第5章

"Thengotoworkforme——orformyfather，rather，thoughI

engagealltheservants。Ineedasecondcoachman——"

"Andwearauniform？"heinterruptedsharply，thesneerofthefree—bornWestinhisvoiceandonhislips。

Shesmiledtolerantly。

"Evidentlythatwon’tdo。Letmethink。Yes。Canyoubreakandhandlecolts？"

Henodded。

"Wehaveastockfarm，andthere’sroomforjustsuchamanasyou。Willyoutakeit？"

"WillI，ma’am？"Hisvoicewasrichwithgratitudeandenthusiasm。"Showmetoit。I’lldigrightinto—morrow。AndI

cansurepromiseyouonething，ma’am。You’llneverbesorryforlendingHughieLukeahandinhistrouble——"

"IthoughtyousaidtocallyouDave，"shechidedforgivingly。

"Idid，ma’am。Idid。AndIsurebegyourpardon。Itwasjustplainbluff。MyrealnameisHughieLuke。Andifyou’llgivemetheaddressofthatstockfarmofyours，andtherailroadfare，Iheadforitfirstthinginthemorning。"

Throughouttheconversationshehadneverrelaxedherattemptsonthebell。Shehadpresseditineveryalarmingway——threeshortsandalong，twoandalong，andfive。Shehadtriedlongseriesofshorts，and，once，shehadheldthebuttondownforasolidthreeminutes。Andshehadbeendividedbetweenobjurgationofthestupid，heavy—sleepingbutleranddoubtifthebellwereinorder。

"Iamsoglad，"shesaid;"sogladthatyouarewilling。Therewon’tbemuchtoarrange。ButyouwillfirsthavetotrustmewhileIgoupstairsformypurse。"

Shesawthedoubtflickermomentarilyinhiseyes，andaddedhastily，"ButyouseeIamtrustingyouwiththethreehundreddollars。"

"Ibelieveyou，ma’am，"hecamebackgallantly。"ThoughIjustcan’thelpthisnervousness。"

"ShallIgoandgetit？"

Butbeforeshecouldreceiveconsent，aslightmuffledjarfromthedistancecametoherear。Sheknewitfortheswing—doorofthebutler’spantry。Butsoslightwasit——moreafaintvibrationthanasound——thatshewouldnothaveheardhadnotherearsbeenkeyedandlisteningforit。Yetthemanhadheard。Hewasstartledinhiscomposedway。

"Whatwasthat？"hedemanded。

Foranswer，herlefthandflashedouttotherevolverandbroughtitback。Shehadhadthestartofhim，andsheneededit，forthenextinstanthishandleapedupfromhisside，clutchingemptinesswheretherevolverhadbeen。

"Sitdown！"shecommandedsharply，inavoicenewtohim。

"Don’tmove。Keepyourhandsonthetable。"

Shehadtakenalessonfromhim。Insteadofholdingtheheavyweaponextended，thebuttofitandherforearmrestedonthetable，themuzzlepointed，notathishead，buthischest。Andhe，lookingcoollyandobeyinghercommands，knewtherewasnochanceofthekick—upoftherecoilproducingamiss。Also，hesawthattherevolverdidnotwabble，northehandshake，andhewasthoroughlyconversantwiththesizeofholethesoft—nosedbulletscouldmake。Hehadeyes，notforher，butforthehammer，whichhadrisenunderthepressureofherforefingeronthetrigger。

"IreckonI’dbestwarnyouthatthattheretrigger—pullisfileddreadfulfine。Don’tpresstoohard，orI’llhaveaholeinmethesizeofawalnut。"

Sheslackedthehammerpartlydown。

"That’sbetter，"hecommented。"You’dbestputitdownalltheway。Youseehoweasyitworks。Ifyouwantto，aquicklightpullwilljiffyherupandbackandmakeaprettymessalloveryournicefloor。"

Adooropenedbehindhim，andheheardsomebodyentertheroom。

Buthedidnotturnhisbead。Hewaslookingather，andhefounditthefaceofanotherwoman——hard，cold，pitilessyetbrilliantinitsbeauty。Theeyes，too，werehard，thoughblazingwithacoldlight。

"Thomas，"shecommanded，"gotothetelephoneandcallthepolice。Whywereyousolonginanswering？"

"IcameassoonasIheardthebell，madam，"wastheanswer。

Therobbernevertookhiseyesfromhers，nordidshefromhis，butatmentionofthebellshenoticedthathiseyeswerepuzzledforthemoment。

"Begyourpardon，"saidthebutlerfrombehind，"butwouldn’titbebetterformetogetaweaponandarousetheservants？"

"No;ringforthepolice。Icanholdthisman。Goanddoit——quickly。"

Thebutlerslipperedoutoftheroom，andthemanandthewomansaton，gazingintoeachother’seyes。Toheritwasanexperiencekeenwithenjoyment，andinhermindwasthegossipofhercrowd，andshesawnotesinthesocietyweekliesofthebeautifulyoungMrs。Setliffecapturinganarmedrobbersingle—handed。Itwouldcreateasensation，shewassure。

"Whenyougetthatsentenceyoumentioned，"shesaidcoldly，"youwillhavetimetomeditateuponwhatafoolyouhavebeen，takingotherpersons’propertyandthreateningwomenwithrevolvers。Youwillhavetimetolearnyourlessonthoroughly。

Nowtellthetruth。Youhaven’tanyfriendintrouble。Allthatyoutoldmewaslies。"

Hedidnotreply。Thoughhiseyeswereuponher，theyseemedblank。Intruth，fortheinstantshewasveiledtohim，andwhathesawwasthewidesunwashedspacesoftheWest，wheremenandwomenwerebiggerthantherottendenizens，ashehadencounteredthem，ofthethricerottencitiesoftheEast。

"Goon。Whydon’tyouspeak？Whydon’tyouliesomemore？Whydon’tyoubegtobeletoff？"

"Imight，"heanswered，lickinghisdrylips。"Imightasktobeletoffif……"

"Ifwhat？"shedemandedperemptorily，ashepaused。

"Iwastryingtothinkofawordyouremindedmeof。AsIwassaying，Imightifyouwasadecentwoman。"

Herfacepaled。

"Becareful，"shewarned。

"Youdon’tdastkillme，"hesneered。"Theworld’saprettylowdownplacetohaveathinglikeyouprowlingaroundinit，butitain’tsoplumblowdown，Ireckon，astoletyouputaholeinme。You’resurebad，butthetroublewithyouisthatyou’reweakinyourbadness。Itain’tmuchtokillaman，butyouain’tgotitinyou。There’swhereyouloseout。"

"Becarefulofwhatyousay，"sherepeated。"Orelse，Iwarnyou，itwillgohardwithyou。Itcanbeseentowhetheryoursentenceislightorheavy。"

"Something’sthematterwithGod，"heremarkedirrelevantly，"tobelettingyouaroundloose。It’scleanbeyondmewhathe’supto，playingsuch—liketricksonpoorhumanity。NowifIwasGod——"

Hisfurtheropinionwasinterruptedbytheentranceofthebutler。

"Somethingiswrongwiththetelephone，madam，"heannounced。

"Thewiresarecrossedorsomething，becauseIcan’tgetCentral。"

"Goandcalloneoftheservants，"sheordered。"Sendhimoutforanofficer，andthenreturnhere。"

Againthepairwasleftalone。

"Willyoukindlyansweronequestion，ma’am？"themansaid。

"Thatservantfellowsaidsomethingaboutabell。Iwatchedyoulikeacat，andyousurerungnobell。"

"Itwasunderthetable，youpoorfool。Ipresseditwithmyfoot。"

"Thankyou，ma’am。IreckonedI’dseenyourkindbefore，andnowIsureknowIhave。Ispoketoyoutrueandtrusting，andallthetimeyouwaslyinglikehelltome。"

Shelaughedmockingly。

"Goon。Saywhatyouwish。Itisveryinteresting。"

"Youmadeeyesatme，lookingsoftandkind，playingupallthetimethefactthatyouworeskirtsinsteadofpants——andallthetimewithyourfootonthebellunderthetable。Well，there’ssomeconsolation。I’dsoonerbepoorHughieLuke，doinghistenyears，thanbeinyourskin。Ma’am，hellisfullofwomenlikeyou。"

Therewassilenceforaspace，inwhichtheman，nevertakinghiseyesfromher，studyingher，wasmakinguphismind。

"Goon，"sheurged。"Saysomething。"

"Yes，ma’am，I’llsaysomething。I’llsuresaysomething。DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？I’mgoingtogetrightupfromthischairandwalkoutthatdoor。I’dtakethegunfromyou，onlyyoumightturnfoolishandletitgooff。Youcanhavethegun。It’sagoodone。AsIwassaying，Iamgoingrightoutthatdoor。Andyouain’tgoingtopullthatgunoffeither。Ittakesgutstoshootaman，andyousureain’tgotthem。Nowgetreadyandseeifyoucanpullthattrigger。Iain’tgoingtoharmyou。I’mgoingoutthatdoor，andI’mstarting。"

Keepinghiseyesfixedonher，hepushedbackthechairandslowlystooderect。Thehammerrosehalfway。Shewatchedit。Sodidhe。

"Pullharder，"headvised。"Itain’thalfupyet。Goonandpullitandkillaman。That’swhatIsaid，killaman，spatterhisbrainsoutonthefloor，orslapaholeintohimthesizeofyour。fist。That’swhatkillingamanmeans。"

Thehammerloweredjerkilybutgently。Themanturnedhisbackandwalkedslowlytothedoor。Sheswungtherevolveraroundsothatitboreonhisback。Twiceagainthehammercameuphalfwayandwasreluctantlyeaseddown。

Atthedoorthemanturnedforamomentbeforepassingon。A

sneerwasonhislips。Hespoketoherinalowvoice，almostdrawling，butinitwasthequintessenceofallloathing，ashecalledheranameunspeakableandvile。

THEMEXICAN

NOBODYknewhishistory——theyoftheJuntaleastofall。Hewastheir"littlemystery，"their"bigpatriot，"andinhiswayheworkedashardforthecomingMexicanRevolutionasdidthey。Theyweretardyinrecognizingthis，fornotoneoftheJuntalikedhim。Thedayhefirstdriftedintotheircrowded，busyrooms，theyallsuspectedhimofbeingaspy——oneoftheboughttoolsoftheDiazsecretservice。ToomanyofthecomradeswereincivilanmilitaryprisonsscatteredovertheUnitedStates，andothersofthem，inirons，wereeventhenbeingtakenacrossthebordertobelinedupagainstadobewallsandshot。

Atthefirstsighttheboydidnotimpressthemfavorably。Boyhewas，notmorethaneighteenandnotoverlargeforhisyears。HeannouncedthathewasFelipeRivera，andthatitwashiswishtoworkfortheRevolution。Thatwasall——notawastedword，nofurtherexplanation。Hestoodwaiting。Therewasnosmileonhislips，nogenialityinhiseyes。BigdashingPaulinoVerafeltaninwardshudder。Herewassomethingforbidding，terrible，inscrutable。Therewassomethingvenomousandsnakelikeintheboy’sblackeyes。Theyburnedlikecoldfire，aswithavast，concentratedbitterness。HeflashedthemfromthefacesoftheconspiratorstothetypewriterwhichlittleMrs。Sethbywasindustriouslyoperating。Hiseyesrestedonhersbutaninstant——shehadchancedtolookup——andshe，too，sensedthenamelesssomethingthatmadeherpause。Shewascompelledtoreadbackinordertoregaintheswingofthelettershewaswriting。

PaulinoVeralookedquestioninglyatArrellanoandRamos，andquestioninglytheylookedbackandtoeachother。Theindecisionofdoubtbroodedintheireyes。ThisslenderboywastheUnknown，vestedwithallthemenaceoftheUnknown。Hewasunrecognizable，somethingquitebeyondthekenofhonest，ordinaryrevolutionistswhosefiercesthatredforDiazandhistyrannyafterallwasonlythatofhonestandordinarypatriots。Herewassomethingelse，theyknewnotwhat。ButVera，alwaysthemostimpulsive，thequickesttoact，steppedintothebreach。

"Verywell，"hesaidcoldly。"YousayyouwanttoworkfortheRevolution。Takeoffyourcoat。Hangitoverthere。Iwillshowyou，come——wherearethebucketsandcloths。Thefloorisdirty。Youwillbeginbyscrubbingit，andbyscrubbingthefloorsoftheotherrooms。Thespittoonsneedtobecleaned。

Thentherearethewindows。"

"IsitfortheRevolution？"theboyasked。

"ItisfortheRevolution，"Veraanswered。

Riveralookedcoldsuspicionatallofthem，thenproceededtotakeoffhiscoat。

"Itiswell，"hesaid。

Andnothingmore。Dayafterdayhecametohiswork——sweeping，scrubbing，cleaning。Heemptiedtheashesfromthestoves，broughtupthecoalandkindling，andlightedthefiresbeforethemostenergeticoneofthemwasathisdesk。

"CanIsleephere？"heaskedonce。

Ah，ha！Sothatwasit——thehandofDiazshowingthrough！TosleepintheroomsoftheJuntameantaccesstotheirsecrets，tothelistsofnames，totheaddressesofcomradesdownonMexicansoil。Therequestwasdenied，andRiveraneverspokeofitagain。Heslepttheyknewnotwhere，andatetheyknewnotwherenorhow。Once，Arrellanoofferedhimacoupleofdollars。

Riveradeclinedthemoneywithashakeofthehead。WhenVerajoinedinandtriedtopressituponhim，hesaid：

"IamworkingfortheRevolution。"

Ittakesmoneytoraiseamodernrevolution。andalwaystheJuntawaspressed。Themembersstarvedandtoiled，andthelongestdaywasnonetoolong，andyetthereweretimeswhenitappearedasiftheRevolutionstoodorfellonnomorethanthematterofafewdollars。Once，thefirsttime，whentherentofthehousewastwomonthsbehindandthelandlordwasthreateningdispossession，itwasFelipeRivera，thescrub—boyinthepoor，cheapclothes，wornandthreadbare，wholaidsixtydollarsingoldonMaySethby’sdesk。Therewereothertimes。

Threehundredletters，clickedoutonthebusytypewriters（appealsforassistance，forsanctionsfromtheorganizedlaborgroups，requestsforsquarenewsdealstotheeditorsofnewspapers，protestsagainstthehigh—handedtreatmentofrevolutionistsbytheUnitedStatescourts），layunmailed，awaitingpostage。Vera’swatchhaddisappeared——theold—fashionedgoldrepeaterthathadbeenhisfather’s。

LikewisehadgonetheplaingoldbandfromMaySetbby’sthirdfinger。Thingsweredesperate。RamosandArrellanopulledtheirlongmustachesindespair。Thelettersmustgooff，andthePostOfficeallowednocredittopurchasersofstamps。ThenitwasthatRiveraputonhishatandwentout。Whenhecamebackhelaidathousandtwo—centstampsonMaySethby’sdesk。

"IwonderifitisthecursedgoldofDiaz？"saidVeratothecomrades。

Theyelevatedtheirbrowsandcouldnotdecide。AndFelipeRivera，thescrubberfortheRevolution，continued，asoccasionarose，tolaydowngoldandsilverfortheJunta’suse。

Andstilltheycouldnotbringthemselvestolikehim。Theydidnotknowhim。Hiswayswerenottheirs。Hegavenoconfidences。

Herepelledallprobing。Youththathewas，theycouldnevernervethemselvestodaretoquestionhim。

"Agreatandlonelyspirit，perhaps，Idonotknow，Idonotknow，"Arrellanosaidhelplessly。

"Heisnothuman，"saidRamos。

"Hissoulhasbeenseared，"saidMaySethby。"Lightandlaughterhavebeenburnedoutofhim。Heislikeonedead，andyetheisfearfullyalive。"

"Hehasbeenthroughhell，"saidVera。"Nomancouldlooklikethatwhohasnotbeenthroughhell——andheisonlyaboy。"

Yettheycouldnotlikehim。Henevertalked，neverinquired，neversuggested。Hewouldstandlistening，expressionless，athingdead，saveforhiseyes，coldlyburning，whiletheirtalkoftheRevolutionranhighandwarm。Fromfacetofaceandspeakertospeakerhiseyeswouldturn，boringlikegimletsofincandescentice，disconcertingandperturbing。

"Heisnospy，"VeraconfidedtoMaySethby。"Heisapatriot——markme，thegreatestpatriotofusall。Iknowit，I

feelit，hereinmyheartandheadIfeelit。ButhimIknownotatall。"

"Hehasabadtemper，"saidMaySethby。

"Iknow，"saidVera，withashudder。"Hehaslookedatmewiththoseeyesofhis。Theydonotlove;theythreaten;theyaresavageasawildtiger’s。Iknow，ifIshouldproveunfaithfultotheCause，thathewouldkillme。Hehasnoheart。Heispitilessassteel，keenandcoldasfrost。Heislikemoonshineinawinternightwhenamanfreezestodeathonsomelonelymountaintop。IamnotafraidofDiazandallhiskillers;butthisboy，ofhimamIafraid。Itellyoutrue。Iamafraid。Heisthebreathofdeath。"

YetVeraitwaswhopersuadedtheotherstogivethefirsttrusttoRivera。ThelineofcommunicationbetweenLosAngelesandLowerCaliforniahadbrokendown。Threeofthecomradeshaddugtheirowngravesandbeenshotintothem。TwomorewereUnitedStatesprisonersinLosAngeles。JuanAlvarado，theFederalcommander，wasamonster。Alltheirplansdidhecheckmate。Theycouldnolongergainaccesstotheactiverevolutionists，andtheincipientones，inLowerCalifornia。

YoungRiverawasgivenhisinstructionsanddispatchedsouth。

Whenhereturned，thelineofcommunicationwasreestablished，andJuanAlvaradowasdead。Hehadbeenfoundinbed，aknifehilt—deepinhisbreast。ThishadexceededRivera’sinstructions，buttheyoftheJuntaknewthetimesofhismovements。Theydidnotaskhim。Hesaidnothing。Buttheylookedatoneanotherandconjectured。

"Ihavetoldyou，"saidVera。"Diazhasmoretofearfromthisyouththanfromanyman。Heisimplacable。HeisthehandofGod。"

Thebadtemper，mentionedbyMaySethby，andsensedbythemall，wasevidencedbyphysicalproofs。Nowheappearedwithacutlip，ablackenedcheek，oraswollenear。Itwaspatentthathebrawled，somewhereinthatoutsideworldwhereheateandslept，gainedmoney，andmovedinwaysunknowntothem。Asthetimepassed，hehadcometosettypeforthelittlerevolutionarysheettheypublishedweekly。Therewereoccasionswhenhewasunabletosettype，whenhisknuckleswerebruisedandbattered，whenhisthumbswereinjuredandhelpless，whenonearmortheotherhungwearilyathissidewhilehisfacewasdrawnwithunspokenpain。

"Awastrel，"saidArrellano。

"Afrequenteroflowplaces，"saidRamos。

"Butwheredoeshegetthemoney？"Verademanded。"Onlyto—day，justnow，haveIlearnedthathepaidthebillforwhitepaper——onehundredandfortydollars。"

"Therearehisabsences，"saidMaySethby。"Heneverexplainsthem。"

"Weshouldsetaspyuponhim，"Ramospropounded。

"Ishouldnotcaretobethatspy，"saidVera。"Ifearyouwouldneverseemeagain，savetoburyme。Hehasaterriblepassion。NotevenGodwouldhepermittostandbetweenhimandthewayofhispassion。"

"Ifeellikeachildbeforehim，"Ramosconfessed。

"Tomeheispower——heistheprimitive，thewildwolf，thestrikingrattlesnake，thestingingcentipede，"saidArrellano。

"HeistheRevolutionincarnate，"saidVera。"Heistheflameandthespiritofit，theinsatiablecryforvengeancethatmakesnocrybutthatslaysnoiselessly。Heisadestroyingangelinmovingthroughthestillwatchesofthenight。"

"Icouldweepoverhim，"saidMaySethby。"Heknowsnobody。Hehatesallpeople。Ushetolerates，forwearethewayofhisdesire。Heisalone……lonely。"Hervoicebrokeinahalfsobandtherewasdimnessinhereyes。

Rivera’swaysandtimesweretrulymysterious。Therewereperiodswhentheydidnotseehimforaweekatatime。Once，hewasawayamonth。Theseoccasionswerealwayscappedbyhisreturn，when，withoutadvertisementorspeech，helaidgoldcoinsonMaySethby’sdesk。Again，fordaysandweeks，hespentallhistimewiththeJunta。Andyetagain，forirregularperiods，hewoulddisappearthroughtheheartofeachday，fromearlymorninguntillateafternoon。Atsuchtimeshecameearlyandremainedlate。Arrellanohadfoundhimatmidnight，settingtypewithfreshswollenknuckles，ormayhapitwashislip，new—split，thatstillbled。

II

Thetimeofthecrisisapproached。WhetherornottheRevolutionwouldbedependedupontheJunta，andtheJuntawashard—pressed。Theneedformoneywasgreaterthaneverbefore，whilemoneywashardertoget。Patriotshadgiventheirlastcentandnowcouldgivenomore。Sectionganglaborers—fugitivepeonsfromMexico——werecontributinghalftheirscantywages。

Butmorethanthatwasneeded。Theheart—breaking，conspiring，underminingtoilofyearsapproachedfruition。Thetimewasripe。TheRevolutionhungonthebalance。Oneshovemore，onelastheroiceffort，anditwouldtrembleacrossthescalestovictory。TheyknewtheirMexico。Oncestarted，theRevolutionwouldtakecareofitself。ThewholeDiazmachinewouldgodownlikeahouseofcards。Theborderwasreadytorise。OneYankee，withahundredI。W。W。men，waitedthewordtocrossovertheborderandbegintheconquestofLowerCalifornia。Butheneededguns。AndclearacrosstotheAtlantic，theJuntaintouchwiththemallandallofthemneedingguns，mereadventurers，soldiersoffortune，bandits，disgruntledAmericanunionmen，socialists，anarchists，rough—necks，Mexicanexiles，peonsescapedfrombondage，whippedminersfromthebull—pensofCoeurd’AleneandColoradowhodesiredonlythemorevindictivelytofight——alltheflotsamandjetsamofwildspiritsfromthemadlycomplicatedmodernworld。Anditwasgunsandammunition，ammunitionandguns——theunceasingandeternalcry。

Flingthisheterogeneous，bankrupt，vindictivemassacrosstheborder，andtheRevolutionwason。Thecustomhouse，thenorthernportsofentry，wouldbecaptured。Diazcouldnotresist。Hedarednotthrowtheweightofhisarmiesagainstthem，forhemustholdthesouth。Andthroughthesouththeflamewouldspreaddespite。Thepeoplewouldrise。Thedefensesofcityaftercitywouldcrumpleup。Stateafterstatewouldtotterdown。Andatlast，fromeveryside，thevictoriousarmiesoftheRevolutionwouldcloseinontheCityofMexicoitself，Diaz’slaststronghold。

Butthemoney。Theyhadthemen，impatientandurgent，whowouldusetheguns。Theyknewthetraderswhowouldsellanddelivertheguns。ButtoculturetheRevolutionthusfarhadexhaustedtheJunta。Thelastdollarhadbeenspent，thelastresourceandthelaststarvingpatriotmilkeddry，andthegreatadventurestilltrembledonthescales。Gunsandammunition！Theraggedbattalionsmustbearmed。Buthow？Ramoslamentedhisconfiscatedestates。Arrellanowailedthespendthriftnessofhisyouth。MaySethbywonderedifitwouldhavebeendifferenthadtheyoftheJuntabeenmoreeconomicalinthepast。

"TothinkthatthefreedomofMexicoshouldstandorfallonafewpaltrythousandsofdollars，"saidPaulinoVera。

Despairwasinalltheirfaces。JoseAmarillo，theirlasthope，arecentconvert，whohadpromisedmoney，hadbeenapprehendedathishaciendainChihuahuaandshotagainsthisownstablewall。Thenewshadjustcomethrough。

Rivera，onhisknees，scrubbing，lookedup，withsuspendedbrush，hisbarearmsfleckedwithsoapy，dirtywater。

"Willfivethousanddoit？"heasked。

Theylookedtheiramazement。Veranoddedandswallowed。Hecouldnotspeak，buthewasontheinstantinvestedwithavastfaith。

"Ordertheguns，"Riverasaid，andthereuponwasguiltyofthelongestflowofwordstheyhadeverheardhimutter。"Thetimeisshort。InthreeweeksIshallbringyouthefivethousand。

Itiswell。Theweatherwillbewarmerforthosewhofight。

Also，itisthebestIcando。"

Verafoughthisfaith。Itwasincredible。Toomanyfondhopeshadbeenshatteredsincehehadbeguntoplaytherevolutiongame。HebelievedthisthreadbarescrubberoftheRevolution，andyethedarednotbelieve。

"Youarecrazy，"hesaid。

"Inthreeweeks，"saidRivera。"Ordertheguns。"

Hegotup，rolleddownhissleeves，andputonhiscoat。

"Ordertheguns，"hesaid。

"Iamgoingnow。"

III

Afterhurryingandscurrying，muchtelephoningandbadlanguage，anightsessionwasheldinKelly’soffice。Kellywasrushedwithbusiness;also，hewasunlucky。HehadbroughtDannyWardoutfromNewYork，arrangedthefightforhimwithBillyCarthey，thedatewasthreeweeksaway，andfortwodaysnow，carefullyconcealedfromthesportingwriters，Cartheyhadbeenlyingup，badlyinjured。Therewasnoonetotakehisplace。KellyhadbeenburningthewiresEasttoeveryeligiblelightweight，buttheyweretiedupwithdatesandcontracts。

Andnowhopehadrevived，thoughfaintly。

"You’vegotahellofanerve，"KellyaddressedRivera，afteronelook，assoonastheygottogether。

HatethatwasmalignantwasinRivera’seyes，buthisfaceremainedimpassive。

"IcanlickWard，"wasallhesaid。

"Howdoyouknow？Everseehimfight？"

Riverashookhishead。

"Hecanbeatyouupwithonehandandbotheyesclosed。"

Riverashruggedhisshoulders。

"Haven’tyougotanythingtosay？"thefightpromotersnarled。

"Icanlickhim。"

"Who’dyoueverfight，anyway！"MichaelKellydemanded。Michaelwasthepromotor’sbrother，andrantheYellowstonepoolroomswherehemadegoodlysumsonthefightgame。

Riverafavoredhimwithabitter，unansweringstare。

Thepromoter’ssecretary，adistinctivelysportyyoungman，sneeredaudibly。

"Well，youknowRoberts，"Kellybrokethehostilesilence。"Heoughttobehere。I’vesentforhim。Sitdownandwait，thoughfromthelooksofyou，youhaven’tgotachance。Ican’tthrowthepublicdownwithabumfight。Ringsideseatsaresellingatfifteendollars，youknowthat。"

WhenRobertsarrived，itwaspatentthathewasmildlydrunk。

Hewasatall，lean，slack—jointedindividual，andhiswalk，likehistalk，wasasmoothandlanguiddrawl。

Kellywentstraighttothepoint。

"Lookhere，Roberts，you’vebeenbraggingyoudiscoveredthislittleMexican。YouknowCarthey’sbrokehisarm。Well，thislittleyellowstreakhasthegalltoblowinto—dayandsayhe’lltakeCarthey’splace。Whataboutit？"

"It’sallright，Kelly，"cametheslowresponse。"Hecanputupafight。"

"Isupposeyou’llbesayin’nextthathecanlickWard，"Kellysnapped。

Robertsconsideredjudicially。

"No，Iwon’tsaythat。Ward’satop—notcherandaringgeneral。

Buthecan’thashhouseRiverainshortorder。IknowRivera。

Nobodycangethisgoat。Heain’tgotagoatthatIcouldeverdiscover。Andhe’satwo—handedfighter。Hecanthrowinthesleep—makersfromanyposition。"

"Nevermindthat。Whatkindofashowcanheputup？You’vebeenconditioningandtrainingfightersallyourlife。Itakeoffmyhattoyourjudgment。Canhegivethepublicarunforitsmoney？"

"Hesurecan，andhe’llworryWardamightyheapontopofit。

Youdon’tknowthatboy。Ido。Idiscoveredhim。Heain’tgotagoat。He’sadevil。He’sawizzy—woozifanybodyshouldaskyou。He’llmakeWardsitupwithashowoflocaltalentthat’llmaketherestofyousitup。Iwon’tsayhe’lllickWard，buthe’llputupsuchashowthatyou’llallknowhe’sacomer。"

"Allright。"Kellyturnedtohissecretary。"RingupWard。I

warnedhimtoshowupifIthoughtitworthwhile。He’srightacrossattheYellowstone，throwin’chestsanddoingthepopular。"

Kellyturnedbacktotheconditioner。"Haveadrink？"

Robertssippedhishighballandunburdenedhimself。

"NevertoldyouhowIdiscoveredthelittlecuss。Itwasacoupleofyearsagoheshowedupoutatthequarters。IwasgettingPraynereadyforhisfightwithDelaney。Prayne’swicked。Heain’tgotatickleofmercyinhismake—up。I

choppeduphispardner’ssomethingcruel，andIcouldn’tfindawillingboythat’dworkwithhim。I’dnoticedthislittlestarvedMexicankidhangingaround，andIwasdesperate。SoI

grabbedhim，shovedontheglovesandputhimin。Hewastougher’nrawhide，butweak。Andhedidn’tknowthefirstletterinthealphabetofboxing。Praynechoppedhimtoribbons。Buthehungonfortwosickeningrounds，whenhefainted。Starvation，thatwasall。Battered！Youcouldn’thaverecognizedhim。Igavehimhalfadollarandasquaremeal。Yououghtaseenhimwolfitdown。Hehadn’thadtheendofabiteforacoupleofdays。That’stheendofhim，thinksI。Butnextdayheshowedup，stiffan’sore，readyforanotherhalfandasquaremeal。Andhedonebetterastimewentby。Justabornfighter，andtoughbeyondbelief。Hehasn’taheart。He’sapieceofice。AndhenevertalkedelevenwordsinastringsinceIknowhim。Hesawswoodanddoeshiswork。"

"I’veseen’m，"thesecretarysaid。"He’sworkedalotforyou。"

"Allthebiglittlefellowshastriedoutonhim，"Robertsanswered。"Andhe’slearnedfrom’em。I’veseensomeofthemhecouldlick。Buthisheartwasn’tinit。Ireckonedheneverlikedthegame。Heseemedtoactthatway。"

"He’sbeenfightingsomebeforethelittleclubsthelastfewmonths，"Kellysaid。

"Sure。ButIdon’tknowwhatstruck’m。Allofasuddenhisheartgotintoit。Hejustwentoutlikeastreakandcleanedupallthelittlelocalfellows。Seemedtowantthemoney，andhe’swonabit，thoughhisclothesdon’tlookit。He’speculiar。Nobodyknowshisbusiness。Nobodyknowshowhespendshistime。Evenwhenhe’sonthejob，heplumbupanddisappearsmostofeachdaysoonashisworkisdone。Sometimeshejustblowsawayforweeksatatime。Buthedon’ttakeadvice。

There’safortuneinitforthefellowthatgetsthejobofmanagin’him，onlyhewon’tconsiderit。Andyouwatchhimholdoutforthecashmoneywhenyougetdowntoterms。"

ItwasatthisstagethatDannyWardarrived。Quiteapartyitwas。Hismanagerandtrainerwerewithhim，andhebreezedinlikeagustydraughtofgeniality，good—nature，andall—conqueringness。Greetingsflewabout，ajokehere，aretortthere，asmileoralaughforeverybody。Yetitwashisway，andonlypartlysincere。Hewasagoodactor，andhehadfoundgenialityamostvaluableassetinthegameofgettingonintheworld。Butdownunderneathhewasthedeliberate，cold—bloodedfighterandbusinessman。Therestwasamask。

ThosewhoknewhimortraffickedwithhimsaidthatwhenitcametobrasstackshewasDanny—on—the—Spot。Hewasinvariablypresentatallbusinessdiscussions，anditwasurgedbysomethathismanagerwasablindwhoseonlyfunctionwastoserveasDanny’smouth—piece。

Rivera’swaywasdifferent。Indianblood，aswellasSpanish，wasinhisveins，andhesatbackinacorner，silent，immobile，onlyhisblackeyespassingfromfacetofaceandnotingeverything。

"Sothat’stheguy，"Dannysaid，runninganappraisingeyeoverhisproposedantagonist。"Howdedo，oldchap。"

Rivera’seyesburnedvenomously，buthemadenosignofacknowledgment。HedislikedallGringos，butthisGringohehatedwithanimmediacythatwasunusualeveninhim。

"Gawd！"Dannyprotestedfacetiouslytothepromoter。"Youain’texpectin’metofightadeefmute。"Whenthelaughtersubsided，hemadeanotherhit。"LosAngelesmustbeonthedinkwhenthisisthebestyoucanscareup。Whatkindergartendidyouget’mfrom？"

"He’sagoodlittleboy，Danny，takeitfromme，"Robertsdefended。"Notaseasyashelooks。"

"Andhalfthehouseissoldalready，"Kellypleaded。"You’llhavetotake’mon，Danny。Itisthebestwecando。"

DannyrananothercarelessandunflatteringglanceoverRiveraandsighed。

"Igottabeeasywith’m，Iguess。Ifonlyhedon’tblowup。"

Robertssnorted。

"Yougottabecareful，"Danny’smanagerwarned。"Notakingchanceswithadubthat’slikelytosneakaluckyoneacross。"

"Oh，I’llbecarefulallright，allright，"Dannysmiled。"I’llgetinatthestartan’nurse’imalongforthedearpublic’ssake。Whatd’yesaytofifteenrounds，Kelly——an’thenthehayforhim？"

"That’lldo，"wastheanswer。"Aslongasyoumakeitrealistic。"

"Thenlet’sgetdowntobiz。"Dannypausedandcalculated。"Ofcourse，sixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts，sameaswithCarthey。Butthesplit’llbedifferent。Eightywilljustaboutsuitme。"Andtohismanager，"Thatright？"

Themanagernodded。

"Here，you，didyougetthat？"KellyaskedRivera。

Riverashookhishead。

"Well，itisthisway，"Kellyexposited。"Thepurse’llbesixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts。You’readub，andanunknown。YouandDannysplit，twentypercentgoin’toyou，an’

eightytoDanny。That’sfair，isn’tit，Roberts？"

"Veryfair，Rivera，"Robertsagreed。

"Yousee，youain’tgotareputationyet。"

"Whatwillsixty—fivepercentofthegatereceiptsbe？"Riverademanded。

"Oh，maybefivethousand，maybeashighaseightthousand，"

Dannybrokeintoexplain。"Somethinglikethat。Yourshare’llcometosomethinglikeathousandorsixteenhundred。Prettygoodfortakin’alickingfromaguywithmyreputation。Whatd’yesay？"

ThenRiveratooktheirbreathsaway。"Winnertakesall，"hesaidwithfinality。

Adeadsilenceprevailed。

"It’slikecandyfromababy，"Danny’smanagerproclaimed。

Dannyshookhishead。

"I’vebeeninthegametoolong，"heexplained。

"I’mnotcastingreflectionsonthereferee，orthepresentcompany。I’mnotsayin’nothingaboutbook—makersan’frame—upsthatsometimeshappen。ButwhatIdosayisthatit’spoorbusinessforafighterlikeme。Iplaysafe。There’snotellin’。MebbeIbreakmyarm，eh？Orsomeguyslipsmeabunchofdope？"Heshookhisheadsolemnly。"Winorlose，eightyismysplit。Whatd’yesay，Mexican？"

Riverashookhishead。

Dannyexploded。Hewasgettingdowntobrasstacksnow。

"Why，youdirtylittlegreaser！I’veamindtoknockyourblockoffrightnow。"

Robertsdrawledhisbodytointerpositionbetweenhostilities。

"Winnertakesall，"Riverarepeatedsullenly。

"Whydoyoustandoutthatway？"Dannyasked。

"Icanlickyou，"wasthestraightanswer。

Dannyhalfstartedtotakeoffhiscoat。But，ashismanagerknew，itwasagrandstandplay。Thecoatdidnotcomeoff，andDannyallowedhimselftobeplacatedbythegroup。Everybodysympathizedwithhim。Riverastoodalone。

"Lookhere，youlittlefool，"Kellytookuptheargument。

"You’renobody。Weknowwhatyouvebeendoingthelastfewmonths——puttingawaylittlelocalfighters。ButDannyisclass。

Hisnextfightafterthiswillbeforthechampionship。Andyou’reunknown。NobodyeverheardofyououtofLosAngeles。"

"Theywill，"Riveraansweredwithashrug，"afterthisfight。"

"Youthinkforasecondyoucanlickme？"Dannyblurtedin。

Riveranodded。

"Oh，come;listentoreason，"Kellypleaded。"Thinkoftheadvertising。"

"Iwantthemoney，"wasRivera’sanswer。

"Youcouldn’twinfrommeinathousandyears，"Dannyassuredhim。

"Thenwhatareyouholdin’outfor？"Riveracountered。"Ifthemoney’sthateasy，whydon’tyougoafterit？"

"Iwill，sohelpme！"Dannycriedwithabruptconviction。"I’Ilbeatyoutodeathinthering，myboy——youmonkeyin’withmethisway。Makeoutthearticles，Kelly。Winnertakeall。Playitupinthesportin’columns。Tell’emit’sagrudgefight。

I’llshowthisfreshkidafew。"

Kelly’ssecretaryhadbeguntowrite，whenDannyinterrupted。

"Holdon！"HeturnedtoRivera。

"Weights？"

"Ringside，"cametheanswer。

"Notonyourlife，FreshKid。Ifwinnertakesall，weweighinattenA。M。"

"Andwinnertakesall？"Riveraqueried。

Dannynodded。Thatsettledit。Hewouldentertheringinhisfullripenessofstrength。

"Weighinatten，"Riverasaid。

Thesecretary’spenwentonscratching。

"Itmeansfivepounds，"RobertscomplainedtoRivera。

"You’vegiventoomuchaway。You’vethrownthefightrightthere。Danny’lllickyousure。He’llbeasstrongasabull。

You’reafool。Youain’tgotthechanceofadewdropinhell。"

Rivera’sanswerwasacalculatedlookofhatred。EventhisGringohedespised，andhimhadhefoundthewhitestGringoofthemall。

IV

BarelynoticedwasRiveraasheenteredthering。Onlyaveryslightandveryscatteringrippleofhalf—heartedhand—clappinggreetedhim。Thehousedidnotbelieveinhim。HewasthelambledtoslaughteratthehandsofthegreatDanny。Besides，thehousewasdisappointed。IthadexpectedarushingbattlebetweenDannyWardandBillyCarthey，andhereitmustputupwiththispoorlittletyro。Stillfurther，ithadmanifesteditsdisapprovalofthechangebybettingtwo，andeventhree，tooneonDanny。Andwhereabettingaudience’smoneyis，thereisitsheart。

TheMexicanboysatdowninhiscornerandwaited。Theslowminuteslaggedby。Dannywasmakinghimwait。Itwasanoldtrick，buteveritworkedontheyoung，newfighters。Theygrewfrightened，sittingthusandfacingtheirownapprehensionsandacallous，tobacco—smokingaudience。Butforoncethetrickfailed。Robertswasright。Riverahadnogoat。He，whowasmoredelicatelycoordinated，morefinelynervedandstrungthananyofthem，hadnonervesofthissort。Theatmosphereofforedoomeddefeatinhisowncornerhadnoeffectonhim。HishandlerswereGringosandstrangers。Alsotheywerescrubs——thedirtydriftageofthefightgame，withouthonor，withoutefficiency。Andtheywerechilled，aswell，withcertitudethattheirswasthelosingcorner。

"Nowyougottabecareful，"SpiderHagertywarnedhim。Spiderwashischiefsecond。"Makeitlastaslongasyoucan——them’smyinstructionsfromKelly。Ifyoudon’t，thepapers’llcallitanotherbumfightandgivethegameabiggerblackeyeinLosAngeles。"

Allofwhichwasnotencouraging。ButRiveratooknonotice。Hedespisedprizefighting。ItwasthehatedgameofthehatedGringo。Hehadtakenupwithit，asachoppingblockforothersinthetrainingquarters，solelybecausehewasstarving。Thefactthathewasmarvelouslymadeforithadmeantnothing。Hehatedit。NotuntilhehadcomeintotheJunta，hadhefoughtformoney，andhehadfoundthemoneyeasy。Notfirstamongthesonsofmenhadhebeentofindhimselfsuccessfulatadespisedvocation。

Hedidnotanalyze。Hemerelyknewthathemustwinthisfight。

Therecouldbenootheroutcome。Forbehindhim，nervinghimtothisbelief，wereprofounderforcesthananythecrowdedhousedreamed。DannyWardfoughtformoney，andfortheeasywaysoflifethatmoneywouldbring。ButthethingsRiverafoughtforburnedinhisbrain——blazingandterriblevisions，that，witheyeswideopen，sittinglonelyinthecorneroftheringandwaitingforhistrickyantagonist，hesawasclearlyashehadlivedthem。

Hesawthewhite—walled，water—powerfactoriesofRioBlanco。

Hesawthesixthousandworkers，starvedandwan，andthelittlechildren，sevenandeightyearsofage，whotoiledlongshiftsfortencentsaday。Hesawtheperambulatingcorpses，theghastlydeath’sheadsofmenwholaboredinthedye—rooms。

Herememberedthathehadheardhisfathercallthedye—roomsthe"suicide—holes，"whereayearwasdeath。Hesawthelittlepatio，andhismothercookingandmoilingatcrudehousekeepingandfindingtimetocaressandlovehim。Andhisfatherhesaw，large，big—moustachedanddeep—chested，kindlyaboveallmen，wholovedallmenandwhoseheartwassolargethattherewaslovetooverflowingstillleftforthemotherandthelittlemuchachoplayinginthecornerofthepatio。InthosedayshisnamehadnotbeenFelipeRivera。IthadbeenFernandez，hisfather’sandmother’sname。HimhadtheycalledJuan。Later，hehadchangedithimself，forhehadfoundthenameofFernandezhatedbyprefectsofpolice，jefespoliticos，andrurales。

Big，heartyJoaquinFernandez！AlargeplaceheoccupiedinRivera’svisions。Hehadnotunderstoodatthetime，butlookingbackhecouldunderstand。Hecouldseehimsettingtypeinthelittleprintery，orscribblingendlesshasty，nervouslinesonthemuch—cluttereddesk。Andhecouldseethestrangeevenings，whenworkmen，comingsecretlyinthedarklikemenwhodidilldeeds，metwithhisfatherandtalkedlonghourswherehe，themuchacho，laynotalwaysasleepinthecorner。

AsfromaremotedistancehecouldhearSpiderHagertysayingtohim："Nolayin’downatthestart。Them’sinstructions。Takeabeatin’andearnyourdough。"

Tenminuteshadpassed，andhestillsatinhiscomer。TherewerenosignsofDanny，whowasevidentlyplayingthetricktothelimit。

ButmorevisionsburnedbeforetheeyeofRivera’smemory。Thestrike，or，rather，thelockout，becausetheworkersofRioBlancohadhelpedtheirstrikingbrothersofPuebla。Thehunger，theexpeditionsinthehillsforberries，therootsandherbsthatallateandthattwistedandpainedthestomachsofallofthem。Andthen，thenightmare;thewasteofgroundbeforethecompany’sstore;thethousandsofstarvingworkers;

GeneralRosalioMartinezandthesoldiersofPorfirioDiaz，andthedeath—spittingriflesthatseemednevertoceasespitting，whiletheworkers’wrongswerewashedandwashedagainintheirownblood。Andthatnight！Hesawtheflatcars，piledhighwiththebodiesoftheslain，consignedtoVeraCruz，foodforthesharksofthebay。Againhecrawledoverthegrislyheaps，seekingandfinding，strippedandmangled，hisfatherandhismother。Hismotherheespeciallyremembered——onlyherfaceprojecting，herbodyburdenedbytheweightofdozensofbodies。AgaintheriflesofthesoldiersofPorfirioDiazcracked，andagainhedroppedtothegroundandslunkawaylikesomehuntedcoyoteofthehills。

Tohisearscameagreatroar，asofthesea，andhesawDannyWard，leadinghisretinueoftrainersandseconds，comingdownthecenteraisle。Thehousewasinwilduproarforthepopularherowhowasboundtowin。Everybodyproclaimedhim。Everybodywasforhim。EvenRivera’sownsecondswarmedtosomethingakintocheerfulnesswhenDannyduckedjauntilythroughtheropesandenteredthering。Hisfacecontinuallyspreadtoanunendingsuccessionofsmiles，andwhenDannysmiledhesmiledineveryfeature，eventothelaughter—wrinklesofthecornersoftheeyesandintothedepthsoftheeyesthemselves。Neverwastheresogenialafighter。Hisfacewasarunningadvertisementofgoodfeeling，ofgoodfellowship。Hekneweverybody。Hejoked，andlaughed，andgreetedhisfriendsthroughtheropes。Thosefartheraway，unabletosuppresstheiradmiration，criedloudly："Oh，youDanny！"Itwasajoyousovationofaffectionthatlastedafullfiveminutes。

Riverawasdisregarded。Forallthattheaudiencenoticed，hedidnotexist。SpiderLagerty’sbloatedfacebentdownclosetohis。

"Nogettin’scared，"theSpiderwarned。

"An’rememberinstructions。Yougottalast。Nolayin’down。Ifyoulaydown，wegotinstructionstobeatyouupinthedressingrooms。Savve？Youjustgottafight。"

Thehousebegantoapplaud。Dannywascrossingtheringtohim。

Dannybentover，caughtRivera’srighthandinbothhisownandshookitwithimpulsiveheartiness。Danny’ssmile—wreathedfacewasclosetohis。TheaudienceyelleditsappreciationofDanny’sdisplayofsportingspirit。Hewasgreetinghisopponentwiththefondnessofabrother。Danny’slipsmoved，andtheaudience，interpretingtheunheardwordstobethoseofakindly—naturedsport，yelledagain。OnlyRiveraheardthelowwords。

"YoulittleMexicanrat，"hissedfrombetweenDanny’sgailysmilinglips，"I’llfetchtheyellowoutayou。"

Riveramadenomove。Hedidnotrise。Hemerelyhatedwithhiseyes。

"Getup，youdog！"somemanyelledthroughtheropesfrombehind。

Thecrowdbegantohissandboohimforhisunsportsmanlikeconduct，buthesatunmoved。AnothergreatoutburstofapplausewasDanny’sashewalkedbackacrossthering。

WhenDannystripped，therewasohs！andahs！ofdelight。Hisbodywasperfect，alivewitheasysupplenessandhealthandstrength。Theskinwaswhiteasawoman’s，andassmooth。Allgrace，andresilience，andpowerresidedtherein。Hehadproveditinscoresofbattles。Hisphotographswereinallthephysicalculturemagazines。

AgroanwentupasSpiderHagertypeeledRivera’ssweateroverhishead。Hisbodyseemedleaner，becauseoftheswarthinessoftheskin。Hehadmuscles，buttheymadenodisplaylikehisopponent’s。Whattheaudienceneglectedtoseewasthedeepchest。Norcoulditguessthetoughnessofthefiberoftheflesh，theinstantaneousnessofthecellexplosionsofthemuscles，thefinenessofthenervesthatwiredeverypartofhimintoaspendidfightingmechanism。Alltheaudiencesawwasabrown—skinnedboyofeighteenwithwhatseemedthebodyofaboy。WithDannyitwasdifferent。Dannywasamanoftwenty—four，andhisbodywasaman’sbody。Thecontrastwasstillmorestrikingastheystoodtogetherinthecenteroftheringreceivingthereferee’slastinstructions。

RiveranoticedRobertssittingdirectlybehindthenewspapermen。Hewasdrunkerthanusual，andhisspeechwascorrespondinglyslower。

"Takeiteasy，Rivera，"Robertsdrawled。

"Hecan’tkillyou，rememberthat。He’llrushyouatthego—off，butdon’tgetrattled。Youjustandstall，andclinch。

Hecan’thurtcoverup，much。Justmakebelievetoyourselfthathe’schoppin’outonyouatthetrainin’quarters。"

Riveramadenosignthathehadheard。

"Sullenlittledevil，"Robertsmutteredtothemannexttohim。

"Healwayswasthatway。"

ButRiveraforgottolookhisusualhatred。Avisionofcountlessriflesblindedhiseyes。Everyfaceintheaidience，farashecouldsee，tothehighdollar—seats，wastransformedintoarifle。AndhesawthelongMexicanborderaridandsun—washedandaching，andalongithesawtheraggedbandsthatdelayedonlyfortheguns。

Backinhiscornerhewaited，standingup。Hissecondshadcrawledoutthroughtheropes，takingthecanvasstoolwiththem。Diagonallyacrossthesquaredring，Dannyfacedhim。Thegongstruck，andthebattlewason。Theaudiencehowleditsdelight。Neverhaditseenabattleopenmoreconvincingly。Thepaperswereright。Itwasagrudgefight。Three—quartersofthedistanceDannycoveredintherushtogettogether，hisintentiontoeatuptheMexicanladplainlyadvertised。Heassailedwithnotoneblow，nortwo，noradozen。Hewasagyroscopeofblows，awhirlwindofdestruction。Riverawasnowhere。Hewasoverwhelmed，buriedbeneathavalanchesofpunchesdeliveredfromeveryangleandpositionbyapastmasterintheart。Hewasoverborne，sweptbackagainsttheropes，separatedbythereferee，andsweptbackagainsttheropesagain。

Itwasnotafight。Itwasaslaughter，amassacre。Anyaudience，saveaprizefightingone，wouldhaveexhausteditsemotionsinthatfirstminute。Dannywascertainlyshowingwhathecoulddo——asplendidexhibition。Suchwasthecertaintyoftheaudience，aswellasitsexcitementandfavoritism，thatitfailedtotakenoticethattheMexicanstillstayedonhisfeet。ItforgotRivera。Itrarelysawhim，socloselywasheenvelopedinDanny’sman—eatingattack。Aminuteofthiswentby，andtwominutes。Then，inaseparation，itcaughtaclearglimpseoftheMexican。Hislipwascut，hisnosewasbleeding。

Asheturnedandstaggeredintoaclinch，theweltsofoozingblood，fromhiscontactswiththeropes，showedinredbars。

acrosshisback。Butwhattheaudiencedidnotnoticewasthathischestwasnotheavingandthathiseyeswerecoldlyburningasever。Toomanyaspiringchampions，inthecruelwelterofthetrainingcamps，hadpracticedthisman—eatingattackonhim。Hehadlearnedtolivethroughforacompensationoffromhalfadollaragouptofifteendollarsaweek——ahardschool，andhewasschooledhard。

Thenhappenedtheamazingthing。Thewhirling，blurringmix—upceasedsuddenly。Riverastoodalone。Danny，theredoubtableDanny，layonhisback。Hisbodyquiveredasconsciousnessstrovetoreturntoit。Hehadnotstaggeredandsunkdown，norhadhegoneoverinalongslumpingfall。TherighthookofRiverahaddroppedhiminmidairwiththeabruptnessofdeath。

TherefereeshovedRiverabackwithonehand，andstoodoverthefallengladiatorcountingtheseconds。Itisthecustomofprize—fightingaudiencestocheeracleanknock—downblow。Butthisaudiencedidnotcheer。Thethinghadbeentoounexpected。

Itwatchedthetollofthesecondsintensesilence，andthroughthissilencethevoiceofRobertsroseexultantly：

"Itoldyouhewasatwo—handedfighter！"

Bythefifthsecond，Dannywasrollingoveronhisface，andwhensevenwascounted，herestedononeknee，readytoriseafterthecountofnineandbeforethecountoften。Ifhiskneestilltouchedthefloorat"ten，"hewasconsidered"down，"andalso"out。"Theinstanthiskneeleftthefloor，hewasconsidered"up，"andinthatinstantitwasRivera’srighttotryandputhimdownagain。Riveratooknochances。Themomentthatkneeleftthefloorhewouldstrikeagain。Hecircledaround，buttherefereecircledinbetween，andRiveraknewthatthesecondshecountedwereveryslow。AllGringoswereagainsthim，eventhereferee。

At"nine"therefereegaveRiveraasharpthrustback。Itwasunfair，butitenabledDannytorise，thesmilebackonhislips。Doubledpartlyover，witharmswrappedaboutfaceandabdomen，hecleverlystumbledintoaclinch。Byalltherulesofthegametherefereeshouldhavebrokenit，buthedidnot，andDannyclungonlikeasurf—batteredbarnacleandmomentbymomentrecuperated。Thelastminuteoftheroundwasgoingfast。Ifhecouldlivetotheend，hewouldhaveafullminuteinhiscornertorevive。Andlivetotheendhedid，smilingthroughalldesperatenessandextremity。

"Thesmilethatwon’tcomeoff！"somebodyyelled，andtheaudiencelaughedloudlyinitsrelief。

"ThekickthatGreaser’sgotissomethingGod—awful，"Dannygaspedinhiscornertohisadviserwhilehishandlersworkedfranticallyoverhim。

Thesecondandthirdroundsweretame。Danny，atrickyandconsummateringgeneral，stalledandblockedandheldon，devotinghimselftorecoveringfromthatdazingfirst—roundblow。Inthefourthroundhewashimselfagain。Jarredandshaken，neverthelesshisgoodconditionhadenabledhimtoregainhisvigor。Buthetriednoman—eatingtactics。TheMexicanhadprovedatartar。Instead，hebroughttobearhisbestfightingpowers。Intricksandskillandexperiencehewasthemaster，andthoughhecouldlandnothingvital，heproceededscientificallytochopandweardownhisopponent。HelandedthreeblowstoRivera’sone，buttheywerepunishingblowsonly，andnotdeadly。Itwasthesumofmanyofthemthatconstituteddeadliness。Hewasrespectfulofthistwo—handeddubwiththeamazingshort—armkicksinbothhisfists。

Indefense，Riveradevelopedadisconcertingstraight—left。

Againandagain，attackafterattackhestraight—leftedawayfromhimwithaccumulateddamagetoDanny’smouthandnose。ButDannywasprotean。Thatwaswhyhewasthecomingchampion。Hecouldchangefromstyletostyleoffightingatwill。Henowdevotedhimselftoinfighting。Inthishewasparticularlywicked，anditenabledhimtoavoidtheother’sstraight—left。

Herehesetthehousewildrepeatedly，cappingitwithamarvelouslockbreakandliftofaninsideupper—cutthatraisedtheMexicanintheairanddroppedhimtothemat。Riverarestedononeknee，makingthemostofthecount，andinthesoulofhimheknewtherefereewascountingshortsecondsonhim。

Again，intheseventh，Dannyachievedthediabolicalinsideuppercut。HesucceededonlyinstaggeringRivera，but，intheensuingmomentofdefenselesshelplessness，hesmashedhimwithanotherblowthroughtheropes。Rivera’sbodybouncedontheheadsofthenewspapermenbelow，andtheyboostedhimbacktotheedgeoftheplatformoutsidetheropes。Hereherestedononeknee，whiletherefereeracedofftheseconds。Insidetheropes，throughwhichhemustducktoenterthering，Dannywaitedforhim。NordidtherefereeinterveneorthrustDannyback。

Thehousewasbesideitselfwithdelight。

"Kill’m，Danny，kill’m！"wasthecry。

Scoresofvoicestookitupuntilitwaslikeawar—chantofwolves。

Dannydidhisbest，butRivera，atthecountofeight，insteadofnine，cameunexpectedlythroughtheropesandsafelyintoaclinch。Nowtherefereeworked，tearinghimawaysothathecouldbehit，givingDannyeveryadvantagethatanunfairrefereecangive。

ButRiveralived，andthedazeclearedfromhisbrain。Itwasallofapiece。TheywerethehatedGringosandtheywereallunfair。Andintheworstofitvisionscontinuedtoflashandsparkleinhisbrain——longlinesofrailroadtrackthatsimmeredacrossthedesert;ruralesandAmericanconstables，prisonsandcalabooses;trampsatwatertanks——allthesqualidandpainfulpanoramaofhisodysseyafterRioBlancaandthestrike。And，resplendentandglorious，hesawthegreat，redRevolutionsweepingacrosshisland。Thegunsweretherebeforehim。Everyhatedfacewasagun。Itwasforthegunshefought。

Hewastheguns。HewastheRevolution。HefoughtforallMexico。

TheaudiencebegantogrowincensedwithRivera。Whydidn’thetakethelickingthatwasappointedhim？Ofcoursehewasgoingtobelicked，butwhyshouldhebesoobstinateaboutit？Veryfewwereinterestedinhim，andtheywerethecertain，definitepercentageofagamblingcrowdthatplayslongshots。BelievingDannytobethewinner，neverthelesstheyhadputtheirmoneyontheMexicanatfourtotenandonetothree。MorethanatriflewasuponthepointofhowmanyroundsRiveracouldlast。Wildmoneyhadappearedattheringsideproclaimingthathecouldnotlastsevenrounds，orevensix。Thewinnersofthis，nowthattheircashriskwashappilysettled，hadjoinedincheeringonthefavorite。

Riverarefusedtobelicked。Throughtheeighthroundhisopponentstrovevainlytorepeattheuppercut。Intheninth，Riverastunnedthehouseagain。Inthemidstofaclinchhebrokethelockwithaquick，lithemovement，andinthenarrowspacebetweentheirbodieshisrightliftedfromthewaist。

Dannywenttothefloorandtookthesafetyofthecount。Thecrowdwasappalled。Hewasbeingbestedathisowngame。Hisfamousright—uppercuthadbeenworkedbackonhim。Riveramadenoattempttocatchhimashearoseat"nine。"Therefereewasopenlyblockingthatplay，thoughhestoodclearwhenthesituationwasreversedanditwasRiverawhodesiredtorise。

Twiceinthetenth，Riveraputthroughtheright—uppercut，liftedfromwaisttoopponent’schin。Dannygrewdesperate。Thesmileneverlefthisface，buthewentbacktohisman—eatingrushes。Whirlwindashewould，becouldnotdamageRivera，whileRiverathroughtheblurandwhirl，droppedhimtothematthreetimesinsuccession。Dannydidnotrecuperatesoquicklynow，andbytheeleventhroundhewasinaseriousway。Butfromthentillthefourteenthheputupthegamestexhibitionofhiscareer。Hestalledandblocked，foughtparsimoniously，andstrovetogatherstrength。Also，hefoughtasfoullyasasuccessfulfighterknowshow。Everytrickanddeviceheemployed，buttingintheclincheswiththeseemingofaccident，pinioningRivera’sglovebetweenarmandbody，heelinghisgloveonRivera’smouthtocloghisbreathing。Often，intheclinches，throughhiscutandsmilinglipshesnarledinsultsunspeakableandvileinRivera’sear。Everybody，fromtherefereetothehouse，waswithDannyandwashelpingDanny。Andtheyknewwhathehadinmind。Bestedbythissurprise—boxofanunknown，hewaspinningallonasinglepunch。Heofferedhimselfforpunishment，fished，andfeinted，anddrew，forthatoneopeningthatwouldenablehimtowhipablowthroughwithallhisstrengthandturnthetide。Asanotherandgreaterfighterhaddonebeforehim，hemightdoarightandleft，tosolarplexusandacrossthejaw。Hecoulddoit，forhewasnotedforthestrengthofpunchthatremainedinhisarmsaslongashecouldkeephisfeet。

Rivera’ssecondswerenothalf—caringforhimintheintervalsbetweenrounds。Theirtowelsmadeashowing，butdrovelittleairintohispantinglungs。SpiderHagertytalkedadvicetohim，butRiveraknewitwaswrongadvice。Everybodywasagainsthim。Hewassurroundedbytreachery。InthefourteenthroundheputDannydownagain，andhimselfstoodresting，handsdroppedatside，whiletherefereecounted。IntheothercornerRiverahadbeennotingsuspiciouswhisperings。HesawMichaelKellymakehiswaytoRobertsandbendandwhisper。Rivera’searswereacat’s，desert—trained，andhecaughtsnatchesofwhatwassaid。Hewantedtohearmore，andwhenhisopponentarosehemaneuveredthefightintoaclinchoveragainsttheropes。

"Gotto，"hecouldhearMichael，whileRobertsnodded。"Danny’sgottowin——Istandtoloseamint——I’vegotatonofmoneycovered——myown。IfhelaststhefifteenthI’mbust——theboy’llmindyou。Putsomethingacross。"

AndthereafterRiverasawnomorevisions。Theyweretryingtojobhim。OnceagainhedroppedDannyandstoodresting，hishandsathisslide。Robertsstoodup。

"Thatsettledhim，"hesaid。

"Gotoyourcorner。"

Hespokewithauthority，ashehadoftenspokentoRiveraatthetrainingquarters。ButRiveralookedhatredathimandwaitedforDannytorise。Backinhiscornerintheminuteinterval，Kelly，thepromoter，cameandtalkedtoRivera。

"Throwit，damnyou，"heraspedin，aharshlowvoice。"Yougottalaydown，Rivera。StickwithmeandI’llmakeyourfuture。I’llletyoulickDannynexttime。Buthere’swhereyoulaydown。"

Riverashowedwithhiseyesthatheheard，buthemadeneithersignofassentnordissent。

"Whydon’tyouspeak？"Kellydemandedangrily。

"Youlose，anyway，"SpiderHagertysupplemented。"Thereferee’lltakeitawayfromyou。ListentoKelly，andlaydown。"

"Laydown，kid，"Kellypleaded，"andI’llhelpyoutothechampionship。"

Riveradidnotanswer。

"Iwill，sohelpme，kid。"

AtthestrikeofthegongRiverasensedsomethingimpending。

Thehousedidnot。Whateveritwasitwasthereinsidetheringwithhimandveryclose。Danny’searliersuretyseemedreturnedtohim。TheconfidenceofhisadvancefrightenedRivera。Sometrickwasabouttobeworked。Dannyrushed，butRiverarefusedtheencounter。Heside—steppedawayintosafety。Whattheotherwantedwasaclinch。Itwasinsomewaynecessarytothetrick。

Riverabackedandcircledaway，yetheknew，soonerorlater，theclinchandthetrickwouldcome。Desperatelyheresolvedtodrawit。HemadeasiftoeffecttheclinchwithDanny’snextrush。Instead，atthelastinstant，justastheirbodiesshouldhavecometogether，Riveradartednimblyback。AndinthesameinstantDanny’scornerraisedacryoffoul。Riverahadfooledthem。Therefereepausedirresolutely。Thedecisionthattrembledonhislipswasneveruttered，forashrill，boy’svoicefromthegallerypiped，"Rawwork！"

DannycursedRiveraopenly，andforcedhim，whileRiveradancedaway。Also，Riveramadeuphismindtostrikenomoreblowsatthebody。Inthishethrewawayhalfhischanceofwinning，butheknewifhewastowinatallitwaswiththeoutfightingthatremainedtohim。Giventheleastopportunity，theywouldlieafoulonhim。Dannythrewallcautiontothewinds。Fortworoundshetoreafterandintotheboywhodarednotmeethimatclosequarters。Riverawasstruckagainandagain;hetookblowsbythedozenstoavoidtheperilousclinch。DuringthissupremefinalrallyofDanny’stheaudiencerosetoitsfeetandwentmad。Itdidnotunderstand。Allitcouldseewasthatitsfavoritewaswinning，afterall。

"Whydon’tyoufight？"itdemandedwrathfullyofRivera。

"You’reyellow！You’reyellow！""Openup，youcur！Openup！"

"Kill’m，Danny！Kill’m！""Yousuregot’m！Kill’m！"

Inallthehouse，barnone，Riverawastheonlycoldman。Bytemperamentandbloodhewasthehottest—passionedthere;buthehadgonethroughsuchvastlygreaterheatsthatthiscollectivepassionoftenthousandthroats，risingsurgeonsurge，wastohisbrainnomorethanthevelvetcoolofasummertwilight。

IntotheseventeenthroundDannycarriedhisrally。Rivera，underaheavyblow，droopedandsagged。Hishandsdroppedhelplesslyashereeledbackward。Dannythoughtitwashischance。Theboywasat，hismercy。ThusRivera，feigning，caughthimoffhisguard，lashingoutacleandrivetothemouth。Dannywentdown。Whenhearose，Riverafelledhimwithadown—chopoftherightonneckandjaw。Threetimesherepeatedthis。Itwasimpossibleforanyrefereetocalltheseblowsfoul。

"Oh，Bill！Bill！"Kellypleadedtothereferee。

"Ican’t，"thatofficiallamentedback。"Hewon’tgivemeachance。"

Danny，batteredandheroic，stillkeptcomingup。Kellyandothersneartotheringbegantocryouttothepolicetostopit，thoughDanny’scornerrefusedtothrowinthetowel。Riverasawthefatpolicecaptainstartingawkwardlytoclimbthroughtheropes，andwasnotsurewhatitmeant。ThereweresomanywaysofcheatinginthisgameoftheGringos。Danny，onhisfeet，totteredgroggilyandhelplesslybeforehim。TherefereeandthecaptainwerebothreachingforRiverawhenhestruckthelastblow。Therewasnoneedtostopthefight，forDannydidnotrise。

"Count！"Riveracriedhoarselytothereferee。

Andwhenthecountwasfinished，Danny’ssecondsgatheredhimupandcarriedhimtohiscorner。

"Whowins？"Riverademanded。

Reluctantly，therefereecaughthisglovedhandandhelditaloft。

TherewerenocongratulationsforRivera。Hewalkedtohiscornerunattended，wherehissecondshadnotyetplacedhisstool。Heleanedbackwardontheropesandlookedhishatredatthem，sweptitonandabouthimtillthewholetenthousandGringoswereincluded。Hiskneestrembledunderhim，andhewassobbingfromexhaustion。Beforehiseyesthehatedfacesswayedbackandforthinthegiddinessofnausea。Thenherememberedtheyweretheguns。Thegunswerehis。TheRevolutioncouldgoon。