BOOKIITHERANGER
　　CHAPTERXV
　　WestofthePecosRiverTexasextendedavastwildregion，barreninthenorthwheretheLlanoEstacadospreaditsshiftingsands，fertileinthesouthalongtheRioGrande。A
　　railroadmarkedanundeviatingcourseacrossfivehundredmilesofthiscountry，andtheonlyvillagesandtownslayonornearthislineofsteel。UnsettledaswasthiswesternTexas，anddespitetheacknowledgeddominanceoftheoutlawbands，thepioneerspushedsteadilyintoit。Firsthadcomethelonerancher;thenhisneighborsinnearandfarvalleys;thenthehamlets;atlasttherailroadandthetowns。Andstillthepioneerscame，spreadingdeeperintothevalleys，fartherandwiderovertheplains。Itwasmesquite—dotted，cactus—covereddesert，butrichsoiluponwhichwateractedlikemagic。Therewaslittlegrasstoanacre，butthereweremillionsofacres。
　　Theclimatewaswonderful。Cattleflourishedandranchersprospered。
　　TheRioGrandeflowedalmostduesouthalongthewesternboundaryforathousandmiles，andthen，wearyofitscourse，turnedabruptlynorth，tomakewhatwascalledtheBigBend。
　　Therailroad，runningwest，cutacrossthisbend，andallthatcountryboundedonthenorthbytherailroadandonthesouthbytheriverwasaswildastheStakedPlains。Itcontainednotonesettlement。AcrossthefaceofthisBigBend，asiftoisolateit，stretchedtheOrdmountainrange，ofwhichMountOrd，CathedralMount，andElephantMountraisedbleakpeaksabovetheirfellows。Inthevalleysofthefoothillsandoutacrosstheplainswereranches，andfarthernorthvillages，andthetownsofAlpineandMarfa。
　　LikeotherpartsofthegreatLoneStarState，thissectionofTexaswasaworldinitself——aworldwheretherichesoftherancherwereeverenrichingtheoutlaw。Thevillageclosesttothegatewayofthisoutlaw—infestedregionwasalittleplacecalledOrd，namedafterthedarkpeakthatloomedsomemilestothesouth。IthadbeensettledoriginallybyMexicans——therewerestilltheruinsofadobemissions——butwiththeadventoftherustlerandoutlawmanyinhabitantswereshotordrivenaway，sothatattheheightofOrd’sprosperityandevilswaytherewerebutfewMexicanslivingthere，andthesehadtheirchoicebetweenholdinghand—and—glovewiththeoutlawsorfurnishingtargetpracticeforthatwildelement。
　　TowardthecloseofadayinSeptemberastrangerrodeintoOrd，andinacommunitywhereallmenwereremarkableforonereasonoranotherheexcitedinterest。Hishorse，perhaps，receivedthefirstandmostengagingattention——horsesinthatregionbeingapparentlymoreimportantthanmen。Thisparticularhorsedidnotattractwithbeauty。Atfirstglanceheseemedugly。Buthewasagiant，blackascoal，roughdespitethecaremanifestlybestoweduponhim，longofbody，ponderousoflimb，hugeineveryway。Abystanderremarkedthathehadagrandhead。True，ifonlyhisheadhadbeenseenhewouldhavebeenabeautifulhorse。Likemen，horsesshowwhattheyareintheshape，thesize，theline，thecharacterofthehead。Thisonedenotedfire，speed，blood，loyalty，andhiseyeswereassoftanddarkasawoman’s。Hisfacewassolidblack，exceptinthemiddleofhisforehead，wheretherewasaroundspotofwhite。
　　"Saymister，mindtellin’mehisname？"askedaraggedurchin，withbornloveofahorseinhiseyes。
　　"Bullet，"repliedtherider。
　　"Thetthere’sferthewhitemark，ain’tit？"whisperedtheyoungstertoanother。"Say，ain’theawhopper？BiggesthossI
　　everseen。"
　　Bulletcarriedahugeblacksilver—ornamentedsaddleofMexicanmake，alariatandcanteen，andasmallpackrolledintoatarpaulin。
　　Thisriderapparentlyputallcareofappearancesuponhishorse。Hisapparelwastheordinaryjeansofthecowboywithoutvanity，anditwastornandtravel—stained。Hisbootsshowedevidenceofanintimateacquaintancewithcactus。Likehishorse，thismanwasagiantinstature，butrangier，notsoheavilybuilt。Otherwisetheonlystrikingthingabouthimwashissomberfacewithitspiercingeyes，andhairwhiteoverthetemples。Hepackedtwoguns，bothlowdown——butthatwastoocommonathingtoattractnoticeintheBigBend。Acloseobserver，however，wouldhavenotedasingularfact——thisrider’srighthandwasmorebronzed，moreweather—beatenthanhisleft。Heneverworeagloveonthatrighthand！
　　Hehaddismountedbeforearamshacklestructurethatboreuponitswide，high—boardedfrontthesign，"Hotel。"Therewerehorsemencomingandgoingdownthewidestreetbetweenitsrowsofoldstores，saloons，andhouses。Ordcertainlydidnotlookenterprising。AmericanshadmanifestlyassimilatedmuchoftheleisureoftheMexicans。Thehotelhadawideplatforminfront，andthisdiddutyasporchandsidewalk。Uponit，andleaningagainstahitching—rail，weremenofvaryingages，mostofthemslovenlyinoldjeansandslouchedsombreros。Somewerebooted，belted，andspurred。Nomanthereworeacoat，butallworevests。Thegunsinthatgroupwouldhaveoutnumberedthemen。
　　Itwasacrowdseeminglytoolazytobecurious。Goodnaturedidnotappeartobewanting，butitwasnotthefrankandboisterouskindnaturaltothecowboyorrancherintownforaday。Thesemenwereidlers;whatelse，perhaps，waseasytoconjecture。Certainlytothisarrivingstranger，whoflashedakeeneyeoverthem，theyworeanatmosphereneverassociatedwithwork。
　　Presentlyatallman，withadrooping，sandymustache，leisurelydetachedhimselffromthecrowd。
　　"Howdy，stranger，"hesaid。
　　Thestrangerhadbentovertoloosenthecinches;hestraightenedupandnodded。Then:"I’mthirsty！"
　　Thatbroughtabroadsmiletofaces。Itwascharacteristicgreeting。Oneandalltroopedafterthestrangerintothehotel。Itwasadark，ill—smellingbarnofaplace，withabarashighasashortman’shead。Abartenderwithascarredfacewasservingdrinks。
　　"Lineup，gents，"saidthestranger。
　　Theypiledoveroneanothertogettothebar，withcoarsejestsandoathsandlaughter。Noneofthemnotedthatthestrangerdidnotappearsothirstyashehadclaimedtobe。Infact，thoughhewentthroughthemotions，hedidnotdrinkatall。
　　"Myname’sJimFletcher，"saidthetallmanwiththedrooping，sandymustache。Hespokelaconically，neverthelesstherewasatonethatshowedheexpectedtobeknown。Somethingwentwiththatname。Thestrangerdidnotappeartobeimpressed。
　　"MynamemightbeBlazes，butitain’t，"hereplied。"Whatdoyoucallthisburg？"
　　"Stranger，thisheahme—tropolesbearsthehandleOrd。Isthetnewtoyou？"
　　Heleanedbackagainstthebar，andnowhislittleyelloweyes，clearascrystal，flawlessasahawk’s，fixedonthestranger。
　　Othermencrowdedclose，formingacircle，curious，readytobefriendlyorotherwise，accordingtohowthetallinterrogatormarkedthenew—comer。
　　"Sure，Ord’salittlestrangetome。Offtherailroadsome，ain’tit？Funnytrailshereabouts。"
　　"Howfurwasyougoin’？"
　　"IreckonIwasgoin’asfarasIcould，"repliedthestranger，withahardlaugh。
　　Hisreplyhadsubtlereactiononthatlisteningcircle。Someofthemenexchangedglances。Fletcherstrokedhisdroopingmustache，seemedthoughtful，butlostsomethingofthatpiercingscrutiny。
　　"Wal，Ord’sthejumpin’—offplace，"hesaid，presently。"Sureyou’veheerdoftheBigBendcountry？"
　　"Isurehave，an’wasmakin’tracksferit，"repliedthestranger。
　　Fletcherturnedtowardamanintheouteredgeofthegroup。
　　"Knell，comeinheah。"
　　Thisindividualelbowedhiswayinandwasseentobescarcelymorethanaboy，almostpalebesidethosebronzedmen，withalong，expressionlessface，thinandsharp。
　　"Knell，thisheah’s——"Fletcherwheeledtothestranger。
　　"What’dyoucallyourself？"
　　"I’dhatetomentionwhatI’vebeencallin’myselflately。"
　　Thissallyfetchedanotherlaugh。Thestrangerappearedcool，careless，indifferent。Perhapsheknew，astheotherspresentknew，thatthisshowofFletcher’s，thispretenseofintroduction，wasmerelytalkwhilehewaslookedover。
　　Knellsteppedup，anditwaseasytosee，fromthewayFletcherrelinquishedhispartinthesituation，thatamangreaterthanhehadappeareduponthescene。
　　"Anybusinesshere？"hequeried，curtly。Whenhespokehisexpressionlessfacewasinstrangecontrastwiththering，thequality，thecrueltyofhisvoice。Thisvoicebetrayedanabsenceofhumor，offriendliness，ofheart。
　　"Nope，"repliedthestranger。
　　"Knowanybodyhereabouts？"
　　"Naryone。"
　　"Jestridin’through？"
　　"Yep。"
　　"Slopin’ferbackcountry，eh？"
　　Therecameapause。Thestrangerappearedtogrowalittleresentfulanddrewhimselfupdisdainfully。
　　"Wal，considerin’you—allseemsodamnfriendlyan’oncuriousdownhereinthisBigBendcountry，Idon’tmindsayin’yes——I
　　aminonthedodge，"hereplied，withdeliberatesarcasm。
　　"FromwestofOrd——outElPasoway，mebbe？"
　　"Sure。"
　　"A—huh！Thetso？"Knell’swordscuttheair，stilledtheroom。
　　"You’refromwaydowntheriver。Thet’swhattheysaydownthere——’onthedodge。’……Stranger，you’realiar！"
　　Withswiftclinkofspurandthumpofbootthecrowdsplit，leavingKnellandthestrangerinthecenter。
　　Wildbreedofthatilknevermadeamistakeinjudgingaman’snerve。Knellhadcutoutwiththetrenchantcall，andstoodready。Thestrangersuddenlylosthiseverysemblancetotheroughandeasycharacterbeforemanifestinhim。Hebecamebronze。Thatsituationseemedfamiliartohim。Hiseyesheldasingularpiercinglightthatdancedlikeacompass—needle。
　　"SureIlied，"hesaid;"soIain’ttakin’offenseatthewayyoucalledme。I’mlookin’tomakefriends，notenemies。Youdon’tstrikemeasoneofthemfour—flushes，achin’tokillsomebody。Butifyouare——goaheadan’opentheball……Yousee，Ineverthrowagunonthemfellerstilltheygofertheirs。"
　　Knellcoollyeyedhisantagonist，hisstrangefacenotchangingintheleast。Yetsomehowitwasevidentinhislookthatherewasmetalwhichrangdifferentlyfromwhathehadexpected。
　　Invitedtostartafightorwithdraw，ashechose，Knellprovedhimselfbiginthemannercharacteristicofonlythegenuinegunman。
　　"Stranger，Ipass，"hesaid，and，turningtothebar，heorderedliquor。
　　Thetensionrelaxed，thesilencebroke，themenfilledupthegap;theincidentseemedclosed。JimFletcherattachedhimselftothestranger，andnowbothrespectandfriendlinesstemperedhisasperity。
　　"Wal，ferwantofabetterhandleI’llcallyouDodge，"hesaid。
　　"Dodge’sasgoodasany……Gents，lineupagain——an’ifyoucan’tbefriendly，becareful！"
　　SuchwasBuckDuane’sdebutinthelittleoutlawhamletofOrd。
　　DuanehadbeenthreemonthsoutoftheNuecescountry。AtElPasoheboughtthefinesthorsehecouldfind，and，armedandotherwiseoutfittedtosuithim，hehadtakentounknowntrails。Leisurelyherodefromtowntotown，villagetovillage，ranchtoranch，fittinghistalkandhisoccupationtotheimpressionhewantedtomakeupondifferentpeoplewhomhemet。Hewasinturnacowboy，arancher，acattleman，astock—
　　buyer，aboomer，aland—hunter;andlongbeforehereachedthewildandinhospitableOrdhehadactedthepartofanoutlaw，driftingintonewterritory。Hepassedonleisurelybecausehewantedtolearnthelayofthecountry，thelocationofvillagesandranches，thework，habit，gossip，pleasures，andfearsofthepeoplewithwhomhecameincontact。Theonesubjectmostimpellingtohim——outlaws——henevermentioned;butbytalkingallaroundit，siftingtheoldranchandcattlestory，heacquiredaknowledgecalculatedtoaidhisplot。Inthisgametimewasofnomoment;ifnecessaryhewouldtakeyearstoaccomplishhistask。Thestupendousandperilousnatureofitshowedintheslow，warypreparation。WhenheheardFletcher’snameandfacedKnellheknewhehadreachedtheplacehesought。Ordwasahamletonthefringeofthegrazingcountry，ofdoubtfulhonesty，fromwhich，surely，windingtrailsleddownintothatfreeandnever—disturbedparadiseofoutlaws——theBigBend。
　　Duanemadehimselfagreeable，yetnottoomuchso，toFletcherandseveralothermendisposedtotalkanddrinkandeat;andthen，afterhavingacareforhishorse，herodeoutoftownacoupleofmilestoagrovehehadmarked，andthere，wellhidden，hepreparedtospendthenight。Thisproceedingservedadoublepurpose——hewassafer，andthehabitwouldlookwellintheeyesofoutlaws，whowouldbemoreinclinedtoseeinhimthelone—wolffugitive。
　　LongsinceDuanehadfoughtoutabattlewithhimself，wonahard—earnedvictory。Hisouterlife，theaction，wasmuchthesameasithadbeen;buttheinnerlifehadtremendouslychanged。Hecouldneverbecomeahappyman，hecouldnevershakeutterlythosehauntingphantomsthathadoncebeenhisdespairandmadness;buthehadassumedataskimpossibleforanymansaveonelikehim，hehadfeltthemeaningofitgrowstrangelyandwonderfully，andthroughthatflourishedupconsciousnessofhowpassionatelyhenowclungtothisthingwhichwouldblotouthisformerinfamy。Theironfettersnomorethreatenedhishands;theirondoornomorehauntedhisdreams。Heneverforgotthathewasfree。Strangely，too，alongwiththisfeelingofnewmanhoodtheregatheredtheforceofimperiousdesiretorunthesechiefoutlawstotheirdooms。Henevercalledthemoutlaws——butrustlers，thieves，robbers，murderers，criminals。Hesensedthegrowthofarelentlessdrivingpassion，andsometimeshefearedthat，morethanthenewlyacquiredzealandprideinthisrangerservice，itwastheold，terribleinheritedkillinginstinctliftingitshydra—headinnewguise。Butofthathecouldnotbesure。Hedreadedthethought。Hecouldonlywait。
　　AnotheraspectofthechangeinDuane，neitherpassionatenordriving，yetnotimprobablyevenmorepotentofnewsignificancetolife，wastheimperceptiblereturnofanoldloveofnaturedeadduringhisoutlawdays。
　　Foryearsahorsehadbeenonlyamachineoflocomotion，tocarryhimfromplacetoplace，tobeatandspurandgoadmercilesslyinflight;nowthisgiantblack，withhissplendidhead，wasacompanion，afriend，abrother，alovedthing，guardedjealously，fedandtrainedandriddenwithanintenseappreciationofhisgreatspeedandendurance。Foryearsthedaytime，withitsbirthofsunriseonthroughlonghourstotheruddyclose，hadbeenusedforsleeporrestinsomerockyholeorwillowbrakeordesertedhut，hadbeenhatedbecauseitaugmenteddangerofpursuit，becauseitdrovethefugitivetolonely，wretchedhiding;nowthedawnwasagreeting，apromiseofanotherdaytoride，toplan，toremember，andsun，wind，cloud，rain，sky——allwerejoystohim，somehowspeakinghisfreedom。Foryearsthenighthadbeenablackspace，duringwhichhehadtorideunseenalongtheendlesstrails，topeerwithcat—eyesthroughgloomforthemovingshapethateverpursuedhim;nowthetwilightandtheduskandtheshadowsofgroveandcanondarkenedintonightwithitstrainofstars，andbroughthimcalmreflectionoftheday’shappenings，ofthemorrow’spossibilities，perhapsasad，briefprocessionoftheoldphantoms，thensleep。Foryearscanonsandvalleysandmountainshadbeenlookedatasretreatsthatmightbedarkandwildenoughtohideevenanoutlaw;nowhesawthesefeaturesofthegreatdesertwithsomethingoftheeyesoftheboywhohadonceburnedforadventureandlifeamongthem。
　　Thisnightawonderfulafterglowlingeredlonginthewest，andagainstthegolden—redofclearskythebold，blackheadofMountOrdreareditselfaloft，beautifulbutaloof，sinisteryetcalling。SmallwonderthatDuanegazedinfascinationuponthepeak！SomewheredeepinitscorrugatedsidesorlostinaruggedcanonwashiddenthesecretstrongholdofthemasteroutlawCheseldine。AlldownalongtheridefromElPasoDuanehadheardofCheseldine，ofhisband，hisfearfuldeeds，hiscunning，hiswidelyseparatedraids，ofhisflittinghereandtherelikeaJack—o’—lantern;butneverawordofhisden，neverawordofhisappearance。
　　NextmorningDuanedidnotreturntoOrd。Hestruckofftothenorth，ridingdownarough，slow—descendingroadthatappearedtohavebeenusedoccasionallyforcattle—driving。Ashehadriddeninfromthewest，thisnortherndirectionledhimintototallyunfamiliarcountry。Whilehepassedon，however，heexercisedsuchkeenobservationthatinthefuturehewouldknowwhatevermightbeofservicetohimifhechancedthatwayagain。
　　Therough，wild，brush—coveredslopedownfromthefoothillsgraduallyleveledoutintoplain，amagnificentgrazingcountry，uponwhichtillnoonofthatdayDuanedidnotseeaherdofcattleoraranch。Aboutthattimehemadeoutsmokefromtherailroad，andafteracoupleofhours’ridingheenteredatownwhichinquirydiscoveredtobeBradford。ItwasthelargesttownhehadvisitedsinceMarfa，andhecalculatedmusthaveathousandorfifteenhundredinhabitants，notincludingMexicans。Hedecidedthiswouldbeagoodplaceforhimtoholdupforawhile，beingthenearesttowntoOrd，onlyfortymilesaway。SohehitchedhishorseinfrontofastoreandleisurelysetaboutstudyingBradford。
　　Itwasafterdark，however，thatDuaneverifiedhissuspicionsconcerningBradford。Thetownwasawakeafterdark，andtherewasonelongrowofsaloons，dance—halls，gambling—resortsinfullblast。Duanevisitedthemall，andwassurprisedtoseewildnessandlicenseequaltothatoftheoldrivercampofBland’sinitspalmiestdays。Hereitwasforceduponhimthatthefartherwestonetraveledalongtheriverthesparsertherespectablesettlements，themorenumerousthehardcharacters，andinconsequencethegreatertheelementoflawlessness。
　　Duanereturnedtohislodging—housewiththeconvictionthatMacNelly’staskofcleaninguptheBigBendcountrywasastupendousone。Yet，hereflected，acompanyofintrepidandquick—shootingrangerscouldhavesooncleanedupthisBradford。
　　Theinnkeeperhadoneotherguestthatnight，alongblack—coatedandwide—sombreroedTexanwhoremindedDuaneofhisgrandfather。Thismanhadpenetratingeyes，acourtlymanner，andanunmistakableleaningtowardcompanionshipandmint—juleps。ThegentlemanintroducedhimselfasColonelWebb，ofMarfa，andtookitasamatterofcoursethatDuanemadenocommentabouthimself。
　　"Sir，it’sallonetome，"hesaid，blandly，wavinghishand。
　　"Ihavetraveled。Texasisfree，andthisfrontierisonewhereit’shealthierandjustasfriendlyforamantohavenocuriosityabouthiscompanion。YoumightbeCheseldine，oftheBigBend，oryoumightbeJudgeLittle，ofElPaso—it’sallonetome。Ienjoydrinkingwithyouanyway。"
　　Duanethankedhim，consciousofareserveanddignitythathecouldnothavefeltorpretendedthreemonthsbefore。Andthen，asalways，hewasagoodlistener。ColonelWebbtold，amongotherthings，thathehadcomeouttotheBigBendtolookovertheaffairsofadeceasedbrotherwhohadbeenarancherandasheriffofoneofthetowns，Fairdalebyname。
　　"Foundnoaffairs，noranch，notevenhisgrave，"saidColonelWebb。"AndItellyou，sir，ifhell’sanytougherthanthisFairdaleIdon’twanttoexpiatemysinsthere。"
　　"Fairdale……Iimaginesheriffshaveahardrowtohoeouthere，"repliedDuane，tryingnottoappearcurious。
　　TheColonelsworelustily。
　　"MybrotherwastheonlyhonestsheriffFairdaleeverhad。Itwaswonderfulhowlonghelasted。Buthehadnerve，hecouldthrowagun，andhewasonthesquare。Thenhewaswiseenoughtoconfinehisworktooffendersofhisowntownandneighborhood。Helettheridingoutlawsalone，elsehewouldn’thavelastedatall……Whatthisfrontierneeds，sir，isaboutsixcompaniesofTexasRangers。"
　　DuanewasawareoftheColonel’sclosescrutiny。
　　"Doyouknowanythingabouttheservice？"heasked。
　　"Iusedto。TenyearsagowhenIlivedinSanAntonio。Afinebodyofmen，sir，andthesalvationofTexas。"
　　"GovernorStonedoesn’tentertainthatopinion，"saidDuane。
　　HereColonelWebbexploded。Manifestlythegovernorwasnothischoiceforachiefexecutiveofthegreatstate。Hetalkedpoliticsforawhile，andofthevastterritorywestofthePecosthatseemednevertogetabenefitfromAustin。HetalkedenoughforDuanetorealizethatherewasjustthekindofintelligent，well—informed，honestcitizenthathehadbeentryingtomeet。Heexertedhimselfthereaftertobeagreeableandinteresting;andhesawpresentlythatherewasanopportunitytomakeavaluableacquaintance，ifnotafriend。
　　"I’mastrangerintheseparts，"saidDuane，finally。"Whatisthisoutlawsituationyouspeakof？"
　　"It’sdamnable，sir，andunbelievable。Notrustlinganymore，butjustwholesaleherd—stealing，inwhichsomebigcattlemen，supposedtobehonest，areequallyguiltywiththeoutlaws。Onthisborder，youknow，therustlerhasalwaysbeenabletostealcattleinanynumbers。Buttogetridofbigbunches——that’sthehardjob。ThegangoperatingbetweenhereandValentineevidentlyhavenotthistrouble。Nobodyknowswherethestolenstockgoes。ButI’mnotaloneinmyopinionthatmostofitgoestoseveralbigstockmen。TheyshiptoSanAntonio，Austin，NewOrleans，alsotoElPaso。Ifyoutravelthestock—roadbetweenhereandMarfaandValentineyou’llseedeadcattleallalongthelineandstraycattleoutinthescrub。Theherdshavebeendrivenfastandfar，andstragglersarenotroundedup。"
　　"Wholesalebusiness，eh？"remarkedDuane。"Whoarethese——er——bigstock—buyers？"
　　ColonelWebbseemedalittlestartledattheabruptquery。HebenthispenetratinggazeuponDuaneandthoughtfullystrokedhispointedbeard。
　　"Names，ofcourse，I’llnotmention。Opinionsareonething，directaccusationanother。Thisisnotahealthycountryfortheinformer。"
　　WhenitcametotheoutlawsthemselvesColonelWebbwasdisposedtotalkfreely。DuanecouldnotjudgewhethertheColonelhadahobbyofthatsubjectortheoutlawsweresostrikinginpersonalityanddeedthatanymanwouldknowallaboutthem。ThegreatnamealongtheriverwasCheseldine，butitseemedtobeanamedetachedfromanindividual。NopersonofveracityknowntoColonelWebbhadeverseenCheseldine，andthosewhoclaimedthatdoubtfulhonorvariedsodiverselyindescriptionsofthechiefthattheyconfusedtherealityandlenttotheoutlawonlyfurthermystery。Strangetosayofanoutlawleader，astherewasnoonew;hocouldidentifyhim，sotherewasnoonewhocouldprovehehadactuallykilledaman。
　　BloodflowedlikewaterovertheBigBendcountry，anditwasCheseldinewhospilledit。Yetthefactremainedtherewerenoeye—witnessestoconnectanyindividualcalledCheseldinewiththesedeedsofviolence。Butinstrikingcontrasttothismysterywastheperson，character，andcold—bloodedactionofPogginandKnell，thechief’slieutenants。TheywerefamiliarfiguresinallthetownswithintwohundredmilesofBradford。Knellhadarecord，butasgunmanwithanincrediblelistofvictimsPogginwassupreme。IfPogginhadafriendnooneeverheardofhim。Therewereahundredstoriesofhisnerve，hiswonderfulspeedwithagun，hispassionforgambling，hisloveofahorse——hiscold，implacable，inhumanwipingoutofhispathanymanthatcrossedit。
　　"Cheseldineisaname，aterriblename，"saidColonelWebb。
　　"SometimesIwonderifhe’snotonlyaname。Inthatcasewheredoesthebrainsofthisgangcomefrom？No;theremustbeamastercraftsmanbehindthisborderpillage;amastercapableofhandlingthoseterrorsPogginandKnell。OfallthethousandsofoutlawsdevelopedbywesternTexasinthelasttwentyyearsthesethreearethegreatest。InsouthernTexas，downbetweenthePecosandtheNueces，therehavebeenandarestillmanybadmen。ButIdoubtifanyoutlawthere，possiblyexceptingBuckDuane，everequaledPoggin。You’veheardofthisDuane？"
　　"Yes，alittle，"repliedDuane，quietly。"I’mfromsouthernTexas。BuckDuanethenisknownouthere？"
　　"Why，man，whereisn’thisnameknown？"returnedColonelWebb。
　　"I’vekepttrackofhisrecordasIhavealltheothers。Ofcourse，Duane，beingaloneoutlaw，issomewhatofamysteryalso，butnotlikeCheseldine。OutheretherehavedriftedmanystoriesofDuane，horriblesomeofthem。ButdespitethemasortofromanceclingstothatNuecesoutlaw。He’skilledthreegreatoutlawleaders，Ibelieve——Bland，Hardin，andtheotherI
　　forgot。HardinwasknownintheBigBend，hadfriendsthere。
　　BlandhadahardnameatDelRio。"
　　"ThenthismanDuaneenjoysratheranunusualreputewestofthePecos？"inquiredDuane。
　　"He’sconsideredmoreofanenemytohiskindthantohonestmen。IunderstandDuanehadmanyfriends，thatwholecountiesswearbyhim——secretly，ofcourse，forhe’sahuntedoutlawwithrewardsonhishead。Hisfameinthiscountryappearstohangonhismatchlessgun—playandhisenmitytowardoutlawchiefs。I’veheardmanyaranchersay:’IwishtoGodthatBuckDuanewoulddriftouthere！I’dgiveahundredpesostoseehimandPogginmeet。’It’sasingularthing，stranger，howjealousthesegreatoutlawsareofeachother。"
　　"Yes，indeed，allaboutthemissingular，"repliedDuane。"HasCheseldine’sgangbeenbusylately？"
　　"No。Thissectionhasbeenfreeofrustlingformonths，thoughthere’sunexplainedmovementsofstock。Probablyallthestockthat’sbeingshippednowwasrustledlongago。Cheseldineworksoverawidesection，toowidefornewstotravelinsideofweeks。Thensometimeshe’snotheardofatallforaspell。
　　Theselullsareprettysurelyindicativeofabigstormsoonerorlater。AndCheseldine’sdeals，astheygrowfewerandfartherbetween，certainlygetbigger，moredaring。TherearesomepeoplewhothinkCheseldinehadnothingtodowiththebank—robberiesandtrain—holdupsduringthelastfewyearsinthiscountry。Butthat’spoorreasoning。Thejobshavebeentoowelldone，toosurelycovered，tobetheworkofgreasersorordinaryoutlaws。"
　　"What’syourviewoftheoutlook？How’sallthisgoingtowindup？Willtheoutlaweverbedrivenout？"askedDuane。
　　"Never。TherewillalwaysbeoutlawsalongtheRioGrande。Allthearmiesintheworldcouldn’tcombthewildbrakesofthatfifteenhundredmilesofriver。Buttheswayoftheoutlaw，suchasisenjoyedbythesegreatleaders，willsoonerorlaterbepast。ThecriminalelementflocktotheSouthwest。Butnotsothickandfastasthepioneers。Besides，theoutlawskillthemselves，andtheranchersareslowlyrisinginwrath，ifnotinaction。Thatwillcomesoon。Iftheyonlyhadaleadertostartthefight！Butthatwillcome。There’stalkofVigilantes，thesamehatwereorganizedinCaliforniaandarenowinforceinIdaho。Sofarit’sonlytalk。Butthetimewillcome。AndthedaysofCheseldineandPogginarenumbered。"
　　Duanewenttobedthatnightexceedinglythoughtful。Thelongtrailwasgrowinghot。Thisvolublecolonelhadgivenhimnewideas。ItcametoDuaneinsurprisethathewasfamousalongtheupperRioGrande。Assuredlyhewouldnotlongbeabletoconcealhisidentity。Hehadnodoubtthathewouldsoonmeetthechiefsofthiscleverandboldrustlinggang。Hecouldnotdecidewhetherhewouldbesaferunknownorknown。Inthelattercasehisonechancelayinthefatalityconnectedwithhisname，inhispowertolookitandactit。Duanehadneverdreamedofanysleuth—houndtendencyinhisnature，butnowhefeltsomethinglikeone。AboveallothershismindfixedonPoggin——Pogginthebrute，theexecutorofCheseldine’swill，butmostlyuponPogginthegunman。ThisinitselfwasawarningtoDuane。Hefeltterribleforcesatworkwithinhim。TherewasthesternandindomitableresolvetomakeMacNelly’sboastgoodtothegovernorofthestate——tobreakupCheseldine’sgang。
　　YetthiswasnotinDuane’smindbeforeastrangegrimanddeadlyinstinct——whichhehadtodriveawayforfearhewouldfindinitapassiontokillPoggin，notforthestate，norforhiswordtoMacNelly，butforhimself。Hadhisfather’sbloodandthehardyearsmadeDuanethekindofmanwhoinstinctivelywantedtomeetPoggin？HewassworntoMacNelly’sservice，andhefoughthimselftokeepthat，andthatonly，inhismind。
　　DuaneascertainedthatFairdalewassituatedtwodays’ridefromBradfordtowardthenorth。Therewasastagewhichmadethejourneytwiceaweek。
　　NextmorningDuanemountedhishorseandheadedforFairdale。
　　Herodeleisurely，ashewantedtolearnallhecouldaboutthecountry。Therewerefewranches。Thefartherhetraveledthebettergrazingheencountered，and，strangetonote，thefewerherdsofcattle。
　　Itwasjustsunsetwhenhemadeoutaclusterofadobehousesthatmarkedthehalf—waypointbetweenBradfordandFairdale。
　　Here，Duanehadlearned，wasstationedacomfortableinnforwayfarers。
　　Whenhedrewupbeforetheinnthelandlordandhisfamilyandanumberofloungersgreetedhimlaconically。
　　"Beatthestagein，hey？"remarkedone。
　　"Thereshecomesnow，"saidanother。"Joelshoreisdrivin’
　　to—night。"
　　FardowntheroadDuanesawacloudofdustandhorsesandalumberingcoach。Whenhehadlookedaftertheneedsofhishorsehereturnedtothegroupbeforetheinn。Theyawaitedthestagewiththatinterestcommontoisolatedpeople。Presentlyitrolledup，alargemud—bespatteredanddustyvehicle，litteredwithbaggageontopandtiedonbehind。Anumberofpassengersalighted，threeofwhomexcitedDuane’sinterest。
　　Onewasatall，dark，striking—lookingman，andtheothertwowereladies，wearinglonggrayulstersandveils。DuaneheardtheproprietoroftheinnaddressthemanasColonelLongstreth，andasthepartyenteredtheinnDuane’squickearscaughtafewwordswhichacquaintedhimwiththefactthatLongstrethwastheMayorofFairdale。
　　Duanepassedinsidehimselftolearnthatsupperwouldsoonbeready。Attablehefoundhimselfoppositethethreewhohadattractedhisattention。
　　"Ruth，Ienvytheluckycowboys，"Longstrethwassaying。
　　Ruthwasacurly—headedgirlwithgrayorhazeleyes。
　　"I’mcrazytoridebronchos，"shesaid。