Now，tojudgefromthecrumblingpowderofthefooting，thatcavehadbeendrysinceNoah。Infact，itsroofwasnearlyathousandfeetthick。Butsincewehadspreadourblankets，thepersistentwatershadsoakeddownandthrough。Thethousand-footroofhadasprungaleak。Threeseparateanddistinctstreamsofwaterranasfromspigots。Iloweredmytorch。Thecanvastarpaulinshonewithwet，andinitsexactcentreglimmeredapoolofwaterthreeinchesdeepandatleasttwofeetindiameter。
\"Well，I\'llbe，\"Ibegan。ThenIrememberedthosethreewendingtheirwayalongawetanddisagreeabletrail，happyandpeacefulinanticipationofwarmblanketsandalevelfloor。Ichuckledandsatonmyheelsoutofthedrip。
FirstcameJedParker，hisheadbenttoprotectthefireinhispipe。Hegainedtheverycentreofthecavebeforehelookedup。
Thenhecastoneglanceateachbed，andoneatme。Hisgrave，hawk-likefeaturesrelaxed。Afaintgrinappearedunderhislongmoustache。Withoutawordhesquatteddownbesideme。
NexttheCattleman。Helookedabouthimwithacomicalexpressionofdismay，andburstintoaheartylaugh。
\"IbelieveIsaidIwassorryforthoseotherfellows，\"heremarked。
WindyBillwasthelast。Hestoopedhisheadtoenter，straightenedhislankfigure，andtookinthesituationwithoutexpression。
\"Well，thisishandy，\"saidhe；\"Iwasgettin\'tur\'bledry，andwasthinkin\'Iwouldhavetoclimbwaydowntothecreekinallthisrain。\"
Hestoopedtothepoolinthecentreofthetarpaulinanddrank。
Butnowourtorchesbegantorunlow。Asmalldrybushgrewneartheentrance。Weignitedit，andwhileitblazedwehastilysortedablanketapieceandtumbledtherestoutofthedrip。
Ourreturnwithouttorchesalongthebaseofthatbuttewassomethingtoremember。Thenightwassothickyoucouldfeelthedarknesspressingonyou；themountaindroppedabruptlytotheleft，andwasstrewnwithbouldersandblocksofstone。
Collisionsandstumbleswerefrequent。OnceIsteppedoffalittleledgefiveorsixfeet——nothingworsethanabarkedshin。
Andallthewhiletherain，peltingusunmercifully，searchedoutwhatpoorlittleremnantsofdrynesswehadbeenabletoretain。
Atlastweopenedoutthegleamoffireinourcave，andaminutelaterwereengagedinstrugglingdesperatelyuptheslantthatbroughtustoourledgeandtheslopeonwhichourfireburned。
\"MyLord！\"pantedWindyBill，\"amanhadoughttohavehooksonhiseyebrowstoclimbuphere！\"
Werenewedthefire——andblessedtheback-loadofmesquitewehadpackedupearlierintheevening。Ourblanketswewrappedaroundourshoulders，ourfeetwehungovertheledgetowardtheblaze，ourbacksweleanedagainstthehollowslantofthecave\'swall。Wewerenotuncomfortable。Thebeatoftherainsprangupinthedarkness，growinglouderandlouder，likehorsemenpassingonahardroad。Graduallywedozedoff。
Foratimeeverythingwaspleasant。Dreamscamefusedwithrealities；thefirelightfadedfromconsciousnessorreturnedfantastictoourhalf-awakening；adeliciousnumbnessoverspreadourtiredbodies。Theshadowsleaped，becamesolid，monstrous。
Wefellasleep。
Afteratimethefactobtrudeditselfdimlythroughourstuporthattheconstantpressureofthehardrockhadimpededourcirculation。Westirreduneasily，shiftingtoabetterposition。
Thatwasthebeginningofawakening。Thenewpositiondidnotsuit。Aslightshiveringseizedus，whichthedrawingcloseroftheblanketfailedtoend。FinallyIthrewasidemyhatandlookedout。JedParker，avividpatch-workcomforterwrappedabouthisshoulders，stooduprightandsilentbythefire。I
keptstill，fearingtoawakentheothers。InashorttimeI
becameawarethattheothersweredoingidenticallythesamething。Welaughed，threwoffourblankets，stretched，andfedthefire。
Athickacridsmokefilledtheair。TheCattleman，rising，leftatrailofincandescentfootprints。Weinvestigatedhastily，anddiscoveredthatthesupposedearthontheslantofthecavewasnothingmorethanbatguano，tonsofit。Thefire，eatingitswaybeneath，hadrendereduntenableitsimmediatevicinity。Wefeltasthoughwewerelivingoveravolcano。Howsoonourledge，ofthesamematerial，mightbeattacked，wehadnomeansofknowing。Overcomewithdrowsiness，weagaindisposedourblankets，resolvedtogetasmanynapsaspossiblebeforeeventheseconstrainedquartersweretakenfromus。
Thishappenedsoonerandinamannerotherwisethanwehadexpected。WindyBillbroughtustoconsciousnessbyawildyell。
Consciousnessreportedtousastrange，hurriedsoundlikethelongrollonadrum。Investigationshowedusthatthiscave，too，hadsprungaleak；notwithanypremonitorydrip，butallatonce，asthoughsomeonehadturnedonafaucet。Intensecondsaverycompetentstreamletsixincheswidehaderodedacoursedownthroughtheguano，pastthefireandtotheouterslope。Andbytheironyoffatethatone——andonlyone——leakinalltheroofexpanseofabigcavewasdirectlyoveroneendofourtinyledge。TheCattlemanlaughed。
\"Remindsmeoftheoldfarmerandhiskindfriend，\"saidhe。
\"Kindfriendhuntsuptheoldfarmerinthevillage。
\"\'John，\'sayshe，\'I\'vebadnewsforyou。Yourbarnhasburnedup。\'
\"\'MyLord！\'saysthefarmer。
\"\'Butthatain\'ttheworst。Yourcowwasburned，too。\'
\"\'MyLord！\'saysthefarmer。
\"\'Butthatain\'ttheworst。Yourhorseswereburned。\'
\"\'MyLord！\'saysthefarmer。
\"\'But，thatain\'ttheworst。Thebarnsetfiretothehouse，anditwasburned——totalloss。\'
\"\'MyLord！\'groansthefarmer。
\"\'Butthatain\'ttheworst。Yourwifeandchildwerekilled，too。\'
\"\'Atthatthefarmerbegantoroarwithlaughter。
\"\'Goodheavens，man！\'crieshisfriend，astonished，\'whatintheworlddoyoufindtolaughatinthat？\'
\"\'Don\'tyousee？\'answersthefarmer。\'Why，it\'ssodarnCOMPLETE！\'
\"Well，\"finishedtheCattleman，\"that\'swhatstrikesmeaboutourcase；it\'ssodarncomplete！\"
\"Whattimeisit？\"askedWindyBill。
\"Midnight，\"Iannounced。
\"Lord！Sixhourstoday！\"groanedWindyBill。\"How\'dyouliketobedoin\'anicequietjobatgardenin\'intheEastwhereyoucouldbellyuptothebarreg\'lareveryevenin\'，anddrinkapussycafeandsmoketailor-madecigareets？\"
\"Youwouldn\'tlikeitabit，\"putintheCattlemanwithdecision；
whereuponinproofhetoldusthefollowingstory：
WindyhasmentionedGentlemanTim，andthatremindedmeofthefirsttimeIeversawhim。HewasanIrishmanallright，buthehadbeeneducatedinEngland，andexceptforhisaccenthewasmoreanEnglishmanthananythingelse。AfreightoutfitbroughthimintoTucsonfromSantaFeanddumpedhimdownontheplaza，whereatonceeveryidlerintowngatheredtoquizhim。
CertainlyhewasoneofthegreenestspecimensIeversawinthiscountry。HehadonapairofballoonpantsandaNorfolkjacket，andwassurroundedbyahalf-dozenbabytrunks。Hisfacewasred-cheekedandaggressivelyclean，andhiseyelimpidasachild\'s。Mostofthosepresentthoughtthatindicatedchildishness；butIcouldseethatitwasonlyutterself-unconsciousness。
Itseemedthathewasoutforbiggame，andintendedtogoaftersilver-tipssomewhereintheseverymountains。Ofcoursehewasofferedplentyofadvice，andwouldprobablyhavemadeengagementsmuchtoberegrettedhadInottakenastrongfancytohim。
\"Myfriend，\"saidI，drawinghimaside，\"Idon\'twanttobeinquisitive，butwhatmightyoudowhenyou\'rehome？\"
\"I\'mayoungerson，\"saidhe。Iwasgreenmyselfinthosedays，andknewnothingofprimogeniture。
\"Thatisaveryinterestingpieceoffamilyhistory，\"saidI，\"butitdoesnotanswermyquestion。\"
Hesmiled。
\"Wellnow，Ihadn\'tthoughtofthat，\"saidhe，\"butinamannerofspeaking，itdoes。Idonothing。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，unabashed，\"ifyousawmetryingtobeayoungersonandlikelytoforgetmyselfanddosomethingwithoutmeaningto，wouldn\'tyoubeapttowarnme？\"
\"Well，\'ponhonour，you\'reaqueerchap。Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imeanthatifyouhireanyofthosementoguideyouinthemountains，you\'llbeoutrageouslycheated，andwillbeluckyifyou\'renotgobbledbyApaches。\"
\"Doyoudoanyguidingyourself，now？\"heasked，mostinnocentofmanner。
ButIflaredup。
\"Youdamnungratefulpup，\"Isaid，\"gotothedevilinyourownway，\"andturnedsquareonmyheel。
Buttheyoungmanwasatmyelbow，hishandonmyshoulder。
\"Oh，Isaynow，I\'msorry。Ididn\'trightlyunderstand。DowaitonemomentuntilIdisposeoftheseboxesofmine，andthenIwantthehonourofyourfurtheracquaintance。\"
HegotsomeGreaserstotakehistrunksovertothehotel，thenlinkedhisarminminemostengagingly。
\"Now，mydearchap，\"saidhe，\"let\'sgosomewhereforaB&S，andfindoutabouteachother。\"
Wewerebothyoungandexpansive。Weexchangedviews，names，andconfidences，andbeforenoonwehadarrangedtohunttogether，Itocollecttheoutfit。
TheupshotofthematterwasthattheHonourableTimothyClareandIhadamostexcellentmonth\'sexcursion，shotseveralgoodbear，andreturnedtoTucsonthebestoffriends。
AtTucsonwasSchieffleinandhisstoriesofabigstrikedownintheApachecountry。Nothingwoulddobutthatweshouldbothgotoseeforourselves。Wejoinedthesecondexpedition；creptinthegullies，tiedbushesaboutourselveswhenmonumentingcorners，andsohelpedestablishthetownofTombstone。Wemadenothing，norattemptedto。Neitherofusknewanythingofmining，butwewereboththirstyforadventure，andtookaschoolboydelightinplayingthegameoflifeordeathwiththeChiricahuas。
Infact，IneversawanybodytaketothewildlifeaseagerlyastheHonourableTimothyClare。Hewantedtoattempteverything。
Withhimitwasnosoonerseethantry，andhehadsuchanabundanceofenthusiasmthathegenerallysucceeded。Theballoonpantssoonwent。Inamonthhisoutfitwasirreproachable。Heusedtostudyusbythehour，takingineverydetailofourequipment，fromthesmallesttothemostimportant。Thenheaskedquestions。Forallhisdesiretobeoneofthecountry，hewasneverashamedtoacknowledgehisignorance。
\"Now，don\'tyouchapsthinkitsillytowearsuchhighheelstoyourboots？\"hewouldask。\"Itseemstomeaveryuselesssortofvanity。\"
\"Novanityaboutit，Tim，\"Iexplained。\"Inthefirstplace，itkeepsyourfootfromslippingthroughthestirrup。Inthesecondplace，itisgoodtogriponthegroundwhenyou\'reropingafoot。\"
\"ByJove，that\'strue！\"hecried。
Sohe\'dgethimapairofboots。Forawhileitwasenoughtowearandownallthesethings。Heseemedtodelightinhissix-shooterandhisropejustasornamentstohimselfandhorse。
Buthesoongotoverthat。Thenhehadtolearntousethem。
Forthetimebeing，pistolpractice，forinstance，wouldabsorballhisthoughts。He\'dbangawayatintervalsallday，andfigureoutnewtheoriesallnight。
\"Thatballyschemewon\'twork，\"hewouldcomplain。\"IbelieveifIextendedmythumbalongthecylinderitwouldhelpthatsidejump。\"
Hewasalwayseasingthetrigger-pull，orfilingthesights。Intimehegottobeafairlyaccurateandveryquickshot。
Thesamewaywithropingandhog-tyingandalltherest。
\"What\'stheuse？\"Iusedtoaskhim。\"Ifyouweregoingtobeabuckeroo，youcouldn\'tgointohardertraining。\"
\"Ilikeit，\"wasalwayshisanswer。
Hehadonlyonerealvice，thatIcouldsee。Hewouldgamble。
Studpokerwashisfavourite；andIneversawaBritisheryetwhocouldplaypoker。Iusedtoheadhimoff，whenIcould，andhewasalwaysgrateful，butthepassionwasstrong。
AfterwegotbackfromfoundingTombstoneIwasbustedandhadtogotowork。
\"I\'vegotplenty，\"saidTim，\"andit\'sallyours。\"
\"Iknow，oldfellow，\"Itoldhim，\"butyourmoneywouldn\'tdoforme。\"
BuckJohnsonwasjustseeinghischancethen，andwaspreparingtotakesomebreedingcattleoverintotheSodaSpringsValley。
Everybodylaughedathim——saiditwasrightinthelineoftheChiricahuaraids，whichwastrue。ButBuckhadbeenintherewithAgencysteers，andthoughtheknew。Sohecollectedatrailcrew，broughtsomeOregoncattleacross，andbuilthishomeranchofthree-footadobewallswithportholes。Ijoinedthetrailcrew；andsomehoworanothertheHonourableTimothygotpermissiontogoalongonhisownhook。
Thetrailwasalongone。WehadthirstandheatandstampedesandsomeIndianscares。Butinthequeeratmosphericconditionsthatprevailedthatsummer，Ineversawthedesertmorewonderful。ItwaslikewakingtothegloryofGodtositupatdawnandseethecolourschangeonthedryranges。
Atthehomeranch，again，Timmanagedtogetpermissiontostayon。Hekepthisownmountofhorses，tookcareofthem，hunted，andtookpartinallthecowwork。WelostsomecattlefromIndians，ofcourse，butitwastooneartheReservationforthemtodomorethanpickupafewstrayheadontheirwaythrough。
Thetroopswerealwaysafterthemfulljump，andsotheyneverhadtimetoroundupthebeef。Butofcoursewehadtolookoutorwe\'dloseourhair，andmanyacowboyhaswonouttothehomeranchinanalmightyexcitingrace。ThiswasnutsfortheHonourableTimothyClare，muchbetterthanhuntingsilver-tips，andheenjoyeditnolimit。
Thingswentalongthatwayforsometime，untiloneeveningasIwasturningoutthehorsesabuckboarddrewin，andfromitdescendedTonyBriggsandadapperlittlefellowdressedallinblackandwithaplughat。
\"WhichIaccountsforsaidhatreachin\'theranch，becauseit\'sFridayandtheboysnotintown，\"Tonywhisperedtome。
AsIhappenedtobetheonlymaninsight，thestrangeraddressedme。
\"Iamlooking，\"saidheinapeculiar，sing-songmannerIhavesincelearnedtobeEnglish，\"fortheHonourableTimothyClare。
Ishehere？\"
\"Oh，you\'relookingforhimareyou？\"saidI。\"Andwhomightyoube？\"
Yousee，IlikedTim，andIdidn\'tintendtodeliverhimoverintotrouble。
Themanpickedapairofeye-glassesoffhisstomachwheretheydangledattheendofachain，perchedthemonhisnose，andstaredmeover。Imusthavelookeduncompromising，forafterafewsecondsheabruptlywrinkledhisnosesothattheglassesfellpromptlytohisstomachagain，felthiswaistcoatpocket，andproducedacard。Itookit，andread：
JEFFRIESCASE，Barrister。
\"Alawyer！\"saidIsuspiciously。
\"Mydearman，\"herejoinedwithaslightimpatience，\"Iamnotheretodoyouryoungfriendaharm。Infact，myfirmhavebeenhisfamilysolicitorsforgenerations。\"
\"Verywell，\"Iagreed，andledthewaytotheone-roomadobethatTimandIoccupied。
IfIhadexpectedanenthusiasticgreetingfortheboyhoodfriendfromtheoldhome，Iwouldhavebeendisappointed。Timwassittingwithhisbacktothedoorreadinganoldmagazine。Whenweenteredheglancedoverhisshoulder。
\"Ah，Case，\"saidhe，andwentonreading。Afteramomenthesaidwithoutlookingup，\"Sitdown。\"
Thelittlemantookitcalmly，depositedhimselfinachairandhisbagbetweenhisfeet，andlookedabouthimdaintilyatourroughquarters。Imadeamovetogo，whereuponTimlaiddownhismagazine，yawned，stretchedhisarmsoverhishead，andsighed。
\"Don\'tgo，Harry，\"hebegged。\"Well，Case，\"headdressedthebarrister，\"whatisitthistime？Mustbesomethingdevilishimportanttobringyou——howmanythousandmilesisit——intosuchacountryasthis。\"
\"Itisimportant，Mr。Clare，\"statedthelawyerinhisdrysing-songtones；\"butmyjourneymighthavebeenavoidedhadyoupaidsomeattentiontomyletters。\"
\"Letters！\"repeatedTim，openinghiseyes。\"Mydearchap，I\'vehadnoletters。\"
\"AddressedasusualtoyourNewYorkbankers。\"
Timlaughedsoftly。\"Wheretheyare，withmylasttwoquarters\'
allowance。Iespeciallyinstructedthemtosendmenomail。Onespendsnomoneyinthiscountry。\"Hepaused，pullinghismoustache。\"I\'mtrulysorryyouhadtocomesofar，\"hecontinued，\"andifyourbusinessis，asIsuspect，theoldoneofinducingmetoreturntomydearuncle\'sarms，Iassureyouthemissionwillprovequitefruitless。UncleHillaryandIcouldneverliveinthesamecounty，letalonethesamehouse。\"
\"Andyetyouruncle，theViscountMar，wasveryfondofyou，\"
venturedCase。\"Yourallowances——\"
\"Oh，IgrantyouhisgenerosityinMONEYaffairs——\"
\"Hehascontinuedthatgenerosityinthetermsofhiswill，andthosetermsIamheretocommunicatetoyou。\"
\"UncleHillaryisdead！\"criedTim。
\"HepassedawaythesixteenthoflastJune。\"
Aslightpauseensued。
\"Iamreadytohearyou，\"saidTimsoberly，atlast。
Thebarristerstoopedandbegantofumblewithhisbag。
\"No，notthat！\"criedTim，withsomeimpatience。\"Tellmeinyourownwords。\"
Thelawyersatbackandpressedhisfingerpointstogetheroverhisstomach。
\"ThelateViscount，\"saidhe，\"hasbeengraciouslypleasedtoleaveyouinfeesimplehisentireestateofStaghurst，togetherwithitsbuildings，rentals，andprivileges。This，besidestheresidentialrights，amountstosometenthousandspoundssterlingperannum。\"
\"Alittlelessthanfiftythousanddollarsayear，Harry，\"Timshotoverhisshoulderatme。
\"Thereisonecondition，\"putinthelawyer。
\"Oh，thereis！\"exclaimedTim，hiscrestfalling。\"Well，knowingmyUncleHillary——\"
\"Theconditionisnotextravagant，\"thelawyerhastilyinterposed。\"ItmerelyentailscontinuedresidenceinEngland，andaminimumofninemonthsontheestate。Thisprovisionisabsolute，andtheestaterevertsinitsdiscontinuance，butmayI
bepermittedtoobservethatthemajorityofmen，myselfamongthenumber，arecontenttospendthemostoftheirlives，notmerelyintheconfinesofakingdom，butbetweenthefourwallsofaroom，formuchlessthantenthousandpoundsayear。AlsothatEnglandisnotwithoutitsattractionsforanEnglishman，andthatStaghurstisacountryplaceofmanypossibilities。\"
TheHonourableTimothyhadrecoveredfromhisfirstsurprise。
\"Andiftheconditionsarenotcompliedwith？\"heinquired。
\"Thentheestaterevertstotheheirsatlaw，andyoureceiveanannuityofonehundredpounds，payablequarterly。\"
\"MayIaskfurtherthereasonforthisextraordinarycondition？\"
\"Mydistinguishedclientneverinformedme，\"repliedthelawyer，\"but\"——andatwinkleappearedinhiseye——\"asanoccasionaldisburseroffunds——MonteCarlo——\"
Timburstoutlaughing。
\"Oh，butIrecogniseUncleHillarythere！\"hecried。\"Well，Mr。
Case，IamsureMr。Johnson，theownerofthisranch，canputyouup，andto-morrowwe\'llstartback。\"
Hereturnedafterafewminutestofindmesitting\'smokingamoodypipe。IlikedTim，andIwassorrytohavehimgo。Then，too，Iwasruffled，inthesenselessmannerofyouth，bythesuddenaltitudetowhichhischangedfortuneshadliftedhim。
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroom，surveyingme，thencameacrossandlaidhisarmonmyshoulder。
\"Well，\"Igrowled，withoutlookingup，\"you\'reaveryrichmannow，Mr。Clare。\"
Atthathejerkedmebodilyoutofmyseatandstoodmeupinthecentreoftheroom，theIrishblazingoutofhiseyes。
\"Here，noneofthat！\"hesnapped。\"Youdamnlittlefool！Don\'tyou\'Mr。Clare\'me！\"
Soinfiveminutesweweretalkingitover。Timwasverymuchexcitedattheprospect。HeknewStaghurstwell，andtoldmeallaboutthebigstonehouse，andtheavenuethroughthetrees；andthehedge-rowroads，andthelawnwithitspeacocks，andtheroundgreenhills，andthelabourers\'cottages。
\"It\'shome，\"saidhe，\"andIdidn\'trealisebeforehowmuchI
wantedtoseeit。AndI\'llbeamanofweightthere，Harry，andit\'llbemightygood。\"
WemadeallsortsofplansastohowIwasgoingtovisithimjustassoonasIcouldgettogetherthemoneyforthepassage。
Hehadthedelicacynottooffertoletmehaveit；andthatclinchedmytrustandloveofhim。
ThenextdayhedroveawaywithTonyandthedapperlittlelawyer。IamnotashamedtosaythatIwatchedthebuckboarduntilitdisappearedinthemirage。
IwaswithBuckJohnsonallthatsummer，andthefollowingwinter，aswell。Wehadourfirstround-up，foundthenaturalincreasemuchinexcessofthelossbyIndians，andextendedourholdingsupovertheRockCreekcountry。WewitnessedthestartofmanyIndiancampaigns，participatedinafewlittlebrusheswiththeChiricahuas，sawthebeginningofthecattle-rustling。
Amanhadnotmuchopportunitytothinkofanythingbutwhathehadrightonhand，butIfoundtimeforafewspeculationsonTim。Iwonderedhowhelookednow，andwhathewasdoing，andhowinblazeshemanagedtogetawaywithfiftythousandayear。
AndthenoneSundayinJune，whileIwaslyingonmybunk，Timpushedopenthedoorandwalkedin。Iwasyoung，butI\'dseenalot，andIknewtheexpressionofhisface。SoIlaidlowandsaidnothing。
Inaminutethedooropenedagain，andBuckJohnsonhimselfcamein。
\"Howdo，\"saidhe；\"Isawyourideup。\"
\"Howdoyoudo，\"repliedTim。
\"Iknowallaboutyou，\"saidBuck，withoutanypreliminaries；
\"yourman，Case，haswroteme。Idon\'tknowyourreasons，andI
don\'twanttoknow——it\'snoneofmybusiness——andIain\'tgoin\'
totellyoujustwhatkindofadamnfoolIthinkyouare——that\'snoneofmybusiness，either。ButIwantyoutounderstandwithoutquestionhowyoustandontheranch。\"
\"Quitegood，sir，\"saidTimveryquietly。
\"WhenyouwereoutherebeforeIwasgladtohaveyouhereasasortofguest。ThenyouwerewhatI\'veheerdcalledagentlemanofleisure。Nowyou\'renothin\'butaremittanceman。Yourmoney\'snothin\'tome，buttheprincipleofthethingis。Thecountryisplumbpesteredwithremittancemen，doin\'nothin\'，andIdon\'taimtorunnohomeforincompetents。Ihadasonofadukedrivin\'wagonforme；andhecouldn\'tdrivenailsinasnowbanks。Sodon\'tyouherdupwiththeideathatyoucancomeonthisranchandloaf。\"
\"Idon\'twanttoloaf，\"putinTim，\"Iwantajob。\"
\"I\'mwillingtogiveyouajob，\"repliedBuck，\"butit\'sjestanordinarycow-puncher\'sjobatfortyamonth。Andifyoudon\'tfillyoursaddle，itgoestosomeoneelse。\"
\"That\'ssatisfactory，\"agreedTim。
\"Allright，\"finishedBuck，\"sothat\'sunderstood。YourfriendCasewantedmetogiveyoualotofadvice。Amangenerallyhasaboutasmuchuseforadviceasacowhasforfourhindlegs。\"
Hewentout。
\"ForGod\'ssake，what\'sup？\"Icried，leapingfrommybunk。
\"Hullo，Harry，\"saidhe，asthoughhehadseenmethedaybefore，\"I\'vecomeback。\"
\"Howcomeback？\"Iasked。\"Ithoughtyoucouldn\'tleavetheestate。Havetheybrokenthewill？\"
\"No，\"saidhe。
\"Isthemoneylost？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenwhat？\"
\"Thelongandshortofitis，thatIcouldn\'taffordthatestateandthatmoney。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"I\'vegivenitup。\"
\"Givenitup！Whatfor？\"
\"Tocomebackhere。\"
Itookthisallinslowly。
\"TimClare，\"saidIatlast，\"doyoumeantosaythatyouhavegivenupanEnglishestateandfiftythousanddollarsayeartobearemittancemanatfivehundred，andacow-puncheronasmuchmore？\"
\"Exactly，\"saidhe。
\"Tim，\"Iadjuredhimsolemnly，\"youareadamnfool！\"
\"Maybe，\"heagreed。
\"Whydidyoudoit？\"Ibegged。
Hewalkedtothedoorandlookedoutacrossthedeserttowherethemountainshoveredlikesoap-bubblesonthehorizon。Foralongtimehelooked；thenwhirledonme。
\"Harry，\"saidheinalowvoice，\"doyourememberthecampwemadeontheshoulderofthemountainthatnightwewerecaughtout？Anddoyourememberhowthedawncameuponthebigsnowpeaksacrosstheway——andallthecanonbelowusfilledwithwhirlingmists——andthesteelstarsleavingusonebyone？WherecouldIfindroomforthatinEnglishpaddocks？AnddoyourecallthedaywetrailedacrosstheYumadeserts，andthesunbeatintoourskulls，andthedry，brittlehillslookedlikepapier-mache，andthegreysage-bushranoffintotheriseofthehills；andthencamesunsetandthehard，drymountainsgrewfilmy，likegauzeveilsofmanycolours，andmeltedandglowedandfadedtoslateblue，andthestarscameout？TheEnglishhillsareroundedandgreenandcurried，andtheskyisnear，andthestarsonlyafewmilesup。AnddoyourecollectthatdarknightwhenoldLocoandhiswarriorswerecampedatthebaseofCochise\'sStronghold，andwecreptdownthroughthevelvetdarkwonderingwhenwewouldbediscovered，ourmouthsstickywithexcitement，andthelittlewindsblowing？\"
Hewalkedupanddownahalf-dozentimes，hisbreastheaving。
\"It\'sallverywellforthemanwhoisbroughtuptoit，andwhohasseennothingelse。Casecanexistinfourwalls；hehasbeenbroughtuptoitandknowsnothingdifferent。Butamanlikeme——
\"Theywantedmetocanterbetweenhedge-row，——IwhohaveriddenthedesertwheretheskyovermeandtheplainundermewerebiggerthantheIslander\'suniverse！Theywantedmetooverseelittlefarms——Iwhohavewatchedthesunrisingoverhalfaworld！Talkofyourtenthou\'ayearandwhatit\'llbuy！Youknow，Harry，howitfeelswhenasteertakestheslackofyourrope，andyourponysitsback！WhereinEnglandcanIbuythat？
Youknowtherisingandthefallingofdays，andtheboundlessspaceswhereyourheartgrowsbig，andthethirstofthedesertandthehungerofthetrail，andasunthatshinesandfillsthesky，andawindthatblowsfreshfromthewideplaces！
Whereinparcelled，snug，green，tightlittleEnglandcouldI
buythatwithtenthou\'——aye，oranhundredtimestenthou\'？
No，no，Harry，thatfortunewouldcostmetoodear。Ihaveseenanddoneandbeentoomuch。I\'vecomebacktotheBigCountry，wherethepayispoorandtheworkishardandthecomfortsmall，butwhereamanandhissoulmeettheirMakerfacetoface。\"
TheCattlemanhadfinishedhisyarn。Foratimenoonespoke。
Outside，thevolumeofrainwassubsiding。WindyBillreportedafewstarsshiningthroughriftsintheshowers。Thechillthatprecedesthedawnbroughtusasclosetothefireasthesmoulderingguanowouldpermit。
\"Idon\'tknowwhetherhewasrightorwrong，\"musedtheCattleman，afterawhile。\"Amancandoaheapwiththatmuchmoney。Andyetanold\'alkali\'isneverhappyanywhereelse。
However，\"heconcludedemphatically，\"onethingIdoknow：rain，cold，hunger，discomfort，curses，kicks，andviolentdeathsincluded，thereisn\'toneofyougrumblerswhowouldholdthatgardeningjobyouspokeofthreedays！\"
CHAPTERFOUR
THECATTLERUSTLERS
Dawnbroke，sowedescendedthroughwetgrassestothecanon。
There，aftersomedifficulty，wemanagedtostartafire，andsoatebreakfast，therainstillpouringdownonus。Aboutnineo\'clock，withmiraculoussuddenness，thetorrentstopped。
Itbegantoturncold。TheCattlemanandIdecidedtoclimbtothetopofthebutteaftermeat，whichweentirelylacked。
Itwasratherastiffascent，butonceabovethesheercliffswefoundourselvesonarollingmeadowtablelandahalf-milebroadby，perhaps，amileandahalfinlength。Grassgrewhigh；
hereandthereweresmallliveoaksplantedpark-like；slightandroundedravinesaccommodatedbrooklets。Aswewalkedback，theedgesblendedintheedgesofthemesaacrossthecanon。Thedeepgorges，whichhadheretoforeseemedthemostprominentelementsofthescenery，werelost。Westood，apparently，inthemiddleofawideandundulatingplain，diversifiedbylittleridges，andrunningwithafreesweeptotheveryfootofthesnowyGaliuros。Itseemedasthoughweshouldbeabletoridehorsebackinalmostanygivendirection。Yetweknewthattenminutes\'walkwouldtakeustothebrinkofmoststupendouschasms——sodeepthatthewaterflowinginthemhardlyseemedtomove；soruggedthatonlywiththegreatestdifficultycouldahorsemanmakehiswaythroughthecountryatall；andyetsoancientthatthebottomssupportedforests，richgrasses，androunded，gentleknolls。Itwasamostastonishingsetofdoubleimpressions。
Wesucceededinkillinganice，fatwhite-tailbuck，andsoreturnedtocamphappy。Therain，heldoff。Wedugditches，organisedshelters，cookedawarmmeal。Forthenextdayweplannedabearhuntafoot，farupamanzanitacanonwhereUncleJimknewofsome\"holingup\"caves。
Butwhenweawokeinthemorningwethrewasideourcoveringswithsomedifficultytolookonagroundcoveredwithsnow；treesladenalmosttothebreakingpointwithsnow，andtheairfilledwithit。
\"Nobeartoday\"saidtheCattleman。
\"No，\"agreedUncleJimdrily。\"Nob\'ar。Andwhat\'smore，unlessyo\'reaimin\'tostopheresomewhatofaspell，we\'llhavetomakeoutto-day。\"
Wecookedwithfreezingfingers，atewhiledodgingavalanchesfromthetrees，andpackedreluctantly。Theropeswerefrozen，thehobblesstiff，everythingeithercracklingorwet。Finallythetaskwasfinished。Wetookalastwarmingofthefingersandclimbedon。
Thecountrywaswonderfullybeautifulwiththewhitenotyetshakenfromthetreesandrockledges。Alsoitwaswonderfullyslippery。Thesnowwassoftenoughtoballunderthehorses\'
hoofs，sothatmostofthetimethepooranimalsskatedandstumbledalongonstilts。Thuswemadeourwaybackovergroundwhich，nakedofthesedifficulties，wehadconsideredbadenough。
Imagineridingalongaslantofrockshelvingofftoabadtumble，sosteepthatyourponyhastodomoreorlessexpertankleworktokeepfromslippingoffsideways。Duringthepassageofthatrockyouareapttositverylight。Nowcoveritwithseveralinchesofsnow，stickasnowballoneachhoofofyourmount，andtryagain。Whenyouhaveriddenit——oritsduplicate——afewscoreoftimes，selectasteepmountainside，coveritwithroundrocksthesizeofyourhead，andoverthatspreadaconcealingblanketofthesamestickysnow。Youareprivilegedtovarythesetothelimitsofyourimagination。
Onceacrossthedivide，weranintoanewsortoftrouble。Youmayrememberthatonourjourneyoverwehadbeenforcedtotravelforsomedistanceinanarrowstream-bed。Duringourpassagewehadscrambledupsomerathersteepandroughslopes，andhoppedupsomefairlyhighledges。Nowwefoundtheheretoforedrybedflowingagoodeightinchesdeep。Thesteepslopeshadbecomecascades；theledges，waterfalls。Whenwecametothem，wehadto\"shoottherapids\"asbestwecould，onlytolandwithaPLUNKinanindeterminatelydeeppoolatthebottom。Someofthepackhorseswentdown，sousingagainourunfortunatebedding，butbythegraceoffortunenotasaddleponylosthisfeet。
Afteratimethegorgewidened。Wecameoutintotheboxcanonwithitstrees。Herethewaterspreadandshoaledtoadepthofonlytwoorthreeinches。Wesplashedalonggailyenough，for，withtheexceptionofanoccasionalquicksandorboggyspot，ourtroubleswereover。
JedParkerandIhappenedtoridesidebyside，bringinguptherearandseeingtoitthatthepackanimalsdidnotstrayorlinger。Aswepassedthefirstoftherustlers\'corrals，hecalledmyattentiontothem。
\"Gotakealook，\"saidhe。\"Weonlygotthosefellowsoutofheretwoyearsago。\"
Irodeover。Atthispointtherim-rockbroketoadmittheingressofaravineintothemaincanon。Ridingashortdistanceuptheravine，Icouldseethatitendedabruptlyinaperpendicularcliff。Asthesidesalsowereprecipitous，itbecamenecessaryonlytobuildafenceacrosstheentranceintothemaincanontobecomepossessedofacorralcompletelyclosedin。Rememberingtheabsoluteinvisibilityofthesesunkencanonsuntiltheriderisalmostdirectlyoverthem，andalsotheextremeroughnessandremotenessofthedistrict，I
couldseethatthespotwasadmirablyadaptedtoconcealment。
\"There\'squiteayarnaboutthegangthatheldthishole，\"saidJedParkertome，whenIhadriddenbacktohim\"I\'lltellyouaboutitsometime。\"
Weclimbedthehill，descendedontheDoubleR，builtafireinthestove，driedout，andwerehappy。Afterasquaremeal——andadryone——IremindedJedParkerofhispromise，andso，sittingcross-leggedonhis\"so-gun\"inthemiddleofthefloor，hetoldusthefollowingyarn：
There\'sagooddealofromancebeenwrittenaboutthe\"badman，\"
andthere\'saboutthesameamountofnonsense。Thebadmanisjustaplainmurderer，neithermorenorless。Heneverdoesgetintoareal，good，plain，stand-upgunfightifhecanpossiblyhelpit。Hiskillin\'saredonefrombehindadoor，orwhenhe\'sgothismandeadtorights。There\'sSamCook。You\'veallheardofhim。Hehadnerve，ofcourse，andwhenhewasbackedintoacornerhemadegood；hewassuresuddendeathwithagun。Butwhenhewentforamandeliberate，hedidn\'ttakenospecialchances。ForawhilehewasmarshalatWillets。Prettysoonitwasnotedthattherewasaheapofcasesofresistingarrest，whereSamasmarshalhadtoshoot，andthatthosecasesalmostalwayshappenedtobehispersonalenemies。Ofcourse，thatmightbeallright，butitlookedsuspicious。ThenonedayhekilledpooroldMaxSchmidtoutbehindhisownsaloon。Calledhimoutandshothiminthestomach。SaidMaxresistedarrestonawarrantforkeepin\'openoutofhours！ThatwasasweetwarranttotakeoutinWillets，anyway！Mrs。Schmidtalwaysclaimedthatshesaythatdealplayed，andthat，whiletheyweretalkin\'perfectlypeacable，Cookletdrivefromthehipatabouttwoyards\'range。Anyway，wedecidedweneededanothermarshal。
Nothin\'elsewaseverdone，fortheVigilanteshadn\'tbeenformed，andyourindividualanddecentcitizendoesn\'tcaretobemarkedbyagunofthatstripe。Leastwise，unlesshewantstogoinforbad-manmethodsanddoalittleambusheein\'onhisownaccount。
Thepointis，thattheseyerebadmenarealow-down，miserableproposition，andplain，cold-bloodmurderers，willin\'towaitforasurething，andwithoutnocompunctionswhatsoever。Thebadmantakesyouunawares，whenyou\'resleepin\'，ortalkin\'，ordrinkin\'，orlookin\'toseewhatforadayit\'sgoin\'tobe，anyway。Hedon\'tgiveyounoshow，andsoonerorlaterhe\'sgoin\'togetyouinthesafestandeasiestwayforhimself。
Thereain\'tnoromanceaboutthat。
And，untilyou\'veseenafewmencalledoutoftheirshacksforafriendlyconversation，andshotwhentheyhappentolookaway；oraskedforadrinkofwater，andkilledwhentheystooptothespring；orpottedfrombehindastheygointoaroom，it\'sprettyhardtobelievethatanymancanhesoplumblackin\'infairplayorpityorjustnaturalhumanity。
Asyouboysknow，IcomeinfromTexastoBuckJohnson\'sabouttenyearback。IhadaprettygoodmountofponiesthatIknew，andIhatedtoletthemgoatpricestheywereofferin\'then，soImadeupmymindtorideacrossandbringtheminwithme。Itwasn\'tsoawfulfar，andIfiguredthatI\'dliketotakeinwhatNewMexicolookedlikeanyway。
AboutdownbyAlbuquerqueItrackedupwithanotheroutfitheadedmyway。Therewasfiveofthem，threemen，andawoman，andayearlin\'baby。Theyhadadozenhosses，andthatwasaboutallI
couldsee。Therewasonlytwopacked，andnowagon。Isupposethewholeoutfit——pots，pans，andkettles——wasworthfivedollars。ItwasjustsupperwhenIrunacrossthem，anditdidn\'ttakemore\'nonelooktodiscoverthatflour，coffee，sugar，andsaltwasalltheycarried。Ayearlin\'carcass，half-skinned，laynear，andthefry-panwas，fullofmeat。
\"Howdy，strangers，\"saysI，ridin\'up。
Theynoddedalittle，butdidn\'tsaynothin\'。Myhossesfelltograzin\'，andIeasedmyselfaroundinmysaddle，andmadeacigareet。Themenwastall，lankfellows，withkindofsullenfaces，andsly，shiftyeyes；thewomanwasdirtyandgenerallymussedup。Iknowedthatsortallright。Texaswasgettin\'toomanyfencesforthem。
\"Havin\'supper？\"saysI，cheerful。
Oneof\'emgrunted\"Yes\"atme；and，afterawhile，thebiggestaskedmeverygrudgin\'ifIwouldn\'tlightandeat，Itoldthem\"No，\"thatIwastravellin\'inthecooloftheevenin\'。
\"Youseemtohavemoremeatthanyouneed，though，\"saysI。\"I
couldusealittleofthat。\"
\"Helpyourself，\"saysthey。\"It\'samaverickwecomeacross。\"
Itookasteak，andnotedthatthehidehadbeenmightywellcuttoribbonsaroundtheflanksandthattheheadwasgone。
\"Well，\"saysItothecarcass，\"Noone\'sgoingtobeabletoswearwhetheryou\'reamaverickornot，butIbetyouknewthefeelofabrandin\'ironallright。\"
Igavethemathank-you，andclimbedonagain。Myhossesactedsomesurprisedatbein\'gatheredupagain，butIcouldn\'thelpthat。
\"Itlookslikeaplumbimposition，cavallos，\"saysItothem，\"afteranall-day，butyousuredon\'twanttojointhatoutfitanymorethanIdotheangels，andifwecampherewe\'relikelytodoboth。\"
Ididn\'tseethemanymoreafterthatuntilI\'dhittheLazyY，andhadstartedinrunnin\'cattleintheSodaSpringsValley。
LarryEagenandIrodetogetherthosedays，andthat\'showIgottoknowhimprettywell。Oneday，overintheElmFlat，weransmackonthisTexasoutfitagain，headednorth。ThistimeIwasonmyownrange，andIknewwhereIstood，soIcouldshowalittlemorecuriosityinthecase。
\"Well，yougotthisfar，\"saysI。
\"Yes，\"saysthey。
\"Whereyouheaded？\"
\"Overtowardsthehills。\"
\"Whattodo？\"
\"Makearanch，raisesometruck；perhapsbuyafewcows。\"
Theywenton。
\"Truck\"saysItoLarry，\"isfineprospectsinthiscountry。\"
Hesatonhishorselookingafterthem。
\"I\'msorryforthem\"sayshe。\"Itmusthealmightyhardscratchin\'。\"
Well，werodetherangeforupwardsoftwoyear。InthattimewesawourTexasfriends——nameofHahn——twoorthreetimesinWillets，andheardofthemoffandon。TheyboughtanoldbrandofSteveMcWilliamsforseventy-fivedollars，carryin\'sixoreightheadofcows。Afterthat，fromtimetotime，weheardofthembuyingmore——twoorthreeheadfromoneman，andtwoorthreefromanother。TheybrandedthemallwiththatMcWilliamsiron——T0——so，prettysoon，webegantoseethecattleontherange。
Now，agoodcattlemanknowscattlejustaswellasyouknowpeople，andhecantellthemaboutasfaroff。Hornedcritterslookaliketoyou，buteveninacountrysupportin\'agoodmanythousandhead，amanusedtothebusinesscanrecognisemosteveryindividualasfarashecanseehim。Someisbetterthanothersatit。Isupposeyoureallyhavetobebroughtuptoit。
SoweboysattheLazyYnotedallthecattlewiththenewT0，andcouldestimateprettyclosethattheHahnoutfitmightown，maybe，thirty-fiveheadalltold。
Thatwasallverywell，andnobodyhadanykickcomin\'。Thenonedayinthespring，wecameacrossourfirst\"sleeper。\"
What\'sasleeper？Asleeperisacalfthathasbeenear-marked，butnotbranded。Everyownerhasacertainbrand，asyouknow，andthenhecropsandslitstheearsinacertainway，too。Inthatmannerhedon\'thavetolookatthebrand，excepttocorroboratetheears；and，asthecrittergenerallystickshisearsupinquirin\'-liketoanyoneridin\'up，it\'seasytoknowthebrandwithoutlookin\'atit，merelyfromtheear-marks。Onceinagreatwhile，whenamancomesacrossanunbrandedcalf，anditain\'thandytobuildafire，hejustear-marksitandlet\'sthebrandin\'gotilllater。Butitisn\'tdoneoften，andouroutfithadstrictordersnevertomakesleepers。
Well，onedayinthespring，asIsay，Larryandmewasridin\'，whenwecameacrossaLazyYcowandcalf。Thelittlefellowwasear-markedallright，sowerodeon，andneverwouldhavediscoverednothin\'ifabushrabbithadn\'tjumpedandscaredthecalfrightacrossinfrontofourhosses。Thenwecouldn\'thelpbutseethattherewasn\'tnobrand。
Ofcourseweropedhimandputtheirononhim。Itookthechancetolookathisears，，andsawthatthemarkinghadbeendonequiterecent，sowhenwegotinthatnightIreportedtoBuckJohnsonthatoneofthepuncherswasgettin\'lazyandsleeperin\'。Naturallyhewentafterthemanwhohaddoneit；