CHAPTERONE
THEOLEVIRGINIA
Theringaroundthesunhadthickenedalldaylong，andtheturquoiseblueoftheArizonaskyhadfilmed。Stormsinthedrycountriesareinfrequent，butheavy；andthissurelymeantstorm。
Wehadriddensincesun-upoverbroadmesas，downandoutofdeepcanons，alongthebaseofthemountaininthewildestpartsoftheterritory。Thecattlewerewindingleisurelytowardthehighcountry；thejackrabbitshaddisappeared；thequaillacked；wedidnotseeasingleantelopeintheopen。
"It'sacaseofholeup，"theCattlemanventuredhisopinion。"I
havearanchoverintheDoubleR。CharleyandWindyBillholditdown。We'lltackleit。Whatdoyouthink？"
Thefourcowboysagreed。Wedroppedintoalow，broadwatercourse，ascendeditsbedtobigcottonwoodsandflowingwater，followeditintoboxcanonsbetweenrim-rockcarvedfantasticallyandpaintedlikeaMoorishfacade，untilatlastinawideningbelowaroundedhill，wecameuponanadobehouse，afruittree，andaroundcorral。ThiswastheDoubleR。
CharleyandWindyBillwelcomeduswithsodabiscuits。Weturnedourhorsesout，spreadourbedsonthefloor，filledourpipes，andsquattedonourheels。Variousdogsofvariousbreedsinvestigatedus。Itwasverypleasant，andwedidnotmindtheringaroundthesun。
"Somebodyelsecoming，"announcedtheCattlemanfinally。
"UncleJim，"saidCharley，afteraglance。
Ahawk-facedoldmanwithalongwhitebeardandlongwhitehairrodeoutfromthecottonwoods。Hehadonabatteredbroadhatabnormallyhighofcrown，carriedacrosshissaddleaheavy"eightsquare"rifle，andwasfollowedbyahalf-dozenlollopinghounds。
Thelargestandfiercestofthelatter，catchingsightofourgroup，launchedhimselfwithlightningrapidityatthebiggestoftheranchdogs，promptlynailedthatcaninebythebackoftheneck，shookhimviolentlyascoreoftimes，flunghimaside，andpouncedonthenext。DuringtheensuingfewmomentsthathoundwasthebusiestthingintheWest。Hesatisfactorilywhippedfourdogs，pursuedtwocatsupatree，upsettheDutchovenandtherestofthesodabiscuits，stampededthehorses，andraisedacloudofdustadequatetorepresentthesmokeofbattle。Weothersweretooparalysedtomove。UncleJimsatplacidlyonhiswhitehorse，histhinkneesbenttotheox-bowstirrups，smoking。
Intensecondsthetroublewasover，principallybecausetherewasnomoretroubletomake。Thehoundreturnedleisurely，lickingfromhischopsthehairofhisvictims。UncleJimshookhishead。
"Trailer，"saidhesadly，"isalittlesevere。"
Wegreedheartily，andturnedintowelcomeUncleJimwithafreshbatchofsodabiscuits。
Theoldmanwasneofthetypical"longhairs。"HehadcometotheGaliuroMountainsin'69，andsince'69hehadremainedintheGaliuroMountains，spiteofmanorthedevil。Atpresenthepossessedsomehundredsofcattle，whichhewasreputedtowater，inadryseason，fromanordinarydishpan。Intimespasthehadprospected。
Thatevening，thesevereTrailerhavingdroppedtoslumber，heheldforthonbig-gamehuntinganddogs，quartzclaimsandApaches。
"Didyoueverhaveanyveryclosecalls？"Iasked。
Heruminatedafewmoments，refilledhispipewithsomeawfultobacco，andtoldthefollowingexperience：
InthetimeofGeronimoIwaslivingjustaboutwhereIdonow；
andthatwasjustaboutinlinewiththeraiding。Yousee，Geronimo，andJu[1]，andoldLocousedtopileoutofthereservationatCampApache，raidsouthtotheline，slipoverintoMexicowhenthesoldiersgottoopromiscuous，andraidthereuntiltheygotreadytocomeback。Thentherewasalwaysabigmedicinetalk。SaysGeronimo：
[1]Pronounced"Hoo。"
"Iamtiredofthewarpath。IwillcomebackfromMexicowithallmywarriors，ifyouwillescortmewithsoldiersandprotectmypeople。"
"Allright，"saystheGeneral，beingonlytoogladtogethimbackatall。
So，then，intenminutestherewouldn'tbeabuckincamp，butnextmorningtheyshowsupagain，eachwithaboutfiftyheadofhosses。
"Where'dyougetthosehosses？"askstheGeneral，suspicious。
"Had'empasturedinthehills，"answersGeronimo。
"Ican'ttakeallthosehosseswithme；Ibelievethey'restolen！"saystheGeneral。
"Mypeoplecannotgowithouttheirhosses，"saysGeronimo。
So，acrossthelinetheygoes，andbacktothereservation。Inaboutaweekthere'sfifty-twofranticGreaserswantingtoknowwhere'stheirhosses。Thearmyisnothingbutanimporterofstolenstock，andknowsit，andcan'thelpit。
Well，asIsays，I'mbetweenCampApacheandtheMexicanline，sothateveryraidingpartygoesrightonpastme。ThepointisthatI'mathousandfeetorsoabovethevalley，andtherenegadesisinsuchadevilofahurryaboutthattimethattheyneverstoptoclimbupandcollectme。OftenI'vewatchedthemtrailingdownthevalleyinacloudofdust。Then，inadayortwo，asquadofsoldierswouldcomeup，andcampatmyspringforawhile。Theyusedtosendsoldierstoguardeverywaterholeinthecountrysotherenegadescouldn'tgetwater。Afterawhile，fromnotbeingbotherednone，IgotthinkingIwasn'tworthwhilewiththem。
MeandJohnnyHooperwerepeckingawayattheoldVirginiaminethen。We'dgotdownaboutsixtyfeet，alltimbered，andwasthinkingofcross-cutting。OnedayJohnnywenttotown，andthatsamedayIgotinahurryandleftmygunatcamp。
Iworkedallthemorningdownatthebottomoftheshaft，andwhenIseebythesunitwasgettingalongtowardsnoon，Iputinthreegoodshots，tamped'emdown，litthefusees，andstartedtoclimbout。
Itain'tnowayspleasanttolightafuseinashaft，andthenhavetoclimboutafifty-footladder，withitburningbehindyou。Ineverdidgetusedtoit。Youkeepthinking，"Nowsupposethere'saflawinthatfuse，orsomething，andshegoesoffinsixsecondsinsteadoftwominutes？where'llyoubethen？"Itwouldgiveyouagoodboosttowardsyourhomeonhigh，anyway。
SoIclimbedfast，andstuckmyheadoutthetopwithoutlooking——andthenIfrozesolidenough。There，aboutfiftyfeetaway，climbingupthehillonmightytiredhosses，wasadozenoftheugliestChiricahuasyoueverdon'twanttomeet，andinadditionaMexicanrenegadenamedMaria，whowasworsethananyof'em。Iseeatoncetheirbosseswastiredout，andtheyhadanotionofcampingatmywaterhole，notknowingnothingabouttheOleVirginiamine。
FortwobitsI'dhaveletgoallholtsanddroppedbackwards，trustingtomythickheadforeasylighting。ThenIheardalittlefizzandsputterfrombelow。AtthatmyhairrizrightupsoIcouldfeelthebreezeblowundermybat。ForaboutsixsecondsIstoodtherelikeanimbecile，grinningamiably。ThenoneoftheChiricahuasmadeasortofgrunt，andIsabedthatthey'dseentheoriginalexhibityourUncleJimwasmakingofhimself。
ThenthatfusegaveanothersputterandoneoftheApachessaid"Undah。"Thatmeans"whiteman。"ItwashardertoturnmyheadthanifI'dhadastiffneck；butImanagedtodoit，andIseethatmyoredumpwasn'tmorethantenfootaway。Imightynearoverjumpedit；andthenextIknewIwasononesideofitandthoseApachesontheother。ProbablyIflew；leastwaysIdon'tseemtorememberjumping。
Thatdidn'tseemtodomemuchgood。Therenegadesweregrinningandlaughingtothinkhoweasyathingtheyhad；andIcouldn'trightlythinkupanyargumentsagainstthatnotion——atleastfromtheirstandpoint。TheywerechatteringawaytoeachotherinMexicanforthebenefitofMaria。Oh，theyhadmealldistributed，downtomysuspenderbuttons！Andmesquattingbehindthatoredumpaboutasformidableasabrushrabbit！
Then，allatonce，oneofmyshotswentoffdownintheshaft。
"Boom！"saysshe，plentybig；andaslatherofrock，andstonescomeoutofthemouth，andbegantodumpdownpromiscuousonthescenery。Igotonelittleoneintheshoulder-blade，andfoundtimetowishmyoredumphadaroof。Butthoserenegadescaughtitsquareinthethickoftrouble。Onegotknockedoutentirelyforaminute，byanicepieceofcountryrockinthehead。
"Otravez！"yellsI，whichmeans"again。"
"Boom！"goestheOleVirginiapromptasananswer。
Iputinmytimedodging，butwhenIgetsachancetolook，theApacheshasallgottocover，andislookingscared。
"Otravez！"yellsIagain。
"Boom！"saystheOleVirginia。
Thiswasthebiggestshotofthelot，andshesurelycutloose。
Ioughttohavebeenhalf-wayupthebillwatchingthingsfromasafedistance，butIwasn't。Luckyformetheshaftwasalittleonthedrift，soshedidn'tquiteshootmyway。Butshedistributedaboutatonoverthoserenegades。Theysortofhalfgottotheirfeetuncertain。
"Otravez！"yellsIoncemore，asboldasifIcouldkeephershootingallday。
Itwasjustacold，rawblazer；andifitdidn'tgothroughI
couldseemeasanApacheparlourornament。Butitdid。ThoseChiricahuasgiveoneyellandskipped。Itwassurelyafunnysight，aftertheygotaboardtheirwarponies，toseethemtryingtodigoutonhorsestootiredtotrot。
Ididn'tstoptogetallthelaughs，though。Infact，Igiveonejumpoffthatledge，andIlita-running。Aquarter-hosscouldn'thavebeatmetothatshack。ThereIgrabbedoldMeat-in-the-potandmadeaclimbforthetallcountry，aimingtowaitarounduntildark，andthentopulloutforBenson。JohnnyHooperwasn'texpectedtillnextday，whichwaslucky。FromwhereIlayIcouldseetheApachescampedoutbeyondmydraw，andIdidn'tdoubtthey'dvisitedtheplace。Alongaboutsunsettheyalllefttheircamp，andwentintothedraw，sothere，Ithinks，Iseesagoodchancetomakeastartbeforedark。Idroppeddownfromthemesa，skirtedthebutte，andangleddownacrossthecountry。AfterI'dgoneahalfmilefromthecliffs，IranacrossJohnnyHooper'sfreshtrailheadedtowardscamp！
Myheartjumpedrightupintomymouthatthat。HerewaspooroldJohnny，adaytooearly，withapack-muleofgrub，walkinginnocentasayearling，rightintothebandsofthosehostiles。
Thetraillookedprettyfresh，andBenson'sagoodlongdaywithapackanimal，soIthoughtperhapsImightcatchhimbeforeherunsintotrouble。SoIranbackonthetrailasfastasIcouldmakeit。Thesunwasdownbynow，anditwasgettingdusk。
Ididn'tovertakehim，andwhenIgottothetopofthecanonI
crawledalongverycautiousandtookalook。Ofcourse，I
expectedtoseeeverythingupinsmoke，butInearlygotupandyelledwhenIseeeverythingallright，andoldSukey，thepack-mule，andJohnny'shosshitchedupaspeacefulasbabiestothecorral。
"THAT'Sallright！"thinksI，"they'rebackintheircamp，andhaven'tdiscoveredJohnnyyet。I'llsnailhimoutofthere。"
SoIrandownthehillandintotheshack。Johnnysatinhischair——whattherewasofhim。Hemusthavegotinabouttwohoursbeforesundown，forthey'dhadlotsoftimetoputinonhim。That'sthereasonthey'dstayedsolongupthedraw。PooroldJohnny！Iwasgladitwasnight，andhewasdead。ApachesaretheworstInjunsthereisfortortures。TheycutoffthebottomsofoldmanWilkins'sfeet，andstoodhimonanant-hill——。
Inaminuteorso，though，mywitsgetstowork。
"Whyain'ttheshackburned？"Iasksmyself，"andwhyisthehossandthemuletiedallsopeacefultothecorral？"
Itdidn'ttakelongforamanwhoknowsInjinstoanswerTHOSE
conundrums。Thewholethingwasatrap——forme——andI'dwalkedintoit，chuckle-headedasaprairie-dog！
WiththatImakesarunoutside——bynowitwasdark——andlistens。
Sureenough，Ihearshosses。SoImakesarapidsneakbackoverthetrail。
EverythingseemedallrighttillIgotuptotherim-rock。ThenIheardmorehosses——aheadofme。AndwhenIlookedbackIcouldseesomeInjunsalreadyattheshack，andstartingtobuildafireoutside。
Inatightfix，amanisprettyapttogetscaredtillallhopeisgone。Thenheisprettyapttogetcoolandcalm。Thatwasmycase。Icouldn'tgoahead——therewasthosehossescomingalongthetrail。Icouldn'tgoback——therewasthoseInjinsbuildingthefire。SoIskirmishedaroundtillIgotabrightstarrightoverthetrailhead，andItrainedoldMeat-in-the-
pottobearonthatstar，andImadeupmymindthatwhenthestarwasdarkenedI'dturnloose。SoIlaythereawhilelistening。Byandbythestarwasblottedout，andIcutloose，andoldMeat-in-the-potmissedfire——sheneverdiditbeforenorsince；Ithinkthatcartridge——
Well，Idon'tknowwheretheInjinscamefrom，butitseemedasifthehammerhadhardlyclickedbeforethreeorfourofthembadpiledonme。IputupthebestfightIcould，forIwasn'tfiguringtobecaughtalive，andthismiss-firedealhadfooledmeallalongtheline。Theysurelyhadalivelytime。I
expectedeveryminutetofeelaknifeinmyback，butwhenI
didn'tgetitthenIknewtheywantedtobringmeinalive，andthatmademefightharder。Firstandlast，werolledandplungedallthewayfromtherim-rockdowntothecanon-bed。ThenoneoftheInjinssungout：
"Maria！"
AndIthoughtofthatrenegadeMexican，andwhatI'dheardbouthim，andthatmademefightharderyet。
Butafterwe'dfoughtdowntothecanon-bed，andhadlostmostofourskin，ahalf-dozenmorefellonme，andinlessthannotimetheyhadmetied。Thentheypickedmeupandcarriedmeovertowherethey'dbuiltabigfirebythecorral。"
UncleJimstoppedwithanairoffinality，andbeganlazilytorefillhispipe。Fromtheopenmudfireplacehepickedacoal。
Outside，therain，faithfultotheprophecyofthewide-ringedsun，beatfitfullyagainsttheroof。
"ThatwastheclosestcallIeverhad，"saidheatlast。
"But，UncleJim，"wecriedinaconfusedchorus，"howdidyougetaway？WhatdidtheIndiansdotoyou？Whorescuedyou？"
UncleJimchuckled。
"ThefirstmanIsawsittingatthatfire，"saidhe，"wasLieutenantPriceoftheUnitedStatesArmy，andbyhimwasTomHorn。"
"'What'sthis？'heasks，andHorntalkstotheInjinsinApache。
"'Theysaythey'vecaughtMaria，'translatesHornbackagain。
"'Maria-nothing！'saysLieutenantPrice。'ThisisJimFox。Iknowhim。'"
"Sotheyturnedmeloose。Itseemsthetroopshaddrivenofftherenegadesanhourbefore。"
"AndtheIndianswhocaughtyou，UncleJim？YousaidtheywereIndians。"
"WereTontoBasinApaches，"explainedtheoldman——"governmentscoutsunderTomHorn。"
CHAPTERTWO
THEEMIGRANTS
AftertherainthathadheldusholedupattheDoubleRoveroneday，wediscussedwhatweshoulddonext。
"Theflatswillbetooboggyforriding，andanywaythecattlewillbeinthehighcountry，"theCattlemansummedupthesituation。"We'dbogdownthechuck-wagonifwetriedtogetbacktotheJ。H。Butnowaftertheraintheweatheroughttobebeautiful。Whatshallwedo？"
"WasyoueverintheJacksoncountry？"askedUncleJim。"It'sthewildestpartofArizona。It'sabigcountryandrough，andnoonelivesthere，andthere'slotsofdeerandmountainlionsandbear。Here'smydogs。Wemighthaveahunt。"
"Good！"saidwe。
Weskirmishedaroundandfoundacondemnedarmypacksaddlewithaparejos，andasawbucksaddlewithkyacks。Onthese，wemanagedtocondenseourgrubandutensils。Therewereplentyofhorses，soourbeddingweboundflatabouttheirnakedbarrelsbymeansofthesquaw-hitch。Thenwestarted。
ThatdayfurnisheduswithademonstrationofwhatArizonahorsescando。Ourwayledfirstthroughacanon-bedfilledwithroundedbouldersandrocks，slipperyandunstable。Bigcottonwoodsandoaksgrewsothickaspartiallytoconcealthecliffsoneithersideofus。Therim-rockwasmysteriouswithcaves；beautifulwithhanginggardensoftreefernsandgrassesgrowingthickinlongtransversecrevices；wonderfulincolourandshape。Wepassedthelittlecanonsfencedoffbytherustlersascorralsintowhichtoshuntfromtheherdstheirchoiceofbeeves。
TheCattlemanshookhisheadatthem。"ManyamanhascomefromTexasandestablishedaherdwithnootherassetthanacoupleofhorsesandabranding-iron，"saidhe。
Thenweworkedupgraduallytoadivide，whencewecouldseearangeofwildandruggedmountainsonourright。Theyrosebyslopesandledges，steepandrough，andatlastendedinthethousand-footcliffsofthebuttes，runningsheerandunbrokenformanymiles。Duringalltherestofourtriptheyweretobeourcompanions，theonlyconstantfactorsinthetumultoflesserpeaks，precipitouscanons，andtwistedsystemsinwhichwewereconstantlyinvolved。
Theskywassun-and-shadowaftertherain。EachandeveryArizonanpredictedclearing。
"Why，italmostneverrainsinArizona，"saidJedParker。"Andwhenitdoesitquitsbeforeitbegins。"
Nevertheless，aboutnoonathickcloudgatheredaboutthetopsoftheGaliurosaboveus。Almostimmediatelyitwasdissipatedbythewind，butwhenthepeaksagainshowed，westaredwithastonishmenttoseethattheywerewhitewithsnow。Itwasasthoughamagicianhadpassedasheetbeforethemthebriefinstantnecessarytoworkhisgreattransformation。Shortlytheskythickenedagain，anditbegantorain。
Travelhadbeenprecariousbefore；butnowitsdifficultieswereinfinitelyincreased。Theclaysub-soiltotherubbleturnedslipperyandadhesive。Onthesidesofthemountainsitwasalmostimpossibletokeepafooting。Wespeedilybecamewet，ourhandspuffedandpurple，ourbootssoddenwiththewaterthathadtrickledfromourclothingintothem。
"Overthenextridge，"UncleJimpromisedus，"isanoldshackthatIfixedupsevenyearsago。Wecanallmakeouttogetinit。"
Overthenextridge，therefore，weslippedandslid，thankingthegodofluckforeachtenfeetgained。Itwasgrowingcold。Thecliffsandpalisadesnearathandshoweddimlybehindthefallingrain；beyondthemwavedandeddiedthestormmiststhroughwhichthemountainsrevealedandconcealedproportionsexaggeratedintounearthlygrandeur。Deepinthecleftsoftheboxcanonsthestreamswerefilling。Theroaroftheirrapidsechoedfrominnumerableprecipices。Asoftswishofwaterusurpedtheworldofsound。
Nothingmoreuncomfortableormoremagnificentcouldbeimagined。
Werodeshivering。Eachsaidtohimself，"Icanstandthis——rightnow——atthepresentmoment。Verywell；Iwilldoso，andIwillrefusetolookforwardevenfiveminutestowhatImayhavetostand，"whichisthetruephilosophyoftoughtimesandtheonlyeffectivewaytoendurediscomfort。
Byluckwereachedthebottomofthatcanonwithoutafall。Itwaswide，wellgrownwithoaktrees，andbellydeepinrichhorsefeed——anidealplacetocampwereitnotforthefactthatathinsheetofwateraquarterofaninchdeepwasflowingovertheentiresurfaceoftheground。Wespurredondesperately，thinkingofawarmfireandachancetosteam。
Theroofoftheshackhadfallenin，andthefloorwassixinchesdeepinadobemud。
Wedidnotdismount——thatwouldhavewetoursaddles——butsatonourhorsestakinginthedetails。FinallyUncleJimcametothefrontwithasuggestion。
"Iknowofacave，"saidhe，"closeunderabutte。It'sabigcave，butithassuchasteepfloorthatI'mnotsureaswecouldstayinit；andit'sbacktheothersideofthatridge。"
"Idon'tknowhowtheridgeistogetbackover——itwasslipperyenoughcomingthisway——andthecavemayshootusoutintospace，butI'dliketoLOOKatadryplaceanyway，"repliedtheCattleman。
Weallfeltthesameaboutit，sobackovertheridgewewent。
AbouthalfwaydowntheothersideUncleJimturnedsharptotheright，andasthe"hogback"droppedbehindus，wefoundourselvesoutonthesteepsideofamountain，theperpendicularcliffoverustotheright，theriverroaringsavagelyfardownbelowourleft，andsheetsofwaterglazingthefootingwecouldfindamongthebouldersanddebris。Hardlycouldtheponieskeepfromslippingsidewaysontheslope，asweproceededfartherandfartherfromthesolidityoftheridgebehindus，weexperiencedtheillusionofventuringoutonatightropeoverabyssesofspace。Eventhefeelingofdangerwasonlyanillusion，however，compositeofthefallingrain，thedeepeningtwilight，andthenightthathadalreadyenvelopedtheplungeofthecanonbelow。
FinallyUncleJimstoppedjustwithinthedripfromthecliffs。
"Heresheis，"saidhe。
Wedescendedeagerly。Adeerboundedawayfromthebaseofthebuttes。Thecaveransteep，inthemannerofaninclinedtunnel，farupintothedimness。Wehadtodigourtoesinandscrambletomakewayupitatall，butwefounditdry，andafteralittlesearchdiscoveredafoot-ledgeofearthsufficientlybroadforaseat。
"That'sallright，"quothJedParker。"Now，forsleepingplaces。"
Wescattered。UncleJimandCharleypromptlyannexedtheslightoverhangofthecliffwhencethedeerhadjumped。Itwasdryatthemoment，butweutteredpessimisticpredictionsifthewindshouldchange。TomRichandJimLesterhadalittletent，andinsistedondescendingtothecanon-bed。
"Gottocookthere，anyways，"saidthey，anddepartedwiththetwopackmulesandtheirbedhorse。
ThatlefttheCattleman，WindyBill，JedParker，andme。InamomentWindyBillcameuptouswhisperingandmysterious。
"Getyourcavallosandfollowme，"saidhe。
Wedidso。Heledustwohundredyardstoanothercave，twentyfeethigh，fifteenfeetindiameter，levelasafloor。
"How'sthat？"hecriedintriumph。"FoundherjustnowwhileI
wasrustlingnigger-headsforafire。"
Weunpackedourbedswithchucklesofjoy，andspreadthemcarefullywithintheshelterofthecave。Exceptfortheveryedges，whichdidnotmuchmatter，ourblanketsand"so-guns，"
protectedbythecanvas"tarp，"werereasonablydry。Everyonceinawhileaspasmofconsciencewouldseizeoneortheotherofus。
"Itseemssortofmeanontheotherfellows，"ruminatedJedParker。
"Theyhadtheirfirstchoice，"criedweall。
"UncleJim'sanoldman，"theCattlemanpointedout。
ButWindyBillhadthoughtofthat。"Itoldhimofthisyerecavefirst。Butheallowedhewasplumbsatisfied。"
Wefinishedlayingoutourblankets。Theresultlookedgoodtous。Weallburstoutlaughing。
"Well，I'msorryforthosefellows，"criedtheCattleman。Wehobbledourhorsesanddescendedtothegleamofthefire，likeguiltyconspirators。Thereweatehastilyofmeat，breadandcoffee，merelyforthesakeofsustenance。Itcertainlyamountedtolittleinthewayofpleasure。Thewaterfromthedirectrain，theshiveringtrees，andourhatbrimsaccumulatedinourplatesfasterthanwecouldbailitout。Thedisheswerethrustunderacanvas。RichandLesterdecidedtoremainwiththeirtent，andsowesawthemnomoreuntilmorning。
Webrokeoffback-loadsofmesquiteandtoiledupthehill，tastingthicklythehighaltitudeintheseverelabour。Atthebigcavewedumpeddownourburdens，transportedourfuelpiecemealtothevicinityofthenarrowledge，builtagoodfire，satinarow，andlitourpipes。Inafewmoments，theblazewasburninghigh，andourbodieshadceasedshivering。Fantasticallythefirelightrevealedtheknobsandcrevices，theledgesandthearchingwalls。Theirshadowsleaped，followingtheflames，recedingandadvancinglikeplayfulbeasts。Faraboveuswasasingletinyopeningthroughwhichthesmokewassuckedasthroughachimney。Theglowruddiedthemen'sfeatures。Outsidewasthickdarkness，andtheswishandrushandroarofrisingwaters。Listening，WindyBillwasremindedofastory。Weleanedbackcomfortablyagainsttheslopingwallsofthecave，thrustourfeettowardtheblaze，smoked，andhearkenedtothetaleofWindyBill。
There'satur'blelotofwaterrunningloosehere，butI'veseenthetimeandplacewhereevenwhatisinthatdripwouldbeworthagoldmine。Thatwasintheemigrantdays。Theyusedtocomeoversouthofhere，throughwhattheycalledEmigrantPass，ontheirwaytoCaliforny。Iwasakidthen，abouteighteenyearold，andwhatIdidn'tknowaboutInjinsandAgencycattlewasn'tapatchofalkali。Ihadakidoutfitofh'arbridle，lotsofsilverandsuch，andIusedtorideoverandbethehandsomeboybeforesuchoutfitsashappenedalong。
Theywerequeerpeople，mostof'emfromMissouryandsuch-likesouthernseaports，andtheyweretur'blesickoftravelbythetimetheycomeinsightofEmigrantPass。UptoSantaFetheymostlyhikedalonganyoldway，butoncetheretheyherdeduptogetherinbunchesoftwentywagonsorso，'countofouroldfriends，GeronimoandLoco。Agoodmanyof'emhadhornedcattletotheirwagons，andtheycrawledalongabouttwomilesanhour，hotter'nhellwiththebloweron，nothin'tolookatbutamountainaweekway，chuckfullofalkali，plentyofsage-brushandrattlesnakes——butmightylittlewater。
Why，youboysknowthatcountrydownthere。BetweentheChiricahuaMountainsandEmigrantPassit'smaybeathreeorfourdays'journeyfortheseyerebull-slingers。
Mostlytheyfilleduptheirbelliesandtheirkegs，hopingtolastthrough，buttheysurefounditdrierthancorklegs，andgenerallylongbeforetheyhittheSpringstheirtongueswashangin'outafoot。Yousee，foralltheirplumbnerveincomin'
sofar，themostofthemdidn'tknowsic'em。Theywereplumbinnocentinregardtosavin'theirwater，andInjins，andsuch；
andthelong-hairedbuckskinfakestheypickedupatSantaFeforguideswasn'tmuchbetter。
ThatwaswhereTexasPetemadehiskilling。
TexasPetewasatoughcitizenfromtheLoneStar。Hewasaboutasbroadashewaslong，andworeallsortsofbigwhiskersandblackeyebrows。Hisheartwasverybad。YouneverCOULDtellwhereTexasPetewasgoin'tojumpnext。Hewasaside-winderandadiamond-backandalittleblackrattlesnakeallrolledintoone。IbelievethatTexasPetepersoncaredaboutaslittleforkillin'amanasfortakin'adrink——andheshorelydrankwithoutaneffort。Peaceablecitizensjustspokesoftandmindedtheirownbusiness；onpeaceablecitizensTexasPeteusedtoplantoutinthesagebrush。
NowthisTexasPetehappenedtodiscoverawaterholerightoutintheplumbmiddleofthedesert。Hepromptlyannexedsaidwaterhole，digsherout，timbersherup，andlaysforemigrants。
Hechargedtwobitsahead——manorbeast——andnobodygotamouthfultillhepaidupinhardcoin。
Thinkofthewadsherakedin！Iusedtofigureitup，justforthejoyofenvyin'him，Ireckon。Anaveragetwenty-wagonoutfit，firstandlast，wouldbringhiminsomewheresaboutfiftydollars——andbesideshehadforty-rodatfourbitsaglass。Andoutfitsatthattimewerethicker'nspatter。
Weusedalltogodownsometimestowatchthemcomein。Whentheyseethatlittlecanvasshackandthatwell，theybeguntocheerupandmovefast。Andwhentheyseethatsign，"Water，twobitsahead，"theireyesstuckoutliketworawoysters。
Thencomethekicks。Whatahowltheydidraise，shorely。Butitdidn'tdonomannerofgood。TexasPetedidn'tdonothin'butsitthereandsmoke，withakindofsulkygleaminonecornerofhiseye。Hedidn'teventakethetroubletoanswer，buthisWinchesterlayacrosshislap。Therewasn'tnohumourinthesituationforhim。
"Howmuchisyourwaterforhumans？"asksoneemigrant。
"Can'tyoureadthatsign？"TexasPeteaskshim。
"Butyoudon'tmeantwobitsaheadforHUMANS！"yellstheman。
"Why，youcangetwhiskyforthat！"
"Youcanreadthesign，can'tyou？"insistsTexasPete。
"Icanreaditallright？"saystheman，tryin'anewdeal，"buttheytellmenottobelievemore'nhalfIread。"
Butthatdon'tgo；andMr。Emigrantshellsoutwiththerest。
Ididn'tblamethemforraisin'theirhowl。Why，atthattimetheregularwaterholeswaschargin'fivecentsaheadfromthegovernmentfreighters，andthemottowasalways"HoldupUncleSam，"atthat。Onceinawhilesomeoutfitwouldgetmadandgochargin'offdry；butitwasalong，longwaytotheSprings，andmightyhotanddusty。TexasPeteandhisonelonesomewaterholeshorelydidabigbusiness。
LateoneafternoonmeandGentlemanTimwasjoggin'alongaboveTexasPete'splace。Itwasatur'blehotday——youhadtoprimeyourselftospit——andwewasjustgettin'backfromdrivin'somebeefuptothetroopsatFortHuachuca。WewasduetocrosstheEmigrantTrail——she'sworeintur'bledeep——youcanseetherutsto-day。Whenwetoppedtheriseweseealittleoldoutfitjustmakin'outtodragalong。
Itwasonelittleschoonerallbyherself，drugalongbytwopooroldcavallosthatcouldn'thavepulledmyhatoff。Theirtongueswasout，andeveryonceinawhilethey'dstickinachuck-hole。
Thenamanwouldgetdownandputhisshouldertothewheel，andeverybody'dtakeaheave，andupthey'dcome，alla-tremblingandweak。
TimandIrodedownjusttotakealookatthecuriosity。
Athin-lookin'manwasdrivin'，allhumpedup。
"Hullo，stranger，"saysI，"ain'tyou'fraidofInjins？"
"Yes，"sayshe。
"Thenwhyareyoutravellin'throughanInjincountryallalone？"
"Couldn'tkeepup，"sayshe。"CanIgetwaterhere？"
"Ireckon，"Ianswers。
HedroveuptothewatertroughthereatTexasPete's，meandGentlemanTimfollowin'alongbecauseourtrailledthatway。
Buthehadn'tmore'nstoppedbeforeTexasPetewasout。
"Costyoufourbitstowaterthemhosses，"sayshe。
Themanlookedupkindofbewildered。
"I'msorry，"sayshe，"Iain'tgotnofourbits。Igotmyrollliftedoff'nme。"
"Nowater，then，"growlsTexasPetebackathim。
Themanlookedabouthimhelpless。
"Howfarisittothenextwater？"heasksme。
"Twentymile，"Itellshim。
"MyGod！"hesays，tohimself-like。
Thenheshruggedhisshouldersverytired。
"Allright。It'sgettin'thecooloftheevenin'；we'llmakeit。"Heturnsintotheinsideofthatoldschooner。
"Gi'methecup，Sue。"
Awhite-facedwomanwholookedmightygoodtousalkalisopenedtheflapsandgaveoutatincup，whichthemanpointedouttofill。
"Howmanyofyouisthey？"asksTexasPete。
"Three，"repliestheman，wondering。
"Well，sixbits，then，"saysTexasPete，"cashdown。"
Atthatthemanstraightensupalittle。
"Iain'taskin'fornowaterformystock，"sayshe，"butmywifeandbabyhasbeenoutinthissunalldaywithoutadropofwater。OurcaskslippedahoopandbustjustthissideofDosCabesas。Thepoorkidisplumbdry。"
"Twobitsahead，"saysTexasPete。
Atthatthewomancomesout，alittlebitofababyinherarms。
Thekidhadfuzzyyellowhair，anditsfacewasflushedredandshiny。
"Shorelyyouwon'trefuseasickchildadrinkofwater，sir，"
saysshe。
ButTexasPetehadsomesortofaspecialgrouch；Iguesshewasjustbeginningtogethissnowshoesoffafterafightwithhisownforty-rod。
"Whatthehellareyou-alldoin'onthetrailwithoutnomoneyatall？"hegrowls，"andhowdoyouexpecttogetalong？Suchplumbtenderfeetdrivemeweary。"
"Well，"saystheman，stillreasonable，"Iain'tgotnomoney，butI'llgiveyousixbits'worthofflourortradeoran'thin'I
got。"
"Idon'trunnotruck-store，"snapsTexasPete，andturnssquareonhisheelandgoesbacktohischair。
"Gotsixbitsaboutyou？"whispersGentlemanTimtome。
"Notared，"Ianswers。
GentlemanTimturnstoTexasPete。
"Let'emhaveadrink，Pete。I'llpayyounexttimeIcomedown。"
"Cashdown，"growlsPete。
"You'rethemeanestmanIeversee，"observesTim。"Iwouldn'tspeaktoyouifImetyouinhellcarryin'alumpoficeinyourhand。"
"You'rethesoftest_I_eversee，"sneersPete。"Don'ttheyhaveanygenooineTexansdownyourway？"
"Notenoughtomakeitdisagreeable，"saysTim。
"Thatletsyouout，"growlsPete，gettin'hostileandhandlin'ofhisrifle。
Whichthemanhadbeenstandin'therebewildered，thecuphangin'
fromhisfinger。Atlast，lookin'prettydesperate，hestoopeddowntodigupalittleofthewetfromanoverflowpuddlelyin'
athisfeet。Atthesametimethehosses，leftsortoftothemselvesandbein'drierthanacoveredbridge，drugforwardandstucktheirnosesinthetrough。
GentlemanTimandmewassittin'thereonourhosses，alittletooneside。WesawTexasPetejumpupfromhischair，takeaquickaim，andcutloosewithhisrifle。Itwasplumbunexpectedtous。Wehadn'tthoughtofanyshootin'，andoursix-shooterswastiedin，'countofthejumpycountrywe'dbeendrivin'thesteersover。ButGentlemanTim，whohadunslunghisrope，aimin'tohelpthehossesoutofthechuckhole，snatchedheroffthehorn，andwithoneoftheprettiesttwenty-footflipthrowsIeverseedonehesnakedoldTexasPeterightoutofhiswicky-up，gunandall。Theoldrenegadedidhisbesttotwistaroundforashotatus；butitwasnogo；andIneverenjoyedhog-tyingacrittermoreinmylifethanIenjoyedhog-tyingTexasPete。Thenweturnedtoseewhatdamagehadbeendone。
Weweresomerelievedtofindthefamilyallright，butTexasPetehadboredoneofthempooroldcrow-baithossesplumbthroughthehead。
"It'sluckyforyouyoudon'tgettheoldman，"saysGentlemanTimveryquietandpolite。
WhichGentlemanTimwasanIrishman，andI'dbeenontherangelongenoughwithhimtoknowthatwhenhegotquietandpoliteitwastimetododgebehindsomething。
"Ihope，sir"sayshetothestranger，"thatyouwillgiveyourwifeandbabyasatisfyingdrink。Asforyourhoss，praydonotbeunderanyapprehension。Ourfriend，Mr。TexasPete，here，haskindlyconsentedtomakegoodanydeficienciesfromhisowncorral。"
Timcouldtalkhigh，wide，andhandsomewhenhesetoutto。
Themanstartedtosaysomething；butImanagedtoherdhimtooneside。
"Lethimalone，"Iwhispers。"Whenhetalksthatway，he'smad；
andwhenhe'smad，it'sbettertoleavenaturetosupplythelightnin'rods。"
Heseemedtosabeallright，sowebuiltusalittlefireandstartedsomegrub，whileGentlemanTimwalkedupanddownverygrandandfierce。
Byandbyheseemedtomakeuphismind。HewentoveranduntiedTexasPete。
"Standup，youhound，"sayshe。"Nowlistentome。Ifyoumakeabreaktogetaway，orifyourefusetodojustasItellyou，I
won'tshootyou，butI'llmarchyouupcountryandseethatGeronimogetsyou。"
Hesortedoutashovelandpick，madeTexasPetecarrythemrightalongthetrailaquarter，andstartedhimtodiggin'ahole。
TexasPetestartedinhardenough，Timsittin'overhimonhishoss，hissix-shooterloose，andhisropefree。ThemanandI
stoodby，notdarin'tosayaword。AfteraminuteorsoTexasPetebegantoworkslowerandslower。Byandbyhestopped。
"Lookhere，"sayshe，"isthisherethingmygrave？"
"Iamgoin'toseethatyougivethegentleman'shossdecentinterment，"saysGentlemanTimverypolite。
"Buryahoss！"growlsTexasPete。
Buthedidn'tsayanymore。Timcockedhissix-shooter。
"Perhapsyou'dbetterquitpantingandsweatalittle，"sayshe。
TexasPeteworkedhardforawhile，forTim'squietnesswasbeginningtoscarehimuptheworstway。Byandbyhehadgotdownmaybefourorfivefeet，andTimgotoffhishoss。
"Ithinkthatwilldo，"sayshe。
"Youmaycomeout。Billy，myson，coverhim。Now，Mr。TexasPete，"hesays，coldassteel，"thereisthegrave。Wewillplacethehossinit。ThenIintendtoshootyouandputyouinwiththehoss，andwriteyouanepitaphthatwillbeacomforttosuchtravellersoftheTrailasarehonest，andawarnin'tosuchasarenot。I'dassoonkillyounowasanhourfromnow，soyoumaymakeabreakforitifyoufeellikeit。"
Hestoopedovertolookintothehole。Ithoughthelookedanextralongtime，butwhenheraisedhisheadhisfacehadchangedcomplete。
"March！"saysheverybrisk。
Weallwentbacktotheshack。FromthecorralTimtookTexasPete'sbestteamandhitchedhertotheoldschooner。
"There，"sayshetotheman。"Nowyou'dbetterhitthetrail。
Takethatwhiskykegthereforwater。Good-bye。"
Wesattherewithoutsayin'awordforsometimeaftertheschoonerhadpulledout。ThenTimsays，veryabrupt：
"I'vechangedmymind。"
Hegotup。
"Comeon，Billy，"sayshetome。"We'lljustleaveourfriendtiedup。I'llbebackto-morrowtoturnyouloose。Inthemeantimeitwon'thurtyouabittobealittleuncomfortable，andhungry——andthirsty。"
Werodeoffjustaboutsundown，leavin'TexasPetelashedtight。
Nowallthisknockedmehell-westandcrooked，andIsaidso，butIcouldn'tgetawordoutofGentlemanTim。AlltheanswerI
couldgetwasjustlittlelaughs。
Wedrawedintotheranchnearmidnight，butnextmornin'Timhadalongtalkwiththeboss，andtheresultwasthatthewholeoutfitwasinstructedtoarmupwithapickorashovelapiece，andtogetsetforTexasPete's。Wegottherealittleafternoon，turnedtheoldboyout——withoutfirearms——andthenbegantodigataplaceTimtoldusto，nearthatgraveofTexasPete's。
Inthreehourswehadthefinestwater-holedevelopedyoueverwanttosee。Thenthebossstuckupasignthatsaid：
PUBLICWATER-HOLE。WATER，FREE。
"Nowyouoldskin，"sayshetoTexasPete，"chargeallyouwanttoonyourownproperty。ButifIeverhearofyourlayin'claimtothisotherhole，I'llshoremakeyouhardtocatch。"
Thenwerodeoffhome。Yousee，whenGentlemanTiminspectedthatgrave，henotedindicationsofwater；anditstruckhimthatrunnin'theoldrenegadeoutofbusinesswasaneaterwayofgettin'eventhanmerelykillin'him。
Somebodythrewafreshmesquiteonthefire。Theflamesleapedupagain，showingathintrickleofwaterrunningdowntheothersideofthecave。Thesteadydownpouragainmadeitselfprominentthroughthere-establishedsilence。
"WhatdidTexasPetedoafterthat？"askedtheCattleman。
"TexasPete？"chuckledWindyBill。"Well，heputinaheapofhissparetimelettin'Timalone。"
CHAPTERTHREE
THEREMITTANCEMAN
AfterWindyBillhadfinishedhisstorywebegantothinkittimetoturnin。UncleJimandCharleyslidandslippeddownthechute-likepassageleadingfromthecaveanddisappearedinthedirectionoftheoverhangbeneathwhichtheyhadspreadtheirbed。Afteramomentwetoreofflongbundlesofthenigger-headblades，littheresinousendsatourfire，andwiththesetorchesstartedtomakeourwayalongthebaseoftheclifftotheothercave。
Oncewithouttheinfluenceofthefireourimpromptulinkscastanadequatelight。Thesheetsofrainbecamesuddenlyvisibleastheyenteredthecircleofillumination。BycarefulscrutinyofthefootingIgainedtheentrancetoourcavewithoutmishap。I
lookedback。Hereandthereirregularlygleamedandsplutteredmycompanions'torches。Acrosseachslantedtherain。Allelsewasofinkyblacknessexceptwhere，betweenthemandme，afaintredreflectionshoneonthewetrocks。ThenIturnedinside。
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