Soitcameaboutthatalittlearmycrossedthedriftfencesandenteredthebordercountry。Twodayslateritcameout，andmightypleasedtobeabletodoso。Theropehadnotbeenused。
Thereasonforthedefeatwasquitesimple。Thethiefhadrunhiscattlethroughthelavabedswherethetrailatoncebecamedifficulttofollow。Thisdelayedthepursuingparty；theyranoutofwater，and，astherewasamongthemnotonemanwellenoughacquaintedwiththecountrytoknowwheretofindmore，theyhadtoreturn。
\"Nouse，Buck，\"saidJed。\"We\'danyofuscomeinonagunplay，butwecan\'tbuckthedesert。We\'llhavetogetsomeonewhoknowsthecountry。\"
\"That\'sallright——butwhere？\"queriedJohnson。
\"There\'sPereza，\"suggestedParker。\"It\'stheonlytowndownnearthatcountry。\"
\"Mightgetsomeonethere，\"agreedtheSenor。
Nextdayherodeawayinsearchofaguide。Thethirdeveninghewasbackagain，muchdiscouraged。
\"Thecountry\'snogood，\"heexplained。\"Theregularinhabitants\'reasetofMexicanbumsandoldsoaks。Thecowmen\'sallfromnorthanddon\'tknownothingmorethanwedo。Ifoundlotswhoclaimedtoknowthatcountry，butwhenItold\'emwhatIwantedtheyshiedlikeacolt。Icouldn\'thire\'em，fornomoney，togodowninthatcountry。Theyain\'tgotthenerve。Itooktwodaystoher，too，androdeouttoaranchwheretheysaidamanlivedwhoknewallaboutitdownthere。Naryriffle。Manlookedallright，buthistailwentdownliketherestwhenItoldhimwhatwewanted。Seemedplumbscairttodeath。Sayshelivestooclosetothegang。Saysthey\'dwipehimoutsureifhedoneit。
SeemedplumbSCAIRT。\"BuckJohnsongrinned。\"Itoldhimsoandhegothosstylerightoff。Didn\'tseemnowaysscairtofme。I
don\'tknowwhat\'sthematterwiththatoutfitdownthere。
They\'replumbterrorised。\"
Thatnightabunchofsteerswasstolenfromtheverycorralsofthehomeranch。Thehomeranchwasfarnorth，nearFortShermanitself，andsohadalwaysbeenconsideredimmunefromattack。
Consequentlythesesteerswereveryfineones。
ForthefirsttimeBuckJohnsonlosthisheadandhisdignity。
Heorderedthehorses。
\"I\'mgoingtofollowthat————intoSonora，\"heshoutedtoJedParker。\"Thisthing\'sgottostop！\"
\"Youcan\'tmakeher，Buck，\"objectedtheforeman。\"You\'llgetheldupbythedesert，and，ifthatdon\'tfinishyou，they\'lltangleyouupinallthoselittlemountainsdownthere，andambushyou，andmassacreyou。Youknowitdamnwell。\"
\"Idon\'tgivea——\"explodedSenorJohnson，\"iftheydo。Nomancanslapmyfaceandnotgetarunforit。\"
JedParkercommunedwithhimself。
\"Senor，\"saidhe，atlast，\"it\'snogood；youcan\'tdoit。Yougottohaveaguide。YouwaitthreedaysandI\'llgetyouone。\"
\"Youcan\'tdoit，\"insistedtheSenor。\"Itriedeverymaninthedistrict。\"
\"Willyouwaitthreedays？\"repeatedtheforeman。
Johnsonpulledloosehislatigo。Hisfirstangerhadcooled。
\"Allright，\"heagreed，\"andyoucansayformethatI\'llpayfivethousanddollarsingoldandgiveallthemenandhorsesheneedstothemanwhohasthenervetogetbackthatbunchofcattle，andbringinthemanwhorustledthem。I\'llsuremakethisatestcase。\"
SoJedParkersetouttodiscoverhismanwithnerve。
CHAPTERTWO
THEMANWITHNERVE
Ataboutteno\'clockoftheFourthofJulyaridertoppedthesummitofthelastswellofland，andlopedhisanimaldownintothesinglestreetofPereza。Thebuildingsoneithersidewereflat-roofedandcoatedwithplaster。Overthesidewalksextendedwoodenawnings，beneathwhichopenedverywidedoorsintothecoolnessofsaloons。Eachoftheseplacesranabar，andalsogamesofroulette，faro，craps，andstudpoker。Eventhisearlyinthemorningeverygamewaspatronised。
Thedaywasalreadyhotwiththedry，breathless，butexhilarating，beatofthedesert。Athrongofmenidlingattheedgeofthesidewalks，jostlingupanddowntheircentre，oreddyingintotheplacesofamusement，acknowledgedthepowerofsummerbylooseningtheircollars，carryingtheircoatsontheirarms。Theywereasyetbusilyengagedinrecognisingacquaintances。Latertheywoulddrinkfreelyandgamble，andperhapsfight。Towardallbutthosewhomtheyrecognisedtheypreservedanattitudeofpotentialsuspicion，forhereweregatheredthe\"badmen\"ofthebordercountries。Acertainjealousyortouchyegotismlesttheothermanbeconsideredquickeronthetrigger，bolder，moreaggressivethanhimself，kepteachstrungtotension。Anoccasionalshotattractedlittlenotice。Meninthecow-countriesshootascasuallyaswestrikematches，andsomesubtleinstincttoldthemthatthereportswereharmless。
Astheriderenteredtheonestreet，however，amoredefinitecauseofexcitementdrewtheloosepopulationtowardthecentreoftheroad。Immediatelytheirmassblottedoutwhathadinterestedthem。Curiosityattractedthesaunterers；theninturnthefrequentersofthebarsandgamblinggames。Inaveryfewmomentsthebarkeepers，gamblers，andlook-outmen，heldaloofonlybythenecessitiesoftheircalling，aloneofallthepopulationofPerezawerenotincludedinthenewly-formedring。
Thestrangerpushedhishorseresolutelytotheouteredgeofthecrowdwhere，fromhispointofvantage，hecouldeasilyoverlooktheirheads。Hewasaquiet-appearingyoungfellow，ratherneatlydressedinthebordercostume，rodea\"centrefire，\"orsingle-cinch，saddle，andworenochaps。Hewaswhatisknownasa\"two-gunman\"：thatistosay，heworeaheavyColt\'srevolveroneitherhip。Thefactthatthelowerendsofhisholstersweretieddown，inordertofacilitatetheeasywithdrawaloftherevolvers，seemedtoindicatethatheexpectedtousethem。Hehadfurthermoreaquietgreyeye，withtheglintofsteelthatboreouttheinferenceofthetiedholsters。
Thenewcomerdroppedhisreinsonhispony\'sneck，easedhimselftoanattitudeofattention，andlookeddowngravelyonwhatwastakingplace。Hesawovertheheadsofthebystandersatall，muscular，wild-eyedman，hatless，hishairrumpledintostaringconfusion，hisrightsleeverolledtohisshoulder，awicked-lookingnine-inchknifeinhishand，andaredbandanahandkerchiefhangingbyonecornerfromhisteeth。
\"What\'sbitingthelocoedstranger？\"theyoungmaninquiredofhisneighbour。
Theotherfrownedathimdarkly。
\"Dare\'sanyonetotaketheotherendofthathandkerchiefinhisteeth，andfightitoutwithoutlettinggo。\"
\"Nicejoyfulproposition，\"commentedtheyoungman。
Hesettledhimselftocloserattention。Thewild-eyedmanwastalkingrapidly。Whathesaidcannotbeprintedhere。Mainlywasitderogatoryofthesoutherncountries。Shortlyitbecameboastfulofthenorthern，andthenofthemanwhoutteredit。
Heswaggeredupanddown，becomingalwaysthemoreinsolentashischallengeremaineduntaken。
\"Whydon\'tyoutakehimup？\"inquiredtheyoungman，afteramoment。
\"Notme！\"negativedtheothervigorously。\"I\'llgoyorelittleoldgunfighttoafinish，butIdon\'twantanycoldsteelinmine。Ugh！itgivesmetheshivers。It\'sareg\'larMexicantrick！Withagunit\'sdownandout，butthisknifeworkistooslowandsearchin\'。\"
Thenewcomersaidnothing，butfixedhiseyeagainontheragingmanwiththeknife。
\"Don\'tyoureckonhe\'sbluffing？\"beinquired。
\"Notany！\"deniedtheotherwithemphasis。\"He\'sjestdrunkenoughtobecrazymad。\"
Thenewcomershruggedhisshouldersandcasthisglancesearchinglyoverthefringeofthecrowd。ItrestedonaMexican。
\"Hi，Tony！comehere，\"hecalled。
TheMexicanapproached，flashinghiswhiteteeth。
\"Here，\"saidthestranger，\"lendmeyourknifeaminute。\"
TheMexican，anticipatingsportofhisownpeculiarkind，obeyedwithalacrity。
\"Youfellowsmakemetired，\"observedthestranger，dismounting。
\"He\'sgotthewholetownfulofyoubluffedtoastandstill。DamnifIdon\'ttryhislittlegame。\"
Hehunghiscoatonhissaddle，shoulderedhiswaythroughthepress，whichpartedforhimreadily，andpickeduptheothercornerofthehandkerchief。
\"Now，youmangysonofagun，\"saidhe。
CHAPTERTHREE
THEAGREEMENT
JedParkerstraightenedhisback，rolledupthebandanahandkerchief，andthrustitintohispocket，hitflatwithhishandthetouselledmassofhishair，andthrustthelonghuntingknifeintoitssheath。
\"You\'rethemanIwant，\"saidhe。
Instantlythetwo-gunmanhadjerkedloosehisweaponsandwascoveringtheforeman。
\"AMI！\"hesnarled。
Notjestthatway，\"explainedParker。\"Mygunisonmyhoss，andyoucanhavethisoldtoad-stickerifyouwantit。Ibeenlookingforyou，andtookthiswayoffindingyou。Now，let\'sgotalk。\"
Thestrangerlookedhimintheeyefornearlyahalfminutewithoutloweringhisrevolvers。
\"Igoyou，\"saidhebriefly，atlast。
Butthecrowd，missingthepurport，andinfacttheveryoccurrenceofthiscolloquy，didnotunderstand。Itthoughtthebluffhadbeencalled，andnaturally，findingharmlesswhathadintimidatedit，gavewaytoanexasperatedimpulsetogeteven。
\"You——————bluffer！\"shoutedavoice，\"don\'tyouthinkyoucanrunanysuchranikaboohere！\"
JedParkerturnedhumorouslytohiscompanion。
\"Dowegetthattalk？\"heinquiredgently。
Foranswerthetwo-gunmanturnedandwalkedsteadilyinthedirectionofthemanwhohadshouted。Thelatter\'shandstrayeduncertainlytowardhisownweapon，butthemovementpausedwhenthestranger\'sclear，steeleyerestedonit。
\"Thisgentleman，\"pointedoutthetwo-gunmansoftly，\"isanoldfriendofmine。Don\'tyougettocallingofhimnames。\"
Hiseyesweptthebystanderscalmly。
\"Comeon，Jack，\"saidbe，addressingParker。
OntheoutskirtsbeencounteredtheMexicanfromwhomhebadborrowedtheknife。
\"Here，Tony，\"saidhewithaslightlaugh，\"here\'sapeso。
You\'llfindyourknifebacktherewhereIhadtodropher。\"
Heenteredasaloon，noddedtotheproprietor，andledthewaythroughittoaboxlikeroomcontainingaboardtableandtwochairs。
\"Makegood，\"hecommandedbriefly。
\"I\'mlookingforamanwithnerve，\"explainedParker，withequalsuccinctness。\"You\'retheman。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Doyouknowthecountrysouthofhere？\"
Thestranger\'seyesnarrowed。
\"Proceed，\"saidhe。
\"I\'mforemanoftheLazyYofSodaSpringsValleyrange，\"
explainedParker。\"I\'mlookingforamanwithsandenoughandsabeofthecountryenoughtoleadaposseaftercattle-rustlersintothebordercountry。\"
\"Iliveinthiscountry，\"admittedthestranger。
\"Sodoplentyofothers，buttheireyesstickoutliketworawoysterswhenyoumentionthebordercountry。Willyoutackleit？\"
\"What\'stheproposition？\"
\"Comeandseetheoldman。He\'llputittoyou。\"
Theymountedtheirhorsesandrodetherestoftheday。Thedesertcompassedthemabout，marvellouslychangingshapeandcolour，andeverycharacter，withallthenoiselessnessofphantasmagoria。Ateveningthedesertstarsshonesteadyandunwinking，liketheflamesofcandles。Bymoonrisetheycametothehomeranch。
Thebuildingsandcorralslaydarkandsilentagainstthemoonlightthatmadeoftheplainaseaofmist。Thetwomenunsaddledtheirhorsesandturnedthemlooseinthewire-fenced\"pasture，\"thenecessarynoisesoftheirmovementssoundingsharpandclearagainstthevelvethushofthenight。Afteramomenttheywalkedstifflypasttheshedsandcookshanty，pastthemen\'sbunkhouses，andthetallwindmillsilhouettedagainstthesky，tothemainbuildingofthehomeranchunderitsgreatcottonwoods。Therealightstillburned，forthiswasthethirdday，andBuckJohnsonawaitedhisforeman。
JedParkerpushedinwithoutceremony。
\"Here\'syourman，Buck，\"saidhe。
Thestrangerhadsteppedinsideandcarefullyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Thelamplightthrewintoreliefthebold，freelinesofhisface，thedetailsofhiscostumepowderedthickwithalkali，theshinybuttsofthetwogunsintheiropenholsterstiedatthebottom。EquallyitdefinedtheresolutecountenanceofBuckJohnsonturnedupininquiry。Thetwomenexaminedeachother——andlikedeachotheratonce。
\"Howareyou，\"greetedthecattleman。
\"Good-evening，\"respondedthestranger。
\"Sitdown，\"invitedBuckJohnson。
Thestrangerperchedgingerlyontheedgeofachair，withanappearancelessofembarrassmentthanofhabitualalertness。
\"You\'lltakethejob？\"inquiredtheSenor。
\"Ihaven\'theardwhatitis，\"repliedthestranger。
\"Parkerhere——？\"
\"Saidyou\'dexplain。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidBuckJohnson。Hepausedamoment，collectinghisthoughts。\"There\'stoomuchcattle-rustlinghere。I\'mgoingtostopit。I\'vegotgoodmenherereadytotakethejob，butnoonewhoknowsthecountrysouth。ThreedaysagoIhadabunchofcattlestolenrightherefromthehome-ranchcorrals，andbyoneman，atthat。Itwasn\'tmuchofabunch——abouttwentyhead——butI\'mgoingtomakeastarterrighthere，andnow。I\'mgoingtogetthatbunchback，andthemanwhostolethem，ifIhavetogotohelltodoit。AndI\'mgoingtodothesamewitheverycaseofrustlingthatcomesupfromnowon。Idon\'tcareifit\'sonlyonecow，I\'mgoingtogetitback——everytrip。Now，Iwanttoknowifyou\'llleadapossedownintothesouthcountryandbringoutthatlastbunch，andthemanwhorustledthem？\"
\"Idon\'tknow——\"hesitatedthestranger。
\"Iofferyoufivethousanddollarsingoldifyou\'llbringbackthosecowsandthemanwhostole\'em，\"repeatedBuckJohnson。
\"AndI\'llgiveyouallthehorsesandmenyouthinkyouneed。\"
\"I\'lldoit，\"repliedthetwo-gunmanpromptly。
\"Good！\"criedBuckJohnson，\"andyoubetterstartto-morrow。\"
\"Ishallstartto-night——rightnow。\"
\"Betteryet。Howmanymendoyouwant，andgrubforhowlong？\"
\"I\'llplayheralonehand。\"
\"Alone！\"exclaimedJohnson，hisconfidencevisiblycooling。
\"Alone！Doyouthinkyoucanmakeher？\"
\"I\'llbebackwiththosecattleinnotmorethantendays。\"
\"Andtheman，\"supplementedtheSenor。
\"Andtheman。What\'smore，IwantthatmoneyherewhenIcomein。Idon\'taimtostayinthiscountryovernight。\"
AgrinoverspreadBuckJohnson\'scountenance。Heunderstood。
\"Climatenothealthyforyou？\"hehazarded。\"Iguessyou\'dbesafeenoughallrightwithus。Butsuityourself。Themoneywillbehere。\"
\"That\'sagreed？\"insistedthetwo-gunman。
\"Sure。\"
\"Iwantafreshhorse——I\'llleavemine——he\'sagoodone。Iwantalittlegrub。\"
\"Allright。Parker\'llfityouout。\"
Thestrangerrose。
\"I\'llseeyouinabouttendays。\"
\"Goodluck，\"SenorBuckJohnsonwishedhim。
CHAPTERFOUR
THEACCOMPLISHMENT
ThenextmorningBuckJohnsontookatripdownintothe\"pasture\"
offivehundredwire-fencedacres。
\"Hemeansbusiness，\"heconfidedtoJedParker，onhisreturn。
\"ThatcavalloofhisisaheapsightbetterthantheShortyhorsewelethimtake。Jed，youfoundyourmanwithnerve，allright。
Howdidyoudoit？\"
Thetwosettleddowntowait，ifnotwithconfidence，atleastwithinterest。Sometimes，rememberingthedesperatecharacteroftheoutlaws，theirfiercedistrustofanyintruder，thewildnessofthecountry，BuckJohnsonandhisforemaninclinedtothebeliefthatthestrangerhadundertakenataskbeyondthepowersofanyoneman。Again，rememberingthestranger\'scoolgreyeye，thepoiseofhisdemeanour，thequicknessofhismovements，andthetwogunswithtiedholsterstopermitofeasywithdrawal，theywerealmostpersuadedthathemightwin。
\"He\'soneofthoselong-chancefellows，\"surmisedJed。\"Helikesexcitement。Iseethatbythewayhetakesupwithmyknifeplay。He\'dratherleavehishideonthefencethanstayinthecorral。\"
\"Well，he\'sallright，\"repliedSenorBuckJohnson，\"andifheevergetsback，whichsameI\'msomedoubtfulof，hisdinero\'llbehereforhim。\"
InpursuanceofthisherodeintoWillets，whereshortlytheoverlandtrainbroughthimfromTucsonthefivethousanddollarsindoubleeagles。
Inthemeantimetheregularlifeoftheranchwenton。EachmorningSang，theChinesecook，rangthegreatbell，summoningthemen。Theyate，andthencaughtupthesaddlehorsesfortheday，turningthosenotwantedfromthecorralintothepasture。
Shortlytheyjingledawayindifferentdirections，twobytwo，ontheslowSpanishtrotofthecow-puncher。Alldaylongthustheywouldride，withoutfoodorwaterformanorbeast，lookingtherange，identifyingthestock，brandingtheyoungcalves，examininggenerallyintothestateofaffairs，gazingalwayswithgraveeyesonthemagnificent，flaming，changing，beautiful，dreadfuldesertoftheArizonaplains。Ateveningwhenthecolouredatmosphere，catchingthelastglow，threwacrosstheChiricahuasitsveilofmystery，theyjingledinagain，twobytwo，untired，unhasting，thegloryofthedesertintheirdeep-set，steadyeyes。
Andallthedaylong，whiletheywereabsent，thecattle，too，madetheirpilgrimage，stragglinginsingly，inpairs，inbunches，inlongfiles，leisurely，ruminantly，withouthaste。
There，atthelongtroughsfilledbythewindmilloftheblindfoldedpumpmule，theydrank，thenfiledawayagainintothemistsofthedesert。AndSenorBuckJohnson，orhisforeman，Parker，examinedthemfortheircondition，notingtheincrease，remarkingthestraysfromanotherrange。Later，perhaps，they，too，rodeabroad。Thesamethinghappenedatnineotherranchesfromfivetotenmilesapart，wheredweltotherfierce，silentmenallundertheauthorityofBuckJohnson。
Andwhennightfell，andthetopazandvioletandsaffronandamethystandmauveandlilachadfadedsuddenlyfromtheChiricahuas，likeaveilthathasbeenrent，andtherampartshadbecomeslate-greyandthenblack——thesoft-breathednightwanderedhereandthereoverthedesert，andthelandfellunderanenchantmentevenstrangerthantheday\'s。
Sothedayswentby，wonderful，fashioningthewaysandthecharactersofmen。Sevenpassed。BuckJohnsonandhisforemanbegantolookforthestranger。Eight，theybegantospeculate。
Nine，theydoubted。Onthetenththeygavehimup——andhecame。
Theyknewhimfirstbythesoftlowingofcattle。JedParker，dazzledbythelamp，peeredoutfromthedoor，andmadehimoutdimlyturningtheanimalsintothecorral。Amomentlaterhispony\'shoofsimpactedsoftlyonthebakedearth，hedroppedfromthesaddleandenteredtheroom。
\"I\'mlate，\"saidhebriefly，glancingattheclock，whichindicatedten；\"butI\'mhere。\"
Hismannerwasquickandsharp，almostbreathless，asthoughhehadbeenrunning。
\"Yourcattleareinthecorral：allofthem。Haveyouthemoney？\"
\"Ihavethemoneyhere，\"repliedBuckJohnson，layinghishandagainstadrawer，\"andit\'sreadyforyouwhenyou\'veearnedit。
Idon\'tcaresomuchforthecattle。WhatIwantedisthemanwhostolethem。Didyoubringhim？\"
\"Yes，Ibroughthim，\"saidthestranger。\"Let\'sseethatmoney。\"
BuckJohnsonthrewopenthedrawer，anddrewfromittheheavycanvassack。
\"It\'shere。Nowbringinyourprisoner。\"
Thetwo-gunmanseemedsuddenlytoloomlargeinthedoorway。
Themuzzlesofhisrevolverscoveredthetwobeforehim。Hisspeechcameshortandsharp。
\"ItoldyouI\'dbringbackthecowsandtheonewhorustledthem，\"hesnapped。\"I\'veneverliedtoamanyet。Yourstockisinthecorral。I\'lltroubleyouforthatfivethousand。I\'mthemanwhostoleyourcattle！\"
PARTIIITHERAWHIDE
CHAPTERONE
THEPASSINGOFTHECOLT\'SFORTY-FIVE
ThemanofwhomIamnowtotellyoucametoArizonaintheearlydaysofChiefCochise。HesettledintheSodaSpringsValley，andtherepersistedinspiteofthedevastatingforaysofthatApache。Afteratimeheownedallthewellsandspringsinthevalley，andso，naturally，controlledthegrazingonthatextensivefreerange。Onceadaythecattle，intwosandthrees，inbands，instrings，couldbeseenwindingleisurelydownthedeep-troddenandconvergingtrailstothewatertroughsatthehomeranch，thereleisurelytodrink，andthenleisurelytodriftawayintothesaffronandvioletandamethystdistancesofthedesert。Attenotheroutlyingranchesthisdailyscenewasrepeated。Allthesecattlebelongedtotheman，greatbyreasonofhispriorityinthecountry，thebalanceofhisevencharacter，andthegrimdeterminationofhisspirit。
WhenhehadfirstenteredSodaSpringsValleyhiscompanionshadcalledhimBuckJohnson。Sincethenhisformhadsquared，hiseyeshadsteadiedtotheserenityofagreatauthority，hismouth，shadowedbythemoustacheandthebeard，hadclosedstraightinthelineofpowerandtaciturnity。TherewasabouthimmorethanatraceoftheSpanish。SonowhewasknownasSenorJohnson，althoughinrealityhewasstraightAmericanenough。
SenorJohnsonlivedatthehomeranchwithaChinesecook，andParker，hisforeman。Thehomeranchwasofadobe，builtwithloopholeslikeafort。Intheobsolescenceofthisnecessity，otherbuildingshadsprungupunfortified。Anadobebunkhouseforthecow-punchers，anadobeblacksmithshop，along，lowstable，ashed，awindmillandpond-likereservoir，awholesystemofcorralsofdifferentsizes，awalled-invegetablegarden——thesegatheredtothemselvescottonwoodsfromthemoistureoftheirbeing，andsoaddedeachalittletothegreenspotinthedesert。Inthesmallestcorral，betweenthestableandtheshed，stoodabuckboardandaheavywagon，theonlywheeledvehiclesabouttheplace。Undertheshedwererowsofsaddles，riatas，spursmountedwithsilver，bitsornamentedwiththesamemetal，curvedshortironsfortherangebranding，long，heavy\"stamps\"forthecorralbranding。Behindthestablelaythe\"pasture，\"athousandacresofdesertfencedinwithwire。
Therethehardycow-poniessoughtoutthesparse，butnutritious，bunchgrass，sixtyofthem，beautifulasantelope，fortheywerethepickofSenorJohnson\'sherds。
Andallaboutlaythedesert，shimmering，changing，many-tinted，wonderful，hemmedinbythemountainsthatseemedtenuousandthin，likebeautifulmists，andbytheskythatseemedhardandpolishedlikeaturquoise。
Eachmorningatsixo\'clockthetencow-punchersofthehomeranchdrovethehorsestothecorral，neatlyropedthedozentobe\"keptup\"forthatday，andrewardedtherestwithafeedofgrain。Thentheyrodeawayatalittlefoxtrot，twobytwo。
Alldaylongtheytravelledthus，conductingthebusinessoftherange，andatnight，havingcompletedthecircle，theyjingledagainintothecorral。
Atthetenotherranchesthisprogrammehadbeenduplicated。Thehalf-hundredmenofSenorJohnson\'soutfithadcoveredtheareaofaEuropeanprincipality。Andallofit，everyacre，everyspearofgrass，everycactusprickle，everycreatureonit，practicallybelongedtoSenorJohnson，becauseSenorJohnsonownedthewater，andwithoutwateronecannotexistonthedesert。
Thisresulthadnotbeengainedwithoutstruggle。ThefactcouldbereadinthesettledlinesofSenorJohnson\'sface，andthegreatcalmofhisgreyeye。Indiandaysdrovehimoftentotheshelteroftheloopholedadoberanchhouse，theretoawaitthesoldiersfromtheFort，inplainsightthirtymilesawayontheslopethatledtothefootoftheChiricahuas。Helostcattleandsomemen，buttheprofitsweregreat，andintimeCochise，Geronimo，andthelesserlightshadflickeredoutinthewindsofdestiny。Thesheepterrormerelythreatened，foritwassoondiscoveredthatwiththefeedofSodaSpringsValleygrewaburrthatannoyedtheflocksbeyondreason，sothebleatingscourgesweptbyfortymilesaway。CattlerustlingsoneartheMexicanlinewasaneasymatter。ForatimeSenorJohnsoncommandedanarmedband。Hewaslordofthehigh，thelow，andthemiddlejustice。Heviolatedinternationalethics，andforthelawsofnationshesubstitutedhisown。Onebyoneheannihilatedthethievesofcattle，sometimesinopenfight，butoftenerbysurpriseanddeliberatemassacre。Thecountrywasdelivered。
Andthen，withindefatigableenergy，SenorJohnsonbecameaskilleddetective。Alone，orwithParker，hisforeman，herodethecountrythrough，gatheringevidence。Whentheevidencewasunassailablehebroughtoffenderstobook。Therebrandingthroughawetblanketheknewandcouldprove；theear-markingofanunbrandedcalfuntilitcouldbeweanedheunderstood；theparingofhoofstopreventtravellinghecouldtellasfarashecouldsee；thecraftyalterationofsimilarbrands——aswhenaMexicanchangedJohnson\'sLazyYtoaDumb-bellBar——hesawthroughataglance。Inshort，thehundredandonepettytricksofthesneak-thiefheferretedout，indangerofhislife。ThenhesenttoPhoenixforaRanger——andthatwasthelastoftheDumb-bellBarbrand，ortheThreeLinkBarbrand，ortheHourGlassBrand，orahalfdozenothers。TheSodaSpringsValleyacquiredareputationforgoodorder。
SenorJohnsonatthisstageofhiscareerfoundhimselfdroppingintoaroutine。InMarchbeganthespringbranding，thenthecorrallingandbreakingofthewildhorses，thesummerrange-riding，thegreatfallround-up，theshippingofcattle，andtheridingofthewinterrange。Thishappenedoverandoveragain。
YouandIwouldnothavesufferedfromennui。Theropingandthrowingandbranding，thewildswinganddashofhandlingstock，themadracestoheadthemustangs，thefiercecombatstosubduetheseragingwildbeaststothesaddle，thespectacleoftheround-upwithitsbrutishmultitudesanditsgracefulriders，thedustandmonotonyandexcitementandgloryoftheTrail，andespeciallythehundredsofincidentalandgratuitousadventuresofbearsandantelope，ofthirstandheat，ofthejoyoftakingcareofone\'sself——allthesewouldhavefilledourdayswiththeglittering，changingthrongoftheunusual。
ButtoSenorJohnsonithadbecomeanoldstory。Afterthedaysofconstructionthedaysofaccomplishmentseemedtohimlean。
Hismendidtheworkandreapedtheexcitement。SenorJohnsonneverthoughtnowofridingthewildhorses，ofswingingtheropecoiledathissaddlehorn，orofroundingaheadoftheflyingherds。Hisinspectionswerebusinessinspections。Thecountrywastame。Theleatherchapswiththesilverconchashungbehindthedoor。TheColt\'sforty-fivedependedattheheadofthebed。
SenorJohnsonrodeinmufti。Ofhiscowboydayspersistedstillthehigh-heeledbootsandspurs，thebroadStetsonhat，andthefringedbuckskingauntlets。
TheColt\'sforty-fivehadbeenthelasttogo。FinallyoneeveningSenorJohnsonreceivedanexpresspackage。HeopeneditbeforetheundemonstrativeParker。Itprovedtocontainapocket\"gun\"——anickel-plated，thirty-eightcalibreSmith&Wesson\"five-shooter。\"SenorJohnsonexamineditalittledoubtfully。
Incomparisonwiththesix-shooteritlookedlikeatoy。
\"Howdoyou，likeher？\"heinquired，handingtheweapontoParker。
Parkerturneditoverandover，asachildarattle。Thenhereturnedittoitsowner。
\"Senor，\"saidhe，\"ifeveryoushootmewiththatlittleoldgun，ANDIfinditoutthesameday，I\'lljustraisehellwithyou！\"
\"Idon\'treckonshe\'dINJUREamanmuch，\"agreedtheSenor，\"butperhapsshe\'dcallhisattention。\"
However，the\"littleoldgun\"tookitsplace，notinSenorJohnson\'shippocket，butinsidethefrontwaistbandofhistrousers，andtheoldshinyColt\'sforty-five，withitswornleather\"Texasstyle\"holster，becameabedroomornament。
Thus，fromafrontiersmandroppedSenorJohnsontothestatusofapropertyowner。Inageneralwayhehadtoattendtohisinterestsbeforethecattlemen\'sassociation；hehadtoarrangeforthebuyingandshipping，andtherestwasleisure。Hecouldnowhavegoneawaysomewhereasfarastimewent。Socanafishliveintrees——asfarastimegoes。Andinthedailyriding，riding，ridingovertherangehefoundtheopportunityforabstractthoughtwhichthefrontierlifehadcrowdedaside。
CHAPTERTWO
THESHAPESOFILLUSION
Everyday，asalways，SenorJohnsonrodeabroadovertheland。
Hissurroundingshadbeforebeenacceptedcasuallyasamoreorlesspertinentsettingofactionandcondition。NowhesensedsomeofthefascinationoftheArizonadesert。
Henoticedmanythingsbeforeunnoticed。Ashejingledlooselyalongonhiscow-horse，heobservedhowtheanimalwadedfetlockdeepinthegorgeousorangeCaliforniapoppies，andthenhelookedupandabout，andsawthattherichcolourcarpetedthelandscapeasfarashiseyecouldreach，sothatitseemedasthoughhecouldrideonandonthroughthemtothedistantChiricahuas。Only，closeunderthehills，lay，unobtrusive，anarrowstreakofgrey。Andinafewhourshehadreachedthestreakofgrey，andriddenoutintoittofindhimselfthecentreofalimitlessalkaliplain，sothatagainitseemedthevalleycouldcontainnothingelseofimportance。
Lookingback，SenorJohnsoncoulddiscernatenuousribbonoforange——thepoppies。Andperhapsaheadalittleshadowblottedthefaceofthealkali，which，beingreachedandentered，spreadlikefireuntilit，too，filledthewholeplain，untilit，too，arrogatedtoitselftherightoftypifyingSodaSpringsValleyasashimmeringprairieofmesquite。Floweredupland，deadlowland，brush，cactus，volcanicrock，sand，eachoftheseforthetimebeingoccupiedthewholespace，broadasthesea。Inthecircletofthemountainswasroomformanyinfinities。
AmongthefoothillsSenorJohnson，forthefirsttime，appreciatedcolour。Hundredsofacresofflowersfilledthevelvetcreasesofthelittlehillsandwashedoverthesmooth，roundedslopessoaccuratelyintheplacingandmanneroftintedshadowsthatthemindhaddifficultyinbelievingthecolournottohavebeenshadedinactuallybyfreesweepsofsomegiganticbrush。Adozenshadesofpinksandpurples，adozenofblues，andthentheflamereds，theyellows，andthevividgreens。
Beyondwerethemountainsintheirgloryofvolcanicrocks，richasthetapestryofaFlorentinepalace。And，modifyingalltheothers，thetintedatmosphereofthesouth-west，refractingthesunthroughtheinfinitesimalearthmotesthrownupconstantlybythewinddevilsofthedesert，drewbeforethesceneadelicateandgauzyveiloflilac，ofrose，ofsaffron，ofamethyst，orofmauve，accordingtothetimeofday。SenorJohnsondiscoveredthatlookingatthelandscapeupsidedownaccentuatedthecoloureffects。Itamusedhimvastlysuddenlytobendoverhissaddlehorn，thetopofhisheadnearlytouchinghishorse\'smane。Thedistantmountainsatoncestartedoutintoredderprominence；
theirshadowsofpurpledeepenedtotheroyalcolour；theroseveilthickened。
\"She\'stheprettiestcountryGodevermade！\"exclaimedSenorJohnsonwithentireconviction。
Andnomatterwherehewent，norintohowfamiliarcountryherode，theshapesofillusionofferedalwaysvariety。OnedaytheChiricahuaswereatableland；nextdayaseriesofcastellatedpeaks；nowananvil；nowasawtooth；andrarelytheythrewamagnificentsuspensionbridgeacrosstheheavenstotheirneighbours，therangesonthewest。Lakesripplinginthewindandbreakingontheshore，cattlebigaselephantsorsmallasrabbits，distancesthatdidnotexistandforeststhatneverwere，bedsoflavaalongthehillsswearingtoacloudshadow，whiletheskywaspolishedlikeapreciousstone——these，andmanyotherbeautifulandmarvellousbutemptyshowsthegreatdesertdisplayedlavishly，withtheglitterandinconsequenceofadream。SenorJohnsonsatonhishorseinthehotsun，hischininhisband，hiselbowonthepommel，watchingitallwithgrave，unshiftingeyes。
Occasionally，belated，hesawthestars，thewonderfuldesertstars，blazingclearandunflickering，liketheflamesofcandles。Orthemoonworkedhernecromancies，hemminghiminbymountainstenthousandfeethighthroughwhichtherewasnopass。
Andthenasherode，themountainsshiftedlikethescenesinatheatre，andhecrossedthelittlesanddunesoutfromthedreamcountrytotheadobecorralsofthehomeranch。
Allthesethings，andmanyothers，SenorJohnsonnowsawforthefirsttime，althoughhehadlivedamongthemfortwentyyears。
Itstruckhimwiththefreshnessofasurprise。Alsoitreactedchemicallyonhismentalprocessestogenerateanewpowerwithinhim。Thenewpower，beingasyetunapplied，madehimuneasyandrestlessandalittleirritable。
HetriedtoshowsomeofhiswonderstoParker。
\"Jed，\"saidhe，oneday，\"thisisagreatcountry。\"
\"YouKNOWit，\"repliedtheforeman。
\"Thosetouristsintheirnickel-platedPullmanscallthisadesert。Desert，hell！Lookatthemflowers！\"
Theforemancastaneyeonaglorioussilkenmantleofpurple，ahundredyardsbroad。
\"Sure，\"heagreed；\"showswhatwecoulddoifweonlyhadalittlewater。\"
Andagain：\"Jed，\"begantheSenor，\"didyouevernoticethemmountains？\"
\"Sure，\"agreedJed。
\"Ain\'tthataprettycolour？\"
\"Youbet，\"agreedtheforeman；\"nowyou\'retalking！Ialways，saidtheywasmineralisedenoughtomakeagoodprospect。\"
Thiswasunsatisfactory。SenorJohnsongrewmorerestless。Hiscriticaleyebegantotakeaccountofsmalldetails。Attheranchhouseoneeveninghe，onasudden，bellowedloudlyforSang，theChineseservant。
\"Lookatthese！\"heroared，whenSangappeared。
Sang\'seyesopenedinbewilderment。
\"There，andthere！\"shoutedthecattleman。\"Lookatthemoldnewspapersandthemgunrags！Theplaceislikeacow-yard。Whyinthenameofheavendon\'tyoucleanuphere！\"
\"Alleelight，\"babbledSang；\"Icleanhim。\"
Thepapersandgunragshadlainthereunnoticedfornearlyayear。SenorJohnsonkickedthemsavagely。
\"It\'stimewetookabracehere，\"hegrowled，\"we\'relivin\'likealotofOilers。\"[5]
[5]Oilers：Greasers——MexicansCHAPTERTHREE
THEPAPERAYEAROLD
Sanghurriedoutforabroom。SenorJohnsonsatwherehewas，hisheavy，squarebrowsknit。Suddenlyhestooped，seizedoneofthenewspapers，drewnearthelamp，andbegantoread。
ItwasaKansasCitypaperand，byastrangecoincidence，wasdatedexactlyayearbefore。ThesheetSenorJohnsonhappenedtopickupwasoneusuallypassedoverbytheaveragenewspaperreader。Itcontainedonlycolumnsoflittletwo-andthree-lineadvertisementsclassifiedasHelpWanted，SituationsWanted，LostandFound，andPersonal。ThelatteritemsSenorJohnsoncommencedtoreadwhileawaitingSangandthebroom。
Thenoticeswerefiveinnumber。Thefirstthreewereofthemysteriousnewspaper-correspondencetype，inwhichBirdiebeseechesJacktomeetheratthefountain；thefourthadvertisedaclairvoyant。OverthefifthSenorJohnsonpausedlong。Itreads\"WANTED-Byanintelligentandrefinedladyofpleasingappearance，correspondencewithagentlemanofmeans。Objectmatrimony。
JustthenSangreturnedwiththebroomandbegannoisilytosweeptogetherthedebris。TherustlingofpapersarousedSenorJohnsonfromhisreverie。Atonceheexploded。
\"Getoutofhere，youdebasedMongolian，\"heshouted；\"can\'tyouseeI\'mreading？\"
Sangfled，sorelypuzzled，fortheSenorwascalmandunexcitedandaloofinhiseverydayhabit。
SoonJedParker，tall，wiry，hawk-nosed，deliberate，cameintotheroomandflunghisbroadhatandspursintothecorner。Thenheproceededtolighthispipeandthrewtheburnedmatchonthefloor。
\"BeenovertolookattheGrantPassrange，\"heannouncedcheerfully。\"She\'snogood。Drierthancorklegs。Th\'countrywouldn\'tsupportthreehornedtoads。\"
\"Jed，\"quoththeSenorsolemnly，\"Iwishtyou\'dhangupyourhatlikeIhave。Itdon\'tlookgoodthereonthefloor。\"
\"Why，sure，\"agreedJed，withanastonishedstare。
Sangbroughtinsupperandslungitontheredandwhitesquaresofoilcloth。Thenhemovedthelampandretired。
SenorJohnsongazedwithdistasteintohiscup。
\"Thiscoffeewouldfloatawedge，\"hecommentedsourly。
\"She\'snopulinginfant，\"agreedthecheerfulJed。
\"Andthis！\"wentontheSenor，pickingupwhatpurportedtobeplumduff：\"Bogdownafewcurrantsindoughandcallherpudding！\"
Heateinsilence，thenpushedbackhischairandwenttothewindow，gazingthroughitsgrimypanesatthemountains，etherealintheireveningsaffron。
\"BlamedChink，\"hegrowled；\"whydon\'thewashthesewindows？\"
Jedlaiddownhisbusyknifeandidleforktogazeonhischiefwithamazement。BuckJohnson，theaustere，thealoof，thegrimlytaciturn，thedangerous，tobethuscomplaininglikeaquerulouswoman！
\"Senor，\"saidhe，\"you\'reoffyourfeed。\"
SenorJohnsonstrodesavagelytothetableandsatdownwithabang。
\"I\'msickofit，\"hegrowled；\"thisthingwillkillmeoff。I
mightaswellgobeabucknunandbedonewithit。\"
Withoneround-armsweepheclearedasidethedishes。
\"Givemethatpenandpaperbehindyou，\"herequested。
Foranhourhewroteanddestroyed。Thefloorbecamelitteredwithtornpapers。Thenheenvelopedameagreresult。Parkerhadwatchedhiminsilence。
TheSenorlookeduptocatchhisspeculativeeye。Hisowneyetwinkledalittle，butthetwinklewasdeterminedandsinister，withonlyanalloyofhumour。
\"Senor，\"venturedParkerslowly，\"thiseventsureknocksmehell-westandcrooked。Ifthelocoyouhaveculledhasn\'tparalysedyourspeakingparts，wouldyoumindtellingmewhatinthenameofheaven，hell，andhigh-waterisup？\"
\"Iamgoingtogetmarried，\"announcedtheSenorcalmly。
\"What！\"shoutedParker；\"whoto？\"
\"Toalady，\"repliedtheSenor，\"anintelligentandrefinedlady——
ofpleasingappearance。\"
CHAPTERFOUR
DREAMS
Althoughthepaperwasayearold，SenorJohnsoninduetimereceivedananswerfromKansas。Acorrespondenceensued。SenorJohnsonenshrinedabovethebigfireplacethephotographofawoman。Beforethisheusedtostandforhoursatatimeslowlyconstructinginhismindwhathehadhithertolacked——anidealofwomanandofhome。ThisidealheusedsometimestoexpresstohimselfandtotheironicalJed。
\"Itmustsurebenicetohavealittlewomanwaitin\'foryouwhenyoucomeinoff\'nthedesert。\"
Or：\"Now，awomanwouldhavethemwindowsjustbloomingwithflowersandwhitecurtainsandsuchtruck。\"
Or：\"IbetthatSangwouldgetawiggleonhimwithhislittleoldcleaningdudsifhehadawomanaholdofhisjerkline。\"
Slowlyhereconstructedhislife，thelifeoftheranch，intermsofthishypothesisedfeminineinfluence。Thenmatterscametoanunderstanding，SenorJohnsonhadsenthisownportrait。
EstrellaSandswrotebackthatsheadoredbigblackbeards，butshewasafraidofhim，hehadsuchafascinatingbadeye：nowomancouldresisthim。SenorJohnsonatoncetookthingsforgranted，sentontoKansasapreposteroussumof\"expense\"moneyandarailroadticket，andraidedGoodrich\'sstoreatWillets，ahundredmilesaway，forallmannerofgaudycarpets，silverware，fancylamps，worksofart，pianos，linen，andgimcracksfortheadornmentoftheranchhouse。Furthermore，heofferedwagesmorethanequaltoahundredmilesofdeserttoayoungIrishgirl，namedSusieO\'Toole，tocomeoutashousekeeper，decorator，bossofSangandanotherChinaman，andcompaniontoMrs。Johnsonwhensheshouldarrive。
Furthermore，helaidofffromtherangeworkBrentPalmer，themostskilfulmanwithhorses，andsethimto\"gentling\"abeautifullittlesorrel。AsidesaddlehadarrivedfromElPaso。
Itwas\"centrefire，\"whichistosayithadbutthesinglehorsehaircinch，broad，tasselled，verygenteelinitssuggestionofpleasureuseonly。Brentcouldbeseenatalltimesofday，canteringhereandthereonthesorrel，ablankettiedaroundhiswaisttosimulatethelongridingskirt。Hecarriedalsoasulkyandevilgleaminhiseye，warningagainstunduelevity。
JedParkerwatchedthesevariousproceedingssardonically。
Once，thebabylightofinnocenceblueinhiseye，heinquiredifhewouldberequiredtodressfordinner。
\"Ifso，\"hewenton，\"I\'llhavemymanbrushupmylow-neckedclothes。\"
ButSenorJohnsonrefusedtobebaited。
\"Goon，Jed，\"saidhe；\"youknowyouain\'tgotclothesenoughtodustafiddle。\"
TheSenorwashappythesedays。Heshoweditbyanunwontedjovialityofspirit，byaslightbutevidentunbendingofhisSpanishdignity。Nolongerdidthesplendourofthedesertfillhimwithavagueyearninganduneasiness。Helookeduponitconfidently，notingitsvariousphaseswithcare，rejoicingineachnewdevelopmentofcolourandlight，offormandillusion，storingthemawayinhismemorysothattheirrecurrenceshouldfindhimpreparedtorecogniseandexplainthem。Forsoonhewouldhavesomeonebyhissidewithwhomtoappreciatethem。Inthatsharingbecouldseethereasonforthem，thereasonfortheirstrangebitter-sweeteffectsonthehumansoul。
Oneeveningheleanedonthecorralfence，lookingtowardtheDragoons。Thesunhadsetbehindthem。Gigantictheyloomedagainstthewesternlight。Fromtheirsummits，likeanaureola，radiatedthesplendourofthedust-motedair，thiseveningadeepumber。Afaintreflectionofitfellacrossthedesert，glorifyingthereachesofitsnothingness。
\"I\'lltakeheroutonaneveninglikethis，\"quothSenorJohnsontohimself，\"andI\'llmakeherkeephereyesonthegroundtillwegetrightupbyRunningBearKnob，andthenI\'llletherlookupalltoonce。Andshe\'llsurelyenjoythislife。Ibetsheneversawasteerropedinherlife。ShecanridewithmeeverydayoutovertherangeandI\'llshowherthebustingandthebrandingandthatbandofantelopeoverbytheTallWindmill。I\'llteachhertoshoot，too。Andwecanmakelittlepacktripsoffinthehillswhenshegetstoohot——uptherebyDeerskinMeadows\'mongstthehighpeaks。\"
Hemused，turningoverinhismindanewpictureofhisownlife，aims，andpursuitsasmodifiedbythesympatheticandunderstandingcompanionshipofawoman。Hepicturedhimselfashemustseemtoherinhisdifferentpursuits。Thepicturesquenesspleasedhim。Thesimple，directvanityoftheman——thewholesomevanityofastraightforwardnature——awakenedtopreenitsfeathersbeforetheideaofthemate。
Theshadowsfell。OvertheChiricahuasflaredtheeveningstar。
Theplain，self-luminouswiththeweirdlucenceofthearidlands，showedghostly。JedParker，comingoutfromthelamp-litadobe，leanedhiselbowsontherailinsilentcompanywithhischief。He，too，lookedabroad。Hismind\'seyesawwhathisbody\'seyehadalwaystoldhimweretheinsistentnotes——thealkali，thecactus，thesage，themesquite，thelava，thechokingdust，theblindingbeat，theburningthirst。Hesighedinthedimhalfrecollectionofpastdays。
\"Iwonderifshe\'lllikethecountry？\"hehazarded。
ButSenorJohnsonturnedonhimhissteadyeyes，filledwiththegreatgloryofthedesert。
\"Likethecountry！\"hemarvelledslowly。\"Ofcourse！Whyshouldn\'tshe？\"