TheRev。HenryGushington，D。D。，ofBoston，makingabronchialtourofCalifornia，wrotetothe\"ChristianPathfinder\"anaffectingaccountofhisvisittothem，placedDaddyDowney’sageat102，andattributedtherecentconversionsinRough-and-Readytotheirinfluence。ThatgiftedliteraryHessian，BillSmith，travelingintheinterestsofvariouscapitalists，andthetrustworthycorrespondentoffour\"onlyindependentAmericanjournals，\"quotedhimasanevidenceofthelongevitysuperinducedbytheclimate，offeredhimasanexampleofthesecurityofhelplesslifeandpropertyinthemountains，usedhimasanadvertisementoftheUnionDitch，anditissaidinsomevaguewaycitedhimasprovingthecollateralfactsofatimberandore-producingregionexistinginthefoot-hillsworthytheattentionofEasterncapitalists。
Praisedthusbythelipsofdistinguishedreport，fosteredbythecareandsustainedbythepecuniaryofferingsoftheirfellow-
citizens，theSaintsledfortwoyearsapeacefullifeofgentleabsorption。Torelievethemfromtheembarrassingappearanceofeleemosynaryreceipts，——anembarrassmentfeltmorebythegiversthantherecipients，——thepostmastershipofRough-and-ReadywasprocuredforDaddy，andthedutyofreceivinganddeliveringtheUnitedStatesmailsperformedbyhim，withtheadviceandassistanceoftheboys。Ifafewletterswentastrayatthistime，itwaseasilyattributedtothisundisciplinedaid，andtheboysthemselveswerealwaysreadytomakeupthevalueofamissingmoney-letterand\"keeptheoldman’saccountssquare。\"TothesefunctionspresentlywereaddedthetreasurershipsoftheMasons’
andOddFellows’charitablefunds，——theoldmanbeingfaradvancedintheirrespectivedegrees，——andeventhepositionofalmoneroftheirbountieswassuper-added。Here，unfortunately，Daddy’shabitsofeconomyandavariciouspropensitycamenearmakinghimunpopular，andveryoftenneedybrotherswereforcedtoobjecttothequantityandqualityofthehelpextended。Theyalwaysmetwithmoregenerousrelieffromtheprivatehandsofthebrothersthemselves，andtheremark，\"thattheol’manwastryingtosetanexample，——thathemeantwell，\"——andthattheywouldyetbethankfulforhiszealouscareandeconomy。Afew，Ithink，sufferedinnoblesilence，ratherthanbringtheoldman’sinfirmitytothepublicnotice。
AndsowiththishonorofDaddyandMammy，thedaysoftheminerswerelongandprofitableinthelandofthefoot-hills。Theminesyieldedtheirabundance，thewintersweresingularlyopenandyettherewasnodrouthnorlackofwater，andpeaceandplentysmiledontheSierreanfoothills，fromtheirhighestsunnyuplandtothetrailingfaldaofwildoatsandpoppies。Ifacertainsuperstitiongotabroadamongtheothercamps，connectingthefortunesofRough-
and-ReadywithDaddyandMammy，itwasagentle，harmlessfancy，andwasnot，Ithink，altogetherrejectedbytheoldpeople。A
certainlarge，patriarchal，bountifulmanner，oflatevisibleinDaddy，andtheincreaseofmuchwhitehairandbeard，keptupthepoeticillusion，whileMammy，daybyday，grewmoreandmorelikesomebody’sfairygodmother。Anattemptwasmadebyarivalcamptoemulatethesepayingvirtuesofreverence，andanagedmarinerwasprocuredfromtheSailor’sSnugHarborinSanFrancisco，ontrial。
Buttheunfortunateseamanwasmoreorlessdiseased，wasnotalwayspresentable，throughaweaknessforardentspirits，andfinally，tousethepowerfulidiomofoneofhisdisappointedfoster-children，\"upanddiedinaweek，withoutslingingaryblessin’。\"
Butvicissitudereachesyoungandoldalike。YouthfulRough-and-
ReadyandtheSaintshadclimbedtotheirmeridiantogether，anditseemedfitthattheyshouldtogetherdecline。ThefirstshadowfellwiththeimmigrationtoRough-and-Readyofasecondagedpair。
ThelandladyoftheIndependenceHotelhadnotabatedhermalevolencetowardstheSaints，andhadimportedatconsiderableexpensehergrand-auntandgrand-uncle，whohadbeenenjoyingforsomeyearsasequesteredretirementinthepoorhouseatEastMachias。Theywereindeedveryold。Bywhatmiracle，evenasanatomicalspecimens，theyhadbeenpreservedduringtheirlongjourneywasamysterytothecamp。Insomerespectstheyhadsuperiormemoriesandreminiscences。Theoldman——AbnerTrix——hadshoulderedamusketinthewarof1812；hiswife，Abigail，hadseenLadyWashington。Shecouldsinghymns；hekneweverytextbetween\"theleds\"ofaBible。Thereislittledoubtbutthatinmanyrespects，tothesuperficialandgiddycrowdofyouthfulspectators，theywerethemoreinterestingspectacle。
Whetheritwasjealousy，distrust，ortimiditythatovercametheSaints，wasneverknown，buttheystudiouslydeclinedtomeetthestrangers。Whendirectlyapproacheduponthesubject，DaddyDowneypleadedillness，kepthimselfincloseseclusion，andtheSundaythattheTrixesattendedchurchintheschool-houseonthehill，thetriumphoftheTrixpartywasmitigatedbythefactthattheDowneyswerenotintheiraccustomedpew。\"YoubetthatDaddyandMammyislyinglowjesttoketchthemoldmummiesyet，\"explainedaDowneyite。Forbythistimeschismanddivisionhadcreptintothecamp；theyoungerandlatermembersofthesettlementadheringtotheTrixes，whiletheolderpioneersstoodnotonlyloyaltotheirownfavorites，buteven，inthetruespiritofpartisanship，begantoseekforaprincipleunderlyingtheirpersonalfeelings。\"I
tellyewhat，boys，\"observedSweetwaterJoe，\"ifthisyercampisgoin’toberunbygreenhorns，andoldpioneers，likeDaddyandtherestofus，musttakebackseats，it’stimeweemigratedandshovedout，andtukDaddywithus。Why，they’retalkin’ofrotationinoffiss，andofputtingthatskeletonthatMa’amDeckersetsupatthetable，totakeherboarders’appetitesaway，intothepost-
officeinplaceo’Daddy。\"And，indeed，thereweresomefearsofsuchaconclusion；thenewermenofRough-and-Readywereinthemajority，andwieldedamorethanequalinfluenceofwealthandoutsideenterprise。\"Frisco，\"asaDowneyitebitterlyremarked，\"alreadyownedhalfthetown。\"TheoldfriendsthatralliedaroundDaddyandMammywere，likemostloyalfriendsinadversity，inbadcasethemselves，andwerebeginningtolookandact，itwasobserved，notunliketheiroldfavorites。
AtthisjunctureMammydied。
ThesuddenblowforafewdaysseemedtoreunitedisseveredRough-
and-Ready。BothfactionshastenedtothebereavedDaddywithcondolements，andoffersofaidandassistance。Buttheoldmanreceivedthemsternly。Achangehadcomeovertheweakandyieldingoctogenarian。Thosewhoexpectedtofindhimmaudlin，helpless，disconsolate，shrankfromthecold，hardeyesandtruculentvoicethatbadethem\"begone，\"and\"leavehimwithhisdead。\"Evenhisownfriendsfailedtomakehimrespondtotheirsympathy，andwerefaintocontentthemselveswithhiscoldintimationthatboththewishesofhisdeadwifeandhisowninstinctswereagainstanydisplay，orthereceptionofanyfavorfromthecampthatmighttendtokeepupthedivisionstheyhadinnocentlycreated。TherefusalofDaddytoacceptanyserviceofferedwassounlikehimastohavebutonedreadfulmeaning！Thesuddenshockhadturnedhisbrain！Yetsoimpressedweretheywithhisresolutionthattheypermittedhimtoperformthelastsadofficeshimself，andonlyaselectfewofhisnearerneighborsassistedhimincarryingtheplaindealcoffinfromhislonelycabininthewoodstothestillloneliercemeteryonthehill-top。
Whentheshallowgravewasfilled，hedismissedeventhesecurtly，shuthimselfupinhiscabin，andfordaysremainedunseen。Itwasevidentthathewasnolongerinhisrightmind。
Hisharmlessaberrationwasacceptedandtreatedwithadegreeofintelligentdelicacyhardlytobebelievedofsoroughacommunity。
Duringhiswife’ssuddenandsevereillness，thesafecontainingthefundsintrustedtohiscarebythevariousbenevolentassociationswasbrokenintoandrobbed，andalthoughtheactwasclearlyattributabletohiscarelessnessandpreoccupation，allallusiontothefactwaswithheldfromhiminhissevereaffliction。Whenheappearedagainbeforethecamp，andthecircumstanceswereconsideratelyexplainedtohim，withtheremarkthat\"theboyshadmadeitallright，\"thevacant，hopeless，unintelligenteyethatheturneduponthespeakershowedtooplainlythathehadforgottenallaboutit。\"Don’ttroubletheoldman，\"saidWhiskyDick，withaburstofhonestpoetry。\"Don’tyeseehismemory’sdead，andlyingthereinthecoffinwithMammy？\"
Perhapsthespeakerwasnearerrightthanheimagined。
Failinginreligiousconsolation，theytookvariousmeansofdivertinghismindwithworldlyamusements，andonewasavisittoatravelingvarietytroupe，thenperforminginthetown。TheresultofthevisitwasbrieflytoldbyWhiskyDick。\"Well，sir，wewentin，andIsottheoldmandowninafrontseat，andkinderproppedhimupwithsomeotherofthefellersroundhim，andtherehesotassilentandawfulezthegrave。Andthenthatfancydancer，MissGraceSomerset，comesin，anddernmyskin，eftheoldmandidn’tgettotremblingandfidgetingallover，asshecutthempidginwings。Itellyewhat，boys，menismen，waydowntotheirboots，——whetherthey’recrazyornot！Well，hetookonso，thatI’mblamedifatlastthatgalHERSELFdidn’tnoticehim！andsheups，suddenly，andblowshimakiss——so！withherfingers！\"
Whetherthisnarrationwereexaggeratedornot，itiscertainthattheoldmanDowneyeverysucceedingnightoftheperformancewasaspectator。Thathemayhaveaspiredtomorethanthatwassuggestedadayortwolaterinthefollowingincident：AnumberoftheboysweresittingaroundthestoveintheMagnoliasaloon，listeningtotheonsetofawinterstormagainstthewindows，whenWhiskyDick，tremulous，excited，andbristlingwithrain-dropsandinformation，brokeinuponthem。
\"Well，boys，I’vegotjustthebiggestthingout。EfIhadn’tseeditmyself，Iwouldn’thevbelievedit！\"
\"Itain’tthetghostag’in？\"growledRobinson，fromthedepthsofhisarm-chair；\"thetghost’saboutplayed。\"
\"Wotghost？\"askedanew-comer。
\"Why，oleMammy’sghost，thateveryfelleraboutyerseeswhenhe’shalffullandoutlateo’nights。\"
\"Where？\"
\"Where？Why，whereshouldaghostbe？Meanderin’roundhergraveonthehill，yander，incourse。\"
\"It’ssuthinbiggernorthet，pard，\"saidDickconfidently；\"noghostkinrakedownthepotag’inthekeerdsI’vegothere。Thisain’tnobluff！\"
\"Well，goon！\"saidadozenexcitedvoices。
Dickpausedamoment，diffidently，withthehesitationofanartisticraconteur。
\"Well，\"hesaid，withaffecteddeliberation，\"let’ssee！It’snighontoanhouragoezIwasdowntharatthevarietyshow。Whenthecurtainwasdownbetwixttheax，IlooksroundferDaddy。NoDaddythar！Igoesoutandaskssomeo’theboys。’DaddyWASthereaminnitago，’theysay；’musthevgonehome。’Bein’kinderresponsiblefortheoldman，Ihangsaround，andgoesoutinthehallandseesapassageleadin’behindthescenes。Nowthequeerthingaboutthis，boys，ezthatsuthininmybonestellsmetheoldmanisTHAR。Ipushesin，and，sureasagun，Ihearshisvoice。
Kinderpathetic，kinderpleadin’，kinder——\"
\"Love-makin’！\"brokeintheimpatientRobinson。
\"You’vehitit，pard，——you’verungthebelleverytime！Butshesays，’wantsthetmoneydown，orI’ll——’andhereIcouldn’tgettoheartherest。Andthenhekindercoaxes，andshesays，sortersassy，butlistenin’allthetime，——womanlike，yeknow，Eveandthesarpint！——andshesays，’I，llseeto-morrow。’Andhesays，’Youwon’tblowonme？’andIgetsexcitedandpeepsin，andmayI
beteetotallydurnedefIdidn’tsee——\"
\"What？\"yelledthecrowd。
\"Why，DADDYONHISKNEESTOTHATTHEREFANCYDANCER，GraceSomerset！Now，ifMammy’sghostismeanderin’round，why，et’sabouttimesheleftthecemeteryandputinanappearanceinJackson’sHall。Thet’sall！\"
\"Lookyar，boys，\"saidRobinson，rising，\"Idon’tknowezit’sthesquarethingtospileDaddy’sfun。Idon’tobjecttoit，providedsheain’ttakin’intheoldman，andgivin’himdeadaway。Butezwe’rehisguardeens，Iproposethatwegodowntharandseethelady，andfindoutefherintentionsishonorable。Ifshemeansmarry，andtheoldmanpersists，why，Ireckonwekingivetheyoungcoupleasend-offthetwon’tdisgracethisyercamp！Hey，boys？\"
Itisunnecessarytosaythatthepropositionwasreceivedwithacclamation，andthatthecrowdatoncedepartedontheirdiscreetmission。Buttheresultwasneverknown，forthenextmorningbroughtashocktoRough-and-Readybeforewhichallotherinterestpaledtonothingness。
ThegraveofMammyDowneywasfoundviolatedanddespoiled；thecoffinopened，andhalffilledwiththepapersandaccountsoftherobbedbenevolentassociations；butthebodyofMammywasgone！
Nor，onexamination，diditappearthatthesacredandancientformofthatfemalehadeverreposedinitsrecesses！
DaddyDowneywasnottobefound，norisitnecessarytosaythattheingenuousGraceSomersetwasalsomissing。
ForthreedaysthereasonofRough-and-Readytrembledinthebalance。Noworkwasdoneintheditches，intheflume，norinthemills。GroupsofmenstoodbythegraveofthelamentedrelictofDaddyDowney，asopen-mouthedandvacantasthatsepulchre。Neversincethegreatearthquakeof’52hadRough-and-Readybeensostirredtoitsdeepestfoundations。
OnthethirddaythesheriffofCalaveras——aquiet，gentle，thoughtfulman——arrivedintown，andpassedfromonetotheotherofexcitedgroups，droppinghereandtheredetachedbutconciseandpracticalinformation。
\"Yes，gentlemen，youareright，Mrs。Downeyisnotdead，becausetherewasn’tanyMrs。Downey！HerpartwasplayedbyGeorgeF。
Fenwick，ofSydney，——a’ticket-of-leave-man，’whowas，theysay，agoodactor。Downey？Oh，yesDowneywasJemFlanigan，who，in’52，usedtorunthevarietytroupeinAustralia，whereMissSomersetmadeherdebut。Standbackalittle，boys。Steady！’Themoney？’
Oh，yes，they’vegotawaywiththat，sure！Howareye，Joe？Why，you’relookingwellandhearty！Iratherexpectedyecourtweek。
How’sthingsyourway？\"
\"Thentheywereonlyplay-actors，JoeHall？\"brokeinadozenvoices。
\"Ireckon！\"returnedthesheriff，coolly。
\"Andforamattero’fiveblankyears，\"saidWhiskyDick，sadly，\"theyplayedthiscamp！\"
\"JINNY\"
Ithinkthatthefewwhowerepermittedtoknowandlovetheobjectofthissketchspenttherestoftheirdaysnotonlyinanattitudeofapologyforhavingatfirstfailedtorecognizeherhighernature，butofremorsethattheyshouldhaveeverlentacredulouseartoaprioritraditionconcerningherfamilycharacteristics。
Shehadnotescapedthatcalumnywhichshesharedwiththerestofhersexforthoseyouthfulfollies，levities，andindiscretionswhichbelongtoimmaturity。Itisveryprobablethatthefirmnessthatdistinguishedhermaturerwillinyouthmighthavebeentakenforobstinacy，thathernicediscriminationmightatthesameperiodhavebeentakenforadolescentcaprice，andthatthepositiveexpressionofherquickintellectmighthavebeenthoughtyouthfulimpertinencebeforeheryearshadwonrespectforherjudgment。
ShewasfoaledatIndianCreek，andonemonthlater，whenshewasbroughtovertoSawyer’sBar，wasconsideredthesmallestdonkeyeverseeninthefoot-hills。Thelegendthatshewasbroughtoverinoneof\"DantheQuartzCrusher’s\"bootsrequiredcorroborationfromthatgentleman；buthisdenialbeingevidentlybaseduponamasculinevanityregardingthesizeofhisfootratherthanadesiretobehistoricallyaccurate，itwentfornothing。ItiscertainthatforthenexttwomonthssheoccupiedthecabinofDan，until，perhapsincensedatthisandotherscandals，sheonenightmadeherwayout。\"Ihadn’ttheleastideewotwozcomin’，\"saidDan，\"butaboutmidnightIseemedtohearhailontotheroof，andashowerofrocksandstonesliketoablaststartedinthecanyon。
WhenIgotupandstruckalight，tharwassuthin’likeontoacordo’kindlin’woodandsplinterswharshe’dstoodasleep，andaholeinthesideo’theshanty，and——noJinny！Lookin’atthemhoofso’
hern——andmightyportytheyistolookat，too——youwouldallowshecoulddoit！\"Ifearthatthisperformancelaidthefoundationofherlaterinfelicitousreputation，andperhapsawakenedinheryouthfulbreastamisplacedambition，andanemulationwhichmightatthattimehavebeendivertedintoanoblerchannel。Forthefameofthisjuvenileperformance——anditspossiblepromiseinthefuture——broughtatonceuponherthedangerousflatteryandattentionofthewholecamp。Underintelligentlydirectedprovocationshewouldrepeathermisguidedexercise，untilmostofthescantyfurnitureofthecabinwasreducedtoahopelesswreck，andsprainsandcallositiesweredevelopeduponthelimbsofheradmirers。Yetevenatthisearlystageofherhistory，thatpenetratingintellectwhichwasinafteryearsherdominantqualitywasevidenttoall。Shecouldnotbemadetokickatquartztailings，atabarrelofBostoncrackers，orattheheadorshinof\"NiggerPete。\"Anartisticdiscriminationeconomizedhersurplusenergy。\"Efyou’llnotiss，\"saidDan，withalargeparentalsoftness，\"sheneverletsherselfouttoonstlikethemmulesoranyjackassezI’veheerdof，butkinderholdsherselfin，and，sotospeak，takesherbearings——sorterfeelsroundgentlywiththatofffoot，takesherdistanceandherrest，andthenwiththatar’
foothoverin’roundintheairsoftly，likeanangel’swing，andagentle，dreamykindo’lookinthemeyes，shelitesout！Don’tye，Jinny？Thar！jistezItoldye，\"continuedDan，withanartist’snobleforgetfulnessofself，asheslowlycrawledfromthesplinteredruinofthebarrelonwhichhehadbeensitting。\"Thur！
didyeeverseethelike！DidyedreamthatallthewhileIwastalkin’shewasameditatin’that？\"
Thesameartisticperceptionandnoblereticencedistinguishedherbray。Itwasoneofwhichalesssagaciousanimalwouldhavebeenfoolishlyvainorostentatiouslyprodigal。Itwasacontraltoofgreatcompassandprofundity——reachingfromlowGtohighC——
perhapsatriflestrongerinthelowerregister，andnotaltogetherfreefromanasalfalsettointheupper。Daringandbrilliantasitwasinthemiddlenotes，itwasperhapsmoremusicallyremarkableforitsgreatsustainingpower。Theelementofsurprisealwaysenteredintothehearer’senjoyment；longafteranyordinarystrainofhumanoriginwouldhaveceased，faintechoesofJinny’slastnotewereperpetuallyrecurring。Butitwasasanintellectualandmoralexpressionthatherbraywasperfect。Asfarbeyondhersizeaswereheraspirations，itwasafreeandrunningcommentaryofscornatallcreatedthingsextant，withironicalandsardonicadditionsthatwereterrible。Itreviledallhumanendeavor，itquenchedallsentiment，itsuspendedfrivolity，itscatteredreverie，itparalyzedaction。Itwasomnipotent。
Morewonderfulandcharacteristicthanall，theveryexistenceofthistremendousorganwasunknowntothecampforsixmonthsafterthearrivalofitsmodestowner，andonlyrevealedtothemundercircumstancesthatseemedtopointmoreconclusivelythanevertoherrarediscretion。
Itwasthebeginningofawarmnightandthemiddleofaheatedpoliticaldiscussion。Sawyer’sBarhadgatheredinforceattheCrossing，andbythelightofflaringpinetorches，cheeredandapplaudedtherivalspeakerswhofromarudeplatformaddressedtheexcitedmultitude。Partisanspiritatthattimeranhighinthefoot-hills；criminationandrecrimination，challenge，reply，accusation，andretorthadalreadyinflamedthemeeting，andColonelBungstarter，afterawitheringreviewofhisopponent’spolicy，culminatedwithapersonalattackuponthecareerandprivatecharacteroftheeloquentandchivalrousColonelCulpepperStarbottleofSiskiyou。Thateloquentandchivalrousgentlemanwasknowntobepresent；itwasrumoredthattheattackwasexpectedtoprovokeachallengefromColonelStarbottlewhichwouldgiveBungstarterthechoiceofweapons，anddepriveStarbottleofhisadvantageasadeadshot。ItwaswhisperedalsothatthesagaciousStarbottle，awareofthisfact，wouldretaliateinkindsooutrageouslyastoleaveBungstarternorecoursebuttodemandsatisfactiononthespot。AsColonelStarbottlerose，theeagercrowddrewtogether，elbowingeachotherinraptandecstaticexpectancy。\"Hecan’tgetevenonBungstarter，onlessheallowshissisterranoffwithanigger，orthatheputuphisgrandmotheratdrawpokerandlosther，\"whisperedtheQuartzCrusher；\"kinhe？\"Allearswerealert，particularlytheverylongandhairyonesjustrisingabovetherailingofthespeaker’splatform；forJinny，havingafemininedistrustofsolitudeandafondnessforshow，hadfollowedhermastertothemeetingandhadinsinuatedherselfupontheplatform，wherewaywasmadeforherwiththatfrontiercourtesyalwaysextendedtoherageandsex。
ColonelStarbottle，stertorousandpurple，advancedtotherailing。
Thereheunbuttonedhiscollarandlaidhisneckclothaside，thenwithhiseyefixedonhisantagonisthedrewoffhisbluefrockcoat，andthrustingonehandintohisruffledshirtfront，andraisingtheothertothedarkcanopyabovehim，heopenedhisvindictivelips。Theaction，theattitude，wereStarbottle’s。Butthevoicewasnot。Foratthatsuprememoment，abray——soprofound，soappalling，soutterlysoul-subduing，soparalyzingthateverythingelsesanktomereinsignificancebesideit——filledwoods，andsky，andair。Foramomentonlythemultitudegaspedinspeechlessastonishment——itwasamomentonly——andthenthewelkinroaredwiththeirshouts。Invainsilencewascommanded，invainColonelStarbottle，withaghastlysmile，remarkedthatherecognizedintheinterruptionthevoiceandtheintellectoftheopposition；thelaughcontinued，themoreasitwasdiscoveredthatJinnyhadnotyetfinished，andwasstillrecurringtoheroriginaltheme。\"Gentlemen，\"gaspedStarbottle，\"anyattemptby[Hee-haw！
fromJinny]brutalbuffoonerytorestricttherightoffreespeechtoall[aprolongedassentfromJinny]isworthyonlythedastardly\"——buthereadiminuendosolongdrawnastoappearastrikingimitationoftheColonel’sownapoplecticsentencesdrownedhisvoicewithshrieksoflaughter。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatduringthisperformanceavigorousattemptwasnotmadetooustJinnyfromtheplatform。Butallinvain。Equallydemoralizingineitherextremity，Jinnyspeedilyclearedacirclewithherflyinghoofs，smashedthespeaker’stableandwaterpitcher，senttherailingflyinginfragmentsoverthecheeringcrowd，andonlysuccumbedtotwoblankets，inwhich，withherheadconcealed，shewasfinallydragged，halfcaptive，halfvictor，fromthefield。Eventhenamuffledandsupplementalbraythatcamefromthewoodsatintervalsdrewhalfthecrowdawayandreducedtheotherhalftomereperfunctoryhearers。Thedemoralizedmeetingwasadjourned；ColonelStarbottle’switheringreplyremainedunuttered，andtheBungstarterpartyweretriumphant。
FortherestoftheeveningJinnywastheheroineofthehour，butnocajolerynorflatterycouldinducehertoagainexhibitherpowers。InvaindidDeanofAngel’sextemporizeashortharangueinthehopethatJinnywouldbetemptedtoreply；invainwaseveryprovocationofferedthatmightstinghersensitivenaturetoeloquentrevolt。Sherepliedonlywithherheels。Whetherornotthiswassimplecaprice，orwhethershewassatisfiedwithhermaideneffort，orindignantathersubsequenttreatment，sheremainedsilent。\"Shemadeherlittlegame，\"saidDan，whowasapoliticaladherentofStarbottle’s，andwhoyetfromthatdayenjoyedthegreatspeaker’sundyinghatred，\"andevenifmeandherdon’tagreeonpolitics——YOUletheralone。\"Alas，itwouldhavebeenwellforDanifhecouldhavebeentruetohisinstincts，buttheofferofonehundreddollarsfromtheBungstarterpartyprovedtootempting。Shepassedirrevocablyfromhishandsintothoseoftheenemy。Butanyreaderoftheselineswill，Itrust，rejoicetohearthatthisattempttorestrainfreepoliticalexpressioninthefoot-hillsfailedsignally。For，althoughshewasagaincovertlyintroducedontheplatformbytheBungstarters，andplacedfacetofacewithColonelStarbottleatMurphy’sCamp，shewasdumb。Evenabrassbandfailedtoexciteheremulation。Eithershehadbecomedisgustedwithpoliticsorthehigherpricespaidbythepartytootherandlesseffectivespeakersarousedherjealousyandshockedherself-esteem，butsheremainedapassivespectator。WhentheHon。SylvesterRourback，whoreceived，fortheuseofhispoliticalfacultiesforasinglenight，doublethesumforwhichshewaspurchasedoutright，appearedonthesameplatformwithherself，sheforsookithurriedlyandtooktothewoods。HereshemighthavestarvedbutfortheinterventionofoneMcCarty，apoormarketgardener，whofoundher，andgaveherfoodandshelterundertheimpliedcontractthatsheshouldforsakepoliticsandgotowork。
Thelattersheforalongtimeresisted，butasshewasconsideredlargeenoughbythistimetodrawacart，McCartybrokehertosingleharness，withaseverefractureofhislegandthelossoffourteethandasmallspringwagon。Atlength，whenshecouldbetrustedtocarryhiswarestoMurphy’sCamp，andcouldbecheckedfromenteringashopwiththecartattachedtoher，——afactofwhichshealwaysaffectedperfectdisbelief，——hereducationwasconsideredascompleteasthatoftheaverageCaliforniadonkey。
Itwasstillunsafetoleaveheralone，asshedislikedsolitude，andalwaysmadeitapointtojoinanygroupofloungerswithherunnecessarycart，andeventofollowsomegood-lookingminertohiscabin。ThefirsttimethispeculiaritywasdiscoveredbyherownerwasonhisreturntothestreetafterdrivingabargainwithinthewallsoftheTemperanceHotel。Jinnywasnowheretobeseen。Herdeviouscourse，however，waspleasinglyindicatedbyvegetablesthatstrewedtheroaduntilshewasatlasttrackedtotheverandaoftheArcadesaloon，whereshewasfoundlookingthroughthewindowatagameofeuchre，andonlydeterredbytheimpedingcartfromenteringthebuilding。AvisitoneSundaytothelittleCatholicchapelatFrenchCamp，wheresheattemptedtointroduceanantiphonalserviceandthecart，broughtshameanddisgraceuponherunluckymaster。Forthecartcontainedfreshly-gatheredvegetables，andthefactthatMcCartyhadbeenSabbath-breakingwaspainfullyevident。FatherSullivanwasquicktoturnanincidentthatprovokedonlytherisibilitiesofhisaudienceintoamorallesson。\"It’sthepoordumbbeastthathasamoreChristiansowlthanMichael，\"hecommented；buthereJinnyassentedsopositivelythattheywerefaintodragherawaybymainforce。
Tohereccentricandthoughtlessyouthsucceededacalmmaturityinwhichherconservativesagacitywassteadilydeveloped。Shenowworkedforherliving，subject，however，toanicediscriminationbywhichshelimitedherselftoacertainamountofwork，beyondwhichneitherthreats，beatings，norcajolerieswouldforceher。
AtcertainhoursshewouldstartforthestablewithorwithouttheincumbrancesofthecartorMichael，turningtwolonganddeafearsonallexpostulationorentreaty。\"Now，Godbegoodtome，\"saidMichael，onedaypickinghimselfoutfromaditchashegazedsorrowfullyaftertheflyingheelsofJinny，\"butit’sonlythesecondloadofcabbagesI’mbringin’theday，andifshe’sshtruckNOW，it’sruinedIamentoirely。\"Buthewasmistaken；aftertwohoursofruminationJinnyreturnedofherownfreewill，havingevidentlymistakenthetime，anditissaidevenconsentedtodrawanextraloadtomakeupthedeficiency。ItmaybeimaginedfromthisandothercircumstancesthatMichaelstoodalittleinaweofJinny’ssuperiorintellect，andthatJinnyoccasionally，withtheinstinctofhersex，presumeduponit。AftertheSundayepisode，alreadyreferredto，shewasgivenherlibertyonthatday，aprivilegeshegracefullyrecognizedbysomewhatunbendingherusualausterityintheindulgenceofasaturninehumor。Shewouldvisittheminingcamps，and，grazinglazilyandthoughtfullybeforethecabins，would，byvariousartificesandcoquetriesknowntothefemaleheart，inducesomecredulousstrangertoapproachherwiththeintentionoftakingaride。Shewouldsubmithesitatinglytoahalter，allowhimtomountherback，and，witheveryexpressionoftimidandfearfulreluctance，atlastpermithimtoguideherinalaborioustrotoutofsightofhumanhabitation。Whathappenedthenwasneverclearlyknown。Inafewmomentsthecampwouldbearousedbyshoutsandexecrations，andthespectacleofJinnytearingbyatafrightfulpace，withthestrangerclingingwithhisarmsaroundherneck，afraidtoslipoff，fromterrorofhercircumvolvingheels，andvainlyimploringassistance。Againandagainshewoulddashbytheapplaudinggroups，addingtheaggravationofhervoicetothedangerofherheels，untilsuddenlywheeling，shewouldgalloptoCarter’sPond，anddepositherlucklessfreightinthemuddyditch。ThispracticaljokewasrepeateduntiloneSundayshewasapproachedbyJuanRamirez，aMexicanvaquero，bootedandspurred，andcarryingariata。Acrowdwasassembledtoseeherdiscomfiture。But，totheintensedisappointmentofthecamp，Jinny，afterquietlysurveyingthestranger，utteredasardonicbray，andambledawaytothelittlecemeteryonthehill，whosetangledchapparaleffectuallypreventedallpursuitbyherskilledantagonist。Fromthatdaysheforsookthecamp，andspentherSabbathsinmortuaryreflectionsamongthepinehead-boardsandcold\"hicjacets\"ofthedead。
Happywouldithavebeenifthiscircumstance，whichresultedintheonepoeticepisodeofherlife，hadoccurredearlier；forthecemeterywasthefavoriteresortofMissJessieLawton，agentleinvalidfromSanFrancisco，whohadsoughtthefoot-hillsforthebalsamofpineandfir，andinthefainthopethatthefreshnessofthewildrosesmightcallbackherown。TheextendedviewsfromthecemeterysatisfiedMissLawton’sartistictaste，andherefrequently，withhersketch-bookinhand，sheindulgedthattasteandacertainshyreservewhichkeptherfromcontactwithstrangers。Ononeoftheleavesofthatsketch-bookappearsastudyofadonkey’shead，beingnoneotherthanthegravefeaturesofJinny，asonceprojectedtimidlyovertheartist’sshoulder。
Thepreliminariesofthisintimacyhavenevertranspired，norisitasettledfactifJinnymadethefirstadvances。TheresultwasonlyknowntothemenofSawyer’sBarbyavisionwhichremainedfreshintheirmemorieslongafterthegentleladyandherfour-
footedfriendhadpassedbeyondtheirvoices。Astwoofthetunnel-menwerereturningfromworkoneevening，theychancedtolookupthelittletrail，keptsacredfromsecularintrusion，thatledfromthecemeterytothesettlement。Inthedimtwilight，againstasunsetsky，theybeheldapale-facedgirlridingslowlytowardthem。Withadelicateinstinct，newtothoseroughmen，theydrewcloserintheshadowofthebushesuntilshepassed。
TherewasnomistakingthefamiliargrotesquenessofJinny；therewasnomistakingthelanguidgraceofMissLawton。ButawreathofwildroseswasaroundJinny’sneck，fromherlongearsfloatedMissJessie’shatribbons，andamischievous，girlishsmilewasuponMissJessie’sface，asfreshastheazaleasinherhair。Bythenextdaythestoryofthisgentleapparitionwasknowntoadozenminersincamp，andallweresworntosecrecy。Butthenextevening，andthenext，fromthesafeshadowsofthewoodstheywatchedanddrankinthebeautyofthatfancifulandallunconsciousprocession。Theykepttheirsecret，andneverawhisperorfootfallfromtheseroughmenbrokeitscharmorbetrayedtheirpresence。Themanwhocouldhaveshockedthesensitivereserveoftheyounggirlwouldhavepaidforitwithhislife。
Andthenonedaythecharacteroftheprocessionchanged，andthislittleincidenthavingbeentold，itwaspermittedthatJinnyshouldfollowherfriend，caparisonedevenasbefore，butthistimebytherougherbutnolesslovinghandsofmen。Whenthecortegereachedtheferrywherethegentlegirlwastobeginhersilentjourneytothesea，Jinnybrokefromthosewhoheldher，andafterafranticefforttomountthebargefellintotheswiftlyrushingStanislaus。Adozenstoutarmswerestretchedtosaveher，andaropeskilfullythrownwascaughtaroundherfeet。Foraninstantshewaspassive，and，asitseemed，saved。Butthenextmomentherdominantinstinctreturned，andwithonestrokeofherpowerfulheelshesnappedtheropeintwainandsodriftedwithhermistresstothesea。
ROGERCATRON’SFRIEND
Ithinkthat，fromthebeginning，weallknewhowitwouldend。Hehadalwaysbeensoquietandconventional，althoughbynatureanimpulsiveman；alwayssotemperateandabstemious，althoughamanwithaquickappreciationofpleasure；alwayssocautiousandpractical，althoughanimaginativeman，thatwhen，atlast，onebyoneheloosedthesebands，andgavehimselfuptoalife，perhapsnotworsethanotherliveswhichtheworldhasacceptedasthenaturalexpressionoftheirvariousowners，weatoncedecidedthatthecasewasahopelessone。AndwhenonenightwepickedhimupoutoftheUnionDitch，abegrimedandweather-worndrunkard，ahopelessdebtor，aself-confessedspendthrift，andahalf-
conscious，maudlinimbecile，weknewthattheendhadcome。Thewifehehadabandonedhadinturndesertedhim；thewomanhehadmisledhadalreadyrealizedherfolly，andlefthimwithherreproaches；theassociatesofhisrecklesslife，whohadusedandabusedhim，hadfoundhimnolongerofservice，orevenamusement，andclearlytherewasnothinglefttodobuttohandhimovertothestate，andwetookhimtothenearestpenitentialasylum。
ConsciousoftheSamaritandeed，wewentbacktoourrespectivewives，andtoldhisstory。Itisonlyjusttosaythatthesesympatheticcreaturesweremoreinterestedinthephilanthropyoftheirrespectivehusbandsthaninitsmiserableobject。\"Itwasgoodandkindinyou，dear，\"saidlovingMrs。Mastontoherspouse，asreturninghomethatnightheflunghiscoatonachairwithanairoffatiguedrighteousness；\"itwaslikeyourkindhearttocareforthatbeast；butafterheleftthatgoodwifeofhis——thatperfectsaint——totakeupwiththatawfulwoman，IthinkI’dhavelefthimtodieintheditch。Onlytothinkofit，dear，awomanthatyouwouldn’tspeakto！\"HereMr。Mastoncoughedslightly，coloredalittle，mumbledsomethingabout\"womennotunderstandingsomethings，\"\"thatmenweremen，\"etc。，andthenwentcomfortablytosleep，leavingtheoutcast，happilyobliviousofallthings，andespeciallythiscriticism，lockedupinHangtownJail。
Forthenexttwelvehourshelaythere，apatheticandhalf-
conscious。Recoveringfromthisafterawhile，hebecamefurious，vengeful，andunmanageable，fillingthecellandcorridorwithmaledictionsoffriendandenemy；andagainsullen，morose，andwatchful。Thenherefusedfood，anddidnotsleep，pacinghislimitswiththeincessant，feverishtreadofacagedtiger。Twophysicians，diagnosinghiscasefromthescantfacts，pronouncedhiminsane，andhewasaccordinglytransportedtoSacramento。Butonthewaythitherhemanagedtoeludethevigilanceofhisguards，andescaped。Thealarmwasgiven，ahueandcryfollowedhim，thebestdetectivesofSanFranciscowereonhistrack，andfinallyrecoveredhisdeadbody——emaciatedandwastedbyexhaustionandfever——intheStanislausMarshes，identifiedit，and，receivingtherewardof$1，000offeredbyhissurvivingrelativesandfamily，assistedinlegallyestablishingtheendwehadpredicted。
Unfortunatelyforthemoral，thefactsweresomewhatinconsistentwiththetheory。Adayortwoaftertheremainswerediscoveredandidentified，therealbodyof\"RogerCatron，aged52years，slight，iron-grayhair，andshabbyinapparel，\"astheadvertisementread，draggeditself，travel-worn，trembling，anddisheveled，upthesteepslopeofDeadwoodHill。Howheshoulddoit，hehadlongsincedetermined，——eversincehehadhiddenhisDerringer，amerebabypistol，fromthevigilanceofhiskeepers。
Whereheshoulddoit，hehadsettledwithinhismindonlywithinthelastfewmoments。DeadwoodHillwasseldomfrequented；hisbodymightliethereformonthsbeforeitwasdiscovered。Hehadoncethoughtoftheriver，butherememberedithadanuglywayofexposingitssecretsonsandbarandshallow，andthatthebodyofWhiskyJim，bloatedanddisfiguredalmostbeyondrecognition，hadbeenoncedeliveredtotheeyesofSandyBar，beforebreakfast，ontheleftbankoftheStanislaus。Hetoiledupthroughthechimisalthatclothedthesouthernslopeofthehilluntilhereachedthebald，storm-scarredcapofthemountain，ironicallydeckedwiththepicked，featherlessplumesofafewdyingpines。One，strippedofallbuttwolateralbranches，broughtaboyishrecollectiontohisfeveredbrain。Againstabackgroundofdullsunsetfire，itextendedtwogauntarms——black，rigid，andpathetic。Calvary！
Withtheveryworduponhislips，hethrewhimself，facedownwards，onthegroundbeneathit，and，withhisfingersclutchedinthesoil，laythereforsomemoments，silentandstill。Inthisattitude，albeitaskepticandunorthodoxman，heprayed。Icannotsay——indeedIDAREnotsay——thathisprayerwasheard，orthatGodvisitedhimthus。LetusratherhopethatalltherewasofGodinhim，inthiscrucialmomentofagonyandshame，stroveoutwardandupward。Howbeit，whenthemoonroseherosetoo，perhapsatriflelesssteadythantheplanet，andbegantodescendthehillwithfeverishhaste，yetwiththismarkeddifferencebetweenhispresenthasteandhisformerrecklessness，thatitseemedtohaveawell-
definedpurpose。Whenhereachedtheroadagain，hestruckintoawell-worntrail，where，inthedistance，alightfaintlytwinkled。
Followingthisbeacon，hekepton，andatlastflunghimselfheavilyagainstthedoorofthelittlecabinfromwhosewindowthelighthadshone。Ashedidso，itopeneduponthefigureofasquare，thicksetman，who，intheimpetuosityofCatron’sonset，receivedhim，literally，inhisarms。
\"CaptainDick，\"saidRogerCatron，hoarsely，\"CaptainDick，saveme！ForGod’ssake，saveme！\"
CaptainDick，withoutaword，placedalarge，protectinghanduponCatron’sshoulder，allowedittosliptohiswaist，andthendrewhisvisitorquietly，butfirmly，withinthecabin。Yet，intheverymovement，hehadmanagedtogentlyandunobtrusivelypossesshimselfofCatron’spistol。
\"Saveye！Fromwhich？\"askedCaptainDick，asquietlyandunobtrusivelydroppingtheDerringerinafloursack。
\"Fromeverything，\"gaspedCatron，\"fromthementhatarehoundingme，frommyfamily，frommyfriends，butmostofall——from，from——
myself！\"
Hehad，inturn，graspedCaptainDick，andforcedhimfrenziedlyagainstthewall。Thecaptainreleasedhimself，and，takingthehandsofhisexcitedvisitor，saidslowly，——
\"Yewansomebluemass——suthin’tounloadyourliver。I’llgetitupforye。\"
\"But，CaptainDick，I’manoutcast，shamed，disgraced——\"
\"Twoonthempillstakennow，andtwointhemorning，\"continuedthecaptain，gravely，rollingabolusinhisfingers，\"willbringyerheadtothewindagain。Yerfallin’toleewardallthetime，andyewanttobraceup。\"
\"But，Captain，\"continuedtheagonizedman，againclutchingthesinewyarmsofhishost，andforcinghislividfaceandfixedeyeswithinafewinchesofCaptainDick’s，\"hearme！Youmustandshallhearme。I’vebeeninjail——doyouhear？——injail，likeacommonfelon。I’vebeensenttotheasylum，likeadementedpauper。I’ve——\"
\"Twonow，andtwointhemorning，\"continuedthecaptain，quietlyreleasingonehandonlytoplacetwoenormouspillsinthemouthoftheexcitedCatron，\"tharnow——adrinko’whisky——thar，that’lldo——
justenoughtotakethetasteoutofyermouth，washitdown，andbelayit，sotospeak。Andhowarethemillsrunning，gin’rally，overattheBar？\"
\"CaptainDick，hearme——ifyouAREmyfriend，forGod’ssakehearme！AnhouragoIshouldhavebeenadeadman——\"
\"TheysaythatSamBolinhezsoldoutoftheExcelsior——\"
\"CaptainDick！Listen，forGod’ssake；Ihavesuffered——\"
ButCaptainDickwasengagedincriticallyexamininghisman。\"I
guessI’llladleyeoutsomeo’thatsoothin’mixtureIboughtdownatSimpson’st’otherday，\"hesaid，reflectively。\"AndI
onderstandtheboysupontheBarthinktherainswillsetinairly。\"
ButhereNaturewasomnipotent。Wornbyexhaustion，excitement，andfever，andpossiblyalittleaffectedbyCaptainDick’slaterpotion，RogerCatronturnedwhite，andlapsedagainstthewall。InaninstantCaptainDickhadcaughthim，asachild，liftedhiminhisstalwartarms，wrappedablanketaroundhim，anddepositedhiminhisbunk。Yet，eveninhisprostration，Catronmadeonemoredespairingappealformentalsympathyfromhishost。
\"IknowI’msick——dying，perhaps，\"hegasped，fromundertheblankets；\"butpromiseme，whatevercomes，tellmywife——sayto——\"
\"Ithasbeenlookin’consid’blelikerain，lately，hereabouts，\"
continuedthecaptain，coolly，inakindofamphibiousslang，characteristicoftheman，\"butintheseyerlatitudesnomankinsetuptobeaweathersharp。\"
\"Captain！willyouhearme？\"
\"Yergoin’tosleep，now，\"saidthecaptain，potentially。
\"But，Captain，theyarepursuingme！Iftheyshouldtrackmehere？\"
\"Tharisarifleoverthar，andyer’smynavyrevolver。WhenI’veemptiedthem，andwantyoutobearahand，I’llcallye。Justnowyourlayistoturnin。It’smywatch。\"
Therewassomethingsopositive，strong，assuring，andalittleawesomeinthecaptain’smanner，thatthetrembling，nervously-
prostratedmanbeneaththeblanketsforboretoquestionfurther。
Inafewmomentshisbreathing，albeithurriedandirregular，announcedthatheslept。Thecaptainthenarose，foramomentcriticallyexaminedthesleepingman，holdinghisheadalittleononeside，whistlingsoftly，andsteppingbackwardstogetagoodperspective，butalwayswithcontemplativegoodhumor，asifCatronwereaworkofart，whichhe（thecaptain）hadcreated，yetonethathewasnotyetentirelysatisfiedwith。Thenheputalargepea-jacketoverhisflannelblouse，draggedaMexicanserapefromthecorner，andputtingitoverhisshoulders，openedthecabindoor，satdownonthedoorstep，andleaningbackagainstthedoor-
post，composedhimselftomeditation。ThemoonliftedherselfslowlyoverthecrestofDeadwoodHill，andlookeddown，notunkindly，onhisbroad，white，shavenface，roundandsmoothasherowndisc，encircledwithathinfringeofwhitehairandwhiskers。
Indeed，helookedsoliketheprevailingcaricaturesinacomicalmanacofplanets，withdimlyoutlinedfeatures，thatthemoonwouldhavebeenquitejustifiedinflirtingwithhim，assheclearlydid，insinuatingatwinkleintohiskeen，grayeyes，makingtheshadowofadimpleonhisbroad，fatchin，andotherwiseidealizinghimafterthefashionofherhero-worshipingsex。
Touchedbythesebenigninfluences，CaptainDickpresentlybrokeforthinmelody。Hissongwasvarious，butchiefly，Ithink，confinedtotherecitaloftheexploitsofone\"Lorenzo，\"who，asrelatedbyhimself，——
\"ShippedonboardofaLiner，’Renzo，boys，Renzo，\"——