Theguestraisedhisheadandturneditsufficientlytoflinghisanswerbackoverhisshoulderathishosts。\"Idon’tknowwhatYOU’Dcall’boomin’，’\"hesaidgloomily；\"Isupposeyoutwomensittingherecomfortablybythefire，withoutcaringwhetherschoolkeepsornot，wouldcalltwofeetofbackwateroverone’sclaim’boomin’；’IreckonYOU’Dconsiderahundredandfiftyfeetofsluicingcarriedaway，anddriftingtothunderdowntheSouthFork，somethinginthewayofadvertisingtoyouroldcamp！IsupposeYOU’dthinkitwasaninducementtoinvestors！Ishouldn’twonder，\"headdedstillmoregloomily，asasuddendashofraindownthewide-throatedchimneydroppedinhistincup——\"anditwouldbejustlikeyoutwochaps，sittin’theregormandizingoveryourquinine——ifyersaidthisrainthat’slastedthreeweekswassomethingtobeproudof！\"
Itwasthecheerfulandthesatisfyingcustomoftherestofthecamp，fornoreasonwhatever，toholdUncleJimandUncleBillyresponsibleforitspresentlocation，itsvicissitudes，theweather，oranyconvulsionofnature；anditwasequallythepartners’habit，fornoreasonwhatever，toaccepttheseanimadversionsandapologize。
\"It’sarainthat’ssoftandmellowin’，\"saidUncleBillygently，\"andsupplin’tothesinewsandmuscles。Didyeevernotice，Jim\"——
ostentatiouslytohispartner——\"didyeevernoticethatyougetinterakindo’sweatylatherworkin’init？Sorteropenin’tothepores！\"
\"Fetches’emeverytime，\"saidUncleBilly。\"Betternorfancysoap。\"
Theirguestlaughedbitterly。\"Well，I’mgoingtoleaveittoyou。
Ireckontocutthewholeconcernto-morrow，and’lite’outforsomethingnew。Itcan’tbeworsethanthis。\"
Thetwopartnerslookedgrieved，albeittheywereaccustomedtotheseoutbursts。EverybodywhothoughtofgoingawayfromCedarCampuseditfirstasathreattothesepatientmen，afterthefashionofrunawaynephews，ormadeanexemplarysceneoftheirgoing。
\"Betterthinktwiceaforeyego，\"saidUncleBilly。
\"I’veseenworseweatheraforeyecame，\"saidUncleJimslowly。
\"WaterallovertheBar；themudsodeepyecouldn’tgettoAngel’sforasacko’flour，andwehadtogrubonpinenutsandjackass-
rabbits。Andyet——westuckbythecamp，andhereweare！\"
Themildanswerapparentlygoadedtheirguesttofury。Herosefromhisseat，threwbackhislongdrippinghairfromhishandsomebutquerulousface，andscatteredafewdropsonthepartners。
\"Yes，that’sjustit。That’swhatgetsme！Hereyoustick，andhereyouare！Andhereyou’llstickandrustuntilyoustarveordrown！Hereyouare，——twomenwhooughttobeoutintheworld，playingyourpartasgrownmen，——stuckherelikechildren’playinghouse’inthewoods；playingworkinyourwretchedmud-pieditches，andcontent。Twomennotsooldthatyoumightn’tbetakingyourpartinthefunoftheworld，goingtoballsortheatres，orpayingattentiontogirls，andyetoldenoughtohavemarriedandhaveyourfamiliesaroundyou，contenttostayinthisGod-forsakenplace；oldbachelors，piggingtogetherlikepoorhousepaupers。
That’swhatgetsme！SayyouLIKEit？Sayyouexpectbyhangingontomakeastrike——andwhatdoesthatamountto？WhatareYOUR
chances？Howmanyofushavemade，oraremaking，morethangrubwages？Sayyou’rewillingtoshareandsharealikeasyoudo——haveyougotenoughfortwo？Aren’tyouactuallylivingoffeachother？
Aren’tyougrindingeachotherdown，chokingeachother’sstruggles，asyousinktogetherdeeperanddeeperinthemudofthiscussedcamp？Andwhileyou’redoingthis，aren’tyou，byyourageandpositionhere，holdingouthopestoothersthatyouknowcannotbefulfilled？\"
Accustomedastheyweretothehalf-querulous，half-humorous，butalwaysextravagant，criticismoftheothers，therewassomethingsonewinthisarraignmentofthemselvesthatthepartnersforamomentsatsilent。TherewasaslightflushonUncleBilly’scheek，therewasaslightpalenessonUncleJim’s。Hewasthefirsttoreply。Buthedidsowithacertaindignitywhichneitherhispartnernortheirguesthadeverseenonhisfacebefore。
\"Asit’sOURfirethat’swarmedyeuplikethis，DickBullen，\"hesaid，slowlyrising，withhishandrestingonUncleBilly’sshoulder，\"andasit’sOURwhiskeythat’sloosenedyourtongue，I
reckonwemustputupwithwhatye’r’saying，justaswe’vemanagedtoputupwithourownwayo’living，andnotquo’llwithyeunderourownroof。\"
TheyoungfellowsawthechangeinUncleJim’sfaceandquicklyextendedhishand，withanapologeticbackwardshakeofhislonghair。\"Hangitall，oldman，\"hesaid，withalaughofmingledcontritionandamusement，\"youmustn’tmindwhatIsaidjustnow。
I’vebeensoworriedthinkingofthingsaboutMYSELF，and，maybe，alittleaboutyou，thatIquiteforgotIhadn’tacalltopreachtoanybody——leastofalltoyou。Sowepartfriends，UncleJim，andyoutoo，UncleBilly，andyou’llforgetwhatIsaid。Infact，I
don’tknowwhyIspokeatall——onlyIwaspassingyourclaimjustnow，andwonderinghowmuchlongeryouroldsluice-boxeswouldholdout，andwhereinthunderyou’dgetotherswhentheycavedin！I
reckonthatsentmeoff。That’sall，oldchap！\"
UncleBilly’sfacebrokeintoabeamingsmileofrelief，anditwasHIShandthatfirstgraspedhisguest’s；UncleJimquicklyfollowedwithashonestapressure，butwitheyesthatdidnotseemtobelookingatBullen，thoughalltraceofresentmenthaddiedoutofthem。Hewalkedtothedoorwithhim，againshookhands，butremainedlookingoutinthedarknesssometimeafterDickBullen’stangledhairandbroadshouldershaddisappeared。
Meantime，UncleBillyhadresumedhisseatandwaschucklingandreminiscentashecleanedouthispipe。
\"KinderremindsmeofJoSharp，whenhewascleanedoutatpokerbyhisownpartnersinhisowncabin，comin’uphereandbedevilin’US
aboutit！Whatwasityoulinthim？\"
ButUncleJimdidnotreply；andUncleBilly，takingupthecards，begantoshufflethem，smilingvaguely，yetatthesametimesomewhatpainfully。\"Arterall，Dickwasmightycutupaboutwhathesaid，andIfeltkindersorryforhim。And，youknow，Irathercottontoamanthatspeakshismind。Sorterclearshimout，youknow，ofalltheslumgullionthat’sinhim。It’sjustlikewashin’
outapano’prospecting：youpourinthewater，andkeepslushingitroundandround，andoutcomesfirstthemudanddirt，andthenthegravel，andthentheblacksand，andthen——it’sallout，andthere’saspecko’goldglistenin’atthebottom！\"
\"ThenyouthinkthereWASsuthin’inwhathesaid？\"saidUncleJim，facingaboutslowly。
AnoddtoneinhisvoicemadeUncleBillylookup。\"No，\"hesaidquickly，shyingwiththeinstinctofaneasypleasure-lovingnaturefromapossiblegravesituation。\"No，Idon’tthinkheevergotthecolor！Butwotareyemoonin’aboutfor？Ain’tyegoin’toplay？It’smor’’nhalfpastninenow。\"
Thusadjured，UncleJimmoveduptothetableandsatdown，whileUncleBillydealtthecards，turninguptheJackorrightbower——
butWITHOUTthatexclamationofdelightwhichalwaysaccompaniedhisgoodfortune，nordidUncleJimrespondwiththeusualcorrespondingsimulationofdeepdisgust。Suchacircumstancehadnotoccurredbeforeinthehistoryoftheirpartnership。Theybothplayedinsilence——asilenceonlyinterruptedbyalargersplashofraindropsdownthechimney。
\"Weorterputacoupleofstonesonthechimney-top，edgewise，likeJackCurtisdoes。Itkeepsouttherainwithoutinterferin’withthedraft，\"saidUncleBillymusingly。
\"What’stheuseif\"——
\"Ifwhat？\"saidUncleBillyquietly。
\"Ifwedon’tmakeitbroader，\"saidUncleJimhalfwearily。
Theybothstaredatthechimney，butUncleJim’seyefollowedthewallaroundtothebunks。Thereweremanydiscolorationsonthecanvas，andapictureoftheGoddessofLibertyfromanillustratedpaperhadbrokenoutinakindofdamp，measlyeruption。\"I’llstickthatfunnyhandbillofthe’Washin’Soda’IgotatthegrocerystoretheotherdayrightovertheLibertygal。It’samightypertywomanwashin’withshortsleeves，\"saidUncleBilly。
\"That’sthecomfortofthempicters，youkinalwaysgetsomethin’
new，anditaddsthicknesstothewall。\"
UncleJimwentbacktothecardsinsilence。Afteramomentheroseagain，andhunghisovercoatagainstthedoor。
\"Wind’scomin’in，\"hesaidbriefly。
\"Yes，\"saidUncleBillycheerfully，\"butitwouldn’tseemnat’raliftherewasn’tthatcrackinthedoortoletthesunlightinomornin’s。Makesakindo’sundial，youknow。Whenthestreako’
light’sinthatcorner，Isays’sixo’clock！’whenit’sacrossthechimneyIsay’seven！’andso’tis！\"
Itcertainlyhadgrownchilly，andthewindwasrising。Thecandlegutteredandflickered；theembersonthehearthbrightenedoccasionally，asiftryingtodispelthegatheringshadows，butalwaysineffectually。Thegamewasfrequentlyinterruptedbythenecessityofstirringthefire。Afteranintervalofgloom，inwhicheachpartnersuccessivelydrewthecandletohissidetoexaminehiscards，UncleJimsaid：——
\"Say？\"
\"Well！\"respondedUncleBilly。
\"Areyousureyousawthatthirdcrowonthewood-pile？\"
\"SureasIseeyounow——andadarnedsightplainer。Why？\"
\"Nothin’，Iwasjustthinkin’。Lookhere！Howdowestandnow？\"
UncleBillywasstilllosing。\"Nevertheless，\"hesaidcheerfully，\"I’mowin’youamatterofsixtythousanddollars。\"
UncleJimexaminedthebookabstractedly。\"Suppose，\"hesaidslowly，butwithoutlookingathispartner，\"suppose，asit’sgettin’latenow，weplayformyhalfshareoftheclaimaginthelimit——seventythousand——tosquareup。\"
\"Yourhalfshare！\"repeatedUncleBilly，withamusedincredulity。
\"Myhalfshareoftheclaim，——ofthisyerhouse，youknow，——onehalfofallthatDickBullencallsourrottenstarvationproperty，\"
reiteratedUncleJim，withahalfsmile。
UncleBillylaughed。Itwasanovelidea；itwas，ofcourse，\"allintheair，\"liketherestoftheirgame，yeteventhenhehadanoddfeelingthathewouldhavelikedDickBullentohaveknownit。
\"Wadein，oldpard，\"hesaid。\"I’monit。\"
UncleJimlitanothercandletoreinforcethefadinglight，andthedealfelltoUncleBilly。HeturnedupJackofclubs。Healsoturnedalittleredderashetookuphiscards，lookedatthem，andglancedhastilyathispartner。\"It’snouseplaying，\"hesaid。
\"Lookhere！\"Helaiddownhiscardsonthetable。Theyweretheace，kingandqueenofclubs，andJackofspades，——orleftbower，——
which，withtheturned-upJackofclubs，——orrightbower，——
comprisedALLthewinningcards！
\"Byjingo！Ifwe’dbeenplayin’four-handed，sayyouan’meaginsomeotherducks，we’dhavemade’four’inthatdeal，andh’istedsomemoney——eh？\"andhiseyessparkled。UncleJim，also，hadaslighttremulouslightinhisown。
\"Ohno！Ididn’tseenothreecrowsthisafternoon，\"addedUncleBillygleefully，ashispartner，inturn，begantoshufflethecardswithlaboriousandconscientiousexactitude。Thendealing，heturnedupaheartfortrumps。UncleBillytookuphiscardsonebyone，butwhenhehadfinishedhisfacehadbecomeaspaleasithadbeenredbefore。\"What’sthematter？\"saidUncleJimquickly，hisownfacegrowingwhite。
UncleBillyslowlyandwithbreathlessawelaiddownhiscards，faceuponthetable。ItwasexactlythesamesequenceINHEARTS，withtheknaveofdiamondsadded。Hecouldagaintakeeverytrick。
Theystaredateachotherwithvacantfacesandahalf-drawnsmileoffear。Theycouldhearthewindmoaninginthetreesbeyond；
therewasasuddenrattlingatthedoor。UncleBillystartedtohisfeet，butUncleJimcaughthisarm。\"DON’TLEAVETHECARDS！
It’sonlythewind；sitdown，\"hesaidinalowawe-hushedvoice，\"it’syourdeal；youweretwobefore，andtwonow，thatmakesyourfour；you’veonlyonepointtomaketowinthegame。Goon。\"
Theybothpouredoutacupofwhiskey，smilingvaguely，yetwithacertainterrorintheireyes。Theirhandswerecold；thecardsslippedfromUncleBilly’sbenumbedfingers；whenhehadshuffledthemhepassedthemtohispartnertoshufflethemalso，butdidnotspeak。WhenUncleJimhadshuffledthemmethodicallyhehandedthembackfatefullytohispartner。UncleBillydealtthemwithatremblinghand。Heturnedupaclub。\"Ifyouaresureofthesetricksyouknowyou’vewon，\"saidUncleJiminavoicethatwasscarcelyaudible。UncleBillydidnotreply，buttremulouslylaiddowntheaceandrightandleftbowers。
Hehadwon！
Afeelingofreliefcameovereach，andtheylaughedhystericallyanddiscordantly。Ridiculousandchildishastheircontestmighthaveseemedtoalooker-on，toeachthetensionhadbeenasgreatasthatofthegreatestgambler，withoutthegambler’strainedrestraint，coolness，andcomposure。UncleBillynervouslytookupthecardsagain。
\"Don’t，\"saidUncleJimgravely；\"it’snouse——theluck’sgonenow。\"
\"Justonemoredeal，\"pleadedhispartner。
UncleJimlookedatthefire，UncleBillyhastilydealt，andthrewthetwohandsfaceuponthetable。Theyweretheordinaryaveragecards。Hedealtagain，withthesameresult。\"Itoldyouso，\"
saidUncleJim，withoutlookingup。
Itcertainlyseemedatameperformanceaftertheirwonderfulhands，andafteranothertrialUncleBillythrewthecardsasideanddrewhisstoolbeforethefire。\"Mightyqueer，warn’tit？\"hesaid，withreminiscentawe。\"Threetimesrunning。Doyouknow，Ifeltakindo’creepyfeelin’downmybackallthetime。Criky！whatluck！Noneoftheboyswouldbelieveitifwetold’em——leastofallthatDickBullen，whodon’tbelieveinluck，anyway。Wonderwhathe’dhavesaid！and，Lord！howhe’dhavelooked！Wall！whatareyoustarin’sofor？\"
UncleJimhadfacedaround，andwasgazingatUncleBilly’sgood-
humored，simpleface。\"Nothin’！\"hesaidbriefly，andhiseyesagainsoughtthefire。
\"Thendon’tlookasifyouwasseein’suthin’——yougivemethecreeps，\"returnedUncleBillyalittlepetulantly。\"Let’sturnin，aforethefiregoesout！\"
Thefatefulcardswereputbackintothedrawer，thetableshovedagainstthewall。Theoperationofundressingwasquicklygotover，theclothestheyworebeingputontopoftheirblankets。
UncleBillyyawned，\"IwonderwhatkindofadreamI’llhavetonight——itoughterbesuthin’toexplainthatluck。\"Thiswashis\"good-night\"tohispartner。Inafewmomentshewassoundasleep。
NotsoUncleJim。Heheardthewindgraduallygodown，andintheoppressivesilencethatfollowedcoulddetectthedeepbreathingofhiscompanionandthefar-offyelpofacoyote。Hiseyesightbecomingaccustomedtothesemi-darkness，brokenonlybythescintillationofthedyingembersoftheirfire，hecouldtakeineverydetailoftheirsordidcabinandtherudeenvironmentinwhichtheyhadlivedsolong。Thedismalpatchesonthebarkroof，thewretchedmakeshiftsofeachday，thedrearyprolongationofdiscomfort，wereallplaintohimnow，withoutthesanguinehopethathadmadethembearable。Andwhenheshuthiseyesuponthem，itwasonlytotravelinfancydownthesteepmountainsidethathehadtroddensooftentothedrearyclaimontheoverflowedriver，totheheapsof\"tailings\"thatencumberedit，likeemptyshellsofthehollow，profitlessdaysspentthere，whichtheywerealwayswaitingforthestrokeofgoodfortunetoclearaway。Hesawagaintherotten\"sluicing，\"throughwhosehopelessriftsandholeseventheirscantdailyearningshadbecomescantier。Atlasthearose，andwithinfinitegentlenesslethimselfdownfromhisberthwithoutdisturbinghissleepingpartner，andwrappinghimselfinhisblanket，wenttothedoor，whichhenoiselesslyopened。Fromthepositionofafewstarsthatwereglitteringinthenorthernskyheknewthatitwasyetscarcelymidnight；therewerestilllong，restlesshoursbeforetheday！Inthefeverishstateintowhichhehadgraduallyworkedhimselfitseemedtohimimpossibletowaitthecomingofthedawn。
Buthewasmistaken。Forevenashestoodthereallnatureseemedtoinvadehishumblecabinwithitsfreeandfragrantbreath，andinvesthimwithitsgreatcompanionship。Hefeltagain，inthatbreath，thatstrangesenseoffreedom，thatmystictouchofpartnershipwiththebirdsandbeasts，theshrubsandtrees，inthisgreaterhomebeforehim。Itwasthisvaguecommunionthathadkepthimthere，thatstillheldtheseworld-sick，wearyworkersintheirrudecabinsontheslopesaroundhim；andhefeltuponhisbrowthatbalmthathadnightlylulledhimandthemtosleepandforgetfulness。Heclosedthedoor，turnedaway，creptasnoiselesslyasbeforeintohisbunkagain，andpresentlyfellintoaprofoundslumber。
ButwhenUncleBillyawokethenextmorninghesawitwaslate；forthesun，piercingthecrackofthecloseddoor，wassendingapenciloflightacrossthecoldhearth，likeamatchtorekindleitsdeadembers。Hisfirstthoughtwasofhisstrangeluckthenightbefore，andofdisappointmentthathehadnothadthedreamofdivinationthathehadlookedfor。Hesprangtothefloor，butashestooduprighthisglancefellonUncleJim’sbunk。Itwasempty。Notonlythat，buthisBLANKETS——UncleJim’sownparticularblankets——WEREGONE！
Asuddenrevelationofhispartner’smannerthenightbeforestruckhimnowwiththecrueltyofablow；asuddenintelligence，perhapstheverydivinationhehadsought，flasheduponhimlikelightning！
Heglancedwildlyaroundthecabin。Thetablewasdrawnoutfromthewallalittleostentatiously，asiftocatchhiseye。Onitwaslyingthestainedchamois-skinpurseinwhichtheyhadkeptthefewgrainsofgoldremainingfromtheirlastweek’s\"cleanup。\"
Thegrainshadbeencarefullydivided，andhalfhadbeentaken！
Butnearitlaythelittlememorandum-book，open，withthestickofpencillyingacrossit。Adeeplinewasdrawnacrossthepageonwhichwasrecordedtheirimaginaryextravagantgainsandlosses，eventotheentryofUncleJim’shalfshareoftheclaimwhichhehadriskedandlost！Underneathwerehurriedlyscrawledthewords：——
\"SettledbyYOURluck，lastnight，oldpard。——JAMESFOSTER。\"
ItwasnearlyamonthbeforeCedarCampwasconvincedthatUncleBillyandUncleJimhaddissolvedpartnership。PridehadpreventedUncleBillyfromrevealinghissuspicionsofthetruth，orofrelatingtheeventsthatprecededUncleJim’sclandestineflight，andDickBullenhadgonetoSacramentobystage-coachthesamemorning。HebrieflygaveoutthathispartnerhadbeencalledtoSanFranciscoonimportantbusinessoftheirown，thatindeedmightnecessitatehisownremovaltherelater。InthishewassingularlyassistedbyaletterfromtheabsentJim，datedatSanFrancisco，begginghimnottobeanxiousabouthissuccess，ashehadhopesofpresentlyenteringintoaprofitablebusiness，butwithnofurtherallusionstohisprecipitatedeparture，noranysuggestionofareasonforit。FortwoorthreedaysUncleBillywasstaggeredandbewildered；inhisprofoundsimplicityhewonderedifhisextraordinarygoodfortunethatnighthadmadehimdeaftosomeexplanationofhispartner’s，or，moreterrible，ifhehadshownsome\"low\"andincredibleintimationoftakinghispartner’sextravagantbetasREALandbinding。InthisdistresshewrotetoUncleJimanappealingandapologeticletter，albeitsomewhatincoherentandinaccurate，andbristlingwithmisspelling，campslang，andoldpartnershipjibes。ButtothiselaborateepistlehereceivedonlyUncleJim’srepeatedassurancesofhisownbrightprospects，andhishopesthathisoldpartnerwouldbemorefortunate，single-handed，ontheoldclaim。ForawholeweekortwoUncleBillysulked，buthisinvincibleoptimismandgoodhumorgotthebetterofhim，andhethoughtonlyofhisoldpartner’sgoodfortune。Hewrotehimregularly，butalwaystooneaddress——aboxattheSanFranciscopost-office，whichtothesimple-mindedUncleBillysuggestedacertainofficialimportance。TotheselettersUncleJimrespondedregularlybutbriefly。
Fromacertainintuitiveprideinhispartnerandhisaffection，UncleBillydidnotshowtheselettersopenlytothecamp，althoughhespokefreelyofhisformerpartner’spromisingfuture，andevenreadthemshortextracts。ItisneedlesstosaythatthecampdidnotacceptUncleBilly’sstorywithunsuspectingconfidence。Onthecontrary，ahundredsurmises，humorousorserious，butalwaysextravagant，wereafloatinCedarCamp。Thepartnershadquarreledovertheirclothes——UncleJim，whowastallerthanUncleBilly，hadrefusedtowearhispartner’strousers。Theyhadquarreledovercards——UncleJimhaddiscoveredthatUncleBillywasinpossessionofa\"colddeck，\"ormarkedpack。TheyhadquarreledoverUncleBilly’scarelessnessingrindinguphalfaboxof\"biliouspills\"
inthemorning’scoffee。Agloomilyimaginativemule-driverhaddarklysuggestedthat，asnoonehadreallyseenUncleJimleavethecamp，hewasstillthere，andhisboneswouldyetbefoundinoneoftheditches；whileastillmorecredulousmineraverredthatwhathehadthoughtwasthecryofascreech-owlthenightprevioustoUncleJim’sdisappearance，mighthavebeentheagonizedutteranceofthatmurderedman。Itwashighlycharacteristicofthatcamp——and，indeed，ofothersinCalifornia——thatnobody，noteventheingenioustheoriststhemselves，believedtheirstory，andthatnoonetooktheslightestpainstoverifyordisproveit。
Happily，UncleBillyneverknewit，andmovedallunconsciouslyinthisatmosphereofburlesquesuspicion。Andthenasingularchangetookplaceintheattitudeofthecamptowardshimandthedisruptedpartnership。Hitherto，fornoreasonwhatever，allhadagreedtoputtheblameuponBilly——possiblybecausehewaspresenttoreceiveit。Asdayspassedthatslightreticenceanddejectioninhismanner，whichtheyhadatfirstattributedtoremorseandaguiltyconscience，nowbegantotellasabsurdlyinhisfavor。
HerewaspoorUncleBillytoilingthoughtheditches，whilehisselfishpartnerwaslollinginthelapofluxuryinSanFrancisco！
UncleBilly’sglowingaccountsofUncleJim’ssuccessonlycontributedtothesympathynowfullygiveninhisbehalfandtheirexecrationoftheabscondingpartner。ItwasproposedatBiggs’sstorethataletterexpressingtheindignationofthecampoverhisheartlessconducttohislatepartner，WilliamFall，shouldbeforwardedtohim。CondolenceswereofferedtoUncleBilly，anduncouthattemptsweremadetocheerhisloneliness。Aprocessionofhalfadozenmentwiceaweektohiscabin，carryingtheirownwhiskeyandwindingupwitha\"stagdance\"beforethepremises，wassufficienttolightenhiseclipsedgayetyandremindhimofahappierpast。\"Surprise\"workingpartiesvisitedhisclaimwithspasmodicessaystowardshelpinghim，andgreatgoodhumorandhilarityprevailed。Itwasnotanunusualthingforanhonestminertoarisefromanidlegatheringinsomecabinandexcusehimselfwiththeremarkthathe\"reckonedhe’dputinanhour’sworkinUncleBilly’stailings！\"Andyet，asbefore，itwasveryimprobableifanyoftheserecklessbenefactorsREALLYbelievedintheirownearnestnessorinthegravityofthesituation。Indeed，akindofhopefulcynicismranthroughtheirperformances。\"Likeasnot，UncleBillyisstillin’cahoots’[i。e。，shares]withhisoldpard，andisjustlaughin’atusashe’ssendin’himaccountsofourtomfoolin’。\"
Andsothewinterpassedandtherains，andthedaysofcloudlessskiesandchillstarlitnightsbegan。TherewerestillfreshetsfromthesnowreservoirspiledhighintheSierranpasses，andtheBarwasflooded，butthatpassedtoo，andonlythesunshineremained。Monotonousastheseasonswere，therewasafaintmovementinthecampwiththestirringofthesapinthepinesandcedars。Andthen，oneday，therewasastrangeexcitementontheBar。Menwereseenrunninghitherandthither，butmainlygatheringinacrowdonUncleBilly’sclaim，thatstillretainedtheoldpartners’namesin\"TheFallandFoster。\"Toaddtotheexcitement，therewasthequicklyrepeatedreportofarevolver，toallappearanceaimlesslyexplodedintheairbysomeoneontheoutskirtsoftheassemblage。Asthecrowdopened，UncleBillyappeared，pale，hysterical，breathless，andstaggeringalittleundertheback-slappingandhand-shakingofthewholecamp。ForUncleBillyhad\"struckitrich\"——hadjustdiscovereda\"pocket，\"
roughlyestimatedtobeworthfifteenthousanddollars！
Althoughinthatsuprememomenthemissedthefaceofhisoldpartner，hecouldnothelpseeingtheunaffecteddelightandhappinessshiningintheeyesofallwhosurroundedhim。Itwascharacteristicofthatsanguinebutuncertainlifethatsuccessandgoodfortunebroughtnojealousynorenvytotheunfortunate，butwasratherapromiseandprophecyofthefulfillmentoftheirownhopes。Thegoldwasthere——Naturebutyieldeduphersecret。
Therewasnoprescribedlimittoherbounty。Sostrongwasthisconvictionthatalong-sufferingbutstillhopefulminer，intheenthusiasmofthemoment，stoopeddownandpattedalargeboulderwiththeapostrophic\"Goodoldgal！\"
Thenfollowedanightofjubilee，anextmorningofhurriedconsultationwithaminingexpertandspeculatorluredtothecampbythegoodtidings；andthentheverynextnight——totheutterastonishmentofCedarCamp——UncleBilly，withadraftfortwentythousanddollarsinhispocket，startedforSanFrancisco，andtookleaveofhisclaimandthecampforever！……
WhenUncleBillylandedatthewharvesofSanFranciscohewasalittlebewildered。TheGoldenGatebeyondwasobliteratedbytheincomingsea-fog，whichhadalsoroofedinthewholecity，andlightsalreadyglitteredalongthegraystreetsthatclimbedthegrayersand-hills。AsaWesternman，broughtupbyinlandrivers，hewasfascinatedandthrilledbythetall-mastedseagoingships，andhefeltastrangesenseoftheremotermysteriousocean，whichhehadneverseen。Buthewasimpressedandstartledbysmartlydressedmenandwomen，thepassingofcarriages，andasuddenconvictionthathewasstrangeandforeigntowhathesaw。Ithadbeenhischerishedintentiontocalluponhisoldpartnerinhisworkingclothes，andthenclapdownonthetablebeforehimadraftfortenthousanddollarsasHISshareoftheiroldclaim。Butinthefaceofthesebrilliantstrangersasuddenandunexpectedtimiditycameuponhim。Hehadheardofacheappopularhotel，muchfrequentedbythereturninggold-miner，whoentereditshospitabledoors——whichheldaneasyaccesstoshops——andemergedinafewhoursagorgeousbutterflyoffashion，leavinghisoldchrysalisbehindhim。Thenceheinquiredhisway；henceheafterwardsissuedingarmentsglaringlynewandillfitting。Buthehadnotsacrificedhisbeard，andtherewasstillsomethingfineandoriginalinhishandsomeweakfacethatovercamethecheapconventionofhisclothes。Makinghiswaytothepost-office，hewasagaindiscomfitedbythegreatsizeofthebuilding，andbewilderedbythearrayoflittlesquareletter-boxesbehindglasswhichoccupiedonewholewall，andanequalnumberofopaqueandlockedwoodenoneslegiblynumbered。Hisheartleaped；herememberedthenumber，andbeforehimwasawindowwithaclerkbehindit。UncleBillyleanedforward。
\"Kinyoutellmeifthemanthatbox690b’longstoisin？\"
Theclerkstared，madehimrepeatthequestion，andthenturnedaway。Buthereturnedalmostinstantly，withtwoorthreegrinningheadsbesideshisown，apparentlysetbehindhisshoulders。UncleBillywasagainaskedtorepeathisquestion。Hedidso。
\"Whydon’tyougoandseeif690isinhisbox？\"saidthefirstclerk，turningwithaffectedasperitytooneoftheothers。
Theclerkwentaway，returned，andsaidwithsingulargravity，\"Hewasthereamomentago，buthe’sgoneouttostretchhislegs。
It’srathercrampin’atfirst；andhecan’tstanditmorethantenhoursatatime，youknow。\"
Butsimplicityhasitslimits。UncleBillyhadalreadyguessedhisrealerrorinbelievinghispartnerwasofficiallyconnectedwiththebuilding；hischeekhadflushedandthenpaledagain。Thepupilsofhisblueeyeshadcontractedintosuggestiveblackpoints。\"Efyou’llletmeinatthatwinder，youngfellers，\"hesaid，withequalgravity，\"I’llshowyerhowIkinmakeYOUsmallenoughtogoinaboxwithoutcrampin’！ButIonlywantedtoknowwhereJimFosterLIVED。\"
Atwhichthefirstclerkbecameperfunctoryagain，butcivil。\"A
letterleftinhisboxwouldgetyouthatinformation，\"hesaid，\"andhere’spaperandpenciltowriteitnow。\"
UncleBillytookthepaperandbegantowrite，\"Justgothere。
Comeandseemeat\"——Hepaused。Abrilliantideahadstruckhim；
Hecouldimpressbothhisoldpartnerandtheupstartsatthewindow；hewouldputinthenameofthelatest\"swell\"hotelinSanFrancisco，saidtobeafairydreamofopulence。Headded\"TheOriental，\"andwithoutfoldingthepapershoveditinthewindow。
\"Don’tyouwantanenvelope？\"askedtheclerk。
\"Putastamponthecornerofit，\"respondedUncleBilly，layingdownacoin，\"andshe’llgothrough。\"Theclerksmiled，butaffixedthestamp，andUncleBillyturnedaway。
Butitwasashort-livedtriumph。ThedisappointmentatfindingUncleJim’saddressconveyednoideaofhishabitationseemedtoremovehimfartheraway，andlosehisidentityinthegreatcity。
Besides，hemustnowmakegoodhisownaddress，andseekroomsattheOriental。Hewentthither。Thefurnitureanddecorations，evenintheseearlydaysofhotel-buildinginSanFrancisco，wereextravagantandover-strained，andUncleBillyfeltlostandlonelyinhisstrangesurroundings。Buthetookahandsomesuiteofrooms，paidfortheminadvanceonthespot，andthen，halffrightened，walkedoutofthemtoramblevaguelythroughthecityinthefeverishhopeofmeetinghisoldpartner。Atnighthisinquietudeincreased；hecouldnotfacethelongrowoftablesinthepillareddining-room，filledwithsmartlydressedmenandwomen；heevadedhisbedroom，withitsbrocadedsatinchairsanditsgiltbedstead，andfledtohismodestlodgingsattheGoodCheerHouse，andappeasedhishungeratitscheaprestaurant，inthecompanyofretiredminersandfreshlyarrivedEasternemigrants。Twoorthreedayspassedthusinthisquaintdoubleexistence。ThreeorfourtimesadayhewouldenterthegorgeousOrientalwithaffectedeaseandcarelessness，demandhiskeyfromthehotel-clerk，askfortheletterthatdidnotcome，gotohisroom，gazevaguelyfromhiswindowonthepassingcrowdbelowforthepartnerhecouldnotfind，andthenreturntotheGoodCheerHouseforrestandsustenance。OnthefourthdayhereceivedashortnotefromUncleJim；itwascouchedinhisusualsanguinebutbriefandbusinesslikestyle。Hewasverysorry，butimportantandprofitablebusinesstookhimoutoftown，buthetrustedtoreturnsoonandwelcomehisoldpartner。Hewasalso，forthefirsttime，jocose，andhopedthatUncleBillywouldnot\"seeallthesights\"
beforehe，UncleJim，returned。DisappointingasthisprocrastinationwastoUncleBilly，agleamofhopeirradiatedit：
theletterhadbridgedoverthatgulfwhichseemedtoyawnbetweenthematthepost-office。HisoldpartnerhadacceptedhisvisittoSanFranciscowithoutquestion，andhadalludedtoarenewaloftheiroldintimacy。ForUncleBilly，withallhistrustfulsimplicity，hadbeentorturedbytwoharrowingdoubts：one，whetherUncleJiminhisnew-fledgedsmartnessasa\"city\"man——suchashesawinthestreets——wouldcareforhisroughcompanionship；theother，whetherhe，UncleBilly，oughtnottotellhimatonceofhischangedfortune。But，likeallweak，unreasoningmen，heclungdesperatelytoadetail——hecouldnotforegohisoldideaofastoundingUncleJimbygivinghimhisshareofthe\"strike\"ashisfirstintimationofit，andhedoubted，withmorereasonperhaps，ifJimwouldseehimafterhehadheardofhisgoodfortune。ForUncleBillyhadstillafrightenedrecollectionofUncleJim’ssuddenstrokeforindependence，andthatrigidpunctiliousnesswhichhadmadehimdoggedlyaccepttheresponsibilityofhisextravagantstakeateuchre。
WithaviewofeducatinghimselfforUncleJim’scompany，he\"sawthesights\"ofSanFrancisco——asanovergrownandsomewhatstupidchildmighthaveseenthem——withgreatcuriosity，butlittlecontaminationorcorruption。ButIthinkhewaschieflypleasedwithwatchingthearrivaloftheSacramentoandStocktonsteamersatthewharves，inthehopeofdiscoveringhisoldpartneramongthepassengersonthegang-plank。Here，withhisoldsuperstitioustendencyandgambler’sinstinct，hewouldaugurgreatsuccessinhissearchthatdayifanyoneofthepassengersboretheleastresemblancetoUncleJim，ifamanorwomansteppedofffirst，orifhemetasingleperson’squestioningeye。Indeed，thisgottobetherealoccupationoftheday，whichhewouldonnoaccounthaveomitted，andtoacertainextentrevivedeachdayinhismindthemorning’sworkoftheiroldpartnership。Hewouldsaytohimself，\"It’stimetogoandlookupJim，\"andputoffwhathewaspleasedtothinkwerehispleasuresuntilthisactofdutywasaccomplished。
Inthissinglenessofpurposehemadeveryfewandnoentanglingacquaintances，nordidheimparttoanyonethesecretofhisfortune，loyallyreservingitforhispartner’sfirstknowledge。
Toamanofhisnaturalfranknessandsimplicitythiswasagreattrial，andwas，perhaps，acrucialtestofhisdevotion。WhenhegaveuphisroomsattheOriental——asnotnecessaryafterhispartner’sabsence——hesentaletter，withhishumbleaddress，tothemysteriouslock-boxofhispartnerwithoutfearorfalseshame。
Hewouldexplainitallwhentheymet。Buthesometimestreatedunluckyandreturningminerstoadinnerandavisittothegalleryofsometheatre。Yetwhilehehadanactivesympathywithandunderstandingofthehumblest，UncleBilly，whoformanyyearshaddonehisownandhispartner’swashing，scrubbing，mending，andcooking，andsawnodegradationinit，wassomewhatinconsistentlyirritatedbymenialfunctionsinmen，andalthoughhegaveextravagantlytowaiters，andthrewadollartothecrossing-
sweeper，therewasalwaysacertainshyavoidanceoftheminhismanner。ComingfromthetheatreonenightUncleBillywas，however，seriouslyconcernedbyoneofthesecrossing-sweepersturninghastilybeforethemandbeingknockeddownbyapassingcarriage。Themanroseandlimpedhurriedlyaway；butUncleBillywasamazedandstillmoreirritatedtohearfromhiscompanionthatthiskindofmenialoccupationwasoftenprofitable，andthatatsomeoftheprincipalcrossingsthesweeperswerealreadyrichmen。
ButafewdayslaterbroughtamorenotableeventtoUncleBilly。
OneafternooninMontgomeryStreetherecognizedinoneofitssmartlydressedfrequentersamanwhohadafewyearsbeforebeenamemberofCedarCamp。UncleBilly’schildishdelightatthismeeting，whichseemedtobridgeoverhisoldpartner’sabsence，was，however，onlyhalfrespondedtobytheex-miner，andthensomewhatsatirically。Inthefullnessofhisemotion，UncleBillyconfidedtohimthathewasseekinghisoldpartner，JimFoster，and，reticentofhisowngoodfortune，spokeglowinglyofhispartner’sbrilliantexpectations，butdeploredhisinabilitytofindhim。Andjustnowhewasawayonimportantbusiness。\"I
reckonhe’sgotback，\"saidthemandryly。\"Ididn’tknowhehadalock-boxatthepost-office，butIcangiveyouhisotheraddress。
HelivesatthePresidio，atWasherwoman’sBay。\"HestoppedandlookedwithasatiricalsmileatUncleBilly。Butthelatter，familiarwithCalifornianmining-campnomenclature，sawnothingstrangeinit，andmerelyrepeatedhiscompanion’swords。
\"You’llfindhimthere！Good-by！Solong！SorryI’minahurry，\"
saidtheex-miner，andhurriedaway。
UncleBillywastoodelightedwiththeprospectofaspeedymeetingwithUncleJimtoresenthisformerassociate’ssupercilioushaste，oreventowonderwhyUncleJimhadnotinformedhimthathehadreturned。Itwasnotthefirsttimethathehadfelthowwidewasthegulfbetweenhimselfandtheseothers，andthethoughtdrewhimclosertohisoldpartner，aswellashisoldidea，asitwasnowpossibletosurprisehimwiththedraft。Butashewasgoingtosurprisehiminhisownboarding-house——probablyahandsomeone——
UncleBillyreflectedthathewoulddosoinacertainstyle。
Heaccordinglywenttoaliverystableandorderedalandauandpair，withanegrocoachman。Seatedinit，inhisbestandmostill-fittingclothes，heaskedthecoachmantotakehimtothePresidio，andleanedbackinthecushionsastheydrovethroughthestreetswithsuchanexpressionofbeaminggratificationonhisgood-humoredfacethatthepassers-bysmiledattheequipageanditsextravagantoccupant。Tothemitseemedthenotunusualsightofthesuccessfulminer\"onaspree。\"TotheunsophisticatedUncleBillytheirsmilingseemedonlyanaturalandkindlyrecognitionofhishappiness，andhenoddedandsmiledbacktothemwithunsuspectingcandorandinnocentplayfulness。\"Theseyer’Friscofellersain’tALLslouches，youbet，\"headdedtohimselfhalfaloud，atthebackofthegrinningcoachman。
Theirwayledthroughwell-builtstreetstotheoutskirts，orrathertothatportionofthecitywhichseemedtohavebeenoverwhelmedbyshiftingsand-dunes，fromwhichhalf-submergedfencesandevenlowhousesbarelymarkedthelineofhighway。Theresistlesstrade-windswhichhadmarkedthischangeblewkeenlyinhisfaceandslightlychilledhisardor。Ataturnintheroadtheseacameinsight，andslopingtowardsitthegreatCemeteryofLoneMountain，withwhiteshaftsandmarblesthatglitteredinthesunlightlikethesailsofshipswaitingtobelauncheddownthatslopeintotheEternalOcean。UncleBillyshuddered。WhatifithadbeenhisfatetoseekUncleJimthere！
\"Dar’syarPresidio！\"saidthenegrocoachmanafewmomentslater，pointingwithhiswhip，\"anddar’syarWash’woman’sBay！\"
UncleBillystared。Ahugequadrangularfortofstonewithaflagflyingaboveitsbattlementsstoodatalittledistance，pressedagainsttherocks，asifbeatingbacktheencroachingsurges；
betweenhimandthefortbutfartherinlandwasalagoonwithanumberofdilapidated，rudelypatchedcabinsorcottages，likestrandeddriftwoodarounditsshore。Buttherewasnomansion，noblockofhouses，nostreet，notanotherhabitationordwellingtobeseen！
UncleBilly’sfirstshockofastonishmentwassucceededbyafeelingofrelief。Hehadsecretlydreadedameetingwithhisoldpartnerinthe\"hauntsoffashion；\"whateverwasthecausethatmadeUncleJimseekthisobscureretirementaffectedhimbutslightly；heevenwasthrilledwithavaguememoryoftheoldshiftlesscamptheyhadbothabandoned。Acertaininstinct——heknewnotwhy，orlessstillthatitmightbeoneofdelicacy——madehimalightbeforetheyreachedthefirsthouse。Biddingthecarriagewait，UncleBillyentered，andwasinformedbyablowzyIrishlaundressatatubthatJimFoster，or\"ArkansawJim，\"livedatthefourthshanty\"beyant。\"Hewasathome，for\"he’dshprainedhisfut。\"UncleBillyhurriedon，stoppedbeforethedoorofashantyscarcelylessrudethantheiroldcabin，andhalftimidlypusheditopen。Agrowlingvoicefromwithin，afigurethatrosehurriedly，leaningonastick，withanattempttofly，butinthesamemomentsankbackinachairwithanhystericallaugh——andUncleBillystoodinthepresenceofhisoldpartner！ButasUncleBillydartedforward，UncleJimroseagain，andthistimewithoutstretchedhands。UncleBillycaughtthem，andinonesupremepressureseemedtopouroutandtransfusehiswholesimplesoulintohispartner’s。Theretheyswayedeachotherbackwardsandforwardsandsidewaysbytheirstillclaspedhands，untilUncleBilly，withaglanceatUncleJim’sbandagedankle，shovedhimbysheerforcedownintohischair。
UncleJimwasfirsttospeak。\"Caught，b’gosh！Imighterknownyou’dbeasbigafoolasme！Lookyou，BillyFall，doyouknowwhatyou’vedone？You’vedruvmeouterthestreetswharIwasmakin’anhonestlivin’，byday，onthreecrossin’s！Yes，\"helaughedforgivingly，\"youdruvmeouterit，byday，jestbecauseI
reckonedthatsometimeImightrunintoyourdarnedfoolface，\"——
anotherlaughandagraspofthehand，——\"andthen，b’gosh！notcontentwithruinin’mybusinessBYDAY，whenItooktoitatnight，YOUtooktogoin’outatnightstoo，andsoputastopperonmethere！ShallItellyouwhatelseyoudid？Well，bytheholypoker！Iowethissprainedfoottoyourdarnedfoolishnessandmyown，foritwasgettingawayfromYOUonenightafterthetheatrethatIgotrunintoandrunover！
\"Yesee，\"hewenton，unconsciousofUncleBilly’spalingface，andwithanaivete，thoughperhapsnotadelicacy，equaltoUncleBilly’sown，\"Ihadtoplayrootsonyouwiththatlock-boxbusinessandtheseletters，becauseIdidnotwantyoutoknowwhatIwasupto，foryoumightn’tlikeit，andmightthinkitwaslowerin’totheoldfirm，don’tyersee？Iwouldn’thevgoneintoit，butIwasplayedout，andIdon’tmindtellin’youNOW，oldman，thatwhenIwroteyouthatfirstchipperletterfromthelock-
boxIhedn’teatanythin’fortwodays。Butit’sallrightNOW，\"
withalaugh。\"ThenIgotintothisbusiness——thinkin’itnothin’——
jesttheverylastthing——anddoyouknow，oldpard，Icouldn’ttellanybodybutYOU——and，infact，Ikeptitjesttotellyou——
I’vemadeninehundredandfifty-sixdollars！Yes，sir，NINE
HUNDREDANDFIFTY-SIXDOLLARS！solidmoney，inAdamsandCo。’sBank，justoutermytrade。\"
\"Wottrade？\"askedUncleBilly。
UncleJimpointedtothecorner，wherestoodalarge，heavycrossing-sweeper’sbroom。\"Thattrade。\"
\"Certingly，\"saidUncleBilly，withaquicklaugh。
\"It’sanoutdoortrade，\"saidUncleJimgravely，butwithnosuggestionofawkwardnessorapologyinhismanner；\"andtharain’tmuchdifferencebetweensweepin’acrossin’withabroomandrakingovertailingwitharake，ONLY——WOTYEGETwithabroomYOUHAVE
HANDEDTOYE，andyedon’thavetoPICKITUPANDFISHITOUTER
thewetrocksandsluice-gushin’；andit’saheaplesstiringtotheback。\"
\"Certingly，youbet！\"saidUncleBillyenthusiastically，yetwithacertainnervousabstraction。
\"I’mgladyesayso；foryerseeIdidn’tknowatfirsthowyou’dtumbletomydoingit，untilI’dmademypile。AndefIhadn’tmadeit，Iwouldn’thevseteyesonyeagin，oldpard——never！\"
\"Doyoumindmyrunnin’outaminit，\"saidUncleBilly，rising。
\"Yousee，I’vegotafriendwaitin’formeoutside——andIreckon\"——
hestammered——\"I’lljestrunoutandsendhimoff，soIkintalkcomf’bletoye。\"
\"Yeain’tgotanybodyyou’reowin’moneyto，\"saidUncleJimearnestly，\"anybodyfollerin’youtogetpaid，eh？ForIkinjestsetdownrighthereandwriteyeoffacheckonthebank！\"
\"No，\"saidUncleBilly。Heslippedoutofthedoor，andranlikeadeertothewaitingcarriage。Thrustingatwenty-dollargold-pieceintothecoachman’shand，hesaidhoarsely，\"Iain’twantin’thatkerridgejustnow；yekendrivearoundandhevaprivatejamboreeallbyyourselftherestoftheafternoon，andthencomeandwaitformeatthetopo’thehillyonder。\"
Thusquitofhisgorgeousequipage，hehurriedbacktoUncleJim，graspinghisten-thousanddollardraftinhispocket。Hewasnervous，hewasfrightened，buthemustgetridofthedraftandhisstory，andhaveitover。ButbeforehecouldspeakhewasunexpectedlystoppedbyUncleJim。
\"Now，lookyer，Billyboy！\"saidUncleJim；\"Igotsuthin’tosaytoye——andImightaswellclearitoffmymindatonce，andthenwecanstartfairagin。Now，\"hewenton，withahalflaugh，\"wasn’titenoughforMEtogoonpretendin’Iwasrichanddoingabigbusiness，andgettin’upthatlock-boxdodgesoasyecouldn’tfindoutwharIhungoutandwhatIwasdoin’——wasn’titenoughforMEtogoonwithallthisplay-actin’，butYOU，youlong-leggedornarycuss！mustgetupandgotolyin’andplay-actin’，too！\"
\"MEplay-actin’？MElyin’？\"gaspedUncleBilly。
UncleJimleanedbackinhischairandlaughed。\"DoyouthinkyoucouldfoolME？DoyouthinkIdidn’tseethroughyourlittlegameo’goingtothatswellOriental，jestasifye’dmadeabigstrike——
andallthewhileyewasn’tsleepin’oreatin’there，butjestwrastlin’yerhashandhavingarolldownattheGoodCheer！DoyouthinkIdidn’tspyonyeandfindthatout？Oh，youlong-earedjackass-rabbit！\"
Helaugheduntilthetearscameintohiseyes，andUncleBillylaughedtoo，albeituntilthelaughonhisfacebecamequitefixed，andhewasfaintoburyhisheadinhishandkerchief。
\"Andyet，\"saidUncleJim，withadeepbreath，\"gosh！Iwasfrighted——jestforaminit！Ithought，mebbe，youHADmadeabigstrike——whenIgotyourfirstletter——andImadeupmymindwhatI’ddo！AndthenIrememberedyouwasjestthatkindofanopensluicethatcouldn’tkeepanythin’toyourself，andyou’dhavebeensuretohaveyelleditouttoMEthefirstthing。SoIwaited。
AndIfoundyouout，youoldsinner！\"HereachedforwardanddugUncleBillyintheribs。
\"WhatWOULDyouhevdone？\"saidUncleBilly，afteranhystericalcollapse。
UncleJim’sfacegrewgraveagain。\"I’dhev——I’d——hevcl’aredout！
Outer’Frisco！outerCaliforny！outerAmeriky！Icouldn’thavestudit！Don’tthinkIwouldhevbegrudgedyeyerluck！Nomanwouldhavebeengladderthanme。\"Heleanedforwardagain，andlaidhishandcaressinglyuponhispartner’sarm——\"Don’tthinkI’dhevwantedtotakeapennyofit——butI——thar！ICOULDN’Thevstoodupunderit！TohevhadYOU，youthatIleftbehind，comin’downhererollin’inwealthandnewpartnersandfriends，andarriveuponme——andthisshanty——and\"——hethrewtowardsthecorneroftheroomaterriblegesture，nonethelessterriblethatitwasillogicalandinconsequenttoallthathadgonebefore——\"and——and——
THATBROOM！\"
Therewasadeadsilenceintheroom。WithitUncleBillyseemedtofeelhimselfagaintransportedtothehomelycabinatCedarCampandthatfatefulnight，withhispartner’sstrange，determinedfacebeforehimasthen。Heevenfanciedthatheheardtheroaringofthepineswithout，anddidnotknowthatitwasthedistantsea。
ButafteraminuteUncleJimresumed：——
\"Ofcourseyou’vemadealittleraisesomehow，oryouwouldn’tbehere？\"
\"Yes，\"saidUncleBillyeagerly。\"Yes！I’vegot\"——Hestoppedandstammered。\"I’vegot——a——fewhundreds。\"
\"Oh，oh！\"saidUncleJimcheerfully。Hepaused，andthenaddedearnestly，\"Isay！Youain’tgotleft，overandaboveyourd——dfoolishnessattheOriental，asmuchasfivehundreddollars？\"
\"I’vegot，\"saidUncleBilly，blushingalittleoverhisfirstdeliberateandaffectedlie，\"I’vegotatleastfivehundredandseventy-twodollars。Yes，\"headdedtentatively，gazinganxiouslyathispartner，\"I’vegotatleastthat。\"
\"Jewhillikins！\"saidUncleJim，withalaugh。Theneagerly，\"Lookhere，pard！Thenwe’reonvelvet！I’vegotNINEhundred；putyourFIVEwiththat，andIknowalittleranchthatwecangetfortwelvehundred。That’swhatI’vebeensavin’upfor——that’smylittlegame！Nomoreminin’forME。It’sgotashantytwiceasbigasouroldcabin，nighonahundredacres，andtwomustangs。
WecanrunitwithtwoChinamenandjestmakeithowl！Wotyersay——eh？\"Heextendedhishand。
\"I’min，\"saidUncleBilly，radiantlygraspingUncleJim’s。Buthissmilefaded，andhisclearsimplebrowwrinkledintwolines。
HappilyUncleJimdidnotnoticeit。\"Now，then，oldpard，\"hesaidbrightly，\"we’llhaveagayoldtimeto-night——oneofourjamborees！I’vegotsomewhiskeyhereandadecko’cards，andwe’llhavealittlegame，youunderstand，butnotfor’keeps’now！
No，siree；we’llplayforbeans。\"
AsuddenlightilluminatedUncleBilly’sfaceagain，buthesaid，withagrimdesperation，\"Notto-night！I’vegottogointotown。
Thatfren’o’mineexpectsmetogotothetheayter，don’tyesee？
ButI’llbeoutto-morrowatsun-up，andwe’llfixupthisthingo’
theranch。\"
\"Seemstomeyou’rekinderstuckonthisfren’，\"gruntedUncleJim。
UncleBilly’sheartboundedathispartner’sjealousy。\"No——butI
MUST，youknow，\"hereturned，withafaintlaugh。