Butnowthesurfaceofthegroundwasslippery，andtherapidmanoeuvringofhorseshadbecomeamatterprecariousintheextreme。Timeandagaintheponiesfairlysatontheirhaunchesandslidwhennegotiatingasuddenstop，whilequickturnsmeanttherapidscramblingsthatonlyacow-horsecouldaccomplish。
Neverthelesstheworkwentforwardunchecked。Themenoftheotheroutfitscuttheircattleintothestray-herd。Thelatterwasbynowofconsiderablesize，forthiswasthethirdweekoftheround-up。
Finallyeveryoneexpressedhimselfassatisfied。Thelargelydiminishedmainherdwasnowstartedforwardbymeansofshrillcowboycriesandbeatingofquirts。Thecattlewereonlytooeagertogo。Frommypositiononalittleriseabovethestray-herdIcouldseetheleadersbreakingintoarun，theirheadsthrownforwardastheysnuffedtheirfreedom。Onthemesasidethesentinelridersquietlywithdrew。Fromtherearandflanksthehorsemenclosedin。Thecattlepouredoutinasteadystreamthroughtheopeningthusleftonthemesaside。Thefringeofcowboysfollowed，urgingthemon。Abruptlythecavalcadeturnedandcamelopingback。Thecattlecontinuedaheadonatrot，graduallyspreadingabroadoverthelandscape，losingtheirintegrityasaherd。Someoftheslowerorhungrierdroppedoutandbegantograze。Certainofthemorewarydisappearedtorightorleft。
Now，aftertheday\'sworkwaspracticallyover，wehadourfirstaccident。ThehorseriddenbyayoungfellowfromDosCabesasslipped，fell，androlledquiteoverhisrider。Atoncetheanimallungedtohisfeet，onlytoheimmediatelyseizedbythenearestrider。ButtheDosCabesasmanlaystill，hisarmsandlegsspreadabroad，hisheaddoubledsidewaysinahorriblysuggestivemanner。Wehoppedoff。Twomenstraightenedhimout，whiletwomorelookedcarefullyovertheindicationsontheground。
\"Allright，\"sangoutoneofthem，\"thehorndidn\'tcatchhim。\"
Hepointedtotheindentationleftbythepommel。Indeedfiveminutesbroughtthemantohissenses。Hecomplainedofaverytwistedback。Homersetoneofthemeninafterthebed-wagon，bymeansofwhichthesuffererwasshortlytransportedtocamp。
Bytheendoftheweekhewasagaininthesaddle。Howmenescapefromthiscommonaccidentwithinjuriessoslighthasalwayspuzzledme。Thehorserollscompletelyoverhisrider，andyetitseemstobetherarestthingintheworldforthelattertobeeitherkilledorpermanentlyinjured。
NoweachmanhadtheprivilegeoflookingthroughtheJHcutstoseeifbychancesteersofhisownhadbeenincludedinthem。
Whenallhadexpressedthemselvesassatisfied，thevariousbandswerestartedtothecorrals。
FromaslighteminencewhereIhadpausedtoenjoytheeveningI
lookeddownonthescene。Thethreeherds，separatedbygenerousdistanceonefromtheother，crawledleisurelyalong；theriders，theirhatsthrustback，lolledintheirsaddles，shoutingconversationtoeachother，relaxingaftertheday\'swork；
throughthecloudsstrongshaftsoflightbelittledthelivingcreatures，threwintoproportionthevastnessofthedesert。
CHAPTERSEVEN
ACORNERINHORSES
Itwasdarknight。Thestay-herdbellowedfranticallyfromoneofthebigcorrals；thecow-and-calf-herdfromasecond。Alreadytheremuda，driveninfromtheopenplains，scatteredaboutthethousandacresofpasture。Awayfromtheconveniencesoffenceandcorral，menwouldhavehadtopatrolallnight。Now，however，everyonewasgatheredaboutthecampfire。
Probablyfortycowboyswereinthegroup，representingalltypes，fromoldJohn，whohadbeeninthebusinessfortyyears，andhadpunchedfromtheRioGrandetothePacific，totheKid，whowouldhavegivenhischanceofsalvationifhecouldhavebeentakenfortenyearsolderthanhewas。AtthemomentJedParkerwasholdingforthtohisfriendJohnnyStoneinreferencetoanotheroldcronywhohadthateveningjoinedtheround-up。
\"Johnny，\"inquiredJedwithelaborategravity，andentirelyignoringthepresenceofthesubjectofconversation，\"whatisthatthingjustbeyondthefire，andwherediditcomefrom？\"
JohnnyStonesquintedtomakesure。
\"That？\"hereplied。\"Oh，thisevenin\'thedogsseesomethingrundownahole，andtheydugitout，andthat\'swhattheygot。\"
Thenewcomergrinned。
\"Thetroublewithyoufellows，\"heproffered\"isthatyou\'resoplumbalkaliedyoudon\'tknowtherealthingwhenyouseeit。\"
\"That\'sright，\"supplementedWindyBilldrily。\"HEcomefromNewYork。\"
\"No！\"criedJed。\"Youdon\'tsayso？Didhecomeinoneboxorintwo？\"
Undercoverofthelaugh，thenewcomermadearaidonthedutchovensandpails。Havingfilledhisplate，hesquattedonhisheelsandfelltohisbelatedmeal。Hewasatall，slab-sidedindividual，withalean，leatheryface，asweepingwhitemoustache，andagraveandsardoniceye。Hisleatherchapswereplainandworn，andhishathadbeenfashionedbytimeandwearintomuchindividuality。IwasnotsurprisedtohearhimnicknamedSacatoneBill。
\"Justaskhimhowhegotthatgamefoot，\"suggestedJohnnyStonetomeinanundertone，so，ofcourse，Ididnot。
Latersomeonetoldmethatthelamenessresultedfromhisrefusalofanurgentinvitationtoreturnacrossariver。Mr。SacatoneBillhappenednottoberidinghisownhorseatthetime。
TheCattlemandroppeddownbesidemeamomentlater。
\"Iwish，\"saidheinalowvoice，\"wecouldgetthatfellowtalking。Heisaqueerone。Prettywelleducatedapparently。
Claimstobewritingabookofmemoirs。Sometimeshewillopenupingoodshape，andsometimeshewillnot。Itdoesnogoodtoaskhimdirect，andheisasshyasanoldcrowwhenyoutrytoleadhimuptoasubject。WemustjustlielowandtrusttoProvidence。\"
Amanwasplayingonthemouthorgan。Heplayedexcellentlywell，withallsortsofvariationsandfrills。Wesmokedinsilence。Thedeeprumbleofthecattlefilledtheairwithitsdiapason。Alwaystheshrillcoyotesravedoutinthemesquite。
SacatoneBillhadfinishedhismeal，andhadgonetositbyJedParker，hisoldfriend。Theytalkedtogetherlow-voiced。Theeveninggrew，andtheeasternskysilveredoverthemountainsinanticipationofthemoon。
SacatoneBillsuddenlythrewbackhisheadandlaughed。
\"RemindsmefthetimeIwenttoColorado！\"hecried。
\"He\'soff！\"whisperedtheCattleman。
Adeadsilencefellonthecircle。EverybodyshiftedpositionthebettertolistentothestoryofSacatoneBill。
AbouttenyearagoIgotplumbsickofpunchin\'cowsaroundmypartofthecountry。Shehadn\'trainedsinceNoah，andI\'dforgotwhatwateroutsideapailoratroughlookedlike。SoI
scoutedaroundinsideofmetoseewhatpartoftheworldI\'djumpto，andasIseemedtoknowaslittleofColoradoandminin\'
asanythingelse，ImadeupthepintofbeansoupIcallmybrainstogothere。SoIcatchesmeabuyeratHensonandturnsovermyporelittlebunchofcattleandpreparedtofly。ThelastdayIhauledupabouttwentygoodbucketsofwaterandthrewherupagainstthecabin。Mybuyerwassettin\'hishosswaitin\'
formetogetready。Hedidn\'tsaynothin\'untilwe\'dgotdownabouttenmileorso。
\"Mr。Hicks，\"sayshe，hesitatin\'like，\"Ifinditagoodruleinthiscountrynottooverlookotherfolks\'plays，butI\'dtakeitmightykindifyou\'dexplainthoseactionsofyourswiththepailsofwater。\"
\"Mr。Jones，\"saysI，\"it\'sverysimple。Ibuiltthatshackfiveyearago，andit\'sneverrainedsince。Ijustwantedtosettleinmymindwhetherornotthatdamnroofleaked。\"
SoIquitArizona，andinaboutaweekIseemyreflectioninthewindersofalittleplacecalledCyanideintheColoradomountains。
Fellows，shewasabird。Theywasn\'taponyinsight，norasquar\'footoflandthatwasn\'teitherstreetorstraightup。Itmademeplumblonesomeforacountrywhereyoucouldseealongwaysevenifyoudidn\'tseemuch。Andthisearlyintheevenin\'
theywasn\'thardlyanybodyinthestreetsatall。
Itookalookatthemdark，gloomy，oldmountains，andasniffatabreezethatwouldhavefrozenthewhiskersofhope，andImadeadiveforthenearestlitwinder。Theywasasignoveritthatjustsaid：
THISISASALOON
Iwasgladtheylabelledher。I\'dneverhaveknownit。Theyhadafifteen-yearoldkidtendin\'bar，nogamesgoin\'，andnotasoulintheplace。
\"Sorrytodisturbyourrepose，bub，\"saysI，\"butseeifyoucansortoutanyryeamongthemcollectionsofsassaparillerofyours。\"
Itookadrink，andthenanothertokeepitcompany——Iwasbeginnin\'tosympathisewithanythin\'lonesome。ThenIkindofsaunteredouttothebackroomwherethehurdy-gurdyoughttobe。
Sureenough，therewasagirlsettin\'onthepiannerstool，anotherinachair，andaniceshinyJewdrummerdanglin\'hisfeetfromatable。Theylookedupwhentheyseemecomein，andwentrightontalkin\'。
\"Hello，girls！\"saysI。
Atthattheystoppedtalkin\'complete。
\"How\'stricks？\"saysI。
\"Who\'syourwoollyfriend？\"theshinyJewasksofthegirls。
Ilookedathimaminute，butIseehe\'dbeenraisedapet，andthen，too，IwassohungryforsassietyIwaswillin\'topassabetortwo。
\"Don\'tyouADMIREthesecowgents？\"snickersoneofthegirls。
\"Playsomethin\'，sister，\"saysItotheoneatthepianner。
Shejustgrinnedatme。
\"Interdooceme，\"saysthedrummerinakindofawaythatmadethemalllaughaheap。
\"Giveusatune，\"Ibegs，tryin\'tobejolly，too。
\"Shedon\'tknowanypieces，\"saystheJew。
\"Don\'tyou？\"Iasksprettysharp。
\"No，\"saysshe。
\"Well，Ido，\"saysI。
Iwalkeduptoher，jerkedoutmyguns，andreachedaroundbothsidesofhertothepianner。Irunthemuzzlesupanddownthekeyboardtwoorthreetimes，andthenshotouthalfadozenkeys。
\"That\'sthepieceIknow，\"saysI。
ButtheothergirlandtheJewdrummerhadpunchedthebreeze。
Thegirlatthepiannerjustgrinned，andpointedtothewinderwheretheywassomeraggedglasshangin\'。Shewasdeadgame。
\"Say，Susie，\"saysI，\"you\'reallright，butyourfriendsistur\'ble。Imayberough，andIain\'tneverbeencurriedbelowtheknees，butI\'mbettertotietothanthemsonsofguns。\"
\"Ibelieveit，\"saysshe。
Sowehadadrinkatthebar，andstartedouttoinvestigatethewondersofCyanide。
Say，thatnightwasawonder。Susiefadedafteraboutthreedrinks，butIdidn\'tseemtomindthat。IhookeduptoanothersaloonkeptbyathinDutchman。AfatDutchmanisstupid，butathinoneisallright。
IntenminutesIhadmorefriendsinCyanidethantheyisfiddlersinhell。IbeguntoconcludeCyanidewasn\'tsolonesome。Aboutfouro\'clockincomesalittleIrishmanaboutfourfoothigh，withmoreupperlipthanamuleycow，andenoughredhairtomakeanartificialaurorerborealis。Hehadbigredhandswithfrecklespastedontothem，andstiffredhairsstandin\'upseparateandlonesomelikesignalstations。Alsohislegswasbowed。
Hegetsadrinkatthebar，andstandsbackandyells：
\"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！\"
Now，thiswasnoneofmytown，soIjuststeppedbackoftheendofthebarquickwhereIwouldn\'tstopnolead。Theshootin\'
didn\'tbegin。
\"ProbablyDutchydidn\'ttakenonoteofwhatthelocoedlittledogieDIDsay，\"thinksItomyself。
TheIrishmanbellieduptothebaragain，andpoundedonitwithhisfist。
\"Lookhere！\"heyells。\"ListentowhatI\'mtellin\'ye！GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！Doyehearme？\"
\"Sure，Ihearye，\"saysDutchy，andgoesonswabbin\'hisbarwithatowel。
Atthatmysouljustgrewsick。IaskedthemannexttomewhyDutchydidn\'tkillthelittlefellow。
\"Killhim！\"saysthisman。\"Whatfor？\"
\"Forinsultin\'ofhim，ofcourse。\"
\"Oh，he\'sdrunk，\"saystheman，asifthatexplainedanythin\'。
Thatsettleditwithme。Ileftthatplace，andwenthome，anditwasn\'tmorethanfouro\'clock，neither。No，Idon\'tcallfouro\'clocklate。Itmaybealittlelatefornightbeforelast，butit\'sjusttheshankoftheevenin\'forto-night。
Well，ittookmesixweeksandtwodaystogobroke。Ididn\'tknowsicem，aboutminin\'；andbeforelongIKNEWthatIdidn\'t\'knowsic\'em。MostalldayIpokedaroundthemmountains——-notlikeour\'n——toomuchtimbertobecomfortable。AtnightIgottodroppin\'inatDutchy\'s。Hehadacoupleofquietgamesgoin\'，andtheywasonefellowamongthatlotofgrubbin\'prairiedogsthathadheerdtellthatcowshadhorns。Hewasthewisestofthebunchonthecattlebusiness。SoIstowedawaymyconsolation，andmadeouttoforgetcomparingColoradowithGod\'scountry。
AboutthreetimesaweekthisIrishmanItoldyouof——nameO\'Toole——comesbulgin\'in。Whenhewassoberhetalkedminin\'
high，wide，andhandsome。Whenhewasdrunkhepoundedbothfistsonthebarandyelledforaction，tryin\'togetDutchyonthepeck。
\"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！\"heyellsaboutsixtimes。\"Say，doyouhear？\"
\"Sure，\"saysDutchy，calmasamilkcow，\"sure，Ihearsye！\"
IwasplumbsorryforO\'Toole。I\'dliketohavegivenhimarun；
but，ofcourse，Icouldn\'ttakeitupwithoutmakin\'myselfoutafriendofthisDutchyparty，andIcouldn\'tstandforthat。ButIdidtackleDutchyaboutitonenightwhentheywasn\'tnobodyelsethere。
\"Dutchy，\"saysI，\"whatmakesyouletthatbow-leggedcrossbetweenabulldogandaflamin\'redsunsettromponyouso？Itlookstomelikeyou\'replumbspiritless。\"
Dutchystoppedwipingglassesforaminute。
\"Justyouholdon\"sayshe。\"Iain\'treadyyet。BimebyImakehimsick；alsothoseotherswholaughwithhim。\"
Hehadalittlegreyflickerinhiseye，andIthinkstomyselfthatmaybethey\'dgetDutchyonthepeckyet。
AsIsaid，Iwentbrokeinjustsixweeksandtwodays。AndI
wasbrokeaplenty。Nohold-outsanywhere。Itwasaheaplongwaystocows；andI\'dbeteetotallychawedupandspitoutifI
wasgoin\'tojointheseminin\'terrapinsdefacin\'thebosomofnature。Itsurelookedtomelikehardwork。
WhileIwasfigurin\'whatnext，Dutchycamein。WhichIwastur\'blesurprisedatthat，butIsaidgood-mornin\'andwouldheresthispoorfeet。
\"Youliketomakesomemoney？\"heasks。
\"Thatdepends，\"saysI，\"onhoweasyitis。\"
\"Itiseasy，\"sayshe。\"Iwantyoutobuyhossesforme。\"
\"Hosses！Sure！\"Iyells，jumpin\'up。\"Youbetyou！Why，hossesiswhereIlive！Whathossesdoyouwant？\"
\"Allhosses，\"sayshe，calmasafarodealer。
\"What？\"saysI。\"Elucidate，mybucko。Idon\'ttakenosuchblanketorder。Spreadyourcards。\"
\"Imeanjustthat，\"sayshe。\"Iwantyoutobuyallthehossesinthiscamp，andinthemountains。Everyone。\"
\"Whew！\"Iwhistles。\"That\'salargeorder。ButI\'myourmeat。\"
\"Comewithme，then，\"sayshe。Ihadn\'tbutjustgotup，butI
wentwithhimtohislittleoldpoisonfactory。Ofcourse，I
hadn\'thadnobreakfast；buthestakedmetoaKentuckybreakfast。What\'saKentuckybreakfast？Why，aKentuckybreakfastisathree-poundsteak，abottleofwhisky，andasetterdog。What\'sthedogfor？Why，toeatthesteak，ofcourse。
Wecometoanagreement。Iwastogettwo-fiftyaheadcommission。SoIstartedout。Therewasn\'tmanyhossesinthatcountry，andwhattherewastheownershadn\'tmuchuseforunlessitwastoworkawhim。Ipickedupaboutahundredheadquickenough，andreportedtoDutchy。
\"Howaboutburrosandmules？\"IasksDutchy。
\"Theygoes，\"sayshe。\"Mulessameashosses；burrosfourbitsaheadtoyou。\"
AttheendofaweekIhadaremudaofprobablytwohundredanimals。Wekeptthemoverthehillsinsome\"parks，\"asthesesotscallmeadowsinthatcountry。IrodeintotownandtoldDutchy。
\"Gotthemall？\"heasks。
\"Allbutacross-eyedbuckskinthat\'smean，andthebaymarethatNoahbredto。\"
\"Getthem，\"sayshe。
\"Thebanditswanttoomuch，\"Iexplains。
\"Getthemanyway，\"sayshe。
Iwentawayandgotthem。Itwasscand\'lous；suchprices。
WhenIhitCyanideagainIranintoscenesofwildexcitement。
Thewholepasselofthemwasonthatonestreetoftheir\'n，talkin\'sixteenouncestothepound。InthemiddlewasDutchy，drunkasasoldier-justplainfoolishdrunk。
\"GoodLord！\"thinksItomyself，\"heain\'tcelebratin\'gettin\'
thatbunchofbuzzards，ishe？\"
ButIfoundhewasn\'tthatbad。Whenhecaughtsightofme，hefellonmedrivellin\'。
\"Lookthere！\"heweeps，showin\'mealetter。
Iwasthelasttocomein；soIkeptthatletter——heresheis。
I\'llreadher。
DearDutchy：——IsupposeyouthoughtI\'dflewthecoop，butI
haven\'tandthisistoproveit。Packupyouroutfitandhitthetrail。I\'vemadethebiggestfreegoldstrikeyoueversee。I\'msendingyouspecimens。There\'stonsjustlikeit，tonsandtons。
IgotalltheclaimsIcanholdmyself；butthere\'sheapsmore。
I\'vewrittoJohnnyandEdatDenvertocomeon。Don\'tgivethisaway。Maketracks。ComeintoBuckCanonintheWhetstonesandoblige。
Yourstruly，HenrySmithSomebodyshowedmeahandfulofwhiterockwithyellerstreaksinit。Hiseyeswasbulgin\'untilyoucouldhavehungyourhatonthem。ThatO\'Toolepartywaswalkin\'around，wettin\'hislipswithhistongueandswearin\'soft。
\"GodblesstheIrishandlettheDutchrustle！\"sayshe。\"Andthefoolhadtogetdrunkandgiveitaway！\"
Theexcitementwasjuststarted，butitdidn\'tlastlong。Thecrowdgotthesamenotionatthesametime，anditjustmelted。
MeandDutchywasleftalone。
Iwenthome。PrettysoonafellownamedJimmyTackcomearoundalittleoutofbreath。
\"Say，youknowthatbuckskinyouboughtoff\'nme？\"sayshe，\"I
wanttobuyhimback。\"
\"Oh，youdo，\"saysI。
\"Yes，\"sayshe。\"I\'vegottoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andIgottohavesomethin\'topack。\"
\"WaitandI\'llsee，\"saysI。
OutsidethedoorImetanotherfellow。
\"Lookhere，\"hestopsmewith。\"HowaboutthatbaymareIsoldyou？Canyoucallthatsaleoff？Igottoleavetownforadayortwoand——\"
\"Wait，\"saysI。\"I\'llsee。\"
Bythegatewasanotherhurryin\'up。
\"Oh，yes，\"saysIwhenheopenshismouth。\"Iknowallyourtroubles。Youhavetoleavetownforacoupleofdays，andyouwantbackthatlizardyousoldme。Well，wait。\"
AfterthatIhadtoquitthemainstreetanddodgebackofthehogranch。Theywasallheadedmyway。Iwasaspopularasasnakeinaprohibitiontown。
IhitDutchy\'sbythebackdoor。
\"Doyouwanttosellhosses？\"Iasks。\"Everyoneintownwantstobuy。\"
Dutchylookedhurt。
\"Iwantedtokeepthemforthevalleymarket，\"sayshe，\"but——HowmuchdidyougiveJimmyTackforhisbuckskin？\"
\"Twenty，\"saysI。
\"Well，lethimhaveitforeighty，\"saysDutchy；\"andtheothersinproportion。\"
Ilaybackandbreathedhard。
\"Sellthemall，buttheonebesthoss，\"sayshe——\"no，theTWO
best。\"
\"Holysmoke！\"saysI，gettin\'mybreath。\"Ifyoumeanthat，Dutchy，youlendmeanothergunandgivemeadrink。\"
Hedoneso，andIwentbackhometowherethewholecampofCyanidewaswaitin\'。
IgotupandmadethemaspeechandtoldthemI\'dsellthemhossesallright，andtocomeback。ThenIgotanInjinboytohelp，andwerustledovertheremudaandheldtheminablindcanon。ThenIcalleduptheseminersoneatatime，andmadebargainswiththem。Roar！Well，youcouldhearthematDenver，theytellme，andtheweatherreportssaid，\"Thunderinthemountains。\"Butitwascashondelivery，andtheyallpaidup。
Theyhadseenthatwhitequartzwiththegoldstickin\'intoit，andthat\'sthesameasadoseoflocotominergents。
Whydidn\'tItakeahossandstartfirst？Ididthinkofit——foraboutonesecond。Iwouldn\'tstayinthatcountrythenforamilliondollarsaminute。Iwasplumbsickandloathin\'it，andjustwaitin\'tomakehighjumpsbacktoArizona。SoIwasn\'taimin\'tojointhisstampede，anddidn\'thavenovividemotions。
Theygottofightin\'onwhichshouldgetthefirsthoss；soI
bentmygunonthemandmadethemdrawlots。Theyroaredsomemore，butdoneso；andasfastaseachonehandedoverhisdustordinerohemadearushforhiscabin，piledonhissaddleandpack，andpulledhisfreightonacloudofdust。Itwassureagrandstampede，andIenjoyeditnolimit。
SobysundownIwasalonewiththeInjin。Thosetwohundredheadbroughtinabouttwentythousanddollars。Itwasheavy，butI
couldcarryit。Iwasaboutaloneinthelandscape；andtherewerethetwobesthossesIhadsavedoutforDutchy。Iwassuresometempted。ButIhadenoughtogethomeonanyway；andI
neveryetdrankbehindthebar，evenifImightholdupthesaloonfromthefloor。SoIgrievedsomeinsidethatIwassotur\'bleconscientious，shoulderedthesacks，andwentdowntofindDutchy。
Imethimheadedhisway，andcarryin\'ofasheetofpaper。
\"Here\'syourdinero，\"saysI，dumpin\'thefourbigsacksontheground。
Hestoopedoverandheftedthem。Thenhepassedoneovertome。
\"What\'sthatfor？\"Iasks。
\"Foryou，\"sayshe。
\"Mycommissionain\'tthatmuch，\"Iobjects。
\"You\'veearnedit，\"sayshe，\"andyoumighthaveskippedwiththewholewad。\"
\"HowdidyouknowIwouldn\'t？\"Iasks。
\"Well，\"sayshe，andInotedthatjagofhishadflew。\"Yousee，Iwasbehindthatrockupthere，andIhadyoucovered。\"
Isaw；andIbegantofeelbetteraboutbein\'sotur\'bleconscientious。
Wewalkedalittlewayswithoutsayin\'nothin\'。
\"Butain\'tyougoin\'tojointhegame？\"Iasks。
\"Guessnot，\"sayshe，jinglin\'ofhisgold。\"I\'msatisfied。\"
\"Butifyoudon\'tgetawiggleonyou，youaresuregoin\'togetleftonthosegoldclaims，\"saysI。
\"Thereain\'tnogoldclaims，\"sayshe。
\"ButHenrySmith——\"Icries。
\"Thereain\'tnoHenrySmith，\"sayshe。
Iletthatsoakinaboutsixinches。
\"Butthere\'saBuckCanon，\"Ipleads。\"Pleasesaythere\'saBuckCanon。\"
\"Oh，yes，there\'saBuckCanon，\"heallows。\"Nicelimestoneformation——makegoodhardwater。\"
\"Well，you\'reamarvel，\"saysI。
WewalkedntogetherdowntoDutchy\'ssaloon。
Westoppedoutside。
\"Now，\"sayshe，\"I\'mgoin\'totakeoneofthosehossesandgosomewhereselse。Maybeyou\'dbetterdolikewiseontheother。\"
\"YoubetIwill，\"saysI。
Heturnedaroundandtakedupthepaperhewascarryin\'。Itwasasign。Itread：
THEDUTCHHASRUSTLED
\"Nicesentiment，\"saysI。\"ItwillbeappreciatedwhenthecrowdcomesbackfromthatlittlepasearintoBuckCanon。Butwhynottackherupwherethetrailhitsthecamp？Whyonthisparticulardoor？\"
\"Well，\"saidDutchy，squintin\'atthesignsideways，\"youseeI
soldthisplacedaybeforeyesterday——toMikeO\'Toole。\"
CHAPTEREIGHT
THECORRALBRANDING
Allthatnightwesleptlikesticksofwood。Nodreamsvisitedus，butinaccordancewiththeimmemorialhabitofthosewholiveout——whetherinthewoods，ontheplains，amongthemountains，oratsea——onceduringthenighteachofusroseonhiselbow，lookedabouthim，anddroppedbacktosleep。Iftherehadbeenafiretoreplenish，thatwouldhavebeenthemomenttodoso；ifthewindhadbeenchangingandtheseasrising，thatwouldhavebeenthetimetocastaneyealoftforindications，tofeelwhethertheanchorcablewasholding；ifthepack-horseshadstraggledfromthealpinemeadowsunderthesnows，thiswouldhavebeentheoccasionforintentlisteningforthefaintlytinklinghellsothatnextdayonewouldknowinwhichdirectiontolook。Butsincethereexistedforusnoresponsibility，weeachreporteddutifullyattheroll-callofhabit，anddroppedbackintoourblanketswithagratefulsigh。
Irememberthemoonsailingagoodgaitamongapparentlystationarycloudlets；Irecalladeep，blackshadowlyingbeforedistantsilverymountains；Iglancedoverthestark，motionlesscanvases，eachofwhichconcealedaman；theairtrembledwiththebellowingofcattleinthecorrals。
Seeminglybutamomentlaterthecook\'showlbroughtmetoconsciousnessagain。Aclear，lickinglittlefiredancedintheblackness。Beforeitmovedsilhouettesofmenalreadyeating。
Ipiledoutandjoinedthegroup。Homerwasbusydistributinghismenfortheday。Threeweretocarefortheremuda；fiveweretomovethestray-herdfromthecorralstogoodfeed；threebrandingcrewsweretoldtobrandthecalveswehadcollectedinthecutoftheafternoonbefore。Thattookupabouthalfthemen。Therestweretomakeashortdriveinthesaltgrass。I
joinedtheCattleman，andtogetherwemadeourwayafoottothebrandingpen。
Weweretheonlyoneswhodidgoafoot，however，althoughthecorralswerenotmorethantwohundredyards\'distant。Whenwearrivedwefoundthestringofponiesstandingaroundoutside。
Betweentheuprightbarsofgreasewoodwecouldseethecattle，andneartheoppositesidethemenbuildingafirenextthefence。Wepushedopenthewidegateandentered。Thethreeroperssattheirhorses，idlyswingingtheloopsoftheirropesbackandforth。Threeothersbroughtwoodandarrangeditcraftilyinsuchmannerastogetbestdraughtforheatin，——agoodbrandingfireismostdecidedlyaworkofart。Onestoodwaitingforthemtofinish，asheafoflongJHstampingironsinhishand。Alltherestsquattedontheirheelsalongthefence，smokingcigarettesadchattingtogether。Thefirstraysofthesunslantedacrossinonegreatsweepfromtheremotemountains。
IntenminutesCharleypronouncedtheironsready。Homer，Wooden，andoldCaliforniaJohnrodeinamongthecattle。Therestofthemenaroseandstretchedtheirlegsandadvanced。TheCattlemanandIclimbedtothetopbarofthegate，whereweroosted，hewithhistally-bookonhisknee。
Eachriderswunghisropeabovehisheadwithonehand，keepingthebroadloopopenbyaskilfulturnofthewristattheendofeachrevolution。InamomentHomerleanedforwardandthrew。Astheloopsettled，hejerkedsharplyupward，exactlyasonewouldstriketohookabigfish。Thistightenedtheloopandpreventeditfromslippingoff。Immediately，andwithoutwaitingtoascertaintheresultofthemanoeuvre，thehorseturnedandbeganmethodically，withoutunduehaste，towalktowardthebrandingfire。Homerwrappedtheropetwiceorthriceaboutthehorn，andsatoverinonestirruptoavoidthetightenedlineandtopreservethebalance。Nobodypaidanyattentiontothecalf。
Thecritterhadbeencaughtbythetwohindlegs。Astheropetightened，hewassuddenlyupset，andbeforehecouldrealisethatsomethingdisagreeablewashappening，hewasslidingmajesticallyalongonhisbelly。Behindhimfollowedhisanxiousmother，herheadswingingfromsidetoside。
Nearthefirethehorsestopped。Thetwo\"bull-doggers\"
immediatelypounceduponthevictim。Itwaspromptlyfloppedoveronitsrightside。Onekneltonitsheadandtwistedbackitsforeleginasortofhammer-lock；theotherseizedonehindfoot，pressedhisbootheelagainsttheotherhindlegclosetothebody，andsatdownbehindtheanimal。Thusthecalfwasunabletostruggle。Whenonceyouhavehadthewindknockedoutofyou，oraribortwobroken，youceasetothinkthisunnecessarilyrough。Thenoneortheotherthrewofftherope。
Homerrodeaway，coilingtheropeashewent。
\"Hotiron！\"yelledoneofthebull-doggers。
\"Marker！\"yelledtheother。
Immediatelytwomenranforward。Thebranderpressedtheironsmoothlyagainsttheflank。Asmokeandthesmellofscorchinghairarose。Perhapsthecalfblattedalittleastheheatscorched。Inabriefmomentitwasover。Thebrandshowedcherry，whichisthepropercolourtoindicateduepeelingandasuccessfulmark。
Inthemeantimethemarkerwasengagedinhiswork。First，withasharpknifehecutoffslantingtheupperquarterofoneear。
Thenhenickedoutaswallow-tailintheother。ThepieceshethrustintohispocketinorderthatatthecompletionoftheworkhecouldthuschecktheCattleman\'stally-boardastothenumberofcalvesbranded。[3]Thebull-doggerletgo。Thecalfsprangup，wasappropriatedandsmelledoverbyhisworriedmother，andthetwodepartedintotheherdtotalkitover。
[3]Forthebenefitofthesqueamishitmightbewelltonotethatthefragmentsoftheearswerecartilaginous，andthereforenotbloody。
Itseemstomethatagreatdealofunnecessarytwaddleisabroadastotheextremecrueltyofbranding。Undoubtedlyitistosomeextentpainful，andcouldsomeothermethodofreadyidentificationbedevised，itmightbeaswelltoadoptitinpreference。Butinthecircumstanceofafreerange，thousandsofcattle，andhundredsofowners，anyothermethodisoutofthequestion。IrememberaNewEnglandmovementlookingtowardsmallbrasstagstobehungfromtheear。InextinguishablelaughterfollowedthespreadofthisdoctrinethroughArizona。Imagineapuncherdescendingtoexaminepolitelytheear-tagsofwildcattleontheopenrangeorinaround-up。
But，asIhaveintimated，eventheinevitablebrandingandear-markingarenotsopainfulasonemightsuppose。Thescorchinghardlypenetratesbelowtheoutertoughskin——onlyenoughtokilltherootsofthehair——besideswhichitmustberememberedthatcattlearenotsosensitiveasthehighernervousorganisms。Acalfusuallybellowswhentheironbites，butassoonasreleasedhealmostinvariablygoestofeedingortolookingidlyabout。Indeed，Ihaveneverseenoneeventakethetroubletolickhiswounds，whichiscertainlynottrueinthecaseoftheinjuriestheyinflictoneachotherinfighting。
Besideswhich，ithappensbutonceinalifetime，andisoverintenseconds；acomfortdeniedtothoseofuswhohaveourteethfilled。
Inthemeantimetwoothercalveshadbeenropedbythetwoothermen。Oneofthelittleanimalswasbutafewmonthsold，sotheriderdidnotbotherwithitshindlegs，buttossedhisloopoveritsneck。Naturally，whenthingstightenedup，Mr。Calfenteredhisobjections，whichtooktheformofmostvigorousbawlings，andthemostcomicalbucking，pitching，cavorting，andboundingintheair。Mr。Frost\'sbull-calfaloneinpictorialhistoryshowstheattitudes。Andthen，ofcourse，therewasthegorgeouscontrastbetweenallthisfranticanduncomprehendingexcitementandtheabsolutematter-of-factimperturbabilityofhorseandrider。Onceatthefire，oneofthemenseizedthetightenedropeinonehand，reachedwellovertheanimal\'sbacktogetaslackoftheloosehidenextthebelly，liftedstrongly，andtripped。Thisiscalled\"bull-dogging。\"Asheknewhisbusiness，andasthecalfwasasmallone，thelittlebeastwentoverpromptly，bitthegroundwithawhack，andwaspounceduponandheld。
Suchgoodluckdidnotalwaysfollow，however。Anoccasionalandexceedinglyhuskybullyearlingdeclinedtobeupsetinanysuchmanner。Hewouldcatchhimselfononefoot，scramblevigorously，andendbystrugglingbacktotheupright。Thententoonehemadeadashtogetaway。Insuchcasehewasgenerallysnubbedupshortenoughattheendoftherope；butonceortwicehesucceededinrunningaroundagroupabsorbedinbranding。Youcanimaginewhathappenednext。Therope，attachedatoneendtoaconscientiousandimmovablehorseandattheothertoarecklessandvigorouslittlebull，sweptitstautanddestroyingwayaboutmid-kneehighacrossthatgroup。Thebranderandmarker，whowerestanding，promptlysatdownhard；thebull-doggers，whoweresitting，immediatelyturnedseveralmostcapablesomersaults；theothercalfaroseandinextricablyentangledhisropewiththatofhisaccomplice。Hotirons，hotlanguage，anddustfilledtheair。
Anothermethod，andonerequiringslightlymoreknack，istograsptheanimal\'stailandthrowitbyaquickjerkacrossthepressureoftherope。Thisisproductiveofsomefunifitfails。
Bynowthebrandingwasinfullswing。Thethreehorsescameandwentphlegmatically。Whenthenoosesfell，theyturnedandwalkedtowardthefireasamatterofcourse。Rarelydidthecastfail。Menrantoandfrobusyandintent。Sometimesthreeorfourcalveswereonthegroundatonce。Criesaroseinaconfusion：\"Marker\"\"Hotiron！\"\"Tallyone！\"Dusteddiedanddissipated。Behindallwereclearsunlightandtheorganrollofthecattlebellowing。
Towardthemiddleofthemorningthebull-doggersbegantogetalittletired。
\"Nomoreneckedcalves，\"theyannounced。\"Catch\'embythehindlegs，orbull-dog\'emyourself。\"
Andthatwent。Onceinawhiletherider，lazy，orcareless，orbotheredbythepressofnumbers，draggedupavictimcaughtbytheneck。Thebull-doggersflatlyrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithit。Anobviouswayoutwouldhavebeentoflipofftheloopandtryagain；butofcoursethatwouldhaveamountedtoaconfessionofwrong。
\"Youfellowsdrivemeplumbweary，\"remarkedtherider，slowlydismounting。\"Alittlebitofacalflikethat！Whatyouallneedisaniggertocutupyourfoodforyou！\"
Thenhewouldspitonhishandsandgoatitalone。Ifluckattendedhisfirsteffort，hissarcasmwasprofound。
\"There\'syorelittlecalf，\"saidhe。\"Wouldyouliketohavemetoteittoyou，ordoyoureckonyoucouldtoddlethisfarwithyorelittleoldiron？\"
Butifthecalfgavemuchtrouble，thenallworkceasedwhiletheunfortunatepuncherwrestleditdown。
Towardnoontheworkslacked。Unbrandedcalveswerescarce。
Sometimesthemenrodehereandthereforaminuteorsobeforetheireyesfellonapairofuncroppedears。FinallyHomerrodeovertotheCattlemanandreportedthebrandingfinished。Thelattercountedthemarksinhistally-book。
\"Onehundredandseventy-six，\"heannounced。
Themarkers，squattedontheirheels，toldoverthebitsofearstheyhadsaved。Thetotalamountedtobutanhundredandseventy-five。Everybodywenttosearchingforthemissingbit。
Itwasnotforth-coming。FinallyWoodendiscovereditinhishippocket。
\"Felthertharallthetime，\"saidhe，\"butthoughtitmustshorelybeachawoftobacco。\"
Thismattersatisfactorilyadjusted，themenallranfortheirponies。Theyhadbeendoingawrestler\'sheavyworkallthemorning，butdidnotseemtobetired。Isawonceinsomecrankphysicalcultureperiodicalthatacowboy\'slifewasphysicallyill-balanced，likeanoarsman\'s，inthatitexercisedonlycertainmusclesofthebody。Thewritershouldbeturnedlooseinabrandingcorral。
Throughthewidegatesthecattlewereurgedouttotheopenplain。Theretheywereheldforoveranhourwhilethecowswanderedaboutlookingfortheirlostprogeny。Acowknowshercalfbyscentandsound，notbysight。Thereforethenoisewasdeafening，andthemotionincessant。
Finallythelastandmostfoolishcowfoundthelastandmostfoolishcalf。Weturnedtheherdloosetohuntwaterandgrassatitsownpleasure，andwentslowlybacktochuck。
CHAPTERNINE
THEOLDTIMER
Aboutaweeklater，inthecourseoftheround-up，wereachedthevalleyoftheBoxSprings，wherewecampedforsomedaysatthedilapidatedandabandonedadobestructurethathadoncebeenaranchhouseofsomeimportance。
Justatduskoneafternoonwefinishedcuttingtheherdwhichourmorning\'sdrivehadcollected。Thestray-herd，withitsnewadditionsfromtheday\'swork，wepushedrapidlyintoonebigstockcorral。Thecowsandunbrandedcalvesweurgedintoanother。Fiftyheadofbeefsteersfoundasylumfromdust，heat，andracingtoandfro，inthemilesquarewireenclosurecalledthepasture。Alltheremainder，forwhichwehadnofurtherusewedroveoutoftheflatintothebrushandtowardthedistantmountains。Thenweletthemgoasbestpleasedthem。
Bynowthedesertbadturnedslate-coloured，andthebrushwasolivegreenwithevening。Thehard，uncompromisingranges，twentymilestoeastward，hadsoftenedbehindawonderfulveilofpurpleandpink，vividasthechiffonofagirl\'sgown。TothesouthandsouthwesttheChiricahuasandDragoonswerelostinthundercloudswhichflashedandrumbled。
Wejoggedhomewards，ourcuttingponies，tiredwiththequick，sharpwork，shufflingkneedeepinaduskthatseemedtodisengageitselfandriseupwardsfromthesurfaceofthedesert。
Everybodywashungryandtired。Atthechuckwagonwethrewoffoursaddlesandturnedthemountsintotheremuda。Someofthewisestofus，rememberingthethunderclouds，stackedourgearundertheverandaroofoftheoldranchhouse。
Supperwasready。Weseizedthetinbattery，filledtheplateswiththemeat，bread，andcannedcorn，andsquattedonourheels。
Thefoodwasgood，andweatehugelyinsilence。Whenwecouldholdnomorewelitpipes。Thenwehadleisuretonoticethatthestormcloudwasmountinginaportentoussilencetothezenith，quenchingthebrilliantdesertstars。
\"Rolls\"werescatteredeverywhere。Arollincludesacowboy\'sbedandallofhispersonalbelongings。Whentheoutfitincludesabed-wagon，therollassumesbulkyproportions。
Assoonaswehadcometoadefiniteconclusionthatitwasgoingtorain，wedesertedthecampfireandwentrustlingforourblankets。Attheendoftenminuteseverybedwassafewithinthedoorsoftheabandonedadoberanchhouse，eachownerrecumbentonthefloorclaimhehadpre-empted，andeverymanhopingferventlythathehadguessedrightastothelocationofleaks。
Ordinarilywehaddependedonthelightofcampfires，sonowartificialilluminationlacked。Eachmanwasindicatedbythealternatelyglowingandwaninglozengeofhiscigarettefire。
Occasionallysomeonestruckamatch，revealingforamomenthigh-lightsonbronzedcountenances，andthesilhouetteofashadinghand。Voicesspokedisembodied。Astheconversationdeveloped，wegraduallyrecognisedthemembershipofourownroomful。Ihadforgottentostatethattheranchhouseincludedfourchambers。Outside，therainroaredwithArizonaferocity。
Inside，mencongratulatedthemselves，orsworeasleaksdevelopedandlocalised。
Naturallywetalkedfirstofstampedes。Cowsandbearsarethetwogreatcattle-countrytopics。Thenwehadamouth-organsoloortwo，whichnaturallyledontosongs。Myturncame。Istruckupthefirstverseofasailorchanteyaspossessingatleasttheinterestofnovelty：
Oh，oncewewerea-sailing，a-sailingwerewe，Blowhigh，blowlow，whatcarewe；
Andwewerea-sailingtoseewhatwecouldsee，DownonthecoastoftheHighBarbaree。
