Now，tojudgefromthecrumblingpowderofthefooting，thatcavehadbeendrysinceNoah。Infact，itsroofwasnearlyathousandfeetthick。Butsincewehadspreadourblankets，thepersistentwatershadsoakeddownandthrough。Thethousand-footroofhadasprungaleak。Threeseparateanddistinctstreamsofwaterranasfromspigots。Iloweredmytorch。Thecanvastarpaulinshonewithwet，andinitsexactcentreglimmeredapoolofwaterthreeinchesdeepandatleasttwofeetindiameter。
"Well，I'llbe，"Ibegan。ThenIrememberedthosethreewendingtheirwayalongawetanddisagreeabletrail，happyandpeacefulinanticipationofwarmblanketsandalevelfloor。Ichuckledandsatonmyheelsoutofthedrip。
FirstcameJedParker，hisheadbenttoprotectthefireinhispipe。Hegainedtheverycentreofthecavebeforehelookedup。
Thenhecastoneglanceateachbed，andoneatme。Hisgrave，hawk-likefeaturesrelaxed。Afaintgrinappearedunderhislongmoustache。Withoutawordhesquatteddownbesideme。
NexttheCattleman。Helookedabouthimwithacomicalexpressionofdismay，andburstintoaheartylaugh。
"IbelieveIsaidIwassorryforthoseotherfellows，"heremarked。
WindyBillwasthelast。Hestoopedhisheadtoenter，straightenedhislankfigure，andtookinthesituationwithoutexpression。
"Well，thisishandy，"saidhe；"Iwasgettin'tur'bledry，andwasthinkin'Iwouldhavetoclimbwaydowntothecreekinallthisrain。"
Hestoopedtothepoolinthecentreofthetarpaulinanddrank。
Butnowourtorchesbegantorunlow。Asmalldrybushgrewneartheentrance。Weignitedit，andwhileitblazedwehastilysortedablanketapieceandtumbledtherestoutofthedrip。
Ourreturnwithouttorchesalongthebaseofthatbuttewassomethingtoremember。Thenightwassothickyoucouldfeelthedarknesspressingonyou；themountaindroppedabruptlytotheleft，andwasstrewnwithbouldersandblocksofstone。
Collisionsandstumbleswerefrequent。OnceIsteppedoffalittleledgefiveorsixfeet——nothingworsethanabarkedshin。
Andallthewhiletherain，peltingusunmercifully，searchedoutwhatpoorlittleremnantsofdrynesswehadbeenabletoretain。
Atlastweopenedoutthegleamoffireinourcave，andaminutelaterwereengagedinstrugglingdesperatelyuptheslantthatbroughtustoourledgeandtheslopeonwhichourfireburned。
"MyLord！"pantedWindyBill，"amanhadoughttohavehooksonhiseyebrowstoclimbuphere！"
Werenewedthefire——andblessedtheback-loadofmesquitewehadpackedupearlierintheevening。Ourblanketswewrappedaroundourshoulders，ourfeetwehungovertheledgetowardtheblaze，ourbacksweleanedagainstthehollowslantofthecave'swall。Wewerenotuncomfortable。Thebeatoftherainsprangupinthedarkness，growinglouderandlouder，likehorsemenpassingonahardroad。Graduallywedozedoff。
Foratimeeverythingwaspleasant。Dreamscamefusedwithrealities；thefirelightfadedfromconsciousnessorreturnedfantastictoourhalf-awakening；adeliciousnumbnessoverspreadourtiredbodies。Theshadowsleaped，becamesolid，monstrous。
Wefellasleep。
Afteratimethefactobtrudeditselfdimlythroughourstuporthattheconstantpressureofthehardrockhadimpededourcirculation。Westirreduneasily，shiftingtoabetterposition。
Thatwasthebeginningofawakening。Thenewpositiondidnotsuit。Aslightshiveringseizedus，whichthedrawingcloseroftheblanketfailedtoend。FinallyIthrewasidemyhatandlookedout。JedParker，avividpatch-workcomforterwrappedabouthisshoulders，stooduprightandsilentbythefire。I
keptstill，fearingtoawakentheothers。InashorttimeI
becameawarethattheothersweredoingidenticallythesamething。Welaughed，threwoffourblankets，stretched，andfedthefire。
Athickacridsmokefilledtheair。TheCattleman，rising，leftatrailofincandescentfootprints。Weinvestigatedhastily，anddiscoveredthatthesupposedearthontheslantofthecavewasnothingmorethanbatguano，tonsofit。Thefire，eatingitswaybeneath，hadrendereduntenableitsimmediatevicinity。Wefeltasthoughwewerelivingoveravolcano。Howsoonourledge，ofthesamematerial，mightbeattacked，wehadnomeansofknowing。Overcomewithdrowsiness，weagaindisposedourblankets，resolvedtogetasmanynapsaspossiblebeforeeventheseconstrainedquartersweretakenfromus。
Thishappenedsoonerandinamannerotherwisethanwehadexpected。WindyBillbroughtustoconsciousnessbyawildyell。
Consciousnessreportedtousastrange，hurriedsoundlikethelongrollonadrum。Investigationshowedusthatthiscave，too，hadsprungaleak；notwithanypremonitorydrip，butallatonce，asthoughsomeonehadturnedonafaucet。Intensecondsaverycompetentstreamletsixincheswidehaderodedacoursedownthroughtheguano，pastthefireandtotheouterslope。Andbytheironyoffatethatone——andonlyone——leakinalltheroofexpanseofabigcavewasdirectlyoveroneendofourtinyledge。TheCattlemanlaughed。
"Remindsmeoftheoldfarmerandhiskindfriend，"saidhe。
"Kindfriendhuntsuptheoldfarmerinthevillage。
"'John，'sayshe，'I'vebadnewsforyou。Yourbarnhasburnedup。'
"'MyLord！'saysthefarmer。
"'Butthatain'ttheworst。Yourcowwasburned，too。'
"'MyLord！'saysthefarmer。
"'Butthatain'ttheworst。Yourhorseswereburned。'
"'MyLord！'saysthefarmer。
"'But，thatain'ttheworst。Thebarnsetfiretothehouse，anditwasburned——totalloss。'
"'MyLord！'groansthefarmer。
"'Butthatain'ttheworst。Yourwifeandchildwerekilled，too。'
"'Atthatthefarmerbegantoroarwithlaughter。
"'Goodheavens，man！'crieshisfriend，astonished，'whatintheworlddoyoufindtolaughatinthat？'
"'Don'tyousee？'answersthefarmer。'Why，it'ssodarnCOMPLETE！'
"Well，"finishedtheCattleman，"that'swhatstrikesmeaboutourcase；it'ssodarncomplete！"
"Whattimeisit？"askedWindyBill。
"Midnight，"Iannounced。
"Lord！Sixhourstoday！"groanedWindyBill。"How'dyouliketobedoin'anicequietjobatgardenin'intheEastwhereyoucouldbellyuptothebarreg'lareveryevenin'，anddrinkapussycafeandsmoketailor-madecigareets？"
"Youwouldn'tlikeitabit，"putintheCattlemanwithdecision；
whereuponinproofhetoldusthefollowingstory：
WindyhasmentionedGentlemanTim，andthatremindedmeofthefirsttimeIeversawhim。HewasanIrishmanallright，buthehadbeeneducatedinEngland，andexceptforhisaccenthewasmoreanEnglishmanthananythingelse。AfreightoutfitbroughthimintoTucsonfromSantaFeanddumpedhimdownontheplaza，whereatonceeveryidlerintowngatheredtoquizhim。
CertainlyhewasoneofthegreenestspecimensIeversawinthiscountry。HehadonapairofballoonpantsandaNorfolkjacket，andwassurroundedbyahalf-dozenbabytrunks。Hisfacewasred-cheekedandaggressivelyclean，andhiseyelimpidasachild's。Mostofthosepresentthoughtthatindicatedchildishness；butIcouldseethatitwasonlyutterself-unconsciousness。
Itseemedthathewasoutforbiggame，andintendedtogoaftersilver-tipssomewhereintheseverymountains。Ofcoursehewasofferedplentyofadvice，andwouldprobablyhavemadeengagementsmuchtoberegrettedhadInottakenastrongfancytohim。
"Myfriend，"saidI，drawinghimaside，"Idon'twanttobeinquisitive，butwhatmightyoudowhenyou'rehome？"
"I'mayoungerson，"saidhe。Iwasgreenmyselfinthosedays，andknewnothingofprimogeniture。
"Thatisaveryinterestingpieceoffamilyhistory，"saidI，"butitdoesnotanswermyquestion。"
Hesmiled。
"Wellnow，Ihadn'tthoughtofthat，"saidhe，"butinamannerofspeaking，itdoes。Idonothing。"
"Well，"saidI，unabashed，"ifyousawmetryingtobeayoungersonandlikelytoforgetmyselfanddosomethingwithoutmeaningto，wouldn'tyoubeapttowarnme？"
"Well，'ponhonour，you'reaqueerchap。Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imeanthatifyouhireanyofthosementoguideyouinthemountains，you'llbeoutrageouslycheated，andwillbeluckyifyou'renotgobbledbyApaches。"
"Doyoudoanyguidingyourself，now？"heasked，mostinnocentofmanner。
ButIflaredup。
"Youdamnungratefulpup，"Isaid，"gotothedevilinyourownway，"andturnedsquareonmyheel。
Buttheyoungmanwasatmyelbow，hishandonmyshoulder。
"Oh，Isaynow，I'msorry。Ididn'trightlyunderstand。DowaitonemomentuntilIdisposeoftheseboxesofmine，andthenIwantthehonourofyourfurtheracquaintance。"
HegotsomeGreaserstotakehistrunksovertothehotel，thenlinkedhisarminminemostengagingly。
"Now，mydearchap，"saidhe，"let'sgosomewhereforaB&S，andfindoutabouteachother。"
Wewerebothyoungandexpansive。Weexchangedviews，names，andconfidences，andbeforenoonwehadarrangedtohunttogether，Itocollecttheoutfit。
TheupshotofthematterwasthattheHonourableTimothyClareandIhadamostexcellentmonth'sexcursion，shotseveralgoodbear，andreturnedtoTucsonthebestoffriends。
AtTucsonwasSchieffleinandhisstoriesofabigstrikedownintheApachecountry。Nothingwoulddobutthatweshouldbothgotoseeforourselves。Wejoinedthesecondexpedition；creptinthegullies，tiedbushesaboutourselveswhenmonumentingcorners，andsohelpedestablishthetownofTombstone。Wemadenothing，norattemptedto。Neitherofusknewanythingofmining，butwewereboththirstyforadventure，andtookaschoolboydelightinplayingthegameoflifeordeathwiththeChiricahuas。
Infact，IneversawanybodytaketothewildlifeaseagerlyastheHonourableTimothyClare。Hewantedtoattempteverything。
Withhimitwasnosoonerseethantry，andhehadsuchanabundanceofenthusiasmthathegenerallysucceeded。Theballoonpantssoonwent。Inamonthhisoutfitwasirreproachable。Heusedtostudyusbythehour，takingineverydetailofourequipment，fromthesmallesttothemostimportant。Thenheaskedquestions。Forallhisdesiretobeoneofthecountry，hewasneverashamedtoacknowledgehisignorance。
"Now，don'tyouchapsthinkitsillytowearsuchhighheelstoyourboots？"hewouldask。"Itseemstomeaveryuselesssortofvanity。"
"Novanityaboutit，Tim，"Iexplained。"Inthefirstplace，itkeepsyourfootfromslippingthroughthestirrup。Inthesecondplace，itisgoodtogriponthegroundwhenyou'reropingafoot。"
"ByJove，that'strue！"hecried。
Sohe'dgethimapairofboots。Forawhileitwasenoughtowearandownallthesethings。Heseemedtodelightinhissix-shooterandhisropejustasornamentstohimselfandhorse。
Buthesoongotoverthat。Thenhehadtolearntousethem。
Forthetimebeing，pistolpractice，forinstance，wouldabsorballhisthoughts。He'dbangawayatintervalsallday，andfigureoutnewtheoriesallnight。
"Thatballyschemewon'twork，"hewouldcomplain。"IbelieveifIextendedmythumbalongthecylinderitwouldhelpthatsidejump。"
Hewasalwayseasingthetrigger-pull，orfilingthesights。Intimehegottobeafairlyaccurateandveryquickshot。
Thesamewaywithropingandhog-tyingandalltherest。
"What'stheuse？"Iusedtoaskhim。"Ifyouweregoingtobeabuckeroo，youcouldn'tgointohardertraining。"
"Ilikeit，"wasalwayshisanswer。
Hehadonlyonerealvice，thatIcouldsee。Hewouldgamble。
Studpokerwashisfavourite；andIneversawaBritisheryetwhocouldplaypoker。Iusedtoheadhimoff，whenIcould，andhewasalwaysgrateful，butthepassionwasstrong。
AfterwegotbackfromfoundingTombstoneIwasbustedandhadtogotowork。
"I'vegotplenty，"saidTim，"andit'sallyours。"
"Iknow，oldfellow，"Itoldhim，"butyourmoneywouldn'tdoforme。"
BuckJohnsonwasjustseeinghischancethen，andwaspreparingtotakesomebreedingcattleoverintotheSodaSpringsValley。
Everybodylaughedathim——saiditwasrightinthelineoftheChiricahuaraids，whichwastrue。ButBuckhadbeenintherewithAgencysteers，andthoughtheknew。Sohecollectedatrailcrew，broughtsomeOregoncattleacross，andbuilthishomeranchofthree-footadobewallswithportholes。Ijoinedthetrailcrew；andsomehoworanothertheHonourableTimothygotpermissiontogoalongonhisownhook。
Thetrailwasalongone。WehadthirstandheatandstampedesandsomeIndianscares。Butinthequeeratmosphericconditionsthatprevailedthatsummer，Ineversawthedesertmorewonderful。ItwaslikewakingtothegloryofGodtositupatdawnandseethecolourschangeonthedryranges。
Atthehomeranch，again，Timmanagedtogetpermissiontostayon。Hekepthisownmountofhorses，tookcareofthem，hunted，andtookpartinallthecowwork。WelostsomecattlefromIndians，ofcourse，butitwastooneartheReservationforthemtodomorethanpickupafewstrayheadontheirwaythrough。
Thetroopswerealwaysafterthemfulljump，andsotheyneverhadtimetoroundupthebeef。Butofcoursewehadtolookoutorwe'dloseourhair，andmanyacowboyhaswonouttothehomeranchinanalmightyexcitingrace。ThiswasnutsfortheHonourableTimothyClare，muchbetterthanhuntingsilver-tips，andheenjoyeditnolimit。
Thingswentalongthatwayforsometime，untiloneeveningasIwasturningoutthehorsesabuckboarddrewin，andfromitdescendedTonyBriggsandadapperlittlefellowdressedallinblackandwithaplughat。
"WhichIaccountsforsaidhatreachin'theranch，becauseit'sFridayandtheboysnotintown，"Tonywhisperedtome。
AsIhappenedtobetheonlymaninsight，thestrangeraddressedme。
"Iamlooking，"saidheinapeculiar，sing-songmannerIhavesincelearnedtobeEnglish，"fortheHonourableTimothyClare。
Ishehere？"
"Oh，you'relookingforhimareyou？"saidI。"Andwhomightyoube？"
Yousee，IlikedTim，andIdidn'tintendtodeliverhimoverintotrouble。
Themanpickedapairofeye-glassesoffhisstomachwheretheydangledattheendofachain，perchedthemonhisnose，andstaredmeover。Imusthavelookeduncompromising，forafterafewsecondsheabruptlywrinkledhisnosesothattheglassesfellpromptlytohisstomachagain，felthiswaistcoatpocket，andproducedacard。Itookit，andread：
JEFFRIESCASE，Barrister。
"Alawyer！"saidIsuspiciously。
"Mydearman，"herejoinedwithaslightimpatience，"Iamnotheretodoyouryoungfriendaharm。Infact，myfirmhavebeenhisfamilysolicitorsforgenerations。"
"Verywell，"Iagreed，andledthewaytotheone-roomadobethatTimandIoccupied。
IfIhadexpectedanenthusiasticgreetingfortheboyhoodfriendfromtheoldhome，Iwouldhavebeendisappointed。Timwassittingwithhisbacktothedoorreadinganoldmagazine。Whenweenteredheglancedoverhisshoulder。
"Ah，Case，"saidhe，andwentonreading。Afteramomenthesaidwithoutlookingup，"Sitdown。"
Thelittlemantookitcalmly，depositedhimselfinachairandhisbagbetweenhisfeet，andlookedabouthimdaintilyatourroughquarters。Imadeamovetogo，whereuponTimlaiddownhismagazine，yawned，stretchedhisarmsoverhishead，andsighed。
"Don'tgo，Harry，"hebegged。"Well，Case，"headdressedthebarrister，"whatisitthistime？Mustbesomethingdevilishimportanttobringyou——howmanythousandmilesisit——intosuchacountryasthis。"
"Itisimportant，Mr。Clare，"statedthelawyerinhisdrysing-songtones；"butmyjourneymighthavebeenavoidedhadyoupaidsomeattentiontomyletters。"
"Letters！"repeatedTim，openinghiseyes。"Mydearchap，I'vehadnoletters。"
"AddressedasusualtoyourNewYorkbankers。"
Timlaughedsoftly。"Wheretheyare，withmylasttwoquarters'
allowance。Iespeciallyinstructedthemtosendmenomail。Onespendsnomoneyinthiscountry。"Hepaused，pullinghismoustache。"I'mtrulysorryyouhadtocomesofar，"hecontinued，"andifyourbusinessis，asIsuspect，theoldoneofinducingmetoreturntomydearuncle'sarms，Iassureyouthemissionwillprovequitefruitless。UncleHillaryandIcouldneverliveinthesamecounty，letalonethesamehouse。"
"Andyetyouruncle，theViscountMar，wasveryfondofyou，"
venturedCase。"Yourallowances——"
"Oh，IgrantyouhisgenerosityinMONEYaffairs——"
"Hehascontinuedthatgenerosityinthetermsofhiswill，andthosetermsIamheretocommunicatetoyou。"
"UncleHillaryisdead！"criedTim。
"HepassedawaythesixteenthoflastJune。"
Aslightpauseensued。
"Iamreadytohearyou，"saidTimsoberly，atlast。
Thebarristerstoopedandbegantofumblewithhisbag。
"No，notthat！"criedTim，withsomeimpatience。"Tellmeinyourownwords。"
Thelawyersatbackandpressedhisfingerpointstogetheroverhisstomach。
"ThelateViscount，"saidhe，"hasbeengraciouslypleasedtoleaveyouinfeesimplehisentireestateofStaghurst，togetherwithitsbuildings，rentals，andprivileges。This，besidestheresidentialrights，amountstosometenthousandspoundssterlingperannum。"
"Alittlelessthanfiftythousanddollarsayear，Harry，"Timshotoverhisshoulderatme。
"Thereisonecondition，"putinthelawyer。
"Oh，thereis！"exclaimedTim，hiscrestfalling。"Well，knowingmyUncleHillary——"
"Theconditionisnotextravagant，"thelawyerhastilyinterposed。"ItmerelyentailscontinuedresidenceinEngland，andaminimumofninemonthsontheestate。Thisprovisionisabsolute，andtheestaterevertsinitsdiscontinuance，butmayI
bepermittedtoobservethatthemajorityofmen，myselfamongthenumber，arecontenttospendthemostoftheirlives，notmerelyintheconfinesofakingdom，butbetweenthefourwallsofaroom，formuchlessthantenthousandpoundsayear。AlsothatEnglandisnotwithoutitsattractionsforanEnglishman，andthatStaghurstisacountryplaceofmanypossibilities。"
TheHonourableTimothyhadrecoveredfromhisfirstsurprise。
"Andiftheconditionsarenotcompliedwith？"heinquired。
"Thentheestaterevertstotheheirsatlaw，andyoureceiveanannuityofonehundredpounds，payablequarterly。"
"MayIaskfurtherthereasonforthisextraordinarycondition？"
"Mydistinguishedclientneverinformedme，"repliedthelawyer，"but"——andatwinkleappearedinhiseye——"asanoccasionaldisburseroffunds——MonteCarlo——"
Timburstoutlaughing。
"Oh，butIrecogniseUncleHillarythere！"hecried。"Well，Mr。
Case，IamsureMr。Johnson，theownerofthisranch，canputyouup，andto-morrowwe'llstartback。"
Hereturnedafterafewminutestofindmesitting'smokingamoodypipe。IlikedTim，andIwassorrytohavehimgo。Then，too，Iwasruffled，inthesenselessmannerofyouth，bythesuddenaltitudetowhichhischangedfortuneshadliftedhim。
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroom，surveyingme，thencameacrossandlaidhisarmonmyshoulder。
"Well，"Igrowled，withoutlookingup，"you'reaveryrichmannow，Mr。Clare。"
Atthathejerkedmebodilyoutofmyseatandstoodmeupinthecentreoftheroom，theIrishblazingoutofhiseyes。
"Here，noneofthat！"hesnapped。"Youdamnlittlefool！Don'tyou'Mr。Clare'me！"
Soinfiveminutesweweretalkingitover。Timwasverymuchexcitedattheprospect。HeknewStaghurstwell，andtoldmeallaboutthebigstonehouse，andtheavenuethroughthetrees；andthehedge-rowroads，andthelawnwithitspeacocks，andtheroundgreenhills，andthelabourers'cottages。
"It'shome，"saidhe，"andIdidn'trealisebeforehowmuchI
wantedtoseeit。AndI'llbeamanofweightthere，Harry，andit'llbemightygood。"
WemadeallsortsofplansastohowIwasgoingtovisithimjustassoonasIcouldgettogetherthemoneyforthepassage。
Hehadthedelicacynottooffertoletmehaveit；andthatclinchedmytrustandloveofhim。
ThenextdayhedroveawaywithTonyandthedapperlittlelawyer。IamnotashamedtosaythatIwatchedthebuckboarduntilitdisappearedinthemirage。
IwaswithBuckJohnsonallthatsummer，andthefollowingwinter，aswell。Wehadourfirstround-up，foundthenaturalincreasemuchinexcessofthelossbyIndians，andextendedourholdingsupovertheRockCreekcountry。WewitnessedthestartofmanyIndiancampaigns，participatedinafewlittlebrusheswiththeChiricahuas，sawthebeginningofthecattle-rustling。
Amanhadnotmuchopportunitytothinkofanythingbutwhathehadrightonhand，butIfoundtimeforafewspeculationsonTim。Iwonderedhowhelookednow，andwhathewasdoing，andhowinblazeshemanagedtogetawaywithfiftythousandayear。
AndthenoneSundayinJune，whileIwaslyingonmybunk，Timpushedopenthedoorandwalkedin。Iwasyoung，butI'dseenalot，andIknewtheexpressionofhisface。SoIlaidlowandsaidnothing。
Inaminutethedooropenedagain，andBuckJohnsonhimselfcamein。
"Howdo，"saidhe；"Isawyourideup。"
"Howdoyoudo，"repliedTim。
"Iknowallaboutyou，"saidBuck，withoutanypreliminaries；
"yourman，Case，haswroteme。Idon'tknowyourreasons，andI
don'twanttoknow——it'snoneofmybusiness——andIain'tgoin'
totellyoujustwhatkindofadamnfoolIthinkyouare——that'snoneofmybusiness，either。ButIwantyoutounderstandwithoutquestionhowyoustandontheranch。"
"Quitegood，sir，"saidTimveryquietly。
"WhenyouwereoutherebeforeIwasgladtohaveyouhereasasortofguest。ThenyouwerewhatI'veheerdcalledagentlemanofleisure。Nowyou'renothin'butaremittanceman。Yourmoney'snothin'tome，buttheprincipleofthethingis。Thecountryisplumbpesteredwithremittancemen，doin'nothin'，andIdon'taimtorunnohomeforincompetents。Ihadasonofadukedrivin'wagonforme；andhecouldn'tdrivenailsinasnowbanks。Sodon'tyouherdupwiththeideathatyoucancomeonthisranchandloaf。"
"Idon'twanttoloaf，"putinTim，"Iwantajob。"
"I'mwillingtogiveyouajob，"repliedBuck，"butit'sjestanordinarycow-puncher'sjobatfortyamonth。Andifyoudon'tfillyoursaddle，itgoestosomeoneelse。"
"That'ssatisfactory，"agreedTim。
"Allright，"finishedBuck，"sothat'sunderstood。YourfriendCasewantedmetogiveyoualotofadvice。Amangenerallyhasaboutasmuchuseforadviceasacowhasforfourhindlegs。"
Hewentout。
"ForGod'ssake，what'sup？"Icried，leapingfrommybunk。
"Hullo，Harry，"saidhe，asthoughhehadseenmethedaybefore，"I'vecomeback。"
"Howcomeback？"Iasked。"Ithoughtyoucouldn'tleavetheestate。Havetheybrokenthewill？"
"No，"saidhe。
"Isthemoneylost？"
"No。"
"Thenwhat？"
"Thelongandshortofitis，thatIcouldn'taffordthatestateandthatmoney。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"I'vegivenitup。"
"Givenitup！Whatfor？"
"Tocomebackhere。"
Itookthisallinslowly。
"TimClare，"saidIatlast，"doyoumeantosaythatyouhavegivenupanEnglishestateandfiftythousanddollarsayeartobearemittancemanatfivehundred，andacow-puncheronasmuchmore？"
"Exactly，"saidhe。
"Tim，"Iadjuredhimsolemnly，"youareadamnfool！"
"Maybe，"heagreed。
"Whydidyoudoit？"Ibegged。
Hewalkedtothedoorandlookedoutacrossthedeserttowherethemountainshoveredlikesoap-bubblesonthehorizon。Foralongtimehelooked；thenwhirledonme。
"Harry，"saidheinalowvoice，"doyourememberthecampwemadeontheshoulderofthemountainthatnightwewerecaughtout？Anddoyourememberhowthedawncameuponthebigsnowpeaksacrosstheway——andallthecanonbelowusfilledwithwhirlingmists——andthesteelstarsleavingusonebyone？WherecouldIfindroomforthatinEnglishpaddocks？AnddoyourecallthedaywetrailedacrosstheYumadeserts，andthesunbeatintoourskulls，andthedry，brittlehillslookedlikepapier-mache，andthegreysage-bushranoffintotheriseofthehills；andthencamesunsetandthehard，drymountainsgrewfilmy，likegauzeveilsofmanycolours，andmeltedandglowedandfadedtoslateblue，andthestarscameout？TheEnglishhillsareroundedandgreenandcurried，andtheskyisnear，andthestarsonlyafewmilesup。AnddoyourecollectthatdarknightwhenoldLocoandhiswarriorswerecampedatthebaseofCochise'sStronghold，andwecreptdownthroughthevelvetdarkwonderingwhenwewouldbediscovered，ourmouthsstickywithexcitement，andthelittlewindsblowing？"
Hewalkedupanddownahalf-dozentimes，hisbreastheaving。
"It'sallverywellforthemanwhoisbroughtuptoit，andwhohasseennothingelse。Casecanexistinfourwalls；hehasbeenbroughtuptoitandknowsnothingdifferent。Butamanlikeme——
"Theywantedmetocanterbetweenhedge-row，——IwhohaveriddenthedesertwheretheskyovermeandtheplainundermewerebiggerthantheIslander'suniverse！Theywantedmetooverseelittlefarms——Iwhohavewatchedthesunrisingoverhalfaworld！Talkofyourtenthou'ayearandwhatit'llbuy！Youknow，Harry，howitfeelswhenasteertakestheslackofyourrope，andyourponysitsback！WhereinEnglandcanIbuythat？
Youknowtherisingandthefallingofdays，andtheboundlessspaceswhereyourheartgrowsbig，andthethirstofthedesertandthehungerofthetrail，andasunthatshinesandfillsthesky，andawindthatblowsfreshfromthewideplaces！
Whereinparcelled，snug，green，tightlittleEnglandcouldI
buythatwithtenthou'——aye，oranhundredtimestenthou'？
No，no，Harry，thatfortunewouldcostmetoodear。Ihaveseenanddoneandbeentoomuch。I'vecomebacktotheBigCountry，wherethepayispoorandtheworkishardandthecomfortsmall，butwhereamanandhissoulmeettheirMakerfacetoface。"
TheCattlemanhadfinishedhisyarn。Foratimenoonespoke。
Outside，thevolumeofrainwassubsiding。WindyBillreportedafewstarsshiningthroughriftsintheshowers。Thechillthatprecedesthedawnbroughtusasclosetothefireasthesmoulderingguanowouldpermit。
"Idon'tknowwhetherhewasrightorwrong，"musedtheCattleman，afterawhile。"Amancandoaheapwiththatmuchmoney。Andyetanold'alkali'isneverhappyanywhereelse。
However，"heconcludedemphatically，"onethingIdoknow：rain，cold，hunger，discomfort，curses，kicks，andviolentdeathsincluded，thereisn'toneofyougrumblerswhowouldholdthatgardeningjobyouspokeofthreedays！"
CHAPTERFOUR
THECATTLERUSTLERS
Dawnbroke，sowedescendedthroughwetgrassestothecanon。
There，aftersomedifficulty，wemanagedtostartafire，andsoatebreakfast，therainstillpouringdownonus。Aboutnineo'clock，withmiraculoussuddenness，thetorrentstopped。
Itbegantoturncold。TheCattlemanandIdecidedtoclimbtothetopofthebutteaftermeat，whichweentirelylacked。
Itwasratherastiffascent，butonceabovethesheercliffswefoundourselvesonarollingmeadowtablelandahalf-milebroadby，perhaps，amileandahalfinlength。Grassgrewhigh；
hereandthereweresmallliveoaksplantedpark-like；slightandroundedravinesaccommodatedbrooklets。Aswewalkedback，theedgesblendedintheedgesofthemesaacrossthecanon。Thedeepgorges，whichhadheretoforeseemedthemostprominentelementsofthescenery，werelost。Westood，apparently，inthemiddleofawideandundulatingplain，diversifiedbylittleridges，andrunningwithafreesweeptotheveryfootofthesnowyGaliuros。Itseemedasthoughweshouldbeabletoridehorsebackinalmostanygivendirection。Yetweknewthattenminutes'walkwouldtakeustothebrinkofmoststupendouschasms——sodeepthatthewaterflowinginthemhardlyseemedtomove；soruggedthatonlywiththegreatestdifficultycouldahorsemanmakehiswaythroughthecountryatall；andyetsoancientthatthebottomssupportedforests，richgrasses，androunded，gentleknolls。Itwasamostastonishingsetofdoubleimpressions。
Wesucceededinkillinganice，fatwhite-tailbuck，andsoreturnedtocamphappy。Therain，heldoff。Wedugditches，organisedshelters，cookedawarmmeal。Forthenextdayweplannedabearhuntafoot，farupamanzanitacanonwhereUncleJimknewofsome"holingup"caves。
Butwhenweawokeinthemorningwethrewasideourcoveringswithsomedifficultytolookonagroundcoveredwithsnow；treesladenalmosttothebreakingpointwithsnow，andtheairfilledwithit。
"Nobeartoday"saidtheCattleman。
"No，"agreedUncleJimdrily。"Nob'ar。Andwhat'smore，unlessyo'reaimin'tostopheresomewhatofaspell，we'llhavetomakeoutto-day。"
Wecookedwithfreezingfingers，atewhiledodgingavalanchesfromthetrees，andpackedreluctantly。Theropeswerefrozen，thehobblesstiff，everythingeithercracklingorwet。Finallythetaskwasfinished。Wetookalastwarmingofthefingersandclimbedon。
Thecountrywaswonderfullybeautifulwiththewhitenotyetshakenfromthetreesandrockledges。Alsoitwaswonderfullyslippery。Thesnowwassoftenoughtoballunderthehorses'
hoofs，sothatmostofthetimethepooranimalsskatedandstumbledalongonstilts。Thuswemadeourwaybackovergroundwhich，nakedofthesedifficulties，wehadconsideredbadenough。
Imagineridingalongaslantofrockshelvingofftoabadtumble，sosteepthatyourponyhastodomoreorlessexpertankleworktokeepfromslippingoffsideways。Duringthepassageofthatrockyouareapttositverylight。Nowcoveritwithseveralinchesofsnow，stickasnowballoneachhoofofyourmount，andtryagain。Whenyouhaveriddenit——oritsduplicate——afewscoreoftimes，selectasteepmountainside，coveritwithroundrocksthesizeofyourhead，andoverthatspreadaconcealingblanketofthesamestickysnow。Youareprivilegedtovarythesetothelimitsofyourimagination。
Onceacrossthedivide，weranintoanewsortoftrouble。Youmayrememberthatonourjourneyoverwehadbeenforcedtotravelforsomedistanceinanarrowstream-bed。Duringourpassagewehadscrambledupsomerathersteepandroughslopes，andhoppedupsomefairlyhighledges。Nowwefoundtheheretoforedrybedflowingagoodeightinchesdeep。Thesteepslopeshadbecomecascades；theledges，waterfalls。Whenwecametothem，wehadto"shoottherapids"asbestwecould，onlytolandwithaPLUNKinanindeterminatelydeeppoolatthebottom。Someofthepackhorseswentdown，sousingagainourunfortunatebedding，butbythegraceoffortunenotasaddleponylosthisfeet。
Afteratimethegorgewidened。Wecameoutintotheboxcanonwithitstrees。Herethewaterspreadandshoaledtoadepthofonlytwoorthreeinches。Wesplashedalonggailyenough，for，withtheexceptionofanoccasionalquicksandorboggyspot，ourtroubleswereover。
JedParkerandIhappenedtoridesidebyside，bringinguptherearandseeingtoitthatthepackanimalsdidnotstrayorlinger。Aswepassedthefirstoftherustlers'corrals，hecalledmyattentiontothem。
"Gotakealook，"saidhe。"Weonlygotthosefellowsoutofheretwoyearsago。"
Irodeover。Atthispointtherim-rockbroketoadmittheingressofaravineintothemaincanon。Ridingashortdistanceuptheravine，Icouldseethatitendedabruptlyinaperpendicularcliff。Asthesidesalsowereprecipitous，itbecamenecessaryonlytobuildafenceacrosstheentranceintothemaincanontobecomepossessedofacorralcompletelyclosedin。Rememberingtheabsoluteinvisibilityofthesesunkencanonsuntiltheriderisalmostdirectlyoverthem，andalsotheextremeroughnessandremotenessofthedistrict，I
couldseethatthespotwasadmirablyadaptedtoconcealment。
"There'squiteayarnaboutthegangthatheldthishole，"saidJedParkertome，whenIhadriddenbacktohim"I'lltellyouaboutitsometime。"
Weclimbedthehill，descendedontheDoubleR，builtafireinthestove，driedout，andwerehappy。Afterasquaremeal——andadryone——IremindedJedParkerofhispromise，andso，sittingcross-leggedonhis"so-gun"inthemiddleofthefloor，hetoldusthefollowingyarn：
There'sagooddealofromancebeenwrittenaboutthe"badman，"
andthere'saboutthesameamountofnonsense。Thebadmanisjustaplainmurderer，neithermorenorless。Heneverdoesgetintoareal，good，plain，stand-upgunfightifhecanpossiblyhelpit。Hiskillin'saredonefrombehindadoor，orwhenhe'sgothismandeadtorights。There'sSamCook。You'veallheardofhim。Hehadnerve，ofcourse，andwhenhewasbackedintoacornerhemadegood；hewassuresuddendeathwithagun。Butwhenhewentforamandeliberate，hedidn'ttakenospecialchances。ForawhilehewasmarshalatWillets。Prettysoonitwasnotedthattherewasaheapofcasesofresistingarrest，whereSamasmarshalhadtoshoot，andthatthosecasesalmostalwayshappenedtobehispersonalenemies。Ofcourse，thatmightbeallright，butitlookedsuspicious。ThenonedayhekilledpooroldMaxSchmidtoutbehindhisownsaloon。Calledhimoutandshothiminthestomach。SaidMaxresistedarrestonawarrantforkeepin'openoutofhours！ThatwasasweetwarranttotakeoutinWillets，anyway！Mrs。Schmidtalwaysclaimedthatshesaythatdealplayed，andthat，whiletheyweretalkin'perfectlypeacable，Cookletdrivefromthehipatabouttwoyards'range。Anyway，wedecidedweneededanothermarshal。
Nothin'elsewaseverdone，fortheVigilanteshadn'tbeenformed，andyourindividualanddecentcitizendoesn'tcaretobemarkedbyagunofthatstripe。Leastwise，unlesshewantstogoinforbad-manmethodsanddoalittleambusheein'onhisownaccount。
Thepointis，thattheseyerebadmenarealow-down，miserableproposition，andplain，cold-bloodmurderers，willin'towaitforasurething，andwithoutnocompunctionswhatsoever。Thebadmantakesyouunawares，whenyou'resleepin'，ortalkin'，ordrinkin'，orlookin'toseewhatforadayit'sgoin'tobe，anyway。Hedon'tgiveyounoshow，andsoonerorlaterhe'sgoin'togetyouinthesafestandeasiestwayforhimself。
Thereain'tnoromanceaboutthat。
And，untilyou'veseenafewmencalledoutoftheirshacksforafriendlyconversation，andshotwhentheyhappentolookaway；oraskedforadrinkofwater，andkilledwhentheystooptothespring；orpottedfrombehindastheygointoaroom，it'sprettyhardtobelievethatanymancanhesoplumblackin'infairplayorpityorjustnaturalhumanity。
Asyouboysknow，IcomeinfromTexastoBuckJohnson'sabouttenyearback。IhadaprettygoodmountofponiesthatIknew，andIhatedtoletthemgoatpricestheywereofferin'then，soImadeupmymindtorideacrossandbringtheminwithme。Itwasn'tsoawfulfar，andIfiguredthatI'dliketotakeinwhatNewMexicolookedlikeanyway。
AboutdownbyAlbuquerqueItrackedupwithanotheroutfitheadedmyway。Therewasfiveofthem，threemen，andawoman，andayearlin'baby。Theyhadadozenhosses，andthatwasaboutallI
couldsee。Therewasonlytwopacked，andnowagon。Isupposethewholeoutfit——pots，pans，andkettles——wasworthfivedollars。ItwasjustsupperwhenIrunacrossthem，anditdidn'ttakemore'nonelooktodiscoverthatflour，coffee，sugar，andsaltwasalltheycarried。Ayearlin'carcass，half-skinned，laynear，andthefry-panwas，fullofmeat。
"Howdy，strangers，"saysI，ridin'up。
Theynoddedalittle，butdidn'tsaynothin'。Myhossesfelltograzin'，andIeasedmyselfaroundinmysaddle，andmadeacigareet。Themenwastall，lankfellows，withkindofsullenfaces，andsly，shiftyeyes；thewomanwasdirtyandgenerallymussedup。Iknowedthatsortallright。Texaswasgettin'toomanyfencesforthem。
"Havin'supper？"saysI，cheerful。
Oneof'emgrunted"Yes"atme；and，afterawhile，thebiggestaskedmeverygrudgin'ifIwouldn'tlightandeat，Itoldthem"No，"thatIwastravellin'inthecooloftheevenin'。
"Youseemtohavemoremeatthanyouneed，though，"saysI。"I
couldusealittleofthat。"
"Helpyourself，"saysthey。"It'samaverickwecomeacross。"
Itookasteak，andnotedthatthehidehadbeenmightywellcuttoribbonsaroundtheflanksandthattheheadwasgone。
"Well，"saysItothecarcass，"Noone'sgoingtobeabletoswearwhetheryou'reamaverickornot，butIbetyouknewthefeelofabrandin'ironallright。"
Igavethemathank-you，andclimbedonagain。Myhossesactedsomesurprisedatbein'gatheredupagain，butIcouldn'thelpthat。
"Itlookslikeaplumbimposition，cavallos，"saysItothem，"afteranall-day，butyousuredon'twanttojointhatoutfitanymorethanIdotheangels，andifwecampherewe'relikelytodoboth。"
Ididn'tseethemanymoreafterthatuntilI'dhittheLazyY，andhadstartedinrunnin'cattleintheSodaSpringsValley。
LarryEagenandIrodetogetherthosedays，andthat'showIgottoknowhimprettywell。Oneday，overintheElmFlat，weransmackonthisTexasoutfitagain，headednorth。ThistimeIwasonmyownrange，andIknewwhereIstood，soIcouldshowalittlemorecuriosityinthecase。
"Well，yougotthisfar，"saysI。
"Yes，"saysthey。
"Whereyouheaded？"
"Overtowardsthehills。"
"Whattodo？"
"Makearanch，raisesometruck；perhapsbuyafewcows。"
Theywenton。
"Truck"saysItoLarry，"isfineprospectsinthiscountry。"
Hesatonhishorselookingafterthem。
"I'msorryforthem"sayshe。"Itmusthealmightyhardscratchin'。"
Well，werodetherangeforupwardsoftwoyear。InthattimewesawourTexasfriends——nameofHahn——twoorthreetimesinWillets，andheardofthemoffandon。TheyboughtanoldbrandofSteveMcWilliamsforseventy-fivedollars，carryin'sixoreightheadofcows。Afterthat，fromtimetotime，weheardofthembuyingmore——twoorthreeheadfromoneman，andtwoorthreefromanother。TheybrandedthemallwiththatMcWilliamsiron——T0——so，prettysoon，webegantoseethecattleontherange。
Now，agoodcattlemanknowscattlejustaswellasyouknowpeople，andhecantellthemaboutasfaroff。Hornedcritterslookaliketoyou，buteveninacountrysupportin'agoodmanythousandhead，amanusedtothebusinesscanrecognisemosteveryindividualasfarashecanseehim。Someisbetterthanothersatit。Isupposeyoureallyhavetobebroughtuptoit。
SoweboysattheLazyYnotedallthecattlewiththenewT0，andcouldestimateprettyclosethattheHahnoutfitmightown，maybe，thirty-fiveheadalltold。
Thatwasallverywell，andnobodyhadanykickcomin'。Thenonedayinthespring，wecameacrossourfirst"sleeper。"
What'sasleeper？Asleeperisacalfthathasbeenear-marked，butnotbranded。Everyownerhasacertainbrand，asyouknow，andthenhecropsandslitstheearsinacertainway，too。Inthatmannerhedon'thavetolookatthebrand，excepttocorroboratetheears；and，asthecrittergenerallystickshisearsupinquirin'-liketoanyoneridin'up，it'seasytoknowthebrandwithoutlookin'atit，merelyfromtheear-marks。Onceinagreatwhile，whenamancomesacrossanunbrandedcalf，anditain'thandytobuildafire，hejustear-marksitandlet'sthebrandin'gotilllater。Butitisn'tdoneoften，andouroutfithadstrictordersnevertomakesleepers。
Well，onedayinthespring，asIsay，Larryandmewasridin'，whenwecameacrossaLazyYcowandcalf。Thelittlefellowwasear-markedallright，sowerodeon，andneverwouldhavediscoverednothin'ifabushrabbithadn'tjumpedandscaredthecalfrightacrossinfrontofourhosses。Thenwecouldn'thelpbutseethattherewasn'tnobrand。
Ofcourseweropedhimandputtheirononhim。Itookthechancetolookathisears，，andsawthatthemarkinghadbeendonequiterecent，sowhenwegotinthatnightIreportedtoBuckJohnsonthatoneofthepuncherswasgettin'lazyandsleeperin'。Naturallyhewentafterthemanwhohaddoneit；
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