarian。Thosewhoexpectedtofindhimmaudlin，helpless，disconsolate，shrankfromthecold，hardeyesandtruculentvoicethatbadethem"begone，"and"leavehimwithhisdead。"Evenhisownfriendsfailedtomakehimrespondtotheirsympathy，andwerefaintocontentthemselveswithhiscoldintimationthatboththewishesofhisdeadwifeandhisowninstinctswereagainstanydisplay，orthereceptionofanyfavorfromthecampthatmighttendtokeepupthedivisionstheyhadinnocentlycreated。TherefusalofDaddytoacceptanyserviceofferedwassounlikehimastohavebutonedreadfulmeaning！Thesuddenshockhadturnedhisbrain！Yetsoimpressedweretheywithhisresolutionthattheypermittedhimtoperformthelastsadofficeshimself，andonlyaselectfewofhisnearerneighborsassistedhimincarryingtheplaindealcoffinfromhislonelycabininthewoodstothestillloneliercemeteryonthehill-top。

Whentheshallowgravewasfilled，hedismissedeventhesecurtly，shuthimselfupinhiscabin，andfordaysremainedunseen。Itwasevidentthathewasnolongerinhisrightmind。

Hisharmlessaberrationwasacceptedandtreatedwithadegreeofintelligentdelicacyhardlytobebelievedofsoroughacommunity。

Duringhiswife’ssuddenandsevereillness，thesafecontainingthefundsintrustedtohiscarebythevariousbenevolentassociationswasbrokenintoandrobbed，andalthoughtheactwasclearlyattributabletohiscarelessnessandpreoccupation，allallusiontothefactwaswithheldfromhiminhissevereaffliction。Whenheappearedagainbeforethecamp，andthecircumstanceswereconsideratelyexplainedtohim，withtheremarkthat"theboyshadmadeitallright，"thevacant，hopeless，unintelligenteyethatheturneduponthespeakershowedtooplainlythathehadforgottenallaboutit。"Don’ttroubletheoldman，"saidWhiskyDick，withaburstofhonestpoetry。"Don’tyeseehismemory’sdead，andlyingthereinthecoffinwithMammy？"

Perhapsthespeakerwasnearerrightthanheimagined。

Failinginreligiousconsolation，theytookvariousmeansofdivertinghismindwithworldlyamusements，andonewasavisittoatravelingvarietytroupe，thenperforminginthetown。TheresultofthevisitwasbrieflytoldbyWhiskyDick。"Well，sir，wewentin，andIsottheoldmandowninafrontseat，andkinderproppedhimupwithsomeotherofthefellersroundhim，andtherehesotassilentandawfulezthegrave。Andthenthatfancydancer，MissGraceSomerset，comesin，anddernmyskin，eftheoldmandidn’tgettotremblingandfidgetingallover，asshecutthempidginwings。Itellyewhat，boys，menismen，waydowntotheirboots，——whetherthey’recrazyornot！Well，hetookonso，thatI’mblamedifatlastthatgalHERSELFdidn’tnoticehim！andsheups，suddenly，andblowshimakiss——so！withherfingers！"

Whetherthisnarrationwereexaggeratedornot，itiscertainthattheoldmanDowneyeverysucceedingnightoftheperformancewasaspectator。Thathemayhaveaspiredtomorethanthatwassuggestedadayortwolaterinthefollowingincident：AnumberoftheboysweresittingaroundthestoveintheMagnoliasaloon，listeningtotheonsetofawinterstormagainstthewindows，whenWhiskyDick，tremulous，excited，andbristlingwithrain-dropsandinformation，brokeinuponthem。

"Well，boys，I’vegotjustthebiggestthingout。EfIhadn’tseeditmyself，Iwouldn’thevbelievedit！"

"Itain’tthetghostag’in？"growledRobinson，fromthedepthsofhisarm-chair；"thetghost’saboutplayed。"

"Wotghost？"askedanew-comer。

"Why，oleMammy’sghost，thateveryfelleraboutyerseeswhenhe’shalffullandoutlateo’nights。"

"Where？"

"Where？Why，whereshouldaghostbe？Meanderin’roundhergraveonthehill，yander，incourse。"

"It’ssuthinbiggernorthet，pard，"saidDickconfidently；"noghostkinrakedownthepotag’inthekeerdsI’vegothere。Thisain’tnobluff！"

"Well，goon！"saidadozenexcitedvoices。

Dickpausedamoment，diffidently，withthehesitationofanartisticraconteur。

"Well，"hesaid，withaffecteddeliberation，"let’ssee！It’snighontoanhouragoezIwasdowntharatthevarietyshow。Whenthecurtainwasdownbetwixttheax，IlooksroundferDaddy。NoDaddythar！Igoesoutandaskssomeo’theboys。’DaddyWASthereaminnitago，’theysay；’musthevgonehome。’Bein’kinderresponsiblefortheoldman，Ihangsaround，andgoesoutinthehallandseesapassageleadin’behindthescenes。Nowthequeerthingaboutthis，boys，ezthatsuthininmybonestellsmetheoldmanisTHAR。Ipushesin，and，sureasagun，Ihearshisvoice。

Kinderpathetic，kinderpleadin’，kinder——"

"Love-makin’！"brokeintheimpatientRobinson。

"You’vehitit，pard，——you’verungthebelleverytime！Butshesays，’wantsthetmoneydown，orI’ll——’andhereIcouldn’tgettoheartherest。Andthenhekindercoaxes，andshesays，sortersassy，butlistenin’allthetime，——womanlike，yeknow，Eveandthesarpint！——andshesays，’I，llseeto-morrow。’Andhesays，’Youwon’tblowonme？’andIgetsexcitedandpeepsin，andmayI

beteetotallydurnedefIdidn’tsee——"

"What？"yelledthecrowd。

"Why，DADDYONHISKNEESTOTHATTHEREFANCYDANCER，GraceSomerset！Now，ifMammy’sghostismeanderin’round，why，et’sabouttimesheleftthecemeteryandputinanappearanceinJackson’sHall。Thet’sall！"

"Lookyar，boys，"saidRobinson，rising，"Idon’tknowezit’sthesquarethingtospileDaddy’sfun。Idon’tobjecttoit，providedsheain’ttakin’intheoldman，andgivin’himdeadaway。Butezwe’rehisguardeens，Iproposethatwegodowntharandseethelady，andfindoutefherintentionsishonorable。Ifshemeansmarry，andtheoldmanpersists，why，Ireckonwekingivetheyoungcoupleasend-offthetwon’tdisgracethisyercamp！Hey，boys？"

Itisunnecessarytosaythatthepropositionwasreceivedwithacclamation，andthatthecrowdatoncedepartedontheirdiscreetmission。Buttheresultwasneverknown，forthenextmorningbroughtashocktoRough-and-Readybeforewhichallotherinterestpaledtonothingness。

ThegraveofMammyDowneywasfoundviolatedanddespoiled；thecoffinopened，andhalffilledwiththepapersandaccountsoftherobbedbenevolentassociations；butthebodyofMammywasgone！

Nor，onexamination，diditappearthatthesacredandancientformofthatfemalehadeverreposedinitsrecesses！

DaddyDowneywasnottobefound，norisitnecessarytosaythattheingenuousGraceSomersetwasalsomissing。

ForthreedaysthereasonofRough-and-Readytrembledinthebalance。Noworkwasdoneintheditches，intheflume，norinthemills。GroupsofmenstoodbythegraveofthelamentedrelictofDaddyDowney，asopen-mouthedandvacantasthatsepulchre。Neversincethegreatearthquakeof’52hadRough-and-Readybeensostirredtoitsdeepestfoundations。

OnthethirddaythesheriffofCalaveras——aquiet，gentle，thoughtfulman——arrivedintown，andpassedfromonetotheotherofexcitedgroups，droppinghereandtheredetachedbutconciseandpracticalinformation。

"Yes，gentlemen，youareright，Mrs。Downeyisnotdead，becausetherewasn’tanyMrs。Downey！HerpartwasplayedbyGeorgeF。

Fenwick，ofSydney，——a’ticket-of-leave-man，’whowas，theysay，agoodactor。Downey？Oh，yesDowneywasJemFlanigan，who，in’52，usedtorunthevarietytroupeinAustralia，whereMissSomersetmadeherdebut。Standbackalittle，boys。Steady！’Themoney？’

Oh，yes，they’vegotawaywiththat，sure！Howareye，Joe？Why，you’relookingwellandhearty！Iratherexpectedyecourtweek。

How’sthingsyourway？"

"Thentheywereonlyplay-actors，JoeHall？"brokeinadozenvoices。

"Ireckon！"returnedthesheriff，coolly。

"Andforamattero’fiveblankyears，"saidWhiskyDick，sadly，"theyplayedthiscamp！"

"JINNY"

Ithinkthatthefewwhowerepermittedtoknowandlovetheobjectofthissketchspenttherestoftheirdaysnotonlyinanattitudeofapologyforhavingatfirstfailedtorecognizeherhighernature，butofremorsethattheyshouldhaveeverlentacredulouseartoaprioritraditionconcerningherfamilycharacteristics。

Shehadnotescapedthatcalumnywhichshesharedwiththerestofhersexforthoseyouthfulfollies，levities，andindiscretionswhichbelongtoimmaturity。Itisveryprobablethatthefirmnessthatdistinguishedhermaturerwillinyouthmighthavebeentakenforobstinacy，thathernicediscriminationmightatthesameperiodhavebeentakenforadolescentcaprice，andthatthepositiveexpressionofherquickintellectmighthavebeenthoughtyouthfulimpertinencebeforeheryearshadwonrespectforherjudgment。

ShewasfoaledatIndianCreek，andonemonthlater，whenshewasbroughtovertoSawyer’sBar，wasconsideredthesmallestdonkeyeverseeninthefoot-hills。Thelegendthatshewasbroughtoverinoneof"DantheQuartzCrusher’s"bootsrequiredcorroborationfromthatgentleman；buthisdenialbeingevidentlybaseduponamasculinevanityregardingthesizeofhisfootratherthanadesiretobehistoricallyaccurate，itwentfornothing。ItiscertainthatforthenexttwomonthssheoccupiedthecabinofDan，until，perhapsincensedatthisandotherscandals，sheonenightmadeherwayout。"Ihadn’ttheleastideewotwozcomin’，"saidDan，"butaboutmidnightIseemedtohearhailontotheroof，andashowerofrocksandstonesliketoablaststartedinthecanyon。

WhenIgotupandstruckalight，tharwassuthin’likeontoacordo’kindlin’woodandsplinterswharshe’dstoodasleep，andaholeinthesideo’theshanty，and——noJinny！Lookin’atthemhoofso’

hern——andmightyportytheyistolookat，too——youwouldallowshecoulddoit！"Ifearthatthisperformancelaidthefoundationofherlaterinfelicitousreputation，andperhapsawakenedinheryouthfulbreastamisplacedambition，andanemulationwhichmightatthattimehavebeendivertedintoanoblerchannel。Forthefameofthisjuvenileperformance——anditspossiblepromiseinthefuture——broughtatonceuponherthedangerousflatteryandattentionofthewholecamp。Underintelligentlydirectedprovocationshewouldrepeathermisguidedexercise，untilmostofthescantyfurnitureofthecabinwasreducedtoahopelesswreck，andsprainsandcallositiesweredevelopeduponthelimbsofheradmirers。Yetevenatthisearlystageofherhistory，thatpenetratingintellectwhichwasinafteryearsherdominantqualitywasevidenttoall。Shecouldnotbemadetokickatquartztailings，atabarrelofBostoncrackers，orattheheadorshinof"NiggerPete。"Anartisticdiscriminationeconomizedhersurplusenergy。"Efyou’llnotiss，"saidDan，withalargeparentalsoftness，"sheneverletsherselfouttoonstlikethemmulesoranyjackassezI’veheerdof，butkinderholdsherselfin，and，sotospeak，takesherbearings——sorterfeelsroundgentlywiththatofffoot，takesherdistanceandherrest，andthenwiththatar’

foothoverin’roundintheairsoftly，likeanangel’swing，andagentle，dreamykindo’lookinthemeyes，shelitesout！Don’tye，Jinny？Thar！jistezItoldye，"continuedDan，withanartist’snobleforgetfulnessofself，asheslowlycrawledfromthesplinteredruinofthebarrelonwhichhehadbeensitting。"Thur！

didyeeverseethelike！DidyedreamthatallthewhileIwastalkin’shewasameditatin’that？"

Thesameartisticperceptionandnoblereticencedistinguishedherbray。Itwasoneofwhichalesssagaciousanimalwouldhavebeenfoolishlyvainorostentatiouslyprodigal。Itwasacontraltoofgreatcompassandprofundity——reachingfromlowGtohighC——

perhapsatriflestrongerinthelowerregister，andnotaltogetherfreefromanasalfalsettointheupper。Daringandbrilliantasitwasinthemiddlenotes，itwasperhapsmoremusicallyremarkableforitsgreatsustainingpower。Theelementofsurprisealwaysenteredintothehearer’senjoyment；longafteranyordinarystrainofhumanoriginwouldhaveceased，faintechoesofJinny’slastnotewereperpetuallyrecurring。Butitwasasanintellectualandmoralexpressionthatherbraywasperfect。Asfarbeyondhersizeaswereheraspirations，itwasafreeandrunningcommentaryofscornatallcreatedthingsextant，withironicalandsardonicadditionsthatwereterrible。Itreviledallhumanendeavor，itquenchedallsentiment，itsuspendedfrivolity，itscatteredreverie，itparalyzedaction。Itwasomnipotent。

Morewonderfulandcharacteristicthanall，theveryexistenceofthistremendousorganwasunknowntothecampforsixmonthsafterthearrivalofitsmodestowner，andonlyrevealedtothemundercircumstancesthatseemedtopointmoreconclusivelythanevertoherrarediscretion。

Itwasthebeginningofawarmnightandthemiddleofaheatedpoliticaldiscussion。Sawyer’sBarhadgatheredinforceattheCrossing，andbythelightofflaringpinetorches，cheeredandapplaudedtherivalspeakerswhofromarudeplatformaddressedtheexcitedmultitude。Partisanspiritatthattimeranhighinthefoot-hills；criminationandrecrimination，challenge，reply，accusation，andretorthadalreadyinflamedthemeeting，andColonelBungstarter，afterawitheringreviewofhisopponent’spolicy，culminatedwithapersonalattackuponthecareerandprivatecharacteroftheeloquentandchivalrousColonelCulpepperStarbottleofSiskiyou。Thateloquentandchivalrousgentlemanwasknowntobepresent；itwasrumoredthattheattackwasexpectedtoprovokeachallengefromColonelStarbottlewhichwouldgiveBungstarterthechoiceofweapons，anddepriveStarbottleofhisadvantageasadeadshot。ItwaswhisperedalsothatthesagaciousStarbottle，awareofthisfact，wouldretaliateinkindsooutrageouslyastoleaveBungstarternorecoursebuttodemandsatisfactiononthespot。AsColonelStarbottlerose，theeagercrowddrewtogether，elbowingeachotherinraptandecstaticexpectancy。"Hecan’tgetevenonBungstarter，onlessheallowshissisterranoffwithanigger，orthatheputuphisgrandmotheratdrawpokerandlosther，"whisperedtheQuartzCrusher；"kinhe？"Allearswerealert，particularlytheverylongandhairyonesjustrisingabovetherailingofthespeaker’splatform；forJinny，havingafemininedistrustofsolitudeandafondnessforshow，hadfollowedhermastertothemeetingandhadinsinuatedherselfupontheplatform，wherewaywasmadeforherwiththatfrontiercourtesyalwaysextendedtoherageandsex。

ColonelStarbottle，stertorousandpurple，advancedtotherailing。

Thereheunbuttonedhiscollarandlaidhisneckclothaside，thenwithhiseyefixedonhisantagonisthedrewoffhisbluefrockcoat，andthrustingonehandintohisruffledshirtfront，andraisingtheothertothedarkcanopyabovehim，heopenedhisvindictivelips。Theaction，theattitude，wereStarbottle’s。Butthevoicewasnot。Foratthatsuprememoment，abray——soprofound，soappalling，soutterlysoul-subduing，soparalyzingthateverythingelsesanktomereinsignificancebesideit——filledwoods，andsky，andair。Foramomentonlythemultitudegaspedinspeechlessastonishment——itwasamomentonly——andthenthewelkinroaredwiththeirshouts。Invainsilencewascommanded，invainColonelStarbottle，withaghastlysmile，remarkedthatherecognizedintheinterruptionthevoiceandtheintellectoftheopposition；thelaughcontinued，themoreasitwasdiscoveredthatJinnyhadnotyetfinished，andwasstillrecurringtoheroriginaltheme。"Gentlemen，"gaspedStarbottle，"anyattemptby[Hee-haw！

fromJinny]brutalbuffoonerytorestricttherightoffreespeechtoall[aprolongedassentfromJinny]isworthyonlythedastardly"——buthereadiminuendosolongdrawnastoappearastrikingimitationoftheColonel’sownapoplecticsentencesdrownedhisvoicewithshrieksoflaughter。

ItmustnotbesupposedthatduringthisperformanceavigorousattemptwasnotmadetooustJinnyfromtheplatform。Butallinvain。Equallydemoralizingineitherextremity，Jinnyspeedilyclearedacirclewithherflyinghoofs，smashedthespeaker’stableandwaterpitcher，senttherailingflyinginfragmentsoverthecheeringcrowd，andonlysuccumbedtotwoblankets，inwhich，withherheadconcealed，shewasfinallydragged，halfcaptive，halfvictor，fromthefield。Eventhenamuffledandsupplementalbraythatcamefromthewoodsatintervalsdrewhalfthecrowdawayandreducedtheotherhalftomereperfunctoryhearers。Thedemoralizedmeetingwasadjourned；ColonelStarbottle’switheringreplyremainedunuttered，andtheBungstarterpartyweretriumphant。

FortherestoftheeveningJinnywastheheroineofthehour，butnocajolerynorflatterycouldinducehertoagainexhibitherpowers。InvaindidDeanofAngel’sextemporizeashortharangueinthehopethatJinnywouldbetemptedtoreply；invainwaseveryprovocationofferedthatmightstinghersensitivenaturetoeloquentrevolt。Sherepliedonlywithherheels。Whetherornotthiswassimplecaprice，orwhethershewassatisfiedwithhermaideneffort，orindignantathersubsequenttreatment，sheremainedsilent。"Shemadeherlittlegame，"saidDan，whowasapoliticaladherentofStarbottle’s，andwhoyetfromthatdayenjoyedthegreatspeaker’sundyinghatred，"andevenifmeandherdon’tagreeonpolitics——YOUletheralone。"Alas，itwouldhavebeenwellforDanifhecouldhavebeentruetohisinstincts，buttheofferofonehundreddollarsfromtheBungstarterpartyprovedtootempting。Shepassedirrevocablyfromhishandsintothoseoftheenemy。Butanyreaderoftheselineswill，Itrust，rejoicetohearthatthisattempttorestrainfreepoliticalexpressioninthefoot-hillsfailedsignally。For，althoughshewasagaincovertlyintroducedontheplatformbytheBungstarters，andplacedfacetofacewithColonelStarbottleatMurphy’sCamp，shewasdumb。Evenabrassbandfailedtoexciteheremulation。Eithershehadbecomedisgustedwithpoliticsorthehigherpricespaidbythepartytootherandlesseffectivespeakersarousedherjealousyandshockedherself-esteem，butsheremainedapassivespectator。WhentheHon。SylvesterRourback，whoreceived，fortheuseofhispoliticalfacultiesforasinglenight，doublethesumforwhichshewaspurchasedoutright，appearedonthesameplatformwithherself，sheforsookithurriedlyandtooktothewoods。HereshemighthavestarvedbutfortheinterventionofoneMcCarty，apoormarketgardener，whofoundher，andgaveherfoodandshelterundertheimpliedcontractthatsheshouldforsakepoliticsandgotowork。

Thelattersheforalongtimeresisted，butasshewasconsideredlargeenoughbythistimetodrawacart，McCartybrokehertosingleharness，withaseverefractureofhislegandthelossoffourteethandasmallspringwagon。Atlength，whenshecouldbetrustedtocarryhiswarestoMurphy’sCamp，andcouldbecheckedfromenteringashopwiththecartattachedtoher，——afactofwhichshealwaysaffectedperfectdisbelief，——hereducationwasconsideredascompleteasthatoftheaverageCaliforniadonkey。

Itwasstillunsafetoleaveheralone，asshedislikedsolitude，andalwaysmadeitapointtojoinanygroupofloungerswithherunnecessarycart，andeventofollowsomegood-lookingminertohiscabin。ThefirsttimethispeculiaritywasdiscoveredbyherownerwasonhisreturntothestreetafterdrivingabargainwithinthewallsoftheTemperanceHotel。Jinnywasnowheretobeseen。Herdeviouscourse，however，waspleasinglyindicatedbyvegetablesthatstrewedtheroaduntilshewasatlasttrackedtotheverandaoftheArcadesaloon，whereshewasfoundlookingthroughthewindowatagameofeuchre，andonlydeterredbytheimpedingcartfromenteringthebuilding。AvisitoneSundaytothelittleCatholicchapelatFrenchCamp，wheresheattemptedtointroduceanantiphonalserviceandthecart，broughtshameanddisgraceuponherunluckymaster。Forthecartcontainedfreshly-gatheredvegetables，andthefactthatMcCartyhadbeenSabbath-breakingwaspainfullyevident。FatherSullivanwasquicktoturnanincidentthatprovokedonlytherisibilitiesofhisaudienceintoamorallesson。"It’sthepoordumbbeastthathasamoreChristiansowlthanMichael，"hecommented；buthereJinnyassentedsopositivelythattheywerefaintodragherawaybymainforce。

Tohereccentricandthoughtlessyouthsucceededacalmmaturityinwhichherconservativesagacitywassteadilydeveloped。Shenowworkedforherliving，subject，however，toanicediscriminationbywhichshelimitedherselftoacertainamountofwork，beyondwhichneitherthreats，beatings，norcajolerieswouldforceher。

AtcertainhoursshewouldstartforthestablewithorwithouttheincumbrancesofthecartorMichael，turningtwolonganddeafearsonallexpostulationorentreaty。"Now，Godbegoodtome，"saidMichael，onedaypickinghimselfoutfromaditchashegazedsorrowfullyaftertheflyingheelsofJinny，"butit’sonlythesecondloadofcabbagesI’mbringin’theday，andifshe’sshtruckNOW，it’sruinedIamentoirely。"Buthewasmistaken；aftertwohoursofruminationJinnyreturnedofherownfreewill，havingevidentlymistakenthetime，anditissaidevenconsentedtodrawanextraloadtomakeupthedeficiency。ItmaybeimaginedfromthisandothercircumstancesthatMichaelstoodalittleinaweofJinny’ssuperiorintellect，andthatJinnyoccasionally，withtheinstinctofhersex，presumeduponit。AftertheSundayepisode，alreadyreferredto，shewasgivenherlibertyonthatday，aprivilegeshegracefullyrecognizedbysomewhatunbendingherusualausterityintheindulgenceofasaturninehumor。Shewouldvisittheminingcamps，and，grazinglazilyandthoughtfullybeforethecabins，would，byvariousartificesandcoquetriesknowntothefemaleheart，inducesomecredulousstrangertoapproachherwiththeintentionoftakingaride。Shewouldsubmithesitatinglytoahalter，allowhimtomountherback，and，witheveryexpressionoftimidandfearfulreluctance，atlastpermithimtoguideherinalaborioustrotoutofsightofhumanhabitation。Whathappenedthenwasneverclearlyknown。Inafewmomentsthecampwouldbearousedbyshoutsandexecrations，andthespectacleofJinnytearingbyatafrightfulpace，withthestrangerclingingwithhisarmsaroundherneck，afraidtoslipoff，fromterrorofhercircumvolvingheels，andvainlyimploringassistance。Againandagainshewoulddashbytheapplaudinggroups，addingtheaggravationofhervoicetothedangerofherheels，untilsuddenlywheeling，shewouldgalloptoCarter’sPond，anddepositherlucklessfreightinthemuddyditch。ThispracticaljokewasrepeateduntiloneSundayshewasapproachedbyJuanRamirez，aMexicanvaquero，bootedandspurred，andcarryingariata。Acrowdwasassembledtoseeherdiscomfiture。But，totheintensedisappointmentofthecamp，Jinny，afterquietlysurveyingthestranger，utteredasardonicbray，andambledawaytothelittlecemeteryonthehill，whosetangledchapparaleffectuallypreventedallpursuitbyherskilledantagonist。Fromthatdaysheforsookthecamp，andspentherSabbathsinmortuaryreflectionsamongthepinehead-boardsandcold"hicjacets"ofthedead。

Happywouldithavebeenifthiscircumstance，whichresultedintheonepoeticepisodeofherlife，hadoccurredearlier；forthecemeterywasthefavoriteresortofMissJessieLawton，agentleinvalidfromSanFrancisco，whohadsoughtthefoot-hillsforthebalsamofpineandfir，andinthefainthopethatthefreshnessofthewildrosesmightcallbackherown。TheextendedviewsfromthecemeterysatisfiedMissLawton’sartistictaste，andherefrequently，withhersketch-bookinhand，sheindulgedthattasteandacertainshyreservewhichkeptherfromcontactwithstrangers。Ononeoftheleavesofthatsketch-bookappearsastudyofadonkey’shead，beingnoneotherthanthegravefeaturesofJinny，asonceprojectedtimidlyovertheartist’sshoulder。

Thepreliminariesofthisintimacyhavenevertranspired，norisitasettledfactifJinnymadethefirstadvances。TheresultwasonlyknowntothemenofSawyer’sBarbyavisionwhichremainedfreshintheirmemorieslongafterthegentleladyandherfour-

footedfriendhadpassedbeyondtheirvoices。Astwoofthetunnel-menwerereturningfromworkoneevening，theychancedtolookupthelittletrail，keptsacredfromsecularintrusion，thatledfromthecemeterytothesettlement。Inthedimtwilight，againstasunsetsky，theybeheldapale-facedgirlridingslowlytowardthem。Withadelicateinstinct，newtothoseroughmen，theydrewcloserintheshadowofthebushesuntilshepassed。

TherewasnomistakingthefamiliargrotesquenessofJinny；therewasnomistakingthelanguidgraceofMissLawton。ButawreathofwildroseswasaroundJinny’sneck，fromherlongearsfloatedMissJessie’shatribbons，andamischievous，girlishsmilewasuponMissJessie’sface，asfreshastheazaleasinherhair。Bythenextdaythestoryofthisgentleapparitionwasknowntoadozenminersincamp，andallweresworntosecrecy。Butthenextevening，andthenext，fromthesafeshadowsofthewoodstheywatchedanddrankinthebeautyofthatfancifulandallunconsciousprocession。Theykepttheirsecret，andneverawhisperorfootfallfromtheseroughmenbrokeitscharmorbetrayedtheirpresence。Themanwhocouldhaveshockedthesensitivereserveoftheyounggirlwouldhavepaidforitwithhislife。

Andthenonedaythecharacteroftheprocessionchanged，andthislittleincidenthavingbeentold，itwaspermittedthatJinnyshouldfollowherfriend，caparisonedevenasbefore，butthistimebytherougherbutnolesslovinghandsofmen。Whenthecortegereachedtheferrywherethegentlegirlwastobeginhersilentjourneytothesea，Jinnybrokefromthosewhoheldher，andafterafranticefforttomountthebargefellintotheswiftlyrushingStanislaus。Adozenstoutarmswerestretchedtosaveher，andaropeskilfullythrownwascaughtaroundherfeet。Foraninstantshewaspassive，and，asitseemed，saved。Butthenextmomentherdominantinstinctreturned，andwithonestrokeofherpowerfulheelshesnappedtheropeintwainandsodriftedwithhermistresstothesea。

ROGERCATRON’SFRIEND

Ithinkthat，fromthebeginning，weallknewhowitwouldend。Hehadalwaysbeensoquietandconventional，althoughbynatureanimpulsiveman；alwayssotemperateandabstemious，althoughamanwithaquickappreciationofpleasure；alwayssocautiousandpractical，althoughanimaginativeman，thatwhen，atlast，onebyoneheloosedthesebands，andgavehimselfuptoalife，perhapsnotworsethanotherliveswhichtheworldhasacceptedasthenaturalexpressionoftheirvariousowners，weatoncedecidedthatthecasewasahopelessone。AndwhenonenightwepickedhimupoutoftheUnionDitch，abegrimedandweather-worndrunkard，ahopelessdebtor，aself-confessedspendthrift，andahalf-

conscious，maudlinimbecile，weknewthattheendhadcome。Thewifehehadabandonedhadinturndesertedhim；thewomanhehadmisledhadalreadyrealizedherfolly，andlefthimwithherreproaches；theassociatesofhisrecklesslife，whohadusedandabusedhim，hadfoundhimnolongerofservice，orevenamusement，andclearlytherewasnothinglefttodobuttohandhimovertothestate，andwetookhimtothenearestpenitentialasylum。

ConsciousoftheSamaritandeed，wewentbacktoourrespectivewives，andtoldhisstory。Itisonlyjusttosaythatthesesympatheticcreaturesweremoreinterestedinthephilanthropyoftheirrespectivehusbandsthaninitsmiserableobject。"Itwasgoodandkindinyou，dear，"saidlovingMrs。Mastontoherspouse，asreturninghomethatnightheflunghiscoatonachairwithanairoffatiguedrighteousness；"itwaslikeyourkindhearttocareforthatbeast；butafterheleftthatgoodwifeofhis——thatperfectsaint——totakeupwiththatawfulwoman，IthinkI’dhavelefthimtodieintheditch。Onlytothinkofit，dear，awomanthatyouwouldn’tspeakto！"HereMr。Mastoncoughedslightly，coloredalittle，mumbledsomethingabout"womennotunderstandingsomethings，""thatmenweremen，"etc。，andthenwentcomfortablytosleep，leavingtheoutcast，happilyobliviousofallthings，andespeciallythiscriticism，lockedupinHangtownJail。

Forthenexttwelvehourshelaythere，apatheticandhalf-

conscious。Recoveringfromthisafterawhile，hebecamefurious，vengeful，andunmanageable，fillingthecellandcorridorwithmaledictionsoffriendandenemy；andagainsullen，morose，andwatchful。Thenherefusedfood，anddidnotsleep，pacinghislimitswiththeincessant，feverishtreadofacagedtiger。Twophysicians，diagnosinghiscasefromthescantfacts，pronouncedhiminsane，andhewasaccordinglytransportedtoSacramento。Butonthewaythitherhemanagedtoeludethevigilanceofhisguards，andescaped。Thealarmwasgiven，ahueandcryfollowedhim，thebestdetectivesofSanFranciscowereonhistrack，andfinallyrecoveredhisdeadbody——emaciatedandwastedbyexhaustionandfever——intheStanislausMarshes，identifiedit，and，receivingtherewardof$1，000offeredbyhissurvivingrelativesandfamily，assistedinlegallyestablishingtheendwehadpredicted。

Unfortunatelyforthemoral，thefactsweresomewhatinconsistentwiththetheory。Adayortwoaftertheremainswerediscoveredandidentified，therealbodyof"RogerCatron，aged52years，slight，iron-grayhair，andshabbyinapparel，"astheadvertisementread，draggeditself，travel-worn，trembling，anddisheveled，upthesteepslopeofDeadwoodHill。Howheshoulddoit，hehadlongsincedetermined，——eversincehehadhiddenhisDerringer，amerebabypistol，fromthevigilanceofhiskeepers。

Whereheshoulddoit，hehadsettledwithinhismindonlywithinthelastfewmoments。DeadwoodHillwasseldomfrequented；hisbodymightliethereformonthsbeforeitwasdiscovered。Hehadoncethoughtoftheriver，butherememberedithadanuglywayofexposingitssecretsonsandbarandshallow，andthatthebodyofWhiskyJim，bloatedanddisfiguredalmostbeyondrecognition，hadbeenoncedeliveredtotheeyesofSandyBar，beforebreakfast，ontheleftbankoftheStanislaus。Hetoiledupthroughthechimisalthatclothedthesouthernslopeofthehilluntilhereachedthebald，storm-scarredcapofthemountain，ironicallydeckedwiththepicked，featherlessplumesofafewdyingpines。One，strippedofallbuttwolateralbranches，broughtaboyishrecollectiontohisfeveredbrain。Againstabackgroundofdullsunsetfire，itextendedtwogauntarms——black，rigid，andpathetic。Calvary！

Withtheveryworduponhislips，hethrewhimself，facedownwards，onthegroundbeneathit，and，withhisfingersclutchedinthesoil，laythereforsomemoments，silentandstill。Inthisattitude，albeitaskepticandunorthodoxman，heprayed。Icannotsay——indeedIDAREnotsay——thathisprayerwasheard，orthatGodvisitedhimthus。LetusratherhopethatalltherewasofGodinhim，inthiscrucialmomentofagonyandshame，stroveoutwardandupward。Howbeit，whenthemoonroseherosetoo，perhapsatriflelesssteadythantheplanet，andbegantodescendthehillwithfeverishhaste，yetwiththismarkeddifferencebetweenhispresenthasteandhisformerrecklessness，thatitseemedtohaveawell-

definedpurpose。Whenhereachedtheroadagain，hestruckintoawell-worntrail，where，inthedistance，alightfaintlytwinkled。

Followingthisbeacon，hekepton，andatlastflunghimselfheavilyagainstthedoorofthelittlecabinfromwhosewindowthelighthadshone。Ashedidso，itopeneduponthefigureofasquare，thicksetman，who，intheimpetuosityofCatron’sonset，receivedhim，literally，inhisarms。

"CaptainDick，"saidRogerCatron，hoarsely，"CaptainDick，saveme！ForGod’ssake，saveme！"

CaptainDick，withoutaword，placedalarge，protectinghanduponCatron’sshoulder，allowedittosliptohiswaist，andthendrewhisvisitorquietly，butfirmly，withinthecabin。Yet，intheverymovement，hehadmanagedtogentlyandunobtrusivelypossesshimselfofCatron’spistol。

"Saveye！Fromwhich？"askedCaptainDick，asquietlyandunobtrusivelydroppingtheDerringerinafloursack。

"Fromeverything，"gaspedCatron，"fromthementhatarehoundingme，frommyfamily，frommyfriends，butmostofall——from，from——

myself！"

Hehad，inturn，graspedCaptainDick，andforcedhimfrenziedlyagainstthewall。Thecaptainreleasedhimself，and，takingthehandsofhisexcitedvisitor，saidslowly，——

"Yewansomebluemass——suthin’tounloadyourliver。I’llgetitupforye。"

"But，CaptainDick，I’manoutcast，shamed，disgraced——"

"Twoonthempillstakennow，andtwointhemorning，"continuedthecaptain，gravely，rollingabolusinhisfingers，"willbringyerheadtothewindagain。Yerfallin’toleewardallthetime，andyewanttobraceup。"

"But，Captain，"continuedtheagonizedman，againclutchingthesinewyarmsofhishost，andforcinghislividfaceandfixedeyeswithinafewinchesofCaptainDick’s，"hearme！Youmustandshallhearme。I’vebeeninjail——doyouhear？——injail，likeacommonfelon。I’vebeensenttotheasylum，likeadementedpauper。I’ve——"

"Twonow，andtwointhemorning，"continuedthecaptain，quietlyreleasingonehandonlytoplacetwoenormouspillsinthemouthoftheexcitedCatron，"tharnow——adrinko’whisky——thar，that’lldo——

justenoughtotakethetasteoutofyermouth，washitdown，andbelayit，sotospeak。Andhowarethemillsrunning，gin’rally，overattheBar？"

"CaptainDick，hearme——ifyouAREmyfriend，forGod’ssakehearme！AnhouragoIshouldhavebeenadeadman——"

"TheysaythatSamBolinhezsoldoutoftheExcelsior——"

"CaptainDick！Listen，forGod’ssake；Ihavesuffered——"

ButCaptainDickwasengagedincriticallyexamininghisman。"I

guessI’llladleyeoutsomeo’thatsoothin’mixtureIboughtdownatSimpson’st’otherday，"hesaid，reflectively。"AndI

onderstandtheboysupontheBarthinktherainswillsetinairly。"

ButhereNaturewasomnipotent。Wornbyexhaustion，excitement，andfever，andpossiblyalittleaffectedbyCaptainDick’slaterpotion，RogerCatronturnedwhite，andlapsedagainstthewall。InaninstantCaptainDickhadcaughthim，asachild，liftedhiminhisstalwartarms，wrappedablanketaroundhim，anddepositedhiminhisbunk。Yet，eveninhisprostration，Catronmadeonemoredespairingappealformentalsympathyfromhishost。

"IknowI’msick——dying，perhaps，"hegasped，fromundertheblankets；"butpromiseme，whatevercomes，tellmywife——sayto——"

"Ithasbeenlookin’consid’blelikerain，lately，hereabouts，"

continuedthecaptain，coolly，inakindofamphibiousslang，characteristicoftheman，"butintheseyerlatitudesnomankinsetuptobeaweathersharp。"

"Captain！willyouhearme？"

"Yergoin’tosleep，now，"saidthecaptain，potentially。

"But，Captain，theyarepursuingme！Iftheyshouldtrackmehere？"

"Tharisarifleoverthar，andyer’smynavyrevolver。WhenI’veemptiedthem，andwantyoutobearahand，I’llcallye。Justnowyourlayistoturnin。It’smywatch。"

Therewassomethingsopositive，strong，assuring，andalittleawesomeinthecaptain’smanner，thatthetrembling，nervously-

prostratedmanbeneaththeblanketsforboretoquestionfurther。

Inafewmomentshisbreathing，albeithurriedandirregular，announcedthatheslept。Thecaptainthenarose，foramomentcriticallyexaminedthesleepingman，holdinghisheadalittleononeside，whistlingsoftly，andsteppingbackwardstogetagoodperspective，butalwayswithcontemplativegoodhumor，asifCatronwereaworkofart，whichhe（thecaptain）hadcreated，yetonethathewasnotyetentirelysatisfiedwith。Thenheputalargepea-jacketoverhisflannelblouse，draggedaMexicanserapefromthecorner，andputtingitoverhisshoulders，openedthecabindoor，satdownonthedoorstep，andleaningbackagainstthedoor-

post，composedhimselftomeditation。ThemoonliftedherselfslowlyoverthecrestofDeadwoodHill，andlookeddown，notunkindly，onhisbroad，white，shavenface，roundandsmoothasherowndisc，encircledwithathinfringeofwhitehairandwhiskers。

Indeed，helookedsoliketheprevailingcaricaturesinacomicalmanacofplanets，withdimlyoutlinedfeatures，thatthemoonwouldhavebeenquitejustifiedinflirtingwithhim，assheclearlydid，insinuatingatwinkleintohiskeen，grayeyes，makingtheshadowofadimpleonhisbroad，fatchin，andotherwiseidealizinghimafterthefashionofherhero-worshipingsex。

Touchedbythesebenigninfluences，CaptainDickpresentlybrokeforthinmelody。Hissongwasvarious，butchiefly，Ithink，confinedtotherecitaloftheexploitsofone"Lorenzo，"who，asrelatedbyhimself，——

"ShippedonboardofaLiner，’Renzo，boys，Renzo，"——