Let'srustleupsomeflatcactusesan'corralhim。'
"TharupontheseyereRoadRunnersturnsinmightydiligent；an'notmakin'nomorenoisethanshadows，theygoespokin'outontheplainsontiltheyfindsaflatcactuswhichisdead；sotheycantearofftheleaveswiththeirbills。DocPeetsan'mesetsinoursaddlessurveyin'theirplay；an'thewaythemRoadRunnersgoesaboutthelaborsoftheirsnakekillin'impressesusitain'tthefirstbootcheryofthekindtheyappearsin。Theyshorelydon'tneednosoopervisin'。
"Oneaftertheother，Jiman'Billteetersup，allsilent，withaflatcactusleafintheirbeaks，an'startstofenceintherattlesnakewith'em。Theybuildsacorralofcactusallabouthim，whichthesameismebbysix-footacross。Themengineerin'featstakesJiman'Billtwentyminutes。Buttheycompletes'em；an'
thar'stherattlesnake，plumbsurrounded。
"Theseyerecactuses，asyoumostlikelysaveys，isthornynolimit；
an'thespikesisthatsharp，needlesisfutileto'em。Jiman'Billknowstherattlesnakecan'tcrossthisthornycorral。
"Hedon'tlookitnone，butfromthewayheplayshishand，Itakesitarattlesnakeissensitivean'easyhurtonderthechin。
"An'it'splaintomean'PeetsthemRoadRunnersisawareofsaidweaknessesofrattlesnakes，an'isbankin'theirplaytharon。We-
allsfiggers，lookin'on，thatJiman'Billaimstoputtherattlesnakeinprison；leavehimcaptivethata-wayinacactuscalaboose。Butwedon'tsizeupJiman'Billaccurateatall。Themtwofowlsisshorelyprofound。
"Nosooneristhecorralmade，thanJiman'Bill，withoutawordofwarnin'，opensupawarjig'roundtheoutside；flappin'theirpinionsan'screechin'likesquaws。Nacherallytherattlesnakewakesup。ThesightofthemtwoRoadRunners，Jiman'Bill，cussin'an'
swearin'athim，an'carryin'onthata-wayscareshim。
"It'stroothtosayBillan'Jimcertainlyconductsthemse'fsscand'lous。Theepithetstheyheapsonthatporeignorantrattlesnake，thetauntstheyflingsathim，wouldhavedoneApachesproud。
Therattlesnakebuzzesan'quilsup，an'onsheathshisfangs，an'
makesbluffstostrikeBillan'Jim，buttheyonlyhopsan'dancesabout，thinkin'upmoreornerythingstosay。Everytimetherattlesnakegoestocrawlaway——whichhedoesfrequent——hestrikesthecactusthornsan'pullsback。Byan'byheseeshe'selected，an'hegetsthatenragedheswellsuptillhe'sbigastwosnakes；
Billan'Jimmaintainin'theirsass。ThemRoadRunnersisabreastoftheplayeveryminute，youcanseethat。
"Atlastcomesthefinish，an'mattersgetsdealtdowntotheturn。
Therattlesnakesuddenlycrookshisneck，he'ssoplumblocoedwithragean'fear，an'sockshisfangsintohimse'f。That'sthefact；
biteshimse'f，an'neverletsuptillhe'sdead。
"Itdon'tseemtoastoundJiman'Billnonewhentherattlesnake'sassinateshimse'fthata-way，an'Ireckonstheyhasthisyeresooicideinview。Theykeepspesterin'an'projectin'aboutontiltherattlesnakeisplumbdefunct，an'thentheyemitsawhirlwindofnewwhoops，an'goesovertoonesidean'pullsoffaskelpdance。
Jiman'Billisshorelycel'bratin'avic'try。
"Aftertheskelpdanceisover，Billan'Jimtiptoesovermightyquietan'sedate，an'Jimtakestheirpreybythetailan'yanksit。
Aftertherattlesnake'sdrugoutstraight，himan'Billrunstheireyesalonghimlikethey'ssizin'himup。Withthisyerelast，however，it'scl'artheRoadRunnersregardsthedealasclosed。
Theysa'ntersoffdownthetrail，arminarmlike，conversin'inlowtonessoPeetsan'meneverdoeshearwhattheysays。Whenthey'sinwhattheytakestobethec'rrectp'sition，theystopsan'looksbackatmean'Peets。BillturnstoJimlikehe'ssayin':
"'Thar'sthemtwoshort-hornsag'in。Iwondersiftheyeveraimstopulltheirfreight，ordotheyreckonthey'llpitchcamprightyere？"'
CHAPTERXXII。
OLDSAMENRIGHT'S"ROMANCE。"
"Itmebbyis，thatromancescomestopassontherangewhenI'mthar，"remarkedtheOldCattleman，meditatively，"butifsobe，I
nevernotes'em。Theyshorelygetsplumbbymeinthenight。"
Theoldgentlemanhadjustthrowndownadailypaper，andevenashespokeIreadontheupturnedpagetheglaringheadline:"RomanceinRealLife。"Hisrecentliteraturewastheevidentcauseofhisreflections。
"Ofcourse，"continuedtheOldCattleman，turningforcomforttohisinevitabletobaccopipe，"ofcourse，atsechepocksassomedegradedsharptakestodealin'doubleinapokergame，orthekyardsbeginstocometwoataclatteratfaro-bank，theproceedin'sfrequenttakesonwhatyou-allmightcallahueofromance；an'Iadmitstheywaslikelytogetsomehectic，myse'f。ButasIstates，forwhatyou-allwouldbrandasclean。strainromance，Iain'trecallin'
none。"
"Howaboutthoseloveaffairsofyouryouth？"Iventured。
"WhichIdon'tdeny，"repliedtheoldgentleman，betweenpuffs，"thatbackinTennessee，asIonfoldsbefore，Ihasmyflower-
scenteddays。ButIdon'twednothin'，asyou-allknows，an'evenwhileI'mridin'an'ropin'atthemyoungfemalepersons，thar'snevernoromancetoit，onlessit'sinthefactthattheyallescapes。
"Butspeakin'oflove-tangles，OldManEnrightoncerecountsastory；whichthesameshowshowfemalefancyisrootlessan'
onstablethata-way。
"'Allerscopperafemale。'saysCherokeeHall，oneday，whenTexasThompsonisrelatin'howhiswifemaltreatshim，an'roundsupadivorcefromhimdownatLaredo。'Allersplay'emtolose。Nell，yere，'goesonCherokee，asherunshishandoverthecurlsofFaroNell，who'slookoutforCherokee，'Nelly，yere，istheonlyoneI
evermeetswhocanbedependedontocomewinnereverytrip。'
"'Whichfemales，'saysOldManEnright，who'ssettin'tharatthetime，'an'partic'lar，youngfemales，isaheapfrivolous，nacheral。Arainbowwillstampedemostof'em。Formyse'f，I'dshorelyprefertotryan'holdabunchoffivehundredponiesonabadnight，thanrideherdontheheartofonelady。Betweengentan'
gentthata-way，Imore'nhalffiggerthe'ffectionsofafemaleismigratory，sameasbuffaloeswasbeforetheywaskilled，an'sortergoesnorthlikeinthespring，an'southag'ininthewinter。'
"'Asforme；saysTexasThompson，who'smoodytouchin'themdivorceplayshiswifeismakin'，'you-allscangambleIpassesallfemalesup。NomatterhowstrongIholds，itlookslikeontheshowdownstheyoutlucksmeeverytime。WhereforeIquits'emcold，an'anygentwhowantsmychancewithfemalescanshorelyhavethesame。'
"'Oh，Idon'tknow!'remarksDocPeets，gettin'inonwhat'sageneralplay，'I'vebeenallthroughtheherd，an'ImustsayI
deemswomengoodpeopleeverytime；aheapfinerfolksthanmen，an'
faithfuller。'
"'WhichIdon'tdenyfemalesisfinefolks，'saysTexas，'butwhatI'mallowin'is，they'sfitful。Theydon'tstaynone。You-allscanhobblean'sideline'embothatnight；an'whenyourollsoutinthemornin'，they'sgone。'
"'Whatdoyou-allthink，Nell？'saysDocPeetstoFaroNell，who'spercheduponherstoolbyCherokee'sshoulder。'Whatdoyou-allreckonnowofTexasyere，a-malignin'ofyoursex？Whydon'tyoup'inthimtoDaveTuttan'TucsonJennie？Whichtheygetsmarried，an'thartheybe，gettin'alongaspeacefulastwosix-shootersonthesamebelt。'
"'Idon'tmindwhatTexassays，none，'repliesFaroNell。'Texasisallright，an'onthesquare"。Ishouldn'twondernoneifthisyereMissisThompsondoessawitoffonhimsomeshabby，gettin'thatsep'ration，an'Idon'tmarvelathisremarks。ButaslongasCherokeeyerethinksI'mright，Idon'tletnobody'sviewspestermealittlebit，sothar。'
"'It'swhatIsaysawhileback，'interruptsEnright。'TexasThompson'swife'smotivesmightylikelyain'tinvidiousnone。It'saheapprobableifthetroothisknown，thatsheain'taimin'nothin'
speshulatTexas；sheonlychangeshermind。AbouttheearliesteventIremembers，'goesonEnright，'isconcernin'awomanwhochangeshermind。It'syearsagowhenI'mayearlin'。Ourcompanyismakin'around-upatacampcalledWarwhoopCrossin'，inTennessee，organizin'toembarkintheMexicanwarawholelot，an'thinouttheGreasers。NooneeverdoesknowwhyI，personal，declar'smyse'finonthisyereimbroglio。Iain'tbigger'nachargeofpowder，an'
thatlimitedastolaigsIhastoclamberontoalogtomountmypony。
"'ButasI'mtellin'，we-allscomestogetheratWarwhooptomakethestart。Ireckonsnowthar'sfivehundredpeoplethar。`'Whichtheoccasion，an'theinterestthepublictakesinthebusiness，jestcombstheregionoffolksformilesabout。
"'Thar'saheapofhand-shakin'an'well-wishin'goin'on；mothersan'sisters，an'sweetheartsiskissin'usgood-bye；an'whilethar'ssomehilaritythar'smoresobs。It'snot，asIlooksback'ard，whatyou-allswouldcallagayaffair。
"'Whileallthisyerelovean'tearsisflowin'，thar'sagent——he'sourCaptain——who'ssettin'offaloneinhissaddle，an'ain'ttakin'
nohand。Thar'snosweetheart，nomother，nosisterforhim。
"'NooneaboutWarwhoopknowsthisyerepartymuch；more'nhisnameisBent。He'scaptainwiththeGov'nor'scommission，an'comesfrom'way-offyondersome'ers。An'sohesetsthar，griman'solidinhissaddle，lookin'vague-likeoffatwherethetreesmeetsthesky，whiletherestofusisgoin'aboutpermiscus，finishin'upourkissin'。
"'"Ain'thegotnosweethearttowishgoodbyetohim？"asksagirlofme。"Ain'ttharnoonetokisshimforgoodluckasheridesaway？"
"'Thisyeremaiden'snameisSanders，an'it'sashorefactshe'stheprettiestyoungfemaletoevermakeamoccasintrackinWestTennessee。I'da-killedmyponyan'goneafoottobringsechalookintohereyes，asshinestharwhenshegazesattheCaptainwherehe'ssilentan'sol'taryonhishoss。
"'No，"Ireplies，"he'saorphan，Ireckons。He'splumbabandonedthata-way，an'sothar'snobodyyeretokisshim，orshakehishand。"
"'ThisyereprettySandersgirl——an'I'mpausin'ag'intostateshe'sahumansunflower，thata-way——thisSandersbeauty，I'msayin'，looksatthispartybyhimse'fforamoment，an'thenthebigtearsbeginstowellinherblueeyes。Sheblusheslikeasunset，an'walksovertothisyerelonegent。
"'MisterCaptain，"shesays，raisin'herfacetohimlikearose，"I'mshoresorryyouain'tgotnosweethearttosay'good-bye；'an'
bein'you'relonesome，thata-way，I'llkissyouan'sayadiosmyse'f。"
"'Willyou，mylittlelady？"saysthelonesomeCaptain，asheswingsfromhissaddletothegroundbyherside；an'thar'ssunshineinhiseyes。
"'I'llthinkofyoueverydayforthat，"hesays，whenhekissesher，"an'ifIgetsbackwhenthewar'sdone，I'llshorelylookforyouyere。"
"'ThelittleSandersgirl——sheisshorelyashandsomeasaacefullonkings——blushesaheapvividatwhatshe'sdone，an'lookswarman'tender。Which，whiletheplayissomeonusualan'outofline，everybodyagreesit'sallright；bein'thatwe-allsisgoin'toawar，thata-way。
"'Nowyere，'goesonEnright，atthesametimecallin'forred-eyeall'round，'iswhatyouallsagreesisamightyromanticdeal。
Yere'saloveaffairgetslaunched。'
"'Doesthisyerelone-handgentwhogetskissedbytheSandersladyoutlivethewar？'asksTexasThompson，whohasbracedupan'getsmightyvivaciouslistenin'tothestory。
"'Whichheshorelyoutlivesthatconflict，'repliesEnright。'An'
youcangamblehe'sinthethickofthestampede，too，everytime。I
willsayforthisyereCaptain，thatwhileIain'twithhimplumbthrough，he'sasgameasportaseverfoughtuphill。He'sthesortwhichfightsangoesfor'ardtohismanatthesametime。Thar'snowhitefeathersonthatkind；they'sgameasbadgers。An'bad。'
"'Whichifhedon'tgetdownednone，'saysTexasThompson，'an'hitsTennesseealive，IofferstentooneheleadsthisyereSandersfemaletothealtar。'
"'Whichyou'dlose，awholelot，'saysEnright，atthesametimeraisin'hiswhiskeyglass。
"'That'swhatIstateswhenItrailsoutonthisyereromance。
Femalesisfrivolousan'plumblightoffancy。ThisCaptainpartycomesbacktoWarwhoop，say，it'stwoyearsan'ahalflater，an'
whatdoyou-allsreckon？ThatSandersgirl'sbeenmarriedmightynightwoyzars，an'hasaninfantchildasbigasab'arcub，whichisbeginnin'tomakeabluffatwalkin。'
"'Now，onthesquar'，an'I'mass'prisedaboutitasyoube——I'mmore'ns'prised，I'mpained——Idon'tallow，lookin'overresultsan'
recallin'thefactofthatb'ar-cubinfantchild，thatforallherblushin'，an'allhertears，an'kissin'thatCaptainpartygood-bythata-way，thattheSandersgirlcaresahoss-h'arropeforhiminaweek。An'itallproveswhatIremarks，thatwhilefemalesain'tmalev'lentmalicious，an'don'tdotheseyerethingstopierceagentwithgrief，their'ffectionsisalwayshonin'forthetrail，an'isshorelypronetomovecamp。But，bless'em!theycan'the'pitnoneiftheirheartsbequicksands，an'Ilibatesto'emag'in。'
"Whereatwe-allsdrinkswithEnright；feelin'aheapsim'lar。
"'WhateverbecomesofthisyercporeCaptainparty？'asksFaroNell。
"'Well，thefactaboutthatCaptain，'repliesEnright，settin'downhisglass，'whilethesameismereincident，an'don'thavenodirectbearin'onwhatIrelates；thefactinhiscaseishe'sweddedalready。Nacherallyaftersayin'"howdy!"tothelittleSandersgirl，an'applaudin'ofherprogeny——whichitlookslikehefullyendorsesthata-way——thisyereCaptaingenthitsthetrailforNashville，wherehiswife'sbeenkeepin'campan'waitin'forhimallthetime。"'
CHAPTERXXIII。
PINONBILL'SBLUFF。
"Thisnarrativeiswhatyou-allmightcallsomewidespread，"saidtheOldCattleman，ashebeameduponme，evidentlyinthebestofhumors。"IttellshowPinonBillgetsahossonJackMoore；leavesthecampboggeduptothesaddle-girthsindoubtaboutwhodownsBurke；an'stakestheDeefWomansoshepullsherfreightfortheStates。
"PinonBillisreckonedahardgame。He'sonlyinWolfvillenowan'
then，an'ain'tcuttin'nofiggerinpubliccalc'lationsmore'nit'sregardedassagacioustopackyourgunwhilePinonBill'sabout。
"No；hedon'tdownnowhitemennooneeverhearsof，butthar'sstoriesabouthowhesmugglesfreightan'plundervariousfromMexico，an'drivesoffMexicancattle，an'onceinawhilestretchesaMexicanhimse'fwhoobjectstothementerprisesofPinonBill's；
butthar'snothin'insechtalestointerestAmericans，more'ntohear'eman'commenton'emasplays。
"ButwhilePinonBillneverturnshistalentstoAmerican，themlibertieshetakeswithGreasersgiveshimaheapofbadrepoote，asamightyorneryan'oneasyperson；an'mostofussorterkeepstabonhimwheneverhefavorsWolfvillewithhispresence。
"'ThistimehecollideswithJackMoore，an'sotospeak，leavesthedrinksonJack，he'sbeentrackin''roundcampmebbyit'ssixweeks。
"'Likewisethar'sanoldlonghorntheycallsthe'Major'；he'sbeenhangin'aboutforevenlongeryet。Don'tgotofiggerin'onnohostilitiesbetweenthisPinonBillan'theMajor，fortheirtrailsneverdoescrossonce。Anotherthing'PinonBillain'tnacheraliyhostileneither；ain'twhatyou-allcallstrailin'trouble；whereastheMajor'salsoaheaptoodrunktogivewaytowar，bein'tankedthata-waycontinuous。
"WhichIdon'treckonthar'stheslightestdoubtbuttheMajor'sabiggersotthanOldMonte，thoughthesameisindispoote；CherokeeHallan'Boggsa-holdin'heis；an'DocPeetsan'Tuttplayin'theotherend；Enrightan'JackMoore，ondecided。
"Peetsconfidesinmeofan'concernin'theMajorthatthar'satime——an'nofurtherupthetrailthanfiveyears——whentheMajorisshore-'noughaMajor；bein'quartermasterorsomesechbluffinthearmy。
"ButonedayUncleSamcomesalongan'wantstocashin；an'tharthisyerecrazy-hossMajoriswithtentimesasmanychipsoutashe'sgotbank-rolltomeet，an'itallfatiguesthegov'menttothatextenttheMajor'scashiered，an'toldtovamosthearmyforgood。
"Iallersallowsit'swhiskeyan'kyardsgetstheMajor'srollthattime。Peetssaysheseeshim'waybackonceoversome'ersneartheMohaveDesert——Wingate，mebby——an'whiskeyan'pokerhastheMajorroped；onebythehorns，theotherbythehoofs；an'theyjestthrowshiman'drughim，an'drughiman'throwshim，alternate。TheMajornevershakesloosefromtheloopsofthemvices；nonewhatever。
"An'that'smightylikely，jestasIsays，howtheMajorfindshimse'fcashieredan'afoot；an'nothin'butdisgracetogetridofan'whiskeytoget，tofillthefuturewith。
"SoitcomeswhenItrailsupontheMajorhe'sadrunkardcomplete，hangin''roundwithatin-hornan'ahandfulofdice，tryin'togetMexicansorChinamentogoag'in'emforanysmallthingtheynames。
"It'sonaccountofthisyeredrunkardtheMajorthattheDeefWomancomesstagin'itinwithOldMonteoneday。Gotapapoosewithher，theDeefWomanhas，aboycomin'three，an'it'smyfirmbelief，whichthisviewiscommonan'frequentwithallWolfville，ashowtheDeefWoman'stheMajor'swife。
"Itain'tnocinchplaythatthisfemale'sdeef，neither；whichit'sallersplainshehearsthemostfeeblesomeyelpofthatinfant，allthewayfromthedance-halltotheO。K。House，an'thatmeansacrossthecampcomplete。
"Boggsputsitupshemerelygivesitoutshe'sdeefthata-waytocutoffdebatewiththecamp，an'declineallconfidencesgoin'an'
comin'。
"Thar'snoreasontosaytheDeefWoman'stheMajor'swife，more'nshetumblesintocampasonlookedforasOldMontesober，an'it'seasytonoteshes'prisesan'dismaystheMajoralot，evendrunkan'soakedwithnosepaintasheshorelyis。
"TheDeefWomanhasabriefpow-wowwithhimaloneoverattheO。K。
House，followin'ofwhichtheMajorappearsthewhitiestan'theshakiestIeverbeholdshim——thelastbein'somestrongasastatement——an'afterbeggin'adrinkattheRedLight，p'intsoutafootforRedDog，an'isseennomore。
"WhattheDeefWomansaystotheMajor，orhimtoher；orwhatmakeshimhitthetrailforRedDogthata-waynoonelearns。TheDeefWomanain'tseemin'toregardtheMajor'sjumpin'theoutfitasnoloss，however。Whereinshe'splentyaccurate，forthatMajorshorelyain'tworthropin'tobrand。
"Afterhe'sgone——an'theMajor'smoccasintrackain'tneverseeninWolfvillenomore，he'sgonethatgood——thenextwe-allshearsofthedeal，thisyereDeefWoman'splayin'thepianoatthedance-
hall。
"DocPeetsan'Enright，likewisetherest，don'tlikethisnonewhatever，forshedon'tshowdance-hally'earmarks，an'ain'tthedance-hallbrand；butitlookslikethey'spowerlesstointerfere。
"Peetstriestotalktoher，butsheblushesan'can'thearhim；
whileEnrightan'MissisRucker——whichthelastbein'afemaleherse'fisrunginontheplay——don'twinoutnothin'more。LookslikealltheDeefWomanwantsistobeletalone，whileshemakesaplaythebestshecanforahome-stake。
"Ipausestomention，however，thatdurin'theweektheDeefWomanturnshergameatthepiano——forshedon'tstayonlyaweekastheplayrunsout——shecomesmightynearkillin'thedance-hallbusiness。ThefactisthiswereDeefWomanplaysthatremarkablesweetnoonedancesatall；jestnacherallysets'roundhungerin'forthemmelodies，an'cadencestothatextenttheyactooallyoverlooksdrinks。
"That'sright；an'youcangambleyourdeepestchipwhenfolksbeginstooverlookdrinks，an'aglassofwhiskeylastsenergeticpeoplehalfanhour，they'sshorelysomerapt。
"Eventhecoyotescashesinan'quitstheirhowlswhenevertheDeefWomandrugherchairuptothatpianoan'throwsloose。An'themcoyotesafterward，whensheturnsupherboxan'stopsdealin'，getsthatbashfulan'taciturntheyain'tsayin'aword；butjestwithholdsallyellsentiretherestofthenight。
"Butthar'snousetalkin'hoursabouttheDeefWoman'smusic。Itonlylastsaweek；evenifWolfvilledoesbragofityet。
"It'sthisa-way:It'swhilePinonBillisromancin'roundthetimeImentions，thatwe-allsrollsoutenourblanketsonemornin'an'
picksupapartywhosename'sBurke。ThisyereBurkeisshotintheback；plumbdead，an'iscampedwhenwefindshimallcoldan'stiffoutbackoftheNewYorkstore。
"Thedaybefore，Burke，who'saminer，diggin'an'projectin''roundoverintheFloridas，isincamplayin'inpowderan'fuseawholelot，withwhichhemeanstokeeponshootin'upthehe'plessbosomsofthehillslikethemlocoedminerpeopledoes。
"Atnighthe'sdrunk；an'whilethar'sgentsasseesBurkeaslate，mebbyit'stwohoursafterthelastwalseatthedance-hall，thar'snobodywhoupsan'impartshowBurkegetsplugged。AllWolfvilleknowsisthatatfirst-drinktimeinthemornin'，tharthisBurkeisplumbpeteredthata-way。
"An'theworstfeatureshorelyisthatthebulletgoesinhisback，whichmakesitmurderplain。Tharain'tamoccasintracktohe'ptellwhodropsthisyereBurke。Nacrerally，everybody'sdeeplytakentoknowwhodoesit；forifthar'sapartyincampwho'souttoshootwhenyourback'sturned，findin'ofhiman'hangin'himcan'tbetoopop'laran'needfulasaplay。But，asIremarks，we'rebaffled，an'upag'institabsoloote。NoonehastheleastnotionwhogetsthisyereBurke。It'smoneyasistheobjectofthemurder，forBurke'swar-bagsdon'tdisclosenotasinglecentousewhenthecommitteegoesthrough'empriortotheobsequies。
"It'stwodaysthecampistalkin'overwhodoesthiscrime，whenTexasThompsonbeginstoshedabeamoflight。Thislastwasonlookedfor，an'tharforeallthemoreinterestin'。
"TexasThompsonisajedgeofwhiskeysechasanygentmighttieto。
He'samiddlin'shotwithaColt's。44an'canprotecthimse'fatpoker。ButnobodyeverreckonsbeforethatTexascanthink。WhichI
evenyetdeemsthispartic'lartimeainspiration，inwhicheventTexasThompsondon'thavetothink。
"It'soverintheRedLightthesecondafter。noonwhenTexasturnslooseawholelot。
"'Enright，'hesays，'IshorehasapreemonitionthisyereBurkegetspluggedbyPinonBill。'
"'Howdoesthekyardsrunsoastodeals'picionsonPinonBill？'
saysEnright。
"'Thisa-way，'saysTexas，someconfidentan'cl'ar；'somebodydownsBurke；that'sdeadcertain。Burkedon'tputthatholeinthemiddleofhisbackhimse'f；nomatterhowmuchhereckonsitimproveshim。
Then，whenit'ssomeoneelsewhoisit？Now，'goesonTexas，asglibaswolves，'yere'showIargues:You-alldon'tdoit；Peetsdon'tdoit；Boggsdon'tdoit；thar'snotoneofuswhodoesit。An'tharyoubeplumbdowntoPinonBill。Intheverynacherofthedeal，whennooneelsedoesitan'it'sdone，PinonBill'sgottodoit。I
tellsyouasshoreasmyformerwifeatLaredo'swritin'insultin'
letterstomerightnow，thisyerePinonBill'sthepartywhoshootsupthatminergentBurke。'
"WhatTexasThompsonsaysmakesanimpression；whichit'saboutthefirstthoughtfulremarkheevermakes，an'tharforewe'repronetogiveitmore'nusualattention。
"Weimbibesonitan'talksitupan'down，mebbyit'shalfanhour；
an'themorewedrinksan'theharderwethinks，thecl'areritkeepsgettin'thatmightylikelythisyereTexashasstruckthetrail。AtlastJackMoore，who's，asIoftensays，promptan'
vig'lantthata-way，linesouttohuntthisyerePinonBill。
"WhyeverdotheycallhimPinonBill？Nothin'much；onlyoncehecomesintocampdrunkan'locoed；an'bein'inthedarkan'himhawg-hungry，heb'ilesakettleofpinon-nuts，a-holdin'of'emerroneoustobebeans，an'assechaimin'togetsomefoodouten'emawholelot。Hegoestosleepwhilehe'spesterin'with'em，an'
whentheotherstumblestohisgameinthemornin'，he'sbrandedas'PinonBill'evermore。
"WhenJackhopsouttoround-upPinonBill，allhedoesisgointothestreet。ThefirstthinghenotesisthisyerePinonBill'sponystandin'saddledoverbytheO。K。House，likeheplanstopullhisfreight。
"'Whichthatbroncostandin'thar，'saysJacktoEnright，'makesitlooklikeTexascallstheturnwiththemsurmises。'An'itshorelydoes。
"ThisponymakesJack'splayplentysimple；allhedoesnowistosa'nter'roundtheponycasooallikean'layforPinonBill。
"Jack'stoowellbroughtuptogosurgin'intoroomslookin'forPinonBill，whereJack'seyescomin'inoutenthesunthata-way，can'tseeforaminutenohow，an'wherePinonBillhasadvantages。
It'sbettertowaitforhimoutside。
"You-allsaveyshowit'sdoneintheWest。Whenagent'sneededyouallersopensthegamewithagun-play。
"'Holdupyourhands!'saysyou，sorterindicatin'awholelotatyourpreywithagun。
"Which，bytheway，ifhedon'tenterintothesperitofthethingpromptan'p'inthispawsheavenwardan'nodelay，you-allmustn'tfallintonoabstractionsan'forgettoshootsome。Whenyouobservestoafellow-bein'thata-way'Holdupyourhands!'youmustbepartic'laran'seehedoesit。
Whichifyougrowslaxonthisp'inthe'smightylikelytoputyourlightoutrightthar。
"An'jestasJackMooretellsmeoncewhenwe'reputtin'insomeleesurehoursan'whiskeymingled，youdon'twanttogotooclosetostandupyourgent。OverintheGunnisoncountry，Jacksays，amarshalheknowsgetsinadvertentthata-way，an'thoughtless，an'
goesupclose。
"'Throwupyourhands'saysthisyeremarshal。
"Histoneshowshe'sennuied；hehassomanyoftheseyereblazerstorun；that'swhyhe'scareless，mebby。Whenthepartythrowsuphishands，heiscarefulanknocksthemarshal'sgunonesidewithhislefthand，bein'he'stoocloseasIsays，atthesametimepullin'hisownwherewithhethensendsthatmarshaltothehappyhuntin'groundsinonemotion。BeforeeverthatGunnisonoffishulgetsitoutenhisheadthatthatsport'sholdin'uphishands，he'sreceivin'noticeonhightohustle'roundan'findhisharpan'
standinontheeternalchorusforallhe'sworth。
"'Whichthepublic，'saysJackMoore，thetimeherelatesaboutthisyereGunnisonmarshalbeinover-playedthattime，'takesan'hangsthekillerinaminute。An'he'sshorelyabadman。
"'Doesyou-allwanttopray？"saysoneofthegentswho'sstringin'
ofhim。
"'No，Ed，"hesaysthata-way，"prayin'sablindtrailtomyeyesan'Ican'trunitainch。"
"'"Whatforaracket，"saysthisyereEd，"woulditbetopickoutasporttoprayforyouawholelot；sorterplayyourhand？"
"'"That'sallright，"saysthisculprit。"Nominateyoursharpan'
tellhimtowadeinan'rollhisgame。Ireckonsit'sagoodhedge，an'alittleprayin'mebbydoesmegood。"
"'Tharuponthecommitteeputsfor'ardagentwho'sagoodtalker；
butnottakin'aninterestmuch，hemakesamightyweakorison，thata-way。Thar'snohodylikesit，fromtheculprit，who'sstandin'tharwiththelariat'roundhisneck，tothelastgentwho'scomeup。
Thispartyblundersalong，mebbyit'saminute，whentheculprit，who'splumbdisgusted，breaksin。
"'"That'sahellofapra'r，"hesays，"an'Idon'twantnomoreofitinmine。Gimmeadrinkofwhiskey，gents，an'swingmeoff。"
"'Thecommittee，whosesympathiesisallwiththisyerepartywho'stohang，callsdownthegentaheapwho'sprayin'，givestheotherhisfortydrops，an'cincheshimupsomefreeoftheground；whichthesamebein'ampleforstrang'lation。
"'But，'concloodsJack，'whiletheyhangshimallrightan'proper，thatdon'tputoffthefuneralofthemarshalnone，whogetscarelessan'goestooclose。'An'youbetJack'sright。
"Butgoin'back:AsIremarks，Jackstandsroundloosean'
indifferentwithhiseyeontheponyofPinonBill's，whichitlooksnowlikethisyereBillisawareofJack'slittlegame。Hecomesoutshore-'nough，buthe'sorganized。He'sgothisguninhishand；an'
alsohe'spackin'theDeefWoman'syearlin'infrontofhisbreastan'face。
"Jackgiveshimtheword，butPinonBillonlylaughs。ThenJackmakesabluffwithhisgunlikehe'sgoin'toshootPinonBill，theinfant，an'allinvolvedtharin。ThisyerelastmoverattlesPinonBill，an'heupsan'slamslooseatJack。Butthebaby'sinhiswayasmuchmebbyasitisinJack's，an'heonlygrazesJack'sframeawholelot，whichamountstosomebloodan'nodeepharm。
"'Downhispony，Jack!'shoutsDaveTutt，jumpin'outentheRedLightlikeheaimstogetinonthedeal。
"ButthisyerePinonBillshiftsthecuton'em。
"'Ifoneofyou-allssomuchascracksacap，'hesays，'Iblowstheheadoffenthisyereblessedchild。'
"An'tharuponheshoveshisgunupaginthatbaby'slefty'earthata-way，soitshorecurdlesyourblood。Hedoesitasreadilyasifit'sgrown-upfolks。Itshoresendsachillthroughme；an'DanBoggsisthat'fectedheturnsplumbsick。Boggsain'teatin'athing，leastwisenothin'butwhiskey，fortwodaysafterheseesPinonBilldoit。
"'That'sonthelevel，'saysthisPinonBillag'in——Thefirstvestichofagun-playIwitnesses，orifanygentstartstofollowmeontilI'mamileaway，I'llsendthisyearlin'scoutin'afterBurke。An'you-allshearsmesayit。'
"Tharitis；asquar'caseofstand-off。Tharain'tagentwho'sgametomakeamove。Seein'weain'tgotakyardlefttoplay，thisyerePinonBillgrinswidean'satisfactory，an'swingsintothesaddle。
"Allthistime——which，afterall，itain'tsolong——thebabyain'tsayin'nothin'，andtakesthedealinplumbsilence。ButjestasPinonBilllandsinthesaddleitonfurlsayelllikeawrongedpanther。That'swhatbringstheDeefWomanstampedin'tothescene。
Shedon'thearamorselofallthisriotJackan'Tuttan'PinonBillkicksup；neverevengetsahintofPinonBill'ssix-shooter。
Butwiththeearliestsqueakofthatinfantthata-way，youbet!shecomesa-runnin'。
"Thesecondsheseeswhereherbaby'sat，upinthesaddlealongwithPinonBill，shemakesaspringforthewholeoutfit。We-allsstandslookin'on。Tharain'toneofusdarescrookafinger，forthisPinonBilliscoolan'ca'mplumbthrough。He'sstillgotthedroponthekid，whilehe'sholdin'babyan'bridlebothwiththeotherarman'hand。HissharpeyesisontheDeefWoman，too。
"Shesprings，butshenevermakesit。PinonBilljumpshisponysidewaysoutofherreach，an'atthattheDeefWomanc'lapsesonherfacean'shoulderinadeadswoon。
"'Adios!'saysPinonBill，totherestofus，backin'an'sidlin'
hisponyupthestreetsohedon'tlosesightoftheplay。'Tenminutesfromnowyou-allsfindsthisyereinfantamilefromcampassafean'solidasasodhouse。'
"'Bill，'saysEnright，allatonce，'Imakesyouaprop'sition。
Restorethebabytome，an'tharain'tagentincampwhofollowsyouafoot。IgivesyouthewordofWolfville。'
"'Doesthatgo？'demandsPinonBill，turnintoJack，who'sshakin'
thebloodoffenhisfingerswhereitrunsdownhisarm。
"'Itgoes，'saysJack；'goeswhereverEnrightsetsit。Imakesgoodhisbluffsatalltimesonfootorinthestirrups。'
"'An'Itakesyourpromise，'saysPinonBillwithalaugh，'an'
yere'sthebaby。WhichnowI'mgoin'，Idon'tmindconfidin'inyou-
alls，'goesonthisPinonBill，'thatIneverintendstohurtthatinfantnohow。'
"Enrightgetsthechild，an'innotimelaterthatPinonBillisfledfromsight。Youcanbelieveit；ittakesaloadoffenthepublicmindaboutthatinfantwhenthekyardscomesthata-way。
"Whichthestory'ssoontoldnow。It'sthreedayslater，an'，seein'
it'srefreshedinourthoughts，Enrightan'therestofusisresoomedop'rationstouchin'thisDeefWoman，aboutgettin'heroutencamp，an'she'sbeginnin'torecoverherobduracyaboutnotsayin'orhearin'nothin'，whenincomesapackagebyOldMontean'
thestage。It'sforEnrightfromthathoss。thief，PinonBill。
Thar'saletteran'
Sooforthebaby。
"'TellthatDecfWoman，'saysthisyerePinonBill，'thatIhasaneventhousanddollarsinmywar-bags，whenIstacksinheroffspringag'instthecamptowin；an'Ideemsitonlysquar'todividethepotwiththebaby。Thekidan'me'spartnersintheplaythata-way，an'theenclosedisthekid'sshare。Sawthisyeredinerooffonhersomehow；an'makeherpullherfreight。Wolfville'snogoodplacetoraisethatbaby。'
"'WhichthisPinonBillain'tsobadneither，'saysDanBoggs，whenhehearsit。'Gents，Iproposesthehealthofthisoutlaw。Barkeep，seewhattheytakesinbehalfofPinonBill。'
"Theletteran'themoney'sdeadstraight，an'theDeefWomancan'tdodgeorgo'round。AllofwhichMissisRuckertakesadayoffan'
beatsitintoherbymakin'signs。It'sliketwoInjunstalkin'。ItallwindsupbytheDeefWomanp'intin'outonherwaysome'ersEast，an'tharain'toneofuseverseestheMajor，theDeefWoman，thekid，noryetthisPinonBill，nomore。Whichthislast，however，isnotregardedasfoodfordeepregrets，"
CHAPTERXXIV。
CRAWFISHJIM。
"Don'tInevertellyouthestoryofthedeathofCrawfishJim？"
TheOldCattlemanbentuponmeaneyeofbenevolentinquiry。I
assuredhimthatthedetailsofthetakingoffofCrawfishJimwereasasealedbooktome。ButIwouldblithelylisten。
"WhatwasthefateofCrawfishJim？"Iasked。Thenameseemedapromiseinitself。
"Nothin'muchforafate，Crawfish'sain't，"rejoinedtheOldCattleman。"Nothin'whatevercomparedtosomefatesIkeepstabsonto。Itwasthisa-way:CrawfishJimwasasheep-man，an'hasacampoutinthefoothillsoftheTresHermanas，mebbyit'sthirtymilesbackfromWolfville。ThisyereCrawfishJimwasapecooliarperson；plumblocoed，likeallsheep-men。Theyhastobecrazyortheywouldn'tpester'roundinnosechdisrepootablepursootsassheep。
You-allhasseentheseyeregentsasmakespetsofsnakes。Mebbyit'sonceinathousandtimesyoucutsthetrailofsechaparty。
Snakesiskittenstohim，an'he'slikelytobepackin'specimens'roundinhisclothesanytime。
"That'sthewaywiththisCrawfishJim。Imindstalkin'tohimathiscamponedaywhenI'mhuntin'abunchofcattle。ThefirstI
notes，snakestickshisheadoutenCrawfish'sshirt，an'looksatmemalev'lentanddistrustful。AnotherprotroodsitsnoseoutupbyCrawfish'scollar。
"'Whichyoushoreseemsha'ntedofsnakes？'Isays，steppin'backan'p'intin'atthereptiles。
"'Them'smydumbcompanions，'saysCrawfishJim。'Theysharesmysolitood。'
"'You-alldoseemsomepop'larwith'em，'Iobserves，forIsaveysatoncehe'splumboffhismentalreservation；an'whenaparty'slocoedthata-wayitmakeshimhostileifyouderideshislittlegameorbuckshisnotions。
"ItakesgrubwithCrawfishthatsameday；goodchuck，too；mainlysheep-meat，salt-hoss，an'bakin'-powderbiscuit。Iwatcheshimsomenarrowaboutthemsnakeshe'sinfestedwith；Iloathin'of'em，an'
notwantin''emtotransfernolovetome，nortaketoenlivenin'mysecloosionnone。
"Well，son，thisyereCrwafishJimisasadenofserpents。I
reckonsnowhehasaplumbdozenmowedawayinhisraiment。Thar'snoharmin'em；bein'allbull-snakes，whichisinnocuousan'
withoutp'ison，fangs，orconvictions。
"WhenCrawfishgoestocook，hedumpsthesefolksoatenhisclothes，an'lets'emhustlean'play'roundwhilegrub'sgettin'。
"'Theseyerelittleanimals，'hesays，'likestheirreecreationssameashumans，soIallersgives'emaplay-spellwhileI'mbusyroundcamp。'
'"Don'ttheyeverstampedeoffnone？'Iasks。
"'Shorelynot，'saysCrawfish。'Bull-snakesisthemostdomesticalsnaketharis。IfI'dleaveoneoftheseyeretendercreaturesereovernighthe'ddieofhomesickness。'
"WhenCrawfishgetsreadytobilethecoffee，hetumblesthebiggestbullsnakeI'dseenyetoutenthecoffee-potontothegrass。Thenhefillsthekettlewithwater，dumpsinthecoffee，an'setsheronthecoalstostew。
"'Thisyerepartic'larsnake，'saysCrawfish，'whichIcallshimJuliusCaesar，istoobigtotote'roundinmyshirt，an'sohelivesinthecoffee-potwhileI'maway，an'keepscampforme。'
"'Don'tyouyearnfornorattlesnakestofondle？'Iinquires，jesttoseewhatkyardhe'dplay。
"'No，'hesays，'rattlesnakesisallright——good，sociable，moralsnakesenough；butinasperitofhumortheymaybiteyouorsomeplaylikethat，an'tharyou'dbe。No；bull-snakesisas'fectionateasrattles，an'don'truntop'ison。Youdon'thavenoinadvertencieswith'em。'
"'Can'tyoubustthefangsoutenrattlesnakes？'Iasks。
"'Theygrowsrightinag'in，'saysCrawfish，sameasyourfinger-
nails。Iain'tgotnotimetogoscoutin'arattlesnake'smoutheveryday，lookin'upteeth，soIdon'tworrywith'em，butplaysbull-snakesstraight。Thisbein'dentistforrattlesnakeshasresks，whichthesamewouldbefoolishtoassoom。'
"Whilegrub'scookin'an'Crawfishan'me'spow-wowin'，alittleolddogCrawfishhas——oneofthemno-accountnce-dogs——comesupan'
makesasmalluprisin'offtoonesidewithJuliusCaesar。Thedogyelpsan'snaps，an'JuliusCaesarblowsan'strikesathim，sameasarattle。snake。However，theyain'tdoin'noharm，an'Crawfishdon'tpaynoheed。
"'They'srunnin'blazersoneachother，'saysCrawfish，'an'don'tmeannothin'。BimebyCaribouPete——whichthesameisthedog——willgoliedownan'sleep；an'JuliusCaesarwillquileupag'inhimtobewarm。Caribou，bein'adogthata-way，isawarm-bloodanimal，whileporeJuliushasgotcoldbloodlikeafish。Sohegoesoveran'campsonCaribou，an'allthesameputshisfeetonhimfortobecomfortable。'
"Ofcourse，I'maheapinterestedinthisyeresnakeknowledge，an'
tellsCrawfishso。Butitsortercoppersmyappetite，an'Crawfishsavesonsheep-meatan'sow-bellybyhisdiscoursepowerful。
Thinkin'an'a-lookin'atthemblessedsnakes，speshulatJuliusCmsar，Ishoreain'thungrymuch。Butasyousays:howaboutCrawfishJimgettin'killed？
"OnedayCrawfishallowsallalonebyhimse'fhe'llhopintoWolfvillean'buysomestuffforhiscamp，——flour，whiskey，tobacker，air-tights，an'sech。
"What'sair-tights？WhichyouEasternshorthornsisshoreignorant。
Air-tightsiscanpeaches，cantomatters，an'sim'larbluffs。
"AsIwassayin'，alongcomesporeoldCrawfishovertoWolfville；
ridesinonaburro。That'sright，son；comesloafin'alongonaburrolikeaMexican。Theseyeresheep-menisthatabandonedan'
vulgartheyain'tgotpridetorideahoss。
"AlongcomesCrawfishonaburro，an'it'shisfirstvisittoWolfville。YeretoforetheoldCimmarongoesovertoRedDogforhisplunder，thesamebein'abustedlow-downcampontheLordsburgtrail，whichonceholdsit'sarivaltoWolfville。Itain't，however；thesamenotbein'ofthesameimportance，commercial，asaprairie-dogtown。
"Thistime，however，CrawfishpintsupforWolfville。An'tomakehimse'floved，Ireckons，whateverdoeshedobutbringalongJuliusCaesar。
"Idon'treckonnowheeverplaysJuliusCaesarnoneonRedDog。
Mightylikelythisyerewasthebull-snake'sfirstengagement。I
clingstothisnotionthatRedDogneverseesJuliusCaesar；forifshehad，themdrunkardswhichinhabitssaidcampwouldn'thavequityellin'yet。WhichJuliusCaesar，withthatRedDogwhiskeytheywassoakedin，wouldhaveshoregiven'emsomemightyheenousvisions。
Factis，CrawfishtoldJackMoorelaterhenevertakesJuliusCaesarnowherebefore。
"ButallthesameCrawfishprancesintocamponthisyereoccasionwithJuliusbushwacked'way'roundbackinhisshirt，an'sechvacantspacesabouthispersonasain'totherwiseoccupieda-
nourishin'ofminorbull-snakesplentyprofuse。
"Ofcoursethemsnakesisallholdin'back，bein'，afterall，timidcattle；an'sononeofuss'spectsCrawfishispackin'anysechs'prises。NoneoftheboysabouttownknowsofCrawfishhavin'thisbull-snakehabitbutme，nohow。Sotheoldmanstampedes'roundan'
buyswhathe'safter，an'allgoeswell。Nobodyain'tevendreamin'
ofreptiles。
"AtlastCrawfish，havin'turnedhislittlegameforflour，air-
tights，an'jig-juice，asIsays，getsintotheRedLight，an'
bracesupag'inthebaran'callsfornose-paintall'round。Thisyereisproperan'p'lite，an'everybodywithinhearin'oftheyelllinesup。
"It'satthiscrisisCrawfishJimstartsintomakehimse'fageneralfav'ritc。Everybody'ssloppedouthisperfoomcry，an'DanBoggsisjestsayin':'Yere'slookin'atyou，Crawfish，'whenthatcrazy-bossshepherdsorterswarms'roundinsidehisshirtwithhishand，an'lugsoutJuliusCesarbethescruffofhisneck，a-
squirmin'an'a-blowin'，an'madder'nadrunkensquaw。OncehegetsJuliusout，hespreadshim'roundprofuseontheRedLightbaran'
sorterherdshimwithhishandtokeephimfromchargin'offamongthebottles。
"'Gents，'saysthislocoedCrawfish，'Iain'tnoboaster，butI
offersahundredtofifty，an'standstomakeituptoathousanddollarsinwoolorsheep，JuliusCaesaristhefattestan'finestserpentinArizona；alsothebestbehaved。'
"Tharain'tnoonetakin'Crawfish'sbet。ThemomentheslamsJuliusonthebar，more'ntenofourleadin'citizensfallstothefloorinfits，an'emergesoutenonepar'xysmonlytoslumpintoanother。
Whichweshorelyhasageneralround-upofallsortsofspells。
"'Whatever'sthematterofyou-allpeople？'saysCrawfish，lookin'
mightyaghast。'Thar'snomoreharminJuliusCaesarthanifhe'safullblownrose。'
"JackMoore，bein'marshal，ofcoursestandshishand。It'shisoffishuldootytoplayapathandonbull-snakesan'dangerinallan'anyforms。An'Jackdoesit。
"WhileCrawfishisbusyrecountin'theattainmentsofJuliusCaesar，a-holdin'ofhispetwithonehand，JackMooretakesasnapshotathimalongthebarwithhissix-shooter，an'awaygoesJuliusCaesar'sheadlikeapuffofsmoke。ThenMooreroundsupCrawfish，an'，perceivin'oftheotherbull-snakes，hesearches'emoutonebyonean'massacres'em。
"'CalloverDocPeets，'saysJackMoorefinal，'an'bringBoggsan'
Tuttan'therestoftheseyereinvalidsto。'
"DocPeetsan'EnrightbothtrailsinonthelopefromtheNewYorkStore。TheyhearsMoore'sgun-playan'iscur'ous，nacheral'nough，toknowwhocallsit。Well，theyturnsinan'bringstheotherinhabitantsoutentheirfits；pendin'whichMoorekillsoffthelastremainin'bull-snakeinCrawfish'sherd。
"Son，I'veseenpeoplemad，an'I'veseen'emgay，an'I'veseen'embitbygrief。ButI'myeretoremarkIneverrunsuponagentwhogoesplumbmadwithsadnessontilIseesCrawfishthatdayJackMooreimmolateshisbull-snakepets。Hestandsthar，white，an'
ain'tsayin'aword。Looksforaminutelikehecan'tmove。Crawfishdon'tpacknogun，orIallersallowedwe'dhadnoticeofhimsome，whilethembullsnakesiscashin'in。
"Butatlasthesortercomesto，an'walksoutwithoutsayin'
nothin'。Theyain'tnoneofusregardin'ofhimmuchatthetime；
bein'busydrinkin'an'recoverin'fromtheshock。
"Now，whatdoyous'posethisoldNavajodoes？LopesstraightovertotheNewYorkStore——isca'masaJunedayaboutit，too——an'getsasix-shooter。
"ThenextinformationwegetsofCrawfish，'bang!'goeshisnewgun，an'thebulletcutsalongoverJackMoore'sheadtoohighforresults。Newgunthata-way，an'Crawfishnotuponhispractice；ofcourseheovershoots。
"Well，theporeoldmurdererneverdoesgetasecondcrack。I
reckonseightpeoplehehasinterestedshootsallatonce，an'
CrawfishJimquitsthisearthlydealunanimous。Hestopseverybullet；eightof'em，likeIsays。
"'Tharain'tamanofuswhodon'tfeelregrets；butwhat'stheuse？
Tharwebe，upag'instthedeal，withCrawfishcleanlocoed。It'stheonlywagon-trackout。
"'Ishorehopeshe'sonthehottrailofthembull-snakesofhis'n，'
saysDanBoggs，aswelaysCrawfishoutonamonte-table。'Seemslikehethoughtmonstrouswellof'em，an'itwouldmightylikelypleasehimtorunupon'emwherehe'sgone。'
"Whateverdidwedo？Why，wedigsagraveoutbackofthedance-hallan'plantsCrawfishan'hispetstharin。
"'Ireckonswebetterburythemreptiles，too，'saysDocPeets，aswegetsCrawfishstretchedoutallcomfortableinthebottom。'Ifhe'slookin'downontheseyereceremoniesit'llmakehimfeeleasier。'
"DocPeetsismightysentimentalan'romanticthata-way，an'allersthinksofthetouchin'thingstodo，whichImore'noncenoticeslikewise，thatagentbein'deadthata-wayallersbringsoutthesoftsideofPeets'snacher。Youbet!he'splumbsympathetic。
"Wecountsinthesnakes。Thar's'levenof'embesidesJuliusCaesar；whichwelayshimonCrawfish'sbreast。Youcanfindthegraveto-day。
"Shore!westicksupaheadboard。Itsaysonit，thesamebein'
furnishedbyDocPeets——an'IwantstosayDocPeetsisthebesteddicatedgentinArizona-asfollowsSACREDTOTHEMEMORYOF
CRAWFISHJIM，JULIUSCAESAR
AND
ELEVENOTHERBULLSNAKES，THEYMEANTWELL，BUTTHEYMISUNDERSTOODEXISTENCE
ANDDIED。
THISBOARDWASREAREDBYAN
ADMIRINGCIRELEOFFRIENDS
WHOWASWITHDECEASED
TOTHELAST。
"An'don'tyou-allknow，son，thisyereonfortunateweedin'outofporeCrawfishthata-way，sortersettlesdownonthecampan'preysonusformightylikelyit'saweek。Itshorelyisasourceofgloom。Moreover，itdonegivesDanBoggsthefan-tods。AsIrelatesprior，Boggsisemotionalawholelot，an'oncelethimgetwhatyou-allcallsashock——same，forinstance，asthembull-snakes——itsshoreduetosetBoggs'sintellectstomillin'。An'that'swhathappensnow。We-allsdon'tgetBoggs；beddeddownnonefortendays，hisvisionsisthatacoote。
"'Whichofcourse，'saysBoggs，whilewe-allssettin'upadministerin'thingstohim，'whichofcourseI'mplumbawaretheseyereismereilloosions；butallthesame，ascl'araseverInotesanace，nomatterwhereIlooksat，IdiscernsthatJuliusCaesarserpenta-regardin'mereproachfuloutentheatmospher。An'gents，sechspectaclesletsmeoutaheapeverytime。You-allscangamble，Iain'tslumberin'nonewithnosnake-spookthata-waya-gyardin'ofmydreams。'
"That'salltharistothedeathofCrawfishJim。Tharain'tnoharminhim，noryet，Ireckons，inJuliusCaesaran'therestofCrawfish'sfam'ly。ButthewaytheygetstangledupwithWolfville，an'takestorunnin'countertopublicsentimentan'themeightsix-
shooters，Crawfishan'hislive-stockhastogo。"