第1章

类别:其他 作者:佚名字数:15257更新时间:18/12/14 16:38:15
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\'