"Liesinthelumpthata-way，"saidtheOldCattleman，aproposofsomeslightdiscussioninwhichwewereengaged，"isbad——an'makenodoubtaboutit!——thatis，lieswhichistoldmalev'lent。
"Butthar'sasortofranikabooliaronearth，an'Idon'tmindhimnorhisfabrications，nonewhatever。He'soneoftheseyereamiablegentswho'smerelyaimin'toentertainyouan'elevateyourmoods；
an'carryin'outsechplans，hesorto'spreadshimse'f，an'getsexcursiveinconversation，castin'loosefromfactsasvainthingsonworthyofhim。Tharusedtobejestsechamendaciouspartywhocamps'roundWolfvilleforawhile——ifIdon'tmisrecollect，hegetspluggedstandin'upathroughstage，final——whoiswonttoliethata-way；wecallshim'Lyin'Amos。'Butthey'reonlymeanttoentertainyou；themstoriesbe。Amosisneverreallyouttoputyouonawrongtrailtoyourondoin'。
"We-alllikesAmosexcellent；but，ofcourse，whenhetakestothehillsasahold-up，somebodyhastodownhim；an'mymem'ryonthatp'intis，theyshorelydo。WhatforlieswouldthisyereAmostell？
Well，forinstance，Amosonceregalesmewithavividpictureofhowhebacksintoacorneran'pullshislonelygunontwentygents，all'bad。'ThisyereisoverinDeming。An'hegoesondilatin'totheeffectthathestopssixof'emforgoodwiththesixloadsinhisweepon，an'thenmakesitastand-offontheremainin'fourteenwiththeemptygun。
"'Itistheslumberin'terrorsofmyeye，Ireckons，'saysthisLyin'Amos。
"Whichit'sreason，an'likewisefact，thatsechtalesismerestfigmentsontheirfaces；tosaynothin'ofthehist'ryofthatcampofDeming，whichdon'tspeakofnosechblood。
"But，asIsays，whatofit？PoreLyin'Amos!——he'scashedinan'
settledlongago，likeImentions，goin'fortheWells-Fargoboxesoncttoofrequent!Whichthepitchergoestoooftentothewell，thata-way，an'Amosfindsitout!Still，Amosisonlyouttoentertainmewhenheonfurlshowluckyan'howferociousheisthattimeatDeming。Amosissimplywhilin'thehoursawaywhenheconcoctsthemromances；an'sofarfrombein'distrustfulofhimonaccounttharof，orholdin'ofhimlowbecauseheletshisfancystampedean'getawaywithhim，oncewesaveyshislittlegameinallitsharmlessness，itmakesAmospop'lar。WeencouragesAmosinthemexpansions。
"Speakin'oflyin'，an'bein'we'reonthesubject，itain'ttoomuchtostatethatthar'splentyo'casionswhenlyin'isnotonlyproperbutgood。It'sthethingtodo。
"Comin'tocases，theworld'sbeenforeverbasin'itsgameontheliesthat'stold；an'Ireckonsnowifeverygentwastoturninan'
tellnothin'butthetroothforthenextfewhours，tharwouldbeaheapoffolkssomehardtofindatthecloseofthemmootualconfidences。Whichplacesnowflourishin'likeagreenbay-treewouldbedesertedwastesan'solitoodes。Yes，asIsays，nowIgetsplumbcog'tativeaboutit，sechattemptstoputdownfictionmightresultinonpreecedenteddisaster。Tharbetimeswhentroothshouldshorelyhaveacopperonit；butweletsthatpassasspec'lative。
"Asmymindisledbackalongthetrail，tharloomsbeforethemirrorofmem'ryahourwhenthewholeWolfvilleoutfitquitseveryothergametoturnitse'floosean'lie。Whichforoncewetakesthelimitoff。Notonlydowetalklies，weacts'em；an'Enrightan'
DocPeetsan'TexasThompson，aswellasMoorean'Tuttan'Boggs，tosaynothin'ofmyse'fan'CherokeeHall，an'therestoftheround-up，getsinontheplay。Whicheverygentstandspatontheminventionstothisyereday，disdainin'excoosesan'declinin'
forgivenesstharfor。Moreover，weplaysthesamesystemag'in，layoutan'dealboxbein'sim'lar。Thefactis，ifeveraoutfit'shandgetscrowded，it'sours。
"Thedemandsfortheseyerefalsehoodshasitsfirstseedsoneevenin'whenadrunkenpartycomesstaggerin'intocampfromRedDog。It'sstrange；butitlookslikeWolfvillehasafasc'nationforthemRedDogsots；whichthey'reallerscomin'over。Thisvictimofalcoholisnotastrangertous，notbynomeans；thoughmostlyheholdshisrevelsinhisRedDoghome。HisnameIdisremembers，buthegoeswhenhe'sinWolfvillebythenameof'WhiskeyBilly。'Ifhehasalastname，whichit'slikelysomehehas，eitherweneverhearsitoritdon'tabidewithus。Mebbyheneverdeclar'shimse'f。
Anyhow，whenhegetshisnose-paintan'weariesfolksinWolfville，sechproceedin'sishadonderthenomdeploomeof'WhiskeyBilly，'
withnothin'addedbywayoffurtherbrandsory'ear-markstharonto。
"Thispartic'lardatewhenheonloadsonushiscompanionship，WhiskeyBillyisshorethedrunkestan'mostedioticIeversees。
Troo，hesaveysenoughtopullhisfreightfromRedDog；butI
allersallowsthat'smerelytheworkofaloocidinterval。
"WhiskeyBillyain'tbrightenedWolfvillewithhissocietymore'nanhour——heonlygetsonedrinkwithus——whenhelapsesintothemtreemors。An'，youhearme，son，heshorelyhas'embad；Huggins'
attacksthata-wayispooerileto'em。
"ItlookslikethatRedDogwhiskeyisspeshulmalignant。I'vebeheldgentswhohasvisionsbeforeeverWhiskeyBillyemitsthatpreelim'naryyelpintheRedLight，an'allowsthatBlackJackispawin''roundtoskelphim；butI'myeretoremark，an'readytoenforcemystatementswithmoney，argymentsorguns，Ineverwitnessesnocasewhichisafour-spottoWhiskeyBilly's。
"Why，itgetssobeforehequitsout——whichhedoesafterfrothin'
atthemouthfordays，an'Boggs，an'Tutt，an'JackMoore，withDocPeetssoopervisin'，ridin'herdontohiman'holdin'himdowninhisblanketsallthetime——thatifWhiskeyBillygoestotakeadrinkofwater，hethinksthebeverageturnstoblood。Ifheseesanythin'toeat，itchangesintoaGilamonster，orsomesechcreepin'an'
disrepootablereptile；an'Billyjestsimplyr'arsbackan'yells。
"AsIintimates，heyieldstothemerrorstouchin'hisgruban'
drinkfordays；followin'which，Billynacherallygiveswaytodeath，tothereliefofallconcerned。
"'YoucangambleI'mneversopleasedtoseeagentdieinmylife!'
saysDanBoggs。
"It'smostlikelytheseconddayafterBilly'sbeenseein'things，an'we'vecorraledhiminawickeyupoutbackofthedancehall，whenDocPeetsisintheRedLightthoughtfullyabsorbin'hiswhiskey。
"'Thisyereriotouspatientofmine，'saysPeets，asheleansonthebaran'talksgeneralan'freetoall，'thisnoisypartywhomyounowhearscallin'DanBoggsarattlesnake，bein'misledtothatextentbyRedDoglicker，hasaca'mmomentaboutfirstdrinktimethismornin'，an'beseechesmetosendforhismother。Asasickgenthasarighttodictatetermsthata-way，Idispatchesatelegramtotheladyhenames，sendin'ofthesamebyOldMontetobeslammedthroughfromTucson。Ireckonsshegetsitbynow。OldMontean'thestagehasbeeninTucsonformore'nanhour，an'as'lectricityisplentysuddenasameans，ItakesitWhiskeyBilly'smotherisinformedthathe'saskin'forherpresence。'
"'Whichifhe'scallin'an'honin'forhismother，'saysTexasThompson，who'satthebarwithPeets，'it'scattletosheephe'sagoner。Youcanallerstellwhenasportisdowntohislastchip；heneveromitstowanttoseehismother。'
"'That'swhatever!'saysEnright。'LikeTexas，IholdssechdesiresonthepartofthisyereRedDogmartyrasmarkin'thebeginnin'oftheend。'
"'Bein'he'splumblocoed，'remarksPests，afterTexasan'Enrightexpressesthemse'fs，'ItakesthelibertytorustlethemclothesofBilly'sforsigns。Idevelopedlettersfromthisnearrelatifhe'sclamorin'for；alsoapictureasshowsshe'sasfineaoldladyasevermakesaflapjack。Fromthewayshewrites，it'sallplainan'
easyhe'sbeensendin'hersomerainbowsabouthowhe'sloomin'up，likeSlimJimdoeshissisterthata-way。He'sjestnowindustriouslytrackin''round，lookin'tolocatehimse'fasalawyer。Idon'treckonthisyeremotherhastheslightestideehe'snothin'more'naragged，bustedvictimofRedDog。Lookin'atitthata-way，'concloodesPests，'I'mwonderin'whetherIdon'tmakeacrazy-bossplaysendin'thisladythemsummons。'
"'Whenshegetshere，ifshecomes，'saysEnright，an'hisvoiceshowsaheapofsympatheticinterest；'whenshefindsoutaboutWhiskeyBilly，it'sgoin'tobreakherheart。Thatsheain'tgametomakethetripisshorelytobehoped。'
"'Youcangambleaponyshecomes，'saysTexas。'Ifit'sawife，now，likemine——whichgoesropin''roundforadivorceoverinLaredorecent；an'，asyou-allisaware，sheshorelytiesitdown——
tharmightbeachanceoutag'inheradvent。Butbein'she'shismother，Wolfvillemayaswellbraceitse'ffortheshock。'
"'Idon'treckonthar'snodoubtofit，neither，'repliesEnright，drawin'asigh；'whichbein'thecase，we'vegottoorganize。Thiscampmustturninwhenshegetsherean'deloodethatporeoldmotherintothebeliefthathersonBilly'sbeenthepropan'stayofArizona，an'thathisontimelycuttin'offquenchesthemostshinin'lightthata-wayoftheagewhereinwelives。'
"'Mightylikely，'saysPeets，'wegetsamessagefromherto-morry，whenOldMontetrailsin。That'lltelluswhattoexpect。I'mlikeyou-all，however；Idon'tallowthar'samorselofdoubtaboutthatmothercomin'。'
"'WhichIshorelyhopesshedoes，'saysTexas'an'Iyerebydrinkstoit，an'urgeseverygentlikewise。Ifthar'sathingonearththatmeltsme，it'soneo'themgray-ha'redoldladies。Youngfemalesthata-wayisallright，an'it'splentynacheralforagenttobecur'ousan'pleasedtharwith；butIneverdoestrackupwithanoldlady，white-ha'redan'motherlymindyou，butItakesoffmysombreroan'says:"You'llexcuseme，marm，butIwantstotrespassonyourtimelongenoughtoaskyourpardonforlivin'。"That'sright；that'sthewayIfeels；plumbreligiousatthemeresightof'em。IfIwastomeetasmanyastwoof'ematonct，I'dj'inethechurch。Thesamebein'troo，I'msayin'thatthisyereWhiskeyBilly'smothercan'tstrikecamptoosoonnorstoptoolongforTexasThompson。'
"'EverygentIreckonsfeelsallsim'lar，'saysCherokeeHall。'A
oldladyistheonesplendidthingtheLordevermakes。IknowsagentoverbackofPrescott，an'thesightofagoodoldwomanwouldstophisnose-paintforaweek。Wouldn'tdrinkadropnorplayakyard，thispartywouldn't，foraweekafterhecutsthetrailofsomebody'soldmother。Heallowsitrevivesmem'riesofhisown，an'
thatheain'touttomixnosechvisionswithfaro-bankan'whiskeybottles。'
"'An'IapplaudsthisyerePrescottperson'sviews，'saysTexasThompson，'an'wouldbeproudtoknowthegent。'
"'Howlong，Peets，'saysEnright，who'sbeenthinkin'hardan'
serious，'howlong——an'startatonct——beforeeverthisyereWhiskeyBilly'sparentisgoin'tostrikethecamp？'
"'It'llbefivedaysshore，'answersPeets。'She's'waybackyondertheothersideoftheMissouri。'
"WhenOldMontecomesrumblin'alonginnextday，thar'sthemessagefromWhiskeyBilly'smother。She'sshorea-comin'。ThisyereBillyissoplumbintheair，mental，heneverdoesknowit，an'hediestenhoursbeforetheoldladydrivesin。ButWolfville'sready。
That'sthetimewhenthewholebandsimplysuspendseverythin'tolie。
"WhiskeyBillyisarrayedinDocPeets'bestraiment，so，asPeetssays，helooksprofessionallikealawsharpshould。An'bein'aswedevotestoBillyallthewaterthewindmillcandrawinahour，heisapatternofpersonalneatnessthata-way。
"Enright——an'tharneveristhegentwhogetsaheadofthatoldsilvertip——takin'thewordfromPeetsinadvance，sendsovertoTucsonforacoffinasfineasthedance-hallpiano，an'itcomesalonginthestageaheadofBilly'smother。Whenshedoesgetthar，Billy'salllaidouthandsomean'tranquilinthedinin'-roomoftheO。K。Restauraw，an'therestofusiseatin'supperinthestreet。
Itlooksselfishtogocrowdin'ahe'plessremainderthata-way，an'
himgettin'readytoquittheearthforgood；sothedinin'-roombein'small，an'thecoffinneedin'thespace，therestofusvamosesintothecauseway，an'MissisRuckerisdealin'usourchuckwhenthestagearrives。
"Thar'saadjournmentprompt，however，an'we-allgoesovertocheerupWhiskeyBilly'smotherwhenshegetsout。Enrightleadsoff，an'
theresttrailsinan'followshisplay，shakin'theoldlady'shandan'givin'herthewordwhatasuccessherboyiswhilehelives，an'whatablowitiswhenhepeters。Itcomesplumbeasy，thatmendacitydoes，for，asTexasThompsonsurmises，sheisshorelythebeautifulestoldladyIeverseesputahandkerchieftohereyes。
"'Don'tweep，marm，'saysEnright。'ThisyerecampofWolfville，knowin'Willyuman'hisvirchooswell，byfeelin'itsownonmeasuredloss，putsnobound'riesonitssympathyforyou。'
"'Deathlovesashinin'mark，marm，'saysDocPeets，ashepressestheoldlady'shandan'takesoffhishat，'an'thesamebein'troo，it'snomarvelthedestroyerexperiments'roundontilhegetsyoursonWillyum'srange。We'relikebrothers，Willyuman'me，an'fromaclose，admirin'friendshipwhichextendsovertheyearan'ahalfsinceheleavesyouintheStates，I'mshorequalifiedtostatehowWillyumisthebrightest，bravestgentinArizona。'
"An'doyouknow，son，thisyere，whichseemsamockerywhileI
repeatsitnow，isliketherealthingatthetime!I'macoyote!ifitdon'taffectTexasThompsonsoheshedstears；an'DanBoggsan'
Tuttan'Moorean'CherokeeHallislookin'farfrombrightabouttheeyesthemse'fs。
"We-allgoesovertotheO。K。House，followin'thecomin'ofthestage，an'leadstheoldgraymotherintothesideofherson，an'
leavesherthar。Enrighttellsher，asweturnscat-foottotrailoutsoshewon'tbepesteredbythepresenceofus，ashowPeets'llcomebackinahourtoseeher，an'thatasallofus'llbejestacrossthestreet，it'llbeplentyeasytofetchusifshefeelslikecompany。AswestartsfortheRedLighttogetsomethin'tocheerusup，Iseesherwhereshe'ssettin'withherarman'faceonthecoffin。
"It'sgreatwork，though，themlieswetells；an'Inoteshowthemother'sprideoverwhatagoodan'risin'sporthersonhasbeen，half-waybreaksevenwithhergrief。
"Tharisonlyonethingwhichhappenstodisturban'marthehour，an'notawhisperofthiseverdriftstoWhiskeyBilly'smother。
She'sbusywithhersorrowwhereweleavesher，an'sheneverhearsasoundbutherownsobs。It'swhilewe'rewaitin'，allquietan'
pensif，campedabouttheRedLight。AnotheroutlawfromRedDogcomescavortin'in。Ofcourse，heisignorantofourbein'bereavedthata-way，buthe'dnoneedtobe。
"'Whatever'sthematterwithyou-allwolvesyere？'hedemands，ashecomesbulgin'alongintotheRedLight。'Where'sallyourhowls？'
"Texasarisesfromwherehe'ssettin'withhisfaceinhishands，an'wipin'theemotionoutenhiseyes，softlyan'reverentiallybeatshisgunoverthisyereparty'shead；whereuponhec'llapsesintothecornertillcalledfor。Thenwe-allsetsdownsilentan'
sympatheticag'in。
"It'sthenextdaywhenWhiskeyBillytakeshislastrideovertoTucsononabuckboard。Adozenofusgoesalong，makin'goodthembluffsaboutBilly'sworth；Enrightan'Peetsisinthestagewiththeoldmother，an'therestofusonourponiesasabodygyardofhonor。
"'An'itiswell，marm，'saysEnright，aswe-allshakeshands，asBillyan'hismotherisabouttoleaveTucson，an'westandsb'ar-
headedtosayadios；'an'deathquitsloserhalfitsgloomwhenonereflectsthatwhileWillyumdies，heleavestheworldan'allofusbetterforthemexamplesheexertsamongus。Willyummaydie，buthismem'rywilllivelongtoleadan'guideus。'
"Icouldseetheoldmother'seyesshinewithpridethroughhertearswhenEnrightsaysthis；an'asshecomes'roundan'shakesan'
thanksusallspeshul，I'mshorelyproudofWolfville'schief。Soiseverybody，Ireckons；forwhenwe'reaboutamileoutonthetrailback，an'allridin'silentan'quiet，Texasupsan'shakesEnrightbythehandaheapsudden，an'says:
"'SamEnright，Iain'treportedasnoneemotional，butI'myourstocommandfromnowtilldeath，an'yere'sthehandan'wordofTexasThompsononit。'"
CHAPTERXIX。
WhentheStageWasStopped。
"Campdownintothatcharthar，son，"saidtheOldCattlemanwithmuchheartiness。"WhichI'mwaitin'forthatblackboyTomtocomeback；Isendshimformywar-bags。No，Idon'tneed'emnone，onlyI'vegottogivethisyereimbecileTommoney。ThemSenegambiansisshoreapecooliarpeople。Theygetsanewreligionsameasyou-allgetsanewhat，an'theychangestheirnameslikesomefolksdoestheirshirt。Whichthey'rethatloosean'liableaboutchurchesan'
cognomens!
"Asformoney，takethisboyTom。Heactooallytransactshislifeonthetheerythathehaspriorclaimsoneverysplinterofmybank-
roll。Jestnowhedescendsontomean'e'labe'ratelystateshistitletotenpesos。Sayshe'sdonej'inedanewchurch，an'hasbeenmaderound-upbossorsomethin'toaoutfitcalled，'TheAfro-
AmericanWidows'ReadyReliefSociety，'an'thathisdoosistenchips。Ofcourse，hehastohavethedinero，soIdismisseshimformywalletlikeIsays。
"Doesthemfolkschangetheirnames？Theychanges'emasread'lyasaInjunbreakscamp；doesitatthedropofthehat。ThisyereGuineaofmine，hisname'sTom。Yetatvar'oustimes，heinformsmeofthemmootationshe'sinstitooted，He'sbeen'Jim'an''Sam'an'
'WillyumHenry，'an'allintwomonths。Shore，Idon'tpaynoheedtosechvagaries，butgoesoncallin'him'Tom，'jestthesame。An'
hekeepscomin'whenIcalls，too，orI'dshoreburntheground'roundhimtoacinder。I'dbeadisgracetooldTennesseetoletmyboyTomgopreescribin'whatI'mtocallhim。Buttheybecur'ousfolks!Thelasttimethishirelin'changeshisname，Iasksthereason。
"'Tom，'Isays，'thisyereisthe'leventhtimeyoucinchesonanewname。Now，tellme，whybeyou-allattemptin'toshiftto"WillyumHenry？"'
"'Why，Marse，'hesays，afterthinkin'hardawholelot，'Idon'tknow，onlymysistergetsmarriedag'inlastnight，an'Ican'tthinkofnothin'elsetodo，soIsorto'allowsI'llchangemyname。'"
Amomentlatertheexuberantandmany-titledTomappearedwiththepocket-book。Myoldfriendselectedaten-dollarbillandwithanairofseveritygaveittohisexpectantservitor。
"Tharyoube，"heobserved。"Now，gopaythemdoos，an'don'thanker'roundmeformoneynomoreforamonth。Youcan'twillfrommeag'inbeforeChristmas，nomatterhowoftenyouchangesyourname，orhowmanynewchurchesyouplaysinwith。Foranigger，you-allisamightysighttoovol'tile。Yoursperitsistootireless，an'staystoolongonthewing。Which，onlessyoucultivatesaplacidermoodan'studiesreeposeawholelot，I'llgoforagin'aboutinmyplunderan'searchforthaquirt，ormebbysomesechstinsin'trifleasatrace-chain，an'warpyouintoquietoodan'peace。Ireckonsnowsechceremonieswouldgosomewaystowardsbeddin'youdownan'
inculcatin'lessonsofpatienceaheap。"
TheundauntedTomlistenedtohismaster'sgloomythreatswithanairofcheer。Therewasahappygrinonhisfaceasheacceptedthemoneyandscrapeda"Thanky，sah!"ToleaveareligiousimpressionwhichseemedmostconsistentwiththebasisofTom'sappeal，thatduskyclaimantoftendollars，ashewithdrew，hummedsoftlyacamp-
meetingsong:
"Tu'naroundan'tu'nyo'face，Untoethemsweethillso'grace。
D'pow'rsofSinyo'emscornin'!
Lookaboutan'lookaroun'，Flingyo'sin-packond'groun'。
Yo'willmeetwidd'Lordind'mornin'。"
"Speakin'aboutthisyerevacillatin'Tom，"saidtheoldgentleman，ashewatchedthatpersondisappear，"shiftin'hisreligiousgrazin'
groundthata-way，letmetellyou。Themcoloredfolkspullsonan'
pullsofftheirbeliefsaseasyasaMexican。An'theirfaithnevergetsintheirway；themtenetsneverseemstogetbetweentheirhocksan'trip'emupinanythin'theywantstodo。Theygoesrangin''round，draggin'themreligiouslariatsoftheirs，an'I
neveryetbeholdsthatchurchwhichcandriveanypicketpinofdoctrines，orprodooceanyhobblesofacreed，that'llholdaMexicanoranigger，orkeephimfromprancin'outafterthefirstnotionthatnodsorbeckonstohim。Thar'snowhiman'nofancywhichcanmakesolightawagon-trackhewon'tfollowitoff。
"Speakin'ofchurchesthata-way:ThisyereTom'sbeenwithmeyears。Onedayabouttwomonthsago，hefrontsuptomean'says:
"'I'segottobemightycarefulwhatIdoesnow；I'sedonej'ined。I
givesmysoultoheavenonhighlastnight，an'wropsmyse'ftightan'fastinbondsofsavin'gracewidd'Presbyter'anchu'ch。Yes，sah，I'machristian，an'Idon'twantnoone，incloodin'mysc'f，togoforgettin'it。'
"Thisyerenewsdon'tweighonmepartic'lar，an'Imakesnocomments。It'sthreeweekslaterwhenTomcutslooseanothercommoonication。
"'Yourec'llects，'hesays，'aboutmebein'aj'ineran'hookin'upwidd'Presbyter'ans？Well，I'sedoneshook'em；Iquitthatsanchooaryford'Mefodis。'D'Presbyter'anisaheaptoogloomyareligionforaniggah，sah。Deylamslooseatmewidforeord'nationan'preedest'nation，an'howd'badplaceispavedwidchil'ensskulls，an'howsomanyiscalled，an'onlyoneinabillionbeatsd'gate；an'fin'lly，las'Sunday，B'rerPeters，he'sd'preacher，heupsan'p'intsatmeinspeshulan'saysheseesinadreamhowI'mb'ar-hungan'breeze-shakenoverhell；an'，sah，hesimplyscaredisniggahtowhereIjestlaydownind'pewan'howl。AfterI'sedonelamentedtillmyheart'sbroke，Ipassesinmyresignation，an'
nowI'segonean'doneattachmyse'ftod'Mefodis'。Thar'sadealmo'sunshineamongd'Mefodis'folks，an'd'game'samightysighteasier。Allyoudoesisgetsprunkled，an'tharyoube，inwidd'
sheep，kerzip!'
"Inless'namonthTomopensuponthemreligioustopicsoncemore。
Iallersallowshimtotalkaslongan'asmuchaseverhelikes，asyou-allcouldn'tstophimnonewithoutbuckin'an'gaggin'him，sowhat'stheuse？
"'Iaimstoexcusemyse'ftoyou，sah，'saysTomthislasttime，'forthemmisstatementsaboutmeleavin'd'Presbyter'ansford'
Mefodis。'Idoesdoitfortroo，butnowI'segoneover，woolan'
weskit，tod'Baptis'。An'，sah，Ifeelsmightypenitentan'
promisin'，Idoes；I'mgwinetomakeastickofitdistime。It'sreskytogochangin'aboutfromonefoldtotheotherlikeI'sebeendoin'；amanmightdiebetween，an'thenwhereishe？'
"'ButhowaboutthisswaptotheBaptistchurch？'Iasks。'IthoughtyoutellsmehowtheMethodistreligionisfullofsunshinethata-
way。'
"'SoIdoes，sah，'saysTom；'soIdoes，wordforword，likeyouremembersit。ButIdon'tknowd'entirestorythen。TheobjectionsIhastod'Mefodis'isthem'speriencemeetin'stheyholds。They'spectsyoutostan'upan'tell'emaboutallyo'sins，an'fessallyou'vebeenguiltyofendoorin'yo'life!Now，sechdoin'stu'nsoutmightyembarrassin'foraboylikeTom，who'sbeena-livin'sorto'loosean'livelyforalikelynumbahofyears，sah，an'I
couldn'tstan'it，sah!I'mtoomodes'tobeaMefodis'。SoI
explainsan''pologizestod'elders，thenIshinsoutford'
Baptis'folksnextdoor。An'it'sallright。I'matpeacenow:I'mind'Baptis'chu'ch，sah。Yougointerd'watah，kersause!an'thatsetsyo'safeind'loveofd'Lamb。'"
Followingtheserevelationsofmyfriendconcerningthejauntyfashioninwhichthe"boyTom"worehisreligionaswellashisname，Imaintainedarespectfulsilenceforperhapsaminute，andthenventuredtoseekanewsubject。IhadbeengoingoverthevigorousdetailsofaWesternrobberyinthepapers。AfterbrieflytellingthestoryasIrememberedit，initsbroaderlinesatleast，Icarriedmycuriositytothatinterestingbodypolitic，thetownofWolfville。
"Intheolddays，"Iasked，"didWolfvilleeversufferfromstagerobberies，ortheoperationsofbandittiofthetrail？"
"Wolfville，"respondedmyfriend，"goesag'instthehold-upgamesooftenwelosethecount。Mostly，itdon'tcausemore'napassin'
irr'tation。Themrobberiesan'rustlin'sdon't，speakin'general，meanmuchtothepublicatlarge。Theexpresscompanymaygnashitsteethsome，butcomin'downtocases，whatisaWells-Fargogrieftous？Personal，we'reoutlettersan'missifsfromhome，an'I'vebeheldindividooalswhogetsthatheatedaboutityoudon'tdar'ask'emtolibateontiltheycools，butas'acommonthing，we-alldon'tsuffernopracticalset-backs。We'reshyletters，butsechwoundsishealedbytimean'othermailstocome。Wegainswhatcomfortwecanfromsw'arin'alot，an'turnstothehopefulfooturefortherest。
Thar'sonetime，however，whenWolfvillegetswroughtup。
"WhichtheWolfvilletemper，usual，isca'man'onperturbedthata-
way。Thar'sasteadinesstoWolfvillethatshowsthecamphasdepth；
itcanlosewithoutthinkin'ofsooicide，itcanwinan'notgetdrunk。TheWolfvilleemotionssetssquar'an'steadyinthesaddle，an'ittakesmorethanmerecommonplacebuckin'tosomuchasthrowitsfootloosefromastirrup，letalonesenditflyin'fromitsseat。
"Onthisyereo'caslon，however，Wolfvillegetsstirredawholelot。
Forthatmatter，thebalanceofSoutheastArizonagiveswaylikewise，an'excitementisgenialan'shorelymountsplumbhigh。I
remembersplain，nowmymindisonthemtopics，howRedDoggoeshystericalcomplete，an'setsupnightsan'screams。Whichthevocalcarryin'sonofthatpridelessvillageisashametocoyotes!
"It'shold-upsthatsowringsthepublic'sfeelin's。Stagesisstoodup；passengers，mail-bagsan'expressboxesgetscleanedoutfortheirlastsplinter。An'itain'tconfinedtojestonetrail。Thisfestivalofcrimeincloodesawholeregion；an'twentystages，inasmanydifferentplacesan'almostasmanydays，yieldsuptotheseyerebandits。OldMonte，lookslike，isaspeshulfav'rite；theygoesthroughthatolddrunkardtwiceforalltharisinthevehicle。
Thelasttimethegyardgetsdowned。
"No，thestagedriverain'tinnoperilofbein'plugged。Thar'sroolesaboutstagerobbin'，sameastharistofaro-bankan'poker。
It'sonderstoodbyallwho'sinterested，fromthemanagerofthestagecompanytothegentinthemaskwho'sholdin'theWinchesterontheoutfit，thatthedriverdon'tfight。He'sthartodrive，notshoot；an'sowhenhehearsthesu'gestion，'Handsup!'thata-way，hestopstheteam，setsthebrake，hookshisfingerstogetheroverhishead，an'nacherallyletsthemroadagentsan'passengersan'
gyards，settleeventsintheirownonfetteredway。Thedriver，usual，cussesoutthebrigandsfrightful。Thelawsofthetrailaccordshimthemprivileges，imposin'noreestrictionsonhismouth。
He'splumbfreetomakewhatinsultin'observationshewill，solongashekeepshishandsupan'don'tstarttheteamnoneontilhe'sgiventheproperword，thesamecomin'fromthehold-upsorthegyards，whoeveremergeswinnerfromsaidemeutes。
"AsIstates，thelasttimeOldMonteismadetofronttheiron，theWells-Fargogyardgetspluggedasfullofleadasabagofbullets。
An'astothatbusinessoflootan'plunder，themmiscreantsshorelyharvestsabackload!ItcatchesEnrightaheaphard，thissecondbreakwhichtheseyerefelonsmakes。
"CherokeeHallan'meissettin'intheRedLight，whilin'awaytimebetweenbev'rageswithargyments，whenEnrightcomesploddin'alonginwiththetidin's。Cherokeean'me，byasing'larcoincidence，isdiscussin'thetopicof'probity'thata-way，althoughourloocubrationsdon'tflourishnoneconcernin'stagerustlin'。
Cherokeeissayin':
"'Now，Iholdsthattrade——whatyou-allmightcallcommerce，isplentysappenin'totheintegrityoffolks。Meanin'noaspersionsonanygentincamp，shorelynotontheproprietorsoftheNewYorkStore，whatIreiteratesisthatInevermeetsupwiththepartywhomakeshislivin'weighin'things，orwhoownsapa'rofscales，who'sonthelevelthata-way。Whichthembalances，lookslike，weavesaspellonagent'smoralprinc'ples。He'snolongeronthesquar'。'
"I'mr'aredbackonmyhocksorganizin'tocombatthefal'ciesofCherokee，whenEnrightpullsupacha'r。Bythecloudsonhisface，bothmean'Cherokeeseesthar'ssomethin'ontheoldchief'smindalot，whereforewelaysasideourowndispootes——whichafterall，hasnorealmeanin'，an'iswhatColonelWilliamGreeneSterettcalls'ac'demic'——an'turnstoEnrighttodiscoverwhateverisup。BlackJackfeelsthar'snewsintheairan'promotesthenose-paintwithouts'licitation。Enrightfreightshisglassan'thensays:
"'You-allhearsofthenoomerousstagerobberies？Well，Wolfvilleloseag'in。I，myse'f，thistripamputintheholepartic'lar。IfI
onderstandsthedriftofmyownprivateaffairs，thar'soverfortythousanddollarsofmineonthestage，bein'whatbalanceisdoomefromthatlastbunchofcattle。It'smightylikelythoughshe'sindraftsthata-way:an'IjestdispatchesoneofmybestriderswithaleadhosstoscatterovertoTucsonan'wireinformationseast，tofreezeontothatmoneyontilfurthertidin's；saiddrafts，ifsechtharbe，havin'gotintothehandsoftheseyerediligenthold-upsaforesaid。'
"'Fortythousanddollars!'remarksCherokee。'Whichthatisajoltforshore!'
"'Itshorelyshowstheoncertaintiesofthings，'saysEnright，ag'inreferrin'tohisglass。'I'mintheveryactofcongratulatin'
myse'f，mental，thatthisyereisthebestseasonIeversees，whenapartyridesinfromthefirststagestationtowardsTucson，withthetale。It'sshoreaparadox；it'sacasewherethemoreIwin，themoreIlose。However，I'monthetrailofJackMoore；aconferencewithJackiswhatIneedsrightnow。I'llbebackbynextdrinktime；'an'withthatEnrightgoessurgin'offtolocateJack。
"Cherokeean'me，asmightbeexpected，turnsourpowersofconversationloosewiththisnewlasteepisodeofthetrail。
"'An'I'mstruckspeshul，'saysCherokee，'aboutwhatEnrightobservesatthefinish，thatit'sainstancewherethemorehewins，themoreheloses；an'howthis，hisbestseason，isgoin'tobehisworst。Ihasexperiencessim'larmyse'fonct。Whichthecasesisplumbparallel!
"'Thistimewhenmyownindividooalgamestrikessomethin'an'
glancesoff，is'wayback。IgetsoffaboatontheupperriveratacampcalledRockIsland。Youneveristhar？Idon'taimtoencourageyou-allondooly，stillyourfailuretoseeRockIslandneedn'tpreyonyouastherooinofyourc'reer。IgoesashoreasIrelates，an'
thefirstgentIencountersisoldPeg-laigJones。ThisyerePeg-
laigisamadmantospec'lateatkyards，an'theinstantheseesme，hepullsmeoneside，plentybreathlesswithaplanhe'sevolved。
"Son，"saysthisyerePeg-lalg，"howmuchmoneyhasyou？"
"'ItellshimIain'toverstrong；somethin'liketwohundreddollars，mebby。
"'"That'senough，"saysPeg-lalg。"Son，giveittome。I'llputthreehundredwithit，an'that'llmakearolloffivehundreddollars。Withacarefulmanlikemetodeal，sheshorelyoughterbeenough。"
"'"Whateverdoestheseyerefiscalbluffsofyoursportend？"Iasks。
"'"Theyportendsasfollows，"saysPeg-laig。"ThisyereRockIslandoutfitisplumblocoedtoplayfaro-bank。I'vegotadeckofkyardsan'adealboxinmypocket。Son，we'lllayoveradaya'breakthevillage。"
"'Thar'snousetryin'toheadoffoldPeg-laid。He'sthemostinvet'ratesportthata-way，an'farobankishisleadin'weakness。
TheyeventellsoncthowthisPeg-laigisinasmallcampinIowaan'isbuckin'acrookedgame。Apardseeshiman'takesPeg-laigtotask。
"'"Can'tyou-allseethemsharpsisskinnin'you？"saysthisfriend，an'histonesisloadedwithdisgust。"Ain'tyouwiseenoughtoknowthisgameain'tonthesquar'，an'themoutlawshasaend-squeezeboxan'isdealin'twokyardsataclatteran'puttin'backrightonderyourignorantnose？Whichyouconductsyourse'flikeyouwasbornlastweek!"
"'"Ofcourse，Iknowsthegameiscrooked，"saysPeg-laig，plentydoleful，"an'Iregretsitasmuchasyou。ButwhatevercanIdo？"
"'"Do!"sayshisfriend；"do!You-allcanquitgoin'ag'instit，can'tyou？"
"'"Butyoudon'tonderstand，"saysPeg-laig，eageran'warm。"It'sallplumbeasyforyoutostandtharan'sayIdon'thavetogoag'instit。ItmaychangeyournotionawholelotwhenIinformsyouthatthisyereistheonlygameintown，"an'withthatthisreedic'lousPeg-laighurriesbacktohisseat。
"'AsIassertsformer，it'snousemetryin'tomakeoldPeg-laigstopwhenoncehe'sstartedwiththemschemesofhis，soIturnsovermytwohundreddollars，an'leansbacktoseewhateverPeg-
laig'sgoin'toa'complishnext。Ashesays，he'sgotaboxan'adecktodealwith。Sohefakesalayoutwithasuiteofjimcrowkyardshebuys，local，an'aoil-clothtable-cover，an'tharheisorganizedtobegin。Forchips，hegoesovertoastorean'buystwentystacksofbigwoodenbuttonmolds，sameastheysewstheclothontoforovercoatbuttons。WhenPeg-laigisready，youshouldhavebeheldtheenthoosiasmofthemRockIslandfolks。Theygoesag'instthatbraceofPeg-laig'slikeaavalanche。
"'Peg-laigdealsformightylikelyit'sanhour。Jestasheputsitup，he'sacarefuldealer，an'theresultiswewinallthebigbetsan'mostallthelittleones，an'I'msorto'estimatin'inmymindthatwe'reaheadaboutfourhundredsimoleons。Ofa-sudden，Peg-laigstopsdealin'，up-endshisboxandturnstomewithalookwhichshowshe'splumbdismayed。P'intin'atthecheck-rack，Peg-laigsays:
"'"Son，lookthar!"
"'Nacherally，Ilooks，an'IatoncerealizestherootsofthatconsternationofPeg-laig's。It'sthis:Whilethar'smoreofthembuttonmoldsinfrontofPeg-laig'srightelbowthanweembarkswithorig'nal，thar'sstilltwenty-twohundreddollars'worthinthehandsoftheRockIslandpop'lacewaitin'tobecashed。Howeverdotheydoit？Theygoesstampedin'overtothisyerestorekeepan'
purchases'emforfourbitsagross。Theybuysthatvagrantoutthata-way。Theyevenbuysnewkindsonus，an'it'sapartytryin'tobetastackofpantsbuttonsonthehighkyardthatcallsPeg-laig'sattentiontothemfrauds。
"'Thar'snohe'pforit，however；themvillagersisstonyan'
adamantine，an'sofaraswehasmoneytheyshorelymakesuspay。WewalksoutofRockIsland。Aboutamilefreeofthecamp，Peg-laigstopsan'surveysmeaheapmournful。
"'"Son，"hesays，"wewaswinnin'，wasn'twe？
"'"Whichweshorewas，"Ireplies。
"'"Exactly，"saysPeg-laig，shakin'hishead，"wewasshorelywinners。An'Iwanttoadd，son，thatifwe-allcouldhavekeptonwinnin'fortwohoursmore，we'da-losteightthousanddollars。"
"'It'slikethisyerestagehold-uponEnright，'concloodesCherokee；'it'saharassin'instanceofwherethemoreyouwins，themoreyoulose。'
"Aboutthistime，Enrightan'JackMoorecomesin。ColonelSterettan'DanBoggsj'inesusaccidental，an'we-allsixholdsapowwowinlowtones。
"'WhichJack，'observesEnright，likehe'sexperimentin'an'ropin'
forourviews，'allowsit'shisbeliefsthatthisyereguilelesstenderfoot，Davis，whosayshe'sfromBuffalo，an'who'sbeenprancin'abouttownforthelasttwodays，isinvolvedinthemfelonies。'
"'Itain'tnoneonlikely，'saysBoggs；'speshullysincehe'sfromBuffalo。Ineverdoesknowbutonesquar'gentwhocomesfromBuffalo；he'soldJenks。An'atthat，oldJenksgetsdowned，final，bythesheriffoveronSandCreekforstealin'ahoss。'
"'You-allwantstoonderstand，'saysJackMoore，cuttin'inafterBoggs，'Idon'tpretendnonetonoproofs。Ijestreckonsit'sso。
It'sacommonscandalhowdeadinnocentthisyereshorthornDavisassoomestobe；howhewantsCherokeetoexplainfaro-banktohim；
an'howhecan'tonderstandnonewhyBlackJackan'thedance-hallwon'tmixnodrinks。WhichImight，inthehurryofmydooties，havepassedbythemchildishbluffsonchallengedan'withnothin'morethanpityin'thoughtsoftheignoranceofthisyeremaverick，butgents，thispartyoverplayshishand。Lastevenin'heasksmetolethimtakemygun，sayshe'scur'oustoseeone。Thatsettlesitwithme；thisDavishasbeenaobjectofsuspicioneversince。No，itain'tthatIallowshe'souttoqueermyweeponnone，butthinkofsechapretenceofinnocence!Ileavesittoyou-all，collectifan'
individooal，doyoureckonnowthar'sanybody，howevertender，who'sthatguilelessastogoaskin'aperfectstrangerthata-waytopasshimouthisgun？Isaysno，thisgentisoverdoin'themroles。Heain'tsotenderasheassoomes。An'fromthemomentIhearsofthislaststand-upofthestagebackinthecanyon，Ifeelsthatthisyerepartyissomehowintheplay。Thar'sfourinthisbandwho'sbeenspreadin'woeamongthestagecompanieslately，an'thar'sonlytwoof'emshowsinthislatestracketwhichtheygivesOldMonte，an'thatexpressgyardtheyshotup。Themothertwosportswhoain'tpresentisshoresome'ers，an'Igivesitasmyopinionsoneof'em'srightyereinouronthinkin'center，actin'silly，askin'
egreegiousquestions，an'allowin'hisnameisDavisan'thathehailsfromBuffalo。'
"WhileJackisevolvin'thislongtalk，we-allisthinkin'；an'，son，somehowitstrikesusthatthar'smightylikelysomethin'inthisnotionofJack's。We-allagrees，however，tharbein'nothin'
def'nitetogoon，wecan'tdonothin'butwait。Still，proan'conlike，wepushesforthindiscussionofthisperson。
"'ItdoeslooklikethisDavis，'saysColonelSterett，'nowJackbringsitup，isshorelyplayin'apart；whichhe'sovereasyan'
ontaught，evenfortheEast。Thismornin'，jesttogiveyou-allasample，hecomessidlin'uptome。"Istharanygoodfishin'aboutyere？"heasks。"WhichIshoreyearnstofishsome。"
"'"Doesthisyerelandscape，"Isays，wavin'myarmaboutthehor'zon，"remindyoumuchoffish？Stranger，"Isays，"fishan'
christiansispartic'larsparseinArizona。"
"'ThenthispersonDavisla'nchesoutintotalesdeescriptifofhowhegoesanglin'backintheStates。"Whichtheeelisthegamestfish，"saysthisDavis。"WhenI'mvisitin'inVirginny，Iusedtogofishin'。Idon'tfishwithareel，an'oneofthemlimberpoles，an'
letafishgoswarmin'upan'downastream，a-breedin'falsehopesinhisbosoman'lettin'himthinkhe'sloose。Notme；Iwouldn'tsodeloode——wouldn'tplayitthatlowonafish。Igoesanglin'inaformal，se'f-respectin'way。Iusesashortlinean'apolewhichisstiffan'strong。WhenIgetsabite，Iyankshimoutan'letshimknowhisfaterightthar。"
"'"Buteelsain'tnogamefish，"Isays。"Bassisgame，butnoteels。"
"'"Eelsain'tgamenone，ain'tthey？"saysthisyereDavis，lettin'
onhe'saheapinterested。"You-alllistentome；letmetellyouofaeelIsnagsontodownbyCulpepper。WhenhebitesthattimeI
giveshimbothhands。Thateelcomesthroughtheairjestwhistlin'
an'w'irlin'。Islamshimag'instthegreatstateofVirginny。
Supposeoneofthembassyouboastsoftakessechajolt。Whateverwouldhehavedone？He'dlaytharpantin'an'rollin'hiseyes；
mebbyhecurlshistailalittle。Thatwouldbetheutmostofthemresentmentsofhis。Whatdoesmyeeldo？Stranger，hestandsuponhistailan'fightsme。Game!thateel'sgameasscorpions!MydogFido'swithme。Fidowadesintotheeel，an'thecommotionisawful。
ThateelwhipsFidointwominutes，Washin'tontime。Howmuchdoesheweigh？WhateverdoIknowaboutit？Whenhe'sdoneputthegaffsintoFido，henacherallysa'ntersbackintothebranchwherehelivesat。Idon'tgethimnone；IdeemsI'mplumbluckywhenhedon'tgetme。Still，ifanygenttalksofgamefishthata-way，I
wantsitonderstood，IstringsmymoneyonthatCulpeppereel。"'
"'Thar，it'sjestasItellsyou-all，gents!'saysJackMooreaheapdisgusted，whenColonelSterettgetsthrough。'ThisyereDavisisaimposter。Whichthar'snomortalsportcouldknowaslittleasheletsonan'livetoreachhisage。'
"Wesetstharan'laysplans。Atlastinpursooanceofthemdevices，itgetsroomoredaboutcampthatthenextdaybutone，bothEnrightan'theNewYorkStoreaimstosendovertoTucsonarollofmoneythesizeofawagonhub。
"'Thar'snodangerofthemhold-ups，'saysEnrighttothisDavis，lettin'onhe'saheapconfidenshul。'Theywon'tbelookin'fornosechrichesbein'freightedoverslapontheheelsofthisyererobbery。An'wedon'taimtoputupnogyardsalongsideofOldMonteneither。Gyardsisnogood；theygetsbeefedthefirstvolley，an'
theirpresenceonacoachthata-wayisnoticethatthar'splentyoftreasureaboard。'
"It'sinthiswayEnrightfillsthatDavisasfullofmisinformationasabottleofrum。Also，wedeemsitsomesignif'cantwhensaidshorthornsaddleshishossovertothecorralan'goesskally-
hootin'forTucsonaboutfirstdrinktimeinthemornin'。
"'I'veaengagementintheOrientalS'loon，'hesays，biddin'usgood-byeplentycheerful，'butI'llbebackamongyou-allsportsinaweek。Ilikesyourwaysawholelot，an'Iwantstolearn'emsome。'
"'WhichIoffersfourtoone，'saysJackMoore，lookin'afterhimasheridesaway，'you'llbebackyeresoonerthanthat，an'you-allwon'tknowitnone，atthat。'
"It'sthenextdaywhenthestagestarts；OldMonteiscrackin'hiswhipinahardenedway，carin'nothin'forroadagentsaslongastheydon'tinterferewiththelickertraffic。Thar'sonlyonepassenger。
"Shoreenough，jestasit'sclosin'insomedarkinApacheCanyon，an'thestageisgroanin'an'creakin'alongonaupgrade，thar'satrioofhold-upsshowsonthetrail，an'theprocessioncomestoahalt。OldMontesetsthebrake，wropsthereinsaboutit，lockshishandsoverhishead，an'turnsintocuss。Thehold-upstakesnonotice。TheyyanksdowntheWells-Fargochest，pullsofftheletterbag，acceptsawatchan'apocket-bookfromthegentinside，who'sscaredan'shiverin'an'scroogin'backinthedarkestcorner，he'sthatterror-bit，an'thentheyappliesafewepithetstoOldMontean'commandshimtopullhisfreight。An'OldMonteshorelyobeysthemmandates，an'goescrashin'offupthecanyonontherun。
"Themoutlawshaulstheplundertoonesideofthetrailan'laysforthemail-bagwithabowie。Allthreeisasbusyasprairydogsafterarain，rippin'openlettersan'lookin'forchecksan'
drafts。Latertheyaimsatsomeop'rationsontheexpresscompany'sbox。
"Buttheynevergetstothebox。Thar'sthelivelytonesofaWinchesterwhichstartsthecanyon'sechoestotalkin'。Thatrifleain'tfortyfootaway，an'itspeaksthreetimesbeforeeveryou-
all，son，couldsnapyourfingers。An'thatweepondon'tmakethemobservationsinvain。Itain'tfirin'nosalootes。Quickasisthework，thesightsshiftstoanewtargeteverytime。Atthelast，allthreehold-upslayskickin'an'jumpin'likechickensthata-way，twoisdeadan'theotheristoohardhittorespond。
"Whoeverdoesit？JackMoore，he'sthatoneshiverin'passengerthattime。Heslidesoutenthestageassoonaseveritturnstheangleofthecanyon，an'comesscoutin'an'crawlin'backonhisprey。An'
Imightadd，itshoresoothesJack'svanityalot，whenthefirstremaindershowsdownasthatartlessmaverick，Davis。Jacklightsapinesplinteran'lookshimover-palean'deadan'done。
"'Whichyou-allisthevictimofover-play，'saysJacktothisyereDavis，sameasifhehearshim，'Ifyouneveraskstoseemygunthattime，it'sevenmoneymysuspicionsconcernin'youmightbesleepin'yet。'"