*****
Charliehadgotnearlyhomewhenhebegantoworryaboutadeepprospectholenearthetrailknownas"Rosenhammer’sShaft。"Hemustbecarefultoavoidit。Suddenlyhisfootslippedonapebble。Heclutchedunavailinglyatamanzanitaandrolledintoacircleofinkyblackness。
Rosenhammer’sShaft!Nowhewaslost，indeed。
But，no。Asheslidhecameagainstasturdylive—oakbushwhichheclutched，managingtostophisdescentintothenextworldforthetimebeing。Heeven，swungonelegoverawirylimb，andthereheclung，putteringsailors’argot，consideringhissins，androaringforhelpinhisbestfortissimotone。
Theshaftwassaidtobeahundredfeetdeep。Itwasfilledpartwaywithoilywater，andinhabitedbysnakesandmonstersofthesubterraneandeeps。Peoplehadfalleninanddrowned，andhadbeenknownnevertoriseagain。TheghostofaChinamanwhohadbeenmurderedandflungdown，wassaidtofloatupfromitsdepthsatnighttorangetheearth，seekingtheperpetratorofthefiendishdeed。
CharliewishedthathehadledamoreblamelesslifethathehadnotsothoroughlybeatentheIndianwhohadsoldhimasaltedmine；thathehadnotmadeLizzieplow；that，aboveall，hehadmarriedtheWidowSchmittwhenshehadsoplainlyshownherlikingforhim。
Well，itdidnotmattermuch。Hewouldfallinfortyfeetofwaterandtheywouldneverfindhim。Hewishedthathehaddrunkthatwhichthejugcontained。Itwasgrowingdaylight。Whatwastheday，then，tohim？
Hewouldneverlivetoseeit。Hisarmswerenumb。Hemustsoonletgoandfalltohisdoom。
Heheardvoicesbutwastoospenttocallout。Asacrowdofmencamerunningoverthehill，hisarmswereslipping—slipping。Itwasalmostbroadday。
Hemadeonelast，herculeanefforttoholdfast，turninghisheadoverhisshouldertoglanceintothedeathtrapbelowand—justashisrepentantrescuersreachedhim，hegaveadisgustedsnortandfell—
threefeettothebottomofthehole!
InthedarknesshehadsafelypassedtheRosenhammershaftandhadfallenintothesix—feet—deepprospectholeofhisownclaim。
Twodayslater，CharliemarriedtheWidowSchmitt"RattlesnakeDick"
IV
"Againswingsthelashonthehighmountaintrail，Andthepipeofthepackerisscentingthegale；
Forthetrailsareallopen，theroadsareallfree，Andthehighwayman’swhistleisheardonthelea。"
—BretHarte。
WewereridingonedayundertheDiggerpines，downanabandonedoldroadtowardMountaineerHouse。Asusual，myspiritedhalf—Arab，aswhiteasshewasfleet，hadputmefarinthelead。ShelovedaraceaswellasIdid，butsheranittosuitherself。IfItriedtointerposeanytheoriesofmyown，shecalmlytookthebitinherteethandafterthatIdevotedmostofmyenergiestohangingon!
MammyKate，owndaughterofNancyGoochofColoma，wouldscoldwhenI
camehomewithtornskirtandabumponmyforehead："Now，den，lookatdatchile!Beenhoss—racin’aginsu’ahasMoseswasinEgypt!Ishallsuttenlyenjineyo’fathahtodonegin’yo’plow—hosstoridesoyo’sgwi’gitbeatwiffyo’racin’，andquit。Spectsyo’had’nothahtumble，didn’tyou’？You’waittillKatiegitsdecamph—firean’putondathaid。"
SodidKatie’sscoldingsinvariablyendinrenewedpamperingofher"chile，"andsodidIcontinuetoraceeveryhorseinthecommunityandusuallytowin。
Withonesmallearlaidbacktolistenfortheotherhorses，littlewhiteFlossieflewalongthegrassytrack，dartingaroundthechapparalbusheswhichhadgrownupandjumpingthefallentreetrunks。Suddenlywecameoutofthewoodsandsheshiedviolentlyatamanwhowasdiggingafence—posthole，directlyintheroad。IalwaysrodeIndianfashionwithoutstirrupsofanykind，soofcourseIwascatapultedneatlyoverherhead。
"Hello。Otto，"Isaid，remainingseatedintheroadandcatchingatFloss’bridlerein，"whathaveyoufound？"
Ottowassiftingtheloosedirtintheholethrougheagerfingers。
"Hello!I’vefoundsomemoneyhereintheground。Iwonder—oh，yes，I’veheardmymothertellaboutit!ThiswastheoldpioneerroadanditwasatthisveryspotthatRattlesnakeDickandsomeofhisganghelduptheWells—Fargostagecoachandgotsuchalotofmoney。Theysaythere’sstill$40，000buriedonTrinityMountain，halfofwhatwaswaitingwhenRattlesnakeDickgotkilled。"
RattlesnakeDick，pirateoftheplacers，princeofhighwaymen!Magicalname—irridescentbubblefromthepipeofromance。Proud，imperious，bitterDick!Whatasplendidoldnamehehadbeenbornto，andwhatblowsFatehaddealthimwhichledtohistragicend!
TheothershadcomeupbythistimeandwesatinacirclelisteningagaintothestoryoftheboldandbrilliantEnglishmanwhomtwoundeservedjailsentenceshadturnedintosuchapicturesquedare—devilofahighwayman。However，IdisagreedwithOtto’sversionoftherobberchief。
"Butyouhavemadehimoutallbad，"Itoldhim。"Ihaveheardthestoryoften，andhewasn’tallbadbyanymeans。"
"Hewasawilddesperado。Why，evenafterhewasdeadandlyingonthesidewalkinAuburn，amancameupandkickedhisface。"
"Yes，andtheysaythateverybodyinthecountywasmadaboutit，andwhenthemanranforsupervisormorethanayearlater，nodecentpersonwouldvoteforhimandhelosthiselection。"Now，thetruestoryofRattlesnakeDickisthis，andInevertireofhearingit：
"Wouldyoupresentmetoyoursister’sfriend，then，George？"
"Whynot。"
"IamanIshmailite!I，thesonofanhonorableEnglishgentleman，havedoneaterminprison。"
"Buttheseideasareextreme，Dick。Thereisnosuchgeneralopinionofyou。WereyounotexoneratedfromhavingstolenthewretchedlittleJew’sgoods？Itisallforgotten，"andGeorgeTaylorpausedinhisrestlesspacing，beforethelong，gracefulfigureonthebunkagainstthewall。Dickraisedhandsomeeyeswhoseflashinglightwasmadeofpain。
"George，Iwish—howIwishthatitwereforgotten。Butitisnot。Theywhisperitindoorways，andoverthecardtablesanddowninthedrifttunnels。WhereverIgoitfollowsmelikeanevilspirit，rearingitsuncleanheadbetweenmeandallfairthings。"Hisdeepvoicereflectedthehurtinhisdarkeyes，andhisbroadshouldersdroopedindespondency。
"Dick—Dick，thegaythedebonair—thisisnotlikeyou。Braceup，man，andcomewithmetothisopeningofthenewoperahouse，ifonlytoaddtomypleasure。AllthetownwillbetheretohearthesingerwhohasjustlandedinSanFranciscofromBoston。"
"Sheitwaswhobroughtyoutheletterfromyoursister？"
"Yes，yes。Theywereschool—mates。Sheisbeautiful，andyoushallmeetheraftertheconcert。"
The"OperaHouse"wascrowded，thefrontrowsseatingtheleadingmenofthecommunityandtheirrichlycladwivesanddaughters。Inthebackrows，seatedonbenchesandaroundthesidewallswere，theroughlydressedminersandtheusualflotsamofaminingtown。Thesingerwasnotofthehurdy—gurdytypesocommoninthosedays，buta"lady，"
young，lovelyandaccomplished。Herballadsweregreetedwiththegreatestenthusiasm，andsoonthestagebegantobeshoweredwithgold。
Theminersbroughtherbackagainandagain，callingthenamesofsongstheywishedtohear。Hundredsofdollarsofgoldweretosseduptoher，whilstshesmilinglycompliedwithalltheirrequests。
"Onemore，"theyshouted，"onlyonemore，andherslippersshallbefilledwithgolddust。"Sheslippedoutofherlittlesandalsandstood，blushingmodestly，hidinghersilkenfeetunderherlong，wideskirts。
"Youareverykindtoalonelystranger，"shecalled，toaninstantlysilencedaudience，"andIwillsingforyouasongwhichhasbutlatelycomefromLondon。’TisfromanewoperacalledtheBohemianGirl，composedbyMasterBalfe，"andfoldingherlittlehandsbeforeher，shesangsweetly，"ThenYou’llRememberMe。"
"WhenotherlipsandotherheartstheirtalesofloveshalltellOfdaysthathaveashappybeen，andyou’llremember—you’llrememberme。"
"Dick，whydoyoucoveryoureyes？Youaresurelynotasleep？"
"ByalltheGods，man，theaccusationisaninsult，"withahaughtyflashofhisgreateyes。
"Youaretobepresented；haveyouforgotten？"
"Forgotten!Whilelifelasts，Ishallrememberthisnight。"
"Hush，thisisthelast。Sheissinging，"Home，SweetHome’。"
"Yes，’Home，’forthesewanderersfromallovertheearth。Seehowsilentlytheyfileout。"
"Thereismanyatearamongthem。Theywilllie，tonightonmemory’scouchofsaddreams。"
"Youarewrong，myfriend，"saidDickbitterly；"theyaremoreliketohastendowntothegamblinghellstokillthevisionsmemorywouldrecall。"
*****
"SweetBird，youcannotbelievethisthingofme!"TheSinger—LadyraisedherbrightheadfromDick’sshoulder，andmet，steadfastly，hispassionatelyadoringeyes。
"Richard，howcanyouforonemomentdoubtme？Iknowyoutobegoodandtrue。Wereyounotexoneratedfromthelastaccusationofwhichyouinformedmebeforeyouaskedformyhandinmarriage。Anddowenotknowthatthismanisactuatedbythemotiveofjealousy？"
"TheMormonbeast!HeknowswellthatIdidnotstealhismule。"
"No’naughtyboy，"tappinghimplayfullywithherfan，"’TwassomethingelseyoustolefromMasterCrowthewomanhewanted。OftenhaveI
noticedonthestreetshowallwomen，everyone，turntolookafteryou。"
"Icarednotforher。"Heshookhistallandbeautifulhead，impatientofthesilkyblacklockwhichfellacrosshisforehead。
"Perhapsthen’tisyourmagnificentcarriagetheywouldadmire，"laughedthegirl，teasingly。
Dicksweptherclosetohisheart。"Mygolden—throateddove，Icannotjoininyoursweetlaughter，forIhaveabodingheart，thisday。Ihaveenemies。Theywillusemypastrecord。Thecourtsarenew，andjudgmentsswiftandcold。IftheyshouldsendmeagaintothepenitentiaryI—"
"DearestIshouldknowyoutobeinnocent，andIshouldwaitforyou。"
Hekissedhertenderlyoncheeks，andeyes，andmouth。Hetookherhandsfromhisshoulders，slippingoffthelittlesilkenmittsandputtingtheminaninnerpocket，andkissedthesoft，pinkpalms。
"Ah，Lady—Bird，ifIshouldnotreturnyou’llrememberme？"
"Always。"
"Myownpurelove!Nobreathofshameshalleversullyyourfairnamethroughme。"
"RightwellIknowthat，Richard。Godblessyou。Iwillprayforyoueveryhour。"
AteveningGeorgeTaylorbroughtheranotefromDick。
"Oh，George，"shewailed，"theyhavesentencedhim？"
"Twoyearsinprison。"
"Buthewasinnocent!"
"Yes，andsomedayitwillbeproven。"Helookedatherstrangely，"I
musttellyou—DickhasbrokenjailandflednorthtoShastacounty，wherehewillbeginlifeanew。Then，ifyoustillwishit，hewillcometoyou。"
*****
AfterfouryearstheSinger—LadyreturnedforaconcertatthelittleOperaHouseinRattlesnake。ShewenttoheroldquartersattheWidowMiller’s，ontheedgeoftown。
"Eh，Dearie，"criedthegoodwoman，"whathavetheybeendoingtoye，sotodimyourbrightyouth，andtobringthesadlinestoyourmouth？"
"Mrs。Miller，whereishe？"
"Ah—sothat’stheanswer。"Thegirl’seyesfilledwithtears。
"Fouryears—andforthelasttwo，noword。ImustfindGeorgeTaylor。
Perhapshe—"
"Dearie，GeorgeTayloriswithDick，andtheSkinnersandCherokeeBobandLameJimDriscoll。Theysay，too，thatattimesDickrideswithTomBell’sgang。"
"Ah，hetriedwithallastrongman’spowertowinanewnameforhimself—andforyou—butFatewastoostrong。Hisfalserecordfollowedhimupanddownthestatefromeveryidlethroat，castingablightoverallhesoughtto，do。Everysheriffhoundedhimon。Eachunprovencrimewaslaidathisdoor。"
"Butwhydidhenotcometome？Oh，hehadmywholeheart，andheknewit。"
"Hedidcometoyoutwoyearsago，toaskifyouwouldreturntoCanadawithhim，hopingthatitwastoofarfortalesfromCaliforniatotravel。AssoonashereachedSanFranciscohewasrecognizedbyoneoftheauthoritiesand’shownup’bytheVigilanteCommitteeinthePlaza，astheyputupalldangerouscharactersforthepoliceandthepeopletosee。
"Andwhilsthewasthereyoupassed，walkingwithanotherman，andlookedhimintheeyesandknewhimnot。’Twasthatwhichbrokehisheartandmadehimtherecklessandbrilliantdevilthatheistoday。"
"But—but，"criedtheSinger—Lady，recoveringfromthedazethesewordshadplaceduponher，"Ididnotpass。Oh，Ishouldhavefallenathisfeet—losttoallmaidenlyreserve—therebeforethepeople。Itmusthavebeenmysister，whohadbutlatelycomefromBostonandsowouldnotknowhim，"andshebrokeintouncontrollableweeping。
"There，child，dryyourtears。Trytobebrave。Youcareforhimstill？"
"Always。Ihaveneverceasedtoprayforhim。IfIcannotbecomehis，I
shallgolonelytomygrave。Tellmeeverything，kindMrs。Miller。"
"HerobsthestagesoftheWells—Fargobox，butletsthepassengersgofree，andhehasneverbeenknowntotakeanythingfromawoman。Hesaysthatsincealltheworldisagainsthim，hishandisagainsttheworld。
"HisdenisnowatFolsom，theysay，butherangesfarafield。Herobsthesluices，andthebulliontrains，buthedoesnottakehorsesormulesexcepttogetawaywithhisbooty。Nocellcanholdhim。Hehasescapedfromeveryjailinthenorthernmines。Hehasbeenknowntosay，’Ishallneverrotinaprisonaslongasarevolvercankeepmeout。"’
"Oh，wouldhe—"
"Hewould，indeed，Dearie，forthesakeofhisfamilynameandthelovehebearsyou。HislastbigraidwasuponGeorgeBarstow’sWells—FargotrainfromYreka。TheyheldthemuponTrinityMountain。Eightythousanddollarsinbullion，theygot，evenwithtwentymenguardingit。"
Mrs。Millertiptoedtothewindowandlookedout。Comingbacktothegirlshewhispered，"Theguardsaretiedtotrees，andthegangiswaitingforDickandCySkinnertogetbackwithnewmules，astheWells—Fargomulesallarebrandedandwouldgivethemaway，butifhefindsoutthatyouareherehemay—"
TheSinger—Ladysprangtoherfeet!Fromthetreesbehindthehousefloatedasnatchofsonginaclearbaritone。
"Whencoldnessordeceitshallslightthebeautynowtheyprize；
Whenhollowheartsshallwearamask，’twillbreakyourowntosee。
AtsuchamomentIbutaskthatyou’llrememberme，you’ll—"
BythistimethegirlwassobbinginDick’sarms，andthemisunderstandingsoffouryearsweresoonexplained。
TheSinger—Ladyliftedherheadatlasttothesoundofgallopinghorses。Dickwaslookingcalmlyintheirdirection。Terrorseizedher。
"Whatisthat？"
"Youmustreturntothehouse。Theymustnotseeyouhere。"
Sheclungtohimwiththewailofabreakingheart。
"Itisthesheriffandhisdeputies。ThismorningGeorgeandIwereontheFolsomstage。Wewerestoppedbyadeputysheriffandsternlyrequestedtoalight。Weenteredintoconversationwiththegentlemanofthelaw—whomIhadmetseveraltimesbefore"（withagrimsmile），"andfinallyGeorge，withduedeferencetoauthority，demandedtobeshownthewarrantforourarrest。
"Whilstthesimplecreaturewasfumblingforit，weopenedfireand，springingfromthetopofthestage，escapedacrossHarmonHill。Thevainfellowcarriedonlyaderringer，andhowwasonelittlebullettostopourraceforliberty。"
"Yetyoureturnedhere!Thatwasmadness。"
"Iheardofyouandthelongingtoseeyouoncemoreovercameeveryotherfeeling。"
"Donotfear，Iknewthattheywouldcome。Whatwasthattopayforthechanceofseeingyouagain。TheycanbutputmeinAuburnjail，andnolockscanholdmeexcepttheshiningonesonthisdearhead。NoprisoncankeepmetillIamlaidinthatlastonebeneaththegrass，andthereIwillwaitforyoudearlove。Ishallnothearthecelestiansingingtillyoursweetvoicehasjoinedtheangelchoir，andyourtwohands—
see，Istillcarrythelittlemitts—shallopenthedoorformetoParadise，astheyhaveheldallofheavenformeonearth。
"Itmaybeinthatlastcourt，theGreatjudgeofallwilllookintomyheartwhichstrovetobehonorableandwilldismisstheaccusationsofmere，mortalman。"
*****
Asusual，DickescapedthejailandwithGeorgeTaylorattemptedtogetaway，butFatehaddealthimherlastblowandonthescrollofhisprecariousandbitterlifehadwrittenfinis。AmileaboveAuburntheywereovertakenbyAssessorGeorgeW。MartinandDeputySheriffsCrutcherandJohnston。IntheterribleencounterwhichensuedMartinwasinstantlykilledandDickmortallywounded。
Theyrodemorethanamileatafuriouspace，fromthesceneofhislastfight，beforeDicklaydowntodie。Georgeputhimonhisgreatridingcloakandspreadasaddleblanketoverhim。Thenwhenhereadafreshcommandinthehighwayman’sdarkeyeshefaltered。
"Dick，oldfriend—Icannot。"
"Iamshotthroughthebreast，andagainthroughtheside。YoupromisedthatwhenIcametothispass，youwouldgranttheliberationIseekindeath。"
"Icannot。Fromanyhandbutminemayyoufindrelease。"
"Verywell"answeredDick，resolutely，"myownhandshallbegiventhepowertosavemyimmortalsoul。"Hewrotelaboriouslyonabitofpaper，"RattlesnakeDickdiesbutneversurrenders，asalltrueBritonsdo。"
"Go，George，"hesaidgently，"butfirstgivememypistol。Ihaveinmypocketherealetterfromthesweetestofwomen。Itsays，’Ihavegrievedbutneverdespaired，forIhaveprayedtotheFatherthathewouldrestoreyoutothepathsofrectitude，andIsayfaithfully，Hewillsaveyou。Heseesinyourheartasecretwishtobeabetterman。
’SeekyefirstthekingdomofGod，andallthingsshallbeaddedthereunto。’Hewillraiseyourheadandmakeofyouanewman’!IgotoHim，mybrother。"And，raisinghisgun，withagoodwoman’sadorednameonhislips，hereleasedhissorelytriedheartfrombondageintotheunknown。
IndianVengeanceV
"Thosebraveoldbricksofforty—nine!
Whatlivestheylived!Whatdeathstheydied!
Theirghostsaremany。LetthemkeepTheirvastpossessions。ThePiute，Thetawnywarrior，willdisputeNoboundarywiththese……
—JoaquinMiller。
HighwaterontheAmericancame，usually，whenthefirstwarmrainsmeltedthesnowonthemountains。
Theplacerminerstoiledatfuriouspaceallduringthesummerandfall。
Thewater，thennotmorethanarivulet，wasdeflectedthroughflumesfromtheriverbed，sothatallthesandofthebarscouldbeputthroughthesluices。
Themenworkedtillthelastpossiblemomentinthenarrowriverbed，onlyleavingintimetosavetheirlives，andabandoningeverythingtothesuddenrushofthewater。Theirsluices，logs，flumes，water—wheels，alltheirminingparaphernalia，sometimeseventheirlivingoutfits，weresweptawayinthefloods。
Theriverwasknowntorisefrom20to60feetin24hours，initsnarrowandprecipitouswalls。
Atfloodtime，then，weoftenwentdowntotheriverthroughtheorchardofbigoldcherrytreesplantedbymygrandfather，towatchthemassofwreckagerushingby。Greatlogswouldgodownendoverend；miningmachinerycaughtinthelimbsofuprootedtrees；quantitiesoflumber，andonceaminer’sbunkwithsoddengrayblanketandawetandfranticsquirreluponit。Iworriedfordaysoverthefateofthatsquirrel。
TheytellthestoryofaChinamanfloatingdownuponalog。
"Hello，John，whereyougo？"wasshouted。Johnshookhishead，sadly。
"Menosabe!MaybeSaclimento—maybeSanFlancisco。Nogottimetalkee，now。"
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"Look，thewaterisuptothetopoftheoldstonepier，"saidoneoftheothers。
"MammyKate’s’ghost’wouldhaveahardtimehauntingitnow，"I
laughed。"He’dbeundertwentyfeetofwater。"
"Whatghost？"
"Why，thetollkeeper’s，oftheoldbridge。TheonewhohatedtheIndiansso。"
"TheBearRivertribe？"
"TheywereDiggers，butIthinkthatnobodyknewexactlywhichoneswereguilty。Itwasafinebridge，thefirstsuspensionbridgeinPlacercounty。"
"Itwaswashedawayinthefloodsduringthewinterof’61and’62，wasn’tit？"
"YesandtheybuiltthenewoneamileuptheriveratRattlesnakeBar，whereitstillhangs。"
"Whataboutthetollkeeper？"
Hereisthestory—withabitofaprologue。
*****
CaptainEzekielMerritt，oneofthe"BearFlag"partyinSonoma，camein’49totryhisluckatminingontheMiddleForkoftheAmerican。Hispartycameatlast，throughadeepcanyontoalargebaronwhichtheyfoundamongunmistakableevidencesofaplunderedcampbothwhiteman’sandIndian’shair。Agreatashheapcontainingcalcinedboneswasundoubtedlythefuneralpyreofwhitemenandredmenalike，andsomeyellingsavagesupontheupperbluffconfirmedthetragedywhichCaptainMerritt’spartyhadbeentoolatetoavert。
TheydrovetheIndiansawayandCaptainMerrittcutintothebarkofanalderthename"Murderer’sBar，"bywhichtheplacehasbeencalledeversince。
TheMerrittpartystayedtoworkthebar。Beforethesummerpassedtheriverswarmedwithmen，someofwhomjoinedforcestomakeupminingcompanies。Oneoftherulesofsuchacompany："Anyshareholdergettingdrunkduringthetimeheshouldbeonduty，shallpayintothecommontreasuryofthecompanyafineofoneounceofgolddustandshallforfeitalldividendsduringsuchtime。"Thesefines，insomeinstances，becamesofrequentastocauseatotaldisruptionofthecompany。
TheIndiansreturnedtotheirvillagesinthehills。ThefoothillIndianswerenotaparticularlyintelligentlot。TheywereDiggers，sonamedonaccountoftheirhabitsofdigginginthegroundforroots，andthelarvaofvariousinsectsforfood。Eggsofants，andthemaggotsfoundinwasp’snestswereconsideredgreatdelicacies。
Theyalsoatedriedgrasshoppersandyoungcloverplantscookedasgreens。Theygroundacornsandmanzanitaberriesintomealwiththestonemortarsandpestlessocommonlyfoundthroughthecountrysideandgatheredandstoredgreatcachesofpineburrsfullofnutsforthewinter。Theywerenotasarulequarrelsome，but—。
*****
"Goodmorning，Phineas。IhavebroughtyourgrubfromAuburn，andhereisthebill。"
ItwasabrightdayinJuneandPhineasLongley，tollkeeperforthenewsuspensionbridgeonWhiskeyBar，hadhadabusymorning。Therewasabarbecuethatdayatthetownontheotherside，andastreamofpeoplehadcomedowntheWhiskeyBarturnpikeandcrossedthebridge。Itwasgettingwarmandhewastired，andhereadthebillgloomily：
"1bottlegin，$6。00；2lbs。biscuits，$2。50；1ham，$24。00；1bottlepickles，$6。00；4fathomsrope，$5。00；1watermelon，$4。00；1tinpan，$16。00；2apples，$3。00。"
Longleystuffedthebillinhispocket，andreturnedforhisnoonmealtohislogcabinonshore。
Itwasquitepalatial—boastingarealfloormadeofpuncheons，orhewnlogs。Abunk，againstthewall，wasmadeofasecondlogsetfourfeetfromthelogwall，withahammockmattressofsackingstuffedwithdriedbrackenstretchedbetweenthem。Therewastheusualhugefireplaceofgraniterocksusedforbothwarmthandcooking，andaboxpantry—cupboardnailedtothewall。
Hiscupandplateandsaucerwereoftin，andhiscutlerywasanironspoon，athree—tinedforkandahuntingdagger。Thedisheshadnotbeenwashedforweeks。
Inwarmweatherhekeptafewthingsinasmallpalisadedrivenintheshallowwaterattheriver’sedge，whichwascooltheyear’round。
Longleyputhisraisedbreaddoughinafryingpan，putasecondpanontop，rakedtheashesoffsomecoals，andstarteditbaking。Amanonhorseback，drivingtwopackanimalsbeforehim，stoppedatthelowdoorway。
"Hello，John!Gladtoseeyou，"calledLongley。
"Gladtogethere。Liketosleepinahouseagain。Tiredofshakingthelizardsoutofmyblanketseverymorning。"
"Evershakeoutarattler？"
"Notyet，thoughtheysayit’sbeendonemorethanonce。"
"You’rejustintime。Turnthebeastsintothecorral。AndthenwillyoujustridebacktoKittyDouglas’forme？Shepromisedmeapie，andI
needanewstarterformysourdough（batter）。Bythattimeeverythingwillbereadytoeat。"
"Youmeanthe’KittyDouglas’ofthesignsI’vejustpassed？"askedJohn，grinning。
"Yes。Whatwerethey，today？"
"’Freshpies，byKittyDouglas，’’Breadmadeeveryday，byKittyDouglas，’’New—laideggseveryday，byKittyDouglas’!"
"Kitty’scookingisasfairasthereputationofherhouseisnot。Shechargestwodollarsforamealofporkandbeans。"
"’Tistheregularpriceeverywhere。I’llbebacksoon。"AfterthemealJohnwentto，thebarbecue，imbibingratherfreelyofthefire—waterbarrelandmakinganightofit。
Heavytravelcontinuedoverthebridgeallafternoon—aprairieschoonerwiththreeoxen，twomulesandabroncopullingit；aprospectorinhisredflannelundershirt，drivingaladendonkey；ahurdy—gurdytroupeonitswaytothebarbecue；astage—coachdrawnbysixhalf—brokenwildhorses；anoldSpanishsettleronabeautiful，blackthoroughbred；alatearrivalfromOregon，mounteduponasturdymulewithhisyoungwifeuponapillionbehindhim，andawholedroveofChina—menbeingtakenouttoworkawhiteman’sclaimupontheDivide。
TherepassedWelchminers，whoweretobethefore—runnersofquartzmining；minersfromAustralia，whoweretoreplacethewooden"bateas"
oftheMexicanswiththerockerandtheirongold—pan，andthetermof"specimen"with"nugget。"
Finallycameahale，oldvoyaguerwhomLongleygreetedheartilyasheswungopenthetollgate：
"Greetings，MonsieurFrancoisGendron，andfromwhencecameyoutoday？"
ThebigFrenchmanhandedoverthe"six—bits"tollforhimselfandhishorse。
"FromNewHelvetia。"
"Ah—Sacramento。"
"AndIamboundfortheNorthForkDryDiggings。"
"Auburn？"smiledLongley。
"Bah!thenewnames!Inmydaywecalledthemdifferently。IcameacrosstheRockiesin’32，Monsieur。ButImustbeenroute—herearesheepcoming。"
Afterthesheepwerecountedandgone，Longleyglancedscowlinglyacrossthebridgeandhastilyclosedthetollgate。AbandofIndians，severalonponiesbutmostofthemonfoot，crossedthebridgeandhaltedbeforehim。
"Goback，yevarmints!"growledLongley。
"NoIndianpay，"saidtheoldchief。"Hegothebridgeandtheroad—nopay。"
"Well，theChinamenpaid。"
"ButtheIndians，no!Nopay。MegoWhiskeyBar—bigpow—wow。Plentyox，plentybearmeat，plentyfirewater—"
"Yougoback!"roaredthetollkeeper，swearing，"andgofordtheriver。
That’sgoodenoughforaDigger!Theferry’sbeentakenoff，butthewaterisnotsohigh。"
TheoldIndianscowled，andtheyoungbucksbeganagutturalcomplaintwhichhesilencedwithagestureandagruntofcommand。
"Wateriscold，andthose，"pointingtothesheep，"havepassed。"
"Yougoback，Itellyou!Ihateeveryfilthybruteofyou!MybestpalwassenttogloryinthatfuneralfireonMurderer’sBar，andnoIndianwillevergetaughtfromme。"
"Mepay，"saidtheIndianleaderslowly，"Mepaycayuse，mepayboy。"
"No，youwon’tpay!You’llgobackandwadetheriverlikethelowbeaststhatyouare。"
Thechiefbeganafierceoration。Longleyranintothetollhouseandcameoutwithasawed—offshotgun。
"Now，willyougo？"hecried，defiantly。
TheIndiansweresober，andtheywent。Astheycameabreastofthepierunderthebridgethetoll—keeperjeeredandlaughedatthem，andpeltedthemwithrocks。
Theylookedupwithhate，butwentstolidlyontheirway。
Withdarkness，theroisteringatthebarbecuebecamelouder。TheIndians’moneywasgonebythistime，andthefunwasgettingrougher。
Thetoll—keeper，afterawearyday，wasdozingbesidehiscandle。Hedidnotseenorhearthestealthyformswhichcreptupthebridge。Aboardcreaked，andhejumpedupandswungabout，tofindhimselfquicklyoverpoweredbyadozenlitheredskins。
Theyrobbedthetill，thenheldapalaverastothedispositionoftheirprisoner。Theyfinallylefthimtiedwithhisownnewropetoahugedriftlogatthebaseofthepier，andwentbacktobuymorefirewater。
Itwasawildnight!
Johnnoticed，verylate，thattheIndiansseemedtobehavingaspecialpow—wowoftheirownontheriverbanknearthebridge。Therewasagreatfire，andmaddancingandwarwhooping。Hestartedtowardthem。
"Don’tgothere，pardner，"calledanoldtrapper。"Thembucksiscrazywithdrink，an’ifIknowsanythingaboutInjuns，itwon’tbenosafeplaceforawhiteman。"
SopassedLongley’slastchanceforhislife!Hiscriesforaidweremingledwiththesavagewhoopsofhisferociousenemies。Eventhepeoplelivingacrosstheriverwhoheardhiscontinuedshouts，tookthemtobepartofthecelebration。
Maddenedbydrinkandbytheevermountingexcitementoftheirincantations，oneofthemostghastlydeedseverperpetratedbyIndiansuponthewholeriverwasfinishedbeforedaylight。
TheconditionofLongley’sbodyuponitsdiscoveryrousedtheentiresettlement，buttheIndianshadvanishedoverthehillsandacrossBearriver。Thechiefhadgonehomeatsundown，anditwasasimpossibletofindthosewhowereonthebarthatnight，astodistinguishonegrainofsandfromanother。
Theoldpierstandstothisday，notwithstandingthefiercebatteringofthefloodsofnearlyseventyyears；amonumentenduringlongaftertheDiggerIndiansaregoneoffthefaceoftheearth，asthoughtocommemmoratethepowerofthewhiteraceandthatmemberofitwhogaveuphislifeatitsbase。
GrizzleyBobofSnakeGulchVI
"Bethebattlelostorwon，Thoughitssmokeshallhidethesun，Ishallfindmylove—theoneBornforme!"
—BretHarte。
Namesofsettlementsinthe’49dayswereoftenas"RoughanReady"asthereasonsfortheirbeing!
Mostofthemspoke，moreorlesseloquently，forthemselvesandnomanpickedbyfameinglowingwisefromtheheterogeneousmassofpersonscouldhopetoescapeanickname。
Aminerwasdiscoveredroamingdownariverbedminushisnethergarments，andlivestothisdayintheappellationofShirtTailcanyon。
Twomenfought。OneofthemlostaneyeinthemannerindicatedbyGougeEye。Hundredsofwildgeesewerewonttogatheronasunnymesaabovetheriver。ItmadeasplendidleveltowncalledWildGooseFlat。Theplainswerecoveredwith"Antelope。"Theendgateofaprairieschoonerwaslostonahill，andTailGatemountaincameintobeing。
HumbugCreekpannedlightwithgold。RedDog，Hangtown，RoundTentClaims，DryDiggings，Let’ErRip，YouBet，YubaDam，OneHorseTown，andHell’sDelightshriekforthemselves，orshould!
This，then，isthetaleofGrizzleyBob，whominedinSnakeGulchatthefootofBearMountain。
"Thebearmadestraightforme!OldBull—dozewashangin’ontohimbelow，somewhere，butIdroppedmyKiller（gun）andgrabbedmyknife，’causeIknewifIdidn’tgetinonhimwithSlasheritwasallupwithbothofus。BearandItookatightgriponeachotherandIhitstraightforhisheartjustashegavemeaswipeintheface。
"Webothfell，thebearontop，andthenIdidn’trememberanythingforawhile。WhenIwokeIfeltsomethingheavyonmystomach，butIcouldn’tseeanythingforblood。"
"Hu—ray!"cheeredoldSollyJake，thinkingthetalewasfinished。
SickJimmy，frombehindthebar，proddedhimgood—humoredly。
"Dryup，Soll。"
"Iamdry，"whimperedoldSoll，"I’mdryer’nbeforeIgotdrunk!"
"Here，then，"pushingabottleacrosstheredwoodslabusedforabar，"thedrinksareonGrizzleyBobandHandsomeHarry，tonight。"
"Wasitsuchabigstriketheymade？"
"Itsurewas。Goon，Bob，"hecalledtothetall，magnificentlybuiltyoungspokesman，"thenwhat？"
"AfterawhileImanagedtocrawlfromunderthatoldgrizzleyandwhenI’dwipedtheonegoodeyethatwasleft，Isawhimlyingthereasstiffanddeadasamackerel，withSlasherstickinginhisheartcleanuptothehandle。Itwasprettyneardarkthen，butthesunwasjustshowinghisselfoverthetopofBearmountainwhenIgottoRattlesnakeBill’scabin，andyou’llscarcelybelievemebutIdidn’thaveenoughgritlefttosignalBillIwasthere。Ijustsettleddownallofaheap—likeandthat’sthewaytheyfoundme。Bill，hegotadoctorfromAngel’sandafterawhileIpulledoutallright，butIain’tbeenmuchofabeautysince。Well，whatth—，"asthedoorbangedopentorevealanexceedinglyhandsomeblondyoungsterdragginginacringingnewcomer。
"Hi，"hecalled，whiletwofrolicsomeimpsdancedinhissplendidblueeyes。"Anyofyouchapsgotaropehandy？Timethisfellowwasstrungupoveralimbtobeapictureforcoyotestobarkat!"
"Hall，youletgo，there。There’llbenochaffingatenderfootwhilstI’maroundandyouknowit。"
"Whosaysso？"laughedHandsomeHarry。
"Myfoppishfriend，"spokeupTheSenator，"thereputationofGrizzleyBobsaysso。Areputationthatistheterrorandadmirationofeveryminingcampinthemountains。Adeadshot，asurethingwiththeknife，ahearttosuccortheoppressedandoftentoprotecttheshiftless，"
acridly。
"Ithankyou，Senator!Yourspeciesofimplicationisworthythesplendorofyourmightyapparel。Theoldswallow—tailretainsitspristineglory，Iperceive，thoughyourotherhabilimentshaveonebyoneyieldedtotheravagesoftime，andbeenreplacedbytheroughandreadygarmentsofthefrontier。Perchance—"
"Hall，haveIgottomakeyouletgoofthisporedevil!"Bob’spowerfulfigurecameforwardintothefulllightofthehugefireplace。One—halfthefaceabovethecomelyformwashideouslyrepulsive。Ithadbeenliterallytornawayandwhatremainedwassoscarredandseamedthatitscarcelyboreanyresemblancetoahumancountenance。
Hisoneremainingeyewaslarge，darkandglowingwithkindnessashebentoverthevictimofhispartner’slatestjoke。
"Ye—ah，"drawledoldDocSmithers，precipitatingalargemouthfulofbrownliquidintothefireplace。"Bob，he’llpet’im，an’thatol’
bulldogo’his’n’ulllickim，an’nextthingweknowBob’llbegivin’
’imaclaim，justlikehetookinHandsomeHarryhisselfgoin’ontwoyearsago。Lookatthedandy，struttin’!Bobbuys’imallthemfancytogsan’lovestosee’imwearin’’em。Whitehands，an’redcheeks，an’
straightnoselikeagal。Swan，efhewasn’tsoorneryan’long—limbedI’damindtocall’imone。Ef’twantforhishidin’behindBobso，I’d—"
Whathe’dhavedonewasneverknown，forthewholeroom—fullofprankish，loud—voiced，roisteringmenwassuddenlystruckdumbbytheunwontedsoundofalady’svoiceoutinthedarkness。
Bull—dozereachedherfirst，Bobnext，andHandsomeHarrythird。ShewasonlyaslipofayoungthingandthefrightshegotfromthekindlyrushoftheoldbulldogwasimmeasurablyincreasedbyBob’sfrightfulcaricatureofaface。Sheturned，shuddering，tothehandsome，richly—deckedyoungEnglishman。
"Myfatherandmother，sir，areveryill。Iwasgoingafteradoctor，butIamtiredout。Icangonofurther。Oh，couldoneofyougoontoAngel’s，whilstIrestwithsomeladyofyourtown？"
Harrywasapparentlyspeechlessfromthethrallofherfreshyoungbeauty，becauseitwasBobwhoanswered。
"Youcertainlycan，Miss!GrizzleyBob’swordonthat。Where’dyoucomefrom？"
"FromRoundtree’s，sir，"timidly。Bobhadturnedtocallordersthroughtheopendoorandthegirlgaspedasthestrong，manlyprofileoftheunscarredhalfofhisfacewasturnedtowardher。Bull—dozelickedherwhitefingers，andshestoopedtopathisuglyheadsothatthelongcurlsathertemplemighthideherfacefromthelookinHal’sboldeyes。
"Hey，AntelopeBill，saddlethatewe—neckedcayuseofyoursandvamoose，pronto，afterthedoctor。PlugHatPete，you’vegotthebestcabinintown。We’llwantitforthelady。"
"Helpyourself，Grizzley，"answeredthegambler。"Itisaprivilege。"
"IamtostaywithMrs。—Pete？"askedBecky，anxiously。
"Child，you’rea—goingtobeassafeasiftherewasaladyinthislaw—evadin’camp；whichthereisn’t，exceptin’yourownsweetandlovelyself。"
"Oh!"
"You’rea—goingtohaveoldBull—dozewatchin’insidethecabinandtendecentandsobermenwatchin’outsideitandnothin’shortofamessengerfromup—skiescouldtouchonepretty，red—goldcurlonyourproudlittlehead。"
"Bob，I’lltakeherhometohermother，"spokeupHarrywhohadneveroncetakenhisboldgazefromthegirl。
"No，youwon’ttakeherhometohermother，neither!"
Beckeywasstrangelycomfortedbytheprotectivedrawlofthebigman’svoice。AccustomedasshehadgrowntotherapidtransitionsoftheWest，sherealizedthefallacyofherfirstimpressionfromhisappearance。
Thatnightlaidthefoundationofherregardforhim，whichwasdeeperthanameresurfaceappeal，andwhichwasnevertowaver。
*****
"H’m，"snortedCornishJack，shufflingagreasypackofcardsinSickJimmie’splaceandwatchingtwomengoby，"that’sthemostwillin’paironthegulch!Bob，he’swillin’todoallthework，an’HandsomeHarry，he’swillin’tolet’im。FinehouseBob’sjustbuilt。Mustofcostaheap。"
"TheysaythatMissBeckeyandhermotheraregoingtoliveinit，"
answeredPlugHatPete。"I’llraiseyouten。"
"HandsomeHarry’sbina—dancin’roundthatgaleversincetheymovedhere，sixmonthsago。"
"Yes，andthelookinhereyesinanotherdirection，isplainlytoberead。"TheimplicationwaslostonCornishJack。
"Ol’Bob，hedoesallhecantothrow’emtogether。Airyegoin’tothehousewarmin’tonight？"
"Certainly，"saidTheSenator。"ParticularlyifwemanagetokeepoldTommyNortonandBlackJoefromgettingintoxicated，sotherewillbeapairoffiddlersonthegulch。Tommy，onsuchoccasions，alwayshasanattackofreligionwhichprecludesthepossibilityofhisassistingatanyprofanesceneofmirth，andJoefallsintoadeepsleepfromwhichnothingcanrousehimfortwenty—fourhours。"
"There’sAntelopeback。Ihearhisroan。"
"Well，whodoyouthinkImetdownaroundthecurveofBlackjackHill？
Thatgalo’Bob’sonherpintoandthatsneakin’HandsomeHarryonhisblackmustang，ridin’full—bent—for—leather!"
ThemenrushedwithoneaccordtoBob’scabin，wherehesatbeforehisfirelesshearth。
"Weal’aysknewhewasasneakin’thief，butyouwouldn’thearnothin’
aginhim。Tookallthebagsofgolddustfromyourclaim，too，didn’the？"
"Now，boys，thatisn’tfairtocallhimathief。Hewasmypartnerandwhatwasminewashis，andamanhasarighttotakehisownwhereverhefindsit。"
"Butthegal？"askedachorusofvoices。
"Thatgirlwasn’tinanywayboundtome，andyoucan’texpectaprettycreaturelikehertocareforsuchabeautyasIam，whenthere’safellowlikeHandsomeHarryaround。Itdon’tstandtoreason。"
"Come，fellows，"saidPokerBill，"ifBob’ssatisfiedIreckonweoughttobe。Timetogetintoourbiledshirtsforthehousewarmin’，anyway。"
"Sorrytodisappointyou，boys，buttherewon’tbeahousewarming。I
builtitforthemandthey’regone。It’llstaylockedtilltheycomeagain。Thisoldcabinisgoodenoughforme。"
Sotheylefthim。Bobrelithispipeandsettledbackonhisbench。Onceherousedamomenttomutter。"Butthey’doughttoknowmebetter。Theyneedn’thaverunawayfromtheirbestfriend。"
Soonafterdarkapintopacedhomethroughthequiet，mourningcampwithaverywearybulldogatherheels。BeckeyslidfromhersidesaddleandcrepttoBob’sopendoor。Bythelightofafullmoonshecouldseethebiglaxfigureinanattitudeofutterdespair。
"Bob!"
"You!Girl，Ithoughtyou’dgone。"
"Iwentbecause—becauseIthoughtyou’dcomeafterme。I’dtriedeverythingelsethatawomancandotomakeyouunderstand***He’sbeggedmesomanytimestorunoff。Whenheunderstood，hewasbeastly。
Heputmeoffthehorseandtoldmetowalk，then。Itwasthedogwhofoughthim，andthenIranforPintoandcameback。"Herlowvoicefailedher，butshecontrolledherself，andwenton，"IthoughtifI
pretendedtogoyou’dsee—"
"See!Girl，you’veknowneversinceyoucamecreepingintoSnakeGulchthatnightthatyouweretheveryheartandsoulofme。"
"Yes，yes，"shesobbed，"thatisnotwhatIwouldhaveyouknow。"
"Youmean—no，Iamagreatfool。Nowomancouldbringherselfto—A
facelikemine!Evenifyoudid，itwouldbefromgratitude。Icouldnotpermitsuchasacrifice，"hefinished，withatouchofpride。
Thegirlwaited，thenwhenhewassilentsheturnedwithasobtogotohermother’scabin。Thesoftfootfallsdiedaway。Bobstoodmotionless。
Suddenlyascreamrangoutonthestillnightair。Bulldozescrambledoffthedoor—stonewithasnarlofbattle—rageandchargedforthesound，buthewaseasilyoutdistancedbythehugeminer，whoranwiththelithegraceofanIndian。Inanincrediblyshorttimethelittleformwassafeinhisarms。
"Oh，there’saterribleanimalintheminingditch。Iheardit!It’scomingthisway!Agrizzley，Iknow!"Bobpeeredintotheditch。
"Why，girl，it’sonlydrunkenoldSollyJakegoinghomeholdinghisjugoutofthewater。Hegetsintotheditchsohewon’tlosetheway。"
"Buthowdoesheknowwhentogetout？"
"Well，whenhebangshisheadontheoverbraceofthefirstflume，heknowshe’shomeandcrawlsout。"Bobbegangentlytowithdrawhisarms。
Ifyouletmegonow，"shewhispered，"I’llwishthatithadbeenagrizzley。"
"Imusttakeyouhome。"
’Oh，youhave!Iamhome，"clingingtohimdesperately，"Iwantnootherintheworldthanthisone。"
"Butmyscarred—"
Thegirlreachedup，drawingdownhistall，darkheadinherarms。Shekissedhismutilatedcheek，thenpressedittenderlyagainsthersoft，barethroat。Itdidnotstaylong，asBobfeltthatsuchkisessshouldbereturnedwithoutdelay。
"Hu—ray，"cheeredSollyJake，wavinghiswhiskyjug，"taleendedright!
Timef’r’notherdrink，boys!"andstandinguptohismiddleinwaterheproceededtodemonstratehisidea。
CurleyCopperstheJackVII
"OnSelbyFlatweliveinstyle；
We’llstayrightheretillwemakeourpile。
We’resuretodoitafterawhile，Thengood—byetoCaliforny!"
—Canfield’s"DiaryofaForty—Niner。"
ThebeautifulCasinoatMonteCarlostandsinoneoftheloveliestsettingsonearth。FacingtheblueMediterraneanandenhancedbytheexquisitelykeptmarblevillasofMonaco，itmayjustlybecalledtheacmeofgamblinginstitutions。Ithasbecomeaninstitutionthroughtheyears。Timehasbroughtitstability。
Itsabsoluteantithesiswerethegamblingdensof’49。Builtover—night，destinedtoremainifthemineswererich，andtomeltawayiftheypinchedout，thegamblinghellsweresometimestheveriestmakeshifts。
Canvascovered，dirtfloored，exceptforthedancingplatform，roughred—woodbarandtables；surroundedbyallthesordidnessofHurdyGurdytowninwhichfortunes，andreputations，andliveswerebid，andshuffled，andlost，asindiscriminatelyasgrainsofdustblownintotheever—changingsea。
Thethirstforgoldisuniversal。Inthosehalf—maddaysofdeliriousseeking，theprincelingrubbedsleeveswiththescoundrelandtheclod，andeachman’sabilitywashisonlyprotection。Fortuneplayednofavorites。Thetaleistoldofthejudgewhodrovehomeinhiscoachthroughashallowcreek。Ruinfacedhimforthelackofafewthousanddollars。Hetookouthisderringerandshothimself。
NothalfanhourlateraChinamancrossedthecreekunderhispolebetweentwoswingingbaskets。Hefoundanuggettherewhichbroughthimover$30，000。
This，then，isthetaleofwhatFortunedidtoCurlyGillmore。
*****
"Whoop—ee!Ki—yi—eehick—ee!Yi—ee—ee!"
"TherecomesCurly，"saidTeddyKarns，"neveralteringthesteadyflowofthewhiskeyhewaspouringintoatincupforSailorJacktodrink。
"Madeabigstrike，Ihear。"
"Yea—ah。About$25，000，theysay。Mightbeamillion，thewaythefemalecrittersrun，"Tedlaughed，asthehurdy—gurdygirlswithshrieksoflaughterpounceduponthenoisynewcomer。
"Well，hel—lo，Nance，andLiz，andBabe，andBouncin’Bet，oldgal!Allreadytohelpmeslingit，ain’tyou？Butwhere’slittlepaleAlice？"
"Oh，Allie？She’sbackinthetents。Sicktonight。Awfulbad，she’stook。She’llbeshufflin’off’forelong，an’rido’mortalmisery。"
"Poorlittlesoldier!"
"Sweet，shewas，an’borntobegood。Why，Iremember（wecame’roundtheHornonthesamesailin’vessel）thattheywasn’taailin’babyonboardbutwhatAlliecouldgetasmileoutofit，norasicksoulthatdidn’tbless’erfor’erkindnessan’care。Sicko’body，sicko’heart，Alliedidfor’emall，bless’er。"
"Shewashappy，then，"putinBabe。
"Yes。Comin’outtoCalifornyto’erlover，shewere，allherfolksbackintheStatesbein’dead。She’dtookcareof’ermother，last。’Twaswhy’ermancameonahead。An’whenshegothere—"
"Aw—w，Bet，don’tyoucry，"saidBabe。"Y’see，whenwegothere，Curly，wefoundherboy’dbeenshotinafightoveramine。Allie，shehadn’tnomoneyleft，andnogumptionmuch，likeBetan’me，tofightherway，sowetook’eralongo’us。Wetriedtokeepherthelittleladythatshewas，but—Well，wegotsnowedinlastwinteruponthedividean’—
FaroSam—Well，itbrokeherpureheart，an’mostBet’san’mine，too。
An’sheain’tnevergotoverthecoldshetook，upthereinthesnow。"
"Life’shardforagirlanywaysyouputit，an’she’llbehappierovertheriverwherethereain’tnocoldnorsorrer。Bet!Aw—w，she’llsleeponafinerbednoryouan’Icouldgive’er，an’wakehappy，withever’oneshelovedbestaroundher。She’slayin’theresowhitean’
smallan’stillit’dmostbreakyourheartosee’er。Likealittlesnowdropyou’vepicked，an’worn，an’slungaway。Sogentle—"
"Well，what’sthis，anyway？Awake？"brokeinFaroSam’sicyvoice。"DoIhirefiddlerstoplayafuneraldirge？Getonwithyou，"scatteringthegirlsinthedirectionofthecardtablesandthedancingplatform。
"Whichonesdoyouwant，Curly？"
"IwantBabeandBetsy。Where’sthatlittlepaleprinter’sdevil，theonetheycallthegambler’sghost？IknowSamwon’tletyougirlsleavehere。"
"He’sworkin’uponthepaper，Iguess。Theyranoutofcoaloilandhadtofireupwithpineknots。"
"He’scomin，now。Heain’tnogambler’sghosttonight，though；he’spotblack!"
"Ghost，"saidCurly，"youtakethisaroundtoAllie。"Itwasa$50
octagonalslug。
"Yessir。"
"Andyousaythatthere’smore，allshewants，wherethatcomesfrom。"
"Yessir。"
Then，shakinghismopofbrown，curlyhairasthoughtorelievehisheadofaburden，hetookthegirlsforwhathefeltwasamuch—neededroundofdrinks。
Bymidnighttheplacewaswild!
"Sam，"shoutedCurly，"what’sthelimitonyourpeskyoldgame？"
"Theceiling’sthelimit。"
"Well，I’llputuponebet!Bein’onEasyStreetIwasgoin’backtotheStatestomarrymygirl，butI’mblamedifIdon’tputupmyswagforoneturnofthecards。"
Hesentforhis"dust，"andpiledthelong，buckskinbagscriss—crossbeforeFaroSam’stable。
"I’llcopperthejack，gentlemen，"heshouted。"Allonthejack!"
TeddyKarn’sfaceturnedapastyhue，andthetipofhistongueslidalonghispuffedlips，butthelinesofFaroSam’sfaceneverchanged，andhiseyesretainedtheblankimpassivityofasnake’sasheslippedhiscards。Therewasasudden，tensesilence。Thegirlspressedforwardwithhurriedbreathingandthemenwaited，rigidasstones。
Somebody’smongrelpacedtothemiddleoftheplatformandscratchedforfleas，withsoftthumpingonthefloor。Thatwasall。
Suddenlyamanswore!Awoman’svoiceshrilledhysterically!FaroSamrosetohisfeetceremoniously。"Thehouseisyours。"
"ByJinks!"yelledCurly，"I’vecopperedthejack!I’vebrokenthebank!
I’ve—"
Oneofthedoorsswungopenquietly。Silencedroppedoncemore，withthespeedoftropicalnight，upontheblareoftheplace。
Thegambler’sghoststoodtheresilhouettedagainstthelightfromalogfireoutside。Therewerepinkstreaksdownhisdirtyface，washedbytears，andhisyoungshouldersdroopedwoefully。Thedogcameforwardandlickedhistwitchingfingers。
"Allieisdead，"hewhispered。
"Curly，Ishouldliketoapplyforthepositionofdealeroveratyourplace，whichyesterdaywasmyplace，"saidFaroSam，nextdayatnoon，meetingCurlyonthestreet。
"Sure，youcanhaveit，Sam。Toobadit’sthecustomforthehousetogo，too，whensomebodybreaksthebank。I’veturneditovertoGeorgeSpellman，withathousandtostartwith。HeandIcomefromthesameplacebackintheStates。Greatfriendswewere，tillwebothgottosparkin’thesamegirl。Whenshetookme，George，hegotprettyornery，butIguesshe’salloveritbythistime。I’mgoin’hometomarryher，now。
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