ToMessrs。Harper&BothersandHenryMillsAldenwhosefriendlinessandfairdealingIamgladofthischancetorecordOwenWisterPrefaceIt’sveryplainthatifathing’sthefashion——
Toomuchthefashion——ifthepeopleleapTodoit，ortobeit，inapassionOfhasteandcrowding，likeaherdofsheep，WhythenthatthingbecomesthroughimitationVulgar，excessive，obvious，andcheap。
NogentlemandesirestobepursuingWhateveryTomandDickandHarry’sdoing。
Stranger，doyouwritebooks？Iaskthequestion，BecauseI’mtoldthateverybodywritesThatwhatwithscribbling，eating，anddigestion，Andproperslumber，allourdaysandnightsArewhollyfilled。Itseemsanoddsuggestion——
Butifyoudowrite，stopit，leavethemasses，Readme，andjointhesmallselectedclasses。
TheJimmyjohnBossI
OnedayatNampa，whichisinIdaho，aruddyoldmassivejovialmanstoodbytheSilverCitystage，pattinghisbeardwithhislefthand，andwithhisrighttheshoulderofaboywhostoodbesidehim。HehadcomewiththeboyonthebranchtrainfromBoise，becausehewasacarefulGermanandlikedtosayeverythingtwice——twiceatleastwhenitwasamatterofbusiness。Thiswasamatterofveryparticularbusiness，andtheGermanhadrepeatedhimselffornineteenmiles。Presentlytheeast—boundonthemainlinewouldarrivefromPortland；thentheSilverCitystagewouldtaketheboysouthonhisnewmission，andthemanwouldjourneybythebranchtrainbacktoBoise。FromBoisenoonecouldsaywherehemightnotgo，westoreast。HewasagreatandpervasivecattlemaninOregon，California，andotherplaces。VogelandLex——evento—dayyoumayhearthetworanchpartnersspokenof。SotheveteranVogelwasnowoncemoregoingoverhisnotionsandcommandstohisyouthfuldeputyduringthelastpreciousminutesuntiltheeast—boundshouldarrive。
\"Undifonlyyouhafsomedinglikedis，\"saidtheoldman，ashetappedhisbeardandpattedtheboy，\"itwouldbefivehoondertmoredollarssalaryinyourliddlepants。\"
Theboywinkedupathisemployer。Hehadagray，humorouseye；hewasslimandalert，likeasparrow—hawk——thesortofboyhisfatheropenlyrejoicesinandhismotherissecretlyinprayerover。Only，thisboyhadneitherfathernormother。Sincetheageoftwelvehehadlookedoutforhimself，neverquitewithoutbread，sometimesattainingchampagne，gettingalonginhisAmericanwayvariously，onhorseorafoot，acrossregionsofwideplainsandmountains，throughtownswherenotasoulknewhisname。Heclosedoneofhisgrayeyesathisemployer，andbeyondthismadenoremark。
\"Vatyoumeanbydatvink，anyhow？\"demandedtheelder。
\"Say，\"saidtheboy，confidentially——\"honestnow。Howaboutyouandme？
FivehundreddollarsifIhadyourbeard。You’vegotarecordandI’vegotafuture。Andmybloom’sonmerich，withoutascratch。Howmanydollarsyougifmefordatbloom？\"Thesparrow—hawksailedintoafreakishimitationofhismaster。
\"Youarealiddlerascal！\"criedthemaster，shakingwithentertainment。
\"UndifderpeoplesvastohearyousassoldMaxVogelindisstyletheywouldsay，’PooroldMax，helosehisgr—rip。’ButIdon’tloseit。\"Hisgreathandclosedsuddenlyontheboy’sshoulder，hisvoicecutcleanandheavyasanaxe，andthennomorejokingabouthim。\"Hafyouunderstandthat？\"hesaid。
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Howoldareyou，son？\"
\"Nineteen，sir。\"
\"Ohmy，thatisoffleyoungforthejobIgifyou。Someofdosemanyougotobossmightbeyourfather。Undhowmuchdoyouweigh？\"
\"Aboutahundredandthirty。\"
\"Toolight，toolight。UndIhafkeepmyeyeonyouinBoise。Youarenotsogootaboyasyoumightbe。\"
\"Well，sir，Iguessnot。\"
\"Butyouwasnotsobadaboyasyoumightbe，neider。Youdon’tlieaboutit。Nowitmustbefarewelltoallthatfoolishness。Hafyouunderstand？Yougotosetanexamplewhereoneisneededverybad。Ifthosemenseeyoudrinkaliddle，theydrinkabiglot。Youforbidthem，theylaughatyou。Youmustnotallowonedropofwhiskeyatthewholeplace。Hafyouwellunderstand？\"
\"Yes，sir。Meandwhiskeyarenotnecessarytoeachother’shappiness。\"
\"Itisnotyou，itisthem。Howareyoumityourgun？\"
Vogeltooktheboy’spistolfromitsholsterandaimedatanemptybottlewhichwasstickinginthethinDeceiversnow。\"Canyoudothis？\"hesaid，carelessly，andfired。Thesnowstruckthebottle，buttheunharmingbulletwasburiedhalfaninchtotheleft。
Theboytookhispistolwithsolemnity。\"No，\"hesaid。\"GuessIcan’tdothat。\"Hefired，andtheglasssplinteredintoshapelessness。\"ToldyouI
couldn’tmissascloseasyoudid，\"saidhe。
\"Youareadarling，\"saidMr。Vogel。\"Gifmedatlofelyweapon。\"
Afortunatestoreofbottleslay，leaned，orstoodaboutinthewhitesnowofNampa，andMr。Vogelbeganatthem。
\"MayIaskifanythingisthematter？\"inquiredamildvoicefromthestage。
\"Stickthatlilyheadin—doors，\"shoutedVogel；andthefaceandeye—glasseswithdrewagainintothestage。\"Theschool—teacherhewillbebeautifoolvirtuouscompanyforyouatMalheurAgency，\"continuedVogel，shootingagain；andpresentlythelargeoldGermandestroyedabottlewithacrashingsmack。\"Ah！\"saidhe，inunisonwiththesmack。\"Ah—ha！
NovonshallsayderoldMaxlosehisgr—rip。Ishootitefrytimenow，butthetrainshewhistle。Ihearher。\"
Theboyaffectedtolistenearnestly。
\"Bah！ItellyouIheardewhistlecoming。\"
\"Didyousaytherewasawhistle？\"venturedtheoccupantofthestage。
Thesnowshonewhiteonhisglassesashepeeredout。
\"Nobodywhistleforyou，\"returnedtherobustVogel。\"Youlistentome，\"
hecontinuedtotheboy。\"Youareoffleyoong。ButIwatchyouplentythislongtime。IseeyouworkmitmystockontheOwyheeandtheMalheur；Iseeyoumitmyodermen。Mymentheysayalwaysmoreandmore，’YoongDrakeheisagootone，’undIthinkyouareagootonemineownself。IamthebiggestcattlemanonthePacificslope，undIamalsoanolddevil。Ihavethinkalot，undIlikeyou。\"
\"I’mobligedtoyou，sir。\"
\"Shutoop。Ilikeyou，undthereforeImakeyoumynewsooperintendentatmyMalheurAgencyr—ranch，mitabiggersalaryasyoudon’tgetbefore。
Ifyouareasookcess，Ir—raiseyousomemore。\"
\"Iamsatisfiednow，sir。\"
\"Bah！Neverdoyoutellanygootbusinessmanyouaresatisfiedmitvathegifyou，foreiderhedon’tbelieveyouorelsehethinkyouareafool。Undeiderwaysyougodowninhisestimation。YoumakethosemenatMalheurAgencybehavethemselvesundIr—raiseyou。OnlyIdovish，Idocertainlyvishyouhadsomebeardonthatyoongchin。\"
Theboyglancedathispistol。
\"No，no，no，myson，\"saidthesharpoldGerman。\"Idon’twantgunpowderindisaffair。Youmustactkvietunddecisifundkeepyourliddleshirton。Whatyouaccomplishshootin’？Youkillsomebody，undthen，pop！
somebodykillsyou。Whatgootisallthatnonsensetome？\"
\"Itwouldannoymesome，too，\"retortedtheboy，eyeingthecapitalist。
\"Don’tleavemeoutoftheproposition。\"
\"Broposition！Broposition！NowyougethotmitoldMaxfornothing。\"
\"Ifyoudidn’tcontemplatetrouble，\"pursuedtheboy，\"whatwasyourpointjustnowinsamplingmymarksmanship？\"Hekickedsomesnowinthedirectionoftheshatteredbottle。\"It’sunderstoodnowhiskeycomesonthatranch。Butifnogunpowdergoesalongwithme，either，let’scallthedealoff。Buysomeotherfool。\"
\"Youhafnotunderstand，myboy。UndyougetveryhotbecauseIhappentomakethatliddlejokeaboutsomebodykillingyou。WasyouthinkingmaybeoldMaxnotcarewhathappentoyou？\"
Amomentofsilencepassedbeforetheanswercame：\"Supposewetalkbusiness？\"
\"Verywell，verywell。Onlynoticethisthing。Whenoderpeoplestalkooptomelikeyouhafdonemanytimes，itisnottheywhodoesthegettinghot。Itisme——oldMax。UndwhenoldMaxgetshotheslingsthemoutofhisroadanywheres。Somehafbeenverysorrytheygetsoslung。Youinvitemetobuysomeoderfool？Oh，myboy，Iwillbuynooderfoolexceptyou，forthatwasjustlikemewhenIwasyoongMax！\"Againtheruddyandgrizzledmagnateputhishandontheshoulderoftheboy，whostoodlookingawayatthebottles，attherailroadtrack，atanythingsavehisemployer。
Theemployerproceeded：\"Iwasafraidofnobodyundnodinginthosedays。
Youareafraidofnobodyandnoding。Butthosedayswasdifferent。NoPullmansleepers，norailroadatall。WecomeooptheColumbiainthesteamboat，wetravelhoondertsofmilesbyteam，wesleep，weeatnowheresinparticularmitmanyunexpectedinterooptions。TherewasIndians，therewasofflebadwhitemen，undifyouwasnotoffleyourselfyouvanishedquickly。ThereforeinthosedayswasMaxVogelhellundrepeat。\"
Themagnatesmiledabroadfondsmileoverthepastwhichhehadkicked，driven，shot，bled，andbattledthroughtopresentpower；andtheboywinkedupathimagainnow。
\"Idon’tproposetovanish，myself，\"saidhe。
\"Ah—ha！youwasnolongermadmitderoldMax！OfcoorseIcarewhathappenstoyou。Iwasaloneintheworldmyselfinthoselofelywickeddays。\"
Reserveagainmadeflintytheboy’sface。
\"NeiderdidItalkaboutmyfeelings，\"continuedMaxVogel，\"butInefershowthemtooquick。IfIwasinjuredIwait，andIstriketokill。Weallpaddlesourowndugout，eh？Weasknofavorsfromnobody；wemustwinourspurs！Notso？NowItalkbusinesswithyouwhereyouinterrooptme。
Ifcow—boyswasnotsoofflescarceinthecountry，Iwouldlongagohafbouncethelotofthosedrunkenfellows。Buttheycannotbespared；wemustgetalongso。IcannotsendBrock，heisneededatHarper’s。ThedumbfellowatAlvordLakeistoodumb；heisnotquicklycourageous。
Theywouldplayhighjinksmithim。ThereforeIsendyou。Brockhesaytomeyouhafjoodgement。Iwatch，andIsaytomyselfalso，thisboyhafgootjoodgement。Andwhenyoulookatyourpistolsoquick，ItellyouquickIdon’tsendyoutokillmenwhentheyaresoscarcealready！Myboy，itiseverthemoral，thesay—nodingstrengthwhatgetsthere——mitalwaystheliddlepistolbehind，incase——joostincase。Hafyouunderstand？Iaskyoutoshoot。Iseeyouknowhow，asBrocktoldme。I
recommendyoutoletthemseethataggomplishmentinafriendlyway。
Maybeashooting—matchmitprizes——Ipayforthem——prettysoonafteryoucome。Undjoodgement——undjoodgement。Herecomesthattrain。Hafyouwellunderstand？\"
Uponthisthetwoshookhands，lookingsquarefriendshipineachother’seyes。Theeast—bound，longquietanddarkbeneathitsflowingclotsofsmoke，slowedtoahalt。Afewvalisesandlegsdescended，ascended，herdingandhurrying；afewtrunkswerethrownresoundinglyinandoutofthetrain；awoolly，crookedoldmancamewithaboxandabandannabundlefromthesecond—classcar；thetravellersofathousandmileslookedtorpidlyathimthroughthedim，dustywindowsoftheirPullman，andsettledagainforathousandmilesmore。Thentheeast—bound，shootingheavierclotsofsmokelaboriouslyintotheair，drewitsslowlengthoutofNampa，andaway。
\"Where’sthatstage？\"shrilledthewoollyoldman。\"That’swhatI’mafter。\"
\"Why，hello！\"shoutedVogel。\"Hello，UnclePasco！Iheardyouwasdead。\"
UnclePascoblinkedhissmalleyestoseewhohailedhim。\"Oh！\"saidhe，inhislight，crustyvoice。\"DutchyVogel。No，Iain’tdead。Youguessedwrong。Notdead。Helpmeup，Dutchy。\"
AtolerantsmilebroadenedVogel’sface。\"ItwastenyearssinceIseeyou，\"saidhe，carryingtheoldman’sbox。
\"Shouldn’twonder。Maybeit’llbeanothertentillyouseemenext。\"Hestoppedbythestagestep，andwheelingnimbly，surveyedhisold—timeacquaintance，notingthegoodhat，theprosperouswatch—chain，thebig，well—blackedboots。\"Notseenmefortenyears。Hee—hee！No。Usen’ttohaveacentmorethanme。Twinsinpoverty。That’showDutchyandmestarted。Ifwewasburiedto—morrowthey’dmarkhim’Pecunious’andme’Impecunious。’That’swhat。Twinsinpoverty。\"
\"Isticktovonbusinessatatime，Uncle，\"saidgood—natured，successfulMax。
Aflickerofaberrationlightedintheoldman’seye。\"H’m，yes，\"saidhe，pondering。\"Stucktoonebusiness。Soyoudid。H’m。\"Then，suddenlysly，hechirped：\"ButI’vestruckitrichnow。\"Hetappedhisbox。
\"Jewelry，\"hehalf—whispered。\"Minersandcow—boys。\"
\"Yes，\"saidVogel。\"Thosepoor，deludedfellows，theybuysuchstuff。\"
Andhelaughedattheseedyvisionarywhohadbegunfrontierlifewithhimonthebottomrungandwouldenditthere。\"Doyouplaythatconcertinayet，Uncle？\"heinquired。
\"Yes，yes。Ialwaysplay。It’sinherewithmytooth—brushandsocks。\"
UnclePascoheldupthebandanna。\"Well，he’sgettingreadytostart。I
guessI’llbeclimbinginside。HolyGertrude！\"
Thisshrillcommentwasatsightoftheschool—master，patientwithinthestage。\"Whatbusinessareyouin？\"demandedUnclePasco。
\"Iaminthespellingbusiness，\"repliedtheteacher，andsmiled，faintly。
\"Hell！\"pipedUnclePasco。\"Takethis。\"
Hehandedinhisbandannatothetraveller，whoreceiveditpolitely。MaxVogelliftedtheboxofcheapjewelry；andbothheandtheboycamebehindtoboosttheoldmanuponthestagestep。Butwithanettledlookheleapeduptoevadethem，totteredhalf—way，andthen，lightasahuskofgrain，gothimselftohisseatandscowledattheschoolmaster。
Afterabriefinspectionofthatpale，spectacledface，\"Dutchy，\"hecalledoutofthedoor，\"thiscountryisnotwhatitwas。\"
ButoldMaxVogelwasinattentive。Hewasspeakingtotheboy，DeanDrake，andheldaflaskinhishand。Hereachedtheflasktohisnewsuperintendent。\"Drinkhearty，\"saidhe。\"There，son！Don’tbeshy。Hafyouforgotitisforbiddenfruitafternow？\"
\"Kidswornoff？\"inquiredUnclePascooftheschool—master。
\"Iunderstand，\"repliedthisperson，\"thatMr。Vogelwillnotallowhiscow—boysattheMalheurAgencytohaveanywhiskeybroughtthere。
Personally，Ifeelgratified。\"AndMr。Bolles，thenewschool—master，gavehisfaintsmile。
\"Oh，\"mutteredUnclePasco。\"Forbiddentobringwhiskeyontheranch？
H’m。\"Hiseyeswanderedtothejewelry—box。\"H’m，\"saidheagain；andbecomingthoughtful，helaidbackhismoth—eatenslyhead，andspokenofurtherwithMr。Bolles。
DeanDrakeclimbedintothestageandthevehiclestarted。
\"Gootluck，gootluck，myson！\"shoutedtheheartyMax，andopenedandwavedbothhisbigarmsatthedepartingboy：Hestoodlookingafterthestage。\"Ihopehecomeback，\"saidhe。\"Ithinkhecomeback。IfhecomeIr—raisehimfiftydollarswithoutanybeard。\"
II
ThestagehadnottrundledsofaronitsSilverCityroadbutthatawhistlefromNampastationreacheditsthreeoccupants。ThiswasthebranchtrainstartingbacktoBoisewithMaxVogelaboard；andtheboylookedoutatthelocomotivewithasigh。
\"Onlyfivedaysoftown，\"hemurmured。\"Sixmonthsmorewildernessnow。\"
\"Mylifehasbeentoomuchtown，\"saidthenewschool—master。\"Iamlookingforwardtoalittlewildernessforachange。\"
OldUnclePasco，leaningback，saidnothing；hekepthiseyesshutandhisearsopen。
\"ChangeiswhatIdon’tget，\"sighedDeanDrake。Inafewmiles，however，beforetheyhadcometotheferryoverSnakeRiver，therecentleave—takingandhisemployer’skindbutdominatingrepressionliftedfromtheboy’sspirit。Hisgrayeyewakenedkeenagain，andhebegantowhistlelightoperatunes，lookingabouthimalertly，likethesparrow—hawkthathewas。\"EverseeJeannieWinstonin’Fatinitza’？\"heinquiredofMr。Bolles。
Theschool—master，withastartled，thankfulcountenance，statedthathehadnever。
\"Oughtto，\"saidDrake。
\"Youaman？thatcan’tbetrue！
Menhavenevereyeslikeyou。\"
That’swhatthegirlsintheharemsinginthesecondact。Gollywhiz！\"
Theboygleamedoverthememoryofthatevening。
\"Youhaveahardjobbeforeyou，\"saidtheschool—master，changingthesubject。
\"Yep。Hard。\"ThewaryDrakeshookhisheadwarninglyatMr。Bollestokeepoffthatsubject，andheglancedinthedirectionofslumberingUnclePasco。UnclePascowasquiteawareofallthis。\"Iwouldn’ttakeanotherlonesomejobsosoon，\"pursuedDrake，\"butIwantthemoney。I’vebeenworkingelevenmonthsalongtheOwyheeasasortofjuniorboss，andI’dearnedmyvacation。JustgotitstartedhotinPortland，whenbiff！
oldVogeltelegraphsme。Well，I’llbesavinginsteadofsquandering。Butitfeelssogoodtosquander！\"
\"Ihaveneverhadanythingtosquander，\"saidBolles，rathersadly。
\"Youdon’tsay！Well，oldman，Ihopeyouwill。Itgivesamanalothe’llnevergetoutofspelling—books。Areyoucold？Here。\"Anddespitetheschool—master’sprotest，DeanDraketuckedhisbuffalocoatroundandoverhim。\"Someday，whenI’mold，\"hewenton，\"Imeantoliverespectableundermyowncabinandvine。Wifeandeverything。Butnot，anyway，tillI’mthirty—five。\"
Hedroppedintohisoperatunesforawhile；butevidentlyitwasnot\"Fatinitza\"andhisvanishedholidayoverwhichhewaschieflymeditating，forpresentlyheexclaimed：\"I’llgivethemashooting—matchinthemorning。Youshoot？\"
Bolleshopedhewasgoingtolearninthiscountry，andexhibitedaSmith&Wessonrevolver。
Drakegrievedoverit。\"Wrapitupwarm，\"saidhe。\"I’lllendyouarealonewhenwegettotheMalheurAgency。Butyoucaneat，anyhow。Christmasbeingnextweek，yousee，myprogrammeis，shootallA。M。andeatallP。M。Iwishyoucouldlightonanotionwhatprizestogivemybuccaroos。\"
\"Buccaroos？\"saidBolles。
\"Yep。Cow—punchers。Vaqueros。BuccaroosinOregon。BastardSpanishword，yousee，driftedupfromMexico。Vogelwouldnotcaretohavemegive’emmoneyasprizes。\"
AtthisUnclePascoopenedaneye。
\"Howmanybuccarooswilltherebe？\"Bollesinquired。
\"AttheMalheurAgency？It’stheheadquartersoffiveofourranches。
Thereoughttobequiteacrowd。Adozen，probably，atthistimeofyear。\"
UnclePascoopenedhisothereye。\"Here，you！\"hesaid，draggingathisboxundertheseat。\"Pullit，can’tyou？There。Justwhatyou’reafter。
There’syourprizes。\"Querulousandwatchful，likesomeaged，ricketyape，theoldmandrewouthistrinketsinshallowshelves。
\"Soonergive’emnothing，\"saidDeanDrake。
\"What’sthat？What’sthematterwiththem？\"
\"Guesstheboyshavehadallthebrassringsandglassdiamondstheywant。\"
\"That’sallyouknow，then。IsoldthatboxcleanemptythroughthePalousecountrylastweek，’ceptthebottomdrawer，andanoutfitonMeacham’shilltookthat。Showsallyouknow。I’mgoingcleanthroughyourcountryafterI’vequitSilverCity。I’llstartinbyBakerCityagain，andI’llstrikeHarney，andmaybeI’llgotoLinkville。Iknowwhatbuccarooswant。I’llgotoFortRinehart，andI’llgototheIslandRanch，andfirstthingyou’llbeseeingyourboyswearingmystuffallovertheirfingersandSundayshirts，andgivingtheirgirlsmystuffrightinHarneyCity。That’swhat。\"
\"Allright，Uncle。It’safreecountry。\"
\"Shaw！Guessitis。Iwasinitbeforeyouwas，too。YouwerewetbehindtheearswhenIwasjammin’allaroundhere。Howmanyaretheyupatyourplace，didyousay？\"
\"Isaidabouttwelve。Ifyou’recomingourway，stopandeatwithus。\"
\"MaybeIwillandmaybeIwon’t。\"UnclePascocrosslyshovedhisboxback。
\"Allright，Uncle。It’safreecountry，\"repeatedDrake。
Notmuchwassaidafterthis。UnclePascounwrappedhisconcertinafromtheredhandkerchiefandplayednimblyforhisownbenefit。AtSilverCityhedisappeared，and，findinghehadstolennothingfromthem，theydidnotregrethim。DeanDrakehadsomeaffairstoseetoherebeforestartingforHarper’sranch，anditwaspleasanttoBollestofindhowDrakewasesteemedthroughthiscountry。Theschool—masterwastoboardattheMalheurAgency，andhadcomethiswayroundbecausethenewsuperintendentmustsotravel。Theywerescarcelybirdsofafeather，DrakeandBolles，yetsinceoneremoteroofwastocoverthem，thein—doormanwasgladthisboy—hosthadwonsomuchgood—willfromhighandlow。ThattheshrewdoldVogelshouldtrustsomuchinanineteen—year—oldwasproofenoughatleastofhischaracter；butwhenBrock，theforemanfromHarper’s，cameforthematSilverCity，BolleswitnessedtheaffectionthattheroughermanheldforDrake。Brockshooktheboy’shandwiththatseriousquietnessandabsenceofwordswhichshowstheWesternheartisspeaking。AfteralookatBollesandasilentbestowingofthebaggageaboardtheteam，hecrackedhislongwhipandthethreerattledhappilyawaythroughthedipsofanopencountrywhereclearstreamsranbluebeneaththewinterair。TheyfollowedtheJordan（thatIdahoJordan）westtowardsOregonandtheOwyhee，Brockoftenturninginhisdriver’sseatsoastospeakwithDrake。Hehadalong，gradualchapterofconfidencesandevents；throughmilesheunburdenedthesetohisfavorite：
TheCaliforniamarewascoringwellinharness。TheeagleoveratWhitehorseranchhadfoughtthecatmostterrible。Gilberthadgotamule—kickinthestomach，butwaseatinghisthreemeals。Theyhadanewboywhoplayedtheguitar。Heusedmaple—syrupanhismeat，andclaimedhewasfromAlabama。Brockguessedthingswereaboutasusualinmostways。Thenewwellhadcavedinagain。Then，inthemidstofhisgossip，thethinghehadwantedtosayallalongcameout：\"We’repleasedaboutyourpromotion，\"saidhe；and，blushing，shookDrake’shandagain。
Warmthkindledtheboy’sface，andnext，withasuddenseverity，hesaid：
\"You’rekeepingbacksomething。\"
ThehonestBrocklookedblank，thenlaboredinhismemory。
\"HasthesorrelgirlinHarneymarriedyouyet？\"saidDrake。
Brockslappedhisleg，andthehorsesjumpedathismirth。Hewasmostlygrave—mannered，butwhenhisboysuperintendentjoked，herejoicedwiththesamepridethathetookinallofDrake’sexcellences。
\"Theboysinthiscountrywillbackyouup，\"saidhe，nextday；andDrakeinquired：\"WhatnewsfromtheMalheurAgency？\"
\"SincethenewChinamanhasbeencookingforthem，\"saidBrock，\"theyhavebeenpeacefulasamancouldwish。\"
\"They’llapproveofme，then，\"Drakeanswered。\"I’mfeeding’emhyasChristmasmuck—a—muck。\"
\"Andwhatmaythatbe？\"askedtheschoolmaster。
\"YounokumtuxChinook？\"inquiredDrake。\"Travelwithmeandyou’lllearnallsortsoflanguages。Itmeansjustabigfeed。Allwhiskeyisbarred，\"
headdedtoBrock。
\"It’stheonlyway，\"saidtheforeman。\"They’vegotthosePennsylvaniamenupthere。\"
Drakehadnotencounteredthese。
\"ThethreebrothersDrinker，\"saidBrock。\"Full，Half—pastFull，andDrunkarewhattheycallthem。Them’sthenames；they’vebroughtthemfromKlamathandRogueRiver。\"
\"IshouldnotthinkaChinamanwouldenjoysuchcomrades，\"venturedMr。
Bolles。
\"Chinamendon’thavecomradesinthiscountry，\"saidBrock，briefly。
\"Theylikehiscooking。It’salonesomesectionupthere，andaChinamancouldhardlyquitit，notifhewasexpectedtostay。Supposetheykickaboutthewhiskeyrule？\"hesuggestedtoDrake。
\"Can’thelpwhattheydo。Oh，I’llgiveeachboyhisturninHarneyCitywhenhegetsanxious。It’sthewholeunitedlotIdon’tproposetohavecutuponme。\"
AlookofconcernfortheboycameoverthefaceofforemanBrock。
Severaltimesagainbeforetheirpartingdidhethuslookathisfavorite。TheypausedatHarper’sforadaytoattendtosomematters，andwhenDrakewasleavingthisplaceoneofthemensaidtohim：\"We’llstandbyyou。\"ButfromhisblitheappearanceandtalkastheslimboyjourneyedtotheMalheurRiverandHeadquarterranch，nothingseemedtobeonhismind。Oregontwinkledwithsunandfinewhitesnow。Theycrossedthroughaworldofpinesandcrevicedstreamsandexhilaratingsilence。Thelittlewatersfelltinklingthroughiciclesinthelonelinessofthewoods，andsnowshoerabbitsdivedintothebrush。EastOregon，theOwyheeandtheMalheurcountry，theoldtrailsofGeneralCrook，thewillowsbythestreams，theopenswales，thehighwoodswhereonceBuffaloHornandChiefE—eganteandO—itsthemedicine—manprospered，throughthisdomainofwarandmemorieswentBollestheschool—masterwithDeanDrakeandBrock。ThethirdnoonfromHarper’stheycameleisurelydowntotheoldMalheurAgency，whereoncethehostileIndianshaddrawnpicturesonthedoor，andwhereCastleRockfrowneddownunchanged。
\"IwishIwasgoingtostayherewithyou，\"saidBrocktoDrake。\"ByIndianCreekyoucansendwordtomequickerthanwe’vecome。\"
\"Why，you’reanoldbat！\"saidtheboytohisforeman，andclappedhimfarewellontheshoulder。
Brockdroveaway，thoughtful。Hewasnotalargeman。Hisfacewasclean—cut，almostdelicate。Hehadawell—trimmed，yellowmustache，anditwaschieflyinhisblueeyeandleancheek—bonethatthefrontiersmanshowed。HelovedDeanDrakemorethanhewouldevertell，eventohimself。
Theyoungsuperintendentsetatworktoranch—workthisafternoonofBrock’sleaving，andthebuccaroosmadehisacquaintanceonebyoneandstaredathim。Villanydidnotsitoutwardlyupontheirfaces；theywerenotvillains；buttheystaredattheboysenttocontrolthem，andtheyspoketogether，laughing。Draketooktheheadofthetableatsupper，withBollesonhisright。Downthetablesomesilence，somestaring，muchlaughingwenton——therichbrutelaughofthebellyuntroubledbythebrain。Sam，theChinaman，rapidandnoiseless，servedthedishes。
\"Whatisit？\"saidabuccaroo。
\"Canitbite？\"saidanother。
\"Ifyouguesswhatitis，youcanhaveit，\"saidathird。
\"It’smeat，\"remarkedDrake，incisively，helpinghimself；\"andtougherthanitlooks。\"
Thebrutelaughrosefromthecrowdandfellintosurprisedsilence；butnorejoindercame，andtheyatetheirsuppersomewhatthoughtfully。TheChinaman’squick，softeyehadglancedatDeanDrakewhentheylaughed。
Heservedhisdinnersolicitously。InhiskitchenthateveningheandBollesunpackedthegoodthings——theolives，thedriedfruits，thecigars——broughtbythenewsuperintendentforChristmas；andfindingBollesharmless，likehisgentleAsiaticself，Samlookedcautiouslyaboutandspoke：
\"Younotknowwhytheylaugh，\"saidhe。\"Theynottalkaboutmymeatthen。Theymeannewboss，MisserDlake。Hevellyyoungboss。\"
\"Ithink，\"saidBolles，\"Mr。Drakeunderstoodtheirmeaning，Sam。Ihavenoticedthatattimesheexpresseshimselfpeculiarly。Ialsothinktheyunderstoodhismeaning。\"
TheOrientalpondered。\"MelikeMisserDlake，\"saidhe。Anddrawingquiteclose，heobserved，\"Theynotnicemanvellymuch。\"
Nextdayandeveryday\"MisserDlake\"wentgaylyabouthisbusiness，athisdeskoronhishorse，vigilant，nearandfar，withnosignsaveasteadierkeennessinhiseye。FortheChristmasdinnerheprovidedstillfurthersendingtotheGrandeRondecountryforturkeysandotherthings。
HewontheheartofBollesbylendinghimagoodhorse；butthebuccaroos，thoughtheywereboisterousoverthecomingChristmasjoy，didnotseemespeciallygrateful。Drake，however，kepthisworriestohimself。
\"Thisthinghappensanywhere，\"hesaidonenightintheofficetoBolles，puffingacigar。\"I’veseenatroopofcavalrydemoralizeitselfbyasortofcontagionfromtwoorthreemen。\"
\"Ithinkitwaswickedtosendyouherebyyourself，\"blurtedBolles。
\"Poppycock！It’sthechanceofmylife，andI’lljamherthroughorbust。\"
\"Ithinktheyhavedecidedyouaregettingturkeysbecauseyouareafraidofthem，\"saidBolles。
\"Why，ofcourse！Butd’youfigureI’mthemantoabandonmyChristmasturkeybecausemymotivesforeatingitaremisconstrued？\"
DeanDrakesmokedforawhile；thenaknockcameatthedoor。Fivebuccaroosenteredandstoodclose，asisthewaywiththeguiltywhofeeluncertain。
\"Wewerethinkingasmaybeyou’dletusgoovertotown，\"saidHalf—pastFull，thespokesman。
\"When？\"
\"Oh，anydayalongthisweek。\"
\"Can’tspareyoutillafterChristmas。\"
\"Maybeyou’llnotobjecttooneofusgoin’？\"
\"You’lleachhaveyourturnafterthisweek。\"
Aslightpausefollowed。ThenHalf—pastFullsaid：\"WhatwouldyoudoifIwent，anyway？\"
\"Can’timagine，\"Drakeanswered，easily。\"Go，andI’llbeinapositiontoinformyou。\"
Thebuccaroodroppedhisstolidbulleyes，butraisedthemagainandgrinned。\"Well，I’mnotparticularaboutgoin’thisweek，boss。\"
\"That’snotmyname，\"saidDrake，\"butit’swhatIam。\"
Theystoodamoment。Thentheyshuffledout。Itwasanorderlyretreat——almost。
DrakewinkedovertoBolles。\"Thatwasagraze，\"saidhe，andsmokedforawhile。\"They’llnotgothistime。Questionis，willtheygonext？\"
III
Draketookafreshcigar，andthrewhislegsoverthechairarm。
\"Ithinkyousmoketoomuch，\"saidBolles，whomthreedayshadmadefamiliarandfriendly。
\"Yep。Havetojustnow。That’swhat！asUnclePascowouldsay。Theyareahalf—breedlot，though，\"theboycontinued，returningtothebuccaroosandtheirrecentvisit。\"Weakeninthefaceofastraightbluff，yousee，unlesstheygetwhiskey—courageous。AndI’vecalled’emdownonthat。\"
\"Oh！\"saidBolles，comprehending。
\"Didn’tyouseethatwastheirgame？Buthewillnotgoafterit。\"
\"Thefleshisalltheyseemtounderstand，\"murmuredBolles。
Half—pastFulldidnotgotoHarneyCityforthetabooedwhiskey，nordidanyone。Drakereadhisbuccarooslikethechildrenthattheywere。Afterthelateencounterofgrit，theatmospherewasrelievedofstorm。Thechildren，theprimitive，pagan，dangerouschildren，forgotallaboutwhiskey，andlustedjoyouslyforChristmas。Christmaswascoming！Nowork！Ashooting—match！Abigfeed！CheerfulnessbubbledattheMalheurAgency。Theweatheritselfwasintune。CastleRockseemednolongertofrown，butroseintotheshiningair，amassoffriendlystrength。Exceptwhenararesledgeorhorsemanpassed，Mr。Bolles’sjourneystotheschoolwerealltoshowitwasnotsomepioneercolonyinanew，white，silentworldthatheardonlytheplayfulshoutsandsongsofthebuccaroos。Thesunoverheadandthehard—crushingsnowunderfootfilledeveryonewithacrisp，tinglinghilarity。
BeforethesunfirsttouchedCastleRockonthemorningofthefeasttheywereupandinhighfeatheroveratthebunk—house。TheyracedacrosstoseewhatSamwascooking；theybeggedandjoyfullyswallowedlumpsofhisrawplum—pudding。\"MerryChristmas！\"theywishedhim，and\"MellyClismas！\"saidhetothem。Theyplayedleap—frogoverbythestable，theyputsnowdowneachother’sbacks。Theirshoutsrangroundcorners；itwaslikeboysletoutofschool。WhenDrakegatheredthemfortheshooting—match，theycheeredhim；whenhetoldthemtherewerenoprizes，whatdidtheycareforprizes？Whenhebeatthemallthefirstround，theycheeredhimagain。Pityhehadn’tofferedprizes！Hewasn’tagoodbusinessman，afterall！
Theroundsatthetargetproceededthroughtheforenoon，Draketheacclaimedleader；andtheChristmassundrewtomid—sky。Butasitssplendorintheheavensincreased，thehappyshoutingsonearthbegantowane。Thebodywasallthatthebuccaroosknew；well，thefleshcomesprettynaturaltoallofus——andwhohadevertaughtthesemenaboutthespirit？Thefurthertheywerefrombreakfastthenearertheyweretodinner；yetthehappyshootingswaned！Thespiritisastrangething。
Oftenitdwellsdumbinhumanclay，thenunexpectedlyspeaksoutoftheclay’sdarkness。
ItwasnolongeracrowdDrakehadatthetarget。Hebecameawarethatquietnesshadbeengraduallycomingoverthebuccaroos。Helooked，andsawamanwanderingbyhimselfinthelane。Anotherleanedbythestablecorner，withavacantface。Throughthewindowsofthebunk—househecouldseetwoorthreeontheirbeds。Thechildrenweretiredofshouting。Drakewentin—doorsandthrewagreatlogonthefire。Itblazeduphighwithsparks，andhewatchedit，althoughthesunshownbrightonthewindow—sill。Presentlyhenoticedthatamanhadcomeinandtakenachair。ItwasHalf—pastFull，andwithhisbootsstretchedtothewarmth，hesatgazingintothefire。Thedooropenedandanotherbuckarooenteredandsatoffinacorner。Hehadabundleofoldletters，smearedsheetstiedtriteatwistedoldribbon。Whilehislarge，top—toughenedfingerssoftlyloosenedtheribbon，hesatwithhisbacktotheroomandpresentlybegantoreadthelettersover，onebyone。Mostofthemencameinbeforelong，andsilentlyjoinedthewatchersroundthetreatfireplace。Drakethrewanotherlogon，andinashorttimethis，too，brokeintoampleflame。Thesilencewaslong；asliceofshadowhadfallenacrossthewindow—sill，whenayoungmanspoke，addressingthelogs：
\"IskinnedacooninSanSaba，Texas，thisdayayear。\"
Atthesoundofavoice，someoftheireyesturnedonthespeaker，butturnedbacktothefireagain。Thespirithadspokenfromtheclay，aloud；andtheclaywasuncomfortableathearingit。
Aftersomemoreminutesaneighborwhisperedtoaneighbor，\"Playyouagameofcrib。\"
Themannodded，stoleovertowheretheboardwas，andbroughtitacrosstheflooroncreakingtip—toe。Theysetitbetweenthem，andnowandthenthecardsmadealightsoundintheroom。
\"ItreedthatcoononHoney，\"saidtheyoungman，afterawhile——\"HoneyCreek，SanSaba。Kindo’drycreek。UsedtoflowintoBigBradywhenitrained。\"
Theflamescrackledon，theneighborsstillplayedtheircribbage。Stillwasthedaybright，buttheshrinkingwedgeofsunhadgoneentirelyfromthewindow—sill。Half—pastFullhaddrawnfromhispocketamouthorgan，breathinghalf—tunesuponit；inthemiddleof\"SuwaneeRiver\"themanwhosatinthecornerlaidtheletterhewasbeginningupontheheaponhiskneesandreadnomore。Thegreatgeniallogslayglowing，burning；
fromthefresheronetheflamesflowedandforked；alongtheemberedsurfaceoftheothersranredandblueshiversofiridescence。Withlegsandarmscrookedandsprawled，thebuccaroosbrooded，staringintotheglowwithseldom—winkingeyes，whiledeepinsidetheclaythespiritspokequietly。ChristmasDaywaspassing，butthesunshonestilltwogoodhourshigh。Outside，overthesnowandpines，itwasonlyinthedeeperfoldsofthehillsthattheblueshadowshadcome；therestoftheworldwasgoldandsilver；andfromfaracrossthatsilenceintothissilencebythefirecameatinklingstirofsound。Sleighbellsitwas，steadilycoming，tooearlyforBollestobebackfromhisschoolfestival。
Thetoy—thrillofthejinglinggrewclearandsweet，aspiritofenchantmentthatdidnotwakethestillness，butcastitintoadeeperdream。Thebellscamenearthedoorandstopped，andthenDrakeopenedit。
\"Hello，UnclePasco！\"saidhe。\"ThoughtyouwereSantaClaus。\"
\"SantaClaus！H’m。Yes。That’swhat。ToldyoumaybeI’dcome。\"
\"Soyoudid。Turkeyisduein——let’ssee——ninetyminutes。Here，boys！
someofyoutakeUnclePasco’shorse。\"
\"No，no，Iwon’t。Youleavemealone。Iain’tstoppin’here。Iain’thungry。Ijustgrubbedattheschool。Sleepin’atMissouriPete’sto—night。Gottomaketherailroadtomorrow。\"Theoldmanstoppedhisprecipitatestatements。Hesatinhissledgedeep1ymuffled，blinkingatDrakeandthebuccaroos，whohadstrolledouttolookathim，\"Doneabigbusinessthistrip，\"saidhe。\"ToldyouIwould。Nowifyouwasonlygivin’yourchildrenaChristmas—treelikethatIseenthatfelleryerschoolmarmdoin’justnow——hee—hee！\"Fromhisblanketsherevealedthewell—knowncase。\"Themthingswouldshineonatree，\"concludedUnclePasco。
\"Hang’eminthewoods，then，\"saidDrake。
\"Jewelry，isit？\"inquiredtheyoungTexasman。
UnclePascowhippedopenhiscase。\"Thereyouare，\"saidhe。\"Allwhat’sleft。Thatring’llcostyouadollar。\"
\"I’veadollarsomewheres，\"saidtheyoungman，fumbling。
Half—pastFull，ontheothersideofthesleigh，stoodvisiblyfascinatedbythewareshewasgivenaskilfulglimpseofdownamongtheblankets。
HepeeredandheponderedwhileUnclePascogliblyspoketohim。
\"Scatteryourtruckoutplain！\"thebuccarooexclaimed，suddenly。\"I’mnotbuyinginthedark。Comeovertothebunk—houseandscatter。\"
\"Brasswilllookjustthesameanywhere，\"saidDrake。
\"Brass！\"screamedUncle。\"Brassyoureye！\"
Butthebuccaroos，plainlygladfordistraction，tookthewoollyoldscoldingmanwiththem。Drakeshoutedthatifgettingcheatedcheeredthem，byallmeanstoinvestheavily，andhereturnedalonetohisfire，whereBollessoonjoinedhim。Theywaited，accordingly，andby—and—bythesleigh—bellsjingledagain。Astheyhadcomeoutofthesilence，sodidtheygointoit，theirlittlesilverytinkledancingawayinthedistance，faintandfainter，then，likeabreath，gone。
UnclePasco’strinketshadaudiblyraisedthemen’sspirits。Theyremainedinthebunkhouse，theirlaughterreachingDrakeandBollesmoreandmore。Sometimestheywouldscuffleandlaughloudly。
\"Doyouimagineit’smoreleap—frog？\"inquiredtheschool—master。
\"Gambling，\"saidDrake。\"They’llkeepatitnowtilloneofthemwinseverythingtheresthavebought。\"
\"Havetheybeenlivelyeversincemorning？\"
\"Hadareactionaboutnoon，\"saidDrake。\"Regularhome—sickspell。Ifeltsorryfor’em。\"
\"Theyseemfullofreaction，\"saidBolles。\"Listentothat！\"
Itwasnownearfouro’clock，andSamcamein，announcingdinner。
\"Allready，\"saidthesmilingChinaman。
\"Passthegoodwordtothebunk—house，\"saidDrake，\"iftheycanhearyou。\"
Samwentacross，andtheshoutingstopped。Thenaroseathickvolleyofscreamsandcheers。
\"Thatdon’tsoundright，\"saidDrake，leapingtohisfeet。InthenextinstanttheChinaman，terrified，returnedthroughtheopendoor。BehindhimlurchedHalf—pastFull，andstumbledintotheroom。Hisbootcaught，andhepitched，butsavedhimselfandstoodswaying，heavilylookingatDrake。Thehaircurleddenseoverhisbullhead，hismustachewasspreadwithhisgrin，thelightofcloddishhumoranddestructionburnedinhisbigeye。Theclayhadburiedthespiritlikeacavingpit。
\"Twasfalsejewelryallright！\"heroared，atthetopofhisvoice。\"A
goodoldjimmyjohnfull，boss。Say，boss，goin’torunourjimmyjohnofftheranch？Tryiton，kid。Comeoverandtryiton！\"Thebullbeatonthetable。
DeanDrakehadsatquicklydowninhischair，hisgrayeyeuponthehulkingbuccaroo。Smallanddauntlesshesat，asparrow—hawkcaughtinatrap，andgametotheend——whateverend。
\"It’satrifletardytooutlineanypolicyaboutyourdemijohn，\"saidhe，seriously。\"Youfolkshadbettercomeinandeatbeforeyou’rebeyondappreciating。\"
\"Ho，we’lleatyourgrub，boss。Sam’scookinggoes。\"Thebuccaroolurchedoutandawaytothebunk—house，wherenewbellowingwassetup。
\"I’vegottocarvethisturkey，friend，\"saidtheboytoBolles。
\"I’lldomybesttohelpeatit，\"returnedtheschool—master，smiling。
\"MisserDlake，\"saidpoorSam，\"Isollyyou。Ivellysollyyou。\"
IV
\"Reserveyoursorrow，Sam，\"saidDeanDrake。\"Giveusyoursoupforastarter。Come，\"hesaidtoBolles。\"Quick。\"
Hewentintothedining—room，promptinhisseatattheheadofthetable，withtheschool—masternexttohim。
\"Niceman，UnclePasco，\"hecontinued。\"Buthistimeisnotnow。Wehavenothingtodoforthepresentbutsitlikeeverydayandactperfectlynatural。\"
\"Ihaveknownsimplertasks，\"saidMr。Bolles，\"butI’llbeginbyspreadingthisexcellentlycleannapkin。\"
\"You’renoschoolmarm！\"exclaimedDrake；\"youpleaseme。\"
\"Theworstofabadthing，\"saidthemildBolles，\"ishavingtimetothinkaboutit，andwehavebeensparedthat。\"
\"Heretheycome，\"saidDrake。
Theydidcome。ButDrake’salertstrategyservedtheendhehadtriedfor。Thedrunkenbuccaroosswarmeddisorderlytothedoorandhalted。
Oncemorethenewsuperintendent’swaystookthemaback。Herewasthedecenttablewithlightsserenelyburning，withunwontedgoodthingsarrangeduponit——theolives，theoranges，thepreserves。Neatasparadedrillwerethemen’splaces，allthecupsandforkssymmetricalalongthewhitecloth。There，waitinghisguestsatthefarend，sattheslimyoungbosstalkingwithhisboarder，Mr。Bolles，thepartsintheirsmoothhairgoingwithalltherestofthispropriety。Eventhedailytindisheswerebanishedinfavorofcrockery。
\"BashfulofSam’snapkins，boys？\"saidtheboss。\"Orisitthebald—headedchina？\"
Atthisbiddingtheycameinuncertainly。Theirwhiskeywasashamedinside。Theytooktheirseats，glancingacrossateachotherinatransientsilence，drawingtheirchairsgingerlybeneaththem。Thusceremonyfellunexpecteduponthegathering，andforawhiletheyswallowedinawkwardnesswhattheswift，noiselessSambroughtthem。Heinalongwhiteapronpassedandre—passedwithhisthingsfromhiskitchen，doublyefficientandcivilunderstressofanxietyforhisyoungmaster。Inthepausesofhisservinghewatchedfromthebackground，withafacethatpresentlycaughtthenoticeofoneofthem。
\"Smile，youalmond—eyedhighbinder，\"saidthebuccaroo。AndtheChinamansmiledhisbest。
\"I’veforgotsomething，\"saidHalf—pastFull，rising。\"Don’tlet’emskipacourseonme。\"Half—pastlefttheroom。
\"That’swhatIhavebeenhopingfor，\"saidDraketoBolles。
Half—pastreturnedpresentlyandcaughtDrake’slookofexpectancy。\"Ohno，boss，\"saidthebuccaroo，instantly，fromthedoor。\"You’reontome，butI’montoyou。\"Heslammedthedoorwithostentationanddroppedwithaloudlaughintohisseat。
\"FirstsmartthingI’veknownhimdo，\"saidDraketoBolles。\"Iamdisappointed。\"
Twobuccaroosnextlefttheroomtogether。
\"Theymaygetlostinthesnow，\"saidthehumorousHalf—past。\"I’lljustshow’emthetrail。\"Oncemoreherosefromthedinnerandwentout。
\"Yes，heknewtoomuchtobringitinhere，\"saidDraketoBolles。\"Heknewnonebuttwoorthreewoulddaredrink，withmelookingon。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkheisafraidtobringitinthesameroomwithyouatall？\"Bollessuggested。
\"Andmetemperancethisseason？Now，Bolles，that’sunkind。\"
\"Oh，dear，thatisnotatallwhat——\"
\"Iknowwhatyoumeant，Bolles。Iwasonlyjustmakingalittlemerryoverthiscasualty。No，hedon’tmindmetothatextent，exceptwhenhe’ssober。Lookathim！\"
Half—pastwasreturningwithhisfriends。Quiteevidentlytheyhadallfoundthetrail。
\"UnclePascoisaniceoldman！\"pursuedDrake。\"Ihaven’tgotmygunon。
Haveyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidBolles，butwithasheepishswerveoftheeye。
Drakeguessedatonce。\"NotBabyBunting？Oh，Lord！andIpromisedtogiveyouanadultweapon！——thekindthey’rewearingnowbywayoffull—dress。\"
\"Talkin’secrets，boss？\"saidHalf—pastFull。
Thewell—meaningSamfilledhiscup，andthisproceedingshiftedthebuccaroo’struculentattention。
\"What’sthatmud？\"hedemanded。
\"Coffee，\"saidSam，politely。
Thebuccarooswepthiscuptotheground，andthenextmanhowleddismay。
\"Burnyourpoorlegs？\"saidHalf—past。Hepouredhisglassoverthevictim。Theywrestled，thecompanypoundedthetable，bettinghoarsely，untilHalf—pastwenttothefloor，andhisplatewithhim。
\"Goeasy，\"saidDrake。\"You’resmashingthecompany’sproperty。\"
\"Bald—headedchinaforsure，boss！\"saidasecondofthebrothersDrinker，anddroppedadish。
\"I’llmerelytellyou，\"saidDrake，\"thatthecompanydon’tpayforthischinatwice。\"
\"Nottwice？\"saidHalf—pastFull，smashingsomemore。\"Howaboutthrice？\"
\"Wantyourmoneynow？\"anotherinquired。
Ariotofbanterseizeduponallofthem，andtheybegantolaughanddestroy。
\"Howmuchdidthiscost？\"saidone，pryingaskewhisthree—tinedfork。
\"Howmuchdidyoucostyourself？\"saidanothertoDrake。
\"What，ourkidboss？Twobits，Iguess。\"
\"Hyasmarkook。Toodear！\"
Theybawledattheirownjokes，loudandominous；threatsoundedbeneaththeirlightestword，thenewcrashesofchinathattheythrewonthefloorstrucksharplythroughtheforebodingdinoftheirmirth。ThespiritthatDrakesincehisarrivalhadkeptunderinthemdaybyday，butnotquelled，rosevisiblyeachfewsucceedingminutes，swellingupwardasthetidedoes。Buoyeduponthewhiskey，itglitteredintheireyesandyelledmutinouslyintheirvoices。
\"I’mwaitingallorders，\"saidBollestoDrake。
\"Ihaven’tany，\"saidDrake。\"Newones，thatis。We’vesatdowntoseethismealout。Gottokeepsitting。\"
Heleanedback，eatingdeliberately，sayingnomoretothebuccaroos；
thustheysawhewouldneverleavetheroomtilltheydid。Ashehadtakenhischairthefirst，sowastheboyboundtoquititthelast。Thegameofpryingfork—tinesstaledonthemonebyone，andtheytooktosongs，mostlyofloveandparting。Withtheredwhiskeyintheireyestheyshoutedplaintivelyofsweethearts，andvows，andlips，andmeetinginthewildwood。Fromthesetheywenttoballadsofthecattle—trailandtheYubaRiver，andsoinevitablyworkedtotheoldcoastsong，madeofthreelanguages，withitsversesrhymedoneachyearsincethefirstbeginning。Traditionlaiditheavyuponeachsingerinhisturntokeepthepota—boilingbymemoryorbynewinvention，andthechantwentforwardwithhypnoticcadencetoatuneoflarkish，rippinggayety。Hewhohadreadoverhisoldstainedlettersinthehomesickafternoonhadwakedfromsuchdreamingandnowsang：
\"Oncejes’oncedintheyearo’49，Imetafancythingbythenameo’Keroline；
Inevercouldpersuadeherfortoleavemebe；
Shewentandshetookandshemarriedme。\"
Hisneighborwasreadywithanoriginalcontribution：
\"Once，onceagainintheyearo’’64，BythecityofWhatcomdownalongtheshore——
Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe——
ASiwashsquawwentandtookandmarriedme。\"
\"Whatwasyoudoin’betweenallthemyears？\"calledHalf—pastFull。
\"Shutyermouth，\"saidthenextsinger：
Once，onceagainintheyearo’71
（’TwasthesuddenestdeedthatIeverdone）——
Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe——
Arichbanker’sdaughtershetookandmarriedme。\"
\"Thisislookingbetter，\"saidBollestoDrake。
\"Don’tyoubelieveit，\"saidtheboy。
Tenoradozenyearswerethussung。
\"Inevercouldpersuadethemfortoleavemebe\"tempestuouslybroughtdownthechorusandthefists，untilthedrunkardscouldsitnomore，butstooduptosing，trampingthetuneheavilytogether。Then，justastheturncameroundtoDrakehimself，theydashedtheirchairsdownandherdedoutoftheroombehindHalf—pastFull，slammingthedoor。
DrakesatamomentattheheadofhisChristmasdinner，thefallenchairs，thelumpywreck。Bloodchargedhisfacefromhishairtohiscollar。\"Let’ssmoke，\"saidhe。Theywentfromthedinnerthroughtheroomofthegreatfireplacetohisofficebeyond。
\"Haveamildone？\"hesaidtotheschoolmaster。
\"No，astrongoneto—night，ifyouplease。\"AndBollesgavehismildsmile。
\"Youdomegoodnowandthen，\"saidDrake。
\"Dearme，\"saidtheteacher，\"Ihavefoundittheotherway。\"
Alltheroomsfrontedontheroadwithdoors——theold—timeagencydoors，wherethehostileshaddrawntheirpicturesinthedaysbeforepeacehadcometoreignoverthiscountry。Drakelookedout，becausethesinginghadstoppedandtheywereveryquietinthebunk—house。HesawtheChinamanstealfromhiskitchen。
\"Samistiredofus，\"hesaidtoBolles。
\"Tired？\"
\"Runningaway，Iguess。I’dpreferanewsituationmyself。That’swhereyou’redeficient，Bolles。Onlygotsenseenoughtostaywhereyouhappentobe。Hello。Whatisheupto？\"
Samhadgonebesideawindowofthebunkhouseandwaslisteningthere，flatlikeashadow。Suddenlyhecrouched，andwasgoneamongthesheds。
Outofthebunk—houseimmediatelycameaprocession，thebuccaroosstillquiet，acareful，gradualbody。
Drakeclosedhisdoorandsatinthechairagain。\"They’reescortingthatjugoverhere，\"saidhe。\"Anewmove，andabigone。\"
HeandBollesheardthementerthenextroom，alwayswithoutmuchnoiseortalk——theloudestsoundwasthejugwhentheysetitonthefloor。
Thentheyseemedtosit，talkinglittle。
\"Bolles，\"saidDrake，\"thesunhasset。IfyouwanttotakeafterSam——\"
Butthedoorofthesitting—roomopenedandtheChinamanhimselfcamein。
Heleftthedoora—swingandspokeclearly。\"MisserDlake，\"saidhe，\"slovebloke\"（stovebroke）。
Thesuperintendentcameoutofhisoffice，followingSamtothekitchen。
Hegavenolookorwordtothebuccarooswiththeirdemijohn；hemerelyheldhiscigarsidewiseinhisteethandwalkedwithnohurrythroughthesitting—room。Samtookhimthroughtothekitchenandroundtoahindcornerofthestove，pointing。
\"MisserDlake，\"saidhe，\"slovenobloke。Iheartheminside。Theygoingkillyou。\"
\"That’saboutthewayIwasfiguringit，\"musedDeanDrake。
\"MisserDlake，\"saidtheChinaman，withappealingeyes，\"Ivellysollyyou。Theynohurteeme。Mecook。\"
\"Sam，thereismuchmeatinyourwords。Condensedbeefdon’tclasswithyou。Butreserveyoursorrowsyetawhile。Nowwhat’smypolicy？\"hedebated，tappingthestovehereandthereforappearances；somebodymightlookin。\"ShallIgobacktomyofficeandgetmyguns？\"
\"Younotgoin’runnow？\"saidtheChinaman，anxiously。
\"Ohyes，Sam。ButIlikemyguntravelling。Keepsmekindofwarm。Nowiftheyshouldgetasightofmearming——no，she’sgottostayheretillI
comebackforher。Solong，Sam！Seeyoulater。AndI’llhavetimetothankyouthen。\"
Drakewenttothecorralinastrollingmanner。Thereheropedthestrongestofthehorses，andalsotheschool—master’s。Inthemidstofhissaddling，Bollescamedown。
\"CanIhelpyouinanyway？\"saidBolles。
\"You’vedoneit。Savedmeabotheringtouch—and—goplaytogetyououthereandseeminnocent。I’mgoingtodrift。\"
\"Drift？\"
\"Therearetimestostayandtimestoleave，Bolles；andthisisacaseofthelatter。Haveyouarealgunonnow？\"
PoorBollesbroughtoutguiltilyhis。22Smith&Wesson。\"Idon’tseemtothinkofthings，\"saidhe。
\"Cheerup，\"saidDrake。\"Howcouldyouthought—readme？HideBabyBunting，though。Nowwe’reoff。Quietly，atthestart。Asifweweremerelyjoggingtopasture。\"
Samstoodathiskitchendoor，mutelywishingthemwell。Thehorseswerewalkingwithoutnoise，butHalf—pastFulllookedoutofthewindow。
\"We’reby，anyhow，\"saidDrake。\"Quicknow。Burntheearth。\"Thehorsesprangathisspurs。\"Dust，yousonofagun！Rattleyourhocks！Brindle！
Vamoose！\"Eachshoutedwordwasalashwithhisquirt。\"Duck！\"hecalledtoBolles。
Bollesducked，andbulletsgroovedthesprayingsnow。Theyroundedacornerandsawthecrowdjumpingintothecorral，andSam’sdooremptyofthatprudentCelestial。
\"He’saverywiseChinaman！\"shoutedDrake，astheyrushed。
\"What？\"screamedBolles。
\"VerywiseChinaman。He’llbreakthatstovenowtoprovehisinnocence。\"
\"Whodidyousaywasinnocent？\"screamedBolles。
\"Oh，Isaidyouwere，\"yelledDrake，disgusted；andhegaveoverthiseffortatconversationastheirhorsesrushedalong。
V
Itwasadim，widestretchofwinterintowhichDrakeandBollesgallopedfromthehowlingpursuit。TwilightalreadyveiledthebaseofCastleRock，andastheyforgedheavilyuparidgethroughthecakingsnow，andtheyellscameafterthem，BolleslookedseriouslyatDeanDrake；butthatyouthworeanexpressionofrisingmerriment。Bolleslookedbackattheduskfromwhichtheyellsweresounding，thenforwardtothespreadingskeinofnightwherethetrailwastakinghimandtheboy，andinneitherdirectioncouldhediscerncauseforgayety。
\"MayIaskwherewearegoing？\"saidhe。
\"Away，\"Drakeanswered。\"Justaway，Bolles。It’sahealthyresort。\"
Tenmilesweretravelledbeforeeitherspokeagain。Thedrunkenbuccaroosyelledhotontheirheelsatfirst，holdingmoreobstinatelytothischasethansoberruffianswouldhaveattempted。Tencold，darkmilesacrossthehillsittooktocurethem；butwhentheirshootings，thathadfollowedoverheightswherethepinesgrewanddownthroughtheopenswalesbetween，droppedoff，anddiedfinallyawayamongthewillowsalongthesouthforkoftheMalheur，Drakereinedinhishorsewithajerk。
\"Nowisn’tthattoobad！\"heexclaimed。
\"Itisallverybad，\"saidBolles，sorrytoheartheboy’stoneofdisappointment。
\"Ididn’tthinkthey’dfoolmeagain，\"continuedDrake，jumpingdown。
\"Again？\"inquiredtheinterestedBolles。
\"Why，they’vegonehome！\"saidtheboy，indisgust。
\"Iwashopingso，\"saidtheschool—master。
\"Hoping？Why，it’ssad，Bolles。FourmilesfartherandI’dhavehadthemlost。\"
\"Oh！\"saidBolles。
\"Iwantedthemtokeepafterus，\"complainedDrake。\"SoonaswehadagoodleadIcoaxedthem。Coaxedthemalongonpurposebyatrailtheyknew，andfourmilesfromhereI’dhaveswungsouthintothemountainstheydon’tknow。Therethey’dhavebeengoodandfarfromhomeinthesnowwithoutsupper，likeyouandme，Bolles。Butafterallmytroublethey’vegonebacksnugtothatfireside。Well，letusbeascoseyaswecan。\"
Hebuiltabrightfire，andhewhistledashekickedthesnowfromhisboots，busyingoverthehorsesandtheblankets。\"Takearest，\"hesaidtoBolles。\"Oneman’senoughtodothework。Bewithyousoontoshareourlittlecottage。\"PresentlyBollesheardhimrecitingconfidentiallytohishorse，\"TwasthenightafterChristmas，andallinthehouse——onlywearenotallinthehouse！\"HeslappedthebellyofhishorseTyee，whogambolledawaytothelimitofhispicket—rope。
\"Appreciatingthemoon，Bolles？\"saidhe，returningatlengthtothefire。\"Whatareyousogazefulabout，father？\"
\"Thisisallmyowndoing，\"lamentedtheschool—master。
\"What，themoonis？\"
\"Ithasjustcomeoverme，\"Bollescontinued。\"ItwasbeforeyougotinthestageatNampa。Iwastalking。ItoldUnclePascothatIwasgladnowhiskeywastobeallowedontheranch。Itallcomesfrommyfolly！\"
\"Why，youhungryoldNewEnglandconscience！\"criedtheboy，clappinghimontheshoulder。\"HowintheworldcouldyouforeseethecrookednessofthathoaryBeelzebub？\"
\"That’sallverywell，\"saidBolles，miserably。\"Youwouldneverhavementionedityourselftohim。\"
\"YouandI，Bolles，aredifferent。Iwasraisedonmiscellaneouswickedness。Alookatmyinsideswouldbeliabletomakeyousayyourprayers。\"
Theschool—mastersmiled。\"IfIsaidanyprayers，\"hereplied，\"youwouldbeinthem。\"
Drakelookedmoodilyatthefire。\"TheLordhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves，\"saidhe。\"I’veprospered。Foranineteen—year—oldI’vehookedmyclawfairlydeephereandthere。Asforto—day——why，that’sinthegametoo。Itwastheirdeal。Couldtheyhavewonitontheirownplay？Ajokerdroppedintotheirhand。It’smydealnow，andIhavesomejokersmyself。Gotosleep，Bolles。We’vearideaheadofus。\"
Theboyrolledhimselfinhisblanketskillfully。Bollesheardhimsayonceortwiceinasortofjudicialconversationwiththeblanket——\"andallinthehouse——butwewerenotallinthehouse。Notall。Notafullhouse——\"Histonesdrowsedcomfortablyintomurmur，andthentoquietbreathing。Bollesfedthefire，thatchedtheunneededwind—break（forthecalm，drynightwasbreathless），andforalongwhilewatchedthemoonandatuftofthesleepingboy’shair。