Schwartzwashavingagooddealofdifficultytonavigate。I
willsayforhimthathehaddonewell，butnowIcouldseethathisstrengthwasgoingonhiminspiteofhimself。Heknewit，allright，forwhenwerestedthatdayhetookallthegoldcoinsandspreadtheminarow，andcountedthem，andputthembackinhispocket，andthenallofasuddensnatchedouttwohandfulsandthrewthemasfarashecould。
\"Tooheavy，\"hemuttered，butthatwasallhecouldbringhimselftothrowaway。
Allthatnightwewanderedhighintheair。Iguesswetriedtokeepageneraldirection，butIdon\'tknow。Anyway，alonglate，butbeforemoonrise——shewasnowonthewane——Icameto，andfoundmyselflookingovertheedgeofatwenty-footdrop。RightbelowmeImadeoutafaintglimmerofwhiteearthinthestarlight。SomehowitremindedmeofalittletrailIusedtoknowunderabigrockbackinTexas。
\"Here\'satrail，\"Ithought，morethanhalfloco；\"I\'llfollowit！\"
Atleastthat\'swhathalfofmethought。Theotherhalfwassensible，andknewbetter，butitseemedtobekindofstandingtooneside，alittlescornful，watchingtheperformance。SoI
slidandslippeddowntothestripofwhiteearth，and，sureenough，itwasatrail。Atthatthelocohalfofmegavethesensiblepartthelaugh。Ifollowedthepathtwentyfeetandcametoadarkhollowundertherock，andinitaroundpoolofwateraboutafootacross。Theysayamankillshimselfdrinkingtoomuch，afterstarvingforwater。Thatmaybe，butitdidn\'tkillme，andIsuckedupallIcouldhold。Perhapsthefishhookcactushadhelped。Well，sir，itwassurprisinghowthatdrinkbroughtmearound。AminutebeforeI\'dbeenontheedgeofgoingplumbloco，andhereIwasasclear-headedasalawyer。
IhuntedupDentonandSchwartz。Theydrank，themselvesfull，too。Thenwerested。Itwasmightyhardtoleavethatspring——
Oh，wehadtodoit。We\'dhavestarvedsure，there。Thetrailwasagametrail，butthatdidusnogood，forwehadnoweapons。
Howwedidwishforthecoffeepot，sowecouldtakesomeaway。
Wefilledourhats，andcarriedthemaboutthreehours，beforethewaterbegantosoakthrough。Thenwehadtodrinkitinordertosaveit。
Thecountryfairlystooduponend。Wehadtoclimbseparatelittlehillssoastoavoidrollingrocksdownoneachother。Ittookitoutofus。Aboutthistimewebegantoseemountainsheep。Theywouldcomerightuptotheedgesofthesmallcliffstolookatus。Wethrewstonesatthem，hopingtohitoneintheforehead，butofcoursewithoutanyresults。
Thegoodeffectsofthewaterlastedusaboutaday。Thenwebegantoseethingsagain。OffandonIcouldseewaterplainascouldbeineveryhollow，andgameofallkindsstandingaroundandlookingatme。Iknewthesewereallfakes。BymakinganeffortIcouldswingthingsaroundtowheretheybelonged。I
usedtodothateveryonceinawhile，justtobesureweweren\'tdoublingback，andtolookoutforrealwater。Butmostofthetimeitdidn\'tseemtobeworthwhile。Ijustletallthesevisionsriotaroundandhaveagoodtimeinsidemeoroutsideme，whicheveritwas。IknewIcouldgetridofthemanyminute。
Mostofthetime，ifIwasinanydoubt，itwaseasiertothrowastonetoseeiftheanimalswererealornot。Therealonesranaway。
Webegantoseebandsofwildhorsesintheuplands。OnedaybothDentonandIplainlysawonewithsaddlemarksonhim。Ifonlyoneofushadseenhim，itwouldn\'thavecountedmuch，butwebothmadehimout。Thisencourageduswonderfully，thoughI
don\'tseewhyitshouldhave。Wehadtoppedthehighcountry，too，andhadstarteddowntheothersideofthemountainsthatranoutonthepromontory。DentonandIwerestillnavigatingwithoutanythoughtofgivingup，butSchwartzwasgettinginbadshape。I\'dhatetopacktwentypoundsoverthatcountryevenwithrest，food，andwater。Hewastotingitonnothing。Wetoldhimso，andhecametoseeit，buthenevercouldpersuadehimselftogetridofthegoldallatonce。Insteadhethrewawaythepiecesonebyone。Eachsacrificeseemedtonervehimupforanotherheat。Icanshutmyeyesandseeitnow——thewide，glaring，yellowcountry，thepasteboardmountains，wethreedraggingalong，andthefiercesunshineflashingfromthedoubloonsasonebyonetheywentspinningthroughtheair。
CHAPTERFOURTEEN，THECHEWEDSUGARCANE
\"I\'dliketohavetrailedyoufellows，\"sighedavoicefromthecorner。
\"Wouldyou！\"saidColoradoRogersgrimly。
Itwasfivedaystothenextwater。Buttheywereworsethantheeightdaysbefore。Wewerelucky，however，foratthespringwediscoveredinadeepwashnearthecoast，wasthedried-upskullofahorse。Ithadbeentherealongtime，butafewshredsofdriedfleshstillclungtoit。Itwastheonlythingthatcouldbedescribedasfoodthathadpassedourlipssincebreakfastthirteendaysbefore。Inthattimewehadcrossedthemountainchain，andhadcomeagaintothesea。TheLordwasgoodtous。
Hesentusthewater，andthehorse\'sskull，andthesmoothhardbeach，withoutbreaksorthenecessityofclimbinghills。Andweneededit，oh，Ipromiseyou，weneededit！
Idoubtifanyofuscouldhavekeptthedirectionexceptbysuchanobviousandcontinuouslandmarkastheseatoourleft。Ithardlyseemedworthwhiletofocusmymind，butIdiditoccasionallyjustbywayoftestingmyself。Schwartzstillthrewawayhisgoldcoins，andonce，inoneofmyrareintervalsoflookingaboutme，IsawDentonpickingthemup。Thissurprisedmemildly，butIwastootiredtobeverycurious。Onlynow，whenIsawSchwartz\'sarmsweepoutinwhathadbecomeamechanicalmovement，Ialwaystookpainstolook，andalwaysI
sawDentonsearchforthecoin。Sometimeshefoundit，andsometimeshedidnot。
Thefiguresofmycompanionsandtheyellow-browntidesandundermyfeet，andaconsciousnessoftheblueandwhiteseatomyleft，areallIremember，exceptwhenwehadtopullourselvestogetherforthepurposeofcuttingfishhookcactus。Ikeptgoing，andIknewIhadagoodreasonfordoingso，butitseemedtoomuchofanefforttorecallwhatthatreasonwas。
Schwartzthrewawayagoldpieceasanothermanwouldtakeastimulant。Gradually，withoutreallythinkingaboutit，Icametoseethis，andthenwentontosabewhyDentonpickedupthecoins；andagreatadmirationforDenton\'sclevernessseepedthroughmelikewaterthroughthesand。HewassavingthecoinstokeepSchwartzgoing。Whenthelastcoinwent，Schwartzwouldgiveout。Itallsoundsqueernow，butitseemedallrightthen——anditWASallright，too。
Sowewalkedonthebeach，losingentiretrackoftime。AndafteralongintervalIcametomyselftoseeSchwartzlyingonthesand，andDentonstandingoverhim。Ofcoursewe\'dallbeenfallingdownalot，butalwaysbeforewe\'dgotupagain。
\"He\'sgiveout，\"croakedDenton。
Hisvoicesoundedasifitwasmilesaway，whichsurprisedme，but，whenIanswered，minesoundedmilesaway，too，whichsurprisedmestillmore。
Dentonpulledoutahandfulofgoldcoins。
\"Thiswillbuyhimsomemorewalk，\"saidhegravely，\"butnotmuch。\"
Inodded。Itseemedallright，thisnew，strangepurchasingpowerofgold——itWASallright，byGod，andasrealasbuyingbricks——
\"I\'llgoon，\"saidDenton，\"andsendbackhelp。Youcomeafter。\"
\"ToMollyhay！\"saidI。
ThisfarIreckonwe\'dhungontoourselvesbecauseitwasserious。NowIbegantolaugh。SodidDenton。Welaughedandlaughed。
\"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay。\"
saidI。Thenwelaughedsomemore，untilthetearsrandownourcheeks，andwehadtoholdourpoorweaksides。Prettysoonwefetchedupwithagasp。
\"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，\"
whisperedDenton，andthenoffwewentintomoreshrieks。Andwhenwewouldsoberdownalittle，oneortheotherofuswouldsayitagain；
\"AdamnlongwayToMollyhay，\"
andthenwe\'dlaughsomemore。Itmusthavebeenasweetsight！
AtlastIrealisedthatweoughttopullourselvestogether，soI
snubbedupshort，andDentondidthesame，andwesettolayingplans。Buteveryminuteorsooneofuswouldcatchonsomeword，andthenwe\'dtrailoffintorhymesandlaughterandrepetition。
\"Keephimgoingaslongasyoucan，\"saidDenton。
\"Yes。\"
\"Andbesuretosticktothebeach。\"
Thatfaritwasallrightandclear-headed。Buttheword\"beach\"
letusout。
\"I\'mapeachUponthebeach，\"
singsI，andtherewewerebothoffagainuntiloneortheothermanagedtogropehiswaybacktocommonsenseagain。Andsometimeswecrow-hoppedsolemnlyaroundandaroundtheprostrateSchwartzlikeapairofInjins。
Butsomehowwegotourplanlaidatlast，slippedthecoinsintoSchwartz\'spocket，andsaidgood-bye。
\"Oldsocks，good-bye，YoubetI\'lltry，\"
yelledDenton，andlaughingfittokill，dancedoffupthebeach，andoutintoasortofgreymistthatshutoffeverythingbeyondacertaindistancefrommenow。
SoIkickedSchwartz，hefeltinhispocket，threwagoldpieceaway，and\"boughtalittlemorewalk。\"
Myentirevisionwasfiftyfeetorsoacross。Beyondthatwasgreymist。InsidemycircleIcouldseethesandquiteplainlyandDenton\'sfootprints。IfImovedalittletotheleft，thewashofthewaterswouldlapundertheedgeofthatgreycurtain。
IfImovedtotheright，Icametocliffs。ThenearerIdrewtothem，thefartherupIcouldsee，butIcouldneverseetothetop。ItusedtoamusemetomovethisareaofconsciousnessabouttoseewhatIcouldfind。Actualphysicalsufferingwasbeginningtodull，andmyheadseemedtobegettingclearer。
Oneday，withoutanyapparentreason，Imovedatrightanglesacrossthebeach。Directlybeforemelayapieceofsugarcane，andoneendofithadbeenchewed。
Doyouknowwhatthatmeant？Animalsdon\'tcutsugarcaneandbringittothebeachandchewoneend。Anewstrengthranthroughme，andactuallythegreymistthinnedandliftedforamoment，untilIcouldmakeoutdimlythelineofcliffsandthetumblingsea。
Iwasnotabithungry，butIchewedonthesugarcane，andmadeSchwartzdothesame。WhenwewentonIkeptclosetothecliff，eventhoughthewalkingwassomewhatheavier。
Irememberafterthatitsgettingdarkandthenlightagain，sothenightmusthavepassed，butwhetherwerestedorwalkedIdonotknow。Probablywedidnotgetveryfar，thoughcertainlywestaggeredaheadaftersun-up，forIremembermyshadow。
Aboutmidday，Isuppose，Imadeoutadimtrailleadingupabreakinthecliffs。Plentyofsuchtrailswehadseenbefore。
Theyweregenerallymadebypeccariesinsearchofcast-upfish——
Ihopetheyhadbetterluckthanwe。
Butinthemiddleofthis，asthoughforasign，layanotherpieceofchewedsugarcane。
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
THECALABASHSTEW
IhadagreedwithDentontosticktothebeach，butSchwartzcouldnotlastmuchlonger，andIhadnottheslightestideahowfaritmightprovetobetoMollyhay。SoIturnedupthetrail。
Weclimbedamountaintenthousandfeethigh。Imeanthat；andI
know，forI\'veclimbedthemthathigh，andIknowjusthowitfeels，andhowmanytimesyouhavetorest，andhowlongittakes，andhowmuchitknocksoutofyou。Thosearethethingsthatcountinmeasuringheight，andsoItellyouweclimbedthatfar。ActuallyIsupposethehillwasacoupleofhundredfeet，ifnotless。ButonaccountofthegreymistImentioned，I
couldnotseethetop，andtheillusionwascomplete。
Wereachedthesummitlateintheafternoon，forthesunwassquareinoureyes。Butinsteadofblindingme，itseemedtoclearmysight，sothatIsawbelowmealittlemudhutwithsmokerisingbehindit，andasmallpatchofcultivatedground。
I\'llpassoverhowIfeltaboutit：theyhaven\'tmadethewords——
Well，westumbleddownthetrailandintothehut。AtfirstI
thoughtitwasempty，butafteraminuteIsawaveryoldmancrouchedinacorner。AsIlookedathimheraisedhisblearedeyestome，hisheadswingingslowlyfromsidetosideasthoughwithakindofpalsy。Hecouldnotseeme，thatwasevident，norhearme，butsomeinstinctnotyetdecayedturnedhimtowardanewpresenceintheroom。InmywilddesireforwaterIfoundroomtothinkthatherewasamanevenworseoffthanmyself。
Avesselofwaterwasinthecorner。Idrankit。ItwasmorethanIcouldhold，butIdrankevenafterIwasfilled，andthewasteranfromthecornersofmymouth。IhadforgottenSchwartz。Theexcessmademealittlesick，butIhelddownwhatIhadswallowed，andIreallybelieveitsoakedintomysystemasitdoesintothedesertearthafteradrought。
InamomentorsoItookthevesselandfilleditandgaveittoSchwartz。Thenitseemedtomethatmyresponsibilityhadended。
Asuddengreatdreamylassitudecameoverme。IknewIneededfood，butIhadnowishforit，andnoambitiontosearchitout。
Themaninthecornermumbledatmewithhistoothlessgums。I
rememberwonderingifwewerealltostarvetherepeacefullytogether——Schwartzandhisremaininggoldcoins，themanfargoneinyears，andmyself。Ididnotgreatlycare。
Afterawhilethelightwasblottedout。Therefollowedaslightpause。ThenIknewthatsomeonehadflowntomyside，andwaskneelingbesidemeandsayingliquid，pityingthingsinMexican。
Iswallowedsomethinghotandstrong。InamomentIcamebackfromwhereverIwasdrifting，tolookupataMexicangirlabouttwentyyearsold。
Shewasnogreatmatterinlooks，butsheseemedlikeanangeltomethen。Andshehadsense。Noquestions，nonothing。Justbusiness。TheonlythingsheaskedofmewasifIunderstoodSpanish。
Thenshetoldmethatherbrotherwouldbebacksoon，thattheywereverypoor，thatshewassorryshehadnomeattoofferme，thattheywereVERYpoor，thatalltheyhadwascalabash——asortofsquash。Allthistimeshewasbustlingthingstogether。NextthingIknowIhadabigbowlofcalabashstewbetweenmyknees。
Now，strangelyenough，Ihadnogreatinterestinthatcalabashstew。Itastedit，satandthoughtawhile，andtasteditagain。
ByandbyIhademptiedthebowl。Itwasgettingdark。Iwasverysleepy。Amancamein，butIwastoodrowsytopayanyattentiontohim。Iheardthesoundofvoices。ThenIwaspickedupbodilyandcarriedtoanout-buildingandlaidonapileofskins。Ifelttheweightofablanketthrownoverme——
Iawokeinthenight。Mindyou，Ihadpracticallyhadnorestatallforamatterofmorethantwoweeks，yetIwokeinafewhours。And，remember，evenineatingthecalabashstewIhadfeltnohungerinspiteofmylongfast。ButnowIfoundmyselfravenous。Youboysdonotknowwhathungeris。ItHURTS。AndalltherestofthatnightIlayawakechewingontherawhideofapack-saddlethathungnearme。
NextmorningtheyoungMexicanandhissistercametousearly，bringingmorecalabashstew。Ifellonitlikeawildanimal，andjustwallowedinit，soeagerwasItoeat。Theystoodandwatchedme——andIsupposeSchwartz，too，thoughIhadnowlostinterestinanyonebutmyself——glancingateachotherinpityfromtimetotime。
WhenIhadfinishedthemantoldmethattheyhaddecidedtokillabeefsowecouldhavemeat。Theywereverypoor，butGodhadbroughtustothem——
Iappreciatedthisafterward。AtthetimeImerelycaughtattheword\"meat。\"ItseemedtomeIcouldhaveeatentheanimalentire，hide，hoofs，andtallow。Asamatteroffact，itwasmightyluckytheydidn\'thaveanymeat。Iftheyhad，we\'dprobablyhavekilledourselveswithit。Isupposethecalabashwasaboutthebestthingforusunderthecircumstances。
TheMexicanwentouttohuntuphishorse。Icalledthegirlback。
\"HowfarisittoMollyhay？\"Iaskedher。
\"Aleague，\"saidshe。
Sowebadbeennearourjourney\'sendafterall，andDentonwasprobablyallright。
TheMexicanwentawayhorseback。Thegirlfeduscalabash。Wewaited。
Aboutoneo\'clockagroupofhorsemenrodeoverthehill。WhentheycamenearenoughIrecognisedDentonattheirhead。Thatmanwasoftemperedsteel——
Theyhadfollowedbackalongthebeach，caughtourtrailwherewehadturnedoff，andsodiscoveredus。Dentonhadfortunatelyfoundkindandintelligentpeople。
Wesaidgood-byetotheMexicangirl。ImadeSchwartzgiveheroneofhisgoldpieces。
ButDentoncouldnotwaitforustosay\"hullo\"even，hewassoanxioustogetbacktotown，sowemountedthehorseshehadbroughtus，androdeoff，verywobbly。
WelivedthreeweeksinMollyhay。Ittookusthatlongtogetfedup。TheladyIstayedwithmadeadishofkidmeatandstuffedolives——
Why，anhourafterfillingmyselfuptothemuzzleI\'dbehungryagain，andscoutingroundtohouseslookingformoretoeat！
Wetalkedthingsoveragooddeal，afterwehadgainedalittlestrength。IwantedtotakealittleflyeratGuaymastoseeifI
couldrunacrossthisHandySolomonperson，butDentonpointedoutthatAndersonwouldbeexpectingjustthat，andwouldtakemightygoodcaretobescarce。Hisideawasthatwe\'ddobettertogetholdofaboatandsomewatercasks，andlugoffthetreasurewehadstumbledover。Dentontoldusthattheideaofgoingbackandscoopingallthatdineroupwithashovelhadkepthimgoing，justastheideaofgettingevenwithAndersonhadkeptmegoing。Schwartzsaidthatafterhe\'dcarriedthatheavygoldoverthefirstday，hemadeuphismindhe\'dgetthespendingofitorbust。That\'swhyhehatedsotothrowitaway。
Therewerelotsoffishingboatsintheharbour，andwehiredone，andamantorunitfornexttonothingaweek。Welaidacoursenorth，andinsixdaysanchoredinourbay。
Itellyouitlookedqueer。Therewerethecharredsticksofthefire，andthecoffeepotlyingonitsside。WetookoffourhatsatpoorBilly\'sgraveaminute，andthenclimbedoverthecholla-coveredhillcarryingourpicksandshovels，andthecanvassackstotakethetreasureawayin。
Therewasnotroubleinreachingthesandyflat。Butwhenwegottherewefoundittornupfromoneendtotheother。Afewscatteredtimbersandthreeemptychestswiththecoverspriedoffaloneremained。HandySolomonhadbeentherebeforeus。
Wewentbacktoourboatsickatheart。Nobodysaidaword。WewentaboardandmadeourGreaserboatmanheadforYuma。Ittookusaweektogetthere。Wewereallofusglum，butDentonwastheworstofthelot。Evenafterwe\'dgotbacktotownandfallenintoouroldwaysoflife，hecouldn\'tseemtogetoverit。Heseemedplumbpossessedofgloom，andmopedaroundlikeachickenwiththepip。Thissurprisedme，forIdidn\'tthinkthelossofmoneywouldhithimsohard。Itdidn\'thitanyofusveryhardinthosedays。
OneeveningItookhimasideandfedhimadrink，andexpostulatedwithhim。
\"Oh，HELL，Rogers，\"heburstout，\"Idon\'tcareabouttheloot。
But，sufferingcats，thinkhowthatfellowsizedusupforalotofpattern-madefools；andhowrighthewasabout，it。Whyallhedidwastosailoutofsightaroundthenextcorner。Heknewwe\'dstartacrosscountry；andwedid。Allwehadtodowastolaylow，andsaveourlegs。HewasBOUNDtocomeback。Andwemighthavenailedhimwhenhelanded。\"
\"That\'saboutalltherewastoit，\"concludedColoradoRogers，afterapause，\"——exceptthatI\'vebeenlookingforhimeversince，andwhenIheardyousingingthatsongInaturallythoughtI\'dlanded。\"
\"Andyouneversawhimagain？\"askedWindyBill。
\"Well，\"chuckledRogers，\"Ididabouttenyearlater。ItwasinTucson。Iwasinthebackofastore，whenthedoorinfrontopenedandthismancamein。Hestoppedatthelittlecigar-casebythedoor。InaboutonejumpIwasonhisneck。Ijerkedhimoverbackwardsbeforeheknewwhathadstruckhim，threwhimonhisface，gotmyhandsinhisback-hair，andbegantojumphisfeaturesagainstthefloor。ThenallatonceInotedthatthismanhadtwoarms；soofcoursehewasthewrongfellow。\"Oh，excuseme，\"saidI，andranoutthebackdoor。\"
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
THEHONK-HONKBREED
ItwasSundayattheranch。Forawondertheweatherbadbeenfavourable；thewindmillswereallworking，thebogshaddriedup，thebeefhadlastedover，theremudahadnotstrayed——inshort，therewasnothingtodo。Sanghadgivenusabakedbread-puddingwithraisinsinit。Wefilledit——inawashbasinfullofit——ontopofafewincidentalpoundsofchilecon，bakedbeans，sodabiscuits，\"airtights，\"andotherdelicacies。Thenweadjournedwithourpipestotheshadysideoftheblacksmith\'sshopwherewecouldwatchtheravensontoptheadobewallofthecorral。Somebodytoldastoryaboutravens。Thisledtoroad-runners。Thissuggestedrattlesnakes。TheystartedWindyBill。
\"Speakin\'ofsnakes，\"saidWindy，\"Imindwhentheycatchedthegreat-granddaddyofallthebullsnakesupatLeadintheBlackHills。Iwasonlyakidthen。Thiswasn\'tnosuchtur\'blelongasnake，buthewasmore\'nafootthick。Lookedjustlikeasahuarostalk。MannameofTerwilligerSmithcatchedit。HenamedthisyerebullsnakeClarence，andgotitsoplumbgentleitfollowedhimeverywhere。OnedayoldP。T。BarnumcomealongandwantedtobuythisClarencesnake——offeredTerwilligerathousandcold——butSmithwouldn\'tpartwiththesnakenohow。SofinallytheyfixedupadealsoSmithcouldgoalongwiththeshow。TheyshovedClarenceinaboxinthebaggagecar，butafterawhileMr。Snakegetssolonesomehegnawsoutandstartstocrawlbacktofindhismaster。Justasheishalf-waybetweenthebaggagecarandthesmoker，thecouplin\'giveway——rightonthatheavygradebetweenCusterandRockyPoint。Well，sir，Clarencewoundhishead\'roundonebrakewheelandhistailaroundtheother，andheldthattraintogethertothebottomofthegrade。Butitstretchedhimtwenty-eightfeetandtheyhadtoadvertisehimasaboa-constrictor。\"
WindyBill\'sstoryofthefaithfulbullsnakearousedtoreminiscencethegrizzledstranger，whothereuponheldforthasfollows：
Wall，I\'veseethingsandI\'veheerdthings，someofthemornery，andsomeyou\'dlovetobelieve，theywasthatgorgeousandimprobable。Nat\'ralhistorywasalwaysmyhobbyandsportin\'
eventsmyspecialpleasureandthisyarnofWindy\'sremindsmeoftheonlychanstIeverhadtoringinbusinessandpleasureandhobbyallinonegrandmerry-go-roundofjoy。Itcomeaboutlikethis：
Oneday，afewyearback，Iwassittin\'onthebeachatSantaBarbarawatchin\'theskystayup，andwonderin\'whattodowithmyyear\'swages，whenalittlesquinch-eyeround-facewithbigbowspectaclescameandplumpeddownbesideme。
\"Didyoueverstoptothink，\"sayshe，shovin\'backhishat，\"thatifthehorsepowerdeliveredbythemwavesonthisbeachinonesinglehourcouldbeconcentratedbehindwashin\'machines，itwouldbeenoughtowashalltheshirtsforacityoffourhundredandfifty-onethousandonehundredandthirty-sixpeople？\"
\"Can\'tsayIeverdid，\"saysI，squintin\'athimsideways。
\"Fact，\"sayshe，\"anddiditeveroccurtoyouthatifallthefoodamaneatsinthecourseofanaturallifecouldbegatheredtogetheratonetime，itwouldfillawagon-traintwelvemileslong？\"
\"Youmakemehungry，\"saysI。
\"Andain\'titinterestin\'toreflect，\"hegoeson，\"thatifallthefinger-nailparin\'softhehumanraceforoneyearwastobecollectedandsubjectedtohydraulicpressureitwouldequalinsizethepyramidofCheops？\"
\"Lookyere，\"saysI，sittin\'up，\"didYOUeverpausetoexcogitatethatifallthehotairyouisdispensin\'wastobecollectedtogetheritwouldfillaballoonbigenoughtowaftyouandmeoverthatBullyvardofPalmstoyonderginmillonthecorner？\"
Hedidn\'tsaynothin\'tothat——justyankedmetomyfeet，facedmetowardstheginmillabovementioned，andexertedconsiderablepressureonmyarminurgin\'ofmeforward。
\"Youain\'tsomuchofadreamer，afterall，\"thinksI。\"Inimportantmattersyouareplumbdecisive。\"
Wesatdownatlittletables，andmyfriendorderedabeerandachickensandwich。
\"Chickens，\"sayshe，gazin\'atthesandwich，\"isadollarapieceinthiscountry，andplumbscarce。Didyoueverpausetoponderoverthereturnschickenswouldgiveonasmallinvestment？Sayyoustartwithtenhens。Eachhatchesoutthirteenaigs，ofwhichallowalossofsaysixforchildishaccidents。Attheendoftheyearyouhaseightychickens。Attheendoftwoyearsthatflockhasincreasedtosixhundredandtwenty。Attheendofthethirdyear——\"
Hehadthemedicinetongue！Tendayslaterhimandmewasoccupyin\'ofanoldranchfiftymilefromanywhere。Whentheyrunstage-coachesthisjointusedtobearoadhouse。Theoutlookwasonaboutathousandlittlebrownfoothills。Aroadtwomilesfourrodstwofooteleveninchesinsightrunbyinfrontofus。
Itcomeoveronefoothillanddisappearedoveranother。Iknowjusthowlongitwas，forlaterinthegameImeasuredit。
Outbackwasaboutahundredlittlewirechickencorralsfilledwithchickens。Wehadtwokinds。Thatwasthedoin\'sofTuscarora。MypardnercalledhimselfTuscaroraMaxillary。I
askedhimonceifthatwashisrealname。
\"It\'stherealestlittleoldnameyoueverheerdtellof，\"sayshe。\"Iknow，forImadeitmyself——likedthesoundofher。
Parentsain\'tgotnorightstonametheirchildren。Parentsdon\'thavetobecalledthemnames。\"
Well，thesechickens，asIsaid，wasoftwokinds。Thefirstwastheselow-set，heavyweightpropositionswithfeathersontheirlaigs，andnotmuchlaigsatthat，calledCochinChinys。Theotherwasatallridiculousoutfitmadeupentireofbulgin\'
breastandganglelaigs。Theystoodabouttwofootandahalftall，andwhentheywenttopeckthegroundtheirtailfeathersstuckstraightuptothesky。Tuskycalled\'emJapaneseGames。
\"Whichthechiefadvantageofthemchickensis，\"sayshe，\"thatinweightaboutninetypercentof\'emisbreastmeat。Nowmyideeis，thatifwecancross\'emwiththeseCochinChinyfowlswe\'llhavealow-hung，heavyweightchickenrunnin\'strongonbreastmeat。TheseJapGamesistoosmall，butifwecanbring\'emupinsizeandshortentheirlaigs，we\'llshorehaveawinner。\"
Thatlookedgoodtome，sowestartedinonthatidee。Thetheerywasbully，butshedidn\'tworkout。ThefirstbroodswehatchedgrowedupwithbighuskyCochinChinybodiesandlittleshortnecks，percheduponlaigsthreefootlong。Themchickenscouldn\'treachgroundnohow。Wehadtobuildatablefor\'emtoeatoff，andwhentheywentoutrustlin\'forthemselvestheyhadtoconfinethemselvestosidehillsorflyin\'insects。Theirbreastswasallright，though——\"Andthinkofthemdrumsticksfortheboardinghousetrade！\"saysTusky。
Sofarthingswasn\'tsobad。Wehadagoodgrubstake。Tuskyandmeusedtofeedthemchickenstwictaday，andthenusedtosetaroundwatchin\'theplayfulcritterschasegrasshoppersupan\'
downthewirecorrals，whileTuskyfiggeredoutwhat\'dhappenifsomebodywasdumfoolenoughtogatherupsomethin\'andfixitinbasketsorwagonsorsuch。Thatwaswhereweshowedourignoranceofchickens。
OnedayinthespringIhitchedup，rustledadozenoftheyoungstersintocoops，anddruvovertotherailroadtomakeourfirstsale。Icouldn\'tfoldthemchickensupintothemcoopsatfirst，butthenIstuckthecoopsuponaidgeandtheyworkedallright，thoughIwilladmittheywasacomicalsight。AttherailroadoneofthemtoweristtrainshadjustsloweddowntoahaltasIcomeup，andthetoweristwasparadin\'upanddownallowin\'theywasparticularenjoyin\'ofthewarmCalifornysunshine。Oneoldterrapin，withgreychinwhiskers，projectedover，withhiswife，andtookapeekthroughtheslatsofmycoop。Hestraighteneduplikesomeonehadtouchedhimoffwithared-hotpoker。
\"Stranger，\"saidhe，inascaredkindofwhisper，\"what\'sthem？\"
\"Them\'schickens，\"saysI。
Hetookanotherlonglook。
\"Marthy，\"sayshetotheoldwoman，\"thiswillbeaboutall！WecomeoutfromIowaytoseetheWondersofCaliforny，butIcan\'tgonothin\'strongerthanthis。Iftheseischickens，Idon\'twanttoseenoBigTrees。\"
Well，Isoldthemchickensallrightforadollarandtwobits，whichwasbetterthanIexpected，andgotanorderformore。
AbouttendayslaterIgotaletterfromthecommissionhouse。
\"Wearereturnin\'asampleofyourArtsandCraftschickenswiththelovin\'marksoftheteethstillontohim，\"saysthey。\"Don\'tsendanymoretilltheystopspursuin\'ofthenimblegrasshopper。
Dentistbillwillfoller。\"
Withthelettercametheremainsofoneofthechickens。TuskyandI，veryindignant，cookedherforsupper。Shewastough，allright。Wethoughtshemightdobetterbiled，soweputherinthepotovernight。Narybit。Well，thenwegotinterested。
Tuskykep\'thefiregoin\'andIrustledgreasewood。Wecookedherthreedaysandthreenights。Attheendofthattimeshewassortofpaleandfrazzled，butstillgivin\'pointstothree-year-oldjerkyoncohesionandotheruncompromisin\'forcesofNature。Weburiedherthen，andwentoutbacktorecuperate。
Therewecouldgazeonthesmilin\'landscape，dottedbyaboutfourhundredlong-laiggedchickensswoopin\'hereandthereaftergrasshoppers。
\"Wegottostopthat，\"saysI。
\"Wecan\'t，\"murmuredTusky，inspired。\"Wecan\'t。It\'sbornin\'em；it\'saprimalinstinct，liketheloveofamotherforheryoung，anditcan\'tbeeradicated！Themchickensisconstructedbyadivineprovidencefortheexpresspurposeofchasin\'
grasshoppers，jestasthebeaverismadeforbuildin\'dams，andthecow-puncherismadeforwhiskyandfaro-games。Wecan\'tkeep\'emfromit。Ifwewastoshut\'eminadarkcellar，they\'dflopafterimaginarygrasshoppersintheirdreams，anddieemaciatedinthemidstofplenty。Jimmy，we\'reupagintheCosmos，theoversoul——\"Oh，hehadthemedicinetongue，Tuskyhad，andrisin\'onthewingsofeloquencethatway，hehadmefadedintenminutes。InfifteenIwasweddedsolidtothenotionthatthebottomhaddroppedoutofthechickenbusiness。
Ithinknowthatifwe\'dshutthemhensup，wemighthave——still，Idon\'tknow；theywasagooddealinwhatTuskysaid。
\"TuscaroraMaxillary，\"saysI，\"didyoueverstoptoentertainthatbeautifulthoughtthatifallthedumfoolishnesspossessednowbythehumanracecouldbegatheredtogether，andlinedupalongsideofus，thefirstfellertocomealongwouldsaytoit\'Why，hello，Solomon！\'\"
Wequitthenotionofchickensforprofitrightthenandthere，butwecouldn\'tquittheplace。Wehadn\'tmuchmoney，foronething，andthenwe，kindoflikedloafin\'aroundandraisin\'alittlegardentruck，and——oh，well，Imightaswellsayso，wehadanotionaboutplacersinthedrywashbackofthehouseyouknowhowitis。Sowestayedon，andkepta-raisin\'theselong-laigsforthefunofit。Iusedtoliketowatch\'emprojectin\'around，andIfed\'emtwictadayaboutasusual。
SoTuskyandIlivedalonetheretogether，happyasducksinArizona。Aboutonc\'tinamonthsomebody\'dpikealongtheroad。
Shewasn\'tmuchofaroad，generallymorechuckholesthanbumps，thoughsometimesitwastheotherwayaround。UnlessithappenedtobeamanhorsebackormaybeafreighterwithoutthefearofGodinhissoul，wedidn\'thavenowordswiththem；theywastoobusycussin\'thehighwaysandgenerallytoomadforsocialdiscourses。
Onedayearlyintheyear，whenthe\'dobemudmaderutstoaddtothebumps，oneoftheseautomobeelswentpast。ItwasthefirstTuskyandmehadseeninthemparts，sowerunouttoviewher。
Owin\'tothehighspotsontheroad，shelookedlikeoneofthesemovin\'picters，astoblurandwobble；soundedlikeacyclonemingledwithcuss-words，andsmeltlikehellonhousecleanin\'
day。
\"Whichthemfolksdon\'tseemtobeenjoyin\'ofthescenery，\"saysItoTusky。\"Doyoureckonthattherebluetrailissmokefromthemachineorremarksfromtheinhabitantsthereof？\"
Tuskyraisedhisheadandsniffedlongandinquirin\'。
\"It\'slangwidge，\"sayshe。\"Didyoueverstoptothinkthatallthewordsinthedictionarystretchedendtoendwouldreach——\"
ButatthatminuteIcatchedsightofsomethin\'brasslyin\'intheroad。Itprovedtobeacurled-upsortofhornwitharubberbulbontheend。Isquozethebulbandjumpedtwentyfootovertheremarkshemade。
\"Jarredoffthemachine，\"saysTusky。
\"Oh，didit？\"saysI，mynervesstillwrong。\"Ithoughtmaybeithadgrowedupfromthesoillikeatoadstool。\"
Aboutthistimeweabolishedthewirechickencorrals，becauseweneededsomeofthewire。Themlong-laigsthereuponscatteredallovertheflatsearchin\'outtheirprey。WhenfeedtimecomeI
hadtoscreechmylungsoutgettin\'of\'emin，andthensometimestheydidn\'tallhear。Itwasplumbdiscouragin\'，andImightynighmadeupmymindtoquit\'em，buttheyhadcometobesortofpets，andIhatedtoturn\'emdown。ItusedtotickleTuskyalmosttodeathtoseemeouttherehollerin\'awaylikeanoldbull-frog。Heusedtocomeoutreg\'lar，withhispipelit，justtoenjoyme。FinallyIgotmadandopeneduponhim。
\"Oh，\"heexplains，\"itjustplumbamusesmetoseethedumfoolathischildishwork。Whydon\'tyouteach\'emtocometothatbrasshorn，andsaveyourvoice？\"
\"Tusky，\"saysI，withfeelin\'，\"sometimesyoudoseemtogetaglimmerofrealsense。\"
Well，firstoffthemchickensusedtothrowback-sommersetsoverthathorn。Youhavenoideehowslowchickensistolearnthings。Icouldtellyouthingsaboutchickens——say，thisyerebluffaboutroostersbein\'gallantisallwrong。I\'vewatched\'em。Whenonefindsanicefeedhegobblesitsofastthatthepiecesfollerdownhisthroatlikeyearlin\'sthroughaholeinthefence。It\'sonlywhenhescratchesupameaslyone-grainquick-lunchthathecallsupthehensandstandsnobleandself-sacrificin\'tooneside。Thatain\'tthepoint，whichis，thataftertwomonthsIhadthemlong-laigssothey\'ddropeverythin\'andcomekitin\'attheHONK-HONKofthathorn。Itwasapurtysighttosee\'em，sailin\'infromalldirectionstwentyfootatastride。Iwasproudof\'em，andnamed\'emtheHonk-honkBreed。Wedidn\'thavenoothers，forbynowthecoyotesandbob-catshadnailedthestraight-breds。Therewasn\'tnowildcatorcoyotecouldcatchoneofmyHonk-honks，no，sir！
Wemadealittleonourplacer——justenoughtokeepinterested。
Thenthesupervisorsdecidedtofixourroad，andwhat\'smore，THEYDONEIT！That\'stheonlypartinthisyarnthat\'shardtobelieve，but，boys，you\'llhavetotakeitonfaith。Theyploughedher，andcrownedher，andscrapedher，androlledher，andwhentheymovedonwehadthefanciesthighwayintheStateofCaliforny。
Thatnoon——thedaytheycalledherajob——TuskyandIsatsmokin\'
ourpipesasperusual，whenwayoverthefoothillsweseenacloudofdustandfainttoourcarswasboreawhizzin\'sound。
Thechickenswasgatheredunderthecottonwoodfortheheatoftheday，buttheydidn\'tpaynoattention。Thenfaint，butclear，weheardanotherofthembrasshorns：
\"Honk！honk！\"saysit，andeveryoneofthemchickenswokeup，andstoodatattention。
\"Honk！honk！\"itholleredclearerandnearer。
Thenoverthehillcomeanautomobeel，blowin\'vigorousateveryjump。
\"MyGod！\"IyellstoTusky，kickin\'overmychair，asIspringstomyfeet。\"Stop\'em！Stop\'em！\"
Butitwastoolate。Outthegatesprintedthempoordevotedchickens，anduptheroadtheytrailedinvainpursuit。Thelastweseenof\'emwasaminglingofdustanddimfiggersgoin\'
thirtymileanhourafteradisappearin\'automobeel。
Thatwasallweseenforthemoment。Aboutthreeo\'clockthefirststragglercamelimpin\'in，hiswingshangin\'，hismouthopen，hiseyesglazedwiththeheat。Bysundownfourteenhadreturned。Alltheresthaddisappearedutter；weneverseen\'emagain。Ireckontheyjustnaturallyrunthemselvesintoasunstrokeanddiedontheroad。
Ittakesalongtimetolearnachickenathing，butaheaplongertounlearnhim。Afterthattwoorthreeoftheseyereautomobeelswentbyeveryday，alla-blowin\'oftheirhorns，allkickin\'upahellofadust。AndeverytimethemfourteenHonk-honksofminetookalongafter\'em，justasI\'dtaught\'emtodo，layin\'togettotheircornwhentheycaughtup。Nomoreof\'emdied，butthatfourteendidgetintoeleganttrainin\'。
Afterawhiletheygotplumbtoenjoyin\'it。Whenyoucomerightdowntoit，achickendon\'thavemanyamusementsandrelaxationsinthislife。Searchin\'forworms，chasin\'grasshoppers，andwallerin\'inthedustisaboutthelimitsofjoysforchickens。
Itwassureafinesighttosee\'emaftertheygotwellintothegame。Aboutnineo\'clockeverymornin\'theywouldsaunterdowntotheriseoftheroadwheretheywouldwaitpatientuntilamachinecamealong。Thenitwouldwarmyourhearttoseetheenthusiasmofthem。With，exultantcacklesofjoythey\'dtrailin，reachin\'outlikequarter-horses，theirwingshalfspreadout，theireyesbeamin\'withdelight。Atthelowerturnthey\'dquit。Then，aftertalkin\'itoverexcited-likeforafewminutes，they\'dcalmdownandwaitforanother。
Afterafewmonthsofthissortoftrainin\'theygotpurtygoodatit。Ihadonetwo-year-oldroosterthatmadefifty-fourmileanhourbehindoneofthosesixty-horsepowerPanhandles。Whencarsdidn\'tcomealongoftenenough，they\'dallturnoutandchasejack-rabbits。Theywasn\'tmuchfunatthat。Afterashort，briefsprinttherabbitwouldcrouchdownplumbterrified，whiletheHonk-honkspulledofftriumphaldancesaroundhisshrinkin\'form。
Ourranchgottobepurtywellknownthemdaysamongautomobeelists。Thestrengthoftheircarswashorse-power，ofcourse，butthespeedofthemtheygottoratin\'bychicken-power。SomeofthemusedtocomewayupfromLosAngelesjusttotryoutanewcaralongourroadwiththeHonk-honksforpace-makers。Wechargedthemalittlesomethin\'，andthen，too，weopeneduptheroad-houseandthebar，sowedidpurtywell。
Itwasn\'tnecessarytoworkanylongeratthatbogusplacer。
Evenin\'swesataroundoutsideandswappedyarns，andIbraggedonmychickens。Thechickenswouldgatherroundclosetolisten。
Theylikedtoheartheirpraisessung，allright。Youbettheysabe！Theonlyreasonachicken，oranyothercritter，isn\'tintelligentisbecausehehasn\'tnochancetoexpand。
Why，weusedtorunraceswith\'em。Someofuswouldholdtwoormorechickensbackofachalkline，andthestarter\'dblowthehornfromahundredyardstoamileaway，dependin\'onwhetheritwasasprintorfordistance。Wehadpoolsontheresults，gaveodds，madebooks，andkeptrecords。Afterthethinggotknowedwemademoneyhandoverfist。
Thestrangerbrokeoffabruptlyandbegantorollacigarette。
\"Whatdidyouquititfor，then？\"venturedCharley，outofthehushedsilence。
\"Pride，\"repliedthestrangersolemnly。\"Haughtinessofspirit。\"
\"Howso？\"urgedCharley，afterapause。
\"Themchickens，\"continuedthestranger，afteramoment，\"stoodaroundlistenin\'tomea-braggin\'ofwhatsuperiorfowlstheywasuntiltheygotallpuffedup。Theywouldn\'thavenothin\'
whatevertodowiththeordinarychickenswebroughtinforeatin\'purposes，butstoodaroundlookin\'boredwhentherewasn\'tnosportdoin\'。TheygottobejustlikethatFourHundredyoureadaboutinthepapers。Itwasonecontinualroundofgrasshopperballs，racemeets，andafternoonhen-parties。Theygotidleandhaughty，justlikefolks。Thencomeracesuicide。
Theygottofeelin\'soaristocraticthehenswouldn\'thavenoeggs。\"
Nobodydaredsayaword。
\"WindyBill\'ssnake——\"beganthenarratorgenially。
\"Stranger，\"brokeinWindyBill，withgreatemphasis，\"astothatsnake，Iwantyoutounderstandthis：yereafterinmyestimationthatsnakeisnothin\'butanorneryangleworm！\"
PARTII
THETWOGUNMAN
CHAPTERONE
THECATTLERUSTLERS
BuckJohnsonwasAmericanborn，butwithablackbeardandadignityofmannerthathadearnedhimthetitleofSenor。HehaddriftedintosoutheasternArizonainthedaysofCochiseandVictorioandGeronimo。Hehadpersisted，andsointimehadcometocontrolthewater——andhencethegrazing——ofnearlyalltheSodaSpringsValley。Histroublesweremany，andhisdifficultiesgreat。Thereweretheordinaryproblemsofleananddryyears。TherewerealsotheextraordinaryproblemsofdevastatingApaches；rivalsforearlyandill-definedrangerights——andcattlerustlers。
SenorBuckJohnsonwasamanofcapacity，courage，directnessofmethod，andperseverance。Especiallythelatter。ThereforehehadsurvivedtoseetheApachessubdued，therangerightsadjusted，hiscattleincreasedtothousands，grazingtheareaofaprincipality。Now，alltheenergyandfireofhisfrontiersman\'snaturehehadturnedtowipingoutthethirduncertaintyofanuncertainbusiness。Hefounditataskofsomemagnitude。
ForSenorBuckJohnsonlivedjustnorthofthatterraincognitafilledwiththemysteryofadoublechanceofdeathfrommanortheflamingdesertknownastheMexicanborder。There，bynaturalgravitation，gatheredallthedesperatecharactersofthreeStatesandtworepublics。Hewhorodeintoittookgoodcarethatnooneshouldridebehindhim，livedwarily，sleptlight，andbreatheddeepwhenoncehehadagainsightedthefamiliarpeaksofCochise\'sStronghold。Nooneprofessedknowledgeofthosewhodwelttherein。Theymoved，mysteriousasthedesertillusionsthatcompassedthemabout。Asyourode，therangesofmountainsvisiblychangedform，themonstrous，snaky，sea-likegrowthsofthecactusclutchedatyourstirrup，mocklakessparkledanddissolvedinthemiddledistance，thesunbeathotandmerciless，thepowdereddryalkalibeathotlyandmercilesslyback——andstrange，grimmen，swarthy，bearded，heavilyarmed，withred-rimmedunshiftingeyes，rodesilentlyoutofthemistsofillusiontolookonyousteadily，andthentoridesilentlybackintothedeserthaze。Theymightbeonlytheherdersofthegauntcattle，oragaintheymightbelongtotheLostLegionthatpeopledthecountry。Allyoucouldknowwasthatofthemenwhoenteredin，butfewreturned。
Directlynorthofthisunknownlandyouencounteredparallelfencesrunningacrossthecountry。Theyenclosednothing，butofferedachecktothecattledriftingtowardtheclutchoftherenegades，andanobstacletoswift，dashingforays。
Ofcattle-rustlingtherearevariousforms。Theboldestconsistsquitesimplyofrunningoffabunchofstock，hustlingitovertheMexicanline，andtheresellingittosomeofthebigSonoraranchowners。Generallythissortmeanswar。Alsoaretheresubtlermeans，gradinginskillfromthere-brandingthroughawetblanket，throughthecraftyrefashioningofabrandtothevariousmethodsofseparatingthecowfromherunbrandedcalf。
InthecourseofhistaskSenorBuckJohnsonwouldhavetodowiththemall，butatpresentheexistedinastateofwarfare，fightinganenemywhostoleastheIndiansusedtosteal。
Alreadybehadfoughttwopitchedbattlesandhadwonthemboth。
Hiscattleincreased，andhebecamerich。Neverthelessheknewthatconstantlyhisresourceswerebeingdrained。TimeandagainheandhisnewTexasforeman，JedParker，hadfollowedthetrailofastampededbunchoftwentyorthirty，followedthemondownthroughtheSodaSpringsValleytothecutdriftfences，theretoabandonthem。For，asyet，anarmedforcewouldbeneededtopenetratetheborderland。Onceheandhismenbadexperiencedthegloryofanightpursuit。Then，atthedriftfences，hehadfoughtoneofhisbattles。ButitwasimpossibleadequatelytopatrolallpartsofarangebiggerthansomeEasternStates。
BuckJohnsondidhisbest，butitwaslikesteppingwithsandtheinnumerablelittleleaksofadam。DidhisriderswatchtowardtheChiricahuas，thenascoreofbeefsteersdisappearedfromGrant\'sPassfortymilesaway。Pursuitheremeantleavingcattleunguardedthere。Itwasuseless，andtheSenorsoonperceivedthatsoonerorlaterhemuststrikeinoffence。
Forthispurposehebeganslowlytostrengthentheforcesofhisriders。MenwerecominginfromTexas。Theyweregoodmen，addictedtothegrass-rope，thedoublecinch，andtheox-bowstirrup。SenorJohnsonwantedmenwhocouldshoot，andhegotthem。
\"Jed，\"saidSenorJohnsontohisforeman，\"thenextsonofagunthatrustlesanyofourcowsissureloadinghimselffulloftrouble。We\'llhithistrailandwillstaywithit，andwe\'llreachhiscattle-rustlingconsciencewitharope。\"