\"\'Whenhegoestopay，agentwho\'sstandin\'nearshovesbackhisdust，an\'says:\"ThisisJackRainey\'sweek——it\'sthegreatannyooalfestivalofJackRainey，an\'yourmoney\'snogood。\"
\"\'\"ButIaimstodrinksomemorepocotiempo，\"saysthisCaribouSam，whoisnewtoLido，an\'neveryethearsofJackRaineyan\'hislittlegame，\"an\'beforeIpermitsagenttosubsidizemythirst，an\'gostackin\'informybaseappetites，youcangambleIwanttomeethiman\'makehisacquaintance。WhereisthisyeresportJackRainey，an\'whateverishedoin\'thison？\"
\"\'ThepartywhoshovesCaribou\'sdinerooffthebar，tellshimhecan\'tpay，an\'explainstheplay，an\'exhortshimtodrinkfreean\'
frequentan\'keephischipsinhiswar-bags。
\"\'\"AsItellsyou，\"saysthispartytoCaribou，\"myfriendJackRaineyhastreedthecamp，an\'nomoneygoesyerebuthistillhisfurthercommandsisknown。Fillyourhide，butdon\'tflourishnofunds，orgoenlargin\'onanyweaknessyouhasforbuyin\'yourownlicker。Asforseein\'JackRainey，it\'splumbimpossible。He\'sgottoofulltovisitfolksorbevisitedby\'em；buthe\'supsta\'rsonsomeblankets，an\'ifhisreasonisrestoredbytomorry，yousendsupyourkyardan\'payshimyourregyards——pendin\'ofwhichsocialfunction，takeanotherdrink。Barkeep，pumpanotherdoseintothisstranger，an\'chargethesametoJack。\"
\"\'\"Thisyeresoundsgood，\"saysCaribouSam，\"butitdon\'twinoverme。OntilIseesthispersonRainey，Ishallshorelydeclineallbottleswhichispresentedinhisname。I\'vehadaclosecallaboutabroncoIstoleto-day，an\'whenthejurymakesaverdictthatthey\'resorrytosaytheevidenceain\'tenoughtoconvict，thejedgewarnsmetobeaheapcarefulofthecompanyImaintains。Heexhortsmetolivedownmypast，orfailin\'whichhe\'llhangmeyet。Withthisblufffromthebenchringin\'inmyyears，Ishallrefoosedrinkswithallonknownsots，ontilIseesformyse\'fthey\'spropercharactersformetobesociablewith。Tharfore，barkeep，Irenoomydeterminationtopayforthemdrinks；atthesametune，Iordersanotherround。Doyouturnformeorno？\"\"\'\"Notnoneyoudon\'t，\"
saysthefriendofJackRainey。\"Youcandrink，butyoucan\'tpay——
leastwise，you-allcan\'tpaywithoutgettin\'allsorto\'actiononyourmoney。ThisRaineyyou\'reworriedaboutisasgoodagentasme，an\'notatalllikelytoshakethestandin\'ofacommonhoss-
thiefbymerelybuyin\'hisnose-paint。\"
\"\'\"Mineisshorelyadifficultp\'sition，\"saysCaribouSam。\"Whatyouimpartsisscarceencouragin。\'IfthisyereRaineyain\'tnoimprovementontoyou，Iabsolootelyweakensonhiman\'turnsasidefromallrelationsofhisproposin\'。I\'minmightybadreportasthegamestands，an\'Itharforeinsistsag\'inonpayin\'formyownwarmedicine，asbein\'amovenecessarytoprotectmyattitoodesbeforethepublic。\"
Withthescyereobservations，CaribouSammakesabluffatthebarkeepwithahandfulofmoney。Inremonstratin\'，JackRainey\'spardnacherallypullsagun，aslikewisedoesCaribouSam。Thar\'sthecustomaryquantityofshootin\'，an\'whileneitherCaribounorhisfoegetsdrilled，abulletgoesthroughtheceilin\'an\'sorto\'
sa\'ntersinacareless，indifferentwayintoporeJackRainey，wherehe\'sbeddeddownan\'snorin\'upabove。
\"\'Shore，he\'sdead，Raineyis，\'concloodesDave，\'an\'hisontimelytakin\'offmakesLidoquitloserforthreedaysoflickerfreeasair。He\'sasplendid，gen\'roussoul，JackRaineyis；an\'asIsaysatthebeginnin\'，hefallsasacrificetohisloveforothers，an\'
intryin\'athisownexpensetopromotethehappinessan\'liftthemburdensofhisfellow-men。\'
\"\'Thisyeremiscreant，Caribou，\'saysTexasThompson，\'isamightysighttoopunctiliousaboutthemdrinks；whichthar\'snodoubtofit。Dotheylynchhim？\'
\"\'No，\'saysTutt；\'fromthecalibreofthegunwhichfirestheleadthatsnatchesRaineyfromus，itiscl\'arthatit\'sthegentwho\'scontendin\'withCaribouwhodoesit，Stillpublicopinionissomesouroverlosin\'themthreedays，an\'soCaribougoeslopin\'outofLidosurreptitiousthatsameevenin\'，an\'don\'twaitnoneonRainey\'sobsequies。CariboumerelysendsregretsbythebarkeepoftheSunflower，reiteratestherighttopayforthemdrink，an\'Lidoseeshimnomore。\'\"
CHAPTERXV。
TheDefianceofGeneWatkins。
\"BeIreligiousthata-way？\"Moretoembarkhimonsomecurrentofconversationthanfromanygnawingeagernesstodiscoverhiscreed，IhadaimedthequestionatmyOldCattleman。
\"No，\"hecontinued，decliningaprofferedcigar，\"I\'llsmokemyoldpipeto-night。BeIreligious？saysyou。Well，Iain\'tshorelylivin\'inwhatyou\'dcall\'grace，\'stillIhasmybeliefs。BackinTennesseemyfolksisMethodis\'，heldtosprinklin\'an\'sech；
however，formyse\'f，Ineverbanksnoneonthemtechnicalities。It\'sdeedsthatcountswithOmnipotence，sameaswithavig\'lancecommittee；an\'，whetheragentissprinkledordippedorisasaversetowaterasHugginsorOldMonte，won\'tsettlewhetherhewinsoutaharporahotpitchforkintheeternalbeyond。
\"No，Iain\'tabelieverinthatenthoosiasticsensethatfightsitswaytothemourner\'sbenchan\'manifestsitse\'fwithgroansthatdauntshoot-owlsintosilence。Thardon\'tappearmanypreachersoutWestinmyday。Nowan\'thenoneoftheseyeredivines，who\'sgotstrayedordriftedfromhisproperrange，comesbuttin\'hiswayintoWolfvillean\'putsusupasermon，oratalkee-talkee。Insecheventsweallerslistensrespcetful，an\'whenthecontreebutionboxshowsdown，westakes\'emontheirwindin\'way；butit\'sallasmuchforthenameofthecampasanybeliefinthemministrationsdoin\'
localgood。Shore!theseyeresky-scoutsisallrightatthat。ButWolfville\'sahard，practicaloutfit，whatyoumightcallaheapobdurate，an\'it\'sgoin\'totakemorethanthemfitfulan\'
o\'casionalsermonsIalloodesto，ahourlongan\'more\'nthreemonthsapartonaav\'rage，toreachtherootsofitssoul。WhenI
looksbackonPeetsan\'Enright，an\'Boggsan\'Tutt，an\'TexasThompsonan\'Moore，an\'Cherokee，tosaynothin\'ofColonelSterett，an\'recallstheirnacheralobstinacy，an\'thecheerfulconceitwherewiththeyadherestotheirsystemsofexistence，Irealizesthatthemordinary，every-daypulpitutterancesofthesortthatsavesan\'satisfiestheEast，wouldhaveaboutasmuchser\'ouseffectonthemcimmaronpardsofmineasthrowin\'wateronadrownedrat。Whichtheylivesirreg\'lar，an\'they\'redootodieirreg\'lar，an\'iftheycan\'tbeadmittedtothepromisedlandirreg\'lar，they\'reshoredestinedtopitchcampoutside。An\'inasmuchasI
onderstandsthemaforetimecomradesofmine，an\'saveysan\'esteemstheirways，why，IreckonsI\'llstringmygamewiththeirsawholelot，an\'getinorgetbarredwithWolfville。
\"No；I\'venonotionatallag\'instagospelspreader。WhenShortCreekDavegetsreligionoverinTucson，an\'descendsonusasaexhorter，althoughIonlyknowsShortCreekthartoforeasthecoldestpokersharpthatevercatchesagentMuffin\'ona4-flush，I
hesitatesnot，butencouragesan\'capshisgame。ButIcan\'tsaythatthesightofapreacher-gentaffordsmepeace。Apreacherfretsme；notforhimse\'fexactly，butyouneverseespreacherswithoutseein\'p\'licefolks——preachersan\'p\'licegohandinhand，likeprairiedogsan\'rattlesnakes——an\'bornasIbeinTennessee，wherewehasourfeudsan\'wherelawisainterferencean\'neveraprotection，I\'mnacherallyloathin\'constablescomplete。
\"ButifIain\'treligious，\"herambledonwhilehepuffedathisBullDurhamvigorously。\"youcanreskasmallstackthatneitherI
ain\'tsooperstitious。TakeBoggsan\'Cherokee，you-allrecallshowlongagoItellsyouhowsooperstitiousthemtwois。Speakin\'ofBoggs，who\'sasgoodagentan\'astrooafriendasevertouchesyourglass；he\'ssooperstitiousfromhiswrought-steelspurstohisbullionhatband。Boggshasmoresignsan\'omensthansomefolkshasmoney；everythingisatiporahunchtoBoggs；an\'helivessurroundedbyinflooences。
\"Thar\'sapeakedoldsportnamedRyderpervadesWolfvilleforawhile。He\'ssurlyan\'gnurllyan\'omeny，Ryderis；an\'hasoneofthemawfullookin\'faceswherethefeachersisallc\'llectedinthemiddleofhisvisage，an\'buncheduplikethey\'safraidofInjunsorsomethin\'elsethatthreatenin\'an\'hostile——themsortofcountenancesyounotescarvedonthefarendsoffiddles。We-allisaversetoRyder。An\'thisyereRyderhimsc\'fisthatcontentiousan\'
contradictoryhewon\'tagreetonothin\'。JesttoshowyouaboutRyder:Ihasinmindoncewhenapasselofusislookin\'atapaperthat\'scomefloatin\'infromtheStates。Thar\'sthepictureofacow-puncherintoitwho\'sadeadringerforDaveTutt。Fromy\'earstohocksthatpictureisTutt；an\'tharwe-allbeadmirin\'thelikenessan\'takin\'ourlickerconjunctive。Whilethusspec\'latin\'
onthenresemblances，thisyeresouroldmaverick，Ryder，showsupatthebarfornourishment。
\"\'Don\'ttellRyderabouthowthisyeredeelineationlookslikeTutt，\'SaysDocPeets；\'I\'llsawitoffonhimrawforhisviews，andaskhimwhateverdoeshethinkhimse\'f。
\"\'Seeyere，Ryder，\'saysPeets，shovin\'thepaperondertheoldt\'rant\'ler\'snoseashesetsdownhisglass，\'whoeverdoesthispictureputyouinmindof？Doesitlooklikeanysportyouknows？\'
\"\'No，\'saysRyder，takin\'thepaperan\'puttin\'onhisspecks，an\'
atthesametimeasthanklessafterhisnose-paintasifhe\'dbeenrefoosedthebeverage；\'no，itdon\'tputmeinmindofnothin\'nornobody。Onethingshore，an\'you-allhold-upscanropeontothatforafact，itdon\'tremindmenoneofDaveTutt。\'
\"WhichBoggs，who，asIsays，isallersherdin\'ghosts，issooperstitiousaboutoldRyder。That\'sstraight；Boggswon\'tputdownabetwhilethisRyderperson\'sinsight。I\'vebeheldBoggs，jestashe\'sgothischipsplaced，lookupan\'c\'llectaglimpseofthemfiddle-feachersofRyder。
\"\'Whoop!\'saysBoggstoCherokee，whowouldbebehindthebox，an\'
spreadin\'hishandsinreemonstrance；\'nothin\'goes!\'An\'thenBoggswouldglareatthisRyderpartyontilhe\'dfadefromtheroom。
\"He\'stimidofBoggs，too，thisyereRyderis；an\'asmuchaseverit\'sthishorrorofBoggswhichprevailsonhimtoshifthisblanketstoRedDog——thesamebein\'alow-downplazainhabitedbydrunkardsan\'Mexicans，inproportionsaboutaevenbreakofeach，an\'whichassoomesinitsdeliriumtreecnorswaytobearivalofWolfville。
\"\'WhichI\'mapublicbenefactor，\'saysBoggs，whenhe\'sinformedthathe\'sdonefrozethisRyderoutofcamp，\'an\'ifyousportsa\'preciatesmeatmytroovalyoo，you-allwouldproffermesomesechmementoinebbyasasilvertea-set。Memakin\'thisRydervamosisthegreatestpublicimprovementWolfville\'sexperiencedsincethelynchin\'ofFarCreekStanton。You-allain\'ts\'fficientlyonthequeevee，astheysaysinFrench，tobeawareofthem\'lignantatmospheresofthisyereRyder。He\'dhoodooahill，orapine-tree，Ryderwould，letaloneanythin\'asonstableasmymethodsofbuckin\'
faro-bank。GonetoRedDog，hashe？Bueno!Heleavesusan\'attacheshimse\'ftoourenemies。I\'llbetapintohossthatsomethin\'happenstothemRedDogtarrapinsinsideofaweek。\'
\"An\'，son，whilesaidriotouspropheciesofBoggsdon\'timpressmealittlebit，I\'mboundtoadmitthatthesecondnightfollowin\'theheegiraofthisyereRyder，an\'hisadventthata-wayintoRedDog，aoutcastfromtheFloridas，whogoeslocoedasthefrootesofaweekofRedDoggayety，setsfiretothesityooationwhileshootin\'
outthedance-halllamps，an\'burnsuphalfRedDog，withthedancehallan\'theonlytwos\'loonsintheoutfit；tharbyincloodin\'everydropofwhiskeyintheholycaust。Itwasawful!Which，ofcoarse，wecomestotherescoo。RedDog\'sourfoe；buttharbec\'lamities，son，whichleavesnoroominthehoomanheartforanythin\'butpity。An\'
thisisone。Wolfvillerollsouttheneedednose-paintforRedDog，desolatedasIsays，an\'holdsthefraternalglasstotheRedDoglipstillitsfreightersbringsrelieffromTucson。\"Allthesame，whileasIassuresyouthar\'snothin\'sooperstitiousaboutme，I
can\'the\'p，whenRedDogburnsthata-way，butthinkofthembluffsofBoggsaboutthisyereoldRyderpartybein\'ahoodoo。Shore!itconfirmsBoggsinthemweaknesses。An\'heevenwaxespuffedupan\'
putsondogaboutit；an\'ifeverthar\'sadispooteaboutoneofhisomens——an\'thar\'salotfromtimetotime，becauseBoggsisplumbreedic\'lousasto\'em——heupsan\'staggersthecampbydemandin\'，\'Don\'tIcalltheturnthattimewhenRydergoesretreatin\'overtoRedDog？IfIdon\'t，I\'llturnChinkan\'openalaundry。\'
\"Speakin\'ofomens，ofcoursetharbesome，asItellyouyeretoforeinthatWolfvillebookyou\'vedoneprinted，socommonan\'practicaleverygentmustyieldto\'em。Thar\'splaceswheremeresooper。
stitiongetsupfromthetable，an\'mule-sensetakesitsseat。IfI
meetsagentevolvin\'outcriesofglee，an\'walkin\'onbothsidesofthestreet，an\'mostlikelyemptyin\'aColt\'spistolatthefirmament，an\'allwithoutobv\'ouscause，Idedoocesthepresenceinthatgent\'sinteriorofalib\'ralfreightofnose-paint。If，asI\'mproceedin\'aboutmydestinies，Ihearsthevoiceofagun，Iarguestheexistenceofaweeponinmyvicinity。Iftheleadtharfromcutsmysaddle-horn，orcreasesmypony，orplugsadoubleholeinmysombrero，orsomesechlittleplay，Idiestoatheerythattheknighterrantwho\'sbackoftheracketmeansme，onlimbersmyfieldpiece，an\'entersintothesperitoftheeepisode。WhichIgivesyouthisinalmostthemverywordsbefore。Still，signsan\'omensinwhatDocPeetswouldtermtheir\'occultisms，\'Ipassesup。I
wouldn\'tliveinthemapprehensionsthatbeleaguersBoggsforafullherdofthree-year-olds。\"WhichI\'llneverforgetthemeloocidationsberightonfoldsonBoggsoneevenin\'aboutthemournin\'an\'thehowlin\'ofsomehound-dogsthat\'sbeensendin\'thrillsthroughBoggs。It\'swhensomeoutfitofmountebanksisgivin\'ashowcalled\'UncleTom\'sCabin，\'overtoHuggins\'BirdCageOp\'ryHouse，an\'
theseyeresaddenin\'canines——big，lop-y\'earedhound-dogs，theybe——
worksinthepiece。
\"\'Doyou-allhearthemhound-clogsa-mournin\'an\'a-bayin\'lastevenin\'？\'askedBoggsofEnright。
\"\'Shore!Ihears\'em，\'saysEnright。
\"Enright，thata-way，isallerscombatin\'ofBoggs\'sooperstitions。
Ashesays，ifsomebodydon\'theadBoggsoff，themdeloosionsspreads，an\'thefirstnewsyougets，Wolfville\'sholdin\'table-
tippin\'san\'isgoin\'allspraddledoutonseancesan\'sim\'larimbecilities，sameasthemsperit-rappin\'hold-upsoneencountersintheEast。Insechevent，RedDog\'sdootodeemuslocoed，an\'couldtreatuswithjestifieddisdain。Enrightdon\'taimtoallowWolfville\'sgoodrepootetobogdowntoanysechextent，nonewhatever；an\'sostand\'sintoprotectboththecampan\'poreBoggshimse\'ffromBoggs\'weirdan\'ranikabooidees。SoEnrightsaysag\'in:\'Shore!Ihears\'em。An\'whatofit？Can\'tyou-allletaporepuphowl，whenhisheartislowan\'hisdestiniesmostlikelyhasgottangledintheirrope？\'
\"\'jestthesame，\'saysBoggs，\'themoutcriesoftheirsmakesmefeelaheapambiguous。I\'mdrawin\'kyardstoapa\'roffoursthatfirsthowltheyemits，an\'Ismellsbadluckan\'thinkstomyse\'f，\"Here\'swhereyougetkilledtoodeadtoskin!\"ButasItakesinthreeaces，an\'astheharvesttharofiscrowdin\'hardtowardstwohundreddollars，Iconcloodes，final，themdogsdon\'thavemeontheirmindafterall；an\'soI\'mappeasedawholelot。Still，I\'mcur\'oustoknowwhateverthey\'rehowlin\'aboutanyhow。\'
\"\'Whichyou\'retooconceited，Boggs，\'saysTutt，cuttin\'inonthepowwow。\'You-allisallersthinkin\'everythin\'meansyou。Now，I
hearsthemdogshowlin\'，an\'havin\'beheldthespectacletheyperformsin，Isorto\'allowsthey\'resorrowin\'overtheirdisgracefulemployment——sorto\'\'shamedoftheirgame。An\'wellthemdogsmightbebowedinsperit!foramoremendaciousan\'lyin\'
meelodramythansaid\"UncleTom\'sCabin，\"Ineveryetpaysfourwhitechipstosee；an\'I\'mfromIllinoy，an\'wasaAbeLincolnmanan\'arankblackab\'litionistbesides。\'
\"\'Seein\'IonceownsacoupleofhundredGuineas，\'saysEnright，\'myfeelin\'sag\'inslaverynevermountssohighasTutt\'s；butasforeloocidatin\'themdog-songsthat\'ssetyournervestomillin\'，Boggs，it\'seasy。Wheneveryou-allhearsadogmournin\'an\'howlin\'
likethemhound-pupsdoeslastnight，that\'sbecausehesmellssomethin\'hecan\'tlocate；an\'nacherallyhe\'sagitatedtharby。Nowyereafter，neverletyourimaginationpullitspicket-pinthata-
way，an\'gotocavortin\'\'roundpermiscus——don\'tgoromancin\'offonanyofthemghostround-upsyou\'readdictedto。Thar\'sthewholegroosomemyst\'rylaidb\'ar；thempupsmerelysmellsthingstheycan\'tlocate，an\'itfrets\'em。\'
\"\'Nonetheless，\'remarksCherokeeHall，\'whileIreckonsEnrightgivesusthec\'rrectlineondogsthatgetsaudiblethata-way，an\'
onravelsthemhowlsinalltheirmeanin\'s，IconfessesI\'maheaplikeBoggsaboutsigns。Mebby，asIsaysprior，it\'sbecauseI\'makyardsharpan\'allersfacesmyfootureoverafarolayout。Anyhow，signsan\'omenspressesonme。Foronething，I\'msooperstitiousaboutmakin\'ofonyoosalarrangementstoprotectmyplay。Ineveryettriestocinchaplay，an\'nevernotesanybodyelsetry，butwe-
allquitsloser。Itain\'tnouse。Everygent，fromhiscradletohiscoffin，hasgottotakeagambler\'schance。Lifeislikestud-poker；
an\'Destiny\'sgotanaceburiedeverytime。Iteitherout-lucksyouorout-playsyouwheneverit\'ssoinclined；an\'itseemsallerssoinclined，Destinydoes，jestasyou\'reflatterin\'yourse\'fyou\'vegotashorething。Agent\'sboundtoplayfa\'rwithDestiny；hecanputabetdownonthat。Youcan\'tholdsixkyards；youcan\'tdealdouble；youcan\'tplaynocoldhands；youcan\'tbluffDestiny。Allyou-allcandoishumblyan\'meeklypickupthefivekyardsthatbelongstoyou，an\'inasperitofthankfulnessan\'praise，an\'
franklyadmittin\'thatyou\'reluckytobeallowedtoplayatall，doyourlowlybesttharwith。Ain\'tIright，Doc？\'An\'Cherokee，lookin\'
warman\'earnest，turnstoPeets。
\"\'AsabsolootelyrightasthesightsofaSharp\'srifle，\'saysPeets；\'an\'，whileI\'mnotyeretorenderyougiddywithencomiums，Cherokee，youshoreoughttoexpandthemsentimentsintoalecture。\'
\"\'Jestto\'llustratemymeanin\'，\'resoomsCherokee，\'letmeonbosommyse\'fastowhathappensapartybackinPoseyCounty，Injeanny。
I\'mplumbcallowatthetime，bein\'onlyaboutthesizean\'valyooofapa\'roffives。butI\'mplentyimpressedbythemeventsI\'mabouttorecount，an\'themem\'ryisfreshenoughforyesterday。Buttocomeflutterin\'frommyperch。Thar\'sasportwhomakeshishome-
campinthathamletwhichfostersmyinfancy；thatis，he\'stharaboutsixmonthsintheyear。Hislongsuitisplayin\'theponies——
hecanbeattheraces；an\'wherehefallsdownisfaro-bank，whichneverfailstofreezetoallthecoinhechangesin。That\'sthepalin\'offhisfence；faro-bank。Heneverdoestriumphatitonct。
An\'stillthedevicehashimlocoed；hecan\'tletitalone。Jestsoshorelyashefindsafaro-bank，jestsoshorelyhesetsinag\'instit，an\'jestsoshorelyheain\'tgotatail-featherleftwhenhequits。
\"\'Theracesisoverfortheseason。It\'sthefirstsnowofwinterontheground，whenoursportcomestrailin\'intomakehisannyooalcamp。He\'saboutsixthousanddollarsstrong；for，asIstates，hepicksbossesright。An\'he\'sbeenthinkin\'，too；thisyeresportI\'mrelatin\'of。He\'sbeenroominatin\'thebalefuleffectsoffaro-bankinhisspeshulcase。Heknowsit\'snousehimsayin\'hewontbuckthegame。Thisperson\'smadethemvowsbefore。An\'theyholdshimaboutlikecobwebsholdsacow——lastsaboutaslongasadrinkofwhiskey。He\'sbound，intheveryirreg\'laritiesofhisnacher，an\'
thedeadlyidlenessofawinterwithnothin\'todobutthink，togototransactin\'faro-bank。An\'，asahigh-steppin\'patriotoncesays，\"jedgin\'ofthefooturebythepast，\"oursport\'sgoin\'tobeskinnedalive——chewedup——comparedtohimaDiggerInjunwillloomupinthematteroffinancelikeaSteveGirard。An\'heknowsit。
Whereforethisyerecraftysharpstartsintocinchaplay；startsintodefyfate，an\'ropeupan\'brandthefooture，foratleastsixmonthstocome。An\'，jestasIargues，Destinyacceptsthechallengeofthisvainglorioussharp；accceptsitwithagrin。Yere\'swhathedoes，an\'yere\'swhatcomestopass。\"\'Ourwise，forethoughtfulsportseeksouttherobberwhokeepsthetavern。\"TheponieswillbebackinMay，\"sayshe，\"an\'I\'mperishin\'ofcur\'ositytoknowhowmuchmoneyyoudemandstofeedan\'sleepmetillthen。\"Thetavernmannamesthebundle，an\'thethoughtfulsportmakesgood。Thenhestiffensthebarkeepforabouttendrinksadayontiltheadventofthemponies。Followin\'which，hesearchesoutatailorshopan\'
accoomulatesalibh\'raltrousseau，an\'hasitpackeddowntothetavernan\'filedawayinhisrooms。\"Thar!\"hesays；\"whichI
reckonsnowI\'mstrongenoughtogothedistance。Notevenabracegameoffaro-bank，noryetanysim\'lardead-fall，prevailsag\'instme。Iflattersmyse\'f；foronctinaway，I\'veorganizedmydestiniessothat，forsixmonthsatleast，they\'vedonegottoruntroo。\"\"\'It\'saftersupper；oursport，who\'sbeensobusyalldaytreein\'thechancesan\'runnin\'of\'emoutonalimb，isloafin\'
aboutthebar。O\'casionallyhecongratulateshimse\'fonhavin\'alongheadlikeamule；thenag\'inheoneasilyrevertstothefarogamethat\'stossin\'an\'heavin\'withallsortso\'goodan\'badluckjestacrossthestreet。
\"\'Atfirsthe\'splumbinflex\'blethata-way，an\'isgoin\'todenyhimse\'ftofaro-bank。Hewaxesquiteheroicaboutit，oursportdoes；aconditionofsperits，bytheway，I\'veallersnoticedispronetoimmejetlyprecedecompletec\'llapse。
\"\'Theseyerereformthoughtsofoursportconsoomesahour。Aboutthattime，however，heengageshimse\'fwiththefifthdrinkofnose-
paint。Tharuponfaro-banktakesonadifferenttint。Hisattitoodetowardsthatamoosementbecomesenlarged；atleasthedecideshe\'llpranceoversomean\'takeafalloutofitfor，say，ahundredorsoeitherway，merelytoseeifhisluck\'sasblackasformer。An\'overcapersoursport。
\"\'It\'sthesameoldsongbythesameoldmockin\'-bird。Atseconddrinktimefollowin\'midnightoursportisbroke。Ashegetsupan\'
stretches\'roundawholelotinahalf-disgustedway，hestillcan\'the\'pexultin\'onhowplumbcunnin\'he\'sbeen。\"Idon\'tsaythisinanysperitofderision，\"heremarkstothedealerhe\'sbeensettin\'
opp\'sitetoforeighthours，an\'whomanoovershisfiscalover-
throw，asaforesaid，\"an\'shorelywithnointenttomortifyawolflikeyou-all，who\'sasremorselessashe\'sgame，butIforeseesthisracketan\'insuresforitsdefeat。Youfiggersyou\'vedownedme。
Mebbyso。Allthesame，I\'vegotmygamestakedoutsothatIeats，drinks，sleeps，an\'wearsclothestillthecomin\'ofthemponies；
an\'you，an\'theangelsabove，an\'thedemonsdownonderthesea，ispowerlesstoputacrimpinthemcalc\'lations。I\'vegotthenextsixmonthspris\'ner；I\'veturnedthekeysonto\'emsameasifthey\'reinacalaboose。An\'nopowercanrescoo\'emnone；an\'theycan\'tbreakjail。\"
\"\'An\'jesttoshowyou-all，\'continyoosCherokee，afterpausin\'totipthebottleforaspoonful，aswellasletthesityooationsorto\'trickleintousinallitsoutlines——Cherokeeisplentygraphicthata-way，an\'knowshowtoframeupthemrecitalssotheytakeseffect——\'an\'jesttoshowyou，asIremarksformer，thateverygentisboundtotakeagambler\'schancean\'thatshore-thingsdon\'texist，letmeaskyouwhathappens？Ourconfidentsportain\'thardlygotthatbluffhumgupbefore——\"Inglegojang!inglegojang!\"goesthechurchbellinalarm；thetavern\'stookfirean\'burnsplumbtotheground；drinks，chuck，bed，raiment，thewholebunchoftricks；an\'
thar\'sourwisesportoutinthesnowan\'nothin\'butablackruckofsmokin\'ruinstoremindhimofthatcinchofhis。
\"\'It\'salessontohim，though。Ashestandstharmeditatin\'ontheexpectednessoftheunexpected，heobservestohimse\'f，\"Providence，ifsominded，canbeataroyalflush；an\'anygentholdin\'contraryviewsisaliar，amen!\"\'
\"\'Good，Cherokee!\'saysTexasThompson，asCherokeecomestoahalt；
\'I\'myeretoobserveyou\'reamightyexcellentracontoor。Yere\'slookin\'atyou!\'an\'Thompsonraiseshisglass。
\"\'Icatchesyoureye，\'saysCherokee，aheappleased，ashep\'litelycaromshisglassag\'inThompson\'s。
\"\'ButCherokee，\'whispersFaroNell，fromwhereshe\'sclostbyhisside，\'ifthar\'ssomethin\'Idesiresawholelot，an\'isdoin\'mylevelbesttodeservean\'keepitallmylife，doyou-allreckonnowthatProvidenceupsan\'throwsmedown？\'
\"\'Notyou，Nell，\'saysCherokee，ashesmilesonFaroNell，an\'kindo\'surreptitiouspatsherhar；\'notyou。Providenceguidesyourgamean\'guaranteesit。I\'monlydiscussin\'ofmen。It\'soneofthebestthingsaboutbothProvidencean\'woman，an\'tothecreditofallconcerned，thattheyallersagrees——allersgoeshandinhand。\'
\"\'An\'thatlastutteranceisafact，\'observesDaveTutt，who\'sbeeninteresteddeep。\'WhenIfirstwedsTucsonJenniethattime，I
doubtsthemtenets。That\'soverayearago，an\'youbetI\'msettin\'
yereto-dayinpossessionofanewfaith。Ittakestimetoteachme，butInowseesthatTucsonJennie\'stheonfalterin\'mouth-pieceofeternaltrooth；thefullpartnerofProvidence，a-holdin\'downthepostoflookout；an\'thatwhenshesetsforththings，themthingsisdecreedan\'foreordained。\'\"
Andnowmyfriendlapsedintosilenceandbegantoreloadhispipe。
\"IusedtosmokeLoneJackoutontheplains，\"hemurmured，\"ormebbyFrootesan\'Flowers；butIdon\'tknow!IfiggersthisyereBullDurham\'sgotmoreforceofchar\'cter。\"
Thencamemoresilence。Butthenightwasyoung；IwasdisposedtohearfurtherofWolfvilleanditsworthycitizens。Myreadiestmethodwastoputforthaquestion。
\"Buthowaboutyourself？\"Iasked。\"Doyou，likeHallandBoggs，believethatHeavenespeciallyinterfereswiththeplansofman；orthatachallenge，directorotherwise，tothePowersAbove，isliabletoearnreply？\"
\"Istatesag\'in，\"heretorted，puffingacalmativecloudthewhile，\"Istatesag\'in:Thar\'snosooperstitionridin\'therangesofmybreast。YetIseesenoughinalongan\'moreorlesseventfullife——
nottosayanill-employedlife——toknowthatProvidencepacksagun；an\'，asmorethanonescofferfindsout，shedon\'tgoheeledforfun。Thar\'sthatGeneWatkins，whogetskilledbylightnin\'overbytheEagleClawthattime；downedforblasphemin\'，heis。\"
\"LetmehearaboutthisWatkins，\"Iurged；\"nooneismoreinterestedinthedoingsofProvidencethanI。\"
\"WhichfromwhatlittleInotesofyou，\"heobserved，regardingmewithaglanceofdubious，soursuspicion，\"you-allshoreoughttobe。An\'I\'lltellyouonething:IfProvidenceevergetsweariedofthewayyouacts——an\'itain\'tnoneonlikely——youmightaswellsetinyourchipsan\'quit。
\"ButastothisyereWatkins:Idon\'tknowaboutthewisdomofburdenin\'youwithWatkins。It\'sgettin\'plentylate，an\'I\'msomefatiguedmyse\'f；Imustbeorganizin\'tobedmyse\'fdownalotforthenight。Iain\'tsocap\'bleofsleeplessnessasIam\'waybackyonderintheyearswhenI\'mworkin\'cattlealongtheoldJonesan\'
Plummertrail。However，itwon\'ttakelong，thisWatkinskillin\'；
an\'seein\'mymoodsisinthesaddlethata-way，Imayaswellletyouhaveit。Thisyereain\'tastoryexackly；it\'smorelikeaaneckdote；butitallersstrikesmeassheddin\'arayonthemspeshulProvidences。
\"ThisWatkinsisamereyooth；hejumpsintoWolfvillefromtheTexasPanhandle，where，it\'srumored，he\'sbeenoverfreewithagun。However，thatdon\'tbotherusabit。Arizonaconductsherse\'fontheprincipleofeverybodyridin\'hisownsign-camps，an\'sheain\'troundin\'upescapedfelonsfornocommoonitybutherse\'f。
\"ThefirsttimeIseesthisWatkinspartyisoneevenin\'whenhesa\'ntersdownthemiddleaisleoftheBirdCageOp\'ryHouse，withhislariatinhishands，an\'tossestheloopoveraladywho\'sjestthenrenderin\'thatgoodoldhymn:
\"Inthedaysofold，thedaysofgold，Thedaysofforty-nine!
\"It\'smightydiscouragin\'，thisWatkinsbreakin\'inonthemmelodies。It\'smorethandiscouragin\'，it\'sscand\'lous。Theloopisabitbig，an\'fallscl\'ardownan\'fastenstothiscantatricebythefetlocks。An\'thenthislocoedWatkinsturnsloosetopullheroverthefootlights。Whichtheworstis，havin\'herbytheheels，an\'shesettin\'downthata-way，hepullsthatladyoverthefootlightsthewrongway。
\"It\'satthisepock，JackMoore，whoinhiscapac\'tyofmarshalisdomineerin\'aboutdowninfront，whacksWatkinsovertheheadwithhissix-shooter，an\'thelady\'ssaved。
\"\'Whatbeyou-alltryin\'todowiththisdiva？\'demandsMooreoftheWatkinsparty。
\"\'WhichI\'menamoredofher，\'saysthisyereWatkins，\'an\'thar\'saheapofthingsIwasaimin\'topourintoheryears。Butnowyou\'vedonepoundedmeontopwiththatgun，theyallgetsjoltedoutofmymind。\'
\"\'Jestthesame，\'saysMoore，\'ifIwasyou，I\'dtakethesaddleoffmyemotions，an\'hobble\'emouttorestsome。MeanwhileI\'dthinkupanewsystem。You-alllacksreticence；alsoyou\'reaheaptoomuchdisposedtokeepyourse\'finthepubliceye。Idon\'tknowhowitisinTexas，butyereinArizonaagentwhogetstoocel\'bratedgetsshot。Also，ImightaddinconcloosionthatyourPanhandlenotionsofagoodwaytogetconfidenshulwithaladydon\'tobtainnoneyere——theydon\'tgo。An\'soIwarnsyou，neverexpressyourfeelin\'swithalariatinthistheayternomore。Wolfvilleyieldsleeniencytoign\'ranceonce，butneverag\'in。\'
\"But，asI\'msayin\'；aboutthisWatkinsoverontheEagleClaw:
Thar\'sahalf-dozenofus——afloatin\'outfitwebe，ridin\'therange，pickin\'upwhatcalvesmissesthespringbrandin\'——an\'we\'rebringin\'alongmebbythreehundredcowsan\'half-growncalves，an\'
headin\'forthebar-B-eight——that\'sEnright\'sbrand——corraltomarkthecalves。It\'slateinAugust，jestatthebeginnin\'oftherains。
Thar\'sastorm，an\'everybody\'sinthesaddle，plumbdowntothecook，tryin\'toholdthebunch。It\'sflashonflashoflightnin\'；
an\'thunderfollowin\'ontheheelsofthunder-clap。Aswe-alliscirklin\'thelittleherd，an\'singin\'to\'emtorestoretheirreasonwithsoundstheysaveys，tharcomesamostinord\'nateflashoflightnin\'，an\'acrashofthunderlikeamountainfallin\'；itsorto\'standsusuponourhocks。Itmakestheporecattlebattheireyes，an\'almostknockstheirhornsoff。
\"Thar\'samomentofsilencefollowin\'；an\'thenthisyereontamedWatkins，tossin\'hishandatthesky，shoutsout:
\"\'Blazeaway!mygray-headcreator!You-allhasbeenshootin\'atmefortwentyyears；youain\'thitmeyet!\'
\"WatkinsisclosetoBoggswhenhecutsloosethisyeredefiance；
an\'itsimplyscaresBoggscold!He\'safraidhe\'llgetpickedoffalongwithWatkins。Boggs，inhisfrenzy，pullshissix-shooter，an\'
goestodictatin\'withittowardsWatkins。
\"\'Pullyourfreight，\'roarsBoggs；\'don\'tyoustaynearmenone。
Get，orI\'llgiveyoueveryloadinthegun。\'
\"ThisWatkinspersonspurshiscayouseaway；atthesametimehe\'slaughin\'atBoggs，deemin\'histerrorsthata-wayasreedic\'lous。Ashedoes，astreakofwhitefirecomesdown，straightasablazin\'
arrer，an\'withitsechawhirlofthunder，whichIthoughttheearthhadsplit!An\'itshorelyrunsthedevil\'sbrandonWatkins。
\"Whenwerecovers，tharhelies；dead——an\'hisponydeadwithhim。
An\'hemusthavegotthelimit；for，son，theveryrowelsofhisspursismelted。Rightinthemiddleofhisleatherhat-band，whereitcovershisfore\'ead，thar\'sburnedaholeaboutthesizeofa44-
calibrebullet；that\'swheretheboltgoesin。Iremembers，aswegathers\'round，howBoggspicksupthehat。It\'sstoppedrainin\'ofasudden，an\'thestarsisshowin\'twoorthree，wherethecloudsispartin\'away。Boggsstandstharlookin\'firstatthesky，an\'thenatthehatwheretheholeis。Thenheshakeshishead。\'She\'salongshot，butacenterone，\'saysBoggs。\"
CHAPTERXVI。
ColonelSterett\'sWarRecord。
Ithadbeendarkandovercastastoskies；theweather，however，wasfoundsereneandbalmyenough。AsIclimbedthestepsaftermyafternooncanter，IencounteredtheOldCattleman。Hewasre-
locatingoneofthebigverandachairsmoretohiscomfort，andthebettertoenjoyhistobacco。HegavemeaglanceasIcameup。
\"Them\'smightypunyspurs，\"heobservedwithaneyeofhalfcommiseration，halfdisdain；\"them\'sshorereedic\'lous。Whichthey\'ddestroyyourstandin\'withacowpony，utter。He\'dfillupwithcontemptforyoulikeawater-holeinApril。Shore!it\'stherowels；
theyoughterbeaboutthesizean\'shapeofamornin\'star，themrowelshad。Thenagentmighthopeforaction。An\'whyeverdon\'tyou-allwearleatherchappsthata-way，insteadofthemjimcrowbootsan\'trousers？They\'replumbamoosin\'，themgarmentsbe。No，I
onderstands；youdon\'tgochargin\'aboutinthebreshan\'don\'tneedchapps，butstillyououghterdon\'emforthelooks。Thar\'sawrongan\'arightwaytodo；an\'chappsisright。Thar\'sJohnnyCookoftheTurkeyTrack；he\'slikeyou；hecontemnschapps。Johnnychargesintoawirefenceonemidnight，sorto\'sidlesintosaidboundaryfullsurge；afterthatJohnnywearschappsallright。Doesithurthim？Son，themwirest\'arsenoughhideoffJohnny，fromsome\'ersaboutthehock，tomakeasaddlecover，an\'helosesbloodsufficienttopaintahouse。Hecomesmightyneargoin\'shyalaigonthedeal。It\'salessononc\'rrectcostumesthatJohnnydon\'tsoonforget。
\"No，Ineverridesahossnonenow。TheseyereEasternsaddlesain\'ttherightmodel。Whichthey\'saheaptoolowinthecantlean\'toolowinthehorn。An\'themstirrupleathersistooshort，an\'twoinchestoofarfor\'ard。Ineverdoesgradeover-highforridin\'ahoss，evenatmybest。No，Idon\'tgetpitchedoffmore\'niscomin\'
tome；still，Iain\'tp\'intedouttotenderfeetasno\'Centaur\'asDocPeetscalls\'em。Igetsalongwithoutbuckin\'straps，an\'myfriendsdon\'thavetotienorollofblanketsacrossmysaddle-horn，an\'that\'saboutthebestIcanreport。
\"TexasThompsonmostlikelyisthechiefequestr\'anofWolfville。
OnetimeTexasmakesawagerofagallonoflickerwithJackMoore，an\'son!yere\'swhatTexasdoes。Iseeshimwiththeseeyes。Texastakeshisropean\'tiesdownabronco；onetherecordwhereofisthathe\'sthattoomultuousnoonecanridehim。Mostgentswouldhaveduckedatthenameofthisyeresteed，thesamebein\'
\'Dynamite。\'ButTexasmakesthebetImentions，an\'laysforthisonroolycayousewithalltheconfidenceofvirgingoldthata-way。
\"Texasropesan\'tieshimdownan\'cinchesthesaddleontohimwhilehe\'slayin\'thar；Tuttkneelin\'onhislocoedheaddoorin\'theceremony。ThenTuttthrowshimloose；an\'whenhegetsuphenacherallyriseswithTexasThompsononhisback。
\"First，thatbroncostandsinadaze，an\'Texastakesadvantageofhistrancetolaytwosilverdollarsonthesaddle，oneondereachofhislaigs。An\'final，youshouldshorelyhavebeheldthatbroncoputhisnosebetweenhislaigsan\'archhimse\'fan\'buck!Reg\'larworm-fencebuckin\'itis；an\'whenheain\'thittin\'theground，he\'sshoreabundantinthatatmospherealot。
\"Inthemidstoftheseyereflights，whichthesameisenoughtostim\'latetheimaginationofaApache，Texas，asca\'man\'onmovedastheSpanishPeaks，rollsan\'lightsacigarette。Thenhepicksupthebridlean\'givesthatroysterin\'broncojestenoughoftheMexicanbittofillhismouthwithbloodan\'hismindwithdoubts，an\'stopshim。WhenTexasswingstotheground，themtwosilverdollarscomesjinglin\'along；whichheholds\'emtothesaddlethata-waythroughoutthemexercises。It\'sthemdollarsan\'thecigarettethatraisesthelickerissuebetweenJackan\'Texas；an\'ofcourse，Texasquitswinnerforthenose-paint。\"
Ihadsettledbythistimeintoachairconvenienttomyreminiscentcompanion，andrelishingtherestfuleaseafteratwenty-milerun，decidedtoprolongthetalk。Feelingforsubjects，Ibecametentativelycuriousconcerningpolitics。
\"Cowpeople，\"saidmyfriend，\"neversaveyspol\'tics。Iwouldn\'tgiveaMexicansheep——whichisthethingoflowestvalyooIknowsofexceptMexicansthemse\'fs——ortheviewsofanycow-puncheronthemquestionsofstate。Youcangamblean\'maketheroofthelimit，themopinions，whenyou-alloncegets\'emroundedup，wouldbeshoreloodicrous，nottosayfootile。
\"Now，we-allwolvesofWolfvilleusedtoletColonelSterettdoourpolit\'calyelpin\'forus；sorto\'tookhiswordforp\'sitionan\'
stoodpattharon。It\'sintheRedLighttheveryevenin\'whenTexassubdoosthatbronco，an\'letsthewheyoutenJackMooretotheextentofsaidjugofValleyTan，thatColonelSterettgoesoffataroundroad-gaitonthisyereverytopicofpol\'tics，an\'windsupbytellin\'usofhisattitood，personal，doorin\'thecivilwar，an\'thedebtheowessomeGen\'ralnamedWheelerforsavin\'ofhislife。
\"\'Pol\'tics，\'remarksColonelSterettonthato\'casion，re-fillin\'
hisglassfortheseveralethtime，\'jestnacherallyoozesfromaeditor，asyou-allwhoreadsreg\'larlytheCoyoteb\'arswitness；
he\'ssaturatedwithpol\'ticssameasHugginsiswithwhiskey。Asformyse\'f，asidefrommyvocationsofthemtripods，pol\'ticsisinborninme。Igets\'emfrommygrandfather，astallasportan\'ashigh-
rollin\'astatesmanaseverpacksabowieorwinsthebeefatashootin\'matchinoldKaintucky。Yes，sir，\'saystheColonel，anthar\'sapensivelookinhiseyeslikehe\'scountin\'upthatancestor\'smeritsinhismem\'ry；\'pol\'ticswithmethat-awayisshorecongenital。\'
\"\'Congenital!\'saysDanBoggs，an\'histonesisaheapsatisfact\'ry；
\'an\'thar\'sawordthat\'sgoodenoughforadog。IreckonsI\'lltieitdownan\'branditintomybunchrightyere。\'
\"\'Mygrandfather，\'goesontheColonel，\'isaJacksonman；fromthetopofthedeckplumbdowntothehockkyard，he\'snothin\'butJackson。Thisyereattitoodofmygrandsire，an\'himcampedintheswarmin\'midstofaHenryClaycountry，isfrootfulofadventuresan\'callsforplentynerve。ButtheoldSpartangoesthrough。
\"\'Oftenasachild，thatoldgenthasdonetookmeonhiskneean\'
toldmehowhemeetsupfirstwithGen\'ralJackson。He\'sgoin\'downtheriverinoneofthemlittleoldsteamboatsofthatday，an\'theboatisshorecrowded。Mygrandfatherhastosleeponthefloor，asanymoreinthebunkswouldmeanastruggleforlifean\'death。
Thar\'splentyofbunklessgents，however，besideshim，an\'ashesinksintothemsoundan\'dreamlessslumberswhichistheher\'tageoffolkswhoseconsciencesruntrop，hehears\'emdrinkin\'an\'
talkin\'an\'barterin\'mendacity，an\'argyfyin\'pol\'ticsonallsides。
\"\'Mygrandfathersleepsonforhours，an\'isonlyarousedfromthemtorpors，final，bysomesportchunkin\'himathumpintheback。Theoldlionissleepin\'onhisface，thata-way，an\'whenhegetsmauledlikeIrelates，hewakesupan\'goestostruggletohisfeet。
\"\'\"Barsan\'buffaloes!\"saysmygrandfather；\"whatever\'sthat？\"
\"\'\"Laystill，stranger，\"saysthepartywhosmiteshim；\"I\'veonlygottwotogo。\"
\"\'That\'swhatitis。It\'sacoupleofgentsplayin\'seven-up；an\'
bein\'crowded，theyyootilizesmygrandfatherforatable。Thissportisswingin\'theacefortheopp\'siteparty\'sjack，an\'heboardshiskyardwiththatenthoosiasmitcomesmightyclosttodislocatin\'myoldgent\'sshoulder。Buthe\'sthelastKaintuckiantogointerfcrin\'withthereecreationsofothers，sohelaystharstillan\'pronetillthehand\'splayedout。
\"\'\"High，jack，game!\"saysthestranger，countin\'up；\"thatputsmeoutan\'oneoverforlannyap。\"
\"\'Thisyereseven-upgentturnsouttobeGen\'ralJackson，an\'himan\'mygrandfathercampsdowninacorner，drinksupthequartofCincinnatiRectifiedwhichisthestakes，an\'becomesmootuallyacquainted。An\'，gents，Isaysitwithpride，theherooftheHoss-
shoe，an\'thewalloperofthemEnglishatNewOrleanstakestomygrandfatherlikeahoneysuckletoafrontporch。
\"\'Mygrandfathercomesplentynearforfeitin\'thengoodopinionsoftheGen\'ral，though。It\'sthenextday，an\'thatancestorofminean\'theGen\'ralisrecoverin\'themse\'fsfromtheconversationofthenightbeforewithaglassortwooftanzybitters，whenalady，whodescendsontheboatatMadison，comesbulgin\'intothegents\'
cabin。Thecaptainan\'twoorthreeoftheboat\'sfolkstriestoherdherintothewomen\'scabin；butshewithers\'emwithalook，breshes\'emaside，an\'stampedesalonginamongthemen-peoplelikeIexplains。Aboutfortyof\'em\'ssmokin\'；an\'astobaccoisafav\'riteweaknessofthetribeofSterett，mygrandfatherissmokin\'
too。
\"\'\"Iwantsyou-alltomaketheseyeremiscreantsstopsmokin\'，\"saystheladytothecaptain，whofollowsalongthinkin\'mebbyhegetsherheadedrightaftershe\'shadherrunoutan\'tiresdownsome。
\"You\'rethecaptainofthistub，\"saysthelady，\"an\'Idemandsmyrights。Makethesebarb\'rousmiscreantsstopsmokin\'，orIleavestheboatag\'inrightyere。\"
\"\'Thelady\'splumbfierce，an\'herface，whichissternan\'heroic，carriesacapac\'tyfortroublelurkin\'\'roundinit，sameasoneofthembaldhornet\'snestsonabeechlimb。Nacherallymygrandfather\'sgazegetsrivetedonthisladyawholelot，hispipehangin\'forgetfulfromhislips。Thelady\'seyesallatoncecomesdownonmygrandfather，partic\'laran\'personal，likeamilk-crockfromahighshelf。
\"\'\"An\'Imeansyouspeshul，\"saysthelady，p\'intin\'thefingerofscornatmygrandfather。\"Theideeofyoustandin\'tharsmokin\'inmyveryface，an\'meatotterin\'invalid。Itshorelyshowsyouain\'tnothin\'butabrute。IfIwasyourwifeI\'dgiveyoup\'isen。\"
\"\'\"Whichifyouwasmywife，I\'dshoretakeit，\"saysmygrandfather；forthemepithetsspurshimontheraw，an\'heforgetshe\'sagent，thata-way，an\'letsflythisyereretortbeforehecangivehimse\'fthecurb。
\"\'Themomentmygrandfathermakesthemobservations，theladycatchesherface——whichasItellsyouisacrossbetweenagridironan\'asteeltrap——withbothherhands，shakesherha\'rdownherback，an\'cutslooseascreamwhich，likeab\'arinahawg-pen，carriesallbeforeit。Thenshefallsintothecaptain\'sarmsan\'
ordershimtopackheroutondeckwhereshecanfaint。
\"\'\"Whateverbeyou-allinsultin\'thisyereladyfor？\"saysapassenger，turnin\'onmygrandfatherlikeacrateofwildcats。
\"WhichI\'mtheRoarin\'WolverineofSmokyBottoms，an\'Iwaitsforareply。\"
\"\'Mygrandfatherisstandin\'tharsomeconfoosedan\'wroughtup，an\'
aswarmasawolf，thinkin\'howorneryhe\'sbeenbygettin\'acridwiththatlady。Thewayhefeels，thisyereRoarin\'Wolverinepartycomesfor\'ardasaboon。Theoldgentsimplyfallsuponhim，jawan\'
claw，an\'goestosmashin\'furniturean\'fixin\'swithhim。
\"\'TheRoarin\'Wolverineallowsafter，whenhiman\'mygrandfatherdrinksatoddyan\'comparesnotes，whileajack-laigdoctorwho\'saboardsewstheRoarin\'Wolverine\'sy\'earbackon，thathethinksatthetimeit\'stheboatblowin\'up。
\"\'\"She\'sshorethevividestskrimmageIeverpartic\'patesin，\"saystheRoarin\'Wolverine；\"an\'thebusiest。Iwouldn\'thavemisseditforasmallclayfarm。\"
\"\'ButGen\'ralJacksonwhenhecomesbackfromofferin\'condolencestothelady，looksdignifiedan\'shakeshisheadaheapgrave。