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'