Thenshesatupwithherbackasstraightasifshewastwenty。"Mydearyoungfellow，neverdoyoubuytrashinthesetrains。Hereyouarewithyourcoatfullof——what’sGadsden’sabsurdrazorconcoctions——strut——strop——bother！AndChinesepastebuttons。Lastsummer，ontheNorthernPacific，themanofferedyourcat’s—eyestomeasnativegemsfoundexclusivelyinDakota。ButIjustsatandmentionedtohimthatIwasonmywayhomefromaholidayinChina，andhewentrightoutofthecar。ThelastdayIwasinCantonIboughtaboxofthosecat’s—eyesateightcentsadozen。"Afterthiswespokealittleonothersubjects，andnowshe’sbusywritingagain。
　　She’sonbusinessinCalifornia，butwillreadapaperatLosAngelesattheannualmeetingoftheGoldenDaughtersoftheWest。Themealstationiscoming，butwehaveagreedto——
　　Later，Fridayafternoon。——Ihavebeeninterruptedagain。Gadsdenentered，removedhishat，andshouted："Sharon。Twentyminutesfordinner。"Iwascallingtheportertoorderabuffetlunchinthecarwhentheretrampedinuponusthreelargemenofsuchappearancethataflashofthankfulnesswentthroughmeathavingsolittleready—moneyandonlyasilverwatch。Mrs。Brewtonlookedatthemandsaid，"Well，gentlemen？"
　　andtheytookofftheirembroideredMexicanhats。"We’vegotababyshowhere，"saidoneofthem，slowly，lookingatme，"andwe’dbekindofobligedifyou’dholdthebox。""There’slunchputupinabasketforyoutotakealong，"saidthenext，"andabottleofwine——champagne。Solosingyourdinnerwon’tloseyounothing。""We’relookingforsomebodyraisedEastandwithoutlocalprejudice，"saidthethird。"SowecometothePullman。"Inowsawthatsofarfrompurposingtorobustheywereinagreatandhonestdistressofmind。"ButIamnojudgeofababy，"saidI；"notbeingmar——""Youdon’thavetobe，"brokeinthefirst，moreslowlyandearnestly。"It’safairandsecretballotwe’restrivingfor。
　　Thevotesiswroteoutandready，andallwe’reshyofisastrangerwithoutfamilytiesorbusinessintereststoholdtheboxanddothecounting。"Hisdeeptonesceased，andhewipedheavydropsfromhisforeheadwithhisshirtsleeve。"We’dbekindofawfulobligedtoyou，"
　　heurged。"Thetownwouldbeliabletomakeittwobottles，"saidthesecond。Thethirdbroughthisfistdownonthebackofaseatandsaid，"I’llmakeitthatnow。""But，gentlemen，"saidI，"five，six，andsevenyearsagoIwasnotastrangerinSharon。IfmyfriendDeanDrakewasstillhere——""Butheain’t。Nowyoumightaswellhelpfolks，andeatlater。Thistownwilltrustyou。Andifyouquitus——"Oncemorehewipedtheheavydropsaway，whileinavoicefullofappealhisfriendfinishedhisthought："Ifweloseyou，we’lllikelyhavetowaittillthistraincomesinto—morrowforamansatisfactorytothistown。Andtheshowiscostingusaheap。"Alighthandtappedmyarm，andherewasMrs。Brewtonsaying："Forshame！Showyourenterprise。""I’llholdthisyeretrain，"
　　shoutedGadsden，"ifnecessary。"Mrs。Brewtonrosealertly，andtheyallhurriedmeout。"MyslipperswillstayrightonwhenI’mdownthesteps，"
　　saidMrs。Brewton，andGadsdenhelpedherdescendintotheblazingdustandsunofSharon。"Gracious！"saidshe，"whataplace！ButImakeitapointtoseeeverythingasIgo。"Nothinghadchanged。There，asofold，laytheflatlitterofthetown——sheds，stores，anddwellings，ashapelesscongregationinthedesert，gapingwideeverywheretotheglassy，quiveringimmensity；andthere，abovetheroofs，turnedtheslattedwind—wheels。Butclosetothetracks，oppositethehotel，wasanedifice，asortoftentofbunting，fromwhichbrassmusicissued，whileaboutahundredpinkandbluesun—bonnetsmovedandmixedneartheentrance。LittleblackMexicans，likecharredtoys，loungedandlaystaringamongtheungradeddunesofsand。"Gracious！"saidMrs。Brewtonagain。Hereyelostnothing；andasshemadeforthetentthechintzpeo—
　　niesflowedaroundher，andherstepwassurprisinglylight。Wepassedthroughthesunbonnetsandenteredwherethemusicplayed。"Thepreciousblesseddarlings！"sheexclaimed，claspingherhands。"ThiswilldofortheGoldenDaughters，"sherapidlyadded；"yes，thiswilldistinctlydo。"
　　Andshehastenedawayfrommeintothethrong。
　　Ihadnotimetolookatmuchthisfirstgeneralminute。Icouldseetherewerebooths，eachcontainingaseparatebaby。Ipassedawholesectionofnakedbabies，andonebabyfartheralonghadongoldenwingsandacrown，andwasbawlingfrightfully。Theirnameswereoverthebooths，andInoticedLucille，ErskineWales，BanquoLickNolin，Cuba，Manilla，Ellabelle，BoscoGrady，JamesJ。CorbettNash，andAquaMarine。
　　Therewasagreatsignattheend，painted"Mrs。Eden’sMannaintheWilderness，"andanothersign，labelled"Shot—gunSmith’stwins。"InthemidstofthesefirstfewimpressionsIfoundmyselfseatedbehindabaretableraisedthreefeetorso，withtwoboxesonit，andaquantityofblankpaperandpencils，whileoneofthemenwasexplainingmetherulesandfacts。Ican’trememberthemallnow，becauseIcouldn’tunderstandthemallthen，andMrs。Brewtonwasdistantamongthesun—bonnets，talkingtoagatheringcrowdandfeelinginthemouthsofbabiesthatwerebeingsnatchedoutoftheboothsandbroughttoher。Themanwasinstructingmesteadilyallthewhile，anditoccurredtometonodsilentlyandcoldlynowandthen，asifIwasdoingthissortofthingeveryday。ButIinsistedthatsomeoneshouldhelpmecount，andtheygavemeGadsden。
　　NowthesefactsIdorememberveryclearly，andshallneverforgetthem。
　　Thebabiescamefromtwotowns——Sharon，andRinconitsneighbor。Alone，neitherhadenoughforagoodshow，thoughinbothitwaseveryfamily’spridetohaveababyeveryyear。Thebabieswereinthreeclasses：Sixmonthsandunder，oneprizeoffered；eighteenmonths，twoprizes；threeyears，twoprizes。Athree—fourthsvoteofallcastwasnecessarytoachoice。Nooneentitledtovoteunlessofimmediatefamilyofacompetingbaby。Nooneentitledtocastmorethanonevote。Therewererulesofentryandfees，butIforgetthem，exceptthatnoonecouldhavetwoexhibitsinthesameclass。WhenIreadthisIasked，howabouttwins？
　　"Well，wedidn’tkindofforeseethat，"mutteredmyinstructor，painfully；"whatwouldbeyouridea？""Lookhere，yousir，"interposedMrs。Brewton，"hecameintocountvotes。"Iwasverygladtohaveherback。"That’sright，ma’am，"admittedtheman；"heneedn’ttosayathing。We’veonlygotonetwinsentered，"hepursued，"whichwe’regladof。Shot—gun——"，"WhereisthisMr。Smith？"interruptedMrs。Brewton。
　　"Uptown，drinking，ma’am。""AndwhomayMr。Smithbe？""MostpopularcitizenofRincon，ma’am。Wehadtoaccepthistwinsbecause——well，hecomedownherehimself，andmostofRinconcomewithhim，andasweaimedtohaveeverythingpassoffpleasant—like——""Iquitecomprehend，"
　　saidMrs。Brewton。"AndIshouldconsidertwinswithintherule；oranynumberbornatonetime。ButlittleAquaMarineisthefinestsinglechildinthatsixmonthsclass。Itoldhermothersheoughttotakethatsplurgyringoffthepoorlittlething’sthumb。It’smostunsafe。ButI
　　shouldvoteforthatchildmyself。""Thankyouforyourvaluableendorse—
　　ment，"saidaspruce，slimyoungman。"Butthepublicisnotallowedtovotehere，"headded。Hewasstandingonthefloorandrestinghiselbowsonthetable。Mrs。Brewtonstareddownathim。"Areyouthefatherofthechild？"sheinquired。"Ohno！Iamtheagent。I——""AquaMarine’sagent？"
　　saidMrs。Brewton，sharply。"Ha，ha！"wenttheyoungman。"Ha，ha！Well，that’sgoodtoo。She’spartofourexhibit。I’minchargeofthemanna—feds，don’tyouknow？""Idon’tknow，"saidMrs。Brewton。"Why，Mrs。Eden’sMannaintheWilderness！Nourishes，strengthens，andmakesnounhealthyfat。Takeacircular，andwelcome。I’mtravellingforthemanna。Iorganizedthisshow。I’veconductedtwenty—eightsimilarshowsintwoyears。WeholdthemineveryStateandTerritory。SecondoflastMarchIgaveDenver——youheardofit，probably？""Ididnot，"saidMrs。
　　Brewton。"Well！Ha，ha！IthoughteverypersonuptodatehadheardofDenver’sOlympicOffspringOlio。""Isituptodatetolollyourelbowsonthetablewhenyou’respeakingtoalady？"inquiredMrs。Brewton。Hejumped，andthengrewscarletwithrage。"Ididn’texpecttolearnmannersinNewMexico，"saidhe。"Idoubtifyouwill，"saidMrs。
　　Brewton，andturnedherbackonhim。Hewaswhitenow；butbetterinstincts，orelsebusiness，prevailedinhisinjuredbosom。"Well，"saidhe，"Ihadnobadintentions。Iwasgoingtosayyou’dhaveseententhousandpeopleandfivehundredbabiesatDenver。Andourmanna—fedswonouttobeattheband。Threefirstmedals，andallexclusivelymanna—fed。
　　Wetookthecostumeprizealso。OfcoursehereinSharonI’vesimplified。
　　Nospecialmedalforweight，beauty，costume，ordecoratedperambulator。
　　Well，Imustgobacktoourexhibit。Gladtohaveyougiveusacallupthereandseethemedalswe’reoffering，andourfifteenmanna—feds，andtakeapackageawaywithyou。"Hewasgone。
　　Thevotershadbeennowvotinginmytwoboxesforsometime，andIfoundmyselfhopingthemannawouldnotwin，whoeverdid；butitseemedthisagentwasaverycapableperson。Tobeginwith，everyfamilyenteringababydrewapackageofthemannafree，andonepackagecontainedadiamondring。Then，hehadmanagedtohavethefinestbabiesofallclassesinhisownexhibit。Thiswasincontestable，Mrs。Brewtonadmitted，afterreturningfromageneralinspection；anditseemedtousextraordinary。"That’seasy，ma’am，"saidGadsden；"hecamearoundhereamonthago。Don’tyousee？"Ididnotsee，butMrs。Brewtonsawatonce。
　　Hehadmadeaquietselectionofbabiesbeforehand，andthenintroducedthemannaintothosehomes。Andeverybodyintheroomwasremarkingthathisshowwasverysuperior，takenasawholetheyalladded，"takenasawhole"；Iheardthemastheycameuptovoteforthe3—yearandthe18—monthclasses。The6—monthwastowaittilllast，becausethethirdboxhadbeenaccidentallysmashedbyMr。Smith。Gadsdencaughtseveraltryingtovotetwice。"No，youdon’t！"hewouldshout。"Iknowfaces。I’mnotaconductorfornothing。"Andthevictimwouldfallbackamidjeersfromthesun—bonnets。Oncethepassengerssentovertoknowwhenthetrainwasgoing。"Tellthemtostepoverhereandthey’llnotfeelsolonesome！"shoutedGadsden；andIthinkagoodmanycame。Thebandwasplaying"WhiteWings，"withquiteanumbersingingit，whenGadsdennoticedthevotinghadceased，andannouncedthisballotclosed。Themusicpausedforhim，andwecouldsuddenlyhearhowmanybabieswereindistress；butforamomentonly；aswebeganourcounting，"WhiteWings"
　　resumed，andthesun—bonnetsoutsangtheirprogeny。Therewassomethingquitesingularinthewaytheyhadvoted。Herearesomeofthe3—year—oldtickets："Firstchoice，UlyssesGrantBlum；2dchoice，LewisHendricks。"
　　"Firstchoice，JamesRedfield；2d，LewisHendricks。""First，ElkChester；
　　2d，LewisHendricks。""Canitbe？"saidtheexcitedGadsden。"Finishthesequick。I’llopenthe18—monthers。"Butheswungroundtomeatonce。"Seethere！"hecried。"Readthat！andthat！"Heplungedamongmore，andIread："Firstchoice，LawrenceNeptonFord，Jr。；2d，IonaJudd。""Firstchoice，MaryLouiseKenton；2d，IonaJudd。""Hurryup！"
　　saidGadsden；"that’sit！"Andaswecounted，Mrs。Brewtonlookedovermyshoulderandutteredhermelodiouscroak，forwhichIsawnoreason。
　　"Thatyoungwhipper—snapperwillgofar，"sheobserved；nordidIunder—
　　standthis。Butwhentheystoppedthebandformetoannouncethereturns，onefactdiddawnonmeevenwhileIwasreading："Three—
　　year—olds：Wholenumberofvotescast，300；necessarytoachoice，225。
　　Secondprize，LewisHendricks，receiving300。Firstprize，largestnumberofvotescast，11，forSalvisavanMeter。Noaward。Eighteen—monthclass：
　　Wholenumberofvotescast，300；necessarytoachoice，225。Secondprize，IonaJudd，receiving300。LillianBrowngets15for1stprize。Noneawarded。"Therewasaveryfeebleapplause，andthensilenceforasecond，andthenthesun—bonnetsrushedtogether，rushedawaytoothers，rushedback；andtalksweptlikehailthroughtheplace。Yes，thatiswhattheyhaddone。TheyhadallvotedforLewisHendricksandIonaJuddforsecondprize，andeveryfamilyhadvotedthefirstprizetoitsownbaby。TheBrownsandvanMetershappenedtobethelargestfamiliespresent。"He’llgofar！he’llgofar！"repeatedMrs。Brewton。Sportglitteredinhereye。Shegatheredhercurtains，andwasamongthesun—bonnetsinamoment。Thenitfullydawnedonme。TheagentforMrs。
　　Eden’sMannaintheWildernesswasindeedashrewdstrategist，andknewhispeopletotherootsofthegrass。Theyhadneverseenababy—show。
　　Theywereinnocent。Hecameamongthem。Hegaveawaypackagesofmannaandadiamondring。Heofferedtheprizes。Butheproposedtowinsome。
　　Thereforehemadethatruleaboutonlytheimmediatefamiliesvoting。Heforesawwhattheywoulddo；andnowtheyhaddoneit。Whateverhappened，twoprizeswenttohismanna—feds。"Theydon’tseethroughitintheleast，whichisjustaswell，"saidMrs。Brewton，returning。"Andit’slittlematterthatonlysecondprizesgotothebestbabies。Butwhat’stobedonenow？"Ihadnoidea；butitwasnotnecessarythatIshould。
　　"YoufolksofRinconandSharon，"spokeadeepvoice。ItwasthefirstmaninthePullman，anddropswererollingfromhisforehead，andhiseyesweretheeyesofabeleagueredox。"Youfathersandmothers，"hesaid，andtookanotherbreath。Theygrewquiet。"I’mafathermyself，asiswellknown。"Theyapplaudedthis。"Salvisaismine，andshegotmyvote。Thefatherthatwillnotsupporthisownchildisnot——doesnot——isworsethaniftheywereorphans。"Hebreathedagain，whiletheyloudlyapplauded。"But，folks，I’vegottogethometoRincon。I’vegotto。AndI’llgiveupSalvisaifI’mmetfair。""Yes，yes，you’llbemet，"saidvoicesofmen。"Well，here’smyproposition：Mrs。Eden’smannahastooktwo，andI’msatisfieditshould。Wevoted，andwillstayvoted。""Yes，yes！""Well，now，here’sSharonandRincon，twoofthefinesttownsinthissection，andIsaySharonandRinconhasequalrightstogetsomethingoutofthis，anddropprivatefeelings，andeverybodybacktheirtown。AndIsayletthisladyandgentleman，whowillactelegantandonthesquare，takeaviewandnominatethefinestRincon3—year—oldandthefinestSharon18—monththeycancutoutoftheherd。AndIsaylet’svoteunanimousontheirpick，andleteachtownholdafirstprizeandgohomeinfriendship，feelingithasbeentreatedright。"
　　Universalcheersendorsedhim，andhegotdownpanting。Thebandplayed"UnionForever，"andIaccompaniedMrs。Brewtontothebooths。"You’llremember！"shoutedtheoratorurgentlyafterus；"oneapiece。"Wenodded。
　　"Don’tgetmixed，"heappealinglyinsisted。Weshookourheads，andoutoftheboothsrushedtwowomen，andsimultaneouslydashedtheirinfantsinourfaces。"You’llneverpassCubaby！"entreatedone。"ThisisBoscoGrady，"saidtheother。CubaworeanimmensegarmentmadeoftheAmericanflag，buthermotherwhirledheroutofitinasecond。"Seethemdimples；seethemknees！"shesaid。"Seethemfeet！Onlyfeelofhertoes！""Lookathisarms！"screamedthemotherofBosco。"Doubledhisweightinfourmonths。""Didheindeed，ma’am？"saidCuba’smother；
　　"well，hehadn’tmuchtodouble。""Didn’the，then？Didn’theindeed？"
　　"Noatyou；hedidn’tindeedandindeed！IguessCubaisknowntoSharon。
　　IguessSharon’llnotletCubabeslighted。""Well，andIguessRincon’llseethatBoscoGradygetshisrights。""Ladies，"saidMrs。Brewton，toweringbutpoeticalwithhercurl，"Iamamothermyself，andraisedfivenobleboysandtwosweetpeerlessgirls。"Thisstoppedthemimmediately；theystaredatherandherchintzpeoniesassheputthecurlgentlyawayfromhermedallionandproceeded："ButneverdidIthinkofmyselfinthosedarkwearydaysofthelongago。IthoughtofmycountryandtheLostCause。"Theystaredather，fascinated。"Yes，m’m，"
　　whisperedthey，quitehumbly。"Now，"saidMrs。Brewton，"whatismoresacredthananAmericanmother’slove？Thereforelethernotshameitwithangerandstrife。Alllittleboysandgirlsarepreciousgemstomeandtoyou。Whatisacold，lifelessmedalcomparedtooneofthem？
　　ThoughIwouldthatallcouldgettheprize！Buttheycan’t，youknow。"
　　"No，m’m。"Manymothers，withtheirchildrenintheirarms，werenowdumblywatchingMrs。Brewton，whoheldthemwithahoneyed，convincingsmile。"IfIchooseonlyoneinthisbeautifulandencouragingharvest，itisbecauseIhavenootherchoice。Thankyousomuchforlettingmeseethatlittleheroandthatlovelyangel，"sheadded，withayetsweeterglancetothemothersofBoscoandCuba。"AndIwishthemallluckwhentheirturncomes。I’venosayaboutthe6—monthclass，youknow。Andnowalittleroom，please。"
　　Themothersfellback。Butmyheadswamslightly。The6—monthclass，tobesure！Theoratorhadforgottenallaboutit。Inthegeneraljoyoverhiswiseandfairproposition，nobodyhadthoughtofit。Buttheywouldprettysoon。CubaandBoscowerelikelytoremindthem。Thenweshouldstillbefacetofacewithastateofthingsthat——IcastaglancebehindatthosetwomothersofSharonandRinconfollowingus，andIaskedMrs。
　　Brewtontolookatthem。"Don’tthinkaboutitnow，"saidshe，"itwillonlymixyou。Ialwaysliketotakeathingwhenitcomes，andnotbefore。"Wenowreachedthe18—monthclass。Theywerethenakedones。The6—monthhadstayednicelyinpeople’sarms；thesewerecrawlinghastilyeverywhere，likecrabsupsetinthemarket，andtheyscreamedfiercelywhentakenuponthelap。ThemotherofThomasJeffersonBrayinLucasshowedusaframedletterfromthestatesmanforwhomherchildwascalled。Theletterreekedwithgratitude，andsaidthatoffspringwasman’sproudestprivilege；thatasouvenirsixteen—to—onespoonwouldhavebeencheerfullysent，but428babieshadbeennamedafterMr。BrayinsinceJanuary。ItcongratulatedtheswellingarmyofthePeople’sCause。
　　ButtherewasnothingeminentaboutlittleThomasexcepttheletter；andweselectedReeseMoran，avigorousSharonbaby，who，whentheyattemptedtosethimdownandpacifyhim，stiffenedhislegs，dashedhiscandytothefloor，andburstintolamentation。Weweresoon。onourwaytothe3—yearclass，forMrs。Brewtonwasrapidandthorough。AswewentbytheMannaExhibit，theagentamonghispackagesandbabiesinvitedusin。HewasloudlydeclaringthathewouldvoteforBoscoifhecould。ButwhenheexaminedCuba，hebecamesurethatDenverhadnothingfinerthanthat。
　　Mrs。Brewtontooknonoticeofhim，butbademeadmireAquaMarineasfarsurpassinganyother6—monthchild。Iproclaimedhersplendid（shewasawide—eyed，contentedthing，withaheadshapedlikeacroquetmallet），andtheagentsmiledmodestlyandtoldthemothersthatasforhisbabiestwoprizeswasluckenoughforthem；theydidn’twanttheearth。"Ifthatthinghappenedtobebrass，"saidMrs。Brewton，bendingovertheringthatAquawasstillsucking；andagainremonstratingwiththemotherforthisimprudence，shepassedon。Thethree—year—oldswere，manyofthem，incostume，withextraordinaryarrangementsofhair；andherewasthechildwithgoldwingsandacrownIhadseenonarriving。HernamewasVerbenaM。，andshepersonatedFaith。Shehadcoloredslippers，andwasdrinkingteafromhermother’scup。Anotherchild，namedBroderickMcGowan，representedColumbus，andjoyfullyshouted"Ki—yi！"everyhalf—minute。Onechildwasattiredasaprominentadmiral；anotherasaprominentgeneral；andonestoodinaboatandwasWashington。AsMrs。
　　Brewtonexaminedthemanddealtwiththemothers，thenamesstruckmeafresh——notsomuchtheboys；UlyssesGrantandJamesJ。Corbettexplainedthemselves；butIreadthenamesoffiveadjacentgirls——Lula，Ocilla，Nila，Cusseta，andMaylene。AndIaskedMrs。Brewtonhowtheygotthem。"Fromromances，"shetoldme，"inpapersthatweoftheupperclassesneversee。"InchoosingHoraceBoyd，ofRincon，forhishair，hisfullsetoffrontteethwellcaredfor，andhisgeneralbeauty，Ithinkbothofuswerealsoinfluencedbyhisgoodsensiblename，andhisgoodcleansensibleclothes。Withbothourselections，oncetheyweresettled，wereSharonandRinconsatisfied。Wewereturningbacktothetabletoannounceourchoicewhenasuddenclamorarosebehindus，andwesawconfusionintheMannaDepartment。Womenwererunningandshrieking，andIhastenedafterMrs。Brewtontoseewhatwasthematter。AquaMarinehadswallowedtheringonherthumb。"Itwasgold！itwaspuregold！"wailedthemother，clutchingMrs。Brewton。"ItcostawholedollarinElPaso。"
　　"Shemusthavewhiteofegginstantly，"saidMrs。Brewton，handingmeherpurse。"Runtothehotel——""Saveyourmoney，"saidtheagent，springingforwardwithsomeeggsinabowl。"Lord！youdon’tcatchuswithoutalltheapplianceshandy。We’drunbehindthetradeinnotime。There，now，there，"headded，comfortinglytothemother。"Willyoumakeherswallowit？Betterletme——betterletme——Andhere’stheemetic。Lord！why，wehadthreeswallowedringsattheDenverOlio，andIgot’emallsafebackwithintenminutesaftertimeofswallowing。""Yougoaway，"saidMrs。
　　Brewtontome，"andtellthemournominations。"ThemotherssympatheticallysurroundedpoorlittleAqua，sayingtoeachother："She’sabeautifulchild！""Sureindeedsheis！""Butthemanna—fedshashadtheirturn。""Sureindeedthey’vebeenrecognized，"andsoforth，whileI
　　wasgladtoretiretothevotingtable。Themusicpausedforme，andasthecrowdcheeredmysmallspeech，someonesaid，"Andnowwhatareyougoingtodoaboutme？"ItwasBoscoGradybackagain，andclosebehindhimCuba。TheyhadescapedfromMrs。Brewton’seyeandhadgotmealone。
　　ButIpretendedinthenoiseandcheeringnottoseethesemothers。I
　　noticedawomanhurryingoutofthetent，andhopedAquawasnotinfurthertrouble——shewasstillsurrounded，Icouldsee。Thentheoratormadesomesilence，thankedusinthenamesofSharonandRincon，andproposedourcandidatesbevotedonbyacclamation。Thiswasdone。RinconvotedforSharonandReeseMoraninasolidroar，andSharonvotedforRinconandHoraceBoydinaroarequallysolid。Sonoweachhadaprize，andthewholeplacewasapplaudinghappily，andthebandwasbeginningagain，whenthemotherswithCubaandBoscojumpedupbesidemeontheplatform，andthesightofthemproducedimmediatesilence。
　　"There’sagoodmanyherehasarighttofeelsatisfied，"saidMrs。
　　Grady，lookingabout，"andthey’rewelcometotheirfeelings。Butifthismeetingthinksitisthroughwithitsbusiness，Icantellitthatitain’t——notifitactshonorable，itain’t。Doesthosethathavehadtheirchanceandthosethatcantakehometheirprizesexpectus6—monthmotherscomeherefornothing？DotheyexpectIbroughtmyBoscofromRincontobeinsulted，andhimtheprideofthetown？""CubaisknowntoSharon，"spoketheotherlady。"I’llsaynomore。""JumpingJeans！"
　　murmuredtheoratortohimself。"Ican’tholdthistrainmuchlonger，"
　　saidGadsden；"she’sdueatLordsburgnow。""You’llhavemadeitupbyTucson，Gadsden，"spokeMrs。Brewton，quietly，acrossthewholeassemblyfromtheMannaDepartment。"Asfortowns，"continuedMrs。Grady，"thatthinkanythingofababythat’sonlygotthreeteeth——""Ha！Ha！"laughedCuba’smother，shrilly。"Teeth！Well，we’renotproudofbaldbabiesinSharon。"Boscowascertainlybald。Allthemenwerelookingwretched，andallthewomenweregrowingmoreandmorelikeeagles。Moreover，theywereseparatingintotwobandsandtakingtheirhusbandswiththem——SharonandRincondrawingtooppositepartsofthetent——andwhatwascomingI
　　cannotsay；forweallhadtothinkofsomethingelse。Athirdwoman，bringingaman，mountedtheplatform。ItwassheIhadseenhurryout。
　　"Myname’sShot—gunSmith，"saidtheman，verycarefully，"andI’mtoldyou’vereachedmycase。"Hewasextremelygood—looking，withablueeyeandablondmustache，notabovethirty，andwastryinghardtobesober，holdinghimselfwithdignity。"Areyouthejudge？"saidhetome。
　　"Hell——"Ibegan。"N—notguilty，yourhonor，"saidhe。Atthishiswifelookedanxious。"S—self—defence，"heslowlycontinued；"toldyouoncealready。""Why，Rolfe！"exclaimedhiswife，touchinghiselbow。"Don’tyoucry，littlewoman，"saidhe；"this’llcomeoutallright。Where’rethewitnesses？""Why，Rolfe！Rolfe！"Sheshookhimasyoushakeasleepychild。"Nowseehere，"saidhe，andwaggedafingeratheraf—
　　fectionately，"youpromisedmeyou’dnotcryifIletyoucome。""Rolfe，dear，it’snotthatto—day；it’sthetwins。""It’syourtwins，Shot—gun，thistime，"saidmanymen’svoices。"Weacquittedyouallrightlastmonth。""Justifiablehomicide，"saidGadsden。"Don’tyouremember？"
　　"Twins？"saidShotgun，drowsily。"Ohyes，mine。Why——"HeopenedonushisblueeyesthatlookedaboutasinnocentasAquaMarine’s，andhegrewmoreawake。Thenheblusheddeeply，faceandforehead。"Iwasnotcomingtothiskindofthing，"heexplained。"Butshewantedthetwinstogetsomething。"Heputhishandonhershoulderandstraightenedhimself。"I
　　doneaheapofprospectingbeforeIstruckthisclaim，"saidhe，pattinghershoulder。"WegotmarriedlastMarchayear。It’sourfirst——first——first"——heturnedtomewithaconfidingsmile——"it’sourfirstdividend，judge。""Rolfe！Inever！Youcomerightdown。""Andnowlet’sgogetaprize，"hedeclared，withhisconfidingpleasantness。"I
　　remembernow！Iremember！Theyclaimedtwinswasbarred。AndIkickeddownthebars。Takemetothosetwins。They’renotnamedyet，judge。
　　Aftertheygettheprizewe’llnamethemfinenames，asgoodasanytheygotanywhere——Europe，Asia，Africa——anywhere。Mygracious！Iwishtheywasboys。Comeon，judge！Youandme’llgogive’emaprize，andthenwe’lldrinkto’em。"Hehuggedmesuddenlyandaffectionately，andwehalffelldownthesteps。ButGadsdenassuddenlycaughthimandrightedhim，andweproceededtothetwins。Mrs。Smithlookedatmehelplessly，saying："I’mthatsorry，sir！Ihadnoideahewasgoingtobethatgamesome。""Notatall，"Isaid；"notatall！"UndermanycircumstancesI
　　shouldhavedelightedinShot—gun’ssociety。Heseemedsoutterlysurethat，nowhehadexplainedhimself，everybodywouldrejoicetogivetheremaining—medaltohislittlegirls。ButBoscoandCubahadnotbeenidle。Shotgundidnotnoticethespreadofwhispers，norfeelthedividedandjealouscurrentsintheairashesat，and，inexpandinggood—will，talkedhimselfalmostsober。Toenticehimouttherewasnoway。Severalofhisfriendshadtriedit。Butbeneathhisinnocencethereseemedtolurksomethingwary，andIgrewapprehensiveaboutholdingtheboxthislasttime。ButGadsdenrelievedmeasourcountbegan。"Shot—gunisasplendidman，"saidhe，"andhehastrailedmoretrain—robbersthananydeputyinNewMexico。Buthehasseentoomanyfriendsto—day，andisnotquitehimself。SowhenhefelldownthattimeIjusttookthisoffhim。"
　　Heopenedthedrawer，andtherelayasix—shooter。"Itwastouchandgo，"
　　saidGadsden；"buthe’sthinkingthathardabouthistwinsthathe’snotmissedityet。’Twouldhavebeentheactofanenemytoleavethatonhimto—day。——Well，d’yousay！"hebrokeoff。"Well，well，well！"Itwastheticketswetookoutoftheboxthatsethimexclaiming。Ibegantoreadthem，andsawthattheagentwasnomerepolitician，butastatesman。HisAquaMarinehadasolidvote。IrememberedhisextremepraiseofbothBoscoandCuba。ThishadsetRinconandSharonbitterlyagainsteachother。IrememberedhismodestyaboutAquaMarine。Ofcourse。Eachtown，unabletobeartheideaoftheother’sbeatingit，hadvotedforthemanna—fed，whohad299votes。Shot—gunandhiswifehadvotedfortheirtwins。IlookedtowardstheMannaDepartment，andcouldseethatAquaMarinewasplacidoncemore，andMrs。Brewtonwasdancingtheringbeforehereyes。IhopeIannouncedthereturnsinafirmvoice。"What！"saidShot—gunSmith；andatthatsoundMrs。Brewtonstoppeddancingthering。
　　Hestrodetoourtable。"There’sthewinner，"saidGadsden，quicklypointingtotheMannaExhibit。"What！"shoutedSmithagain；"andtheyquitmeforthathammer—headedson—of—a—gun？"Hewhirledaround。Themenstoodready，andthewomenfledshriekingandcoweringtotheirinfantsinthebooths。"Gentlemen！Gentlemen！"criedGadsden，"don’thurthim！
　　Lookhere！"AndfromthedrawerhedisplayedShot—gun’sweapon。Theyunderstoodinasecond，andcalmlywatchedtheenragedanddisappointedShot—gun。Buthewasaman。Hesawhowhehadfrightenedthewomen，andhestoodinthemiddleofthefloorwitheyesthatdidnotatallresembleAquaMarine’satpresent。"I’mallrightnow，boys，"hesaid。"I
　　hopeI’veharmednoone。Ladies，willyoutryandforgetaboutmemakingsuchabreak？Itgotaheadofme，Iguess；forIhadpromisedthelittlewoman——"Hestoppedhimself；andthenhiseyefellupontheMannaDepartment。"IguessIdon’tlikeonethingmuchnow。I’mnotafterprizes。I’dnotacceptonefromagold—bug—combine—trustthatcomessneakingaroundstuffingwholesaleconcoctionsintoourchildren’ssystems。Mytwinsarenotmanna—fed。Mytwinsareraisedasnatureintended。Perhapsiftheywereswelledoutwithtrashthatactslikebaking—powder，theywouldhaveamedaltoo——forInoticehehasmadeyouvotehiswayprettyoftenthisafternoon。"Isawtheagentattheendoftheroomlookveryqueer。"That’sso！"saidseveral。"IthinkI’llclearouthisboxes，"saidShot—gun，withrisingjoy。"IfeellikeI’vegottodosomethingbeforeIgohome。Comeon，judge！"Heswoopedtowardsthemannawithayell，andthemenswoopedwithhim，andGadsdenandIwereswoopedwiththem。Againthewomenshrieked。ButMrs。Brewtonstoodoutbeforetheboxeswithhercurlandherchintz。
　　"Mr。Smith，"saidshe，"youarenotgoingtodoanythinglikethat。Youaregoingtobehaveyourselflikethegentlemanyouare，andnotlikethewildbeastthat’sinsideyou。"Neverinhislifebefore，probably，hadShot—gunbeenaddressedinsuchamanner，andhetoobecamehypnotized，fixinghisblueeyesuponthestrangelady。"Idonotbelieveinpatentfoodsforchildren，"saidMrs。Brewton。"Weagreeonthat，Mr。Smith，andIamagrandmother，andIattendtowhatmygrandchildreneat。Butthishighlyadroityoungmanhasdoneyounoharm。Ifhehastheprizes，whosedoingisthat，please？Andwhopaidforthem？Willyoutellme，please？
　　Ah，youareallsilent！"Andshecroakedmelodiously。"Nowlethimandhismannagoalong。ButIhaveenjoyedmeetingyouall，andIshallnotforgetyousoon。And，Mr。Smith，Iwantyoutorememberme。Willyou，please？"ShewalkedtoMrs。Smithandthetwins，andShot—gunfollowedher，entirelyhypnotized。Shebeckonedtome。"YourjudgeandI，"shesaid，"considernotonlyyourbeautifultwinsworthyofaprize，butalsothemotherandfatherthatcansoproudlyclaimthem。"Sheputherhandinmypocket。"Thesecat’s—eyes，"shesaid，"youwillwear，andthinkofmeandthejudgewhopresentsthem。"Sheplacedabraceletoneachtwin，andthenecklaceuponMrs。Smith’sneck。"GivehimGadsden’sstuff，"shewhisperedtome。"Doyoushaveyourself，sir？"saidI，takingouttheStropine。"Vaselineandgroundshells，andwilllastyourlife。Rubthesizeofapeaonyourstropandspreadittoaninch。"IplacedtheboxinShot—gun’smotionlesshand。"Andnow，Gadsden，we’lltakethetrain，"
　　saidMrs。Brewton。"Here’syourlunch！Here’syourwine！"saidtheorator，forcingabasketuponme。"Idon’tknowwhatwe’dhavedonewithoutyouandyourmother。"AflashofindignationcrossedMrs。
　　Brewton’sface，butchangedtoasmile。"You’veforgottonamemygirls！"
　　exclaimedShot—gun，suddenlyfindinghisvoice。"Supposeyoutrythat，"
　　saidMrs。Brewtontome，atrifleviciously。"Thankyou，"IsaidtoSmith。"Thankyou。I——""Somethinghandsome，"heurged。"HowwouldCynthiadoforone？"Isuggested。"Shucks，no！I’veknowntwoCynthias。
　　Youdon’twantthat？"heaskedMrs。Smith；andshedidnotatall。
　　"Somethingextra，somethingfine，somethingnotstale，"saidhe。Ilookedabouttheroom。Therewasnotimeforthought，butmyeyefelloncemoreuponCuba。ThisremindedmeofSpain，andtheSpanish；andmybrainleaped。"Ihavethem！"Icried。"’Armada’and’Loyola。’""That’swhatthey’renamed！"saidShot—gun；"writeitforus。"AndIdid。Oncemorethebandplayed，andweleftthem，allcalling，"Good—bye，ma’am。
　　Good—bye，judge，"happyaspossible。Thetrainwassoongoingsixtymilesanhourthroughthedesert。WehadpassedLordsburg，SanSimon，andwerenearlyatBensonbeforeMrs。BrewtonandGadsden（whomshemadesitdownwithus）andIfinishedthelunchandchampagne。"Iwonderhowlonghe’llrememberme？"musedMrs。BrewtonatTucson，wherewewereontime。"Thatwomanisnotworthoneofhisboots。"
　　Saturdayafternoon，May6。——NearLosAngeles。Ihavebeenwritingallday，tobesureandgeteverythingin，andnowSharonistwenty—fourhoursago，andherethereareroses，gardens，andmanynicehousesattheway—stations。Oh，GeorgeWashington，fatherofyourcountry，whatabrindledlitterhaveyousired！
　　Butherethemoralreflectionsbeginagain，andIcopynomorediary。
　　Mrs。Brewtonlikedmynamesforthetwins。"They’llpronounceitLoyo’la，"shesaid，"andthatsoundsrightlovely。"LatershesentmeherpaperfortheGoldenDaughters。ItisfullofpoetryandsentimentandallthethingsIhavemissed。ShewrotethatifshehadbeensuretheagenthadhelpedAquaMarinetoswallowthering，shewouldhaveletthemsmashhisboxes。AndIthinkshewasalittleinlovewithShot—gunSmith。ButwhatapityweshallsoonhavenomoreMrs。Brewtons！Thecausesthatproducedher——slavery，isolation，literarytendencies，ad—
　　versity，gameblood——thatcombinationisbrokenforever。IshallspeaktoMr。Howellsabouther。Sheoughttoberecorded。
　　ThePromisedLandPerhapsthereweretenofthem——thesegallopingdotswerehardtocount——downinthedistantbottomacrosstheriver。Theirswiftlymovingdusthungwiththemclose，thinningtoayellowveilwhentheyhaltedshort。Theyclusteredamoment，thenpartedlikebeads，andwentwideasunderontheplain。Theyveeredsinglyoverthelevel，mergedintwosandthrees，apparentlyracing，shranktogetherlikeelastic，andbrokeranksagaintoswerveoverthestretchingwaste。Fromthisvisionedpantomimepresentlycameasound，atinyshot。Thefiguresweretoofarfordiscerningwhichfiredit。Itevidentlydidnoharm，andwasrepeatedatonce。Ababelofdiminutiveexplosionsfollowed，whilethehorsemengallopedoninunexpectedcircles。Soon，fornovisiblereason，thedotsrantogether，bunchingcompactly。Theshootingstopped，thedustrosethickagainfromthecrowdedhoofs，cloakingthegroup，andsopassedbackandwaslostamongthesilentbarrenhills。
　　FouremigrantshadwatchedthisfromthehighbleakrimoftheBigBend。
　　TheystoodwheretheflatofthedesertbrokeandtilteddowningroovesandbulgesdeeptothelurkingColumbia。Emptylevelslayopposite，nar—
　　rowingupintothehighcountry。
　　"That’stheColvilleReservationacrosstheriverfromus，"saidtheman。
　　"Another！"sighedhiswife。
　　"ThelastIndianswe’llstrike。OurtrailtotheOkanagongoesoveracornerofit。"
　　"We’regoingtothosehills？"Themotherlookedatherlittlegirlandbackwherethecloudhadgone。
　　"Onlyacorner，Liza。Theferryputsusoveronit，andwe’vegottogobytheferryorstaythissideoftheColumbia。Youwouldn’twanttostartahomehere？"
　　Theyhaddriventwenty—onehundredmilesatawalk。Standingbythemwerethesixhorseswiththewagon，anditstunneledroofofcanvasshoneduskilyontheemptyvergeofthewilderness。Adrywindlessairhungoverthetable—landoftheBigBend，butasoundrosefromsomewhere，floatingvoluminousuponthesilence，andsankagain。
　　"Rapids！"Themanpointedfarupthegiantrutofthestreamtowhereastreakofwhitewatertwinkledatthefootofthehills。"We’vestrucktherivertoohigh，"headded。
　　"Thenwedon’tcrosshere？"saidthewoman，quickly。
　　"No。Bywhattheytoldmethecabinandtheferryoughttobefivemilesdown。"
　　Herfacefell。"Onlyfivemiles！Iwaswondering，John——Wouldn’ttherebeawayroundforthechildrento——"
　　"Now，mother，"interruptedthehusband，"thatain’tlikeyou。We’vecrossedplentyIndianreservationsthistripalready。"
　　"Idon’twanttogoround，"thelittlegirlsaid。"Father，don’tmakemegoround。"
　　Mart，theboy，withaloosehookofhairhangingdowntohiseyesfromhishat，didnottroubletospeak。HehadbeendisappointedinthewestwardjourneytofindalltheIndianspeaceful。Heknewwhichwayheshouldgonow，andhewenttothewagontolookonceagaindownthecleanbarrelofhisrifle。
　　"Why，Nancy，youdon’tlikeIndians？"saidhermother。
　　"Yes，Ido。Ilikechiefs。"
　　Mrs。Clallamlookedacrosstheriver。"Itwassostrange，John，thewaytheyacted。Itseemstogetstranger，thinkingaboutit。"
　　"Theydidn’tseeus。Theydidn’thaveanotion——"
　　"Butifwe’regoingrightover？"
　　"We’renotgoingoverthere，Liza。Thatquickwater’stheMahkinRapids，andourferry’scleardownbelowfromthisplace。"
　　"Whatcouldtheyhavebeenafter，doyouthink？"
　　"Thosechaps？Oh，nothing，Iguess。Theyweren’tkillinganybody。"
　　"Playingcross—tag，"saidMart。
　　"I’dliketoknow，John，howyouknowtheyweren’tkillinganybody。Theymighthavebeentryingto。"
　　"Thenwe’reperfectlysafe，Liza。Wecansetandlet’emkillusallday。"
　　"Well，Idon’tthinkit’sanykindofwaytobehave，runningaroundshootingrightoffyourhorse。"
　　"AndFourthofJulyovertoo，"saidMartfromthewagon。HewasputtingcartridgesintothemagazineofhisWinchester。Hiscommon—sensetoldhimthatthosehorsemenwouldnotcrosstheriver，butthenotionofanightattackpleasedtheimaginationofyoungsixteen。
　　"Itwasthechildren，"saidMrs。Clallam。"Andnobody’sgettingmeanywood。HowamIgoingtocooksupper？Stiryourselves！"
　　Theyhadcarriedwaterinthewagon，andfatherandsonwentforwood。
　　Somewaydownthehilltheycameuponagullywithsomedeadbrush，andclimbedbackwiththis。Supperwaseatenontheground，thehorseswerewatered，givengrain，andturnedloosetofindwhatpickingstheymightintheleangrowth；andduskhadnotturnedtodarkwhentheemigrantswereintheirbedsonthesoftdust。Thenoiseoftherapidsdominatedtheairwithdistantsonority，andthechildrensleptatonce，theboywithhisriflealonghisblanket’sedge。JohnClallamlaytillthemoonrosehardandbrilliant，andthenquietly，lesthiswifeshouldhearfromherbedbythewagon，wenttolookacrosstheriver。Wherethedownwardslopebeganhecameuponher。Shehadbeenwatchingforsometime。Theyweretheonlyobjectsinthatbaldmoonlight。Noshrubgrewanywherethatreachedtothewaist，andthetwofiguresdrewtogetheronthelonelyhill。Theystoodhandinhandandmotionless，exceptthatthemanbentoverthewomanandkissedher。WhenshespokeofIowatheyhadleft，hetalkedofthenewregionoftheirhopes，thecountrythatlaybehindthevoidhillsopposite，whereitwouldnotbeastruggletolive。Hedweltonthehometheywouldmake，andhermoodfollowedhisatlast，tillhusbandandwifewerebuildingdistantplanstogether。TheDipperhadswunglowwhenheremarkedthattheywereacoupleoffools，andtheywentbacktotheirbeds。Coldcameovertheground，andtheirmusingsturnedtodreams。Nextmorningbothwereashamedoftheirfears。
　　Byfourthewagonwasonthemove。Inside，Nancy’svoicewashearddiscussingwithhermotherwhethertheschool—teacherwheretheyweregoingtolivenowwouldhaveablackdogwithawhitetail，thatcouldswimwithabasketinhismouth。Theycrawledalongtheedgeofthevastdescent，makingslowprogress，forattimesthevalleywidenedandtheyrecededfarfromtheriver，andthencircuitouslydrewcloseagainwheretheslantsankabruptly。Whentheferryman’scabincameinsight，thecanvasinteriorofthewagonwashotinthelong—risensun。Thelayofthelandhadbroughtthemcloseabovethestream，butnooneseemedtobeatthecabinontheotherside，norwasthereanysignofaferry。Grovesoftreeslayinthenarrowfoldsofthevalley，andthewatersweptblackbetweenuntenantedshores。Nothinglivingcouldbeseenalongthescantlevelsofthebottom—land。Yettherestoodthecabinastheyhadbeentold，theonlyonebetweentherapidsandtheOkanagon；andbrightinthesuntheColvilleReservationconfrontedthem。Theycameupontracksgoingdownoverthehill，marksofwagonsandhorses，plaininthesoil，andcharredsticks，withemptycans，lyingwherecampshadbeen。Heartenedbythisproofthattheywereontherightroad，JohnClallamturnedhishorsesoverthebrink。Theslantsteepenedsuddenlyinahundredyards，tiltingthewagonsonobrakeorshoewouldholditifitmovedfarther。
　　"Allout！"saidClallam。"Eitherfolkstravellightinthiscountryortheyunpack。"Hewentdownalittleway。"That’sthetrailtoo，"hesaid。
　　"Wheelmarksdownthere，andthelittlebushesaresnappedoff。"
　　Nancyslippedout。"I’munpacked，"saidshe。"Oh，whatasplendidhilltogodown！We’llgolikeanything。"
　　"Yes，thatsurelyisthetrail，"Clallampursued。"Icanseeawaydownwheresomebody’sleftawheelamongthembigstones。Butwheredoeshekeephisferry—boat？Andwheredoeshekeephimself？"
　　"Now，John，ifit’sherewe’retogodown，don’tyougettostudyingoversomethingelse。It’llbetimeenoughafterwe’reatthebottom。Nancy，here’syourchair。"Mrs。Clallambeganliftingthelighterthingsfromthewagon。
　　"Mart，"saidthefather，"we’llhavetochainlockthewheelsafterwe’reempty。Iguesswe’llstartwiththeworst。Youandme’lltakethestoveapartandgetherdownsomehow。We’reinlucktohaveopencountryandnotimbertoworkthrough。Dropthatbeddingmother！Yourselfisallyou’regoingtocarry。We’llpackthattruckonthehorses。"
　　"Thenpackitnowandletmestartfirst。I’llmaketwotripswhileyou’reatthestove。"
　　"There’stheman！"saidNancy。
　　Aman——awhiteman——wasridinguptheothersideoftheriver。Nearthecabinheleanedtoseesomethingontheground。Tenyardsmoreandhewasoffthehorseandpickedupsomethingandthrewitaway。Heloiteredalong，pickingupandthrowingtillhewasatthedoor。Hepusheditopenandtookasurveyoftheinterior。Thenhewenttohishorse，andwhentheysawhimgoingawayontheroadhehadcome，theysetupashouting，andMartfiredasignal。Theriderdivedfromhissaddleandmadehead—
　　longintothecabin，wherethedoorclappedtolikeatrap。Nothinghappenedfurther，andthehorsestoodonthebank。
　　"That’sthefunniestmanIeversaw，"saidNancy。
　　"They’reallfunnyoverthere，"saidMart。"I’llsignalhimagain。"Butthecabinremainedshut，andthedesertedhorseturned，tookafewfirststeelsoffreedom，thentrottedbrisklydowntheriver。
　　"Why，then，hedon’tbelongthereatall，"saidNancy。
　　"Wait，child，tillweknowsomethingaboutit。"
　　"She’sliabletoberight，Liza。Thehorse，anyway，don’tbelong，orhe’dnotrunoff。That’sgoodjudgment，Nancy。Rightgoodforalittlegirl。"
　　"Iamsixyearsold，"saidNancy，"andIknowlotsmorethanthat。"
　　"Well，let’sgetmotherandthebeddingstarteddown。It’llbenoonbeforeweknowit。"
　　Thereweretwopack—saddlesinthewagon，readyagainstsuchstraitsasthis。Therollsweremade，balancedassidepacks，andcircledwiththeswing—ropes，loosecloths，clothes，frying—pans，thelantern，andtheaxetossedintofillthegapinthemiddle，canvasflungoverthewhole，andthediamond—hitchhauledtautonthefirstpack，whenasecondriderappearedacrosstheriver。Hecameoutofaspacebetweentheoppositehills，intowhichthetrailseemedtoturn，andhewasleadingthefirstman’shorse。Theheavyworkbeforethemwasforgotten，andtheClallamssatdowninarowtowatch。
　　"He’sstealingit，"saidMrs。Clallam。
　　"Thentheothermanwillcomeoutandcatchhim，"saidNancy。
　　Martcorrectedthem。"Amanneverstealshorsesthatway。Hedrivesthemupinthemountains，wheretheownerdon’ttravelmuch。"
　　Thenewriderhadarrivedatthebankandcamesteadilyalongtilloppositethedoor，wherehepausedandlookedupanddowntheriver。
　　"Seehimstoop，"saidClallamthefather。"He’sseenthetracksdon’tgofurther。"
　　"Iguesshe’saftertheotherone，"addedClallamtheson。
　　"Whichofthemistheferry—man？"saidMrs。Clallam。
　　Themanhadgotoffandgonestraightinsidethecabin。Intheblackofthedoorwayappearedimmediatelythefirstman，danglinginthegripoftheother，whokickedhimalongtothehorse。Therethevictimmountedhisownanimalandrodebackdowntheriver。Thechastiserwasreturningtothecabin，whenMartfiredhisrifle。Themanstoppedshort，sawtheemigrants，andwavedhishand。Hedismountedandcametotheedgeofthewater。Theycouldhearhewasshoutingtothem，butitwastoofarforthewordstocarry。Fromacertainreiteratedcadence，heseemedtobesayingonething。JohnandMarttriedtoshowtheydidnotunderstand，andindicatedtheirwagon，walkingtoitandgettingaboard。Onthatthestrangerredoubledhissignsandshootings，rantothecabin，whereheopenedandshutthedoorseveraltimes，cameback，andpointedtothehills。
　　"He’sgoingaway，andcan’tferryusover，"saidMrs。Clallam。
　　"Andtheothermanthoughthe’dgone，"saidNancy，"andhecameandcaughthiminhishouse。"
　　"Thisdon’tsuitme，"Clallamremarked。"Mart，we’llgototheshoreandtalktohim。"
　　Whenthemansawthemdescendingthehill，hegotonhishorseandswamthestream。Itcarriedhimbelow，buthewaswaitingforthemwhentheyreachedthelevel。Hewastall，shambling，andbony，androvedoverthemwithapleasant，restlesseye。
　　"Good—morning，"saidhe。"Fineweather。IwasbaptizedEdwardWilson，butyouinquireforWild—GooseJake。Themothernamesareretiredandpensioned。Iexpectyouseenmekickhim？"
　　"Couldn’thelpseeing。"
　　"Oh，Iain’tblamin’you，son，notabit，Iain’t。Hecan’tbilewaterwithoutburnin’it，andhistoesturnsin，andhe’sblurryroundthefinger—nails。He’sjestkultus，heis。Hevsome？"Withafurtivesmilethatoftenranacrosshislips，hepulledoutaflatbottle，andalltookanacquaintanceshipswallow，whiletheClallamsexplainedtheirjourney。
　　"Howmanyairthereofyu’slidin’downthehill？"heinquired，shiftinghiseyetothewagon。
　　"I’vegotmywifeandlittlegirlupthere。That’sallofus。"
　　"Ladiesalong！ThenI’llstepbehindthisbush。"Hewasdragginghisfeetfromhiswaterloggedboots。"Hearthemsucknow？"hecommented。"Didn’thevtothinkaboutawettingonced。ButIain’tyounganymore。There，I
　　guessIain’tcaughtachill。"Hehadwhippedhisbreechesoffandspreadthemonthesand。"NowyouarrivedownthisherehillfromIoway，andsaysyou：’Where’sthatferry？’Ain’twehittherightspot？’Well，that’swhatyouhevhit。You’reallright，andthespotishunky—dory，andit’sthedurnedoldboathezmadethemistake，begosh！Acloudbustedinthiscountry，andshetoreoutferthecoast，andthejoke’sonher！
　　You’doughttohevheerdhercablesnap！Whoosh，ifthatwiredidn’tscreech！Jestlastweekitwas，andtherivercomeroundthecorneronusinawavefourfeethigh，sameasawall。Iwasuphereonbusiness，andseenthewholething。Sotheferrysheupandbidusgood—bye，andlitoutforAstoriawithhercargo。Beggin’pardon，hevyoutobacco，formine’sinmywetpants？Twenty—fourhogsandthedriver，andtwoSheenydrummersboundtothemineswithbrassjew’lry，allgonetohell，fortheydidn’tneargittoAstoria。Theysankinthesightofall，aswerunalongthebank。Iseentheirarmswave，andthemhogsrollingoverlike’tatersbilin’roundinthekettle。"Wild—GooseJake’swordscameslowandwentmoreslowlyashelookedattheriverandspoke，butrathertohimself。"Itwarn’tlong，though。Iexpectitwarn’tthreeminutestillthewaterwasalltherewasleftthere。Mystars，whatalotofit！AndI
　　mighthevbeenpartofthatcargo，easyasnot。Freightbehindtimewasallthatcomebetweenmeandthemthatwent。So，we’dhevgonebobbin’
　　downthatflood，meandmypiah—chuck。"
　　"Yourpiah—chuck？"Martinquired。
　　Themanfacedtheboylikearat，butthealertnessfadedinstantlyfromhiseye，andhislipslackenedintoaslipshodsmile。"Why，yes，sonny，meandmygrub—stake。You’vebeentoschool，I’llbet，buttheydidn’tlearnyu’Chinook，now，didthey？Chinook’sthelingouswhitefolkstradeinwiththeSiwashes，andwekinderfallsintoit，talkingalong。Iwasthinkin’howbutfordelaymeandmygrubstake——provisions，yeknow——thatwasconsignedtomeclearawayatSpokane，mighthevbeendrowndedalongwiththemhogsandHebrews。That’swhatthegoodfolkscallsadispensationoftheSaukleeTyee！——Providence，yeknow，inChinook。’Oneshallbetakenandtheotherleft。’Andthat’swhatbeatsme——theygotleft；andI’mabiggersinnerthanthemdrummers，forI’mtenyearsolderthantheywas。Andthepoorhogswasbetterthananyofus。Thatcan’tbegainsaid。Ohno！ohno！"
　　Martlaughed。
　　"Imeanit，son。Somedaysuchthoughtswillcometoyou。"Hestaredattheriverunsteadilywithhislightgrayeyes。
　　"Well，iftheferry’sgone，"saidJohnClallam，gettingonhislegs，"we’llgoondowntothenextone。"
　　"Holdon！holdon！Didyouneverheartellofaraft？I’llputyoufolksoverthisriver。WaittillIgitmypantson，"saidhe，stalkingnimblytowheretheylay。
　　"It’sjustthisway，"Clallamcontinued；"we’reboundfortheupperOkanagoncountry，andwemustgetintheretobuildourcabinbeforecoldweather。"
　　"Don’tyouworryaboutthat。It’lltakeyouthreedaystothenextferry，whileyouandmeandtheboykinbuildaraftrightherebyto—morrownoon。Youhevanaxe，Iexpect？Well，hereistimberclose，andyourtrailtakesovertomyplaceontheOkanagon，whereyou’vegotanothercrossin’tomake。Andallthistimewe’rekeepingtheladieswaitin’upthehill！We’lltalkbusinessaswegoalong；and，seehere，ifIdon’tsuityu’，orfailinmybargain，youneedn’ttopaymeacent。"
　　Hebeganclimbing，andonthewaytheycametoanagreement。Wild—GooseJakebowedlowtoMrs。Clallam，andaslowtoNancy，whoheldhermother’sdressandsaidnothing，keepingonefingerinhermouth。Allbeganemptyingthewagonquickly，andtinsofbaking—powder，withrocking—chairsandfloweredquilts，layonthehill。Wild—GooseJakeworkedhard，andsustainedapleasanttalkbyhimself。Hisfluencywasofaneagernessthatparriedinterruptionorinquiry。
　　"Soyou’vecomeacrossttheBigBend！Ain’titacoseyplace？Remindsmeofthemmedicinepictures，’BeforeandAfterUsing。’TheBigBend’sthewaythisworldlookedbeforeusing——beforetheBiblefixeditup，yeknow。EverseenspecimensofBigBendproduce，ma’am？Theysend’emEast。
　　Grainandplumsandsuch。Thefellerthatgatheredthemcuriositieshedhuntfortysquaremilesapiecefor’em。Butit’sgood—payin’policy，anditfetcheslotsofsettlerstotheTerritory。Theycomeherehummin’andwalksaroundthewilderness，and’Where’stheplums？’saysthey。’Can’tyouseeI’mbusy？’saysthelandagent；andouttheygoes。Butyouneedn’ttoworry，ma’am。Thecountrywhereyou’regoin’ain’tlikethat。
　　There’swaterandtimberandrichsoilandmines。BillyMoonhasgonethere——he’sthemanruntheferry。Whenshewrecked，hepulledhisfreightforthenewminesatLoopLoop。"
　　"Didthemanliveinthelittlehouse？"saidNancy。
　　"Rightthere，miss。Andnobodylivesthereanymore，soyoutakeitifyou’rewantin’aplaceofyourown。"
　　"Whatmadeyoukicktheothermanifitwasn’tyourhouse？"
　　"Well，now，ifitain’tagoodoneonhimtohevyouseethat！I’lltellhimalittlegirlseenthat，andmaybehe’llfeelthedisgrace。Onlyhe’snoaccount，anddon’ttakeanyexperiencethereg’larway。He’snighontothirty，andyou’llnotbelieveme，Iknow，butheain’tneverevenlearnedtospitright。"
　　"Isheyours？"inquiredNancy。
　　"Gosh！no，miss——beggin’pardon。He’sjestworkin’forme。"
　　"Didheknowyouwerecomingtokickhimwhenhehid？"
　　"Hid？What’sthat？"Theman’seyesnarrowedagainintopoints。"Youfolksseenhimhide？"hesaidtoClallam。
　　"Why，ofcourse；didn’thesayanything？"
　　"Hedidn’tgetmuchchance，"mutteredJake。"Whatdidhehideat？"
　　"Us。"
　　"You，begosh！"
　　"Iguessso，"saidMart。"Wetookhimfortheferry—man，andwhenhecouldn’thearus——"
　　"Whatwashedoin’？"
　　"Justridingalong。AndsoIfiredtosignalhim，andheflewintothedoor。"
　　"Soyoufired，andheflewintothedoor。Oh，h’m。"Jakecontinuedtopackthesecondhorse，attendingcarefullytotheropes。"Ineverknowedhewasthatweakintheupperstory，"hesaid，inaboutfiveminutes。
　　"Knewhisbrainswastenas，butdidn’tsuspecthewerethatweakintheupperstory。You’resurehedidn’tgointillheheerdyourgun？"
　　"He’dtakenalookandwasgoingaway，"saidMart。
　　"Nowain’tsomepeoplejestodd！Nowyoufollowme，andI’lltellyoufolkswhatI’dfiguredhe’dbeenat。BillyMoonhelivedinthatcabin，yu’see。Andhehadhisstuffthere，yu，see，andruntheferry，andakindofastore。Hekeptcoffeeandcannedgoodsandstar—plugandthisandthattosupplytheprospectin’outfitsthatcomeacrosstonhisferryonthetrailtothemines。Thenacloud—bursthitshisboatandhisjob’sspoiledontheriver，andhequitsforthemines，takin’hisstuffalong——doyoufollowme？Buthehedtoleavesome，andhegivemethekey，andIwastosendthebalanceafterhimnextfreightteamthatcomealongmyway。Leander——that’shimIwaskickin’——heknowedaboutit，andhe’llstealahotstovehe’sthatdumb。HeknowedtherewasstuffhereofBillyMoon’s。Well，lastnightwehedsomehorsesstray，andIsaystohim，’Andy，yougetupbydaylightandfindthem。’Andhegits。Butbyseventhehorsescomeinallrightoftheirselves，andMr。Leanderhewasmissin’；andsaysItomyself，’I’llketchyou，yu’blamedhobo。’AndI
　　thoughtIhadketchedhim，yu’see。Weren’tthatreasonableofme？
　　Wouldn’tanyofyoufolkshevdrawedthatconclusion？"Themanhadfallenintoawheedlingtoneashestudiedtheirfaces。"Jestputyourselvesinmyplace，"hesaid。
　　"Thenwhatwasheafter？"saidMart。
　　"Stealin’。Buthefiguredhe’dcomeagain。"
　　"Hedidn’tlikemygunmuch。"
　　"Gunsalwaysskeershimwhenhedon’tknowthepartiesshootin’。That’shisdumbness。MaybehethoughtIwasafterhim；he’sjestthatdistrustful。Begosh！we’llhavethelaughonhimwhenhefindsherunfromalittlegirl。"
　　"Hedidn’twaittoseewhohewasrunningfrom，"saidMart。
　　"Ofcoursehedidn’t。Andyhearsyourgunandhedon’tinquirefurther，buthitsthefirstholehekincrawlinto。That’sAndy！That’sthekindofboyIhevtoworkforme。Allthegoodonesgoeswhereyou’regoin’，wherethegraingrowswithoutirrigationandtheblacktaildeercomesoutonthehillandasksyu’toshoot’emfordinner。Who’sreadyforthebottom？IfIstaytalkin’thesun’llgodownonus。Don’tyu’letmegetstartedagin。Justyoushetmeofftwicedanywayeachtwenty—fourhours。"
　　Hebegantodescendwithhispack—horseandthefirstload。Allafternoontheywentupanddownoverthehotbarefaceofthehill，untilthebaggage，heavyandlight，wastransportedanddroppedpiecemealontheshore。Thetorn—outinsidesoftheirhomelitteredthestoneswithfamiliarshapesandcolors，andNancyplayedamongthem，visitingeachparcelandfoldedthing。
　　"There’stheredtable—cover！"sheexclaimed。"andthebigcoffee—grinder。Andthere’sourtable，andtheholeMartburnedinit。"
　　Shetookalonglookatthis。"Oh，howIwishIcouldseeourpump！"shesaid，andbegantocry。
　　"Youtalktoher，mother，"saidClallam。"She’stuckeredout。"
　　Themenreturnedtobringthewagon。Withchain—lockedwheels，andtiltedhalfoverbythecrossslantofthemountain，itcameheavilydown，reelingandslidingontheslipperyyellowweeds，andgrindingdeeprutsacrossthefacesoftheshelvingbedsofgravel。Jakeguideditashecould，strainingbackonthebitsofthetwohunchedhorseswhentheirhoofsglancedfromthestonesthatrolledtothebottom；andtheothersleanedtheirweightonapolelodgedbetweenthespokes，makingabalancetothewagon，foritleanedtheotherwaysofarthatatanyjoltthetwowheelslefttheground。Whenitwassafeatthelevelofthestream，duskhadcomeandawhiteflatofmistlayalongtheriver，stripingitscourseamongthegaunthills。Theysleptwithoutmoving，androseearlytocutlogs，whichthehorsesdraggedtotheshore。Theoutsidetrunkswerenailedandlashedwithropes，andsankalmostbelowthesurfacewiththeweightofthewoodfastenedcrosswiseontop。Butthewholefloateddrywithitscargo，andcrossedclumsilyonthequick—wrinkledcurrent。
　　Thenitbroughtthewagon；andthesixhorsesswam。Theforceoftheriverhadlandedthembelowthecabin，andwhentheyhadrepackedtherewastoolittleleftofdaytogoon。ClallamsuggesteditwasagoodtimetotakeMoon’sleavingsovertotheOkanagon，butWild—GooseJakesaidatoncethattheirloadwasheavyenough；andaboutthistheycouldnotchangehismind。Hemadeajourneytothecabinbyhimself，andreturnedsayingthathehadmanagedtolockthedoor。
　　"Father，"saidMart，astheywereharnessingnextday，"I’vebeenupthere。Iwentawfulearly。There’snolocktothedoor，andthecabin’sempty。"
　　"Iguessedthatmightbe。"
　　"Therehasbeenalockpriedoffprettylately。Therewasalotofbrokenbottlesaroundeverywheres，insideandout。"
　　"Whatdoyoumakeoutofit？"saidMart。
　　"Nothingyet。Hewantstogetusaway，andI’mwithhimthere。IwanttogetuptheOkanagonassoonaswecan。"
　　"Well，I’mtakin’yu’thesoonestway，"saidWild—GooseJake，behindthem。Fromhiscasualsmiletherewasnotellingwhathehadheard。"I’llputyourstuffacrossttheOkanagonto—morrowmornin’。Butto—nightyourselves’llallbeover，andtheladieskinsleepinmyroom。"
　　Thewagonmadegoodtime。Thetrailcrossedeasyvalleysandovertheyellowgrassofthehills，whilenowandthentheirguidetookashort—cut。Hewishedtogethome，hesaid，sincetherecouldbenoestimatingwhatLeandermightbedoing。WhilethesunwasstillwellupintheskytheycameoveraroundknobandsawtheOkanagon，blueinthebrightafternoon，andthecabinonitsfurtherbank。Thiswasaroomierbuildingtoseethancommon，andahay—fieldwasbyit，andabitofgreenpasture，fencedin。Saddle—horsesweretiedinfront，headshangingandfeetknuckledaskewwithlongwaiting，andfrominsideanuneven，riotousdinwhiffledlightlyacrosstheriverandinterveningmeadowtothehill。
　　"Ifyou’llexcuseme，"saidJake，"I’lljestgitalongahead，andseewhatgamethemfolksisputtin’uponAndy。Likelyasnothe’sweighin’
　　’emoutflourattwocents，withitcostin’metwoandahalfonfreightin’alone。I’llhevsupperreadytimeyouketchup。"
　　Hewasgoneatonce，gettingawayatasharppace，tillpresentlytheycouldseehimswimmingthestream。Whenhewasinthecabinthesoundschanged，droppingofftooneatatime，andexpired。Butwhentheriderscameoutintotheair，theyleanedandcollidedatrandom，whirledtheirarms，and，screamingtilltheygatheredheart，chargedwithwaveringmenaceatthedoor。Theforemostwasflungfromthesill，andheshotalongtopplingandscrapedhislengthinthedust，whiletheownerofthecabinstoodintheentrance。TheIndianpickedhimselfup，andatsomewordofJake’swhichtheemigrantscouldhalffollowbythefierceliftofhisarm，allgotontheirhorsesandsetupawailing，likevulturesdrivenoff。Theywentuptheriveralittleandcrossed，butdidnotcomedownthisside，andMrs。Clallamwasthankfulwhentheirevilnoisehaddiedawayupthevalley。Theyhadseenthewagoncoming，butgaveitnoattention。Amansooncameovertheriverfromthecabin，andwasloungingagainstatreewhentheemigrantsdrewupatthemargin。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyouknow，"hewhineddefiantlyfromthetree，"butI’mgoin’toCornwall，Connecticut，andIdon’tcarewhoknowsit。"Hesentacowedlookatthecabinacrosstheriver。
　　"Getoutofthewagon，Nancy，"saidClallam。"Mart，helpherdown。"
　　"I’mgoingback，"saidtheman，blinkinglikeascoldeddog。"Iain’tstayin’herefornobody。YoucantellhimIsaidso，too。"Againhiseyeslunksidewisetowardsthecabin，andinstantlyback。
　　"Whileyou’restaying，"saidMart，"youmightaswellgiveahandhere。"
　　Hecamewithalacrity，andmadeashiftofunhitchingthehorses。"IwasbetteroffcouplingfreightcarsontheHousatonic，"hesoonremarked。
　　Hisvoicecameshallow，fromnodeeperthanhisthroat，andapeevishapprehensionrattledthroughit。"Thatwasagoodjob。AndI’vehadbetter，too；forty，fifty，sixtydollarsbetter。"
　　"Shallweunpackthewagon？"Clallaminquired。
　　"Idon’tknow。YoueverbeentoNewMilford？Isoldshoesthere。
　　Thirty—fivedollarsandboard。"
　　Theemigrantsattendedtotheiraffairs，wateringthehorsesanddrivingpicketstakes。Leanderuselesslyfollowedbehindthemwithconversation，blinkingandwithlowerlipsagged，showingacoupleofteeth。"Mybrother’sinbusinessinPittsfield，Massachusetts，"saidhe，"andIcangetasalaryinBridgeportanydayIsayso。ThataMarlin？"
　　"No，"saidMart。"It’saWinchester。"
　　"IhadaMarlin。He’stookitfromme。I’llbetyounevergotshotat。"
　　"Anybodywanttoshootyou？"Martinquired。
　　"WellandIguessyou’llbelievetheydiddaybeforeyesterday"
　　"Ifyou’retalkingaboutupatthatcabin，itwasme。"
　　LeandergaveMartaleer。"Thatwon’tdo，"saidhe。"He’sputyouuptotellingmethat，andI’mgoingtoCornwall，Connecticut。Iknowwhat’sgoodforme，Iguess。"
　　"Itellyouwewerelookingfortheferry，andIsignalledyouacrosstheriver。"
　　"No，no，"saidLeander。"Ineverseenyouinmylife。Don’tyoubelikehimandtakemeforafool。"
　　"Allright。Whydidtheywanttomurderyou？"
　　"Why？"saidtheman，shrilly。"Why？Hadn’ttheybrokeinandfilledthemselvesuponhispiah—chucktilltheywerecrazy—drunk？AndwhenI
　　camealongdidn’tthey——"
　　"Whenyoucamealongtheywerenowherenearthere，"saidMart。
　　"Nowyou’regoingtoclaimitwasmedrunkitandscatteredallthembottlesofhis，"screamedLeander，backingaway。"ItellyouIdidn’t。I
　　toldhimIdidn’t，andheknoweditwell，too。Buthe’sjustthatmeanwhenhe’smadhelikestoputathingonmewhetherorno，whenheneverseenmetouchadropofwhiskey，noranyoneelse，neither。Theywereridingandshootinglooseoverthecountryliketheyalwaysdoonadrunk。AndI’mgladtheystolehisstuff。WhatbusinesshadhetokeepitatBillyMoon’soldcabinandsendmeawayuptheretoseeitwasallright？Lethimdohisowndirtywork。Iain’tgoingtobreakthelawsonthesalaryhepaysme。"
　　TheClallamfamilyhadgatheredroundLeander，whowasstrickenwithvolubility。"Itain’tonceinawhile，butit’severydayandeveryweek，"hewenton，alwaysinawoollyscream。"Andthelongerheain’tcaughtthebolderhegets，andputseverythingthatgoeswrongontome。
　　Wasitmetradedthemforthatliquorthisafternoon？Itwashissquaw，BigTracks，andheknoweditwell。Heletsthatmud—facedbaboonrunthehousewhenhe’soff，andIdon’thavethekeysnornothing，andneverdidhave。ButofcoursehehadtocomeinandsayitwasmejustbecausehewasmadabouthavingyouseethemSiwashesholleringaround。AndhecomeandshookmewhereIwassittin’，andoh，my，heknowedwelltheliehewasacting。IbetI’vegotthemarksonmynecknow。Seeanyredmarks？"
　　Leanderexhibitedthebackofhishead，buttheviolencedonehimhadevidentlybeenfleeting。"He’llbeawfulgoodtoyou，forhe’sthatscared——"
　　Leanderstoodtremulouslystraightinsilence，hislipsagging，asWild—GooseJakecalledpleasantlyfromtheotherbank。"Cometosupper，youfolks，"saidhe。"Why，Andy，Itoldyoutobringthemacross"，andyou’veletthempickettheirhorses。Wasyouexpectin’Mrs。Clallamtotakeyourarmandfordsixfeetofwater？"Forsomereasonhisvoicesoundedkindashespoketohisassistant。
　　"Well，mother？"saidClallam。
　　"IfitwasnotforNancy，John——"
　　"Iknow，Iknow。Outontheshorehereonthissidewouldbeapleasanterbedroomforyou，but"（helookedupthevalley）"Iguessourfriend’splanismoresensibleto—night。"
　　Sotheydecidedtoleavethewagonbehindandcrosstothecabin。Thehorsesputthemwithnotmuchwettingtotheotherbank，whereJake，mosteagerandfriendly，hoveredtomeethisparty，andwhentheyweresafeashorepervadedhispremisesintheirbehalf。
　　"Turnthemhorsesintothepasture，Andy，"saidhe，"andfirstfeed’emacoupleofquarts。"Itmayhavebeenhearinghimselfsaythis，buttoneandvoicedroppedtotheconfidentialandhissentencescamewithachuckle。"QuartstothehorsesandquartstotheSiwashesandaskookumpackoftroubleallround，Mrs。Clallam！IfIhedn’ta—cametostopitawhileago，whyaboutallthespiritsthat’sinstockjestnowwasbein’
　　tradedoffforsomeblamedponiesthebearshevlethobbleontherangeunswalleredeversinceIsettledhere。Astoreonatraillikethishere，yesee，itheztokeepspirits，ofcourse；and——well，well！here’smyroom；youladies’llexcuse，andmakeyourselvesathomeaswellasyoucan。"
　　Itwasofasurprisingneatness，duealltohim，theypresentlysaw；thelogwallscoveredwithasortofbuntingthatwasalsostretchedacrosstomakeaceilingbelowtheshinglesoftheroof；freshsoapandtowels，chinaservice，acleanfloorandbed，onthewallaprintofsomewhiteandredvillageamongelms，withacoveredbridgeandthewaterrunningoveranapron—damjustabove；andarichsmellofwhiskeyeverywhere。
　　"Fixupascomfortableasyu’can，"thehostrepeated，"andI’llseehowMrs。Jake’stossin’theflapjacks。She’sInjun，yu’know，andfiveyearsofmarriedlifehadn’tlearnedhertotossflapjacks。NowifIwasyou"
　　（hewaslingeringinthedoorway）"Iwouldn’tshetthatwindersoquick。
　　Itdon’tsmellniceyetforladiesinhere，andI’dhevlikedtogitthetimetodobetterforye；butthemSiwashes——well，ofcourse，youfolksseehowitis。Maybeitain’talwaysandonlywhitementhatpatronizesourgoods。UncleSamisalongwayoff，andIdon’tsaywe’doughtto，butwhenthecat’saway，whythemicewill，yeknow——theymostalwayswill。"
　　Therewasarattleofboardsoutside，atwhichheshutthedoorquickly，andtheyheardhimrun。Alightmutteringcameinatthewindow，andthemother，peepingout，sawAndyfallenamongarubbishofcratesandemptycans，wherehelaystaring，whilehistwofistsbeatupanddownlikeadisorderedtoy。Wild—GooseJakecame，andhavingliftedhimwithgreattenderness，waslayinghimflatasElizabethClallamhurriedtohishelp。