Mr。Carstone’sprophecywasbuthalfrealized。AttheendofsixmonthsHerbertBly’sdiscretionanddevotionweredulyrewardedbyCherry’shand。ButTappingtondidNOTgiveheraway。Thatsaintlyprodigalpassedhisperiodofprobationwithexemplaryrectitude，but，eitherfromadreadofoldtemptation，orsomeunexplainedreason，hepreferredtoremaininPortland，andhisfastidiousnestonTelegraphHillknewhimnomore。Thekeyofthelittledooronthesidestreetpassed，naturally，intothekeepingofMrs。Bly。
　　WhetherthesecretofTappington’sdoublelifewaseverrevealedtothetwowomenisnotknowntothechronicler。Mrs。BlyisreportedtohavesaidthattheclimateofOregonwasmoresuitedtoherbrother’sdelicateconstitutionthanthedampfogsofSanFrancisco，andthathistasteswerealwaysopposedtothemerefrivolityofmetropolitansociety。Theonlypossiblereasonforsupposingthatthemothermayhavebecomecognizantofherson’syouthfulerrorswasintheoccasionalvisitstothehouseofthehandsomeGeorgeDornton，who，inthesocialrevolutionthatfollowedthebriefreignoftheVigilanceCommittee，characteristicallyreturnedasadashingstockbroker，andthefactthatMrs。Brooksseemedtohavediscardedherasceticshawlforever。Butasallthiswascontemporaneouswiththeabsurdrumor，thatowingtothelonelinessinducedbythemarriageofherdaughtershecontemplatedasimilarchangeinherowncondition，itisdeemedunworthytheseriousconsiderationofthisveraciouschronicle。
　　CAPTAINJIM’SFRIEND。
　　I。
　　Hardlyoneofus，Ithink，reallybelievedintheauriferousprobabilitiesofEurekaGulch。Followingalittlestream，wehadonedaydriftedintoit，verymuchasweimaginedtherivergoldmighthavedoneinremoterages，withthedifferencethatWE
　　remainedthere，whiletherivergoldtoallappearanceshadnot。
　　Atfirstitwastacitlyagreedtoignorethisfact，andwemadethemostofthecharminglocality，withitsrarewatercoursethatlostitselfintangleddepthsofmanzanitaandalder，itslaurel—chokedpass，itsflower—strewnhillside，anditssummitcrestedwithrockingpines。
　　"Yousee，"saidtheoptimisticRowley，water’sthemainthingafterall。Ifwehappentostrikerivergold，thar’sthestreamforwashingit;ifwehappentodropintoquartz——andthattharrocklooksmightylikely——tharain’tamorenatural—bornsiteforamillthanthatrightbank，withwaterenoughtorunfiftystamps。Thathillsideisanoriginaldumpforyourtailings，andareadyfoundinclinedroadforyourtrucks，freshfromthehandsofProvidence;
　　andthatroadwe’rekalkilatin’tobuildtotheturnpikewillrunjusteasyalongthatridge。"
　　Later，whenwewereforcedtoacceptthefactthatfindinggoldwasreallytheprimaryobjectofagold—miningcompany，westillremainedthere，excusingouryouthfullazinessandincertitudebybrilliantandeffectivesarcasmsupontheunremunerativeattractionsofthegulch。Nevertheless，whenCaptainJim，returningonedayfromthenearestsettlementandpost—office，twentymilesaway，burstuponuswith"Well，thehullthing’llbesettlednow，boys;LacyBassettiscomingdownyertolookround，"
　　wefeltconsiderablyrelieved。
　　Andyet，perhaps，wehadaslittlereasonforitaswehadforremainingthere。TherewasnowarrantforanybeliefinthespecialdiviningpoweroftheunknownLacyBassett，exceptCaptainJim’sextravagantfaithinhisgeneralsuperiority，andeventhathadalwaysbeenasourceofamusedskepticismtothecamp。Wewerealreadyimpatientlyfamiliarwiththeopinionsofthisunseenoracle;hewasalwaysimpendinginCaptainJim’sspeechasafragrantmemoryoranunquestionedauthority。WhenCaptainJimbegan，"EzLacywasonedaytellin’me，"or，"EzLacyBassettallows，"ormoreformally，whenstrangerswerepresent，"Ezaparticklerfriendo’mine，LacyBassett——maybeezyouknowhim——
　　sez，"theyouthfulandlightermembersoftheEurekaMiningCompanyglancedateachotherinfurtiveenjoyment。Neverthelessnoonelookedmoreeagerlyforwardtothearrivalofthisapocryphalsagethantheseindolentskeptics。Itwasatleastanexcitement;theywereequallyreadytoaccepthiscondemnationofthelocalityorhisjustificationoftheiroriginalselection。
　　Hecame。HewasreceivedbytheEurekaMiningCompanylyingontheirbacksonthegrassysiteoftheprospectivequartzmill，notfarfromtheequallyhypothetical"slide"tothegulch。Hecamebythefuturestageroad——atpresentathicksetjungleofscrub—oaksandferns。HewasaccompaniedbyCaptainJim，whohadgonetomeethimonthetrail，andforafewmomentsallcriticalinspectionofhimselfwaswithheldbytheextraordinaryeffectheseemedtohaveuponthefacultiesofhisintroducer。
　　AnythingliketheabsoluteprepossessionofCaptainJimbythisstrangerwehadneverimagined。Heapproachedusrunningalittleaheadofhisguest，andnowandthenreturningassuringlytohissidewiththeexpressionofadevotedNewfoundlanddog，whichinfluffinesshegenerallyresembled。Andnow，evenaftertheintroductionwasover，whenhemadeapointofstandingasideinanaffectationofcarelessness，withhishandsinhispockets，thesimulationwassoapparent，andhisconsciousnessandabsorptioninhisfriendsoobvious，thatitwasarelieftoustorecallhimintotheconversation。
　　Astoourownfirstimpressionsofthestranger，theywereprobablycorrect。Wealldislikedhim;wethoughthimconceited，self—
　　opinionated，selfish，anduntrustworthy。Butlater，reflectingthatthiswaspossiblytheresultofCaptainJim’sover—praise，andfindingnoneofthesequalitiesasyetoffensivelyopposedtoourownselfishnessandconceit，wewereinduced，likemanyothers，toforgetourfirstimpressions。WecouldeasilycorrecthimifheattemptedtoimposeuponUS，asheevidentlyhaduponCaptainJim。
　　Believing，afterthefashionofmosthumanity，thattherewassomethingaboutUSparticularlyawe—inspiringandedifyingtoviceorweaknessofanykind，wegood—humoredlyyieldedtothecheapfascinationofthisshowy，self—saturated，over—dressed，andunderbredstranger。Eventheepithetof"blower"asappliedtohimbyRowleyhaditsmitigations;inthatTrajancommunityabullywasnotnecessarilyacoward，norfloriddemonstrationalwaysaweakness。
　　Hiscondemnationofthegulchwassweeping，original，andstriking。
　　Helaughedtoscornourhalf—heartedtheoryofagolddepositinthebedandbarsofourfavoritestream。Wewerenottolookforauriferousalluviuminthebedofanypresentexistingstream，butinthe"cement"ordried—upbedoftheoriginalprehistoricriversthatformerlyranparallelwiththepresentbed，andwhich——hedemonstratedwiththestemofPickney’spipeinthereddust——couldbefoundbysinkingshaftsatrightangleswiththestream。Thetheorywastous，atthattime，novelandattractive。Itwastruethatthescientificexplanation，althoughfullandgratuitous，soundedvagueandincoherent。Itwastruethatthegeologicaltermswerenotalwayscorrect，andtheirpronunciationdefective，butweacceptedsuchextraordinarydiscoveriesas"ignusfatuusrock，""splendiferousdrift，""micatwist"（recallingapopularspeciesoftobacco），"ironpirates，"and"discomposedquartz"aspartofwhathenotinaptlycalleda"tautologicalformation，"andwerehappy。Norwasourcontentmentmarredbythefactthatthewell—knownscientificauthoritywithwhomthestrangerhadbeenintimate，——tothepointof"sleepingtogether"duringasurvey，——
　　andwhomhedescribedasabentoldmanwithspectacles，musthaveagedconsiderablysinceoneofourpartysawhimthreeyearsbeforeasakeenyoungfellowoftwenty—five。Inaccuracieslikethosewereonlythecarelessnessofgenius。"That’smyopinion，gentlemen，"heconcluded，negligentlyrising，andwithpointedpreoccupationwhippingthedustofEurekaGulchfromhisclotheswithhishandkerchief，"butofcourseitain’tnothin’tome。"
　　CaptainJim，whohadfollowedeverywordwithdeepandtrustfulabsorption，hererepeated，"Itain’tnothingtohim，boys，"withaconfidentialimplicationofthegratuitousblessingwehadreceived，andthenadded，withloyalencouragementtohim，"Itain’tnothingtoyou，Lacy，incourse，"andlaidhishandonhisshoulderwithinfinitetenderness。
　　We，however，endeavoredtomakeitsomethingtoMr。LacyBassett。
　　HewasspontaneouslyofferedashareinthecompanyandapartofCaptainJim’stent。HeacceptedbothafterafewdeprecatingandmutteredasidestoCaptainJim，whichthelatterafterwardsexplainedtouswasthegivingupofseveralotherimportantenterprisesforoursake。WhenhefinallystrolledawaywithRowleytolookoverthegulch，CaptainJimreluctantlytorehimselfawayfromhimonlyforthepleasureofreiteratinghispraisetousasifinstrictestconfidenceandasanentirelynovelproceeding。
　　"Yousee，boys，Ididn’tliketosayitaforeHIM，webein’oldfriends;but，betweenus，thatyoungfellerezworththousandstothecamp。Mebbee，"hecontinuedwithgravenaivete，"Iain’tsaidmuchabouthimafore，mebbee，bein’oldfriendsandaccustomedtohim——youknowhowitis，boys，——Ihaven’tappreciatedhimasmuchezIought，andezyoudo。Infact，Idon’tezaklyrememberhowI
　　kemtoaskhimdownyer。Itcametomesuddent，onedayonlyaweekagoFridaynight，tharunderthatbuckeye;Iwasthinkin’o’
　　oneofhissayins，andsezI——thar’sLacy，ifhewasherehe’dsetthehullthingright。Itwastheghostofachancemyfindin’himfree，butIdid。AndthereHEis，andyerWEaresettled！Yenoticedhowhejustknockedthebottomouterourplanstowork。Yenoticedthatquicksorto’sneerin’smileo’his，didn’tye——that’sLacy！I’veseenhimknockoveraheapo’thingswithoutsayin’
　　anythin’——withjistthatsmile。"
　　Itoccurredtousthatwemighthavesomedifficultyinutilizingthissmileinourpresentaffairs，andthatweshouldhaveprobablypreferredsomethingmoreassuring，butCaptainJim’sfaithwascontagious。
　　"Whatishe，anyway？"askedJoeWalkerlazily。
　　"Eh！"echoedCaptainJiminastonishment。"WhatisLacyBassett？"
　　"Yes，whatishe？"repeatedWalker。
　　"WotIS——he？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"I’veknowedhimnowgoin’asfouryear，"saidCaptainJimwithslowreflectivecontentment。"Let’ssee。Itwasinthefallo’
　　’54Ifirstmethim，andhe’sallusbeenthesameezyouseehimnow。"
　　"Butwhatishisbusinessorprofession？Whatdoeshedo？"
　　CaptainJimlookedreproachfullyathisquestioner。
　　"Do？"herepeated，turningtotherestofusasifdisdainingadirectreply。"Do？——why，wothe’sdoin’now。He’sallusthesame，allusLacyBassett。"
　　Howbeit，wewenttoworkthenextdayunderthesuperintendenceofthestrangerwithyouthfulandenthusiasticenergy，andbeganthesinkingofashaftatonce。TodoCaptainJim’sfriendjustice，forthefirstfewweekshedidnotshirkafairshareoftheactuallabor，replacinghisobjectionableandunsuitablefinerywithasuitofserviceableworkingclothesgottogetherbygeneralcontributionofthecamp，andassuringusofafactweafterwardshadcausetoremember，that"hebroughtnothingbuthimselfintoEurekaGulch。"Itmaybeaddedthathecertainlyhadnotbroughtmoneythere，asCaptainJimadvancedthesmallamountsnecessaryforhispurchasesinthedistantsettlement，andforthestillsmallersumshelostatcards，whichheplayedwithcharacteristicself—sufficiency。
　　Meantimetheworkintheshaftprogressedslowlybutregularly。
　　Evenwhenthenoveltyhadwornoffandtheexcitementofanticipationgrewfainter，Iamafraidthatweclungtothisnewformofoccupationasanapologyforremainingthere;forthefascinationsofourvagabondandunconventionallifeweremorepotentthanwedreamedof。Wewereslowlyfetteredbyourveryfreedom;therewasastrangespellinthisveryboundlessnessofourlicensethatkeptusfromeventhedesireofchange;inthewildandlawlessarmsofnatureherselfwefoundanembraceasclinging，ashopelessandrestraining，asthecivilizationfromwhichwehadfled。Wewerequitecontentafterafewhours’workintheshafttolieonourbacksonthehillsidestaringattheunwinkingsky，ortowanderwithagunthroughthevirginforestinsearchofgamescarcelylessvagabondthanourselves。Weindulgedinthemostextravagantanddreamyspeculationsofthefortuneweshouldeventuallydiscoverintheshaft，andbelievedthatwewerepractical。Webrokeour"saleratusbread"withappetitesunimpairedbyrestlessnessoranxiety;wewenttosleepunderthegraveandsedatestarswithasereneconsciousnessofhavingfairlyearnedourrest;weawokethenextmorningwithunabatedtrustfulness，andasweetobliviousnessofeventhehypotheticalfortuneswehadperhapswonorlostatcardsovernight。Wepaidnoheedtothefactthatourlittlecapitalwasslowlysinkingwiththeshaft，andthattherainyseason——whereinnotonly"nomancouldwork，"butevensuchplayasourswasimpossible——wasmomentarilyimpending。
　　Inthemidstofthis，onedayLacyBassettsuddenlyemergedfromtheshaftbeforehis"shift"oflaborwasoverwitheverysignofdisgustandrageinhisfaceandinarticulatewithapparentpassion。Invainwegatheredroundhiminconcern;invainCaptainJimregardedhimwithalmostfemininesympathy，asheflungawayhispickanddashedhishattotheground。
　　"What’sup，Lacy，oldpard？What’sgoneo’you？"saidCaptainJimtenderly。
　　"Look！"gaspedLacyatlast，wheneveryeyewasonhim，holdingupasmallfragmentofrockbeforeusandthenextmomentgrindingitunderhisheelinrage。"Look！TothinkthatI’vebeenfooledaginbythisblankedfossiliferoustrap——blankit！TothinkthataftermeandProfessorParkerwasoncecaughtjistinthiswayupontheStanislausatthebottomofahundred—footshaftbythisrottentrap——thatyerIam——bluffedagin！"
　　Therewasadeadsilence;welookedateachotherblankly。
　　"But，Bassett，"saidWalker，pickingupapartofthefragment，"we’vebeenfindingthiskindofstuffforthelasttwoweeks。"
　　"Buthow？"returnedLacy，turninguponhimalmostfiercely。"Didyefinditsuperposedonquartz，ordidyoufinditNOTsuperposedonquartz？Didyoufinditinvolcanicdrift，ordidyefinditinoldred—sandstoneorcoarseilluvion？Tellmethat，andthenyekintalk。Butthisyerblankfossiliferoustrap，insteado’beingsuperposedontop，issuperposedonthebottom。Andthatmeans"——
　　"What？"weallaskedeagerly。
　　"Why——blankitall——thatthisyerconvulsionofnature，thisprehistoricvolcanicearthquake，insteadofactinglaterallyandchuckin’thestreamtooneside，hasbeenrevolutionaryandturnedtheoldriver—bedbottom—sideup，andyerd——dcementhezgothalftheglobeatopofit！YemightstrikeitfromChina，butnowhereelse。"
　　Wecontinuedtolookatoneanother，theoldermemberswithdarkeningfaces，theyoungerwithastronginclinationtolaugh。
　　CaptainJim，whohadbeenconcernedonlyinhisfriend’semotion，andwhowashangingwithundisguisedsatisfactiononthesefinalconvincingproofsofhissuperiorgeologicalknowledge，murmuredapprovinglyandconfidingly，"He’sright，boys！Tharain’tanothermanlivin’ezcouldgiveyouthelawandgospillikethat！Yecantietowhathesays。That’sLacyallover。"
　　Twoweekspassed。Wehadgathered，dampanddisconsolate，intheonlyavailableshelterofthecamp。Forthelongsummerhadendedunexpectedlytous;wehadonedayfoundourselvescaughtliketheimprovidentinsectofthechild’sfablewithgauzyandunseasonablewingswetandbedraggledinthefirstrains，homelessandhopeless。
　　ThescientificLacy，wholatelyspentmostofhistimeasabar—
　　roomoracleinthesettlement，wasaway，andfromourdrippingcanvaswecouldseeCaptainJimreturningfromavisittohim，slowlyploddingalongthetrailtowardsus。
　　"It’snouse，boys，"saidRowley，summarizingtheresultofourconference，"wemustspeakouttohim，andifnobodyelsecarestodoitIwill。Idon’tknowwhyweshouldbemoremealy—mouthedthantheyareatthesettlement。Theydon’thesitatetocallBassettadead—beat，whateverCaptainJimsaystothecontrary。"
　　TheunfortunateCaptainJimhadhaltedirresolutelybeforethegloomyfacesintheshelter。WhetherhefeltinstinctivelysomeforewarningofwhatwascomingIcannotsay。Therewasacertaindog—likeconsciousnessinhiseyeandahalf—backwardglanceoverhisshoulderasifhewerenotquitecertainthatLacywasnotfollowing。Therainhadsomewhatsubduedhischaracteristicfluffiness，andhecoweredwithakindofsleekstorm—beatendespondencyoverthesmokingfireofgreenwoodbeforeourtent。
　　Nevertheless，Rowleyopeneduponhimwithadirectnessanddecisionthatastonishedus。HepointedoutbrieflythatLacyBassetthadbeenknowntousonlythroughCaptainJim’sintroduction。ThathehadbeenoriginallyinvitedthereonCaptainJim’sownaccount，andthathislaterconnectionwiththecompanyhadbeenwhollytheresultofCaptainJim’sstatements。That，farfrombeinganyaidorassistancetothem，Bassetthadbeguiledthembyapocryphalknowledgeandshamscientifictheoriesintoanexpensiveandgiganticpieceoffolly。That，inadditiontothis，theyhadjustdiscoveredthathehadalsobeenusingthecreditofthecompanyforhisownindividualexpensesatthesettlementwhiletheywereworkingonhisd——dfoolshaft——allofwhichhadbroughtthemtothevergeofbankruptcy。That，asaresult，theywereforcednowtodemandhisresignation——notonlyontheirgeneralaccount，butforCaptainJim’ssake——believingfirmly，astheydid，thathehadbeenasgrosslydeceivedinhisfriendshipforLacyBassettasTHEY
　　wereintheirbusinessrelationswithhim。
　　Insteadofbeingmollifiedbythis，CaptainJim，toourgreaterastonishment，suddenlyturneduponthespeaker，bristlingwithhisoldcaninesuggestion。
　　"There！Isaidso！Goon！I’dhavesworntoitaforeyouopenedyourlips。Iknoweditthedayyousneakedaroundandwantedtoknowwothisbusinesswas！Isaidtomyself，Cap，lookoutforthatsneakin’houndRowley，he’snofriendo’Lacy’s。AndthedayLacysofardemeanedhimselfastogiveyethatsplendidexplanationo’things，Iwatchedye;yedidn’tthinkit，butI
　　watchedye。Yecan’tfoolme！Isawyelookin’atWalkerthere，andIsaidtomyself，Wot’stheuse，Lacy，wot’stheuseo’yourslingin’themwordstosuchasTHEM？WotdoTHEYknow？It’sjusttheirpurejealousyandignorance。Efyou’dcomedownyer，andlazedaroundwithusandfallenintoourcommonways，you’dha’
　　beenezgoodamanezthenext。Butno，itain’tyourstyle，Lacy，you’reaccustomedtohigh—tonedmenlikeProfessorParker，andyoucan’thelpshowingit。Nowonderyoutooktoavoidin’us;nowonderI’vehadtofolleryouovertheBurntWoodCrossin’timeandagain，togettoseeye。Iseeitallnow：yecan’tstandthekempanyIbroughtyeto！YehadtowipetheslumgullionofEurekaGulchoffyourhands，Lacy"——Hestopped，gaspedforbreath，andthenliftedhisvoicemoresavagely，"Andnow，what’sthis？Wot’sthishogwash？thisyerlyin’slanderabouthisgettin’thingsonthekempany’scredit？Eh，speakup，someofye！"
　　Weweresoutterlyshockedandstupefiedatthedegradationofthissuddenandunexpectedoutburstfromamanusuallysohonorable，gentle，self—sacrificing，andforgiving，thatweforgotthecauseofitandcouldonlystareateachother。Whatwasthischeapstranger，withhisshallowswindlingtricks，totheignoblechangehehadworkeduponthemanbeforeus。RowleyandWalker，bothfearlessfightersandquicktoresentaninsult，onlyavertedtheirsaddenedfacesandturnedasidewithoutaword。
　　"Yedussen’tsayit！Well，harktomethen，"hecontinuedwithwhiteandfeverishlips。"Iputhimuptohelpin’himself。Itoldhimtousethekempany’snameforcredit。YekinputthatdowntoME。AndwhenyetalkofHISresigning，IwantyetounderstandthatIresignouterthisrottenkempanyandTAKEHIMWITHME！Efallthegoldyerlookin’forwaspiledupinthatshaftfromitsbottominhelltoitstopinthegulch，itain’tenoughtokeepmehereawayfromhim！Yekintakeallmyshare——allMYrightsyerabovegroundandbelowit——allIcarry，"——hethrewhisbuckskinpurseandrevolverontheground，——"andpayyourselveswhatyoureckonyou’velostthroughHIM。Butyouandmeisquitsfromto—
　　day。"
　　Hestrodeawaybeforearestrainingvoiceorhandcouldreachhim。
　　Hisdrippingfigureseemedtomeltintotherainbeneaththethickeningshadowsofthepines，andthenextmomenthewasgone。
　　FromthatdayforwardEurekaGulchknewhimnomore。Andthecampitselfsomehowmeltedawayduringtherainyseason，evenashehaddone。
　　II。
　　Threeyearshadpassed。Thepioneerstage—coachwassweepingdownthelongdescenttothepastoralvalleyofGilead，andIwaslookingtowardsthevillagewithsomepardonableinterestandanxiety。ForIcarriedinmypocketmylettersofpromotionfromtheboxseatofthecoach——whereIhadperformedthefunctionsoftreasuremessengerfortheExcelsiorExpressCompany——totheresidentagencyofthatcompanyinthebucolichamletbeforeme。
　　Thefewdustyright—angledstreets，withtheirrigidandstaringlynewshopsanddwellings，thesternformalityofoneortwoobelisk—
　　likemeeting—housespires，theillimitableoutlyingplainsofwheatandwildoatsbeyond，withtheirmonotonyscarcelybrokenbyskeletonstockades，corrals，andbarrack—lookingfarmbuildings，wereallcertainlyunliketheunkemptfreedomofthemountainfastnessesinwhichIhadlatelylivedandmoved。YubaBill，thedriver，whoseusualexpressionofhumorousdiscontentdeepenedintoscornashegathereduphisreinsasiftochargethevillageandrecklesslysweepitfromhispath，indicatedahuge，rambling，obtrusivelyglazed，andcapital—letteredbuildingwithacontemptuousflickofhiswhipaswepassed。"Efyou’rekalkilatin’we’llgetourpartin’drinkthereyou’remistaken。
　　That’swottheycallaTEMPERANCEHOUSE——wotmeansaplacewherethelickeryegetunderhandisonlyatrifleworsethanthehashyegetabove—board。Isupposeit’sparto’oneo’themysterieso’
　　Providencethatwhareveryoufindadustyholelikethis——that’snaturallyTHIRSTY——yerunagina’temperance’house。ButneverYOU
　　mind！Ishouldn’twonderiftharwasademijohno’whiskeyintheclosetofyourbackoffice，kepttharbythefelleryou’rerelievin’——whowasawhitemanandknewtheropes。"
　　Afewminuteslater，whenmybriefinstallationwasover，weDID
　　findthedemijohnintheplaceindicated。AsYubaBillwipedhismouthwiththebackofhisheavybuckskinglove，heturnedtomenotunkindly。"Idon’tliketosetyeaginGile—ad，whichisascrip—too—ruralplace，andaGod—fearin’place，andanicedryplace，andaplaceezI’veheardtellwhartheygrowbeansandpertatoesandgardensass;butaforethreeweeksisover，oldpard，you’llbehowlin’togetbackonthatboxseatwithme，wharyouustersit，andbereadytotakeyourchancesagin，likealittleman，togetdrilledthroughwithbuckshotfromroadagents。Youhearme！I’llgiveyouthreeweeks，sonny，justthreeweeks，togetyourbutesfullo’hayseedandstrawsinyerhar;andI’llfindyewadin’theNorthForkathighwatertogetouto’this。"Heshookmyhandwithgrimtenderness，removinghisglove——ararefavor——togivemethepressureofhislarge，soft，protectingpalm，andstrodeaway。ThenextmomenthewasshakingthewhitedustofGileadfromhisscornfulchariot—wheels。
　　Inthehopeoffamiliarizingmyselfwiththelocalinterestsofthecommunity，Itookupacopyofthe"GileadGuardian"whichlayonmydesk，forgettingforthemomenttheusualcustomofthecountrypresstodisplacelocalnewsforlongeditorialsonforeignsubjectsandnationalpolitics。Ifound，tomydisappointment，thatthe"Guardian"exhibitedmorethantheusualdearthofdomesticintelligence，althoughitwassingularlyoracularon"TheStateofEurope，"and"JeffersonianDemocracy。"Acertaincheapassurance，acopy—bookdogmatism，acolloquialfamiliarity，evenintheimpersonalplural，andaseriesofinaccuraciesandblundershereandthere，strucksomeoldchordinmymemory。IwasmutelywonderingwhereandwhenIhadbecomepersonallyfamiliarwithrhetoriclikethat，whenthedooroftheofficeopenedandamanentered。IwassurprisedtorecognizeCaptainJim。
　　Ihadnotseenhimsincehehadindignantlyleftus，threeyearsbefore，inEurekaGulch。Thecircumstancesofhisdefectionwerecertainlynotconducivetoanyvoluntaryrenewaloffriendshiponeitherside;andalthough，evenasaformermemberoftheEurekaMiningCompany，Iwasnotconsciousofretaininganysenseofinjury，yetthewholeoccurrenceflashedbackuponmewithawkwarddistinctness。Tomyrelief，however，hegreetedmewithhisoldcordiality;tomyamusementheaddedtoitasuggestionofthelargeforgivenessofconsciousrectitudeandamiabletoleration。I
　　thought，however，Idetected，asheglancedatthepaperwhichwasstillinmyhandandthenbackagainatmyface，thesameuneasycanineresemblanceIrememberedofold。Hehadchangedbutlittleinappearance;perhapshewasatriflestouter，moremature，andslowerinhismovements。IfImayreturntomycanineillustration，hisgrayer，dustier，andmorewiryensemblegavemetheimpressionthatcertainpastoralandagriculturalconditionshadvariedhistype，andhelookedmorelikeashepherd’sdoginwhosebrowneyestherewasanabidingconsciousnessofthecareofstrayingsheep，andpossiblyofoneblackoneinparticular。
　　Hehad，hetoldme，abandonedminingandtakenupfarmingonaratherlargescale。Hehadprospered。Hehadotherinterestsatstake，"Aflour—millwithsomeimprovements——and——and"——herehiseyeswanderedtothe"Guardian"again，andheaskedmesomewhatabruptlywhatIthoughtofthepaper。Somethingimpelledmetorestrainmypreviousfullercriticism，andIcontentedmyselfbysayingbrieflythatIthoughtitratherambitiousforthelocality。
　　"That’stheword，"hesaidwithalookofgratifiedrelief，"’ambitious’——you’vejusthitit。Andwhat’sthematterwiththet？
　　Yekan’texpectahigh—tonedmantowritedowntothelevelofeverykarpin’hound，kenyenow？That’swhathesaystome"——Hestoppedhalfconfused，andthenaddedabruptly："That’soneo’myinvestments。"
　　"Why，CaptainJim，Ineversuspectedthatyou"——
　　"Oh，Idon’tWRITEit，"heinterruptedhastily。"Ionlyfurnishthemoneyandtheadvertising，andrunitgin’rally，youknow;andI’mresponsibleforit。AndIselecttheeddyter——and"——hecontinued，withareturnofthesameuneasywistfullook——"thar’ssuthin’inthet，youknow，eh？"
　　Iwasbeginningtobeperplexed。ThememoryevokedbythestyleoftheeditorialwritingandthepresenceofCaptainJimwasassumingasuspiciousrelationshiptoeachother。"Andwho’syoureditor？"
　　Iasked。
　　"Oh，he’s——he’s——er——LacyBassett，"hereplied，blinkinghiseyeswithahopelessassumptionofcarelessness。"Let’ssee！Ohyes！
　　YouknowedLacydownthereatEureka。Idisrememberedittillnow。
　　Yes，sir！"herepeatedsuddenlyandalmostrudely，asiftoprecludeanyadversecriticism，"he’stheeddyter！"
　　Tomysurprisehewasquitewhiteandtremulouswithnervousness。
　　Iwasverysorryforhim，andasIreallycaredverylittleforthehalf—forgottenescapadeofhisfriendexceptsofarasitseemedtorenderHIMsensitive，Ishookhishandagainheartilyandbegantotalkofouroldlifeinthegulch——avoidingasfaraspossibleanyallusiontoLacyBassett。Hisfacebrightened;hisoldsimplecordialityandtrustfulnessreturned，butunfortunatelywithithisolddispositiontorefertoBassett。"Yes，theywazhigholdtimes，andezIwazsayin’toLacyon’yyesterday，thereisakindo’freedom’boutthatsorto’lifethatrunscivilizationandnoospapersmightyhard，howeverhigh—tonedtheyis。NotbutwhatLacyain’tright，"headdedquickly，"whenhesezthattheoppositionthe’Guardian’getsherecomesfromignorantlow—downfellersezwosbroughtupinplayed—outcamps，andcan’ttellagentlemanandascholarandascientificmanwhentheyseeshim。
　　No！SoIseztoLacy，’Neveryoumind，it’shightimetheydid，andthey’vegottodoitandtoswallerthe"Guardian，"ifIsinkdoublethemoneyI’vealreadyputintothepaper。’"
　　Iwasnotlongindiscoveringfromothersourcesthatthe"Guardian"wasnotpopularwiththemoreintelligentreadersofGilead，andthatCaptainJim’sextravagantestimateofhisfriendwasbynomeansindorsedbythecommunity。Butcriticismtookahumorousturneveninthatpracticalsettlement，anditappearedthatLacyBassett’svanity，assumption，andignorancewereanunfailingandweeklyjoytothecritical，inspiteofthevaguedistrusttheyinducedinthemorehomely—witted，andthedullacquiescenceofthatminoritywhoacceptedthepaperforitsrespectableexteriorandadvertisements。Iwassomewhatgrieved，however，tofindthatCaptainJimsharedequallywithhisfriendinthisgeneralverdictofincompetency，andthatsomeofthemostoutrageousblunderswereputdowntoHIM。ButIwasnotpreparedtobelievethatLacyhaddirectlyorbyinnuendohelpedthepublictothisopinion。
　　Whetherthroughaccidentordesignonhispart，LacyBassettdidnotpersonallyobtrudehimselfuponmyremembranceuntilamonthlater。Onedazzlingafternoon，whenthedustandheathaddriventheprideofGilead’smanhoodintothesurreptitiousshadowsofthetemperancehotel’sbackroom，andhadevenclearedtheexpressofficeofitsloungers，andleftmealonewithdarkenedwindowsintheprivateoffice，theouterdooropenedandCaptainJim’sfriendenteredaspartofthatgarishglitterIhadshutout。Todothescampstrictjustice，however，hewassomewhatsubduedinhisdressandmanner，and，possiblythroughsomegentlechasteningofepigramandrevolversinceIhadseenhimlast，waslessaggressiveandexaggerated。Ihadtheimpression，fromcertainodorswaftedthroughtheapartmentandapeculiarphysicalexaltationthatwasinconsistentwithhisevidentmoralhesitancy，thathehadpreparedhimselffortheinterviewbyapreviousvisittothehiddenfountainsofthetemperancehotel。
　　"Wedon’tseemtohaverunagineachothersinceyou’vebeenhere，"
　　hesaidwithanassurancethatwasneverthelessatrifleforced"butIreckonwe’rebothbusymen，andthere’saheaptoomuchloafinggoin’oninGilead。CaptainJimtoldmehemetyouthedayyouarrived;saidyoujustcottonedtothe’Guardian’atonceandthoughtitadealtoogoodforGilead;eh？Oh，well，jestezlikelyheDIDN’Tsayit——itwasonlyhisgassin’。He’saqueerman——isCaptainJim。"
　　IrepliedsomewhatsharplythatIconsideredhimaveryhonestman，averysimpleman，andaveryloyalman。
　　"That’sallverywell，"saidBassett，twirlinghiscanewithapatronizingsmile，"but，ashisfriend，don’tyoufindhimconsiderableofadarnedfool？"
　　IcouldnothelpretortingthatIthoughtHEhadfoundthathardlyanobjection。
　　"YOUthinkso，"hesaidquerulously，apparentlyignoringeverythingbutthepracticalfact，——"andmaybeothersdo;butthat’swhereyou’remistaken。Itdon’tpay。ItmaypayHIMtoberunnin’meashisparticularfriend，tobequotin’mehereandthere，tobegettin’creditofknowin’meandmyfriendsandownin’me——byGosh！
　　butIdon’tseewherethebenefittoMEcomesin。Eh？TakeyourowncasedownthereatEurekaGulch;didn’thesendformejusttoshowmeuptoyoufellers？DidIwanttohaveanythingtodowiththeEurekaCompany？Didn’thesetmeuptogivemyopinionaboutthatshaftjusttoshowoffwhatIknewaboutscienceandallthat？
　　Andwhatdidhegetmetojointhecompanyfor？Wasitforyou？
　　No！Wasitforme？No！ItwasjusttokeepmethereforHIMSELF，andkinderpitmeaginyoufellersandcrowoveryou！Nowthatain’tmystyle！ItmaybeHIS——itmaybehonestandsimpleandloyal，asyousay，anditmaybeallrightforhimtogetmetorunupaccountsatthesettlementandthenthrowoffonme——butitain’tmystyle。IsupposeheletonthatIdidthat。No？Hedidn’t？Wellthen，whydidhewanttorunmeoffwithhim，andoutthewholeconcerninanunderhandwayandmakemeleavewithnaryacharacterbehindme，eh？Now，Ineversaidanythingaboutthisbefore——didI？Itain’tlikeme。Iwouldn’thavesaidanythingaboutitnow，onlyyoutalkedaboutMYbeingbenefitedbyhisdarnedfoolishness。MuchI’vemadeouterHIM。"
　　Despicable，false，anddisloyalasthiswas，perhapsitwasthecrowningmeannessofsuchconfidencesthathisveryweaknessseemedonlyareflectionofCaptainJim’sown，andappearedinsomestrangewaytodegradehisfriendasmuchashimself。ThesimplicityofhisvanityandselfishnesswasonlyequalledbythesimplicityofCaptainJim’sadmirationofit。ItwasapartofmyyouthfulinexperienceofhumanitythatIwasnotabovethecommonfallacyofbelievingthatamanis"knownbythecompanyhekeeps，"
　　andthatheisinamannerresponsibleforitsweakness;itwasapartofthathumanitythatIfeltnosurpriseinbeingmoreamusedthanshockedbythisrevelation。ItseemedagoodjokeonCaptainJim！
　　"OfcourseYOUkinlaughathisdarnedfoolishness;but，byGosh，itain’talaughingmattertome！"
　　"Butsurelyhe’sgivenyouagoodpositiononthe’Guardian，’"I
　　urged。"Thatwasdisinterested，certainly。"
　　"Wasit？Icallthatthecheekiestthingyet。Whenhefoundhecouldn’tmakeenoughofmeinprivatelife，hetotesmeoutinpublicasHISeditor——themanwhorunsHISpaper！Andhashisnameinprintastheproprietor，theonlychancehe’devergetofbeingbeforethepublic。Anddon’tknowthewholetownislaughingathim！"
　　"ThatmaybebecausetheythinkHEwritessomeofthearticles，"I
　　suggested。
　　Againtheinsinuationglancedharmlesslyfromhisvanity。"Thatcouldn’tbe，becauseIdoallthework，anditain’thisstyle，"hesaidwithnaivediscontent。"Andit’salwaysthehigheststyle，donetopleasehim，thoughbetweenyouandmeit’ssortercastin’
　　pearlsbeforeswine——this’Friscoediting——andthepublicwouldbejustassatisfiedwithanythingIcouldrattleoffthatwaspeartandsassy，——somethingspicyorpersonal。I’mwillingtoclimbdownanddoit，forthere’snothin’stuck—upaboutme，youknow;butthatdarnedfoolCaptainJimhasgotthebigheadaboutthestyleofthepaper，anddarnedifIdon’tthinkhe’safraidifthere’salettin’down，peoplemaythinkit’shim！Ezif！Why，youknowaswellasmethatthere’sasortofsnapIcouldgivethesethingsthatwouldshowitwasmeandnoslouchdidthem，inaminute。"
　　IhadmydoubtsabouttheeleganceorplayfulnessofMr。Bassett’strifling，butfromsomeparagraphsthatappearedinthenextissueofthe"Guardian"IjudgedthathehadwonoverCaptainJim——ifindeedthatgentleman’sallegedobjectionswerenotentirelytheoutcomeofBassett’sfancy。Thesocialparagraphsthemselveswereclumsyandvulgar。Adull—wittedaccountofaselectpartyatParsonBaxter’s，withapoint—blankcomplimenttoPollyBaxterhisdaughter，mighthavemadeherprettycheekburnbutforherevidentprepossessionforthemeretriciousscamp，itswriter。Buteventhishorse—playseemedmorenaturalthantheutterlyartificialeditorialswiththeirpinchbeckglitterandcheaperudition;andthusfaritappearedharmless。
　　Igrievetosaythattheseappearancesweredeceptive。Oneafternoon，asIwasreturningfromabusinessvisittotheoutskirtsofthevillage，Iwasamazedonreenteringthemainstreettofindacrowdcollectedaroundthe"Guardian"office，gazingatthebrokenglassofitswindowsandaquantityoftypescatteredontheground。Butmyattentionwasatthatmomentmoreurgentlyattractedbyasimilargrouparoundmyownoffice，who，however，seemedmorecautious，andwereholdingtimorouslyalooffromtheentrance。AsIranrapidlytowardsthem，afewcalledout，"Lookout——he’sinthere！"whileothersmadewaytoletmepass。Withtheimpressionoffireorrobberyinmymind，Ienteredprecipitately，onlytofindYubaBillcalmlyleaningbackinanarm—chairwithhisfeetonthebackofanother，aglassofwhiskeyfrommydemijohninonehandandahugecigarinhismouth。AcrosshislaplayastumpyshotgunwhichIatoncerecognizedas"theLeftBower，"whoseusualplacewasathisfeetontheboxduringhisjourneys。Helookedcoolandcollected，althoughtherewereoneortwosplashesofprinter’sinkonhisshirtandtrousers，andfromtheappearanceofmylavatoryandtowelhehadevidentlybeenremovingsimilarstainsfromhishands。Puttinghisgunasideandgraspingmyhandwarmlywithoutrising，hebeganwithevenmorethanhisusuallazyimperturbability：
　　"Well，how’sGileadlookin’to—day？"
　　Itstruckmeaslookingratherdisturbed，but，asIwasstilltoobewilderedtoreply，hecontinuedlazily：
　　"Ezyoudidn’thuntmeup，Iallowedyoumighthevgotkinderpetrifiedanddriedupdownyer，andIreckonedtorundownandrattleroundabitandmakethingslivelyforye。I’vejistclearedoutanewspaperofficeoverthar。Theycallitthe’Guardi—an，’thoughitdidn’tseemtooffermuchpertectiontothemfellersezwasinit。Infact，itwasn’tezmuchafightezitorterhevbeen。Itwasrathermonotonousforme。"
　　"Butwhat’stherow，Bill？Whathashappened？"Iaskedexcitedly。
　　"Nothin’tospeakof，Itellye，"repliedYubaBillreflectively。
　　"Ijestmeanderedintothatshopoverthere，andIsez，’Iwantterseethemanezrunsthisyermillo’literatooran’progress。’
　　Tharwaztwoinfantssittin’onhighchairshavin’someinnocentlittlegameo’pickin’pieceso’leadouterpill—boxeslike，andassooneztheyseedmeoneof’emcrawledunderhisdeskandtheotherscootedouterthebackdoor。Bimebythedooropensagain，andafluffycoyote—lookin’fellercomesinandallowsthatHEisresponsibleforthatyerpaper。WhenIsawthekindofanimalhewas，andthathehadn’tanyweppings，IjistlaidtheLeftBowerdownonthefloor。ThenIsez，’YouallowedinyourpaperthatI
　　oughterhevalittlesevilityknockedinterme，andI’mheretohevitdone。Youkenbeginitnow。’WiththatIreachedforhim，andwewaltzedoncetortwicetaroundtheroom，andthenIputhimuponthemantelpieceandonthemdesksandlittleboxes，andtookhimdownagain，andkinderwipedthefloorwithhimgin’rally，untilthefirstthingIknowedhewasoutsidethewinderonthesidewalk。
　　On’yblamedifIdidn’tforgettoopenthewinder。Efithadn’tbeenforthat，itwouldhevbeenallquietandpeaceful—like，andnobodyhevknowedit。Butthesashbeingintheway，itsortercreatedadisturbanceandunpleasantnessOUTSIDE。"
　　"Butwhatwasitallabout？"Irepeated。"Whathadhedonetoyou？"
　　"Ye’llfinditinthatpaper，"hesaid，indicatingacopyofthe"Guardian"thatlayonmytablewithalazynodofhishead。
　　"P’r’apsyoudon’treadit？NomoredoI。ButJoeBilsonseztomeyesterday：’Bill，’sezhe，’they’regoin’foryeinthe"Guardian。"’’Wot’sthat？’sezI。’Harktothis，’sezhe，andreadsoutthatbitthatyou’llfindthere。"
　　Ihadopenedthepaper，andhepointedtoaparagraph。"Thereitis。Pooty，ain’tit？"Ireadwithamazementasfollows：——
　　"IfthePioneerStageCompanywanttokeepupwiththetimes，andnotdegenerateintotheoldstyle’onehoss’road—wagonbusiness，they’dbettermakesomereformontheline。Theymightbeginbyshippingoffsomeoftheold—timewhiskey—guzzlingdriverswhoaretoohighandmightytodoanythingbuthandletheribbons，andareabovespeakingtoapassengerunlesshe’safavoriteoroneoftheirset。Over—praiseforanoccasionalscrimmagewithroadagents，andflatteryfromEasterngreenhorns，havegiventhemthebighead。Ifthefool—killerwereletlooseonthelinewithabigclub，andknockedalittlecivilityintotheirheads，itwouldn’tbeabadthing，andwouldbeaparticularrelieftothepassengersforGileadwhohavetotakethestagefromSimpson’sBar。"
　　"That’smystage，"saidYubaBillquietly，whenIhadended;"andthat’sME。"
　　"Butit’simpossible，"Isaideagerly。"ThatinsultwasneverwrittenbyCaptainJim。"
　　"CaptainJim，"repeatedYubaBillreflectively。"CaptainJim，——
　　yes，thatwasthenameo’themanIwasplayin’with。Shortishhairyfeller，suthin’betweenabigcoyoteandtheold—stylehair—
　　trunk。Foughtprettywellforahay—footedmanfromGil—e—ad。"
　　"Butyou’vewhippedthewrongman，Bill，"Isaid。"Thinkagain！
　　Haveyouhadanyquarrellately？——runagainstanynewspaperman？"
　　TherecollectionhadflasheduponmethatLacyBassetthadlatelyreturnedfromavisittoStockton。
　　YubaBillregardedhisbootsontheotherarm—chairforafewmomentsinprofoundmeditation。"Therewasasorto’gaudyinsect，"hebeganpresently，"suthin’halfwaybetwixtaboss—flyandadevil’sdarnin’—needle，ezcrawledupontertheboxseatwithmelastweek，andbuzzed！NowIthinkonit，hetalkedhigh—
　　faluten’o’theinflooenceofthepressandsech。Imayhevsaid’shoo’tohimwhenhewashummin’theloudest。Imouthevflickedhimoffoncetortwicetwithmywhip。Itmustbehim。Gosh！"hesaidsuddenly，risingandliftinghisheavyhandtohisforehead，"nowIthinkaginhewasthefellerezcrawledunderthedeskwhenthefightwasgoin’on，andstayedthere。Yes，sir，thatwasHIM。
　　Hisfacelookedsorterfamiliar，butIdidn’tknowhimmoultin’
　　withhisfeathersoff。"HeturneduponmewiththefirstexpressionoftroubleandanxietyIhadeverseenhimwear。"Yes，sir，that’shim。AndI’vekem——me，YubaBill！——kemMYSELF，amatteroftwentymiles，totin’aGUN——agun，byGosh！——tofightthat——that——thatpotatar—bug！"Hewalkedtothewindow，turned，walkedbackagain，finishedhiswhiskeywithasinglegulp，andlaidhishandalmostdespondinglyonmyshoulder。"Lookye，old——
　　oldfell，youandme’solefriends。Don’tgivemeaway。Don’tletonawordo’thistoanyone！SayIkemdownyerhowlin’drunkonagen’raltear！SayImistookthatnewspaperofficeforacigar—
　　shop，and——gotlickedbytheboss！Sayanythin’youlike，’ceptthatItookagundownyertochaseaflythathadsettledonterme。KeeptheLeftBowerinyerbackofficetillIsendforit。Efyou’vegotabackdoorsomewherehandywhereIcanslipouterthiswithoutbein’seenI’dbethankful。"
　　Asthisdespondingsuggestionappearedtomeasthewisestthingforhimtodointhethenthreateningstateofaffairsoutside，——
　　which，hadhesuspectedit，hewouldhavestayedtoface，——I
　　quicklyopenedadoorintoacourtyardthatcommunicatedthroughanalleywithasidestreet。Hereweshookhandsandparted;hislastdejectedejaculationbeing，"Thatpotatobug！"LaterIascertainedthatCaptainJimhadretiredtohisranchsomefourmilesdistant。
　　Hewasnotseriouslyhurt，butlooked，tousethewordsofmyinformant，"ezefhe’dbeenhuggedbyaplayfulb’ar。"Asthe"Guardian"madeitsappearancethenextweekwithouttheslightestallusiontothefracas，Ididnotdeemitnecessarytodivulgetherealfacts。WhenIcalledtoinquireaboutCaptainJim’scondition，hehimself，however，volunteeredanexplanation。
　　"Idon’tmindtellin’you，ezanoldfriendo’mineandLacy’s，thatthesecretofthatthereattackonmeandthe’Guardian’wasperlitikal。Yes，sir！Therewasapowerfulorginizationintheinteresto’Halkinsforassemblymanezdidn’tlikeourhigh—tonededitorialsoncaucuscorruption，andhiredabullytokemdownhereandsuppressus。Why，thisyerLacyspottedtheideatooncet;yerknowhowkeenbeis。"
　　"WasLacypresent？"IaskedascarelesslyasIcould。
　　CaptainJimglancedhiseyesoverhisshoulderquiteinhisoldfurtivecaninefashion，andthenblinkedthematmerapidly。"Hewar！Andifitwarn’tforHISpluckandHISscienceandHIS
　　strength，Idon’tknowwharI’Dhevbeennow！Howsomever，it’sallright。I’vehadafairoffertosellthe’Guardian’overatSimpson’sBar，andit’stimeIquitthrowin’awaytheworkofamanlikeLacyBassettuponit。Andbetweenyouandme，I’vegotanideaandsuthin’bettertoputhistalensinto。"
　　III。
　　Itwasnotlongbeforeitbecameevidentthatthe"talens"ofMr。
　　LacyBassett，asindicatedbyCaptainJim，weretograspataseatinthestatelegislature。Aneditorialinthe"Simpson’sBarClarion"boldlyadvocatedhispretensions。AtfirstitwasbelievedthatthearticleemanatedfromthegiftedpenofLacyhimself，butthestylewassounmistakablythatofColonelStarbottle，aneminentpolitical"war—horse"ofthedistrict，thatagravertruthwasatoncesuggested，namely，thatthe"Guardian"
　　hadsimplybeentransferredtoSimpson’sBar，andmergedintothe"Clarion"solelyonthiscondition。AtleastitwasrecognizedthatitwasthehandofCaptainJimwhichguidedtheeditorialfingersofthecolonel，andCaptainJim’smoneythatdistendedthepocketsofthatgallantpoliticalleader。
　　HowbeitLacyBassettwasneverelected;infacthewasonlyforonebriefmomentacandidate。ItwasrelatedthatuponhisfirstascendingtheplatformatSimpson’sBaravoiceintheaudiencesaidlazily，"Comedown！"ThatvoicewasYubaBill’s。Aslightconfusionensued，inwhichYubaBillwhisperedafewwordsinthecolonel’sear。Afteramoment’shesitationthe"war—horse"cameforward，andinhisloftiestmannerregrettedthatthecandidatehadwithdrawn。Thenextissueofthe"Clarion"proclaimedwithnouncertainsoundthatabaseconspiracygottenupbytheformerproprietorofthe"Guardian"tounderminetheprestigeoftheGreatExpressCompanyhadbeenruthlesslyexposed，andthecandidateonlearningitHIMSELFforthefirsttime，withdrewhisnamefromthecanvass，asbecameahigh—tonedgentleman。Publicopinion，ignoringLacyBassettcompletely，unhesitatinglydenouncedCaptainJim。
　　DuringthisperiodIhadpaidbutlittleheedtoLacyBassett’ssocialmovements，orthesuccesseswhichwouldnaturallyattendsuchacharacterwiththesusceptiblesex。IhadheardthathewasengagedtoPollyBaxter，butthattheyhadquarrelledinconsequenceofhisflirtationswithothers，especiallyaMrs。
　　Sweeny，aprofuselyornamentedbutreputationlesswidow。CaptainJimhadoftenalludedwithacertainrespectfulprideanddelicacytoPolly’sardentappreciationofhisfriend，andhadmorethanhalfhintedwiththesamereverentialmysterytotheirmatrimonialunionlater，andhisintentionof"doingthesquarething"fortheyoungcouple。ButitwaspresentlynoticedthattheseallusionsbecamelessfrequentduringLacy’samorousaberrations，andanoccasionaldepressionandunusualreticencemarkedCaptainJim’smannerwhenthesubjectwasdiscussedinhispresence。Heseemedtoendeavortomakeupforhisfriend’sdefectionbyakindofpersonalhomagetoPolly，andnotunfrequentlyaccompaniedhertochurchortosinging—class。Ihaveavividrecollectionofmeetinghimoneafternooncrossingthefieldswithher，andlookingintoherfacewiththatsamewistful，absorbed，anduneasycanineexpressionthatIhadhithertosupposedhehadreservedforLacyalone。IdonotknowwhetherPollywasaversetothespeechlessdevotionoftheseyearningbrowneyes;hermannerwasanimatedandtheprettycheekthatwasnearestmemantledasIpassed;butIwasstruckforthefirsttimewiththeideathatCaptainJimlovedher！
　　IwassurprisedtohavethatfancycorroboratedintheremarkofanotherwayfarerwhomImet，totheeffect，"ThatnowthatBassettwasouto’therunningitlookedezifCaptainJimwasmakin’upfortime！"WasitpossiblethatCaptainJimhadalwayslovedher？
　　Ididnotatfirstknowwhethertobepainedorpleasedforhissake。ButIconcludedthatwhethertheunworthyBassetthadatlastfoundaRIVALinCaptainJimorinthegirlherself，itwasadisplacementthatwasforCaptainJim’swelfare。ButasIwasaboutleavingGileadforamonth’stransfertotheSanFranciscooffice，IhadnoopportunitytolearnmorefromtheconfidencesofCaptainJim。
　　IwasascendingtheprincipalstaircaseofmySanFranciscohotelonerainyafternoon，whenIwaspointedlyrecalledtoGileadbythepassingglitterofMrs。Sweeny’sjewelryandthesuddenvanishingbehindherofagentlemanwhoseemedtobeaccompanyingher。AfewmomentsafterIhadenteredmyroomIheardatapatmydoor，andopenedituponLacyBassett。Ithoughthelookedalittleconfusedandagitated。Nevertheless，withanassumptionofcordialityandeasehesaid，"Itappearswe’reneighbors。That’smyroomnexttoyours。"Hepointedtothenextroom，whichIthenrememberedwasasitting—roomensuitewithmyown，andcommunicatingwithitbyaseconddoor，whichwasalwayslocked。Ithadnotbeenoccupiedsincemytenancy。AsIsupposemyfacedidnotshowanyextravagantdelightatthenewsofhiscontiguity，headded，hastily，"There’satransomoverthedoor，andIthoughtI’dtellyouyoukinheareverythingfromtheoneroomtotheother。"
　　Ithankedhim，andtoldhimdrylythat，asIhadnosecretstodivulgeandnonethatIcaredtohear，itmadenodifferencetome。
　　Asthisseemedtoincreasehisconfusionandhestillhesitatedbeforethedoor，IaskedhimifCaptainJimwaswithhim。
　　"No，"hesaidquickly。"Ihaven’tseenhimforamonth，anddon’twantto。Lookhere，Iwanttotalktoyouabitabouthim。"Hewalkedintotheroom，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。"IwanttotellyouthatmeandCaptainJimisplayed！Allthisrunnin’o’meandinterferin’withmeisplayed！I’mtiredofit。Youkintellhimsofromme。"
　　"Thenyouhavequarrelled？"
　　"Yes。Asmuchasanymancanquarrelwithadarnedfoolwhocan’ttakeahint。"
　　"Onemoment。HaveyouquarrelledaboutPollyBaxter？"
　　"Yes，"heansweredquerulously。"OfcourseIhave。Whatdoeshemeanbyinterfering？
　　"Nowlistentome，Mr。Bassett，"Iinterrupted。"IhavenodesiretoconcernmyselfinyourassociationwithCaptainJim，butsinceyoupersistindraggingmeintoit，youmustallowmetospeakplainly。FromallthatIcanascertainyouhavenoseriousintentionsofmarryingPollyBaxter。YouhavecomeherefromGileadtofollowMrs。Sweeny，whomIsawyouwithamomentago。
　　Now，whydoyounotfranklygiveupMissBaxtertoCaptainJim，whowillmakeheragoodhusband，andgoyourownwaywithMrs。Sweeny？
　　IfyoureallywishtobreakoffyourconnectionwithCaptainJim，that’stheonlywaytodoit。"
　　Hisface，whichhadexhibitedtheweakestandmostpitiableconsciousnessatthementionofMrs。Sweeny，changedtoanexpressionofabsolutestupefactionasIconcluded。
　　"Wotstuffareyoutryin’tofoolmewith？"hesaidatlastroughly。
　　"Imean，"Irepliedsharply，"thatthisdoublegameofyoursisdisgraceful。YourassociationwithMrs。SweenydemandsthewithdrawalofanyclaimyouhaveuponMissBaxteratonce。IfyouhavenorespectforCaptainJim’sfriendship，youmustatleastshowcommondecencytoher。"
　　Heburstintoahalf—relieved，half—hystericlaugh。"Areyoucrazy？"gaspedhe。"Why，CaptainJim’sjusthuntin’MEdowntomakeMEmarryPolly。That’sjustwhattherow’sabout。That’sjustwhathe’sinterferin’for——justtocarryouthisdarnedfoolideaso’gettin’awifeforme;justhisvanitytosayHE’Smadethematch。It’sMEthathewantstomarrytothatBaxtergirl——nothimself。He’stoocursedselfishforthat。"
　　IsupposeIwasnotdifferentfromordinaryhumanity，forinmyunexpecteddiscomfitureIdespisedCaptainJimquiteasmuchasI
　　didthemanbeforeme。ReiteratingmyremarkthatIhadnodesiretomixmyselffurtherintheirquarrels，Igotridofhimwithaslittleceremonyaspossible。Butafewminuteslater，whenthefarcicalsideofthesituationstruckme，myirritationwassomewhatmollified，withouthoweverincreasingmyrespectforeitheroftheactors。Thewholeaffairhadassumedatrivialitythatwassimplyamusing，nothingmore，andIevenlookedforwardtoameetingwithCaptainJimandHISexpositionofthematter——whichIknewwouldfollow——withpleasurableanticipation。ButIwasmistaken。
　　Oneafternoon，whenIwaswatchingtheslantingvolleysofraindrivenbyastrongsouthwesteragainstthewindowsofthehotelreading—room，Iwasstruckbytheerraticmovementsofadrippingfigureoutsidethatseemedtobehesitatingovertheentrancetothehotel。Attimesfurtivelypenetratingtheporchasfarasthevestibule，andagainshylyrecoilingfromit，itsmannerwassostronglysuggestiveofsometimidanimalthatIfoundmyselfsuddenlyremindedofCaptainJimandthememorableeveningofhisexodusfromEurekaGulch。AsthefigurechancedtoglanceuptothewindowwhereIstoodIsawtomyastonishmentthatitWAS
　　CaptainJimhimself，butsochangedandhaggardthatIscarcelyknewhim。Iinstantlyranoutintothehallandvestibule，butwhenIreachedtheporchhehaddisappeared。Eitherhehadseenmeandwishedtoavoidme，orhehadencounteredtheobjectofhisquest，whichIatonceconcludedmustbeLacyBassett。Iwassomuchimpressedandworriedbyhisappearanceandmanner，that，inthisbelief，IovercamemyaversiontomeetingBassett，andevensoughthimthroughthepublicroomsandlobbiesinthehopeoffindingCaptainJimwithhim。Butinvain;possiblyhehadsucceededinescapinghisrelentlessfriend。
　　Asthewindandrainincreasedatnightfallandgrewintoatempestuousnight，withdesertedstreetsandswollenwaterways，I
　　didnotgooutagain，butretiredearly，inexplicablyhauntedbythechangedandbroodingfaceofCaptainJim。Eveninmydreamshepursuedmeinhisfavoritelikenessofawistful，anxious，anduneasyhound，who，onmyturningtocaresshimfamiliarly，snappedatmeviciously，andappearedtohavesuddenlydevelopedasnarlingrabidfury。Iseemedtobeawakenedatlastbythesoundofhisvoice。ForaninstantIbelievedthedelusionapartofmydream。
　　ButIwasmistaken;Iwaslyingbroadawake，andthevoiceclearlyhadcomefromthenextroom，andwasdistinctlyaudibleoverthetransom。
　　"I’vehadenoughofit，"hesaid，"andI’mgivin’yenow——thisnight——yerlastchance。Quitthishotelandthatwoman，andgobacktoGileadandmarryPolly。Don’tdoitandI’llkillye，ezsureezyousittheregapin’inthatchair。IfIcan’tgetyetofightmelikeaman，——andI’llspitinyerfaceorputsomeinsultontoyouaforethatwoman，aforeeverybody，ezwouldmakeabiggerskunknoryouturn，——I’llhuntyedownandkillyeinyourtracks。"
　　TherewasaquerulousmurmurofinterruptioninLacy’svoice，butwhetherofdefianceorappealIcouldnotdistinguish。CaptainJim’svoiceagainrose，doggedanddistinct。
　　"EfYOUkillmeit’sallthesame，andIdon’tsaythatIwon’tthankye。Thisyerworldistoocrowdedforyerandme，LacyBassett。I’vebelievedinye，trustedinye，liedforye，andfoughtforye。FromthetimeItookyeup——afeller—passengerto’Fresco——believin’thereworthemakin’sofamaninye，tonow，youfooledme，——fooledmeaforetheEurekaboys;fooledmeaforeGilead;fooledmeaforeHER;fooledmeaforeGod！It’sgottoendhere。Ye’vegottotakethecurseofthatfoolishnessoffo’me！
　　You’vegottodoonesinglethingthat’slikethemanItookyefor，oryou’vegottodie。TimeswazwhenI’dhavewisheditforyouraccount——that’sgone，LacyBassett！You’vegottodoitforME。You’vegottodoitsoIdon’tsee’d——dfool’writintheeyesofeverymanezlooksatme。"
　　Hehadapparentlyrisenandwalkedtowardsthedoor。Hisvoicesoundedfromanotherpartoftheroom。
　　"I’llgiveyetillto—morrowmornin’todosuthin’toliftthiscurseoffo’me。Efyourefoose，then，bythelivingGod，I’llslapyerfaceinthedinin’—room，orintheofficeaforethemall！
　　Youhearme！"
　　Therewasapause，andthenaquicksharpexplosionthatseemedtofillandexpandbothroomsuntilthewindowswerealmostliftedfromtheircasements，ahystericalinarticulatecryfromLacy，theviolentopeningofadoor，hurriedvoices，andthetrampingofmanyfeetinthepassage。Isprangoutofbed，partlydressedmyself，andranintothehall。ButbythattimeIfoundacrowdofguestsandservantsaroundthenextdoor，somegraspingBassett，whowaswhiteandtrembling，andotherskneelingbyCaptainJim，whowashalflyinginthedoorwayagainstthewall。
　　"Hehearditall，"Bassettgaspedhysterically，pointingtome。
　　"HEknowsthatthismanwantedtokillme。"
　　BeforeIcouldreply，CaptainJimpartlyraisedhimselfwithaconvulsiveeffort。Wipingawaythebloodthat，oozingfromhislips，alreadyshowedthedesperatecharacterofhisinternalwound，hesaidinahuskyandhurriedvoice："It’sallright，boys！It’smyfault。ItwasMEwhodoneit。Iwentforhiminameanunderhandedwayjestnow，whenhehadn’taweppinnoranyshowtodefendhimself。Wegripped。Hegotaholto’myderringer——youseethat’sMYpistolthere，Iswearit——andturneditaginmeinself—defense，andsarvedmeright。IsweartoGod，gentlemen，it’sso！"Catchingsightofmyface，helookedatme，Ifanciedhalfimploringlyandhalftriumphantly，andadded，"Imighthevknowedit！IallersallowedLacyBassettwasgame！——game，gentlemen——andhewas。Ifit’smylastword，Isayit——hewasgame！"
　　Andwiththisdevotedfalsehooduponhislipsandsomethingoftheoldcanineinstinctinhisfailingheart，ashisheadsankbackheseemedtoturnittowardsBassett，asiftostretchhimselfoutathisfeet。Thenthelightfailedfromhisyearningupwardglance，andthecurseoffoolishnesswasliftedfromhimforever。
　　Soconclusivewerethefacts，thatthecoroner’sjurydidnotdeemitnecessarytodetainMr。Bassettforasinglemomentaftertheinquest。ButhereturnedtoGilead，marriedPollyBaxter，andprobablyonthestrengthofhaving"killedhisman，"wasunopposedontheplatformnextyear，andtriumphantlyelectedtothelegislature！