\"\'She\'stoonoomerousinthemsteepsan\'deecliv\'ties，\'saysGrief。
\'WhatIneedsisalandscapewheretheprevailin\'feacheristhehor\'zontal。Iwasshorelybornwithayearnin\'forthelevelground。\'An\'soGriefmoveshiscampdownontheriverbottoms，wheretharain\'tnohills。
\"He\'sthatmis\'rableidlean\'shiftless，thisyereGriefis，thatoncehestartshuntin\'an\'thendecideshewon\'t。Grieflaysdownbytheaigeofthebranch，withhismoccasinstowardsthewater。Itstartsintorain，an\'thestormprouncesdownonGrieflikeamink:
onasettin\'hen。Oneofhispardsseeshimacrossthebranchan\'
thinkshe\'sasleep。Soheshoutsan\'yellsathim。
\"\'Whoopee，Grief!\'hesingsovertowhereGrief\'slayin\'allquiledupsameasawater-moccasinsnake，an\'therainpeltin\'intohimlikeetarnalwrath；\'wakeuptharan\'crawlforcover!\'
\"\'I\'mawake，\'saysGrief。
\"\'Well，whydon\'tyougetoutentherain？\'
\"\'I\'mallwetnowan\'theraindon\'tdonohurt，\'saysGrief。
\"An\'thisyerelazyGriefMudlowkeepsonlayin\'thar。Itain\'tnotimewhenthebranchbeginstoraise；thewatercrawlsupaboutGrief\'sfeet。Sohispardshoutsathimsomemore:
\"\'Whoopee，youGriefag\'in!\'hesays。\'Ifyoudon\'tpullyourfreight，thebranch\'llgetyou。It\'sdonerizoverthestockofyourrifle。\'
\"\'Waterwon\'thurtthewoodnone，\'saysGrief。
\"\'YouGriefoverthar!\'roarstheotherafterawhile；\'yourfeetan\'
laigsishalfintothebranch，an\'thewater\'sgotuptothelockofyourgun。\'
\"\'Thar\'snoloadinthegun，\'saysGrief，stilla-layin\'，\'an\'
besidessheneedswashin\'out。Asforthemfeetan\'laigs，Inevercatchescold。\'
\"An\'tharthatorneryGriefreposes，tooplumblazytomove，whilethebranchcreepsupabouthim。It\'scropeupsohigh，final，thathisy\'earsan\'thebackofhisheadisinit。AllGriefdoesissorto\'lifthischinan\'laysquar\'，tokeephisnoseoutso\'shecanbreathe。
An\'heshorelybeatsthegame；fortherainceases，an\'thebranchdon\'trisenohigher。ThisyereGrieflaystharontilthebranchrunsdownan\'he\'shighan\'dryag\'in，an\'thenthesunshinesoutan\'drieshisclothes。It\'sthatsamenightwhenGriefhasdrughimse\'fhometosupper，hesaystohiswife，\'Thar\'snothin\'likeexercise，\'an\'thencounselsthatladyoverhiscornponean\'
chitlinstotakeinwashin\'likeIrelates。\"
WewalkedoninmuteconsiderationoftheextraordinaryindolenceoftheworthlessMudlow。Oursilenceobtainedforfulltenminutes。
ThenIproposed\"courage\"asasubject，andputaquestion。
\"Thar\'sfiftykindsofcourage，\"respondedmycompanion，\"an\'agentwho\'splumbweakan\'craven，thata-way，ondercertaincircumstances，isasfullofsandasthebedoftheArkansawonderothers。Thar\'shoss-backcouragean\'thar\'sfootcourage，thar\'sdaycouragean\'nightcourage，thar\'sguncouragean\'knifecourage，an\'
noendofcouragesbesides。An\'thenthar\'sthecourageofvanity。
More\'nonce，whenI\'myounger，I\'msweptdownbythislastformofheroism，an\'IevenrecallshowinasperitofvaingloryIridesabuffalobull。Itellsyou，son，thatwhilethatfranticbuffaloissquanderin\'abouttheplainsthattime，an\'meontohim，hefeelsamightysightliketheridgeofalltheyooniverse。Howdoesitend？
It\'stoolongataletotellwalkin\'an\'withoutreecooperatifs；
sufficeitthatitendsdisastrous。Ishallneverridenobuffaloag\'in，leastwisewithoutasaddle，onlessitsaspeshulo\'casion。
\"No，indeed，thatword\'courage\'hastobedefinednewforeachcase。Thar\'soldTomHarrisoverontheCanadian。IbeholdsTomonetimeatTascosadothemostb\'ar-facedtrick；onewhichmostsportsofcommonsens\'bilitieswouldhaveshrunkfrom。Thar\'sawarrantoutforTom，an\'JimEastthesheriffputshisgunonTomwhenTom\'slookin\'t\'otherway。
\"\'Seeyere，Harris!\'saysEast，thata-way。
\"Tomwheels，an\'islookin\'intothemouthofEast\'ssix-shooternotayardoff。
\"\'Putupyourhands!\'saysEast。
\"ButTomdon\'t。HelooksoverthegunintoEast\'seye；an\'hefreezeshim。Thenslowan\'delib\'rate，an\'glarin\'likeamountainlionatEast，TomgoesbackafterhisColt\'san\'pullsit。HelaysheralongsideofEast\'swiththemuzzlep\'intin\'atEast\'seye。An\'
thartheystands。\"\'Youdon\'tdar\'shoot!\'saysTom；an\'Eastdon\'t。
\"Theybreaksawayan\'nopowderburned；TomstandsEastoff。
\"\'Warrantornowarrant，\'saysTom，\'allthesheriffsthateverjinglesaspurinthePanhandlecountry，can\'ttakeme!Noralltherangersneither!\'An\'theyshorecouldn\'t。\"Nowthisyerebreak-awayofTom\'s，whenEastgetsthedropthattime，takescourage。Itain\'tonegentinathousandwhocouldmakethattripbutTom。An\'yetthisyereTomisfearedofadarkroom。\"TakeInjuns；——give\'emtheirdoo，evenifweain\'tgotroomforthemmiscreantsinourhearts。Onhislinesan\'athisgames，aInjunisascleanstrainastheymakes。He\'sgotcourage，an\'candiewithoutbattin\'aneyeorwaggin\'ay\'ear，onceit\'scomehisturn。An\'thesquawsisascoldaprop\'sitionasthebucks。Afterafightwiththemsavages，whenyougoes\'roundtocountupan\'skinthegame，youfindsmostasmanysquawslyin\'about，an\'bulletsthrough\'em，asyoufindsbucks。
\"Courageissometimesknowledge，sometimesignorance；sometimescourageisdesp\'ration，an\'thenag\'init\'sinnocence。\"Once，abouttwomilesoff，whenI\'montheStakedPlains，an\'neartheaigewherethar\'spiecesofbrokenrock，IobservesaMexicanonfoot，franticallychunkin\'upsomethin\'。He\'slefthisponystandin\'offalittle，an\'haswithhimamightynoisyformofsomelowkindofmongreldog，thislatterstandin\'intoworrywhateveritistheMexican\'schunkin\'at，thata-way。Iridesovertoinvestigatethewar-jig；an\'I\'mamesquitedigger!ifthisyeretransplantedCastillianain\'tdoneupafull-grownwildcat!It\'sjestcoughin\'
itslastwhenIarrives。Son，Iwouldn\'thaveopenedagameonthatfeline——thesamebein\'asbigasacoyote，an\'asthoroughlyorganizedfortroubleasagatling——withanythin\'morepunythanaWinchester。An\'yetthatguilelessMexicanlayshimoutwithrocks，andregyardssechfeatsastrivial。AnAmerican，too，bymerelygrowlin\'towardsthisMexican，wouldmakehimquitoutlikeajackrabbit。\"AsIobservesprior，courageisfrequentthefrootsofwhatagentdon\'tknow。Takegrizzlyb\'ars。Backfiftyyears，whenthemsquirrelriflesispreevalent；whenaacornshellholdsachargeofpowder，an\'bulletsrunsaslightan\'littleassixty-fourtothepound，whyson!you-allcouldshootupagrizzlytillsundownan\'
hardlygainhisdisdain。It\'saflukeifyoudownsone。Thatsportwhocanshowasetofgrizzlyb\'arclaws，themtimes，hasfame。
They\'reasgoodasabankaccount，themclawsbe，an\'entitlessaidpartytocreditindancehall，barrooman\'store，bymerelyslammin\'\'emonthecounter。\"Atthattimethegrizzlyb\'arhascourage。Whyeverdoeshehaveit，youasks？Becauseyoucouldn\'tstophim；he\'soutofhoomanity\'sreach——asorto\'AlexanderSelkirkofab\'ar，an\'youcouldn\'twinfromhim。Inthemepocks，thegrizzlyb\'artreatsagentcontemptuous。Heswatshim，orheclawshim，orhehugshim，orhecruncheshim，orhequitshimaccordin\'
tohismoods，orthenumberofthemengagementswhichispressin\'onhimatthetime。An\'thelastthingheconsidersisthefeelin\'softhatpartic\'larpartyhe\'sdallyin\'with。Now，however，allischanged。Thar\'srifles，burnin\'fourinchesofthisyerefulminatin\'
powder，thatcanchuckabulletthroughafootofgreenoak。Wiselydirected，theyletssunshinethroughagrizzlyb\'arlikehe\'sapaneofglass。An\'，son，themb\'arsisplumbontotheplay。
\"What\'sthefinish？To-dayyoucan\'tgetclostenoughtoagrizzlytohandhimaripepeach。Lethimglimpseorsmellawhiteman，an\'
hegoesscatterin\'offacrosshillan\'canyonlikeaquartoflickeramongfortymen。They\'reshoreapprehensifeofthembigbulletsan\'
hard-hittin\'guns，themb\'arsis；an\'theywouldn\'tlistentoyou，evenifyoutalksnothin\'butbee-treean\'givesabondtokeepthepeacebesides。Yes，sir；thedaywhenthegrizzlyb\'arwillstandwithouthitchin\'hasdeepartedthecalendarawholelot。Theynolongerattemptsinsolentan\'coarsefamiliar\'tieswithfolks。
Insteadofregyardin\'arifleasarottoncornstalkindisguise，they\'reasgun-shyasafemaleinstitoote。Bigb\'arsan\'littlebars，it\'sallsim\'lar；fortheoldonestellsittotheyoung，an\'
thelessonisspreadthroughouttheentirenationofb\'ars。An\'
yere\'swhereyouobserves，enlightenmentthata-waymeansa-
weakenin\'ofgrizzly-b\'arcourage。
\"What\'sthat，son？You-allthinksmystoriessmellsometall!Youexpressesdoubtsaboutanamilesconversin\'withoneanother？That\'swhereyou\'reignorant。Allanamilestalks；theycommoonicatesthenewstooneanotherlikehoomans。WhenI\'vebeenfreightin\'fromDodgedowntowardstheCanadian，Ihadaeight-muleteam。Asshoreaswe\'rewalkin\'——asshoreasI\'mpinin\'foradrink，I\'velistenedtothemmulesgossipbythehourasweswingsalongthetrail。LotsoftimesIsaveyswhattheysays。OnceIhearstheoff-leadertellhismatethatthejockeystickissawin\'himonderthechin。I
investigatesan\'findsthecomplainttrooan\'relieveshim。Thenighswingmuleisawit；an\'alldaylonghe\'dbethrowin\'offremarksthatkeepsarippleoflaughtergoin\'upan\'downtheteam。You-allfindstroublecreditin\'themstatements。Fact，jestthesame。I\'velaughedatthejokesofthatswingmulemyse\'f；an\'evenJerry，theoffwheeler，who\'sacynicthata-way，couldn\'trepressasmile。
Shore!anamilestalksallthetime；it\'sonlythatwe-allhoomansain\'teddicatedtoonderstand。
\"Speakin\'ofbeaststalkin\'，letmeimparttoyouofwhatpassesbeforemyeyesoverontheCaliente。Inthefirstplace，I\'llsofarilloomineyourmindastotellyouthatcattle，sameaspeople——an\'
speshullymountaincattle，wherethewindsansnowsdon\'tgettodrive\'eman\'drift\'emsouth——livesalltheirlivesinthesameplaces，yearafteryear；an\'asyouridesyourranges，you\'reallersmeetin\'upwiththesameoldcattleinthesamecanyons。Theynevermoves，oncetheyselectsahome。
\"AsIobserves，I\'vegotacampontheCaliente。Thar\'stenponiesinmybunch，asI\'msaddlin\'threeadayan\'coverin\'aconsiderabledealofrangeinmyridin\'。Seein\'asI\'mcampedyeresomesixmonths，Imakestheaquaintanceofthecattleforovertwentymiles\'round。Amongothers，thar\'sagiantbullinLong\'sCanyon——he\'sshoreiyasbigasaloghouse。Himan\'meispartic\'larfriends，cnlyIdon\'ttrackuponhimmorefrequentthanonceaweek，ashe\'smilesfrommycamp。IalmostforgetstosaythatwiththisyereGoliathbullisamilk-whitesteer，withlong，slimhornsan\'afacewhichisthecombinedhomeofvainconceitan\'utterwitlessness。
Thismilkyan\'semi-edioticsteerisamostabjectadmireroftheGoliathbull，an\'they\'reallerstogether。AsIstates，thismountainofabullan\'hisweak-mindedfollowerlivesinLong\'sCanyon。
\"Thar\'stwomorebulls，thesamebein\'，asColonelSterettwouldsay，also\'personsofthisyeredramy。\'Oneisafive-year-oldwhoabidesontheupperRedRiver；an\'theother，whoisonlyathree-
year-old，hangsoutontheCalienteinthevicinityofmycamp。
\"WhichsinceI\'vegottotalkofan\'concernin\'themanamiles，I
mightaswellgive\'emtheirpropernames。Theygetstheselastallreg\'larfromaplay-actorpartywhocomesswarmin\'intothehillswhileI\'mthartotrythepinetreesonhis\'tooberclosis，\'ashedescribessaidmalady，an\'whoseweaknessistosawoffcognomensoneverythin\'hesees。Asfastashe\'sintrodoocedto\'em，thisactorsportnamestheLong\'sCanyonbull\'Falstaff\'；theRedRiverfive-
year-old\'Hotspur，\'bein\'he\'splumbb\'lligerentan\'allersmakin\'
warmedicine；whilethelittlethree-year-old，whoinhabitsaboutmycampintheCaliente，headdressesas\'PrinceHal。\'Thefoolofawhitesteerthat\'sworshippin\'about\'Falstaff\'getsnamed\'Pistol，\'
althoughthar\'smightylittleabouttheweak-kneedhumbugtoremindyouofanythin\'asvehementasagun。Falstaff，Pistol，Hotspuran\'
PrinceHal；them\'sthetitlesthisdramatistconfersonsaidcattle。
\"WhichtheWestisagreatplacetodigoutnewappellationsthata-
way。Thar\'sagentle-mindedpartycomessoarin\'downonWolfvilleoneevenin\'。No，hedon\'townnorealbusinesstotransact；he\'souttohaveaheart-to-heartinterviewwiththegreatSouthwest，isthewayheexpoundstheobjectsofhissearch。
\"\'An\'he\'splentytender，\'saysBlackJack，who\'sbarkeepattheRedLight。\'Hecornespushin\'alonginyerethismornin\'；an\'wliatdoyou-allreckonnowhewants。Asksforice!Nowwhateverdoyoumakeofit!IceinAugust，an\'withinfortymilesoftheMexicolineatthat。\"Pard，\"Isays，\"we\'reontheconfinesofthetropics；an\'
whileoldArizonaissomequeer，an\'wedigsforwoodan\'climbsforwater，an\'indulgesinmuchthatismorallyan\'physicallytheteetotalreverseofright-side-up-with-care，sofarinourmeanderin\'sweain\'toncoverednoglaciersnorcutthetrailofanyice。Whichifyou\'vebroughtsnowshoeswithyounow，orbeenfiggerin\'onaArizonasleighride，you\'resettin\'inhardluck。\"\'
\"JestasBlackJackgetsthatfarinthemstatements，thisyeretenderfootshowsinthedoor。
\"\'BeyouaresidentofWolfville？\'asksthisshorthornofDaveTutt。
\"\'I\'moneofthesevenorig\'nalwolves，\'saysTutt。
\"\'Yere\'smykyard，\'saystheshorthorn，an\'hebeamsonDaveinawidean\'balmyway。
\"\'ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，\'saysDave，readin\'offthekyard。ThenDavegoesuptotheside，an\'allsolemnan\'grave，pinsthekyardtotheboardwithhisbowie-knife。\'ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，\'an\'Daverepeatsthewordsplumbcareful。\'That\'syourfullan\'c\'rrectname，isit？\'
\"Theshorthornallowsitis，an\'surveysDaveinawoozywaylikeheain\'tinformednoneofthemeanin\'oftheseyeremanoovers。
\"\'Didyou-allcomethroughTucsonwiththisname？\'asksDave。
\"Hesayshedoes。
\"\'An\'wasn\'tnothin\'saidordoneaboutit？\'demandsDave；\'don\'tthemTucsonsportstakenoaction？\'
\"Hesaysnothin\'isdone。
\"\'It\'sasIfears，\'saysDave，shakin\'hisheadaheaploogubrious，\'thatTucsonoutfitismorallygoin\'towaste。It\'sworsethancareless；it\'scallous。That\'swhatever；thatcampiscallous。Wasyouaimin\'tostayforlonginWolfvillewiththisyeretitle？\'asksDaveatlast。
\"Theshorthornmentionsaweek。
\"\'ThisyereWolfville，\'explainsDave，\'istoosmallforallthatname。ArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt!Itshorelysoundslikeahossinadancehall。Butit\'stoolongforWolfville，an\'
Wolfvilleevendoherbest。Oneendofthatnameisboundtoprotrood。Orelseitgetsallbrunkleduplikealongniggerinashortbed。However，\'goesonDave，ashenotestheshorthornlookin\'
alittledizzy，\'don\'tloseheart。Wedoesthebestwecan。Ilikesyourlooks，an\'shallcomesomewhattoyourrescoomyse\'finyourpresenttroubles。Gents，\'an\'DaveturnstowhereBoggsan\'Cherokeean\'TexasThompsonislistenin\'，\'Imovesyouwesuspendstherooles，an\'re-namesthisexcellentan\'well-meanin\'maverick，\"ButcherknifeBill。\"\'
\"\'Isecondsthemotion，\'saysBoggs。\'ButcherknifeBillisaneatan\'compactname。Icongratulatesourvisitin\'friendfromtheEastonthecasewherewithhewinsitout。Iwouldonlymakeonesu\'gestion，thesamebein\'inthenacherofamendmentstotheorig\'nalresolootion，an\'whichis，thatinallgamesofshortkyards，oratsechtimesaswe-allissuesinvitationstodrink，oratanyotherepockwhentimeshouldbesavedan\'quickactionisdesir\'ble，saidcognomenmaylegallyberedooced，to\"Butch。\"\'
\"\'Tharbein\'noobjections，\'saysTutt，\'itisregyardedasthesenseofthemeetin\'thatthisyerevisitin\'sharpfromtheStates，yeretoforecloggedinhisflightbythenameofArchibaldWillinghamDeGraffenreidButt，beyereafterknownas\"ButcherknifeBill\"；orfailin\'leesureforthefullname，as\"Butch，\"orbothatthediscretionoftheco\'t，withthedrinksonButchasthegentnowprofitin\'bythisplay。Barkeep，setupallyourbottlesan\'c\'llectfromButch。\'
\"ButtogobacktomylongagocampontheCaliente。PrinceHalisapolishedan\'p\'litesorto\'anamile。TheseconddayafterIpitchescamp，PrinceHalshowsup。Hepawsthegrass，an\'declar\'shimse\'f，an\'givesnoticethatwhileI\'mplumbwelcome，hewantsitonderstoodthathe\'spartyofthefirstpartinthatvalley，an\'
aimstosocontinyoo。AsIatonceagreestohisclaims，heispacified；thenhecountsupthecamplikehe\'ssizin\'uptheplunder。It\'satthispointIsignsPrinceHalasmyfriendforlifebygivin\'himaboutafootofbacon-skin。Hestandsan\'chewsonthatbacon-skinfortwohours；an\'thar\'sheaveninhislooks。\"ItgetssoPrinceHalputsinallhisspar\'timeatmycamp。An\'I
donatesflapjacks，bacon-skinsan\'foodcomfortsyeretoforeonknowntoPrinceHal。Heregyardsthatcampofmineasopenin\'aneweraontheCaliente。
\"Whennototherwiseengaged，PrinceHalstandsintocurrymyponieswithhistongue。Theonehe\'dbeworkin\'onwouldplanthimse\'frigid，withy\'earsdrooped，eyesshet，an\'taila-quiverin\'；an\'
you-allcouldseethatPrinceHal，withhisroughtongue，isjestburnin\'upthatbroncofromforetoptofetlockswiththejoyofthemattentions。WhenPrinceHalhasbeenspeshulfriendly，I\'dpasshimoutaplugofClimaxtobacco。Sick？Neveronce!ItmerelyelevatesPrinceHal\'ssperitsinamellowway，thattobaccodoes；makeshimfeelvividan\'galaawholelot。
\"Whichwe\'reallgettin\'onaspleasantan\'oneventfulasalitterofpupsoverontheCaliente，whenonemornin\'acrossthedividefromRedRivercomesthisyerepugnaciousperson，Hotspur。Hemakeshisadventr\'arin\'an\'slidin\'downthehillsideintoourvalley，promulgatin\'insults，an\'stampin\'forwar。YoucanseeitinHotspur\'seye；he\'souttoowntheCaliente。
\"PrinceHaliscurryin\'aponywhenthisyereinvadercomescrashin\'
downthesidesofthedivide。Hiseyesburnred，heevolveshiswarcryinadeepbassvoice，an\'goescurvin\'outontothelevelofthevalley-bottomtomeettheenemy。Gin\'ralJackson，couldn\'thavedisplayedmorepromptitood。
\"Tharain\'tmuchactioninoneofthemcattlebattles。First，Hotspuran\'PrinceHalstalks\'round，pawin\'upasodnowan\'then，an\'sw\'arin\'agaleofoathstothemse\'fs。ItlookslikePrinceHalcouldsaythemostbitterthings，foratlastHotspurleavesoffhispawin\'ail\'profanityan\'b\'arsdownonhim。Thetwoputstheirfore\'ardstogetheran\'goesinforapushin\'match。
\"Butthisdon\'tlast。Hotspuristwoyearsolder，an\'over-weighsPrinceHalaboutthreehundredpounds。PrinceHalfeelsHotspurout，an\'seesthatbythetimethedealgoestotheturn，he\'llbeshoreloser。Aplancomesintohismind。PrinceHalsuddenlybacksaway，an\'keepsonbackin\'ontilhe\'scl\'aredhimse\'ffromhisfoebyeightyfeet。Hotspurstandswatchin\'；it\'sanewwrinkleinbullfightstohim。HecalltellthatthisyerePrinceHalain\'tconquerednone，bothbythevoylentremarkshemakesaswellastheplumbdefiantwayhewearshistail。SoHotspurstandsan\'ponderstheplay，guessin\'atwhat\'slikelytobreakloosenext。
\"ButtheconductofthisyerePrinceHalgetsmorean\'moremysterious。Whenhe\'sasafeeightyfeetaway，hejumpsintheair，crackshisheelstogether，hurlsafrightfulcurseatHotspur，an\'
turnsan\'walksoffaheaprapid。Hotspurcan\'treadthemsignsatall；an\'tobefrank，nomorecanI。PrinceHalneverlooksback；hesurgesstraightahead，climbsthehillontheotherside，an\'islostintheoakbushes。
\"Hotspurwatcheshimoutofsight，getsadrinkintheCaliente，an\'
thenclimbsthehillsidetowhereI\'mcamped，todecideaboutme。Ofcourse，Hotspuran\'Iarrivesatatreatyofpeacebythebacon-rindroute，an\'thingsag\'inquietsdownontheCaliente。
\"It\'snextmornin\'aboutfourthdrinktime，an\'I\'moverhaulin\'asaddlean\'makin\'upsomebeliefsonseveralsubjectsofinterest，whenIobservesHotspur\'sfacewearin\'aonusualan\'highlyhang-dogexpression。An\'Ican\'tseenocause。Isweepsthescenerywithmyeye，butInotesnothin\'。An\'yetit\'sasevidentasaclubflushthatHotspur\'sscaredtoastandstill。Heain\'tsayinnothin\'，butthat\'sbecausehethinkshe\'llsavehisbreathtogroanwithwhendyin\'。It\'safact，son；Icouldn\'tseenorhearathing，an\'yetthatHotspurbullstandstharfullyaware，somehow，thatthar\'sawarrantoutforhim。
\"AtlastI\'mmadepostedofimpendin\'events。AcrossthewideCalientecomesafaintbutf\'rociouswarsong。Iglanceoverthata-
way，an\'tharthroughtheoakbreshcomesPrinceHal。An\'althoughhe\'samileoff，he\'sp\'intin\'straightforthisyereinvader，Hotspur。AtfirstIthinksPrinceHal\'salone，an\'I\'mmarvellin\'
whateverhereckonshe\'sgoin\'toa\'complishbythisreturn。ButjestthenIgetsaglimmer，fartoPrinceHal\'sr\'ar，ofthatreedic\'lousPistol，themilk-whitesteer。
\"Ibeholdsitall；Falstaffiscomin\'；onlybein\'adarkbrownI
can\'tyetpickhimouto\'thebresh。PrinceHalhastravelledovertoLong\'sCanyonan\'toldthegiantFalstaffhowHotspurjumpsintotheCalientean\'putsitalloverhimthata-way。Falstaffislumberin\'over——it\'sajourneyofmiles——toputthisredundantHotspurbackonhisreservation。PrinceHal，bein\'warm，livelyan\'
plumbzealoustorecoverhisvalley，isnacherallyaquarterofamileaheadofFalstaff。
\"It\'sallersaquestionwithmewhythisyerefoolhardyHotspurdon\'tstampedeoutforsafety。Buthedon\'t；hestandstharlookin\'
onusuallimp，an\'awaitshisfate。PrinceHaldon\'trushupan\'
minglewithHotspur；he\'splayin\'asysteman\'hedon\'tdeviatetharfrom。liestandsoffaboutfiftyyards，callin\'Hotspurnames，an\'waitin\'forFalstafftoarrive。
\"An\'thar\'saby-playgetspulledoff。ThisranikabooPistol，whocouldn\'tfightalittlebit，an\'who\'scaperin\'alongtenrodsintheleadofFalstaff，getsthesuddencrazy-bossnotionthathe\'llmeteoutpunishmenttoHotspurhimse\'f，an\'makeareputationasawar-eaglewithhispardan\'patron，Falstaff。Withthat，PistolcurveshistaillikealetterS，and，lowerin\'hisknittin\'-needlehorns，comesdancin\'uptoHotspur。ThebluffofthisyereignoblePistolistoomuch。Hotspurr\'arsloosean\'chargeshim。ThisegreegiousPistolgetscrumpledup，an\'Hotspurgoesoverhimlikeabaggagewagon。TheshockissechthatPistolfallsoverawash-bank；
an\'afterswappin\'endforend，landstwentyfeetbelowwithagroanan\'asplashintheCaliente。Pistolisshorelyusedup，an\'crawlsoutontheflatgroundbelow，asdisconsolateaheado\'cattleasevertemptstheechoeswithhiswails。
\"ButHotspurhasnospacewhereintosinghisvict\'ry。Falstaffdecendsuponhimlikeafallin\'tree。Withonerushin\'charge，an\'anotelikethunder，hesimplydistributesthatHotspurallovertherange。Thar\'sonlyoneblow；assoonasHotspurcanrounduphisfragmentsan\'nettohishoofs，hegoessailin\'downthevalley，hiseyesstickin\'outso\'shecanseehissins。Ashestarts，PrinceHal，who\'sbeenhoppin\'abouttherimoftheriot，clapshishornstoHotspur\'sflyin\'hocksan\'keepshimgoin\'。Butitain\'tneedednone；thatFalstaffactooallyruinsHotspurwiththefirstcharge。
\"ThatnightFalstaff，withtheporePistoljestabletototter，stayswithus，an\'PrinceHalfussesan\'bosses\'\'round，sorto\'
directin\'theirentertainment。ThenextafternoonFalstaffgivesadeepbellowortwo，likehe\'sextendin\'\'adios\'totheentireCalientecanyon，an\'thengoespirootin\'offforhomeinLong\'s，withPistol，wholooksan\'feelslikealaughin\'stock，limpin\'athisheels。That\'stheend。Fourdayslater，asI\'mswingin\'\'roundtherange，IfindsFalstaffan\'PistolinLong\'sCanyon；PrinceHalisontheCaliente；whileHotspur——an\'hisairisbothwisean\'sad——
istamelywherehebelongsontheUpperRed。An\'nowrecallin\'howIcomestoplungeintothisyereidyl，Idesirestoaskyou-all，howeverPrinceHalbringsFaistafftothewarsthattime，ifcattlecan\'ttalk？\"
CHAPTERXII。
HowWolfvilleMadeaJest。
\"It\'ssoonafterthattimeItellsyouofwhenRainbowSamdiesoff，\"andtheOldCattlemanassumedtheairsofaconversationalFroude，\"whenthecampturnsinan\'hasitslittlejestwiththeSignalServicesharp。Youseeswe\'rethatdepressedaboutRainbowcashin\'in，weneedcreelaxatinthata-way，sowe-allnacheralenoughdivertsourse\'fswiththisSignalpartywhocomesbulgin\'upallhandy。
\"Don\'tmakenomistakennotionsaboutWolfvillebein\'aidlean\'adangerouscamp。Whichonthecontrary，Wolfvilleisshorelythehomeofjestice，an\'asquar\'mangetsasquar\'gameeverytime。Tharain\'tno\'badmen\'\'roundWolfville，publicsentimentbein\'obdurateonthatp\'int。Hardpeople，whohasfiledthesightsoffentheirsix-shootersorfanstheirgunsinafight，don\'tgettolerated，nonewhatever。
\"Ofcourse，thar\'sgentsinWolfvillewhohasseentroublean\'seenitinthesmoke。CherokeeHall，forinstance，soDocPeetsmentionstomeprivate，onetimean\'anotherdowns\'levenmen。
\"ButCherokee\'sbynacherkindo\'warman\'nervous，an\'bein\'he\'sbehindafarogame，mostlikelyheseesmoreo\'casion；atanyrate，it\'scommonknowledgethatwhateverhe\'sdoneisright。
\"Hedon\'tbeefthem\'leveninWolfville；allIrecallswithus，isthemanfromRedDog，theStingin\'Lizard，an\'mebbyastrayedMexicanorso。ButeachtimeCherokee\'shandisforcedbytheseyereparties，an\'he\'sexculpatedineverygent\'smindwhoismadeawar\'
tharof。
\"No；Cherokeedon\'trelyallersonhisgunneither。He\'sahurryin\'
knifefighterforagentwithwhomknivesain\'tnacher。Eitherway，however，gunorknife，Cherokeeisaheapreliable；an\'youcanputdownabetthatwhathemissesinthequadrillehe\'llshoremakeupinthewaltzwithallwhoaskshimtoawardance。Butspeakin\'ofknives:Cherokeecomesasquickan\'straightwithabowieasarattlesnake；an\'nothalfthebuzzaboutit。
\"Butjestthesame，whilethar\'sgentsincamplikeCherokee，whohasbeenag\'institmore\'nonce，an\'whowinsan\'getsaway，stillWolfviile\'sitsquietan\'sincereanoutfitasanychristiancouldask。
\"It\'safact；whenShotgunDowlingcapersinan\'allowshe\'sabouttoabidewithusawholelot，he\'snotifiedtohuntanotherholethefirstday。
\"\'Sofarfromyou-alllivin\'withus，Shotgun，\'saysJackMoore，who\'sdepootedtogiveShotgunDowlingtherein；\'sofarfromyoubunkin\'inyereforgood，weain\'tevenaimin\'topermityourvisits。Mynotionisthatyoubetterpullyourfreightsomeinstant。
Thar\'sahalf-formedthoughtinthepublicbosomthatifanybodyseesyourtrailto-morry，allhands\'llturninan\'arrangeyouforthegrave。\'
\"\'Nevermindaboutarrangin\'nothin\'，\'saysShotgun；\'Iquitsyouafterthenextdrink；whichlibationItakesalone。\'An\'Shotgunridesaway。
\"WhatisthematterwithShotgun？Well，he\'soneoftheseyeremurderin\'folks，goin\'aboutdownin\'Mexicansmerelytosee\'emkick，an\'thatsortofthing，an\'allofwhichnose\'f-respectin\'
outfitstands。Hewinsouthisname\'Shotgun\'themtimeswhenhe\'sdep\'tymarshaloveratPrescott。
\"\'Youmustbepartic\'laran\'serveyourwarrantonagentbeforeyoudownshim，\'saysthejudge，ashegivesShotgunsomepapers。\'Firstserveyourwarrant，an\'thenit\'slegaltokillhim；butnotwithout!\'
\"SoShotgunDowlingtakesthisyerewarrantan\'cramsitdownthemuzzleofashotgunan\'hammersheroutflatontopthembuckshot。
\"\'Tharyoube!\'saysDowling。\'Ireckons\'nowthewarrantgetstohimaheadofthelead；whichmakesitonthelevel。\'
\"TharuponShotguncantersoutan\'bustshisgent——warrant，leadan\'
all——an\'thatgiveshimthenameof\'Shotgun\'Dowling。
\"Butatthetimehecomesriotin\'alongintoWolfville，allowin\'
he\'llresidesome，he\'sregyardedhard；havin\'beenwolfin\'\'round，copperin\'Mexicansan\'friskin\'aboutgeneral；so，nacheral，wewarnshimoutasaforesaid。WhichI，tharfore，ag\'inremarks，thatWolfvilleisamightyproperan\'peacefulplace，an\'itswitticismwiththisyereSignalServicepartyneedn\'tbeinferredag\'instit。
\"Thisyeregenthasbeengoin\'aboutcasooal，an\'hisairisaheaphigh-flown。He\'sbeenpesterin\'an\'irritatin\'aboutthepost-officeformightylikeanhour，whenallatoncehecrossesovertotheRedLightan\'squar\'suptothebar。Hedon\'tinvitenoneofustolicker——jesthimse\'f；whichonp\'litenessisshorereceivedinvidious。
\"\'Gimmeacocktail，\'saysthisSignalpersontothebarkeep。
\"Astheyain\'tmixin\'nodrinksattheRedLightformanorbeast，noryetatHamilton\'shurdy-gurdy，thissportinyooniformdon\'tgetnococktail。
\"\'Can\'tmixnodrinks，\'saysBlackJack。
\"\'Can\'tmixnococktail？\'saystheSignalsharp。\'Why!whatabandofprairiedogsthisyerehamletis!What\'sthematterwithyou-allthatyoucan\'tmixnococktails？Don\'tyousaveyenough？\'
\"\'Dowe-allsaveyenough？\'saysBlackJack，somefacetiousthata-
way。\'Stranger，wesimplysufferswithwhatwesaveys。Butthar\'salawag\'incocktailsan\'allmixin\'ofdrinks。Yousees，aMexicanfemaleoverinTucsonisonedaymixin\'drinksforagentshe\'sa-
harborin\'ideesag\'in，an\'sheringsinthelocoontohim，an\'hegoesplumbcrazy。ThentheLegislatoorearousesitse\'ftoitsperil，thata-way，an\'upsanmakesalawabatin\'ofmixeddrinks。Thisyerebein\'gospeltrooth，you\'llhavetodrinkstraightwhiskey；an\'
youmightaswelldrinkitoutenatincup，too。\'
\"Ashesaysthis，BlackJacksetsupabottlean\'atincup，an\'
thenforablazerslamsasix-shooteronthebaratthesametime。
Lookin\'someblootharat，theSignalsharptakesagulportwoofstraightnose-paint，cavilin\'hotatthetincup，an\'don\'tmentionnothin\'moreofcocktails。
\"\'Whateveristhedamageanyhow？\'hesaystoBlackJack，soonashe\'squitgaggin\'overthewhiskey，thesametastin\'rawan\'vicioustohim，an\'himwithhislady-likethroatframedreadyforcocktails。\'What\'sthartopay？\'
\"\'Narycontouse，\'saysBlackJack，moppin\'ofthebarcomplacent。
\'Notasoomarkee。Thatdrink\'sonthehouse，stranger。\'
\"WhenthisSignalsharpgoesout，Enrightsayshe\'sgotporemanners，an\'hemarvelssomehe\'sstillwalkin\'theearth。
\"\'However，\'saysEnright，\'Is\'posehislivin\'solongarisesmainlyfromstayin\'East，wheretheydon\'tmakenop\'intonbein\'p\'lite，an\'runsthingslooser。\'
\"\'Whatever\'sthematterofchasin\'thisinsultin\'tenderfoot\'roundalot，\'asksTexasThompson，\'an\'havin\'amoosementwithhim？Tharain\'tnothin\'doin\'，an\'weoughternotbegretchahalf-day\'swork，puttin\'knowledgeintothisparty。Ifsomethin\'ain\'tdoneforthwithtoinformhismindastothemsocialdootieswhilehestaysinArizona，youcangamblehewon\'tlasttogoEastnomore。\'
\"AswhatTexasThompsonsayshasweight，tharbeginstogrowagen\'raldesiretoenlightenthisyeresport。AsTexassu\'geststheidee，itfollowsthathegoesfor\'ardtobeginitsexecootion。
\"\'Butbediscreet，Texas，\'saysEnrialit，\'an\'don\'tforcenoshowdownwiththisSignalgent。Attainin\'wisdomisonething，an\'
bein\'killedthata-way，isplumbdifferent；an\'whileIseesnoobjectiontoswellin\'thegeneralfundofthisyoungperson\'sknowledge，Idon\'tpurposethatyou-all\'sgoin\'toconfernodiplomas，an\'graduatehimintothechoirabovenonewithagun，atonean\'thesametime。\'
\"\'Nonewhatever，\'saysTexasThompson；\'wemerelytoyswiththistenderfootan\'neversomuchasbreakshiscrust，orbringsadropofblood，theslightestmorsel。He\'stakin\'lifetoolightly；an\'
allwep\'intsouttodo，issoberhiman\'teachhimathoughtfuldeecorum。\'
\"TexasThompsongoesa-weavin\'upthestreetsoastocrossthetrailofthisSignalparty，who\'sheadeddown。Astheypasses，Texasturnsasf\'rociousasfortytimberwolves，an\'clapshishandontheshoulderoftheSignalparty。
\"\'How\'sthisyere？\'saysTexas，shakin\'backhislongha\'r。An\'heshorelylookshardened，thata-way。
\"\'How\'swhat？\'saystheSignalman，who\'sastonishedtodeath。
\"\'Yousaveysmightywell，\'saysTexas。\'Youfailstobowtome，aimin\'toinsultan\'putitallovermeinthepresenceofthisyeremultitood。Thinkofit，gents!\'goesonTexas，beginnin\'tofroth，an\'a-raisin\'ofhisvoicetoawhoop；\'thinkofit，an\'methewar-
chiefofthePanhandle，withforty-twoskelpsonmybridle，tobeinsultedan\'disdainedbyafeebleshorthornlikethis。ItshoremakesmewonderbeIalive!
\"\'Stranger，\'goesonTexas，turnin\'totheSignalparty，an\'hishanddropsonhisgun，an\'hebreathesloudlikeabuffalo；\'nothin\'
butbloodisgoin\'todomenow。IfIwastrootomyse\'fatthismoment，I\'dtakeaknifean\'shorelysplityoulikeamackerel。ButIrestrainsmyse\'f；alsoIdon\'tnoticenoweeponontoyou。Gotharfore，an\'heelyourse\'f，forbynextdrinktimetheavenger\'llbehuntin\'onyourtrail。Igivesyouhalfanhourtolive。Notonyouraccount，\'causeitain\'tcomin\'toyou；butmerelynottoketchnoangelsofftheirgyard，an\'toallow\'emachancetoorganizeforyourreception。Besides，Idon\'taimtospringnocorpsesonthiscamp。Pendin\'hostil\'ties，Ishallrestmyse\'fintheRedLight，permittin\'youtheadvantagesofthedancehall，whereHamilton\'lllendyoupen，ink，paper，an\'montetable，wharbytoconcoctyourlastwill。Stranger，adios!\'
\"BythetimeTexasgetsoffthistalkan\'startsfortheRedLight，theSignalsportislookin\'somesallowan\'perturbed。He\'sshorelyalarmed。
\"\'Seeyere，pard，\'saysDanBoggs，breakin\'looseallatonce，likehe\'ssohonesthecan\'trestrainhimse\'f，an\'jestasTexasheadsoutfortheRedLight；\'you\'reaheaponknowntome，butItakesachancean\'standsyourfriend。Nowyere\'swhatyoudo。Youstiffenyourse\'fupwithaColt\'s\'44，an\'layforthisTexasThompson。He\'sarustleran\'ahoss-thief，an\'amurdererwho，ashesays，hasplantedforty-two，notcountin\'Injuns，Mexicansan\'mavericks。Heoughterbemassacred；an\'asit\'scomeyourway，whypranceinan\'
spillhisblood。Thiscamp\'lljustifyan\'applaudtheplay。
\"\'ButIcan\'tfightnone，\'saystheSignalparty。\'It\'sag\'intheroolesan\'reg\'lationsofthearmy。\'
\"\'WhichIdon\'tseenonehowyou\'regoin\'torenig，\'saysDaveTutt。
\'Thisdebaucheeisdootoshootyouonsight。Themarmyroolesshortlyshouldpermitagenttoscoutofftoonesidethestricttrailalittle；partic\'larwhenit\'scomedowntosavin\'hisownskelp。\'
\"Onewayan\'another，Tuttan\'Boggsmakesitcl\'araspainttotheSignalpartythatthar\'sonlytwochancesleftinthebox；eitherhedownsTexasorTexasgetshim。TheSignalpartysaysit\'swhathecallsa\'dreadalternatif。\'
\"\'WhichwhenIthinksofthegorethisyeremurderousThompsonalreadydabblesin，\'saysBoggstotheSignalparty，\'Iendorsesthemexpressions。However，youputyourse\'finthehandsofmean\'
Dave，an\'wedoesourbest。Ifyoulivesthroughit，thedrinksisonyou；an\'ifTexasbeefsyou——which，whiledeplorable，isnoneremoteconsiderin\'thisyereTexasisareg\'larengineofdestruction——weseesthatyourremaindergoesbacktotheStatessuccessful。\'
\"TheSignalpartysayshe\'sthankfulhe\'sfoundfriends，an\'
tharuponthey-alllinesoutforthedancehall，wheretheygetsdrinks，an\'theSignalman，who\'ssomepallidbynow，figgershe\'llwritethemlettersan\'sorto\'straightenuphischipsfortheworst。Boggsobservesthatit\'sagoodmove，an\'thatTuttan\'he\'lltakeano\'casionaldrinkan\'rideherdonhisinterestswhilehedoes。
\"Tuttan\'Boggshavegottheirbrandsontomebbytwodrinks，whenovercomesDocPeets，lookin\'deadlydignifiedan\'severe，an\'says:
\"\'Who-allrepresentsyereforthisgentwho\'soutforthebloodofmyfriend，TexasThompson？\'
\"\'Talktomean\'Tutt，\'saysBoggs；\'an\'cuthershort，\'causeit\'stheopinionofourgentthisrancorousThompsoninfeststheearthtoolong，an\'he\'shungerin\'tobeginhisbutchery。\'
\"\'Whichthar\'senoughsaid，\'saysPeets；\'ImerelyappearstonotifyyouthatinfiveminutesIparadesmygentinfrontofthepost-
office，an\'theatrocitiescanproceed。Theyfightswithsix-
shooters；nowwhat\'sthedistance？\'
\"\'Makeitacrossablanket，\'saysTutt。
\"\'An\'foldtheblanket，\'breaksinBoggs。
\"\'Youcan\'tmakeittooclostformygent，\'saysPeets。\'AsIstartstothisyereconference，hesays:\"Doc，makehersix-shootersan\'
overahandkerchief。Ithirststoshovetheironplumbag\'insttheheartthatinsultsme，asIonhooksmyweepon。\"\'
\"Ofcourse，thepoorSignalparty，tryin\'towriteoverbyamontetable，an\'spillin\'inkalloverhimse\'f，listenstothemremarks，an\'itmakeshimfeelpartic\'larpensif。
\"\'Infiveminutes，then，\'saysPeets，\'you-allorganizeyourgentan\'comea-runnin\'。ImustcanterovertoseehowTexasisholdin\'
himse\'f。He\'sthatfretfulaminuteback，he\'st\'arin\'hunksoutenawhite-ashtablewithhisteethlikeit\'sginger-cake，an\'moanin\'
forblood。OldMonte\'slookin\'afterhim，butIbettergetback。
Whichhemightinhisfrenzy，thata-way，comescatterin\'looseanymoment，an\'gor\'arin\'aboutan\'killin\'yourgentwithoutorders。
Sechaplaywouldbeonelegantan\'nodelicacytoit；an\'Inowreturnstogyardag\'init。\'
\"AssoonasPeetsisstartedfortheRedLight，Tuttag\'inturnstotheSignalparty，who\'ssettin\'tharlookin\'he\'plessan\'worried，likehe\'saprairiedogwho\'scomebackfromvisitin\'someotherdog，an\'findsarattlesnake\'sdonepitchedcampinthemouthofhishole。
\"\'Nowthen，stranger，\'saysTutt，\'ifyou-allhasa\'complishedthatclericalwork，mean\'Danwillleadyoutoyourmeat。Whenyougetstoshootin\'，aimlowan\'beshorean\'seeyourvictimeverytimeyoucutsherloose。\'
\"TheSignalpartytakesitplumbgrayan\'haggard，butnotseein\'nootherway，hegetsup，an\'afterstampin\'aboutatriflenervous，allows，sinceit\'sthebesthecando，he\'sready。
\"\'Whichitisspokelikeaman，\'saysBoggs。\'Socomealong，an\'
we\'llhuntoutthisannihilatorfromLaredoan\'makehimthinkhe\'sbeencaughtinacloudburst。\'
\"OldMontehasspreadadoubledblanketinfrontofthepost-office；
an\'asTuttan\'BoggsstartswiththeirSignalparty，thar\'sayelllikefortyApachespoursforthfromacrossthestreet。
\"\'That\'sThompson\'swaryelp，\'saysBoggs，explainin\'ofthemclamorstotheSignalparty。\'Whichitwouldseemfromthefervorheputsintoit，he\'sshorelyallkeyedup。\'
\"AsDocPeetscomesouta-leadin\'ofTexas，it\'snoticedthatTexashasgotatincup。
\"\'Whatever\'syourgenta-packin\'ofthatyootensilfor？\'demandsTutt，mightytruculent。\'Isthisyeretobeacombatwithdippers？\'
\"\'Oh，no!\'saysPeets，likehe\'stryin\'toexcusesomethin\'，\'butheinsistsonfetchin\'itsohard，thatatlasttosoothehimIgivesmyconsent。\'
\"\'Well，wechallengesthedipper，\'saysTutt。\'You-allwillfightonthesquar\'，orweremovesourgent。\'
\"\'Don\'t，don\'t!\'shoutsTexas，likehe\'sagitatcdnolimit；\'don\'ttakehimoutenmysightnomore。Ionlyfetchesthecuptodrinkhisblood；butit\'sasmalldetail，whichIshorerelinquishesbeforeeverIallowsmyheaven-sentpreytheleastloopholetoescape。\'
\"WhenPeetsgoesupan\'takesTexas\'scup，thetwodebatestogetherinawhisper，Texaslettin\'onhe\'smightyhotan\'furious。AtlastPeetssaystohim:
\"\'WhichItellsyousechaproposalisirreg\'lar；butsinceyouinsists，ofcourseInamesit。Mygentyere，\'goesonPeetstoBoggsan\'Tutt，\'wantstoagreethatthesurvivor\'stobeallowedtoskelphisdepartedfoe。Doesthebluffgo？\'
\"\'It\'swhatourgent\'sbeenurgin\'fromthejump，\'saysBoggs；\'an\'
tharforeweconsentswithglee。Roundupthatoutlawofyoursnow，an\'let\'sgettoshootin\'。\'
\"Idon\'treckonIeverseesanybodywhoseemsasfatiguedasthatSignalpersonwhenBoggsan\'Tuttstartstoleadhimuptotheblanket。Hisfacelookslikeacancelledpostage-stamp。Whilethey\'restandin\'uptheirfolks，Texasgoesragin\'looseag\'inbecauseit\'safightoverablanketan\'notahandkerchief，ashedemands。
\"\'What\'sthemeanin\'ofacoldan\'formalracketsechasthis？\'hehowls，turnin\'toPeets。\'Iwantstogoclosttomywork；Iwantstocrowdinwhereit\'swarm。\'
\"\'Iproposesahandkerchief，\'saysPeets；\'butTuttobjectsonthegroundsthathisman\'sgotheartpalp\'tationsorsomethin\'。\'
\"\'You\'realiar，\'yellsTutt；\'ourgent\'sheart\'sassolidasasodhouse。\'
\"\'WhatdoIhear？\'shoutsPeets。\'Youcallsmealiar？\'
\"AtthisTuttan\'Peetslugsouttheirgunsan\'blazesawayateachothersixtimesliketherollofadrum——Texasallthetimeyellin\'
foraweepon，an\'cavortin\'aboutinthesmokethatdemoniache\'dscareme，onlyIknowsit\'syoomerous。OfcoursePeetsan\'Tuttmisseseveryshot，andatthewindup，afterglarin\'ateachotherthroughtheclouds，PeetssaystoTutt:
\"\'Thisyereismerepetulance。Let\'sproceedwithourdooties。AssoonasTexashaskilledan\'skelpedthehold-upyourepresents，I\'llshootitoutwithyou，ifittakestheautumn。\'
\"\'That\'sgoodenoughforadog，\'saysTutt，stickin\'hisgunbackinthescabbard；\'an\'nowweproceedswiththeorig\'nalbaite。\'
\"Buttheydon\'tproceednone。AsTuttturnstohisSignalsharp，who\'sallbutlocoedbytheshootin\'，an\'hastobedetainedbyBoggsfromrunnin\'away，JackMoorecomeschargin\'uponhisponyan\'throwsagunonthewholeoutfit。
\"\'Handsupyere!\'hesays，sharpan\'brief；\'orIprovidesthecoyoteswithmeatforamonthtocome。\'
\"Everybody\'shandsgoesup；an\'it\'splainMoore\'scomin\'ain\'tnodisapp\'intmenttotheSignalperson。He\'sthatrelievedheshowsit。
\"\'Don\'tlooksotickled，\'growlsBoggstohim，asMooreheadstheround-upfortheNewYorkStore；\'don\'tlooksolightaboutit；youmortifiesme。\'
\"MooretakesthebandovertotheNewYorkStore，whereEnright\'ssettin\'asajedge。Heallowshe\'sgoin\'toput\'emallontrialfordisturbin\'ofWolfville\'speace。TheSignalsharpstartstosaysomethin\'，whenPeetsinterrupts，an\'thatbringsBoggstothefront，an\'afterthatagen\'raluproarbreakslooselikeastampede。
\"\'Gimmeaknife，somebody，\'howlsTexas，\'an\'letmegetinonthisasIshould。AmItoberobbedofmyrevengelikethis？\'
\"ButEnrightjumpsforaoldSpencerseven-shooter，an\'announcesitcold，he\'souttodownthefirstgentthattalksbacktohimasecondtime。Thisca\'ms\'em，an\'theriotsorto\'simmers。
\"\'NotthatIobjectstoastreetfight，\'saysEnright，discussin\'ofthecase；\'butyou-alltalkstoomuch。Fromthejabberaswasgoin\'
for\'ardoverthatblanketoutthar，itshorelyremindsmemoreofapasselofoldladiesataquiltin\'bee，thanaconvocationofdiscreetan\'se\'f-respectin\'gentswho\'spullin\'offadooel。Tocuthershort，thepublicdon\'ttoleratenosechrackets，an\'yere-uponIputsTexasThompsonan\'thisSignalpartyonderfifty-thousand-
dollarbondstokeepthepeace。\'
\"Texasissetloose，withPeetsan\'CherokeeHallonhispapers；buttheSignalsharp，bein\'strangeincamp，can\'tputupnobonds。
\"\'Whlchasthar\'snocalaboosetoputyouinto，\'saysEnright，whenhe\'stoldbytheSignalpartythathecan\'tmakenobonds；\'an\'asit\'splumbag\'intheconstitootionofArizonatoletyougo，Ishoreseesnotrailoutbuthangin\'。Iregretsthemsternnecessitieswhichfeedsaporeyoungmantothehalter，butyouseesyourse\'ftheUnionmustan\'shallbepreserved。Jack，goovertomyponyan\'
fetchtherope。It\'sanewhalf-inchmanilla，butIcheerfullypartswithitinthecauseofjestice。\'
\"WhenMooregetsbackwiththerope，an\'everybody\'slookin\'
serious，thata-way，itshakestheSignalpartytosechadegreethathecampsdownonashoe-boxan\'allowsheneedsadrink。Boggssayshe\'llgoafterit，whenTuttbreaksinan\'announcesthathe\'sgotablufftohandup。
\"\'IfI\'mdeadcertain，\'saysTutt，surveyin\'oftheSignalpartyaheapdoubtful；\'ifIwasshorenowthatthisgentwouldn\'tleavethereservationnone，I\'dgothatbondmyse\'f。ButI\'minnosechfixfinancialasmakesitrightformetogetputintheholeforfiftythousanddollarsbynostranger，howeverintimatewebe。Butyere\'swhatI\'mwillin\'todo:Ifthissharpwearshobblessohecan\'tupan\'canteroff，why，ratherthanseeayounggent\'sneckafootlonger，Igoesthisbailmyse\'f。\'
\"TheSignalpartyiseagerforhobbles，an\'hegivesTutthiswordtosignupthedocumentsan\'hewontrunalittlebit。
\"\'Whichthesamebein\'nowsettled，congenialan\'legal，\'saysEnright，whenTuttsignsup；\'JackMoorehe\'psthegentonwiththemhobbles，an\'thecourtstandsadjournedtillfurtherorders。\'
\"Afterhe\'sallhobbledan\'safe，Tuttan\'theSignalpartystartsoverforthepost-office，bothprogressin\'someslowan\'reluctantbecauseoftheSignalparty\'shobblesholdin\'himdowntoashuffle。
Astheytoilsalong，Tuttsays:
\"\'An\'nowthatthisyereaffairendssosuccessful，I\'dshoreadmiretoknowwhateveryouan\'thatcut-throattakestochewin\'ofeachother\'smanesfor，anyway？Whydidyourefoosetobow？\'
\"\'WhichIneverrefoosesonce，\'saystheSignalparty；\'IsalootesthisTexasgentwithpleasure，ifthat\'swhatheneeds。\'
\"\'Inthatcase，\'saysTutt，\'youmakeyourse\'fcomfortableleanin\'
ag\'inthisbuildin\'，an\'I\'llprojectoveran\'seeifthisembrogliocan\'tbereeconciledalot。Mootualapol\'giesan\'whiskey，lookslike，oughttoreepairthemdissensionseasy。\'
\"SotheSignalpartyleansupag\'inthefrontofthepost-officean\'
surveyshishobblesmightymelancholy，whileTuttgoesovertotheRedLighttolookupTexasThompson。Itain\'tnotimewhenhe\'sheadedbackwithTexasan\'thebalanceoftheband。
\"\'Giveusyourhand，pard，\'saysTexas，aheapeffoosive，ashecomesuptotheSignalparty；\'Ilearnsfromourcommonfriend，DaveTutt，thatthisyere\'samistake，an\'Itharforeforgivesyoufreelyallthetroubleyoucauses。It\'sovernowan\'plumbforgot。You\'readeadgamesport，an\'Ishakesyourhandwithpride。\'
\"\'Sameyere，\'saysDocPeets，alsoshakin\'oftheSignalparty\'shand，whichissorto\'limpan\'cheerless。
\"However，weripsoffhishobbles，an\'thentheoutfitsteersovertotheRedLighttoberegaledafterallourhardwork。
\"\'Yere\'shopin\'luckan\'longacquaintance，stranger，\'saysTexas，holdin\'uphisglasstotheSignalparty，whoislikewisep\'lite，butfeeble。
\"\'Whichthejoyousoutcomeofthistangleshows，\'saysDanBoggs，ashehammershisglassonthebaran\'shoutsforanotherall\'round，\'thatyou-allcan\'thavetoomuchtalkswappin\'，whentheobjectsofthemeetin\'istoavertblood。Howmuchbetterwefeels，standin\'
yeredrinkin\'ournose-paintallcoolan\'comfortable，an\'
congrat\'latin\'thetwobravesportswho\'swithus，thanifwehasacorpsesawedontousonexpected，an\'isdriventogograve-diggin\'
insechsun-blistered，sizzlin\'weatherasthis。\'
\"\'That\'swhatever，\'saysDaveTutt；\'an\'Ifillsmycupinapproval，youcangamble，ofthemobservations。\'\"
CHAPTERXIII
Death；andtheDonnaAnna。
\"Locoweed？DoIsaveyloco？\"TheOldCattleman\'sfaceofferedfullhintofhisamazementasherepeatedintheidiomofhisdayandkindthesubstanceofmyinterrogatory。
\"Why，son，\"hecontinued，\"everylonghornwho\'severcinchedaColoradosaddle，orropedasteer，isplumbawareoflocoweed。LocoisMexicanoformad——crazy。An\'cattleormulesorponiesoranythin\'else，thatmakesarepastoflocoweed——whichasarooletheydon\'t，bein\'postedinstinctifthatlocothata-wayisnobueno——goescrazy；whatwe-allintheSouthwestcalls\'locoed。\'
\"Whateverdoesthisyereplantresemble？Iain\'tnosharponloco，butthebrandIencountersisgreen，bunchy，stiff，an\'standstallerthanthegrassaboutit。An\'itain\'tallerstharwhenlookedfor，locoain\'t。It\'soneoftheseyeremigratoryweeds；you\'llseeitgrowin\'abouttherangemebbyoneortwoseasons，an\'thenitsorto\'pullsitsfreight。Tharwontcomenomorelocoforyears。
\"Mostly，asIobservesprior，anamilesdisdainsloco，an\'passesitupasbadmedicine。They\'reorganizedwithanotionag\'instit，sameasag\'instrattlesnakesAn\'asforthemlatterreptiles，youcantakeapreacher\'shoss，foaledinthelapofcivilization，whoain\'tseennothin\'morebroadenin\'thanthereg\'larchurchservice，withnowan\'thenarevival，an\'yethe\'sbornknowin\'somuchaboutrattlesnakesinalltheirhein\'ousness，thathe\'llhunchhisbackan\'gosoarin\'\'wayupyonderatthefirstZizzz-z-z-z。
\"DocPeetsinformsmeoncewhenwecrossesupwithsomelocoweedoverbytheCowSprings，thatthar\'stwoorthreebreedsofthismalignantvegetable。Hewritesdownformethescientificnameofthesortwegetsag\'inst。Tharsheis。\"
AndmyfriendproducedfromsomerecessofagiganticpocketbookacardwhereonthelearnedPeetshadwrittenoxytropisLamberti。
\"That\'swhatPeetssayslocois，\"heresumed，asIhandedbackthecard。\"Ofcourse，Idon\'tgosurgin\'offpronouncin\'nosechwords；
shorelynotinmixedcompany。Somegentmighttakeitpersonalan\'
resentit。ButIlikestopack\'emabout，an\'search\'emoutnowan\'
then，jesttogazeonan\'thinkwhatadeadcoldscientistDocPeetsis。He\'sshorelythehighkyard；tharneveristhatdrug-sharpinthecowcountryinmydaywho\'sfittopayforPeets\'whiskey。
Scientifican\'eddicatedtoafeatheraige，Peetsis。\"You-alloughterheardhimlayforoneofthemcliff-climbin\'，bone-huntin\'
stonec\'llectorswhocomesoutfromWashin\'tonfortheGov\'ment。OneoftheseyeredeeppeoplestrikesWolfvilleononeofthemrock-