\"Ifheisblamed，\"saidtheschool—master，\"I’llneverforgivemyself。
I’llneverforgivemyselfanyhow。\"
Apaternal，orrathermaternal，expressioncameoverBolles’sface，andheremovedhislarge，seriousglasses。Hedidnotsleepverywell。
Theboydid。\"I’mfeelinglikeabird，\"saidhe，astheycrossedthroughthemountainsnextmorningonashortcuttotheOwybee。\"Breakfastwillbraceyouup，Bolles。There’llbeacabinprettysoonafterwestriketheotherroad。Keepthinkinghardaboutcoffee。\"
\"IwishIcould，\"saidpoorBolles。Hewasforgivinghimselflessandless。
Theirstarthadbeenveryearly；asDrakebidtheschool—masterobserve，tohavenothingtodetainyou，nothingtoeatandnothingtopack，isagreathelpinjourneysofhaste。Thewarmingday，andIndianCreekwellbehindthem，broughtDraketowhistlingagain，butdepressionsatupontheself—accusingBolles。EvenwhentheysightedtheOwyheeroadbelowthem，nocheerfulnesswakedinhim；notatthenearingcoffee，noryetatthecompanionabletinkleofsleigh—bellsdancingfaintlyupwardthroughthebright，silentair。
\"Why，ifitain’tUnclePasco！\"saidDrake，peeringdownthroughagapinthefoot—hill。\"We’llgetbreakfastsoonerthanIexpected。Quick！GivemeBabyBunting！\"
\"Areyougoingtokillhim？\"whisperedtheschool—master，withabeamingcountenance。Andhescuffledwithhispockettohandoverhishithertobelittledweapon。
Drakeconsideredhim。\"Bolles，Bolles，\"saidhe，\"youhavegottheNewEnglandconsciencerank。PlymouthRockisapuddingtoyourheart。RemindmetoprayforyoufirstspareminuteIget。Nowfollowmeclose。He’llbemuchmoreusefultousalive。\"
Theyslippedfromtheirhorses，stoleswiftlydownashoulderofthehill，andwaitedamongsomebrush。Thebellsjingledunsuspectinglyonwardtothisambush。
\"Onlyhear’em！\"saidDrake。\"AllfullofsilverandMerryChristmas。
Don’tgazeatmelikethat，Bolles，orI’lllaughandgivethewholesnapaway。Seehimcome！Theoldman’sbreathstreamsoutsocalm。He’snotworriedwithNewEnglandconscience。One，two，three\"Justbeforethesleighcameopposite，DeanDrakesteppedout。\"Morning，Uncle！\"saidhe。
\"Throwupyourhands\"
UnclePascostoppeddead，hiseyesblinking。Thenhestoodupinthesleighamonghisblankets。\"H’m，\"saidhe，\"thekid。\"
\"Throwupyourhands！Quitfoolingwiththatblanket！\"Drakespokedangerouslynow。\"Bolles，\"hecontinued，\"pitcheverythingoutofthesleighwhileIcoverhim。He’sgotashot—gununderthatblanket。Slingitout。\"
Itwasslung。Thewrapsfollowed。UnclePascosteppedobedientlydown，andsoonthechattelsoftheemptiedsleighlitteredthesnow。Theoldgentlemanwasinvitedtoundressuntiltheyreachedthesix—shooterthatDrakesuspected。Thentheyatehislunch，dranksomewhiskeythathehadnotsoldtothebuccaroos，toldhimtorepackthesleigh，allowedhimtowrapupagain，badehimtakethereins，andtheywouldusehissix—shooterandshot—guntopointouttheroadtohim。
Hehadsaidverylittle，hadUnclePasco，butstoodblinking，obedientandmalignant。\"H’m，\"saidhenow，\"goin’toridewithme，areyou？\"
Hewastoldyes，thatforthepresenthewastheircoachman。Theirhorsesweretiredandwouldfollow，tiedbehind。\"We’reweary，too，\"saidDrake，gettingin。\"TakeyourlegsoutofmywayorI’llkickoffyourshins。
Bolles，areyoufixedwarmandcomfortable？NowstartherupforHarperranch，Uncle。\"
\"Whatareyouproposingtodowithme？\"inquiredUnclePasco。
\"Notgoingtowringyourneck，andthat’senoughforthepresent。Faster，Uncle。Getagaiton。Bolles，here’sBabyBunting。Muchobligedtoyoufortheloanofit，oldman。\"
UnclePasco’seyefellonthe22—caliberpistol。\"Didyouholdmeupwiththatlemonadestraw？\"heasked，huskily。
\"Yep，\"saidDrake。\"That’swhat。\"
\"Oh，hell！\"murmuredUnclePasco。Andforthefirsttimeheseemeddispirited。
\"Uncle，you’renotmakingtime，\"saidDrakeafterafewmiles。\"I’llthankyouforthereins。Openyourbandannaandgetyourconcertina。Jerkthebellowsforus。\"
\"ThatI’llnot！\"screamedUnclePasco。
\"It’smusicorwalkhome，\"saidtheboy。\"Takeyourchoice。\"
UnclePascotookhischoice，openingwiththemelodyof\"TheLastRoseofSummer。\"ThesleighwhirleduptheOwyheebythewinterwillows，andthe，levels，andthemeadowpools，brightfrozenunderthebluesky。LateinthisdaytheamazedBrockbyhiscorralsatHarper’sbeheldarrivehisfavorite，hisboysuperintendent，drivinginwiththeschoolmasterstaringthroughhisglasses，andUnclePascothrowingoutactivestrainsuponhisconcertina。Theoldmanhadbeenbiddentobellowsawayforhisneck。
Drakewasnotlonginexplaininghisneedtothemen。\"Thisthingmustbeworkedquick，\"saidhe。\"Who’llstandbyme？\"
Allofthemwould，andhetookten，withthefaithfulBrock。BrockwouldnotallowGilberttogo，becausehehadreceivedanothermule—kickinthestomach。NorwasBollespermittedtobeoftheexpedition。Toallhisprotests，Drakehadbutthesingleword：\"Thisisnotyourfight，oldman。You’vedoneyoursharewithBabyBunting。\"
Thuswastheschool—masterinsorrowcompelledtoseethemstartbacktoIndianCreekandtheMalheurwithouthim。WithhimUnclePascowouldhavejoyfullyexchanged。Hewastakenalongwiththeavengers。Theywouldnotwringhisneck，buttheywouldplaycatandmousewithhimandhisconcertina；andtheydid。ButtheconscienceofBollesstilltoiled。WhenDrakeandthemenweresafeaway，hegotonthewagongoingforthemail，thusmakinghiswaynextmorningtotherailroadandBoise，whereMaxVogellistenedtohim；andtogetherthiscouplehastilytooktrainandteamfortheMalheurAgency。
TheavengersreachedIndianCreekduly，andthefourthdayafterhisChristmasdinnerDrakecameoncemoreinsightofCastleRock。
\"Iamdoingthisthingmyself，understand，\"hesaidtoBrock。\"Iamresponsible。\"
\"We’reheretotakeyourorders，\"returnedtheforeman。Butastheagencybuildingsgrewplainandthetimeforactionwascoming，Brock’sanxiousheartspokeoutofitsfulness。\"Iftheystartinto——to——theymight——I
wishyou’dletmegetinfront，\"hebegged，allatonce。
\"Ithoughtyouthoughtbetterofme，\"saidDrake。
\"Excuseme，\"saidtheman。Thenpresently：\"Idon’tseehowanybodycould’a’toldhe’dsmugglewhiskeythatway。Iftheoldman[BrockmeantMaxVogel]goestoblameyou，I’llgivehimmyopinionstraight。\"
\"Theoldman’sgotnouseforopinions，\"saidDrake。\"Hegoesonresults。
Hetrustedmewiththisjob，andwe’regoingtohaveresultsnow。\"
Thedrunkardsweresittingroundoutsidetheranchhouse。Itwasevening。
Theycastasulleninspectiononthenew—comers，whoreturnedthemnoinspectionwhatever。Drakehadhismentogetherandtookthemtothestablefirst，ashedwithmangers。Herehehadthemunsaddle。\"Because，\"
hementionedtoBrock，\"incaseoftroublewe’llbesureoftheirallstaying。I’mtakingnochancesnow。\"
Soonthedrunkardsstrolledover，sayinggood—day，hazardingafewcommentsontheweatherandliketopics，andmeetingsufficientanswers。
\"Goin’tostay？\"
\"Don’tknow。\"
\"That’sagoodhorseyou’vegot。\"
\"Fair。\"
ButSamwastheblithestspiritattheMalheurAgency。\"Hiyah！\"heexclaimed。\"MisserDlake！Howfashionyoucomequickso？\"AndtheexcellentChinamantookprideinthemealofwelcomethatheprepared。
\"Supper’snow，\"saidDraketohismen。\"Sitanywhereyoufeellike。Don’tmindwhosechairyou’retaking——andwe’llkeepourgunson。\"
Thustheyfollowedhim，andsat。Theboytookhiscustomaryperchattheheadofthetable，withBrockathisright。\"ImissoldBolles，\"hetoldhisforeman。\"Youdon’tappreciateBolles。\"
\"Fromwhatyoutellofhim，\"saidBrock，\"I’llexaminehimmorecareful。\"
Seeingtheirboss，thesparrow—hawk，backinhisplace，flankedwithsupporters，andhisgrayeyeindifferentlyuponthem，thebuccaroosgrewpolitetooppressiveness。WhileSamhandedhisdishestoDrakeandthenew—comers，andthenew—comerseatwhatwasgoodbeforetheoldinhabitantsgotataste，theselattergrewmoreandmoresolicitous。Theyofferedsugartothestrangers，theyofferedtheirbeds；Half—pastFullurgedthemtositcompanionablyintheroomwherethefirewasburning。
Butwhenthemealwasover，thevisitorswenttoanotherroomwiththeirarms，andlightedtheirownfire。Theybroughtblanketsfromtheirsaddles，andafteralittleconcertinatheypermittedthenearlyperishedUnclePascotoslumber。Soontheyslumberedthemselves，withthedoorleftopen，andDrakewatching。HewouldnotevensharevigilwithBrock，andallnightheheardthevoicesofthebuccaroos，holdinggrand，unendingcouncil。
Whentherelentlessmorningcame，andbreakfastwiththevisitorsagainintheirseatsunapproachable，thedrunkardsfeltthecrisistobeastrainupontheirsoberednerves。Theyglancedupfromtheirplates，anddown；alongtoDeanDrakeeatinghisheartyporridge，andbackatoneanother，andatthehungry，well—occupiedstrangers。
\"Say，wedon’twanttrouble，\"theybegantothestrangers。
\"Courseyoudon’t。Breakfast’swhatyou’reafter。\"
\"Oh，well，you’dhavegotgay。Amangetsgay。\"
\"Sure。\"
\"Mr。Drake，\"saidHalf—pastFull，sweatingwithhiseffort，\"weweresorrywhilewewasa—foggingyouup。\"
\"Yes，\"saidDrake。\"Youmusthavebeenjustovercomebycontrition。\"
Alargelaughwentupfromthevisitors，andthemealwasfinishedwithoutfurtherdiplomacy。
\"Onematter，Mr。Drake，\"stammeredHalf—pastFull，asthepartyrose。
\"Ourjobs。We’regladtopayforanythingswhatgotsortofbroke。\"
\"Sortofbroke，\"repeatedtheboy，eyeinghim。\"Soyouwanttoholdyourjobs？\"
\"If——\"beganthebuccaroo，andhalted。
\"Factis，you’reasetofcowards，\"saidDrake，briefly。\"Inoticeyou’veforgottoremovethatwhiskeyjug。\"Thedemijohnstillstoodbythegreatfireplace。Drakeenteredandlaidholdofit，thecrowdstandingbackandwatching。Hetookitout，withwhatremainedinitscapaciousbottom，setitonastump，steppedback，levelledhisgun，andshatteredthevesseltopieces。Thewhiskeydraineddown，wettingthestump，creepingtotheground。
Muchpotencyliesintheobject—lesson，andagrinwasonthefacesofallpresent，saveUnclePasco’s。Ithadbeenhisdemijohn，andwhentheshotstruckitheblinkednervously。
\"Youorneryoldmink！\"saidDrake，lookingathim。\"Youkeeptothejewelrybusinesshereafter。\"
Thebuccaroosgrinnedagain。Itwasreassuringtowitnesswrathturnuponanother。
\"Youwanttoholdyourjobs？\"Drakeresumedtothem。\"Youcantrustyourselves？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidHalf—pastFull。
\"ButIdon’ttrustyou，\"statedDrake，genially；andthebuccaroos’
hopefuleyesdropped。\"I’mgoingtodivideyou，\"pursuedthenewsuperintendent。\"Splityoufarandwideamongthecompany’sranches。Stiryouinwithdecenterblood。You’llgotoWhite—horseranch，justacrossthelineofNevada，\"hesaidtoHalf—pastFull。\"I’mtiredofthebrothersDrinker。You’llgo——let’ssee——\"
Drakepausedinhisapportionment，andasleighcameswiftlyroundtheturn，thehorselopingandlathery。
\"WhatvasdatshootingIhearjoostnow？\"shoutedMaxVogel，beforehecouldarrive。Hedidnotwaitforanyanswer。\"ThankthegoodGod！\"heexclaimed，atseeingtheboyDeanDrakeunharmed，standingwithagun。
Andtotheiramazementhespedpastthem，neverslackinghishorse’slopeuntilhereachedthecorral。TherehetossedthereinstotheplacidBolles，andspringingoutlikeasurefootedelephant，countedhissaddle—horses；forhewasageneral。Satisfied，hestrodebacktothecrowdbythedemijohn。\"Whendemmengetrestless，\"heexplainedtoDrakeatonce，\"alwayslookout。Somebodymightstealahorse。\"
Theboyclosedonegray，confidentialeyeathisemployer。\"Justmyidea，\"saidhe，\"whenIcounted’embeforebreakfast。\"
\"Youliddler—rascal，\"saidMax，fondly，\"Whatyoushootat？\"
Drakepointedatthedemijohn。\"ItwasbiggerthanthosebottlesatNampa，\"saidhe。\"Guessyoucouldhavehitityourself。\"
Max’sgreatbellyshook。Hetookinthesituation。Ithadaflavorthatheliked。Hepausedtorelishitalittlemoreinsilence。
\"Undyouhavekillednodingelse？\"saidhe，lookingatUnclePasco，whoblinkedcopiously。\"Mineoldfriend，younevergetrichifyouchangeyourbusinesssofrequent。Itellyouthatthirtyyearsnow。\"Max’shandfoundDrake’sshoulder，butheaddressedBrock。\"Heisallwhatyoutellme，\"saidhetotheforeman。\"Hehavejoodgement。\"
Thusthehuge，jovialTeutontookcommand，butfoundDrakehadleftlittleforhimtodo。ThebuccaroosweredispersedatHarper’s，atFortRinehart，atAlvordLake，towardsStein’speak，andattheIslandRanchbyHarneyLake。AndifyouknoweastOregon，orthelandwhereChiefE—egantehelpedoutSpecimenJones，hiswhitesoldierfriend，whenthehostileBannockswereplanninghisimmediatedeathasaspy，youwillknowwhatwideregionsseparatedthebuccaroos。BolleswastakenintoMaxVogel’sesteem；alsowasChineseSam。ButMaxsatsmokingintheofficewithhisboysuperintendent，inparticularsatisfaction。
\"Youarealiddler—rascal，\"saidhe。\"UndIr—raiseyoufiftydollars。\"
AKinsmanofRedCloudI
ItwasthirtyminutesbeforeaJunesundownatthepost，andthefirstcallhadsoundedforparade。Overinthebarracksthetwocompaniesandthesingletrooploungedamomentlonger，thenlaidtheirpolicelitera—
turedown，andliftedtheirstockingfeetfromthebedstogetready。Intheofficers’quartersthecaptainroseregretfullyfromafter—dinnerdigestion，andthethreelieutenantssoughttheirhelmetswithasigh。
LieutenantBalwinhadbeendininganunconventionalandimpressiveguestatthemess，andhenowinterruptedtheanecdotewhichtheguestwasachievingwithfrontierdeliberation。
\"Makeyourselfcomfortable，\"hesaid。\"I’llhavetoheartherestaboutthehalf—breedwhenIgetback。\"
\"Thereain’tnomore——yet。Hegotmycashwithhisprivatepokerdeckthatonced，andI’mfixingfortogethis’n。\"
Secondcallsounded；thelinesfiledoutandformed，thesergeantoftheguardandtwoprivatestooktheirstationbytheflag，andwhenbattalionwasformedthecommandingofficer，toweringsteeple—stiffbeneathhisplumes，receivedtheadjutant’ssalute，orderedhimtohispost，andbegandrill。AtallthistheunconventionalguestlookedoncomfortablyfromLieutenantBalwin’sporch。
\"IdoubtifIcouldputupwiththattheredisciplinealltheweek，\"hemused。\"Carry——arms！Present——Arms！Iguessthat’sallIknowofit。\"Thewinkingwhitelineofglovesstirredhisapproval。\"Prettygoodthat。
Gosh，seethesunonthembayonets！\"
Thelastnoteofretreatmergedinthesonorousgun，andtheflagshininginthelightofeveningsliddownandrestedupontheearth。Theblueranksmarchedtoasinglebugle——thepostwasshortofmenandofficers——andthecaptain，withthereleasedlieutenants，againsoughtdigestionandcigars。Balwinreturnedtohisguest，andtogethertheywatchedthedayforsaketheplain。Presentlytheguestrosetotakehisleave。Helookedoldenoughtobethefatheroftheyoungofficer，buthewasacivilian，andthemilitarymanproceededtogivehimexcellentadvice。
\"Nowdon’tgetintotrouble，Cutler。\"
Theslouch—shoulderedscoutrolledhisquidgently，andsmiledathissuperiorwithindulgentregard。
\"Seehere，Cutler，youhaveahighlyunoccupiedlookaboutyouthisevening。I’vebeenstudyingthecustomsofthispopulation，andI’venotedafactortwo。\"
\"Let’emlooseonme，sir。\"
\"Factone：WhenanymaleinhabitantofFortLaramiehasafewsparemoments，hehuntsupagameofcards。\"
\"Well，sir，you’vecalledtheturnonme。\"
\"Facttwo：AtFortLaramieagameofcardsfrequentlyendsindiscussion。\"
\"Factthree：Mr。Calvin，inthemdiscussionsJarvisCutlerhasthelastword。Youputthatinyourcensusreportalongsidetheothertwo。\"
\"Well，Cutler，ifsomebody’sgunshouldhappentobeatyoursinanargument，Ishouldhavetohuntanotherwagon—master。\"
\"I’llnotforgetthat。Whenwasyouexpectingtopulloutnorth？\"
\"Whenevertheothercompaniesgethere。Maybethreedays——maybethreeweeks。\"
\"ThenIwillhaveplentytimeforagameto—night。\"
Withthisslightdigofhiscivilianindependenceintothelieutenant’smilitaryribs，thescoutwalkedaway，hislong，lugubriousfrockcoat（worninhonorofthemess）occasionallyflappingopeninthebreeze，andgivingaviewofabeltrichlyflutedwithcartridges，andtheivoryhandleofapistollookingoutofitsholster。Hegotonhishorse，crossedtheflat，andstruckoutforthecabinofhissociablefriends，LoomisandKelley，onthehill。Theopendoorandalightinsideshowedthecompany，andCutlergaveagrunt，forsittingonthetablewasthehalf—breed，thewinnerofhisunavengeddollars。Herodeslower，inordertothink，andarrivingatthecorralbelowthecabin，tiedhishorsetothestumpofacottonwood。Afewstepstowardsthedoor，andhewheeledonasuddenthought，andundercoverofthenightdidacraftysomethingwhichtotheponywasaltogetherunaccountable。Heunloosedbothfrontandrearcinchofhissaddle，sotheyhungentirelyfreeinwidebandsbeneaththepony’sbelly。Hetestedtheirslacknesswithhishandseveraltimes，stoppinginstantlywhenthemoreandmoresurprisedponyturnedhisheadtoseewhatnewthinginhisexperiencemightbegoingon，and，seeing，gaveadelicatebouncewithhishind—quarters。
\"Neveryoumind，Duster，\"mutteredthescout。\"Didyoueverseeaskunk—trap？Oughtsisformush—rats，andnumberonesismostlyusedfor’coonsand’possums，andIguessthey’ddoforaskunk。Butyouandwe’llcallthisheretrapanumbertwo，Duster，fortheskunkI’mafterisabigone。Allyou’vetodoistoactnatural。\"
CutlertooktheropeoffthestumpbywhichDusterhadbeentiedsecurely，woundandstrappedittothetiltedsaddle，andinsteadofthisformertether，madeaweakknotinthereins，andtossedthemoverthestump。Heenteredthecabinwithacountenancesweeterthanhoney。
\"Good—evening，boys，\"hesaid。\"Why，Toussaint，howdoyoudo？\"
ThehandofToussainthadmadeaslight，averyslight，movementtowardshiship，butatsightofCutler’smellowsmileresumeditsclaspuponhisknee。
\"Golly，butyou’regay—likethisevening，\"saidKelley。
\"BlamedifIknowedhecouldlooksofrisky，\"addedLoomis。
\"Sportinghisonced—a—yearcoat，\"Kelleypursued。\"Thatain’tforourbenefit，Joole。\"
\"No，we’renotthathighinsociety。\"BoththesecheerfulwaifshaddriftedfromtheAtlanticcoastwestward。
Cutlerlookedfromthemtohiscostume，andthenamiablysurveyedthehalf—breed。
\"Well，boys，I’minbigluck，Iam。How’syournnowadays，Toussaint？\"
\"Prettygoodsometime。Sometimeheaphell。\"Thevoiceofthehalf—breedcameasnearheartinessasitssingularlyfalsequalitywouldallow，andashesmiledhewatchedCutlerwiththeinsideofhiseyes。
Thescoutwatchednobodyandnothingwithgreatcare，lookedabouthimpleasantly，inquiredforthewhiskey，threwasidehatandgloves，satdown，leaningthechairbackagainstthewall，andtalkedwithartfulcandor。\"Themsprigsoflieutenantsdownthere，\"saidhe，\"they’reasurprisinglotforlearningvirtuetoaman。YoutakeBalwin。Why，heain’tbeenoutoftheAcademyonlytwoyears，andhe’sbeentellingmehowcard—playingain’tgoodforyou。Andwhatdoyousupposehe’sbeenandofferedJarvisCutlerforajob？I’mtobewagon—master。\"Hepaused，andthehalf—breed’sattentiontohisnextwordsincreased。
\"Wagon—master，andgoodpay，too。CleanuptotheBlackHills；andthetroops’llmovesoonaseverthemreinforcementscome。Drinksonit，boys！
Set’emup，JooleLoomis。Mycontract’ssealedwithsomeofUncleSam’scash，andI’mgoingtoplayitrighthere。Hello！Somebodycomingtojoinus？He’sinahurry。\"
Therewasasoundoflashingstrapsandhoofsbeatingtheground，andCutlerlookedoutofthedoor。Ashehadcalculated，thesaddlehadgraduallyturnedwithDuster’smovementsandsettheponybucking。
\"Stampeded！\"saidthescout，andsworetheproperamountcalledforbysuchcircumstances。\"Someo’youboyshelpmestopthedurnedfool。\"
LoomisandKelleyran。Dusterhadjerkedthepreparedreinsfromthecottonwood，andwaslurchingdownasmalldrygulch，withthesaddlebouncingbetweenhisbellyandthestones。
CutlercastabackwardeyeatthecabinwhereToussainthadstayedbehindalone。\"Headhimoffbelow，boys，andI’llheadhimoffabove，\"thescoutsangout。Helefthiscompanions，andquicklycircledroundbehindthecabin，stumblingonceheavily，andhurryingon，anxiouslestthenoisehadreachedthelurkinghalf—breed。Buttheivory—handledpistol，jostledfromitsholster，layunheededamongthestoneswherehehadstumbled。Headvancedovertheroughground，cameclosetothelogs，andcraftilypeeredinatthesmallwindowinthebackofthecabin。Itwasevidentthathehadnotbeenheard。Thesinisterfigurewithinstillsatonthetable，butwascrouched，listeninglikeananimaltotheshoutsthatwerecomingfromasafedistancedowninthegulch。Cutler，outsideofthewindow，couldnotseethefaceofToussaint，buthesawonelongbrownhandslidingupanddowntheman’sleg，anditsmovementputhiminmindofthetailofacat。Thehandstoppedtopulloutapistol，intowhichfreshcartridgeswereslipped。Cutlerhadalreadydonethissamethingafterdismounting，andhenowfeltconfidentthathisweaponneedednofurtherexamination。Hedidnotputhishandtohisholster。Thefigurerosefromthetable，andcrossedtheroomtoasetofshelvesinfrontofwhichhungalittleyellowcurtain。Behinditwerecups，cans，bottles，apistol，counters，red，white，andblue，andtwofreshpacksofcards，blueandpink，sidebyside。Seeingthese，Toussaintdrewahandkerchieffromhispocket，andunwrappedtwofurtherpacks，bothblue；andatthisCutler’sintentfacegrewintoplainshapeclosetothewindow，butrecededagainintouncertaindimness。Fromdowninthegulchcameshoutsthattherunawayhorsewascaptured。Toussaintlistened，rantothedoor，andquicklyreturning，putthebluepackfromtheshelfintohispocket，leavinginexchangeoneofhisown。Hehesitatedaboutalteringthepositionofthecardsontheshelf，butKelleyandLoomiswereunobservantyoungmen，andthehalf—breedplacedthepinkcardsontopofhisblueones。Thelittleyellowcurtainagainhunginnocentlyovertheshelves，andToussaint，pouringhimselfadrinkofwhiskey，facedround，andforthefirsttimesawthewindowthathadbeenbehindhisback。Hewasatitinaninstant，wrenchingitsrustypin，thatdidnotgive，butstuckmotionlessinthewood。Cursing，heturnedandhurriedoutofthedoorandroundthecabin。Noonewasthere。SomehundredyardsawaythenoiselessCutlercrawledfartheramongthethicketsthatfilledtheheadofthegulch。Toussaintwhippedoutamatch，andhaditagainsthistrouserstostrikeandlookiftherewerefootprints，whensecondthoughtswarnedhimthismightbeseen，andwasnotworthriskingsuspicionover，sincesomanyfeetcameandwentbythiscabin。Hetoldhimselfnoonecouldhavebeentheretoseehim，andslowlyreturnedinside，withamindthatfellahair’sbreadthshortofconviction。
Theboys，comingupwiththehorse，metCutler，wholistenedtohowDusterhadstoodstillassoonashehadkickedfreeofhissaddle，makingnoobjectiontobeingcaught。Theysuggestedthathewouldnothavebrokenloosehadhebeentiedwitharope；andhearingthis，Cutlerbitoffapieceoftobacco，andtoldthemtheywerequiteright：ahorseshouldneverbetiedbyhisbridle。Forasavorymomentthescoutcuddledhissecret，andturneditoverlikethetobaccolumpunderhistongue。
Thenheexplained，andreceivedserenelytheamazementofLoomisandKelley。
\"WhenyoukidshavetravelledthisWesterncountryawhileyou’llkeepyourcardslocked，\"saidhe。\"He’sgoingtoletuswinfirst。You’llsee，he’llplayapoorgamewiththepinkdeck。Then，ifwedon’tcallforfreshcards，why，he’llcallfor’emhimself。But，justforthefunofthething，ifanyofuslosessteady，why，we’llcall。Then，whenhegetsholdofhisstrippers，watchout。Whenhemakeshisbigplay，andisstretchin’fortorakethecountersin，yougrab’em，Joole；forbythenI’llhavemygunonhim，andifhemakesanytroublewe’llfeedhimtothecoyotes。Iexpectthatmusthavebeenit，boys，\"hecontinued，inanewtone，astheycamewithinpossibleear—shotofthehalf—breedinthecabin。\"Acoyotecomearoundhimwherehewastied。Thefoolhorsehasseenenoughof’emtogitusedto’em，you’dthink，buthedon’t。There；
that’llholdhim。Iguesshe’llhavetopulltheworldalongwithhimifhestartstorunagain。\"
Thelampwasplacedonthewindow—shelf，andthefourtookseats，CutlertotheleftofToussaint，withKelleyopposite。Thepinkcardsfellharmless，andforawhilethegamewasadullonetosee。Holdingapairofkings，CutlerwonalittlefromToussaint，whoremarkedthatluckmustgowiththemoneyofUncleSam。Afterafewhands，thehalf—breedbegantobetwithostentatiousfolly，and，losingtoonemanandanother，wasjokeduponthefallingoffofhisgame。Inanhour’stimehisbluechipshadbeentwicereinforced，andtwicemeltedfromtheneatoften—countedpileinwhichhearrangedthem；moreover，hehadlostahorsefromhisstringdownonChugWater。
\"Lendmetendollar，\"hesaidtoCutler。\"Yourichmannow。\"
InthenextfewdealsKelleybecamepoor。\"I’msickofthisluck，\"saidhe。
\"Thenchangeit，whydon’tyou？Let’shaveanewdeck。\"AndLoomisrose。
\"Joole，youalwaysareforsomethingnew，\"saidCutler。\"NowI’mdoingprettywellwiththesepinkcards。ButI’mnohog。Fetchonyourfreshones。\"
Theeyesofthehalf—breedswervedtotheyellowcurtain。HewasbyaFrenchtrapperfromCanadaoutofaSiouxsquaw，oneofRedCloud’ssisters，andhisheartbeathotwiththeeviloftworaces，andnoneoftheirgood。Hewasatthismomentirrationallyangrywiththemenwhohadwonfromhimthroughhisowndevices，andmaliceundisguisedshoneinhisleanflatface。Atsightofthebluecardsfallinginthefirstdeal，silencecameoverthecompany，andfromthedistantparade—groundthebuglesoundedthemelancholystrainoftaps。Faint，far，solemn，melodious，themusictravelledunhinderedacrosstheemptynight。
\"Themmenarebeingcheckedoffintheirbunksnow，\"saidCutler。
\"Whatyoubetthisgame？\"demandedToussaint。
\"I’veheard’emplaythatsamemusicoverasoldier’sgrave，\"saidKelley。
\"Yougoin’tobet？\"Toussaintrepeated。
Cutlerpushedforwardthetwonecessarywhitechips。Noone’shandwashigh，andLoomismadeaslightwinning。Thedealwentitsroundseveraltimes，andonce，whenitwasToussaint’s，Cutlersuspectedthatspecialcardshadbeenthrowntohimbythehalf—breedasanexperiment。Hethereforeplayedthegulltoanicety，bettinggentlyuponhisthreekings；butwhenhesteppedoutboldlyandbetthelimit，itwasnotToussaintbutKelleywhoheldthehigherhand，winningwiththreeaces。
Whythecoupshouldbeheldofflongerpuzzledthescout，unlessitwasthatToussaintwascarefullytestingtheedgesofhismarkedcardstoseeifhecontrolledthemtoacertainty。SoCutlerplayedoncalmly。
PresentlytwoacescametohiminToussaint’sdeal，andhewonderedhowmanymorewouldbeinhisthree—carddraw。Verypretty！Oneonly，andhelosttoLoomis，whohaddrawnthree，andheldfourkings。Thehandsweregettinghigher，theysaid。Thegamehad\"somethingtoitnow。\"ButToussaintgrumbled，forhisluckwasbadallthisyear，hesaid。Cutlerhadnowmadesurethattheacesandkingswentwherethehalf—breedwished，andcouldbeslidundetectedfromthetoporthemiddleorthebottomofthepack；buthehadnotestyethowfardownthescalethemarkingwent。AtToussaint’snextdealCutlerjudgedthetimehadcome，andatthesecondroundofbettingheknewit。Thethreewhitemenplayedtheirparts，raisingeachotherwithoutpause，andagaintherewastotalsilenceinthecabin。Everyfacebenttothetable，watchingtheturnrepeatitscirclewithobstinateincrease，untilnewchipsandmorenewchipshadbeenbroughttokeeponwith，andtheheapinthemiddlehadmountedhighinthehundreds，whileinfrontofToussaintlayhisknifeandamatch—box——pledgesoftwomorehorseswhichhehadstaked。Hehaddrawnthreecards，whiletheotherstooktwo，exceptCutler，whohadapairofkingsagain，anddrawingthree，pickeduptwomore。Kelleydroppedout，remarkinghehadbetmorethanhishandwasworth，whichwastrue，andLoomisfollowedhim。TheirpersistencehadsurprisedToussaintalittle。Hehadnotgiveneveryonesuspicioushands：Cutler’sfourkingswereenough。Hebetoncemore，wasraisedbythescout，called，andthrewdownhisfouraces。
\"Thatbeatsme，\"saidCutler，quietly，andhishandmovedunderhisfrock—coat，asthehalf—breed，eyeingthecentralpileofcountersintriumph，closedhisfingersoverit。TheyweredashedoffbyKelley，wholookedexpectantlyacrossatCutler，andseeingthescout’sfacewitherintosuddenoldage，criedout，\"ForGod’ssake，Jarvis，where’syourgun？\"Kelleysprangfortheyellowcurtain，andreeledbackwardattheshotofToussaint。Hisarmthrashedalongthewindow—sillashefell，sweepingoverthelamp，andflaringchannelsofoilranoverhisbodyandspreadontheground。Butthesecouldnolongerhurthim。Thehalf—breedhadleapedoutsidethecabin，enragedthatCutlershouldhavegotoutduringthemomenthehadbeendealingwithKelley。Thescoutwasgropingforhisivory—handledpistoloffinthedarkness。Hefoundit，andhurriedtothelittlewindowatasecondshotheheardinside。Loomis，beatingtherisingflameaway，hadseizedthepistolfromtheshelf，andaimlesslyfiredintothenightatToussaint。Hefiredagain，runningtothedoorfromthescorchingheat。Cutlergotroundthehousetosavehimifhecould，andsawthehalf—breed’sweaponflash，andthebodypitchoutacrossthethreshold。Toussaint，gaininghishorse，shotthreetimesandmissedCutler，whomhecouldnotclearlysee；andheheardthescout’sbulletssingpasthimashishorseborehimrushingaway。
II
JarvisCutlerliftedthedeadLoomisoutofthecabin。HemadeatryforKelley’sbody，buttheroomhadbecomeacaveofflame，andhewasdrivenfromthedoor。Hewrunghishands，givinghimselfbitterblamealoud，ashecoveredLoomiswithhissaddle—blanket，andjumpedbarebackuponDustertogotothepost。Hehadnotbeenridingaminutewhenseveralmenmethim。Theyhadseenthefirefrombelow，andontheirwayupthehalf—breedhadpassedthematarun。
\"Here’sourpoint，\"saidCutler。\"WillhehidewiththeSioux，orwillhetaketotherailroad？Well，that’smybusinessmorethanbeingwagon—master。I’llgetawarrant。YoutellLieutenantBalwin——andsomebodygivemeafreshhorse。\"
Ashortwhilelater，asCutler，withthewarrantinhispocket，rodeoutofFortLaramie，thecallofthesentinelscameacrossthenight：\"NumberOne。Twelveo’clock，andall’swell。\"Amoment，andtherefrainsoundedmoredistant，givenbyNumberTwo。Whenthefourthtookitup，farawayalongtheline，thewordswerelost，leavingsomethinglikethefaintechoofasong。Thehalf—breedhadcrossedthePlatte，asifheweremakingforhiskindredtribe，butthescoutdidnotbelieveinthistooplaintrail。
\"There’sChugWaterlyingrighttheotherwayfromwherehewent，andI
guessit’sthereMr。Toussaintisaimingfor。\"WiththisideaCutlerswungfromnorthtosouthwestalongtheLaramie。Hewentslowlyoverhisshortcut，nottoleavethewidelycirclingToussainttoomuchinhisrear。ThefugitivewouldkeephimselfcarefullyfarontheothersideoftheLaramie，andverylikelynotcrossituntiltheforksofChugWater。
Dawnhadceasedtobegray，andthedoveswerecooingincessantlyamongtheriverthickets，whenCutler，reachingtheforks，foundabottomwherethesage—brushgrewsevenandeightfeethigh，andburiedhimselfandhishorseinitscover。Herewascomfort；herebothriverscouldbesafelywatched。Itseemedagoodleisure—timeforalittlefireandsomebreakfast。Heeasedhishorseofthesaddle，slicedsomebacon，andputamatchtohispileofsmallsticks。Astheflamecaught，hestooduptoenjoythecoolofabreezethatwaspassingthroughthestillness，andhesuddenlystampedhisfireout。ThesmellofanotherfirehadcomeacrossChugWateronthewind。ItwasincrediblethatToussaintshouldbetherealready。Therewasnoseeingfromthisbottom，andifCutlerwalkedupoutofittheothermanwouldseetoo。IfitwereToussaint，hewouldnotstaylonginthevastexposedplainacrossChugWater，butwouldgoonafterhismeal。Intwentyminutesitwouldbethethingtoswimorwadethestream，andcrawlupthemudbanktotakealook。Meanwhile，Cutlerdippedinwatersomeoldbreadthathehadandsuckeditdown，whilethelittlebreezefromoppositehookthecottonwoodleavesandbroughtoverthesmellofcookingmeat。Thesungrewwarmer，andthedovesceased。
Cutleropenedhisbigwatch，andclappeditshutasthesoundofmudheavilysloppingintotheotherriverreachedhim。HecrawledtowherehecouldlookattheLaramiefromamonghissagebrush，andtherewasToussaintleadinghishorsedowntothewater。Thehalf—breedgaveashrillcall，andwavedhishat。Hiscallwasanswered，andashecrossedtheLaramie，threeSiouxappeared，ridingtothebank。Theywaitedtillhegainedtheirlevel，whenallfourrodeuptheChugWater，andwentoutofsightoppositethewatchingCutler。Thescoutthrewoffsomeofhisclothes，forthewaterwasstillhigh，andwhenhehadcrossed，anddrawnhimselftoalevelwiththeplain，therewerethefoursquattedamongthesage—brushbesideafire。Theysattalkingandeatingforsometime。Oneofthemroseatlast，pointedsouth，andmountinghishorse，dwindledtoadot，blurred，andevaporatedintheheated，tremblingdistance。Cutlerattheedgeofthebankstillwatchedtheotherthree，whosatontheground。Afaintshotcame，andtheyroseatonce，mounted，andvanishedsouthward。Therewasnofollowingthemnowinthisexposedcountry，andCutler，feelingsurethatthesignalhadmeantsomethingaboutToussaint’shorses，madehisfire，wateredhisownhorse，andlettinghimdragaropewherethefeedwasgreen，atehisbreakfastinease。
Toussaintwouldgetafreshmount，andproceedtotherailroad。Withthecomfortofcertaintyandtobacco，thescoutlolledbytheriverunderthecottonwood，andevenslept。Inthecooloftheafternoonhereachedthecabinofanacquaintancetwentymilessouth，andchangedhishorse。Amanhadpassedby，hewastold。LookedasifboundforCheyenne。\"No，\"Cutlersaid，\"he’sknownthere\"；andhewenton，watchingToussaint’stracks。
WithintenmilestheyveeredawayfromCheyennetothesoutheast，andCutlerstruckoutonatrailofhisownmorefreely。BymidnighthewasonLodge—PoleCreek，sleepingsoundamongthelasttreesthathewouldpass。Heslepttwelvehours，havinggonetobedknowinghemustnotcomeintotownbydaylight。Aboutnineo’clockhearrived，andwenttotherailroadstation；theretheoperatorknewhim。ThelowesthauntinthetownhadatentsouthoftheUnionPacifictracks；andCutler，gettinghisirons，andamanfromthesaloon，wentthere，andsteppedin，coveringtheroomwithhispistol。Thefiddlestopped，theshriekingwomenscattered，andToussaint，whohadaglassinhishand，letitflyatCutler’shead，forhewasdrunk。Thereweretwocustomersbesideshimself。
\"Nobodyshallgethurthere，\"saidCutler，abovethebedlamthatwasnowsetup。\"Onlythatman’swanted。ThequieterIgethim，thequieterit’llbeforothers。\"
Toussainthaddivedforhispistol，buttheproprietorofthedance—hall，scentinglaw，struckthehalf—breedwiththebuttofanother，andherolledover，andwasharmlessforsomeminutes。Thenhegotonhislegs，andwasledoutoftheentertainment，whichresumedmoregaylythanever。
Feetshuffled，thefiddlewhined，andtruculenttreblelaughtersoundedthroughthecanvaswallsasToussaintwalkedbetweenCutlerandthesaloon—mantojail。Hewasdulyindicted，anduponthescout’sdepositioncommittedtotrialforthemurderofLoomisandKelley。Cutler，hopingstilltobewagon—master，wrotetoLieutenantBalwin，hearinginreplythatthereinforcementswouldnotarrivefortwomonths。Thesessionofthecourtcameinone，andCutlerwastheTerritory’sonlywitness。Hegavehisnameandage，andhesitatedoverhisoccupation。
\"Callitpoker—dealer，\"sneeredToussaint’sattorney。
\"Iwould，butI’msuchafoolone，\"observedthewitness。\"Putmedownaswagon—mastertothemilitaryoutfitthat’sgoingtoWhiteRiver。\"
\"Whatisyourresidence？\"
\"Well，IresideinthesectionthatliesbetweentheMissouriRiverandthePacificOcean。\"
\"Apleasantneighborhood，\"saidthejudge，whoknewCutlerperfectly，andpreciselyhowwellhecoulddealpokerhands。
\"It’snotapleasantneighborhoodforsome。\"AndCutlerlookedatToussaint\"Youthinkyoudonewithme？\"Toussaintinquired，uponwhichsilencewasorderedinthecourt。
UponCutler’stestimonythehalf—breedwasfoundguilty，andsentencedtobehangedinsixweeksfromthatday。Hearingthis，helookedatthewitness。\"Iseeyouonedayagin，\"hesaid。
ThescoutreturnedtoFortLaramie，andsoontheexpectedtroopsarrived，andtheexpeditionstartedforWhiteRivertojoinCaptainBrent。ThecaptainwasstationedtheretoimpressRedCloud，andhadwrittentoheadquartersthatthischiefdidnotseemimpressedverydeeply，andthatthelivesofthesettlerswereinsecure。Reinforcementswereaccordinglysenttohim。OntheeveningbeforethesesoldiersleftLaramie，newscamefromthesouth。Toussainthadescapedfromjail。Thecountrywasfullofroving，dubiousIndians，andwiththeauthenticnewswentarumorthatthejailerhadreceivedvariousmessages。TheseweretotheeffectthattheSiouxnationdidnotdesireToussainttobekilledbythewhiteman，thatToussaint’smotherwasthesisterofRedCloud，andthatmanyfriendsofToussaintoftenpassedthejailer’shouse。Perhapshedidgetsuchmessages。Theyarenotanicesorttoreceive。Howeverallthismayhavebeen，theprisonerwasgone。
III
FortRobinson，ontheWhiteRiver，isbackedbyyellowbluffsthatbreakoutofthefoot—hillsinturretandtoadstoolshapes，withstuntpinesstarvingbetweentheirtorridbastions。Infrontofthefortthelandslantsawayintotheflatunfeatureddesert，andinsummertheskyisablue—steelcovetthateachdayshutsthesunandtheearthandmankindintooneboxtogether，whileitliftsatnighttoletinthecoolofthestars。TheWhiteRiver，whichisnotwide，runsinacurve，andaroundthiscurvebelowthefortsomedistancewastheagency，andbeyonditastockade，insidewhichinthosedaysdweltthesettlers。AllthiswasstrungoutononesideoftheWhiteRiver，outsideofthecurve；andatapointneartheagencyafoot—bridgeoftwocottonwoodtrunkscrossedtotheconcaveoftheriver’sbend——abottomofsomeextent，filledwithgrowingcottonwoods，andthetepeesofmanySiouxfamilies。Alongtheriverandontheplainothertepeesstood。
Onemorning，afterLieutenantBalwinhadbecomeestablishedatFortRobinson，hewastalkingwithhisfriendLieutenantPowell，whenCutlerknockedatthewiredoor。Thewagon—masterwasaprivilegedcharacter，andhesatdownandcommentedirrelevantlyuponthelieutenant’spictures，Indiancuriosities，andotherwell—meantattemptstoconcealthewalk：
\"What’sthetrouble，Cutler？\"
\"Don’tknowasthere’sanytrouble。\"
\"Cometoyourpoint，man；you’renotascoutnow。\"
\"Toussaint’shere。\"
\"What！incamp？\"
\"HidingwiththeSioux。TwoKnivesheardaboutit。\"（TwoKniveswasafriendlyIndian。）\"He’slayingforme，\"Cutleradded。
\"You’veseenhim？\"
\"No。Iwanttoquitmyjobandgoafterhim。\"
\"Nonsense！\"saidPowell。
\"Youcan’t，Cutler，\"saidBalwin。\"Ican’tspareyou。\"
\"You’llbehavingtofillmyplace，then，Iguess。\"
\"Youmeantogowithoutpermission？\"saidPowell，sternly。
\"Lord，no！He’llshootme。That’sall。\"
Thetwolieutenantspondered。
\"Andit’sto—day，\"continuedCutler，plaintively，\"thatheshouldbegettin’hangedinCheyenne。\"
Stillthelieutenantspondered，whilethewagon—masterinspectedaphotographofMarieRoseasMarguerite。
\"Ihaveit！\"exclaimedPowell。\"Let’skillhim。\"
\"Howaboutthecommandingofficer？\"
\"He’dbackus——butwe’lltellhimafterwards。Cutler，canyoufindToussaint？\"
\"IfIgetthetime。\"
\"Verywell，you’reoffdutytillyoudo。Thenreporttomeatonce。\"
Justafterguard—mountingtwodayslater，Cutlercameinwithoutknocking。Toussaintwasfound。Hewasdownontherivernow，beyondthestockade。Intenminutesthewagon—masterandthetwolieutenantswererattlingdowntotheagencyinanambulance，behindfourtallbluegovernmentmules。Thesewerehandilydrivenbyaseventeen—year—oldboywhomBalwinhadpicked。up，likinghissterlingAmericanways。HehadcomeWesttobeacow—boy，butachanceofhelpingtoimpressRedCloudhadseemedstilldearertohisheart。Theydrewupattheagencystore，andallwentin，leavingtheboynearlyoutofhismindwithcuriosity，andpretendingtobeabsorbedwiththereins。Presentlytheycameout，Balwinwithfield—glasses。
\"Now，\"saidhe，\"where？\"
\"Youseethestockade，sir？\"
\"Well？\"saidPowell，stickinghischinonCutler’sshouldertolookalonghisarmashepouted。Butthescoutproposedtobedeliberate。
\"Nowthegateofthestockadeisthisway，ain’tit？\"
\"Well，well？\"
\"Youstartthereandfollowthefencetothecorner——theleftcorner，towardstheriver。Thenyoufollowthesidethat’snearesttheriverdowntotheothercorner。Nowthatcornerisaboutahundredyardsfromthebank。Youtakeabee—linetothebankandgodownstream，maybethirtyyards。No；it’llbefortyyards，Iguess。There’salonepine—treerightagintheedge。\"Thewagon—masterstopped。
\"Iseeallthat，\"saidLieutenantBalwin，screwingthefield—glasses。
\"There’sabuckandasquawlyingunderthetree。\"
\"Naw，sir，\"drawledCutler，\"thatain’tnobuck。That’shimlyinginhisInjunblanketandchinnin’asquaw。\"
\"Why，thatman’sanIndian，Cutler。ItellyouIcanseehisbraids。\"
\"Oh，he’sriggedupInjunfashion，fustrate，sir。Butthembraidsofhisain’this’n。Falsehair。\"
Thelieutenantspassedeachotherthefieldglassesthreetimes，andglaredatthelonepineandthetwofiguresinblankets。Theboyontheambulancewasunabletopretendanylonger，andleanedoffhisseattillhenearlyfell。
\"Well，\"saidBalwin，\"IneversawanythinglookmorelikeabuckSioux。
Lookathispaint。Taketheglassesyourself，Cutler。\"
ButCutlerrefused。\"He’slikeanInjun，\"hesaid。\"Butthat’sjustwhathewantstobe。\"Thescout’sconvictionboredowntheirdoubt。
Theywerepersuaded。\"Youcan’tcomewithus，Cutler，\"saidPowell。\"Youmustwaitforushere。\"
\"Iknow，sir；he’dspotus，sure。Butitain’tright。Istartedthiswholebusinesswithmypokerschemeatthatcabin，andIoughttostaywithitclearthrough。\"
Theofficerswentintotheagencystoreandtookdowntworifleshangingattheentrance，alwaysreadyforuse。\"We’regoingtokillaman，\"theyexplained，andtheownerwasentirelysatisfied。TheylefttheruefulCutlerinside，andproceededtothegateofthestockade，turningtheretotheright，awayfromtheriver，andfollowingthepalingroundthecornerdowntothefartherright—handcorner。Lookingfrombehindit，thelonepine—treestoodnear，andplainagainstthesky。Thestripedfigureslaystillintheirblankets，talking，withtheirfacestotheriver。Hereandthereacrossthestreamthesmoke—stainedpeakofatepeeshowedamongthegreenleaves。
\"DidyoueverseeamoregenuineIndian？\"inquiredBaldwin。
\"Wemustletherripnow，anyhow，\"saidPowell，andtheysteppedoutintotheopen。Theywalkedtowardsthepinetillitwasahundredyardsfromthem，andthetwobeneathitlaytalkingallthewhile。Balwincoveredthemanwithhisrifleandcalled。Themanturnedhishead，andseeingtherifle，satupinhisblanket。Thesquawsatupalso。Againtheofficercalled，keepinghisriflesteadilypointed，andthemandivedlikeafrogoverthebank。Likemagichisblankethadlefthislimbsandpaintedbodynaked，exceptforthebreech—clout。Balwin’stardybulletthrewearthoverthesquaw，whowentflappingandscreechingdowntheriver。BalwinandPowellrantotheedge，whichdroppedsixabruptfeetofclaytoatrail，thenshelvedintotheswiftlittlestream。Theredfigurewasmakingupthetrailtothefoot—bridgethatledtotheIndianhouses，andbothofficersfired。Themancontinuedhislimberflight，andtheyjumpeddownandfollowed，firing。Theyheardayellontheplainabove，andananswertoit，andthenconfusedyellsaboveandbelow，gatheringallthewhile。Thefigureranonabovetherivertrailbelowthebank，andtheirbulletswhizzedafterit。
\"Indian！\"assertedBalwin，panting。
\"Ranaway，though，\"saidPowell。
\"So’dyourun。ThinkanySioux’dstaywhenanarmyofficercomesgunningforhim？\"
\"Shoot！\"saidPowell。\"’Sgettingnearbridge，\"andtheywenton，runningandfiring。Theyellsallovertheplainwerethickening。Theairseemedlikeasubstanceofsolidflashingsound。Thenakedrunnercameroundtherivercurveintoviewofthepeopleattheagencystore。
\"Where’sarifle？\"saidCutlertotheagent。
\"Officersgot’em，\"theagentexplained。
\"Well，Ican’tstandthis，\"saidthescout，andawayhewent。
\"Thatman’scrazy，\"saidtheagent。
\"Youbetheain’t！\"remarkedtheambulanceboy。
Cutlerwasmuchnearertothebridgethanwasthemaninthebreech—clout，andreachingthebank，hetookhalfaminute’skeenpleasureinwatchingtheracecomeupthetrail。WhenthefigurewaswithintenyardsCutlerslowlydrewanivory—handledpistol。Thelieutenantsbelowsawthemanleaptothemiddleofthebridge，swaysuddenlywitharmsthrownup，andtoppleintoWhiteRiver。Thecurrentsweptthebodydown，andasitcameitalternatelyliftedandturnedandsankasthestreamplayedwithit。Sometimesitstrucksubmergedstumpsorshallows，andboundedhalfoutofwater，thendrewunderwithnothingbutthebackoftheheadinsight，turningroundandround。ThedinofIndiansincreased，andfromthetepeesinthecottonwoodstheredSiouxbegantoboil，swarmingontheoppositebank，butuncertainwhathadhappened。Themanrollinginthewaterwasclosetotheofficers。
\"It’snotourman，\"saidBalwin。\"DidyouorIhithim？\"
\"We’regone，anyhow，\"saidPowell，quietly。\"Look！\"
Adozenrifleswerepointingattheirheadsonthebankabove。TheIndiansstillhesitated，fortherewasTwoKnivestellingthemtheseofficerswerenotenemies，andhadhurtnoSioux。SuddenlyCutlerpushedamongtherifles，dashingupthenearesttwowithhisarm，andtheirexplosionrangintheearsofthelieutenants。Powellstoodgrinningatthegeneralcomplicationofmattersthathadpassedbeyondhiscontrol，andBalwinmadeagrabastheheadofthemanintheriverwashedby。Thefalsebraidcameoffinhishand！
\"Quick！\"shoutedCutlerfromthebank。\"Shovehimuphere！\"
TwoKnivesredoubledhisharangue，andtheIndiansstoodpuzzled，whilethelieutenantspulledToussaintout，notdead，butshotthroughthehip。
Theydraggedhimovertheclayandhoistedhim，tillCutlercaughtholdandjerkedhimtothelevel，asanewnoiseofrattlingdescendedonthecrowd，andthefourbluemuleswheeledupandhalted。Theboyhaddoneithimself。Massingtheofficers’need，hehadpelteddownamongtheSioux，heedlessoftheiryells，andkeepinghisgrayeyesonhisteam。Ingotthethree，pushingToussaintinfront，andscouredawayforthepostasthesquawarrivedtoshriekthetruthtohertribe——whatRedCloud’srelationhadbeenthevictim。
Cutlersatsmilingastheambulanceswungalong。\"ItoldyouIbelongedinthishereaffair，\"hesaid。Andwhentheyreachedtheforthewassayingitstill，occasionally。
CaptainBrentconsidereditneatlydone。\"Butthatboyputthefinishingtouches，\"hesaid。\"Let’shavehimin。\"
Theboywashadin，andateadinnerwiththeofficersinglumembarrassment，smokingacigarafteritwithoutjoy。Toussaintwasgivenintothedoctor’shands，andhiswoundscarefullydressed。
\"ThiswillprobablycostanIndianoutbreak，\"saidCaptainBrent，lookingdownattheplain。Blanketedridersgallopedoverit，andyellingfilledtheair。ButToussaintwasnotdestinedtocausethisfurtherharm。Anunexpectedinfluenceintervened。
Allafternoonthecriesandgallopingwenton，andnextmorning（worsesign）thereseemedtobenoIndiansintheworld。Thehorizonwasempty，theairwassilent，thesmokingtepeeswerevanishedfromthecottonwoods，andwherethoseintheplainhadbeenlaythelodge—poles，andthefireswerecirclesofwhite，coldashes。BynoonaninterpretercamefromRedCloud。RedCloudwouldliketohaveToussaint。Ifthewhitemanwasnotwilling，itshouldbewar。
CaptainBrenttoldthestoryofLoomisandKelley。\"SaytoRedCloud，\"heended，\"thatwhenawhitemandoessuchthingsamongus，heiskilled。
AskRedCloudifToussaintshouldlive。Ifhethinksyes，lethimcomeandtakeToussaint。\"
Thenextdaywithceremonyandfeathersofstate，RedCloudcame，bringinghisinterpreter，andafterlisteninguntileverywordhadbeentoldhimagain，requestedtoseethehalf—breed。Hewastakentothehospital。Asentrystoodonpostoutsidethetent，andinsidelayToussaint，withwhomCutlerandtheambulance—boywereplayingwhiskey—poker。Whilethepatientwaswaitingtobehanged，hemightaswellenjoyhimselfwithinreason。SuchwasCutler’sfrontierphilosophy。
Weshouldalwaysdowhatwecanforthesick。AtsightofRedCloudloominginthedoorway，gorgeousandgrimasFate，thegamewassuspended。TheIndiantooknonoticeofthewhitemen，andwalkedtothebed。Toussaintclutchedathisrelation’sfringe，butRedCloudlookedathim。Thenthemongrelstrainofbloodtold，andthehalf—breedpouredoutachatteringappeal，whileRedCloudbythebedsidewaitedtillithadspentitself。Thenhegrunted，andlefttheroom。Hehadnotspoken，andhiscrestoflongfeathersasitturnedthecornerwasthelastvisionofhimthatthecard—playershad。
RedCloudcamebacktotheofficers，andintheirpresenceformallyspoketohisinterpreter，whodeliveredthemessage：\"RedCloudsaysToussaintheapnogood。NoInjun，anyhow。Henotwanthim。Whitemanhuntprettyhardforhim。Cankeephim。\"
ThuswasToussainttwicesentenced。Heimprovedundertreatment，playedmanygamesofwhiskey—poker，andwasconveyedtoCheyenneandhanged。
Thesethingshappenedintheearlyseventies；butthereareSiouxstilllivingwhorememberthetwolieutenants，andhowtheypulledthehalf—breedoutofWhiteRiverbyhisfalsehair。Itmakesthemlaughtothisday。AlmostanyIndianisfulloftalkwhenhechooses，andwhenhegetsholdofajokeheneverletsgo。
Sharon’sChoiceUnderProvidence，amanmayachievethemakingofmanythings——ships，books，fortunes，himselfeven，quiteoftenenoughtoencourageothers；
butlethimbewareofcreatingatown。Townsmostlyhappen。Noreal—estateoperatordecidedthatRomeshouldbe。Sharonwasanintendedtown；aoneman’spieceofdeliberatemanufacture；hiswhim，hispet，hismonument，hisdeviceforimmortallycontinuingaboveground。Heplanneditsavenues，gaveithismiddlename，feditwithhisrailroad。Buthehadreckonedwithouttheinhabitants（tosaynothingofnature），andonedaytheydispleasedhim。Wheneveryouwish，youcanseeSharonandwhatithascometoasIsawitwhen，asavisitorwithoutlocalprejudices，theyaskedmetoservewiththetelegraph—operatorandtheticket—agentandthehotel—managerontheliterarycommitteeofjudgesattheschoolfestival。Therewouldbeastage，andflags，andelocution，andparentsassembled，andafterwardsice—creamwithstrawberriesfromElPaso。
\"Haveyoueverawardedprizesforschoolspeaking？\"inquiredthetelegraph—operator，Stuart。
\"Yes，\"Itoldhim。\"AtConcordinNewHampshire。\"
\"Everhaveachatafterwardswithamotherwhosegirldidnotgettheprize？\"
\"Itwasboys，\"Ireplied。\"Andparentshadnosayinit。\"
\"It’sboysandgirlsinSharon，\"saidhe。\"Parentshavenosayinithere，either。Butthatdon’tseemtooccurtothematthemoment。We’llallsticktogether，ofcourse。\"
\"IthinkIhadbestresign。\"saidI。\"Youwouldfindmenohandatpacifyingamother。\"
\"Therearefathersalso，\"saidStuart。\"Butindividualparentsaresmalltroublecomparedwithabigsplitinpublicopinion。We’vemissedthatsofar，though。\"
\"Thenwhyhavejudges？Whynotapopularvote？\"Iinquired。
\"Don’tgobackonus，\"saidStuart。\"Wearesofewhere。Andyouknoweducationcan’tbedemocraticorwherewillgoodtastefinditself？
Eastmanknowsthatmuch，atleast。\"AndStuartexplainedthatEastmanwastheheadoftheschoolandchairmanofourcommittee。\"HeisfromMassachusetts，andhistasteisgood，butheistotalabstinence。Won’tallowanyliteraturewiththeleastsmellofadrinkinit，noteveninthesinging—class。Wouldnothave’Here’sahealthtoKingCharles’
insidethedoor。Narrowing，that；asmanyofthefinestclassicsspeakofwinefreely。Eastmanisuseful，butacrank。Nowtake’Lochinvar。’Wearetohaveitonstrawberrynight；butsay！Eastmankickedaboutit。Toldthekidtospeaksomethingelse。Kidcametome，andI——\"
AsmilelurkedforoneinstantinthecornerofStuart’seye，anddisappearedagain。Thenhedrewhisarmthroughmineaswewalked。
\"YouhaveneverseenanythinginyourdayslikeSharon，\"saidhe。\"Youcouldnotsitdownbyyourselfandmakesuchathingup。Shakespearemighthave，buthewouldhavestrainedhimselfdoingit。Well，Eastmansays’Lochinvar’willgoinmyexpurgatedversion。ToobadSirWaltercannotknow。EverreadhisFamiliarLetters，Greatgrief！buthewasagoodman。Eastmanstuckaboutthatmentionofwine。Remember？
’SonowamIcomewiththislostloveofmineToleadbutonemeasure，drinkonecupofwine。’
’Well，’thoughtI，’Eastmanwouldagreetowater。Wateranddaughterwouldgo，butisfrequentlyused，andspoilsthemeter。’SoIfiddledwithmypencildowninthetelegraphoffice，andIfixedthethingup。
How’sthis？
’SonowamIcomewiththisbeautifulmaidToleadbutonemeasure，drinkonelemonade。’
Eastmanacceptsthat。Saysit’spurer。Oh，it’snotallsadnesshere！\"
\"HowdidyoucometobeinSharon？\"Iaskedmyexoticacquaintance。
\"Ah，howdidI？Howdidallourcrowdattherailroad？Somebodyhasgottoselltickets，somebodyhasgottorunthathotel，andtelegraphshavegottoexisthere。That’showweforeignerscame。Manytravellerschangecarshere，andonetrainusuallymissestheother，becausethetwocompaniesdonotloveeachother。Youhearlotsoflanguage，especiallyinDecember。EasternconsumptivesboundforsouthernCaliforniagetlefthere，anddrummersarealsothick。Remarksrangefrom’Howprovoking！’tothingsIwouldnotevensaymyself。Sothatbighotelanddepothastobekeptrunning，andwefellowsgetalaughnowandthen。Ourlotisbetterthanthesepeople’s。\"HemadeageneralgestureatSharon。
\"Ishouldhavethoughtitwasworse，\"saidI。\"No，forwe’llbetransferredsomeday。Thesepoorfolksareshipwrecked。Thoughitistheirownfoolishness，allthis。\"
Againmyeyefollowedasheindicatedthetownwithasweepofhishand；
andfromthetownIlookedtothefourquartersofheaven。ImayhaveseenacrossintoOldMexico。Nosignlabelstheboundary；thevacuumofcontinentgoeson，youmightthink，toPatagonia。SymptomsofneighboringMexicobaskedonthesandheapsalongSharon’sspaciousavenues——littletorpid，indecentgnomesinsashesandopenrags，withcrowning—steeplestrawhats，andmurderdozingintheirsmallblackeyes。Theymighthavecrawledfromholesinthesand，orhatchedoutofbrowncrackedpodsonsomeweedsthattrailedthroughthebrokenbottles，theoldshoes，andthewirefences。Outsidetheserampartsbeganthevacuum，white，gray，indigo，florescent，wherealltheyearthesunshines。Notthesemblanceofanytreedancesintheheat；onlyrocksandlumpsofhighersandwaveranddissolveandreappearintheshakingcrystalofmirage。Notthescarofanyriver—bedfurrowsthevoid。Ariverthereis，flowingsomewhereoutoftheshinyvioletmountainstothenorth，butitdiessubterraneouslyonitswaytoSharon，missesthetown，andemergesthirtymilessouthacrossthesunlightinashallow，futilelake，acienaga，calledLasPalomas。Thenitevaporatesintotheceaselessbluesky。
ThewateryougetinSharonisdraggedbyaherdofwind—wheelsfromthebowelsofthesand。Overthetowntheyturnandturn——Sharon’supperstory——afilmycolonyofslats。Insomeofthehomesbeneaththemyoumaygoup—stairs——intheAmericanhomes，notintheadobeMexicancavesofsong，woman，andknives；andbrickandstoneedificesoccur。Monumentsofperishedtrade，theseriseamongtheirflatterneighborscubicalandstark；under—shirts，fire—arms，andgroceriesforsaleintheground—floor，blinddust—windowsabove。Mostofthemansions，however，squatephemerallyuponthesoil，nocellartothem，andnostaircase，thetotalfragileboxreadytobounceandcaracoleshouldthewinddrivehardenough。Insidethem，eating，mending，thenewspaper，andmorebabies，ekeoutthetwelvemonth；outside，thecitizensloitertotheirerrandsalongthebriefwideavenuesofSharonthatemptyintospace。Men，women，andchildrenmoveaboutinthetown，sparseandcasual，andovertheirheadsinawhitetribethewind—wheelsontheirruddersveertothebreezeandindolentlyrevolveabovethegapingobsoleteness。Throughthedumbtownthelocomotivebelltollspervadinglywhenatrainoffreightorpassengerstrundlesinfromthehorizonoroutalongthedwindlingfenceoftelegraphpoles。Nomatterwhereyouare，youcanhearitcomeandgo，leavingSharonbehind，anairycarcass，bleachedandventilated，sittingonthesand，withthesunandthehotwindpouringthroughitsbones。
Thistownwasthemagnate’schild，thethingthatwastokeephismemorygreen；andasItookitinonthatfirstwalkofdiscovery，Stuarttoldmeitsstory：howthemagnatehaddecreedtherailroadshopsshouldbehere；how，atthat，cornerlotsgrewinanight；howhorsemengallopedthestreets，shootingforjoy，andthehastytentsrosewhilethehouseswerehammeredtogether；howtheyhadsong，dance，cards，whiskey，license，murder，marriage，opera——thewholeusualthing——regularastheclockinourWest，inAustralia，inAfrica，ineveryvirgincorneroftheworldwheretheAnglo—Saxonrushestospendhisanimalspirits——regularastheclock，andinSharon’scaseaboutfifteenminuteslong。Fortheybecamegreedy，thecorner—lotpeople。Theyranuppricesforlandwhichtherailroad，thebreathoftheirnostrils，wanted。Theygrewugly，forgettingtheyweredealingwithamagnate，andthatarailroadfromoceantooceancantakeitsshopssomewhereelsewithappallingease。
Thusdidthecornerlotsbecomesandagaininanight。\"Andinthewordsofthepoet，\"concludedStuart，\"Sharonhasanimmensefuturebehindit。\"
Ourtalkwaschangedbythesightofaladyleaningandcallingoverafence。
\"Mrs。Jeffries，\"saidshe。\"Oh，Mrs。Jeffries！\"
\"Well？\"calledavoicenextdoor。
\"IwanttosendLeolaandArvasitaintoyouryard。\"
\"Well？\"thevoicerepeated。
\"Ourtool—houseblewoverintoyouryardlastnight。It’sjammedbehindyourtank。\"
\"Oh，indeed！\"
Awindowinthenexthousewasopened，aheadputout，andthisoccasionedmypresentationtobothladies。TheywereMrs。MatternandMrs。Jeffries，andtheyfellinstantlyintoastiffcautionofdeportment；buttheyspeedilyfoundIwasnotworthbeingcautiousover。
Stuartwhisperedtomethattheywerewidowsofhighstanding，andmothersofcompetingfavoritesfortheelocutionprize；andIhastenedtocourttheiresteem。Mrs。Matternwasinbodymoreample，standinghighandyellowandfluffy；butMrs。Jeffrieswassmoothandsmall，andbehindherspectaclesshehadaneye。
\"Youmustnotletusinterruptyou，ladies，\"saidI，aftersomecivilities。\"DidIunderstandthatsomethingwastobecarriedsome—
where？\"
\"Youdid，\"saidMrs。Jeffries（shehadcomeoutofherhouse）；\"andIampleasedtonoticenodamagehasbeendonetoourfence——thistime。\"
\"Itwouldhavebeenfixedrightupatmyexpense，asalways，Mrs。
Jeffries，\"retortedherneighbor，andstartedtokeepabreastofMrs。
Jeffriesasthatladywalkedandinspectedthefence。Thusthetwomarchedparallelalongthefrontiertotherearoftheirrespectiveterritories。
\"You’llnotresign？\"saidStuarttome。\"Itis’yourstilldeath，’ain’tit？\"
Itoldhimthatitwas。
\"AboutonceamonthIcanexpectthis，\"saidMrs。Jeffries，returningalongherfrontier。
\"Well，it’snottheonlycaseinSharon，Mrs。Jeffries，\"saidMrs。
Mattern。\"I’llremindyouofthemthreecoopswhenyoukeptpoultry，andtheygotawayacrosstherailroad，alongwiththebarber’sshop。\"
\"Butcannotwehelpyougetitout？\"saidI，withazealouswishforpeace。
\"Youareveryaccommodating，sir，\"saidMrs。Mattern。
\"Oneoftheprize—awardingcommittee，\"saidStuart。\"Anelegantjudgeoforatory。HasdecidedmanycontestsatConcord，thehomeofEmerson。\"
\"Concord，NewHampshire，\"Icorrected；butneitherladyheardme。
\"HowsplendidforLeola！\"criedMrs。Mattern，instantly。\"Leola！Oh，Leola！Comerightouthere！\"
Mrs。Jeffrieshasbeenmoreprompt。Shewasalreadyinherhouse，andnowcamefromit，bringingapleasant—lookingboyofsixteen，itmightbe。
Theyouthgrinnedatmeashestoodawkwardly，broughtinshirtsleevesfromtheperformanceofsomehouseholdwork。
\"ThisisGuy，\"saidhismother。\"Guytooktheprizelastyear。Guyhopes——\"
\"Shutup，mother，\"saidGuy，withentiresweetness。\"Idon’thopetwice——\"
\"TwiceoradozentimesshouldraisenohardfeelingsifmysonisSharon’sbestspeaker，\"criedMrs。Jeffries，andlookedacrossthefenceviciously。
\"Shutup，mother；Iain’t，\"saidGuy。