CONTENTS
\"UNSERKARL\"
UNCLEJIMANDUNCLEBILLY
SEEYUP
THEDESBOROUGHCONNECTIONS
SALOMYJANE’SKISS
THEMANANDTHEMOUNTAIN
THEPASSINGOFENRIQUEZ
STORIESINLIGHTANDSHADOW
\"UNSERKARL\"
TheAmericanconsulforSchlachtstadthadjustturnedoutofthebroadKonig’sAlleeintothelittlesquarethatheldhisconsulate。
Itsresidencesalwaysseemedtohimtowearthatsingularlyuninhabitedairpeculiartoastreetsceneinatheatre。Thefacades，withtheirstiff，stripedwoodenawningsoverthewindows，wereoftheregularity，color，andpatternonlyseenonthestage，andconversationcarriedoninthestreetbelowalwaysseemedtobeinvestedwiththatperfectconfidenceandsecuritywhichsurroundstheactorinhispainteddesertofurbanperspective。YetitwasapeacefulchangetotheotherbywaysandhighwaysofSchlachtstadtwhichwerealwaysfilledwithanequallyunrealandmechanicalsoldiery，whoappearedtobedailytakenoutoftheirboxesof\"caserne\"or\"depot\"andlooselyscatteredallovertheprettylinden-hauntedGermantown。Thereweresoldiersstandingonstreetcorners；soldiersstaringwoodenlyintoshopwindows；soldiershaltedsuddenlyintostone，likelizards，attheapproachofOffiziere；Offiziereloungingstifflyfourabreast，sweepingthepavementwiththeirtrailingsabresallatoneangle。Therewerecavalcadesofredhussars，cavalcadesofbluehussars，cavalcadesofUhlans，withglitteringlancesandpennons——withorwithoutaband——formallyparading；therewerestraggling\"fatigues\"or\"details\"comingroundthecorners；thereweredusty，businesslikecolumnsofinfantry，goingnowhereandtonopurpose。AndtheyoneandallseemedtobeWOUNDUP——forthatservice——andapparentlyalwaysinthesameplace。Inthebandoftheircaps——invariablyofonepattern——wasabutton，inthecentreofwhichwasasquareopeningorkeyhole。Theconsulwasalwaysconvincedthatthroughthiskeyholeopening，bymeansofakey，thehumblestcaporalwounduphisfile，theHauptmanncontrolledhislieutenantsandnon-
commissionedofficers，andeventhegeneralhimself，wearingthesamecap，wassubjectthroughhiscaptoahighermovingpower。Inthesuburbs，whenthesupplyofsoldiersgaveout，thereweresentry-boxes；whenthesedroppedoff，therewere\"caissons，\"orcommissarywagons。And，lestthemilitaryideashouldeverfailfromouttheSchlachtstadt’sburgher’smind，therewerepoliceinuniform，street-sweepersinuniform；theticket-takers，guards，andsweepersattheBahnhofwereinuniform，——butallwearingthesamekindofcap，withtheprobabilityofhavingbeenwoundupfreshlyeachmorningfortheirdailywork。Eventhepostmandeliveredpeacefulinvoicestotheconsulwithhisside-armsandtheairofbringingdispatchesfromthefieldofbattle；andtheconsulsaluted，andfeltforafewmomentsthewholeweightofhisconsularresponsibility。
Yet，inspiteofthismilitaryprecedence，itdidnotseemintheleastinconsistentwiththedecidedlypeacefulcharacterofthetown，andthisagainsuggesteditsutterunreality；wanderingcowssometimesgotmixedupwithsquadronsofcavalry，anddidnotseemtomindit；sheeppassedsinglybetweenfilesofinfantry，orprecededtheminaflockwhenonthemarch；indeed，nothingcouldbemoredelightfulandinnocentthantoseearegimentofinfantryinheavymarchingorder，ladenwitheveryconceivablethingtheycouldwantforaweek，returningafteracheerfulsearchforaninvisibleenemyinthesuburbs，tobivouacpeacefullyamongthecabbagesinthemarket-place。Nobodywaseverimposeduponforamomentbytheirtremendousenergyandseveredisplay；drumsmightbeat，trumpetsblow，dragoonschargefuriouslyallovertheExercierPlatz，orsuddenlyflashtheirnakedswordsinthestreetstothegutturalcommandofanofficer——nobodyseemedtomindit。
PeopleglanceduptorecognizeRudolforMax\"doingtheirservice，\"
nodded，andwentabouttheirbusiness。Andalthoughtheofficersalwaysworetheirside-arms，andatthemostpeacefulofsocialdinnersonlyrelinquishedtheirswordsinthehall，apparentlythattheymightbereadytobucklethemonagainandrushouttodobattlefortheFatherlandbetweenthecourses，theotherguestsonlylookedupontheseweaponsinthelightofsticksandumbrellas，andpossessedtheirsoulsinpeace。Andwhen，addedtothissingularincongruity，manyofthesewarriorswerespectacled，studiousmen，and，despitetheirlethalweapons，woreaslightlyprofessionalair，andwere——toaman——deeplysentimentalandsingularlysimple，theirattitudeinthiseternalKriegspielseemedtotheconsulmorepuzzlingthanever。
AsheenteredhisconsulatehewasconfrontedwithanotheraspectofSchlachtstadtquiteaswonderful，yetalreadyfamiliartohim。
For，inspiteofthese\"alarumswithout，\"which，however，neverseemtopenetratebeyondthetownitself，Schlachtstadtanditssuburbswereknownallovertheworldforthemanufacturesofcertainbeautifultextilefabrics，andmanyoftherankandfileofthosewarriorshadbuiltupthefameandprosperityofthedistrictovertheirpeacefulloomsinwaysidecottages。Thereweregreatdepotsandcounting-houses，largerthaneventhecavalrybarracks，wherenootheruniformbutthatofthepostmanwasknown。Henceitwasthattheconsul’schiefdutywastoupholdtheflagofhisowncountrybytheexaminationandcertificationofdiversinvoicessenttohisofficebythemanufacturers。But，oddlyenough，thesebusinessmessengerswerechieflywomen，——notclerks，butordinaryhouseholdservants，and，onbusydays，theconsulatemighthavebeenmistakenforafemaleregistryoffice，sofilledandpossesseditwasbywaitingMadchen。HereitwasthatGretchen，Lieschen，andClarchen，inthecleanestofbluegowns，andstoutlybutsmartlyshod，broughttheirinvoicesinapieceofcleanpaper，orfoldedinabluehandkerchief，andlaidthem，withfingersmoreorlesswornandstubbyfromhardservice，beforetheconsulforhissignature。Once，inthecaseofaveryyoungMadchen，thatsignaturewasblottedbythesweepofaflaxenbraiduponitasthechildturnedtogo；butgenerallytherewasagrave，seriousbusinessinstinctandsenseofresponsibilityinthesegirlsofordinarypeasantoriginwhich，equallywiththeirsistersofFrance，wereunknowntotheEnglishorAmericanwomanofanyclass。
Thatmorning，however，therewasaslightstiramongthosewho，withtheirknitting，werewaitingtheirturnintheouterofficeasthevice-consulusheredthepoliceinspectorintotheconsul’sprivateoffice。Hewasinuniform，ofcourse，andittookhimamomenttorecoverfromhishabitualstiff，militarysalute，——alittlestifferthanthatoftheactualsoldier。
Itwasamatterofimportance！Astrangerhadthatmorningbeenarrestedinthetownandidentifiedasamilitarydeserter。HeclaimedtobeanAmericancitizen；hewasnowintheouteroffice，waitingtheconsul’sinterrogation。
Theconsulknew，however，thattheominousaccusationhadonlyamildsignificancehere。Theterm\"militarydeserter\"includedanyonewhohadinyouthemigratedtoaforeigncountrywithoutfirstfulfillinghismilitarydutytohisfatherland。Hisfirstexperiencesofthesecaseshadbeentediousanddifficult，——
involvingareferencetohisMinisteratBerlin，acorrespondencewiththeAmericanStateDepartment，aconditionofunpleasanttension，andfinallytheprolongeddetentionofsomeinnocentGerman——naturalized——Americancitizen，whohadforgottentobringhispaperswithhiminrevisitinghisownnativecountry。Itsochanced，however，thattheconsulenjoyedthefriendshipandconfidenceoftheGeneralAdlerkreutz，whocommandedthe20thDivision，anditfurtherchancedthatthesameAdlerkreutzwasasgallantasoldierasevercriedVorwarts！attheheadofhismen，asprofoundamilitarystrategistandorganizerasevercarriedhisownandhisenemy’splansinhisironheadandspikedhelmet，andyetwithassimpleandunaffectedasoulbreathingunderhisgraymustacheaseverissuedfromthelipsofachild。Sothisgrimbutgentleveteranhadarrangedwiththeconsulthatincaseswherethepresumptionofnationalitywasstrong，althoughtheevidencewasnotpresent，hewouldtaketheconsul’sparolefortheappearanceofthe\"deserter\"orhispapers，withouttheaidofprolongeddiplomacy。InthiswaytheconsulhadsavedtoMilwaukeeaworthybutimprudentbrewer，andtoNewYorkanexcellentsausagebutcherandpossiblealderman；buthadreturnedtomartialdutyoneortwotrampsorjourneymenwhohadneverseenAmericaexceptfromthedecksoftheshipsinwhichtheywere\"stowaways，\"andonwhichtheywerereturned，——andthusthetemperandpeaceoftwogreatnationswerepreserved。
\"Hesays，\"saidtheinspectorseverely，\"thatheisanAmericancitizen，buthaslosthisnaturalizationpapers。YethehasmadethedamagingadmissiontoothersthathelivedseveralyearsinRome！And，\"continuedtheinspector，lookingoverhisshoulderatthecloseddoorasheplacedhisfingerbesidehisnose，\"hesayshehasrelationslivingatPalmyra，whomhefrequentlyvisited。
Ach！Observethisunheard-of-and-not-to-be-trustedstatement！\"
Theconsul，however，smiledwithaslightflashofintelligence。
\"Letmeseehim，\"hesaid。
Theypassedintotheouteroffice；anotherpolicemanandacorporalofinfantrysalutedandrose。InthecentreofanadmiringandsympatheticcrowdofDienstmadchensattheculprit，theleastconcernedoftheparty；astripling——aboy——scarcelyoutofhisteens！Indeed，itwasimpossibletoconceiveofamoreinnocent，bucolic，andalmostangeliclookingderelict。Withaskinthathadthepeculiarwhiteandrosinessoffreshpork，hehadblueeyes，celestiallywideopenandstaring，andthethickflocculentyellowcurlsofthesungod！HemighthavebeenanovergrownandbadlydressedCupidwhohadinnocentlywanderedfromPaphianshores。Hesmiledastheconsulentered，andwipedfromhisfullredlipswiththebackofhishandthetracesofasausagehewaseating。Theconsulrecognizedtheflavoratonce，——hehadsmelleditbeforeinLieschen’slittlehand-basket。
\"YousayyoulivedatRome？\"begantheconsulpleasantly。\"DidyoutakeoutyourfirstdeclarationofyourintentionofbecominganAmericancitizenthere？\"
Theinspectorcastanapprovingglanceattheconsul，fixedasterneyeonthecherubicprisoner，andleanedbackinhischairtohearthereplytothisterriblequestion。
\"Idon’tremember，\"saidtheculprit，knittinghisbrowsininfantinethought。\"Itwaseitherthere，oratMadridorSyracuse。\"
Theinspectorwasabouttorise；thiswasreallytriflingwiththedignityofthemunicipality。Buttheconsullaidhishandontheofficial’ssleeve，and，openinganAmericanatlastoamapoftheStateofNewYork，saidtotheprisoner，asheplacedtheinspector’shandonthesheet，\"IseeyouknowthenamesoftheTOWNSontheErieandNewYorkCentralRailroad。But\"——
\"Icantellyouthenumberofpeopleineachtownandwhatarethemanufactures，\"interruptedtheyoungfellow，withyouthfulvanity。
\"Madridhassixthousand，andthereareoversixtythousandin\"——
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidtheconsul，asamurmurofWunderschon！wentroundthegroupoflisteningservantgirls，whileglancesofadmirationwereshotatthebeamingaccused。\"Butyououghttorememberthenameofthetownwhereyournaturalizationpaperswereafterwardssent。\"
\"ButIwasacitizenfromthemomentImademydeclaration，\"saidthestrangersmiling，andlookingtriumphantlyathisadmirers，\"andIcouldvote！\"
Theinspector，sincehehadcometogriefoverAmericangeographicalnomenclature，wasgrimlytaciturn。Theconsul，however，wasbynomeanscertainofhisvictory。Hisallegedfellowcitizenwastooencyclopaedicinhisknowledge：acleveryouthmighthavecrammedforthiswithatextbook，butthenhedidnotLOOKatallclever；
indeed，hehadratherthestupidityofthemythologicalsubjectherepresented。\"Leavehimwithme，\"saidtheconsul。Theinspectorhandedhimaprecisofthecase。Thecherub’snamewasKarlSchwartz，anorphan，missingfromSchlachtstadtsincetheageoftwelve。Relationsnotliving，orinemigration。Identityestablishedbyprisoner’sadmissionandrecord。
\"Now，Karl，\"saidtheconsulcheerfully，asthedoorofhisprivateofficecloseduponthem，\"whatisyourlittlegame？HaveyouEVER
hadanypapers？AndifyouwerecleverenoughtostudythemapofNewYorkState，whyweren’tyoucleverenoughtoseethatitwouldn’tstandyouinplaceofyourpapers？\"
\"Dot’sjoostit，\"saidKarlinEnglish；\"butyouseedotifIhafdeclairetmineintentionofbegommingacitizen，it’sallthesame，don’tit？\"
\"Bynomeans，foryouseemtohavenoevidenceoftheDECLARATION；
nopapersatall。\"
\"Zo！\"saidKarl。Nevertheless，hepushedhissmall，rosy，pickled-
pig’s-feetoffingersthroughhisfleecycurlsandbeamedpleasantlyattheconsul。\"Dot’svot’sdermatter，\"hesaid，asiftakingakindlyinterestinsomeprivatetroubleoftheconsul’s。
\"Dot’svereyouvos，eh？\"
Theconsullookedsteadilyathimforamoment。Suchstupiditywasbynomeansphenomenal，noratallinconsistentwithhisappearance。\"And，\"continuedtheconsulgravely，\"Imusttellyouthat，unlessyouhaveotherproofsthanyouhaveshown，itwillbemydutytogiveyouuptotheauthorities。\"
\"DotmeansIshallservemytime，eh？\"saidKarl，withanunchangedsmile。
\"Exactlyso，\"returnedtheconsul。
\"Zo！\"saidkarl。\"Desetown——doseSchlachtstadt——isfinetown，eh？
Finevomens。Gootmen。Undbeerundsausage。Blentytoeatanddrink，eh？Und，\"lookingaroundtheroom，\"youandtepoyshafagaytimes。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheconsulshortly，turningaway。ButhepresentlyfacedroundagainontheunfetteredKarl，whowasevidentlyindulginginagormandizingreverie。
\"Whatonearthbroughtyouhere，anyway？\"
\"Wasitdas？\"
\"WhatbroughtyouherefromAmerica，orwhereveryouranawayfrom？\"
\"Toseeder，volks。\"
\"ButyouareanORPHAN，youknow，andyouhavenofolkslivinghere。\"
\"ButallShermanyisminevolks，——dewholegountry，don’tit？Petyourpoots！How’sdot，eh？\"
TheconsulturnedbacktohisdeskandwroteashortnotetoGeneralAdlerkreutzinhisownAmericanGerman。HedidnotthinkithisdutyinthepresentcasetointerferewiththeauthoritiesortoofferhisparoleforKarlSchwartz。Buthewouldclaimthat，astheoffenderwasevidentlyaninnocentemigrantandstillyoung，anypunishmentormilitarydegradationbeomitted，andhebeallowedtotakehisplacelikeanyotherrecruitintheranks。Ifhemighthavethetemeritytotheundoubted，far-seeingmilitaryauthorityofsuggestionmakinghere，hewouldsuggestthatKarlwasforthecommissariatfitted！Ofcourse，hestillretainedtheright，onproductionofsatisfactoryproof，hisdischargetoclaim。
TheconsulreadthisaloudtoKarl。Thecherubicyouthsmiledandsaid，\"Zo！\"Then，extendinghishand，headdedtheword\"Zshake！\"
Theconsulshookhishandalittleremorsefully，and，precedinghimtotheouterroom，resignedhimwiththenoteintotheinspector’shands。Auniversalsighwentupfromthegirls，andglancesofappealsoughttheconsul；buthewiselyconcludedthatitwouldbewell，forawhile，thatKarl——ahelplessorphan——shouldbeundersomesortofdiscipline！Andthesecurerbusinessofcertifyinginvoicesrecommenced。
Latethatafternoonhereceivedafoldedbitofbluepaperfromthewaistbeltofanorderly，whichcontainedinEnglishcharactersandasasingleword\"Alright，\"followedbycertainjaggedpen-marks，whichherecognizedasAdlerkreutz’ssignature。Butitwasnotuntilaweeklaterthathelearnedanythingdefinite。Hewasreturningonenighttohislodgingsintheresidentialpartofthecity，and，inopeningthedoorwithhispass-key，perceivedintherearofthehallhishandmaidenTrudschen，attendedbytheusualblueoryelloworredshadow。Hewaspassingbythemwiththelocal’n’Abend！onhislipswhenthesoldierturnedhisfaceandsaluted。Theconsulstopped。ItwasthecherubKarlinuniform！
Butithadnotsubduedasingleoneofhischaracteristics。Hishairhadbeencroppedalittlemorecloselyunderhiscap，buttherewasitscolorandwoollinessstillintact；hisplumpfigurewasgirtbybeltandbuttons，butheonlylookedthemoreunreal，andmorelikeacombinationofpen-wiperandpincushion，untilhispuffybreastandshouldersseemedtoofferapositiveinvitationtoanyonewhohadpickedupapin。But，wonderful！——accordingtohisbriefstory——hehadbeensoproficientinthegoosestepthathehadbeenputinuniformalready，andallowedcertainsmallprivileges，——amongthem，evidentlythepresentone。Theconsulsmiledandpassedon。ButitseemedstrangetohimthatTrudschen，whowasatallstrappinggirl，exceedinglypopularwiththemilitary，andwhohadneverlookedlowerthanacorporalatleast，shouldaccepttheattentionsofanEinjahrigerlikethat。Laterheinterrogatedher。
Ach！itwasonlyUnserKarl！AndtheconsulknewhewasAmerikanisch！
\"Indeed！\"
\"Yes！Itwassuchatearfulstory！\"
\"Tellmewhatitis，\"saidtheconsul，withafainthopethatKarlhadvolunteeredsomecommunicationofhispast。
\"AchGott！ThereinAmericahewasaman，andcould’vote，’makelaws，and，Godwilling，becomeatowncouncilor，——orOberIntendant，——andherehewasnothingbutasoldierforyears。AndthisAmericawasafinecountry。Wunderschon？Thereweresuchbigcities，andone’Booflo’——couldholdallSchlachtstadt，andhadofpeoplefivehundredthousand！\"
Theconsulsighed。KarlhadevidentlynotyetgotoffthelineoftheNewYorkCentralandErieroads。\"Butdoesherememberyetwhathedidwithhispapers？\"saidtheconsulpersuasively。
\"Ach！WhatdoeshewantwithPAPERSwhenhecouldmakethelaws？
Theyweredumb，stupidthings——thesepapers——tohim。\"
\"Buthisappetiteremainsgood，Ihope？\"suggestedtheconsul。
Thisclosedtheconversation，althoughKarlcameonmanyothernights，andhistoyfigurequitesupplantedthetallcorporalofhussarsintheremoteshadowsofthehall。Onenight，however，theconsulreturnedhomefromavisittoaneighboringtownadayearlierthanhewasexpected。Ashenearedhishousehewasalittlesurprisedtofindthewindowsofhissitting-roomlitup，andthattherewerenosignsofTrudscheninthelowerhallorpassages。Hemadehiswayupstairsinthedarkandpushedopenthedoorofhisapartment。Tohisastonishment，Karlwassittingcomfortablyinhisownchair，hiscapoffbeforeastudent-lamponthetable，deeplyengagedinapparentstudy。Soprofoundwashisabstractionthatitwasamomentbeforehelookedup，andtheconsulhadagoodlookathisusuallybeamingandresponsiveface，which，however，nowstruckhimaswearingasingularairofthoughtandconcentration。Whentheireyesatlastmet，heroseinstantlyandsaluted，andhisbeamingsmilereturned。But，eitherfromhisnaturalphlegmorextraordinaryself-controlhebetrayedneitherembarrassmentnoralarm。
Theexplanationhegavewasdirectandsimple。TrudschenhadgoneoutwiththeCorporalFritzforashortwalk，andhadaskedhimto\"keephouse\"duringtheirabsence。Hehadnobooks，nopapers，nothingtoreadinthebarracks，andnochancetoimprovehismind。
HethoughttheHerrConsulwouldnotobjecttohislookingathisbooks。Theconsulwastouched；itwasreallyatrivialindiscretionandasmuchTrudschen’sfaultasKarl’s！Andifthepoorfellowhadanymindtoimprove，——hisrecentattitudecertainlysuggestedthoughtandreflection，——theconsulwereabrutetoreprovehim。HesmiledpleasantlyasKarlreturnedastubbybitofpencilandsomegreasymemorandatohisbreastpocket，andglancedatthetable。
ButtohissurpriseitwasalargemapthatKarlhadbeenstudying，and，tohisstillgreatersurprise，amapoftheconsul’sowndistrict。
\"Youseemtobefondofmap-studying，\"saidtheconsulpleasantly。
\"Youarenotthinkingofemigratingagain？\"
\"Ach，no！\"saidKarlsimply；\"itismycousinevothaflifnearhere。Ifindher。\"
ButheleftonTrudschen’sreturn，andtheconsulwassurprisedtoseethat，whileKarl’sattitudetowardsherhadnotchanged，thegirlexhibitedlesseffusivenessthanbefore。Believingittobepartlytheeffectofthereturnofthecorporal，theconsultaxedherwithfaithlessness。ButTrudschenlookedgrave。
\"Ah！Hehasnewfriends，thisKarlofours。Hecaresnomoreforpoorgirlslikeus。WhenfineladiesliketheoldFrauvonWimpfelmakemuchofhim，whatwillyou？\"
Itappeared，indeed，fromTrudschen’saccount，thatthewidowofawealthyshopkeeperhadmadeakindofprotegeoftheyoungsoldier，andgivenhimpresents。Furthermore，thatthewifeofhiscolonelhademployedhimtoactaspageorattendantatanafternoonGesellschaft，andthatsincethenthewivesofotherofficershadsoughthim。DidnottheHerrConsulthinkitwasdreadfulthatthisAmerican，whocouldvoteandmakelaws，shouldbesubjectedtosuchthings？
Theconsuldidnotknowwhattothink。Itseemedtohim，however，thatKarlwas\"gettingon，\"andthathewasnotinneedofhisassistance。Itwasintheexpectationofhearingmoreabouthim，however，thathecheerfullyacceptedaninvitationfromAdlerkreutztodineattheCaserneoneeveningwiththestaff。Herehefound，somewhattohisembarrassment，thatthedinnerwaspartlyinhisownhonor，andatthecloseoffivecourses，andtheemptyingofmanybottles，hishealthwasproposedbythegallantveteranAdlerkreutzinaneataddressofmanysyllablescontainingallthepartsofspeechandasingleverb。Itwastotheeffectthatinhissoul-friendtheHerrConsulandhimselfwasthenever-to-be-
severedunionofGermaniaandColumbia，andintheirperfectunderstandingwasthewar-defyingallianceoftwogreatnations，andthatintheconsul’snoblerestorationofUnserKarltotheGermanarmytherewastheastutediplomacyofagreatmind。HewassatisfiedthathimselfandtheHerrConsulstillunitedinthegreatfuture，lookingdownuponacommonbrotherhood，——thegreatGermanic-AmericanConfederation，——wouldfeelsatisfiedwiththemselvesandeachotherandtheirnever-to-be-forgottenearth-
labors。Criesof\"Hoch！Hoch！\"resoundedthroughtheapartmentwiththegrindingrollofheavy-bottomedbeer-glasses，andtheconsul，tremulouswithemotionandareserveverbinhispocket，rosetoreply。Fullyembarkeduponthisperilousvoyage，andsteeringwideandclearofanytreacherousshoreofintelligenceorfanciedharborofunderstandingandrest，hekeptboldlyoutatsea。Hesaidthat，whilehislovingadversaryinthisbattleofcomplimenthaddisarmedhimandlefthimnowordstoreplytohisgenerouspanegyric，hecouldnotbutjoinwiththatgallantsoldierinhisheartfeltaspirationsforthepeacefulallianceofbothcountries。Butwhilehefullyreciprocatedallhishost’sbroaderandhighersentiments，hemustpointouttothisgallantassembly，thisgloriousbrotherhood，thatevenagreatertieofsympathyknittedhimtothegeneral，——thetieofkinship！ForwhileitwaswellknowntothepresentcompanythattheirgallantcommanderhadmarriedanEnglishwoman，he，theconsul，althoughalwaysanAmerican，wouldnowforthefirsttimeconfesstothemthatheHIMSELFwasofDutchdescentonhismother’sside！Hewouldsaynomore，butconfidentlyleavetheminpossessionofthetremendoussignificanceofthisuntil-then-unknownfact！Hesatdown，withtheforgottenverbstillinhispocket，buttheapplausethatfollowedthisperfectlyconclusive，satisfying，andlogicalclimaxconvincedhimofhissuccess。Hishandwasgraspedeagerlybysuccessivewarriors；thegeneralturnedandembracedhimbeforethebreathlessassembly；thereweretearsintheconsul’seyes。
Asthefestivitiesprogressed，however，hefoundtohissurprisethatKarlhadnotonlybecomethefashionasamilitarypage，butthathisnaivestupidityandsublimesimplicitywasthewonderingthemeandinexhaustibledelightofthewholebarracks。StoriesweretoldofhisgeniusforblunderingwhichrivaledHandyAndy’s；
oldstoriesoffatuousignorancewererearrangedandfittedto\"ourKarl。\"Itwas\"ourKarl\"who，onreceivingatipoftwomarksfromthehandsofayoungladytowhomhehadbroughtthebouquetofagallantlieutenant，exhibitedsomehesitation，andfinallysaid，\"Yes，but，gnadigesFraulein，thatCOSTusninemarks！\"Itwas\"ourKarl\"who，interruptingtheregretsofanotherladythatshewasunabletoaccepthismaster’sinvitation，saidpolitely，\"Ah！
whatmatter，Gnadigste？IhavestillaletterforFrauleinKopp[herrival]，andIwastoldthatImustnotinviteyouboth。\"Itwas\"ourKarl\"whoastonishedthehostesstowhomhewassentatthelastmomentwithapologiesfromanofficer，unexpectedlydetainedatbarrackduty，bysuggestingthatheshouldbringthatunfortunateofficerhisdinnerfromthejustservedtable。Norwerethesecharminginfelicitiesconfinedtohissocialanddomesticservice。Althoughready，mechanical，andinvariablydocileinthemanualandphysicaldutiesofasoldier，——whichendearedhimtotheGermandrill-master，——hewasstillinvinciblyignorantastoitspurport，oreventhemeaningandstructureofthemilitaryinstrumentshehandledorvacantlylookedupon。Itwas\"ourKarl\"whosuggestedtohisinstructorsthatinfield-
firingitwasquickerandeasiertoloadhismuskettothemuzzleatonce，andgetridofitsdeath-dealingcontentsatasingledischarge，thantoloadandfireconsecutively。Itwas\"ourKarl\"
whonearlykilledtheinstructoratsentrydrillbyadheringtotheletterofhisinstructionswhenthatinstructorhadforgottenthepassword。ItwasthesameKarlwho，severelyadmonishedforhisrecklessness，thenexttimeaddedtohischallengetheprecaution，\"Unlessyouinstantlysay’Fatherland’I’llfire！\"Yethisperfectgoodhumorandchildlikecuriositywereunmistakablethroughout，andincitedhiscomradesandhissuperiorstoshowhimeverythinginthehopeofgettingsomecharacteristiccommentfromhim。
EverythingandeverybodywereopentoKarlandhisgood-humoredsimplicity。
Thatevening，asthegeneralaccompaniedtheconsuldowntothegatewayandthewaitingcarriage，afigureinuniformranspontaneouslybeforethemandshouted\"Heraus！\"tothesentries。
Butthegeneralpromptlychecked\"theturningout\"oftheguardwithapaternalshakeofhisfingertotheover-zealoussoldier，inwhomtheconsulrecognizedKarl。\"HeismyBurschenow，\"saidthegeneralexplanatorily。\"Mywifehastakenafancytohim。Ach！heisverypopularwiththesewomen。\"Theconsulwasstillmoresurprised。TheFrauGeneralinAdlerkreutzheknewtobeapronouncedEnglishwoman，——carryingoutherEnglishways，proprieties，andprejudicesintheveryheartofSchlachtstadt，uncompromisingly，withoutfearandwithoutreproach。Thatsheshouldfollowamerelyforeignsocietycraze，oralterherEnglishhouseholdsoastoadmittheimpossibleKarl，struckhimoddly。
AmonthortwoelapsedwithoutfurthernewsofKarl，whenoneafternoonhesuddenlyturnedupattheconsulate。Hehadagainsoughttheconsularquiettowriteafewlettershome；hehadnochanceintheconfinementofthebarracks。
\"Butbythistimeyoumustbeinthefamilyofafield-marshal，atleast，\"suggestedtheconsulpleasantly。
\"Notto-day，butnextweek，\"saidKarl，withsublimesimplicity；
\"THENIamgoingtoservewiththegovernorcommandantofRheinfestung。\"
Theconsulsmiled，motionedhimtoaseatatatableintheouteroffice，andlefthimundisturbedtohiscorrespondence。
Returninglater，hefoundKarl，hislettersfinished，gazingwithchildishcuriosityandadmirationatsomethickofficialenvelopes，bearingthestampoftheconsulate，whichwerelyingonthetable。
Hewasevidentlystruckwiththecontrastbetweenthemandthethin，flimsyaffairshewasholdinginhishand。Heappearedstillmoreimpressedwhentheconsultoldhimwhattheywere。
\"Arcyouwritingtoyourfriends？\"continuedtheconsul，touchedbyhissimplicity。
\"Achja！\"saidKarleagerly。
\"Wouldyouliketoputyourletterinoneoftheseenvelopes？\"
continuedtheofficial。
ThebeamingfaceandeyesofKarlwereasufficientanswer。Afterall，itwasasmallfavorgrantedtothisoddwaif，whoseemedtostillclingtotheconsularprotection。Hehandedhimtheenvelopeandlefthimaddressingitinboyishpride。
ItwasKarl’slastvisittotheconsulate。Heappearedtohavespokentruly，andtheconsulpresentlylearnedthathehadindeedbeentransferred，throughsomehighofficialmanipulation，tothepersonalserviceofthegovernorofRheinfestung。TherewasweepingamongtheDienstmadchenofSchlachtstadt，andadistinctlossoforiginalityandlightnessinthegatheringsofthegentlerHausfrauen。Hismemorystillsurvivedinthebarracksthroughthelatereditionsofhisformerdelightfulstupidities，——manyofthem，itistobefeared，wereinventions，——andstoriesthatweresupposedtohavecomefromRheinfestungweredescribedintheslangoftheOffiziereasbeing\"colossal。\"ButtheconsulrememberedRheinfestung，andcouldnotimagineitasahomeforKarl，orinanywayfosteringhispeculiarqualities。Foritwaseminentlyafortressoffortresses，amagazineofmagazines，adepotofdepots。
ItwasthekeyoftheRhine，thecitadelofWestphalia，the\"ClaphamJunction\"ofGermanrailways，butdefended，fortified，encompassed，andcontrolledbythenewestaswellastheoldestdevicesofmilitarystrategyandscience。Eveninthepipingesttimeofpeace，wholerailwaytrainswentintoitlikearatinatrap，andmighthavenevercomeoutofit；itstretchedoutaninvitinghandandarmacrosstheriverthatmightinthetwinklingofaneyebechangedintoaclosedfistofmenace。You\"defiled\"
intoit，commandedateverystepbyenfiladingwalls；you\"debouched\"outofit，asyouthought，andfoundyourselfonlybeforethewalls；you\"reentered\"itateverypossibleangle；youdideverythingapparentlybutpassthroughit。Youthoughtyourselfwelloutofit，andwerestoppedbyabastion。Itscircumvallationshauntedyouuntilyoucametothenextstation。
Ithadpressedeventhecurrentoftheriverintoitsdefensiveservice。Thereweresecretsofitsfoundationsandminesthatonlythehighestmilitarydespotsknewandkepttothemselves。Inaword——itwasimpregnable。
Thatsuchaplacecouldnotbetrifledwithormisunderstoodinitsright-and-acute-angledseveritiesseemedplaintoeveryone。Butsetonbyhiscompanions，whowereshowinghimitsdefensivefoundations，orinhisownidlecuriosity，KarlmanagedtofallintotheRhineandwasfishedoutwithdifficulty。Theimmersionmayhavechilledhismilitaryardororsouredhisgoodhumor，forlatertheconsulheardthathehadvisitedtheAmericanconsularagentatanadjacenttownwiththeoldstoryofhisAmericancitizenship。\"Heseemed，\"saidtheconsul’scolleague，\"tobewellpostedaboutAmericanrailwaysandAmericantowns，buthehadnopapers。Heloungedaroundtheofficeforawhileand\"——
\"Wrotelettershome？\"suggestedtheconsul，withaflashofreminiscence。
\"Yes，thepoorchaphadnoprivacyatthebarracks，andIreckonwasoverlookedorbedeviled。\"
ThiswasthelasttheconsulheardofKarlSchwartzdirectly；foraweekortwolaterheagainfellintotheRhine，thistimesofatallyandeffectuallythatinspiteoftheeffortsofhiscompanionshewassweptawaybytherapidcurrent，andthusendedhisservicetohiscountry。Hisbodywasneverrecovered。
AfewmonthsbeforetheconsulwastransferredfromSchlachtstadttoanotherposthismemoryofthedepartedKarlwasrevivedbyavisitfromAdlerkreutz。Thegenerallookedgrave。
\"YourememberUnserKarl？\"hesaid。
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouthinkhewasanimpostor？\"
\"AsregardshisAmericancitizenship，yes！ButIcouldnotsaymore。\"
\"So！\"saidthegeneral。\"Averysingularthinghashappened，\"headded，twirlinghismustache。\"TheInspectorofpolicehasnotifiedusofthearrivalofaKarlSchwartzinthistown。ItappearsheistheREALKarlSchwartz，identifiedbyhissisterastheonlyone。Theother，whowasdrowned，wasanimpostor。Hein？\"
\"Thenyouhavesecuredanotherrecruit？\"saidtheconsulsmilingly。
\"No。ForthisonehasalreadyservedhistimeinElsass，wherehewentwhenhelefthereasaboy。But，Donnerwetter，whyshouldthatdumbfooltakehisname？\"
\"Bychance，Ifancy。Thenhestupidlystucktoit，andhadtotaketheresponsibilitieswithit。Don’tyousee？\"saidtheconsul，pleasedwithhisowncleverness。
\"Zo-o！\"saidthegeneralslowly，inhisdeepestvoice。ButtheGermanexclamationhasavarietyofsignificance，accordingtotheinflection，andAdlerkreutz’sejaculationseemedtocontainthemall……
ItwasinParis，wheretheconsulhadlingeredonhiswaytohisnewpost。Hewassittinginawell-knowncafe，amongwhosehabitueswereseveralmilitaryofficersofhighrank。Agroupofthemweregatheredroundatablenearhim。HewasidlywatchingthemwithanoddrecollectionofSchlachtstadtinhismind，andasidlyglancingfromthemtothemoreattractiveBoulevardwithout。
Theconsulwasgettingalittletiredofsoldiers。
Suddenlytherewasaslightstirinthegesticulatinggroupandacryofgreeting。Theconsullookedupmechanically，andthenhiseyesremainedfixedandstaringatthenewcomer。ForitwasthedeadKarl；Karl，surely！Karl！——hisplumpfigurebeltedinaFrenchofficer’stunic；hisflaxenhairclippedalittlecloser，butstillitsfleeceshowingunderhiskepi。Karl，hischeeksmorecherubicthanever——unchangedbutforatinyyellowtoymustachecurlingupoverthecornersofhisfulllips。Karl，beamingathiscompanionsinhisoldway，butrattlingoffFrenchvivacitieswithoutthefaintesttraceofaccent。Couldhebemistaken？Wasitsomephenomenalresemblance，orhadthesouloftheGermanprivatebeentransmigratedtotheFrenchofficer。
Theconsulhurriedlycalledthegarcon。\"Whoisthatofficerwhohasjustarrived？\"
\"ItistheCaptainChristian，oftheIntelligenceBureau，\"saidthewaiter，withproudalacrity。\"Afamousofficer，braveasarabbit，——unfierlapin，——andoneofourbestclients。Sodrole，too，suchafarceurandmimic。M’sieurwouldberavishedtohearhisimitations。\"
\"ButhelookslikeaGerman；andhisname！\"
\"Ah，heisfromAlsace。ButnotaGerman！\"saidthewaiter，absolutelywhiteningwithindignation。\"HewasatBelfort。SowasI。MonDieu！No，athousandtimesno！\"
\"Buthashebeenlivingherelong？\"saidtheconsul。
\"InParis，afewmonths。ButhisDepartment，M’sieurunderstands，takeshimEVERYWHERE！Everywherewherehecangaininformation。\"
Theconsul’seyeswerestillontheCaptainChristian。Presentlytheofficer，perhapsinstinctivelyconsciousofthescrutiny，lookedtowardshim。Theireyesmet。Totheconsul’ssurprise，theci-devantKarlbeameduponhim，andadvancedwithoutstretchedhand。
Buttheconsulstiffenedslightly，andremainedsowithhisglassinhishand。AtwhichCaptainChristianbroughthisowneasilytoamilitarysalute，andsaidpolitely：——
\"MonsieurleConsulhasbeenpromotedfromhispost。Permitmetocongratulatehim。\"
\"Youhaveheard，then？\"saidtheconsuldryly。
\"OtherwiseIshouldnotpresume。ForourDepartmentmakesitabusiness——inMonsieurleConsul’scaseitbecomesapleasure——toknoweverything。\"
\"DidyourDepartmentknowthattherealKarlSchwartzhasreturned？\"saidtheconsuldryly。
CaptainChristianshruggedhisshoulders。\"ThenitappearsthattheshamKarldiednonetoosoon，\"hesaidlightly。\"Andyet\"——hebenthiseyeswithmischievousreproachupontheconsul。
\"Yetwhat？\"demandedtheconsulsternly。
\"MonsieurleConsulmighthavesavedtheunfortunatemanbyacceptinghimasanAmericancitizenandnothelpingtoforcehimintotheGermanservice。\"
Theconsulsawinaflashthefullmilitarysignificanceofthislogic，andcouldnotrepressasmile。AtwhichCaptainChristiandroppedeasilyintoachairbesidehim，andaseasilyintobrokenGermanEnglish：——
\"Und，\"hewenton，\"deestown——deesSchlachtstadtisfinetown，eh？
Finewomens？Gootmen？Undpeerandsausage？Blentytoeatandtrink，eh？Undyouundtepoyshafagaytimes？\"
Theconsultriedtorecoverhisdignity。Thewaiterbehindhim，recognizingonlythedelightfulmimicryofthisadorableofficer，wasinfitsoflaughter。Nevertheless，theconsulmanagedtosaydryly：——
\"Andthebarracks，themagazines，thecommissariat，thedetails，thereservesofSchlachtstadtwereveryinteresting？\"
\"Assuredly。\"
\"AndRheinfestung——itsplans——itsdetails，evenitsdangerousfoundationsbytheriver——theyweretoasoldiersingularlyinstructive？\"
\"Youhavereasontosayso，\"saidCaptainChristian，curlinghislittlemustache。
\"Andthefortress——youthink？\"
\"Imprenable！Mais\"——
TheconsulrememberedGeneralAdlerkreutz’s\"Zo-o，\"andwondered。
UNCLEJIMANDUNCLEBILLY
Theywerepartners。TheavunculartitlewasbestowedonthembyCedarCamp，possiblyinrecognitionofacertainmaturedgoodhumor，quitedistinctfromthespasmodicexuberantspiritsofitsothermembers，andpossiblyfromwhat，toitsyouthfulsense，seemedtheiradvancedages——whichmusthavebeenatleastforty！
Theyhadalsosethabitsevenintheirimprovidence，lostincalculableandunpayablesumstoeachotherovereuchreregularlyeveryevening，andinspectedtheirsluice-boxespunctuallyeverySaturdayforrepairs——whichtheynevermade。Theyevengottoresembleeachother，afterthefashionofoldmarriedcouples，or，rather，asinmatrimonialpartnerships，weresubjecttothedominationofthestrongercharacter；althoughintheircaseitistobefearedthatitwasthefeminineUncleBilly——enthusiastic，imaginative，andloquacious——whoswayedthemasculine，steady-
going，andpracticalUncleJim。Theyhadlivedinthecampsinceitsfoundationin1849；thereseemedtobenoreasonwhytheyshouldnotremainthereuntilitsinevitableevolutionintoamining-town。Theyoungermembersmightleavethroughrestlessambitionoradesireforchangeornovelty；theyweresubjecttonosuchtriflingmutation。YetCedarCampwassurprisedonedaytohearthatUncleBillywasgoingaway。
Therainwassoftlyfallingonthebarkthatchofthecabinwithamuffledmurmur，likeasoundheardthroughsleep。Thesouthwesttradeswerewarmevenatthataltitude，astheopendoortestified，althoughafireofpinebarkwasflickeringontheadobehearthandstrikingoutansweringfiresfromthefreshlyscouredculinaryutensilsontherudesideboard，whichUncleJimhadcleanedthatmorningwithhisusualseriouspersistency。Theirbestclothes，whichwereinterchangeableandwornalternatelybyeachotheronfestaloccasions，hungonthewalls，whichwerecoveredwithacoarsesailclothcanvasinsteadoflath-and-plaster，andwerediversifiedbypicturesfromillustratedpapersandstainsfromtheexteriorweather。Two\"bunks，\"likeships’berths，——anupperandlowerone，——occupiedthegable-endofthissingleapartment，andonbedsofcoarsesacking，filledwithdrymoss，werecarefullyrolledtheirrespectiveblanketsandpillows。Theyweretheonlyarticlesnotusedincommon，andwhoseindividualitywasrespected。
UncleJim，whohadbeensittingbeforethefire，roseasthesquarebulkofhispartnerappearedatthedoorwaywithanarmfulofwoodfortheeveningstove。Bythatsignheknewitwasnineo’clock：
forthelastsixyearsUncleBillyhadregularlybroughtinthewoodatthathour，andUncleJimhadasregularlyclosedthedoorafterhim，andsetouttheirsingletable，containingagreasypackofcardstakenfromitsdrawer，abottleofwhiskey，andtwotindrinking-cups。Tothiswasaddedaraggedmemorandum-bookandastickofpencil。Thetwomendrewtheirstoolstothetable。
\"Hol’onaminit，\"saidUncleBilly。
HispartnerlaiddownthecardsasUncleBillyextractedfromhispocketapill-box，and，openingit，gravelytookapill。Thiswasclearlyaninnovationontheirregularproceedings，forUncleBillywasalwaysinperfecthealth。
\"What’sthisfor？\"askedUncleJimhalfscornfully。
\"Aginager。\"
\"Youain’tgotnoager，\"saidUncleJim，withtheassuranceofintimatecognizanceofhispartner’sphysicalcondition。
\"Butit’sapow’fulpreventive！Quinine！SawthisboxatRiley’sstore，andlaidoutaquarteronit。Wekinkeepithere，comfortable，forevenings。It’smightysoothin’arteraman’sdoneahardday’sworkontheriver-bar。Takeone。\"
UncleJimgravelytookapillandswallowedit，andhandedtheboxbacktohispartner。
\"We’llleaveitonthetable，sociablelike，incaseanyoftheboyscomein，\"saidUncleBilly，takingupthecards。\"Well。Howdowestand？\"
UncleJimconsultedthememorandum-book。\"Youwereowin’mesixty-
twothousanddollarsonthelastgame，andthelimit’sseventy-fivethousand！\"
\"Jewhillikins！\"ejaculatedUncleBilly。\"Letmesee。\"
Heexaminedthebook，feeblyattemptedtochallengetheadditions，butwithnoeffectonthetotal。\"Weoughterhevmadethelimitahundredthousand，\"hesaidseriously；\"seventy-fivethousandisonlytriflin’inagamelikeours。Andyou’vesetdownmyclaimatAngel’s？\"hecontinued。
\"Iallowedyoutenthousanddollarsforthat，\"saidUncleJim，withequalgravity，\"andit’safancypricetoo。\"
Theclaiminquestionbeinganunprospectedhillsidetenmilesdistant，whichUncleJimhadneverseen，andUncleBillyhadnotvisitedforyears，thestatementwasprobablytrue；nevertheless，UncleBillyretorted：——
\"Yekinnevertellhowthesethingswillpanout。Why，onlythismornin’IwastakingaturnroundShotUpHill，thatyeknowisjustrottenwithquartzandgold，andIcouldn’thelpthinkin’howmuchitwaslikemyoleclaimatAngel’s。Imusttakeadayofftogoonthereandstrikeapickinit，ifonlyforluck。\"
Suddenlyhepausedandsaid，\"Strange，ain’tit，youshouldspeakofitto-night？NowIcallthatqueer！\"
Helaiddownhiscardsandgazedmysteriouslyathiscompanion。
UncleJimknewperfectlythatUncleBillyhadregularlyonceaweekformanyyearsdeclaredhisfinaldeterminationtogoovertoAngel’sandprospecthisclaim，yetneverthelesshehalfrespondedtohispartner’ssuggestionofmystery，andalookoffatuouswondercreptintohiseyes。Buthecontentedhimselfbysayingcautiously，\"Youspokeofitfirst。\"
\"That’sthemoresing’lar，\"saidUncleBillyconfidently。\"AndI’vebeenthinkingaboutit，andkinderseeingmyselftharallday。
It’smightyqueer！\"Hegotupandbegantorummageamongsometornandcoverlessbooksinthecorner。
\"Where’sthat’DreamBook’goneto？\"
\"TheCarsonboysborrowedit，\"repliedUncleJim。\"Anyhow，yourswasn’tnodream——onlyakindo’vision，andthebookdon’ttakenostockinvisions。\"Nevertheless，hewatchedhispartnerwithsomesympathy，andadded，\"ThatremindsmethatIhadadreamtheothernightofbeingin’Friscoatasmallhotel，withheapso’money，andallthetimebeingsorto’scaredandbewilderedoverit。\"
\"No？\"queriedhispartnereagerlyyetreproachfully。\"YouneverletonanythingaboutittoME！It’smightyqueeryouhavin’thesestrangefeelin’s，forI’vehad’emmyself。Andonlyto-night，comin’upfromthespring，Isawtwocrowshoppinginthetrail，andIsays，’IfIseeanother，it’sluck，sure！’Andyou’llthinkI’mlyin’，butwhenIwenttothewood-pilejustnowtherewastheTHIRDonesittin’uponalogasplainasIseeyou。Tell’ewhatfolkskenlaugh——butthat’sjustwhatJimFilgeesawthenightbeforehemadethebigstrike！\"
Theywerebothsmiling，yetwithanunderlyingcredulityandseriousnessassingularlypatheticasitseemedincongruoustotheiryearsandintelligence。Smallwonder，however，thatintheiroccupationandenvironment——livingdailyinanatmosphereofhope，expectation，andchance，lookingforwardeachmorningtotheblindstrokeofapickthatmightbringfortune——theyshouldseesignsinnatureandhearmysticvoicesinthetracklesswoodsthatsurroundedthem。Stilllessstrangethattheywerepeculiarlysusceptibletothemorerecognizeddiversionsofchance，andweregamblersontheturningofacardwhotrustedtotherevelationofashovelfulofupturnedearth。
Itwasquitenatural，therefore，thattheyshouldreturnfromtheirabstractformofdivinationtothetableandtheircards。Buttheywerescarcelyseatedbeforetheyheardacracklingstepinthebrushoutside，andthefreelatchoftheirdoorwaslifted。A
youngermemberofthecampentered。Heutteredapeevish\"Halloo！\"
whichmighthavepassedforagreeting，ormighthavebeenaslightprotestatfindingthedoorclosed，drewthestoolfromwhichUncleJimhadjustrisenbeforethefire，shookhiswetclotheslikeaNewfoundlanddog，andsatdown。Yethewasbynomeanschurlishnorcoarse-looking，andthisactwasratheroneofeasy-going，selfish，youthfulfamiliaritythanofrudeness。ThecabinofUnclesBillyandJimwasconsideredapublicrightor\"common\"ofthecamp。Conferencesbetweenindividualminerswereappointedthere。\"I’llmeetyouatUncleBilly’s\"wasacommontryst。Addedtothiswasatacitclaimuponthepartners’arbitrativepowers，ortheequalrighttorequestthemtostepoutsideiftheinterviewswereofaprivatenature。Yettherewasneveranyobjectiononthepartofthepartners，andto-nighttherewasnotashadowofresentmentofthisintrusioninthepatient，good-humored，toleranteyesofUnclesJimandBillyastheygazedattheirguest。PerhapstherewasaslightgleamofreliefinUncleJim’swhenhefoundthattheguestwasunaccompaniedbyanyone，andthatitwasnotatryst。Itwouldhavebeenunpleasantforthetwopartnerstohavestayedoutintherainwhiletheirguestswereexchangingprivateconfidencesintheircabin。Whiletheremighthavebeennolimittotheirgoodwill，theremighthavebeensometotheircapacityforexposure。
UncleJimdrewahugelogfrombesidethehearthandsatonthedriestendofit，whiletheirguestoccupiedthestool。Theyoungman，withoutturningawayfromhisdiscontented，peevishbroodingoverthefire，vaguelyreachedbackwardforthewhiskey-bottleandUncleBilly’stincup，towhichhewasassistedbythelatter’shospitablehand。Butonsettingdownthecuphiseyecaughtsightofthepill-box。
\"Wot’sthat？\"hesaid，withgloomyscorn。\"Ratpoison？\"
\"Quininepills——aginager，\"saidUncleJim。\"Thenewestthingout。
KeepsoutdamplikeInjin-rubber！Takeonetofollowyerwhiskey。
MeandUncleBillywouldn’tthinko’settin’down，quietlike，intheeveningarterwork，without’em。Takeone——ye’r’welcome！Wekeep’emoutherefortheboys。\"
Accustomedasthepartnersweretoadoptandweareachother’sopinionsbeforefolks，astheydideachother’sclothing，UncleBillywas，nevertheless，astonishedanddelightedatUncleJim’senthusiasmoverHISpills。Theguesttookoneandswallowedit。
\"Mightybitter！\"hesaid，glancingathishostswiththequickCaliforniansuspicionofsomepracticaljoke。Butthehonestfacesofthepartnersreassuredhim。
\"Thatbitternessyetaste，\"saidUncleJimquickly，\"iswharthething’sgittin’initswork。Sortersickenin’themalaria——andkinderwater-proofin’theinsidesalltoonctandatthesamelick！
Don’tyersee？Putanotherinyervestpocket；you’llbecryin’
for’emlikeachildaforeyegethome。Thar！Well，how’sthingsagoin’onyourclaim，Dick？Boomin’，eh？\"