"'She'stoonoomerousinthemsteepsan'deecliv'ties，'saysGrief。
　　'WhatIneedsisalandscapewheretheprevailin'feacheristhehor'zontal。Iwasshorelybornwithayearnin'forthelevelground。'An'soGriefmoveshiscampdownontheriverbottoms，wheretharain'tnohills。
　　"He'sthatmis'rableidlean'shiftless，thisyereGriefis，thatoncehestartshuntin'an'thendecideshewon't。Grieflaysdownbytheaigeofthebranch，withhismoccasinstowardsthewater。Itstartsintorain，an'thestormprouncesdownonGrieflikeamink:
　　onasettin'hen。Oneofhispardsseeshimacrossthebranchan'
　　thinkshe'sasleep。Soheshoutsan'yellsathim。
　　"'Whoopee，Grief!'hesingsovertowhereGrief'slayin'allquiledupsameasawater-moccasinsnake，an'therainpeltin'intohimlikeetarnalwrath；'wakeuptharan'crawlforcover!'
　　"'I'mawake，'saysGrief。
　　"'Well，whydon'tyougetoutentherain？'
　　"'I'mallwetnowan'theraindon'tdonohurt，'saysGrief。
　　"An'thisyerelazyGriefMudlowkeepsonlayin'thar。Itain'tnotimewhenthebranchbeginstoraise；thewatercrawlsupaboutGrief'sfeet。Sohispardshoutsathimsomemore:
　　"'Whoopee，youGriefag'in!'hesays。'Ifyoudon'tpullyourfreight，thebranch'llgetyou。It'sdonerizoverthestockofyourrifle。'
　　"'Waterwon'thurtthewoodnone，'saysGrief。
　　"'YouGriefoverthar!'roarstheotherafterawhile；'yourfeetan'
　　laigsishalfintothebranch，an'thewater'sgotuptothelockofyourgun。'
　　"'Thar'snoloadinthegun，'saysGrief，stilla-layin'，'an'
　　besidessheneedswashin'out。Asforthemfeetan'laigs，Inevercatchescold。'
　　"An'tharthatorneryGriefreposes，tooplumblazytomove，whilethebranchcreepsupabouthim。It'scropeupsohigh，final，thathisy'earsan'thebackofhisheadisinit。AllGriefdoesissorto'lifthischinan'laysquar'，tokeephisnoseoutso'shecanbreathe。
　　An'heshorelybeatsthegame；fortherainceases，an'thebranchdon'trisenohigher。ThisyereGrieflaystharontilthebranchrunsdownan'he'shighan'dryag'in，an'thenthesunshinesoutan'drieshisclothes。It'sthatsamenightwhenGriefhasdrughimse'fhometosupper，hesaystohiswife，'Thar'snothin'likeexercise，'an'thencounselsthatladyoverhiscornponean'
　　chitlinstotakeinwashin'likeIrelates。"
　　WewalkedoninmuteconsiderationoftheextraordinaryindolenceoftheworthlessMudlow。Oursilenceobtainedforfulltenminutes。
　　ThenIproposed"courage"asasubject，andputaquestion。
　　"Thar'sfiftykindsofcourage，"respondedmycompanion，"an'agentwho'splumbweakan'craven，thata-way，ondercertaincircumstances，isasfullofsandasthebedoftheArkansawonderothers。Thar'shoss-backcouragean'thar'sfootcourage，thar'sdaycouragean'nightcourage，thar'sguncouragean'knifecourage，an'
　　noendofcouragesbesides。An'thenthar'sthecourageofvanity。
　　More'nonce，whenI'myounger，I'msweptdownbythislastformofheroism，an'IevenrecallshowinasperitofvaingloryIridesabuffalobull。Itellsyou，son，thatwhilethatfranticbuffaloissquanderin'abouttheplainsthattime，an'meontohim，hefeelsamightysightliketheridgeofalltheyooniverse。Howdoesitend？
　　It'stoolongataletotellwalkin'an'withoutreecooperatifs；
　　sufficeitthatitendsdisastrous。Ishallneverridenobuffaloag'in，leastwisewithoutasaddle，onlessitsaspeshulo'casion。
　　"No，indeed，thatword'courage'hastobedefinednewforeachcase。Thar'soldTomHarrisoverontheCanadian。IbeholdsTomonetimeatTascosadothemostb'ar-facedtrick；onewhichmostsportsofcommonsens'bilitieswouldhaveshrunkfrom。Thar'sawarrantoutforTom，an'JimEastthesheriffputshisgunonTomwhenTom'slookin't'otherway。
　　"'Seeyere，Harris!'saysEast，thata-way。
　　"Tomwheels，an'islookin'intothemouthofEast'ssix-shooternotayardoff。
　　"'Putupyourhands!'saysEast。
　　"ButTomdon't。HelooksoverthegunintoEast'seye；an'hefreezeshim。Thenslowan'delib'rate，an'glarin'likeamountainlionatEast，TomgoesbackafterhisColt'san'pullsit。HelaysheralongsideofEast'swiththemuzzlep'intin'atEast'seye。An'
　　thartheystands。"'Youdon'tdar'shoot!'saysTom；an'Eastdon't。
　　"Theybreaksawayan'nopowderburned；TomstandsEastoff。
　　"'Warrantornowarrant，'saysTom，'allthesheriffsthateverjinglesaspurinthePanhandlecountry，can'ttakeme!Noralltherangersneither!'An'theyshorecouldn't。"Nowthisyerebreak-awayofTom's，whenEastgetsthedropthattime，takescourage。Itain'tonegentinathousandwhocouldmakethattripbutTom。An'yetthisyereTomisfearedofadarkroom。"TakeInjuns；——give'emtheirdoo，evenifweain'tgotroomforthemmiscreantsinourhearts。Onhislinesan'athisgames，aInjunisascleanstrainastheymakes。He'sgotcourage，an'candiewithoutbattin'aneyeorwaggin'ay'ear，onceit'scomehisturn。An'thesquawsisascoldaprop'sitionasthebucks。Afterafightwiththemsavages，whenyougoes'roundtocountupan'skinthegame，youfindsmostasmanysquawslyin'about，an'bulletsthrough'em，asyoufindsbucks。
　　"Courageissometimesknowledge，sometimesignorance；sometimescourageisdesp'ration，an'thenag'init'sinnocence。"Once，abouttwomilesoff，whenI'montheStakedPlains，an'neartheaigewherethar'spiecesofbrokenrock，IobservesaMexicanonfoot，franticallychunkin'upsomethin'。He'slefthisponystandin'offalittle，an'haswithhimamightynoisyformofsomelowkindofmongreldog，thislatterstandin'intoworrywhateveritistheMexican'schunkin'at，thata-way。Iridesovertoinvestigatethewar-jig；an'I'mamesquitedigger!ifthisyeretransplantedCastillianain'tdoneupafull-grownwildcat!It'sjestcoughin'
　　itslastwhenIarrives。Son，Iwouldn'thaveopenedagameonthatfeline——thesamebein'asbigasacoyote，an'asthoroughlyorganizedfortroubleasagatling——withanythin'morepunythanaWinchester。An'yetthatguilelessMexicanlayshimoutwithrocks，andregyardssechfeatsastrivial。AnAmerican，too，bymerelygrowlin'towardsthisMexican，wouldmakehimquitoutlikeajackrabbit。"AsIobservesprior，courageisfrequentthefrootsofwhatagentdon'tknow。Takegrizzlyb'ars。Backfiftyyears，whenthemsquirrelriflesispreevalent；whenaacornshellholdsachargeofpowder，an'bulletsrunsaslightan'littleassixty-fourtothepound，whyson!you-allcouldshootupagrizzlytillsundownan'
　　hardlygainhisdisdain。It'saflukeifyoudownsone。Thatsportwhocanshowasetofgrizzlyb'arclaws，themtimes，hasfame。
　　They'reasgoodasabankaccount，themclawsbe，an'entitlessaidpartytocreditindancehall，barrooman'store，bymerelyslammin''emonthecounter。"Atthattimethegrizzlyb'arhascourage。Whyeverdoeshehaveit，youasks？Becauseyoucouldn'tstophim；he'soutofhoomanity'sreach——asorto'AlexanderSelkirkofab'ar，an'youcouldn'twinfromhim。Inthemepocks，thegrizzlyb'artreatsagentcontemptuous。Heswatshim，orheclawshim，orhehugshim，orhecruncheshim，orhequitshimaccordin'
　　tohismoods，orthenumberofthemengagementswhichispressin'onhimatthetime。An'thelastthingheconsidersisthefeelin'softhatpartic'larpartyhe'sdallyin'with。Now，however，allischanged。Thar'srifles，burnin'fourinchesofthisyerefulminatin'
　　powder，thatcanchuckabulletthroughafootofgreenoak。Wiselydirected，theyletssunshinethroughagrizzlyb'arlikehe'sapaneofglass。An'，son，themb'arsisplumbontotheplay。
　　"What'sthefinish？To-dayyoucan'tgetclostenoughtoagrizzlytohandhimaripepeach。Lethimglimpseorsmellawhiteman，an'
　　hegoesscatterin'offacrosshillan'canyonlikeaquartoflickeramongfortymen。They'reshoreapprehensifeofthembigbulletsan'
　　hard-hittin'guns，themb'arsis；an'theywouldn'tlistentoyou，evenifyoutalksnothin'butbee-treean'givesabondtokeepthepeacebesides。Yes，sir；thedaywhenthegrizzlyb'arwillstandwithouthitchin'hasdeepartedthecalendarawholelot。Theynolongerattemptsinsolentan'coarsefamiliar'tieswithfolks。
　　Insteadofregyardin'arifleasarottoncornstalkindisguise，they'reasgun-shyasafemaleinstitoote。Bigb'arsan'littlebars，it'sallsim'lar；fortheoldonestellsittotheyoung，an'
　　thelessonisspreadthroughouttheentirenationofb'ars。An'
　　yere'swhereyouobserves，enlightenmentthata-waymeansa-
　　weakenin'ofgrizzly-b'arcourage。
　　"What'sthat，son？You-allthinksmystoriessmellsometall!Youexpressesdoubtsaboutanamilesconversin'withoneanother？That'swhereyou'reignorant。Allanamilestalks；theycommoonicatesthenewstooneanotherlikehoomans。WhenI'vebeenfreightin'fromDodgedowntowardstheCanadian，Ihadaeight-muleteam。Asshoreaswe'rewalkin'——asshoreasI'mpinin'foradrink，I'velistenedtothemmulesgossipbythehourasweswingsalongthetrail。LotsoftimesIsaveyswhattheysays。OnceIhearstheoff-leadertellhismatethatthejockeystickissawin'himonderthechin。I
　　investigatesan'findsthecomplainttrooan'relieveshim。Thenighswingmuleisawit；an'alldaylonghe'dbethrowin'offremarksthatkeepsarippleoflaughtergoin'upan'downtheteam。You-allfindstroublecreditin'themstatements。Fact，jestthesame。I'velaughedatthejokesofthatswingmulemyse'f；an'evenJerry，theoffwheeler，who'sacynicthata-way，couldn'trepressasmile。
　　Shore!anamilestalksallthetime；it'sonlythatwe-allhoomansain'teddicatedtoonderstand。
　　"Speakin'ofbeaststalkin'，letmeimparttoyouofwhatpassesbeforemyeyesoverontheCaliente。Inthefirstplace，I'llsofarilloomineyourmindastotellyouthatcattle，sameaspeople——an'
　　speshullymountaincattle，wherethewindsansnowsdon'tgettodrive'eman'drift'emsouth——livesalltheirlivesinthesameplaces，yearafteryear；an'asyouridesyourranges，you'reallersmeetin'upwiththesameoldcattleinthesamecanyons。Theynevermoves，oncetheyselectsahome。
　　"AsIobserves，I'vegotacampontheCaliente。Thar'stenponiesinmybunch，asI'msaddlin'threeadayan'coverin'aconsiderabledealofrangeinmyridin'。Seein'asI'mcampedyeresomesixmonths，Imakestheaquaintanceofthecattleforovertwentymiles'round。Amongothers，thar'sagiantbullinLong'sCanyon——he'sshoreiyasbigasaloghouse。Himan'meispartic'larfriends，cnlyIdon'ttrackuponhimmorefrequentthanonceaweek，ashe'smilesfrommycamp。IalmostforgetstosaythatwiththisyereGoliathbullisamilk-whitesteer，withlong，slimhornsan'afacewhichisthecombinedhomeofvainconceitan'utterwitlessness。
　　Thismilkyan'semi-edioticsteerisamostabjectadmireroftheGoliathbull，an'they'reallerstogether。AsIstates，thismountainofabullan'hisweak-mindedfollowerlivesinLong'sCanyon。
　　"Thar'stwomorebulls，thesamebein'，asColonelSterettwouldsay，also'personsofthisyeredramy。'Oneisafive-year-oldwhoabidesontheupperRedRiver；an'theother，whoisonlyathree-
　　year-old，hangsoutontheCalienteinthevicinityofmycamp。
　　"WhichsinceI'vegottotalkofan'concernin'themanamiles，I
　　mightaswellgive'emtheirpropernames。Theygetstheselastallreg'larfromaplay-actorpartywhocomesswarmin'intothehillswhileI'mthartotrythepinetreesonhis'tooberclosis，'ashedescribessaidmalady，an'whoseweaknessistosawoffcognomensoneverythin'hesees。Asfastashe'sintrodoocedto'em，thisactorsportnamestheLong'sCanyonbull'Falstaff'；theRedRiverfive-
　　year-old'Hotspur，'bein'he'splumbb'lligerentan'allersmakin'
　　warmedicine；whilethelittlethree-year-old，whoinhabitsaboutmycampintheCaliente，headdressesas'PrinceHal。'Thefoolofawhitesteerthat'sworshippin'about'Falstaff'getsnamed'Pistol，'
　　althoughthar'smightylittleabouttheweak-kneedhumbugtoremindyouofanythin'asvehementasagun。Falstaff，Pistol，Hotspuran'
　　PrinceHal；them'sthetitlesthisdramatistconfersonsaidcattle。
　　"WhichtheWestisagreatplacetodigoutnewappellationsthata-
　　way。Thar'sagentle-mindedpartycomessoarin'downonWolfvilleoneevenin'。No，hedon'townnorealbusinesstotransact；he'souttohaveaheart-to-heartinterviewwiththegreatSouthwest，isthewayheexpoundstheobjectsofhissearch。
　　"'An'he'splentytender，'saysBlackJack，who'sbarkeepattheRedLight。'Hecornespushin'alonginyerethismornin'；an'wliatdoyou-allreckonnowhewants。Asksforice!Nowwhateverdoyoumakeofit!IceinAugust，an'withinfortymilesoftheMexicolineatthat。"Pard，"Isays，"we'reontheconfinesofthetropics；an'
　　whileoldArizonaissomequeer，an'wedigsforwoodan'climbsforwater，an'indulgesinmuchthatismorallyan'physicallytheteetotalreverseofright-side-up-with-care，sofarinourmeanderin'sweain'toncoverednoglaciersnorcutthetrailofanyice。Whichifyou'vebroughtsnowshoeswithyounow，orbeenfiggerin'onaArizonasleighride，you'resettin'inhardluck。"'
　　"JestasBlackJackgetsthatfarinthemstatements，thisyeretenderfootshowsinthedoor。
　　"'BeyouaresidentofWolfville？'asksthisshorthornofDaveTutt。
　　"'I'moneofthesevenorig'nalwolves，'saysTutt。
　　"'Yere'smykyard，'saystheshorthorn，an'hebeamsonDaveinawidean'balmyway。
　　"'ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，'saysDave，readin'offthekyard。ThenDavegoesuptotheside，an'allsolemnan'grave，pinsthekyardtotheboardwithhisbowie-knife。'ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，'an'Daverepeatsthewordsplumbcareful。'That'syourfullan'c'rrectname，isit？'
　　"Theshorthornallowsitis，an'surveysDaveinawoozywaylikeheain'tinformednoneofthemeanin'oftheseyeremanoovers。
　　"'Didyou-allcomethroughTucsonwiththisname？'asksDave。
　　"Hesayshedoes。
　　"'An'wasn'tnothin'saidordoneaboutit？'demandsDave；'don'tthemTucsonsportstakenoaction？'
　　"Hesaysnothin'isdone。
　　"'It'sasIfears，'saysDave，shakin'hisheadaheaploogubrious，'thatTucsonoutfitismorallygoin'towaste。It'sworsethancareless；it'scallous。That'swhatever；thatcampiscallous。Wasyouaimin'tostayforlonginWolfvillewiththisyeretitle？'asksDaveatlast。
　　"Theshorthornmentionsaweek。
　　"'ThisyereWolfville，'explainsDave，'istoosmallforallthatname。ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt!Itshorelysoundslikeahossinadancehall。Butit'stoolongforWolfville，an'
　　Wolfvilleevendoherbest。Oneendofthatnameisboundtoprotrood。Orelseitgetsallbrunkleduplikealongniggerinashortbed。However，'goesonDave，ashenotestheshorthornlookin'
　　alittledizzy，'don'tloseheart。Wedoesthebestwecan。Ilikesyourlooks，an'shallcomesomewhattoyourrescoomyse'finyourpresenttroubles。Gents，'an'DaveturnstowhereBoggsan'Cherokeean'TexasThompsonislistenin'，'Imovesyouwesuspendstherooles，an're-namesthisexcellentan'well-meanin'maverick，"ButcherknifeBill。"'
　　"'Isecondsthemotion，'saysBoggs。'ButcherknifeBillisaneatan'compactname。Icongratulatesourvisitin'friendfromtheEastonthecasewherewithhewinsitout。Iwouldonlymakeonesu'gestion，thesamebein'inthenacherofamendmentstotheorig'nalresolootion，an'whichis，thatinallgamesofshortkyards，oratsechtimesaswe-allissuesinvitationstodrink，oratanyotherepockwhentimeshouldbesavedan'quickactionisdesir'ble，saidcognomenmaylegallyberedooced，to"Butch。"'
　　"'Tharbein'noobjections，'saysTutt，'itisregyardedasthesenseofthemeetin'thatthisyerevisitin'sharpfromtheStates，yeretoforecloggedinhisflightbythenameofArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，beyereafterknownas"ButcherknifeBill"；orfailin'leesureforthefullname，as"Butch，"orbothatthediscretionoftheco't，withthedrinksonButchasthegentnowprofitin'bythisplay。Barkeep，setupallyourbottlesan'c'llectfromButch。'
　　"ButtogobacktomylongagocampontheCaliente。PrinceHalisapolishedan'p'litesorto'anamile。TheseconddayafterIpitchescamp，PrinceHalshowsup。Hepawsthegrass，an'declar'shimse'f，an'givesnoticethatwhileI'mplumbwelcome，hewantsitonderstoodthathe'spartyofthefirstpartinthatvalley，an'
　　aimstosocontinyoo。AsIatonceagreestohisclaims，heispacified；thenhecountsupthecamplikehe'ssizin'uptheplunder。It'satthispointIsignsPrinceHalasmyfriendforlifebygivin'himaboutafootofbacon-skin。Hestandsan'chewsonthatbacon-skinfortwohours；an'thar'sheaveninhislooks。"ItgetssoPrinceHalputsinallhisspar'timeatmycamp。An'I
　　donatesflapjacks，bacon-skinsan'foodcomfortsyeretoforeonknowntoPrinceHal。Heregyardsthatcampofmineasopenin'aneweraontheCaliente。
　　"Whennototherwiseengaged，PrinceHalstandsintocurrymyponieswithhistongue。Theonehe'dbeworkin'onwouldplanthimse'frigid，withy'earsdrooped，eyesshet，an'taila-quiverin'；an'
　　you-allcouldseethatPrinceHal，withhisroughtongue，isjestburnin'upthatbroncofromforetoptofetlockswiththejoyofthemattentions。WhenPrinceHalhasbeenspeshulfriendly，I'dpasshimoutaplugofClimaxtobacco。Sick？Neveronce!ItmerelyelevatesPrinceHal'ssperitsinamellowway，thattobaccodoes；makeshimfeelvividan'galaawholelot。
　　"Whichwe'reallgettin'onaspleasantan'oneventfulasalitterofpupsoverontheCaliente，whenonemornin'acrossthedividefromRedRivercomesthisyerepugnaciousperson，Hotspur。Hemakeshisadventr'arin'an'slidin'downthehillsideintoourvalley，promulgatin'insults，an'stampin'forwar。YoucanseeitinHotspur'seye；he'souttoowntheCaliente。
　　"PrinceHaliscurryin'aponywhenthisyereinvadercomescrashin'
　　downthesidesofthedivide。Hiseyesburnred，heevolveshiswarcryinadeepbassvoice，an'goescurvin'outontothelevelofthevalley-bottomtomeettheenemy。Gin'ralJackson，couldn'thavedisplayedmorepromptitood。
　　"Tharain'tmuchactioninoneofthemcattlebattles。First，Hotspuran'PrinceHalstalks'round，pawin'upasodnowan'then，an'sw'arin'agaleofoathstothemse'fs。ItlookslikePrinceHalcouldsaythemostbitterthings，foratlastHotspurleavesoffhispawin'ail'profanityan'b'arsdownonhim。Thetwoputstheirfore'ardstogetheran'goesinforapushin'match。
　　"Butthisdon'tlast。Hotspuristwoyearsolder，an'over-weighsPrinceHalaboutthreehundredpounds。PrinceHalfeelsHotspurout，an'seesthatbythetimethedealgoestotheturn，he'llbeshoreloser。Aplancomesintohismind。PrinceHalsuddenlybacksaway，an'keepsonbackin'ontilhe'scl'aredhimse'ffromhisfoebyeightyfeet。Hotspurstandswatchin'；it'sanewwrinkleinbullfightstohim。HecalltellthatthisyerePrinceHalain'tconquerednone，bothbythevoylentremarkshemakesaswellastheplumbdefiantwayhewearshistail。SoHotspurstandsan'ponderstheplay，guessin'atwhat'slikelytobreakloosenext。
　　"ButtheconductofthisyerePrinceHalgetsmorean'moremysterious。Whenhe'sasafeeightyfeetaway，hejumpsintheair，crackshisheelstogether，hurlsafrightfulcurseatHotspur，an'
　　turnsan'walksoffaheaprapid。Hotspurcan'treadthemsignsatall；an'tobefrank，nomorecanI。PrinceHalneverlooksback；hesurgesstraightahead，climbsthehillontheotherside，an'islostintheoakbushes。
　　"Hotspurwatcheshimoutofsight，getsadrinkintheCaliente，an'
　　thenclimbsthehillsidetowhereI'mcamped，todecideaboutme。Ofcourse，Hotspuran'Iarrivesatatreatyofpeacebythebacon-rindroute，an'thingsag'inquietsdownontheCaliente。
　　"It'snextmornin'aboutfourthdrinktime，an'I'moverhaulin'asaddlean'makin'upsomebeliefsonseveralsubjectsofinterest，whenIobservesHotspur'sfacewearin'aonusualan'highlyhang-dogexpression。An'Ican'tseenocause。Isweepsthescenerywithmyeye，butInotesnothin'。An'yetit'sasevidentasaclubflushthatHotspur'sscaredtoastandstill。Heain'tsayinnothin'，butthat'sbecausehethinkshe'llsavehisbreathtogroanwithwhendyin'。It'safact，son；Icouldn'tseenorhearathing，an'yetthatHotspurbullstandstharfullyaware，somehow，thatthar'sawarrantoutforhim。
　　"AtlastI'mmadepostedofimpendin'events。AcrossthewideCalientecomesafaintbutf'rociouswarsong。Iglanceoverthata-
　　way，an'tharthroughtheoakbreshcomesPrinceHal。An'althoughhe'samileoff，he'sp'intin'straightforthisyereinvader，Hotspur。AtfirstIthinksPrinceHal'salone，an'I'mmarvellin'
　　whateverhereckonshe'sgoin'toa'complishbythisreturn。ButjestthenIgetsaglimmer，fartoPrinceHal'sr'ar，ofthatreedic'lousPistol，themilk-whitesteer。
　　"Ibeholdsitall；Falstaffiscomin'；onlybein'adarkbrownI
　　can'tyetpickhimouto'thebresh。PrinceHalhastravelledovertoLong'sCanyonan'toldthegiantFalstaffhowHotspurjumpsintotheCalientean'putsitalloverhimthata-way。Falstaffislumberin'over——it'sajourneyofmiles——toputthisredundantHotspurbackonhisreservation。PrinceHal，bein'warm，livelyan'
　　plumbzealoustorecoverhisvalley，isnacherallyaquarterofamileaheadofFalstaff。
　　"It'sallersaquestionwithmewhythisyerefoolhardyHotspurdon'tstampedeoutforsafety。Buthedon't；hestandstharlookin'
　　onusuallimp，an'awaitshisfate。PrinceHaldon'trushupan'
　　minglewithHotspur；he'splayin'asysteman'hedon'tdeviatetharfrom。liestandsoffaboutfiftyyards，callin'Hotspurnames，an'waitin'forFalstafftoarrive。
　　"An'thar'saby-playgetspulledoff。ThisranikabooPistol，whocouldn'tfightalittlebit，an'who'scaperin'alongtenrodsintheleadofFalstaff，getsthesuddencrazy-bossnotionthathe'llmeteoutpunishmenttoHotspurhimse'f，an'makeareputationasawar-eaglewithhispardan'patron，Falstaff。Withthat，PistolcurveshistaillikealetterS，and，lowerin'hisknittin'-needlehorns，comesdancin'uptoHotspur。ThebluffofthisyereignoblePistolistoomuch。Hotspurr'arsloosean'chargeshim。ThisegreegiousPistolgetscrumpledup，an'Hotspurgoesoverhimlikeabaggagewagon。TheshockissechthatPistolfallsoverawash-bank；
　　an'afterswappin'endforend，landstwentyfeetbelowwithagroanan'asplashintheCaliente。Pistolisshorelyusedup，an'crawlsoutontheflatgroundbelow，asdisconsolateaheado'cattleasevertemptstheechoeswithhiswails。
　　"ButHotspurhasnospacewhereintosinghisvict'ry。Falstaffdecendsuponhimlikeafallin'tree。Withonerushin'charge，an'anotelikethunder，hesimplydistributesthatHotspurallovertherange。Thar'sonlyoneblow；assoonasHotspurcanrounduphisfragmentsan'nettohishoofs，hegoessailin'downthevalley，hiseyesstickin'outso'shecanseehissins。Ashestarts，PrinceHal，who'sbeenhoppin'abouttherimoftheriot，clapshishornstoHotspur'sflyin'hocksan'keepshimgoin'。Butitain'tneedednone；thatFalstaffactooallyruinsHotspurwiththefirstcharge。
　　"ThatnightFalstaff，withtheporePistoljestabletototter，stayswithus，an'PrinceHalfussesan'bosses''round，sorto'
　　directin'theirentertainment。ThenextafternoonFalstaffgivesadeepbellowortwo，likehe'sextendin''adios'totheentireCalientecanyon，an'thengoespirootin'offforhomeinLong's，withPistol，wholooksan'feelslikealaughin'stock，limpin'athisheels。That'stheend。Fourdayslater，asI'mswingin''roundtherange，IfindsFalstaffan'PistolinLong'sCanyon；PrinceHalisontheCaliente；whileHotspur——an'hisairisbothwisean'sad——
　　istamelywherehebelongsontheUpperRed。An'nowrecallin'howIcomestoplungeintothisyereidyl，Idesirestoaskyou-all，howeverPrinceHalbringsFaistafftothewarsthattime，ifcattlecan'ttalk？"
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　HowWolfvilleMadeaJest。
　　"It'ssoonafterthattimeItellsyouofwhenRainbowSamdiesoff，"andtheOldCattlemanassumedtheairsofaconversationalFroude，"whenthecampturnsinan'hasitslittlejestwiththeSignalServicesharp。Youseeswe'rethatdepressedaboutRainbowcashin'in，weneedcreelaxatinthata-way，sowe-allnacheralenoughdivertsourse'fswiththisSignalpartywhocomesbulgin'upallhandy。
　　"Don'tmakenomistakennotionsaboutWolfvillebein'aidlean'adangerouscamp。Whichonthecontrary，Wolfvilleisshorelythehomeofjestice，an'asquar'mangetsasquar'gameeverytime。Tharain'tno'badmen''roundWolfville，publicsentimentbein'obdurateonthatp'int。Hardpeople，whohasfiledthesightsoffentheirsix-shootersorfanstheirgunsinafight，don'tgettolerated，nonewhatever。
　　"Ofcourse，thar'sgentsinWolfvillewhohasseentroublean'seenitinthesmoke。CherokeeHall，forinstance，soDocPeetsmentionstomeprivate，onetimean'anotherdowns'levenmen。
　　"ButCherokee'sbynacherkindo'warman'nervous，an'bein'he'sbehindafarogame，mostlikelyheseesmoreo'casion；atanyrate，it'scommonknowledgethatwhateverhe'sdoneisright。
　　"Hedon'tbeefthem'leveninWolfville；allIrecallswithus，isthemanfromRedDog，theStingin'Lizard，an'mebbyastrayedMexicanorso。ButeachtimeCherokee'shandisforcedbytheseyereparties，an'he'sexculpatedineverygent'smindwhoismadeawar'
　　tharof。
　　"No；Cherokeedon'trelyallersonhisgunneither。He'sahurryin'
　　knifefighterforagentwithwhomknivesain'tnacher。Eitherway，however，gunorknife，Cherokeeisaheapreliable；an'youcanputdownabetthatwhathemissesinthequadrillehe'llshoremakeupinthewaltzwithallwhoaskshimtoawardance。Butspeakin'ofknives:Cherokeecomesasquickan'straightwithabowieasarattlesnake；an'nothalfthebuzzaboutit。
　　"Butjestthesame，whilethar'sgentsincamplikeCherokee，whohasbeenag'institmore'nonce，an'whowinsan'getsaway，stillWolfviile'sitsquietan'sincereanoutfitasanychristiancouldask。
　　"It'safact；whenShotgunDowlingcapersinan'allowshe'sabouttoabidewithusawholelot，he'snotifiedtohuntanotherholethefirstday。
　　"'Sofarfromyou-alllivin'withus，Shotgun，'saysJackMoore，who'sdepootedtogiveShotgunDowlingtherein；'sofarfromyoubunkin'inyereforgood，weain'tevenaimin'topermityourvisits。Mynotionisthatyoubetterpullyourfreightsomeinstant。
　　Thar'sahalf-formedthoughtinthepublicbosomthatifanybodyseesyourtrailto-morry，allhands'llturninan'arrangeyouforthegrave。'
　　"'Nevermindaboutarrangin'nothin'，'saysShotgun；'Iquitsyouafterthenextdrink；whichlibationItakesalone。'An'Shotgunridesaway。
　　"WhatisthematterwithShotgun？Well，he'soneoftheseyeremurderin'folks，goin'aboutdownin'Mexicansmerelytosee'emkick，an'thatsortofthing，an'allofwhichnose'f-respectin'
　　outfitstands。Hewinsouthisname'Shotgun'themtimeswhenhe'sdep'tymarshaloveratPrescott。
　　"'Youmustbepartic'laran'serveyourwarrantonagentbeforeyoudownshim，'saysthejudge，ashegivesShotgunsomepapers。'Firstserveyourwarrant，an'thenit'slegaltokillhim；butnotwithout!'
　　"SoShotgunDowlingtakesthisyerewarrantan'cramsitdownthemuzzleofashotgunan'hammersheroutflatontopthembuckshot。
　　"'Tharyoube!'saysDowling。'Ireckons'nowthewarrantgetstohimaheadofthelead；whichmakesitonthelevel。'
　　"TharuponShotguncantersoutan'bustshisgent——warrant，leadan'
　　all——an'thatgiveshimthenameof'Shotgun'Dowling。
　　"Butatthetimehecomesriotin'alongintoWolfville，allowin'
　　he'llresidesome，he'sregyardedhard；havin'beenwolfin''round，copperin'Mexicansan'friskin'aboutgeneral；so，nacheral，wewarnshimoutasaforesaid。WhichI，tharfore，ag'inremarks，thatWolfvilleisamightyproperan'peacefulplace，an'itswitticismwiththisyereSignalServicepartyneedn'tbeinferredag'instit。
　　"Thisyeregenthasbeengoin'aboutcasooal，an'hisairisaheaphigh-flown。He'sbeenpesterin'an'irritatin'aboutthepost-officeformightylikeanhour，whenallatoncehecrossesovertotheRedLightan'squar'suptothebar。Hedon'tinvitenoneofustolicker——jesthimse'f；whichonp'litenessisshorereceivedinvidious。
　　"'Gimmeacocktail，'saysthisSignalpersontothebarkeep。
　　"Astheyain'tmixin'nodrinksattheRedLightformanorbeast，noryetatHamilton'shurdy-gurdy，thissportinyooniformdon'tgetnococktail。
　　"'Can'tmixnodrinks，'saysBlackJack。
　　"'Can'tmixnococktail？'saystheSignalsharp。'Why!whatabandofprairiedogsthisyerehamletis!What'sthematterwithyou-allthatyoucan'tmixnococktails？Don'tyousaveyenough？'
　　"'Dowe-allsaveyenough？'saysBlackJack，somefacetiousthata-
　　way。'Stranger，wesimplysufferswithwhatwesaveys。Butthar'salawag'incocktailsan'allmixin'ofdrinks。Yousees，aMexicanfemaleoverinTucsonisonedaymixin'drinksforagentshe'sa-
　　harborin'ideesag'in，an'sheringsinthelocoontohim，an'hegoesplumbcrazy。ThentheLegislatoorearousesitse'ftoitsperil，thata-way，an'upsanmakesalawabatin'ofmixeddrinks。Thisyerebein'gospeltrooth，you'llhavetodrinkstraightwhiskey；an'
　　youmightaswelldrinkitoutenatincup，too。'
　　"Ashesaysthis，BlackJacksetsupabottlean'atincup，an'
　　thenforablazerslamsasix-shooteronthebaratthesametime。
　　Lookin'someblootharat，theSignalsharptakesagulportwoofstraightnose-paint，cavilin'hotatthetincup，an'don'tmentionnothin'moreofcocktails。
　　"'Whateveristhedamageanyhow？'hesaystoBlackJack，soonashe'squitgaggin'overthewhiskey，thesametastin'rawan'vicioustohim，an'himwithhislady-likethroatframedreadyforcocktails。'What'sthartopay？'
　　"'Narycontouse，'saysBlackJack，moppin'ofthebarcomplacent。
　　'Notasoomarkee。Thatdrink'sonthehouse，stranger。'
　　"WhenthisSignalsharpgoesout，Enrightsayshe'sgotporemanners，an'hemarvelssomehe'sstillwalkin'theearth。
　　"'However，'saysEnright，'Is'posehislivin'solongarisesmainlyfromstayin'East，wheretheydon'tmakenop'intonbein'p'lite，an'runsthingslooser。'
　　"'Whatever'sthematterofchasin'thisinsultin'tenderfoot'roundalot，'asksTexasThompson，'an'havin'amoosementwithhim？Tharain'tnothin'doin'，an'weoughternotbegretchahalf-day'swork，puttin'knowledgeintothisparty。Ifsomethin'ain'tdoneforthwithtoinformhismindastothemsocialdootieswhilehestaysinArizona，youcangamblehewon'tlasttogoEastnomore。'
　　"AswhatTexasThompsonsayshasweight，tharbeginstogrowagen'raldesiretoenlightenthisyeresport。AsTexassu'geststheidee，itfollowsthathegoesfor'ardtobeginitsexecootion。
　　"'Butbediscreet，Texas，'saysEnrialit，'an'don'tforcenoshowdownwiththisSignalgent。Attainin'wisdomisonething，an'
　　bein'killedthata-way，isplumbdifferent；an'whileIseesnoobjectiontoswellin'thegeneralfundofthisyoungperson'sknowledge，Idon'tpurposethatyou-all'sgoin'toconfernodiplomas，an'graduatehimintothechoirabovenonewithagun，atonean'thesametime。'
　　"'Nonewhatever，'saysTexasThompson；'wemerelytoyswiththistenderfootan'neversomuchasbreakshiscrust，orbringsadropofblood，theslightestmorsel。He'stakin'lifetoolightly；an'
　　allwep'intsouttodo，issoberhiman'teachhimathoughtfuldeecorum。'
　　"TexasThompsongoesa-weavin'upthestreetsoastocrossthetrailofthisSignalparty，who'sheadeddown。Astheypasses，Texasturnsasf'rociousasfortytimberwolves，an'clapshishandontheshoulderoftheSignalparty。
　　"'How'sthisyere？'saysTexas，shakin'backhislongha'r。An'heshorelylookshardened，thata-way。
　　"'How'swhat？'saystheSignalman，who'sastonishedtodeath。
　　"'Yousaveysmightywell，'saysTexas。'Youfailstobowtome，aimin'toinsultan'putitallovermeinthepresenceofthisyeremultitood。Thinkofit，gents!'goesonTexas，beginnin'tofroth，an'a-raisin'ofhisvoicetoawhoop；'thinkofit，an'methewar-
　　chiefofthePanhandle，withforty-twoskelpsonmybridle，tobeinsultedan'disdainedbyafeebleshorthornlikethis。ItshoremakesmewonderbeIalive!
　　"'Stranger，'goesonTexas，turnin'totheSignalparty，an'hishanddropsonhisgun，an'hebreathesloudlikeabuffalo；'nothin'
　　butbloodisgoin'todomenow。IfIwastrootomyse'fatthismoment，I'dtakeaknifean'shorelysplityoulikeamackerel。ButIrestrainsmyse'f；alsoIdon'tnoticenoweeponontoyou。Gotharfore，an'heelyourse'f，forbynextdrinktimetheavenger'llbehuntin'onyourtrail。Igivesyouhalfanhourtolive。Notonyouraccount，'causeitain'tcomin'toyou；butmerelynottoketchnoangelsofftheirgyard，an'toallow'emachancetoorganizeforyourreception。Besides，Idon'taimtospringnocorpsesonthiscamp。Pendin'hostil'ties，Ishallrestmyse'fintheRedLight，permittin'youtheadvantagesofthedancehall，whereHamilton'lllendyoupen，ink，paper，an'montetable，wharbytoconcoctyourlastwill。Stranger，adios!'
　　"BythetimeTexasgetsoffthistalkan'startsfortheRedLight，theSignalsportislookin'somesallowan'perturbed。He'sshorelyalarmed。
　　"'Seeyere，pard，'saysDanBoggs，breakin'looseallatonce，likehe'ssohonesthecan'trestrainhimse'f，an'jestasTexasheadsoutfortheRedLight；'you'reaheaponknowntome，butItakesachancean'standsyourfriend。Nowyere'swhatyoudo。Youstiffenyourse'fupwithaColt's'44，an'layforthisTexasThompson。He'sarustleran'ahoss-thief，an'amurdererwho，ashesays，hasplantedforty-two，notcountin'Injuns，Mexicansan'mavericks。Heoughterbemassacred；an'asit'scomeyourway，whypranceinan'
　　spillhisblood。Thiscamp'lljustifyan'applaudtheplay。
　　"'ButIcan'tfightnone，'saystheSignalparty。'It'sag'intheroolesan'reg'lationsofthearmy。'
　　"'WhichIdon'tseenonehowyou'regoin'torenig，'saysDaveTutt。
　　'Thisdebaucheeisdootoshootyouonsight。Themarmyroolesshortlyshouldpermitagenttoscoutofftoonesidethestricttrailalittle；partic'larwhenit'scomedowntosavin'hisownskelp。'
　　"Onewayan'another，Tuttan'Boggsmakesitcl'araspainttotheSignalpartythatthar'sonlytwochancesleftinthebox；eitherhedownsTexasorTexasgetshim。TheSignalpartysaysit'swhathecallsa'dreadalternatif。'
　　"'WhichwhenIthinksofthegorethisyeremurderousThompsonalreadydabblesin，'saysBoggstotheSignalparty，'Iendorsesthemexpressions。However，youputyourse'finthehandsofmean'
　　Dave，an'wedoesourbest。Ifyoulivesthroughit，thedrinksisonyou；an'ifTexasbeefsyou——which，whiledeplorable，isnoneremoteconsiderin'thisyereTexasisareg'larengineofdestruction——weseesthatyourremaindergoesbacktotheStatessuccessful。'
　　"TheSignalpartysayshe'sthankfulhe'sfoundfriends，an'
　　tharuponthey-alllinesoutforthedancehall，wheretheygetsdrinks，an'theSignalman，who'ssomepallidbynow，figgershe'llwritethemlettersan'sorto'straightenuphischipsfortheworst。Boggsobservesthatit'sagoodmove，an'thatTuttan'he'lltakeano'casionaldrinkan'rideherdonhisinterestswhilehedoes。
　　"Tuttan'Boggshavegottheirbrandsontomebbytwodrinks，whenovercomesDocPeets，lookin'deadlydignifiedan'severe，an'says:
　　"'Who-allrepresentsyereforthisgentwho'soutforthebloodofmyfriend，TexasThompson？'
　　"'Talktomean'Tutt，'saysBoggs；'an'cuthershort，'causeit'stheopinionofourgentthisrancorousThompsoninfeststheearthtoolong，an'he'shungerin'tobeginhisbutchery。'
　　"'Whichthar'senoughsaid，'saysPeets；'ImerelyappearstonotifyyouthatinfiveminutesIparadesmygentinfrontofthepost-
　　office，an'theatrocitiescanproceed。Theyfightswithsix-
　　shooters；nowwhat'sthedistance？'
　　"'Makeitacrossablanket，'saysTutt。
　　"'An'foldtheblanket，'breaksinBoggs。
　　"'Youcan'tmakeittooclostformygent，'saysPeets。'AsIstartstothisyereconference，hesays:"Doc，makehersix-shootersan'
　　overahandkerchief。Ithirststoshovetheironplumbag'insttheheartthatinsultsme，asIonhooksmyweepon。"'
　　"Ofcourse，thepoorSignalparty，tryin'towriteoverbyamontetable，an'spillin'inkalloverhimse'f，listenstothemremarks，an'itmakeshimfeelpartic'larpensif。
　　"'Infiveminutes，then，'saysPeets，'you-allorganizeyourgentan'comea-runnin'。ImustcanterovertoseehowTexasisholdin'
　　himse'f。He'sthatfretfulaminuteback，he'st'arin'hunksoutenawhite-ashtablewithhisteethlikeit'sginger-cake，an'moanin'
　　forblood。OldMonte'slookin'afterhim，butIbettergetback。
　　Whichhemightinhisfrenzy，thata-way，comescatterin'looseanymoment，an'gor'arin'aboutan'killin'yourgentwithoutorders。
　　Sechaplaywouldbeonelegantan'nodelicacytoit；an'Inowreturnstogyardag'init。'
　　"AssoonasPeetsisstartedfortheRedLight，Tuttag'inturnstotheSignalparty，who'ssettin'tharlookin'he'plessan'worried，likehe'saprairiedogwho'scomebackfromvisitin'someotherdog，an'findsarattlesnake'sdonepitchedcampinthemouthofhishole。
　　"'Nowthen，stranger，'saysTutt，'ifyou-allhasa'complishedthatclericalwork，mean'Danwillleadyoutoyourmeat。Whenyougetstoshootin'，aimlowan'beshorean'seeyourvictimeverytimeyoucutsherloose。'
　　"TheSignalpartytakesitplumbgrayan'haggard，butnotseein'nootherway，hegetsup，an'afterstampin'aboutatriflenervous，allows，sinceit'sthebesthecando，he'sready。
　　"'Whichitisspokelikeaman，'saysBoggs。'Socomealong，an'
　　we'llhuntoutthisannihilatorfromLaredoan'makehimthinkhe'sbeencaughtinacloudburst。'
　　"OldMontehasspreadadoubledblanketinfrontofthepost-office；
　　an'asTuttan'BoggsstartswiththeirSignalparty，thar'sayelllikefortyApachespoursforthfromacrossthestreet。
　　"'That'sThompson'swaryelp，'saysBoggs，explainin'ofthemclamorstotheSignalparty。'Whichitwouldseemfromthefervorheputsintoit，he'sshorelyallkeyedup。'
　　"AsDocPeetscomesouta-leadin'ofTexas，it'snoticedthatTexashasgotatincup。
　　"'Whatever'syourgenta-packin'ofthatyootensilfor？'demandsTutt，mightytruculent。'Isthisyeretobeacombatwithdippers？'
　　"'Oh，no!'saysPeets，likehe'stryin'toexcusesomethin'，'butheinsistsonfetchin'itsohard，thatatlasttosoothehimIgivesmyconsent。'
　　"'Well，wechallengesthedipper，'saysTutt。'You-allwillfightonthesquar'，orweremovesourgent。'
　　"'Don't，don't!'shoutsTexas，likehe'sagitatcdnolimit；'don'ttakehimoutenmysightnomore。Ionlyfetchesthecuptodrinkhisblood；butit'sasmalldetail，whichIshorerelinquishesbeforeeverIallowsmyheaven-sentpreytheleastloopholetoescape。'
　　"WhenPeetsgoesupan'takesTexas'scup，thetwodebatestogetherinawhisper，Texaslettin'onhe'smightyhotan'furious。AtlastPeetssaystohim:
　　"'WhichItellsyousechaproposalisirreg'lar；butsinceyouinsists，ofcourseInamesit。Mygentyere，'goesonPeetstoBoggsan'Tutt，'wantstoagreethatthesurvivor'stobeallowedtoskelphisdepartedfoe。Doesthebluffgo？'
　　"'It'swhatourgent'sbeenurgin'fromthejump，'saysBoggs；'an'
　　tharforeweconsentswithglee。Roundupthatoutlawofyoursnow，an'let'sgettoshootin'。'
　　"Idon'treckonIeverseesanybodywhoseemsasfatiguedasthatSignalpersonwhenBoggsan'Tuttstartstoleadhimuptotheblanket。Hisfacelookslikeacancelledpostage-stamp。Whilethey'restandin'uptheirfolks，Texasgoesragin'looseag'inbecauseit'safightoverablanketan'notahandkerchief，ashedemands。
　　"'What'sthemeanin'ofacoldan'formalracketsechasthis？'hehowls，turnin'toPeets。'Iwantstogoclosttomywork；Iwantstocrowdinwhereit'swarm。'
　　"'Iproposesahandkerchief，'saysPeets；'butTuttobjectsonthegroundsthathisman'sgotheartpalp'tationsorsomethin'。'
　　"'You'realiar，'yellsTutt；'ourgent'sheart'sassolidasasodhouse。'
　　"'WhatdoIhear？'shoutsPeets。'Youcallsmealiar？'
　　"AtthisTuttan'Peetslugsouttheirgunsan'blazesawayateachothersixtimesliketherollofadrum——Texasallthetimeyellin'
　　foraweepon，an'cavortin'aboutinthesmokethatdemoniache'dscareme，onlyIknowsit'syoomerous。OfcoursePeetsan'Tuttmisseseveryshot，andatthewindup，afterglarin'ateachotherthroughtheclouds，PeetssaystoTutt:
　　"'Thisyereismerepetulance。Let'sproceedwithourdooties。AssoonasTexashaskilledan'skelpedthehold-upyourepresents，I'llshootitoutwithyou，ifittakestheautumn。'
　　"'That'sgoodenoughforadog，'saysTutt，stickin'hisgunbackinthescabbard；'an'nowweproceedswiththeorig'nalbaite。'
　　"Buttheydon'tproceednone。AsTuttturnstohisSignalsharp，who'sallbutlocoedbytheshootin'，an'hastobedetainedbyBoggsfromrunnin'away，JackMoorecomeschargin'uponhisponyan'throwsagunonthewholeoutfit。
　　"'Handsupyere!'hesays，sharpan'brief；'orIprovidesthecoyoteswithmeatforamonthtocome。'
　　"Everybody'shandsgoesup；an'it'splainMoore'scomin'ain'tnodisapp'intmenttotheSignalperson。He'sthatrelievedheshowsit。
　　"'Don'tlooksotickled，'growlsBoggstohim，asMooreheadstheround-upfortheNewYorkStore；'don'tlooksolightaboutit；youmortifiesme。'
　　"MooretakesthebandovertotheNewYorkStore，whereEnright'ssettin'asajedge。Heallowshe'sgoin'toput'emallontrialfordisturbin'ofWolfville'speace。TheSignalsharpstartstosaysomethin'，whenPeetsinterrupts，an'thatbringsBoggstothefront，an'afterthatagen'raluproarbreakslooselikeastampede。
　　"'Gimmeaknife，somebody，'howlsTexas，'an'letmegetinonthisasIshould。AmItoberobbedofmyrevengelikethis？'
　　"ButEnrightjumpsforaoldSpencerseven-shooter，an'announcesitcold，he'souttodownthefirstgentthattalksbacktohimasecondtime。Thisca'ms'em，an'theriotsorto'simmers。
　　"'NotthatIobjectstoastreetfight，'saysEnright，discussin'ofthecase；'butyou-alltalkstoomuch。Fromthejabberaswasgoin'
　　for'ardoverthatblanketoutthar，itshorelyremindsmemoreofapasselofoldladiesataquiltin'bee，thanaconvocationofdiscreetan'se'f-respectin'gentswho'spullin'offadooel。Tocuthershort，thepublicdon'ttoleratenosechrackets，an'yere-uponIputsTexasThompsonan'thisSignalpartyonderfifty-thousand-
　　dollarbondstokeepthepeace。'
　　"Texasissetloose，withPeetsan'CherokeeHallonhispapers；buttheSignalsharp，bein'strangeincamp，can'tputupnobonds。
　　"'Whlchasthar'snocalaboosetoputyouinto，'saysEnright，whenhe'stoldbytheSignalpartythathecan'tmakenobonds；'an'asit'splumbag'intheconstitootionofArizonatoletyougo，Ishoreseesnotrailoutbuthangin'。Iregretsthemsternnecessitieswhichfeedsaporeyoungmantothehalter，butyouseesyourse'ftheUnionmustan'shallbepreserved。Jack，goovertomyponyan'
　　fetchtherope。It'sanewhalf-inchmanilla，butIcheerfullypartswithitinthecauseofjestice。'
　　"WhenMooregetsbackwiththerope，an'everybody'slookin'
　　serious，thata-way，itshakestheSignalpartytosechadegreethathecampsdownonashoe-boxan'allowsheneedsadrink。Boggssayshe'llgoafterit，whenTuttbreaksinan'announcesthathe'sgotablufftohandup。
　　"'IfI'mdeadcertain，'saysTutt，surveyin'oftheSignalpartyaheapdoubtful；'ifIwasshorenowthatthisgentwouldn'tleavethereservationnone，I'dgothatbondmyse'f。ButI'minnosechfixfinancialasmakesitrightformetogetputintheholeforfiftythousanddollarsbynostranger，howeverintimatewebe。Butyere'swhatI'mwillin'todo:Ifthissharpwearshobblessohecan'tupan'canteroff，why，ratherthanseeayounggent'sneckafootlonger，Igoesthisbailmyse'f。'
　　"TheSignalpartyiseagerforhobbles，an'hegivesTutthiswordtosignupthedocumentsan'hewontrunalittlebit。
　　"'Whichthesamebein'nowsettled，congenialan'legal，'saysEnright，whenTuttsignsup；'JackMoorehe'psthegentonwiththemhobbles，an'thecourtstandsadjournedtillfurtherorders。'
　　"Afterhe'sallhobbledan'safe，Tuttan'theSignalpartystartsoverforthepost-office，bothprogressin'someslowan'reluctantbecauseoftheSignalparty'shobblesholdin'himdowntoashuffle。
　　Astheytoilsalong，Tuttsays:
　　"'An'nowthatthisyereaffairendssosuccessful，I'dshoreadmiretoknowwhateveryouan'thatcut-throattakestochewin'ofeachother'smanesfor，anyway？Whydidyourefoosetobow？'
　　"'WhichIneverrefoosesonce，'saystheSignalparty；'IsalootesthisTexasgentwithpleasure，ifthat'swhatheneeds。'
　　"'Inthatcase，'saysTutt，'youmakeyourse'fcomfortableleanin'
　　ag'inthisbuildin'，an'I'llprojectoveran'seeifthisembrogliocan'tbereeconciledalot。Mootualapol'giesan'whiskey，lookslike，oughttoreepairthemdissensionseasy。'
　　"SotheSignalpartyleansupag'inthefrontofthepost-officean'
　　surveyshishobblesmightymelancholy，whileTuttgoesovertotheRedLighttolookupTexasThompson。Itain'tnotimewhenhe'sheadedbackwithTexasan'thebalanceoftheband。
　　"'Giveusyourhand，pard，'saysTexas，aheapeffoosive，ashecomesuptotheSignalparty；'Ilearnsfromourcommonfriend，DaveTutt，thatthisyere'samistake，an'Itharforeforgivesyoufreelyallthetroubleyoucauses。It'sovernowan'plumbforgot。You'readeadgamesport，an'Ishakesyourhandwithpride。'
　　"'Sameyere，'saysDocPeets，alsoshakin'oftheSignalparty'shand，whichissorto'limpan'cheerless。
　　"However，weripsoffhishobbles，an'thentheoutfitsteersovertotheRedLighttoberegaledafterallourhardwork。
　　"'Yere'shopin'luckan'longacquaintance，stranger，'saysTexas，holdin'uphisglasstotheSignalparty，whoislikewisep'lite，butfeeble。
　　"'Whichthejoyousoutcomeofthistangleshows，'saysDanBoggs，ashehammershisglassonthebaran'shoutsforanotherall'round，'thatyou-allcan'thavetoomuchtalkswappin'，whentheobjectsofthemeetin'istoavertblood。Howmuchbetterwefeels，standin'
　　yeredrinkin'ournose-paintallcoolan'comfortable，an'
　　congrat'latin'thetwobravesportswho'swithus，thanifwehasacorpsesawedontousonexpected，an'isdriventogograve-diggin'
　　insechsun-blistered，sizzlin'weatherasthis。'
　　"'That'swhatever，'saysDaveTutt；'an'Ifillsmycupinapproval，youcangamble，ofthemobservations。'"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Death；andtheDonnaAnna。
　　"Locoweed？DoIsaveyloco？"TheOldCattleman'sfaceofferedfullhintofhisamazementasherepeatedintheidiomofhisdayandkindthesubstanceofmyinterrogatory。
　　"Why，son，"hecontinued，"everylonghornwho'severcinchedaColoradosaddle，orropedasteer，isplumbawareoflocoweed。LocoisMexicanoformad——crazy。An'cattleormulesorponiesoranythin'else，thatmakesarepastoflocoweed——whichasarooletheydon't，bein'postedinstinctifthatlocothata-wayisnobueno——goescrazy；whatwe-allintheSouthwestcalls'locoed。'
　　"Whateverdoesthisyereplantresemble？Iain'tnosharponloco，butthebrandIencountersisgreen，bunchy，stiff，an'standstallerthanthegrassaboutit。An'itain'tallerstharwhenlookedfor，locoain't。It'soneoftheseyeremigratoryweeds；you'llseeitgrowin'abouttherangemebbyoneortwoseasons，an'thenitsorto'pullsitsfreight。Tharwontcomenomorelocoforyears。
　　"Mostly，asIobservesprior，anamilesdisdainsloco，an'passesitupasbadmedicine。They'reorganizedwithanotionag'instit，sameasag'instrattlesnakesAn'asforthemlatterreptiles，youcantakeapreacher'shoss，foaledinthelapofcivilization，whoain'tseennothin'morebroadenin'thanthereg'larchurchservice，withnowan'thenarevival，an'yethe'sbornknowin'somuchaboutrattlesnakesinalltheirhein'ousness，thathe'llhunchhisbackan'gosoarin''wayupyonderatthefirstZizzz-z-z-z。
　　"DocPeetsinformsmeoncewhenwecrossesupwithsomelocoweedoverbytheCowSprings，thatthar'stwoorthreebreedsofthismalignantvegetable。Hewritesdownformethescientificnameofthesortwegetsag'inst。Tharsheis。"
　　AndmyfriendproducedfromsomerecessofagiganticpocketbookacardwhereonthelearnedPeetshadwrittenoxytropisLamberti。
　　"That'swhatPeetssayslocois，"heresumed，asIhandedbackthecard。"Ofcourse，Idon'tgosurgin'offpronouncin'nosechwords；
　　shorelynotinmixedcompany。Somegentmighttakeitpersonalan'
　　resentit。ButIlikestopack'emabout，an'search'emoutnowan'
　　then，jesttogazeonan'thinkwhatadeadcoldscientistDocPeetsis。He'sshorelythehighkyard；tharneveristhatdrug-sharpinthecowcountryinmydaywho'sfittopayforPeets'whiskey。
　　Scientifican'eddicatedtoafeatheraige，Peetsis。"You-alloughterheardhimlayforoneofthemcliff-climbin'，bone-huntin'
　　stonec'llectorswhocomesoutfromWashin'tonfortheGov'ment。OneoftheseyeredeeppeoplestrikesWolfvilleononeofthemrock-