Theguestraisedhisheadandturneditsufficientlytoflinghisanswerbackoverhisshoulderathishosts。"Idon’tknowwhatYOU’Dcall’boomin’，’"hesaidgloomily；"Isupposeyoutwomensittingherecomfortablybythefire，withoutcaringwhetherschoolkeepsornot，wouldcalltwofeetofbackwateroverone’sclaim’boomin’；’IreckonYOU’Dconsiderahundredandfiftyfeetofsluicingcarriedaway，anddriftingtothunderdowntheSouthFork，somethinginthewayofadvertisingtoyouroldcamp！IsupposeYOU’dthinkitwasaninducementtoinvestors！Ishouldn’twonder，"headdedstillmoregloomily，asasuddendashofraindownthewide-throatedchimneydroppedinhistincup——"anditwouldbejustlikeyoutwochaps，sittin’theregormandizingoveryourquinine——ifyersaidthisrainthat’slastedthreeweekswassomethingtobeproudof！"
　　Itwasthecheerfulandthesatisfyingcustomoftherestofthecamp，fornoreasonwhatever，toholdUncleJimandUncleBillyresponsibleforitspresentlocation，itsvicissitudes，theweather，oranyconvulsionofnature；anditwasequallythepartners’habit，fornoreasonwhatever，toaccepttheseanimadversionsandapologize。
　　"It’sarainthat’ssoftandmellowin’，"saidUncleBillygently，"andsupplin’tothesinewsandmuscles。Didyeevernotice，Jim"——
　　ostentatiouslytohispartner——"didyeevernoticethatyougetinterakindo’sweatylatherworkin’init？Sorteropenin’tothepores！"
　　"Fetches’emeverytime，"saidUncleBilly。"Betternorfancysoap。"
　　Theirguestlaughedbitterly。"Well，I’mgoingtoleaveittoyou。
　　Ireckontocutthewholeconcernto-morrow，and’lite’outforsomethingnew。Itcan’tbeworsethanthis。"
　　Thetwopartnerslookedgrieved，albeittheywereaccustomedtotheseoutbursts。EverybodywhothoughtofgoingawayfromCedarCampuseditfirstasathreattothesepatientmen，afterthefashionofrunawaynephews，ormadeanexemplarysceneoftheirgoing。
　　"Betterthinktwiceaforeyego，"saidUncleBilly。
　　"I’veseenworseweatheraforeyecame，"saidUncleJimslowly。
　　"WaterallovertheBar；themudsodeepyecouldn’tgettoAngel’sforasacko’flour，andwehadtogrubonpinenutsandjackass-
　　rabbits。Andyet——westuckbythecamp，andhereweare！"
　　Themildanswerapparentlygoadedtheirguesttofury。Herosefromhisseat，threwbackhislongdrippinghairfromhishandsomebutquerulousface，andscatteredafewdropsonthepartners。
　　"Yes，that’sjustit。That’swhatgetsme！Hereyoustick，andhereyouare！Andhereyou’llstickandrustuntilyoustarveordrown！Hereyouare，——twomenwhooughttobeoutintheworld，playingyourpartasgrownmen，——stuckherelikechildren’playinghouse’inthewoods；playingworkinyourwretchedmud-pieditches，andcontent。Twomennotsooldthatyoumightn’tbetakingyourpartinthefunoftheworld，goingtoballsortheatres，orpayingattentiontogirls，andyetoldenoughtohavemarriedandhaveyourfamiliesaroundyou，contenttostayinthisGod-forsakenplace；oldbachelors，piggingtogetherlikepoorhousepaupers。
　　That’swhatgetsme！SayyouLIKEit？Sayyouexpectbyhangingontomakeastrike——andwhatdoesthatamountto？WhatareYOUR
　　chances？Howmanyofushavemade，oraremaking，morethangrubwages？Sayyou’rewillingtoshareandsharealikeasyoudo——haveyougotenoughfortwo？Aren’tyouactuallylivingoffeachother？
　　Aren’tyougrindingeachotherdown，chokingeachother’sstruggles，asyousinktogetherdeeperanddeeperinthemudofthiscussedcamp？Andwhileyou’redoingthis，aren’tyou，byyourageandpositionhere，holdingouthopestoothersthatyouknowcannotbefulfilled？"
　　Accustomedastheyweretothehalf-querulous，half-humorous，butalwaysextravagant，criticismoftheothers，therewassomethingsonewinthisarraignmentofthemselvesthatthepartnersforamomentsatsilent。TherewasaslightflushonUncleBilly’scheek，therewasaslightpalenessonUncleJim’s。Hewasthefirsttoreply。Buthedidsowithacertaindignitywhichneitherhispartnernortheirguesthadeverseenonhisfacebefore。
　　"Asit’sOURfirethat’swarmedyeuplikethis，DickBullen，"hesaid，slowlyrising，withhishandrestingonUncleBilly’sshoulder，"andasit’sOURwhiskeythat’sloosenedyourtongue，I
　　reckonwemustputupwithwhatye’r’saying，justaswe’vemanagedtoputupwithourownwayo’living，andnotquo’llwithyeunderourownroof。"
　　TheyoungfellowsawthechangeinUncleJim’sfaceandquicklyextendedhishand，withanapologeticbackwardshakeofhislonghair。"Hangitall，oldman，"hesaid，withalaughofmingledcontritionandamusement，"youmustn’tmindwhatIsaidjustnow。
　　I’vebeensoworriedthinkingofthingsaboutMYSELF，and，maybe，alittleaboutyou，thatIquiteforgotIhadn’tacalltopreachtoanybody——leastofalltoyou。Sowepartfriends，UncleJim，andyoutoo，UncleBilly，andyou’llforgetwhatIsaid。Infact，I
　　don’tknowwhyIspokeatall——onlyIwaspassingyourclaimjustnow，andwonderinghowmuchlongeryouroldsluice-boxeswouldholdout，andwhereinthunderyou’dgetotherswhentheycavedin！I
　　reckonthatsentmeoff。That’sall，oldchap！"
　　UncleBilly’sfacebrokeintoabeamingsmileofrelief，anditwasHIShandthatfirstgraspedhisguest’s；UncleJimquicklyfollowedwithashonestapressure，butwitheyesthatdidnotseemtobelookingatBullen，thoughalltraceofresentmenthaddiedoutofthem。Hewalkedtothedoorwithhim，againshookhands，butremainedlookingoutinthedarknesssometimeafterDickBullen’stangledhairandbroadshouldershaddisappeared。
　　Meantime，UncleBillyhadresumedhisseatandwaschucklingandreminiscentashecleanedouthispipe。
　　"KinderremindsmeofJoSharp，whenhewascleanedoutatpokerbyhisownpartnersinhisowncabin，comin’uphereandbedevilin’US
　　aboutit！Whatwasityoulinthim？"
　　ButUncleJimdidnotreply；andUncleBilly，takingupthecards，begantoshufflethem，smilingvaguely，yetatthesametimesomewhatpainfully。"Arterall，Dickwasmightycutupaboutwhathesaid，andIfeltkindersorryforhim。And，youknow，Irathercottontoamanthatspeakshismind。Sorterclearshimout，youknow，ofalltheslumgullionthat’sinhim。It’sjustlikewashin’
　　outapano’prospecting：youpourinthewater，andkeepslushingitroundandround，andoutcomesfirstthemudanddirt，andthenthegravel，andthentheblacksand，andthen——it’sallout，andthere’saspecko’goldglistenin’atthebottom！"
　　"ThenyouthinkthereWASsuthin’inwhathesaid？"saidUncleJim，facingaboutslowly。
　　AnoddtoneinhisvoicemadeUncleBillylookup。"No，"hesaidquickly，shyingwiththeinstinctofaneasypleasure-lovingnaturefromapossiblegravesituation。"No，Idon’tthinkheevergotthecolor！Butwotareyemoonin’aboutfor？Ain’tyegoin’toplay？It’smor’’nhalfpastninenow。"
　　Thusadjured，UncleJimmoveduptothetableandsatdown，whileUncleBillydealtthecards，turninguptheJackorrightbower——
　　butWITHOUTthatexclamationofdelightwhichalwaysaccompaniedhisgoodfortune，nordidUncleJimrespondwiththeusualcorrespondingsimulationofdeepdisgust。Suchacircumstancehadnotoccurredbeforeinthehistoryoftheirpartnership。Theybothplayedinsilence——asilenceonlyinterruptedbyalargersplashofraindropsdownthechimney。
　　"Weorterputacoupleofstonesonthechimney-top，edgewise，likeJackCurtisdoes。Itkeepsouttherainwithoutinterferin’withthedraft，"saidUncleBillymusingly。
　　"What’stheuseif"——
　　"Ifwhat？"saidUncleBillyquietly。
　　"Ifwedon’tmakeitbroader，"saidUncleJimhalfwearily。
　　Theybothstaredatthechimney，butUncleJim’seyefollowedthewallaroundtothebunks。Thereweremanydiscolorationsonthecanvas，andapictureoftheGoddessofLibertyfromanillustratedpaperhadbrokenoutinakindofdamp，measlyeruption。"I’llstickthatfunnyhandbillofthe’Washin’Soda’IgotatthegrocerystoretheotherdayrightovertheLibertygal。It’samightypertywomanwashin’withshortsleeves，"saidUncleBilly。
　　"That’sthecomfortofthempicters，youkinalwaysgetsomethin’
　　new，anditaddsthicknesstothewall。"
　　UncleJimwentbacktothecardsinsilence。Afteramomentheroseagain，andhunghisovercoatagainstthedoor。
　　"Wind’scomin’in，"hesaidbriefly。
　　"Yes，"saidUncleBillycheerfully，"butitwouldn’tseemnat’raliftherewasn’tthatcrackinthedoortoletthesunlightinomornin’s。Makesakindo’sundial，youknow。Whenthestreako’
　　light’sinthatcorner，Isays’sixo’clock！’whenit’sacrossthechimneyIsay’seven！’andso’tis！"
　　Itcertainlyhadgrownchilly，andthewindwasrising。Thecandlegutteredandflickered；theembersonthehearthbrightenedoccasionally，asiftryingtodispelthegatheringshadows，butalwaysineffectually。Thegamewasfrequentlyinterruptedbythenecessityofstirringthefire。Afteranintervalofgloom，inwhicheachpartnersuccessivelydrewthecandletohissidetoexaminehiscards，UncleJimsaid：——
　　"Say？"
　　"Well！"respondedUncleBilly。
　　"Areyousureyousawthatthirdcrowonthewood-pile？"
　　"SureasIseeyounow——andadarnedsightplainer。Why？"
　　"Nothin’，Iwasjustthinkin’。Lookhere！Howdowestandnow？"
　　UncleBillywasstilllosing。"Nevertheless，"hesaidcheerfully，"I’mowin’youamatterofsixtythousanddollars。"
　　UncleJimexaminedthebookabstractedly。"Suppose，"hesaidslowly，butwithoutlookingathispartner，"suppose，asit’sgettin’latenow，weplayformyhalfshareoftheclaimaginthelimit——seventythousand——tosquareup。"
　　"Yourhalfshare！"repeatedUncleBilly，withamusedincredulity。
　　"Myhalfshareoftheclaim，——ofthisyerhouse，youknow，——onehalfofallthatDickBullencallsourrottenstarvationproperty，"
　　reiteratedUncleJim，withahalfsmile。
　　UncleBillylaughed。Itwasanovelidea；itwas，ofcourse，"allintheair，"liketherestoftheirgame，yeteventhenhehadanoddfeelingthathewouldhavelikedDickBullentohaveknownit。
　　"Wadein，oldpard，"hesaid。"I’monit。"
　　UncleJimlitanothercandletoreinforcethefadinglight，andthedealfelltoUncleBilly。HeturnedupJackofclubs。Healsoturnedalittleredderashetookuphiscards，lookedatthem，andglancedhastilyathispartner。"It’snouseplaying，"hesaid。
　　"Lookhere！"Helaiddownhiscardsonthetable。Theyweretheace，kingandqueenofclubs，andJackofspades，——orleftbower，——
　　which，withtheturned-upJackofclubs，——orrightbower，——
　　comprisedALLthewinningcards！
　　"Byjingo！Ifwe’dbeenplayin’four-handed，sayyouan’meaginsomeotherducks，we’dhavemade’four’inthatdeal，andh’istedsomemoney——eh？"andhiseyessparkled。UncleJim，also，hadaslighttremulouslightinhisown。
　　"Ohno！Ididn’tseenothreecrowsthisafternoon，"addedUncleBillygleefully，ashispartner，inturn，begantoshufflethecardswithlaboriousandconscientiousexactitude。Thendealing，heturnedupaheartfortrumps。UncleBillytookuphiscardsonebyone，butwhenhehadfinishedhisfacehadbecomeaspaleasithadbeenredbefore。"What’sthematter？"saidUncleJimquickly，hisownfacegrowingwhite。
　　UncleBillyslowlyandwithbreathlessawelaiddownhiscards，faceuponthetable。ItwasexactlythesamesequenceINHEARTS，withtheknaveofdiamondsadded。Hecouldagaintakeeverytrick。
　　Theystaredateachotherwithvacantfacesandahalf-drawnsmileoffear。Theycouldhearthewindmoaninginthetreesbeyond；
　　therewasasuddenrattlingatthedoor。UncleBillystartedtohisfeet，butUncleJimcaughthisarm。"DON’TLEAVETHECARDS！
　　It’sonlythewind；sitdown，"hesaidinalowawe-hushedvoice，"it’syourdeal；youweretwobefore，andtwonow，thatmakesyourfour；you’veonlyonepointtomaketowinthegame。Goon。"
　　Theybothpouredoutacupofwhiskey，smilingvaguely，yetwithacertainterrorintheireyes。Theirhandswerecold；thecardsslippedfromUncleBilly’sbenumbedfingers；whenhehadshuffledthemhepassedthemtohispartnertoshufflethemalso，butdidnotspeak。WhenUncleJimhadshuffledthemmethodicallyhehandedthembackfatefullytohispartner。UncleBillydealtthemwithatremblinghand。Heturnedupaclub。"Ifyouaresureofthesetricksyouknowyou’vewon，"saidUncleJiminavoicethatwasscarcelyaudible。UncleBillydidnotreply，buttremulouslylaiddowntheaceandrightandleftbowers。
　　Hehadwon！
　　Afeelingofreliefcameovereach，andtheylaughedhystericallyanddiscordantly。Ridiculousandchildishastheircontestmighthaveseemedtoalooker-on，toeachthetensionhadbeenasgreatasthatofthegreatestgambler，withoutthegambler’strainedrestraint，coolness，andcomposure。UncleBillynervouslytookupthecardsagain。
　　"Don’t，"saidUncleJimgravely；"it’snouse——theluck’sgonenow。"
　　"Justonemoredeal，"pleadedhispartner。
　　UncleJimlookedatthefire，UncleBillyhastilydealt，andthrewthetwohandsfaceuponthetable。Theyweretheordinaryaveragecards。Hedealtagain，withthesameresult。"Itoldyouso，"
　　saidUncleJim，withoutlookingup。
　　Itcertainlyseemedatameperformanceaftertheirwonderfulhands，andafteranothertrialUncleBillythrewthecardsasideanddrewhisstoolbeforethefire。"Mightyqueer，warn’tit？"hesaid，withreminiscentawe。"Threetimesrunning。Doyouknow，Ifeltakindo’creepyfeelin’downmybackallthetime。Criky！whatluck！Noneoftheboyswouldbelieveitifwetold’em——leastofallthatDickBullen，whodon’tbelieveinluck，anyway。Wonderwhathe’dhavesaid！and，Lord！howhe’dhavelooked！Wall！whatareyoustarin’sofor？"
　　UncleJimhadfacedaround，andwasgazingatUncleBilly’sgood-
　　humored，simpleface。"Nothin’！"hesaidbriefly，andhiseyesagainsoughtthefire。
　　"Thendon’tlookasifyouwasseein’suthin’——yougivemethecreeps，"returnedUncleBillyalittlepetulantly。"Let’sturnin，aforethefiregoesout！"
　　Thefatefulcardswereputbackintothedrawer，thetableshovedagainstthewall。Theoperationofundressingwasquicklygotover，theclothestheyworebeingputontopoftheirblankets。
　　UncleBillyyawned，"IwonderwhatkindofadreamI’llhavetonight——itoughterbesuthin’toexplainthatluck。"Thiswashis"good-night"tohispartner。Inafewmomentshewassoundasleep。
　　NotsoUncleJim。Heheardthewindgraduallygodown，andintheoppressivesilencethatfollowedcoulddetectthedeepbreathingofhiscompanionandthefar-offyelpofacoyote。Hiseyesightbecomingaccustomedtothesemi-darkness，brokenonlybythescintillationofthedyingembersoftheirfire，hecouldtakeineverydetailoftheirsordidcabinandtherudeenvironmentinwhichtheyhadlivedsolong。Thedismalpatchesonthebarkroof，thewretchedmakeshiftsofeachday，thedrearyprolongationofdiscomfort，wereallplaintohimnow，withoutthesanguinehopethathadmadethembearable。Andwhenheshuthiseyesuponthem，itwasonlytotravelinfancydownthesteepmountainsidethathehadtroddensooftentothedrearyclaimontheoverflowedriver，totheheapsof"tailings"thatencumberedit，likeemptyshellsofthehollow，profitlessdaysspentthere，whichtheywerealwayswaitingforthestrokeofgoodfortunetoclearaway。Hesawagaintherotten"sluicing，"throughwhosehopelessriftsandholeseventheirscantdailyearningshadbecomescantier。Atlasthearose，andwithinfinitegentlenesslethimselfdownfromhisberthwithoutdisturbinghissleepingpartner，andwrappinghimselfinhisblanket，wenttothedoor，whichhenoiselesslyopened。Fromthepositionofafewstarsthatwereglitteringinthenorthernskyheknewthatitwasyetscarcelymidnight；therewerestilllong，restlesshoursbeforetheday！Inthefeverishstateintowhichhehadgraduallyworkedhimselfitseemedtohimimpossibletowaitthecomingofthedawn。
　　Buthewasmistaken。Forevenashestoodthereallnatureseemedtoinvadehishumblecabinwithitsfreeandfragrantbreath，andinvesthimwithitsgreatcompanionship。Hefeltagain，inthatbreath，thatstrangesenseoffreedom，thatmystictouchofpartnershipwiththebirdsandbeasts，theshrubsandtrees，inthisgreaterhomebeforehim。Itwasthisvaguecommunionthathadkepthimthere，thatstillheldtheseworld-sick，wearyworkersintheirrudecabinsontheslopesaroundhim；andhefeltuponhisbrowthatbalmthathadnightlylulledhimandthemtosleepandforgetfulness。Heclosedthedoor，turnedaway，creptasnoiselesslyasbeforeintohisbunkagain，andpresentlyfellintoaprofoundslumber。
　　ButwhenUncleBillyawokethenextmorninghesawitwaslate；forthesun，piercingthecrackofthecloseddoor，wassendingapenciloflightacrossthecoldhearth，likeamatchtorekindleitsdeadembers。Hisfirstthoughtwasofhisstrangeluckthenightbefore，andofdisappointmentthathehadnothadthedreamofdivinationthathehadlookedfor。Hesprangtothefloor，butashestooduprighthisglancefellonUncleJim’sbunk。Itwasempty。Notonlythat，buthisBLANKETS——UncleJim’sownparticularblankets——WEREGONE！
　　Asuddenrevelationofhispartner’smannerthenightbeforestruckhimnowwiththecrueltyofablow；asuddenintelligence，perhapstheverydivinationhehadsought，flasheduponhimlikelightning！
　　Heglancedwildlyaroundthecabin。Thetablewasdrawnoutfromthewallalittleostentatiously，asiftocatchhiseye。Onitwaslyingthestainedchamois-skinpurseinwhichtheyhadkeptthefewgrainsofgoldremainingfromtheirlastweek’s"cleanup。"
　　Thegrainshadbeencarefullydivided，andhalfhadbeentaken！
　　Butnearitlaythelittlememorandum-book，open，withthestickofpencillyingacrossit。Adeeplinewasdrawnacrossthepageonwhichwasrecordedtheirimaginaryextravagantgainsandlosses，eventotheentryofUncleJim’shalfshareoftheclaimwhichhehadriskedandlost！Underneathwerehurriedlyscrawledthewords：——
　　"SettledbyYOURluck，lastnight，oldpard。——JAMESFOSTER。"
　　ItwasnearlyamonthbeforeCedarCampwasconvincedthatUncleBillyandUncleJimhaddissolvedpartnership。PridehadpreventedUncleBillyfromrevealinghissuspicionsofthetruth，orofrelatingtheeventsthatprecededUncleJim’sclandestineflight，andDickBullenhadgonetoSacramentobystage-coachthesamemorning。HebrieflygaveoutthathispartnerhadbeencalledtoSanFranciscoonimportantbusinessoftheirown，thatindeedmightnecessitatehisownremovaltherelater。InthishewassingularlyassistedbyaletterfromtheabsentJim，datedatSanFrancisco，begginghimnottobeanxiousabouthissuccess，ashehadhopesofpresentlyenteringintoaprofitablebusiness，butwithnofurtherallusionstohisprecipitatedeparture，noranysuggestionofareasonforit。FortwoorthreedaysUncleBillywasstaggeredandbewildered；inhisprofoundsimplicityhewonderedifhisextraordinarygoodfortunethatnighthadmadehimdeaftosomeexplanationofhispartner’s，or，moreterrible，ifhehadshownsome"low"andincredibleintimationoftakinghispartner’sextravagantbetasREALandbinding。InthisdistresshewrotetoUncleJimanappealingandapologeticletter，albeitsomewhatincoherentandinaccurate，andbristlingwithmisspelling，campslang，andoldpartnershipjibes。ButtothiselaborateepistlehereceivedonlyUncleJim’srepeatedassurancesofhisownbrightprospects，andhishopesthathisoldpartnerwouldbemorefortunate，single-handed，ontheoldclaim。ForawholeweekortwoUncleBillysulked，buthisinvincibleoptimismandgoodhumorgotthebetterofhim，andhethoughtonlyofhisoldpartner’sgoodfortune。Hewrotehimregularly，butalwaystooneaddress——aboxattheSanFranciscopost-office，whichtothesimple-mindedUncleBillysuggestedacertainofficialimportance。TotheselettersUncleJimrespondedregularlybutbriefly。
　　Fromacertainintuitiveprideinhispartnerandhisaffection，UncleBillydidnotshowtheselettersopenlytothecamp，althoughhespokefreelyofhisformerpartner’spromisingfuture，andevenreadthemshortextracts。ItisneedlesstosaythatthecampdidnotacceptUncleBilly’sstorywithunsuspectingconfidence。Onthecontrary，ahundredsurmises，humorousorserious，butalwaysextravagant，wereafloatinCedarCamp。Thepartnershadquarreledovertheirclothes——UncleJim，whowastallerthanUncleBilly，hadrefusedtowearhispartner’strousers。Theyhadquarreledovercards——UncleJimhaddiscoveredthatUncleBillywasinpossessionofa"colddeck，"ormarkedpack。TheyhadquarreledoverUncleBilly’scarelessnessingrindinguphalfaboxof"biliouspills"
　　inthemorning’scoffee。Agloomilyimaginativemule-driverhaddarklysuggestedthat，asnoonehadreallyseenUncleJimleavethecamp，hewasstillthere，andhisboneswouldyetbefoundinoneoftheditches；whileastillmorecredulousmineraverredthatwhathehadthoughtwasthecryofascreech-owlthenightprevioustoUncleJim’sdisappearance，mighthavebeentheagonizedutteranceofthatmurderedman。Itwashighlycharacteristicofthatcamp——and，indeed，ofothersinCalifornia——thatnobody，noteventheingenioustheoriststhemselves，believedtheirstory，andthatnoonetooktheslightestpainstoverifyordisproveit。
　　Happily，UncleBillyneverknewit，andmovedallunconsciouslyinthisatmosphereofburlesquesuspicion。Andthenasingularchangetookplaceintheattitudeofthecamptowardshimandthedisruptedpartnership。Hitherto，fornoreasonwhatever，allhadagreedtoputtheblameuponBilly——possiblybecausehewaspresenttoreceiveit。Asdayspassedthatslightreticenceanddejectioninhismanner，whichtheyhadatfirstattributedtoremorseandaguiltyconscience，nowbegantotellasabsurdlyinhisfavor。
　　HerewaspoorUncleBillytoilingthoughtheditches，whilehisselfishpartnerwaslollinginthelapofluxuryinSanFrancisco！
　　UncleBilly’sglowingaccountsofUncleJim’ssuccessonlycontributedtothesympathynowfullygiveninhisbehalfandtheirexecrationoftheabscondingpartner。ItwasproposedatBiggs’sstorethataletterexpressingtheindignationofthecampoverhisheartlessconducttohislatepartner，WilliamFall，shouldbeforwardedtohim。CondolenceswereofferedtoUncleBilly，anduncouthattemptsweremadetocheerhisloneliness。Aprocessionofhalfadozenmentwiceaweektohiscabin，carryingtheirownwhiskeyandwindingupwitha"stagdance"beforethepremises，wassufficienttolightenhiseclipsedgayetyandremindhimofahappierpast。"Surprise"workingpartiesvisitedhisclaimwithspasmodicessaystowardshelpinghim，andgreatgoodhumorandhilarityprevailed。Itwasnotanunusualthingforanhonestminertoarisefromanidlegatheringinsomecabinandexcusehimselfwiththeremarkthathe"reckonedhe’dputinanhour’sworkinUncleBilly’stailings！"Andyet，asbefore，itwasveryimprobableifanyoftheserecklessbenefactorsREALLYbelievedintheirownearnestnessorinthegravityofthesituation。Indeed，akindofhopefulcynicismranthroughtheirperformances。"Likeasnot，UncleBillyisstillin’cahoots’[i。e。，shares]withhisoldpard，andisjustlaughin’atusashe’ssendin’himaccountsofourtomfoolin’。"
　　Andsothewinterpassedandtherains，andthedaysofcloudlessskiesandchillstarlitnightsbegan。TherewerestillfreshetsfromthesnowreservoirspiledhighintheSierranpasses，andtheBarwasflooded，butthatpassedtoo，andonlythesunshineremained。Monotonousastheseasonswere，therewasafaintmovementinthecampwiththestirringofthesapinthepinesandcedars。Andthen，oneday，therewasastrangeexcitementontheBar。Menwereseenrunninghitherandthither，butmainlygatheringinacrowdonUncleBilly’sclaim，thatstillretainedtheoldpartners’namesin"TheFallandFoster。"Toaddtotheexcitement，therewasthequicklyrepeatedreportofarevolver，toallappearanceaimlesslyexplodedintheairbysomeoneontheoutskirtsoftheassemblage。Asthecrowdopened，UncleBillyappeared，pale，hysterical，breathless，andstaggeringalittleundertheback-slappingandhand-shakingofthewholecamp。ForUncleBillyhad"struckitrich"——hadjustdiscovereda"pocket，"
　　roughlyestimatedtobeworthfifteenthousanddollars！
　　Althoughinthatsuprememomenthemissedthefaceofhisoldpartner，hecouldnothelpseeingtheunaffecteddelightandhappinessshiningintheeyesofallwhosurroundedhim。Itwascharacteristicofthatsanguinebutuncertainlifethatsuccessandgoodfortunebroughtnojealousynorenvytotheunfortunate，butwasratherapromiseandprophecyofthefulfillmentoftheirownhopes。Thegoldwasthere——Naturebutyieldeduphersecret。
　　Therewasnoprescribedlimittoherbounty。Sostrongwasthisconvictionthatalong-sufferingbutstillhopefulminer，intheenthusiasmofthemoment，stoopeddownandpattedalargeboulderwiththeapostrophic"Goodoldgal！"
　　Thenfollowedanightofjubilee，anextmorningofhurriedconsultationwithaminingexpertandspeculatorluredtothecampbythegoodtidings；andthentheverynextnight——totheutterastonishmentofCedarCamp——UncleBilly，withadraftfortwentythousanddollarsinhispocket，startedforSanFrancisco，andtookleaveofhisclaimandthecampforever！……
　　WhenUncleBillylandedatthewharvesofSanFranciscohewasalittlebewildered。TheGoldenGatebeyondwasobliteratedbytheincomingsea-fog，whichhadalsoroofedinthewholecity，andlightsalreadyglitteredalongthegraystreetsthatclimbedthegrayersand-hills。AsaWesternman，broughtupbyinlandrivers，hewasfascinatedandthrilledbythetall-mastedseagoingships，andhefeltastrangesenseoftheremotermysteriousocean，whichhehadneverseen。Buthewasimpressedandstartledbysmartlydressedmenandwomen，thepassingofcarriages，andasuddenconvictionthathewasstrangeandforeigntowhathesaw。Ithadbeenhischerishedintentiontocalluponhisoldpartnerinhisworkingclothes，andthenclapdownonthetablebeforehimadraftfortenthousanddollarsasHISshareoftheiroldclaim。Butinthefaceofthesebrilliantstrangersasuddenandunexpectedtimiditycameuponhim。Hehadheardofacheappopularhotel，muchfrequentedbythereturninggold-miner，whoentereditshospitabledoors——whichheldaneasyaccesstoshops——andemergedinafewhoursagorgeousbutterflyoffashion，leavinghisoldchrysalisbehindhim。Thenceheinquiredhisway；henceheafterwardsissuedingarmentsglaringlynewandillfitting。Buthehadnotsacrificedhisbeard，andtherewasstillsomethingfineandoriginalinhishandsomeweakfacethatovercamethecheapconventionofhisclothes。Makinghiswaytothepost-office，hewasagaindiscomfitedbythegreatsizeofthebuilding，andbewilderedbythearrayoflittlesquareletter-boxesbehindglasswhichoccupiedonewholewall，andanequalnumberofopaqueandlockedwoodenoneslegiblynumbered。Hisheartleaped；herememberedthenumber，andbeforehimwasawindowwithaclerkbehindit。UncleBillyleanedforward。
　　"Kinyoutellmeifthemanthatbox690b’longstoisin？"
　　Theclerkstared，madehimrepeatthequestion，andthenturnedaway。Buthereturnedalmostinstantly，withtwoorthreegrinningheadsbesideshisown，apparentlysetbehindhisshoulders。UncleBillywasagainaskedtorepeathisquestion。Hedidso。
　　"Whydon’tyougoandseeif690isinhisbox？"saidthefirstclerk，turningwithaffectedasperitytooneoftheothers。
　　Theclerkwentaway，returned，andsaidwithsingulargravity，"Hewasthereamomentago，buthe’sgoneouttostretchhislegs。
　　It’srathercrampin’atfirst；andhecan’tstanditmorethantenhoursatatime，youknow。"
　　Butsimplicityhasitslimits。UncleBillyhadalreadyguessedhisrealerrorinbelievinghispartnerwasofficiallyconnectedwiththebuilding；hischeekhadflushedandthenpaledagain。Thepupilsofhisblueeyeshadcontractedintosuggestiveblackpoints。"Efyou’llletmeinatthatwinder，youngfellers，"hesaid，withequalgravity，"I’llshowyerhowIkinmakeYOUsmallenoughtogoinaboxwithoutcrampin’！ButIonlywantedtoknowwhereJimFosterLIVED。"
　　Atwhichthefirstclerkbecameperfunctoryagain，butcivil。"A
　　letterleftinhisboxwouldgetyouthatinformation，"hesaid，"andhere’spaperandpenciltowriteitnow。"
　　UncleBillytookthepaperandbegantowrite，"Justgothere。
　　Comeandseemeat"——Hepaused。Abrilliantideahadstruckhim；
　　Hecouldimpressbothhisoldpartnerandtheupstartsatthewindow；hewouldputinthenameofthelatest"swell"hotelinSanFrancisco，saidtobeafairydreamofopulence。Headded"TheOriental，"andwithoutfoldingthepapershoveditinthewindow。
　　"Don’tyouwantanenvelope？"askedtheclerk。
　　"Putastamponthecornerofit，"respondedUncleBilly，layingdownacoin，"andshe’llgothrough。"Theclerksmiled，butaffixedthestamp，andUncleBillyturnedaway。
　　Butitwasashort-livedtriumph。ThedisappointmentatfindingUncleJim’saddressconveyednoideaofhishabitationseemedtoremovehimfartheraway，andlosehisidentityinthegreatcity。
　　Besides，hemustnowmakegoodhisownaddress，andseekroomsattheOriental。Hewentthither。Thefurnitureanddecorations，evenintheseearlydaysofhotel-buildinginSanFrancisco，wereextravagantandover-strained，andUncleBillyfeltlostandlonelyinhisstrangesurroundings。Buthetookahandsomesuiteofrooms，paidfortheminadvanceonthespot，andthen，halffrightened，walkedoutofthemtoramblevaguelythroughthecityinthefeverishhopeofmeetinghisoldpartner。Atnighthisinquietudeincreased；hecouldnotfacethelongrowoftablesinthepillareddining-room，filledwithsmartlydressedmenandwomen；heevadedhisbedroom，withitsbrocadedsatinchairsanditsgiltbedstead，andfledtohismodestlodgingsattheGoodCheerHouse，andappeasedhishungeratitscheaprestaurant，inthecompanyofretiredminersandfreshlyarrivedEasternemigrants。Twoorthreedayspassedthusinthisquaintdoubleexistence。ThreeorfourtimesadayhewouldenterthegorgeousOrientalwithaffectedeaseandcarelessness，demandhiskeyfromthehotel-clerk，askfortheletterthatdidnotcome，gotohisroom，gazevaguelyfromhiswindowonthepassingcrowdbelowforthepartnerhecouldnotfind，andthenreturntotheGoodCheerHouseforrestandsustenance。OnthefourthdayhereceivedashortnotefromUncleJim；itwascouchedinhisusualsanguinebutbriefandbusinesslikestyle。Hewasverysorry，butimportantandprofitablebusinesstookhimoutoftown，buthetrustedtoreturnsoonandwelcomehisoldpartner。Hewasalso，forthefirsttime，jocose，andhopedthatUncleBillywouldnot"seeallthesights"
　　beforehe，UncleJim，returned。DisappointingasthisprocrastinationwastoUncleBilly，agleamofhopeirradiatedit：
　　theletterhadbridgedoverthatgulfwhichseemedtoyawnbetweenthematthepost-office。HisoldpartnerhadacceptedhisvisittoSanFranciscowithoutquestion，andhadalludedtoarenewaloftheiroldintimacy。ForUncleBilly，withallhistrustfulsimplicity，hadbeentorturedbytwoharrowingdoubts：one，whetherUncleJiminhisnew-fledgedsmartnessasa"city"man——suchashesawinthestreets——wouldcareforhisroughcompanionship；theother，whetherhe，UncleBilly，oughtnottotellhimatonceofhischangedfortune。But，likeallweak，unreasoningmen，heclungdesperatelytoadetail——hecouldnotforegohisoldideaofastoundingUncleJimbygivinghimhisshareofthe"strike"ashisfirstintimationofit，andhedoubted，withmorereasonperhaps，ifJimwouldseehimafterhehadheardofhisgoodfortune。ForUncleBillyhadstillafrightenedrecollectionofUncleJim’ssuddenstrokeforindependence，andthatrigidpunctiliousnesswhichhadmadehimdoggedlyaccepttheresponsibilityofhisextravagantstakeateuchre。
　　WithaviewofeducatinghimselfforUncleJim’scompany，he"sawthesights"ofSanFrancisco——asanovergrownandsomewhatstupidchildmighthaveseenthem——withgreatcuriosity，butlittlecontaminationorcorruption。ButIthinkhewaschieflypleasedwithwatchingthearrivaloftheSacramentoandStocktonsteamersatthewharves，inthehopeofdiscoveringhisoldpartneramongthepassengersonthegang-plank。Here，withhisoldsuperstitioustendencyandgambler’sinstinct，hewouldaugurgreatsuccessinhissearchthatdayifanyoneofthepassengersboretheleastresemblancetoUncleJim，ifamanorwomansteppedofffirst，orifhemetasingleperson’squestioningeye。Indeed，thisgottobetherealoccupationoftheday，whichhewouldonnoaccounthaveomitted，andtoacertainextentrevivedeachdayinhismindthemorning’sworkoftheiroldpartnership。Hewouldsaytohimself，"It’stimetogoandlookupJim，"andputoffwhathewaspleasedtothinkwerehispleasuresuntilthisactofdutywasaccomplished。
　　Inthissinglenessofpurposehemadeveryfewandnoentanglingacquaintances，nordidheimparttoanyonethesecretofhisfortune，loyallyreservingitforhispartner’sfirstknowledge。
　　Toamanofhisnaturalfranknessandsimplicitythiswasagreattrial，andwas，perhaps，acrucialtestofhisdevotion。WhenhegaveuphisroomsattheOriental——asnotnecessaryafterhispartner’sabsence——hesentaletter，withhishumbleaddress，tothemysteriouslock-boxofhispartnerwithoutfearorfalseshame。
　　Hewouldexplainitallwhentheymet。Buthesometimestreatedunluckyandreturningminerstoadinnerandavisittothegalleryofsometheatre。Yetwhilehehadanactivesympathywithandunderstandingofthehumblest，UncleBilly，whoformanyyearshaddonehisownandhispartner’swashing，scrubbing，mending，andcooking，andsawnodegradationinit，wassomewhatinconsistentlyirritatedbymenialfunctionsinmen，andalthoughhegaveextravagantlytowaiters，andthrewadollartothecrossing-
　　sweeper，therewasalwaysacertainshyavoidanceoftheminhismanner。ComingfromthetheatreonenightUncleBillywas，however，seriouslyconcernedbyoneofthesecrossing-sweepersturninghastilybeforethemandbeingknockeddownbyapassingcarriage。Themanroseandlimpedhurriedlyaway；butUncleBillywasamazedandstillmoreirritatedtohearfromhiscompanionthatthiskindofmenialoccupationwasoftenprofitable，andthatatsomeoftheprincipalcrossingsthesweeperswerealreadyrichmen。
　　ButafewdayslaterbroughtamorenotableeventtoUncleBilly。
　　OneafternooninMontgomeryStreetherecognizedinoneofitssmartlydressedfrequentersamanwhohadafewyearsbeforebeenamemberofCedarCamp。UncleBilly’schildishdelightatthismeeting，whichseemedtobridgeoverhisoldpartner’sabsence，was，however，onlyhalfrespondedtobytheex-miner，andthensomewhatsatirically。Inthefullnessofhisemotion，UncleBillyconfidedtohimthathewasseekinghisoldpartner，JimFoster，and，reticentofhisowngoodfortune，spokeglowinglyofhispartner’sbrilliantexpectations，butdeploredhisinabilitytofindhim。Andjustnowhewasawayonimportantbusiness。"I
　　reckonhe’sgotback，"saidthemandryly。"Ididn’tknowhehadalock-boxatthepost-office，butIcangiveyouhisotheraddress。
　　HelivesatthePresidio，atWasherwoman’sBay。"HestoppedandlookedwithasatiricalsmileatUncleBilly。Butthelatter，familiarwithCalifornianmining-campnomenclature，sawnothingstrangeinit，andmerelyrepeatedhiscompanion’swords。
　　"You’llfindhimthere！Good-by！Solong！SorryI’minahurry，"
　　saidtheex-miner，andhurriedaway。
　　UncleBillywastoodelightedwiththeprospectofaspeedymeetingwithUncleJimtoresenthisformerassociate’ssupercilioushaste，oreventowonderwhyUncleJimhadnotinformedhimthathehadreturned。Itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadfelthowwidewasthegulfbetweenhimselfandtheseothers，andthethoughtdrewhimclosertohisoldpartner，aswellashisoldidea，asitwasnowpossibletosurprisehimwiththedraft。Butashewasgoingtosurprisehiminhisownboarding-house——probablyahandsomeone——
　　UncleBillyreflectedthathewoulddosoinacertainstyle。
　　Heaccordinglywenttoaliverystableandorderedalandauandpair，withanegrocoachman。Seatedinit，inhisbestandmostill-fittingclothes，heaskedthecoachmantotakehimtothePresidio，andleanedbackinthecushionsastheydrovethroughthestreetswithsuchanexpressionofbeaminggratificationonhisgood-humoredfacethatthepassers-bysmiledattheequipageanditsextravagantoccupant。Tothemitseemedthenotunusualsightofthesuccessfulminer"onaspree。"TotheunsophisticatedUncleBillytheirsmilingseemedonlyanaturalandkindlyrecognitionofhishappiness，andhenoddedandsmiledbacktothemwithunsuspectingcandorandinnocentplayfulness。"Theseyer’Friscofellersain’tALLslouches，youbet，"headdedtohimselfhalfaloud，atthebackofthegrinningcoachman。
　　Theirwayledthroughwell-builtstreetstotheoutskirts，orrathertothatportionofthecitywhichseemedtohavebeenoverwhelmedbyshiftingsand-dunes，fromwhichhalf-submergedfencesandevenlowhousesbarelymarkedthelineofhighway。Theresistlesstrade-windswhichhadmarkedthischangeblewkeenlyinhisfaceandslightlychilledhisardor。Ataturnintheroadtheseacameinsight，andslopingtowardsitthegreatCemeteryofLoneMountain，withwhiteshaftsandmarblesthatglitteredinthesunlightlikethesailsofshipswaitingtobelauncheddownthatslopeintotheEternalOcean。UncleBillyshuddered。WhatifithadbeenhisfatetoseekUncleJimthere！
　　"Dar’syarPresidio！"saidthenegrocoachmanafewmomentslater，pointingwithhiswhip，"anddar’syarWash’woman’sBay！"
　　UncleBillystared。Ahugequadrangularfortofstonewithaflagflyingaboveitsbattlementsstoodatalittledistance，pressedagainsttherocks，asifbeatingbacktheencroachingsurges；
　　betweenhimandthefortbutfartherinlandwasalagoonwithanumberofdilapidated，rudelypatchedcabinsorcottages，likestrandeddriftwoodarounditsshore。Buttherewasnomansion，noblockofhouses，nostreet，notanotherhabitationordwellingtobeseen！
　　UncleBilly’sfirstshockofastonishmentwassucceededbyafeelingofrelief。Hehadsecretlydreadedameetingwithhisoldpartnerinthe"hauntsoffashion；"whateverwasthecausethatmadeUncleJimseekthisobscureretirementaffectedhimbutslightly；heevenwasthrilledwithavaguememoryoftheoldshiftlesscamptheyhadbothabandoned。Acertaininstinct——heknewnotwhy，orlessstillthatitmightbeoneofdelicacy——madehimalightbeforetheyreachedthefirsthouse。Biddingthecarriagewait，UncleBillyentered，andwasinformedbyablowzyIrishlaundressatatubthatJimFoster，or"ArkansawJim，"livedatthefourthshanty"beyant。"Hewasathome，for"he’dshprainedhisfut。"UncleBillyhurriedon，stoppedbeforethedoorofashantyscarcelylessrudethantheiroldcabin，andhalftimidlypusheditopen。Agrowlingvoicefromwithin，afigurethatrosehurriedly，leaningonastick，withanattempttofly，butinthesamemomentsankbackinachairwithanhystericallaugh——andUncleBillystoodinthepresenceofhisoldpartner！ButasUncleBillydartedforward，UncleJimroseagain，andthistimewithoutstretchedhands。UncleBillycaughtthem，andinonesupremepressureseemedtopouroutandtransfusehiswholesimplesoulintohispartner’s。Theretheyswayedeachotherbackwardsandforwardsandsidewaysbytheirstillclaspedhands，untilUncleBilly，withaglanceatUncleJim’sbandagedankle，shovedhimbysheerforcedownintohischair。
　　UncleJimwasfirsttospeak。"Caught，b’gosh！Imighterknownyou’dbeasbigafoolasme！Lookyou，BillyFall，doyouknowwhatyou’vedone？You’vedruvmeouterthestreetswharIwasmakin’anhonestlivin’，byday，onthreecrossin’s！Yes，"helaughedforgivingly，"youdruvmeouterit，byday，jestbecauseI
　　reckonedthatsometimeImightrunintoyourdarnedfoolface，"——
　　anotherlaughandagraspofthehand，——"andthen，b’gosh！notcontentwithruinin’mybusinessBYDAY，whenItooktoitatnight，YOUtooktogoin’outatnightstoo，andsoputastopperonmethere！ShallItellyouwhatelseyoudid？Well，bytheholypoker！Iowethissprainedfoottoyourdarnedfoolishnessandmyown，foritwasgettingawayfromYOUonenightafterthetheatrethatIgotrunintoandrunover！
　　"Yesee，"hewenton，unconsciousofUncleBilly’spalingface，andwithanaivete，thoughperhapsnotadelicacy，equaltoUncleBilly’sown，"Ihadtoplayrootsonyouwiththatlock-boxbusinessandtheseletters，becauseIdidnotwantyoutoknowwhatIwasupto，foryoumightn’tlikeit，andmightthinkitwaslowerin’totheoldfirm，don’tyersee？Iwouldn’thevgoneintoit，butIwasplayedout，andIdon’tmindtellin’youNOW，oldman，thatwhenIwroteyouthatfirstchipperletterfromthelock-
　　boxIhedn’teatanythin’fortwodays。Butit’sallrightNOW，"
　　withalaugh。"ThenIgotintothisbusiness——thinkin’itnothin’——
　　jesttheverylastthing——anddoyouknow，oldpard，Icouldn’ttellanybodybutYOU——and，infact，Ikeptitjesttotellyou——
　　I’vemadeninehundredandfifty-sixdollars！Yes，sir，NINE
　　HUNDREDANDFIFTY-SIXDOLLARS！solidmoney，inAdamsandCo。’sBank，justoutermytrade。"
　　"Wottrade？"askedUncleBilly。
　　UncleJimpointedtothecorner，wherestoodalarge，heavycrossing-sweeper’sbroom。"Thattrade。"
　　"Certingly，"saidUncleBilly，withaquicklaugh。
　　"It’sanoutdoortrade，"saidUncleJimgravely，butwithnosuggestionofawkwardnessorapologyinhismanner；"andtharain’tmuchdifferencebetweensweepin’acrossin’withabroomandrakingovertailingwitharake，ONLY——WOTYEGETwithabroomYOUHAVE
　　HANDEDTOYE，andyedon’thavetoPICKITUPANDFISHITOUTER
　　thewetrocksandsluice-gushin’；andit’saheaplesstiringtotheback。"
　　"Certingly，youbet！"saidUncleBillyenthusiastically，yetwithacertainnervousabstraction。
　　"I’mgladyesayso；foryerseeIdidn’tknowatfirsthowyou’dtumbletomydoingit，untilI’dmademypile。AndefIhadn’tmadeit，Iwouldn’thevseteyesonyeagin，oldpard——never！"
　　"Doyoumindmyrunnin’outaminit，"saidUncleBilly，rising。
　　"Yousee，I’vegotafriendwaitin’formeoutside——andIreckon"——
　　hestammered——"I’lljestrunoutandsendhimoff，soIkintalkcomf’bletoye。"
　　"Yeain’tgotanybodyyou’reowin’moneyto，"saidUncleJimearnestly，"anybodyfollerin’youtogetpaid，eh？ForIkinjestsetdownrighthereandwriteyeoffacheckonthebank！"
　　"No，"saidUncleBilly。Heslippedoutofthedoor，andranlikeadeertothewaitingcarriage。Thrustingatwenty-dollargold-pieceintothecoachman’shand，hesaidhoarsely，"Iain’twantin’thatkerridgejustnow；yekendrivearoundandhevaprivatejamboreeallbyyourselftherestoftheafternoon，andthencomeandwaitformeatthetopo’thehillyonder。"
　　Thusquitofhisgorgeousequipage，hehurriedbacktoUncleJim，graspinghisten-thousanddollardraftinhispocket。Hewasnervous，hewasfrightened，buthemustgetridofthedraftandhisstory，andhaveitover。ButbeforehecouldspeakhewasunexpectedlystoppedbyUncleJim。
　　"Now，lookyer，Billyboy！"saidUncleJim；"Igotsuthin’tosaytoye——andImightaswellclearitoffmymindatonce，andthenwecanstartfairagin。Now，"hewenton，withahalflaugh，"wasn’titenoughforMEtogoonpretendin’Iwasrichanddoingabigbusiness，andgettin’upthatlock-boxdodgesoasyecouldn’tfindoutwharIhungoutandwhatIwasdoin’——wasn’titenoughforMEtogoonwithallthisplay-actin’，butYOU，youlong-leggedornarycuss！mustgetupandgotolyin’andplay-actin’，too！"
　　"MEplay-actin’？MElyin’？"gaspedUncleBilly。
　　UncleJimleanedbackinhischairandlaughed。"DoyouthinkyoucouldfoolME？DoyouthinkIdidn’tseethroughyourlittlegameo’goingtothatswellOriental，jestasifye’dmadeabigstrike——
　　andallthewhileyewasn’tsleepin’oreatin’there，butjestwrastlin’yerhashandhavingarolldownattheGoodCheer！DoyouthinkIdidn’tspyonyeandfindthatout？Oh，youlong-earedjackass-rabbit！"
　　Helaugheduntilthetearscameintohiseyes，andUncleBillylaughedtoo，albeituntilthelaughonhisfacebecamequitefixed，andhewasfaintoburyhisheadinhishandkerchief。
　　"Andyet，"saidUncleJim，withadeepbreath，"gosh！Iwasfrighted——jestforaminit！Ithought，mebbe，youHADmadeabigstrike——whenIgotyourfirstletter——andImadeupmymindwhatI’ddo！AndthenIrememberedyouwasjestthatkindofanopensluicethatcouldn’tkeepanythin’toyourself，andyou’dhavebeensuretohaveyelleditouttoMEthefirstthing。SoIwaited。
　　AndIfoundyouout，youoldsinner！"HereachedforwardanddugUncleBillyintheribs。
　　"WhatWOULDyouhevdone？"saidUncleBilly，afteranhystericalcollapse。
　　UncleJim’sfacegrewgraveagain。"I’dhev——I’d——hevcl’aredout！
　　Outer’Frisco！outerCaliforny！outerAmeriky！Icouldn’thavestudit！Don’tthinkIwouldhevbegrudgedyeyerluck！Nomanwouldhavebeengladderthanme。"Heleanedforwardagain，andlaidhishandcaressinglyuponhispartner’sarm——"Don’tthinkI’dhevwantedtotakeapennyofit——butI——thar！ICOULDN’Thevstoodupunderit！TohevhadYOU，youthatIleftbehind，comin’downhererollin’inwealthandnewpartnersandfriends，andarriveuponme——andthisshanty——and"——hethrewtowardsthecorneroftheroomaterriblegesture，nonethelessterriblethatitwasillogicalandinconsequenttoallthathadgonebefore——"and——and——
　　THATBROOM！"
　　Therewasadeadsilenceintheroom。WithitUncleBillyseemedtofeelhimselfagaintransportedtothehomelycabinatCedarCampandthatfatefulnight，withhispartner’sstrange，determinedfacebeforehimasthen。Heevenfanciedthatheheardtheroaringofthepineswithout，anddidnotknowthatitwasthedistantsea。
　　ButafteraminuteUncleJimresumed：——
　　"Ofcourseyou’vemadealittleraisesomehow，oryouwouldn’tbehere？"
　　"Yes，"saidUncleBillyeagerly。"Yes！I’vegot"——Hestoppedandstammered。"I’vegot——a——fewhundreds。"
　　"Oh，oh！"saidUncleJimcheerfully。Hepaused，andthenaddedearnestly，"Isay！Youain’tgotleft，overandaboveyourd——dfoolishnessattheOriental，asmuchasfivehundreddollars？"
　　"I’vegot，"saidUncleBilly，blushingalittleoverhisfirstdeliberateandaffectedlie，"I’vegotatleastfivehundredandseventy-twodollars。Yes，"headdedtentatively，gazinganxiouslyathispartner，"I’vegotatleastthat。"
　　"Jewhillikins！"saidUncleJim，withalaugh。Theneagerly，"Lookhere，pard！Thenwe’reonvelvet！I’vegotNINEhundred；putyourFIVEwiththat，andIknowalittleranchthatwecangetfortwelvehundred。That’swhatI’vebeensavin’upfor——that’smylittlegame！Nomoreminin’forME。It’sgotashantytwiceasbigasouroldcabin，nighonahundredacres，andtwomustangs。
　　WecanrunitwithtwoChinamenandjestmakeithowl！Wotyersay——eh？"Heextendedhishand。
　　"I’min，"saidUncleBilly，radiantlygraspingUncleJim’s。Buthissmilefaded，andhisclearsimplebrowwrinkledintwolines。
　　HappilyUncleJimdidnotnoticeit。"Now，then，oldpard，"hesaidbrightly，"we’llhaveagayoldtimeto-night——oneofourjamborees！I’vegotsomewhiskeyhereandadecko’cards，andwe’llhavealittlegame，youunderstand，butnotfor’keeps’now！
　　No，siree；we’llplayforbeans。"
　　AsuddenlightilluminatedUncleBilly’sfaceagain，buthesaid，withagrimdesperation，"Notto-night！I’vegottogointotown。
　　Thatfren’o’mineexpectsmetogotothetheayter，don’tyesee？
　　ButI’llbeoutto-morrowatsun-up，andwe’llfixupthisthingo’
　　theranch。"
　　"Seemstomeyou’rekinderstuckonthisfren’，"gruntedUncleJim。
　　UncleBilly’sheartboundedathispartner’sjealousy。"No——butI
　　MUST，youknow，"hereturned，withafaintlaugh。