ThesetalesbytheOldCattlemanhavebeensubmittedtoperhapsadozenpeople。Theyhaveread，criticised，andadvised。Theadvicewasgood；thecriticismjust。SomesuggestedasketchwhichmightindetailsetforthToffville；therewerethosewhowantedsomethinglikeapictureoftheOldCattleman；whileothersurgedanelaborationofthepersonalcharacteristicsofOldManEnright，DocPeets，CherokeeHall，Moore，Tutt，Boggs，FaroNell，OldMonte，andTexasThompson。Ihave，how-ever，concludedtoleaveallthesematterstotheillustrationsofMr。Remingtonandtheimaginationsofthosewhoread。Ithinkitthebetterway-certainlyitistheeasieroneforme。IshallthereforepermittheOldCattlemantotellhisstoriesinhisownfashion。Thestylewillbecrude，abrupt，andmeagre，butItrustitwillproveassatisfactorytothereaderasithastome。
A。H。L。
NewYork，May15，1897。
CHAPTERI。
WOLFVILLE\'SFIRSTFUNERAL。
\"TheseyereobsequieswhichI\'maboutmentionin\'，\"observedtheOldCattleman，\"isthefirstrealfuneralWolfvillehas。\"
Theoldfellowhadlightedacobpipeandtiltedhischairbackinafashionwhichproclaimedaplantobecomfortable。Hehadbeguntotolerate——evenencourage——mysociety，althoughitwasclearthatasatenderfootheregardedmewithaspeciesofgentledisdain。
IhadprovokedthesubjectoffuneralceremoniesbyarecurrencetotheaffairoftheYellowhouseMan，andaqueryastowhatwouldhavebeentheprogrammeofthepublic-spiritedhamletofWolfvilleifthatinvalidhaddiedinsteadofyieldingtothenursingofJackMooreandthattariffondraw-pokerwhichthegeniusofOldManEnrightdecreed。
Itcameineasyillustration，asanswertomyquestion，fortheOldCattlemantorecallthefuneralofaformerleadingspiritofSouthwesternsociety。ThenameofthisworthywasJackKing；andwithabriefexpositionofhismoresalienttraits，mygrizzledraconteurleddowntohisburialwiththeremarkbeforequoted。
\"Ofcourse，\"continuedtheOldCattleman，\"ofcoursewhilethar\'ssomelikethisYallerhousegentwhosurvives；thar\'sothersoftheboyswhoisdownedonetimean\'another，an\'goesshoutin\'hometoheavenbyvarioustrails。ButontiltheeventInowrecalls，theremaindershasbeenfreightedeastorwesteverytime，an\'thecampgetsleft。It\'shardluck，butatlastitcomestowardus；an\'tharwebeonedaywithacorpseallour\'n，an\'nopartnershipwithnobodynornothin\'。
\"\'It\'sthechanceofourlife，\'saysDocPeets，\'an\'weplaysit。
Thar\'snothin\'toorichforourblood，an\'theseobsequiesisgoin\'
tobespread-eagle，youbet!We\'llshowRedDogan\'sim\'larvillagestheyain\'tsign-campscomparedwithWolfville。\'
\"Sowebeginstodrawinourbeltsan\'getabigready。JackKing，asIsaysbefore，iscorpse，eemergin\'outenagameofpokerassech。Whichpriortharto，Jack\'sbeenpeevish，an\'pesterin\'an\'
pervadin\'\'roundforseveraldays。Thecampstandsaheapo\'troublewithhiman\'triestosmoothitalongbygivin\'himhiswhiskeyan\'
hiswayaboutashewants\'em，hopin\'forachange。Butmanisonlyhuman，an\'whenJackstartsinonenighttomakeaflushbeatatrayfullforsevenhundreddollars，heaskstoomuch。
\"Tharain\'tnoondertakers，soweroundsuptheoutfit，an\'knowin\'
he\'dtakeaprideinit，an\'dotheslam-upthing，weputsinDocPeetstodealthegameunanimous。
\"\'Gents，\'hesays，aswe-allsturnsintotheRedLighttoberefreshed，\'inassoomin\'thepresentpressureIfeelsthecomplimentspaidmeintheseelection。Ishallactforthecreditofthecamp，an\'Ineedsyourhelp。Idesiresthattheseritesbeahowlin\'vict\'ry。Idon\'twantpeoplecomin\'\'roundnextweekallowin\'tharain\'tbeennofuneral，an\'Idon\'treckonmuchthattheywill。We\'vegotthecorpse，an\'ifwegetsbuckedoffnowit\'sourfault。\'
\"Soheapp\'intsOldMontean\'DanBoggstogoforaboxforJack，an\'detailsacoupleofniggersfromthecorraltodigatomb。
\"\'An\'mindyou-alls，\'saysPeets，`Iwantsthatholeatleastamilefromcamp。Inordertomakeafuneralasuccess，youneedsdistance。
That\'swheredeceasedgetsaction。Itgivestheprocessionachancetospreadan\'showup。Youcan\'tmakenofuneralimposin\'exceptyou\'replumbliberalondistances。\'
\"Itallgoessmoothrightoffthereel。Wegetsaboxan\'graveready，an\'Peetssticksupanoticeonthestage-stationdoor，settin\'theexcitementforthird-drinktimenextday。Promptatthedropofthehatthecampletsgoallholdsan\'turnslooseinabodytoputJackthroughright。He\'slaidoutinsplendidshapeintheNewYorkStore，withnothin\'tocomplainofifhe\'saskedtomakethekickhimse\'f。Hehasanewsilknecktie，blueshirtan\'pearlbuttons，trousers，an\'boots。Someone——BensonAnnie，Ireckons——haspastedsomeco\'tplasterovertheholeonhischeek-bonewherethebulletgetsin，an\'all\'roundJacklooksbetterthanIeverseeshim。
\"\'Letthecongregationremoveitshats，\'saysPeets，a-settin\'downonaboxupatJack\'shead，\'an\'asmanyascanwillpleasegetsomethin\'tocampon。Now，myfriends，\"hecontinues，\"tharain\'tnoneedofmyputtin\'onanyfrillsorgettin\'inanyscrollwork。Theobjectsofthisconventionisplainan\'straight。MisterKing，herepresent，isdead。Deceasedisaveryheadstrongperson，an\'persistsyesterdayinentertainin\'viewstouchin\'aclubflush，queenatthehead，whichresultsinlifeeverlastin\'。Now，gents，thisisaracketfullofsolemnity。Wewantsnothin\'butgoodwords。Don\'tmindaboutthetrooth；whichthesameain\'tinplayatafuneral，nohow。WeallknowsJack；weknowshisrecord。Ourinformationisamplethata-way；howhestealsahossatTucson；howberobsagentlastfallatTombstone；howhedownsapartyatCruces；howthatscaronhisneckhegetsfromWells-Fargo\'speoplewhenhestandsupthestageoverontheLordsburgtrail。Butwelaysitallasideto-
day。Wedon\'tcoppernarybet。Yesterdaymornin\'，accompaniedbythereportofaColt\'sforty-five，MisterKing，wholiesyeresocoolan\'easy，leavesustoenterinbehindthegreatwhiteshinin\'gatesofpearlan\'gold，whichswingsinwardtogloryeternal。It\'sagreatsetbackatthistimetharain\'tnosky-pilotinthecamp。
Thisdeeficiencyinsky-pilotsisahossontous，butwedoesourbest。AtatimelikethisIhearsthatsingin\'isagood，safebreak，an\'ItharforecallsonthatlittlegirlfromFlagstafftogiveus\"TheDyin\'Ranger。\"
\"SothelittleFlagstaffgirlcl\'arshervalveswithadrink，an\'
givesusthesong；an\'whentheentirecongregationdrawskyardsonthelastverseitdoeseverybodygood。
\"\'FarawayfromhisdearoldTexas，Welaidhimdowntorest；
Withhissaddleforapillow，Andhisgunacrosshisbreast。\'
\"ThenPeetsgetsouttheScriptures。\'I\'mgoin\'toreadachapteroutentheseyereTestaments，\'hesays。\'Iain\'tmakin\'noclaimforit，exceptit\'spartofthegamean\'accordin\'toHoyle。Ifthar\'sapreacheryerehe\'ddoit，butbein\'thar\'snosechbrandonthisrangeImakesitasaforcedplaymyse\'f。\'
\"Sohereadsus，achapteraboutthesepulcher，an\'MaryMagdalene，an\'theresurrection；an\'everybodytakesitinprofoundasprairie-
dogs，forthat\'stheleadtomake，an\'weknowsit。
\"ThenPeetsallowshe\'dliketohearfromanygentondertheheadof\'goodoftheorder。\'
\"\'MisterOndertakeran\'Chairman，\'saysJimHamilton，\'Iyieldstoaninwardimpulsetosaythatthisyereplayweighsonmeplumbheavy。Askeeperofthedance-hallIseesaheapofthecorpsean\'
knowshimwell。MisterKingismyfriend，an\'whilehismoodsisvariablean\'oncertain；an\'it\'scl\'arlyworthwhiletowearyourgunwhilehe\'shoverin\'near，Iloveshim。Hehashisweaknesses，asdoweall。Adisp\'sitiontomakenewroolesasheplaysalongforsechgamesofchanceasenjoyshisnoticeisperhapshisgreatestfailin\'。Hisgivin\'waytothishabitisprimar\'lythecauseofhisbein\'garneredin。Ihopeshe\'llgetalongthar，an\'offersasidebet，evenmoney，uptofivehundreddollars，hewill。Hemayalterhissysteman\'standwayupwiththeangelsan\'seraphs，an\'ifwordsfrommecouldfixit，I\'dshorelystack\'emin。Iwouldsayfurtherthatafterconsultin\'withBillyBurns，whokeepstheRedLight，wehas，inhonorofthedeadan\'tomarktheoccasionofhiscashin\'in，agreeduponabusinessdepartureofinteresttoall。
ThisdepartureMisterBurnswillstate。Imournfullygiveswaytohimforsaidpurpose。\'
\"\'MisterPeets，an\'ladiesan\'gents，\'saysBurns，\'likeMisterHamilton，whoI\'mproudtomeetyereasgent，citizen，an\'friend，I
knowsdeceased。He\'sagoodman，an\'adead-gamesportfrom\'wayback。Aprotractedwrastlewiththeremorselessdrinksofthefrontierhadbeguntotellonhim，an\'forayearorsohe\'sbeenliabletohavespells。Referrin\'totheremarksofMisterHamilton，Istatesthatbyagreementbetweenusan\'inhonortodeparted，thequotationsonwhiskeyinthisyerecamp，fromnowon，willbetwodrinksfortwobits，insteadofoneasprevious。Wedon\'twanttoonsettletrade，an\'wedon\'tbelievethiswill。Wemakesitasarayoflightinthedarknessan\'gloomofthehour。
\"Afterthisyereutterance，whichiswellreceived，weformstheprocession。DocPeets，withtwobuglersfromtheFort，takesthelead，withJackan\'hisboxinoneofthestagecoachescomin\'next。
Enright，Tutt，Boggs，ShortCreekDave，TexasThompson，an\'me，bein\'thesixpallbearers，isonhossesnextinline；an\'JackMoorecommandin\'oftherestoftheoutfit，linesoutpermiscus。
\"\'ThisisagreatdayforWolfville，\"saysPeets，asheridesupan\'
downtheline。\'Tharain\'tnocampthissideofSt。Looeycouldturnthistrick。WhichIonlywishesJackcouldseeithimse\'f。It\'smorecalculatedtobringthisoutfitintofav\'rablenoticethanalynchin\'。\'
\"Atthegraveweturnsinan\'givesthreecheersforKing，an\'threeforDocPeets；an\'lastwegivesthreemorean\'atigerforthecamp。Thebuglerscutslooseeverythin\'theyknows，fromthe\'water-
call\'tothe\'retreat，\'an\'whiletheniggersisa-shovelin\'inthesandwebangsawaywithoursix-shootersforgeneralresultsdelightful。Youcangambletharain\'tbeennofunerallikeitbeforeorsince。
\"AtthelastPeetshaulsoutenthestageweusesforJack，aheadboard。Whenit\'ssetupitlookslikeifJackain\'tsatisfied，he\'sshorelyhardtosuit。Onitinbiglettersis:
JaCKKinG
LIfEAiN\'T
IN
HOLDiNGAGOODHAND
BUT
InPLAYiNGAPOREHANdWeLL。
\"\'Yousees，wehastoworkinalittlesentiment，\'saysDocPeets。
\"Thenwedetailstheniggerstostandwatch-an\'-watcheverynighttillfurtherorders。No；weain\'tafraidJack\'llgetoutnone，butthecoyotesisshoreduetocomean\'digforhim，sotheniggershastostandgyard。Wedon\'tallowtofindspec\'mensofJackspread\'roundlooseafterallthetroublewetakes。\"
CHAPTERII。
THESTINGINGLIZARD。
\"Thar\'snosorterdoubttoit，\"saidtheOldCattlemanafteralongpausedevotedtomeditation，andfinallytotherefillingofhiscobpipe，\"tharain\'ttheslightestroomforcavilbutthemceremoniesoverJackKing，deceased，isthemostsatisfactorypageantWolfvilleeverpromotes。\"
ItwasatthispointIprovedmycunningbysayingnothing。Iwaspleasedtoheartheoldmantalk，andrightlytheorizedthatthebettermethodofinvokinghisreminiscencesjustatthistimewastosayneveraword。
\"However，\"hecontinued，\"Idon\'treckonit\'smanyweeksafterwefollowsJacktothetomb，whenwecomesaheapnearschedoolin\'
anotherfuneral，withthegeneralpublica-contributin\'ofthecorpse。Tobespeecific，Ireferstoaoccasionwhenwe-allscomespowerfulclosetolynchin\'CherokeeHall。
\"Idon\'tmindonbosomin\'myselfaboutit。It\'sallamisonderstandin\'；thesamebein\'Cherokee\'sfaultcomplete。Wedon\'tknowhimmore\'ntomerelydrinkwithatthateepock，an\'he\'sthatslyan\'furtiveinhisplays，an\'covershistrailssospeshul，henacherallybreedssechsuspicionsthatwhenthestagebeginstobestoodupreg\'laronceaweek，an\'allonaccountable，Cherokeecomesmightyclosetoculminatin\'inarope。Whichgoestoshowthatyoucan\'tbetooopenan\'freeinyourgame，an\'Cherokeewouldtellyousohimse\'f。
\"ThisyeretangleI\'mthinkin\'ofain\'tmore\'namonthafterCherokeetakestoresidin\'inWolfville。Hecomestrailin\'inoneevenin\'fromTucson，an\'onfoldsalayoutan\'goestoturnin\'faro-
bankintheRedLight。Nooneremarksthispartic\'lar，whichsaidspectaclesisfrequent。ThegeneralideeisthatCherokee\'sonthesquar\'an\'hisgameisstraight，an\'ofcoursepublicinterestdon\'tdelvenofurtherintohisaffairs。
\"Cherokee，himse\'f，isoneoftheseyereslim，silentpeoplewhoain\'ttalkin\'much，an\'hiseyeforcolorisoneofthemrawgrays，likeanewbowie。
\"It\'sperhapsthethirddaywhenCherokeebeginstostruggleintopublicnotice。Thar\'safelonwhosenameisBoone，butwhocallshimse\'fthe\'Stingin\'Lizard，\'an\'who\'sbeenpesterin\'\'roundWolfville，mebby，it\'samonth。ThisyereStingin\'LizardistharwhenCherokeecomesintocamp；an\'itlooksliketheStingin\'Lizardtakesanotionag\'inCherokeefromthejump。
\"NotthatthisyereLizardislikelytocontrolpublicfeelin\'inthematter；nonewhatever。He\'ssomeonpop\'larhimself。He\'stootoomultuousforonething，an\'hehasahabitofmolestin\'toweristsan\'folkshedon\'tknowatall，whichpallsondisinterestedpeoplewhohasdootiestoperform。AboutonceaweekthisLizardmangoesan\'getsthetreemers，an\'thenthecamphastosetupwithhimtillhisvisionssubsides。Factis，he\'swhatyou-allsEastcalls\'adisturbin\'element，\'an\'wemakesreadytohanghimonceortwice，butsomethin\'comesupan\'putsitoff，an\'wesorterneglectsit。
\"ButasIsays，hetakesanotionag\'inCherokee。It\'sthethirdnightafterCherokeegetsin，an\'he\'sca\'mlybehindhisboxattheRedLight，wheninperamb\'latesthisLizard。SeemslikeCherokee，bein\'oneofthemquietwolves，foolsuptheLizardalot。ThisLizard\'sbeenhostilean\'blood-hungryallday，an\'IreckonsheallatoncerecallsCherokee；an\'，deemin\'ofhimeasy，heallowshe\'llgoan\'chewhismanesomeforrelaxation。
\"IfIwaslowan\'ornerylikethisLizard，Iain\'tnoneshorebutI\'dbefooledthemdaysonCherokeemyse\'f。He\'sbeenfretfulabouthiswhiskey，Cherokeehas，——puttin\'itupshedon\'ttasteright，whichnotonlikelyitdon\'t；butbeyondpickin\'flawsinhisnose-
painttharain\'tmuchtotakeholdonabouthim。He\'ssosliman\'
noiselessbesides，tharain\'tnoneofusbutfiggersthisyereStingin\'Lizard\'sduetostampedehimifhetries；whichmakeswhatfollowsallthemoreimpressive。
\"SotheLizardprojectsalongintotheRedLight，whoopin\'an\'
carryin\'onbyhimse\'f。Straightwayhegoesupag\'instCherokee\'slayout。
\"Idon\'tbuynochips，\"saystheLizardtoCherokee，ashegetsinopposite。\"Iputsmoneyinplay；an\'whenIwinsIwantsmoneysim\'lar。Thar\'sfiftydollarsonthekingcoppered；an\'fiftydollarsontheeightopen。Turnyourkyards，an\'turn\'emsquar\'。Ifyoudon\'t，I\'llpeeltheha\'ran\'hideplumboffthetopofyourhead。\"
\"CherokeelooksattheLizardsortersoopercillusan\'indifferent；
buthedon\'tsaynothin\'。Hegoesonwiththedeal，an\'，thekyardscomin\'thata-way，hetakesintheLizard\'stwobets。
\"Durin\'thenextdealtheLizardain\'tsayin\'muchdirect，butkeepscussin\'an\'wranglin\'tohimse\'f。Buthe\'sgettin\'hismoneyupallthetime；an\'withthefiftydollarsheloseontheturn，he\'sshymebbyfourhundredan\'fiftyattheclose。
\"\'Bein\'intheholeaboutfivehundreddollars，\'saystheLizard，inamannerwhichisaheaponrespectful，\'an\'sothatawayfarin\'
gentmaynotbemisledtorooinutter，Inowrisestoaskwhatforalimitdoyouputonthisdeadfallanyhow？\'
\"\'Thebridle\'splumbofftoyou，amigo，\'saysCherokee，an\'histonesissomehard。Inoticesitallrightenough，\'causeI\'mdoin\'
businessatthetablemyse\'fatthetime，an\'keepin\'likewisecaseonthegame。`Thebridle\'splumboffforyou，\'saysCherokee，\'soanynotionyouentertainsinfavorofbankruptin\'ofyourse\'fquickmayriotrightalong。\'
\"\'You\'redeadshoreofthat？\'saystheLizardwithasneer。`NowI
reckonsathousand-dollarbetwouldscarethispuerilegameyoudealsa-screechin\'upatreeorintoahole，tooeasy。\'
\"`Ineverlikestoseenogentstrugglin\'inthecoilsoferror，\'
saysCherokee，withasneerasizelargerthantheLizard\'s；`I
don\'tknowwhatwadsofwealththemporeoldclothesofyoursconceals，butjestthesameItellsyouwhatI\'lldo。Climbrightontothelayout，body，soul，an\'roll，an\'putafiggeronyourworthlessse\'f，an\'I\'llturnyouforthewholeshootin\'-match。
You\'reinyeretomakethingsinterestin\'，Iseesthat，an\'I\'llvoylatemybusinessprinciplesan\'takeanightofftoentertainyou。\'An\'yereCherokeelugsoutarollofbillsbigenoughtochokeacow。
\"\'IgoesyouifIlose，\'saystheStingin\'Lizard。Thenassoomin\'asooperiorair，heremarks:\'Mebbyit\'sadrinkbackonthetrailwhenIhasmisgivin\'sastotherectitoodofthisyerebraceyou\'redealin\'。Bein\'public-speritedthata-way，inmyfirstfrenzyI
allowsI\'lltakemygunan\'abateitawholelot。Butaca\'mermoodcomeson，an\'Idecides，asnotbein\'solikelytodisturbapeace-
lovin\'camp，Iremovesthistrapfortheonwarybymerelybustin\'
thebank。Thar，\'goesontheStingin\'Lizard，atthesametimedumpin\'alargewadonthelayout，\'thar\'sevenfourthousanddollars。Rollyourgameforthatjestasitlays。\'
\"\'Straightenupyourdust，\'saysCherokee，hiseyesgettin\'akindofgleaminto\'em，\'straightenupyourstuffan\'getitsome\'ers。
Don\'tleaveitallspraddledoverthescene。Iturnsforitreadyenough，butweain\'tgoin\'toarguenoneastowhereitlaysafterthekyardfalls。\'
\"Therestofuswho\'sbeenbuckin\'thegamemoderatean\'rightcashesinatthis，an\'leavesanonobstructedclothtotheStingin\'
Lizard。Thisyere\'smorecautionthangoodnacher。Aslongasfolksisbettin\'alonginlimits，sayonderfiftydollars，tharain\'tnoshootin\'likelytoensoo。Butwheneveragamegetsimmoderatethata-way，an\'thelimit\'soff，an\'thingsisgoin\'thatlocoedtheybeginstoplayathousandan\'overonakyardan\'screamforaction，gentsofexperiencestandsreadytogotoduckin\'leadan\'dodgin\'
bulletsinstanter。
\"Buttoresoome:TheStingin\'Lizardlinesuphisstuff，an\'thedealbegins。Itain\'tthirtysecondstillthebankwins，an\'theStingin\'Lizardisthewrongsideofthelayoutfromhismoney。Hetakesitonusualugly，onlyheain\'tsayin\'much。Hesa\'ntersovertothebar，an\'getsabigdrink。Cherokeeisrifflin\'thedeck，butInoteshe\'sgothisgrayeyeontheStingin\'Lizard，an\'myrespectforhimincreasesrapid。Iseesheain\'tgoin\'togettheworstofnodeal，an\'isorganizedtoprotecthisgameplumbthroughifthisLizardmakesabreak。\"\'Doyou——allknowwhereIhailsfrom？\'askstheStingin\'Lizard，comin\'backtoCherokeeafterhe\'sdonehidhisdrink。
\"\'WhichIshorelydon\'t；\'saysCherokee。\'Ihasfromtimetotimemuchworthlessinformationthrustuponme，butsofarIescapesallnewsofyoucomplete。\'
\"\'WhereIcomesfrom，whichisTexas，\'saystheLizard，ignorin\'ofCherokee\'smanner，thesamebein\'someinsultin\'，`theyteachesthebabiestwothings，-nevereatyourownbeef，an\'neverletnokyard-
thiefdownyou:
\"\'Whichishighlythrillin\'，\'saysCherokee，\'asreminiscencesofyouryooth，butwheredoesyou-allgetactionon\'eminArizona？\'
\"\'WhereIgetsactionwon\'tbenoquestionlong，\'saystheLizard，mightytruculent。\'Inowannouncesthatthisyeregameisaskinan\'
abrace。TharforeIreturnsformymoney；an\'，tobefrank，I
returnsa-shootin\':
\"It\'satthisp\'intwe-allswhorepresentsthepublickicksbackourchairsan\'stampedesoutenrange。AstheLizardmakeshisbluffhishandgoestohisartillerylikeaflash。
\"TheLizard\'ssomequick，butCherokee\'stoosoonforhim。WiththefirstmoveoftheLizard\'shand，hesearchesoutabowiefromsom\'ersbackofhisneck。I\'msomeemployedplacin\'myse\'fatthetime，an\'don\'tdecernitnonetillCherokeebringsitoverhisshoulderlikeastreamofwhitelight。
\"It\'sshoregreatknife-work。CherokeegivestheLizardaigeanp\'int，an\'allinonemotion。BeforetheLizardmore\'nliftshisweepon，Cherokeehalfslasheshisgun-handoffatthewrist；an\'
then，jestastheLizardbeginstowonderatit，hegetsthenine-
inchbladeplumbthroughhisneck。He\'sletoutrightthar。
\"\'ItlookslikeIhasmoreofthisthingtodo，\'saysCherokee，an\'
histoneshowshe\'shalf-waymournin\'overit，`thananysportintheTerritory。Itriestokeepoutenthis，butthatLizardgentwouldhaveit。\'
\"Afterthekillin\'，Enrightan\'DocPeets，withBoggs，Tutt，an\'
JackMoore，sortertalksitoverquiet，an\'allowsit\'sallright。
\"\'ThisStingin\'Lizardgent，\'saysEnright，hasbeenprojectin\'
\'roundlustin\'fortroublenow，mebbyit\'ssixweeks。It\'samazin\'
tomehelastsaslongashedoes，an\'itspeaksvolumesfortheforbearin\'，law-abidingtemperoftheWolfvillepublic。ThisLizard\'samightyoppressiveperson，an\'aheapobnoxious；an\'whileIdon\'tlikeaknifenonemyse\'fasatrailout，an\'inclinestodistrustagentwhodoes，Is\'poseit\'safterallaheapamatteroftastean\'thewayyourfolksbringsyouup。Ileanstotheview，gents，thatthisyerecorpseisconstructedonthesquar\'。Whatdoyou-allthink，Peets？\'
\"\'Ientertainsideassim\'lar，\'saysDocPeets。\'OfcourseItakesitthiskyard-sharp，Cherokee，aimstoburyhisdead。Henacherallyain\'tlook。in\'forthecamptogo\'roundcleanin\'upafterhimnone。\'\"That\'sabouthowitstands。NobodyfindsfaultwithCherokee，an\'asheupsan\'plantstheStingin\'Lizard\'sremainderthenextday，makin\'thedealwithastainedbox，crape，an\'thefullregalia，itallleavesthecampwithamightydecentimpression。Byfirst-drinktimeintheevenin\'ofthesecondday，weain\'tthinkin\'nomoreaboutit。
\"Nowyou-allbeginstomarvelwheredowegettothehangin\'ofCherokeeHall？We\'reworkin\'intowardsitnow。
\"Yousees，followin\'theStingin\'Lizard\'sjumpintothemistybeyond——whichit\'sthatsuddenIofferstwotoonethemangelsnotesalookofs\'priseontheStingin\'Lizard\'sfaceastohowhecomestomakethetrip-Cherokeegoesondealin\'farosameasusual。AsI
saysbefore，heain\'tnotalker，nohow；nowhesayslessthanever。
\"Butwhatstrikesusasonusualis，hesaddlesupapintoponyhe\'sgotovertothecorral，an\'jumpsoffeverynowan\'thenfortwoan\'
threedaysataclatter。Nooneknowswherehep\'intsto，more\'nhesayshe\'sdueoverinTucson。TheseyerevacationsofCherokee\'sisallinthemonthaftertheStingin\'Lizardgetsdowned。\"It\'saboutthistime，too，thestagegetsheldupsechascand\'lousnumberoftimesitgivespeopleatiredfeelin\'。Allbyoneparty，too。HemerelyprancesoutinonexpectedplaceswithaWinchester；standsupthestageinanonconcernedway，an\'thengoesthrougheverythin\'
an\'everybody，frommail-bagstopassengers，likethegraceofheaventhroughacamp-meetin\'。Nacheral，itallcreatesaheapofdisgust。\"\'Ifthisyereindustrioushold-upkeepsuphislick，\'saysTexasThompsonaboutthethirdtimethestagegetsrustled，`an\'
headsoffafewmorelettersofmine，allIhastosayismywifebackinLaredoain\'tgoin\'toonderstanditnone。Sheain\'tlottin\'
muchonmenohow，an\'ifthecorrespondencebetweenusgetsmuchmorefitful，she\'sgoin\'p\'intin\'outforadivorce。Thisdeal\'sliabletoturnasplitformeinmydomesticaffairs。\'An\'that\'sthewaywe-allsfeels。ThisstageagentisshorelyindisrepootsomeinWolfville。Ifhe\'dbeenshakin\'upRedDog\'sletter-bags，wewouldn\'thavemindedsomuch。
\"Ineverdoesknowwho\'sthefirsttothinkofCherokeeHall，butallatonceit\'sallovercampTalkin\'itover，it\'snoticedmightysoonthat，comerighttocases，nooneknowshisrecord，wherehe\'sbeenorwhyhe\'syere。Thenhisstampedin\'outofcamplikehe\'sbeendoin\'foramonthistoomanyforus。
\"\'IputsnotrustinthemTucsonlieshetells，neither，\'saysDocPeets。\'Whateverwouldhebeshakin\'upoverinTucson？Hisgame\'syere，an\'thistheerythathe\'sgottogoscatterin\'overtharonceaweekissomegauzy。\'
\"\'That\'swhatever，\'saysDanBoggs，whoallerstrailsinafterDocPeets，an\'playsthesamesystememphatic。An\'Isaysmyse\'f，notfindin\'nofaultwithBoggstharfor，thatthisyerePeetsisthefinest-eddicatedan\'levelest-headedsharpinArizona。
\"\'Well，\'saysJackMoore，whoasIsaysbeforedoestheropeworkfortheStranglers，\'ifyou-allsgetsitsettledthatthisfarogent\'sturnin\'themtrickswiththestagean\'mail-bags，thesoonerhe\'sswingin\'tothewindmill，thesoonerwehearsfromourlovedonesathome。Whatdoyousay，Enright？\'
\"\'Why，\'saysEnright，allthoughtful，\'Ireckonsit\'sacase。S\'poseyoucaperoverwherehefeedsattheO。K。Housean\'bringhimtous。
Thesignsan\'signal-smokesshorelyp\'intstothisyereCherokeeasourmeat；butthesethingshastobedoneinorder。Bringhimin，Jack，an\'，tosaveanothertrip，s\'poseyoubringalariatfromthecorralatthesametime。\'
\"Itdon\'ttakeMoorenotimetothrowagunonCherokeewherehe\'sconsoomin\'flapjacksattheO。K。House，an\'tellhimthecommitteeneedshimattheNewYorkStore。Cherokeedon\'tbucknone，butcomesalong，passiveasatabbycat。
\"\'Whatever\'sthehockkyardtoallthis？\'hesaystoJackMoore。\'IsitthisStingin\'Lizardplayamonthago？\'
\"\'No，\'saysMoore，\"t\'ain\'tquitesechancienthist\'ry。It\'sstagecoaches。Thar\'sapasselofpeopledownyereasallowsyou\'vebeenrustlin\'themails。\'
\"OldManRucker，whokeepstheO。K。House，isawaywhenMooreroundsuphisparty。ButMissisRucker\'sthar，an\'thewaythatoldladytalkstoEnrightan\'thecommitteeisashame。Shecomesovertothestore，too，alongofMoorean\'Cherokee，an\'prancesinan\'
comesmightynearstampedin\'thewholeoutfit。
\"\'Seeyere，SamEnright，\'sheshouts，wipin\'herhandsonherbib，\'whatbeyou-allsaimin\'fortodo？Linin\'up，Is\'posetohangtheonlydecentmanintown？\'
\"\'Ma\'am，\'saysEnright，\'thisyeresharpis\'cusedofstandin\'upthestagethemtimesrecentoverbyTucson。Doyouknowanythin\'
aboutit？\'
\"\'No；Idon\'t，\'saysMissisRucker。\'Youdon\'treckon，now，Ididitnone，doyou？Isaysthis，though；it\'saheapsightmorelikelysomedrunkarda-settin\'rightyereonthiscommitteestopsthemstagesthanCherokeeHall。\'
\"\'Woman\'snacher\'sthatemotional，\'saysEnrighttotherestofus，\'she\'soncapableofdoin\'right。Whileshe\'stheloveliestofcreatedthings，stillsechistheinfirmitiesofherintellects，thatgov\'mentwouldbogdowninitsmostimportantfunctions，iflefttowoman。\'
\"\'Bogdownornot，\'saysMissisRucker，gettin\'redan\'heated，\'youfoolssettin\'uptharlikeabandofprairie-dogsdon\'thangthisyereCherokeeHall。\'Notherthing，youain\'tgoin\'tohangnobodytothewindmillag\'innohow。Ihasmyworktodo，an\'thar\'senoughonmyhands，feedin\'sechswineasyou-allsthreetimesaday，withouthavin\'tocutdowndeadfolksoutenmywayeverytimeIgoesforabucketofwater。You-allstakesnoticenow；youdon\'thangnothin\'
tothewindmillnomore。AsforthisyereCherokee，heain\'tstoppednomorestagesthanIbe。\'
\"\'Butyouseesyourse\'f，ma\'am，youhasn\'ttheslightestevidencetharof，\'saysEnright，tryin\'tosootheherdown。
\"\'Ihas，however，what\'samightysightbetterthanevidence，\'saysMissisRucker，\'an\'that\'smyfirmconvictions。\'
\"\'Well，seeyere，\'saysCherokee，who\'sbeenlistenin\'allpeaceful，\'letmeinonthis。Whatbeyou-allsdoin\'thison？IreckonsI\'mentitledtoalookatyourhandformymoney。\'
\"Enrightgoesonan\'laysitoffforCherokee；howhe\'soutencampeverytimethestageisrobbed，an\'theideeisabroadhedoesit。
\"\'Asthekyardslayinthebox，\'saysCherokee，\'Idon\'treckonthar\'smuchdoubtbutyou-allswillwindupthedealbyhangin\'me？\'
\"\'It\'sshorelyfivetoonethata-way，\'saysEnright。\'AlthoughI\'mboundtosayitain\'tnonedecisiveasyet。\'
\"\'Thetroothis，\'saysCherokee，sorterthoughtful，\'Iwasn\'taimin\'
tobehungnonethisautumn。Iain\'tgottime，gents，foronething，an\'hasarrangedaheapdiff\'rent。Inthenextplace，Ineverstandsupnostage。\'
\"\'That\'swhattheyallsays，\'putsinBoggs，who\'samightyimpatientman。\'Ishorelynotesnoreasonwhywe-allscan\'tproceedwiththisyerelynchin\'atonce。S\'posethisCherokeeain\'tstoodupnostage；he\'sdoneplentyofotherthingsasmeritsdeath。Itstrikesmethar\'sasightofonnecessarytalkyere。\"
\"\'Ifyouain\'toutworkingtheroad，\'saysDocPeetstoCherokee，notheedin\'ofBogg\'spetulance，\'themstage-robbin\'times，s\'poseyouonfoldswhereyouwasat？\"
\"Well，son，nottostringthisyerestoryoutlonger\'nthreedrinks，yereishowitis:ThisCherokeeitlookslikeissoft-heartedthata-way，——whatyoucallsromantic。An\'itseemslikewisethatshovin\'
theStingin\'Lizardfromshorethattimesortertakesadvantagean\'
feedsonhim。Sohegoesbrowsin\'\'roundthepostmasterallcasooal，an\'putsquestions。Cherokeegetsap\'interaboutsomeyearlin\'orotherinTucsonthisStingin\'Lizardsendsmoneytoan\'makesgoodfor，whichhefindsthesametobefactoncaperin\'over。It\'sanephyorsomesechplay。An\'theStingin\'Lizardhastheyoungonestakedoutoverthar，an\'isputtin\'upforhisraimentan\'gruballreg\'larenough。
\"\'WhichIyereafterbacksthisinfant\'splaymyse\'f，\'saysCherokeetothebarkeepoftheOrientalSaloonoverinTucson，whichisthepartytheStingin\'Lizardpasturestheyoungoneon。\'You\'reallright，Bill，\'goesonthisCherokeetothebarkeep，\'butnowIgoesbackoftheboxforthisinfantboy，IreckonsI\'llsawhimoffontoapreacher，orsomesharpsim\'lar，wherehegetsaChristianexample。Whateverdoyouthink？\'
\"Thebarkeepsayshimse\'fheallowsit\'stheplaytomake。Sohean\'
Cherokeegoessurgin\'\'round，an\'atlasttheycampstheboy——who\'ssevenyearscomin\'grass——ontheonlypulpit-sharpinTucson。Thisgospel-spreadersayshe\'llfeedan\'beddowntheboyforsomesum；
whichwasshoreagiantone，butthefiggersInowforgets。
\"Cherokeegiveshimastackofbluestostarthisgame，an\'isnowpesterin\'\'roundinaco\'ttryin\'togettheyoungonecounter-
brandedfromtheStingin\'Lizard\'soutfitintohis，an\'giventhenameofCherokeeHall。That\'swhattakeshimovertoTucsonthemtimes，an\'notstage-robbin\'。
\"Twodayslater，infact，tomakeshorealldoubtsisover，Cherokeeevenringsinsaiddivineonus；whichthedivinetellsthesamestory。Idon\'treckonnowhe\'smuchofapreacherneither；forhegivesWolfvilleonewhirlforluckoverinthewarehousebackoftheNewYorkStore，an\'Ishorehears\'emasmakesamightysightmorenoise，an\'bangstheBibletwiceashard，backintheStates。IsayssotoCherokee；butheputsituphedon\'tbanknoneonhispreachin\'。
\"\'WhatIaimsat，\'saysCherokee，\'issomeonewhoridesherdontheboyallright，an\'don\'tlethimstampedeoffnoneintoviciousways。\'
\"\'Whydon\'tyoukeepthecampinformedofthisyereorphanan\'theplayyoumakes？\'saysEnright，atthetimeit\'sexplainedtothecommittee，——thetimetheytreesCherokeeaboutthemstages。
\"\'It\'sthatbenev\'lentan\'mushy，\'saysCherokee，\'I\'mplumbashamedofthedeal，an\'don\'tallowtogopostin\'nonoticestharof。Butalongcomesthisyerehold-upbusiness，an\'，allinadvertent，tipsmyhand；whichthesameIstands，however，jestthesame。\'
\"\'It\'sallright，\'saysEnright，somedisgustedthough；\'butthenexttimeyoumakesthemfoundlin\'asylumtrips，don\'twalkinthewatersomuch。LeaveyourtrailsoWolfvilleseesit，an\'thenfolksain\'tsolikelytojumpyourcampinthedarkan\'taketoshootin\'
youupforInjunsan\'sim\'larhostiles。\'
\"\'Butonethingmore，\'continuesEnright，an\'thenweordersthedrinks。JackMooreisyerebyinstructedtopresentthecomplimentsofthecommitteetoRucker，whenhetrailsinfromTucson；whichhealsonotifieshimtohobblehiswifeyereafterdurin\'sessionsofthisbody。She\'snottogodraggin\'herlariat\'roundloosenomore，settin\'lawan\'orderatdefiancedurin\'sechhoursasisgiventobusinessbytheStranglers。\"
CHAPTERIII。
THESTORYOFWILKINS
\"No；Idon\'treckonIevercutsthetrailofthisyereWilsonyoumentions，once。IfIdoes，thefact\'sdonepulleditspicket-pinan\'
strayedfrommyrecollections。\"
Ihadrecalledthenameofaformerfriend，oneWilson，who，soregiventoliquor，haddriftedtoArizonamanyyearsbeforeanddisappeared。Suggesting\"Wilson\"totheOldCattleman，IaskedifhehadmetwithsuchanameandcharacterinhisWolfvillerambles。
Asoftenchanced，however，thequestionborefruitinastory。Itfrequentlyneededbutaslightblowfromtherodofcasualinquiry，andthefountainsofmyoldfriend\'sreminiscencesgushedforth。
\"No，Inevercrossesupwithhim，\"observedtheoldCattleman；\"butspeakin\'ofWilsonputsinmymindagentbythenameofWilkins，whoit\'ssomelikelyisasdisrepootableasyouroldpardWilson。\"
\"WhataboutWilkins？\"Iasked。
\"Nothin\'thrillin\'，\"answeredtheoldgentleman；\"nothin\'you\'dstayupnightstohear，Idon\'treckon。It\'sWilkins\'sdaughterwhoistheonlyredeemin\'thingabouttheoldCimmaron；an\'it\'saheaplikelyrightnowit\'sherIremembersaboutinsteadofhim。
\"Notatall，\"hecontinued，\"Idon\'tmindonfoldin\'astoWilkins，noryetofan\'concernin\'hisdaughter。YouseethisWilkinsisherdin\'\'roundWolfvillewhenIfirsttrailsin。Ineverdoesknowwherehehailsfrom。Idon\'treckon\'though，heevergradesnowayshigh，an\'atthecrisisI\'mmentionin\'hisspeshulplayisgettin\'
drunkmostly；an\'notallowin\'tohurthimse\'fnonewithwork。
\"\'Workin\'withyourfins，\'saysthisWilkins，\'islowan\'
onendoorin\'toagentwithpridetowound。Itain\'tnouseneither。
Iknowsfolksasworks，an\'folksasdon\'t，an\'youcan\'ttellonefromwhich。Theygetsalongentirelysim\'lar。
\"\'Buthowyougoin\'tolive？\'saysDaveTutt，whenhemakesthisremark，an\'whoisfussin\'withWilkinsforbein\'soreedic\'lousan\'
shiftless。
\"\'That\'sallrightaboutmylivin\'，\'saysWilkins；\'don\'tyou-allpassnorestlessnightsonmyaccount。GoreadyourScriptures；readthatbluffaboutfeedin\'theyoungravensan\'sparrers。Well，that\'smethistrip。I\'mgoin\'torapforashow-downonthempromisesan\'
seewhat\'sin\'em。\'
\"\'Thiscampain\'tstrongonHolyWrit，nohow，\'saysDaveTutt，\'an\'
I\'mpartic\'larpunythata-way。It\'syourgamethough，an\'yourAmericanjedgementgoessoopremeastohowyouplaysit。\'
\"ThisWilkinslivesinawickeyupoutontheaigeofthetown，an\'agirl，whichshe\'shisdaughter，about19yearsold，keepscampforhim。Nooneknowsherwell。Shestaysonherreservationmightyclose，an\'neverseemsvisiblemuch。InoticesherintheNewYorkStoreonce，buyin\'somesalthoss，an\'sheain\'tnodreamoflovelinessneitherastolooks。
\"Herfacemakesyoufeelshe\'sgoodpeoplethough，withherbigsofteyes。Theyhasatired，broke-downlook，likesomehowshe\'sbeenpackedmore\'nshecancarry，an\'hastwoorthreenotionsaboutlayin\'downwiththeload。
\"It\'smebbytwoweeksafterDaveTutt\'stalkwithWilkins，whenwe\'reallintheRedLighttakin\'ourfortydrops，an\'SamEnrightbringsupthisyereWilkins。
\"\'Ithasbeenaquestionwithme，\'hesays，\'howthisoldshorthornandhisgirlmanagesfortomakeout；an\'whileIcarenonewhateverforWilkins，itain\'tnocredittoalivecamplikethistopermitayoungfemaletosuffer，an\'Ipausesyeretoadd，itain\'tgoin\'tooccurnomore。Yesterday，allowin\'tobushwhacksometroothabout\'em，IwaitstilloldWilkinsdriftsovertothecorral，an\'thenI
goesprojectin\'\'roundforfacts。Iworksitplentycunnin\'，an\'
sorterhappensuptotheoldman\'stepee。Icallsthegirloutan\'
putsitupIwantstoseeherpawaheaponsomebusiness。
\"\'\"Iwantstoseehimspeshul，\"\'Isays。
\"\'\"Well，heain\'therenow，\"\'saysthegirl，\"sowhatever\'llyoudo？\"\'
\"\'\"Idon\'treckonyoucouldprance\'roundsomean\'findhimforme，couldyou，Miss？\"\'Isays。
\"\'Sothegirl，\'continuesEnright，\'whichhernameisSusan，putsonhershakeran\'goesstampedin\'off；an\'whileshe\'sgoneIinjunsan\'spies\'roundawholelot；an\'，comin\'downtotheturn，Wilkinsan\'thatgirlain\'tgotnothin\'toeat。Thequestionnowis，whatactiondoesWolfville\'naugerateatajuncturesechasthis？\'
\"\'What\'sthematterwithtakin\'upadonationliketheydoesforapreacher，an\'sawitontothegirl？\'saysDanBoggs。
\"\'Youcouldn\'topenyourgamethata-way，nohow，\'saysDocPeets。
\'That\'saccordin\'toHoyleforsky-pilotsan\'missionarypeople；butayoungfemalea-hoidin\'ofherse\'fhighspurnsyourmoney。Thar\'snothin\'ketchesmelikeafemaleofmyspeciesindistress，an\'I
recallsofferin\'tostakealady，who\'slosthermoneysomehow，backinSt。Looeyonce。Thisyerefemalewasstrangetomeentire，butifshe\'dknowedmefrom\'waybackshecouldn\'ta-blazedupmorefrightful。TheminuteIpullsmybankrollonher，shegoescavortin\'
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