第1章

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。