theStrongShallLive(Ss)(1980)L'amour,Louis

Published: 2010

TheStrongShallLive

LouisL'amour*

"You'reSaidToBeAToughMan,Cavagan.I'veHeardItUntilI'mSickOfIt,SoI'veBroughtYouHereToSeeHowMuchIsToughAndhowmuchisshantyIrishbluff.We'releavingyouhere."

ThosewereSutton'sruthlesslastwordsbe-foreridingoff.Cavaganstoodinthesearingdesertheatatthebottomofthedeepsandpits,sixtymilesfromwater,hishandstiedandhisbodystifffromrepeatedbeatings.

Sixtymilesfromthenearestwater.Onfoot,inonehundredandtwentydegreeheat.OnlyonethoughtgaveCavaganhisdrivingstrength:

"Ishalllive!IshalllivetoseeSuttondie!"

*

FOREWORD:

Thisbookisapartialanswertothosereaderswhohavebeenaskingwheremyshortstoriescouldbefound.ApreviouscollectionappearedasWARPARTY,andnowthese.

Afewofthestorieswerewrittenlongago,othersquiterecently.Allare,Ibelieve,illustrativeofthetitleofthecollection.

Notlongagoawriter,attemptingtofindaprogressioninthe

developmentofmystoriesaccordingtoapatternofhisowndevising,predictedthatsoonIwouldwriteastorywithanethnichero.Hewasoverthirtyyearslate.Merrano,inthisvolume,isonesuchcase,althoughtherewereothers.

Mystorieshavenothingtodowithrace,creed,ornationality.Theyaresimplystoriesofpeopleonthefrontier,andthosepeoplewereofallkinds.Ifsometimestheyresembleoneanotheritissimplyapatternimposeduponthembythecountryandthetime.

Thefrontierwasitselfselective.Ittendedtoeliminatetheweakandtheinefficientbyonemeansoranother.

Inthesestoriesthereareno"heroes"intheusualsense,althoughintheHomericsensetheremaybe.Thesearestoriesofpeoplelivingouttheirlivesagainstabackgroundthatdemandedalltheycouldgiveandoftenabitmore.Theywerepeopletryingtofindacceptablepatternsofbehaviorinatotallynewenvironment,drawingupontheirpastbutadjustingthemselvestonewsituationsandattitudes.

Thefrontierdemandedtheybeself-reliant.Group-thinkingandpeerbehaviorhadonlyalimitedapplication.

TheWesthasbeenportrayedaslawless.Thisisliterallyuntrue.Thepioneersbroughttheirchurch,theirschools,andtheirtownmeetingswiththem.Necessarily,therewerealterationsinthelawstheyestablishedtoconformwithchangedconditions,butthelawwasthere.Itistruethereweremanyfreespiritswhoresentedthis,andtherewereotherswhocamewestintendingtodoastheypleased.TheexistenceofBootHillsinmanywesterntownsisampleevidenceofhowthefrontiercopedwithsuchproblems.

Ithadbeenthecustomofmen,fromthebeginningoftime,tosettledisputesbycombat.Fromtheclubandspear,menprogressedto

thelanceandtheswordandthentothepistol.Senators,cabinetofficers,admiralsandgeneralsregularlysettledtheirdisputeswithweapons.TherewereundoubtedlyasmanyduelsintheearlyAmericanNavyasinanyregionoftheWest.StephenDecatur,oneofourearlynavalheroes,killedasmanymeninduelsasdidBatMasterson,who,incidentallywounduphisdaysasasportswriteronaNewYorknewspaper,anddiednotwithapistolinhishands,butatypewriter.

*

THESTRONGSHALLLIVE

Thelandwasfirebeneathandtheskywasbrassabove,butthroughouttheday'slongridingtheboundmansaterectinthesaddleandcursedthemforthievesandcowards.Theirblowsdidnotsilencehim,althoughthebloodfromhisswollenandcrackedlipshaddriedonhisfaceandneck.

OnlyJohnSuttonknewwheretheyrodeandonlyheknewwhatheplannedforCavagan,andJohnSuttonsatthinanddryandtallonhislong-limbedhorse,leadingtheway.

Ninemeninall,temperedtothehardwaysofanunforgivingland,menstronginthestrengthsneededtosurviveinalandthatheldnoplacefortheweakorindecisive.EightmenandaprisonertakenafterabitterchasefromthepleasantcoastallandstotheblazingdesertalongtheColoradoRiver.

Cavaganhadfoughtonwhentheothersquit.Theydestroyedhiscrops,toredownhisfences,andburnedhishome.Theykilledhishiredhandandtriedtokillhim.Whentheyburnedhishomeherebuiltit,andwhentheyshotathimheshotback.

Whentheyambushedhimandlefthimfordead,hecrawledintotherockslikeawoundedgrizzly,treatedhisownwounds,andthencaughtahorseandrodedowntoSutton'sRanchandshotouttheirlightsduringthevictorycelebration.

TwoofButton'smenquitinprotest,fortheyadmiredagameman,andCavaganwaswinningsympathyaroundthecountry.

CavaganwasablackIrishmanfromCountySligo.HismotherdiedontheAtlanticcrossingandhisfatherwaskilledbyIndiansin

Tennessee.AtsixteenCavaganfoughtintheTexaswarforindependence,trappedintheRockiesfortwoyears,andinthewarwithMexicoheservedwiththeTexasRangersandlearnedthevalueofaWalkerColt.

Atthirtyhewasamanhonedbydesertfiresandedgedbycombatwithfist,skull,andpistol.BackinCountySligothenamehadbeenO'Cavaganandthefamilyhadareputationwoninbattle.

Sutton'smensurroundedhishouseasecondtimethinkingtocatchhimasleep.Theyfiredatthehouseandwaitedforhimtocomeout.Cavaganhadsleptonthesteephillsidebehindthehouseandfromthereheopenedfire,shootingamanfromhissaddleandcuttingthelobefromSutton'searwithabulletintendedtokill.

Nowtheyhadhim,buthesatstraightinthesaddleandcursedthem.SuttonhecursedbuthesavedabitforBeefHannon,theSuttonforeman.

"You'reabigman,Beef,"hetaunted,"butuntiemyhandsandI'llpoundthatthickskullofyoursuntiltheyellowrunsoutofyourears."

Theireyessquintedagainstthewhiteglareandtheblisteringheatfromoffthedunes,andtheytriedtoignorehim.Amongthesanddunestherewasnobreeze,onlythestiflingheavinessofhot,motionlessair.Wearilytheirhorsesploddedalongtheedgeofadunewherethesandfellsteeplyoffintoadeeppitamongthedunes.JohnSuttondrewrein."Untiehisfeet,"hesaid.

JuanVelasquezswungdownandremovedtherawhidethongsfromCavagan'sfeet,andthenstoodback,forheknewthemannerofmanthatwasCavagan.

"Getdown,"SuttontoldCavagan.

Cavaganstaredhiscontemptfromtheslitswherehiseyespeeredthroughswollen,blackenedflesh,thenheswunghislegacrossthesaddle,kickedhisbootfreeofthestirrupanddroppedtotheground.

Suttonregardedhimforseveralminutes,savoringhistriumph,thenheputtheflatofhisbootagainstCavagan'sbackandpushed.Cavaganstaggered,foughtforbalance,butthesandcrumbledbeneathhimandhefell,tumblingtothebottomofthehollowamongthedunes.

Withhishandstiedandhisbodystifffromthebeatingshehadtakenheneededseveralminutestogettohisfeet.WhenhestooderecthestaredupatSutton."ItiswhatIwouldhaveexpectedfromyou,"hesaid.

Sutton'sfeaturesstiffened,andhegrewwhitearoundthemouth."You'resaidtobeatoughman,Cavagan.I'veheardituntilI'msickofit,soI'vebroughtyouheretoseehowmuchistoughandhowmuchisshantyIrishbluff.Iamcurioustoseehowtoughyouwillbewithoutfoodorwater.We'releavingyouhere."

Hannonstartedtoprotest.HehadhimselftriedtokillCavagan,buttoleaveamantodieintheblazingheatofthedesertwithoutfoodorwaterandwithhishandsbound...aglanceatSutton'sfaceandthewordsdiedonhislips.

"It'ssixtymilestowater,"hemanaged,atlast.

JohnSuttonturnedinhissaddleandmeasuredHannonwithaglance,thendeliberatelyhefacedfrontandstartedaway.Reluctantly,theothersfollowed.

JuanVelasquezlookeddownintothepitatCavagan.HecarriedarawwoundinhissidefromaCavaganbullet,butthatpitwasseventyfeetdeep.Slowly,thinkingashedidit,JuanunfastenedhiscanteenandwasabouttotossittoCavaganwhenhecaughtSutton'seyesonhim.

"Throwit,"Suttonsuggested,"butifyoudoyouwillfollowit."

Juanbalancedthecanteenonhispalm,temptedbeyondmeasure.Sixtymiles?Withthetemperatureatonehundredandtwentydegrees?Reluctantly,here-tiedthecanteentohissaddlehorn.Suttonwatchedhim,smilinghisthinsmile.

"I'llrememberthat,Juan,"Cavagansaid."Itwasagoodthought."

JohnSuttonturnedhissquarethinshouldersandrodeaway,theothersfollowing.Hannon'sshoulderswerehunchedasifexpectingablow.

Whenthelastofthemhaddisappearedfromsight,Cavaganstoodaloneatthebottomofthesandpit.

Thiswas1850andeventheIndiansavoidedthesandhills.TherewasnolawwestofSantaFeoreastofthecoastmountains.CavaganhadsettledonlandthatSuttonconsideredhis,althoughhehadnolegalclaimtoit.Otherwould-besettlershadbeendrivenoff,butCavaganwouldnotbedriven.TomakemattersworsehecourtedthegirlSuttonhadmarkedforhimself.

Cavaganstoodinthebottomofthesandpit,hiseyesclosedagainsttheglareofthesunonthewhitesand.Hetoldhimself,slowly,harshly,thathewouldnot,hemustnotdie.Aloudhesaid."Ishalllive!Ishallseehimdie!"

Therewasaburningfurywithinhimbutacautionbornofexperience.Shadewouldcomefirsttothewestsideofthepit,sowithhisboothescrapedasmallpitinthesand.There,severalInchesbelowthesurface,itwasalittlecooler.Hesatdown,hisbacktothesun,andwaited.

Morethansevenhoursofsunlightremained.Toattemptclimbingfromthepitoreventofightthethongsonhiswristswouldcausehim

toperspireprofuselyandlessenhischancesofultimatesurvival.Fromthismomenthemustbepatient,hemustthink.

Sweatdrippedfromhischin,histhroatwasparchedandthesunonhisbackandshoulderswasliketheheatfromafurnace.Anhourpassed,andthenanother.Whenatlasthelookeduptherewasaninchofshadowunderthewesternlipofthepit.

Hestudiedthewayhiswristswerebound.Hishandshadbeentiedtothepommel,sotheywereinfrontofhim.Heliftedhiswriststohisteethandbeganeversogentlytoworkattherawhideknots.Ittooknearlyanhour,butbythetimehiswristswerefreetheshadehadreachedthebottomofthepit.Hecoiledtherawhideandslippeditintohispocket.

Theeastslopewassomewhatlesssteep,witheachstepheslidback,butwitheachhegainedalittle.Finallyheclimbedoutandstoodinthefullglareofthesettingsun.

HeknewwherethenearestwaterholelaybutknewSuttonwouldhaveitguarded.Hisproblemwassimple.Hehadtofindwater,getoutofthedesert,thenfindahorseandweapons.HeintendedtodestroySuttonashewoulddestroyarabidwolf.

Shadowsstretchedoutfromthemountains.TothenorththemyriadpinnaclesoftheChocolateMountainscrownedthemselveswithgoldfromthesettingsun.Hestartedtowalk.

Itwasnotsixtymilestothenearestwater,forCavaganknewthedesertbetterthanSutton.Westofhim,butinadirectionhedarenotchance,laySunsetSpring.Brackishwater,andoffthelineforhim.

Twenty-fivemilestothenorthwestamongthepinnaclesoftheChocolateswererocktanksthatmightcontainwater.ACahuillaIndianhadtoldhimofthenaturalreservoir,anduponthisfeeble

chanceherestedhislife.

Hewalkednorthwest,hischancesathousandtoone.Hemustwalkonlyintheearlyhoursofthemorningandaftersundown.Duringthedayhemustlieintheshade,ifhefoundany,andwait.Towalkinthesunwithoutwaterwastodie.

Thesandwasheavyandateachstephesanktohisankles.ChoosingadistantpeakintheChocolateshepointedhimselftowardit.Whenthestarscameouthewouldchooseastaraboveitforaguide.Atnightlandmarkshaveawayoflosingthemselvesandwhatwasfamiliarbydaybecomesstrangeandunfamiliarinthedarkness.

Toreachthevicinityoftherocktankswasonething,tofindthemquiteanother.NearsuchtanksintheTinajasAltasmenhaddiedofthirstwithinafewfeetofwater,unawareofitspresence.Suchtankswerenaturalreceptaclescatchingtherunofffrominfrequentrains,andsoshaded,thatevaporationwasslow.Astherewasnoseepagetherewasnovegetationtoindicatethepresenceofwater.

Theshadowsgrewlongandonlyafaintafterglowremainedinthesky.OnhisrightandbeforehimlaythevalleydividingthedunesfromtheChocolateMountains.Nowtheairwascoolandhereandthereastarappeared.Desertairisthinanddoesnotretaintheheat,henceitsoonbecomescool,andinthemiddleofthenight,actuallycold.ThesewerethehoursCavaganmustuse.

Ifhecouldnotfindthetanks,oriftherewasnowaterinthem,hewoulddie.Cavaganwasamanwithoutillusion.Hisgreatstrengthhadbeensappedbybrutaltreatment,andhemustconservewhatstrengthremained.Locatinghispeakandastaraboveit,hewalkedon.Alongtimelater,descendingfromthelastofthedunes,hetookadiagonalcourseacrossthevalley.Twicehepausedtorest,soakingupthecoolness.Heputasmallpebbleinhismouthtostartthesaliva

flowing.Foratimeithelped.

Walkinginheavysandhehadmadebuttwomilesanhour,butonthevalleyfloorhemovedfaster.Ifhereachedthetinajasandtheyheldwaterhewouldhaveachievedonegoal.However,hehadnowayofcarryingwaterandthenextwaterholewasfar.Notthatonecanplacerelianceonanydesertwaterhole.Oftentheywereuseduporhadgonedry.

Hisbatteredfacethrobbedwitheverystepandhisheadached.ThepinnaclesoftheChocolatesloomednearer,buthewasnotdeceived.Theyweremilesaway.

AnhourbeforedawnheenteredawashthatcamedownfromtheChocolates.Hewasdeadtired,andhisfeetmovedawkwardly.Inelevenhourshehadprobablytravelednomorethantwenty-threeor-fourmilesandshouldbenearthetanks.Hefoundaledgethatofferedshadeandstretchedout.Hewassoonasleep.

Theheatawakenedhim.Hismouthwasdryasparchmentandhehaddifficultyinmovinghistongue,whichseemedawkwardandswollen.Aglanceatthesuntoldhimitwasnoonornearlyso.AccordingtotheCahuillaheshouldbewithinafewyardsofwater,certainlywithinamileorso.Inthatmazeofcliffs,boulders,rockslabs,andarroyos,clutteredwithcanelikeclumpsofocotillo,hewouldbefortunatetofindanything.

Animalswouldcometowaterbutmanydesertcreatureslivedwithoutit,gettingwhatmoisturetheyneededfromsucculentplantsorcacti.Someinsectssoughtwater,andhehadnoticedbeesflyingpasttakingthestraightlinethatusuallyledtohiveorwater.

Histhroatwasrawandhismindwandered.Faroff,overthedeserthehadrecentlycrossed,layalovelybluelake,shimmeringamongthe

heatwaves...amirage.

Lyingdownagainhewaitedfordusk.Hewassweatingnolongerandmovementwasaneffort.Hehadbeenalmostthirtyhourswithoutwaterandinintenseheat.

Itwasalmostdarkwhenheawakenedagain.Staggeringtohisfeethestartedtoclimb.Thecoolnessrefreshedhimandgavehimnewstrength.Hepushedon,climbinghigher.Hisvisionwasuncertainandhisskullthrobbedpainfully,butattimeshefeltanalmostdeliriousgaiety,andthenhewouldscrambleuprockswithzestandabandon.Suddenlyhesatdown.Withashockofpiercingclarityherealizedhecoulddie.

Herarelythoughtofdying,althoughheknewitwasexpectedofhimasofallmen,yetitwasalwayssomebodyelsewhowasdying.Suddenlyherealizedhehadnospecialdispensationagainstdeathandhecoulddienow,withinthehour.

Itwasfaintlygrayintheeastwhenhestartedagain.Amazingly,hefoundthetanks.

Asheeptrackdirectedhim.Itwasahalf-shelteredrocktank,butitwasdry.Onlyafaintdustingofsandlayinthebottom.

Afewminuteslater,andalittlehigherup,hefoundasecondtank.Itwasbone-dry.

Soonthesunwouldriseandtheheatwouldreturn.Cavaganstaredattheemptytanksandtriedtoswallow,butcouldnot.Histhroatwasraw,andwhereitwasnotrawitfeltlikeoldrubber.Hislegsstartedtotremble,butherefusedtositdown.Heknewifhesatnowhemightnever

getup.Therewasaqueernessinhim,astrangelightnessasifheno

longerpossessedweight.Throughthesemi-deliriuminducedbyheat,thirst,andexhaustionthereremainedahardcoreofresolution,thefirmnessofacourseresolveduponandincomplete.IfhequitnowJohnSuttonwouldhavewon.Ifhequitnowthedesertwouldhavedefeatedhim,andthedesertwasafriendlyplacetothosewhoknewhowtolivewithit.

Cunningcametohim.Tothosewhoknewhowtolivewithit,notagainstit.Nomancouldfightthedesertandlive.Amanmustmovewithit,givewithit,livebyitsrules.Hehaddonethat,sowhatremained?

Hiseyespeeredintothegrowinglight,refusingtofocusproperly,histhoughtsprowlingthefoggylowlandsofhismind,seekingsomeforgottenthing.

Thinkback...therocktanksoftheChocolates.TheChocolates.TheChocolateswerearangerunningparalleltotheduneswhichtheMexicanscalledthealgodones.Bitbybithisthoughtstriedtosortoutsomethingheknew,butsomethingwasmissing.SomethingelsetheCahuillahadsaid.ItcametohimthenliketheIndian'svoiceinhisears."Ifthereisnowaterinthetanks,thereisaseepinthecanyon."

AlmostduewestwasthecanyonthroughwhichrantheoldIndiantrail...maybefivemiles.

Itwastoofar.Andthenhegotupwithoutdecisionandwalkedaway.Hewalkedwithhisheadup,hismindgoneoffsomewhere,walkingwithaquick,livelystep.Whenhehadwalkedforsomedistancehefellflatonhisface.

Alizardonarockstaredathim,throatthrobbing.SomethingstirredCavagan'smuscles,andhegothishandsunderhimandpushedhimselftohisknees.Thenhegotup,weavingalittle.Itwasdaylight.

Abeeflewpast.

Heswayedalittle,browpuckered,abeeflyingstraight...hiveorwaterorahivenearwater?Hetookafewhesitantstepsinthedirectionthebeehadflown,thenstopped.Afterabitanotherdronedpastandhefollowed,takingasightonaclumpofocotillosomedistanceoff.Hestumbledandfell,scarcelyconsciousofituntilhearoseandstaredathispalms,laceratedbythesharpgravel.

Whenhefellagainhelaystillforwhatmusthavebeenaconsiderabletime,finallybecomingawareofawhistlingsound.Hepushedhimselfup,listening.Thesoundremindedhimofacricket,yetwasnotacricket.Helistened,puzzledyetalertedforsomereasonhedidnotunderstandHemovedthen,andunderaclumpofgrease-woodsomethingstirred.Hefroze,thinkingfirstofarattler,althoughtheheatwastoogreatforonetobeoutunlessinawell-shadedposition.Andthenhiseyecaughtamovement,andheknewwhythesoundhadalertedhim.Itwasatinyred-spottedtoad.

Longagohehadlearnedthatthered-spottedtoadalwayslivedwithinthevicinityofwaterandnevergotfarfromit.

Awkwardlyhegottohisfeetandlookedcarefullyaround.Hiseyescouldnotseemtofocusproperly,yetdownthecanyonheglimpsedsomegalletagrassandwalkedtowardit,comingupontheseepquitesuddenly.

Droppingtohiskneeshescoopedwaterinhispalmanddrankit.Acoldtrickledownhisthroatwaspainfulontherawflesh.Withgentlefingersheputwateronhislips,bathedhischeeksandfacewithit,thendrankalittlemore.

Somethinginsidewascryingoutthathewassafe,butheknewhewasnot.Hedrankalittlemore,thencrawledintotheshadeofarockand

layonhisbackandslept.

Whenheawakenedhecrawledoutanddrankmoreandmore,hiswater-starvedbodysoakingupthemoisture.Hehadfoundwaterbuthadnomeansofcarryingitwithhim,andthecanyonoftheseepmightwellbecomehistomb,hisopentomb.

Cavagangotouttherawhidewithwhichhiswristshadbeenboundandriggedasnareforsmallgame.Inplacingthesnarehefoundsomeseeds,whichheate.Hedrankagain,thensatdowntothinkhiswayforward.

Fromwherehenowsatthereweretwopossibleroutes.NortheasttowardtheColoradowasRedButteSpring,butitwasatleasttwenty-fivemilesawayandinthewrongdirection.

ThetwelvemilestoChuckawallaSpringbegantoloomverylarge,andleavingthewaterhehadfoundworriedhim.TheChuckawallaMountainswereathinbluelineonthenorthernhorizon,andevenifhereachedthemthenextspringbeyondwasCornSprings,justasfaraway.Yetthelongerhewaitedthemorehisstrengthwouldbedrainedbylackoffood.Hehadneverknown*suchexhaustion,yethedarenotwait.

Onthesecondmorninghissnarecaughtakangaroorat,whichhebroiledoverasmallfire.Whenhehadeatenhegotupabruptly,dranksomemore,glancedatthenotchintheChuckawallasandstartedwalking.

Attheendofanhourherested,thenwentonataslowerpace.Theheatwasincreasing.Inmid-afternoonhefellonhisfaceanddidnotgetup.

Morethananhourmusthavepassedbeforehebecameawareoftheintenseheatandbegantocrawllikeablindmole,seekingshade.The

plantsabouthimwerelessthanafoothigh,andhefoundnothing,finallylosingconsciousness.

Heawakened,shakingwithchill.Themooncastaghostlyradianceoverthedesert,theclusteredcanesoftheocotillolookingliketheheaddressesofgiganticIndians.Hegottohisfeet,awareofastirringinthenight.Hewaited,listening.Afaintclickofahoofonstoneandthenhesawadesertbighornsheepwalkintothewashandthenheheardafaintsplash.Rising,hewalkeddowntothewashandheardascurryofmovementasthesheepfled.Healmostwalkedintothespringbeforehesawit.Hedrank,thendrankagain.

LatethenextafternoonhekilledaChuckawallawithawell-thrownstone.Hecookedthebiglizardandfoundthemeattenderandappetizing.Atduskhestartedagain,crossingasmallsaddletothenorthsideofthemountains.Itwastwelvemilesthistime,anditwasdaybreakbeforehereachedCornSprings.Herecognizeditbytheclumpofpalmsandmesquiteinthewashbeforereachingthespring,someclumpsofbaccharis,clustersofsmalltwigsrisingtwotothreefeet.Andthenhefoundthespringitself.Afterdrinkinghecrawledintotheshadeandwasasleepalmostatonce.

Heopenedhiseyes,awareofwood-smoke.Rollingoverquickly,hesatup.

Anoldmansquattednearakettleatafirenearthespring,andontheslopeacoupleofburrosbrowsed.

"Lookstomelikeyou'vehadatimeofit,"theoldmancommented."Youetanything?"

"Chuckawalla...hadakangarooratacoupleofdaysago."

Theoldmannodded."Etchuckatimeortwo...ain'tasbadassomefolksmightfigger."

Cavaganacceptedabowlofstewandateslowly,savoringeverybite.Finally,placingthehalf-emptybowlonthegroundhesatback."Don'tsupposeamanwithapipewouldhaveacigarettepaper?"

"YoustartedthatMexwayofsmokin'?Ain'tforit,m'self.Givemeapipeever'time."Theoldmanhandedhimhistobaccopouchanddugintohisduffleforarolledupnewspaper."Don'ttearthereadin'ifyoucanhe'p.Abodydon'tfindmuchreadin'inthedesertandsometimesIreadthroughanewspaperfiveorsixtimes."

Cavaganwipedhisfingersonhispantsandrolledasmokewithtremblingfingers.Thenheputthecigarettedownandateafewmorebitesbeforelightingup.

"Comefar?""Fifty-five,sixtymiles."

"An'nocanteen?Youhadyourselfatime."TheoldmansaidhisnamewasPearson.Hevolunteerednomorethanthat.Nordidheaskquestions.TherewerenotfourwhitemenbetweentheSanJacintosandtheColoradoRiver.

"I'vegottogettothathotspringthissideofthepass,uptherebytheSanJacintos,"Cavagansaid."IcangetahorsefromtheCahuillas."

Theoldmanstirredhisfireandmovedthecoffeepotcloser."Youlistentomeyouwon'tgoback."

"YouknowwhoIam?"

"Gotnoidea.Figgeredyoudidn'tgetwhereyouwasbychance.SixyearsIbeenprospectin'hereaboutsan'Iain'tseennobodybutaChemehuevioraCahuillainthisherecountry.Amanwouldhavehimselfanoutfit,gun,knife,canteen.Strikesmesomebodyleftyououthereapurpose."

"Ifyoucouldletmehaveacanteenorawatersack.Maybeaknife."

"Howd'youfiggertogetoutofhere?"

"WesttotheHayfields,thenShaver'sWellandtheYumastageroad."

Pearsonstudiedhimoutofshrewdoldeyes."Youain'tnopilgrim.Youmadeitthisfaronnervean'savvy,somayhapyou'llgoalltheway."

Hetampedhispipe."Tellyousomething.YoufightshyofthemHayfields.Seenacoupleofgentssettin'onthatwaterwithrifles.Abodycouldfiggertheywaswaitin'forsomebody."

TheoldmanhelpedCavagantomorestew.HerarelylookeddirectlyatCavagan.

"AretheyontheHayfieldsorbackupthedraw?"

Pearsonchuckled."Youdoknowthiscountry.They'reontheHayfields,an'couldbetheydon'tknowthesourceofthatwater.Couldbeyou'refigurin'amanmightsliparoundthem,getwater,andnobodythewiser."

"IfamanhadawatersackhemightgetasfarasHiddenSpring."

Theoldmanlookedupsharply."HiddenSpring?Neverheardofit."

"SouthwestofShaver's...maybethreemiles.BetterwaterthanShaver's."

"YoumustbeCavagan."

Cavagandidnotreply.Hefinishedthestew,rinsedthebowl,thenfilledhiscoffeecup.

"NobodyknowsthiscountrylikeCavagan.That'swhattheysay.NobodycanrideasfarorshootasstraightasCavagan.Theysaythat,too.TheyalsosayCavaganisdead,leftinthealgodoneswithhishandstied.LotsoffolkssetstorebyCavagan.ThemCalifornios,theylikehim."

Cavagansleptthedayaway,andthenightfollowing.Pearsonmadenomovetoleave,butloafedabout.Severaltimeshecooked,andhewatchedCavaganeat.

CavaganfoundhimstudyingsomeIndianwriting."Can'tmakeheadnortailofit,"Pearsoncomplained."IfthemCahuillascan,theywon'tsay.'*

"ThiswasdonebytheOldOnes,"Cavagansaid,"thePeopleWhoWentBefore.I'vefollowedtheirtrailsinthemountainsandacrossthedesert."

"Theylefttrails?"

"AmancangofromheretotheCahuillavillageatMartinez.ThetrailfollowsthecanyonbackofthevillageandgoesbackofSheepMountain.There'sabranchcomesdownbackofIndianWellsandanothergoestotheIndianvillageatthehotspringattheentrancetoSanGorgonioPass.There'sawayoverthemountainstothecoast,too."

BackbesidethefireCavaganaddedcoffeetowhatwasinthepot,thenmorewaterbeforeputtingitonthefire.Pearsonwatchedhim."Metadamnfooloncewhothrowedoutthegrounds...throwedawaythemother.Neverseenthelike.Can'tmakepropercoffeeuntilshe'stwo,threedaysold."

Helithispipe."Amanlikeyou,hemightknowalotaboutwaterholes.Worthalottoaman,knowin'thingslikethat."

"TherocktanksintheChocolatesaredrythisyear,"Cavagansaid,"butthere'saseepinSalvationPass."Hepokedtwigsunderthecoffeepot."Twenty,twenty-twomileseastofChuckawallathere'saredfingerofbutte.Maybeaquarterofamileeastofthatbuttethere'salittlecanyonwithaseepofwatercomin'outoftherock.Goodwater."

"PlaceMicethatcouldsaveaman'slife,"Pearsoncommented."Goodtoknowthingslikethat."

"TheCahuillasusedtheoldtrails.Theyknowthesprings."

WindwasrustlingthedrypalmleaveswhenCavagancrawledoutintheearlydawnandstirredthecoalstolifetomakecoffee.

Pearsonshookouthisboots,thenputonhishat.Whenhehadhisbootsonhewenttothelimbwherehispantswerehungandshookthemout.Ascorpionaboutfourincheslongdroppedfromatrouserlegandscamperedaway.

"Lasttimeitwasasidewinderinmyboot.Abodybettershakeouthisclothesbeforeheputs'emon."

Pearsonslippedsuspendersoverhisshoulders."Figgeryou'llhitthetrailtoday.Ifyourustlethroughthatstuffofmineyou'llfindyouawatersack.Crossin'thatol'seabottomoutthere,you'llneedit."Hehitchedhisshoulderstosettlehissuspenders."Stillfindshellsalongthatol'beach."

"Cahuillassayashipcameinhereonce,alongtimeago."

"Iftheysayit,"Pearsonsaid,"itdid."

Cavaganfilledthebagafterrinsingit,thendippeditinwaterfromthespring.Evaporationwouldkeepitcool.

Pearsontookalongknifefromhisgear."Nevercateredtothatonem'self,butabodyneverknowswhenhe'llneedanextry."

Cavaganshoulderedthesackandthrusttheknifeintohisbelt."Lookmeupsometime,"hesaid."JustaskforCavagan."

Pearson'sbackwasturned,packinggear,whenCavaganspoke.Helethimtakeadozensteps,andthensaid,"YougettoLosAngeles,yougototheCalledelosNegros.AskforJake.Heowesmemoneyan'Iexpecthemighthaveapistol.Getwhateveryouneed."

JohnSuttonsatatdinneratoneendofalongtableinhisranchhouseatCalabasas.Thedinnerhadbeenenhancedbyaturkeykilledthedaybeforeatacienagaafewmilesaway.Hewasrestless,buttherewasnoreasonforit.Almostamonthhadgoneby.HismenhadreturnedtothealgodonesbutfoundnotraceofCavagan.Norhadtheyexpectedto.Hewouldhavediedoutonthedesertsomewhere.

JuanVelasquezsawtheridercomeupthecanyonasheloafednearthegate,standingguard.Atthegatetheriderdismountedandtheireyesmetinthegatheringdusk."Buenosnoches,Senor,"Juansaid."Ihadexpectedyou."

"So?"

"IhaveanuncleinSonora,Senor.Hegrowsold,andheasksforme."

"Adios,Juan."

"Adios,Senor."

CavaganwalkedupthestepsandintothehousewhereJohnSuttonsatatdinner.

*

ONENIGHTSTAND

StephenMalonewastall,handsome,immaculate,andbroke.Helayonhisback,handsclaspedbehindhishead,tryingnottothinkaboutbreakfast.ThreeweeksagohehadbeenplayingleadrolesinHeartsOfOak,Hamlet,andDavyCrockettonsuccessivenights.Thenthebookingsranout,theplayclosed,andthemanagerskippedtownwiththecompanyfunds,leavingthemstranded.

Forsometimehehadbeenawareofvoicesinthenextroom.Agirlwasspeaking."Hecan't!Hewouldn'tdare!"

Theman'stonewastouchedwithdespair."Theysayhe'skilledfourteenmen.ForthekindofmoneyMasonwouldpay,theKidwouldn'thesitatetomakeitfifteen."

Therewasapause."EvenbeforemyhandwascrippledIcouldn'tmatchhim.NowIwouldn'tstandachance."

"ButPa,ifHickokcomes--?"

"IfhecangethereintimeIHe'snotthekindtoforgetwhatIdidforhim,butunlessheshowsupI'mfinished.Else,I'dgiveathousanddollarstoseeBillHickokwalkthroughthatdoorrightnow!"

StephenMaloneknewacuewhenheheardone.Hesteppedintothehallandrappedonthedooroftheirroom.

"Who'sthere?"Itwastheman'svoice.

"BillHickok."

Thedooropenedandhewasfacingathinoldmanwithgrayhair,andapretty,dark-hairedgirl."Youaren'tBillHickok!"Themanwas

disgusted.

"No,"Malonesaid,"butforathousanddollarsIwillbe."

"You'reagunfighter?"Elsedemanded.

"I'manactor.ItismybusinesstomakepeoplebelieveIamsomebodyelse."

"Thisisdifferent.Thisisn'tplayacting."

"Hecouldkillyou,"Elsesaid."Youwouldn'thaveachance."

"NotifI'magoodenoughactor.NotmanymenwouldtrytodrawagunonWildBillHickok."

"It'safoolidea,"themansaid.

"Sothere'sanelementofrisk.I'veplayedHamlet,Macbeth,andShylock.WhynotWildBill?"

"Look,son,you'veundoubtedlygotnerve,andprobablyyou'reafineactor,butthismanisakiller.Oh,Iknowhe'satinhorn,butyouwouldn'thaveachance!"

"NotifI'magoodenoughactor."

"He'stalkingnonsense,andyoubothknowit!"Elseprotested.

"ToplayHickok,son,you'vegottobeabletoshootlikeHickok."

"OnlyifIplayitbadly.YousaytheKidisatinhorn,I'lltrusttoyourjudgmentandmyskill."

Bradywalkedtothewindow."Itmightwork,youknow.Itjustmight."

"ItwouldbesuicideI"Elseobjected.

Bradyturnedfromthewindow."IamEmmettBrady.Thisismydaughter,Else.FrankMasonwantsmyrange,andthePiocheKidisafriendofhis.Hewasbroughtheretokillme."

"Thepleasurewillbemine,sir,"Malonebowed.

"Didanyoneseeyoucomeintothehotel?"Bradyasked.

"Onlythemanatthedesk.Itwastwoo'clockinthemorning."

"Thenit'sallright.JimCooleyisafriendofmine."

"GethimtospreadthestorythatHickokisintown,andoncethestoryisaround,I'llmakemyplay."

"It'sridiculous!"Elsedeclared."WhyshouldyouriskyourMeforus?"

"MissBrady,asmuchasI'denjoyposingasSirGalahad,Icannot.I'mnoknightinarmor,justastrandedactor.Butforathousanddollars?Ihaven'tmadethatmuchinawholeseason!"

"You'vegotsand,Malone.Else,fetchJimCooley."

"You'vestilltimetobackout,"Elsewarned.

"IamgratefulforyourconcernbutthiswillbethefirsttimeIhavebeenofferedonethousanddollarsforasingleperformance."

Returningtohisroom,Maloneopenedhistrunkandchoseablondwigwithhairtohisshoulders.-Heselectedadroopingmustache."...AndthebuckskinjacketIworeasDavyCrockett.ThenI'llremovetheplumefromthishatIworeinShenandoah--"

ThePiocheKidstaredcomplacentlyintohisglass.Bradywasanoldmanwithabadrighthand.Hewasnothingtoworryabout.

JimCooleycamethroughtheswingingdoors."Givemeashot,Sam."Heglancedaroundtheroom."Waituntilyouboyshearwhoisintown!WildBillhimself!Rodeinlastnight,allthewayfromKansasbecauseheheardhisoldfriendEmmettBradyneededhelp!"

ThePiocheKidwentsickwithshock.SomebodywasaskingwhatBradyhadonHickok."Nursedhimbacktohealthafteragunshotwound.Hickoknearlykilledacoupleofhorsesgettinghere.He'ssleepingitoffoveratthehotelnow."

WildBillHickok!TheKidhadn'tbargainedforthis.Hetookuphiswhiskeyandtosseditoff,buttheshudderthatfollowedwasnotcausedbythewhiskey.

"Sam...?"Hepushedtheemptyglasstowardhim.

Hecouldfeeltheexcitementintheroom.Theywerethinkingthey'dseethePiocheKidshootitoutwithWildBillHickok,themostfamousofthemall.

SomebodymentionedthefourteenmentheKidwassupposedtohavekilled,buttheKidhimselfknewtherehadbeenbutfour,andtwoofthosehadbeendrunkencowhands,andoneofthemadrunkenfarmerwhohadneverheldapistolbefore.

Suddenly,desperately,hewantedout.Howhadhegotintothis,anyway?Hickokcouldshoot!HerecalledthestoriesofHickok'sfamoustargetmatcheswiththerenownedMajorTalbot,atCheyenne.

"He'sthebest,"Cooleywassaying."Eyesinthebackofhishead,seemslike.RememberthetimehekilledPhilCoe,thenturnedandkilledamanrunningupbehindhim?"

CooleysmiledattheKid."Shouldbesomething,youandhim.You'vekilledmorethanhehasifyoudiscountthosehekilledwhileasharpshooterintheArmy.ButIdidseehimtakefouratonce.Killedtwo,athirddiedlater,andthefourthwasneveranygoodforanythingafter."

Cooleyfinishedhisdrink."I'mgettin'outofhere.I'veseentoomanybystandersgetgut-shotSorryIcan'twishyouluck,Kid,butBill'safriendofmine."

Menmovedtothetables,awayfromthebar.Onehastilypaidforhisdrinkandleftthebar.TheKidwasalone,isolated,cutoff.

Whatthehellwashappening?ThiswasHickok!Ifhewonthey'dallslaphimonthebackandbuyhimdrinks,butifhelostthey'djuststareatthebodyastheywalkedby.Hemoppedhisface.Hewassoakedwithsweat,andheknewwhy.Hewasscared.

Masonwasatthedoor."He'scomin',Kid.BesomethingtobeknownasthemanwhokilledWildBill."

Malonepausedinthedoortowaveatsomeonedownthestreet,thenhewalkedtothebar.Alleyeswereonhim."Rye,ifyouplease."

Samputabottleandaglassbeforehim.TheKidlickeddrylipswithafumblingtongue.Desperatelyhewantedtowipehispalmdryonhispants,buthewasafraidHickokwouldthinkhewasgoingforagun.Nowwasthetime.Heshouldopentheball.Sweatdrippedfromhisfacetothebar.Heopenedhismouthtospeak,butMalonespokefirst.

"Bartender,I'dliketofindtwomenforalittlejob.I'llpayadollareach.It'sadiggingjob."

"Yousaid...adiggingjob?"

"That'sright.Iwanttwomentodigaholeabout--"heturneddeliberatelyandlookedrightattheKid,"--sixfeetlong,sixfeetdeep,andthreewide."

"Whereaboutsdoyouwantitdug?"

"OnBootHill."

"Agrave?"

"Exactly."

Sammotionedtotwomenatanearbytable.'Tom?Joe?Mr.Hickokwantsacoupleofmen."Hehesitatedeversoslightly."Todigagrave."

"Andtomakeaslabforamarker,"Malonesaid.

Samwaslovingeverymomentofit."Youwantanameonit?"

"Don'tbotherwiththename.Withintheweektheywillhaveforgottenwhohewas,anyway.JustcarveonitheshouldhaveleftbeforeTHESUNWENTDOWN."

Hefinishedhisdrink."Goodafternoon,gentlemen."Hestrolledtothedoor,pausedbrieflywithhishandonthedoor,thensteppedoutontheboardwalkandturnedtowardthehotel.

Withinthesaloonachaircreakedassomeoneshiftedweight.TheKidliftedafumblinghandtobrushawaythesweatfromhisfaceandthehandtrembled.Hetossedoffhisdrink,spillingalittleonhischin.Neverhaddeathseemedsoclose.

Whatkindofadamnedfoolwashe,anyway?WhatdidhehavetodowithBrady?LetMasondohisownkilling.Suddenlyallhewantedwastobeaway,awayfromthosewatchingeyes,staringathim,so

willingtoseehimdie.

WhatdidheoweMason?Allhehadtodowascrossthestreet,mounthishorseandride.Behindhisbacktheywouldsneer,butwhatdidthatmatter?Heowedthesepeoplenothing,andtherewereathousandtownslikethis.Moreover,he'dbealive...alive!

Hewantedtofeelthesunshineonhisface,thewindinhishair,todrinkalong,colddrinkofwater.Hewantedtolive!

Abruptly,hewalkedtothedoor.Hehadseenmendie,seenthemlietormentedinthebloodydust.Hedidnotwanttofeelthetearingagonyofabulletinhisguts.

TherewasHickok,hisbroadbacktohim,onlyafewpacesaway.Aquickshot...hecouldalwayssayHickokhadturned.

Sweatdrippedintohiseyes,dimlyherememberedeyesinthebackofhishead.OnthatotheroccasionHickokhadturnedsuddenlyandfired...deadcenter.

TheRidletgoofhisgunasifitwereredhot.

Yethecouldstillmakeit.Hewasaprettygoodshot...well,afairshot.Hecould--

Twomenemergedfromtheliverystable,eachcarryingashovel.TomandJoe,todigagrave...hisgrave?

Hecrossedthestreet,almostrunning,andjerkedloosethetie-rope.Hemissedthestirrupwithhisfirsttry,madeitonthesecond,andwasalmostcryingwhenhehitthesaddle.Hewheeledthehorsefromthehitch-railandlefttownatadeadrun.

Hissaddlewashotfromthesun,buthecouldfeelit.Thewindwasin

hisface...hewasfree!Hewasriding,hewasliving,andtherewerealotofothertowns,alotofcountry.

Bradyturnedfromthewindow."He'sgone,Else.Malonedidit."

"Mason'sleaving,too,"sheadded.

ThedooropenedbehindthemandStephenMalonesteppedin,removinghishat,thenthewigandthemustache."That'sonepartIneverwanttoplayagain!"

"Here'syourmoney,son.Youearnedit."

"Thanks."

"Whatwouldyouhavedone,Malone,"Cooleyasked,"iftheKidhadcalledyourhand?"

"Done?Whythis--!"

Hisdrawwassurprisinglyfast,andhefiredatCooley,point-blank.Cooleysprangback,shocked.Hishandsclutchedhisabdomen.

Hishandscameawayandhestaredatthem.Noblood.No--I

Malonewassmiling.

"Blanks!"Cooleyexclaimed."YoufacedtheKidwithnothinginyourgunbutblanks!"

"Well,whynot?Itwasallpartoftheact"

*

TRAILTOSQUAWSPRINGS

JimBostwickwaspackingagrouch,andhedidn'tcarewhoknewit.Therainthatbeganwithacloudbursthaddegeneratedintoagully-washingdownpourthatforforty-eighthoursshowednoindicationofletup.Bostwick,ridingaflea-bittencantankerousroan,washeadedforthemountainstofileaclaim.

Rainslanteddismallyacrossthecountrybeforehim,poundingonhisbackandshoulders,beatingontheyellowslickeruntilhisbackwasactuallysore.Underaloweringgrayskytheraindrewametallicveiloverthecountry,turningtheroadintoamuddypathacrosswhathadbeendeserttwodaysagoandwouldbedesertagainwithintwohoursaftertherainended.

Bostwicksworeattheroanwhomerelytwitchedhisears,beingfamiliarwithcowhandsandtheirways.Heknewthecussingdidn'tmeananything,andheknewthemanwhorodehimtookbettercareofhimthananyriderhe'dhad.

Bostwicksworebecausehewantedbreakfast,wantedadrink,becausehehadn'tsleptthenightbefore,becauseheneededashaveandhisfaceitched,andhesworeongeneralprinciples.

HisbossontheSlashFivehadgivenhimfivedaysoffinwhichtofileonhisclaim,getdrunkorwhateverhepleased,anditlookedlikeitwouldrainthewholefivedays,whichBostwicktookasapersonalaffront

Bostwickwasacowhand.Notatophand,justagood,six-days-a-week,fourteen-hours-a-daycowhandwhocouldhandlearopeorabranding-iron,digpestholes,mendfences,cleanwaterholes,shoeahorse,andplayafairhandofbunkhousepoker.

Hewastwenty-nineyearsold,hadnevermarried,andhemadefortydollarsamonth.Severaltimesamonthhemanagedtogetgoodanddrunk.Andeverydrunkbeganorendedwithafist-fight.Todatehewasbreakingevenonthefights.

HeworeagunbuthadneverdrawnitinangerinhisMe.Hehadkilledonlyonemanheknewof,anIndianwhowastryingtostealhishorse.ThatwaswhenhewassixteenandcomingWestinacoveredwagon.

Atfiveelevenandweighingonehundredandseventypoundshismethodoffightingwassimple,towadeinswinginguntilsomethinghitthedirt,eitherhimortheotherfellow.Hefoughtbecauseheenjoyeditandnevercarriedagrudgethatlastedlongerthantheheadache.

Therain-blackenedlavaflowonhisleftendedandthetrailcurvedarounditintoahuddleofnondescriptbuildings,forthemostpartunpaintedandweather-beaten.ThiswasthetownofYellowjacket.

Themainstreetwasempty,emptyexceptforacoveredwagonwhoseoffwheelswereonhigherground,givingaprecarioustilttothewagonbed.Amaninatatteredslickerstoodbeforethewagontalkingtoagirlwhosefacewasbarelyrevealedthroughthepartedcanvas.

"Hedoesn'tplantogivethemback,Ruthie,"theoldmanwassaying."Hedoesn'taimtoevergivethemback.Hesaysweowehimbecausehefedthem."

Thethin,querulousvoicecarriedthroughtheraintoBostwickwhoturnedhiseyestothem.Therewassomethingaboutthelargedarkeyesandthethinchild'sfacethatdisturbedhim.Ashedrewabreastofthemtheoldmanlookedupathimoutoffadedblueeyes,thenbacktothegirl.

"You'dbettergetintothewagon,Granddad.Wecan'tdoanythinguntilthestormbreaks."

Bostwickrodetotheliverystable,strippedthegearfromtheroanandrubbedthehorsereasonablydrywithhandfulsofhay,buttheungratefulbeastnippedathiselbowandashedepartedthestall,tookaplayfulkickathimthatheevadedmorefromhabitthanattention.Withoutlookingbackhesloggedthroughthemudtothesaloon.Therewasnosoundfromthewagonashewentby.

TheYellowjacketSaloonwasabarfifteenfeetlongwitharowofbottlesbehind,mudmixedwithsawdustontheplankfloorandapotbelliedstoveglowingrubyredlikeanexpectantboil.Behindthebartherewasabigmanwithapolishedfaceandahandlebarmustache.HishairstartedmidwayonthetopofhisheadandwasJet-black.Hehadbig,squarefistsandhishandsandarmswerewhiteasawoman's.

Amandozedinachairagainstthewall,hishatoverhiseyes,anothersleptwithhisheadonacardtable.Attheothertablefourmenplayedalacklustergameinadesultoryfashionwithadog-eareddeckofcards.Fromtimetotimeoneortheotherofthemwouldturnhisheadtospitataboxofsawdust,andfromtimetotimeoneof

themhitit.

Bostwickremovedhishat,slappedtheraindropsfromitwithablowagainsthislegandsaid,"Gimmeashotofrye."ThebartenderglancedatJim'sbrokennoseandpouredthedrink.

AmaninaMackinawwhosatneartheglowingstovetookhispipefromhismouth."Justthesame,Ithinkit'smightymeanofhimtotaketheirhorses.Howaretheygoingtogetoutof

here?"

Amanwithastreakedblondmustacheglancedcynicallyatthefirstspeaker."YouknowPennock.Hedoesn'tplanforthemtoleave,nota-tall!"

"Heseenthatgirl,"themanintheMackinawsaid."Ain'tmanywomencometoYellowjacket.Besides,thatoldmanwasallsettofileonSquawSprings,andPennockfiguresthat'shis'n."

JimBostwickdownedhisdrink.SquawSprings?Thatwastheclaimhe'dplannedtofileon.

Heletthebartenderrefillhisglass."HefiledonSquawSprings?"

"Pennock?Whyshouldhe?Who'sgoingtobuttinwhenhesaysit'shis'n?Theysaythatgunofhispackssevennotches,orcouldifhewishedit."

"Itcould,"thebartendersaid."Weallknowtwonotchesthatcouldgoonit.SandyChasetriedPennock'sgameandcameupaloser."

"Oughttobealawagainstkillin'whentheground'sallfrozeup.Gravediggin'nopleasureanytime,butinfrozenground?"

"Makesforshallowgraves,"somebodysaid,"betterwhenJudgmentDaycomes."

"Thatgirlain'tnomore'nsixteenorseventeen.It'sadamnshame."

"YougotellthattoPennock."

Nobodyrepliedtothat.Well,itwasnoneofhisfuss.Besides,theyplannedtofileonhisclaim,asdidPennock.

"Where'sthegrub-pile?"heasked.

"Twodoorsdown."Heglancedagainatthebrokennose."Youa

fighter?"

Bostwickbuttonedhisslicker."OnlywhenI'mpushed."

HestartedforthedoorandheardthemanintheMackinawsay,"HekilledChaseoverawoman.Whatwastheotheroneabout?"

"FelleraimedtofileonSquawSprings.Pennockbroughtsomesortofachargeagainsthim,andthefellergotriled.Figuredhewasatoughcaseandmaybeinhishomecountryhewas."

"Hewastoofarfromhome,then.I'mmothuntinganybeefwithCapPennock!"

Jimpulledhishatlowoverhiseyes.Shouldershunchedagainsttherain,hesloppedthroughthemudtothelightalreadyshowingfromtheboardinghousewindow.Thecoveredwagonwasdirectlyacrossthestreetand,asheglancedover,hesawthegirlgettingdownfromthewagon.Avertinghiseyesheduckedintothedoor.

Abig-bosomedwomanwithared,Irishfacepointedatthemat."Wipeyourfeet,an'wipe'emgood!"

Meekly,Bostwickdidashewastold.Takingoffhishatandslickerhehungthemfrompegsnearthedoorandseatedhimselfatthelongtable.

"You'reearly,stranger,"theIrishwomansaid,"butyoulookhungry,sosetup.I'llfeedyou."

Bostwicklookedupasthedoorclosed.Itwasthegirlfromthewagon.Shehaddarkhairandlargedarkeyes.Herfacewasovalandquitepretty.Shehadacoffeepotinherhand.Shelookedathim,thenturnedhastilyawayasifshehadseentoomanyofhiskind.Bostwickflushed.

"Ma'am?CanIbuysomecoffee?Grandad'shavingachill."

"Ishouldn'twonder,sloppin'aroundintherainlikehe'sbeendoin'.Youtwogoin'topayCapPennockwhatheasks?"

Herlips,delicateasarosepetal,trembled."Wecan't.Wejustdon'thaveit."

Thewomanfilledthecoffeepotandwavedpaymentaside."Youtakeitalong,honey.Iwouldn'tknowwhattochargeforthatlittledabofcoffee."

"ButI--!Idowanttopay."

"Yougoalongnow.It'sallright."

Whenthegirlhadgone,shebroughtfoodtoBostwick."It'sashame!"shesaid."Adownrightshame!"

JimBostwickhelpedhimselftoaslabofbeefandsomemashedpotatoes."WhoisthisPennock?"heasked,withoutlookingup.

Thewomanturnedtolookathim,seeingonlythetangledhair,theblunt,wind-carvedunshavedfeaturesandthebroad,powerfulshoulderstaperingtonarrowhips,shoulderscladinacheapcoatandawoolshirt.

"He'sthetownmarshal.More,he'sthebossaroundhere,andfolksknowit."

"Nobodystandsagainsthim?"

"Sometried.Thingshappenedtothem.CapPennockisahardman."

Hewasgettingboredbythatrepeatedcomment."Whendidthosefolksgethere?"

"Yesterday.Pennocktooktheirhorses,impoundedthemforbeinginthestreetallnight.Backwhentheminingboomwason,thetowncouncilpassedthatrulebecausethestreetsweresocrowdedatnightabodycouldn'tgetthrough.AftertheboomdiedpeopleforgotaboutituntilPennockwaselectedmarshal,thenhedugintothetownlawsanddugupalotofregulations,allofwhichshowprofitforhim."

ThedooropenedandthemanintheMackinawcameinfollowedbyhisblond-mustachedfriend.Jimwasawareoftheirattention.

"Howdy,Kate!"

"Howdy,Harbridge!Howareyou,Grove?How'sEmmadoin'?"

"Ailin',"Groverepliedcheerfully.

Thebartendercameinandbehindhim,anotherman.TalkaroundthetablediedandBostwicklookedup.Thenewcomerwasabigman,heavy-shoulderedwithboldblackeyes.Instinctively,BostwickknewthiswasPennock.ThemansatdownnearhimandinstantlyBostwickfeltthestirringofaninnerrebellion.Therewassomethingdeepwithinhimthatdeeplyresentedsuchmen.

Bostwickwas,asmanyanAmericanhasbeenbeforeandsince,amanwhoresentedauthority.

Heknewitsnecessityandtriedtoconformbutwhenthatauthoritybecamedomineering,asthismanobviouslywas,Bostwick'sresentmentgrew.

Morethanthat,verybigmenwhousedtheirsizetooveraweothers,irritatedhim.Thatfactaccountedforthefactthathehadlostasmanyfightsashehad,forhewasalwayschoosingthebiggest,toughestones.Largemenputhimonedge,andhewasonedgenow.

"Strangerintown?"Pennockaskedabruptly.

"No."Bostwickcouldnothavetoldwhyhechosetodeliberatelyantagonizetheman."Ibeenintownmore'nanhour."

Pennockdidnotreply,butBostwickwasawareofasubduedstirdownthetable.HereachedoverandtookthecoffeepotalmostoutofPennock'shandandfilledhiscup.Thebigman'seyeshardened,andhestudiedBostwickcarefully.

"Don'tlookatme,"Jimsaid,"Iputmyhorseinthebarn."

SomebodysnickeredandPennocksaid,"Ididn'taskaboutyourhorse.Seemstome,stranger,you'resomewhatontheprod."

"Me?"Bostwicklookedsurprised.'I'mnothuntin'trouble.I'mnotexpectin'trouble,either.Ofcourse,ifIwasanoldmanwithaprettyyoungdaughterImightfeeldifferent."

Pennockputhiscupdownhard."Idon'tlikethatremark.Ifyou'rehuntin'troubleyou'resureheadedrightatit."

"Iain'thuntin'trouble,butthere'snolawagainstamanthinkin'outloud.I'mjustoftheopinionthatatownthatwillmaketroubleforasickoldmanandhisdaughterisprettysmallstuff."

"Nobodyaskedyou,"Pennocksaid.

Pennockhadanuglyexpressioninhiseyes,butBostwickwassuddenlyawarethatPennockwasinnohurrytopushtrouble.Thatwasaninterestingpoint.Becausehewasastranger?Becausetheattackhadsurprisedhim?BecausePennockwasasure-thingmanwhohadnodesiretotackletoughstrangers?Itwasapointworthyofsomethought.

Talkstartedupagain,andKatecamearoundandlaidanenormousslabofapplepieonBostwicks'plate.Whenhelookedup,shewassmiling.

NomansuchasPennockjusthappens.EachhasapastandperhapssomewherebackdownthelinePennockwaswanted.Ormaybehehadtakenwaterforsomebody--

"Pennock?"hemuttered."Thatnamedoessoundfamiliar."Bostwicklookedhimovercoolly."Beenaroundherelong?"

Pennock'slipsthinnedout,yethefoughtbackhisanger."I'llaskthequestionshere.WhatdoyouwantinYellowjacket?"

"Justpassin'through."

"Adrifter?"

"No,I'mwithabigoutfitsouthofhere,belowtheBradshaws.TheSlashFive."

Grovelookedupatthementionofthename."Ain'tthattheoutfitthattreedWeaver?"

Ithadbeenafightwithsometinhorngamblers,butBostwicklied,"Wedidn'tlikethetownmarshal.Hegaveoneofourboysaroughtime,sowejustnaturallymovedin."

Kateasked,"Whathappenedtothemarshal?"

"Him?Oh,wehunghim!"Bostwicksaidcarelessly."Thatis,wehungthebody.Ifigurehewasalreadydeadbecausewedroppedalooponhimanddrughimmaybethreehundredyardswithsomeoftheboysshootin'intohimaswedrughim.Hewasabigfeller,too."

"What'sthatgottodowithit?"Pennock'sfacehadlostcolorbutnone

ofthemeannessinhiseyes.

"Huh?Oh,notmuch!Onlythembigfellersdon'thangsogood.Bodiesaretooheavy.Thisfeller'sheadpulledoff.Wouldyoubelieveit?RightoffI"

PeteandShortywouldgetabootoutofthatstory.Justwaituntilhetoldthem!They'dneverhunganybodyordraggedanybody.AcoupleofthetinhornstriedtoshootitoutbutShortywas,foracowhand,mightygoodwithagun.Henailedone,andPetewoundedtheotherone.Thentheyhadpitchedalltherestofthetinhorns'gearintothestreetandranthemoutoftownintheirsockfeet.

Hewasawaretheotherswereenjoyinghisbaitingofthetownmarshal.Hewasenjoyingithimself,andwithagoodmealinsidehimhehadlosthisgrouch.ButnoneofthiswasgettinghimanywhereclosertoSquawSprings--norwasitgettingthatgirlandhergrandadoutoftrouble.

ItwasthenherememberedtheywereplanningtofileonSquawSpringsthemselves,soifsomehowhegotthemoutoftrouble--

Hestoppedabruptly.Nowwhosaidhewasgettingthemoutoftrouble?Whatbusinesswasitofhis?Amancouldgethimselfkilled,buttingintosuchthings.

Butsayinghedidgetthemoutoftrouble,thentheywouldbegoingafterthesameclaimhewanted!

Itwasagoodclaim.Thespringhadafineflowofexcellentwater,andthelandlaywellforfarmingorgrazing.Amancoulddosomethingwithit,fruittrees,maybe.AplacelikehisfolkshadbackEast.

Pennockwantedthatclaim,too,andanywayamanlookedatitPennockwasintheway.

CapPennockfinishedeatingandwentoutside,ignoringBostwick.Pennockstoppedoutsidetheboardinghousewindowpickinghisteethwiththeivorytoothpickthathadbeenhangingfromhiswatchchain.Hewaslookingacrossthestreetatthecoveredwagon.ThatdecidedBostwick.Hewouldgetthemoutoftroublefirstandthendecideabouttheclaim.

"YoubetterlayoffPennock,"Harbridgewarnedhim."He'sakiller.He'llbeouttogetyounow,onewayortheother.

"He'llgetoutthatbookofcitylawsandfindsomethinghecanhangontoyou."

Bostwickhadasuddenthought."Istherejustoneofthemlawbooks?Imean,doesanybodyelsehaveacopy?"

"Ihave,Ithink,"Katereplieddubiously."Myoldmanwasmayorduringtheboomdays.Ibelievehehadone."

"Youhavealook.I'lltalktothatgirl."

TherewasworryinKate'seyes."Nowyoubecareful,youngman!Don'ttakePennocklightly!"

"Isurelywon't.Iain'tanxioustogethurt.Yousee,"hesaidruefully,"IhadmyheartsetonSquawCreekmyself!"

Hesplashedacrossthestreettothewagonandrappedonthewagonbox.Duskwasfallingbuthecouldseeherexpressionchangefromfeartoreliefasshesawhim.

"Ma'am,howmuchdoesthatmarshalwantforyourhorses?"

"Hesaidfiftydollars."

"How'syourgrandad?"

"Notverygood."Shespokesoftly."I'mworried."

"MaybewebettergethiminsideKate'shouse.It'scoldanddampouthere."

"Oh,butwecan't!Ifweleavethewagonthemarshalwilltakeit,too."

"Yougethimfixedtomove,"Bostwicksaid."Youleavethatmarshaltome."

WhenheexplainedtoKatesheagreedreadilybutthenwondered,"Whataboutthewagon?"

"I'llfindaway,"hesaiddoubtfully.

"Ifoundthatbook,"Katesaid,"forwhatevergooditwilldoyou."

Itwasnotreallyabook,justafewhandwrittensheetsstapledtogether.Itwasheadedboldly:CityOrdnances.

Bostwickwasaslowreaderatbest,butheseatedhimselfandbegantoworkhiswaythroughthehalf-dozenpagesofwhatalong-agotowncouncilhaddecreedforYellowjacket.

Later,whenhehadgrandadsafelyinstalledintheroomwhereKate'shusbandhadoncelived,hehadalongtalkwithKate.

"I'lldoit!I'lldoitormename'snotKatieMulrennan!"

Watchinghischancetomoveunseen,Bostwickranthroughthemudandcrawledintothewagon,burrowingdownamidstthebeddingandoddsandendsofhouseholdfurniture.Hehadbeentherebutafewminuteswhenheheardasplashingofhoofsandarattleoftrace-chains.Pennockwas,ashehadexpected,hitchinggrandpa'steamtothewagon.

Crouchingbackoftheseat,hewaited.PennockhadlearnedofhismovinggrandadIntoKate'sbuthadnoideaBostwickwasinsidethewagon.

Itwasdarkandwet,andthebigmanwaswatchinghisfootingashestartedtoclamberintothewagon.Hemissedseeingthehandthatshotoutofthedarknessandgrabbedthelinesfromhishand,northefootuntilitsmashedintohischest.

Pennockletoutachokingyellandgrabbedatthelegashetoppledbackwardintothemud.

Scramblingtotheseat,Bostwickslappedthehorseswiththelines,andtheheavywagonstartedwithajerk.

Behindhimtherewasanangryshout.GlancingbackBostwicksawthebigmanlungeafterthewagon,thenslipandfallfacedowninthemud.Thentheteamwasrunning,andthewagonwasoutoftownonthetrailtoSquawSprings.

JimBostwickdroveforthirtyminutesuntilhecametowhathewaslookingfor,anabandonedbarnthathadstoodtheresinceboomdays.Hedroveoverthegravelapproachandintothedoorintheendofthebarn.Fortunately,somebodyhadusedthebamduringthesummerandtherewashayinthemangers.Heunhitchedthehorsesandtiedthemtothemanger,andthengoingoutside,heeliminatedwhattrackshecouldfind.Therainwoulddotherest.

Whenhehadfinishedhewentbacktotownridingonehorseandleadingtheother.Hetookthemtotheliverystable,thenscoutedtheboardinghouse,butasKatehadforetold,mostofthetownspeoplewerepresent.

Whenheentered,CapPennockhalf-startedtohisfeetbutBostwickhadathumbhookedinhisbeltnearhisgun,andslowlyPennocksat

downagain.

"Youtheonewhodrovethatwagonoff?"

"Iwas.AndIwascompletelywithinmyrights."

AstonishmentreplacedangeronPennock'sface."Whatdoyoumean...rights'?"

"Youquietdown,Pennock.We'vegotbusiness."BostwickglancedatKate."Areyouready,judge?"

"Judge?"Pennock'shandsrestedflatonthetable.Helookedlikeanoldbullatbay."What'sgoingonhere?"

KateMulrennanbangedthetablewithahammer."Court'snowinsession!"

Pennocklookedfromonetotheother."Whatkindoftomfooleryisthis?"hedemanded.

"Itmeans,"Bostwickreplied,"thatthetowncouncilmetthisafternoonandappointedmethetownmarshalaccordingtotheregulationsetforthinthecityordnancesofYellowjacket,whichdecrees--readit,Katie."

TheaforesaidtowncouncilshallmeetonthefifthdayofJanuary,orassoonthereafteraspossible,andshallappointajudge,atownmarshalandtownclerk.TheseofficialsshallholdofficeonlyuntilthefifthofJanuaryfollowing,atwhichtimethecouncilshallagainmeetandre-appointorreplacetheseofficialsastheyshallseefit.

Bostwick'seyesneverleftPennock.Itwasthefirsttimetheman'sbluffhadbeencalled,andhewasexpectingtrouble.Appointedtotheofficealmostthreeyearsbefore,hehadrunthetownashesawfitand

hadpocketedthefines.

"Thatmeans,"Jimwenton,"thatyouarenolongerthetownmarshalandIam.Italsomeansthatfortwoyearsyouhavebeenactingwithoutauthority.Astherewasnomeetingofthetowncouncilinthattimewewillwaivethatpartofit,butwemustinsistonanaccountingofallthefinesandmoniescollectedbyyou."

"What?You'reapackofcrazyfools!"

"Accordingtoregulationsyougettenpercentofallcollected.Nowwewantanaccounting."

CapPennockclutchedtheedgeofthetable.Monthaftermonthhehadbulliedthesepeople,finingthemaswellasstrangers,andnomandareddenyhim.NowthisstrangerhadcometoYellowjacketandinonedayhispowerhadcrumbledtonothing.

Buthadit?Needheletitbeso?WatchingPennock,Bostwickjudgedthathehadbeenwaryoftacklingatoughmanwhomightbeagunfighter,butdrivenintoacorner,Pennockhadnochoice.Itwasrunorfight.

"Ihaven'tthemoney."Pennockwasverycoolnow."Soyou'llpayhellcollectingit."

"Wethoughtofthat,soyouhaveachoice.Payuporleavetowntomorrowbynoon."

"SupposeIdecidetopaynoattentiontothiskangaroocourt?"

"Thenitbecomesmyjob,"Bostwickrepliedquietly,"asthenewlyelectedtownmarshal..."

CapPennockgottohisfeet.Bostwickhadtohandittohim.Whenthe

chipsweredownPennockwasgoingtofightforwhathehad."Youwon'thavetocomelookingforme,Bostwick.I'llbeouttherewaitingforyou."

PennockstartedforthedoorandKatecalledout,"Holdupaminute,Cap!Youowemeadollarforgrub.Nowpayup,youcheapskate!"

Pennock'sfacewaslivid.Hehesitated,thenlividwithangerhetossedadollaronthetableandwalkedout.

"Well,Jim,"Harbridgesaid,"yousaidifitcametothisthatyou'dhandleit.Nowyou'vegotittodo.

"He'sadangerousmanwithagun.SandyChasewasgood,buthewasn'tgoodenough.Ineverwould'vehadthenervetogothroughwiththisifKatehadn'ttoldusyou'dfacehim,ifneedbe."

"Areyoufast?"Groveasked.

"No,I'mnot.ProbablyI'mnofasterthananyofyou,butI'llbeoutthereandhe'dbettergetmequickorI'lltakehim."

Bostwickdislikedtobrag,butthesemenneededtobelieve.IfhefailedthemtheywouldtakethebruntofPennock'sanger.

Whentheyhadtroopedoutoftheroomandgonetotheirhomes,Bostwicksatdownagain,suddenlyscared.HelookeduptoseeRuthwatchinghim.

"Iheardwhatwassaid.You'vedonethisforme...forus,haven'tyou?"

Bostwick'shardfeaturesflushed."Ma'am,Iain'tmuch,andI'mnobraverthanmost,it'sjustthatwhenIseeamanlikehimsomethinggetsintome."

"Iwishwehadafewmorelikeyou!"Katesaid.

Shegesturedtothetable."Youset,I'vesomemoreofthatpie."ShelookedaroundatRuthie."You,too,youlooklikeyoucoulddowithsomenourishment."

Whenthesunhungoverthestreet,Bostwickstoodinadoorwaythinkingwhatadamnedfoolhewas.Why,Shorty,wholaidnoclaimstobeinggoodwithagun,wasbetterthanhewas.Yethehadwalkedintothiswithhiseyesopen.

Hemustmakenoeffortatafastdraw.Hewasnotfast,andhewouldbeafooltotry.Hemustacceptthefactthathewasgoingtobehit,andhemusthopethatthefirstshotdidn'tkillhim.

Hemighthavetimeforoneshotonly,andhemustbesurethatshotwouldkill.JimBostwickwasamanwithoutillusions.Heknewhewasgoingtotakesomelead,andhehadtobepreparedforit.Yethewasatoughman,hardyearsofworkandbrutalfightshadprovedthat.Hewasgoingtohavetotakesomeleadandkeepa'comin'.

Hewasagoodshotwithapistol,betterthanmostwhenshootingattargets,onlythistimethetargetwouldbeshootingback.

Thesunwasbakingthewetnessfrom.thestreetandfromthefalse-frontedbuildings.Somewhereapianowasplaying.Hesteppedintothestreet

"Bostwick!"

Thecallwasfrombehindhim!CapPennockhadbeenlurkingsomewhereneartheliverystableandhadoutsmartedhim,playedhimforasucker.

Capwasstandingthere,bigandrough,apistolinhishand.Andhe

wassmilingatthesuccessofhistrick.Capfired.

Takeyourtime!Thewordsranginhismindlikeabell.Heliftedhisbone-handledgunandfiredjustasCapletgowithhissecondshot.SomethingsluggedBostwickinthelegasherealizedCaphadmissedhisfirstshot!

HiseyeswereonthattoothpickonCap'swatch-chain.Hesqueezedoffashotevenashefell,thenhewasgettingup,bracinghimselfforacarefulshot.

Capseemedtobeweaving,turninghissidetohimlikeamanonaduelingfield.Bostwickfiredfromwherehisgunwas,shootingasamanpointsafinger.Thistimetherewasnomistake.Wherethetoothpickhadhungtherewasawideningstainnow,andhefiredagain,thenwenttohisknees,losinghisgriponhisgun.

Somewhereadoorslammed,andheheardrunningfeet.Hereachedoutforhisgun,buthishandclosedonnothing.Hesmelledthewarm,wetearthonwhichhisfacerested,andhefeltsomebodytouchhisshoulder.

"Ithinkhe'swakingup,"somebodysaid,somewoman.

HemovedthenandabedcreakedandwhenhiseyesopenedhewaslookingupataceilingandheheardRuthiesaying,"Oh,Katie!He'sawakeIHe'sawake!"

"Awakeandhungry,"hegrumbled.

HelookedatRuthie."How'syourgrandad?"

"Hedied...onlyalittlewhileafteryourfight.Hesaidyouwereagoodman."

"CapPennock?DidI--?"

"Youhithimfourtimes.He'sbeenburiedthesetwoweeks."

"Twoweeks?YoumeanI'vebeenheretwoweeks?"

"Youhave.Twoweeksandaday,tobeexact."Shetookhishand."Jim?KatetoldmethatyouplannedtofileonSquawSpringsyourself."

"Forgetit.Thatwillbeagoodplaceforyouandasforme,I'mjustaforty-dollar-a-monthcowhand."

"Wecoulddoittogether."

"Well,youknowhowfolkstalk.Youbeingayounggirl,andall."

"Whatifweweremarried?"shesuggesteddoubtfully.

"Well,"headmittedcautiously,"thatmightdoit."Hestolealookatherfromthecornersofhiseyes."Didyouevertakeagoodlookatme?EvenwhenI'mshaved--"

"Youareshaved,silly!"Shelaughedathim."Kateshavedyou.Shesaidshealwayswonderedwhatyoulookedlikeunderallthatbrush."

Heliftedahand.Itwastrue.Hehadbeenshaved."Youthinkyoucouldmarryamanlikeme?"

"Well,"shesaid,"justtostopthetalk--"

*

MERRANOOFTHEDRYCOUNTRY

NobodyeventurnedaheadtolookhiswayasBarryMerranoenteredthestore.Theyknewhewasthere,andtheirhatredwasalmosttangible,hefeltitpushingagainsthimashewalkedtothecounter.

Mayer,whokeptthestore,wastalkingtoTomDrake,owneroftheTDandconsideredthewealthiestmaninthevalley;JimHill,acknowledgedtobeitsfirstsettler;andJoeStangle,fromtheheadofthevalley.AfteramomentMayerleftthemandwalkedovertohim.

Thestorekeeper'slipsofferednowelcomingsmilealthoughBarrythoughthedetectedafaintgleamofsympathyintheman'seyes.

Inalowvoice,Barrygavehisorder,andseveraltimestheothersglancedhisway,fortheycouldstilloverhearapartofwhathewassayingandhewasorderingthingstheycouldnolongerafford.

"I'llhavetoaskforcash,"Mayersaid."Withthedrouthandall,money'sshort."

Barryfeltasuddensurgeofanger.Therewasamomentwhenhethoughttobringtheirworldcrashingaboutthembyaskinghowlongithadbeensincetheothershadpaidcash.Heknewwhatitwouldmean.Suddenlytheywouldbefacedwiththeharshrealityoftheirsituation.TheMirrorValleycountrywasbroke...flatbroke.

Nosoonerhadthefeelingcomethanitpassed.Hehadnodesireforrevenge.Theyhatedhim,andheknewwhytheyhatedhim.TheyhatedhimbecausehewasthesonofMiguelMerrano,theMexicanvaquerowhomarriedthemostbeautifulandsought-aftergirlinthevalley.Theyhatedhimbecausehehadtheaudacitytoreturnaftertheyhaddrivenhisfatherfromthearea.Theyhatedhimbecause

whentheybuiltafencetokeephiscattlefromwaterhehadfoundwaterelsewhere.Worstofall,hehimselfhadkeptupthefencetheybuilt,buildingitevenstronger.

Theyhatedhimbecausehehadthenervetotellthemtheywereruiningtheirland,andthatdrouthwouldcomeandtheircattlewoulddie.

"That'sallright,"hetoldMayer,"IhavethemoneyandIcanpay."

Hetookhisorderandpaidforitwiththreegoldpiecesplacedcarefullyonthecounter.JoeStanglelookedatthegold,thenstaredathim,hiseyesmean."I'dliketoknow,"hesaid;"whereagreasergetsthatkindofmoney.Maybethesheriffshoulddosomelookingaround!"

Barrygatheredhisarmfulofgroceriesandputthemhiaburlapsack."Maybehecould"--hespokegently--"andmaybeyoucould,too,Joe.Allyou'dhavetodowouldbetouseyoureyes."

Hewentout,thenreturnedforasecondandathirdload."Thatgreaserfatherofyoursknowedwhathewasdoin'whenheboughtthatland,"Stanglesaid.

"Thelandmyfatherboughtwasthesamesortoflandyouallhave.Oncetherewasgoodgrasseverywherebutyouoverstockedyourlandandfeditoutofexistence.Thenthebrushcameinandtheunderlyingrootskilledoffmoregrass.Whenthegrassthinnedoutyourstockstartedeatingpoisonweeds.There'snothingwrongwithyourlandthatafewgoodyearswon'tcure."

"Weheardallthatpreachin'before.Nogreaser'sgoin'tocomearoundandtellmehowtorunmyrange!JimHillan'mewererunnin'cattlebeforeyouwasbornI"

Merranotookhislastarmfulofgroceriesandturnedtowardthedoor.Whitewithfury,JoeStanglestuckouthisfootandBarrytrippedandsprawledonthefloor,spillinghisgroceries.

Nobodylaughed.TomDrakethrewanirritatedglanceatStangle,butsaidnothing.

BarryMerranogotup.Hisfacewasverycoldandstill."Thatwasacheapthingtodo,Stangle,"hesaid."There'snotmuchmaninyou,isthere?"

Hadhebeenslappedacrossthemouthitwouldhavebeeneasiertotake.Stangletrembled,andhishanddroppedtohisgun.OnlyJimHill'sgrabbinghisarmpreventedhimfromshootingMerranointhebackashewalkedoutthedoor.

"Yellow!"Stanglesneered."Yellow,likeanygreaser!"

"You'rewrong,Joe,"Hillsaidquietly,"he'snotyellow,norwashisoldman."

"Herun,didn'the?"Stanglesaid."Hequit,didn'the?"Hisvoicewashoarsewithhatred.

"Yes,heleft,butifIrecallcorrectlyhebackedyoudown,Joe."

Stangle'sfacewaslivid,butHillturnedhisbackonhimandaskedMayer,"I'llhavetoaskforcreditagain,Mayer.Canyoucarryme?"

"Ialwayshave."Mayertriedtosmile.Hehadcarriedthemall,buthowmuchlongerhecouldaffordtodoithedidnotknow.OnlythecashBarryMerranohadspentwithhimenabledhimtomeethisownbills,butscarcelythat.

BarryMerrano'sbuckboardrattledoutoftown,hittingthelong,dry

roadtoWillowSprings.ItwasalmostsundownbutheatlayoverMirrorValleylikeasoddenthing,dusthangingheavyintheair.Itwasalwaysherenow,thatdust.Afewyearsback,hismothertoldhim,thisvalleyhadbeenagreenandlovelyplace.Therehadbeenfatcattlearoundthen,anditwashereshehadmethisfather,thatpleasant-faced,friendlyMexican--slim,wiry,andelegant--anditwasheretheyhadcourtedandheretheyweremarried.

"I'mgladshedidn'tlivetoseeit,"Barrymuttered,"itwouldhavebrokenherheart."

Intherushtogetrichfrombeefcattlethegrass.hadbeenovergrazed,andthecreosote,cat-claw,andtarweedhadstartedtomovein.Thegrasshadgrownthinner.Ithadbeeneatendown,andworndown,windhadwhippedthedustfromaroundtherootsandrainshadwashedouttheclumpsofgrass.Thewaterholes,onceplentiful,neverseemedtofilluporremainfullanymore.

"Climate'schanging,"DrakehadsuggestedtoHill,andthelatternoddedhisagreement.

"Don'teverrecallitbeingsodry,"Hilladded.

TheywatchedwithsullenimpatiencewhenBarryMerranoreturnedtooccupyhisfather'sranch.Andtheyturnedawayincontemptwhenhetoldthemtheclimatewasnotchanging,buttheyweresimplyrunningmorecattlethantherangewouldsupport.

WillowSpringsloomedbeforehim,andBarrykepthiseyesaverted.ItwasatWillowSpringswherehisfatherandmotherfirstmet.Ithadbeengreenandlovelythen,andthepoolhadbeenwideanddeep.Nowmostofthewillowsweredeadandwherethepoolhadbeen,theearthwascrackedandgray.Therehadbeennowatersinceearlysummer.

TurningrightatWillowSpringshisroadbecameaclimb.Itwasonlyatrail,twowindingrutsacrosstheparchedplain.AheadofhimhesawTheFence.

Alloverthecountryitwasknownbynoothername.ItwassimplyTheFence,onlynowadaysitwasmentionedrarely.

SevenranchershadbuiltTheFence,andtheyhadbuiltitwhenBarryrefusedtoleave.

ThatwasfouryearsagobuttoBarryitseemedlonger.Hehadreturned,knowingeverydetailofthehatredMirrorValleypeoplehadfeltforhisfather.Hewasdeterminedtofaceitdownandwinaplaceforhimself;andthelandhisfatherlefthimwasallhehad.HeturnedupthedrawtowardthehouseMiguelMerranohadbuiltinthebasinundertheshoulderofTableMountain,

Threedaysafterhisarrivaladozenhorsemenhadriddenupthedrawtotellhimhewasnotwanted.TheywantednoMexicansinMirrorValley.

Hehadwaitedinthedoor,listening.Andthenhesmiled,lookingmuchmorelikehisIrishmotheratthatmoment."I'msorryyou'vehadyourridefornothing,"hesaid."I'mstaying."

"Getoutorwe'llrunyouout!"Stanglehadshouted.

"Thenwhywastetimetalking?"Merranosuggested."Whydon'tyoustartyourrunning?"

Withanoath,Stanglehadreachedforhisgun,buthishandgotnofartherthanthebutt,thenvery,verycarefullyhemovedhishandaway.NotoneofthemsawwhereMerranohadheldtheshotgun,butsuddenlyitwasthere,inMerrano'shands.

"Sorry,gentlemen,butIdon'tlikebeingshotatIamnotamanofviolence,butI'veseveralthousandroundsofammunitionandIhitwhatIshootat

"I'venoticedthatashotgunhasadepressingeffectonviolentmen,asnobodycantelljustwhoisgoingtogethimselfrippedopen.Now,gentlemen,I'vealotofworktodo.DoyougocheerfullyordoIhavetostartagraveyard?"

Theywent,andJoeStanglewasnotthelasttoleave.

ThreedayslatertheybuiltTheFence.TheybuiltitacrossthedrawthatledfromMerrano'sadobeinthebasintotown.Theybuiltithorse-high,hog-tight,andbull-strong.ThensixmenwaitedwithriflesforsomebodytotrycuttingTheFence.

BarryMerranocamedownthedrawinhisbuckboard,andtheypickeduptheirriflesforakilling.BeforehecametoTheFence,Barrypulledupandtumbledarollofbarbedwirefromthebackofthebuckboard.Then,astheywatched,suddenlyfeelingveryfoolish,BarryMerranobuilthisownfence,higher,stronger,andtighter.Inplaceoftheirninestrandsofwireheputupfourteen.Inthefortyfeetofwidthacrossthedrawheputupninepoststotheirfive.Thenhegotintohisbuckboardanddroveaway.

CabCasady,forty-five,andaccountedoneofthetoughestmeninthevalley,laughed.Justassuddenlyashebeganlaughing,hestopped."We'reapackoffoolsI"hesaidwithdisgust."Andforone,I'mashamedofmyself!I'mgoinghome!"

Avoidingeachother'seyestheotherswenttotheirhorses,mountedupandrodeaway.TheFencewasatopicnolongermentionedinconversation.

YetallwonderedwhatMerranowoulddo,fortherewasnowayoutof

thebasinunlessonewalked.Forthreeweekstheywaited,andthenonedayBarryMerranodroveintotownforsupplies.Whentheyrodeouttosee,TheFencewasstillintact.

JimHill,althoughhewouldnotadmitit,wasrelieved.Yetliketheothers,hewascurious.Hemountedupandscoutedaroundthecountry.Itwasalmostamonthafterthatherodeintotown.HehadadrinkintheFaroHouseandsaid,"DoyouknowwhatthatMexdid?He'sboredhimaholethroughtheNeck!"

AnybodybutJimHilltheywouldhavecalledaliar.TheNeckwasawallofrockthatjoinedthebulkofTableMountaintotherestoftherange,yetwhentheyrodeouttoseeit,therewasablackholeinthatredwallofrock.

Howcouldithavebeendone?Itwasimpossible,yetithadbeendone.

Nobodymentionedfencingthetunnelmouth.

AfewdayslaterwhenhepassedWillowSprings,BarryMerranosawarideremergefromtheshabbylittlegroveandstartacrossthetrail.Whenshesawhim,shepulledup.

ItwasCandyDrake.

Hestoppedthebuckskinswhenhedrewclose."Howareyou,ma'am?"Hetouchedhishat.Hestartedtocommentontheheatandthedrouthbutthoughtthebetterofit.Insteadheindicatedthepinto'sleg."Iseethatlegiscomingalongallright."

"Yes,itgotwelljustlikeyousaiditwould."

Hewantedtotalk,yetwantedtoavoidanythingthatmightgiveoffense.CandyDrakewastheprettiestgirlinMirrorValley.Hehadtalkedtonooneinalmostthreemonths,andheadmittedtohimself

thathehadbeeninlovewithCandyDrakeforthreeyears.

"Thedrouthcamethewayyousaiditwould,too,"shesaidalmostaccusingly."Everythingseemstoturnoutthewayyousayitwill."

Heflushedslightly."Anybodywhotookthetimetolookcouldseethiscountrywasintrouble,"hesaid."Thiscountryhadbeensoovergrazedtherewasnograsstoholdwhatmoisturewegot.Mostofitcouldhavebeenpreventedifworkhadbeenstartedacoupleofyearsago."

Hetookoffhishatandranhisfingersthroughhisthick,darkhair."NobodywouldlistentomewhenIofferedtohelp.IwasjustthatdamnedgreasersonofMollyO'Brien's,sowhatcouldIknow?"

Therewasabitternessinhisvoicethatcamethroughnomatterhowhardhetriedtoholditback.Hehadlivedtooclosetothisfortoolongatime.

MirrorValleyhadbeenoutragedwhenprettyMollyO'BrienhadmarriedMiguelMerrano.Hehadbeenatop-hand,hiredonlyfortheroundup.PeteDrakehadhiseyesonMolly,andsohadothers,butshehadmadepromisestonooneuntilshemetMerrano.

MiguelboughttheTableMountainplaceandforfourbitteryearsstruggledagainstthehatredandtheprejudicedirectedagainstthem.Finally,whenyoungBarrywasalmosttwo,theyhadgoneaway.

Surprisingly,theyprospered.BarryheardmanytalesofMirrorValleyashewasgrowingupbutnothingofthereasonforleavinguntilhewasfifteen.Hedeterminedthentoreturnandfightitoutifittooktwentyyears.

"Myfathercertainlyshouldknowhowtoruncattle,"Candyprotested."He'sraisedmorecattlethanyouhaveeverseen."

"I'mtwenty-six,"Barrysaid,"andI'vealottolearn,butsimplygrowingolddoesn'tmakeonewise.Yourfathercameintoarich,newcountryandnothingcouldconvincehimitwouldnotalwaysstayrich.

"Theotherswerethesame.Theyranmorecattlethantherangecouldsupport.OncewhenIwasvisitingatyourplaceItriedtosuggestsomechanges,buthejustthoughtmeafool."

"ButBarry,"sheprotested,"millionsofbuffalousedtorunontheseplains,sohowcouldtheybespoiledbyafewthousandcattle?"

"Yourfathersaidthesamething,"Barrysaid,"butyoubothforgetthatthebuffaloneverstoppedmovingastheygrazed.Theywereconstantlymovingandastheymovedon,thegrasshadachancetogrowbackbeforetheyreturnedagain.Nowtherangeisfencedanddiecattlearecontinuallyfeedingoverthesameground."

Candywasexasperated."Wealwayshavethesameargument,"sheprotested."Canyoutalkofanythingelse?"

"Manythings,ifyou'lllisten.Candy,whydon'tyoucomeovertomyplaceandseeforyourself?"

"Toyourplace?"Shewasshocked,yetastheideatookhold,shewasintrigued.Likeallinthevalleyshewascurious.Whatwashedoingbackthere?Nobodyhadvisitedthebasinsincehetookover,andtheyallknewBarryMerranopaidcashforeverything.Howcouldhedoit?

Thatherancattle,theyallknew.HehaddrivencattleintoAragontosellandAragonwasoutofthewayforpeoplefromthevalley.Theyknewhedidittoavoidmeetingthem.

"Itwouldn'tbeproper,"shesaid,butasshesaiditsheknewitwasafeebleexcuse.Shehaddonemanythingsthatwereoftenconsideredimproper."Anyway,thatdarktunnelwouldfrightenme.Howeverdid

youmakeit?""Itwasnothard.Wanttocome?"Herfather'sdisapprovalandwhatmightbeconsideredproperwasopposedtohercuriosity,whichresultedinasweepingvictory...forhercuriosity.

Interestedinspiteofherself,shefollowedalong.Hedrovethebuckskinsintothedarktunnel,andshefellinbehindthem.Thebuckskinstrottedalongundisturbedbythedarknessuntilroundingasmallcurvetheysawlightbeforethem.Whensheemergedfromthetunnelshepulledupwithagasp.

Thefirstimpressionwasofsize.Shehadthoughtofthebasinasasmallplace,yettheremusthavebeenthousandsofacreswithinthatcircleofhills.Whenshelookedagainshesawnothingwasasithadbeen.

Thebasin,incontrasttothecountryshehadleft,wasgreenandlovely.Awindingroadledtoastonecottagethatstoodonawideledgeandoneithersideoftheroadtherewerefencedfields,theoneontherightofclover,ontheleftofcorn,andthecornwasshoulderhighassherodepastitonherhorse.

Theoldtreessherememberedfromatimeshehadcomehereasachild,whenitwasabandoned,buttherewereyoungertrees,includingasmallorchard,carefullysetout.Thevalleyof.thebasinitselfwasgreen,withhereandthereasmallpoolthatcaughtthesunlight.

"Isthatgrassdownthere?"

"Mostofit.Someisblackgrama,someiscurlymesquitegrass.IthasalwaysgrowninthiscountrybutIamcarefulnottoovergrazeit.ThebasinopensattheotherendintoacanyonandthenintoLongValley,theoldNavajosheeprange.ImadeadealwiththeNavajotograzesomeofit.Irunaboutfifteenheadtothesectionbutactuallymostofthiswillsupporttwiceasmany."

Herfathershouldseethis,shethought.Hewouldneverbelieveitifshetoldhim.

"Butwhataboutwater?Wheredoyougetwater?"

"Thiscountryneverhasenough,andmostoftheraincomesinlatesummer.WhenIcamebackIalreadyknewtheproblemIfaced.Ididsomeblasting,builtthreedamsthefirstsummer,dammingthreedrawsthatopenintothebasin.WhereverIfoundalowspotImadesomekindofareservoir.NowIhaveacoupleofsmalllakesbehindthedamsandtherearepoolsscatteredalloverthebasinanddownintoLongValley.Towardtheendofsummermostofthemdodryup,butbythattimetherainsarenotfaroff.

"Inthiscountrywaterrunsoffthehillslikeoffatinroofsoyouhavetosavewhatyoucan.Ofcourse,I'vedrilledacoupleofwells,too."

Amazed,shelistenedwithonlyhalfherattention.Suddenly,shewasfrightened.IfJoeStanglesawthisplacehishatredandenvywouldbedoubled.

Shethoughtofsomethingshehadwonderedabout."Barry?Howeverdidyoumakethattunnel?"

Hechuckled."Candy,overtwo-thirdsofitwasabig,naturalcave.Ipaceditoff,thenwentontopandmeasuredtherockandfoundIonlyhadalittlewaytogoandmuchwasanup-thrustfrombelowthatIcouldtakeoffwithapick.

"Asfarasthegrassgoes,Inevergrazemuchstockonitatanyonetime,andIshiftthemaroundtogivethegrassachancetogrowback."

"Don'tyouhavetroublewitholdTwoMoons?"

"Notatall.IexplainedwhatIhadinmind,andheunderstoodright

away.TheNavajohavealwaysunderstoodgrazingprettywell,andIofferedthemafairprice."

Astheywalkedbackhereyesstrayedtowardthehouse.Shewouldhavelikedtoseetheinside,buthedidnotsuggestit.

Hestrippedtheharnessfromtheteamandturnedthemintothecorral,thensaddledahorse."It'sgettinglate,"hesaid,"I'llridehomewithyou."

TheridetotheTDwassilent,forneitherfeltliketalking.Barrywashappyandmiserableatthesametime.HewasinlovewithCandy,butherfatherhadbeenoneofthosewhotriedtodrivehimofftheplace,andherfatherhadlenthistacitconsenttobuildingTheFence,ifnomorethanthat.

Thefeelingagainsthimhadgrownstrangerratherthanotherwise.Theincidentinthestorewouldmakethemturnevenfurtheraway,andasnoneofthemlikedhim,mostwouldbeonlytooquicktoaccepthiswalkingawayfromStangleascowardice.

Whentheydrewupatthegatehesaid,"Iwishyou'dcomeagain.Andbringyourfather."

"Hewouldn'tcome,Barry."Shewaspuzzledaboutherfeelingstowardhim.Hehadtalkedmorethaneverbefore,andforthefirsttimeshehadseensomethingofthekindofmanhewas,yetshecouldnotquiteunderstandhim.Hewas,shesuspected,amuchmorecomplexhumanbeingthananyshehadknown.

"You'rebeautiful,Candy."Thewordscamesosuddenlythatshelookedup,surprisedbythem."You'resobeautifulithurts.Iwish--"

Adarkfigureloomednearthegate."Candy?Isthatyou?Who'sthatwithyou?"

"Price?IwasjustsayinggoodnighttoBarryMerrano."

"Who?"Astonishmentmingledwithanger.

"HasthatdirtyMexbeenbotherin'you?Ifhehas,

I'll--!"

"IsimplyrodehomewithMissDrake,"Barrysaid."There'snoreasontogetexcited."

PriceTaylorshovedopenthegateandcameout."Listen,greaser!Youturnthathorseandcutlooseforhome!Don'tyoubetellin'menottogetexcited!I'lltakeyouoffthathorseandbeatyourskullin!"

"Price!"Candyexclaimed."Thisisoutrageous!"TaylorwasbesideBarry'shorse.Hewasalarge,somewhattop-heavyyoungman.AsforemanoftheTDhehadbecomealmostoneofthefamilyandhehadlonglookeduponCandyDrakeassomeoneveryspecialandreservedforhim,althoughhehadhadnoencouragementfromherandcertainlynonefromTomDrake,whowouldhavebeenappalledatthethought.SeeingherinthemoonlightwithMerranoturnedhimugly.

"Thisisnobusinessforwomenfolk:!Yougetalongtothehousenow.I'lltakecareofthisI"

HereachedabighandforBarryandBarrywent,muchfasterthanTaylorexpected.AsTaylorlaidholdofhimBarryswunghisotherlegoverthesaddleanddrovehisheelintothebiggerman'schest,sendinghimstaggering.Thenhedroppedtotheground.

Coolly,hewaiteduntilTaylorrecoveredhisbalance."I'dratheryou'dgoalongtothehouse,"Barrysaid,"butifyouwantalickingyoucanhave

it"

"Alickin'?Me?"Taylor'ssizehadwonseveralbrawlsforhim,andhefanciedhimselfatoughman.

HestartedforMerranoandastiffleftstoppedhim,smashinghislips.Taylordroppedintoahalf-crouch,armswidetograpple,andmovedin.Barrycaughtthelargerman'ssleeveandjerkedhimforward,off-balance,thenkickedhisfootfromunderhim.Taylorsprawledforward,fallingonhishandsandknees.

Merranostoodwaiting,andTaylorcamehalferect,thenlaunchedhimselfinalongdive.Merranosidesteppedandwaited.

Slowly,carefully,Taylorgotupfromtheground.Puttinghisfistsinfrontofhiminanawkwardsimulationofaboxer,hemovedin.MerranomovedtothesideandTaylorcaughthimonthecheekbonewithaclumsyswing,butMerranostoodhisgroundandstruckthreehard,fastblowstothebody,thenanuppercutthrowninclosethattippedTaylor'schinback.

Taylorboredin,swingingwildly.AnotherpunchcaughtBarrybutagainhefailedtostepbackand,movingin,sankawickedrightintoTaylor'sbellyandhookedalefttohisface.

Taylorturned,BarryfeintedaleftandTaylorpawedattheairtoknockthepunchdown,butthefeintwasfollowedbyastiffleft,thenanotherandanother.Taylorwasbig,butlackedanysemblanceoffightingskill.Hecamein,legsspreadwide,swinging.Barryhithimwithaleft,thenknockedhimdownwitharight.TaylorgotupslowlyandBarryknockedhimdownagain.

Taylorgottohiskneesbutwasunabletogettohisfeet."I'msorry,Taylor,butyouaskedforitYou'reagameman,butyou'renofighter."

Taylormadeittohisfeet,weaving.Barrythrustoutahand."AsfarasI'mconcerned,there'snohardfeelings.Willyoushake?"

PriceTaylorignoredtheout-thrusthand.

Barryswungtothesaddle."I'msorry,Candy.Ididn'twantthistohappen."

"You'dbettergo,"sherepliedcoldly.

Heswunghishorseandrodeaway,cuttingacrosstheplains,grayandemptyunderawideWhitemoon.

Taylorwipedhisface."YoumustthinkI'manawfulbust,gettin'whippedthatway."

Candyshookherheadsoberly."No,Price,Idon't,butIthinkwe'veallmadeanawfulmistake!"

Taylorgrunted."LookslikeImadeone,anyway."

WhensheopenedthedoorintothewidelivingroomoftheranchhouseCandywassurprisedtofindfiveorsixmentalkingwithherfather.JimHillwasthere,andJoeStangle.AlsotherewereCabCasady,RockDulin,VinnieLake,HardyBensonandabig,powerfulmanwhomshedidnotknow.

"We'vegottofigureoutsomethingorwe'refinished,"Bensonwassaying."Mycattlearedyinglikeflies!"

"Mine,too,"Stanglesaid,"waterholesaredry,andthere'snograss."

"Ifyouaskme,"Dulincommented,"itain'tonlythedrouth.There'sbeensomeruslin'."

"There'sbeennorustlinginthiscountrysincewegotridofBert

Scoveyandhisoutfit."

"Thatgreaseralwayshasmoney,"Stanglesaid."Where'shegetit?"

"IfyoucouldseethatBasinRanchofhis,"Candyinterrupted,"youwouldn'twonder.Youshouldallhavelistenedtohimalongtimeago."

Herfatherlookedupsharply."Candy?Whatmakesyousaythat?Whendidyouseeit?"

"Today,"sherepliedcalmly."HeinvitedmetoseeitandIdid."

"Youwentintothebasinwiththatlow-downMex?"

"Holdonaminute,Tom!"Stangleliftedahand."Youmeanhe'sgotgrass?"

"Yes,hehas!"Candywaspleasedwiththeeffectofherwords."Thewholebasinisgreenandbeautiful!He'sgotwater,andlotsofit.He'sdammedsomeofthedraws,he'sdugoutsomepools,andhehasalotofwater.He'sevengotagraincrop!"

"Grain?"Hillexclaimed."Youmeanhe'sfarmin'?"

"Notfarming,justraisingenoughforhisownstock.Hetoldmehefedduringthewinterorjustbeforetakingthemtomarket."

"Youactuallysawwaterandgrass?"Hillasked."He'sdonenothingyouallcouldn'thavedone,andhe'sdoneitallinfouryears!Certainly,Isawit!"

"Youtakin'upforhimnow?"Dulinasked."No!Iamjusttellingyouhe'sprovedhiscase.Hewasright,andyouallwerewrong."

Stangleleanedforward,intent."Where'dyousaythatwaterwas?In

CottonwoodDraw?"

"He'sdammedbothCottonwoodandSpringValley.He'splantedseedlingtreesaroundthemtoholdthebanksandhelpconservemoisture."

"Well!"Stangleslappedhisthigh."That'sit,men!Thatsettlesourproblem!"

"Whatdoyoumean?"Drakelookeduphopefully.

"He'sgotwater.Whydon'twejusttakedownTheFenceanddriveourcattleinthere?Thatsneakin'Mexican'sgotnorighttoallthatwaterwhenourcattlearedyin'!"

Casadylethischairlegsdownhard."Youmeantosayyou'dhavethegalltoaskhimforwaterafterthewaywe'vetreatedhim?"

"Asknothin'!"Stanglesaid."JustteardownTheFenceandletourcattlein.They'dfindthewaterandgrasssoonenough."

"Wecouldn'tdothat,"Drakeprotested,"itwouldn'tberight."

"Right?"Stangle'svoicewashoarsewithbitterness."Areyousoanxioustogobroke?Youwanttowatchyourcattledie?"-

"You'ddoathinglikethat?"Casadydemanded,hiseyesgoingfromonetotheother.

"Iwould,"RockDulinsaid."Areyoutoonicetosaveyourcows?"

CandystaredatDulin,appalled."No,Rock,"Casadysaidquietly,"I'mnottoonice.Ihope,however,thatIknowsomethingoffairplay.We'vebuckedthatkidandmadehislifepurehell.Wetriedtodrivehimoutandhestuck.Wefencedhimoutofourcountryandstillhestayed.Hetriedtotellus,andweweretoodamnedhardheadedto

listen.Now,youwouldruinwhathehasdone.Howlongwillthatlittlegrasslastifweturnourherdsinthere?We'vegotsevenoreightthousandheadbetweenus."

"Idon'tknow,andIdon'tgiveadamn!"Stanglesaid."He'sgotnoplacehereinthefirstplace.I'vegotmycattletosave,andI'llsavethem."

"Hewon'tstandforit,"Hillreplied."He'llfight."

"Ihopehedoes!"Stanglesaid."Himandhishighfalutinways!Handin'goldrightoverthecounter!Throwin'itrightinourfaces!"

"Whatifhedoesfight?"Drakeasked.

"Youfoughtinjunstogetthere,didn'tyou?"Dulinsaid."YoukilledsomeofScovey'sboys?"

CandyDrakestaredinshockeddisbelief."Youcoulddoathinglikethat?JoeStangle,whatkindofamanareyou?Towreckallhe'sdone!Todestroyeverything!"

"Itwouldsaveourstock,MissCandy,"Bensonprotested."We'vefamiliestothinkabout.Yourpa'sinthesamefixIam,andI'mheadoverheelsindebt."

"Whatwouldyoudoifhewasn'tthere?WhatifI'dnotbeensofoolishastotellyou?"

"Butheisthere,"Dulinreplied,"andthankstoyou,weknowwhathe'sgot.Theremaybewaterenoughtokeepourstockaliveforamonth,andbythentherainsmightcome.I'mforit."

"SoamI!"Stangledeclared.

"Itisn'tright,"Drakeprotested."Ifhehaswaterit'sduetohisown

hardwork,andthewater'shis."

"Well,Tom,ifyouwanttogobroke,thechoiceisyours,"Stanglesaid."I'llbedamnedifIletmycattledie.Ifyouhadawaterholeyou'dletmeuseit,wouldn'tyou?Whyshouldhebetheonlyonewho'sfencedin?"

Casady'sdislikewasobviousashestaredatStangle."AndjustwhobuiltTheFence?Seemstomeyouhadahandinit,Stangle."

"Thatcutsnoice."Stanglewavedahand."We'lltearitdown.We'llrunourcattleinthere,andthenwe'llseewhathappens.I'mnotgoingtoletmycattlediebecausehekeepshiswaterfencedup."

"Ireckonthatspeaksforme."HardyBensonspokereluctantly."I'mindebt.I'llloseallIhave."

"Thatsaysitforme,"VinnieLakeadded.

Cabgottohisfeet."Howaboutyou,Tom?"

Drakehesitated,beforehiseyesthevisionofhisdyingcattle,thesizeofthebillheowedMayer.

"I'llstringwiththeboys,"hesaid.

ForamomentCasadylookedaroundattheirfaces."I'drathermycattledied,"hesaid."Goodnight,gentlemen!"

Dulinstartedtohisfeet,hishandreachingforhisgun."I'llkillthat--"

"Betternottry,"Hillsaiddryly."YouneversawthedayyoucouldmatchCabwithagun."

Helookedaroundattheirfaces."Idon'tknowthatIlikethis,myself."

"It'ssettled,"Stangledeclared."Dulin,Lake,Benson,Drake,andHill.Howaboutyou,McKesson?"

"Sure,I'llridealong,trailmystockwithyours.IneverlikedthatMex,noway."

TomDrakeglancedathimthoughtfully.CurtMcKessonwasanewmaninthevalley,abig,sombermanwithabrooding,sullenface.Drakehadseenhimangrybutonce,butthathadrevealedhimtohaveavicious,murderoustemper.Hehadbeatenahorsetodeathbeforeanyonecouldinterfere.Hedislikedtheman,anditdisturbedhimtoseehowMcKesson'seyesfollowedCandyeverymoveshemade.Thelightinthemwasnotgoodtosee.

JoeStanglegotup,satisfactionshowinginhiseyesandvoice."WecanmeetatWillowSpringsMondaymorning.OnceTheFenceisdownandthecattlestartedforwatertherewillbenostoppin'them."

Candywatched,feelingsickandempty.Shewantedtoprotestbutknewtheywouldnotlisten.TheirowndesperationcoupledwithStangle'shatredandDulin'ssullenbrutalityhadledthemintosomethingmostofthemwouldlivetoregret.Nowtheywereonlythinkingaboutdelayingtheirbadtimes.Onebyonetheyfiledoutandwhentheyhadgonesheturnedonherfather.

"Dad,you'vegottostopthemIYoucan'tletthemdestroyallthatpoorboy'swork!"

"Poorboy,isit?He'sgotnorighttoallthatwaterwhenourcattlearedying!"

"Whodammedthosedraws?Whathaveyoudonetotrytosaveyourcattle?Allyou'vedoneissitherewiththerestofthemandsneeratwhathethoughtandwhathedid!"

"Bequiet!"Drake'svoiceboomed,hisguiltmakinghimevenmoreangry."Iwon'thaveyoutakin'upforthatMexican.Norisityourplacetoquestionmyactions."

"Dad"--Candy'stonewascold--"You'dbetterunderstandthis.BarryMerranowillfight.Ifhefights,somebodywillgetkilled.IfIwereyouI'ddoalotofthinkingbeforeyoustartanything.Itisn'tlikeitwaswhenyoudroveoutthoserustlers.Thecountryhaschanged."

Despitehimself,heknewwhatshesaidwasthetruth.Heshookhisheadirritably."Nonsense!He'syellow!Hewon'tfight."

Hehesitated,thinking.Thenhesaid,"Hewon'tfight.JoeStanglemadeafoolofhimandhedidnothing,nothingatall!"

"Thenyou'dbettergoouttothebunkhouseandtakealookatPriceTaylor.Pricethoughthewouldn'tfight,too."

"What?Whatdoyoumean?"

"Barryrodehomewithmetonightandwasleavingmeatthegate.Hehadbeenagentleman,nomore.Pricejumpedhim,andBarrygavehimabeating."

"HewhuppedPrice?Girl,you'recrazy!""Golookathim.AskPriceifhe'syellow.Also,Iseemtorememberyoutriedtofrightenhimawaybefore,andhedidn'trun.Hehadonlyanideatofightforthen.Nowhe'sgotaplaceworthhaving!"

Shepaused."Rememberthis,Dad.He'llfight,andsomebodywillgetkilled."

"Bah!"Drakesaid,buthewasdisturbed.Sheknewherfatherwellenoughtoknowthathebadnotlikedtheactiontakentonight,yetthesewerethemenheknew,menhehadworkedbeside,menwith

whomhehadsharedtrouble.Hehadgonealongbecauseitofferedawayoutofbankruptcyandfailure,andbecausethereseemednoalternative.

TomDrakehadfoughtIndians,outlaws,andrustlers,andnowhewouldfighttoholdtheplace,butheknewinhisheartthatifhewereMerrano,hewouldfight.HedidnotapproveofkillingandhebelievedMerranowouldrun,yetnow,listeningtohisdaughter,hewasnolongersosure.

"Dad?"Candyspokequietly."Iwantyoutounderstand.IfyougothroughwiththisI'llgoandfightbesideBarryMerrano.Iwilltakearifleandstandbesidehimandwhathappenstohimwillhappentome."

"What!"Hestaredathisdaughter,consternationinhiseyes.Inthatinstanthelookednotonlyintohisdaughter'seyesbutintothoseofhiswife,andsomethingmore,hesawareflectionofhimself,thirtyyearsbefore.

Withoutanotherword,Candyturnedandlefttheroom.Thebigoldmanbehindherstaredafterher,hurt,confusion,anddoubtstrugglinginhismind.Hesatdownsuddenlyinthebighidechair.Suddenlyhefeltoldandtired,staringintothefire,tryingtothinkthingsoutandseeingonlyhisdyingcattleandthefailureofallhehaddone.

Thecrackedmudinthedried-upwaterholes,theleaflesstrees,allhisyears,allhisstruggle,allhisworkandhisplansgone.

ThatwasFridaynight.EarlySaturdaymorningabuckboardleftMirrorValleyandbouncedoverthestonesandthroughthethickgraydusttowardWillowSpringsandtheturnofftoMerrano'stunnel.ClydeMayerhadmadeadecision,andhewasfollowingthrough.HeknewnothingoftheactiontakenbytheranchersattheTDranch.He

wasthreatenedbyforeclosurebythewholesalers,andinthisemergencyhewasturningtotheonemaninthevalleywhoseemedtohavemoney.

Thetunnelwasunguarded,andheturnedinhesitantly.WhenheemergedintothebrightsunlightBarryMerranowasstandinginthedoorofhishouse.Thesoundofhoofsinthetunnelwasplainlyaudiblewithinthehouseatanytime.

Mayerpulledupintheranchyardandtiedthelinestothewhipstock.Hegotdowncarefully,forhewasnotasagileashehadoncebeen.

"Howdy,son!"HepeeredatBarryoverhisglasses."Reckonthisvisit'sasurprise."

"Comein,"Barryinvited."I'mjustbackfrompatchingaholeinadam.Abadgerdugintoit,andthewaterstartedtodrainout."

"My,my!"Mayerlookedaroundslowly."Yourmotherwouldberightproud,youngman!Rightproud!Shewasafinewoman,yourmotherwas!"

"Thanks.That'salwaysgoodtohearfromsomebodyelse.Shewasagoodmothertome."

Whentheywereseatedovercoffee,Mayersaid,"Son,I'vecometoyouforhelp.Thewholesalershaveshutoffmycredit,andtheyaredemandingmoney.Iamlowonstock,andtherancherswillbecominginforsupplies."

"Howmuchdoyouneed?"

"Anawfullot,son.I'dneedfivethousanddollars.I'dsellyouahalfinterestinmybusinessforit.IknowI'vebeenfoolishtoextendcredit,butthesearegoodmen,son,andbasicallytheymeanwell.Everyone

ofthemwillpayoffifitisthelastthingtheydo,butthatwon'thelpmenow...northem."

"Ifyoudon'tgetthemoney,yougobroke?"

"That'sright."

"Thenwhathappenstotheranchers?"

"They'dstarveorgetout.Thedrouth'shitthiscountrysobadthereisn'taheadofcattlefittosell.Itwilltaketworeallygoodyearstogetthemoutoftheholethey'rein.They'dneverbeabletostickitout.Theyhavenofood,nofeed,nowater."

Merranostaredintohiscup,hisbrown,wind-tannedfacethoughtful.Afteramomenthesaid,"Allright.I'llbuyahalfinterestinyourstoreononecondition.Idon'twantanybodytoknowaboutit."

Mayerhesitated."Whataboutcreditforfeeranchers?Theyaremyfriends,andI'dhatetoturnthemdown."

"Don't.Givethemwhattheyneed.Somebodyhastohavefaithinthiscountry.Maybeafterthistheywilllearntheirlessonandhandletheirstocksensibly."

Mayerstoodup,hisreliefobvious."Idon'tmindtellingyou,son,Iwasscared.Ihadn'tanywheretoturn."

Hestartedforhisbuckboardandpausedbeforegettingintoit."Son,youbecareful.ThatJoeStangleisamightymeanman,andsoisDulin,"

"Thanks.I'llkeepmyeyesopen."

AfterMayerhadgoneBarryreturnedtothehouseandgothisWinchester.Thenheslippedonhisgunbelt.Itwastimetobegin

movingthecattleofftheLongValleyrangeandbackintothebasin.Nousetoletthemfeedtheretoolong.InafewweekshewouldtakethirtyheadovertoAragonforsale.Itwouldsaveonfeedandwaterandgivehimalittlemoreworkingcash.

Hehadsaddledupandwasabouttomountwhenheheardarattleofhorse'shooves.ItwasCandyDrake.

Atherexpressionhecaughtherhand."Candy?What'shappened?"

Swiftly,thewordstumblingintooneanother,shetoldhimofthemeetinganditsresult."Please,Barry!Don'tthinktoohardofFather!Allhecanseenowishiscattledying!"

"Iknow,"heagreed."ThetroubleisthatthelittlewaterIhavewouldn'thelpmuch.Withthatmassofcattlecomingin,mysmallerpoolswouldbetrampledintomudwithinhoursandthebiggerpoolsbehindthedamswouldlastnotimeatall.Itwouldsimplyaddmyruintotherestofthem.Believeme,Candy,I'dliketohelp.

"Thereisaway,iftheywillwork.There'swaterintheWhiteHorseHills.Itwouldtakealotofwork,buttheycouldgetatit."

"Theywouldn'tlisten,Barry.Notnow."

"There'sonlyonethingIcandonow,Candy.Theybrokemymother'sheartonthisground,andtheyturnedFatherfromalaughter-lovingyoungvaquerointoamoroseandlonelyman.

"There'sonlyonethingIcando,andthat'swhatyourfatherwoulddooranyofthemenwithhim.Iamgoingtofight."

Hewavedahand."There'sfouryearsofblood,sweat,andbustersinthis.DaysandnightswhenIwassobitterlylonelyIthoughtI'dgoinsane.Ibuiltthosedamswithmyownhands.Igatheredthestones

forthishouse,cutandshapedtheplanksforthefloors.Imadethechairs.Thesethingsaremine,andI'llfighttokeepthem.

"IfasinglecowcrossesTheFence,thatcowwillcrossovermydeadbody,butbelieveme,itwon'tbelyingtherealone.Candy,ifyoucantalktoyourfather,tellhimthat.Bloodwon'tsavehiscattle,butifitisbloodhewants,that'swhathewillget."

"They'llkillyou,Barry.Therearetoomanyofthem."

"Iwon'tbealone.Thismaysoundsilly,butmymotherandfatherwillbewithme.Thislandwastheirsbeforeitwasmine.Theghostsofathousandothermenwhofoughtfortheirhomeswillbethere,too!"

"Barry,ItoldFatherthatifhecameI'dfightwithyou."

Surprised,helookedupather."Yousaidthat?"

"Idid,andImeantit."

Speechless,hehesitated,thenshookhishead."No,asmuchasI'dlikeit,Ican'tletyoufightagainstyourfather.Thisismyfight.Iamobligedforthewarning,butyou'dbetterrideonnow.Butnomatterwhathappens,I'llnotforgetthis."

"Allright,I'llgo,butBarry,becareful!JoeStanglehatesyou!Andthatotherman,CurtMcKesson...hefrightensme!"

Foralongtimeaftershewasgone,Barrysatstaringdownthevalley,thinking.Hewouldleavethecattlewheretheywere.

Accustomedtoworkingandplanningalonehenowturnedallhisthoughtstodefense.Itwasaproblemhehadconsideredsincehisfirstday,andhispositionwasexcellent.TableMountainandtheNeckbarredaccesstoMirrorValley,andonlythetunnelandTheFence

offeredingress.IntheotherdirectionlaythecanyonthatopenedintoLongValley,andhehadnoworriesaboutthatdirection.Itwasaseventy-mileride,muchofitthroughthereservationlands,togettothatapproach,andtheIndianswouldresentanyarmedbandcrossingtheirlands.

Despitetheselfishnessofthosewhowoulddestroyallhehadbuilttosavetheirowncattle,hecouldfeelsympathyforthem.Heunderstoodwhatitmeanttoacattlemantoseehisstockdying,yetthewaterhehadwouldsavethemforafewdaysonly.

Theywereclutchingatstraws,eggedonbythehatredofJoeStangleandbyDulin.BehinditwastheleftoverhatredfortheyoungMexicanwhohadmarriedprettyMollyO'Brien,thegirltheyallwanted.

Withcoolcalculationhebegantostudyhisproblem.

BynoononSaturdayhebeganwork,usingadouble-jackandadrill.Theseholesheloadedwithpowder,determinedtoblastitshutifneedbe.Itwaslateafternoonbeforehecompletedthework.

FromthetopofTableMountainhestudiedtheMirrorValleycountrywithafieldglasshisfatherhadgivenhim.Hecouldseethedustcloudsthattoldofmovingcattle.NocattlehadyetreachedWillowSprings,whichCandyhadtoldhimwouldbetherendezvouspoint.YetbySundaynightheknewthecattlewouldbemassedattheopeningofthedraw.

Returningtothehouseheloweredaheavyloggateacrossthetunnelmouth.Mountinghishorseandleadingapackhorse,heheadedforTheFence.

Oncetherehestudiedtheterrainwithcare.TheFencewasstrong,andhisinnerfencewasstronger.Tearingitoutwouldbenosimplejob.Climbingthemountainhedugtworiflepits,oneforward,theother

somedistancefurtherback,whichhecouldreachbyahiddenroute.Ineachheleftammunition.

NoweightofcattlecouldpressdownTheFence.Itmustbetorndownorblastedout.UsingacrowbarfromthepackhorsehepriedlooseanumberofbouldersandtumbledthemdownthesteepsidesofthedrawtoaplacebehindTheFencetowidenanddeepenthebarrier.

Furtherback,wherethedrawopenedintothebasinheduganotherriflepitandtumbleddownmorestones,buttheretheyweremorewidelyspacedandlessofanobstruction.Notuntildarknesshadfallenandhecouldseethedarkmassofadvancingcattledidheceasework.

Despitethefactthathefearedtoleavethebarricade,hewentbacktothehouseandpreparedameal.Hewassittingdowntoeatwhenheheardacallfromthetunnel.

"Merrano?"Theshoutreachedhimclearly."ThisisCabCasady!Iwanttotalk!"

Pickinguphisrifle,hisgunbeltsstillhangingfromhiships,hewalkedtotheloggate."What'stheproblem?"heasked.

Thebigmangraspedthelogs."Merrano,damnit,I'mnotalker!Idoclaimsomesenseofwhat'sright,andIain'thavin'nopartofwhatthey'retryin'todo.Igotariflehereandplentyofshells.Icametolendyouahand!"

"Youmeanthat?"HerecalledwhatCandyhadsaidofthisman.

"Isuredo,boy!You'vegotsand,andbytheLordHarryIwanttoshowthesebullheadsthatatleastoneofuswon'tbestampededbynohate-filledcoyotelikeJoeStangle!"

Barryputdownhisrifleandunlatchedthegate."Comein,Cab!I

won'ttellyouhowgooditistoseeyouI"

Thetwomenwalkeduptothecabin.OvercoffeeandsidemeatBarryexplainedhisdefenses.Casadychuckled."I'lllikeseein'theexpressiononJoeStangle'sfacewhenhegetstoTheFenceI"hesaid.

Theytookturnsguardingthedrawbutnotuntildaylightdidthecattlemenstarttorideup.Barrywasatthecabinandhehadwelcomedanothervisitor...twoofthem,infact.

ClydeMayer,drivinghisoldbuckboard,ariflebetweenhisknees,droveupthehillwhenthegatewasopened.BesidehimontheseatwasCandyDrake.ShesetherlipsstubbornlywhenshesawBarry.

"Ifyouwon'tletmeshootIcanatleastmakecoffeeandgetfoodforyou.You'llhavetoeat."

"Allright,I'mnotsorryyoucame.Comeon,Mayer,we'dbetterheadbackforthedraw."

Heturnedtothegirl."Candy,watchthetunnel.Ifyouhearanybodycoming,andyoucanalwayshearthem,tellthemtogoaway.Fireacoupleofwarningshotsandiftheydon'tleave,lightthefuses."

Herfeatureswerestiffandwhite,hereyeslarge."I'lldoit,Barry.They'venobusinesscominghere."

Daywasbreakingintothatgrayhalf-lightthatprecedesthedawn.CabCasadyrosefrombehindaboulderandcametomeetthem."Howdy,MayerIYoujoinedthearmy?"

"Ihave."

Casadywasalarge,broad-shoulderedmanwithtwinklingblueeyes."They'recomin'now,"hesaid."Webetterlooktoit."

"Letmedothetalking,"Barrysuggested."Maybewecanavoidshooting."

"Idoubtit,"Cabsaid."Stanglewantsblood."

Whenthelittlecavalcadeofridershadapproachedasfarashethoughtwisehefiredashotthatbroughtthemupstanding.

"Youboysbetterridehome.Nobodyiscomingthroughthewire,todayorever.Idon'twanttokillanybody,butI'mprotectingmypropertyagainstarmedmen."

Casadystoodup."I'mhere,too,boys.Thefirstmantotouchthatwiredies!"

ClydeMayercalledout."Hill?Isthatyou?I'mnofightingman,Hill,butbygravythere'sgoingtobesomejusticeinthiscountryIYoutakemyadviceandridehome."

"Mayer?"Hill'stonewasincredulous."Youturnedtraitor,too?"

"I'mupholdingjustice,andifyou'vehalfthesenseIgaveyoucreditforyou'llturnaroundandridehome.IlikeyouHill,butyoulayahandonthatwireandmybulletwilltakeyourightbetweentheeyes!"

Therewasahurriedconferenceamongtheriders."Theycan'tstopus!"Stangleprotested."They'rebluffin'!"

"Countmeout,"PriceTaylorsaid.

"Youyellow?"Dulinsneered.

"YouknowI'mnotyellow,"PriceTaylorsaidcalmly,"butI'vebeenthinkingallthewayouthere.Merranowhippedmefairandsquare,andwhenIwasdownhedidn'tputthebootstomebutsteppedbackandletmegetup.Hemadegoodwhenwealllaughedathim,andhe's

standinghisgroundnow.AsforMayer,thereain'tafairer,moredecentmanaroundthanhim,andI'llbedamnedifI'llshootathim!"

"Thenwhydon'tyoujoinhim?"Dulinsneered.

Priceturnedonhim."Youcalledit,Rock!That'sjustwhatI'lldo!I'vemadesomebadmistakesandI'mnoskypilot,butInevergangeduponamanwithguts.I'lljoinhim!"

Hewheeledhishorseandstartedforthebarrier.Heliftedahand."Don'tshoot,Merrano!I'mjoinin'you!"

RockDulinsworeviciouslyandsuddenlyhewhippeduphisrifleandfired.

PriceTaylorlurchedinthesaddle,thenslippedoverontheground.

"Damntraitor!"RockDulinsaid."That'llshow'em!"

TomDrakestareddownatthebodyofPriceTaylor.Hehadrearedtheboy.Hehadhelpedhimmounthisfirsthorse.Hestaredaroundhiminshockedbewilderment."Whatarewedoing?"hesaid."Men,whatarewedoing?"

DroppingfromhishorsehestumbledtothebodyofPriceTaylor.

JimHillwaswhitetothelips.HardyBensonstaredafterTomDrake,hisfacestupidwithshock.Helookedasifhehadawakenedfromanightmare.HeturnedhiseyestoRockDulin."Thatwasmurder!"hesaid."Nothin'butmurder!"

Dulinturnedlikeananimalatbay.Hiseyeswentfrommantoman."What'sthematter?Areyouallturnin'yellow?Youstartedouttodoit,nowyou'requittin'!"

Hillsathishorse,hisrifleinhishands."PriceTaylorwasagoodman.

Hehadarighttohisfeelin'sasmuchasus.Dulin"--hiseyesfastenedontheotherrancher--"youan'Stangledowhatyouwant,butyouliftagunatme,myboyswillstringyoutothenearestcottonwood,an'that'swhereyoubelongIWe'vebeenapackoffools,thelotofus!"Heturnedinthesaddle."Comeon,boys,start'emforhome!"

AstheJimHillhandsbegangatheringtheherd,TomDrakeglancedonceatthedraw,thenturnedtohisownboys."AcoupleofyoupickupPrice,"hesaid.

LouBarrowlookedoveratDrake."Boss,Pricewasagoodman.Toogoodtogetshotintheback."

"Iknow,butthere'sbeentroubleenoughtoday."HewalkedhishorsetowhereJimHillandHardyBensonsat."Iseemtobegettin'oldthesedays,Jim.I'vebeenlettin'thingsgetoutofhand."

"Yeah.Well,thiswit,Tom.We'rebroke."

Silently,thegroupsscattered,drivingtheircattle.Dulinspoketothisoneorthatonebut,wasignored,cutoff,leftoutoftheirthinking.

HeturnedincoldfurytoStangle."Igotanotiontocutthethingmyself!"

"Don'ttryit,"Stangleadvised."Ifhedidn'tgetyou,Cabwould.Wecangetevenlater."

AsthethreemeninsideTheFencewatchedthemgo,onesaid,"Itwillbegoodtogetsomewarmgrub."Theyturnedtheirhorsesandrodetowardthehouse.

"Dulinhasalwaysbeenakiller.HeshotamaninagunfightoveratTrinidadafewyearsback,"Cabsaid."CurtMcKessonisanotherofthesamestripe."

Mayerwenttohisbuckboard."I'llbeleaving."

"Watchyourself,"Casadyadvised.

"Theydaren'tbotherme,"Mayersaid."Withoutmetheycan'teat."

Candywaslasttogo,andBarryrodealongwithher.Atthegatesheturnedtosaygood-bye,andheshookhishead."Imusttalktoyourfather,"hesaid.

"Doyouthinkthat'swise?"

"Maybenot,buthe'sgotachancetosavesomeofhiscattle,ifhewilllisten."

Drakedidnotlookupwhentheyentered.Hewasseatedinhisoldhide-boundchair,headhanging.

"Father?Here'ssomeonetoseeyou."

Helookedup,raisinghisheadlikeacorneredbear."Howdy,Merrano.You'relookin'atanoldfool."

"Drake"--Barrysquattedagainstthewall--"ifyouwillworktosaveyourherdyoucanstilldoit"

"Itwouldhavetobesoon,boy.They'redyin'likeflies."

"HaveyoubeenupintheWhiteHillslately?"

"TheWhiteHills?Notinfiveorsixyears.Nothin'uptherebutpinonan'juniper."

"Ithinkthere'swaterupthere,"Barrysaid."OnetimedowninTexasIsawthembringinanartesianwellincountryjustlikethat.Ifyoudrilledawelljustbelowthatoldtrapper'scabinIthinkyou'dstrike

water."

"Neverheardofanywellsdrilledinthiscountry,"hesaiddoubtfully.

"I'vedrilledfour,"Merranoreplied,"allwithwater."

Drakestruckamatchandheldittohispipe."Well,it'shightimeIowneduptothinkin'Iwastoosmart.Weolddogsfiguredweknewallthetricks."

Hepuffedonhispipe."MindifIrideoverandhavealookatyourplace?Candy'stoldmeaboutit."

"Youcomeatanytime.Asforwell-drilling,I'vegotanoutfitIhauledhitwoyearsagofromAragon."

Herodewarilyonhishomewardway.DespitethepeacefuldiscussionwithDrakeheknewthatStangleandDulinwerestillhisenemies.Thetwohadriddenofftogether,andCurtMcKessonhadriddenwiththem.

WhenTomDrakerodetothebasinthenextmorning,JimHill,VinnieLake,andHardyBensonrodewithhim.TheygreetedBarrywithnomorethananod,andhemountedthesteeldustandledthemacrossthebasin.Drakepulledinsuddenly,pointingtoamoundofearthrunningdiagonallyacrossashallowplaceonthehill.

"What'stheobjectofthat?"heasked.

"Waterwasstartingtomakeawashrightthere,"Barryexplained,"soIputinthatlittlespreaderdam.Causesthewatertodivideandspreadoverthehillsideandsoreachestherootsofmoregrass.

"Downbelowwheretherewasanaturalhollow,Idugitoutalittlemorewithascraper.NowI'vegotapoolalthoughitisdryingupnow."

"MorewaterinthatpoolrightnowthanI'vegotonmywholeplace!"Hillsaid.

Barryledthemfromplacetoplace,showingthemthelakeshehaddammedinthedraws,andthevariouspools.Thefirstofthewells,wherehehadawindmillpumping,showedagoodflowofwater.Thesecond,somedistanceaway,wasartesian.

Thebasinlookedgreenandlovely,andhegesturedwithawaveofthehand."That'smostlyblackgramaandcurlymesquitegrass.Iletthecattlerunthereafewweeks,thenmovethemtoanotherpastureandletthisgrowback.Ionlyrunaboutathirdofthestockyouhaveonthesamenumberofacres,thatwaymystockisalwaysfat."

"Myplaceisallgroweduptochollacactusnow,"Drakesaid.

"Burnthatfield,"Barryadvised,"theasheswillhelpthefieldandthefirewillburnthedryneedlesoffthechollaleavingthegreenpulpbehind.Thatgreenpulpisfairlygoodfeed.TheNavajostaughtmethat"

"ThenI'vegotenoughchollaonmyplacetofeedallthestockinChristendom,"Hillsaid.

"Son,"Drakesaid,"you'vedoneajob!Weshouldhavelistenedtoyoualongtimeback."

ThedayspassedswiftlyandBarryworkedhard,buthewaslonely,andeventheworkfailedtohelp.EachtimehereturnedtothehousehekeptlookingforCandyasherememberedher,makingcoffeeinhiskitchenduringthefight.Atnight,alonebythefire,heseemedtoseeherthere.Thenonedayherodehishorseupthedrawandstopped,astonished.

TheFencewasgone!Rootedout,wireandpostsgone,andthepost

holesfilledin.Theremightneverhavebeenafencethereatall.Hepushedhishatbackonhishead,andshookhishead."Mom,"hesaidaloud,"you'dhavelikedtoseethis!"

CandyDrake,ridingherpinto,decidedtoheadforthebasin.SheknewallaboutTheFencebeingdown.Theburningofthechollahadworkedandwouldbethemeansofsavingatleastsomeofthecattle.Now,iftherainscameintimeorthedrillersstruckwater,theyhadafightingchance.

Yettroublewasmounting.LouBarrow,filledwithfuryatRockDulin'skillingofPriceTaylor,hadgonetotown.Barrowhadmadearemarkaboutkillers,andDulinhadgoneforhisgun.Barrowwasatoughcowhandbutnogunman,andDulinputthreebulletsintohim.Miraculously,Barrowlived.

RockDulinswaggeredabouttown,hisranchforgotten,hisstockdying.JoeStangleandCurtMcKessonwereusuallywithhim.

Candydecideditwastimethewomentookahand.AliceBensonagreed,andsodidthethreeLakegirls.Theyorganizedabigdanceandcelebrationforthepurposeofgettingeverybodytogetheragainandwipingoutoldscores.CandyhadtakenituponherselftoridetothebasinandinviteBarryMerrano.

Inotherpartsofthevalley,eventsweremovingIntheirownway.McKessonhadriddenovertoStangle's,andthetwosatintheuntidylivingroomoverabottleofwhiskey.Withnothingonwhichtofeed,JoeStangle'shatredhadturnedinward.FordayshehadbeenbroodingoverthethoughtofBarryMerrano,nowthetalkofthevalley.JoeStangle'shatredwasoflongstanding,forhehadwantedMollyO'BrienandthenshehadmarriedMiguelMerrano.ThefactthatMollyhadneverevennoticedhisexistencemadenodifference.Deliberately,heprovokedtroublewithMiguel,confidenttheMexican

wouldbackdown.

Thetroublewas,hedidnosuchthing.ThedarklyhandsomeyoungMexicanhadsimplysteppedbackandtoldhimtogoforhisgunwheneverhewasready.

SuddenlyJoediscoveredhewasnotatallready.Itwasonethingtotacklewhatyouthoughtwasapuppydog,quiteanotherwhenyoufoundyourselffacingawolfwithfangsbared.Stanglelookedacrosseightfeetofflooranddiscoveredthatcourageknowsnoraceorcreed.

Hehadbackeddown,andalthoughitwasnotmentioned,heknewhewasdespisedforit.HishatredforMiguelMerranofloweredwiththecomingofhisson.

Now,bothmenweredrunkornearlyso.HulkingCurtMcKessonreachedforthebottleandsodidStangle.JoegothishandonitasdidCurt.Inasuddenburstoffury,StanglejerkedthebottlefromMcKesson'shand.

McKesson'ssullenanger,neverfarfromthesurface,explodedintorageandhestruckwiththebackofhishand,theblowknockingStanglesprawling.McKessonwasnotwearingagun,havingputitasideintheotherroom.

JoeStangle,blindwithfury,sawnothingbutthegreathulkingfigure.Allhisbottled-upragefoundsuddenreleaseinthis,andhisgunslidintohishand,thumbingthetriggeragainandagain.

Thethunderousroarofthesix-gunfilledtheroom,andwithittheacridsmellofgunsmoke.Thenthesounddied*thesmokeslowlycleared,^andJoeStanglelurchedtohisfeet.

OneglanceatCurtMcKessonwasenough.Thebigmanwasliterallyriddledwithbullets.Avertinghiseyes,JoeStanglepickedupthe

bottleanddrainedoffthelastofthewhiskey.Withoutabackwardglance,hewalkedoutthedoor.

Drunkashewashisnaturalcunningwarnedhimhehadnochanceofgettingawaywithwhathadbeenthekillingofanunarmedman.StepswerebeingtakentoelectasheriffandoncethatwasdoneneitherhenorRockDulinwouldlongremainatlarge.Mountinghishorsehestarteddownthevalley,filledwithasullenfeelingthatsomehowitwasallBarryMerrano'sfault.

Thetrailhewasriding,drunk,andfilledwithsullenrage,intersectedthatofCandyDrake.

Unknowntoeitherofthem,BarryMerranohadriddenoutofadrawandglimpsedthepintoatadistance.Adeepcanyonlaybetweenthemalthoughtheywerelessthanamileapart,butwithluckhecouldovertakeheratWillowSprings.

Asherodehesangasonghehadhimselfcomposed,asongmadeupduringhislonelinessandwhenhedesperatelyneededsomethingcheerfulofwhichtothink.

"Oh,gather'roundcloserandfillupyourglasses,

AndI'lltellyouthestoryofJohnnyGo-Day.

Hewasayoungcowhandwhorodeallthemustangs,

AndnobroncotheybredcouldJohnnydismay!"

InthecancerofenvythatfesteredinthemindofJoeStanglewasahatredforallbetterofformoreattractivethanhimself.Mostofall,afterBarryMerrano,hehatedCandyDrake.

Shewasagirlwhospoketoeveryone,butStanglehadnoticedthat

shedidnotparticularlyenjoyspeakingtohim.Hefailedtorealizethiswasduetohisownsurlymanner,andthefactthathehadbeenknowntomakeunpleasantremarksaboutgirlsandwomen.Hesimplybelievedshethoughtherselftoogoodforhim.

RidingatacanterCandyapproachedWillowSpringsrecalling,asshedrewnear,thatherfatherhadtoldhertheyhadstruckwateratthis,thefirstwellattemptedinthevalley.Ridinguptowherethedrillrigstillstood,sheswungdown,lookingatthepoolofmuddywaterandconsideringwhatthiscouldmeantothevalley.

ItwasBarryMerrano'sdrillrigthathadbroughtinthiswell,anditwasonhisadvicetheyhadfedthechollatotheirstockthatsavedsomuchofit.Theprejudiceagainsthimhadvirtuallydisappeared.Itcouldmeananewlifeforhim,andmightmean--

Shedidnothearthehorsestopattheedgeofthebrush.JoeStanglehadseenherarrive,knewshewasintherealone,inthegatheringdusk.Hedugintohissaddlebagforthepinthecarriedthereandtookapullatthebottle.Hewasleavingthecountry,anyway,andhe'dshowherwhatwaswhatBeforeanybodyknewwhathadhappenedhe'dbelonggone.

Hepushedhiswaythroughthewillows,andCandyturnedsharplyattheunexpectedcracklingofthedrybrushandsawJoeStangle.

Hewasnotabigmanbuthewashairy-chestedandbroad.Hisfacewasswollenandthefleshsoddenfrommuchdrinking,andhewasobviouslyinanuglymood.

Hehadalwayswantedthisgirl,andnowhereshewas,withherprideandherstuck-upways,rightinhishands.Hestartedtowardher.

Candyrealizedherdanger,butshewasnotgiventoscreaming.Shebackedawaywarily,wishingherhorsewerecloser.Ifsheturnedher

backtorunhewouldcatchherbeforeshehadtakenthreesteps.

Hedidnotspeak,justwalkedtowardher.

"What'sthematter,Joe?Haveyoulostsomething?"

Hemadenoreply,continuingtoadvance.Shesteppedbackandherbootslippedinthemudandshefell,rollingquicklyawayandscramblingtoherfeet.

Drunkhemightbe,buthecouldmovequickly."Damnyou!Youstuck-up--!"Shedodgedaway,buthegrabbedatherandcaughtherwrist"I'llshowyouwhat--!"

Inthatinstanttheyheardavoicetheybothknew.

"Oh,therewasayoungcowhandwhousedtogoriding,

TherewasayoungcowhandnamedJohnnyGo-Day!

Herodeablackponyandheneverwaslonely,

Forthegirlsneversaidtohim'Johnny,go'way!'

Whentheyheardhisbrightlaughtertheirheartsfollowedafter,

Andtheycalledtohim'Johnny!

Oh,Johnny,comestay!'"

Stangle'shandclampedoverthegirl'smouthbeforeshecouldcryoutawarning.Thepintostoodinplainsight,butJoeStangle'shorsewashiddenbeyondthebrush.

Holdingherwithonepowerfularmandhand,alegpressedbeforehersandjammingherbackagainstthedrillrig,withhisfreehandhe

drewhissix-shooter.

Thesongendedandtheyheardthesaddlecreakashedismountedandthenashestartedthroughthewillowsthesongcontinued.

"Herodetotowndailyandalwaysrodegaily,

Andliftedhishatashecanteredalong!"

JoeStangleliftedhissix-shooter,tookcarefulaim,andsqueezedthetrigger.

Thefiringpinclickedonanemptycartridge.HehademptiedhisgunintoCurtMcKesson!

AttheclickofthecockinghammerBarrystoppeddead,andwithanoath,JoeStanglethrewthegirlfromhimandgrabbedfeverishlyathiscartridgebeltformoreshells.Inhishastehedroppedthefirsttwoshellsbutthrusttheothersintoplace.

Wildwithfear,Candydroppedtothegroundandbegantoscrambleaway,cryingout,"Lookout,Barry!It'sJoeStangle!"

Barrygrabbedforhisgun,stilltieddownwiththerawhidethongheworewhenriding.Heslidthethonganddrewswiftly.

Droppingtooneknee,theotherlegthrustoutbeforehim,hewaited.HecouldhearthebreathingofCandyDrake,butinthedarknessofthewillowgrovehecouldseenothing.Pickingupastickhethrewittooneside.Nothinghappened.

Hemovedslightly,gatheringhimselftoleapaside,andatthesoundastabofflameseemedtoleaprightathiseyesandabulletstruckatreebehindhimwithanuglythud.Hefiredinreply,andhisbulletricochetedoffthedrillrig.

Hefiredagain,holdingalittlelowerandtheshotdrewastartledmovement.Heleapedaside,gunpoisedforanothershot.Therewasaninstantofsilence,andthenashot.Thebulletmissedbyafractionofaninch.

Candylayhuggingtheground,andBarrycouldseehernow.Carefully,heshiftedpositiontogetfurtherawayfromhersoasnottodrawfireinherdirection.

HatredandfearweredrivingJoeStangle,buteventhecourageofacorneredcoyotehadabreakingpoint.Theliquorfumeshadclearedfromhismind,andherealizedBarrywasoverthere;hehadagun,andhewasplayingforkeeps.

Suddenlywhatcouragehehadwentoutofhimlikeagustofbreath,andlikeashadow,hefadedbacktowardthebrushandhishorse.Hewanteddesperatelytokill,buthedidnotwishtobekilled.Hewantednothingsomuchastogetasaddleunderhimandbeoff.Healmostmadeit.

Merrano,hearinghimatlast,lungedthroughthebrushafterhim.StanglereachedhishorseandMerranoslidtoastop,andJoeStanglesawhimandtriedonelastshot.Itwasthere,andhehadtotry.

Barryfiredatthesameinstant,thenhefiredagain.JoeStangle'shorseleapedaway,andJoeStangle,shotthroughthebelly,allthehatredoozingawaywithhislife'sblood,swayedonhisfeet,thegunslippingfromhisfingers.Thenhefell.

BarryMerranoturnedandstartedbackthroughthewillowsandthenofasuddenheseemedtostepintoaholeandhefell.

Thecleanwhitebedandthedoctorwhowasputtingthingsawayinablackbagwereasurprise.Candywasthere,andCabCasady.

"Stangle?"Hestartedtorise.

"He'sgone,Barry.HehadalreadykilledCurtMcKessoninsomekindofdrunkenfight,andwasleavingthecountry."

"Dulin?"

Cabshiftedhisfeet."IcomebyandhelpedCandygetyouhome.ThenIwentdowntotownandrunintoRockDulin.HepickedafightandIhadtoshoothim."

Cabstartedforthedoor."Youtwomighthavesomethingtotalkabout,"hesaid."Iwanttogowatchtherain.Seemslikeit'syearssinceI'veseenany."

*

THEROMANCEOFPIUTEBILL

TomGalwayrodethesorreloutofthejuniperanddownthehillsidetowardtherockhouseonthecreek.Hewasstilltwohundredyardsoffandcuttingacrossafieldbrightwithlarkspur,paintbrush,andsegolilywhenhesawPiuteBillcometothedoor,aWinchesterinhishands.

Galwayrodeuptothedoorandhookingonelegaroundthesaddlehornhereachedforthemakings."You'regoingtoneedthatrifle,Bill..Thatis,ifyou'reuptochasingsomehorsethieves."

"What'shappened?"PiuteBillpushedhishatbackonhishead,thenputtheWinchesterdownbesidethedoor.HeacceptedthetobaccosackGalwayhandedhim."Youlosin'stock?"

"ThoseboysoveryonderintheRubiesranofftwentyheadofhorseslastnight.Ifiguretogoget'em."

"Allright,"Billtouchedhistonguetothepaper."Mustbeeightornineofthemupthere.Whodoyoufiguretotakealong?"

"Youandme.Nousetoclutterthingsup.AllIwantissomebodytokeepthemoffmyback."

"Sureenough.WaituntilIsaddleup."

Hecamebackfromthecorralleadingapainthorsewithoneblueeyeandonebrowneye.TomGalwaywassittingontheporchwaitingforhim,withagourddipperinhishand.

"There'sajuginside,"PiuteBillsaid."Myownmake."

PiuteBillthrewhissaddleonthepaint"Ain'tbadwhiskey,atthat.I'm

beginningtothinkthatalkaliaddsalittlebitetoher."

"Couldbe."Galwayheftedthejug,thenthrewitoverhisbentarmanddrank."Couldbe,"herepeated."Youknow,Bill,I'mbeginningtothinkthatwhatyouneedisawoman.Somebodytosortofcookthingsupandkeepthingsrevvedupamite.Thenyoucouldgivemoretimetomakingwhiskeyandherdingcattle."

PiuteBillglancedathimsourly."I'mdoin'allright.Youready?"

Galwayputthejugdowninsidethedoorandpulledthedoorshut.Thenheswungintothesaddle,andtheystartedoffatawalkacrosstheflower-blanketedmeadow.

"Cassidywillbethere,"PiuteBillsaid,"andGorman,too."HeglancedsidewiseatGalway."YoubetterwatchCassidy.He'safairhand."

"Noman'sgoin'torunoffmystock.Iroundedupthosehorsesoutontherange.Wildstock.Ibroke'emmyselfandgentledthemdown.Cassidy'sgothisbusinessandIhavemine.Aslongashestaysontheothersideofthecreek,Iwon'tbotherhimbutwhenherunsoffmystockhe'dbetterhunthimselfahole."

Thetrailledupashallowgulchborderedbyjuniperandbrush."Youknow,Bill,"Galwaysaid,"themoreIthinkofyouhavingawomanaround,thebetterIliketheidea."Hesquintedagainstthesunastheytoppedoutontheriseandlookedthecountryoverwithcare."Beasortofacivilizinginfluence.Youain'tgettingnoyounger,andyou'vebeenlivingaloneinthatshackforsometimenow.Ifigureawomancouldsortofrevthingsuparoundandkeepyouwashedbehindtheears."

"Youmean,"Piutecommentedsourly,"youfiguretodropovertimetotimeforhomecookedmeals.Iknowyou.Iain'tbeenridin'the

rangewithyouthesepastfourorfiveyearswithoutcuttin'yoursign."

"I'monlythinkingofyou,"Galwaysaid,keepinghisfacestraight."YoujustthinkofthatschoolmarmovertoSummit,"Galwaycontinued,.ignoringtheinterruption."That'sarightsolidbitofwoman,andIhearshe'sagoodcook."

"You'dbetterbethinkin'ofDiggerCassidy.He'snosofttouch,andifhestoleyourhorseshewantedthembad.HeputleadintoDeanRussellovertoBattleMountain,twoorthreemonthsago.Ifyourecall,hewasoneoftheroughestofthatCharlestonoutfit."

"Gorman'sjustasgoodwithagun."

"There'saslick-earkid,too.NamedRobbins.HeshotupasaloonovertoTenMilelastweek."

"Heardabouthim.Hefilesnotchesonhisgun."

"Oneofthem,huh?Ineverknowedofanyrealbadmanwhodonethat.He'satinhorn."

Thegulchdownwhichtheyhadbeenridingopeneduponawide,whitesaltflatandtheycutacrossonanangle,walkingtheirhorsestoraisenomoreofthewhite,smotheringdustthannecessary.Theskywasclearandhot.Theirlipsbecameparchedandwhite,theireyessmartedfromsweat.Heatwavesdancedovertheflats.Theyrodeinsilence,eachbusywithhisownthoughts.Thelurkingdevilinthepaint'sblueeyewentdullwiththeheatandthesloggingpace.

Itwastwohoursbeforetheytoppedasmallriseandleftthedesertbehindthem.Thesagebrushsmelledgoodaftertheparchedstillnessofthesaltflats.

Cottonwoodsshowedsomedistanceoffandtheypointedtheirhorses,

ignoringthetrailofthestolenstock,knowingthementheypursuedwouldalsoneedwater,andthetrackswouldbeginagainwhentheyfoundit.Thehorses,smellingwater,quickenedtheirpace.

Itwasasmallbutcoldstream.Menandhorsesdrank.TomGalwaysatdownonarottingtreetrunkandscannedthearea.Horseshadbeenheldhereonlyafewhoursbefore.Theirtrackswereinthemudandinthegrass.

"Abouttwomiles,isn'tit?Thecabinsetsoutintheopen."

"Yougotanyideas?"

"IwanttotalktoCassidy."

"Youwanttotalktohim?Doyoureckonhewillsetaroundandtalkwhenheknowsyou'rehuntin'him?"

TomGalwaywasrunningthisshowandPiuteBillfiguredheknewwhathewasabout,buttalkingtoCassidyatsuchatime?Itdidn'tmakemuchsense.TherehadbeenagooddealoftalkaboutTomGalwaysincehehadriddenintotheRubyCreekcountry,andalotofwonderingabouthim.

"He'lltalk,"Galwaysaid.

CassidyandGormanwereknownmen,bothofthemhadbeeninvolvedinshootings.Withthemwouldbeatleastsixothers,allusedtofightingforwhatevertheygot.Untilnowtheyhadconfinedtheirraidstothebigoutfitswhereweeksmightgobybeforeatallyshowedthatstockwasmissing.ApparentlyTomGalway'sstockhadbeentoomuchofatemptation,andGalwaywasnewintheRubyCreekcountry.Inthethreeorfouryearshehadlivedtherehehadkeptoutoftrouble.Hehadbeenahardworker,andobviouslyatophandwithhorses.

WalkingtohishorseGalwaytooktwostripsofrawhidefromhissaddlebagsandtiedhisgundowntohisthigh.Thenhetookoutanothergunbeltandholsterand,afterstrappingiton,tieditdownalso.ItwasthefirsttimePiutehadeverseenamanweartwoguns,althoughhehadheardofsuchthings.

PiutestudiedGalway.Hewasalean,brownman,tannedbysunandwind.Therewasascaroveroneeyeandanotheralongthejawbone.Piuteturnedhishorseandstartedupstream.Galwaycantereduntilbesidehim.

"There'stimberalongthestream,"hesaid,"fiftyyardsfromthecabin.Iftheyopenfirewe'lltakecoverthere."

Piutecouldn'tquitemakeup'hismindaboutGalway.Heglancedattheyoungermanbutsawnosignsofnervousnessorexcitement.Nomorethanifhewasgoingafterabunchofcows.

Hismindturnedtootherthings.MaybeGalwaywasright.Maybehedidneedawoman.Itwaslonelythereinthecabininthecreek.Hewasahealthyman,fortyyearsoldnow,andhehadanicebunchofcattleandafewheadofhorses.Theranchwasdoingwell,iftheydidn'tstartrustlingthissideofthecreek.Hefiguredhecouldmakeawifecomfortable,andhewasn'tacantankeroussort.

Thecreekturnedwestandtheyenteredthecanyon.Therewasanarrowopeninglinedwithaspenandafewspruce.Thetreesfellbackandthetwomencanteredoverthemeadowtowardthecabin.Itwasasquat,stonecabinwithacorralalmostdirectlybehinditinwhichGalwaycouldseehishorses.Nearthestonecabinwerethreeotherhorses,ground-hitched.

Pullingupaboutadozenyardsfromthedoor,twomencameout,followedbyathirdandafourth.ThefirstwasGorman,thesecond

Robbins.TheothertwoGalwaydidnotknow.Thesquat,bull-likefigureofDiggerCassidywasnowheretobeseen.

"Howdy,"Galwaysaidcasually.HiseyesscannedtheirfacesandsettledonGorman."Where'sDigger?"

"Whatd'youwantwithhim?"Robbinsdemandedbelligerently.

"Shutup,RobbinsI"Gormanspokesharply."Illdothetalking."

HelookedatGalway,thenatPiuteBill,whosepainthadbeenstoppedabouttenfeetbehindandwelltotherightofGalway."Whatdoyouwant?"

"IthinkDiggermadeamistake."Galwayspokegently."Hedroveofftwentyheadofhorsesforme.Nicemeadowhere,butI'dratherhavethemclosetohome.ThoughtI'djustrideoveranddrivethemback."

"Youthoughtwhat?"Robbing'faceflushedred."Justwho--I"

"ShutupI"Gormansaidimpatiently.

Therewassomethingherehedidnotlike,andGormanhadpursuedalongoutlawcareerbybeingcautious.Onlytwomen,andtheylookedlikefighters.PiuteBillheknewabout,andhewasnomantotriflewith.

Theotherman,astranger,seemedtobetakingthelead,andhisquiet,confidentmannerdisturbedGorman.

"You'llhavetotalktoCassidy,"Gormansuggested."He'stheboss."

"Iknow,"Galwayreplied,"butIcan'twait.YoutellCassidythatTomGalwaycameforhishorses.He'llunderstand."

"YouknowCassidy?"

"Ido.What'smore,Diggerknowsme.YoutellhimIcameformyhorses.Ifhewantsmeforanything,I'llbeatmycabin.Tellhimtocomewheneverhe'sready...dayornight."

HedidnotturnhisheadbutspoketoPiute."Kickthosecorralbarsdown,Bill.Wecan'tstaylong."

Robbinshadenough.Hesteppedforward."Youkeepyourhandsoffthatcorral,"hesaid,"andyou,Galway!Yougetgoin'whileyou'reable!"

Gormanwasinaquandary.Theywerefourtotwo.Still,thismansaidheknewCassidy,and--

PiuteBillhadignoredRobbins.Herodetothecorralandleanedtowardthebars.Robbins,hisfaceflushedwithanger,turnedbacktoGalway."Stophim!OrI'llkillyou!"

TomGalway'slipssmiled,buthiseyesdidnot"Gorman,thiskid'saskin'forit."

Robbins'handstreakedforhisgunandGal-way'ssorrelsidesteppedsuddenlyatatouchofthespur.Galwayfired...thenagain.

Robbins,hisgunhalf-drawn,stoppeddeadstill,staringatGalway,hiseyesblankandunseeing.

Swearingviciously,Gormanwentforhisgun,trappedintoagunbattlehehadnotwanted.Galwayfired,knockingonemanintothecabinwallwherehefell,knockingthemanbesidehimoffbalance.

PiuteBill,halfbehindthem,turnedatthefirstshotandfiredatGorman,whowentdown,hisfingersdiggingintotheearth.

Thelastmandroppedhissix-shooterasifitwerered-hotand

flattenedagainstthewall.Galwaylookedathimoverhisgun.

Thehorseswereoutofthecorralandstartingtowardthebottleneckopening.

PiuteBill'sWinchesterwasready,andGalwaylookedatthelastman."YoutellDiggerCassidytostayonhisownsideofthecreek.TellhimGalwaysaidthat,GalwayofTombstone!"

Heturnedhishorseaway,watchingtheman."AndyoutellDiggerIdidn'tstarttheshooting.Itwasthatfoolkid,Robbins."

Thehorseswouldheadfortheirowncorral,nowthattheywerefree,buttheycouldalwayshurrythemalongabit.

Theywerealmostoutofthebottleneckwhenasharp,femininevoicecamefromtheaspens."Allright!Holdupthere!"

Abuxom,determined-lookingyoungwomanofperhapsthirtysteppedfromthetrees.Sheheldadouble-barreledshotgunasifsheknewhowtouseit.

GalwayandPiuteBilldrewupwarily.Amanwithashotgunwasbadenough,butawoman--

"What'sthetrouble,ma'am?"Galwayaskedpolitely."Canwedosomethingforyou?"

"Youkilledmymanbackthere,andifyouthinkyou'regettin'offscot-free,thinkagain!"

PiuteBillstartedtospeak,thenswallowedandlookedhelplesslyatGalway.

Liftinghishandslowly,TomGalwayremovedhishat."Now,I'msorrytohearthat,ma'am,butthosemenstolemyhorsesandwhenI

cameafterthemtheymadethemistakeoftryingtoshootitout."

Henotednosignoftears."Ma'am?Whichonewasit,Robbins?"

"Thatpuppy?"Contemptwasinhertone."Hekilledafewtenderfeetandfiguredhewasatoughman.MymanwasNedWavers."

"We'realmightysorry,ma'am,"Galwaysaidgently."Wecameafterourhorses.We'dnointentionofkillinganybody."

"Butyoudid!"Therewasnogriefinhertone,justahardmatter-of-factness."Nedwasn'tmuch,"shesaid,"buthemademeahome,andwhenhewasn'tdrunkhetookcareofme.NowI'llbelefthereforCassidyandthatbullyin'TintoBill."

TomGalwaysmiled."Why,ma'am,ifyouwouldrathernotstayhere,andifitisahomeyou'relookingfor,we'vegotoneforyou!"

Shewas,Tomdecided,quiteaprettywoman.Moreover,shelookedneat,andclean."Ofcourse,"headded,"you'dhavetobeabletocook."

"Thereisn'tabettercookwestofthePecos,"shesaidflatly,"andIcanmakepies--"

"Ofcourse,"Galwaysaid,smiling,"andwe'vegotjusttheplaceforyou!It'saprettylittlestonehousebyacreek,andagood,thoughtfulmantogowithit."

"Hey!"TherewassheerpanicinPiute'seyes."Look,youcan't--I"

"Agood,thoughtfulman,ma'am,andagoodprovider.He'soneofthefinesthuntersaround,alwayshasmeatforthetable."

Theshotgunlowered."What'sgoingonhere?"Thewomanwaspuzzled."Somehow,Idon'tunder..."

"Ma'am"--TomGalwayrestedhispalms,oneatoptheother,onthesaddlehorn--"ma'am,thisgentwithmeisPiuteBill.He'saknownandrespectedman.Nowhe'samiteontheshadysideofforty,butsteady.Hecanforkabroncwithanyman,oneofthebesthuntersaroundandhe'sgothimthatstonecabinIspokeof.

"Itneedsawoman'stouch,that'sall.Therightwoman.Needsawomanlikeyou,aprettywomanwho'sneataboutthehouseandwhowillcookhischuckandkeeptheplacerevvedup.Iknowhe'dbespeakin'forhimself,buthe'sashyman,notgiventotalkingmuch."

"Tom!Listen!ForGod'ssake!"HisvoicetrailedoffhelplesslyasGalwaycontinued.

"Hemakesalittle'shinenowandagain,butI'veneverseenhimdrunk.Don'tdrinknomorethantobesociable.Heownssevenhundredheadofsteersandamilkcow."

"Didyousayamilkcow?"Thewomanlookedthoughtful."Ifhe'sgotamilkcowhe'sasightmoreofaplannin'manthanmost.Mister,Ireckonyou'vetalkedmeintoit!"

"Mountup,then!"Galwaysaidcheerfully."MountuprighttherebehindPiuteandputyourarmsaroundhimandhangontight.BythetimeyougettohisplaceonthecreekIthinkhe'llbeconvinced!"

PiuteBill,hiseyesviciousandhisfacered,helpedtheyoungwomanupbehind"him.SheflashedasmileatGalwaywhichsuddenlyfaded.

"Nowseehere!Nedwasn'tmuchandhebeatmewhenhewasdrunk.Iwasn'tsorrytolosehim,himbein'whathewas,butwewereallmarriedup,fittin'andproper!"

"Ofcourse,ma'am!"Galwaylookedshocked."I'llrideintoTenMileassoonasIgetyoutothehouse.Wewillhaveapreacherouthere

beforesundown.Thebarkeepwastellin'metherewasapreachertherenow.I'llgethim.Meanwhile,"headded,"youbetterjustbakeaweddingcake.Somehowwithoutacakeaweddingdoesn'tseemreal,doesitnow?"

"Maybethepreacherwon'tcome?"Billsuggestedhopefully.

"He'llcome!"Galwaysaid."I'llseetothat!"

"Ijustbetyouwill!"Piutesaidsavagely.

Whistling,TomGalwayturnedhissorreltowardTenMile."Horse,"hesaid,"I'dmakeapoorCupidbutsometimesthere'sthingsamanjusthastodo.Andbesides,shehadascatter-gun."

WhenGalwayrodeintoTenMiletheonlysignoflifewasaroundtheGoldCampSaloon.Galwaytiedhishorseandpushedthroughthebat-wingdoors.Thereweresixmenintheplace.Onesataloneatatable.Hewasared-hairedman,shortandstocky,withapiouslook.

Galwaysteppedtothebar,noticingoneofthemenwasDiggerCassidy,anotherwasTintoBill.

"Rye,"Galwayordered,andjerkingathumbtowardtheredheadheasked,"Isthatthepreacher?"

"Itis."Thebartenderlookedupcuriously.

"Ifyou'vegotahorse,"hesaidtothepreacher,"bettergethimsaddled.I'vegotaweddingforyou."

"Awedding?Ofcourse,but--?"

"Everythingisgoingtobealllegalandproper,thiswomanwantstomarrythisman,andbythistime,"hechuckled,"he'llbewantingtomarryher.Ifshedoesn'thavehimconvincedbynowshedoesn'thave

thetakingwaysIthinkshehas.Shelookedtomelikeawomanwithamindofherown."

"Who'sgettin'married?"thebartenderasked.

"PiuteBill.He'sbeenlookingforawifeforalongtime."

"Who'smarryin'him?Thereain'tmore'nthreeorfoursinglewomeninthecounty!"

"PiuteBill,"Galwayrepliedcarefully,"ismarryingMrs.NedWavers."

TintoBillchokedonhisdrink.DiggerCassidyturnedforthefirsttimeandlookedrightatTomGalway."Who?"hedemanded,unbelievingly.

"Mrs.NedWaversandPiuteBill,"Galwayrepeated.

"Theyaregettingmarriedthisevening.SoonasIcangettheparsonupthere."

"Butshe'smarriedI"TintoBillsaid."She'sgotahusband,andanytimeshehasn't,IguessI'dbefirstinline."

"Theremustbesomemistake,"Cassidysaid.ThelightwasnotgoodandGalway'shatshadedhisfacesomewhat."NedWaversis--"

"Dead,"Galwayreplied."Mrs.NedWavershasbeenawidowforalmostfourhours."

DiggerCassidyspokesoftly."YousayNedWaversisdead."

"That'sright,Digger.Seemssomeofyourboysdroveoffsomehorsesofminelastnight,soIrodeovertodrivethemback.RobbinsmadeafoolplayandGormanandWaverstriedtobackhimup."

Silencefilledtheroom.Thepreacherswallowed,andthesoundwasloudintheroom.

"Mrs.Waversdidn'twanttobeleftbehindandasshekindofhititoffwithBilltheydecidedtogetmarried."

HewaswatchingCassidy,andafewfeettooneside,TintoBill."Bytheway,Cassidy,Itoldthatotherfellow,theonewho'salive,tosuggestyoukeeptoyoursideofthecreekandI'dkeeptomine.Iwenttoagooddealoftroubletocatchandtrainthosehorses,andIdon'twanttolosethem."

NeitherCassidynorTintoBillhadmoved.Withoutturninghisattentionfromthem,Galwaysaid,"Rev'rend,getyourhorse.I'llbewithyouinaminute."

Thepreachervanishedthroughthedoor.

Cassidyspokesuddenly."Youcan'tgetawaywiththis!Idon'tcareifyouareGalwayofTombstone!"

"Takeiteasy.Ifweshootitoutnow,I'llkillyou.Maybeyou'dgetme,butthatwouldn'thelpyouany.You'dbejustasdead,andInevermissednobodyatthisrange."

"Whyshouldyougetkilledoverhorsesyoudidn'thavenobusinessstealin'andawomanwho'sobviouslybeenlivingadog'slife?"

"Ididn'tstealyourdamnhorses!"Cassidysaid."ItwasthatfoolRobbins!"

"Icanbelievethat,"Galwayagreed."Infact,I'dofbetmoneyonit.Sowhyshouldweshootitout?Itmakesnosense.NowI'mgoingtoleave.I'vegottogetthatpreacherbackuponthemountainbecausethat'sadecentwomanyonder."

"Damnit,Galway!"Cassidyprotested."Whycouldn'tyouhavecomewhenIwastohome?OnceIknewthosewereyourhorsesI'dhavedriventhemback!"

"Allright,"Galwaysaid,"I'lltakeyourwordforit."Deliberatelyhestartedtoturnhisbackandwhenhedid,TintoBillwentforhisgun.

Galwaypalmedhisgunandshotacrosstheflatofhisstomach.Tinto,hisgunup,firedintotheceiling,tooktwoslowstepsandfellonhisface,hisgunskiddingalongthefloor.

DiggerCassidystoodverycarefullynearthebar,hishandsinplainsight.

"Lookstome,Digger,"Galwaysaid,"likeyou'refreshoutofmen.Whydon'tyoutryMontana?"

Heturnedabruptlyandwalkedout.

DiggerCassidymovedtothebarandtookupthedrinkthebartenderpouredforhim."Damnhim!"hesaid."Damnhimtohell,buthecansurehandleagun!"

Hedownedhisdrink."Bartender,"hesaid,"ifyouevergoontheroad,steerclearofhotheadedkidswhoSlinktheyaretough!"

TomGalwayrodeuptothestonecabinwithasaddle-sorepreacherjustaftersundown.PiuteBill,inacleanshirtandafreshshavewasseatedbythefireplacewithanewspaper;fromthestovecamearattleofpans.

ThefutureMrs.PiuteBillturnedfromthestove."Youboyslightan'set.Itsurelyisn'trighttohaveaweddingwithoutacake!"

"Icouldn'tagreewithyoumore,ma'am!"Galwaysaid."Nobodylikes

goodcookingmorethanme."

PiuteBillstaredatGalway,thevenominhiseyesfadingunderaglintofhumor."Youdurnedcatamount!Youdurnedconnivin'Irishson-of-a-..."

"Ssh!"TomGalwaywhispered."There'sapreacherpresent!"

*

HATTAN'SCASTLE

Hattan'sCastle,atoweringpinnacleofrockthatpointsanarrestingfingeratthesky,looksdownonasolitaryframebuildingwithasaggingroof,aruinedadobe,andseveralweed-coveredfoundations,allthatisleftofatownthatonceaspiredtobeacity.

Onalowmoundaquarterofamileawayarethreemarkedgravesandseventy-twounmarked,althoughbeforetheirwoodencrossesrottedawayadozenothershadcarriedthenamesanddatesofpioneers.

Eastoftheruinedadobeliesalongandwidestonefoundation.Arounditthereisalitterofbrokenbottlesandascatteredfewthatthesunhasturnedintocollector'sitems.Twentyfeetbehindthefoundation,lyingamongtheconcealingdebrisofapack-rat'snest,isawhitenedskull.Intheexactcenterofthatskullaretworoundholeslessthanahalf-inchapart.

Severalyearsagothescatteredbonesoftheskeletoncouldstillbeseen,buttime,rain,andcoyotesbeingwhattheyare,onlytheskullremains.

Amongthescatteredfoundationsareoccasionalcharredtimbers,half-burnedplanks,andotherevidencesofanancientfire.OftheonceboomingtownofHattan'sCastlenothingmoreremains.

In1874,aprospectorknownasShortyBeckerdrankastolenbottleofwhiskeyonthespot.Drunk,hestaggeredtotheedgeofthenearbywashandfellover.GrabbingforahandholdhepulledlooseaclumpofmanzanitaandthetownofHattan'sCastlewasborn.

Undertherootsandclingingtotherootswereflecksandbitsofgold,andShortyBecker,suddenlysober,filedononeoftherichestclaimsinthestate'shistory.

Nineteenotherluckygentlemenfollowed,andthenanumberwhowereonlyfairlylucky.Hat-tan'sCastlewentfromnothingtoapopulationoffourthousandpeopleinsevendays,andthreethousandofthefourcametolie,cheat,steal,andkilleachotherandtheremainingonethousandoddcitizens,ifsuchtheymightbecalled.

Spawnedfromanexplosivesinkofsinandevil,thetownlivedinanarchybeforethecomingofJohnDaniel.Whenhearrivedthetownhadfounditsmaster.WithhimwerethehulkingBernieLeeandaviciouslittlemurdererwhocalledhimselfRussChito.

MarshalDaveAllenwentoutinaburstofgunfirewhenhehadwordswithJohnDaniel.Danielfacedhimbutfiredonlyoneshot,theotherswerefiredbyRussChitoandBernieLee,inambushonoppositesidesofthestreetandtakingthemarshalinadeadlycrossfire.

ShortyBeckerwasfounddeadtwodayslater,aguninhishandandabulletinhisbrain.JohnDaniel,aself-appointedcoroner,pronounceditsuicide.BeckerwasfoundtobecarryingawillnamingDanielashisonlyfriendandheir.

Danielturnedtheworkingofthemineovertoothers,andopenedthePalaceSaloon&GamblingHall.FromtheBarbaryCoastheimportedsomewomenandapairofbartendersskilledintheapplicationofmickeys,knockoutdrops,orwhatevermostsuitedtheoccasion.

FouryearspassedandHattan'sCastleboomedinlust,sin,andmurder.Theminescontinuedtoprosper,buttheminersandownersremainedtospend,todrink,andtodie.Thefewwhohoardedtheirgoldandattemptedtoleavewereusuallyfounddeadalongthetrails.Buzzardsmarkedtheirgoingandifabodywasfounditwasburiedwiththeusualsanctimoniouscommentsandsomehurry,dependingontheconditionoftheremains.JohnDaniel,aloof,cold,andsupercilious,ruledthetownwitharodofiron.

ChitoandLeewereathisrighthandbuttherewerefiftyothersreadytodohisbidding.Immaculatealways,coldlyhandsomeanddeadlyasarattler,JohnDanielhadanairofauthoritywhichwasquestionedbynone.Oftheseventy-fivegravesonboothillatleasttwentyhadbeenputtherebyhimorhishenchmen.Thatnumberisconservative,andofthosefoundalongthetrailatleasthalfcouldbecreditedtoJohnDaniel'scohorts.ThenBonCaddocametotown.

HewasWelshbyancestry,butwhatmorehewasorwherehehadcomefromnobodyeverknew.HearrivedonaSunday,ahugemanwithbroad,thickshouldersandbighands.Hisjawwaswideandhardasiron,hiseyesachillgrayandcalm,hisheadtoppedwithawirymassofrust-coloredhair.TheclaimhestakedfourmilesfromtheCastlewasgoldfromthegrassrootsdown.

WithintwohoursafterthestrikeRussChitodroppedinatthePalace.JohnDanielstoodattheendofthebarwithaglassofsherry.

"Boss,"Chitosaid,"thatnewfellerintownstruckitrichupLonetree."

"Howrich?"

"Theysaytwentythousandtotheton.TherichesteverI"

JohnDanielmentallydiscounteditbyhalf,possiblyevenless.Even

soitmadeitextremelyrich.Hefelthispulsesjumpwiththerealizationthatthiscouldbewhathewaswaitingfor,tohaveenoughtobefreeofallthis,tobuyahomeonNobHillandlivethelifeofagentleman,withnomoreRussChitostodealwith.

"Invitehimin.TellhimIwanttoseehim."

"Ididtellhim,andhetoldmewhereIcouldto."RussChito'seyesflickeredwithanger."I'dliketokillthedirtyson!"

"Wait.Iwanttotalktohim."

BonCaddodidnotcometoRattan'sCastleand'hisgolddidnotleavethecountry.Everystage,everywagon,andeveryriderwascheckedwithcare.NothingleftthecountrybutBonCaddocontinuedtoworksteadilyandhard,mindinghisownaffairs,uninterestedinthefleshpotsoftheCastle.HewascoldtoalloffersfromJohnDaniel,andmerelyattendedtobusiness.Effortstoapproachhimwereequallyunsuccessful,andridersalwaysfoundthemselveswarnedawaybyanunseenvoiceandariflethatofferednoalternative.

Atthebeginningofthethirdmonth,JohnDanielcalledCherryCreslintohisoffice.Shecameatonce,slim,beautifullycurvedandseductivehiherstrictlyprofessionalway.

"Youliketoride,"Danielsaid,"soputonthatgrayhabitandridemyblack.Howyoudoitisyourownaffair,butgetacquaintedwithBonCaddo.Makehimlikeyou."

Sheprotested."Sorry,John.Getoneoftheothergirls.Iwantnopartofthesedrunken,dirtyminers."

"You'lldoasItellyou,Cherry,andyou'lldoitnow.Thismanisneitherdrunkennordirty.Heisbig,andtough,and,Ithink,dangerous.Also,hecaresnothingforgamblingorwhiskey."

Shegotup."Allright,I'llgo.Butyou'llwishyou'dneversentme.I'msickofthesejobs,John!Whydon'twecashinourchipsandpullout?Let'sgotoNewYork,orSanFrancisco."

"Getstarted.I'lltellyouwhentogo,andwhere."

ThecanyonoftheLonetreewaswarminthespringsunshine.Thecottonwoodswhisperedsecretstoeachotherabovethestreamthatchuckledhumorouslytothestones.Therewasnoothersoundbutthetrillingofbirds,andonthebankabovethestreamthesoundofCaddoworking.

Heworeasix-shooter,andariflestoodnearby,andjustoutofsightinthetunnelmouthwasashotgun,arevolvingweaponmadebyColt

Standingwithhisfeetwideapartintheirheavyminer'sboots,hemadeacolossalfigure.Hewasfreshlyshaved,andhisshockofrustyhairwascombed.Hisredflannelshirtwasopenattheneck,andhishugeforearms,bulgingwithrawpower,showedbelowhisrolled-upsleeves.CherryCreslin,Impressedbyfewthings,wasawed.

Atthesoundofhoovessplashinginthewater,helookedaround.Thenhesawtheriderwasawoman,andabeautifulwoman,atthatHesmiled.

LongbeforehehadcometoHattan'sCastlehehadheardofJohnDaniel,andknewhiseverytrick.Moreover,heknewthiswomanbynameandknewshewasreputedtobeJohnDaniel'sownwoman.Hecouldsee,asshedrewnearer,thatshewasgenuinelybeautifulanddespitethehardlinesthatshowedthroughherlovelyskin,therewaswarmththere,butarestrained,carefullycontrolledwarmth.

"Goodmorning,BonCaddo."Hervoicewaslowandlovely,anddeepwithinhimsomethingstirred,andhetriedtobringupdefensesagainstit.Shewasallwoman,thisone,nomatterwhatelseshemightbe.

"Hello,Cherry."

"Youknowme?Idon'trememberyou."Shelookedathimagain."Idon'tthinkIcouldforget"

"You'veneverseenme,Cherry,andI'veneverseenyou,butI'vebeenexpectingyou."

Hegesturedtoaseatunderatree."Won'tyougetdownandstayforawhile?It'squitepleasanthere."

"You--you'vebeenexpectingme?"Shewasirritated.Shewasaccustomedtohandlingmen,tocontrollingsituations.Thisman,sherealized,wasdifferent.Notonlywasheaphysicalgiantbuthewasintelligent,and...sheadmitteditreluctantly...hewasexciting.

"Ofcourse."Hesmiledpleasantly.Hehad,shethought,atrulybeautifulsmile."JohnDanielhastriedeverythingelse,hasn'the?Everythingbutyou...andmurder."

Herfeaturesstiffenedandhereyeswenthard,butshedidnotpretendtomisunderstand."Soyouthinkhesentme?YouthinkIamthekindofwomanamancansendonsomedirtybusiness?"

Heleanedonhisshovel."Yes,"hesaid,andshestruckhimacrossthefacewithherquirt.

Hedidnotmovenorchangeexpressionalthoughtheredlineoftheblowlayvividlyacrosshischeekandlips."Yes,"herepeated,"butyoushouldn'tbe.You'vegotheartandyouhavecourage.You'vejustbeenridingwiththetide."

"You'reveryclever,aren'tyou?"

"No.Butthissituationisn'tveryhardtounderstand.Norareyou,

CherryCreslin.It'sapity,"hecontinued,"thatyou'retiedupwithsuchamurderinglot.There'salotofwomaninyou,andyou'dmakesomemanawomanworthkeep-tag."

Shestaredathim.Thesituationwasoutofhand.Itwouldbedifficultnowtogethimbackintherightvein.Orwasthistherightone?

"Youmayberight,"shesaid,"maybeI'vebeenwaitingforyou."

Helaughedandstuckhisshoveldownhardintothepileofmuck.Thenhewalkedovertoher,andtheblackhorsenuzzledhisarm."Notthatway,Cherry.Behonest.I'mriotsoeasy,youknow.Actuallytheonlywayistobehonest."

Shemeasuredhim,searchingherself."Honest?Idon'tknowwhetherIcouldbe.It'sbeensolong."

"Ah,nowyouarebeinghonest!Ilikethat,Cherry."Heleanedhisbigshoulderagainstthehorse'sshoulder."Infact,Cherry,Ilikeyou."

"Likeme?"Astrangeemotionwasrisingwithinher,andshetriedtofightitdown."AndyouknowwhatIam?"

"Whatareyou?Awoman.Perhapsnoworseandnobetterthananyother.Onecannotalwaysmeasurebywhatapersonseemstobeorevenhasbeen.Anyway,itisalwaysthefuturethatcounts."

"Youbelievethat?Butwhatofawoman'spast?"

BonCaddoshrugged."IfawomanlovedmeI'dstartcountingthedaysofherMefromthetimeshetoldmeshelovedme.Iwouldjudgebywhathappenedafterthat,althoughI'dbeahardjudgefortheafteryears."

Shewasirritatedwithherself.Thiswasnotwhatshehadcomefor.

"Howdidwestarttalkinglikethis?Ididnotintendtogetintoanythinglikethis."

"Ofcourse.YoucametogetmetofallinlovewithyouoratleasttoluremedowntothatsinkholeatHattan'sCastle.Youmightmanagethefirst,butnotthelast."

"IfyouwereinlovewithmeandIaskedyoutocome,wouldyou?"

"Certainlynot.Doingwhatawomanasksisnotproofoflove.Ifamanisn'thisownmanheisn'tworthyoflove.No,I'dusemyownjudgment,andmyjudgmenttellsmetostayawayfromHattan'sCastleandthePalace."

Hiseyesseemedtodarkenwithseriousness."WeofWelshorIrishblood,Cherry,sometimeshaveapowerofprophecyorintuition,callitwhatyouwill,andminetellsmethatwhenIcometoHattan'sCastleitwillmeanblazinghellanddeath.Forme,thetown,orbothofus."

Somethingcoldandfrighteningtouchedherandsuddenlysheputherhandonhis."Then,thendon'tcome,BonCaddo.Don'tcomeatall.Stayhere,orbetterstill,takeyourgoldandgo."

"Youadvisemethatway?WhatwouldJohnDanielsay?"

"Hewouldn'tlikeit,"sherepliedsimply."Hewouldnotlikeitatall.Butitismybestadvicetoyou."

"Ishallstayuntilmyclaimisworkedout.I'llnotbedrivenoff."

"MayIcomebackagain?"

"Comesoon.Comeoften."

Caddowatchedhergoandthenreturnedtohiswork.Therewouldbe

trouble,ofcourse.HedoubtedthatCherrywouldtellJohnDanielofherfailure.Notyet,atleast.Shewouldcomeback,andperhapsagain.Ifshecontinuedtofail,JohnDanielwouldtrysomethingelse.

Threetimesshecameinthedaysthatfollowedlandeachtimetheytalkedlonger.InevitablythedaycamewhenshereturnedtoHattan'sCastletofindJohnDanielawaitingher.Whentheireyesmetsheknewshewasintrouble.

"Well?"Hisquestionwasachallenge."Whenishecomingin?"

"Heisnotcomingatall."Therewasnouseevadingtheissue.Shehadprobablybeenspiedupon."Heisnotcoming,butIamleaving.We'retobemarried."

"What!"Ofallthings,thiswastheleastexpected."Doyouthinkyoucantrickmethatway?Marryhimandgetitallforyourself?"

"You'dnotunderstand,John,butIlovehim.He'sarealmanandafineman,sodon'ttrytostopme."

"Try?I'llnotjusttry,I'lldoitI"Hiseyeswereugly."Hereafteryouwillstayintown.Ishallfindothermeansofhandlingit."

"Sorry."Shegottoherfeet."Iamgoingbacktohim."

Hestruckheracrossthemouthwiththebackofhishandandshefelltothefloor,atrickleofbloodrunningfromhermashedlip.Shelookedupathim."Youshouldn'thavedonethat,John.Iamsorryforyou,orIwouldbeiftherewasadecentboneinyourbody."

Furious,hestrodefromtheroomandreturnedtothePalace.ThefirstpersonhesawwasChito."Allright.YouwanttokillCaddo.Godoit."

Withoutanotherword,RussChitolefttheroom.FromherwindowCherrysawhimgoanddivinedhispurpose.FilledwithterrorsherushedtothedoorbuthulkingBernieLeestoodthere."Youain'tgoin'noplace.Getbackinside."

Shesteppedback.TherewouldbenochancetowarnCaddo.Chitowouldbehalfwaytherebynow,andhewouldkillwithoutwarning,andfromambush.

AtthePalaceJohnDanielstaredfromthewindow,thinking.Theboomwasoverhere,anyway.Hewouldselloutandgoaway.Withinthepastfewmonthsthepopulationhadfallenbyathird.Itwastimetomove.WiththegoldfromCaddo'sclaimhecouldleaveallthisbehind.HewouldgotoSanFranciscoastheyhadplanned,andhewouldtakeCherrywithhim.Onceawayfromallthisthefoolishnotionswouldleaveherhead.Shewouldbehiswomanagain.

Duringthemonthstheyhadbeenassociatedhehadneverwonherlove,anditgalledhimtothinkthatBonCaddohad,orsoitseemed.

JohnDanielhatedallthatresistedhim;anythinghedidnotorcouldnotpossessandcontrol.

Theafternoonworeon,andhepacedthefloor.Chitohadnotreturned.Ofcourse,hewasacarefulman.Hewastakinghistime.Still--

Inherowncabin,Cherrypackedherbelongingsandwaited.Shefeared,shedoubted,yetinsidetherewasakindofstillness.Terrortherewas,andfearforthemanshenowloved,butthroughitalltherewassomethingelse,akindofconfidence,abeliefthatsomehow,someway,BonCaddowouldtriumph.

AtthePalaceSaloonJohnDanielwasnolongerpatient.Helitablackcigarandmutteredunderhisbreath.Hewalkedtothedoorandlooked

downthestreet.TherewasnosignofChito.

Darknesscameandhewenttohisoffice.Thesaloonbusinessbeganbutinadesultoryfashion.Thewholetownseemedtobewaiting,watching,wondering.Seveno'clockpassed,theneight.JohnDanielwalkedintothesaloonandlookedquicklyaround.Manyofthefamiliarfacesweremissing.Ninecameandwentandsuddenlytherewasacrashofglass.Mensprangtotheirfeet,staring.Wherethealleywindowhadbeenwasagapinghole,andsprawledonthefloorinsidewasRussChito.Hehadtakenashotgunblastthroughthechest.

Menrushedtohim,andonlyJohnDanielremainedwherehewas,white-faced,hiscigarclampedinhisteeth.

ThentheswingingdoorspartedandBernieLeetotteredintotheroomandfellsprawlingonthefloor.Hewasalive,butbrutallybeaten.

JohnDanielreachedbehindthebarandtookupasparepistol.Methodically,hecheckedit,thentuckeditbehindhisbelt.Hisownguninhishand,hestrodedownthestreet.

Cherrywasgone.

Herhousewaslighted,thedoorstoodopen,butCherrywasgone.

JohnDanielswore,shiftedthecigarinhisteeth."Pete!Dave!Ed!Cherry'sgoneandIwantherback,andIwantBonCaddodead!"

Suddenly,fromdownthestreetavoiceshouted"Fire!"JohnDanielrushedtothedoor.Oneglimpsewasenough,downthestreet,inadirectlinewithhissaloon,adesertedshackwasablaze.

Aglancetoldhimthatwiththewindtherewasnochance.Thatwholesideofthestreetmustgo,andheownedeverybuildingthere.

Suddenlyhebecameawarethatnobodywasmovingtofighttheblaze.Theywerewatching,andafewwerethrowingwateronbuildingsacrossthestreet,buildingshedidnotown.Heyelledatthem,buttherewasnoresponse.

Cursing,heturnedonhisheelandwentintothePalace.Ragefilledhim,abitter,futilerage.

Hewaswhipped...whipped.Buthestillhadthemoney.

Hewenttohissecretdrawerandtookoutthegold.Hewenttohissafeformore,carefullychangedintobillsforeasiercarrying.Therewasmoregoldunderthefoundationbutthatcouldwait.Now,whiletheotherswatchedthefire,hewouldgo.

Fromhisroomhebroughtapairofsaddlebags,kepthandyforthepurpose,andintothemhestuffedbillsandgold.Straighteningupheturnedswiftlyandstartedforthebackdoor.Afewstepsbeyondwasthestableandhisblackhorse.

Hestoppedabruptly.BonCaddostoodinthedoor."Goingsomeplace,John?"heaskedmildly.

JohnDanielstoodstock-still,caughtinmid-stride.Forthefirsttimeheknewfear.

Hewasalone.RussChitowasdead.BernieLeewasbeatenwithinaninchofhislife.Theotherswerescattered,huntingforCaddo.AndCaddowashere.

JohnDanielhadalwaysaccountedhimselfabraveman.Hewasnotafraid,buttherewassomethingindomitableaboutCaddo.

"Allyourlife,JohnDaniel,you'velivedbymurderandrobbery,andyou'vegottenawaywithit.Nowyourtownisburning,Daniel,and

you'regoingwithit."

JohnDaniel'shandreachedforabottleattheendofthebarandthrewit.Thebottlemissed,shatteringagainstthewall.BonCaddostartedforhim.

JohnDanielmovedtomeethim,sincetherewasnoescape.Hestruckoutviciously,andCaddotooktheblowcominginwithoutsomuchasawince.ThenCaddostruckinreturn,andtheblowmadeDaniel'skneesbuckle.

Caddomovedafterhim,coolly,relentlessly."Likehittingwomen,John?Howdoesitfeeltobehit?Doyoulikekilling,John?Howdoesitfeeltodie?"

Inawildburst'ofpanic-bornstrength,JohnDanielstruckout.TheblowcaughtCaddocominginagainbutthepowerofitstaggeredhimandhetrippedoverafallenchair,fallingtothefloor.

JohnDaniellungedforthebackdoorandmadeit.WithCaddocomingafterhimhereachedthestable.

Hishorsewasgone!

Trapped,heturnedswiftly,reachingforhisgun.InfrontofBonCaddoaredeyewinked,thenwinkedagain.ThunderroaredinJohnDaniel'searsandaterribleflameseemedtorushthroughhim.Hedidnotseetheredeyewinkagainforhewasfalling,falling,alreadydead,intothebrokenbranchesofamanzanita.

ThereisaplaceintheTontoBasinwherealong,lowranchhouselooksoutuponavalley.Cottonwoodleaveswhispertheirsecretsaroundthehouseandontheverandaawomanwatchesherhusbandwalkingupfromthebarnwithhistwotallsons.Insidethehouseadaughtersingssongsmorehauntingthanthosehermothersanginthe

Palace,longago.Thebigmanwhosehairisnolongerrustred,pausesbyherside.

Beforethem,diepeaceofthemeadows,andthetallsonswashingforsupperinthedoorsidebasins.Inside,thesongcontinues.

"It'sbeenagoodMe,Mother,agoodlife,"hesaysquietly.

Fartothenorththereisanadobewallwithabulletburiedinit,abulletnobodyeversaw.Asmashedelbowbone,coverednowbythesandofthewash,liesamongthedebrisofapack-rat'snest,andwherethemanzanitagrewthereisawhitenedskull.Intheexactcenterofthatskullaretworoundbulletholes,lessthanahalfinchapart.

*

DUFFY'SMAN

Duffy'smanhadbeenonthejobjustsixdayswhentroublestarted.

Duffy,whowasolderthanthegnarledpin-oakbythewaterhole,knewtherewouldbetroublewhenhesawClipHartridinguptothestable.Duffyhadcoveredalotofmilesinhistime,andhadforgottennothing,manoranimal,thathehadseeninhistravels.

ClipHarthadkilledamansevenyearsbeforeinElPaso,andDuffyhadseenithappen.Sincethentherehadbeenotherkillingsinothertowns,andthreeyearsinthestatepenforrustling.FromtimetotimeHarthadbeeninvestigatedinconnectionwithrobberiesofonekindoranother.

Hartwasolder,heavier,andhardernow.Hehadthecoldlywatchfuleyeofahuntedman.ThereweretwomenwithhimandoneofthemrodeacrossthestreettothePineSaloonandstoodalongsidehishorse,watchingthestreet.

Hartlookedatthesignontheliverystableandthenatthefatoldmaninthebigchair."YourDuffy?"Hartmeasuredhimashespoke.

"I'mDuffy."Theoldmanshiftedhisbulkinthepolishedchair."WhatcanIdoforyou?"

"Theuseofyourstable.I'vesevenhorsescomingintonight.They'llbekepthereinyourstable,saddledallthetime."

Duffyshiftedhimselfinhisseat."Noneofthathere.I'llnotwantyourbusiness.Nothere."

"You'llkeepthem.Youdon'tmoveveryfast,Duffy."ClipHartstruckamatchontheseatofhispantsandhelduptheflame."Yourbarncan'tmoveatall."Heliftedtheflamesuggestively."Where'syourhostler?"

Duffyturnedhisheadonhisfatneck.Hewasnofool,andheknewHartwasnotbluffing.Heopenedhismouthtocallforhishostler,andasheturnedhisheadhesawhimthere,standinginthedoor,hishandsonhiships.

Duffy'smanwastall,lean,andwide-shouldered.Hisfacewasstill.Sometimeshiseyessmiled,rarelyhislips.ThestubbleofbeardhehadwornwhenDuffyhiredhimwasgonenow,butheworenohatandhestillworetheworn,badlyscuffedshoes,unusualfootgearinacountryofbootsandspurs.

Therewasasmallscarononecheekboneandsometimelongagohisnosehadbeenbroken.Hewasprobablytwenty-fivebuthelookedolder,andtheyearsbehindhimhadprobablybeenruggedyears.

ClipHartstaredathim."There'llbesevenhorsesbroughtheretonight.Keepthemsaddledandreadytogo.Understand?"

Duffy'smanjerkedathumbatDuffy."Itakemyordersfromhim."

Hart'sangerflared.Hewasamanwhocouldnotacceptresistanceofanykind.ItdrovehimtoakillingfuryandDuffyknewit,andwasworried."You'lltakemyorders!"Hartsaid."Getbackinside!"

Deliberately,thehostlerglancedatDuffyandtheoldmannodded.Duffy'smanturnedonhisheelandwentbackinside.

"You'llgetpaid,andplenty,"HartwastellingDuffy,"butnoarguments,understand?"Then,histonethickwithcontempt,headded,"Whointhistowncouldmaketroubleforus?"

WhenHartcrossedthestreettothesaloon,Duffy'smanreturnedtothedoor."Yougoin'totakethat?"

"We'venochoice.I'mnogunslinger.There'snomorethansevenmenintownrightnow,allquiet,peacefulmen.Anyway,theirwomenfolkswouldbescared.We'vebeenexpectin'somethingofthekindforalongtime."Helookedaround."You'renewhere.Thosemenarebad,realbad."Duffy'smanmerelylookedathim."Arethey?"

heasked.

Hewalkedbackintothestableandclimbedtotheloft,forkinghayintothemangers,thenputcornintosevenfeedboxes.Walkingouthesaid,"I'lleatnow,"slippingintohiscoatashespoke.HedidnotlookatDuffy.Thethreehorseswerestillacrossthestreet.

Therewasasignthatsaidma'skitchenandwhenhewentinsidethereweretwotableseightfeetlongwithabenchalongeachsideandateachend.ClipHartwassittingattheendofonetablewithhisbacktothewall.Duffy'smansatdownalongsidethetableneartheoppositeend.

HehadbeenbornintheWestbutleftwithhismotherwhenhewastenandhadgrownupinthestreetsofNewYork.Atfifteen,aftertwoyearsworkingonafishingboathehadshippedoutaroundtheHorn.HedealtmonteinaBarbaryCoastdive,foughtaseriesofbareknucklefights,andwonthem.HehadbecomefriendlywithJemMaceandlearnedalotaboutfightingfromhim,themasterboxerofhistime.AtseventeenhewasonawindjammerintheChinaSea.BackinNewYorkagainhefoughtseveralmorebareknucklefightsandwoneachtime.

Discontentedwithhislifehefoundaninterestinbooksandbegantostudywithaneyetobetteringhimself,althoughwithoutanydefiniteidea.RunningoutofmoneyheworkedhiswayWestontherailroadandfinally,deadbroke,hedroppedoffthestageinWestwater.

Westwaterhadonerestaurant,onesaloon,aliverystable,ablacksmithshop,acrossroadsstore,andastagestationwhichdoubledasapostoffice.

Juliecamearoundthetableandputaplatebeforehim.Hethankedherandwatchedherfillthecup.ShewasaslendergirlwithIrishblueeyes,blackhair,andafewfreckles.Shelefthimandwentaroundthetable,pickingupseveraldirtydishes.ItlookedlikeatleastthreemenhadleftwithoutfinishingtheirmealswhenHartcamein.

"Morecoffee!"Hartlookedatthegirlashespoke,boldlyappraising.Whenshewenttofillhiscupheslippedanarmaroundherwaist.

ShesteppedawaysoquicklythatitjerkedHartoffbalanceandhisfaceturneduglywithanger."PutthatpotdownandcomehereI"hesaid."Keepyourhandstoyourself!"Julieflared.'I'llserveyou,butIwon'tbepawedbyyou!"

ClipstartedtorisebutDuffy'smangrabbedthetableandshovedhard.

TheendofthetablehitHart'shipashewasturningtorise,anditcaughthimoffbalance.Hestaggered,thebenchbehindtrippedhim.Hefellhard,hisfeetflyingup.

Duffy'smanstoodoverhim."Letheralone,"hesaid."Amaninyourbusinesscan'taffordtofoolaround."

"You'retellin'memybusiness?"Hegatheredhisfeetunderhimbuthewasinnopositiontoargue,andsomethinginthefaceofDuffy'smanwarnedhim.

Atthesametimeherealizedthatwhatthehostlersaidwastrue.Hecouldnotaffordtroublehereandnow.Hecouldwait.Hegotcarefullytohisfeet."Aw,Iwasjustfoolin'!"hesaid."Noneedforhertobesopersnickety."

Thenashestartedtobrushhimselfoff,hisangerflaredagain."YoushovedthattableI"heexclaimed.

"Youcatchonfast."Duffy'smanspokecalmly,standingtherewithhishandsonhiships,justlookingatHart.Theoutlawgrewmoreandmoreangry.Atthesametimehefeltanimpulsetocaution.Notroublehereandnow.Thatcouldwait.Withoutanotherwordhedrewbackhisbenchandsatdown.Whenhehadfinishedeatinghethrewahalf-dollaronthetableandwentoutwithoutsomuchasabackwardglance.

Juliefilledhiscupagain."Hewon'tforgetthat."

"Iknow."

"He'llkillyou.He'skilledothermen."

"Maybe."

Duffy'smanfinishedhismealinsilence,everconsciousofherpresence.Whenhegotuphedroppedtwobitsonthetabletopayforthemeal,thenwenttothedoor."Youbecareful,"shewarned.

Hecrossedthestreetandsawthehorsesthemenhadriddenintotownweregone.Itwasdarknow,buthecouldstillseeDuffyseatedinhisbigoldchair.

"Horsescome?"

"Notyet."Duffy'schaircreaked."Whathappenedoverthere?"

"HegotfreshwithJulie,andIshovedhimdownwithatable.Hedidn'tlikeitverymuch."

"He'llkillyou."

"I'mnotreadytodie."

"Takeahorse,"Duffyadvised.'Takematlittlebay.Ifyouevergetthemoneyyoucansendittome.Ifnot,forgetit.Ilikeyou,son."

"Idon'tneedahorse."

"Youwon'thaveachance."

"Yougohome,Mr.Duffy,anddon'tcomeouttomorrow.Leavethistome.It'smyfight."

Duffy'schaircreakedashegotup."Thebay'sintheboxstallifyouwantit."Hepausednearmecornerofthebam."Haveyougotagun?"

"No,Idon'tthinkI'llneedone."Hewassilent,andhewasawarethattheoldmanhadnotmoved,butstoodthereintheshadows.

"ThewayIseeit,"hesaid,"they'vegotthistowntreed.Theycando

astheyplease.FirsttheyWilluseitasawaystationforfreshhorses,thenthey'lltakeoverthetown'sbusiness,thenthepeople.Menwillbekilledandwomentaken."

"Maybe."

"Yougohomenow,Mr.Duffy.Youstayoutofthis."

Duffy'smanlistenedtotheslow,retreatingsteps.Duffymustbenearlyeighty.Thestorekeeperwaswellpastsixty.Thetoughyoungmenofthetownwereallgoneonacattledrive.Theywouldbebacknextyear,ormaybetheywouldnevercomeback.Thehardshipsofacattledrivebeingwhattheywere.Itmadenodifferencenow.Hewasamanwhoknewwhathadtobedoneandhewasnotaccustomedtoaskingforhelp.

HesatdowninDuffy'schairandwaited.Therehadbeenamaninarailroadconstructioncampwhowasalwaysquoting,andthosequotationshadawayofstickinginthemind.Duffy'smanstirredinthechair,rememberingonethefellowhadlovedtoquote.Timeandagainhehadsaidit.

Theytellus,Sir,thatweareweak,unabletocopewithsoformidableanadversary.Butwhenshallwebestronger?Willitbenextweek?Willitbenextyear?Willitbewhenwearetotallydisarmedandaguardstationedineveryhouse?Shallwegatherstrengthbyirresolutionandinaction?Sir,wearenotweakifwemakeproperuseofthosemeanswhichtheGodofnaturehasplacedinourpower.

Thewordshadanicesoundandhesaidthemaloud,butsoftly,listeningtothesmoothsoundofthemonhislips.HehadtheIrishman'sloveoffinesoundingwordsandtheIrishman'saptitudeforrebellion.Heleanedbackinthechairandclosedhiseyes.Thefellowintheconstructioncampwhoquotedthat,hehadbeenbetterthana

book,andallheneededtostarthimoffwasabitofryewhiskey.

Itwaspastmidnightwhenthehorsescame.Tworidersledthemupunderthetreesandthen

acrossthestreettothestable.OnemanremainedoutsideinDuffy'schairwhiletheotherhelpedDuffy'smantietheminthestalls.Theywereallfine,beautifullybuiltanimals.

Themanwasstockyandnotverytall.Heliftedthelanterntothehostler'sface."New?"

"Drifting."

"Youtakegoodcarethesehorsesareready.Youdothatandyou'llhavenotrouble.Youmightevenfindafewextrabucksinyourkickwhenthisisover.Doyouhearme?"

"Ihearyou."

Themanwalkedbacktothedoorbutdidnotstepoutintothelight.Therewasalanternoverthedoorthatwaskeptburningallnight,anditthrewapaleglowaroundthestabledoor.

Duffy'smanwatchedtheglowoftheircigarettesandthenhewenttotheharnessroom.Therewereseveraloldsaddles,oddsandendsofharness,andinacorner,behindadustyslickertherewassomethingelse.

ItwasaColtrevolvingshotgun.

Hepeeredoutacrackofthedoor,thenputthelanternonthefloorbetweenhimselfandthedoor.Takinguptheshotgunhewipeditfreeofdust,thenhetookitapartandwenttoworkonit

SeveraltimeshewenttothedoortopeeroutAfteralmosttwohours

ofworkhehadtheshotguninfiringcondition.Thecylinderwouldnolongerrevolveofitselfbutcouldbeturnedbyhand.Duffy'smanfedshellsintothefourchambers.Theywereoldbrassshotgunshells,andhehadloadedthemhimself.Thenhestoodtheshotgunbackinthecornerandhungtheslickeroverit

Theshort,stockymanwasinthechairnowandtheotheronewasasleeponthehayjustinsidethedoor.Duffy'smanstoppedinsidethedoor."Whattimetomorrow?"heasked.

Thefellowlookedaroundathim."Maybenoon.Why?"

"Wonderin'ifIshouldfeedthemagain.Theywon'trungoodonafullstomach."

"Say,that'sright.Feed'emnow,Is'pose.Allright?"

"Yeah."

Duffy'smanwalkedbackinsideandfedthehorses."Theytellus,sir,thatweareweak,"herepeated,"butwhenshallwebestronger?"

Hethoughtitoverashestoodthere,rubbingthesorrel'sneck."Ithasanicesound,"hetoldthehorse,"anicesound."

Hewalkedtothedoor."Soonbedaylight,"hesaid,"thesky'sturninggray."

"Yeah."Thestockymangottohisfeetandstretched.Duffy'smanhithim.

Itwasabackhandblowwithhisleftfistthatcaughtthestretchingoutlawinthesolarplexus.Duffy'smansteppedaroundinfrontofhimandwiththepracticedeaseoftheskilledboxerheuppercutwiththeleftandcrossedarighttothechin.Theoutlawneverhadachanceto

knowwhatwashappening,andtheonlysoundwasagaspatthebackhandtothesolarplexus.

Duffy'smanpulledhimoutofsightbehindthedoor.Thenhetiedhishandsandfeetandstuffedadirtyragintohismouthforagag,tyingitthere.

Leaningoverthesleepingoutlawheverygentlyliftedtheman'shandandslippedaloopoverit.Hiseyesflaredopenbutthehostlergraspedhisupperarmandflippedhimoveronhisfacebeforeherealizedwhatwashappening.

Shovingtheman'sfaceintothehayandearth,hedroppedononekneeontheman'sbackandjerkedhisotherwristovertoreceiveasecondloop.Quickly,withasailor'sskillwithknots,hedrewthewriststogetherandboundthemtight,thentiedhisfeetandgaggedhim.

Theymight,hethought,getthemselvesfreejustwhenhewasmostbusy.Hedraggedthemtothecenterofthebarnwheretherewasnoloft.Itwasalmostfortyfeettotheridgepole.Climbing

theladdertothelofthethenmountedaladderthatledtotheroofandriggedtworopesoveracrosspiece,thenwentbacktothefloor.

Theoutlaws,bothconsciousnow,staredathim,horrified.

"Goingtohangyou,"hesaidcheerfully,grinningattheiragonizedexpressions."Butnotbythenecks...unlessyoustruggle."

Twentyminuteslaterhelookedupatthemwithappreciation.Morethanthirtyfeetabovethehardpackedearthofthebarnfloorhehadsuspendedthetwooutlaws.Eachmanhadaloosenoosearoundhisneck.Iftheystruggledtogetfreeandtheknotsstartedtosliptheywouldhangthemselves.

"It'suptoyou,"heexplained."YoucanhangtherequietlyandwhenthisshindigisoverI'llletyoudowneasy.Youstruggleandyou'llbothbedead."

Hestrolledtothedoor.SmokewasliftingfromMa'sKitchenandJuliewassweepingoffthestep.Hewalkedacrossandsheglancedup,smilingathim.Hesawhereyesgopasthimtothebarndoor.Thechairwasempty.

Shegotthecoffeepotandfilledhiscup,stealingaglanceathisface,whichrevealednothing.Shehadheardtheriderscomeinwiththehorses,andsheknewitmeantabankholdupsomewherenear.

Theoutlawscouldruntheirhorsesattopspeed,switchtofreshhorsesandbeofftothemountains.Thefreshhorseswouldassurethemofescape,foranypossewouldhavetoruntheirhorseshardtotrytocatchthem,andthosehorseswouldhavebeenextendedtotheutmostbeforereachingWestwater.

Duffy'smanateinsilence.Whenhearosehedroppedaquarteronthetable."Betterstayinsidetoday,"hetoldJulie,"andtellMa."

Shestoppedattheendofthetable."Whateveritisyou'replanning,"shesaid,"don'tdoit.Youdon'tknowClipHart."

"ThereareClipHartswhereveronegoes.Ifyoustartrunningthere'snoplacetostop.IhaveittodoorIhavetorun,andIdon'truneasy.

"Anyway"--hespokeinalightertone,notlook-fagather--"amanhastostopsomewhereandmakeastart.Thisseemsasgoodaplaceasany.Amanmightevenstartaranchofhisown."

"Thattakesmoney."

"Amanwhoisgoodwithanaxmightmakesomemoneycuttingties

forthatbranchlinethey'reabouttobuild.Theywillneedties,"headded,"orthey'llhavetoshipthemalongway."

Hewentoutwithoutlookingback,butheheardMasay,"Ilikethatyoungman."

Julieanswered,"Hewon'tlivelongifhebucksClipHart."

AtthefootofthestepsDuffy'smanstopped,thinking.Howdidonemanhandlesevenmen?Andhowfarbehindtheoutlawswouldthepossebe?HowlongwouldittakethemtogettoWestwater?

Duffy'smanconsideredahalfdozenwaysofdelayingtheoutlawsandstillstayingalive.Tyingtheirhorseswithhardknots?Theywouldcuttheropes.Openingfireastheyenteredthestreet?Hedidn'thaveshellsenoughtokillthemallifhescoredwitheveryshot,andtheyweretoomany.Hewouldhimselfbedead.

Therewasnoway.Hehadbeenfoolishtobeginwhathecouldnotend,andhewasverygladhehadnottriedtoenlisthelpinhisfoolhardyscheme.Ithadbeenalltooeasytothinkofdoingsomething,alltooeasytosaytheywouldneverbestronger.

Nonetheless,havingstartedit,itwasnotinhimtoquit.Whathehadbegunhewouldfinish,andhewouldhopetodoenoughdamageintheprocessthattheywouldcomenomoretoWestwater.

Itwasnaturalthathedidnotconsiderhisownsituation.Notthathehadnotthoughtofitbefore,buthehadknownwhathischanceswere,andnowthathehaddecidedtogoaheadhesimplywouldhavenochanceatall.Atleast,noneworthconsidering.

Finally,hebroughtthehorsesoutandtiedthem,accordingtoplan,atthehitch-rail.He'tiedthemwithslipknots,tyingClipHart'shorsealittleclosertothestableandjustalittleapartfromtheothers.Thenhe

broughttheshotgunfromtheharnessroomandplaceditbesidethebamdoor,butoutofsight.

Heknewthenhehaddonewhathecoulddo,andtherewasnothingtodobutwait.HedroppedintoDuffy'schairandrelaxed.

Wordseemedtohavegottenaround,fornooneappearedonthestreet.Thestorewasopen,aswasthesaloon,butnobodywasineitherplace.SeveraltimesJuliecametothedoorandlookedacrossthestreetattheyoungmaninthechairbythebarndoor.Eachtimehewaswhittling.Onceheevenseemedtobeasleep.

Itwasalmosteleveno'clockwhentheyheardthemcoming.Theythunderedacrossthebridgejustoutsideoftownandcameracingaroundthebendandthroughthetrees.Theycameatadeadrun,piledofftheirhorsesandrushedforthefreshhorsesatthehitch-rail.Hartreachedhishorseandgrabbedattheslipknot,andDuffy'smanhithim.

Therewasnowarning.Duffy'smanhadtiedthathorsewithinaneasystepandhislefthookcaughtHartonthechinandhewentdown,spunhalfwayaround,andgrabbedforhisgun.

Duffy'smanslappedawaythegunhandandsmashedHartwithabig,work-hardenedfistKnockinghimbackagainsttherailheproceededtoslughiminthebelly,thenonthechinwithbothhands.Hartwentdown,batteredandbleeding.OnlythendidDuffy'smandisarmhim.

Theotheroutlawshadleapedfortheirsaddlesandnosoonerdidtheyhitleatherthanallhellbrokeloose.Thehorseswerebig,fresh,andfullofcorn,andtheybegantopitchmadlyasifonsignal.Agirthbroke,andthenanother.Menplungedintothedust,andastheyhit,menrushedfromthestoresandranamongthem,clubbingwithgunbarrelsandriflebutts.

Duffyhimselfwasthere,movingwithsurprisingagilityforoneofhisageandbulk.Onlyonemanmadeabreakforit.Hewasnearthestableandhiscinchdidnotbreak.HegothishorseturnedandashedidsoheliftedhispistolandtookcarefulaimatDuffy'sman.

Thehostlersprangfortheshotgunbesidethedoor,knowinghewouldneverreachitintime.ThenarifleshotrangoutandasDuffy'smanswungaroundwiththeshotguninhishands,hesawtheoutlawtopplefromhissaddleintothedust.

HeglancedaroundandsawJuliestandinginthedoorwithanoldSharps.50inherhands,athinwraithofsmokeissuingfromthemuzzle.

Assuddenlyasthat,itwasover.ClipHartwasstaggeringtohisfeet,hisjawhangingandobviouslybroken.Therewasadeepcutoveroneeye,andhistriggerfingerwasbroken,apparentlywhenhefellorwhenthegunwasslappedfromhishand.

Onemanwasdead.Duffyhimselfhadkilledhimwhenhesteppedfromthestore.ThemanJuliehadshothadabrokenshoulderandanuglywoundwherethebullethadrippedtheflesh.Theothershadachingheadsandoneabrokencollarbone.

Herdedtogetherinfrontoftheliverystable,theywerestandingtherewhenthepossearrived,staringattheircaptorswhoprovedtobefouroldmen,twoboysoffourteen,agirlwithanapron,andDuffy'sman.

"Theyheldupourbankandkilledacashier,"themanwiththebadgetoldthem."Ifthey'dgottenonthosefreshhorsesthey'dhavegottencleanaway.Whathappened?"

Duffyhadbeenremovingsaddlesfromthehorsesandnowheliftedasaddleblanketandliftedanugly-lookingcockleburwithbloodonitsstiffspines."Somebody,"hesaid,"putoneoftheseundereach

blanket,andthencutthecincheshalfwaythrough."

ThebadgewearerlookedatDuffy'sman."Youdidthat?"

"Pickedthemeanest-lookingburrsIcouldfind.WhatelsecouldIdo?I'mnogunfighter!"

ThesherifflookedatHart."Well,you'resomekindofafighter,andwhateveritis,you'lldo.Thanks."

Duffylookedathisholster."Thoughtwewastooold,didyou?Well,wegotfightleftinusyet,ain'tweboys?"

Thestorekeepergesturedtowardthesaloon."I'mstandingforthedrinks,youngorold."

"Haveyourdrink,"Duffy'smansaid,"I'llbealongsoon."

HelookedoveratJulie."AsIsaid,thisseemedagoodplacetostop."

"Areyouagoodmanwithanax?"

"Iam.Butyouknow,itgetsmightylonelyupthereinthemountains.AnditwouldhelpifIhadsomebodytocookforme,too."

"Canyoucookatall?"

"No,ma'am."

"Ican."

Hegesturedtowardthechurch,half-hiddenamongthecottonwoods."Thepreacherwillbehometomorrow.Weshouldmakeanearlystart."

"Iwillbeready."Suddenly,shewasembarrassed.Shedriedherhands

onherapron."Yougoalongandhavethatdrinknow."

Atthesaloonthemenliftedtheirglassestohim."Notme,"hesaid,"Imightneverhavedoneitbutforsomethingaspeakeroncesaid."

Heliftedhisglass."Wedrinktothespeaker.ToPatrickHenry,"hesaid.

"ToPatHenry,"theyreplied.

*

BIGMAN

CherryNoblerodeintoWagonstoponablademule.Hewassixfeetseveninhissocks,andhehabituallyworeboots.Heweighedthreehundredandthirtypounds.Heswungdownfromthemuleandleditandhisthreepackanimalstowater.Ashestoodbythetroughwithhismules,thebystandersstaredinunadulteratedamazement.

Noblelookedup,smilinginafriendlyfashion."What'soffthere?"Heindicatedthecountrytothewestwithabobofhishead.

Fromwherehestoodnothingwasvisibletothewestbutthesunsettingoveraweirdcollectionofredspiresandtabletoppedmountains.

LayBentonreplied."Nothin'butwilderness,someofthewildest,roughestcountryonearthandsomebloodthirstyIndians."

"Nopeople?"

"None."

"Water?Andgrassmaybe?"

"Couldbealittle.Whoknows?"

"Thenthat'swhereI'llgo.I'llgotheresowhenfolksdocomethere'llbeaplacewaitingforthem.Soonerorlaterpeoplecometomost"everyplace,andmostlywhentheygettheretheyarehotandtired.I'llhavegrass,water,andbeefawaiting."

"You'dbecrazytotry,"Bentonsaid."NowhitemancouldliveinthatcountryeveniftheIndianswouldlethim."

CherryNoble'slaughboomed,hisfacewrinklingwiththememoriesofoldsmiles."They'llletmestay,andIguessthere'snoplaceamancan'tliveifhesetshismindtoit."Heslappedabulgingsaddlebag."KnowwhatI'vegothere?Cherrypits,that'swhatIWhenIstopIplantoplantcherriesIAin'tnobetterfruit,anywhere,andthat'swhypeoplecallmeastheydo.Noble'smynameandfolkscallmeCherry.YoucouldtrailmeacrossthecountrybythetreesI'veplanted."

LayBentonwasatrouble-hunter,andhedidnotlikeCherryNoble.LayhadbeenthebiggestmanarounduntilNoblearrived,andhestillconsideredhimselfthetoughest.Thebigman'seasygoodhumorirritatedhim."Ifyougointothatcountry,"hesaidcontemptuously,"you'reafool!"

"'Bettertobeafoolthanaknave,'"quotedNoble.Hewassmiling,buthiseyesweremeasuringBentonwithsuddenattentionandknowledge.

Bentoncametohisfeetreadyfortrouble."Whatwasthatyoucalledme?"

CherryNoblewalkedtothefootofthestepswhereBentonstood."Friend,"he"spokegently,stillsmiling,"Ididn'tcallyou,butifyouheardyournamejustkeepa-coming."

Bentonwasirresolute.Somethingintheeasymovementandconfidenceofthebigmandisturbedhim."Youdon'tmakesense!"hesaidirritably."What'sthematter?Areyoucrazy?"

Noblechuckled,hisbighandsonhiships."Nowastothat,"hesaidjudiciously,"there'sadivisionofopinion.Somesayyes,somesayno.Me,I'venotrightlydecided,butatanyrateI'mnotaverywiseman.

"FellerbackinMissouriwhenIwasabouthip-hightoashortburro,hegivemefivebooks,hedid.Hesaid,'Son,youtakethesebooksand

youreadthem.Thenyoureadthemthroughagainandthenyouponderon'em.Afterthatyougivethemtosomebodyelse,butthere'llbesomethingthatwillstaywithyouallthedaysofyourlife.I'mgivingyouthegreatestgiftanymancangivetoanother.'"

CherryNobleputonehugebootedfootonthestep."NowIreadthemtherebooks,andmoretimesthantwice.OnewastheBible,mightygoodreadingwhetheramanisofareligiousturnornot.AnotherwasabunchofpoetrylikebyamannamedShakespeare.Thatoneonlymadeoccasionalsensetomeuntilthethirdtimearoundandtheneverythingbegantofallintoplace,andit'sstayedinmymindeversince.Thentherewasabookonlaw,orthat'swhatIwastold,byBlack-stone.Seemedtomethatbookmadealotofsense,andmostlyitwasrulesandideasonhowfolkscangetalongtogether.TherewasanotherbyamannamedPlatothatseemedtomeconversationswithsomeotherfolks,butonethatworriedmesomewasanaccountofthedeathofthisSocrates.

"Seemstheyhadsomethingagainsthim,andthepowersthatweresaidheshouldtakepoisonhemlock.Well,fromtheaccountofwhathappenedafterwarditseemedtomethemanwaswritingaboutsomethingheneveractuallysawbecausewehaveasightofpoisonhemlockinpartsofthecountrywhereI'velivedandit'saveryagonizingdeath,nowaysocalmandeasyasthismanseemedtohaveit.

"Mantoldmelater,amanwhowasuponsuchthings,thatPlatowasn'teventherewhenithappened.Idon'tthinkamanshouldwritethingsunlesshecanwritethetruthaboutit,orasnearashecancometoit.TheotherbookwassomesayingsbyJefferson,Franklin,andthelike,thesortofconclusionsanyreasonablemancomestoinalifetime.

"NowIreadthosebooksuponesideanddowntheotherandnothing

inthosebookstoldmeIwascrazyandnothinginthemtoldmeIwasawiseman,either.So"--hesmiledcheerfully--"Ijustlet'errest,an'that'sagoodwaytodowitharguments."

NoblemountedthestepsandwentintothestoreandBentonstaredafterhim.Hespatintothedust.Nowwhatkindofamanwasthat?

Hack,anotherofthebysitters,glancedslylyatBenton."Hesureisbig,"hecommented.

"Sizedoesn'tmaketheman!"Bentonsaidcontemptuously.

Theoldermanchuckled,lookingBentonupanddown."Nowthat'swhatI'vealwayssaidI"Hackagreed."That'swhatI'llalwayssay!"

ThedooropenedandNoblesteppedout.Hehadtwoonehundredpoundsacksofflourunderonearmandheldanotherbythetop.Hewalkedtohispackmulesandbeganstrappingonthesacks.Thenhewentaroundtothecorralandreturnedwiththreehorses.Bringingoutmoresupplies,hestrappedthemonthepacksaddleshehadbroughtalongwiththehorses.

Bentonhadthefeelinghehadcomeoutontheshortendoftheexchangeanddidnotlikeit.Norwashesurejusthowithadhappened.HewatchedNobleloadingupwithgrowingdispleasure."SomeMormonstriedtosettleoverthereonetimeandtheinjunsrun'emout.TheGreenboyswentintherewithcattle,andtheGreenswerekilled.Youain'tgotachancebackintherealone.TherewassixorsevenoftheGreens.

"Besides,"heargued,"howwouldyoumakealiving?Supposeyourcherriesgrew?Wherewouldyousell'em?"

CherryNoble'schucklewasrichanddeep,"Why,friend,Idon'tworryaboutthat.TheLordwillprovide,saysI,andwhenfolkscomethey

willfindtheearthfloweringlikethegardensofparadise,withfatblackcherriesgrowing,andifbychancetheinjunsgetmemytreeswillstillbegrowing.ForIsayhewhoplantsatreeisaservantofGod,whichIheardsomewherelongago.Evenifthere'snofruitonthelimbsthere'llbeshadeforthewearyandacoolnessinsummer."

"Youtalklikeadamnedskypilot,"Bentonscoffed.

"Well,I'mnotone.NoramIreallywhatyou'dcallareligiousman,noralearnedone.Thatfellerwhogavemethebookssaid,'Son,itisn'thowmanybooksyouread,it'swhatyougetfromthoseyoudoread.YoureadthosebooksIgaveyouandneitherlife,nordeath,normanwillholdanyfearsforyou.'That'swhatthemansaid,andheseemstohavebeenright."

"You'llneedalotmorethantalkifthosePiutesjumpyou!"Bentonreplied.

Noblechuckledagain."Iftheydon'tunderstandthatkindoftalkIcanalwaysusethisI"Hepickedanemptywhiskeybottlefromthedustandflippeditintotheair.Asthebottlereacheditshighpointhepalmedhissix-shooterandfired.

Theshotsmashedthebottle,hissecondandthirdshotsbrokefragmentsofthebottleintostillsmallerfragments.

LayBentonsatdownonthetopstep,shockedandalittlesicktothestomach.Tothinkhehadbeenhuntingtroublewithamanwhocouldshootlikethat!

Nobleswungintothesaddleonthebigmule,ahugeandhandsomecreaturewhoonlyswishedhistailatthegreatweight."Comevisitme,"heinvited,"whereyoufindmetherewillbegreengrassandtrees,andifyougivemetimetherewillbeblackcherriesripeninginthesun!"

"He'llgethimselfkilled,"Bentonsaidsourly.

"Maybe,"Hackagreed,"butinjunstaketohiskind."

Theywatchedhimridedownthedustystreettowardthetrailwest,andheonlystoppedonce,toletRuthMcGanncrossinfrontofhim.ShewasgoingovertotheBorderhousetoborrowacupofsugar...atleastthatwaswhatshesaid.

Theysawthathespoketoher,andtheymightaswellhaveoverhearditbecauseoldmanBorderrepeatedthewords.

Nobledrewupandgallantlysweptthehatfromhishead."Beautybeforeindustry,ma'am.YoumaypassbeforeIraiseadustthatmightdimthoselovelyeyes."

Shelookedupathimsuspiciously."MynameisNoble,"hesaid,"andIhopethatsometimesIam.TheycallmeCherrybecauseit'scherriesIplantwhereverI'vetimetostop.Andyourname?"

"Ruth,"shereplied,hereyestakinginthegreatexpanseofchestandshoulder,"andwheremightyoubegoing,ridingoutthatway?"

"LiketheHebrewchildren,"hesaid,"Igointothewilderness,butIshallreturn.Ishallcomebackforyou,Ruth,andthenyoushallsaytomeasdidRuthoftheBible,'Witherthougoest,Iwillgo;andwherethoulodgest,Iwilllodge;thypeopleshallbemypeople,andthyGod,myGod.'"

Ruthlookedhimovercoolly.Seventeenandpert,shehadhairlikefireseenthroughsmoke,andeyesofhazel.Theprettiestgirlinallthatcountryitwassaid,butwitheyesfornoman."Oh,Iwill,willI?You'veasmoothtongue,bigman.Whatelsedoyouhave?"

"Twohandsandaheart.WhatelsewillIneed?"

"You'llneedahead,"sherepliedcalmly."Nowbeoffwithyou.Ihaveworktodo."

"Wellspoken!"HereplacedhishatonhisheadandasRuthpassedonacrossthestreet,headded,"'Fareyouwell,hereafterinabetterworldthanthis,Ishalldesiremoreloveandknowledgeofyou.'"

RuthMcGannturnedonthestepsoftheBorderhouseandwatchedhimdisappeardownthetrail.Itwasonlyadimtrail,fornotmanywentthatwayandfewerreturned."Whowasthat?"sheasked."Ihaven'tseenhimbefore."

"Somestranger,"Bordersaid,"butamightybigman.AboutthebiggestIeverdidsee."

Ruthcrossedtheporchandwentintothehouseforhercupofsugar,astrangething,asoldmanBordercommented,forhermahadboughtabarrelofsugaronlyafewweeksbefore,lookingtoaseason'scanning.Thestorywastoldaroundthesewingandtheknittingcirclesfordaysafter,andaroundthehorsecorralsandintheblacksmithshopaswell.Shewaschidedaboutherbigman,butRuthofferednoreply.

Amonthpassed,andthensixmonths,andthenPortGiddingscameinwiththreeriders.TheyhadcrossedtheroughcountrytothewestandstoppedbytheMcGanns."Wildcountryyonder,"Portsaid,"butrightinthemidstofitwefoundNoble.Heaskedtoberememberedtoyou,Ruth.Hesaidtotellyouwhenhisplacewasinbettershapehe'dbecomingforyou."

Hereyesflashed,butshesaidnothingatallOnlywhentheytalkedshelistenedandwentonwithhersewing.

"Thewaythatvalleyhaschangedyouwouldn'tbelieve,"Giddingssaid."He'sbrokensodonmorethanahundredacresandhasitplantedtocornandoats.He'sgottwohundredcherrytreesplantedand

sprouting.ThenheroundedupthosecattletheGreen*boyslost,andhe'sholdingthemonmeadowsthickwithgrass.He'susingwaterfromthoseoldMormonirrigationditches,andhe'scutalotofhay.

"Bestofall,he'sbuiltastonehousethat'sthebestI'veseeninthiscountry.Thatmansuredoesworkhard."

"WhatabouttheIndians?"McGannasked.

"That'sthepeculiarpart.Heseemstohavenotroubleatall.Helocatedtheircampwhenhefirstrodeintothecountry,andhewentinandhadalongtalkwiththechiefandsomeoftheoldmen.He'sneverbeenbothered."

CherryNoblecouldnothavetakenoathtothatcomment.TheIndianslivingnearbyhadcausednotrouble,norhadhemadetroubleforthem.Thesamecouldnotbesaidforpassingwarparties.AraidingbandofPiuteshadcomeintothecountry,stealinghorsesfromtheotherIndiansandatthatverymomentNoblewashunkereddownbehindsomerocksatawaterhole.

Luckily,hehadglimpsedtheIndiansatthesametimetheysawhim.Hehadreachedtherocksaroundthewaterholejustintime.HeshotthenearestIndianfromthesaddleandtherestofthemwenttotheground.Noblegotthemuledownonitssideandoutofriflerange.HereadiedhisWinchesterandreloadedhissix-gun.

Itwasalong,slow,hotafternoon.Therewasnowaternearerthanfifteenmilesexceptwhatlayinthewaterholebehindhim.HeknewthatandsodidthePiutes,onlyhehadthewaterandtheydidnot.

Sweattrickleddownthebigman'sneck.Hetookapullathiscanteenandputareassuringhandonthemule.Theanimalhadbeentrainedfrombirthforjustthiseventualityandlayquietnow.

TheycamesuddenlyandwitharushandNobletookhistime.Hedroppedone,thenswitchedhisrifleandmissedashotastheydisappeared.

TherewereatleastfiveIndiansstilloutthere.Abuzzardsoaredexpectantlyoverhead.Hemovedsuddenly,furtherintotherocksandonlyintime.Awarrior,knifeinhand,doveathimfromarockandNoblethrewupahand,graspingtheIndian'sknifewristandliterallythrowingthemantothegroundnearthepool.

NobleputagunonhimandtheIndianlookedupathim,judginghischances."Nogood,"Noblesaid."You,"hegestured,"drink!"

TheIndianhesitated."Drink,damnyou!"AndtheIndiandid,thenagain.

"Nowgetupandgetout.Tellthemtoleavemealone.Iwantnotrouble,doyouhear?Notrouble.

"YoustealevenoneheadfrommeandI'llhuntyoudownandkillyouall."HowmuchtheIndianunderstoodhehadnoidea."Nowgo!"

Theywent,wantingnomoreofthisbigmanwholivedalone.

Noblereturnedtohiswork.Thereweremoretreestoplant,avegetablegardentofence,trapstobesetforrabbitsthatwereplayinghavocwithhiscrops.

Fourdayslater,asiftestinghim,hefoundseveralsteersdrivenoffandtrackedthemtotheircamp.Theyhadeatenheavilyandweresleeping,doubtingonelonemanwouldattempttopursuethem.

Hewentintotheircamponcatfeet.Hegatheredtheirriflesandwastakingapistolfromoneofthemwhenthemanawakened.HiseyesrivetedonNoble'sfaceandhestartedayell,butthepistolbarrel

acrosshisheadstoppedit.

Walkingoutoftheircamphegatheredtheirhorsesandledthemtowherehishorsewaited.Surprisingly,theywerestillasleep.Perhapssomewhereintheirraidingtheyhadfoundsomewhiskey,fortheyslepttoosoundly.

Pickingupanarmfulofbrushhetosseditonthefireandatthefirstcrackleofflametheycameawake.Hewaswaitingforthemwithaguninhishand.

Theystartedtoriseandheshouted,"No!Youstay!"

Theywaited,watchinghim.Theyweretoughmen,andthankGod,oneofthemwasoldenoughtohavejudgment."Notrouble!"hereiterated."Iwantnotrouble!"

"Mycow,"hegestured,"allmine!Yougonow.Don'tcomeback!"

Theoldestofthewarriorslookedupathim."Yousaywecomeagain,youkillall."

"Idon'twanttokill.WhiteStoneCalfismyfriend.Youcanbefriendalso."

"Yousayyoukill.Canyoukillme?"

"Icankillyou.Idonotwishto.Iamamanwhoplantstrees.Igrowcorn.IfanIndianishungry,Iwillfeedhim.Ifheissick,Iwilltrytomakehimwell,butheharmsmycrops,ifheattacksmeorstealsmycowsorhorses,Iwillkillhim.Somehavealreadydied,howmanymustdiebeforeyouunderstandme?"

"Wewillgo,"theIndiansaid."Youwillgiveusourhorses?"

"Iwillnot.Youhavetakenmytime.Itakeyourhorses.NexttimeI

shalltakemorehorses.Yougo.Ifyoucomeagain,comeinpeaceorIwillfollowtoyourvillageandmanywilldie."

Thefollowingyearthereweretworaidsintothearea,buttheyrodearoundthebigman'sland;andwhenthenextwinterwashardandthesnowswereheavyandicywindsprowledthecanyonsherodeintotheirvillage,andtheywatchedhimcome.

Hebroughtsidesofbeefandasackofflour.HerodetotheIndiantowhomhehadtalkedanddroppedthemintothesnowbeforehim."Notrouble,"hesaid,"Iamfriend."

Heturnedandrodeaway,andtheywatchedhimgo.

GiddingsstoppedagainattheMcGannhome."DroppedbytobuysomestockfromthatNoblefeller.Gotfiftyheadofgoodbeeffromhim.Ireckonhe'sgotatleastthreehundredheadofyoungstuff,andhe'skeptafewcowsfreshformilking."

"Didyousaymilking?"McGannwasincredulous."Ineverheardofamanmilkin'acowwestoftheRockies."

"He'sdoingit."GiddingsglancedslylyatRuth."Hesayswomenfolkssetstorebymilkcows.Gives'emrealbutterandcream.Forawomanwhobakes,hesays,that'sabighelp."

Ruthseemednottohear,continuingwithhersewing.

"Hischerrytreesaregrowing,andtheylookmightynice.Longrowsofthem.He'sputinakitchen-garden,too.Seemshecamepreparedwithallkindsofseed.Heeatsmightygood,thatfeller.Cornonthecob,cabbage,peas,carrots,onions,lotsofotherstuff.He'sfoundalittlegold,too."

ItwasthislastitemthatreachedtheattentionofLayBenton.Itwas

justlikethatcrazyman,hethought,tofindgoldwherenobodyelsehadevenlookedforit.HisgrudgeagainstNoblehadgrownasstoriesofhisimprovingranchcontinuedtospread.Hetookthatsuccessasapersonalaffront

LateonanightafteranotherofGiddings'visits,LaymetwithGeneNeversandAbSlade."He'sgotgold,horses,cattle,andsomecashmoneyGiddingspaidhim.Mustruntosevenoreighthundreddollars."

"Howdoyoufiguretodoit?"Sladeasked.

"Takenochances.Welayforhimandshoothimdown.There'snobodytherebuthimandeverybodywillthinkinjunsdoneit."

Atdaylighttheyrodeoutoftown,andGiddingssawthemgo.HestoppedbytheMcGannhouse."Ishouldn'thavementionedthatgold,"hesaid."Benton,Slade,andNeversrodeoutoftown,thencircledandheadedwest."

"Youthinkthey'regoingafterNoble?"McGannasked.

"Whereelse?Bentonneverlikedhim,andweallknowwhatBentonis."

Ruthsatquietlysewinganddidnotlookup.Giddingsglancedather."Youdon'tlookworried,"hecommented.

Shelookedupathim."WhyshouldIbe?Ifamancan'tlookafterhimselfofwhataccountishe?"

"Bytheway,"Giddingssmiledather."Hesaidforyoutogettoworkonthattrousseau."

Hereyesflashed."Doeshethinkmeafool?"

ThreedayswentbyandtherewasnochangeinRuth,oriftherewasitwentunnoticedbyoldmanBorder,whomissednothing.Except,headded,thatlatelyRuthhadbeenwateringherflowersnineortentimesaday,andeachtimeshetookalongtimeshadinghereyesdownthetrailtowardthewest.Thetrailwasalwaysempty,andthepurplehillsofeveningtoldhernothing.

BentonmighthavebeenloudmouthedandAbSladeacoward,butGeneNeverswasneither.Hewasanexperiencedoutlawandstockthief,andhehadkilledseveralmen.

BentonwantedtoslipuponNobleandshoothimdownfromambush,butNeverswaspractical."Hellhavethatgoldhid,andwe'llneverfindit."

"Maybeweshouldcatchhimandburnhimalittle.Makehimtalk."

Neverswasimpatient."Don'tbeafool!Hiskindnevertalk."

AtthelasttheydecidedthatwasthewaytodoitTheyslippeddownnearthehouseandwerewaitingwhenNoblewenttothespringforwater.Ashestraighteneduphiseyecaughttheglintoflightonariflebarrel,andhewasunarmed.

Hemadeaverybigtarget,andhewasnofool.Thesemenhadcometorobhimfirstandthenkillhim.Haditbeenonlythelatterhewouldalreadybedead.Hethoughtswiftlyandcoolly.Theonlyreasonhewasalivewasbecausetheyneededhimtolocatethegold.

Asthethreesteppedintotheopenhiseyeswentfromonetotheother.Neverswasatoncethemostdangerousandthemostreasonable.Sladehungback,eitheroverlycautiousoracoward.ThatBentondislikedhimheknew.

"Howdy,gentsIWhyalltheguns?Youbeenhunting?"

"Wewerehuntingyou,"Bentonsaid.

"Alongwaytocomeandabigriskforwhatthereisinit,"hesaid.

"Where'sthegold,Noble?"Neversasked."Itwillsavetroubleifyoutellus."

"Mostlikely,butIneverpaidmuchmindtotrouble.Kindoflikeditnowandagain.Keepstheedgeonaman."Ifhecouldjustgetwithinreach--

Hemovedtowardthedoorandinstantlythegunslifted."HolditnowI"Bentonwaseagertoshoot

"Justaimin'tosetmybucketinside.Nousetotalkouthereinthesun.Iwasjustfixin'tohavebreakfast,soifyouboysdon'tmind,we'lljusthavebreakfastfirstandthentalk.I'mhungry."

"SoamI."Slademovedtowardthedoor.

"Ab,"Neverssaid,"yougoinsideandpickuphisguns.Movethemintothefarthestcorner,behindwherewewillsitWewillletthismanfixourbreakfast,likehesays.I'mhungry,too."

AbSladewentinsideandNobleknewwhathewasdoing,hecouldfollowhiseverymove.Hecametothedoor."Allright,justaWinchesterandacoupleofforty-fours."

Theywentinside.PuttingdownhisbucketNoblewenttowork.Hehadnoplan,noidea.Hewouldfixbreakfastaspromised.Besides,hewashungryhimself.

Theystayedacrosstheroomfromhim,butNeverswasveryalert.SeveraltimeshemighthavesurprisedtheothersbutnotNevers.

"Ifoundgold,allright"--hetalkedasheworked--"butnotmuchofit

yet.Youboyscametoosoon.YoushouldhavewaitedanothermonthortwowhenI'dcleanedupthesluiceaftersomelongruns.I'djustfinishedthesluiceandnowit'saloss.Toobad."

"Whytoobad?"Bentonasked.

"Theclaimwillbelost.Nobodycouldfinditbutme,andafteryouboyskillmeyou'llhavetoskipthecountry.You'llneverdareshowfacearoundWagonstopagain,sothegoldwon'tdoyouanygood."

"Weain'tleavin',"Sladesaid."We'llsayitwasinjuns."

"Thatwon'twork."Nobleslappedsomebeefinthefryingpan."I'mfriendswithalltheIndians.Infact,they'redueoverherenow.Ipromisedthemsomebeefandsometobacco."

Neversglanceduneasilyoutthedoor.GiddingshadsaidthatNoblewasfriendlywiththeIndians.Supposetheyappearednow,andsuspectedsomethingwaswrong?

Nobleknewwhatwasinhismind."Youboysmayhavetokillyourhorsesgettingoutofherebecausethoseinjunswillberightafteryou.I'vebeenhelpingthemthroughsomehardtimes."Heforkedbeeffromthepan."Howyoufiguringongettingout?Unlessyouknowthecountryyou'reinatrap."

"Southwest,"Bentonsaid,"toArizona."

"See?Youdon'tknowthiscountry.TheColoradoCanyon,lookslikeit'samiledeep,liesrightintheway."

GeneNeverssworementally,rememberingthatcanyononlythen.Hehadneverbeensouthfromhere,onlyeastandnorth.WagonstopwaseastandtheIndianswerenorth.Forthefirsttimehewasworried.

"You'dbettergetoutside,Ab,andwatchforthoseIndians."

"They'retouchy,"Noblesaid,"shootoneofthem,andthey'llreallycomeafteryou."

Hedishedupthefood,placingplatesbeforeNeversandBenton.Bothmenhaddrawntheirgunsandplacedthemonthetablebesidetheir

Elates.CherryNoblenotedthefactandturnedbacktothefireplace.

BesidethewoodpilewastheoldburlapsackinwhichhehadthegunshehadtakenfromthePiutes.Anoldblanketwaspartlythrownoverit.Inthatsacktherewereweapons...butweretheyloaded?Couldhe,heaskedhimself,besureofgettingaloadedweaponifhedroppedtoonekneeandgrabbed?Therewasnocertainty,andtherewouldbenosecondchance.

Carefullyheplacedtwocupsonthetableandpickedupthecoffeepot.Neverswatchedhimwithhawkeyesashefilledthecups.ThentheytooktheircupsintheirlefthandsandasNoblefilledhisowncupinspirationcame.Hereachedforaspoonandaccidentallyknockedittothefloor.Stoopingtoretrieveit,hehurledhimselfagainstthelegsofthetable.

Histhreehundredandthirtypoundshitthetablelikeanavalanche,smashingitbackintothetwooutlaws.Neversgrabbedwildlyathisgunanditexploded,sendingabulletintothewallasthetablehithimwaist-high.HewassmashedbackwardandwithBentonslammedagainstthewall,theboilingcoffeecascadingoverthem.

Leapingup,NoblesentahugefistthatsmashedintoBenton'sface.Hisheadhitthewallwithathud.Neverspulledfreeofthetable,gaspingforbreath,andlungedatNoblesendingthembothcrashingtothefloor.Neversswungwildly,andtheblowcaughtNobleonthechin.Hemightaswellhavehitastonewall.

Jerkingfree,Neversgrabbedforhisgunwhichlayonthefloor.NeversgotahandonthegunandNoblegrabbedforBenton'sgun.Neversfiredwildlyandmissed,thenfiredagainanddidn'tNoblefeltthebullethithimandfiredinreturn.

HesawNeversfallandheardrunningfeetasAbSladerushedthedoor.Heturned,swaying,andfiredasSladeframedhimselfinthedoor.

Sladefell.Fullyconscious,slumpedagainstthedoorjamb,hesaid,"YougotGene?"

"Yes."

"AndBenton?"

"He'soutcold."

Sladestaredathim,almostpleading."Itried,didn'tI?Theycan'tsayIwasyella,canthey?"

"Youtried,Ab.Youreallytried.Youcouldhaverun."

"Tellthemthat.TellthemI--"Herolledover,outofthedoorwaytothehard-packedearthoutside.

HediedlikethatandCherryNoblewentbackinside.

OnthesixthdayafterBenton,Slade,andNeversrodeoutoftown,RuthMcGannwalkedupthestreettothestore.Shelingeredoverhershopping,listeningforthenews.Therewasnone.

Thensomebodyinthestreetletoutayell.Thestoreemptiedintothestreet.

Therewasnomistakingtheriderontheblackmule.Behindhimthere

werethreehorses.Twowithemptysaddles,thethirdwitharidertiedtohishorse.Thatrider'sfacewasbatteredandswollen.CherryNobledrewupbeforethestore.

"Theycamehuntingme.Twoareburiedbackyonder.Ifanybodywantstocollectthem,theycan.Icaughtonebutnotbad.NotenoughtoworryaboutThisone"--heindicatedBenton--"putthemuptoitandashesortoffiguredhimselfafighterIturnedhimlooseandlethimhaveatit.Hedidn'tcutmuchiceasafighter."

Ruthsteppedofftheporchandwalkedawayinthedust.CherryNobleglancedafterher,threwonelonginglookatthesaloonandthebeerhehadwantedforthelastthirtymiles,andfollowed.

Hecaughtherinthreelongstrides.Shehadshortenedhers,justalittle.Hewasatalossforwordsbutfinallyhesaid,"I'vecomeback."

"Soyouhave,"sherepliedcoolly.

"Wecanbemarriedbythepreacher,andstartforhomeinthemorning.It'salongride."

"DoyouthinkI'msuchafool?"sheburstout."YoutoldGiddingsIshouldstartatrousseau!"

"Wasthatfoolishofme?Ruth,IlovedyouthemomentIsawyouandknewthatformetherecouldbenoother.Ruth,willyoumarryme?"

"Youtoldhimtotellmetostartmytrousseau!"sherepeated."Didyouthinkmesuchafool?"

"Why,Ijustthought--"

"You'rethefool,"shesaid,"Istarteditthemorningaftermeetingyouinthestreet."

"'Women,'"Cherrystartedtoquote,"'are--'"

"Foryou,"Ruthsaidsweetly,"thewordhasnowbecomesingular...sodonotsay'women'!"

*

THEMARSHALOFSENTINEL

Ateighto'clockMarshalFitzMoorelefthishouseandwalkedoneblockwesttoCard'sSaloon.ItwasalreadyopenandFitzglimpsedCard'sswampersweepingdebrisfromthepreviousnight.Crossingthestreetthemarshalpausedattheedgeoftheboardwalktorubouthiscigaronthetopofthehitchingrail.Ashedidsoheturnedhiseyesbutnothishead,glancingswiftlyupthenarrowstreetalongsidethesaloon.Thegrayhorsewasgone.

FitzMoorehesitated,consideringthis,estimatingtimeandprobabilities.Onlythendidheturnandentertherestaurantjustaheadofhim.

TheFredHenrygangofoutlawshadbeenoperatinginthiscorneroftheterritoryformorethantwoyears,butthetownofSentinelhadthusfarescapedtheirattention.FitzMoore,whohadbeenmarshalofSentinelformorethanhalfthattime,hadtakencaretostudythemethods,ofHenryandhismen.Inrecentraidsthemarshalhadbeenslainwithinminutesbeforetheraidbegan,orjustatthemomentthegangarrived.

Apersistentpatternofoperationhadbeenestablishedandinvariablytheraidshadbeentimedtocoincidewiththeavailabilityoflargesumsofmoney.SuchatimehadcometoSentinel,asFitzMoorehadreasontoknow.

So,unlessallhisreasoninghadfailed,thetownwasmarkedforaraidwithinthenexttwohours.Andhewasmarkedfordeath.

FitzMoorewasatall,sparemanwithadark,narrowfaceandcarefullytrimmedmustache.Normallyhisfacewasstillandcold,onlyhiseyesseemingaliveandaware.

Asheenteredtherestaurantheremovedhisblack,flat-crownedhat.HisfrockcoatwasunbuttonedofferingeasyaccesstotheSmith&WessonRussian.44.Thegunwasbeltedhighandfirmlyonhisleftsidejustinfrontofhishipbone,butttotheright,holsterataslightangle.

Threemenandtwowomensatatalongcommunitytablebutonlyonemurmuredagreeting.JackThomasglancedupandsaid,"Goodmorning,Marshal,"histonelowandfriendly.

Acknowledgingthegreeting,themarshalseatedhimselfatthefarendofthetableandacceptedthecupofcoffeepouredbytheChinesecook.

Withhismindclosedtothedriftofconversationfromthefarendofthetable,heconsideredthesituationthatfacedhim.Hisdaysbeganinthesameidenticalmanner,withasurveyofthetownfromeachofthesixwindowsofhishouse.ThismorninghehadseenthegrayhorsetiedbehindPeterson'sunusedcorral,whereitwouldnotbeseenbyacasualglance.

Withfieldglassesthemarshalexaminedthehorse.Itwasstreakedwiththesaltofdriedsweat,evidenceofhardriding.Therewerestillsomedark,dampspotsindicatingthehorsehadbeenriddennotlongbefore,andthefactthatitwasstillbridledandsaddledindicateditwouldberiddensoonagain.ThebrandwasaRockingR,notalocalbrand.

WhenFitzMoorehadreturnedtohislivingroomhehadseatedhimselfandforanhourheread,occasionallyglancingoutofthewindow.Thegrayhorsehadnotbeenmovedinthattime.

Ateightwhenheleftforbreakfastthehorsewasstillthere,butbythetimehehadwalkedablockitwasgone.Andtherelingeredintheaira

faintsmellofdust.

Wherewasthehorse?

Downthearroyo,ofcourse,asitgaveeasyaccesstotheforestandthemountaincanyonswheretherewasconcealmentandwater.Takingintoconsiderationthecoolnight,thesweat-streakedhorse...notlessthansixmilestothepointofrendezvous.

Theriderofthegrayhadobviouslybeenmakingafinalcheckwithalocalsourceofinformation.Toreturntotherendezvous,discussthesituationandreturn,gavehimroughlytwohours,perhapsabitmore.Hewoulddealinminimums.

Themarshallightedacigar,acceptedafreshcupofcoffeeandleanedbackinhischair.Hewasamanofsimpletastesandmanyappreciations.Heknewlittleofcattleandlessofmining,buttwothingshedidknow.Heknewgunsandheknewmen.

Hewasawareofthecoolgrayeyesoftheyoungwoman,theonlypersonpresentwhomhedidnotknowbysight.Therewasaboutherahauntingfamiliaritythatdisturbedhim.Hetastedhiscoffeeandglancedoutthewindow.Reasonwarnedhimheshouldbesuspiciousofanystrangerintownatsuchatime,yeteveryinstincttoldhimheneednotbesuspiciousofher.

TheEmporiumBankwouldbeopeninaboutanhour.AfewminuteslaterBarneyCardwouldleavehissaloonandcrossthestreetwiththereceiptsfromSaturdayandSunday.Itcouldbeaconsiderablesum.

TheEmporiumsafewouldbeunlockedbythattimeand,astheyhadbeenacceptingmoneyfromranchersanddustfromminers,therewouldbeplentyofcashonhand.Inapproximatelyonehourtherewouldbenolessthantwentythousanddollarsinspendablecashwithineasyreachofgraspingfingersandreadyguns.

TheHenrygangwould,ofcourse,knowthis.Bynowtheywereinthesaddle,leavingtheircamp.

HedidnotknowthenameofthestrangerwhoplayedpokerwiththeCatfishKid,buthehadknowntheface.IthadbeenthefaceofamanhehadseeninTascosawithFredHenry,thebanditleader,sometwoyearsago.TiedtothiswasthefactthattheRockingRwasabrandregisteredtooneHarveyDanuser,aliasDickMawson,thefastestgunhandintheHenryoutfit.

Hewassuddenlyawarethataquestionhadbeendirectedtohim."Whatwouldyoudo,Marshal,"JackThomaswasasking,"iftheHenrygangraidedSentinel?"

FitzMooreglancedattheendofhiscigar,thenliftedhiseyestothoseofJackThomas."Ithink,"hesaidmildly,"Ishouldhavetotakesteps."

Themarshalwasnotaprecipitateman.Reputedtobebothfastandaccuratewithagun,hehadyettobeprovedlocally.Once,notsolongago,hehadkilledthewrongman.Hehopednevertomakesuchamistakeagain.

SofarhehadenforcedthepeaceinSentinelbyshrewdjudgmentofcharacter,appreciationofdevelopingsituations,andtacticalmovesthatinvariablylefthimincommand.Authorizedtoemployanassistant,hehadnotdoneso.Hepreferredtoworkashelived...alone.

Hewas,heacknowledged,butonlytohimself,a.lonelyman.IfhepossessedanycapacityforaffectionorfriendshipithadnotbeenobvioustothepeopleofSentinel.Yetthiswasanaddedstrength.Noonepresumedtotakehimlightlyorexpectfavoritism.

Longagohehadbeenconsideredabrilliantconversationalistand,inatimewhenacowboy'ssaddlebagsmightcarryavolumeoftheclassics

asoftenasNedBuntline,hewasknownasawidelyreadman.HehadbeenacaptaininthecavalryoftheUnitedStates,acolonelinaMexicanrevolution,ashotgunmessengerforWellsFargo,andadivisionsuperintendentfortheButterfieldStageLine.

Naturally,heknewoftheHenrygang.Theyhadbeenoperatingforseveralyearsbutonlyoflatehadtheyshownatendencytoshootfirstandtalklater.Thisseemedtoindicatethatatleastoneoftheganghadbecomearuthlesskiller.

Threemarshalshadbeenkilledrecently,eachoneshotintheback,anindicationthatamodusoperandihadbeenestablished.Firstkillthemarshal,thenrobthetown.Withthemarshaloutofactionitwasunlikelyresistancecouldbeorganizedbeforetheoutlawshadescaped.

FitzMooredustedtheashfromhiscigar.Hethoughtthegrayhorsehadbeenstandinglongenoughtoletthesweatdry,whichmeantthehorsehadbeenriddenintotownbeforedaybreak.Atthathoureverythingwasclosedandhehadseennobodyonthestreet,andthatseemedtoindicatetheriderhadgoneinsomewhere.Andthatmeanthenotonlyknewwheretogoatthathourbutthathewouldbewelcomed.

SotheHenryganghadanaccompliceinSentinel.Whentheriderofthegrayhorselefttownthataccomplicehadundoubtedlybeenawake.Witharaidimminentitwasunlikelyhewouldriskgoingbacktosleep.Whatmorelikelyplaceforhimtobethanrightinthiscafe?Herehecouldnotonlyseewhowasaroundbutwouldhaveachancetojudgethetemperofthemarshal.

Hadanyoneenteredbeforehearrived?FitzMoorekneweveryoneintheroomexceptthegirlwiththegrayeyes.Shewaswatchinghimnow.

Eachoftheothershadareasontobehereatthishour.BarneyCardhadopenedhissaloonandleftittotheministrationsofhisswamper.JackThomasdirectedthedestiniesoftheliverystable.JohnnyHaven,whenhewasn'tgettingdrunkandtryingtotreethetown,wasahardworkingyoungcowhandandthoroughlytrustworthy.

TheolderofthetwowomenpresentwasMaryJameson,aplumpandgossipywidow,thetown'smilliner,dressmaker,andNiagaraofconversation.

Whenshefinishedherbreakfastshewouldwalkthreedoorsdownthestreetandopenhershop.

Butwhatofthegirlwiththegrayeyes?Herfacewasbothdelicateandstrong,herhairdarkandlovely,andshehadanairofbeingtothemanorborn.Perhapsitwasbecauseshedidpossessthatair,likesomeonefromthemarshal'sownpast,thatsheseemedfamiliar.Andalso,hethoughtreluctantly,shewasjustthesortofgirl--

Itwastoolatenow,andtherewasnousethinkingofit.Hewasnotfoolenoughtobelievetherecouldbeanysuchgirlforhimnow.Notafteralltheseyears.

Therewasanantagonisminhereyesthathecouldnotaccountfor.Hewasaccustomedtotheattentionofwomenbutnotantagonisticattention.

ThemarshalglancedthoughtfullyatJohnnyHaven.Theyoungcowboywasstaringsourlyathisplateordevotinghisattentiontohiscoffee.Overhisrighttemplewasaswellingandacut.This,coupledwithahangover,hadleftJohnnyinadisgruntledmood.Lastnighthadbeentheendofhismonthlyspree,andtheswellingandthecutwereevidencesofthemarshal'sattention.

Johnnycaughtthemarshal'sglanceandscowled."Yousureleavea

manwithaheadache,Marshal.Didyouhavetoslugmewithagunbarrel?"

FitzMooredustedtheashfromhiscigar."Ididn'thaveanaxhandleandnothingelsewouldhavebeensuitableforthejob."Headdedcasually,"Ofcourse,Icouldhaveshotyou."

Johnnywasperfectlyawareofthefactandsomemarshalswouldhavedoneexactlythat.ComingfromFitzMooreitwasalmostanapology.

"Isitsoeasytokillmen?"Itwasthegirlwiththegrayeyeswhospoke,hertonelowandmodulatedbutshadedwithcontempt.

"Thatdepends,"FitzMoorerepliedwithdignity,"onwhoisdoingtheshootingandthecircumstances."

"Ithink"--andtherewasaflashofangerinhereyes--"thatyouwouldfinditeasytokill.Youmightevenenjoykilling.Ifyouwerecapableoffeelinganythingatall."

Thedepthoffeelinginherwordswassoobviousthat,surprised,Johnnyturnedtolookather.Herfacehadgonepale,hereyeslarge.

Themarshal'sexpressiondidnotchange.HeknewJohnnyunderstood,asanywesternerwould.JohnnyHavenhadhimselfgivencauseforshootingonmorethanoneoccasion.HealsoknewthatwhatMarshalFitzMoorehadjustsaidtohimwasmoreofanexplanationthanhehadgivenanyman.FitzMoorehadarrestedJohnnyHavensixtimesinasmanymonths,foraftereverypaydayJohnnycametotownhuntingtrouble.YetFitzMooreknewthatJohnnyHavenwassimplyawildyoungsterwithalotofgoodstuffinhim,onewhosimplyneededtamingandasenseofresponsibility.

Thegirl'stonecarriedananimosityforwhichnoneofthemcouldaccount,anditleftthemuneasy.

BarneyCardgottohisfeetanddroppedadollaronthetable.JohnnyHavenfollowedhimout,andthenthemilliner.JackThomasloiteredoverhiscoffee.

"ThatHenryoutfithasmeworried,Marshal,''hesaid."Youwantmetogetdowntheoldscatter-gun,justincase?"

FitzMoorewatchedBarneyCardthroughthewindow.ThesaloonkeeperhadpausedonthewalktotalktoJohnnyHaven.UnderthestubbleofbeardJohnny'sfacelookedcleanandstrong,remindingthemarshal,asithadbefore,ofthefaceofanotheryoungman,scarcelyolder.

"Itwon'tbenecessary,"FitzMoorereplied."Illhandletheminmyownway,inmyowntime.It'smyjob,youknow."

"Isn'tthatabitfoolish?Torefusehelp?"

Thecontemptinhervoicestirredhim,butherevealednothing.Henoddedgravely."Isupposeitmightbe,ma'am,butIwashiredtodothejobandtaketherisks."

"FiguredI'doffer,"Thomassaid,unwillingtoletthematterdrop."Youtellmewhatyoufiguretodo,andI'llbegladtohelp."

"Anothertime."Themarshaltastedhiscoffeeagainandlookeddirectlyatthegirl."YouarenewinSentinel.Willyoubestayinglong?"

"No."

"Doyouhaverelativeshere?"

"No."

Hewaited,butnoexplanationwasoffered.FitzMoorewaspuzzled

andhestudiedherfromthecornersofhiseyes.Therewasnosoundintheroombutthetickingofthebig,old-fashionedclock.

Thegirlsatverystill,thedelicatelineofherprofilebringingtohimafaint,lostfeeling,anostalgiafromhisboyhoodwhensuchwomenassherodetohounds,whentherewasperfumeontheair,bluegrass,picketfences...

Andthenheremembered.

Thomasgottohisfeet.Hewasabig,swarthyman,alwaysuntidy,abulgeoffatpushinghiswidebelt."Youneedanyhelp,Marshal,youjustcallonme."

FitzMoorepermittedhimselfoneofhisraresmiles."Ifthereisanytrouble,Jack,"hesaidgently,"youwillbethefirsttoknow."

Theclocktickedoffthesecondsafterthedoorclosed,andthenthemarshalbrokethesilence.

"Whyhaveyoucomehere?Whatcanyoudointhisplace?"

"AllIhaveishere.Justalittlewestofhere.Ileftthestagetohirearig,andthenIheardyournameandIwantedtoseewhatmannerofmanitwouldbewhowouldkillhisbestfriend."

Hegottohisfeet.Atthatmomentheknewbetterthaneverwhatlonelinesscouldmean.

"Youjudgetooquickly.Eachmanmustbejudgedagainstthecanvasofhisowntime,hisownworld."

"Thereisonlyonewaytojudgeakiller."

"Wait.WaitjustalittlewhileandyouwillseewhatImean.Andplease...stayoffthestreettoday.IfyouneedarigIwillseeyouget

aresponsibleman."Hewalkedtothedoorandpausedwithhishandontheknob."Heusedtotellmeaboutyou.Wetalkedoftenofyou,andIcametofeelIknewyou.Ihadhoped,beforeithappened,thatsomedaywewouldmeet.Butinadifferentworldthanthis.

"WhatwillhappentodayIwantyoutosee.Idonotbelieveyoulackthecouragetowatchwhathappensnortoreviseyouropinionifyoufeelyouhavebeenmistaken.Yourbrother,asyouwereadvisedinmyletter,waskilledbyaccident."

"ButyoushothimIYouwereinagreathurrytokill."

"Iwasinthemidstofagunbattle.Heranupbehindme."

"Tohelpyou."

"Ibelievedhimtobeahundredmilesaway,andinthetownwherewewereIhadnofriends.Itwasquick.Atsuchatime,oneacts."

"Killfirst,"shesaidbitterly,"lookafterward."

Hisfeatureswerestiff."Iamafraidmatiswhatoftenhappens.Iamsorry."

Heliftedthelatch."Whenyouseewhathappenstoday,trytoimaginehowelseitmightbehandled.IfyoucannotseethisasIdo,menbeforenightcomesyouwillthinkmeevenmorecruelmanyoudonow.Butyoumayunderstand,andwherethereisunderstandingthereisnohate."

Outsidethedoorhepausedandsurveyedthestreetwithcare.Notmuchlongernow.

AcrossfromhimwasCard'sSaloon.Oneblockdownwashisofficeandacrossthestreetfromthissmallhome.Justalittlebeyondwasan

abandonedbarn.Hestudieditthoughtfully,glancingagainatCard'swiththebankdiagonallyacrossthestreetfromthesaloon,rightpastthemilliner'sshop.

Itwouldhappenhere,uponthisdustystreet,betweenthesebuildings.Heremenwoulddie,anditwashasmissiontoseethatgoodmenlivedandhadtheirpeace,andthebadwerekeptfromcrime.Asforhimself,hewasexpendable...butwhichwashe,thegoodorthebad?

FitzMoorekneweveryalley,everydoor,everycornerinthisheat-baked,alkali-stampedclusteroflifethatwouldsoonbecomeanarena.Hiseyesturnedagaintothebarn.Itprojectedseveralfeetbeyondtheotherwisecarefullylinedbuildings.Thebigdoorthroughwhichhayhadoncebeenhoistedgapedwide.

SolittletimeI

Heknewwhattheysaidabouthim."Ain'tgotafriendintown,"hehadoverheardMrs.Jamesonsay."Livestohisselfinthatoldhouse.Gotitfullofbooks,folkssay.Butkillyouquickasawink,hewould.He'scold...mightycold."

Washe?

Whenfirsthecametothetownhefounditashambles,wreckedbyapassingtrail-herdcrew.Ithadbeenterrorizedbytwodozengamblersandgunmen,citizensrobbedbycardsharpsandthieves.Robberyhadbeentheorderofthedayandmurderalltoofrequent.Nowithadbeensixmonthssincethelastmurder.Didthatcountfornothing?

Hetookoutafreshcigarandbitofftheend.Whatwasthematterwithhimtoday?Hehadnotfeltlikethisinyears.Wasitwhattheysayhappenstoadrowningmanandhiswholelifewaspassingbeforehiseyes,justbeforetheend?OrwasitsimplythathehadseenJulia

Heath,thesumandtotalofallhehadeverwantedinagirl?Andrealizingwhoshewas,realizedalsohowimpossibleithadbecome?

Theyhadtalkedofit,heandTomHeath,andTomhadwrittentoJulia,suggestingshecomewestbecausehehadfoundthemanforher.AndtwoweekslaterTomwasdeadwithhis,withFitzMoore's,bulletinhisheart.

Themarshalwalkedalongthestreetoffalse-fronted,weather-beatenbuildings.Squalidanddismalastheymightseemtoastrangertheywerethecenteroftheworldforthosewholivedinthecountryaround.Herewheremountainsanddesertmet,thetownwaschanging.Itwasgrowingwiththehopesofitscitizensandwiththechangingoftimesandneeds.Thisspring,forexample^flowershadbeenplantedintheyardofahousenearthechurch,andtreeshadbeentrimmedinanother.

Fromahaphazardcollectionofbuildingscateringtotheneedsofatransientpeople,thetownofSentinelwasacquiringasenseofbelonging,aconsciousnessofthefuture.Thedaysofcattledrivesweresoontobegoneandwheretheyhadwalkedmenwouldbuildandplantandharvest

FitzMooreturnedintotheemptyalleybetweentheEmporiumandthegeneralstore.Thoughtsofhisproblemreturned.Withthemarshaldeadthetownwouldbehelplessuntilmencouldgather,choosealeader,andact.Forthemomentthetownwouldhehelpless.

Buthowdidtheyplantokillhim?Thatithadbeenplannedhewassure,butitmustbedonesoonandquickly,forthemarshalwouldbethefocalpointofresistance.

Theloftoftheabandonedbarncommandedaviewofthestreet.Theoutlawswouldcomeintotownridingtowardthebarnandsomewhere

alongthatstreetthemarshalofSentinelwouldbewalking,coveredbyahiddenrifleman.

Heclimbedupthestairstothebarnloft.Thedustonthestepshadbeendisturbed.Atthetopaboardcreakedunderhisboot.Aratscurriedaway.Theloftwaswideandempty,onlydustandwispsofhay,afewcobwebs.

Fromthatwidedoortheraidmightbestopped,butthiswasnottheplaceforhim.Hisplacewasdownthereinthathot,dustystreetwherehispresencewouldcount.Muchremainedtobedoneandtherewasbutlittletime.

Returningtohisquarters,FitzMoorethrustanextragunintohispocketandbeltedonathird.Thenheputtwoshotgunsintoawoolsack.Nobodywouldbesurprisedtoseehimcarryingthesack,forheusedittobringfirewoodfromthepilebackofCard's.

JackThomaswasseatedinachairinfrontoftheliverystable.BarneyCardcamefromthesaloon,glancedatthemarshalasiftoassurehimselfofhispresence,thenwentbackinside.FitzMoorepaused,relightinghisdeadcigar,surveyingthestreetoverthematchandunderthebrimofhishat.

ThetopicofwhatmighthappenhereiftheHenrygangattemptedtoraidwasnotanewone.Therehadbeenmuchspeculation.SeveralmenasidefromThomashadbroughtupthesubject,tryingtofeelhimout,todiscoverwhathethought,whathemightplantodo.

JackThomasturnedhisheadtowatchthemarshal.Hewasabig,easygoingmanwithareadysmile.Hehadbeenoneofthefirsttoofferhisservices.

JohnnyHaven,seatedonthestepsofthesaloon'sporchlookedupatthemarshal,grinning."How'sthetownclown?"heasked.

Moorepausedbesidehim,drawingdeeponthecigarandpermittinghimselfaglancetowardtheloftdoor,almostsixtyyardsawayandacrossthestreet.Deliberately,hehadplacedhimselfinlinewiththebestshootingposition.

"Johnny,"hesaid,"ifanythinghappenstome,Iwantyoutohavethisjob.IfnothinghappenstomeIwantyouformydeputy."

YoungHavencouldnothavebeenmoreastonished,buthewasalsodeeplymoved.Helookedupatthemarshalasifhethought.hismindhadbeenaffectedbytheheat.Asidefromthewordstheveryfactthatthemarshalhadventuredapersonalremarkwasastonishing.

"You'retwenty-six,Johnny,andit'stimeyougrewup.You'veplayedatbeingthetownroughnecklongenough.I'velookedthetownover,andI'vedecidedyou'rethemanforthejob."

Johnny...Tom.Hetriedtoavoidthinkingofthemtogetherbuttherewasaconnection.Tomhadbeenagoodman,too.Nowhewasagoodmangone.Johnnywasagoodone,noquestionaboutit.Hehadheardmanystoriesofhowdependablehewasoutontherange,butJohnnywaswalkingthehairlineofthelaw.Asteptoofarandhecouldbecomeanoutlaw.

JohnnyHavenwasprofoundlyimpressed.Tosaythathebothrespectedandadmiredthistall,composedmanwasnomorethanthetruth.AfterMoorearrestedhimthefirsttimeJohnnyhadbeenfuriousenoughtokillhim,buteachtimehecameintotownhefoundhimselfneatlyboxedandhelpless.

NorhadMooreevertakenunfairadvantage,neverstrikingoneblowmorethanessential,neverkeepingthecowhandinjailanhourlongerthannecessary.AndJohnnyHavenwashonestenoughtorealizehecouldneverhavehandledthesituationaswell.

Angerhaddissolvedintoreluctantadmiration.Onlystubbornnessandtheprideofyouthhadpreventedhimfromgivingupthestruggle.

"Whypickonme?"Hespokeroughlytocoverhisemotion."Youwon'tbequitting."

Therewasafaintsuggestionofmovementfromtheloft.Themarshalglancedathiswatch.Twominutestoten.

"Johnny--?"ThesuddenchangeoftonebroughtJohnny'sheadupsharply."Whentheshootingstartstherearetwoshotgunsinthissack.

Getbehindthewatertroughanduseoneofthem.Shootfromunderthetrough,it'ssafer."

Tworiderswalkedtheirhorsesintotheupperendofthestreet,almostablockaway.Twomenonpowerfulhorses,muchbetterhorsesthanwereusuallyfoundonanycowranch.

Threemoreridersemergedfromthespacebetweenthebuildings,comingfromthedirectionofPeterson'scorral.Oneofthemwasridingagrayhorse.TheywerewithintwentyyardswhenBarneyCardcamefromhissalooncarryingtwocanvasbags.Hewasstarringforthebank,andoneoftheridersreinedhishorsearoundtocomebetweenCardandhisgoal.

"Shotguninthesack,Card."Themarshal'stonewasconversational.

Then,sunlightglintedonariflebarrelintheloftdoor.FitzMooretookonestepforwardanddrew.Thethunderoftheriflemergedalittlelatewiththebarkofhisowngun.Therifleclattered,falling,andanarmfelllooselyfromtheloftdoor.

Themarshal'sturnwasabrupt,yetsmooth."Allright,Henry!"Hisvoiceliketheblareofatrumpetinthenarrowstreet."You'veasked

forit!Nowtakeit!"

Therewasnorequestforsurrender.Theropeawaitedthesemen,deathrodetheirhandsandtheirguns.

Asonemantheywentfortheirguns.Themarshalleapedintothestreet,landingflatfootedandfiring.Theinstantofsurprisewashis,andtheyweremountedonnervoushorses.Hisfirstshothadkilledthemanintheloft,thesecondkilledFredHenry.

Behindandtohisrightashotgun'sdeeproarblastedthesun-filledmorning.Themanonthegrayhorsediedfailing,hisgunthrowingauselessshotintothehot,stillair.

AriderleapedhishorseatthemarshalbutFitzMoorestoodhisgroundandfired.Therider'sfaceseemedtodisintegrateundertheimpactofthebullet.

Andthentherewassilence.Theroaringofgunswasgoneandonlythefaintsmellslingered,theacridtangofgunpowder,ofbloodinthedust,thebrightercrimsonofbloodonasaddle.

JohnnyHavengotupslowlyfrombehindthehorsetrough.BarneyGardstaredaroundasifjustawakened,thecanvasbagsathisfeet,hishandsgrippingtheshotgunJohnnyhadthrownhim.

Therewasababbleofsoundthenandpeoplerunningintothestreet,andagirlwithgrayeyeswatching.Thoseeyesseemedtoreachacrossthestreetandintotheheartofthemarshal.

"Onlyoneshot!"BarneyGardexclaimed."Igotoffonlyoneshotandmissedthatone!"

"TheHenrygangwipedout!"yelledanexcitedcitizen."WaituntilThomashearsthat!"

"Hewon'tbelistenin',"somebodysaid."Theygothim."

FitzMooreturnedlikeaduelist."Igothim,"hesaidflatly."Hewastheirman.HetriedallmorningtofindoutwhatI'ddoiftheyshowedup.Besides,hewashostlerattheliverystableatthetimeoftheholdupattheSprings."

AnhourlaterJohnnyHavenfollowedthemarshalintothestreet.Fourmenweredead,twowereinjail.

"Howdidyouknow,Marshal?"

"Youlearn,Johnny.Youlearnoryoudie.That'syourlessonfortoday.LearntobeintherightplaceattherighttimeandkeepyourowncouncilYou'llbegettingmyjob."Hiscigarwasgone.Hebittheendfromanotherandcontinued.

"JackThomaswastheonlymantheriderofthegrayhorsecouldhavevisitedwithoutcrossingthestreet.Nooutlawwouldhaveleftthehorsehewouldneedforaquickgetawayonthewrongsideofthestreet."

WhenhereturnedtotheeatinghouseJuliaHeathwasathertableagain.Shewaswhiteandshaken.

"Iamsorry,Julia,butnowyouknowhowlittletimethereiswhengunsaredrawn.Thesemencametostealthemoneyhonestmenworkedtoearn,andtheywouldhavekilledagainastheyhavekilledbefore.Suchmenknowonlythelawofthegun."Heplacedhishandsonthetable."Ishouldhaverecognizedyouatonce,Julia,butIneverimagined,afterwhathappened,thatyouwouldcome.IhadforgottenaboutTom'sranch.Hewasproudofyou,Julia,andhewasmybestfriend."

"Butyoukilledhim."

MarshalMooregesturedtowardthestreet."Itwaslikethat.Gunsexploding,amandyingalmostatmyfeet,thensomeonerushingupbehindmeinatownwhereIhadnofriends.Ifiredatamanwhowasshootingatme,turnedandfiredatonerunningup"behindme.Ikilledmybestfriend,yourbrother."

Sheknewnowhowitmusthavebeenforthisman,andshewassilent.

"Andnow?"sheaskedfinally.

"MyjobgoestoJohnnyHaven,butIshallstayhereandtrytohelpthetowngrow.Thisfightshouldenditforawhile.Inthemeantimethetowncanmature,settledown,andbecomeaplacetoliveininsteadofjustaplacetocampforthenight"

"I--Iguessit'sworthdoing."

"Itis."Heputdownhisunlightedcigar."YouwillbedrivingovertosettleTom'sestate.Whenyoucomebackyoumightfeellikestoppingoffagain.Ifyoudo,I'llbewaitingtoseeyou."

Shelookedathim,lookingbeyondthecoldness,thestillness,seeingthemanherbrothermusthaveknown."IthinkIshallIthinkIwillstop...whenIcomeback,"

Outinthestreetamanwasrakingdustovertheblood.Backofthebarnanoldhencackled,andsomewhereapumpbegantocomplainrustily,drawingclearwaterfromadeep,coldwell.

*

BLUFFCREEKSTATION

ThestagewastwohourslateintoBluffCreekandthestationhostlerhadrecoveredhispain-wrackedconsciousnessthreetimes.Aftertwofutileattemptstomovehimselfhehadgivenupandlaysprawledontheroughboardsofthefloorwithabrokenbackandanuglyholeinhisside.

Hewasamanofmiddleyears,hisjawunshavedandhishairrumpledandstreakedwithgray.Hissoiledshirtandhomespunjeansweredarkwithblood.Therewasoneunlacedbootonhisleftfoot.Theotherbootlaynearafireplacegraywithancientashes.

Thereweretwobenchesandafewscatteredtools,someoddbitsofharness,anoverturnedchair,andatableonwhichweresomeunwasheddishes.Nearthehostler'srighthandlayaSpencerrifle,andbeyonditadouble-barreledshotgun.Chithefloornearby,withineasyreach,adoublerowofneatlyspacedshotgunandrifleshells.Scatteredaboutwereanumberofusedshellsfrombothweapons,mutemementosofhisfour-hourbattlewithattackingIndians.

Now,forslightlymorethantwohourstherehadbeennoattack,yetheknewtheywereoutthere,awaitingthearrivalofthestage,anditwasforthishelived,tofireawarningshotbeforethestagecouldstopatthestation.Thelastshottheyfired,fromaSharps.50,hadwreckedhisspine.Thebloodywoundinhissidehadcomeearlierinthebattle,andhehadstuffeditwithcottontornfromanoldmattress.

Outside,graycloudshunglow,threateningrain,andoccasionalgustsofwindrattledthedriedleavesonthetrees,orstirredthemalongthehardground.

Thestagestationsquattedindwarfishdiscomfortatthefootofabluff,

thestationwasconstructedofblockspickedfromtheslide-rockatthefootofthebluff,anditwasroofedwithsplitcedarlogscoveredwithearth.TwosmallwindowsstaredinmutewondermentattheemptyroadandattheraggedbrushbeforeitwheretheIndianswaited.

ThreeIndians,hebelieved,haddiedinthebattle,andprobablyhehadwoundedasmanymore,buthedistrustedcountingIndiancasualties,foralltoooftentheywereoverestimated.AndtheIndiansalwayscarriedawaytheirdead.

TheIndianswantedthestage,thehorsesthatdrewit,andtheweaponsofthepeopleinside.Therewasnowaytowarnthedriverorpassengersunlesshecoulddoit.Thehostlerlayonhisbackstaringupattheceiling.

Hehadnofamily,andhewasgladofthatnow.RubyhadrunoffwithatinhornfromAltasomeyearsback,andtherehadbeennowordfromher,norhadhewishedforit.Occasionally,hethoughtofher,butwithoutanimosity.Hewasnot,heremindedhimself,aneasymanwithwhomtolive,norwashemuchofaperson.Hehadbeenasimple,hardworkingman,inclinedtodrinktoomuch,andoftenquarrelsomewhendrinking.

Hehadnoillusions.Heknewhewasfinished.Theheavyleadslugthathadsmashedthebaseofhisspinehadkilledhim.Onlyanironwillhadkeptlifeinhisbody,andhedoubtedhisabilitytokeepittheremuchlonger.Hislegswerealreadydeadandtherewasacoldnessinhisfingersthatfrightenedhim.Hewouldneedthosefingerstofirethewarningshot.

Slowly,carefully,hereachedfortheshotgunandloadeditwithfumbling,clumsyfingers.Thenhewedgedtheshotgunintoplacehitheunderpinningofhisbunk.Itwasaimedatnothing,butallheneededwastheshot,thedullboomitwouldmake,awarningtothose

whorodethestagethatsomethingwasamiss.

Hemanagedtoknotastringtothetriggersoitcouldbepulledevenifhecouldnotreachthetrigger.Hisextremitieswouldgofirstandthenevenifhisfingerswereuselesshecouldpullthetriggerwithhisteeth.

Exhaustedbyhiseffortshelaybackandstaredupatthedarkeningceiling,withoutbitterness,waitingforthehigh,piercingyellofthestagedriverandtherumbleandrattleofthestage'swheelsasitapproachedthestation.

-Fivemileseast,theheavilyloadedstagerolledalongthedustytrailaccompaniedbyitsfollowingplumeofdust.Thehumped-upcloudshunglowovertheserratedridges.Uponthebox,KickapooJacksonhandled"thelinesandbesidehimHankWellswasridingshotgun.Wellswasdeadheadingithomeastherewasnothingtoguardcomingwest.Hehadhisrevolvingshotgunandariflewithhimfromforceofhabit.Thethirdmanwhorodethetop,lyingbetweensomesacksofmail,wasMarshalBradDelaney,aformerbuffalohunterandIndianfighter.

Insidethestageastocky,handsomeboywithbrownhairsatbesideaprettygirlinrumpledfinery.Bothlookedtiredandwere,butthefactthattheywererecentlymarriedwaswrittenalloverthem.HalfthewayfromKansasCitytheyhadtalkedoftheirhopesanddreams,andtheirexcitementhadbeeninfectious.Theyhadenlistedtheadviceandsympathyofthoseatopthecoachaswellasthosewhorodeinside.

ThetallmanoffortywithhairalreadygrayatthetempleswasDr.DaveMoody,headingfortheminingcampsofNevadatobeginanewpracticeafterseveralyearsofsuccessfulworkinNewEngland.MajorGlenFaradaysatbesidehimatthewindow.FaradaywasaWestPointman,nowdischargedfromthearmyandenroutewesttobuildaflumeforanirrigationproject.

MaHarrigan,whoranaboardinghouseinAustinandwasreputedtomakethebestpieswestoftheRockies,satbesideJohnnyRyan,headedwesttothefatherhehadneverseen.

KickapooJacksonswungtheConcordaroundabendandheadedintoanarrowdraw."Neverlikedthisplace!"heshouted."Toohandyforinjuns!"

"Seenanyaround?"Delaneyasked.

"Nope!ButthehostleratBluffCreekhadhimabrushwiththemawhileback.Hedriv'emoff,though!That'sagoodman,yonder!"

"That'shiskiddownbelow,"Wellssaid."Doesheknowthekid'scomin'west?"

"Know?"Kickapoospat."Ryandon'tevenknowhe'sgotakid!Hiswiferunoffwithano-accountgamblerafewyearsback!Whenthegamblerfoundshewascarryin'anotherman'schildhejustupandlefther.Shehadn'tknownaboutthekidwhensheleftRyan."

"Sheneverwentback?"

"Tooproud,Ireckon.ShewaitedtablesinKansasCityawhile,thengotsickly.Reckonshedied.Thefolkstheboylivedwithaskedmetobringhimbacktohisdad.Ol'Ryanwillsurebesurprised!"

ThegradesteepenedandJacksonslowedthestageforthelongclimb.BradDelaneysatupandsurveyedthesage-coveredhillswithawaryeye,cradlinghisWinchesteronhisknees.Nochanceofsurprisingthemheredespitetheirslowpace.HeretheIndianswouldbeintheopenwhichwouldmeansuicideforthem.HankWellswasaseasonedfightingmanandtherewasn'tabettermanwiththeribbonsthanoldKickapoo.

DowninsidetheyhadDoc,whohadfoughtintheWarBetweentheStates,andthemajor,whowasaveteransoldier.Thenewlymarriedkidhandledariflelikeheknewwhatitwasmeantfor,andunlesstheywerecompletelysurprised,anybatchofraiderswouldrunintotroublewiththisstage.

AtBluffCreekallwasquiet.DudRyanstaredupintothegatheringdarknessandwaited.FromtimetotimehecouldputaneyetoacrackandstudytheroadandtheareabeyonditTheywerethere...waiting.

DelaneyandWellswouldberidingthestagethistrip,andtheywerecannymen.Yettheywouldnotbeexpectingtroubleatthestagestation.Whentheyrolledintosightofittherewouldbealetdown,aneasing-off,andtheIndianswouldgetoffavolleybeforethemenonthestageknewwhathitthem.

WithBradandHankoutofthepicture,andpossiblyKickapooJackson,thepassengerscouldbeslaughteredlikesomanymice.Caughtinsidethesuddenlystalledstage,withonlyitsflimsysidestoprotectthem,theywouldhavenochance.

Onlyonethingremained.Hemustsomehowremainalivetowarnthem.Awarningshotwouldhavetheminstantlyalert,andHankWellswouldwhipuphisteamandtheywouldgothroughandpastthestationatadeadrun.Towarnthemhemustbealive.

Alive?

Well,heknewhewasdying.Hehadknownfromthemomenthetookthatlargecaliberbulletinthespine.Withoutrancorheturnedtheideaoverinhismind.Lifehadn'tgivenhimmuch,afterall.Yetdyingwouldn'tbesobadifhefeltthathisdyingwoulddoanygood.

Thetroublewas,nomanwaseverreadytodie.Therewasalwayssomethingmoretodo,somethingundone,evenifonlytocrossthe

street

Behindhimtheyearsstretchedemptyandalone.EventhegoodyearswithRubylookedbleakwhenhethoughtofthem.Hehadneverbeenabletogiveheranything,andmaybethatwaswhyhedrank.Likeallkidshehadhisshareofdreams,andhewasreadytotaketheworldbythethroatandshakeituntilitgavehimthethingshedesired.Onlystronger,moreablemenseemedalwaystogetwhathewanted.TheirwomenhadthegoodthingsandtherehadbeennothingmuchhecoulddoforRuby.Normuchforhimselfbuthardworkandprivation.

Atthat,Rubyhadstuckbyhimevenafterhebegantohitthebottletoohard.Sheusedtotalkofhavinganicehousesomewhere,andmaybeoftraveling,seeingtheworldandmeetingpeople.Allhehadgivenherwasaseriesofsmallminingcamps,ramshacklecabins,andnothingmuchtolookforwardtobutmoreofthesame.Hisdream,likesomanyothers,wastomakethebigstrike,butheneverhad.

ThetinhornwasaslicktalkerandRubywaspretty,prettierthanmost.Hehadtalkedmightybigoftheplaceshewouldshowher,andwhattheywoulddo.EvenwhenDudfollowedhimhomeonenightandgavehimabeating,Rubyhadcontinuedtomeethim.Thentheyranoff.

Atthetimetheyhadbeenjustbreakingevenonwhathemadefromoddjobs,andthenhegotasteadyjobwiththestageline.Herushedhomewiththenews,foritmeanthe'dhavechargeofthestationatHaverHill,acool,pleasantlittlehousewheretheycouldraisesomechickensandhaveaflowergardenaswellasaplacetoraisegardentruck.Itwasalwaysgiventoamarriedman,andhehadlandedit.Herushedhomewiththenews.

Thehousewasempty.Hehadneverseenitsoemptybecauseherclothesweregoneandtherewasonlythenote...hestillhadit...

tellinghimshewasleavinghim.

HegaveupHaverHillthenandtookaseriesofbadstationswheretheworkwashardandtherewasmuchfighting.Hissalarywasn'tbadandhehadsavedsomemoney,boughtafewhorses,andbroketeamsduringhissparetime.Thestagecompanyitselfhadboughthorsesfromhim,andhewasdoingwell.Forthefirsttimehemanagedtosavesomemoney,togetahead.

TherewasnowordfromRubyalthoughheneverstoppedhopingshewouldwrite.Hedidnotwantherback,buthehopedshewasdoingwellandwashappy.Also,hewantedhertoknowhowwellhewasdoing.

Hedidhearaboutthetinhorn,anditwasfromBradDelaneythathegotthenews.ThetinhornhadshowedupinElPasoalone.FromtherehedriftednorthtoMobeetie,andfinallytoFortGriffin.Therehehadtriedtooutsmartamanwhowassmarter,andwhencaughtcheatinghetriedtooutdrawhim.

"Whathappened?"Dudhadasked.

"Whatcouldhappen?Hetackledamanwhowouldn'ttakeanythingfromanybody,somefellowwhousedtobeadentistbutwasdyingoftuberculosis.Thatdentistputtwobulletsintothattinhorn'sskull,andhe'sburiedinanunmarkedgraveinBootHill."

DudRyanwrotetoElPasobuttheletterwasreturned.TherewasnotraceofRuby.Nobodyknewwherethetinhornhadcomefromandthetrailendedthere.RyanhadaboutconvincedhimselfthatRubywasdead.

Hetriedtomove,buttheagonyinhisbackheldhimstill.Ifonlyhecouldlivelongenough!Wherethehellwasthestage?Itshouldhavebeenalonghoursago.

Hegroundhisteethinpainandsethismindontheonethought:Live!Live!Live!

Delaney,Wells,andoldKickapooweretoogoodtodieinanambush.Theywerestrongmen,decentmen,thekindthecountryneeded.Theywouldn'thavelethimdown,andhe'dbedamnedifhewouldfailthem.

I'mtough,hetoldhimself,I'mtoughenoughtolast.

Hetriedandafteramomentsucceededinliftinghishand.Hisfingerswereclumsyandhishandfeltcold.TherewerenoIndiansinsight,buthedarednotfire,anyway,forhecouldneverloadthegunagain.Hejusthadtowait...somehow.

Hecouldnolongermakeoutthesplitlogsintheceiling.Theshadowsweredarkernow,andtheroomwasdarker.Wasitreallythatmuchlater?Orwashedying?Wasthispartofit?

Oncehethoughtheheardafar-offyell,andhegrippedthetriggersoftheshotgun,buttheyellwasnotrepeated.Hislipsfumbledforwords,fumbledthroughthethickeningfoginhisbrain.Live!hetoldhimself.You'vegottolive!

"Ruby,"hemuttered,"'sallright,Ruby.Idon'tblameyou."

Heworkedhismouthbuthislipsweredry,andhistonguefeltheavyinhismouth."Live!"hewhispered."Please,God!Letmelive!"

Somethingstirredinthebrushacrosstheway,andtheshadowofmovementcaughthiseye.AnIndianwaspeeringtowardthestation.AndthenwildandclearheheardKickapoo'syell."Yeeow!"

DudRyanfeltafiercesurgeofjoy.He'smadeit!BytheLordHarry,he'd--IHetriedtosqueeze,buthisfingersfailedhimandhishandfell

away,felltothefloor.

Hecouldhearthepoundofhoovesnow,andtherattleofthestage.

Herolledover,thestabbingpainfromhisbrokenspinewrenchingascreamfromhim,butinalast,terribleburstofenergyhemanagedtograsptherawhideinhisteethandjerkdown.Thetwinbarrelsoftheshotgunthundered,anenormousbellowofsoundintheemptyroom.Instantlytherewasacrashofsound,therollingstage,riflesfiring,andallhellbreakinglooseoutside.

KickapooJacksonwasrollingthestagedowntheslighthilltoBluffCreekwhenheheardtheroarofthegun.BradDelaneycameuponhisknees,rifleinhand,butitwasWellswiththerevolvingshotgunwhosawthefirstIndian.HisshotgunbellowedandDelaney'sriflebeatoutarapidtattooofsound,andfrombelowpistolsandariflewerefiring.

Theattackbeganandendedinthatbriefinstantofgunfire,fortheIndianswerenofoolsandtheirambushhadfailed.Swiftly,theyretired,slippingawayhithegatheringdarknessandcarryingthreedeadwarriorswiththem.

Jacksonsawedtheteamtoahalt,andDelaneydroppedtothegroundandsentthreefastshotsaftertheretreatingIndians.

DocMoodypushedopenthedoorandsawthedyingman,therawhidestillgrippedinhisteeth.Withagentlehandhetookitaway.

"Youdon'tneedtotellme,Doc.I'vehadit."Sweatbeadedhisforehead."I'veknownfor...hours.Had--hadto...warn-----"

HankWellsdroppedtohiskneesbesideRyan."Dud,yousavedusall,butyousavedmorethanyouknow.Yousavedyourownson!"

"Son?"

"Rubyhadaboy,Dud.Yourboy.He'sfournow,andhe'soutsidetherewithMaHarrigan."

"Myboy?Isavedmyboy?"

"Ruby'sdead,Ryan,"Delaneysaid."Shewassendingtheboytoyou,butwe'llcareforhim,allofus."

Heseemedtohear,triedtospeak,anddiedthereontheflooratBluffCreekStation.

DocMoodygottohisfeet."Byrights,"hesaid,"thatmanshouldhavebeendeadhoursago."

"Guts,"HankWellssaid,"Dudneverhadmuchbuthealwayshadguts."

DocMoodynodded."Idon'tknowhowyouboysfeelaboutit,butI'madoptingaboy."

"He'llhavefourunclesthen,"Jacksonsaid."Theboywillhavetohaveafamily."

"Countusinonthat,"thenewlywedsaid."Wewanttobesomethingtohim.Maybeabrotherandsister,orsomething."

They'vebuiltamotelwherethestagestationstood,andnotlongagoagrandsonandagreat-grandsonofDudRyanwalkedupthehillwheresomecedargrew,andstoodbesideDudRyan'sgrave.Theystoppedonlyafewminutes,enroutetoafamilyreunion.

Therewerefifty-ninedescendantsofDudRyan,althoughthenamewasdifferent.OnediedintheArgonneForestandtwoonabeachinNormandyandanotherdiedinahospitalinVietnamaftersurviving

anambush.Therewereelevenphysiciansandsurgeonsatthereunion,oneex-governor,twostatesenators,alocomotiveengineer,andacrossingguard.Thereweretwobusdriversandaschoolteacher,severalhousewives,andacountrystorekeeper.Theyhadonethingincommon:TheyallcarriedthebloodofRyan,whodiedatBluffCreekStationonalateOctoberevening.

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