Oftentheyarepeople，who，incertainstagesofcivilization，do，orhavedone，goodwork，butwho，whenthesestageshavepassed，findthemselvessurroundedbyconditionswhichaccentuatetheirworstqualities，andmaketheirbestqualitiesuseless。Theaveragedesperado，forinstance，has，afterall，muchthesamestandardofmoralsthattheNormannobleshadinthedaysofthebattleofHastings，and，ethicallyandmorally，heisdecidedlyinadvanceofthevikings，whoweretheancestorsofthesesamenobles——andtowhom，bytheway，hehimselfcoulddoubtlesstraceaportionofhisblood。
Ifthetransitionfromthewildlawlessnessoflifeinthewildernessoronthebordertoahighercivilizationwerestretchedoutoveratermofcenturies，heandhisdescendantswoulddoubtlessaccommodatethemselvesbydegreestothechangingcircumstances。ButunfortunatelyinthefarWestthetransitiontakesplacewithmarvellousabruptness，andatanaltogetherunheard-ofspeed，andmanyaman’snatureisunabletochangewithsufficientrapiditytoallowhimtoharmonizewithhisenvironment。Inconsequence，unlessheleavesforstillwilderlands，heendsbygettinghunginsteadoffoundingafamilywhichwouldreverehisnameasthatofaverycapable，althoughnotinallrespectsaconventionallymoral，ancestor。
MostofthemenwithwhomIwasintimatelythrownduringmylifeonthefrontierandinthewildernessweregoodfellows，hard-working，brave，resolute，andtruthful。Attimes，ofcourse，theywereforcedofnecessitytododeedswhichwouldseemstartlingtodwellersincitiesandinoldsettledplaces；andthoughtheywagedaverysternandrelentlesswarfareuponevil-doerswhosemisdeedshadimmediateandtangiblebadresults，theyshowedawidetolerationofallsavethemostextremeclassesofwrong，andwerenotgiventoinquiringtoocuriouslyintoastrongman’spast，ortocriticizinghimover-harshlyforafailuretodiscriminateinfinerethicalquestions。Moreover，notafewofthemenwithwhomIcameincontact——withsomeofwhommyrelationswereverycloseandfriendly——hadatdifferenttimesledrathertoughcareers。Thisfactwasacceptedbythemandbytheircompanionsasafact，andnothingmore。Therewerecertainoffences，suchasrape，therobberyofafriend，ormurderundercircumstancesofcowardiceandtreachery，whichwereneverforgiven；butthefactthatwhenthecountrywaswildayoungfellowhadgoneontheroad——
thatis，becomeahighwayman，orhadbeenchiefofagangofdesperadoes，horse-thieves，andcattle-killers，wasscarcelyheldtoweighagainsthim，beingtreatedasaregrettable，butcertainlynotshameful，traitofyouth。HewasregardedbyhisneighborswiththesamekindlytolerancewhichrespectablemediaevalScotchborderersdoubtlessextendedtotheirwilderyoungmenwhowouldpersistinraidingEnglishcattleevenintimeofpeace。
Ofcourseifthesemenwereaskedoutrightastotheirstoriestheywouldhaverefusedtotellthemorelsewouldhaveliedaboutthem；
butwhentheyhadgrowntoregardamanasafriendandcompaniontheywouldoftenrecountvariousincidentsoftheirpastliveswithperfectfrankness，andastheycombinedinaverycuriousdegreebothadecidedsenseofhumor，andafailuretoappreciatethattherewasanythingespeciallyremarkableinwhattheyrelated，theirtaleswerealwaysentertaining。
Earlyonespring，nownearlytenyearsago，Iwasouthuntingsomelosthorses。Theyhadstrayedfromtherangethreemonthsbefore，andwehadinaroundaboutwayheardthattheywererangingnearsomebrokencountry，whereamannamedBrophyhadaranch，nearlyfiftymilesfrommyown。WhenIstartedthithertheweatherwaswarm，buttheseconddayoutitgrewcolderandaheavysnowstormcameon。
FortunatelyIwasabletoreachtheranchallright，findingthereoneofthesonsofaLittleBeaverranchman，andayoungcowpuncherbelongingtoaTexasoutfit，whomIknewverywell。AfterputtingmyhorseintothecorralandthrowinghimdownsomehayIstrodeintothelowhut，madepartlyofturfandpartlyofcottonwoodlogs，andspeedilywarmedmyselfbeforethefire。Wehadagoodwarmsupper，ofbread，potatoes，friedvenison，andtea。Mytwocompanionsgrewverysociableandbegantotalkfreelyovertheirpipes。Thereweretwobunksoneabovetheother。Iclimbedintotheupper，leavingmyfriends，whooccupiedthelower，sittingtogetheronabenchrecountingdifferentincidentsinthecareersofthemselvesandtheircroniesduringthewinterthathadjustpassed。Soononeofthemaskedtheotherwhathadbecomeofacertainhorse，anotedcuttingpony，whichIhadmyselfnoticedtheprecedingfall。Thequestionarousedtheothertothememoryofawrongwhichstillrankled，andhebegan（Ialteroneortwoofthepropernames）：
\"Why，thatwastheponythatgotstole。Ihadbeenworkin’himonroughgroundwhenIwasoutwiththeThreeBaroutfitandhewenttenderforward，soIturnedhimloosebytheLazyBranch，andwhenI
camebacktogithimtherewasn’tanybodyattheranchandIcouldn’tfindhim。Thesheep-manwholivesabouttwomileswest，underRedClaybutte，toldmeheseenafellowinawolfskincoat，ridin’apintobronco，withwhiteeyes，leadin’thatponyofminejusttwodaysbefore；andIhuntedroundtillIhithistrailandthenIfollowedtowhereI’dreckonedhewasheadin’for——theShortPineHills。WhenI
gottherearanchertoldmehehadseenthemanpassontowardsCedartown，andsureenoughwhenIstruckCedartownIfoundhelivedthereina’dobehouse，justoutsidethetown。Therewasaboomonthetownanditlookedprettyslick。TherewastwohotelsandIwentintothefirst，andIsays，’Where’sthejusticeofthepeace？’saysItothebartender。
\"’Thereain’tnojusticeofthepeace，’sayshe，’thejusticeofthepeacegotshot。’
\"’Well，where’stheconstable？’saysI。
\"’Why，itwashimthatshotthejusticeofthepeace！’sayshe；’he’sskippedthecountrywithabunchofhorses。’
\"’Well，ain’ttherenoofficerofthelawleftinthistown？’saysI。
\"’Why，ofcourse，’sayshe，’there’saprobatejudge；heisovertendin’barattheLastChanceHotel。’
\"SoIwentovertotheLastChanceHotelandIwalkedinthere。
’Mornin’，’saysI。
\"’Morning’，’sayshe。
\"’Youbetheprobatejudge？’saysI。
\"’That’swhatIam，’sayshe。’Whatdoyouwant？’sayshe。
\"’Iwantjustice，’saysI。
\"’Whatkindofjusticedoyouwant？’sayshe。’What’sitfor？’
\"’It’sforstealin’ahorse，’saysI。
\"’ThenbyGodyou’llgitit，’sayshe。’Whostolethehorse？’sayshe。
\"’Itisamanthatlivesina’dobehouse，justoutsidethetownthere，’saysI。
\"’Well，wheredoyoucomefromyourself？’saidhe。
\"’FromMedory，’saidI。
\"Withthathelostinterestandsettledkindo’back，andsayshe，’Therewon’tnoCedartownjuryhangaCedartownmanforstealin’aMedoryman’shorse，’saidhe。
\"’Well，whatamItodoaboutmyhorse？’saysI。
\"’Do？’sayshe；’well，youknowwherethemanlives，don’tyou？’sayshe；’thensitupoutsidehishouse，to-nightandshoothimwhenhecomesin，’sayshe，’andskipoutwiththehorse。’
\"’Allright，’saysI，’thatiswhatI’lldo，’andIwalkedoff。
\"SoIwentofftohishouseandIlaiddownbehindsomesage-brushestowaitforhim。Hewasnotathome，butIcouldseehiswifemovin’
aboutinsidenowandthen，andIwaitedandwaited，anditgroweddarker，andIbeguntosaytomyself，’Nowhereyouarelyin’outtoshootthismanwhenhecomeshome；andit’sgetting’dark，andyoudon’tknowhim，andifyoudoshootthenextmanthatcomesintothathouse，likeasnotitwon’tbethefellowyou’reafteratall，butsomeperfectlyinnocentmana-comin’thereaftertheotherman’swife！’
\"SoIupandsaddledthebronc’andlitoutforhome，\"concludedthenarratorwiththeairofonejustlyproudofhisownself-abnegatingvirtue。
The\"town\"wherethejudgeabove-mentioneddweltwasoneofthosesqualidpretentiouslynamedlittleclustersofmake-shiftdwellingswhichontheedgeofthewildcountryspringupwiththerapidgrowthofmushrooms，andareoftennolongerlived。Intheirearlierstagesthesetownsarefrequentlybuiltentirelyofcanvas，andaresubjecttogrotesquecalamities。WhentheterritorypurchasedfromtheSioux，intheDakotas，acoupleofyearsagowasthrownopentosettlement，therewasafuriousinrushofmenonhorsebackandinwagons，andvariousambitiouscitiessprangupovernight。Thenewsettlerswereallundertheinfluenceofthatcuriouscrazewhichcauseseverytruewesternertoputunlimitedfaithintheunknownanduntried；manyhadleftalltheyhadinafarbetterfarmingcountry，becausetheyweretruetotheirimmemorialbeliefthat，wherevertheywere，theirluckwouldbebetteriftheywentsomewhereelse。Theywerealwaysonthemove，andheadedforthevaguebeyond。Asminersseevisionsofallthefamousminesofhistoryineachnewcamp，sothesewould-becityfounderssawfutureSt。PaulsandOmahasineveryforlorngroupoftentspitchedbysomemuddystreaminadesertofgumboandsage-
brush；andtheynamedboththetownsandthecanvasbuildingsinaccordancewiththeirbrighthopesforthemorrow，ratherthanwithreferencetothemeanfactsoftheday。Oneofthesetowns，whichwhentwenty-fourhoursoldboastedofsixsaloons，a\"court-house，\"andan\"operahouse，\"wasoverwhelmedbyearlydisaster。Thethirddayofitslifeawhirlwindcamealongandtookofftheoperahouseandhalfthesaloons；andthefollowingeveninglawlessmennearlyfinishedtheworkoftheelements。Theridersofahugetrail-outfitfromTexas，totheirgladsurprisediscoveredthetownandabandonedthemselvestoanightofroaringandlethalcarousal。Nextmorningthecityauthoritieswerelamenting，withoathsofbitterrage，that\"themhell-and-twentyFlyingAcowpunchershadcutthecourt-houseupintoparts。\"Itwastrue。Thecowboyswereinneedofchaps，andwithanadmirablemixtureofadventurousness，frugality，andreadyadaptabilitytocircumstances，hadmadesubstitutesthereforeintheshapeofcanvasoveralls，cutfromtheroofandwallsoftheshakytempleofjustice。
Oneofmyvaluedfriendsinthemountains，andoneofthebesthunterswithwhomIevertravelled，wasamanwhohadapeculiarlylight-
heartedwayoflookingatconventionalsocialobligations。ThoughinsomewaysatruebackwoodsDonatello，hewasamanofmuchshrewdnessandofgreatcourageandresolution。Moreover，hepossessedwhatonlyafewmendopossess，thecapacitytotellthetruth。Hesawfactsastheywere，andcouldtellthemastheywere，andhenevertoldanuntruthunlessforveryweightyreasons。Hewaspre-eminentlyaphilosopher，ofahappy，scepticalturnofmind。Hehadnoprejudices。
Heneverlookeddown，assomanyhardcharactersdo，uponapersonpossessingadifferentcodeofethics。Hisattitudewasoneofbroad，genialtolerance。Hesawnothingoutofthewayinthefactthathehadhimselfbeenaroad-agent，aprofessionalgambler，andadesperadoatdifferentstagesofhiscareer。Ontheotherhand，hedidnotintheleastholditagainstanyonethathehadalwaysactedwithinthelaw。AtthetimethatIknewhimhehadbecomeamanofsomesubstance，andnaturallyastaunchupholderoftheexistingorderofthings。Butwhileheneverboastedofhispastdeeds，heneverapologizedforthem，andevidentlywouldhavebeenquiteasincapableofunderstandingthattheyneededanapologyashewouldhavebeenincapableofbeingguiltyofmerevulgarboastfulness。Hedidnotoftenalludetohispastcareeratall。Whenhedid，hereciteditsincidentsperfectlynaturallyandsimply，asevents，withoutanyreferencetoorregardfortheirethicalsignificance。Itwasthisqualitywhichmadehimattimesaspeciallypleasantcompanion，andalwaysanagreeablenarrator。Thepointofhisstory，orwhatseemedtohimthepoint，wasrarelythatwhichstruckme。Itwastheincidentalsidelightsthestorythrewuponhisownnatureandthesomewhatluridsurroundingsamidwhichhehadmoved。
Ononeoccasionwhenwewereouttogetherwekilledabear，andafterskinningit，tookabathinalake。Inoticedhehadascaronthesideofhisfootandaskedhimhowhegotit，towhichherespondedwithindifference：
\"Oh，that？Why，amanshootin’atmetomakemedance，thatwasall。\"
Iexpressedsomecuriosityinthatmatter，andhewenton：
\"Well，thewayofitwasthis：ItwaswhenIwaskeepingasalooninNewMexico，andtherewasamantherebythenameofFowler，andtherewasarewardonhimofthreethousanddollars————\"
\"PutonhimbytheState？\"
\"No，putonbyhiswife，\"saidmyfriend；\"andtherewasthis——\"
\"Holdon，\"Iinterrupted；\"putonbyhiswifedidyousay？\"
\"Yes，byhiswife。Himanherhadbeenkeepin’afarobank，yousee，andtheyquarreledaboutit，soshejustputarewardonhim，andso——\"
\"Excuseme，\"Isaid，\"butdoyoumeantosaythatthisrewardwasputonpublicly？\"towhichmyfriendanswered，withanairofgentlemanlyboredomatbeinginterruptedtogratifymythirstforirrelevantdetail：
\"Oh，no，notpublicly。Shejustmentionedittosixoreightintimatepersonalfriends。\"
\"Goon，\"Iresponded，somewhatovercomebythisinstanceoftheprimitivesimplicitywithwhichNewMexicomatrimonialdisputesweremanaged，andhecontinued：
\"Well，twomencomeridin’intoseemetoborrowmyguns。MygunswasColt’sself-cockers。Itwasanewthingthen，antheywastheonlyonesintown。Thesecometome，and’Simpson，’saysthey，’wewanttoborrowyourguns；wearegoin’tokillFowler。’
\"’Holdonforamoment，’saidI，’Iamwillin’tolendyouthemguns，butIain’tgoin’toknowwhatyou’r’goin’todowiththem，nosir；
butofcourseyoucanhavetheguns。’\"Heremyfriend’sfacelightenedpleasantly，andhecontinued：
\"Well，youmayeasilybelieveIfeltsurprisednextdaywhenFowlercomeridin’in，and，sayshe，’Simpson，here’syourguns！’Hehadshotthemtwomen！’Well，Fowler，’saysI，’ifIhadknownthemmenwasafteryou，I’dneverhaveletthemhavethemgunsnohow，’saysI。Thatwasn’ttrue，forIdidknowit，buttherewasnocausetotellhimthat。\"Imurmuredmyapprovalofsuchprudence，andSimpsoncontinued，hiseyesgraduallybrighteningwiththelightofagreeablereminiscence：
\"Well，theyupandtheytookFowlerbeforethejusticeofthepeace。
ThejusticeofthepeacewasaTurk。\"
\"Now，Simpson，whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"Iinterrupted：
\"Well，hecomefromTurkey，\"saidSimpson，andIagainsankback，wonderingbrieflywhatparticularvarietyofMediterraneanoutcasthaddrifteddowntoNewMexicotobemadeajusticeofthepeace。Simpsonlaughedandcontinued：
\"ThatFowlerwasafunnyfellow。TheTurk，hecommittedFowler，andFowler，herizupandknockedhimdownandtrompedalloverhimandmadehimlethimgo！\"
\"Thatwasanappealtoahigherlaw，\"Iobserved。Simpsonassentedcheerily，andcontinued：
\"Well，thatTurk，hegotnervousforfearFowlerhewasgoin’tokillhim，andsohecomestomeandoffersmetwenty-fivedollarsadaytoprotecthimfromFowler；andIwenttoFowler，and’Fowler，’saysI，’thatTurk’sofferedmetwenty-fivedollarsadaytoprotecthimfromyou。Now，Iain’tgoin’togetshotfornotwenty-fivedollarsaday，andifyouaregoin’tokilltheTurk，justsaysoandgoanddoit；
butifyouain’tgoin’tokilltheTurk，there’snoreasonwhyI
shouldn’tearnthattwenty-fivedollarsaday！’andFowler，sayshe，’Iain’tgoin’totouchtheTurk；youjustgorightaheadandprotecthim。’\"
SoSimpson\"protected\"theTurkfromtheimaginarydangerofFowler，foraboutaweek，attwenty-fivedollarsaday。ThenoneeveninghehappenedtogooutandmetFowler，\"and，\"saidhe，\"themomentIsawhimIknowedhefeltmean，forhebeguntoshootatmyfeet，\"whichcertainlydidseemtoofferpresumptiveevidenceofmeanness。Simpsoncontinued：
\"Ididn’thavenogun，soIjusthadtostandthereandtakeitutilsomethingdistractedhisattention，andIwentoffhometogetmygunandkillhim，butIwantedtodoitperfectlylawful；soIwentuptothemayor（hewasplayin’pokerwithoneofthejudges），andsaysItohim，’Mr。Mayor，’saysI，’Iamgoin’toshootFowler。Andthemayorherizoutofhischairandhetookmebythehand，andsayshe，’Mr。
Simpson，ifyoudoIwillstandbyyou；’andthejudge，hesays，’I’llgoonyourbond。’\"
Fortifiedbythiscordialapprovaloftheexecutiveandjudicialbranchesofthegovernment，Mr。Simpsonstartedonhisquest。
Meanwhile，however，Fowlerhadcutupanotherprominentcitizen，andtheyalreadyhadhiminjail。Thefriendsoflawandorderfeelingsomelittledistrustastothepermanencyoftheirownzealforrighteousness，thoughtitbesttosettlethematterbeforetherewastimeforcooling，andaccordingly，headedbySimpson，themayor，thejudge，theTurk，andotherprominentcitizensofthetown，theybrokeintothejailandhangedFowler。Thepointinthehangingwhichespeciallytickledmyfriend’sfancy，ashelingeredoverthereminiscence，wasonethatwasrathertooghastlytoappealtoourownsenseofhumor。IntheTurk’smindtherestillrankledthememoryofFowler’sveryunprofessionalconductwhilefiguringbeforehimasacriminal。SaidSimpson，withamerrytwinkleoftheeye：\"DoyouknowthatTurk，hewasarightfunnyfellowtooafterall。JustastheboysweregoingtostringupFowler，sayshe，’Boys，stop；onemoment，gentlemen，——Mr。Fowler，good-by，’andheblewakisstohim！\"
Inthecow-country，andelsewhereonthewildborderlandbetweensavageryandcivilization，mengoquiteasoftenbynicknamesasbythosetowhichtheyarelawfullyentitled。Halfthecowboysandhuntersofmyacquaintanceareknownbynamesentirelyunconnectedwiththosetheyinheritedorreceivedwhentheywerechristened。
Occasionallysomewould-bedesperadoormake-believemightyhuntertriestoadoptwhathedeemsatitlesuitabletohisprowess；butsuchaneffortisneverattemptedinreallywildplaces，whereitwouldbegreetedwithhugederision；forallofthesenamesthataregenuinearebestowedbyoutsiders，withsmallregardtothewishesofthepersonnamed。Ordinarilythenamereferstosomeeasilyrecognizableaccidentoforigin，occupation，oraspect；aswitnesstheinnumerableDutcheys，Frencheys，Kentucks，TexasJacks，BroncoBills，BearJoes，Buckskins，RedJims，andthelike。Sometimesitisapparentlymeaningless；oneofmyowncowpuncherfriendsisalwayscalled\"Sliver\"or\"Splinter\"——why，Ihavenoidea。Atothertimessomeparticularincidentmaygiverisetothetitle；aclean-lookingcowboyformerlyinmyemploywasalwaysknownas\"MuddyBill，\"becausehehadoncebeenbuckedoffhishorseintoamudhole。
ThegrewsomegenesisofonesuchnameisgiveninthefollowingletterwhichIhavejustreceivedfromanoldhunting-friendintheRockies，whotookakindlyinterestinafrontiercabinwhichtheBooneandCrockettClubwasputtingupattheChicagoWorld’sFair。
\"Feb16th1893；DerSir：IseeinthenewspapersthatyourclubtheDanielBoonandDaveyCrockityouintendtoerectafruntierCabinattheworld’sFaratChicagotorepresenttheerleyPianearsofourcountryIwouldliketoseeyoumaikasuccessIhaveallmylifebeenafruntiersmanandfeelinterestedinyourundrtakingandIhoapyouwilegetagoodassortmentofrelicksIwanttomaikonesuggestiontoyouthatisinregardtogettingagoodmanandagenuineMauntannertotakechargofyourhausatChicagoI
wanttorecommendamanforyoutogetitisLiver-eatingJohnsonthatisthenaimheisgenerallycalledheisanoldmauntneerandlargeandfinelookingandoneoftheBestStoryTellersinthecountryandVeryPolightgenteeltoeveryonehemeetsIwiltelyouhowhegotthatnaimLiver-eatinginahardFightwiththeBlackFeetIndiansthayFaughtalldayJohnsonandafewWhitesFaughtalargeBodyofIndiansalldayafterthefightJohnsoncamincontactwithawoundedIndianandJohnsonwasautofammunitionandthayfaughtitoutwiththarKnivesandJohnsongotawaywiththeIndianandinthefightcutthelivveroutoftheIndianandsaidtotheBoysdidthaywantanyLivertoeatthatisthewayhegotthenaimofLiver-eatingJohnson\"Yourstruly\"etc。，etc。
Frontiersmenareoftenasoriginalastheirnames；andtheoriginalitymaytaketheformofwildsavagery，ofmereuncouthness，orofanoddcombinationofgenuinehumorwithsimpleacceptanceoffactsastheyare。OnoneoccasionIexpressedsomesurpriseinlearningthatacertainMrs。P。hadsuddenlymarried，thoughherhusbandwasaliveandinjailinaneighboringtown；andreceivedforanswer：\"Well，yousee，oldmanPeteheskippedthecountry，andlefthiswidowbehindhim，andsoBobEvansheupandmarriedher！\"——whichwasevidentlyfelttobeaproceedingrequiringnoexplanationwhatever。
Inthecow-countrythereisnothingmorerefreshingthanthelight-
heartedbeliefentertainedbytheaveragemantotheeffectthatanyanimalwhichbymainforcehasbeensaddledandridden，orharnessedanddrivenacoupleoftimes，isa\"brokehorse。\"Mypresentforemanisfirmlyweddedtothisidea，aswellastoitscomplement，thebeliefthatanyanimalwithhoofs，beforeanyvehiclewithwheels，canbedrivenacrossanycountry。OnesummeronreachingtheranchIwasentertainedwiththeusualaccountsoftheadventuresandmisadventureswhichhadbefallenmyownmenandmyneighborssinceI
hadbeenoutlast。Inthecourseoftheconversationmyforemanremarked：\"Wehadagreattimeouthereaboutsixweeksago。TherewasaprofessorfromAnnArborcomeoutwithhiswifetoseetheBadLands，andtheyaskedifwecouldrigthemupateam，andwesaidweguessedwecould，andFoley’sboyandIdid；butitranawaywithhimandbrokehisleg！Hewashereforamonth。Iguesshedidn’tminditthough。\"OfthisIwaslesscertain，forlornlittleMedorabeinga\"busted\"cow-town，concerningwhichIonceheardanotherofmymenremark，inreplytoaninquisitivecommercialtraveller：\"Howmanypeopleliveshere？Eleven——countingthechickens——whenthey’reallintown！\"
Myforemancontinued：\"ByGeorge，therewassomethingthatprofessorsaidafterwardsthatmademefeelhot。IsentworduptohimbyFoley’sboythatseein’ashowithadcomeoutwewouldn’tchargehimnothin’fortherig；andthatprofessorheansweredthathewasgladwewereshowinghimsomesignofconsideration，forhe’dbeguntobelievehe’dfallenintoadenofsharks，andthatwegavehimarunawayteamapurpose。Thatmademehot，callingthatarunawayteam。
Why，therewasoneofthemhorsesnever/could/haverunawaybefore；
ithadn’tneverbeendruvbuttwice！Andtheotherhorsemaybehadrunawayafewtimes，buttherewaslotsoftimeshe/hadn’t/runaway。I
esteemedthatteamfullasliablenottorunawayasitwastorunaway，\"concludedmyforeman，evidentlydeemingthisasgoodawarrantyofgentlenessasthemostexactingcouldrequire。
Thedefinitionofgoodbehavioronthefrontierisevenmoreelasticforasaddle-horsethanforateam。LastspringoneoftheThree-Sevenriders，amagnificenthorsemanwaskilledontheround-upnearBelfield，hishorsebuckingandfallingonhim。\"Itwasaccountedaplumbgentlehorsetoo，\"saidmyinformant，\"onlyitsometimessulkedandactedalittlemeanwhenitwascinchedupbehind。\"Theunfortunateriderdidnotknowofthisfailingofthe\"plumbgentlehorse，\"andassoonashewasinthesaddleitthrewitselfoversidewayswithagreatbound，andhefellonhishead，andneverspokeagain。
Suchaccidentsaretoocommoninthewildcountrytoattractverymuchattention；themenacceptthemwithgrimquiet，asinevitableinsuchlivesastheirs——livesthatareharshandnarrowintheirtoilandtheirpleasurealike，andthatareever-boundedbyanironhorizonofhazardandhardship。Duringthelastyearandahalfthreeothermenfromtheranchesinmyimmediateneighborhoodhavemettheirdeathsinthecourseoftheirwork。One，atrailbossoftheOX，wasdrownedwhileswimminghisherdacrossaswollenriver。Another，oneofthefancyropersoftheWBar，waskilledwhileropingcattleinacorral；
hissaddleturned，theropetwistedroundhim，hewaspulledoff，andtrampledtodeathbyhisownhorse。
Thefourthman，acowpunchernamedHamilton，losthislifeduringthelastweekofOctober，1891，inthefirstheavysnowstormoftheseason。Yethewasaskilledplainsman，ongroundheknewwell，andjustbeforestrayinghimself，hesuccessfullyinstructedtwomenwhodidnotknowthecountryhowtogettocamp。Theywereallthreewiththeround-up，andweremakingacirclethroughtheBadLands；thewagonshadcampedontheeasternedgeoftheseBadLands，wheretheymergedintotheprairie，attheheadofanolddisusedroad，whichledaboutdueeastfromtheLittleMissouri。Itwasagray，loweringday，andasdarknesscameonHamilton’shorseplayedout，andhetoldhistwocompanionsnottowait，asithadbeguntosnow，buttokeepontowardsthenorth，skirtingsomeparticularlyroughbuttes，andassoonastheystrucktheroadtoturntotherightandfollowitouttotheprairie，wheretheywouldfindcamp；heparticularlywarnedthemtokeepasharplook-out，soasnottopassoverthedimtrailunawaresintheduskandthestorm。Theyfollowedhisadvice，andreachedcampsafely；andaftertheyhadlefthimnobodyeveragainsawhimalive。Evidentlyhehimself，ploddingnorthwards，passedovertheroadwithoutseeingitinthegatheringgloom；probablyhestruckitatsomepointwherethegroundwasbad，andthedimtrailinconsequencedisappearedentirely，asisthewaywiththeseprairieroads——makingthemlandmarkstobeusedwithcaution。Hemustthenhavewalkedonandon，overruggedhillsandacrossdeepravines，untilhishorsecametoastandstill；hetookoffitssaddleandpicketedittoadwarfedash。Itsfrozencarcasswasfoundwiththesaddlenearby，twomonthslater。Henowevidentlyrecognizedsomelandmark，andrealizedthathehadpassedtheroad，andwasfartothenorthoftheround-upwagons；buthewasaresolute，self-confidentman，andhedeterminedtostrikeoutforalinecamp，whichheknewlayaboutdueeastofhim，twoorthreemilesoutontheprairie，ononeoftheheadbranchesofKnifeRiver。Nightmusthavefallenbythistime，andhemissedthecamp，probablypassingitwithinlessthanamile；buthedidpassit，andwithitallhopesoflife，andwalkedwearilyontohisdoom，throughthethickdarknessandthedrivingsnow。Atlasthisstrengthfailed，andhelaydowninthetallgrassofalittlehollow。Fivemonthslater，intheearlyspring，theridersfromthelinecampfoundhisbody，resting，facedownwards，withtheforeheadonthefoldedarms。
Accidentsoflessdegreearecommon。Menbreaktheircollar-bones，arms，orlegsbyfallingwhenridingatspeedoverdangerousground，whencuttingcattleortryingtocontrolastampededherd，orbybeingthrownorrolledonbybuckingorrearinghorses；ortheirhorses，andonrareoccasioneventheythemselves，aregoredbyfightingsteers。
Deathbystormorinflood，deathinstrivingtomasterawildandvicioushorse，orinhandlingmaddenedcattle，andtoooftendeathinbrutalconflictwithoneofhisownfellows——anyoneoftheseisthenotunnaturalendofthelifeofthedwellerontheplainsorinthemountains。
Butafewyearsagootherriskshadtoberunfromsavagebeasts，andfromtheIndians。SinceIhavebeenranchingontheLittleMissouri，twomenhavebeenkilledbybearsintheneighborhoodofmyrange；andintheearlyyearsofmyresidencethere，severalmenlivingortravellinginthecountrywereslainbysmallwar-partiesofyoungbraves。Alltheold-timetrappersandhunterscouldtellstirringtalesoftheirencounterswithIndians。
Myfriend，TazewellWoody，wasamongthechiefactorsinoneofthemostnoteworthyadventuresofthiskind。Hewasaveryquietman，anditwasexceedinglydifficulttogethimtotalkoveranyofhispastexperiences；butoneday，whenhewasinhighgood-humorwithmeforhavingmadethreeconsecutivestraightshotsatelk，hebecamequitecommunicative，andIwasabletogethimtotellmeonestorywhichI
hadlongwishedtohearfromhislips，havingalreadyheardofitthroughoneoftheothersurvivorsoftheincident。WhenhefoundthatIalreadyknewagooddealoldWoodytoldmetherest。
Itwasinthespringof1875，andWoodyandtwofriendsweretrappingontheYellowstone。TheSiouxwereverybadatthetimeandhadkilledmanyprospectors，hunters，cowboys，andsettlers；thewhitesretaliatedwhenevertheygotachance，but，asalwaysinIndianwarfare，thesly，lurking，bloodthirstysavagesinflictedmuchmorelossthantheysuffered。
Thethreemen，havingadozenhorseswiththem，werecampedbytheriver-sideinatriangularpatchofbrush，shapedagooddeallikeacommonflat-iron。Onreachingcamptheystartedtoputouttheirtraps；andwhenhecamebackintheeveningWoodyinformedhiscompanionsthathehadseenagreatdealofIndiansign，andthathebelievedtherewereSiouxintheneighborhood。Hiscompanionsbothlaughedathim，assuringhimthattheywerenotSiouxatallbutfriendlyCrows，andthattheywouldbeincampnextmorning；\"andsureenough，\"saidWoody，meditatively，\"they/were/incampnextmorning。\"
Bydawnoneofthemenwentdowntherivertolookatsomeofthetraps，whileWoodystartedouttowherethehorseswere，thethirdmanremainingincamptogetbreakfast。Suddenlytwoshotswerehearddowntheriver，andinanothermomentamountedIndianswepttowardsthehorses。Woodyfired，butmissedhim，andhedroveofffivewhileWoody，runningforward，succeededinherdingtheothersevenintocamp。Hardlyhadthisbeenaccomplishedbeforethemanwhohadgonedowntheriverappeared，outofbreathwithhisdesperaterun，havingbeensurprisedbyseveralIndians，andjustsucceedinginmakinghisescapebydodgingfrombushtobush，threateninghispursuerswithhisrifle。
Theseprovedtobebuttheforerunnersofagreatwarparty，forwhenthesunrosethehillsaroundseemedblackwithSioux。Hadtheychosentodashrightinonthecamp，runningtheriskoflosingseveraloftheirmeninthecharge，theycouldofcoursehaveeatenupthethreehuntersinaminute；butsuchachargeisrarelypractisedbyIndians，who，althoughtheyareadmirableindefensivewarfare，andevenincertainkindsofoffensivemovements，andalthoughfromtheirskillinhidingtheyusuallyinflictmuchmorelossthantheysufferwhenmatchedagainstwhitetroops，areyetveryreluctanttomakeanymovementwheretheadvantagegainedmustbeoffsetbyconsiderablelossoflife。Thethreementhoughttheyweresurelydoomed，butbeingveteranfrontiersmenandlonginuredtoeverykindofhardshipanddanger，theysettoworkwithcoolresolutiontomakeaseffectiveadefenceaspossible，tobeatofftheirantagonistsiftheymight，andifthisprovedimpracticable，toselltheirlivesasdearlyastheycould。Havingtetheredthehorsesinaslighthollow，theonlyonewhichofferedanyprotection，eachmancreptouttoapointofthetriangularbrushpatchandlaydowntoawaitevents。
InaveryshortwhiletheIndiansbeganclosinginonthem，takingeveryadvantageofcover，andthen，bothfromtheirsideoftheriverandfromtheoppositebank，openedaperfectfusillade，wastingtheircartridgeswitharecklessnesswhichIndiansareapttoshowwhenexcited。Thehunterscouldhearthehoarsecommandsofthechiefs，thewar-whoopsandthetauntsinbrokenEnglishwhichsomeofthewarriorshurledatthem。Verysoonalloftheirhorseswerekilled，andthebrushwasfairlyriddledbytheincessantvolleys；butthethreementhemselves，lyingflatonthegroundandwellconcealed，werenotharmed。Themoredaringyoungwarriorsthenbegantocreeptowardthehunters，goingstealthilyfromonepieceofcovertothenext；andnowthewhitesinturnopenedfire。Theydidnotshootrecklessly，asdidtheirfoes，butcoollyandquietly，endeavoringtomakeeachshottell。SaidWoody：\"Ionlyfiredseventimesallday；IreckonedongettingmeateverytimeIpulledtrigger。\"Theyhadanimmenseadvantageovertheirenemies，inthatwhereastheylaystillandentirelyconcealed，theIndiansofcoursehadtomovefromcovertocoverinordertoapproach，andsohadattimestoexposethemselves。
Whenthewhitesfiredatalltheyfiredataman，whethermoving，ormotionless，whomtheycouldclearlysee，whiletheIndianscouldonlyshootatthesmoke，whichimperfectlymarkedthepositionoftheirunseenfoes。Inconsequencetheassailantsspeedilyfoundthatitwasataskofhopelessdangertotryinsuchamannertocloseinonthreeplainsveterans，menofironnerveandskilledintheuseoftherifle。Yetsomeofthemoredaringcreptupveryclosetothepatchofbrush，andoneactuallygotinsideit，andwaskilledamongthebeddingthatlaybythesmoulderingcamp-fire。Thewoundedandsuchofthedeadasdidnotlieintooexposedpositionswerepromptlytakenawaybytheircomrades；butsevenbodiesfellintothehandsofthethreehunters。IaskedWoodyhowmanyhehimselfhadkilled。Hesaidhecouldonlybesureoftwothathegot；oneheshotintheheadashepeepedoverabush，andtheotherheshotthroughthesmokeasheattemptedtorushin。\"My，howthatIndiandidyell，\"saidWoody，retrospectively，\"/he/wasnogreatofaStoic。\"Aftertwoorthreehoursofthisdeadlyskirmishing，whichresultedinnothingmoreserioustothewhitesthanintwoofthembeingslightlywounded，theSiouxbecamedisheartenedbythelosstheyweresufferingandwithdrew，confiningthemselvesthereaftertoalongrangeandharmlessfusillade。Whenitwasdarkthethreemencreptouttotheriverbed，andtakingadvantageofthepitchynightbrokethroughthecircleoftheirfoes；theymanagedtoreachthesettlementswithoutfurthermolestation，havinglosteverythingexcepttheirrifles。
FormanyyearsoneofthemostimportantofthewildernessdwellerswastheWestPointofficer，andnomanhasplayedagreaterpartthanheinthewildwarfarewhichopenedtheregionsbeyondtheMississippitowhitesettlement。Since1879，therehasbeenbutlittleregularIndianfightingintheNorth，thoughtherehavebeenoneortwoverytediousandwearisomecampaignswagedagainsttheApachesintheSouth。EvenintheNorth，however，therehavebeenoccasionaluprisingswhichhadtobequelledbytheregulartroops。
AftermyelkhuntinSeptember，1891，IcameoutthroughtheYellowstonePark，asIhaveelsewhererelated，ridingincompanywithasurveyoroftheBurlingtonandQuincyrailroad，whowasjustcominginfromhissummer’swork。ItwasthefirstofOctober。Therehadbeenaheavysnow-stormandthesnowwasstillfalling。Ridingastoutponyeach，andleadinganotherpackedwithourbedding，etc。，webrokeourwayfromtheuppertothemiddlegeyserbasin。Herewefoundatroopofthe1stCavalrycamped，underthecommandofoldfriendsofmine，CaptainFrankEdwardsandLieutenant（nowCaptain）JohnPitcher。Theygaveushayforourhorsesandinsisteduponourstoppingtolunch，withthereadyhospitalityalwaysshownbyarmyofficers。Afterlunchwebeganexchangingstories。Mytravellingcompanion，thesurveyor，hadthatspringperformedafeatofnote，goingthroughoneofthecanyonsoftheBigHornforthefirsttime。Hewentwithanoldmininginspector，thetwoofthemdraggingacottonwoodsledgeovertheice。
Thewallsofthecanyonaresosheerandthewatersoroughthatitcanbedescendedonlywhenthestreamisfrozen。However，aftersixdays’laborandhardshipthedescentwasaccomplished；andthesurveyor，inconcluding，describedhisexperienceingoingthroughtheCrowReservation。
ThisturnedtheconversationuponIndians，anditappearedthatbothofourhostshadbeenactorsinIndianscrapeswhichhadattractedmyattentionatthetimetheyoccurred，astheytookplaceamongtribesthatIknewandinacountrywhichIhadsometimevisited，eitherwhenhuntingorwhenpurchasinghorsesfortheranch。Thefirst，whichoccurredtoCaptainEdwards，happenedlatein1886，atthetimewhenthecrowMedicineChief，Sword-Bearer，announcedhimselfastheMessiahoftheIndianrace，duringoneoftheusualepidemicsofghostdancing。Sword-Bearerderivedhisnamefromalwayswearingamedicinesword——thatis，asabrepaintedred。Heclaimedtopossessmagicpower，and，thankstotheperformanceofmanydexterousfeatsofjuggling，andtheluckyoutcomeofcertainprophecies，hedeeplystirredtheIndians，arousingtheyoungwarriorsinparticulartothehighestpitchofexcitement。Theybecamesullen，begantopaintandarmedthemselves；andtheagentandthesettlersnearbygrewsoapprehensivethatthetroopswereorderedtogotothereservation。A
bodyofcavalry，includingCaptainEdwards’troop，wasaccordinglymarchedthither，andfoundtheCrowwarriors，mountedontheirwarponiesanddressedintheirstrikingbattle-garb，waitingonahill。
Thepositionoftroopsatthebeginningofsuchanaffairisalwayspeculiarlydifficult。Thesettlersround-aboutaresuretoclamorbitterlyagainstthem，nomatterwhattheydo，onthegroundthattheyarenotthoroughenoughandareshowingfavortothesavages，whileontheotherhand，eveniftheyfightpurelyinself-defence，alargenumberofworthybutweak-mindedsentimentalistsintheEastaresuretoshriekabouttheirhavingbrutallyattackedtheIndians。Thewarauthoritiesalwaysinsistthattheymustnotfirethefirstshotunderanycircumstances，andsuchweretheordersatthistime。TheCrowsonthehill-topshowedasullenandthreateningfront，andthetroopsadvancedslowlytowardsthemandthenhaltedforaparley。Meanwhileamassofblackthundercloudsgatheringonthehorizonthreatenedoneofthosecloudburstsofextremeseverityandsuddennesssocharacteristicoftheplainscountry。Whilestilltryingtomakearrangementsforaparley，ahorsemanstartedoutoftheCrowranksandgallopedheadlongdowntowardsthetroops。Itwasthemedicinechief，Sword-Bearer。Hewaspaintedandinhisbattle-dress，wearinghiswar-bonnetoffloating，trailingeaglefeathers，whiletheplumesofthesamebirdwerebraidedinthemaneandtailofhisfierylittlehorse。Onhecameatagallopalmostuptothetroopsandthenbegantocirclearoundthem，callingandsingingandthrowinghiscrimsonswordintotheair，catchingitbythehiltasitfell。Twiceherodecompletelyaroundthesoldiers，whostoodinuncertainty，notknowingwhattomakeofhisperformance，andexpresslyforbiddentoshootathim。ThenpayingnofurtherheedtothemherodebacktowardstheCrows。Itappearsthathehadtoldthemthathewouldridetwicearoundthehostileforce，andbyhisincantationswouldcalldownrainfromheaven，whichwouldmaketheheartsofthewhitemenlikewater，sothattheyshouldgobacktotheirhomes。Sureenough，whilethearrangementsfortheparleywerestillgoingforward，downcamethecloudburstdrenchingthecommandandmakingthegroundonthehillsinfrontnearlyimpassable；andbeforeitdriedacourierarrivedwithorderstothetroopstogobacktocamp。
ThisfulfilmentofSword-Bearer’sprophecyofcourseraisedhisreputationtothezenithandtheyoungmenofthetribepreparedforwar，whiletheolderchiefs，whomorefullyrealizedthepowerofthewhites，stillhungback。WhenthetroopsnextappearedtheycameupontheentireCrowforce，thewomenandchildrenwiththeirtepeesbeingofftoonesidebeyondalittlestreamwhilealmostallthewarriorsofthetribeweregatheredinfront。Sword-Bearerstartedtorepeathisformerride，totheintenseirritationofthesoldiers。Luckily，however，thistimesomeofhisyoungmencouldnotberestrained。Theytoobegantoridenearthetroops，andoneofthemwasunabletorefrainfromfiringonCaptainEdwards’troop，whichwasinthevan。
Thisgavethesoldierstheirchance。Theyinstantlyrespondedwithavolley，andCaptainEdwards’troopcharged。Thefightlastedbutaminuteortwo，forSword-Bearerwasstruckbyabulletandfell，andashehadboastedhimselfinvulnerable，andpromisedthathiswarriorsshouldbeinvulnerablealsoiftheywouldfollowhim，theheartsofthelatterbecameaswaterandtheybrokeineverydirection。Oneoftheamusing，thoughirritating，incidentsoftheaffairwastoseetheplumedandpaintedwarriorsraceheadlongforthecamp，plungeintothestream，washofftheirwarpaint，andremovetheirfeathers；inanothermomenttheywouldbestolidlysittingontheground，withtheirblanketsovertheirshoulders，risingtogreetthepursuingcavalrywithunmovedcomposureandcalmassurancethattheyhadalwaysbeenfriendlyandhadmuchdisapprovedtheconductoftheyoungbuckswhohadjustbeenscatteredonthefieldoutside。Itwasmuchtothecreditofthedisciplineofthearmythatnobloodshedfollowedthefightproper。Thelosstothewhiteswassmall。
Theotherincident，relatedbyLieutenantPitcher，tookplacein1890，nearTongueRiver，innorthernWyoming。ThecommandwithwhichhewasservingwascampedneartheCheyenneReservation。OnedaytwoyoungCheyennebucks，metoneofthegovernmentherders，andpromptlykilledhim——inasuddenfit，halfofungovernablebloodlust，halfofmereferociouslightheartedness。Theythendraggedhisbodyintothebrushandleftit。Thedisappearanceoftheherderofcourseattractedattention，andasearchwasorganizedbythecavalry。AtfirsttheIndiansstoutlydeniedallknowledgeofthemissingman；butwhenitbecameevidentthatthesearchpartywouldshortlyfindhim，twoorthreeofthechiefsjoinedthem，andpilotedthemtowherethebodylay；andacknowledgedthathehadbeenmurderedbytwooftheirband，thoughatfirsttheyrefusedtogivetheirnames。Thecommanderofthepostdemandedthatthemurderersbegivenup。Thechiefssaidthattheywereverysorry，thatthiscouldnotbedone，butthattheywerewillingtopayoveranyreasonablenumberofponiestomakeamendsforthedeath。Thisofferwasofcoursepromptlyrefused，andthecommandernotifiedthemthatiftheydidnotsurrenderthemurderersbyacertaintimehewouldholdthewholetriberesponsibleandwouldpromptlymoveoutandattackthem。Uponthisthechiefs，afterholdingfullcounselwiththetribe，toldthecommanderthattheyhadnopowertosurrenderthemurderers，butthatthelatterhadsaidthatsoonerthanseetheirtribeinvolvedinahopelessstruggletheywouldoftheirownaccordcomeinandmeetthetroopsanywherethelatterchosetoappoint，anddiefighting。Tothisthecommanderresponded：\"Allright；letthemcomeintotheagencyinhalfanhour。\"Thechiefsacquiesced，andwithdrew。
ImmediatelytheIndianssentmountedmessengersatspeedfromcamptocamp，summoningalltheirpeopletowitnesstheactoffierceself-
doom；andsoontheentiretribeofCheyennes，manyofthemhavingtheirfacesblackenedintokenofmourning，moveddownandtookupapositiononthehill-sideclosetotheagency。Attheappointedhourbothyoungmenappearedintheirhandsomewardress，gallopedtothetopofthehillneartheencampment，anddeliberatelyopenedfireonthetroops。Thelattermerelyfiredafewshotstokeeptheyoungdesperadoesoff，whileLieutenantPitcherandascoreofcavalrymenleftcamptomakeacircleanddrivethemin；theydidnotwishtohurtthem，buttocaptureandgivethemovertotheIndians，sothatthelattermightbeforcedthemselvestoinflictthepunishment。
However，theywereunabletoaccomplishtheirpurpose；oneoftheyoungbraveswentstraightatthem，firinghisrifleandwoundingthehorseofoneofthecavalrymen，sothat，simplyinself-defence，thelatterhadtofireavolley，whichlaidlowtheassailant；theother，hishorsehavingbeenshot，waskilledinthebrush，fightingtothelast。Allthewhile，fromthemomentthetwodoomedbravesappeareduntiltheyfell，theCheyennesonthehill-sidehadbeensteadilysingingthedeathchant。Whentheyoungmenhadbothdied，andhadthusavertedthefatewhichtheirmisdeedswouldelsehavebroughtuponthetribe，thewarriorstooktheirbodiesandborethemawayforburialhonors，thesoldierslookingoninsilence。Wheretheslainmenwereburiedthewhitesneverknew，butallthatnighttheylistenedtothedismalwailingofthedirgeswithwhichthetribesmencelebratedtheirgloomyfuneralrites。
Frontiersmenarenot，asarule，apttobeverysuperstitious。Theyleadlivestoohardandpractical，andhavetoolittleimaginationinthingsspiritualandsupernatural。Ihaveheardbutfewghoststorieswhilelivingonthefrontier，andthesefewwereofaperfectlycommonplaceandconventionaltype。
ButIoncelistenedtoagoblinstorywhichratherimpressedme。Itwastoldbyagrisled，weather-beatenoldmountainhunter，namedBauman，whowasbornandhadpassedallhislifeonthefrontier。Hemusthavebelievedwhathesaid，forhecouldhardlyrepressashudderatcertainpointsofthetale；buthewasofGermanancestry，andinchildhoodhaddoubtlessbeensaturatedwithallkindsofghostandgoblinlore，sothatmanyfearsomesuperstitionswerelatentinhismind；besides，heknewwellthestoriestoldbytheIndianmedicinemenintheirwintercamps，ofthesnow-walkers，andthespectres，andtheformlessevilbeingsthathaunttheforestdepths，anddogandwaylaythelonelywandererwhoafternightfallpassesthroughtheregionswheretheylurk；anditmaybethatwhenovercomebythehorrorofthefatethatbefellhisfriend，andwhenoppressedbytheawfuldreadoftheunknown，hegrewtoattribute，bothatthetimeandstillmoreinremembrance，weirdandelfintraitstowhatwasmerelysomeabnormallywickedandcunningwildbeast；butwhetherthiswassoornot，nomancansay。
WhentheeventoccurredBaumanwasstillayoungman，andwastrappingwithapartneramongthemountainsdividingtheforksoftheSalmonfromtheheadofWisdomRiver。Nothavinghadmuchluck，heandhispartnerdeterminedtogoupintoaparticularlywildandlonelypassthroughwhichranasmallstreamsaidtocontainmanybeaver。Thepasshadanevilreputationbecausetheyearbeforeasolitaryhunterwhohadwanderedintoitwasthereslain，seeminglybyawildbeast，thehalf-eatenremainsbeingafterwardsfoundbysomeminingprospectorswhohadpassedhiscamponlythenightbefore。
Thememoryofthisevent，however，weighedverylightlywiththetwotrappers，whowereasadventurousandhardyasothersoftheirkind。
Theytooktheirtwoleanmountainponiestothefootofthepass，wheretheylefttheminanopenbeavermeadow，therockytimber-cladgroundbeingfromthenceonwardsimpracticableforhorses。Theythenstruckoutonfootthroughthevast，gloomyforest，andinaboutfourhoursreachedalittleopengladewheretheyconcludedtocamp，assignsofgamewereplenty。
Therewasstillanhourortwoofdaylightleft，andafterbuildingabrushlean-toandthrowingdownandopeningtheirpacks，theystartedupstream。Thecountrywasverydenseandhardtotravelthrough，astherewasmuchdowntimber，althoughhereandtherethesombrewoodlandwasbrokenbysmallgladesofmountaingrass。
Atdusktheyagainreachedcamp。Thegladeinwhichitwaspitchedwasnotmanyyardswide，thetall，close-setpinesandfirsrisingrounditlikeawall。Ononesidewasalittlestream，beyondwhichrosethesteepmountain-slopes，coveredwiththeunbrokengrowthoftheevergreenforest。
Theyweresurprisedtofindthatduringtheirshortabsencesomething，apparentlyabear，hadvisitedcamp，andhadrummagedaboutamongtheirthings，scatteringthecontentsoftheirpacks，andinsheerwantonnessdestroyingtheirlean-to。Thefootprintsofthebeastwerequiteplain，butatfirsttheypaidnoparticularheedtothem，busyingthemselveswithrebuildingthelean-to，layingouttheirbedsandstores，andlightingthefire。
WhileBaumanwasmakingreadysupper，itbeingalreadydark，hiscompanionbegantoexaminethetracksmoreclosely，andsoontookabrandfromthefiretofollowthemup，wheretheintruderhadwalkedalongagametrailafterleavingthecamp。Whenthebrandflickeredout，hereturnedandtookanother，repeatinghisinspectionofthefootprintsveryclosely。Comingbacktothefire，hestoodbyitaminuteortwo，peeringoutintothedarkness，andsuddenlyremarked：
\"Bauman，thatbearhasbeenwalkingontwolegs。\"Baumanlaughedatthis，buthispartnerinsistedthathewasright，anduponagainexaminingthetrackswithatorch，theycertainlydidseemtobemadebybuttwopaws，orfeet。However，itwastoodarktomakesure。Afterdiscussingwhetherthefootprintscouldpossiblybethoseofahumanbeing，andcomingtotheconclusionthattheycouldnotbe，thetwomenrolledupintheirblankets，andwenttosleepunderthelean-to。
AtmidnightBaumanwasawakenedbysomenoise，andsatupinhisblankets。Ashedidsohisnostrilswerestruckbyastrong，wild-
beastodor，andhecaughttheloomofagreatbodyinthedarknessatthemouthofthelean-to。Graspinghisrifle，hefiredatthevague，threateningshadow，butmusthavemissed，forimmediatelyafterwardsheheardthesmashingoftheunderwoodasthething，whateveritwas，rushedoffintotheimpenetrableblacknessoftheforestandthenight。
Afterthisthetwomensleptbutlittle，sittingupbytherekindledfire，buttheyheardnothingmore。Inthemorningtheystartedouttolookatthefewtrapstheyhadsetthepreviouseveningandtoputoutnewones。Byanunspokenagreementtheykepttogetherallday，andreturnedtocamptowardsevening。
Onnearingittheysaw，hardlytotheirastonishment，thatthelean-tohadbeenagaintorndown。Thevisitoroftheprecedingdayhadreturned，andinwantonmalicehadtossedabouttheircampkitandbedding，anddestroyedtheshanty。Thegroundwasmarkedupbyitstracks，andonleavingthecampithadgonealongthesoftearthbythebrook，wherethefootprintswereasplainasifonsnow，and，afteracarefulscrutinyofthetrail，itcertainlydidseemasif，whateverthethingwas，ithadwalkedoffonbuttwolegs。
Themen，thoroughlyuneasy，gatheredagreatheapofdeadlogs，andkeptuparoaringfirethroughoutthenight，oneortheothersittingonguardmostofthetime。Aboutmidnightthethingcamedownthroughtheforestopposite，acrossthebrook，andstayedthereonthehill-
sidefornearlyanhour。Theycouldhearthebranchescrackleasitmovedabout，andseveraltimesitutteredaharsh，grating，long-drawnmoan，apeculiarlysinistersound。Yetitdidnotventurenearthefire。
Inthemorningthetwotrappers，afterdiscussingthestrangeeventsofthelastthirty-sixhours，decidedthattheywouldshouldertheirpacksandleavethevalleythatafternoon。Theywerethemorereadytodothisbecauseinspiteofseeingagooddealofgamesigntheyhadcaughtverylittlefur。However，itwasnecessaryfirsttogoalongthelineoftheirtrapsandgatherthem，andthistheystartedouttodo。
Allthemorningtheykepttogether，pickinguptrapaftertrap，eachoneempty。Onfirstleavingcamptheyhadthedisagreeablesensationofbeingfollowed。Inthedensesprucethicketstheyoccasionallyheardabranchsnapaftertheyhadpassed；andnowandthentherewereslightrustlingnoisesamongthesmallpinestoonesideofthem。
Atnoontheywerebackwithinacoupleofmilesofcamp。Inthehigh，brightsunlighttheirfearsseemedabsurdtothetwoarmedmen，accustomedastheywere，throughlongyearsoflonelywanderinginthewildernesstofaceeverykindofdangerfromman，brute，orelement。
Therewerestillthreebeavertrapstocollectfromalittlepondinawideravinenearby。Baumanvolunteeredtogathertheseandbringthemin，whilehiscompanionwentaheadtocampandmakereadythepacks。
OnreachingthepondBaumanfoundthreebeaverinthetraps，oneofwhichhadbeenpulledlooseandcarriedintoabeaverhouse。Hetookseveralhoursinsecuringandpreparingthebeaver，andwhenhestartedhomewardshemarkedwithsomeuneasinesshowlowthesunwasgetting。Ashehurriedtowardscamp，underthetalltrees，thesilenceanddesolationoftheforestweighedonhim。Hisfeetmadenosoundonthepineneedles，andtheslantingsunrays，strikingthroughamongthestraighttrunks，madeagraytwilightinwhichobjectsatadistanceglimmeredindistinctly。Therewasnothingtobreaktheghostlystillnesswhich，whenthereisnobreeze，alwaysbroodsoverthesesombreprimevalforests。
Atlasthecametotheedgeofthelittlegladewherethecamplay，andshoutedasheapproachedit，butgotnoanswer。Thecampfirehadgoneout，thoughthethinbluesmokewasstillcurlingupwards。Nearitlaythepacks，wrappedandarranged。AtfirstBaumancouldseenobody；nordidhereceiveananswertohiscall。Steppingforwardheagainshouted，andashedidsohiseyefellonthebodyofhisfriend，stretchedbesidethetrunkofagreatfallenspruce。Rushingtowardsitthehorrifiedtrapperfoundthatthebodywasstillwarm，butthattheneckwasbroken，whiletherewerefourgreatfangmarksinthethroat。
Thefootprintsoftheunknownbeast-creature，printeddeepinthesoftsoil，toldthewholestory。
Theunfortunateman，havingfinishedhispacking，hadsatdownonthesprucelogwithhisfacetothefire，andhisbacktothedensewoods，towaitforhiscompanion。Whilethuswaiting，hismonstrousassailant，whichmusthavebeenlurkingnearbyinthewoods，waitingforachancetocatchoneoftheadventurersunprepared，camesilentlyupfrombehind，walkingwithlong，noiselesssteps，andseeminglystillontwolegs。Evidentlyunheard，itreachedtheman，andbrokehisneckwhileitburieditsteethinhisthroat。Ithadnoteatenthebody，butapparentlyhadrompedandgambolledrounditinuncouth，ferociousglee，occasionallyrollingoverandoverit；andhadthenfledbackintothesoundlessdepthsofthewoods。
Bauman，utterlyunnerved，andbelievingthatthecreaturewithwhichhehadtodealwassomethingeitherhalfhumanorhalfdevil，somegreatgoblin-beast，abandonedeverythingbuthisrifleandstruckoffatspeeddownthepass，nothaltinguntilhereachedthebeavermeadowswherethehobbledponieswerestillgrazing。Mounting，herodeonwardsthroughthenight，untilfarbeyondthereachofpursuit。