Mr。Carstone’sprophecywasbuthalfrealized。AttheendofsixmonthsHerbertBly’sdiscretionanddevotionweredulyrewardedbyCherry’shand。ButTappingtondidNOTgiveheraway。Thatsaintlyprodigalpassedhisperiodofprobationwithexemplaryrectitude，but，eitherfromadreadofoldtemptation，orsomeunexplainedreason，hepreferredtoremaininPortland，andhisfastidiousnestonTelegraphHillknewhimnomore。Thekeyofthelittledooronthesidestreetpassed，naturally，intothekeepingofMrs。Bly。
WhetherthesecretofTappington’sdoublelifewaseverrevealedtothetwowomenisnotknowntothechronicler。Mrs。BlyisreportedtohavesaidthattheclimateofOregonwasmoresuitedtoherbrother’sdelicateconstitutionthanthedampfogsofSanFrancisco，andthathistasteswerealwaysopposedtothemerefrivolityofmetropolitansociety。Theonlypossiblereasonforsupposingthatthemothermayhavebecomecognizantofherson’syouthfulerrorswasintheoccasionalvisitstothehouseofthehandsomeGeorgeDornton，who，inthesocialrevolutionthatfollowedthebriefreignoftheVigilanceCommittee，characteristicallyreturnedasadashingstockbroker，andthefactthatMrs。Brooksseemedtohavediscardedherasceticshawlforever。Butasallthiswascontemporaneouswiththeabsurdrumor，thatowingtothelonelinessinducedbythemarriageofherdaughtershecontemplatedasimilarchangeinherowncondition，itisdeemedunworthytheseriousconsiderationofthisveraciouschronicle。
CAPTAINJIM’SFRIEND。
I。
Hardlyoneofus，Ithink，reallybelievedintheauriferousprobabilitiesofEurekaGulch。Followingalittlestream，wehadonedaydriftedintoit，verymuchasweimaginedtherivergoldmighthavedoneinremoterages，withthedifferencethatWE
remainedthere，whiletherivergoldtoallappearanceshadnot。
Atfirstitwastacitlyagreedtoignorethisfact，andwemadethemostofthecharminglocality，withitsrarewatercoursethatlostitselfintangleddepthsofmanzanitaandalder，itslaurel—chokedpass，itsflower—strewnhillside，anditssummitcrestedwithrockingpines。
\"Yousee，\"saidtheoptimisticRowley，water’sthemainthingafterall。Ifwehappentostrikerivergold，thar’sthestreamforwashingit;ifwehappentodropintoquartz——andthattharrocklooksmightylikely——tharain’tamorenatural—bornsiteforamillthanthatrightbank，withwaterenoughtorunfiftystamps。Thathillsideisanoriginaldumpforyourtailings，andareadyfoundinclinedroadforyourtrucks，freshfromthehandsofProvidence;
andthatroadwe’rekalkilatin’tobuildtotheturnpikewillrunjusteasyalongthatridge。\"
Later，whenwewereforcedtoacceptthefactthatfindinggoldwasreallytheprimaryobjectofagold—miningcompany，westillremainedthere，excusingouryouthfullazinessandincertitudebybrilliantandeffectivesarcasmsupontheunremunerativeattractionsofthegulch。Nevertheless，whenCaptainJim，returningonedayfromthenearestsettlementandpost—office，twentymilesaway，burstuponuswith\"Well，thehullthing’llbesettlednow，boys;LacyBassettiscomingdownyertolookround，\"
wefeltconsiderablyrelieved。
Andyet，perhaps，wehadaslittlereasonforitaswehadforremainingthere。TherewasnowarrantforanybeliefinthespecialdiviningpoweroftheunknownLacyBassett，exceptCaptainJim’sextravagantfaithinhisgeneralsuperiority，andeventhathadalwaysbeenasourceofamusedskepticismtothecamp。Wewerealreadyimpatientlyfamiliarwiththeopinionsofthisunseenoracle;hewasalwaysimpendinginCaptainJim’sspeechasafragrantmemoryoranunquestionedauthority。WhenCaptainJimbegan，\"EzLacywasonedaytellin’me，\"or，\"EzLacyBassettallows，\"ormoreformally，whenstrangerswerepresent，\"Ezaparticklerfriendo’mine，LacyBassett——maybeezyouknowhim——
sez，\"theyouthfulandlightermembersoftheEurekaMiningCompanyglancedateachotherinfurtiveenjoyment。Neverthelessnoonelookedmoreeagerlyforwardtothearrivalofthisapocryphalsagethantheseindolentskeptics。Itwasatleastanexcitement;theywereequallyreadytoaccepthiscondemnationofthelocalityorhisjustificationoftheiroriginalselection。
Hecame。HewasreceivedbytheEurekaMiningCompanylyingontheirbacksonthegrassysiteoftheprospectivequartzmill，notfarfromtheequallyhypothetical\"slide\"tothegulch。Hecamebythefuturestageroad——atpresentathicksetjungleofscrub—oaksandferns。HewasaccompaniedbyCaptainJim，whohadgonetomeethimonthetrail，andforafewmomentsallcriticalinspectionofhimselfwaswithheldbytheextraordinaryeffectheseemedtohaveuponthefacultiesofhisintroducer。
AnythingliketheabsoluteprepossessionofCaptainJimbythisstrangerwehadneverimagined。Heapproachedusrunningalittleaheadofhisguest，andnowandthenreturningassuringlytohissidewiththeexpressionofadevotedNewfoundlanddog，whichinfluffinesshegenerallyresembled。Andnow，evenaftertheintroductionwasover，whenhemadeapointofstandingasideinanaffectationofcarelessness，withhishandsinhispockets，thesimulationwassoapparent，andhisconsciousnessandabsorptioninhisfriendsoobvious，thatitwasarelieftoustorecallhimintotheconversation。
Astoourownfirstimpressionsofthestranger，theywereprobablycorrect。Wealldislikedhim;wethoughthimconceited，self—
opinionated，selfish，anduntrustworthy。Butlater，reflectingthatthiswaspossiblytheresultofCaptainJim’sover—praise，andfindingnoneofthesequalitiesasyetoffensivelyopposedtoourownselfishnessandconceit，wewereinduced，likemanyothers，toforgetourfirstimpressions。WecouldeasilycorrecthimifheattemptedtoimposeuponUS，asheevidentlyhaduponCaptainJim。
Believing，afterthefashionofmosthumanity，thattherewassomethingaboutUSparticularlyawe—inspiringandedifyingtoviceorweaknessofanykind，wegood—humoredlyyieldedtothecheapfascinationofthisshowy，self—saturated，over—dressed，andunderbredstranger。Eventheepithetof\"blower\"asappliedtohimbyRowleyhaditsmitigations;inthatTrajancommunityabullywasnotnecessarilyacoward，norfloriddemonstrationalwaysaweakness。
Hiscondemnationofthegulchwassweeping，original，andstriking。
Helaughedtoscornourhalf—heartedtheoryofagolddepositinthebedandbarsofourfavoritestream。Wewerenottolookforauriferousalluviuminthebedofanypresentexistingstream，butinthe\"cement\"ordried—upbedoftheoriginalprehistoricriversthatformerlyranparallelwiththepresentbed，andwhich——hedemonstratedwiththestemofPickney’spipeinthereddust——couldbefoundbysinkingshaftsatrightangleswiththestream。Thetheorywastous，atthattime，novelandattractive。Itwastruethatthescientificexplanation，althoughfullandgratuitous，soundedvagueandincoherent。Itwastruethatthegeologicaltermswerenotalwayscorrect，andtheirpronunciationdefective，butweacceptedsuchextraordinarydiscoveriesas\"ignusfatuusrock，\"\"splendiferousdrift，\"\"micatwist\"（recallingapopularspeciesoftobacco），\"ironpirates，\"and\"discomposedquartz\"aspartofwhathenotinaptlycalleda\"tautologicalformation，\"andwerehappy。Norwasourcontentmentmarredbythefactthatthewell—knownscientificauthoritywithwhomthestrangerhadbeenintimate，——tothepointof\"sleepingtogether\"duringasurvey，——
andwhomhedescribedasabentoldmanwithspectacles，musthaveagedconsiderablysinceoneofourpartysawhimthreeyearsbeforeasakeenyoungfellowoftwenty—five。Inaccuracieslikethosewereonlythecarelessnessofgenius。\"That’smyopinion，gentlemen，\"heconcluded，negligentlyrising，andwithpointedpreoccupationwhippingthedustofEurekaGulchfromhisclotheswithhishandkerchief，\"butofcourseitain’tnothin’tome。\"
CaptainJim，whohadfollowedeverywordwithdeepandtrustfulabsorption，hererepeated，\"Itain’tnothingtohim，boys，\"withaconfidentialimplicationofthegratuitousblessingwehadreceived，andthenadded，withloyalencouragementtohim，\"Itain’tnothingtoyou，Lacy，incourse，\"andlaidhishandonhisshoulderwithinfinitetenderness。
We，however，endeavoredtomakeitsomethingtoMr。LacyBassett。
HewasspontaneouslyofferedashareinthecompanyandapartofCaptainJim’stent。HeacceptedbothafterafewdeprecatingandmutteredasidestoCaptainJim，whichthelatterafterwardsexplainedtouswasthegivingupofseveralotherimportantenterprisesforoursake。WhenhefinallystrolledawaywithRowleytolookoverthegulch，CaptainJimreluctantlytorehimselfawayfromhimonlyforthepleasureofreiteratinghispraisetousasifinstrictestconfidenceandasanentirelynovelproceeding。
\"Yousee，boys，Ididn’tliketosayitaforeHIM，webein’oldfriends;but，betweenus，thatyoungfellerezworththousandstothecamp。Mebbee，\"hecontinuedwithgravenaivete，\"Iain’tsaidmuchabouthimafore，mebbee，bein’oldfriendsandaccustomedtohim——youknowhowitis，boys，——Ihaven’tappreciatedhimasmuchezIought，andezyoudo。Infact，Idon’tezaklyrememberhowI
kemtoaskhimdownyer。Itcametomesuddent，onedayonlyaweekagoFridaynight，tharunderthatbuckeye;Iwasthinkin’o’
oneofhissayins，andsezI——thar’sLacy，ifhewasherehe’dsetthehullthingright。Itwastheghostofachancemyfindin’himfree，butIdid。AndthereHEis，andyerWEaresettled！Yenoticedhowhejustknockedthebottomouterourplanstowork。Yenoticedthatquicksorto’sneerin’smileo’his，didn’tye——that’sLacy！I’veseenhimknockoveraheapo’thingswithoutsayin’
anythin’——withjistthatsmile。\"
Itoccurredtousthatwemighthavesomedifficultyinutilizingthissmileinourpresentaffairs，andthatweshouldhaveprobablypreferredsomethingmoreassuring，butCaptainJim’sfaithwascontagious。
\"Whatishe，anyway？\"askedJoeWalkerlazily。
\"Eh！\"echoedCaptainJiminastonishment。\"WhatisLacyBassett？\"
\"Yes，whatishe？\"repeatedWalker。
\"WotIS——he？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"I’veknowedhimnowgoin’asfouryear，\"saidCaptainJimwithslowreflectivecontentment。\"Let’ssee。Itwasinthefallo’
’54Ifirstmethim，andhe’sallusbeenthesameezyouseehimnow。\"
\"Butwhatishisbusinessorprofession？Whatdoeshedo？\"
CaptainJimlookedreproachfullyathisquestioner。
\"Do？\"herepeated，turningtotherestofusasifdisdainingadirectreply。\"Do？——why，wothe’sdoin’now。He’sallusthesame，allusLacyBassett。\"
Howbeit，wewenttoworkthenextdayunderthesuperintendenceofthestrangerwithyouthfulandenthusiasticenergy，andbeganthesinkingofashaftatonce。TodoCaptainJim’sfriendjustice，forthefirstfewweekshedidnotshirkafairshareoftheactuallabor，replacinghisobjectionableandunsuitablefinerywithasuitofserviceableworkingclothesgottogetherbygeneralcontributionofthecamp，andassuringusofafactweafterwardshadcausetoremember，that\"hebroughtnothingbuthimselfintoEurekaGulch。\"Itmaybeaddedthathecertainlyhadnotbroughtmoneythere，asCaptainJimadvancedthesmallamountsnecessaryforhispurchasesinthedistantsettlement，andforthestillsmallersumshelostatcards，whichheplayedwithcharacteristicself—sufficiency。
Meantimetheworkintheshaftprogressedslowlybutregularly。
Evenwhenthenoveltyhadwornoffandtheexcitementofanticipationgrewfainter，Iamafraidthatweclungtothisnewformofoccupationasanapologyforremainingthere;forthefascinationsofourvagabondandunconventionallifeweremorepotentthanwedreamedof。Wewereslowlyfetteredbyourveryfreedom;therewasastrangespellinthisveryboundlessnessofourlicensethatkeptusfromeventhedesireofchange;inthewildandlawlessarmsofnatureherselfwefoundanembraceasclinging，ashopelessandrestraining，asthecivilizationfromwhichwehadfled。Wewerequitecontentafterafewhours’workintheshafttolieonourbacksonthehillsidestaringattheunwinkingsky，ortowanderwithagunthroughthevirginforestinsearchofgamescarcelylessvagabondthanourselves。Weindulgedinthemostextravagantanddreamyspeculationsofthefortuneweshouldeventuallydiscoverintheshaft，andbelievedthatwewerepractical。Webrokeour\"saleratusbread\"withappetitesunimpairedbyrestlessnessoranxiety;wewenttosleepunderthegraveandsedatestarswithasereneconsciousnessofhavingfairlyearnedourrest;weawokethenextmorningwithunabatedtrustfulness，andasweetobliviousnessofeventhehypotheticalfortuneswehadperhapswonorlostatcardsovernight。Wepaidnoheedtothefactthatourlittlecapitalwasslowlysinkingwiththeshaft，andthattherainyseason——whereinnotonly\"nomancouldwork，\"butevensuchplayasourswasimpossible——wasmomentarilyimpending。
Inthemidstofthis，onedayLacyBassettsuddenlyemergedfromtheshaftbeforehis\"shift\"oflaborwasoverwitheverysignofdisgustandrageinhisfaceandinarticulatewithapparentpassion。Invainwegatheredroundhiminconcern;invainCaptainJimregardedhimwithalmostfemininesympathy，asheflungawayhispickanddashedhishattotheground。
\"What’sup，Lacy，oldpard？What’sgoneo’you？\"saidCaptainJimtenderly。
\"Look！\"gaspedLacyatlast，wheneveryeyewasonhim，holdingupasmallfragmentofrockbeforeusandthenextmomentgrindingitunderhisheelinrage。\"Look！TothinkthatI’vebeenfooledaginbythisblankedfossiliferoustrap——blankit！TothinkthataftermeandProfessorParkerwasoncecaughtjistinthiswayupontheStanislausatthebottomofahundred—footshaftbythisrottentrap——thatyerIam——bluffedagin！\"
Therewasadeadsilence;welookedateachotherblankly。
\"But，Bassett，\"saidWalker，pickingupapartofthefragment，\"we’vebeenfindingthiskindofstuffforthelasttwoweeks。\"
\"Buthow？\"returnedLacy，turninguponhimalmostfiercely。\"Didyefinditsuperposedonquartz，ordidyoufinditNOTsuperposedonquartz？Didyoufinditinvolcanicdrift，ordidyefinditinoldred—sandstoneorcoarseilluvion？Tellmethat，andthenyekintalk。Butthisyerblankfossiliferoustrap，insteado’beingsuperposedontop，issuperposedonthebottom。Andthatmeans\"——
\"What？\"weallaskedeagerly。
\"Why——blankitall——thatthisyerconvulsionofnature，thisprehistoricvolcanicearthquake，insteadofactinglaterallyandchuckin’thestreamtooneside，hasbeenrevolutionaryandturnedtheoldriver—bedbottom—sideup，andyerd——dcementhezgothalftheglobeatopofit！YemightstrikeitfromChina，butnowhereelse。\"
Wecontinuedtolookatoneanother，theoldermemberswithdarkeningfaces，theyoungerwithastronginclinationtolaugh。
CaptainJim，whohadbeenconcernedonlyinhisfriend’semotion，andwhowashangingwithundisguisedsatisfactiononthesefinalconvincingproofsofhissuperiorgeologicalknowledge，murmuredapprovinglyandconfidingly，\"He’sright，boys！Tharain’tanothermanlivin’ezcouldgiveyouthelawandgospillikethat！Yecantietowhathesays。That’sLacyallover。\"
Twoweekspassed。Wehadgathered，dampanddisconsolate，intheonlyavailableshelterofthecamp。Forthelongsummerhadendedunexpectedlytous;wehadonedayfoundourselvescaughtliketheimprovidentinsectofthechild’sfablewithgauzyandunseasonablewingswetandbedraggledinthefirstrains，homelessandhopeless。
ThescientificLacy，wholatelyspentmostofhistimeasabar—
roomoracleinthesettlement，wasaway，andfromourdrippingcanvaswecouldseeCaptainJimreturningfromavisittohim，slowlyploddingalongthetrailtowardsus。
\"It’snouse，boys，\"saidRowley，summarizingtheresultofourconference，\"wemustspeakouttohim，andifnobodyelsecarestodoitIwill。Idon’tknowwhyweshouldbemoremealy—mouthedthantheyareatthesettlement。Theydon’thesitatetocallBassettadead—beat，whateverCaptainJimsaystothecontrary。\"
TheunfortunateCaptainJimhadhaltedirresolutelybeforethegloomyfacesintheshelter。WhetherhefeltinstinctivelysomeforewarningofwhatwascomingIcannotsay。Therewasacertaindog—likeconsciousnessinhiseyeandahalf—backwardglanceoverhisshoulderasifhewerenotquitecertainthatLacywasnotfollowing。Therainhadsomewhatsubduedhischaracteristicfluffiness，andhecoweredwithakindofsleekstorm—beatendespondencyoverthesmokingfireofgreenwoodbeforeourtent。
Nevertheless，Rowleyopeneduponhimwithadirectnessanddecisionthatastonishedus。HepointedoutbrieflythatLacyBassetthadbeenknowntousonlythroughCaptainJim’sintroduction。ThathehadbeenoriginallyinvitedthereonCaptainJim’sownaccount，andthathislaterconnectionwiththecompanyhadbeenwhollytheresultofCaptainJim’sstatements。That，farfrombeinganyaidorassistancetothem，Bassetthadbeguiledthembyapocryphalknowledgeandshamscientifictheoriesintoanexpensiveandgiganticpieceoffolly。That，inadditiontothis，theyhadjustdiscoveredthathehadalsobeenusingthecreditofthecompanyforhisownindividualexpensesatthesettlementwhiletheywereworkingonhisd——dfoolshaft——allofwhichhadbroughtthemtothevergeofbankruptcy。That，asaresult，theywereforcednowtodemandhisresignation——notonlyontheirgeneralaccount，butforCaptainJim’ssake——believingfirmly，astheydid，thathehadbeenasgrosslydeceivedinhisfriendshipforLacyBassettasTHEY
wereintheirbusinessrelationswithhim。
Insteadofbeingmollifiedbythis，CaptainJim，toourgreaterastonishment，suddenlyturneduponthespeaker，bristlingwithhisoldcaninesuggestion。
\"There！Isaidso！Goon！I’dhavesworntoitaforeyouopenedyourlips。Iknoweditthedayyousneakedaroundandwantedtoknowwothisbusinesswas！Isaidtomyself，Cap，lookoutforthatsneakin’houndRowley，he’snofriendo’Lacy’s。AndthedayLacysofardemeanedhimselfastogiveyethatsplendidexplanationo’things，Iwatchedye;yedidn’tthinkit，butI
watchedye。Yecan’tfoolme！Isawyelookin’atWalkerthere，andIsaidtomyself，Wot’stheuse，Lacy，wot’stheuseo’yourslingin’themwordstosuchasTHEM？WotdoTHEYknow？It’sjusttheirpurejealousyandignorance。Efyou’dcomedownyer，andlazedaroundwithusandfallenintoourcommonways，you’dha’
beenezgoodamanezthenext。Butno，itain’tyourstyle，Lacy，you’reaccustomedtohigh—tonedmenlikeProfessorParker，andyoucan’thelpshowingit。Nowonderyoutooktoavoidin’us;nowonderI’vehadtofolleryouovertheBurntWoodCrossin’timeandagain，togettoseeye。Iseeitallnow：yecan’tstandthekempanyIbroughtyeto！YehadtowipetheslumgullionofEurekaGulchoffyourhands，Lacy\"——Hestopped，gaspedforbreath，andthenliftedhisvoicemoresavagely，\"Andnow，what’sthis？Wot’sthishogwash？thisyerlyin’slanderabouthisgettin’thingsonthekempany’scredit？Eh，speakup，someofye！\"
Weweresoutterlyshockedandstupefiedatthedegradationofthissuddenandunexpectedoutburstfromamanusuallysohonorable，gentle，self—sacrificing，andforgiving，thatweforgotthecauseofitandcouldonlystareateachother。Whatwasthischeapstranger，withhisshallowswindlingtricks，totheignoblechangehehadworkeduponthemanbeforeus。RowleyandWalker，bothfearlessfightersandquicktoresentaninsult，onlyavertedtheirsaddenedfacesandturnedasidewithoutaword。
\"Yedussen’tsayit！Well，harktomethen，\"hecontinuedwithwhiteandfeverishlips。\"Iputhimuptohelpin’himself。Itoldhimtousethekempany’snameforcredit。YekinputthatdowntoME。AndwhenyetalkofHISresigning，IwantyetounderstandthatIresignouterthisrottenkempanyandTAKEHIMWITHME！Efallthegoldyerlookin’forwaspiledupinthatshaftfromitsbottominhelltoitstopinthegulch，itain’tenoughtokeepmehereawayfromhim！Yekintakeallmyshare——allMYrightsyerabovegroundandbelowit——allIcarry，\"——hethrewhisbuckskinpurseandrevolverontheground，——\"andpayyourselveswhatyoureckonyou’velostthroughHIM。Butyouandmeisquitsfromto—
day。\"
Hestrodeawaybeforearestrainingvoiceorhandcouldreachhim。
Hisdrippingfigureseemedtomeltintotherainbeneaththethickeningshadowsofthepines，andthenextmomenthewasgone。
FromthatdayforwardEurekaGulchknewhimnomore。Andthecampitselfsomehowmeltedawayduringtherainyseason，evenashehaddone。
II。
Threeyearshadpassed。Thepioneerstage—coachwassweepingdownthelongdescenttothepastoralvalleyofGilead，andIwaslookingtowardsthevillagewithsomepardonableinterestandanxiety。ForIcarriedinmypocketmylettersofpromotionfromtheboxseatofthecoach——whereIhadperformedthefunctionsoftreasuremessengerfortheExcelsiorExpressCompany——totheresidentagencyofthatcompanyinthebucolichamletbeforeme。
Thefewdustyright—angledstreets，withtheirrigidandstaringlynewshopsanddwellings，thesternformalityofoneortwoobelisk—
likemeeting—housespires，theillimitableoutlyingplainsofwheatandwildoatsbeyond，withtheirmonotonyscarcelybrokenbyskeletonstockades，corrals，andbarrack—lookingfarmbuildings，wereallcertainlyunliketheunkemptfreedomofthemountainfastnessesinwhichIhadlatelylivedandmoved。YubaBill，thedriver，whoseusualexpressionofhumorousdiscontentdeepenedintoscornashegathereduphisreinsasiftochargethevillageandrecklesslysweepitfromhispath，indicatedahuge，rambling，obtrusivelyglazed，andcapital—letteredbuildingwithacontemptuousflickofhiswhipaswepassed。\"Efyou’rekalkilatin’we’llgetourpartin’drinkthereyou’remistaken。
That’swottheycallaTEMPERANCEHOUSE——wotmeansaplacewherethelickeryegetunderhandisonlyatrifleworsethanthehashyegetabove—board。Isupposeit’sparto’oneo’themysterieso’
Providencethatwhareveryoufindadustyholelikethis——that’snaturallyTHIRSTY——yerunagina’temperance’house。ButneverYOU
mind！Ishouldn’twonderiftharwasademijohno’whiskeyintheclosetofyourbackoffice，kepttharbythefelleryou’rerelievin’——whowasawhitemanandknewtheropes。\"
Afewminuteslater，whenmybriefinstallationwasover，weDID
findthedemijohnintheplaceindicated。AsYubaBillwipedhismouthwiththebackofhisheavybuckskinglove，heturnedtomenotunkindly。\"Idon’tliketosetyeaginGile—ad，whichisascrip—too—ruralplace，andaGod—fearin’place，andanicedryplace，andaplaceezI’veheardtellwhartheygrowbeansandpertatoesandgardensass;butaforethreeweeksisover，oldpard，you’llbehowlin’togetbackonthatboxseatwithme，wharyouustersit，andbereadytotakeyourchancesagin，likealittleman，togetdrilledthroughwithbuckshotfromroadagents。Youhearme！I’llgiveyouthreeweeks，sonny，justthreeweeks，togetyourbutesfullo’hayseedandstrawsinyerhar;andI’llfindyewadin’theNorthForkathighwatertogetouto’this。\"Heshookmyhandwithgrimtenderness，removinghisglove——ararefavor——togivemethepressureofhislarge，soft，protectingpalm，andstrodeaway。ThenextmomenthewasshakingthewhitedustofGileadfromhisscornfulchariot—wheels。
Inthehopeoffamiliarizingmyselfwiththelocalinterestsofthecommunity，Itookupacopyofthe\"GileadGuardian\"whichlayonmydesk，forgettingforthemomenttheusualcustomofthecountrypresstodisplacelocalnewsforlongeditorialsonforeignsubjectsandnationalpolitics。Ifound，tomydisappointment，thatthe\"Guardian\"exhibitedmorethantheusualdearthofdomesticintelligence，althoughitwassingularlyoracularon\"TheStateofEurope，\"and\"JeffersonianDemocracy。\"Acertaincheapassurance，acopy—bookdogmatism，acolloquialfamiliarity，evenintheimpersonalplural，andaseriesofinaccuraciesandblundershereandthere，strucksomeoldchordinmymemory。IwasmutelywonderingwhereandwhenIhadbecomepersonallyfamiliarwithrhetoriclikethat，whenthedooroftheofficeopenedandamanentered。IwassurprisedtorecognizeCaptainJim。
Ihadnotseenhimsincehehadindignantlyleftus，threeyearsbefore，inEurekaGulch。Thecircumstancesofhisdefectionwerecertainlynotconducivetoanyvoluntaryrenewaloffriendshiponeitherside;andalthough，evenasaformermemberoftheEurekaMiningCompany，Iwasnotconsciousofretaininganysenseofinjury，yetthewholeoccurrenceflashedbackuponmewithawkwarddistinctness。Tomyrelief，however，hegreetedmewithhisoldcordiality;tomyamusementheaddedtoitasuggestionofthelargeforgivenessofconsciousrectitudeandamiabletoleration。I
thought，however，Idetected，asheglancedatthepaperwhichwasstillinmyhandandthenbackagainatmyface，thesameuneasycanineresemblanceIrememberedofold。Hehadchangedbutlittleinappearance;perhapshewasatriflestouter，moremature，andslowerinhismovements。IfImayreturntomycanineillustration，hisgrayer，dustier，andmorewiryensemblegavemetheimpressionthatcertainpastoralandagriculturalconditionshadvariedhistype，andhelookedmorelikeashepherd’sdoginwhosebrowneyestherewasanabidingconsciousnessofthecareofstrayingsheep，andpossiblyofoneblackoneinparticular。
Hehad，hetoldme，abandonedminingandtakenupfarmingonaratherlargescale。Hehadprospered。Hehadotherinterestsatstake，\"Aflour—millwithsomeimprovements——and——and\"——herehiseyeswanderedtothe\"Guardian\"again，andheaskedmesomewhatabruptlywhatIthoughtofthepaper。Somethingimpelledmetorestrainmypreviousfullercriticism，andIcontentedmyselfbysayingbrieflythatIthoughtitratherambitiousforthelocality。
\"That’stheword，\"hesaidwithalookofgratifiedrelief，\"’ambitious’——you’vejusthitit。Andwhat’sthematterwiththet？
Yekan’texpectahigh—tonedmantowritedowntothelevelofeverykarpin’hound，kenyenow？That’swhathesaystome\"——Hestoppedhalfconfused，andthenaddedabruptly：\"That’soneo’myinvestments。\"
\"Why，CaptainJim，Ineversuspectedthatyou\"——
\"Oh，Idon’tWRITEit，\"heinterruptedhastily。\"Ionlyfurnishthemoneyandtheadvertising，andrunitgin’rally，youknow;andI’mresponsibleforit。AndIselecttheeddyter——and\"——hecontinued，withareturnofthesameuneasywistfullook——\"thar’ssuthin’inthet，youknow，eh？\"
Iwasbeginningtobeperplexed。ThememoryevokedbythestyleoftheeditorialwritingandthepresenceofCaptainJimwasassumingasuspiciousrelationshiptoeachother。\"Andwho’syoureditor？\"
Iasked。
\"Oh，he’s——he’s——er——LacyBassett，\"hereplied，blinkinghiseyeswithahopelessassumptionofcarelessness。\"Let’ssee！Ohyes！
YouknowedLacydownthereatEureka。Idisrememberedittillnow。
Yes，sir！\"herepeatedsuddenlyandalmostrudely，asiftoprecludeanyadversecriticism，\"he’stheeddyter！\"
Tomysurprisehewasquitewhiteandtremulouswithnervousness。
Iwasverysorryforhim，andasIreallycaredverylittleforthehalf—forgottenescapadeofhisfriendexceptsofarasitseemedtorenderHIMsensitive，Ishookhishandagainheartilyandbegantotalkofouroldlifeinthegulch——avoidingasfaraspossibleanyallusiontoLacyBassett。Hisfacebrightened;hisoldsimplecordialityandtrustfulnessreturned，butunfortunatelywithithisolddispositiontorefertoBassett。\"Yes，theywazhigholdtimes，andezIwazsayin’toLacyon’yyesterday，thereisakindo’freedom’boutthatsorto’lifethatrunscivilizationandnoospapersmightyhard，howeverhigh—tonedtheyis。NotbutwhatLacyain’tright，\"headdedquickly，\"whenhesezthattheoppositionthe’Guardian’getsherecomesfromignorantlow—downfellersezwosbroughtupinplayed—outcamps，andcan’ttellagentlemanandascholarandascientificmanwhentheyseeshim。
No！SoIseztoLacy，’Neveryoumind，it’shightimetheydid，andthey’vegottodoitandtoswallerthe\"Guardian，\"ifIsinkdoublethemoneyI’vealreadyputintothepaper。’\"
Iwasnotlongindiscoveringfromothersourcesthatthe\"Guardian\"wasnotpopularwiththemoreintelligentreadersofGilead，andthatCaptainJim’sextravagantestimateofhisfriendwasbynomeansindorsedbythecommunity。Butcriticismtookahumorousturneveninthatpracticalsettlement，anditappearedthatLacyBassett’svanity，assumption，andignorancewereanunfailingandweeklyjoytothecritical，inspiteofthevaguedistrusttheyinducedinthemorehomely—witted，andthedullacquiescenceofthatminoritywhoacceptedthepaperforitsrespectableexteriorandadvertisements。Iwassomewhatgrieved，however，tofindthatCaptainJimsharedequallywithhisfriendinthisgeneralverdictofincompetency，andthatsomeofthemostoutrageousblunderswereputdowntoHIM。ButIwasnotpreparedtobelievethatLacyhaddirectlyorbyinnuendohelpedthepublictothisopinion。
Whetherthroughaccidentordesignonhispart，LacyBassettdidnotpersonallyobtrudehimselfuponmyremembranceuntilamonthlater。Onedazzlingafternoon，whenthedustandheathaddriventheprideofGilead’smanhoodintothesurreptitiousshadowsofthetemperancehotel’sbackroom，andhadevenclearedtheexpressofficeofitsloungers，andleftmealonewithdarkenedwindowsintheprivateoffice，theouterdooropenedandCaptainJim’sfriendenteredaspartofthatgarishglitterIhadshutout。Todothescampstrictjustice，however，hewassomewhatsubduedinhisdressandmanner，and，possiblythroughsomegentlechasteningofepigramandrevolversinceIhadseenhimlast，waslessaggressiveandexaggerated。Ihadtheimpression，fromcertainodorswaftedthroughtheapartmentandapeculiarphysicalexaltationthatwasinconsistentwithhisevidentmoralhesitancy，thathehadpreparedhimselffortheinterviewbyapreviousvisittothehiddenfountainsofthetemperancehotel。
\"Wedon’tseemtohaverunagineachothersinceyou’vebeenhere，\"
hesaidwithanassurancethatwasneverthelessatrifleforced\"butIreckonwe’rebothbusymen，andthere’saheaptoomuchloafinggoin’oninGilead。CaptainJimtoldmehemetyouthedayyouarrived;saidyoujustcottonedtothe’Guardian’atonceandthoughtitadealtoogoodforGilead;eh？Oh，well，jestezlikelyheDIDN’Tsayit——itwasonlyhisgassin’。He’saqueerman——isCaptainJim。\"
IrepliedsomewhatsharplythatIconsideredhimaveryhonestman，averysimpleman，andaveryloyalman。
\"That’sallverywell，\"saidBassett，twirlinghiscanewithapatronizingsmile，\"but，ashisfriend，don’tyoufindhimconsiderableofadarnedfool？\"
IcouldnothelpretortingthatIthoughtHEhadfoundthathardlyanobjection。
\"YOUthinkso，\"hesaidquerulously，apparentlyignoringeverythingbutthepracticalfact，——\"andmaybeothersdo;butthat’swhereyou’remistaken。Itdon’tpay。ItmaypayHIMtoberunnin’meashisparticularfriend，tobequotin’mehereandthere，tobegettin’creditofknowin’meandmyfriendsandownin’me——byGosh！
butIdon’tseewherethebenefittoMEcomesin。Eh？TakeyourowncasedownthereatEurekaGulch;didn’thesendformejusttoshowmeuptoyoufellers？DidIwanttohaveanythingtodowiththeEurekaCompany？Didn’thesetmeuptogivemyopinionaboutthatshaftjusttoshowoffwhatIknewaboutscienceandallthat？
Andwhatdidhegetmetojointhecompanyfor？Wasitforyou？
No！Wasitforme？No！ItwasjusttokeepmethereforHIMSELF，andkinderpitmeaginyoufellersandcrowoveryou！Nowthatain’tmystyle！ItmaybeHIS——itmaybehonestandsimpleandloyal，asyousay，anditmaybeallrightforhimtogetmetorunupaccountsatthesettlementandthenthrowoffonme——butitain’tmystyle。IsupposeheletonthatIdidthat。No？Hedidn’t？Wellthen，whydidhewanttorunmeoffwithhim，andoutthewholeconcerninanunderhandwayandmakemeleavewithnaryacharacterbehindme，eh？Now，Ineversaidanythingaboutthisbefore——didI？Itain’tlikeme。Iwouldn’thavesaidanythingaboutitnow，onlyyoutalkedaboutMYbeingbenefitedbyhisdarnedfoolishness。MuchI’vemadeouterHIM。\"
Despicable，false，anddisloyalasthiswas，perhapsitwasthecrowningmeannessofsuchconfidencesthathisveryweaknessseemedonlyareflectionofCaptainJim’sown，andappearedinsomestrangewaytodegradehisfriendasmuchashimself。ThesimplicityofhisvanityandselfishnesswasonlyequalledbythesimplicityofCaptainJim’sadmirationofit。ItwasapartofmyyouthfulinexperienceofhumanitythatIwasnotabovethecommonfallacyofbelievingthatamanis\"knownbythecompanyhekeeps，\"
andthatheisinamannerresponsibleforitsweakness;itwasapartofthathumanitythatIfeltnosurpriseinbeingmoreamusedthanshockedbythisrevelation。ItseemedagoodjokeonCaptainJim！
\"OfcourseYOUkinlaughathisdarnedfoolishness;but，byGosh，itain’talaughingmattertome！\"
\"Butsurelyhe’sgivenyouagoodpositiononthe’Guardian，’\"I
urged。\"Thatwasdisinterested，certainly。\"
\"Wasit？Icallthatthecheekiestthingyet。Whenhefoundhecouldn’tmakeenoughofmeinprivatelife，hetotesmeoutinpublicasHISeditor——themanwhorunsHISpaper！Andhashisnameinprintastheproprietor，theonlychancehe’devergetofbeingbeforethepublic。Anddon’tknowthewholetownislaughingathim！\"
\"ThatmaybebecausetheythinkHEwritessomeofthearticles，\"I
suggested。
Againtheinsinuationglancedharmlesslyfromhisvanity。\"Thatcouldn’tbe，becauseIdoallthework，anditain’thisstyle，\"hesaidwithnaivediscontent。\"Andit’salwaysthehigheststyle，donetopleasehim，thoughbetweenyouandmeit’ssortercastin’
pearlsbeforeswine——this’Friscoediting——andthepublicwouldbejustassatisfiedwithanythingIcouldrattleoffthatwaspeartandsassy，——somethingspicyorpersonal。I’mwillingtoclimbdownanddoit，forthere’snothin’stuck—upaboutme，youknow;butthatdarnedfoolCaptainJimhasgotthebigheadaboutthestyleofthepaper，anddarnedifIdon’tthinkhe’safraidifthere’salettin’down，peoplemaythinkit’shim！Ezif！Why，youknowaswellasmethatthere’sasortofsnapIcouldgivethesethingsthatwouldshowitwasmeandnoslouchdidthem，inaminute。\"
IhadmydoubtsabouttheeleganceorplayfulnessofMr。Bassett’strifling，butfromsomeparagraphsthatappearedinthenextissueofthe\"Guardian\"IjudgedthathehadwonoverCaptainJim——ifindeedthatgentleman’sallegedobjectionswerenotentirelytheoutcomeofBassett’sfancy。Thesocialparagraphsthemselveswereclumsyandvulgar。Adull—wittedaccountofaselectpartyatParsonBaxter’s，withapoint—blankcomplimenttoPollyBaxterhisdaughter，mighthavemadeherprettycheekburnbutforherevidentprepossessionforthemeretriciousscamp，itswriter。Buteventhishorse—playseemedmorenaturalthantheutterlyartificialeditorialswiththeirpinchbeckglitterandcheaperudition;andthusfaritappearedharmless。
Igrievetosaythattheseappearancesweredeceptive。Oneafternoon，asIwasreturningfromabusinessvisittotheoutskirtsofthevillage，Iwasamazedonreenteringthemainstreettofindacrowdcollectedaroundthe\"Guardian\"office，gazingatthebrokenglassofitswindowsandaquantityoftypescatteredontheground。Butmyattentionwasatthatmomentmoreurgentlyattractedbyasimilargrouparoundmyownoffice，who，however，seemedmorecautious，andwereholdingtimorouslyalooffromtheentrance。AsIranrapidlytowardsthem，afewcalledout，\"Lookout——he’sinthere！\"whileothersmadewaytoletmepass。Withtheimpressionoffireorrobberyinmymind，Ienteredprecipitately，onlytofindYubaBillcalmlyleaningbackinanarm—chairwithhisfeetonthebackofanother，aglassofwhiskeyfrommydemijohninonehandandahugecigarinhismouth。AcrosshislaplayastumpyshotgunwhichIatoncerecognizedas\"theLeftBower，\"whoseusualplacewasathisfeetontheboxduringhisjourneys。Helookedcoolandcollected，althoughtherewereoneortwosplashesofprinter’sinkonhisshirtandtrousers，andfromtheappearanceofmylavatoryandtowelhehadevidentlybeenremovingsimilarstainsfromhishands。Puttinghisgunasideandgraspingmyhandwarmlywithoutrising，hebeganwithevenmorethanhisusuallazyimperturbability：
\"Well，how’sGileadlookin’to—day？\"
Itstruckmeaslookingratherdisturbed，but，asIwasstilltoobewilderedtoreply，hecontinuedlazily：
\"Ezyoudidn’thuntmeup，Iallowedyoumighthevgotkinderpetrifiedanddriedupdownyer，andIreckonedtorundownandrattleroundabitandmakethingslivelyforye。I’vejistclearedoutanewspaperofficeoverthar。Theycallitthe’Guardi—an，’thoughitdidn’tseemtooffermuchpertectiontothemfellersezwasinit。Infact，itwasn’tezmuchafightezitorterhevbeen。Itwasrathermonotonousforme。\"
\"Butwhat’stherow，Bill？Whathashappened？\"Iaskedexcitedly。
\"Nothin’tospeakof，Itellye，\"repliedYubaBillreflectively。
\"Ijestmeanderedintothatshopoverthere，andIsez，’Iwantterseethemanezrunsthisyermillo’literatooran’progress。’
Tharwaztwoinfantssittin’onhighchairshavin’someinnocentlittlegameo’pickin’pieceso’leadouterpill—boxeslike，andassooneztheyseedmeoneof’emcrawledunderhisdeskandtheotherscootedouterthebackdoor。Bimebythedooropensagain，andafluffycoyote—lookin’fellercomesinandallowsthatHEisresponsibleforthatyerpaper。WhenIsawthekindofanimalhewas，andthathehadn’tanyweppings，IjistlaidtheLeftBowerdownonthefloor。ThenIsez，’YouallowedinyourpaperthatI
oughterhevalittlesevilityknockedinterme，andI’mheretohevitdone。Youkenbeginitnow。’WiththatIreachedforhim，andwewaltzedoncetortwicetaroundtheroom，andthenIputhimuponthemantelpieceandonthemdesksandlittleboxes，andtookhimdownagain，andkinderwipedthefloorwithhimgin’rally，untilthefirstthingIknowedhewasoutsidethewinderonthesidewalk。
On’yblamedifIdidn’tforgettoopenthewinder。Efithadn’tbeenforthat，itwouldhevbeenallquietandpeaceful—like，andnobodyhevknowedit。Butthesashbeingintheway，itsortercreatedadisturbanceandunpleasantnessOUTSIDE。\"
\"Butwhatwasitallabout？\"Irepeated。\"Whathadhedonetoyou？\"
\"Ye’llfinditinthatpaper，\"hesaid，indicatingacopyofthe\"Guardian\"thatlayonmytablewithalazynodofhishead。
\"P’r’apsyoudon’treadit？NomoredoI。ButJoeBilsonseztomeyesterday：’Bill，’sezhe，’they’regoin’foryeinthe\"Guardian。\"’’Wot’sthat？’sezI。’Harktothis，’sezhe，andreadsoutthatbitthatyou’llfindthere。\"
Ihadopenedthepaper，andhepointedtoaparagraph。\"Thereitis。Pooty，ain’tit？\"Ireadwithamazementasfollows：——
\"IfthePioneerStageCompanywanttokeepupwiththetimes，andnotdegenerateintotheoldstyle’onehoss’road—wagonbusiness，they’dbettermakesomereformontheline。Theymightbeginbyshippingoffsomeoftheold—timewhiskey—guzzlingdriverswhoaretoohighandmightytodoanythingbuthandletheribbons，andareabovespeakingtoapassengerunlesshe’safavoriteoroneoftheirset。Over—praiseforanoccasionalscrimmagewithroadagents，andflatteryfromEasterngreenhorns，havegiventhemthebighead。Ifthefool—killerwereletlooseonthelinewithabigclub，andknockedalittlecivilityintotheirheads，itwouldn’tbeabadthing，andwouldbeaparticularrelieftothepassengersforGileadwhohavetotakethestagefromSimpson’sBar。\"
\"That’smystage，\"saidYubaBillquietly，whenIhadended;\"andthat’sME。\"
\"Butit’simpossible，\"Isaideagerly。\"ThatinsultwasneverwrittenbyCaptainJim。\"
\"CaptainJim，\"repeatedYubaBillreflectively。\"CaptainJim，——
yes，thatwasthenameo’themanIwasplayin’with。Shortishhairyfeller，suthin’betweenabigcoyoteandtheold—stylehair—
trunk。Foughtprettywellforahay—footedmanfromGil—e—ad。\"
\"Butyou’vewhippedthewrongman，Bill，\"Isaid。\"Thinkagain！
Haveyouhadanyquarrellately？——runagainstanynewspaperman？\"
TherecollectionhadflasheduponmethatLacyBassetthadlatelyreturnedfromavisittoStockton。
YubaBillregardedhisbootsontheotherarm—chairforafewmomentsinprofoundmeditation。\"Therewasasorto’gaudyinsect，\"hebeganpresently，\"suthin’halfwaybetwixtaboss—flyandadevil’sdarnin’—needle，ezcrawledupontertheboxseatwithmelastweek，andbuzzed！NowIthinkonit，hetalkedhigh—
faluten’o’theinflooenceofthepressandsech。Imayhevsaid’shoo’tohimwhenhewashummin’theloudest。Imouthevflickedhimoffoncetortwicetwithmywhip。Itmustbehim。Gosh！\"hesaidsuddenly，risingandliftinghisheavyhandtohisforehead，\"nowIthinkaginhewasthefellerezcrawledunderthedeskwhenthefightwasgoin’on，andstayedthere。Yes，sir，thatwasHIM。
Hisfacelookedsorterfamiliar，butIdidn’tknowhimmoultin’
withhisfeathersoff。\"HeturneduponmewiththefirstexpressionoftroubleandanxietyIhadeverseenhimwear。\"Yes，sir，that’shim。AndI’vekem——me，YubaBill！——kemMYSELF，amatteroftwentymiles，totin’aGUN——agun，byGosh！——tofightthat——that——thatpotatar—bug！\"Hewalkedtothewindow，turned，walkedbackagain，finishedhiswhiskeywithasinglegulp，andlaidhishandalmostdespondinglyonmyshoulder。\"Lookye，old——
oldfell，youandme’solefriends。Don’tgivemeaway。Don’tletonawordo’thistoanyone！SayIkemdownyerhowlin’drunkonagen’raltear！SayImistookthatnewspaperofficeforacigar—
shop，and——gotlickedbytheboss！Sayanythin’youlike，’ceptthatItookagundownyertochaseaflythathadsettledonterme。KeeptheLeftBowerinyerbackofficetillIsendforit。Efyou’vegotabackdoorsomewherehandywhereIcanslipouterthiswithoutbein’seenI’dbethankful。\"
Asthisdespondingsuggestionappearedtomeasthewisestthingforhimtodointhethenthreateningstateofaffairsoutside，——
which，hadhesuspectedit，hewouldhavestayedtoface，——I
quicklyopenedadoorintoacourtyardthatcommunicatedthroughanalleywithasidestreet。Hereweshookhandsandparted;hislastdejectedejaculationbeing，\"Thatpotatobug！\"LaterIascertainedthatCaptainJimhadretiredtohisranchsomefourmilesdistant。
Hewasnotseriouslyhurt，butlooked，tousethewordsofmyinformant，\"ezefhe’dbeenhuggedbyaplayfulb’ar。\"Asthe\"Guardian\"madeitsappearancethenextweekwithouttheslightestallusiontothefracas，Ididnotdeemitnecessarytodivulgetherealfacts。WhenIcalledtoinquireaboutCaptainJim’scondition，hehimself，however，volunteeredanexplanation。
\"Idon’tmindtellin’you，ezanoldfriendo’mineandLacy’s，thatthesecretofthatthereattackonmeandthe’Guardian’wasperlitikal。Yes，sir！Therewasapowerfulorginizationintheinteresto’Halkinsforassemblymanezdidn’tlikeourhigh—tonededitorialsoncaucuscorruption，andhiredabullytokemdownhereandsuppressus。Why，thisyerLacyspottedtheideatooncet;yerknowhowkeenbeis。\"
\"WasLacypresent？\"IaskedascarelesslyasIcould。
CaptainJimglancedhiseyesoverhisshoulderquiteinhisoldfurtivecaninefashion，andthenblinkedthematmerapidly。\"Hewar！Andifitwarn’tforHISpluckandHISscienceandHIS
strength，Idon’tknowwharI’Dhevbeennow！Howsomever，it’sallright。I’vehadafairoffertosellthe’Guardian’overatSimpson’sBar，andit’stimeIquitthrowin’awaytheworkofamanlikeLacyBassettuponit。Andbetweenyouandme，I’vegotanideaandsuthin’bettertoputhistalensinto。\"
III。
Itwasnotlongbeforeitbecameevidentthatthe\"talens\"ofMr。
LacyBassett，asindicatedbyCaptainJim，weretograspataseatinthestatelegislature。Aneditorialinthe\"Simpson’sBarClarion\"boldlyadvocatedhispretensions。AtfirstitwasbelievedthatthearticleemanatedfromthegiftedpenofLacyhimself，butthestylewassounmistakablythatofColonelStarbottle，aneminentpolitical\"war—horse\"ofthedistrict，thatagravertruthwasatoncesuggested，namely，thatthe\"Guardian\"
hadsimplybeentransferredtoSimpson’sBar，andmergedintothe\"Clarion\"solelyonthiscondition。AtleastitwasrecognizedthatitwasthehandofCaptainJimwhichguidedtheeditorialfingersofthecolonel，andCaptainJim’smoneythatdistendedthepocketsofthatgallantpoliticalleader。
HowbeitLacyBassettwasneverelected;infacthewasonlyforonebriefmomentacandidate。ItwasrelatedthatuponhisfirstascendingtheplatformatSimpson’sBaravoiceintheaudiencesaidlazily，\"Comedown！\"ThatvoicewasYubaBill’s。Aslightconfusionensued，inwhichYubaBillwhisperedafewwordsinthecolonel’sear。Afteramoment’shesitationthe\"war—horse\"cameforward，andinhisloftiestmannerregrettedthatthecandidatehadwithdrawn。Thenextissueofthe\"Clarion\"proclaimedwithnouncertainsoundthatabaseconspiracygottenupbytheformerproprietorofthe\"Guardian\"tounderminetheprestigeoftheGreatExpressCompanyhadbeenruthlesslyexposed，andthecandidateonlearningitHIMSELFforthefirsttime，withdrewhisnamefromthecanvass，asbecameahigh—tonedgentleman。Publicopinion，ignoringLacyBassettcompletely，unhesitatinglydenouncedCaptainJim。
DuringthisperiodIhadpaidbutlittleheedtoLacyBassett’ssocialmovements，orthesuccesseswhichwouldnaturallyattendsuchacharacterwiththesusceptiblesex。IhadheardthathewasengagedtoPollyBaxter，butthattheyhadquarrelledinconsequenceofhisflirtationswithothers，especiallyaMrs。
Sweeny，aprofuselyornamentedbutreputationlesswidow。CaptainJimhadoftenalludedwithacertainrespectfulprideanddelicacytoPolly’sardentappreciationofhisfriend，andhadmorethanhalfhintedwiththesamereverentialmysterytotheirmatrimonialunionlater，andhisintentionof\"doingthesquarething\"fortheyoungcouple。ButitwaspresentlynoticedthattheseallusionsbecamelessfrequentduringLacy’samorousaberrations，andanoccasionaldepressionandunusualreticencemarkedCaptainJim’smannerwhenthesubjectwasdiscussedinhispresence。Heseemedtoendeavortomakeupforhisfriend’sdefectionbyakindofpersonalhomagetoPolly，andnotunfrequentlyaccompaniedhertochurchortosinging—class。Ihaveavividrecollectionofmeetinghimoneafternooncrossingthefieldswithher，andlookingintoherfacewiththatsamewistful，absorbed，anduneasycanineexpressionthatIhadhithertosupposedhehadreservedforLacyalone。IdonotknowwhetherPollywasaversetothespeechlessdevotionoftheseyearningbrowneyes;hermannerwasanimatedandtheprettycheekthatwasnearestmemantledasIpassed;butIwasstruckforthefirsttimewiththeideathatCaptainJimlovedher！
IwassurprisedtohavethatfancycorroboratedintheremarkofanotherwayfarerwhomImet，totheeffect，\"ThatnowthatBassettwasouto’therunningitlookedezifCaptainJimwasmakin’upfortime！\"WasitpossiblethatCaptainJimhadalwayslovedher？
Ididnotatfirstknowwhethertobepainedorpleasedforhissake。ButIconcludedthatwhethertheunworthyBassetthadatlastfoundaRIVALinCaptainJimorinthegirlherself，itwasadisplacementthatwasforCaptainJim’swelfare。ButasIwasaboutleavingGileadforamonth’stransfertotheSanFranciscooffice，IhadnoopportunitytolearnmorefromtheconfidencesofCaptainJim。
IwasascendingtheprincipalstaircaseofmySanFranciscohotelonerainyafternoon，whenIwaspointedlyrecalledtoGileadbythepassingglitterofMrs。Sweeny’sjewelryandthesuddenvanishingbehindherofagentlemanwhoseemedtobeaccompanyingher。AfewmomentsafterIhadenteredmyroomIheardatapatmydoor，andopenedituponLacyBassett。Ithoughthelookedalittleconfusedandagitated。Nevertheless，withanassumptionofcordialityandeasehesaid，\"Itappearswe’reneighbors。That’smyroomnexttoyours。\"Hepointedtothenextroom，whichIthenrememberedwasasitting—roomensuitewithmyown，andcommunicatingwithitbyaseconddoor，whichwasalwayslocked。Ithadnotbeenoccupiedsincemytenancy。AsIsupposemyfacedidnotshowanyextravagantdelightatthenewsofhiscontiguity，headded，hastily，\"There’satransomoverthedoor，andIthoughtI’dtellyouyoukinheareverythingfromtheoneroomtotheother。\"
Ithankedhim，andtoldhimdrylythat，asIhadnosecretstodivulgeandnonethatIcaredtohear，itmadenodifferencetome。
Asthisseemedtoincreasehisconfusionandhestillhesitatedbeforethedoor，IaskedhimifCaptainJimwaswithhim。
\"No，\"hesaidquickly。\"Ihaven’tseenhimforamonth，anddon’twantto。Lookhere，Iwanttotalktoyouabitabouthim。\"Hewalkedintotheroom，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。\"IwanttotellyouthatmeandCaptainJimisplayed！Allthisrunnin’o’meandinterferin’withmeisplayed！I’mtiredofit。Youkintellhimsofromme。\"
\"Thenyouhavequarrelled？\"
\"Yes。Asmuchasanymancanquarrelwithadarnedfoolwhocan’ttakeahint。\"
\"Onemoment。HaveyouquarrelledaboutPollyBaxter？\"
\"Yes，\"heansweredquerulously。\"OfcourseIhave。Whatdoeshemeanbyinterfering？
\"Nowlistentome，Mr。Bassett，\"Iinterrupted。\"IhavenodesiretoconcernmyselfinyourassociationwithCaptainJim，butsinceyoupersistindraggingmeintoit，youmustallowmetospeakplainly。FromallthatIcanascertainyouhavenoseriousintentionsofmarryingPollyBaxter。YouhavecomeherefromGileadtofollowMrs。Sweeny，whomIsawyouwithamomentago。
Now，whydoyounotfranklygiveupMissBaxtertoCaptainJim，whowillmakeheragoodhusband，andgoyourownwaywithMrs。Sweeny？
IfyoureallywishtobreakoffyourconnectionwithCaptainJim，that’stheonlywaytodoit。\"
Hisface，whichhadexhibitedtheweakestandmostpitiableconsciousnessatthementionofMrs。Sweeny，changedtoanexpressionofabsolutestupefactionasIconcluded。
\"Wotstuffareyoutryin’tofoolmewith？\"hesaidatlastroughly。
\"Imean，\"Irepliedsharply，\"thatthisdoublegameofyoursisdisgraceful。YourassociationwithMrs。SweenydemandsthewithdrawalofanyclaimyouhaveuponMissBaxteratonce。IfyouhavenorespectforCaptainJim’sfriendship，youmustatleastshowcommondecencytoher。\"
Heburstintoahalf—relieved，half—hystericlaugh。\"Areyoucrazy？\"gaspedhe。\"Why，CaptainJim’sjusthuntin’MEdowntomakeMEmarryPolly。That’sjustwhattherow’sabout。That’sjustwhathe’sinterferin’for——justtocarryouthisdarnedfoolideaso’gettin’awifeforme;justhisvanitytosayHE’Smadethematch。It’sMEthathewantstomarrytothatBaxtergirl——nothimself。He’stoocursedselfishforthat。\"
IsupposeIwasnotdifferentfromordinaryhumanity，forinmyunexpecteddiscomfitureIdespisedCaptainJimquiteasmuchasI
didthemanbeforeme。ReiteratingmyremarkthatIhadnodesiretomixmyselffurtherintheirquarrels，Igotridofhimwithaslittleceremonyaspossible。Butafewminuteslater，whenthefarcicalsideofthesituationstruckme，myirritationwassomewhatmollified，withouthoweverincreasingmyrespectforeitheroftheactors。Thewholeaffairhadassumedatrivialitythatwassimplyamusing，nothingmore，andIevenlookedforwardtoameetingwithCaptainJimandHISexpositionofthematter——whichIknewwouldfollow——withpleasurableanticipation。ButIwasmistaken。
Oneafternoon，whenIwaswatchingtheslantingvolleysofraindrivenbyastrongsouthwesteragainstthewindowsofthehotelreading—room，Iwasstruckbytheerraticmovementsofadrippingfigureoutsidethatseemedtobehesitatingovertheentrancetothehotel。Attimesfurtivelypenetratingtheporchasfarasthevestibule，andagainshylyrecoilingfromit，itsmannerwassostronglysuggestiveofsometimidanimalthatIfoundmyselfsuddenlyremindedofCaptainJimandthememorableeveningofhisexodusfromEurekaGulch。AsthefigurechancedtoglanceuptothewindowwhereIstoodIsawtomyastonishmentthatitWAS
CaptainJimhimself，butsochangedandhaggardthatIscarcelyknewhim。Iinstantlyranoutintothehallandvestibule，butwhenIreachedtheporchhehaddisappeared。Eitherhehadseenmeandwishedtoavoidme，orhehadencounteredtheobjectofhisquest，whichIatonceconcludedmustbeLacyBassett。Iwassomuchimpressedandworriedbyhisappearanceandmanner，that，inthisbelief，IovercamemyaversiontomeetingBassett，andevensoughthimthroughthepublicroomsandlobbiesinthehopeoffindingCaptainJimwithhim。Butinvain;possiblyhehadsucceededinescapinghisrelentlessfriend。
Asthewindandrainincreasedatnightfallandgrewintoatempestuousnight，withdesertedstreetsandswollenwaterways，I
didnotgooutagain，butretiredearly，inexplicablyhauntedbythechangedandbroodingfaceofCaptainJim。Eveninmydreamshepursuedmeinhisfavoritelikenessofawistful，anxious，anduneasyhound，who，onmyturningtocaresshimfamiliarly，snappedatmeviciously，andappearedtohavesuddenlydevelopedasnarlingrabidfury。Iseemedtobeawakenedatlastbythesoundofhisvoice。ForaninstantIbelievedthedelusionapartofmydream。
ButIwasmistaken;Iwaslyingbroadawake，andthevoiceclearlyhadcomefromthenextroom，andwasdistinctlyaudibleoverthetransom。
\"I’vehadenoughofit，\"hesaid，\"andI’mgivin’yenow——thisnight——yerlastchance。Quitthishotelandthatwoman，andgobacktoGileadandmarryPolly。Don’tdoitandI’llkillye，ezsureezyousittheregapin’inthatchair。IfIcan’tgetyetofightmelikeaman，——andI’llspitinyerfaceorputsomeinsultontoyouaforethatwoman，aforeeverybody，ezwouldmakeabiggerskunknoryouturn，——I’llhuntyedownandkillyeinyourtracks。\"
TherewasaquerulousmurmurofinterruptioninLacy’svoice，butwhetherofdefianceorappealIcouldnotdistinguish。CaptainJim’svoiceagainrose，doggedanddistinct。
\"EfYOUkillmeit’sallthesame，andIdon’tsaythatIwon’tthankye。Thisyerworldistoocrowdedforyerandme，LacyBassett。I’vebelievedinye，trustedinye，liedforye，andfoughtforye。FromthetimeItookyeup——afeller—passengerto’Fresco——believin’thereworthemakin’sofamaninye，tonow，youfooledme，——fooledmeaforetheEurekaboys;fooledmeaforeGilead;fooledmeaforeHER;fooledmeaforeGod！It’sgottoendhere。Ye’vegottotakethecurseofthatfoolishnessoffo’me！
You’vegottodoonesinglethingthat’slikethemanItookyefor，oryou’vegottodie。TimeswazwhenI’dhavewisheditforyouraccount——that’sgone，LacyBassett！You’vegottodoitforME。You’vegottodoitsoIdon’tsee’d——dfool’writintheeyesofeverymanezlooksatme。\"
Hehadapparentlyrisenandwalkedtowardsthedoor。Hisvoicesoundedfromanotherpartoftheroom。
\"I’llgiveyetillto—morrowmornin’todosuthin’toliftthiscurseoffo’me。Efyourefoose，then，bythelivingGod，I’llslapyerfaceinthedinin’—room，orintheofficeaforethemall！
Youhearme！\"
Therewasapause，andthenaquicksharpexplosionthatseemedtofillandexpandbothroomsuntilthewindowswerealmostliftedfromtheircasements，ahystericalinarticulatecryfromLacy，theviolentopeningofadoor，hurriedvoices，andthetrampingofmanyfeetinthepassage。Isprangoutofbed，partlydressedmyself，andranintothehall。ButbythattimeIfoundacrowdofguestsandservantsaroundthenextdoor，somegraspingBassett，whowaswhiteandtrembling，andotherskneelingbyCaptainJim，whowashalflyinginthedoorwayagainstthewall。
\"Hehearditall，\"Bassettgaspedhysterically，pointingtome。
\"HEknowsthatthismanwantedtokillme。\"
BeforeIcouldreply，CaptainJimpartlyraisedhimselfwithaconvulsiveeffort。Wipingawaythebloodthat，oozingfromhislips，alreadyshowedthedesperatecharacterofhisinternalwound，hesaidinahuskyandhurriedvoice：\"It’sallright，boys！It’smyfault。ItwasMEwhodoneit。Iwentforhiminameanunderhandedwayjestnow，whenhehadn’taweppinnoranyshowtodefendhimself。Wegripped。Hegotaholto’myderringer——youseethat’sMYpistolthere，Iswearit——andturneditaginmeinself—defense，andsarvedmeright。IsweartoGod，gentlemen，it’sso！\"Catchingsightofmyface，helookedatme，Ifanciedhalfimploringlyandhalftriumphantly，andadded，\"Imighthevknowedit！IallersallowedLacyBassettwasgame！——game，gentlemen——andhewas。Ifit’smylastword，Isayit——hewasgame！\"
Andwiththisdevotedfalsehooduponhislipsandsomethingoftheoldcanineinstinctinhisfailingheart，ashisheadsankbackheseemedtoturnittowardsBassett，asiftostretchhimselfoutathisfeet。Thenthelightfailedfromhisyearningupwardglance，andthecurseoffoolishnesswasliftedfromhimforever。
Soconclusivewerethefacts，thatthecoroner’sjurydidnotdeemitnecessarytodetainMr。Bassettforasinglemomentaftertheinquest。ButhereturnedtoGilead，marriedPollyBaxter，andprobablyonthestrengthofhaving\"killedhisman，\"wasunopposedontheplatformnextyear，andtriumphantlyelectedtothelegislature！
