"Ifheisblamed，"saidtheschool—master，"I’llneverforgivemyself。
I’llneverforgivemyselfanyhow。"
Apaternal，orrathermaternal，expressioncameoverBolles’sface，andheremovedhislarge，seriousglasses。Hedidnotsleepverywell。
Theboydid。"I’mfeelinglikeabird，"saidhe，astheycrossedthroughthemountainsnextmorningonashortcuttotheOwybee。"Breakfastwillbraceyouup，Bolles。There’llbeacabinprettysoonafterwestriketheotherroad。Keepthinkinghardaboutcoffee。"
"IwishIcould，"saidpoorBolles。Hewasforgivinghimselflessandless。
Theirstarthadbeenveryearly；asDrakebidtheschool—masterobserve，tohavenothingtodetainyou，nothingtoeatandnothingtopack，isagreathelpinjourneysofhaste。Thewarmingday，andIndianCreekwellbehindthem，broughtDraketowhistlingagain，butdepressionsatupontheself—accusingBolles。EvenwhentheysightedtheOwyheeroadbelowthem，nocheerfulnesswakedinhim；notatthenearingcoffee，noryetatthecompanionabletinkleofsleigh—bellsdancingfaintlyupwardthroughthebright，silentair。
"Why，ifitain’tUnclePasco！"saidDrake，peeringdownthroughagapinthefoot—hill。"We’llgetbreakfastsoonerthanIexpected。Quick！GivemeBabyBunting！"
"Areyougoingtokillhim？"whisperedtheschool—master，withabeamingcountenance。Andhescuffledwithhispockettohandoverhishithertobelittledweapon。
Drakeconsideredhim。"Bolles，Bolles，"saidhe，"youhavegottheNewEnglandconsciencerank。PlymouthRockisapuddingtoyourheart。RemindmetoprayforyoufirstspareminuteIget。Nowfollowmeclose。He’llbemuchmoreusefultousalive。"
Theyslippedfromtheirhorses，stoleswiftlydownashoulderofthehill，andwaitedamongsomebrush。Thebellsjingledunsuspectinglyonwardtothisambush。
"Onlyhear’em！"saidDrake。"AllfullofsilverandMerryChristmas。
Don’tgazeatmelikethat，Bolles，orI’lllaughandgivethewholesnapaway。Seehimcome！Theoldman’sbreathstreamsoutsocalm。He’snotworriedwithNewEnglandconscience。One，two，three"Justbeforethesleighcameopposite，DeanDrakesteppedout。"Morning，Uncle！"saidhe。
"Throwupyourhands"
UnclePascostoppeddead，hiseyesblinking。Thenhestoodupinthesleighamonghisblankets。"H’m，"saidhe，"thekid。"
"Throwupyourhands！Quitfoolingwiththatblanket！"Drakespokedangerouslynow。"Bolles，"hecontinued，"pitcheverythingoutofthesleighwhileIcoverhim。He’sgotashot—gununderthatblanket。Slingitout。"
Itwasslung。Thewrapsfollowed。UnclePascosteppedobedientlydown，andsoonthechattelsoftheemptiedsleighlitteredthesnow。Theoldgentlemanwasinvitedtoundressuntiltheyreachedthesix—shooterthatDrakesuspected。Thentheyatehislunch，dranksomewhiskeythathehadnotsoldtothebuccaroos，toldhimtorepackthesleigh，allowedhimtowrapupagain，badehimtakethereins，andtheywouldusehissix—shooterandshot—guntopointouttheroadtohim。
Hehadsaidverylittle，hadUnclePasco，butstoodblinking，obedientandmalignant。"H’m，"saidhenow，"goin’toridewithme，areyou？"
Hewastoldyes，thatforthepresenthewastheircoachman。Theirhorsesweretiredandwouldfollow，tiedbehind。"We’reweary，too，"saidDrake，gettingin。"TakeyourlegsoutofmywayorI’llkickoffyourshins。
Bolles，areyoufixedwarmandcomfortable？NowstartherupforHarperranch，Uncle。"
"Whatareyouproposingtodowithme？"inquiredUnclePasco。
"Notgoingtowringyourneck，andthat’senoughforthepresent。Faster，Uncle。Getagaiton。Bolles，here’sBabyBunting。Muchobligedtoyoufortheloanofit，oldman。"
UnclePasco’seyefellonthe22—caliberpistol。"Didyouholdmeupwiththatlemonadestraw？"heasked，huskily。
"Yep，"saidDrake。"That’swhat。"
"Oh，hell！"murmuredUnclePasco。Andforthefirsttimeheseemeddispirited。
"Uncle，you’renotmakingtime，"saidDrakeafterafewmiles。"I’llthankyouforthereins。Openyourbandannaandgetyourconcertina。Jerkthebellowsforus。"
"ThatI’llnot！"screamedUnclePasco。
"It’smusicorwalkhome，"saidtheboy。"Takeyourchoice。"
UnclePascotookhischoice，openingwiththemelodyof"TheLastRoseofSummer。"ThesleighwhirleduptheOwyheebythewinterwillows，andthe，levels，andthemeadowpools，brightfrozenunderthebluesky。LateinthisdaytheamazedBrockbyhiscorralsatHarper’sbeheldarrivehisfavorite，hisboysuperintendent，drivinginwiththeschoolmasterstaringthroughhisglasses，andUnclePascothrowingoutactivestrainsuponhisconcertina。Theoldmanhadbeenbiddentobellowsawayforhisneck。
Drakewasnotlonginexplaininghisneedtothemen。"Thisthingmustbeworkedquick，"saidhe。"Who’llstandbyme？"
Allofthemwould，andhetookten，withthefaithfulBrock。BrockwouldnotallowGilberttogo，becausehehadreceivedanothermule—kickinthestomach。NorwasBollespermittedtobeoftheexpedition。Toallhisprotests，Drakehadbutthesingleword："Thisisnotyourfight，oldman。You’vedoneyoursharewithBabyBunting。"
Thuswastheschool—masterinsorrowcompelledtoseethemstartbacktoIndianCreekandtheMalheurwithouthim。WithhimUnclePascowouldhavejoyfullyexchanged。Hewastakenalongwiththeavengers。Theywouldnotwringhisneck，buttheywouldplaycatandmousewithhimandhisconcertina；andtheydid。ButtheconscienceofBollesstilltoiled。WhenDrakeandthemenweresafeaway，hegotonthewagongoingforthemail，thusmakinghiswaynextmorningtotherailroadandBoise，whereMaxVogellistenedtohim；andtogetherthiscouplehastilytooktrainandteamfortheMalheurAgency。
TheavengersreachedIndianCreekduly，andthefourthdayafterhisChristmasdinnerDrakecameoncemoreinsightofCastleRock。
"Iamdoingthisthingmyself，understand，"hesaidtoBrock。"Iamresponsible。"
"We’reheretotakeyourorders，"returnedtheforeman。Butastheagencybuildingsgrewplainandthetimeforactionwascoming，Brock’sanxiousheartspokeoutofitsfulness。"Iftheystartinto——to——theymight——I
wishyou’dletmegetinfront，"hebegged，allatonce。
"Ithoughtyouthoughtbetterofme，"saidDrake。
"Excuseme，"saidtheman。Thenpresently："Idon’tseehowanybodycould’a’toldhe’dsmugglewhiskeythatway。Iftheoldman[BrockmeantMaxVogel]goestoblameyou，I’llgivehimmyopinionstraight。"
"Theoldman’sgotnouseforopinions，"saidDrake。"Hegoesonresults。
Hetrustedmewiththisjob，andwe’regoingtohaveresultsnow。"
Thedrunkardsweresittingroundoutsidetheranchhouse。Itwasevening。
Theycastasulleninspectiononthenew—comers，whoreturnedthemnoinspectionwhatever。Drakehadhismentogetherandtookthemtothestablefirst，ashedwithmangers。Herehehadthemunsaddle。"Because，"
hementionedtoBrock，"incaseoftroublewe’llbesureoftheirallstaying。I’mtakingnochancesnow。"
Soonthedrunkardsstrolledover，sayinggood—day，hazardingafewcommentsontheweatherandliketopics，andmeetingsufficientanswers。
"Goin’tostay？"
"Don’tknow。"
"That’sagoodhorseyou’vegot。"
"Fair。"
ButSamwastheblithestspiritattheMalheurAgency。"Hiyah！"heexclaimed。"MisserDlake！Howfashionyoucomequickso？"AndtheexcellentChinamantookprideinthemealofwelcomethatheprepared。
"Supper’snow，"saidDraketohismen。"Sitanywhereyoufeellike。Don’tmindwhosechairyou’retaking——andwe’llkeepourgunson。"
Thustheyfollowedhim，andsat。Theboytookhiscustomaryperchattheheadofthetable，withBrockathisright。"ImissoldBolles，"hetoldhisforeman。"Youdon’tappreciateBolles。"
"Fromwhatyoutellofhim，"saidBrock，"I’llexaminehimmorecareful。"
Seeingtheirboss，thesparrow—hawk，backinhisplace，flankedwithsupporters，andhisgrayeyeindifferentlyuponthem，thebuccaroosgrewpolitetooppressiveness。WhileSamhandedhisdishestoDrakeandthenew—comers，andthenew—comerseatwhatwasgoodbeforetheoldinhabitantsgotataste，theselattergrewmoreandmoresolicitous。Theyofferedsugartothestrangers，theyofferedtheirbeds；Half—pastFullurgedthemtositcompanionablyintheroomwherethefirewasburning。
Butwhenthemealwasover，thevisitorswenttoanotherroomwiththeirarms，andlightedtheirownfire。Theybroughtblanketsfromtheirsaddles，andafteralittleconcertinatheypermittedthenearlyperishedUnclePascotoslumber。Soontheyslumberedthemselves，withthedoorleftopen，andDrakewatching。HewouldnotevensharevigilwithBrock，andallnightheheardthevoicesofthebuccaroos，holdinggrand，unendingcouncil。
Whentherelentlessmorningcame，andbreakfastwiththevisitorsagainintheirseatsunapproachable，thedrunkardsfeltthecrisistobeastrainupontheirsoberednerves。Theyglancedupfromtheirplates，anddown；alongtoDeanDrakeeatinghisheartyporridge，andbackatoneanother，andatthehungry，well—occupiedstrangers。
"Say，wedon’twanttrouble，"theybegantothestrangers。
"Courseyoudon’t。Breakfast’swhatyou’reafter。"
"Oh，well，you’dhavegotgay。Amangetsgay。"
"Sure。"
"Mr。Drake，"saidHalf—pastFull，sweatingwithhiseffort，"weweresorrywhilewewasa—foggingyouup。"
"Yes，"saidDrake。"Youmusthavebeenjustovercomebycontrition。"
Alargelaughwentupfromthevisitors，andthemealwasfinishedwithoutfurtherdiplomacy。
"Onematter，Mr。Drake，"stammeredHalf—pastFull，asthepartyrose。
"Ourjobs。We’regladtopayforanythingswhatgotsortofbroke。"
"Sortofbroke，"repeatedtheboy，eyeinghim。"Soyouwanttoholdyourjobs？"
"If——"beganthebuccaroo，andhalted。
"Factis，you’reasetofcowards，"saidDrake，briefly。"Inoticeyou’veforgottoremovethatwhiskeyjug。"Thedemijohnstillstoodbythegreatfireplace。Drakeenteredandlaidholdofit，thecrowdstandingbackandwatching。Hetookitout，withwhatremainedinitscapaciousbottom，setitonastump，steppedback，levelledhisgun，andshatteredthevesseltopieces。Thewhiskeydraineddown，wettingthestump，creepingtotheground。
Muchpotencyliesintheobject—lesson，andagrinwasonthefacesofallpresent，saveUnclePasco’s。Ithadbeenhisdemijohn，andwhentheshotstruckitheblinkednervously。
"Youorneryoldmink！"saidDrake，lookingathim。"Youkeeptothejewelrybusinesshereafter。"
Thebuccaroosgrinnedagain。Itwasreassuringtowitnesswrathturnuponanother。
"Youwanttoholdyourjobs？"Drakeresumedtothem。"Youcantrustyourselves？"
"Yes，sir，"saidHalf—pastFull。
"ButIdon’ttrustyou，"statedDrake，genially；andthebuccaroos’
hopefuleyesdropped。"I’mgoingtodivideyou，"pursuedthenewsuperintendent。"Splityoufarandwideamongthecompany’sranches。Stiryouinwithdecenterblood。You’llgotoWhite—horseranch，justacrossthelineofNevada，"hesaidtoHalf—pastFull。"I’mtiredofthebrothersDrinker。You’llgo——let’ssee——"
Drakepausedinhisapportionment，andasleighcameswiftlyroundtheturn，thehorselopingandlathery。
"WhatvasdatshootingIhearjoostnow？"shoutedMaxVogel，beforehecouldarrive。Hedidnotwaitforanyanswer。"ThankthegoodGod！"heexclaimed，atseeingtheboyDeanDrakeunharmed，standingwithagun。
Andtotheiramazementhespedpastthem，neverslackinghishorse’slopeuntilhereachedthecorral。TherehetossedthereinstotheplacidBolles，andspringingoutlikeasurefootedelephant，countedhissaddle—horses；forhewasageneral。Satisfied，hestrodebacktothecrowdbythedemijohn。"Whendemmengetrestless，"heexplainedtoDrakeatonce，"alwayslookout。Somebodymightstealahorse。"
Theboyclosedonegray，confidentialeyeathisemployer。"Justmyidea，"saidhe，"whenIcounted’embeforebreakfast。"
"Youliddler—rascal，"saidMax，fondly，"Whatyoushootat？"
Drakepointedatthedemijohn。"ItwasbiggerthanthosebottlesatNampa，"saidhe。"Guessyoucouldhavehitityourself。"
Max’sgreatbellyshook。Hetookinthesituation。Ithadaflavorthatheliked。Hepausedtorelishitalittlemoreinsilence。
"Undyouhavekillednodingelse？"saidhe，lookingatUnclePasco，whoblinkedcopiously。"Mineoldfriend，younevergetrichifyouchangeyourbusinesssofrequent。Itellyouthatthirtyyearsnow。"Max’shandfoundDrake’sshoulder，butheaddressedBrock。"Heisallwhatyoutellme，"saidhetotheforeman。"Hehavejoodgement。"
Thusthehuge，jovialTeutontookcommand，butfoundDrakehadleftlittleforhimtodo。ThebuccaroosweredispersedatHarper’s，atFortRinehart，atAlvordLake，towardsStein’speak，andattheIslandRanchbyHarneyLake。AndifyouknoweastOregon，orthelandwhereChiefE—egantehelpedoutSpecimenJones，hiswhitesoldierfriend，whenthehostileBannockswereplanninghisimmediatedeathasaspy，youwillknowwhatwideregionsseparatedthebuccaroos。BolleswastakenintoMaxVogel’sesteem；alsowasChineseSam。ButMaxsatsmokingintheofficewithhisboysuperintendent，inparticularsatisfaction。
"Youarealiddler—rascal，"saidhe。"UndIr—raiseyoufiftydollars。"
AKinsmanofRedCloudI
ItwasthirtyminutesbeforeaJunesundownatthepost，andthefirstcallhadsoundedforparade。Overinthebarracksthetwocompaniesandthesingletrooploungedamomentlonger，thenlaidtheirpolicelitera—
turedown，andliftedtheirstockingfeetfromthebedstogetready。Intheofficers’quartersthecaptainroseregretfullyfromafter—dinnerdigestion，andthethreelieutenantssoughttheirhelmetswithasigh。
LieutenantBalwinhadbeendininganunconventionalandimpressiveguestatthemess，andhenowinterruptedtheanecdotewhichtheguestwasachievingwithfrontierdeliberation。
"Makeyourselfcomfortable，"hesaid。"I’llhavetoheartherestaboutthehalf—breedwhenIgetback。"
"Thereain’tnomore——yet。Hegotmycashwithhisprivatepokerdeckthatonced，andI’mfixingfortogethis’n。"
Secondcallsounded；thelinesfiledoutandformed，thesergeantoftheguardandtwoprivatestooktheirstationbytheflag，andwhenbattalionwasformedthecommandingofficer，toweringsteeple—stiffbeneathhisplumes，receivedtheadjutant’ssalute，orderedhimtohispost，andbegandrill。AtallthistheunconventionalguestlookedoncomfortablyfromLieutenantBalwin’sporch。
"IdoubtifIcouldputupwiththattheredisciplinealltheweek，"hemused。"Carry——arms！Present——Arms！Iguessthat’sallIknowofit。"Thewinkingwhitelineofglovesstirredhisapproval。"Prettygoodthat。
Gosh，seethesunonthembayonets！"
Thelastnoteofretreatmergedinthesonorousgun，andtheflagshininginthelightofeveningsliddownandrestedupontheearth。Theblueranksmarchedtoasinglebugle——thepostwasshortofmenandofficers——andthecaptain，withthereleasedlieutenants，againsoughtdigestionandcigars。Balwinreturnedtohisguest，andtogethertheywatchedthedayforsaketheplain。Presentlytheguestrosetotakehisleave。Helookedoldenoughtobethefatheroftheyoungofficer，buthewasacivilian，andthemilitarymanproceededtogivehimexcellentadvice。
"Nowdon’tgetintotrouble，Cutler。"
Theslouch—shoulderedscoutrolledhisquidgently，andsmiledathissuperiorwithindulgentregard。
"Seehere，Cutler，youhaveahighlyunoccupiedlookaboutyouthisevening。I’vebeenstudyingthecustomsofthispopulation，andI’venotedafactortwo。"
"Let’emlooseonme，sir。"
"Factone：WhenanymaleinhabitantofFortLaramiehasafewsparemoments，hehuntsupagameofcards。"
"Well，sir，you’vecalledtheturnonme。"
"Facttwo：AtFortLaramieagameofcardsfrequentlyendsindiscussion。"
"Factthree：Mr。Calvin，inthemdiscussionsJarvisCutlerhasthelastword。Youputthatinyourcensusreportalongsidetheothertwo。"
"Well，Cutler，ifsomebody’sgunshouldhappentobeatyoursinanargument，Ishouldhavetohuntanotherwagon—master。"
"I’llnotforgetthat。Whenwasyouexpectingtopulloutnorth？"
"Whenevertheothercompaniesgethere。Maybethreedays——maybethreeweeks。"
"ThenIwillhaveplentytimeforagameto—night。"
Withthisslightdigofhiscivilianindependenceintothelieutenant’smilitaryribs，thescoutwalkedaway，hislong，lugubriousfrockcoat（worninhonorofthemess）occasionallyflappingopeninthebreeze，andgivingaviewofabeltrichlyflutedwithcartridges，andtheivoryhandleofapistollookingoutofitsholster。Hegotonhishorse，crossedtheflat，andstruckoutforthecabinofhissociablefriends，LoomisandKelley，onthehill。Theopendoorandalightinsideshowedthecompany，andCutlergaveagrunt，forsittingonthetablewasthehalf—breed，thewinnerofhisunavengeddollars。Herodeslower，inordertothink，andarrivingatthecorralbelowthecabin，tiedhishorsetothestumpofacottonwood。Afewstepstowardsthedoor，andhewheeledonasuddenthought，andundercoverofthenightdidacraftysomethingwhichtotheponywasaltogetherunaccountable。Heunloosedbothfrontandrearcinchofhissaddle，sotheyhungentirelyfreeinwidebandsbeneaththepony’sbelly。Hetestedtheirslacknesswithhishandseveraltimes，stoppinginstantlywhenthemoreandmoresurprisedponyturnedhisheadtoseewhatnewthinginhisexperiencemightbegoingon，and，seeing，gaveadelicatebouncewithhishind—quarters。
"Neveryoumind，Duster，"mutteredthescout。"Didyoueverseeaskunk—trap？Oughtsisformush—rats，andnumberonesismostlyusedfor’coonsand’possums，andIguessthey’ddoforaskunk。Butyouandwe’llcallthisheretrapanumbertwo，Duster，fortheskunkI’mafterisabigone。Allyou’vetodoistoactnatural。"
CutlertooktheropeoffthestumpbywhichDusterhadbeentiedsecurely，woundandstrappedittothetiltedsaddle，andinsteadofthisformertether，madeaweakknotinthereins，andtossedthemoverthestump。Heenteredthecabinwithacountenancesweeterthanhoney。
"Good—evening，boys，"hesaid。"Why，Toussaint，howdoyoudo？"
ThehandofToussainthadmadeaslight，averyslight，movementtowardshiship，butatsightofCutler’smellowsmileresumeditsclaspuponhisknee。
"Golly，butyou’regay—likethisevening，"saidKelley。
"BlamedifIknowedhecouldlooksofrisky，"addedLoomis。
"Sportinghisonced—a—yearcoat，"Kelleypursued。"Thatain’tforourbenefit，Joole。"
"No，we’renotthathighinsociety。"BoththesecheerfulwaifshaddriftedfromtheAtlanticcoastwestward。
Cutlerlookedfromthemtohiscostume，andthenamiablysurveyedthehalf—breed。
"Well，boys，I’minbigluck，Iam。How’syournnowadays，Toussaint？"
"Prettygoodsometime。Sometimeheaphell。"Thevoiceofthehalf—breedcameasnearheartinessasitssingularlyfalsequalitywouldallow，andashesmiledhewatchedCutlerwiththeinsideofhiseyes。
Thescoutwatchednobodyandnothingwithgreatcare，lookedabouthimpleasantly，inquiredforthewhiskey，threwasidehatandgloves，satdown，leaningthechairbackagainstthewall，andtalkedwithartfulcandor。"Themsprigsoflieutenantsdownthere，"saidhe，"they’reasurprisinglotforlearningvirtuetoaman。YoutakeBalwin。Why，heain’tbeenoutoftheAcademyonlytwoyears，andhe’sbeentellingmehowcard—playingain’tgoodforyou。Andwhatdoyousupposehe’sbeenandofferedJarvisCutlerforajob？I’mtobewagon—master。"Hepaused，andthehalf—breed’sattentiontohisnextwordsincreased。
"Wagon—master，andgoodpay，too。CleanuptotheBlackHills；andthetroops’llmovesoonaseverthemreinforcementscome。Drinksonit，boys！
Set’emup，JooleLoomis。Mycontract’ssealedwithsomeofUncleSam’scash，andI’mgoingtoplayitrighthere。Hello！Somebodycomingtojoinus？He’sinahurry。"
Therewasasoundoflashingstrapsandhoofsbeatingtheground，andCutlerlookedoutofthedoor。Ashehadcalculated，thesaddlehadgraduallyturnedwithDuster’smovementsandsettheponybucking。
"Stampeded！"saidthescout，andsworetheproperamountcalledforbysuchcircumstances。"Someo’youboyshelpmestopthedurnedfool。"
LoomisandKelleyran。Dusterhadjerkedthepreparedreinsfromthecottonwood，andwaslurchingdownasmalldrygulch，withthesaddlebouncingbetweenhisbellyandthestones。
CutlercastabackwardeyeatthecabinwhereToussainthadstayedbehindalone。"Headhimoffbelow，boys，andI’llheadhimoffabove，"thescoutsangout。Helefthiscompanions，andquicklycircledroundbehindthecabin，stumblingonceheavily，andhurryingon，anxiouslestthenoisehadreachedthelurkinghalf—breed。Buttheivory—handledpistol，jostledfromitsholster，layunheededamongthestoneswherehehadstumbled。Headvancedovertheroughground，cameclosetothelogs，andcraftilypeeredinatthesmallwindowinthebackofthecabin。Itwasevidentthathehadnotbeenheard。Thesinisterfigurewithinstillsatonthetable，butwascrouched，listeninglikeananimaltotheshoutsthatwerecomingfromasafedistancedowninthegulch。Cutler，outsideofthewindow，couldnotseethefaceofToussaint，buthesawonelongbrownhandslidingupanddowntheman’sleg，anditsmovementputhiminmindofthetailofacat。Thehandstoppedtopulloutapistol，intowhichfreshcartridgeswereslipped。Cutlerhadalreadydonethissamethingafterdismounting，andhenowfeltconfidentthathisweaponneedednofurtherexamination。Hedidnotputhishandtohisholster。Thefigurerosefromthetable，andcrossedtheroomtoasetofshelvesinfrontofwhichhungalittleyellowcurtain。Behinditwerecups，cans，bottles，apistol，counters，red，white，andblue，andtwofreshpacksofcards，blueandpink，sidebyside。Seeingthese，Toussaintdrewahandkerchieffromhispocket，andunwrappedtwofurtherpacks，bothblue；andatthisCutler’sintentfacegrewintoplainshapeclosetothewindow，butrecededagainintouncertaindimness。Fromdowninthegulchcameshoutsthattherunawayhorsewascaptured。Toussaintlistened，rantothedoor，andquicklyreturning，putthebluepackfromtheshelfintohispocket，leavinginexchangeoneofhisown。Hehesitatedaboutalteringthepositionofthecardsontheshelf，butKelleyandLoomiswereunobservantyoungmen，andthehalf—breedplacedthepinkcardsontopofhisblueones。Thelittleyellowcurtainagainhunginnocentlyovertheshelves，andToussaint，pouringhimselfadrinkofwhiskey，facedround，andforthefirsttimesawthewindowthathadbeenbehindhisback。Hewasatitinaninstant，wrenchingitsrustypin，thatdidnotgive，butstuckmotionlessinthewood。Cursing，heturnedandhurriedoutofthedoorandroundthecabin。Noonewasthere。SomehundredyardsawaythenoiselessCutlercrawledfartheramongthethicketsthatfilledtheheadofthegulch。Toussaintwhippedoutamatch，andhaditagainsthistrouserstostrikeandlookiftherewerefootprints，whensecondthoughtswarnedhimthismightbeseen，andwasnotworthriskingsuspicionover，sincesomanyfeetcameandwentbythiscabin。Hetoldhimselfnoonecouldhavebeentheretoseehim，andslowlyreturnedinside，withamindthatfellahair’sbreadthshortofconviction。
Theboys，comingupwiththehorse，metCutler，wholistenedtohowDusterhadstoodstillassoonashehadkickedfreeofhissaddle，makingnoobjectiontobeingcaught。Theysuggestedthathewouldnothavebrokenloosehadhebeentiedwitharope；andhearingthis，Cutlerbitoffapieceoftobacco，andtoldthemtheywerequiteright：ahorseshouldneverbetiedbyhisbridle。Forasavorymomentthescoutcuddledhissecret，andturneditoverlikethetobaccolumpunderhistongue。
Thenheexplained，andreceivedserenelytheamazementofLoomisandKelley。
"WhenyoukidshavetravelledthisWesterncountryawhileyou’llkeepyourcardslocked，"saidhe。"He’sgoingtoletuswinfirst。You’llsee，he’llplayapoorgamewiththepinkdeck。Then，ifwedon’tcallforfreshcards，why，he’llcallfor’emhimself。But，justforthefunofthething，ifanyofuslosessteady，why，we’llcall。Then，whenhegetsholdofhisstrippers，watchout。Whenhemakeshisbigplay，andisstretchin’fortorakethecountersin，yougrab’em，Joole；forbythenI’llhavemygunonhim，andifhemakesanytroublewe’llfeedhimtothecoyotes。Iexpectthatmusthavebeenit，boys，"hecontinued，inanewtone，astheycamewithinpossibleear—shotofthehalf—breedinthecabin。"Acoyotecomearoundhimwherehewastied。Thefoolhorsehasseenenoughof’emtogitusedto’em，you’dthink，buthedon’t。There；
that’llholdhim。Iguesshe’llhavetopulltheworldalongwithhimifhestartstorunagain。"
Thelampwasplacedonthewindow—shelf，andthefourtookseats，CutlertotheleftofToussaint，withKelleyopposite。Thepinkcardsfellharmless，andforawhilethegamewasadullonetosee。Holdingapairofkings，CutlerwonalittlefromToussaint，whoremarkedthatluckmustgowiththemoneyofUncleSam。Afterafewhands，thehalf—breedbegantobetwithostentatiousfolly，and，losingtoonemanandanother，wasjokeduponthefallingoffofhisgame。Inanhour’stimehisbluechipshadbeentwicereinforced，andtwicemeltedfromtheneatoften—countedpileinwhichhearrangedthem；moreover，hehadlostahorsefromhisstringdownonChugWater。
"Lendmetendollar，"hesaidtoCutler。"Yourichmannow。"
InthenextfewdealsKelleybecamepoor。"I’msickofthisluck，"saidhe。
"Thenchangeit，whydon’tyou？Let’shaveanewdeck。"AndLoomisrose。
"Joole，youalwaysareforsomethingnew，"saidCutler。"NowI’mdoingprettywellwiththesepinkcards。ButI’mnohog。Fetchonyourfreshones。"
Theeyesofthehalf—breedswervedtotheyellowcurtain。HewasbyaFrenchtrapperfromCanadaoutofaSiouxsquaw，oneofRedCloud’ssisters，andhisheartbeathotwiththeeviloftworaces，andnoneoftheirgood。Hewasatthismomentirrationallyangrywiththemenwhohadwonfromhimthroughhisowndevices，andmaliceundisguisedshoneinhisleanflatface。Atsightofthebluecardsfallinginthefirstdeal，silencecameoverthecompany，andfromthedistantparade—groundthebuglesoundedthemelancholystrainoftaps。Faint，far，solemn，melodious，themusictravelledunhinderedacrosstheemptynight。
"Themmenarebeingcheckedoffintheirbunksnow，"saidCutler。
"Whatyoubetthisgame？"demandedToussaint。
"I’veheard’emplaythatsamemusicoverasoldier’sgrave，"saidKelley。
"Yougoin’tobet？"Toussaintrepeated。
Cutlerpushedforwardthetwonecessarywhitechips。Noone’shandwashigh，andLoomismadeaslightwinning。Thedealwentitsroundseveraltimes，andonce，whenitwasToussaint’s，Cutlersuspectedthatspecialcardshadbeenthrowntohimbythehalf—breedasanexperiment。Hethereforeplayedthegulltoanicety，bettinggentlyuponhisthreekings；butwhenhesteppedoutboldlyandbetthelimit，itwasnotToussaintbutKelleywhoheldthehigherhand，winningwiththreeaces。
Whythecoupshouldbeheldofflongerpuzzledthescout，unlessitwasthatToussaintwascarefullytestingtheedgesofhismarkedcardstoseeifhecontrolledthemtoacertainty。SoCutlerplayedoncalmly。
PresentlytwoacescametohiminToussaint’sdeal，andhewonderedhowmanymorewouldbeinhisthree—carddraw。Verypretty！Oneonly，andhelosttoLoomis，whohaddrawnthree，andheldfourkings。Thehandsweregettinghigher，theysaid。Thegamehad"somethingtoitnow。"ButToussaintgrumbled，forhisluckwasbadallthisyear，hesaid。Cutlerhadnowmadesurethattheacesandkingswentwherethehalf—breedwished，andcouldbeslidundetectedfromthetoporthemiddleorthebottomofthepack；buthehadnotestyethowfardownthescalethemarkingwent。AtToussaint’snextdealCutlerjudgedthetimehadcome，andatthesecondroundofbettingheknewit。Thethreewhitemenplayedtheirparts，raisingeachotherwithoutpause，andagaintherewastotalsilenceinthecabin。Everyfacebenttothetable，watchingtheturnrepeatitscirclewithobstinateincrease，untilnewchipsandmorenewchipshadbeenbroughttokeeponwith，andtheheapinthemiddlehadmountedhighinthehundreds，whileinfrontofToussaintlayhisknifeandamatch—box——pledgesoftwomorehorseswhichhehadstaked。Hehaddrawnthreecards，whiletheotherstooktwo，exceptCutler，whohadapairofkingsagain，anddrawingthree，pickeduptwomore。Kelleydroppedout，remarkinghehadbetmorethanhishandwasworth，whichwastrue，andLoomisfollowedhim。TheirpersistencehadsurprisedToussaintalittle。Hehadnotgiveneveryonesuspicioushands：Cutler’sfourkingswereenough。Hebetoncemore，wasraisedbythescout，called，andthrewdownhisfouraces。
"Thatbeatsme，"saidCutler，quietly，andhishandmovedunderhisfrock—coat，asthehalf—breed，eyeingthecentralpileofcountersintriumph，closedhisfingersoverit。TheyweredashedoffbyKelley，wholookedexpectantlyacrossatCutler，andseeingthescout’sfacewitherintosuddenoldage，criedout，"ForGod’ssake，Jarvis，where’syourgun？"Kelleysprangfortheyellowcurtain，andreeledbackwardattheshotofToussaint。Hisarmthrashedalongthewindow—sillashefell，sweepingoverthelamp，andflaringchannelsofoilranoverhisbodyandspreadontheground。Butthesecouldnolongerhurthim。Thehalf—breedhadleapedoutsidethecabin，enragedthatCutlershouldhavegotoutduringthemomenthehadbeendealingwithKelley。Thescoutwasgropingforhisivory—handledpistoloffinthedarkness。Hefoundit，andhurriedtothelittlewindowatasecondshotheheardinside。Loomis，beatingtherisingflameaway，hadseizedthepistolfromtheshelf，andaimlesslyfiredintothenightatToussaint。Hefiredagain，runningtothedoorfromthescorchingheat。Cutlergotroundthehousetosavehimifhecould，andsawthehalf—breed’sweaponflash，andthebodypitchoutacrossthethreshold。Toussaint，gaininghishorse，shotthreetimesandmissedCutler，whomhecouldnotclearlysee；andheheardthescout’sbulletssingpasthimashishorseborehimrushingaway。
II
JarvisCutlerliftedthedeadLoomisoutofthecabin。HemadeatryforKelley’sbody，buttheroomhadbecomeacaveofflame，andhewasdrivenfromthedoor。Hewrunghishands，givinghimselfbitterblamealoud，ashecoveredLoomiswithhissaddle—blanket，andjumpedbarebackuponDustertogotothepost。Hehadnotbeenridingaminutewhenseveralmenmethim。Theyhadseenthefirefrombelow，andontheirwayupthehalf—breedhadpassedthematarun。
"Here’sourpoint，"saidCutler。"WillhehidewiththeSioux，orwillhetaketotherailroad？Well，that’smybusinessmorethanbeingwagon—master。I’llgetawarrant。YoutellLieutenantBalwin——andsomebodygivemeafreshhorse。"
Ashortwhilelater，asCutler，withthewarrantinhispocket，rodeoutofFortLaramie，thecallofthesentinelscameacrossthenight："NumberOne。Twelveo’clock，andall’swell。"Amoment，andtherefrainsoundedmoredistant，givenbyNumberTwo。Whenthefourthtookitup，farawayalongtheline，thewordswerelost，leavingsomethinglikethefaintechoofasong。Thehalf—breedhadcrossedthePlatte，asifheweremakingforhiskindredtribe，butthescoutdidnotbelieveinthistooplaintrail。
"There’sChugWaterlyingrighttheotherwayfromwherehewent，andI
guessit’sthereMr。Toussaintisaimingfor。"WiththisideaCutlerswungfromnorthtosouthwestalongtheLaramie。Hewentslowlyoverhisshortcut，nottoleavethewidelycirclingToussainttoomuchinhisrear。ThefugitivewouldkeephimselfcarefullyfarontheothersideoftheLaramie，andverylikelynotcrossituntiltheforksofChugWater。
Dawnhadceasedtobegray，andthedoveswerecooingincessantlyamongtheriverthickets，whenCutler，reachingtheforks，foundabottomwherethesage—brushgrewsevenandeightfeethigh，andburiedhimselfandhishorseinitscover。Herewascomfort；herebothriverscouldbesafelywatched。Itseemedagoodleisure—timeforalittlefireandsomebreakfast。Heeasedhishorseofthesaddle，slicedsomebacon，andputamatchtohispileofsmallsticks。Astheflamecaught，hestooduptoenjoythecoolofabreezethatwaspassingthroughthestillness，andhesuddenlystampedhisfireout。ThesmellofanotherfirehadcomeacrossChugWateronthewind。ItwasincrediblethatToussaintshouldbetherealready。Therewasnoseeingfromthisbottom，andifCutlerwalkedupoutofittheothermanwouldseetoo。IfitwereToussaint，hewouldnotstaylonginthevastexposedplainacrossChugWater，butwouldgoonafterhismeal。Intwentyminutesitwouldbethethingtoswimorwadethestream，andcrawlupthemudbanktotakealook。Meanwhile，Cutlerdippedinwatersomeoldbreadthathehadandsuckeditdown，whilethelittlebreezefromoppositehookthecottonwoodleavesandbroughtoverthesmellofcookingmeat。Thesungrewwarmer，andthedovesceased。
Cutleropenedhisbigwatch，andclappeditshutasthesoundofmudheavilysloppingintotheotherriverreachedhim。HecrawledtowherehecouldlookattheLaramiefromamonghissagebrush，andtherewasToussaintleadinghishorsedowntothewater。Thehalf—breedgaveashrillcall，andwavedhishat。Hiscallwasanswered，andashecrossedtheLaramie，threeSiouxappeared，ridingtothebank。Theywaitedtillhegainedtheirlevel，whenallfourrodeuptheChugWater，andwentoutofsightoppositethewatchingCutler。Thescoutthrewoffsomeofhisclothes，forthewaterwasstillhigh，andwhenhehadcrossed，anddrawnhimselftoalevelwiththeplain，therewerethefoursquattedamongthesage—brushbesideafire。Theysattalkingandeatingforsometime。Oneofthemroseatlast，pointedsouth，andmountinghishorse，dwindledtoadot，blurred，andevaporatedintheheated，tremblingdistance。Cutlerattheedgeofthebankstillwatchedtheotherthree，whosatontheground。Afaintshotcame，andtheyroseatonce，mounted，andvanishedsouthward。Therewasnofollowingthemnowinthisexposedcountry，andCutler，feelingsurethatthesignalhadmeantsomethingaboutToussaint’shorses，madehisfire，wateredhisownhorse，andlettinghimdragaropewherethefeedwasgreen，atehisbreakfastinease。
Toussaintwouldgetafreshmount，andproceedtotherailroad。Withthecomfortofcertaintyandtobacco，thescoutlolledbytheriverunderthecottonwood，andevenslept。Inthecooloftheafternoonhereachedthecabinofanacquaintancetwentymilessouth，andchangedhishorse。Amanhadpassedby，hewastold。LookedasifboundforCheyenne。"No，"Cutlersaid，"he’sknownthere"；andhewenton，watchingToussaint’stracks。
WithintenmilestheyveeredawayfromCheyennetothesoutheast，andCutlerstruckoutonatrailofhisownmorefreely。BymidnighthewasonLodge—PoleCreek，sleepingsoundamongthelasttreesthathewouldpass。Heslepttwelvehours，havinggonetobedknowinghemustnotcomeintotownbydaylight。Aboutnineo’clockhearrived，andwenttotherailroadstation；theretheoperatorknewhim。ThelowesthauntinthetownhadatentsouthoftheUnionPacifictracks；andCutler，gettinghisirons，andamanfromthesaloon，wentthere，andsteppedin，coveringtheroomwithhispistol。Thefiddlestopped，theshriekingwomenscattered，andToussaint，whohadaglassinhishand，letitflyatCutler’shead，forhewasdrunk。Thereweretwocustomersbesideshimself。
"Nobodyshallgethurthere，"saidCutler，abovethebedlamthatwasnowsetup。"Onlythatman’swanted。ThequieterIgethim，thequieterit’llbeforothers。"
Toussainthaddivedforhispistol，buttheproprietorofthedance—hall，scentinglaw，struckthehalf—breedwiththebuttofanother，andherolledover，andwasharmlessforsomeminutes。Thenhegotonhislegs，andwasledoutoftheentertainment，whichresumedmoregaylythanever。
Feetshuffled，thefiddlewhined，andtruculenttreblelaughtersoundedthroughthecanvaswallsasToussaintwalkedbetweenCutlerandthesaloon—mantojail。Hewasdulyindicted，anduponthescout’sdepositioncommittedtotrialforthemurderofLoomisandKelley。Cutler，hopingstilltobewagon—master，wrotetoLieutenantBalwin，hearinginreplythatthereinforcementswouldnotarrivefortwomonths。Thesessionofthecourtcameinone，andCutlerwastheTerritory’sonlywitness。Hegavehisnameandage，andhesitatedoverhisoccupation。
"Callitpoker—dealer，"sneeredToussaint’sattorney。
"Iwould，butI’msuchafoolone，"observedthewitness。"Putmedownaswagon—mastertothemilitaryoutfitthat’sgoingtoWhiteRiver。"
"Whatisyourresidence？"
"Well，IresideinthesectionthatliesbetweentheMissouriRiverandthePacificOcean。"
"Apleasantneighborhood，"saidthejudge，whoknewCutlerperfectly，andpreciselyhowwellhecoulddealpokerhands。
"It’snotapleasantneighborhoodforsome。"AndCutlerlookedatToussaint"Youthinkyoudonewithme？"Toussaintinquired，uponwhichsilencewasorderedinthecourt。
UponCutler’stestimonythehalf—breedwasfoundguilty，andsentencedtobehangedinsixweeksfromthatday。Hearingthis，helookedatthewitness。"Iseeyouonedayagin，"hesaid。
ThescoutreturnedtoFortLaramie，andsoontheexpectedtroopsarrived，andtheexpeditionstartedforWhiteRivertojoinCaptainBrent。ThecaptainwasstationedtheretoimpressRedCloud，andhadwrittentoheadquartersthatthischiefdidnotseemimpressedverydeeply，andthatthelivesofthesettlerswereinsecure。Reinforcementswereaccordinglysenttohim。OntheeveningbeforethesesoldiersleftLaramie，newscamefromthesouth。Toussainthadescapedfromjail。Thecountrywasfullofroving，dubiousIndians，andwiththeauthenticnewswentarumorthatthejailerhadreceivedvariousmessages。TheseweretotheeffectthattheSiouxnationdidnotdesireToussainttobekilledbythewhiteman，thatToussaint’smotherwasthesisterofRedCloud，andthatmanyfriendsofToussaintoftenpassedthejailer’shouse。Perhapshedidgetsuchmessages。Theyarenotanicesorttoreceive。Howeverallthismayhavebeen，theprisonerwasgone。
III
FortRobinson，ontheWhiteRiver，isbackedbyyellowbluffsthatbreakoutofthefoot—hillsinturretandtoadstoolshapes，withstuntpinesstarvingbetweentheirtorridbastions。Infrontofthefortthelandslantsawayintotheflatunfeatureddesert，andinsummertheskyisablue—steelcovetthateachdayshutsthesunandtheearthandmankindintooneboxtogether，whileitliftsatnighttoletinthecoolofthestars。TheWhiteRiver，whichisnotwide，runsinacurve，andaroundthiscurvebelowthefortsomedistancewastheagency，andbeyonditastockade，insidewhichinthosedaysdweltthesettlers。AllthiswasstrungoutononesideoftheWhiteRiver，outsideofthecurve；andatapointneartheagencyafoot—bridgeoftwocottonwoodtrunkscrossedtotheconcaveoftheriver’sbend——abottomofsomeextent，filledwithgrowingcottonwoods，andthetepeesofmanySiouxfamilies。Alongtheriverandontheplainothertepeesstood。
Onemorning，afterLieutenantBalwinhadbecomeestablishedatFortRobinson，hewastalkingwithhisfriendLieutenantPowell，whenCutlerknockedatthewiredoor。Thewagon—masterwasaprivilegedcharacter，andhesatdownandcommentedirrelevantlyuponthelieutenant’spictures，Indiancuriosities，andotherwell—meantattemptstoconcealthewalk：
"What’sthetrouble，Cutler？"
"Don’tknowasthere’sanytrouble。"
"Cometoyourpoint，man；you’renotascoutnow。"
"Toussaint’shere。"
"What！incamp？"
"HidingwiththeSioux。TwoKnivesheardaboutit。"（TwoKniveswasafriendlyIndian。）"He’slayingforme，"Cutleradded。
"You’veseenhim？"
"No。Iwanttoquitmyjobandgoafterhim。"
"Nonsense！"saidPowell。
"Youcan’t，Cutler，"saidBalwin。"Ican’tspareyou。"
"You’llbehavingtofillmyplace，then，Iguess。"
"Youmeantogowithoutpermission？"saidPowell，sternly。
"Lord，no！He’llshootme。That’sall。"
Thetwolieutenantspondered。
"Andit’sto—day，"continuedCutler，plaintively，"thatheshouldbegettin’hangedinCheyenne。"
Stillthelieutenantspondered，whilethewagon—masterinspectedaphotographofMarieRoseasMarguerite。
"Ihaveit！"exclaimedPowell。"Let’skillhim。"
"Howaboutthecommandingofficer？"
"He’dbackus——butwe’lltellhimafterwards。Cutler，canyoufindToussaint？"
"IfIgetthetime。"
"Verywell，you’reoffdutytillyoudo。Thenreporttomeatonce。"
Justafterguard—mountingtwodayslater，Cutlercameinwithoutknocking。Toussaintwasfound。Hewasdownontherivernow，beyondthestockade。Intenminutesthewagon—masterandthetwolieutenantswererattlingdowntotheagencyinanambulance，behindfourtallbluegovernmentmules。Thesewerehandilydrivenbyaseventeen—year—oldboywhomBalwinhadpicked。up，likinghissterlingAmericanways。HehadcomeWesttobeacow—boy，butachanceofhelpingtoimpressRedCloudhadseemedstilldearertohisheart。Theydrewupattheagencystore，andallwentin，leavingtheboynearlyoutofhismindwithcuriosity，andpretendingtobeabsorbedwiththereins。Presentlytheycameout，Balwinwithfield—glasses。
"Now，"saidhe，"where？"
"Youseethestockade，sir？"
"Well？"saidPowell，stickinghischinonCutler’sshouldertolookalonghisarmashepouted。Butthescoutproposedtobedeliberate。
"Nowthegateofthestockadeisthisway，ain’tit？"
"Well，well？"
"Youstartthereandfollowthefencetothecorner——theleftcorner，towardstheriver。Thenyoufollowthesidethat’snearesttheriverdowntotheothercorner。Nowthatcornerisaboutahundredyardsfromthebank。Youtakeabee—linetothebankandgodownstream，maybethirtyyards。No；it’llbefortyyards，Iguess。There’salonepine—treerightagintheedge。"Thewagon—masterstopped。
"Iseeallthat，"saidLieutenantBalwin，screwingthefield—glasses。
"There’sabuckandasquawlyingunderthetree。"
"Naw，sir，"drawledCutler，"thatain’tnobuck。That’shimlyinginhisInjunblanketandchinnin’asquaw。"
"Why，thatman’sanIndian，Cutler。ItellyouIcanseehisbraids。"
"Oh，he’sriggedupInjunfashion，fustrate，sir。Butthembraidsofhisain’this’n。Falsehair。"
Thelieutenantspassedeachotherthefieldglassesthreetimes，andglaredatthelonepineandthetwofiguresinblankets。Theboyontheambulancewasunabletopretendanylonger，andleanedoffhisseattillhenearlyfell。
"Well，"saidBalwin，"IneversawanythinglookmorelikeabuckSioux。
Lookathispaint。Taketheglassesyourself，Cutler。"
ButCutlerrefused。"He’slikeanInjun，"hesaid。"Butthat’sjustwhathewantstobe。"Thescout’sconvictionboredowntheirdoubt。
Theywerepersuaded。"Youcan’tcomewithus，Cutler，"saidPowell。"Youmustwaitforushere。"
"Iknow，sir；he’dspotus，sure。Butitain’tright。Istartedthiswholebusinesswithmypokerschemeatthatcabin，andIoughttostaywithitclearthrough。"
Theofficerswentintotheagencystoreandtookdowntworifleshangingattheentrance，alwaysreadyforuse。"We’regoingtokillaman，"theyexplained，andtheownerwasentirelysatisfied。TheylefttheruefulCutlerinside，andproceededtothegateofthestockade，turningtheretotheright，awayfromtheriver，andfollowingthepalingroundthecornerdowntothefartherright—handcorner。Lookingfrombehindit，thelonepine—treestoodnear，andplainagainstthesky。Thestripedfigureslaystillintheirblankets，talking，withtheirfacestotheriver。Hereandthereacrossthestreamthesmoke—stainedpeakofatepeeshowedamongthegreenleaves。
"DidyoueverseeamoregenuineIndian？"inquiredBaldwin。
"Wemustletherripnow，anyhow，"saidPowell，andtheysteppedoutintotheopen。Theywalkedtowardsthepinetillitwasahundredyardsfromthem，andthetwobeneathitlaytalkingallthewhile。Balwincoveredthemanwithhisrifleandcalled。Themanturnedhishead，andseeingtherifle，satupinhisblanket。Thesquawsatupalso。Againtheofficercalled，keepinghisriflesteadilypointed，andthemandivedlikeafrogoverthebank。Likemagichisblankethadlefthislimbsandpaintedbodynaked，exceptforthebreech—clout。Balwin’stardybulletthrewearthoverthesquaw，whowentflappingandscreechingdowntheriver。BalwinandPowellrantotheedge，whichdroppedsixabruptfeetofclaytoatrail，thenshelvedintotheswiftlittlestream。Theredfigurewasmakingupthetrailtothefoot—bridgethatledtotheIndianhouses，andbothofficersfired。Themancontinuedhislimberflight，andtheyjumpeddownandfollowed，firing。Theyheardayellontheplainabove，andananswertoit，andthenconfusedyellsaboveandbelow，gatheringallthewhile。Thefigureranonabovetherivertrailbelowthebank，andtheirbulletswhizzedafterit。
"Indian！"assertedBalwin，panting。
"Ranaway，though，"saidPowell。
"So’dyourun。ThinkanySioux’dstaywhenanarmyofficercomesgunningforhim？"
"Shoot！"saidPowell。"’Sgettingnearbridge，"andtheywenton，runningandfiring。Theyellsallovertheplainwerethickening。Theairseemedlikeasubstanceofsolidflashingsound。Thenakedrunnercameroundtherivercurveintoviewofthepeopleattheagencystore。
"Where’sarifle？"saidCutlertotheagent。
"Officersgot’em，"theagentexplained。
"Well，Ican’tstandthis，"saidthescout，andawayhewent。
"Thatman’scrazy，"saidtheagent。
"Youbetheain’t！"remarkedtheambulanceboy。
Cutlerwasmuchnearertothebridgethanwasthemaninthebreech—clout，andreachingthebank，hetookhalfaminute’skeenpleasureinwatchingtheracecomeupthetrail。WhenthefigurewaswithintenyardsCutlerslowlydrewanivory—handledpistol。Thelieutenantsbelowsawthemanleaptothemiddleofthebridge，swaysuddenlywitharmsthrownup，andtoppleintoWhiteRiver。Thecurrentsweptthebodydown，andasitcameitalternatelyliftedandturnedandsankasthestreamplayedwithit。Sometimesitstrucksubmergedstumpsorshallows，andboundedhalfoutofwater，thendrewunderwithnothingbutthebackoftheheadinsight，turningroundandround。ThedinofIndiansincreased，andfromthetepeesinthecottonwoodstheredSiouxbegantoboil，swarmingontheoppositebank，butuncertainwhathadhappened。Themanrollinginthewaterwasclosetotheofficers。
"It’snotourman，"saidBalwin。"DidyouorIhithim？"
"We’regone，anyhow，"saidPowell，quietly。"Look！"
Adozenrifleswerepointingattheirheadsonthebankabove。TheIndiansstillhesitated，fortherewasTwoKnivestellingthemtheseofficerswerenotenemies，andhadhurtnoSioux。SuddenlyCutlerpushedamongtherifles，dashingupthenearesttwowithhisarm，andtheirexplosionrangintheearsofthelieutenants。Powellstoodgrinningatthegeneralcomplicationofmattersthathadpassedbeyondhiscontrol，andBalwinmadeagrabastheheadofthemanintheriverwashedby。Thefalsebraidcameoffinhishand！
"Quick！"shoutedCutlerfromthebank。"Shovehimuphere！"
TwoKnivesredoubledhisharangue，andtheIndiansstoodpuzzled，whilethelieutenantspulledToussaintout，notdead，butshotthroughthehip。
Theydraggedhimovertheclayandhoistedhim，tillCutlercaughtholdandjerkedhimtothelevel，asanewnoiseofrattlingdescendedonthecrowd，andthefourbluemuleswheeledupandhalted。Theboyhaddoneithimself。Massingtheofficers’need，hehadpelteddownamongtheSioux，heedlessoftheiryells，andkeepinghisgrayeyesonhisteam。Ingotthethree，pushingToussaintinfront，andscouredawayforthepostasthesquawarrivedtoshriekthetruthtohertribe——whatRedCloud’srelationhadbeenthevictim。
Cutlersatsmilingastheambulanceswungalong。"ItoldyouIbelongedinthishereaffair，"hesaid。Andwhentheyreachedtheforthewassayingitstill，occasionally。
CaptainBrentconsidereditneatlydone。"Butthatboyputthefinishingtouches，"hesaid。"Let’shavehimin。"
Theboywashadin，andateadinnerwiththeofficersinglumembarrassment，smokingacigarafteritwithoutjoy。Toussaintwasgivenintothedoctor’shands，andhiswoundscarefullydressed。
"ThiswillprobablycostanIndianoutbreak，"saidCaptainBrent，lookingdownattheplain。Blanketedridersgallopedoverit，andyellingfilledtheair。ButToussaintwasnotdestinedtocausethisfurtherharm。Anunexpectedinfluenceintervened。
Allafternoonthecriesandgallopingwenton，andnextmorning（worsesign）thereseemedtobenoIndiansintheworld。Thehorizonwasempty，theairwassilent，thesmokingtepeeswerevanishedfromthecottonwoods，andwherethoseintheplainhadbeenlaythelodge—poles，andthefireswerecirclesofwhite，coldashes。BynoonaninterpretercamefromRedCloud。RedCloudwouldliketohaveToussaint。Ifthewhitemanwasnotwilling，itshouldbewar。
CaptainBrenttoldthestoryofLoomisandKelley。"SaytoRedCloud，"heended，"thatwhenawhitemandoessuchthingsamongus，heiskilled。
AskRedCloudifToussaintshouldlive。Ifhethinksyes，lethimcomeandtakeToussaint。"
Thenextdaywithceremonyandfeathersofstate，RedCloudcame，bringinghisinterpreter，andafterlisteninguntileverywordhadbeentoldhimagain，requestedtoseethehalf—breed。Hewastakentothehospital。Asentrystoodonpostoutsidethetent，andinsidelayToussaint，withwhomCutlerandtheambulance—boywereplayingwhiskey—poker。Whilethepatientwaswaitingtobehanged，hemightaswellenjoyhimselfwithinreason。SuchwasCutler’sfrontierphilosophy。
Weshouldalwaysdowhatwecanforthesick。AtsightofRedCloudloominginthedoorway，gorgeousandgrimasFate，thegamewassuspended。TheIndiantooknonoticeofthewhitemen，andwalkedtothebed。Toussaintclutchedathisrelation’sfringe，butRedCloudlookedathim。Thenthemongrelstrainofbloodtold，andthehalf—breedpouredoutachatteringappeal，whileRedCloudbythebedsidewaitedtillithadspentitself。Thenhegrunted，andlefttheroom。Hehadnotspoken，andhiscrestoflongfeathersasitturnedthecornerwasthelastvisionofhimthatthecard—playershad。
RedCloudcamebacktotheofficers，andintheirpresenceformallyspoketohisinterpreter，whodeliveredthemessage："RedCloudsaysToussaintheapnogood。NoInjun，anyhow。Henotwanthim。Whitemanhuntprettyhardforhim。Cankeephim。"
ThuswasToussainttwicesentenced。Heimprovedundertreatment，playedmanygamesofwhiskey—poker，andwasconveyedtoCheyenneandhanged。
Thesethingshappenedintheearlyseventies；butthereareSiouxstilllivingwhorememberthetwolieutenants，andhowtheypulledthehalf—breedoutofWhiteRiverbyhisfalsehair。Itmakesthemlaughtothisday。AlmostanyIndianisfulloftalkwhenhechooses，andwhenhegetsholdofajokeheneverletsgo。
Sharon’sChoiceUnderProvidence，amanmayachievethemakingofmanythings——ships，books，fortunes，himselfeven，quiteoftenenoughtoencourageothers；
butlethimbewareofcreatingatown。Townsmostlyhappen。Noreal—estateoperatordecidedthatRomeshouldbe。Sharonwasanintendedtown；aoneman’spieceofdeliberatemanufacture；hiswhim，hispet，hismonument，hisdeviceforimmortallycontinuingaboveground。Heplanneditsavenues，gaveithismiddlename，feditwithhisrailroad。Buthehadreckonedwithouttheinhabitants（tosaynothingofnature），andonedaytheydispleasedhim。Wheneveryouwish，youcanseeSharonandwhatithascometoasIsawitwhen，asavisitorwithoutlocalprejudices，theyaskedmetoservewiththetelegraph—operatorandtheticket—agentandthehotel—managerontheliterarycommitteeofjudgesattheschoolfestival。Therewouldbeastage，andflags，andelocution，andparentsassembled，andafterwardsice—creamwithstrawberriesfromElPaso。
"Haveyoueverawardedprizesforschoolspeaking？"inquiredthetelegraph—operator，Stuart。
"Yes，"Itoldhim。"AtConcordinNewHampshire。"
"Everhaveachatafterwardswithamotherwhosegirldidnotgettheprize？"
"Itwasboys，"Ireplied。"Andparentshadnosayinit。"
"It’sboysandgirlsinSharon，"saidhe。"Parentshavenosayinithere，either。Butthatdon’tseemtooccurtothematthemoment。We’llallsticktogether，ofcourse。"
"IthinkIhadbestresign。"saidI。"Youwouldfindmenohandatpacifyingamother。"
"Therearefathersalso，"saidStuart。"Butindividualparentsaresmalltroublecomparedwithabigsplitinpublicopinion。We’vemissedthatsofar，though。"
"Thenwhyhavejudges？Whynotapopularvote？"Iinquired。
"Don’tgobackonus，"saidStuart。"Wearesofewhere。Andyouknoweducationcan’tbedemocraticorwherewillgoodtastefinditself？
Eastmanknowsthatmuch，atleast。"AndStuartexplainedthatEastmanwastheheadoftheschoolandchairmanofourcommittee。"HeisfromMassachusetts，andhistasteisgood，butheistotalabstinence。Won’tallowanyliteraturewiththeleastsmellofadrinkinit，noteveninthesinging—class。Wouldnothave’Here’sahealthtoKingCharles’
insidethedoor。Narrowing，that；asmanyofthefinestclassicsspeakofwinefreely。Eastmanisuseful，butacrank。Nowtake’Lochinvar。’Wearetohaveitonstrawberrynight；butsay！Eastmankickedaboutit。Toldthekidtospeaksomethingelse。Kidcametome，andI——"
AsmilelurkedforoneinstantinthecornerofStuart’seye，anddisappearedagain。Thenhedrewhisarmthroughmineaswewalked。
"YouhaveneverseenanythinginyourdayslikeSharon，"saidhe。"Youcouldnotsitdownbyyourselfandmakesuchathingup。Shakespearemighthave，buthewouldhavestrainedhimselfdoingit。Well，Eastmansays’Lochinvar’willgoinmyexpurgatedversion。ToobadSirWaltercannotknow。EverreadhisFamiliarLetters，Greatgrief！buthewasagoodman。Eastmanstuckaboutthatmentionofwine。Remember？
’SonowamIcomewiththislostloveofmineToleadbutonemeasure，drinkonecupofwine。’
’Well，’thoughtI，’Eastmanwouldagreetowater。Wateranddaughterwouldgo，butisfrequentlyused，andspoilsthemeter。’SoIfiddledwithmypencildowninthetelegraphoffice，andIfixedthethingup。
How’sthis？
’SonowamIcomewiththisbeautifulmaidToleadbutonemeasure，drinkonelemonade。’
Eastmanacceptsthat。Saysit’spurer。Oh，it’snotallsadnesshere！"
"HowdidyoucometobeinSharon？"Iaskedmyexoticacquaintance。
"Ah，howdidI？Howdidallourcrowdattherailroad？Somebodyhasgottoselltickets，somebodyhasgottorunthathotel，andtelegraphshavegottoexisthere。That’showweforeignerscame。Manytravellerschangecarshere，andonetrainusuallymissestheother，becausethetwocompaniesdonotloveeachother。Youhearlotsoflanguage，especiallyinDecember。EasternconsumptivesboundforsouthernCaliforniagetlefthere，anddrummersarealsothick。Remarksrangefrom’Howprovoking！’tothingsIwouldnotevensaymyself。Sothatbighotelanddepothastobekeptrunning，andwefellowsgetalaughnowandthen。Ourlotisbetterthanthesepeople’s。"HemadeageneralgestureatSharon。
"Ishouldhavethoughtitwasworse，"saidI。"No，forwe’llbetransferredsomeday。Thesepoorfolksareshipwrecked。Thoughitistheirownfoolishness，allthis。"
Againmyeyefollowedasheindicatedthetownwithasweepofhishand；
andfromthetownIlookedtothefourquartersofheaven。ImayhaveseenacrossintoOldMexico。Nosignlabelstheboundary；thevacuumofcontinentgoeson，youmightthink，toPatagonia。SymptomsofneighboringMexicobaskedonthesandheapsalongSharon’sspaciousavenues——littletorpid，indecentgnomesinsashesandopenrags，withcrowning—steeplestrawhats，andmurderdozingintheirsmallblackeyes。Theymighthavecrawledfromholesinthesand，orhatchedoutofbrowncrackedpodsonsomeweedsthattrailedthroughthebrokenbottles，theoldshoes，andthewirefences。Outsidetheserampartsbeganthevacuum，white，gray，indigo，florescent，wherealltheyearthesunshines。Notthesemblanceofanytreedancesintheheat；onlyrocksandlumpsofhighersandwaveranddissolveandreappearintheshakingcrystalofmirage。Notthescarofanyriver—bedfurrowsthevoid。Ariverthereis，flowingsomewhereoutoftheshinyvioletmountainstothenorth，butitdiessubterraneouslyonitswaytoSharon，missesthetown，andemergesthirtymilessouthacrossthesunlightinashallow，futilelake，acienaga，calledLasPalomas。Thenitevaporatesintotheceaselessbluesky。
ThewateryougetinSharonisdraggedbyaherdofwind—wheelsfromthebowelsofthesand。Overthetowntheyturnandturn——Sharon’supperstory——afilmycolonyofslats。Insomeofthehomesbeneaththemyoumaygoup—stairs——intheAmericanhomes，notintheadobeMexicancavesofsong，woman，andknives；andbrickandstoneedificesoccur。Monumentsofperishedtrade，theseriseamongtheirflatterneighborscubicalandstark；under—shirts，fire—arms，andgroceriesforsaleintheground—floor，blinddust—windowsabove。Mostofthemansions，however，squatephemerallyuponthesoil，nocellartothem，andnostaircase，thetotalfragileboxreadytobounceandcaracoleshouldthewinddrivehardenough。Insidethem，eating，mending，thenewspaper，andmorebabies，ekeoutthetwelvemonth；outside，thecitizensloitertotheirerrandsalongthebriefwideavenuesofSharonthatemptyintospace。Men，women，andchildrenmoveaboutinthetown，sparseandcasual，andovertheirheadsinawhitetribethewind—wheelsontheirruddersveertothebreezeandindolentlyrevolveabovethegapingobsoleteness。Throughthedumbtownthelocomotivebelltollspervadinglywhenatrainoffreightorpassengerstrundlesinfromthehorizonoroutalongthedwindlingfenceoftelegraphpoles。Nomatterwhereyouare，youcanhearitcomeandgo，leavingSharonbehind，anairycarcass，bleachedandventilated，sittingonthesand，withthesunandthehotwindpouringthroughitsbones。
Thistownwasthemagnate’schild，thethingthatwastokeephismemorygreen；andasItookitinonthatfirstwalkofdiscovery，Stuarttoldmeitsstory：howthemagnatehaddecreedtherailroadshopsshouldbehere；how，atthat，cornerlotsgrewinanight；howhorsemengallopedthestreets，shootingforjoy，andthehastytentsrosewhilethehouseswerehammeredtogether；howtheyhadsong，dance，cards，whiskey，license，murder，marriage，opera——thewholeusualthing——regularastheclockinourWest，inAustralia，inAfrica，ineveryvirgincorneroftheworldwheretheAnglo—Saxonrushestospendhisanimalspirits——regularastheclock，andinSharon’scaseaboutfifteenminuteslong。Fortheybecamegreedy，thecorner—lotpeople。Theyranuppricesforlandwhichtherailroad，thebreathoftheirnostrils，wanted。Theygrewugly，forgettingtheyweredealingwithamagnate，andthatarailroadfromoceantooceancantakeitsshopssomewhereelsewithappallingease。
Thusdidthecornerlotsbecomesandagaininanight。"Andinthewordsofthepoet，"concludedStuart，"Sharonhasanimmensefuturebehindit。"
Ourtalkwaschangedbythesightofaladyleaningandcallingoverafence。
"Mrs。Jeffries，"saidshe。"Oh，Mrs。Jeffries！"
"Well？"calledavoicenextdoor。
"IwanttosendLeolaandArvasitaintoyouryard。"
"Well？"thevoicerepeated。
"Ourtool—houseblewoverintoyouryardlastnight。It’sjammedbehindyourtank。"
"Oh，indeed！"
Awindowinthenexthousewasopened，aheadputout，andthisoccasionedmypresentationtobothladies。TheywereMrs。MatternandMrs。Jeffries，andtheyfellinstantlyintoastiffcautionofdeportment；buttheyspeedilyfoundIwasnotworthbeingcautiousover。
Stuartwhisperedtomethattheywerewidowsofhighstanding，andmothersofcompetingfavoritesfortheelocutionprize；andIhastenedtocourttheiresteem。Mrs。Matternwasinbodymoreample，standinghighandyellowandfluffy；butMrs。Jeffrieswassmoothandsmall，andbehindherspectaclesshehadaneye。
"Youmustnotletusinterruptyou，ladies，"saidI，aftersomecivilities。"DidIunderstandthatsomethingwastobecarriedsome—
where？"
"Youdid，"saidMrs。Jeffries（shehadcomeoutofherhouse）；"andIampleasedtonoticenodamagehasbeendonetoourfence——thistime。"
"Itwouldhavebeenfixedrightupatmyexpense，asalways，Mrs。
Jeffries，"retortedherneighbor，andstartedtokeepabreastofMrs。
Jeffriesasthatladywalkedandinspectedthefence。Thusthetwomarchedparallelalongthefrontiertotherearoftheirrespectiveterritories。
"You’llnotresign？"saidStuarttome。"Itis’yourstilldeath，’ain’tit？"
Itoldhimthatitwas。
"AboutonceamonthIcanexpectthis，"saidMrs。Jeffries，returningalongherfrontier。
"Well，it’snottheonlycaseinSharon，Mrs。Jeffries，"saidMrs。
Mattern。"I’llremindyouofthemthreecoopswhenyoukeptpoultry，andtheygotawayacrosstherailroad，alongwiththebarber’sshop。"
"Butcannotwehelpyougetitout？"saidI，withazealouswishforpeace。
"Youareveryaccommodating，sir，"saidMrs。Mattern。
"Oneoftheprize—awardingcommittee，"saidStuart。"Anelegantjudgeoforatory。HasdecidedmanycontestsatConcord，thehomeofEmerson。"
"Concord，NewHampshire，"Icorrected；butneitherladyheardme。
"HowsplendidforLeola！"criedMrs。Mattern，instantly。"Leola！Oh，Leola！Comerightouthere！"
Mrs。Jeffrieshasbeenmoreprompt。Shewasalreadyinherhouse，andnowcamefromit，bringingapleasant—lookingboyofsixteen，itmightbe。
Theyouthgrinnedatmeashestoodawkwardly，broughtinshirtsleevesfromtheperformanceofsomehouseholdwork。
"ThisisGuy，"saidhismother。"Guytooktheprizelastyear。Guyhopes——"
"Shutup，mother，"saidGuy，withentiresweetness。"Idon’thopetwice——"
"TwiceoradozentimesshouldraisenohardfeelingsifmysonisSharon’sbestspeaker，"criedMrs。Jeffries，andlookedacrossthefenceviciously。
"Shutup，mother；Iain’t，"saidGuy。
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