"'Whenhegoestopay，agentwho'sstandin'nearshovesbackhisdust，an'says:"ThisisJackRainey'sweek——it'sthegreatannyooalfestivalofJackRainey，an'yourmoney'snogood。"
　　"'"ButIaimstodrinksomemorepocotiempo，"saysthisCaribouSam，whoisnewtoLido，an'neveryethearsofJackRaineyan'hislittlegame，"an'beforeIpermitsagenttosubsidizemythirst，an'gostackin'informybaseappetites，youcangambleIwanttomeethiman'makehisacquaintance。WhereisthisyeresportJackRainey，an'whateverishedoin'thison？"
　　"'ThepartywhoshovesCaribou'sdinerooffthebar，tellshimhecan'tpay，an'explainstheplay，an'exhortshimtodrinkfreean'
　　frequentan'keephischipsinhiswar-bags。
　　"'"AsItellsyou，"saysthispartytoCaribou，"myfriendJackRaineyhastreedthecamp，an'nomoneygoesyerebuthistillhisfurthercommandsisknown。Fillyourhide，butdon'tflourishnofunds，orgoenlargin'onanyweaknessyouhasforbuyin'yourownlicker。Asforseein'JackRainey，it'splumbimpossible。He'sgottoofulltovisitfolksorbevisitedby'em；buthe'supsta'rsonsomeblankets，an'ifhisreasonisrestoredbytomorry，yousendsupyourkyardan'payshimyourregyards——pendin'ofwhichsocialfunction，takeanotherdrink。Barkeep，pumpanotherdoseintothisstranger，an'chargethesametoJack。"
　　"'"Thisyeresoundsgood，"saysCaribouSam，"butitdon'twinoverme。OntilIseesthispersonRainey，Ishallshorelydeclineallbottleswhichispresentedinhisname。I'vehadaclosecallaboutabroncoIstoleto-day，an'whenthejurymakesaverdictthatthey'resorrytosaytheevidenceain'tenoughtoconvict，thejedgewarnsmetobeaheapcarefulofthecompanyImaintains。Heexhortsmetolivedownmypast，orfailin'whichhe'llhangmeyet。Withthisblufffromthebenchringin'inmyyears，Ishallrefoosedrinkswithallonknownsots，ontilIseesformyse'fthey'spropercharactersformetobesociablewith。Tharfore，barkeep，Irenoomydeterminationtopayforthemdrinks；atthesametune，Iordersanotherround。Doyouturnformeorno？""'"Notnoneyoudon't，"
　　saysthefriendofJackRainey。"Youcandrink，butyoucan'tpay——
　　leastwise，you-allcan'tpaywithoutgettin'allsorto'actiononyourmoney。ThisRaineyyou'reworriedaboutisasgoodagentasme，an'notatalllikelytoshakethestandin'ofacommonhoss-
　　thiefbymerelybuyin'hisnose-paint。"
　　"'"Mineisshorelyadifficultp'sition，"saysCaribouSam。"Whatyouimpartsisscarceencouragin。'IfthisyereRaineyain'tnoimprovementontoyou，Iabsolootelyweakensonhiman'turnsasidefromallrelationsofhisproposin'。I'minmightybadreportasthegamestands，an'Itharforeinsistsag'inonpayin'formyownwarmedicine，asbein'amovenecessarytoprotectmyattitoodesbeforethepublic。"
　　Withthescyereobservations，CaribouSammakesabluffatthebarkeepwithahandfulofmoney。Inremonstratin'，JackRainey'spardnacherallypullsagun，aslikewisedoesCaribouSam。Thar'sthecustomaryquantityofshootin'，an'whileneitherCaribounorhisfoegetsdrilled，abulletgoesthroughtheceilin'an'sorto'
　　sa'ntersinacareless，indifferentwayintoporeJackRainey，wherehe'sbeddeddownan'snorin'upabove。
　　"'Shore，he'sdead，Raineyis，'concloodesDave，'an'hisontimelytakin'offmakesLidoquitloserforthreedaysoflickerfreeasair。He'sasplendid，gen'roussoul，JackRaineyis；an'asIsaysatthebeginnin'，hefallsasacrificetohisloveforothers，an'
　　intryin'athisownexpensetopromotethehappinessan'liftthemburdensofhisfellow-men。'
　　"'Thisyeremiscreant，Caribou，'saysTexasThompson，'isamightysighttoopunctiliousaboutthemdrinks；whichthar'snodoubtofit。Dotheylynchhim？'
　　"'No，'saysTutt；'fromthecalibreofthegunwhichfirestheleadthatsnatchesRaineyfromus，itiscl'arthatit'sthegentwho'scontendin'withCaribouwhodoesit，Stillpublicopinionissomesouroverlosin'themthreedays，an'soCaribougoeslopin'outofLidosurreptitiousthatsameevenin'，an'don'twaitnoneonRainey'sobsequies。CariboumerelysendsregretsbythebarkeepoftheSunflower，reiteratestherighttopayforthemdrink，an'Lidoseeshimnomore。'"
　　CHAPTERXV。
　　TheDefianceofGeneWatkins。
　　"BeIreligiousthata-way？"Moretoembarkhimonsomecurrentofconversationthanfromanygnawingeagernesstodiscoverhiscreed，IhadaimedthequestionatmyOldCattleman。
　　"No，"hecontinued，decliningaprofferedcigar，"I'llsmokemyoldpipeto-night。BeIreligious？saysyou。Well，Iain'tshorelylivin'inwhatyou'dcall'grace，'stillIhasmybeliefs。BackinTennesseemyfolksisMethodis'，heldtosprinklin'an'sech；
　　however，formyse'f，Ineverbanksnoneonthemtechnicalities。It'sdeedsthatcountswithOmnipotence，sameaswithavig'lancecommittee；an'，whetheragentissprinkledordippedorisasaversetowaterasHugginsorOldMonte，won'tsettlewhetherhewinsoutaharporahotpitchforkintheeternalbeyond。
　　"No，Iain'tabelieverinthatenthoosiasticsensethatfightsitswaytothemourner'sbenchan'manifestsitse'fwithgroansthatdauntshoot-owlsintosilence。Thardon'tappearmanypreachersoutWestinmyday。Nowan'thenoneoftheseyeredivines，who'sgotstrayedordriftedfromhisproperrange，comesbuttin'hiswayintoWolfvillean'putsusupasermon，oratalkee-talkee。Insecheventsweallerslistensrespcetful，an'whenthecontreebutionboxshowsdown，westakes'emontheirwindin'way；butit'sallasmuchforthenameofthecampasanybeliefinthemministrationsdoin'
　　localgood。Shore!theseyeresky-scoutsisallrightatthat。ButWolfville'sahard，practicaloutfit，whatyoumightcallaheapobdurate，an'it'sgoin'totakemorethanthemfitfulan'
　　o'casionalsermonsIalloodesto，ahourlongan'more'nthreemonthsapartonaav'rage，toreachtherootsofitssoul。WhenI
　　looksbackonPeetsan'Enright，an'Boggsan'Tutt，an'TexasThompsonan'Moore，an'Cherokee，tosaynothin'ofColonelSterett，an'recallstheirnacheralobstinacy，an'thecheerfulconceitwherewiththeyadherestotheirsystemsofexistence，Irealizesthatthemordinary，every-daypulpitutterancesofthesortthatsavesan'satisfiestheEast，wouldhaveaboutasmuchser'ouseffectonthemcimmaronpardsofmineasthrowin'wateronadrownedrat。Whichtheylivesirreg'lar，an'they'redootodieirreg'lar，an'iftheycan'tbeadmittedtothepromisedlandirreg'lar，they'reshoredestinedtopitchcampoutside。An'inasmuchasI
　　onderstandsthemaforetimecomradesofmine，an'saveysan'esteemstheirways，why，IreckonsI'llstringmygamewiththeirsawholelot，an'getinorgetbarredwithWolfville。
　　"No；I'venonotionatallag'instagospelspreader。WhenShortCreekDavegetsreligionoverinTucson，an'descendsonusasaexhorter，althoughIonlyknowsShortCreekthartoforeasthecoldestpokersharpthatevercatchesagentMuffin'ona4-flush，I
　　hesitatesnot，butencouragesan'capshisgame。ButIcan'tsaythatthesightofapreacher-gentaffordsmepeace。Apreacherfretsme；notforhimse'fexactly，butyouneverseespreacherswithoutseein'p'licefolks——preachersan'p'licegohandinhand，likeprairiedogsan'rattlesnakes——an'bornasIbeinTennessee，wherewehasourfeudsan'wherelawisainterferencean'neveraprotection，I'mnacherallyloathin'constablescomplete。
　　"ButifIain'treligious，"herambledonwhilehepuffedathisBullDurhamvigorously。"youcanreskasmallstackthatneitherI
　　ain'tsooperstitious。TakeBoggsan'Cherokee，you-allrecallshowlongagoItellsyouhowsooperstitiousthemtwois。Speakin'ofBoggs，who'sasgoodagentan'astrooafriendasevertouchesyourglass；he'ssooperstitiousfromhiswrought-steelspurstohisbullionhatband。Boggshasmoresignsan'omensthansomefolkshasmoney；everythingisatiporahunchtoBoggs；an'helivessurroundedbyinflooences。
　　"Thar'sapeakedoldsportnamedRyderpervadesWolfvilleforawhile。He'ssurlyan'gnurllyan'omeny，Ryderis；an'hasoneofthemawfullookin'faceswherethefeachersisallc'llectedinthemiddleofhisvisage，an'buncheduplikethey'safraidofInjunsorsomethin'elsethatthreatenin'an'hostile——themsortofcountenancesyounotescarvedonthefarendsoffiddles。We-allisaversetoRyder。An'thisyereRyderhimsc'fisthatcontentiousan'
　　contradictoryhewon'tagreetonothin'。JesttoshowyouaboutRyder:Ihasinmindoncewhenapasselofusislookin'atapaperthat'scomefloatin'infromtheStates。Thar'sthepictureofacow-puncherintoitwho'sadeadringerforDaveTutt。Fromy'earstohocksthatpictureisTutt；an'tharwe-allbeadmirin'thelikenessan'takin'ourlickerconjunctive。Whilethusspec'latin'
　　onthenresemblances，thisyeresouroldmaverick，Ryder，showsupatthebarfornourishment。
　　"'Don'ttellRyderabouthowthisyeredeelineationlookslikeTutt，'SaysDocPeets；'I'llsawitoffonhimrawforhisviews，andaskhimwhateverdoeshethinkhimse'f。
　　"'Seeyere，Ryder，'saysPeets，shovin'thepaperondertheoldt'rant'ler'snoseashesetsdownhisglass，'whoeverdoesthispictureputyouinmindof？Doesitlooklikeanysportyouknows？'
　　"'No，'saysRyder，takin'thepaperan'puttin'onhisspecks，an'
　　atthesametimeasthanklessafterhisnose-paintasifhe'dbeenrefoosedthebeverage；'no，itdon'tputmeinmindofnothin'nornobody。Onethingshore，an'you-allhold-upscanropeontothatforafact，itdon'tremindmenoneofDaveTutt。'
　　"WhichBoggs，who，asIsays，isallersherdin'ghosts，issooperstitiousaboutoldRyder。That'sstraight；Boggswon'tputdownabetwhilethisRyderperson'sinsight。I'vebeheldBoggs，jestashe'sgothischipsplaced，lookupan'c'llectaglimpseofthemfiddle-feachersofRyder。
　　"'Whoop!'saysBoggstoCherokee，whowouldbebehindthebox，an'
　　spreadin'hishandsinreemonstrance；'nothin'goes!'An'thenBoggswouldglareatthisRyderpartyontilhe'dfadefromtheroom。
　　"He'stimidofBoggs，too，thisyereRyderis；an'asmuchaseverit'sthishorrorofBoggswhichprevailsonhimtoshifthisblanketstoRedDog——thesamebein'alow-downplazainhabitedbydrunkardsan'Mexicans，inproportionsaboutaevenbreakofeach，an'whichassoomesinitsdeliriumtreecnorswaytobearivalofWolfville。
　　"'WhichI'mapublicbenefactor，'saysBoggs，whenhe'sinformedthathe'sdonefrozethisRyderoutofcamp，'an'ifyousportsa'preciatesmeatmytroovalyoo，you-allwouldproffermesomesechmementoinebbyasasilvertea-set。Memakin'thisRydervamosisthegreatestpublicimprovementWolfville'sexperiencedsincethelynchin'ofFarCreekStanton。You-allain'ts'fficientlyonthequeevee，astheysaysinFrench，tobeawareofthem'lignantatmospheresofthisyereRyder。He'dhoodooahill，orapine-tree，Ryderwould，letaloneanythin'asonstableasmymethodsofbuckin'
　　faro-bank。GonetoRedDog，hashe？Bueno!Heleavesusan'attacheshimse'ftoourenemies。I'llbetapintohossthatsomethin'happenstothemRedDogtarrapinsinsideofaweek。'
　　"An'，son，whilesaidriotouspropheciesofBoggsdon'timpressmealittlebit，I'mboundtoadmitthatthesecondnightfollowin'theheegiraofthisyereRyder，an'hisadventthata-wayintoRedDog，aoutcastfromtheFloridas，whogoeslocoedasthefrootesofaweekofRedDoggayety，setsfiretothesityooationwhileshootin'
　　outthedance-halllamps，an'burnsuphalfRedDog，withthedancehallan'theonlytwos'loonsintheoutfit；tharbyincloodin'everydropofwhiskeyintheholycaust。Itwasawful!Which，ofcoarse，wecomestotherescoo。RedDog'sourfoe；buttharbec'lamities，son，whichleavesnoroominthehoomanheartforanythin'butpity。An'
　　thisisone。Wolfvillerollsouttheneedednose-paintforRedDog，desolatedasIsays，an'holdsthefraternalglasstotheRedDoglipstillitsfreightersbringsrelieffromTucson。"Allthesame，whileasIassuresyouthar'snothin'sooperstitiousaboutme，I
　　can'the'p，whenRedDogburnsthata-way，butthinkofthembluffsofBoggsaboutthisyereoldRyderpartybein'ahoodoo。Shore!itconfirmsBoggsinthemweaknesses。An'heevenwaxespuffedupan'
　　putsondogaboutit；an'ifeverthar'sadispooteaboutoneofhisomens——an'thar'salotfromtimetotime，becauseBoggsisplumbreedic'lousasto'em——heupsan'staggersthecampbydemandin'，'Don'tIcalltheturnthattimewhenRydergoesretreatin'overtoRedDog？IfIdon't，I'llturnChinkan'openalaundry。'
　　"Speakin'ofomens，ofcoursetharbesome，asItellyouyeretoforeinthatWolfvillebookyou'vedoneprinted，socommonan'practicaleverygentmustyieldto'em。Thar'splaceswheremeresooper。
　　stitiongetsupfromthetable，an'mule-sensetakesitsseat。IfI
　　meetsagentevolvin'outcriesofglee，an'walkin'onbothsidesofthestreet，an'mostlikelyemptyin'aColt'spistolatthefirmament，an'allwithoutobv'ouscause，Idedoocesthepresenceinthatgent'sinteriorofalib'ralfreightofnose-paint。If，asI'mproceedin'aboutmydestinies，Ihearsthevoiceofagun，Iarguestheexistenceofaweeponinmyvicinity。Iftheleadtharfromcutsmysaddle-horn，orcreasesmypony，orplugsadoubleholeinmysombrero，orsomesechlittleplay，Idiestoatheerythattheknighterrantwho'sbackoftheracketmeansme，onlimbersmyfieldpiece，an'entersintothesperitoftheeepisode。WhichIgivesyouthisinalmostthemverywordsbefore。Still，signsan'omensinwhatDocPeetswouldtermtheir'occultisms，'Ipassesup。I
　　wouldn'tliveinthemapprehensionsthatbeleaguersBoggsforafullherdofthree-year-olds。"WhichI'llneverforgetthemeloocidationsberightonfoldsonBoggsoneevenin'aboutthemournin'an'thehowlin'ofsomehound-dogsthat'sbeensendin'thrillsthroughBoggs。It'swhensomeoutfitofmountebanksisgivin'ashowcalled'UncleTom'sCabin，'overtoHuggins'BirdCageOp'ryHouse，an'
　　theseyeresaddenin'canines——big，lop-y'earedhound-dogs，theybe——
　　worksinthepiece。
　　"'Doyou-allhearthemhound-clogsa-mournin'an'a-bayin'lastevenin'？'askedBoggsofEnright。
　　"'Shore!Ihears'em，'saysEnright。
　　"Enright，thata-way，isallerscombatin'ofBoggs'sooperstitions。
　　Ashesays，ifsomebodydon'theadBoggsoff，themdeloosionsspreads，an'thefirstnewsyougets，Wolfville'sholdin'table-
　　tippin'san'isgoin'allspraddledoutonseancesan'sim'larimbecilities，sameasthemsperit-rappin'hold-upsoneencountersintheEast。Insechevent，RedDog'sdootodeemuslocoed，an'couldtreatuswithjestifieddisdain。Enrightdon'taimtoallowWolfville'sgoodrepootetobogdowntoanysechextent，nonewhatever；an'sostand'sintoprotectboththecampan'poreBoggshimse'ffromBoggs'weirdan'ranikabooidees。SoEnrightsaysag'in:'Shore!Ihears'em。An'whatofit？Can'tyou-allletaporepuphowl，whenhisheartislowan'hisdestiniesmostlikelyhasgottangledintheirrope？'
　　"'jestthesame，'saysBoggs，'themoutcriesoftheirsmakesmefeelaheapambiguous。I'mdrawin'kyardstoapa'roffoursthatfirsthowltheyemits，an'Ismellsbadluckan'thinkstomyse'f，"Here'swhereyougetkilledtoodeadtoskin!"ButasItakesinthreeaces，an'astheharvesttharofiscrowdin'hardtowardstwohundreddollars，Iconcloodes，final，themdogsdon'thavemeontheirmindafterall；an'soI'mappeasedawholelot。Still，I'mcur'oustoknowwhateverthey'rehowlin'aboutanyhow。'
　　"'Whichyou'retooconceited，Boggs，'saysTutt，cuttin'inonthepowwow。'You-allisallersthinkin'everythin'meansyou。Now，I
　　hearsthemdogshowlin'，an'havin'beheldthespectacletheyperformsin，Isorto'allowsthey'resorrowin'overtheirdisgracefulemployment——sorto''shamedoftheirgame。An'wellthemdogsmightbebowedinsperit!foramoremendaciousan'lyin'
　　meelodramythansaid"UncleTom'sCabin，"Ineveryetpaysfourwhitechipstosee；an'I'mfromIllinoy，an'wasaAbeLincolnmanan'arankblackab'litionistbesides。'
　　"'Seein'IonceownsacoupleofhundredGuineas，'saysEnright，'myfeelin'sag'inslaverynevermountssohighasTutt's；butasforeloocidatin'themdog-songsthat'ssetyournervestomillin'，Boggs，it'seasy。Wheneveryou-allhearsadogmournin'an'howlin'
　　likethemhound-pupsdoeslastnight，that'sbecausehesmellssomethin'hecan'tlocate；an'nacherallyhe'sagitatedtharby。Nowyereafter，neverletyourimaginationpullitspicket-pinthata-
　　way，an'gotocavortin''roundpermiscus——don'tgoromancin'offonanyofthemghostround-upsyou'readdictedto。Thar'sthewholegroosomemyst'rylaidb'ar；thempupsmerelysmellsthingstheycan'tlocate，an'itfrets'em。'
　　"'Nonetheless，'remarksCherokeeHall，'whileIreckonsEnrightgivesusthec'rrectlineondogsthatgetsaudiblethata-way，an'
　　onravelsthemhowlsinalltheirmeanin's，IconfessesI'maheaplikeBoggsaboutsigns。Mebby，asIsaysprior，it'sbecauseI'makyardsharpan'allersfacesmyfootureoverafarolayout。Anyhow，signsan'omenspressesonme。Foronething，I'msooperstitiousaboutmakin'ofonyoosalarrangementstoprotectmyplay。Ineveryettriestocinchaplay，an'nevernotesanybodyelsetry，butwe-
　　allquitsloser。Itain'tnouse。Everygent，fromhiscradletohiscoffin，hasgottotakeagambler'schance。Lifeislikestud-poker；
　　an'Destiny'sgotanaceburiedeverytime。Iteitherout-lucksyouorout-playsyouwheneverit'ssoinclined；an'itseemsallerssoinclined，Destinydoes，jestasyou'reflatterin'yourse'fyou'vegotashorething。Agent'sboundtoplayfa'rwithDestiny；hecanputabetdownonthat。Youcan'tholdsixkyards；youcan'tdealdouble；youcan'tplaynocoldhands；youcan'tbluffDestiny。Allyou-allcandoishumblyan'meeklypickupthefivekyardsthatbelongstoyou，an'inasperitofthankfulnessan'praise，an'
　　franklyadmittin'thatyou'reluckytobeallowedtoplayatall，doyourlowlybesttharwith。Ain'tIright，Doc？'An'Cherokee，lookin'
　　warman'earnest，turnstoPeets。
　　"'AsabsolootelyrightasthesightsofaSharp'srifle，'saysPeets；'an'，whileI'mnotyeretorenderyougiddywithencomiums，Cherokee，youshoreoughttoexpandthemsentimentsintoalecture。'
　　"'Jestto'llustratemymeanin'，'resoomsCherokee，'letmeonbosommyse'fastowhathappensapartybackinPoseyCounty，Injeanny。
　　I'mplumbcallowatthetime，bein'onlyaboutthesizean'valyooofapa'roffives。butI'mplentyimpressedbythemeventsI'mabouttorecount，an'themem'ryisfreshenoughforyesterday。Buttocomeflutterin'frommyperch。Thar'sasportwhomakeshishome-
　　campinthathamletwhichfostersmyinfancy；thatis，he'stharaboutsixmonthsintheyear。Hislongsuitisplayin'theponies——
　　hecanbeattheraces；an'wherehefallsdownisfaro-bank，whichneverfailstofreezetoallthecoinhechangesin。That'sthepalin'offhisfence；faro-bank。Heneverdoestriumphatitonct。
　　An'stillthedevicehashimlocoed；hecan'tletitalone。Jestsoshorelyashefindsafaro-bank，jestsoshorelyhesetsinag'instit，an'jestsoshorelyheain'tgotatail-featherleftwhenhequits。
　　"'Theracesisoverfortheseason。It'sthefirstsnowofwinterontheground，whenoursportcomestrailin'intomakehisannyooalcamp。He'saboutsixthousanddollarsstrong；for，asIstates，hepicksbossesright。An'he'sbeenthinkin'，too；thisyeresportI'mrelatin'of。He'sbeenroominatin'thebalefuleffectsoffaro-bankinhisspeshulcase。Heknowsit'snousehimsayin'hewontbuckthegame。Thisperson'smadethemvowsbefore。An'theyholdshimaboutlikecobwebsholdsacow——lastsaboutaslongasadrinkofwhiskey。He'sbound，intheveryirreg'laritiesofhisnacher，an'
　　thedeadlyidlenessofawinterwithnothin'todobutthink，togototransactin'faro-bank。An'，asahigh-steppin'patriotoncesays，"jedgin'ofthefooturebythepast，"oursport'sgoin'tobeskinnedalive——chewedup——comparedtohimaDiggerInjunwillloomupinthematteroffinancelikeaSteveGirard。An'heknowsit。
　　Whereforethisyerecraftysharpstartsintocinchaplay；startsintodefyfate，an'ropeupan'brandthefooture，foratleastsixmonthstocome。An'，jestasIargues，Destinyacceptsthechallengeofthisvainglorioussharp；accceptsitwithagrin。Yere'swhathedoes，an'yere'swhatcomestopass。"'Ourwise，forethoughtfulsportseeksouttherobberwhokeepsthetavern。"TheponieswillbebackinMay，"sayshe，"an'I'mperishin'ofcur'ositytoknowhowmuchmoneyyoudemandstofeedan'sleepmetillthen。"Thetavernmannamesthebundle，an'thethoughtfulsportmakesgood。Thenhestiffensthebarkeepforabouttendrinksadayontiltheadventofthemponies。Followin'which，hesearchesoutatailorshopan'
　　accoomulatesalibh'raltrousseau，an'hasitpackeddowntothetavernan'filedawayinhisrooms。"Thar!"hesays；"whichI
　　reckonsnowI'mstrongenoughtogothedistance。Notevenabracegameoffaro-bank，noryetanysim'lardead-fall，prevailsag'instme。Iflattersmyse'f；foronctinaway，I'veorganizedmydestiniessothat，forsixmonthsatleast，they'vedonegottoruntroo。""'It'saftersupper；oursport，who'sbeensobusyalldaytreein'thechancesan'runnin'of'emoutonalimb，isloafin'
　　aboutthebar。O'casionallyhecongratulateshimse'fonhavin'alongheadlikeamule；thenag'inheoneasilyrevertstothefarogamethat'stossin'an'heavin'withallsortso'goodan'badluckjestacrossthestreet。
　　"'Atfirsthe'splumbinflex'blethata-way，an'isgoin'todenyhimse'ftofaro-bank。Hewaxesquiteheroicaboutit，oursportdoes；aconditionofsperits，bytheway，I'veallersnoticedispronetoimmejetlyprecedecompletec'llapse。
　　"'Theseyerereformthoughtsofoursportconsoomesahour。Aboutthattime，however，heengageshimse'fwiththefifthdrinkofnose-
　　paint。Tharuponfaro-banktakesonadifferenttint。Hisattitoodetowardsthatamoosementbecomesenlarged；atleasthedecideshe'llpranceoversomean'takeafalloutofitfor，say，ahundredorsoeitherway，merelytoseeifhisluck'sasblackasformer。An'overcapersoursport。
　　"'It'sthesameoldsongbythesameoldmockin'-bird。Atseconddrinktimefollowin'midnightoursportisbroke。Ashegetsupan'
　　stretches'roundawholelotinahalf-disgustedway，hestillcan'the'pexultin'onhowplumbcunnin'he'sbeen。"Idon'tsaythisinanysperitofderision，"heremarkstothedealerhe'sbeensettin'
　　opp'sitetoforeighthours，an'whomanoovershisfiscalover-
　　throw，asaforesaid，"an'shorelywithnointenttomortifyawolflikeyou-all，who'sasremorselessashe'sgame，butIforeseesthisracketan'insuresforitsdefeat。Youfiggersyou'vedownedme。
　　Mebbyso。Allthesame，I'vegotmygamestakedoutsothatIeats，drinks，sleeps，an'wearsclothestillthecomin'ofthemponies；
　　an'you，an'theangelsabove，an'thedemonsdownonderthesea，ispowerlesstoputacrimpinthemcalc'lations。I'vegotthenextsixmonthspris'ner；I'veturnedthekeysonto'emsameasifthey'reinacalaboose。An'nopowercanrescoo'emnone；an'theycan'tbreakjail。"
　　"'An'jesttoshowyou-all，'continyoosCherokee，afterpausin'totipthebottleforaspoonful，aswellasletthesityooationsorto'trickleintousinallitsoutlines——Cherokeeisplentygraphicthata-way，an'knowshowtoframeupthemrecitalssotheytakeseffect——'an'jesttoshowyou，asIremarksformer，thateverygentisboundtotakeagambler'schancean'thatshore-thingsdon'texist，letmeaskyouwhathappens？Ourconfidentsportain'thardlygotthatbluffhumgupbefore——"Inglegojang!inglegojang!"goesthechurchbellinalarm；thetavern'stookfirean'burnsplumbtotheground；drinks，chuck，bed，raiment，thewholebunchoftricks；an'
　　thar'sourwisesportoutinthesnowan'nothin'butablackruckofsmokin'ruinstoremindhimofthatcinchofhis。
　　"'It'salessontohim，though。Ashestandstharmeditatin'ontheexpectednessoftheunexpected，heobservestohimse'f，"Providence，ifsominded，canbeataroyalflush；an'anygentholdin'contraryviewsisaliar，amen!"'
　　"'Good，Cherokee!'saysTexasThompson，asCherokeecomestoahalt；
　　'I'myeretoobserveyou'reamightyexcellentracontoor。Yere'slookin'atyou!'an'Thompsonraiseshisglass。
　　"'Icatchesyoureye，'saysCherokee，aheappleased，ashep'litelycaromshisglassag'inThompson's。
　　"'ButCherokee，'whispersFaroNell，fromwhereshe'sclostbyhisside，'ifthar'ssomethin'Idesiresawholelot，an'isdoin'mylevelbesttodeservean'keepitallmylife，doyou-allreckonnowthatProvidenceupsan'throwsmedown？'
　　"'Notyou，Nell，'saysCherokee，ashesmilesonFaroNell，an'kindo'surreptitiouspatsherhar；'notyou。Providenceguidesyourgamean'guaranteesit。I'monlydiscussin'ofmen。It'soneofthebestthingsaboutbothProvidencean'woman，an'tothecreditofallconcerned，thattheyallersagrees——allersgoeshandinhand。'
　　"'An'thatlastutteranceisafact，'observesDaveTutt，who'sbeeninteresteddeep。'WhenIfirstwedsTucsonJenniethattime，I
　　doubtsthemtenets。That'soverayearago，an'youbetI'msettin'
　　yereto-dayinpossessionofanewfaith。Ittakestimetoteachme，butInowseesthatTucsonJennie'stheonfalterin'mouth-pieceofeternaltrooth；thefullpartnerofProvidence，a-holdin'downthepostoflookout；an'thatwhenshesetsforththings，themthingsisdecreedan'foreordained。'"
　　Andnowmyfriendlapsedintosilenceandbegantoreloadhispipe。
　　"IusedtosmokeLoneJackoutontheplains，"hemurmured，"ormebbyFrootesan'Flowers；butIdon'tknow!IfiggersthisyereBullDurham'sgotmoreforceofchar'cter。"
　　Thencamemoresilence。Butthenightwasyoung；IwasdisposedtohearfurtherofWolfvilleanditsworthycitizens。Myreadiestmethodwastoputforthaquestion。
　　"Buthowaboutyourself？"Iasked。"Doyou，likeHallandBoggs，believethatHeavenespeciallyinterfereswiththeplansofman；orthatachallenge，directorotherwise，tothePowersAbove，isliabletoearnreply？"
　　"Istatesag'in，"heretorted，puffingacalmativecloudthewhile，"Istatesag'in:Thar'snosooperstitionridin'therangesofmybreast。YetIseesenoughinalongan'moreorlesseventfullife——
　　nottosayanill-employedlife——toknowthatProvidencepacksagun；an'，asmorethanonescofferfindsout，shedon'tgoheeledforfun。Thar'sthatGeneWatkins，whogetskilledbylightnin'overbytheEagleClawthattime；downedforblasphemin'，heis。"
　　"LetmehearaboutthisWatkins，"Iurged；"nooneismoreinterestedinthedoingsofProvidencethanI。"
　　"WhichfromwhatlittleInotesofyou，"heobserved，regardingmewithaglanceofdubious，soursuspicion，"you-allshoreoughttobe。An'I'lltellyouonething:IfProvidenceevergetsweariedofthewayyouacts——an'itain'tnoneonlikely——youmightaswellsetinyourchipsan'quit。
　　"ButastothisyereWatkins:Idon'tknowaboutthewisdomofburdenin'youwithWatkins。It'sgettin'plentylate，an'I'msomefatiguedmyse'f；Imustbeorganizin'tobedmyse'fdownalotforthenight。Iain'tsocap'bleofsleeplessnessasIam'waybackyonderintheyearswhenI'mworkin'cattlealongtheoldJonesan'
　　Plummertrail。However，itwon'ttakelong，thisWatkinskillin'；
　　an'seein'mymoodsisinthesaddlethata-way，Imayaswellletyouhaveit。Thisyereain'tastoryexackly；it'smorelikeaaneckdote；butitallersstrikesmeassheddin'arayonthemspeshulProvidences。
　　"ThisWatkinsisamereyooth；hejumpsintoWolfvillefromtheTexasPanhandle，where，it'srumored，he'sbeenoverfreewithagun。However，thatdon'tbotherusabit。Arizonaconductsherse'fontheprincipleofeverybodyridin'hisownsign-camps，an'sheain'troundin'upescapedfelonsfornocommoonitybutherse'f。
　　"ThefirsttimeIseesthisWatkinspartyisoneevenin'whenhesa'ntersdownthemiddleaisleoftheBirdCageOp'ryHouse，withhislariatinhishands，an'tossestheloopoveraladywho'sjestthenrenderin'thatgoodoldhymn:
　　"Inthedaysofold，thedaysofgold，Thedaysofforty-nine!
　　"It'smightydiscouragin'，thisWatkinsbreakin'inonthemmelodies。It'smorethandiscouragin'，it'sscand'lous。Theloopisabitbig，an'fallscl'ardownan'fastenstothiscantatricebythefetlocks。An'thenthislocoedWatkinsturnsloosetopullheroverthefootlights。Whichtheworstis，havin'herbytheheels，an'shesettin'downthata-way，hepullsthatladyoverthefootlightsthewrongway。
　　"It'satthisepock，JackMoore，whoinhiscapac'tyofmarshalisdomineerin'aboutdowninfront，whacksWatkinsovertheheadwithhissix-shooter，an'thelady'ssaved。
　　"'Whatbeyou-alltryin'todowiththisdiva？'demandsMooreoftheWatkinsparty。
　　"'WhichI'menamoredofher，'saysthisyereWatkins，'an'thar'saheapofthingsIwasaimin'topourintoheryears。Butnowyou'vedonepoundedmeontopwiththatgun，theyallgetsjoltedoutofmymind。'
　　"'Jestthesame，'saysMoore，'ifIwasyou，I'dtakethesaddleoffmyemotions，an'hobble'emouttorestsome。MeanwhileI'dthinkupanewsystem。You-alllacksreticence；alsoyou'reaheaptoomuchdisposedtokeepyourse'finthepubliceye。Idon'tknowhowitisinTexas，butyereinArizonaagentwhogetstoocel'bratedgetsshot。Also，ImightaddinconcloosionthatyourPanhandlenotionsofagoodwaytogetconfidenshulwithaladydon'tobtainnoneyere——theydon'tgo。An'soIwarnsyou，neverexpressyourfeelin'swithalariatinthistheayternomore。Wolfvilleyieldsleeniencytoign'ranceonce，butneverag'in。'
　　"But，asI'msayin'；aboutthisWatkinsoverontheEagleClaw:
　　Thar'sahalf-dozenofus——afloatin'outfitwebe，ridin'therange，pickin'upwhatcalvesmissesthespringbrandin'——an'we'rebringin'alongmebbythreehundredcowsan'half-growncalves，an'
　　headin'forthebar-B-eight——that'sEnright'sbrand——corraltomarkthecalves。It'slateinAugust，jestatthebeginnin'oftherains。
　　Thar'sastorm，an'everybody'sinthesaddle，plumbdowntothecook，tryin'toholdthebunch。It'sflashonflashoflightnin'；
　　an'thunderfollowin'ontheheelsofthunder-clap。Aswe-alliscirklin'thelittleherd，an'singin'to'emtorestoretheirreasonwithsoundstheysaveys，tharcomesamostinord'nateflashoflightnin'，an'acrashofthunderlikeamountainfallin'；itsorto'standsusuponourhocks。Itmakestheporecattlebattheireyes，an'almostknockstheirhornsoff。
　　"Thar'samomentofsilencefollowin'；an'thenthisyereontamedWatkins，tossin'hishandatthesky，shoutsout:
　　"'Blazeaway!mygray-headcreator!You-allhasbeenshootin'atmefortwentyyears；youain'thitmeyet!'
　　"WatkinsisclosetoBoggswhenhecutsloosethisyeredefiance；
　　an'itsimplyscaresBoggscold!He'safraidhe'llgetpickedoffalongwithWatkins。Boggs，inhisfrenzy，pullshissix-shooter，an'
　　goestodictatin'withittowardsWatkins。
　　"'Pullyourfreight，'roarsBoggs；'don'tyoustaynearmenone。
　　Get，orI'llgiveyoueveryloadinthegun。'
　　"ThisWatkinspersonspurshiscayouseaway；atthesametimehe'slaughin'atBoggs，deemin'histerrorsthata-wayasreedic'lous。Ashedoes，astreakofwhitefirecomesdown，straightasablazin'
　　arrer，an'withitsechawhirlofthunder，whichIthoughttheearthhadsplit!An'itshorelyrunsthedevil'sbrandonWatkins。
　　"Whenwerecovers，tharhelies；dead——an'hisponydeadwithhim。
　　An'hemusthavegotthelimit；for，son，theveryrowelsofhisspursismelted。Rightinthemiddleofhisleatherhat-band，whereitcovershisfore'ead，thar'sburnedaholeaboutthesizeofa44-
　　calibrebullet；that'swheretheboltgoesin。Iremembers，aswegathers'round，howBoggspicksupthehat。It'sstoppedrainin'ofasudden，an'thestarsisshowin'twoorthree，wherethecloudsispartin'away。Boggsstandstharlookin'firstatthesky，an'thenatthehatwheretheholeis。Thenheshakeshishead。'She'salongshot，butacenterone，'saysBoggs。"
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　ColonelSterett'sWarRecord。
　　Ithadbeendarkandovercastastoskies；theweather，however，wasfoundsereneandbalmyenough。AsIclimbedthestepsaftermyafternooncanter，IencounteredtheOldCattleman。Hewasre-
　　locatingoneofthebigverandachairsmoretohiscomfort，andthebettertoenjoyhistobacco。HegavemeaglanceasIcameup。
　　"Them'smightypunyspurs，"heobservedwithaneyeofhalfcommiseration，halfdisdain；"them'sshorereedic'lous。Whichthey'ddestroyyourstandin'withacowpony，utter。He'dfillupwithcontemptforyoulikeawater-holeinApril。Shore!it'stherowels；
　　theyoughterbeaboutthesizean'shapeofamornin'star，themrowelshad。Thenagentmighthopeforaction。An'whyeverdon'tyou-allwearleatherchappsthata-way，insteadofthemjimcrowbootsan'trousers？They'replumbamoosin'，themgarmentsbe。No，I
　　onderstands；youdon'tgochargin'aboutinthebreshan'don'tneedchapps，butstillyououghterdon'emforthelooks。Thar'sawrongan'arightwaytodo；an'chappsisright。Thar'sJohnnyCookoftheTurkeyTrack；he'slikeyou；hecontemnschapps。Johnnychargesintoawirefenceonemidnight，sorto'sidlesintosaidboundaryfullsurge；afterthatJohnnywearschappsallright。Doesithurthim？Son，themwirest'arsenoughhideoffJohnny，fromsome'ersaboutthehock，tomakeasaddlecover，an'helosesbloodsufficienttopaintahouse。Hecomesmightyneargoin'shyalaigonthedeal。It'salessononc'rrectcostumesthatJohnnydon'tsoonforget。
　　"No，Ineverridesahossnonenow。TheseyereEasternsaddlesain'ttherightmodel。Whichthey'saheaptoolowinthecantlean'toolowinthehorn。An'themstirrupleathersistooshort，an'twoinchestoofarfor'ard。Ineverdoesgradeover-highforridin'ahoss，evenatmybest。No，Idon'tgetpitchedoffmore'niscomin'
　　tome；still，Iain'tp'intedouttotenderfeetasno'Centaur'asDocPeetscalls'em。Igetsalongwithoutbuckin'straps，an'myfriendsdon'thavetotienorollofblanketsacrossmysaddle-horn，an'that'saboutthebestIcanreport。
　　"TexasThompsonmostlikelyisthechiefequestr'anofWolfville。
　　OnetimeTexasmakesawagerofagallonoflickerwithJackMoore，an'son!yere'swhatTexasdoes。Iseeshimwiththeseeyes。Texastakeshisropean'tiesdownabronco；onetherecordwhereofisthathe'sthattoomultuousnoonecanridehim。Mostgentswouldhaveduckedatthenameofthisyeresteed，thesamebein'
　　'Dynamite。'ButTexasmakesthebetImentions，an'laysforthisonroolycayousewithalltheconfidenceofvirgingoldthata-way。
　　"Texasropesan'tieshimdownan'cinchesthesaddleontohimwhilehe'slayin'thar；Tuttkneelin'onhislocoedheaddoorin'theceremony。ThenTuttthrowshimloose；an'whenhegetsuphenacherallyriseswithTexasThompsononhisback。
　　"First，thatbroncostandsinadaze，an'Texastakesadvantageofhistrancetolaytwosilverdollarsonthesaddle，oneondereachofhislaigs。An'final，youshouldshorelyhavebeheldthatbroncoputhisnosebetweenhislaigsan'archhimse'fan'buck!Reg'larworm-fencebuckin'itis；an'whenheain'thittin'theground，he'sshoreabundantinthatatmospherealot。
　　"Inthemidstoftheseyereflights，whichthesameisenoughtostim'latetheimaginationofaApache，Texas，asca'man'onmovedastheSpanishPeaks，rollsan'lightsacigarette。Thenhepicksupthebridlean'givesthatroysterin'broncojestenoughoftheMexicanbittofillhismouthwithbloodan'hismindwithdoubts，an'stopshim。WhenTexasswingstotheground，themtwosilverdollarscomesjinglin'along；whichheholds'emtothesaddlethata-waythroughoutthemexercises。It'sthemdollarsan'thecigarettethatraisesthelickerissuebetweenJackan'Texas；an'ofcourse，Texasquitswinnerforthenose-paint。"
　　Ihadsettledbythistimeintoachairconvenienttomyreminiscentcompanion，andrelishingtherestfuleaseafteratwenty-milerun，decidedtoprolongthetalk。Feelingforsubjects，Ibecametentativelycuriousconcerningpolitics。
　　"Cowpeople，"saidmyfriend，"neversaveyspol'tics。Iwouldn'tgiveaMexicansheep——whichisthethingoflowestvalyooIknowsofexceptMexicansthemse'fs——ortheviewsofanycow-puncheronthemquestionsofstate。Youcangamblean'maketheroofthelimit，themopinions，whenyou-alloncegets'emroundedup，wouldbeshoreloodicrous，nottosayfootile。
　　"Now，we-allwolvesofWolfvilleusedtoletColonelSterettdoourpolit'calyelpin'forus；sorto'tookhiswordforp'sitionan'
　　stoodpattharon。It'sintheRedLighttheveryevenin'whenTexassubdoosthatbronco，an'letsthewheyoutenJackMooretotheextentofsaidjugofValleyTan，thatColonelSterettgoesoffataroundroad-gaitonthisyereverytopicofpol'tics，an'windsupbytellin'usofhisattitood，personal，doorin'thecivilwar，an'thedebtheowessomeGen'ralnamedWheelerforsavin'ofhislife。
　　"'Pol'tics，'remarksColonelSterettonthato'casion，re-fillin'
　　hisglassfortheseveralethtime，'jestnacherallyoozesfromaeditor，asyou-allwhoreadsreg'larlytheCoyoteb'arswitness；
　　he'ssaturatedwithpol'ticssameasHugginsiswithwhiskey。Asformyse'f，asidefrommyvocationsofthemtripods，pol'ticsisinborninme。Igets'emfrommygrandfather，astallasportan'ashigh-
　　rollin'astatesmanaseverpacksabowieorwinsthebeefatashootin'matchinoldKaintucky。Yes，sir，'saystheColonel，anthar'sapensivelookinhiseyeslikehe'scountin'upthatancestor'smeritsinhismem'ry；'pol'ticswithmethat-awayisshorecongenital。'
　　"'Congenital!'saysDanBoggs，an'histonesisaheapsatisfact'ry；
　　'an'thar'sawordthat'sgoodenoughforadog。IreckonsI'lltieitdownan'branditintomybunchrightyere。'
　　"'Mygrandfather，'goesontheColonel，'isaJacksonman；fromthetopofthedeckplumbdowntothehockkyard，he'snothin'butJackson。Thisyereattitoodofmygrandsire，an'himcampedintheswarmin'midstofaHenryClaycountry，isfrootfulofadventuresan'callsforplentynerve。ButtheoldSpartangoesthrough。
　　"'Oftenasachild，thatoldgenthasdonetookmeonhiskneean'
　　toldmehowhemeetsupfirstwithGen'ralJackson。He'sgoin'downtheriverinoneofthemlittleoldsteamboatsofthatday，an'theboatisshorecrowded。Mygrandfatherhastosleeponthefloor，asanymoreinthebunkswouldmeanastruggleforlifean'death。
　　Thar'splentyofbunklessgents，however，besideshim，an'ashesinksintothemsoundan'dreamlessslumberswhichistheher'tageoffolkswhoseconsciencesruntrop，hehears'emdrinkin'an'
　　talkin'an'barterin'mendacity，an'argyfyin'pol'ticsonallsides。
　　"'Mygrandfathersleepsonforhours，an'isonlyarousedfromthemtorpors，final，bysomesportchunkin'himathumpintheback。Theoldlionissleepin'onhisface，thata-way，an'whenhegetsmauledlikeIrelates，hewakesupan'goestostruggletohisfeet。
　　"'"Barsan'buffaloes!"saysmygrandfather；"whatever'sthat？"
　　"'"Laystill，stranger，"saysthepartywhosmiteshim；"I'veonlygottwotogo。"
　　"'That'swhatitis。It'sacoupleofgentsplayin'seven-up；an'
　　bein'crowded，theyyootilizesmygrandfatherforatable。Thissportisswingin'theacefortheopp'siteparty'sjack，an'heboardshiskyardwiththatenthoosiasmitcomesmightyclosttodislocatin'myoldgent'sshoulder。Buthe'sthelastKaintuckiantogointerfcrin'withthereecreationsofothers，sohelaystharstillan'pronetillthehand'splayedout。
　　"'"High，jack，game!"saysthestranger，countin'up；"thatputsmeoutan'oneoverforlannyap。"
　　"'Thisyereseven-upgentturnsouttobeGen'ralJackson，an'himan'mygrandfathercampsdowninacorner，drinksupthequartofCincinnatiRectifiedwhichisthestakes，an'becomesmootuallyacquainted。An'，gents，Isaysitwithpride，theherooftheHoss-
　　shoe，an'thewalloperofthemEnglishatNewOrleanstakestomygrandfatherlikeahoneysuckletoafrontporch。
　　"'Mygrandfathercomesplentynearforfeitin'thengoodopinionsoftheGen'ral，though。It'sthenextday，an'thatancestorofminean'theGen'ralisrecoverin'themse'fsfromtheconversationofthenightbeforewithaglassortwooftanzybitters，whenalady，whodescendsontheboatatMadison，comesbulgin'intothegents'
　　cabin。Thecaptainan'twoorthreeoftheboat'sfolkstriestoherdherintothewomen'scabin；butshewithers'emwithalook，breshes'emaside，an'stampedesalonginamongthemen-peoplelikeIexplains。Aboutfortyof'em'ssmokin'；an'astobaccoisafav'riteweaknessofthetribeofSterett，mygrandfatherissmokin'
　　too。
　　"'"Iwantsyou-alltomaketheseyeremiscreantsstopsmokin'，"saystheladytothecaptain，whofollowsalongthinkin'mebbyhegetsherheadedrightaftershe'shadherrunoutan'tiresdownsome。
　　"You'rethecaptainofthistub，"saysthelady，"an'Idemandsmyrights。Makethesebarb'rousmiscreantsstopsmokin'，orIleavestheboatag'inrightyere。"
　　"'Thelady'splumbfierce，an'herface，whichissternan'heroic，carriesacapac'tyfortroublelurkin''roundinit，sameasoneofthembaldhornet'snestsonabeechlimb。Nacherallymygrandfather'sgazegetsrivetedonthisladyawholelot，hispipehangin'forgetfulfromhislips。Thelady'seyesallatoncecomesdownonmygrandfather，partic'laran'personal，likeamilk-crockfromahighshelf。
　　"'"An'Imeansyouspeshul，"saysthelady，p'intin'thefingerofscornatmygrandfather。"Theideeofyoustandin'tharsmokin'inmyveryface，an'meatotterin'invalid。Itshorelyshowsyouain'tnothin'butabrute。IfIwasyourwifeI'dgiveyoup'isen。"
　　"'"Whichifyouwasmywife，I'dshoretakeit，"saysmygrandfather；forthemepithetsspurshimontheraw，an'heforgetshe'sagent，thata-way，an'letsflythisyereretortbeforehecangivehimse'fthecurb。
　　"'Themomentmygrandfathermakesthemobservations，theladycatchesherface——whichasItellsyouisacrossbetweenagridironan'asteeltrap——withbothherhands，shakesherha'rdownherback，an'cutslooseascreamwhich，likeab'arinahawg-pen，carriesallbeforeit。Thenshefallsintothecaptain'sarmsan'
　　ordershimtopackheroutondeckwhereshecanfaint。
　　"'"Whateverbeyou-allinsultin'thisyereladyfor？"saysapassenger，turnin'onmygrandfatherlikeacrateofwildcats。
　　"WhichI'mtheRoarin'WolverineofSmokyBottoms，an'Iwaitsforareply。"
　　"'Mygrandfatherisstandin'tharsomeconfoosedan'wroughtup，an'
　　aswarmasawolf，thinkin'howorneryhe'sbeenbygettin'acridwiththatlady。Thewayhefeels，thisyereRoarin'Wolverinepartycomesfor'ardasaboon。Theoldgentsimplyfallsuponhim，jawan'
　　claw，an'goestosmashin'furniturean'fixin'swithhim。
　　"'TheRoarin'Wolverineallowsafter，whenhiman'mygrandfatherdrinksatoddyan'comparesnotes，whileajack-laigdoctorwho'saboardsewstheRoarin'Wolverine'sy'earbackon，thathethinksatthetimeit'stheboatblowin'up。
　　"'"She'sshorethevividestskrimmageIeverpartic'patesin，"saystheRoarin'Wolverine；"an'thebusiest。Iwouldn'thavemisseditforasmallclayfarm。"
　　"'ButGen'ralJacksonwhenhecomesbackfromofferin'condolencestothelady，looksdignifiedan'shakeshisheadaheapgrave。