\"I’vejustbeenaroundtothetentsseein’aboutlittleAllie’sfuneral，an’he’llkeeponthegirls，too。I’mpullin’myfreightforHangtown（Placerville）。Thistown’salittletoosmallforafellowofmymeans。\"
FaroSamlookedafterhimwithacynicallightinhisnarroweyes。
\"Thepotbubblesloudestwhenthewater’snearestthebottom，\"hemuttered，andturnedtopickafastidiouswaythroughthemud。
Lifethatnightinthegamblinghellwentonmuchasusual。TeddyKarns\"pouredtherye，\"andFaroSam\"slippedthecards，\"whilstBabeworriedoverBouncingBet’sintoxicatedcondition。
\"It’sAllie，youknow，\"BabeconfidedtoRedShirtPeteatmidnight。
\"Shetookitawfulhard，andSpellman，thenewboss，wouldn’tlet’erofftonight。Ibintellin’’erAllie’sbetteroff，butshewon’tlistentonobody。She’sjustbinpourin’’emdownallevenin’。What’sthat？\"ataloudbangingonthedoors。SomeoneopenedthemandCurlyrodeintotheplaceonthehandsomehorsehehadboughtthatmorning。
\"Well，boys，I’mcleaned!TriedtocopperthejackinHangtownandthewhole$50，000went。George，I’llbeaskin’forthisplaceback，I
guess。\"
\"Thisplacebelongstome，CurlyGillmore。\"
\"Whosaysso？\"
’Thisoldladysaysso，\"coveringhimwithhispistol。
Curlylaughed，nottoomusically。\"Well，boys，whatamIbidforthishorse？Ineedagrubstake。\"
\"Playyouforhim，\"saidFaroSam，laconically。
\"Done，\"saidCurly。AmomentlaterhelaughedoncemoreandswungdownofftheSpanishthoroughbred。\"He’syours。Well，good—night，boys。\"
Nooneanswered。Hehad，likeHadjithebeggar，becomeintwenty—fourhoursagainadrifter。
Babesneakedoutafterhim。\"Here，Curly，\"sheslippedherhandintoherbosomandheldouttheoctagonalslug。\"WhenBetan’IreachedAllielastnightshewasholdin’itinherlittledeadhand，an’therewassuchasmileonherface!Yougaveherthathappysmile。Godblessyouforit!Now，youtakethis—\"
ButCurlyturnedaway，blinkinghiseyes，andtryingtoswallowthelumpinhisthroat。Babestoodwatchinghimthroughhertearsashetrampeddownthestreet，outofthetownontheroadtothesouth。
*****
TwoyearslaterinahallinSonora，amanstrolledintothecardtables。
\"Why，hel—lo，Curly!\"
Curlyglancedupbriefly。\"Hello，George。\"
\"Hearyou’vemadeanotherstrike。\"
\"Youcanhearalotthatain’ttrue。Thishappenstobe。\"
\"Youknow，Iwastelling—\"
\"Well，thesightofyoudon’tputmeinthemoodtobetoldmuch。\"Therewasanimperceptibleshiftingofthecrowdaroundthetable。TheyweremovingawayfromSpellman。
\"Iwastellingmywife—\"
\"Mygirl，youmean!Itwasn’tenoughtokeepmybusiness，youhadtogohomean’marrymygirl，too，didn’tyou？\"
\"Curly，fortheloveofheaven—\"
\"Takeyourhandoffmyarm，Pete。I’mgoingtokillthis——。He’snotthekindofmanIthoughthewas。\"
Twoshotscrashedintheroom!
Spellmanwaveredthroughthesmokehaze，thendroppedhispistolandfellslowlyacrossthecardtablelitteredwithshiningcardsandpokerchips。Anoverturnedtallow—dipdroppedinapoolofwineandrolleddownagainstthedeadman’scheek，dabblingitwiththecolorwhichwouldneverreturntoitagain。
*****
\"Bet，ain’tthatCurlyGillmorethatweknewthreeyearsagoatColoma，whenAlliedied？\"
\"Mustbea—gittin’blind!Where？\"
\"Thefelleralldressedupan’walkin’withthelady。Sureitis!Hi，Curly，hel—lo!It’sBabe。Well，ain’tIglad—\"
ThewomanwithCurlyfixedBabewithastonyglare。\"Ifyouwishtoconversewiththis……woman，kindlydosowhenyourwifeisnotaccompanyingyou，\"shesaidtohiminanangryundertone，andwentmajesticallyon。
\"I’llcomeback，Babe。We’vebeenmarriedjustamonthandshedoesn’tunderstand。I’llbebacklater，\"andhehurriedoff。
\"Bet，didyouseewhothatwaswithCurly？Hiswife，hesaid。\"
\"Aw—w，Babe，don’tyoufret!IguesswefillourlittleplaceouthereinCalifornynearasmuchassomeo’thefineladiesdo。\"
\"Ididn’tcare。No，Iwasthinkin’thatthewayso’theLordarecuri—us。ThatladyusedtobemarriedtoGeorgeSpellman。\"
\"An’Curlyshothim，downatSonora，lastyear!\"
\"Ye—aw。\"
\"Well，I’llbe—。\"
TheRaceoftheShoestringGamblersVIII
\"Judgenottooidlythatourtoilsaremean，Thoughnonewleviesmarshallonourgreen；
Nordeemtoorashlythatourgainsaresmall，Weighedwiththeprizesforwhichheroesfall。\"
—BretHarte。
Ifdancingwasthefirstformofamusementtoemanatefromprehistoricsavagery，thenracingmustsurelyhavecomenext。Itmaypossiblyhavecomefirst。However，weshallleavethe\"theorizin\"’tobesettledbythelipsofthefirstmummywhosecenturies—oldtissuesshallberousedtofulllifebymodernscience。Whathassciencenotachieved？Wehavegonebeyondwonder。Wecanonlybelieve，andbecomeblase!
Meantimethereisstillenoughredbloodinthemoderneffeteproductionsofhumanstoenjoyacontestofstressandstrain，andbrainandbrawn，andtogambleupontheoutcome。
Inthe’49days，racingwasoneofthemostpopularformsofchance，anditoftenrevertedinbizarretangents。This，then，iswhathappenedatagoldenfiestaduringtheweekofraces：
\"SweetLady，areallmyimportunitiestobeinvain？\"
\"ImustconfessthatIcannotbringmymindtoadecision，Mr。Saul，\"
answeredMistressPattyLaughton，blushingandcurtsyingprettily。
\"Itissurelynotforyourlackofworldlygoodsthatyouhesitate，\"
persistedSlick—heelsSaul。\"Asforwhatyourfatherisowingme，itshall，atthemomentofyouracceptance，bewipedentirelyfromthebooks。\"
Pattywasincensedatthehintofinsolenceinthegambler’sallusiontoherimprovidentfather’sfinancialcondition。
\"Believeme，Mr。Saul，\"shesaid，withspirit，\"noulteriormotiveforworldlyadvancementhasthepowertocoercemyafflections。\"
\"Butyouwillconsidermypropositionofmarriage？\"
Patty’shonestgazeencounteredtheappraisingglintinthecootgreyeyesofthefoppishscape—gracebeforeher。Sheloweredherowneysquicklytohidahuntedlookintheirdarkdepthsassheanswered：
\"Sir，aftertheweekofraces，youshallhaveyouranswer。\"
\"AndthenIshallgiveupmypresentmeansofgainingalivelihood，and，repairingtoSanFrancisco，shallenterintoaprofessionmorefittingthesocialstationoftheladywhoistobecomemywife。\"Heboweddeeplyandwithdrew，leavingPattywithasadfaceandtearfilledeyes。
Atlastshestraightenedhertallfigureresolutely。\"Imustnotgivewaytotears。Icannot!Iwillnot!Theremustbesomewaytopaymyfather’sdebtsbesidethisextremity，towhichdeathisalmostpreferable。Thereisstillaweek’stime。Aweek—onlyaweek。\"Panicoverwhelmedher，andwhensomeonegentlytookherhand，shecriedaloudinterror。
\"Why，Sweetheart，doIfrightenyouso？Iwaitedlonguponthemesanearthespeed—trackatthespotwehadagreedupon，andwhenyoudidnotcomeIfaredforthtomeetyou。\"
\"Eric，itisSaulagain。WhatcanIdo？\"
\"Dear，Ihaveabout$2000whichIamresolvedtoplayontheraces。I
willwin。Imust。OldIrishMikehasbroughtoverhiswholestablefulofsaddlehorsesandIwasraisedinKentucky。Donotdespair，weshallbeatthegamblerathisowngame。HereisMike，now。Perhaps—Mike，it’safinestringofhorsesyou’vepickedup。
\"Itisso。ManyathoroughbredI’veboughtthatcameallthewayfromKentuckyorMissouri。AllthathadthestaminatogettoCaliforny，theonethingleftthatmanyofthepoordevilscouldsellwhentheyreachedthecoast。\"
\"Mike，someofthemarefasterthanothers，Isuppose。\"
\"’Tiswhathalftheshoe—stringgamblersinthecamphavetriedtofindout。Imayhavemeownopinion，butit’stomeselfI’llkapeittillafthertheracesarerun。Iwillnotspilesport。Haveyeseenthelastcayusethat’sbein’putin？
\"YoumeanthecowponythatcameinwiththebunchofcattlefromtheNapaValleyyesterday？\"
\"Thesame。Theauldboy，whilstinhiscups，isbettin’shecanbeatanythin’onfourlegs，evenjackrabbitsan’antelope。Thepreciousgamblin’riff—raffarefillin’himupwithtanglefoot，proper。\"
\"Why，Mike？\"Mikeglancedatthesilentgirlandthendownintothegulchbelow。
\"MissPatty，haveyevisitedtheclaims？\"
\"No，butIshouldliketo。\"
\"Come，then，ifyewillsopleasureanoldman。Themenwillnotbeworkin’tomorrow。Theywillbethatpleasedtoshowaladyhowtowashapano’dirt，theywillbesaltin’iverypanwit’nuggetsforye!Eric，lad，\"hecalledbacktothetallyoungman，\"yemightlookthecowhorseover。Shehasnotbeencurriedforlong；yet，whisper，beautyisbutskindeepan’thefinestrapierisoftenencasedinarustyscabbard。\"
\"ThereissomethinggoingforwardthatMikewishesmetosee，\"thoughEric，ashehurriedofftotheliverystable。\"ThatiswhyhetookPattyaway。\"
Acrowdofgamblerswerejustputtingupapairofridersontwohorses。
\"Hey，EricTallman，youusedtoownthishorse。Canhebeatthisrat—tailedkyoodlethatrunsaftersteers？\"
Ericlaidahandfondlyonthemagnificentblack\"halfbreed，\"whohadjustenoughmustangtogivehimthestaminaandspiritandwildnesscharacteristicoftheSpanish—bredhorse。
\"Keephimonasteadyreinandhe’llbeatanythinginthemountains。I’dneverhavesoldhimexcept—。\"Hesighed，turningtothecattlehorse。
Shewaslongnecked，longlegged，longhaired，wall—eyed，lean，andbadlyinneedofcurrying，andyetIrishMikewasnofool，andMikeknewEric’sextremity—hisandthegirl’swhomheloved。
Henotedthedeep，broadchest，thetaperingbarrelandthetremendousdrivingpowerinthesteelmusclesofthehindquarters，butshedrooped，spiritless。Heturnedagaintothesatin—coatedhalf—breed。
\"Anydustupyet？\"
\"Ye—aw，abouttenthousand。Oldfoolseemstobewellheeled。We’vegot’imfulltotheeyes，downatString—haltEddie’splace，an’theboysaregoin’totrytheplugsoutbeforetheyputupanymore。\"Twotrialraceswereriddenandthesadcowhorsewasoutrunwithapparentease。
ThenextmorningasPattywentonherdailystrollto\"taketheair，\"
herwaywasblockedbyaclamoringcrowdofundesirableswhowerebaitingamiserableoldcattleman。
\"Itellye，gentlemen，Iwasindisposed。’Twastheliquortalking。
Surelyyouwouldnottakeadvantageofapooroldmanandhishonest，hard—workinglittlemount。Everydayofherlifesheworks。Gentlemen，I
begyou—\"
\"Beggingwillgetyounothingbetterthanagooddrubbing，youfilthycattlelout!Ifyoudon’tpayupyourbets，we’lltakeitoutofyourhide。I，forone，haveaspecialuseformymoneyattheweek’send。\"
ItwasSlick—heelsSaul。Pattyturnedaside，sickatheart。Thiswasthecreatureinwhosepowershewas\"liketofall。\"
Uponherreturnshefoundtheoldcowboysittingdejectedlyunderaliveoakbush。\"Sir，\"shebegantimidly，\"youareintrouble。Ishouldliketoexpressmysympathy。\"
Herosewithsuspiciousnimbleness。\"Now，blessyourkindheart，Miss，tostoptoconsoleasadoldman。\"
\"IoverheardwhatMr。Saulsaidtoyou，sir。Heis—\"
\"Withoutdoubt，withoutdoubt，heiseverythingyoumention。Couldyou，now，beMistressPattyLaughton，ofKentucky？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"IknewyourGrandfatherLaughton，mychild，andsinceIcamehereI
haveheard—ofyou，\"hefinished，withinnatedelicacy。Indeed，whohadnotheardherstory？
Sheopenedhersilkenreticuleanddrewforthasmall，buckskinbag。
\"Willyounotacceptit？\"Yesterday，attheclaims，Ipanneditoutmyself。Iamsorryforyourplight。IamsorryforanyoneintheclutchesofSlick—heelsSaul。\"
\"But—。Canyou—？\"
\"Itdoesnotmatter。Yourextremityisgreaterthanmine。\"
Hestoodlookingaftertheslimgirlwhocarriedherheadsohigh。\"HowlikeaKentuckyLaughton。Thoroughbredstock，all!\"Hetossedthebaginhishand。\"’Tiswhytheyarewheretheyaretoday。\"Thenhiskeenoldeyessoftened。\"Andwhytheyarewhattheyare，today。Blesshertenderhearttostooptoanoldcattlemaninthemire。Asforthis—ImustseeIrishMike，\"andhehurriedoffwithsurprisingspeed。
Betsrose。Everygamblerhadbeenapprisedofthesurethingandflockedtothebettinglikebearstoahoneytree。
\"Haveyeputupye’rmoney，Eric？\"askedIrishMike，latethenextnight。
\"Yes，\"saidEric，briefly。
\"Ah。So。\"Mike’sshrewdgaveslidfromtheyoungman’sface。
\"TheydosaythatSlick—heelsSaulisbeginnin’toworryoverthe$20，000he’sstaked。Theshoestringganghavegatheredintheinformationfr’mth’expressagentthattheauldcattlemanownsabigSpanishgrantdowninthevalley，andhas$50，00tohiscreditincertificatesofdepositfromtheexpresscompany。’Tisasgoodasgold。\"
\"Mike，haveyoueverseenhimbefore？\"
\"Ineverspilesport，meboy。\"
Itwasthelastdayofthefiestaandthefamousracewasathand。
\"Thereistheoldcattlemanwithhisvaqueros。\"
\"Faith，they’reatoughlookin’lot，allarmedwithabraceo’Coltsapiece。’Tisfunthey’dhave，cleanin’outaFandangoHouse。\"
\"Patty，girl，youarepaletoday。\"
\"Oh，Eric，’tisthelastdayofgrace。Heavenhelpusif—\"
\"See，Patty，gir—r—rl，they’refixin’forthefootracebetweenCherokeeBoban’thatAustraliansquirtfr’mSacramento。\"
\"Whyaretheyplacingmenwithgunseverytenfeetalongthetrack？\"
\"TheIndiancanbeattheAustralian，buthethriedtoselltheboysout，an’ifheslackenshisgaitbyeversolittle，theb’yswillbeginshootin’sthraightbeforethem。An’maybeafthertherace，he’dbetterberunnin’rightonintothenextcounty。\"
\"Whatnext？\"
\"Nextisajackassfight，an’then，therace!\"
Afterthebilligerentjackshadbeenledaway，RedPetesuddenlytooktothebrush，acceleratedbyafusilladeofbullets。
\"Welchin’hisbets，heis，an’iverymanheowesislettin’himhaveit。\"
\"Naryahit!\"wailedoldJackHorner。\"Theshootin’inthiscampisa—gittin’vile!Timewewasquittinsod—muchpickhandlin，an’
a—practicin’up。It’sareflectiononthecommunity。Why，thereain’tbeenaChinamandrilledwithabulletdecentan’cleanforweeks!\"
\"They’releadingoutthehorses!Wheredidthatlittleniggerjockeycomefrom？Themare’sgotmoregingertoday。\"
\"Eric，surelyyourhorsecanwin!\"
\"Idon’tknow，dear。\"
\"Hemust!Hemust，or—\"
\"Slick—heelsSaul’sfaceisturnin’thecolorofmenativeisle，\"
chuckledIrishMike。\"Patty，melittleladybird，’tisnotimetobefaintin’!\"
\"Oh，youcan’tknow—\"
\"Faith，an’Iknowmorethanyout’ink。Bearup，Asthore，thedarkesthourisjustforninstthedawn。Whisht，now!They’reoff!\"
\"Heretheycome!Theblackisahead!See，theniggerislyingflatonthemare’sneck。She’sclosingup!Oh，theyareneckandneck!Icannotlook。Eric—Theblackisgettingthewhip。Goodhorse!Theyareevenagain!Ah，itisonlyforamoment。Themare……isovertheline，first……Itisallended，life，love，honor，happiness……Icannotbelongtothatman!Mypooroldfather。Dearold……forhissake，I
must。I—\"
\"Patty，girl。\"
\"Eric，youarenottoblame。Youwouldwageronyourownhorse。’Tisbutnatural。ImustacceptmyfatewithwhatfortitudeIcansummon。Pleasetakemehome。Allthepeoplestaring。Icannotbearitlong。\"
ButwhenSlick—heelsSaulpressedforwardtohersideattheboarding—housesteps，shewasasstatelyandcoldasthesnow—hoodedrocksofGraniteMountain。
\"Ihavelosteverything，butstillIholdyoutoyourpromise。\"
\"Imadenopromise，sir，\"shesaidhaughtily。
\"’Butyouwill，\"heansweredmeaningly，\"tomorrow。\"
\"Standaside!\"thunderedEric。
\"Comeawn，\"soothedIrishMike。\"Notwiththeladyhere，Eric，b’y。\"
\"Patty，Icannotletyougo!Iwillshootthebeastonsight。\"
\"Thatwouldnotvindicatemyfather’shonor。Hush，heiscoming。ImustrememberthatIamaLaughton。\"
Ericturnedtostaremoodilyoutthedustywindow。\"Theregoesthecattlemanwithhisfollowersandhisstrong—box。Whathemusthavewon!
HerecomesMike。Inahurry，too!Iwonder—\"
Slick—heelsSaulwasbowingbeforethegirl。
\"ForgiveanauldIrishmanforintrudin’uponsotenderascene—\"
（Slick—heelsglaredathimmalevolently），\"butIhavehe—e—reasomethingforMistressPattyLaughton，\"pretendingtoreadtheinscriptiononthepackageheheldout，\"fromtheauldboy，there，whoisjustleavin’us。\"
\"’Breadcastuponthewatersofsweetcharityshallbereturnedanhundredfold。BlessedarethepureinheartfortheyareofthechildrenofGod，’hehaswritten。Why，itismoney!\"gaspedPatty，\"andsuchalargeamount!\"
\"Hehadmeputupye’rlittlebago’goldonhismare。Thesearey’erwinnings。\"Mikesmiledinwardlyatthesumofmoney。\"Sure，auldAndymusthaveputarockortwointheweebuckskinbag，\"hethought，butaloudhesaid，\"Ineverspilesport，an’Icouldnottellyebefore，but’tisauldAndyMageean’hisfamousracin’mare，thefastestquartermilehorsebechunethestateofMissouriandthePacificocean。
\"’Tisthesamegamehe’spulledonthegamblin’crooksallthewayfromtheOregonlinetoMariposainthesouth。Evengettin’filledwit’
tanglefootispartofthedodge。Theycannottouchhiman’thevaquerosprotecthimfr’mtheshootin’。\"
\"Butwhataboutthetryout？\"
\"Alsointheschame。Themarewascross—shod；meanin’，twoofhershoes，thenearfront，an’theoffhindwans，weretwiceasheavyastheothersShecouldnotruntopspeedinth’mf’rlovenorgold。Yesterdayshewasshodinlightracin’pads，an’underherownjockey。Nohorseonthecoastcouldcatchher。An’always，thesmartracin’gamblersplayth’
auldmanforafool。Suchisoftentheendofgreed。
\"Payupthedad’sgamblin’debts，an’bidthisKnighto’theGreenClothaswatean’longfare—ye—well。Thengoan’behappy，mechild。\"
TheDragonandtheTomahawkIX
\"WhichIwishtoremark，Andmylanguageisplain，ThatforwaysthataredarkAndfortricksthatarevain，TheheathenChineeispeculiar，WhichthesameIwouldrisetoexplain。\"
—BretHarte。
CertainlearnedarchaeologistsmaintainthattherearemarkedracialsimilaritiesbetweentheAmericanIndiansandtheChinese—physicalcharacteristicsdatingfromunknowncenturies，whenthewidelysunderedcontinentswereprobablyone。
Howeverthatmaybe，inthedaysofgoldinCaliforniathegreatestanimosityexistedbetweentheIndiansandtheChinamen。Thefeelingbegan，presumably，throughintermarriageandflourishedlikethecelebratedmilkweedvineofthefoothills，whichhasbeenknowntogrow—Iquotea’49er，nowdead，whichisperhapstakinganadvantage—12
inchesinaday。
ThetaleistoldofaChinamancrossingasuspensionfootbridge，highoverawintertorrent，fromonepartofaminingcamptoanother。AnIndianrantomeethim。JohnChinamanstartedbackasquicklyashecouldontheswayingbridge。ThefasterIndiancaughthim，and，thoughminersonbothshoressoughttosavetheunfortunate\"Chink\"byarainofbullets，itwastoolongrange，andtheIndianthrewhimtocertaindeathintheriver。
ButtheIndiansdidnotalwayswin，andthis，then，isthetaleofanencounterbetweenHopSingandDiggerDan。
\"Inagamewhichheldaccountin’，OnanoldSierramountain—\"
*****
\"Whassamalla，to—omuchnail—oketchemclo’e（clothes）？\"snortedHopSing，comingaroundtothesideverandahwithtwopinsinhishand，towhereMissJoHalsteadwasembroideringanantimacassarinbrightworsteds。
\"Oh，Sing，didyouhurtyourhand？\"shecried。
\"’Notherboyheapmad。\"
\"Anotherboy？Aren’tyoudoingthewashing？\"
\"Nodo。Me—\"butJohadgonetothebackyard。ShefoundthetallestChinamanshehadeverseen，meeklybendingtothewashing，andquicklyobeyingthesharpordersraineduponhisqueue—circledpollbyHopSing。
\"But—Sing，\"protestedJo，stiflinganysortofsmile。
\"Himnogood!Nogotplace!Mepayone—dollar—hophimstoponemonth，Chineehouse。Henopay。Memakemwork。\"
\"Yes，but—whatisthat？Thoseareshotsonthestageroadoverthehill!Oh，itmustbeanotherholdup!AndRandisshotgunmessengeronthestagetoday。Hark!Hearthehorsesrunning!They’recoming—fast。
They’retryingtomakethetown!\"
\"Ketchem，morehorserunbehind，\"answeredSing，listeningintently，hisslantingeyesglittering。
\"Sing，yougoandseewhat—\"
\"Cando!Yougetthatboy，make’emwash，allesame。Henogood!Youlooksee？\"Joeturnedtospythefrighteneddeputywashermanwrigglingundertheverandah。\"Bime—byIkill’um，\"remarkedSing，composedly。\"Nogottimenow。MissieJo，wagoncome，maybesobetteryoustophouse—o。\"
Sixhorsestoppedthelonghill，pullingthehugerockawaystage。Theywerecomingatfullspeed，andthenearwheelerwasdrippingwithblood。
Adeadmanhungoverthehighdashboard，wherehisfeethadcaughtwhenhefell。
Leaningfaroutovertheteamwasayoungmanholdingthereinsinonehand，whilehelashedtheshot—crazedhorsestotheirlastounceofspeedwiththefifteen—footwhip。Hissawed—offshotgunlayontheseatbesidehim。ItwasRand!
\"Oh，thankGod!\"moanedJoe，butinanothermoment，\"PooroldSaltPeter!Theymusthavekilledhimwhenhewouldn’tstop。Sing—\"butHopSinghadvanished，leavingonlyhiswhiteapronacrossthewashbench。
Asthestagethunderedaroundtheturnattheendofthemainstreet，thewoundedhorsethrewuphishead，coughedbloodyspumeoverthepointers（thesecondpair），andfell。Menwerealreadyscramblingontotheirhorses，andlopinginfromalldirections。Randcutoutabuckskinleader，mounted，anddashedfranticallybackuptheroadfollowedbyadozenhorsemen。
\"Rand，whowasit？\"
\"Idon’tknow，exactly。ThoughtIsawDiggerDan—\"Theywereoverthehill，andJoheardnomore。
HopSingdidnotturnupforsupper，buthistallsubstitutedidfairlywell，andJodidnotworry。Sometimeafterdark，awearyRandappeared。
\"Well，MissJo，wegotDiggerDan。Atleastwethoughtitwas，buthewon’tsayawordexceptthathewantstoseeyou。I’vecometoescortyouovertothejail。Willyoutrustyourselftomethatfar？\"
\"Thatfar，yes，\"archly，\"’tisbutashortspace。\"Notforworldswouldshehavehimguessheranxietyoftheafternoon。
\"Iwishthat’twereforalways。\"
\"WhatcanDiggerDanwantofme，\"sheevaded，thankfulforthedarknesswhichhidherblushes。\"Rand，hearthewolveshowling!\"
\"Theyareonlycoyotes，dear—MissJoe，andafraidtoventureintotownexcepttothechickenroosts。\"
\"Why，it’sHopSing!\"exclaimedJo，uponfirstsightoftheprisoner。
\"They’vecutoffhalfhisqueueandbraidedhishairintwopigtails，andputdifferentclothesonhim，andhedoeslooklikeanIndian。Howveryextraordinary!\"
\"KethemDiggerDancloe，\"blazedSing。
\"That’salikelytale，\"saidthesheriff，\"betchaheknowsmoreaboutstagerobbin’thanhe’llletout。\"
\"Iamsurehedoesnotaboutthisone。Hewaswithmeeverymoment。\"
Nevertheless，shecouldnothelprememberingthesubstituteChinamanwhomSinghadputintodohiswashing。But，thoughthecomplexOrientalnaturewillneverbequiteunderstoodbytheOccidental，shehadconfidenceintheloyaltyoftheChinaman，whohadservedthemforfiveyears，andwhoselifehadoncebeensavedbyherfather。
\"AhSing，willyoutellmewhathappened，\"sheasked，knowingwellthatacommandwouldonlyelicitastolid\"Nosavvey。\"Putasafavor，oraconfidence，hemightrespond。
\"HimDiggerDan，nogood!Hestealemmeclo’e。Ketchem。MissaLand（Rand）an’plentymancome，helun（run）。Iketchemhim!Tlee（three）
lobber（robber）come。To—omucheemen。Inocanfight!He—\"
\"Theytiedhimonahorseanddroveitdownthecanyonforustofollow，whiletheygotaway。\"
\"Itellyou，heknowsmoreaboutitthanhe’stelling!\"
\"Idon’tthinkso，sheriff，\"saidRand，positively。Themanturnedtohim，suspiciously。
\"Megohome，allsameMissieJoe？\"HopSingraisedanexpressionlessfaceandglaredatthebroadbeltofthesheriff。
\"Well，youcango，butI’mgoingtokeepaneyeonyouandseethatyourapron’shangingintheHalstead’skitcheneverydayofyourheathenlife。\"
LaterthatnightwhenRandstartedhome，strangeincantationsweregoingoninSing’slean—to。Infourchinabowlspunkwasburning，andanoldChinamanwasmutteringweirdinvocationsovertheclothesofDiggerDanslowlysmoulderinginacoal—oilcaninthemiddleofthefloor。HopSingheldonehandinthesmoke，raisedtheotheraloftandmadeablood—curdlingoathofsomesortwhich，bytheexpressionofhisface，probablyconsignedtheownerforevermoretothenethermostdepths’ofTophet。
\"Why，whereisAliSing？\"askedJothenextmorning，whenshefoundthetallslavestillinthekitchen。
\"Hegotheapsickcousin。Hegoway。Istay。Hecomebackbime—by。\"Joknewthatitwasuselesstoquestionfurther。
ThesummerdriftedbyandstillSingdidnotreturn。Randwalkedinonedaywiththefirstflurryofsnow，fromhisclaiminthesouth。HecaughtbothofJo’shandsinhiswithoutaword，kissedthemtenderlyandletthemgo。
\"Rand，\"shefaltered，\"itissolongsinceI’veheardfromyou。Youhavebeenactingsostrangely—formonths!\"
\"Jo，haveyounotheardthetalkthathasbeenwhisperedwithmynameeversinceSingdisappeared？TheysaythatIknowtoomuchabouttheholdups；thatIhelpedtheChinamantoescape；thatDiggerDanandHopSingareone；that—\"
\"Iwouldnotlistentosuchfalsehoods，\"criedthegirl，hergreyeyesflashing。
\"Youblessedlittlewoman!Butconsideringthis，howcanIsaytoyouwhat—tellyouthatwhichglorifiestheverylifeinmyframe。HowcanIofferyouanametarnishedbythesuspicionsofmyfellowmen？\"
\"Rand，Iacknowledgenosuchallegations。Oh，Imaybelosttoallsenseofwomanlyreserve，but—\"
\"Whenmynameiscleared，IshallhopetoenterParadise。TillthenI
mustnot。Icannotbringdisgraceuponyou。Ishallreturntomyoldpostofshotgunmessenger—\"
\"Rand!No!Listentomeonemoment。LasteveningDiggerDancametothisveryplace。Hetoldmethatifyouwentbacktothestageyouwouldcertainlybekilled。Theyhavebeenrobbingallsummer。ItissaidthatJoaquinisinthemountains。\"
\"No，theyareTomBell’smen。\"
Joglancedup，startled。\"Whoeveritis，hassentyouawarning。\"
\"MizHalstead，\"calledastridentvoice，\"th’stage’sjestin，an’
you’repaw’stookawfulsickupontheMiddleFork，athismine。\"
\"Ishallhavetogoonthemorningstage。Willyounotplease—\"toRand。
\"Jo，Idonotfeardeath。Itisdishonorthatmaddensme，foryoursake。
Thesnowshavecome。Theyarealreadyfittingrunnerstothestages。Themailsandthe’dust’mustgetthroughinspiteofall。Igooutonthefirstsleigh；thisoneyoumusttake。ThiswinterIshallvindicatemyname，ifitishumanlypossibletodoso。\"Hekissedtheendofonelongcurlofherhair，andwasgone。
Someweekslater，duringalullbetweenstorms，Rand’sfacelitupwiththefeelingwhichbutonewomanintheworldcouldinspire，asthestagepulledintoMiddleFork。
\"Fatherisnotquiterecovered，butIthoughtitbesttogethimoutbeforeweweresnowedin。Rand，DiggerDancame，\"sheadded，inawhisper；’thestagewillbestoppedtoday。Yet，itisgatheringforastorm。Idarenotstay。WhatshallIdo？\"
\"Comealong。Iwillprotectyou。\"
Twomilesfurther，astheytoppedahill，Texas，thedriver，pulledthelaboringsixfartotheside。
\"Why？\"askedRand。
\"Cut，there，\"answeredTexas，\"an’it’spiledhighwithadrift。\"
\"Lookoutforstumps。\"
\"I’vegot’emspotted，\"mutteredTex。
\"What’sthat？\"swinginghisgunquicklytotheright。Thehorsesplunged，snorting，quicklytotheleft，thesleighhitasnow—coveredstump，anditwasonlyTex’sexpertdrivingthatsaveditfromoverturning。
\"Someanimal。Isawhishide。\"AhideRandhadseen，butitwasthecoyote—skincoatofanIndianwhohadmadeonesignandinstantlyvanished。Veryquicklythedreadedhaltcame。
\"Lookout，Tex!There’sariflebarrelfrombehindthattreetrunk。\"
\"Halt!\"
\"Haltitis。There’snothingwecando。\"WasitJo’spresenceinthestagebelowthatmadehimgiveinwithoutastruggle，ordidheknowthattheWells—Fargoboxhadvanishedfromunderthedriver’sseat？OrwasitknowledgeofthehordeofyellingIndianswhichrosefromthesnowybrush，andswoopeddownupontheshootingrobbers？Fourofthemwerebrought，intriumph，tothetownonthestage。
\"Whereistheexpressbox？\"askedthesheriff。
\"Idonotknow，\"answeredRand，defiantly。
\"Cachedawayuponthemountain，Isuppose，wheretheothersare。\"
\"Sir!\"thunderedRand，\"Ihavebroughtin，thebandits，asIpromised，toclearmyownnamen—allbutDiggerDan，whoescaped。WhenIsaythatIdonotknowwhathappenedtothebox，youwillpleaseunderstandthat—\"
\"HerecomesDiggerDannow，carryingsomething。\"
\"NoIndianevercarriedanythinginbasketsslungonapole!\"
\"Hel—lo，MissieJo，howyoudo？\"blandlyremarkedDiggerDan’sdouble。
\"HopSing!\"
\"KetchemMissaLand’smoney，nisbas—a—kit。\"
\"What’sintheotherone。
\"Natone，lock（rock）。Makernheapeasycarry—em。\"
\"Wheredidyougetthebox？\"
\"Yousavveyplacehimhorsegetscare；himwagon，hefa’overtop—sidedown。Himmoney，hefa’out。Himstopplacesnowmeltawaybyheapbigtleetlunk。Mesee。MissaLand，Iknowhelike。Iketchem。\"
WhenRandtookJohometheyweremetbyasmilingSinginasnowywhiteapron。
\"Where’stheotherboy？\"askedJo。
\"Himboy？Itellumgetoutquick，orIkillum，sure!\"
\"AhSing，howcanIeverthankyouforallthesixmonthsyou’vespentinthebrush？\"
\"Heall—li，MassaLand。Youketchemmecomeoutnatjail。IheapsavveyyoucomeseeMissieJo。Missiepapa，lo—ongtimenow，heketcheemenodie。MissieJo，allasamemygirl—o。\"
\"ThoseIndians—\"
\"WereSing’sfriends，dear，dressedup。\"
\"Chinamen？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Sing，wheredidDiggerDangoto？\"
\"Hegohell，\"remarkedSing，pleasantly。\"HelunawaytoOustamah（Indianvillage）。Meketchum。Allasquawketchernplentytaronhead，makernbigcly（cry，Indianwordforwake）。Mekillumhim。Goo—bye，megocookemvellyfinedinner。MissieJo，MassaLand，yougetmarrynow。
Mehopeyouketchemplentyboy!\"Fromhispointofviewwhatgreaterblessingcouldhewishthem？Later，hepeekedincuriouslyfromthekitchen，but，askissesarenotincludedintheChinesecurriculum，hefailedtobeinterestedandreturnedtohisbaking。
TheBarstowLynchingX
\"Thisismystory，sir；atrifle，indeed，Iassureyou。
Muchmore，perchance，mightbesaid—
butIholdhimofallmenmostlightlyWhoswervesfromthetruthinhistale。No，thankyouWell，sinceyouarepressing，PerhapsIdon’tcareifIdo：youmaygivemethesame，Jim—nosugar。\"
—BretHarte。
Contestsofeverysortweretheorderofthedayin’49。Anyferociousencounterwhichwouldpromulgatebettingwascountenanced，andevenencouraged。Thereweredogfights，bullfights，bobcatormountainlynxfights，andfightsbetweengamechickens。
Thetaleiseventoldofcootiefightsduringlong，rainywintereveningswhichmustbespentindoors。Theharborersofthecontestantssimplyreachedundertheirshirts，drewforthadoughtygrey—backedwarrior，placedhimonachild’sslatewhichwasusedasanarena，andthefightwason。
AcampnamedLousyLevelissaidtohavemadeaspecialtyofthissortofbattle。Thousandsofdollarsweresometimesbetupontheoutcome。
Argumentsarisingfromvariouscombatsoftendevelopedintorobbing，murderingandlynching。This，then，isthetaleofacertainlynching。
*****
\"Stepup，gents。Onlyadollartoseethebigfight。Onelittledollartoviewthegreatestcontestoftheage。SeethechampionfightingjackassofthestatevanquishthebiggestgrizzlyintheSierramountains。
\"TheunconquerablebattlingjackasswhohaswhippedtwobullsdownatSonora，andcausedamountainliontoturntail。Stepup，gents。Onlyadollartogetinsidetheropes，\"andWebfootWatsonwavedawell—kepthandtowardthearena。Itwasapine—stakedpalisade，boundaroundthetopwithrawhidethongs。Atoneend，the\"championdonk\"wastethered，andattheotherthe\"fiercestgrizzly\"wasconfinedinastoutcageofsolidplanks。
\"Stepin，gents!Therearelogsandstumpstostandon。Theshowwillbeginimmediately。Wearenowloosingthelion—eatingjack。He—\"
\"Hey!\"roaredSwipe—eyeWeller，pointingtotheladentreesoutsidetheenclosure，\"efyouthinkI’magoin’topayadollarforthishereshowjestbecauseIain’tnotree—climbin’animal，you’repickin’outthewrongcustomer。Theycoughsupascreamerapiece，orthisactdon’tbeginactin’。That’sfinal!\"
Nothingloath，Webfootclaimedthepenaltyfromthecrowdperchedinthetrees，insomeinstancesnotwithouttheaidofhissix—shooter，andthejackwasthenturnedlooseinthepalisade。
\"He’seatin’grass，\"pipedupoldGrease—topJamie。\"Say，Icanseetwentyjackasseseatin’，downtotheboardin’houseatBlueTentanyday，an’Idon’thavetopaynodollar，neither。Turnoutye’rbaar!\"
\"Hi!Herehecomes!Eat’imup，jack!Why，thatain’tnogrizzly。
Sufferin’stars，he’sonlyalittlescaredcinnamon。\"
\"He’sgoin’aftermister—old—donk，though。\"
\"Ye—aw。Lookin’ferprotection。Hey，lookatthedonklandin’kickson’isribs。Ride’imbaar!Claw’imup!Give’im—\"butthelittlecinnamonbearreachedthefenceinthreejumps，scaledit，andtooktothegrease—woodthicketsinrecordtimeinspiteoftheyellsandbulletsofthedisgruntledspectators。
Webfoothadmadeevenbettertimethanthebear，andonlytheplacidjackremainedasamementooftheoccasion。Hewastakenattheheadofalongprocessionofminersandmadetheoccasionforacalluponthewholeroundoffandangohouses，anddispensariesofliquidrowdyisminthecamp。
\"Partners，aren’tyougettingsomewhatroughwiththelittlefellow？\"
askedayoungmaninunimpeachableblackbroadcloth。
\"Why，it’sAnthonyBarstow!Lookatthepurpleraiment!Man，youmusthavestruckpaydirt。\"
\"Yes，thankyou，myclaimhasturnedouttobearichone。Whatwillyoutakeforthedonk？\"
\"Helpyourself。He’samaverick。What’sthat？Dogfight？Sic’im，Rover!\"andthefickleanddrink—befuddledmobhurriedoffdownthestreettothenewestexcitement。
Anthonytookhalfanapplefromhispocket。\"Iwassavingitfortomorrow，butdoyouthinkyoucouldmanageit，LittlePard？\"Thelongearsliftedatonce，andthesofthairymuzzletookthedelicacydaintilyoutofhisfingers。Anthonypettedhimandsaunteredon，intothebestofthegamblinghalls。Heseatedhimselfatatablepresidedoverbyawomandealer。
\"Monsieur，itisnotpermittedzatzegamblairshallplay，\"shetoldhimcourteously，withaflashofverybeautifulwhiteteeth。
\"Ho!Ho!Barstow，\"roaredCopper—downHicks。\"That’soneonyou!Themadam，here，seesyourbrandnewtogsandthinksyouticklethegreenclothforalivin’。\"
\"Itismonsieur’stoilettezat’avecausezemistake。Ihavenowbetterobservehe’sface。Heiswelcome。\"
\"Don’tthinkyourfriendcansitin，though，\"observedChamper—down，grinningbroadly。
Anthonyturned。Thedonkeyhadfollowedhimin，andwasstandingjustbehindhischair，headhanging，earslopping，lethargicpatienceshowingineverycontourofhisshaggybody。
\"Ihaveconsortedwithmanyofhiskind，\"saidAnthony，smiling，\"andI
preferhisfranksincerity，hisbraveryunderstress，hisworldlypoise，hiscalmexterior，whichdoesconcealthefierydepthsofhisnature；infact，allhisso—calledanimalattributesIprefer，tothemoresophisticatedallureofhishumangender。\"Anthonylaidastronghandonthelittlebeast’sshoulder，whiletheFrenchwomanregardedhimcuriouslyoutoflongblackeyes。
\"There，takethat，yougoodfornothingcur，\"andamankickedadoginthroughthedoor，tolieinatwisted，bloodyheapuponthefloor。
\"Whatdoyoumean，youbrute!\"calledAnthony，springingupontheminer，whoimmediatelyclosedwithhim。Mignonscreamed，andrantostopthem。
\"Monsieur，forwhyyoudo—？\"
\"Aw，hegotlicked。Ilostmoneyonhim。\"
\"Yes，andyouhaven’tpaidme，neither。Youshellout，youBuckeyePete!\"spokeupatallKentuckian，withamastiffonaleash。
\"Itwasn’tafairfight，SpottyCollins，\"whinedBuckeye。
\"Itwas—itwas，so!\"calledachorusofvoices。
\"I’llbuyyourdog，\"saidAnthony。\"Thatwillpayyourdebts。\"AnthonyhandedthemoneytoCollins，pickedupthehalfdeaddog，and，holdinghimagainsthisimmaculatenewfrilledshirt，hestrodeawaytowardhisclaimoverthemountain。Thejack，whoseattitudehadhair，\"neverchanged\"bysomuchasthewavingofasuddenlyraisedanalertheadandashisbenefactorvanished，heambledquicklyafterhim。
Petesoughttostophimatthedoorandinonelightningandconcertedmovement，hebitandstruckandkicked，scatteringthecrowdinalldirections。WhenthemenwatchingAnthonydownthestreet，burstintolaughteratthebizarreprocession，theFrenchgirlsilencedthemwithfierce，hissingsyllables……
\"Heh!DudeAnthony，belovedoftheb—\"
\"Zosewordsyoushallnotcalllapetitehoundan’me。Evennameofadogisforsuchasyoutoogoodtobecall’。Monsieur，wetakepleasaireinyourdeparturefromhence。\"
\"Goon，pleasethelady，Buckeye。There’snootherjackasstokeepyouhereanylonger。\"
AndBuckeyedepartedinaperfectindigohazeofprofanity。
*****
\"Mignon，haveyouheardthenews？\"
\"Non，Monsieur，I’avesleepallzeday。\"
\"SpottyCollinswasfoundinBlueRavinethismorning，robbedandmurdered。Yousee，hehadalotofmoneyonhimfromthedogfight。\"
\"Butzebeeghound？\"
\"Hewasshot，too。\"
\"Zemurderer，zey’avecaught？\"
\"Notyet。Theysaythesheriff’sonhistrail，though。HejustgotbackfromSacramentoandhewentrightout。Byjinks，he’scomingnow!An’
he’sgot’im!\"
\"MonDieu!ItisMonsieurAnt’ony!\"
\"No!\"
\"Oui!Heem，mywoman’sheartknowswell。\"
\"Byjinks，youmustberight!There’sthefightin’jackfollowin’thehorses。DudeAnthonyofallpeople!\"
\"Itisnottrue!Itcannotbe!\"
\"ThinkI’vegotmyman，boys。Hisclothesarecoveredwithbloodandthemoneywasinhiscabin。\"
\"Ihavejustmadeastrikeinmyclaim。Thatismyownmoney。\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，butthecourtthinksyououghtn’ttokeepittoolong!\"
\"The’court’isinhiscups。He’ssittin’overthereintheplazawithhisbackagainsttheflagpole，an’hewon’tbudge。Youlisten—。
\"Judge，canIseeyoutoyourroomforafewhours’sleep？\"
\"Whatfor？\"askedthejudge，eyeingthequestionersolemnly。\"IsthereanythinginthestatutesoftheStateofCaliforniawhichforbidsmypre—emptingthissmallspaceonthehighway？Isthereanyreason，ifI
amsoinclined，thatIshouldnotteachmyfellow—citizensthegreatmorallessonoftheoverthrowanddebasementofgeniusbythedemonrum？
AmInotbetteremployedthanifinastifling，tobacco—perfumedcourtroom，beatinglawintothethickskullofalawyer，whodoesn’tknowBlackstonefromwhitequartz？But，ifyouhavefourbitsonyou，andshouldaskmetojoinyou—Ah，youhave？\"
\"Well，\"saidthesherifftoAnthony，aftertheyhadvanishedintoanearbar，\"I’llhavetoputyouinthejugtillcourtconvenes。\"
*****
BuckeyePetewascelebrating。Heseemedtobesuddenlyflushwith\"dust\"
andwasdispensingdrinkswithaliberalitywhichsoonbroughthimanumerousfollowing。Bymidnightitwasawell—mellowedassemblage。
\"Mignon，howlonghaveyoubeendealin’？\"
\"Abouttree，fourmont’，Monsieur。\"
\"Idon’tmeanhere。Imeanaltogether。\"
\"Aboutsixye—ar，Monsieur。\"
\"Youmustbewelloffbythistime。An’theysaythatyou’veearneditallworkin’，andthatyou’restraight。Say，I’llmarryyou，ifyousaytheword—\"
\"Yousay，theysay，toomuch，Monsieur。\"
\"Here!Don’tyougogivin’menoorders，youFrenchcrinolinefluff!\"
\"Iordairnoman，an’nomanisordairme!\"Shestaredhimdownwithherglittering，blackeyes，andreturnedtoherdealing。Petestrolledout，followedbyhissatellites。Whenthenoisesinthestreetgrewlouderitcausednoparticularcomment。Itwastheusualthing。ButwhenacrowdburstintotheRoyalFlush，Mignonsprangtoherfeetwithacryofanguish。
\"Dealtmearawdeal，didn’tyeh，yousmartFrenchie？\"gloatedBuckeyePete。\"Well，lookatyourman。Takeagoodlook，an’don’tmissthenecktiehe’swearin’。Prettyli’lropechokerwegotforDandyAnthony。
Ain’tnomancangokillin’an’getawaywithit，whileI’mhere，\"
lookingaroundforapplause。
\"Nameofapig!\"hissedMignon。\"You—youwould。\"
\"Sure’wewould!Rightoutonthelynchin’tree。\"Sheturnedanddashedfortherear。\"Zesheriff!Hemustcometoutesuite!\"
\"Min，\"whisperedSoft—soapJoe，thebartender，\"helefttwohoursagoonanewcase，otherwisetheywouldn’ta—dareddothis。\"
\"MonDieu!An’zejustice，heisintoxicate!MotherMarie，prayforhim，\"shecried，inherownlanguage，andsheranafterthelynchingparty。
Onceshestopped，shakingwithterroratwhatshetooktobeagrizzlyinthepath。Itwasonlythefightingdonkeystillfollowingthemasterwhomhehadadopted。Hemadehiswaytotheverycenterofthemob。TheFrenchgirlfollowedand，climbingontoabarrel，facedthecrowdwithflashingeyes。
\"Considerwhatyoudo!ThejudgmentoflebonDieuwillbeuponyou!\"
\"Aw!Chokeheroff!Pullherdown，somebody。\"
ButthethreeorfourwhotriedtoreachMignononherbarrelnexttotheboundmanonthehorsebeneaththehangingtree，fellvictimtothe\"greatestbattlingjackinthestate。\"
\"Myfriend，\"oratedtheoldjudgeafterwards，indescribingtheseevents，\"whatmereman，howeverfilledwithtanglefoot，couldfacethewickedteeth，andhoofs，andkickswhichhadconqueredwildTexasbulls，causedthemountainliontocringeinhislair，andtheinvinciblegrizzlytofleeacrosstheSierras？\"
Atanyrate，thelittledonkeywaseverywhereatonce，biting，striking，kicking，squealing，withthevenomandspeedandprecisionofarattlesnake，whileMignonrailed，unmindfulofAnthony’sprotests。
\"Zebloodonheesclothes!Bah!You’aveallsee’owheiscarryhomelapetiteso—hurtdog。Oui!zedogofMonsieurPete。WhoisknowwhereMonsieurCollinsisgofornewdogfight？MonsieurPete!WhohasangeratMonsieurAnt’onyforbecauseI，Mignon，’avelookonceagainatMonsieur，whoissokindtoallwhoIavepain？MonsieurPete!Whoisinsultgoodgirl？That’sme。MonsieurPete!Whoisspendmuchmoneytonight，whoyesterdaywasbr—r—oke？MonsieurPete!Who，zen，shouldyouswingonzerope？\"
Shewaited。Therewasabsolutesilencesaveforthecrackleoftheflamingpine—pitchtorches。
\"Ver’well，’’inalowvoice。\"I，me，Mignon，shallanswer。\"Againshepaused。Alongwaydownthecanyonsheheardhorsesgallopingonthehardroad。\"MonsieurPete!\"shescreamed，atthetopofhervoice。
Themobstruggledforward，yelling。
\"Ver’well!\"shecried，snatchingasilver—mountedpistoloutofherbosom。\"Comeon!Zejackass，heiske—e—llfive!I，Mignon，Ike—e—llfive!Tenshallgotolediablebeforemonbraveshallhang!\"
Theyhesitated，thoseinfrontpressingbackfromthecertaindeathwhichawaitedthem。Mignonsetherarmsakimbo，thegungleamingatherhip，andtauntedthemincontemptuousFrench。
Thehorsemenhadreachedthecampandsoonthunderedintoview。\"What’sthisgoingon，anyway？\"demandedthesheriff，angrily。\"AnthonyBarstowisinnocent。ThesemencanprovethattheyspentthenightatBarstow’scabin。WhenIlearnedthetruth，Icamestraightback。BuckeyePete，youthrowupyourhands!You’rewantedforthemurderofSpottyCollins。\"
MignontorethenoosefromAnthony’sneck，laughingandcryingintrueFrenchabandon。
\"Anthony，you’resnaredinanotherkindofnoose，\"laughedthesheriff。
\"Iknowyou’reneedin’yourarms，butthatrip—snortin’littlejackwon’tletmegetnearenoughtocutyourbonds。\"
\"BySalsifer!\"hesaid，lateron，\"I’llhavetoswearthatfightingjackinasadeputysheriff，andsethimtowatchin’roadagentsconfinedinthejail。Well，goodnight，all。Pete’slockedupsafeandsound。\"
Anhourlaterasoberbandofgrimspectresreturnedtothejail，overpoweredtheguard，and，forthesecondtimethatnight，tookoutgrislyfruittohangonthelynchingtree。Therewerenopineknotsandnoattemptsatconversationtilltheleaderasked：\"BuckeyePete，haveyouanythingtosaybeforeyoujoinyourMaker？\"
\"Ain’tnouseprayin’foryourself，\"spokeupanothervoice。\"BetterprayforthesoulofthemanyousenttoPurgatory，andforthewell—bein’oftheotherinnocentmanyoutriedtodestroy。\"
\"What’sthat？\"
\"It’sthatfightin’jack，prowlin’’round。\"
\"Let’improwl!Now，then，boys，areyouready？Thenpull!\"and，astheoldjudgealwaystoldinconclusion，\"theysay，asthemengaveamightyheaveontheropethedonkeyranforwardandkickedthebarrelfromunderthedoomedman’sfeet!\"