"'Excuseme，"IsaystoFrosty。"Youstayrightyerewiththebottle，an'I'llbeamongyouag'ininaminuteallspraddledout。"
　　"'Igoeswanderin'outbackoftheTubofBlood，whereit'slonesome，an'campsdownbyaSpanish-bayonet，an'tugsawaytogetmybootoffan'mydinerointocirc'lation。
　　"'An'whileI'matit，sleepan'nose-paintseizesme，an'mylightgoesplumbout。Irollsoverbehindthebayonet-bushan'raisesasnore。AsforthatFrosty，hewaitsawhile；thenhepullshisfreight，allowin'I'mtoodeliberateaboutcomin'back，forhim。
　　"'Itmusthavemadethemcoyotesstopan'considerawholelotaboutwhatIbe。Toshowyouhowgoodthemcoyotesis，Iwantstotellyou:Idon'tnoticeitontilthenextday。WhileI'mcurleduptother'arofthatbushtheycomesmightyneargnawin'thescabbardoffenmygun。Fact；theleatherlookslikesomepuphasbeenchewin'
　　it。ButrightthenIain'tmindin'nothin'sooninterestin'asacoyotebitin'ontheleatherofmygun。
　　"'Nowthisiswherethatbluffaboutbreadonthewaterscomesin；
　　an'itfallssopatontheheelsofthemdevotionsofmine，ithe'psbranditonmymem'ry。WhileI'mlayin'thar，an'mightylikelywhilethemcoyotesislunchin'offenmyscabbardthata-way，alongcomesarankstrangertheycallsSpanishBill。
　　"'IlearnsafterwardhowthisSpanishBillishard，plumbthrough。
　　He'srustledeverythin'fromabunchofponiestothemail-bags，an'
　　isnothin'butahold-upwhoneedshangin'everyhour。WhatevertakeshimtowhereIlaysbymybayonet-bushIneverknows。Hedon'tdisclosenothin'onthatp'intafterward，an'mebbyhetracksuponmeaccidental。
　　"'Butwhatinformsmeplainthatheexploresmywar-bagsforstuff，beforeeverheconcloodstolookaftermyhealth，isthis:Later，whenwegetsacquaintedan'Ionfurlsmyfinancesontohim，heseemsdisapp'intedan'hurt。
　　"'ThestatisticsofthebarkeepoftheTubofBloodnextday，goestotheeffectthatI'mshorelyouttharfourhours；an'whenSpanishBilldiscoversmeI'mmightynearfroze。TaosnightsinNovemberhasaheapofthingsincommonwiththemArticregionswehearsof，wherethemfur-linedsportsgoesinpursootofthatNorthPole。
　　Bein'froze，an'mebbyfromanover-dabofnose-paint，IneversaveysaboutthisyereSpanishBillmeetin'upwithmethata-wayontillater。Butbywhatthebarkeepsays，hedrugmeintotheTubofBloodan'allowshe'sgotamaverick。
　　"'"Fixthisyerefrozegentupsomethin'withteeth，"saysSpanishBilltothebarkeep。"Idon'tknowhisnamenone，buthe'ssufferin'
　　an'hasgottoberecoveredifittakestheentirecheck-rack。"
　　"'Whichthebarkeepstandsinan'bringsmeto。Icomes'roundan'
　　canwalksomeifSpanishBillgoesalongsteadyin'ofmebythecollar。TharuponsaidBillridesherdonmedowntotheJacksonHousean'spreadsmeonsomeblankets。
　　"'It'sdaylightwhenIbeginstobeawaremyname'sBoggs，an'thatI'manativeofKentucky，an'littlepersonalitieslikethat；an'
　　whatwakesmeupisthisSpanishBill。
　　"'"Seeyere，"saysthishold-up，"I'mgoin'toturninnow，an'it'stimeyou-allisup。Yere'swhatyoudo:Thar'sfivewhiskey-checksontheTubofBlood，whichwillhe'pyoutoanappetite。Followin'
　　ofas'fficientquantityoffire-water，youwillreturntotheJacksonHousean'eat。Ipaysforit。Iwon'tbeoutenmyblanketsbythen；buttheyknowsthatSpanishBillmakesgood，'causeI
　　impressesiton'emspeshulwhenIcomesin。
　　"'"You-alldon'tknowme，"goesonthisSpanishBill，asIsetsupan'blinksathimsomefoggyan'blurred，"an'Idon'tknowyou"——
　　whichwe-allsallows，outenp'liteness，isadeadlosstoboth。"Butmyname'sSpanishBill，an'I'mturnin'monteintheBankExchange。
　　I'llbetharatmytablebyfirst-drinktimethisevenin'；an'ifyousa'ntersthata-wayatthatepock，we'llhaveadrink；an'bein'
　　asyou'rebusted，ofcourseIstakesyoumoderateonyourway。"
　　"'It'sthisbluffaboutmenothavin'moneyputsmeinmindlaterthatthisBillmusthaverustledmyraimentswhenhefindsmethattimewhenI'mpresidedoverbycoyoteswhileIsleeps。Whenhesaysit，however，ImerelyremarksthatwhileI'mgratefultohimasmockin'-birds，moneyafterallain'tnoobjectwithme；an'，pullin'
　　offmynighmoccasin，Ipourssometwopoundsofspecieontotheblankets。
　　"'"WhichIpacksthisinmyboot，"Iobserves，"toputmysc'finmindI'vegotarollbigenoughtofillanose-bagovertoHoward'sstore。"
　　"'"An'I'mfeelin'thegaliesttohearit，"saysthisSpanishBill；
　　thoughasIsu'gestsheactspainedan'amazed，likeagentwho'sover-lookedabet。
　　"'Well，that'salltharistothatpart。That'swhereSpanishBilllaunchesthatbreadofhis'n；an'thewayitlaterturnsoutitsorterb'arsdownonme，an'keepsmerememberin'whatthatskyscoutsaysatthepra'r-meetin'abouttheactionagentgetsbyplayin'agooddeedtowin。
　　"'It'sthemiddleofJanuary，mebbytwomonthslater，whenI'moverontheUpperCalienteaboutfiftymilesbackoftheSpanishPeaks。
　　I'mworkin'abunchofcattle；Cross-Kisthebrand；y'ear-marksaswallow-forkintheleft，withtherighty'earonderhacked。'
　　"What'sthegoodofay'ear-markwhenthar'sabrand？"repeatedtheOldCattlemanafterme，forIhadinterruptedwiththequestion。
　　"Whatever'sthegoodofy'ear-marks？Why，whenmixedcattleisinabunch，standin'socloseyoucan'tseenobrandsontheirsides，an'
　　you-allisridin'throughtheoutfitcuttin'out，y'ear-marksiswhatyougoesby。Cattleturnstolookasyoucomesridin'an'
　　pesterin'among'em，an'theirtwoy'earsp'intsfor'ardlikefans。
　　Yougetstheiry'ear-markslikeprintin'onthepageofabook。Ifyouwastogooveraherdbythebrands，youwouldn'tcutoutasteeranhour。ButtotrailbackafterBoggs。
　　"`It'stwomonthslater，an'I'mridin'downadrawoneday，'saysthisDanBoggs，'cussin'therangean'theweather，whenmyponygoestohavin'symptoms。Thisyereponyisthatsagaciousthatwhileitmakesnottheslightestmentionofcattlewhenthey'snear，itnevercomesupondeer，orpeopleinthehills，butittakestogivin'ofmanifestations。ThisissoIcansquarmyse'fforwhatevergametheyopensonus。
　　"`AsIsays，mean'thisyerewiseponyispushin'outintotheCalientewhentheponybeginstomakesigns。Ibringshimdownallcautiouswherewecanlookacrossthevalley，an'
　　[Illustrationwithcaption:"NacherallyIstopsan'surveyshimcareful]
　　you-allcangambleI'msomeastonishedtoseeagentwalkin'alongafoot，offmebbyacouplehundredyards。Hesorterlimpsan'leansoverononesidelikehe'shurt。NacherallyIstopsan'surveyshimcareful。It'splentystrangehe'stharatall；an'strangerstillhe'safoot。Ilookshimoverforweepons；Iwantstonotewhathe'slikean'howhe'sheeled。
　　"'Yousaveysaswellasmeitdon'tdotogocanterin'outtostrangersthata-wayinthehills；speshullyastrangerwho'safoot。
　　Hemighthungerforyourponyforonething，an'openaplayonyouwithhisgun，aswouldleaveyouafootan'likewisetoodeadtoknowit。
　　"'I'mallerscautiousthata-way，aroundapartywho'slosthishoss。Itlocoeshiman'makeshimf'rocious；Is'posebein'afoothefeelshe'pless，an'letoutan'crazy。Agentafootisaheapeasiertoaggravate，too；an'amightysightmorelikelytolayforyouthanwhenhe'sinaTexassaddlewithaponybetweenhisknees。
　　"'WhichiswhyIremarks，thatIstacksupthispedestriancarefulan'accuratebeforeIgoesafterhim。
　　"'AsIsays，hecarriesonlikehe'shurt；an'he'spackin'asix-
　　shooter。Heseemsfamiliar，too；an'whileIlookshimoverI'mwonderin'whereIcutshistrailbefore。
　　"'AsIhastheadvantageofaWinchester，Iatlastridesintotheopenan'givesawhoopee。Thepartyturns，comeslimpin'towardme，an'whoeverdoyouallowitis？Whichit'sshorelySpanishBill；an'
　　it'srightyerehegetsactiononthatbreadonthewatersheplaysinwhenherecoversmethattimeinTaos。
　　"'Tomakeitbrief，SpanishBilltellsmethatafterIleavesTaoshegoesoveran'dealsmonteabitatWagonMound。OnenightaMexicancomescaperin'in，an'Billgiveshimalayoutortwo。Atlasthemakesanalcybetoffiftydollarsonthequeen；whattheGreaserscallsthe"hoss。"TheMexicanloses；an'insteadoftakin'
　　iteasylikeasportshould，hegrabsthemoney。
　　"'Aswashisdooty，SpanishBillbendshissix-shooterovertheMexican。Tharuponhesearchesoutaknife；an'thisyeresocomplicatesthebusiness，Bill，tosimplifythings，plugstheMexicanfullofholes。
　　"'Thisshootin'isonthesquar'，an'noonetakeshostilenoticeofit。SpanishBillgoesonlayin'outhismontesameasusual。Twodayslater，though，hegetsap'intertheMexicansisfixin'forhim。Sothatnighthemovescamp——mebbytowhereit'sahundredan'
　　sixtymilesfromWagonMound，overontheVermejo。
　　"'ButitlooksliketheGreasershangstothetrail；forthedaybeforeItracksuponhimabandof'emhopsoutenadryarroya，wherethey'sbush-wackin'forhim，an'goestoshootin'。Asmightbeexpected，SpanishBillturnsloose，freean'frequent，an'theyallshorelyhasahigh，excessivetime。
　　"'TheMexicansdownsSpanishBill'spony，an'abulletcreasesBill'sside；whichlastiswhatcurveshimoveran'indooceshimtolimpwhenItrailsupwithhim。
　　"'AsSpanishBillgoesdown，theMexicansscatter。Thegameistoohighfor'em。Theywasshytwopeople，withanotherpluggeddeepan'
　　strong；bywhichyounotesthatBillisaimin'lowan'good。
　　"'Aftertheshootin'SpanishBillcrawlsovertoaranch，an'，gettin'aponyan'saddle，whichheeasydoes，hebreaksbackintothehillswhereIencountershim。It'sthatmorninghisponygetstiredofthedeal，an'buckshimoff，an'goesstampedin'back。
　　That'swhyhe'safoot。
　　"'Whilehe'stalkin'allthis，IrecallshowSpanishBillroundsmeupthatnightinTaos，soIdon'thesitate。Itakeshimovertomycamp。Thenextmornin'heturnshisnoseforTexasonmybestpony；
　　whichisthelastIseesorhearsofSpanishBill，onlesshe'stheBillwho'slynchedovernearEaglePassayearlater，ofwhichI
　　surmisesit'ssomelikely。
　　"'ButwhetherBill'slynchedornot，itallbringsupag'inwhatthatGospel-gentsaysaboutdoin'benev'lences；an'howaftermanydaysyoudiesan'makesawinnin'，an'livesonvelvetalleternity。
　　An'don'tyouknowthisSpanishBillpickin'meupthatnight，an'
　　theninlessthantwomonths，whenhe'safootan'hurtinthehills，gettin'ag'instmean'drawin'outofthegameaheadasaddle，aponyan'safety，makesitseemlikethatBible-sharpisrightawholelot？
　　"'That'showitstrikesme，'concloodsBoggs。'An'asItellsyou；
　　ifsomanycattledon'tdiethatspring；an'ifIdon'tgivewaysofrightfulinmytalk，I'dshorelyhunteddownacongregationthenextJune，an'stoodin。"'
　　CHAPTERXVIII。
　　DAWSON&RUDD，PARTNERS。
　　"Whatever'sthedifferencebetweentheEastan'theWest？"saidtheOldCattleman，repeatingmyquestionratherforthepurposeofconsiderationthanfromanyfailuretounderstand:"What'sthedifferencebetweentheEastan'theWest？Which，sofarasInotes，torelapseintometaphor，asyou-allssays，thebigdifferenceisthattheEastallersshootsfromarest；whiletheWestshootsoffhand。
　　"TheWestshorelearnseasyan'isquicktochangeasystemoralteraplay。It'splumbswift，theWestis；an'whatsomeregardsasroughismererapidity。TheWestmightgobrokeatfaro-bankinthemornin'，an'berichatrouletteintheafternoon；youcan'ttell。I
　　knowspartnersinArizonawhorollsoutinthegraylightofbreakin'dayan'beginsworkbydissolvin'an'windin'upthefirm'saffairs。Bydarkthemsamegentsispardsag'ininanewenterprisecomplete。Folks'llfightatsun-upan'cooktheirchileconcarnetogetheratnight，an'thensleeponderthesameblankets。Forwhichcausesthar'snoprophetsintheWest；aWesternfuturethata-waybein'somightyoncertainnoprophetcanfastenhislariat。
　　"Speakin'ofpardsan'thefogwhichsurroundswhatthesameislikelytodo，makesmethinkoftheonlicensedan'onlooked-forcarryin's-onof'DobyDawsonan'CopperQueenBillyRudd。Themtwogentsfostersafeudamongthemse'fsthatsplits'emwideopenan'
　　keeps'empesterin'eachotherforyears；whichthedoin'softhemlocoedpeopleisthescandalofWolfvillewhileitlasts。
　　"It'smebbythespringafterweerectstheBirdCageOp'ryHouse，an'Wolfvilleisgettin'tobeconsiderableofacamp。We-allsisorganizedforashore-'noughtown，anJackMooreisashore-'noughmarshal，withEnrightforalcaldethata-way，an'thar'saheapofimprovements。
　　"WhenIfirsttracksintoWolfville，cowsiswhatyoumightcalltheleadin'industry，withwhiskeyan'faro-bankontheside。Butinthedaysof'DobyDawsonan'CopperQueenBillyRudd，orehasbeenonearthed，theminesisopened，an'Wolfville'sswelledtremendous。
　　We-allsevenwinsacounty-seatfightwithRedDog，whereinweputsitalloverthatorneryhamlet；an'weshorelydealsthegamefortheentireregion。
　　"AsIstates，it'sthespringafterwepromotestheBirdCageOp'ryHouse——whichtempleofamoosementsiscompletethefallbefore——that'Dobyan'BillyturnsupinWolfville。Iknowsshe'sspring，forI'mawayworkin'theround-upatthetime，an'themgentsisboththardrunkwhenIcomesin。
　　"'Dobyan'Billy'sbeenpardsfortenyears。They'sminerfolks，an'
　　'Dobytellsmehimse'fonedaythathiman'BillyhasstoodinoneverymineexcitementfromAlaskatoLowerCaliforny。An'neveroncedoestheygettheirtrailscrossedorhavearow。
　　"ThetwogentsstrikesatWolfvillewhentheminesisfirstopened，an'stakesoutthreeclaims；onefor'Doby，oneforBilly。an'oneforbothof'em。They'scampedoffupadrawabouthalfamilefromtown，wheretheirclaimsis，an'hasalittlecabinan'seemstobegettin'alongpeacefulasachurch；an'Ireckonsthar's'nodoubtbuttheybe。
　　"When'Dobyan'Billyfirstcomescaperin'intoWolfvillethey'sthatthickan'friendlywitheachother，it'sashametothieves。I
　　recallshowtheirrelationsthata-wayexcitesgeneraladmiration，an'DocPeetsevengoessofarhecalls'em'Jonathanan'David。'
　　WhichPeetswouldhavekeptoncallin''em'Jonathanan'David'
　　plumbthrough，butBillygetshostile。
　　"'Itain'tmeIcaresfor，'saysBilly，——whichhewaitsonDocPeetswithhisgun，——'butnogent'sgoin'tomalign'DobyDawsonnonean'
　　alloodetohimas'Jonathan'withoutrebooke。'
　　"Seein'itpainsBilly，an'astharain'tevenawhitechipinmerenomenclaturethata-way，ofcourseDocPeetsdon'tcall'em'Jonathanan'David'nomore。
　　"'Dobyan'Billy'sbeenaroundmightylikelysixmonths。Thecampgetsusedto'eman'likes'em。Theydigsan'blastsawayinthembadger-holestheycallsshaftsallday，an'thencomeschargin'downtotheRedLightatnight。Afterthetwoisdrunksuccessful，theymutuallytakeseachotherhome。An'astheylinesoutfortheircampupholdin'an'he'pin'ofeachother，an'boththatdeadsoakedinnose-painttheylongbeforeabandonstryin'tohe'pthemse'fs，I
　　tellsyou，son，theirloveisapicturean'alesson。
　　"'Whichthewaythempore，locoedsots，'saysOldManEnrightonenight，as'Dobyan'BillyfallsoutentheRedLighttogether，an'
　　thenturnsinan'assistseachothertorise，——'whichthewaythemporedarkeneddrunkardsridesherdoneachother，an'isonse'fishan'generousthata-way，an'backseachother'splay，isasgoodassermons。You-allyoungmen，'saysEnright，turnin'onJackMoorean'
　　Boggsan'Tutt，'you-allimatoorbuckswhosecharacterain'treallyformednoneyet，oughterprofitplentybytheirexample。'
　　"AsIremarks，'Dobyan'Billy'sbeeninhabitin'Wolfvilleformightyhardonsixmonthswhenthetroublebetween'emfirstshowsitsteeth。AsBillywalksoutonemornin'tosnifftheclimatesome，heremarksaMexican——whichhisnameisJoseSalazar，butdon'tcutnofiggernohow——sorter'propriatin'ofamule。
　　"'Thesame，'asBillysays，inrelatin'thecasooaltylater，'bein'
　　ourstarmule。'
　　"Nacherally，onnotin'themisdeedsofthisyereGreaser，Billyreachesinsidethecabin，an'sortsoutaWinchesteran'plugssaidculpritinamonghisthoughts，antharbybringshismule-rustlin'
　　an'hisreflectionstoapausesome。
　　"It'stwohourslater，mebby，whenthedefunct'sdaughter——theoutfitabidesoverinChihuahua，whichistheMexicanpartofWolfville——goestoashow-downwith'Dobyan'Billyanwantstoknowdoesshegetthecorpse？
　　"'Shore，'says'Doby，'whichwe-allshasnofurtheruseforyourpaw，an'hisremainderisfreean'welcometoyou。Youcanbetmean'Billyain'tholdin'outnopaternalcorpsesnoneontheirweepin'offsprings。'
　　"Followin'ofhisbluff，'Dobygoesoveran'consoleswiththeMexican'sdaughter，whichhername'sManuela，an'shedon'tlooksobadneither。DocPeets，whosejedgementoffemalesisacinch，allowsshe'sasprettyasadiamondflush，an'youcangambleDocPeetsain'tmakinnoblindleadswhenit'saquestionofsquaws。
　　"So'DobyconsolesthisyereManuelaawholelot，whileBilly，who'smakin'coffeean'bakin'。powderbiscuitinside，don'treallynoticehe'sdoin'it。Factis，Billy'splumbbusy。TheNewYorkStorehavin'changedbakin'-powderontoustheweekbefore——thesameredoocin'biscuitstoaconundrumforamonthafter——an'thatbakin'-powderchangesorterengagin'Billy'sfacultieswholly，heforgetsaboutdeceasedan'hisdaughtercomplete；thatis，completetemporary。Later，whenthebiscuitsisdonean'offenhismind，Billyrecallsallaboutitag'in。
　　"'But'Doby，who'sagoodtalkeran'amightytendergentthata-
　　way，jumpsinan'comfortsManuela，an'showsherhowthismuleherpawisstealin'isbywayan'farthebestmuleincamp，an'atlastshedrieshertearsan'allowsinherlanguagethatshe'sgrowin'
　　resigned。'Dobywindsupbyhe'pin'Manuelahomewithwhat'sleftofherpaw。
　　"'Whichit'sjestlikethat'Doby，'saysBilly，whenhehearsofhispartnerpackin'homehispreythata-way，an'histonesshowsheadmires'Dobynolimit，`whichit'sshorelylikehim。Takefolksindistress，an'you-allscanbetyourlastchip'Dobycan'tdotoomuchfor'em。'"Billy'sdisgustsetsinliketherainyseason，however，whenabouttwomonthslater'Dobyupsan'wedsthisMexicangirlManuela。WhenBillylearnsofsaidceremony，hedeclinesaseatinthegame，an'won'tgonearthemnuptialsnohow。
　　"'An'Ideclar'smyse'frightyere，'saysBilly。'Fromnowfor'ardit'sacaseoflonehandwithme。Idon'twantnomorepartners。
　　WhenagentwithwhomfortenyearsI'vecamped，trailed，an'
　　prospectedwith，allthewayfromtheDallstotheGila，quitsmecoldan'clammyforasquawhedon'tknowtenweeks，youcangamblethatletsmeplumbout。I'vedonegotmymed'cine。an'I'mreadytoquit。'
　　"But'Dobyan'Billydon'tactooallymakenoassignment，norgointowhatyou-allEasternsharpscallsliquidation。Thetwogoesonan'
　　workstheirclaimstogether，an'thefirmnamestillwavesas'DobyDawsonan'CopperQueenBillyRudd，'onlyBillywon'tgointo'Doby'snewwickeyupwherehe'sgotManuela，——notafoot。
　　"'WhichImighthaveconqueredmynativereluctance，'saysBilly，'sotodo，an'Ievenmakesupmymindonenight——it'safterI'vegotmygrub，an'you-allsknowshowplumbsoftan'forgivin'thata-
　　wayagentiswhenhisstomach'sfullofgrub——togoupan'visit'emalot。ButasIgetstothedoorIhearsanoiseIdon'tsavey；
　　an'whenIInjunsuptoacrackan'surveysthescene，I'macoyoteiftharain't'Doby，withhiswifeinhislap，singin'toher。
　　That'ssquar'；actooallysingin'；whichsecheffortsremindsmeofballardsbycinnamonb'ars。
　　"'Iain'tnoneshore，'goesonBilly，asherelatesaboutittome，'butI'dstoodsechegreegiousplays，chargin'itgeneralto'Doby'sgettin'locoedan'mushy；butwhenthisyereingrateendshiswar-
　　song，whatdoyou-allreckonnowhedoes？Turnsinan'begins'pologizin'formedownin'herdad。Whichtheoldhold-upisonthemulean'goin'hell-bentwhenIcurlshimup。Well，thatendsthingswithme。Iturnsonmyheelsan'goesdowntotheRedLightan'getsdrunkplumbthrough。Yourecallsit；thetimeI'mdrunkamonth，an'
　　CherokeeHallbarsmeatfaro-bank，allowin'I'monconsciousofmysurroundin's。'
　　"Billygoesonlivin'attheiroldcamp，an''Dobyan'Manuelaatthenewone'Dobybuilt。Thislastismebbyfourhundredyardsmoreupthedraw。Durin'theday'Dobyan'Billyturnsinan'worksan'
　　digsan'drillsan'blaststogetherasofyore。Themainchangeisthatatevenin'Billygetsdrunkalone；an'as'Dobyain'talongtohe'pBillyhomean'needBilly'she'ptogethome，lotsoftimesBillyfallsbythetrailan'putsinthenightamongthemesquite-
　　bushesan'thecoyotesimpartial。
　　"Thisyeregoesonforplumbayear，an'whilethingsiscooleran'
　　moredistantbetween'em，sameasit'sboundtobewhentwogentssleepsindifferentcamps，still'Dobyan'Billyistrackin'alongallright。Onemornin'，however，Billygoesdowntotheholesthey'sprojectin'over，butno'Dobyshowsup。Itgoesonontilmightylikelyfifth-drinktimethatforenoon，an'asBillydon'tseenotrace，sign，norsignal-smokeofhispard，hegetsoneasy。
　　"'It'safact，'saysBillyafterward，'thar'shourswhenImore'nhalfallowsthisyeresquawof'Doby'shasdonetookaknife，orsomesechweepon，an'getsevenwith'Doby，whilehesleeps，formepluggin'herpawaboutthemule。It'sthisyereideewhichtakesmeoutentheshaftI'msinkin'，an'sendsmecavortin'upto'Doby'scamp。Ipassesaresolutiononmywaythatifshe'scashed'Doby'schipsforhimthata-way，I'llshorelysa'nteroveran'laywasteallChihuahuatoplayevenfortheblow。'
　　"Butasallturnsout，themsurmisesofBilly'sisidle。Hegetsmebbyeasysix-shooterdistancefromthedoor，whenhediscernsasmallcrylikeafox-cub'swhine。Billylistens，an'theyelpcomesascl'aronhisyearsasthewhistleofacurlew。Billytumbles。
　　"'I'maChinaman，'saysBilly，'ifitain'takid!'
　　"Sohebacksoffquietan'noiselessontilhe'sdeadsafe，an'thenheliftsthelongyellfor'Doby。When'DobyemergesheconfirmsthembeliefsofBilly's；it'sakidshore-'nough。
　　"'Boyorgirl？'saysBilly。
　　"'Boy，'says'Doby。'
　　"'WhichIshorelyquitsyoucoldifit'sagirl；saysBilly。'Asitis，Istandsbyyouinyourtroubles。Iain'tnones'prisedatyourluck，'Doby，'goesonBilly。`Ihalfforeseessomesechracketasthistheminuteyougetsmarried。However，ifit'saboyshegoes。I
　　ain'tthegenttolaydownonanold-timerunnin'-matewhileluck'sag'inhim；an'I'llstillbeyourpartneran'playoutmyhand。'
　　"Ofcourse，'Dobyhastogobacktolookouthisgame。An'asBilly'sthatrentan'shakenbythemnewshecan'tworknone，hetakestwoorthreedrinksofnose-paint，an'thenpromulgatesashowit'saholiday。Billyfeels，too，thatwhilethisyere'sablow，stillit'sagreatoccasion；an'ashetakestofeelin'hiswhiskeyan'
　　roominatin'onthetangledstateofaffairs，itsuddenlystrikeshimhe'lljestnacherallycloseupthetrailbythehouse。
　　"'Womenisfrailpeoplean'can'tabidenoisesthata-way，'saysBilly，`an''Doby'sshorelookin'somefadedhimse'f。Ireckons，tharfore，I'llsorterstopcommercealongthisyerethoroughfar'
　　ontilfurtherorders。What'Dobyan'hissquawneedsnowisquietoodan'peace，an'youcanwagerallyou-allsisworththeyain'tgoin'
　　tosuffernodisturbances。'
　　"Itain'thalfanhourafterthisbeforeBilly'sgottwosigns，bothdownan'upthetrail，warnin'ofpeopletohuntanotherwagon-
　　track。Thesignsismadeoutenpineboards，an'Billyhasmarkedthisyeremottoonto'emwithaburntstick"'DOBY'SGOTAPAPOOSE，SO
　　PULLYOURFREIGHT。"
　　"Itain'tnotimeafterBillypostshiswarnin's，an'he'sstillmusin'over'emmightyreflective，whenalongprojectsaMexicanwithapairofburroshe'spackin'freighton。TheMexican'sgoin'
　　bythenoticeswitboutpayin'theleastheedtharto。Butthisdon'tdoBilly，an'hestandshimup。
　　"'Canyouread？'saysBillytotheMexican，atthesametimep'intin'tothesigns。
　　"TheMexicanallowsinSpanish——whichthesameBillysaveysan'
　　palaversliberal——thathecan'tread。Thenhep'intsouttogobyag'in。
　　"'Noyoudon'tnone，onlessinthesmoke；saysBilly，an'throwsagunonhim。'Pausewhereyoube，myproudCastilian，an'I'llfloodyourdarkenedignorancewithlightbynacherallyreadin'thisyereinscriptiontoyouawholelot。'
　　"TharuponBillyreadsoffthenoticeaheapimpressive，an'windsupbycommandin'oftheMexicantolineoutonthetrailback。
　　"'Vamos!'saysBilly。'Whichifyouinsistsonpushin'alongthroughyereI'llturninan'crawlyourhumpsome。'
　　"ButtheMexicangetsuglyasat'ran'tleratthis，an'withonemotionhelugsoutasix-shooteran'onbosomsthesame。
　　"Billyisatriflepreviouswithagunhimse'f，an'whiletheMexicanismightyabrupt，hegetsnonethebestofBilly。WhichtheoutcomeistheMexican'sshotplumbdeadinhismoccasins，whileBillytakesasmallcreaseonhischeek，thesamenotbein'deadly。
　　Billythenconfiscatestheburros。
　　"'WhichIplays'eminforfuneralexpenses，'saysBilly，an'isturnin'of'emintothecorralbyhiscampjestas'Dobycomesprancin'outwithasix-shootertotakepartinwhatevergameisbein'rolled。
　　"When'DobyseesBilly'ssignsthata-way，he's'fectedsoheweepstears。HeputshishandsonBilly'sshoulder，an'lookin'athim，whilehiseyesisswimmin'，hesays:
　　"'Billy，you-allisthethoughtfullestpardthateverlived。'
　　"'Dobythrowssomuchsoulintoit，an'himgivin''waytoemotions，itcomesmightynearonhingin'Billy。
　　"'IknowsIbe，'hesays，shakin''Dobybythehandforaminute，'but，OldMan，youdeservesit。It'scomin'toyou，an'youbetyourlifeyou'regoin'togetit。Withsomefolksthisyerewouldbecastin'pearlsbeforeswine，butnotwithyou，'Doby。Youcan'preciateaplay，an'I'mproudtobeyourpartner。'
　　"Thenextfewmonthsgoeson，an''Dobyan'Billykeepspeggin'awayattheirclaims，an'gettin'drunkan'richaboutequal。Billyisstillthatreedic'loushewon'tgoupto'Doby'scamp；but'Dobycomesoveran'seeshimfrequent。ThefirstthrowoutoftheboxBillytakesanotionag'inthekidan'allowshedon'twantnotrafficwithhim，——nonewhatever。
　　"But'Dobywon'thaveitthata-way，an'whenit'saboutsixmonthsoldhepackssaidinfantoveronemornin'whileBilly'satbreakfast。
　　"'Ain'thehell!'says'Doby，aheapgleeful，atthesametimesawin'theinfantontoBillydirect。
　　"OfcourseBillyhastoholdhimthen。Whichheactslikehe'sahottamale，an'shiftshimaboutinhisarms。Butit'splainheain'tsodispleasedneither。Atlastthekidreachesoutswiftan'cinchesontoBilly'sbeardthata-way。ThisdelightsBilly，while'Dobykeepstrackin''roundtheroomtootickledtosetdown。Allhecanremark——an'hedoesitfrequent，likeittellstheentirestory——is:
　　"'Billy，ain'thehell？'
　　"An'Billyain'tnoneback'ardadmittin'heis，an'allowsonhesitatin'it'sthehunkiestbabyinArizona。
　　"'An'I'vegotdustintothethousands，'remarksBilly，'whichsayshe'stheprizepapooseofthereservation，an'saysittentoone。
　　Thisyereoffspringisacredittoyou，'Doby，an'Imarvelsyou-allisthatmodestoverit。'
　　"'Youcanbetitain'tnoSiwash，'says'Doby。'It'scleanstrain，thatinfantis，ifIdoessayit。'
　　"'That'swhatever。'saysBilly。lookingtheinfantoveran'
　　beginnin'tofeelasproudofitas'Dobyhimse'f，'that'swhatever。
　　An'I'myeretoremark，anygentwhocanupan'withoutnotalkorboastin'havesuchapapooseasthat，islicensedtoplumehimse'ftharon，an'putondogoverit，thesamewithoutrestraint。Ifeveryoucallstheturnforthelimit，pard，it'swhenyouhasthisyerechild。'
　　"Atthis'Dobyan'Billyshakeshandslikeit'saceremony，an'bothisgravean'dignifiedaboutit。'Dobyputsitupthatusualhe'sbeyondflattery，butwhenagentofjedgementlikeBillylooksoveraplaythata-way，an'indorsesit，youcanbethe'snotinsensible。
　　Thentheyshakeshandsag'in，an''Dobysays:
　　"'Moreover，notmeanin'nocompliments，nortossin'ofnoboquets，oldpard，mean'Manuelanamesthisyoungperson"Willyum"；sameasyou-all。'
　　"Billycomesmightyneardroppin'theinfantontheflooratthis，an'thesmallvictimofhisonthoughtfulnessthata-wayyellslikeacoyote。
　　"'Thatsettlesit，'saysBilly。'Agentwhocouldcomedowntoblastin'an'drillin'——meremenialtasks，astheyshorelybe——ontheheelsofhonorlikethis，isamightysightmoresordidthanCopperQueenBillyRudd。'Doby，thisyereisaremarkableoccasion，an'wecel'brates。'
　　"Bythistimetheinfantisgrownplumbhostile，an'ishowlin'tobeattheband；so'Dobyputsituphe'lltakehimtohismotheran'
　　afterwardshe'sreadytojoinBillyinanorgy。
　　"'IjestnacherallystampedesbacktotheagencywiththisyereWillyumchild，'says'Doby，an'thenwe-allsrepairstotheRedLightan'relaxes。'
　　"Theyshorelydoes-Idon'trecallnosechdebauch——thatis，nonesoextremean'broadcast——sinceWolfvilleandRedDogengagesinthemThanksgiviin'exercises。
　　"Dobyan'Billy，astimegoesby，allersalloodstotheinfantas'Willyum，'so'snottogethiman'Billymixed；an'durin'thenexttwoyears，whileBillystillgoesshysofarastrackin'overto'Doby'sranchisconcerned，assoonashewalks，WillyumcomesdownthecanyontoseeBillyeveryday。
　　"Oh，no，Billyain'tnoneonforgivin'toManuelaforropin'up'Dobyan'weddin'himthata-way；butyouseedownin'herpawforstealin'
　　themulethattimegetssoitmakeshimbashfulan'reluctant。
　　"'Itain'tthatI'mtimorousneither，noryetassoomin'airs，'thisyereBillysaystomewhenhebringsituphimse'fhowhedon'tgooverto'Doby's，'butI'mnevernohandtoset'roundan'visitfreean'easythata-waywiththeposterityofagentwhichIhashadcausetoplant。Thisyereain'troodness；it'sscrooples，'saysBilly，'an'soit'splumbuselessformetogogettin'sociablewith'Doby'swife。'
　　"It'scrowdin'closeontwoyearsaftertheinfant'sbornwhen'Dobyan'BillygetsuptheirfeudwhichIspeaksofatthebeginnin'。
　　Yere'showitgetsfulminated。Billy'sloafin'overbythepost-
　　officedooroneevenin'，talkin'toTuttan'Boggsan'apasselofus，whenwhocomesprojectin'along，p'intin'fortheNewYorkStore，but'Doby'swifean'Willyum。Astheytrailsby，WillyumseesBilly——Willyumcanmakeasmallbluffattalkin'bynow——an'，p'intin'hisfingeratBilly，hesagsbackonhismother'sdresslikeheaimstohalther，an'says:
　　"'Pop-pa!Pop-pa!'meanin'Billythata-way；althoughthesameiserroneousentire，aseverygentinWolfvilleknows。
　　"'WhichifWillyum'sforefingerhep'intswithisaColt'sforty-four，an'insteadofsayin'`Poppa!'heonhooksthesameatBillydirect，nowIdon'treckonBillycouldhavebeenmoreputout。'Doby'swifedragsWillyumalongatthetimelikehe'sacalfgoin'tobebranded，an'sheneverhaltsorpauses。ButBillyturnsallkindsofhues，an'isthatprostratedhesurgesacrosstotheRedLightan'getstwodrinksalone，neverinvitin'nobody，beforeherealizes。Whenhedoesinviteusheadmitsfrankhe'splumblocoedforamomentbytheshock。
　　"'Youbet!'saysBilly，ashegetshisthirddrink，thesamebein'
　　tookincommonwiththepop'lacepresent，'youbet!tharain'tagentincampI'dinsultbynoneglect；butwhenWillyummakesthemchargesan'doesitpublicly，itonhingesmyreason，an'themtwotimesIdon'tinviteyou-alls，I'mnotresponsible。'
　　"We-allsseesBilly'swounded，an'tharforeit'saha'r-linedealtosayanythin'；butaswellaswecanwetellshimthatwhatWillyumsays，thata-way，bein'less'ntwoyearold，isthemereprattleofachild，an'he'snottobedepressedbyit。
　　"'Sechbreaks，'saysDanBoggs，'istookjocosebackintheStates。'
　　"'Shore!'saysTexasThompson，backin'Boggs'splay；'themlittlebluffsofinfancy，gettin'tangledthata-wayabouttheirprogenitors，isregardedjoyousinLaredo。Whichthar'snottheslightestneedofBillybein'castdowntharat。'
　　"'Iain'tsayin'aword，gents，'remarksBilly，an'histonesissad。You-allsmeansproperanfriendly。ButIwarnstheworldatthistimethatInowembarksonthespreeofmylife。I'mgointogetdrunkan'neverhedgeabet；anmylastrequests，thesamebein'
　　addressedtothebarkeep，personal，istoseteverybottleofbug-
　　juiceintheshebangonthebar，thartoreposewithinthereachofallontilfurtherorders。'
　　"It'saboutanhourlater，an'Billy，who'sfiledawayaquartoffire-waterinhisinteriorbynow，isvibratin'betweentheRedLightan'thedance-hall，growin'drunkan'dejectedevenup。It'sthenhesees'Dobyheadin'upthestreet。'DobyhearsofhissonWillyum'swildplayfromhiswife，an'itmakeshimhotthata-way。
　　Butheain'tnonotionofblamin'Billy；nonewhatever。
　　"However，'Dobydon'thaveentirechargeoftheround-up，an'hehastofiggerwithBillyrightalong。
　　"'Doby，'shoutsBilly，ashenoteshispardapproachin'，whilehebalanceshimse'finhismoccasinsaheapdifficult，''Doby，yourinfantWillyumisaeediot。WhichifIwastheparentofafoolpapooselikeWillyum，I'dshorelydrophimdownashaftawholelotan'filluptheshaft。Hewon'tassaytwoouncesofsensetotheton，Willyumwon't；an'heain'tworthpowderan'fusetoworkhim。
　　Actooally，thatporeimbecilebabyWillyum，don'tknowhisownfather。'
　　"Whichtherageof'Dobyisbeyondboundscomplete。Forabouthalfaminutehiman'Billyfrothsan'cusseseachotheroutscand'lous，an'thencomestheguns。Theartilleryisacaseofs'prise，themostexperiencedgentinWolfvillenotloekin'fornogun-playbetweenfolkswho'sbeenpardsan'blanket-matesforyears。
　　"However，itdon'tlastlong；itlookslikebothgetssorterconscience-strickenthata-way，an'letsup。Still，whileit'sshort，it'slongenoughforBillytogethislaigoustedwithoneof'Doby'sbullets，an'italllaysBillyupforDocPeetstofusswithforoverthreemonths。
　　"WhileBilly'sstretchedout，an'DoePeetsisridin'herdonhislaig，'DobykeepsassavageasanApachean'don'tcomenearBilly。
　　Thesame，however，ain'tfullproofofcoldness，neither；forBilly'sdonegiveitouthe'lldown'Dobyifhepokeshisheadinthedoor，an'arrangeshisgunswherehecanwork'eminontheenterpriseeasy。
　　"ButWillyumdon'ttakenostand-off。ThelastthingWillyum'safraidofisBilly；sohecomeswaltzin'overeachday，clumsyasacubcinnamononhisshortlaigs，an'makeshimse'fplumbabundant。
　　HeplayswithBilly，an'hesleepswithBilly，Willyumdoes；an'heeatseverytimethenigger，who'scomeoverfromthecorraltolookoutBilly'sdomesticgamewhilehe'sdown，rustlessomegrub。
　　"'Doby'sdisgustedwithWillyum'sherdin''roundwithBillythata-
　　way，bein'sociablean'visitin'ofhim，an'helaysforWillyuman'
　　wallopshim。WhenBillylearnsofit——whichhedoesfromWillyumhimse'fwhenthatinfantp'intsinforavisitthedayafter——he'saswildasamountainlion。Billycan'tgetoutnone，forhislaigisaheapfragmentaryasyet，——'Doby'sbulletgettin'alltheresultswhichiscomin'thattime，——buthesends'DobywordbyPeets，ifhehearsofanymorepunishmentsbein'metedtoWillyum，heregardsitasaspeshulaffronttohim，an'holds'Dobyresponsiblepersonalassoonashecanhobble。
　　"'Tellhim，'saysBilly，'thatifhecommitsanyfurtheratrocitiesag'inthisinnocentWillyumchild，I'llshoreleavehimtoodeadtoskin。'
　　"'ThisyereBilly'sgettin'locoedentire，'saysEnright，whenhe'stoldofBilly'sbluff。'Therighttomaulyourimmediatedescendantsthata-wayisguaranteedbytheconstitootion，an'isoneofthemthingswe-allsfightsforatBunkerHill。However，IreckonsBilly'smerelyblowin'hishorn；bein'sickan'cantankerouswithhisgameknee。'
　　"Billygetswellafterawhile，an'himan''Dobysorterplanstoavoideachother。Whateverworktheyputsinontheclaimtheyholdsinpartnership，theyhiresothergentstodo。Personal，eachworkstheclaimheholdshimse'f，whichkeeps'emasunderawholelot，an'
　　isfrootfulofpeace。'"DeepinsidetheirshirtsIallersallowstheseyerepersonsdeemshighan''fectionateofoneanotherrightatthetimethey'shangin'uptheirhardestbluffsan'carryin'onmosthostile。Whichtrivialincidentsdisclosesthis。
　　"OnceintheRedLight，whenapartywho'snewfromTucson，turnsintotellsomelightstoryofBilly，——himnotbein'presentnone，——
　　'Dobygoesalloverthisyereracontoorlikealandslide，an'
　　retireshimfroms'cietyforaweek。An''Dobydon'texplainhisgameneither；jestreprimandsthisoffensiveTucsongent，an'letsitgoasitlays。Ofcourse，we-allsonderstandsit's'cause'Dobyain'tputtin'upwithnocarpin'criticismofhisoldpard；whichthesameisnacheralenough。
　　"Don'tyou-allevernotice，son，howonceyoutakestofightin'forapartyan'indorsin'ofhisplays，itgetstobeahabit，——same，mebby，asfire-water？Whichyoulaysforhisdetractorsan'pullsonwarforhimthata-waylongafteryouceasestohavetheslightestuseforhimyourse'f。It'sthata-waywith'DobyaboutBilly。
　　"An'thisyereBilly'sfeelin'sabout'Dobyisheatedan'sedulousallsim'lar。'Dobygetslaidoutforaweekbyrheumatics，whichheacquiresyearsbefore——heshoredon'tropeontothemrheumaticsnone'roundWolfville，youcangamble!saidcampbein'salooberousthata-way——overontheNevadaplateaus，an'whilehe'streedan'can'tcomedowntohisclaim，apasselofsharpsupsan'mavericksit；
　　whatminerscalls'jumpsit。'WhateverdoesBillydo？Paintsforwarpromptan'enthoosiastic，takeshisgun，an'thewayhestampedesan'scattersthemmaraudersdon'tbotherhimabit。
　　"Butwhile，asIstates，thisyeretrickofmakin'war-med'cinewhich'Dobyan'Billyhas，an'schedoolin'troubleforfolkswhocomesprojectin''roundinvadin'oftheother'srights，mebbyisaheaphabit，Igleansfromittheideelikewisethatonderthesurfacetheyholdseachotherinesteemtoap'intwhichisromantic。
　　"Dobyan'Billylivesonforayearafter'DobyplugsBillyinthelaig，keepin'wideapartan'notspeakin'。Willyumisgotsoheputsinmostofhisnightsan'allofhisdayswithBilly；whichthespectacleofBillypackin'Willyumaboutcampnightsisfrequent。
　　'Dobynever'pearstofilenoprotest；Ireckonshelooksonitasafore-ordainedan'hopelessplay。However，Billy'saheapcarefulofWillyum'smorals，an'isshorelylinin'himupright。
　　"Onceanewbarkeepinthedance-hallallowshe'llpromoteWillyum'sfeelin'ssomewithaspoonfulofnose-paint。
　　"'No，youdon't，'saysBilly，plentysavage；'an'sincethemattercomesupIannouncescoldthat，noworyereafter，thefirstgentwhosawsoffnose-paintonWillyum，orlaysforthemoralsofthisinnocentinfanttocorrupt'em，I'llkillan'skelphimsoshoreasIpacksgunorknife。'
　　"'Whichshows，'saidDanBoggslater，whenhehearsofBilly'sblazer，'thatthisyereBillyRuddisamightyhigh-mindedgent，an'
　　you-allscanplayittowinhehasmyregards。HecancountmeinonthisdealtokeepWillyumfromstrongdrinks。'
　　"'Ithinksmyse'fhe'sright，'saysCherokeeHall。'Willyumisnowbutthreeyearsold，whichisshorenotaged。MyideewouldbetoraiseWillyum，an'notlethimdrinkadropofnose-paintever，merelytoshowthecampwhatcomesofsechexperiments。'
　　"ButBilly'sthatpos'tivean'self-relianthedon'tneednoencouragementabouthowheconductsWillyum'shabits；an'，followin'
　　hisremarks，Willyumallersgetsignoredcompleteoninvitationstolicker。Packin'thekid'roundthata-wayshortensupBilly'sboozealot，too。Hedon'tfeelsofreetogettankedexpansivewithWillyumonhismindan'handsthata-way。
　　"It'sshorelyapicture，thetendernessBillylavishesonWillyum。
　　ManyanightwhenBilly'sstayin'late，tryin'towinhimse'foutenthehole，Ibeholdshimplayin'poker，ormebbyit'sfarebank，withWillyumcurleduponhislapan'shirt-front，snorin'awayallsoundan'genial，an'Billymakin'hisraisesan'callin'hisdrawtothedealerinwhispers，forfearhewakesWillyum。
　　"Buttharcomesatimewhenthefeudisover，an''Dobyan'Billyturnsinbetterfriendsthanbefore。Foramonthmebbythar'saMexicangirl——whichshe'sacousinthata-wayorsomekinto'Doby'swife——who'sbeenstayin'at'Doby'shouse，sorterbackin'theirplay。
　　"ItfallsoutfrequentthisMexicangirl，Marie，trailsovertoBilly's，roundin'upan'collectin'ofWillyumtoputanothershirtontohim，orsomesechbenefit。Billyneveractslikehe'simpressedbythisyeregirl，an'，whileherelinquishesWillyumeverytime，hegrowlsan'putsituphe'smalev'lentoverit。
　　"Butthesenioritaisgame，an'don'tputnostorebyBilly'sgrowls。SheropesupWillyuman'dragshimawaymightydecisive。
　　Willyumhowlsan'callsonBillyforaid，whichmostlikelyispaintoBilly'sheart；buthedon'tgetitnone。ThesenoritaharnessesWillyumintoacleanshirt，an'thenshethrowsWillyumlooseontherangeag'in，an'hedriftsbacktoBilly。
　　"It'sthegeneralviewthatBillyneveroncethinksofwedlockwiththesenoritaifhe'sletalone。ButonedayDocPeetswaxesfacetious。
　　"'Inamonth，'saysPeetstoBilly，whilewe-allsisrenooin'ourspcritsintheRedLight，'thisyereMarie'llquitcomin'overforWillyum。'
　　"'Why？'saysBilly，glarin'atPeetss'picious。
　　"'Cause，'repliesPeets，allcareless，''causeyouupsan'wedsherbythen。Iseesitinyoureye。Then，whenshe'stharforgood，I
　　reckonsshenacherallyquitscomin'over。'
　　"'Oh，Idon'tknow，'saysTexasThompson，who'stakin'inDocPeets'
　　remark；'Idon'tallowBilly'sgotthenervetomarrythisyereMarie。Notbutwhatshe'sasprettyasanantelope。Butthinkof'Doby。Hejestneverwouldquitchewin'Billy'smaneifhegoespullin'offanynuptialceremonieswithhiswife'srelativethata-
　　way。'
　　"Billylookshardasgraniteatthis。Heain'tsayin'nothin'，buthegetsoutsideofanotherdrinkinawaywhichshowshismind'smadeup，an'thenhegoesp'intin'offtowardshiscamp，sameasagentwhoentertainsdesigns。
　　"'Ioffersthreetoone，'saysCherokeeHall，lookin'afterBillysorterthoughtfulthata-way，'thatBillywedsthisyereMexicangirlinaweek；an'I'llgofivehundreddollarsevenmoneyhegetsherbeforenight。'
　　"'An'notakers，'saysDocPeets，'forIaboutthinksyoucallstheturn。'
　　"An'that'swhathappens。IntwohoursafterthisimpulsiveBillyprancesoutoftheRedLightontheheelsofTexasThompson'sremarksabouthowhostile'DobywouldbeifheevergetsMarie，he'sdoneluredherbeforethepadreoverinChihuahua，an'thepadremarries'emasquickasyoucouldtakearunnin'-ironan'burnabrandonacalf。
　　"'Whichthisisnotall。Liketheywasouttoaddtotheexcitementawholelot，I'maMohaveif'Dobyan'hiswifedon'tturnloosean'
　　haveanotherinfantthatsameday。
　　"'Ineverseesagentgetsoexcitedoveranothergent'sgameasBillydoesover'Doby'snumbertwo。Hesendshisnewwifeupto'Doby'sontherun，whilehetakesWillyuman'comespirootin'backtotheRedLighttobraceup。Billy'sshorenervousan'needsit。
　　"'Myporechild，'saysBillytoWillyumaboutthethirddrink——
　　Willyumissettin'onamonte-tablean'payin'heedtoBillyaheapdecorousan'respectfulforathree-year-old——'myporechild，'saysBillythata-way，'you-allisag'inahardgameupatyourpaw's。
　　Thisyereisplayin'itplumblowonyou，Willyum。Itlooksliketheyfillsahandag'inyou，son，an'youain'tinitnomoreat'Doby's；who，whateverisyourfoolclaimsonthatp'intayearago，isstillyourdadondoubted。Butyou-allknowsme，Willyum。YouknowsthattalkinHolyWrit。Ifyourfatheran'mothershakesyou，yourUncleBillytakesyouup。I'mpowerful'fraid，Willyum，you'llhavetohaveactiononthempromises。"
　　"WillyumlistenstoBillyplentygravean'owly，buthedon'tmakenoobservationsonhisluckorcommunicatenoviewstoBillyexceptthathe'shungry。Thisyereain'trelevantnone，butBillyatoncepastureshimoutonacanofsardinesan'somecrackers，whilehekeepsonbein'liberaltohimse'faboutwhiskey。
　　"'Idon'tfeellikedenyin'myse'fnothin'，'hesays。'YereIgetsmarried，an'inless'nanhourmywifeisravagedawayatthewhoopofdootytorideherdonanothergent'sfam'ly，；leavin'me，herhusband，withthatothergent'sabandonedprogenyonmyhands。Thisyere'sgettin'tobeaboggyfordforBillyRudd，youbet。'
　　"ButwhileBillytakesonaheap，hedon'timpressmelikehe'shurtnoneafterall。WhenDocPeetstrailsinfrom'Doby's，wherehe'sbeenintheinterestsofsciencethata-way，Billyatoncedrughimasideforapow-wow。TheytalksoverinonecorneroftheRedLightawhile，thenBillylooksuplikeoneload'soffenhismind，an'
　　yells:
　　"'Barkeep，it'sanotherboy。Usemynamefreelyinurgin'drinksonthecamp。'
　　"ThenBillygoesonwhisperin'toDocPeetsan'layin'downsomethin'，likehisheart'ssotonit。AtlastDocsays:
　　"'Thebestway，Billy，isformetobring'Dobyover。'WiththisDocPeetsgetsontohisponyatthedooran'goescurvin'backto'Doby's。
　　"'It'saboy，'saysBillytotherestofusafterDocPeetslinesout，`an'childan'motherbothonvelvetan'winnin'rightalong。'
　　"Theseyereeventscrowdin'eachotherthata-way——firstaweddin'
　　an'thenaninfantboy——hasabrightenin'effectonpublicsperit。
　　Itmakesusfeellikethecamp'sshorelygettin'astart。Whilewe-
　　allsisgivin'waytoBilly'sdesiretobuywhiskey，Peetscomesback，bringin''Doby。
　　"Thar'snothin'whatyou-allscallsdramaticabout'Dobyan'Billycomin'together。Theymeetsan'shakes，that'sall。Theytakesadrinktogether，whichshowsthey'souttobefriendsforgood，an'
　　thenBillysays:
　　"'ButwhatIwantspartic'lar，'Doby，isthatyoumakesovertomeyoursonWillyum。He'sshorethefinestyoung-oneinArizona，an'
　　Mariean'meneedshimtosorterorganizeon。'
　　"'Billy，'says'Doby，'you-allan'meispartnersforyears，an'
　　we'repartnersyet。Wehasourstormcloud，an'wehasalsoourerasofpeace。Standin'aswedoonthebrinkofoneofsaideras，an'asshowin'sincerity，IyerebycommitstoyoumysonWillyum。
　　Yereafter，whenhecallsyou"Pop，"itgoes，an'thesamewillnotbetookinvidious。'
　　"''Doby，'repliesBilly，takin'himbythehand，'thisyereday'lustratestheprophetwhenhesays:"Inthemidstoflifewe'reinluck。"Ifyou-allnotestearsinmyeyesI'mresponsiblefor'em。
　　Willyum'smine。AsIr'arshimitwillbewithyouasamodel。Nowyougobackwheredootycallsyou。Whenyouceasestoneedmywife，Marie，sendherbacktocamp，an'notifymetharof。Pendin'ofwhichsaidnotice，however，'concloodsBilly，turnin'tousafter'Dobystartsback，'Willyuman'meentertains。'"
　　CHAPTERXIX。
　　MACEBOWMAN，SHERIFF。
　　"Andsoyouthinkthetroublelieswiththemanandnotwiththewhiskey？"Isaid。
　　TheOldCattlemanandIwerediscussing"temperance。"
　　"Rightyoube。Thisyerewhiskey-drinkin'，"continuedtheoldgentlemanashetoyedwithhisemptyglass，"isamightycur'ousplay。Iknowsgentsascantamperwiththeirlittleoldfortydropsfrequentan'reg'lar。Asfarashurtin'of'emisconcerned，itdon'tcometothrowin'wateronadrownedrat。Then，ag'in，I'vecutgents'strailsasdrinkin'whiskeyislikeplayin'aharpwithahammer。Whichwe-allsain'tallupholsteredalike；that'swhatever。
　　Wedon'tallshowthesamebrandsan'y'earmarksnohow:What'smed'cineforoneisp'isenfort'other；an'tharyoube。
　　"Bein'areg'lar，reliabledrunkardthata-waycomesmightynearbein'adisease。Itain'tnoquestionofnerve，neither。Somedead-
　　gamegentsIknows——an'who'sthatobstinatetheywouldn'tmovecampforaprairie-fire——couldn'tpesteralittlebitwithwhiskey。