CONTENTS
"UNSERKARL"
UNCLEJIMANDUNCLEBILLY
SEEYUP
THEDESBOROUGHCONNECTIONS
SALOMYJANE’SKISS
THEMANANDTHEMOUNTAIN
THEPASSINGOFENRIQUEZ
STORIESINLIGHTANDSHADOW
"UNSERKARL"
TheAmericanconsulforSchlachtstadthadjustturnedoutofthebroadKonig’sAlleeintothelittlesquarethatheldhisconsulate。
Itsresidencesalwaysseemedtohimtowearthatsingularlyuninhabitedairpeculiartoastreetsceneinatheatre。Thefacades，withtheirstiff，stripedwoodenawningsoverthewindows，wereoftheregularity，color，andpatternonlyseenonthestage，andconversationcarriedoninthestreetbelowalwaysseemedtobeinvestedwiththatperfectconfidenceandsecuritywhichsurroundstheactorinhispainteddesertofurbanperspective。YetitwasapeacefulchangetotheotherbywaysandhighwaysofSchlachtstadtwhichwerealwaysfilledwithanequallyunrealandmechanicalsoldiery，whoappearedtobedailytakenoutoftheirboxesof"caserne"or"depot"andlooselyscatteredallovertheprettylinden-hauntedGermantown。Thereweresoldiersstandingonstreetcorners；soldiersstaringwoodenlyintoshopwindows；soldiershaltedsuddenlyintostone，likelizards，attheapproachofOffiziere；Offiziereloungingstifflyfourabreast，sweepingthepavementwiththeirtrailingsabresallatoneangle。Therewerecavalcadesofredhussars，cavalcadesofbluehussars，cavalcadesofUhlans，withglitteringlancesandpennons——withorwithoutaband——formallyparading；therewerestraggling"fatigues"or"details"comingroundthecorners；thereweredusty，businesslikecolumnsofinfantry，goingnowhereandtonopurpose。AndtheyoneandallseemedtobeWOUNDUP——forthatservice——andapparentlyalwaysinthesameplace。Inthebandoftheircaps——invariablyofonepattern——wasabutton，inthecentreofwhichwasasquareopeningorkeyhole。Theconsulwasalwaysconvincedthatthroughthiskeyholeopening，bymeansofakey，thehumblestcaporalwounduphisfile，theHauptmanncontrolledhislieutenantsandnon-
commissionedofficers，andeventhegeneralhimself，wearingthesamecap，wassubjectthroughhiscaptoahighermovingpower。Inthesuburbs，whenthesupplyofsoldiersgaveout，thereweresentry-boxes；whenthesedroppedoff，therewere"caissons，"orcommissarywagons。And，lestthemilitaryideashouldeverfailfromouttheSchlachtstadt’sburgher’smind，therewerepoliceinuniform，street-sweepersinuniform；theticket-takers，guards，andsweepersattheBahnhofwereinuniform，——butallwearingthesamekindofcap，withtheprobabilityofhavingbeenwoundupfreshlyeachmorningfortheirdailywork。Eventhepostmandeliveredpeacefulinvoicestotheconsulwithhisside-armsandtheairofbringingdispatchesfromthefieldofbattle；andtheconsulsaluted，andfeltforafewmomentsthewholeweightofhisconsularresponsibility。
Yet，inspiteofthismilitaryprecedence，itdidnotseemintheleastinconsistentwiththedecidedlypeacefulcharacterofthetown，andthisagainsuggesteditsutterunreality；wanderingcowssometimesgotmixedupwithsquadronsofcavalry，anddidnotseemtomindit；sheeppassedsinglybetweenfilesofinfantry，orprecededtheminaflockwhenonthemarch；indeed，nothingcouldbemoredelightfulandinnocentthantoseearegimentofinfantryinheavymarchingorder，ladenwitheveryconceivablethingtheycouldwantforaweek，returningafteracheerfulsearchforaninvisibleenemyinthesuburbs，tobivouacpeacefullyamongthecabbagesinthemarket-place。Nobodywaseverimposeduponforamomentbytheirtremendousenergyandseveredisplay；drumsmightbeat，trumpetsblow，dragoonschargefuriouslyallovertheExercierPlatz，orsuddenlyflashtheirnakedswordsinthestreetstothegutturalcommandofanofficer——nobodyseemedtomindit。
PeopleglanceduptorecognizeRudolforMax"doingtheirservice，"
nodded，andwentabouttheirbusiness。Andalthoughtheofficersalwaysworetheirside-arms，andatthemostpeacefulofsocialdinnersonlyrelinquishedtheirswordsinthehall，apparentlythattheymightbereadytobucklethemonagainandrushouttodobattlefortheFatherlandbetweenthecourses，theotherguestsonlylookedupontheseweaponsinthelightofsticksandumbrellas，andpossessedtheirsoulsinpeace。Andwhen，addedtothissingularincongruity，manyofthesewarriorswerespectacled，studiousmen，and，despitetheirlethalweapons，woreaslightlyprofessionalair，andwere——toaman——deeplysentimentalandsingularlysimple，theirattitudeinthiseternalKriegspielseemedtotheconsulmorepuzzlingthanever。
AsheenteredhisconsulatehewasconfrontedwithanotheraspectofSchlachtstadtquiteaswonderful，yetalreadyfamiliartohim。
For，inspiteofthese"alarumswithout，"which，however，neverseemtopenetratebeyondthetownitself，Schlachtstadtanditssuburbswereknownallovertheworldforthemanufacturesofcertainbeautifultextilefabrics，andmanyoftherankandfileofthosewarriorshadbuiltupthefameandprosperityofthedistrictovertheirpeacefulloomsinwaysidecottages。Thereweregreatdepotsandcounting-houses，largerthaneventhecavalrybarracks，wherenootheruniformbutthatofthepostmanwasknown。Henceitwasthattheconsul’schiefdutywastoupholdtheflagofhisowncountrybytheexaminationandcertificationofdiversinvoicessenttohisofficebythemanufacturers。But，oddlyenough，thesebusinessmessengerswerechieflywomen，——notclerks，butordinaryhouseholdservants，and，onbusydays，theconsulatemighthavebeenmistakenforafemaleregistryoffice，sofilledandpossesseditwasbywaitingMadchen。HereitwasthatGretchen，Lieschen，andClarchen，inthecleanestofbluegowns，andstoutlybutsmartlyshod，broughttheirinvoicesinapieceofcleanpaper，orfoldedinabluehandkerchief，andlaidthem，withfingersmoreorlesswornandstubbyfromhardservice，beforetheconsulforhissignature。Once，inthecaseofaveryyoungMadchen，thatsignaturewasblottedbythesweepofaflaxenbraiduponitasthechildturnedtogo；butgenerallytherewasagrave，seriousbusinessinstinctandsenseofresponsibilityinthesegirlsofordinarypeasantoriginwhich，equallywiththeirsistersofFrance，wereunknowntotheEnglishorAmericanwomanofanyclass。
Thatmorning，however，therewasaslightstiramongthosewho，withtheirknitting，werewaitingtheirturnintheouterofficeasthevice-consulusheredthepoliceinspectorintotheconsul’sprivateoffice。Hewasinuniform，ofcourse，andittookhimamomenttorecoverfromhishabitualstiff，militarysalute，——alittlestifferthanthatoftheactualsoldier。
Itwasamatterofimportance！Astrangerhadthatmorningbeenarrestedinthetownandidentifiedasamilitarydeserter。HeclaimedtobeanAmericancitizen；hewasnowintheouteroffice，waitingtheconsul’sinterrogation。
Theconsulknew，however，thattheominousaccusationhadonlyamildsignificancehere。Theterm"militarydeserter"includedanyonewhohadinyouthemigratedtoaforeigncountrywithoutfirstfulfillinghismilitarydutytohisfatherland。Hisfirstexperiencesofthesecaseshadbeentediousanddifficult，——
involvingareferencetohisMinisteratBerlin，acorrespondencewiththeAmericanStateDepartment，aconditionofunpleasanttension，andfinallytheprolongeddetentionofsomeinnocentGerman——naturalized——Americancitizen，whohadforgottentobringhispaperswithhiminrevisitinghisownnativecountry。Itsochanced，however，thattheconsulenjoyedthefriendshipandconfidenceoftheGeneralAdlerkreutz，whocommandedthe20thDivision，anditfurtherchancedthatthesameAdlerkreutzwasasgallantasoldierasevercriedVorwarts！attheheadofhismen，asprofoundamilitarystrategistandorganizerasevercarriedhisownandhisenemy’splansinhisironheadandspikedhelmet，andyetwithassimpleandunaffectedasoulbreathingunderhisgraymustacheaseverissuedfromthelipsofachild。Sothisgrimbutgentleveteranhadarrangedwiththeconsulthatincaseswherethepresumptionofnationalitywasstrong，althoughtheevidencewasnotpresent，hewouldtaketheconsul’sparolefortheappearanceofthe"deserter"orhispapers，withouttheaidofprolongeddiplomacy。InthiswaytheconsulhadsavedtoMilwaukeeaworthybutimprudentbrewer，andtoNewYorkanexcellentsausagebutcherandpossiblealderman；buthadreturnedtomartialdutyoneortwotrampsorjourneymenwhohadneverseenAmericaexceptfromthedecksoftheshipsinwhichtheywere"stowaways，"andonwhichtheywerereturned，——andthusthetemperandpeaceoftwogreatnationswerepreserved。
"Hesays，"saidtheinspectorseverely，"thatheisanAmericancitizen，buthaslosthisnaturalizationpapers。YethehasmadethedamagingadmissiontoothersthathelivedseveralyearsinRome！And，"continuedtheinspector，lookingoverhisshoulderatthecloseddoorasheplacedhisfingerbesidehisnose，"hesayshehasrelationslivingatPalmyra，whomhefrequentlyvisited。
Ach！Observethisunheard-of-and-not-to-be-trustedstatement！"
Theconsul，however，smiledwithaslightflashofintelligence。
"Letmeseehim，"hesaid。
Theypassedintotheouteroffice；anotherpolicemanandacorporalofinfantrysalutedandrose。InthecentreofanadmiringandsympatheticcrowdofDienstmadchensattheculprit，theleastconcernedoftheparty；astripling——aboy——scarcelyoutofhisteens！Indeed，itwasimpossibletoconceiveofamoreinnocent，bucolic，andalmostangeliclookingderelict。Withaskinthathadthepeculiarwhiteandrosinessoffreshpork，hehadblueeyes，celestiallywideopenandstaring，andthethickflocculentyellowcurlsofthesungod！HemighthavebeenanovergrownandbadlydressedCupidwhohadinnocentlywanderedfromPaphianshores。Hesmiledastheconsulentered，andwipedfromhisfullredlipswiththebackofhishandthetracesofasausagehewaseating。Theconsulrecognizedtheflavoratonce，——hehadsmelleditbeforeinLieschen’slittlehand-basket。
"YousayyoulivedatRome？"begantheconsulpleasantly。"DidyoutakeoutyourfirstdeclarationofyourintentionofbecominganAmericancitizenthere？"
Theinspectorcastanapprovingglanceattheconsul，fixedasterneyeonthecherubicprisoner，andleanedbackinhischairtohearthereplytothisterriblequestion。
"Idon’tremember，"saidtheculprit，knittinghisbrowsininfantinethought。"Itwaseitherthere，oratMadridorSyracuse。"
Theinspectorwasabouttorise；thiswasreallytriflingwiththedignityofthemunicipality。Buttheconsullaidhishandontheofficial’ssleeve，and，openinganAmericanatlastoamapoftheStateofNewYork，saidtotheprisoner，asheplacedtheinspector’shandonthesheet，"IseeyouknowthenamesoftheTOWNSontheErieandNewYorkCentralRailroad。But"——
"Icantellyouthenumberofpeopleineachtownandwhatarethemanufactures，"interruptedtheyoungfellow，withyouthfulvanity。
"Madridhassixthousand，andthereareoversixtythousandin"——
"Thatwilldo，"saidtheconsul，asamurmurofWunderschon！wentroundthegroupoflisteningservantgirls，whileglancesofadmirationwereshotatthebeamingaccused。"Butyououghttorememberthenameofthetownwhereyournaturalizationpaperswereafterwardssent。"
"ButIwasacitizenfromthemomentImademydeclaration，"saidthestrangersmiling，andlookingtriumphantlyathisadmirers，"andIcouldvote！"
Theinspector，sincehehadcometogriefoverAmericangeographicalnomenclature，wasgrimlytaciturn。Theconsul，however，wasbynomeanscertainofhisvictory。Hisallegedfellowcitizenwastooencyclopaedicinhisknowledge：acleveryouthmighthavecrammedforthiswithatextbook，butthenhedidnotLOOKatallclever；
indeed，hehadratherthestupidityofthemythologicalsubjectherepresented。"Leavehimwithme，"saidtheconsul。Theinspectorhandedhimaprecisofthecase。Thecherub’snamewasKarlSchwartz，anorphan，missingfromSchlachtstadtsincetheageoftwelve。Relationsnotliving，orinemigration。Identityestablishedbyprisoner’sadmissionandrecord。
"Now，Karl，"saidtheconsulcheerfully，asthedoorofhisprivateofficecloseduponthem，"whatisyourlittlegame？HaveyouEVER
hadanypapers？AndifyouwerecleverenoughtostudythemapofNewYorkState，whyweren’tyoucleverenoughtoseethatitwouldn’tstandyouinplaceofyourpapers？"
"Dot’sjoostit，"saidKarlinEnglish；"butyouseedotifIhafdeclairetmineintentionofbegommingacitizen，it’sallthesame，don’tit？"
"Bynomeans，foryouseemtohavenoevidenceoftheDECLARATION；
nopapersatall。"
"Zo！"saidKarl。Nevertheless，hepushedhissmall，rosy，pickled-
pig’s-feetoffingersthroughhisfleecycurlsandbeamedpleasantlyattheconsul。"Dot’svot’sdermatter，"hesaid，asiftakingakindlyinterestinsomeprivatetroubleoftheconsul’s。
"Dot’svereyouvos，eh？"
Theconsullookedsteadilyathimforamoment。Suchstupiditywasbynomeansphenomenal，noratallinconsistentwithhisappearance。"And，"continuedtheconsulgravely，"Imusttellyouthat，unlessyouhaveotherproofsthanyouhaveshown，itwillbemydutytogiveyouuptotheauthorities。"
"DotmeansIshallservemytime，eh？"saidKarl，withanunchangedsmile。
"Exactlyso，"returnedtheconsul。
"Zo！"saidkarl。"Desetown——doseSchlachtstadt——isfinetown，eh？
Finevomens。Gootmen。Undbeerundsausage。Blentytoeatanddrink，eh？Und，"lookingaroundtheroom，"youandtepoyshafagaytimes。"
"Yes，"saidtheconsulshortly，turningaway。ButhepresentlyfacedroundagainontheunfetteredKarl，whowasevidentlyindulginginagormandizingreverie。
"Whatonearthbroughtyouhere，anyway？"
"Wasitdas？"
"WhatbroughtyouherefromAmerica，orwhereveryouranawayfrom？"
"Toseeder，volks。"
"ButyouareanORPHAN，youknow，andyouhavenofolkslivinghere。"
"ButallShermanyisminevolks，——dewholegountry，don’tit？Petyourpoots！How’sdot，eh？"
TheconsulturnedbacktohisdeskandwroteashortnotetoGeneralAdlerkreutzinhisownAmericanGerman。HedidnotthinkithisdutyinthepresentcasetointerferewiththeauthoritiesortoofferhisparoleforKarlSchwartz。Buthewouldclaimthat，astheoffenderwasevidentlyaninnocentemigrantandstillyoung，anypunishmentormilitarydegradationbeomitted，andhebeallowedtotakehisplacelikeanyotherrecruitintheranks。Ifhemighthavethetemeritytotheundoubted，far-seeingmilitaryauthorityofsuggestionmakinghere，hewouldsuggestthatKarlwasforthecommissariatfitted！Ofcourse，hestillretainedtheright，onproductionofsatisfactoryproof，hisdischargetoclaim。
TheconsulreadthisaloudtoKarl。Thecherubicyouthsmiledandsaid，"Zo！"Then，extendinghishand，headdedtheword"Zshake！"
Theconsulshookhishandalittleremorsefully，and，precedinghimtotheouterroom，resignedhimwiththenoteintotheinspector’shands。Auniversalsighwentupfromthegirls，andglancesofappealsoughttheconsul；buthewiselyconcludedthatitwouldbewell，forawhile，thatKarl——ahelplessorphan——shouldbeundersomesortofdiscipline！Andthesecurerbusinessofcertifyinginvoicesrecommenced。
Latethatafternoonhereceivedafoldedbitofbluepaperfromthewaistbeltofanorderly，whichcontainedinEnglishcharactersandasasingleword"Alright，"followedbycertainjaggedpen-marks，whichherecognizedasAdlerkreutz’ssignature。Butitwasnotuntilaweeklaterthathelearnedanythingdefinite。Hewasreturningonenighttohislodgingsintheresidentialpartofthecity，and，inopeningthedoorwithhispass-key，perceivedintherearofthehallhishandmaidenTrudschen，attendedbytheusualblueoryelloworredshadow。Hewaspassingbythemwiththelocal’n’Abend！onhislipswhenthesoldierturnedhisfaceandsaluted。Theconsulstopped。ItwasthecherubKarlinuniform！
Butithadnotsubduedasingleoneofhischaracteristics。Hishairhadbeencroppedalittlemorecloselyunderhiscap，buttherewasitscolorandwoollinessstillintact；hisplumpfigurewasgirtbybeltandbuttons，butheonlylookedthemoreunreal，andmorelikeacombinationofpen-wiperandpincushion，untilhispuffybreastandshouldersseemedtoofferapositiveinvitationtoanyonewhohadpickedupapin。But，wonderful！——accordingtohisbriefstory——hehadbeensoproficientinthegoosestepthathehadbeenputinuniformalready，andallowedcertainsmallprivileges，——amongthem，evidentlythepresentone。Theconsulsmiledandpassedon。ButitseemedstrangetohimthatTrudschen，whowasatallstrappinggirl，exceedinglypopularwiththemilitary，andwhohadneverlookedlowerthanacorporalatleast，shouldaccepttheattentionsofanEinjahrigerlikethat。Laterheinterrogatedher。
Ach！itwasonlyUnserKarl！AndtheconsulknewhewasAmerikanisch！
"Indeed！"
"Yes！Itwassuchatearfulstory！"
"Tellmewhatitis，"saidtheconsul，withafainthopethatKarlhadvolunteeredsomecommunicationofhispast。
"AchGott！ThereinAmericahewasaman，andcould’vote，’makelaws，and，Godwilling，becomeatowncouncilor，——orOberIntendant，——andherehewasnothingbutasoldierforyears。AndthisAmericawasafinecountry。Wunderschon？Thereweresuchbigcities，andone’Booflo’——couldholdallSchlachtstadt，andhadofpeoplefivehundredthousand！"
Theconsulsighed。KarlhadevidentlynotyetgotoffthelineoftheNewYorkCentralandErieroads。"Butdoesherememberyetwhathedidwithhispapers？"saidtheconsulpersuasively。
"Ach！WhatdoeshewantwithPAPERSwhenhecouldmakethelaws？
Theyweredumb，stupidthings——thesepapers——tohim。"
"Buthisappetiteremainsgood，Ihope？"suggestedtheconsul。
Thisclosedtheconversation，althoughKarlcameonmanyothernights，andhistoyfigurequitesupplantedthetallcorporalofhussarsintheremoteshadowsofthehall。Onenight，however，theconsulreturnedhomefromavisittoaneighboringtownadayearlierthanhewasexpected。Ashenearedhishousehewasalittlesurprisedtofindthewindowsofhissitting-roomlitup，andthattherewerenosignsofTrudscheninthelowerhallorpassages。Hemadehiswayupstairsinthedarkandpushedopenthedoorofhisapartment。Tohisastonishment，Karlwassittingcomfortablyinhisownchair，hiscapoffbeforeastudent-lamponthetable，deeplyengagedinapparentstudy。Soprofoundwashisabstractionthatitwasamomentbeforehelookedup，andtheconsulhadagoodlookathisusuallybeamingandresponsiveface，which，however，nowstruckhimaswearingasingularairofthoughtandconcentration。Whentheireyesatlastmet，heroseinstantlyandsaluted，andhisbeamingsmilereturned。But，eitherfromhisnaturalphlegmorextraordinaryself-controlhebetrayedneitherembarrassmentnoralarm。
Theexplanationhegavewasdirectandsimple。TrudschenhadgoneoutwiththeCorporalFritzforashortwalk，andhadaskedhimto"keephouse"duringtheirabsence。Hehadnobooks，nopapers，nothingtoreadinthebarracks，andnochancetoimprovehismind。
HethoughttheHerrConsulwouldnotobjecttohislookingathisbooks。Theconsulwastouched；itwasreallyatrivialindiscretionandasmuchTrudschen’sfaultasKarl’s！Andifthepoorfellowhadanymindtoimprove，——hisrecentattitudecertainlysuggestedthoughtandreflection，——theconsulwereabrutetoreprovehim。HesmiledpleasantlyasKarlreturnedastubbybitofpencilandsomegreasymemorandatohisbreastpocket，andglancedatthetable。
ButtohissurpriseitwasalargemapthatKarlhadbeenstudying，and，tohisstillgreatersurprise，amapoftheconsul’sowndistrict。
"Youseemtobefondofmap-studying，"saidtheconsulpleasantly。
"Youarenotthinkingofemigratingagain？"
"Ach，no！"saidKarlsimply；"itismycousinevothaflifnearhere。Ifindher。"
ButheleftonTrudschen’sreturn，andtheconsulwassurprisedtoseethat，whileKarl’sattitudetowardsherhadnotchanged，thegirlexhibitedlesseffusivenessthanbefore。Believingittobepartlytheeffectofthereturnofthecorporal，theconsultaxedherwithfaithlessness。ButTrudschenlookedgrave。
"Ah！Hehasnewfriends，thisKarlofours。Hecaresnomoreforpoorgirlslikeus。WhenfineladiesliketheoldFrauvonWimpfelmakemuchofhim，whatwillyou？"
Itappeared，indeed，fromTrudschen’saccount，thatthewidowofawealthyshopkeeperhadmadeakindofprotegeoftheyoungsoldier，andgivenhimpresents。Furthermore，thatthewifeofhiscolonelhademployedhimtoactaspageorattendantatanafternoonGesellschaft，andthatsincethenthewivesofotherofficershadsoughthim。DidnottheHerrConsulthinkitwasdreadfulthatthisAmerican，whocouldvoteandmakelaws，shouldbesubjectedtosuchthings？
Theconsuldidnotknowwhattothink。Itseemedtohim，however，thatKarlwas"gettingon，"andthathewasnotinneedofhisassistance。Itwasintheexpectationofhearingmoreabouthim，however，thathecheerfullyacceptedaninvitationfromAdlerkreutztodineattheCaserneoneeveningwiththestaff。Herehefound，somewhattohisembarrassment，thatthedinnerwaspartlyinhisownhonor，andatthecloseoffivecourses，andtheemptyingofmanybottles，hishealthwasproposedbythegallantveteranAdlerkreutzinaneataddressofmanysyllablescontainingallthepartsofspeechandasingleverb。Itwastotheeffectthatinhissoul-friendtheHerrConsulandhimselfwasthenever-to-be-
severedunionofGermaniaandColumbia，andintheirperfectunderstandingwasthewar-defyingallianceoftwogreatnations，andthatintheconsul’snoblerestorationofUnserKarltotheGermanarmytherewastheastutediplomacyofagreatmind。HewassatisfiedthathimselfandtheHerrConsulstillunitedinthegreatfuture，lookingdownuponacommonbrotherhood，——thegreatGermanic-AmericanConfederation，——wouldfeelsatisfiedwiththemselvesandeachotherandtheirnever-to-be-forgottenearth-
labors。Criesof"Hoch！Hoch！"resoundedthroughtheapartmentwiththegrindingrollofheavy-bottomedbeer-glasses，andtheconsul，tremulouswithemotionandareserveverbinhispocket，rosetoreply。Fullyembarkeduponthisperilousvoyage，andsteeringwideandclearofanytreacherousshoreofintelligenceorfanciedharborofunderstandingandrest，hekeptboldlyoutatsea。Hesaidthat，whilehislovingadversaryinthisbattleofcomplimenthaddisarmedhimandlefthimnowordstoreplytohisgenerouspanegyric，hecouldnotbutjoinwiththatgallantsoldierinhisheartfeltaspirationsforthepeacefulallianceofbothcountries。Butwhilehefullyreciprocatedallhishost’sbroaderandhighersentiments，hemustpointouttothisgallantassembly，thisgloriousbrotherhood，thatevenagreatertieofsympathyknittedhimtothegeneral，——thetieofkinship！ForwhileitwaswellknowntothepresentcompanythattheirgallantcommanderhadmarriedanEnglishwoman，he，theconsul，althoughalwaysanAmerican，wouldnowforthefirsttimeconfesstothemthatheHIMSELFwasofDutchdescentonhismother’sside！Hewouldsaynomore，butconfidentlyleavetheminpossessionofthetremendoussignificanceofthisuntil-then-unknownfact！Hesatdown，withtheforgottenverbstillinhispocket，buttheapplausethatfollowedthisperfectlyconclusive，satisfying，andlogicalclimaxconvincedhimofhissuccess。Hishandwasgraspedeagerlybysuccessivewarriors；thegeneralturnedandembracedhimbeforethebreathlessassembly；thereweretearsintheconsul’seyes。
Asthefestivitiesprogressed，however，hefoundtohissurprisethatKarlhadnotonlybecomethefashionasamilitarypage，butthathisnaivestupidityandsublimesimplicitywasthewonderingthemeandinexhaustibledelightofthewholebarracks。StoriesweretoldofhisgeniusforblunderingwhichrivaledHandyAndy’s；
oldstoriesoffatuousignorancewererearrangedandfittedto"ourKarl。"Itwas"ourKarl"who，onreceivingatipoftwomarksfromthehandsofayoungladytowhomhehadbroughtthebouquetofagallantlieutenant，exhibitedsomehesitation，andfinallysaid，"Yes，but，gnadigesFraulein，thatCOSTusninemarks！"Itwas"ourKarl"who，interruptingtheregretsofanotherladythatshewasunabletoaccepthismaster’sinvitation，saidpolitely，"Ah！
whatmatter，Gnadigste？IhavestillaletterforFrauleinKopp[herrival]，andIwastoldthatImustnotinviteyouboth。"Itwas"ourKarl"whoastonishedthehostesstowhomhewassentatthelastmomentwithapologiesfromanofficer，unexpectedlydetainedatbarrackduty，bysuggestingthatheshouldbringthatunfortunateofficerhisdinnerfromthejustservedtable。Norwerethesecharminginfelicitiesconfinedtohissocialanddomesticservice。Althoughready，mechanical，andinvariablydocileinthemanualandphysicaldutiesofasoldier，——whichendearedhimtotheGermandrill-master，——hewasstillinvinciblyignorantastoitspurport，oreventhemeaningandstructureofthemilitaryinstrumentshehandledorvacantlylookedupon。Itwas"ourKarl"whosuggestedtohisinstructorsthatinfield-
firingitwasquickerandeasiertoloadhismuskettothemuzzleatonce，andgetridofitsdeath-dealingcontentsatasingledischarge，thantoloadandfireconsecutively。Itwas"ourKarl"
whonearlykilledtheinstructoratsentrydrillbyadheringtotheletterofhisinstructionswhenthatinstructorhadforgottenthepassword。ItwasthesameKarlwho，severelyadmonishedforhisrecklessness，thenexttimeaddedtohischallengetheprecaution，"Unlessyouinstantlysay’Fatherland’I’llfire！"Yethisperfectgoodhumorandchildlikecuriositywereunmistakablethroughout，andincitedhiscomradesandhissuperiorstoshowhimeverythinginthehopeofgettingsomecharacteristiccommentfromhim。
EverythingandeverybodywereopentoKarlandhisgood-humoredsimplicity。
Thatevening，asthegeneralaccompaniedtheconsuldowntothegatewayandthewaitingcarriage，afigureinuniformranspontaneouslybeforethemandshouted"Heraus！"tothesentries。
Butthegeneralpromptlychecked"theturningout"oftheguardwithapaternalshakeofhisfingertotheover-zealoussoldier，inwhomtheconsulrecognizedKarl。"HeismyBurschenow，"saidthegeneralexplanatorily。"Mywifehastakenafancytohim。Ach！heisverypopularwiththesewomen。"Theconsulwasstillmoresurprised。TheFrauGeneralinAdlerkreutzheknewtobeapronouncedEnglishwoman，——carryingoutherEnglishways，proprieties，andprejudicesintheveryheartofSchlachtstadt，uncompromisingly，withoutfearandwithoutreproach。Thatsheshouldfollowamerelyforeignsocietycraze，oralterherEnglishhouseholdsoastoadmittheimpossibleKarl，struckhimoddly。
AmonthortwoelapsedwithoutfurthernewsofKarl，whenoneafternoonhesuddenlyturnedupattheconsulate。Hehadagainsoughttheconsularquiettowriteafewlettershome；hehadnochanceintheconfinementofthebarracks。
"Butbythistimeyoumustbeinthefamilyofafield-marshal，atleast，"suggestedtheconsulpleasantly。
"Notto-day，butnextweek，"saidKarl，withsublimesimplicity；
"THENIamgoingtoservewiththegovernorcommandantofRheinfestung。"
Theconsulsmiled，motionedhimtoaseatatatableintheouteroffice，andlefthimundisturbedtohiscorrespondence。
Returninglater，hefoundKarl，hislettersfinished，gazingwithchildishcuriosityandadmirationatsomethickofficialenvelopes，bearingthestampoftheconsulate，whichwerelyingonthetable。
Hewasevidentlystruckwiththecontrastbetweenthemandthethin，flimsyaffairshewasholdinginhishand。Heappearedstillmoreimpressedwhentheconsultoldhimwhattheywere。
"Arcyouwritingtoyourfriends？"continuedtheconsul，touchedbyhissimplicity。
"Achja！"saidKarleagerly。
"Wouldyouliketoputyourletterinoneoftheseenvelopes？"
continuedtheofficial。
ThebeamingfaceandeyesofKarlwereasufficientanswer。Afterall，itwasasmallfavorgrantedtothisoddwaif，whoseemedtostillclingtotheconsularprotection。Hehandedhimtheenvelopeandlefthimaddressingitinboyishpride。
ItwasKarl’slastvisittotheconsulate。Heappearedtohavespokentruly，andtheconsulpresentlylearnedthathehadindeedbeentransferred，throughsomehighofficialmanipulation，tothepersonalserviceofthegovernorofRheinfestung。TherewasweepingamongtheDienstmadchenofSchlachtstadt，andadistinctlossoforiginalityandlightnessinthegatheringsofthegentlerHausfrauen。Hismemorystillsurvivedinthebarracksthroughthelatereditionsofhisformerdelightfulstupidities，——manyofthem，itistobefeared，wereinventions，——andstoriesthatweresupposedtohavecomefromRheinfestungweredescribedintheslangoftheOffiziereasbeing"colossal。"ButtheconsulrememberedRheinfestung，andcouldnotimagineitasahomeforKarl，orinanywayfosteringhispeculiarqualities。Foritwaseminentlyafortressoffortresses，amagazineofmagazines，adepotofdepots。
ItwasthekeyoftheRhine，thecitadelofWestphalia，the"ClaphamJunction"ofGermanrailways，butdefended，fortified，encompassed，andcontrolledbythenewestaswellastheoldestdevicesofmilitarystrategyandscience。Eveninthepipingesttimeofpeace，wholerailwaytrainswentintoitlikearatinatrap，andmighthavenevercomeoutofit；itstretchedoutaninvitinghandandarmacrosstheriverthatmightinthetwinklingofaneyebechangedintoaclosedfistofmenace。You"defiled"
intoit，commandedateverystepbyenfiladingwalls；you"debouched"outofit，asyouthought，andfoundyourselfonlybeforethewalls；you"reentered"itateverypossibleangle；youdideverythingapparentlybutpassthroughit。Youthoughtyourselfwelloutofit，andwerestoppedbyabastion。Itscircumvallationshauntedyouuntilyoucametothenextstation。
Ithadpressedeventhecurrentoftheriverintoitsdefensiveservice。Thereweresecretsofitsfoundationsandminesthatonlythehighestmilitarydespotsknewandkepttothemselves。Inaword——itwasimpregnable。
Thatsuchaplacecouldnotbetrifledwithormisunderstoodinitsright-and-acute-angledseveritiesseemedplaintoeveryone。Butsetonbyhiscompanions，whowereshowinghimitsdefensivefoundations，orinhisownidlecuriosity，KarlmanagedtofallintotheRhineandwasfishedoutwithdifficulty。Theimmersionmayhavechilledhismilitaryardororsouredhisgoodhumor，forlatertheconsulheardthathehadvisitedtheAmericanconsularagentatanadjacenttownwiththeoldstoryofhisAmericancitizenship。"Heseemed，"saidtheconsul’scolleague，"tobewellpostedaboutAmericanrailwaysandAmericantowns，buthehadnopapers。Heloungedaroundtheofficeforawhileand"——
"Wrotelettershome？"suggestedtheconsul，withaflashofreminiscence。
"Yes，thepoorchaphadnoprivacyatthebarracks，andIreckonwasoverlookedorbedeviled。"
ThiswasthelasttheconsulheardofKarlSchwartzdirectly；foraweekortwolaterheagainfellintotheRhine，thistimesofatallyandeffectuallythatinspiteoftheeffortsofhiscompanionshewassweptawaybytherapidcurrent，andthusendedhisservicetohiscountry。Hisbodywasneverrecovered。
AfewmonthsbeforetheconsulwastransferredfromSchlachtstadttoanotherposthismemoryofthedepartedKarlwasrevivedbyavisitfromAdlerkreutz。Thegenerallookedgrave。
"YourememberUnserKarl？"hesaid。
"Yes。"
"Doyouthinkhewasanimpostor？"
"AsregardshisAmericancitizenship，yes！ButIcouldnotsaymore。"
"So！"saidthegeneral。"Averysingularthinghashappened，"headded，twirlinghismustache。"TheInspectorofpolicehasnotifiedusofthearrivalofaKarlSchwartzinthistown。ItappearsheistheREALKarlSchwartz，identifiedbyhissisterastheonlyone。Theother，whowasdrowned，wasanimpostor。Hein？"
"Thenyouhavesecuredanotherrecruit？"saidtheconsulsmilingly。
"No。ForthisonehasalreadyservedhistimeinElsass，wherehewentwhenhelefthereasaboy。But，Donnerwetter，whyshouldthatdumbfooltakehisname？"
"Bychance，Ifancy。Thenhestupidlystucktoit，andhadtotaketheresponsibilitieswithit。Don’tyousee？"saidtheconsul，pleasedwithhisowncleverness。
"Zo-o！"saidthegeneralslowly，inhisdeepestvoice。ButtheGermanexclamationhasavarietyofsignificance，accordingtotheinflection，andAdlerkreutz’sejaculationseemedtocontainthemall……
ItwasinParis，wheretheconsulhadlingeredonhiswaytohisnewpost。Hewassittinginawell-knowncafe，amongwhosehabitueswereseveralmilitaryofficersofhighrank。Agroupofthemweregatheredroundatablenearhim。HewasidlywatchingthemwithanoddrecollectionofSchlachtstadtinhismind，andasidlyglancingfromthemtothemoreattractiveBoulevardwithout。
Theconsulwasgettingalittletiredofsoldiers。
Suddenlytherewasaslightstirinthegesticulatinggroupandacryofgreeting。Theconsullookedupmechanically，andthenhiseyesremainedfixedandstaringatthenewcomer。ForitwasthedeadKarl；Karl，surely！Karl！——hisplumpfigurebeltedinaFrenchofficer’stunic；hisflaxenhairclippedalittlecloser，butstillitsfleeceshowingunderhiskepi。Karl，hischeeksmorecherubicthanever——unchangedbutforatinyyellowtoymustachecurlingupoverthecornersofhisfulllips。Karl，beamingathiscompanionsinhisoldway，butrattlingoffFrenchvivacitieswithoutthefaintesttraceofaccent。Couldhebemistaken？Wasitsomephenomenalresemblance，orhadthesouloftheGermanprivatebeentransmigratedtotheFrenchofficer。
Theconsulhurriedlycalledthegarcon。"Whoisthatofficerwhohasjustarrived？"
"ItistheCaptainChristian，oftheIntelligenceBureau，"saidthewaiter，withproudalacrity。"Afamousofficer，braveasarabbit，——unfierlapin，——andoneofourbestclients。Sodrole，too，suchafarceurandmimic。M’sieurwouldberavishedtohearhisimitations。"
"ButhelookslikeaGerman；andhisname！"
"Ah，heisfromAlsace。ButnotaGerman！"saidthewaiter，absolutelywhiteningwithindignation。"HewasatBelfort。SowasI。MonDieu！No，athousandtimesno！"
"Buthashebeenlivingherelong？"saidtheconsul。
"InParis，afewmonths。ButhisDepartment，M’sieurunderstands，takeshimEVERYWHERE！Everywherewherehecangaininformation。"
Theconsul’seyeswerestillontheCaptainChristian。Presentlytheofficer，perhapsinstinctivelyconsciousofthescrutiny，lookedtowardshim。Theireyesmet。Totheconsul’ssurprise，theci-devantKarlbeameduponhim，andadvancedwithoutstretchedhand。
Buttheconsulstiffenedslightly，andremainedsowithhisglassinhishand。AtwhichCaptainChristianbroughthisowneasilytoamilitarysalute，andsaidpolitely：——
"MonsieurleConsulhasbeenpromotedfromhispost。Permitmetocongratulatehim。"
"Youhaveheard，then？"saidtheconsuldryly。
"OtherwiseIshouldnotpresume。ForourDepartmentmakesitabusiness——inMonsieurleConsul’scaseitbecomesapleasure——toknoweverything。"
"DidyourDepartmentknowthattherealKarlSchwartzhasreturned？"saidtheconsuldryly。
CaptainChristianshruggedhisshoulders。"ThenitappearsthattheshamKarldiednonetoosoon，"hesaidlightly。"Andyet"——hebenthiseyeswithmischievousreproachupontheconsul。
"Yetwhat？"demandedtheconsulsternly。
"MonsieurleConsulmighthavesavedtheunfortunatemanbyacceptinghimasanAmericancitizenandnothelpingtoforcehimintotheGermanservice。"
Theconsulsawinaflashthefullmilitarysignificanceofthislogic，andcouldnotrepressasmile。AtwhichCaptainChristiandroppedeasilyintoachairbesidehim，andaseasilyintobrokenGermanEnglish：——
"Und，"hewenton，"deestown——deesSchlachtstadtisfinetown，eh？
Finewomens？Gootmen？Undpeerandsausage？Blentytoeatandtrink，eh？Undyouundtepoyshafagaytimes？"
Theconsultriedtorecoverhisdignity。Thewaiterbehindhim，recognizingonlythedelightfulmimicryofthisadorableofficer，wasinfitsoflaughter。Nevertheless，theconsulmanagedtosaydryly：——
"Andthebarracks，themagazines，thecommissariat，thedetails，thereservesofSchlachtstadtwereveryinteresting？"
"Assuredly。"
"AndRheinfestung——itsplans——itsdetails，evenitsdangerousfoundationsbytheriver——theyweretoasoldiersingularlyinstructive？"
"Youhavereasontosayso，"saidCaptainChristian，curlinghislittlemustache。
"Andthefortress——youthink？"
"Imprenable！Mais"——
TheconsulrememberedGeneralAdlerkreutz’s"Zo-o，"andwondered。
UNCLEJIMANDUNCLEBILLY
Theywerepartners。TheavunculartitlewasbestowedonthembyCedarCamp，possiblyinrecognitionofacertainmaturedgoodhumor，quitedistinctfromthespasmodicexuberantspiritsofitsothermembers，andpossiblyfromwhat，toitsyouthfulsense，seemedtheiradvancedages——whichmusthavebeenatleastforty！
Theyhadalsosethabitsevenintheirimprovidence，lostincalculableandunpayablesumstoeachotherovereuchreregularlyeveryevening，andinspectedtheirsluice-boxespunctuallyeverySaturdayforrepairs——whichtheynevermade。Theyevengottoresembleeachother，afterthefashionofoldmarriedcouples，or，rather，asinmatrimonialpartnerships，weresubjecttothedominationofthestrongercharacter；althoughintheircaseitistobefearedthatitwasthefeminineUncleBilly——enthusiastic，imaginative，andloquacious——whoswayedthemasculine，steady-
going，andpracticalUncleJim。Theyhadlivedinthecampsinceitsfoundationin1849；thereseemedtobenoreasonwhytheyshouldnotremainthereuntilitsinevitableevolutionintoamining-town。Theyoungermembersmightleavethroughrestlessambitionoradesireforchangeornovelty；theyweresubjecttonosuchtriflingmutation。YetCedarCampwassurprisedonedaytohearthatUncleBillywasgoingaway。
Therainwassoftlyfallingonthebarkthatchofthecabinwithamuffledmurmur，likeasoundheardthroughsleep。Thesouthwesttradeswerewarmevenatthataltitude，astheopendoortestified，althoughafireofpinebarkwasflickeringontheadobehearthandstrikingoutansweringfiresfromthefreshlyscouredculinaryutensilsontherudesideboard，whichUncleJimhadcleanedthatmorningwithhisusualseriouspersistency。Theirbestclothes，whichwereinterchangeableandwornalternatelybyeachotheronfestaloccasions，hungonthewalls，whichwerecoveredwithacoarsesailclothcanvasinsteadoflath-and-plaster，andwerediversifiedbypicturesfromillustratedpapersandstainsfromtheexteriorweather。Two"bunks，"likeships’berths，——anupperandlowerone，——occupiedthegable-endofthissingleapartment，andonbedsofcoarsesacking，filledwithdrymoss，werecarefullyrolledtheirrespectiveblanketsandpillows。Theyweretheonlyarticlesnotusedincommon，andwhoseindividualitywasrespected。
UncleJim，whohadbeensittingbeforethefire，roseasthesquarebulkofhispartnerappearedatthedoorwaywithanarmfulofwoodfortheeveningstove。Bythatsignheknewitwasnineo’clock：
forthelastsixyearsUncleBillyhadregularlybroughtinthewoodatthathour，andUncleJimhadasregularlyclosedthedoorafterhim，andsetouttheirsingletable，containingagreasypackofcardstakenfromitsdrawer，abottleofwhiskey，andtwotindrinking-cups。Tothiswasaddedaraggedmemorandum-bookandastickofpencil。Thetwomendrewtheirstoolstothetable。
"Hol’onaminit，"saidUncleBilly。
HispartnerlaiddownthecardsasUncleBillyextractedfromhispocketapill-box，and，openingit，gravelytookapill。Thiswasclearlyaninnovationontheirregularproceedings，forUncleBillywasalwaysinperfecthealth。
"What’sthisfor？"askedUncleJimhalfscornfully。
"Aginager。"
"Youain’tgotnoager，"saidUncleJim，withtheassuranceofintimatecognizanceofhispartner’sphysicalcondition。
"Butit’sapow’fulpreventive！Quinine！SawthisboxatRiley’sstore，andlaidoutaquarteronit。Wekinkeepithere，comfortable，forevenings。It’smightysoothin’arteraman’sdoneahardday’sworkontheriver-bar。Takeone。"
UncleJimgravelytookapillandswallowedit，andhandedtheboxbacktohispartner。
"We’llleaveitonthetable，sociablelike，incaseanyoftheboyscomein，"saidUncleBilly，takingupthecards。"Well。Howdowestand？"
UncleJimconsultedthememorandum-book。"Youwereowin’mesixty-
twothousanddollarsonthelastgame，andthelimit’sseventy-fivethousand！"
"Jewhillikins！"ejaculatedUncleBilly。"Letmesee。"
Heexaminedthebook，feeblyattemptedtochallengetheadditions，butwithnoeffectonthetotal。"Weoughterhevmadethelimitahundredthousand，"hesaidseriously；"seventy-fivethousandisonlytriflin’inagamelikeours。Andyou’vesetdownmyclaimatAngel’s？"hecontinued。
"Iallowedyoutenthousanddollarsforthat，"saidUncleJim，withequalgravity，"andit’safancypricetoo。"
Theclaiminquestionbeinganunprospectedhillsidetenmilesdistant，whichUncleJimhadneverseen，andUncleBillyhadnotvisitedforyears，thestatementwasprobablytrue；nevertheless，UncleBillyretorted：——
"Yekinnevertellhowthesethingswillpanout。Why，onlythismornin’IwastakingaturnroundShotUpHill，thatyeknowisjustrottenwithquartzandgold，andIcouldn’thelpthinkin’howmuchitwaslikemyoleclaimatAngel’s。Imusttakeadayofftogoonthereandstrikeapickinit，ifonlyforluck。"
Suddenlyhepausedandsaid，"Strange，ain’tit，youshouldspeakofitto-night？NowIcallthatqueer！"
Helaiddownhiscardsandgazedmysteriouslyathiscompanion。
UncleJimknewperfectlythatUncleBillyhadregularlyonceaweekformanyyearsdeclaredhisfinaldeterminationtogoovertoAngel’sandprospecthisclaim，yetneverthelesshehalfrespondedtohispartner’ssuggestionofmystery，andalookoffatuouswondercreptintohiseyes。Buthecontentedhimselfbysayingcautiously，"Youspokeofitfirst。"
"That’sthemoresing’lar，"saidUncleBillyconfidently。"AndI’vebeenthinkingaboutit，andkinderseeingmyselftharallday。
It’smightyqueer！"Hegotupandbegantorummageamongsometornandcoverlessbooksinthecorner。
"Where’sthat’DreamBook’goneto？"
"TheCarsonboysborrowedit，"repliedUncleJim。"Anyhow，yourswasn’tnodream——onlyakindo’vision，andthebookdon’ttakenostockinvisions。"Nevertheless，hewatchedhispartnerwithsomesympathy，andadded，"ThatremindsmethatIhadadreamtheothernightofbeingin’Friscoatasmallhotel，withheapso’money，andallthetimebeingsorto’scaredandbewilderedoverit。"
"No？"queriedhispartnereagerlyyetreproachfully。"YouneverletonanythingaboutittoME！It’smightyqueeryouhavin’thesestrangefeelin’s，forI’vehad’emmyself。Andonlyto-night，comin’upfromthespring，Isawtwocrowshoppinginthetrail，andIsays，’IfIseeanother，it’sluck，sure！’Andyou’llthinkI’mlyin’，butwhenIwenttothewood-pilejustnowtherewastheTHIRDonesittin’uponalogasplainasIseeyou。Tell’ewhatfolkskenlaugh——butthat’sjustwhatJimFilgeesawthenightbeforehemadethebigstrike！"
Theywerebothsmiling，yetwithanunderlyingcredulityandseriousnessassingularlypatheticasitseemedincongruoustotheiryearsandintelligence。Smallwonder，however，thatintheiroccupationandenvironment——livingdailyinanatmosphereofhope，expectation，andchance，lookingforwardeachmorningtotheblindstrokeofapickthatmightbringfortune——theyshouldseesignsinnatureandhearmysticvoicesinthetracklesswoodsthatsurroundedthem。Stilllessstrangethattheywerepeculiarlysusceptibletothemorerecognizeddiversionsofchance，andweregamblersontheturningofacardwhotrustedtotherevelationofashovelfulofupturnedearth。
Itwasquitenatural，therefore，thattheyshouldreturnfromtheirabstractformofdivinationtothetableandtheircards。Buttheywerescarcelyseatedbeforetheyheardacracklingstepinthebrushoutside，andthefreelatchoftheirdoorwaslifted。A
youngermemberofthecampentered。Heutteredapeevish"Halloo！"
whichmighthavepassedforagreeting，ormighthavebeenaslightprotestatfindingthedoorclosed，drewthestoolfromwhichUncleJimhadjustrisenbeforethefire，shookhiswetclotheslikeaNewfoundlanddog，andsatdown。Yethewasbynomeanschurlishnorcoarse-looking，andthisactwasratheroneofeasy-going，selfish，youthfulfamiliaritythanofrudeness。ThecabinofUnclesBillyandJimwasconsideredapublicrightor"common"ofthecamp。Conferencesbetweenindividualminerswereappointedthere。"I’llmeetyouatUncleBilly’s"wasacommontryst。Addedtothiswasatacitclaimuponthepartners’arbitrativepowers，ortheequalrighttorequestthemtostepoutsideiftheinterviewswereofaprivatenature。Yettherewasneveranyobjectiononthepartofthepartners，andto-nighttherewasnotashadowofresentmentofthisintrusioninthepatient，good-humored，toleranteyesofUnclesJimandBillyastheygazedattheirguest。PerhapstherewasaslightgleamofreliefinUncleJim’swhenhefoundthattheguestwasunaccompaniedbyanyone，andthatitwasnotatryst。Itwouldhavebeenunpleasantforthetwopartnerstohavestayedoutintherainwhiletheirguestswereexchangingprivateconfidencesintheircabin。Whiletheremighthavebeennolimittotheirgoodwill，theremighthavebeensometotheircapacityforexposure。
UncleJimdrewahugelogfrombesidethehearthandsatonthedriestendofit，whiletheirguestoccupiedthestool。Theyoungman，withoutturningawayfromhisdiscontented，peevishbroodingoverthefire，vaguelyreachedbackwardforthewhiskey-bottleandUncleBilly’stincup，towhichhewasassistedbythelatter’shospitablehand。Butonsettingdownthecuphiseyecaughtsightofthepill-box。
"Wot’sthat？"hesaid，withgloomyscorn。"Ratpoison？"
"Quininepills——aginager，"saidUncleJim。"Thenewestthingout。
KeepsoutdamplikeInjin-rubber！Takeonetofollowyerwhiskey。
MeandUncleBillywouldn’tthinko’settin’down，quietlike，intheeveningarterwork，without’em。Takeone——ye’r’welcome！Wekeep’emoutherefortheboys。"
Accustomedasthepartnersweretoadoptandweareachother’sopinionsbeforefolks，astheydideachother’sclothing，UncleBillywas，nevertheless，astonishedanddelightedatUncleJim’senthusiasmoverHISpills。Theguesttookoneandswallowedit。
"Mightybitter！"hesaid，glancingathishostswiththequickCaliforniansuspicionofsomepracticaljoke。Butthehonestfacesofthepartnersreassuredhim。
"Thatbitternessyetaste，"saidUncleJimquickly，"iswharthething’sgittin’initswork。Sortersickenin’themalaria——andkinderwater-proofin’theinsidesalltoonctandatthesamelick！
Don’tyersee？Putanotherinyervestpocket；you’llbecryin’
for’emlikeachildaforeyegethome。Thar！Well，how’sthingsagoin’onyourclaim，Dick？Boomin’，eh？"
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