Thenshesatupwithherbackasstraightasifshewastwenty。\"Mydearyoungfellow，neverdoyoubuytrashinthesetrains。Hereyouarewithyourcoatfullof——what’sGadsden’sabsurdrazorconcoctions——strut——strop——bother！AndChinesepastebuttons。Lastsummer，ontheNorthernPacific，themanofferedyourcat’s—eyestomeasnativegemsfoundexclusivelyinDakota。ButIjustsatandmentionedtohimthatIwasonmywayhomefromaholidayinChina，andhewentrightoutofthecar。ThelastdayIwasinCantonIboughtaboxofthosecat’s—eyesateightcentsadozen。\"Afterthiswespokealittleonothersubjects，andnowshe’sbusywritingagain。
She’sonbusinessinCalifornia，butwillreadapaperatLosAngelesattheannualmeetingoftheGoldenDaughtersoftheWest。Themealstationiscoming，butwehaveagreedto——
Later，Fridayafternoon。——Ihavebeeninterruptedagain。Gadsdenentered，removedhishat，andshouted：\"Sharon。Twentyminutesfordinner。\"Iwascallingtheportertoorderabuffetlunchinthecarwhentheretrampedinuponusthreelargemenofsuchappearancethataflashofthankfulnesswentthroughmeathavingsolittleready—moneyandonlyasilverwatch。Mrs。Brewtonlookedatthemandsaid，\"Well，gentlemen？\"
andtheytookofftheirembroideredMexicanhats。\"We’vegotababyshowhere，\"saidoneofthem，slowly，lookingatme，\"andwe’dbekindofobligedifyou’dholdthebox。\"\"There’slunchputupinabasketforyoutotakealong，\"saidthenext，\"andabottleofwine——champagne。Solosingyourdinnerwon’tloseyounothing。\"\"We’relookingforsomebodyraisedEastandwithoutlocalprejudice，\"saidthethird。\"SowecometothePullman。\"Inowsawthatsofarfrompurposingtorobustheywereinagreatandhonestdistressofmind。\"ButIamnojudgeofababy，\"saidI；\"notbeingmar——\"\"Youdon’thavetobe，\"brokeinthefirst，moreslowlyandearnestly。\"It’safairandsecretballotwe’restrivingfor。
Thevotesiswroteoutandready，andallwe’reshyofisastrangerwithoutfamilytiesorbusinessintereststoholdtheboxanddothecounting。\"Hisdeeptonesceased，andhewipedheavydropsfromhisforeheadwithhisshirtsleeve。\"We’dbekindofawfulobligedtoyou，\"
heurged。\"Thetownwouldbeliabletomakeittwobottles，\"saidthesecond。Thethirdbroughthisfistdownonthebackofaseatandsaid，\"I’llmakeitthatnow。\"\"But，gentlemen，\"saidI，\"five，six，andsevenyearsagoIwasnotastrangerinSharon。IfmyfriendDeanDrakewasstillhere——\"\"Butheain’t。Nowyoumightaswellhelpfolks，andeatlater。Thistownwilltrustyou。Andifyouquitus——\"Oncemorehewipedtheheavydropsaway，whileinavoicefullofappealhisfriendfinishedhisthought：\"Ifweloseyou，we’lllikelyhavetowaittillthistraincomesinto—morrowforamansatisfactorytothistown。Andtheshowiscostingusaheap。\"Alighthandtappedmyarm，andherewasMrs。Brewtonsaying：\"Forshame！Showyourenterprise。\"\"I’llholdthisyeretrain，\"
shoutedGadsden，\"ifnecessary。\"Mrs。Brewtonrosealertly，andtheyallhurriedmeout。\"MyslipperswillstayrightonwhenI’mdownthesteps，\"
saidMrs。Brewton，andGadsdenhelpedherdescendintotheblazingdustandsunofSharon。\"Gracious！\"saidshe，\"whataplace！ButImakeitapointtoseeeverythingasIgo。\"Nothinghadchanged。There，asofold，laytheflatlitterofthetown——sheds，stores，anddwellings，ashapelesscongregationinthedesert，gapingwideeverywheretotheglassy，quiveringimmensity；andthere，abovetheroofs，turnedtheslattedwind—wheels。Butclosetothetracks，oppositethehotel，wasanedifice，asortoftentofbunting，fromwhichbrassmusicissued，whileaboutahundredpinkandbluesun—bonnetsmovedandmixedneartheentrance。LittleblackMexicans，likecharredtoys，loungedandlaystaringamongtheungradeddunesofsand。\"Gracious！\"saidMrs。Brewtonagain。Hereyelostnothing；andasshemadeforthetentthechintzpeo—
niesflowedaroundher，andherstepwassurprisinglylight。Wepassedthroughthesunbonnetsandenteredwherethemusicplayed。\"Thepreciousblesseddarlings！\"sheexclaimed，claspingherhands。\"ThiswilldofortheGoldenDaughters，\"sherapidlyadded；\"yes，thiswilldistinctlydo。\"
Andshehastenedawayfrommeintothethrong。
Ihadnotimetolookatmuchthisfirstgeneralminute。Icouldseetherewerebooths，eachcontainingaseparatebaby。Ipassedawholesectionofnakedbabies，andonebabyfartheralonghadongoldenwingsandacrown，andwasbawlingfrightfully。Theirnameswereoverthebooths，andInoticedLucille，ErskineWales，BanquoLickNolin，Cuba，Manilla，Ellabelle，BoscoGrady，JamesJ。CorbettNash，andAquaMarine。
Therewasagreatsignattheend，painted\"Mrs。Eden’sMannaintheWilderness，\"andanothersign，labelled\"Shot—gunSmith’stwins。\"InthemidstofthesefirstfewimpressionsIfoundmyselfseatedbehindabaretableraisedthreefeetorso，withtwoboxesonit，andaquantityofblankpaperandpencils，whileoneofthemenwasexplainingmetherulesandfacts。Ican’trememberthemallnow，becauseIcouldn’tunderstandthemallthen，andMrs。Brewtonwasdistantamongthesun—bonnets，talkingtoagatheringcrowdandfeelinginthemouthsofbabiesthatwerebeingsnatchedoutoftheboothsandbroughttoher。Themanwasinstructingmesteadilyallthewhile，anditoccurredtometonodsilentlyandcoldlynowandthen，asifIwasdoingthissortofthingeveryday。ButIinsistedthatsomeoneshouldhelpmecount，andtheygavemeGadsden。
NowthesefactsIdorememberveryclearly，andshallneverforgetthem。
Thebabiescamefromtwotowns——Sharon，andRinconitsneighbor。Alone，neitherhadenoughforagoodshow，thoughinbothitwaseveryfamily’spridetohaveababyeveryyear。Thebabieswereinthreeclasses：Sixmonthsandunder，oneprizeoffered；eighteenmonths，twoprizes；threeyears，twoprizes。Athree—fourthsvoteofallcastwasnecessarytoachoice。Nooneentitledtovoteunlessofimmediatefamilyofacompetingbaby。Nooneentitledtocastmorethanonevote。Therewererulesofentryandfees，butIforgetthem，exceptthatnoonecouldhavetwoexhibitsinthesameclass。WhenIreadthisIasked，howabouttwins？
\"Well，wedidn’tkindofforeseethat，\"mutteredmyinstructor，painfully；\"whatwouldbeyouridea？\"\"Lookhere，yousir，\"interposedMrs。Brewton，\"hecameintocountvotes。\"Iwasverygladtohaveherback。\"That’sright，ma’am，\"admittedtheman；\"heneedn’ttosayathing。We’veonlygotonetwinsentered，\"hepursued，\"whichwe’regladof。Shot—gun——\"，\"WhereisthisMr。Smith？\"interruptedMrs。Brewton。
\"Uptown，drinking，ma’am。\"\"AndwhomayMr。Smithbe？\"\"MostpopularcitizenofRincon，ma’am。Wehadtoaccepthistwinsbecause——well，hecomedownherehimself，andmostofRinconcomewithhim，andasweaimedtohaveeverythingpassoffpleasant—like——\"\"Iquitecomprehend，\"
saidMrs。Brewton。\"AndIshouldconsidertwinswithintherule；oranynumberbornatonetime。ButlittleAquaMarineisthefinestsinglechildinthatsixmonthsclass。Itoldhermothersheoughttotakethatsplurgyringoffthepoorlittlething’sthumb。It’smostunsafe。ButI
shouldvoteforthatchildmyself。\"\"Thankyouforyourvaluableendorse—
ment，\"saidaspruce，slimyoungman。\"Butthepublicisnotallowedtovotehere，\"headded。Hewasstandingonthefloorandrestinghiselbowsonthetable。Mrs。Brewtonstareddownathim。\"Areyouthefatherofthechild？\"sheinquired。\"Ohno！Iamtheagent。I——\"\"AquaMarine’sagent？\"
saidMrs。Brewton，sharply。\"Ha，ha！\"wenttheyoungman。\"Ha，ha！Well，that’sgoodtoo。She’spartofourexhibit。I’minchargeofthemanna—feds，don’tyouknow？\"\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMrs。Brewton。\"Why，Mrs。Eden’sMannaintheWilderness！Nourishes，strengthens，andmakesnounhealthyfat。Takeacircular，andwelcome。I’mtravellingforthemanna。Iorganizedthisshow。I’veconductedtwenty—eightsimilarshowsintwoyears。WeholdthemineveryStateandTerritory。SecondoflastMarchIgaveDenver——youheardofit，probably？\"\"Ididnot，\"saidMrs。
Brewton。\"Well！Ha，ha！IthoughteverypersonuptodatehadheardofDenver’sOlympicOffspringOlio。\"\"Isituptodatetolollyourelbowsonthetablewhenyou’respeakingtoalady？\"inquiredMrs。Brewton。Hejumped，andthengrewscarletwithrage。\"Ididn’texpecttolearnmannersinNewMexico，\"saidhe。\"Idoubtifyouwill，\"saidMrs。
Brewton，andturnedherbackonhim。Hewaswhitenow；butbetterinstincts，orelsebusiness，prevailedinhisinjuredbosom。\"Well，\"saidhe，\"Ihadnobadintentions。Iwasgoingtosayyou’dhaveseententhousandpeopleandfivehundredbabiesatDenver。Andourmanna—fedswonouttobeattheband。Threefirstmedals，andallexclusivelymanna—fed。
Wetookthecostumeprizealso。OfcoursehereinSharonI’vesimplified。
Nospecialmedalforweight，beauty，costume，ordecoratedperambulator。
Well，Imustgobacktoourexhibit。Gladtohaveyougiveusacallupthereandseethemedalswe’reoffering，andourfifteenmanna—feds，andtakeapackageawaywithyou。\"Hewasgone。
Thevotershadbeennowvotinginmytwoboxesforsometime，andIfoundmyselfhopingthemannawouldnotwin，whoeverdid；butitseemedthisagentwasaverycapableperson。Tobeginwith，everyfamilyenteringababydrewapackageofthemannafree，andonepackagecontainedadiamondring。Then，hehadmanagedtohavethefinestbabiesofallclassesinhisownexhibit。Thiswasincontestable，Mrs。Brewtonadmitted，afterreturningfromageneralinspection；anditseemedtousextraordinary。\"That’seasy，ma’am，\"saidGadsden；\"hecamearoundhereamonthago。Don’tyousee？\"Ididnotsee，butMrs。Brewtonsawatonce。
Hehadmadeaquietselectionofbabiesbeforehand，andthenintroducedthemannaintothosehomes。Andeverybodyintheroomwasremarkingthathisshowwasverysuperior，takenasawholetheyalladded，\"takenasawhole\"；Iheardthemastheycameuptovoteforthe3—yearandthe18—monthclasses。The6—monthwastowaittilllast，becausethethirdboxhadbeenaccidentallysmashedbyMr。Smith。Gadsdencaughtseveraltryingtovotetwice。\"No，youdon’t！\"hewouldshout。\"Iknowfaces。I’mnotaconductorfornothing。\"Andthevictimwouldfallbackamidjeersfromthesun—bonnets。Oncethepassengerssentovertoknowwhenthetrainwasgoing。\"Tellthemtostepoverhereandthey’llnotfeelsolonesome！\"shoutedGadsden；andIthinkagoodmanycame。Thebandwasplaying\"WhiteWings，\"withquiteanumbersingingit，whenGadsdennoticedthevotinghadceased，andannouncedthisballotclosed。Themusicpausedforhim，andwecouldsuddenlyhearhowmanybabieswereindistress；butforamomentonly；aswebeganourcounting，\"WhiteWings\"
resumed，andthesun—bonnetsoutsangtheirprogeny。Therewassomethingquitesingularinthewaytheyhadvoted。Herearesomeofthe3—year—oldtickets：\"Firstchoice，UlyssesGrantBlum；2dchoice，LewisHendricks。\"
\"Firstchoice，JamesRedfield；2d，LewisHendricks。\"\"First，ElkChester；
2d，LewisHendricks。\"\"Canitbe？\"saidtheexcitedGadsden。\"Finishthesequick。I’llopenthe18—monthers。\"Butheswungroundtomeatonce。\"Seethere！\"hecried。\"Readthat！andthat！\"Heplungedamongmore，andIread：\"Firstchoice，LawrenceNeptonFord，Jr。；2d，IonaJudd。\"\"Firstchoice，MaryLouiseKenton；2d，IonaJudd。\"\"Hurryup！\"
saidGadsden；\"that’sit！\"Andaswecounted，Mrs。Brewtonlookedovermyshoulderandutteredhermelodiouscroak，forwhichIsawnoreason。
\"Thatyoungwhipper—snapperwillgofar，\"sheobserved；nordidIunder—
standthis。Butwhentheystoppedthebandformetoannouncethereturns，onefactdiddawnonmeevenwhileIwasreading：\"Three—
year—olds：Wholenumberofvotescast，300；necessarytoachoice，225。
Secondprize，LewisHendricks，receiving300。Firstprize，largestnumberofvotescast，11，forSalvisavanMeter。Noaward。Eighteen—monthclass：
Wholenumberofvotescast，300；necessarytoachoice，225。Secondprize，IonaJudd，receiving300。LillianBrowngets15for1stprize。Noneawarded。\"Therewasaveryfeebleapplause，andthensilenceforasecond，andthenthesun—bonnetsrushedtogether，rushedawaytoothers，rushedback；andtalksweptlikehailthroughtheplace。Yes，thatiswhattheyhaddone。TheyhadallvotedforLewisHendricksandIonaJuddforsecondprize，andeveryfamilyhadvotedthefirstprizetoitsownbaby。TheBrownsandvanMetershappenedtobethelargestfamiliespresent。\"He’llgofar！he’llgofar！\"repeatedMrs。Brewton。Sportglitteredinhereye。Shegatheredhercurtains，andwasamongthesun—bonnetsinamoment。Thenitfullydawnedonme。TheagentforMrs。
Eden’sMannaintheWildernesswasindeedashrewdstrategist，andknewhispeopletotherootsofthegrass。Theyhadneverseenababy—show。
Theywereinnocent。Hecameamongthem。Hegaveawaypackagesofmannaandadiamondring。Heofferedtheprizes。Butheproposedtowinsome。
Thereforehemadethatruleaboutonlytheimmediatefamiliesvoting。Heforesawwhattheywoulddo；andnowtheyhaddoneit。Whateverhappened，twoprizeswenttohismanna—feds。\"Theydon’tseethroughitintheleast，whichisjustaswell，\"saidMrs。Brewton，returning。\"Andit’slittlematterthatonlysecondprizesgotothebestbabies。Butwhat’stobedonenow？\"Ihadnoidea；butitwasnotnecessarythatIshould。
\"YoufolksofRinconandSharon，\"spokeadeepvoice。ItwasthefirstmaninthePullman，anddropswererollingfromhisforehead，andhiseyesweretheeyesofabeleagueredox。\"Youfathersandmothers，\"hesaid，andtookanotherbreath。Theygrewquiet。\"I’mafathermyself，asiswellknown。\"Theyapplaudedthis。\"Salvisaismine，andshegotmyvote。Thefatherthatwillnotsupporthisownchildisnot——doesnot——isworsethaniftheywereorphans。\"Hebreathedagain，whiletheyloudlyapplauded。\"But，folks，I’vegottogethometoRincon。I’vegotto。AndI’llgiveupSalvisaifI’mmetfair。\"\"Yes，yes，you’llbemet，\"saidvoicesofmen。\"Well，here’smyproposition：Mrs。Eden’smannahastooktwo，andI’msatisfieditshould。Wevoted，andwillstayvoted。\"\"Yes，yes！\"\"Well，now，here’sSharonandRincon，twoofthefinesttownsinthissection，andIsaySharonandRinconhasequalrightstogetsomethingoutofthis，anddropprivatefeelings，andeverybodybacktheirtown。AndIsayletthisladyandgentleman，whowillactelegantandonthesquare，takeaviewandnominatethefinestRincon3—year—oldandthefinestSharon18—monththeycancutoutoftheherd。AndIsaylet’svoteunanimousontheirpick，andleteachtownholdafirstprizeandgohomeinfriendship，feelingithasbeentreatedright。\"
Universalcheersendorsedhim，andhegotdownpanting。Thebandplayed\"UnionForever，\"andIaccompaniedMrs。Brewtontothebooths。\"You’llremember！\"shoutedtheoratorurgentlyafterus；\"oneapiece。\"Wenodded。
\"Don’tgetmixed，\"heappealinglyinsisted。Weshookourheads，andoutoftheboothsrushedtwowomen，andsimultaneouslydashedtheirinfantsinourfaces。\"You’llneverpassCubaby！\"entreatedone。\"ThisisBoscoGrady，\"saidtheother。CubaworeanimmensegarmentmadeoftheAmericanflag，buthermotherwhirledheroutofitinasecond。\"Seethemdimples；seethemknees！\"shesaid。\"Seethemfeet！Onlyfeelofhertoes！\"\"Lookathisarms！\"screamedthemotherofBosco。\"Doubledhisweightinfourmonths。\"\"Didheindeed，ma’am？\"saidCuba’smother；
\"well，hehadn’tmuchtodouble。\"\"Didn’the，then？Didn’theindeed？\"
\"Noatyou；hedidn’tindeedandindeed！IguessCubaisknowntoSharon。
IguessSharon’llnotletCubabeslighted。\"\"Well，andIguessRincon’llseethatBoscoGradygetshisrights。\"\"Ladies，\"saidMrs。Brewton，toweringbutpoeticalwithhercurl，\"Iamamothermyself，andraisedfivenobleboysandtwosweetpeerlessgirls。\"Thisstoppedthemimmediately；theystaredatherandherchintzpeoniesassheputthecurlgentlyawayfromhermedallionandproceeded：\"ButneverdidIthinkofmyselfinthosedarkwearydaysofthelongago。IthoughtofmycountryandtheLostCause。\"Theystaredather，fascinated。\"Yes，m’m，\"
whisperedthey，quitehumbly。\"Now，\"saidMrs。Brewton，\"whatismoresacredthananAmericanmother’slove？Thereforelethernotshameitwithangerandstrife。Alllittleboysandgirlsarepreciousgemstomeandtoyou。Whatisacold，lifelessmedalcomparedtooneofthem？
ThoughIwouldthatallcouldgettheprize！Buttheycan’t，youknow。\"
\"No，m’m。\"Manymothers，withtheirchildrenintheirarms，werenowdumblywatchingMrs。Brewton，whoheldthemwithahoneyed，convincingsmile。\"IfIchooseonlyoneinthisbeautifulandencouragingharvest，itisbecauseIhavenootherchoice。Thankyousomuchforlettingmeseethatlittleheroandthatlovelyangel，\"sheadded，withayetsweeterglancetothemothersofBoscoandCuba。\"AndIwishthemallluckwhentheirturncomes。I’venosayaboutthe6—monthclass，youknow。Andnowalittleroom，please。\"
Themothersfellback。Butmyheadswamslightly。The6—monthclass，tobesure！Theoratorhadforgottenallaboutit。Inthegeneraljoyoverhiswiseandfairproposition，nobodyhadthoughtofit。Buttheywouldprettysoon。CubaandBoscowerelikelytoremindthem。Thenweshouldstillbefacetofacewithastateofthingsthat——IcastaglancebehindatthosetwomothersofSharonandRinconfollowingus，andIaskedMrs。
Brewtontolookatthem。\"Don’tthinkaboutitnow，\"saidshe，\"itwillonlymixyou。Ialwaysliketotakeathingwhenitcomes，andnotbefore。\"Wenowreachedthe18—monthclass。Theywerethenakedones。The6—monthhadstayednicelyinpeople’sarms；thesewerecrawlinghastilyeverywhere，likecrabsupsetinthemarket，andtheyscreamedfiercelywhentakenuponthelap。ThemotherofThomasJeffersonBrayinLucasshowedusaframedletterfromthestatesmanforwhomherchildwascalled。Theletterreekedwithgratitude，andsaidthatoffspringwasman’sproudestprivilege；thatasouvenirsixteen—to—onespoonwouldhavebeencheerfullysent，but428babieshadbeennamedafterMr。BrayinsinceJanuary。ItcongratulatedtheswellingarmyofthePeople’sCause。
ButtherewasnothingeminentaboutlittleThomasexcepttheletter；andweselectedReeseMoran，avigorousSharonbaby，who，whentheyattemptedtosethimdownandpacifyhim，stiffenedhislegs，dashedhiscandytothefloor，andburstintolamentation。Weweresoon。onourwaytothe3—yearclass，forMrs。Brewtonwasrapidandthorough。AswewentbytheMannaExhibit，theagentamonghispackagesandbabiesinvitedusin。HewasloudlydeclaringthathewouldvoteforBoscoifhecould。ButwhenheexaminedCuba，hebecamesurethatDenverhadnothingfinerthanthat。
Mrs。Brewtontooknonoticeofhim，butbademeadmireAquaMarineasfarsurpassinganyother6—monthchild。Iproclaimedhersplendid（shewasawide—eyed，contentedthing，withaheadshapedlikeacroquetmallet），andtheagentsmiledmodestlyandtoldthemothersthatasforhisbabiestwoprizeswasluckenoughforthem；theydidn’twanttheearth。\"Ifthatthinghappenedtobebrass，\"saidMrs。Brewton，bendingovertheringthatAquawasstillsucking；andagainremonstratingwiththemotherforthisimprudence，shepassedon。Thethree—year—oldswere，manyofthem，incostume，withextraordinaryarrangementsofhair；andherewasthechildwithgoldwingsandacrownIhadseenonarriving。HernamewasVerbenaM。，andshepersonatedFaith。Shehadcoloredslippers，andwasdrinkingteafromhermother’scup。Anotherchild，namedBroderickMcGowan，representedColumbus，andjoyfullyshouted\"Ki—yi！\"everyhalf—minute。Onechildwasattiredasaprominentadmiral；anotherasaprominentgeneral；andonestoodinaboatandwasWashington。AsMrs。
Brewtonexaminedthemanddealtwiththemothers，thenamesstruckmeafresh——notsomuchtheboys；UlyssesGrantandJamesJ。Corbettexplainedthemselves；butIreadthenamesoffiveadjacentgirls——Lula，Ocilla，Nila，Cusseta，andMaylene。AndIaskedMrs。Brewtonhowtheygotthem。\"Fromromances，\"shetoldme，\"inpapersthatweoftheupperclassesneversee。\"InchoosingHoraceBoyd，ofRincon，forhishair，hisfullsetoffrontteethwellcaredfor，andhisgeneralbeauty，Ithinkbothofuswerealsoinfluencedbyhisgoodsensiblename，andhisgoodcleansensibleclothes。Withbothourselections，oncetheyweresettled，wereSharonandRinconsatisfied。Wewereturningbacktothetabletoannounceourchoicewhenasuddenclamorarosebehindus，andwesawconfusionintheMannaDepartment。Womenwererunningandshrieking，andIhastenedafterMrs。Brewtontoseewhatwasthematter。AquaMarinehadswallowedtheringonherthumb。\"Itwasgold！itwaspuregold！\"wailedthemother，clutchingMrs。Brewton。\"ItcostawholedollarinElPaso。\"
\"Shemusthavewhiteofegginstantly，\"saidMrs。Brewton，handingmeherpurse。\"Runtothehotel——\"\"Saveyourmoney，\"saidtheagent，springingforwardwithsomeeggsinabowl。\"Lord！youdon’tcatchuswithoutalltheapplianceshandy。We’drunbehindthetradeinnotime。There，now，there，\"headded，comfortinglytothemother。\"Willyoumakeherswallowit？Betterletme——betterletme——Andhere’stheemetic。Lord！why，wehadthreeswallowedringsattheDenverOlio，andIgot’emallsafebackwithintenminutesaftertimeofswallowing。\"\"Yougoaway，\"saidMrs。
Brewtontome，\"andtellthemournominations。\"ThemotherssympatheticallysurroundedpoorlittleAqua，sayingtoeachother：\"She’sabeautifulchild！\"\"Sureindeedsheis！\"\"Butthemanna—fedshashadtheirturn。\"\"Sureindeedthey’vebeenrecognized，\"andsoforth，whileI
wasgladtoretiretothevotingtable。Themusicpausedforme，andasthecrowdcheeredmysmallspeech，someonesaid，\"Andnowwhatareyougoingtodoaboutme？\"ItwasBoscoGradybackagain，andclosebehindhimCuba。TheyhadescapedfromMrs。Brewton’seyeandhadgotmealone。
ButIpretendedinthenoiseandcheeringnottoseethesemothers。I
noticedawomanhurryingoutofthetent，andhopedAquawasnotinfurthertrouble——shewasstillsurrounded，Icouldsee。Thentheoratormadesomesilence，thankedusinthenamesofSharonandRincon，andproposedourcandidatesbevotedonbyacclamation。Thiswasdone。RinconvotedforSharonandReeseMoraninasolidroar，andSharonvotedforRinconandHoraceBoydinaroarequallysolid。Sonoweachhadaprize，andthewholeplacewasapplaudinghappily，andthebandwasbeginningagain，whenthemotherswithCubaandBoscojumpedupbesidemeontheplatform，andthesightofthemproducedimmediatesilence。
\"There’sagoodmanyherehasarighttofeelsatisfied，\"saidMrs。
Grady，lookingabout，\"andthey’rewelcometotheirfeelings。Butifthismeetingthinksitisthroughwithitsbusiness，Icantellitthatitain’t——notifitactshonorable，itain’t。Doesthosethathavehadtheirchanceandthosethatcantakehometheirprizesexpectus6—monthmotherscomeherefornothing？DotheyexpectIbroughtmyBoscofromRincontobeinsulted，andhimtheprideofthetown？\"\"CubaisknowntoSharon，\"spoketheotherlady。\"I’llsaynomore。\"\"JumpingJeans！\"
murmuredtheoratortohimself。\"Ican’tholdthistrainmuchlonger，\"
saidGadsden；\"she’sdueatLordsburgnow。\"\"You’llhavemadeitupbyTucson，Gadsden，\"spokeMrs。Brewton，quietly，acrossthewholeassemblyfromtheMannaDepartment。\"Asfortowns，\"continuedMrs。Grady，\"thatthinkanythingofababythat’sonlygotthreeteeth——\"\"Ha！Ha！\"laughedCuba’smother，shrilly。\"Teeth！Well，we’renotproudofbaldbabiesinSharon。\"Boscowascertainlybald。Allthemenwerelookingwretched，andallthewomenweregrowingmoreandmorelikeeagles。Moreover，theywereseparatingintotwobandsandtakingtheirhusbandswiththem——SharonandRincondrawingtooppositepartsofthetent——andwhatwascomingI
cannotsay；forweallhadtothinkofsomethingelse。Athirdwoman，bringingaman，mountedtheplatform。ItwassheIhadseenhurryout。
\"Myname’sShot—gunSmith，\"saidtheman，verycarefully，\"andI’mtoldyou’vereachedmycase。\"Hewasextremelygood—looking，withablueeyeandablondmustache，notabovethirty，andwastryinghardtobesober，holdinghimselfwithdignity。\"Areyouthejudge？\"saidhetome。
\"Hell——\"Ibegan。\"N—notguilty，yourhonor，\"saidhe。Atthishiswifelookedanxious。\"S—self—defence，\"heslowlycontinued；\"toldyouoncealready。\"\"Why，Rolfe！\"exclaimedhiswife，touchinghiselbow。\"Don’tyoucry，littlewoman，\"saidhe；\"this’llcomeoutallright。Where’rethewitnesses？\"\"Why，Rolfe！Rolfe！\"Sheshookhimasyoushakeasleepychild。\"Nowseehere，\"saidhe，andwaggedafingeratheraf—
fectionately，\"youpromisedmeyou’dnotcryifIletyoucome。\"\"Rolfe，dear，it’snotthatto—day；it’sthetwins。\"\"It’syourtwins，Shot—gun，thistime，\"saidmanymen’svoices。\"Weacquittedyouallrightlastmonth。\"\"Justifiablehomicide，\"saidGadsden。\"Don’tyouremember？\"
\"Twins？\"saidShotgun，drowsily。\"Ohyes，mine。Why——\"HeopenedonushisblueeyesthatlookedaboutasinnocentasAquaMarine’s，andhegrewmoreawake。Thenheblusheddeeply，faceandforehead。\"Iwasnotcomingtothiskindofthing，\"heexplained。\"Butshewantedthetwinstogetsomething。\"Heputhishandonhershoulderandstraightenedhimself。\"I
doneaheapofprospectingbeforeIstruckthisclaim，\"saidhe，pattinghershoulder。\"WegotmarriedlastMarchayear。It’sourfirst——first——first\"——heturnedtomewithaconfidingsmile——\"it’sourfirstdividend，judge。\"\"Rolfe！Inever！Youcomerightdown。\"\"Andnowlet’sgogetaprize，\"hedeclared，withhisconfidingpleasantness。\"I
remembernow！Iremember！Theyclaimedtwinswasbarred。AndIkickeddownthebars。Takemetothosetwins。They’renotnamedyet，judge。
Aftertheygettheprizewe’llnamethemfinenames，asgoodasanytheygotanywhere——Europe，Asia，Africa——anywhere。Mygracious！Iwishtheywasboys。Comeon，judge！Youandme’llgogive’emaprize，andthenwe’lldrinkto’em。\"Hehuggedmesuddenlyandaffectionately，andwehalffelldownthesteps。ButGadsdenassuddenlycaughthimandrightedhim，andweproceededtothetwins。Mrs。Smithlookedatmehelplessly，saying：\"I’mthatsorry，sir！Ihadnoideahewasgoingtobethatgamesome。\"\"Notatall，\"Isaid；\"notatall！\"UndermanycircumstancesI
shouldhavedelightedinShot—gun’ssociety。Heseemedsoutterlysurethat，nowhehadexplainedhimself，everybodywouldrejoicetogivetheremaining—medaltohislittlegirls。ButBoscoandCubahadnotbeenidle。Shotgundidnotnoticethespreadofwhispers，norfeelthedividedandjealouscurrentsintheairashesat，and，inexpandinggood—will，talkedhimselfalmostsober。Toenticehimouttherewasnoway。Severalofhisfriendshadtriedit。Butbeneathhisinnocencethereseemedtolurksomethingwary，andIgrewapprehensiveaboutholdingtheboxthislasttime。ButGadsdenrelievedmeasourcountbegan。\"Shot—gunisasplendidman，\"saidhe，\"andhehastrailedmoretrain—robbersthananydeputyinNewMexico。Buthehasseentoomanyfriendsto—day，andisnotquitehimself。SowhenhefelldownthattimeIjusttookthisoffhim。\"
Heopenedthedrawer，andtherelayasix—shooter。\"Itwastouchandgo，\"
saidGadsden；\"buthe’sthinkingthathardabouthistwinsthathe’snotmissedityet。’Twouldhavebeentheactofanenemytoleavethatonhimto—day。——Well，d’yousay！\"hebrokeoff。\"Well，well，well！\"Itwastheticketswetookoutoftheboxthatsethimexclaiming。Ibegantoreadthem，andsawthattheagentwasnomerepolitician，butastatesman。HisAquaMarinehadasolidvote。IrememberedhisextremepraiseofbothBoscoandCuba。ThishadsetRinconandSharonbitterlyagainsteachother。IrememberedhismodestyaboutAquaMarine。Ofcourse。Eachtown，unabletobeartheideaoftheother’sbeatingit，hadvotedforthemanna—fed，whohad299votes。Shot—gunandhiswifehadvotedfortheirtwins。IlookedtowardstheMannaDepartment，andcouldseethatAquaMarinewasplacidoncemore，andMrs。Brewtonwasdancingtheringbeforehereyes。IhopeIannouncedthereturnsinafirmvoice。\"What！\"saidShot—gunSmith；andatthatsoundMrs。Brewtonstoppeddancingthering。
Hestrodetoourtable。\"There’sthewinner，\"saidGadsden，quicklypointingtotheMannaExhibit。\"What！\"shoutedSmithagain；\"andtheyquitmeforthathammer—headedson—of—a—gun？\"Hewhirledaround。Themenstoodready，andthewomenfledshriekingandcoweringtotheirinfantsinthebooths。\"Gentlemen！Gentlemen！\"criedGadsden，\"don’thurthim！
Lookhere！\"AndfromthedrawerhedisplayedShot—gun’sweapon。Theyunderstoodinasecond，andcalmlywatchedtheenragedanddisappointedShot—gun。Buthewasaman。Hesawhowhehadfrightenedthewomen，andhestoodinthemiddleofthefloorwitheyesthatdidnotatallresembleAquaMarine’satpresent。\"I’mallrightnow，boys，\"hesaid。\"I
hopeI’veharmednoone。Ladies，willyoutryandforgetaboutmemakingsuchabreak？Itgotaheadofme，Iguess；forIhadpromisedthelittlewoman——\"Hestoppedhimself；andthenhiseyefellupontheMannaDepartment。\"IguessIdon’tlikeonethingmuchnow。I’mnotafterprizes。I’dnotacceptonefromagold—bug—combine—trustthatcomessneakingaroundstuffingwholesaleconcoctionsintoourchildren’ssystems。Mytwinsarenotmanna—fed。Mytwinsareraisedasnatureintended。Perhapsiftheywereswelledoutwithtrashthatactslikebaking—powder，theywouldhaveamedaltoo——forInoticehehasmadeyouvotehiswayprettyoftenthisafternoon。\"Isawtheagentattheendoftheroomlookveryqueer。\"That’sso！\"saidseveral。\"IthinkI’llclearouthisboxes，\"saidShot—gun，withrisingjoy。\"IfeellikeI’vegottodosomethingbeforeIgohome。Comeon，judge！\"Heswoopedtowardsthemannawithayell，andthemenswoopedwithhim，andGadsdenandIwereswoopedwiththem。Againthewomenshrieked。ButMrs。Brewtonstoodoutbeforetheboxeswithhercurlandherchintz。
\"Mr。Smith，\"saidshe，\"youarenotgoingtodoanythinglikethat。Youaregoingtobehaveyourselflikethegentlemanyouare，andnotlikethewildbeastthat’sinsideyou。\"Neverinhislifebefore，probably，hadShot—gunbeenaddressedinsuchamanner，andhetoobecamehypnotized，fixinghisblueeyesuponthestrangelady。\"Idonotbelieveinpatentfoodsforchildren，\"saidMrs。Brewton。\"Weagreeonthat，Mr。Smith，andIamagrandmother，andIattendtowhatmygrandchildreneat。Butthishighlyadroityoungmanhasdoneyounoharm。Ifhehastheprizes，whosedoingisthat，please？Andwhopaidforthem？Willyoutellme，please？
Ah，youareallsilent！\"Andshecroakedmelodiously。\"Nowlethimandhismannagoalong。ButIhaveenjoyedmeetingyouall，andIshallnotforgetyousoon。And，Mr。Smith，Iwantyoutorememberme。Willyou，please？\"ShewalkedtoMrs。Smithandthetwins，andShot—gunfollowedher，entirelyhypnotized。Shebeckonedtome。\"YourjudgeandI，\"shesaid，\"considernotonlyyourbeautifultwinsworthyofaprize，butalsothemotherandfatherthatcansoproudlyclaimthem。\"Sheputherhandinmypocket。\"Thesecat’s—eyes，\"shesaid，\"youwillwear，andthinkofmeandthejudgewhopresentsthem。\"Sheplacedabraceletoneachtwin，andthenecklaceuponMrs。Smith’sneck。\"GivehimGadsden’sstuff，\"shewhisperedtome。\"Doyoushaveyourself，sir？\"saidI，takingouttheStropine。\"Vaselineandgroundshells，andwilllastyourlife。Rubthesizeofapeaonyourstropandspreadittoaninch。\"IplacedtheboxinShot—gun’smotionlesshand。\"Andnow，Gadsden，we’lltakethetrain，\"
saidMrs。Brewton。\"Here’syourlunch！Here’syourwine！\"saidtheorator，forcingabasketuponme。\"Idon’tknowwhatwe’dhavedonewithoutyouandyourmother。\"AflashofindignationcrossedMrs。
Brewton’sface，butchangedtoasmile。\"You’veforgottonamemygirls！\"
exclaimedShot—gun，suddenlyfindinghisvoice。\"Supposeyoutrythat，\"
saidMrs。Brewtontome，atrifleviciously。\"Thankyou，\"IsaidtoSmith。\"Thankyou。I——\"\"Somethinghandsome，\"heurged。\"HowwouldCynthiadoforone？\"Isuggested。\"Shucks，no！I’veknowntwoCynthias。
Youdon’twantthat？\"heaskedMrs。Smith；andshedidnotatall。
\"Somethingextra，somethingfine，somethingnotstale，\"saidhe。Ilookedabouttheroom。Therewasnotimeforthought，butmyeyefelloncemoreuponCuba。ThisremindedmeofSpain，andtheSpanish；andmybrainleaped。\"Ihavethem！\"Icried。\"’Armada’and’Loyola。’\"\"That’swhatthey’renamed！\"saidShot—gun；\"writeitforus。\"AndIdid。Oncemorethebandplayed，andweleftthem，allcalling，\"Good—bye，ma’am。
Good—bye，judge，\"happyaspossible。Thetrainwassoongoingsixtymilesanhourthroughthedesert。WehadpassedLordsburg，SanSimon，andwerenearlyatBensonbeforeMrs。BrewtonandGadsden（whomshemadesitdownwithus）andIfinishedthelunchandchampagne。\"Iwonderhowlonghe’llrememberme？\"musedMrs。BrewtonatTucson，wherewewereontime。\"Thatwomanisnotworthoneofhisboots。\"
Saturdayafternoon，May6。——NearLosAngeles。Ihavebeenwritingallday，tobesureandgeteverythingin，andnowSharonistwenty—fourhoursago，andherethereareroses，gardens，andmanynicehousesattheway—stations。Oh，GeorgeWashington，fatherofyourcountry，whatabrindledlitterhaveyousired！
Butherethemoralreflectionsbeginagain，andIcopynomorediary。
Mrs。Brewtonlikedmynamesforthetwins。\"They’llpronounceitLoyo’la，\"shesaid，\"andthatsoundsrightlovely。\"LatershesentmeherpaperfortheGoldenDaughters。ItisfullofpoetryandsentimentandallthethingsIhavemissed。ShewrotethatifshehadbeensuretheagenthadhelpedAquaMarinetoswallowthering，shewouldhaveletthemsmashhisboxes。AndIthinkshewasalittleinlovewithShot—gunSmith。ButwhatapityweshallsoonhavenomoreMrs。Brewtons！Thecausesthatproducedher——slavery，isolation，literarytendencies，ad—
versity，gameblood——thatcombinationisbrokenforever。IshallspeaktoMr。Howellsabouther。Sheoughttoberecorded。
ThePromisedLandPerhapsthereweretenofthem——thesegallopingdotswerehardtocount——downinthedistantbottomacrosstheriver。Theirswiftlymovingdusthungwiththemclose，thinningtoayellowveilwhentheyhaltedshort。Theyclusteredamoment，thenpartedlikebeads，andwentwideasunderontheplain。Theyveeredsinglyoverthelevel，mergedintwosandthrees，apparentlyracing，shranktogetherlikeelastic，andbrokeranksagaintoswerveoverthestretchingwaste。Fromthisvisionedpantomimepresentlycameasound，atinyshot。Thefiguresweretoofarfordiscerningwhichfiredit。Itevidentlydidnoharm，andwasrepeatedatonce。Ababelofdiminutiveexplosionsfollowed，whilethehorsemengallopedoninunexpectedcircles。Soon，fornovisiblereason，thedotsrantogether，bunchingcompactly。Theshootingstopped，thedustrosethickagainfromthecrowdedhoofs，cloakingthegroup，andsopassedbackandwaslostamongthesilentbarrenhills。
FouremigrantshadwatchedthisfromthehighbleakrimoftheBigBend。
TheystoodwheretheflatofthedesertbrokeandtilteddowningroovesandbulgesdeeptothelurkingColumbia。Emptylevelslayopposite，nar—
rowingupintothehighcountry。
\"That’stheColvilleReservationacrosstheriverfromus，\"saidtheman。
\"Another！\"sighedhiswife。
\"ThelastIndianswe’llstrike。OurtrailtotheOkanagongoesoveracornerofit。\"
\"We’regoingtothosehills？\"Themotherlookedatherlittlegirlandbackwherethecloudhadgone。
\"Onlyacorner，Liza。Theferryputsusoveronit，andwe’vegottogobytheferryorstaythissideoftheColumbia。Youwouldn’twanttostartahomehere？\"
Theyhaddriventwenty—onehundredmilesatawalk。Standingbythemwerethesixhorseswiththewagon，anditstunneledroofofcanvasshoneduskilyontheemptyvergeofthewilderness。Adrywindlessairhungoverthetable—landoftheBigBend，butasoundrosefromsomewhere，floatingvoluminousuponthesilence，andsankagain。
\"Rapids！\"Themanpointedfarupthegiantrutofthestreamtowhereastreakofwhitewatertwinkledatthefootofthehills。\"We’vestrucktherivertoohigh，\"headded。
\"Thenwedon’tcrosshere？\"saidthewoman，quickly。
\"No。Bywhattheytoldmethecabinandtheferryoughttobefivemilesdown。\"
Herfacefell。\"Onlyfivemiles！Iwaswondering，John——Wouldn’ttherebeawayroundforthechildrento——\"
\"Now，mother，\"interruptedthehusband，\"thatain’tlikeyou。We’vecrossedplentyIndianreservationsthistripalready。\"
\"Idon’twanttogoround，\"thelittlegirlsaid。\"Father，don’tmakemegoround。\"
Mart，theboy，withaloosehookofhairhangingdowntohiseyesfromhishat，didnottroubletospeak。HehadbeendisappointedinthewestwardjourneytofindalltheIndianspeaceful。Heknewwhichwayheshouldgonow，andhewenttothewagontolookonceagaindownthecleanbarrelofhisrifle。
\"Why，Nancy，youdon’tlikeIndians？\"saidhermother。
\"Yes，Ido。Ilikechiefs。\"
Mrs。Clallamlookedacrosstheriver。\"Itwassostrange，John，thewaytheyacted。Itseemstogetstranger，thinkingaboutit。\"
\"Theydidn’tseeus。Theydidn’thaveanotion——\"
\"Butifwe’regoingrightover？\"
\"We’renotgoingoverthere，Liza。Thatquickwater’stheMahkinRapids，andourferry’scleardownbelowfromthisplace。\"
\"Whatcouldtheyhavebeenafter，doyouthink？\"
\"Thosechaps？Oh，nothing，Iguess。Theyweren’tkillinganybody。\"
\"Playingcross—tag，\"saidMart。
\"I’dliketoknow，John，howyouknowtheyweren’tkillinganybody。Theymighthavebeentryingto。\"
\"Thenwe’reperfectlysafe，Liza。Wecansetandlet’emkillusallday。\"
\"Well，Idon’tthinkit’sanykindofwaytobehave，runningaroundshootingrightoffyourhorse。\"
\"AndFourthofJulyovertoo，\"saidMartfromthewagon。HewasputtingcartridgesintothemagazineofhisWinchester。Hiscommon—sensetoldhimthatthosehorsemenwouldnotcrosstheriver，butthenotionofanightattackpleasedtheimaginationofyoungsixteen。
\"Itwasthechildren，\"saidMrs。Clallam。\"Andnobody’sgettingmeanywood。HowamIgoingtocooksupper？Stiryourselves！\"
Theyhadcarriedwaterinthewagon，andfatherandsonwentforwood。
Somewaydownthehilltheycameuponagullywithsomedeadbrush，andclimbedbackwiththis。Supperwaseatenontheground，thehorseswerewatered，givengrain，andturnedloosetofindwhatpickingstheymightintheleangrowth；andduskhadnotturnedtodarkwhentheemigrantswereintheirbedsonthesoftdust。Thenoiseoftherapidsdominatedtheairwithdistantsonority，andthechildrensleptatonce，theboywithhisriflealonghisblanket’sedge。JohnClallamlaytillthemoonrosehardandbrilliant，andthenquietly，lesthiswifeshouldhearfromherbedbythewagon，wenttolookacrosstheriver。Wherethedownwardslopebeganhecameuponher。Shehadbeenwatchingforsometime。Theyweretheonlyobjectsinthatbaldmoonlight。Noshrubgrewanywherethatreachedtothewaist，andthetwofiguresdrewtogetheronthelonelyhill。Theystoodhandinhandandmotionless，exceptthatthemanbentoverthewomanandkissedher。WhenshespokeofIowatheyhadleft，hetalkedofthenewregionoftheirhopes，thecountrythatlaybehindthevoidhillsopposite，whereitwouldnotbeastruggletolive。Hedweltonthehometheywouldmake，andhermoodfollowedhisatlast，tillhusbandandwifewerebuildingdistantplanstogether。TheDipperhadswunglowwhenheremarkedthattheywereacoupleoffools，andtheywentbacktotheirbeds。Coldcameovertheground，andtheirmusingsturnedtodreams。Nextmorningbothwereashamedoftheirfears。
Byfourthewagonwasonthemove。Inside，Nancy’svoicewashearddiscussingwithhermotherwhethertheschool—teacherwheretheyweregoingtolivenowwouldhaveablackdogwithawhitetail，thatcouldswimwithabasketinhismouth。Theycrawledalongtheedgeofthevastdescent，makingslowprogress，forattimesthevalleywidenedandtheyrecededfarfromtheriver，andthencircuitouslydrewcloseagainwheretheslantsankabruptly。Whentheferryman’scabincameinsight，thecanvasinteriorofthewagonwashotinthelong—risensun。Thelayofthelandhadbroughtthemcloseabovethestream，butnooneseemedtobeatthecabinontheotherside，norwasthereanysignofaferry。Grovesoftreeslayinthenarrowfoldsofthevalley，andthewatersweptblackbetweenuntenantedshores。Nothinglivingcouldbeseenalongthescantlevelsofthebottom—land。Yettherestoodthecabinastheyhadbeentold，theonlyonebetweentherapidsandtheOkanagon；andbrightinthesuntheColvilleReservationconfrontedthem。Theycameupontracksgoingdownoverthehill，marksofwagonsandhorses，plaininthesoil，andcharredsticks，withemptycans，lyingwherecampshadbeen。Heartenedbythisproofthattheywereontherightroad，JohnClallamturnedhishorsesoverthebrink。Theslantsteepenedsuddenlyinahundredyards，tiltingthewagonsonobrakeorshoewouldholditifitmovedfarther。
\"Allout！\"saidClallam。\"Eitherfolkstravellightinthiscountryortheyunpack。\"Hewentdownalittleway。\"That’sthetrailtoo，\"hesaid。
\"Wheelmarksdownthere，andthelittlebushesaresnappedoff。\"
Nancyslippedout。\"I’munpacked，\"saidshe。\"Oh，whatasplendidhilltogodown！We’llgolikeanything。\"
\"Yes，thatsurelyisthetrail，\"Clallampursued。\"Icanseeawaydownwheresomebody’sleftawheelamongthembigstones。Butwheredoeshekeephisferry—boat？Andwheredoeshekeephimself？\"
\"Now，John，ifit’sherewe’retogodown，don’tyougettostudyingoversomethingelse。It’llbetimeenoughafterwe’reatthebottom。Nancy，here’syourchair。\"Mrs。Clallambeganliftingthelighterthingsfromthewagon。
\"Mart，\"saidthefather，\"we’llhavetochainlockthewheelsafterwe’reempty。Iguesswe’llstartwiththeworst。Youandme’lltakethestoveapartandgetherdownsomehow。We’reinlucktohaveopencountryandnotimbertoworkthrough。Dropthatbeddingmother！Yourselfisallyou’regoingtocarry。We’llpackthattruckonthehorses。\"
\"Thenpackitnowandletmestartfirst。I’llmaketwotripswhileyou’reatthestove。\"
\"There’stheman！\"saidNancy。
Aman——awhiteman——wasridinguptheothersideoftheriver。Nearthecabinheleanedtoseesomethingontheground。Tenyardsmoreandhewasoffthehorseandpickedupsomethingandthrewitaway。Heloiteredalong，pickingupandthrowingtillhewasatthedoor。Hepusheditopenandtookasurveyoftheinterior。Thenhewenttohishorse，andwhentheysawhimgoingawayontheroadhehadcome，theysetupashouting，andMartfiredasignal。Theriderdivedfromhissaddleandmadehead—
longintothecabin，wherethedoorclappedtolikeatrap。Nothinghappenedfurther，andthehorsestoodonthebank。
\"That’sthefunniestmanIeversaw，\"saidNancy。
\"They’reallfunnyoverthere，\"saidMart。\"I’llsignalhimagain。\"Butthecabinremainedshut，andthedesertedhorseturned，tookafewfirststeelsoffreedom，thentrottedbrisklydowntheriver。
\"Why，then，hedon’tbelongthereatall，\"saidNancy。
\"Wait，child，tillweknowsomethingaboutit。\"
\"She’sliabletoberight，Liza。Thehorse，anyway，don’tbelong，orhe’dnotrunoff。That’sgoodjudgment，Nancy。Rightgoodforalittlegirl。\"
\"Iamsixyearsold，\"saidNancy，\"andIknowlotsmorethanthat。\"
\"Well，let’sgetmotherandthebeddingstarteddown。It’llbenoonbeforeweknowit。\"
Thereweretwopack—saddlesinthewagon，readyagainstsuchstraitsasthis。Therollsweremade，balancedassidepacks，andcircledwiththeswing—ropes，loosecloths，clothes，frying—pans，thelantern，andtheaxetossedintofillthegapinthemiddle，canvasflungoverthewhole，andthediamond—hitchhauledtautonthefirstpack，whenasecondriderappearedacrosstheriver。Hecameoutofaspacebetweentheoppositehills，intowhichthetrailseemedtoturn，andhewasleadingthefirstman’shorse。Theheavyworkbeforethemwasforgotten，andtheClallamssatdowninarowtowatch。
\"He’sstealingit，\"saidMrs。Clallam。
\"Thentheothermanwillcomeoutandcatchhim，\"saidNancy。
Martcorrectedthem。\"Amanneverstealshorsesthatway。Hedrivesthemupinthemountains，wheretheownerdon’ttravelmuch。\"
Thenewriderhadarrivedatthebankandcamesteadilyalongtilloppositethedoor，wherehepausedandlookedupanddowntheriver。
\"Seehimstoop，\"saidClallamthefather。\"He’sseenthetracksdon’tgofurther。\"
\"Iguesshe’saftertheotherone，\"addedClallamtheson。
\"Whichofthemistheferry—man？\"saidMrs。Clallam。
Themanhadgotoffandgonestraightinsidethecabin。Intheblackofthedoorwayappearedimmediatelythefirstman，danglinginthegripoftheother，whokickedhimalongtothehorse。Therethevictimmountedhisownanimalandrodebackdowntheriver。Thechastiserwasreturningtothecabin，whenMartfiredhisrifle。Themanstoppedshort，sawtheemigrants，andwavedhishand。Hedismountedandcametotheedgeofthewater。Theycouldhearhewasshoutingtothem，butitwastoofarforthewordstocarry。Fromacertainreiteratedcadence，heseemedtobesayingonething。JohnandMarttriedtoshowtheydidnotunderstand，andindicatedtheirwagon，walkingtoitandgettingaboard。Onthatthestrangerredoubledhissignsandshootings，rantothecabin，whereheopenedandshutthedoorseveraltimes，cameback，andpointedtothehills。
\"He’sgoingaway，andcan’tferryusover，\"saidMrs。Clallam。
\"Andtheothermanthoughthe’dgone，\"saidNancy，\"andhecameandcaughthiminhishouse。\"
\"Thisdon’tsuitme，\"Clallamremarked。\"Mart，we’llgototheshoreandtalktohim。\"
Whenthemansawthemdescendingthehill，hegotonhishorseandswamthestream。Itcarriedhimbelow，buthewaswaitingforthemwhentheyreachedthelevel。Hewastall，shambling，andbony，androvedoverthemwithapleasant，restlesseye。
\"Good—morning，\"saidhe。\"Fineweather。IwasbaptizedEdwardWilson，butyouinquireforWild—GooseJake。Themothernamesareretiredandpensioned。Iexpectyouseenmekickhim？\"
\"Couldn’thelpseeing。\"
\"Oh，Iain’tblamin’you，son，notabit，Iain’t。Hecan’tbilewaterwithoutburnin’it，andhistoesturnsin，andhe’sblurryroundthefinger—nails。He’sjestkultus，heis。Hevsome？\"Withafurtivesmilethatoftenranacrosshislips，hepulledoutaflatbottle，andalltookanacquaintanceshipswallow，whiletheClallamsexplainedtheirjourney。
\"Howmanyairthereofyu’slidin’downthehill？\"heinquired，shiftinghiseyetothewagon。
\"I’vegotmywifeandlittlegirlupthere。That’sallofus。\"
\"Ladiesalong！ThenI’llstepbehindthisbush。\"Hewasdragginghisfeetfromhiswaterloggedboots。\"Hearthemsucknow？\"hecommented。\"Didn’thevtothinkaboutawettingonced。ButIain’tyounganymore。There，I
guessIain’tcaughtachill。\"Hehadwhippedhisbreechesoffandspreadthemonthesand。\"NowyouarrivedownthisherehillfromIoway，andsaysyou：’Where’sthatferry？’Ain’twehittherightspot？’Well，that’swhatyouhevhit。You’reallright，andthespotishunky—dory，andit’sthedurnedoldboathezmadethemistake，begosh！Acloudbustedinthiscountry，andshetoreoutferthecoast，andthejoke’sonher！
You’doughttohevheerdhercablesnap！Whoosh，ifthatwiredidn’tscreech！Jestlastweekitwas，andtherivercomeroundthecorneronusinawavefourfeethigh，sameasawall。Iwasuphereonbusiness，andseenthewholething。Sotheferrysheupandbidusgood—bye，andlitoutforAstoriawithhercargo。Beggin’pardon，hevyoutobacco，formine’sinmywetpants？Twenty—fourhogsandthedriver，andtwoSheenydrummersboundtothemineswithbrassjew’lry，allgonetohell，fortheydidn’tneargittoAstoria。Theysankinthesightofall，aswerunalongthebank。Iseentheirarmswave，andthemhogsrollingoverlike’tatersbilin’roundinthekettle。\"Wild—GooseJake’swordscameslowandwentmoreslowlyashelookedattheriverandspoke，butrathertohimself。\"Itwarn’tlong，though。Iexpectitwarn’tthreeminutestillthewaterwasalltherewasleftthere。Mystars，whatalotofit！AndI
mighthevbeenpartofthatcargo，easyasnot。Freightbehindtimewasallthatcomebetweenmeandthemthatwent。So，we’dhevgonebobbin’
downthatflood，meandmypiah—chuck。\"
\"Yourpiah—chuck？\"Martinquired。
Themanfacedtheboylikearat，butthealertnessfadedinstantlyfromhiseye，andhislipslackenedintoaslipshodsmile。\"Why，yes，sonny，meandmygrub—stake。You’vebeentoschool，I’llbet，buttheydidn’tlearnyu’Chinook，now，didthey？Chinook’sthelingouswhitefolkstradeinwiththeSiwashes，andwekinderfallsintoit，talkingalong。Iwasthinkin’howbutfordelaymeandmygrubstake——provisions，yeknow——thatwasconsignedtomeclearawayatSpokane，mighthevbeendrowndedalongwiththemhogsandHebrews。That’swhatthegoodfolkscallsadispensationoftheSaukleeTyee！——Providence，yeknow，inChinook。’Oneshallbetakenandtheotherleft。’Andthat’swhatbeatsme——theygotleft；andI’mabiggersinnerthanthemdrummers，forI’mtenyearsolderthantheywas。Andthepoorhogswasbetterthananyofus。Thatcan’tbegainsaid。Ohno！ohno！\"
Martlaughed。
\"Imeanit，son。Somedaysuchthoughtswillcometoyou。\"Hestaredattheriverunsteadilywithhislightgrayeyes。
\"Well，iftheferry’sgone，\"saidJohnClallam，gettingonhislegs，\"we’llgoondowntothenextone。\"
\"Holdon！holdon！Didyouneverheartellofaraft？I’llputyoufolksoverthisriver。WaittillIgitmypantson，\"saidhe，stalkingnimblytowheretheylay。
\"It’sjustthisway，\"Clallamcontinued；\"we’reboundfortheupperOkanagoncountry，andwemustgetintheretobuildourcabinbeforecoldweather。\"
\"Don’tyouworryaboutthat。It’lltakeyouthreedaystothenextferry，whileyouandmeandtheboykinbuildaraftrightherebyto—morrownoon。Youhevanaxe，Iexpect？Well，hereistimberclose，andyourtrailtakesovertomyplaceontheOkanagon，whereyou’vegotanothercrossin’tomake。Andallthistimewe’rekeepingtheladieswaitin’upthehill！We’lltalkbusinessaswegoalong；and，seehere，ifIdon’tsuityu’，orfailinmybargain，youneedn’ttopaymeacent。\"
Hebeganclimbing，andonthewaytheycametoanagreement。Wild—GooseJakebowedlowtoMrs。Clallam，andaslowtoNancy，whoheldhermother’sdressandsaidnothing，keepingonefingerinhermouth。Allbeganemptyingthewagonquickly，andtinsofbaking—powder，withrocking—chairsandfloweredquilts，layonthehill。Wild—GooseJakeworkedhard，andsustainedapleasanttalkbyhimself。Hisfluencywasofaneagernessthatparriedinterruptionorinquiry。
\"Soyou’vecomeacrossttheBigBend！Ain’titacoseyplace？Remindsmeofthemmedicinepictures，’BeforeandAfterUsing。’TheBigBend’sthewaythisworldlookedbeforeusing——beforetheBiblefixeditup，yeknow。EverseenspecimensofBigBendproduce，ma’am？Theysend’emEast。
Grainandplumsandsuch。Thefellerthatgatheredthemcuriositieshedhuntfortysquaremilesapiecefor’em。Butit’sgood—payin’policy，anditfetcheslotsofsettlerstotheTerritory。Theycomeherehummin’andwalksaroundthewilderness，and’Where’stheplums？’saysthey。’Can’tyouseeI’mbusy？’saysthelandagent；andouttheygoes。Butyouneedn’ttoworry，ma’am。Thecountrywhereyou’regoin’ain’tlikethat。
There’swaterandtimberandrichsoilandmines。BillyMoonhasgonethere——he’sthemanruntheferry。Whenshewrecked，hepulledhisfreightforthenewminesatLoopLoop。\"
\"Didthemanliveinthelittlehouse？\"saidNancy。
\"Rightthere，miss。Andnobodylivesthereanymore，soyoutakeitifyou’rewantin’aplaceofyourown。\"
\"Whatmadeyoukicktheothermanifitwasn’tyourhouse？\"
\"Well，now，ifitain’tagoodoneonhimtohevyouseethat！I’lltellhimalittlegirlseenthat，andmaybehe’llfeelthedisgrace。Onlyhe’snoaccount，anddon’ttakeanyexperiencethereg’larway。He’snighontothirty，andyou’llnotbelieveme，Iknow，butheain’tneverevenlearnedtospitright。\"
\"Isheyours？\"inquiredNancy。
\"Gosh！no，miss——beggin’pardon。He’sjestworkin’forme。\"
\"Didheknowyouwerecomingtokickhimwhenhehid？\"
\"Hid？What’sthat？\"Theman’seyesnarrowedagainintopoints。\"Youfolksseenhimhide？\"hesaidtoClallam。
\"Why，ofcourse；didn’thesayanything？\"
\"Hedidn’tgetmuchchance，\"mutteredJake。\"Whatdidhehideat？\"
\"Us。\"
\"You，begosh！\"
\"Iguessso，\"saidMart。\"Wetookhimfortheferry—man，andwhenhecouldn’thearus——\"
\"Whatwashedoin’？\"
\"Justridingalong。AndsoIfiredtosignalhim，andheflewintothedoor。\"
\"Soyoufired，andheflewintothedoor。Oh，h’m。\"Jakecontinuedtopackthesecondhorse，attendingcarefullytotheropes。\"Ineverknowedhewasthatweakintheupperstory，\"hesaid，inaboutfiveminutes。
\"Knewhisbrainswastenas，butdidn’tsuspecthewerethatweakintheupperstory。You’resurehedidn’tgointillheheerdyourgun？\"
\"He’dtakenalookandwasgoingaway，\"saidMart。
\"Nowain’tsomepeoplejestodd！Nowyoufollowme，andI’lltellyoufolkswhatI’dfiguredhe’dbeenat。BillyMoonhelivedinthatcabin，yu’see。Andhehadhisstuffthere，yu，see，andruntheferry，andakindofastore。Hekeptcoffeeandcannedgoodsandstar—plugandthisandthattosupplytheprospectin’outfitsthatcomeacrosstonhisferryonthetrailtothemines。Thenacloud—bursthitshisboatandhisjob’sspoiledontheriver，andhequitsforthemines，takin’hisstuffalong——doyoufollowme？Buthehedtoleavesome，andhegivemethekey，andIwastosendthebalanceafterhimnextfreightteamthatcomealongmyway。Leander——that’shimIwaskickin’——heknowedaboutit，andhe’llstealahotstovehe’sthatdumb。HeknowedtherewasstuffhereofBillyMoon’s。Well，lastnightwehedsomehorsesstray，andIsaystohim，’Andy，yougetupbydaylightandfindthem。’Andhegits。Butbyseventhehorsescomeinallrightoftheirselves，andMr。Leanderhewasmissin’；andsaysItomyself，’I’llketchyou，yu’blamedhobo。’AndI
thoughtIhadketchedhim，yu’see。Weren’tthatreasonableofme？
Wouldn’tanyofyoufolkshevdrawedthatconclusion？\"Themanhadfallenintoawheedlingtoneashestudiedtheirfaces。\"Jestputyourselvesinmyplace，\"hesaid。
\"Thenwhatwasheafter？\"saidMart。
\"Stealin’。Buthefiguredhe’dcomeagain。\"
\"Hedidn’tlikemygunmuch。\"
\"Gunsalwaysskeershimwhenhedon’tknowthepartiesshootin’。That’shisdumbness。MaybehethoughtIwasafterhim；he’sjestthatdistrustful。Begosh！we’llhavethelaughonhimwhenhefindsherunfromalittlegirl。\"
\"Hedidn’twaittoseewhohewasrunningfrom，\"saidMart。
\"Ofcoursehedidn’t。Andyhearsyourgunandhedon’tinquirefurther，buthitsthefirstholehekincrawlinto。That’sAndy！That’sthekindofboyIhevtoworkforme。Allthegoodonesgoeswhereyou’regoin’，wherethegraingrowswithoutirrigationandtheblacktaildeercomesoutonthehillandasksyu’toshoot’emfordinner。Who’sreadyforthebottom？IfIstaytalkin’thesun’llgodownonus。Don’tyu’letmegetstartedagin。Justyoushetmeofftwicedanywayeachtwenty—fourhours。\"
Hebegantodescendwithhispack—horseandthefirstload。Allafternoontheywentupanddownoverthehotbarefaceofthehill，untilthebaggage，heavyandlight，wastransportedanddroppedpiecemealontheshore。Thetorn—outinsidesoftheirhomelitteredthestoneswithfamiliarshapesandcolors，andNancyplayedamongthem，visitingeachparcelandfoldedthing。
\"There’stheredtable—cover！\"sheexclaimed。\"andthebigcoffee—grinder。Andthere’sourtable，andtheholeMartburnedinit。\"
Shetookalonglookatthis。\"Oh，howIwishIcouldseeourpump！\"shesaid，andbegantocry。
\"Youtalktoher，mother，\"saidClallam。\"She’stuckeredout。\"
Themenreturnedtobringthewagon。Withchain—lockedwheels，andtiltedhalfoverbythecrossslantofthemountain，itcameheavilydown，reelingandslidingontheslipperyyellowweeds，andgrindingdeeprutsacrossthefacesoftheshelvingbedsofgravel。Jakeguideditashecould，strainingbackonthebitsofthetwohunchedhorseswhentheirhoofsglancedfromthestonesthatrolledtothebottom；andtheothersleanedtheirweightonapolelodgedbetweenthespokes，makingabalancetothewagon，foritleanedtheotherwaysofarthatatanyjoltthetwowheelslefttheground。Whenitwassafeatthelevelofthestream，duskhadcomeandawhiteflatofmistlayalongtheriver，stripingitscourseamongthegaunthills。Theysleptwithoutmoving，androseearlytocutlogs，whichthehorsesdraggedtotheshore。Theoutsidetrunkswerenailedandlashedwithropes，andsankalmostbelowthesurfacewiththeweightofthewoodfastenedcrosswiseontop。Butthewholefloateddrywithitscargo，andcrossedclumsilyonthequick—wrinkledcurrent。
Thenitbroughtthewagon；andthesixhorsesswam。Theforceoftheriverhadlandedthembelowthecabin，andwhentheyhadrepackedtherewastoolittleleftofdaytogoon。ClallamsuggesteditwasagoodtimetotakeMoon’sleavingsovertotheOkanagon，butWild—GooseJakesaidatoncethattheirloadwasheavyenough；andaboutthistheycouldnotchangehismind。Hemadeajourneytothecabinbyhimself，andreturnedsayingthathehadmanagedtolockthedoor。
\"Father，\"saidMart，astheywereharnessingnextday，\"I’vebeenupthere。Iwentawfulearly。There’snolocktothedoor，andthecabin’sempty。\"
\"Iguessedthatmightbe。\"
\"Therehasbeenalockpriedoffprettylately。Therewasalotofbrokenbottlesaroundeverywheres，insideandout。\"
\"Whatdoyoumakeoutofit？\"saidMart。
\"Nothingyet。Hewantstogetusaway，andI’mwithhimthere。IwanttogetuptheOkanagonassoonaswecan。\"
\"Well，I’mtakin’yu’thesoonestway，\"saidWild—GooseJake，behindthem。Fromhiscasualsmiletherewasnotellingwhathehadheard。\"I’llputyourstuffacrossttheOkanagonto—morrowmornin’。Butto—nightyourselves’llallbeover，andtheladieskinsleepinmyroom。\"
Thewagonmadegoodtime。Thetrailcrossedeasyvalleysandovertheyellowgrassofthehills，whilenowandthentheirguidetookashort—cut。Hewishedtogethome，hesaid，sincetherecouldbenoestimatingwhatLeandermightbedoing。WhilethesunwasstillwellupintheskytheycameoveraroundknobandsawtheOkanagon，blueinthebrightafternoon，andthecabinonitsfurtherbank。Thiswasaroomierbuildingtoseethancommon，andahay—fieldwasbyit，andabitofgreenpasture，fencedin。Saddle—horsesweretiedinfront，headshangingandfeetknuckledaskewwithlongwaiting，andfrominsideanuneven，riotousdinwhiffledlightlyacrosstheriverandinterveningmeadowtothehill。
\"Ifyou’llexcuseme，\"saidJake，\"I’lljestgitalongahead，andseewhatgamethemfolksisputtin’uponAndy。Likelyasnothe’sweighin’
’emoutflourattwocents，withitcostin’metwoandahalfonfreightin’alone。I’llhevsupperreadytimeyouketchup。\"
Hewasgoneatonce，gettingawayatasharppace，tillpresentlytheycouldseehimswimmingthestream。Whenhewasinthecabinthesoundschanged，droppingofftooneatatime，andexpired。Butwhentheriderscameoutintotheair，theyleanedandcollidedatrandom，whirledtheirarms，and，screamingtilltheygatheredheart，chargedwithwaveringmenaceatthedoor。Theforemostwasflungfromthesill，andheshotalongtopplingandscrapedhislengthinthedust，whiletheownerofthecabinstoodintheentrance。TheIndianpickedhimselfup，andatsomewordofJake’swhichtheemigrantscouldhalffollowbythefierceliftofhisarm，allgotontheirhorsesandsetupawailing，likevulturesdrivenoff。Theywentuptheriveralittleandcrossed，butdidnotcomedownthisside，andMrs。Clallamwasthankfulwhentheirevilnoisehaddiedawayupthevalley。Theyhadseenthewagoncoming，butgaveitnoattention。Amansooncameovertheriverfromthecabin，andwasloungingagainstatreewhentheemigrantsdrewupatthemargin。
\"Idon’tknowwhatyouknow，\"hewhineddefiantlyfromthetree，\"butI’mgoin’toCornwall，Connecticut，andIdon’tcarewhoknowsit。\"Hesentacowedlookatthecabinacrosstheriver。
\"Getoutofthewagon，Nancy，\"saidClallam。\"Mart，helpherdown。\"
\"I’mgoingback，\"saidtheman，blinkinglikeascoldeddog。\"Iain’tstayin’herefornobody。YoucantellhimIsaidso，too。\"Againhiseyeslunksidewisetowardsthecabin，andinstantlyback。
\"Whileyou’restaying，\"saidMart，\"youmightaswellgiveahandhere。\"
Hecamewithalacrity，andmadeashiftofunhitchingthehorses。\"IwasbetteroffcouplingfreightcarsontheHousatonic，\"hesoonremarked。
Hisvoicecameshallow，fromnodeeperthanhisthroat，andapeevishapprehensionrattledthroughit。\"Thatwasagoodjob。AndI’vehadbetter，too；forty，fifty，sixtydollarsbetter。\"
\"Shallweunpackthewagon？\"Clallaminquired。
\"Idon’tknow。YoueverbeentoNewMilford？Isoldshoesthere。
Thirty—fivedollarsandboard。\"
Theemigrantsattendedtotheiraffairs，wateringthehorsesanddrivingpicketstakes。Leanderuselesslyfollowedbehindthemwithconversation，blinkingandwithlowerlipsagged，showingacoupleofteeth。\"Mybrother’sinbusinessinPittsfield，Massachusetts，\"saidhe，\"andIcangetasalaryinBridgeportanydayIsayso。ThataMarlin？\"
\"No，\"saidMart。\"It’saWinchester。\"
\"IhadaMarlin。He’stookitfromme。I’llbetyounevergotshotat。\"
\"Anybodywanttoshootyou？\"Martinquired。
\"WellandIguessyou’llbelievetheydiddaybeforeyesterday\"
\"Ifyou’retalkingaboutupatthatcabin，itwasme。\"
LeandergaveMartaleer。\"Thatwon’tdo，\"saidhe。\"He’sputyouuptotellingmethat，andI’mgoingtoCornwall，Connecticut。Iknowwhat’sgoodforme，Iguess。\"
\"Itellyouwewerelookingfortheferry，andIsignalledyouacrosstheriver。\"
\"No，no，\"saidLeander。\"Ineverseenyouinmylife。Don’tyoubelikehimandtakemeforafool。\"
\"Allright。Whydidtheywanttomurderyou？\"
\"Why？\"saidtheman，shrilly。\"Why？Hadn’ttheybrokeinandfilledthemselvesuponhispiah—chucktilltheywerecrazy—drunk？AndwhenI
camealongdidn’tthey——\"
\"Whenyoucamealongtheywerenowherenearthere，\"saidMart。
\"Nowyou’regoingtoclaimitwasmedrunkitandscatteredallthembottlesofhis，\"screamedLeander，backingaway。\"ItellyouIdidn’t。I
toldhimIdidn’t，andheknoweditwell，too。Buthe’sjustthatmeanwhenhe’smadhelikestoputathingonmewhetherorno，whenheneverseenmetouchadropofwhiskey，noranyoneelse，neither。Theywereridingandshootinglooseoverthecountryliketheyalwaysdoonadrunk。AndI’mgladtheystolehisstuff。WhatbusinesshadhetokeepitatBillyMoon’soldcabinandsendmeawayuptheretoseeitwasallright？Lethimdohisowndirtywork。Iain’tgoingtobreakthelawsonthesalaryhepaysme。\"
TheClallamfamilyhadgatheredroundLeander，whowasstrickenwithvolubility。\"Itain’tonceinawhile，butit’severydayandeveryweek，\"hewenton，alwaysinawoollyscream。\"Andthelongerheain’tcaughtthebolderhegets，andputseverythingthatgoeswrongontome。
Wasitmetradedthemforthatliquorthisafternoon？Itwashissquaw，BigTracks，andheknoweditwell。Heletsthatmud—facedbaboonrunthehousewhenhe’soff，andIdon’thavethekeysnornothing，andneverdidhave。ButofcoursehehadtocomeinandsayitwasmejustbecausehewasmadabouthavingyouseethemSiwashesholleringaround。AndhecomeandshookmewhereIwassittin’，andoh，my，heknowedwelltheliehewasacting。IbetI’vegotthemarksonmynecknow。Seeanyredmarks？\"
Leanderexhibitedthebackofhishead，buttheviolencedonehimhadevidentlybeenfleeting。\"He’llbeawfulgoodtoyou，forhe’sthatscared——\"
Leanderstoodtremulouslystraightinsilence，hislipsagging，asWild—GooseJakecalledpleasantlyfromtheotherbank。\"Cometosupper，youfolks，\"saidhe。\"Why，Andy，Itoldyoutobringthemacross\"，andyou’veletthempickettheirhorses。Wasyouexpectin’Mrs。Clallamtotakeyourarmandfordsixfeetofwater？\"Forsomereasonhisvoicesoundedkindashespoketohisassistant。
\"Well，mother？\"saidClallam。
\"IfitwasnotforNancy，John——\"
\"Iknow，Iknow。Outontheshorehereonthissidewouldbeapleasanterbedroomforyou，but\"（helookedupthevalley）\"Iguessourfriend’splanismoresensibleto—night。\"
Sotheydecidedtoleavethewagonbehindandcrosstothecabin。Thehorsesputthemwithnotmuchwettingtotheotherbank，whereJake，mosteagerandfriendly，hoveredtomeethisparty，andwhentheyweresafeashorepervadedhispremisesintheirbehalf。
\"Turnthemhorsesintothepasture，Andy，\"saidhe，\"andfirstfeed’emacoupleofquarts。\"Itmayhavebeenhearinghimselfsaythis，buttoneandvoicedroppedtotheconfidentialandhissentencescamewithachuckle。\"QuartstothehorsesandquartstotheSiwashesandaskookumpackoftroubleallround，Mrs。Clallam！IfIhedn’ta—cametostopitawhileago，whyaboutallthespiritsthat’sinstockjestnowwasbein’
tradedoffforsomeblamedponiesthebearshevlethobbleontherangeunswalleredeversinceIsettledhere。Astoreonatraillikethishere，yesee，itheztokeepspirits，ofcourse；and——well，well！here’smyroom；youladies’llexcuse，andmakeyourselvesathomeaswellasyoucan。\"
Itwasofasurprisingneatness，duealltohim，theypresentlysaw；thelogwallscoveredwithasortofbuntingthatwasalsostretchedacrosstomakeaceilingbelowtheshinglesoftheroof；freshsoapandtowels，chinaservice，acleanfloorandbed，onthewallaprintofsomewhiteandredvillageamongelms，withacoveredbridgeandthewaterrunningoveranapron—damjustabove；andarichsmellofwhiskeyeverywhere。
\"Fixupascomfortableasyu’can，\"thehostrepeated，\"andI’llseehowMrs。Jake’stossin’theflapjacks。She’sInjun，yu’know，andfiveyearsofmarriedlifehadn’tlearnedhertotossflapjacks。NowifIwasyou\"
（hewaslingeringinthedoorway）\"Iwouldn’tshetthatwindersoquick。
Itdon’tsmellniceyetforladiesinhere，andI’dhevlikedtogitthetimetodobetterforye；butthemSiwashes——well，ofcourse，youfolksseehowitis。Maybeitain’talwaysandonlywhitementhatpatronizesourgoods。UncleSamisalongwayoff，andIdon’tsaywe’doughtto，butwhenthecat’saway，whythemicewill，yeknow——theymostalwayswill。\"
Therewasarattleofboardsoutside，atwhichheshutthedoorquickly，andtheyheardhimrun。Alightmutteringcameinatthewindow，andthemother，peepingout，sawAndyfallenamongarubbishofcratesandemptycans，wherehelaystaring，whilehistwofistsbeatupanddownlikeadisorderedtoy。Wild—GooseJakecame，andhavingliftedhimwithgreattenderness，waslayinghimflatasElizabethClallamhurriedtohishelp。