\"Thengotoworkforme——orformyfather，rather，thoughI
engagealltheservants。Ineedasecondcoachman——\"
\"Andwearauniform？\"heinterruptedsharply，thesneerofthefree—bornWestinhisvoiceandonhislips。
Shesmiledtolerantly。
\"Evidentlythatwon’tdo。Letmethink。Yes。Canyoubreakandhandlecolts？\"
Henodded。
\"Wehaveastockfarm，andthere’sroomforjustsuchamanasyou。Willyoutakeit？\"
\"WillI，ma’am？\"Hisvoicewasrichwithgratitudeandenthusiasm。\"Showmetoit。I’lldigrightinto—morrow。AndI
cansurepromiseyouonething，ma’am。You’llneverbesorryforlendingHughieLukeahandinhistrouble——\"
\"IthoughtyousaidtocallyouDave，\"shechidedforgivingly。
\"Idid，ma’am。Idid。AndIsurebegyourpardon。Itwasjustplainbluff。MyrealnameisHughieLuke。Andifyou’llgivemetheaddressofthatstockfarmofyours，andtherailroadfare，Iheadforitfirstthinginthemorning。\"
Throughouttheconversationshehadneverrelaxedherattemptsonthebell。Shehadpresseditineveryalarmingway——threeshortsandalong，twoandalong，andfive。Shehadtriedlongseriesofshorts，and，once，shehadheldthebuttondownforasolidthreeminutes。Andshehadbeendividedbetweenobjurgationofthestupid，heavy—sleepingbutleranddoubtifthebellwereinorder。
\"Iamsoglad，\"shesaid;\"sogladthatyouarewilling。Therewon’tbemuchtoarrange。ButyouwillfirsthavetotrustmewhileIgoupstairsformypurse。\"
Shesawthedoubtflickermomentarilyinhiseyes，andaddedhastily，\"ButyouseeIamtrustingyouwiththethreehundreddollars。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，ma’am，\"hecamebackgallantly。\"ThoughIjustcan’thelpthisnervousness。\"
\"ShallIgoandgetit？\"
Butbeforeshecouldreceiveconsent，aslightmuffledjarfromthedistancecametoherear。Sheknewitfortheswing—doorofthebutler’spantry。Butsoslightwasit——moreafaintvibrationthanasound——thatshewouldnothaveheardhadnotherearsbeenkeyedandlisteningforit。Yetthemanhadheard。Hewasstartledinhiscomposedway。
\"Whatwasthat？\"hedemanded。
Foranswer，herlefthandflashedouttotherevolverandbroughtitback。Shehadhadthestartofhim，andsheneededit，forthenextinstanthishandleapedupfromhisside，clutchingemptinesswheretherevolverhadbeen。
\"Sitdown！\"shecommandedsharply，inavoicenewtohim。
\"Don’tmove。Keepyourhandsonthetable。\"
Shehadtakenalessonfromhim。Insteadofholdingtheheavyweaponextended，thebuttofitandherforearmrestedonthetable，themuzzlepointed，notathishead，buthischest。Andhe，lookingcoollyandobeyinghercommands，knewtherewasnochanceofthekick—upoftherecoilproducingamiss。Also，hesawthattherevolverdidnotwabble，northehandshake，andhewasthoroughlyconversantwiththesizeofholethesoft—nosedbulletscouldmake。Hehadeyes，notforher，butforthehammer，whichhadrisenunderthepressureofherforefingeronthetrigger。
\"IreckonI’dbestwarnyouthatthattheretrigger—pullisfileddreadfulfine。Don’tpresstoohard，orI’llhaveaholeinmethesizeofawalnut。\"
Sheslackedthehammerpartlydown。
\"That’sbetter，\"hecommented。\"You’dbestputitdownalltheway。Youseehoweasyitworks。Ifyouwantto，aquicklightpullwilljiffyherupandbackandmakeaprettymessalloveryournicefloor。\"
Adooropenedbehindhim，andheheardsomebodyentertheroom。
Buthedidnotturnhisbead。Hewaslookingather，andhefounditthefaceofanotherwoman——hard，cold，pitilessyetbrilliantinitsbeauty。Theeyes，too，werehard，thoughblazingwithacoldlight。
\"Thomas，\"shecommanded，\"gotothetelephoneandcallthepolice。Whywereyousolonginanswering？\"
\"IcameassoonasIheardthebell，madam，\"wastheanswer。
Therobbernevertookhiseyesfromhers，nordidshefromhis，butatmentionofthebellshenoticedthathiseyeswerepuzzledforthemoment。
\"Begyourpardon，\"saidthebutlerfrombehind，\"butwouldn’titbebetterformetogetaweaponandarousetheservants？\"
\"No;ringforthepolice。Icanholdthisman。Goanddoit——quickly。\"
Thebutlerslipperedoutoftheroom，andthemanandthewomansaton，gazingintoeachother’seyes。Toheritwasanexperiencekeenwithenjoyment，andinhermindwasthegossipofhercrowd，andshesawnotesinthesocietyweekliesofthebeautifulyoungMrs。Setliffecapturinganarmedrobbersingle—handed。Itwouldcreateasensation，shewassure。
\"Whenyougetthatsentenceyoumentioned，\"shesaidcoldly，\"youwillhavetimetomeditateuponwhatafoolyouhavebeen，takingotherpersons’propertyandthreateningwomenwithrevolvers。Youwillhavetimetolearnyourlessonthoroughly。
Nowtellthetruth。Youhaven’tanyfriendintrouble。Allthatyoutoldmewaslies。\"
Hedidnotreply。Thoughhiseyeswereuponher，theyseemedblank。Intruth，fortheinstantshewasveiledtohim，andwhathesawwasthewidesunwashedspacesoftheWest，wheremenandwomenwerebiggerthantherottendenizens，ashehadencounteredthem，ofthethricerottencitiesoftheEast。
\"Goon。Whydon’tyouspeak？Whydon’tyouliesomemore？Whydon’tyoubegtobeletoff？\"
\"Imight，\"heanswered，lickinghisdrylips。\"Imightasktobeletoffif……\"
\"Ifwhat？\"shedemandedperemptorily，ashepaused。
\"Iwastryingtothinkofawordyouremindedmeof。AsIwassaying，Imightifyouwasadecentwoman。\"
Herfacepaled。
\"Becareful，\"shewarned。
\"Youdon’tdastkillme，\"hesneered。\"Theworld’saprettylowdownplacetohaveathinglikeyouprowlingaroundinit，butitain’tsoplumblowdown，Ireckon，astoletyouputaholeinme。You’resurebad，butthetroublewithyouisthatyou’reweakinyourbadness。Itain’tmuchtokillaman，butyouain’tgotitinyou。There’swhereyouloseout。\"
\"Becarefulofwhatyousay，\"sherepeated。\"Orelse，Iwarnyou，itwillgohardwithyou。Itcanbeseentowhetheryoursentenceislightorheavy。\"
\"Something’sthematterwithGod，\"heremarkedirrelevantly，\"tobelettingyouaroundloose。It’scleanbeyondmewhathe’supto，playingsuch—liketricksonpoorhumanity。NowifIwasGod——\"
Hisfurtheropinionwasinterruptedbytheentranceofthebutler。
\"Somethingiswrongwiththetelephone，madam，\"heannounced。
\"Thewiresarecrossedorsomething，becauseIcan’tgetCentral。\"
\"Goandcalloneoftheservants，\"sheordered。\"Sendhimoutforanofficer，andthenreturnhere。\"
Againthepairwasleftalone。
\"Willyoukindlyansweronequestion，ma’am？\"themansaid。
\"Thatservantfellowsaidsomethingaboutabell。Iwatchedyoulikeacat，andyousurerungnobell。\"
\"Itwasunderthetable，youpoorfool。Ipresseditwithmyfoot。\"
\"Thankyou，ma’am。IreckonedI’dseenyourkindbefore，andnowIsureknowIhave。Ispoketoyoutrueandtrusting，andallthetimeyouwaslyinglikehelltome。\"
Shelaughedmockingly。
\"Goon。Saywhatyouwish。Itisveryinteresting。\"
\"Youmadeeyesatme，lookingsoftandkind，playingupallthetimethefactthatyouworeskirtsinsteadofpants——andallthetimewithyourfootonthebellunderthetable。Well，there’ssomeconsolation。I’dsoonerbepoorHughieLuke，doinghistenyears，thanbeinyourskin。Ma’am，hellisfullofwomenlikeyou。\"
Therewassilenceforaspace，inwhichtheman，nevertakinghiseyesfromher，studyingher，wasmakinguphismind。
\"Goon，\"sheurged。\"Saysomething。\"
\"Yes，ma’am，I’llsaysomething。I’llsuresaysomething。DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？I’mgoingtogetrightupfromthischairandwalkoutthatdoor。I’dtakethegunfromyou，onlyyoumightturnfoolishandletitgooff。Youcanhavethegun。It’sagoodone。AsIwassaying，Iamgoingrightoutthatdoor。Andyouain’tgoingtopullthatgunoffeither。Ittakesgutstoshootaman，andyousureain’tgotthem。Nowgetreadyandseeifyoucanpullthattrigger。Iain’tgoingtoharmyou。I’mgoingoutthatdoor，andI’mstarting。\"
Keepinghiseyesfixedonher，hepushedbackthechairandslowlystooderect。Thehammerrosehalfway。Shewatchedit。Sodidhe。
\"Pullharder，\"headvised。\"Itain’thalfupyet。Goonandpullitandkillaman。That’swhatIsaid，killaman，spatterhisbrainsoutonthefloor，orslapaholeintohimthesizeofyour。fist。That’swhatkillingamanmeans。\"
Thehammerloweredjerkilybutgently。Themanturnedhisbackandwalkedslowlytothedoor。Sheswungtherevolveraroundsothatitboreonhisback。Twiceagainthehammercameuphalfwayandwasreluctantlyeaseddown。
Atthedoorthemanturnedforamomentbeforepassingon。A
sneerwasonhislips。Hespoketoherinalowvoice，almostdrawling，butinitwasthequintessenceofallloathing，ashecalledheranameunspeakableandvile。
THEMEXICAN
NOBODYknewhishistory——theyoftheJuntaleastofall。Hewastheir\"littlemystery，\"their\"bigpatriot，\"andinhiswayheworkedashardforthecomingMexicanRevolutionasdidthey。Theyweretardyinrecognizingthis，fornotoneoftheJuntalikedhim。Thedayhefirstdriftedintotheircrowded，busyrooms，theyallsuspectedhimofbeingaspy——oneoftheboughttoolsoftheDiazsecretservice。ToomanyofthecomradeswereincivilanmilitaryprisonsscatteredovertheUnitedStates，andothersofthem，inirons，wereeventhenbeingtakenacrossthebordertobelinedupagainstadobewallsandshot。
Atthefirstsighttheboydidnotimpressthemfavorably。Boyhewas，notmorethaneighteenandnotoverlargeforhisyears。HeannouncedthathewasFelipeRivera，andthatitwashiswishtoworkfortheRevolution。Thatwasall——notawastedword，nofurtherexplanation。Hestoodwaiting。Therewasnosmileonhislips，nogenialityinhiseyes。BigdashingPaulinoVerafeltaninwardshudder。Herewassomethingforbidding，terrible，inscrutable。Therewassomethingvenomousandsnakelikeintheboy’sblackeyes。Theyburnedlikecoldfire，aswithavast，concentratedbitterness。HeflashedthemfromthefacesoftheconspiratorstothetypewriterwhichlittleMrs。Sethbywasindustriouslyoperating。Hiseyesrestedonhersbutaninstant——shehadchancedtolookup——andshe，too，sensedthenamelesssomethingthatmadeherpause。Shewascompelledtoreadbackinordertoregaintheswingofthelettershewaswriting。
PaulinoVeralookedquestioninglyatArrellanoandRamos，andquestioninglytheylookedbackandtoeachother。Theindecisionofdoubtbroodedintheireyes。ThisslenderboywastheUnknown，vestedwithallthemenaceoftheUnknown。Hewasunrecognizable，somethingquitebeyondthekenofhonest，ordinaryrevolutionistswhosefiercesthatredforDiazandhistyrannyafterallwasonlythatofhonestandordinarypatriots。Herewassomethingelse，theyknewnotwhat。ButVera，alwaysthemostimpulsive，thequickesttoact，steppedintothebreach。
\"Verywell，\"hesaidcoldly。\"YousayyouwanttoworkfortheRevolution。Takeoffyourcoat。Hangitoverthere。Iwillshowyou，come——wherearethebucketsandcloths。Thefloorisdirty。Youwillbeginbyscrubbingit，andbyscrubbingthefloorsoftheotherrooms。Thespittoonsneedtobecleaned。
Thentherearethewindows。\"
\"IsitfortheRevolution？\"theboyasked。
\"ItisfortheRevolution，\"Veraanswered。
Riveralookedcoldsuspicionatallofthem，thenproceededtotakeoffhiscoat。
\"Itiswell，\"hesaid。
Andnothingmore。Dayafterdayhecametohiswork——sweeping，scrubbing，cleaning。Heemptiedtheashesfromthestoves，broughtupthecoalandkindling，andlightedthefiresbeforethemostenergeticoneofthemwasathisdesk。
\"CanIsleephere？\"heaskedonce。
Ah，ha！Sothatwasit——thehandofDiazshowingthrough！TosleepintheroomsoftheJuntameantaccesstotheirsecrets，tothelistsofnames，totheaddressesofcomradesdownonMexicansoil。Therequestwasdenied，andRiveraneverspokeofitagain。Heslepttheyknewnotwhere，andatetheyknewnotwherenorhow。Once，Arrellanoofferedhimacoupleofdollars。
Riveradeclinedthemoneywithashakeofthehead。WhenVerajoinedinandtriedtopressituponhim，hesaid：
\"IamworkingfortheRevolution。\"
Ittakesmoneytoraiseamodernrevolution。andalwaystheJuntawaspressed。Themembersstarvedandtoiled，andthelongestdaywasnonetoolong，andyetthereweretimeswhenitappearedasiftheRevolutionstoodorfellonnomorethanthematterofafewdollars。Once，thefirsttime，whentherentofthehousewastwomonthsbehindandthelandlordwasthreateningdispossession，itwasFelipeRivera，thescrub—boyinthepoor，cheapclothes，wornandthreadbare，wholaidsixtydollarsingoldonMaySethby’sdesk。Therewereothertimes。
Threehundredletters，clickedoutonthebusytypewriters（appealsforassistance，forsanctionsfromtheorganizedlaborgroups，requestsforsquarenewsdealstotheeditorsofnewspapers，protestsagainstthehigh—handedtreatmentofrevolutionistsbytheUnitedStatescourts），layunmailed，awaitingpostage。Vera’swatchhaddisappeared——theold—fashionedgoldrepeaterthathadbeenhisfather’s。
LikewisehadgonetheplaingoldbandfromMaySetbby’sthirdfinger。Thingsweredesperate。RamosandArrellanopulledtheirlongmustachesindespair。Thelettersmustgooff，andthePostOfficeallowednocredittopurchasersofstamps。ThenitwasthatRiveraputonhishatandwentout。Whenhecamebackhelaidathousandtwo—centstampsonMaySethby’sdesk。
\"IwonderifitisthecursedgoldofDiaz？\"saidVeratothecomrades。
Theyelevatedtheirbrowsandcouldnotdecide。AndFelipeRivera，thescrubberfortheRevolution，continued，asoccasionarose，tolaydowngoldandsilverfortheJunta’suse。
Andstilltheycouldnotbringthemselvestolikehim。Theydidnotknowhim。Hiswayswerenottheirs。Hegavenoconfidences。
Herepelledallprobing。Youththathewas，theycouldnevernervethemselvestodaretoquestionhim。
\"Agreatandlonelyspirit，perhaps，Idonotknow，Idonotknow，\"Arrellanosaidhelplessly。
\"Heisnothuman，\"saidRamos。
\"Hissoulhasbeenseared，\"saidMaySethby。\"Lightandlaughterhavebeenburnedoutofhim。Heislikeonedead，andyetheisfearfullyalive。\"
\"Hehasbeenthroughhell，\"saidVera。\"Nomancouldlooklikethatwhohasnotbeenthroughhell——andheisonlyaboy。\"
Yettheycouldnotlikehim。Henevertalked，neverinquired，neversuggested。Hewouldstandlistening，expressionless，athingdead，saveforhiseyes，coldlyburning，whiletheirtalkoftheRevolutionranhighandwarm。Fromfacetofaceandspeakertospeakerhiseyeswouldturn，boringlikegimletsofincandescentice，disconcertingandperturbing。
\"Heisnospy，\"VeraconfidedtoMaySethby。\"Heisapatriot——markme，thegreatestpatriotofusall。Iknowit，I
feelit，hereinmyheartandheadIfeelit。ButhimIknownotatall。\"
\"Hehasabadtemper，\"saidMaySethby。
\"Iknow，\"saidVera，withashudder。\"Hehaslookedatmewiththoseeyesofhis。Theydonotlove;theythreaten;theyaresavageasawildtiger’s。Iknow，ifIshouldproveunfaithfultotheCause，thathewouldkillme。Hehasnoheart。Heispitilessassteel，keenandcoldasfrost。Heislikemoonshineinawinternightwhenamanfreezestodeathonsomelonelymountaintop。IamnotafraidofDiazandallhiskillers;butthisboy，ofhimamIafraid。Itellyoutrue。Iamafraid。Heisthebreathofdeath。\"
YetVeraitwaswhopersuadedtheotherstogivethefirsttrusttoRivera。ThelineofcommunicationbetweenLosAngelesandLowerCaliforniahadbrokendown。Threeofthecomradeshaddugtheirowngravesandbeenshotintothem。TwomorewereUnitedStatesprisonersinLosAngeles。JuanAlvarado，theFederalcommander，wasamonster。Alltheirplansdidhecheckmate。Theycouldnolongergainaccesstotheactiverevolutionists，andtheincipientones，inLowerCalifornia。
YoungRiverawasgivenhisinstructionsanddispatchedsouth。
Whenhereturned，thelineofcommunicationwasreestablished，andJuanAlvaradowasdead。Hehadbeenfoundinbed，aknifehilt—deepinhisbreast。ThishadexceededRivera’sinstructions，buttheyoftheJuntaknewthetimesofhismovements。Theydidnotaskhim。Hesaidnothing。Buttheylookedatoneanotherandconjectured。
\"Ihavetoldyou，\"saidVera。\"Diazhasmoretofearfromthisyouththanfromanyman。Heisimplacable。HeisthehandofGod。\"
Thebadtemper，mentionedbyMaySethby，andsensedbythemall，wasevidencedbyphysicalproofs。Nowheappearedwithacutlip，ablackenedcheek，oraswollenear。Itwaspatentthathebrawled，somewhereinthatoutsideworldwhereheateandslept，gainedmoney，andmovedinwaysunknowntothem。Asthetimepassed，hehadcometosettypeforthelittlerevolutionarysheettheypublishedweekly。Therewereoccasionswhenhewasunabletosettype，whenhisknuckleswerebruisedandbattered，whenhisthumbswereinjuredandhelpless，whenonearmortheotherhungwearilyathissidewhilehisfacewasdrawnwithunspokenpain。
\"Awastrel，\"saidArrellano。
\"Afrequenteroflowplaces，\"saidRamos。
\"Butwheredoeshegetthemoney？\"Verademanded。\"Onlyto—day，justnow，haveIlearnedthathepaidthebillforwhitepaper——onehundredandfortydollars。\"
\"Therearehisabsences，\"saidMaySethby。\"Heneverexplainsthem。\"
\"Weshouldsetaspyuponhim，\"Ramospropounded。
\"Ishouldnotcaretobethatspy，\"saidVera。\"Ifearyouwouldneverseemeagain，savetoburyme。Hehasaterriblepassion。NotevenGodwouldhepermittostandbetweenhimandthewayofhispassion。\"
\"Ifeellikeachildbeforehim，\"Ramosconfessed。
\"Tomeheispower——heistheprimitive，thewildwolf，thestrikingrattlesnake，thestingingcentipede，\"saidArrellano。
\"HeistheRevolutionincarnate，\"saidVera。\"Heistheflameandthespiritofit，theinsatiablecryforvengeancethatmakesnocrybutthatslaysnoiselessly。Heisadestroyingangelinmovingthroughthestillwatchesofthenight。\"
\"Icouldweepoverhim，\"saidMaySethby。\"Heknowsnobody。Hehatesallpeople。Ushetolerates，forwearethewayofhisdesire。Heisalone……lonely。\"Hervoicebrokeinahalfsobandtherewasdimnessinhereyes。
Rivera’swaysandtimesweretrulymysterious。Therewereperiodswhentheydidnotseehimforaweekatatime。Once，hewasawayamonth。Theseoccasionswerealwayscappedbyhisreturn，when，withoutadvertisementorspeech，helaidgoldcoinsonMaySethby’sdesk。Again，fordaysandweeks，hespentallhistimewiththeJunta。Andyetagain，forirregularperiods，hewoulddisappearthroughtheheartofeachday，fromearlymorninguntillateafternoon。Atsuchtimeshecameearlyandremainedlate。Arrellanohadfoundhimatmidnight，settingtypewithfreshswollenknuckles，ormayhapitwashislip，new—split，thatstillbled。
II
Thetimeofthecrisisapproached。WhetherornottheRevolutionwouldbedependedupontheJunta，andtheJuntawashard—pressed。Theneedformoneywasgreaterthaneverbefore，whilemoneywashardertoget。Patriotshadgiventheirlastcentandnowcouldgivenomore。Sectionganglaborers—fugitivepeonsfromMexico——werecontributinghalftheirscantywages。
Butmorethanthatwasneeded。Theheart—breaking，conspiring，underminingtoilofyearsapproachedfruition。Thetimewasripe。TheRevolutionhungonthebalance。Oneshovemore，onelastheroiceffort，anditwouldtrembleacrossthescalestovictory。TheyknewtheirMexico。Oncestarted，theRevolutionwouldtakecareofitself。ThewholeDiazmachinewouldgodownlikeahouseofcards。Theborderwasreadytorise。OneYankee，withahundredI。W。W。men，waitedthewordtocrossovertheborderandbegintheconquestofLowerCalifornia。Butheneededguns。AndclearacrosstotheAtlantic，theJuntaintouchwiththemallandallofthemneedingguns，mereadventurers，soldiersoffortune，bandits，disgruntledAmericanunionmen，socialists，anarchists，rough—necks，Mexicanexiles，peonsescapedfrombondage，whippedminersfromthebull—pensofCoeurd’AleneandColoradowhodesiredonlythemorevindictivelytofight——alltheflotsamandjetsamofwildspiritsfromthemadlycomplicatedmodernworld。Anditwasgunsandammunition，ammunitionandguns——theunceasingandeternalcry。
Flingthisheterogeneous，bankrupt，vindictivemassacrosstheborder，andtheRevolutionwason。Thecustomhouse，thenorthernportsofentry，wouldbecaptured。Diazcouldnotresist。Hedarednotthrowtheweightofhisarmiesagainstthem，forhemustholdthesouth。Andthroughthesouththeflamewouldspreaddespite。Thepeoplewouldrise。Thedefensesofcityaftercitywouldcrumpleup。Stateafterstatewouldtotterdown。Andatlast，fromeveryside，thevictoriousarmiesoftheRevolutionwouldcloseinontheCityofMexicoitself，Diaz’slaststronghold。
Butthemoney。Theyhadthemen，impatientandurgent，whowouldusetheguns。Theyknewthetraderswhowouldsellanddelivertheguns。ButtoculturetheRevolutionthusfarhadexhaustedtheJunta。Thelastdollarhadbeenspent，thelastresourceandthelaststarvingpatriotmilkeddry，andthegreatadventurestilltrembledonthescales。Gunsandammunition！Theraggedbattalionsmustbearmed。Buthow？Ramoslamentedhisconfiscatedestates。Arrellanowailedthespendthriftnessofhisyouth。MaySethbywonderedifitwouldhavebeendifferenthadtheyoftheJuntabeenmoreeconomicalinthepast。
\"TothinkthatthefreedomofMexicoshouldstandorfallonafewpaltrythousandsofdollars，\"saidPaulinoVera。
Despairwasinalltheirfaces。JoseAmarillo，theirlasthope，arecentconvert，whohadpromisedmoney，hadbeenapprehendedathishaciendainChihuahuaandshotagainsthisownstablewall。Thenewshadjustcomethrough。
Rivera，onhisknees，scrubbing，lookedup，withsuspendedbrush，hisbarearmsfleckedwithsoapy，dirtywater。
\"Willfivethousanddoit？\"heasked。
Theylookedtheiramazement。Veranoddedandswallowed。Hecouldnotspeak，buthewasontheinstantinvestedwithavastfaith。
\"Ordertheguns，\"Riverasaid，andthereuponwasguiltyofthelongestflowofwordstheyhadeverheardhimutter。\"Thetimeisshort。InthreeweeksIshallbringyouthefivethousand。
Itiswell。Theweatherwillbewarmerforthosewhofight。
Also，itisthebestIcando。\"
Verafoughthisfaith。Itwasincredible。Toomanyfondhopeshadbeenshatteredsincehehadbeguntoplaytherevolutiongame。HebelievedthisthreadbarescrubberoftheRevolution，andyethedarednotbelieve。
\"Youarecrazy，\"hesaid。
\"Inthreeweeks，\"saidRivera。\"Ordertheguns。\"
Hegotup，rolleddownhissleeves，andputonhiscoat。
\"Ordertheguns，\"hesaid。
\"Iamgoingnow。\"
III
Afterhurryingandscurrying，muchtelephoningandbadlanguage，anightsessionwasheldinKelly’soffice。Kellywasrushedwithbusiness;also，hewasunlucky。HehadbroughtDannyWardoutfromNewYork，arrangedthefightforhimwithBillyCarthey，thedatewasthreeweeksaway，andfortwodaysnow，carefullyconcealedfromthesportingwriters，Cartheyhadbeenlyingup，badlyinjured。Therewasnoonetotakehisplace。KellyhadbeenburningthewiresEasttoeveryeligiblelightweight，buttheyweretiedupwithdatesandcontracts。
Andnowhopehadrevived，thoughfaintly。
\"You’vegotahellofanerve，\"KellyaddressedRivera，afteronelook，assoonastheygottogether。
HatethatwasmalignantwasinRivera’seyes，buthisfaceremainedimpassive。
\"IcanlickWard，\"wasallhesaid。
\"Howdoyouknow？Everseehimfight？\"
Riverashookhishead。
\"Hecanbeatyouupwithonehandandbotheyesclosed。\"
Riverashruggedhisshoulders。
\"Haven’tyougotanythingtosay？\"thefightpromotersnarled。
\"Icanlickhim。\"
\"Who’dyoueverfight，anyway！\"MichaelKellydemanded。Michaelwasthepromotor’sbrother，andrantheYellowstonepoolroomswherehemadegoodlysumsonthefightgame。
Riverafavoredhimwithabitter，unansweringstare。
Thepromoter’ssecretary，adistinctivelysportyyoungman，sneeredaudibly。
\"Well，youknowRoberts，\"Kellybrokethehostilesilence。\"Heoughttobehere。I’vesentforhim。Sitdownandwait，thoughfromthelooksofyou，youhaven’tgotachance。Ican’tthrowthepublicdownwithabumfight。Ringsideseatsaresellingatfifteendollars，youknowthat。\"
WhenRobertsarrived，itwaspatentthathewasmildlydrunk。
Hewasatall，lean，slack—jointedindividual，andhiswalk，likehistalk，wasasmoothandlanguiddrawl。
Kellywentstraighttothepoint。
\"Lookhere，Roberts，you’vebeenbraggingyoudiscoveredthislittleMexican。YouknowCarthey’sbrokehisarm。Well，thislittleyellowstreakhasthegalltoblowinto—dayandsayhe’lltakeCarthey’splace。Whataboutit？\"
\"It’sallright，Kelly，\"cametheslowresponse。\"Hecanputupafight。\"
\"Isupposeyou’llbesayin’nextthathecanlickWard，\"Kellysnapped。
Robertsconsideredjudicially。
\"No，Iwon’tsaythat。Ward’satop—notcherandaringgeneral。
Buthecan’thashhouseRiverainshortorder。IknowRivera。
Nobodycangethisgoat。Heain’tgotagoatthatIcouldeverdiscover。Andhe’satwo—handedfighter。Hecanthrowinthesleep—makersfromanyposition。\"
\"Nevermindthat。Whatkindofashowcanheputup？You’vebeenconditioningandtrainingfightersallyourlife。Itakeoffmyhattoyourjudgment。Canhegivethepublicarunforitsmoney？\"
\"Hesurecan，andhe’llworryWardamightyheapontopofit。
Youdon’tknowthatboy。Ido。Idiscoveredhim。Heain’tgotagoat。He’sadevil。He’sawizzy—woozifanybodyshouldaskyou。He’llmakeWardsitupwithashowoflocaltalentthat’llmaketherestofyousitup。Iwon’tsayhe’lllickWard，buthe’llputupsuchashowthatyou’llallknowhe’sacomer。\"
\"Allright。\"Kellyturnedtohissecretary。\"RingupWard。I
warnedhimtoshowupifIthoughtitworthwhile。He’srightacrossattheYellowstone，throwin’chestsanddoingthepopular。\"
Kellyturnedbacktotheconditioner。\"Haveadrink？\"
Robertssippedhishighballandunburdenedhimself。
\"NevertoldyouhowIdiscoveredthelittlecuss。Itwasacoupleofyearsagoheshowedupoutatthequarters。IwasgettingPraynereadyforhisfightwithDelaney。Prayne’swicked。Heain’tgotatickleofmercyinhismake—up。I
choppeduphispardner’ssomethingcruel，andIcouldn’tfindawillingboythat’dworkwithhim。I’dnoticedthislittlestarvedMexicankidhangingaround，andIwasdesperate。SoI
grabbedhim，shovedontheglovesandputhimin。Hewastougher’nrawhide，butweak。Andhedidn’tknowthefirstletterinthealphabetofboxing。Praynechoppedhimtoribbons。Buthehungonfortwosickeningrounds，whenhefainted。Starvation，thatwasall。Battered！Youcouldn’thaverecognizedhim。Igavehimhalfadollarandasquaremeal。Yououghtaseenhimwolfitdown。Hehadn’thadtheendofabiteforacoupleofdays。That’stheendofhim，thinksI。Butnextdayheshowedup，stiffan’sore，readyforanotherhalfandasquaremeal。Andhedonebetterastimewentby。Justabornfighter，andtoughbeyondbelief。Hehasn’taheart。He’sapieceofice。AndhenevertalkedelevenwordsinastringsinceIknowhim。Hesawswoodanddoeshiswork。\"
\"I’veseen’m，\"thesecretarysaid。\"He’sworkedalotforyou。\"
\"Allthebiglittlefellowshastriedoutonhim，\"Robertsanswered。\"Andhe’slearnedfrom’em。I’veseensomeofthemhecouldlick。Buthisheartwasn’tinit。Ireckonedheneverlikedthegame。Heseemedtoactthatway。\"
\"He’sbeenfightingsomebeforethelittleclubsthelastfewmonths，\"Kellysaid。
\"Sure。ButIdon’tknowwhatstruck’m。Allofasuddenhisheartgotintoit。Hejustwentoutlikeastreakandcleanedupallthelittlelocalfellows。Seemedtowantthemoney，andhe’swonabit，thoughhisclothesdon’tlookit。He’speculiar。Nobodyknowshisbusiness。Nobodyknowshowhespendshistime。Evenwhenhe’sonthejob，heplumbupanddisappearsmostofeachdaysoonashisworkisdone。Sometimeshejustblowsawayforweeksatatime。Buthedon’ttakeadvice。
There’safortuneinitforthefellowthatgetsthejobofmanagin’him，onlyhewon’tconsiderit。Andyouwatchhimholdoutforthecashmoneywhenyougetdowntoterms。\"
ItwasatthisstagethatDannyWardarrived。Quiteapartyitwas。Hismanagerandtrainerwerewithhim，andhebreezedinlikeagustydraughtofgeniality，good—nature，andall—conqueringness。Greetingsflewabout，ajokehere，aretortthere，asmileoralaughforeverybody。Yetitwashisway，andonlypartlysincere。Hewasagoodactor，andhehadfoundgenialityamostvaluableassetinthegameofgettingonintheworld。Butdownunderneathhewasthedeliberate，cold—bloodedfighterandbusinessman。Therestwasamask。
ThosewhoknewhimortraffickedwithhimsaidthatwhenitcametobrasstackshewasDanny—on—the—Spot。Hewasinvariablypresentatallbusinessdiscussions，anditwasurgedbysomethathismanagerwasablindwhoseonlyfunctionwastoserveasDanny’smouth—piece。
Rivera’swaywasdifferent。Indianblood，aswellasSpanish，wasinhisveins，andhesatbackinacorner，silent，immobile，onlyhisblackeyespassingfromfacetofaceandnotingeverything。
\"Sothat’stheguy，\"Dannysaid，runninganappraisingeyeoverhisproposedantagonist。\"Howdedo，oldchap。\"
Rivera’seyesburnedvenomously，buthemadenosignofacknowledgment。HedislikedallGringos，butthisGringohehatedwithanimmediacythatwasunusualeveninhim。
\"Gawd！\"Dannyprotestedfacetiouslytothepromoter。\"Youain’texpectin’metofightadeefmute。\"Whenthelaughtersubsided，hemadeanotherhit。\"LosAngelesmustbeonthedinkwhenthisisthebestyoucanscareup。Whatkindergartendidyouget’mfrom？\"
\"He’sagoodlittleboy，Danny，takeitfromme，\"Robertsdefended。\"Notaseasyashelooks。\"
\"Andhalfthehouseissoldalready，\"Kellypleaded。\"You’llhavetotake’mon，Danny。Itisthebestwecando。\"
DannyrananothercarelessandunflatteringglanceoverRiveraandsighed。
\"Igottabeeasywith’m，Iguess。Ifonlyhedon’tblowup。\"
Robertssnorted。
\"Yougottabecareful，\"Danny’smanagerwarned。\"Notakingchanceswithadubthat’slikelytosneakaluckyoneacross。\"
\"Oh，I’llbecarefulallright，allright，\"Dannysmiled。\"I’llgetinatthestartan’nurse’imalongforthedearpublic’ssake。Whatd’yesaytofifteenrounds，Kelly——an’thenthehayforhim？\"
\"That’lldo，\"wastheanswer。\"Aslongasyoumakeitrealistic。\"
\"Thenlet’sgetdowntobiz。\"Dannypausedandcalculated。\"Ofcourse，sixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts，sameaswithCarthey。Butthesplit’llbedifferent。Eightywilljustaboutsuitme。\"Andtohismanager，\"Thatright？\"
Themanagernodded。
\"Here，you，didyougetthat？\"KellyaskedRivera。
Riverashookhishead。
\"Well，itisthisway，\"Kellyexposited。\"Thepurse’llbesixty—fivepercentofthegatereceipts。You’readub，andanunknown。YouandDannysplit，twentypercentgoin’toyou，an’
eightytoDanny。That’sfair，isn’tit，Roberts？\"
\"Veryfair，Rivera，\"Robertsagreed。
\"Yousee，youain’tgotareputationyet。\"
\"Whatwillsixty—fivepercentofthegatereceiptsbe？\"Riverademanded。
\"Oh，maybefivethousand，maybeashighaseightthousand，\"
Dannybrokeintoexplain。\"Somethinglikethat。Yourshare’llcometosomethinglikeathousandorsixteenhundred。Prettygoodfortakin’alickingfromaguywithmyreputation。Whatd’yesay？\"
ThenRiveratooktheirbreathsaway。\"Winnertakesall，\"hesaidwithfinality。
Adeadsilenceprevailed。
\"It’slikecandyfromababy，\"Danny’smanagerproclaimed。
Dannyshookhishead。
\"I’vebeeninthegametoolong，\"heexplained。
\"I’mnotcastingreflectionsonthereferee，orthepresentcompany。I’mnotsayin’nothingaboutbook—makersan’frame—upsthatsometimeshappen。ButwhatIdosayisthatit’spoorbusinessforafighterlikeme。Iplaysafe。There’snotellin’。MebbeIbreakmyarm，eh？Orsomeguyslipsmeabunchofdope？\"Heshookhisheadsolemnly。\"Winorlose，eightyismysplit。Whatd’yesay，Mexican？\"
Riverashookhishead。
Dannyexploded。Hewasgettingdowntobrasstacksnow。
\"Why，youdirtylittlegreaser！I’veamindtoknockyourblockoffrightnow。\"
Robertsdrawledhisbodytointerpositionbetweenhostilities。
\"Winnertakesall，\"Riverarepeatedsullenly。
\"Whydoyoustandoutthatway？\"Dannyasked。
\"Icanlickyou，\"wasthestraightanswer。
Dannyhalfstartedtotakeoffhiscoat。But，ashismanagerknew，itwasagrandstandplay。Thecoatdidnotcomeoff，andDannyallowedhimselftobeplacatedbythegroup。Everybodysympathizedwithhim。Riverastoodalone。
\"Lookhere，youlittlefool，\"Kellytookuptheargument。
\"You’renobody。Weknowwhatyouvebeendoingthelastfewmonths——puttingawaylittlelocalfighters。ButDannyisclass。
Hisnextfightafterthiswillbeforthechampionship。Andyou’reunknown。NobodyeverheardofyououtofLosAngeles。\"
\"Theywill，\"Riveraansweredwithashrug，\"afterthisfight。\"
\"Youthinkforasecondyoucanlickme？\"Dannyblurtedin。
Riveranodded。
\"Oh，come;listentoreason，\"Kellypleaded。\"Thinkoftheadvertising。\"
\"Iwantthemoney，\"wasRivera’sanswer。
\"Youcouldn’twinfrommeinathousandyears，\"Dannyassuredhim。
\"Thenwhatareyouholdin’outfor？\"Riveracountered。\"Ifthemoney’sthateasy，whydon’tyougoafterit？\"
\"Iwill，sohelpme！\"Dannycriedwithabruptconviction。\"I’Ilbeatyoutodeathinthering，myboy——youmonkeyin’withmethisway。Makeoutthearticles，Kelly。Winnertakeall。Playitupinthesportin’columns。Tell’emit’sagrudgefight。
I’llshowthisfreshkidafew。\"
Kelly’ssecretaryhadbeguntowrite，whenDannyinterrupted。
\"Holdon！\"HeturnedtoRivera。
\"Weights？\"
\"Ringside，\"cametheanswer。
\"Notonyourlife，FreshKid。Ifwinnertakesall，weweighinattenA。M。\"
\"Andwinnertakesall？\"Riveraqueried。
Dannynodded。Thatsettledit。Hewouldentertheringinhisfullripenessofstrength。
\"Weighinatten，\"Riverasaid。
Thesecretary’spenwentonscratching。
\"Itmeansfivepounds，\"RobertscomplainedtoRivera。
\"You’vegiventoomuchaway。You’vethrownthefightrightthere。Danny’lllickyousure。He’llbeasstrongasabull。
You’reafool。Youain’tgotthechanceofadewdropinhell。\"
Rivera’sanswerwasacalculatedlookofhatred。EventhisGringohedespised，andhimhadhefoundthewhitestGringoofthemall。
IV
BarelynoticedwasRiveraasheenteredthering。Onlyaveryslightandveryscatteringrippleofhalf—heartedhand—clappinggreetedhim。Thehousedidnotbelieveinhim。HewasthelambledtoslaughteratthehandsofthegreatDanny。Besides，thehousewasdisappointed。IthadexpectedarushingbattlebetweenDannyWardandBillyCarthey，andhereitmustputupwiththispoorlittletyro。Stillfurther，ithadmanifesteditsdisapprovalofthechangebybettingtwo，andeventhree，tooneonDanny。Andwhereabettingaudience’smoneyis，thereisitsheart。
TheMexicanboysatdowninhiscornerandwaited。Theslowminuteslaggedby。Dannywasmakinghimwait。Itwasanoldtrick，buteveritworkedontheyoung，newfighters。Theygrewfrightened，sittingthusandfacingtheirownapprehensionsandacallous，tobacco—smokingaudience。Butforoncethetrickfailed。Robertswasright。Riverahadnogoat。He，whowasmoredelicatelycoordinated，morefinelynervedandstrungthananyofthem，hadnonervesofthissort。Theatmosphereofforedoomeddefeatinhisowncornerhadnoeffectonhim。HishandlerswereGringosandstrangers。Alsotheywerescrubs——thedirtydriftageofthefightgame，withouthonor，withoutefficiency。Andtheywerechilled，aswell，withcertitudethattheirswasthelosingcorner。
\"Nowyougottabecareful，\"SpiderHagertywarnedhim。Spiderwashischiefsecond。\"Makeitlastaslongasyoucan——them’smyinstructionsfromKelly。Ifyoudon’t，thepapers’llcallitanotherbumfightandgivethegameabiggerblackeyeinLosAngeles。\"
Allofwhichwasnotencouraging。ButRiveratooknonotice。Hedespisedprizefighting。ItwasthehatedgameofthehatedGringo。Hehadtakenupwithit，asachoppingblockforothersinthetrainingquarters，solelybecausehewasstarving。Thefactthathewasmarvelouslymadeforithadmeantnothing。Hehatedit。NotuntilhehadcomeintotheJunta，hadhefoughtformoney，andhehadfoundthemoneyeasy。Notfirstamongthesonsofmenhadhebeentofindhimselfsuccessfulatadespisedvocation。
Hedidnotanalyze。Hemerelyknewthathemustwinthisfight。
Therecouldbenootheroutcome。Forbehindhim，nervinghimtothisbelief，wereprofounderforcesthananythecrowdedhousedreamed。DannyWardfoughtformoney，andfortheeasywaysoflifethatmoneywouldbring。ButthethingsRiverafoughtforburnedinhisbrain——blazingandterriblevisions，that，witheyeswideopen，sittinglonelyinthecorneroftheringandwaitingforhistrickyantagonist，hesawasclearlyashehadlivedthem。
Hesawthewhite—walled，water—powerfactoriesofRioBlanco。
Hesawthesixthousandworkers，starvedandwan，andthelittlechildren，sevenandeightyearsofage，whotoiledlongshiftsfortencentsaday。Hesawtheperambulatingcorpses，theghastlydeath’sheadsofmenwholaboredinthedye—rooms。
Herememberedthathehadheardhisfathercallthedye—roomsthe\"suicide—holes，\"whereayearwasdeath。Hesawthelittlepatio，andhismothercookingandmoilingatcrudehousekeepingandfindingtimetocaressandlovehim。Andhisfatherhesaw，large，big—moustachedanddeep—chested，kindlyaboveallmen，wholovedallmenandwhoseheartwassolargethattherewaslovetooverflowingstillleftforthemotherandthelittlemuchachoplayinginthecornerofthepatio。InthosedayshisnamehadnotbeenFelipeRivera。IthadbeenFernandez，hisfather’sandmother’sname。HimhadtheycalledJuan。Later，hehadchangedithimself，forhehadfoundthenameofFernandezhatedbyprefectsofpolice，jefespoliticos，andrurales。
Big，heartyJoaquinFernandez！AlargeplaceheoccupiedinRivera’svisions。Hehadnotunderstoodatthetime，butlookingbackhecouldunderstand。Hecouldseehimsettingtypeinthelittleprintery，orscribblingendlesshasty，nervouslinesonthemuch—cluttereddesk。Andhecouldseethestrangeevenings，whenworkmen，comingsecretlyinthedarklikemenwhodidilldeeds，metwithhisfatherandtalkedlonghourswherehe，themuchacho，laynotalwaysasleepinthecorner。
AsfromaremotedistancehecouldhearSpiderHagertysayingtohim：\"Nolayin’downatthestart。Them’sinstructions。Takeabeatin’andearnyourdough。\"
Tenminuteshadpassed，andhestillsatinhiscomer。TherewerenosignsofDanny，whowasevidentlyplayingthetricktothelimit。
ButmorevisionsburnedbeforetheeyeofRivera’smemory。Thestrike，or，rather，thelockout，becausetheworkersofRioBlancohadhelpedtheirstrikingbrothersofPuebla。Thehunger，theexpeditionsinthehillsforberries，therootsandherbsthatallateandthattwistedandpainedthestomachsofallofthem。Andthen，thenightmare;thewasteofgroundbeforethecompany’sstore;thethousandsofstarvingworkers;
GeneralRosalioMartinezandthesoldiersofPorfirioDiaz，andthedeath—spittingriflesthatseemednevertoceasespitting，whiletheworkers’wrongswerewashedandwashedagainintheirownblood。Andthatnight！Hesawtheflatcars，piledhighwiththebodiesoftheslain，consignedtoVeraCruz，foodforthesharksofthebay。Againhecrawledoverthegrislyheaps，seekingandfinding，strippedandmangled，hisfatherandhismother。Hismotherheespeciallyremembered——onlyherfaceprojecting，herbodyburdenedbytheweightofdozensofbodies。AgaintheriflesofthesoldiersofPorfirioDiazcracked，andagainhedroppedtothegroundandslunkawaylikesomehuntedcoyoteofthehills。
Tohisearscameagreatroar，asofthesea，andhesawDannyWard，leadinghisretinueoftrainersandseconds，comingdownthecenteraisle。Thehousewasinwilduproarforthepopularherowhowasboundtowin。Everybodyproclaimedhim。Everybodywasforhim。EvenRivera’sownsecondswarmedtosomethingakintocheerfulnesswhenDannyduckedjauntilythroughtheropesandenteredthering。Hisfacecontinuallyspreadtoanunendingsuccessionofsmiles，andwhenDannysmiledhesmiledineveryfeature，eventothelaughter—wrinklesofthecornersoftheeyesandintothedepthsoftheeyesthemselves。Neverwastheresogenialafighter。Hisfacewasarunningadvertisementofgoodfeeling，ofgoodfellowship。Hekneweverybody。Hejoked，andlaughed，andgreetedhisfriendsthroughtheropes。Thosefartheraway，unabletosuppresstheiradmiration，criedloudly：\"Oh，youDanny！\"Itwasajoyousovationofaffectionthatlastedafullfiveminutes。
Riverawasdisregarded。Forallthattheaudiencenoticed，hedidnotexist。SpiderLagerty’sbloatedfacebentdownclosetohis。
\"Nogettin’scared，\"theSpiderwarned。
\"An’rememberinstructions。Yougottalast。Nolayin’down。Ifyoulaydown，wegotinstructionstobeatyouupinthedressingrooms。Savve？Youjustgottafight。\"
Thehousebegantoapplaud。Dannywascrossingtheringtohim。
Dannybentover，caughtRivera’srighthandinbothhisownandshookitwithimpulsiveheartiness。Danny’ssmile—wreathedfacewasclosetohis。TheaudienceyelleditsappreciationofDanny’sdisplayofsportingspirit。Hewasgreetinghisopponentwiththefondnessofabrother。Danny’slipsmoved，andtheaudience，interpretingtheunheardwordstobethoseofakindly—naturedsport，yelledagain。OnlyRiveraheardthelowwords。
\"YoulittleMexicanrat，\"hissedfrombetweenDanny’sgailysmilinglips，\"I’llfetchtheyellowoutayou。\"
Riveramadenomove。Hedidnotrise。Hemerelyhatedwithhiseyes。
\"Getup，youdog！\"somemanyelledthroughtheropesfrombehind。
Thecrowdbegantohissandboohimforhisunsportsmanlikeconduct，buthesatunmoved。AnothergreatoutburstofapplausewasDanny’sashewalkedbackacrossthering。
WhenDannystripped，therewasohs！andahs！ofdelight。Hisbodywasperfect，alivewitheasysupplenessandhealthandstrength。Theskinwaswhiteasawoman’s，andassmooth。Allgrace，andresilience，andpowerresidedtherein。Hehadproveditinscoresofbattles。Hisphotographswereinallthephysicalculturemagazines。
AgroanwentupasSpiderHagertypeeledRivera’ssweateroverhishead。Hisbodyseemedleaner，becauseoftheswarthinessoftheskin。Hehadmuscles，buttheymadenodisplaylikehisopponent’s。Whattheaudienceneglectedtoseewasthedeepchest。Norcoulditguessthetoughnessofthefiberoftheflesh，theinstantaneousnessofthecellexplosionsofthemuscles，thefinenessofthenervesthatwiredeverypartofhimintoaspendidfightingmechanism。Alltheaudiencesawwasabrown—skinnedboyofeighteenwithwhatseemedthebodyofaboy。WithDannyitwasdifferent。Dannywasamanoftwenty—four，andhisbodywasaman’sbody。Thecontrastwasstillmorestrikingastheystoodtogetherinthecenteroftheringreceivingthereferee’slastinstructions。
RiveranoticedRobertssittingdirectlybehindthenewspapermen。Hewasdrunkerthanusual，andhisspeechwascorrespondinglyslower。
\"Takeiteasy，Rivera，\"Robertsdrawled。
\"Hecan’tkillyou，rememberthat。He’llrushyouatthego—off，butdon’tgetrattled。Youjustandstall，andclinch。
Hecan’thurtcoverup，much。Justmakebelievetoyourselfthathe’schoppin’outonyouatthetrainin’quarters。\"
Riveramadenosignthathehadheard。
\"Sullenlittledevil，\"Robertsmutteredtothemannexttohim。
\"Healwayswasthatway。\"
ButRiveraforgottolookhisusualhatred。Avisionofcountlessriflesblindedhiseyes。Everyfaceintheaidience，farashecouldsee，tothehighdollar—seats，wastransformedintoarifle。AndhesawthelongMexicanborderaridandsun—washedandaching，andalongithesawtheraggedbandsthatdelayedonlyfortheguns。
Backinhiscornerhewaited，standingup。Hissecondshadcrawledoutthroughtheropes，takingthecanvasstoolwiththem。Diagonallyacrossthesquaredring，Dannyfacedhim。Thegongstruck，andthebattlewason。Theaudiencehowleditsdelight。Neverhaditseenabattleopenmoreconvincingly。Thepaperswereright。Itwasagrudgefight。Three—quartersofthedistanceDannycoveredintherushtogettogether，hisintentiontoeatuptheMexicanladplainlyadvertised。Heassailedwithnotoneblow，nortwo，noradozen。Hewasagyroscopeofblows，awhirlwindofdestruction。Riverawasnowhere。Hewasoverwhelmed，buriedbeneathavalanchesofpunchesdeliveredfromeveryangleandpositionbyapastmasterintheart。Hewasoverborne，sweptbackagainsttheropes，separatedbythereferee，andsweptbackagainsttheropesagain。
Itwasnotafight。Itwasaslaughter，amassacre。Anyaudience，saveaprizefightingone，wouldhaveexhausteditsemotionsinthatfirstminute。Dannywascertainlyshowingwhathecoulddo——asplendidexhibition。Suchwasthecertaintyoftheaudience，aswellasitsexcitementandfavoritism，thatitfailedtotakenoticethattheMexicanstillstayedonhisfeet。ItforgotRivera。Itrarelysawhim，socloselywasheenvelopedinDanny’sman—eatingattack。Aminuteofthiswentby，andtwominutes。Then，inaseparation，itcaughtaclearglimpseoftheMexican。Hislipwascut，hisnosewasbleeding。
Asheturnedandstaggeredintoaclinch，theweltsofoozingblood，fromhiscontactswiththeropes，showedinredbars。
acrosshisback。Butwhattheaudiencedidnotnoticewasthathischestwasnotheavingandthathiseyeswerecoldlyburningasever。Toomanyaspiringchampions，inthecruelwelterofthetrainingcamps，hadpracticedthisman—eatingattackonhim。Hehadlearnedtolivethroughforacompensationoffromhalfadollaragouptofifteendollarsaweek——ahardschool，andhewasschooledhard。
Thenhappenedtheamazingthing。Thewhirling，blurringmix—upceasedsuddenly。Riverastoodalone。Danny，theredoubtableDanny，layonhisback。Hisbodyquiveredasconsciousnessstrovetoreturntoit。Hehadnotstaggeredandsunkdown，norhadhegoneoverinalongslumpingfall。TherighthookofRiverahaddroppedhiminmidairwiththeabruptnessofdeath。
TherefereeshovedRiverabackwithonehand，andstoodoverthefallengladiatorcountingtheseconds。Itisthecustomofprize—fightingaudiencestocheeracleanknock—downblow。Butthisaudiencedidnotcheer。Thethinghadbeentoounexpected。
Itwatchedthetollofthesecondsintensesilence，andthroughthissilencethevoiceofRobertsroseexultantly：
\"Itoldyouhewasatwo—handedfighter！\"
Bythefifthsecond，Dannywasrollingoveronhisface，andwhensevenwascounted，herestedononeknee，readytoriseafterthecountofnineandbeforethecountoften。Ifhiskneestilltouchedthefloorat\"ten，\"hewasconsidered\"down，\"andalso\"out。\"Theinstanthiskneeleftthefloor，hewasconsidered\"up，\"andinthatinstantitwasRivera’srighttotryandputhimdownagain。Riveratooknochances。Themomentthatkneeleftthefloorhewouldstrikeagain。Hecircledaround，buttherefereecircledinbetween，andRiveraknewthatthesecondshecountedwereveryslow。AllGringoswereagainsthim，eventhereferee。
At\"nine\"therefereegaveRiveraasharpthrustback。Itwasunfair，butitenabledDannytorise，thesmilebackonhislips。Doubledpartlyover，witharmswrappedaboutfaceandabdomen，hecleverlystumbledintoaclinch。Byalltherulesofthegametherefereeshouldhavebrokenit，buthedidnot，andDannyclungonlikeasurf—batteredbarnacleandmomentbymomentrecuperated。Thelastminuteoftheroundwasgoingfast。Ifhecouldlivetotheend，hewouldhaveafullminuteinhiscornertorevive。Andlivetotheendhedid，smilingthroughalldesperatenessandextremity。
\"Thesmilethatwon’tcomeoff！\"somebodyyelled，andtheaudiencelaughedloudlyinitsrelief。
\"ThekickthatGreaser’sgotissomethingGod—awful，\"Dannygaspedinhiscornertohisadviserwhilehishandlersworkedfranticallyoverhim。
Thesecondandthirdroundsweretame。Danny，atrickyandconsummateringgeneral，stalledandblockedandheldon，devotinghimselftorecoveringfromthatdazingfirst—roundblow。Inthefourthroundhewashimselfagain。Jarredandshaken，neverthelesshisgoodconditionhadenabledhimtoregainhisvigor。Buthetriednoman—eatingtactics。TheMexicanhadprovedatartar。Instead，hebroughttobearhisbestfightingpowers。Intricksandskillandexperiencehewasthemaster，andthoughhecouldlandnothingvital，heproceededscientificallytochopandweardownhisopponent。HelandedthreeblowstoRivera’sone，buttheywerepunishingblowsonly，andnotdeadly。Itwasthesumofmanyofthemthatconstituteddeadliness。Hewasrespectfulofthistwo—handeddubwiththeamazingshort—armkicksinbothhisfists。
Indefense，Riveradevelopedadisconcertingstraight—left。
Againandagain，attackafterattackhestraight—leftedawayfromhimwithaccumulateddamagetoDanny’smouthandnose。ButDannywasprotean。Thatwaswhyhewasthecomingchampion。Hecouldchangefromstyletostyleoffightingatwill。Henowdevotedhimselftoinfighting。Inthishewasparticularlywicked，anditenabledhimtoavoidtheother’sstraight—left。
Herehesetthehousewildrepeatedly，cappingitwithamarvelouslockbreakandliftofaninsideupper—cutthatraisedtheMexicanintheairanddroppedhimtothemat。Riverarestedononeknee，makingthemostofthecount，andinthesoulofhimheknewtherefereewascountingshortsecondsonhim。
Again，intheseventh，Dannyachievedthediabolicalinsideuppercut。HesucceededonlyinstaggeringRivera，but，intheensuingmomentofdefenselesshelplessness，hesmashedhimwithanotherblowthroughtheropes。Rivera’sbodybouncedontheheadsofthenewspapermenbelow，andtheyboostedhimbacktotheedgeoftheplatformoutsidetheropes。Hereherestedononeknee，whiletherefereeracedofftheseconds。Insidetheropes，throughwhichhemustducktoenterthering，Dannywaitedforhim。NordidtherefereeinterveneorthrustDannyback。
Thehousewasbesideitselfwithdelight。
\"Kill’m，Danny，kill’m！\"wasthecry。
Scoresofvoicestookitupuntilitwaslikeawar—chantofwolves。
Dannydidhisbest，butRivera，atthecountofeight，insteadofnine，cameunexpectedlythroughtheropesandsafelyintoaclinch。Nowtherefereeworked，tearinghimawaysothathecouldbehit，givingDannyeveryadvantagethatanunfairrefereecangive。
ButRiveralived，andthedazeclearedfromhisbrain。Itwasallofapiece。TheywerethehatedGringosandtheywereallunfair。Andintheworstofitvisionscontinuedtoflashandsparkleinhisbrain——longlinesofrailroadtrackthatsimmeredacrossthedesert;ruralesandAmericanconstables，prisonsandcalabooses;trampsatwatertanks——allthesqualidandpainfulpanoramaofhisodysseyafterRioBlancaandthestrike。And，resplendentandglorious，hesawthegreat，redRevolutionsweepingacrosshisland。Thegunsweretherebeforehim。Everyhatedfacewasagun。Itwasforthegunshefought。
Hewastheguns。HewastheRevolution。HefoughtforallMexico。
TheaudiencebegantogrowincensedwithRivera。Whydidn’thetakethelickingthatwasappointedhim？Ofcoursehewasgoingtobelicked，butwhyshouldhebesoobstinateaboutit？Veryfewwereinterestedinhim，andtheywerethecertain，definitepercentageofagamblingcrowdthatplayslongshots。BelievingDannytobethewinner，neverthelesstheyhadputtheirmoneyontheMexicanatfourtotenandonetothree。MorethanatriflewasuponthepointofhowmanyroundsRiveracouldlast。Wildmoneyhadappearedattheringsideproclaimingthathecouldnotlastsevenrounds，orevensix。Thewinnersofthis，nowthattheircashriskwashappilysettled，hadjoinedincheeringonthefavorite。
Riverarefusedtobelicked。Throughtheeighthroundhisopponentstrovevainlytorepeattheuppercut。Intheninth，Riverastunnedthehouseagain。Inthemidstofaclinchhebrokethelockwithaquick，lithemovement，andinthenarrowspacebetweentheirbodieshisrightliftedfromthewaist。
Dannywenttothefloorandtookthesafetyofthecount。Thecrowdwasappalled。Hewasbeingbestedathisowngame。Hisfamousright—uppercuthadbeenworkedbackonhim。Riveramadenoattempttocatchhimashearoseat\"nine。\"Therefereewasopenlyblockingthatplay，thoughhestoodclearwhenthesituationwasreversedanditwasRiverawhodesiredtorise。
Twiceinthetenth，Riveraputthroughtheright—uppercut，liftedfromwaisttoopponent’schin。Dannygrewdesperate。Thesmileneverlefthisface，buthewentbacktohisman—eatingrushes。Whirlwindashewould，becouldnotdamageRivera，whileRiverathroughtheblurandwhirl，droppedhimtothematthreetimesinsuccession。Dannydidnotrecuperatesoquicklynow，andbytheeleventhroundhewasinaseriousway。Butfromthentillthefourteenthheputupthegamestexhibitionofhiscareer。Hestalledandblocked，foughtparsimoniously，andstrovetogatherstrength。Also，hefoughtasfoullyasasuccessfulfighterknowshow。Everytrickanddeviceheemployed，buttingintheclincheswiththeseemingofaccident，pinioningRivera’sglovebetweenarmandbody，heelinghisgloveonRivera’smouthtocloghisbreathing。Often，intheclinches，throughhiscutandsmilinglipshesnarledinsultsunspeakableandvileinRivera’sear。Everybody，fromtherefereetothehouse，waswithDannyandwashelpingDanny。Andtheyknewwhathehadinmind。Bestedbythissurprise—boxofanunknown，hewaspinningallonasinglepunch。Heofferedhimselfforpunishment，fished，andfeinted，anddrew，forthatoneopeningthatwouldenablehimtowhipablowthroughwithallhisstrengthandturnthetide。Asanotherandgreaterfighterhaddonebeforehim，hemightdoarightandleft，tosolarplexusandacrossthejaw。Hecoulddoit，forhewasnotedforthestrengthofpunchthatremainedinhisarmsaslongashecouldkeephisfeet。
Rivera’ssecondswerenothalf—caringforhimintheintervalsbetweenrounds。Theirtowelsmadeashowing，butdrovelittleairintohispantinglungs。SpiderHagertytalkedadvicetohim，butRiveraknewitwaswrongadvice。Everybodywasagainsthim。Hewassurroundedbytreachery。InthefourteenthroundheputDannydownagain，andhimselfstoodresting，handsdroppedatside，whiletherefereecounted。IntheothercornerRiverahadbeennotingsuspiciouswhisperings。HesawMichaelKellymakehiswaytoRobertsandbendandwhisper。Rivera’searswereacat’s，desert—trained，andhecaughtsnatchesofwhatwassaid。Hewantedtohearmore，andwhenhisopponentarosehemaneuveredthefightintoaclinchoveragainsttheropes。
\"Gotto，\"hecouldhearMichael，whileRobertsnodded。\"Danny’sgottowin——Istandtoloseamint——I’vegotatonofmoneycovered——myown。IfhelaststhefifteenthI’mbust——theboy’llmindyou。Putsomethingacross。\"
AndthereafterRiverasawnomorevisions。Theyweretryingtojobhim。OnceagainhedroppedDannyandstoodresting，hishandsathisslide。Robertsstoodup。
\"Thatsettledhim，\"hesaid。
\"Gotoyourcorner。\"
Hespokewithauthority，ashehadoftenspokentoRiveraatthetrainingquarters。ButRiveralookedhatredathimandwaitedforDannytorise。Backinhiscornerintheminuteinterval，Kelly，thepromoter，cameandtalkedtoRivera。
\"Throwit，damnyou，\"heraspedin，aharshlowvoice。\"Yougottalaydown，Rivera。StickwithmeandI’llmakeyourfuture。I’llletyoulickDannynexttime。Buthere’swhereyoulaydown。\"
Riverashowedwithhiseyesthatheheard，buthemadeneithersignofassentnordissent。
\"Whydon’tyouspeak？\"Kellydemandedangrily。
\"Youlose，anyway，\"SpiderHagertysupplemented。\"Thereferee’lltakeitawayfromyou。ListentoKelly，andlaydown。\"
\"Laydown，kid，\"Kellypleaded，\"andI’llhelpyoutothechampionship。\"
Riveradidnotanswer。
\"Iwill，sohelpme，kid。\"
AtthestrikeofthegongRiverasensedsomethingimpending。
Thehousedidnot。Whateveritwasitwasthereinsidetheringwithhimandveryclose。Danny’searliersuretyseemedreturnedtohim。TheconfidenceofhisadvancefrightenedRivera。Sometrickwasabouttobeworked。Dannyrushed，butRiverarefusedtheencounter。Heside—steppedawayintosafety。Whattheotherwantedwasaclinch。Itwasinsomewaynecessarytothetrick。
Riverabackedandcircledaway，yetheknew，soonerorlater，theclinchandthetrickwouldcome。Desperatelyheresolvedtodrawit。HemadeasiftoeffecttheclinchwithDanny’snextrush。Instead，atthelastinstant，justastheirbodiesshouldhavecometogether，Riveradartednimblyback。AndinthesameinstantDanny’scornerraisedacryoffoul。Riverahadfooledthem。Therefereepausedirresolutely。Thedecisionthattrembledonhislipswasneveruttered，forashrill，boy’svoicefromthegallerypiped，\"Rawwork！\"
DannycursedRiveraopenly，andforcedhim，whileRiveradancedaway。Also，Riveramadeuphismindtostrikenomoreblowsatthebody。Inthishethrewawayhalfhischanceofwinning，butheknewifhewastowinatallitwaswiththeoutfightingthatremainedtohim。Giventheleastopportunity，theywouldlieafoulonhim。Dannythrewallcautiontothewinds。Fortworoundshetoreafterandintotheboywhodarednotmeethimatclosequarters。Riverawasstruckagainandagain;hetookblowsbythedozenstoavoidtheperilousclinch。DuringthissupremefinalrallyofDanny’stheaudiencerosetoitsfeetandwentmad。Itdidnotunderstand。Allitcouldseewasthatitsfavoritewaswinning，afterall。
\"Whydon’tyoufight？\"itdemandedwrathfullyofRivera。
\"You’reyellow！You’reyellow！\"\"Openup，youcur！Openup！\"
\"Kill’m，Danny！Kill’m！\"\"Yousuregot’m！Kill’m！\"
Inallthehouse，barnone，Riverawastheonlycoldman。Bytemperamentandbloodhewasthehottest—passionedthere;buthehadgonethroughsuchvastlygreaterheatsthatthiscollectivepassionoftenthousandthroats，risingsurgeonsurge，wastohisbrainnomorethanthevelvetcoolofasummertwilight。
IntotheseventeenthroundDannycarriedhisrally。Rivera，underaheavyblow，droopedandsagged。Hishandsdroppedhelplesslyashereeledbackward。Dannythoughtitwashischance。Theboywasat，hismercy。ThusRivera，feigning，caughthimoffhisguard，lashingoutacleandrivetothemouth。Dannywentdown。Whenhearose，Riverafelledhimwithadown—chopoftherightonneckandjaw。Threetimesherepeatedthis。Itwasimpossibleforanyrefereetocalltheseblowsfoul。
\"Oh，Bill！Bill！\"Kellypleadedtothereferee。
\"Ican’t，\"thatofficiallamentedback。\"Hewon’tgivemeachance。\"
Danny，batteredandheroic，stillkeptcomingup。Kellyandothersneartotheringbegantocryouttothepolicetostopit，thoughDanny’scornerrefusedtothrowinthetowel。Riverasawthefatpolicecaptainstartingawkwardlytoclimbthroughtheropes，andwasnotsurewhatitmeant。ThereweresomanywaysofcheatinginthisgameoftheGringos。Danny，onhisfeet，totteredgroggilyandhelplesslybeforehim。TherefereeandthecaptainwerebothreachingforRiverawhenhestruckthelastblow。Therewasnoneedtostopthefight，forDannydidnotrise。
\"Count！\"Riveracriedhoarselytothereferee。
Andwhenthecountwasfinished，Danny’ssecondsgatheredhimupandcarriedhimtohiscorner。
\"Whowins？\"Riverademanded。
Reluctantly，therefereecaughthisglovedhandandhelditaloft。
TherewerenocongratulationsforRivera。Hewalkedtohiscornerunattended，wherehissecondshadnotyetplacedhisstool。Heleanedbackwardontheropesandlookedhishatredatthem，sweptitonandabouthimtillthewholetenthousandGringoswereincluded。Hiskneestrembledunderhim，andhewassobbingfromexhaustion。Beforehiseyesthehatedfacesswayedbackandforthinthegiddinessofnausea。Thenherememberedtheyweretheguns。Thegunswerehis。TheRevolutioncouldgoon。