IhadjustgonesofarwhenIwasbroughtupshortbyatremendousoathbehindme。Atthesameinstantamatchflared。
Iturnedtofaceastrangerholdingthelittlelightabovehishead，andpeeringwithfieryintentnessoverthegroupsprawledaboutthefloor。
Hewasevidentlyjustinfromthestorm。Hisdrippinghatlayathisfeet。Ashockofstraight，close-clippedvigoroushairstoodupgreyabovehisseamedforehead。Bushyiron-greyeyebrowsdrawnclosetogetherthatchedapairofburning，unquenchableeyes。Asquare，deepjaw，lightlystubbledwithgrey，wasclampedsotightthatthecheekmusclesaboveitstoodoutinknotsandwelts。
Thenthematchburnedhisthick，squarefingers，andhedroppeditintothedarknessthatascendedtoswallowit。
\"Whowassingingthatsong？\"hecriedharshly。Nobodyanswered。
\"Whowasthatsinging？\"hedemandedagain。
BythistimeIhadrecoveredfrommyfirstastonishment。
\"Iwassinging，\"saidI。
Anothermatchwasinstantlylitandthrustintomyveryface。I
underwentthefiercescrutinyofaninstant，thenthetaperwasthrownawayhalfconsumed。
\"Wheredidyoulearnit？\"thestrangeraskedinanalteredvoice。
\"Idon\'tremember，\"Ireplied；\"itisacommonenoughdeep-seachantey。\"
Aheavypausefell。Finallythestrangersighed。
\"Quitelike，\"hesaid；\"Ineverheardbutonemansingit。\"
\"Whoinhellareyou？\"someonedemandedoutofthedarkness。
Beforereplying，thenewcomerlitathirdmatch，searchingforaplacetositdown。Ashebentforward，hisstrong，harshfaceoncemorecameclearlyintoview。
\"He\'sColoradoRogers，\"theCattlemanansweredforhim；\"Iknowhim。\"
\"Well，\"insistedthefirstvoice，\"whatinhelldoesColoradoRogersmeanbybustin\'inonoursongfiestathatway？\"
\"Tellthem，Rogers，\"advisedtheCattleman，\"tellthem——justasyoutolditdownontheGilatenyearsagonextmonth。\"
\"What？\"inquiredRogers。\"Whoareyou？\"
\"Youdon\'tknowme，\"repliedtheCattleman，\"butIwaswithBuckJohnson\'soutfitthen。Giveustheyarn。\"
\"Well，\"agreedRogers，\"passoverthe\'makings\'andIwill。\"
Herolledandlitacigarette，whileIrevelledinthememoryofhisrich，greatvoice。Itwasofthesortmadetodeclaimagainsttheseaortherushofriversor，ashere，thefallofwatersandthethunder——full，fromthechest，withthecaressingthroatvibrationthatgivescolourtothemostordinarystatements。Aftertenwordswesankbackobliviousofthestorm，forgetfuloftheleakyroofandthedirtyfloor，lostinthestorytoldusbytheOldTimer。
CHAPTERTEN
THETEXASRANGERS
IcamefromTexas，likethebulkofyoupunchers，butagoodwhilebeforethemostofyouwereborn。Thatwasforty-oddyearsago——andI\'vebeenontheColoradoRivereversince。That\'swhytheycallmeColoradoRogers。Aboutadozenofuscameouttogether。WehadallbeenTexasRangers，butwhenthewarbrokeoutwewereoutofajob。WenoneofuscaredmuchfortheJohnnyRebs，andstilllessfortheYanks，sowestruckoverlandfortheWest，withtheideaofhittingtheCaliforniadiggings。
Well，wegotswitchedoffonewayandanother。WhenwegotdowntoaboutwhereDouglasisnow，wefoundthattheMexicanGovernmentwasofferingabountyforApachescalps。Thatlookedprettygoodtous，forInjinchasingwasourjob，sowestartedintocollect。Didprettywell，too，foraboutthreemonths，andthentheInjinsbegantogettooscarce，ortooplentyinstreaks。Lookedlikeourjobwasoverwith，butsomeoftheboysdiscoveredthatMexicans，havingstraightblackhair，youcouldn\'ttelloneoftheirscalpsfromanApache\'s。Afterthatthebountybusinesspickedupforawhile。Itwastoomuchforme，though，andIquittheoutfitandpushedonaloneuntilI
strucktheColoradoaboutwhereYumaisnow。
AtthattimetheCaliforniaimmigrantsbythesouthernrouteusedtocrossjustthere，andtheseYumaInjinshadamonopolyontheferrybusiness。Theywereapeaceful，fine-lookinglot，withoutathingonbutagee-string。Thewomenhadbeltswithrawhidestringshangingtotheknees。Theyputthemononeovertheotheruntiltheydidn\'tfeeltoodecollotey。Itwasn\'tuntilthesoldierscamethattheofficers\'wivesgotthemtowearhandkerchiefsovertheirbreasts。Thesystemwasallright，though。Theywallowedaroundinthehot，cleansand，likechickens，andkepthealthy。Sincetheytooktowearingclothesthey\'vebeenpeteringout，anddyingofdirtandassorteddiseases。
Theyranthisferrymonopolybymeansofboatsmadeoftules，chargedascand\'louslowprice，andeverythingwashappyandlovely。Iranonalittlebarandpannedoutsomedust，soI
campedawhile，washinggold，gettingfriendlywiththeYumas，andtalkinghorseandotherthingswiththeimmigrants。
Aboutamonthofthis，andtheTexasboysdriftedin。Seemstheysortofoverdidthescalpmatter，andgotfoundout。Whentheysawme，theystoppedandwentintocamp。They\'dtravelledaheapofdesert，andweregettingsickofit。Forawhiletheytriedgoldwashing，butIhadtheonlypocket——andthatwasaboutskinned。OneeveningafellownamedWalleyeannouncedthathehadbeendoingsomefiguring，andwantedtomakeaspeech。Wetoldhimtofireahead。
\"Nowlookhere，\"saidhe，\"what\'stheuseofgoingtoCalifornia？
Whynotstayhere？\"
\"Whatinhellwouldwedohere？\"someoneasked。\"CollectGilamonstersfortheirgoodlooks？\"
\"Don\'tgetgay，\"saidWalleye。\"What\'sthematterwithgoingintobusiness？Here\'saheapofpeoplegoingthrough，andmorecomingeveryday。Thisferrybusinesscouldbemadetopaybig。
ThemInjinschargestwobitsahead。That\'sacrimefortheonlywayacross。Andhowmuchdoyousupposewhisky\'dbeworthtodrinkafterthatdesert？Andaman\'ssosickofhimselfbythetimehegetsthisfarthathe\'dplaychuck-a-luck，letalonefaroormonte。\"
Thatkindoftalkhitthemwheretheylived，andYumawasfoundedrightthenandthere。Theyhadn\'tanywhiskyyet，butcardswereplenty，andtheferrymonopolywastooeasy。WalleyeservednoticeontheInjinsthatadollaraheadwent；andweallsettobuildingatuleraftliketheothers。Thenthewildbunchgotuneasy，sotheywalkedupstreamonemorningandstoletheInjins\'
boats。TheInjinscameaftertheminnocentasbabies，thinkingtherafthadgoneadrift。Whentheygotintocampourmenopenedupandkilledfourofthemasakindofhint。Afterthattheferrycompanydidn\'thaveanytrouble。TheYumasmovedupriveraways，wherethey\'velivedeversince。Theygotthecorpsesandburiedthem。Thatis，theydugatrenchforeachoneandlaidpolesacrossit，withafuneralpyreonthepoles。Thentheyputthebodyontop，andthewomenofthefamilycuttheirhairoffandthrewiton。Afterthattheysetfiretotheoutfit，and，whenthepolesbadburnedthrough，thewholebusinessfellintothetrenchofitsownaccord。Itwastheneatest，automatic，self-cocking，double-actionsortofafuneralIeversaw。Therewasn\'tanyceremony——onlycrying。
Theferrybusinessflourishedatpriceswhichweresometimeshardtocollect。Butitwasacaseofpayorgoback，anditwasatur\'blelongwaysback。Wegotustimbersandmadeascow；builtabaileandsaloonandhousesoutofadobe；andcalledherYuma，aftertheInjinsthathadreallystartedher。WegotoursuppliesthroughtheGulfofCalifornia，wheresailingboatsworkeduptheriver。Peoplebegantocomeinforonereasonoranother，andfirstthingweknewwehadastoreandallsortsoftrimmings。Infactwewasareallivetown。
CHAPTERELEVEN
THESAILORWITHONEHAND
Atthismomenttheheavybeatofthestormontheroofceasedwithmiraculoussuddenness，leavingtheoutsideworldemptyofsoundsavefortheDRIP，DRIP，DRIPofeaves。Nobodyventuredtofillinthepausethatfollowedthestranger\'slastwords，soinamomenthecontinuedhisnarrative。
Wehadeverysortofpeoplewithusoffandon，and，asIwaslookoutatapopulargame，Isawthemall。OneeveningIwasonmywayhomeabouttwoo\'clockofamoonlitnight，whenontheedgeoftheshadowIstumbledoverabodylyingpartacrossthefootway。AtthesameinstantIheardtheripofsteelthroughclothandfeltasharpstabinmyleftleg。ForaminuteI
thoughtsomedrunkhadusedhisknifeonme，andImightynearderringeredhimashelay。ButsomehowIdidn\'t，andlookingcloser，Isawthemanwasunconscious。ThenIscoutedtoseewhathadcutme，andfoundthatthefellowhadlostahand。Inplaceofitheworeasharpsteelhook。ThisIhadtangledupwithandgottenwellpricked。
Idraggedhimoutintothelight。Hewasaslim-builtyoungfellow，withstraightblackhair，longandlankandoily，aleanface，andbighookednose。Hehadononlyathinshirt，apairofroughwoolpants，andtherawhidehome-madezapatostheMexicansworetheninsteadofboots。Acrosshisforeheadranalonggash，cuttinghislefteyebrowsquareintwo。
Therewasnodoubtofhisbeingalive，forhewasbreathinghard，likeamandoeswhenhegetshitoverthehead。Itdidn\'tsoundgood。Whenamanbreathesthatwayhe\'smostlyallgone。
Well，itwasreallynoneofmybusiness，asyoumightsay。Mengotbattedovertheheadoftenenoughinthosedays。ButforsomereasonIpickedhimupandcarriedhimtomy\'dobeshack，andlaidhimout，andwashedhiscutwithsourwine。Thatbroughthimto。Sourwineisfinetoputawoundinshapetoheal，butit\'snosoothingsyrup。Hesatupasthoughhe\'dbeentouchedwithahotpoker，staredaroundwild-eyed，andcutloosewiththatsongyouweresinging。Onlyitwasn\'tthatverse。
Itwasanotheronefurtheralong，thatwentlikethis：
Theircoffinwastheirship，andtheirgraveitwasthesea，Blowhigh，blowlow，whatcarewe；
Andthequarterthatwegavethemwastosinktheminthesea，DownonthecoastoftheHighBarbaree。
Itfairmademyhairrisetohearhim，withthebig，still，solemndesertoutside，andthequietmoonlight，andtheshadows，andhimsittingupstraightandgaunt，hiseyesblazingeachsidehisbigeaglenose，andhissnakyhairhangingovertherawcutacrosshishead。However，Imadeouttogethimbandagedupandinshape；andprettysoonhesortofwenttosleep。
Well，hewascleanoutofhisheadfornightwoweeks。Mostofthetimehelayflatonhisbackstaringatthepoleroof，hiseyesburningandlookingliketheysaweachonesomethingadifferentdistanceoff，thewaycrazyeyesdo。Thatwaswhenhewasbest。Thenagainhe\'dsingthatBarbareesonguntilI\'dgooutandlookattheoldColoradoflowingbyjusttobesureI
hadn\'tdiedandgonebelow。Orelsehe\'djusttalk。Thatwastheworstperformanceofall。Itwaslikelisteningtooneendofatelephone，thoughwedidn\'tknowwhattelephoneswereinthosedays。Hebeganwhenbewasakid，andhegavehissideofconversations，pausingforreplies。Icouldmightynearfurnishtherepliessometimes。Itwasqueerlingo——aboutshipsandships\'officersandgalesandcalmsandfightsandpearlsandwhalesandislandsandbirdsandskies。Butitwasalllittlestuff。Iusedtolistenbythehour，butInevermadeoutanythingreallyimportantastowhothemanwas，orwherehe\'dcomefrom，orwhathe\'ddone。
AttheendofthesecondweekIcameinatnoonasperusualtofixhimupwithgrub。Ididn\'tpayanyattentiontohim，forhewasquiet。AsIwasbendingoverthefirehespoke。UsuallyI
didn\'tbotherwithhistalk，foritdidn\'tmeananything，butsomethinginhisvoicemademeturn。Hewaslyingonhisside，thoseblackeyesofhisblazingatme，butnowbothofthemsawthesamedistance。
\"Wherearemyclothes？\"heasked，veryintense。
\"Youain\'tinanyshapetowantclothes，\"saidI。\"Liestill。\"
Ihadn\'tanymorethangotthewordsoutofmymouthbeforehewasatopme。Hismethodwasawinner。Hehadmebythethroatwithhishand，andIfeltthepointofthehookprickingthebackofmyneck。Onelittlesqueeze——Talkaboutyourdeadlyweapons！
Buthe\'dbeentoosickandtoolongabed。Heturneddizzyandkeeledover，andIdumpedhimbackonthebunk。ThenIputmysix-shooteron。
Inaminuteorsohecameto。
\"Nowyou\'reanice，sweetproposition，\"saidI，assoonasIwassurehecouldunderstandme。\"HereIpickyouuponthestreetandsaveyourworthlesscarcass，andthefirstchanceyougetyoutrytocrawlmyhump。
Explain。\"
\"Where\'smyclothes？\"hedemandedagain，veryfierce。
\"Forheaven\'ssake，\"Iyelledathim，\"what\'sthematterwithyouandyouroldclothes？Thereain\'tenoughofthemtodustafiddlewithanyway。WhatdoyouthinkI\'dwantwiththem？
They\'resafeenough。\"\'
\"Letmehavethem，\"hebegged。
\"Now，lookhere，\"saidI，\"youcan\'tgetupto-day。Youain\'tfit。\"
\"Iknow，\"hepleaded，\"butletmeseethem。\"
JusttosatisfyhimIpassedoverhisoldduds。
\"I\'vebeenrobbed，\"hecried。
\"Well，\"saidI，\"whatdidyouexpectwouldhappentoyoulyingaroundYumaaftermidnightwithaholeinyourhead？\"
\"Where\'smycoat？\"heasked。
\"YouhadnocoatwhenIpickedyouup，\"Ireplied。
Helookedatmemightysuspicious，butdidn\'tsayanythingmore——
hewouldn\'tevenanswerwhenIspoketohim。Afterhe\'deatenafairmealhefellasleep。WhenIcamebackthateveningthebunkwasemptyandhewasgone。
Ididn\'tseehimagainfortwodays。ThenIcaughtsightofhimquiteawaysoff。Henoddedatmeverysour，anddodgedaroundthecornerofthestore。
\"GuesshesuspicionsIstolethatoldcoatofhis，\"thinksI；andafterwardsIfoundthatmysurmisehadbeencorrect。
However，hedidn\'tstaylonginthatframeofmind。Itwasalongtowardsevening，andIwaswalkingonthebankslookingdownoverthemuddyoldColorado，asIalwayslikedtodo。Thesunhadjustset，andthemountainshadturnedhardandstiff，astheydoaftertheglow，andtheskyabovethemwasathousandmillionmilesdeepofpalegreen-goldlight。ApairofGreaserswereaheadofme，butIcouldseeonlytheiroutlines，andtheydidn\'tseemtointerfereanywiththescenery。Suddenlyablackfigureseemedtoriseupoutoftheground；theMexicanmanwentdownasthoughhe\'dbeenjerkedwithastring，andthewomanscreeched。
Iranup，pullingmygun。TheMexwasflatonhisface，hisarmsstretchedout。Onthemiddleofhisbackkneltmyone-armedfriend。AndthatsharphookwascaughtneatlyunderthepointoftheMexican\'sjaw。Youbethelaystill。
IreallythinkIwasjustintimetosavetheman\'slife。
AccordingtomybeliefanotherminutewouldhaveburiedthehookintheMexican\'sneck。Anyway，IthrustthemuzzleofmyColt\'sintothesailor\'sface。
\"What\'sthis？\"Iasked。
Thesailorlookedupatmewithoutchanginghisposition。Hewasnottheleastbitafraid。
\"Thismanhasmycoat，\"heexplained。
\"Where\'dyougetthecoat？\"IaskedtheMex。
\"IweenheematmonteoffAntonioCurvez，\"saidhe。
\"Maybe，\"growledthesailor。
Hestillheldthehookundertheman\'sjaw，butwiththeotherhandheranrapidlyunderandovertheMexican\'sleftshoulder。
InthehalflightIcouldseehisfacechange。Thegleamdiedfromhiseye；thesnarllefthislips。Withoutfurtherdelayhearosetohisfeet。
\"Getupandgiveithere！\"hedemanded。
TheMexicanwasonlytoogladtogetoffsoeasy。Idon\'tknowwhetherhe\'dreallywonthecoatatmonteornot。Inanycase，heflewpocopronto，leavingmeandmyfriendtogether。
Themanwiththehookfelttheleftshoulderofthecoatagain，lookedup，metmyeye，mutteredsomethingintendedtobepleasant，andwalkedaway。
ThiswasinDecember。
Duringthenexttwomonthshewasagooddealabouttown，mostlydoingoddjobs。Isawhimoffandon。Healwaysspoketomeaspleasantlyasheknewhow，andoncemadesomesortofabluffaboutpayingmebackformytroubleinbringinghimaround。
However，Ididn\'tpaymuchattentiontothat，beingatthetimealmightybusyholdingdownmycardgames。
ThelastdayofFebruaryIwassittinginmyshacksmokingapipeaftersupper，whenmyone-armedfriendopenedthedoorafoot，slippedin，andshutitimmediately。BythetimehelookedtowardsmeIknewwheremysix-shooterwas。
\"That\'sallright，\"saidI，\"butyoubetterstayrightthere。\"
Iintendedtotakenomorechanceswiththathook。
Hestoodtherelookingstraightatmewithoutwinkingorofferingtomove。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"Iasked。
\"Iwanttomakeuptoyouforyourtrouble，\"saidhe。\"I\'vegotagoodthing，andIwanttoletyouinonit。\"
\"Whatkindofagoodthing？\"Iasked。
\"Treasure，\"saidhe。
\"H\'m，\"saidI。
Iexaminedhimclosely。Helookedallrightenough，neitherdrunknorloco。
\"Sitdown，\"saidI——\"overthere；theothersidethetable。\"Hedidso。\"Now，fireaway，\"saidI。
HetoldmehisnamewasSolomonAnderson，butthathewasgenerallyknownasHandySolomon，onaccountofhishook；thathehadalwaysfollowedthesea；thatlatelyhehadcoastedthewestshoresofMexico；thatatGuaymashehadfalleninwithSpanishfriends，incompanywithwhomhehadvisitedtheminesintheSierraMadre；thatonthisexpeditionthepartyhadbeenattackedbyYaquisandwipedout，healonesurviving；thathisblanket-matebeforeexpiringhadtoldhimofgoldburiedinacoveofLowerCaliforniabytheman\'sgrandfather；thatthemanhadgivenhimachartshowingthelocationofthetreasure；thathehadsewnthischartintheshoulderofhiscoat，whencehissuspicionofmeandhisbeingsolocoaboutgettingitback。
\"Andit\'sabigthing，\"saidHandySolomontome，\"forthey\'snotonlygold，butaltarjewelsanddiamonds。Itwillmakeusrich，andadozenlikeus，andyoucankisstheBookonthat。\"
\"Thatmayallbetrue，\"saidI，\"butwhydoyoutellme？Whydon\'tyougetyourtreasurewithouttheneedofdividingit？\"
\"Why，mate，\"heanswered，\"it\'sjustplaingratitude。Didn\'tyousavemylife，andnussme，andtakecareofmewhenIwasnighkilled？\"
\"Lookhere，Anderson，orHandySolomon，orwhateveryoupleasetocallyourself，\"Irejoinedtothis，\"ifyou\'regoingtodobusinesswithme——andIdonotunderstandyetjustwhatitisyouwantofme——you\'llhavetotalkstraight。It\'sallverywelltosaygratitude，butthatdon\'tgowithme。You\'vebeenaroundherethreemonths，andbarringahalf-dozencivilwordsandtwiceasmanyoftheotherkind，I\'vefailedtoseeanyindicationsofyourgratitudebefore。It\'saqualitywithahellofahang-firetoit。\"
Helookedatmesideways，spat，andlookedatmesidewaysagain。
Thenheburstintoalaugh。
\"Thedevil\'sapreacher，ifyouain\'tlostyourpinfeathers，\"\'
saidhe。\"Well，it\'sthisthen：Igottohaveaboattogetthere；andshemustbestocked。AndIgottohavehelpwiththetreasure，ifit\'slikethisfellowsaiditwas。AndtheYaquisandcannibalsfromTiburonisthroughthecountry。It\'smoneyI
gottohave，andit\'smoneyIhaven\'tgot，andcan\'tgetunlessI
letsomebodyinaspardner。\"
\"Whyme？\"Iasked。
\"Whynot？\"heretorted。\"Iain\'tseeanybodyIlikebetter。\"
Wetalkedthematteroveratlength。Ihadtoforcehimtoeachpoint，forsuspicionwasstronginhim。Istoodoutforalargerparty。Hestronglyopposedthisasdepreciatingtheshares，butIhadnointentionofgoingaloneintowhatwasthenconsideredawildanddangerouscountry。Finallywecompromised。Athirdofthetreasurewastogotohim，athirdtome，andtherestwastobedividedamongthemenwhomIshouldselect。Thisschemedidnotappealtohim。
\"HowdoIknowyouplaysfair？\"hecomplained。\"They\'llbefourofyoutooneofme；andIdon\'tlikeit，andyoucankisstheBookonthat。\"
\"Ifyoudon\'tlikeit，leaveit，\"saidI，\"andgetout，andbedamnedtoyou。\"
Finallyheagreed；butherefusedmealookatthechart，sayingthathehadleftitinasafeplace。Ibelieveinrealityhewantedtobesurerofme，andforthatIcanhardlyblamehim。
CHAPTERTWELVE
THEMURDERONTHEBEACH
Atthismomentthecookstuckhisheadinattheopendoor。
\"Say，youfellows，\"hecomplained，\"Igottobeupatthreeo\'clock。Ain\'tyounevergoingtoturnin？\"
\"Shutup，Doctor！\"\"Somebodykillhim！\"\"Here，sitdownandlistentothisyarn！\"yelledasavagechorus。
Thereensuedaslightscuffle，afewobjections。Thensilence，andthestrangertookuphisstory。
IhadachumnamedBillySimpson，andIrunghiminforfriendship。Thentherewasasolemn，tallTexasyoungfellow，strongasabull，straightandtough，broughtupfightingInjins。
Heneversaidmuch，butIknewhe\'dberighttherewhenthegongstruck。ForfourthmanIpickedoutaGermannamedSchwartz。HeandSimpsonhadjustcomebackfromtheminestogether。ItookhimbecausehewasafriendofBilly\'s，andbesideswasyoungandstrong，andwastheonlymanintownexceptingthesailor，Anderson，whoknewanythingaboutrunningaboat。IforgottosaythattheTexasfellowwasnamedDenton。
HandySolomonhadhisboatallpickedout。ItbelongedtosomeBasqueswhohadsailedheraroundfromCalifornia。ImustsaywhenIsawherIfeltinclinedtorenig，forshewasn\'tmore\'nabouttwenty-fivefeetlong，wasopenexceptforalittlesortofcubbyholeupinthefrontofher，hadonemast，andwaspointedatbothends。However，Schwartzsaidshewasallright。Heclaimedheknewthekind；thatshewasthesortusedbyFrenchfishermen，andcouldstandallsortsoftrouble。Shedidn\'tlookit。
WeworkedheruptoYuma，partlywithoarsandpartlybysails。
Thenweloadedherwithgrubforamonth。Eachofushadhisownweapons，ofcourse。Inadditionweputinpicksandshovels，andasmallcaskofwater。HandySolomonsaidthatwouldbeenough，astherewaswatermarkeddownonhischart。Wetoldthegangthatweweregoingtrading。
Attheendoftheweekwestarted，andwereoutfourdays。Therewasn\'tmuchroom，whatwiththesuppliesandthebaggage，forthefiveofus。Wehadtocurlup\'mostanywherestosleep。Anditcertainlyseemedtomethatwewereinlotsofdanger。Thewavesweremuchbiggerthanshewas，andsplashedonusconsiderable，butSchwartzandAndersondidn\'tseemtomind。Theylaughedatus。Andersonsangthatsongofhis，andSchwartztoldusoftheplacershehadworked。HeandSimpsonhadmadeaprettygoodclean-up，justenoughtomakethemwanttogetrich。ThefirstdayoutSimpsonshowedusabeltwithaboutanhundredouncesofdust。Thishegottiredofwearing，sohekeptitinacompass-box，whichwasempty。
Attheendofthefourdaysweturnedinatadeepbayandcametoanchor。Thecountrywastheusualproposition——verylight-brown，brittle-lookingmountains，abouttwothousandfeethigh；lotsofsageandcactus，apebblybeach，andnotasignofanythingfreshandgreen。
ButDentonandIweremightygladtoseeanysortofland。
Besides，ourkegofwaterwasprettylow，anditwasgettingabouttimetodiscoverthespringthechartspokeof。Sowepiledourcampstuffinthesmallboatandrowedashore。
Andersonledthewayconfidentlyenoughupadryarroyo，whosesideswereclayandconglomerate。But，thoughwefollowedittotheend，wecouldfindnoindicationsthatitwasanythingmorethanawashforrainfloods。
\"That\'smainqueer，\"mutteredAnderson，andreturnedtothebeach。
Therehespreadoutthechart——thefirstlookatitwe\'dhad——andsettostudyingit。
ItwasacarefulpieceofworkdoneinIndiaink，prettyold，tojudgebythelookofit，andwithallsortsofpicturesofmountainsanddolphinsandshipsandanchorsaroundtheedge。
Therewasourbay，allright。Twocrossesweremarkedonthelandpart——onelabelled\"oro\"andtheother\"agua。\"
\"Nowthere\'sthehighcliff，\"saysAnderson，followingitout，\"andthere\'stheroundhillwiththeboulder——andifthembearingsdon\'tpointdueforthatravine，thedevil\'sapreacher。\"
Wetrieditagain，withthesameresult。Asecondinspectionofthemapbroughtusnolightonthequestion。Wetalkeditover，andlookedatitfromallpoints，butwecouldn\'tdodgethetruth：thechartwaswrong。
Thenweexploredseveralofthenearestgullies，butwithoutfindinganythingbutloosestonesbakedhotinthesun。
Bynowitwasgettingtowardssundown，sowebuiltusafireofmesquiteonthebeach，madeussupper，andboiledapotofbeans。
Wetalkeditover。Thewaterwasaboutgone。
\"That\'swhatwe\'vegottofindfirst，\"saidSimpson，\"noquestionofit。It\'sGodknowshowfartothenextwater，andwedon\'tknowhowlongitwilltakeustogetthereinthatlittleboat。
Ifwerunourwaterentirelyoutbeforewestart，we\'regoingtobeintrouble。We\'llhaveagoodlookto-morrow，andifwedon\'tfindher，we\'llrundowntoMollyhay[4]andgetafewextracasks。\"
[4]Mulege-IretaintheOldTimer\'spronunciation。
\"Perhapsthatmapiswrongaboutthetreasure，too，\"suggestedDenton。
\"Ithoughtofthat，\"saidHandySolomon，\"butthen，thinksItomyself，thisoldripprobablydon\'tmakenolongstayhere——justdodgesinandoutlike，betweentides，toburyhisloot。Hewouldneednowateratthetime；buthemightwhenhecameback，sohemarkedthewateronhismap。Buthewasn\'tnowaysparticularANDexact，beinginahurry。ButyoucankisstheBooktoitthathedidn\'tmakenosuchmistakesabouttheswag。\"
\"Ibelieveyou\'reright，\"saidI。
Whenwecametoturnin，Andersonsuggestedthatheshouldsleepaboardtheboat。ButBillySimpson，inmindperhapsofthehundredouncesinthecompass-box，insistedthathe\'djustassoonasnot。AfteralittleobjectionHandySolomongavein，butIthoughtheseemedsouraboutit。Webuiltagoodfire，andinabouttensecondswereasleep。
Now，usuallyIsleeplikealog，anddidthistimeuntilaboutmidnight。ThenallatonceIcamebroadawakeandsittingupinmyblankets。Nothinghadhappened——Iwasn\'tevendreaming——butthereIwasasalertandclearasthoughitwerebroadnoon。
BythelightofthefireIsawHandySolomonsitting，andathissideourfiveriflesgathered。
Imusthavemadesomenoise，forheturnedquietlytowardme，sawIwasawake，andnodded。Themoonlightwassparklingonthehardstonylandscape，andathindampnesscameoutfromthesea。
AfteraminuteAndersonthrewonanotherstickofwood，yawned，andstoodup。
\"It\'swet，\"saidhe；\"I\'vebeenfixingtheguns。\"
Heshowedmehowhewasinsertingalittlepatchoffeltbetweenthehammerandthenipple，aschemeofhisownforkeepingdampfromthepowder。Thenherolledupinhisblanket。Atthetimeitallseemedquitenatural——Isupposemymindwasn\'tfullyawake，forallmyheadfeltsoclear。AfterwardsIrealisedwhataridiculousbluffhewasmaking：forofcoursethecapalreadyonthenipplewasplentytokeepoutthedamp。Ifullybelieveheintendedtokillusaswelay。Onlymysuddenawakeningspoiledhisplan。
Ihadabsolutelynoideaofthisatthetime，however。Nottheslightestsuspicionenteredmyhead。Inviewofthatfact，I
havesincebelievedinguardianangels。Formynextmove，whichatthetimeseemedtomeabsolutelyaimless，wastochangemyblanketsfromonesideofthefiretotheother。Andthatbroughtmealongsidethefiverifles。
Owingtothisfact，Iamnowconvinced，weawokesafeatdaylight，cookedbreakfast，andlaidtheplanfortheday。
Andersondirectedus。Iwastoclimbovertheridgebeforeusandsearchintheravineontheotherside。Schwartzwastoexploreupthebeachtotheleft，andDentontotheright。
AndersonsaidhewouldwaitforBillySimpson，whohadoversleptinthedarknessofthecubbyhole，andwhowasnowpaddlingashore。Thetwoofthemwouldpushinlandtothewestuntilahighhillwouldgivethemachancetolookaroundforgreenery。
Westartedatonce，beforethesunwouldbehot。ThehillIhadtoclimbwassteepandcoveredwithchollas，soIdidn\'tgetalongveryfast。WhenIwasabouthalfwaytothetopIheardashotfromthebeach。Ilookedback。Andersonwasinthesmallboat，rowingrapidlyouttothevessel。DentonwasrunningupthebeachfromonedirectionandSchwartzfromtheother。Islidandslippeddownthebluff，gettingprettywellstuckupwiththechollaspines。
AtthebeachwefoundBillySimpsonlyingonhisace，shotthroughtheback。Weturnedhimover，buthewasapparentlydead。Andersonhadhoistedthesail，hadcutloosefromtheanchor，andwassailingaway。
Dentonstoodupstraightandtall，looking。Thenhepulledhisbeltinahole，grabbedmyarm，andstartedtorunupthelongcurveofthebeach。BehinduscameSchwartz。Werannearamile，andthenfellamongsometulesinaninletatthefartherpoint。
\"Whatisit？\"Igasped。
\"Ouronlychance——togethim——saidDenton。\"He\'sgottogoaroundthispoint——bigwind——perhapshismastwillbust——thenhe\'llcomeashore——\"Heopenedandshuthisbigbrownhands。
Sotherewetwofoolslay，likepanthersinthetules，takingouronlyone-in-a-millionchancetolayhandsonAnderson。Anysailorcouldhavetoldusthatthemastwouldn\'tbreak，butwehadwindedSchwartzaquarterofamileback。Andsowewaited，oureyesfixedontheboat\'ssail，grudginghereveryinch，justburningtofixthingstosuitusalittlebetter。AndnaturallyshemadethepointinwhatInowknowwasonlyafreshbreeze，squaredaway，anddroppeddownbeforethewindtowardGuaymas。
Wewalkedbackslowlytoourcamp，swallowingthecoppertasteoftoohardarun。Schwartzwepickedupfromaboulder，justrecovering。Wewereallofuscrazymad。Schwartzhalfwept，andblamedandcussed。Dentongloweredawayinsilence。I
groundmyfeetintothesandinahelplesssortofanger，notonlyatthemanhimself，butalsoatthewholewaythingshadturnedout。Idon\'tbelievetheleastnotionofourpredicamenthadcometoanyofus。Allweknewyetwasthatwehadbeendoneup，andwewerehostileaboutit。
Butatcampwefoundsomethingtooccupyusforthemoment。PoorBillywasnotdead，aswehadsupposed，butveryweakandsick，andaholesquarethroughhim。Whenwereturnedhewasconscious，butthatwasaboutall。Hiseyeswereshut，andhewasmoaning。Itoreopenhisshirttostanchtheblood。Hefeltmyhandandopenedhiseyes。Theywereglazed，andIdon\'tthinkhesawme。
\"Water，water！\"hecried。
Atthatweotherssawallatoncewherewestood。IrememberI
rosetomyfeetandfoundmyselfstaringstraightintoTomDenton\'seyes。WelookedateachotherthatwayforIguessitwasafullminute。ThenTomshookhishead。
\"Water，water！\"beggedpoorBilly。
Tomleanedoverhim。
\"MyGod，Billy，thereain\'tanywater！\"saidhe。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
BURIEDTREASURE
TheOldTimer\'svoicebrokealittle。Wehadleisuretonoticethateventhedripfromtheeaveshadceased。Afaint，diffusedlightvouchsafedusdimoutlinesofsprawlingfiguresandtumbledbedding。Farinthedistanceoutsideawolfyelped。
Wecoulddonothingforhimexceptshelterhimfromthesun，andwethisforeheadwithsea-water；norcouldwethinkclearlyforourselvesaslongasthesparkoflifelingeredinhim。Hischestroseandfellregularly，butwithlongpausesbetween。
Whenthesunwasoverheadhesuddenlyopenedhiseyes。
\"Fellows，\"saidhe，\"it\'sbeautifuloverthere；thegrassissogreen，andthewatersocool；Iamtiredofmarching，andI
reckonI\'llcrossoverandcamp。\"
Thenhedied。Wescoopedoutashallowholeabovetide-mark，andlaidhiminit，andpiledoverhimstonesfromthewash。
Thenwewentbacktothebeach，verysolemn，totalkitover。
\"Now，boys，\"saidI，\"thereseemstomejustonethingtodo，andthatistopikeoutforwaterasfastaswecan。\"
\"Where？\"askedDenton。
\"Well，\"Iargued，\"Idon\'tbelievethere\'sanywateraboutthisbay。Maybetherewaswhenthatchartwasmade。Itwasalongtimeago。Andanyway，theoldpiratewasasailor，andnoplainsman，andmaybehemistookrainwaterforaspring。We\'velookedaroundthisendofthebay。Thechancesarewe\'duseuptwoorthreedaysexploringaroundtheother，andthenwouldn\'tbeaswelloffaswearerightnow。\"
\"Whichway？\"askedDentonagain，mightybrief。
\"Well，\"saidI，\"there\'sonethingI\'vealwaysnoticedincaseoffolksheldupbythedesert：theygenerallygowanderingabouthereandtherelookingforwateruntiltheydienotfarfromwheretheygotlost。Andusuallythey\'vecoveredaheapofactualdistance。\"
\"That\'sso，\"agreedDenton。
\"Now，I\'vealwaysfiguredthatitwouldbeagooddealbettertostartrightoutforsomeparticularplace，evenifit\'stenthousandmilesaway。Amanisjustaslikelytostrikewatergoinginastraightlineasheisgoinginacircle；andthen，besides，he\'sgettingsomewhere。\"
\"Correct，\"saidDenton，\"So，\"Ifinished，\"Ireckonwe\'dbetterfollowthecoastsouthandtrytogettoMollyhay。\"
\"Howfaristhat？\"askedSchwartz。
\"Idon\'trightlyknow。Butsomewheresbetweenthreeandfivehundredmiles，ataguess。\"
Atthathefelltogloweringandgroomingwithhimself，broodingoverwhatahardtimeitwasgoingtobe。ThatisthewaywithaGerman。Firstoffhe\'splumbscaredattheprospectofsufferinganything，andwouldratherdierightoffthantakelongchances。
Afterhegetsintotheswingofit，hebehavesaswellasanyman。
\"Wetookstockofwhatwehadtodependon。Thetotalassetsprovedtobejustthreepairsoflegs。Apotofcoffeehadbeenonthefire，butthatvillainhadkickeditoverwhenheleft。
Thekettleofbeanswasthere，butsomehowwegotthenotiontheymighthavebeenpoisoned，soweleftthem。Idon\'tknownowwhyweweresofoolish——ifpoisonwashisgame，he\'dhavetrieditbefore——butatthattimeitseemedreasonableenough。Perhapsthehorrorofthemorning\'swork，andthesightofthebrittle-brownmountains，andtheghastlyyellowglareofthesun，andthebluewavesracingbyoutside，andthebigstrongwindthatblewthroughussohardthatitseemedtoblowemptyoursouls，hadturnedourjudgment。Anyway，weleftafullmealthereinthebeanpot。
SowithoutanyfurtherdelaywesetoffuptheridgeIhadstartedtocrossthatmorning。Schwartzlagged，sulkyasamuleycow，butwemanagedtokeephimwithus。Atthetopoftheridgewetookourbearingsforthenextdeepbay。Alreadywehadmadeupourmindstosticktothesea-coast，bothonaccountofthelowercountryoverwhichtotravelandtheoffchanceoffallinginwithafishingvessel。Schwartzmutteredsomethingaboutitsbeingtoofareventothenextbay，andwantedtositdownonarock。Dentondidn\'tsayanything，buthejerkedSchwartzupbythecollarsofiercelythattheGermangaveitoverandcamealong。
Wedroppeddownintothegully，stumbledovertheboulderwash，andbegantotoilintheankle-deepsandofalittlesage-brushflatthissideofthenextascent。Schwartzfollowedsteadilyenoughnow，buthadfallenfortyorfiftyfeetbehind。Thiswasanuisance，aswebadtokeepturningtoseeifhestillkeptup。
Suddenlyheseemedtodisappear。
DentonandIhurriedbacktofindhimonhishandsandkneesbehindasagebrush，clawingawayatthesandlikemad。
\"Can\'tbewateronthisflat，\"saidDenton；\"hemusthavegonecrazy。\"
\"What\'sthematter，Schwartz？\"Iasked。
Foranswerhemovedalittletooneside，showingbeneathhiskneeonecornerofawoodenboxstickingabovethesand。
Atthiswedroppedbesidehim，andinfiveminuteshaduncoveredthewholeofthechest。Itwasnotverylarge，andwaslocked。
Arockfromthewashfixedthat，however。Wethrewbackthelid。
Itwasfulltothebrimofgoldcoins，throwninloose，nightwobushelsofthem。
\"Thetreasure！\"Icried。
Thereitwas，sureenough，orsomeofit。Welookedtherestthrough，butfoundnothingbutthegoldcoins。Thealtarornamentsandjewelswerelacking。
\"Probablyburiedinanotherboxorso，\"saidDenton。
Schwartzwantedtodigaroundalittle。
\"Nogood，\"saidI。\"We\'vegotourworkcutoutforusasitis。\"
Dentonbackedmeup。Wewerebotholdhandsatthebusiness，hadeachinourtimesufferedthe\"cotton-mouth\"thirst，andthememoryofitoutweighedanydesirefortreasure。
ButSchwartzwasmoney-mad。Lefttohimselfhewouldhavestaidonthatsandflattoperish，ascertainlyashadpoorBilly。Wehadfairlytoforcehimaway，andthensucceededonlybecausewelethimfillallhispocketstobulgingwiththecoins。Aswemovedupthenextrise，hekeptlookingbackandutteringlittlemoansagainstthecrimeofleavingit。
Luckilyforusitwaswinter。Weshouldn\'thavelastedsixhoursatthistimeofyear。Asitwas，thesunwashotagainsttheshaleandthelittlestonesofthosecussedhills。Weploddedalonguntillateafternoon，toilinguponehillanddownanother，onlytorepeatimmediately。Towardssundownwemadethesecondbay，whereweplungedintothesea，clothesandall，andweregreatlyrefreshed。Isupposeamanabsorbsagooddealthatway。
Anyhow，italwaysseemedtohelp。
Wewerenowprettyhungry，and，aswewalkedalongtheshore，webegantolookforturtlesorshellfish，oranythingelsethatmightcomehandy。Therewasnothing。Schwartzwantedtostopforanight\'srest，butDentonandIknewbetterthanthat。
\"Lookhere，Schwartz，\"saidDenton，\"youdon\'trealiseyou\'reenteredagainsttimeinthisrace——andthatyou\'readamnfooltocarryallthatweightinyourclothes。\"
Sowedraggedalongallnight。
Itwasweirdenough，Icantellyou。Themoonshonecoldandwhiteoverthatdead，drycountry。Hotwhiffsrosefromthebakedstonesandhillsides。Shadowslayunderthestoneslikeanimalscrouching。Whenwecametotheedgeofasilveryhillwedroppedoffintopitchyblackness。Therewestumbledoverbouldersforaminuteorso，andbegantoclimbthesteepshaleontheotherside。Thiswasfearfulwork。Thetopseemedalwaysmilesaway。Bymorningwedidn\'tseemtohavemademuchofanywhere。Thesameoldhollow-lookingmountainswiththesharpedgesstuckupinaboutthesameoldplaces。
Wehadgotoverbeingveryhungry，and，thoughwewereprettydry，wedidn\'treallysufferyetfromthirst。AboutthistimeDentonranacrosssomefishhookcactus，whichwecutupandchewed。Theyhaveastickywetsortofinside，whichdoesn\'tquenchyourthirstany，buthelpstokeepyoufromdryingupandblowingaway。
Allthatdaywepluggedalongasperusual。Itwasmainhardwork，andwegottothatstatewherethingsaredisagreeable，butmechanical。Strangetosay，Schwartzkeptinthelead。Itseemedtomeatthetimethathewasusingmoreenergythantheoccasioncalledfor——justasmanrunsfasterbeforehecomestothegiving-outpoint。However，thehourswentby，andhedidn\'tseemtogetanymoretiredthantherestofus。
Wekeptasharplookoutforanythingtoeat，buttherewasnothingbutlizardsandhornedtoads。Laterwe\'dhavebeengladofthem，butbythattimewe\'dgotoutoftheirdistrict。Nightcame。Justatsundownwetookanotherwallowinthesurf，andchewedsomemorefishhookcactus。Whenthemooncameupwewenton。
I\'mnotgoingtotellyouhowdeadbeatwegot。Wewereprettytoughandstrong，forallofushadbeenusedtohardliving，butafterthethirddaywithoutanythingtoeatandnowatertodrink，itcametobeprettyhardgoing。ItgottothepointwherewehadtohavesomeREASONforgettingoutbesidesjustkeepingalive。Amanwouldsometimesratherdiethankeepalive，anyway，ifitcameonlytothat。ButIknowImadeupmymindI
wasgoingtogetoutsoIcouldsmashupthatAnderson，andI
reckonDentonhadthesameidea。Schwartzdidn\'tsayanything，buthepumpedonaheadofus，hisbackbentover，andhisclothessaggingandbulgingwiththegoldhecarried。
Weusedtotravelallnight，becauseitwascool，andrestanhourortwoatnoon。Thatisalltherestwedidget。Idon\'tknowhowfastwewent；I\'dgotbeyondthat。Wemusthavecrawledalongmightyslow，though，afterourfirststrengthgaveout。
ThewayIusedtodowastocollectmyselfwithaneffort，lookaroundformybearings，pickoutalandmarkalittledistanceoff，andforgeteverythingbutit。ThenI\'dplodalong，knowingnothingbutthesandandshaleandslopeundermyfeet，untilI\'dreachedthatlandmark。ThenI\'dclearmymindandpickoutanother。
ButIcouldn\'tshutoutthefigureofSchwartzthatway。Heusedtowalkalongjustaheadofmyshoulder。Hisfacewasalltwistedup，butIrememberthinkingatthetimeitlookedmoreasifhewasworriedinhismindthanlikebodilysuffering。Theweightofthegoldinhisclothesbenthisshouldersover。
Aswewentonthecountrygraduallygottobemoremountainous，and，asweweresteadilygrowingweaker，itdidseemthingswerepilinguponus。Theeighthdayweranoutofthefishhookcactus，and，beingonahighpromontory，wereoutoftouchwiththesea。Forthefirsttimemytonguebegantoswellalittle。
Thecactushadkeptmefromthatbefore。Dentonmusthavebeeninthesamefix，forhelookedatmeandraisedoneeyebrowkindofhumorous。