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Charliehadgotnearlyhomewhenhebegantoworryaboutadeepprospectholenearthetrailknownas\"Rosenhammer’sShaft。\"Hemustbecarefultoavoidit。Suddenlyhisfootslippedonapebble。Heclutchedunavailinglyatamanzanitaandrolledintoacircleofinkyblackness。
Rosenhammer’sShaft!Nowhewaslost，indeed。
But，no。Asheslidhecameagainstasturdylive—oakbushwhichheclutched，managingtostophisdescentintothenextworldforthetimebeing。Heeven，swungonelegoverawirylimb，andthereheclung，putteringsailors’argot，consideringhissins，androaringforhelpinhisbestfortissimotone。
Theshaftwassaidtobeahundredfeetdeep。Itwasfilledpartwaywithoilywater，andinhabitedbysnakesandmonstersofthesubterraneandeeps。Peoplehadfalleninanddrowned，andhadbeenknownnevertoriseagain。TheghostofaChinamanwhohadbeenmurderedandflungdown，wassaidtofloatupfromitsdepthsatnighttorangetheearth，seekingtheperpetratorofthefiendishdeed。
CharliewishedthathehadledamoreblamelesslifethathehadnotsothoroughlybeatentheIndianwhohadsoldhimasaltedmine；thathehadnotmadeLizzieplow；that，aboveall，hehadmarriedtheWidowSchmittwhenshehadsoplainlyshownherlikingforhim。
Well，itdidnotmattermuch。Hewouldfallinfortyfeetofwaterandtheywouldneverfindhim。Hewishedthathehaddrunkthatwhichthejugcontained。Itwasgrowingdaylight。Whatwastheday，then，tohim？
Hewouldneverlivetoseeit。Hisarmswerenumb。Hemustsoonletgoandfalltohisdoom。
Heheardvoicesbutwastoospenttocallout。Asacrowdofmencamerunningoverthehill，hisarmswereslipping—slipping。Itwasalmostbroadday。
Hemadeonelast，herculeanefforttoholdfast，turninghisheadoverhisshouldertoglanceintothedeathtrapbelowand—justashisrepentantrescuersreachedhim，hegaveadisgustedsnortandfell—
threefeettothebottomofthehole!
InthedarknesshehadsafelypassedtheRosenhammershaftandhadfallenintothesix—feet—deepprospectholeofhisownclaim。
Twodayslater，CharliemarriedtheWidowSchmitt\"RattlesnakeDick\"
IV
\"Againswingsthelashonthehighmountaintrail，Andthepipeofthepackerisscentingthegale；
Forthetrailsareallopen，theroadsareallfree，Andthehighwayman’swhistleisheardonthelea。\"
—BretHarte。
WewereridingonedayundertheDiggerpines，downanabandonedoldroadtowardMountaineerHouse。Asusual，myspiritedhalf—Arab，aswhiteasshewasfleet，hadputmefarinthelead。ShelovedaraceaswellasIdid，butsheranittosuitherself。IfItriedtointerposeanytheoriesofmyown，shecalmlytookthebitinherteethandafterthatIdevotedmostofmyenergiestohangingon!
MammyKate，owndaughterofNancyGoochofColoma，wouldscoldwhenI
camehomewithtornskirtandabumponmyforehead：\"Now，den，lookatdatchile!Beenhoss—racin’aginsu’ahasMoseswasinEgypt!Ishallsuttenlyenjineyo’fathahtodonegin’yo’plow—hosstoridesoyo’sgwi’gitbeatwiffyo’racin’，andquit。Spectsyo’had’nothahtumble，didn’tyou’？You’waittillKatiegitsdecamph—firean’putondathaid。\"
SodidKatie’sscoldingsinvariablyendinrenewedpamperingofher\"chile，\"andsodidIcontinuetoraceeveryhorseinthecommunityandusuallytowin。
Withonesmallearlaidbacktolistenfortheotherhorses，littlewhiteFlossieflewalongthegrassytrack，dartingaroundthechapparalbusheswhichhadgrownupandjumpingthefallentreetrunks。Suddenlywecameoutofthewoodsandsheshiedviolentlyatamanwhowasdiggingafence—posthole，directlyintheroad。IalwaysrodeIndianfashionwithoutstirrupsofanykind，soofcourseIwascatapultedneatlyoverherhead。
\"Hello。Otto，\"Isaid，remainingseatedintheroadandcatchingatFloss’bridlerein，\"whathaveyoufound？\"
Ottowassiftingtheloosedirtintheholethrougheagerfingers。
\"Hello!I’vefoundsomemoneyhereintheground。Iwonder—oh，yes，I’veheardmymothertellaboutit!ThiswastheoldpioneerroadanditwasatthisveryspotthatRattlesnakeDickandsomeofhisganghelduptheWells—Fargostagecoachandgotsuchalotofmoney。Theysaythere’sstill$40，000buriedonTrinityMountain，halfofwhatwaswaitingwhenRattlesnakeDickgotkilled。\"
RattlesnakeDick，pirateoftheplacers，princeofhighwaymen!Magicalname—irridescentbubblefromthepipeofromance。Proud，imperious，bitterDick!Whatasplendidoldnamehehadbeenbornto，andwhatblowsFatehaddealthimwhichledtohistragicend!
TheothershadcomeupbythistimeandwesatinacirclelisteningagaintothestoryoftheboldandbrilliantEnglishmanwhomtwoundeservedjailsentenceshadturnedintosuchapicturesquedare—devilofahighwayman。However，IdisagreedwithOtto’sversionoftherobberchief。
\"Butyouhavemadehimoutallbad，\"Itoldhim。\"Ihaveheardthestoryoften，andhewasn’tallbadbyanymeans。\"
\"Hewasawilddesperado。Why，evenafterhewasdeadandlyingonthesidewalkinAuburn，amancameupandkickedhisface。\"
\"Yes，andtheysaythateverybodyinthecountywasmadaboutit，andwhenthemanranforsupervisormorethanayearlater，nodecentpersonwouldvoteforhimandhelosthiselection。\"Now，thetruestoryofRattlesnakeDickisthis，andInevertireofhearingit：
\"Wouldyoupresentmetoyoursister’sfriend，then，George？\"
\"Whynot。\"
\"IamanIshmailite!I，thesonofanhonorableEnglishgentleman，havedoneaterminprison。\"
\"Buttheseideasareextreme，Dick。Thereisnosuchgeneralopinionofyou。WereyounotexoneratedfromhavingstolenthewretchedlittleJew’sgoods？Itisallforgotten，\"andGeorgeTaylorpausedinhisrestlesspacing，beforethelong，gracefulfigureonthebunkagainstthewall。Dickraisedhandsomeeyeswhoseflashinglightwasmadeofpain。
\"George，Iwish—howIwishthatitwereforgotten。Butitisnot。Theywhisperitindoorways，andoverthecardtablesanddowninthedrifttunnels。WhereverIgoitfollowsmelikeanevilspirit，rearingitsuncleanheadbetweenmeandallfairthings。\"Hisdeepvoicereflectedthehurtinhisdarkeyes，andhisbroadshouldersdroopedindespondency。
\"Dick—Dick，thegaythedebonair—thisisnotlikeyou。Braceup，man，andcomewithmetothisopeningofthenewoperahouse，ifonlytoaddtomypleasure。AllthetownwillbetheretohearthesingerwhohasjustlandedinSanFranciscofromBoston。\"
\"Sheitwaswhobroughtyoutheletterfromyoursister？\"
\"Yes，yes。Theywereschool—mates。Sheisbeautiful，andyoushallmeetheraftertheconcert。\"
The\"OperaHouse\"wascrowded，thefrontrowsseatingtheleadingmenofthecommunityandtheirrichlycladwivesanddaughters。Inthebackrows，seatedonbenchesandaroundthesidewallswere，theroughlydressedminersandtheusualflotsamofaminingtown。Thesingerwasnotofthehurdy—gurdytypesocommoninthosedays，buta\"lady，\"
young，lovelyandaccomplished。Herballadsweregreetedwiththegreatestenthusiasm，andsoonthestagebegantobeshoweredwithgold。
Theminersbroughtherbackagainandagain，callingthenamesofsongstheywishedtohear。Hundredsofdollarsofgoldweretosseduptoher，whilstshesmilinglycompliedwithalltheirrequests。
\"Onemore，\"theyshouted，\"onlyonemore，andherslippersshallbefilledwithgolddust。\"Sheslippedoutofherlittlesandalsandstood，blushingmodestly，hidinghersilkenfeetunderherlong，wideskirts。
\"Youareverykindtoalonelystranger，\"shecalled，toaninstantlysilencedaudience，\"andIwillsingforyouasongwhichhasbutlatelycomefromLondon。’TisfromanewoperacalledtheBohemianGirl，composedbyMasterBalfe，\"andfoldingherlittlehandsbeforeher，shesangsweetly，\"ThenYou’llRememberMe。\"
\"WhenotherlipsandotherheartstheirtalesofloveshalltellOfdaysthathaveashappybeen，andyou’llremember—you’llrememberme。\"
\"Dick，whydoyoucoveryoureyes？Youaresurelynotasleep？\"
\"ByalltheGods，man，theaccusationisaninsult，\"withahaughtyflashofhisgreateyes。
\"Youaretobepresented；haveyouforgotten？\"
\"Forgotten!Whilelifelasts，Ishallrememberthisnight。\"
\"Hush，thisisthelast。Sheissinging，\"Home，SweetHome’。\"
\"Yes，’Home，’forthesewanderersfromallovertheearth。Seehowsilentlytheyfileout。\"
\"Thereismanyatearamongthem。Theywilllie，tonightonmemory’scouchofsaddreams。\"
\"Youarewrong，myfriend，\"saidDickbitterly；\"theyaremoreliketohastendowntothegamblinghellstokillthevisionsmemorywouldrecall。\"
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\"SweetBird，youcannotbelievethisthingofme!\"TheSinger—LadyraisedherbrightheadfromDick’sshoulder，andmet，steadfastly，hispassionatelyadoringeyes。
\"Richard，howcanyouforonemomentdoubtme？Iknowyoutobegoodandtrue。Wereyounotexoneratedfromthelastaccusationofwhichyouinformedmebeforeyouaskedformyhandinmarriage。Anddowenotknowthatthismanisactuatedbythemotiveofjealousy？\"
\"TheMormonbeast!HeknowswellthatIdidnotstealhismule。\"
\"No’naughtyboy，\"tappinghimplayfullywithherfan，\"’TwassomethingelseyoustolefromMasterCrowthewomanhewanted。OftenhaveI
noticedonthestreetshowallwomen，everyone，turntolookafteryou。\"
\"Icarednotforher。\"Heshookhistallandbeautifulhead，impatientofthesilkyblacklockwhichfellacrosshisforehead。
\"Perhapsthen’tisyourmagnificentcarriagetheywouldadmire，\"laughedthegirl，teasingly。
Dicksweptherclosetohisheart。\"Mygolden—throateddove，Icannotjoininyoursweetlaughter，forIhaveabodingheart，thisday。Ihaveenemies。Theywillusemypastrecord。Thecourtsarenew，andjudgmentsswiftandcold。IftheyshouldsendmeagaintothepenitentiaryI—\"
\"DearestIshouldknowyoutobeinnocent，andIshouldwaitforyou。\"
Hekissedhertenderlyoncheeks，andeyes，andmouth。Hetookherhandsfromhisshoulders，slippingoffthelittlesilkenmittsandputtingtheminaninnerpocket，andkissedthesoft，pinkpalms。
\"Ah，Lady—Bird，ifIshouldnotreturnyou’llrememberme？\"
\"Always。\"
\"Myownpurelove!Nobreathofshameshalleversullyyourfairnamethroughme。\"
\"RightwellIknowthat，Richard。Godblessyou。Iwillprayforyoueveryhour。\"
AteveningGeorgeTaylorbroughtheranotefromDick。
\"Oh，George，\"shewailed，\"theyhavesentencedhim？\"
\"Twoyearsinprison。\"
\"Buthewasinnocent!\"
\"Yes，andsomedayitwillbeproven。\"Helookedatherstrangely，\"I
musttellyou—DickhasbrokenjailandflednorthtoShastacounty，wherehewillbeginlifeanew。Then，ifyoustillwishit，hewillcometoyou。\"
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AfterfouryearstheSinger—LadyreturnedforaconcertatthelittleOperaHouseinRattlesnake。ShewenttoheroldquartersattheWidowMiller’s，ontheedgeoftown。
\"Eh，Dearie，\"criedthegoodwoman，\"whathavetheybeendoingtoye，sotodimyourbrightyouth，andtobringthesadlinestoyourmouth？\"
\"Mrs。Miller，whereishe？\"
\"Ah—sothat’stheanswer。\"Thegirl’seyesfilledwithtears。
\"Fouryears—andforthelasttwo，noword。ImustfindGeorgeTaylor。
Perhapshe—\"
\"Dearie，GeorgeTayloriswithDick，andtheSkinnersandCherokeeBobandLameJimDriscoll。Theysay，too，thatattimesDickrideswithTomBell’sgang。\"
\"Ah，hetriedwithallastrongman’spowertowinanewnameforhimself—andforyou—butFatewastoostrong。Hisfalserecordfollowedhimupanddownthestatefromeveryidlethroat，castingablightoverallhesoughtto，do。Everysheriffhoundedhimon。Eachunprovencrimewaslaidathisdoor。\"
\"Butwhydidhenotcometome？Oh，hehadmywholeheart，andheknewit。\"
\"Hedidcometoyoutwoyearsago，toaskifyouwouldreturntoCanadawithhim，hopingthatitwastoofarfortalesfromCaliforniatotravel。AssoonashereachedSanFranciscohewasrecognizedbyoneoftheauthoritiesand’shownup’bytheVigilanteCommitteeinthePlaza，astheyputupalldangerouscharactersforthepoliceandthepeopletosee。
\"Andwhilsthewasthereyoupassed，walkingwithanotherman，andlookedhimintheeyesandknewhimnot。’Twasthatwhichbrokehisheartandmadehimtherecklessandbrilliantdevilthatheistoday。\"
\"But—but，\"criedtheSinger—Lady，recoveringfromthedazethesewordshadplaceduponher，\"Ididnotpass。Oh，Ishouldhavefallenathisfeet—losttoallmaidenlyreserve—therebeforethepeople。Itmusthavebeenmysister，whohadbutlatelycomefromBostonandsowouldnotknowhim，\"andshebrokeintouncontrollableweeping。
\"There，child，dryyourtears。Trytobebrave。Youcareforhimstill？\"
\"Always。Ihaveneverceasedtoprayforhim。IfIcannotbecomehis，I
shallgolonelytomygrave。Tellmeeverything，kindMrs。Miller。\"
\"HerobsthestagesoftheWells—Fargobox，butletsthepassengersgofree，andhehasneverbeenknowntotakeanythingfromawoman。Hesaysthatsincealltheworldisagainsthim，hishandisagainsttheworld。
\"HisdenisnowatFolsom，theysay，butherangesfarafield。Herobsthesluices，andthebulliontrains，buthedoesnottakehorsesormulesexcepttogetawaywithhisbooty。Nocellcanholdhim。Hehasescapedfromeveryjailinthenorthernmines。Hehasbeenknowntosay，’Ishallneverrotinaprisonaslongasarevolvercankeepmeout。\"’
\"Oh，wouldhe—\"
\"Hewould，indeed，Dearie，forthesakeofhisfamilynameandthelovehebearsyou。HislastbigraidwasuponGeorgeBarstow’sWells—FargotrainfromYreka。TheyheldthemuponTrinityMountain。Eightythousanddollarsinbullion，theygot，evenwithtwentymenguardingit。\"
Mrs。Millertiptoedtothewindowandlookedout。Comingbacktothegirlshewhispered，\"Theguardsaretiedtotrees，andthegangiswaitingforDickandCySkinnertogetbackwithnewmules，astheWells—Fargomulesallarebrandedandwouldgivethemaway，butifhefindsoutthatyouareherehemay—\"
TheSinger—Ladysprangtoherfeet!Fromthetreesbehindthehousefloatedasnatchofsonginaclearbaritone。
\"Whencoldnessordeceitshallslightthebeautynowtheyprize；
Whenhollowheartsshallwearamask，’twillbreakyourowntosee。
AtsuchamomentIbutaskthatyou’llrememberme，you’ll—\"
BythistimethegirlwassobbinginDick’sarms，andthemisunderstandingsoffouryearsweresoonexplained。
TheSinger—Ladyliftedherheadatlasttothesoundofgallopinghorses。Dickwaslookingcalmlyintheirdirection。Terrorseizedher。
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Youmustreturntothehouse。Theymustnotseeyouhere。\"
Sheclungtohimwiththewailofabreakingheart。
\"Itisthesheriffandhisdeputies。ThismorningGeorgeandIwereontheFolsomstage。Wewerestoppedbyadeputysheriffandsternlyrequestedtoalight。Weenteredintoconversationwiththegentlemanofthelaw—whomIhadmetseveraltimesbefore\"（withagrimsmile），\"andfinallyGeorge，withduedeferencetoauthority，demandedtobeshownthewarrantforourarrest。
\"Whilstthesimplecreaturewasfumblingforit，weopenedfireand，springingfromthetopofthestage，escapedacrossHarmonHill。Thevainfellowcarriedonlyaderringer，andhowwasonelittlebullettostopourraceforliberty。\"
\"Yetyoureturnedhere!Thatwasmadness。\"
\"Iheardofyouandthelongingtoseeyouoncemoreovercameeveryotherfeeling。\"
\"Donotfear，Iknewthattheywouldcome。Whatwasthattopayforthechanceofseeingyouagain。TheycanbutputmeinAuburnjail，andnolockscanholdmeexcepttheshiningonesonthisdearhead。NoprisoncankeepmetillIamlaidinthatlastonebeneaththegrass，andthereIwillwaitforyoudearlove。Ishallnothearthecelestiansingingtillyoursweetvoicehasjoinedtheangelchoir，andyourtwohands—
see，Istillcarrythelittlemitts—shallopenthedoorformetoParadise，astheyhaveheldallofheavenformeonearth。
\"Itmaybeinthatlastcourt，theGreatjudgeofallwilllookintomyheartwhichstrovetobehonorableandwilldismisstheaccusationsofmere，mortalman。\"
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Asusual，DickescapedthejailandwithGeorgeTaylorattemptedtogetaway，butFatehaddealthimherlastblowandonthescrollofhisprecariousandbitterlifehadwrittenfinis。AmileaboveAuburntheywereovertakenbyAssessorGeorgeW。MartinandDeputySheriffsCrutcherandJohnston。IntheterribleencounterwhichensuedMartinwasinstantlykilledandDickmortallywounded。
Theyrodemorethanamileatafuriouspace，fromthesceneofhislastfight，beforeDicklaydowntodie。Georgeputhimonhisgreatridingcloakandspreadasaddleblanketoverhim。Thenwhenhereadafreshcommandinthehighwayman’sdarkeyeshefaltered。
\"Dick，oldfriend—Icannot。\"
\"Iamshotthroughthebreast，andagainthroughtheside。YoupromisedthatwhenIcametothispass，youwouldgranttheliberationIseekindeath。\"
\"Icannot。Fromanyhandbutminemayyoufindrelease。\"
\"Verywell\"answeredDick，resolutely，\"myownhandshallbegiventhepowertosavemyimmortalsoul。\"Hewrotelaboriouslyonabitofpaper，\"RattlesnakeDickdiesbutneversurrenders，asalltrueBritonsdo。\"
\"Go，George，\"hesaidgently，\"butfirstgivememypistol。Ihaveinmypocketherealetterfromthesweetestofwomen。Itsays，’Ihavegrievedbutneverdespaired，forIhaveprayedtotheFatherthathewouldrestoreyoutothepathsofrectitude，andIsayfaithfully，Hewillsaveyou。Heseesinyourheartasecretwishtobeabetterman。
’SeekyefirstthekingdomofGod，andallthingsshallbeaddedthereunto。’Hewillraiseyourheadandmakeofyouanewman’!IgotoHim，mybrother。\"And，raisinghisgun，withagoodwoman’sadorednameonhislips，hereleasedhissorelytriedheartfrombondageintotheunknown。
IndianVengeanceV
\"Thosebraveoldbricksofforty—nine!
Whatlivestheylived!Whatdeathstheydied!
Theirghostsaremany。LetthemkeepTheirvastpossessions。ThePiute，Thetawnywarrior，willdisputeNoboundarywiththese……
—JoaquinMiller。
HighwaterontheAmericancame，usually，whenthefirstwarmrainsmeltedthesnowonthemountains。
Theplacerminerstoiledatfuriouspaceallduringthesummerandfall。
Thewater，thennotmorethanarivulet，wasdeflectedthroughflumesfromtheriverbed，sothatallthesandofthebarscouldbeputthroughthesluices。
Themenworkedtillthelastpossiblemomentinthenarrowriverbed，onlyleavingintimetosavetheirlives，andabandoningeverythingtothesuddenrushofthewater。Theirsluices，logs，flumes，water—wheels，alltheirminingparaphernalia，sometimeseventheirlivingoutfits，weresweptawayinthefloods。
Theriverwasknowntorisefrom20to60feetin24hours，initsnarrowandprecipitouswalls。
Atfloodtime，then，weoftenwentdowntotheriverthroughtheorchardofbigoldcherrytreesplantedbymygrandfather，towatchthemassofwreckagerushingby。Greatlogswouldgodownendoverend；miningmachinerycaughtinthelimbsofuprootedtrees；quantitiesoflumber，andonceaminer’sbunkwithsoddengrayblanketandawetandfranticsquirreluponit。Iworriedfordaysoverthefateofthatsquirrel。
TheytellthestoryofaChinamanfloatingdownuponalog。
\"Hello，John，whereyougo？\"wasshouted。Johnshookhishead，sadly。
\"Menosabe!MaybeSaclimento—maybeSanFlancisco。Nogottimetalkee，now。\"
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\"Look，thewaterisuptothetopoftheoldstonepier，\"saidoneoftheothers。
\"MammyKate’s’ghost’wouldhaveahardtimehauntingitnow，\"I
laughed。\"He’dbeundertwentyfeetofwater。\"
\"Whatghost？\"
\"Why，thetollkeeper’s，oftheoldbridge。TheonewhohatedtheIndiansso。\"
\"TheBearRivertribe？\"
\"TheywereDiggers，butIthinkthatnobodyknewexactlywhichoneswereguilty。Itwasafinebridge，thefirstsuspensionbridgeinPlacercounty。\"
\"Itwaswashedawayinthefloodsduringthewinterof’61and’62，wasn’tit？\"
\"YesandtheybuiltthenewoneamileuptheriveratRattlesnakeBar，whereitstillhangs。\"
\"Whataboutthetollkeeper？\"
Hereisthestory—withabitofaprologue。
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CaptainEzekielMerritt，oneofthe\"BearFlag\"partyinSonoma，camein’49totryhisluckatminingontheMiddleForkoftheAmerican。Hispartycameatlast，throughadeepcanyontoalargebaronwhichtheyfoundamongunmistakableevidencesofaplunderedcampbothwhiteman’sandIndian’shair。Agreatashheapcontainingcalcinedboneswasundoubtedlythefuneralpyreofwhitemenandredmenalike，andsomeyellingsavagesupontheupperbluffconfirmedthetragedywhichCaptainMerritt’spartyhadbeentoolatetoavert。
TheydrovetheIndiansawayandCaptainMerrittcutintothebarkofanalderthename\"Murderer’sBar，\"bywhichtheplacehasbeencalledeversince。
TheMerrittpartystayedtoworkthebar。Beforethesummerpassedtheriverswarmedwithmen，someofwhomjoinedforcestomakeupminingcompanies。Oneoftherulesofsuchacompany：\"Anyshareholdergettingdrunkduringthetimeheshouldbeonduty，shallpayintothecommontreasuryofthecompanyafineofoneounceofgolddustandshallforfeitalldividendsduringsuchtime。\"Thesefines，insomeinstances，becamesofrequentastocauseatotaldisruptionofthecompany。
TheIndiansreturnedtotheirvillagesinthehills。ThefoothillIndianswerenotaparticularlyintelligentlot。TheywereDiggers，sonamedonaccountoftheirhabitsofdigginginthegroundforroots，andthelarvaofvariousinsectsforfood。Eggsofants，andthemaggotsfoundinwasp’snestswereconsideredgreatdelicacies。
Theyalsoatedriedgrasshoppersandyoungcloverplantscookedasgreens。Theygroundacornsandmanzanitaberriesintomealwiththestonemortarsandpestlessocommonlyfoundthroughthecountrysideandgatheredandstoredgreatcachesofpineburrsfullofnutsforthewinter。Theywerenotasarulequarrelsome，but—。
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\"Goodmorning，Phineas。IhavebroughtyourgrubfromAuburn，andhereisthebill。\"
ItwasabrightdayinJuneandPhineasLongley，tollkeeperforthenewsuspensionbridgeonWhiskeyBar，hadhadabusymorning。Therewasabarbecuethatdayatthetownontheotherside，andastreamofpeoplehadcomedowntheWhiskeyBarturnpikeandcrossedthebridge。Itwasgettingwarmandhewastired，andhereadthebillgloomily：
\"1bottlegin，$6。00；2lbs。biscuits，$2。50；1ham，$24。00；1bottlepickles，$6。00；4fathomsrope，$5。00；1watermelon，$4。00；1tinpan，$16。00；2apples，$3。00。\"
Longleystuffedthebillinhispocket，andreturnedforhisnoonmealtohislogcabinonshore。
Itwasquitepalatial—boastingarealfloormadeofpuncheons，orhewnlogs。Abunk，againstthewall，wasmadeofasecondlogsetfourfeetfromthelogwall，withahammockmattressofsackingstuffedwithdriedbrackenstretchedbetweenthem。Therewastheusualhugefireplaceofgraniterocksusedforbothwarmthandcooking，andaboxpantry—cupboardnailedtothewall。
Hiscupandplateandsaucerwereoftin，andhiscutlerywasanironspoon，athree—tinedforkandahuntingdagger。Thedisheshadnotbeenwashedforweeks。
Inwarmweatherhekeptafewthingsinasmallpalisadedrivenintheshallowwaterattheriver’sedge，whichwascooltheyear’round。
Longleyputhisraisedbreaddoughinafryingpan，putasecondpanontop，rakedtheashesoffsomecoals，andstarteditbaking。Amanonhorseback，drivingtwopackanimalsbeforehim，stoppedatthelowdoorway。
\"Hello，John!Gladtoseeyou，\"calledLongley。
\"Gladtogethere。Liketosleepinahouseagain。Tiredofshakingthelizardsoutofmyblanketseverymorning。\"
\"Evershakeoutarattler？\"
\"Notyet，thoughtheysayit’sbeendonemorethanonce。\"
\"You’rejustintime。Turnthebeastsintothecorral。AndthenwillyoujustridebacktoKittyDouglas’forme？Shepromisedmeapie，andI
needanewstarterformysourdough（batter）。Bythattimeeverythingwillbereadytoeat。\"
\"Youmeanthe’KittyDouglas’ofthesignsI’vejustpassed？\"askedJohn，grinning。
\"Yes。Whatwerethey，today？\"
\"’Freshpies，byKittyDouglas，’’Breadmadeeveryday，byKittyDouglas，’’New—laideggseveryday，byKittyDouglas’!\"
\"Kitty’scookingisasfairasthereputationofherhouseisnot。Shechargestwodollarsforamealofporkandbeans。\"
\"’Tistheregularpriceeverywhere。I’llbebacksoon。\"AfterthemealJohnwentto，thebarbecue，imbibingratherfreelyofthefire—waterbarrelandmakinganightofit。
Heavytravelcontinuedoverthebridgeallafternoon—aprairieschoonerwiththreeoxen，twomulesandabroncopullingit；aprospectorinhisredflannelundershirt，drivingaladendonkey；ahurdy—gurdytroupeonitswaytothebarbecue；astage—coachdrawnbysixhalf—brokenwildhorses；anoldSpanishsettleronabeautiful，blackthoroughbred；alatearrivalfromOregon，mounteduponasturdymulewithhisyoungwifeuponapillionbehindhim，andawholedroveofChina—menbeingtakenouttoworkawhiteman’sclaimupontheDivide。
TherepassedWelchminers，whoweretobethefore—runnersofquartzmining；minersfromAustralia，whoweretoreplacethewooden\"bateas\"
oftheMexicanswiththerockerandtheirongold—pan，andthetermof\"specimen\"with\"nugget。\"
Finallycameahale，oldvoyaguerwhomLongleygreetedheartilyasheswungopenthetollgate：
\"Greetings，MonsieurFrancoisGendron，andfromwhencecameyoutoday？\"
ThebigFrenchmanhandedoverthe\"six—bits\"tollforhimselfandhishorse。
\"FromNewHelvetia。\"
\"Ah—Sacramento。\"
\"AndIamboundfortheNorthForkDryDiggings。\"
\"Auburn？\"smiledLongley。
\"Bah!thenewnames!Inmydaywecalledthemdifferently。IcameacrosstheRockiesin’32，Monsieur。ButImustbeenroute—herearesheepcoming。\"
Afterthesheepwerecountedandgone，Longleyglancedscowlinglyacrossthebridgeandhastilyclosedthetollgate。AbandofIndians，severalonponiesbutmostofthemonfoot，crossedthebridgeandhaltedbeforehim。
\"Goback，yevarmints!\"growledLongley。
\"NoIndianpay，\"saidtheoldchief。\"Hegothebridgeandtheroad—nopay。\"
\"Well，theChinamenpaid。\"
\"ButtheIndians，no!Nopay。MegoWhiskeyBar—bigpow—wow。Plentyox，plentybearmeat，plentyfirewater—\"
\"Yougoback!\"roaredthetollkeeper，swearing，\"andgofordtheriver。
That’sgoodenoughforaDigger!Theferry’sbeentakenoff，butthewaterisnotsohigh。\"
TheoldIndianscowled，andtheyoungbucksbeganagutturalcomplaintwhichhesilencedwithagestureandagruntofcommand。
\"Wateriscold，andthose，\"pointingtothesheep，\"havepassed。\"
\"Yougoback，Itellyou!Ihateeveryfilthybruteofyou!MybestpalwassenttogloryinthatfuneralfireonMurderer’sBar，andnoIndianwillevergetaughtfromme。\"
\"Mepay，\"saidtheIndianleaderslowly，\"Mepaycayuse，mepayboy。\"
\"No，youwon’tpay!You’llgobackandwadetheriverlikethelowbeaststhatyouare。\"
Thechiefbeganafierceoration。Longleyranintothetollhouseandcameoutwithasawed—offshotgun。
\"Now，willyougo？\"hecried，defiantly。
TheIndiansweresober，andtheywent。Astheycameabreastofthepierunderthebridgethetoll—keeperjeeredandlaughedatthem，andpeltedthemwithrocks。
Theylookedupwithhate，butwentstolidlyontheirway。
Withdarkness，theroisteringatthebarbecuebecamelouder。TheIndians’moneywasgonebythistime，andthefunwasgettingrougher。
Thetoll—keeper，afterawearyday，wasdozingbesidehiscandle。Hedidnotseenorhearthestealthyformswhichcreptupthebridge。Aboardcreaked，andhejumpedupandswungabout，tofindhimselfquicklyoverpoweredbyadozenlitheredskins。
Theyrobbedthetill，thenheldapalaverastothedispositionoftheirprisoner。Theyfinallylefthimtiedwithhisownnewropetoahugedriftlogatthebaseofthepier，andwentbacktobuymorefirewater。
Itwasawildnight!
Johnnoticed，verylate，thattheIndiansseemedtobehavingaspecialpow—wowoftheirownontheriverbanknearthebridge。Therewasagreatfire，andmaddancingandwarwhooping。Hestartedtowardthem。
\"Don’tgothere，pardner，\"calledanoldtrapper。\"Thembucksiscrazywithdrink，an’ifIknowsanythingaboutInjuns，itwon’tbenosafeplaceforawhiteman。\"
SopassedLongley’slastchanceforhislife!Hiscriesforaidweremingledwiththesavagewhoopsofhisferociousenemies。Eventhepeoplelivingacrosstheriverwhoheardhiscontinuedshouts，tookthemtobepartofthecelebration。
Maddenedbydrinkandbytheevermountingexcitementoftheirincantations，oneofthemostghastlydeedseverperpetratedbyIndiansuponthewholeriverwasfinishedbeforedaylight。
TheconditionofLongley’sbodyuponitsdiscoveryrousedtheentiresettlement，buttheIndianshadvanishedoverthehillsandacrossBearriver。Thechiefhadgonehomeatsundown，anditwasasimpossibletofindthosewhowereonthebarthatnight，astodistinguishonegrainofsandfromanother。
Theoldpierstandstothisday，notwithstandingthefiercebatteringofthefloodsofnearlyseventyyears；amonumentenduringlongaftertheDiggerIndiansaregoneoffthefaceoftheearth，asthoughtocommemmoratethepowerofthewhiteraceandthatmemberofitwhogaveuphislifeatitsbase。
GrizzleyBobofSnakeGulchVI
\"Bethebattlelostorwon，Thoughitssmokeshallhidethesun，Ishallfindmylove—theoneBornforme!\"
—BretHarte。
Namesofsettlementsinthe’49dayswereoftenas\"RoughanReady\"asthereasonsfortheirbeing!
Mostofthemspoke，moreorlesseloquently，forthemselvesandnomanpickedbyfameinglowingwisefromtheheterogeneousmassofpersonscouldhopetoescapeanickname。
Aminerwasdiscoveredroamingdownariverbedminushisnethergarments，andlivestothisdayintheappellationofShirtTailcanyon。
Twomenfought。OneofthemlostaneyeinthemannerindicatedbyGougeEye。Hundredsofwildgeesewerewonttogatheronasunnymesaabovetheriver。ItmadeasplendidleveltowncalledWildGooseFlat。Theplainswerecoveredwith\"Antelope。\"Theendgateofaprairieschoonerwaslostonahill，andTailGatemountaincameintobeing。
HumbugCreekpannedlightwithgold。RedDog，Hangtown，RoundTentClaims，DryDiggings，Let’ErRip，YouBet，YubaDam，OneHorseTown，andHell’sDelightshriekforthemselves，orshould!
This，then，isthetaleofGrizzleyBob，whominedinSnakeGulchatthefootofBearMountain。
\"Thebearmadestraightforme!OldBull—dozewashangin’ontohimbelow，somewhere，butIdroppedmyKiller（gun）andgrabbedmyknife，’causeIknewifIdidn’tgetinonhimwithSlasheritwasallupwithbothofus。BearandItookatightgriponeachotherandIhitstraightforhisheartjustashegavemeaswipeintheface。
\"Webothfell，thebearontop，andthenIdidn’trememberanythingforawhile。WhenIwokeIfeltsomethingheavyonmystomach，butIcouldn’tseeanythingforblood。\"
\"Hu—ray!\"cheeredoldSollyJake，thinkingthetalewasfinished。
SickJimmy，frombehindthebar，proddedhimgood—humoredly。
\"Dryup，Soll。\"
\"Iamdry，\"whimperedoldSoll，\"I’mdryer’nbeforeIgotdrunk!\"
\"Here，then，\"pushingabottleacrosstheredwoodslabusedforabar，\"thedrinksareonGrizzleyBobandHandsomeHarry，tonight。\"
\"Wasitsuchabigstriketheymade？\"
\"Itsurewas。Goon，Bob，\"hecalledtothetall，magnificentlybuiltyoungspokesman，\"thenwhat？\"
\"AfterawhileImanagedtocrawlfromunderthatoldgrizzleyandwhenI’dwipedtheonegoodeyethatwasleft，Isawhimlyingthereasstiffanddeadasamackerel，withSlasherstickinginhisheartcleanuptothehandle。Itwasprettyneardarkthen，butthesunwasjustshowinghisselfoverthetopofBearmountainwhenIgottoRattlesnakeBill’scabin，andyou’llscarcelybelievemebutIdidn’thaveenoughgritlefttosignalBillIwasthere。Ijustsettleddownallofaheap—likeandthat’sthewaytheyfoundme。Bill，hegotadoctorfromAngel’sandafterawhileIpulledoutallright，butIain’tbeenmuchofabeautysince。Well，whatth—，\"asthedoorbangedopentorevealanexceedinglyhandsomeblondyoungsterdragginginacringingnewcomer。
\"Hi，\"hecalled，whiletwofrolicsomeimpsdancedinhissplendidblueeyes。\"Anyofyouchapsgotaropehandy？Timethisfellowwasstrungupoveralimbtobeapictureforcoyotestobarkat!\"
\"Hall，youletgo，there。There’llbenochaffingatenderfootwhilstI’maroundandyouknowit。\"
\"Whosaysso？\"laughedHandsomeHarry。
\"Myfoppishfriend，\"spokeupTheSenator，\"thereputationofGrizzleyBobsaysso。Areputationthatistheterrorandadmirationofeveryminingcampinthemountains。Adeadshot，asurethingwiththeknife，ahearttosuccortheoppressedandoftentoprotecttheshiftless，\"
acridly。
\"Ithankyou，Senator!Yourspeciesofimplicationisworthythesplendorofyourmightyapparel。Theoldswallow—tailretainsitspristineglory，Iperceive，thoughyourotherhabilimentshaveonebyoneyieldedtotheravagesoftime，andbeenreplacedbytheroughandreadygarmentsofthefrontier。Perchance—\"
\"Hall，haveIgottomakeyouletgoofthisporedevil!\"Bob’spowerfulfigurecameforwardintothefulllightofthehugefireplace。One—halfthefaceabovethecomelyformwashideouslyrepulsive。Ithadbeenliterallytornawayandwhatremainedwassoscarredandseamedthatitscarcelyboreanyresemblancetoahumancountenance。
Hisoneremainingeyewaslarge，darkandglowingwithkindnessashebentoverthevictimofhispartner’slatestjoke。
\"Ye—ah，\"drawledoldDocSmithers，precipitatingalargemouthfulofbrownliquidintothefireplace。\"Bob，he’llpet’im，an’thatol’
bulldogo’his’n’ulllickim，an’nextthingweknowBob’llbegivin’
’imaclaim，justlikehetookinHandsomeHarryhisselfgoin’ontwoyearsago。Lookatthedandy，struttin’!Bobbuys’imallthemfancytogsan’lovestosee’imwearin’’em。Whitehands，an’redcheeks，an’
straightnoselikeagal。Swan，efhewasn’tsoorneryan’long—limbedI’damindtocall’imone。Ef’twantforhishidin’behindBobso，I’d—\"
Whathe’dhavedonewasneverknown，forthewholeroom—fullofprankish，loud—voiced，roisteringmenwassuddenlystruckdumbbytheunwontedsoundofalady’svoiceoutinthedarkness。
Bull—dozereachedherfirst，Bobnext，andHandsomeHarrythird。ShewasonlyaslipofayoungthingandthefrightshegotfromthekindlyrushoftheoldbulldogwasimmeasurablyincreasedbyBob’sfrightfulcaricatureofaface。Sheturned，shuddering，tothehandsome，richly—deckedyoungEnglishman。
\"Myfatherandmother，sir，areveryill。Iwasgoingafteradoctor，butIamtiredout。Icangonofurther。Oh，couldoneofyougoontoAngel’s，whilstIrestwithsomeladyofyourtown？\"
Harrywasapparentlyspeechlessfromthethrallofherfreshyoungbeauty，becauseitwasBobwhoanswered。
\"Youcertainlycan，Miss!GrizzleyBob’swordonthat。Where’dyoucomefrom？\"
\"FromRoundtree’s，sir，\"timidly。Bobhadturnedtocallordersthroughtheopendoorandthegirlgaspedasthestrong，manlyprofileoftheunscarredhalfofhisfacewasturnedtowardher。Bull—dozelickedherwhitefingers，andshestoopedtopathisuglyheadsothatthelongcurlsathertemplemighthideherfacefromthelookinHal’sboldeyes。
\"Hey，AntelopeBill，saddlethatewe—neckedcayuseofyoursandvamoose，pronto，afterthedoctor。PlugHatPete，you’vegotthebestcabinintown。We’llwantitforthelady。\"
\"Helpyourself，Grizzley，\"answeredthegambler。\"Itisaprivilege。\"
\"IamtostaywithMrs。—Pete？\"askedBecky，anxiously。
\"Child，you’rea—goingtobeassafeasiftherewasaladyinthislaw—evadin’camp；whichthereisn’t，exceptin’yourownsweetandlovelyself。\"
\"Oh!\"
\"You’rea—goingtohaveoldBull—dozewatchin’insidethecabinandtendecentandsobermenwatchin’outsideitandnothin’shortofamessengerfromup—skiescouldtouchonepretty，red—goldcurlonyourproudlittlehead。\"
\"Bob，I’lltakeherhometohermother，\"spokeupHarrywhohadneveroncetakenhisboldgazefromthegirl。
\"No，youwon’ttakeherhometohermother，neither!\"
Beckeywasstrangelycomfortedbytheprotectivedrawlofthebigman’svoice。AccustomedasshehadgrowntotherapidtransitionsoftheWest，sherealizedthefallacyofherfirstimpressionfromhisappearance。
Thatnightlaidthefoundationofherregardforhim，whichwasdeeperthanameresurfaceappeal，andwhichwasnevertowaver。
*****
\"H’m，\"snortedCornishJack，shufflingagreasypackofcardsinSickJimmie’splaceandwatchingtwomengoby，\"that’sthemostwillin’paironthegulch!Bob，he’swillin’todoallthework，an’HandsomeHarry，he’swillin’tolet’im。FinehouseBob’sjustbuilt。Mustofcostaheap。\"
\"TheysaythatMissBeckeyandhermotheraregoingtoliveinit，\"
answeredPlugHatPete。\"I’llraiseyouten。\"
\"HandsomeHarry’sbina—dancin’roundthatgaleversincetheymovedhere，sixmonthsago。\"
\"Yes，andthelookinhereyesinanotherdirection，isplainlytoberead。\"TheimplicationwaslostonCornishJack。
\"Ol’Bob，hedoesallhecantothrow’emtogether。Airyegoin’tothehousewarmin’tonight？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidTheSenator。\"ParticularlyifwemanagetokeepoldTommyNortonandBlackJoefromgettingintoxicated，sotherewillbeapairoffiddlersonthegulch。Tommy，onsuchoccasions，alwayshasanattackofreligionwhichprecludesthepossibilityofhisassistingatanyprofanesceneofmirth，andJoefallsintoadeepsleepfromwhichnothingcanrousehimfortwenty—fourhours。\"
\"There’sAntelopeback。Ihearhisroan。\"
\"Well，whodoyouthinkImetdownaroundthecurveofBlackjackHill？
Thatgalo’Bob’sonherpintoandthatsneakin’HandsomeHarryonhisblackmustang，ridin’full—bent—for—leather!\"
ThemenrushedwithoneaccordtoBob’scabin，wherehesatbeforehisfirelesshearth。
\"Weal’aysknewhewasasneakin’thief，butyouwouldn’thearnothin’
aginhim。Tookallthebagsofgolddustfromyourclaim，too，didn’the？\"
\"Now，boys，thatisn’tfairtocallhimathief。Hewasmypartnerandwhatwasminewashis，andamanhasarighttotakehisownwhereverhefindsit。\"
\"Butthegal？\"askedachorusofvoices。
\"Thatgirlwasn’tinanywayboundtome，andyoucan’texpectaprettycreaturelikehertocareforsuchabeautyasIam，whenthere’safellowlikeHandsomeHarryaround。Itdon’tstandtoreason。\"
\"Come，fellows，\"saidPokerBill，\"ifBob’ssatisfiedIreckonweoughttobe。Timetogetintoourbiledshirtsforthehousewarmin’，anyway。\"
\"Sorrytodisappointyou，boys，buttherewon’tbeahousewarming。I
builtitforthemandthey’regone。It’llstaylockedtilltheycomeagain。Thisoldcabinisgoodenoughforme。\"
Sotheylefthim。Bobrelithispipeandsettledbackonhisbench。Onceherousedamomenttomutter。\"Butthey’doughttoknowmebetter。Theyneedn’thaverunawayfromtheirbestfriend。\"
Soonafterdarkapintopacedhomethroughthequiet，mourningcampwithaverywearybulldogatherheels。BeckeyslidfromhersidesaddleandcrepttoBob’sopendoor。Bythelightofafullmoonshecouldseethebiglaxfigureinanattitudeofutterdespair。
\"Bob!\"
\"You!Girl，Ithoughtyou’dgone。\"
\"Iwentbecause—becauseIthoughtyou’dcomeafterme。I’dtriedeverythingelsethatawomancandotomakeyouunderstand***He’sbeggedmesomanytimestorunoff。Whenheunderstood，hewasbeastly。
Heputmeoffthehorseandtoldmetowalk，then。Itwasthedogwhofoughthim，andthenIranforPintoandcameback。\"Herlowvoicefailedher，butshecontrolledherself，andwenton，\"IthoughtifI
pretendedtogoyou’dsee—\"
\"See!Girl，you’veknowneversinceyoucamecreepingintoSnakeGulchthatnightthatyouweretheveryheartandsoulofme。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"shesobbed，\"thatisnotwhatIwouldhaveyouknow。\"
\"Youmean—no，Iamagreatfool。Nowomancouldbringherselfto—A
facelikemine!Evenifyoudid，itwouldbefromgratitude。Icouldnotpermitsuchasacrifice，\"hefinished，withatouchofpride。
Thegirlwaited，thenwhenhewassilentsheturnedwithasobtogotohermother’scabin。Thesoftfootfallsdiedaway。Bobstoodmotionless。
Suddenlyascreamrangoutonthestillnightair。Bulldozescrambledoffthedoor—stonewithasnarlofbattle—rageandchargedforthesound，buthewaseasilyoutdistancedbythehugeminer，whoranwiththelithegraceofanIndian。Inanincrediblyshorttimethelittleformwassafeinhisarms。
\"Oh，there’saterribleanimalintheminingditch。Iheardit!It’scomingthisway!Agrizzley，Iknow!\"Bobpeeredintotheditch。
\"Why，girl，it’sonlydrunkenoldSollyJakegoinghomeholdinghisjugoutofthewater。Hegetsintotheditchsohewon’tlosetheway。\"
\"Buthowdoesheknowwhentogetout？\"
\"Well，whenhebangshisheadontheoverbraceofthefirstflume，heknowshe’shomeandcrawlsout。\"Bobbegangentlytowithdrawhisarms。
Ifyouletmegonow，\"shewhispered，\"I’llwishthatithadbeenagrizzley。\"
\"Imusttakeyouhome。\"
’Oh，youhave!Iamhome，\"clingingtohimdesperately，\"Iwantnootherintheworldthanthisone。\"
\"Butmyscarred—\"
Thegirlreachedup，drawingdownhistall，darkheadinherarms。Shekissedhismutilatedcheek，thenpressedittenderlyagainsthersoft，barethroat。Itdidnotstaylong，asBobfeltthatsuchkisessshouldbereturnedwithoutdelay。
\"Hu—ray，\"cheeredSollyJake，wavinghiswhiskyjug，\"taleendedright!
Timef’r’notherdrink，boys!\"andstandinguptohismiddleinwaterheproceededtodemonstratehisidea。
CurleyCopperstheJackVII
\"OnSelbyFlatweliveinstyle；
We’llstayrightheretillwemakeourpile。
We’resuretodoitafterawhile，Thengood—byetoCaliforny!\"
—Canfield’s\"DiaryofaForty—Niner。\"
ThebeautifulCasinoatMonteCarlostandsinoneoftheloveliestsettingsonearth。FacingtheblueMediterraneanandenhancedbytheexquisitelykeptmarblevillasofMonaco，itmayjustlybecalledtheacmeofgamblinginstitutions。Ithasbecomeaninstitutionthroughtheyears。Timehasbroughtitstability。
Itsabsoluteantithesiswerethegamblingdensof’49。Builtover—night，destinedtoremainifthemineswererich，andtomeltawayiftheypinchedout，thegamblinghellsweresometimestheveriestmakeshifts。
Canvascovered，dirtfloored，exceptforthedancingplatform，roughred—woodbarandtables；surroundedbyallthesordidnessofHurdyGurdytowninwhichfortunes，andreputations，andliveswerebid，andshuffled，andlost，asindiscriminatelyasgrainsofdustblownintotheever—changingsea。
Thethirstforgoldisuniversal。Inthosehalf—maddaysofdeliriousseeking，theprincelingrubbedsleeveswiththescoundrelandtheclod，andeachman’sabilitywashisonlyprotection。Fortuneplayednofavorites。Thetaleistoldofthejudgewhodrovehomeinhiscoachthroughashallowcreek。Ruinfacedhimforthelackofafewthousanddollars。Hetookouthisderringerandshothimself。
NothalfanhourlateraChinamancrossedthecreekunderhispolebetweentwoswingingbaskets。Hefoundanuggettherewhichbroughthimover$30，000。
This，then，isthetaleofwhatFortunedidtoCurlyGillmore。
*****
\"Whoop—ee!Ki—yi—eehick—ee!Yi—ee—ee!\"
\"TherecomesCurly，\"saidTeddyKarns，\"neveralteringthesteadyflowofthewhiskeyhewaspouringintoatincupforSailorJacktodrink。
\"Madeabigstrike，Ihear。\"
\"Yea—ah。About$25，000，theysay。Mightbeamillion，thewaythefemalecrittersrun，\"Tedlaughed，asthehurdy—gurdygirlswithshrieksoflaughterpounceduponthenoisynewcomer。
\"Well，hel—lo，Nance，andLiz，andBabe，andBouncin’Bet，oldgal!Allreadytohelpmeslingit，ain’tyou？Butwhere’slittlepaleAlice？\"
\"Oh，Allie？She’sbackinthetents。Sicktonight。Awfulbad，she’stook。She’llbeshufflin’off’forelong，an’rido’mortalmisery。\"
\"Poorlittlesoldier!\"
\"Sweet，shewas，an’borntobegood。Why，Iremember（wecame’roundtheHornonthesamesailin’vessel）thattheywasn’taailin’babyonboardbutwhatAlliecouldgetasmileoutofit，norasicksoulthatdidn’tbless’erfor’erkindnessan’care。Sicko’body，sicko’heart，Alliedidfor’emall，bless’er。\"
\"Shewashappy，then，\"putinBabe。
\"Yes。Comin’outtoCalifornyto’erlover，shewere，allherfolksbackintheStatesbein’dead。She’dtookcareof’ermother，last。’Twaswhy’ermancameonahead。An’whenshegothere—\"
\"Aw—w，Bet，don’tyoucry，\"saidBabe。\"Y’see，whenwegothere，Curly，wefoundherboy’dbeenshotinafightoveramine。Allie，shehadn’tnomoneyleft，andnogumptionmuch，likeBetan’me，tofightherway，sowetook’eralongo’us。Wetriedtokeepherthelittleladythatshewas，but—Well，wegotsnowedinlastwinteruponthedividean’—
FaroSam—Well，itbrokeherpureheart，an’mostBet’san’mine，too。
An’sheain’tnevergotoverthecoldshetook，upthereinthesnow。\"
\"Life’shardforagirlanywaysyouputit，an’she’llbehappierovertheriverwherethereain’tnocoldnorsorrer。Bet!Aw—w，she’llsleeponafinerbednoryouan’Icouldgive’er，an’wakehappy，withever’oneshelovedbestaroundher。She’slayin’theresowhitean’
smallan’stillit’dmostbreakyourheartosee’er。Likealittlesnowdropyou’vepicked，an’worn，an’slungaway。Sogentle—\"
\"Well，what’sthis，anyway？Awake？\"brokeinFaroSam’sicyvoice。\"DoIhirefiddlerstoplayafuneraldirge？Getonwithyou，\"scatteringthegirlsinthedirectionofthecardtablesandthedancingplatform。
\"Whichonesdoyouwant，Curly？\"
\"IwantBabeandBetsy。Where’sthatlittlepaleprinter’sdevil，theonetheycallthegambler’sghost？IknowSamwon’tletyougirlsleavehere。\"
\"He’sworkin’uponthepaper，Iguess。Theyranoutofcoaloilandhadtofireupwithpineknots。\"
\"He’scomin，now。Heain’tnogambler’sghosttonight，though；he’spotblack!\"
\"Ghost，\"saidCurly，\"youtakethisaroundtoAllie。\"Itwasa$50
octagonalslug。
\"Yessir。\"
\"Andyousaythatthere’smore，allshewants，wherethatcomesfrom。\"
\"Yessir。\"
Then，shakinghismopofbrown，curlyhairasthoughtorelievehisheadofaburden，hetookthegirlsforwhathefeltwasamuch—neededroundofdrinks。
Bymidnighttheplacewaswild!
\"Sam，\"shoutedCurly，\"what’sthelimitonyourpeskyoldgame？\"
\"Theceiling’sthelimit。\"
\"Well，I’llputuponebet!Bein’onEasyStreetIwasgoin’backtotheStatestomarrymygirl，butI’mblamedifIdon’tputupmyswagforoneturnofthecards。\"
Hesentforhis\"dust，\"andpiledthelong，buckskinbagscriss—crossbeforeFaroSam’stable。
\"I’llcopperthejack，gentlemen，\"heshouted。\"Allonthejack!\"
TeddyKarn’sfaceturnedapastyhue，andthetipofhistongueslidalonghispuffedlips，butthelinesofFaroSam’sfaceneverchanged，andhiseyesretainedtheblankimpassivityofasnake’sasheslippedhiscards。Therewasasudden，tensesilence。Thegirlspressedforwardwithhurriedbreathingandthemenwaited，rigidasstones。
Somebody’smongrelpacedtothemiddleoftheplatformandscratchedforfleas，withsoftthumpingonthefloor。Thatwasall。
Suddenlyamanswore!Awoman’svoiceshrilledhysterically!FaroSamrosetohisfeetceremoniously。\"Thehouseisyours。\"
\"ByJinks!\"yelledCurly，\"I’vecopperedthejack!I’vebrokenthebank!
I’ve—\"
Oneofthedoorsswungopenquietly。Silencedroppedoncemore，withthespeedoftropicalnight，upontheblareoftheplace。
Thegambler’sghoststoodtheresilhouettedagainstthelightfromalogfireoutside。Therewerepinkstreaksdownhisdirtyface，washedbytears，andhisyoungshouldersdroopedwoefully。Thedogcameforwardandlickedhistwitchingfingers。
\"Allieisdead，\"hewhispered。
\"Curly，Ishouldliketoapplyforthepositionofdealeroveratyourplace，whichyesterdaywasmyplace，\"saidFaroSam，nextdayatnoon，meetingCurlyonthestreet。
\"Sure，youcanhaveit，Sam。Toobadit’sthecustomforthehousetogo，too，whensomebodybreaksthebank。I’veturneditovertoGeorgeSpellman，withathousandtostartwith。HeandIcomefromthesameplacebackintheStates。Greatfriendswewere，tillwebothgottosparkin’thesamegirl。Whenshetookme，George，hegotprettyornery，butIguesshe’salloveritbythistime。I’mgoin’hometomarryher，now。