第1章

ThesetalesbytheOldCattlemanhavebeensubmittedtoperhapsadozenpeople。Theyhaveread，criticised，andadvised。Theadvicewasgood；thecriticismjust。SomesuggestedasketchwhichmightindetailsetforthToffville；therewerethosewhowantedsomethinglikeapictureoftheOldCattleman；whileothersurgedanelaborationofthepersonalcharacteristicsofOldManEnright，DocPeets，CherokeeHall，Moore，Tutt，Boggs，FaroNell，OldMonte，andTexasThompson。Ihave，how-ever，concludedtoleaveallthesematterstotheillustrationsofMr。Remingtonandtheimaginationsofthosewhoread。Ithinkitthebetterway-certainlyitistheeasieroneforme。IshallthereforepermittheOldCattlemantotellhisstoriesinhisownfashion。Thestylewillbecrude，abrupt，andmeagre，butItrustitwillproveassatisfactorytothereaderasithastome。 A。H。L。 NewYork，May15，1897。 CHAPTERI。 WOLFVILLE\'SFIRSTFUNERAL。 \"TheseyereobsequieswhichI\'maboutmentionin\'，\"observedtheOldCattleman，\"isthefirstrealfuneralWolfvillehas。\" Theoldfellowhadlightedacobpipeandtiltedhischairbackinafashionwhichproclaimedaplantobecomfortable。Hehadbeguntotolerate——evenencourage——mysociety，althoughitwasclearthatasatenderfootheregardedmewithaspeciesofgentledisdain。 IhadprovokedthesubjectoffuneralceremoniesbyarecurrencetotheaffairoftheYellowhouseMan，andaqueryastowhatwouldhavebeentheprogrammeofthepublic-spiritedhamletofWolfvilleifthatinvalidhaddiedinsteadofyieldingtothenursingofJackMooreandthattariffondraw-pokerwhichthegeniusofOldManEnrightdecreed。 Itcameineasyillustration，asanswertomyquestion，fortheOldCattlemantorecallthefuneralofaformerleadingspiritofSouthwesternsociety。ThenameofthisworthywasJackKing；andwithabriefexpositionofhismoresalienttraits，mygrizzledraconteurleddowntohisburialwiththeremarkbeforequoted。 \"Ofcourse，\"continuedtheOldCattleman，\"ofcoursewhilethar\'ssomelikethisYallerhousegentwhosurvives；thar\'sothersoftheboyswhoisdownedonetimean\'another，an\'goesshoutin\'hometoheavenbyvarioustrails。ButontiltheeventInowrecalls，theremaindershasbeenfreightedeastorwesteverytime，an\'thecampgetsleft。It\'shardluck，butatlastitcomestowardus；an\'tharwebeonedaywithacorpseallour\'n，an\'nopartnershipwithnobodynornothin\'。 \"\'It\'sthechanceofourlife，\'saysDocPeets，\'an\'weplaysit。 Thar\'snothin\'toorichforourblood，an\'theseobsequiesisgoin\' tobespread-eagle，youbet!We\'llshowRedDogan\'sim\'larvillagestheyain\'tsign-campscomparedwithWolfville。\' \"Sowebeginstodrawinourbeltsan\'getabigready。JackKing，asIsaysbefore，iscorpse，eemergin\'outenagameofpokerassech。Whichpriortharto，Jack\'sbeenpeevish，an\'pesterin\'an\' pervadin\'\'roundforseveraldays。Thecampstandsaheapo\'troublewithhiman\'triestosmoothitalongbygivin\'himhiswhiskeyan\' hiswayaboutashewants\'em，hopin\'forachange。Butmanisonlyhuman，an\'whenJackstartsinonenighttomakeaflushbeatatrayfullforsevenhundreddollars，heaskstoomuch。 \"Tharain\'tnoondertakers，soweroundsuptheoutfit，an\'knowin\' he\'dtakeaprideinit，an\'dotheslam-upthing，weputsinDocPeetstodealthegameunanimous。 \"\'Gents，\'hesays，aswe-allsturnsintotheRedLighttoberefreshed，\'inassoomin\'thepresentpressureIfeelsthecomplimentspaidmeintheseelection。Ishallactforthecreditofthecamp，an\'Ineedsyourhelp。Idesiresthattheseritesbeahowlin\'vict\'ry。Idon\'twantpeoplecomin\'\'roundnextweekallowin\'tharain\'tbeennofuneral，an\'Idon\'treckonmuchthattheywill。We\'vegotthecorpse，an\'ifwegetsbuckedoffnowit\'sourfault。\' \"Soheapp\'intsOldMontean\'DanBoggstogoforaboxforJack，an\'detailsacoupleofniggersfromthecorraltodigatomb。 \"\'An\'mindyou-alls，\'saysPeets，`Iwantsthatholeatleastamilefromcamp。Inordertomakeafuneralasuccess，youneedsdistance。 That\'swheredeceasedgetsaction。Itgivestheprocessionachancetospreadan\'showup。Youcan\'tmakenofuneralimposin\'exceptyou\'replumbliberalondistances。\' \"Itallgoessmoothrightoffthereel。Wegetsaboxan\'graveready，an\'Peetssticksupanoticeonthestage-stationdoor，settin\'theexcitementforthird-drinktimenextday。Promptatthedropofthehatthecampletsgoallholdsan\'turnslooseinabodytoputJackthroughright。He\'slaidoutinsplendidshapeintheNewYorkStore，withnothin\'tocomplainofifhe\'saskedtomakethekickhimse\'f。Hehasanewsilknecktie，blueshirtan\'pearlbuttons，trousers，an\'boots。Someone——BensonAnnie，Ireckons——haspastedsomeco\'tplasterovertheholeonhischeek-bonewherethebulletgetsin，an\'all\'roundJacklooksbetterthanIeverseeshim。 \"\'Letthecongregationremoveitshats，\'saysPeets，a-settin\'downonaboxupatJack\'shead，\'an\'asmanyascanwillpleasegetsomethin\'tocampon。Now，myfriends，\"hecontinues，\"tharain\'tnoneedofmyputtin\'onanyfrillsorgettin\'inanyscrollwork。Theobjectsofthisconventionisplainan\'straight。MisterKing，herepresent，isdead。Deceasedisaveryheadstrongperson，an\'persistsyesterdayinentertainin\'viewstouchin\'aclubflush，queenatthehead，whichresultsinlifeeverlastin\'。Now，gents，thisisaracketfullofsolemnity。Wewantsnothin\'butgoodwords。Don\'tmindaboutthetrooth；whichthesameain\'tinplayatafuneral，nohow。WeallknowsJack；weknowshisrecord。Ourinformationisamplethata-way；howhestealsahossatTucson；howberobsagentlastfallatTombstone；howhedownsapartyatCruces；howthatscaronhisneckhegetsfromWells-Fargo\'speoplewhenhestandsupthestageoverontheLordsburgtrail。Butwelaysitallasideto- day。Wedon\'tcoppernarybet。Yesterdaymornin\'，accompaniedbythereportofaColt\'sforty-five，MisterKing，wholiesyeresocoolan\'easy，leavesustoenterinbehindthegreatwhiteshinin\'gatesofpearlan\'gold，whichswingsinwardtogloryeternal。It\'sagreatsetbackatthistimetharain\'tnosky-pilotinthecamp。 Thisdeeficiencyinsky-pilotsisahossontous，butwedoesourbest。AtatimelikethisIhearsthatsingin\'isagood，safebreak，an\'ItharforecallsonthatlittlegirlfromFlagstafftogiveus\"TheDyin\'Ranger。\" \"SothelittleFlagstaffgirlcl\'arshervalveswithadrink，an\' givesusthesong；an\'whentheentirecongregationdrawskyardsonthelastverseitdoeseverybodygood。 \"\'FarawayfromhisdearoldTexas，Welaidhimdowntorest； Withhissaddleforapillow，Andhisgunacrosshisbreast。\' \"ThenPeetsgetsouttheScriptures。\'I\'mgoin\'toreadachapteroutentheseyereTestaments，\'hesays。\'Iain\'tmakin\'noclaimforit，exceptit\'spartofthegamean\'accordin\'toHoyle。Ifthar\'sapreacheryerehe\'ddoit，butbein\'thar\'snosechbrandonthisrangeImakesitasaforcedplaymyse\'f。\' \"Sohereadsus，achapteraboutthesepulcher，an\'MaryMagdalene，an\'theresurrection；an\'everybodytakesitinprofoundasprairie- dogs，forthat\'stheleadtomake，an\'weknowsit。 \"ThenPeetsallowshe\'dliketohearfromanygentondertheheadof\'goodoftheorder。\' \"\'MisterOndertakeran\'Chairman，\'saysJimHamilton，\'Iyieldstoaninwardimpulsetosaythatthisyereplayweighsonmeplumbheavy。Askeeperofthedance-hallIseesaheapofthecorpsean\' knowshimwell。MisterKingismyfriend，an\'whilehismoodsisvariablean\'oncertain；an\'it\'scl\'arlyworthwhiletowearyourgunwhilehe\'shoverin\'near，Iloveshim。Hehashisweaknesses，asdoweall。Adisp\'sitiontomakenewroolesasheplaysalongforsechgamesofchanceasenjoyshisnoticeisperhapshisgreatestfailin\'。Hisgivin\'waytothishabitisprimar\'lythecauseofhisbein\'garneredin。Ihopeshe\'llgetalongthar，an\'offersasidebet，evenmoney，uptofivehundreddollars，hewill。Hemayalterhissysteman\'standwayupwiththeangelsan\'seraphs，an\'ifwordsfrommecouldfixit，I\'dshorelystack\'emin。Iwouldsayfurtherthatafterconsultin\'withBillyBurns，whokeepstheRedLight，wehas，inhonorofthedeadan\'tomarktheoccasionofhiscashin\'in，agreeduponabusinessdepartureofinteresttoall。 ThisdepartureMisterBurnswillstate。Imournfullygiveswaytohimforsaidpurpose。\' \"\'MisterPeets，an\'ladiesan\'gents，\'saysBurns，\'likeMisterHamilton，whoI\'mproudtomeetyereasgent，citizen，an\'friend，I knowsdeceased。He\'sagoodman，an\'adead-gamesportfrom\'wayback。Aprotractedwrastlewiththeremorselessdrinksofthefrontierhadbeguntotellonhim，an\'forayearorsohe\'sbeenliabletohavespells。Referrin\'totheremarksofMisterHamilton，Istatesthatbyagreementbetweenusan\'inhonortodeparted，thequotationsonwhiskeyinthisyerecamp，fromnowon，willbetwodrinksfortwobits，insteadofoneasprevious。Wedon\'twanttoonsettletrade，an\'wedon\'tbelievethiswill。Wemakesitasarayoflightinthedarknessan\'gloomofthehour。 \"Afterthisyereutterance，whichiswellreceived，weformstheprocession。DocPeets，withtwobuglersfromtheFort，takesthelead，withJackan\'hisboxinoneofthestagecoachescomin\'next。 Enright，Tutt，Boggs，ShortCreekDave，TexasThompson，an\'me，bein\'thesixpallbearers，isonhossesnextinline；an\'JackMoorecommandin\'oftherestoftheoutfit，linesoutpermiscus。 \"\'ThisisagreatdayforWolfville，\"saysPeets，asheridesupan\' downtheline。\'Tharain\'tnocampthissideofSt。Looeycouldturnthistrick。WhichIonlywishesJackcouldseeithimse\'f。It\'smorecalculatedtobringthisoutfitintofav\'rablenoticethanalynchin\'。\' \"Atthegraveweturnsinan\'givesthreecheersforKing，an\'threeforDocPeets；an\'lastwegivesthreemorean\'atigerforthecamp。Thebuglerscutslooseeverythin\'theyknows，fromthe\'water- call\'tothe\'retreat，\'an\'whiletheniggersisa-shovelin\'inthesandwebangsawaywithoursix-shootersforgeneralresultsdelightful。Youcangambletharain\'tbeennofunerallikeitbeforeorsince。 \"AtthelastPeetshaulsoutenthestageweusesforJack，aheadboard。Whenit\'ssetupitlookslikeifJackain\'tsatisfied，he\'sshorelyhardtosuit。Onitinbiglettersis: JaCKKinG LIfEAiN\'T IN HOLDiNGAGOODHAND BUT InPLAYiNGAPOREHANdWeLL。 \"\'Yousees，wehastoworkinalittlesentiment，\'saysDocPeets。 \"Thenwedetailstheniggerstostandwatch-an\'-watcheverynighttillfurtherorders。No；weain\'tafraidJack\'llgetoutnone，butthecoyotesisshoreduetocomean\'digforhim，sotheniggershastostandgyard。Wedon\'tallowtofindspec\'mensofJackspread\'roundlooseafterallthetroublewetakes。\" CHAPTERII。 THESTINGINGLIZARD。 \"Thar\'snosorterdoubttoit，\"saidtheOldCattlemanafteralongpausedevotedtomeditation，andfinallytotherefillingofhiscobpipe，\"tharain\'ttheslightestroomforcavilbutthemceremoniesoverJackKing，deceased，isthemostsatisfactorypageantWolfvilleeverpromotes。\" ItwasatthispointIprovedmycunningbysayingnothing。Iwaspleasedtoheartheoldmantalk，andrightlytheorizedthatthebettermethodofinvokinghisreminiscencesjustatthistimewastosayneveraword。 \"However，\"hecontinued，\"Idon\'treckonit\'smanyweeksafterwefollowsJacktothetomb，whenwecomesaheapnearschedoolin\' anotherfuneral，withthegeneralpublica-contributin\'ofthecorpse。Tobespeecific，Ireferstoaoccasionwhenwe-allscomespowerfulclosetolynchin\'CherokeeHall。 \"Idon\'tmindonbosomin\'myselfaboutit。It\'sallamisonderstandin\'；thesamebein\'Cherokee\'sfaultcomplete。Wedon\'tknowhimmore\'ntomerelydrinkwithatthateepock，an\'he\'sthatslyan\'furtiveinhisplays，an\'covershistrailssospeshul，henacherallybreedssechsuspicionsthatwhenthestagebeginstobestoodupreg\'laronceaweek，an\'allonaccountable，Cherokeecomesmightyclosetoculminatin\'inarope。Whichgoestoshowthatyoucan\'tbetooopenan\'freeinyourgame，an\'Cherokeewouldtellyousohimse\'f。 \"ThisyeretangleI\'mthinkin\'ofain\'tmore\'namonthafterCherokeetakestoresidin\'inWolfville。Hecomestrailin\'inoneevenin\'fromTucson，an\'onfoldsalayoutan\'goestoturnin\'faro- bankintheRedLight。Nooneremarksthispartic\'lar，whichsaidspectaclesisfrequent。ThegeneralideeisthatCherokee\'sonthesquar\'an\'hisgameisstraight，an\'ofcoursepublicinterestdon\'tdelvenofurtherintohisaffairs。 \"Cherokee，himse\'f，isoneoftheseyereslim，silentpeoplewhoain\'ttalkin\'much，an\'hiseyeforcolorisoneofthemrawgrays，likeanewbowie。 \"It\'sperhapsthethirddaywhenCherokeebeginstostruggleintopublicnotice。Thar\'safelonwhosenameisBoone，butwhocallshimse\'fthe\'Stingin\'Lizard，\'an\'who\'sbeenpesterin\'\'roundWolfville，mebby，it\'samonth。ThisyereStingin\'LizardistharwhenCherokeecomesintocamp；an\'itlooksliketheStingin\'Lizardtakesanotionag\'inCherokeefromthejump。 \"NotthatthisyereLizardislikelytocontrolpublicfeelin\'inthematter；nonewhatever。He\'ssomeonpop\'larhimself。He\'stootoomultuousforonething，an\'hehasahabitofmolestin\'toweristsan\'folkshedon\'tknowatall，whichpallsondisinterestedpeoplewhohasdootiestoperform。AboutonceaweekthisLizardmangoesan\'getsthetreemers，an\'thenthecamphastosetupwithhimtillhisvisionssubsides。Factis，he\'swhatyou-allsEastcalls\'adisturbin\'element，\'an\'wemakesreadytohanghimonceortwice，butsomethin\'comesupan\'putsitoff，an\'wesorterneglectsit。 \"ButasIsays，hetakesanotionag\'inCherokee。It\'sthethirdnightafterCherokeegetsin，an\'he\'sca\'mlybehindhisboxattheRedLight，wheninperamb\'latesthisLizard。SeemslikeCherokee，bein\'oneofthemquietwolves，foolsuptheLizardalot。ThisLizard\'sbeenhostilean\'blood-hungryallday，an\'IreckonsheallatoncerecallsCherokee；an\'，deemin\'ofhimeasy，heallowshe\'llgoan\'chewhismanesomeforrelaxation。 \"IfIwaslowan\'ornerylikethisLizard，Iain\'tnoneshorebutI\'dbefooledthemdaysonCherokeemyse\'f。He\'sbeenfretfulabouthiswhiskey，Cherokeehas，——puttin\'itupshedon\'ttasteright，whichnotonlikelyitdon\'t；butbeyondpickin\'flawsinhisnose- painttharain\'tmuchtotakeholdonabouthim。He\'ssosliman\' noiselessbesides，tharain\'tnoneofusbutfiggersthisyereStingin\'Lizard\'sduetostampedehimifhetries；whichmakeswhatfollowsallthemoreimpressive。 \"SotheLizardprojectsalongintotheRedLight，whoopin\'an\' carryin\'onbyhimse\'f。Straightwayhegoesupag\'instCherokee\'slayout。 \"Idon\'tbuynochips，\"saystheLizardtoCherokee，ashegetsinopposite。\"Iputsmoneyinplay；an\'whenIwinsIwantsmoneysim\'lar。Thar\'sfiftydollarsonthekingcoppered；an\'fiftydollarsontheeightopen。Turnyourkyards，an\'turn\'emsquar\'。Ifyoudon\'t，I\'llpeeltheha\'ran\'hideplumboffthetopofyourhead。\" \"CherokeelooksattheLizardsortersoopercillusan\'indifferent； buthedon\'tsaynothin\'。Hegoesonwiththedeal，an\'，thekyardscomin\'thata-way，hetakesintheLizard\'stwobets。 \"Durin\'thenextdealtheLizardain\'tsayin\'muchdirect，butkeepscussin\'an\'wranglin\'tohimse\'f。Buthe\'sgettin\'hismoneyupallthetime；an\'withthefiftydollarsheloseontheturn，he\'sshymebbyfourhundredan\'fiftyattheclose。 \"\'Bein\'intheholeaboutfivehundreddollars，\'saystheLizard，inamannerwhichisaheaponrespectful，\'an\'sothatawayfarin\' gentmaynotbemisledtorooinutter，Inowrisestoaskwhatforalimitdoyouputonthisdeadfallanyhow？\' \"\'Thebridle\'splumbofftoyou，amigo，\'saysCherokee，an\'histonesissomehard。Inoticesitallrightenough，\'causeI\'mdoin\' businessatthetablemyse\'fatthetime，an\'keepin\'likewisecaseonthegame。`Thebridle\'splumboffforyou，\'saysCherokee，\'soanynotionyouentertainsinfavorofbankruptin\'ofyourse\'fquickmayriotrightalong。\' \"\'You\'redeadshoreofthat？\'saystheLizardwithasneer。`NowI reckonsathousand-dollarbetwouldscarethispuerilegameyoudealsa-screechin\'upatreeorintoahole，tooeasy。\' \"`Ineverlikestoseenogentstrugglin\'inthecoilsoferror，\' saysCherokee，withasneerasizelargerthantheLizard\'s；`I don\'tknowwhatwadsofwealththemporeoldclothesofyoursconceals，butjestthesameItellsyouwhatI\'lldo。Climbrightontothelayout，body，soul，an\'roll，an\'putafiggeronyourworthlessse\'f，an\'I\'llturnyouforthewholeshootin\'-match。 You\'reinyeretomakethingsinterestin\'，Iseesthat，an\'I\'llvoylatemybusinessprinciplesan\'takeanightofftoentertainyou。\'An\'yereCherokeelugsoutarollofbillsbigenoughtochokeacow。 \"\'IgoesyouifIlose，\'saystheStingin\'Lizard。Thenassoomin\'asooperiorair，heremarks:\'Mebbyit\'sadrinkbackonthetrailwhenIhasmisgivin\'sastotherectitoodofthisyerebraceyou\'redealin\'。Bein\'public-speritedthata-way，inmyfirstfrenzyI allowsI\'lltakemygunan\'abateitawholelot。Butaca\'mermoodcomeson，an\'Idecides，asnotbein\'solikelytodisturbapeace- lovin\'camp，Iremovesthistrapfortheonwarybymerelybustin\' thebank。Thar，\'goesontheStingin\'Lizard，atthesametimedumpin\'alargewadonthelayout，\'thar\'sevenfourthousanddollars。Rollyourgameforthatjestasitlays。\' \"\'Straightenupyourdust，\'saysCherokee，hiseyesgettin\'akindofgleaminto\'em，\'straightenupyourstuffan\'getitsome\'ers。 Don\'tleaveitallspraddledoverthescene。Iturnsforitreadyenough，butweain\'tgoin\'toarguenoneastowhereitlaysafterthekyardfalls。\' \"Therestofuswho\'sbeenbuckin\'thegamemoderatean\'rightcashesinatthis，an\'leavesanonobstructedclothtotheStingin\' Lizard。Thisyere\'smorecautionthangoodnacher。Aslongasfolksisbettin\'alonginlimits，sayonderfiftydollars，tharain\'tnoshootin\'likelytoensoo。Butwheneveragamegetsimmoderatethata-way，an\'thelimit\'soff，an\'thingsisgoin\'thatlocoedtheybeginstoplayathousandan\'overonakyardan\'screamforaction，gentsofexperiencestandsreadytogotoduckin\'leadan\'dodgin\' bulletsinstanter。 \"Buttoresoome:TheStingin\'Lizardlinesuphisstuff，an\'thedealbegins。Itain\'tthirtysecondstillthebankwins，an\'theStingin\'Lizardisthewrongsideofthelayoutfromhismoney。Hetakesitonusualugly，onlyheain\'tsayin\'much。Hesa\'ntersovertothebar，an\'getsabigdrink。Cherokeeisrifflin\'thedeck，butInoteshe\'sgothisgrayeyeontheStingin\'Lizard，an\'myrespectforhimincreasesrapid。Iseesheain\'tgoin\'togettheworstofnodeal，an\'isorganizedtoprotecthisgameplumbthroughifthisLizardmakesabreak。\"\'Doyou——allknowwhereIhailsfrom？\'askstheStingin\'Lizard，comin\'backtoCherokeeafterhe\'sdonehidhisdrink。 \"\'WhichIshorelydon\'t；\'saysCherokee。\'Ihasfromtimetotimemuchworthlessinformationthrustuponme，butsofarIescapesallnewsofyoucomplete。\' \"\'WhereIcomesfrom，whichisTexas，\'saystheLizard，ignorin\'ofCherokee\'smanner，thesamebein\'someinsultin\'，`theyteachesthebabiestwothings，-nevereatyourownbeef，an\'neverletnokyard- thiefdownyou: \"\'Whichishighlythrillin\'，\'saysCherokee，\'asreminiscencesofyouryooth，butwheredoesyou-allgetactionon\'eminArizona？\' \"\'WhereIgetsactionwon\'tbenoquestionlong，\'saystheLizard，mightytruculent。\'Inowannouncesthatthisyeregameisaskinan\' abrace。TharforeIreturnsformymoney；an\'，tobefrank，I returnsa-shootin\': \"It\'satthisp\'intwe-allswhorepresentsthepublickicksbackourchairsan\'stampedesoutenrange。AstheLizardmakeshisbluffhishandgoestohisartillerylikeaflash。 \"TheLizard\'ssomequick，butCherokee\'stoosoonforhim。WiththefirstmoveoftheLizard\'shand，hesearchesoutabowiefromsom\'ersbackofhisneck。I\'msomeemployedplacin\'myse\'fatthetime，an\'don\'tdecernitnonetillCherokeebringsitoverhisshoulderlikeastreamofwhitelight。 \"It\'sshoregreatknife-work。CherokeegivestheLizardaigeanp\'int，an\'allinonemotion。BeforetheLizardmore\'nliftshisweepon，Cherokeehalfslasheshisgun-handoffatthewrist；an\' then，jestastheLizardbeginstowonderatit，hegetsthenine- inchbladeplumbthroughhisneck。He\'sletoutrightthar。 \"\'ItlookslikeIhasmoreofthisthingtodo，\'saysCherokee，an\' histoneshowshe\'shalf-waymournin\'overit，`thananysportintheTerritory。Itriestokeepoutenthis，butthatLizardgentwouldhaveit。\' \"Afterthekillin\'，Enrightan\'DocPeets，withBoggs，Tutt，an\' JackMoore，sortertalksitoverquiet，an\'allowsit\'sallright。 \"\'ThisStingin\'Lizardgent，\'saysEnright，hasbeenprojectin\' \'roundlustin\'fortroublenow，mebbyit\'ssixweeks。It\'samazin\' tomehelastsaslongashedoes，an\'itspeaksvolumesfortheforbearin\'，law-abidingtemperoftheWolfvillepublic。ThisLizard\'samightyoppressiveperson，an\'aheapobnoxious；an\'whileIdon\'tlikeaknifenonemyse\'fasatrailout，an\'inclinestodistrustagentwhodoes，Is\'poseit\'safterallaheapamatteroftastean\'thewayyourfolksbringsyouup。Ileanstotheview，gents，thatthisyerecorpseisconstructedonthesquar\'。Whatdoyou-allthink，Peets？\' \"\'Ientertainsideassim\'lar，\'saysDocPeets。\'OfcourseItakesitthiskyard-sharp，Cherokee，aimstoburyhisdead。Henacherallyain\'tlook。in\'forthecamptogo\'roundcleanin\'upafterhimnone。\'\"That\'sabouthowitstands。NobodyfindsfaultwithCherokee，an\'asheupsan\'plantstheStingin\'Lizard\'sremainderthenextday，makin\'thedealwithastainedbox，crape，an\'thefullregalia，itallleavesthecampwithamightydecentimpression。Byfirst-drinktimeintheevenin\'ofthesecondday，weain\'tthinkin\'nomoreaboutit。 \"Nowyou-allbeginstomarvelwheredowegettothehangin\'ofCherokeeHall？We\'reworkin\'intowardsitnow。 \"Yousees，followin\'theStingin\'Lizard\'sjumpintothemistybeyond——whichit\'sthatsuddenIofferstwotoonethemangelsnotesalookofs\'priseontheStingin\'Lizard\'sfaceastohowhecomestomakethetrip-Cherokeegoesondealin\'farosameasusual。AsI saysbefore，heain\'tnotalker，nohow；nowhesayslessthanever。 \"Butwhatstrikesusasonusualis，hesaddlesupapintoponyhe\'sgotovertothecorral，an\'jumpsoffeverynowan\'thenfortwoan\' threedaysataclatter。Nooneknowswherehep\'intsto，more\'nhesayshe\'sdueoverinTucson。TheseyerevacationsofCherokee\'sisallinthemonthaftertheStingin\'Lizardgetsdowned。\"It\'saboutthistime，too，thestagegetsheldupsechascand\'lousnumberoftimesitgivespeopleatiredfeelin\'。Allbyoneparty，too。HemerelyprancesoutinonexpectedplaceswithaWinchester；standsupthestageinanonconcernedway，an\'thengoesthrougheverythin\' an\'everybody，frommail-bagstopassengers，likethegraceofheaventhroughacamp-meetin\'。Nacheral，itallcreatesaheapofdisgust。\"\'Ifthisyereindustrioushold-upkeepsuphislick，\'saysTexasThompsonaboutthethirdtimethestagegetsrustled，`an\' headsoffafewmorelettersofmine，allIhastosayismywifebackinLaredoain\'tgoin\'toonderstanditnone。Sheain\'tlottin\' muchonmenohow，an\'ifthecorrespondencebetweenusgetsmuchmorefitful，she\'sgoin\'p\'intin\'outforadivorce。Thisdeal\'sliabletoturnasplitformeinmydomesticaffairs。\'An\'that\'sthewaywe-allsfeels。ThisstageagentisshorelyindisrepootsomeinWolfville。Ifhe\'dbeenshakin\'upRedDog\'sletter-bags，wewouldn\'thavemindedsomuch。 \"Ineverdoesknowwho\'sthefirsttothinkofCherokeeHall，butallatonceit\'sallovercampTalkin\'itover，it\'snoticedmightysoonthat，comerighttocases，nooneknowshisrecord，wherehe\'sbeenorwhyhe\'syere。Thenhisstampedin\'outofcamplikehe\'sbeendoin\'foramonthistoomanyforus。 \"\'IputsnotrustinthemTucsonlieshetells，neither，\'saysDocPeets。\'Whateverwouldhebeshakin\'upoverinTucson？Hisgame\'syere，an\'thistheerythathe\'sgottogoscatterin\'overtharonceaweekissomegauzy。\' \"\'That\'swhatever，\'saysDanBoggs，whoallerstrailsinafterDocPeets，an\'playsthesamesystememphatic。An\'Isaysmyse\'f，notfindin\'nofaultwithBoggstharfor，thatthisyerePeetsisthefinest-eddicatedan\'levelest-headedsharpinArizona。 \"\'Well，\'saysJackMoore，whoasIsaysbeforedoestheropeworkfortheStranglers，\'ifyou-allsgetsitsettledthatthisfarogent\'sturnin\'themtrickswiththestagean\'mail-bags，thesoonerhe\'sswingin\'tothewindmill，thesoonerwehearsfromourlovedonesathome。Whatdoyousay，Enright？\' \"\'Why，\'saysEnright，allthoughtful，\'Ireckonsit\'sacase。S\'poseyoucaperoverwherehefeedsattheO。K。Housean\'bringhimtous。 Thesignsan\'signal-smokesshorelyp\'intstothisyereCherokeeasourmeat；butthesethingshastobedoneinorder。Bringhimin，Jack，an\'，tosaveanothertrip，s\'poseyoubringalariatfromthecorralatthesametime。\' \"Itdon\'ttakeMoorenotimetothrowagunonCherokeewherehe\'sconsoomin\'flapjacksattheO。K。House，an\'tellhimthecommitteeneedshimattheNewYorkStore。Cherokeedon\'tbucknone，butcomesalong，passiveasatabbycat。 \"\'Whatever\'sthehockkyardtoallthis？\'hesaystoJackMoore。\'IsitthisStingin\'Lizardplayamonthago？\' \"\'No，\'saysMoore，\"t\'ain\'tquitesechancienthist\'ry。It\'sstagecoaches。Thar\'sapasselofpeopledownyereasallowsyou\'vebeenrustlin\'themails。\' \"OldManRucker，whokeepstheO。K。House，isawaywhenMooreroundsuphisparty。ButMissisRucker\'sthar，an\'thewaythatoldladytalkstoEnrightan\'thecommitteeisashame。Shecomesovertothestore，too，alongofMoorean\'Cherokee，an\'prancesinan\' comesmightynearstampedin\'thewholeoutfit。 \"\'Seeyere，SamEnright，\'sheshouts，wipin\'herhandsonherbib，\'whatbeyou-allsaimin\'fortodo？Linin\'up，Is\'posetohangtheonlydecentmanintown？\' \"\'Ma\'am，\'saysEnright，\'thisyeresharpis\'cusedofstandin\'upthestagethemtimesrecentoverbyTucson。Doyouknowanythin\' aboutit？\' \"\'No；Idon\'t，\'saysMissisRucker。\'Youdon\'treckon，now，Ididitnone，doyou？Isaysthis，though；it\'saheapsightmorelikelysomedrunkarda-settin\'rightyereonthiscommitteestopsthemstagesthanCherokeeHall。\' \"\'Woman\'snacher\'sthatemotional，\'saysEnrighttotherestofus，\'she\'soncapableofdoin\'right。Whileshe\'stheloveliestofcreatedthings，stillsechistheinfirmitiesofherintellects，thatgov\'mentwouldbogdowninitsmostimportantfunctions，iflefttowoman。\' \"\'Bogdownornot，\'saysMissisRucker，gettin\'redan\'heated，\'youfoolssettin\'uptharlikeabandofprairie-dogsdon\'thangthisyereCherokeeHall。\'Notherthing，youain\'tgoin\'tohangnobodytothewindmillag\'innohow。Ihasmyworktodo，an\'thar\'senoughonmyhands，feedin\'sechswineasyou-allsthreetimesaday，withouthavin\'tocutdowndeadfolksoutenmywayeverytimeIgoesforabucketofwater。You-allstakesnoticenow；youdon\'thangnothin\' tothewindmillnomore。AsforthisyereCherokee，heain\'tstoppednomorestagesthanIbe。\' \"\'Butyouseesyourse\'f，ma\'am，youhasn\'ttheslightestevidencetharof，\'saysEnright，tryin\'tosootheherdown。 \"\'Ihas，however，what\'samightysightbetterthanevidence，\'saysMissisRucker，\'an\'that\'smyfirmconvictions。\' \"\'Well，seeyere，\'saysCherokee，who\'sbeenlistenin\'allpeaceful，\'letmeinonthis。Whatbeyou-allsdoin\'thison？IreckonsI\'mentitledtoalookatyourhandformymoney。\' \"Enrightgoesonan\'laysitoffforCherokee；howhe\'soutencampeverytimethestageisrobbed，an\'theideeisabroadhedoesit。 \"\'Asthekyardslayinthebox，\'saysCherokee，\'Idon\'treckonthar\'smuchdoubtbutyou-allswillwindupthedealbyhangin\'me？\' \"\'It\'sshorelyfivetoonethata-way，\'saysEnright。\'AlthoughI\'mboundtosayitain\'tnonedecisiveasyet。\' \"\'Thetroothis，\'saysCherokee，sorterthoughtful，\'Iwasn\'taimin\' tobehungnonethisautumn。Iain\'tgottime，gents，foronething，an\'hasarrangedaheapdiff\'rent。Inthenextplace，Ineverstandsupnostage。\' \"\'That\'swhattheyallsays，\'putsinBoggs，who\'samightyimpatientman。\'Ishorelynotesnoreasonwhywe-allscan\'tproceedwiththisyerelynchin\'atonce。S\'posethisCherokeeain\'tstoodupnostage；he\'sdoneplentyofotherthingsasmeritsdeath。Itstrikesmethar\'sasightofonnecessarytalkyere。\" \"\'Ifyouain\'toutworkingtheroad，\'saysDocPeetstoCherokee，notheedin\'ofBogg\'spetulance，\'themstage-robbin\'times，s\'poseyouonfoldswhereyouwasat？\" \"Well，son，nottostringthisyerestoryoutlonger\'nthreedrinks，yereishowitis:ThisCherokeeitlookslikeissoft-heartedthata-way，——whatyoucallsromantic。An\'itseemslikewisethatshovin\' theStingin\'Lizardfromshorethattimesortertakesadvantagean\' feedsonhim。Sohegoesbrowsin\'\'roundthepostmasterallcasooal，an\'putsquestions。Cherokeegetsap\'interaboutsomeyearlin\'orotherinTucsonthisStingin\'Lizardsendsmoneytoan\'makesgoodfor，whichhefindsthesametobefactoncaperin\'over。It\'sanephyorsomesechplay。An\'theStingin\'Lizardhastheyoungonestakedoutoverthar，an\'isputtin\'upforhisraimentan\'gruballreg\'larenough。 \"\'WhichIyereafterbacksthisinfant\'splaymyse\'f，\'saysCherokeetothebarkeepoftheOrientalSaloonoverinTucson，whichisthepartytheStingin\'Lizardpasturestheyoungoneon。\'You\'reallright，Bill，\'goesonthisCherokeetothebarkeep，\'butnowIgoesbackoftheboxforthisinfantboy，IreckonsI\'llsawhimoffontoapreacher，orsomesharpsim\'lar，wherehegetsaChristianexample。Whateverdoyouthink？\' \"Thebarkeepsayshimse\'fheallowsit\'stheplaytomake。Sohean\' Cherokeegoessurgin\'\'round，an\'atlasttheycampstheboy——who\'ssevenyearscomin\'grass——ontheonlypulpit-sharpinTucson。Thisgospel-spreadersayshe\'llfeedan\'beddowntheboyforsomesum； whichwasshoreagiantone，butthefiggersInowforgets。 \"Cherokeegiveshimastackofbluestostarthisgame，an\'isnowpesterin\'\'roundinaco\'ttryin\'togettheyoungonecounter- brandedfromtheStingin\'Lizard\'soutfitintohis，an\'giventhenameofCherokeeHall。That\'swhattakeshimovertoTucsonthemtimes，an\'notstage-robbin\'。 \"Twodayslater，infact，tomakeshorealldoubtsisover，Cherokeeevenringsinsaiddivineonus；whichthedivinetellsthesamestory。Idon\'treckonnowhe\'smuchofapreacherneither；forhegivesWolfvilleonewhirlforluckoverinthewarehousebackoftheNewYorkStore，an\'Ishorehears\'emasmakesamightysightmorenoise，an\'bangstheBibletwiceashard，backintheStates。IsayssotoCherokee；butheputsituphedon\'tbanknoneonhispreachin\'。 \"\'WhatIaimsat，\'saysCherokee，\'issomeonewhoridesherdontheboyallright，an\'don\'tlethimstampedeoffnoneintoviciousways。\' \"\'Whydon\'tyoukeepthecampinformedofthisyereorphanan\'theplayyoumakes？\'saysEnright，atthetimeit\'sexplainedtothecommittee，——thetimetheytreesCherokeeaboutthemstages。 \"\'It\'sthatbenev\'lentan\'mushy，\'saysCherokee，\'I\'mplumbashamedofthedeal，an\'don\'tallowtogopostin\'nonoticestharof。Butalongcomesthisyerehold-upbusiness，an\'，allinadvertent，tipsmyhand；whichthesameIstands，however，jestthesame。\' \"\'It\'sallright，\'saysEnright，somedisgustedthough；\'butthenexttimeyoumakesthemfoundlin\'asylumtrips，don\'twalkinthewatersomuch。LeaveyourtrailsoWolfvilleseesit，an\'thenfolksain\'tsolikelytojumpyourcampinthedarkan\'taketoshootin\' youupforInjunsan\'sim\'larhostiles。\' \"\'Butonethingmore，\'continuesEnright，an\'thenweordersthedrinks。JackMooreisyerebyinstructedtopresentthecomplimentsofthecommitteetoRucker，whenhetrailsinfromTucson；whichhealsonotifieshimtohobblehiswifeyereafterdurin\'sessionsofthisbody。She\'snottogodraggin\'herlariat\'roundloosenomore，settin\'lawan\'orderatdefiancedurin\'sechhoursasisgiventobusinessbytheStranglers。\" CHAPTERIII。 THESTORYOFWILKINS \"No；Idon\'treckonIevercutsthetrailofthisyereWilsonyoumentions，once。IfIdoes，thefact\'sdonepulleditspicket-pinan\' strayedfrommyrecollections。\" Ihadrecalledthenameofaformerfriend，oneWilson，who，soregiventoliquor，haddriftedtoArizonamanyyearsbeforeanddisappeared。Suggesting\"Wilson\"totheOldCattleman，IaskedifhehadmetwithsuchanameandcharacterinhisWolfvillerambles。 Asoftenchanced，however，thequestionborefruitinastory。Itfrequentlyneededbutaslightblowfromtherodofcasualinquiry，andthefountainsofmyoldfriend\'sreminiscencesgushedforth。 \"No，Inevercrossesupwithhim，\"observedtheoldCattleman；\"butspeakin\'ofWilsonputsinmymindagentbythenameofWilkins，whoit\'ssomelikelyisasdisrepootableasyouroldpardWilson。\" \"WhataboutWilkins？\"Iasked。 \"Nothin\'thrillin\'，\"answeredtheoldgentleman；\"nothin\'you\'dstayupnightstohear，Idon\'treckon。It\'sWilkins\'sdaughterwhoistheonlyredeemin\'thingabouttheoldCimmaron；an\'it\'saheaplikelyrightnowit\'sherIremembersaboutinsteadofhim。 \"Notatall，\"hecontinued，\"Idon\'tmindonfoldin\'astoWilkins，noryetofan\'concernin\'hisdaughter。YouseethisWilkinsisherdin\'\'roundWolfvillewhenIfirsttrailsin。Ineverdoesknowwherehehailsfrom。Idon\'treckon\'though，heevergradesnowayshigh，an\'atthecrisisI\'mmentionin\'hisspeshulplayisgettin\' drunkmostly；an\'notallowin\'tohurthimse\'fnonewithwork。 \"\'Workin\'withyourfins，\'saysthisWilkins，\'islowan\' onendoorin\'toagentwithpridetowound。Itain\'tnouseneither。 Iknowsfolksasworks，an\'folksasdon\'t，an\'youcan\'ttellonefromwhich。Theygetsalongentirelysim\'lar。 \"\'Buthowyougoin\'tolive？\'saysDaveTutt，whenhemakesthisremark，an\'whoisfussin\'withWilkinsforbein\'soreedic\'lousan\' shiftless。 \"\'That\'sallrightaboutmylivin\'，\'saysWilkins；\'don\'tyou-allpassnorestlessnightsonmyaccount。GoreadyourScriptures；readthatbluffaboutfeedin\'theyoungravensan\'sparrers。Well，that\'smethistrip。I\'mgoin\'torapforashow-downonthempromisesan\' seewhat\'sin\'em。\' \"\'Thiscampain\'tstrongonHolyWrit，nohow，\'saysDaveTutt，\'an\' I\'mpartic\'larpunythata-way。It\'syourgamethough，an\'yourAmericanjedgementgoessoopremeastohowyouplaysit。\' \"ThisWilkinslivesinawickeyupoutontheaigeofthetown，an\'agirl，whichshe\'shisdaughter，about19yearsold，keepscampforhim。Nooneknowsherwell。Shestaysonherreservationmightyclose，an\'neverseemsvisiblemuch。InoticesherintheNewYorkStoreonce，buyin\'somesalthoss，an\'sheain\'tnodreamoflovelinessneitherastolooks。 \"Herfacemakesyoufeelshe\'sgoodpeoplethough，withherbigsofteyes。Theyhasatired，broke-downlook，likesomehowshe\'sbeenpackedmore\'nshecancarry，an\'hastwoorthreenotionsaboutlayin\'downwiththeload。 \"It\'smebbytwoweeksafterDaveTutt\'stalkwithWilkins，whenwe\'reallintheRedLighttakin\'ourfortydrops，an\'SamEnrightbringsupthisyereWilkins。 \"\'Ithasbeenaquestionwithme，\'hesays，\'howthisoldshorthornandhisgirlmanagesfortomakeout；an\'whileIcarenonewhateverforWilkins，itain\'tnocredittoalivecamplikethistopermitayoungfemaletosuffer，an\'Ipausesyeretoadd，itain\'tgoin\'tooccurnomore。Yesterday，allowin\'tobushwhacksometroothabout\'em，IwaitstilloldWilkinsdriftsovertothecorral，an\'thenI goesprojectin\'\'roundforfacts。Iworksitplentycunnin\'，an\' sorterhappensuptotheoldman\'stepee。Icallsthegirloutan\' putsitupIwantstoseeherpawaheaponsomebusiness。 \"\'\"Iwantstoseehimspeshul，\"\'Isays。 \"\'\"Well，heain\'therenow，\"\'saysthegirl，\"sowhatever\'llyoudo？\"\' \"\'\"Idon\'treckonyoucouldprance\'roundsomean\'findhimforme，couldyou，Miss？\"\'Isays。 \"\'Sothegirl，\'continuesEnright，\'whichhernameisSusan，putsonhershakeran\'goesstampedin\'off；an\'whileshe\'sgoneIinjunsan\'spies\'roundawholelot；an\'，comin\'downtotheturn，Wilkinsan\'thatgirlain\'tgotnothin\'toeat。Thequestionnowis，whatactiondoesWolfville\'naugerateatajuncturesechasthis？\' \"\'What\'sthematterwithtakin\'upadonationliketheydoesforapreacher，an\'sawitontothegirl？\'saysDanBoggs。 \"\'Youcouldn\'topenyourgamethata-way，nohow，\'saysDocPeets。 \'That\'saccordin\'toHoyleforsky-pilotsan\'missionarypeople；butayoungfemalea-hoidin\'ofherse\'fhighspurnsyourmoney。Thar\'snothin\'ketchesmelikeafemaleofmyspeciesindistress，an\'I recallsofferin\'tostakealady，who\'slosthermoneysomehow，backinSt。Looeyonce。Thisyerefemalewasstrangetomeentire，butifshe\'dknowedmefrom\'waybackshecouldn\'ta-blazedupmorefrightful。TheminuteIpullsmybankrollonher，shegoescavortin\'