CHAPTERONE
THEOLEVIRGINIA
Theringaroundthesunhadthickenedalldaylong，andtheturquoiseblueoftheArizonaskyhadfilmed。Stormsinthedrycountriesareinfrequent，butheavy；andthissurelymeantstorm。
Wehadriddensincesun-upoverbroadmesas，downandoutofdeepcanons，alongthebaseofthemountaininthewildestpartsoftheterritory。Thecattlewerewindingleisurelytowardthehighcountry；thejackrabbitshaddisappeared；thequaillacked；wedidnotseeasingleantelopeintheopen。
\"It\'sacaseofholeup，\"theCattlemanventuredhisopinion。\"I
havearanchoverintheDoubleR。CharleyandWindyBillholditdown。We\'lltackleit。Whatdoyouthink？\"
Thefourcowboysagreed。Wedroppedintoalow，broadwatercourse，ascendeditsbedtobigcottonwoodsandflowingwater，followeditintoboxcanonsbetweenrim-rockcarvedfantasticallyandpaintedlikeaMoorishfacade，untilatlastinawideningbelowaroundedhill，wecameuponanadobehouse，afruittree，andaroundcorral。ThiswastheDoubleR。
CharleyandWindyBillwelcomeduswithsodabiscuits。Weturnedourhorsesout，spreadourbedsonthefloor，filledourpipes，andsquattedonourheels。Variousdogsofvariousbreedsinvestigatedus。Itwasverypleasant，andwedidnotmindtheringaroundthesun。
\"Somebodyelsecoming，\"announcedtheCattlemanfinally。
\"UncleJim，\"saidCharley，afteraglance。
Ahawk-facedoldmanwithalongwhitebeardandlongwhitehairrodeoutfromthecottonwoods。Hehadonabatteredbroadhatabnormallyhighofcrown，carriedacrosshissaddleaheavy\"eightsquare\"rifle，andwasfollowedbyahalf-dozenlollopinghounds。
Thelargestandfiercestofthelatter，catchingsightofourgroup，launchedhimselfwithlightningrapidityatthebiggestoftheranchdogs，promptlynailedthatcaninebythebackoftheneck，shookhimviolentlyascoreoftimes，flunghimaside，andpouncedonthenext。DuringtheensuingfewmomentsthathoundwasthebusiestthingintheWest。Hesatisfactorilywhippedfourdogs，pursuedtwocatsupatree，upsettheDutchovenandtherestofthesodabiscuits，stampededthehorses，andraisedacloudofdustadequatetorepresentthesmokeofbattle。Weothersweretooparalysedtomove。UncleJimsatplacidlyonhiswhitehorse，histhinkneesbenttotheox-bowstirrups，smoking。
Intensecondsthetroublewasover，principallybecausetherewasnomoretroubletomake。Thehoundreturnedleisurely，lickingfromhischopsthehairofhisvictims。UncleJimshookhishead。
\"Trailer，\"saidhesadly，\"isalittlesevere。\"
Wegreedheartily，andturnedintowelcomeUncleJimwithafreshbatchofsodabiscuits。
Theoldmanwasneofthetypical\"longhairs。\"HehadcometotheGaliuroMountainsin\'69，andsince\'69hehadremainedintheGaliuroMountains，spiteofmanorthedevil。Atpresenthepossessedsomehundredsofcattle，whichhewasreputedtowater，inadryseason，fromanordinarydishpan。Intimespasthehadprospected。
Thatevening，thesevereTrailerhavingdroppedtoslumber，heheldforthonbig-gamehuntinganddogs，quartzclaimsandApaches。
\"Didyoueverhaveanyveryclosecalls？\"Iasked。
Heruminatedafewmoments，refilledhispipewithsomeawfultobacco，andtoldthefollowingexperience：
InthetimeofGeronimoIwaslivingjustaboutwhereIdonow；
andthatwasjustaboutinlinewiththeraiding。Yousee，Geronimo，andJu[1]，andoldLocousedtopileoutofthereservationatCampApache，raidsouthtotheline，slipoverintoMexicowhenthesoldiersgottoopromiscuous，andraidthereuntiltheygotreadytocomeback。Thentherewasalwaysabigmedicinetalk。SaysGeronimo：
[1]Pronounced\"Hoo。\"
\"Iamtiredofthewarpath。IwillcomebackfromMexicowithallmywarriors，ifyouwillescortmewithsoldiersandprotectmypeople。\"
\"Allright，\"saystheGeneral，beingonlytoogladtogethimbackatall。
So，then，intenminutestherewouldn\'tbeabuckincamp，butnextmorningtheyshowsupagain，eachwithaboutfiftyheadofhosses。
\"Where\'dyougetthosehosses？\"askstheGeneral，suspicious。
\"Had\'empasturedinthehills，\"answersGeronimo。
\"Ican\'ttakeallthosehosseswithme；Ibelievethey\'restolen！\"saystheGeneral。
\"Mypeoplecannotgowithouttheirhosses，\"saysGeronimo。
So，acrossthelinetheygoes，andbacktothereservation。Inaboutaweekthere\'sfifty-twofranticGreaserswantingtoknowwhere\'stheirhosses。Thearmyisnothingbutanimporterofstolenstock，andknowsit，andcan\'thelpit。
Well，asIsays，I\'mbetweenCampApacheandtheMexicanline，sothateveryraidingpartygoesrightonpastme。ThepointisthatI\'mathousandfeetorsoabovethevalley，andtherenegadesisinsuchadevilofahurryaboutthattimethattheyneverstoptoclimbupandcollectme。OftenI\'vewatchedthemtrailingdownthevalleyinacloudofdust。Then，inadayortwo，asquadofsoldierswouldcomeup，andcampatmyspringforawhile。Theyusedtosendsoldierstoguardeverywaterholeinthecountrysotherenegadescouldn\'tgetwater。Afterawhile，fromnotbeingbotherednone，IgotthinkingIwasn\'tworthwhilewiththem。
MeandJohnnyHooperwerepeckingawayattheoldVirginiaminethen。We\'dgotdownaboutsixtyfeet，alltimbered，andwasthinkingofcross-cutting。OnedayJohnnywenttotown，andthatsamedayIgotinahurryandleftmygunatcamp。
Iworkedallthemorningdownatthebottomoftheshaft，andwhenIseebythesunitwasgettingalongtowardsnoon，Iputinthreegoodshots，tamped\'emdown，litthefusees，andstartedtoclimbout。
Itain\'tnowayspleasanttolightafuseinashaft，andthenhavetoclimboutafifty-footladder，withitburningbehindyou。Ineverdidgetusedtoit。Youkeepthinking，\"Nowsupposethere\'saflawinthatfuse，orsomething，andshegoesoffinsixsecondsinsteadoftwominutes？where\'llyoubethen？\"Itwouldgiveyouagoodboosttowardsyourhomeonhigh，anyway。
SoIclimbedfast，andstuckmyheadoutthetopwithoutlooking——andthenIfrozesolidenough。There，aboutfiftyfeetaway，climbingupthehillonmightytiredhosses，wasadozenoftheugliestChiricahuasyoueverdon\'twanttomeet，andinadditionaMexicanrenegadenamedMaria，whowasworsethananyof\'em。Iseeatoncetheirbosseswastiredout，andtheyhadanotionofcampingatmywaterhole，notknowingnothingabouttheOleVirginiamine。
FortwobitsI\'dhaveletgoallholtsanddroppedbackwards，trustingtomythickheadforeasylighting。ThenIheardalittlefizzandsputterfrombelow。AtthatmyhairrizrightupsoIcouldfeelthebreezeblowundermybat。ForaboutsixsecondsIstoodtherelikeanimbecile，grinningamiably。ThenoneoftheChiricahuasmadeasortofgrunt，andIsabedthatthey\'dseentheoriginalexhibityourUncleJimwasmakingofhimself。
ThenthatfusegaveanothersputterandoneoftheApachessaid\"Undah。\"Thatmeans\"whiteman。\"ItwashardertoturnmyheadthanifI\'dhadastiffneck；butImanagedtodoit，andIseethatmyoredumpwasn\'tmorethantenfootaway。Imightynearoverjumpedit；andthenextIknewIwasononesideofitandthoseApachesontheother。ProbablyIflew；leastwaysIdon\'tseemtorememberjumping。
Thatdidn\'tseemtodomemuchgood。Therenegadesweregrinningandlaughingtothinkhoweasyathingtheyhad；andIcouldn\'trightlythinkupanyargumentsagainstthatnotion——atleastfromtheirstandpoint。TheywerechatteringawaytoeachotherinMexicanforthebenefitofMaria。Oh，theyhadmealldistributed，downtomysuspenderbuttons！Andmesquattingbehindthatoredumpaboutasformidableasabrushrabbit！
Then，allatonce，oneofmyshotswentoffdownintheshaft。
\"Boom！\"saysshe，plentybig；andaslatherofrock，andstonescomeoutofthemouth，andbegantodumpdownpromiscuousonthescenery。Igotonelittleoneintheshoulder-blade，andfoundtimetowishmyoredumphadaroof。Butthoserenegadescaughtitsquareinthethickoftrouble。Onegotknockedoutentirelyforaminute，byanicepieceofcountryrockinthehead。
\"Otravez！\"yellsI，whichmeans\"again。\"
\"Boom！\"goestheOleVirginiapromptasananswer。
Iputinmytimedodging，butwhenIgetsachancetolook，theApacheshasallgottocover，andislookingscared。
\"Otravez！\"yellsIagain。
\"Boom！\"saystheOleVirginia。
Thiswasthebiggestshotofthelot，andshesurelycutloose。
Ioughttohavebeenhalf-wayupthebillwatchingthingsfromasafedistance，butIwasn\'t。Luckyformetheshaftwasalittleonthedrift，soshedidn\'tquiteshootmyway。Butshedistributedaboutatonoverthoserenegades。Theysortofhalfgottotheirfeetuncertain。
\"Otravez！\"yellsIoncemore，asboldasifIcouldkeephershootingallday。
Itwasjustacold，rawblazer；andifitdidn\'tgothroughI
couldseemeasanApacheparlourornament。Butitdid。ThoseChiricahuasgiveoneyellandskipped。Itwassurelyafunnysight，aftertheygotaboardtheirwarponies，toseethemtryingtodigoutonhorsestootiredtotrot。
Ididn\'tstoptogetallthelaughs，though。Infact，Igiveonejumpoffthatledge，andIlita-running。Aquarter-hosscouldn\'thavebeatmetothatshack。ThereIgrabbedoldMeat-in-the-potandmadeaclimbforthetallcountry，aimingtowaitarounduntildark，andthentopulloutforBenson。JohnnyHooperwasn\'texpectedtillnextday，whichwaslucky。FromwhereIlayIcouldseetheApachescampedoutbeyondmydraw，andIdidn\'tdoubtthey\'dvisitedtheplace。Alongaboutsunsettheyalllefttheircamp，andwentintothedraw，sothere，Ithinks，Iseesagoodchancetomakeastartbeforedark。Idroppeddownfromthemesa，skirtedthebutte，andangleddownacrossthecountry。AfterI\'dgoneahalfmilefromthecliffs，IranacrossJohnnyHooper\'sfreshtrailheadedtowardscamp！
Myheartjumpedrightupintomymouthatthat。HerewaspooroldJohnny，adaytooearly，withapack-muleofgrub，walkinginnocentasayearling，rightintothebandsofthosehostiles。
Thetraillookedprettyfresh，andBenson\'sagoodlongdaywithapackanimal，soIthoughtperhapsImightcatchhimbeforeherunsintotrouble。SoIranbackonthetrailasfastasIcouldmakeit。Thesunwasdownbynow，anditwasgettingdusk。
Ididn\'tovertakehim，andwhenIgottothetopofthecanonI
crawledalongverycautiousandtookalook。Ofcourse，I
expectedtoseeeverythingupinsmoke，butInearlygotupandyelledwhenIseeeverythingallright，andoldSukey，thepack-mule，andJohnny\'shosshitchedupaspeacefulasbabiestothecorral。
\"THAT\'Sallright！\"thinksI，\"they\'rebackintheircamp，andhaven\'tdiscoveredJohnnyyet。I\'llsnailhimoutofthere。\"
SoIrandownthehillandintotheshack。Johnnysatinhischair——whattherewasofhim。Hemusthavegotinabouttwohoursbeforesundown，forthey\'dhadlotsoftimetoputinonhim。That\'sthereasonthey\'dstayedsolongupthedraw。PooroldJohnny！Iwasgladitwasnight，andhewasdead。ApachesaretheworstInjunsthereisfortortures。TheycutoffthebottomsofoldmanWilkins\'sfeet，andstoodhimonanant-hill——。
Inaminuteorso，though，mywitsgetstowork。
\"Whyain\'ttheshackburned？\"Iasksmyself，\"andwhyisthehossandthemuletiedallsopeacefultothecorral？\"
Itdidn\'ttakelongforamanwhoknowsInjinstoanswerTHOSE
conundrums。Thewholethingwasatrap——forme——andI\'dwalkedintoit，chuckle-headedasaprairie-dog！
WiththatImakesarunoutside——bynowitwasdark——andlistens。
Sureenough，Ihearshosses。SoImakesarapidsneakbackoverthetrail。
EverythingseemedallrighttillIgotuptotherim-rock。ThenIheardmorehosses——aheadofme。AndwhenIlookedbackIcouldseesomeInjunsalreadyattheshack，andstartingtobuildafireoutside。
Inatightfix，amanisprettyapttogetscaredtillallhopeisgone。Thenheisprettyapttogetcoolandcalm。Thatwasmycase。Icouldn\'tgoahead——therewasthosehossescomingalongthetrail。Icouldn\'tgoback——therewasthoseInjinsbuildingthefire。SoIskirmishedaroundtillIgotabrightstarrightoverthetrailhead，andItrainedoldMeat-in-the-
pottobearonthatstar，andImadeupmymindthatwhenthestarwasdarkenedI\'dturnloose。SoIlaythereawhilelistening。Byandbythestarwasblottedout，andIcutloose，andoldMeat-in-the-potmissedfire——sheneverdiditbeforenorsince；Ithinkthatcartridge——
Well，Idon\'tknowwheretheInjinscamefrom，butitseemedasifthehammerhadhardlyclickedbeforethreeorfourofthembadpiledonme。IputupthebestfightIcould，forIwasn\'tfiguringtobecaughtalive，andthismiss-firedealhadfooledmeallalongtheline。Theysurelyhadalivelytime。I
expectedeveryminutetofeelaknifeinmyback，butwhenI
didn\'tgetitthenIknewtheywantedtobringmeinalive，andthatmademefightharder。Firstandlast，werolledandplungedallthewayfromtherim-rockdowntothecanon-bed。ThenoneoftheInjinssungout：
\"Maria！\"
AndIthoughtofthatrenegadeMexican，andwhatI\'dheardbouthim，andthatmademefightharderyet。
Butafterwe\'dfoughtdowntothecanon-bed，andhadlostmostofourskin，ahalf-dozenmorefellonme，andinlessthannotimetheyhadmetied。Thentheypickedmeupandcarriedmeovertowherethey\'dbuiltabigfirebythecorral。\"
UncleJimstoppedwithanairoffinality，andbeganlazilytorefillhispipe。Fromtheopenmudfireplacehepickedacoal。
Outside，therain，faithfultotheprophecyofthewide-ringedsun，beatfitfullyagainsttheroof。
\"ThatwastheclosestcallIeverhad，\"saidheatlast。
\"But，UncleJim，\"wecriedinaconfusedchorus，\"howdidyougetaway？WhatdidtheIndiansdotoyou？Whorescuedyou？\"
UncleJimchuckled。
\"ThefirstmanIsawsittingatthatfire，\"saidhe，\"wasLieutenantPriceoftheUnitedStatesArmy，andbyhimwasTomHorn。\"
\"\'What\'sthis？\'heasks，andHorntalkstotheInjinsinApache。
\"\'Theysaythey\'vecaughtMaria，\'translatesHornbackagain。
\"\'Maria-nothing！\'saysLieutenantPrice。\'ThisisJimFox。Iknowhim。\'\"
\"Sotheyturnedmeloose。Itseemsthetroopshaddrivenofftherenegadesanhourbefore。\"
\"AndtheIndianswhocaughtyou，UncleJim？YousaidtheywereIndians。\"
\"WereTontoBasinApaches，\"explainedtheoldman——\"governmentscoutsunderTomHorn。\"
CHAPTERTWO
THEEMIGRANTS
AftertherainthathadheldusholedupattheDoubleRoveroneday，wediscussedwhatweshoulddonext。
\"Theflatswillbetooboggyforriding，andanywaythecattlewillbeinthehighcountry，\"theCattlemansummedupthesituation。\"We\'dbogdownthechuck-wagonifwetriedtogetbacktotheJ。H。Butnowaftertheraintheweatheroughttobebeautiful。Whatshallwedo？\"
\"WasyoueverintheJacksoncountry？\"askedUncleJim。\"It\'sthewildestpartofArizona。It\'sabigcountryandrough，andnoonelivesthere，andthere\'slotsofdeerandmountainlionsandbear。Here\'smydogs。Wemighthaveahunt。\"
\"Good！\"saidwe。
Weskirmishedaroundandfoundacondemnedarmypacksaddlewithaparejos，andasawbucksaddlewithkyacks。Onthese，wemanagedtocondenseourgrubandutensils。Therewereplentyofhorses，soourbeddingweboundflatabouttheirnakedbarrelsbymeansofthesquaw-hitch。Thenwestarted。
ThatdayfurnisheduswithademonstrationofwhatArizonahorsescando。Ourwayledfirstthroughacanon-bedfilledwithroundedbouldersandrocks，slipperyandunstable。Bigcottonwoodsandoaksgrewsothickaspartiallytoconcealthecliffsoneithersideofus。Therim-rockwasmysteriouswithcaves；beautifulwithhanginggardensoftreefernsandgrassesgrowingthickinlongtransversecrevices；wonderfulincolourandshape。Wepassedthelittlecanonsfencedoffbytherustlersascorralsintowhichtoshuntfromtheherdstheirchoiceofbeeves。
TheCattlemanshookhisheadatthem。\"ManyamanhascomefromTexasandestablishedaherdwithnootherassetthanacoupleofhorsesandabranding-iron，\"saidhe。
Thenweworkedupgraduallytoadivide，whencewecouldseearangeofwildandruggedmountainsonourright。Theyrosebyslopesandledges，steepandrough，andatlastendedinthethousand-footcliffsofthebuttes，runningsheerandunbrokenformanymiles。Duringalltherestofourtriptheyweretobeourcompanions，theonlyconstantfactorsinthetumultoflesserpeaks，precipitouscanons，andtwistedsystemsinwhichwewereconstantlyinvolved。
Theskywassun-and-shadowaftertherain。EachandeveryArizonanpredictedclearing。
\"Why，italmostneverrainsinArizona，\"saidJedParker。\"Andwhenitdoesitquitsbeforeitbegins。\"
Nevertheless，aboutnoonathickcloudgatheredaboutthetopsoftheGaliurosaboveus。Almostimmediatelyitwasdissipatedbythewind，butwhenthepeaksagainshowed，westaredwithastonishmenttoseethattheywerewhitewithsnow。Itwasasthoughamagicianhadpassedasheetbeforethemthebriefinstantnecessarytoworkhisgreattransformation。Shortlytheskythickenedagain，anditbegantorain。
Travelhadbeenprecariousbefore；butnowitsdifficultieswereinfinitelyincreased。Theclaysub-soiltotherubbleturnedslipperyandadhesive。Onthesidesofthemountainsitwasalmostimpossibletokeepafooting。Wespeedilybecamewet，ourhandspuffedandpurple，ourbootssoddenwiththewaterthathadtrickledfromourclothingintothem。
\"Overthenextridge，\"UncleJimpromisedus，\"isanoldshackthatIfixedupsevenyearsago。Wecanallmakeouttogetinit。\"
Overthenextridge，therefore，weslippedandslid，thankingthegodofluckforeachtenfeetgained。Itwasgrowingcold。Thecliffsandpalisadesnearathandshoweddimlybehindthefallingrain；beyondthemwavedandeddiedthestormmiststhroughwhichthemountainsrevealedandconcealedproportionsexaggeratedintounearthlygrandeur。Deepinthecleftsoftheboxcanonsthestreamswerefilling。Theroaroftheirrapidsechoedfrominnumerableprecipices。Asoftswishofwaterusurpedtheworldofsound。
Nothingmoreuncomfortableormoremagnificentcouldbeimagined。
Werodeshivering。Eachsaidtohimself，\"Icanstandthis——rightnow——atthepresentmoment。Verywell；Iwilldoso，andIwillrefusetolookforwardevenfiveminutestowhatImayhavetostand，\"whichisthetruephilosophyoftoughtimesandtheonlyeffectivewaytoendurediscomfort。
Byluckwereachedthebottomofthatcanonwithoutafall。Itwaswide，wellgrownwithoaktrees，andbellydeepinrichhorsefeed——anidealplacetocampwereitnotforthefactthatathinsheetofwateraquarterofaninchdeepwasflowingovertheentiresurfaceoftheground。Wespurredondesperately，thinkingofawarmfireandachancetosteam。
Theroofoftheshackhadfallenin，andthefloorwassixinchesdeepinadobemud。
Wedidnotdismount——thatwouldhavewetoursaddles——butsatonourhorsestakinginthedetails。FinallyUncleJimcametothefrontwithasuggestion。
\"Iknowofacave，\"saidhe，\"closeunderabutte。It\'sabigcave，butithassuchasteepfloorthatI\'mnotsureaswecouldstayinit；andit\'sbacktheothersideofthatridge。\"
\"Idon\'tknowhowtheridgeistogetbackover——itwasslipperyenoughcomingthisway——andthecavemayshootusoutintospace，butI\'dliketoLOOKatadryplaceanyway，\"repliedtheCattleman。
Weallfeltthesameaboutit，sobackovertheridgewewent。
AbouthalfwaydowntheothersideUncleJimturnedsharptotheright，andasthe\"hogback\"droppedbehindus，wefoundourselvesoutonthesteepsideofamountain，theperpendicularcliffoverustotheright，theriverroaringsavagelyfardownbelowourleft，andsheetsofwaterglazingthefootingwecouldfindamongthebouldersanddebris。Hardlycouldtheponieskeepfromslippingsidewaysontheslope，asweproceededfartherandfartherfromthesolidityoftheridgebehindus，weexperiencedtheillusionofventuringoutonatightropeoverabyssesofspace。Eventhefeelingofdangerwasonlyanillusion，however，compositeofthefallingrain，thedeepeningtwilight，andthenightthathadalreadyenvelopedtheplungeofthecanonbelow。
FinallyUncleJimstoppedjustwithinthedripfromthecliffs。
\"Heresheis，\"saidhe。
Wedescendedeagerly。Adeerboundedawayfromthebaseofthebuttes。Thecaveransteep，inthemannerofaninclinedtunnel，farupintothedimness。Wehadtodigourtoesinandscrambletomakewayupitatall，butwefounditdry，andafteralittlesearchdiscoveredafoot-ledgeofearthsufficientlybroadforaseat。
\"That\'sallright，\"quothJedParker。\"Now，forsleepingplaces。\"
Wescattered。UncleJimandCharleypromptlyannexedtheslightoverhangofthecliffwhencethedeerhadjumped。Itwasdryatthemoment，butweutteredpessimisticpredictionsifthewindshouldchange。TomRichandJimLesterhadalittletent，andinsistedondescendingtothecanon-bed。
\"Gottocookthere，anyways，\"saidthey，anddepartedwiththetwopackmulesandtheirbedhorse。
ThatlefttheCattleman，WindyBill，JedParker，andme。InamomentWindyBillcameuptouswhisperingandmysterious。
\"Getyourcavallosandfollowme，\"saidhe。
Wedidso。Heledustwohundredyardstoanothercave，twentyfeethigh，fifteenfeetindiameter，levelasafloor。
\"How\'sthat？\"hecriedintriumph。\"FoundherjustnowwhileI
wasrustlingnigger-headsforafire。\"
Weunpackedourbedswithchucklesofjoy，andspreadthemcarefullywithintheshelterofthecave。Exceptfortheveryedges，whichdidnotmuchmatter，ourblanketsand\"so-guns，\"
protectedbythecanvas\"tarp，\"werereasonablydry。Everyonceinawhileaspasmofconsciencewouldseizeoneortheotherofus。
\"Itseemssortofmeanontheotherfellows，\"ruminatedJedParker。
\"Theyhadtheirfirstchoice，\"criedweall。
\"UncleJim\'sanoldman，\"theCattlemanpointedout。
ButWindyBillhadthoughtofthat。\"Itoldhimofthisyerecavefirst。Butheallowedhewasplumbsatisfied。\"
Wefinishedlayingoutourblankets。Theresultlookedgoodtous。Weallburstoutlaughing。
\"Well，I\'msorryforthosefellows，\"criedtheCattleman。Wehobbledourhorsesanddescendedtothegleamofthefire，likeguiltyconspirators。Thereweatehastilyofmeat，breadandcoffee，merelyforthesakeofsustenance。Itcertainlyamountedtolittleinthewayofpleasure。Thewaterfromthedirectrain，theshiveringtrees，andourhatbrimsaccumulatedinourplatesfasterthanwecouldbailitout。Thedisheswerethrustunderacanvas。RichandLesterdecidedtoremainwiththeirtent，andsowesawthemnomoreuntilmorning。
Webrokeoffback-loadsofmesquiteandtoiledupthehill，tastingthicklythehighaltitudeintheseverelabour。Atthebigcavewedumpeddownourburdens，transportedourfuelpiecemealtothevicinityofthenarrowledge，builtagoodfire，satinarow，andlitourpipes。Inafewmoments，theblazewasburninghigh，andourbodieshadceasedshivering。Fantasticallythefirelightrevealedtheknobsandcrevices，theledgesandthearchingwalls。Theirshadowsleaped，followingtheflames，recedingandadvancinglikeplayfulbeasts。Faraboveuswasasingletinyopeningthroughwhichthesmokewassuckedasthroughachimney。Theglowruddiedthemen\'sfeatures。Outsidewasthickdarkness，andtheswishandrushandroarofrisingwaters。Listening，WindyBillwasremindedofastory。Weleanedbackcomfortablyagainsttheslopingwallsofthecave，thrustourfeettowardtheblaze，smoked，andhearkenedtothetaleofWindyBill。
There\'satur\'blelotofwaterrunningloosehere，butI\'veseenthetimeandplacewhereevenwhatisinthatdripwouldbeworthagoldmine。Thatwasintheemigrantdays。Theyusedtocomeoversouthofhere，throughwhattheycalledEmigrantPass，ontheirwaytoCaliforny。Iwasakidthen，abouteighteenyearold，andwhatIdidn\'tknowaboutInjinsandAgencycattlewasn\'tapatchofalkali。Ihadakidoutfitofh\'arbridle，lotsofsilverandsuch，andIusedtorideoverandbethehandsomeboybeforesuchoutfitsashappenedalong。
Theywerequeerpeople，mostof\'emfromMissouryandsuch-likesouthernseaports，andtheyweretur\'blesickoftravelbythetimetheycomeinsightofEmigrantPass。UptoSantaFetheymostlyhikedalonganyoldway，butoncetheretheyherdeduptogetherinbunchesoftwentywagonsorso，\'countofouroldfriends，GeronimoandLoco。Agoodmanyof\'emhadhornedcattletotheirwagons，andtheycrawledalongabouttwomilesanhour，hotter\'nhellwiththebloweron，nothin\'tolookatbutamountainaweekway，chuckfullofalkali，plentyofsage-brushandrattlesnakes——butmightylittlewater。
Why，youboysknowthatcountrydownthere。BetweentheChiricahuaMountainsandEmigrantPassit\'smaybeathreeorfourdays\'journeyfortheseyerebull-slingers。
Mostlytheyfilleduptheirbelliesandtheirkegs，hopingtolastthrough，buttheysurefounditdrierthancorklegs，andgenerallylongbeforetheyhittheSpringstheirtongueswashangin\'outafoot。Yousee，foralltheirplumbnerveincomin\'
sofar，themostofthemdidn\'tknowsic\'em。Theywereplumbinnocentinregardtosavin\'theirwater，andInjins，andsuch；
andthelong-hairedbuckskinfakestheypickedupatSantaFeforguideswasn\'tmuchbetter。
ThatwaswhereTexasPetemadehiskilling。
TexasPetewasatoughcitizenfromtheLoneStar。Hewasaboutasbroadashewaslong，andworeallsortsofbigwhiskersandblackeyebrows。Hisheartwasverybad。YouneverCOULDtellwhereTexasPetewasgoin\'tojumpnext。Hewasaside-winderandadiamond-backandalittleblackrattlesnakeallrolledintoone。IbelievethatTexasPetepersoncaredaboutaslittleforkillin\'amanasfortakin\'adrink——andheshorelydrankwithoutaneffort。Peaceablecitizensjustspokesoftandmindedtheirownbusiness；onpeaceablecitizensTexasPeteusedtoplantoutinthesagebrush。
NowthisTexasPetehappenedtodiscoverawaterholerightoutintheplumbmiddleofthedesert。Hepromptlyannexedsaidwaterhole，digsherout，timbersherup，andlaysforemigrants。
Hechargedtwobitsahead——manorbeast——andnobodygotamouthfultillhepaidupinhardcoin。
Thinkofthewadsherakedin！Iusedtofigureitup，justforthejoyofenvyin\'him，Ireckon。Anaveragetwenty-wagonoutfit，firstandlast，wouldbringhiminsomewheresaboutfiftydollars——andbesideshehadforty-rodatfourbitsaglass。Andoutfitsatthattimewerethicker\'nspatter。
Weusedalltogodownsometimestowatchthemcomein。Whentheyseethatlittlecanvasshackandthatwell，theybeguntocheerupandmovefast。Andwhentheyseethatsign，\"Water，twobitsahead，\"theireyesstuckoutliketworawoysters。
Thencomethekicks。Whatahowltheydidraise，shorely。Butitdidn\'tdonomannerofgood。TexasPetedidn\'tdonothin\'butsitthereandsmoke，withakindofsulkygleaminonecornerofhiseye。Hedidn\'teventakethetroubletoanswer，buthisWinchesterlayacrosshislap。Therewasn\'tnohumourinthesituationforhim。
\"Howmuchisyourwaterforhumans？\"asksoneemigrant。
\"Can\'tyoureadthatsign？\"TexasPeteaskshim。
\"Butyoudon\'tmeantwobitsaheadforHUMANS！\"yellstheman。
\"Why，youcangetwhiskyforthat！\"
\"Youcanreadthesign，can\'tyou？\"insistsTexasPete。
\"Icanreaditallright？\"saystheman，tryin\'anewdeal，\"buttheytellmenottobelievemore\'nhalfIread。\"
Butthatdon\'tgo；andMr。Emigrantshellsoutwiththerest。
Ididn\'tblamethemforraisin\'theirhowl。Why，atthattimetheregularwaterholeswaschargin\'fivecentsaheadfromthegovernmentfreighters，andthemottowasalways\"HoldupUncleSam，\"atthat。Onceinawhilesomeoutfitwouldgetmadandgochargin\'offdry；butitwasalong，longwaytotheSprings，andmightyhotanddusty。TexasPeteandhisonelonesomewaterholeshorelydidabigbusiness。
LateoneafternoonmeandGentlemanTimwasjoggin\'alongaboveTexasPete\'splace。Itwasatur\'blehotday——youhadtoprimeyourselftospit——andwewasjustgettin\'backfromdrivin\'somebeefuptothetroopsatFortHuachuca。WewasduetocrosstheEmigrantTrail——she\'sworeintur\'bledeep——youcanseetherutsto-day。Whenwetoppedtheriseweseealittleoldoutfitjustmakin\'outtodragalong。
Itwasonelittleschoonerallbyherself，drugalongbytwopooroldcavallosthatcouldn\'thavepulledmyhatoff。Theirtongueswasout，andeveryonceinawhilethey\'dstickinachuck-hole。
Thenamanwouldgetdownandputhisshouldertothewheel，andeverybody\'dtakeaheave，andupthey\'dcome，alla-tremblingandweak。
TimandIrodedownjusttotakealookatthecuriosity。
Athin-lookin\'manwasdrivin\'，allhumpedup。
\"Hullo，stranger，\"saysI，\"ain\'tyou\'fraidofInjins？\"
\"Yes，\"sayshe。
\"Thenwhyareyoutravellin\'throughanInjincountryallalone？\"
\"Couldn\'tkeepup，\"sayshe。\"CanIgetwaterhere？\"
\"Ireckon，\"Ianswers。
HedroveuptothewatertroughthereatTexasPete\'s，meandGentlemanTimfollowin\'alongbecauseourtrailledthatway。
Buthehadn\'tmore\'nstoppedbeforeTexasPetewasout。
\"Costyoufourbitstowaterthemhosses，\"sayshe。
Themanlookedupkindofbewildered。
\"I\'msorry，\"sayshe，\"Iain\'tgotnofourbits。Igotmyrollliftedoff\'nme。\"
\"Nowater，then，\"growlsTexasPetebackathim。
Themanlookedabouthimhelpless。
\"Howfarisittothenextwater？\"heasksme。
\"Twentymile，\"Itellshim。
\"MyGod！\"hesays，tohimself-like。
Thenheshruggedhisshouldersverytired。
\"Allright。It\'sgettin\'thecooloftheevenin\'；we\'llmakeit。\"Heturnsintotheinsideofthatoldschooner。
\"Gi\'methecup，Sue。\"
Awhite-facedwomanwholookedmightygoodtousalkalisopenedtheflapsandgaveoutatincup，whichthemanpointedouttofill。
\"Howmanyofyouisthey？\"asksTexasPete。
\"Three，\"repliestheman，wondering。
\"Well，sixbits，then，\"saysTexasPete，\"cashdown。\"
Atthatthemanstraightensupalittle。
\"Iain\'taskin\'fornowaterformystock，\"sayshe，\"butmywifeandbabyhasbeenoutinthissunalldaywithoutadropofwater。OurcaskslippedahoopandbustjustthissideofDosCabesas。Thepoorkidisplumbdry。\"
\"Twobitsahead，\"saysTexasPete。
Atthatthewomancomesout，alittlebitofababyinherarms。
Thekidhadfuzzyyellowhair，anditsfacewasflushedredandshiny。
\"Shorelyyouwon\'trefuseasickchildadrinkofwater，sir，\"
saysshe。
ButTexasPetehadsomesortofaspecialgrouch；Iguesshewasjustbeginningtogethissnowshoesoffafterafightwithhisownforty-rod。
\"Whatthehellareyou-alldoin\'onthetrailwithoutnomoneyatall？\"hegrowls，\"andhowdoyouexpecttogetalong？Suchplumbtenderfeetdrivemeweary。\"
\"Well，\"saystheman，stillreasonable，\"Iain\'tgotnomoney，butI\'llgiveyousixbits\'worthofflourortradeoran\'thin\'I
got。\"
\"Idon\'trunnotruck-store，\"snapsTexasPete，andturnssquareonhisheelandgoesbacktohischair。
\"Gotsixbitsaboutyou？\"whispersGentlemanTimtome。
\"Notared，\"Ianswers。
GentlemanTimturnstoTexasPete。
\"Let\'emhaveadrink，Pete。I\'llpayyounexttimeIcomedown。\"
\"Cashdown，\"growlsPete。
\"You\'rethemeanestmanIeversee，\"observesTim。\"Iwouldn\'tspeaktoyouifImetyouinhellcarryin\'alumpoficeinyourhand。\"
\"You\'rethesoftest_I_eversee，\"sneersPete。\"Don\'ttheyhaveanygenooineTexansdownyourway？\"
\"Notenoughtomakeitdisagreeable，\"saysTim。
\"Thatletsyouout，\"growlsPete，gettin\'hostileandhandlin\'ofhisrifle。
Whichthemanhadbeenstandin\'therebewildered，thecuphangin\'
fromhisfinger。Atlast，lookin\'prettydesperate，hestoopeddowntodigupalittleofthewetfromanoverflowpuddlelyin\'
athisfeet。Atthesametimethehosses，leftsortoftothemselvesandbein\'drierthanacoveredbridge，drugforwardandstucktheirnosesinthetrough。
GentlemanTimandmewassittin\'thereonourhosses，alittletooneside。WesawTexasPetejumpupfromhischair，takeaquickaim，andcutloosewithhisrifle。Itwasplumbunexpectedtous。Wehadn\'tthoughtofanyshootin\'，andoursix-shooterswastiedin，\'countofthejumpycountrywe\'dbeendrivin\'thesteersover。ButGentlemanTim，whohadunslunghisrope，aimin\'tohelpthehossesoutofthechuckhole，snatchedheroffthehorn，andwithoneoftheprettiesttwenty-footflipthrowsIeverseedonehesnakedoldTexasPeterightoutofhiswicky-up，gunandall。Theoldrenegadedidhisbesttotwistaroundforashotatus；butitwasnogo；andIneverenjoyedhog-tyingacrittermoreinmylifethanIenjoyedhog-tyingTexasPete。Thenweturnedtoseewhatdamagehadbeendone。
Weweresomerelievedtofindthefamilyallright，butTexasPetehadboredoneofthempooroldcrow-baithossesplumbthroughthehead。
\"It\'sluckyforyouyoudon\'tgettheoldman，\"saysGentlemanTimveryquietandpolite。
WhichGentlemanTimwasanIrishman，andI\'dbeenontherangelongenoughwithhimtoknowthatwhenhegotquietandpoliteitwastimetododgebehindsomething。
\"Ihope，sir\"sayshetothestranger，\"thatyouwillgiveyourwifeandbabyasatisfyingdrink。Asforyourhoss，praydonotbeunderanyapprehension。Ourfriend，Mr。TexasPete，here，haskindlyconsentedtomakegoodanydeficienciesfromhisowncorral。\"
Timcouldtalkhigh，wide，andhandsomewhenhesetoutto。
Themanstartedtosaysomething；butImanagedtoherdhimtooneside。
\"Lethimalone，\"Iwhispers。\"Whenhetalksthatway，he\'smad；
andwhenhe\'smad，it\'sbettertoleavenaturetosupplythelightnin\'rods。\"
Heseemedtosabeallright，sowebuiltusalittlefireandstartedsomegrub，whileGentlemanTimwalkedupanddownverygrandandfierce。
Byandbyheseemedtomakeuphismind。HewentoveranduntiedTexasPete。
\"Standup，youhound，\"sayshe。\"Nowlistentome。Ifyoumakeabreaktogetaway，orifyourefusetodojustasItellyou，I
won\'tshootyou，butI\'llmarchyouupcountryandseethatGeronimogetsyou。\"
Hesortedoutashovelandpick，madeTexasPetecarrythemrightalongthetrailaquarter，andstartedhimtodiggin\'ahole。
TexasPetestartedinhardenough，Timsittin\'overhimonhishoss，hissix-shooterloose，andhisropefree。ThemanandI
stoodby，notdarin\'tosayaword。AfteraminuteorsoTexasPetebegantoworkslowerandslower。Byandbyhestopped。
\"Lookhere，\"sayshe，\"isthisherethingmygrave？\"
\"Iamgoin\'toseethatyougivethegentleman\'shossdecentinterment，\"saysGentlemanTimverypolite。
\"Buryahoss！\"growlsTexasPete。
Buthedidn\'tsayanymore。Timcockedhissix-shooter。
\"Perhapsyou\'dbetterquitpantingandsweatalittle，\"sayshe。
TexasPeteworkedhardforawhile，forTim\'squietnesswasbeginningtoscarehimuptheworstway。Byandbyhehadgotdownmaybefourorfivefeet，andTimgotoffhishoss。
\"Ithinkthatwilldo，\"sayshe。
\"Youmaycomeout。Billy，myson，coverhim。Now，Mr。TexasPete，\"hesays，coldassteel，\"thereisthegrave。Wewillplacethehossinit。ThenIintendtoshootyouandputyouinwiththehoss，andwriteyouanepitaphthatwillbeacomforttosuchtravellersoftheTrailasarehonest，andawarnin\'tosuchasarenot。I\'dassoonkillyounowasanhourfromnow，soyoumaymakeabreakforitifyoufeellikeit。\"
Hestoopedovertolookintothehole。Ithoughthelookedanextralongtime，butwhenheraisedhisheadhisfacehadchangedcomplete。
\"March！\"saysheverybrisk。
Weallwentbacktotheshack。FromthecorralTimtookTexasPete\'sbestteamandhitchedhertotheoldschooner。
\"There，\"sayshetotheman。\"Nowyou\'dbetterhitthetrail。
Takethatwhiskykegthereforwater。Good-bye。\"
Wesattherewithoutsayin\'awordforsometimeaftertheschoonerhadpulledout。ThenTimsays，veryabrupt：
\"I\'vechangedmymind。\"
Hegotup。
\"Comeon，Billy，\"sayshetome。\"We\'lljustleaveourfriendtiedup。I\'llbebackto-morrowtoturnyouloose。Inthemeantimeitwon\'thurtyouabittobealittleuncomfortable，andhungry——andthirsty。\"
Werodeoffjustaboutsundown，leavin\'TexasPetelashedtight。
Nowallthisknockedmehell-westandcrooked，andIsaidso，butIcouldn\'tgetawordoutofGentlemanTim。AlltheanswerI
couldgetwasjustlittlelaughs。
Wedrawedintotheranchnearmidnight，butnextmornin\'Timhadalongtalkwiththeboss，andtheresultwasthatthewholeoutfitwasinstructedtoarmupwithapickorashovelapiece，andtogetsetforTexasPete\'s。Wegottherealittleafternoon，turnedtheoldboyout——withoutfirearms——andthenbegantodigataplaceTimtoldusto，nearthatgraveofTexasPete\'s。
Inthreehourswehadthefinestwater-holedevelopedyoueverwanttosee。Thenthebossstuckupasignthatsaid：
PUBLICWATER-HOLE。WATER，FREE。
\"Nowyouoldskin，\"sayshetoTexasPete，\"chargeallyouwanttoonyourownproperty。ButifIeverhearofyourlayin\'claimtothisotherhole，I\'llshoremakeyouhardtocatch。\"
Thenwerodeoffhome。Yousee，whenGentlemanTiminspectedthatgrave，henotedindicationsofwater；anditstruckhimthatrunnin\'theoldrenegadeoutofbusinesswasaneaterwayofgettin\'eventhanmerelykillin\'him。
Somebodythrewafreshmesquiteonthefire。Theflamesleapedupagain，showingathintrickleofwaterrunningdowntheothersideofthecave。Thesteadydownpouragainmadeitselfprominentthroughthere-establishedsilence。
\"WhatdidTexasPetedoafterthat？\"askedtheCattleman。
\"TexasPete？\"chuckledWindyBill。\"Well，heputinaheapofhissparetimelettin\'Timalone。\"
CHAPTERTHREE
THEREMITTANCEMAN
AfterWindyBillhadfinishedhisstorywebegantothinkittimetoturnin。UncleJimandCharleyslidandslippeddownthechute-likepassageleadingfromthecaveanddisappearedinthedirectionoftheoverhangbeneathwhichtheyhadspreadtheirbed。Afteramomentwetoreofflongbundlesofthenigger-headblades，littheresinousendsatourfire，andwiththesetorchesstartedtomakeourwayalongthebaseoftheclifftotheothercave。
Oncewithouttheinfluenceofthefireourimpromptulinkscastanadequatelight。Thesheetsofrainbecamesuddenlyvisibleastheyenteredthecircleofillumination。BycarefulscrutinyofthefootingIgainedtheentrancetoourcavewithoutmishap。I
lookedback。Hereandthereirregularlygleamedandsplutteredmycompanions\'torches。Acrosseachslantedtherain。Allelsewasofinkyblacknessexceptwhere，betweenthemandme，afaintredreflectionshoneonthewetrocks。ThenIturnedinside。