\"Liesinthelumpthata-way，\"saidtheOldCattleman，aproposofsomeslightdiscussioninwhichwewereengaged，\"isbad——an\'makenodoubtaboutit!——thatis，lieswhichistoldmalev\'lent。
\"Butthar\'sasortofranikabooliaronearth，an\'Idon\'tmindhimnorhisfabrications，nonewhatever。He\'soneoftheseyereamiablegentswho\'smerelyaimin\'toentertainyouan\'elevateyourmoods；
an\'carryin\'outsechplans，hesorto\'spreadshimse\'f，an\'getsexcursiveinconversation，castin\'loosefromfactsasvainthingsonworthyofhim。Tharusedtobejestsechamendaciouspartywhocamps\'roundWolfvilleforawhile——ifIdon\'tmisrecollect，hegetspluggedstandin\'upathroughstage，final——whoiswonttoliethata-way；wecallshim\'Lyin\'Amos。\'Butthey\'reonlymeanttoentertainyou；themstoriesbe。Amosisneverreallyouttoputyouonawrongtrailtoyourondoin\'。
\"We-alllikesAmosexcellent；but，ofcourse，whenhetakestothehillsasahold-up，somebodyhastodownhim；an\'mymem\'ryonthatp\'intis，theyshorelydo。WhatforlieswouldthisyereAmostell？
Well，forinstance，Amosonceregalesmewithavividpictureofhowhebacksintoacorneran\'pullshislonelygunontwentygents，all\'bad。\'ThisyereisoverinDeming。An\'hegoesondilatin\'totheeffectthathestopssixof\'emforgoodwiththesixloadsinhisweepon，an\'thenmakesitastand-offontheremainin\'fourteenwiththeemptygun。
\"\'Itistheslumberin\'terrorsofmyeye，Ireckons，\'saysthisLyin\'Amos。
\"Whichit\'sreason，an\'likewisefact，thatsechtalesismerestfigmentsontheirfaces；tosaynothin\'ofthehist\'ryofthatcampofDeming，whichdon\'tspeakofnosechblood。
\"But，asIsays，whatofit？PoreLyin\'Amos!——he\'scashedinan\'
settledlongago，likeImentions，goin\'fortheWells-Fargoboxesoncttoofrequent!Whichthepitchergoestoooftentothewell，thata-way，an\'Amosfindsitout!Still，Amosisonlyouttoentertainmewhenheonfurlshowluckyan\'howferociousheisthattimeatDeming。Amosissimplywhilin\'thehoursawaywhenheconcoctsthemromances；an\'sofarfrombein\'distrustfulofhimonaccounttharof，orholdin\'ofhimlowbecauseheletshisfancystampedean\'getawaywithhim，oncewesaveyshislittlegameinallitsharmlessness，itmakesAmospop\'lar。WeencouragesAmosinthemexpansions。
\"Speakin\'oflyin\'，an\'bein\'we\'reonthesubject，itain\'ttoomuchtostatethatthar\'splentyo\'casionswhenlyin\'isnotonlyproperbutgood。It\'sthethingtodo。
\"Comin\'tocases，theworld\'sbeenforeverbasin\'itsgameontheliesthat\'stold；an\'Ireckonsnowifeverygentwastoturninan\'
tellnothin\'butthetroothforthenextfewhours，tharwouldbeaheapoffolkssomehardtofindatthecloseofthemmootualconfidences。Whichplacesnowflourishin\'likeagreenbay-treewouldbedesertedwastesan\'solitoodes。Yes，asIsays，nowIgetsplumbcog\'tativeaboutit，sechattemptstoputdownfictionmightresultinonpreecedenteddisaster。Tharbetimeswhentroothshouldshorelyhaveacopperonit；butweletsthatpassasspec\'lative。
\"Asmymindisledbackalongthetrail，tharloomsbeforethemirrorofmem\'ryahourwhenthewholeWolfvilleoutfitquitseveryothergametoturnitse\'floosean\'lie。Whichforoncewetakesthelimitoff。Notonlydowetalklies，weacts\'em；an\'Enrightan\'
DocPeetsan\'TexasThompson，aswellasMoorean\'Tuttan\'Boggs，tosaynothin\'ofmyse\'fan\'CherokeeHall，an\'therestoftheround-up，getsinontheplay。Whicheverygentstandspatontheminventionstothisyereday，disdainin\'excoosesan\'declinin\'
forgivenesstharfor。Moreover，weplaysthesamesystemag\'in，layoutan\'dealboxbein\'sim\'lar。Thefactis，ifeveraoutfit\'shandgetscrowded，it\'sours。
\"Thedemandsfortheseyerefalsehoodshasitsfirstseedsoneevenin\'whenadrunkenpartycomesstaggerin\'intocampfromRedDog。It\'sstrange；butitlookslikeWolfvillehasafasc\'nationforthemRedDogsots；whichthey\'reallerscomin\'over。Thisvictimofalcoholisnotastrangertous，notbynomeans；thoughmostlyheholdshisrevelsinhisRedDoghome。HisnameIdisremembers，buthegoeswhenhe\'sinWolfvillebythenameof\'WhiskeyBilly。\'Ifhehasalastname，whichit\'slikelysomehehas，eitherweneverhearsitoritdon\'tabidewithus。Mebbyheneverdeclar\'shimse\'f。
Anyhow，whenhegetshisnose-paintan\'weariesfolksinWolfville，sechproceedin\'sishadonderthenomdeploomeof\'WhiskeyBilly，\'
withnothin\'addedbywayoffurtherbrandsory\'ear-markstharonto。
\"Thispartic\'lardatewhenheonloadsonushiscompanionship，WhiskeyBillyisshorethedrunkestan\'mostedioticIeversees。
Troo，hesaveysenoughtopullhisfreightfromRedDog；butI
allersallowsthat\'smerelytheworkofaloocidinterval。
\"WhiskeyBillyain\'tbrightenedWolfvillewithhissocietymore\'nanhour——heonlygetsonedrinkwithus——whenhelapsesintothemtreemors。An\'，youhearme，son，heshorelyhas\'embad；Huggins\'
attacksthata-wayispooerileto\'em。
\"ItlookslikethatRedDogwhiskeyisspeshulmalignant。I\'vebeheldgentswhohasvisionsbeforeeverWhiskeyBillyemitsthatpreelim\'naryyelpintheRedLight，an\'allowsthatBlackJackispawin\'\'roundtoskelphim；butI\'myeretoremark，an\'readytoenforcemystatementswithmoney，argymentsorguns，Ineverwitnessesnocasewhichisafour-spottoWhiskeyBilly\'s。
\"Why，itgetssobeforehequitsout——whichhedoesafterfrothin\'
atthemouthfordays，an\'Boggs，an\'Tutt，an\'JackMoore，withDocPeetssoopervisin\'，ridin\'herdontohiman\'holdin\'himdowninhisblanketsallthetime——thatifWhiskeyBillygoestotakeadrinkofwater，hethinksthebeverageturnstoblood。Ifheseesanythin\'toeat，itchangesintoaGilamonster，orsomesechcreepin\'an\'
disrepootablereptile；an\'Billyjestsimplyr\'arsbackan\'yells。
\"AsIintimates，heyieldstothemerrorstouchin\'hisgruban\'
drinkfordays；followin\'which，Billynacherallygiveswaytodeath，tothereliefofallconcerned。
\"\'YoucangambleI\'mneversopleasedtoseeagentdieinmylife!\'
saysDanBoggs。
\"It\'smostlikelytheseconddayafterBilly\'sbeenseein\'things，an\'we\'vecorraledhiminawickeyupoutbackofthedancehall，whenDocPeetsisintheRedLightthoughtfullyabsorbin\'hiswhiskey。
\"\'Thisyereriotouspatientofmine，\'saysPeets，asheleansonthebaran\'talksgeneralan\'freetoall，\'thisnoisypartywhomyounowhearscallin\'DanBoggsarattlesnake，bein\'misledtothatextentbyRedDoglicker，hasaca\'mmomentaboutfirstdrinktimethismornin\'，an\'beseechesmetosendforhismother。Asasickgenthasarighttodictatetermsthata-way，Idispatchesatelegramtotheladyhenames，sendin\'ofthesamebyOldMontetobeslammedthroughfromTucson。Ireckonsshegetsitbynow。OldMontean\'thestagehasbeeninTucsonformore\'nanhour，an\'as\'lectricityisplentysuddenasameans，ItakesitWhiskeyBilly\'smotherisinformedthathe\'saskin\'forherpresence。\'
\"\'Whichifhe\'scallin\'an\'honin\'forhismother，\'saysTexasThompson，who\'satthebarwithPeets，\'it\'scattletosheephe\'sagoner。Youcanallerstellwhenasportisdowntohislastchip；heneveromitstowanttoseehismother。\'
\"\'That\'swhatever!\'saysEnright。\'LikeTexas，IholdssechdesiresonthepartofthisyereRedDogmartyrasmarkin\'thebeginnin\'oftheend。\'
\"\'Bein\'he\'splumblocoed，\'remarksPests，afterTexasan\'Enrightexpressesthemse\'fs，\'ItakesthelibertytorustlethemclothesofBilly\'sforsigns。Idevelopedlettersfromthisnearrelatifhe\'sclamorin\'for；alsoapictureasshowsshe\'sasfineaoldladyasevermakesaflapjack。Fromthewayshewrites，it\'sallplainan\'
easyhe\'sbeensendin\'hersomerainbowsabouthowhe\'sloomin\'up，likeSlimJimdoeshissisterthata-way。He\'sjestnowindustriouslytrackin\'\'round，lookin\'tolocatehimse\'fasalawyer。Idon\'treckonthisyeremotherhastheslightestideehe\'snothin\'more\'naragged，bustedvictimofRedDog。Lookin\'atitthata-way，\'concloodesPests，\'I\'mwonderin\'whetherIdon\'tmakeacrazy-bossplaysendin\'thisladythemsummons。\'
\"\'Whenshegetshere，ifshecomes，\'saysEnright，an\'hisvoiceshowsaheapofsympatheticinterest；\'whenshefindsoutaboutWhiskeyBilly，it\'sgoin\'tobreakherheart。Thatsheain\'tgametomakethetripisshorelytobehoped。\'
\"\'Youcangambleaponyshecomes，\'saysTexas。\'Ifit\'sawife，now，likemine——whichgoesropin\'\'roundforadivorceoverinLaredorecent；an\'，asyou-allisaware，sheshorelytiesitdown——
tharmightbeachanceoutag\'inheradvent。Butbein\'she\'shismother，Wolfvillemayaswellbraceitse\'ffortheshock。\'
\"\'Idon\'treckonthar\'snodoubtofit，neither，\'repliesEnright，drawin\'asigh；\'whichbein\'thecase，we\'vegottoorganize。Thiscampmustturninwhenshegetsherean\'deloodethatporeoldmotherintothebeliefthathersonBilly\'sbeenthepropan\'stayofArizona，an\'thathisontimelycuttin\'offquenchesthemostshinin\'lightthata-wayoftheagewhereinwelives。\'
\"\'Mightylikely，\'saysPeets，\'wegetsamessagefromherto-morry，whenOldMontetrailsin。That\'lltelluswhattoexpect。I\'mlikeyou-all，however；Idon\'tallowthar\'samorselofdoubtaboutthatmothercomin\'。\'
\"\'WhichIshorelyhopesshedoes，\'saysTexas\'an\'Iyerebydrinkstoit，an\'urgeseverygentlikewise。Ifthar\'sathingonearththatmeltsme，it\'soneo\'themgray-ha\'redoldladies。Youngfemalesthata-wayisallright，an\'it\'splentynacheralforagenttobecur\'ousan\'pleasedtharwith；butIneverdoestrackupwithanoldlady，white-ha\'redan\'motherlymindyou，butItakesoffmysombreroan\'says:\"You\'llexcuseme，marm，butIwantstotrespassonyourtimelongenoughtoaskyourpardonforlivin\'。\"That\'sright；that\'sthewayIfeels；plumbreligiousatthemeresightof\'em。IfIwastomeetasmanyastwoof\'ematonct，I\'dj\'inethechurch。Thesamebein\'troo，I\'msayin\'thatthisyereWhiskeyBilly\'smothercan\'tstrikecamptoosoonnorstoptoolongforTexasThompson。\'
\"\'EverygentIreckonsfeelsallsim\'lar，\'saysCherokeeHall。\'A
oldladyistheonesplendidthingtheLordevermakes。IknowsagentoverbackofPrescott，an\'thesightofagoodoldwomanwouldstophisnose-paintforaweek。Wouldn\'tdrinkadropnorplayakyard，thispartywouldn\'t，foraweekafterhecutsthetrailofsomebody\'soldmother。Heallowsitrevivesmem\'riesofhisown，an\'
thatheain\'touttomixnosechvisionswithfaro-bankan\'whiskeybottles。\'
\"\'An\'IapplaudsthisyerePrescottperson\'sviews，\'saysTexasThompson，\'an\'wouldbeproudtoknowthegent。\'
\"\'Howlong，Peets，\'saysEnright，who\'sbeenthinkin\'hardan\'
serious，\'howlong——an\'startatonct——beforeeverthisyereWhiskeyBilly\'sparentisgoin\'tostrikethecamp？\'
\"\'It\'llbefivedaysshore，\'answersPeets。\'She\'s\'waybackyondertheothersideoftheMissouri。\'
\"WhenOldMontecomesrumblin\'alonginnextday，thar\'sthemessagefromWhiskeyBilly\'smother。She\'sshorea-comin\'。ThisyereBillyissoplumbintheair，mental，heneverdoesknowit，an\'hediestenhoursbeforetheoldladydrivesin。ButWolfville\'sready。
That\'sthetimewhenthewholebandsimplysuspendseverythin\'tolie。
\"WhiskeyBillyisarrayedinDocPeets\'bestraiment，so，asPeetssays，helooksprofessionallikealawsharpshould。An\'bein\'aswedevotestoBillyallthewaterthewindmillcandrawinahour，heisapatternofpersonalneatnessthata-way。
\"Enright——an\'tharneveristhegentwhogetsaheadofthatoldsilvertip——takin\'thewordfromPeetsinadvance，sendsovertoTucsonforacoffinasfineasthedance-hallpiano，an\'itcomesalonginthestageaheadofBilly\'smother。Whenshedoesgetthar，Billy\'salllaidouthandsomean\'tranquilinthedinin\'-roomoftheO。K。Restauraw，an\'therestofusiseatin\'supperinthestreet。
Itlooksselfishtogocrowdin\'ahe\'plessremainderthata-way，an\'
himgettin\'readytoquittheearthforgood；sothedinin\'-roombein\'small，an\'thecoffinneedin\'thespace，therestofusvamosesintothecauseway，an\'MissisRuckerisdealin\'usourchuckwhenthestagearrives。
\"Thar\'saadjournmentprompt，however，an\'we-allgoesovertocheerupWhiskeyBilly\'smotherwhenshegetsout。Enrightleadsoff，an\'
theresttrailsinan\'followshisplay，shakin\'theoldlady\'shandan\'givin\'herthewordwhatasuccessherboyiswhilehelives，an\'whatablowitiswhenhepeters。Itcomesplumbeasy，thatmendacitydoes，for，asTexasThompsonsurmises，sheisshorelythebeautifulestoldladyIeverseesputahandkerchieftohereyes。
\"\'Don\'tweep，marm，\'saysEnright。\'ThisyerecampofWolfville，knowin\'Willyuman\'hisvirchooswell，byfeelin\'itsownonmeasuredloss，putsnobound\'riesonitssympathyforyou。\'
\"\'Deathlovesashinin\'mark，marm，\'saysDocPeets，ashepressestheoldlady\'shandan\'takesoffhishat，\'an\'thesamebein\'troo，it\'snomarvelthedestroyerexperiments\'roundontilhegetsyoursonWillyum\'srange。We\'relikebrothers，Willyuman\'me，an\'fromaclose，admirin\'friendshipwhichextendsovertheyearan\'ahalfsinceheleavesyouintheStates，I\'mshorequalifiedtostatehowWillyumisthebrightest，bravestgentinArizona。\'
\"An\'doyouknow，son，thisyere，whichseemsamockerywhileI
repeatsitnow，isliketherealthingatthetime!I\'macoyote!ifitdon\'taffectTexasThompsonsoheshedstears；an\'DanBoggsan\'
Tuttan\'Moorean\'CherokeeHallislookin\'farfrombrightabouttheeyesthemse\'fs。
\"We-allgoesovertotheO。K。House，followin\'thecomin\'ofthestage，an\'leadstheoldgraymotherintothesideofherson，an\'
leavesherthar。Enrighttellsher，asweturnscat-foottotrailoutsoshewon\'tbepesteredbythepresenceofus，ashowPeets\'llcomebackinahourtoseeher，an\'thatasallofus\'llbejestacrossthestreet，it\'llbeplentyeasytofetchusifshefeelslikecompany。AswestartsfortheRedLighttogetsomethin\'tocheerusup，Iseesherwhereshe\'ssettin\'withherarman\'faceonthecoffin。
\"It\'sgreatwork，though，themlieswetells；an\'Inoteshowthemother\'sprideoverwhatagoodan\'risin\'sporthersonhasbeen，half-waybreaksevenwithhergrief。
\"Tharisonlyonethingwhichhappenstodisturban\'marthehour，an\'notawhisperofthiseverdriftstoWhiskeyBilly\'smother。
She\'sbusywithhersorrowwhereweleavesher，an\'sheneverhearsasoundbutherownsobs。It\'swhilewe\'rewaitin\'，allquietan\'
pensif，campedabouttheRedLight。AnotheroutlawfromRedDogcomescavortin\'in。Ofcourse，heisignorantofourbein\'bereavedthata-way，buthe\'dnoneedtobe。
\"\'Whatever\'sthematterwithyou-allwolvesyere？\'hedemands，ashecomesbulgin\'alongintotheRedLight。\'Where\'sallyourhowls？\'
\"Texasarisesfromwherehe\'ssettin\'withhisfaceinhishands，an\'wipin\'theemotionoutenhiseyes，softlyan\'reverentiallybeatshisgunoverthisyereparty\'shead；whereuponhec\'llapsesintothecornertillcalledfor。Thenwe-allsetsdownsilentan\'
sympatheticag\'in。
\"It\'sthenextdaywhenWhiskeyBillytakeshislastrideovertoTucsononabuckboard。Adozenofusgoesalong，makin\'goodthembluffsaboutBilly\'sworth；Enrightan\'Peetsisinthestagewiththeoldmother，an\'therestofusonourponiesasabodygyardofhonor。
\"\'An\'itiswell，marm，\'saysEnright，aswe-allshakeshands，asBillyan\'hismotherisabouttoleaveTucson，an\'westandsb\'ar-
headedtosayadios；\'an\'deathquitsloserhalfitsgloomwhenonereflectsthatwhileWillyumdies，heleavestheworldan\'allofusbetterforthemexamplesheexertsamongus。Willyummaydie，buthismem\'rywilllivelongtoleadan\'guideus。\'
\"Icouldseetheoldmother\'seyesshinewithpridethroughhertearswhenEnrightsaysthis；an\'asshecomes\'roundan\'shakesan\'
thanksusallspeshul，I\'mshorelyproudofWolfville\'schief。Soiseverybody，Ireckons；forwhenwe\'reaboutamileoutonthetrailback，an\'allridin\'silentan\'quiet，Texasupsan\'shakesEnrightbythehandaheapsudden，an\'says:
\"\'SamEnright，Iain\'treportedasnoneemotional，butI\'myourstocommandfromnowtilldeath，an\'yere\'sthehandan\'wordofTexasThompsononit。\'\"
CHAPTERXIX。
WhentheStageWasStopped。
\"Campdownintothatcharthar，son，\"saidtheOldCattlemanwithmuchheartiness。\"WhichI\'mwaitin\'forthatblackboyTomtocomeback；Isendshimformywar-bags。No，Idon\'tneed\'emnone，onlyI\'vegottogivethisyereimbecileTommoney。ThemSenegambiansisshoreapecooliarpeople。Theygetsanewreligionsameasyou-allgetsanewhat，an\'theychangestheirnameslikesomefolksdoestheirshirt。Whichthey\'rethatloosean\'liableaboutchurchesan\'
cognomens!
\"Asformoney，takethisboyTom。Heactooallytransactshislifeonthetheerythathehaspriorclaimsoneverysplinterofmybank-
roll。Jestnowhedescendsontomean\'e\'labe\'ratelystateshistitletotenpesos。Sayshe\'sdonej\'inedanewchurch，an\'hasbeenmaderound-upbossorsomethin\'toaoutfitcalled，\'TheAfro-
AmericanWidows\'ReadyReliefSociety，\'an\'thathisdoosistenchips。Ofcourse，hehastohavethedinero，soIdismisseshimformywalletlikeIsays。
\"Doesthemfolkschangetheirnames？Theychanges\'emasread\'lyasaInjunbreakscamp；doesitatthedropofthehat。ThisyereGuineaofmine，hisname\'sTom。Yetatvar\'oustimes，heinformsmeofthemmootationshe\'sinstitooted，He\'sbeen\'Jim\'an\'\'Sam\'an\'
\'WillyumHenry，\'an\'allintwomonths。Shore，Idon\'tpaynoheedtosechvagaries，butgoesoncallin\'him\'Tom，\'jestthesame。An\'
hekeepscomin\'whenIcalls，too，orI\'dshoreburntheground\'roundhimtoacinder。I\'dbeadisgracetooldTennesseetoletmyboyTomgopreescribin\'whatI\'mtocallhim。Buttheybecur\'ousfolks!Thelasttimethishirelin\'changeshisname，Iasksthereason。
\"\'Tom，\'Isays，\'thisyereisthe\'leventhtimeyoucinchesonanewname。Now，tellme，whybeyou-allattemptin\'toshiftto\"WillyumHenry？\"\'
\"\'Why，Marse，\'hesays，afterthinkin\'hardawholelot，\'Idon\'tknow，onlymysistergetsmarriedag\'inlastnight，an\'Ican\'tthinkofnothin\'elsetodo，soIsorto\'allowsI\'llchangemyname。\'\"
Amomentlatertheexuberantandmany-titledTomappearedwiththepocket-book。Myoldfriendselectedaten-dollarbillandwithanairofseveritygaveittohisexpectantservitor。
\"Tharyoube，\"heobserved。\"Now，gopaythemdoos，an\'don\'thanker\'roundmeformoneynomoreforamonth。Youcan\'twillfrommeag\'inbeforeChristmas，nomatterhowoftenyouchangesyourname，orhowmanynewchurchesyouplaysinwith。Foranigger，you-allisamightysighttoovol\'tile。Yoursperitsistootireless，an\'staystoolongonthewing。Which，onlessyoucultivatesaplacidermoodan\'studiesreeposeawholelot，I\'llgoforagin\'aboutinmyplunderan\'searchforthaquirt，ormebbysomesechstinsin\'trifleasatrace-chain，an\'warpyouintoquietoodan\'peace。Ireckonsnowsechceremonieswouldgosomewaystowardsbeddin\'youdownan\'
inculcatin\'lessonsofpatienceaheap。\"
TheundauntedTomlistenedtohismaster\'sgloomythreatswithanairofcheer。Therewasahappygrinonhisfaceasheacceptedthemoneyandscrapeda\"Thanky，sah!\"ToleaveareligiousimpressionwhichseemedmostconsistentwiththebasisofTom\'sappeal，thatduskyclaimantoftendollars，ashewithdrew，hummedsoftlyacamp-
meetingsong:
\"Tu\'naroundan\'tu\'nyo\'face，Untoethemsweethillso\'grace。
D\'pow\'rsofSinyo\'emscornin\'!
Lookaboutan\'lookaroun\'，Flingyo\'sin-packond\'groun\'。
Yo\'willmeetwidd\'Lordind\'mornin\'。\"
\"Speakin\'aboutthisyerevacillatin\'Tom，\"saidtheoldgentleman，ashewatchedthatpersondisappear，\"shiftin\'hisreligiousgrazin\'
groundthata-way，letmetellyou。Themcoloredfolkspullsonan\'
pullsofftheirbeliefsaseasyasaMexican。An\'theirfaithnevergetsintheirway；themtenetsneverseemstogetbetweentheirhocksan\'trip\'emupinanythin\'theywantstodo。Theygoesrangin\'\'round，draggin\'themreligiouslariatsoftheirs，an\'I
neveryetbeholdsthatchurchwhichcandriveanypicketpinofdoctrines，orprodooceanyhobblesofacreed，that\'llholdaMexicanoranigger，orkeephimfromprancin\'outafterthefirstnotionthatnodsorbeckonstohim。Thar\'snowhiman\'nofancywhichcanmakesolightawagon-trackhewon\'tfollowitoff。
\"Speakin\'ofchurchesthata-way:ThisyereTom\'sbeenwithmeyears。Onedayabouttwomonthsago，hefrontsuptomean\'says:
\"\'I\'segottobemightycarefulwhatIdoesnow；I\'sedonej\'ined。I
givesmysoultoheavenonhighlastnight，an\'wropsmyse\'ftightan\'fastinbondsofsavin\'gracewidd\'Presbyter\'anchu\'ch。Yes，sah，I\'machristian，an\'Idon\'twantnoone，incloodin\'mysc\'f，togoforgettin\'it。\'
\"Thisyerenewsdon\'tweighonmepartic\'lar，an\'Imakesnocomments。It\'sthreeweekslaterwhenTomcutslooseanothercommoonication。
\"\'Yourec\'llects，\'hesays，\'aboutmebein\'aj\'ineran\'hookin\'upwidd\'Presbyter\'ans？Well，I\'sedoneshook\'em；Iquitthatsanchooaryford\'Mefodis。\'D\'Presbyter\'anisaheaptoogloomyareligionforaniggah，sah。Deylamslooseatmewidforeord\'nationan\'preedest\'nation，an\'howd\'badplaceispavedwidchil\'ensskulls，an\'howsomanyiscalled，an\'onlyoneinabillionbeatsd\'gate；an\'fin\'lly，las\'Sunday，B\'rerPeters，he\'sd\'preacher，heupsan\'p\'intsatmeinspeshulan\'saysheseesinadreamhowI\'mb\'ar-hungan\'breeze-shakenoverhell；an\'，sah，hesimplyscaredisniggahtowhereIjestlaydownind\'pewan\'howl。AfterI\'sedonelamentedtillmyheart\'sbroke，Ipassesinmyresignation，an\'
nowI\'segonean\'doneattachmyse\'ftod\'Mefodis\'。Thar\'sadealmo\'sunshineamongd\'Mefodis\'folks，an\'d\'game\'samightysighteasier。Allyoudoesisgetsprunkled，an\'tharyoube，inwidd\'
sheep，kerzip!\'
\"Inless\'namonthTomopensuponthemreligioustopicsoncemore。
Iallersallowshimtotalkaslongan\'asmuchaseverhelikes，asyou-allcouldn\'tstophimnonewithoutbuckin\'an\'gaggin\'him，sowhat\'stheuse？
\"\'Iaimstoexcusemyse\'ftoyou，sah，\'saysTomthislasttime，\'forthemmisstatementsaboutmeleavin\'d\'Presbyter\'ansford\'
Mefodis。\'Idoesdoitfortroo，butnowI\'segoneover，woolan\'
weskit，tod\'Baptis\'。An\'，sah，Ifeelsmightypenitentan\'
promisin\'，Idoes；I\'mgwinetomakeastickofitdistime。It\'sreskytogochangin\'aboutfromonefoldtotheotherlikeI\'sebeendoin\'；amanmightdiebetween，an\'thenwhereishe？\'
\"\'ButhowaboutthisswaptotheBaptistchurch？\'Iasks。\'IthoughtyoutellsmehowtheMethodistreligionisfullofsunshinethata-
way。\'
\"\'SoIdoes，sah，\'saysTom；\'soIdoes，wordforword，likeyouremembersit。ButIdon\'tknowd\'entirestorythen。TheobjectionsIhastod\'Mefodis\'isthem\'speriencemeetin\'stheyholds。They\'spectsyoutostan\'upan\'tell\'emaboutallyo\'sins，an\'fessallyou\'vebeenguiltyofendoorin\'yo\'life!Now，sechdoin\'stu\'nsoutmightyembarrassin\'foraboylikeTom，who\'sbeena-livin\'sorto\'loosean\'livelyforalikelynumbahofyears，sah，an\'I
couldn\'tstan\'it，sah!I\'mtoomodes\'tobeaMefodis\'。SoI
explainsan\'\'pologizestod\'elders，thenIshinsoutford\'
Baptis\'folksnextdoor。An\'it\'sallright。I\'matpeacenow:I\'mind\'Baptis\'chu\'ch，sah。Yougointerd\'watah，kersause!an\'thatsetsyo\'safeind\'loveofd\'Lamb。\'\"
Followingtheserevelationsofmyfriendconcerningthejauntyfashioninwhichthe\"boyTom\"worehisreligionaswellashisname，Imaintainedarespectfulsilenceforperhapsaminute，andthenventuredtoseekanewsubject。IhadbeengoingoverthevigorousdetailsofaWesternrobberyinthepapers。AfterbrieflytellingthestoryasIrememberedit，initsbroaderlinesatleast，Icarriedmycuriositytothatinterestingbodypolitic，thetownofWolfville。
\"Intheolddays，\"Iasked，\"didWolfvilleeversufferfromstagerobberies，ortheoperationsofbandittiofthetrail？\"
\"Wolfville，\"respondedmyfriend，\"goesag\'instthehold-upgamesooftenwelosethecount。Mostly，itdon\'tcausemore\'napassin\'
irr\'tation。Themrobberiesan\'rustlin\'sdon\'t，speakin\'general，meanmuchtothepublicatlarge。Theexpresscompanymaygnashitsteethsome，butcomin\'downtocases，whatisaWells-Fargogrieftous？Personal，we\'reoutlettersan\'missifsfromhome，an\'I\'vebeheldindividooalswhogetsthatheatedaboutityoudon\'tdar\'ask\'emtolibateontiltheycools，butas\'acommonthing，we-alldon\'tsuffernopracticalset-backs。We\'reshyletters，butsechwoundsishealedbytimean\'othermailstocome。Wegainswhatcomfortwecanfromsw\'arin\'alot，an\'turnstothehopefulfooturefortherest。
Thar\'sonetime，however，whenWolfvillegetswroughtup。
\"WhichtheWolfvilletemper，usual，isca\'man\'onperturbedthata-
way。Thar\'sasteadinesstoWolfvillethatshowsthecamphasdepth；
itcanlosewithoutthinkin\'ofsooicide，itcanwinan\'notgetdrunk。TheWolfvilleemotionssetssquar\'an\'steadyinthesaddle，an\'ittakesmorethanmerecommonplacebuckin\'tosomuchasthrowitsfootloosefromastirrup，letalonesenditflyin\'fromitsseat。
\"Onthisyereo\'caslon，however，Wolfvillegetsstirredawholelot。
Forthatmatter，thebalanceofSoutheastArizonagiveswaylikewise，an\'excitementisgenialan\'shorelymountsplumbhigh。I
remembersplain，nowmymindisonthemtopics，howRedDoggoeshystericalcomplete，an\'setsupnightsan\'screams。Whichthevocalcarryin\'sonofthatpridelessvillageisashametocoyotes!
\"It\'shold-upsthatsowringsthepublic\'sfeelin\'s。Stagesisstoodup；passengers，mail-bagsan\'expressboxesgetscleanedoutfortheirlastsplinter。An\'itain\'tconfinedtojestonetrail。Thisfestivalofcrimeincloodesawholeregion；an\'twentystages，inasmanydifferentplacesan\'almostasmanydays，yieldsuptotheseyerebandits。OldMonte，lookslike，isaspeshulfav\'rite；theygoesthroughthatolddrunkardtwiceforalltharisinthevehicle。
Thelasttimethegyardgetsdowned。
\"No，thestagedriverain\'tinnoperilofbein\'plugged。Thar\'sroolesaboutstagerobbin\'，sameastharistofaro-bankan\'poker。
It\'sonderstoodbyallwho\'sinterested，fromthemanagerofthestagecompanytothegentinthemaskwho\'sholdin\'theWinchesterontheoutfit，thatthedriverdon\'tfight。He\'sthartodrive，notshoot；an\'sowhenhehearsthesu\'gestion，\'Handsup!\'thata-way，hestopstheteam，setsthebrake，hookshisfingerstogetheroverhishead，an\'nacherallyletsthemroadagentsan\'passengersan\'
gyards，settleeventsintheirownonfetteredway。Thedriver，usual，cussesoutthebrigandsfrightful。Thelawsofthetrailaccordshimthemprivileges，imposin\'noreestrictionsonhismouth。
He\'splumbfreetomakewhatinsultin\'observationshewill，solongashekeepshishandsupan\'don\'tstarttheteamnoneontilhe\'sgiventheproperword，thesamecomin\'fromthehold-upsorthegyards，whoeveremergeswinnerfromsaidemeutes。
\"AsIstates，thelasttimeOldMonteismadetofronttheiron，theWells-Fargogyardgetspluggedasfullofleadasabagofbullets。
An\'astothatbusinessoflootan\'plunder，themmiscreantsshorelyharvestsabackload!ItcatchesEnrightaheaphard，thissecondbreakwhichtheseyerefelonsmakes。
\"CherokeeHallan\'meissettin\'intheRedLight，whilin\'awaytimebetweenbev\'rageswithargyments，whenEnrightcomesploddin\'alonginwiththetidin\'s。Cherokeean\'me，byasing\'larcoincidence，isdiscussin\'thetopicof\'probity\'thata-way，althoughourloocubrationsdon\'tflourishnoneconcernin\'stagerustlin\'。
Cherokeeissayin\':
\"\'Now，Iholdsthattrade——whatyou-allmightcallcommerce，isplentysappenin\'totheintegrityoffolks。Meanin\'noaspersionsonanygentincamp，shorelynotontheproprietorsoftheNewYorkStore，whatIreiteratesisthatInevermeetsupwiththepartywhomakeshislivin\'weighin\'things，orwhoownsapa\'rofscales，who\'sonthelevelthata-way。Whichthembalances，lookslike，weavesaspellonagent\'smoralprinc\'ples。He\'snolongeronthesquar\'。\'
\"I\'mr\'aredbackonmyhocksorganizin\'tocombatthefal\'ciesofCherokee，whenEnrightpullsupacha\'r。Bythecloudsonhisface，bothmean\'Cherokeeseesthar\'ssomethin\'ontheoldchief\'smindalot，whereforewelaysasideourowndispootes——whichafterall，hasnorealmeanin\'，an\'iswhatColonelWilliamGreeneSterettcalls\'ac\'demic\'——an\'turnstoEnrighttodiscoverwhateverisup。BlackJackfeelsthar\'snewsintheairan\'promotesthenose-paintwithouts\'licitation。Enrightfreightshisglassan\'thensays:
\"\'You-allhearsofthenoomerousstagerobberies？Well，Wolfvilleloseag\'in。I，myse\'f，thistripamputintheholepartic\'lar。IfI
onderstandsthedriftofmyownprivateaffairs，thar\'soverfortythousanddollarsofmineonthestage，bein\'whatbalanceisdoomefromthatlastbunchofcattle。It\'smightylikelythoughshe\'sindraftsthata-way:an\'IjestdispatchesoneofmybestriderswithaleadhosstoscatterovertoTucsonan\'wireinformationseast，tofreezeontothatmoneyontilfurthertidin\'s；saiddrafts，ifsechtharbe，havin\'gotintothehandsoftheseyerediligenthold-upsaforesaid。\'
\"\'Fortythousanddollars!\'remarksCherokee。\'Whichthatisajoltforshore!\'
\"\'Itshorelyshowstheoncertaintiesofthings，\'saysEnright，ag\'inreferrin\'tohisglass。\'I\'mintheveryactofcongratulatin\'
myse\'f，mental，thatthisyereisthebestseasonIeversees，whenapartyridesinfromthefirststagestationtowardsTucson，withthetale。It\'sshoreaparadox；it\'sacasewherethemoreIwin，themoreIlose。However，I\'monthetrailofJackMoore；aconferencewithJackiswhatIneedsrightnow。I\'llbebackbynextdrinktime；\'an\'withthatEnrightgoessurgin\'offtolocateJack。
\"Cherokeean\'me，asmightbeexpected，turnsourpowersofconversationloosewiththisnewlasteepisodeofthetrail。
\"\'An\'I\'mstruckspeshul，\'saysCherokee，\'aboutwhatEnrightobservesatthefinish，thatit\'sainstancewherethemorehewins，themoreheloses；an\'howthis，hisbestseason，isgoin\'tobehisworst。Ihasexperiencessim\'larmyse\'fonct。Whichthecasesisplumbparallel!
\"\'Thistimewhenmyownindividooalgamestrikessomethin\'an\'
glancesoff，is\'wayback。IgetsoffaboatontheupperriveratacampcalledRockIsland。Youneveristhar？Idon\'taimtoencourageyou-allondooly，stillyourfailuretoseeRockIslandneedn\'tpreyonyouastherooinofyourc\'reer。IgoesashoreasIrelates，an\'
thefirstgentIencountersisoldPeg-laigJones。ThisyerePeg-
laigisamadmantospec\'lateatkyards，an\'theinstantheseesme，hepullsmeoneside，plentybreathlesswithaplanhe\'sevolved。
\"Son，\"saysthisyerePeg-lalg，\"howmuchmoneyhasyou？\"
\"\'ItellshimIain\'toverstrong；somethin\'liketwohundreddollars，mebby。
\"\'\"That\'senough，\"saysPeg-lalg。\"Son，giveittome。I\'llputthreehundredwithit，an\'that\'llmakearolloffivehundreddollars。Withacarefulmanlikemetodeal，sheshorelyoughterbeenough。\"
\"\'\"Whateverdoestheseyerefiscalbluffsofyoursportend？\"Iasks。
\"\'\"Theyportendsasfollows，\"saysPeg-laig。\"ThisyereRockIslandoutfitisplumblocoedtoplayfaro-bank。I\'vegotadeckofkyardsan\'adealboxinmypocket。Son，we\'lllayoveradaya\'breakthevillage。\"
\"\'Thar\'snousetryin\'toheadoffoldPeg-laid。He\'sthemostinvet\'ratesportthata-way，an\'farobankishisleadin\'weakness。
TheyeventellsoncthowthisPeg-laigisinasmallcampinIowaan\'isbuckin\'acrookedgame。Apardseeshiman\'takesPeg-laigtotask。
\"\'\"Can\'tyou-allseethemsharpsisskinnin\'you？\"saysthisfriend，an\'histonesisloadedwithdisgust。\"Ain\'tyouwiseenoughtoknowthisgameain\'tonthesquar\'，an\'themoutlawshasaend-squeezeboxan\'isdealin\'twokyardsataclatteran\'puttin\'backrightonderyourignorantnose？Whichyouconductsyourse\'flikeyouwasbornlastweek!\"
\"\'\"Ofcourse，Iknowsthegameiscrooked，\"saysPeg-laig，plentydoleful，\"an\'Iregretsitasmuchasyou。ButwhatevercanIdo？\"
\"\'\"Do!\"sayshisfriend；\"do!You-allcanquitgoin\'ag\'instit，can\'tyou？\"
\"\'\"Butyoudon\'tonderstand，\"saysPeg-laig，eageran\'warm。\"It\'sallplumbeasyforyoutostandtharan\'sayIdon\'thavetogoag\'instit。ItmaychangeyournotionawholelotwhenIinformsyouthatthisyereistheonlygameintown，\"an\'withthatthisreedic\'lousPeg-laighurriesbacktohisseat。
\"\'AsIassertsformer，it\'snousemetryin\'tomakeoldPeg-laigstopwhenoncehe\'sstartedwiththemschemesofhis，soIturnsovermytwohundreddollars，an\'leansbacktoseewhateverPeg-
laig\'sgoin\'toa\'complishnext。Ashesays，he\'sgotaboxan\'adecktodealwith。Sohefakesalayoutwithasuiteofjimcrowkyardshebuys，local，an\'aoil-clothtable-cover，an\'tharheisorganizedtobegin。Forchips，hegoesovertoastorean\'buystwentystacksofbigwoodenbuttonmolds，sameastheysewstheclothontoforovercoatbuttons。WhenPeg-laigisready，youshouldhavebeheldtheenthoosiasmofthemRockIslandfolks。Theygoesag\'instthatbraceofPeg-laig\'slikeaavalanche。
\"\'Peg-laigdealsformightylikelyit\'sanhour。Jestasheputsitup，he\'sacarefuldealer，an\'theresultiswewinallthebigbetsan\'mostallthelittleones，an\'I\'msorto\'estimatin\'inmymindthatwe\'reaheadaboutfourhundredsimoleons。Ofa-sudden，Peg-laigstopsdealin\'，up-endshisboxandturnstomewithalookwhichshowshe\'splumbdismayed。P\'intin\'atthecheck-rack，Peg-laigsays:
\"\'\"Son，lookthar!\"
\"\'Nacherally，Ilooks，an\'IatoncerealizestherootsofthatconsternationofPeg-laig\'s。It\'sthis:Whilethar\'smoreofthembuttonmoldsinfrontofPeg-laig\'srightelbowthanweembarkswithorig\'nal，thar\'sstilltwenty-twohundreddollars\'worthinthehandsoftheRockIslandpop\'lacewaitin\'tobecashed。Howeverdotheydoit？Theygoesstampedin\'overtothisyerestorekeepan\'
purchases\'emforfourbitsagross。Theybuysthatvagrantoutthata-way。Theyevenbuysnewkindsonus，an\'it\'sapartytryin\'tobetastackofpantsbuttonsonthehighkyardthatcallsPeg-laig\'sattentiontothemfrauds。
\"\'Thar\'snohe\'pforit，however；themvillagersisstonyan\'
adamantine，an\'sofaraswehasmoneytheyshorelymakesuspay。WewalksoutofRockIsland。Aboutamilefreeofthecamp，Peg-laigstopsan\'surveysmeaheapmournful。
\"\'\"Son，\"hesays，\"wewaswinnin\'，wasn\'twe？
\"\'\"Whichweshorewas，\"Ireplies。
\"\'\"Exactly，\"saysPeg-laig，shakin\'hishead，\"wewasshorelywinners。An\'Iwanttoadd，son，thatifwe-allcouldhavekeptonwinnin\'fortwohoursmore，we\'da-losteightthousanddollars。\"
\"\'It\'slikethisyerestagehold-uponEnright，\'concloodesCherokee；\'it\'saharassin\'instanceofwherethemoreyouwins，themoreyoulose。\'
\"Aboutthistime，Enrightan\'JackMoorecomesin。ColonelSterettan\'DanBoggsj\'inesusaccidental，an\'we-allsixholdsapowwowinlowtones。
\"\'WhichJack，\'observesEnright，likehe\'sexperimentin\'an\'ropin\'
forourviews，\'allowsit\'shisbeliefsthatthisyereguilelesstenderfoot，Davis，whosayshe\'sfromBuffalo，an\'who\'sbeenprancin\'abouttownforthelasttwodays，isinvolvedinthemfelonies。\'
\"\'Itain\'tnoneonlikely，\'saysBoggs；\'speshullysincehe\'sfromBuffalo。Ineverdoesknowbutonesquar\'gentwhocomesfromBuffalo；he\'soldJenks。An\'atthat，oldJenksgetsdowned，final，bythesheriffoveronSandCreekforstealin\'ahoss。\'
\"\'You-allwantstoonderstand，\'saysJackMoore，cuttin\'inafterBoggs，\'Idon\'tpretendnonetonoproofs。Ijestreckonsit\'sso。
It\'sacommonscandalhowdeadinnocentthisyereshorthornDavisassoomestobe；howhewantsCherokeetoexplainfaro-banktohim；
an\'howhecan\'tonderstandnonewhyBlackJackan\'thedance-hallwon\'tmixnodrinks。WhichImight，inthehurryofmydooties，havepassedbythemchildishbluffsonchallengedan\'withnothin\'morethanpityin\'thoughtsoftheignoranceofthisyeremaverick，butgents，thispartyoverplayshishand。Lastevenin\'heasksmetolethimtakemygun，sayshe\'scur\'oustoseeone。Thatsettlesitwithme；thisDavishasbeenaobjectofsuspicioneversince。No，itain\'tthatIallowshe\'souttoqueermyweeponnone，butthinkofsechapretenceofinnocence!Ileavesittoyou-all，collectifan\'
individooal，doyoureckonnowthar\'sanybody，howevertender，who\'sthatguilelessastogoaskin\'aperfectstrangerthata-waytopasshimouthisgun？Isaysno，thisgentisoverdoin\'themroles。Heain\'tsotenderasheassoomes。An\'fromthemomentIhearsofthislaststand-upofthestagebackinthecanyon，Ifeelsthatthisyerepartyissomehowintheplay。Thar\'sfourinthisbandwho\'sbeenspreadin\'woeamongthestagecompanieslately，an\'thar\'sonlytwoof\'emshowsinthislatestracketwhichtheygivesOldMonte，an\'thatexpressgyardtheyshotup。Themothertwosportswhoain\'tpresentisshoresome\'ers，an\'Igivesitasmyopinionsoneof\'em\'srightyereinouronthinkin\'center，actin\'silly，askin\'
egreegiousquestions，an\'allowin\'hisnameisDavisan\'thathehailsfromBuffalo。\'
\"WhileJackisevolvin\'thislongtalk，we-allisthinkin\'；an\'，son，somehowitstrikesusthatthar\'smightylikelysomethin\'inthisnotionofJack\'s。We-allagrees，however，tharbein\'nothin\'
def\'nitetogoon，wecan\'tdonothin\'butwait。Still，proan\'conlike，wepushesforthindiscussionofthisperson。
\"\'ItdoeslooklikethisDavis，\'saysColonelSterett，\'nowJackbringsitup，isshorelyplayin\'apart；whichhe\'sovereasyan\'
ontaught，evenfortheEast。Thismornin\'，jesttogiveyou-allasample，hecomessidlin\'uptome。\"Istharanygoodfishin\'aboutyere？\"heasks。\"WhichIshoreyearnstofishsome。\"
\"\'\"Doesthisyerelandscape，\"Isays，wavin\'myarmaboutthehor\'zon，\"remindyoumuchoffish？Stranger，\"Isays，\"fishan\'
christiansispartic\'larsparseinArizona。\"
\"\'ThenthispersonDavisla\'nchesoutintotalesdeescriptifofhowhegoesanglin\'backintheStates。\"Whichtheeelisthegamestfish，\"saysthisDavis。\"WhenI\'mvisitin\'inVirginny，Iusedtogofishin\'。Idon\'tfishwithareel，an\'oneofthemlimberpoles，an\'
letafishgoswarmin\'upan\'downastream，a-breedin\'falsehopesinhisbosoman\'lettin\'himthinkhe\'sloose。Notme；Iwouldn\'tsodeloode——wouldn\'tplayitthatlowonafish。Igoesanglin\'inaformal，se\'f-respectin\'way。Iusesashortlinean\'apolewhichisstiffan\'strong。WhenIgetsabite，Iyankshimoutan\'letshimknowhisfaterightthar。\"
\"\'\"Buteelsain\'tnogamefish，\"Isays。\"Bassisgame，butnoteels。\"
\"\'\"Eelsain\'tgamenone，ain\'tthey？\"saysthisyereDavis，lettin\'
onhe\'saheapinterested。\"You-alllistentome；letmetellyouofaeelIsnagsontodownbyCulpepper。WhenhebitesthattimeI
giveshimbothhands。Thateelcomesthroughtheairjestwhistlin\'
an\'w\'irlin\'。Islamshimag\'instthegreatstateofVirginny。
Supposeoneofthembassyouboastsoftakessechajolt。Whateverwouldhehavedone？He\'dlaytharpantin\'an\'rollin\'hiseyes；
mebbyhecurlshistailalittle。Thatwouldbetheutmostofthemresentmentsofhis。Whatdoesmyeeldo？Stranger，hestandsuponhistailan\'fightsme。Game!thateel\'sgameasscorpions!MydogFido\'swithme。Fidowadesintotheeel，an\'thecommotionisawful。
ThateelwhipsFidointwominutes，Washin\'tontime。Howmuchdoesheweigh？WhateverdoIknowaboutit？Whenhe\'sdoneputthegaffsintoFido，henacherallysa\'ntersbackintothebranchwherehelivesat。Idon\'tgethimnone；IdeemsI\'mplumbluckywhenhedon\'tgetme。Still，ifanygenttalksofgamefishthata-way，I
wantsitonderstood，IstringsmymoneyonthatCulpeppereel。\"\'
\"\'Thar，it\'sjestasItellsyou-all，gents!\'saysJackMooreaheapdisgusted，whenColonelSterettgetsthrough。\'ThisyereDavisisaimposter。Whichthar\'snomortalsportcouldknowaslittleasheletsonan\'livetoreachhisage。\'
\"Wesetstharan\'laysplans。Atlastinpursooanceofthemdevices，itgetsroomoredaboutcampthatthenextdaybutone，bothEnrightan\'theNewYorkStoreaimstosendovertoTucsonarollofmoneythesizeofawagonhub。
\"\'Thar\'snodangerofthemhold-ups，\'saysEnrighttothisDavis，lettin\'onhe\'saheapconfidenshul。\'Theywon\'tbelookin\'fornosechrichesbein\'freightedoverslapontheheelsofthisyererobbery。An\'wedon\'taimtoputupnogyardsalongsideofOldMonteneither。Gyardsisnogood；theygetsbeefedthefirstvolley，an\'
theirpresenceonacoachthata-wayisnoticethatthar\'splentyoftreasureaboard。\'
\"It\'sinthiswayEnrightfillsthatDavisasfullofmisinformationasabottleofrum。Also，wedeemsitsomesignif\'cantwhensaidshorthornsaddleshishossovertothecorralan\'goesskally-
hootin\'forTucsonaboutfirstdrinktimeinthemornin\'。
\"\'I\'veaengagementintheOrientalS\'loon，\'hesays，biddin\'usgood-byeplentycheerful，\'butI\'llbebackamongyou-allsportsinaweek。Ilikesyourwaysawholelot，an\'Iwantstolearn\'emsome。\'
\"\'WhichIoffersfourtoone，\'saysJackMoore，lookin\'afterhimasheridesaway，\'you\'llbebackyeresoonerthanthat，an\'you-allwon\'tknowitnone，atthat。\'
\"It\'sthenextdaywhenthestagestarts；OldMonteiscrackin\'hiswhipinahardenedway，carin\'nothin\'forroadagentsaslongastheydon\'tinterferewiththelickertraffic。Thar\'sonlyonepassenger。
\"Shoreenough，jestasit\'sclosin\'insomedarkinApacheCanyon，an\'thestageisgroanin\'an\'creakin\'alongonaupgrade，thar\'satrioofhold-upsshowsonthetrail，an\'theprocessioncomestoahalt。OldMontesetsthebrake，wropsthereinsaboutit，lockshishandsoverhishead，an\'turnsintocuss。Thehold-upstakesnonotice。TheyyanksdowntheWells-Fargochest，pullsofftheletterbag，acceptsawatchan\'apocket-bookfromthegentinside，who\'sscaredan\'shiverin\'an\'scroogin\'backinthedarkestcorner，he\'sthatterror-bit，an\'thentheyappliesafewepithetstoOldMontean\'commandshimtopullhisfreight。An\'OldMonteshorelyobeysthemmandates，an\'goescrashin\'offupthecanyonontherun。
\"Themoutlawshaulstheplundertoonesideofthetrailan\'laysforthemail-bagwithabowie。Allthreeisasbusyasprairydogsafterarain，rippin\'openlettersan\'lookin\'forchecksan\'
drafts。Latertheyaimsatsomeop\'rationsontheexpresscompany\'sbox。
\"Buttheynevergetstothebox。Thar\'sthelivelytonesofaWinchesterwhichstartsthecanyon\'sechoestotalkin\'。Thatrifleain\'tfortyfootaway，an\'itspeaksthreetimesbeforeeveryou-
all，son，couldsnapyourfingers。An\'thatweepondon\'tmakethemobservationsinvain。Itain\'tfirin\'nosalootes。Quickasisthework，thesightsshiftstoanewtargeteverytime。Atthelast，allthreehold-upslayskickin\'an\'jumpin\'likechickensthata-way，twoisdeadan\'theotheristoohardhittorespond。
\"Whoeverdoesit？JackMoore，he\'sthatoneshiverin\'passengerthattime。Heslidesoutenthestageassoonaseveritturnstheangleofthecanyon，an\'comesscoutin\'an\'crawlin\'backonhisprey。An\'
Imightadd，itshoresoothesJack\'svanityalot，whenthefirstremaindershowsdownasthatartlessmaverick，Davis。Jacklightsapinesplinteran\'lookshimover-palean\'deadan\'done。
\"\'Whichyou-allisthevictimofover-play，\'saysJacktothisyereDavis，sameasifhehearshim，\'Ifyouneveraskstoseemygunthattime，it\'sevenmoneymysuspicionsconcernin\'youmightbesleepin\'yet。\'\"