CONTENTS
MRS。SKAGGS’SHUSBANDS
HOWSANTACLAUSCAMETOSIMPSON’SBAR
THEPRINCESSBOBANDHERFRIENDS
THEILIADOFSANDYBAR
MR。THOMPSON’SPRODIGAL
THEROMANCEORMADRONOHOLLOW
THEPOETOFSIERRAFLAT
THECHRISTMASGIFTTHATCAMETORUPERT
MRS。SKAGGS’SHUSBANDS。
PARTI——WEST。
Thesunwasrisinginthefoot-hills。ButforanhourtheblackmassofSierraeastwardofAngel’shadbeenoutlinedwithfire，andtheconventionalmorninghadcometwohoursbeforewiththedowncoachfromPlacerville。Thedry，cold，dewlessCalifornianightstilllingeredinthelongcanyonsandfoldedskirtsofTableMountain。Evenonthemountainroadtheairwasstillsharp，andthaturgentnecessityforsomethingtokeepoutthechill，whichsentthebarkeepersleepilyamonghisbottlesandwineglassesatthestation，obtainedallalongtheroad。
Perhapsitmightbesaidthatthefirststiroflifewasinthebar-rooms。Afewbirdstwitteredinthesycamoresattheroadside，butlongbeforethatglasseshadclickedandbottlesgurgledinthesaloonoftheMansionHouse。Thiswasstilllitbyadissipated-
lookinghanging-lamp，whichwasevidentlytheworseforhavingbeenupallnight，andboreasingularresemblancetoafadedrevellerofAngel’s，whoeventhensputteredandflickeredinHISsocketinanarm-chairbelowit，——aresemblancesoplainthatwhenthefirstlevelsunbeampiercedthewindow-pane，thebarkeeper，movedbyasentimentofconsistencyandcompassion，putthembothouttogether。
Thenthesuncameuphaughtily。Whenithadpassedtheeasternridgeitbegan，afteritshabit，tolorditoverAngel’s，sendingthethermometeruptwentydegreesinasmanyminutes，drivingthemulestothesparseshadeofcorralsandfences，makingthereddustincandescent，andrenewingitsoldimperiousaggressiononthespikedbossesoftheconvexshieldofpinesthatdefendedTableMountain。Thitherbynineo’clockallcoolnesshadretreated，andthe\"outsides\"oftheupstageplungedtheirhotfacesinitsaromaticshadowsasinwater。
ItwasthecustomofthedriveroftheWingdamcoachtowhipuphishorsesandenterAngel’satthatremarkablepacewhichthewoodcutsinthehotelbar-roomrepresentedtocreduloushumanityastheusualrateofspeedofthatconveyance。Atsuchtimesthehabitualexpressionofdisdainfulreticenceandlazyofficialseveritywhichheworeontheboxbecameintensifiedastheloungersgatheredaboutthevehicle，andonlytheboldestventuredtoaddresshim。
ItwastheHon。JudgeBeeswinger，MemberofAssembly，whoto-daypresumed，perhapsrashly，onthestrengthofhisofficialposition。
\"Anypoliticalnewsfrombelow，Bill？\"heasked，asthelatterslowlydescendedfromhisloftyperch，without，however，anyperceptiblecomingdownofmienormanner。
\"Notmuch，\"saidBill，withdeliberategravity。\"ThePresidento’
theUnitedStateshezn’tbinhisselfsensyourefoosedthatseatintheCabinet。Theginralfeelin’inperliticalcirclesisoneo’
regret。\"
Irony，evenofthisoutrageousquality，wastoocommoninAngel’stoexciteeitherasmileorafrown。Billslowlyenteredthebar-
roomduringadry，deadsilence，inwhichonlyafaintspiritofemulationsurvived。
\"Yedidn’tbringupthataginto’Rothschild’sthistrip？\"askedthebarkeeper，slowly，bywayofvaguecontributiontotheprevailingtoneofconversation。
\"No，\"respondedBill，withthoughtfulexactitude。\"Hesaidhecouldn’tlookinterthatclaimo’Johnson’swithoutfirstconsultin’theBanko’England。\"
TheMr。Johnsonherealludedtobeingpresentasthefadedrevellerthebarkeeperhadlatelyputout，andastheallegedclaimnotoriouslypossessednoattractionswhatevertocapitalists，expectationnaturallylookedtohimforsomeresponsetothisevidentchallenge。Hedidsobysimplystatingthathewould\"takesugar\"inhis，andbywalkingunsteadilytowardthebar，asifacceptingafestiveinvitation。TothecreditofBillbeitrecordedthathedidnotattempttocorrectthemistake，butgravelytouchedglasseswithhim，andaftersaying\"Here’sanothernailinyourcoffin，\"——acheerfulsentiment，towhich\"Andthehairalloffyourhead，\"wasplayfullyaddedbytheothers，——hethrewoffhisliquorwithasingledexterousmovementofheadandelbow，andstoodrefreshed。
\"Hello，oldmajor！\"saidBill，suddenlysettingdownhisglass。
\"AreYOUthere？\"
Itwasaboy，who，becomingbashfullyconsciousthatthisepithetwasaddressedtohim，retreatedsidewaystothedoorway，wherehestoodbeatinghishatagainstthedoor-postwithanassumptionofindifferencethathisdowncastbutmirthfuldarkeyesandreddeningcheekscarcelyboreout。Perhapsitwasowingtohissize，perhapsitwastoacertaincherubicoutlineoffaceandfigure，perhapstoapeculiartrustfulnessofexpression，thathedidnotlookhalfhisage，whichwasreallyfourteen。
EverybodyinAngel’sknewtheboy。EitherunderthevenerabletitlebestowedbyBill，oras\"TomIslington，\"afterhisadoptedfather，hiswasafamiliarpresenceinthesettlement，andthethemeofmuchlocalcriticismandcomment。Hiswaywardness，indolence，andunaccountableamiability——aqualityatoncesuspiciousandgratuitousinapioneercommunitylikeAngel’s——hadoftenbeenthesubjectoffiercediscussion。Alargeandreputablemajoritybelievedhimdestinedforthegallows;aminoritynotquitesoreputableenjoyedhispresencewithouttroublingthemselvesmuchabouthisfuture;tooneortwotheevilpredictionsofthemajoritypossessedneithernoveltynorterror。
\"Anythingforme，Bill？\"askedtheboy，halfmechanically，withtheairofrepeatingsomejocularformularyperfectlyunderstoodbyBill。
\"Anythin’foryou！\"echoedBill，withanoveractedseverityequallywellunderstoodbyTommy，——\"anythin’foryou？No！Andit’smyopiniontherewon’tbeanythin’foryouezlongezyouhangaroundbar-roomsandspendyourvalooabletimewithloafersandbummers。
Git！\"
Thereproofwasaccompaniedbyasuitableexaggerationofgesture（Billhadseizedadecanter）beforewhichtheboyretreatedstillgood-humoredly。Billfollowedhimtothedoor。\"Dernmyskin，ifhehezn’tgoneoffwiththatbummerJohnson，\"headded，ashelookeddowntheroad。
\"What’sheexpectin’，Bill？\"askedthebarkeeper。
\"Aletterfromhisaunt。Reckonhe’llhevtotakeitoutinexpectin’。Likelythey’regladtogetshuto’him。\"
\"He’sleadin’ashiftless，idlelifehere，\"interposedtheMemberofAssembly。
\"Well，\"saidBill，whoneverallowedanyonebuthimselftoabusehisprotege，\"seein’heain’texpectin’nooffisfromthehandsofanenlightenedconstitooency，itISraytherashiftlesslife。\"
AfterdeliveringthisParthianarrowwithagratuitoustwangingofthebowtoindicateitsoffensivepersonality，Billwinkedatthebarkeeper，slowlyresumedapairofimmense，bulgybuckskingloves，whichgavehisfingerstheappearanceofbeingpainfullysoreandbandaged，strodetothedoorwithoutlookingatanybody，calledout，\"Allaboard，\"withaperfunctoryairofsupremeindifferencewhethertheinvitationwasheeded，remountedhisbox，anddrovestolidlyaway。
Perhapsitwaswellthathedidso，fortheconversationatonceassumedadisrespectfulattitudetowardTomandhisrelatives。ItwasmorethanintimatedthatTom’sallegedauntwasnoneotherthanTom’srealmother，whileitwasalsoassertedthatTom’sallegeduncledidnothimselfparticipateinthisintimaterelationshiptotheboytoanextentwhichthefastidioustasteofAngel’sdeemedmoralandnecessary。PopularopinionalsobelievedthatIslington，theadoptedfather，whoreceivedacertainstipendostensiblyfortheboy’ssupport，retaineditasarewardforhisreticenceregardingthesefacts。\"Heain’truinin’hisselfbywastin’itonTom，\"saidthebarkeeper，whopossiblypossessedpositiveknowledgeofmuchofIslington’sdisbursements。Butatthispointexhaustednaturelanguishedamongsomeofthedebaters，andheturnedfromthefrivolityofconversationtohissevererprofessionalduties。
ItwasalsowellthatBill’smomentaryattitudeofdidacticproprietywasnotfurtherexcitedbythesubsequentconductofhisprotege。ForbythistimeTom，halfsupportingtheunstableJohnson，whodevelopedatendencytooccasionallydashacrosstheglaringroad，butcheckedhimselfmidwayeachtime，reachedthecorralwhichadjoinedtheMansionHouse。Atitsfartherextremitywasapumpandhorse-trough。Here，withoutawordbeingspoken，butevidentlyinobediencetosomehabitualcustom，Tomledhiscompanion。Withtheboy’sassistance，Johnsonremovedhiscoatandneckcloth，turnedbackthecollarofhisshirt，andgravelyplacedhisheadbeneaththepump-spout。Withequalgravityanddeliberation，Tomtookhisplaceatthehandle。Forafewmomentsonlythesplashingofwaterandregularstrokesofthepumpbrokethesolemnlyludicroussilence。ThentherewasapauseinwhichJohnsonputhishandstohisdrippinghead，feltofitcriticallyasifitbelongedtosomebodyelse，andraisedhiseyestohiscompanion。\"ThatoughttofetchIT，\"saidTom，inanswertothelook。\"Efitdon’t，\"repliedJohnson，doggedly，withanairofrelievinghimselfofallfurtherresponsibilityinthematter，\"it’sgotto，thet’sall！\"
If\"it\"referredtosomechangeinthephysiognomyofJohnson，\"it\"
hadprobablybeen\"fetched\"bytheprocessjustindicated。Theheadthatwentunderthepumpwaslarge，andclothedwithbushy，uncertain-coloredhair;thefacewasflushed，puffy，andexpressionless，theeyesinjectedandfull。Theheadthatcameoutfromunderthepumpwasofsmallersizeanddifferentshape，thehairstraight，dark，andsleek，thefacepaleandhollow-cheeked，theeyesbrightandrestless。Inthehaggard，nervousasceticthatrosefromthehorse-troughtherewasverylittletraceoftheBacchusthathadbowedthereamomentbefore。FamiliarasTommusthavebeenwiththespectacle，hecouldnothelplookinginquiringlyatthetrough，asifexpectingtoseesometracesofthepreviousJohnsoninitsshallowdepths。
Anarrowstripofwillow，alder，andbuckeye——ameredusty，ravelledfringeofthegreenmantlethatsweptthehighshouldersofTableMountain——lappedtheedgeofthecorral。Thesilentpairwerequicktoavailthemselvesofevenitsscantshelterfromtheoverpoweringsun。Theyhadnotproceededfar，beforeJohnson，whowaswalkingquiterapidlyinadvance，suddenlybroughthimselfup，andturnedtohiscompanionwithaninterrogative\"Eh？\"
\"Ididn’tspeak，\"saidTommy，quietly。
\"Whosaidyouspoke？\"saidJohnson，withaquicklookofcunning。
\"Incourseyoudidn’tspeak，andIdidn’tspeak，neither。Nobodyspoke。Wotmakesyouthinkyouspoke？\"hecontinued，peeringcuriouslyintoTommy’seyes。
Thesmilewhichhabituallyshonetherequicklyvanishedastheboysteppedquietlytohiscompanion’sside，andtookhisarmwithoutaword。
\"Incourseyoudidn’tspeak，Tommy，\"saidJohnson，deprecatingly。
\"Youain’taboytogofortoplayanolesoakerlikeme。That’swotIlikeyoufor。Thet’swotIseedinyoufromthefirst。I
sez，’Thet’ereboyain’tgoin’toplayyou，Johnson！Youcangoyourwholepileonhim，whenyoucan’ttrustevenabar-keep。’
Thet’swotIsaid。Eh？\"
ThistimeTommyprudentlytooknonoticeoftheinterrogation，andJohnsonwenton：\"EfIwastoaskyouanotherquestion，youwouldn’tgotoplaymeneither，——wouldyou，Tommy？\"
\"No，\"saidtheboy。
\"EfIwastoaskyou，\"continuedJohnson，withoutheedingthereply，butwithagrowinganxietyofeyeandanervoustwitchingofhislips，——\"efIwastoaskyou，furinstance，efthatwasajackassrabbitthetjestpassed，——eh？——you’dsayitwasorwasnot，ezthecasemaybe。Youwouldn’tplaytheolemanonthet？\"
\"No，\"saidTommy，quietly，\"itWASajackassrabbit。\"
\"EfIwastoaskyou，\"continuedJohnson，\"efitwore，say，furinstance，agreenhatwithyallerribbons，youwouldn’tplayme，andsayitdid，onless，\"——headded，withintensifiedcunning，——
\"onlessitDID？\"
\"No，\"saidTommy，\"ofcourseIwouldn’t;butthen，yousee，IT
DID。\"
\"Itdid？\"
\"Itdid！\"repeatedTommy，stoutly;\"agreenhatwithyellowribbons——and——and——aredrosette。\"
\"Ididn’tgettoseetheros-ette，\"saidJohnson，withslowandconscientiousdeliberation，yetwithanevidentsenseofrelief;
\"butthatain’tsayin’itwarn’tthere，youknow。Eh？\"
Tommyglancedquietlyathiscompanion。Thereweregreatbeadsofperspirationonhisashen-grayforeheadandontheendsofhislankhair;thehandwhichtwitchedspasmodicallyinhiswascoldandclammy，theother，whichwasfree，hadavague，purposeless，jerkyactivity，asifattachedtosomederangedmechanism。Withoutanyapparentconcerninthesephenomena，Tommyhalted，and，seatinghimselfonalog，motionedhiscompaniontoaplacebesidehim。
Johnsonobeyedwithoutaword。Slightaswastheact，perhapsnootherincidentoftheirsingularcompanionshipindicatedascompletelythedominanceofthiscareless，half-effeminate，butself-possessedboyoverthisdoggedlyself-willed，abnormallyexcitedman。
\"Itain’tthesquarething，\"saidJohnson，afterapause，withalaughthatwasneithermirthfulnormusical，andfrightenedawayalizardthathadbeenregardingthepairwithbreathlesssuspense，——
\"itain’tthesquarethingforjackassrabbitstowearhats，Tommy，——isit，eh？\"
\"Well，\"saidTommy，withunmovedcomposure，\"sometimestheydoandsometimestheydon’t。Animalsaremightyqueer。\"AndhereTommywentoffinananimated，but，Iregrettosay，utterlyuntruthfulanduntrustworthyaccountofthehabitsofCaliforniafauna，untilhewasinterruptedbyJohnson。
\"Andsnakes，eh，Tommy？\"saidtheman，withanabstractedair，gazingintentlyonthegroundbeforehim。
\"Andsnakes，\"saidTommy;\"buttheydon’tbite，atleastnotthatkindyousee。There！——don’tmove，UncleBen，don’tmove;they’regonenow。Andit’sabouttimeyoutookyourdose。\"
Johnsonhadhurriedlyrisenasiftoleapuponthelog，butTommyhadasquicklycaughthisarmwithonehandwhilehedrewabottlefromhispocketwiththeother。Johnsonpaused，andeyedthebottle。\"Efyousayso，myboy，\"hefaltered，ashisfingersclosednervouslyaroundit;say’when，’then。\"Heraisedthebottletohislipsandtookalongdraught，theboyregardinghimcritically。\"When，\"saidTommy，suddenly。Johnsonstarted，flushed，andreturnedthebottlequickly。Butthecolorthathadrisentohischeekstayedthere，hiseyegrewlessrestless，andastheymovedawayagain，thehandthatrestedonTommy’sshoulderwassteadier。
TheirwaylayalongtheflankofTableMountain，——awanderingtrailthroughatangledsolitudethatmighthaveseemedvirginandunbrokenbutforafewoyster-cans，yeast-powdertins，andemptybottlesthathadbeenapparentlystrandedbythe\"firstlowwash\"
ofpioneerwaves。Ontheraggedtrunkofanenormouspinehungafewtuftsofgrayhaircaughtfromapassinggrizzly，butinstrangejuxtapositionatitsfootlayanemptybottleofincomparablebitters，——thechef-d’oeuvreofahygieniccivilization，andblazonedwiththearmsofanall-healingrepublic。Theheadofarattlesnakepeeredfromacasethathadcontainedtobacco，whichwasstillbrightlyplacardedwiththehigh-coloredeffigyofapopulardanseuse。Andalittlebeyondthisthesoilwasbrokenandfissured，therewasaconfusedmassofroughlyhewntimber，astragglinglineofsluicing，aheapofgravelanddirt，arudecabin，andtheclaimofJohnson。
Exceptfortherudestpurposesofshelterfromrainandcold，thecabinpossessedbutlittleadvantageoverthesimplesavageryofsurroundingnature。Ithadallthepracticaldirectnessofthehabitationofsomeanimal，withoutitscomfortorpicturesquequality;theverybirdsthathaunteditforfoodmusthavefelttheirownsuperiorityasarchitects。Itwasinconceivablydirty，evenwithitsscantcapacityforaccretion;itwassingularlystale，eveninitsnewnessandfreshnessofmaterial。Unspeakablydrearyasitwasinshadow，thesunlightvisiteditinablind，aching，purposelessway，asifdespairingofmellowingitsoutlinesorofeventanningitintocolor。
TheclaimworkedbyJohnsoninhisintervalsofsobrietywasrepresentedbyhalfadozenrudeopeningsinthemountain-side，withtheheaped-updebrisofrockandgravelbeforethemouthofeach。Theygaveverylittleevidenceofengineeringskillorconstructivepurpose，orindeedshowedanythingbutthevague，successivelyabandonedessaysoftheirprojector。To-daytheyservedanotherpurpose，forasthesunhadheatedthelittlecabinalmosttothepointofcombustion，curlingupthelongdryshingles，andstartingaromatictearsfromthegreenpinebeams，TommyledJohnsonintooneofthelargeropenings，andwithasenseofsatisfactionthrewhimselfpantinguponitsrockyfloor。Hereandtherethegratefuldampnesswascondensedinquietpoolsofwater，orinamonotonousandsoothingdripfromtherocksabove。
Withoutlaythestaringsunlight，——colorless，clarified，intense。
Forafewmomentstheylayrestingontheirelbowsinblissfulcontemplationoftheheattheyhadescaped。\"Wotdoyousay，\"saidJohnson，slowly，withoutlookingathiscompanion，butabstractlyaddressinghimselftothelandscapebeyond，——\"wotdoyousaytotwostraightgamesfuronethousanddollars？\"
\"Makeitfivethousand，\"repliedTommy，reflectively，alsotothelandscape，\"andI’min。\"
\"WotdoIoweyounow？\"saidJohnson，afteralengthenedsilence。
\"Onehundredandseventy-fivethousandtwohundredandfiftydollars，\"repliedTommy，withbusiness-likegravity。
\"Well，\"saidJohnson，afteradeliberationcommensuratewiththemagnitudeofthetransaction，\"efyouwin，callitahundredandeightythousand，round。War’sthekeerds？\"
Theywereinanoldtinboxinacreviceofarockabovehishead。
Theyweregreasyandwornwithservice。Johnsondealt，albeithisrighthandwasstilluncertain，——hovering，afterdroppingthecards，aimlesslyaboutTommy，andbeingonlyrecalledbyastrongnervouseffort。Yet，notwithstandingthisincapacityforevenhonestmanipulation，Mr。Johnsoncovertlyturnedaknavefromthebottomofthepackwithsuchshamelessinefficiencyandgratuitousunskilfulness，thatevenTommywasobligedtocoughandlookelsewheretohidehisembarrassment。Possiblyforthisreasontheyounggentlemanwashimselfconstrained，bywayofcorrection，toaddavaluablecardtohisownhand，overandabovethenumberhelegitimatelyheld。
Nevertheless，thegamewasunexciting，anddraggedlistlessly。
Johnsonwon。Herecordedthefactandtheamountwithastubofpencilandshakingfingersinwanderinghieroglyphicsalloverapocketdiary。Thentherewasalongpause，whenJohnsonslowlydrewsomethingfromhispocket，andhelditupbeforehiscompanion。Itwasapparentlyadullredstone。
\"Ef，\"saidJohnson，slowly，withhisoldlookofsimplecunning，——
\"efyouhappenedtopickupsicharockezthat，Tommy，whatmightyousayitwas？\"
\"Don’tknow，\"saidTommy。
\"Mightn’tyousay，\"continuedJohnson，cautiously，\"thatitwasgold，orsilver？\"
\"Neither，\"saidTommy，promptly。
\"Mightn’tyousayitwasquicksilver？Mightn’tyousaythateftharwasafriendo’yournezknewwartogoandturnouttentonofitaday，andeverytonworthtwothousanddollars，thathehadasoftthing，averysoftthing，——allowin’，Tommy，thatyouusedsichlanguage，whichyoudon’t？\"
\"But，\"saidtheboy，comingtothepointwithgreatdirectness，\"DO
youknowwheretogetit？haveyoustruckit，UncleBen？\"
Johnsonlookedcarefullyaround。\"Ihev，Tommy。Listen。Iknowwharthar’scartloadsofit。Butthar’sonlyoneotherspecimen——
thematetothisyer——thet’saboveground，andthet’sin’Frisco。
Thar’sanagintcomin’upinadayortwotolookintoit。Isentforhim。Eh？\"
Hisbright，restlesseyeswereconcentratedonTommy’sfacenow，buttheboyshowedneithersurprisenorinterest。LeastofalldidhebetrayanyrecollectionofBill’sironicalandgratuitouscorroborationofthispartofthestory。
\"Nobodyknowsit，\"continuedJohnson，inanervouswhisper，——
\"nobodyknowsitbutyouandtheagintin’Frisco。Theboysworkin’roundyarpassesbyandseestheoldmangrubbin’away，andnosignso’color，notevenrottenquartz;theboysloafin’roundtheMansionHouseseestheoldmanlyin’roundfreeinbar-rooms，andtheylaughsandsez，’Playedout，’andspectsnothin’。Maybeyethinktheyspectssuthinnow，eh？\"queriedJohnson，suddenly，withasharplookofsuspicion。
Tommylookedup，shookhishead，threwastoneatapassingrabbit，butdidnotreply。
\"WhenIfustseteyesonyou，Tommy，\"continuedJohnson，apparentlyreassured，\"thefustdayyoukemandpumpedforme，anentirestranger，andhevinnocalltodoit，Isez，’Johnson，Johnson，’
sezI，’yer’saboyyoukintrust。Yer’saboythatwon’tplayyou;yer’sachapthat’swhiteandsquare，’——whiteandsquare，Tommy：them’stheverywordsIused。\"
Hepausedforamoment，andthenwentoninaconfidentialwhisper，\"’Youwantcapital，Johnson，’sezI，’todevelopyourresources，andyouwantapardner。Capitalyoucansendfor，butyourpardner，Johnson，——yourpardnerisrightyer。Andhisname，itisTommyIslington。’Them’stheverywordsIused。\"
Hestoppedandchafedhisclammyhandsuponhisknees。\"It’ssixmonthsagosensImadeyoumypardner。Tharain’talickI’vestrucksensthen，Tommy，tharain’tahan’fulo’yearthI’vewashed，tharain’tashovelfulo’rockI’veturnedover，butI
tho’to’you。’Share，andsharealike，’sezI。WhenIwrotetomyagint，Iwroteekalformypardner，TommyIslington，hehevinnocalltoknowefthesamewasmanorboy。\"
Hehadmovednearertheboy，andwouldperhapshavelaidhishandcaressinglyuponhim，buteveninhismanifestaffectiontherewasasingularelementofawedrestraintandevenfear，——asuggestionofsomethingwithheldevenhisfullestconfidences，ahopelessperceptionofsomevaguebarrierthatnevercouldbesurmounted。
Hemayhavebeenattimesdimlyconsciousthat，intheeyeswhichTommyraisedtohis，therewasthoroughintellectualappreciation，criticalgood-humor，evenfemininesoftness，butnothingmore。Hisnervousnesssomewhatheightenedbyhisembarrassment，hewentonwithanattemptatcalmnesswhichhistwitchingwhitelipsandunsteadyfingersmadepatheticallygrotesque。\"Thar’sabillo’
saleinmybunk，madeoutaccordin’tolaw，ofanekalondividedhalfoftheclaim，andtheconsiderationistwohundredandfiftythousanddollars，——gamblingdebts，——gamblingdebtsfrommetoyou，Tommy，——youunderstand？\"——nothingcouldexceedtheintensecunningofhiseyeatthismoment，——\"andthenthar’sawill。\"
\"Awill？\"saidTommy，inamusedsurprise。
Johnsonlookedfrightened。
\"Eh？\"hesaid，hurriedly，\"wotwill？Whosaidanythin’’boutawill，Tommy？\"
\"Nobody，\"repliedTommy，withunblushingcalm。
Johnsonpassedhishandoverhiscoldforehead，wrungthedampendsofhishairwithhisfingers，andwenton：\"TimeswhenI’mtookbadezIwasto-day，theboysaboutyersez——yousez，maybe，Tommy——
it’swhiskey。Itain’t，Tommy。It’spizen，——quicksilverpizen。
That’swhat’sthematterwithme。I’msalviated！Salviatedwithmerkery。
\"I’veheerdo’itbefore，\"continuedJohnson，appealingtotheboy，\"andezaboyo’permiskusreading，Ireckonyouhevtoo。Themmenasworksincinnabarsoonerorlatergetssalviated。It’sboundtofetch’emsometime。Salviatedbymerkery。\"
\"Whatareyougoin’todoforit？\"askedTommy。
\"Whentheagintcomesup，andIbeginstorealizeonthisyermine，\"saidJohnson，contemplatively，\"IgoestoNewYork。Iseztothebarkeep’o’thehotel，’Showmethebiggestdoctorhere。’
Heshowsme。Iseztohim，’Salviatedbymerkery，——ayear’sstandin’，——howmuch？’Hesez，’Fivethousanddollars，andtaketwoo’thesepillsatbedtime，andanekilnumbero’powdersatmeals，andcomebackinaweek。’AndIgoesbackinaweek，cured，andsignsacertifikittothateffect。\"
EncouragedbyalookofinterestinTommy’seye，hewenton。
\"SoIgetscured。Igoestothebarkeep’，andIsez，’Showmethebiggest，fashionblesthousethet’sforsaleyer。’Andhesez，’Thebiggest，nat’rallyb’longstoJohnJacobAstor。’AndIsez，’Showhim，’andheshowshim。AndIsez，’Wotmightyouaskforthisyerhouse？’Andhelooksatmescornful，andsez，’Go’way，oldman;
youmustbesick。’AndIfetcheshimoneoverthelefteye，andheapologizes，andIgiveshimhisownpriceforthehouse。Istocksthathousewithmohoganyfurnitureandpervisions，andtharwelives，youandme，Tommy，youandme！\"
Thesunnolongershoneuponthehillside。TheshadowsofthepineswerebeginningtocreepoverJohnson’sclaim，andtheairwithinthecavernwasgrowingchill。Inthegatheringdarknesshiseyesshonebrightlyashewenton：\"Thentharcomesadaywhenwegivesabigspread。Weinvitesgovners，memberso’Congress，gentlemeno’fashion，andthelike。Andamong’emIinvitesaManasholdshisheadveryhigh，aManIonceknew;buthedoesn’tknowIknowshim，andhedoesn’trememberme。Andhecomesandhesitsoppositeme，andIwatcheshim。Andhe’sveryairy，thisMan，andverychipper，andhewipeshismouthwithawhitehankercher，andhesmiles，andheketchesmyeye。Andhesez，’Aglasso’winewithyou，Mr。Johnson’;andhefillshisglassandIfillsmine，andwerises。AndIheavesthatwine，glassandall，rightintohisdamnedgrinnin’face。Andhejumpsforme，——forheisverygame，thisMan，verygame，——butsomeon’emgrabshim，andhesez，’Whobeyou？’AndIsez，’Skaggs！damnyou，Skaggs！Lookatme！
Gimmebackmywifeandchild，gimmebackthemoneyyoustole，gimmebackthegoodnameyoutookaway，gimmebackthehealthyouruined，gimmebackthelasttwelveyears！Give’emtome，damnyou，quick，beforeIcutsyourheartout！’Andnaterally，Tommy，hecan’tdoit。AndsoIcutshisheartout，myboy;Icutshisheartout。\"
Thepurelyanimalfuryofhiseyesuddenlychangedagaintocunning。\"Youthinktheyhangsmeforit，Tommy，buttheydon’t。
Notmuch，Tommy。Igoestothebiggestlawyerthere，andIsaystohim，’Salviatedbymerkery，——youhearme，——salviatedbymerkery。’
Andhewinksatme，andhegoestothejudge，andhesez，’Thisyerunfortnetmanisn’tresponsible，——he’sbeensalviatedbymerkery。’
Andhebringswitnesses;youcomes，Tommy，andyousezezhowyou’veseenmetookbadafore;andthedoctor，hecomes，andhesezashowhe’sseenmefrightful;andthejury，withoutleavin’theirseats，bringsinaverdicto’justifiableinsanity，——salviatedbymerkery。\"
Intheexcitementofhisclimaxhehadrisentohisfeet，butwouldhavefallenhadnotTommycaughthimandledhimintotheopenair。
Inthissharperlighttherewasanoddchangevisibleinhisyellow-whiteface，——achangewhichcausedTommytohurriedlysupporthim，halfleading，halfdragginghimtowardthelittlecabin。Whentheyhadreachedit，Tommyplacedhimonarude\"bunk，\"orshelf，andstoodforamomentinanxiouscontemplationofthetremor-strickenmanbeforehim。Thenhesaidrapidly：
\"Listen，UncleBen。I’mgoin’totown——totown，youunderstand——
forthedoctor。You’renottogetupormoveonanyaccountuntilIreturn。Doyouhear？\"Johnsonnoddedviolently。\"I’llbebackintwohours。\"Inanothermomenthewasgone。
ForanhourJohnsonkepthisword。Thenhesuddenlysatup，andbegantogazefixedlyatacornerofthecabin。Fromgazingatithebegantosmile，fromsmilingatithebegantotalk，fromtalkingatithebegantoscream，fromscreaminghepassedtocursingandsobbingwildly。Thenhelayquietagain。
Hewassostillthattomerelyhumaneyeshemighthaveseemedasleepordead。Butasquirrel，that，emboldenedbythestillness，hadenteredfromtheroof，stoppedshortuponabeamabovethebunk，forhesawthattheman’sfootwasslowlyandcautiouslymovingtowardthefloor，andthattheman’seyeswereasintentandwatchfulashisown。Presently，stillwithoutasound，bothfeetwereuponthefloor。Andthenthebunkcreaked，andthesquirrelwhiskedintotheeavesoftheroof。Whenhepeeredforthagain，everythingwasquiet，andthemanwasgone。
AnhourlatertwomuleteersonthePlacervilleRoadpassedamanwithdishevelledhair，glaring，bloodshoteyes，andclothestornwithbrambleandstainedwiththereddustofthemountain。Theypursuedhim，whenheturnedfiercelyontheforemost，wrestedapistolfromhisgrasp，andbrokeaway。Laterstill，whenthesunhaddroppedbehindPayne’sRidge，theunderbrushonDeadwoodSlopecrackledwithastealthybutcontinuoustread。Itmusthavebeenananimalwhosedimlyoutlinedbulk，inthegatheringdarkness，showedhereandthereinvaguebutincessantmotion;itcouldbenothingbutananimalwhoseutterancewasatoncesoincoherent，monotonous，andunremitting。Yet，whenthesoundcamenearer，andthechaparralwasparted，itseemedtobeaman，andthatmanJohnson。
Abovethebayingofphantasmalhoundsthatpressedhimhardanddrovehimon，withneverrestormercy;abovethelashingofaspectralwhipthatcurledabouthislimbs，sanginhisears，andcontinuallystunghimforward;abovetheoutcriesoftheuncleanshapesthatthrongedabouthim，——hecouldstilldistinguishonerealsound，——therushandsweepofhurryingwaters。TheStanislausRiver！Athousandfeetbelowhimdroveitsyellowingcurrent。
Throughallthevacillationsofhisunseatedmindhehadclungtooneidea，——toreachtheriver，tolaveinit，toswimitifneedbe，buttoputitforeverbetweenhimandtheharryingshapes，todrownforeverinitsturbiddepthsthethrongingspectres，towashawayinitsyellowfloodallstainsandcolorofthepast。Andnowhewasleapingfrombouldertoboulder，fromblackenedstumptostump，fromgnarledbushtobush，caughtforamomentandwithheldbyclingingvines，orplungingdownwardintodustyhollows，until，rolling，dropping，sliding，andstumbling，hereachedtheriver-
bank，whereonhefell，rose，staggeredforward，andfellagainwithoutstretchedarmsuponarockthatbreastedtheswiftcurrent。Andtherehelayasdead。
AfewstarscameouthesitatinglyaboveDeadwoodSlope。Acoldwindthathadsprungupwiththegoingdownofthesunfannedthemintomomentarybrightness，swepttheheatedflanksofthemountain，andruffledtheriver。Wherethefallenmanlaytherewasasharpcurveinthestream，sothatinthegatheringshadowstherushingwaterseemedtoleapoutofthedarknessandtovanishagain。
Decayeddrift-wood，trunksoftrees，fragmentsofbrokensluicing，——
thewashandwasteofmanyamile，——sweptintosightamoment，andweregone。Allofdecay，wreck，andfoulnessgatheredinthelongcircuitofmining-campandsettlement，allthedregsandrefuseofacrudeandwantoncivilization，reappearedforaninstant，andthenwerehurriedawayinthedarknessandlost。Nowonderthatasthewindruffledtheyellowwatersthewavesseemedtolifttheiruncleanhandstowardtherockwhereonthefallenmanlay，asifeagertosnatchhimfromit，too，andhurryhimtowardthesea。
Itwasverystill。Intheclearairahornblownamileawaywashearddistinctly。ThejinglingofaspurandalaughonthehighwayoverPayne’sRidgesoundedclearlyacrosstheriver。TherattlingofharnessandhoofsforetoldformanyminutestheapproachoftheWingdamcoach，thatatlast，withflashinglights，passedwithinafewfeetoftherock。Thenforanhourallagainwasquiet。Presentlythemoon，roundandfull，liftedherselfabovetheserriedridgeandlookeddownupontheriver。AtfirstthebaredpeakofDeadwoodHillgleamedwhiteandskull-like。ThentheshadowsofPayne’sRidgecastontheslopeslowlysankaway，leavingtheunshapelystumps，thedustyfissures，andclingingoutcropofDeadwoodSlopetostandoutinblackandsilver。Stillstealingsoftlydownward，themoonlighttouchedthebankandtherock，andthenglitteredbrightlyontheriver。Therockwasbareandthemanwasgone，buttheriverstillhurriedswiftlytothesea。
\"Isthereanythingforme？\"askedTommyIslington，as，aweekafter，thestagedrewupattheMansionHouse，andBillslowlyenteredthebar-room。Billdidnotreply，but，turningtoastrangerwhohadenteredwithhim，indicatedwithajerkofhisfingertheboy。Thestrangerturnedwithanairhalfofbusiness，halfofcuriosity，andlookedcriticallyatTommy。\"Isthereanythingforme？\"repeatedTommy，alittleconfusedatthesilenceandscrutiny。Billwalkeddeliberatelytothebar，and，placinghisbackagainstit，facedTommywithalookofdemureenjoyment。
\"Ef，\"heremarkedslowly，——\"efahundredthousanddollarsdownandhalfamillioninperspektiveisennything，Major，THEREIS！\"
MRS。SKAGGS’SHUSBANDS。
PARTII——EAST。
ItwascharacteristicofAngel’sthatthedisappearanceofJohnson，andthefactthathehadlefthisentirepropertytoTommy，thrilledthecommunitybutslightlyincomparisonwiththeastoundingdiscoverythathehadanythingtoleave。ThefindingofacinnabarlodeatAngel’sabsorbedallcollateralfactsorsubsequentdetails。
Prospectorsfromadjoiningcampsthrongedthesettlement;thehillsideforamileoneithersideofJohnson’sclaimwasstakedoutandpre-empted;tradereceivedasuddenstimulus;and，intheexcitedrhetoricofthe\"WeeklyRecord，\"\"anewerahadbrokenuponAngel’s。\"\"OnThursdaylast，\"addedthatpaper，\"overfivehundreddollarswastakeninoverthebaroftheMansionHouse。\"
OfthefateofJohnsontherewaslittledoubt。Hehadbeenlastseenlyingonaboulderontheriver-bankbyoutsidepassengersoftheWingdamnightcoach，andwhenFinnofRobinson’sFerryadmittedtohavefiredthreeshotsfromarevolveratadarkobjectstrugglinginthewaterneartheferry，whichhe\"suspicioned\"tobeabear，thequestionseemedtobesettled。Whatevermighthavebeenthefallibilityofhisjudgment，oftheaccuracyofhisaimtherecouldbenodoubt。ThegeneralbeliefthatJohnson，afterpossessinghimselfofthemuleteer’spistol，couldhaverunamuck，gaveacertainretributivejusticetothisstory，whichrendereditacceptabletothecamp。
ItwasalsocharacteristicofAngel’sthatnofeelingofenvyoroppositiontothegoodfortuneofTommyIslingtonprevailedthere。
Thathewasthoroughlycognizant，fromthefirst，ofJohnson’sdiscovery，thathisattentionstohimwereinterested，calculating，andspeculativewas，however，thegeneralbeliefofthemajority，——
abeliefthat，singularlyenough，awakenedthefirstfeelingsofgenuinerespectforTommyevershownbythecamp。\"Heain’tnofool;YubaBillseedthetfromthefirst，\"saidthebarkeeper。ItwasYubaBillwhoappliedfortheguardianshipofTommyafterhisaccessiontoJohnson’sclaim，andonwhosebondstherichestmenofCalaveraswererepresented。ItwasYubaBill，also，whenTommywassentEasttofinishhiseducation，accompaniedhimtoSanFrancisco，and，beforepartingwithhischargeonthesteamer’sdeck，drewhimaside，andsaid，\"Efatennytimeyouwantennymoney，Tommy，overand’boveyour’lowance，youkinwrite;butefyou’lltakemyadvice，\"headded，withasuddenhuskinessmitigatingtheseverityofhisvoice，\"you’llforgeteverydernedolespavined，string-haltedbummerasyouevermetorknewatAngel’s，——ev’ryone，Tommy，——ev’ryone！Andso——boy——takecareofyourself——and——andGodblessye，andpertikerlyd——nmeforafirst-classA1fool。\"ItwasYubaBill，also，afterthisspeech，glaredsavagelyaround，walkeddownthecrowdedgang-plankwitharigidandaggressiveshoulder，pickedaquarrelwithhiscabman，and，afterbundlingthatfunctionaryintohisownvehicle，tookthereinshimself，anddrovefuriouslytohishotel。\"Itcostme，\"saidBill，recountingtheoccurrencesomewhatlateratAngel’s，——\"itcostmeamattero’twentydollarsaforethejedgethenextmornin’;butyoukinbethighthetItaughtthem’Friscochapssuthinnewaboutdrivin’。Ididn’tmakeitlivelyinMontgomeryStreetforabouttenminutes，——Ono！\"
AndsobydegreesthetwooriginallocatersofthegreatCinnabarlodefadedfromthememoryofAngel’s，andCalaverasknewthemnomore。Infiveyearstheirverynameshadbeenforgotten;inseventhenameofthetownwaschanged;intenthetownitselfwastransportedbodilytothehillside，andthechimneyoftheUnionSmeltingWorksbynightflickeredlikeacorpse-lightoverthesiteofJohnson’scabin，andbydaypoisonedthepurespicesofthepines。EventheMansionHousewasdismantled，andtheWingdamstagedesertedthehighwayforashortercutbyQuicksilverCity。
OnlythebaredcrestofDeadwoodHill，asofold，sharplycuttheclearbluesky，andatitsbase，asofold，theStanislausRiver，unweariedandunresting，babbled，whispered，andhurriedawaytothesea。
Amidsummer’sdaywasbreakinglazilyontheAtlantic。Therewasnotwindenoughtomovethevaporsinthefoggyoffing，butwherethevaguedistanceheavedagainstavioletskythereweredullredstreaksthat，growingbrighter，presentlypaintedoutthestars。
SoonthebrownrocksofGreyportappearedfaintlysuffused，andthenthewholeashenlineofdeadcoastwaskindled，andthelighthousebeaconswentoutonebyone。Andthenahundredsail，beforeinvisible，startedoutofthevaporyhorizon，andpressedtowardtheshore。Itwasmorning，indeed，andsomeofthebestsocietyinGreyport，havingbeenupallnight，werethinkingitwastimetogotobed。
Forastheskyflashedbrighteritfiredtheclusteringredroofsofapicturesquehousebythesandsthathadallthatnight，fromopenlatticeandilluminatedbalcony，givenlightandmusictotheshore。Itglitteredonthebroadcrystalspacesofagreatconservatorythatlookeduponanexquisitelawn，whereallnightlongtheblendedodorsofseaandshorehadswoonedunderthesummermoon。Butitwroughtconfusionamongthecoloredlampsonthelongveranda，andstartledagroupofladiesandgentlemenwhohadsteppedfromthedrawing-roomwindowtogazeuponit。Itwassosearchingandsincereinitsway，that，asthecarriageofthefairestMissGillyflowerrolledaway，thatpeerlessyoungwoman，catchingsightofherfaceintheovalmirror，instantlypulleddowntheblinds，and，nestlingthewhitestshouldersinGreyportagainstthecrimsoncushions，wenttosleep。
\"Howhaggardeverybodyis！Rose，dear，youlookalmostintellectual，\"saidBlancheMasterman。
\"Ihopenot，\"saidRose，simply。\"Sunrisesareverytrying。LookhowthatpinkregularlyputsoutMrs。Brown-Robinson，hairandall！\"
\"Theangels，\"saidtheCountdeNugat，withapolitegesturetowardthesky，\"musthavefindthesecelestialcombinationsverybadforthetoilette。\"
\"They’resafeinwhite，——exceptwhentheysitfortheirpicturesinVenice，\"saidBlanche。\"HowfreshMr。Islingtonlooks！It’sreallyuncomplimentarytous。\"
\"Isupposethesunrecognizesinmenorival，\"saidtheyoungman，demurely。\"But，\"headded，\"Ihavelivedmuchintheopenair，andrequireverylittlesleep。\"
\"Howdelightful！\"saidMrs。Brown-Robinson，inalow，enthusiasticvoiceandamannerthatheldtheglowingsentimentofsixteenandthepracticalexperiencesofthirty-twoindangerouscombination;——
\"howperfectlydelightful！Whatsunrisesyoumusthaveseen，andinsuchwild，romanticplaces！HowIenvyyou！Mynephewwasaclassmateofyours，andhasoftenrepeatedtomethosecharmingstoriesyoutellofyouradventures。Won’tyoutellsomenow？Do！
Howyoumusttireofusandthisartificiallifehere，sofrightfullyartificial，youknow\"（inaconfidentialwhisper）;\"andthentothinkofthedayswhenyouroamedthegreatWestwiththeIndians，andthebisons，andthegrizzlybears！Ofcourse，youhaveseengrizzlybearsandbisons？\"
\"Ofcoursehehas，dear，\"saidBlanche，alittlepettishly，throwingacloakoverhershoulders，andseizingherchaperonbythearm;\"hisearliestinfancywassoothedbybisons，andheproudlypointstothegrizzlybearastheplaymateofhisyouth。
Comewithme，andI’lltellyouallaboutit。Howgooditisofyou，\"sheadded，sottovoce，toIslington，ashestoodbythecarriage，——\"howperfectlygooditisofyoutobelikethoseanimalsyoutellusof，andnotknowyourfullpower。Think，withyourexperiencesandourcredulity，whatstoriesyouMIGHTtell！
Andyouaregoingtowalk？Goodnight，then。\"Aslim，glovedhandwasfranklyextendedfromthewindow，andthenextmomentthecarriagerolledaway。
\"Isn’tIslingtonthrowingawayachancethere？\"saidCaptainMerwin，ontheveranda。
\"Perhapshecouldn’tstandmylovelyaunt’ssuperaddedpresence。
Butthen，he’stheguestofBlanche’sfather，andIdaresaytheyseeenoughofeachotherasitis。\"
\"Butisn’titaratherdangeroussituation？\"
\"Forhim，perhaps;althoughhe’sawfullyold，andveryqueer。Forher，withanexperiencethattakesinalltheavailablemeninbothhemispheres，endingwithNugatoverthere，Ishouldsayamanmoreorlesswouldn’taffecthermuch，anyway。Ofcourse，\"helaughed，\"thesearetheaccentsofbitterness。Butthatwaslastyear。\"
PerhapsIslingtondidnotoverhearthespeaker;perhaps，ifhedid，thecriticismwasnotnew。Heturnedcarelesslyaway，andsaunteredoutontheroadtothesea。Thencehestrolledalongthesandstowardthecliffs，where，meetinganimpedimentintheshapeofagardenwall，heleapeditwithacertainagile，boyisheaseandexperience，andstruckacrossanopenlawntowardtherocksagain。ThebestsocietyofGreyportwerenotearlyrisers，andthespectacleofatrespasserinaneveningdressexcitedonlythecriticismofgroomshangingaboutthestables，orcleanlyhousemaidsonthebroadverandasthatinGreyportarchitecturedutifullygaveuponthesea。Onlyonce，asheenteredtheboundariesofCliffwoodLodge，thefamousseatofRenwyckMasterman，washeawareofsuspiciousscrutiny;butaslouchingfigurethatvanishedquicklyinthelodgeofferednooppositiontohisprogress。Avoidingthepathwaytothelodge，Islingtonkeptalongtherocksuntil，reachingalittlepromontoryandrusticpavilion，hesatdownandgazeduponthesea。
Andpresentlyaninfinitepeacestoleuponhim。Exceptwherethewaveslappedlazilythecragsbelow，thevastexpansebeyondseemedunbrokenbyripple，heavingonlyinbroadponderablesheets，andrhythmically，asifstillinsleep。Theairwasfilledwithaluminoushazethatcaughtandheldthedirectsunbeams。Inthedeepcalmthatlayuponthesea，itseemedtoIslingtonthatallthetendernessofculture，magicofwealth，andspellofrefinementthatforyearshadwroughtuponthatfavoredshorehadextendeditsgraciousinfluenceevenhere。Whatapamperedandcaressedoldoceanitwas;cajoled，flattered，andfetedwhereitlay！AnoddrecollectionoftheturbidStanislaushurryingbytheasceticpines，ofthegrimoutlinesofDeadwoodHill，swambeforehiseyes，andmadetheyellowgreenofthevelvetlawnandgracefulfoliageseemalmosttropicalbycontrast。And，lookingup，afewyardsdistanthebeheldatallslipofagirlgazinguponthesea，——
BlancheMasterman。
Shehadpluckedsomewherealargefan-shapedleaf，whichsheheldparasol-wise，shadingtheblondmassesofherhair，andhidinghergrayeyes。Shehadchangedherfestaldress，withitsamplitudeofflounceandtrain，foracloselyfittinghalf-antiquehabitwhosescantoutlineswouldhavebeentryingtolimbslessshapely，butwhichprettilyaccentedthegracefulcurvesandsweepinglinesofthisGreyportgoddess。AsIslingtonrose，shecametowardhimwithafranklyoutstretchedhandandunconstrainedmanner。Hadsheobservedhimfirst？Idon’tknow。
Theysatdowntogetheronarusticseat，MissBlanchefacingthesea，andshadinghereyeswiththeleaf。
\"Idon’treallyknowhowlongIhavebeensittinghere，\"saidIslington，\"orwhetherIhavenotbeenactuallyasleepanddreaming。Itseemedtoolovelyamorningtogotobed。Butyou？\"
Frombehindtheleaf，itappearedthatMissBlanche，onretiring，hadbeenpursuedbyahideouswingedbugwhichdefiedtheeffortsofherselfandmaidtodislodge。Odin，theSpitzdog，hadinsisteduponscratchingatthedoor。Anditmadehereyesredtosleepinthemorning。Andshehadanearlycalltomake。Andthesealookedlovely。
\"I’mgladtofindyouhere，whateverbethecause，\"saidIslington，withhisolddirectness。\"To-day，asyouknow，ismylastdayinGreyport，anditismuchpleasantertosaygoodbyunderthisblueskythanevenbeneathyourfather’swonderfulfrescosyonder。I
wanttorememberyou，too，aspartofthispleasantprospectwhichbelongstousall，ratherthanrecallyouinanybody’sparticularsetting。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidBlanche，withequaldirectness，\"thathousesareoneofthedefectsofourcivilization;butIdon’tthinkIeverheardtheideaaselegantlyexpressedbefore。Wheredoyougo？\"
\"Idon’tknowyet。Ihaveseveralplans。ImaygotoSouthAmericaandbecomepresidentofoneoftherepublics，——Iamnotparticularwhich。Iamrich，butinthatpartofAmericawhichliesoutsideofGreyportitisnecessaryforeverymantohavesomework。MyfriendsthinkIshouldhavesomegreataiminlife，withacapitalA。ButIwasbornavagabond，andavagabondIshallprobablydie。\"
\"Idon’tknowanybodyinSouthAmerica，\"saidBlanche，languidly。
\"Thereweretwogirlsherelastseason，buttheydidn’twearstaysinthehouse，andtheirwhitefrocksneverwereproperlydoneup。
IfyougotoSouthAmerica，youmustwritetome。\"
\"Iwill。CanyoutellmethenameofthisflowerwhichIfoundinyourgreenhouse。ItlooksmuchlikeaCaliforniablossom。\"
\"Perhapsitis。Fatherboughtitofahalf-crazyoldmanwhocamehereoneday。Doyouknowhim？\"
Islingtonlaughed。\"Iamafraidnot。Butletmepresentthisinalessbusiness-likefashion。\"
\"Thankyou。Remindmetogiveyouoneinreturnbeforeyougo，——orwillyouchooseyourself？\"
Theyhadbothrisenasbyacommoninstinct。
\"Goodby。\"
Thecoolflower-likehandlayinhisforaninstant。
\"WillyouobligemebyputtingasidethatleafamomentbeforeI
go？\"
\"Butmyeyesarered，andIlooklikeaperfectfright。\"
Yet，afteralongpause，theleaffluttereddown，andapairofverybeautifulbutwithalveryclearandcriticaleyesmethis。
Islingtonwasconstrainedtolookaway。Whenheturnedagain，shewasgone。
\"MisterHislington，——sir！\"
ItwasChalker，theEnglishgroom，outofbreathwithrunning。
\"Seein’youalone，sir，——begyourpardon，sir，——butthere’saperson——\"
\"Aperson！whatthedevildoyoumean？SpeakEnglish——no，damnit，Imeandon’t，\"saidIslington，snappishly。
\"Isedaperson，sir。Begpardon——nooffence——butnotagent，sir。
Inthelib’ry。\"
Alittleamusedeventhroughtheutterdissatisfactionwithhimselfandvaguelonelinessthathadsuddenlycomeuponhim，Islington，ashewalkedtowardthelodge，asked，\"Whyisn’theagent？
\"Nogent——beggin’yourpardin，sir——’udguyamaninsarvis，sir。
Takesme’andsso，sir，asIsitsintherumbleatthegate，andputs’emdowndso，sir，andsez，’Put’eminyourpocket，youngman，——orisitaroadagintyouexpectstosee，thatyou’oldshupyour’ands，handcrosses’emliketothat，’sezhe。’’Old’ard，’
sezhe，’ontheshortcurves，oryou’llbustyourpreciouscrust，’
sezhe。Andhasksforyou，sir。Thisway，sir。\"
Theyenteredthelodge。IslingtonhurrieddownthelongGothichall，andopenedthelibrarydoor。
Inanarm-chair，inthecentreoftheroom，amansatapparentlycontemplatingalarge，stiff，yellowhatwithanenormousbrim，thatwasplacedonthefloorbeforehim。Hishandsrestedlightlybetweenhisknees，butonefootwasdrawnupatthesideofhischairinapeculiarmanner。InthefirstglancethatIslingtongave，theattitudeinsomeodd，irreconcilablewaysuggestedabrake。Inanothermomenthedashedacrosstheroom，and，holdingoutbothhands，cried，\"YubaBill！\"
Themanrose，caughtIslingtonbytheshoulders，wheeledhimround，huggedhim，feltofhisribslikeagood-naturedogre，shookhishandsviolently，laughed，andthensaid，somewhatruefully，\"Andhoweverdidyouknowme？\"
SeeingthatYubaBillevidentlyregardedhimselfasinsomeelaboratedisguise，Islingtonlaughed，andsuggestedthatitmusthavebeeninstinct。
\"Andyou？\"saidBill，holdinghimatarm’slength，andsurveyinghimcritically，——\"you！——toethink——toethink——alittlecussnohighernoratrace，aboyasI’veflickedoutertheroadwithawhiptimeinagin，aboyezneverhedmuchclothestospeakof，turnedintoasport！\"
Islingtonremembered，withathrillofludicrousterror，thathestillworehiseveningdress。
\"Turned，\"continuedYubaBill，severely，——\"turnedintoarestyourantwaiter，——agarsong！Eh，Alfonse，bringmeapattydefoygrassandanomelette，demme！\"
\"Dearoldchap！\"saidIslington，laughing，andtryingtoputhishandoverBill’sbeardedmouth，\"butyou——YOUdon’tlookexactlylikeyourself！You’renotwell，Bill。\"Andindeed，asheturnedtowardthelight，Bill’seyesappearedcavernous，andhishairandbeardthicklystreakedwithgray。
\"Maybeit’sthisyerharness，\"saidBill，alittleanxiously。
\"WhenIhitchesonthisyercurb\"（heindicatedamassivegoldwatch-chainwithenormouslinks），\"andmountsthis’morningstar，’\"
（hepointedtoaverylargesolitairepinwhichhadtheappearanceofblisteringhiswholeshirt-front），\"itkinderweighsheavyonme，Tommy。OtherwiseI’mallright，myboy，——allright。\"ButheevadedIslington’skeeneye，andturnedfromthelight。
\"Youhavesomethingtotellme，Bill，\"saidIslington，suddenly，andwithalmostbrusquedirectness;\"outwithit。\"
Billdidnotspeak，butmoveduneasilytowardhishat，\"Youdidn’tcomethreethousandmiles，withoutawordofwarning，totalktomeofoldtimes，\"saidIslington，morekindly，\"gladasIwouldhavebeentoseeyou。Itisn’tyourway，Bill，andyouknowit。Weshallnotbedisturbedhere，\"headded，inreplytoaninquiringglancethatBilldirectedtothedoor，\"andIamreadytohearyou。\"
\"Firstly，then，\"saidBill，drawinghischairnearerIslington，\"answermeonequestion，Tommy，fairandsquare，andupanddown。\"
\"Goon，\"saidIslington，withaslightsmile。
\"EfIshouldsaytoyou，Tommy，——saytoyouto-day，righthere，youmustcomewithme，——youmustleavethisplaceforamonth，ayear，twoyearsmaybe，perhapsforever，——isthereanythingthat’udkeepyou，——anything，myboy，ezyoucouldn’tleave？\"
\"No，\"saidTommy，quietly;\"Iamonlyvisitinghere。IthoughtofleavingGreyportto-day。\"
\"ButifIshouldsaytoyou，Tommy，comewithmeonapaseartoChiny，toJapan，toSouthAmeriky，p’r’aps，couldyougo？\"
\"Yes，\"saidIslington，afteraslightpause。
\"Tharisn’tennything，\"saidBill，drawingalittlecloser，andloweringhisvoiceconfidentially，——\"ennythinginthewayofayoungwoman——youunderstand，Tommy——ezwouldkeepyou？They’remightysweetabouthere;andwhetheramanisyoungorold，Tommy，there’salwayssomewomanasisbrakeorwhiptohim！\"
Inacertainexcitedbitternessthatcharacterizedthedeliveryofthisabstracttruth，Billdidnotseethattheyoungman’sfaceflushedslightlyasheanswered\"No。\"
\"Thenlisten。It’ssevenyearsago，Tommy，thetIwasworkingoneo’thePioneercoachesoverfromGoldHill。EzIstoodinfronto’
thestage-office，thesheriffo’thecountycomestome，andhesez，’Bill，’sezhe，’I’vegotalooneychap，asI’minchargeof，taking’imdowntothe’syluminStockton。He’zquietandpeaceable，buttheinsidesdon’tliketoridewithhim。Hevyouennyobjectiontogivehimaliftontheboxbesideyou？’Isez，’No;puthimup。’WhenIcametogoandgetuponthatboxbesidehim，thatman，Tommy，——thatmansittin’there，quietandpeaceable，was——Johnson！
\"Hedidn’tknowme，myboy，\"YubaBillcontinued，risingandputtinghishandsonTommy’sshoulders，——\"hedidn’tknowme。Hedidn’tknownothingaboutyou，norAngel’s，northequicksilverlode，norevenhisownname。HesaidhisnamewasSkaggs，butI
knowditwasJohnson。Tharwastimes，Tommy，youmighthaveknockedmeoffthatboxwithafeather;tharwastimeswhenifthetwenty-sevenpassengerso’thatstagehedfoundtheirselvesswimmingintheAmericanRiverfivehundredfeetbelowtheroad，I
nevercouldhaveexplaineditsatisfactorilytothecompany，——
never。
\"Thesheriffsaid，\"Billcontinuedhastily，asiftoprecludeanyinterruptionfromtheyoungman，——\"thesheriffsaidhehadbeenbroughtintoMurphy’sCampthreeyearsbefore，drippingwithwater，andsufferin’fromperkussionofthebrain，andhadbeencaredforgenerallybytheboys’round。WhenItoldthesheriffIknowed’im，Igothimtoleavehiminmycare;andItookhimto’Frisco，Tommy，to’Frisco，andIputhiminchargeo’thebestdoctorsthere，andpaidhisboardmyself。Therewasnothin’hedidn’thaveezhewanted。Don’tlookthatway，mydearboy，forGod’ssake，don’t！\"
\"OBill，\"saidIslington，risingandstaggeringtothewindow，\"whydidyoukeepthisfromme？\"
\"Why？\"saidBill，turningonhimsavagely，——\"why？becauseIwarn’tafool。Tharwasyou，winnin’yourwayincollege;tharwasYOU，risin’intheworld，andofsomeaccounttoit;yerwasanoldbummer，ezgoodezdeadtoit，——amanezoughterbeendeadafore！amanezneverdeniedit！Butyoualluslikedhimbetternorme，\"
saidBill，bitterly。