"Lifethere，"Iremarked，"amidnewandroughconditionsmustbefullofhardshipandtragedy。"
　　Thisvaguearrowintheairhadtheeffectofsendingtheoldfellowoffatatangent。Hisbentwasevidentlydiscursive，andallthoughtsofhislatereligiouscontroversyseemedtopassfromhismind。
　　"Fullofhardshipan'tragedyisyourremark，"heretorted，"an'I
　　joinsyoutharin。TakethemdisastersthatpouncesonSlimJim。WhathappensinthecaseofthisyereSlimJimtenderfoot，"theoldfellowcontinuedasadampgleamofsympathyshoneinhiseye，"isbothhardshipan'tragedy。Whichofcoursethar'samightysightofdifference。Ahardshipagentlivesthrough；butit'satragedywhenhislight'sputout。An'asSlimJimdon'tlivethroughthisnone，it'snacherallyatragedythata-way。
　　"Ifrequentseesbadlucktootherfolks，aswellascomin'tomepersonal，intheyearsIinhabitsthegrasscountry，butthiswasshorelythetoughest。Itevenoverplaysanythin'RainbowSameverisag'inst；an'thehardluckofRainbowSamisaproverbofArizona。
　　"'WhichIreckonsIwasfoaledwithacopperonme，'saysthisRainbowSamtoEnrightoneday。'InallmyborndaysInevermakesakillin'——nevergetsupwinneronce。Iwasfoaledaloser，an'I'llkeepa-losin'ontilthisyeremalady——whichit'sconsumption-whichhasmeinchargedeliversmetotheangelsan'getsitsreceipt。'
　　"It'samockerywhattranspirestouchin'thisRainbowSam。Jestashestates，theconsumption'sgothimtreedan'outonalimb。DocPeetssays，himse'f，nothin'canhe'phim；an'whenPeetsquitsalittlethinglikeconsumptionan'shoveshischairback，you-allscangambleagent'shealth，thata-way，isonadeadkyard。
　　"IrecallshowRainbowSamdies；whichheridesoutintoeternityeasyan'painless。We-allsisintoapoker-gamennenight-thatis，fiveofus——whenDocPeetsiscalledaway。
　　"'Seeyere，Rainbow，'saysPeetstoRainbowSam，who'spennilessan'
　　tharforelookin'on；'youneverhasamorselofluckinyourlife。
　　Now，yere:Youplaymyhandan'chipsawhile。I'monvelvetforthreehundredan'fifty，an'I'dassoonyou'dloseitintothegameasanysportIknows。An'torouseyourmoralnacherIwantstotellyou，whateveryourakesinyoukeeps。Nowthar'sluckatthejump；
　　youcan'tlosean'youmaywin，sosetinyere。Napoleonneverhashalftheshow。'
　　"Peetsgoesawayforanhouraboutsomethin'，an'RainbowSamtakeshisseat；an'，merelytoshowhowonegentoutlucksanother，whilePeetshashadtheluckofdogsit'sthatprofusean'good，itlookslikethebestRainbowcangetisanevenbreak。Forhalfanhourhewinsan'helosesaboutequal；an'he'sshoretryin'hardtowin，too。
　　"'IfItakesinacoupleofhundredorso，'saysthisRainbowtome，'IallowsI'llvisitmyfolksintheStatesonceforluck。'
　　"Buthenevervisitsthemfolksheadvertsto。It'sonBoggs'sdeal，an'he'sthrowin'thekyards'roundwhenRainbow'stookbad。Hisconsumptionsortermutiniesontohimallatonce。He'sgottheseatontheleftofBoggs，too，——gottheage。
　　"'Playmyhand，'hesaystoHamilton，who'ssteppedinfromthedance-hall；'playmyhand，Jim，tillIfeelsalittlebetter。I'llbeallrightinamoment。Barkeep，dealmesomewhiskey。'
　　"SoRainbowwalksovertothebar，an'Hamiltonpicksuphiskyards。
　　InotesthatRainbowstepsoffthattimesometottersome；buthe'ssoplumbweakthata-way，catsisrobusttohim；an'soIdeemsnothin'tharof。I'mskinnin'mykyardsabitinterestedanyhow，bein'intheholemyse'f。
　　"Everybodycomesinthisdeal，an'whenthechipsisinthecenter——
　　thisyere'sbeforethedraw——Hamilton，speakin'upforRainbow，says:
　　"'Theseyere'sDocPeets'schipsanyhow？'
　　"'Whichtheyshorelybe，'saysBoggs，'soplay'emmerciless，'causePeetsisrich。'
　　"'That'swhatIasksfor，'saysHamilton，'forIdon'taimtomakenomistakeswithporeRainbow'smoney。'
　　"'That'sallright，'saysBoggs，'dump'emin。Ifyou-alllose，it'sPeets's；ifyouwin，it'sRainbow's。'
　　"'Play'emgamean'liberal，OldMan，'saysRainbowoverbythebar，——an'itstrikesmeatthetimehistonesisweakan'queer；butbein'asIjestthennotesathirdqueeninmyhand，Idon'thavenochancetodwellonthefact。'Play'emgamean'free，'saysRainbowag'in。'Freeasthewatersoflife。Winorlose，she'sallthesameahundredyearfromnow。'
　　"Hamiltontakesanotherlookan'thenraisestheanteahundreddollars。Thisyereistablestakes；thisgamewas；an'thestakesisfivehundred。
　　"'WhichIplaysthis，'saysHamilton，ashecomesupwiththehundredraise，'thesameasIwouldformyse'f，whichthesamemeansplenteousan'freeasaking。'
　　"Thar'sthreeofuswhostays，oneofthesamebein'me。Iallersrecallsiteasy，'causeitfrost-bitesmythreequeensforoverthreehundreddollarsbeforetheexcitementdiesaway。Boggs，who'ssovociferousrecentaboutHamiltonplayin'wideopen，staysout；
　　nothavin'asgoodasnine-high。
　　"OnthedrawHamiltonallowsRainbow'shandneedsonekyard，an'hegetsit。Itakesonealso；thesamebein'futile，sofarashe'pin'
　　myhandgoes；an'theotherstakeskyardsvarious。
　　"Thar'sonlyoneraise，an'that'swhenitgetstoHamilton。Hesetsinalittleovertwohundreddollars，bein'thebalanceofthestake；an'twoofusisfeeble-mindedenoughtocall。Whatdoeshehave？Well，it'sampleforourondoin'thata-way。It'sastraightflushofdiamonds；jackattheheadoftheclass。Itshorelycarriesoffthepotlikeit'sawhirlwind。AsnearasIcanmeasure，HamiltonclawsoffwithaboutsixhundreddollarsforRainbowonthatonehand。
　　"'Yereyoube，Rainbow!'shoutsBoggs。'Comea-runnin'!It'snowyouvisitsthemrelations；youmakesakillin'atlast。'
　　"ItturnsoutsomelateforRainbowthough。Thar'snoreplytoBoggs'stalk，an'whenwe-allsgoesovertohimwherehe'ssetdownbytheendofthebarthar，withhisarmonamonte-table，an'hischinonhisshirt，RainbowSamisdead。
　　"'WhichIregrets，'saysDocPeetswhenhereturns，'thatRainbowdon'tstaylongenoughtoonderstandhowlucksetshiswayatlast。
　　Itmostlikelycomfortshiman'makeshisgoin'outmorecheerful。'
　　"'It'sagoodsign，though，'saysCherokeeHall，'thatstraightflushis。WhichitshowsRainbowstrikesastreakofluck；an'mebbyitlastslongenoughtogethimbythegatesaboveallright。That'sallIaskswhenmytimecomes；thatIdieswhenI'mcommencin'arunofluck。'
　　"Oh!aboutthisSlimJimtenderfootan'histragedy!DoyouknowI
　　plumboverlookshim。Igetstrailedoffthata-wayafterporeoldRainbowSam，an'SlimJimescapesmymem'rycomplete。
　　"Whichthestoryofthisgent，eventhelittlewe-allsknows，isaheaponusual。Noone，onlesshe'sthepostmaster，everdoeshearhisname。Hesorterha'ntsaboutRedDogan'Wolfvilleindiscriminateformightynighayear；an'theycallshim'SlimJim'withus，an'
　　'TheTenderfoot'inRedDog；but，asIsays，what'shisrealnameneverdoespokeupitshead。
　　"WhateverbringsthisyereSlimJimintothecowcountryistooboggyacrossin'forme。Tharain'tathinghecandoorlearnto。
　　We-allshashimononeround-up，an'it'scl'arfromthejumpheain'tmeantbyProvidenceforthecattlebusiness。Themeekestbroncointhebunchbuckshimoff；an'actooallyhe'sthattimidhe'splumbafraidofponiesan'cattleboth。
　　"We-allsfixesSlimJim'ssaddlewithbuckin'-straps；an'evenfastensarollofblanketsacrossthesaddle-horn；butitain'tenough。Nothin'bartyin'SlimJimintothesaddle，likethehoss-
　　backInjunsdoestopapooses，couldsavehim。
　　"An'asidefromnacheralawk'ardnessan'alightan'fitfulseatinasaddle，itlookslikethisSlimJimhasbalefuleffectsonabronco。Toshowyou:Onemornin'weropesupforhimaponywhichhasrenownforitslowsperits。Itacts，thisyereponydoes，likeit'ssufferedsomedisapp'intmentwhichblightsitan'breaksitsheart；an'noamountoftightenin'ofthebackcinch；notevenspurrin'ofitintheshoulderan'necklikeplayfulpeoplewho'soutforacircusdoes，iseverknowntoevolveabuck-jumpoutenhim，he'sthatsad。Whichthisissowellknown，thepony'snameis'Remorse。'
　　"AsIsays，merelytoshowthemalignantspellthisyereSlimJimcastsoverabronco，we-allsthrowshimontothisRemorseponyonemornin'。
　　"'Whichifyoucan'tgetalongwiththatcayouse，'remarksJackMooreatthetime，'Ireckonsit'sforeordainedyou-allhastogoafoot。'
　　"An'that'showitturnsout。NosoonerisSlimJiminthesaddlethanthatRemorseponyarcheshisbacklikeahoop，stickshisnosebetweenhisknees，an'giveswaytosechafitofrealoldworm-
　　fencebuckin'aslandsSlimJimonhissombrero，an'makesexpertponiessimplystandan'admire。
　　"That'sthelastround-upSlimJimattempts；workin'cattlehesayshimse'fistoodeepagameforhim，an'heneverdoestrynomore。
　　SohehangsaboutWolfvillean'RedDogalternate，turnin'littlejim-crowtricksfortheexpresscompany，orhe'pin'overtothestagecompany'scorrals，an'sortermanagestolive。
　　"Nowan'thensomepartywho'sbusydrinkin'，an'tharforehasn'ttimeforfaro，an'yetisdesirousthesamebeplayed，stakesSlimJimag'instthegame；an'ithappensattimeshemakesasmallpick-
　　upthata-way。Buthismeansoflivelihoodisshorelywhatyou-allswouldcallprecar'ous。
　　"An'yet，asIsendsmymindbackoverthetrail，Ineverknowsofnothin'badthisyereSlimJimdoes。Youneedn'tgoinferrin'none，fromhishavin'aterrorofsteersan'broncosthata-way，thathe'stimidplumbthrough。Thar'sreasontodeemhimgamewhenhe'supag'instmereman。
　　"Once，sotheytellsthestory，CurlyBillroundsupthisSlimJiminaRedDoghurdy-gurdyan'concloodstohavesomeentertainmentwithhim。
　　"'Dance，youshorthorn!'saysthisyereCurlyBill，yankin'outhissix-shooteran'p'intin'itmightysuddenatSlimJim'sfoot；
　　'shufflesomethin'rightpeartnow，oryou-allemergesshyatoe。'
　　"DoesthisSlimJimdance？Nevercavortsastep。AtthefirstmoveheswarmsalloverthisCurlyBilllikeawild-cat，makeshimdrophisgun，an'sendshimoutofthehurdy-gurdyonacanter。That'sstraight；that'sthepainfulfactinthecaseofCurlyBill，whomakesovergaywiththewronggent。
　　"Later，mebbyanhour，sothepartysayswhorelatesittome，CurlyBillsendsbackwordintothehurdy-gurdy，tellin'thebarkeep，ifhiscredit'sgoodaftersechvicissitoodes，totreatthehouse。Heallowsthedrinksisonhim，an'thatacommitteecanfindhimsettin'onthepostofficestepssortergoin'overhimse'fforfractures，ifit'sheldnecessaryforhimtobepresentwhenthedrinksistook。
　　"Whichofcourseanygent'screditisgoodatthebarthata-way；
　　an'soasmalldelegationofthreeropesupthisyereCurlyBillan'
　　bringshimbacktothehurdy-gurdy，wherehegetshisgunag'in，an'
　　SlimJiman'himmakesup。
　　"'WhichIrenouncesallideeofeverseein'youdancesome，'saysCurlyBill，whenhean'Jimshakes；'an'Iyerebymarksyourmoccasinsplumboffmylistoftargets。'
　　"Everybody'spleasedatthis；an'thebarkeepisdelightedspeshul，asoneofthemreeconciliationsthata-wayismightycondoosivetothesaleofnose-paint。I'myeretoremark，iftharain'tnomorereeconciliationsonearth，an'everybodystandspatonthemhatredsan'enmitiesofhis，whiskey-drinkin'fallsoffhalf。
　　"Ionlysu'gestthisturn-upwithCurlyBillto'lustratethatit'saboutasIsays，an'thatwhileSlimJim'sreluctantan'hesitatin'
　　inthepresenceofwildsteers，an'can'tadheretoaponymuch，thisyeregirlishnessdon'textendtomennone；whichlasthefacespromptan'willin'asalion。
　　"Thar'stimeswhenIshorelypondersthecaseofthisSlimJimamightysight，'causehekeepsstrikin'measagoodgentgonebad，an'asbein'therightgentinthewrongplace。
　　"'ThisporemaverickisplumbEastern，that'sall，'saysEnrightoneday，whilehe'sdiscussin'ofthisSlimJim。'Heain'ttoblame，butheain'tnevergoin'todo，nonewhatever，outyere。Hecan'tnomoregetusedtoArizonathanoneoftheDisciples，an'hemightcamp'roundforyears。'
　　"It'smebbyhardontoayearwhenalongcomesthebeginnin'oftheendasfarasthisSlimJim'sconcerned，onlywe-allsdon'tknowit。
　　Thepostmastersaysafterwardhegetsaletter；an'bywhat'sfoundontheremainderitlookslikethepostmaster'sright，an'thislettersetshimgoin'wrong。Iallersallows，afterhegetsthismissive，thatheseestheneedofmoneythata-wayan'plentyofit；
　　an'thatit'sgottocomequick。
　　"Mostlikelyhe'sbeenbluffin'somepartiesintheEastabouthowrichheisan'howlucrativehe'sdoin'，——sechbluffsbein'commonintheWest，——an'nowalongcomeseventsan'folkshe'sfooled，an'
　　hisbluffiscalled。
　　"Whenitarrives，noneofusknowsofthisyereletterthepostmastermentions，an'whichislaterreadbyall；butit'saboutthattimeSlimJimactsqueeran'locoed。He'sflusteredan'
　　stampededaboutsomethin'，we-allsnotesthat；an'DaveTuttevenforgetshimse'fasagentsofarastoaskSlimJimwhat'sup。
　　"`Whichyoulooksoneasytheseautumndays，'saysTutttoSlimJim。
　　'What'swrong？'
　　"'Nothin'，'saysSlimJim，lookin'abitwoozy，'nothin'wrong。A
　　friendofmineislikelytoshowupyere；that'sall。'
　　"'Whichhehastheairofafugitivefromjesticewhenhesaysit，'
　　observesTutt，whenhespeaksofitafterall'sover；'thoughjedgin'bythepartywho'sonhistrailthattimeIdon'treckonhe'sdonenothin'neither。'
　　"It'sshorelytheneedofmoneydrivesthisSlimJimtoturnin'
　　route-agentan'goholdin'upthestage，fortheevenin'hequitscamphesaystoCherokeeHall:'S'poseIasksyou-alltolendmemoney，quiteabundle，say，wouldyoudoit？'
　　"'Iturnsfaroformymoney，'saysCherokee；'whichImerelymentionsittoshowIcomeshonestlybymyroll。Astoborrowin'ofme，you-alloranygentinhardlinescangetmymoneybyshowin'heneedsitworsethanIdo；an'toencourageyouImightsayIdon'tneedmoneymuch。So，goonan'tellmethenewsaboutyourse'f，an'
　　ifit'sasbadasthewayyoulooks，IreckonsI'llhavetostakeyou，evenifittakeshalfmypile。'TharuponCherokeeurgesSlimJimtoonfoldhisstory。
　　"ButSlimJimgetsshyan'won'ttalkortellCherokeewhat'spesterin'him，orhowmuchmoneyheneeds。
　　"'No，'hesays，afterthinkin'alittle，'Ineverbegsastakeyet，an'Ineverwill。AnyhowIseesanotherwaywhichisbetter。'
　　"Countin'nosesafterwards，it'sprobablythistalkwithCherokeeisthelastSlimJimhasbeforehebreaksoverintothehillsonthehuntformoney。Hegoesafoot，too；forhedon'townnopony，an'hecouldn't，asIexplainsprevious，stayonhimifhedoes。
　　"Buthefixeshimse'fwithaWinchesterwhichhegetsfromthestage-companypeoplethemse'fsonatalkhemakesabouttakin'somereecreationwiththecoyotes，an'p'intsstraightoverintoRawhideCanyon，——mebbyit'ssixmilesfromcamp。Whenthestagegetsalonganhourlater，thisSlimJim'smadehimse'famaskwithahandkerchief，an'isafull-fledgedhold-upwhichanyexpresscompanycouldbeproudtodown。OldMonterelateswhathappensinthecanyon，'causefromwherehe'sstuckupontheboxhegetsabetterview。
　　"'Yere'showthishappens，'saysOldMonte，whilerenooin'hisyoothwithRedLightlickerafterhe'sgotin。'It'salittlehazyinthecanyon，comin'evenin'thata-way，an'myeyesiswaterywiththeshootin'goin'on，an'Itharforedon'tsayInotesthingsnoneminoote；butasnearasIcan，yougetsthestory。
　　"`Thar'sonlyonepassenger，an'she'sawoman。Whichforthatmattershe'sabeautifulgirl，witheyeslikeabuckantelope's；butbein'she'slayin'overtothestagestationdefunctrightnow，alongwiththisyereSlimJim，Idon'tdwellnoneonhowshelooks。'
　　"'WhenIpullsoutfromTucsonIhasthisyereyoungfemaleinside；
　　an'thecompanyputstwoWells-Fargogyardsontopofthecoach，thesamebein'thefirsttimeinmonths。TheseWells-Fargopartiesain'talongforhold-ups，butjest'causetheyhasbusinessoveryere，an'
　　socomesbystagesameasothergents。
　　"`ItallgoessmoothontilI'mrattlin'alonginRawhideCanyonnothalf-a-dozenmilesfromwherewe-allsisnowdrinkin'allfreean'
　　amiable，likelife'snothin'butsunshine。
　　"'Thefirstp'interIhasthatI'mupag'instit，bang!goesaWinchester，an'throwsmyoffleaderdeadag'instthetrail。Thar'snogoin''roundthedeadhoss，an'barthenacheralrarin'an'
　　pitchin'oftheotherfiveonbeholdin'oftheontimelyendoftheircompanionthata-way，thewholebusinesscomestoadeadstop。
　　"'"Holdupyourhands!"saysavoiceuptherocksononeside。
　　"'Myhandsisalreadyup，forI'manoldstage-driver，gents，an'
　　you-allscangambleIknowsmytrade。I'mhiredtodrive。Itain'tnopartofmygametofighthold-upsan'standoffroute-agentsthata-way，an'getshotdeadforitbytheirpardsthenexttrip；so，asIsays，themomentthatWinchestergoesoff，Iclampsmyfingersbackofmyheadan'setsthar。OfcourseItalksbackatthishold-
　　upaheapprofane，forIdon'taimtohavethenameofallowin'anygenttorustlemystagean'menotcusshimout。"'ButtheseyereWells-Fargosharps，theyneverholdsuptheirhands。That'snacheralenough，forthemgentsishiredtofight，an'thispartic'lartripthar'sfullsixthousanddollarstogotowarover。
　　"WiththefirstshottheWells-Fargogents——theywasgameasgoatsbothof'em——slidesoffenthecoachan'takestoshootin'。Thegunsismakin'ahigholdrattleofit，an'I'mhopin'thehold-upwon'tgettoover-shootin'an'drillme，whenthefirstcasooaltyoccurs。
　　OneoftheWells-Fargosportsgetsabulletplumbthroughhisframe，an'isdeadan'outinthecrackofawhip。
　　"'Itlookslikethehold-upseeshimtumble，forit'sthenhecutslooseawhoop，jumpsdownontothetrailan'charges。Hecomesa-
　　shootin'，too，an'thewaytheleadan'firefetchesforthfromthatWinchesterhe'smanagin'shoreremindsmeofthemRomancandleslastJuly。
　　"'Allthisyeredon'ttaketenseconds。An'itdon'tlasttensecondsmore。Asmyhold-upcomeschargin'an'shootin'towardsthestage，Ioverhearsascreaminside，an'thenextmomentthatyoungfemalepassengeropensthedooran'comesscamperin'out。
　　"'Ifshetriesshecouldn'thaveselectednoworseepock。Shehitstheground，an'thesecondshedoes——forI'mlookin'overatheratthetime——shestopsoneofthathold-up'sbulletsan'goesdownwithagreatcry。
　　"'It'sonme，gents，atthisp'inttotakeallresksan'godownan'
　　look-outtheplayforthegirl。ButInevergetsachance，an'it'saswellIdon't；fortowardsthelasttheshootin'oftheremainin'
　　Wells-Fargopersonisrecklessan'inordinate。It'splumbreedundant；thatshootin'is。ButasIremarks，Ineverhasnooccasiontogotothegirl；forasIfeelstheimpulseIhearsthehold-upshout:
　　"'"God!it'sMary!It'smysister!"
　　"'Thar'saletteronhimwefindslater，whichshowsthisstatementaboutmypassengerbein'hissisteristroo；an'thatshe'sp'intin'
　　outwhendowned，nowthey'sorphans——whichtheletterstatestheirfather'sjestcashedin——tocomean'keephouseforhim。Asthehold-upmakesthisyereexclamationaboutthegirlbein'hisrelativethata-way，hisWinchestergoesa-rattlin'ontothetrailan'hegathersherinhisarms。However，hedon'tlastlongerthanadrinkofwhiskeynow。Hedon'tnomore'nliftherup，beforeevenhekissesher，theremainin'Wells-Fargogentdownshim，an'theriot'sovercomplete。
　　"'Threekilledan'nonewoundedishowresultsstacksup；an'aftermean'theliveWells-Fargogentcl'arsthedeadleaderoutenthetrail，we-allslaysouttheremaindersinsideallpeaceful，an'
　　comesa-curvin'ontoWolfville。It'sthen，asweputs'eminthecoach，Iseesthatmyhold-up'sthatonfortunatefelon，SlimJim。
　　WhichIwasshorelyastonished。IsaystotheWells-Fargogent，aswelooksatSlimJim:
　　"'"Pard，thedrinksisduefrommeonthis。IfIhasaweektoguessin，I'dneversaid'SlimJim。'"
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　JAYBIRDBOB'SJOKE。
　　"WhatevermakesthisyerejaybirdBobbelievehe'sahumorist，"saidtheOldCattlemanoneafternoonasweslowlyreturnedfromawalk，"whateveritismisleadshimtosodeemhimselfisshorelytoomanyforme。DocPeetstellshimhimse'fonedayhe'splumbwrong。
　　"'You-all'snacherallyasomber，moroseparty，'saysDocPeetsthistime，'an'nothin'jocoseorjocundaboutyou。Yourdisp'sition，Jaybird，don'tnomoreruntojokesthanaprairie-dog's。"
　　"'WhichIwouldadmiretoknowwhynot？'saysJaybirdBob。
　　"'Well，'goesonDocPeets，'youthinkstooslow——toomuchlikeacowinaswamp。Yourmindmovessluggishthata-way，an'sortersinkstothehockseachstep。Ifyouwasborntobefunnyyourintellectswouldbelimberan'frivolous。'
　　"'Bein'allthisispersonaltome，'saysJaybirdBob，'Itakesleavetoregardyouaswrong。Myjokesisgood，high-gradejokes；
　　an'whenyou-alltalksofmebein'morose，it'samerecaseofbluff。'An'soJaybirdgoesona-holdinofhimse'ffunnyontilwe-
　　allshashimtobury。
　　"No；Jaybirdain'thisshore-'noughname；it'sjestahandletohis'dentity，sowe-allspicksituphandyandeasy。Jaybird'srealnameisGraingerford，——PoindexterGraingerford。Butthesameiscumbersoman'onwieldyawholelot；sowhenhefirsttrailsintoWolfvillewe-
　　allsconsidersamongourse'fsan'settlesit'sashortcuttocallhim'JaybirdBob，'thata-way。An'wedoes。
　　"It'sonthespringround-upthisyereJaybirdfirstdevelopsthatheregardshimse'fwitty。It'sinthemorningaswe-allshassaddledupan'linesouttocombtherangeroundaboutforcattle。Thar'satenderfootalongwhosenameisTodd，an'，ashe'scanterin'off，Jaybirdcomesa-curvin'uponhisbroncoan'reachesoveran'tailsthisshorthorn'spony。
　　"What'stailin'apony？It'sridin'upfromther'aran'takin'ahalf-hitchonyoursaddle。hornwiththetailofanothergent'spony，an'thenspurrin'byan'swappin'endswiththewholeoutfit，——
　　gent，hoss，an'all。
　　"It'sreallytootoomultuousforajoke，an'mebbybreaksthepony'sneck，mebbytherider's。Butwhetherhesaveshisneckorno，thepartywhoseponyisthustailedallersemergerstharfromdeshevelledan'wrought-up，an'hotterthanawolf。Sonooneplaysthisyerejokemuch；nottillhe'sreadytogetshotat。
　　"AsIsays，thisJaybirdwatchesToddasheridesoff。Bein'newontherangethata-way，Todddon'trideeasy。Acowsaddleain'tbuiltliketheseyereEasternhulls，nohow。Thestirrupissettwoinchesfurtherbackforonething，an'it'scompiledaheapdifferentotherways。Bein'onusedtocowsaddles，an'forthatmattercowponies，thisToddlopsoverfor'ardan'beatswithhiselbowslikehe'sacurleworsomethin'flyin'，an'Ireckonsit'ssechproceedin'smakesJaybirdallowhe'sgoin'tobefunnyan'tailTodd'spony。
　　"AsIexplains，hecapersalongafterToddan'reachesoveran'getsahandfulofthepony'stail；an'then，wroppin'it'roundhissaddle-horn，hegoesbyonthejumpan'spreadsToddan'hisbroncopermiscusaboutthescene。ThisyereToddgoesalongthegrassonallfourslikeajack-rabbit。
　　"WhichTodd，Ireckons，isthehostilestgentinsouth-eastArizona。
　　Beforeeverheofferstogetup，helugsouthissix-shooteran'
　　makessomemightysinceregesturesthata-waytoshootupJaybird。
　　Buthe'sslowwithhisweepon，bein'spraddledoutonthegrass，an'
　　itgivesDaveTuttan'Enrightachancetojumpinbetweenan'stopthedeal。
　　"We-allspicksToddup，an'roundsuphispony，——whichscramblestoitsfeetan'isnowcavortin'aboutlikeitsmindisoverturned，——
　　an'explainstohimthisyereisajoke。Buthe'ssurlyan'
　　relentlessaboutit；an'itdon'ttakenohawktoseehedon'tforgiveJaybirdalittlebit。
　　"'Tailin'agent'spony，'saysTodd，'isnodoubtthrillin'
　　amoosementforfolkslookin'on，butthar'snothin'ofaredeemin'
　　natureinitfromthestandp'intofthepartywhosepony'supheavedthata-way。Nottobemisonderstoodatthisyerecrisis，'goesonthisTodd，'Iwantstoannouncethatfromnowfor'ardlifewillhavebutonepurposewithme，which'llbetodownthenextgentwhoevertailsaponyofmine。Thepresentincidentgoesasawitticism；butyoucangamblethenextwon'tbesoregarded。'
　　"Thatsorterendsthetalk，an'allofusbutthecookan'thehoss-
　　hustlersbein'inthesaddlebynow，wedispersesourse'fsthroughthescenerytoworkthecattlean'proceedwiththeround-upwe-allsison。Wenotes，though，thattailin'Todd'sponydon'tgoag'inwithsafety。
　　"It'swhenwe-allsridesawaythatDocPeets——who'soutwiththeround-up，thoughheain'tgotnocattle-brandhimse'f——tellsJaybirdhe'snotahumorist，likeIalreadyrepeats。
　　"But，asIsu'gests，thisJaybirdBobcan'tbelieveitnone。He'smightyshoreabouthisjokesbein'excellentgoodjokes；an'whileit'splainToddain'tgotnoconfidenceinhiman'distrustshimcompletesincehetipsoverhisbroncothatmornin'，itlookslikeJaybirdcan'tlethimalone。An'themmisdeedsofJaybird'skeepsgoin'on，ontilbythemerestmistake——forit'sshoreanaccidentifeveronehappensinthecowcountry——thisyeretenderfootshootsupJaybirdan'killshimforgood。
　　"Itlookstouslikeit'saspeshulProvidencetowarnfolksnottogoprojectin'about，engagedinwhatyoumightcallphysicaljestsnone。Still，thisyereremovalofJaybirddon'ttakeplacetillmightynearthecloseoftheround-up；an'intervenin'，he'spirootin''round，stockin'thekyardsan'settin'uphandsontheporeshorthorncontinuous。
　　"OneofJaybird'sjokes——'oneofhisbest，'Jaybirdcallsit——
　　resultsinstampedin'theherdofcattlewe-allsisbringin'alongatthetime——bein'allcowsan'theircalves——toabrandin'-pen。
　　Whichthar'stwothousand，bigan'little，inthebunch；an'
　　Jaybird'shumorputs'emtoflightlikesomanyblackbirds；an'ittakestwodayshardridin'forthewholeoutfittobring'emtogetherag'in。
　　"AmongotherweaknessesthisToddimportsfromtheStatesis，he'safraidofsnakes。Rattlesnakesishisabhorrence，an'ifeachisadisembodiedsperithecan'twant'emfurtheroff。He'sallersalarmedthatmebby，somehow，arattlesnakewillcomepokin'inonderhisblanketsnights，an'campwithhimwhilehe'sasleep。An'thisyerewretchedJaybirdfostersthemdelusions。
　　"'Aboutthemserpents，'IoverhearsJaybirdsaytohimoneevenin'
　　whilewe-allsissettin''round；——allbutMoorean'Tutt，who'sridin'herd；''boutthemserpents；agentcan'tbetoopartic'lar。
　　Itlooksliketheyhasbutonehope，whichit'stocrawlintoagent'sblanketsan'sleepsomewithhim。Which，ifhemovesorturnsover，theysimplyemitsabuzzan'grabshimIknowsoffortyfolkswho'sbitthata-waybysnakes，an'naryaonelivestoexplainthegame。'
　　"'BerattlesnakesthickinArizona？'IhearsToddsaytothisJaybird。
　　"'Betheythick？'answersJaybird。'Well，IshorewishesIhadwhiskeyforalltherattlesnakestharisyereabouts。Idon'twanttogooverstatin'thecensustoagentwhoisoutplayin'forinformation，an'who'slearnin'fast，butIs'posenowtharain'tnonelessthanabillionsnakesinsoutheastArizonaalone。IfI
　　couldsawoffthelittlepasselofcattleIhasonthisrange，youcangambleI'dpullmyfreightto-morrow。It'sallrightforsecholdCimmaronsasEnright，an'sechpartiesasthatsawbonesPeets，togobluffin'aboutthar'bein'norattlesnakestospeakof，an'
　　thattheycouldn'tp'isonyoutodeathnohow；butyoubetIain'tseenfortyofmynearestfriendscashinofsnake-bites，an'notlearnnothin'。An'almosteverytimeit'sarattlesnakeascomesslidin'intobedwith'emwhilethey'slockedindreams，an'whogetshotan'goestochewin'of'em，becausetheywantstoturnoutbeforethesnakedoes。Rattlesnakesthata-waywantstosleeptillit'sfourth-drinktimean'thesun's'wayupyonder。An'whenagentgoestorollin'outofhisblanketssayatsun-up，itmakes'emmonstrousangrytobedisturbed；an'thefirstheknowsofwheretheybean'howtheylooksonearlyrisin'，theirteeth'sinhimuptothegyard，an'beforenightthar'sonelessgenttocookfor，an'
　　anextrasaddleridesalonginthegrub-wagonwiththeblanketswhentheynextmovescamp。'
　　"OfcourseallthisisaheapimpressivetoTodd；an'whileEnrightan'PeetsbothtellshimJaybird'shavin'funwithhim，youcanseehe'smortalafraideverynightwhenhespreadshisblankets，an'hemakesacireleaboutwherehesleepsatwithahorse-ha'rlariathe'sgotfromaMexican，an'whotellshimit'llticklethesnakes'
　　neckswhentheygoestocrawlacrossit，an'make'emkeepaway。
　　"ThewaythisyereJaybirdmanagestostampedethebunchthattimeisthisa-way。Jaybirdcomesridin'infromthecattleaboutthreehoursbeforesun-up，toturnoutTutt，whoisduetotakehisplaceonherd。Jaybird'sgotarawhideropethathe'sdruggedaboutinthegrass，whichmakesitdampan'cold。AsJaybirdridesuptocampheseesthisToddrolledinhisblankets，snorin'tobeatfourofakind。
　　"NacherallyJaybird'souttobejoyousinasecond。Heridesupclosetothishe'plessshorthornashelaysasleep，an'tossesaloopofhiswetrawhideacrosshiscountenancewhereit'sturnedupinthemoonlight。Asitsettlesdowncoldan'startlin'onTodd'sskin，Jaybirdyells:
　　"Snake，Todd!Thar'sarattlesnakeonyoubigger'nadog。'
　　"JaybirdsayslaterashowthisToddbehavestremendous。Heb'ilesupintotheatmospherewithahowllikeawolf；an'，grabbin'ablanketineachhand，hestartsoutovertheplainsinastateoffrenzy。Whichtheworstishechargesheadlongtowardtheherd；an'
　　whatwiththemshriekshevolunteers，an'theblanketsflappin'an'
　　wavin'，tharain'tacowinthebunchwhostaysinherrightmindamoment。Whichshespringstoherfeet，antakin'heroffspringalong，goessurgin'offintothehillsforgood。Youcouldn'theadorstop'emthen。It'sthecompletestcaseofstampedeIeverturnsouttobehold。
　　"No；thisyereToddnevergatherstherightsoftheeepisode。He'sthatpeevishan'voylentbynachernoonetellshimit'sJaybird；
　　an'onless，inthelightofknowin'more，hehassincefiggeredoutthetrooth，heallowstothisdayarattlesnakeasbigasarollofblanketstriestoreclineonhisfacethattime。
　　"Tokeeppeaceincampan'notlethimgotopawin''roundforrealtroublewiththefestiveJaybird，Enrightstandsintocapthegamehimse'f；an'putsitupinconfabwiththisToddthenextdayashowheseestherattlesnake，an'thatit'smightynearbein'awhopper。
　　"'It'sshore，'saysEnright，whenhean'Toddisconversin'tharon，'themostgiantserpentIeverseeswithouttheaidoflicker。An'
　　whenhegoesstreakin'offintothegloom，bein'amazedan'rattledbyyourcries，heleaves，sofarasI'mconcerned，atrailofreliefbehind。You-allcangamble，Iwasn'tinterruptin'ofnosechsnake，normakin'ofnopretextsforhisdetainment。
　　"'Whatforwashisrattleslike？'saysTodd；an'hegetspaleatthemeresoundofEnright'stalk。
　　"'Astothemrattles，'saysEnright，likehe'smightythoughtfultryin'torecall'emtomind，'astothisreptile'srattles，it'sthatdarkthatwhileIsees'emIcouldn'tbutjest。SofarasI
　　notesanythin'theylookslikeabeltfullofcar-tridges，sortercorrugatedan'noomerous。
　　"NowthisyerewhichIrelates，whilenodoubtburnin'experiencestoTodd，isafterallharmlessenough。An'topeoplenotcarefulaboutthebasisoftheirgleeitmightdosometolaughat。Butitallclosesuponaplaywithnothin'gaynormerryinit；leastwisenotforJaybirdBob。
　　"Thisyerefinishjokeofjaybird'stranspiresoneevenin'asthecook'sstartin'intorustlesomechuck。Thegrub-wagon'sbeenstoppedinthemouthofPeeledPineCanyon。Everygent'sincampbutthisyeretenderfootTodd。Enright，who'sactin'asround-upbossfortheoutfit——foreverybody'scattle'sbein'workedtogetherthata-way，likeweallersdoes——hassentToddpeerin''roundforcattle，'wayoffupthevalleyintowhichthePeeledPineCanyonopens。Thisyereshorthorn'sduetobebackanytimenow，'causeit'sonlyaquestionofhowfarupthevalleydoeshego。Hedon'trunnoshowtobelost，fornothin'lessaerialthangoatscouldclimboutofthecanyonhe'sin，an'tharforehe'sboundtofindcamp。
　　"Ofcourse，knowin'everygent'sstationintheday'sridin'，we-
　　allsisplentyawarethatthistenderfootToddissome'ersaboveusinthevalley。Noneoftherestofusisturnin'ourmindstohimprobably，exceptJaybirdBob。Itallofabumplikeabuckin'ponystrikesJaybirdthathe'smissin'aonusualchancetobebuoyant。
　　"'Whatforaplaywoulditbe，'saysJaybird，rousin'upfromwherehelayswatchin'ofthecookslicesalthossforthefryin'-pan，'whatforagamewoulditbe，Isays，forapasselofustolayoutupthedraw，an'bush-whackthisyereontaughtpersonToddashecomesridin'downtocamp？We-allscouldhopoutathim，a-whoopin'
　　an'shoutin'，an'bein'wroppedupinblankets，heallowsit'sshoreInjunsan'goesplumblocoed。'
　　"`You-allwillkeepharrowin'awayatthisToddparty，Jaybird，'
　　saysEnright，'ontilyouarisesfromthegameloser。NowIdon'treckonnoneI'dplayApacheifI'myou。Thar'stoomucheffortinbein'anApachethata-way。I'dlayyerean'thinkupsomejokewhichdon'tdemandsomuchindustry，an'ain'tcalc'latedtoscareaninnocentgenttodeath。'
　　"ButJaybirdwon'tlisten。Hefallsintoadmirationofhisscheme；
　　an'atlastTuttan'JackMooreallowsthey'llgoalongan'playthey'saborigineswithJaybirdan'notehowthetenderfootstandstheracket。
　　"'AslongasthisyereJaybird'sboundtomaketheplay，'saysJackMooretoEnright，talkin'oneside，'it'saheapbettertohavetheconserv'tiveelementrepresentedinthedeal。SoIputsitup，it'sagoodsagemoveformean'Tuttstostandin。We-allswillcomehandytopullJaybirdan'thisshorthornapartiftheygetstheirhornslockedinthecourseofthemgaities。'
　　"Enrighttakesthesameview；soJaybirdan'Moorean'Tuttwandersoffupthecanyonamile，an'laysinwaitsurreptitioustoheadoffTodd。Jacktellsmethestorywhenhiman'Tuttcomesridin'backwiththecorpse。
　　"'Thisishowwedoes，'saysJack。'Mean'Tuttan'deceased——whichlastisJaybirdallrightenough——isensconcedbehindap'intofrocks。Jaybird'sgothisblanketwropped，'roundhimsohelookslikeasavage。Itain'tlongwhenwe-allshearsthetenderfootcomin'downthecanyon；it'slikelyhe'shalf-mileaway。He'srunnin'ontousataroad-gait；an'whenhe'sabouttwohundredyardsoffJaybirdturnsoutayelltomakeyoushiver，shakesaloadortwooutenhisgun，goessurgin'outfrom'roundthep'intofrocks，an'chargesstraightatthisonthinkin'tenderfoot。Itisduetotroothtosay，mean'TuttfollowsthisJaybird'ssuit，onlynotsovoylentastowhoops。
　　"'Doesitscareupthetenderfoot？Well，itshorelyalarmshimaheap。HetakesJaybirdforanInjunan'makesnoquestion；whichthesameisnowisestrange；I'dtookhimforasavagemyse'f，only，bein'inthedealthata-wayIknowsit'sJaybird。So，asIremarks，ithorrifiesthetenderfootonend，an'atthefirstsightofJaybirdhewhirlshisponyan'lightsoutupthatvalleylikeantelope。
　　"'Nacherallywe-allsfollows；Jaybirdleadin'，a-whoopin'，an'a-
　　shootin'，an'throwin'noendofsperitintoit。It'sasuccess，thispieceofwitis，uptothisjuncture，an'Jaybirdputsaheapofzestintoit。
　　"'Theweakspotinallthisyerehumorgrowsoutoftheideesthistenderfoot'sbeengainin'，an'theimprovementshe'sbeenmakin'，whilestragglin'aboutinours'ciety。Ionhesitatin'lystatesthatifthisyerejokeispulledoffbyJaybirdwhenToddfirstentersourmidst，itmighthavebeenthevict'ryofhislife。ButJaybirddefersittoolong。ThistenderfoothasacquiredafewWesternways；
　　enoughtospoilthefunan'sendporeJaybirda-curvin'tohishomeonhigh。
　　"'Thisiswhatthatshorthorndoeswhichteachesmehe'slearnin'。
　　Whilehe'shumpin'offupthecanyon，an'mean'Jaybirdan'Tuttisstampedin'alonginpursoot，thefugitivethrowsloosehissix-
　　shooter，an'withouteventurnin'hisheadorlookin'backatus，heonhookstheentirebundleofleadourway。
　　"Whichtheworstfeatureofitis，thisbackhanded，blindshootin'
　　isawinner。TheveryfirstshotsmitesJaybirdplumbthroughthehat，an'hegoesoffhisponywithoutevenmentionin'aboutittoeitherTuttorme。
　　"`That'salltharistothereport。Davean'mepullsupourbroncos，abandonsthejoke，laysJaybirdacrosshissaddlelikeasackofcorn，an'returnstostatethecase。'
　　"'Whateverdidyou-allsdowiththisfrightenedstranger？'asksEnright。
　　"'Whichweneverdoesnothin'，'saysJack。'ThelastIbeholds，he'sflyin'upthevalley，hittin'nothin'butthehighplaces。An'
　　assoomin'hisprojectistogetaway，he'ssucceedin'admirable。Ashevanishes，Ishouldjedgefromhismotionshe'sreloadin'hisgun；
　　an'fromtheluckhehaswithJaybird，Tuttan'meisledtobelievethar'snorealobjectinfollowin'himnofurther。Idon'tpressmys'cietyonnogent；shorelynotonsomelocoedtenderfootthata-waywho'spulledhisgunan'isdoneblazin'awayerratic，withoutpurposeoraim。'
　　"'Don'tyouan'Tuttknowwhereheisat？'demandsEnright。
　　"'Whichweshorelydon't，'saysJack。'Ifhishossholds，an'hedon'tswervenonefromthedirectionhe'sp'intingoutinwhenhefadesfromview，he'sgoin'tobeoverintheSanSimoncountrybyto-morrowmornin'whenweeatsourgrub；an'that'shalfwaytotheBoraxdesert。Ifyouyearnsformyimpressions，'concloodsJack，'drawnfroma-seein'ofhimdepart，I'mfreetosayIdon'treckonyou-allsisgoin'tomeetthisyeretenderfootnonesoon。'
　　"An'that'saboutthesizeofit。Jackcallstheturn。Jaybird'slastjokealarmsthistenderfootToddplumboutenArizona，an'tharain'tnoneofuseverseesha'r，horn，norhoofmarkofhimnomore。
　　An'hetakeswithhim，thisTodddoes，thebossponyinourbunch。"
　　CHAPTERXVX。
　　BOGGS'SEXPERIENCE。
　　"No；thar'snothin'prolixaboutBoggs。Whichonthecontrary，hisnacherisshorelyarduousthata-way。Ifit'sameetin'ofthecommittee，forinstance，withintentthenan'thartodwellawholelotonthedoin'sofsomemalefactor，Boggsallersgetstoamentalshow-downaheadoftheothergentsinvolved。Eitherhe'souttothrowthispartyloose，orstretchhisneck，orrunhimoutencamp，orwhatever'sdeemedexactjestice，longbeforesechslow-an'-shorepeopleasOldManEnrightevenlooksattheirhands。Thetroothis，Boggsain'tsostrongonjedgement；hislongsuitisinstinct。An'
　　moreoverIknowsfromhisdrawin'fourkyardssomuchinpoker，Boggsisplumbemotional。"
　　AtthispointinhisdiscoursetheOldCattlemanpausedandputinseveralprofoundminutesinapparentcontemplationofBoggs。Thenhewenton。
　　"That'sit；Boggsisemotional；an'Ishorelyreckonswhichhe'devenbeenaheapreligious，onlythar'snochurchesmuchonBoggs'srange。Boggstellsmehimse'fhecomesmightynearbein'caughtinsomesperitualround-uponetime，an'Iallersallows，afterhearin'
　　Boggsrelatethetale，thatifhe'donlybeensubmergedinwhatyou-
　　allscallsbenignerinflooencesthata-way，he'dmostlikelymadethefoldallrightan'gotgarneredinwiththesheep。
　　"It'sjustafterShortCreekDavegetstobeoneofthem'vangelists。Davehasbeenexhortin'ofWolfvilletoleaveoffitsways，overinthewarehouseoftheNewYorkStore，an'thatsameevenin'Boggs，bein'somemoved，confidesinmehowoncehemebbyhalf-waymakesuphismindhe'llbesaved。
　　"'Leastwise，'saysBoggs，whenhetakesmeintohispastthata-way，'IallowsI'llbereligiousinthespringaftertheround-upisover。ButIdon't；soyoucan't，afterall，callitareligiousexper'encenone；nothin'more'naeepisode。
　　"'It'swinterwhenImakesthemgrace-of-heavendeterminations，'
　　goesonthisBoggs，'an'thespringround-upismonthsaway。ButI
　　allersputsitupI'dshorelyfilledmyhandan'gotplumbintotheplay，onlyit'sabadwinter；an'inthespringthecattle，weakan'
　　starved，isgettin'downan'chillin'todeathaboutthewater-
　　holes；an'asresultstharofI'mridin'thehills，a-cussin'an'a-
　　swearin'；an'all'roundit'sthatrough，an'I'mthatprofanean'
　　voylent，IreckonstowardsAprilprobablymysoul'sburiedondertenfootofcuss-words，an'thatj'inin'thechurchinmycaseismightylikelytobeabluff。An'soIpassesitup。
　　"'Yousees，'saysBoggs，'thar'snogoodtryin'toholdoutkyardsonyourRedeemer。Ifyourheartain'trightit'snousetosetintothegame。Nocolddeckgoes。Heseesplumbthrougheverykyardyouholds，an'nothin'butastraightdealdoeswithHim。Nacherally，then，Ithinks——bein'ashowyoucan'tbluffyourwayintoheaven，an'recallin'thebadlanguageIusesworkin'themcattle——Iwon'teventry。An'that'swhy，whenresolvin'onewintertogetreligionmebbynextJune，Ipersistsinmysinfullife。
　　"'It'sovertoTaosIacquiresthisreligiousidee。I'mcomenewtothecampfromsome'ersdown'roundSevenRiversinthePecoscountry，an'Idon'tknowagent。WhichI'mbynachergregar'ous；sonotknowin'folksthata-wayweighsonme；an'thefirstnightI'mthar，Ihastenstoremedythisyereevil。I'mthepossessorofwealthtoalimit，——forIshoredespisesbein'brokecomplete，an'
　　generallykeepsasgoodasabluestackinmywar-bags，——an'Igoesprojectin''roundfromdance-halltobaile，an'deciminatesmydineroan'drawstomenose-paintan'friends。Astharain'tbutthreegin-mills，incloosiveofthehurdy-gurdy，I'mgoin'curvin'inthemgrandroundswhichIinstitoots，onasortoftriangle。
　　"'Whichitcan'tbesaidIdon'tmakerunnin'ofit，however；I
　　don'treckonnowit'smor'nanhourbeforeIknowsallTaos，barMexicansan'whatsomefolkscalls"thebetterelements。"Italsofollows，likeitslariatdoesaloosepony，thatI'msomeorganizedbywhiskey，nottosayconfused。
　　"'It'sbecauseI'mconfusedI'mmisledintothisyerepra'r-meetin。'
　　Notthatthemexercisesisduetodimmyeternalgamenone，nownoryereafter；butasIain'tliabletoadorntheplaynortakeproperparttharin，I'dshorelypassedoutan'keptontothehurdy-gurdyifI'dknowed。Asitstands，Iblundersintothemorisonsinadvertent；but，havin'pickedupthehand，Inacherallycontinuesan'playsit。
　　"'It'sthisa-wayaboutthemreligiousexercises:I'memergedfromtheTubofBlood，an'amp'intin'outforthedance-hall，whenI
　　strikesawickeyupalllighted，an'singin'ontheinside。ItakesitforajointIain'tseennoneasyet，an'tharuponheadsupan'
　　enters。Fromthenoise，Iallowsmebbyit'sMexican；whichGreasersusualputsupaheapofsingin'an'scufflin'an'talkin'ineverythin'frommontetoabull-fight。
　　"'OnceI'min，Inotesitain'tMexicansan'itain'tmonte。Goodfolksthough，Iseesthat；an'asapasselof'emnearthedoorlooksshockedatthesightofme，I'mtoobashfultobreakoutag'in，butsorteraigesintothenearestseatan'standspat。
　　"'Icantelltheoutfitfiggersonmeraisin'thelongyellan'
　　stampedin'roundtomaketrouble；soIthinkstomyse'fI'llfool'emupalot。Ijestwon'tsayaword。SoIsetssilentasacoyoteatnoon；an'afterawhilethesharpwho'sdealin'for'emgoesonwiththempetitionsIinterruptsasIcomesbulgin'in。
　　"'Theirrange-bosssaysonethingIremembers。It'saboutcastin'
　　yourbreaduponthewaters。Heallowsyou'llgetitag'inan'abandofmaverickswithit。It'splayin'whitechipstowinblues；that'swhatthissharpsays。
　　"'Itshorelystrikesmeaseasy。Everytimeyoudoesgood，saysthisparty，Fateisouttoplayareturngamewithyou；an'it'swrittenyouquitswinneronallthegoodyoupromulgatesthata-way。
　　"'Isetsthedealoutan'getssomesleepyatit，too。ButIwon'tleavean'scand'lizethecongregation；an'asIgivesupstrongwhentheplategoesby，Iain'tregardedasnosetback。
　　"'Whenthecontreebution-box——whichshe'satinplate——comeschargin'by，I'msorternoddin，'I'mthatweary。Inotesthejingleofmoney，an'rousesup，allowin'mebbyit'sajack-pot，Ireckons。
　　"'"Howhardbeyou-allin？"Isaystothegentnexttome，who'sgonetothecenterforapeso。
　　"'"Dollar，"saysthegent。
　　"'"Well，"Isays，"Iain'tseenmyhandsincethedraw，butI'llraiseyounineblind。"An'Iboardsaten-dollarbill。
　　"'Whentherestgoes，Isortersidlesforthan'linesoutforthedance-hall。ThefactisI'mneedin'whatyou-allscallsstimulants。
　　Butallthesameitsticksinmyheadaboutcastin'gooddeedsonthewaterthata-way。Itstickstharyet，forthatmatter。
　　"Bein'releasedfromthemdevotions，Istartstodrinkin'ag'inwithzealan'earnestness。An'tharcomesatimewhenallmymoney'sinmyboots。Yere'show:IonlytakestwostacksofredswhenIembarksonthisyeredebauch。Bein'deepan'crafty，an'anewInjunatthatagencythata-way，an'notknowin'whatgameImaygoag'inst，I
　　putstherestofmybank-rolloverinHoward'sstore。Itturnsout，too，thateverytimeIacquiressilverinchange，Icommitsittomyleftboot，whichishighan'ampletoholdsaidspecie。WhyIputsthisyeresilvermoneyinmyboot-laigisshoretoomanyforme。ButIfeelsmightycunnin'overitatthetime，an'regardsitasa'way-upplay。
　　"'AsItellsyou，thararrivesanhourwhileI'mintheTubofBloodwhenmymoney'sallinmyboot，an'thar'sstilllickertodrink。
　　Factis，IjestmeetsagentnamedFrosty，asgoodacitizenaseverrifflesadeckorpullsatrigger，an'p'litenessdemandswe-allsputsthenose-paintinplay。That'swhyIhastohavemoney。
　　"'Idon'tcaretogopullin'offmymoccasinsintheTubofBlood，an'makin'avulgardisplayofmywealthbypourin'thesilverontothefloor。Thar'sapeckofit，ifthar'sdosreals；an'sechanexhibitionasspillin'itoutintheTubofBloodisboundtomortifyme，an'thebarkeep，an'Frosty，an'mostlikelyleadtomakin'remarks。SoIconcloodsI'llroundupmysilveroutsidean'
　　thenreturn。