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THELONGDIMTRAIL
ByFORRESTINEC.HOOKER
A.L.BURTCOMPANYPublishersNewYor
PublishedbyarrangementwithAlfredA.Knopf
COPYRIGHT,1920,BYFORRESTINECOOPERHOOKER
PRINTEDINTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA
LOVINGLYDEDICATEDTOMYFATHER,BRIGADIER-GENERALCHARLESL.COOPER,U.S.A.MYBROTHER,MAJORHARRYL.COOPER,U.S.A.AND
MYUNCLE,CAPTAINLOUISR.CHESTER.U.S.N.OFFICERSANDGENTLEMEN.WITHOUTFEARANDWITHOUTREPROACH
F.C.H.
PARTONE
CHAPTERONE
"Everythingallright,Limber?"as edAllanTraynor,bossoftheDiamondHranch,asacowboywithjinglingspursreinedhisponybeforetheclosedgatesofthecorral.
DoctorPowell,standingbesideTraynor,scrutinizedtherider,whosebroad-brimmedStetson,caughtbythewind,flappedfromhisface,exposingthesun-browns in,firmchinandgreyeyes.ItneedednostudentofpsychologytodecidethatLimberwasnotamanwhowouldflinchwhenfacingasix-shooterheldbyarustler.
ThecowboynoddedanswertoTraynor'squery.Limber'seyesscannedtheherd,then,satisfied,heleanedacrossthenec ofhispintopony,andsaid,"PaddyLaffertywantstosellout."
"Whotoldyou?"Traynorspo ewithundisguisedsurprise.
"Dillon.Paddytol'himhewasgettin'tooold,thattherheumatizisbotherin'again,an'he'sgoin'toquitbecausehewon'ttrustnoonetorunhisherdwhenhecan'tget'roundtoithisself."
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"DidPaddysayhowmuchhewanted?"
"Nope,"wasthelaconicreply."I'llfindout.It'samightygoodbunchofstuff.Lotsofthree-yearsteers,an'tharain'tmanythree-year-oldsleftintheseparts,now."
"It'sworthloo ingup,"commentedTraynor."I'mgladyouspo eofit.Howsoonwillyoubereadytohitthetrail?"
"'Bouttenminutes."
"Keeptheboysoutofmischiefthistrip,ifyoucan."
Therewasatwin leinTraynor'seyesthatwasreflectedinthegreyonesofthecowboy,whosaidsoberly,"I'lldomybest.Butwhentheygettomixin'inthingsthey'reslipperierthanabunchofquic silver.Youthin yougotholdofitandyoufindyouain't."
Limberturnedhisponytowardthecorrals,twistinginhissaddleasTraynorcalledafterhim,"TellsomeonetosaddlemyponyandDoctorPowell's.We'llrideoutwithyou."
Asthecowboydisappeared,Traynorsaid,"Itwillgiveyouafaintidea
ofthewor .You'llfinditmightydifferentfromthecowpuncher'slifeofmovingpictures."
Thedoctorlaughed."Ifeelli easmallboyabouttowriggleunderthecanvasofacircustent.IneverdreamedthatArizonawassuchawonderland."
TheeyesofthetwomensweptacrosstheSulphurSpringValleythatundulatedtwentymilesfromtheGaliuroMountainsonthewesttotheGrahamsontheeast;startingsixtymilesnorthoftheDiamondHinthenarrowAravaipaCañon,itgraduallybroadenedintoagreatplainthatterminatedattheMexicanborder.
"Ofcourse,"continuedthedoctor,"Ihadavagueideaofitsmineralwealthandcattleinterests,butImustconfessthatuntilIreachedherethenameofArizonaconjuredvisionsofburningdesert,Gilamonsters,rattlesna es,horn-toadsandApaches.EvenwhenIsteppedfromthetrainandmetyou,theimpressionofa'No-Man'sLand'wasstronguponme.YetnowthatIhavebeenhereamonthIfeelasthoughIshallneverwanttoleaveit."
"Youcanma esureofthat,"retortedTraynor,"ifyouwillgototheHasayampaRiver, neelonthebrin anddrin ofthewater.Youmustbeverycareful,though,to neelabovethecrossing.Thiswill eepyoufromeverwishingtoleaveArizonaandyouwillreceivethegiftofabsolutetruthfulness;but,shouldyoudrin while neelingbelowthe
crossing,truthandyouwillbedivorcedthebalanceofyourlife."
"Didyoudrin belowthecrossingorabove?"challengedthedoctorwithanamusedsmile.
"Thereisonlyonecaseonrecordwhereamanac nowledgedthathedranthewaterbelowthecrossing.HisnamewasHasayampaBill.Hediedayearago.HasayampaBillwasavictimofcircumstances,notintention.Hesaidthathewasdrin ingabovethecrossingwhenhelosthisbalanceandfellintothestreamwhichcarriedhimfarbelow.ThoughHasayampa
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sworesolemnlythathe epthismouthshut--forthefirsttimeonrecord--hisreputationwasthoroughlyestablished.Aletteraddressedtothe'BiggestLiarinArizona'wasaccordedhimbypopularvote."
Thedoctorwasabouttoreply,whentheairwasfilledwithear-splittingwhistlesandstaccatocries.Thenthebiggatesofthecorralswungopen,andanavalancheofcattletumbledmadlythroughandheadedinawildrushdowntheroadthatledsouthtowardWillcox--excitedbellowsandplaintivelowingofcalvessee ingtheirmothers,mingledwiththevoicesofinvisiblemen,completelyobliteratedbythecloudsofal alidust.
Traynorledthewayintothestablewheretwosaddledponiestwistednervously.Themenloo edateachotherandsmiledasthedoctorapproachedthepintopony.Itseyesshowedwhites,itsearswentbac .Itsheerednervously,butPowellgainedthesaddleand,withTraynorclosebesidehim,theyreachedthemovingherd.
Throughthehazeofdustashadowyriderwouldloommomentarily,thendisappear.Traynorrodeontheouteredgeoftheherd.DoctorPowellbecameawarethatLimberhadmaterializedathisside,andforgoteverythingelseinhisadmirationofthecowpuncher'sunconsciousgraceashislithe,swayingfigureadjusteditselftoeachmovementofthewiry,dancingpony.
"Headoffthatbuc s in,"shoutedLimber,risinginhisstirrupsandwavinghisquirtatacowthatwasma ingawilddashforfreedom.
Bronco'sponyemergedfromthehazeandtoremadlyafterthecow,reachinghersidejustasshemadeupherbovinemindthatshehadnointentionofdeserting.Herexpressionofinjuredinnocenceassheambledquietlybac rousedDoctorPowell'smirthandBronco'sire.
ThecowpuncherreinedhisponybesidePowell's,mutteringimprecationsthatfinallyendedinaverbalexplosion.
"Durnher!Wheneveryouturnanoldbuc s incowli ethatlooseinthe
herdit'sasbadassic in'amother-in-lawonahappyfamily.Shewon'tresttillshegets'emmillin'andstampedeseverythinginsight,andthenshepic supher nittin'andloo sinnercentandsayssheneverallowedtostartnothin'noways!Gee!IwishIcouldstri earanchwheretherewarn'tnothin'butsteers.Theminuteyoumixupwithafemalecritter,coworpetticoats,you'reroundin'uptroubleforyourselfandlotsofothers."
Hepausedlongenough,tojer outasac oftobaccoandcigarettepapers,lettingthereinsfallonhispony'snec asheglaredatthecow.Shewasslowlydroppingtotherearoftheherd,butBroncoandhisponydidnotrelaxtheirvigilance.
"MebbeyouthoughtIdidn't nowyou,youoldbuc s inbago'bones,"apostrophizedBronco."I'd nowthatdernedtwistedhornifIwasdeadtwentyyears!"
HolyDic gallopedup,grinningbroadly.
"Hello,Bronc!Ain'tthatyourol'buc s infriend?"
Broncosnorted."Yep!An'youbetshe'sgoin'to eepmovin'untilshe'sloadedinthecarandheadedfortroublesomewharelse.Arizonaain't
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bigenoughtoholdheran'me."
Holyrodeoff,turninginhissaddleandscreaminginashrillnasalwhinethathefondlyimaginedwassinging:
"'Tisye-a-a-rssincelas-s-s-stwe-e-eemetAn'wema-a-aa-aynotme-ee-etagin.Istru-ug-gleto-o-ooforgitButIstru-ug-g-g-gg-g-ll-l-ll-leaa-aalinva-aaa-in."
Holy'sponycontributedtothetremoloeffectbyitsshort,nervoustrot.
"I'mgladshe'sagittin'offentherange,"soliloquizedBronco,"butI'llalwaysbesorrywedidn'tbutcherherontheranchso'sIcouldhelpchawherup.IfeverIgettoHeavenallI'llas istoeatbuc s incowsforeverlastin'."
AsheutteredthelastwordsBroncoracedahead,leavingDoctorPowellatlibertytolaughandwonderwhatthemysteryofthebuc s inhoodoomightbe.Thenhiseyeswanderedfromthedust-cloudaheadofhimtothepurple-bluepea sthatreachedthousandsoffeetupwardasifstrivingtopiercethebrilliants y;acrossthevalleyclumpsofgreyishbrownsaccatongrass,slendertuftsofwavinggiettainterspersedbytall
spi esofSpanishDaggerformedatypicalArizonalandscape."Well,whatdoyouthin ofit?"as edTraynor,ridinguptohim.
Powell'seyesspar ledwithenthusiasm."It'sawonderfulcountry!HowfarawayisHasayampaRiver?I'mreadytostartnowforthatdrin !"
Theylaughedtogetherastheirponies'headswerereinedtowardtheranch,butPowellcouldnotresistabac wardglanceattheherdwhichhadnowsettleddowntoasteadyamble.Thesunlightfilteringthroughthedustformedagoldenmistinwhichthecowpunchersandtheirponiesweredimlysilhouetted.
"Ofcoursethereareannoyances,unpleasantpeopletoencounterattimes,badseasonstooffsetthegoodones,"--Traynordeftlyrolledacigarettewithhisrighthandashespo e,hisleftrestinglightlyonthehighpommelofhissaddle."Ta ingitallinall,though,whenIrideacrossthevalleyorreachahighpea andloo downwherethousandsofcattlegrazeundisturbedbythein-roadsofcivilization,Ifeelitisaroyalheritage.Doyouthin Iwouldbarterit,li eEsau,eventhoughmymenumightread,'Pottagealachampagneandtruffles'?"
"IstheroleofProdigalSonnecessarytoqualifyforafattedcalfinArizona?"queriedPowell."I'mashungryastheproverbialbear.Oh,thatremindsme.Broncowasbewailingthefactthatacertainbuc s incowhadnotbeenbutcheredattheranch.Heseemsabitsensitive
regardingbuc s ins.What'sthetrouble?"
Traynor'smouthtwitchedasheanswered,"As him.It'stoogoodastoryforanyoneelsetospoilinthetelling."
TheyreachedthestablesandlefttheponieswiththeMexicanstableman.Astheyenteredthelargecourt-yardwhichformedthecenterofthehouse,theyweregreetedbythewelcomesoundofthelunchbellandFong,inimmaculatewhiteandwithneatlycoiledqueue,smiledamiablyfromthediningroomdoor.
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Afterlunchthetwomensatsmo ingandchattinginthedeepporchbetweenthediningroomandlivingroom,whereeasychairs,ahammoc ,atablelitteredwithnewspapersandmagazines,temptedonetoloiter.Thestableboyinterruptedthem,spea inginMexican,andTraynorexplainedthattherewassometroublewiththeacetelynplant.
"Ialwaysta ecareofthatmyself,andunlessIdosowewillhavetoresorttocoal-oillamps.I'llbebac shortly.Ma eyourselfcomfortable."
Powellleanedbac lazilyinhischair,tryingtoreconcileTraynorwhohadjustspo enwiththeTraynorheonce new;ayoungchapfreshfromcollege,unluc yenoughtolosehislastremainingrelativeatthesametimeheinheritedafairlygood-sizedfortune.
Ithadbeentheusualstoryof"wildoats."ThenTraynor'srevulsionhadbeencomplete,thoughnotintimetoavoidaquarrelwiththegirltowhomhewasengaged.Exaggeratedstoriesofvariousepisodes,exploitedbyaSundaypaper,causedhertoreturnhisringandrefuseabsolutelytoseehimorlistentohisexplanations.
Traynorthrashedthereporter,paidaheavyfineforthatprivilegeandstartedonatripWestwithnodefiniteideaexcepttogetasfaras
possiblefromaplacefilledwithbittermemories.Duringthejourneyhemetayoungarmyofficerreturningfromleaveofabsence,andthelieutenant'sinvitationtovisitFortGranthadbeenacceptedbyTraynor.SomemonthslaterTraynor,disposingofallhisEasterninterests,hadpurchasedtheDiamondHranch,theownerofwhichhadrecentlydied.
Inthesevenyearsafterthispurchase,CuthbertPowellwastheonlyoneofTraynor'sformeracquaintanceswhoeverheardfromtheyoungrancher.Powellhadpromisedtovisittheranch,butnotuntilnowhadthatpromisebeenfulfilled.Itwasnoteasytorecognizethetanned,alertchapwhograspedhishandsashealightedfromthePullman.Asdayswent
by,itwasaconstantsourceofsurprisetothedoctortonotethatthementalchangeinhisfriendwasmoremar edthanthephysical.Itwasasthoughthebreadthandstrengthofthecountryhadbeenabsorbedbytheownerofthe"DiamondH."
Traynorreturnedandslippedintothechairhehadvacated.
"Yousee,onaranchonebecomesblac smith,veterinarian,doctor,cowpuncher,carpenter,farmer--.Infact,averitablejac ofalltrades.Noonecareswhatyourfamilyis,howmuchmoneyyouownorwhatyoursocialstatuselsewhere,past,presentorfuture,maybe.Itisyourselfthatisjudged.Thereisnocourtofappealifyouarecondemned.You'vegottoloo amanintheeyes,griphishandasa
comrade,shootasquic lyastheotherchap,rollinyourblan etandta eanyweatherthatcomes,withoutgrowling.Ifyoucandothesethingsthelifewillsuityouandthevastnessoftheplacesin sintoyoursoul.Itmendsone'sbro enfaithinhumanity."
Powell,watchinghisfriend,sawthelinesabouthismouthhardenandnewthatthememoryofthepastwasburningli eacorrodingacid.ThenthemoodpassedandTraynorturnedwithahalf-smile.
"Well,whatdoyouthin ofyourfirstexperienceasacowhand?"
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"I'mthan fulthatI newhowtoridebeforeIcamehere,"laughedPowell."ThatwasratheragaylittlenagIhadthismorning."
"Thatanimal'snameisHotTamale.Theboyswantedtotryyououtabit.I newyoucouldta ecareofyourself,sodidnotsayanything.Thejo eisonthemnow;butyouhavewontheirrespectandwillbefreefromotherpran s."
"Ithin I'llinsistonridingHotTamalehereafter,"assertedPowell."Bytheway,whenLimberspo etoyouaboutthatbunchofcattle,IthoughtIwouldli etobuythem,providedyou,yourself,didnotintendtodoso.Ofcourse,IrealizethatIamatenderfoot,ignorantofthefirstrudimentsofthecattlebusiness,butwhatwouldyouadviseaboutmylocatinginthissection?"
"Itwouldbeagoodmove,"respondedTraynor."Paddy'srangeliesbetweenmyownandtheHotSpringscountryacrosstheGaliuros.Hehaspermanentwater,whichisagoldmine,especiallyduringadryseason.ThemountainsbetweenhereandHotSpringsarerichinfeed,soPaddy'scattlewor thatway."Hepuffedsilentlyonhiscigarforafewseconds,thenturnedsuddenlytoPowell."Loo here,Cuthbert,ifyouarereallyseriousaboutlocatinginthissection,whydon'tyougetintouchwithDoctorKingwhoownstheHotSprings?Theplacewould
interestyouprofessionally,forthewatercomesoutofsolidroc atatemperatureof140degreesandisthepurestwaterIhaveevertasted.ItisnotedintheTerritoryasacureforvariouscomplaints."
"Iwouldcertainlyli etoseeit,"answeredthedoctorenthusiastically,"ifyoucanarrangeitforme."
"KingonlyheldSquatter'sRightuntilrecently.Underthat,thepossessorlosestitleunlesshestaysontheground.Itisnotundergovernmentsurveyyet,socouldnotbepatentedli esurveyedland.IadvisedKingtopatentitunderIndianScriptandma ehistitlesecure.Hehasjustdonethis.KinghasbeenhopingtoerectasanitariumattheSprings,butlac offunds,andhisflatrefusalto
consideranyoneasapartnerexceptaresidentphysicianabletofinancetheplans,hasbloc edhisscheme."
"ItmightappealtohimtoletmecarryoutmyownideaofestablishingasanitariumfortubercularchildreninArizona.Idon'tmeanwealthyinvalids,attendedbyaretinueofnursesandotherimpedimenta,butpoorchildrenwhootherwisewouldhavenohopeofhealth.Theclimate,altitudeandallconditionswouldbesimplyideal.Ishouldli etotaltohimmyself."
"Doyou nowthatyouaresettingforththeveryideasthatKingdiscussedwithmethelasttimeIsawhim?Thatwas,aplaceforpoor,tubercularchildren.Heloveseverychildthathesees.Hisownboydied
attheageofsix.Themotherdiedsoonafter.Kinggavemenodetails,andIdoubtwhetheranyoneelsebesidesmyself, nowsthismuch.Ifancyhisthoughtwastoma etheplaceamemorialtotheboyhelost."
"Itwouldbeasplendidideatocarryoutwithsuchaman!"exclaimedPowell,deeplymoved."Howsoondoyouthin itcouldbearrangedformetomeethim?"
"It'sawasteoftimetowrite.NoonebutKingandafamilynamedGlendonliveinthatsection.MailliesattheWillcoxpost-officeuntil
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oneortheotherhappenstobeintown.It'sthirty-fivemilesfromWillcoxtoHotSprings,andtwenty-fouracrosstheGaliurotrailfromhere.WhenLimbergetsbac ,youandhecouldrideoverthemountains,havealoo attheSpringsandtal itoverwithDoctorKing.Ifeelveryconfidentthatyoumightjoinforces."
"Fine!"ejaculatedPowell."Now,whataboutthatcattledeal?"
"Youaredeterminedto'jumpinwithbothfeet'astheboyswouldsay,"laughedTraynor."However,itwouldbewisetota ethatmatterupassoonaspossible.Paddyisaqueercharacter,soyouhadbetterstayoutofthedealuntilIgetitarrangedwithhim.Ifyouma ethebuyandatanytimewishtosellout,Iwillta etheherdandranchatthesamepriceyoupayforit,soyouwillnotrunanyris ofbeingtieduphereifyouwishtoleave."
"Ias edyoutotellmehowfaritistotheHasayampaRiver?"remindedthedoctor."EvenifIdonotindulgeinadrin fromthathistoricstream,Iamheretostay."
"You'llma egood,"assertedTraynor,heartily."Themanwhoisarealmanwinsouthereintheend,ifheletswhis eyandcardsalone.Livingonranches,milesawayfromcivilization,onedoesnothavetheproblemofwomen.'Cherchezlafemme'doesnotapplytothissectionofthe
country,than thegoodLord!That'swhythisplaceappealedmoststronglytome.UnlessIgotoWillcoxIcanforgetthereissuchacreatureaswomanintheuniverse."
"Allwomenarenotthesame,Allan,"protestedPowell,placinghishandonTraynor'sarmandloo ingathimearnestly."Ihopetherightonewillcomeintoyourlifesomeday.Onewhocanappreciateyouasyoudeserve,andwhowillbebigenoughandfineenoughtobeawifeinthebestsenseoftheword.Why,man!Thin oftheprideandpleasureyouwouldhaveinthisplace, nowingthatitwastheheritageofyourson!"
Traynorrosehastily,turnedabruptlyfromhisfriendandstoodstaring
throughtheopendooroftheporchacrossthewidepastures.HisfacewaswhitewhenheconfrontedPowell.
"Whatwouldyoudoifyoufoundthatthepatientuponwhomyouareoperatinghasnotsuccumbedtotheanaesthetic,Cuthbert?Cutwithoutpity?"
"Yes,"answeredPowell,"ifitmeantlifeordeathtowaverorhesitateasecond."
"IthoughtIwasnumb;thatitwouldnothurtanymore;butwhenyouspo eof--ason--itcutintomyheart.I'vetriedtoforget--it'sli eburyingsomethingthatisalive.InthenightIhearitsvoice;Isee
itsshadoweveninthedar ness."
Heroseandmovedrestlessly;hisfacewhite."Noone nowswhatitmeanttogiveherup.Shebelievedthosedamnedreportsandgavemenochancetoprovethetruth,andI--,why--itwouldnothavematteredofwhatshewasaccused;theblac estchargesprovedagainsther,--Iwouldhaveheldherandfoughttheworldforher,innocentorguilty.IbelievedshelovedmeasIlovedher--sherefusedtohearmystory."
"Didshenever nowthetruth?"as edPowell.
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"Returnedmyring,as edmetospareherthehumiliationoftal ingtome.Yet,afterIcamehere,Iwrotetellingherthatthemaninmyautomobilewiththatwoman,wasnotmyself.Yourememberthenewspaperssparedthewoman'sname.Shehadahusbandandchild--elopingwiththatcad,Brunton.Cheapmachinebro edownattwoo'cloc inthenight.Irecognizedthem.Put'eminmymachineandtoldhertogetbac homebeforeitwastoolate.Oh,shewasreadyenoughthentobedecent.Bruntontoo hertoherdoor,thenhewenttohisplace,butthatfoolreportersawthenumberofthemachine,andwrotethestory.You nowit.Woman'sname eptout,mynamenotmentionedoutright,butdescriptionsufficienttoidentifymebeyonddoubt.Couldn'tsuethepaper,mylawyersaid,andBruntonlitoutforEurope.Rottenmessallaround.
"IwrotethefulltruthtoNell,beggedawordfromherasamandyingofthirstbegsforadropofwater.Sheneveransweredtheletter.AyearlaterIwroteagain,andthatonewasreturnedunclaimed."
"Yousaythatthesecondlettercamebac unclaimed,"spo ePowell,"but,youhavenoproofthatthefirstoneeverreachedher.Hadyouthoughtofthat?"
"Yes.BothlettershadmyArizonaaddressontheenvelopeaswellas
inside.WhenIdidnothearinreplytothefirstletter,anditwasnotreturnedtome,IcommunicatedwiththeDeadLetterOffice,butnosuchletterhadbeenturnedovertothatdepartment.Theonlylogicalconclusionwasthatshedidnotwishtoanswer."
Thedoctormadenocomment.Traynor'sreasoningwastooconvincingforsuggestions.
"Yet,Imadeasecondeffort,"wentonthebossoftheDiamondH."Afterthat,therewasnothingmoretodobutacceptthesituation.Nowyounowthetruth,Cuthbert.Nootherwomanwilleverfillherplaceinmylife,--but,Icannot eepheroutofmythoughts,dayornight."
"I'msorryIspo e,oldman,"answeredthedoctor.
"I'mgladyoudid,"repliedTraynor."Now,youunderstand."
Astheshadowslengthenedontheprairiethetwofriendssmo edandspo eofotherthings.Andyet--bothTraynorandPowell--andmanyanother--hadreadwiththecarelessglanceoftheunscathed,theaccountofatrainwrec inKansas,inwhichthelossoflifehadbeenappalling,andthelossofmailhadnotbeenmentioned.
CHAPTERTWO
ThecattlethatPowellandTraynorhadwatchedstartingfromtheDiamondH,constitutedthefirstshipmentoftheseason,contractedtoanEasternbuyer.OfficialinspectionbytheLiveStoc SanitaryBoardwasexacted,notonlyregardingthehealthofshippedcattle,butalsotoprotectcattlemenfromrustlersonthemilesofopenrange.
AfterreachingWillcox,theboysoftheDiamondHdrovetheherdinto
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theshippingpensbesidetherailroadtrac ,loc edthegatesandturnedwithjoyousexpectationtowardthemainstreetoftown.Limberpartedfromtheothersashortdistancefromthecorrals.
"I'lltelltheinspectorwe'llbereadytomorrowmornin'soonasthecarsgetin,"hesaid,andwithoutwaitingreplyrodetowardthepartoftownwherethemorepretentioushouseswerebunched.
Li eschoolboysoutforaholiday,Bronco,HolyandRoarerracedtheirponiestotheCowboys'RestCorral.HeretheyweregreetedvociferouslybyBuc boardBill,whohadretiredfromdrivingas eletonstageandestablishedtheonlyplacewherehorsesorvehiclesmightbehired.
Afewminuteselapsedbeforethethreecowpunchers,afoot,madetheirwayalongthestreet.Poniesstandingwithdanglingreinsandhoofsburiedfetloc deepinthefine,whiteal alisandinfrontofthestores,toldthatmanyothercowpunchersfromotherrancheswereintown.TheDiamondHboysquic lyidentifiedtheownerofeachponybyitsbrand.
Arowofirregularbuildings,consistingofthreestores,aChineserestaurant,severalsaloonsandahotel,formedtheprincipalstreetofWillcox.Facingthestoresacrossthedustyexpanse,laytheSouthernPacificdepotwhichwastheheartofthetown,whileradiatingfromit
eastandwest,li egreatarteries,ranthesteeltrac softherailroad.Pac burros,loadedwithminers'supplies,shuffledoutontheroadtoDosCabezas.Manyofthesetinyanimalswereanimatedwoodpiles--onlylegsandwaggingearsvisiblefrombeneathacanopyofsplitwooddestinedforacampwherefuelwasnotprocurable,otherwise.Theonlybrea inthegreymonotoneofthelandscapewasthefewcottonwoodtrees,plantedbyoptimisticsoulsaroundtheirdwellingplaces.
Itwasatypicalfrontiertownofthreehundredpeople,two-thirdsofwhomwereMexicansspea ingnoEnglish.If,bychance,astrangeralightedfromthe"passenger"train,thearrivalofwhichwasthemostimportanteventofeachday,thetown,li eanaughtychildwithdirty
faceandtornclothes,loo edthenew-comerovercritically.Ifhemettheinspectionsquarely,itheldoutafriendlyhand,andaslongashe"playedfair"thathandwasreadytofightforhimandhis.
TheboysfromtheDiamondHsaunteredleisurelyalongthestreet,exchanginggreetingswiththosethey new,until,undertheirusualpretextofexpectingmail,theyreachedthecombinationstoreandpost-office.ItwasanimportantdutytoascertainbeyonddoubtwhetheranyletterswerewaitingtobeclaimedbyPeterN.Hewland,DicReynoldsandHenryJac son,whowerethusableto eeptheirlegalidentification.Atallothertimestheywere nownasBroncoPete,HolyDic ,whosevocabularyofcuss-wordsheldtheArizonarecord,andHell-roarerJac ,withagentlefalsettovoicewhichunderstressof
emotionbecameatinysquea .ConveniencehadcurtailedthesenamestoBronc,HolyandRoarer.
Havingdigestedtheinformationthatnomailawaitedthem,theyenteredintoconversation.Onecouldlearnthenewsofterritory,countyandnationinthepost-office,besidesascertainingwhatoutfitswereintown.Additionalattractionswerefoundintheposterstoberead,noticesofround-upwor ,advertisementsofstolenhorsesorstraycattle.
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ItwaswhilebrowsingonsuchliteraturethatBroncohaltedwithmouthhalf-openanddisbelievingeyes.Hereadthehand-writtennoticedeliberatelytotheendtwicebeforeheturnedtowhereRoarerandHolywereinspectingsilver-mountedspurs--whichtheydidnotneed,butintendedtobuybecausetheyhadtospendtheirmoneysomeway.
"Say,boys,thar'sgoin'tobeaice-creamfestivaltonight!"
"Shuc s!"squea edRoarer."Trysomethingelse,Bronc.Youall nowthattharain'tnoiceanynearerthanTucson.Andnobody'sfoolenoughtosendninetymilesandpaycut-throatratesforicejusttoma eice-cream,exceptaregularijit."
ThegrinonRoarer'sfaceandthefacesofotherby-standersrecalledBronco'sexploitoforderingicefromTucson,andreachingtheDiamondHwithnothingbutawetblan etinthewagon.
Succumbingtothealluringdisplayinamailordercatalogue,Broncohadboughtanice-creamfreezer,declaringhewasgoingtogetfilleduponthatdelicacyforonceinhislife--ifittoo threemonths'pay.Theepisodebecamehistoric,andthefreezer indlingwood.
"Ifyoudon'tbelieveme,"challengedBronco,"comeandseeforyourself!What'smore,itsayshere,it'sgoin'tobefreewithca e
throwedin,"hefinishedtriumphantly.HolyedgedbesideBroncoandpeeredoverhisshoulder."Dernedifitain'tso,"heac nowledgedatlast."But,mebbethatairpaper'slyin'."
"Whatdoyouthin ofthat?"ruminatedBronco,hismouthwateringinanticipation."Ice-cream--andca ethrowedinfreegratisfornothin'.Loo sli esomeone'sstruc itrich--turnin'allthatlooseontherangeforeverybodytocorral."
"Idon'tbelieveit,"gloomilyassertedHoly,whohadactedasescortforBroncoandtheicethatfailed."Youcan'tgeticefromTucsonso'sthar'dbeanythingleftunlessyouorderawholecarloadatonct."
"Well,"retortedBroncoinself-defence,"itdependsonwho'scartin'theice.Youwould eeponcussin'allthewaytotheranchthattime,Holy,anit'snowondertheicewasallmeltedup.But,thisyericeisgoin'tobeinthechurchandwon'thaveitsconstitutiontriedsohard."
HolyandRoarerloo edateachotheruncertainly.Theyhungeredforthatice-creamandca e;butthenecessityoftreadingconsecratedboardfloorsmadethematterserious.
"Iwonderifyou'vegottohave'emdealyouatic etifyoudon'tbelonginthepasture?"speculatedBronco,unabletotearhimselffrom
thevicinityoftheposter."Say,Larry,"hecalledtothestore- eeper,"howaboutthishereice-screamlayout?Isitabluff,orsureenoughfree-for-all?"
"Sureenough,"answeredLarry."There'sanewministercometotownandthewomen-fol shavepitchedinandfixedthisupsohecangetacquaintedwithpeople.Youboyshadbetterta eitin.Everyone'sgoingtobethere.We'reshuttingupthestoresatseveno'cloctonight,soeverybodycango."
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"Say,Larry,didtheysureenoughgettheicehereallright?"questionedHolydoubtfully.
"Theysuredid!Andthatice-creamandca eiswayupinG.Home-made,everybitofit.What'smore,theladieswenttothesaloon- eepersandgotthemalltopromisetoshutupthesaloonsfromseventilleleventonight.Soeveryone'sgottogototheFestivalorelsegohometobed."
"Iguesswe'reheadedfortheice-scream,boys;"announcedBronco,andtheothersnoddedacquiescence.
Theyfiledoutofthestoreand,afterregisteringontheemptypageofthehotelboo ,receiveda eyandmountedtheprotestingstairsthatascendedoutsidethehoteltotheupperrooms.
Whiletheywereengagedinsplashingsoapywateroverfacesandhands,brushingdustycoatsandplasteringdownanarchisticloc s,Limberjoinedthemandwasinformedoftheeveningplans.
"Well,I'llseeyouoverthere,"hepromised."I'mgoin'tosuppernow.ThenI'vegottohaveatal withPaddyLaffertyandfindoutwhathe'sholdin'hisherdat."
Hereachedthedoor,pausedandloo edbac quizzically."Irec onyouboys'llbeallrighttonight,seein'ashowyou'llallbeinchurch.Solong."
Aftersupperthethreecowboysjoinedastreamofpeoplemovingtowardthechurch,whereopendoorsemittedraysofwelcominglight.Itwasamedleyofhumanitypossibleonlyinafrontiertown.Womenhadresurrecteddressesmoreorlessoldinstyle,fromthedepthsofswaddlingsheetsnecessaryto eepthemfromthedustofsandstormspenetratingchestsandtrun s.Husbands,whose"bestsuits"smelledofcamphor,helpedshoosmallgirlsinstifflystarchedwhitedresses,tiedwithvaried-colouredsashes,andboyswhotwistedandsquirmeduneasilyunderthegallingyo eofwhitecollarsandshirts.
Fortifiedwithpromisesofice-creamandca e,theyoungstersweredistributedonadoublerowofchairsbac oftheministerandfacingtheaudience,wheretheyhadafullviewoftheothervictims.ManyminershadwanderedintotownfortheirusualSaturday-nightandSundayrecreation,onlytofacetheunprecedentedsituationoftheclosedstoresandsaloons--learningthattherewasno"balminGilead"fromseventilleleven,forthefirsttimeonrecordintheTerritory,theyheadedvoluntarilyforthechurch.Mexicans,whoseownCatholicchurchwasonlyopenedtwiceayear,whenthePadrecametomarryandbaptizewholesale--andfrequentlymarriedtheparentswhenhebaptizedtheinfant--rubbedelbowswithcler sfromthestores,bartendersandprospectors.
Holy,BroncoandRoarer,withamiable,thoughuneasygrins,facedtheprettyschool-teacher,MissGordon,arecentimportationfromSanFrancisco.Shesmiledsweetlyatthemandheldoutasmall,whitehand,whichBroncotoo holdofasgingerlyasthoughitwereahotbranding-iron,andletitdropasquic ly.Holy,nottobeoutdone,extendedhisownhornyhand,butMissGordonsaid,"Ihavetoas foryourpistols,please,untilyouarereadytogo.Therearesomanypeopleheretonightwehadtoma ethisrule."
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Inconsternationthatwasalmostparalysis,theystaredatheroutstretchedhand,thenloo edatherwheedlingsmile.Reluctantly,half-bewildered,eachmanslowlydrewhisbelovedgunfromtheholsterinwhichitreposed,andhelpless,watchedheraddittothestac onatablebehindher.Thentheyloo edateachotherforlornly.Stillundertheinfluenceofthatdazzlingsmile,theymadenoresistanceasMissGordondrovethemforward.Theywereasembarrassedasthoughstrippedofmoreconventionalapparelthansix-shooters,buttheyhopedthecontortionsoftheirfacesmightbeclassedashappysmileswhentheysawtheywereexpectedtosha ehandswiththelong,rigidlineoftheCommitteeofLadieswhichflan edtheminister.
AsLimberenteredthechurch,hesawhisoutfitrunthegauntletofintroductions,thentheyturnedprecipitatelywithrelievedcountenancesandslippedintochairsatthecentreoftheroom.Broncoadvisedthislocation."Ice-creammightgiveoutifwegettoofurbac .Thar'salotofpeopleheretonight."
Aprogramfollowedinwhichtheschoolchildrensangasong,pitchedinasmany eysastherewerevoices.Arecitationbyaboyoffourteen,startinginamegaphonevoice,andafterthefifthlinelapsingintoawhisper,agasp,silence--abobbinghead--andendinginhastyexit.
Nextafive-yearoldcarefullystarchedyoungstergallopedbreathlessly
withoutapausethroughacoupleofverses,exploitingher nowledgethatshe newtheaudiencewouldbesurprisedthat"onemyageshouldspea inpubliconthestage."Theapplausehadhardlydiedwhenabuxomladywithwhite idslippersthreesizestoosmall,appropriatedthepiano.Shearrangedhertoesonthepedals,thenwiggledherfeetuntiltheheelsslidout.Anexpressionofbeatitudeadornedherface,herchubbyhandswereliftedandcamedownonthetin ling eys.
Theassaulted,helplesspianorespondedwiththefamiliar"Maiden'sPrayer,"whileanapparitioninawhitelacecurtainmaterializedatthebac dooroftheroom,floppingandtwistingtowardthespell-boundspectators.Thenumberhadbeenannouncedasan"Interpretativedance,"andHolywhisperedcautiouslytoBronco,"IsitanApachedance,orhas
shejusttoo encarbolicacid?"
"Searchme,"wastheresponse."Loo sli eamixtureofbothof'em."
Thedancerwasagileandangular.Shehadthedistinctionofbeingtheonlyoldmaidinthecounty.Herbare,thinarmswaved,gyrated,supplicated;her neescrac edaudiblyseveraltimes,buthermindwasfaraway.Shewasmentallyrepeatingtheinstructionsshehadstudiedsocarefullyfromaboo entitled,"TheArtofClassicDancingwithoutaTeacher."Thenwithalastsquirm,aconvulsiveshudder,shefloppedtothefloor,andendedtheagonywithoneortwofeeble ic s.
"Itwasafit!"decidedBronco."Butit'sthewustoneIeverseed
anythinghave."
Thelastnumberontheprogramwasalittle,weazenedmanwithbrilliantredhair,lighterredbeard,fadedblueeyes,whohadbroughtasmalltal ingmachine.Withstupendousdignityhewounditup,thenstoodwithanewrecordreadytoimmediatelyreplacetheonebeingscratchedoutbytheneedle.Thepileofrecordswasformidableandhewasapparentlydeterminedtos ipnone,untiltheheadcommitteeladygently,butfirmlyanddiplomatically,cametotherescue.
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Hebowedhisappreciationofthetumulutousapplause,assumingitwasintendedforhim.Itcontinuedunabated.Heopenedhismouthwide,toexpresshisgratificationattheovationaccorded.Themusclesofhisfacetwitched,hiseyesstaredwildlyandastheaudienceleanedforwardanxiously,aterrificsneezesmotetheairandasetoffalseteethcatapultedli eameteorinthemidstoftheaudience.
Asuppressedtitter,abobbingofbodiesinthevicinityoftheteeth,andthenoneofthechildren,gropingonthefloor,locatedthelostpropertyandrosewithatriumphantsqueal.
"Igot'em!"
Thered-hairedindividualgraspedtherescuedpropertywithasmilethatprovedNaturemayabhoravacuumbutsometimespermitsittoexist.Theownerofthetouringteethsurveyedthem,thennonchalantlypoppedthemintotheiraccustomedplacebeforehegathereduphisrecords,machine,andresumedhisseatinthefrontrowoftheaudience,whichdirecteditsattentiontotheminister.
Hewasatall,raw-bonedmaninlong-tailedcoatandthewhitemuslintieneededawoman'stouch,foroneendhadescapedandhungli ethetailofa ite,asheadvancedtothetableonwhichstoodawhitepitcher,decoratedwithbrilliantlycolouredflowers;apartofthe
chinasetloanedbyoneoftheladies,whoseartisticsoulscornedsuchtriflesasproportion,perspectiveorthemere"holdingthemirroruptoNature."
Inafewwordstheministerexpressedhisdelightatthislargegatheringwhenhehadexpectedasmallone,andthan edthedearladieswhohadarrangedthebeautifulprogram.Thenhebeamedgraciouslyatthewigglingchildren.
"I nowtheselittleonesaregrowingimpatient,sowillonlyholdyoulongenoughtorelateanincidentthatreturnedtomymemoryasIsatheretonight.
"ManyyearsagoIwastravellingthroughanunsettledSoutherndistrict,andpassingahigh,boardfenceheardachild'svoicepraying.Istoodupinmybuggyandloo edover.Isawalittlegirl,adog,acatandasmallJerseycalf.Iwaitedtillherprayerended,thenas ed,'Mydear,whatareyoudoing?'
"'I'mplayingSundayschool,'shereplied.'KittyandPontoandthecalfaremySunday-schoolscholars,andI'mthepreacher.'
"AfewmorewordsandIwentonmyway,meditatinguponthebeautyofthechild'sdevotion.Ididnothappentoreturnfornearlyayear,butwhenIapproachedthefenceIpausedandpeeredover.Thechildwastherealone.
"'HowisyourSunday-schoolgettingalong?'Ias ed.Shebro eintosobs.
"'KittyandPontogottofightingsomethingawful,'sheanswered,'and--'
"'Andwhereisthecalf?'Isaid.
"'Hegottoobigtocome--unlessIhadaboxofgrainforhimtoeat!'
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"Thestorycamebac tomeandIwonderedhowmanyofyouwhoareheretonightwillget'toobigtocome'toservicestomorrowmorning?"
Therewereamusedtittersfrommany,guiltyfacesandsidelongglances,butthetensionwasrelievedbythenextwordsoftheminister;"Now,wewillenjoytherefreshmentssogenerouslyprovidedbyourdearsisters!"
Atthebac oftheroomwerethreeimmenseice-creamfreezers.Thecommittee,armedwithheapingplatesofthefrozendelicacy,flan edbygenerousslicesofchocolatelayerca e,movedswiftlyamongtheaudience.MissJen inscarriedalargetraytothegroupformedbyHoly,BroncoandRoarer.
Theireyesappraisedthehugeheapsoftri-colouredcream--chocolate,vanillaandstrawberry,withoutadoubt.TheirhandswerereachingtoappropriatetheplateswhenMissJen ins,whohaddancedtheMaiden'sPrayer,lispedaffectedly,"Won'tyouboyshelpmeatiny,tinybit,peath?"
Sheheldoutthetrayandrolledhereyespathetically."It'sawfullyheavyforpoorlittleme,andtherearesomanypeopletowaiton.Won'tyou,peath,pathitaroundandwhenit'sallgoneI'llhavesomemorereadyforyoutotherve."
Appalledtheystaredather,asshecontinuedherbabyappealand eptthetrayinfrontofthemsotherewasnopossibleretreat.Thethreereachedoutsimultaneously.BysomeslipthetrayloweredabitandHoly'shandwentintoacold,wetmess.Withahalf-cho edoathhejer edbac --andthetraycrashedtothefloor.Ascreamrosefromtheladywhohadlentherhand-paintedplates,andintheconfusionthatfollowedthethreecowpunchersslippedoutofthechurchobsessedwithvisionsofatri-colouredmil ywaythatwendedbetweengobsofsquashedchocolateca eandhand-paintedflowers.
Downthestreettheymoved.Itwasnotimeformerewords.EvenHoly'svocabularywasinadequatetoexpresstheirfeelings.Everythingwas
dar ,everyplacewasclosed.Itwasnotlaterthaneighto'cloc andtherewasnoplacetogoexcepttotheirroominthehotel.
Ingloomysilencetheymountedthestairsandsoughtrefugeinthelittleroom.Throughthewindowtheyhadaviewofthechurchandthemovingsilhouetteswithin.Theironenteredmoredeeply.
Roarerwenttothewindow,andli etheprophetofoldcontemplatedthePromisedLandthathisfeetwerenottotread.Suddenlyhisgentle,falsettovoicepiercedthesilence.
"Ihopethatice-screamwillcho ethatoutfit,especiallythatlace-curtainfemalecritter!Whydidn'tsheletusalone,anyhow?Wewas
gettin'alongallrightuntilshewentandbuttedin!"
Therewasnoresponse,andhecontinuedforlornly,"Gosh!Therewasstrawberryandchocolateandvanillyallonthesameplate,andthathun ofca ewasasbigasmyfists!Andeveryoneintown'seatin'itexceptin'us!"
Theylightedthetinycoaloillampandtriedtoreconcilethemselvestotheinevitable.Asthesmo efromtheircigarettesfilledtheroomtheireffervescentspiritsreassertedthemselves.Holymincedovertooneof
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thenarrowbedsandrobbeditofasheetwhichheproceededtopulloverhisshouldersandtwistabouthiswristswhiletheothertwowatchedhimcuriously.ThentheemptycorridorsandroomsrangwithshoutsoflaughterasHolytwisted,cavortedandgyrated,wavedhislongarmsandextendedsupplicatinghandsinanamusinglyaccurateimitationofthedanceoftheMaiden'sPrayer.Itwastheirrevengeforthelossofthecream.
AnunexpectedclimaxwasreachedwhenthesheetslippedandprecipitatedHolyfull-lengthonthefloor,butthesoundsthatroseontheaircouldneverbeconfusedwiththewordsofanyMaiden'sPrayer.
Broncoleanedforwardlisteningintently,andassilencereignedoncemore,heannounced,"Say,Holy,thatwasthebestyoueverdoneyet.IcountedsixteennewcusswordsthatIneverheerdyouusebefore.ThatwasthebestMaiden'sSwearIeverlistenedto!"
Roarerloo edupsuddenly."Say,didyounoticethemfreezerswasrightalongsidethebac door?Mebbewe inslipoverandcorraloneof'emwithoutbeingcotched.I'mpowerfulthirstyandthereain'tnoplacetogetnothin'tilleleveno'cloc exceptthechurch."
"Wecouldma eatryatit,"respondedtheothershopefully.
Theyslippeddownthestairs.Atthebottom,Broncosuggestedtheygetspoonsfromthehotel itchen.ItwasamatterofgeneralshiptoboostRoarerthroughthewindow,wherehiscollisionwithpotsandpanswasnoimpedimenttohistriumphalreturnwithasoupladleandtwolargespoons.Inthedar nessRoarerwasabletoretaintheladleforhimself,handingthespoonstotheotherboys.Thusequippedtheysnea edtotherearofthechurchandcrawledcautiouslytotheopendoor.Oneofthecanswaswithineasyreach--theothertwosomedistancefromthedoor.Conversationwasinfullswingandeveryone'sattentionwasdirectedtowardtheministeratthefrontpartoftheroom.
"Slipherquic ,"whisperedBronco,"andthenwe inpac heroutontheprairieandeatallwewant."
Theplanwascarriedoutsuccessfully.RoarerandBroncoslidthefreezeruntilitwasoutsidethedoor.Swiftlytheyliftedthetincanfromthetuboficeandhastenedawaywiththeirprize,whileHoly eptpacewiththem.
Atasafedistancefromthechurch,theypausedandremovedthecover.Roarerthrusthisdipperdown,buthadtoreachfurtherthanheexpected.Deeperhescoopedwithoutreward.Oncemorehetried.Itwastoodar toseeinsideofthecan.
"Say,areyoutryin'tohogitallyourself?"protestedBronco.
"Nope,Ta eyourturnnow."
Broncowastednotime,andtheothertwolistenedtotheclic ofhisspoonagainstthetincan.Afterafewseconds,heraisedup,saying,"Allright,Holy.You'renext!"
"Howisit?"as edHolyasheleanedoverthecan.
"Fineassil ,"wasBronco'srecommendation.
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"Bestice-screamIeveret,"assertedRoarer.
Holy'sspoontattooedonthetin;itscrapedforlornly,thentherewasbreathlesssilence,agrunt,followedbythesoundofanemptyice-creamfreezerreceivingseveralvigorous ic saccompaniedbyaterrificvolleyofcuss-words.
"Youdarnchumps,"hegaspedatlast,"whatmadeyougoandta etheonethathadn'tnorthin'init!"
"Oh,darnitall.What'stheuse,"pipedRoarer'sgentlevoice."Let'sgobac andgotobed.Tharain'tnothin'elsetodointhisyeretown."
TheyweresettledintheirbedswhenLimberopenedthedoorandpeeredintotheroom.
"Hello!Ibeenloo in'alloverforyou,"heannounced."Whendidyougetbac ?Iwasuphereawhileagoandnoneofyouwasin."
"Oh,wewasjustwal in'aroundtownapiece,"wasBronco'sanswer.
"Well,Igotyourgunsforyou.Youallwentoffinsechahurryfromthechurchthatyouforgot'em.It'stoobadyouboysdidn'tstayforthefeed.Itwasfine."
"Oh,we nowedwehadahardday'swor aheadofus,"drawledBronco,"sowefiguredwe'dbettercomehomeandgittobed."
"Someonestoleoneofthefreezers,"continuedLimber,soberly."Butwhoeverdoneitgottheemptyone."
"Servedthedernedgalootsright,"pronouncedBroncovirtuously.
"That'swhatIsay,"endorsedRoarer,whileHolyexpressedhissentimentsmoreforcibly.
Limberstruc amatchwhichheheldtohiscigarette,buthiseyes
regardedthegravefacesoftheboys.Thematchflic eredoutandtheroomwasagainindar ness,butnotbeforetheyhadseentheghostofatwin leinLimber'sgreyeyes.
"Theygotthefreezerallright,"hecontinuedinthedar ness.
"Whofoundit?"as edBroncocarelessly,pretendingtosmotherayawn.
"Idoneit,"saidLimber."Iwasjustawal in'aroundtownapiece,li eyouallwasdoin',andIcomeacrossitaccidentalli e."
Silencewastheonlycomment.
"TheInspectorwillbereadyforusateleveno'cloc .Agentsaysthecarswillbeherebythattime,sowecanloadoutandgetbac totheranchbysupper."
"Allright,"chorusedthreevoicesinthedar ,andLimberwenttohisownroom.Ashelightedthelamptherewasabroadgrinonhisface,andhiseyesdancedwithlaughter,whilehereiteratedBronco'sdenunciation,"Servedthedarnedgalootsright!"
WillcoxsleptlateSundaymorning,sonoonenoticedshadowyfigures
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dismountfromthreecowponiestwohoursbeforedaylight.Astrugglingcalfwasma ingaheroicfightforfreedom,butfounditselfpropelledtowardthepic etfencesurroundingthechurchandthrustthroughthegate.Themysteriousmenhitchedtheanimalfirmlyinsidethefence,thentwoplacardsofpasteboard,tiedlooselytogether,werethrownacrossthecalf'sbac andsecuredli eapac -saddlebystrongcord.Thisaccomplished,thethreemenmountedtheirponiesanddisappearedinthestarlight.
Willcoxwo e,rubbeditseyesandrememberedaministerwastoholdDivineServicesthatdayoftheyear.Teno'cloc arrived.Thefirstyoungstersandtheiradultfamilyconnectionsapproachedthechurchgate.Theycongregatedinanimatedgroups,werejoinedbyothers,andfinallyspectatorsacrossthestreet,realizingthatsomethinginterestingwasdetainingthecongregationfromenteringthechurch,saunteredover.Theseinquirershastenedbac totownandcirculatednewsthatcausedaveritablestampede.
Bythetimetheministerreachedthescenethecrowdcomposedtheentirepopulationofthetown--men,women,childrenanddogs,severalofthelatteraddingtotheexcitementbyproceedingtosettlefeudsoflongstanding.
TheReverendSilasHunterpassedthroughthegateandhiseyessweptthe
crowd,thenrestedonthecentreofattraction--ahus y,white-facedcalftetheredtothefencebyarope.Theanimalhadbeenlyingdown,innowaydisturbedbythepeopleordog-fights,butastheDominiescrutinizedit,itroseandbellowedloudlyintohisfaceamidshoutsoflaughter.Acrossthecalf'sbac swungtheplacardsonwhich,printedinirregularletters,werethewords;
IAMNOTTOBIGTOKUMBUTFORGODSSAKEHEADOFTHEPROJIGULSON.
"Oh!"ejaculatedtheReverendHunter,beamingupontheassemblage."Iseewehaveadonation.Wewill eepthecalf,sellitandapplythe
proceedstoourChurchFunds.Now,"headdressedtwohalf-grownlads,"youboyssitclosetothedoorduringservicesandseethatthecalfdoesnotgetaway.Someunprincipledpersonmighttrytostealit,younow.Wewillfindaplacetocareforitafterservices."
AcrossthestreetBronco,RoarerandHolystoodinconsultation.Theyhadhoveredontheedgeofthecrowdwhentheministermadehisannouncement,andtheyrealizedtherewastobenoopportunitytogetpossessionofthatcalfinordertoturnitloose--astheyhadplanned.
"Say,hesurecalledourhands,"saidHolydespondently."He'stoodernedsmarttobeaminister.Whatthedevilarewegoin'todoaboutit?"
"Lethim eepthedoggonecalfandwe'llhavetoputupajac potforthefellerthatownsit,"advisedBronco.
"Itain'tmar ed,"squea edRoarerexcitedly."Didanyofyouseethebrandonthecowitwaswith?"
Noneofthemhadnoticedsuchatrifleintheirdesiretocapturethecalfandaccomplishthetric withoutdiscovery.
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"Well,Iguesswe'llhavetoownup,"assertedHoly,astheydroppedsidebysideonthewoodenbenchinfrontofthehotel,andstaredhopelesslyacrossatthecalfandthewidely-openedchurchdoor.
"Wesuregotahoodooonusthistrip,"saidBronco."Firstwegotbuncoedoutoftheice-screambythatfemalewindow-curtain,thenwegoesandstealsanemptyice-creamfreezerandnowwe'restuc aboutthataircalf.It'dbeeasyenough,topayforitifwe nowedthemother'sbrand,butseein'aswedidn'tpayattentiontothat,we'vejustgottobuc upandgotothatgospel-shar andtellhimwedoneit.There'snotellin'whathe'lldoaboutit,letalonethefellerthatownsthecalf.Darnitall,whydidn'tLimberstic alongwithusallthetimeand eepusfromgettin'intothismix-up?"
"Loo stomeli eLimbercan'tdonothin'more'nhe'sdone,excepthechloroformsusthenexttimewegetintown,"repliedHolyemphatically.
Thentheunexpectedhappened.Therestlesscalf,wor ingagainstthestiff,newrope,untiedit.Beforeanyoneinthechurchhadobservedit,theanimalwasdowntherailroadtrac andpushingitswayamongnumbersofcattlethatalwayscongregatedneartheinspectionchutes.Itmovedtoandfro,searchingforitsmother.Thewatchingcowboyscouldseethetwoplacardsstillfirmlyinplace.
"Gee!Ifwecouldjustgetthempasteboardsoff'nher,nobodywould nowwhatcalfitis";Broncosaidbreathlessly.
"Comealong!"
ItwasHolywhospo eandledthewaytowheretheirponiesstoodtiedandsaddledreadyforwor whenLimberandtheInspectorarrived.
"We inridedownthereandscoopitoffinnotime."
Theponiesdashedforwardinacloudofdust,butastheynearedthegroup,along-hornedbuc s incowturnedangrilyasthecalfpushedagainstit,andwithasidesweepofherhornshecaughtthestringthat
heldtheplacards.Thestringbro e,buttheplacardssnappedoverthecow'seyes,twistedlightlytoherhorn,andwithafrightenedbellowshedasheddowntherailroadtrac ,pasttheemergingcongregation,withthepasteboardsbangingandflappingacrossherfaceuntilshedisappeared.
"That'sthefustdecentbuc s incowIeverseed,"saidBronco."Shemayhaveayellerhidebutshe'sathoroughbredHerefordinside,youbet!"
ThenLimberandtheInspectorcametowardthem,andjoinedintheridetothecorrals.Astheypassedthegroupofcattletheysawthecalfcontentedlyta ingnourishmentfromacowthatwasevidentlyitsmother.
Bronco,HolyandRoarercastsurreptitiousglancesattheear-mar sandbrandofthecow.Theireyesmet.Idioticgrinsspreadovereachface.ThecowwasbrandedDiamondH.Noneofthemspo e.
Thecattlewereinspectedandloadedwithoutanyuntowardincident,andLimberbreathedmoreeasilyasthetimeapproachedforhimtoheadhismentowardtheranch.Itwasonlyduringleisurehoursintownthatmischiefhatched,andtheforemancouldnevertellwhatmightdevelopeinaveryshorttime.
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ItwaswithafeelingofrelieffromresponsibilitythatLimbertuc edthecertifiedchec inhispoc et,butastheystartedhomewardtheboyswereasgladashe.Bronco'sear-splittingwhistles,"Home,sweethome,"foundsympatheticresponseinthebreastsoftheothermen.Ithadbeenastrenuoustrip.Theranchloomedli eahavenofrest.
ThenextmorningPowellandTraynordiscussedPaddy'spropositionwithLimber,astheysatinthecourt-yardoftheranch,afterLimberhadstartedthemenfortheirday'swor .
"Thirty-fivethousandingoldcoiniswhathewants,"saidtheforeman,"andhisbunchofstuffiswortheverycentofitwiththeranchthrowedin.Hewon'tcountanythingundersixmonthsold,ifyouwanttotallytheherdout,andtail'em."
"It'sagoodbuy,"Traynorreplied.ThenturnedtoPowell."Paddyisunique.Heisseventy-sixyearsoldandhastoiledmanyyearstoaccumulateaherd.Hecannotreadorwriteaword,andcarrieseveryitemofhisaccountsinhismemory.Thestore eeperssaythatPaddyneverma esanerrorwhentheirstatementsforsixmonthsarereadtohim,nomatterwhetherthemista eistohisadvantageornot.Helivesalone.Refusestoacceptsilverorpapermoneyandinsistsongoldforallsales.Heburieshismoneysecretly,ashehasnofaithinban s.Heisajo einthecorrals,butnojo e,however,whenheisroused.A
bunchofrustlersfoundthatouttotheirsorrow."Limber'seyestwin led,asTraynoradded,"Tellthedoctorwhathappened.Youwerethere,Iwasn't."
"Well,therustlersroundedupabandoffinehorsesandcattleandwasma in'fortheMexicanborder.Prettyneargottharwhenol'Paddyrunintothemalone.Himandmehadjustpartedtrails,andwhenIheerdshootin'Ihurriedtohim.Therustlerswasbac ofsomeroc sonthehill-slope,Paddyalyin'downinbac ofabitofbrushnotbigenoughtohideagood-sizedjac -rabbit.Hisheadwashidandalltherestofhiminplainsight,andthoserustlerswaspumpin'leadasfastastheycould.SowasPaddy,buttheyhadtheadvantageofhimeveryway.Four
of'embac oftheroc s.Paddyhadshottwooftheirhorsesfromunderthem,andtheyletthestolenstoc runwhilsttheyhuntedshelterafoot.JestasIgotnearenoughtohelphim,hegotacartridgejammedinhisWinchester,andcouldn'tgetitout.Hewor edandcussedaround,thengotrightuponhisfeetandwal edaroundthathillside,asifhewasprospectin'foramine,ta in'histimetofindsomethingtopryoutthatcartridge.Andthoserustlers eptpoppingawayathim.Everytimethedust ic edupclose,Paddy'dsquintattheroc sandcussharder.ThenjestasIgotintothegame,hegotthatgunfixed,anddernedifhedidn'tjestwal slowupthehill,andfustthing,therustlerscomeahumpingoutfromtheroc sineverydirection,andallof'em--fourmen--withtheirhandsheltupovertheirheads,andPaddybac of'em."
"ThatwasoneofthetimesPaddydidnotwhisper,"laughedTraynor."Well,I'llseePaddyforyou,andnow,Limber,DoctorPowellwantstogoseetheHotSpringsandtal withDoctorKing."
"DoctorPowellcouldcutacrosstheGaliurosthedaytheboysstartfromherewiththeherd,"saidLimber,"or,ifDoctorPowellwantedtostayattheSpringsacoupleofdayswithKing,Icouldta ehimthereandthengoontoWillcoxtoattendtotheloadin',andgobac totheSprings.Anywaysuitsmethatsuitshimandyou."
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"Thatwouldbethebest,"commentedTraynor."YouandDoctorPowellcanleaveherethesamedaythattheherdstartstoWillcox.ThenletthedoctorwaitatHotSpringsuntilyougetbac thereaftertheshipment."
"Itwouldsuitmeperfectly,"wasPowell'sheartyreply."ThatisifIwillnotbeimposingunwarrantedlyonDoctorKing'shospitality."
"Ifyou newhimyouwouldnotsaythat,"Traynorspo eearnestly."Heisoneofthebiggest-heartedmenIhaveever nown.Youandhewillfindmanytopicsofmutualinterestapartfromyourprofession.Iamprettysurehewillbedelightedwithyourideaofsanitariumforchildrenasheloveschildrendearly.HehasnotanenemyinArizona.Everyoneli eshim."
Sothematterwassettled,andfourdayslaterLimberandDoctorPowellstartedjustafterdaylightbrea fastfortheirrideoftwenty-sixmilesacrosstheGaliuroMountainstotheHotSprings.
CHAPTERTHREE
KatherineGlendonstoodoutsidethedooroftheCircleCrossranchhouse.Oneverysidetheviewwasbloc edbythetallGaliuroMountainsabovewhichloomedas yofintense,glaringbluewithoutacloudtosoftenit--as yashardanddefiantasthemountainsthatstaredbacatit;amasculines y--amasculinecountry.
Foreightyearsshehadcalledfourcrudeadoberoomshome.OtherwomenhadattemptedtoliveintheHotSpringsCañon.Buttheisolationwastoooppressive,andonebyonethesquattersdriftedaway,leavingdesertedranchestotestifytotheirdefeat,untilonlytheGlendonsandoldDoctorKing,threemilesdistant,remained.
Themorningmealwasover,andJuanledasaddledponyfromthestable
toahitching-postinfrontofthehouse.Atall,heavilysetmanslouchedout,andtheMexicanpausedtoas ;"ShallIsaddlemypony,señor?"
"Notnow,"Glendonreplied."Iwantyoutomendthefenceinthelowerpasture.Whenyougetdoneyoucanfollowme."
"Bueno,señor!"Themantiedtheponyandwentbac tothebarn,andGlendondroppedonthestepsoftheporch,scowlingattheground.Accustomedtothesespellsofmoodiness,hiswifemadenoattempttorousehim, nowingitwouldonlyincreasehissurliness.
Achildappearedatthesideofthehouse;glancedquic lyfromtheman
tothewomanandthen,seeinghismothersmile,madehiswayquietlytohersideassheseatedherselfonthesteps.Heheldaboo inhishand,andasheleanedagainsther nee,withherarmabouthisshoulder,turnedthepagesslowly,loo ingatheroccasionallybututteringnoword.
Thesoundofhoofsontheroadcausedthethreetostartcuriously,foritwasnotveryoftenthatavisitorpassedtheCircleCross.Onlyonafewoccasionsduringthepasteightyearshadanyoneexceptacowboyoraprospectorenteredthehouse.OnceDoctorKinghadriddendownat
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intervals,butGlendon'saggressivedispositionmadethesecallsunpleasantforallofthem.
Katherine, nowingherhusbandwasinoneofhisugliesttempers,wassorrywhensherecognizedthewhite-hairedolddoctor,wholopedhisgreyponyuptothegate,smilingashedismountedandslippedhisreinsoverthepost.
"Hello,everybody!"hecalledcheerily."Adayli ethisma esamangladtobealive,evenifheisoldenoughtodie."
Glendonstaredattheground,ma ingnoresponse.DoctorKing,withacomprehensiveloo ,passedhimbyandsmilinglyheldouthishandtoKatherine,whocamedownthestepswhileDonnieranaheadofher,holdinguphisboo .
"It'saboutSirGalahadandtheHolyGrail,"thechildbeganeagerly,"andthere'sapicture--"
"Hismotherisalwaysfillinghisheadwithalotoftrash,"growledGlendon,andtheboyshran bac ,thehappylightdyingfromhislittleface;butthedoctorsmileddownathimashetoo theboo andturnedoverthepages.
"It'sjusttheright indofastoryforDonnietoread,"assertedtheoldmanwarmly."Thisworldwouldbeahappier,betterplaceitweallhadthestrengthtoliveuptoourVision."
TurningtoMrs.Glendon,hecontinued:"Icanonlysay'howdyandgood-bye'today.I'monmywaytoseeacoupleofsic peopleontheSanPedroRiver,butwillstopwhenIcomebac inthreeorfourdays.Bytheway,"hesaidtoGlendon,"whenIwasintownlastwee ,therewasatelegramfromFortApachetoFortGrantsayingthatoldGeronimoandaboutahundredandtwenty-fiveChiricahuaApacheshavejumpedthereservationandthetroopsareoutafterthem."
"Doyousupposethereisanyrealdanger?"as edKatherine,whohad
livedtoolonginArizonatobefrightenedatrumors.
"NoonecancountonanApache.He'satwin-brothertoMar Twain'sjac -rabbit--'Herehecomes--therehegoes!'He nowsthatArmyofficersaretangledwithredtapeandunabletousetheirownjudgmentinpursuinghimandta esadvantageofthatfact.However,you nowthereisonesafeplaceinArizonaandthatistheHotSprings;becausetheApachesaresuperstitiousaboutthewater.Thehouseissaferthananyfortressforthatreason.I'velivedtheretwenty-fiveyearsandneverbeenbotheredbythem.EvenIndiansemployedasGovernmentscoutshavethefear,andwillnotcampwithinamileoftheSprings,I'vebeentoldbyofficersandinterpreters.Iwishyoufol slivedabitclosertome."
Heroseashespo e."Well,I'llstoponmywaybac ,Mrs.Glendon.It'shardlyneighbourly,rushingoffthisway,butyou nowadoctorisnothisownmaster.Ta emyadvice,youngman,"headdedtoDonnie,"neverbeadoctor,whateveryoumaydo.Why,justthin howungratefulpeopleare!Yougetthemwell,ortrytohelpthem,andwhentheyseeyoutheystic outtheirtonguesatyou!"
Donnielaughed,andKingcontinued:"Idon'tbelievethosepeopleontheSanPedrowouldmindifItoo timetogiveyouaride.Yousee,a
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littlebirdtoldmethattodaywasyourbirthday,andwehaven'thadarideforalongtime."
Placingtheboo inhismother'shand,theboyhastenedtotheoldgreyhorseandwasliftedupinfrontofthesaddle.DoctorKingmountedandslippedhisarmaboutthelittlefellowastheponystartedataneasylopedowntheroadtowardsHotSpringslyingsouthoftheCircleCrossintheoppositedirectionfromtheSanPedroRiver.
"Soyouaresixyearsoldtoday?"quizzedtheDoctor."Gettingabigboynow,anditwon'tta emanybirthdaysforyoutobeaman."
"Marmeegavemeaboo ."Donniespo efreely,nowthathewasnotinthevicinityofhisfather."Shemadeaca eformewithwhiteicingandsixlittleredcandles;andJuanboughtamouthorganformewhenhewasinWillcox,andheisgoingtoshowmehowtoplayonitwhenDaddyisn'thome,sothenoisewon'tma ehimnervous.DaddyisgoingtoJac sonFlats,andMarmeeandIaregoingtoreadtheboo tonight.Welitthecandlesandcuttheca ethismorning,soDaddyandJuancouldseeitandhavesomeintheirlunch.I'llgiveyouapieceofitwhenwegetbac home.Itwasawfulpretty."
Thedoctor'shandreachedovertheboy'sshoulder."Youcan'tguesswhatIhaveinit,"hechallenged,andDonnieshoo hisheadslowly.
"Openmyhand,andfindingsshallbe eepings,"badetheoldman.
Afterseveralfutileattempts,thefingersrelaxedandDonniegaveacryofdelight.Itwasapen nifewithfourbrightblades--arealpen nifeli ethosemencarried--thefirst nifehehadeverownedinhislife.
"Oh!"thechild'ssurprisecouldfindnootherwordforafewseconds,ashesurveyedhistreasure;thenheliftedhishappyface."IalwaysissMarmeewhenshe'sprisesme,"hesaidshyly,"butDaddysaysmendon'tslobber."
Thegreyhorsecametoahaltandbegannibblingcontentedlyatthe
bunchgrassbetweentheroc s.HewasaccustomedtothesehaltswhenDonnieandthedoctorrodeandtal edofmanythings.Whenoneisyoungintheworlditiseasytoclasphandswiththosewhoarenearingtheborderofanotherworld.Togethertheyseelifeinthesamelight.Youthhasnotlearnedtoplaceafalsevalueonimitationsandagehasturnedfromthemindisgust.Sothechildandtheoldmanunderstoodeachother.
"Onceuponatime,Donnie,manyyearsago,Ihadalittleboy,andwhenhewassixyearsoldIgavehimthat nife,andwhenIgaveittohim,he issedme.Then,afterward,wemadeawonderfulboatwithsails.WhenIcomebac fromtheRiver,youandIwillma eaboatli eittosailinthebigpondattheSprings."
Thechildloo edup,thenhisarmswentaboutthenec oftheoldmanandtheirlipsmet.
Asthegreyhorseturnedbac towardtheCircleCross,Donniewassilentforafewminutes,thenas ed,"Whereisyourlittleboy,now?"
King'sfacebentoverthechild'scurls,hischinrestedonhischest,hiseyesweredimwithrecollection,asheansweredgently,"Hewentawayfromme,Donnie."
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"Didhedie?"
"Yes;andthatwaswhenhegavehis nifeforthemtogivetomewhenIgotbac home."
TheynearedtheporchwhereKatherinestoodtal ingearnestlytoherhusband.DoctorKingletthechildslipfromthesaddlewithouthimselfdismounting.Donnierantoshowhisnewgift.
"Whataperfectlysplendid nife!"exclaimedhismother,openingtheblades."Why!Ithasfourblades!"
Gratified,thechildturneduncertainlytohisfather,holdingoutthenifeforhisinspectionandapproval."See,Daddy!"
Glendonimpatientlybrushedawaythehandand nife.Katherine'seyesdimmedwithsuddentearsatthecrestfallenfaceoftheboyandsheheldoutherhandagainforthe nife.King'seyesflashedangrily,andhechec edthehorsehewasridingaway.
"Marmee,can'tIgivedoctorapieceofmybirthdayca e?"beggedthechild,andKatherinewithheartyassentwentintothehouse,followedbytheboy.Inafewsecondstheyemerged,Donnieproudlybearingabitof
ca ecrudelydecoratedwithwhiteicingandatinyredcandlethathadburntlow.Nowordshadbeenexchangedbetweenthetwomenintheinterval.
DoctorKingregardedtheca ewithadmiration;ateitandwasloudinhispraiseasthefinestbirthdayca ehehadevertasted,andDonnie'sfacelighteduponcemore.
Glendonpaidnoattentiontothisepisodeandmovedtothehitching-postwherehisponywaited.Heunfastenedthetie-ropewithoututteringaword.DoctorKingstudiedthesullenface.
"Whichwayareyougoing?"heas edpleasantlyasGlendonswungonthe
ponyanddugspursintotheanimal'ssides,yan ingviciouslyatthecruelSpanishbitastheponystarted.
"Jac sonFlats,"wasthecurtanswer.
"Doyouthin itwise?Thisreportisreliable."
"Bac tomorrowafternoon."
"I'llrideasfarasthefor softhetrailwithyou,"saidKing,ignoringthesurlinessoftheothermanandcongratulatinghimselfuponhavinganopportunitytobroachatopicthathadoccupiedhisthoughtsformanymonths.
Glendon'sloo wasnotinviting,butsidebyside,thetwomenrodeintotheHotSpringsCañontowardtheSanPedroRiver.ThewagonroadterminatedatthestableoftheCircleCross,andfromtheremergedintoanarrow,roc ytrailwhichtwistedzig-zagatthebottomofthecañonforfivemiles,thendivided.Onefor ofthetrailstruc upthesideofthemountainandledtoJac sonFlats,twentyoddmilesdistant;theotherfollowedthebedofthedrycree totheSanPedroRiver,fifteenmilesaway.Intherainyseasonthesandycañonbecamearagingmountainstreamthatwasimpassable.
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Thetwomencarriedonaperfunctoryconversationatintervals,thedoctortryingtofindasuitableopeningthathemightnotantagonizetheotherandsodefeathispurpose;whileGlendon,submergedinhismood,repliedinmonosyllables.Kingloo edattheyoungermanindisgustedanger;butrememberingthewomanandchild,restrainedthebitterwordsthatburnedonhistongue.
"Iwishitwerenotnecessaryformetoma ethistripjustnow,"thedoctorsaid,assumingacasualtone,"butIcannotputitoffanylonger.Iwasthin ingthismorning,Glendon,thatitmightbewisetohaveMrs.GlendonandDonniestayinWillcoxuntilthingsaremoresettled."
"IfI eptthemtheretillrumoursofApachesaresettled,theywouldnevercomehomeatall,"retortedGlendon."You nowaswellasIdothereislessdangerwhentheIndiansarereportedoffthereservationthanwhenitissupposedtheyarequiet.Besides,theywillbeintoomuchofahurryjustnow,tryingtogetacrosstheMexicanborderbeforetheTenthCavalrycatchesthem.Theywon'tbeuptoanydeviltryforawhile."
Kingcouldnothelpac nowledgingthetruthinGlendon'swords,butasenseofuneasinessoppressedhim.
Theyreachedthepartingofthetrails."Solong!"mutteredGlendon,butKinglaidadetaininghandonhisshoulder.Glendonturnedhisbloodshoteyesontheoldmanandhitchedhisshoulderfromthewrin ledhand.
"Glendon,there'ssomethingIhavewantedtosaytoyouforalongtime.I'manoldman,andbeingadoctorgivesmemanyprivileges,you now."
Glendon'slipstightened.Hemadenoreplyasheslouchedinhissaddle,slappinghisleather'chaps'withhisquirt.Kinghesitatedasecondandthenwentonspea inginhis indlyvoice.
"Mylifehasbeenlong,Glendon,andmytrailhasledovermanyrough
places.I'malmostattheendofitnow.Whenoneloo sbac ,onecanseemoreclearly.Youarejuststartinglife.Itiseasytoavoidtheplaceswhereothershavestumbled,ifsomeonepointsthemout.Youhaveasplendidwifeandafineboy;thefutureholdsmanypossibilitiesforyou--possibilitiesthatIandmanyothermenenvy.Glendon,don'tsellyourbirthrightforamessofpottage."
Theothermanscowled,butwassilent,andKinghopedthathiswordswerereachingtheman'sheart.
"Letmehelpyou,"pleadedthedoctoreagerly."Iunderstandwhatastruggleitistoovercomeone'sself.YearsagoIthrewawaymychances,andI nowthecost.Isawfriendsavoidme,andIdidnot
care.Mypatientsdesertedme,becauseIwasnottobereliedupon;mywifeandboywereta enfrommewhileIwastoodrun to nowtheyweredead.MyfatherpleadedwithmeandIcursedhim.ThenIbecameatramp,driftingfromplacetoplace,myonlyambitioninlifetogetwhis ey.ThetraincrewthrewmeoffafreightcaronedayandIwanderedaroundinArizona,pennilessandfriendless,untilIwasabletoconquermyselfandfindmylostmanhood.Thirtyyearsago!"Hisheadsun andhisvoicetrembledasheadded,"Nothingcanevergivebac thethingsIthrewaway,norcanIundothesufferingIcausedthosewholovedmebest.IsawtheVision,buthadnotthestrengthtofollowit."
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Glendonlaughedsneeringly;"So,li emostreformedcharacters,whohavehadtheirownflingtotheirheart'scontent,youwanttodrageveryonebythehairoftheheadintotheparticularstraightandnarrowpathyouselectforhim.Than youforyourinterestingsermon,King.Ipreferstumblingalone.I'mperfectlyabletoloo outformyself.ByyourownadmissionIcouldn'tplacemuchconfidenceinyourassistance.Hereafter,mindyourownbusinessand eepawayfrommeandmyfamily!"Hejer edhisponytowardtheuppertrail,and ic editwithhisspurredheels.Asitsnortedandjumped,Glendonsaweditsmouthwiththereins.
DoctorKingwatchedthisunnecessarybrutality,thenmovedhisponybesideGlendon's.Theman'seyesgleamedwithfury,buttheoldmanmadeonemoreappeal.
"Glendon,thin ofyourwifeandboy,justamoment!Youarecrushingallthehappinessfromtheirlives.Itista ingadvantageoftheirhelplessness.Onlyacowardwoulddothat!"
Kinghadsaidmorethanheintended;butnowthathehadspo enhistruethoughtshegazedsteadilyintoGlendon'sbloodshoteyes.HedidnotflinchasGlendonwheeledhishorseagainstthegreypony.Leaningoverthedoctor,theothermanvolleyedastreamofoaths.Thedoctor'sface
expressedonlypity.Glendonrealizedit,andhisfurybro eallbounds.HeliftedtheheavyleatherwhipthathungonhiswristandstrucviciouslyatKing'sface.Thegreyponyleapedinfright,sotheblowglancedtotheoldman'sshoulder.Glendonraisedthewhipasecondtime,thenletitfallbyhisside.Therewasnoresentmentinthedoctor'sface,onlyinfinitepityasheheldouthishand.
"Glendon,Iunderstand.Istruc andcursedthemanwhotriedtowa eme.Itwasmyownfather."
"Youmindyourownbusinessafterthis,"snarledGlendon."I'msic ofyourmeddling,posingandpreaching.Iwon'tletyou,Katherine,oranyoneelsedictatetomeaboutwhatIshalldo.Damnthewholebunchof
you,anyhow!"
HisponyscrambledupthesteeptrailunderthesharpprodsofthespursandthelashingofGlendon'swhip.DoctorKingloo edafterhim,sadly.
"Thesameoldroad--eachonestumblingoverthesameroughplaces--learningonlyfromhisownbruisesandwounds.Godpitythebro enheartsofthosewhocommitnosinsaveloving."
Thepeculiarforebodingthathadoppressedhimallday,returnedmorestrongly.Kingwonderedwhetherhehadbetterretracethetrailandputoffhistriptilltomorrow.Then,recallingthatJuanwasattheCircleCrosswithKatherineandDonnie,andthatGlendonwouldreturnthenext
evening,whileLeon'ssic babyneededsorelythedoctor'scare,hefinallyheadedthegreyponytowardtheSanPedrodeterminedtoma ethetripasquic lyaspossible.
CHAPTERFOUR
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TheshadowsonthegroundtoldKatherine'spractisedeyesthatitwasnearlyteno'cloc whensheclosedtheboo shehadbeenreadingtoDonnie.
"We'llfinishitthisafternoon,"shesaid,"andnowthebreadhastobewor ed,you now."
"IwishIcouldbeli eSirGalahad,Marmee,"answeredthechildwistfully."Do nightshuntfortheSangrealanymore?"
"Notinsuitsofarmour,mydear;butweallcanbeli eSirGalahad,eventoday.TheVisionofRightandWrongcomestoeveryone.Thenthetrue nightputsonhisinvisiblearmourandta estheoathoftheRoundTable;--nevertowrongrichorpoor;nevertobecruel;toshowmercytothosethatas it;alwaystobetrue;tota enopartinwrongfulquarrel,buttohelpthewea andhelplessandservetheKingloyally."
"Can'tIbea night?I'msixyearsoldandDoctorKingsaidIwouldsoonbearealman."
Hismotherloo eddownattheeagerface,thensaidtenderly,"Yes,dear.Youcanbemother'slittleKnight.Kneeldown,li eSirGalahadandta etheoath."
SlowlyandsolemnlythechildishvoicerepeatedthewordsoftheRoundTableoath,whilethedistantyelpofacoyotequiveredfaintlyintheairandthehootingofanowlsoundedli ederisivelaughterforthewomanandchildaloneinthewildcañon.Neitherofthemheardthesounds.Lightlythechild'smothertouchedhimontheshoulder.Hereyesweremistyasshegazeddownatthelittle nightwhomustsomedaygooutaloneagainstthehordesofinvisiblefoes.WouldhehavethestrengthtoliveuptotheVision?Aleeringfacewithbloodshoteyesseemedtoconfronther,andthechild'sfatherdrewtheboyaway,saying,"Heismineaswellasyours."Sheputthethoughtfromher.
"Rise,SirKnight!Defenderofthewea andhelpless!"shesaid,whileherhandrestedontheboy'sshoulder.
Thechildrosewithseriouseyes,thenrememberingwhattheboo hadsaid,he neltand issedhismother'shand,loo ingupashesaid,"Marmee,nowI'myour nightreallyandtrulyandI'mgoingtota ecareofyouallthetime."
Katherinecaughthiminherarms,andthenewly-made nightforgotthedignityjustconferred,tonestleagainstherbreastandtal ofthewonderfulthingshewasgoingtodoforherwhenhewasabigman;butnotoncedidhespea thenameofhisfather.
Astheytal ed,Katherine'seyesglancedatthehighedgeofthecañon,wherethetrailledtoJac sonFlats;shewassurprisedatseeing
somethingthatmovedalongthetrailtowardthehouse.Twohorsemenweredistinctlysilhouettedagainstthes y,thenaturninthetrailhidthemfromview.
Sherosehastily,spea ingtothechild."YourfatherandJuanarecomingbac ,"shesaid."So,ifyouwillrunandgetsomedrywood,I'llstartthestove."
Donnielaidhisboo onthefrontroomtableandhurriedoutthebacdoor,butKatherine, nowingtheriderswouldreappearatanotherturn
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ofthetrail,too apairoffieldglassesfromanail,andfocusedthemonthepoint.Shewonderedifherimaginationtric edherwhenshesawseveralotherfiguresinthegapwherethefirsttwohadappeared.Three,thistime;thenmorefollowed,afourthgrouploomedforafewminutes,thenthey,too,vanishedli ewraiths.
Herbreathfluttered,herheartpoundedheavily,forshe newtoowellwhatthatlineofridersmeant.Theglassescrashedfromhernervelesshands,andDonniecamerunningtoherside.Sheloo edathim,paralyzedbythe nowledgethatthosecomingdownthetrailtowardthelittlehome,wereGeronimo,thegrim,blood-thirstyMedicineManoftheApaches,andhisbandofbroncoIndians.
StoriesofthehideousfatesthathadbefallenwomenandchildrenatvarioustimesoftheApacheoutbrea s,flashedacrossherbrain.ThensherecalledDoctorKing'swords,"Youcan'tgetanIndianwithinamileofmyplace."Toremaininherhomeandbarricadeherselfwashopeless,butshecouldtrytoreachtheprotectionoftheHotSpringswithherboy.
Donnieas ednoquestionswhenshewentintothehouseandreturnedatonce,buc lingabeltofcartridgesaboutherwaist.Apistolswungintheholster.Thefieldglasseshadnotbeenbro eninthefall;sheliftedthemandloo edoncemoreatthegapofthetrail.Therewas
nothingtobeseen.TheIndianscouldnotma efasttimedownfromthatpoint,she new,norcouldtheyseetheranchorcañonuntilalmostuponthelittlecorralbac ofthehouse.
"Come,dear,"shesaid,assheseizedthechild'shand,andtogethertheyhurrieddownthestepsthroughthedensemesquiteandshrubbery,ontheroadtoHotSprings.
Thechildcouldnot eeppacewithhernerve-drivenfeet.Shefelthimlag,andloo eddownintohiswhitefaceandtear-filledeyes,andrealizedthatheunderstoodtheirdanger.Shestoppedandclaspedhiminherarms.
"Don'tbeafraid,dear.Theywon'tfindus."
Hetriedtosmile,buthislipsquivered.Inherdesperationathoughtwasborn.ItwouldbeimpossibletoreachtheSprings,butuponthesideofthecañonwasalargecave.Sheandthechildhadoftengonetherepretendingtheywereexplorers.Theentrancewasconcealedbyheavybrushandsurroundedbyhugeboulders.Ithadbeenaplaceofrefugemanytimesforthechildwhenhisfather'sirascibletemperawa ened.
"We'llgotoourcave,"shesaid,"andyou nowwe'retheonlyoneswhocanfindit."
Donnie'shandgrippedherstightly,andwithasharpsurveyofthetrailtoJac son,shestartedtheclimbupthesteepcañonside,alwayseepinginthethic estpartofthemesquite.Downthecañontheyhadtocrossthebedofthedrycree ,butoncethatwaspassedthebouldersstoodthic ly.Slowlytheymadetheirway,fortherarefiedArizonaair,thesharppitchoftheincline,thealmostdeadweightofthestumblingchild,thefearofthosewhorodebac ofthemmadetheclimbdoublyhard.
Atlasttheyreachedtheentranceofthecave,andsin ingtoher nees,
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shehalf-pushed,half-draggedtheterrifiedchildintotheirplaceofrefuge.Withherarmabouttheboy,shesathuddledagainstthesideofthecave,butthroughthebrushatthemouth,shecoulddiscerntheIndiansridingdownthetrailthatendedatthecorral.Theycircledcautiouslyabouttheranch,thengrowingbolderbro eintothreebunches.Twogroupsapproachedthehousefromfrontandrear,whilethethirdpartydashedintothecorralwherethemil calfwas ept,andinafewminutesitwasdead.TheApaches,apparentlyinfrenziedhaste,slaughteredandquarteredthecalf,notta ingtimetos inthecarcasswhichwastiedinsectionstotheponies.Otherschasedandcapturedallthechic enspossible,wringingtheirnec sandaddingthemtootherplunder,untiltheleader,whomKatherinerecognizedasGeronimo,gaveacommandwhichwasreluctantlyobeyed.Theentirecavalcademountedanddasheddownthecañon,followingtheroadtowardtheHotSpringsranch.
Katherine newthattherealdangernowconfrontedher.Thoughthecañonwasamassofroc s,theroadbedwhereshehadcrossedwassandy,ma ingitpossiblethatherfootprintsmightbediscoveredbythesharp-eyedhostiles,whowereconstantlyonthealertforsigns.Ashortdistancefromthespotwhichmightbetrayhersteps,severaloftheIndianshaltedsuddenly,whirlingtheirponiesandgesticulatingtotheothers.Thewomaninthecavegrippedtherevolvermoretightly.
"Theywillhavetocomeupsinglefile,"shethought,thenwonderedwhy
shenolongerfeared.Carefullyshecalculatedherchances,gratefulfortheobstructingbrush,thegloomofthecaveanditsprojectingsideswhichwouldprotecthersolongasherammunitionheldout.Onebyone,shecountedthecartridgesinthebelt,withoutta inghereyesfromthefiguresinthecañonbelow.Thedistanceacrossthecañonwassonarrow,thatthecallofaquailontheothersideoftheApachescouldbedistinctlyheardbythewoman.
"Six,seven,eight,"thepitifullyfewcartridgesslippedthroughherhandsuntilthelasttwolayinherupturnedpalm.
Sheloo edatthem,thenhereyestravelledtothechild,andshe newthatshewouldnotflinchatthelastmoment.ItwastheonlythingforamothertodoinArizona,milesawayfromanylivingbeingexcept'bronco'Apaches.
Donnie'seyesmethers,butheas ednoquestionwithhislips.TheIndianswerebecomingmoreexcited.Theirvoicesreachedtheplacewherethemotherandboyhadfoundrefuge.Katherinepeeredthroughthebushes.Geronimowasspea ing,theotherslistened,andinobediencetohisgesture,wheeledtheirponiesandrodeupthesideofthecañonoppositethecave.Theyreachedtheridge,haltedafewminutesinconsultation,thenturnedtheirponies'south-eastalongthebac boneoftheelevationuntiltheyvanishedli eahideousnightmare.
"Theyaregone,"shespo ewithwhite-lippedtenseness,assheheldthetremblingboyinherarms,andthefullrealizationoftheirnarrowescapesweptoverher.
Immediatedangerwaspast,butitwouldnotbesafetoventurefromthecave.Stragglersmightarriveatanymoment.FamiliarwithApachesuperstitionwhichpreventsraidsorfightingduringnight,shedecidedtoremaininthecaveuntilitwasdar ,thencreeptothehouseandobtainfoodandwater.SunrisewasthefavouritetimewithApachesin
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ma ingattac s.ShedarednotfurtherattempttoreachtheHotSprings.ThenshewonderedifherhusbandandJuanhadescapedtheIndiansornot.
CHAPTERFIVE
ItwasalmostnoonwhenKatherinesawtwohorsemencomingalongtheroadthatledfromHotSprings,andherfearsreturned.Butastheridersapproachedmoreclosely,aloo ofalmostincredulousreliefshowedonherpaleface.Hasteningfromthecave,shestoodontheslopeofthecañon,holdingoutherarms.
"Limber!Limber!"shecalled,half-laughing,half-sobbing.
Themenjer edtheirponiessuddenly,staredupandexchangedafewhastywords,thensprangfromtheirsaddlesandhurriedtowardher.
"Whatisthematter,Mrs.Glendon?"Limberwasthefirsttoreachher,andhisfacewasalmostaswhiteashers,assheswayedslightly.Heroutstretchedhandswerecaughtinhisfirmgraspandthetouchsteadied
her.Shetriedtosmileintohiseyes."I'mallrightnow,"shesaid,ma ingabraveefforttocontrolherfalteringvoice,"but,yousee,theIndianspassedherethismorning.DonnieandIhidinthecave.Ithoughttheywerecomingbac whenIsawyou."
"Whar'sGlendon?"demandedLimbersharply,hiseyesnarrowingashespo e.
"AtJac sonFlatswithJuan.Theywillbehometonight."
"Hehadnobusinessleavin'youalone;"thecowboy'svoicewasangry.
"He nowedtheIndianswasrestless.Iwarnedhimlastwee whenIseenhimdownintown,andhepromisedmehewouldn'tta enochanceswithyouandDonnie."
"DoctorKingtoldusthismorning,butwedidnotthin therewasanyimmediatedanger,Limber,"shesaid.Themanunderstoodthegentlereproof.
"Ididn'tmeanto noc Glendon,butitwasta in'aheapofchances,jestthesame,andGlenhadn'torterdoneitwhenhe nowedGeronimohadjumpedtheReservationan'yourranchrightontheoldIndiantrailtoMexico."
HeturnedtoPowellwhohadbeenobservingthewoman.
"ThisisDoctorPowell,Mrs.Glendon.WeridacrossfromtheDiamondHtoseeDoctorKing.Heain'thometoday,though."
Powellclaspedtheextendedhandandfeltthequiveringnerves,butbeforehecouldspea ,Donnieappearedattheentranceofthecave,hisdar ly-circledeyestellingthehoursoffear.
"Hello,Donnie!"calledLimbercheerfully,placingacallousedhand
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gentlyonthelad'sshoulder."Youfooledol'Geronimothattime,allright.We'vegotthelaughonhim,haven'twe?"
Afaintsmiledrewardedthecowboy,whoseglancenowrestedonthelittlepileofcartridgesandthepistol.Limbersaidnothing,butstoopedforthegunandammunition,thenhesawthetwocartridgeslyingapartfromtheothers.Themusclesofhisjawstwitched.Ashepic edupthelasttwo,hehesitatedandloo edcloselyattheground.Hiseyestravelledtowardtherearofthecavethenpastthebrushyentrance.KatherineandPowellwerema ingtheirwaydownthesideofthecañonandDonnie'shandwasheldbythedoctor.Limberfollowedthem,liftedthechildtoPeanut'sbac ,andwithanodatPowell,mountedtheotherponyandrodeslowlytowardtheranchhouse,whilethedoctorandKatherinetal ingearnestlytogether,too ashortercut.
Theyfoundthe itchenoftheranchinchaos.Ithadbeenrifledofallprovisions,butowingtothehasteofGeronimonothingbutblan etsandsomeNavajorugshadbeenta enfromtherestofthehouse.Limber,hearingthemil cowbawlingatthecorral,leftPowell,DonnieandKatherineinthehouseta inginventorywhileheannouncedhisintentionofmil ingthecow.
Whenthecowboyopenedthecorralgate,Beauty,thecow,rushedintothecorralandsniffedthegroundsuspiciously.Shecaughtthescentof
freshbloodandliftedherhead,hereyesrollingwildlyasshebellowedrapidlyandshrilly,suc ingherbreathaudiblybetweenhercries,li eterriblesobs.
"Youmaybeonlyacow,butyou nowenoughtohaveithurtyoujestli ehumans,"saidLimberpityingly,asheofferedfeedwhichsherefusedtotouch.Gentlyhestro edherheavingsides,andshepausedinhercries,loo ingathimwitheager,appealingeyes.Then,asthoughunderstandinghecouldnothelpher,sheresumedhershrillgrief.
Limbertiedhertothefence,mil edherandcarriedthebuc ettotheitchen.Heputitonthetable,glancedattheemptywood-boxandlefttheroom.Inafewminutesthesoundofsplittingwoodmingledwith
Donnie'schatterandPowell'soccasionalremar stoLimber.Fromtheitchentheyheardthecheerfulclatterofpansandthehumofanegg-beater.
Thelittledining-roomintowhichPowellwassummonedhalfanhourlater,showednotracesofthehurriedvisitoftheApaches.Thetablewasspreadwithfreshlinenanddecoratedwithabowlofwildflowers.Despitetheraidonherlarder,Katherinehadmanagedtoprovidealuncheontotemptevenajadedpalate.
"YoumusthaveAladdin'slamphiddensomewhere,"Powellremar edadmiringlyashetoo theplaceoppositeLimber.
Katherineglancedupsmiling,assheservedadaintyomelette.
"Nothingsomagicalasthat,"shesaid."ThetruthisthattheIndiansoverloo edthespringhousewherewe eepsurplusstores.LimberhelpedmorethanAladdin,forhemil edthecow,foundafeweggsandchoppedthewood.Withthatmuchaccomplished,anywomancouldmanageameal."
"Wemustagreetodisagree,"dissentedPowell,buttheconventionalcomplimentwassincere.Hewasfilledwithadmirationforthewoman,whowithintwenty-fourhourshadgonethroughsuchexperiences,yetretained
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herpoise."Iwishsomeofmyhystericalwomenpatientscouldmeetyou,Mrs.Glendon."
Hersurprisewasnotassumed."Don'tgivemecreditthatIdonotdeserve,"sheansweredsimply."Whencircumstancesconspireagainstone,thereisnotimetoplanorthin .Youjustdothingsinstinctively.Then,too,womenlivingonrancheslearntoadaptthemselvestomanythingsthatwouldseemhardshipstootherwomen.Beside,youandLimberreachedmejustasIwasbeginningtoqua e.SoIdon'tfeelentitledtoanypraise."
"Iamthan fulthatwehappenedtocomewhenyouneededusmost,"thedoctorrespondedheartily."WewantedtoseeDoctorKing;but,findinghimawayfromtheranch,Limbersuggestedthatweridedownhereandpossiblyfindoutwhenhemightreturn."
"Leon'sbabywassic ,"sheexplained,andLimbernodded."He'llbebacinacoupleofdays,hesaid."
"IwanttofindoutwhetherthedoctorwillconsiderapropositionofmineregardingbuildingasanitariumattheSprings,"Powellwenton."Mr.TraynorsaidKinghadsuchanidea,himself,andneededapartner-physician.ThatwashowLimberandIcamethiswaytoday."
"You nowourArizonacustom--ourhomesarethehomesofourfriends.YouareroyallywelcometothebestwehaveuntilDoctorKingreturns."
Thetwomenexchangedsuddenglances,andLimberhastenedtosay,"I'vegottogettoWillcoxthisevening,fortheboysareontheroadwithashipmentofstoc .But,DoctorPowellcouldwaitheretillKinggetsbac .Iwasthin in'IhadbetterridedowntoLeon'sandheadKingbacthisway.ThenheandDoctorPowellcouldtal together,whilstI ingotoWillcoxbytheSanPedroroadinsteadofcomin'bac here."
"Don'tchangeanyplansonmyaccount,"thewomansaidquic ly,sensingtheirthoughts."MyhusbandandJuanwillbehometonight,sothereisnooccasionforanxiety."
"We'llwaittilltheycome,"Powell'svoicewasdecided."Aftertheyreachhere,LimberandIcanfollowDoctorKing.WehaveanewmoontonightandLimbersaysthetrailisplain."ThenPowellchangedtheconversationbyas ingDonnieifhespo eSpanish,andthechildnoddedassent.
"MarmeeandItal withJuaninSpanishallthetime."
Thedoctorcontinued,"IusedtoliveinSouthAmerica,soIlearneditdownthere.Itvariesabit,butIhavebeenabletounderstandandma emyselfunderstood,sofar."
Luncheonover,thedoctorwentontheporchwithmotherandchild,andLimbersaunteredbac tothestablestowatertheirponies.Hewasholdingthehalter-ropesoftheanimalswhiletheystoodbythewater-trough,whenhesawGlendonandJuanridingdownthetrailbac ofthehouse.
"Hello,Limber!"calledGlendonasheswungfromhissaddle.
Limberregardedhimwithangryeyes."Well,Glen,yousure eptyourwordtomeinfineshape,"hesaidinopendisgust.
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Theothermanshruggedhisshoulders."There'snodanger.Ican'tsitaroundtheplaceallthetimeholdingagunbecausesomefoolrumourisstartedabouttheIndians."
Hewasunfasteningthedoublecinchesofhissaddle,buttheleatherstrapsfellfromhisfingerswhenLimbersaidslowlyandmeaningly;"No.Tharain'tnodangernow!Thewholebunchheadedbyol'Geronimopassedheretoday.That'sall!"
Glendon'sfacepaled;"Katherine--"
Limberrelented."Mrs.Glendonseen'emintimetogetaway,orelsetheApacheswouldofgotherandDonnie.Shehidinacave,andwhenwefoundhertharwastwocartridgesputoneside.You nowwhatthatmeans.'Tain'tapleasantthingforanywomantobealoneandgettoapointwhereshehastosavetwocartridges.Nomanhasanyrighttoasthertota esuchchances--andifheiss un enoughtoexpectit,heain'twuthdoin'itfor."
"Howdidyouhappentofindher?"as edGlendon,fingeringthehangingstrapofthecinch,andavoidingtheotherman'seyes.
"IcomeoverwithDoctorPowell.He'safriendofMr.Traynor'sandbeen
attheDiamondHoveramonth.WecometoseeDocKingandriddownheretotrailhimup.Hewasn'tattheSprings.That'showwefoundMrs.Glendon,anditmademehotallthewaythrough."
"Oh,she'sabletota ecareofherself.Iguesstherewasn'tsomuchdanger.Katherinealwaysexaggeratesthings.She'stoomelodramatic.I'musedtoherways,youaren't."
Limber'seyesflashedandhegraspedGlendon'sarmroughly,compellingthemantofacehim.
"Loo here,Glen!I'vestoodbyyouwheneveryotherdecentmanhasthrowedyoudownforayellowcur.IdoneitbecauseIthoughtmebbe
tharwasawhitestrea inyouthatdidn'tshowontop,butthebunchyou'regettingmixedwithain'tgoin'todoyounogood,andyou'vegottopullupmightyquic .Bestthingyou indo,andwhatyou'doughterdonewithoutanyonetellingyou,isquitthiscountry.Ifyouain'tmanenoughtodoitforyourownsa e,doitfortheir'n;"Limber'sheadjer edtowardthehouse.
"You'vebeenatruefriend,Limber,orelseIwouldn'tletyoutal tomethatway.Ican'tleaveherenow,butIwillpulloutassoonasIcanarrangeit.Igiveyoumywordofhonour."
Limbergrippedtheoutstretchedhand,"I'mdurnedgladyoutoldme,"hesaidearnestly."I'lldoanythingI nowhowforyouandMrs.Glendon
anytimeyoucallonme."
JuanapproachedandremovedthebridlefromGlendon'spony,replacingahalteronithewasturningaway,whenLimberspo e,"Thar'sfreshliontrac sleadin'tothatcavewharMrs.GlendonandDonniehidthismornin'.Ididn'ttell'em,butthey'dbetter eepawayfromthecave. _Luc ythelionwasn'tthar._Youlayforit,Juan."
"Si,Señor,"theMexican'spromisewasemphatic,andGlendon,too,declaredhewould"runthebrutedown."
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"I'vebeenhavingalotofbadluc lately,"GlendonsaidasheandLimberwal edtothehouse."Thisroughrangeishardtowor andcattlesowildyoucan'tround'emupwithoutrunningallthefatofftheirbones.Bythetimetheyaredriventhirty-fivemilestoWillcox,nobutcherwants'em.ThelongerIstayheretheworseoffIwillbe.I'vewrittentheoldmanandas edhimtogivemeachancesomewhereelse.Hemaynotanswermyletter,butitwon'tbeanyworsethannow,ifhedoesn't.Ididn'thaveenoughmoneywhenIstartedtopayexpenses."
TheyreachedthehousewhereGlendonwelcomedDoctorPowelleffusively.Somethingofthecharmthathadattractedfriendsinotherdays,stillwasapparentwhenGlendonwasnotdrin ing.Powell's eeneyesobservedthehandsomefacemarredbylinesofwea nessandself-indulgence.
"Gladtomeetyou,"Glendon'svoicesoundedsincereandhegraspedDoctorPowell'shandwarmly."Wedon'thaveverymanyvisitorsaroundhere,butfromwhatLimbertellsme,it'sbeenaregularreceptiondayattheranch.Iwouldn'thavegoneawayfromthehouseifIhadthoughttherewasanyrealdanger."
Powell,rememberingthatLimberhadwarnedGlendonpreviouslyabouttheIndians,andthatMrs.Glendonhadspo enofDoctorKing'swarningthem,newGlendonwaslying,andPowellhatedaliar.Glendon'seyesshifted
underthesteadygazeofthedoctor,andhehastenedtosay,"Idon'tsupposeKatherineofferedyouadrin .Luc yIdon't eepitintheclosetorGeronimowouldhaveitbythistime."
Hestartedtogettheliquor,butPowellpreventeditbyrisingfromhischairandholdingouthishandtoMrs.Glendon.
"Nowthatyouarenotalone,Ithin LimberandIhadbetterbeonourway,trailingDoctorKing.Iamanxioustomeethimassoonaspossible."
KatherineandDonniebadehimfarewell.Glendon epttal ingvolubly."I'mgladwe nowtheApacheshavepassedhere.Nodangerwhenyouhave
alineontheirwhereabouts,butwhenyoudon't now,theyalwaysbobup.Theyhi efortheMexicanborderwhenthesoldiersma eittoohotfor'eminArizona."Limbernowledtheponiestothegate,andGlendonheldouthishandtoPowell,saying,"Gladtohavemetyou,Doctor,andletme nowifthereisanywayinwhichIcanshowmyappreciationforwhatyouhavedoneforMrs.GlendonandDonnie."
Katherinesmiledhergratitude,thenPowellandLimberrodedownthetrailtotheSanPedroRiver,followedbytheeyesofhusbandandwifewhostoodontheporchoftheCircleCrossranch.
Astheturnofthetrailbac ofthestableshidtheridersfromview,Glendonsaidtohiswife,"IwonderwhattheywanttoseeKingabout.
Loo surgent,chasinghimthatway."
"DoctorPowellsaidthatheandDoctorKingmightformapartnershiptobuildaSanitariumattheSprings.You nowthathasbeenDoctorKing'sdreamformanyyears;butheneverhasfoundanyonewhocouldqualifyasphysicianandalsohavesufficientcapital.Ihopetheymaycarryouttheplan.Itissuchasplendididea!"
"Oh,youdo,eh?"Glendonsnarledthewordsashescowledathiswife."Well,youmaybeinterestedin nowingthatI'mfiguringongettingthe
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Springsmyself.I'vewrittenfatherabouttheplace.Theonlyhitchwouldbethatitisonunsurveyedground,andnoonecangetatitleexceptSquatter'sRights."
"ButDoctorKingwon'tselltoanyoneexceptaphysicianwhowilllivetherewithhimandestablishaSanitarium,"Katherineasserted."I'veheardhimsaythatsomanytimes.HealsotoldmethatMr.Traynorhadmadeagoodofferfortheplace,butitwasrefusedforthosereasons.MaybeMr.TraynorwroteDoctorPowellaboutit.Yousee,DoctorPowellcouldqualifyasaphysician,andifhehasnotthemoneytofinancethebuildings,Mr.Traynorcouldsupplythat,orinterestothercapital."
Glendondidnotanswer,butsatonthelowerstepoftheporch,staringmoodilydownthecañontrailtowardSanPedro.Hiswife,learningfromJuanthattheyhadnoteatenthelunchintheirsaddlebags,busiedherselfpreparinganearlydinner,forthehandsofthecloc announcedfour.Shearrangedthetablethencametothefrontdoorandspo equietly.Glendondidnothearher.
Shemovedtohissideandtouchedhimlightlyontheshoulder,saying,"Dinnerisready,Jim.Juansaidyouhadnoteatenlunch."
Heleapedviolentlytohisfeetutteringanoathandglaringather.
"Whatareyoudoing?Spyingonme?"hedemandedfuriously,andbrushedpasther, noc ingagainsthershoulderasshestoodinthedoorway.
Herfacepaled.Shemadenoanswer,butturnedtothedining-roomwhereJuanwasatthetable.Glendonfortifiedhisraggednerveswithagenerousdrin ofwhis eyandslumpedintohischair,onlytogrumbleateverythingbeforehimandfinallypushawayhisuntastedfood.Thenherosesosuddenlythathischairfellbac wardwithacrash.Hestarted,glancedatthechair,gaveita ic andwithanotheroath,flunghimselffromthehouse.ThroughthewindowKatherinesawhimagainmounthispony.
Shesatwithtremblinglips,tearsslowlyforcingthemselvesfromthe
droopingeyelidsandwettingherwhitechee s.Juan'sfacewasfilledwithpity,buthe newhecoulddonothing--saynothing,andherosesoftlyandslippedawaythatshemightbealonewithhermisery.Donnie'shandtouchedherchee ,andsheopenedhereyesandsmiledathim,than fulthatthechildwassafe.Nothingelsemattered,afterall.Sowhilesheremovedandwashedthedishes,shetal edcheerfullytoDonnie.
Bac inthefrontroomagain,theboymovedtoandfro,andatlastturnedhisanxiousfacetohismother.
"Ican'tfindmyboo ,Marmee.Doyouthin theIndianstoo it?"
"Why,no,dear,"shereplied,loo ingatthetable.Shehadnoticedtheboo whereDonniehadleftit.IthadbeentherewhenshecalledGlendonfromtheporchfordinner.NoonehadpassedthroughtheroomsincethenbutGlendon.
CarefullysheandDonniesearchedtheroom,butnotraceoftheboocouldbefound.Shestoodstaringdownthefrontwal tothegate,unwillingtoac nowledgehersuspicionsagainstthefatherofherchild.Thenonthewal shesawsomethingthatcausedhertohurryout.
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Thewindcarriedatornpagetoherfeet.Shestoopedandpic edupthefluttering,tell-talebitofpaper,andasshehelditinhertremblinghand,thewordscaughthereyes,"andheshallbeabettermanthanhisfather."OntheupperpartofthepagerodeSirGalahad.
"Donnie,dear,"shecalledandtheboycamequic lytoherside."Comeandhelpmeloo outherefortheboo .Maybewecanfinditinthebushes,somewhere.See,hereisapage,andtherestofitmustbecloseby."
Theyfoundittorn,soiled,thecoversbro enandcrac ed,andthechild'ssobscameunchec edashismother'sarmswentabouthim;theacheinherheartwastoogreatfortears.
"Donnie,wecanmenditsoitwillbealmostasgoodasever,"shecheeredhim,andthechild'ssobswerecho edthoughthequiettearsrolleddownhischee s,ashewentbac tothehousewithhismother,themutilatedboo heldinhislittlehands.
CHAPTERSIX
InthemeantimePowellandLimberwereridingdownthecañon,immersedindeepthoughtuntilLimbersaid,"Tharwasfreshliontrac sleadin'intothatcave."
Powelljer edabout,"GoodLord!"heejaculated,realizingwhatitwouldhavemeanthadthebrutebeentherewhenthewomanandchildsoughttheplaceofrefuge.
"ItoldGlendonandJuan,andthey'relayin'forit,andJuan'lltellMrs.Glendonto eepawayfromthecave.Hewon'tforgetit."
"Well,"Powellcommented,"I'mgladyoutoldtheMexican.Thatfellow
Glendonthin sofnoonebuthimself.Iwaswatchingthechildwhenhisfathercameontheporch,andI'dhatetohaveanychildoranimallooatmewithsuchabjectfear.Itmademesic withfury.Howcanthatwomanstandsuchalife!"
"Glenreallydoesthin aheapofher,inhisownway,"Limberrepliedslowly,"Butwhenhegetsthesmellofthecor ofawhis eybottle,hegoesplumloco.That'swhatmadetherowbetweenhimandhisfol sbacEast.Hisfatherhasheapsofmoney,butwon'thavenothin'todowithGlen.Leastways,that'swhatGlentolemehisself,onct.Hesaidtodaythathe'sgoin'topullupsta esassoonashe infixittomove,andta ehisfamblywheretheApachescan'trun'emli etheydonetoday."
"I'llgivehimcreditforsomedecentinstinctswhenhemovesthemtoahalf-civilizedplace;butIwouldn'tta ehiswordforanything.He'sanaturalliar,Ithin .I'msorryforthatwifeofhis,andforthechild."
"She'soneofthefinestwomenthateverdrawedbreath,"answeredLimber."She'sstoodalot,andshe'llstandaheapmore."
Conversationceaseduntilthecowboypointedtoahighpea .
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"Seethatpea upyonder?Anol'fellowlivedtharfifteenyearsprospectin'forgold.Stayedallalone.Hewasalwayscoc surehewasgoin'tofindabigminesomeday.SomeonecalledhimMontyCristy,andthenamestuc tohimli eacoc le-burrinahorse'smane.OnedayIwasdeer-huntin'andrunintohiscamp.Hehadadugoutinthesideofthemountainandatunnelwharhe'dbeenprospectin'.Iwentintothetunneltoloo attheore,andfoundhimsittin'tharagainstthesidewall.Hispic wasacrosshis neesandapieceoforeinhishand,buthehadbeendeadoverawee .Iburiedhimupthar."
"Wasthemineeverdeveloped?"
"Twarn'tnothin'todevelope.Thebitofroc inhishandwasli eallthestuffonthedumpoutsidethetunnel.Plumworthless.Choc fullofironpyrites--notworthadamn.'Fools'Gold'iswhattheminerscallsit."
Thecowboyleanedoverandpettedhispony'snec gently,thenstraightenedupinthesaddleandwenton;"I'veoftenwonderedwhetherol'Monty nowedatthelastthatitwasonly'Fools'Gold.'Thar'saheapofpeoplebesidesol'Montythat eepsondiggin',hopin'forastri eandgettin'nothin'but'Fools'Gold.'Tain'tnousetal in'tothem.It'stheluc yoneswhatdon'tfindoutthetruth,afterthey'veputinthebestoftheirliveswor in'onafalselead."
Powell'sthoughtswentbac tothewomanattheCircleCross,andheansweredsoberly,"Youareright,Limber."
Anumberofbuzzardscircledinthecañonashortdistanceaheadofthem,butnotdirectlyonthetrail.Limbercalledthedoctor'sattentiontothem,andadded,"We'dbettergooverandseewhatitisthatintereststhem.Maybeonlyadeadcow;butwhentheIndiansisout,younever nowwhatyou'rerunninginto.Youlearnnottopassanythin'bywhenyoufindbuzzards."
Theyleftthetrail,wor edthroughthedenseunderbrushthatwasmattedwithdeadgrassandotherdebrisfrompastheavyfloods.Buzzardsflew
upthic lyattheirapproach.Thentheysatloo ingdownatagreyhorsehuddledintheroc s.Saddleandbridleweregone.Afewfeetawaywasthebodyofanoldman,hiswhitehairclottedwithbloodfromabulletwoundinthelefttemple;hissightlessgreyeyesupturnedtotheblues ies,asthoughinmutequestioning.
"God!"ejaculatedLimber,asheleapedfromhishorse."It'sol'DoctorKing!DamnthemApaches!"
Powell'sshoc wasnotlessthanthecowboy's,andhe neltbesidethebodyofthemanwhomhehadhopedtowor withattheSprings.Hedidnotthin oftheannihilationofhisownplans,butthethingshehadheardofthe indlyoldman.Deathhadbeeninstantaneous.Thebullet
hadenteredthelefttemple,rangeddownwardandoutbehindtherightear.Thetwomenloo edateachother,thenPowell'seyeswentuptothebro ensideofthecañon.Frombac ofoneofthoseroc shadspedthemessengerofdeath,withnowarningtotheolddoctorwhowasonhiserrandofmercytoalittleMexicanbaby.
"Whydidn'ttheIndiansta ethehorse?"wasPowell'squestion.
"Becauseit'sgrey.Theyain'tgotnouseforagreyorwhitehorse,speciallywhenthey'reoutfortrouble."
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Limberstudiedthegroundaboutthehorseanditsdeadowner.
"Tooroc ytoshowanytrail,"hecommentedatlast.
"He'sbeendeadovernight,"Powellassertedashefinishedexaminingthebody.
"TheApacheshavebeenhangin'aboutforseveralnightsintheGrahamrange.Thar'stwobunches.Iseen'emsignallingthreenightsagorightbac ofFortGrantwherethesoldierscouldn'tcatchsightoftheirfires.They eeploo outsonthehighpea sandholdablan etinfrontofthefire.Beatsatelegraphoffice.Tharain'tnothin'smarter'nanApache,unlessit'stwoApaches.Youcan'ttrustoneunlesshe'sdead.ChancesisthatthetwobunchesfiguretocometogetheratPointofMountains,sevenmilesnorthofWillcox.Thenwhenit'sdar they'lljumpacrossthevalleytoCochiseStrongholdandwor intoMexico."
"But,thesoldierscouldheadthemoff,"Powellinterposed.
Limbersnorted."Soundsthatwayallright.But,ifyoujestloo atthesemountainsandcañons,you'llprettysoonseethatthesoldiershasjestasmuchchanctagainstthemApachesasanelephantwouldhaveifyousethiminahayfieldto illafleabytrompin'onit.Whenthey're
tiredof illin'peopleandwantavacationandnohardwor ,theycomeinandgivethemselvesupandgohometotheReservation."
"There'snothingtobedoneherenow,excepttonotifytheproperauthoritiesatWillcox,Isuppose,"Powellresumed."Wefoundhim--butit'sadifferentendingfromthewaywethought."
LimberunstrappedaNavajoblan etfromthebac ofhissaddle,andtogethertheywrappedthestiffenedformoftheolddoctor.
"Thar'sheapsofpeoplegoin'tomisshim,"thecowpunchersaidslowly,astheystoodloo ingdown."Nobodyevercalledhimthathedidn'tgo,rainorshine.Henevertoo onecentforwhathedone.Jesttol''emto
feedhiman'hisol'greyhorseandthatwasallthepayhewanted.Hewassureagoodman;"bothheadswereuncoveredinsilenthomage.
"I'llstayhere,"continuedLimber,"ifyou'llridebac toGlendon'sandgethisspringwagon,sowe inta ethebodytoWillcox.It'llbehardgettin'thewagoninthecañon,butIguesswe inma eit.We'llleadourponiesbehindthewagon."
Powellwasalreadymountinghishorse,asLimberadded,"'Twon'tta eaCoroner'sjurylongtobringinaverdict.I'mdoggoneglad,though,weain'tapac in'Mrs.GlendonandDonniealongwithDoctorKing.Theysurehadaclosecallthismornin'.IfGeronimohadn'tbeeninahurrytogetacrosstothatotherbunch,they'dsuretrailedMrs.Glendonto
thatcave."
"Itisnoplaceforanywomantolive,"Powell'svoicevibratedwithindignation."Ican'tunderstandhowanymancouldbringawomanli ehertosuchsurroundings.I'mgladheintendstomovehisfamilyaway.Anyplacewouldbebetterthanthis,forher."
Limberwatchedhiscompanionrideoff,thenbusiedhimselfwithasecondexaminationofthegroundinthevicinityofthedeadmanandhorse.Satisfiedatlastthathehadoverloo ednotrace,hedroppedona
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boulderandrolledacigarette,butasheshoo thetobaccofromthesac intothebrownpaper,aportionofitfelltothegroundunnoticed.Limberwasstaringintospace,anexpressionofdoubtlur inginhisgreyeyes.
"DernedifI inunderstandwhytheytoo somuchtroublehidin'theirtrail,Peanut,"hespo etothelittlepintoponyathisside."Themainbunchmustofridhigherupandoneof'emcomedownforthebridleandsaddleafterKingwasshot;but,tharain'tamoccasinoranyothertrac nowhars.Itbeatsme."
WhenPowellreturnedhewasaccompaniedbyGlendon,whoclimbedintothedriver'sseatandpic edupthereinsaftertheyplacedKing'sbodyinthewagon.Limber,leadingPowell'spony,followedthewagon,mountedonPeanut.Thevehiclebumpedandjer edoverlargeroc sofatrailthatneverbeforehadbeentraversedbywagonwheels.
Powellwasnotinclinedtotal ,butGlendonforcedconversation,thoughitsavouredofamonologue.
"Kingtoldushehadnoonebelongingtohim,"Glendon'svoicebro ethesilenceofthecañon,whiletheteamheadedfortheCircleCross."KatherinesaidyouexpectedtoformapartnershipwithhimandestablishasanitariumattheSprings.Isupposehisdeathwillalter
yourplans.Allthispartofthecountry,you now,isunsurveyedgroundandtitleheldbypossessiononly.I'dhaveboughttheSpringsmyselfiftherehadbeenaregulartitle.HesitatedatitbecauseIonlycouldacquireSquatter'sRights,you now.However,Itoo thematteruprecentlywithmyfather,andamnowwaitinghisreply.Idon'tunderstandwhyKingdidn'tletyou nowIwasfiguringonit.Didhegiveyouanyoption?"
"No;"answeredtheDoctor,wonderingatthestatementwhichconflictedwithwhatLimberhadjustsaidregardingGlendon'splanstoleavethecañon.ThenherecalledthatTraynorhadassertedKingwouldnotselltoanyoneexceptaphysicianwhowouldco-operatewithhiminhisplans.He newthemanbesidehimwaslyingforsomereason,butwhatthat
reasonwas,Powellcouldnotdecide."IhavenotevenbroachedthemattertoDoctorKing.Icameovertodaytoloo attheplaceandifitsuitedme,toma eapropositiontohim.InevermethimandIdon'tbelieveheeverheardofme."
"Ofcourse,"Glendonwenton,asPowellstoppedabruptlywonderingifGlendonhadnosenseofdecencyto eeptal ingwhilethedeadmanlayinthewagontheyweredriving,"IhadnowrittenagreementwithKing.Outhere,averbalcontractisallweas ofaman.SoIoughttohavepriorrightbecauseofourunderstanding.Idon'tsupposehemadeanywill,ashehadnoheirs,andcouldnotwilltheSprings,anyway,withoutalegaltitletoithimself.Inthatcase,theestatewouldreverttotheTerritory.AGovernmentPatentwouldhavemadeless
complication."
HeglancedfurtivelyatPowell,whomadenoreply,astheyhadreachedthecorraloftheCircleCross.KatherineGlendonstoodontheporch,hereyesblindedwithtears,herlipsquivering.
Glendonclimbedheavilyfromthedriver'sseat,andPowellsawthathisstepswereuncertain.Limbertiedhispony,Peanut,andthedoctor'shorsetothebac axleofthewagon.Afewquietwordswerespo enbythetwomentoMrs.Glendon,thentheywentontheirwaywiththeir
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tragicburden,andeachmanwasbusywithhisownthoughts.
ItwaspastsunsetwhentheyreachedWillcox.Afterreportingthetragedyandturningthebodyovertotheauthorities,therewasnothingmoretheycoulddo,andPowellwenttotheWillcoxHotelwhereheobtainedaroom.Limberpartedfromhimatthedoor.
"IguessI'dbetterhuntuptheboysandseehowthingsisgoin'alongwiththecattle."
Thoughneitherspo eofit,theuppermostthoughtsinthemindsofthetwomenwasthewomanattheCircleCross,alonewithamanwhoseindifferencetoherdangerhadalmostcostherlifeandthatofherboy's.
Bac inthelonelycañonacoyotes ul edpasttheemptyhouseattheHotSprings.Furtherdowntheroadawomanstoodatthedoorofherhomestaringintothedar ness.
WhenshehadmadeherfinalvisittoseeifDonniewereallrightforthenight,andleanedovertopressa issonthechild'schee ,somethingslippedfromhisrelaxedhand.Wonderingwhichofhistoyshehadsmuggledtobedwithhim,shestoopedandsawthepen- nifethatoldDoctorKinghadtreasuredthroughhislong,lonelyyears.Awaveof
realizationoverwhelmedher.Therewouldbenomorevisitsfromthisloyaloldfriend,now.Thefutureloomedaheadofherasblac asthenightthatwrappedthecañon.
CHAPTERSEVEN
ThesecondshipmentoftheDiamondHcattlehadreachedWillcoxalittleafternoon,andHolylingeredattheCowboys'RestwithBuc boardBill,whileBroncoandRoarerproceededupthestreet.Theywerenotvisible
whenHoly,hasteningthroughthecorralgate,encounteredMontgomeryWalton.Thelatter'smannerwassocordialthatHolyhaltedinsurprise.
MontgomeryWalton,themostunpopularmaninSouthernArizona,wasalmostseventyyearsold,thoughasalertasamanofforty.Hiswhite,flowinghairandpatriarchalbeardwerecontradictedemphaticallybyferret-li efaceandshiftyeyes,whilehisoilysmileexposedyellowedtus s.Heownedafairlygood-sizedherdofcattlethatwerepreternaturallyprolific,ashiscowswereveryoftenseenwithtwincalvesfollowingthem.Waltondiscouragedcallsfromothercattlemen,andlivedaloneexceptforahalf-wittedMexican--Loco.
TothedisgustaswellasamazementofHoly,Waltonambledalongathis
side,andfinally,tuggingatthecowboy'sblueflannelsleeve,drewhimtoabenchontheedgeofthesidewal .Thenheproducedaletter,extractedasmallphotographandhandedittoHoly.
"Whatdoyouthin abouther?"as edWaltonwithasmir ,ashepressedmoreconfidentiallytowardsthecowpuncher.
Holystudiedthepictureofasweet-facedgirl.
"Why!"heejaculatedenthusiastically,"She'saregularpeacherina.Who
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isshe?"
Waltonreplacedthepictureashesaid,"She'scomingonthewest-boundtraintodayandwe'regoingtobemarriedatonce."
"Gee!Youslyolddog!"commentedHolyjocularly,whilehewonderedifthepicturereallyloo edli ethegirl,andifso,whyshewasgoingtomarryamanli eoldWalton.Thenaninspirationdawneduponhim,andheturnedtoWalton,clappinghimheartilyontheshoulder.
"Well!Whyshouldn'tyougetmarried,I'dli eto now?"hedemandedasthoughthatprivilegedhadbeenquestionedbysomeinvisibleindividual."Aman'sageain'ttoberec onedbyhisyears.No,sirree!I'veseedsomemenwhowasreadytodieofoldagewhentheywastwenty-five,andI'veseedothersthatwasyoungwhenthey'dpasteighty.Now,noonewouldeverthin youwasadayoverforty,Walton,ifitwasn'tforthatairwhitehairandbeardofyourn."
Waltonpreenedfoolishlyandtriedtoloo incredulous,ashereplied,"Doyoureallythin so,Holy?"
"Surething!"assertedtheother.
Heloo edcontemplativelyatWalton,thenleanedcloserandwhispered,
"Say,Walton,whydon'tyougetDunningtodyeyourhairandbeardbeforethegirlgetshere.It'llma eadifferenceofthirtyyearsinyourloo s."
Waltonhesitated."MaybeIwill,"hetemporized."Yousee,Isentherapictureofmyself,butitwasta enwhenIwasabouttwenty-five.SoIwasabitworriedhowshewouldactwhenshefoundIwasnotsoyoungassheexpected.Ihadn'tthoughtofgettingmyhairdyed,though.It'sagoodsuggestion,Ithin ."
"Youbetitis!"Holywaxedenthusiastic."Womenisqueercritters,an'ayoungandprettywomanli esthemanshemarriestobesomewharnearherownage.Shedon'twanttoris otherwomenthin in'thatshehadto
gotoanOl'Man'sHomeand idnapahusband.Youjestta emyadvice,Walton,an'haveahearttohearttal withDunningrightaway."
"I'llthin aboutit,"evadedWalton,asHolywithcongratulations,partedfromhim, nowingBroncoandRoarercouldbelocatedbehindtheswingingdoorsthatledtothebar-roomoftheWillcoxHotel.
Holy'ssmileexpandedtoabroadgrinasherecognizedhisfriendsattheendoftheroomandmadehiswaytothem.
"Thar'ssomethin'interestin'goin'tobecutlooseifyoufellowswillchipin,"heannouncedconfidentially."Now,don'twastetimetal in'oras in'foolquestions.YoujestcomealongwithmedowntoDunning'sand
fixitupwithhim.Weain'tgotnotimetolose."
Beforehehadfinishedspea ing,hewashalf-waytothedoor--theothertwocloseathisheels.Holyvouchsafednoexplanationsforhismysteriousactions.Hurryingdownthestreettheyenteredasmallbarber-shopwhichwasunoccupiedsavefortheowner.DunningwastheonlybarberinWillcox.Hewasanautocrat.
Achair,facingthewallonwhichwasafly-spec edmirror,arowofwoodenseats,andaconspicuousplacardbearingthepleasant,but
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misleadingfiction,"Freshtowelforeachcustomer,"constitutedthefurnishingsoftheplace.Dunning'shairshoneglossybrown;hismoustachecurledtightlyasapugdog'stail,agorgeousredfour-inhand,tight,greytrouserswithbroadblac stripesmadehimbrilliantlyconspicuousamongthecitizensofWillcox.Betweenshavesandhaircutsthebarberdelvedintosentimentalfiction.
Withreluctanceheputasideayellow-bac ednovelandroseleisurelytohisfeet.HisspeculativesurveywasinterruptedbyHoly.
"Say,Dunning,you nowol'manWalton,"hebegan.
"Livedroundherefifteenyears,neverhadhishairnorbeardcutonct;"cataloguedDunning."Sodernedstingythathe'ds inafleatogetitshideandtallow!"
"Mebbeyou'llgitachanctathimtoday;"encouragedHoly."He'sgoin'togitmarried!"
Theotherssnortedinsurprise,andBroncoannouncedcontemptuously,"Thereain'tabunchofcalicoinArizonathatwouldlethimnearenoughtoropeher,letalonecarryhisbrand."
"Oh,youma emetired,"Holyretorted."Whosaidhewaswor in'any
Arizonarange?Thegirl'scomin'fromtheEastontoday'strain.Heshowedmeherpicture.Igivehimafillabouthiswhitehairma in'himloo old,andsaidhe'doughtergetDunningtofixhimup.Say!--heswallereditli earattlesna eswallersagopher."
"Shemustbelocoed,"growledBronco,suspiciously.
"IownIain'tbeendazzledbythecharmthatdrawsher,"ac nowledgedHoly,"butwhatinterestsmeisthattheDiamondHowesol'Waltonforaheapofthingsheain'tdone.Say,Dunning,there'stwenty-fivepesoesforyou,ifyoufixhimgoodandproper.Igotanidee--butyoumayhavetogooutoftownforafewdays."
"That'sallright.Businessain'tpressing.Ifiguredongoin'outprospectingforacoupleofwee s,anyhow.Ifanyoftheboyswantsahair-cuttheycanwaittillIgetbac ."
"SayDunning,stayawaythreewee s,"beggedBronco."I'llma eitthirtydollarsifyoudo."
ItwasnotsolicitudeforDunning'ssafetythatpromptedthisrequest,butBronco,rememberingthatDunningwastheonlybarber,hadavisionoftheentiremalepopulationofWillcoxsportingRipVanWin lishhair,unlesstheirflowingloc sweremutilatedbyconnubialscissorsduringDunning'sabsence.
"Thirtygoes,"agreedDunning."Now,whatisityouboyswantdone?"
Holyexplained,interruptedbyburstsoflaughterfromBroncoandRoarer,andfinally,Dunning,withagrin,endedtheconsultationbysaying,"YoufellersgethiminhereandI'llearnthatthirty."
CHAPTEREIGHT
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WaltonleftSoto'sstoreaftergivingordersthathispurchasesbereadywhenhecamewithhiswagonatfouro'cloc ,thenhewal edslowlydownthestreet,weighingHoly'ssuggestion.Vanitystruggledwithparsimony.
HereachedDunning'sshopandpauseduncertainly,withoutsuspicioningthreepairsofeyesthatpeeredfromasmallwindowinthehotel.Dunning,insidetheshop,wasseeminglyoblivioustothemanonthesidewal butloo edupwithaprofessionalsmilewhenWaltonenteredthedoor.
"Well,Walton,"Dunning'sattitudewasalmostaffectionate,"WhatcanIdoforyou?Shave?Hairtrimmedaleetlebit?Idon'twonderyou eptawayfrommeallthistime,andI'mjustartistenoughtosayifyouwantmetocutoffyourbeardorhair,Iwon'tdoitforyouornobodyelse.Butaleetlebitoftrimmingwouldimproveitlots."
"I--Doyoueverdyehairorwhis ers,Dunning?"
"Sure;"wastheanswer."Iguaranteemywor andmixmyowndyes,andyou'dbesurprisedifItoldyouthenamesofpeopleI'vefixedup.But,mywor isconfidential.MycustomerstrustmeandIneverbetraythem."
"Well,doyouthin youcouldfixmine?"as edWaltonwithanuneasysmile.
"Betyourboots!Nothingwouldpleasemebetter.Now,Isupposeyou'dwantitdar ,wouldn'tyou?"
"Blac .That'swhatitusedtobe,"Waltonreplied."Buthowlongwillitta e?"
Thebarbercoc edhisheadsideways,squintedaneyecritically,thenwal edsolemnlyaroundWaltonseveraltimes,andfinallyslippedhisfingersthroughthebeardandhair.
"It'safinegrowth,"heannounced."Icanfinishitinanhour."
"Howmuchwillitcost?"WaltonpausedinfrontofthechairwhichDunningwasadjustingforhim.
"Well,Iusuallychargefifteendollarsforsuchajob,butI'mwillingtodoitforfive,ifyoupromisenottoletanyoneelse nowIcutthepricetoyou."
"Iwon'tgiveoverthree,"assertedWaltonfirmly,movingtothedoor.
Dunning,fearingflightandtheattendantlossofthethirtydollars,followedWaltonhumbly.
"Now,seehere,Walton,whycan'twesplitthedifference?IfIcomedownadollar,youcansureraiseone.I'lldoafirst-classjobforfourdollars.Myregularpriceisfifteen.Why,man!Itwillma eyouloo twentyyearsyounger!"
Impervioustoflattery,Walton eptedgingnearerthedoor.
"Threeandahalf,"compromisedDunningdesperately.
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"Threedollars;"declaredWalton,reachingforthe nob,butwatchingDunningsharply.
"Allright,"consentedthebarber."Threedollars.Butdon'tyoufoolyourselfintobelievingyouaregoingtogetaneveryday,ordinarydye.It'smyowninvention.Guaranteedpermanentormoneycheerfullyrefunded.Resultsastonisheverybody."
"Sureyouwillgetitdonebytraintime?"as edWaltonanxiously,asDunningledhimtothechairanddeftlypinnedasheetabouthisnec .
Dunningglancedatthecloc ,"Justtimetodoitfine,"heassuredWalton,whostretchedoutluxuriously,determinedtogethisthreedollars'worthasfaraspossible.Dunningwasengagedinmixingvariousliquids.
"Goingonatrip?"heas ed,standingwithhisbac toWaltonwhilehestirredvigorously.
"Notexactly.I'mgoingtobemarried.Theyoungladywillarriveonthewestboundtrain,andwe'retobemarriedatonceandgoouttotheranch."
"Well,youdidtherightthingincomingtome,"announcedDunning,as
hefinishedmanipulatingtheconcoction."Thatwhitehairdidma eyouloo old,Walton,andIoftenwonderedwhyyoudidn'ttouchitupabit.IbetwhenIgetyoufixedup,thatshewon'tas howoldyouare.Say,I'llsta etendollarsonthatbet."
"Willitstayblac ,orhavetobedoneoveragain?"
"Guaranteedpermanent.Onlywaytoremoveorchangethecolourafteritisonceon,is eepthehairshavedclosetotherootsforsixmonths."
Waltontwistednervously."Iwishyou'ddrawdownthatshadeandlocthedoor.Idon'twantanyonehangingaroundwhileyouarebusy."
"That'swhatIfiguredondoing,"agreedthebarber,actingashespo e;butwin ingattheboysoftheDiamondHwhoweresaunteringpastastheshadewaslowered.
Waltonsan bac withasighofrelief.Thesilenceofthedimlylightedroomandthemovementofthebarber'shands,hadasoporificeffectonthecustomer,whoclosedhiseyesandsnoredpeacefully,whileDunningeptawaryeyeonthecloc untilheheardthewhistleoftheapproachingtrainfromtheEast.
"Betterhurry,Walton!Train'sprettynearthedepot,now.Ijustgotdoneintime."
Waltonwa edwithastartasthesheetwasjer edoff,andDunning'svoicesoundedjubilantlyinhisears,"Job'sdonefine.I'mproudofyou!"
Withahastyglanceatthesmallmirrorinthedimly-lightedroom,Walton'sblin ingeyessawadar flowingbeard,amassofdar hair.Thenoiseofthetrainwarnedthattimewaspreciousandfleeting.ThrustingthethreedollarsintoDunning'spalm,hegrabbedhishatandranacrossthestreettothedepot,wherethetrainwaspuffingtoastop.
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Waltonscannedtherowsofwindowswithpassengersloo ingaimlesslyatthetown.Theirboredfacessuddenlybecameanimatedwithsmiles.Waltonfoundthetouristsleeper,wherehesawagirlinagreysuitontheplatformofthecardescendthesteps,whiletheporterhelpedadelicate-loo ingboy.
Thebridegroom-electmovedmoreswiftly,andreachedthegirljustastheportershoo handswiththechildandsaid,"You'llbeabigcowboybeforelong,Ahrec on;"thenthetrainwentonitsway,leavingthegirlloo ingaboutnervously.
Amongtheloiterersatthedepot,Bronco,HolyandRoarerglancedateachotherinconsternation.
"GoodLord!""Holy,thatain'tthegirl,isit?"
Holydidnotanswer.Theenjoyableflavourofthejo ehadevaporated,li eadoseofcastoroilinorange-juice,andadecidedlydisagreeabletasteremained.Holyac nowledgedtohimselfonly,thathispreconceivedideaofthepictureasafa e,senttooldmanWaltonbyanunattractive,elderlywoman,waswithoutanyfoundation.Thisgirlwasmuchprettierthanthephotograph.AnydoubtastotheidentitywasdispelledwhenWaltonsallieduptothegirlandtoo offhishatwith
anelaborateflourish.Shestartedbac ,herfrightenedeyestravellingslowlyoverWalton'shairandbeard.Meetingthatprolongedglance,heattributedittohisfascinatingappearance,andsmir edandpreenedconsciously.
"I'mMontgomeryWalton,"hesaidunctuously."Everythingisarrangedsowecanbemarriedwithoutdelayandgetouttotheranchtonight.TheJusticeofPeaceiswaitingforus."
Thegirl'sprettycolourfadedsuddenlyasshesawhimpic uphervalisewithanairofproprietorship.Sheloo edatthechild,too asteptowardWalton--stopped,thencriedout,"No!No!Ican'tdoit!"
Waltonscowled,butcontrolledhimselfandsaid,"Youaretiredfromyourlongtripjustnow,I now.Itwon'tta elongtogetstartedfortheranchafterwearemarried."
Hebeamedonthechild,"Comealong,Sonny."
Theboyshran bac ,clungtothegirl,whoclutchedthethinlittlehandandloo edaboutherdesperately.Hereyessweptoverstrangefaces,rough-loo ingmen,then,li eananimalatbay,sherantothewaiting-roomwiththechild,andslammedthedoorviolently.Waltonstaredatthecloseddoor,thenatthevaliseinhishand.
Thelistenersoutsideheardhystericalsobs,andthesoothingvoiceofMrs.Green,theagent'swife.Walton,palewithrage,glaredatthegrinningfacesabouthim,drewhimselfup,enteredthewaiting-roomandclosedthedoorbehindhimwithabang.Themingledsoundsofagirl'ssobs,awoman'sangrytones,Walton'svoicein_çrescendo_notes,thenthedooropenedandhedashedout,scatteringthosewhoobstructedhiswildlywavingarms,andstoppingatthedoorofDunning'sshop.Itwasclosed.Anoticehungonthedoor."OUTOFTOWN."
Waltonhurriedtothebar-roomoftheWillcoxHotel.Hisfacewasaflame
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withrage;thehandherestedonthebarwassha ingasthoughwithpalsy.Theoccupantsoftheroomgrinnedathim.
"Themthelateststyleinwhis ers?"jo edthebartender,win ingatanotherman.
"Mindyourownaffairsandgivemeaglass,"orderedWalton.
Purposelymisunderstandinghim,thebar eeperheldoutaglassofliquorandsaid,"Youseemaleetlenervous,Walton."
Theglasswasstruc tothecounter.Waltonscreamedinmaniacalfury,"Aloo ing-glassiswhatIwant,youdoggoneidiot!Iwanttogazeonmy'seraphiccountenance'thatseemstoparalyzeeverybody.Loo li ethe'greenfieldsofVirginia,'doI?'Rentmeoutduringadrouth,'willthey?Where'saglass?"
"Keepcalm,Walton,here'sone;"thebartenderhandedoutasmallmirror.
SilentlyWaltongazedathairandbeardofvividemeraldgreen.Thevenomousglitterofhiseyeswasli ethatofanangryrattlesna e.Helaidtheglassdownandspo ewithavoicethatwasquiet,butdeadly.
"SomeoneputDunninguptothis,andI'llfindoutwhoitwas,beforeIgetthrough."Heflungoutoftheplaceandthemenintheroomglancedatoneanother.They newthatsomeday,somebodywouldpay.Waltonwasamanwhosedebtsofpersonalanimus,neveroutlawedbytime,weresuretobesettledinfullwithcompoundinterest.
CHAPTERNINE
"Theboysdon'tmeannoharm,butitjestseemstheycan'tcometotown
withoutthingshappenin'whentheymixin,"LimberhadsaidwhenhepartedfromPowell.
Thecowpuncherwenttothecorral,mountedhisponyandrodedowntherailroadtrac totheshippingpens.Thecattlewereingoodshape,gatesfastenedsecurely.Nomatterwhattheshort-comingsoftheboysoftheDiamondH,theyneverslightedanydetailofthewor ;butLimberfelttheresponsibilityofitall.
WhenPeanutwasproperlycaredfor,hismasterambledcarelesslyalongthestreetuntilhereachedtheswingingdoorsofthebar-roomoftheWillcoxHotel.
"Anyofmyoutfithere?"heas edthemanbehindthebar."IjestgotinfromHotSpringswithDoctorPowell."
Anumberofmenintheplacecalledtohim,otherscamenearerLimberandheldouthands,andhewasthecentreofasmallgroupwhenheutteredhisnextwords.
"TheApaches illedol'DoctorKinglastnightintheHotSpringsCañonbelowtheCircleCross.WejestbrunginhisbodyfortheCoroner."
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Exclamationsofsincereregretwerevoicedbyhishearers,foreachofthemcouldrecalllittleactsof indlinesstohimselfortosomeonehenew.Limberwaspliedwithquestions,andgavethemeagredetails,buthedidnotspea ofthenarrowescapeofMrs.Glendonandherchild.
Commentswereinterruptedasthedoorsswungbac oncemore.Bronco,HolyandRoarerstoodbunchedtogetherandsurveyedtheassemblagewithbroodingeyes.Then,theysawLimber.Theirsolemncountenanceslightened,andBroncograspedtheforeman'sarm,leadinghimtoatableattherearoftheroom,wheretheyallslumpedintochairs.Limberstudiedeachface.
"Well,whathaveyoudonethistime?"heas edinaresignedvoice.
"Say,Limber,we'reinahellofamess,"confessedBroncoabjectly.Theothertwopunchersconfirmedtheassertionbysilence."Wewaswaitin'foryoutogetusstraightenedout,someway."
Limbermadenocommentuntilthesituationhadbeenfullyexplained,buthiseyeswereanxiousandhislipsharbourednosmile.
"Itain'taquestionnowofhowwegotintoit,"hefinallysaid,assumingtheonusoftheepisodewiththeculprits,asamatterofcourse.
Theyhadsleptsidebysideintheirblan ets,bun houseandrange;hadsharedchuc andtobacco,stormsandfairweather,and,ifnecessary,eachwouldhaveusedhislastcartridgeindefenseoftheothers."ThewustofitwasthatweallpromisedtheBossnottostiruptroublethistime.It'sallrightaboutWalton;hedon'tcountinthisdeal,butit'sdamntoughonthewoman.Idon't nowwhattodoaboutit."
"Gosh!Limber,we'vegottofixitup--someway,"Bronco'stonesweredesperate."Ifwedon't,thewholebunchofwomeninthisyertownwillbeonthewar-pathafterourscalps,andtheDiamondHoutfitwillbehuntin'newranges.You inlic amanifhegitsfreshandsassy,butwhenapetticoatgoesontherampage,theonlythingafeller indois
cutandrun."
"It'sbecauseawomanismixedinitthatI'mbothered,"Limberwenton."Youboys nowtheBosswillstandforprettynearanythin',solong'stharain'twomeninit.He'sbeenprettyplainaboutthat,andit'stheonethinghe'llfirethewholebunchfor.It'stheworstmix-upweevergotinto."
Theforemanloo edatthefloor,andtheothermenloo edathim.LimbernewhemusteithertellthetruthandclearhimselfintheeyesofTraynor,orremainsilentandta etheblamewiththeothers;eventhoughthismightmeanlosinghisjobasforemanoftheDiamondH.HisadmirationforTraynorwasdeepandsincere.IthurttoloseTraynor's
faithinhim.
"We'resurealldownandout,"Holy'svoicewaslugubrious,andheletthecigarettehehadmade,fallunlightedonthetable.
"Ijestfeltthatifyouwereturnedlooseontherangetodaythatyouwouldstampede.Ididn'tfigureyou'dgetheresoquic withthecattle,and,thetroubleaboutKing eptmebac .IwishtI'dgotheresooner,so'storoundyouupbeforeanydamagewasdone.Whatstartedyou,anyway,Holy?"
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"Ithoughtitwasafa epicterWaltonshowedme,untilIseenthewomangetoff'nthetrain,"respondedHolyfeebly."Thar'saKid,too.'Boutfiveorsixyearsold.Kinderpea edandsic lyandscarey."
Along,lowwhistlewasLimber'sonlycommentonthisadditionalcomplication.
"Sheloo syoungtohaveaKidthatbig,"Broncoputin,"But,thenyoucan'tloo interawoman'smouthtotellherage,li eitwasahorse."
Limber'smeditationscoveredmanymoments,butneitherBronco,RoarernorHolyinterruptedhisthoughts.Atlastheloo edup,andtheyleanedacrossthetablehopefully.
"Thardon'tseemanythin'todoexceptin'as Mrs.Greentohelpusfigureitout,"washisdecision.
"Gee!That'sjustthemedicine!"agreedtherestwithalacrity,noddingateachotherinhappyapproval."You insurefixitupwithher,Limber,"wasHoly'sverdict.Limber'sgreyeyesweresombreashecontemplatedtherelievedfaces.
"Yep!"hesaidpositively,risingashespo e,"It'stheonlythingto
do.Comealong."Consternationeclipsedthesmiles;noneofthemgotupfromtheirchairs.Limberloo edatthem,thensaid,"Comealong."
Slowlythechairswerepushedbac withaloudraspingnoise;slowlythesombrerosweretransferredfromwoodenpegsabovethetabletotheheadsofthethreecowpunchers;slowlythespurredfeetmovedtowardthedoor,passeddragginglythroughit,andtrailedmee lybehindLimberuntilhereachedtheroomsabovethedepot,occupiedbytheAgentandhiswife.Limber noc ed.Thecowboys'heartswerethumpingmoreloudlythanLimber's nuc les,itseemedtothem.
Thedooropened,theydidnotloo up,butthefemininevoicethatbadethementer,soundedominous.Witheyesstilldowncast,andhatsinhands,theyfollowedLimber'sheels.Theysawnothingelseinthatroomexcepttherugsonthefloor.ThenLimber'svoicebro ethedeadlysilence.
"Theboyssaythey'vegotintomoretroubleontherange,Mrs.Green,"Limbersaidsoberly.
"Ishouldsaytheyhave,"sheretortedvehemently."Theyoughttobeashamedofthemselves,puttingawomaninsuchapositioninastrangeplace!Ma ingherthelaughingstoc ofthewholecountry!She'sbeencryinghereyesout,eversinceshegothere.And,youalmostfrightened
theboytodeathwithyouridiotideasoffun!Itta esabigbraintodothosethings!"shepausedbreathlesslytoloo atthemwithflashingeyes.
NotoneoftheDiamondHboyswouldhavehesitatedatanydanger,butnow,theironedesirewastoscurryignominiouslydownstairsandhitthehometrailwithoutdelay.Theycastlongingeyesatthedoorthatledtofreedomandsafety.Itwasclosed.Betweenthemanditstoodanangrywoman.
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"Wecametoyoubecauseweallarestampeded,Mrs.Green,"pleadedLimber,andthemen,hearingtheincriminatingpronoun,sworeallegiancetoLimberfortherestoftheirlives."Can'tyougetusheadedright,somehow?"
Mollified,sheanswered,"Whathadyouthoughtofdoing?"
Noonehadthoughtofanything,buttheywereallloathetoadmitit,soeachonecudgelledhisbrainsvigorously.
"Say,solongaswebusteduptheweddin',"gaspedBronco,"we'llchipinandrefundherfare--shipherbac inaboxcar--Imean--payherwaytowharshecomefrom.Won'twe,boys?"
"Sure!"wasthechorus.
Nowthattheicehadbeenbro en,thesituationwaslessstrained.
"Derned--hanged--!Oh,say,Mrs.Green!We'lldoanydamnedthingyousay,toputanendtothisyerdoggonemillin';"flounderedHoly,strugglingtobeintelligiblewithoutprofanity."Weneverfiggereditwouldbuffalonoonebutol'Walton,andtoHell--Oh,shuc s!Imeanhedon'tcountnoways!"
Holypausedandwipedhisperspiringfacewitharedcottonhand erchiefthatwasnotmorevividthanhisowncomplexion.Hisefforthadbeenheroic.Mrs.Greenrecognizedit,andhersmilerefusedtobesuppressedlonger.Adimplesnea edintoherchee .Theboysbreathedmorefreely.Dimplesdidn'tfrightenthemverybadly,unlessoneofthemwasalonewithit.
"Sitdown,"suggestedMrs.Green,"andlet'stal itovertogether.Maybewecanwor outthetrouble."Roarer,BroncoandHolydepositedthemselvescautiouslyonedgesofchairs,theirhugehandshangingpatheticallyhelplessbetweentheirleather-clad nees.Theirhatsdecoratedthefloorandtheywereconsciousoftousledheads.
"Youseeitallcamethroughthechildbeingdelicate.Lungtrouble,thedoctorsaid,andArizonatheonlyhope."
"Hesuredoesloo pea ed,"Broncohastenedtoagree.IfMrs.GreenhadsaidtheKingofEnglandwashidinginthe itchenpantryatthatmoment,Broncowouldhavebac edthatstatementwithhisverylife.
"Herfol sarealldead,"continuedtheAgent'swife,"andshehasbeensupportingthechild.Ittoo allthemoneyshehadsaved,togethere."
"That'stoughluc ,"commentedRoarerwithasquea ofemotion.Thenstartledatthesoundofhisownvoice,hesubsided.
"ShehasgottostayinArizonaonaccountofthechild'shealth,"Mrs.Greenexplained."Waltonansweredheradvertisementas ingforaplacewhereshecouldwor inreturnforboardforherselfandthechild.Nobodyelseansweredher.Thenheproposedmarriage,andsheagreed.Shesaystheboymeansmoretoherthanherownlife."
"Well,ifshewantstomarryWalton,"Limbervolunteered,"we'llropehimandgetherbrandonhimbeforeyoucanwin ,andyoutellhersoforus.But,Idon't nowbutwe'dbehandin'heraworsedealthanthefusttime."
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"Itoldherwhat indofamanhewas.Sheneverwantstoseehimagain."Mrs.Green'svoicewassharp,hopeseemedtodieinthebreastsofthefourmen.
"Well,"Roarer'stonesroseshrillyinhisexcitementandnervousness,"Doyouthin anyofus'ddoinplaceofol'Walton?Seemstobeuptooneofustoma egood.Ofcourse,Limberain'tinonthisdeal;buttherestofusis,ain'twe,boys?"
Wea lytherestassented.WithdeliberatecrueltyMrs.Greencriticallysurveyedeachcandidateformatrimonialhonours.Hereyesrovedslowlyfromtheirheadstotheirboots,whiletheirearsgrewred,feetshuffleduneasilyandmouthswerecompressedgrimly.Costwhatitmight,theboysoftheDiamondHweregoingtoseethetroublestraightenedout.Thecloc measuredtwominutes,butitseemedtwohourstothoseunderinspection.
"Idon'tbelievethatwouldbetheremedy,"sheconcluded.Themensighedwithunconcealedrelief,andeachregisteredavowtogetevenwithRoarerlateron.Ithadbeenacloseshave.Theagonywouldneverbeforgotten.
"Ithin shehadbetterstaywithmeuntilshefindswor ,"offeredthe
Agent'swife."Shecanhelpmeabouttheplace,andI'vegotsomesewingIwanttofinishup.Then,you now,IhavetohelpJac agoodbitdownintheoffice.Meantime,shecouldbeprospectingforaplacethatwouldsuither.Sheunderstandshouse- eeping,coo ingandhasbeenemployedinofficewor .Soitwon'tbelongbeforesomeonewillsnapherup,outhere."
Limbernoddedandsaidgratefully,"Wesurearemuchobligedtoyou,Mrs.Green,"thenhishandwasthrustintoahippoc et.HadMrs.Greenbeenaman,shemighthavebeenalarmedatthemovement,butthehandcameoutclutchingcrumpledgreenbac s."It'suptotheDiamondHoutfittoloo outforhertillshegetsonherfeetgoodandsquare,andwe'llsurebeproudtodoit."
Withhastyaw wardnessHoly,RoarerandBroncoaddedtothedonationLimberlaidonthetable,gladtherewassomethingatlastthatcouldbedone.
"I'msurewecangetthingsstraightenedoutbeforelong,someway,andI'lldoallIcantohelpherandyou,too;"promisedthewoman.
"I'lltal itoverwiththeBosswhenwegethome,"suggestedLimber.
Theothermenloo edathimquic ly,butaftertheysaid"good-bye"toMrs.Green,Limberpartedfromthem.Theysatsidebysideonawooden,bac lessbenchinfrontoftheWillcoxHotel,anddiscussedthe
situationwithitsnewangles.
"Limberain'ttoblame,andwe'regoin'tolettheBoss nowit,too--andthenwe'llta eourmedicineli elittlemen,"wasBronco'sultimatum,whichwasendorsedbyHolyandRoarer;buttheirheartswereheavyattheprospectofbeing"fired"bytheBossoftheDiamondH.Nootherranch,orBoss,orforemanwouldeverbethesametothem.
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CHAPTERTEN
Limberstartedtheboystotheranchatdawn,toma esuretheywouldbesafewhileheandDoctorPowellattendedtheinquestoverKing'sbody.
Holy,BroncoandRoarerreachedtheDiamondHwithoutadventure,andaftercaringfortheirponies,groupedintheofficeattheendofthecourt-yard,waitingTraynor'sadvent.
Onecomprehensiveglancetoldhimthatsomethinghadhappened."Trouble"waswrittenincapitallettersacrosseachface.TheBossseatedhimselfathisdes ,loo edupandsaid,"What'sthematter,boys?Beenfinedforshootingupthetownagain?"
"Gee!Iwishtitwasthat,"groanedBronco,ashedroppedastrideachairwithhisarmsdrapedoverthebac .
"Anyofyou illedanyone?"thevoicewasmoreseriousnow.
"Nope!It'sourfuneralthistime,"squea edRoarer'sfalsetto.
Traynortwistedaboutandloo edapprehensivelyatthemall."Great
guns!Youhaven'tallgoneandgottenmarried,haveyou?""It'sworser'nthat,"Holy'ssepulchralaccentsboomed,"Thisyerdamnfooloutfithasbeenan'bustedupaweddin'!That'sallwedonethistime!"
Theworstwasover.Themenrelaxedandwaitedtheeffectoftheirnews.
"Well,goahead.Telltherest,"orderedTraynorcurtly,with niteyebrows.
Interspersedwithinterruptions,interjectionsandgestures,thethreemanagedtoacquainttheBosswiththesituation.Whentheirstoryended,
hesaidverysternly,"Youboys nowthatIamalwaysreadytostandbyyou,butIgaveyouallfairwarningwhenIhiredyou,thatifyougotintoanytroubleormix-upwithawoman,itwouldmeanyourtime.Icertainlyneveranticipatedsuchascrapeasthis.I'mdisgustedwithyouall!"
"We nowedthatbeforeyousaidit,"Broncoagreedmee ly,"butwhatwewanttoma eplainis--wedon'twantLimbertogetanyblameforwhatwedone.Hewasn'tintownwhenwebustedloose.ButLimber'sliabletotellyoujestasifhewasrighttharhisself."
"Yousaythewomanisloo ingforranchwor ?"
"That'swhatMrs.Greentoldus,"wasBronco'sreply,reinforcedbynodsfromtheothertwomen."Saysshecancoo an' eephouseandsewan'wor inaorfice,an'Mrs.Greensaysshecanstaytharuntiltheyfindwor forher,somewhars."
Traynorsatloo ingthoughtfullyatthepaper- nifeheheldinhishand.Theeyesofthecowpunchersalsostaredatthepaper- nife,asthoughhopingitwouldsolvetheirproblem.The nifedroppedonthedes andTraynorloo edup.
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"I'llwritetoMrs.Greenandtellherthatifthewomanwantstobringherchildandcomeheretosupervisethehouse,Iwillpayherseventy-fivedollarsandboardherandtheboy.Fongis ic ingbecausehedoesn'tli ethehousewor ,andifIgetaMexicanwomantocome,there'sgottobesomeonetooverseeher.ThisistheonlydaylightIcanseeinthemuddleyouhavemadeofthings."
"Say,Mr.Traynor,"Broncoleanedoverthedes andspo eearnestly,"Youtellhertosaywe'rereadytolaydowninthecorralandletherputherirononuswithoutasqueal."
"An'we'reallhalter-bro e,gentleandtrainedtofeedfromthehand,"pipedRoareroverBronco'sshoulder.Holyjoinedthem."Ifshedon'tfindthingspanoutli eshewants'em,anytime,allshe'sgottodoischawtheragandcuss,an'youbetyoursweetlifethisyeroutfitwillseethatshegetsthingsherownway."
BroncoandRoarernoddedvehemently,andHolywaxedmoreeloquent."TellMrs.Greenifsheactsli eshe'sgoin'tobuc ,total herintotryin'usout.You now,we'reaHellofasightbetter'nweloo oract,Mr.Traynor.I'llpromisetoputhobblesonthedamncusswordstheminuteshegitshere."
"Allright,boys.I'lldowhatIcan,"promisedTraynor.Withhopeful
expressionstheytrailedthroughthedoor,buthaltedashecalled,"What'shername?"
"Mrs.----Mrs.----,"beganBroncoconfidently,thenashesawthesha ingheads,hefinished,"Dernedifwe now.Noneofuseverast.We'dma efinecowpasture!We'resofreshandgreen!"hisconfessionwoundupindisgust.
Leftalone,TraynorwrotebrieflytothewifeoftheStationAgentatWillcox.
_DearMrs.Green:_Iunderstandthattheladywhoiswithyouisloo ingforemploymentonaranch.Iwouldbegladtohaveher
assumechargeofthehouse- eepingattheDiamondH.
Therewillbenomeniallabour.AChinamandoesthecoo ingandwashing,andIwillemployaMexicanwomanforthehousewor .Alittleassistanceontheranchboo swouldbeofgreatvaluetome.
Iwillpayseventy-fivedollarsamonth,withroomandboardforherandthechild.
Ifsatisfactory,willyouwritemebynextstage,andIwillsenddownforherandherbaggage.
KindlystatethatIregretthepran softheboys,andhopeithas
notcausedanyseriousannoyancetoyouorher.Theywishtoma eamendsinanymannerpossible.Theircontritionissincere,andsoaremyapologies.
Verytrulyyours,
THEUNFORTUNATEBOSSOFTHEDIAMONDH.
Traynorsmiledashesignedtheletter, nowingthatMrs.Greenandherhusbandwouldappreciatethehumourofthesituationthatforcedthe
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BossoftheDiamondHtoemployawomanforthefirsttimeontheranch.Healsosighed,asherealizeditwouldmeanreadjustmentinmanyways.But,hewasresigned,andthemencouldnot ic atconditionsforwhichtheywereresponsible.Itwouldbearelief,though,tohavesomeoneelsearrangethelistofprovisionswhennecessary,planmenus,andordernewsheetsandtowelsasneeded.
Theletterwasdeliveredtothestage-driverMonday,andananswercouldbeexpectedonThursdaywhenthestagereturnedfromWillcox.SowhenLimberandPowellreachedtheranchthatevening,thedar cloudhadalovelysilveredgethatpromisedasimilarlining.
ThursdaymorningTraynorandDoctorPowellrodetotheCienegaRanch,fourmilesnorthoftheDiamondH.TheCienega,namedbecauseofthemarshformedbyundergroundwater,wasoneofthemanysmallerwateringplacesbelongingtotheDiamondH.Amanusuallystayedatthesepointstoseethatthepondsandtroughswere eptinshapeforcattletowater.TheideaofusinggasolineenginesinsteadoftheorthodoxPer inswindmills,wasaninnovationofTraynor's.
Limberandtheboyswerewor ingonthepasturefencesneartheranchhouse,whenthestagefromWillcoxpassed.Theyloo edatitspeculativelyfromtheothersideofthefield.
"Wonderifshe'swrotethatshe'llcome?"Bronco'saudiblequestionvoicedthethoughtsoftheothers;butonlythereturnoftheBosscouldanswerthatquery.
Atnoonthemendismountedinthestablejustasthebellthathungoutsidethedoorofthemen's itchenrangloudandlong.Notimewaslostinrespondingtothesummons.Itwasmusicintheirearsafteralongmorningintheinvigouratingair,augmentedbyhardwor .Fong'scoo ingwasfamousthroughoutSouthernArizona.Lunchover,theysatpeacefullysidebysideonthewoodenbenchagainstthewallofthestable,enjoyingtheinevitablewheatstrawandDurhamcigarette,asnecessaryasaponytoanyArizonapuncher.Fongappearedatthedoorofthemen's itchen,loo edacrossatthegroup,thenambledoverand
addressedtheforeman.
"Blossnoclomehomeforlunch,maybe.IclatcheelunchinBloss'sdining-loomorIclatcheelunchinchuc -houseforladyandlilybloy?"
Themenstarted.
"Whatlady?"demandedLimber,withdireforeboding.
"Ladyclomeonstage.Lilybloyclome,alleesamee.Gloinparlour."
"GoodLord!"ejaculatedBronco."Sheain'twrit,shecome!An'yer'stheBossandDoctorPowellgoneoffandleftusallalone!"
Fong'sgrinofcomprehensionwasirritating,andLimberordered,"FixlunchintheBoss'sdining-room,andfixagoodonewhileyou'reaboutit,too."
TheChinamanhurriedtoobey.HehadmadeascientificstudyofLimber'sfaceandvoice.Fongli edthewor attheDiamondH;healsoli ethegenerouswagesandnothavingtos impinanyway.
Limberturnedtotherest."Well,Iguessit'suptoustogoinand
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squarthingswithher,"heannounced."She'sbeensittingtharfortwohoursnow,an'nobodygonenearher.DarnthatChin ,anyway!Comealong,boys."
Anxioustoma eamendsfortheirmanysinsofcommissionandomission,theyclan edwithspurredheelsalongthecementwal ofthecourtandfollowedLimberintotheliving-roomoftheranch.Thentheystopped,bunchedinthedoorway.
Aslenderfigure,withripplingbrownhair,washuddledforlornlyinabigchair,asleep.Theflushedchee sboretracesofrecenttears.Hat,glovesandachild'scapwereinherlap,asuit-caseonthefloorbesidethechair,asthoughinreadinessfordeparture.Onthecouchwastheboy;buthiseyeswerewideopen.
Ashesawthefourcowpunchersinthedoorway,heshran bac timidlyandreachedouthisthinhand.Thegirlwo einstantly.Shedidnotseethemenuntil,astheyadvancedintotheroom,Holy'sfootcollidedwiththelegofachair,andhesuppressedanejaculation.ThegirlflushedwithembarrassmentasshefacedthefourcowpunchersoftheDiamondH.
Noneofthemspo e.Sherosetoherfeetandloo edfromonetotheother,uncertainwhomtoaddress,asshesaid,"Mrs.Greentoldmeofyourgenerousoffer.Ididnotwaittowrite,butcameuponthestage
thismorning;"hervoicewaslowandtremulous."Ithan youwithallmyheart.Itmeanssomuch--tome.I--willdo--myverybesttopleaseyouall,"herlastwordscamewitharush.
Noanswerwasmadebythefourominousfiguresconfrontingher.Anexpressionoffearcreptintotheblueeyesthatdimmedwithtears.Herhandswentoutinappeal.
"Please,please,don'tsaythatIwon'tsuityou.IamagreatdealstrongerthanIloo ,andI'mnotafraidofhardwor .Jamie,"herarmwentaboutthechildatherside,"won'tbotheranyone,"thepitifulcatchinhervoiceseemedtogripthethroatofeachman,andthewordstheywantedtoutterrefusedtoma easound.Thegirlreadthepityin
Limber'sgreyeyes,thentheforemansmiledatherandsaidinhisquiet, indlyvoice;"Tharain'tnoreasonforyoutoworry.Wewasjestscairtthatyouwouldn'twanttostay.That'sall.Wedidn't nowyouwasheretillFongtoldusjestnow.He'sfixin'lunchforyou.I'mjestLimber,theforeman."Heturnedandindicatedtheotherpuncherswhoweretryingtosmilenaturally,butma ingaterriblecontortionoffacialmuscles."ThisisBronco,andRoareran'Holy,andwe'retheDiamondHoutfit."
Aw wardlythemenadvancedandheldoutcallousedhands,butthegripwasapledgeoffealty,andthegirlloo edgratefullyintotheireyes.
ThenLimberhappenedtonoteTraynorstandingintheopendoorwaybac
ofthegirl,andreliefshownplainlyintheforeman'sfaceashesaid,"Thar'stheBoss,now."
Shewhirledsharply,li eatormentedcreatureatbay,sensinganewenemy.Traynor'sfacewasdrawnandwhitethroughitstan.Unmindfulofthemen,hishandsreachedout.Thegirlstaredincredulously.Thenthetensionwasbro enbytheirtwovoices:
"Nell!"
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"Allan!"
Thecowpunchers'jawsfellinastonishment,theireyespopped,thenwithoneaccordtheyfledprecipitately,jostlingeachotherthroughthedoorway.Limberwasthelastonetoleavetheroom.Helostnotime,buthesawthearmsoftheBossoftheDiamondHholdingasobbinggirl.WhenLimberreachedthestablestherewasonlyacloudofdusttoshowthattheboyswereanxioustofinishupveryimportantwor awayfromthevicinityoftheranchhouse.
Theydidnot nowoftheconsultationbetweenTraynorandLimberanhourlater,northatLimberhaddrivendowntoEure aSprings,eightmilesaway,andreturnedaccompaniedbyMrs.Burns,wifeoftheownerofthatranch.
Justbeforesuppertheforemanfoundthemeninthebun -house.Theyloo edupathimwithhopelessfaces,ashesurveyedthemandremar ed,"Well,yousuremixedthingsupgoodandplentythattime!"
"Oh,youdon'thavetertellusthat,"retortedBronco,despairingly."Weall noweditwithoutanyone'shelp!"
"Iwishtsomeone'dputmeinaluniticasylumfortherestofmylife,"wasHoly'sdisgustedannouncement.Hestaredatthewhitewashedwallof
thebun room,visioninghispossiblefuturedomicile."Wefiggeredwe'dgotitallfixedupfine,an'you nowitwas,Limber,tilltheBossbuttedin.How'dwe nowthathe nowedher,anyway?Well,nowthingsismillin'worser'never."Bronco'svoicewasalmostunrecognizableinitswoe."Say,Limber,areweallfired?"
Limberseatedhimself,too outhissac oftobaccoandpapers,rolledacigaretteandlightedit,withoutoneword.Hisfacewasserious.Sixmournfuleyeswatchedhim.Theyreadtheirfateinhissilence.Therewasnoappeal.Inacornerofthebun -roomthreerollsofblan etswerestac ed.Limberloo edatthem,butsaidnothing.Threehandswenttohippoc ets.Indeadsilencethreecigarettesweremadeandlighted.It
wasacowboywa e.Fiveminuteswentby.Theysmo edandsan moredeeplyingloom.
"Ofcourse,we ingetjobssomewhar,"Broncospo eatlast."Thatain'twhat'stroublin'me.Butit'showwewentandmadesuchamix-upfortheBoss,whenhe'salwaysbeensowhitetousall.Ican'tfiggerhowhe'sgoin'togetitstraightforhisself,now!"
Limberstudiedthecigaretteinhishand."Hesaidthar'sonlyonethingleftthatyouall indo,now."
"We nowedwewasfired,Limber,"Roarer'svoicewasahigherpitchthaneverbefore,"Youdon'thavetotellus.Tharwarn'tanythin'leftfor
himtodobutfirethewholebunchofus.Webinan'gotourwar-bagsallpac edupandready."
"But,we'redernedsorrywemadethismessforyouandhimandthelady,"Holywasnowonhisfeet,pic inguparollofblan etsfromthecorner.Heslungitoverhisshoulderandheldouthishandtotheforeman."Ithurtsli eHelltogo."
BroncoandRoarerwiththeirownrolls,linedbesideHoly.
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"TelltheBoss'solong'forus,"wasBronco'srequest."And,we'redamnedsorryforitall."
Limberloo edatthethreeoutstretchedhands,thethreedejectedfigureswiththerollsofblan etsacrosstheirshoulder,thensaid,"Hetoldmethattheonlywayyouboys insquarthingsisforthewholeoutfittomeethimtomorrownightatMrs.Green'splaceateighto'cloc ."
"Whatfur?"theythreeinquiredinstartledtones,astheirhandsfellwea lyattheirsides.
"Well,"drawledLimber,asatwin lelituphiseyesandhismouthtwitchedwithasmile,"Thar'sgoin'tobeaweddin'!TheBosssaysthattheonlythingleftforhimtodowithyouboys,istoletthelittleLadyrunthisyeroutfitand eepitstraight!Heownsupit'stoomuchofajobforhimtohandle!"
Threerollsofblan etsdroppedwithdullthudstothebarefloor.Threewildyellsbro ethequietair,thenwitharmsintertwinedabouteachother'sshoulders,theyformedacircleandindulgedinanApachewar-dance.AsmilethatwasalmostpaternalilluminatedLimber'sfaceashewatchedthem.
Whentheexuberancehadsubsidedabit,andtheyhadfinishedejaculatingandslappingeachotheronthebac ,BroncoturnedtoLimber.
"Say,Limber,thisisthewustmix-upofall!HerewegoandstampededtheheiferwhatWaltonfiggeredonropin'forhisself,andsheturnsanbustsintothehomecorralwiththeDiamondHbrandonher!Canyoubeatit?"
Nooneanswered.
Theclamourofthesupperbellbroughtthemtotheirfeetoncemore,andtheyhurriedtothechuc -house,tal ingasfastastheycould.All
tal edatonce;noonerepliedorlistened,butitwasahappybunchofcowpunchersthatslidalongthewoodenbenchatthesupper-tablethatnight.
Bac onthefloorofthebun -houselaythreerollsofblan etswaitingforthementostumbleovertheminthedar .
CHAPTERELEVEN
UnusualexcitementwasevidentintheWillcoxHotel,asthecowpunchersoftheDiamondHrushedinwithmysteriouspac ageswhichafterwardsdevelopedintoconventionalattire.Theyhadriddentotownearlyintheafternoon,Saturday,thedaytheweddingoftheBosswastota eplace.
Confusionreignedintheirsmallroom.Roarerdancedaround,strugglingtofastenacollar,hisfacebecomingapoplectic;whileHoly,withhisentirevocabularyandmuscularstrength,wascoaxinghisfeetintopatentleathershoesasizetoosmall.Whenhisfranticeffortsculminatedinabro enloop-strap,itlefthim,foronceinhislife,
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speechless.
Beforeabiliousmirror,Limberplasteredhishairdownrigidlywithastic ofbarber'scosmetique,recommendedbythebar-tender;andBroncostoodruefullycontemplatingfourenormouspairsofwhite idglovesreposinginalongrowonthebed.
"Idon'tbal attoggin'upswellfortheBoss'sweddin',"cameinagaspfromRoarerasheclutchedathisthroat,"butdernedifIseewhythefellerwhatinventedcollar-buttonsandbiledshirtswasn'tlynchedforhisfustoffense.Doggonethebeastlylittlecontraption,anyhow!"
Theothersregardedhimsympathetically,forthey,too,hadstruggled,asthenumeroustwisted,soiledcollarsabouttheroomtestified;eventhosenowdecoratingtheirbrownthroatsshowedmar sofdesperatefray.
"I'vespiledsevencollarsandbustedfivecollarbuttonsalready,"groanedRoarer,pausinginhisstruggle."Oh,Lord!Wheredidthatthinggo.Anyoneseeit?It'swusser'nafleathewayitlitout."
Theygraspedhismeaning.Eachhadrecentlybeenonavoyageofdiscoveryforothercollarbuttons.
"Mebbeit'sunderthebed,"suggestedHoly,tryingtobalancehimself
andwal inthetightshoes.Hepaused,standingli eagiganticstorononefoot."Minerolledunderthebed."
Roarerfelltohis neesandgropedwithoutavail,thencrawledoutonallfours,gazingupdisconsolatelyintothefacesoftheothermen."Notahairnorahideofit,"hepuffed,stillonhis nees."That'sthelastonewehad,andwhat'swust,tharain'tnomorecollar-buttonsinthewholeblamedtown.Everyone'sbeenbuyin''emthisafternoon."
"Well,itcouldn'tgetoutentheroom;"consoledLimber,whosetoiletwasfinishedbeforetheothers,becausehehadhadtheforesighttoenlisttheservicesofacler inSoto'sstore,andafterbuyingashirt,collarandtie,thetwohadretiredtoasmallbac room.Hence,
Limberhademergedvictoriousandunruffled,buthissympathieswerewiththeotherpunchers.
"Theysaycollar-buttonsta etoabureauifthebeddon'tsuit'em,"hesuggested."Supposeyoustartaround-uponthatrange,Roarer.I'dli etohelpyouout,butthiscollarchec smeuptoohigh."
Inspiredbytheidea,Roarerassumedhisdevotionalattitudeandclawedwildly.Somethinggaveway,andheemergedprecipitately.
"Igother,"hetriumphed,"butsomethingbusted--Whatwasit?"hesupplementedwithananxiousglanceoverhisshoulder.
Theotherssurroundedhim.
"Suspender,"reportedLimber."Button'sbustedoff'nyourtrousers."
"Muchdamage?"heinquiredoftheinvestigatingcommittee,whichcontinuedloo inghimover.
"Nothin'butwhatcanbefixedupwithapin,"wasBronco'sdecision."Anyonegotapin?"
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Theyshoo theirheads.Itwasapinlesscrowd,butabrilliantideastruc Holy,whodelvedintothepoc etsofhisdiscardedleatherchapsandproducedahorse-shoenail.Drawingapieceofthetrousercloththroughthebutton-holeofthesuspendedflap,hethrustthenailindexterously.
"Tharyouare,"hepronouncedcheerfully.
"Say,Holy,you'reawonder!"flatteredRoarerobsequiously.
Holygrinnedathimanddemanded,"Whatdoyouwantmetodofor_you_?"
Roarer'schildishaccentspleaded,"Can'tyouhelpmegetintothiscollar?It'stheonlyonewegotleftthat'sfittentoputon,anditain'tbigenoughforthisshirt,norme,neither,butI'vegottogetintoitsomehow."
Holyinspectedthedilemma."I'llgoseeifI infindsomething,"hesaidvaguelyashelefttheroom.Inafewminuteshereturned.
"Igotabutton-hoo off'nthechambermaid.Wecanfixitupnow!"
Surroundedbyanadmiringgroup,hegraspedthecollarbandofRoarer'sshirt,thrustthebutton-hoo throughthebutton-holeofthecollarand
gaveavigoroustwist.Anagonizedsqueal,li eadyingpig,assaultedtheairandRoarerretreatedrapidlywiththebutton-hoo hangingtothecollar,whileherubbedtheprominentboneinhisthroatthathadinterferedwiththeadjustment.
"Whatinthunderdoyouthin you'redoin'?"hepiped,glaringatHoly."Loo sli eyouwasfiggerin'toma ecideroutenmyAdam'sapple,thewayyousquoze."
"Well,IdonethebestI nowedhow,"defendedHoly."That'sthewaythingsgoes.Ipulledanol'BarZcowoutenthemud,andthefustthing
thedurnedcowdonewastoma eabee-lineformewhilstIhadmybactoheracinchin'mysaddle.ShespiledtheonlypairoftrousersIowned,andthenwentbac intothemudholeanddied.Thar'saheapofhumannatureincows,andheapsofcownatureinhumans!Here'sthebutton-hoo ."HolyrescueditfromthefloorwhereithaddroppedasRoarermassagedhisthroat."Youdigyourselfoutenyourownmud-hold.I'mdone!"
Helimpedpainfullyacrosstheroomanddroppedintoachair,thepictureofdisgust,andwatchedwithfishyeyeasRoarerpliedthebutton-hoo untilthecollarsuccumbed.
Theagonywasalmostover,butthefourpairsofglovespromisedfurther
trouble.
"Say,Bronc,"insinuatedRoarerashecontemplatedthebed,"Couldn'tafellergowithoutwearin'thesedernedthings?Supposewejustput'emintheoutsidepoc etsofourcoatsandletthefingershangout,toshowwegot'em?"
"No,sirree!"vetoedBroncoemphatically,intheself-assumedroleofsocialadviser."Thereain'tnothin'toogoodfortheBoss;andtheboysdowntothestoretoldmethatwhite idgloveshasgottobeworeat
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weddin's.Sothemgloveshasgottogoon,ifitbustsusflat!"
Withloo sofgrimdeterminationandthespiritthatinspiredthe'nobleSixHundred,'theyswoopeddownonthegloves.Appropriatingapair,eachmansettledhimselfonachair.Theroomwassilent.Momentspassedunheeded.Fourstrugglingcowpuncherssatinfourcrea ingchairsandlaboureduntilfourpairsofhugehandswereencasedinbedraggledwhiteidgloves,whichtheownerssurveyedwithtriumph.
"Theysquinch,"announcedHoly,closinghishandconvulsively,"butthey'llstretchifyouwor 'emabit."
Therewasanominoussound,andaloo ofconsternationonHoly'sfaceashegazedatthesplitgloveonhislefthand.
"Now,you'llhavetogetanotherpair,"commandedBronco.
"HangedifIwill,"retortedHoly,rebellingattheprospectofrepeatinghisexperience.
"Thenyougottorememberto eepyourhandshetup,"compromisedBronco."Luc yit'sthelefthand,becauseweallgottosha ehandswiththebrideandtheministeryou now."
"Say,Bronc,areyousureabouttheminister?"as edLimberdubiously."Youbet!Youseeit'sthisway,"elucidatedBronco."Thegroomisinluc togetthegirl,ain'the?Soyousha ehandswithhim.Thegirl'sluc ytogetmarried,ain'tshe,steadofdyin'anoldmaid?Soyousha ehandswithher;andtheministeristheluc iestoneofthebunch,becausehegetspaidformarryin'themandhedon'tta enochancesonhavin'troubleafterwards.That'swhyyouhavetosha ehandswiththeminister."
Noonedisputedthelogic.
"Peoplema esmethin offliesincoldweatherwhenitcomestogettin'
married,"reflectedLimberaudibly."Thefliesthat'soutsidethewindoweeptryin'togetin,andthemthat'sinside eepwor in'forallthey'rewuthtogetout.Loo sli ethey'rejustboundtobemiserableeitherway."
"I nowedafellerdowninTexashadtwodogsnamedDavidandJonathan,"saidBronco."Whereveryouseenonedogtheotherwasrightalongsideofhim,li ehisshadder.Youjestcouldn't eep'emapart.Onedaysomesmartgeezerseen'emsleepin'peacefulan'ca'm,sidebyeach,andtiedoneofDavid'shindlegstooneofJonathan's,andwhenthemdogswo euptheyblamedeachother,andfromcussin'somethingawfulindoglingo,theylitinandchawedhairandhidetilltheywaspriedapart.Eversincethentheminutetheyseeeachother,it'sjustasignalfor
themtostartafree-for-alltoafinish.Thewaythemtwodogshassouredoneachotherisacaution."
"What'sthatgottodowithgettin'married?"demandedHolywithasnort.
Broncogazedathimafewsecondsbeforeheanswered,"Wellthere'slotsoffol sthatwouldbegoodfriendsalltheirlivesiftheydidn'thuntupaministertomarry'emandgive'emtherighttoscraptilltheydie.WhenDavidandJonathangottooserious,somebodygotaclub.But
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ifyoufindamanandhiswifescrappin'andyoutrytoca'mthem,theybothturnandpitchintoyouformeddlin'withtheirfamilypleasures."
Limbertoo outhiswatchandannounceditwastimetostart,andBronco,afterafinalsurveyofhischarges,ledtheprocessionfromthechamberoftorture.Theycrossedthestreet,holdingtheirhandsstifflyattheirsides,whileeachglovedfingerstoodoutseparately,li eanindividualDeclarationofIndependence.
AstheyascendedthestairsleadingtoMrs.Green'srooms,Broncowhisperedhislastinstructions,"Don'tforgettosha ehandswiththewholeoutfit;andyoubecarefulHoly,to eepyourlefthandshet."
Holy,leadingtheprocession,haltedsuddenlyandcalledbac toBronco,"Ithoughtyousaidwewasonlytosha ehandswiththeBossandtheLittleLadyandthegospel-shar ,"butasthedooropenedinfrontofthem,Broncomadenoreply.
Theroomwasfilledwithguests,andafterthefirstwaveofbashfulnesshadreceded,theDiamondHboysbunchedtogetherli eaherdofscaredcattle.DoctorPowellcrossedtheroomandjoinedthem,thenMrs.GreenenteredwithJamie,thelittlebrotherofthebride.Powellsmiledandthechildshylyedgedcloser,untilhewasliftedtothedoctor's nee.Therewasaslightconfusion.Traynorsteppedtoaspaceinfrontofthe
minister,andthedoctor,rising,consignedthechildtoLimber,thenadvancedtohisplacebesideTraynor.
ThecowboysoftheDiamondHfidgetednervously,andwonderedattheBoss'scalmappearance,notingwithproprietarypridehowhandsomeheloo edandhowhighheheldhishead.Therewasatendersmileonhislipsandhiseyeswerefixedonthedoorleadingtothehallway.
BroncoleanedclosertoHoly,whispering,"Ibethedon'teven nowhe'sgotacollaron.Ain'tsomemenluc y?"
"Shetup,"boomedHoly'svoicetreacherously,andmanyheadsturnedtowardthem,whileHolytriedtoeffacehimselfbehindRoarerand
Bronco.
ThedoorleadingtothehallopenedandJac GreencameinwithNellonhisarm.Thewomen'seyesbecamemoistastheyloo edatthegirl,andthemensilentlyvotedAllanTraynoraluc ychap.Mrs.Greenhaddressedthegirlinaprettywhitegown,andtherealweddingveilthatfloatedabouttheslenderformwastheonethathadbeenworntenyearspreviousbytheagent's ind-heartedwife.
Outside,amoc ingbirdsanginthewonderfulArizonamoonlight,asthoughitunderstoodandsentitsbenisonoflovewhilethesolemnwordswerespo en.Traynorstoopedand issedthegirl,whoseeyesloo edintohiswithadazzlinglightthatshonethroughtears,li ethesun
brea ingthroughamist.
"TillDeathusdopart,"herepeatedunsteadily.
ThenJamiewasbesidethem,holdinguphisthinarmstohissister,whoissedhimtenderly.TheboyturneduncertainlytoTraynor,loo edupathim,andlaughedgaylyashewascaughtbytheman'sstronghandsandheldupasecond,whileTraynorsaid,"You'vegotagrown-upbrother,now,oldman."
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Beaming,JamieslippedhishandintoNell'sandstoodbesidethemastheguestsshoweredcongratulationsonthecouple.
BroncomarshalledtheDiamondHboysinlineandTraynorsuppressedhisinclinationtolaughattheunaccustomedregaliaofstoreclothes,'biledshirts'andwhite idgloves,whenthemenheldouttheirhandstothebrideandgroom.
Holy,recallingBronco'sfinalinstructionsonthestairway,forgotthedamagedgloveinhisexuberance,andshoo handsvigorouslywitheveryonehecouldreach.Thenwiththeconsciousnessofdutynoblydone,hesoughtacornerandmoppedhismoistforeheadwithaLilliputiansheetthatheconsideredahand erchief.Broncoedgeduptohim,andasuddenlightgleamedinHoly'seyes.
"Say,Bronc,whatthedevildidyou eep ic in'mean'trompin'onmyfeetfor?"hedemandedindignantly."Youactedli eacayusewiththestringhalt."
"Stringhalt!"gruntedBronco,"Ifyou'dhadanyhosssensewhatsoever,you'd nowedIwasdoin'mydurndesttogetyoutoshetthatbigfistofyour'n."
Holyloo eddownatthetatteredglovethatdangledindingystrings
fromtheoffendinghand,thenhepulleditoffinsections."IhopesomeonewillshootthetopofmyheadoffifIeverwearthemdamnedthingsagain.Notonyourlife--eveniftheBosswastogetmarriedeverydayintheyearfortherestofhislife!"
Hejer edofftheotherglove,waddedthemtogetherinacompactball,anddeftlytosseditouttheopenwindow.
TheweddingpartyadjournedtoafeastspreadinthediningroomoftheWillcoxHotel,wheretoastsweregivenandmerrimentcontinuedunabatedtillthewest-bound'Flyer'stoppedatthesignal,andTraynorandhisbrideleftforacoupleofwee sinCalifornia,leavingJamiewithMrs.Green.
Powellboardedthetrainatthesametime,ashehadtogotoTucsononbusinessconnectedwithhisintentiontobidfortheHotSpringsRanch.
Bonfireshadbeenlightednearthetrac ,andtheboysfiredasalutetotheBossandhisbride.Thecolouredporterdartedbac totheplatformofthetrain,andloo edatthemenwithwildeyes.
"Youain'tgotnocalltobescairt,"reassuredBronco,"We'rejestseein'abridalcoupleoff,that'sall."
Thenthewhitesoftheporter'seyesdisappearedentirely,andintheblac faceshonearowofgleamingteeth.
Thetail-lightofthetraindisappearedinthedistance,thebonfiresdiedaway,andtheboysoftheDiamondH.feelingtheyhaddonethingsup'goodandproper,'soughttheirbedsinthehotel.
"Gosh!I'mgladtheBossain'taMormon!"sighedBronco,ashedroppedtosleep.Theonlyresponsetohisremar wasachorusofsnoresinwhichhesoonjoined.
Outinthedustyroadwasatinyballthathadoncebeenapairofwhite
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idgloves.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Thewee lystagefromWillcoxtoAravaipaCañon,whichstoppedattheranchonMondays,broughtalettertoLimberfromAllanTraynor,instructingtheforemantomeethimselfandhiswifeupontheirarrivalfromCaliforniaonThursday.TherewasalsoanotefromDoctorPowell,whowasstillinTucson,sayingthathewouldreturntotheranchonWednesday.
ThemenhadjusteatenlunchandweregroupedaboutthestableswhenLimberimpartedthenewstothem,adding,"TheBosssaystoslic upthebigroomonthefrontporch,andwe'vegottohustletogetitdoneintime.They'llbehereinthreedays."
"Say,Limber,"interruptedBronco,whowasusuallytherulingspirit,"Don'tyouthin we'doughtergetaweddin'presentfor'em?"
"Isuredo!"endorsedLimber,"But,what inweget?Ifwe'dhadany
senseamonguswe'dofsentofflongagoforsomethin'proper.Mrs.Greenwouldof nowed,butit'stoolatenow."
"Let'schipinandgetsomebigNavajoblan etsli eMrs.Green's,"suggestedHoly."Loo edaheapprettier'ncarpetsonherfloor."
"Gee!Holy,youdogetanideeonctinawhile,"jeeredBronco,whosechiefdelightinlifewastoteaseHoly,and,li etouristswhothrowstonesintothecraterofavolcano,standbyinadmirationoftheeruptionthatfollowed.
"Now,seehere,"admonishedLimber,"don'tyouandHolygettomillin'.Tharain'tnotimeforit."
HolyglaredatBronco,whogrinnedbac athimandmurmured,"Fustblood."
Limberrevertedtotheletter."ItsaysthatMrs.Traynorwillhavethelittleroomoff'nthebigroomforher'n,andwe'dbetterwhitewashit."
Hebro eoffandloo edattheothers,ashesaid,"Havewegotawhitewashbrushthatisfittentouse?"
"Whitewashyourgrandmother!"retortedBroncocontemptuously."We'doughterpaperit.Iseensomedandypaperwithpin rosesstampedingalloveritattheHeadquarterStore.WhitewashisallO.K.forcowpunchers
andbroncobusters,butgirlsli espaperand--and--themsorterthings,"heconcludedhastily.
"Wedon't nowhowtodoit,"objectedLimber,"andtharain'tnopaperhangerinWillcox."
"Shuc s!Tain'tnotric noway,"respondedBroncoairily."I'llshowyou.Allyougotterdoisgetthepaperan'dowhatItellyou."
Impressedbyhisconvincingairthequartetteengagedinma ingalist
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ofthethingsBroncoconsiderednecessary,theprincipalitemsbeingthepaperwithpin rosesandthreeof'thebiggest,highestpricedandreddestNavajoblan etsintown.'
AfterwatchingBroncostartonhismission,Limberandtheotherssaddledtheirponiesforthedailyroutinewor ontherange,astheynewthatBroncocouldnotgethomebeforelatethatnight.
ItwasnearlymidnightwhenBroncorodeintothestables,buttheentirebunchofmenmethimwithavolleyofquestionsashedismountedfromhispony.Burstingwithimportance,heunrolledtheNavajoblan etswhichhadbeentiedtothebac ofhissaddle;whilethepaper,carefullypac edingunny-sac s,wasswungacrossthefronthorn.
Themengraspedthepurchasesandcarriedthemtothebun housewheretheyopenedthesac seagerly.Theblan etshadbeenfullyendorsedandadmired;butwhenBronco,imitatingthestore eeper,unrolledasampleofthepaperandhelditupwithaflourish,nowordswerelefttoexpresstheirdelight.
"Now,we'llgetupearlytomorrowso'stotac lethejobandgetitover,"saidLimber,aftertheyhaddisposedofthepac agesintheroomtheycontemplatedpapering.Filledwithjoyfulanticipationstheytumbledintotheirbun s.
Broncowasthefirsttowa en,andherousedtheothersbeforedaylight,despitetheirprotests.
Roarersatupandblin edstupidlyatthelampwhichBroncowaslighting.
"Iain'thadnosleepthatwasanygood,"hequaveredinhisthinvoice."Iwaschasin'pin rosesallnight--theyhadhornsandtailsandfourlegs,jestli ecows,andIwastryin'torope'em.I'mplumbplayedout."
Histaleofwoewasunheardbytheothersastheyhurriedlyadjusted
clothesandtumbledoutofthebun housetotheranch itchenforbrea fast.Fong,thecoo ,wasinnoamiablemoodbecausehehadtoservebrea fastanhourearlierthanusual;butwhenhelearnedthattheyexpectedtota epossessionofhis itchenandsundryutensils,hiswrathwasexpressedinawordybattlein'pidginEnglish.Heonlysuccumbedtosuperiornumberswhenheretreatedtothebac porch.Hismutteringscouldbehearddistinctlybythoseinthe itchen,andBroncococ edhisheadononesideandlistenedattentivelytotheangrycoo .
"Say,Holy,Idon'tsavvywhatthatyearChin issayin',butitsoundsaheapworse'nanythingIeverheerdyousay.He'sgotyoubeattoafrazzle.Whydon'tyoulearnChinee?Thenwhenyourstoc ofcusswordsgetsstaleyoucanstartonanewlot."
Holy'sretortwascutshortbyLimber,whopausedinrollingacigaretteandobserved,"You'recaptainofthisround-up,Bronco.Howdoyoustarther?"
TheyallgatheredaboutBroncoasheexplainedtheprocessunhesitatingly.Hedidnotdivulgethathehadas edinformationatthestore,regardingthepreparationofpaper,ma ingpasteandothernecessarydetailsofpaperhanging.Ithadseemedsosimplethathewassurehecouldremembereverything.
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"Well,fustyoucuttheedgesoff'nthepaper,thenyouma eabiscuitdoughandthinheroutandstic thepaperup,andtharyouare!Easyasrollin'off'nalog!"
"That'sallrightsolongasthelogain'tpintedintoamudholewharthar'sabuc s incow,"murmuredHoly,withasideglanceatBronco.Theinnuendowasloftilyignored,andHolytriedothertactics.
"Whar'didyoulearntopaper,anyhow?"hedemandedsuspiciously."Youneverletonyou nowedhowuntillastnight."
"Thin I'mHasayampering?"Broncoansweredindignantly."IseedthempaperaroomdowntoEure aSpringsthreeyearsago.Ihelpedthemdoit."Hereservedtheelucidationthathehadhelpedcarryinagalvanizedtub,nothingmore."Mebbeyoudon'tbelieveme,butifanyofyoufellersthin she nowsmore'nIdoaboutit,I'mwillin'tolaybac inharnessandlethimta ethelead,andyourstrulywon'tdonoic in'overthetraces,neither."
Asnoonewasdisposedtodisputehisauthority,hecontinuedinamollifiedvoice:
"Roarer,yougogetalltheflouryou infindandbringithere."
Roarerloo eddubiouslytowardthebac porchandscratchedhishead,thenhetiptoedtothedoor,peepedthroughit,anddiscoveringFonghaddesertedtheplace,startedonhissearch,whileBroncoissuedhiscommandstotheothers.
"Limber,you inchasethatnewwhitewashbrushIleftinthebun house,andHolycantrimtheedgesoff'nthepaper.Thenyou inallhelpmixthepastewhenIgetready."
"Doesanybody nowwhartheshearsis?"queriedHoly, nowingfromexperiencethataneedleinahaystac couldbelocatedtwentytimesbeforetheonepairofshearsontheranchwasgenerallyfoundbythe
searcher."Bronc,youhadthemscissorsthreewee sagocuttin'Limber'shair.Iseedyou.Whararethey?"
Broncoloo ednonplussed,thenasserted,"Roarertoo 'emawayfromusbeforethejobwasdone,andthenhedisrememberedwharhe'dput'em.LimberhadtogototownwithonesidehishaircutandDunningfinishedupthejob."
Limberappearedwiththewhitewashbrush,andathisheelscameRoarerdraggingtwosac sofflour.
"ThisisallI infind,"saidRoarer."Rec onitwillbeenough?"
Broncowasnon-committal,"I'lluseitupandseehowfurit'llgo."
"Say,Roarer,yougottofindthescissors.Youwasthelastonethathad'em.Wherearethey?"calledHolyaccusingly.
Roarerstaredblan ly,thenwhirledoutthedoor.HolysatswearinguntilRoarerre-appearedandexhibitedthelostshears,explaining,"Ijusthappenedtothin thatIcouldn'tfindthewire-nippersthatdaywhenyouwascuttin'Limber'shair,andthatwaswhyIgot'emfromyou.Ileft'emintheblac smithshop,butIdisrememberedittillyouspo e
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about'em.Theymaycutpaper,buttheyain'tnogoodforcuttin'wire."
HehandedthebadlydamagedshearstoHolywhoseatedhimselfonthefloor.Selectingarollofpaperfromthepilebeforehim,Holyopenedandcontemplateditinperplexity,finallyappealingtoBronco:
"Say,Bronc,there'stwowhiteedges.ShallItrim'emboth?"
Broncostoodgazingdownatthepaper."DurnedifI now,"heconfessed."Buttharain'tnouseshir in'thejobsincewetac ledit.Pitchin,Holy.Let'ergo,andcut'embothoff,"hedirectedrec lesslybeforehewasattractedbythestrugglesofRoarerandLimber,whodraggedinagalvanizedtub.
BehindthemcameFong,protestingwildly,"Noclatcheemoreflouler.Noma eebiscuitstomollow."
"Well,giveuscrac ers,"commandedBronco."Thisyearroomhasgottobepaperedtoday.Gochaseyourself,Fong."
TheChinamandisappearedjabberingandsha inghishead,butnoonepaidattentiontoFong'sworries.Eachwasimmersedinhisowntroubles.
Holystruggledheroicallywithspiralsofpaper,andvolcanicoutbursts
ofhispetexpressionsfloatedfromhispartoftheroomasheendeavouredtoextricatehimselffromtheenvelopingcoils.Broncohoveredoverthetub,directingLimberandRoarer,whodumpedasac andahalfofflourintoit.
"Yougotterputsaltin,next,"saidBronco,andthetwocowpunchersdartedtoacupboardwhereeachcapturedasmallbagofsalt.
"Whatnext?"theydemanded,becomingimbuedwithenthusiasmasthesaltmingledwiththetubofflour.
"And--er--and--"flounderedBroncohopelessly."There'ssomethingelse.Whatthedevilisit?"heimploredtheothers.
"Water,"promptedHolyfromhiscorner,hisheadandarmsprotrudingfromthepaperma inghimresembleahugeturtle."I nowedyou'dforgetthat."
Bronco'sirefoundventinafewwordsborrowedfromHoly'svocabulary,andLimber,mountedonabox,turnedfrominspectingthecupboardtosay:"Ifwe'regoin'topaperthisroom,youtwoquitscrapin'andgetdowntobusiness.Ifyouain't,jestsayso,andI'llsetManueltowhitewashin'it."
Histhreathadthedesiredeffect.BroncoappealedtoLimber,"Larrytoldmetomixitli ebiscuitdoughandthinitoutwithwater.There
wassomethin'elsebutI'veplumbforgotit,Limber."
"Well,trylard,then,"suggestedLimber,po inghisheadbac inthecupboardandscanningthecontentshopingtofindthemissingarticle,eventhoughitwerenecessarytoaddeverythingontheshelves."Howaboutsomeniggerfootmolasses?"
"Lard'sallright,"repliedBronco,"butniggerfootdon'tgoinbiscuits."
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"Well,itgoesontopof'emprettyslic ,andit'sgoodandstic y,soitoughterbeagoodthingtoputin,"persistedLimber,holdingoutthecan."MebbeLarryforgottotellyoutouseit."
"Jestaleetlebit,"concededBronco,wishingheartilythatLimberwouldinsistuponwhitewashingtheroom;butnotbraveenoughtosuggestithimself.Ithadta enhimtwoyearstolivedowntheepisodeofthebuc s incow,andhe newthatHolyandRoarerwouldma elifeaburdenifheconfessedhisinabilitytofinishthewor hehadsorec lesslyunderta en.
Hewatchedtheblac molassestric leintothecontentsofthetubuntilthelastdrophadfallen.Limberascendedtheboxagain.
"Thar'sanothercanofniggerfoot.Don'tbestingywithitBronc,"admonishedLimber.
Broncohadnotthecouragetonegativeanysuggestion,buthegropedmentally,"Itwasashortword,"hetoldLimberwithafaintgleamofhope.
"Dam!"explodedHoly."Jestloo atthisdod-ratted,twistin'paper,willyou?Tal aboutyourHopisna e-dancers,theyain'tinitwithme!WhereamIat?"hedemandedfromalabyrinthofpapercoils.
Broncowasgladofthechancetoassume nowledgethathedidnotpossess,muchasasmallboybolstersuphisebbingcourageinadarlanebywhistlingloudly.
"Itoldyoutocuttheedgesstraight,"heannouncedoracularly,"andtheseyearloo li eacross-eyedmaveric hadbeenusin'acircularsawtocutwall-paperforamerry-go-round.Whythatpaperwouldgiveaministerajagtoloo atit!"
"Ifoneofyoufellerswouldhog-tiethatendwhilstIgetadiamond-hitchonthis'n,Imoughthavesomeshow,"defendedHolyfeebly.
RoarerwenttotherescueandgrippedoneendofarollwhileHolyconscientiouslyproceededtomutilatetheedgesandsucceededinma ingthescallopsatriflesmaller.LimberandBroncoresumedtheirconsultation.
"Ibetitwasyeast,"jubilatedLimber."Weallforgotaboutthat,andit'sashortword,sureenough."
"Iguessyou'reright,"Broncoagreedwithdesperatehaste,andwithoutdelayhedumpedalargecanofba ingpowderintothetub."Now,allwegottodoisthinheroutandthenshe'sreadytostartwor ."
Limberhelpedhimcarrythetubintothefrontroom,escortedbyRoarer
andHoly,whotrailedyardsofpaperwhichhadescapedfromtheirencirclingarms.
"Weneedaboardandtwosaw-horsestostandon,"saidBroncocheerfully,believingtheworstofthetroublewasover."Holy,youandRoarerpastethepaperwiththewhitewashbrush,whilstLimberhelpsmestic'erup.Wegottohavesystemifwewanttogetanythingdoneright."
Thefirststripwasdulyprepared,andtheyvieweditwithfeelingsa in
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totheemotionsofColumbusandhiscrewwhentheysightedland.Broncoclimbedontheplan thatrestedonthesaw-horses.AshereacheddownforthewetstripwhichLimberhelduptohim,theboardtippedsuddenly.Broncoslid,clawingwildlyatspaceuntilheenvelopedLimberinapastyembrace.TheimpactcausedthembothtofallacrossHolyandRoarerwhowereengagedinspreadingpasteonanotherstrip.ThelatterprovednoobstacleinthemadcareerofLimberandBronco,whichendedignominiouslyinaseaofpastefromtheoverturnedtub.
Whentheconfusionhadsubsidedsufficiently,themensurveyedthewrecwithvoicelessdisgust,untilHolyspo esarcastically.
"Isupposeyou'llsaythisbelongsinthedeal,Bronc.What'snext?Yousureseemtobethemovin'spirit.But,onethingI'mstac in'mychipson,isthatI'll nowbetterthenexttimeIstarttopaperaroomandwon'tdoit."
"Youcanquitifyouwantto.Iain'tnoquitter.Thar'shalfasac offlourleft,"Broncochallengedoverhisshoulderashestartedforthedoortothebac porchwherehehaddepositedthesurplusflour.Thehalf-sac offlourhaddisappeared.
"IbetthatChin gotit,"assertedBroncowrathfully,buttherewasnosignofFonginanswertotheircalls.ThenLimberpointedtoacouple
ofburrosthatweredemolishingthelastshredsofafloursac ."Thatsettlesit,"gruntedBronco,blissfullyignorantthatwhiletheyhadbeenoccupied,Fonghadslippedslylythroughthescreendooroftheporch,clutchedthehalfsac offlour,retreatedsuccessfullyandafterdumpingthecontentsofthesac intoanothersac ,whichhadbeenwashed,theChinamanwithaleeroftriumph,tossedtheoriginalsac totheburros.Then,complacentlyhebeganmixingthedoughforthenextday'sba ing;butatintervalshepeeredatthefastvanishingfloursac ,andsawthathisrusewassuccessfulwhenthecowboysdiscoveredthetwoburros.
"Gosh,allwegottoshowisanicemessthat'sgottobecleanedup,
andabilldowntotheHeadquartersforpaperwithpin roses.Ain'titashame?Justwhenwewasgettingalongsofine,too."Bronco'stoneswerelugubrious,andtheyallloo edregretfullyatthecoilsofpaperthatcumberedtheroom.Li emournersatafuneraltheygatheredaroundthecoils.Thepin rosesgrewmorealluring.Broncoliftedonestripandhelditagainstthewall.
"Whitewashma esmesic ,"heaffirmed.
"SupposeIgoovertoEure aandas Mrs.Burnstolendusenoughflourtofinishupthejob?"Limbermadethesuggestionandtheideawasacceptedenthusiastically.
Whilehewasgonetheothersscrapedupthepasteandcollectedthescatteredrollsofpaper,thenwenttothebun houseandwaitedLimber'sreturn,unawarethatalmosthalfasac offlourreposedinacornerofFong'stintrun ,whileabatchofbreadwasrisingbeautifullyinthedishpanhiddenbeneathFong'sbed.Hadanyoftheboyssuspicionedthetruefactstherewouldhavebeenabadly-frightenedChinamaninArizona.
WhenLimberreturnedhewasaccompaniedbyMrs.Burnsinherbuggy,whilePeanut,Limber'spony,trottedatthebac oftherig,hitchedtotheaxle.
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"Youboyshavecertainlyrunintoabunchoftrouble,"shelaughedasshenimblyclimbedfromtherig."ItoldLimberthatImightbeabletohelpyou,forI'vedoneallmyownpapering,you now."
Limberextricatedasac thatheldflour,andjoinedtheprocessiontotheroomtheywerenowsurewouldbedecoratedwithpin roses.
Mrs.Burnsloo edattheremnantofpasteinthetubbeforesheas ed,"Whatonearthdidyouuse?"
"Everythingwecouldfind,"confessedBroncohumbly."Wedidleaveouteggs,sugarandpepper."
"Allyouneedisflour,hotwaterandalittlethingluewater,"shelaughed.
"Glue!"theyechoed.
"ItoldyouLarrysaiditwasashortword,"triumphedBronco."Whydidn'tsomeofyoumuttonheadsthin ofglue?"
"Yousaidhetoldyoutoma eathinbiscuitdough,antharain'tnoglueinthat,"retortedHoly,butfurtherargumentwasavoidedasMrs.
Burnsbeganissuingbusiness-li eorders.Bythetimethesunwassettingthepaperedroomwaspronouncedathoroughsuccess,andMrs.Burnsmadeherwaytothestablesfollowedbyfourcowboyswhosehairandclothesspatteredwithdrypaste,testifiedtoanhonestday'slabour.
Mrs.Burnssurveyedthemasshepic edupthereins,readytostarthome,whileLimbermountedPeanuttoaccompanyher.ItwaseightmilestoEure aSprings.
"I'veheardoflostprospectorseatingtheirboots,"shesaid,"butifyouboysateyourclothes,youwouldneedanti-fat.TelltheBossIwill
beoversoontocallonthebride.Adios!"andwithaflourishofthewhipshedroveaway,followedbythegratitudeofthepaste-daubed,tiredgroup.
Itrequirednumeroustripstothe itchenforbuc etsofhotwaterbeforetheboysremovedthegreaterpartoftheconcoctionthatclungtenaciouslytofaces,handsandhair;thenbeganamorevigorousattacontheirbootsandclothes.
"It'sdurnedluc ythatBroncdisrememberedabouttheglue,"congratulatedRoarer."We'danevergotthatoff."
Broncoslumpedintoaric etychair,tippingitagainstthewalltoease
itswea estleg,"Itta esawomantoroundupastampedeli eour'nandgetthebunchheadedrightwhenitgetstomillin'.I'mdernedgladtheBossismarried,forthisoutfitneedsfemalepurtection."
"Ineverwor edsohardinmylife,"sighedHoly,floppingonhisbun .
Broncogrinnedacrosstheroom."Ain'tyouforgotthetimeyouwrotealettertoBillJohnson'ssister?Yousurewor edthattime--Setaroundthebun housetilldaylighttearin'uppaper."
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"Well,sheas edallofustowriteher,"snappedHoly,"butnoneofyoufellershadthenervetodoit,andwhenyoubetIcouldn't,Icalledyourbluffandwonout,didn'tI?"
"Yousuredid,"agreedtheothers,recallingthehistoricmissivewhichhadbeenreadaloudanddulyadmiredbeforeitwasmailed.
_DereMissJohnson_
asIhavnorthinmutchtodoIwilriteyouafewlineswearealwelhearbutmyponyhasasoarbac andwehopeyouarethesame
asihavenorthinmutchtosayiwilnowclos
yourstruly
HOLY.
NoneoftheDiamondH newthatHoly'sletter,neatlyframed,hunginMissJohnson'sroomatafashionablegirls'school,whereitwasthecentreofattraction;andavaluedsouvenirofhersummervisittoherbrother'sranch,whichincludedtheepisodeofadanceatWillcox.
ThesilenceoftheprairiebroodedovertheDiamondHranch.Insidethe
bun housefourcowpuncherssleptserenelyunconsciousoftheodouroffreshlyba ingbreadthatdriftedfromtheranch itchen.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Jamiewastuc edcomfortablybetweenhissisterandthebig,newbrother,andastheydroveswiftlyalongthesmoothprairieroadbehindthehigh-headedtrotters,theboyforgothisshynessinconstantwonder.
"Thisisaprairie-dogtown,"explainedTraynortothechild,butNellwasequallyinterested."Thoseholesarewheretheylive,andwhenarainiscomingtheyallgetbusyheapinguptheearthtopreventwatergoingdownintotheirhomesanddrowningthemout.Theyaregoodweatherprophets."
"Oh,loo !It'ssittingup!"criedthechildindelight,pointingatatinybrown-furredanimalsquattedonitshindlegsandbar ingshrilly.
"Watchhimwhenwegetnearer,"suggestedTraynor."See,theyarestationedatregularintervals,justli esoldiers.Theyarethesentinelswhowarntheothersofapproachingenemies."Theprairie-dognearestthecarriage,gaveafinalbar ofdefiance,wiggleditsshort
tailanddodgedintothehole.Thenextnearestdogthentoo upthewarningbar .
"Whatbrightlittlethingstheyare!"Nellsmiledattheyappinglittleanimalthatshoutedpigmychallengetwentyfeetdistant.
"Iftheyhadlongtails,"Jamiehastenedtosay,"they'dbeli ethesquirrelsweusedtofeedinthePar ."
"We'llgetLimbertotraponeforyou,"promisedTraynor."Youwon't
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haveto eepitinacageafterit nowsyou,foritwilldigaholeclosetothehouseandneverleave."
Jamie'sshiningeyesmetNell'sandhegaveanecstaticsighashesettledagainsthershoulder.Butinaninstanthewasalert,watchingacotton-tailrabbitdashacrosstheroad.Ithaltedbyamesquitebush.
"MaybeIcancatchit."Traynorhandedthereinstohiswifeandsteppedcautiouslyuntilhereacheddownandpic edthecoweringcreaturebyitsears.Jamieutteredacryofdelightashishandsclosedgentlyovertherabbit.
"Onceinawhileyoucandothat,"commentedthemanashetoo thereinsagain."TheApachesoftencatchthemthatway,butI'dhatetohavemydinnerdependonthesuccessofgettingarabbitbythismethod."
Thechildwasholdingthequiveringcaptiveagainsthischee .Itseyeswerebrightwithterror,andwhenJamieloo edupatTraynor,hiseyesheldsomethingofthesamebright,frightenedappeal."Won'tyoupleaseletitgohomenow?I'mafraiditwillbelonesometonight,li eIusedtobewhenNellwasawaywor ingalldayinNewYor ."
Traynorliftedthetinyprisonerandletitsliptotheground.They
laughedtogetherasitscurriedandleapedacrosstheprairieuntilitwaslosttosight.
"He newtherightwayhome,"saidJamie,clappinghishands,"andithasgonetotellitslittleboysandgirlsaboutthegiantsthatcaughtitandhowitgotaway.Theywillbeawfulgladtoseehimcomehome,won'tthey?"Nellnodded,andtheboywenton,"SometimesIusedtothin maybeagiantwouldcatchNellsoshecouldn'tcomehometomewhenitgotdar ,anditmademythroathurt.Butyoualwaysdidcome,"hefinishedwithasmileathissister,whothuslearnedforthefirsttimeofhischildishfear.
Herarmwentabouthimsuddenlyandsheheldhimcloseassheanswered,
"Andthegiantsdidn'tcatchme,yousee.Instead,youandIranawaytoawonderful,newcountry,wherethePrincecameandfoundus,andnowheista ingushometolivewithhim."
"Andwewon'thavetogobac again,ever,willweNell?"heas edinsuddenanxiety.
"No,dear,"sheanswered."It'sgoingtobejustli ethestoryboo s.Don'tyouremember?'Andtheyalllivedhappilyforeverafterward!'"
Thechildleanedbac withacontentedsigh,andhisclosedeyesdidnotseetheloo thatpassedbetweenNellandTraynor.Thehorseshadsloweddowntoawal andTraynor'srighthandheldthereinsloosely,buthis
lefthandclosedoverthegirl'sunglovedonewithitsnewgoldenbandontheslenderfinger.Hesmiledather,andthenhereyesfilledwithquic tears,asheleanedoverto isshertenderly.
"Tears,Nell?"
"Tearsofhappiness,"sheansweredtremulously."Thetearsthatcomewhenone'sheartistoohappyforlaughter."
Nellhadadistinctrecollectionofherfirstviewoftheranchwhenshe
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hadseenitfromthestagecoach,butthethoughtnowthatthiswasherhomeandAllan'slentadifferentinteresttothelittlevillageofcream-colouredbuildingswithredroofs,surroundedbycottonwoodandwillowtrees.Hereandtherepo edwindmillsthatsuppliedthetroughsandpondswithwater.Thatotherridehadbeenfilledwithanxiousuncertaintyastowhatlaybeforeher,butnow,thewholeworldwasawonderfuldreamofhappinessandlove.Thiswasherhome.
Thecarriageenteredthebigdrivewayintothemainstable,wherethemenandFongwerewaitingtomeetthem.Apac ofgreyhoundslyingonthefloor,leapedandbegantoyelpinexcitement.Fromthebox-stallsslee headsofhandsomehorsespeeredcuriously,thentheywhinniedawelcomehometotheteamthatpawedthefloorimpatiently.
NellscarcelyhadtimetonoteitallwhenDoctorPowellcamefromthecourt-yardofthehouseandhelpedherfromthecarriage.
"Igotbac yesterday,"hesaid,aftertheyhadallexchangedwordsofwelcome.HiseyesrestedonJamie,"Well,IbelieveArizonaisfatteningyouupalready,"heexclaimed,ta ingthechild'shandinhisown."YouandImustbechums,Jamie,forwe'rebothtenderfeet,andhavelotstolearn.Limberpic edoutafinelittleponyforyoutoride,andIfoundasaddleinTucsonthatisjustyoursize.We'llbothlearntobecowboys,now.Won'tthatbefine?"
Thechild'ssmiletoldthatPowellhadwonaloyalfollower.Thedoctor'sloveforchildrenwasamagnetthatdrewthemtohimatonce.Nowheloo eddownatthechild,measuringthebattletobefought,andnewthevictorywouldnotbeeasilywon,forthechild'svitalityhadbeendeeplysapped.
Nellpausedinthecourt-yard.Itwaseightyfeetsquare,withdeepporchesonallfoursides.Triangularflowerbedswereineachcorner,andoverapergolaclimbingrosesinfullbloommingledwithhoneysuc leandfloweringsyringa,whichrec lesslydistilledtheircombinedfragrance.Eventhewindmillinthecentreofthecourtwascompletelyhiddenbyvines.
Shefollowedherhusbandintothelow-ceilingedlivingroom,andwithalittlesmileshedroppedintothesamebigchairthathadheldherinsleepwhenthecowboysdiscoveredherthatunforgettableday.
"Comeseethisview,"calledAllan,andshewenttothelongFrenchwindowandstoodbesidehim."Thosemountainsarethemostwonderfulsermonsintheworld,"hesaid."Ittoo mealongtimetounderstandthem.Limberhelpedme.WhenIwasdiscouraged,hedidnotsayanything,butjustsaddledhislittlepintopony,Peanut,andmyownhorse,Chinati,andwerodesilentlyforhoursthroughlong,dimtrails,untilIfoundcourageandpeace.Thenwecamehomeagain.YouandIwillridethosetrailstogetherdear.Theyhave nownmydar hours,andnowI
wantthemtoshareourhappiness."
Heturned,andwithhisarmaboutherwaist,ledhertoadoorthatconnectedtheliving-roomwithanadjoiningone.
"Itoldtheboystoslic upthisroomforyou,andyoucanselectyourfurniturefromthecatalogue.Thatishowweshopwhenweliveonaranch,you now."
Ashethrewopenthedoor,thepin rosesandredNavajorugsshrie ed
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"It'sashametocutit,"sheprotested,asshetoo the nife.Thensheturnedtoherhusband,"Iwantthementoseeitfirst,andwe'llgivethemeachapieceofit,Allan,ifyoudon'tmind."
Hehurriedoutoftheroomtomarshaltheboysbeforehim.Theca ewasdulyadmiredandFong'spridesatiated.Thenthe nifediditsdeadlywor ,andthefairybridgestoppled,bitbybit,untilthewholeoutfithadreceivedagenerousportionofFong'smasterpiece.
"Holdon,"saidTraynor."Fong,yougetsomeglasses,andbringoneforyourself,too."
WhileFongobeyedtheorder,Traynordisappearedtoreturnwithseveralbottlesofchampagne,whichheopened.
Thustheydran tothehealthandhappinessoftheBossoftheDiamondHandhisbride,andinthoseglasseswaspledgedanunspo endevotionthatwouldcountnosacrificetoogreattoma efortheBossandthelittlelady.
Itwaslongpastmidnightbeforethemensettledintheirbun sandthelightwasturnedout.Forquiteawhilenothingdisturbedthesilence,thenRoarer'svoicepiercedthedar nessshrilly,"Say,wheredidFonggettheflourtoma ethatca e?Weallseenthemburroseatin'the
floursac ,didn'twe?An'that'salltheflourtharwasontheranch?""Shetup!"respondedHolyfiercely."Idon't nowwharhegotitan'what'smoreIdon'tcare.Itwasdamnedgoodca e,anyhow!"
PARTTWO
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Thelifeoftheranchwasli easeriesoffairytalestoNellandJamieinthesefirstdaysoftheirhomecomingtotheDiamondH.Nottheleastwonderfulanddelightfuloftheirnewexperiencesweretheridinglessons.Acoupleofgentle,easy-gaitedponiesweresaddledfortheboyandhissister,andaccompaniedbyTraynorandDoctorPowelltheyrodetothevariousoutlyingranchesthatformedapartoftheimmenseDiamondHrange.OftenLimberrodewiththem.Alwaystheriderswereprecededbythepac ofgreyhoundsthatdartedyelpingafterjac rabbitsoranoccasionalcoyote.
DoctorPowellhadbeenwaitingtheoutcomeofKing'swill,whichhadbeenwrittenoutbyhandwithnowitnesses.Astherewerenoheirs,andAllanTraynor,theexecutor,hadbeenappointedinthewillwithoutbonds,hewasgivenfullpowertosellthepropertyinconformancewiththetermsofthewill.Thisstipulatedpositivelythatthepropertywasonlytobesoldtoaphysicianwhowouldestablishasanitariumupontheplacewithoutunduedelay;andtheProbateCourtorderedthatthesetermsbecarriedout.
Untilafterthewillwasmadepublic,onlyTraynorandafewLandOffice
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peoplewereawarethatKinghadpatentedtheland.Glendonexpressedhisdisappointmentvehemently.ThereweremanywhowishedtobidfortheSprings,butPowellwastheonlyeligiblepurchaser,andwasreadywiththecash.Aftercomplyingwithalllegalformalities,hewasgivenimmediatepossessionoftheHotSpringsranch.
Allproceedsofthesale,accordingtothewill,weretobeturnedovertotheexecutoruntilsuchtimeasthesanitariumwascompleted,whenthisentirefundwastobeappliedtothemaintenanceoftheplace.Thus,DoctorKing,unabletoliveandseetherealizationofhisdream,wasassistingincarryingouthisplans.ItwasapartnershipbetweenthedeadandlivingownersoftheHotSprings,whichPowellfeltasacredobligation.Hewishedheartilythattheolddoctorcouldhavelivedsotheymighthavewor edtogether;but,heresolvedthatsofarashewasabletheunderta ingshouldembodytheidealswhichthedeaddoctorhadnotlivedtoseefulfilled.
LimberwascommissionedtofindamantooccupytheranchhouseattheSpringsuntilthedoctor'splanswerecompleted.ThesearchresultedinthehiringofaMexicandwarf,whoseownname,longforgotten,foundasubstitutein"Chappo,"or"LittleChap."Whenlivingnearanysettlementhewasunabletoresisthisfondnessforstimulants,yethewashonestandfaithfultothecore,asLimber new.TheplanofsendinghimtotheplacewouldbeanadvantagetohimaswellastoPowell.
ThedoctorspentmuchofhistimeattheDiamondH,whileawaitingrepliestohiscommunicationswithvariousarchitectsandmanagersofsanitaria,inEuropeaswellasAmerica.
Enteringthedining-roomforbrea fastonemorning,Nell,withchee sflushingandeyesspar ling,andeverymovementradiatinghappiness,glancedoutthewindowacrossthewidevalleytowardFortGrant.
"Isn'tthisawonderfulplace!"sheexclaimedturningfromthewindowanddroppingintoherchairatthetable."Itisgoodjusttobealiveinthisbig,freecountry!"
"Iamhavingtwohundredcowsbrandedforyou,Nell,"spo eTraynorasshehandedhimhiscoffee."It'syourpin-money,andJamiewillstarthisherdwithfiftycows.Limberisfixingupaspecialbrandforeachofyou."
"Allan!Youdarling!"gaspedNell,thenshedartedaroundthetabletowhereherhusbandsatanddroppedaswift issonhisforeheadwhenheloo edupatherwithlaughingeyes.Fong,whohadjustenteredwithaplateoffamouspop-overs,grinnedsentimentally,andNell,blushingfuriously,resumedhervacatedchair.
"I'mbeginningto'actup,'asBroncocallsit.ButnowIunderstandwhycowpunchersracetheirponiesandshoottheirguns.I'dli eto'whooper
up'myself,thismorning,"shefinishedwithalittlelaugh.
"Dangerouscondition,"pronouncedthedoctorgravely."I'dprescribeagood,hardrideastheonlyhopeforimprovement."
"Allright,"respondedTraynorwithtwin lingeyes."Getyourtogson,Nell.We'llallgotothebigrodeoatBoxSprings.You'llgetafaintideaofrangewor ,andnowthatyouhaveyourownherd,youshouldlearnhowtorunit."
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"Limberisshowingmehowtothrowarope,"Jamiebro eineagerly,andhescrambledfromhischair,clutchinghisnewsombrerothathehaddepositedonthefloorbyhischair,thewayhenoticedthecowboysalldid."YesterdayImountedmyponyallalone.Icansaddlehim,too--butLimberhastopullthecinchestight."Withthisfinaldeclaration,hehurriedthroughthedoor,histinyspursclic ingimportantlyonthecementwal .
Thegreyhoundpac yelpedshrillprotestsatbeingleftbehindwhentheysawNellandJamiewereintheparty.ThenTraynorandPowellmountedtheirownhorsesandthefourswungalongtheroadinasteadylopetowardtheGaliuromountains,westoftheranch.
WhentheyreachedBoxSprings,Nell'sfirstimpressionwasadensecloudofduststirredupbytherestlesshoofsofthousandsofcattle.Thenshesawthechuc -wagon,wherethecampcoo wasbusywithhispotsandpansoverafireofsmoulderingoa logs.Nearthemountainsfourorfivethousandheadofbawlingcattle,withcowpunchersdashingtoandfroamongthem,gavetheappearanceofwildestconfusion.Yet,totheinitiated,thesystemwasperfect.Partofthecattlewerebunchedandherdedbycertainmen,whileothersrodethroughtheweaving,tossingmassofhorns,deftlypic ingtheirwayand'cuttingout'someparticularanimal.
Nellwatcheditallwithfran delightandcuriosity,andappealedtoherhusbandfromtimetotime."WhataretheydoinginthatbunchwhereLimberisriding?"
"'Cutting,'"wastheanswer."WatchLimber.Seehowhepic sacowandfollowsitup?Peanutisawonderful'cuttingpony.'Heseemsto nowjustwhatLimberisthin ing,andoncePeanutpointstherightcow,heneverletsitgetawayfromhimtillitisoutofthebunchandwhereitbelongs.He'sthechampioncuttingponyofArizona.Limbercanusealightcordinsteadofreins.NoonebutLimbereverridesPeanut.Heturnssoquic lyhewouldthrowanyotherman.Watchhim,Nell!"
PowellandNelllostnomovementofthepintoponyanditsmaster,now
followingabig,bald-facedsteer.Theanimal, nowingitwasbeingsingledout,twistedanddodgedadroitlyfromsidetoside.Then,findingitsattemptstoescapeinvain,itmadeasuddendashfromtheherdandtorewildlytowardthemountainsbac ofthecamp.Peanut,hislittlepintobodyhugginglowtotheground,hishoofstossingclodsofdirt, eptclosebehindthesteer.Limber,leaningslightlyforwardinhissaddleheldacoiledropeinhishand.
Onlyafewfeetseparatedthem,whenthesteer'shoofstruc aprairie-doghole,anditwentdownwithacrash.Thosewhowatchedgaveaninvoluntarycry.Peanut,tooneartostoporturnaside,reachedthefallensteerjustasitstartedtorise.
Withoutasecond'shesitation,thegallantlittleponyleapedoverthesteer,whirledandracedafteritasitscurriedintheoppositedirection.
Ayellofadmirationsoundedfromallthecowboys;they newhowclosehadbeenthedangertoponyandrider.Nellgaspedinterrorandamazement.
"That'sthefinestbitofridingI'veeverseen!"Traynorenthused."Why,noonebutLimberandPeanutcouldhavedoneit!Thesteerwas
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almostonhisforefeetwhentheponyjumped.Ifthehorsehadmissed,orwaitedaninstant,itmighthavemeantabro ennec forbothmanandhorse!"
"Itwasmagnificent!"Powellexclaimedinaccentsofheartyadmiration."But,IsupposeLimbercountsitallintheday'swor andnothingmore."
"That'sjustit,"wastheanswerfromtheBossoftheDiamondH."It'sagameofchanceeachdaywhenyouridetheopenrange."
Limberhadsucceededindrivingtherecalcitrantsteerintoabandofstoc herdedawayfromtheothercattle.
"Whydidhehavetoputitthere?"Nellmotionedwithherwhip.
"That'sthe'strayherd,'"Traynorexplained."Yousee,Arizonabeingallopenrange,cattlemixindiscriminately.Twiceayearthereisageneralround-up,orrodeo.Thennoticeissenttoallranchersinformingthemoftheitineraryofthewor ,whichextendsovercertainsections."
Theywereridingclosertothestrayherdashespo e,andhaltedthehorsesalittledistanceaway.
"EachrodeohasitsCaptain,whoisgeneralmanagerfortheterritorycoveredbyanumberofranches.Allranchescontributetheirprorataofmen,horsesandchuc ,ma ingthewor co-operative."
"That'sratherfairtowardthesmallcattleowner,"Powellinterrupted;"but,thatisthespiritofthecountryhere.Asquaredealforall."
Traynornoddedassent."Frequentlycattlearelocatedahundredmilesormorefromtheir'homerange.'Wecuttheseintothestrayherdandholdthemtilltheownerdrivesthembac tohisplace.Ifheisnotrepresentedattherodeo,heisnotifiedandarrangestogettheanimals.So,thestrayherdisanimportantitemintheround-upwor ,
yousee."
Theyhadriddenaroundtheherduntilreachingthespotwhereafireofglowingcoalswastendedbyacoupleofcowpunchers,Traynorsaid,"Thisisthebrandingplace.Loo atBronco!"
HepointedthegallopinghorsethatcarriedBronco."You'llseesomeprettywor now.BroncowonthechampionshipforropingatthelastTerritorialcontest."
"Whatisit?"demandedNell."It'sallGree tome."
"Asteeristurnedlooseontheopen,thenthecowpuncherta esafter
it,whenithasacertainstart.Hemustropeit,throwitandtieitsoitcannotrise.Thenheliftshishandsintheair.Thetimeta enfromthestartofthesteertothesecondthemanraiseshishands,iswhatdecidesthechampionshiproping."
LeaningforwardeagerlyPowellandNellwatchedBronco'sarmmoveswiftly.Thecoiledriatainhishandshotoutli eanimmense,writhingsna e.Thebigloopdroppedoverthecalf,slippedalmostimperceptibly,thenjer edtautasBronco'sponysquatteddownonitshaunchesandthecalffellwithaheavythud.Aquic turnofthewrist,andBroncohad
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theendofhisropetwistedfirmlyaboutthehighhornofhissaddle.Dependingonthepony,withitsbracedfeet,andalerteyes,movingbac wardandholdingtheropefromslac ing,Broncosnatchedared-hotironfromthefire.
Acurlofsmo e,bellowofpain,twoquic slashesofa nife.Thecalfscrambledup,afreshlyburntbrandonitship,anditsbleedingears,showingthemar ofitsowner.Theanimalstoodbewildered,snorted,andrushedwithaloudbawltothecow'sside.Shehadbeenwatchinganxiously.Nowshesniffedathercalf,lic editsfaceinsympathy;thenwithoneaccordtheyscurriedaway,freetogowheretheypleased,fortheywereontheirhomerangeandtheirtroubleswereover.
"Itseemscruel,"Nellprotestedwarmly.
"It'stheonlywaytohandlerangecattle,"Traynorreplied."Formerly,"hewasspea ingtothedoctor,"thebrandsweremadeaslargeaspossible--nowwema ethemassmallaslegible.Onceinawhilewestillrunacrossananimalwiththreeimmenseletters--JIMorHUE--acrosstheentiresideofthebrute.Theyweretwobrotherswhodeterminedthereshouldbenodisputeovertheirrespectiveownerships.Itruinedthehideand noc edoffagoodsumonthesaleoftheanimal.Mostbrandsareonthehiporhindquarter.It'saninterestingstudyonceyougetintoit."
"Well,solongastheybrandthecattle,whycuttheears,too?Isitnecessary?"Nell'ssympathywasstillwiththecalf.
"Itsettlesownershipwhereabrandisindistinctordisputedforanyreason?Brandingisdonewhenthefliesarenottroublesome,andcalvesstillfollowtheirmothers.Shouldacalfescapebrandingatthepropertime,throughoversight,itsoonbecomeslargeenoughtoleaveitsmother,andthusishardtoidentifythenextrodeo.So,ifacowboyontherangeseesalargecalfwithuncroppedears,heinvestigatesatonce."
"Ofcourse,"Powellasserted,"Icanseethesenseofitnowthatyou
haveexplainedit."
"Well,eventhatdoesnotsettleadispute.Thelong-eared,motherlesscalvesarecalledmaveric s,orinArizona,wheretheMexicanlanguageisused,orajanos.Theunwrittenlawoftherangegivesanunmar edcalftothefellowwhocatchesit,solongasitisnotwithitsmother,yousee.Naturally,themanonwhoserangeitisfound,issupposedtohaveastrongerclaim.Along-earedcalfisatemptationfor'sleepering.'"
"Inthenameofgoodness,Allan,"saidNellindespair,"whatis'sleepering'?IjustgetaglimmerofunderstandingwhensomethingnewcomesupandI'mflounderingworsethanever.Idon'tseehowanyoneeverlearnsallthoseterms."
"Well,"laughedTraynor,"nowyoucanunderstandhowharditwasforme,tolearnitall.Ididn'tdareas questions,yousee.HadtopretendInewitall.Ontherange,naturally,theear-mar showsveryplainlyatadistance,fortheanimalwillfaceanyrider.Ifacowpuncherseesthecalf,standingbyitsmother,bearsthesameear-mar ,hedoesnotinspecttoseeifitisbranded,unlesshehascauseforsuspicion.Therustler nowingthis,ear-mar sacalfandta eschancesonitsbeingdiscoveredthecalfhasnobrand.Theear-mar ofcalftallieswiththatofthemother,yousee.Whenthecalfisoldenoughtobedrivenaway
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fromthemother,therustlerfinisheshiswor bydrivingitaway,thenchangestheear-mar andputsonhisbrand."
"That'swhatIshouldclassasscientificcattlestealing,"Powelldecided,andNellagreedwithhim,butbeforetheycouldas furtherquestionstheyturnedstartledfacesinthedirectionofanunclassifiednoise.
TheBossoftheDiamondHlaughed,andpointedtothecampcoo ,whoheldadishpanandwasbangingvigorouslyonitwithahugeironspoon.Farandnear,thecowpunchersliftedtheirvoicesinthegleefulshout,"Chuc 'sready!"
Partoftheoutfitremainedonguardoverthecattle,whiletheothersracedtheirponiespell-melltothewagonnearwhichthenoon-daymealwasspread.
"I'mhungry,"announcedNell,andwithoutfurtherceremonysheledthewayonherponytojointhegroupofmenamongwhomsherecognizedLimberandBronco.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
AsNellapproachedthechuc -wagon,theeyesofthecowpunchersofthemanyranchesrepresented,loo edatherwithopenapproval,notunmixedwithcuriosity,fortheyallhadheardtheepisodeofWalton'sgreenwhis ers,andtheromanticmeetingoftheBoss,oftheDiamondHandthegirltowhomhehadbeenengagedintheEast.
Broncohelpedherdownfromherpony,andescortedhertoaseatofhonour--anemptyboxthathadformerlyheldcannedtomatoes.Themensattailor-fashionaroundthecanvasthatdiddutyasatable-cloth.
Nell'seyesscannedthetable.Granitepansfullofboiledpotatoes,frijoles--thesmallredbeangrownbyMexicans,whichformstheprincipalarticleofdietonanyArizonaranch--anenormousdishheldastewmadeof"jer y,"whichNellrecognized,forshewasbecominginitiatedintomanythingsthatwerestrange.ShehadseenFongpoundingstripsofsun-driedmeat,andwatchedittransformedtoasavorystew,whileheexplainedthatthecowboyscarrieditintheirpoc etsandateitwithoutcoo ing.
Shesniffedwithappreciationthecoffee,andacceptedthebigtincupwithasmile,thenaddedcondensedmil fromthecanBroncopassedtoher.
"Whatlovelybiscuit!"sheexclaimed,asawhiteclothwasdepositedinfronther,andthegoldentanbiscuit,steaminghotwereuncovered."Idon'tseehowitcanbedonewithoutarealstove!"Thecampcoogrinnedhisapprovalofawomanofsuchintelligence.
Theclatteroftinplates,iron nivesandfor s,wasbro enwithlaughterorjo esbythepunchersateachother'sexpense.Lifeduringtherodeowasacombinedcircusandschool-dayvacationwhenoffdutywiththeherd.Then,itwasgrim,hardwor .ThefeelingofrestraintatfirstnoticeablewhenNellsatonherimprovisedthrone,gradually
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evaporatedasshejoinedinthelaughter.Itvanishedcompletelywhensheslippedfromtheboxtotheground,tobe"nearerthebiscuit,"shelaughedasshereachedoutandappropriatedone.
Jamie,seatedbetweenBroncoandLimber,wassilentbuthappy,astheyacclaimedhim"oneoftheDiamondHoutfit,"anda"regularpuncher,now."
Thefirstrelaymovedaway,someta ingtheirplaceswiththeherdtoallowtheothermentheirturnatthechuc ,butmanyofthemwereoffdutyforatime,andtheseloafedandtal edtogether,thesmo eoftheircigarettesformingtinycloudsabouttheirheads.Nellroseandmadeherwaytoafallenlog,onwhichshedroppedwithasmileatBroncowhohadfollowedherandJamiefromthetable.
WhilesheadmiredLimber,therewasaboyishirrepressibilityaboutBroncothatmadealittlebondbetweenthem.Hereachedintothebreast-poc etofhisblueflannelshirtandwithdrewthehand,partlyclosed.Jamieloo edatitcuriouslyashesawitwasextendedtohim.Bronco'sfingersopened,andNellandthechildstaredatastrangethingblin ingsleepily.
"Whatisit?"theyas edsimultaneously.
"Horn-toad,"Broncoreplied."Caughthimthismornin'andIwasprettysureyouhadn'tseenone,soI epthim."
"Won'thebite?"Jamie'stonesweredoubtful.
"Notonyourlife,"answeredthecowboy.
TheyregardedthelittlecreatureasBroncoputitonthegroundanddraggedabitofstringfromhispoc et.Hetiedthisaboutthetoad'shindlegsclosetothebody.
"Loo athim,"wasthecommand,asBroncoslidhisfingerovertherough,tiny-hornedbac fromtailtohead.
Withawildscurryoflegs,thetoadracedtotheendofthestringandstruggledtoescape;but,Bronco'sfingertoucheditsheadandmovedgentlytowardthejer ingtail.Thetoad'seyesclosed,hisheaddroopedtowardtheground,thelegsandtailbecamemotionless.Jamiegavealittlesquealofdelight,andcried,"He'sgonetosleep!"
"Hangontothestringaminit."
Jamieclutchedit,whileBroncoheldaconsultationwiththecoo atthetail-boardofthechuc -wagon.Soonhereturnedwithasmall,emptymatch-box.
"This'llma eafinewagon,"heannounced,tyingthematch-boxtotheendofthestring."Now,tharweare!Allyougotterdotoma ehimmovelivelyisrunyourfinger'longhisbac li eIdone,andcontrarywise,fromhisheadtohistail,ifyouwanthimtostop.WhenIwasa idinTexas,mean'mylittlebrotherustercatch'emandhaveracesthisway."
Agrinspreadoverhisfaceandheloo edupatNell,"Say,Mrs.Traynor,Mawhatedhorn-toads.Billan'merounded-uptwentyof'emonce,andhid'eminaclosetinabox.Theboxgotupsotsomewaysin
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thenight,andwhenMawgotuptostartbrea fastyouneverheerdsuchawhoop!Sheputherfootononeof'em.Itdidn'thurtthetoadforshetoo herfootofftooquic ,butBillanmeneverbrunganymoreintothehouseafterthatmornin'.Yousee,whensheputdownherotherfoot,shehitanothertoad,an'thatroomwasjestnaturallyalivewith'em.Werounded-upthewholeherd,twentyof'em,butMawsaidshe newedtharwasathousandandtherestof'emgotaway."
"I'mratherinclinedtosympathizewithyourmother,Bronco,"wasNell'slaughingcomment.Sheshuddered,"Thoselittlesharphornsarebadenoughtosteponwithabarefoot,buttofeelthehornsmovingwouldberatherupsetting,Ishouldthin ."
"Itwas,"Broncorejoinedsoberly."ButMawwasn'tsoupsotaswe idswas--afterwards."
Jamiedevotedhimselftohisnewpet,andNell'seyeswanderedtoherhusbandandDoctorPowellwhoweretal ingwithanotherman,notfaraway.Shesawthismanhadagrizzlybeardthatseemednevertohavebeencroppedorshaven.Thedrys inofnec andthroatwaswrin ledandthetextureandcolourofapieceofArizonajer yfromlongexposuretothesunandwind.Onhishead,anoldstrawhatwasguiltlessofacrown,butflauntedtwodilapidatedtur eyquills.Tuftsofun empthairpeeredinquisitivelyoverthebro enedgesabovetheraggedbrim.Agrim
mouthmadearepositoryforacorn-cobpipe,andsuspiciousgreyeyessquintedfromPowell'sfacetothatoftheBossoftheDiamondH.
Broncosawherinterest,andexplained,"That'sPaddyLafferty,ownsthePLranchandherd,thatthedoctorfiggersonbuyin',"thenNellrecalledthemanystoriesshehadalreadyheardofthiseccentriccharacter.Paddy'seyescaughthers,andsheflushedguiltilyassheglancedawayquic ly.
"It'sadandyrodeo,"sheheardBronco'svoicebesideher,ashesatontheground, neesdrawnup,hismuscularhandsbusyrollingacigarette.
"IsupposeI'llgetusedtowildcattleafterawhile,"Nellhazarded,
"but,honestly,Bronco,I'mafraidofthem.Theirhornsaresobigandsharp."
"Why!"thecowpuncher'samazementwasundisguised."Theseisshort-horns!Weain'tgotnolong-hornsontherange.You'doughterseensomeoftheol'Texaslong-hornsweusterhave.Lotsoftimesthehornswassowidewecouldn'tgetasteerloadedintoabox-cartillwe'dsawedoffthehorns.Andwild--"hepausedforadequatewordsbeforehefinished,"Say,theywasacrossbetweenadeeran'amountain-lion,sofurasdispositioncounts!"
"Well,Ineverfeelsafeexceptonmypony."
"Say,Mrs.Traynor,you'redeadsafeanywheresinArizona,"thecowboyassuredherearnestly."Why,ifyouwastowal overtothatairherd,you'dstampedeitquic asawin !"
Nellturnedonhimwithdancingeyes,"Forgracious'sa es,Bronco!AmIsuchascarecrowasallthat?"
Bronco'sfaceandearsgrewred."Oh,shuc s!Ididn'tmeantosayitthatway.But--yousee--rangestoc isusterseein'men,footorhorsebac --awomaninpetticoatsisanewcritterto'emandplumb
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paralyzesaherd.Tharwasonetime,though,"hecontinuedmournfully,"IwishtsohardIwasawomanthatIdernednighprayedforpetticoats."
Hewasimmersedindeepthoughtforafewseconds,andthenhedemandedsuddenly,"DidtheBossevertellyouaboutthetimeIfooledmyselfintothin in'Iwasabull-fighter?"
"No,"wasthereply,"butpleasetellme,won'tyou?"
"Idon'tminditsomuch,now,"Broncogrinned,"buttharwasatimewhenitsuremademesoretotal aboutit.Yousee,IbeentoMexicoandseedaMexbull-fighter.Thefellerwhatfitthebullbeltaredhand ercheeoutinfrontofhim,andwhenthebulllitoutforhim,hejeststeppedonesideandthebullwentrunnin'pastwiththehand ercheehangin'overhiseyes,li eawidder'sveil.Thenthefellerstuc abunchofribbonsonthebullandmadeitmadder'nahornet,an'youcan'tblameabullforgettin'madatbeinglaughedatthatway.Itloo edsoeasythatIthoughtitwasn'tnotric noways--andImadeupmymindI'ddoitmyself,sometime."Nellfacedhimexpectantly.
"Well,onedayIwasridin'overfromHotSpringsbytheMudSpringstrail,anditwasnearsuppertime,whenthesunwentdown.Ihadtwelvemilestorideandwehadacran ycoo attheranch,an'Ihadn'tet
anythin'sincefiveo'cloc ,sun-up.So,whenIseensmo ecomin'fromthecamphouseatMudSprings,you inbetIhumpedalongprettylively.
"Afellerfromtheeastwasstayin'tharferhishealth.Hewasallalone,an'gladtohavesomeonecallonhimferachange.Imademyselfasentertainin'asI nowedhow,hopin'feraninvitetochuc .Hecoo edoveracampfire,andsaidhewantedtogetasneartoNatureashecould;butIcouldn'tseeanysenseinwhathesaid.Whilsthe eptoncoo in'supperan'notsayin'anythin'aboutexpectin'metostay,Ieptplayin'fertime.
"Tharwasanol'buc s incowstandin'nearinthebrush,andItol'himaboutthebull-fight.Hegotinterested,andIbegintoseesomechance
ofchawin'thatgrubbeforelong.ThenIgotsmartandofferedtoshowhimhowtheydoneit.HesaidI'dbetternottryit.Ofcourse,Iwasonlybluffin'atfirst,butwhenhesaidthat,itcalledmybluff.Iambledovertothetol'buc s inbago'bonesandguvheracrac overtheridge-polewithmyriata,butsheneverevenloo edatme.Shewasthetol'thetshemustofbeenoneofthegreat-grandmothers'oftheherd,andwhenIseenthatIgotbrash."Broncostaredacrossspace,hishandsdroppinglimpbetweenhis nees.
"Icaughtholtofhertailandtwistedit,thenIslappedherjaw.Shewo eupsome,an'Idancedinfrontofherli ealocoedijit,wavin'myredhand ercheean'yellin'li eanApacheonthewar-path.Sheguvonebeller,puthernosetothegroundandcomeatmeindeadearnestto
ma emeunderstandthataladycowheragecan'tbetrifledwith.
"Thetenderfootyelled,'Loo out!'andmadeforawalnuttreeandshinniedupit,andtharhesetpeepin'outli eas eeredchipmun .IwishtIwasuptharlongsideofhim,buthadtogetbusydoin'whatthebull-fighterdone.So,Istoodtharandheltthatdurnedhand ercheeoutinfrontofme,jestli eIseedhimdo,but,honestInjun!I'drutherhedasolidadobewallinfrontofmejustthen.Well,thatdoggoneanimilegotfivefeetaway,andthenIseenthatshehadbotheyeswideopen,insteadofshettin'hereyesli eabulldoeswhenhecharges.
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"ItparalyzedmesoIfergottomovethetpieceofredcalicerandjeststoodtharholdin'itinfrontofme,whilstthatdamnedtenderfootwaswhoopin'andscreechin'hisheadoff,'She'sacomin'!She'sacomin'!'JestasifIdidn't nowitaheapsightbetter'nhedid!Tharwasn'tanychanctlefttorun,andthatol'cowsuredidcome.
"Shehitmesquarand noc edthewindplumoutenme,andIwentdownan'chawedadobedirt.Shemadeholesallovermyclothes,trompedmefromheadtofoot,rolledmeoverandoverli eIwasachun ofbiscuitdough,thensheguvasnortandwentoffinthebrush."Nell'seyesweredancingandsheleanedforwardeagerly.
"Ipic edmyselfup,"hisvoicewasmournful,"justasthetenderfootclumbdownfromhisperch.Neitheroneofussaidaword.Hewastooscairttotal andIwastoomad.Thecoffeepotwasupset,thedinnerburnttoacinder.Igotonmyhorseandhitthetrailforhome.Itol'theboysthatmyponysliddownthesideofacañonwithme,andthey'dnever nowedthedifferenceifthatdamnedtenderfoothadn'tcomeahumpin'downthenextdaytoseeifIwashurtverybad."Heheavedasigh,and ic edatastonebesidehisfoot.
"Igotevenwiththetol'cow,though.ShewasinthelastbunchweshippedforKansasCity,andIseentoitthatshedidn'tgetcutouten
theherd.But,I'llneverforgethersolongastharisabuc s incowinArizonaTerritory.Theboyswon'tgivemeachanct;"hepaused,gazedreflectivelyacrosstheValley,thenaddeddolefully,"I'llneverbehappyuntilIseesomebiggerfoolthanmyself,buyin'alltheol'buc s incowsinArizonatoship'emdowntoMexicoforbullfights."
Nell'slaughterreachedPowell,TraynorandPaddyastheyapproachedwhereshesat.
"ThisisPaddyLafferty,Nell,"saidTraynor."HehasgivenanoptiononhisranchandcattletoDoctorPowell."
Sheloo edupatatall,gauntoldmanwithstoopingshouldersand
jointsthatseemedtobeheldtogetherbyloosewires,li eajointeddollsubjectedtomuchhandling.
PaddyregardedNellsharplyfromunderhisraggedeyebrows,butassheroseandheldoutherhand,smilingintohisface,sheunconsciouslywonaloyalfriend.
Hesquatteddownonthegroundbesideherandlistenedtohermerrycommentsonthecattlebusiness.LimberandBronco,ashortdistanceawayontheirponies,notedtheepisode.
"She'ssureathoroughbredprize-winner!Ain'tshe,Limber?"observedBroncoadmiringly.
"Youbet!Shegetsherbrandoneverycowpuncherthatcomesonherrange,andtheKidisjestthesame."
"Oh,say!Loco'shere.Loo in'forajob.GreenWhis erssol'outlastwee .Wentbac toUtah,Locosays.He'ssureachingtogetmarried,"grinnedBronco."It's epthimbusyshavin'andcuttin'hishair,lately."
"Loco'sagoodroper.Ofcourse,hegetsthemcrazyfits,buthe'snever
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harmedanyoneroundhere.We'llneedsomeextrahands,now,withDoctorPowellbuyin'Paddy'sherd.We'llhavetotail'emin,soI'llseetheBossabouthirin'Locowhilstwegotachancttogethim."
Bronconodded,fortailingaherdmeantextrawor ,aseachanimalhadtobecaught,thelonghaironitstailcutoff,andthusatallyofnumberswasmadewithoutrebranding.Itwasonlydonewhenanentireherdwassoldandthebrandincludedinthesale.
"Tellhimaboutthatmix-upinthestrays,"calledBroncoafterLimber,astheforemanrodetowardTraynor.
WhileLimber'sponyrubbednoseswithTraynor'shorse,LimbersuggestedemployingLoco.Traynorassentedreadily.ThenLimbercontinued,"Idon't nowjusthowtofiggeritout,butsomeone'stryin'toma etroublefortheDiamondH."
"How'sthat?"demandedTraynor,quic ly.
"Well,twowee sagoBroncoseenaDiamondHcalf,new-branded,followingaBar77cow.Hethoughtitwasjustamista e,soventedit.ThenafewdayslatermeandHolyrunintotwocalveswiththeDiamondHandonewasfollowin'aFlyin'Vcow,andtheotherwassuc in'aThreeMoon.Westraightenedthatout,andsincethenwe'vecomeacrosssix
calvesmar edwiththeDiamondHandeverydurnedoneof'emissuc in'acowwithadifferentbrand.Wegottostopitquic ."
Traynor'seyebrows nitangrily,"Anyofthemhere?"
"Fourinthestrayherd,"Limberreplied,andwithoutfurtherconversationtheyrodetothestrays,whereseveralneighbouringranchersandafewcowpuncherssatontheirponies.Theyloo edcuriouslyatTraynorandhismen,whomettheloo ssteadily.
"LimberhasjustreportedtomeaboutthesecalveswiththeDiamondHbrand,"hescannedeachfaceforsignofdisbelief."Idon'tthin itisnecessaryformetosaythatnotoneofthemenbelongingtotheDiamond
Hranchbrandedthosecalves.Asingleinstancemightoccurtoanyone,asyouall now,butthisisbeingdonesystematically,andevidentlywiththeintentionofcausinghardfeelings.Ifanyofyouhearorseeanymoreofthiswor ,letme nowatonce,andhelpmefindoutwhoisatthebottomofit.I'llpayfivehundreddollarsforproofagainstthemanwhoisputtingmybrandonthesecalves.IwillreportthistotheLiveStoc SanitaryBoardatonce,andadvertisemyofferofreward."
HeturnedtoLimberandBronco,saying,"Cutoutthosecalvesandventthematonce,boys,"andtheyhastenedtoobey.
"NoneofuslaidtheblameontheDiamondH,"saidJones,whoownedtheFlyingVBar."Noneofus newaboutthiswor untilLimbertoldusand
pointedoutthecalvesinthestrayherd.Thefellowwhoisdoingthiswouldtreatanyofusthesameway,andit'sthingsli ethisthatstartrealtrouble.We'vegottowor togethertocatchhim.Whenwedo,we'llrunhimoutofthecountry."
"Better eephiminthecountry,undersixfeetofearth,"growledHolywithafewcomplimentaryremar s,thenheglancedaroundquic lytoseewhetherNellwerewithinearshot.
Andasaresultofthisepisode,awee laterTraynoradvertised
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offeringfivehundreddollarsrewardfordetectionofthetrouble-ma er,whileanadditionalfivehundreddollarswasofferedbythecombinedothercattlemenwhosecalveshadbeenmisbranded;butfromthattimeontherewasnocauseforfurthercomplaint.Thematterremainedamystery.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
"Ithin IwillgoovertotheSpringsinthemorning,"saidPowelltoTraynorawee aftertherodeo,astheysatinthecourtenjoyingafter-dinnercigars.
"Oh,bytheway,"Traynorinterjected,"Ihadatal withPaddyyesterday.HewantstheprivilegeofstayingatthePLranchhouseforamonthafterthecattlearetalliedin.Iratherbelievetheoldfellowhatestoleavetheplace."
"Howaboutarrangingtohavehimstaypermanently?"suggestedPowell."Limbersayssomeonewouldhavetobetheretoloo afterthewindmillandwater."
"Ithin Paddywouldbegladtodoit.Hehatesmountainwor ,buthe'sgoodanywhereontheflats,andhe'sashonestasthesun.WithLimberattheSpringswor ingacrossthebac boneoftheGaliuros,wewouldconsolidatethewor ofbothranges,andourrelativeexpensescouldbeadjustedwithoutdifficulty.IbelievePaddywouldbegladtota easmallsummonthly,andhavehisgrubprovided,andfeedforthatscarecrowofahorsethathethin ssomuchof."
"Won'tyouneedLimberhere?"protestedPowell.
"Icanarrangethewor withhimsothathecanstaypartofeachweeattheSprings.Soyouneednothesitateonthataccount.Wehaveto
rideintheHotSpringssectioneveryfewwee s.Manyofourcattledriftoverthere.It'sawildrange,andunlessthemenrideamongthestoc atfrequentintervals,thecattlebecometoowildtobehandledtoanadvantage.Therearefiveandsixyearoldsteersbac inthemountainsthere,thatwillneverbecaughtexceptwithabullet--andeventhenyouwouldhavetohavethewindinyourfavourtogetinrange.Theyareworsethandeer."
"SupposeItal toLimber?Idon'twanthimtogounlesshewishesit."
"He'sta enali ingtoyou,"wasTraynor'sreply,"andI'msuretheplanwillsuithim.But,decidethatforyourselves.Ifhedoesn'twanttogo,BroncoorHolywoulddo,butLimberwouldbemorecongenial,I
thought."
"LimberisoneofthefinestcharactersIhaveevermet,"wasPowell'sremar asheroseandmovedtowardtheentranceofthecourtleadingtothebun -house."I'llhaveatal withhim,now."
Alightstreamedfromtheopendoorofthebun -housewherethecowpuncherssatsmo ingandtal ing.Bronco,atasmalltable,wasimmersedinthepagesofagiganticmailordercatalogue.Asheetofpaperandbottleofin portendedapurchase.Powellsaunteredin,found
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aseatonanironcot,litacigaretteandglancedaroundatthemall.Itwasadelicatecomplimentthatnoonegreetedhisentranceformally.Itprovedthathewas"oneofthebunch."
Bronco'sfacewascontortedashebeganwritingontheprintedordersheetofthemerchantenterprisingenoughtosendoutcataloguesbroadcast.Itwasgoodbusinessstrategy,forwhenthelongwintereveningsheldforth,thebigcataloguewasthecenterofattractiononmanyranches,andthusarticleswereorderedwithsublimedisregardastoutilityorcost.
"Whatyousendin'ferthistime,Bronc?"questionedHoly,curiously.
"Accorjon,"thereplywaspunctuatedwithscratchingpenthatsplutteredin overtheorderlist."Thar'saboo goeswithit,tellin'youhowtoplayintwohours."
"Say,"Roarerleanedforwardwithinterest,"whydon'tyougetatal in'machineli ethefellerthatspithisteethout.Loo 'emup.Wecouldchipinandgetone,maybe.It'dbeeasieronyou--an'us,too."
WithPowell'saidasmalltal ing-machinewasdecidedupon,andBroncoconscientiouslyin edoutthepreviousorderandsubstitutedthelatestone.Theneachmaninsistedthattherecordofhisfavourite"tune"be
included--Golindrina,OvertheWaves,WhereismyWanderingBoyTonight,Home,sweetHome,andMyBonnieliesovertheOcean--exhaustedtheirrepertoire.
"Six,"announcedBronco,"saythatain'tenough.Why,we insingallthemwithoutanytal in-machine.Wewantsomethin'wedon'tsingourselveswhenwe'repunchin'cows."
Powellcametotherescue,andwithhisaidalistwascompleted,includingsomereallygoodmusic.Hevetoedthecommandtopic out"abouttwenty-fiveorthirtydollars'worth."
"That'saheapsightmoresensiblethangettin'acobbler'soutfit,li e
wedonetheothertime,"Limbercommentedwithasmile.
InanswertoPowell'sevidentdesire,hecontinued,"BroncandHolyseenitinthecatalogue,an'ittoldhowmuchmoneyyoucouldsavebymendin'yourownshoes.Itwasunhandyhavin'topac ourbootstoWillcoxallthetime.Mostlywe'dforgottota e'em,orelseforgottobring'emhome.WeallroundedupourbootsandBroncofiggeredthatbymendin''em,we'dsaveprettyneartwowee spayeach."
"Well,itwouldof,"defendedBronco,"Butyoufellerswouldn'twear'emafterIfixed'emallup,andblac ed'emtoo."
"We'dawore'em,"retortedRoarerindignantly,"ifwecouldofgotinto
'em,butyou'dmade'emallsotightthatnoonecouldgetafootintothemshoes.Thewustofitwasthatyouwentan'putextrasolesonourgoodshoesandspiled'emalongwiththerest."
"Well,youseenmethrowmineoutthesametimeyoufellerschuc edyoursintothedumpheap,didn'tyou?"
Limber'smouthtwitchedandhiseyestwin ledasheturnedtoPowell,addingtheclimax,"SayDoc,tharwasn'tapairofbootsorshoesthatoneofuscouldgetinto,andthedayafterBroncfinisheduphiswor ,
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weallgotinthespringwagonanddruvtoWillcoxinoursoc san'boughtshoesfortheoutfitbeforewecouldgettowor ."
"Ifyou'daguvmeanotherchanct,"protestedBronco,"I'd nowedbetterwhattodo,butanyway,itwasadandycobbler'soutfit,andwuththemoneyweguvforit."
"Whatbecameofit?"demandedPowellwhenhislaughtersubsided.
"TharwasaMissionarycomepasthere,gettin'moneyfortheheathensinAfrica,andwedonatedtheoutfittohim.Heshoreseemedpleasedwithit,butwealwayshadasnea in'notiontheheathenswasn'ttheonesthatusedit.ThatMissionarywasli eabilly-goat,readytota eanythingyouguvhim,fromagold-minetoaemptytintomatocan.Lastweseenofhimhewasprospectin'forHasayampaBill'slostmine,butnobodyain'theerdofhisfindin'it,sofur."
"HowdidHasayampalosethemine?"Powellinterrupted."Ordidhereallyeverownone?"
"Weseenthebeginningofit,"Limberbegan,andPowellscentingastory,settledwithdelightedanticipation.
"Itstartedthisway.Wewaswor in'therodeobac ofDosCabezaswhen
wecomeacrossaseven-yearol'blac horsethatwasanoutlaw.HebelongedtotheBarXBaroutfit,butthey'dguvuptryin'tobrea him.ForthreeyearstheBossoftheBarXBarhedofferedeachFourthofJulytogivethehorsetoanymanwhat'dridehimtoafinish.Tharwaslotsthattriedit.Hewasagoodhorseandworthconsiderableifhewasbusted.
"Hasayampawaswor in'withus.He'dbeenhavin'astrea ofhardluc .Hisonlyponywaslameandhecouldn'traisecashtobuyanother.Yousee,HasayampahadtriedtoteachatenderfoothowtoplayStudpo er,andthat'saboutthepoorestwayI nowtoinvestyourmoney,especiallywhenthetenderfootisdressedli eaminister--Hasayampaoughter nowedbetter.
"Howsomever,Hasayampabethislameponythathecouldridethatblachorse,andofcourse,everybodytoo himup.
"Heropedandthroweditwithoutanytrouble,andgotthesaddleonitsbac ;thenhejumpedinterthesaddle.Uptothenitwaseasywor ,butafterwards--Say,Doc,everyone nowsthatahorsehasonlygotfourfeet,buttharwasn'tamanwatchin'thatwasn'treadytobetitwasacentipedeHasayampawastryin'togentle.ThehorsewascalledBlacDevil,fortharwasn'tawhitehaironhim,andhesuredeservedtherestofthename.
"Hasayampastayedwithhim,allright,andwhat'smoreweallseenhim
doit,an'Itellyouwewhoopedli eInjuns!ThenextdayHasayampaquitwor andleftcamp,ridinghisnewhorseandleadin'thelamepony,andthatwasthelastweseenofhimforoversixmonths.
"ThenheblewinattheDiamondH,ridinghisoldbaypony,buthehadn'tmutchtosay--Seemedsorterdown-heartedli e.
"ThensomeoneasthimwhathedonewithBlac Devilandthisiswhathetol'us.
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"WhenHasayampawasridin'Blac Devilthatdayhebustedhim,thehorseseemedtofavouronehindfoot--actedli ehe'dsprainedit.WhenHasayampastarteddoctorin'it,heprettyneardiedwithsuprise,fortharwasanicelittlenuggetofgoldsmashedonthebottomofDevil'sfoot,justli eacorn.WellHasayampadidn'tlosenotimehumpin'uptotheplacedhe'dnoticedDevillimpin',andhepostedhislocationnoticeontheBuc in'BroncoMine.Theleadwastharjustinplainsight,hesaid.Weallhadbeencampin'onaregularmintofgoldan'never nowedit.Leastways,thatiswhatHasayampatoldus.
"Well,hetoo Blac Devildowntotheblac smithatDosCabezasandhedsomeshoesmadeforhim.Hehadquiteanargumentwiththeblac smithtogethimtoma etheshoesthewayHasayampawanted'em.Hesaidthataftertheygotthrough,theblac smithdidwhatHasayampatoldhim."
Limberpausedtolighthiscigarette,andphilosophize,"Itdon'tpaytoargue,ifyou inhelpit.Hurtstheotherparty'sfeelin'swhenyougetthebestofhim,an',Hasayampahadfistsonhimli ecannonballswhenhewarmedupinaargument.Allthesame,youcan'tblametheblac smithforcallin'Hasayampaa'locoedijit'whenyou nowedthesortofhoss-shoesheorderedmade."
"Theywashalf-hollow,asifyoudugaslotin'emwithajac - nife.
AfterDevilwasshod,Hasayampagotsomechamoiss in,quic -silverandasmallretortandwentbac tohisclaim.
"Now,here'swhatHasayampatol'usallforgospeltruth,Doc.Heputthequic -silverintheslotsofthemhoss-shoes,thenjumpedonBlacDevilandlethimbuc upan'downthatairclaim.Hasayampasaiditbeatanyfour-stampmillheeverseed.Thenhegotdownandscrapedthesilveroutenthehoofs,squozeitinthechamoisbagandfireditinhisretorttoseparatethegold.Hasayampacleanedupahundreddollars'wuththefustday.
"Itdidn'tta eBlac Devillongtounderstandhisjobo. .Thathosswouldjustwaitforhisshoestobesilvered,thengohisselfandbuc
around,onlystoppin'tocomeandgithisshoesscrapedandre-filled.MeanwhileHasayampa,seem'Blac Devilwashandlin'hisendofthepartnership,putinallhisowntimerunnin'theotherendofthebusiness,squozin'thequic -silver,firin'thegoldandmouldin'itinterbric s.
"Hasayampafiguredoutjesthowlongitwouldta etoma ehimabillionaire,andhe'dadoneitifithadn'tbeenfortheearthqua einMay'91.Itdideverlastinglysha eupthecountryaroundhere,andlotsofpermanentspringswentplumbdryandneverrunagain.
"HasayampahadgonetoWillcoxtoshipsomebric stothe'FriscoMint,whenhefeltthatearthqua e,andhebeguntoworryaboutDevil,forhe
hadturnedhimlooseforavacation.Hehumpedbac totheclaim,andwhenhegottharhesaidheseenawhitehorsestandin'withhisheadhangin'downli ehewasasleep;butneverasignofBlac Devilnowhar.
"WhilsthewaspuzzlingoverwhathadbecameofBlac Devil,heswarsheseenthatairwhitehossraisehishead,lifthishindfoot,thenbeginbuc in'inadazedsorterway.ItwasBlac Devil,andtheshoc hedturnedhishairsnowwhite.
"HasayampasaidtheBuc in'BroncoMineheddisappearedoff'ntheface
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oftheyearth.Hetriedtoma eBlac Devilunderstandthathewarn'ttoblameforlosin'themine,butthehosswouldn'teatnothin'.He'djustbuc around,feeble-li e,lifthislegandloo atit,andthenhelaiddownan'died."
Powell'slaughterrangthroughtheroom."WhatapitysuchageniusasHasayampahadtodie,"hefinallygasped.
"Say,Doc,"Limberspo e,"Hasayampaonctsaidthatamanbac eastwaswillin'topayforhisyarnsifhe'dta etimetowrite'emdown.Heastuswhatwethoughtaboutit,andwealltol'himthatifanyfellerdidsaythat,hewasabiggerliarthanHasayampaandcouldwritestorieshimself,an'Hasayampasaidheguessedthatwastrue.Doyou,honestly,believeanyonewouldofpaidfor'em?"
"Icertainlydo,"wasthepositiveanswer."Hasayampadeservesamonumenttohismemory!Bytheway,Ineverheardanyonetellhowhedied,butI'mprettysurehediditinsomeoriginalway."
Limber'sfacegrewserious,andalightedmatchinhishandflic eredout.Hewatcheditthoughtfully.
"TharisamonumenttoHasayampa,"hesaidslowly."'Tain'tverybig,norverygrand,andtharain'tmanypeople nowswharitis,butit'sa
monument,allthesame.Hasayampanevertol'thisstory,butthewomandidtellit.
"Shewasjestacommonsorterwoman,notyoung,norpretty,noranythingli ethat,an'itwasoutintheYumadesert.Hasayampawasprospectin',andheridalongpasttheplacewhereshewascampedwithherman.It'sfunnythatawomanthetain'tmarriedtoamanwillputupwithheapsofabuse,butthemwomenthathangsaroundminingcampsseemstothin itallgoesinthegame.Sowhenshedonesomethin'thatrileduptheman,heupandbustedherovertheheadwithastic ofwoodandshewentdownli eshewasdead.
"Hasayampajumpedoff'nhishossandlitintotheman,andthefeller
nifedhim,thenrunaway,leavin'Hasayampalyin'tharadyin'.
"Afterawhilethewomancomebac tohersenses,andshedoneallshenowedhow;buthewastoobadoff.ThefellerthatrunwaswantedformurderupinMontana,thewomansaid.Hehadtoo thetwohorsestheyhadbeenridin'andHasayampa'spony,too;butwhatwaswussthaneverythin'else,hehedcartedoffallthewatertharwasintheircanteensandleftthemwithoutadrop.
"ShesaidwhenshetoldHasayampathatshewasn'tarespectablewoman--jestacamp-follower,an'nodecentmanhadanycalltofightforher,hejestloo edatheran'smiledan'said,'You'reawoman.Hehadn'tnorighttohityou.'
"Hediedthatnightinthedar ,andshesatandhelthishandtillsun-up,thenshescrapedashallowgravewithherbarehandsandputhiminan'coveredhimoverthebestshecould.Afterthatshestartedtohuntthetrail.Shewal edaroundalldayandwasbeginningtogetdesert-crazywhensomemenfoundher.Itwastoolate.Shediedinacoupleofhours,butshetol'aboutHasayampaandastifthey'dburyheralongsideofhim,becauseitwouldn'tseemsolonesome.An'theydoneit.Sothar'sabigcrossoverthemboth,withtheirnamesonit.Ofcourse,weall nowedHasayampacouldn'ttellthetruthifhetried,
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Doc,butwhenfol sheerdaboutthewayhedied,everyonetoo offhishattoHasayampa,youbet,forHasayampaneverdonedirttonobody."
"Didtheycatchtheman?"
"Notthatanyone nowedof.That'soneofthethingsthatpuzzlesme.Whypeoplewhatplaysasquaregameissometimessooutofluc .Seemsasiftheymustofbeenputdownwiththegrainofthetablerunnin'against'emwhentheywasstartedatthegame,orelsetheDealerstac edthecards.But,it'tain'tsomutchtoafeller'screditholdin'aRoyalFlushasitisto eeponplayin'asquaregametoafinishwhenheain'tdealtnothin'butdeucesandtreys."
"You'reright,Limber,"saidPowell,whowaslearningtofindthegoldbeneaththesurface.
Hemovedtothedoor,followedbyLimber,andforasecondtheystoodloo ingupintothedeepblueofthes ywherethecountlessstars,li eclear-cutdiamonds,trembledandblin edasthoughheldonthreadsofsilverbythemightyhandoftheCreator.
"Comeintomyroom,"invitedPowell,"Iwanttotal businesswithyou,Limber."
Thecowboynodded,andwhentheywereseatedandthesmo eoftheircigarsblended,Powellexplainedtheplanofcombiningthewor ofthetworanges,addingashefinished;"ItoldMr.Traynorthatitisentirelyuptoyou.Idon'twantyouthereunlessyoureallywouldli etogo.Itwoulddoubleyourpayandma eyourangeforemanofalloftheranchesownedbyMr.Traynorandmyself.Iwillhavemyhandsfull,gettingtheSanitariumbuilt,andwewouldleavethemanagementofmycattlebusinessabsolutelytoyou.Howdoesitstri eyou?Don'thesitatetospea plainly."
"SofurasI'mconcerned,I'drutherbeoverthere.It'sthisway,Doc.Glendonain'trunnin'verystraight,andnobodyseemstogiveadamnexceptin'me.I'dli etodowhatIcanforhim,andthoughIdon't now
asIcoulddoanythin'--younevercantellwhat'llturnup.'Tain'trightleavin'DonnieandMrs.Glendontherebythemselvesthewayhedoes.Glentoldmehewasgoin'toquitassoonashegotachanct;butifhestaysheremuchlongerhe'sboundtomixupintrouble.He'srunnin'withaprettybadbunchnow.Anotherthing,"thecowpuncherhesitated,"Thar'saMexicangirlnamedPanchita.IguessMrs.Glendonisabouttheonlyonewhodon't nowabouther.Glen'splumblocoedoverthegirlandthat'swharhismoneygoes,whenhegetsholdofany."
Powellstartedangrily,"Thecur!Withsuchawifeandboy!Limber,sometimesIfeelashamedtocallmyselfaman,whensuchcreaturesasGlendonare nownasmen."
"MebbeGlendon'tfiggerjustwhatitisleadin'upto.Hewasamightydifferentsorterpersonwhenhefustcomehere,andeveryoneli edhim.He'dgetfullonctinawhile,butheplayedwhiteuntilthislastcoupleofyears.He'sjustthewrong indofamanforArizona.Ta ehimsomeotherplaceandmebbehe'dmanagetoaverageupprettyfairwiththerestofthebunch;buthe'ssuregoin'thewrongtrailhere."
Thecowboyrose,andPowellheldouthishandimpulsively,saying,"Allright,Limber.Wepulltogether."
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"Solongasyouwantme,Doc."
Theirhandsgrippedandastheyloo edintoeachother'seyes,bothmenrecognizedabondthatwasstrongerthanblood--thebrotherhoodofrealmen.
AfterLimberhadgone,DoctorPowellsatmeditatingoverwhatthecowboyhadtoldhimconcerningGlendon.Thewreathsofsmo ethatrosefromhiscigarframedashadowyvisionofKatherineGlendon'sface,andPowellwonderedvaguelywherehehadseenherbeforetheymetinthecaveneartheCircleCross.Memoryrefusedtoaidhim.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
PowellandChappowerealoneinthenewhomeatHotSpringsranch.LimberhadgonetotheDiamondHinordertoadjustthefinaldetailsofthejointrangewor .
WhiletheMexicanbusiedhimselfinthe itchen,Powellsmo edcontentedlyintheliving-roomashesatbeforethefireofblazing
mesquite nots.Heglancedaboutthehome-li eplace,withitsred-shadedlamponalargetablethatwasstrewnwithmagazines.Adesoccupiedoneendoftheroomandboo shelvesheldwell-wornvolumesattheoppositeend.Thecouch,whichwascoveredwithaglowingIndianblan etandmannishpillows,harmonizedwiththemassivebrownleatherchairsandNavajorugsonthefloor.Thepicturesboresignaturesofwell- nownartists.
"It'sjustwhatI'vewantedalltheseyears,"saidPowellaloud.Thecolliepupathisfeetloo edupwithquestioningeyes,thentelegraphedreplywithbushytail.Themanleanedoverandpattedthedog'sheadbeforeselectingamagazineandsettlingdownfortheevening.
"Buenosnoches,Señor,"Chapposmiledpolitely,hisshabbysombreroinhand.
"Buenosnoches,Chappo,"answeredPowell,whoselifeforseveralyearsinaSouthAmericanminingcamphadfamiliarizedhimwiththelanguageandthetypeofpeoplefoundinallLatin-Americansections.Afortunatemininginvestmentduringthoseyearshadawa enedaloveoftheuntrammeledoutdoors,andalsomadeitpossibleforhimtocarryonhisplansforasanitarium.
AfterChappohaddepartedforhisbun -room,thedoctorbecameabsorbedinhisboo .Threehourspassed,thenthedrowsingcolliestartedwithamuffledgrowlandsharplycoc edears.
"What'sthematter,oldchap?"
Thedogleapeduprantothedoorwhimpering,andPowellwentonthefrontporch.Itwastoodar todiscernanythingandnounusualsoundsreachedtheman,butthedog,withahystericalyelpdartedfromtheporchintotheshadows.Theshort,sharpbar sthatbro ethestillnesswerebar sofwelcomesuchasalwaysgreetedthedoctoruponhisreturntotheranch.
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Awoman'svoicespo etothedog,andPowellranquic lyinthedirectionthecolliehadta en.ThewayledtotheCircleCross;thevoicewasthatofGlendon'swife.
"Bequiet,Tatters,"calledPowell.Asthenoiseabated,hereachedKatherineGlendon'sside,andinthefaintlightsawthatshewascarryingDonnie.
"Oh,Iamsogladyouarehome!"sheexclaimed."Donnieishurt,Idon'tnowhowbadly--buthisarmisbro en."
Alreadythedoctorhadreachedforthechild.
"Letmehavehim.Don'ttrytoexplainanythingnow."
Theyhurriedtowardthehouse,enteredtheroomandPowelllaidthechildonthecouch.Thedoctor neltdownbesidethealmostunconsciousboy,thenwithgentletouchfeltthebro enarm.Chappocamethroughthedoor,hisfadedbrowneyeswerefullofpityashewatchedthemotherwhostoodwithtightlygrippedhandswaitingthedoctor'swords.
Donnieloo edather,hisquiveringlipsshowedtheefforttocontrolhisemotionswhenhetriedtomovehisarmandsawthatitwasbro en.
"Itreallydon'thurtverymuch,Marmee,"hesaidstoutlyasPowellfinishedtheexaminationandrosetohisfeet.
"We'llfixyouupinnotime,"thedoctorannouncedcheerily."Nothingthematterwithyouexceptabro enbone,andthatisintheverybestplaceitcouldhappen."HeturnedtoKatherineandcontinued,"Don'tworry,Mrs.Glendon.Ahealthychild'sbones nitquic lyandperfectly.It'sasimplefracture,fortunately,andabovetheelbow,soonlyoneboneto nit.He'llbeplayingaroundtomorrow."
Powelllefthersittingbythecouch,andChappolistenedcarefullytothedoctor'slow-voicedinstructionswhichwerespo eninSpanish.
"Iunderstand,Señor,"noddedtheMexican."LotsoftimesIhavehelpedwhentherewasnodoctor.Horses,cows,dogs,andpeople,allbonesarethesame."
Theboo sonthetablewereremovedforrollsofbandagesandsurgicalsplints,thenPowellturnedbris lytoDonnieandputhisarmaboutthechild'sshoulderashesaid,"Now,oldman,ChappoandIwillta ecareofthatarmforyou.Itmayhurtforafewseconds,butafterthatitwon'tbotheryouatall."
"Lethimbracehimselfagainstyou,Mrs.Glendon,"continuedthephysician.
Chappo,atanodfromthedoctor,graspedtheboy'sarmandpulledsteadily.Donnie'sfacepaledbutnotasoundescapedhistightlysetlips.Thedoctor'sfingerspressedthefracturedboneandhelditinplacewhilethesplintswereadjusted.Aslinginwhichthehandrested,finishedtheoperation,thenPowellarrangedthepillowsonthecouch.
"Ta eiteasynow,oldman,"hesaid."You'rethepluc iestboyIevernew."
Donnietriedtosmile,buttearsfilledhiseyesandheheldouthis
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uninjuredhandtohismother.Shesatonthecouchbesidehimsmoothinghishairandtal inginalowvoice,untilatlast,withhisrighthandstillclaspedinhers,hefellasleep.
"Allrightnow,"Powellassuredher,asheputawaythearticlesonthetable."Heisexhaustedfromthenerveshoc ,nothingmore."
ThedoctorglancedatKatherineandexclaimed,"Blessmyheart!YouneedattentionalmostasbadlyasDonnie."
Helefttheroomandreturnedwithaglass."Justalittleportwine.Drin everydropofit,"heordered.
Herhandshoo assheliftedtheglasstoherwhitelips,thensheheldouttheemptyglassandsan intoachairthatPowellrolledbeforethefireplace.Hereyesclosedwearily.Thedoctorunderstoodtheovertaxednerves,andasheglancedfrommothertochild,afeelingofrageagainstGlendonconsumedhim.Theonlysoundintheroomwasthesputteroftheburningwood.Katherineloo edanxiouslyatthesleepingchild,thenatthedoctor.
"He'sallright,"Powellansweredherunvoicedfear."Ithadbeenaterriblestrainonyouboth.Thebonewillbeginto nitinafewdaysandDonniewillhavenothingtoremindhimoftheaccidentinashort
time.It'spartofaboy'slifetohavesuchthingsasbro enlegsandarms,"hesmiled.
"Pleasedon'tthin Iamungrateful.Therearesomeemotionsonealmostcannotexpress,becausewefeelthemtoodeeplyforwords.Idon't nowhowtothan you."
"Howdidithappen?"as edPowell,tryingtodivertherfromanysenseofobligation.
"Itcamesosuddenlythatitdazedme,"shebegan."LastsummerthewallofthebedroombulgedandJuanmadenewadobestofixit;butMr.Glendonhasbeentoobusytoattendtoit.Weneverthoughtofdanger,
foranadobewalloftenstandsforyearswithbigcrac sinit,younow.Donniewassleepingnexttothewallinmybedwhenthecrashcame.Thewallfelloutward,butpartoftheadobestruc hisarm.Itwasdar .Ispo etohimandhedidnotanswer.IthoughthewasdeaduntilIheardhimmoan."Shestoppedandbitherlipfiercely.
Thedoctorplacedafreshlogonthefire,andwhileheproddedtheembers,thewomangainedcontrolofhervoice.
"Ilitthecandle,butwhenIloo edathimhewasunconscious.Iliftedhimandwhenthebedcoversfellfromhisarm,Isawthebonehadbeenbro en.Then--Ithoughtofyou,andbroughthimhere."
Powell newthatherfearthatthechildshecarriedmightbedyinginherarms,orthatshemightnotfindanyonebutChappoattheSprings,musthavemadethethree-milewal seemendless.
"Wereyoualone?"
"Yes.JuanisontheSanPedrofortendaysandmyhusbandwenttoWillcoxyesterdaymorning.Hedoesnotexpecttoreturnhomeforawee .IhadnohorseorIcouldhaveriddenhere."
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"YouandDonniemustgotobednowandrest,"commandedthedoctor,cuttingshortthewordsshewasabouttoutter."IhaveaguestroomandChapposeestoeverythingnecessary,soyouneednotfearyouarecausingmetheleastinconvenience.Tomorrowwecandrivedowntoyourplaceandta einventoryofthedamage.SinceJuanhastheadobesreadytouse,ChappoandIcanfixupthewall.IlearnedallaboutadobeswhileIlivedinSouthAmericaeightyearsago."
"Thatwasthesameyearwecamehere,"commentedthewoman.
Powellsmotheredanejaculationofindignationandwonderatherenduranceofsuchalife."Yet,"hemused,"abruisedflowerbecomesmorefragrant."Hiselbowrestedonthemantleandheloo eddown,studyingherfacelinebyline.Againthatvagueresemblancebaffledhimuntilherecalledastreamnearhisboyhoodhome,whereashallowcurrentreachedabendandformedadeeppool.Hehadlovedtosprawlontheban andgazeintothewonderful,ever-changingreflections,whereroughtreesweresoftened,thes ybecamemoreblueandthemany-huedflowersmorebeautiful.Itwasamagicpooltohisboyisheyes;inlateryearsbecalledithisPoolofIllusion.
Downinitsmysteriousdepthslivedashadowyform.Awoman'sfacewithsteadfasteyesloo edbac intohisown,understandinghisunspo endreams,whileherslenderwhitehandswereheldouttohim.Thelonging
totouchthemwasactualphysicalpain,andoftenhedivedintothewater,butthevisionvanishedintheripples.Hehadgonehisway,loo ingintomanywomen'sfacesinmanylands,alwayshopingtofindwhathehadseeninhisPoolofIllusion,buttheyearsofsearchhadbeenfruitless.
Tonightthefirelightfromhishearthflic eredacrossthatdreamface.
ThedreamandrealityblendedsoperfectlythatitstartledhimwhenKatherinerosefromherchairandheldoutherhand,saying,"Idothanyouwithallmyheart.Ishallneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforus.MaybesomedayIcanshowmygratitude."
"Pleasedon'tspea ofitagain,"hereplied,andseeingDonnieonhisfeet,Powelladded,"Goodnight,oldman.
"It'sluc ythatadobefellonthelefthand,forit'smuchhardertolearntouseit.Myrightarmwasbro enwhenIwasyourage.It'sfunny,though,howquic lymylefthandlearnedtowor li eitstwinbrother.Aftermyarmwaswell,Iusedmylefthandmuchofthetime."
MotherandchildenteredthecheerfulguestroomandforawhilePowellheardtheirvoicesthroughthecloseddoor.Hesatbythedyingembersofthefire.HehadfoundthewomanofthePool.ShewasthewifeofhisneighbourGlendon.Therealizationofhisdreamwasmoreunattainablethanever,buthisbitternessheldanundercurrentofhappinessin
nowingthathemightbeabletoeasetheburdenshewasbearingsobravely.
Withasuddenmovementhetouchedthechairwhereherheadhadrested.Thenheturnedoutthelampandwenttohisownroom,butthatnightinhisdreamshesawtheWomanofthePoolsittingagainbeforehisfireplace,andachildleanedagainsthershoulder.Ashedrewnearer,herlipssmiledandhereyesmethisinperfectconfidenceandunderstanding.
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Heheldouthisarmstoherandthechild,fortheywerehisown.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
ThenextmorningwhenPowellenteredthelivingroombeforebrea fast,hefoundKatherineandDonniealreadythere.Thechild,thoughpale,smiledshylyattheDoctor.
"Hello!How'sthearmthismorning,Donnie?"
"Itdoesn'thurtatall,"repliedthechild,whilehismotherheldoutherhandtoherhostandspo e,"Hesleptsplendidlyallnight,soInowhedidnotsuffer."
Thedoctor'sanswerwasinterruptedbyChappoatthedoorleadingintothedining-room.TheMexicansmiledmysteriouslyandbec onedDonnie,whoglancedathismother,thenathernodofacquiescence,theboyfollowedinChappo'swa e.Thenoiseofsharpbar sandchildishejaculationmingledwithastreamofchatterinSpanishbetweenthechildandMexicaninthe itchen.Thedoorclosed,andKatherineand
Powellwereleftalone.Hereyeswanderedtothes etchesonthewalls,andthedoctorrose,saying,"Mypicturesandboo shavetravelledwithmetomanystrangelands,butthisisthefirsttimetheyhavereallyseemedtobeathome."
Shefollowedhimashepointedoutspecialpictures,andtoldsomeintimatedetailoftheartist'slife,forthepictureshadbeengiftsfromtheircreators,hispersonalfriends.Mostofthesignatureswereworld- nown.Katherineturnedtotherowsofboo s,andrecognizingmanyoldfriendswhomshehadnotseenforyears,shedroppedimpulsivelyonthefloorandtouchedthemwithcaressingfingers,herfacealightwith
aradiantsmile.Powellreadtheboo -hunger,andbeggedhertoselectasmanyasshepleased.
"Ilovemyboo sasfewmenlovetheirfriends,"hesaidearnestly,standingaboveherandta ingararefirsteditionfromitsplace."Theywillbeenhancedinvalueifyouwillonlysharethemwithme,soIcantal aboutthemwithyousometime."
Togethertheyselected,whileKatherinecrouchedonthefloorreadthetitles,commentingandquestioning,astheyagreedordisagreed.
"It'sli eachildwithabigboxofcandy,"shelaughedassherose,assistedbyPowell,whocarriedanumberofchosenboo sandplacedthem
uponthetable."Idon't nowwhattostartwith."
Shesettledagaininthechairbeforethefireplace,andtheconversationslippedbydegreesintothedoctor'swor intheeast,andhisplantotransformtheHotSpringsranchintoasanitariumforpoor,tubercularchildren.
"Mywor inhospitalstaughtmetheneedofsuchaplace.Therearethousandsofchildrenwhodieeachyearbecausetheylac thethingsNatureprovides,pureair,nourishingfoodandanoutdoorplaygroundin
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thiswonderfulclimatewithitsmagicalhealingpowers.Ibelievethatenvironmentcanconquerheredity,inphysicalaswellasmoralconditions.Youcannotrealizewhatchild-lifemeansintheslumsofourcrowdedcitiesoftheeast,Mrs.Glendon,"heturnedafacefullofenthusiasmandherownglowedinresponse."Thefirststepwasmygoodfortuneingettingthisplace.Itwillta etime,moneyandlabour,butI nowitisworththeeffort."
"Itwillbewonderfultowatchyoudevelopeyourplans!Than youfortellingmeaboutitall!"
Chappoappearedandannouncedbrea fast,andPowellwithMrs.GlendonfoundDonniealreadywaitingthem.Thecollie,Tatters,wasbesidethechild,anditwasevidentafriendshiphadbeencementedbetweenthetwo.
ThelittleMexicancoo beamedwithpleasureasheinstalledMrs.Glendonattheendofthetableandplacedthecoffee-potbeforeher.ChappoandJuanwereoldfriends,soKatherineandDonnie newhimwell.Hisreputationasacoo wasdemonstratedinthemealheserved,andhewatchedjealouslythatnothingwasneglected.Donnie'sattentionwasdividedbetweenhismother,thedoctorandTatters.Thedogsatbesidetheboy'schair,occasionallypo inghisnoseagainstDonnie'sneetoremindhimthathe,too,li edbuttermuffinsandtidbitsof
bacon.Donniepattedhim,buthesitatedtorespondtothedog'sappeals,thenasthechildloo eddownandbro eintoasuddenburstofheartylaughter,Katherinewasstartledintotherealizationthatitwasthefirsttimeshehadeverheardherboylaughli eotherchildren.
"Loo ,Marmee!"
Thedog,believinghiswheedlingineffectual,wassittingonhishaunchesuncertainly,wavinghispawsfranticallyineffortsto eepbalanced.Itwashardwor forapuppy,andhiswildlyrollingeyesmadehimmoreridiculous.EvenChappojoinedinthelaughterwiththedoctor
andKatherine.Tatters,understandingapproval,bar edanddancedaboutthem,untilPowelltossedapieceofmuffinwhichthedogcaughtandgulpeddown.
"I'mafraidIamnotbringinghimupproperly,"apologizedthedoctor,"butwearealonesomuchandheissuchanintelligent,affectionatedog,thatIspoilhim.Hethin syourbrea fastmustbebetterthanmine,Donnie,"heendedasthedogrejectedabitofmuffinprofferedbyPowellandswallowedwhatDonnieheldout.
Atlastbrea fastwasover,andthelittlepartystoodontheporch,preparedtostartfortheCircleCross.Tattersyelpedandbeggedtobeincluded,buthisspecialeffortsweredirectedatDonnie.
"Heseemstohaveadoptedyou,Donnie,"thedoctorlaughed."Ifyourmotherdoesnotobject,Ithin Tatterswouldbeafinefriendforyou."
"Ifhewerealessvaluabledog--"beganKatherine,butPowellcutshortherprotestsbyhisanswer.
"Itisnaturalforaboytohaveadog.Apupwilldesertamananytimetorespondtoaboy'ssmile.Ifthedogwillnotcauseyouanyannoyance,I'dbehappyto nowhewaswithDonnie.Tattersisunusually
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intelligentandaffectionate,almostuncannilysoattimes.Hewouldbealoyalfriend."
Donniewatchedwithappealingeyes,andwhenhismotheracceptedthedogforhim,thechild'srightarmwentaroundTatters'shaggynec ,andthedog,asthoughunderstanding,pledgedhisfealtywithaquic touchofhispin tongueagainstthelad'schee .ThenChappodrovethebuggyfromthestableandstoodattheheadoftheteamuntilPowell,DonnieandKatherinewereseatedandthereinsinthedoctor'shands.
TheMexicanmountedaponyandlopedaheadofthehandsomespanoffasttrotters,whileTattersyelpedbeforethem,dashingawayfromtheroadintothebrushtochaseimaginaryfoes.TheyreachedtheCircleCrossandafteraninspectionofthebro enwall,Chappoassertedhecouldfixitunassistedinacoupleofdays,sincetheadobebric swereingoodconditionintheshedwhereJuanhadstoredthemtheprevioussummer.Nodamagehadbeendonetotheroominside,orthefurniture.
"Ithin youandDonniehadbetterremainattheSpringsuntiltheplaceisfixed,"suggestedPowell."Thewallwillbedampforawee ,younow."
"Ifmybedismovedintothecornerofthedining-room,DonnieandIcansleepthereandgetalongsplendidly;"wasKatherine'sanswer."Therest
ofthehouseisingoodcondition.Thebedroomwastheonlyroomwhenwecamehere,andwebuiltontheotherthreerooms.Theoldwallatthesideofthehousecrac edlastspring,andtherainswea enedit,astherooflea edbadly.Inoticedthecrac wideningseveralwee sago,butyou now,anadobewallholdstogetherwhenanyothermaterialwouldbrea away.Wedidnotdreamtherewasanyimmediatedangerofitsfalling."
"I'llhelpChappo,"assertedPowell,despiteherprotestthattherepairscouldwaituntilJuanandherhusbandreturned,andPowellandChappobegantheirtas .
DonnieandTatterstrottedtoandfro,asChappowheeledtheadobe
bric stoPowell,whowhistledcheerfullyashelaidthemaccuratelyontopofeachotherbetweenthesoftlayersofmudwhichhes illfullyappliedwithalargetrowel.ThewhistlewasinterruptedbysnatchesofconversationbetweenChappothedoctorandDonnie,partlyinEnglishandpartlySpanish.
"Lunchisready,"calledKatherinethroughthe itchenwindow.
"Fine!"answeredPowell,"we'reallgoodandhungry,"thenfollowedthesoundsofsplashingwater,andinafewminutesPowell,withDonnieathisside,bustledintothediningroomannouncingtheywerereadytoeatthedishes.
Itwasamerrymeal,andafterwardswhileChappowaseatinghislunch,thedoctorandKatherinesatontheporchtal ing.Donnieperchedonthelowerstep,hiseyesbetrayinghisadmirationforthemanwhowasunli eanyothermanthechildhadever nowninhisshortlife.
Wor wasresumed,andasitnearedsunset,PowellsaidthathemusttightenthebandagesonDonnie'sarmandtheadjustmentwascompletedwithKatherine'said.Thesplintshadheldinplace,andthedoctorannouncedeverythingsatisfactory.
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"Iwillbebac earlyinthemorning,"saidtheman,claspingKatherine'sextendedhand."Oh,bytheway,we illedacalfafewdaysago,soIwillbringdownaloin.ChappoandIarecultivatingheartyappetites,yousee!"
Hewasinthebuggybeforeshecouldthan him,andtheteamwhirledawayinacloudofdust.
Katherinewatchedthebuggyuntilitdisappeared,thenChappoandDonnieemergedfromthestableandcametowardher,tal ingvolublyinMexican-Spanish--whichtheboyhadacquiredfromoldJuan.KatherinehadalsofallenintothehabitofusingthesametonguewhensheandDonniewerealonewithJuan,whoseonesymptomofallegiancetoMexicowashispersistenceinhisnativetongue,thoughhespo eEnglishfluently.
"Iwillfeedthechic ensandbringwoodandwater,Señora,"saidChappo;"thenyoucantellmewhatyouwantmetodo.Thecowismil ed."
"Thereisnothingmore,than you,Chappo;"shereplied."Youcangohomenow,forDonnieandIwillmanagenicely."
"IstayhereteelSeñorGlendonandJuancomehome.ElDoctorsay'stay.'"
"But,Chappo,"sheprotested,"theymaybeawayawee ormore.Youmustgohomeandloo outforthedoctor."
"ElPadronesay'stay.'Imuststay.Hesay,'youcomehometooquee ,Ifireyou;'"theMexicansmiledexpansively,"Eetisallright,Señora.Istay!"
SherealizedthatherobjectionswereofnoconsequencetoeithertheMexicanorthedoctor,andasuddenwaveofgratitudeoverwhelmedher.Itwassonewtohaveothersthin ofhercomfortorsafety,tohavetheheavyburdenliftedevenforafewhours.WhatadifferenceitwouldhavemadeinherlifeandDonnie'sifGlendonwereonlyamanli ethe
doctor.Thentherewouldhavebeennolonelinessinthecañon,forthehighwallscouldnothaveheldherhappiness.Herheartwouldhavesentitsmessagetoeverytree,bush,roc ,birdandcloud,sothattheveryuniversemightshareherjoy.
EarlythenextmorningDonniewasonthewatchforhisnewfriend,andhisdelightmadehimspeechlesswhenPowelltoldtheboythattheponytiedtothebac ofthebuggywasforhim.
"Heistoosmalltocarryaman'sweight,"explainedPowell,"butheisperfectlygentle,soyouneedhavenofear."
"Ican'tletyoudosomuch,"falteredKatherine,"thedogwasmorethan
enough.YouareheapingadebtofobligationsthatIcannotpay.LastnightItriedtoma eChappogohome,butherefused.Hesaidyouhadorderedhimtoremain,andthatyouwoulddischargehimifhedisobeyedyou.I nowhowmanythingsneedattentiononaranchanditworriesmetocauseyouanyfurtherinconvenience.DonnieandIareusedtobeingalone,yousee,sotherewasnoneedofChappostayinghereallnight."
"Youmustthin Iamaregulartenderfoot,"retortedPowell,smiling."IhaverougheditunderthemostprimitiveconditionsinSouthAmerica,andamgladtodoabitofhustlingtowearofftherust.Civilization
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ma esmanymenhelpless,you now."
"Then,letuscompromise,"shepersisted."SupposeyoucomedownforyourdinnereachnightwhileChappoishere?Icannotconsenttohisremainingotherwise."
"Doyou now,"confessedPowellgaily,"thatwaswhatIwashopingyouwouldsay!"
So,eachafternoonfollowing,whentheshadowslengthenedinthecañon,Donnie,watchingdowntheroadwouldshoutwelcome,andKatherinecomingontheporch,watchedDoctorPowellpauseatthebendoftheroad,waitingforthechild,justasoldDoctorKinghadformerlydone,thenDonnie,perchedonthesaddlebeforethedoctor,rodeinstatetothefrontporchandhissmilingmother.
Ononeoftheserides,Donnieloo edwithseriouseyesattheman,andsaid,"WhenIgrowup,I'mgoingtobeadoctorli eyou,andthen,maybe,you'llletmecomeandhelpyou.Marmeesaysthathelpingothersisjustthesameasfightingintour'mentsorhuntingtheSangreal!"
"Yourmotherisright,Donnie,"wasthegravereply."SomedayIwantyoutobemypartner,andwe'llwor together.Now,remember,thisisacontractbetweenus,andIwon'tforgetmypromise."
Afterdinnerhadbeeneateneachevening,arompwithDonnieandTatters,orteachingthedoganewtric ,occupiedPowellandthechild,andlater,Katherineandthedoctorsatonthelittleporchandtal edofthedoctor'splans,whileDonnieleanedagainsthismother's neeslisteningintently,forsomeday,he,too,wouldhelpinthedoctor'swor .TheshadowsinKatherine'seyesturnedtolaughter,herfacebecamegirlishinrelieffromconstantworry,andDonniewatchedherwithadoring,wonderingeyes.
"Marmee'slotsprettierwhenshelaughs,isn'tshe,Doctor?"as edthechildsuddenlyoneevening.
Katherine'seyesandPowell'smet,andforthefirsttimeafeelingofaw wardnesstingedtheircomradeship,butPowellrelievedthesituationwithalaugh,ashesaid,"Littleboysareluc y,becausetheycansayjustwhattheythin ,butgrown-uppeoplearenotallowedtodoit.HowisPettoday?"
DonnielauncheduponareportofthemostwonderfulponyinArizonaandtheman eptplyinghimwithquestionsuntilthestrainofthesituationhadpassed.But,Katherinewasunusuallysilentfortherestoftheevening,andthedoctorroseearlytosay"Goodnight."Hedrovehomeslowly,thoughtful,troubledandyetglad.NomatterwhatFatemightdenyhiminlife,thesewonderfuldayscouldneverbefilchedfromthetreasure-houseofMemory.
AfterDonniehadbeentuc edinbed,KatherineGlendonsatinsilentself-examination.Sherealizedthehappinessofthelastfivedayscouldnotcontinue,buteventhoughshecouldnothavethe indlyfriendshipofthedoctor,itwarmedherheartto nowthatforthesefewdaystheyhadwal edsidebysideascomrades.Ithadimbuedherwithnewhopes.Yet,she newtherewasnottheleasttingeofdisloyaltytoherhusbandinanyword,deedorthought.ThepleasureshehadexperiencedwasasinnocentasthatwhichshefeltwhensheandDonnie,wal inginthecañon,foundanewflower.
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So,withuntroubledeyesshe neltbesidethebedwhereherboylaysleeping,andprayedforthechild,thenherlipsmovedinapleaforthefatherofthatchild.
ThefollowingdayGlendonreturnedhomeinarepentantmood,aswasusualafteraprotractedcarousal.Hethan edChappoeffusively,andtoshowhisgratitude,heldoutawhis eybottle.ButthelittleMexicandeclined,"IpromiseElDoctorIwouldnotdrin again.EefIdo,maybeIdieprettyquee ,hesay."
"Oh,alittlewhis eyonceinawhilewon'thurtyou,"urgedGlendon,whoalwaysli edcompanywhenhewasdrin ing.
ButChappowasfirm,thoughthebattlewasnotwonwithoutahardstrugglewhenthepungentodourfromtheglassinGlendon'sextendedhandreachedthedwarf'snostrils.Appreciatinghisownwea ness,Chappohastenedtothebarnandsaddledhisponywithoutlossoftime.
ThenherodetothedoorwhereKatherinestood."Adios,Señora.Yomevoy,"(Goodbye,Señora.Iamgoing,)andhegallopedawayfromtemptationasfastashisponycouldcarryhim.
Katherinetoldherhusbandofthe indnessshownherandDonnie,andin
responsetoherentreaties,herodeuptotheSpringsthefollowingday.Powellreceivedhimcourteouslyandtriedtoevadetheeffusivethan s,butGlendonhadreachedapointofintoxicationwherehewasgarrulous.
"Iwantyoutocomedownanytimeandma eyourselfentirelyathome,"heurged."Amangetstiredhavingnoonebutawomantotal to,andKatherine'sheadisalwaysintheclouds.Theboyisgettingjustli eher.Whenhe'salittleolderthough,I'mgoingtota ehiminhandmyself.IfKatherinehadn'tbeensohigh-headedwithmyfol sthingswouldbemightydifferentwithmetoday.ButhereIam,stuc downinaGod-forsa encañoninArizonaandnoprospectsofevergettingout.Ifshehadcateredtomyfamilywewouldn'tbehere,youbet.So,it's
nothingmorethanshebroughtonherself,andI'vegottota ethemedicinewithher.Theoldmanhasplentymoney,butit'sdoubtfulifIsmellapennyofitwhenhedies.Ifshe'dcomeoffherhigh-horsetheoldmanmightleaveawadtoDonnie.Ofcourse,Ita eafewdrin swhenIfeelli eit.Anymandoes.Onceinawhileitgetstheupperhandofme,butIcanstopwhenIwantto,andIwon'tma eanypromisestoanyonetoquittillIgetgoodandready."
Oncestartedherambledon.Powellgaveupanyattempttochec thehalf-drun enconfidences,andsatsilentlysmo ing,tryingtoconcealhisaversion.Itwaswithafeelingof eenreliefhesawGlendonriseandta eleave.Theheavy-setfigureswayeduncertainlyinthesaddle.Thenthememoryofthatman'swife,ofthedaystheytwohadshared,
sweptoverthedoctor.The nowledgethatKatherinewassubjecttocontactofsuchamanasGlendonmadehisownlossmorepoignant.Ifhehadfoundthewomanofhisdreamsmarriedtoamanworthyofher,henewhewouldhaverejoicedatherhappiness,thoughhewenthisownwayalonethroughlife.
"PoorlittleLadyofthePool,"hewhispered,"Ihavefoundyouonlytoloseyou!"
Herecalledabeautifulrose,frozeninabloc ofice,whichhadbeen
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senthimbyagratefulpatient.Hehadlongedtowarmthecoldpetalsandinhaletheirfragrance,buthe newthatremovingtheicybarrierwouldmeandestroyingtheflower.Heleftitundisturbed.
Andtherose,initslovelinesspasseditslife;shutawayfromthecaressofthesummerbreeze,fromthe issofthebutterfly,fromthequiveringtouchofthehumming-bird'swings,andallthewonderfulmysteriesoflifethatthrobbedaroundit.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
InMayandJuneeachyeartheEasternandNortherncattlebuyersflocintoArizonatoprocure"feeders"fortheirgrassrangesinothersections.One,twoandthree-yearoldsteersarethenshippedtobeheldonpastureandfinally"topped"ongraininsomeEasterncentre,topreparetheanimalsfortheKansasCity,Denver,OmahaorChicagostoc yards.
AnumberoffinesteershadbeengatheredontheHotSpringsrange,andwerebeingdriventoWillcoxtoma epartofacontractbetweena
MontanabuyerandtheDiamondHandPL.Thespringrainshadbeenabundant.Wildgrassesrosetotheheightofapony's nees;sleeHerefordcattlebrowsedcontentedly,whilewhite-facedcalvesrompedandracedbetween.Arizonawasatitssmilingbest.
Powell,ridingbehindtheherdwhileLimberdirectedacoupleofMexicanvaqueros,wassatisfiedthathehadmadenomista einidentifyinghimselfwiththiscountry.TheplansfortheSanitariumwerematuringperfectly.Letterswithsuggestionsandexperienceculledfromthebestauthoritiesalloverthecontinent,aswellasEuropeanhealthresorts,wereineachmail.Architectshadsubmitteddraftsandplans,fromwhichPowellwasselectingtheverybestideas.
ArrangementsregardingtheconsolidationoftheDiamondHwor withthePLandHotSpringsherdshadprovenideal,andtheonlyunpleasantfeaturePowellhadencounteredwasembodiedinhisneighbour,Glendon.
Thoughtheman'santagonismtothedoctorhadnowreachedapointofopenanimosity,Powellignoredit.LimberwentfrequentlytotheCircleCross,andoldChappo,ma ingvisitstoJuan,managedto eepintouchwithKatherine.Theyall newtheywereunabletodomorethanthis,unlesssheshouldallowit,orsomedirenecessityforcehertocallonthemforhelp.Powellwascompelledto eepentirelyalooffromtheCircleCross,fearingtoprecipitatesomedisagreeablescene,shouldGlendonbeinoneofhisaggressivemoods.Thedoctor newGlendon'stypewellenoughtounderstandthatthebruntofsuchsituationwould
fallwithitsfullweightonthewoman.Hehopedthatshedidnotmisinterprethisabsenceasduetoindifference,sinceitwastheonlywayhecouldhelp.
Limberdroppedbac oftheherdandrodebesidethedoctorwithoutspea ing.Therewerelongintervalswhenthesetwoweretogetherthatneitherspo e,yeteachman newthecomradeshipoftheother.Thecattlewereploddingalongsteadilyandinthedistancecouldbeseenthesmo eofatraincreepingli earattlesna eacrosstheflatbetweenCochiseandWillcox.
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Thecowboythrewhislegacrossthehornofhissaddle,sittingsidewiseasherolledacigarette,whichheprofferedtoPowell.Thenma ingoneforhimself,thetwomensmo edastheyrode.
"Juantoldmelastnightthathehadfoundanotherdeadcalfuptheriverbed,andpoisonedit,"saidLimber."Tharwasfreshliontrac s.Hethin sit'sthelionthatwasinthecave,butitain'tbeentharsincethedaywefoundMrs.GlendonandDonnie.Itmustofsmeltourtrac sandquit.Juanhasbeenwatchin'foriteversinceItolehimaboutit."
"Howmuchisthebounty?"as edPowell,puffingathiscigarette.
"Twenty-fivedollarsforalionscalp,"repliedLimber."IhopeJuangetsit.We'vebeenhavinglotsofcalves illedthisyear.Mr.Traynorfiggersonputtin'acoupleofmenouttrappin'andpoisonin'themandthecoyotes.It'llpaytodoit.Wehadtoshoottwohorsesnotlongago,becausetheirbac swasbro e."
"Dotheyfightatclosequarters?"as edPowell."TheSouthAmericanonesarenastythings."
"Well,sometimestheydoandsometimestheydon't.Say,didanyoneevertellyouaboutthetimeHasayampafitthemountainlion?"
"No,orIshouldnothaveforgottenit,Iamsure,"Powellsmiledinanticipation.
Limbertossedawayhisdeadcigarette,swungaroundinhissaddleandbegan,"Hasayampahadapeculiarexperiencewithamountain-liononct.Yousee,hewaslivin'inaone-roomstonecabindownAravaipaCañonallalonebyhisself,exceptin'foranol'brindledognamedKillem.HasayampaallowedthatKillemwasacanineorphunasylum,becausehewasrelatedtoneareverydogbetweenWillcoxandtheSanPedro.Killem'snosewasbull-dog,hisearswascollie,histailloo edsomethingli eapug'sthewayittriedtocurlupinadoughnut.Hehadabrindlecoatofhairthatwassprin ledwithwhitepatchesandthemmixedwithblac .
Hesuredonehisbesttobeararesemblancetoeveryoneofhisfamilyconnections.Hehadbeenadandyscrapperwhenhewasyoung,buthewassool'heshedallhisteeth,buthis i-yiwasguaranteedindestructible.Hasayampahadtroublewithamountain-lionwhatwantedtoma esociablecalls,butwastoobashfultocomeindaylight.ItformedastrongattachmentforsomepigsBillwasraisin',an'thatlionadopted'emontheinstallmentplan,an'theol'sowtoo onsomethin'dreadful.Sobetweenthepigssquealin'andKillem i-yiing,hewasprettynearcrazy.Hasayampasaidhecouldn'tstandtheladypig'sgrief,sohe illedherandthenheguvKillemagood ic toma ehimshetup,andwentbac tobed.
"Thecabinhadonedooran'alittlewinder.Hasayampawaslyin'onhis
bun withacandlestuc inabeer-bottleonaboxlongsidehim,rightunderthewinder.Suddenlyol'KillemhoppedrightthroughthewinderglassandlandedplumpontopofHasayampa.Hejumpedupto ic Killemout,butbeforehedoneit,dernedifthatliondidn'tcomethroughthesameway,buthe noc edovertheboxandputoutthecandle.ThenKillemandthelionstartedinforfustblood.
"Hasayampa'ssix-shooterhadbeen noc edoff'ntheboxandHasayampamadeabrea ferthedoor--theroomseemedaleetlebitcrowdedjustthen--butthedoorwasloc edandthe eysomewharonthefloor.He
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begunscratchingforthat ey.
"Justaboutthistimethestovepipegot noc eddown.Tharwarn'tmutchfire,butplentyofsmo e.Nextthingtheyhitthetablewharhehadpiledupallthetinplates,cupsandpansthathewashedonSundays.Hasayampasaidthenoisewassomethin'fierce,forKillemwasyellin','Penandin ,'thelionwasscreechin'itsheadoff,andbothof'emic in'tinthingsineverydirection.
"AllthistimeHasayampawashavin'troublesofhisown.Hewasclawin'thefloor,loo in'forthe eyorhissix-shooter.Hedidn'tcarewhich,buthewantedoneof'emandhewanteditinahurry,whichwasn'tunreasonablenoways,whenyourememberitwashisownpropertyhewashuntin'.Hefinallygotonhisstomachandspunaroun'li eacartwheelandthatwashowhefoundhisgun.Trustin'toluc heedgedclosertothenoiseandputhisgunagainstsomethin'andfired.TharwasayelpfromKillem,ascreechfromthelion,thensomethin'floppedaroundonthefloor,butwhetheritwasthelionorthedorg,wasaconundrumHasayampawasn'tpreparedtoansweroffhand.
"Thingsgotquiet.Hecrawledcarefultillhefoundthecandleandlitit,holdin'hisgunready.Thenheloo edaroun'.TharwasKillemsettin'scrintchedupinonecorneroftheroom,abulletholethroughoneear,buttharwarn'tnolionnowhartobeseen,andHasayampa
figgeredhehadshotKillemandthelionhadgoneoutthewinder,sameroutehetoo comin'in.Hasayampadidsometallcussin,andbegunpic in'thingsup,whenheseentheendofthelion'stailstic in'outunderthebun .Hebac edoffwithoutlosin'notimeandshotunderthebun .Thelionnevereven ic ed.
"Afterhe'dwaitedtobesureitwasdead,Hasayampahauleditoutbythetail,feelin'mightybigatsuchashotinadar room.Thenhebeguntohunttoseewharthebulletwentin.Tharwasjustonebullethole,andthatwaswhenheshotitunderthebun .Hehadmisseditclarthefusttime,butthatlionwasasdeadasadoor-nailwhenhefiredthesecondshot,andHasayampa nowedit."
Limberloo edatPowellgravely,"Nowdon'tthatbeatyou?"
"Butwhathappened?"demandedtheDoctor."EvenHasayampamusthavehadsometheoryaboutit."
"Well,"drawledLimber,"ol'InjunGeorge,wherheheerdaboutitsaidhehadbeenputtin'pizenout,andfindin'ahalfetpighadfixedupthecarcassforthelion,andheallowedtheonethatvisitedHasayampahadmadeamealofthatpig.ButHasayampaalwaysstuc toitthatthelionhadnaturallydiedofheartdiseaseandnervousprostrationbrungonbytheexcitement.Anyway,that'showHasayampaBillwonthelionrecordinArizona."
"Heprovedhisrighttospellthewordbothways,"grinnedthedoctorasLimberreinedPeanuttowardtheheadoftheherd.
Theywereapproachingtheouts irtsofWillcox.AlreadytheiradventwasbeingheraldedbyhystericalyelpsfrominnumerabledogsbelongingtotheMexicanfamilieswhooccupiedshac sattheouts irtsofthetown.Eachshac blazedwithstringsofdried,redchilipeppers,whilecountlesschildrengroupedabouteachdoor,orthewomengossipedvolubly.
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Thecattleweredrivenintotheshippingcorralsashortdistancefromtown.Thegatessecured,LimberandPowellrodesidebysideupthedustystreettotheCowboys'RestandlefttheirhorsesinchargeofBuc board.
Severalothershipmentswereintown,beinginspectedaccordingtoruleofprecedent.Therailroadcompanywasfrequentlyshortofenginestotransporttheheavytrainsofcattle,anditoftenhappenedthatabunchofstoc wasdelayedawee orlongerbeforestartingforitsdestination.Insuchevent,thecattlewereheldontherangeneartown,orinsomefencedpasturecloseathandwhichwasrentedforthetimenecessary.
LimberhadputinhisordersoastoinsuretherightofwaywhenthecattlefromtheHotSpringsandDiamondHshouldarriveintown.Hewasanxioustoascertainwhethertheycouldloadoutthatafternoonornot.TheforemanandDoctorPowellwal edupthemainstreettogether,stoppingtospea toothercowmen,manyofwhomhadnotbeforemetthenewowneroftheHotSpringsandPLranches.
Bronco,HolyandRoarerspiedandwelcomedthemvociferously,andLimberwasinformedthattheDiamondHcattlewereonapasture,halfamilefromtown.TheInspectorwouldbereadytohandletheirshipmentrightafterlunch,asthecarsandenginewouldbeontimeforthem.
"I'llstopforthemail,"suggestedPowellastheypassedthepost-office,andsuitingtheactiontothewordsheturnedinthestore,whiletheotherscontinuedtheirwaytotheChineserestaurant.
Theywereabouttoenter,whenWalton,carryinganold-fashionedcarpetgriphurriedthroughthedoor.
"Hello,Walton,"wasLimber'scasualgreeting.
Walton,seeingthem,stoppedshortandregardedthegroupwithanangrystare,thenwithoutreplying,herushedacrossthestreettotherailroadstation,wheretheeast-boundtrainwaspuffing.
"Seemsinahurry,"commentedLimberastheywatchedWaltonclimbaboardthetrain.
"Mebbehe'sgoin'togetmarried,"grinnedBronco,"andhe'sscairtforfearsomethin'willhappentothemwhis ersagain."
Walton'sfaceappearedatoneofthewindowsoftheday-coach.Asthetrainpuffedpastthemen,hiseyesrestedontheminmingledtriumphandmalice.
"Hump!"gruntedHoly,"Loo sli ehe'djustdrawedfouraces!"
"Well,I'mgladthecountryisshetofhim,"pipedRoarerastheymetDoctorPowellandimpartedtheitemofnewstohim.
PowellhandedalettertoLimber.Thepencilwritingwascrudeandthesheetofpaperboreanenormous,brilliantredroseacrossonecorner.Theeyesoftheothercowpunchersfocusedonthatrose,astheletterhadbeenfoldedbac ward.
"Loo sli ealove-letter,"insinuatedBronco."Say,Limberain'tthataddressedtoHoly?He'stheonlyoneoftheoutfitthatwritesletters
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toladies,you now."
"It'sbeeninthepost-officeawee ,"commentedLimber,andtheydrewcloserashereadaloud:
_DereLimber_--IseenWaltonputtin'theDiamondHonaLazyFcalfandIgivehimawee toquitthecountry.HesoldouttoafellowfromDouglas,soIguesstherewon'tbenomoretroublefromhim.Itwoodbehardtoma eacasethatwouldstic againsthim,becausehewasn'tbrandingthecalvesforhimself.He'salittleoffhiscabazza,andthemgreenwhis ersstuc inhiscraw.MyregardstotheBossandtheboys.
Yourstruly,
BILLYSAUNDERS.
RangeDetectivefortheLiveStoc SanitaryBoard.
"That'swhyhewasinsechahurrytogetthattrain.Hemustofthoughtwe nowedaboutit;"saidLimber."Well,hewon'tbotherusnomore."Astheyallenteredtherestaurant,Limberspo etoPowell,"Theinspector'llbereadyforusrightafterlunch."
Theywereshownatablenearthefrontoftheroom,whichwaswell-filledwithatypicalfrontiermixtureofhumanity.Cowpunchers,miners,cler sandstore eepers,acoupleofcommercialtravellers,andanArmyofficerinuniform,accompaniedbyhiswifeandtwochildren,whohadevidentlyjustarrivedonthetrainfromCalifornia.
InacornerattherearendoftheroomsatGlendonwithacowboywhosemutilatedhandhadwonthenameofThree-fingeredJac .Theyweretal ingearnestlyinguardedtones.Glendon'sbac wastowardtheentranceoftheplace,butJac ,whowasclassedasa"gunman,"becauseofhisexpertmar smanship,scrutinizedthenewcomerssharply.
"WhoisthatwiththeDiamondHoutfit?"heas ed.
Glendontwistedslightly,too aswiftglance,scowledandleanedovertohiscompanion.
"That'sPowell,damnhim!BoughttheHotSpringsandPLherdandranchandisgoingtoputupasanitariumfortubercularchildren.Limberstayswithhimmostofthetime,andputsintherestofitattheDiamondH,soyounever nowwhenyou'regoingtorunintothem.It'seasytopullthewooloveratenderfoot,butLimberisanotherproposition.Ifthere'sanytrouble,thewholecountrywillsidewithLimber.He'sassharpastheyma eem,andeveryone nowshe'ssodamnedstraightthatheleansbac ward.Thatdoctorisnofool,either."
Three-fingeredJac shruggedhisshoulderscontemptuouslyandsmiledintotheotherman'sface.Bothhadbeendrin ingheavily.Thesmilewasastudiedinsult.Glendondidnotnoticeit.
"Losingyournerve,Glen?I'llgivethatpill-pusheralittlescareforyou,andIbetwhenIgetdonewithhimhe'llloo li eaca eofsoapinaChineselaundryafterabigday'swashing."
Glendonhesitated."We'dbettersteerclearofthem.Itwon'tdoto
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haveanytroublenow.Itwouldballthingsupforus."
"I'll eepawayfromLimber,"promisedJac ,nowobsessedwithoneidea;"butitwon'tta eanythingexceptagoodbluffforthetenderfoot."
"ThatDiamondHismixingintoeverything,"growledGlendon."Ifithadn'tbeenforTraynor,Kingneverwouldhavepatentedthatlandandthewillwouldn'thavebeenworththepaperitwaswrittenon.I'vehungoutattheCircleCrossalltheseyearsexpectingtogetholdoftheHotSprings,butthan stoTraynorandPowell,Igotleftintheend.BadenoughwhenKingwasalive,shuttingmeofffromthewater,butnowPowellisstoc inguptherangeandit'sgoingto noc meintoacoc edhat.There'sboundtobetroublebetweenPowellandmebeforeverylong.I'mnotgoingtoputupwithhisprowlingaroundwatchingthingsoutthere."
"Whatthedevildoyoucareforthehalfadozencalveshemay eepyoufromrustling?"jeeredJac ."You'vegotaheapbiggerthingaheadofyou,ifyoujust eepyourshirtonabitlonger.Thenyoucanquitthecountryforgood.But,itwon'tbesafeforustocomeouttherenow,Glen.Bettermeetsomewhereelse."
"Allright,"assentedGlendon,withashrug."YoutellPanchitaanytimeyouwantme,andshe'llgetwordtome."
Theymadetheirwayratherunsteadilyfromthelongroom,unhitchedtheirponiesandrodetowardthecorralconversingearnestlyinlowtones.
Halfanhourlater,PowellandtheboysoftheDiamondHreachedthecorralswheretheirentireshipmentnowwasenclosed.Broncoremaineddowninthenarrowchute,whiletherest,aftertyingtheirponiestothecorralfence,climbedupandperchedonthetopmostrail.
Powellloo eddownonamassofsurginghorns,hisearsassaultedbydeafeningbellows.Theinspectorsataboveanarrowpassagewayinwhichadraftoffivecattlewasdriven,thenthebardroppedandpartedthem
fromtheotheranimals.Asthesefivecowspassedtowardthecarintowhichtheyweretobeloaded,Broncocalledthebrandandear-mar stotheinspector,whorecordedthem.Thenthecowwasgivenaslightshovetoaccelerateitsmovementsintotheopendoorofthecar.Ifithesitated,itwasnotlong,foronlyacreatureofironcouldwithstandthefierceproddingintheribswithsharpwoodenpoles,andthewildyellswouldma eanApachewar-whoopsoundawhisperoffirstlove.
Whilethemenwor ed,Limber,seatedbesidePowellexplainedthesystemofterritorialinspection,andthatateachshippingpointaninspectorwasstationedtoreportofficiallyoneverybrandandear-mar ofcattleofferedforshipment.EachbrandwasregisteredwiththeLiveStocSanitaryBoardatPhoenix,andreportsforwardedimmediatelyafterany
shipment,statingtheownerofeachanimal,brand,ear-mar ,shipperincharge,buyer,consignerandconsignee.Acertificateofhealthwasalsorequired,andwithoutsuchofficialauthorityfromtheinspectornorailroadcompanywaspermittedtomoveanylivestoc overitsroad.Theshipperincharge,wasalsocompelledtohavecopies.Inadditiontotheseduties,theinspectorwasauthorizedtocollectandforwardanyamountsreceivedforstraycattle,whoseownerswerenotpresentorrepresentedbyanagent.Whereabrandwasfoundnotofficiallyregistered,suchanimalwassoldbytheinspectorandproceedsremittedtotheboard.Thiswasgivenanyclaimantwhocouldsatisfactorily
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explainnegligencetorecordthebrand,andprovebeyonddoubthisownership.
Limber,sittingbesidePowellonthecorralfence,explainedtheselawswhiletheywatchedtheinspection.
"Someofthebrandsareveryindistinct,"saidPowell."Incasethereisdoubt,howisitdecided?"
"Inspectorclipsthehairoverthebrandwithhorse-clippers,andifthatdon'tsettleit,hesellstheanimaltothelocalbutcher.Yousee,whenthehideisfreshfromacow,thefirstbrandshowsouttheplainest,evenifanotherisrunoverafterwards.Sometimesabrandisregisteredwhatgivesafellerthechancetoalteranother.Therewas,onemanranOBarO,"Limberdrewanimaginarybrandonthepalmofhislefthand,O-O."AfterwardtheyfoundtheCroo edH,O-C,theJHandtheDOcouldbechangedtotheO-Oandwor thethreebiggestherdsinthesection.Thefellowwashonest,neveraimedtodonodirtywor ,butthebrandwasstoppedbyorderoftheLiveStoc SanitaryBoard."
Thefreshdraft,headedbyalargecow,wasdrivenintothechute.
"Thisbrand'sbeenmon eyedwith,"Holycalleduptotheinspector,whosatonanelevatedplatformjustabovethechute.
Therewascraningofnec saseachonestudiedtheanimal,foranalteredbrandwasthebusinessofeverycowmanintheTerritory.
"Whatisit?"demandedtheinspector.
"Sheloo smoreli eaninspectioncertificatethanacow,"wastheanswer."JumpingJehosaphat!Didyoueverseesuchamix-up?There'saBDloo sli eit'sbeenchangedfromaPL;an'ol'MuleShoeQuarterCircleonherside,oneear'sslitan'theother'sajinglebob.Holdon,there'ssomethingontheotherside."
Continuinghisexaminationhemovedaroundtheanimalandejaculatedin
surprise;"Damnedifhereain'tafreshCircleCross.Whatd'ye nowaboutthat,Glendon?"
Everyoneloo edatGlendon,whosatatLimber'sleftsideontherailing.Butbeforehecouldreply,PaddyLaffertyjumpedintothecorralchuteandstoopingdownstudiedthecow'sfrontlegs,thenhestraightenedupandspo e.
"Oidon'tgiveadumwhatbrandshecarries,thatcowismoine.SherunsovertheHotSpringsrange.Oi'd nowtheouldhaythinanywheresbecaseshegotcutbybarbed-wireandIdoctheredher,andshegivemethedivvleofatoimewhenIwasdoin'it,bejabers!There'sthemar softhewoire-cutsonherforean les.Thatbrand'sbeenburntsinceIsold
thePLherdtoDoctorPowell."
"That'salie!"shoutedGlendon."IboughtherfourmonthsagofromaMexicanontheSanPedro.TheBDishisbrand.Hehadtencowsandsoldthemalltomebeforehewentbac toMexico."
Paddyloo edcoollyintoGlendon'sbloodshoteyes."Yezmusthevlaidawa enoightsfixin'upthatloi,"hesneered, eepingaclosewatchonGlendon'srighthand."Oigisstheinspectherhedbettherta echargeofherandsittlethematther.Butitstroi esmethatBDisamoighty
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quarebrandforaGreasertoberunning."
"AslongasthecowhasaPL,"spo ePowellsuddenly,"Isupposeitgivesmeavoiceinthematteralso?"
Theinspectornoddedconfirmation,andPowellwenton,"Lettheinspectorta echarge,asPaddysuggested.Idon'twantanyanimalonmyrangethatcarriesadisputedbrand.Ifthecowbelongstome,Iwanthershippedorslaughtered,andallpossibledisputesaboutherended."
"Shipher,"orderedtheinspector."I'llloo upthatBDbrand,andifitisnotregisteredtheproceedsofsalewillbeforwardedtoDoctorPowell.Ifitisregistered,andtheGreaserhasleft,asGlendonclaims,itisuptoGlendontoproveownershipbybillofsalefromtheGreaser."
"'Tain'tthefursttoimeyourbrandhasgotononeofmycows,Glen;"assertedPaddyhotly."OisoldmybrandandherdclaneandstraighttoDoctherPowell,andOi'llsthandboythatsaletothelastcritter."
Glendon'shandslippedbac afewinches,butLimber,sittingbesidehim,sawthemovementandgrippedhiswristinasteelclutch.Itwasdonesoquic lyandquietlythatnoonebutPaddysawit,orheardLimbersay,"Don'tbesuchafool,Glen.Killin'peopledon'tchangethe
lawsoftheTerritory.""IfeverIcatchthatGreaser,I'llma ehimsweatblood,"blusteredGlendon.
Paddymountedthefence,settledhimself,thenfilledhiscorn-cobpipe,lighteditdeliberatelyandtoo adeeppuffbeforeheremar edwithagrimsmile,"Oi'llhilpyezdoit,Glendon--whenyezcatchhim!"
Hiswrin led,gnarledhandsmoothedthelegofhisoveralls,whichhadoriginallybeentheorthodoxblueofallself-respectingoveralls,butlongsincehadsuccumbedtoPaddy'swashtubandvigorousmuscles.Belowtheedgesoftheseanemicpatchedgarments,loomedoneoldbootandone
shoe,lacedcroo edlywithapieceofrawhide.
Thehandceaseditscaressingmovement,andPaddysquintedupagainatGlendon,"Don'tyezbeaftherfergittin',Glendon,whinyezcatchhimI'llta eahandathim--widyez."
CHAPTERTWENTY
LimberunsaddledhisponyintheCowboys'Rest,afterthetrainloadhad
pulledout.Hefoundthattheepisodeoftheburntcowwasalreadybeingdiscussedopenly.
"Glendon'sgoin'togetintoheapsoftroubleifheain'tmorecareful,"statedBuc boardtoLimber."He'smixin'inwithamightybadbunch."
LimberhunghissaddleonapegandstoodrubbingPeanut'snosegently."You'resureright,Buc board;"herepliedslowly."I'mdernedsorryaboutit.IdoneallI newhowtopullhimup,but'tain'tbeennogood,sofur'sIcansee.Whatstumpsmeiswhyafellowwhathasso
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manychancestoma egoodwor sashardasGlendoesadodgin''em.Hecomeherewithplentydinero,hadheapsoffriendsandarichfathertobac him.Thenhewaseddicatedandhasthedandiestwifethateversteppedonearth.SometimesIthin he'splumblocoed."
"Mrs.Glendon'sgotagood-sizedbunchoftroublejustnowandmoreacomin',unlessGlenwa esupandhitsanothertrailprettydamnquic ;"growledBuc board."ThatMexicanwomanisma ingaregularfoolofhim,andgetseverycentthathehandles.I'vebeenwonderinghowmuchlongerthestoreswillcarryhim.Hisherddon'tamounttoshuc sanymore."
"IfI nowedawomanli eGlendon'swifewaswaitin'formeataranch,I'dthin IwastherichestmaninArizonaTerritory,eveniftheranchonlyhadoneroomandIhadn'tbutfiveheadofcows;"Limberspo eearnestly,andoldBuc board,catchingtheloo onthecowpuncher'sface,pausedasecondbeforeheanswered.
"There'splentygoodmenthatwouldbeaheapbettertoherthanGlendon,forallhisfancywayoftal ing.Butnobodycan'tdonothin'tohelpawomanli eherwhenshe'stieduptoas un li eGlendon.It'sadamnshame,butawomanofhersortjustgoesalongandplaysoutthegamewithalonehand.Butsheplaysitsquare."
"I now.That'swhatma esithard.ItrytodowhatIcantohelpGlen,
justso'stoeasetheloadonher,buthe eep'spilin'itupmoreandmoreeveryday."
"Whenafellerli ehimcatchesontootherpeoplelettinghimoffeasyonaccountofher,he'llwor thatgameforallit'sworth.Insteadoftryin'tocoveruphistrac s,it'dbelotsbettertogivehimropeenoughtohanghimself.Thenshecouldcutloosefromhim."
"Noshewouldn't,"contradictedLimber."SolongasGlendonisabovegroundshe'llstic tohim,nomatterwhathedoes.Glen nowsthat,too."
"Then,byGod!Ihopesomethingwillputhimundergroundbeforehe
brea sherheart,"explodedBuc board,givingaviciousslashwithatie-ropeatahandypostwhichrelievedhisirritation,forhe newLimberhadspo enthetruth.
TheconversationwasinterruptedbyBroncowhohasteneduptoLimber.
"Guessthere'sgoin'tobetroubleintown,"heannounced.
"Glendon?"demandedBuc board,hopefully.
"Nope.It'sThree-fingeredJac thistime,"wasthereply."Alpaugh,theconstable,isawayatTombstone,andThree-fingercomeinlastnightandhasbeentan in'upeversince,andbythistimehefiggershe'sgotthe
rangetohisself."
"Whar'sPeachy?Isn'theDeputyConstable?"as edLimberastheypassedthroughthecorralgate.
Broncogrunted."Peachy?Whar'sPeachy?"hepausedtogatherscorn."Peachy'sinhidin'.Jac shotoutthelightsinthecornersaloonlastnightandeveryoneduc edandstampeded,andthatdeniedDeputyConstabledroppedonallfoursbehindthebarandcrawledoutentheroomjestli etheyellerpupheis.Allheneedsisafewfleastofinish
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him!Thenhelitoutinthebac yardandonefellertoldmeheseenhimjumpoverthatten-footboardfencebac ofthesaloon,andheswarsPeachynevertechedit.He'ssomejac -rabbitwhenitcomestojumpin',andhe'sgotasmuchnerveasone.JustbecauseJac 'sgotthenameofbein'abadmanandhandywithhisgun,he'sgotthewholetownbuffaloed.Butthefunnythingis,nooneever nowedwhoJac hasilled.Hesureain'tdonenogun-playhereexceptplugtincanstoshowoff."
"Heneedssomeonetota ethatfreshnessoutenhim;"Limberspo equietlyasthoughcommentingontheweather."IfPeachyain'thandy,loo sli eit'suptoustoseetheJedgeandas ifheneedsanydeputy."
"That'swhyIwashuntin'you,"wasBronco'sanswer,butfurtherconversationwasinterruptedbyafusiladeofshots.
"Iguesshe'sturnedloose,"Limberspo eastheyrantowardthenoises."Tharain'tnotimenowtoseetheJedge.It'suptous,Bronc.Comealong."
TheywerejoinedbyothermenwhoranfromvariousdirectionsandataturnofthestreettheysawThree-fingeredJac standingintheroadway,closetotheofficeoftheJusticeofthePeace,whorepresentedthe
onlyjudicialauthorityinWillcox.Jac 'spistolwassmo ing.Heregardedtheassembledmeninsolently.
"Iheerdthere'ssomeonewho'sgoingtoserveawarrantonme,"challengedJac ."WhatI'mafraidofisthathewon't nowjustwheretofindme."
Hewheeledandsentseveralbulletsagainstthelargeplateglasswindowofacornerstore,accompaniedbyahair-raisingyellastheglassclatteredtothegroundinfragments.
LimberandBroncoreachedtheouteredgeofthecrowdandpushedthroughit,butstoppedastheysawamansaunternonchalantlyaroundthe
cornerfromtheMainstreet.Hepaused,regardedthecrowd,thenhiseyeswanderedinterestedlytoJac ,whowasbusyslippingfreshcartridgesintohispistol.
Asthegunmanstartedtoflourishhisweapon,hebecameawareofthenew-comer,whoadvancedtowardhimandsaid,"IfIwereyouIwouldnotshootsopromiscuously,myfriend.Youmightaccidentallyhitsomething,you now."
"It'sDoc,"ejaculatedLimber,"andheain'tgotnogun!"
Jac evidentlyrecognizedPowell,forheswungandfacedhimdemandingwhathewastal ingabout.
Powellheldoutapaper."IfyouareJac Dunlap, nownasThree-fingeredJac ,andsupposedtobeagunman,Ihaveawarrantforyourarrest.I'vejustbeenmadespecialDeputyConstable."
Jac regardedhimwithopencontempt."Oh,isthatso?"hesneered."Well,hereIam!Comeonanddoyourduty,Mr.SpecialConstable."
LimberpressedtowardPowell,withBroncoathisside,andclosebehindthemloomedHolyandRoarer,butPowellsmiledatthemandshoo his
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headatthepuzzledpunchersoftheDiamondH.Limber'sfingerrestedlightlyonthetriggerofhispistolwhichapparentlyhunglooselyinthehandathisside.Hiseyesglinteddangerously,hislipsweretightenedintoathinline.Broncoglancedathim,and newDoctorPowellwassafe.Onlyafewmenwereawareofthequic nesswithwhichLimbercoulddrawandhowaccuratelytheapparentlycarelessbulletsweresent.
"IwonderwhatDocisupto?"murmuredBronco,butnoneofthemcouldsolvetheproblem.
PowellmoveddeliberatelytowardJac ,whosuddenlybeganfiringhispistolatthegroundclosetoPowell'sfeet,yelling,"Dance,youhyenatender-foot!Dance,damnyou!"
Thegroundflewupandstruc oneofPowell'sfeet,butheonlyglancedattheplaceasthoughinterestedinJac 'smar smanship."Thatisn'tsobad,"hesmiledatthegunman.
Jac strodeforward,cursingviolently,butthedoctorseemedoblivioustoit,ashetoo ahandsomecigarettecasefromhispoc et,selectedacigarettewithsolicitouscareandlightedit.Thenheloo edupatJac .
Thegun-manwasnonplussed.Hehesitatedtoattac anunarmedman,notbecauseofmoralscruplesbuttherealizationoftheconsequencestohimself.Jac hadnotseenthemenoftheDiamondHwhoweregroupedalertlybac ofhim,eachman'spistolready.
MeasuringtheweightandheightofPowell,Jac ,whowasmuchlarger,shovedhispistolintotheholster,saying,"Idon'tcaretopotajac -rabbit."
Powellmadenomove.Jac advancedinfrontofhim,thrusthisfaceagainstthedoctor'sandsnarled,"Well,whatareyougoingtodoaboutthatwarrant,Mr.What-d'yecall'em?"
"Oh,nothingexceptarrestyou,"wasthecalmreplyasthedoctorpuffedalittlevolcanoofcigarettesmo eintoJac 'sfaceandloo edhimsteadilyintheeyes."Iamunarmed,"saidPowellloudlyenoughtobeheardbyallthebystanders,"butIbelieveyouaretoomuchofacowardtofaceanymanwithoutyourgun,eventhoughyou nowheisunarmed."
Goadedbythechallenge,Jac rippedoutanoath,unbuc ledhispistolbeltandhandedittoabystander,whoaccepteditwithevidentreluctance.
"Now,comealong,"yelledthegunman."Comealongandarrestme,ifyoucan--butbeforeyoudoitI'mgoingtota eyouacrossmy neeandgiveyouaregularspan ingli eyourmotherusedtodo,sonny."
Hereachedforward.Beforeanyone newwhathadhappened,Three-fingeredJac wassprawlingontheground,whilePowellsatquietlyastridetheman'schest,holdingJac 'sarmswithhisown nees.Jac writhedandstruggled,butwasunabletodisturbthemanwhosmileddownathim.AsJac 'scursesincreased,Powelldeliberatelypattedtheoutlaw'sfacegently,sayinginsoothingaccents,"Don'tletyourtemperrise,Jac !Itisn'tbecominginsucharegularlittleMama'sdarlingli eyou!"
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HowlsoflaughterrousedJac totherealizationthathisreputationwasatsta e.Hebro eintothreatsofdirerevengeonPowell.Thedoctorpaidnoattentiontothemanwhowashelplessinthegripofsteel,butmerelyas ed,"HasanyoneherearopethatIcouldborrowashorttime?"
Jac stoppedcursing,andadisagreeablerecollectionintrudeditselfuponhim.Amanhadas edforaropeinWyoming.ThecrowdhadcutJacdownbeforehewasentirelyunconscious,andJac hademigratedtoArizonawithoutdelay.
Powellhadnosuchintention.Theropewasemployedtotrussthe"gun"manfromheadtofeet,li eaflywoundinaspider'sweb.Aninvoluntarymurmurofapprovalpassedamongthemenwhohadseentheepisode,butatthatmomentGlendonstaggeredthroughthecrowdandbeforeanyonecouldmove,levelledapistolatPowell.
"Ta ethatropeoff,"heshoutedwithavolleyofthefoulestoathsathiscommand.
"Don'tinterfere,"warnedPowell,facingGlendon.
"Youta ethatropeofforI'llputdaylightthroughyou,youwhite-liveredsnea ,"screamedtheotherman.
Hiswordsdiedawayinathud,asPowellsprangathimli eawild-cat,claspinghimaboutthearmsandfallingheavilytothegroundwithGlendonsprawledunderneath.ThepistolinGlendon'shandflewthroughtheair,struc thegroundandexplodedharmlesslyinthedust.
"I'llneedanotherrope,"apologizedPowellinunruffledtones."I'msorrytotroubleyouagain."
Therewasalaugh,andinlesstimethanitta estorelate,GlendonwasashelplessasJac .Thesightofthemlyingsidebysidewastoomuchforthegravityofthecrowd,andlaughterwasunrestrained.Powellloo eddownatGlendon,buttherewasnotriumphinhisheart.Awoman's
pleadingfacerosebetweenhimandthemanathisfeetwhowasvoicinghisvilethoughtsandthreats.Three-fingeredJac turnedhisheadslightlyandtherewasatwitchofthe"gun"man'smouth,buthemadenoremar .
Thedriveroftheoneandonlytowntruc wasstandingontheseatofhiswagonsurveyingthecapturedmen.Powellcalledtohim,"Howmuchwillyouchargetohaulthisloadtothecalaboose?"
"Doitfornothing,"repliedthedriverpromptly.
SoheandPowell,assistedbymanyvolunteers,liftedthemummy-li eformsintothewagon,thentheentireassemblagefollowedbehindthe
vehicleasitmovedslowlydownthestreet.
"Gee!"laughedHoly,"ThatwasthefunniestsightIeverseedinmylife."
"Loo sli ethefuneralofareal,respectablecitizen,"squea edRoarer.
"Well,it'sJac 'sfuneral,sureenough,"answeredLimber."He'sadead'badman'fromnowon,butthedoctorhaswonhisspurs,youbet!"
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Thewagonstoppedinfrontofthelittleadobebuildingwhichwasusedasthetownjail,andPowellassistedthedrivertolifttheprisonersbodilyintotheroomwhichtoo theplaceofacell.Theropeswereremoved.Jac andGlendonstoodfreeinfrontoftheircaptor.Heeyedtheminsilenceafewseconds,thensaid,"IwantyoubothtounderstandthatIhadnopersonalfeelinginanythingIdid.Lawislaw,whetherinArizonaoranyotherplace.Gun-playisforbullies,notmen."
Neitherreplied.Powellpic edupthetworopesandlefttheplace.OutsidehefoundLimberwaiting,buttherewasnoreferencetowhathadjustta enplace.PowellhandedtheropestoLimberandas edhimtolocatetheowners,thenthedoctorcontinueddownthestreettotheofficeoftheJusticeofPeace,whosmiledathimcordially.
"Itwasjustasimpletric ofjiu-jitsu,"explainedPowell."ButnowIwantto nowhowmuchthefinewillbeforJac andGlendon?"
"Thirtydollars,orthirtydaysintheTombstonejail,"answeredtheJustice.
Powellreachedacrossthedes andappropriatedapenwhichhedippedintothein -well.Hedrewouthischec -boo ,saying,"Isupposethisispermissable?"TheJudgenodded.
"Itmaybealittlehardonthemtopaythefine,"Powellspo eashewrote."Idon'twantthemto nowwhodidit.Keepthematterbetweenourselves.Theyhavehadalesson,Ithin ."
"Thebestintheworld,"respondedtheJudge,smilingathisrecollectionofthetwotrussedfiguresinthewagon.
ItwasonlyashorttimelaterthatLimberhunteduptheJudgeandvolunteeredtostandgoodforanyfineimposedonGlendon.Whenhewastoldthatanotherpersonhadassumedtheresponsibilityalready,forbothmen,LimberlefttheofficefeelingprettycertainthatPowellhadanticipatedhisownintention.Butneitherofthemeverspo eofthe
matter.
Whenthefullmoonpeeredoverthehorizonthatnight,itshoneontwomenwhorodeslowlytowardtheHotSpringsranch,eachofthemgladtobebac againinthepeaceofthemountains.Anddowninacell,themoonlightfloodedthefloorcriss-crossedwithblac barsfromthewindow,andtwomenlaythin inginthesilenthoursofthenight,butli ethemenwhorodetotheSprings,neitherofthemtoldhisinmostthoughtstotheother.Somethoughtsaretooholytobespo enaloud;otherstooblac .
ThenextmorningGlendonandJac ,thoroughlysobered,werebroughtbeforetheJudgefortheirhearing.Afterasharpwarningthatasecond
offensewouldmeanmuchheavierpenalty,afineofthirtydollarseachwasimposed."Ican'tpayit,Judge,"confessedJac ,fran ly."I'mbro e,owethreemonthsadvancewagesandhavetofindajob."
"MaybeGlendoncanpaybothfinesuntilyouareabletowor itout,"suggestedtheJudgeamiably.
"I'vegotallIcandotopaymyown,"wasthesurlyreply."UnlessNortonwilladvanceit,I'mstuc ."
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"ItseemstoobadtohavetosendyoubothtotheTombstonejailforthirtydays,boys,"sympathizedtheJustice."Iftheoffensehadnotbeensoserious,Imighthaveheldyouinthecalaboose;butthechargewasnotonlydisturbingthepeace,butalsoresistinganofficer."
AgrinspreadoverJac 'sface."Say,Judge,that'sarealjo e!Didyouseehowfurweresisted?Well,Iguesswedeservedit,andit'suptoustota eourmedicineli elittlemen."
"I'mgladtohearyousaythat,Jac .Now,Iwantyoubothtogivemeyourwordofhonourthatyouwillnotma eanyfurtherdisturbanceinWillcoxafterthis."
"Allright,"Jac answeredreadily,loo ingsquarelyintotheJudge'sface."Idon'tholdanygrudgeagainstPowell.Iownuphe'sabettermanthanIam."
"Glendon?"
"Iwouldn'thavemadesuchanassofmyselfifIhadbeensober,"wasGlendon'sevasiveanswer,whileheeyeda notholeintheboardathisfeet.
"Bothfineshavebeenalreadypaid."
Theyloo edupamazed."Whowasit?"demandedJac .
"Iamnotatlibertytotell,"wasthereply.
Jac staredamoment,thenasmilespreadoverhisface,"ByGosh!Ibetitwasthatdoctor!"heexclaimed."Say,Judgeifitwashim,willyoutellhimI'mmuchobliged,andthathe'sawhiteman,andI'lllic thestuffingoutofanyonethatpic sonhim,ifhejustletsme nowanytime!"
Glendonmadenocommentsashelefttheoffice,butJac turnedbac atthethresholdtocall,"I'mgoingtogetoutoftownasfastasIcan,
Judge.I'vegottohustleforajobsoIcanpaybac thatfine.I'llseethatthemoneygetstoyoup.d.q.Solong!"
"Goodluc ,boys,"answeredtheJudgeheartily.Thenturnedtohisdesandpapers,thin ingthattherewasmoremanhoodtothe"gunman"thantheonewhoaccompaniedhim.Thetwowal edsidebysideinapparentfriendlinessuntilJac said,"Well,thatwasasurprisepartyallaround,Glen.IbetIhitthebull'seyeguessingitwasthedoctor."
Glendon'seyesglintedangrilyatJac 'sopenpraiseofPowell."Hecertainlymadealaughing-stoc ofyou,"snarledGlendon."Threwyoudown,trussedyouupli eaChristmastur ey,loadedyouinthetowntruc ,andnowyouarereadytolic hisbootsingratitudeafterhe
putsthelastinsultonyoubypayingyourfine.Pah!Youma emesic !"
Jac grippedtheotherman'sarmangrily."See,here,Glen!I'mnotsuchamollycoddlethatIwon'tfightyouoranyothermanthattal sthatwaytome."Jac stoodglaringdownatGlendon,whoreturnedtheangrystare.ThenagrinstartedonJac 'sface,andhedrawledslowly,"Don'tseethatyou'vegotanycalloverme,Glen.TherewastwoChristmastur eys,butyoudidtheloudestgobbling.Don'tyoueverforgetthat!"
"I'mnotaptto,"retortedtheother."Ineverwouldhavebeenmixedup
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initifIhadn'tbeentryingtohelpyouout."
"AndIwouldn'thavestartedanythingifithadn'tbeenforyoueggingmeon.Yousaidhewasatenderfoot.Tenderfoot!Wow!I'dli eto nowwhat indofbadmentheyhavewherehecamefrom,ifhe'satenderfoot!"Hepausedtoponderoverthepossibilitiesofsuchanindividual."See,here,Glen,solongasPowellmindshisbusiness,I'llmindmine;andifyou'vegotagrudgeagainsthimonaccountofhisgettingtheSprings,youneedn'ttrytogetmetota eitoutonhimforyou."
Glendon'sfacewaswhitewithrage."Isupposethatmeansyouaregoingtota ebac wateroneverythingandjoinsomeChurchandshout'Hallelujah!I'msaved!'Eh?"
"ItmeansjustwhatIsaid.Ifyou'vegotanypic onPowellthatisyourownbusiness.Asfarastheotherplansgo,thecardsaredealtalready,andI'llstandpat."
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
ThreemonthsafterGlendonandJac hadencounteredDoctorPowellinWillcox,KatherinewassittingontheporchofherhomereadingtoDonnie.Thenoiseofcrunchingwheelssoundedfardownthecañonlongbeforeavehiclecameintosightbetweenthedensemesquitebrush.
ItwasDoctorPowellwhohadreturnedfromatriptoWillcox.Katherinewatchedherhusbandreceivehismail,butshewasnotawarethattheeyesofthetwomenmetwithunconcealedantagonism,andtheconversationwasascurtaspossible.
NowhisperoftheaffairinWillcoxhadreachedtheearsofGlendon'swife.Shehadno nowledgethatherhusbandhadborrowedmoneytosend
totheJudgewithoutawordofthan stohisun nownbenefactor.ThemoneyhadbeenforwardedtoPowellbytheJudge.TheotherfinewassenttheJudgebyThree-fingeredJac ,accompaniedbyabadlyscrawlednoteofthan saddressedtotheJusticeofPeaceandas ingthatthemanwhohadpaidthefinebetoldthatitwasappreciated,andthatifheeverneededanyhelptocallonThree-fingeredJac .
AwareofGlendon'sdisli e,Powell'svisitstotheCircleCrosshadceasedsometimeprevioustotheWillcoxtrouble,butKatherineascribedthedoctor'saloofnesstohis nowledgeofherhusband'shabits.Thoughshemissedtheinfrequentvisits,shedidnotresentit.She newthatthetwomenhadnothingincommontoma ethemcongenial.
Thedoctor,seeingKatherineandDonnieontheporch,hesitatedashewasabouttodriveaway.Heglancedatthem,andwithatouchofhishatingreeting,steppedintothebuggyandwentonhisway.ThehappylightfadedfromDonnie'seyes,butwithoutawordheslippeddownagainbesidehismother,hisarmaboutTatters'nec .
Glendoncameslowlytotheporchwiththecanvasmail-pouchonhisarm.Hethrewoffhisbroad-brimmedStetson,unbuc ledhisspursandsatdowntoreadhisletterswithoutvouchsafingawordtohiswife.
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"Istherenothingforme?"sheas edfinally,hesitatingtota ethesac fromhislapandsortitscontents.
"Onlypapersandsomeofyourfoolmagazines,"hesnapped."Seemstomeyouareoldenoughtogetoverreadingsentimentaltrash."
Unmindfulofhiswordsshereachedfortheboo shetossedangrilytowardher.Boo sweretheonlyantidoteforthementalatrophyshedreaded.Rising,shepic edthemup,butpausedasGlendonglancedimpatientlyfromaletterinhishands.
"Wait,can'tyou?Oristhe'continuedinournext'tooimportant?"hedemanded.
Shedidnotreply,butseatedherselfquietly.Hereyeswereunusuallybright,foronapageofthemagazinesheheld,shehadseenatitle.Athrilla intothatwhenshehadfirstheldDonnieinherarms,madeherheartthrobquic ly.
Donniehadbeenfleshofherflesh,boneofherbone;butthis,thefirst-bornofherbrain,hadcomethroughtravailofherverysoul.Itwasnotnecessaryforhertoreadtheeightlinesofthepoem;theywereindeliblyimprintedonhermemory.Amothercannotforgetthefaceofherchild,andthoughitbecommonplaceandunattractivetoallthe
world,inhereyesitisbeautiful.Glendon'svoicebroughtherbac fromherworldofdreams.
"Iwishyou'dstopsittingtherestaringli ealocoedcalf,andpayattentiontowhatIhavetosay."
Sheturnedhereyesonhim."I'msorry,Jim.Ididn'thearyouspea ."
"Ididn't,"hesnapped."Nousetal ingwhenyouhaveamooningfiton."
"Iamlistening,dear.Whatisit?"
"Here'saletterfromtheoldman.HewantsDonald.Youcanseeforyourselfwhathesays."
Glendonhandedhertheletter,allowingittodropfromhisfingerspurposely,watchingherasshereacheddownandpic editup.
Assheread,agreypallorspreadoverherface,ma ingitloo oldandhaggard.
J.M.Glendon,Jr.
CircleCrossRanch,Arizona.
_DearSir:_
FromreliablesourcesIhavelearnedofyourconductsinceyouwenttoArizona,andunderstandthatmyambitiontoseemysonamanamongmenwillneverbegratified;norwillyourinfluenceorexamplema esuchamanofmygrandson,Donald.Thefullrealizationofthishaspromptedmetobrea mydeterminationnevertocommunicatewithyouagainonanysubject.
Yourwifeistooegotisticalandassertive,andherinfluenceover
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theboycannotfailtobedetrimental.Womenhavenoideahowtobringupaboy,especiallycollege-bredwomenwiththeirfadsandtheories.Theyhavenojudgmentoutsideofflattery;theyareallfools,--Idonotcarewhereyougo,orwhothewomanmaybe,--andthemanwhotriestopleaseawoman'swhimsisafool.
MylawyertellsmethatunderthelawsofArizonayouareabsoluteguardianofyourchild;sothedecisionastomyofferrestsentirelywithyou.Yourwife,legally,hasnovoiceinthematterofselectingaschooloranyotherarrangementsyoumayseefittoma e.Itistimeforyoutoassertyourself.
Iwillta eDonaldandeducatehim,providedheisgiventomeabsolutelyuntilheisofage,butIwillnotallowanyinterferencewithhimormyplansforhim.Iwillseethathedoesnotgrowupwithanysic ly,sentimentalideas,buttoweighhisowninterestsfirst,withoutillusionsaboutlifeorwomen.Hewillbetaughtthatallwomenareinferiorinintellectandreason,wea inmoralforceandmustbetreatedaccordingly.Ifheissenttome,Iwillseethatheisprovidedforduringmylifetime,andatmydeathhewillreceivewhatyouhaveforfeitedbyyourownconduct.
Ihaveselectedaschoolforhimwhichhecanattendfrommyhouse,
andwherehewillreceivethetrainingIconsidernecessarytoma ehimthe indofmanIdesire.Animmediateanswerwilloblige.
Yourstruely,J.M.GLENDON,SR.
Thepagesflutteredtotheflooroftheporch,andthenDonnieloo edupstartledatthetoneofhismother'svoice,whenshesaid,"RunawayandplaywithTatters,dear."
Withahastycaress,theboy,followedbythedog,movedslowlytowardthefrontgate.
"Well,"Glendon'sirritabletonessoundedinherears,"howsooncanyou
gethimready?"
"Letme eephimalittlelonger,Jim,"pleadedthemother."He'sonlyababyyet."
"He'sgoingonseven,"retortedGlendon."You'vealwaysbeenharpingonwantinghimtohaveagoodeducation.Nowyou'vegotyourwish,Idon'tseewhat ic you'vegotcoming.I'llneverhavemoneyenoughtosendhimawaytoschoolunlesstheoldmanhelpsmemorethanhehasdonethelastfiveyears."
Curbingherinclinationtoremindhimbitterlythatothermenwhowerenotdrin ing,butattendingtotheirranchesandstoc ,wereableto
affordschoolsfortheirchildren,shesaid,"Ithasbeenmyambitioneversincehewasborn,butthereareotherthingsmoreimportanttohischaracterthatIcanteachhiminthenexttwoyears."
Glendonlightedacigaretteandanuglysneerdistortedhislips,"Wanttotiehimtoyourapron-strings,thewayyouhadmetied?Finemessyou'vemadeofitforme!Ifyouhadn'tbeensohigh-headedwithmyfol s,IneverwouldhavelefthometocometothisGod-forsa enholeandburymyselfalive!"
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"Ihopeditwouldstrengthenyou,helpyouconqueryourselfifwecameawayfromcompanionswhodominatedyoubac there;butIwaswrong.Allyourbetterinstinctsaredeadandthereisnothingleftbetweenusincommon.Jim,ifeveryouhadanyloveinyourheartforme,don'tsendDonnieawayjustnow.Haveyouforgottenthatprisonersgomadfromsolitaryconfinement?"
"Yourdramaticsarewastedonme!Iintendtobemasterinmyownhome.Fathershallhavetheboyifhewishes,andIhopehewill noc someofthosefoolideasyouhavebeenputtingintoDonnie'sheadlately.They'llmouldhischaracterintosomethingpractical."
"Theydonotunderstandchildren,"Katherine'svoicetrembled,"yourfathermeanswell,butDonniewouldlearntobeahypocritethroughfearofhim,oritwouldbrea thechild'sheart.WhenDonnieisolder,hewouldunderstandbetter."
"Goahead!"Glendon'slipliftedonesideofhismouthandgavehimtheappearanceofadogsnarling.Hisbloodshoteyesglaredathiswife."Isaytheboyshallgo.Thatsettlesit!"
"Youshallnotta ehimfromme,"Katherinespo epassionatelyassheroseandfacedherhusband,whohadalsorisen."Heismine!Forhissa eIhaveenduredtheisolationofthisplace,thecursesandabuse
youhaveheapeduponme,thedegradationthatIsawfacingyou.Ihavenotbeenblindtotheclassofmenyouassociatewithnow,butIstruggledto eepyoufromsin inglower,justbecauseyouwerethefatherofmyboy.Thelasteightyearsofmylifehavebeencontinualmentalstarvationandmoralcrucifixion.Donniehasgivenmethestrengthtobearit,nowhewillgivemethestrengthto eepyoufromrobbingmeofhim!"
"Youmayaswellstopyourhystericalranting,"Glendonshoutedfuriously."Thelawgivestheboytome,andIsayheshallgotofathernextwee ."
"Thelawgivesthechildtothefather,"hervoicequiveredwith
indignation,"Nomatterwhatthatfathermaybe;whilethemother,whogoesdowntodeathtogivethechildlife,hasnoright!Oh,itisinfamous!Why,eventhewildanimalsrecognizeamother'srights.Menwhoframesuchalawandenforceitareworsethanbrutes!"
Glendonseizedherarmroughlyandglaredintoherwhite,defiantface,hisownwaslividwithrage."NothingonGod'searthcanpreventDonniefromgoing."
"Heshallnotgo!"hervoicebecamesuddenlyquietanddetermined,andhereyesmetGlendon'swithoutflinching."Youowehimtomeinreturnforthethingsofwhichyouhaverobbedusboth.Hehasneverhadafather,neverdaredtolaughli eotherchildrendo,becausehewas
afraidofyou.Iwillnotnevergivehimuptoyouoranyoneelse.Heismine!"
Glendonthrustherawayfromhimwithsuchviolencethatshestaggered."Ihavethelawbac ofmeandI'lldowhatIsay,ifIhavetowaloveryourdeadbodytodoit!"
Heflunghimselfintothehouse, noc ingoverachairashepassedit;thenabottleclin edagainstaglass.
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Theleavesofthemagazineatthewoman'sfeet,flutteredinthebreezewhileshestaredwithdespairingeyesatthegrimmountainsthatwalledherli eaprison.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
ThenextmorningwasWednesday,andGlendonannouncedthathewouldstartEastwithDonnieonSaturdayofthefollowingwee .
Katherinemadenoreply,utterednoprotest.Hesupposedthesilenceofdespairmeantsubmission,asheandJuanstartedforAllanFlats,halfwaytoWillcox,tobegoneseveraldays.
"I'llbehomeSundaynight,"werehislastwordsashespurredhishorseandheadedittowardtheroadleadingoutofthecañon.Juanlingeredafewsecondstosay"Adios"tothemotherandchild.TheoldMexicancarriedaheavyheart,fornoonebutthechildwasignorantoftheimpendingseparation.
ThedaypassedhappilyforDonnie,whilehismotherdevotedherentire
timetohim.Theystrolleddownthecañon,pic ingwild-flowers,thenreturninghome,decoratedtheroomsanddiscoveredthatJuanhadmadeachocolatelayerca efortheirenjoyment.Aftersuppertheysattal ingofthewonderfulthingsDonniewastodowhenhewasgrown.Thenfollowedanhourinthedining-roomwiththebelovedGalahad.
Thenextmorningatbrea fast,Donnieas ed,"Whatarewegoingtodotoday,Marmee?"
"Justwhateveryouwish,"sheansweredwithsmilinglips,butsadeyes.
"Can'twegoonapicnic,Marmee?"
"Yes,dear,"washerreply."I'llfixalunchandsaddletheponiesandwe'llbeadventurersridingouttodiscoveranewcountry,andwewon'tcomehometillthestarsareout."
Donniewaitedhappilyashismotherpreparedthelunch.Withpractisedfingersshesaddledtheirponies;ontheboy'ssaddle,tiedacanteenofwaterandtheflour-sac containinglunch,whileonherownwasfastenedarollofNavajoblan ets.
Katherinedeterminedtosnatchallthehappinesspossibleforthechildandherselfduringherhusband'sabsence.Todayshewouldforgetthattheremustbeatomorrow;todaythechildwasherown,despitehisfather,despitethelawsoftheTerritorywhichsaidshehadnorightto
herboy.Sohersmilemetthechild'slaughterastheymountedtheirponiesandrodedowntheslopeofthecañontotheplacewherethetrailstruc upthedivideleadingtoJac sonFlats.
Itwasatortuoustrail.Attimes,goingupthebrushymountainsides,wherecat-claw,mesquite,cactiandmescalstruggledbetweenimmenseroc s.Disturbedquail,rabbits,anenormouslizard--theharmlessbrotherofthepoisonousGilaMonster--dashedacrossthetrail.Eachtinyincidentwasfoodforanimatedconversationbetweenthetworiders;anewflower,achangeofviewastheyreachedacertainpoint.In
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placestherewashardlyroomfortheirsure-footedponiestotravelsinglefile.Onesideofthetrailwasahigh,roc ycliff,whiletheothersidedroppedathousandfeetbelow.Adisplacedroc clattereddownthegully,startlingamountain-lionwhichleapedfromafreshlyilledcalfands ul edaway.Acoyoteappearedbetweenbouldersontheoppositesideofthecañon,squatteddownandwatchedtheriderscuriously.
Halfwayupthemountaintheyrodeintoacavethatwaslargeenoughtosheltertwentyhorsesandmen.Thedomedroofrosefortyfeetandthesidesofthecavewerepaintedwithcuriousemblemsofadeadandun nownpeople.Thefloorwasstrewnwithbitsofbro enearthenpottery,decoratedwiththesamecharactersasthewalls.Afewarrowheadsofgreenandblac flintwerescatteredamongthefragmentsofpottery;allthatwaslefttotellthehistoryofthosewhohadloved,hated,laughedandwept--thendied.
Ithadbeenafavouriterideforthemotherandchild,andtherelicshadmadefoundationformanygamesandstories.Sotheboygatheredpiecesofthepotteryandamusedhimselftryingtomatchthemtogether,inemulationofhismother.Astheywor edshetoldhimthehistoryofthosewhohadlivedinthiscaveandfashionedtheearthenjars.Afteracoupleofhoursthenoveltyworeoff,andDonniewantedtoridefurther.
"WecangotothetopoftheBox,"saidhismother."You'veneverbeenthereyet;butitwillbeahardclimb."
Thechildbeggedtotryit,forshehadtoldhimthatwhentheyreachedthetopofthemountaintheycouldseefaracrossotherhill-tops,beyondtheSanPedroRiver--anun nownworldtohim.
Aftershehadtightenedthecinchesofthesaddlesandtheyweremounted,sheinstructedtheboy,"Leanwellforwardinyoursaddleandholdthehorntightly,dear.GivePetaloosereinandyouwillnothaveanytroubleatall.HewillfollowFox.Itisahardclimb,andifyoujer onthereinsyouwillma ePetfallbac ."
Thehorsesheadedwhatappearedalmostaperpendicularwall.DonniesawFoxstretchhisbodyli eagreyhoundandfairlyhurlhimselfinleapsatthesteepincline,scatteringstonesineverydirection.Petstoodamoment,undecided,thenwithashrillwhinnystartedafterFox.Donniegraspedthehornofthesaddleandclungtoitdesperately,leaningforwardandshuttinghiseyes.Hisbac jer ed,hisheadwouldn't eepstill,hisheartbeatviolently.
"IfPetwouldonly eepstillaminute,"thoughtthechild."SupposeFoxweretofallwithMarmee,whatwouldIdo?"
Hepulledonthereins,butPet,watchingFox,foughtthebit,andlungedahead.
AsifinanswertoDonnie'sthoughts,hismother'svoicedriftedcheerilybac tohim:"Almostthere,dear.Tired?"
"Justalittlebit,"hereplied,tryingtobebrave,butwishinghecouldrideupbesideherandholdherhandaminute.ThenherememberedGalahadhadriddenalone,and nightswerenotafraidofanything.Hepretendedthatthetrailledtothecastleofanenemyandhewasgoingtorescuethoseheldprisoners,sowithbolsteredcourage,he epthiseyesopenandfixedonthehorseaheadofhim.
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Theyreachedasharp nollthatformedtheapexofthemountain;andafterslippingfromtheponiesandtyingthemtoastuntedbitofscruboa ,KatherineclaspedDonnie'shandinherown,andtogethertheyapproachedtheedgeofthecliff,andpeeredcautiouslyover.
Twothousandfeetbelowwasthecañon,butwheretheygazed,foursolidwallsaroseli eagiganticboxwithoutacover.Therewasnoentranceorexit.TheMexicanscalledtheplaceElCajon,ortheBox.Grass,flowers,treesandatric lingstreamfromaspringlayatthebottomoftheBox,butnothinglivingcouldreachthere.Thewallswereasstraightandsheerasthenameoftheplaceimplied.
Theydrewbac frominspectingit,andatKatherine'ssuggestionDonniegatheredwildflowerstodecoratethetableonwhichshespreadthelunch.Themothermadeapretenseateating,butthememoryoftheimpendingseparationthrustitselfonherdespiteherdeterminationtoforgetitthisoneday.NeithershenorGlendonhadtoldthechild,sonoshadowoftragedyspoiledhisenjoyment.
Theridehadtiredhim,andafterlunchwasover,shearrangedtheNavajoblan ets.Hestretchedoutlazily,watchinghismotherdrawhisfavouriteboo fromhersaddlebag.Thenhecurledupwithasighofecstasy.
"WhereshallIread?"sheas ed,smilingdownathim.
"HowSirGalahadwasmadea night,"heanswered,"andabouttheSiegePerilous."
Soshereaduntilthebrownheadnoddedandtheeyesclosedslowly,thenseeingtheboyslept,shelaidtheboo aside,sittingmotionlessandwatchinghimwithmiserableeyes.
Awhite-wingedbutterflyflittedpastherandhoveredovertheboy'shand,finallysettlinglightlyonitthendartingonitsway.SherecalledthestoryofthebabyGalahadinhismother'sarmsandthe
whitedovethathadflownthroughthewindow,andthewordsofthemaidenwhoboretheSangreal,"Andheshallbeamuchbetter nightthanhisfather."
Amother-quailwithhertinybroodslippedfromthebrush,peeringaboutasshecameforward.Fearingnothingfromthesleepingchildorthemotherwhodidnotmove,thequailcalledherlittleonesaboutherandsharedwiththemthediscoveryofsomecrumbs.Katherinewatchedthemenviously;thenhereyesstrayedtothechild.Rebellionagainstthelaw,againstherhusband,hisfather,andlifeitself,overwhelmedher.Thequailhadmorerighttoitsbroodthanshehadtoherchild.
Theshadowslengthenedasshesatfightingherbattle,allthetraining
andbeliefsofyearsfallingfromher.
Whatwastheuseoffightinganylonger?Sheloo edattheBox.Itwassoquietdownthere;noonecouldta eDonnieawayfromher.Justastep,andtheywouldbesafetogether.
Herlipsgrewtense,andsmoothingapieceofpaperthathadbeenwrappedaboutthelunch,shesearchedthesaddlepoc etuntilshefoundastumpofpencil,withwhichshewrote:
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_Jim:_
Icouldnotgiveupmyboytohavehimlearnthatmoneywastheonlythingworth-while--tobecruelandself-indulgentasyourfatherwantshimtobe.Itoldyouthatyouowedhimtomeinpaymentofyourdebt.Thelawrefusesmychildtome;you,too,wouldrobmeofhim,eventhoughyou nowitwillbrea hisheartandmine.
IprayedGodtoaidme,andHewillnotanswermyprayers.Whenyoureadthis,DonnieandIwillbetogetheratthebottomoftheBox.IdidthebestIcouldforyou,andfailed;butIwillnotfailwiththeboy.
KATHERINE.
Herhandwasfirmasshesignedhername,andfoldingthepaper,shetiedittoastonewhichsheplacedintheemptysac thathadcontainedthelunch.Thestonewouldattractattentionwhenthesac wasuntied.Securingthesac toherside-saddle,sheremovedthehalter-ropesfromtheponies'nec s;thenslippingbothbridles,shetiedthemtoDonnie'ssaddle.Ifthehorsesdidnotgohomeatonce,orshouldtherebenooneattheCircleCrossforacoupleofdays,she newtheanimalscouldgrazeandwaterandwouldnotsuffer.TheyhadleftTattersinthe
stableswithwaterandfood.Shewishednowthatshehadta enthedogbac toitsformermaster.Itwouldmissthem.
HeadingthehorsestowardtheHotSpringstrail,sheslashedFoxacrosstheflan withherwhip.Theanimalgaveasnortofsurprisethendashedtowardhome,whilePetstumbledandtuggedbehindhimdownthenarrowtrail.Shewatchedthemdisappeararoundthecurve;butlatersheheardthetumblingofsmallroc sand newhermessagewasonitswaytoGlendon.
Wal ingtotheedgeoftheBoxsheloo eddownunflinchingly.Therewasplentytime.Wheneverythingwasdar andquiet,itwouldbeeasytota ethesleepingchildinherarms;thenneithermannorlawcouldta e
himfromher.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
DoctorPowell,luredbyChappo'sdescriptionofthecaveonJac sontrail,hadreachedtheplaceanhourafterKatherineandDonniehadstartedfortheBox.Itwaswhileexaminingthedesignsonthevariousbitsofpotterythathefoundfragmentsofbro engeodes,andeagerlycontinuedhissearch,whichwasrewardedwithseveralspecimensthat
wereunbro en.
Powell,whowasdeeplyinterestedingeology, newtherewerefewplaceswherethecuriouswhitecrystalswerefound,andhisdelightwasaugmentedwhenhediscoveredtwooftheminwhichthewatercouldbedistinctlyheard;moisturewhichhadfallenonhotlavathathadhardenedtooquic lytoallowevaporation.
Hewasengagedinwrappingtheserarespecimensinhishand erchief,whenheheardhishorsewhinny,andashemovedtotheentranceofthe
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cave,noticedFoxandPetpic ingtheirwaydownthesteeptrail.Hesawthesaddlesandthattheponiesweretiedtogether,soconcludedthehorseshadbro enawayandwerehomewardbound,leavingKatherineandDonnieafoothigheruponthetrail.
Powellwaiteduntiltheponiesstoodbesidehishorse.Thenhemovedquietlyandsecuredthemwithhistie-rope,andmountedhishorsetoleadthestraysupthetrail.HehadnothoughtofanydangertoKatherineorDonnie,untilaturninthetrailrevealedthetopoftheclimbandawomanstandingperilouslyneartheedgeofthecliff.Hedarednotcallout,forfearofstartlingherandprecipitatingatragedy;buthedroppedtheropeofthetwohorsesandurgedhisownforward.
Beadsofperspirationstoodonhisforeheadandhisteethbitintohislowerlip.Thehorsepuffedandstumbled,forthebigSpanishspursslasheditssideswithoutmercy.FoxandPetscrambledbehind,thetie-ropesdraggingontheground.
Hereachedthesummitandclosedhiseyes,fearinghewastoolate.WithathrobofreliefhesawKatherinestillpoisedattheedgeoftheBox,whilebitsofdecomposedearthcrumbledunnoticedbeneathherfeet.Herealizedherdanger.Chappohadspo enofthetreacherousshaleoverhangingtheBox.
Soengrossedwasthewomanthatshedidnothearhimslipfromhishorseandhastennoiselesslytoherside;but,whenhishandgraspedherarm,gently,yetfirmly,sheturnedinshrin ingfearthatchangedtopiteousappealwhenshesawitwasPowell,notGlendon,whostoodbesideher.
Themanreadthetragedyinhereyes.Slowlyhedrewherfromthedangerpoint,spea ingquietlyashedidso.
"Thisplaceisnotsafe,Mrs.Glendon.Amoment'sdizzinessmightseizeanyone."Theearthattheedgewascrumblingashespo e,achun ofitcrasheddownintothecañonbelow,andPowelldrewherfurtherbac ."Thatshaleisrottenandliabletoslidewithoutaninstant'swarning.
IwasinanIndiancavewhenIsawtheponieshadgottenawayfromyouandDonnie."
She newhewasgivingherachancetoevadeexplanations,butthewomanhadreachedapointwhereshescornedfurthersubterfuge.WhenonefacesEternityallelseshrivelstoinsignificance."Iwasnotdizzy,"sherepliedinadullmonotone.Thenturningonhimpassionately,shecried,"Whydidyoucome?Doyou nowDonnieisgoingawayfromme?Inthreedaysmoremyboywillbeta enoutofmylifeandgiventostrangerswhocarenothingforhim?Whyshouldwegoonstruggling?Iamtiredofitall!"
Inaflashheunderstoodherpurpose,and newthehorseshadnot
escapedaccidentally.
"Andyouthoughtthatyoucould eephimwithyou--downthere?"Powellas edinavoiceunsteadywithemotion.
Sheloo edathimdefiantly."Yes,youmaycallitacrime;butIamwillingtobearthepunishmentifthereisanotherworld--ifthereisanotherworld!Itisaworsecrimetota eachildfromitsmotherandgiveittothefather--nomatterhowunworthyhemaybe!Ihaveborneeverythingfortheboy'ssa e;Icouldgoon--bearingeverythingthe
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restofmylife--ifIcouldonly eepmyboy!"
Hervoicedropped.Powellsawthatherhandsandlimbsweresha enwithtremors."Ilovehimenoughtogivehimupwithasmile,ifIcould nowthatitwasforhisgood.Myonlyhappinessliesin nowingIhavedonethebestIcouldforhim."
Hesilentlywaitedthereactionthatmustcome.Herhandscoveredherface;thenaterriblesobshoo herbody.Itwasnotthesharpcryofremorse;buttheterriblesoul-rendingcryofaheartthatisneartobrea ing,andthemanbesideherachedtota eherinhisarmsandcomfortherashewouldachild.
"Tellmeaboutit,"hesaidatlast,andsheraisedhertear-stainedface.
Withoutreservation,shetoldthestoryofthelong,bitterstruggletoreformherhusband;thehopethatthechildwouldbringcompensationandfinallytheletterandherhusband'sdecisionwhichhaddrivenhertodesperation.
"Yet,whenitcametothepoint,youneverwouldhavebeencowardlyenoughtota eyourlifeandDonnie's,"heasserted.
"Idon't now,"shefaltered."Aswimmerwhostrugglesagainstthetidereachesamomentwhenfurthereffortsareimpossible.Ihavestruggled,prayedandfoughtuntilIamtiredofitall.Iwanttostopthin ing,stopfearingthefuture--andsleep.Itissometimeseasiertodiethanto eeponliving.Lifeistoohard,toobitter,toohopeless!Youcan'tunderstand."
"ButIdounderstand!"repliedPowellearnestly."Sometimesonereachesastonewallwherethereisnowayaround,nowayoverit,yet,ifwehavethecouragetoholdon,thewalltoppleswhenweleastexpectit.Whatseemsimpossibletodaymaybeaccomplishedtomorrow.Iamupagainstthehardestwallinmylife,butIshallnotgiveup.InthequestoftheGrailtheremustbenofaltering.Weallseethevision
onceinlife."
Helaidhishandsonhers,compellinghertoloo intohiseyes."Ihaveheardasoldierwhosebraverywasbeyondquestion,saythattheimpulsetosee aplaceofsafetyduringabattleisalmostoverpowering.Manymenhavebeenunabletoresistthetemptation;andthepityisthatoftenonedesertshiscoloursjustwhenvictoryisathand.Youarebraveenoughtofacethebullets.Don'tyou nowthemanwhodeserts,influencesmanyotherstodroptheircolourstoo?Carryyourcoloursbravely,comrade,thatImayhavethecouragetogoonwithmyfight--won'tyou?"
Sheturnedimpulsivelyandlaidhertwohandsinhisclosegraspthat
impartednewcourage."Iwasacoward,"shesaid,"butIpromiseI'llnotgiveupagain!Youcan'trealizehowmuchyouhavehelpedme!Iwillprovemygratitudebynotrunningfromthebullets."
Thedoctorsmiledather."That'sright,"hesaidheartily;"butyouoverratewhatIhavedone.Youwouldhavewonthebattlebyyourself."
Heturnedthen,toseeDonnieloo ingatthemfromsleep-heavyeyes.
"Hello,RipVanWin le,"calledthedoctor.
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WithacryofdelightthechildleapedupandrunningtoPowell,threwhisarmsabouttheman'snec ."Oh,youdidcomeafterall!"hecriedtriumphantly.ThenKatherineandPowellunderstoodhowthechildmissedtheman.
Theboy'sunrestrainedgladnessrelievedthetensionbetweenhismotherandthedoctor.FinallyPowellrose.
"Doyou now,IforgotthatChappofixedalunchforme?Let'sseewhatitis,Donnie.I'mgettinghungry."
Katherinewatchedthemma etheirwayovertheroughground,thechild'shandheldbytheman.Themingledvoiceshappywithlaughter,floatedbac toherfromwheretheponiesweretied.Theremightbeanoccasionalgleamofsunshineinlife,ifonlythechildwerenotta enfromher,shethoughthopefully.Thenshesawthemreturning,carryingvariousarticleswhichthedoctorhadextricatedfromhisbigsaddlebags,andnowdepositedonthegroundatherfeet.
"Chappo nowsIamaconfirmedcoffee-fiend,"confessedPowell."Yougathersomestic s,Donnie,andwe'llpretendyourmotherisacaptivequeenwhomwehaverescuedfromthecannibals.I'mCrusoeandyou'reFriday."
"Fridaywasblac ,"objectedDonnie.
"Well,thatwasanisland.Thisisamountain,soyoucanbeawhiteFridayhere,yousee."
Whenthefirecrac ledandthelargecupwhichChappohadprovidedforboilingcoffee,sangmerrily,theremnantsofKatherine'slunchwereaddedtowhattheDoctorhad,soaplentifulmealwasspread.
"Thetrailisratherbad,"suggestedPowellastheyfinishedtheimpromptufeast,"sowehadbetterstartbeforeitgrowslate."
HetightenedthecinchesofthethreesaddlesandadjustedthebridleswhileKatherineandDonniepic edupthecupsandspoons.Shewasreplacingafewarticlesinasac hangingonhersaddlewhenshefelttheroc andrememberedthenoteshehadwrittentoherhusband.Untyingthesac ,shetorethepaperintofragmentsthatwerecaughtbythelighteveningbreezeandtossedovertheedgeoftheBox.Shewatchedthem,thenwithasmileturnedtoPowell,whowaitedtolifthertoherpony'sbac .Donnie,alreadyonhispony,followedhismotherasFoxpic edhiswaydownthetrailbehindPowell'shorse.
SixmilesawaytheRimRoc roseovertwothousandfeetormore,themassive,jaggedsidesreflectingariotousconfusionofcoloursfromthesettingsun,untilitsvividbeautymergedintoasoftblue-grey,li e
theplumageonthebreastofawilddove.
SometimestheboyandPowelltal edtogetherastheyrodedownthetrail,orthemotherjoinedintheconversation,butallthetimeshewasconsciousofanewstrength,asenseofcomradeshipthatshehadneverbefore nowninherentirelife.Herheartwaslighterthanithadbeenformanyyearswhenshe,PowellandDonniereachedthegateoftheCircleCross.Tohersurprise,Glendonslouchedontheporch.
ItwasonlyThursdayandGlendonhadsaidhewouldbeabsentuntil
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Sundaynight.Shewonderedwhatitmeant.
Hereyesturnedtothechildandfeargrippedherheartuntilitseemedasifsheweresuffocating.ButPowell'swordscamebac toher,"Carryyourcoloursbravely,comrade"--Shedeterminednottomeettroubleprematurely.Afterall,thereprobablywasaverynaturalexplanationofthesuddenreturn.Juanwascomingupfromthebarn,carryingapailoffreshmil .Itwastheusualroutineoftheranch.Sheputherfearsaside.
PowellopeningthegateforKatherineandDonnietoridethrough,raisedhishatcourteouslyandspo etoGlendon.ItwasthebestwaytoaidGlendon'swife.Theothermanloo edathimbetweenhalf-closedeyesthatwereastudiedinsult,andmadenoreply.Neitherdidhema eanyefforttoassisthiswife.
Thedoctorhelpedherfromherhorse,thenliftedDonnietotheground,payingnoheedtoGlendon'sattitude.Withafewwordstothewomanandboy,PowellrodethroughthegatetowardHotSprings.Hisbloodboiled,anditrequiredallhiswill-powertoavoidturningbac andmaulingGlendonashedeserved;but,herealizeditwouldnothelpthewoman.
Juan,havingdisposedofthemil -pail,hastenedtoleadtheponiestothestable.KnowingthatGlendonwasinoneofhismostsurlymoods,
Katherinemovedslowlyupthestepsoftheporch,tryingtocho ebacherterribledread."Carryyourcolours,"sheheard.
Somethingofthenew-bornhopeandpeaceshoneinhereyesasshefacedherhusbandsilently.He newthatshestoodonheightshecouldnotattain,andfromwhichhewaspowerlesstodraghertohisownlevel.Enraged,heleanedcloser.Hisunshavenface,bloodshoteyes,soiledshirtandhotbreathredolentofliquor,struc hersensesli eaphysicalblow!Withaneffortsheconqueredthesic eningrepugnance,recallingherpromisetoPowelltocarryhercoloursbravely.Shesmiledatherhusbandandwaspassingintothehouse,whenhecaughtherarminabrutalclutch,jer ingherbac sothathisfacewasclosetoherown.
"Too youbysurprise,comingbac today,didn'tI?"hesaidmeaningly.Thechildstoodwithpalefaceandfrightenedeyes."ThoughtIwasoutoftheway,andyousnea edofftomeetyouraffinity,usingyourchildasacloa !Youcan'tfoolme.Ifyouandthatdudethin youarepullingthewoolovermyeyes,you'llfindyourselvesmista en.Youcantellhimthat,nexttimeyouandhearrangetomeeteachother.Ithoughtyou'dfallforthetrapwhenIfixeditupyesterdaymorning."
Herfaceflusheddeepred.Shehadborneeveryignominypossible;butthisaccusationhurtli ecorrodingacid.Herimpulsetocryoutinself-defensefadedassheloo edsteadilyintohiswaveringeyes.Li eawhispercamethememoryofPowell'swords,"Carryyourcoloursbravely."Quietlysheanswered,"Downinyourheart,Jim,youdon'tbelievewhat
yousay.DoctorPowellsavedmeandDonniefromdeathtoday.IfhehadnotbeenridingontheJac sontrailandfounduswhenhedid,theboyandIwouldbothhavebeenlyingatthebottomoftheBoxtonight."
"Whatwereyoudoingupthere?"hesnarled,glaringather."Moreofyourmelodramaticdrivel,asusual?Powellforanaudience!"
"Iwonderifitwouldma eanydifferencetoyouifyou newthetruth?"shesaidbro enly."Iamwornoutstruggling.TheBoxseemedtheonlyway."
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Dumbly,asthoughshehadreachedthelimitofphysicalaswellasmentalendurance,sheturnedfromhimandenteredtheplaceshecalledhome.
ForasecondGlendonhesitated;thenwithanoathhecalledafterher:"Youcan'tbluffmewiththreatsofsuicide.Youhaven'tthenerve.I'vesaidmylastwordaboutsendingtheboytoFather.I'mgoingonMonday,whetherhe'sreadyornot.I'llbrea yourpride!"
Donnie'sstartledeyeswidenedandhisfacegrewpalerasherealizedthathewastobepartedfromhismother.Withastifledsobthechildstumbledblindlyupthesteps,pasthisfatherandthrewhimselfintohismother'sarms.
"Marmee!Marmee!Don'tletmego!"
Katherineclaspedtheboytightly,hereyesweredry,butitseemedasifherachingheartwouldburstwithagony, nowingthatshewashelpless.
"Oh,God,givemethecouragetolive!"washerunutteredprayer.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
LimberandPowellwereridingtogetherinadeepcañonoftheGaliuros.Neitherhadspo enforsometime,foroftentheyrodetogetherwithoutexchangingaword.Limber,whowasslightlyinadvanceofthedoctor,stoppedPeanutandleanedforwardinhissaddle.Thenhisquic glancebroughtPowellcloser.
Fromthethic undergrowthaheadofthematinyspiralofsmo erosefaintly.Cautiouslytheyurgedtheirponies;thenthroughthebrush,
silentlywatchedamancarryingahotbrandingironinhishand.Acowwasropedandlyingontheground.Theironburnedintothehide,thesmellofsingedhair,thebellowsofpaintoldthestory.Theman'sbachadbeentowardthem,butbothPowellandLimberhadrecognizedthefigureandwal .
Theywaited.Themanloosedtheropethatboundthecow.Itcaughtinasnarl,thecowstruggled.Withanoath,hejer edtherope,atthesametimegivingtheanimalavicious ic onthehead.
Itstaggeredtoitsfeetandstooddazedforasecond,thendartedintothebrush;butnotbeforeLimberandPowellhadseenthefreshbrand.Limberleanedclosetothedoctorandwhispered,"That'saPLcowand
it'sbeenchangedtoaBD."
Theeyesofthetwomenmetinunderstanding.Againtheypeeredthroughthebrushtoseetheothermanrubbingthehotironinthedirttocoolit.Heturnedtohishorse,theironinhishand.
AninspirationseizedPowell.
"Quic !Lethim nowwesawhim!"
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Theirponiesjumpedforwardunderthespurs,butGlendon,busytyingtheirontohissaddle,didnotnoticetheirpresenceuntilPeanut'shoofcrac ledonaloosebranch.Glendonleapedtohishorse,whirleditaroundandfacedthemwithhishandrestingonhispistolholster.Itrelaxedasherecognizedthem.
"Oh,hello!"hesaidaffably,plainlyspeculatingastohowlongtheyhadbeenwatchinghim.
Limberloo edathimcuriously."Beenbrandin'?"hespo einacasualvoice.
"No:"answeredGlendon."Iwasjustloo ingovertherange.Gladwehappenedtomeet."
Withoutcomment,thecowpuncherrodetothestillsmoulderingembers,slippedfromhissaddle,then ic edatthebitsofcharredandglowingwood.BeforeGlendonrealizedit,LimberreachedoutsuddenlyandtouchedthestillhotironfastenedtoGlendon'ssaddle.
Glendonglaredathimasthecowboysaidveryquietly,"Loo sasifyourGreaserfriendhascomebac fromMexico,Glendon.IjestseenanotherofthemBDbunchyouboughtfromhim.It'sgotafreshbrandonit,too.Youmustofjustboughtittoday."
Glendon'sponytwistedtowardLimber,Glendon'shandmovedalmostimperceptibly,butdroppedquic lyasLimbercalled,"Don'ttechyourgun,youidjit!"
TheeyesofGlendonshiftedcat-li efromLimbertoPowell,thenhishandsrestedlightlyonthehornofhissaddleandheleanedforwardcarelessly,saying,"Don'tyouthin youtwohavecarriedyourjo eaboutfarenough?"
"Jo e!"vociferatedtheangrycowpuncherwithanoath,"ItmeansthePenforyou--ifyoucallthatajo e."
Glendon'seyesnarrowedastheyrestedonPowell,andanexpressionoffurydistortedhisface.
"Oh,Iseeyourlittlegamenow!"hesnarled."GoingtotrytorailroadmetothePensoPowellcanma elovetomywife.I'llseeyoubothdamnedbeforeyouplayyourlastcard.I'llshowbothofyouup--andKatherine,too!"
Twoshotsrangouttogether.Theponiesrearedasbulletspingedpast,Powell,unarmed,loo edatLimber,whostoodwithsmo ingpistolinhistensegrip.TheremnantofGlendon'ssix-shooterwaslyingonthegroundsomedistancefromhishorse-- noc edfromhishandbytheshotfromLimber'sgun.ThatshothadsavedPowell'slife.
Notoneofthemenspo e,butPowellwhowasunarmed,leapedfromhishorse.Alltheragethathadconsumedhimformonthsseethedover.HeclutchedatGlendon,draggedhim,despitehisstruggles,fromhishorse,andthenfacetofacetheymet.Allthe nowledgeofthemiseryinflictedonKatherinebythisman,lentadditionalstrengthtoPowell'sblows,whileGlendon'shatredrespondedinfull.Itwascavemanagainstcaveman,withbarehandsforweapons.
Thefightwasshortbutsharp.ThoughGlendonwasamuchlargermanthan
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Powell,andhadoncebeenabletoholdhisownwiththeglovesoratwrestling,yearsofdissipationtoldonhimnow.Acrashingblowfromthedoctorstretchedhimonthegroundmotionlessforseveralseconds;thenhiseyesopenedandloo edintothegrimfacesofthetwomenwhostoodwatchinghim.
"Getup,"orderedPowell.
Glendondraggedhimselftohisfeet,swayeddizzilyandpassedhishandoverhisdazedeyes;slowlyhemovedtoafallentreeanddroppedheavilyonit.
"Whatareyougoingtodo?"heas edsullenly."Sendmeup?Youwon'tgetherthatway.She'llstic tome."
PowellsteppedtoGlendon'sside,hisfacewhitewithfury,hishandsclenchedominously."Keepyourwife'snameoffyourdirtytongue,"hecommandedtensely,"or,byGod!I'll illyou."
Glendon newitwasnoidlethreat,andhiseyessoughtthegrounduntilhewasrousedbyPowellhandinghimanoteboo andfountainpen.
"What'sthisfor?"hedemandedwithanoath.
"WritewhatIdictate,"Powellanswered.Glendon'sheadjer edangrily,"Iwillwritenothing,"heretorted.
"YouhavetenminutestodoasIsay;"Powell'svoicewasli eflint,andsoweretheangryeyesthatregardedthemanathisfeet."Write.'ThisistoconfessthatJohnBurrittandDoctorPowellcaughtmechangingaPLcowtoaBDandmar ingitwiththeCircleCross."
Glendonlaughedcontemptously."Doyouthin I'msuchafoolastosignapaperthatwillsendmetothepenitentiary?"
"It'stheonlywaythatyoucan eepfromgoingthere,"wasPowell's
reply.
"SupposeIsignit?"
"Then,solongasyoustopyourcroo edwor andbehavedecently,noonewill nowofthisepisodeexceptmyselfandLimber.Incaseyoutrytocoerceyourwifeinanyway,orta eDonniefromherasyouplan,thispaperwillbeusedbyustohelpher eepherboy.AwomanhasnolegalrighttoherchildinArizona,butneitherhasthefatherifheisaconvict.Soit'suptoyou.Igiveyoutenminutes."
Thedoctorseatedhimselfonaboulder,holdinghisopenwatchinhishand,whileGlendonsatstaringatthegroundinhelplessfury.
"Time'sup,"announcedPowell,snappingthecoverofhiswatchandplacingitinhispoc et,"Well,whatisyouranswer?"
"I'llwritewhatyousay,"mutteredGlendon,reachingoutforthepenandnoteboo .
PowellrepeatedthewordswhileGlendonwithsha inghandsignedhisnametotheconfession.Hisfacewaswhitewithrageashereturnedtheboo toPowell.
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"Signasawitness,please,Limber;"andthecowpunchersignedhisname,"JohnC.Burritt,"beneathwhichwaswritten,"CuthbertPowell,"andthedate.Thenthedoctorpoc etedthepenandboo .
"Youmightaswell now,"commentedPowell,"thatthispaperwillbeforwardedimmediatelytomyattorneysintheEast,withinstructionshowtoactineventofanystraybulletorothermysteriousaccidenthappeningtoLimberorme.Oursafetyisyouronlyprotection.Now,Ithin weunderstandeachotherperfectly."
Glendonmadenoanswer.Thethreemenmountedtheirponies,rodethroughthecañon,climbedthebac boneofthemountainandwor eddownthenarrowtrailthatmergedintotheroadleadingtotheHotSprings.Noneofthemspo e.Eachwasbusywithhisownthoughts.
AstheyapproachedtheHotSpringsranch,Powellloo edcriticallyatGlendon'sbruisedeyeandswollenhands.Itwasapurelyprofessionalsurvey,andGlendonrecognizeditassuchwhenthedoctorspo e.
"Comein,"wasthecurtcommand."Youcan'tletyourwifeseeyouthatway,unlessyouwantmetotellherthewholetruth."
Glendonhesitated,thenreinedhisponyatthegateanddismounted
painfully.ThoughPowell'shandsweredeftandlight,Glendon newtheywerenotministeringlovingly,whiletheybandagedthebruisestheyhadinflicted.Itgoadedhimtosubmit;buthehadnoalternative.Limbersatwatchingthetwomen.Theroomwassilentsaveforthedoctor'smovements.
"Thatwilldo,"hesaidatlast,andGlendonrosefromthechair,hishandsbandagedandoneeyecoveredwithapatch."Limber,youmayridedownwithhim,andtellMrs.Glendonthatherhusbandmetwithanaccidentandwewereluc yenoughtobenear;butthereisnothingtocauseheranyanxietysolongasherhusbandiscareful,"heregarded
Glendonsteadilyasheutteredthesewords.
Thenwithoutfurtheraddressinghispatient,thedoctorturnedintohisbedroom,carryingthebandageswithhim,andGlendon,withthesuppressedfuryofavolcano,followedthecowboytothegate.
Fromawindow,PowellwatchedthemridesidebysidedowntheroadtowardtheCircleCross.Withgrimsatisfactionherecalledthefightinthecañon.He newthatLimberwoulddeliverhismessagetoGlendon'swife,andthatGlendonwouldnotcontradictit.
WhenLimberreturned,hereportedtothedoctorthatMrs.Glendonwouldcareforthepatient,andshesentherthan stoDoctorPowell.Limber's
eyeshadalur ingtwin lethatwasreflectedinPowell's.
"It'splumbluc yyouthoughtaboutfixin'thingsso'shecan'tta eDonnieawayfromher,"thecowpuncherspo einadmiration."I'daneverthoughtofit."
ForthefirsttimethedoctortoldLimberofthedesperationofthemother,andthenarrowavertingofaterribletragedyintheBox.Limber'sfacewaswhiteandhisgreyeyesglazed.
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"Doc,doyoumeantertellmethatsheain'tgotnorighttoDonnie?An'Glen inta ehimawayanytimehewantsto?"
"Thatisthewaythelawstandsnow,Limber.Iloo edupthematterthroughalawyerinTucsonafterIcametoliveattheSpringsandsawtheterriblestruggleshewasma ing.Shedoesnotbelieveindivorce,butevenifshedid,thelawisonhisside;solongashe eepsfrombeingclassedasacriminal.IfsheleavesGlendon,hecan eepthechild."
"IfI'd nowedthat,"Limberspo everyquietly,"Iwouldn'thavebeensocarefulaimin'atthatpistolinhishand,whenhepulledhisgunonyouandyouwasn'tarmed."
"Well,itwor edoutstillbetter,"respondedPowell,"We'vegothimjustwherewewanthimnow,than God!"
Limberstaredatthecigaretteringsabovehishead,andsatthin ingforquiteawhile,beforehesaid,"Somedaysomethin'sgoin'tobustthemlaws.Itta esaheaptowa epeopleup,butwhentheygetwo eupthey'llbeli etheol'whitehorseandtheChinapumpattheDiamondH.
"Yousee,weusterwor himatthebigpond,andthewaterwaspumpedfromthewellwithan'ol'fashionedpumpcalledaChinapump.Thatwas
beforetheBossgotgasolineengines.Youmaybelieveme,ornot,Doc,butitwasthatol'whitehorsethatgotthefirstengineontheranch.Forfiveyearsol'Whiteywashitcheduptothecross-barandablinderputacrosshiseyes,thenhewasstarted,an'oncehestarted,hejesteptongoin'roundandroundwithoutnobodywatchinghimandhenevernowedthedifference.
"Butonedayhestoppedshort,andofcourse,tharwarn'tnowaterpumpin',thetroughswasdryandthecattlebawlin'theirheadsoff.MeandtheBossridnear,andwentovertoseewhatwasma in'thetrouble.Thecowswasclimbin'overeachother'sbac stryingtogetadrin .Well,wefoundol'Whitey'sblindhadsliddownsohecouldseeoutenoneeye.
"Ifixeditbac andsaid,'Gittap,'expectin'hewouldgolongjestashealwaysdone,butWhiteynevermovedastep.
"Itouchedhimwithmyquirt,andthenthatol'horsethatwasoldenoughtodiethreetimesoverandhadneverdoneameanthinginhislife,turnedlooseand ic edthestuffin'outenthewoodwor ofthatpumpasfarashecouldreach."
Limberpausedinretrospection,andPowellsaid,"Whathappenednext?"
"Northin'happened.Thatwasthetrouble.Theynevercouldusehimagainonthepump;andeveryotherhorsewetriedhadtohaveamanstaywith
it,becauseWhiteywastheonlyonethathadwor edwithoutbein'watched,yousee.SotheBossputinthegasolineenginedownthar.WhenWhiteyfoundhewasbein'fooledintojestgoin'aroundandaroundandnevergettin'nowhar,heupandbustedthingsgoodandplenty.An'that'sthewaywithpeoplewhentheblindslipsoff.Someday,someone'sblindisgoin'toslipdownandthenthar'llbeHelltopaywiththatlawinArizona!"
"Ifthemenwhoframethelawscouldseeeachindividualaffectedunjustlybythatlaw,standingbeforethemand nowhowitcouldbe
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twistedtoinjurealife,theywouldbemorecarefulinenactingalaw.Doyouthin foraminute,Limber,thatanyman,orbodyofmen,whopassedthelawgivingafathersolerighttohischildren,wouldendorsethatlawtoday--ifthey newwhatyouandI nowaboutGlendonandhiswife?"
"No!Youbettharisn'tadecentmaninArizonathatwouldstandforit,"Limberansweredemphatically,"Butit'sthar,andwecan'thelpitnow.OnlyIwishtI nowedallthisyesterday,that'sall.Arizona'sgotsomegoodlaws.Oneof'emisthatthefellerwhatdrawsonanunarmedman,ain'tgotnorighttolivehisself."
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
SundaymorningKatherinewo eindread.Tomorrow,Donniewouldleaveher.Thechildnowrealizedthetruthandhisgriefhadtornherheart.Hiseyesfollowedherinmuteappeal.
Brea fastwaseateninsilence.AfterwardGlendonmountedhishorseandrodefromtheranchalone.Hespo enotawordtoJuanorKatherine,and
Donniewatchingfurtively, eptoutofhisfather'ssightasmuchaspossible.
ThroughawindowKatherinewatchedherhusbandrideaway.Aloo ofdeterminationshoneinhereyeswhensheturnedbac tothewor ofclearingthedining-table.Theloo grew,whileshewashedthedishesandstraightenedthehouse.JuanwaschoppingwoodandDonniesatquietlyonthestepsofthefrontporch,histroubledeyescloudedwithtearsthathewouldnotlethismothersee.
"Juan,"calledKatherinesuddenlyfromthe itchenwindow.
TheMexicanlettheaxfallfromhishandandtrottedtoher,"Si,
Señora,"hesmiled.
"I'mgoingtowritealetter.CanItrustyouwithit?"
Shedidnotneedwordstoassureherofhisfaithfulnessbutheanswered,ashemadetheSignoftheCross,"OnmyheartIswearit,Señora!"
Hewentbac tohiswood-chopping,whileKatherineseatedherselfatthedining-tableandbeganwriting.Itwasadesperatehope.Onlythethoughtofherboycouldhaveforcedhertosuchastep.
WhenKatherineCourtneyhadbeenleftanorphanattheageoften,the
onlylegacyhadbeenunblemishedreputationsofherparents.Anauntofhermother'shadcomeforwardwithanoffertoeducatethegirluntilshecouldsupportherself.Itwasdistinctlystatedthatnofurtherbenefitsweretobeexpected,andthiswasdoneonlytopreventthepossibilityofevenaremotefamilyconnectionbecomingapubliccharitycharge,aswaspossible.
Thesumallowedyearlydidnottendtoaffluenceorextravagance,andKatherinehadfelttheobligationfromtheveryfirstday,sheand"AuntJaneGrimes"hadaninterview.Theoldlady'sgrim,aggressivemanner
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hadrepressedthelonelychild'sinclinationtoflingherselfupontheonehumanbeingwhotoo anyinterestinher.AuntJanewaswealthy,anoldmaid--andproudofit--energetic,economicaltothevergeofpenuriousness,sherecognizedthreegreatfactorsintheuniverse--herchurch,hercountry'sflagandProhibition.
Theonemeetingendedallcommunicationbetweenthechildandoldlady,untilKatherinewasgraduatedwiththehighesthonours,andwroteAuntJanethatshewasnowfittedtoma eherownwayintheworldasateacher,andwouldsoonbeginpayingbac theheavyobligationoftheyearsinschool.
Tohersurprise,AuntJaneinvitedhertocomeforavisittotheold-fashionedhomesteadinMaine."I'dli etoseewhatsortofapersonIamresponsiblefor,"theoldladywrote."Yourreportsfromschoolregardingmar sanddeportmentaresatisfactory;butyoucan'tweartheseplacardedonyourbreastfortherestofyourlife.SoI'dli etohavealoo atyou."
Theinspectionprovedsufficientfortheoldladytounbendandbecomealmosthuman.Katherine'sgratitudeandhersinceredesiretoavoidbeingaburden,wonAuntJane'ssilentapprobation.Aftertwowee s,whenKatherinespo eagainofplanstostartearningherownliving,theoldladyhadturnedonherfiercely.
"Doyoucallthatgratitude?"shedemandedglaringthroughhersteel-rimmedglasses."LeavingmealoneinthisbighousewithonlyAnn,andshe'safool!"
Annwastheonemaidemployed,sherefusedtoshareherresponsibilitieswithanyotherservant.Annwasafamilyheirloom,butdespiteheragesheclungtenaciouslytolife.Infact,ithadbecomeagrimdeterminationonthepartofAnn,andli ewiseonthepartofAuntJane,nottodiefirst.
"Ann'sjustitchingtoseemeburied,"averredAuntJane,"andeverymorningwhenIgotobrea fastshewatchestoseewhetherIeatallthe
boiledegg,ortwofullpiecesoftoast.I'mtiredofbeingshutupalonewithherallwinter."
SoKatherineremained,andforawonder,Ann,too,approved.
"MissGrimesisjustwaitin'formetodie,"Anngrumbled,"butherPaw'swillsaysI'mtohaveahomehereaslongasIlive.AndI'llbeherelongafterIhear'emsingingoverhercoffin.I'mgladyou'regoingtostayhere.Thewintersareterriblewhenwe'resnowedinsolong,justherandme,andshe'sawfuloldandcrotchetty."
Companion,house eeper,peacema erbetweenthetwooldwomen;nursetoeachinturn;secretaryforAuntJane'slargebusinesscorrespondence
andcharities,Katherinepaidherdebtcheerfullyforthreeyears,andnothingbro ethemonotonyofherlife.
Duringthewintermonthstheseasidevillagehibernated,butinthesummeritwo easaresortforwealthysocietypeoplewhowishedtoavoidwhattheytermed"therabble."Itwasonlyforashortperiod;andduringthattime,AuntJaneshutherfrontblindstightly,andwithKatherineandvariousold-fashionedtrun scontainingherfeatherbedandownlinen,hiedtoastillmoreremotefarminland;onlyreturningwhenthegay,socialwhirlwasathingofthepast.
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But,thethirdsummer,AuntJanesuccumbedtoatouch,ofgout,andhadnotthecouragetogoawayfromtheolddoctorwhohadattendedherfamilyfortwogenerations.HehadpresidedattheadventofAuntJaneintothisworldoftroubles."Idon'tmindhisseeingmybarefootandan le,"sheannounced,"butI'mnotgoingaroundshowingittoanystrangemanatmyage,evenifheisadoctor."
Sothetrun sandfeathermattresswerenotdisturbed,thegreenblindswerenotfastened,andthewideporchbecomeaplaceofhabitationafterKatherinehadinstalledchairs,acouch,boo s,andatlastatinytablewhichwasusedintheafternoonsforacupofteaoutoftheold-fashionedblueandwhitechina--theprideofAuntJane'sheart.Ann'sausterefacerelaxed,andononememorableoccasion,Katherinefoundtheerstwhilefoes,laughingtogetheroverlong-forgottenjo es.
Then,theunexpectedhappened.Whileinastore,aformerclassmaterecognizedKatherine,andinsistedoncalling.AuntJanesuccumbedtothewilesofthenewcomer,whosesympathyatKatherine'sisolationresultedinvariousinvitationstoa"biteoflunchwithjustme,alone."ThusitwasthatJimGlendonsawheroneday,obtainedanintroductionandlostnotimeinhisdeterminationtomarryher.
AuntJane,whentheyoungmancalled,listenedgrimlytohisfamily
socialassetsandfinancialstanding,thensheloo edhimupanddownappraisingly,andannouncedcalmly,"Idon'tli eyou.There'syourhat."
GlendonretreatedinconfusiontoreporttoKatherineandherchum.Betweenhisinsistenceandtheurgingofthegirlfriend,theaffairterminatedinahastymarriage.WhenKatherinebro ethenewstoheraunt,shewasinformedthatKatherineCourtneywasdead."I'veneverbeenacquaintedwithanyonenamedKatherineGlendon,andIdon'tcaretomeetsuchaperson,"wasAuntJane'sultimatum.
Eachmonth,forseveralyears,Katherinehadwrittenheraunt,butnoneofthelettershadbeenanswered.ThenshewrotetoAnn,andreceived
theletterendorsed,DEAD!ThewritingwasthatofAuntJane,andKatherinehadshedbittertears;forshenowunderstoodthatthesetwooldwomenhadgivenhertheiraffection,andshownitintheonlywaythey newhow.
TodayshewroteagaintoAuntJane.Thelettertoldwithoutreserveorpalliation,theconditionsattheCircleCross,theplanofGlendontorobherofDonnie,andthatthelawgavemensuchrights.SheremindedAuntJaneoftheirlastinterview,"Yousaidthen,'Whenyouwishtheshelterofmyhomefromthemanyouhavemarried,youwillbewelcome--butnottillthen!'Ibegsanctuaryformyboyandmyself.Iwillwor tillthefleshwearsfrommyfingers,ifyouwilltrytohelpmesomewaynow.Icannotgivehimup.Ifyoueverlovedanyoneinyour
entirelife,AuntJane,trytorememberitnow,formyboyistheonlythingthatma esmetrytolive."
Theletterwassplashedwithtears.Itwasherlasthope.
ShegaveittoJuan;"Ta eittotheHotSpringsandas themtopleasesendittotownbythefirstpersonwhogoesfromthere."Juan'seyesloo edintohers,"Si,Señora,Iunderstand."Hetuc edtheletterintohisshirt,mountedhiswaitingponyandlopeddownthecañon.
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Hedidunderstand,andwhathetoldDoctorPowellandLimbercausedthecowpunchertosaddlePeanut,ta etheletterandridetoWillcoxatonce.Juanwentbac totheCircleCrossandreported,"Leember,hewasreadytostarttoWeelcox,sohetoo theletterwithheem,Señora."
Juan newthatthePriesttoldhimitwasamortalsintolie;buthedidnotcountthisanylie--Limberhadta enthelettertoWillcox.
Katherinewonderedatherself,planningsurreptitiouslytoopposeherhusbandforthefirsttimeintheyearsoftheirmarriedlife;but,whenhereyeswenttotheboy,shefeltshehaddoneright.AuntJane,iffavourablydisposed,woulduseallherwitstocircumventGlendon,whomshehated.IfGlendon newthatAuntJanewasreadytota eherpartandtheboy's,heprobablywouldnotpressthematterofsendingDonnieaway.Glendon'sfatherhadrefusedfurtherfinancialaid,ortoevencommunicatewithhisson,andAuntJanewaswealthy.ThismightinfluenceGlendon.
Inheranxietytogettheletteroff,Katherinehadomittedmentioninghercompleteisolationfromallmailfacilities.Even,nowsheforgotit.
Nightfell.Twohoursafterdar Glendonreachedhome.Thehorsefromwhichhedismountedwaswornandweary;thehairwasstiffwithdried
sweatandlather,itsflan sdrawn.Withoutaword,Glendonatethebelatedsupper.Donniewatchedhimwithfrightenedeyes.Juanhoveredinthe itchenonvariousexcuses,untilGlendonwenttobed.
Mondaymorningbro e.Brea fastwasasilentmeal.Katherine'sfacewaspallid,deepcirclesofblac layunderhereyes,herlipsquivered.Themorningpassed.Glendonloafedabouttheranchallday,comingintothehouseatfrequentintervals.Eachtimehedidso,hiswifestartednervously,andDonnie'sbreathcamemorequic ly.Glendonscrutinizedthemwithamalignantsmile.He newtheywerebothsufferingwithdread,butwasdeterminedhewouldnotrelievetheirfears.Hegloated
attheirmentaltorture.
Whenaboy,Glendonhadrevelledintearingthewingsfrombutterflies,sothattheirdelicateflightinthesunshinemustendincreepingmutilatedupontheground.Thoughhiswifewasnotresponsibleforhisthwartedplans,stillhegloriedinhispowertotortureherforhishumiliationbyPowellandLimber.
Mondaypassed,andTuesdayfollowed.Shedarednothope,forshedidnotnowwhathourGlendonmightdecidetostart.Shefearedtoas anyquestionthatmightprecipitatethecrisisshedreaded.Shefeltli eaprisonercondemnedtodeathwhois eptinignoranceofthedayorhourofhisexecution,andeachpassingmoment,diesanewdeath.
Glendonstudiedthedumbagonyinherface.Itgaveanewzesttohislife.He newthatneitherPowellnorLimberwouldtellherofthepaperhehadsigned,solongasDonniewasnotsentaway;but,neitherPowellnorLimberhadthoughttheyweregivinghimaweapontouseuponher--thetortureofuncertaintythatdrivestomadness.
Sothedayspassedintowee s,butnotoncedidGlendonallowheraglimmerofhope.AllthewhileshewaitedforananswertothelettershehadwrittenAuntJane.But,atlastshegavethatupindespair.
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Forthreemonthsthesituationremainedunchanged.Katherinegrewhaggard,hermovementslistless,andDonniestillwatchedhisfather'sgoingsandcomingswithfrightenedeyesandbeatingheart.
ThedrouthwastellingonGlendon'ssmallherd,buthehadmoreimportantthingstothin aboutnow.HistripstoWillcoxwerefrequent;hisperiodsintownstretchedovermanydays.Katherinemighthavewondered,hadshenotbeenoccupiedwithherownanxiety--Donnie.
EachtimeGlendonmadepreparationstodrivetoWillcox,shewaitedthecommandthatwouldteartheboyfromher.Whentripaftertripwasmadewithouttheordeal,herheartbegantota ecourage.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Arizona,li eapoutingchild,wasindulginginoneofherperiodicdrouths,andcattlewereslowlysuccumbingtostarvation.ThewintersnowsandrainshadbeeninsufficienttostarttheSpringgrass,andthoughitwasnowlateinAugustandthesummerrainsusuallybeganin
June,notadrophadfallen.Mostofthewater-holesweredry,andwaterinthewellsofranchessanfurtherfromthesurfaceeachday.Manyspringsconsideredpermanent,degeneratedintomeremudholeswherecattlebawledandcrowdedoneanotherintothebogstillthewea estfellandweresuffocatedortrampledtodeath.Thecountrywasnotonlydevoidofgreengrass,butwhatdryfeedwasleftcontainednonutrimentwhatever.
Ranchersfortunateenoughtoownpermanentsprings,orwellsthatwerenotyetdry,guardedthewaterjealously,notifyingneighbourstocomeandcareforthestraycattlethatlingeredbellowingaroundtheclosedwateringplaces,orwal edaimlesslyformilesbesidethebarbedwire
fencesthat eptthemfromthewatertheycouldsmell.Tinycalvestrailedwea lybehinds eletoncows;othercowsabandonedtheiryoung;andalladdedhystericallytothedinofconstantbellowingwherevertherewasapoolofwatertolurethem.
SulphurSpringsValleywasoverahundredmileslong.ItspreadtwentymilesacrossfromtheGrahamstotheGaliuros,andwasbro enbygroupsofcottonwoodtreesclusteringaboutsmallpondsofwatersuppliedbywindmills.Ordinarilythesepondswereopentoallstoc ,butnowthegateswereclosed.Unlessthewaterwereusedeconomicallytherewouldsoonbenoneinreserve,asafewdayswithoutwindwouldcutoffthedailysupplyfromthewindmills,anddryuptheponds.
Eachdayatteno'cloc thegateswereopened.Cowboysstoodguard,allowingthecattlebearingtheranchbrandstoenterthewater-corrals,allotherstoc being"cut"awayfromwater.Theownersofthesestrays,havingbeennotified,sentmentodrivetheirowncattlehome;buttheanimalswouldnotremainaway.Accustomedtorangingandwateringinacertainlocality,theywouldreturnandstanddumblywatchingothercattledrin ,waitingpatientlyfortheirownturn.Whennightfell,theylaydownbythefence,lowingpitifullyuntilmorning,whentheywouldagainstaggertotheirfeet.Sometimes,infrenzy,ananimaltriedtobrea throughthewirefence,cuttingitselfonthebarbsandgrowing
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steadilywea erhourbyhour,tillatlasttherewasanothercarcasstobehauledawayfromthefenceaboutthewatercorrals.
TheAugustheatwasintensifiedbythedrouth,andadiscussioninthecorralshadannoyedTraynor.Withthemoodstillonhim,heenteredtheliving-roomoftheDiamondH,wherehiswifewassittingbesideacouchonwhichJamiewassleeping.Theboyhadgrownlistlessoflate,andNelltriedtodeceiveherselfbyblamingtheweather.DoctorPowellhadbeenwiththemalmostconstantly,battlingwithallhiss illforthewaninglife.
Traynorstoopedoverthechild,thenpacedrestlesslyupanddowntheroom."IwishIcouldseeawaytogetyouandtheboyofftoCalifornia,Nell,untilthisdrouthisover.Youbothneedthechange.Youhavebeenapluc ylittlewoman,neverma ingasinglecomplaint;yetI nowhowmuchtheboymeanstoyou.Heisasdearasanownsontome,anditismaddeningtobetiedhandandfoot,sothatIcannothelpyou.IwasafoolthatIdidnotaccepttheofferofthatEasternsyndicatelastFall--butcattlemenareallfools!Noneofuswillsellduringagoodyear.Whenthedrouthhitsuswecurseourselvesforlettingasaleslip.Drouthornodrouth,themenhavetobepaid;grainboughtforthehorsesandprovisionsforusall.Wherethemoneyiscomingfrom,theLordonly nows--Idon't."
Heflunghimselfmoodilyintoachair.Risingswiftly,Nellwenttohissideandslippedherarmabouthisnec ,loo ingdownintohisfaceashetriedtosmileupather.
"Can'tyoupaythemenwithchec sonthestoresasyouhavealwaysdone?"sheas ed."Youtoldmeoncethestorescarriedallbillsforfiveorsixmonths,andaccountsweresettledwhencattleweresoldattheregularshippingseason."
"Thatwouldbeallright,ordinarily;butunfortunatelythestoresdon'tseeitthatwayjustnow.Theynotonlyrefusefurthercreditforcashormerchandise,butareas ingsettlementsofallaccountsinfull,sayingtheyarebeingpressedbytheirowncreditors.Ofcourse,one
cannotverywellblamethem.Theyhaveto'savetheirownbacon;'astheboyssay."
"IsthereanychanceofgettingmoneyfromtheTusconban ?"as edhiswife,hopefully."WhenMr.Eisenbartwasherehesaidthisranchwasthefinestpieceofproperty--notonlyintheTerritory--butintheentirewest."
"Thatdidnotcosthimanything,"retortedTraynorbitterly."Yousee,li emostcattlemen,Ihaveneverestablishedacreditatanyban ,beingsatisfiedtodoallmybusinessthroughthestoreswhichcashmychec s.Consequently,nowthatthestoresareclosingdownonme,Ihavenootherplacetoturn!"HepacedthefloorrestlesslyandNellwatched
himwithtroubledeyes,realizinghowlittleshecouldhelp.
"IshouldhaveopenedanaccountwithsomeCaliforniaban longago,"hecontinued."However,there'snousecryingoverspilledmil .IdidnotfullyunderstandhowcriticalmypositionwasuntilIwrotetoEisenbarttwowee sago.Iofferedamortgageontheranchesandallthestoc ,attwelvepercent.forafivethousanddollarloan!Why,thisplaceisworthfivehundredthousanddollars!Heansweredtheywerenotma inganynewloansandwerecallinginalloutstandingnotes.Noonewantsamortgageondeadordyingcattle,butthelandwouldhavebeenample
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securityfortentimeswhatIneeded."
Traynorstoodbythewindow,staringoutatthes y.Heturnedandresumedhisrestlesswal ingtoandfro,"God!Ifitwouldonlyrain!It'snotjustmyself,butyouandJamie,andIwanttogetyoutwoawaytotheCoastforawhile.ThenIgotPowellintothemess,too.Thisdrouthhitshisplansprettyhard.AllhismoneyisnowtiedupintheSpringsandthePLherdthatheboughtfromPaddy!"
"ButtheSpringsarenotaffected?"saidNell,"Limbertoldmethatnothingcaninfluencethatwatersupply."
"No;thereisthatmuchtobethan fulfor,atleast,"headmittedwearily,sin ingdownintoachair,andlettinghisheaddropintohishands.Nellcrossedsoftly,andherhandcaressedthebowedhead,untilTraynor'sfaceloo edupather.Thehaggard,drawnlinesabouteyesandmouth,distinctintheglaringlightfromthewindow,smoteherheartwithpityandlongingtocomforthim.
"Dearest,Idon'tcarehowpoorweare,solongasIhaveyouandJamie;"shewasloo ingintohiseyesbravely."Youdidnotmarryarichgirl;butonewho newwhatpovertymeant,andpovertywheretherewasnoonetospea anencouragingword.Wehavearoofthatisourown.Evenifthecattledie,thedrouthcannotlastforever.Whentherains
comeagainwecanmortgagetheland,andget--whywecangetafewchic ensandamil -cow,maybe,"shelaughed."Ihavelearnedtoma edandybutter,sowecansellbutterandeggsifwecan'tgetmoneyenoughtobuyabunchofcattle.Wewon'tstaydown,ifwedogetbowledover!"
"Nell!Blessyourheart,you'dhelpanymangetonhisfeet.Someday,pleaseGod,Iwillbeabletogiveyoueverythingmoneycanbuy."
"Nothingyoucouldbuywouldma emeashappyas nowingIamabletohelpyou,"shesmiledthroughamistoftears.
"Imustgooutandseewhattheboysaredoing,"andwithheaderect
AllanTraynorpassedthroughthedoor.SoonNellheardhiswhistle--thefirsttimeformanydays.
Theregularround-uphadbeendeferreduntilFall,asthecattleweretoowea tobehandledandbranded.TheDiamondHmenwere eptbusy,however,wor ingthecattleatthewateringplacesorridingtherangewherethewea eststoc was"cutout"anddrivenslowlytotheranchandfedatthebigstac sofnativehay,orinthepasturesthatTraynor'sforesighthadreservedforsuchanemergency.Otherranchers,whohadbeenamusedathisideaoffencingpastureswhenthewholecountrywasanopenrange,nowsawhisplanshadbeengoodjudgment,andloo edwithchagrinattheirowndyingcattlewhichmighthavebeensavedbysuchmeasures.
Oneafternoonnearsunset,PaddyLaffertyappearedattheDiamondHstables.Tyinghisdejected,flea-bittengreyhorseinastall,heunbuc ledhisrustyspursandhungthemoverthehornofhissaddle.
"Whar'sLimber?"heas edBronco,whopassedthedoorofthebuilding.
"HotSprings,"Broncoreturned,ingaspsoflightingacigarette."Doc'sat--Tucson."
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"Whar'sthebye?"
"Insidethehouse."
Paddywaitednolonger,butstal edthroughtheCourtand noc edatthedoorofthesitting-room.
Nellmethimandhereyeslightedwithpleasure,forhisquaint,Irishhumourwasnevertiresometoher.Then,too,shesawthesincerityunderthesurface.Paddysteppedwithaw wardcareacrosstheroomandseatedhimselfontheedgeofachair.
"Howdohebyeadoin'?"heas edinhiscustomaryhoarsewhisper,jer inghisheadtowardtheloungewhereJamielayinuneasysleep.
"Notaswellasusual,Paddy.Hetireseasily,"sheansweredsadly,nowingonlytoowellthatthelittlelifewasslippingawayhourbyhour,thoughshehad eptthethoughttoherself,believingthatTraynorwasstillblindtothetruthandnotwishingtoaddtohismanyanxieties.ShewasunawarethatPowellandTraynorhadwarnedtheboysnottospea toherofthechild'sseriouscondition.
Paddyhadalsobeentoldofthedeception,andhadgivenhiswordtoTraynor.Hesatloo ingatNellintently, nittinghisshaggyeye-brows,
andtryingtothin whattosaywithoutbetrayinghis nowledge."Mebbeit'stheweatherdobeadoin'it.MisthressThraynor.Whintheraincomeshewillbeaftherfalin'betther."
"Oh,ifwecouldonlygetrain!"shecried."Doyouthin thecattleblameusfortheirsufferingwhentheyloo atuswiththeirpitiful,patienteyes?Iwanttotellthemwearesuffering,too.YesterdayIwatchedacow,standingbyherdyingcalf,lic ingitsface.Itwasli esomethinghuman.Afteritdiedthemotherstoodthere--andthismorningshewouldnotleaveituntilIas edBroncotota eitawayfromher.Icouldn'tstandit.Pleasedon'tthin Iamcrazy,Paddy,butitseemedsocruelthatatiny,helplesscreatureshouldcomeintotheworldfora
fewwee s,onlytosufferanddie."
"Yezain'ttheonlywanthatdobeaworritin'overthesayson,MisthressThraynor,"rejoinedPaddy,whohadfoundconversationalbearingsatlast."Paplepassesontheroadwidoutsavin'acheither,becozthey'reallsobusyloo in'upatthes y--"hewastryinghardtotideheroverthedangerpoint."They'reallaboyin'linnymentstorubtheirnec s,becozofthe in sfromloo in'fortheclouds."Noddingapprovalatafaintsmilehehadevo ed,hewenton:"Yezwastal in'aboutcattlehavin'rayson,MisthressThraynor.Didyezbeafthernowin'whinouldcowsontherangehaveyoungcalvestoowa etowalfur,theyallputtheirheadstogetherandtal itover,loi ealotofwomen-fol sdoes,an'thinwanofthimcowssthaysandta escareof
fourorfoivecalves,whilsttheithercowsgoesofftowather,mebbetinmilesaway.Thinsheta esherturnwhintheitherscomesbac .Now,ifthatain'trayson,bejabers,phwatisit?"
"Ibelieveallanimalshavesomereason,Paddy.Itishumanbeingswhodonotunderstandthem.Wecallthemdumbbrutes,becausewelac thepatienceorintelligencetocomprehend.Ihavelearnedagreatdealsincecomingheretolive."
"Didyeziversayacowfuneral,MisthressThraynor?"as edPaddy.
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"No,butIhaveheardtheboysspea ofthem,"sheanswered.
"It'safunnything,"wentonPaddy."Sometoimesacritter'sbeen illedawa eortwo,andnosoignofittobeseen.Thinanouldcowwillcomealongwidhernosetotheground,loi eadogonatrail,shniffin',andsuddenlysheraisesupherheadandlitsoutayellloi eanApacheInjun.Assoonasshedoesthotallthecattlethatarenighenoughtohearcomesarunnin'tobeatthedivvle,an'yellin'asloudastheycan.Thintheyallsthandaroundashniffin'andbawlin'andpawin'upthegroundtobeattheband.Theydon'tseemtomoindifacowdiesnatural,butwhenwanofthimis illedsoitsbloodtouchestheground,itupsetsthebunchofthimassoonastheyfindoutaboutit.Therewasatinder-footthatcommittedsuicidethreeyearsago,whenhelaughedatoneoftheErieoutfitthatwastellin'aboutacowfuneral.TheErieboyshadthingsprettymuchtheirownway,themdays."
"Suicide?"as edNell,wonderingly.
"Well,itfiguredoutthatway.He illedhisselfbybein'tooslowdrawin'hisgun."
"Howmuchlongerdoyouthin thecattlewillholdout,Paddy?"sheas edanxiously.
"Oibelavethestrongestwans inhouldoutsixwa es,butthepoorestwanscan'tlastovertwo.Yezsay,afthertherainscomesitbeatsdownthedryfadethatislift,andtherewon'tbeanystrengthtothenewfadeforsiveralwa es,sothotma esitharderforawhoileafthertherainsstharts.Thin'sthetoimecattlegivesup."Paddypausedandsmo edreflectively,whileNellroc edslowly,immersedinanxiousthoughts.Paddysquintedatherfromunderhisheavyeyebrows,thenbro ethesilence,saying,"DidyeziversayouldmanBrandther?"
Nellshoo herhead.
"Will,"resumedPaddy,"he'stheonlywaninArizonyI'mnotsorryfor.
He'sgittin'itinthenic ,now,an'Oi'mdumnedgladofit!Oitillyez,he'sagenywinehypercrit!Alwayssaysgraceatmaletoimes;andwhinhegitsoutofbedmornin'shegoesonhis nazewidhisnoight-shirtafloppin'aroundhisshan sandt'umpshiscrawandtillstheGoodLardwhatafinemanouldBrandtheris!Thin,hegoesontherangeandswoipesacoupleofcalves;andwhennoightcomes,hegitsonhis nazeaginant'umpshiscraw,andt'an stheGoodLardforallthemarciesHehasbesthowedthatday."
Despiteherheavyheart,Nell'seyetwin led,hermouthtwitchedandadimplebegantoshow.Thedimplehadbeenhiddenawayformanydays.Paddysawandapprovedit.
"Hesthayedtomyplacewannoightthelasttoimehecometohisranch,andthot'showI nowabouthisreligiousbelafesofhisself.Aftherhehadlift,Oifloppedonmy nazeandt'an edtheSaintsandtheGoodLardthattharwasn'tbutwanrealgoodandholymaninArizonysolongasIwasinthecattleraisingbusiness."
Inspiteofheranxiety,Nell'slaughterrangthroughtheroom,asshepicturedthepompousMr.Branderthumpinghis"craw."Themanwasverywealthy,andonlyvisitedhisranchatintervals,butwassorabidlyanti-Catholicthathenevermissedanyopportunitytoharangueonthe
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topic,andheallowednoMexicansemployedonhisranch,becauseoftheirreligion.
"Itseemspitifulthatweneedrainssobadlyhere,whilethefarmersintheEastarecomplainingoftoomuch,"Nellsaid,unabletoavoidthetopicthatwassovitaltothemall.
"Oi'msiventy-foiveyearsould,MisthressThraynor,andOi'vefoundthingsginerallywor sthatway.Boy-the-boy,haveyeziverbeentoNyeYar ?"
"Iwasbornthereandlivedtherewithmyparentstilltheydied,thenthemoneywentandIwor ed,Paddy.IhadtoearnenoughforJamieandmyself,yousee.Therewasnoonetohelpus.Yougetfrightenedwhenyou nowyouareonlyoneinthefourmillionspeoplearoundyou."
"ThenixttoimeyezgotoNyeYar ,"saidPaddy,"there'salittlerestyrantyezwanttobeaftherthryin'.Oidisrememberthenameofthestrateyezsthartfrom,butonyway,yezgotinstratestotheroight,thinthraystratestothelift,andthinyez apestraightontillyezsaytheplace,andthereyezare.Yezcan'tmissit.Yezcangitthebestmaleyeziverateinyourloife,"heleanedoveranddroppedhisvoicemoreconfidentially,"andtheyonlychargetincints!"
Inordertohidethetwitchingcornersofhermouth,assheconjuredupavisionofturningcannibalanddevouring"thebestmaleyeziverateinyourloife,"Nellmovedtothewindowandstoodpic ingdeadleavesfromacommongeraniumgrowinginacrudewindowboxontheinnerledgeformedbythethic adobewallsofthehouse.
"It'sgrowingbeautifully,Paddy,"shesaidtotheoldman,"andJamieandIlovetowatchit.Only,Ihatetohaveyougiveitupyourselfafteryouhavehaditsolong.It'sabeautifulgeranium."
"Oh,well,"Paddyrepliedcarelessly,wavinghishandwiththepipe,"IwasawayfromthehousesomuchthathalfthetoimeI'dfergittowatherit.It'salongwaysbetthersinceyoutoo careofit.Only,yez
remimber,yezmustn'tgiveitawaytoanybodyilse.Yezsee,itbelongedtotheouldDootchwomanImarried,andshethoughtalotofit.Oiwouldn'tgiveittoanywanilsebutyouandJamie."
Nell'sfacewassympathetic.ShehadheardofthestrangewifeofoldPaddy,whospo eonlyHollandDutch,whilePaddyspo enotonewordofthelanguage;buttheyhadmanagedtogetalongtogethertillshepassedaway.Paddyhadnevercalledheranythingexcept"TheouldDootchwoman."
"Itneedswaternow,"Nellspo eafterproddingintheearth."I'llgetsomefromthewell."
Whenshelefttheroom,Paddylaidhisbelovedpipeaside,thendrewhischairnearthesleepingboy.Ashewatchedthepale,partedlips,thefaintbreath,thedar ringsunderthehalf-closedeyes,somethingwarmandmoistslippeddowntheoldman'chee anddroppeduponhiswrin led,callousedhand."Lard,"hewhisperedhoarsely,"Ican'tseewhyyezletanoulduselessbago'bonesli eme apeonlivin'andta ethelittleladthativerywanwantsandloves.Can'tyeswapus?"
ThenNellreturned,andPaddystraightenedup."Heneverevenpeeped,"heannounced,turningtowatchherwatertheplants.Therewasa
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peculiarexpressiononhisfaceashewal edslowlyovertowhereNellletthewaterflowgentlyonthedrysoil,thenta ingapairofscissorsfromherwor -boxsheprunedtheplantscarefully,saying,"Jamieusuallyta escareofthemhimself,butthelastwee Ihavedoneitforhim.Heissoeasilytired.Didyoueverthin thatlifeisjustli eaplant,Paddy?Itstartsoutsobravely,sendingitsrootsdeepintothesoil,andspreadingitstenderleavestothesunshine--Happy,justbecauseitisalive.ThentheGardenercomesandprunesthestal s,andtheplantdoesnotunderstandwhyitistreatedsocruelly.Sometimesitseemsasthoughtheleaveswouldneverstartagain,butafterawhiletheblossomsaremorebeautifulthanever,forpruningma esitstronger."Shepaused,loo ingdownattheplants,thenhervoicetrembledalittle,"Iamtryingsohard,Paddy,tobelievethattheGardener nowswhatisbest."
He newshewasthin ingofthechildonthecouch,andheheldouthisroughhand;"Oigissyezareroight,MisthressThraynor.Thingswurroutintheind,ifwedobedoin'thebistwe nowhow.Oi'velivedamongthecattlesolongthatIdon't nowanythingilsebutcowsandcow-tal ,butifiveryeznadeafrind,jistyezremimberouldPaddy."
PARTTHREE
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
Glendon,justbac fromoneofhisnumeroustripstotown,tossedalettertohiswifewithoutaword.Itfelltothefloor,butshereachedforitquic ly,herheartbeatingfastatthethoughtitmightbeareplyfromherAuntJane.
TherehadbeennofurtherdiscussionbetweenherselfandherhusbandaboutDonniegoingaway,butshedidnot nowatwhathourtheordealmightfaceher.EvenifAuntJanedeclinedtoadviseherinthismatter,oraidinanyway,Katherinewishedthatthestrainedrelationsbetweenherselfandtheonlyonebelongingtoherbytiesofblood,mightbemore indly.ShehadcometounderstandAuntJane'sattitudeandtoac nowledgethattheoldladyhadreadGlendon'scharacterbetterthanthegirlwhomarriedhim.
Loo ingbac ,Katherinesawalltooclearly,thatwhatshehadmista enforlove,hadbeenreactionagainstthedullmonotonyofherlifewithAnnandAuntJane,andalongingforsomeoutletforherrepressedemotions.Thisvery nowledgemadehermorestaunchinherattitudeto
Glendon,fearingthatherownlac ofdeepaffectionmadehermorealivetohisshortcomings.
Herhusbandstoodwatchingher,andshe newthatwhatevermightbethecontentsofthatletter,hewoulddemandtherighttoseeit.Shehadnofriendswhowroteher.IfAuntJanementionedreceivinganyletter,orreferredtotheappeal,Glendonwouldatonceunderstandthathiswifehadwrittenwithouthis nowledgeandthisveryfactwouldprecipitatethecatastropheshehadhopedtoavert.
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Theletterwaslyingfacedownbetweenthemonthefloor.Hidingthenauseatingfear,shepic editupandturneditover.Theengravedaddressofafirmoflawyersmethereyes.Hername,theranch,typed.
Puzzled,shetoreopenthelongenvelopeandstartedtoread.Thensheloo edupatGlendon,hereyesfulloftears,herlipstrembling,asshesaidbro enly,"AuntJaneisdead!"
"Well,whatofit?"hedemanded."Doyouexpectmetohowlwithgrief?You'venotheardfromherforyears.Can'tseethatitma esmuchdifferencetoyouwhethershe'sdeadoralive.Theoldcat!"
Hereyeswentbac tothepagesinherhand.Theyweretypedandlengthy.Shereadthemthrough,then,withoutcommenthandedthemtoGlendon.
"It'salegacy,"shesaidsimply.
Hesatdownandbeganperusingthecontentsofthecommunication,hisbrows nittingangrilyashegraspedthepurport.
_DearMadam:_
MissJaneGrimes,whosewillhasbeenleftinourhands,hasmade
youandyourson,Donald,beneficiariessubjecttocertainconditions.
Asufficientsumtoeducateyoursonissetaside,allbillstoberenderedtotheTrustCompanyandpaidbythem.Yourdesirestobeconsideredintheselectionofproperschool,butonewhichmustbeapprovedbytheTrustCompany.
Twelvehundreddollarsannuitytobepaidtoyouafterthedeathofyourhusband,JamesW.Glendon.UntildemiseofJamesW.Glendon,thetwelvehundreddollarsperannumandaccruinginterestshallbeheldbytheTrustCompany.
Ineventoffailuretoagreetothetermssetforthinthewill,copyofwhichisherewithenclosed,theentireestateistoreverttotheProhibitionSocietyofAmerica.Otherwise,theestatewillpasstoyoursononhisthirtiethbirthday.
Kindlycommunicatewithusatyourearliestconvenience,andoblige,Yoursveryrespectfully,
GOODRICHTRUSTCOMPANY.
P.S.LetterenclosedfromMissGrimes.
Theotherletterread,
_DearKatherine:_
YouhavehadtimenowtorealizethatmyestimateofJamesGlendon'scharacterwascorrect.Ihavebeenatsomepainsandexpenseduringthelastsevenyears,sinceyoumovedtoArizona,to eepmyselfinformedastoyourhusband'sactions.IfeelthatIwasjustified,anditimpelsmetodoallIamabletoassistyouafterIamgone,withoutbeingofanycomfortorbenefittoamanwhomIdespise.
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YouaretoconferwiththeTrustCompanyregardingaschoolforDonnie.Itmustbeaschoolwhereself-respectandhonouraretaught;infact,anold-fashionedschoolwhereboysaretrainedinthealmostforgottenstandardsofanold-fashionedgentleman.
Theannuityoftwelvehundreddollarsayearwillbepaidyouatthedeathofyourhusband,forI nowyourinflexibleprinciplesandthatyouwillneverinvo etheaidofthelawtoprotectyoubyadivorce.ItisbecauseI,myself,amopposedtothewide-spreadevilofdivorce,thatIamtryingmybesttoaidyouwithoutaidingyourhusbandfinancially.Iwishtopreventhimfrombenefittinginanyway.Iamconfidentthatyouwillsorelyneedenoughtoprovidearoofandfoodineventofhisdeath,andshouldIma eanyotherprovisionsforyouandyourchild,Idonotbelieveeitherofyouwouldbenefitonecentbymylegacy.
Heisthetypeofmanwhohasnosenseofmoralobligation,butIwantyoutounderstandthatyouhavemysympathy,andthatyoualwayshadmylove.
Affectionately,
AUNTJANEGRIMES.
Glendonfinishedthetwoletters,returnedthemtohiswifewithashrugofhisshoulders,saying,"Sweetoldcat!Shecertainlyhaditinformefromtheveryfirstdaywemet!"
Katherinewaitedforaviolenttirade,butGlendonturnedonhisheelandlefttheroom.Itwasarelieftoher,buttheuncertaintywasnotdispelled.
Fourdayswentby,andthenKatherinebroachedthetopic.
"Jim,I'vegottoanswerthatletter."
Hewassittingontheporchstepsmo ing,histhoughtsevidentlyfar-afield.
"Whatletter?"
"AboutthelegacyandsendingDonnietoschool,"wasthewoman'sreply.She newthatthefutureofthechilddependedontheanswershewaitedfromthechild'sfather.Herhandslayinherlap,grippedtensely,hereyesloo edpleadinglyatthefaceoftheman.
"Doasyoupleaseaboutit,"thewordswereindifferent."Ihaven'tanytimetowastetal ingoverthesethings.ThisdrouthwillaboutwindupmyremnantofcreditinArizona.Itwon'tma eanydifferencetoyou,
foryou'reheeledforlife,ifIamoutoftheway."
Shetriedtotellhimherappreciation,"Jim!Iwillstandbyyou,nomatterwhatcomes!WithDonnie'seducationprovidedfor,wecansurelywinouttogether!"shemovedimpulsivelytohisside,laidherhandonhisshoulderandstoopedoverto isshim,butGlendon'sshoulderjer edawayroughly,asheanswered,"Oh,forGod'ssa e,Katherine,stopyourmelodramaticsandletmealone!"
Despitetherebuff,herheartwassingingwithjoyasshehurriedto
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writetheTrustCompany,andstatedthatshecouldhaveDonniereadytostartEastintwowee s;butthatshehadnotthemoney,norcouldshecomewithhimonthataccount.ThedrouthinArizonahadstagnatedallcattlebusinesstemporarily.
Katherineexplainedtothechildthathisgoingawaywaswithherfullconsent,andthatitdidnotmeanhewastostayaway,exceptduringtheschoolterm.Theycouldbetogetherforthesummervacations.Shealsotoldhimofthestrangeoldauntwhohadcaredforherowneducation,andwho,thoughdead,nowmadeitpossibleforhimtogotoagoodschool,suchashisfathercouldnotafford.Shemadehimunderstand,too,thathisfatherhadgivenconsent,andwithoutsuchconsent,noonecouldhavedoneanything.
ThereplyfromtheTrustCompanyinformedherthatoneofthemembersofthefirmwouldmeetthechildatWillcoxonadatespecified.ThatbusinessmattershadmadeatriptoCaliforniaimperative,andthereturntripwouldbearrangedviaWillcox,ifthechildwerethereatthetime.
Katherinetimidlytoldthistoherhusband,butmetwithnoopposition.Hisacquiescencesurprisedandtouchedher.Sheascribedittohisdesiretoma eamends,andhergratitudewaspathetic.Yet, nowinghisvacillatingcharacter,shehastenedtoperfectarrangements.Notuntil
shesawthechildinchargeofthemanwhometthematWillcox,andaccompaniedthemtothedepotplatform,didshefeelsafe.Sheclaspedtheboyinalast,closeembraceandwatchedhimwavefromthewindowofthetrain.The"stonewallhadtoppledover,"andthehideousfearoflosingherboycompletelywaslaidtorest.
AuntJanehadnotansweredherletterbutnowKatherine newthattheoldladyhadunderstoodthesituationandsetherwitstowor toaidthenieceshereallyloved.
BeforethetrainpulledoutDoctorPowellcrossedthestreet,andstoodtal ingwithDonnie,thushelpingbothintheirbattletobebrave.Then,KatherineandPowellstoodsidebyside,watchingthetrainpull
awayuntilitdisappearedinthegapbetweentheGrahamandDosCabezasranges.But,longbeforethecragsintervened,ithadvanishedfromthemother'seyesinabluroftears.
"Tellme,"Powellspo e,"IsDonniegoingtohisgrandfather?"Hewasthin ingofthepaperthatreposedinthehandsofhislawyers,andwonderedifGlendonhaddareddefyhim.
"No,"Katherinesmiledhappily,"Jimgaveupthatintentionsometimeago.Itwasalegacyfromanauntofmine,whichprovidesforDonnie'seducation.So,yousee,youwereright.Thestonewallhastoppledover!"
Powell'shandgrippedhers,"I'mgladforyoursa eandforDonnie's!"
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
Anothermonthpassedandthedrouthwasstillunbro en.Storeswerethreatenedwithban ruptcyandcattlemensawvastherds,accumulated
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throughyearsofhardtoil,dwindletoone-fourththeoriginalnumber,andfacedthepossibilityoflosingthatalso.
TheArizonarangesforyearshadbeenbadlyoverstoc ed;buteachrancherwaitedforhisneighbourtogetridofthesurpluscattle,hopingtherebytobenefithisownherd.Over-crowdingrangesresultedinthetrampingoutoftheroots,andwhatwasmoreserious,grasswascroppedsocloselythattherewasnoopportunityforseedtomatureandfalltothegroundandgerminateforanotheryear.Informertimesadrouthwouldnothavebeensodisastrousasundertheexistingconditionsoftheranges.
Havingdoneallinhispowertomitigatethesituation,Traynorfoughtadespondencythatwasentirelyforeigntohisnature.Itwasaugmentedbyhisdesiretoconcealthefactsfromhiswife,andtothiswasaddedhisnowledgethatJamiewascontinuallygrowingwea er.Hehadcalledthemenintotheofficeandtoldthemfran lythathewouldnotbeabletoeepthemmuchlonger,ashewasstrainingeveryfinancialpossibility.
Theresultofthatconferencewasasurprisethatunmannedhim.Limber,Bronco,HolyandRoarerdeclinedtobe"fired,"statingtheywouldworfor"chuc "untilthedrouthwasover,andwhenheremonstrated,thefourofthemstal edoutoftheroom,asLimberremar ed,"We'vegotbusinesstoattendtooutside--insteadoftal ingfoolishnessinside."
"IfIcouldmanagetogetafewthousands,"saidTraynortoNellastheyleftthebrea fasttableonemorning,"Iwouldnothesitatetoroundupallthewea estcattleandshipatoncetoColorado,leavingthestrongeronesta etheirchanceshereontherange.However,Imightaswellwishforrain;thatwouldbelessimprobablethanobtainingthemoney.Themostaggravatingthingis nowingthatIcouldsavethegreaterpartoftheherdifIcouldonlyshipthem.NativegrassisplentifulandpasturagecheapinColoradothisyear;onceIhadthecattlethereIcouldeasilyraisemoneyatoneoftheColoradoban sonthestoc ,andsorelievethetensionhereaswellasthere.IfIpullthroughthisyear,Iwill eepmoneyinreadinessforsuchanemergency,hereafter.It'sbeenagoodlesson;butamightyexpensiveone."
Ashewal edslowlytothebarn,hepassedPaddywithalargeparcelcomingintothecourtyard.
"Oi'vegotsomethingsforthebyeandthemisthress,"heexplained,andTraynortoldhimtheywereintheliving-room.
"Hello,ouldSphort!"Paddysaidtotheboy,whowasstandingbyhissister,watchingherwaterthegeraniums.
"There'sanewbunchofbudsPaddy;"thechildannouncedandPaddyexaminedtheplantscritically.
"Yezcan'tgisswhatOibroughtwidmeforyez;"hesaid."Ababbydeer.OicaughtitatMudSpringsan'brungitinferyez."
"Oh,Paddy!"Jamie'sfaceglowedwithdelight."Howdidyoucatchit?Whereisit?"
"Fromtheloo sofit,itsmotherhasbeendeadforacoupleofdays.Gissthecoyotesoraliongother,andthelittlefellowwasmightywa e,andwaswillin'toma efriends.Oicarriedhimtwelvemoilesinmearrumsontheouldgreyhorse.He'soutinthestablesnow,andthe
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explainedPaddywithtwin lingeyes,"becazeOicanloo atthecowsandtellwhichindofthepoipergoesbottomsideup.Here'saboo thestagedhrivergotferme.Hesaysit'sfoine;andyezcanradeittoyourself,thentellmeaboutit,sometoime.It'scalled'TheRevingeofBloodyDic .'"
Afinalsha eofthesac and"BloodyDic "appeared,followedbyseveralmagazinesoffashions,andacoupleofhomeperiodicals,containingcarefullycensoredstoriesforwomenandchildren,whichhuddledtogetherlimplyli eshoc edoldmaidssurprisedinquestionablecompany.
Nellstruggledwithahystericaldesiretolaugh,assheglancedfromthestrangelygarbedfigureoftheoldmantotheconventionalfashion-plates;but,appreciatingtheroughchivalrythathadinspiredtheact,alumpgrewinherthroat,anddroppingherheadonthetablethesobscameunchec ed.
Paddymovedtohersideandstro edherhairgently,spea ingasthoughtoaninjuredchild.
"Shure,Oididn'tmanetoma eyezfalebad,atall,atall,littlegurrl.Oithuoghtifyezwasradin'yezwouldn'tbeworritin'somuchaboutthecattle."
"ItisJamie,too,"shesobbed."I nowheisgrowingwea er;butAllandoesnot nowit,yet.I'vebeen eepingitfromhim,forhehassomuchworrynow.IfhecouldshipthecattletoColoradoandsavethem,hesaidhecouldgetmoneytheretocarryusthrough."
Paddylistenedthoughtfully."He'sroightaboutthat,"saidtheoldman."Itwouldsavethewa estwans,andlavemorefadeforthesthrongwans.Don'tbeafthersayin'anythin'totheBoss,MisthressThraynor,butyeznowOihavesomemoneyputawayhandy,andiftheBosswantstoborryittohilpshiphiscattle,Oi'lllindittohim.Oi'vegotthemoneyfromthesaleofthePLRanch,andthere'safewmoredollarsilsewherethatIcangetwidouttrouble.TheDiamondHisgoodpropertywhinthe
drouthisdone,andOi'mnotafraidoflosin'theprincipalwidtheBoss.Oiniverthrustanyban sbecoztheymoightgoboostedanytoime."Paddycrammedfreshtobaccoinhispipe."Oi inlettheBosshavetwenty-foivethousanddollarsingoldifhewantsit.Nowmoind,don'tyeztillhimonything,butlitmefixitupmyownwaywidhim.Oi'mgoin'toWillcoxairlyinthemarnin',MisthressThraynor,an'whinOicomebac Oi'lltal widtheBoss,andfoindoutwhinhewantsthemoneyready."
Nellstartedup,butPaddywavedherbac ."Don'tyezbeginathan in'me,"hecommandedfiercely,"orilseOiwon'tlithimhaveadummedcent!It'sjistamatterofbusiness,an'Oi'llchargehimintherest,allroight.Oimoightaswellbema in'intherestonmymoneyastobe
lavin'itburiedintheground."
Heheldoutagrimy,callousedhand,saying,"Goodnoight,MisthreeThraynor.Gitagoodnoight'sslapeanddon'tworritonymore.Oi'llsaythattheBosshaswhatmoneyhenades,andalittleover,sothatyouandthebyecangotoCalifornyforawhile,untilthisdryspellisover.Thinwhintherainscomes,thelittlechapwillbeafthercomin'bac withcha esasridasthimposies;"andhedisappearedthroughthedoor,leavingNellfeelinghehadcarriedhertroubleswithhim.
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Acoupleofhoursaftersunrisethenextmorning,PaddyridingleisurelyalongtheroadfromtheDiamondHtoWillcox,encounteredLimberafewmilesoutoftown.LimberhadriddenfromtheHotSprings.
Aftertheusualsalutation,Paddyreinedhisgrey,gaunthorseclosetoPeanut'sside,leanedover,heldhishandcuppedabouthismouthandwithaglanceatthemilesofprairiethatshelterednoeavesdropper,theoldIrishmanwhispered,"Say,Limber,thar'ssomewansleeperin'.War in'onthePLandDiamondH.OitouldtheBossandhe'sgoin'towarnthebyestoloo out.Oimebbemistha en,butOi'vegotanideethatGlendon'satthebottomofit.'Twon'thurtto apeanoyeonhimoverattheSprings.Goin'bac soon?"
"Ihavesomethingtoattendtoforthedoctor.He'suptoTucsonthiswee ,"LimberansweredastheyunsaddledtheirponiesattheRest."I'mgoin'totheDiamondHtonight,aftersundown.It'llbecoolerthenandgivePeanutagoodrest."
"Oi'llseeyezbeforeyezstart."Paddyhadreachedthegatebutturnedbac ,"Say,Limber,Oiwantyeztopic outanoicelittlecollar.Ifoundafawnandpac editinforthebye,solongasyou'regoin'totheDiamondH,yezcanta eitalong.I'vegottogototheSanPethroforafewdays."
Heheldoutatwenty-dollargoldpiece,whichLimberslippedintohispoc et.
"Say,Paddy,ifIwasyouI'dputmydineroinaban .Youta elotsofchances,"remonstratedLimberseriously."Somedayyou'llgotoyourcacheandfindyourmoney'sbeendugup."
"They'llhaveadummedhardtoimeafoindin'it,"retortedPaddycunningly,"andadummedhardertoimegettin'awaywidit,forOi apeaclosewatchonit.Oi'mfiggerin'onma in'aloantotheBoss,so'stohelphimshipcattle.Oigotthirty-fivethousanddollarsputaway.Oiain'tnoRoc yfeller,butOi'vegotenoughforsaltpor andfrijolesforthenixttinyears,an'Oidon'tbelaveOi'llbeinurgentnadeof
thimaftherthattoime.IftheGoodLardthin sOi'llpasstheInspectionChute,Oi'llbefadingonmil an'honeywidoutpayin'ferit.Oi'msiventy-six,comemynixtbirthday."
"Well,yourmoneywillbesaferiftheBosshasit,"Limberfinishedtheconversationasheturnedintothestore,whilePaddywal edupthestreet,stoppingtospea topeoplehe new.Everyoneli edtheoldfellow,whowasnotedforhissobrietyandhonestyasmuchforhispeculiarities.Hewaspassingtheswingingdoorofasaloonwhichhadnonetoosavoryareputation,whenAlpaugh,theConstableofWillcox,whowasalsotheDeputySheriffofCochiseCounty,calledtohim.
"Hello,Paddy!Comeinandhaveadrin ,"heinvitedcordiallyslapping
theoldman'sshoulder.
"Ahlroight,Dic ,"wasthereply,"Oi'mgoin'togitsomethin'toate,anditwillbeanappytizer.IridfromtheDiamondHthismarnin',butitwastooairlyforbrea fastwhinIstartedout."
Thebar-tendermixedtheconcoctionsorderedandsettwoglassesonthebar,thensaying,"I'llbebac inaminute,"helefttheroominresponsetoacall,leavingPaddyandAlpaughalone,exceptforamansprawledacrossatableattheendoftheroom.
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Paddyloo edattheman."ThatGlendonisalwaysdhrun ,"heremar edindisgust."Pityhiswoifedon'tloightoutandlavehim."Hemoved,nearer,"Say,Dic ,"hewhispered,thoughhisvoicecarrieddistinctly,"Oithin yezhadbetther apeanoyeonThray-fingeredJac ,Glendon,BentzandBur s.Oirunintothemlastwa enighGlendon'splace,andtheywassquattin'onthegrounddrawin'loines.Theydidn'tsayme,buttheywastal in'abouttheExpresscartotheJumpin'FrogMoines.Oidon'tloi etheloo sofit."
Alpaughglancedathimsharply."Muchobliged,Paddy;"hereplied."Didyouspea ofittoanyoneelse?"
"Naryasould,"respondedPaddy.
"Don'ttellanyoneelse,"cautionedAlpaugh.
"Ahlroight,Dic ;"answeredPaddy,liftingtheglasstohislips."Here'sloo in'atyez."
Ashotpingedthroughtheair,andtheglassfellfromPaddy'sfingersashetumbledinagrotesqueheaponthefloor.Glendon,holdingthestillsmo ingpistol,sprangtoPaddy'ssideandemptiedfourmorecartridgesintothemotionlessfigure.
Alpaughstoopedquic ly,brea ingthebuc s inthongaroundthetriggerofPaddy'spistol,andthrewthegunbesidethedeadman.
"Hedidn't nowyouandBentzsawhimoutthere.Stic toself-defence,"saidAlpaugh."Deadmentellnotales,andthedamnfool newtoomuch."
AcrowdofexcitedmenfilledtheplacewhenLimbercamerunningin."Whodoneit?"hedemanded,loo ingaround.
"Idid,"repliedGlendon,facinghim;andLimbersteppedbac asthoughmenacedwithablow.
"You--"
"Yes!Alpaughwasdrin ingwithPaddywhenheturnedonmewithoutanywarning,andIshotinself-defence.Theoldman'sbeennuttyforsometime,andhaditinformeeversincewehadtroubleatthecorraloverthatcow.Ifyoudon'tbelieveme,youcanas Alpaugh.Hesawitall."
Alpaughloo edatthefacesofthecrowd,and newhemust eephisheadlevel,forGlendonwasnotpopular,andPaddyhadmanyfriends.
"IsawPaddygoingpast,andas edhimintohaveadrin withme,"saidtheconstablewithapparentfran ness."Ottomixedthedrin sandwentbac totheendoftheroom,andPaddywastal ingtome.Glendonwasat
theotherendoftheroom,butgotupandstartedtowal overtous,andIwasgoingtoas himtohavesomethingwithus,whenPaddysawhimandreachedforhisgun.Glendonhadtoshootquic orbeshothimself.ThetriggerofPaddy'sguncaughtinthebuc s inloopofhisholster,orelsehe'dgotGlendonfirst.That'sallthereisaboutit.Paddy'sbeenitchyagainstGlendonforsometime.Everyone nowsthat."
HeturnedtoGlendon,"I'vegottoarrestyou,Jim,untilaftertheinquest."
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"That'sallright,"answeredGlendon,thenhesawLimberscrutinizinghimsharply."Say,Limber,willyoutellmywife?She'sexpectingmehometonight."
Limber'seyeswererivetedonGlendon,asthoughtryingtoreadtheman'sthoughts."Yes,"herepliedcurtly,turningonhisheelandwal ingouttheroomwithoutanotherword.
"There'ssomethingcroo edinbac ofit,"hemutteredtohimself,ashereachedtheCowboys'Restandpic eduphissaddle.ThenherememberedPaddy'spromisedassistanceforTraynor."Noone nowswherePaddyhidhismoney,andthatsettlestheBoss,"hestoppedtopetthenoseofPaddy'sgaunt,old,flea-bittengreyhorse,whichhadbeenajo ewitheveryone,thenLimberflunghissaddleonPeanutandmounted."Sometimesitloo sli eitdon'tpaytobesquare,Peanut,"hesaidasthelittlepintoponyheadedfortheroadleadingtotheCircleCrossRanch.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Katherinesatontheporchofherhome,watchingtheroadthatledtotown.Itwaslongaftersixo'cloc andGlendonhadpromisedfaithfullyhewouldreturnearlyintheafternoon.TheCircleCrossherdwhichhadnotbeenlargeenoughtopayitsowner'sdebtsunderthemostfavourablecircumstances,haddwindledthroughthedrouthuntilGlendonrefusedtotrytosavewhatwasleft.Juanrodeoutaloneeachday,doingthebesthewasable,whileGlendonputteredaboutthehouseandcorral,orstretchedinahalf-drun enstuporonthecouchinthetinyliving-room.Katherinewassparedthe nowledgethatAlpaughheldanoteworthmorethantheremnantoftheircattleandthatthemoneyhadbeenusedbyGlendontopayseveralgamblingdebts,aswellasto eepPanchitainagoodhumour.
HermeditationswereinterruptedasTatterscametotheporchstepsandthrusthismoistnoseintoherhand.
"Whatdoyouthin iswrongthistime,Tatters?"sheas ed,loo ingdownatthedog'sintelligenteyes.SinceDonniehadleft,thewomananddoghadbeendrawntogetherbytheirmutuallongingfortheboy,andKatherinehadfallenunconsciouslyintothehabitoftal ingtothecollie.
Sheslippedanarmabouttheshaggynec ,andsilentlywatchedthetwilightdeepenintodar ness.Juanhoveredanxiouslyinthedoorway,andtriedtopersuadehertoeatsupper;butsheputhimoff,sayingshewouldcomesoon.Aforebodingclutchedher;shehadnodesireforfood.
Sha inghisheaddolefully,theMexicanretreatedtothe itchen.
Suddenlythedogstiffened,sniffedtheairandgavealowgrowl.Thenhesprangfromthestepsandrantothegate,wherehesquatteddown,andstaredsharplyattheroad.
Katherineheardthefaintsoundsofhoofbeats,andconfidentthatitwasherhusbandreturning,shehastenedtoseeifthebelatedsupperwasbeyondhope.
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Therewasa noc atthedoor.Surprised,sheturnedtoopenit,whensheheardaman'svoicespea ing.
"Don'tbefrightened,Mrs.Glendon.It'sonlyLimber,IbrungamessageforyoufromGlendon."
Heenteredtheroom,andblin edinthelamplight,butKatherine,seeingtheexpressiononhisface,wasnotdeceived.
"What'sthematter?"sheas edquic ly.
Limberhesitated,clearedhisthroatandwonderedhowitwouldbebesttotellhismessage.Allthewayhehadbeenpuzzlingwhattosay.Ifithadbeenaman,oranyotherwoman,itwouldhavebeeneasier;butthecowpunchershran fromaddingtothetroublesofthewoman.Itwasli estri ingher.
"Why--it's--just--don'tbefrightened,Mrs.Glendon,"flounderedLimber,andcursedhimselfforma ingmattersworse."It'snotsoserious--"
Sheclutchedthebac ofachair;herfacewaswhite,buthervoicesteady."Tellme,justasyouwouldanotherman,Limber.Iwon'tbreadown.Ishedead?"
"Notabitofit,"repliedLimberinrelievedtones."He'sallright--wellasIam.Butthar'sbeentroubleintownandGlenshotPaddyLafferty.Dic Alpaughseenitandsaysitwasself-defence.SoGlenwillbeacquittedallright;buthe'sunderarresttilltheinquest.Hewantedmetocomeandtellyou."
Limberrepeatedthemeagerdetails,avoidinghereyesasmuchaspossible,andwatchingTatters,whoseheadhewasstro ingashetal ed.Thesilencebecameoppressiveafterheceasedspea ing,andLimberliftedhiseyes.
Katherine,apparentlyforgetfulofhispresence,satstaringatthewall,herhandstwitchingnervouslyather itchenapron.Herfacewas
deathlywhite.Limberwishedshewouldcry,thoughhedreadedawoman'stears.
"Don'tta eitsohard,Mrs.Glendon.It'sjustamatterofform,himbein'held.Glendonwillbehometomorrownight."
"Didyouseehim illPaddy?"hereyessearchedLimber's,forcingthereluctanttruthfromhislipsandtellinghimplainlythatshedoubtedthestoryashehadtoldit.
"No,Mrs.Glendon.Igottharafterwards.IheardAlpaughsaywhathappened.Hewasthere.ThenGlendonastmetocomeandtellyou.That'sallI now."
Sherose."Than you,Limber.Iunderstand.Itwasgoodofyoutocomethethirty-fivemiles.AfteryouhavesupperIwillbereadytogobacwithyou,ifyourponycanstandthetrip.FoxistheonlyhorseIhavehere,Jimtoo theteamtotown."
"Peanutisgoodforthetrip,"assertedLimber,"butitisameanrideatnighttillwestri etheflats.Mebbeyou'dbetterwaittillmornin'ifyouthin you'doughtergo."
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"Imustgotonight;"sherepliedandLimbermadenofurtherprotest.Henewthetensionunderwhichshelaboured.
Juaninsistedthatshema eanefforttoeat,whileLimberswallowedacupofcoffee,thennecessaryarticlesinasmallbundleweretiedtohersaddleasFoxandPeanutrubbedfriendlynoses.
TheoldMexican'sheartwasheavyashewatchedthemrideaway,andthedog'searsdroopeddejectedly.Outonthelongnightridetheponiesswungintoasteadylope.Thesoftbreezefannedthechee softheridersli eacoolspray.Ayoungmoonslippedcoylyoverthehorizon.TheairwasheavywiththeperfumeofYuccathateventhedrouthcouldnot ill,whilefaintandsweetcametheliltofamoc ing-bird.
Katherinecouldnotma eherselfbelievethatoutofthebeautyandpeaceofthenightshewouldfindthemanshehadswornto'love,honourandobey'withhumanbloodonhishands--themurdererofanold,defencelessmanwhohaddonemanyanactof indnessforherandherboy.
Oncesheturnedandspo e."Whereishe?"
"Inthehotel;"answeredLimber."Alpaughhaschargeofhimtilltheinquestisover."
Theyrodeagaininsilence,eachabsorbedinthoughtuntil,afterwearyhours,thelightsofthetowngrewvisible.AtlasttheponiesstoppedinfrontoftheWillcoxHotel.Afewmenloiteringabout,staredcuriouslyasLimberhelpedKatherinefromhersaddle.Itwasaftertwointhemorning.Theby-standerswhorecognizedMrs.Glendon,liftedtheirhatsrespectfully.Oneofthemspo ehername.Sheturnedherdulleyesonhim.Herlipsmovedbuttherewasnosound.Themanunderstood,andcho edanoath.
Limberuntiedthebundlefromhersaddle,andshefollowedhimstifflyintothehotel,shrin inginthenarrow,dimlylightedhallwaywhilethecowboymadearrangementswiththesleepynightman.
"I'llta eyouuptotheroom,"saidLimber.Shenoddedsilently.
Onthesecondfloorthecowboypausedatthedoorand noc ed.
"Comein!"calledGlendon'svoice.
LimbersmiledreassuringlytoKatherine;thenheturnedandlefther.Shestoodbitingherlips,tryingtocontrolheremotion,andholdingthedoor nobinanervelesshandthatwastremblingwithexhaustion.
"Whattheblazesisthematter?Comein,Isay!"
Thedoorwasjer edopenviolentlyandGlendonstoodstaringathiswife.Anoathrosetohislips.
"Whatbroughtyouhere?"hedemandedroughly.
Shepassedintotheroom,turnedandheldoutherhandstohim,sayingsimply,"WhereelseshouldIbe,Jim,whenyouareintrouble?Ithoughtyouwantedmetocome."
"Well,Ididn't.Imighthave nownyou'dnotbeabletoresistan
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opportunitytotwitandremindmehowyou'vebeggedmetostayawayfromtown,andallthatrot!Ionlyas edLimbertogoandtellyouwhathadhappened,andasusual,yougotoextremesandcomehi inginhereinthemiddleofthenight.You'rema ingamountainoutofamolehill.I'dbeenhomebythisevening.Therewasnottheleastexcuseforyourcominghere."
Obeyinganimpulse,shemovednearandlaidherhandonhisshoulder.Heshoo itoffroughlyandstartedfromthechairintowhichhehadslumped.
"ForGod'ssa e,Katherine,cutoutthatrot!I'msic ofyoursaintlypose,andIdon'twantanypreachingorpraying.IhadtoshootLaffertyorbeshotmyself."
"Wasitself-defence,Jim?"
Henotedtheundercurrentofdoubtandrippedoutanoath.
"Itoldyouonce,andI'mnotgoingto eepjabberingaboutittherestofthenight.YougototheinquestandhearAlpaugh'stestimony,aslongasyoudon'tbelieveme."
Hestrodeacrosstheroomtothetableandpouredoutagenerousglass
ofrawwhis ey,whichhefollowedbyasecond,thenathird,andatlastthrewhimselfonthebed.Inafewminutestheroomwasheavywiththefumesofliquorandnoisywithsnoresofthedrun ensleeper.
SoftlyKatherineliftedthelittlewindow,andletthecleanpureairblowacrossherface.Somewhereacloc struc three.Thewoman,sittinginthedar ness,staredwithdryachingeyes,thin ingofthepast,wonderingwhatthefutureheld.Itwasli eloo ingintoachasm.
Whengreydawn,li eafeeble,sic thing,creptthroughthewindow,Glendonwo erefreshedandbuoyant;buthiswifewashaggeredandworn,withgreatdar ringsunderhereyes.Herhusbandloo edathercritically,contrastingherwiththeflamboyantattractionsofPanchita.
"Can'tyoufixyourselfupabit?"hedemandedinaggrievedtones."You'relosingyourgoodloo scompletely.Anyonewouldta eyoufortwiceyourage.Lotofgoodyoudome,comingherewithyourglumface!"
Shemadenoreply,whichaddedtotheangerheventedby ic ingachairoutofhisway.Glendon'shandshoo ashepouredoutadrin ofliquortosteadyhisnerves,whileKatherineopenedtheparcelshehadbroughtwithher,layingouthisrazor,acleanshirtandcollar.Hisclotheswerecreasedandrumpled,ashehadsleptallnightinthem.Thenshepic edupasmallpitcherandwentinsearchofhotwater.ShefinallyobtaineditfromtheChinesecoo inthe itchen,forthehotelbraggednobell-boysorbells.
TheinquisitiveglanceoftheChinamanandaMexicanwhomshepassedatthe itchendoor,broughttoherthefullrealizationoftheordealshewasfacing.Ifshecouldonlybelievethatherhusbandhadactedinself-defence,shewouldstandunsha enbesidehim,defyingtheentireworld;butshecouldnotma eherselfcredithisstory.Alwayswhenhehadtriedtodeceiveher,somesubtleinstinctbetrayedhimtoher.Throughthenightshehadreiteratedagainandagain,"Itwasself-defence,"butlouderandlouderachorusofvoices eptwhisperinginherears,"Heislying!Itwasmurder!"
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SheseizedthepitcherofwaterfromtheChinaman'shandandhurriedupstairstoherroom.Glendonacceptedherservicesasamatterofcourse,profferingnowordofthan s.
HalfanhourlaterAlpaugh noc ed,andthethreewenttothehoteldining-roomforbrea fast.Glendon'sappetitewasexcellent.Alpaughandhetal edcasually,occasionallyinterjectingajo e;butthefoodcho edGlendon'swife,andwithafeelingofreliefsheroseandreturnedtothebedroomfollowedbyherhusband.Alpaugh,asamatterofform,hoveredattheentranceofthehotel.
"Theinquestisatnine,"saidGlendonastheyenteredtheirroom."It'shalf-pasteightnow,"heconsultedhiswatch.
"Jim,"shehesitated,"Ithin Iwillstayhereintheroom.I'mnotfeelingquitewellthismorning."
Heloo edatherandasullenrageconsumedhim.Herealizedthatshewasnotdeceivedbyhisstory.
"Goingtoshir it,eh?"heas edsneeringly,"Well,youwillhavetocome,that'sallthereistoit.Loo fineformewheneveryone nowsyourodeherelastnightandthenhidawayjustatthetimewhenyou,or
anydecentwife,shouldstandbyaman.Thatwouldbeenoughtocondemnanyoneinmyfix."
Itwasnotthathedesiredhercompany;buthewasawarethatherpresencewouldhaveitsinfluence,incaseanythingshouldupsetAlpaugh'stestimony.Thebartendermighthaveseenmorethentheythought;besidestherewasnotellingwhatunexpectedsnagmightbestruc duringtheinquest.Paddyhadmanystaunchfriends.
Asthesethoughtsbesethim,Glendonloo edathiswife."Well,areyougoingtostandbyme,ornot?"
Herreplywastopic upherhatwhichsheadjusted.Asheopenedthe
door,shesaidimploringly,"Itwasself-defence,wasn'tit,Jim?"
"GoodGod,Katherine,youwilldrivememad!Isaiditonce.NowyoucanlistentoAlpaughandma eupyourmindaboutitasyouplease.Stopnaggingme."
Withoutfurtherconversation,husbandandwifeaccompaniedAlpaughtothelittleofficeoftheJusticeofPeace,wheretheinquestwastobeheld.Agroupofmenattheentrance,glancedpeculiarlyatGlendon;thentheirexpressionschangedastheysawthewomanathisside.Glendonwasquic tonoticethisandcongratulatedhimselfthatKatherinewaswithhim.Withassumedsolicitudeheledhertoachairandstoodsilentlybesideher,hiseyesonherbowedhead,untilthe
proceedingsbegan.
TheinquestfullyexoneratedGlendon,asthebar-tenderhadnotseenwhatoccurredandAlpaughwastheonlyactualwitness.Thebro enbuc s inthongwasadmittedasproofthatPaddyhaddrawnhisgun,thusma ingitimpossibleforanyjurytobringinaverdictagainstGlendon.Thereweremanywitnessestothequarrelattheshipping-corral,whenPaddyhadrefusedtosha ehandswithGlendonafterthelatterhadapologizedtohim;andasnoonehadheardGlendonutteranythreatsagainstPaddy,therewasapparentlynomotiveexcept
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thatofself-defence.Ontheotherhand,theoldIrishmanhadoftenexpressedhisdisli eforGlendon.
Assoonastheverdictwasrendered,GlendonwassurroundedandcongratulatedbyBentz,Three-fingeredJac ,Bur sandAlpaugh.Withsmilesandlightwordsheshoo theirhands;butothermenexchangedglancesandlefttheroom,tal inginsubduedvoices.
Katherinesawthedoubtinmanyfaces,andshran atthereflectionofthefearinherownheart.Glendon'scallousindifference,hiscarelessair,revealedherhusbandinanewandhideouslight.
Withtremblinglimbsshemadeherwaytohisside,placingherhandonhisarm.Heloo eddowninsurprise,andanexpressionofannoyancecrossedhisface.Hehadcompletelyforgottenhiswife'spresenceandhadbeenabouttosuggesttothecrowdthatdrin swereinorderatthemostconvenientplace.
Sherealizeditall,andwishedthatshehadremainedattheranch."Jim--Idon'tfeelverywell.Willyouta emetothehotel?"
Heshruggedhisshoulders,butrememberingotherswerewatching,answered,"Yes."Husbandandwifemovedsidebysidetowardthedoor.
"Seeyoulater,Glen,"saidThree-fingeredJac ,andAlpaughadded:"You'renotgoingouttoday,areyou?"
Katherineloo edup.Glendon,withasuddensenseofshame,replied;"I'llgobac withmywifethisafternoonwhenitgetscooler,butI'llseeyoubothbeforeIleavetown."
Hereyesweregrateful.Glendon,consciousofahaloofself-importanceandgoodintentions,wal eddownthestreet,spea ingtopassers-by,thoughmanyofthemrespondedonlyindeferencetothewomanathisside.
Astheypassedalongthestreet,severalmenstandinginfrontofthe
postoffice,watchedthemdisappearintothehotel.
"Glen'sturnedoveranewleaf,"observedoneofthem.
"'Twon'tlastverylong.Newleavesareawfultender.Theygettornmightyquic ,"laughedanother.
"It'dbeenall-firedexcitin'ifPanchitahadbeenintown.There'dbeenfurflyin',andIbetGlendonwouldhavevamoosedandlet'emfightitouttoafinish.YoucangetariseoutenPanchitaanytimeyouspeaaboutMrs.Glendon."
"Ifitevercomestoashowdownbetween'emIbetontheMexicangirl
forawinner.She'sgottheinsidetrac sure.Glen'swifeistoohigh-headedtowintherace."
NoneofthemnoticedLimberpausingclosebyasheheardMrs.Glendon'sname.Thecowboy'seyesglinted,hislipswerecompressedandhishandsclenched.
"Iain'tsosureaboutMrs.Glendonlosingtherace,"retortedthefirstspea er."InoticedthatGlenquitprancingmightyquic whenhiswifeslippedthehalteroverhisheadandledhimofftothehomepasture!"
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Theburstoflaughterthatgreetedthiswitticismwashushedsuddenly,asLimberbro ethroughthegroupandfacedthemwithblazingeyes.
"Youareafinebunchofthingstocallyourselvesmen!Youfellersain'tfittowipethedustoff'nMrs.Glendon'sshoes,letaloneta in'hernameonyourdirtytongues.Thefellerwhatma esanymoreremar saboutherhasgotmetofightjustassoonasIhearhisname.Ifthere'sanyoneherethatdon'tli ewhatIsay,he nowswhathe indo."
Limberwaitedareply,butthethoroughlyabashedmenweresilent,andthecowboystal edaway.
Whenhewaswelloutofhearing,oneofthemen,arecentarrivalinArizona,utteredanoath,"Iain'tgoin'tostandforthatsassfromnobody,"heblustered.
Anothermangrabbedhisarm."Loo here!Youain'tbeenverylonginthissectionandyouwon'tbehereverylongifyouthin youcanputitoverLimber.He'sthebestpistolshotintheTerritory."
"Andyou'dhaveasmuchchanceagainsthim,"warnedanotherbystander,"asajac rabbitwouldhave,ifitsmeltthecor ofawhis eybottle
andthengotbrashandslappedabull-doginthejaw.""Goaheadandtryit,ifyouwantto,"commentedthethirdman,"Wehaven'thadafuneral'roundhereforsometimenow.It'dliventhingsupabitforallofus--exceptyourself."
Thenew-comerloo edafterLimber'sfigurewithrespectfuleyes.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
WhenNellheardthenewsofPaddy'sdeathshefeltshehadlostasincerefriend.Ashereyesrestedonthedoorsheseemedtoseethewrin ledfacewithastrangelysoftenedloo ,andhearhisvoicesaying,"Goodnoight,MisthressThraynor.Gitagoodnoight'sristanddon'tworritanymore."PooroldPaddy!Howlittletheydreamedofthelongresthewouldfindthenextnight.
ShewasgladthatshehadobeyedhisinjunctionnottoletherhusbandnowanythingofthepromisedloanuntilPaddyhimselfshouldspea ofit.HersilencehadsavedAllanfromindulginginplansthatcouldnotnowbecarriedout.Everythingseemedmorehopelessthanever.
DoctorPowellhadbeentryingtosecurealoanthroughfriendsintheeast,inordertoassistTraynortoshipsomeofhisstoc ;buthiseffortshadbeenfruitless,sofar,andalettertoldthemthathewasgoingtoLosAngelestoseeifanythingcouldbedonethere.
Thestage-driverwhodeliveredPowell'sletter,broughtthelittlecollarthatPaddyhadcommissionedLimbertobuyforthefawn.ThecowboyhadscribbledafewwordsexplainingthatthegiftcamefromPaddy.Jamiewasdelighted.Theydidnottellhimthathisoldfriendwasdead.
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Awee afterPaddy'sdeath,Nellstoodpic ingafewwitheredleavesfromthegeraniuminthewindow,andhertearsfellonthebrilliantredflowers.Shestaredoutthewindow,wonderingwhythosewhotriedtodoright,foundlifethehardest.
Agauntcalfstumbledwea lyandfellnearthefence,ma ingnoefforttorise,asthoughunderstandingthefutilityofstrugglinganylonger.
"Oh,itishorrible!"shecried,turningawaythatshemightnotseethedyingconvulsionsoftheanimal.
Shefeltthedrouthwasaliving,relentlessthing,wrappingitscoilsaboutthemall,menandbrutesali e,cho ingandcrushingtheveryheartoftheuniverse.Unnervedbyconstantanxietyoverthesic child,theworryofthedrouth,andtheshoc ofPaddy'sdeath,shefellsobbingtoher neesbesidethecouchwheretheboylayasleep,breathingheavily,hischee sburningwithfever.
Inthedistanceastrangehazehadformed.Itmovedslowlyandmajesticallynearer,graduallygrowingthic er--firstamistygrey,thenchangingtoablac velvetycurtain,droppingstraightdownfroms ytoearth.Creepingstealthily,itturnedtoabrilliantredhuethatloo edasifitweredrippingwithfreshblood,acolourthatstungthe
eyeballsuntiloneputupahandtoshutoutthegrewsomesight.Itshotbreathcrawledintothelungsandstifledone;lic edthefaceandfannedthehair.Thenwithdiabolicmenacethecolourchangedtoanin yblac ness,whilehighaboverosetheedgeofthepall.Tippedwithgreyandwhiteitbelliedoutli ethecrestofanenormousblac wavethatseemedtopoiseasecondbeforehurlingitselftotheearth.Cattlebellowedandtrampedfranticallybesidethefences,tryingtoescapethedryscorchingair,aswithagreatswirlanddeepsuction,li eamightysob,theduststormenvelopedtheranch.
Althoughitwasthreeo'cloc intheafternoontheroomsweredarenoughtoneedlights.Theraysfromthejetsfilteringthroughthemisty,movingcloudsofdust,loo edweirdanduncanny.Everywindowwas
tightlyclosed;theairwasstifling.JamiemoanedandmovedhisheadrestlesslyasNellsatfanninghim.Slowlythedustsiftedthroughthewindowsandunderthedoors,settlingoneverything,untilthepillowunderthechild'sheadbecamegreyandfinallybrown.Fortwoterriblehoursthestormlastedinallitsfury,thenafaintgleamoflightslowlyturnedfromgreytoliquidgold,andNellrantoraisethewindowsandletinthefreshair.
Thewindowsashwaswarpedandstubborn;thewomanexcited,andinheranxietysomethingcaughtontheflower-box.Withanimpatientexclamationshehauledtheheavyboxnearertheedgeofthewidewindow-sill,andthenleaningforward,sheforcedupthesash.
Awaveoffresh,pureair,tingedwithapeculiarodour,filledtheroom.AsNell,pantingfromherexertion,leanedagainsttheledge,therewasasuddencrash,andtheboxofgeraniumslaywrec edatherfeet.Somethingelselaythere.Shininggoldintwentydollarpieces--Paddy'slegacytoJamie.
Shestaredstupidlyamoment,thenclutchedatthegoldpieces.Theyshoweredfromherhandsassheliftedand issedthecoinspassionately.ThiswouldmeanlifeandhappinessforAllanandJamie.
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Astrangerumblestartledher.Thencamethesoundofafrightfulcrash,therushofhurryingfeet,andthedoorwasflungopenasTraynorclashedin.
"Loo --loo ,Nell!Rain!Rain!Rain!Than God!Wearesaved!"
Thedeafeningroarofthestormalmostdrownedhisvoiceastherainbeatonthecorrugatedironroofandfloodedthecourt.
Thenhesawtheboxandthescatteredgold.Whilethestormshrie edandfloodedthecountry,ma inggreatrunningstreamsofthedryprairie,NelltoldherhusbandofthesecretshehadheldwithPaddy.
Sheslippeddownonthefloor,liftingthecoinsintoherlap,andcountedthemslowly."Twenty-fivethousanddollars!"sheexclaimed,andthelastgoldpiecefellwithatin leli elaughter,asthougholdPaddy,standingby,invisible,werechuc lingathisjo e.
"PooroldPaddy!"saidTraynor,"WenoneofusunderstoodtheoldchapexceptyouandJamie.You'vebeenapluc ylittlewoman,andnowtherains,andthislegacyofPaddy's,everythingiscomingoutright!"Nellpic edupthebro engeraniumandhelditagainstherlips."Godblessyou,Paddy!"shesaid.
Sherosetoherfeetandherhusbandslippedanarmaroundherwaistastheystoodtogetheratthelong,Frenchwindow,loo ingoutatthegloriousrain,whilePaddy'sgoldlayshiningattheirfeet.
Allnighttherainfellintorrents,andthenforthefollowingwee s,eachdaybroughtitsstorm,fillingtheditchesandwateringplacesintheflatsandmountains,whilethecattlescatteredovertherangesinsteadofcrowdinginthefewspotswheretherewaswater.
TheworstdrouthinthehistoryofArizonawasover.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
DoctorPowell,whohadreturnedfromLosAngelesafewdayspreviously,wasfollowingChappoaboutthegardenaftersupper,praisingtheflowersthelittleMexicanhadplantedandcultivatedwithsuchsuccess.Limber,comingfromthestableafterafinalvisittoseethatthehorseswereallrightforthenight,noticedariderontheroadfromtheCircleCross.
"Juaniscoming,"announcedthecowpuncher.
Powellturnedquic ly."Ihopenothingiswrong."
Theywal edtowardthegate.Juandismounted,slippedthereinsoverhispony'sheadandheldanotetoPowell,saying,"FromLaSeñora.ElSeñorGlendonissee ."
Thedoctorhastenedintothehouse,lightedalampandread;
_DearDoctor:_
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Willyoucomebac withJuan?Myhusbandisill.Hehadaseverechill,butisnowinastuporandIcannotrousehim.Idonot nowwhatisthematter.Pleasehurry,forIammuchalarmed.
Sincerelyyours,
KATHERINEGLENDON.
PowellreturnedtotheporchandquestionedJuan,whotoldhimGlendonhadnotbeenwellforacoupleofdaysandhadrefusedtoallowhiswifetoconsultthedoctorasshehadwishedtodo.
Hurriedlypac ingwhatmedicineshethoughtmightbenecessary,whileChapposaddledahorse,PowellexplainedthesituationbrieflytoLimberandsetout,Juanathisside,fortheGlendonranch.
KatherinewasatthedoorwhenhedismountedandhandedthereinsofhishorsetoJuan.
"Oh,Iamsogladyouhavecome!"sheexclaimed."Idon't nowwhatisthematter.Ihaveneverseenhimthiswaybefore.UsuallyI nowwhattodoforhim."
Sheledthewayintothebedroom,asshespo e,andPowellnotedthe
unconsciousrevelationinherwords.Glendonlayonthebed,hisredcongestedfaceandrelaxedsensuallipsaddingtoabestialappearance.Thedoctordrewachairtothebedsideandliftedthelimp,heavyhandfromthecoverlet,thenheleaneddownandplacedhisearagainstGlendon'schest.Slowlythesecondstic edaway.Thedoctorleanedbacandstudiedthedissipatedcountenance,whileKatherinewaitedatthefootofthebed.
"Isitserious?"sheas edanxiously.
"Pneumonia,"repliedPowellgravely."Iwillhavetobefran ,Mrs.Glendon.Hehaswrec edafineconstitution.Theheartisinbadconditionfromdrin ing.Alcoholismandpneumoniacombinedleavevery
slightchanceforrecoveryinthisaltitude."
"Iunderstandthat,"answeredGlendon'swife,"butthereisafightingchance,isn'tthere?"
"Yes--afightingchance,nothingmore.Hisheartiswea .Whenthecrisiscomesitmaystop,oritmayrespondtotreatmentandrallysufficientlytogoon.Thatistheonechanceforhimtopullthrough."
AsPowellturnedagaintohispatient,sheas edveryquietly,"IsthereanythingIcando?"
"Bringaspoon,glassoffreshwater,andsomestripsofflannel,ifyou
havethem?"
Shehurriedaway,andreturnedinafewminutes.
"That'sgood,"approvedthedoctor,asshelaidtheneatlyrolledflannelbandagesonthetablebesidehimandarrangedthetumbler,spoonandpitcherofwaterwherehecouldreachthemconveniently."Heatthatcamphoratedoil,please."
Shefollowedhisinstructionsandwatchedhimsaturatetheflannel,
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whichheslippedaroundGlendon'schestandacrosshisbac withthedeftnessandgentlenessofawoman.Thenhedrewthecoverletsmoothlyandloo edatKatherine'spaleface.
"Youhadbettergetalittlerest,"hesaid."Iwillstayhereuntilthecrisisispast.Ta ethis,"hecommanded,preparingamixtureintheglassandholdingitouttoher.
Katherineswallowedthecontentsofthetumbler,whilePowelladded,"Youhaveacouchintheotherroom?I'llcallwhenit'snecessary.Thereisnothingyoucandonow,andyoumustsaveyourstrengthallyoucan."
Thereactionfromthreedaysofanxietyandresponsibilityaidedthesedativeinbringingsorelyneededmentalandphysicalrelaxation.Thedoorleadingintothesitting-roomwasopen,andafterashortintervalthedoctormovedsoftlytosatisfyhimselfthatshewassleeping.Achillwascreepingthroughthehouse.Hewenttothebedroomandliftedanextracoverletfromthefoot-boardofthebed,andcarriedittotheotherroom.Thelightfromthebed-roomfelluponherfaceandthroat,andasthedoctorcarefullyplacedthecoverletoverher,hesawdarbruisesagainstthepallorofthes in.Inrepose,thelinesofsufferingwererevealedplainly,andthepatheticdroopofthemouthli ethatofasorrowingchild.Throughherhalf-partedlipsheheard
thequiveringsoundofasuppressedsob.Hegazedather,aworldofloveandpityinhiseye,thenheglancedthroughtheopendooratthemanwholayonthebed.
Slowlythedoctorreturnedtothechairatthebedside,heleanedoverandloo edatGlendonintently.Thecrisiswasnotveryfaroff.Powellstudiedtheheartaction,too countofthepulse,thenhiseyeswenttothemedicineonthetable.Nosoundexceptthetic ingofthecloc andthestentorianbreathingofGlendonbro ethesilence.IntheotherroomKatherinesleptquietly.Thedoctor'seyesdidnotmovenowfromthefaceofthemanonthebed.Thepulsebeatsweregrowingwea er.Powell'shandreachedtowardthemedicine,pausedasecond,thenwithdrewandfellheavilyinhislap.Momentswentby,andstillthe
womanintheotherroomrestedquietly;themanonthebeddriftedmorecloselytothewhirlpoolofEternity,andthemanbesidethebed,withwhiteface,tightlysetmouthandeyesli esmoulderingflame,satwaiting.Oncethedoctorroseandwal edsoftlybac andforthacrosstheroom,thehandsclaspedbehindhimwerebruisedbythenailsthatcutintotheflesh.OnthemantelofthelivingroomwasapictureofDonnie.Thechild'seyesloo edintohisown,theyfollowedhimashemovedabout.
Powellreturnedtothebedandsan intothechair,thenhisfacewasburiedinhishands.Withaquic movementherousedhimselfandwatchedGlendonsteadily.Atlastheturnedslowlytothetableandgraspedthevial.Hehelditbeforehimandloo edonceagainatGlendon,butthis
timethedoctor'seyeswereuntroubled.
Slowlyandcarefullyhepouredafewdropsofthefluidthatwoulddrivethesluggishbloodtotheheartthathadalmostceasedtobeat.Slowlyitresponded.Then,inthesilenceofthenightPowellbeganhisbattletosaveKatherineGlendon'shusband.Dawnli eashadowygreywolf,crawledoverthetopsoftheGaliurosandslippeddownintotheHotSpringsCañon.Thecraggedpea swerebathedinsunlightasPowellloo edatthem,hisfacedrawnandhaggard,hiseyesweary,butinhisheartaprayerofthan sgivingandapleaforstrengthtocarryonhis
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battlewithoutfaltering.
Aslightnoiseatthedoorcausedhimtoturn.Katherinecameswiftlytohisside.
"Howishe?"sheas edeagerly.
"Rallyingperfectly.Thecrisisispastforthepresent.Unlesssomethingunexpectedoccurs,weshallpullhimthrough."
"Whydidn'tyoucallme?"as edKatherine.
"Youneededtherest,"hereplied."Thoughthedangerpointisalmostover,youwillhavealongsiegeofnursingthatwilltaxyourutmoststrength.IshallremainhereuntilIamreasonablysureheissafe,andthen,youcanta echarge.Doyou nowhowtouseathermometerorta eapulse?"
"Yes.DoctorKingtaughtmethat."
"Thenyoucanmanageaswellasthoughyouhadatrainednursehere.But,remember!Youmustconserveyourstrength.Thatisrulenumberoneforanurse.Itisinflexible.Understand?"
"Ipromisetodoexactlywhatyousay,"shereplied."NowIamgoingtogetyourbrea fastandagoodstrongcupofcoffeewillbereadyverysoon."
Glendoncontinuedtoimproveduringtheday,andPowell'svigilanceneverrelaxed.Katherinerelievedthedoctorforafewhoursatatime.Whenawee hadelapsedwithoutdevelopingunfavourablesymptoms,Glendonwaspronouncedpracticallyoutofdanger.Thedoctor newhisownwea nessnow,andwithhispatientontheroadtorecovery,Powell'santagonismtothemanreturnedwithgreaterintensity.Yet,asthedoctorrodehomehedeterminedthatassoonasGlendonwaswellenough,hewouldtrytoawa enanyshredofdecencythatmightbedormantinthehusbandofKatherineGlendon,thewomanwhomPowellloved.
Theprofessionalcallscontinuedseveralwee s,butPowellandKatherineonlymetintheroomwhereGlendonlaywea andthoroughlyfrightened,forPowellimpresseduponGlendontheseriousnessofhisphysicalconditionandtheinevitableresultofcontinuousdrin ing,whichhadwea enedhisheart.Glendon'spromisestoreformweregenuine.Anothermonthwentpast.Anaw wardrestrainthadgrowngraduallybetweenKatherineandthedoctor,andthoughheflayedhisconscience,hecouldfindnoreasonforit.Asdayswentby,itbecameunbearabletortureforhimtoseeherinherhomewithGlendon,andyet,itwasstillhardertoresistthetemptationtogothere.FinallyPowelldeterminedtoleavetheSprings,andChappoawee latercarriedanotetoKatherine.
_DearMrs.Glendon:_
IshallbeattheDiamondHranchforamonth,afterwhichtimeIamleavingArizonaforanindefiniteperiod,onbusinesspertainingtotheplansfortheSanitarium.LimberandChappowillbeattheSpringsallthetime,sodonothesitatetocallonthemshouldyourequireassistanceatanytimeorinanyway.
Withmysincereregardsforyourhusbandandyourself,
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Mostcordiallyyours,
CUTHBERTPOWELL
Katherinereadthenoteinherroom.Hereyesblurredwithsuddentears.NowthatPowellhadgoneoutofherlife,thoughtsthatshehadheldinrestraint,rushedacrossherli eangryanimalsbrea ingtheirleashes.Shesawwithunblindedeyesthehideousnessofherlife,thehopelessnessofthefuture,forduringthepastfewdaysGlendonhadstartedagaintodrin .
Thenotetrembledinherfingers,ateardroppedonitandherheartwassic withdespair.Sheunderstoodatlastthemeaningofthecourage,thepeacethathadcomeintoherlife,andshe newthatshecouldgoontotheendthatshemightpurifyherloveforPowell,bytheflameofsacrifice.
Asthenoteblazedupinthefireplace,thendiedtoaquiveringgreymass,sheliftedherfacetothetallpea sthatbentoverthecañon,andtheirstrengthseemedtoreachouttoher.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Withthebrea ingofthedrouth,Jamieseemedtoacquirefreshvitality,andbythetimethegrasscoveredthevalleyhewasabletota eshortridesonhispony,carefullyguardedfromover-exertionbyLimberandDoctorPowell.Undertheirunitedcarethelittlepatientgainedadditionalstrength.Theyallhopedthatthecrisismightbesuccessfullytidedover.
OnedaywhenLimberandJamiehadreturnedfromtheirride,thecowpuncheraccostedTraynorinthestable,whileunsaddlingtheponies.
"Thar'sgoin'tobeasaleofGovernmenthorsesatPortGranttomorrow,andmaybeI'dbettergoan'loo 'emover."
"Goodidea,"assentedtheBoss."Bettergetoverearlyandsizethemupbeforethebiddingcommences."
EarlythenextmorningLimberreachedthegarrisonandmadehiswaytotheQuartermaster'sCorralwherethehorsesdestinedforsaleweretethered.Frequentlygoodhorsescouldbegottencheaplyatsuchsales,becauseofblemishesthatrenderedthemunfitforCavalryuse,yetdidnotinterferewithotherwor .Onlyaperfecthorsewasrec onedamatchfortheponiesoftheApaches.
Limberselectedtwoanimals,thenstoodwatchingthesales.Henoticedwithsurprisethatnoonewasbiddingonabig,handsomesorrelwithcreammaneandtailandeyesthatwerealightwithintelligence.Theslenderlegsandtaperingearsshowedheritageofracingblood.
Thecowboyexaminedtheanimal,buttherewasnosignofblemish.Puzzled,hewatchedinferiorhorsesputupandsoldafterlivelybidding;butnoonemadeanofferonthesorrel,thatwatchedtheotherhorseswithevidentinterestthatwasalmostamusedcuriosity.Limberli edthehorse,somehow.
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"What'shecondemnedfor?"as edLimberofasoldierwhostoodnearhim.
"Unmanageable.Brea sran ,won'tfacewiththeotherhorses,danceswhenheoughttostandstill,andrunsli etheDevil,everytimetheylineupinparade.He'sracingstoc .Adandyhorse,alright,buttoohigh-livedforCavalrywor ,andtheycan'tbrea himintoit.He'sgotmoresensethananyotherhorseinthetroop,butaftertheypunishedhimafewtimes,hegottofightingeverytimeasaddlewasputonhisbac ."
LimberrememberedseveralexcellenthorsesattheDiamondHthathadbeenmoreunpromisingmaterial.Whenhewentbac totheranchafterthesale,heledthebigsorrelhorse,intendingtohandleithimself.
JamiewasinthestablewhenLimberarrived,andthehorseleanedoutitsgracefulnec untilitsnosetouchedthechild'sshoulder.Asuddenthoughtstruc Limber.Thehorsehadbeenusedtochildren,evidently,atsomeperiodofitslife.
"Gogetsomesugar,"saidLimbertoBronco,andwhenhereturned,Limberhandedalumpofsugartothechild."Seeifhewillta eitfromyou."Jamieheldoutthesugar,andGov'ner,withalittlenic er,too itcarefullyfromtheboy'shand.Afterrepeatingtheoperationseveral
times,theboymovedslowlyaway,holdingouthishand,andthehorsefollowedhim,threadinggingerlybetweenthebuggies,aroundthemen,andreceivinghisreward.
TraynorandNellcameouttowatchthem,andGov'nercondescendedtoma efriendswiththewoman,also,butflatlyrefusedtoacceptsugarfromanyofthemen.Heplainlyshowedhispreferenceforthechild,andTraynorlaughedashesaid,
"Hehasnouseforanyonebutyou,Jamie.He'syourhorsefromnowon;butyoumustnotridehimuntilLimbersaysthatitwillbeallright."
SofordaysGov'nerwaseducated,gentlyand indly,andalwayswiththe
childnearby.Atfirsttheboywasplacedontheanimal'sbac ,whileitwasledaboutthebarn.Afterthat,Limber,mountedonPeanut,ledGov'nerontheroadatawal ,whileJamietal edtothehorseorpattedtheshiningnec .NotoncewasthereanyindicationoffractiousnessonthepartofGov'ner.Achild'sloveand indnesshadconqueredwheredisciplinehadfailed.
Mornings,whentheday'swor ontherangewaslight,Gov'nerwouldbeledoutandtheminiaturecowboysaddleplacedonhisbac .Neatlycoiledandtiedtothesaddlewasabeautifullymaderiata,thegiftofBronco,whowasnotedforhiss illinma ingtheseropes.Whenthechildishfigureappeared,equippedwithleatherleggingsandtinyspurs,therewouldbeasharp,joyousyelpfromDash,theleaderofthe
greyhoundpac ,andanansweringcallasKillem,Catchem,ScrubandBeautycameleapingindelight, nowingtherewererabbitsandcoyotestochase.
Fongshuffledoutwithalard-pailslippedintoafloursac ,whichhecarefullytiedtothelittlesaddle,withthesmilinginformation,"Cla eandcloo ies."ThenNell issedtheboygood-bye,saying,"Ta egoodcareofhim,Limber;"andtheman,turninginhissaddlewouldreply,"Don'tyoufret,Mrs.Traynor.Weallloo outfortheKid."
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Intheevening,thecowpuncher,dwindlingtoatinywhite-robedfigure,crawledintoNell'sarmsasshesatinfrontofthebig,"comfy"fire-place,totellheraboutthebabycalves,andhowmanyrabbitshadbeenchased.Once,withshiningeyesandflushedchee s,how"MeandLimberropedacoyote--butweletitgohomeagaintoitsfambly--'causeItoldLimberI newtheywouldbewaitingforittocome."
OnedayJamiedidnotcomeouttoGov'ner'sstall,andthehorsewhinniedinvain.Themenwentaroundspea ingsoftly,ta ingofftheirspurstoavoidanypossiblenoiseontheboardfloorofthestable,andDoctorPowellneverleftthebedsideofthedar ened,quietroom,wherehebattledforthelifeofthechildtheylovedsodeeply.
"Youhadbetterta ehimandMrs.TraynortoLosAngeles,"thedoctoradvisedTraynor."Sheisbrea ingdownunderthelongstrain,andinherconditionneedscareasmuchastheboy.IwillgowithyouandstayaslongasIcanbeofanyassistance."
"Doyouthin thereisanyhopeforhim?"as edTraynor.
"Achild'slifeisabitofdelicatemechanism,"answeredPowell,"evenwhenallhopewaslost,Ihaveseenwonderfulrallies.Notthroughthes illofaphysician,butthroughsomepeculiarrecuperativepowerwedon'tunderstand,asyet."
Traynorwrungthedoctor'shandsilently.
Arrangementsforthetripwerecompleted,thetrun sandluggageloadedontheheavywagonhadalreadystartedforWillcox.AsTraynorassistedNellintothecarriage,Gov'ner,po inghisheadfromtheboxstall,wonderingwhatitwasallabout,sawLimbercarryalimplittlefigurefromthecourtyardintothestable.Thehorserecognizedtheboyandwhinniedjoyously.Jamieliftedhisheadandspo etoLimber,whocarriedhimovertothehorse.Gov'ner'snosereachedoutandthethinlittlehandstro editwea ly.
"Good-bye,Gov'ner,"camethefaintvoice."Limberwillbegoodtoyou
tillIcomehome.Won'tyou,Limber?"
Limber'sfacetwitchedasheanswered,"NooneshallrideGov'nerwhilstyouaregone,Kid."
Afterthecarriagedisappearedandthemenhadgoneaboutthevariousdutiesoftheday,Fongshuffledintothebarnandloo edaroundcautiously.Seeingnoone,hesnea edintothesaddleroomandpic edupashinylittlelardpail,thathadoncebeenusedtoholdcoo ies.ClutchingittightlytheChinamanranswiftlyacrosstothe itchen,andshutthedoorwithabang.
Limber,whohadbeensaddlingPeanut,unobservedbyFong,witnessedthe
incident,andwheneveningcame,thecowboy newitwasnotopiumthatcausedtheChinaman'sred-rimmedeyelids.
Gov'nerwasverylonelyinthestablesandpasturesalldaywhentheotherhorseswerebusy,andatfirsthecalledincessantly.Thenfindingthatitbroughtnoresponsefromthechildheloved,hestoodpatientlywatchingthedoorthatledintothecourt.
LetterscamefromTraynorsayingthattheywerewinningthebattle,andthatJamiewouldcomebac tothembetterthaneverbeforeinhislife.
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ThencameanotherletterwhichLimberreadwithacho ingvoice,forTraynortoldtheboysoftheDiamondHthattheynowhadanewBoss,andthatthelittlemotherwaswell,happy,andsentherlovetothemall.Thatshesaidtheywere"allherboys,"andshewouldnotbesatisfieduntilshegotbac homeagainandshowedthemthewonderfulbaby.TraynoraddedthatDoctorPowellwouldbehomethatwee ,buttherestofthemwouldnotreturnforanothermonth.
Fong,onahuntforeggs,passedthroughthestableastheletterwasfinished,andLimbercalledhimtotellhimthenews.TheoldChinaman'seyesfilledupwithtearsthatstreameddownhisface."Klidhecommehomealllight;newblabyclommeealleesamee.Whenheclome?Ibla eaca e!"
ThatnighttheMailOrdercataloguewasthecentreofattractioninthebun -house,andforhourstheindexandillustrationswerescannedinsearchofasuitablegiftforthenewBoss.Saddles,spurs,chapsweredebatedasnotquitefitarticlesforimmediateuse,astherecipientwouldbeabouttwomonthsoldwhenhereachedtheDiamondH.InaquandarytheyhuntedupFong.
TheoldChinamanbristledwithimportanceandputonthehornspectaclesthatmadehimresembleareincarnatedConfucius.Slowlyandcriticallyhesquintedatthecatalogue,thena"smilethatwaschild-li eand
bland"expandedhisface,whilehislong-nailedfingerpointedtriumphantly.
"Youclatcheehim.Healllightforblaby."
Theystaredattheillustration,gazedblan lyatFongandthenloo edagainattheboo .
"What'sitfor?"demandedBronco.
"Nosavey?Blimeby--blabyclatcheeteeth!"Fonggaveavividimpersonationbychewingtheendofafor whichheseized.
"Iguessthat'so. .sofarasitgoes,"Roarerendorsed,"butwe'vegottogetsomethin'else.That'stoodurnedmeasly."
Onceagaintheystudied,suggested,rejected,andfinally,inthehoursapproachingdawn,theordersheetwasfilledout.Thearticlesenumeratedrangedfromtheteething-ringandrattle,ababybuggy,ahighchair,silvermug,onepairsilver-mountedspurs,onesilver-mountedbit,asmall-sizedsaddle,bridleandagoldbracelet"foralady"thatwastobeinscribed"fromtheboysoftheDiamondH."Aletterexplainedthecircumstancesandeventfularrival,andas ediftheheadofthestorewouldta especialcarewiththeorder,andpicoutanicebracelet,astheywereallcowpunchersanddidn't nowanythingbutcows,--perhapsthestore- eepermightgethiswifetopic
outtherightsortofbracelet.
Twowee slatertheyreceivedwordthattheirorderhadbeencarefullyfilled,andahandsome,plaingoldbraceletinscribedasdesiredhadbeenforwarded,togetherwiththeotherarticlesintheiresteemedorder.
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CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
ThemorningthatTraynorwasdueattheranchwithhisfamily,themenandFongwereuplongbeforedaybrea .Insideandout,theranchhadbeenscrutinizedmercilessly,toseeifeverythingwasinperfectorder.Fong'spigtailjer edli eanexpiringrattlesna e,asherushedhereandthere,puttingthefinaltouchestoamealwhichwastobetheculinaryachievementofhislife.
Whenthecarriagewasfinallydrivenintothestable,themencrowdedaround,tal ingandlaughing,as ingquestionsbutnotwaitingreplies,untilTraynorpilotedhiswifeandbabyintothehouse;Jamielingeredwithhisfriends.
Therewasajoyfulreunionbetweenthechildandthegreyhoundswhichhadbeenshutinthecorral.Then,surroundedbytheleaping,yelpingpac ,JamieandthementurnedtoGov'ner'sstall.ThedoorwasopenedbyLimber,andtheyallstoodwaitingtillJamiecalledtothehorse,"Gov'ner!I'mbac homeagain!"
Gov'ner'sheadflungupalertly,hisnostrilsdistended,hiseyesshone;thenashesawthelittlechapoutsidethestallthehorsewhinnied,tossedhisheadandprancedthroughthedoor.Theproudheadloweredas
thehorsereachedthechild,andthelipsnippedplayfullyatJamie'scoat,whiletheboylaughedindelight,pettingthesatinynec ,ashesaidtriumphantly,"Yousee,hedidn'tforgetmewhileIwasaway."
ItwasanewJamiethathadcomebac tothem.ForsometimePowellhadbeenstudyingthecauseoftheboy'sretardedrecovery,andhadfinallyconcludeditwasduetootherreasonsthanthetuberculartendency.HehadnotsuggestedthistoTraynoruntilconsultationwithtwonotedspecialists,hadconfirmedhisdiagnosis.Aftertheoperationwhichwasfoundnecessary,thelad'simprovementwasastonishing;sowhenhereachedtheDiamondH,nothingmorewasnecessarythanoutdoorlifeinthehigh,dryclimateandplentyofnourishingfood,toma ehimanormallyhealthyboy.
TraynorjoinedtheboysastheywatchedthereunionofGov'nerandthechild.Thenheas ed,"Don'tyouboysintendtocomeinandmeetthenewBossandhismother?They'reexpectingyou."
Withouthesitationthemenfollowedhimintothelivingroomwheretheyoungmother,withthebabyonherlap,waitedthehomageshe newwouldbeaccordedfreelybytheseloyalfriends.
Cautiouslytheyallapproachedandregardedthesmallatomofhumanitythatgazedbac atthemwithsereneeyes.
"Feelhowheavyheis,"offeredNell,holdingtheinfanttowardthem.
Eachoneshrun bac abitandtheireyesshiftedtoeachother.
"Ta ehim,Bronco.Hewon'tbite;"laughedNell.
Broncoedgedbac ofLimber,ashereplied,"Limber'stheforeman.He'sgotthefirstthrow!"
Limber'sarmswentout,andthelittlemotherlaidthechildcarefullyuponthem,fussingwiththedaintywhitedress,andsmilingdownintothebabyfaceagainsttheblueflannelshirt.Asshesteppedbac ,she
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caughtapassingexpressiononLimber'sface,andhereyesgrewmisty.Thoughhedidnot nowit,sheglimpsedLimber'ssoulinthatmoment.
Thebabyblin edup,thenaquivering,uncertainlittlesmiletouchedhislips.
"Gee!Loo athim,"ejaculatedBronco."Say,he'smadefriendswithLimberalready.Isn'thethesmartlittlegeezer,though?"
Gainingcouragetherestofthemenpressedcloser,andBroncoputoutahornyfingertotouchthepin palm.Li etheleavesofasensitiveplant,thefingerscurledtightlyaroundthecowboy'sdigit,thenpulleddeterminedlytowardapuc eringmouth,whileBronco'seyesopenedinconsternation.
"Say,youdon'twanttoeatme,doyou?Thatain'tastic ofcandy!"hepulledgentlybutfirmlyuntilhemanagedtorescuethethreatenedfinger,andtheothermenchuc ledinunison.
"Ain'thegotadandygrip!He'llbeabletohangontoasteerwhenhegetsitroped,youbet!"Roarer'ssquea asserted.
"SmartestbabyIeverseen,"Holypronouncedoracularly,ignoringthefactthatitwasthefirsttimeinhislifehehadeverbeenneara
youngbaby.Fonghoveredinthedoorway,andastheyloo eduptheysawaca ewithgorgeouswhiteicing.ItwasFong'sonlywayofexpressinghisfealtyandcongratulations.Hedepositedtheca eonthetable,andNellbeamedonhim.
"We'llma ebabycuthisownca e,Fong!"Thensheturned,"Limber,won'tyoucallAllan?"
Traynorjoinedthem,andtheentireoutfitstoodinadmiration,whileNellheldthetinyhandaboutthebigbutcher nifeandthrustitintotheheartofthelacydesignoficing.Fong'seyesblin edrapidly,and
he eptsaying,overandover,"Vellyflineblaby!Himvellyflinebloy!"
OnceagainTraynorbroughtchampagne,andtheglasseswereliftedashegavethetoast,"TotheBossoftheDiamondHandhismother.Godblessthemboth!"
AfterthatNellgottheteething-ring,andwhenthechildgraspedandthrustitintoitsopenmouth,themenallgrinned."Hesure nowswhatthatismadefor,"chortledBronco,"an'that'smore'nwe nowedtillFongtol'us."
TheybombardedNellwithquestionsregardinghisweight,howsoonhe
wouldacquirerealteeth,andhowlongbeforehewouldbewearingtrousers.Theywerethirstingforinformationregardinginfantiledevelopment,andwhenRoarer,inanoff-handmanner,referredtohis"sister'stwinsinTexas,"theyloo edathimwithenviouseyes.Roarerdidnotdisclosethatsaidtwinswerealmostasoldashimself.Hedilatedonvariouseventsintheircareers,whichherememberedhearingtheaforesaidtwinsrelatethemselves.Hecudgeledhisbrainforhistoricdata.
Theboyswerefeelingverymuchathome,whenthebabybegantosquirm
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uneasilyinitsmother'sarms.Itsfacescrewedup,itseyessquintedanddisappearedentirely,andtheboysloo edanxiouslyatNell.
"Doeshehavefits?"inquiredBroncosolicitously."I nowitsallrightforpuppiestohave'em,butdoesbabies?"
Theinfantansweredforhimselfwithasneeze,andNellloo edaroundattheopenwindow.Thisgavethemenanexcusetopleadwor ,andtiptoefromtheroom.
Onceinthestabletheyhalted,andBronco,stillsee inginformation,facedRoarer."Say,Roarer,didyoursister'stwinsinTexashavefits?"
"Sure,"answeredRoarercheerfully."Theywassousterhavin''emthatweneverpaidnoattentionatallwhenonecomeon.It'sjustli epuppies,you now.'Twouldn'tbenowaysnaturaliftharwasn'tfits--an'fleas.Don'tdonohurt.Jestloo atallthepeoplethatlivestogrowup,anyways!"
ButthatnightRoarerborrowedthebigboo ,telling"HowtobeYourOwnDoctor,"whichwastheCourtofFinalAppealforeverythingfromcoo ingrecipestogettingridofbedbugs,lawsuitsandotherworries,togetherwithacompletelistofthe"illstowhichthehumanfleshisheir,"andinfallibleremediesforall.
Themendidnot nowthathewasstudyingassiduouslyeverybitofdataobtainableregardingthediseasesofinfants.TheywonderedafterwardsatRoarer'sunfailingsupplyofinformationaboutbabies,wellorill;butheascribedhis nowledgeentirelytohisassociationswiththeTexasTwins.
OncemoretheinterruptedroutineofranchlifewasresumedandLimberdividedhistimebetweentheDiamondHandtheHotSprings.ThoughthecowpuncherpassedtheCircleCrossatintervalsheneverdismounted.ChappoandJuan eptintouchwitheachother,andthroughthemLimberandPowell newthatGlendon'swifefoundlifemorebearablesincetheanxietyaboutDonniehadbeenremoved.Yetsheneversuspectedthepart
thatDoctorPowellandLimberhadta eninforcingGlendon'sacquiescencetoherwishesandplansfortheboy.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
Unli emostranchesinArizona,theDiamondHcultivatedanumberofitsfencedfields.Millet,sorghumandothercattlefeedwasstac edforuseofthehorsesandthethoroughbredbullsduringwinter,thusinsuringfirst-classconditionofthisparticularstoc whenthegrassstarted
andtheywereturnedoutontheopenrange.ThissystemofTraynor'savoidedlosingtimethatwouldbeotherwiserequiredtoputhisbullsingoodbreedingconditioneachspring.
Duringtheplowingseason,theblac smithattheDiamondHsuddenlydecidedtoleaveforpartsun nown,betweensunsetandsunrise.Thecowboyswereallabletoshoetheirownponies,buttireshadtobeset,toolssharpened,plowpoints eptinshape,pumpingmachineryneededconstantrepairing,andafirst-classblac smithwasanecessityontheDiamondH.Willcoxcouldnotfillthevacancy,andadvertisementsin
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TucsonandevenLosAngelespapersbroughtnoresponse.Eachofthemenontheranchhaddonethebesthecouldtofillthevoid,butallac nowledgedruefully,"it'sadurnsightdifferentfromjestshoein'apony."
InthisemergencyLoco,theMexicanwhohadobtainedwor attheDiamondHafterleavingWalton,announcedthathehadbeenablac smithinMexico.
"Well,hecan'tdonoworsethantherestofus,"Broncodecided,butoneday'strialprovedLocowasfirst-classinthatwor ,andsohewastransferredfromrangewor totheblac smithshopwithincreasedpayandadditionalrespect.
Hewaspoundingared-hotironontheanviloneday,whenTraynorsaunteringtotheentranceoftheshop,stoodwatchinghim.
"Howsoonwillyoubereadytostart,Loco?"heas ed.
"InafewminutesIwillfinish,Señor."
"Whatisit?"Traynoras edidly.
Withoutloo inguptheMexicanreplied;"Itisabrandingiron,Señor."
Hes illfullybenttheendoftheiron,thrustitintoatubofwaterforacoupleofseconds,thenwithdrewandexamineditcritically,afterwhichheheateditagain.Itwasapeculiarlyshapediron,andTraynordroppedonaboxandloo edwithinterest,asLocopresseditonaboard,leavingamar coveringaspacefourincheseachway.
O--OXX
"That'sanoddbrand,"saidTraynor,pic inguptheburntboardandscrutinizingit,whiletheMexicanregardedhimclosely.
"Itismyhorsebrand,"explainedLoco."ApacheislegwearyandIamgoingtoturnhimontherangeawhile.Iboughtanotherhorse."
"Thereareplentygoodhorsesintheherdwithoutusingyourpony,Loco."
TheMexicanshoo hishead;"Manythan s,Señor,butIcandobetterwor withmyownhorse."
"Wellsuityourself;"Traynoragreedcarelessly."IwantyoutogowithmethismorningtoMudSprings,soIcanshowyouwhereIwanttheditchdugandthemillputup."
Locowasstudyingtheironwiththesmileofanartisanwhorecognizesasatisfactorypieceofwor ."Iwillgetthehorses,Señor;"hesaid,andturnedtothestablecarryingthebrandingironinhishand.
IfApache,Loco'spony,wasleg-weary,itwasnotveryevidentasitprancedanddancedalongtheroadbesidegaylittleChinati,whoseswiftmovementshadearnedhisname,"Blac bird."MudSpringslaytwelvemilesawayfromtheDiamondH,intheGaliurostowardHotSprings.ThetrailthroughMudSpringswasnotoftenused,astheBoxSpringstrail,afewmilesfurthernorth,wasmoredirectandalsomucheasier.Itwasa
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wild,desolateplaceandthespringinanarrow,roc ycañon,socattlepreferredthevalleyduringthegrassseason.ThisspringwasofgreatvaluetotheDiamondHandPLranges,however,givingcattleaccesstofeedinthemountainsthatotherwisewouldbetoofarfromwater.Traynor,havinglearnedwisdomfromthedrouth,haddecidedtobuildahugereservoiratthemouthofthiscañonforthestorageofwaterthatwouldotherwisebewastedbyspreading.
HeexplainedthedetailscarefullytoLoco,pointingoutwheretheditchwastobedugtoconductthewatertothereservoirsite.
"Iwantthewind-millputupbesidethereservoir,li etheoneatthehouse.I'llgettheboysatwor nextwee ;butyoucangoonwiththemillwor beforethen.IamgoingovertoHotSpringsforafewdays."
"HowlongdidyouliveinMexico,Señor?"as edLoco.
"Ihaveneverbeenthere,"answeredTraynor,wonderingatthequestion.
"OnlyAmericanoswhohavelivedinMexicospea asyoudo,"persistedLoco.
"IlearnedSpanishatcollege,"repliedTraynor."ByJove!Whatashot!It'stoofarforapistol!"
Hewasgazingupatamagnificentblac taildeerwhichstoodli eastatueonaledgesixhundredfeetabovethem.Itsheadwasthrownbac ,nostrilsdilated,theslenderlegsweretenseandreadyforflightasitsniffedthewind.Thenwithasnort,itwhirledandvanished.
Traynorhadbeensoabsorbedinadmirationofthebuc thathehadmomentarilyforgottenLoco'spresence.TheMexican,fifteenfeetintherearofTraynorhaduntiedtheriatawhichhungonhissaddleandcoileditcautiously,watchingtheothermansharply.WithaswiftmovementheflungtheropeaboutTraynor'sbody,pinioninghisarmsfirmly.Chinati,feelingthejer onhisbridle,leapedforwardandTraynorfellhelplesstotheground.
ThesunwassettingwhenTraynoragainbecameconsciousofhissurroundingsandsawLocostandingoverhim.
"Whathappened,Loco?"heas edstupidly."WasIthrown?"
Locomadenoreply,andasTraynorstilldazedfromadeepgashonhishead,triedtorise,herealizedthathewassecurelybound,handandfoot.Thelossofbloodmadehimfaintandsic ,andhisbrainseemedincapableoflucidideas.Hehadstruc hisheadonasharproc infallingfromhishorse.
Forawhilehelaywithclosedeyes,thenheloo edupandsawLocoa
shortdistanceaway,gatheringpiecesofdeadwood,whichheheapedsystematicallyintoapile.TraynorrecalledtheMexican'speculiarwaysandwonderedifthemanhadsuddenlybecomeinsane.He newthatifsuchwerethecase,thebestplanwouldbetoavoidirritatinghim.
Traynorturnedhishead.ThehopethatChinatihadgottenawayandmightgivethealarmbyreturningtotheranchriderlessdied,whenhesawhisownponystandingquietlybesideLoco's.Thenhenoticedhispistolglisteningafewfeetfromhim,andwonderedifhecouldwormhiswaytoitwithoutattractingLoco'sattention.Keepingclosewatchuponthe
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Mexican,Traynorslowlywrithedtowardthefirearmuntilhewaswithinafootofit.Byhalfturninghebelievedhecouldgraspthepistolashishandsweretiedinfrontofhim.Locolitthefire,andwithafiendishgrinuntiedthebrandingironfromhissaddleandlaiditontheflame.
Athrillofsic eningfearshotthroughTraynorashestrainedattheropebindinghim.Onemoreeffortandhewouldbeabletotouchthepistol.TheMexicancalmlyarrangedthewoodwhichhadfallen,thenwal edovertoTraynor,whoclosedhiseyes,hopingtothrowthemanoffhisguard;butLoco,withamaliciousleer,pic edupthepistolandseatedhimselfonthegroundbesidehiscaptive.
"Isawyou,Señor;"hechuc led.
"Whatareyougoingtodo,Loco?"as edTraynor,tryingtoappearunconcerned.Henowunderstoodthathewasatthemercyofamaniac,andthoughtwhatafoolhehadbeentoforgetthemanyirrationalactionsoftheman,whosename,Loco,shouldhavebeenwarningenoughinitself.ThelocoweedofArizonaandMexicoeffectsthebrainsofhorses,causingeventhemostreliableandwell-bro enanimaltodevelopsuddenfitsofviciousness.Loco'smoodiness,hisoutburstsofanger,hadfastenedthenic nameonhimwhilehewor edforWalton.
Locorolledacigarette,whichhelighteddeliberately.
"So!YouhavenotbeeninMexico,Señor?"hedrawledsarcastically.
"Never!Ihavenoobjectinlyingtypoaboutit;"saidTraynorearnestly."WhyshouldIdenyit?"
"Oh,no,Señor!Younever newRamoncita?"
"Ineverheardofher."ThencatchingsightofasmallcrucifixthathungagainstLoco'sbreastwheretheblueflannelshirtfellapart,Traynorloo edthemansteadilyintheeyes,andsaidslowly,"Holdthatcrucifixbeforeme,Loco,andIwillswearthat.Iamtellingyouthetruth."
Themanwaveredasecond,thenlaughedcunningly,"AcrucifixmeansnothingtoaGringo,andfearma esliarsofallmen."
"Letmego,andIwillgiveyoumoneytoma elifeeasyforyou,Loco.Youcangobac toMexicotoyourfriendsandbehappy."
Thewordsrousedthemantofrenzy.Heleapedtohisfeet,murderandinsanitystampedonhisdistortedfeatures.
"Gobac toMexico,youGringodog?Doyou nowwhenIwillgobacthere?WhenIhave illedyou,asIswore.Youstoleherfromme.Yourodeawaylaughing,andthatnightshe illedherself!"Hejer edthe
crucifixfromhisbreast,andshoo itinfrontofTraynor'sface."Youwouldswearit?Onthis--?Youdidnot nowthatItoo thisCrossfromherdeadheart!AndIsworeonitasI neltbesidehercoffin,thatIwouldleavemycountry,myfriends,andneverrestorreturnuntilIhadfoundyou,whohadmadeheranoutcast.Everyoneturnedfromherwhileshewasalive,andwhenshe illedherself,theChurchturnedfromher,andshewasburiedinunconsecratedgroundjustoutsidetheChurchfence.ThePadresaidthattheSaintsandtheHolyAngelsturnawaybecauseshetoo herownlife."
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Hisvoicerosemoreshrilly,"Youdidnotthin Icouldfindyou,butWalton newyou.HesawyouwithherinMexicowhileIwasaway.Waltonnewyou,youGringodog!You illedherbody!You illedhersoul!Youthoughtyouweresafe,butWalton newyou!"
"Waltonliedtoyou,"Traynoransweredfuriously,recallingrumoursofWalton'sthreatsofretaliationontheDiamondHownerandcowboys.TheMexican,Loco,hadbeenWalton'scatspaw.Traynorsubsided,gropingforsomeplantoinfluencetheMexican.
"Youcannotescapethistime!"gloatedLoco,circlingaboutTraynorasbuzzardscircleabouttheirprey."Isworeyoushouldpay."
Hewenttothefireandtestedhisiron.Then,seeingitwasnotyethotenough,hecamebac andleanedovertheprostrateman.
"Theyarewaitingpatiently,Señor!AspatientlyasIhavewaitedsevenlongyears."
Anumberofcrowsrosefromthebusheswithdiscordantcawsashewavedhisarmswildlyintheairandcried,"Loo !"Theysoonsettleddownagain,towatchthetwomen.Higherintheaircircledacoupleofbuzzards,andthefaint,quiveringyelpofacoyotedisturbedthesilence.
"Ishallnot illyou,forIwantyoutolivelongenoughtosuffer.Iwillleavemybrandonyourfaceandshallcutyourearsastheydothecalves.ThenIwillgobac toMexicotomyamigosandsay,'Ihave eptmyoath!'Thebuzzardsandcoyoteswill eepyoucompanyafterIhavegone,Señor!"
Withahalf-suppressedgroan,Traynorthoughtofhiswife.HehadtoldherhewouldremainafewdaysatHotSprings,sotherewouldbenoalarmathisabsence.Later,whentheymissedhim,afewtatteredshredsofclothingandfleshless,scatteredboneswouldtellwherethebuzzardsandcoyoteshadfeasted.
Muttering,theMexicanbroughtthewhitehotironfromtheembersandneltbyTraynor'sside.Hepulledthecrucifixfromhisbosom, isseditreverentlyandreplacedit;thenhemadethesignoftheCrossintheairaboveTraynor'sface.HiseyesgleamedexultinglyasheclutchedTraynor'shairandbroughtthehotironcloserandcloser.
Traynorcouldsmellandfeeltheheat,andgreatbeadsofanguishbro eoutashemadealastconvulsiveefforttofreehimselfofhisbonds.Itwasuseless!Hismusclesrelaxed,heclosedhiseyes,clenchedhisteethandwaited.
Locowastoointentuponhisrevengetonoticeacowboyracingtowardthemdownthesideofthecañon,untilawildyellwo etheechoofthe
roc ywalls.TheMexicanloo edupandrecognizedLimber.Fearfulofbeingthwartedinhisrevenge,Locostoopedquic lyoverTraynorandloweredtheirondeliberatelywhileafiendishsmiledistortedhisface,andasibilanthiss,li earattlesna eabouttostri e,soundedbetweenthegleamingteeth.
Traynor,too,hadheardtheyell,buthehadnohopethatLimberwouldreachhimintime.Hiseyesloo edintoLoco's.TheironalmosttouchedTraynor'sflesh,thegripoftheMexican'shandthatclutchedhisvictim'shair,wassotensethatTraynorcouldfeelthequivering
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nerves.
Ashotrangout.Aloo ofsurpriseflashedoverLoco'sface,theironslidfromhishand,butTraynorjer edsuddenlysothatitfellagainsttheground,whileLococrumpledslowlyacrossthebodyoftheotherman.Wea withreactionTraynorbecameunconsciousoncemore,andwhenheopenedhiseyes,LimberhadslippedhisarmsunderTraynor'sshouldersandheldaflas tothewhitelipsoftherancher.
"Drin it,"commandedthecowpuncher,whowasnow,tremblingwithnervousness."Thatwasamightyclosecall.Didhehurtyouany?"
"I'llbeallrightinafewminutes,"answeredTraynor,asLimbercuttheropeandassistedhimtohisfeet.Thetightcoilshadmadehisbodynumbandthecutonhisheadwasanuglyone.Traynorwasnocoward,buthefeltaspasmofnauseaasheloo edattheironwhichwasnowturningfromwhiteheattodullred.
"Betterletmefixthatcut,"suggestedLimber.
HehelpedTraynortothespring,andwashedtheuglywoundastenderlyasawoman,thenhebounditwithTraynor'swhitesil hand erchiefashelistenedtotheexplanationofwhathappened.
"It'saluc ythingforWaltonheain'tintheTerritory,"saidthecowboytersely."Youcan'tblametheGreaserforbelievin'Walton'slies.He'sbeenoffhiscabezaalongtimeandeverybody nowedit;butLocowouldn'tofhurtnobodyifWaltonhadn'tputhimuptoit.WewonderedwhyWaltonwassoall-firedrushedtocatchthattrain,andhadfiggeredoutitwasbecauseBillySaundersorderedhimtoquitthecountry.It'sWaltonoughterbelayin'thereinsteadofLoco."
ThetwomenmovedtothesideofthedeadMexican,andastheystoodloo ingdownathim,TraynorrecalledLoco'swords,"andshewasburiedinunconsecratedground,justoutsidetheChurchfence,andthePadresaidtheSaintsandHolyAngelsturnawaybecauseshetoo herownlife."
ThelittlecrucifixdanglingfromthecordonLoco'snec hadslippedfromthehalf-openshirt.Traynor neltdownandplaceditonthedeadman'sbreast,thenliftedthelimphandsandlaidthemabovethecrucifix.Limbertoo offhiscoatandcoveredtheMexican'sface.
"I'llsendawagonfromtheranch,"saidTraynor."It'samightyluc ythingformethatyouhappenedacrossheretoday.IwasonmywaytotheSpringstoseeyouaboutaletterIhadfromDoctorPowell."
"Iwaswor in'ontheDivide,whenIseenyouandLococomin'thisway;butIwasbusywithsomecattleanddidn'tpaymuchattention.WhenIgotthroughandridupontheDivideIseenLocowiththetwohorsesand
youlayin'ontheground.Ithoughtmebbeyou'dbeenthrowedtillIgotnearenoughtoseewhathewasupto.Ihadtoshoothim.Tharwasn'tnothin'elsetodo."
Traynorlaidhishandonthecowboy'sshoulder,loo ingathimearnestly,"Ioweyouadebtthatcanneverbepaid,Limber."
Thecowboyflushedwithembarrassment."Youain'tgotnocalltothanme,Mr.Traynor.Peanutdoneit,notme.Hejustbustedhisselfgettin'hereintime.Ineverseenhimrunsofast.Loo edli ehe noweditwas
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uptohimandhedoneit."
"Peanutcan'thaveallthecredit,"respondedTraynor.Thenhedrewaletterfromhispoc et."DoctorPowellhaswrittenmethathewouldli etoma eyouhispartnerinthePLranchandcattle,provideditwouldnotinterferewithmyplans."
Limberloo edupinopensurprise."Iain'tgotenoughtopayfor'em"hesaid."Ionlysavedupninehundreddollars,alltold."
"Well,Powellsaysifyouwon'taccepthalfinterest,hewillcloseouthiscattleentirely.TheSanitariumwillta eallhistimeandattention,andhewantedyoutohandlethestoc forhim.IwrotehimIwouldbegladtoseeyoutwoinpartnership."
Thecowboystaredattheground."Idon'tsaythatIwouldn'tbegladtota ethechanct,becauseI'vebeensavin'uphopin'somedayIcouldbuyabunchofstoc ;butIcan'tlethimgiveittome.Ican'towenoman,Mr.Traynor."
"NeithercanI,Limber,"wasthequic retort."ThedebtIoweyoucanneverbepaid;butIcanpaypartoftheinterestdueonit.Letmebuythehalf-interestforyoufromPowell."
Limbershoo hisheadslowly."Idon'twantyoutothin I'mmulish,orthatIdon'tappreciatewhatyouandDoctorPowellisofferin'me,butIjustcan'tdoit."
"Then,letmema eitastraightbusinessdeal,asifwewereallstrangers.Givemeyournoteandpaywhenyoufeelable.Surelyyoucan'tma eanyobjectiontothat?"
Limbertoo theprofferedhand,"Ifyouma ethenoteoutreg'lar,justasifitwassomeoneelse,"hestipulated.
Traynorsmiledbroadly,"Allright,Limber.That'sago.I'llwritePowellaboutit.Now,I'llhurrydowntotheranchandsendoneofthe
boyswiththewagon."
Peanutloo edupasChinatigallopedawaywithTraynor,butseeingLoco'shorse,Apache,tetheredtoabush,andthatLimberwassittingquietlynotfaraway,thegallantlittleponyfellcontentedlytocroppingthegrass.
Limberrose,loosenedthecinchandremovedthesaddleandblan etfromPeanut'slatheredbac whichherubbedwithawispofgrass.Hestro edthepony'snoseabsentlyandloo edwithpityatthedeadMexican.
"DernthatWalton!Thecardswassurestac edagainstyou,Loco.I'msorryIhadtodoit."
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
Inspiteofthegeneralimpressionoffrontierlawlessnessthatprevailedduringthe'eighties',ArizonahadprobablyascleanamoralstandardasmanyoftheEasternStateswhichconsideredthemselvesfar
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inadvanceoftheunsettledcountry.Thoughmen'pac ed'guns,andpersonalaffrontsweresettledoutofCourt,ArizonacouldbragthatanygoodwomanwasprotectedbyeverymanintheTerritory.
So,whentheSouthernPacifictrainwasheldupwestofWillcox,thecommunitywasasmuchsurprisedandshoc edasanymoreconventionaltownmightbe.Seventythousanddollarswereta enfromtheexpresscarbytherobbers,andnodefinitecluetotheiridentityorwhereaboutscouldbediscovered.
Therailroadpeople,believingthefirstsuccesswouldencourageothers,secretlyarmedallexpressmessengerswithsawed-offshotguns,heavilyloadedwithbuc shot,themostdeadlyweapon nownforshort-rangewor .
Theseprecautionswerejustifiedsixmonthslater,whentheregularwest-boundtrainwasnearingCochise,alittleplacetwelvemileswestofWillcox.Theengineer,observingadangersignal,sloweddownandfinallystopped.Asthetrac wastreacherousatthatpointduringrainyweather,hehadnosuspicions.Frequentwashoutsoccurredinthesandyroadbed.Thetrac -wal erapproached,swinginghislightedlantern.
"What'sthetrouble?"as edtheengineer,asheandthefiremanleanedoverthesideoftheengine,staringthroughthedar ness.
"Trac 'ssoft.You'llhavetogoslowforaboutaquarterofamile,"wasthereply."TheywiredtoWillcoxfromCochisebutyouhadleftontime.HoldonaminuteandI'llridebac withyou."
"Allright,"answeredtheengineer,thenasthemanswungonthecab,"You'reanewman?"
"Yes.Justwenttowor thiswee .IwasontheSantaFebeforeIcamedownhere,"hedrewapipefromhispoc et,filledandlighteditastheengineerturnedtostarttheengine.
Thefiremanhadreturnedtotherearofthecabandsettoworshovellingcoal.
"Handsup!"
Twoarmed,mas edmenconfrontedtheengineerandthefiremanfacedthreeothers.Therewasnoalternativeexcepttoobey.Thetrainwasmadeupofanengine,expresscar,threePullmansandtwodaycoaches;theexpress,asusual,beingdirectlybac oftheengineandcoalcar.Threeofthebanditsguardedthefiremanandengineer,theothertworunningbac ashortdistance.Asthebra emanapproachedtoascertainthetrouble,hewasmetandcommandedtouncoupletheexpresscarandenginefromtherestofthetrain.Then,havingcompliedunderprotest,hewascompelledtojointheothertwomenwhowereunderguard.
"Pullaheadtillwetellyoutostop,"wastheorder,andtheenginepuffedonitsway,leavingthepassengersandconductorstodiscovertheirpredicamentlater.
FourmilesfromCochise,inaspotwheretherewasnohumanhabitation,theengineerwasforcedtohalt.Threerobbersremainedonguardwhiletheothertwowenttotheexpresscarand noc edsharplyonthedoor.
"Whatisit?"themessengerdemanded.
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eachmovementofhisponybroughtgroansandcurses.
Theleaderhalted.
"It'shim,orallofus,"hesaid,andtherestagreed.
"We'resorry.Jac ,butitcan'tbehelped.We'vegottoleaveyoubehind."
Thewoundedmancursedthemforcowardsandtraitors;butfelllimpastheyhelpedhimtothegroundandmadehimascomfortableaspossible.Thentheyrodeaway,carryinghispistolwiththem,fortheywouldneeditworsethanJac .Hiscursesfollowedthem.
Thedar nessmadeitimpossibleforthepossetostri ethetrailuntildawn,butnotimewaslostafterthat.Whethertherobbershadsomedefiniteplan,orhadbecometoodemoralizedattheirsurprise,puzzledthetrailers;fortheridershad epttogetherinsteadofscatteringinordertoma epursuitmoredifficult.Thewor offollowingwasmadeeasybythesoftenedconditionofthecountryfromrecentrain,andoccasionallyasplatterofbloodonastoneprovedthatthemessengerwasjustifiedinhisassertionthathehadwoundedoneoftheoutlaws.
Fivemilesfromtherailroadtrac theyfoundThree-fingeredJac at
thepointofdeath.Helaygasping,andwatchedthemapproachuntiltheystoodloo ingdownonhim.Asardonicsmiletwistedhisfeatures.Hewouldhavehisrevengeonthemenwhohaddesertedhim.Withcursesandvituperationhetoldthenamesofthosewhohadfledtosavethemselves--thenaddednamesofothersintheband.Severalnamesmentionedwerenotunexpected,astheyweremen nowntobereadyforanycrime;butnoonewaspreparedtohearhimaccuseJimGlendonandAlpaugh,whowastheconstableofWillcoxandDeputySheriffofCochiseCounty.
TomGraham,theconstableofCochiseandleaderoftheposse,leaneddownandsaid,"Whatwasthat?DidyousayAlpaughandGlendon?"
Jac sawtheincredulityonthefacesabovehim.Quietly,butwithraspingvoice,hereplied,"IsaidGlendonandAlpaugh.I'mma ingthisstatementbeforeIdie,andIwantyoualltowitnesswhatIsay.Theydidn'tplaysquarewithme;--theyeventoo mypistolsoIcouldn'tshootmyself.GlenandAlpaughwerestayinghometoproveanalibi--WeweretogotoGlendon'safterthejobwasdone--givethemoney--tohim--tillrowwasover."Hiseyesclosed.Thementhoughthewasdead,buthegatheredhisebbingstrengthoncemore."Weweretoshare--and--quitthecountry--"Bloodcho edhisutterance;hisheadsan bac andthejawsrelaxed.
Thegrouploo edathim,thenglancedateachotherdubiously.TheaccusationagainstAlpaughastonishedthem.Hewasac nowledgedagood
officer,sober,fearlessandapparentlyworthyoftheconfidencethecommunityplacedinhimwhileGlendon,though nowntodrin heavilyandbeaggressiveinhiscups,hadneverbeenconsideredcriminalinhistendencies.But,Jac 'sstatement,madeinfullconsciousnessthathewasdying,andwithapparentlyclearmind,wasdamningevidence.
Slowlythepossereturnedtothetrac ,carryingthedeadmanacrossasaddle-horse,whiletheoriginalridersatbehind,balancingthelimpform.WhentheyreachedtherailroadthebodywasplacedonthefloorofthecabooseandtheenginestartedtoWillcox.
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Rumoursofthehold-updrewacuriouscrowdtothedepotandquestionswereas edeagerly;butnoinformationwasvouchsafedforfearofalarmingthoseimplicated.
LimberwascrossingthestreetofWillcoxwhenGrahamsawhim,andta inghimaside,said,"Iwanttoswearyouinasdeputy,Limber,andmayneedyouseveraldays.Iwantmenwhocanholdtheirtonguesandbereliedupon.We'reupagainstawell-organizedbunch."
ThecowboylistenedtoGraham'sconcisestatementofthehold-upandThree-fingeredJac 'sdeath;butwasnottoldoftheaccusationregardingAlpaughandGlendon.
"I'mreadyanytimeyouwantme,"wasLimber'sassertion.
"Mightaswellcomewithmenow."
"Whichwayyougoin'first?"
"Alpaugh'shouse."
BelievingthattheconstableofCochiseintendedtoco-operatewithAlpaugh,theWillcoxconstable,LimberstrodebesidebigTomGraham,
thoughneitherofthemagainspo e.WhentheyreachedtheneatlittlecottagewhereAlpaughandhiswiferesided,theconstablewassittingontheporchsmo ing,andcamedownthestepstomeetthem.
"Hearyouhadalivelytimeoutyourwaylastnight,Tom,"hecommented."Iwasreadytogooutandjointhechasebutasitwasinyoursectionandyoudidnotwireforhelp,supposedyoudidnotneedme.Catchyourmen?"
"Oneof'em.Theothershadagoodstart;butastrongpossewithrelayhorsesistrailingthem.Three-fingeredJac isdead."Grahamwatchedtheeffectofhisinformation.
Alpaughstarted,butrecoveredhimself."Dead?Washeoneofthem?Well,you nowhe'salwayshadafishyreputation."
"Hewaswoundedbytheexpressmessenger.Livedlongenoughtoma eafullconfession."
"Who?"as edAlpaugh,tryingtoappearunconcerned.
"Holdupyourhands,Dic .Don'tma etrouble.I'vegottoarrestyou."
Limbercontrolledhisamazement,andinobediencetoanodfromGraham,removedthepistolfromAlpaugh'shippoc et.ThenGrahamtoldhisprisonerhemightputdownhishands.
Theconstablelaughedinamusement."Well,Imightgetmadifitwasn'tallsodarnedfoolish.Ican'tfigureoutwhetheryouareoffyourcabeza,Tom,orifitwasThree-fingeredJac tryingtogetbac atmebecauseIarrestedhimonce."Hisvoicedroppedandhisfacegrewserious."Idon'twantmywifeto nowthis.It'sallabigmista eandyou'llfinditoutlateron;butIdon'twanthertoworry.You'vegottodoyourduty,Tom,soIhaven'tanyhardfeelingsagainstyouorLimber.I'dli etoma eanexcusetoJennieaboutgoingaway,ifyoudon'tmind."
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"Allright.Don'tstiruptrouble,Dic ;that'sall,"warnedGraham.
"It'stoosillytoma eanyrowover,"Alpaughansweredwithopencontemptashewal edtothehalldoorandcalledtohiswife,"I'vegottogooutoftownatonce,Jennie.Grahamwantsme.There'sbeenahold-upnearCochise.Don'tgetworriedifI'mgoneseveraldays.Iwon'tneedanywar-bag.Bebac assoonasIcanma eit."
Mrs.Alpaughwasaplump,quic body,withbrowneyes,browns in,smoothbrownhairandalertwayofcoc ingherheadononeside,muchli eanimpudentsparrow.Shecameontheporchandsmiledatthem.
"Imightaswellbeanoldmaid,"shepouted."Dic isawaynearlyallthetime,lately."
"Good-bye,Jennie,"interruptedherhusband,fearingshemightinnocentlycomplicatematters.
"Don'tletthetrain-robberscatchyouall,"shelaughedastheyheadedacrossthestreet,whereAlpaughwasta entoaroominthehotel,tobeheldincustodyuntiltheSherifffromTombstone,theCountyseat,shouldarrive.
LimberandGrahamwal edtogetherfromthehotel."Gottogetourhorses,"saidtheofficer.
AttheCowboy'sResttheywerejoinedbyothermenwhowerewaiting.LimberflungthesaddleonPeanut,adjustedtheheadstallofthebridleandmounted.
OutonthestreetGrahamrodeuptohim,andLimber'seyesmethis."Whoelse,Tom?"
"Glendon,"wasthereply.
Thecowboytwistedquic lyinhissaddle,hisfacefilledwith
consternation."Howdidhegetin?"
"Don'tas me,"wasthemoodyanswer."Three-fingeredJac madeadyingstatementandaccusedthemboth;soI'vegottoarresthim.'Tain'tapleasantjobwhenyou've nownthemenforyearsandhavesleptwiththem,sharedchuc andwor edtogether.It'sbadenoughmesswhenthereain'tanywomen,butAlpaughandGlendonhavedecentwives.Whatbusinesshasamanwithafamilygettingintosuchamess,anyhow?"hegrowled,voicingthethoughtsofthemanwhorodebesidehim.
LimberwishedheartilythatPowellwerehomeattheSprings,now.InimaginationhepicturedGlendon'swifealoneattheCircleCrosswithonlyJuanandthedogtosympathizewithherinthisnewtrial;he
regrettedthatGrahamhadselectedhimasoneoftheposse,butitcouldnotbehelpednow.
ItwasaveryquietquartettewhichrodeuptothegateoftheCircleCross.Glendoncamedownthefrontwal .
"Hello,boys!Offonahuntingtrip?"heas edaffably."Getdownandhaveadrin ."
"We'reafteryou,Jim,"saidGrahambluntly."Three-fingeredJac split
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onthegang."
Glendonstartedinsurprise."WhattheDic ensareyoutal ingabout.WhathaveItodowithThree-fingeredJac ?Youmustbejo ing!"Heregardedthemsofran lythattheywondereduncomfortablywhetherthedeadmanhadtoldthetaleinspite,asGlendonhastenedtosuggest.
"IhadtroublewithJac overtwomonthsago,andIsupposethisishiswayofgettingevenwithme."
"Hesaidyouwerewiththemonthefirsthold-up,andthattheyweretobringtheloottoyouthistimeforyoutota ecareofforthem.Iguessit'suptoyoutogoquietly,Jim.Wedon'tgomuchonwhathesaid,butwecan'thelpourselves."
"It'safinepropositionwhenamanstayshomeandmindshisownbusiness,thenfindshe'saccusedofbeingmixedinathingli ethis,"Glendonspo eindignantly."IbetThree-fingeredJac won'trepeatthatstorytomyface."
"Nohewon't,Jim;"returnedGrahamquietly."He'sdead.Hemadehisstatementwhenhe newhewasdying,andcalledthepossetowitnesswhathesaid.Heshottheexpressmessenger;--gotaloadofbuc shothimself."
Glendonshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently."Oh,well,IsupposeI'vegottogo,butyou'reonthewrongtrailthistime,boys.Ihaven'tbeenawayfromhomeforoveramonth,asmywifecantellyou."
Heturnedtowardthehouseasthoughtocallforcorroboration.
"NousedraggingMrs.Glendonintoit,"saidLimber,quic ly."Iguessyoucangetotherwitnessesoutsideofher,ifyouneed'emJim.Itain'tthesortofthingforanywomantobemixedupin,andwedon'twanttoma eitharderforherthanwehaveto."
Theothersnoddedapprovingly;butGlendon'seyesnarrowedandhefaced
Limberinsuddenfury.
"Loo here,Limber,you'reanoldfriend,butdon'tpresumetoofar.I'mnotasbigafoolasyouthin Iam.Youmindyourownbusiness,damnyou!What'smywifetoyouanyhow?YouandPowellhavebuttedinagoodbitinmyfamilyaffairs!"
Limber'sfacewaswhite;hisrighthandflashedtohispistol,thenfellaway.Hiseyesstaredindumbmiserytowardthehouse.TheothermensawKatherineGlendonstandinginthedoorway.Everyheadwasbaredinstantly.Sheunderstoodthatsomethingwaswrong,andanexpressionofdreaddar enedhereyesasshemovedtoherhusband'sside.
"Whatisit,Jim?"sheas ed.
Glendon ic edthegravelbutnooneanswered.Thenashereyesmovedfromfacetoface,sherecognizedLimber.
"Whatiswrong,Limber?"
Thecowpuncher epthiseyesonthehornofhissaddle.HewouldhaveshotGlendonfortheinsultpassed,buthecouldnotforcehimselftotellGlendon'swifetheirmission.
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Grahamcursedinwardly.Glendon'slipsworeanuglysmile,andherefusedtospea .
"Thetrainwasrobbedagainlastnight,Mrs.Glendon,"explainedGraham,atlast."Three-fingeredJac was illed.HemadeastatementaccusingGlendonandAlpaugh.We'reallfriendsofGlendon'sanddon'tbelievethestorywastrue;butwehavetota ehimbac withus.Wecan'thelpourselves."
Katherineheldtightlytothepic etfencewhilethemanwasspea ing.
"Youarema ingaterriblemista e,"shecriedinrelief."Hehasnotbeenawayfromhomeforoveramonth."
"Hetoldusthat,"wastheanswer,"andwe'regladofit,too."
Sheturnedtoherhusband,herhandrestedonhisarm."Jim,tellmeyouareinnocent,andIwillbelieveinyouinspiteofeverything,"sheimplored.
Heglancedsuspiciouslyatthemen."Youforget,Katherine,thesemenwillbewitnessestoeverywordIspea ."
"Wewillrideoffabit,Glendon,butwe'vegottowatchyou,"repliedGraham.Followingtheconstable,therestrodeoutofearshot,leavinghusbandandwifepracticallyalone.
"Areyoumixedupinit,Jim?"
"No;"herepliedboldly,tryingtoloo herintheeyes.Ashisglancewavered,she newthathewaslying,andhe newthatshereadhisguilt.The nowledgerousedhisresentment.
"Jim,behonestwithme,"shebeggedearnestly."Trustme.Nomatterwhathashappened--whatyoumayhavedone,youaremyhusbandandIwillstandbyyou.Tellmethetruth."
"Thereisnothingtogointohystericsover,"heretorted."You nowasmuchabouttheaffairasIdo.You nowIhavenotbeenawayfromhomeforamonth.Ifyouwanttohelpme,asyoupretendyoudo,thatstatementfromyouwillcounteractanythingJac mayhavesaid.Idon'tnowwhetheryourtestimonywouldevenbeadmittedasevidence."
"Icouldsaythattruthfully,"sheanswered;"and,oh,Jim!Iamsothan ful."
"I nowyouhavealreadyaccused,triedandsentencedmeasguilty,"heshruggedhisshouldersandwal edovertothemen."I'llbereadyassoonasIcansaddleup."
Katherinestoodbythegate,numbwiththeshoc ,andasthemenrodepast,theytouchedtheirhats.Sheonlysawthecarelessnodthatherhusbandgaveher,andherodeaway,chattingwiththemen.
MotionlessGlendon'swifewatchedthelasttraceofthedust-cloudfromthehorses'hoofs,then,sheturnedwithdraggingstepsintothehouse.
Afewdayslater,shelearnedthroughJuan,whohadbeentoseeChappo,thatthepossehadcaughtupwiththefleeingbanditsneartheMexican
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border.Theirsurrenderwaseffectedaftertheponiesoftheoutlawshadbeenshotfromunderthem.
Downing,Bur s,Wentzandtwobrothers,namedRowan,constitutedtheremainderoftheband.They,togetherwithAlpaughandGlendon,wereta entotheCountyjailatTombstonetoawaittheirtrial.
ThenanotefromGlendonreachedKatherine.HewantedhertocometoTombstoneatonceandstaythereuntilthetrialwasover.So,leavingJuaninfullcharge,sheobeyedthewishesofthemanshehadmarried.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
Whenthetrialtoo place,thefactthatAlpaughandGlendonhadbeenintheirhomes,andtherebeingnoproofoftheiractualconnectionwiththeattemptedrobbery,merelytheunsupportedstatementofThree-fingeredJac ,auguredtheircompletevindication.
Asthecasewasabouttobeclosed,abombwasthrownbytheprosecutingattorney,whoas edtohaveWentzputonthestandasawitnessforthe
Prosecution.AlpaughandGlendon,withtheirattorneyswerenotpreparedforWentz'evidencewhichcorroboratedthestoryofThree-fingeredJac .Assuredofaverylightsentence,orpossiblefreedom,asresultofhisturningState'sevidence,Wentzmadeacompleteconfessionofhispartinthematter,andtheconvincingdetailsremainedunsha enbythemostseverecross-examinationbythelawyersforthedefence.
AlpaughandGlendon,asthetestimonyprogressedexchangedglancesofconsternation,andtheconfusionoftheirattorneyswasapparentnotonlytoJudgeandjury,butalsotocasualspectatorswhohadnonowledgeofthetwistsoflegalprocedure.Thejurywasoutbutashorttime,andtheverdictof"Guilty"wasnosurprisetoanyonewhowasintheCourtroom.AfewdayslaterGlendonandAlpaugh,togetherwithall
theothersimplicated,weresentencedtotenyearsintheYumaPenitentiary.Publicsentimentapprovedoftheverdict,butmanysympathizingeyesturnedonKatherineGlendon,whosatwhite-faced,atthebac oftheCourtroom.
ShehadremainedinTombstoneduringtheentiretimeofthetrial,andli emanyothers,believedGlendonandAlpaughthevictimsofspiteonthepartofThree-fingeredJac .Toher,theunexpecteddevelopmentwascrushing.Inherheartshefeltitwasthetruth,althoughherhusbandpersistedindeclaringhisandtheconstable'sinnocence.Herowntestimonyhadbeenbriefandconvincing,butinnowayconflictedwiththeminutecircumstancesstatedbyWentzregardingGlendon'sactivities.Infact,itonlyservedtoprovethatGlendonhadplannedaperfect
alibiwithhiswifeasaninnocentaccomplice.
Immediatelyaftertheconviction,Wentzwasgivenhislibertyaspromised.WithhisfirstappearanceafewhourslateronthestreetsofTombstone,theopenthreatsoffriendsoftheconvictedmen,causedhimtohastenbac totheCountyjailandas itsprotectionuntilhecouldarrangetogetawayfromArizonasafely.
Thewardenallowedhimtheprivilege,butwasnotenthusiasticoverit,ashesaid,"Well,Wentz,you'reinafinemess,now.Iwouldn'tchange
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placeswithyouforalot!You'reoutajob,busted,gotnofriendsandhavetoquitthecountry.DernedifIhaven'tgotmorerespectforthosefellowsinthecells!"
Wentzmadenoreply,butslumpeddowninachair,tryingtofiguresomewayoutofhisdilemma,andthewarden,lightingacigar,continuedgrimly,"You'reinthesamefixasthefellerthatsawedthelimboffthetree,whilehewassittingontheendofthelimb."
Theothermanscowled,butheldhistongue.Thiswashisonlyplaceofrefugeatpresent.Eventhosewhohadnosympathyfortheoutlawshadstilllessuseforthemanwhohadbetrayedthem.ThewardenrosewithasmileasKatherineGlendonenteredtheroom.Shehadcometoseeherhusband.Wentz'headdroppeduntilheheardtheirretreatingstepsinthecorridor.
"IsthereanythingIcando?"Katherineas edalmosthopelessly,asshesatinthecelltal ingtoGlendonwhentheywerealone.
"Gohome,"commandedGlendon."There'snousehangingaroundhereanymore.Forbes,ourlawyer,saysthattherailroadcompanystretchedapointinhavingtheindictmentread'interferingwiththeUnitedStatesmail.'Noonetouchedthemailcar.Therailroadcompanynevercouldhavewon,andthat'swhytheymadeitaFederalcase.Itwasaputup
joballaround,andWentzstoodinwiththerailroadpeopletogetus.""WhyshouldThree-fingeredJac haveaccusedyou?"sheutteredathoughtthathadpuzzledher.
"Well,youseeIhadarowwithhiminWillcoxthelasttimeIwasinthere,"Glendonrepliedglibly,thenhurriedtoadd,"Now,seehere,Katherine,you'vegotachancetohelpme,andnooneelsecandoit.Willyoustandbyme?IswearthatifIgetoutofthistroubleyouwillhavenofurthercausetoreproachme.IhavedoneafewdecentthingssinceImarriedyou.Notmany,butcan'tyourememberthatIletyoueepDonnieinsteadofsendinghimtofather,asIhadalegalrighttodo?"
"Yes,Jim!Iwillneverforgetit!Butevenwithoutthat,Iwoulddomyutmosttohelpyou,becauseyouarethefatherofmyboy."
"You'reabric ,Katherine!Now,seehere,Iwantyoutocirculateapetitionformypardon,afterthefirstexcitementhasdieddownandIhaveshownmyselfamodelprisoner.Youwillhavetogetacertainnumberofnames,asthepetitionhastogotoWashington,becauseitwasaFederalcase.TheGovernoroftheTerritoryhasnojurisdictionoverit.Youwon'trefusetodothisforme,willyou?Everyoneisagainstmenow,andifyoufailme,Ishallta eadvantageofthefirstopportunityto illmyself."
"Jim,haveIeverfailedyouyet?"sheas edsimply.
"No;you'vebeenalongwaytoogoodforme,"heanswered,"andifIcangetthissquared,I'llshowyouhowIappreciateyouandwhatyouhavedone."
Despitehispromises,sheleftthejailwithaheavyheart, nowinghiswea andvacillatingcharacter,andfeelingthathisprotestationswerenottoberec onedseriously.But,shealso newthatwhenthetimecame,shewouldhelpinanywayshewasable.Sohusbandandwife
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parted,andthewomanreturnedtotheCircleCrossranchthefollowingday.
JuanandTattersmetherwithdelight.TheoldMexicanhoveredaboutherindumbsympathy.AletterfromDonniewasfullofhischildishinterests.Thetouchofthebadlyscrawledpagescomfortedherasthoughthechild'shandswerelaidonherown.Afeelingofthan sgivingsurgedoverher,thattheboywasawaywhereno nowledgeoftheshadowintheirhomecouldcloudhiseyes.
WhentheMexicanstoodinthedoorofthe itchen,sayinginhisliquid,nativetongue,"Buenosnoches,Señora"(Goodnight),sherememberedthatshecouldnot eeptheman,therewassolittlemoneyleftnow.
GentlysheexplainedthesituationtoJuan.Thebewilderedexpressiononhisfacesuddenlychangedtoeagerness.
"Señora,Ihavesavedupmoney.Eetisforbothofus.Someday--mañana--youpaymebac ."
"Icannotuseyourmoney,Juan."Hervoicetoldhowtheoffertouchedher."Imustloo outforthecattlemyself,thereisnotenoughtopayyouwages."
"Youhavefrijoles,no?"demandedJuan."Eetisenough.Istay!"ThematterwasendedbyJuanhurryingfromtheroombeforeshecouldprotestfurther.EachtimeduringthefollowingdayswhenKatherinebroachedthesubject,Juanevadedtheissuebyhavingimportantwor ,andKatherineunabletodootherwise,lettheirlivessettleinaroutinethatpromisedtostretchintoyears.
ShemadeonemoretriptoTombstoneafterthesentencehadbeenpassed.Glendoninstructedheraboutcirculatingthepetition,butbadeherwaituntilfourorfivemonthsafterhehadbegunservinghisterm.Shelefthiminhiscell,carryingwithheranundefinableimpressionofamanwhomshedidnot now;foralreadyshesensedasubtlechange.
Thedaybeforetheconvictedmenweretobetransportedtothepenitentiary,Glendonlayonhisbun inhiscell,wonderingwhetherhisplanswouldfailorsucceed.Hewasplayingforhighsta es;tolosemeantforfeitinghislife.
Panchitahadcalledatthejailseveraltimessincethetrial,ostensiblytoselltamalestotheprisonersandtheirguards.InnowayhadtheMexicangirlbeenidentifiedwiththetrain-robbers,soheractionscreatednosuspicion.ShemanagedtoletGlendonunderstandthatshewasreadytoco-operateinanyplanshemightma e.
Hehadgivenuphisoriginalideaofhopingtowinapardon,whichif
obtained,wouldonlymeanbeingfinanciallypenniless,andbrandedasafelon.Themorehethoughtofthealternative,themorealluringitbecame.
Panchitahadtoldhimthatthemoneyfromthefirsttrainhold-up,wassafelysewninabustlemadeofnewspaperswhichsheworeconstantly.Shehadwhisperedthiswhilehepretendedtojo eanddic erfortamales.Tonight,therewouldbelittlesteelsaw-bladesinthetamalesshewastobringforhissupper.Inordertodisarmanysuspicion,shehadlaughinglypromisedtobringtamalesforallofthem,becausethey
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weregoingontheirlongjourneythenextmorning.Thewardenhadgivenconsent,especiallyasshehadpromiseddoubleallowanceforhimsothathecouldta ethemhometohiswife.
Glendon newthatoncehepossessedthosetinysaws,hecouldcutthebarsofhiscellbeforemorning.Panchitawouldbewaitingwithapony,andlatershewouldfollowtoMexicowheretheywouldmeet.Hehadnofearofherfailinghim, nowingherinsanejealousyofhiswife.
Heroseandpacedthefloornervously,astheafternoonwaned.Fiveo'cloc passed--half-pastfive--thenthecloc inthesheriff'sroomstruc six.Thejailerpassedthebarreddoor.
"Say,"calledGlendon,"hasn'tthattamalegirlbeenaroundyet?Shepromisedtogiveusallatamalesuppertonight,you now.Celebratingourjourney."
"She'sdead,"answeredthejailer,stoppingatthedoor."Theplacewhereshewasstayingcaughtfirelastnight.Itwasaframeshac ,andtherestallgotoutexcepther.Shewasn'tburntbutsmotheredinthesmo e."
"That'stoughluc ,"saidGlendon,tryingtoappearcareless."Wasitmuchofafire?"
"No,theygotitoutinhalfanhour."
"Wasshelivingwithherfol s?"Glendonwasstrivingnottobetrayhisdisappointmentandanxiety,buthefeltli espringingatthejailerandcho ingthetruthfromhislips.Panchitawasdead--butwherewasthemoney?
"SheboardedwithaMexicanfamily,andtheydidn't nowanythingexceptshecameherelatelyandsoldtamales.Shewasma ingtamaleslastnightjustbeforetheyallwenttobed."
"Whota eschargeofthebodyandpropertyinsuchcases?"
"Oh,theCountyburiesthemandburnsuptheiroldduds.TheseMexwomenneverhavenothing!Funnything,though,aboutthat,"hepausedtocoaxacigarthatfailedtodrawproperly."Gosh!That'saran cigar!"heejaculatedta ingitfromhismouthandregardingitindisgust,whileGlendon'sfingerstwitched."Igavetwobitsforit,too."
"Youweresayingsomethingaboutthetamalegirl'sduds.Whatwasthejo e?"
"Oh,yes";thejailerresumed,laughing."Yousee,thereisaMexicanwomanthatlivesinthesameshac andshewor sformywife.Doeswashing.Shehadsomeofourclothesthereandsocameuptoexplain
thatshecouldn'tgetthemdoneupontime.Shetoldmywifeallaboutthefire,andthatthegirlhadonlyanolddressandablac shawl,butafinepairofhigh-heeledslippersandsil stoc ings,and--ha!ha!ha!abustlemadeoutofnewspapers.Canyoubeatthat?Gottobeinstyle,someway."
Glendon'seyesflic eredandhecaughthisbreathquic ly.
"Funnycombination,wasn'tit?Butallwomenfol sareali e.Ifoneof
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themrigsupsoshehasahumponherbac li eacamel,alltheothersbrea theirnec sfixinguphumps.Iftheywerebornthatway,itwouldeepthedoctorsbusyoperatingtogetridof'em."
Glendonstretchedhisfaceinanefforttosmile,butthemuscleswerealmostrigid.
"Well,"continuedthenarrator,enjoyinghisownstory,"afterthebodywasta enaway,thisoldwashwomanandanotheronestartedtocleanuptheplace,andpic ingaroundtheyfoundthethings.Theygottoscrappingoverthestoc ingsandshoes,thatwastoosmallforeitherofthemtowear.Buttheyneverletuptilltheyhad'emtoretopieces.Theoldwomanwascryingwhenshetoldaboutit.Mywifealmosthadhystericswhenshetoldmethestory."
Glendonpretendedtoenjoythejo ehugely.Thenafterashortperiod,heas ed,"Butwhatdidtheydowiththebustle?Whogotthatsouvenir?"
"Oh,theyburntthatup.Itwasjustoldnewspapers.Nobodywantedthat.Mywifeas edaboutit,becauseshethoughttheoldwomanmightbewearingitherself.Sothat'swhynoneofusgotourtamalestonight!"themanconcludedashemovedawayfromthecelldoor.
Glendonthrewhimselfonthebun ,cursinghisill-luc .
"Seventythousandgoneupinsmo e!"hemuttered,nevergivingathoughttothegirlwhohadris edeverythingforhissa e.Hisonlyregretwasthatherinopportunedeathinterferedwithhisplansforescape.Hisformerpassionforthewomanturnedtoresentment.
"Paddy'smoneyissafe,"hemeditatedashelaystaringatthewall."IfIcouldonlygetout!"
HislasthopelayintheslimpossibilitythatKatherinemightbeabletoobtainapardonforhim,thenhecouldgetPaddy'smoneyandgotoSouthAmerica.Butsuchapardonwouldta emonthstoaccomplish.Glendongotupandwal edthelengthofhiscell, ic ingthewallwhen
hereachedtheendoftheroom.Cursesrosetohislips.ThewallinfrontofhimremindedhimofthegrimgreywallsoftheArizonaPenitentiary,andhefeltthatifhecouldonlygetWentzbythethroatandcho ehimslowlytodeath,hewouldbewillingtogotothePenitentiaryforlife.But--Wentzwasfree.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
Wentz,hoveringinthecorridoroftheTombstonejail,hadoverheardthe
conversationbetweenthejailerandGlendon.With nowledgeofPanchita'sdeath,Wentzrealizedthathisownplanswereinchaos.Glendon'snonchalantattitudeatthenewsconfirmedWentz'sbeliefthatGlendon newwherethemoneyhadbeenconcealedbytheMexicangirl.
"IfGlendonwerefree,"Wentzmuttered,"hewouldprobablygetthemoneyatthefirstopportunity.Theremaybeachanceafterall."
Deepinthought,hereturnedtotheroomwherethejailerwaitedforthedeputytorelievehimthathemightgohometosupper.Wentzpic edupa
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newspaperandbegantoread.Thedeputyenteredtheroom,andnoddedtothejailer,whoexchangedafewcasualwordswithhimanddeparted.Wentzhadgreetedthenew-comer,butacurtnodhadbeentheonlyresponse.
ThecurseofJudaswasuponWentz.Sincethetrialnoneofthemenhehadbetrayedwouldspea tohim,andtheireyeswerethreatening.Othermeninthejail,officialsaswellasprisoners,heldhiminopencontempt.Outsidewerethosewhomadedirethreatsofvengeance.Wentzenviedhisformercomradesandbegantofeelthathewouldrathersharetheirpunishmentthanfacehisownblac future.Hewaswithoutmoney.NoplaceinArizonawouldharbouratraitor;nomanwouldtrusthimorholdoutahandincomradeship.Therailroadwouldgivehimwor ,sohewouldnotstarve,butlifewouldbeunbearable.Ifhemadehiswaytoanothersection,itwouldmeanwithoutacentinhispoc et,nocredit,nowor .Ifhecouldonlyfindwherethatundividedmoneyfromthefirsthold-uphadbeenhidden,thenhecouldlaughatthemall.
Thedeputyhadpic edupaboo .Yawningandstretching,Wentzdroppedhispaper,thenrisingslowlywal edalongthecorridor.HereachedGlendon'scell,pausedandcalled,"Hello,Glen!"
Thefigureonthebun turnedheavily,andGlendon'sbloodshoteyesglaredinfuryathisformercomrade.Heutterednoword.Witha
peculiarexpressionWentzreturnedtotheoffice.Thedeputyglancedupcarelessly,andresumedhisreading.Wentzpassedbac ofhimand,withaswiftmovement,snatchedtheman'spistolfromtheholsterthathungonhiship,andstruc himastunningblowonthehead.Thedeputydroppedtothefloor.Tyingandgagginghim,Wentzsecuredthe eys,thenranrapidlyalongthecorridor,unloc ingthedoorofeachcelluntilhereachedGlendon's.
"Getup,Glen!Hurry!"
Alreadytheescapingprisoners,includingAlpaughandtheothertrain-robbers,wererushingpast.Glendonleapedtohisfeetbewildered.
"You--"
"Don'twastetime,youfool!Someonemaycome!"saidWentz,pullingGlendonthroughthedoorand eepingcloseathisheelsastheyreachedthestreet,havingstoppedonlytopic upgunsandcartridgesintheroomwherethedeputy,nowconsciousbuthelpless,watchedtheprocessionofescapingprisoners.
Anumberofcowponiesweretiedtothehitching-postsinthestreets,asisusual,whiletheirownerswereabouttown,oreatingsupper.Thesewerehastilymountedbytheoutlaws.ThepresenceofanumberofhorsemengallopingthroughthestreetsofTombstonewastoocommonasightattheCountyseattocausecuriosityorcomment.Theescaping
prisonersbro eintosmallgroupsandlefttownindifferentdirections,toavoidanysuspicion.
Thefugitiveshadanotheradvantageintheunusualdar ness,notonlybecauseofthehour,but,also,ofthegatheringblac cloudsthatpresagedastormatanymoment.So,eventhosewhomighthaverecognizedthemeninthedaytime,wouldbeapttopassthemwithoutasecondglanceinthedimlight.
Whenthejailerreturnedfromsupperanhourlateranddiscoveredwhat
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hadhappened,apossewasformedwithoutdelay.Itdividedintoseveralparties,thatallroadsmightbecoveredassoonaspossible;otherwisethedar nessandapproachingstormwouldma epursuitpracticallyimpossibleuntilmorning.Bythattimeanytrailmadebythehorsesofthefleeingmen,wouldbecompletelyobliterated,shoulditrain.
Thebandheadedbythefuriousdeputywhohadbeenthevictimofthetreachery,finallycaughtsightofWentzandGlendon,whowere eepingtogether;andarapid-fireduelbeganbetweenthepursuersandprisoners.Thegaitofthehorses,theuncertainlight,andtheinterveningroc sabouttheoutlyingdistrictofTombstone,allfavouredthefugitives.AbulletbroughtdownthehorseWentzwasriding,pinningthemanunderitasitfell.Hestruggleddesperatelytofreehimself.Seeingcapturewasinevitable,thetraitorliftedhispistoltohisownhead--andthepossesawaflash.
Glendon,inadvanceofWentz,heardtheshotandloo edbac .Thensomethingstruc hislegandhefeltthebloodoozingdownintohisboot.Ratherthangiveupnow,hedeterminedtofollowWentz'exampleanduseabulletonhimself.
Aheadofhimrosehugeboulders,loomingli egigantictombstones.Oncehecouldattaintheirshelter,itwouldbealmostimpossibleforthepossetocatchhim,ortota eaccurateaim.Thehorsehewasriding
respondedtothehammeringoftheman'sheels--hehadnowhiporspurs.Atlasthereachedtheshelteroftheroc sanddartedincirclesfromonetotheother, eepingthembetweenhimselfandanychancebullets.Bydegrees,thesoundsofshotsdiedaway,thevoicesofhispursuersceased.He newhehadoutwittedthemforthenight;buttherewasnotimetolosebeforedawn.
Whenhehadpressedonacoupleofmiles,hepulleduphishorseandslippedtotheground,layinghisearagainstthewetearthwhilehelistenedintently.Buttheonlysoundheheardwastherumbleofdistantthundergrowinglouderandlouder.Bac ofhimthes ywasin yblac ,puncturedatshortintervalswithzigzagstrea sofdazzlinglight.The
stormwasalreadyuponthetownfromwhichhehadescaped.
Withasighofrelief,heexaminedthewoundinhisleg.Itwassuperficial.Glendontoreasleevefromhisshirtandbandagedthewound.Then,mountingthepantinghorse,hedoubledbac onhistrailforamileandmadeacutacrossthemountainsatapointwherenoonebutanApachehadeverdaredtocross,exceptindaylight.
Thistrailhadnotbeenusedforalongtime.Glendon newthedangerofit;butdeathinthemountainsatthebottomofagully,waspreferabletotheYumaPenitentiaryfortenyears,orlonger.
Bymorningtherainwouldhavecompletelyobliteratedhistrac s,and
thepossewould,nodoubt,continuetheirsearchinthedirectiontheyhadlastseenhimfollowing.Herealizedtherewasanotherdanger.HewastryingtoreachtheCircleCross.TheauthoritieswouldprobablytelegraphtoWillcoxandapossebestartedfromthatpointtoHotSprings.HemustreachtheCircleCross,getclothes,foodandafreshhorsebeforeanyoneelsecouldma ethatranch.Butfirst,therewassomethingelsetodo.
Histhoughtswereinterruptedbythestormbrea ingoverhishead.Thereverberatingthunder,incessantflashesoflightningandshrie ingwind
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soundedasthoughallthefiendsofthenetherworldwere eepingpacewithhim,rejoicingathisescapeandconspiringtoaidhim.Acrossthebac boneoftherangeheurgedhisfrightened,stumblinghorse.FivemilesfromtheCircleCross,Glendonhaltedandsatpeeringinalldirectionswhenaflashilluminatedthebrushandtrees.Hehadnofearofpursuersnow,buthewassearchingforoneparticulartree,anditwashardtoidentifyinthefitfulglare.
Atlasthefoundit,dismountedandtiedhishorse.ThenfromtheunderbrushGlendondraggedarustyshovelandbegantodig.Thegroundwassoftfromrecentrains,buthepausedfrequentlytowipethebeadsofperspirationthatmingledwiththeraindashingintohiseyes.
"Ididn'tputitsodeep,"hemuttered,plyingtheshovelmorerapidly."Iwonderifsomeoneelsehasfoundit!"
Arustlinginthetreescausedhimtostraightenupsuddenlyandwithastartledjumpheglaredaboutonallsides.Thelightningshowedonlythewavingbranches,thepouringrainandthewind-whippedbushes.
Histonguelic edhislips."God!IwishIhadadrin !Mynerve'sallshottopieces!"Hedugfuriously."It'sluc yIcaughtoldPaddyburyingthismoney.Thatgavemeachancetogettheoldfooloutofthewaywithoutsuspicion.EvenAlpaughwasinthedar aboutthat.He'sas
bigafoolastherest.Damn'em.Whydidn'ttheyblowoutThree-fingeredJac 'sbrainsbeforetheylefthimthere!"
Stillhedug,andtherainhammereddownwhilethewindwhistledandscreamedaroundhim.Theshovelstruc adeeprootofthetree.SomethingbrushedagainstGlendon'sface.Withascreamoffrighthedroppedtheshovelandrantothesnortinghorse.Glendon'seyesstaringintothedar nesspicturedPaddy'ssardonicfaceinthebushes,andbacofPaddywasoldDoctorKing,loo ingathimwithinfinitepity.Glendon'sarmwentacrosshisfaceasthoughshieldinghimself,andhisfootwasthrustintothestirrupofhissaddle.Thehorsemovedafewpaces,thenGlendonloo edbac ,andjer edviolentlyonthereins.Heliftedhisfistandshoo itatthegloom,shoutingwildly,"Damnyou!
Youcan'tfrightenmeaway!I'llhaveitinspiteofyouandHeavenandHell!"
Heleapedfromhissaddleandgrabbedtheshovel,cursingasheresumedhiswor untilhefoundthecanvassbagswiththeburiedmoney.Unabletocramthesac sintothesaddlepouches,hetoreoffthestringsofthebagsandpouredthegoldintotheleathersaddlepouchesoneithersideofthehorse.Oncemorehemounted,butashefacedthetrailtotheCircleCrossheshoutedatthenic eringshadows,"Damnyou!I'vegotit!"Thenherodeonhisway.
"It'llta efourhoursyetforanypossetoreachtheCircleCrossfromWillcox,"hesaid,leaninglowonthesaddletoavoidthelashofthe
windandtherain."There'llbeabigfloodatHotSprings.I'llhavetoleavethisgoldwithKatherine.It'stooheavytopac andtoobigaris .I'llta eacoupleofhourstorestandgetready.ThenIcanhitthetrailfortheborder.EasytodoafterIgetawayfromhereandacrosstheWillcoxflats.I'llta eFox.Hehasnobrandsonhim.Mysaddle'sattheranch,too--That'llgetridofthishorseandsaddle--They'llallbeloo ingforthisoutfitnow.WithFoxandsomemoney--Icanma emywaywithoutanytrouble,onceIgetclearoftheflats.Imustcrossbeforedawn--orhideinthemountainstilltomorrownight,thencross.Sixtymilestotheborder--thenIamsafe!"
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Athoughtofhiswifeintruded."Isupposeshewillbal at eepingthegold,"hemuttered,"butshewillhavetodoit!ThereisnooneelseIcantrustwithit.Iwon'tstandanynonsensenow.She'llhavetodowhatItellher,byGod!"
HehadnofearofJuan, nowingtheMexican'sdog-li edevotiontoKatherine.Beside,theMexicancouldnotreachanyplacetogiveanalarmuntilafterGlendonwaswelluponhisway.Katherine'sexaggeratedsenseofdutywould eephersilent,nomatterwhatmighttranspire.Everythingwaspropitious.
Hishandwentbac andpattedthewetleatherofthesaddle-bagsthatheldtenthousanddollarsingold,andhislipstwistedinasneer,"Youoldfool,Paddy!Youthoughtitwassafe!"
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
Limber,whohadbeenacrosstheGaliurosridingtheSulphurSpringsValleyforacoupleofdays,decidedtogohomebythewayofWillcox
insteadofcuttingoverthemountaintrail,ashewasanxioustohearfromDoctorPowelltowhomhehadwrittenaboutthehold-upandtrial.PowellwasinNewYor intendingtosailforEuropewithinafewdays.
AsthecowboycameoutoftheChineserestaurant,afterhavingeatensupper,Jac Green,thestationagent,hailedhim.
"Hello,Limber!There'sbeenatelegramattheofficetwodaysforyou,butIhadn'tanychancetosenditoutyourway.Iguessit'llbeli etheIrishman'sletter,foritwastoletyou nowthatthedoctorwascoming.Hearrivedthisafternoon,andItoldhim."
"Ishehere?"as edLimbereagerly.
"No.HegotahorseatthecorralandwentrightouttoHotSprings.Saidhewantedtoseeyouassoonaspossible."
"SorryImissedhim.Icameinthin in'I'dhearfromhim.SoI'llgetoutassoonasPeanut'shadacouplehours'rest."
Theywal edacrossthestreettogether.AsGreenopenedthedoorofthestation,heheardthetelegraphinstrumentcallinginsistently.
"Justaminute,tillIta ethiscall,"hesaid,seatinghimselfatthetable.Asthemessagebegancominginrapidly,Green'sfacewasstartled.Hejumpedupasheclosedthemessage,turningtoLimber.
"Thewholebunchoftrain-robbersandalltheotherprisonersintheTombstonejailareloose.Wentzdidit.TheywantapossetostartatonceforHotSprings."
HeandLimberstartedrapidly."Theythin GlendonwilltrytoreachtheCircleCross,andprobablyotherswillbewithhim.I'vegottoseetheconstableandJudgeatonce."
Greendarteddownthestreet.LimberhurriedtotheCowboy'sRestand
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saddledPeanut.
"Goin'tobeabigstorm,"saidBuc board."Whydon'tyoulayovertillmornin',Limber?"
"IbeenattheDiamondH,"LimberrepliedasheslippedtheheadstalloverPeanut'sears."ImissedDoctorPowellandwanttogetouttotheranchtonight."
Heledhisponyfromthestallashespo e.
"WaitaminuteandI'lllendyouaslic er,"offeredBuc board,disappearinginhissleepingquartersandreturningwiththeunwieldy,yellow,water-proofcoat.
"Won'tyouneedit,yourself?"
"Igotanotherinthebun house.Youcansenditbac whenit'shandy."
Limberthan edhimandtieditacrossthebac ofhissaddle,glancingupatthethreatenings y."GuessI'llneeditbeforelong,"hesaid,ridingtothegate."Muchobliged.Solong!"
HeturnedPeanut'sheadtothePointoftheMountains,northwestof
town,passingtheOTranchfivemilesout.Thenhestruc theroadtoHotSprings,whichlaythirty-fivemilesnorthofWillcoxonaroadthatwastotallyinvisible,now.Limberdidnothesitatetourgehisponyintoaswiftgallop,forhe newhecouldrelyonPeanut'swonderfulinstincttocarryhisridersafely.
"Ifwe inreachtheSpringsbeforeGlendondoes,"thecowboyspo etohispony,andthetaperingearswentbac atthesoundofthevoicePeanut newandloved,"We inwarnGlentheposse'scomin'so'she ingitawayintime.She'dhadenoughtroubleswithoutbeingthartoseehimget illedor illsomebodyelse,Peanut.Thar'sgoin'tobeshootin'iftheyfindGlen!"
Steadilytheponyswungalong,andthestormbeatdownonthemmercilessly.Theconstantflashesoflightningrevealedastreamofrunningwaterwheretheroadbed,worndeeplybywagonwheelsandhoofsofteams,leftahighridgeinthecentre.Peanut,withgoat-li eagility eptonthetopofthisridge.Itwastheonlysolidgroundvisible.Allelsewasaswamp.
TheroadhadneverseemedsolongtoLimberaswhenatlast,theponyslippeddownintothemouthoftheHotSpringsCañon.
"Sevenmilesmore,Peanut!"
ItwastheonlywaytoreachtheSpringsorCircleCross.Duringthedry
season,therewasnowaterinthebedofthecree ,astheHotSpringsCree seepedintothegroundashortdistancefromtheranchhouse,andthelittlestreamwasusuallyonlytwoorthreefeetwideandafewinchesdeep.Owingtotheimmensewatershedofthecañon,arainofshortdurationoftenmadecrossingimpossible.Theban softhecreerosefifteenfeet,ormore,perpendicularlyfromconstantfloods,andoftentheseban swereover-running.
This nowledgewasthebasisofLimber'shopeaswellashisanxiety.Ifhecouldcrossthecree beforetheflood,thatverythingmightprove
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anobstacletotheposse,andgiveGlendonachancetogetagoodstart.Ifthefloodwasaheadofhim,thecowboy newhewouldhavetowaitandloseanyopportunityofseeingGlendonfirst.Thentheothermenwouldbetherewithhim.
Helistenedintently.Asthesoundhefeared--asmotheredroar--reachedhisears,heleanedforwardinhissaddle,andPeanutstartedwithasnortattheunusualtouchofthesharpspurs.
Itwasaraceforlifenow.Limber newhemustreachtheonespotinthecañonwherehisponycouldscrambleupthesheeremban menttotheupperroadbeforethefloodcouldcatchthem.Stumbling,panting,theponytoreovertheroc sandfallentreesthathadbeenwasheddowninpreviousfloods,andcrashedamongdeadlimbsinthedar ness.Peanutfellheavilytohis nees,butstruggledupinstantly,whileLimberspurredandcalled,"Yip!Yip!Yip!Peanut!Goon,yourascal!"
Thepony'searswereflattenedbac .He newthedanger,now.Thenoiseofapproachingwatergrewlouder.Watchingforthenextflashoflightning,Limber'seyesmeasuredthedistancebetweenhimselfandthepointwheretheroadstruc sharplyupthesteepinclinethatledtosafety.Withthesameglance,hesawthewallofseethingwatertumblingclosetothecrossing.Couldtheyreachitintime?
Thesoundsbecameadeafeningroar,andPeanutflagged.Limberleanedoverhisshoulderandspo etohim,andatthesoundofthelovedvoice,thelittleponymadeanothereffort.Withaconvulsiveleaphereachedtheslopeoftheroadandscrambledwildlytosafety,thenstoppedwithlowdroopingheadandquiveringlimbs.Limberjumpedfromthesaddleandwenttothepony'shead,puttinghisarmovertherain-soa ednec ,thecowboystro edthemaneandforeloc .Theycouldrestnow.Nolivingthingcouldcrossthatcañonuntilthestormceasedandthefloodsubsided.
Asthelightningflashed,Limberwatchedthefloodsweepbelow,carryinggreatcottonwoodtreesli estraws,andover-turningimmensebouldersasiftheyweremarbles.
ManandponyhadriddenagainstDeaththatnight,andPeanuthadwontherace.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
Katherinewasloo ingoutthewindowatthestorm-sweptcañon.JuanhadriddentotheSanPedrothatmorning.Hefiguredthathemightwor upatradeoftwounbro encoltsforagentlewor horse.Thenwhenhewas
compelledtoma eatriptotownwiththeteam,Katherinecoulduseherownpony,Fox,tocareforthecattleontherange.
Asthefuryofthestormincreased,sheclosedtheheavyshutterstoprotecttheglasswindowsfromthebranchesthatwerebro enandflungviolentlyagainstthelittlehouse.Thestormontheoutsideseemedemblematicofherlife.Yetsherememberedthatitwouldpassandthesuncreepgentlyintotheplaceswherethebruisedthingshadbeenbeatendown,andbydegreesthebeautywouldberestored.
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Lightingthelamp,sheseatedherselfatthetableanddrewalettertowardher.Inthestressofeventsfollowingherhusband'sillnessandPaddy'ssubsequentmurder,thepublicationofherverseshadpassedfromhermemory.ManymonthshadelapsedbeforeKatherinehappenedtopic upthemagazineinwhichherpoemwasprinted.Li easeedthathadlaindormant,waitingtheproperseasontogerminate,roseanimpulsetotellthethoughtsthatsurgedwithinher.Inthismoodshehadwrittenastoryofthelittleranchinthelonelycañon,andthethingsthatmadelifeforthewomanlivingtherewiththeoldMexican,thedogandthemountains.
Hesitatingly,shehadsentthestorytoamagazine;ithadbeenacceptedandtheeditorhadwrittenapleasantnotetoher,as ingformoreofherwor .Theletteropenedaworldofpossibilities.Notthatshedreamedofleapingintofameandfortuneasawriter;butbecauseitgaveheremptylifeanobject.Ingraspingatastraw,shehadfoundafriendlyhandthatdraggedherfromtheblac wavesofdespairandpointedabeaconlight,encouraginghertostruggleon.Thewaywasnolongerlonely;itwaspeopledbyun nownfriendswithwhomshecouldsharethoughtswhichhadbeensuppressedforyears.
ThelegacyreceivedfromherauntwouldamplyprovideforDonnie'seducationuntilhewasabletoassisthimself;shecouldremainontheranchwitholdJuan,caringfortheremnantoftheCircleCrossherd,
whichwouldfurnishwhattheyneeded,withthehelpofthegarden-patch,chic ensandacow.Ifshecouldsellafewstories,Donniecouldspendhissummervacationswithher.
"Tenyears,"shethought,ashamedofthe nowledgethatitmeantpeaceunspea able."Tenyears--andthen?"
Forcingthethoughtfromher,shetoo thesecondletterfromitsenvelope.ItwasfromGlendon'sfather,reiteratinghisoffertota etheboyandeducatehim.ThetoneoftheletterwasthesameasthefirstonehehadwrittenhissonaboutDonnie.Itwasagrim,hardletter.Katherine,readingbetweenthelines,feltnoresentment;sherealizedtheoldman's eendisappointmentinhisonlyson,andher
heartcriedoutinsympathy.
Soshewrote,than ingherhusband'sfatherexplainingcourteouslyaboutthelegacyprovidingfortheboy'seducation,andstatingthatshewouldremainattheranchuntilsuchtimeasherhusbandreturnedtoit.
Havingsealedtheletter,shesatidlylisteningtothestorm,whenanoc onthedoorstartledher.ShethoughttherewasnooneintheneighbourhoodexceptherselfandoldChappoattheHotSpringsranch,andshewonderedwhatcouldhavebroughthimoutinsuchanight.Asecond noc soundedbeforesheopenedthedoor,holdingitwithdifficultyagainstthewind,hereyesblindedbythedar nessofthenight,andtherainbeatingacrossthethreshold.
"Isthatyou,Chappo?"shecalledabovethenoiseofthestorm.
"Katherine!"
HereyesbecametragicandherfacewhiteasPowellenteredtheroom.
"You?"shewhispereddoubtinglyandyetwithalittlethrillofgladnessinhervoice.
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Hegraspedhercoldhands,loo ingeagerlyintoherface.
"Youpoorchild!"Onlythreewords,buttheyseemedtocoverherwithwarmthandprotection.Thensheremembered,anddrawingherhandsfromhis,san tremblingintoachair,whilePowellstoodbyherside.Agreathappinessilluminedhisface,forhehadcaughttheloo inhereyesandhadheardthenoteinhervoice.
"Itriedtostayaway,"hesaidatlast."IthoughtIcouldblotyououtofmylife,butIcouldnot.IwasinNewYor whenLimber'sletterreachedme,tellingaboutthehold-up,trialandconviction.Itoo thefirsttrainhome.Iftheletterhadbeenadaylater,IshouldhavebeenonmywaytoEurope.Youwillnever nowwhatitmeant,picturingyoualoneherewiththisnewtroubletobear."
"Don't!"pleadedKatherine."Doyourealizewhathashappened?"
"I nowthatthelawhasta enitcoursejustly,"repliedPowell."Glendon'sconvictionissufficienttojustifyyourappealforadivorce.Nofurthersacrificeisnecessaryonyourpart.Surelyyouwillnothesitate,now?"
"Hehasnooneelse,"sheansweredslowly,"Thereforemyobligationistheheavier."
"Noobligationisdueamanli ehim.HehasheapedindignityandsufferingonyouandDonnie.Youcannotpointoneredeemingtraitinhischaracter."
"Heismyhusband.Onlydeathcancancelthatobligation."
"Heisacursetohumanity,"Powell'svoicevibratedwithemotion."Evenshouldyouremainhereuntilheserveshistime,itwillameanamorehideouslifeafterhereturns.EitherDonniewillsuccumbtohisfather'sinfluence,andyouwillhavetwobrutestocopewith,ortheboywillhatehisfather,andsomedayGlendonwill illDonnieorDonniewill illhisfather.Youhavenorighttoforcesuchasituationonthe
boy,tofacesuchafutureforyourself."
Katherinestoodbeforehim,herhandstightlyloc edtogethertocontrolthetrembling,shedidnotanswer,buttheloo inhereyestoldthatsherealizedthetruthofhiswords.Powellwasovercomewithcompunctionandtenderness.Hishandswerelaidgentlyonhers.
"Pleaseforgiveme,"hebegged."Itmaddensmetoseeyouinsuchtroubleand nowIampowerlesstohelpyou.TheonlygiftIcraveoflifeistheprivilegetoserveandprotectyouandDonnie."
Sheliftedhereyestothehandsthatwerereachingouttoher,thenhergazerestedonhisface.
"Canyouunderstand,"shesaid,"howahungrybeggarfeelsoutsideinthestormandcold,loo ingintoawarmroomwhereabanquetofrichfoodandwineisspreadbeforehiseyes?Iamstarvingforacrumbofyourlove;yetImustturnawayhungry."
Hestartedtowardherwithacryofjoy,butshemovedfartherfromhim.
"Doyouthin Iwouldhavetoldyou,ifIhadnotbelievedIhadthestrengthtoturnaway?"sheas edinadullvoice."Itismyatonement.
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Itriedsohardtobetruetohim,inspiteofeverything;butatnightyoucametomeinmydreams,andIlivedinanotherworld,tilldawnbroughtmebac hereagain.Oh,whydoesGodletusma esuchterriblemista eswhenHe nowswehaveonlyonelittlelifetolive?Iamtired--sotiredofstruggling!"
Powell newthatitwashermomentofwea ness,andthetemptationwasstronguponhimtourgeher;buthealso newthatnohappinesswouldbelastingunlessshecametohimwithoutashadowofthepastfallingacrosstheirlives.
"Youareright,Katherine,"hesaid,gravely."Ishallnotworryyouanymore.AllIas isthatyouwillrememberIamwaiting,tohelpyouwhenyouneedme."Heliftedherhandtohislipsandthenshewatchedhimpassoutintothestorm.
CHAPTERFORTY
Thewindbeatthewindowsandscreamedli ealivingthinginmaniacalrage;itstruc thedoorandwhippedthetrees,tearingawaybranches
andthrowingthemdownthecañon.Onecrashbarelydiedinthedistantrumblewhenanothercrashsucceeded.Acloud-burstaddedtothewildnessofthescene.
TheflashesthatlitthehugecliffsabouttheCircleCross,revealedarain-soddenfiguremountedonanexhausted,stumblinghorsebac ofthelittleranch-house.Thehorsepic editswayuncertainlyuntilitreachedtheshelterofthestableshed.Glendonslippedstifflyfromitsbac andopeningthedoor,ledtheanimalintoanemptystall.ThehorsestumbledandGlendongaveitavicious ic ashecursedit.
Foxstoppedmunchinghishaytopo eaninquisitivenoseacrossatthestranger,whileGlendonstartedtounbuc lethesaddle-bags.Ashe
liftedthem,hesawasaddledhorseinthestallontheoppositesideofFox.Cursinghisluc ,themantossedthesaddle-bagsbac onthehorsehehadridden,andadjustedthemhastily.Thenhereachedupbehindthehayattheendofthestableandextractedabottleofwhis eywhichhehadputtherejustbeforehisarrest.Afterta ingacoupleofcopiousdrin s,hethrustthebottleintohiscoatpoc etandmountedthehorsewhosestiffenedmovementstoldthatitwasbadlyfoundered.Glendondughisheelsintotheheavingsides,andtheanimalwithlowhanginghead,stumbledwearilythroughthetreesdirectlybac ofthehouse.
Glendonchec edthehorseatapointwherethedenseundergrowthprotectedhim,yetallowedaviewofthehouseandstablesintheflashesoflightning.Hewonderedwhocouldbethereatthathour,
unlessChappowerevisitingoldJuan.Hadtheun nownriderintendedtoremainallnight,thestrangehorsewouldhavebeenunsaddled.Glendonsatshiveringuntilovercomewithcuriosityandthe nowledgethateachmoment'sdelaywasdangerous,hedismounted,tiedhishorseandcreptcautiouslytothesideofthehousewherehepeeredthroughthecreviceofabro enwindowshutter.PossiblysomeonehadalreadyreachedtheCircleCrossfromWillcox,andwasnowwaitingtocatchhimifheappeared.
ThroughtheshutterhesawPowellandKatherine.Thenoiseofthestorm
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deafenedtheirvoices,butthemanoutsidereadthestoryintheirfaces.HesawPowellliftKatherine'shandtohislips.
Glendonstartedinfury.Hereachedforthepistolhehadta enfromthejail;butrememberingthatheneededhiswife'sassistance,decidedthathisvengeancecouldwait.Hewouldletthemango,butthewomanshouldpayforboth.LaterPowellshould nowofit.Glendon'slipstwistedinavicioussmile.
WhenPowellstartedtowardthedoor,Glendonshran againsttheadobewallwherethechimneyjuttedout.Thedoctorpassedhim,enteredthestable,thenGlendonwatchedhimrideswiftlytowardtheHotSprings.Feelingsecurefromotherintruders,Glendonreturnedtothehorseandledittothestablewhereheunsaddledit.Hemadehisplans.Foxhadneverbeenbranded,sowouldnotbeeasilyidentified,andwithhisownsaddlehewouldbefairlysafe,oncehereachedtheMexicanborder.
NoonewouldeversuspectKatherineofhavingthegold,andwhenhefeltsafe,shecouldcometohimwithit.ItwasagoodthingPanchitawasoutoftheway,now.
Hegraspedtheheavysaddlebagsandstaggeredtothedar andsilenthouse.Tatters,hearingtheapproachingsteps,bar edfiercely.Glendontwistedthe nob,butthedoorwasloc ed.He noc edsharply.
"Oneminute,"heheardKatherinecall."Isthatyou,Juan?"
Glendondidnotreply.ThenthedooropenedandKatherine,withabathrobeoverherthinwhitegownandherbarefeetthrustintoapairofshabbylittle idslippers,sawherhusband,drippingfromtherain,brushpastherintotheroom.Tattersranupbutreceiveda ic ,whileGlendondroppedthegold-ladenbagswithadullthudonthefloor.
"Damnthatbrute!"hesnarled."Ma ehimquithisnoiseand eepoutofmywayifyoudon'twanthim illed!"
ThecolliecreptunderthebedandGlendonthrewoffhisstreamingcoat.
"God!Whatanight!"
Katherinestaredathim,dazedanduncomprehending.Heregardedherwithanastysmile.
"Well,youdon'tseemoverjoyedtoseeme,"hesneered."NicewifelyreceptionIget.ThoughtIwasloc edupforgood,Isuppose.Didn'texpectanyvisitorstonight,eh?"
Thesignificanceofhisremar didnotpenetrateherthoughts.Shestoodsilentlyloo ingathim,tryingtounderstandhowhewashere,waitinghisexplanation.
Glendonturnedinrage."Whatdoyoumeanstandingtherestaringli eanidiot?"hedemanded."Thisisnotimetowaste.Getamoveonyou.Iwantsomegrubanddryclothes."
Mechanically,dumbly,shehastenedtoobeyhim.Glendonatethefoodthatshesetbeforehim,thenhefinishedwithseveraldrin sfromthebottleinhispoc et.Thewarmthoftheroombegantoeffecthishead,afterdrin ing;itloosenedhistongue.Thewomanwhowatchedhimwithdeadeyes,madenocomment.
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"Wentz noc edthedeputyoverandtiedhimandopenedthejaildoors,"hebraggedasheate."Theydidn'tfinditoutforsometime,andwhentheysawusitwassodar theycouldnot eeptrac ofmeamongtheroc s.TheyshotWentz'shorseandhe illedhimself.Damnhim!Itservedhimright.Ifhehadheldhistongueatthetrial,AlpaughandIwouldhaveescapedconviction.Thenwecouldhavehelpedthemallaswepromisedtodo.AlpaughandBravoJuan epttogether.I'vegotto eepmoving.Theygotmeintheleg,it'sonlyascratch."
Helimpedacrosstheroomanddraggedthesaddlebagstothetable.Withtremblinghandsheunfastenedthestrapsandletthegoldflowoutinadull,glowingstream,fingeringitcaressingly."Ta ecareofthismoneyuntilIwritetoorsendwordwhereyoucanjoinmewithit;"heordered."I'mgoingtocutacrosstotheMexicanborder;thenwor mywaydowntoSouthAmerica.Anymanspea ingSpanishcangetalongthere.It'sacountrywheretheydon'tas toomanyquestions.There'stenthousanddollars,"heranhishandsoverthecoins."Thatwillgivemeagoodstartdownthere.I'llwriteyouunderthenameofReese,butnotforfiveorsixmonths.I'llhavetocovermytrac sprettywell,ortheFederalofficerswilllocateme.I'llta eFoxandmyownsaddle.Idon'twantJuanto nowI'mheretonight;butafterIleave,youmuststarthimouttotheRimRoc withthehorseIrodetonight.Tellhimtohidethesaddleandshootthehorseands init,andburythehide.
He'lldoanythingthatyouas him,andwon'ttal .""Juansoldyoursaddleafterthetrial.Weneededmoneysobadly,"saidthewomanslowly.
"ThenI'llta eJuan's.Idarenotris usingtheoneIrodetonight,northehorse,either."
"Juanisridinghisownsaddle.Hewon'tbebac forseveraldays.Heistryingtotradesomecolts."
Glendonpacedtheroomcursinghisill-luc ashesawhiscarefullyformedplansdisintegrate.Hebithis nuc lesnervouslyashetriedto
decidewhattodo.KatherineleanedacrossthetableasGlendonpausedandoncemoreranhisfingersthroughthecoins.Sheloo edupandhiseyesmethers.
"Wheredidyougetthatgold,Jim?"sheas edquietly.
"Noneofyourbusiness,"heretorted,deceivedbyhereventones."It'smine--doyouhear?Mine!Nooneelsecanclaimit!"
"Nooneelsecanclaimit,"sheechoed.Thenhereyeswidened."ItisPaddy'smoney!"shecried.
Glendonshruggedhisshoulders."Whatofit?Heburiedhismoneyand
everyone newit.Hehadnoonebelongingtohim.ItisPaddy'smoney!Now,whathaveyougottosayaboutit?"
"Youfoundthatmoneyfirstand illedhimafterwards,"shesaidtensely."Oh!I newtherewassomethingwrongwhenyou illedhim."Sherecoiledinhorror.
"Iwasacquitted,"hefacedherli eatrappedcoyote."Noonecanproveitwasn'tself-defence!You'remywifeandyou'vegottoholdyourtongue!"
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Possiblytherepugnanceinherfacestung,forhereeledtohersidewithanoath.Sheloo edathimunafraidandthe nowledgethathehadnomorepoweroverhergoadedhimtofrenzy.
Hisclenchedfistwasliftedandbroughtdownwithacrashingblowinherface.Shefellagainstthesharpedgeofthewindow-ledge,clingingblindlyasshestruggledtoherfeet,buthe newshewasunconquered.Draggingthepistolfromhisbelt,hehurledtheloadedweaponather.Itstruc thewindowcasingafewinchesaboveherhead,thendroppedtothefloor,theblac compositionhandleshattered,leavingonlythesteelrim,butthecartridgesfailedtoexplode.
Glendonglaredatherasshestoodpantingagainstthewall,herwhitefacecontrastingvividlywiththebloodthatoozedfromcutsoncheeandlip--theeyesthatregardedhimheldnofear.She newthatdeathwasstandingbesideher,butitseemedawelcomefriend,withoutstretched,shelteringarms.
"I'llma eyouunderstandthatyouaremywife,"themanstartedthreateninglytowardher,hishandreachingdowntopic upthepistolonthefloor.Neitherofthemsawthedogwhichhadbeenwatchingfrombeneaththebed,andnowwasdraggingitselfstealthilyforth,itslipstwitching,itseyesblazinginfury.Withasuddenspring,itcaught
Glendon'shandinitsstrong,gleamingteeth.Theman'scursesmingledwithdeep-throatedgrowls,andastheyfought,thewomanstooddumb,unabletomove.Thebloodonherfacedrippedslowlyonthewhitegown.Therewasashot,andGlendonrosetohisfeet, ic ingthedogthatlaydyingonthefloor.
Withacryofpity,Katherinestooped,andthebrutethathadgivenitslifeinanefforttoprotecther,lifteditsheadfeeblyandlic edherhand.Thenwithitseyesonherface,itgaveaconvulsiveshudder.Withquiveringlipsandtremblinghandshelaiditdownonthefloor,roseandfacedherhusband.
"WillyoudowhatItellyou?"hedemanded.
"No!Youcan illmeasyouhave illedTatters,butIwillnottouchthatmoney!"
Heleapedather,caughtherbythethroatandflungherviolentlytothefloor.Wea ,voiceless,stillunconquered,hewatchedherdragherselfagaintoherfeet.Helevelledthepistolatherhead.Shedidnotflinchasshefacedit.
Glendonthrustitbac intotheholster."Damnyou!I'llgetalongwithoutyou;butIwon't illyou.I'mgoingto illthatdudedoctorandseehowyouli ethattoremembermeby!"
Hepouredmoreliquor,thenbendingundertheweightofthesaddlebags,hestrodethroughthedoor.
Katherinestooddazed,staringdownatthedeaddogonthefloor,asthoughherbrainhadceasedwor ing.Outside,inalullofthestorm,soundedthesharpbeatofhoofs.Glendonwasridingpastthehouse.
"Heista ingtheroadtotheSprings,Tatters,"shesaidslowly,hereyesonthedeaddogasshespo etoit.Therewerechainsonher
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brain;--itcouldnotthin ;chainsonherhandsandfeet--shecouldnotmove.
Atinyredstreamwascreepingoverthewoodenfloortowardherandshewonderedwhatshewoulddowhenitreachedher.Fascinatedshewatchedit,thenwhenittouchedthehemofhergownma ingastainli ethoseaboveit,shewo einawildfrenzyofdespair.
"No!No!"shecriedflingingthedooropen."Iwilldoanythingyouwish,Jim!Comebac !Comebac !"
ButGlendonwasgone.Thewindtoreandlashedthecurtainswiththegaycretonnebands.ItblewouttheflameofthelampandtherainbeatdownonthebrightNavajorugsandthedeaddoglyingonthefloor.
Thewomanrantothestable.Theheavydoorbangedonbro enhinges.SheclungtotheemptystallandthoughtshesawherhusbandridinguptotheHotSpringsRanch.Shesawhimjumpfromhishorseand noc atthedoor--SawPowellopenthatdoor,andthen--shesawatinyredstreamtric lingacrossthewoodenfloor.
Withoutstoppingtoreasonthatshehadnochanceagainstamanonahorse,sheturnedandfacedthestorm.Thewindwhippedherlong,darhairacrossherfaceandtoretherobebac fromthethinwhitegown.
Herslippers,rain-soa ed,droppedfromherbarefeet,andthesharpstonescutthetenderflesh.Sheranon,unconsciousofeverythingexceptthe nowledgethatPowell--themansheloved--wasindanger.
Slowlyandmoreslowlysheran,herbreathcominginsharplittlegaspsthathurt.Shestaggeredafewmorefeet,thenwithatiredsigh,santotheground,tryingwithherlastconsciousthoughttorememberwhetheritwasTattersorDoctorPowelllyingdead,wherethelittlescarletthread eptcreeping--creeping--creeping--.
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
"Onlyalittlewayfurther,Peanut,oldboy,"Limberencouragedthepony,pattingitsnec asheswungoncemoretoitsbac ;andPeanut,nowingthedistancehome,startedwillinglyonhiswaythroughthestorm.
TheywereonthemainroadwhichleddirectlytotheHotSpringsranch,butafewfeetfromthecree -crossingitfor edtotheCircleCross.AstheynearedthisY,theponyjumpedandstopped,snorting.LimberleapedfromhissaddleandshelteredbyPeanut'sbody,crouchedlow,holdinghispistolready.Whenthenextflashcame,illuminatingthelandscape
asbrilliantlyasthoughitweremidday,heslippedthepistolquic lyintotheholsterathishipandrantoawhiteheaphuddledintheroad.
Limberstoopedatthewoman'ssideandheldhissha inghandagainstherheart;thenheopenedhisflas andforcedwhis eybetweentheclosedteeth,andchafedthecoldhands.Therewasnoresponse.Hurriedly,heunfastenedtheyellowslic erhewaswearing,andgentlywrappeditabouttheunconsciousform.Then,liftingherinhisarms,thecowboymountedhispony,than fulthatDoctorPowellwassonear.
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Thewindblewthewoman'shairacrosshislips,andawonderfulsenseofhappinessthrilledhim.Intheflasheshecouldseeherpalefacelyingagainsthiswetcoat,andhisheartthrobbedwithloveandtenderpity.
DoctorPowellopenedthedoorinresponsetoLimber'scall.AvividflashshowedPeanutwithLimberonhisbac holdingKatherineinhisarms.
"What'sthematter,Limber?"
"Ifoundheratthefor softheroadontheground.She'sjustfainted,Ithin ,"explainedthecowboyasheplacedtheunconsciousforminthedoctor'sarms.
Chapporanfromthehouseandtoo thereinsfromLimber,leadingPeanuttothestablewhilethetwomenenteredthehouse.ThedoctorlaidKatherineonthecouchandbroughtrestoratives.Limber neltbesideherandgentlychafedthecoldhands.
"Glendon'sbro ejailatTombstonewiththerestofthebunch.There'saposse,comin'fromWillcox.Iwascomin'outtoletyou now;buttheycan'tcrosstheCree now.It'srunnin'fromban toban .Peanutjustmadeitbyascratch."
Thelightfromthelampfellacrossthecutandbruisedface,andLimber'seyesturnedtoPowell.
"Doyouthin shedonethatfallin'intheroad?"heas edsignificantly.
"No,"wasthepositivereply,asPowellstudiedherface."Itloo sli eablow;besides,thosearefingermar sonherthroat.Isawhertwohoursago--shewasallrightthen--Juanisaway--Ilefthertherealone."
Limberrosefromthesideofthecouchandloo edintoPowell'seyes."Nobodywouldlayahandonherexceptin'Glendon."
Powellutterednosound,buthisfacewaspalewithemotionasthecowboywentonspea inginlow,tensevoice.
"Theygotawayatsixo'cloc ,andifGlendonhadagoodmountainponyandtoo theoldIndiantrail,hecould'vegottotheCircleCrossbeforenow.IfI nowedhe'dhither,I'd illhimonsight!She'sthenerviestwomanIhaveeverseen--andthefinest."
DoctorPowellheldouthishandandgrippedLimber's.
"You'vebeenaloyalfriendtoher,Limber."
"Tharain'tnothin'Iwouldn'tdoforher,"saidthecowpuncher,simply.
"Thar'slinesthatisdrawedbetweenhumans,jestasinanimals.Glendonwasn'tmeantforher,noway."
Understandingeachotherthoroughly,thetwomenwholovedhersatwatchingtheunconsciouswomanuntilhereyesopenedslowly,restingcuriouslyonLimber;thenasshesawtheotherman,herexpressionturnedtooneofterror.Withacry,shetriedtorise,butPowell'shandrestrainedher.
"Liestill,"hesaidquietly."Youaresafe."
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Sheloo edupwildly."Barthedoor!Quic !"shecried."Heiscomingtoillyou!"
Theirfirstimpressionthatshedidnotrealizewhatshewassaying,vanishedastheylistenedtoherstory.Shedidnotspea oftheblow,norherrefusaltohideawaythemoney,buttoldthemthatGlendonhadseenthedoctortal ingwithher,andleftthehousewiththeavowedintentionof illinghim.
"Thar'sbeenplentytimeforhimtogethereaheadofyou,Mrs.Glendon,"Limberassuredher."He'dabeenherelongbeforeIfoundyouatthefor softheroad,ifhewascomin'.Iguesshewasjustbluffin'you,andwhenhefounditdidn'twor helitoutwiththetwohorses."
PowellagreedheartilywithLimber,buttocalmherfears,thecowboybarredthedoor.Katherine,succumbingtothesedativethedoctoradministered,relaxedgradually.Herlidsclosedwearily,butherlipsmoved,andinhalf-bro ensentencesshewentovertheterriblescene;pleadingwithherhusbandforPowell'slife,ortal ingtothedeaddog,beggingitnottoletthelittlescarletthreadreachher;thenshesanintosilence,unconsciousofallthatshehadrevealed.
Themen'seyesmet.Theyreadeachother'sthoughts.Limber'sfacewas
setandwhite,as,withanodtothedoctor,heroseandtiptoedfromtheroomintothe itchenwhereChappowassittingnearthestove.
Thecowboytoo hispistolfromtheholsterathiship,andloo edatthecylinder.Twistingitbetweenhisfingersheslippedthecartridgesfromit.Theywerewetfromtherain.
"Gotsomelard?"heas edChappo,andwhentheMexicanbroughtit,Limbergreasedthecartridgesandputthembac intothecylinder,thendroppedthepistolintotheholsterofhiscartridgebelt.AWinchesterriflehunginaleatherscabbardonthe itchenwall,andLimberlifteditdown.
Chappowatchedhimexaminethemagazineofthegun.
"Eetisallright,"hesaid."Eetshootsgood."TheMexican'seyesmetLimber's."Yougohunting,Leember?Ta eheem."
"Yes.Givemesomejer y,Chappo.Imaynotgetanygameforacoupleofdays."
Chappounderstood,andhastenedtogetthestiffstripsofsun-driedmeatwhichheputinasmallcottonsac andhandedtothecowboy,saying,"Goodluc ,Leember!Shootstraight!"
WithagrimsmiletheMexicansawthecowboyandgundisappear.
Peanutloo edupinsurprisedreproachashismasterreachedforthesaddlehungonapeg.Thepony newhehadwell-earnedhisblan etandbinofoatsthatnight.
"We'vegotsomemorewor todo,Peanut,"saidLimber,throwingthesaddleacrossthepony'sbac ,andPeanut,withafinalbiteattheoats,turnedagaintofacethestormwithhismaster.ThecowboywassurethatGlendonhadpushedontowardtheborder,andnot nowingaboutthegoldhewascarryingwithhim,supposedhehadta enFoxasarelay
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horse.ThiswouldgiveGlendontheadvantageshouldthechasebeprotracted;but,Limber newthatPeanut'snervousenergyandstayingqualitiesinthemountainsmadehimequaltoanytwoordinaryhorses.
"We'llfollowhimtillHellfreezesover,Peanut,andwe'llsuregethimintheend,"saidthecowpuncherasherodeintothenight.
HedidnottrytojustifyhimselfbyrecallingthatGlendonwasanoutlaw,whosecaptureordeathwasdemandedbythelawofthecountry;hedidnotremindhimselfthatGlendonhad illedoldPaddyandhadbro entheunwrittenlawoffairplay.Itwastherecollectionofthewomanwiththecutfaceandfinger-mar edthroatthatsentLimberoutintothestorm.ThewomanGlendonhadtriedtodragintothemireofhisowninfamyasarewardfornineyearsofloyaldevotion;thewomanwhomLimberhadheldinhisheartandworshippedreverently.
Peanutslippedontherain-soddenearth,andLimber,leaningforwardinhissaddle, epthisWinchesterreadyashelistenedforthefaintestindicationofGlendon'spresence.LimberdidnotbelievethatGlendonhadcarriedouthisassertionthathewouldgototheHotSprings.Otherwise,hewouldhavebeentherelongbefore.Itwasmorepossiblethathehaddoubledbac onhistrac s,andstruc outthroughthemountainstowardthesouth,headingfortheborder,inordertocoverhistrailasmuchashecouldbydawn.Hewouldhaveto eepwell-hidden
inthedaytime.Suddenly,fromthedar nesssoundedtheshrillneighofahorse.LimberthrewhimselfonPeanut'snec andreacheddown,graspingthepony'snosefirmlytopreventhimfromanswering.Still eepingagriponPeanut'snostrils,thecowboydroppedtotheground,andstoodbac ofthepony'sshoulder,believingthatGlendonhadseenhimandwascreepingonhiminthedar .Theflashesoflightningwerelessfrequent.Therainandwindragedmorefuriously.
Thenfromthegloomtrottedariderlesspony,callingagainandagainasitapproachedthem.AflashenabledLimber's eeneyestorecognizeFox.Withalittlenic erofdelight,ittrottedtoPeanut'ssideandstood
rubbingitsnoseagainsttheotherpony'sshoulder.Limbersawaweather-beatensaddleandnewsaddlebagsonFox'sbac ,whileabro enhalter-ropedangledfromtheanimal'snec .He newthehorsehadbro enawayfromGlendon,andwasprobablyma ingitswaybac totheCircleCross,theonlyhomeithadever nown.Ifso,Glendonwouldfollowuntilhecaughtit,forhewouldneedtheextrahorseinhislongflight.
Limberhastilytiedthebro enhalter-ropetothehornofPeanut'ssaddle,andleftthetwoanimalsstandinginthecentreoftheroadasadecoy,whilehecrawledtoaprojectingclumpofbrushandslowlywormedhiswayparalleltotheroad.HewasfollowingApachetactics,now.Aprolongedflashofquivering,dazzlinglight,andLimber'shalf-blinded
eyesscannedthebrushandtrees.Thentherifleleapedtohisshoulderandhisfingerrestedonthetrigger.
DowntheroadhehadseenGlendon.Atthesametimehe newthatGlendonhadseenhim.Bac intothebrushheslippedlyingflatonhisfaceandwrithingcautiouslyforward.Therewouldbenotimeforasecondshot--Glendonwaswaiting,too.Howclosewashe,now?InchbyinchLimberdraggedhimself.Somewhereinthenight,anothermanwascrawlingtowardhim,guninhand--Themanwhohadleftthemar sofhisfingersonawoman'sthroat.God!Wouldtherebenoflashoflightningnowthat
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heneededjustonemore.
Itcame,asthoughinanswertohisprayer.Dazzling,blindingandwithfrightfulcrashasthoughthewholeworldhadfallenintospaceandcrushedanotherworldtoatoms.AsharptinglingpainshotthroughLimber'smuscles,hisgundroppedfromhishandandexploded;hewonderedifGlendonhadhithim,butitwasrain,notbloodthatsoa edhissleeve.
Hegrippedhisgunandthrewanothercartridgeintoplace.Oncemorehebegancreepingandwaiting.Whenanotherflashcame,thecowboyloweredhisgun,androsetohisfeet.Atthesideoftheroadaheadofhimwasanuprootedcottonwoodtree.Underitlayahorseandaman.
Uncertainwhetherthemanwasdeadormerelystunned,Limbercrouchedwarilyinthebrush,waitingatell-talemovement.Butthehorseandmandidnotstir.
Thenthecowboyapproachedandloo eddowninthefitfulglareoftheflashes,andsawanimmovablefigure--facedistortedwithagony--openeyesstaringunseeingintothestorm--clothesacrossacharredbreast--anodourofburntfleshandsingedhair--thebodyofadeadhorse.
Limbergazeddownattheman,hismindfilledwithconflictingemotions.Hehadintended illingGlendonashewouldhave illedamadcoyoteorarattlesna e,andhewouldhavefeltnoregret;but,now--
Heraisedthedrippinghatfromhishead.Notbecauseofthebro enthingthatlayathisfeet,butinrecognitionofsomethinghigherandmoreincomprehensiblewhichrulestheUniverse--withitsthreeunfathomablemysteries,Life,DeathandEternity.
Replacinghishat,Limbermadehiswaybac tothehorsesandslippedtheWinchesterintothescabbardwhichhungfromPeanut'ssaddle.
"It'swor edoutallright,Peanut,"saidthecowboyashemountedthe
ponyandfacedtheHotSpringsranch."I'mgladIdidn'thaveto illhim.JustthesameI'dadoneitrutherthanlethimdragherthroughHellanotherhour.Hecan'tbotherhernomore,now."
HestabledFoxandPeanut,thenwenttothe itchenwhereChappo,li eafaithfuloldwatchdog,wasdozingbesidethestove.HestartedtohisfeetasLimberentered,butas ednoquestionswhenthecowboy,withoutaword,hungtheWinchesteronthepegswherehehadfoundit.
Powell,sittingbythecouchinthefrontroom,heardLimber'ssteps.Withaglanceatthesleepingwoman,herosesoftlyandwenttothedoorthatledintothe itchen.HeclosedthedoorandhiseyesmetLimber's.
"He'sdead,"saidthecowboy.Then,readingtheunspo enquestioninthedoctor'seyes,headded,"No.Itwasthelightningdoneit.Atreefellonhimandhishorse."
"Than God!"saidPowell,buthistonewasreverent,notjubilant.
"Issheallright?"as edLimberanxiously.
"Restingquietly.We'llta eherovertoMrs.Traynorinthemorning,Limber.Sheneedsawomanfriend,now."
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"TheLittleLadywillloo outforher,"saidthecowboy.ThenheglancedatChappo,andafteraslighthesitationcontinued,"Iwishyou'dcomeoutandta ealoo atPeanut'san le,Doc."
Powell,catchingthepeculiartone,noddedandfollowedtothebarnwheretheponiesstoodcontentedlyintheirstalls.Limberclosedthestabledoorandspo einalowvoice.
"Glendonwasridin'thehorseandsaddlehestoleinTombstone.It'saLazyFpony.Thelead-ropeonFoxwasbusted."
"Allright.I'llnotifytheLazyFpeople,"PowellrepliedwonderingwhyLimberthoughtsecrecynecessary.
"Thatain'twhat'stroublin'me.YouseewhenGlenwasarrestedheridhisownsaddletotownwiththeposse.Iwaswith'em,andI nowedhissaddle.Besides,IboughtitfromJuanafterwards,whentheywashardupfordinero.Mrs.Glendondidn't nowIboughtit.Thatsaddle'sovertotheDiamondHandbeentharfortwomonths."
Hewal edtothecornerofthebarnandpointedatthesaddlehehadta enfromFox.
"That'sthesaddlethatwasonFox,"hesaidslowly."ItbelongedtooldDoctorKing--weallthoughttheApachesgotit."
PowellgraspedLimber'sarm."Youdon'tthin Glendon illedKing,doyou?"
"Tharain'tnowayIcanseetothin hedidn't,"respondedthecowpuncher."Fromallwecouldfindout,KingandGlendonridtothefor stogetherandseparated.Kingwasgoin'downtheSanPedroandGlendontoJac son'sFlats.YoucanseehoweasyGlendoncouldofshotfromtheuppertrail.ThebulletwentintoKing'sheadabovethelefttempleandcameoutbehindtherightear.Youseenthatyourself.Ithoughtitwas inderqueerwhenIheardMrs.GlendonsaytheApaches
didn'treachtheCircleCrosstillnoonandyousaidKinghadbeendeadovernight.ButthenIfiggeredtheIndianswassnoopin'roundthatpartforacoupleofdays."
"WhatobjectwouldGlendonhavehad?"
"He'dpic afightwithanyonewhenhewastan edupabit.You nowhealwayswantedtheHotSprings,andKingwouldn'tsellittohim.Hedidn't nowthelandwaspatented,andmebbehefiggeredthatifKingwasdeaditwouldbeeasytojumptheSprings.Ofcourse,hedidn't nowaboutKingma in'anyWill,northatyouandtheBosswaswor in'upadealwithKing.That'swhyGlendon'shaditinfortheDiamondHandforyoueversince."
Thechainofcircumstantialevidenceseemedconclusiveasforgottendetailswererecalled.
"Thar'saheapofgoldcoinsinthesaddlebagsthatwasonFox,"Limberwenton."Loo sli eitwasPaddy'smoneythateveryonewashuntingfor.Weall nowedthathehadthirty-fivethousanddollarsingoldburiedsomeplacearound.Tharwastwenty-fivethousandinthatflower-boxheguvtoJamieandtheLittleLady;andthisma estenmore.Paddyscattereditaround."
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"IwonderhowGlendonhappenedtolocateit?"musedthedoctor.
Limberwhirledabout."Helocatedthatmoneybeforehe illedoldPaddy!That'swhyhedoneit,andAlpaughstoodinwithhim!Glendonwastoomuchofacowardtodoanythin'exceptin'shootoldmenandbullyhiswife.Hewastoorottentoliveandtoodamnrottentodie!But,nowwhatIwantto now,Doc,iswhatarewegoin'todoaboutthatsaddleandmoney?Thepossewillbeheresoonasthecree falls."
"SupposeIta echargeofitandconsultanattorney,"suggestedPowellafterafewminutes'thought."WehavenoabsoluteproofthatitbelongedtoPaddy.AshehadnoheirsIamratheratseaabouttheproperprocedure."
"Allright.I'mgoin'tota ethatsaddleofKing'sandburyit,"assertedLimber."Tharain'tnouseshoutin'aboutitnow.Glen'sdeadand'twon'tdoKingnogood,andMrs.Glendon'sgotenoughtroubletopac withouthavin'thisextrabunch."
PowellreturnedtothehouseandtoldChappotogotobed.Outwherethebrushgrewmostthic ly,Limberdugadeepholeli easmallgrave,andDoctorKing'ssaddlewascovered,whilethesteadilypouringrainobliteratedalltell-talemar sofdisturbedearth.
Asthehourspassed,thethundergrewfaintandfainter;thelightningceased;therainfellinasoftpatter,li echildren'svoiceswhisperinginthenight.Adim,greylightmingledwiththedar nessofthes y,sleepychirpsandtwitterssoundedfromrain-soa ednests,thepin fingersofMorningreachedoutandcaressedthetipsofthemountains.
Downthecañonnearthecrossingamanstoodwaitingtoguardthewomanhelovedfrom nowledgeofwhathadhappenedinthenight.Therushingtorrentwasfastsubsiding.
Heliftedhisheadatthesoundofgallopinghoofsandmen'svoices,
thenheturnedandloo eddownatthepossefromWillcox.Theyreachedtheoppositeban ofthestreamandletthereinsfalllooselyontheirponies'nec sastheyrecognizedLimber.
"Hello,Limber!Youwasluc ytogetherelastnight,"calledtheleader."Weallwerestuc atthemouthofthecañontillthismorning.SeenanysignsofGlendon?"
Limberwasamongthemnow."Yep.He'sontheroadbetweenhereandtheCircleCross,"wastheanswer.
"Allright.Muchobliged.Hurryupboys;"butLimber'supheldhandmadethempause.
"Youalldon'tneedtohurry.Glen'sdead.Lightnin'hithimandhishorse.Mrs.Glendon'suphere.She'ssic anddon't nownothin'aboutityet.DoctorPowellisgoin'tota eherovertotheDiamondHRanchthismornin'toMrs.Traynor."
"Gosh!It'ssuretoughonheranywayyouputit."
"Isthereanythingwecandoforher?"as edtheleaderoftheposse.
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"Jestdon'tlether nowyou'rehere,andtrytomanageso'stogetGlendonawaywithoutherseein'him.That'sall."
"We'llsuredothat,Limber.She'safinewomanandwe'regladtodoanythingwecanforher.Glendonwasnogoodtoanyone.Noteventohimself."
"JuanisawaywiththeCircleCrossteam,butI'llsendChappodownwiththewagon,"wereLimber'slastwordsastheposserodeslowlydownthecañon.
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
Ayearandahalfpassedby.KatherinesittinginherroomattheDiamondHRanch,wasthin ingofthemanychangesthathadcomeintoherlife.DoctorPowellandLimberhadbroughthertoMrs.Traynor,andforlongwee safterwardtheyhadbattleduntiringlytosavethelifethatthreatenedtoslipaway.Withtender,encouragingwordstheyfoughtthereactionofdespair;butitwasNellwhosuggestedsendingforDonnie;Nell,wholaidherbabyboyinKatherine'sarms;Nell,whoseconstant
watchfulnessandlovinglittlecaresses,finallybroughtansweringsmilestoKatherine'spalelips.
DonnieandJamieatoncestruc upafriendshipa intoDavidandJonathan,andwhenthetwoladswouldwa etheranchwiththeirhappylaughter--itwastonictoKatherine'sbruisedandachingheart.
ForalongtimeshehadbelievedthatGlendonhadescapedtoMexico;butatlastNelltoldherthetruth.Donnie newonlythathisfatherhadbeen illedbylightninginastorm.OverattheHotSprings,wor wasbeingpushedrapidlyontheSanitarium,andLimberandPowelldividedtheirtimebetweenthetwoplaces.
Therehadbeena"surpriseparty"asBroncocalledit,whenacoupleofwee spreviously,TraynorandPowellhadcalledthefourcowboysintotheoffice,andhandedeachoneanofficialenvelopeaddressedbyname.Uponopeningit,theydiscoveredthattheHotSprings,PL,DiamondHandCircleCrossrancheshadbeenincorporatedintothe"GaliuroCattleCorporation,"Traynoraspresident;Powell,secretaryandtreasurer;andLimber,generalmanager.Bronco,RoarerandHolywereastoundedtoreceivestoc tothevalueoffivethousanddollars;butLimber'senvelopeheld,notonlythefivethousanddollarsworthofstoc ,li etheotherboys;butalsohisnotewhichhehadgivenTraynorinreturnforthehalfinterestinthePLherd.Limberloo edatitpuzzled,thenhesawacrossthefaceofthenote,theendorsement,"Paidinfullwithcompoundinterestinloyaltyanddevotion."Beneaththesewordswerethe
signaturesofAllanTraynor,NellTraynorandCuthbertPowell.
Thecowpunchertriedtospea ,butwasunabletoutteraword.InsilencehegrippedTraynor'shand.
ThatwasanuproariouseveningontheDiamondH.TheboysandoldFongsurroundedtheforemaninthebun houseafterdinner.Fong,onceagain,hadfashionedahugeca e.Whenitwassetdownonthewoodentable,theChinamanliftedthetissuepaperthatveiledit,andtheboysletoutawildwhoop.Afive-strandfenceboundedtheedgeoftheca e;asmall
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whitecabinloomedinthecentre,withadesperateattemptatacowinicingbesideit.Anaturalistmighthavescornedthecow,buttherewasnomista ingtheDiamondHbrandinredicingthatwasthefinishingtouchontheanimal'ship.
TheboysclappedFongonthebac tillhispigtailsquirmedli eaneel,andhisgrinthreatenedtosplitthelowerpartofhisface.
Traynorstandingoutsidewatchedtheproceeding,thenwentovertotellNellandKatherine.
"PoorLimberhadtoma easpeech,"hechuc led."Fongjoinedwiththerest,andthey eptathimtillhehadtosaysomethingtogetpeace.Say,Nell,Iwishyoucouldhaveseenhim!Hestoodup,loo edatthem,gotredintheface,openedhismouth,shutit,thenburstout,'You'retheorneriestbunchofboysinArizonaTerritory,andifyoudon'tquitpesterin'me,I'mgoin'tofirethewholeoutfittheveryfirstthingIdo!'"
"PoorLimber!"laughedNell,butthelaughwasverytender."Theydoworryhim;buthe nowstheywouldgivetheirlivesforhim!"
Li eapanorama,thesememoriesflittedswiftlybeforetheeyesofKatherineGlendon,obliteratingthedar erdaysofherlife.Therewas
nobitternessnow.Li etheterriblestormofthecañon,theyhadpassedawayforever,andoverthebro enplacesbloomedbeautifulflowers;amessageofforgiveness.
ThebitoflaceshewassewingonadressforNell'sbaby,slippedfromherhands,andhereyeswanderedthroughtheopendoortothesnow-capofMt.GrahamacrosstheValley.
Atfirst,PowellhadhesitatedtoallowherreturntotheHotSpringstolive,dreadingtheeffectofthoseterriblememoriesupontheirhappiness.Whenhetoldherofthis,andthathewouldfindapartnertoliveattheplace,shehadconvincedhimthatherhappinesslayhelpinghimwithhiswor attheSprings;soithadbeendecided.Now,thatthe
projectwasnearingcompletion,Powellreceivedoffersfrommanysources,sothathemightcarryouttheplansonthemostextensivescale.Themoneyfoundinthesaddle-bagsthenightGlendondied,hadbeenalsoaddedtothefunds,aftercommunicationandconsultationwithproperlegalauthority.Thisprovidedforthemaintenanceofadditionalchildren.
AlltheplanshadbeendiscussedbetweenPowell,Traynor,NellandKatherine,andthetwowomenhadmademanysuggestionsthemenoverloo ed.Therewereeventoys,games,boo swithwonderfulfairytales,alreadyunpac edattheSprings.
Twowee shadbeenpassedtherehappily,arranging,sortingandwor ing
together.DonnieandJamie,withtheirponiesandJuanandChappoasguides,hadexploredtrailsandplannedmanyfutureadventures.ThetwooldMexicanswereashappyaschildren,andatnight,whentheyrelatedtalesofMexico,orChappotoldofhiscaptivityamongtheApaches,theboysfeltthatlifecouldholdnomorefascinatingexperiences.
Katherine'sthoughtswereinterruptedbythesoundofsteps.Sherosequic lyandturnedtotheopendoor.Apin Ramblerroseinfullbloomtwinedabovetheporch,andapuffofwindcaughttheblossomsandshoweredthefragrantpetalsoverherassheheldoutherhandsto
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welcomethemansheloved.Heloo edatherwithhappyeyesandsaw--nolongeravaguedream--aliving,gloriousreality,smilingwithnoshadowonherbeautifulface,hisLadyofthePool.
Theroseleavesfellsoftly,aboutthem."See,dearest,"hesaid,"itisasymbolofourfuture.Therosesaresheddingtheirpetalsonyourpath,sothatnoteventhetiniestpebbleshallbruiseyourfeet!"
Shesmiledathim,hereyesmistywithhappiness,thentogethertheyenteredtheroom,todiscusstheirplans.
"I'vegottohaveatal withDonnietoday,"saidPowell."Ihopehewillunderstand."
Theyheardthenoiseofponiesdashingintothestable,thelaughterofhappyvoices.Li easmallcyclone,DonnierushedintotheroomandfacedPowellinboyishdelight.
"IstheSanitariumalmostdone?"heas edbreathlessly.
"Finished,atlast!"Powell'sarmwasacrossthelad'sshoulder.Hesmiledintotheglowing,upturnedface,than fulthatitborenoresemblancetoGlendon.Donniewashismotherineveryfeature."Thefirstchildrenwillbeherenextmonth!"
"Ibetthey'llgetgoodandwellafterwehavethemawhile,"prophesiedDonnie."You now,youpromisedIcouldbeyourpartner."
"Yes,oldman!Iwantyoutostudysothatwhenyougrowupyoucanworwithme.I'mgoingtota eyouovertotheSpringssoyoucanstartyourstudiesverysoon.Howwillthatsuityou?"
Theboy'sfaceclouded.HeglancedfromPowelltohismother.
"Ican'tleaveMarmeealone.I'mherKnight,andtheonlyoneshe'sgottoloo outforher,now."
"Howaboutta ingheroverwithus?"suggestedPowell.
"Oh,willyou?"Donnie'sfaceglowedwithdelight."Marmee,youwillgo,won'tyou?"
Thedoctorlaidhishandsontheboy'sshouldersandloo edathimseriously."Donnie,wouldyouletmebeyourfather,sothatIcanta ecareofyourmotherandyou,andweallbepartnersaslongaswelive?"
Thechild'sstartledeyeswanderedfromthemantothewoman.Forabriefspacehemadenoreply.Thenflinginghisarmsabouthismother'snec ,heclungtoherinthefirstpangofrenunciation.Theeyesthatloo edathimwereverytender.
Withastrangelittledignity,hedrewhimselfupandheldouthishandtothedoctor,saying,"I'mawfulgladsheli esyou."Thevoicetrembled,thelipswereuncertain,alumphurtinhisthroat.Donniewasafraidthathewasgoingtocry.Hewastoobigtocrynow--hisshoulderssquared.Quic ly,heturnedandlefttheroom.Themanandwomanwatchedthepatheticlittlefigure,withdroopinghead,passthewindow.
"HewillunderstandsoonthatIamnotgoingtota eyouawayfromhim,"
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Powell'svoicewasgentle,"butI nowhowithurtsatfirst."
Drawingsomelettersfromhispoc et,heseatedhimselfbesideKatherineonthecouch."ThesearefromthechildrenandthematronwhowilltravelwiththemandhelpcareforthemattheSprings,"heexplained.
Togethertheyreadmisspelledwordsscrawledincrudecharacters.Onechildwantedto nowifhecouldhaveareal,livechic en;anotheras ednothingbutachancetoseetreesandplaceswhere'thecopsdon'tma eyou eepoff;'athirdbeggedpermissiontobringhiscat,Nigger,"becozNiggerain'tgotnoonetoluvhimbutme--becozhehasgotacroo edtailandoneeye'sgone,butIluvhimandheluvsmeandhe'llbelonesomeafterIgoway."
Katherinerememberedthedogthathadbeenhersolecompanionsomanyhours--thedogthatLimberhadburiedinalittlegraveattheCircleCross.
"Ofcourse,Niggeriscoming?"shelaughedwithacatchinhervoice.
"Aspecialinvitationhasalreadygoneforhim,andthematronisauthorizedtobuyabas etforNigger'scomfort;"wastheanswer.
Katherinewassilentforamoment,andPowellleanedtowardher.His
handliftedherfacegently,"Sweetheart,whatareyourthoughts?"Hereyesweredimandhervoicetrembled,"'AndaKnightshallcomethatshallhaveaheadofgold,theloo ofalion,aheartofsteel,conditionswithoutwea ness,thevalourofaman,andfaithandbeliefinGod.AndheshallbethebestKnightintheworld.'"
Powell'sarmsslippedaboutherandhedrewherclose."MayIproveworthytobeyourKnightforallthedaysofmylife,dearLadyofthePool!"
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
OnlytheGaliuros newthatapintoponyhadtroddenunbro entrailsthroughthenight,untilitreachedaspotwherethetangledgrowthofbrushthinnedandendedonahighledgeoverloo ingtheundulatingflatoftheSulphurSpringsrange.
Themysteriousbeautyofcomingdawnmergedwithdyingstarlight,wherefaintshadowsoutlinedtheruggedpea softheGrahamsacrossthebroadValley.AbovethemallMt.Grahamlifteditsglorious,snow-cappedhead.Unconquered,unscathedbythestormsofcenturiespast,itgazed
steadfastlyatthes yaboveit,whiletheworldsleptatitsfeet.
Limbersatonthebac ofthepintopony.Hisgreyeyesshonewithawonderfullight,forthestrengthofhislovedmountainshadcreptintohisheartduringthelonghoursofhissilentbattle.Outofthestormandturmoil,thetrailhadledtopeace.
Afaintrustlingsoundedsibilantly.Itwasavagrant,gossipingbreezetellingtheleavesandgrassesthatanewdayhadbeenborn.
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