下载辰思小说免费APP
"I’vejustbeenaroundtothetentsseein’aboutlittleAllie’sfuneral，an’he’llkeeponthegirls，too。I’mpullin’myfreightforHangtown（Placerville）。Thistown’salittletoosmallforafellowofmymeans。"
FaroSamlookedafterhimwithacynicallightinhisnarroweyes。
"Thepotbubblesloudestwhenthewater’snearestthebottom，"hemuttered，andturnedtopickafastidiouswaythroughthemud。
Lifethatnightinthegamblinghellwentonmuchasusual。TeddyKarns"pouredtherye，"andFaroSam"slippedthecards，"whilstBabeworriedoverBouncingBet’sintoxicatedcondition。
"It’sAllie，youknow，"BabeconfidedtoRedShirtPeteatmidnight。
"Shetookitawfulhard，andSpellman，thenewboss，wouldn’tlet’erofftonight。Ibintellin’’erAllie’sbetteroff，butshewon’tlistentonobody。She’sjustbinpourin’’emdownallevenin’。What’sthat？"ataloudbangingonthedoors。SomeoneopenedthemandCurlyrodeintotheplaceonthehandsomehorsehehadboughtthatmorning。
"Well，boys，I’mcleaned!TriedtocopperthejackinHangtownandthewhole$50，000went。George，I’llbeaskin’forthisplaceback，I
guess。"
"Thisplacebelongstome，CurlyGillmore。"
"Whosaysso？"
’Thisoldladysaysso，"coveringhimwithhispistol。
Curlylaughed，nottoomusically。"Well，boys，whatamIbidforthishorse？Ineedagrubstake。"
"Playyouforhim，"saidFaroSam，laconically。
"Done，"saidCurly。AmomentlaterhelaughedoncemoreandswungdownofftheSpanishthoroughbred。"He’syours。Well，good—night，boys。"
Nooneanswered。Hehad，likeHadjithebeggar，becomeintwenty—fourhoursagainadrifter。
Babesneakedoutafterhim。"Here，Curly，"sheslippedherhandintoherbosomandheldouttheoctagonalslug。"WhenBetan’IreachedAllielastnightshewasholdin’itinherlittledeadhand，an’therewassuchasmileonherface!Yougaveherthathappysmile。Godblessyouforit!Now，youtakethis—"
ButCurlyturnedaway，blinkinghiseyes，andtryingtoswallowthelumpinhisthroat。Babestoodwatchinghimthroughhertearsashetrampeddownthestreet，outofthetownontheroadtothesouth。
*****
TwoyearslaterinahallinSonora，amanstrolledintothecardtables。
"Why，hel—lo，Curly!"
Curlyglancedupbriefly。"Hello，George。"
"Hearyou’vemadeanotherstrike。"
"Youcanhearalotthatain’ttrue。Thishappenstobe。"
"Youknow，Iwastelling—"
"Well，thesightofyoudon’tputmeinthemoodtobetoldmuch。"Therewasanimperceptibleshiftingofthecrowdaroundthetable。TheyweremovingawayfromSpellman。
"Iwastellingmywife—"
"Mygirl，youmean!Itwasn’tenoughtokeepmybusiness，youhadtogohomean’marrymygirl，too，didn’tyou？"
"Curly，fortheloveofheaven—"
"Takeyourhandoffmyarm，Pete。I’mgoingtokillthis——。He’snotthekindofmanIthoughthewas。"
Twoshotscrashedintheroom!
Spellmanwaveredthroughthesmokehaze，thendroppedhispistolandfellslowlyacrossthecardtablelitteredwithshiningcardsandpokerchips。Anoverturnedtallow—dipdroppedinapoolofwineandrolleddownagainstthedeadman’scheek，dabblingitwiththecolorwhichwouldneverreturntoitagain。
*****
"Bet，ain’tthatCurlyGillmorethatweknewthreeyearsagoatColoma，whenAlliedied？"
"Mustbea—gittin’blind!Where？"
"Thefelleralldressedupan’walkin’withthelady。Sureitis!Hi，Curly，hel—lo!It’sBabe。Well，ain’tIglad—"
ThewomanwithCurlyfixedBabewithastonyglare。"Ifyouwishtoconversewiththis……woman，kindlydosowhenyourwifeisnotaccompanyingyou，"shesaidtohiminanangryundertone，andwentmajesticallyon。
"I’llcomeback，Babe。We’vebeenmarriedjustamonthandshedoesn’tunderstand。I’llbebacklater，"andhehurriedoff。
"Bet，didyouseewhothatwaswithCurly？Hiswife，hesaid。"
"Aw—w，Babe，don’tyoufret!IguesswefillourlittleplaceouthereinCalifornynearasmuchassomeo’thefineladiesdo。"
"Ididn’tcare。No，Iwasthinkin’thatthewayso’theLordarecuri—us。ThatladyusedtobemarriedtoGeorgeSpellman。"
"An’Curlyshothim，downatSonora，lastyear!"
"Ye—aw。"
"Well，I’llbe—。"
TheRaceoftheShoestringGamblersVIII
"Judgenottooidlythatourtoilsaremean，Thoughnonewleviesmarshallonourgreen；
Nordeemtoorashlythatourgainsaresmall，Weighedwiththeprizesforwhichheroesfall。"
—BretHarte。
Ifdancingwasthefirstformofamusementtoemanatefromprehistoricsavagery，thenracingmustsurelyhavecomenext。Itmaypossiblyhavecomefirst。However，weshallleavethe"theorizin"’tobesettledbythelipsofthefirstmummywhosecenturies—oldtissuesshallberousedtofulllifebymodernscience。Whathassciencenotachieved？Wehavegonebeyondwonder。Wecanonlybelieve，andbecomeblase!
Meantimethereisstillenoughredbloodinthemoderneffeteproductionsofhumanstoenjoyacontestofstressandstrain，andbrainandbrawn，andtogambleupontheoutcome。
Inthe’49days，racingwasoneofthemostpopularformsofchance，anditoftenrevertedinbizarretangents。This，then，iswhathappenedatagoldenfiestaduringtheweekofraces：
"SweetLady，areallmyimportunitiestobeinvain？"
"ImustconfessthatIcannotbringmymindtoadecision，Mr。Saul，"
answeredMistressPattyLaughton，blushingandcurtsyingprettily。
"Itissurelynotforyourlackofworldlygoodsthatyouhesitate，"
persistedSlick—heelsSaul。"Asforwhatyourfatherisowingme，itshall，atthemomentofyouracceptance，bewipedentirelyfromthebooks。"
Pattywasincensedatthehintofinsolenceinthegambler’sallusiontoherimprovidentfather’sfinancialcondition。
"Believeme，Mr。Saul，"shesaid，withspirit，"noulteriormotiveforworldlyadvancementhasthepowertocoercemyafflections。"
"Butyouwillconsidermypropositionofmarriage？"
Patty’shonestgazeencounteredtheappraisingglintinthecootgreyeyesofthefoppishscape—gracebeforeher。Sheloweredherowneysquicklytohidahuntedlookintheirdarkdepthsassheanswered：
"Sir，aftertheweekofraces，youshallhaveyouranswer。"
"AndthenIshallgiveupmypresentmeansofgainingalivelihood，and，repairingtoSanFrancisco，shallenterintoaprofessionmorefittingthesocialstationoftheladywhoistobecomemywife。"Heboweddeeplyandwithdrew，leavingPattywithasadfaceandtearfilledeyes。
Atlastshestraightenedhertallfigureresolutely。"Imustnotgivewaytotears。Icannot!Iwillnot!Theremustbesomewaytopaymyfather’sdebtsbesidethisextremity，towhichdeathisalmostpreferable。Thereisstillaweek’stime。Aweek—onlyaweek。"Panicoverwhelmedher，andwhensomeonegentlytookherhand，shecriedaloudinterror。
"Why，Sweetheart，doIfrightenyouso？Iwaitedlonguponthemesanearthespeed—trackatthespotwehadagreedupon，andwhenyoudidnotcomeIfaredforthtomeetyou。"
"Eric，itisSaulagain。WhatcanIdo？"
"Dear，Ihaveabout$2000whichIamresolvedtoplayontheraces。I
willwin。Imust。OldIrishMikehasbroughtoverhiswholestablefulofsaddlehorsesandIwasraisedinKentucky。Donotdespair，weshallbeatthegamblerathisowngame。HereisMike，now。Perhaps—Mike，it’safinestringofhorsesyou’vepickedup。
"Itisso。ManyathoroughbredI’veboughtthatcameallthewayfromKentuckyorMissouri。AllthathadthestaminatogettoCaliforny，theonethingleftthatmanyofthepoordevilscouldsellwhentheyreachedthecoast。"
"Mike，someofthemarefasterthanothers，Isuppose。"
"’Tiswhathalftheshoe—stringgamblersinthecamphavetriedtofindout。Imayhavemeownopinion，butit’stomeselfI’llkapeittillafthertheracesarerun。Iwillnotspilesport。Haveyeseenthelastcayusethat’sbein’putin？
"YoumeanthecowponythatcameinwiththebunchofcattlefromtheNapaValleyyesterday？"
"Thesame。Theauldboy，whilstinhiscups，isbettin’shecanbeatanythin’onfourlegs，evenjackrabbitsan’antelope。Thepreciousgamblin’riff—raffarefillin’himupwithtanglefoot，proper。"
"Why，Mike？"Mikeglancedatthesilentgirlandthendownintothegulchbelow。
"MissPatty，haveyevisitedtheclaims？"
"No，butIshouldliketo。"
"Come，then，ifyewillsopleasureanoldman。Themenwillnotbeworkin’tomorrow。Theywillbethatpleasedtoshowaladyhowtowashapano’dirt，theywillbesaltin’iverypanwit’nuggetsforye!Eric，lad，"hecalledbacktothetallyoungman，"yemightlookthecowhorseover。Shehasnotbeencurriedforlong；yet，whisper，beautyisbutskindeepan’thefinestrapierisoftenencasedinarustyscabbard。"
"ThereissomethinggoingforwardthatMikewishesmetosee，"thoughEric，ashehurriedofftotheliverystable。"ThatiswhyhetookPattyaway。"
Acrowdofgamblerswerejustputtingupapairofridersontwohorses。
"Hey，EricTallman，youusedtoownthishorse。Canhebeatthisrat—tailedkyoodlethatrunsaftersteers？"
Ericlaidahandfondlyonthemagnificentblack"halfbreed，"whohadjustenoughmustangtogivehimthestaminaandspiritandwildnesscharacteristicoftheSpanish—bredhorse。
"Keephimonasteadyreinandhe’llbeatanythinginthemountains。I’dneverhavesoldhimexcept—。"Hesighed，turningtothecattlehorse。
Shewaslongnecked，longlegged，longhaired，wall—eyed，lean，andbadlyinneedofcurrying，andyetIrishMikewasnofool，andMikeknewEric’sextremity—hisandthegirl’swhomheloved。
Henotedthedeep，broadchest，thetaperingbarrelandthetremendousdrivingpowerinthesteelmusclesofthehindquarters，butshedrooped，spiritless。Heturnedagaintothesatin—coatedhalf—breed。
"Anydustupyet？"
"Ye—aw，abouttenthousand。Oldfoolseemstobewellheeled。We’vegot’imfulltotheeyes，downatString—haltEddie’splace，an’theboysaregoin’totrytheplugsoutbeforetheyputupanymore。"Twotrialraceswereriddenandthesadcowhorsewasoutrunwithapparentease。
ThenextmorningasPattywentonherdailystrollto"taketheair，"
herwaywasblockedbyaclamoringcrowdofundesirableswhowerebaitingamiserableoldcattleman。
"Itellye，gentlemen，Iwasindisposed。’Twastheliquortalking。
Surelyyouwouldnottakeadvantageofapooroldmanandhishonest，hard—workinglittlemount。Everydayofherlifesheworks。Gentlemen，I
begyou—"
"Beggingwillgetyounothingbetterthanagooddrubbing，youfilthycattlelout!Ifyoudon’tpayupyourbets，we’lltakeitoutofyourhide。I，forone，haveaspecialuseformymoneyattheweek’send。"
ItwasSlick—heelsSaul。Pattyturnedaside，sickatheart。Thiswasthecreatureinwhosepowershewas"liketofall。"
Uponherreturnshefoundtheoldcowboysittingdejectedlyunderaliveoakbush。"Sir，"shebegantimidly，"youareintrouble。Ishouldliketoexpressmysympathy。"
Herosewithsuspiciousnimbleness。"Now，blessyourkindheart，Miss，tostoptoconsoleasadoldman。"
"IoverheardwhatMr。Saulsaidtoyou，sir。Heis—"
"Withoutdoubt，withoutdoubt，heiseverythingyoumention。Couldyou，now，beMistressPattyLaughton，ofKentucky？"
"Yes，sir。"
"IknewyourGrandfatherLaughton，mychild，andsinceIcamehereI
haveheard—ofyou，"hefinished，withinnatedelicacy。Indeed，whohadnotheardherstory？
Sheopenedhersilkenreticuleanddrewforthasmall，buckskinbag。
"Willyounotacceptit？"Yesterday，attheclaims，Ipanneditoutmyself。Iamsorryforyourplight。IamsorryforanyoneintheclutchesofSlick—heelsSaul。"
"But—。Canyou—？"
"Itdoesnotmatter。Yourextremityisgreaterthanmine。"
Hestoodlookingaftertheslimgirlwhocarriedherheadsohigh。"HowlikeaKentuckyLaughton。Thoroughbredstock，all!"Hetossedthebaginhishand。"’Tiswhytheyarewheretheyaretoday。"Thenhiskeenoldeyessoftened。"Andwhytheyarewhattheyare，today。Blesshertenderhearttostooptoanoldcattlemaninthemire。Asforthis—ImustseeIrishMike，"andhehurriedoffwithsurprisingspeed。
Betsrose。Everygamblerhadbeenapprisedofthesurethingandflockedtothebettinglikebearstoahoneytree。
"Haveyeputupye’rmoney，Eric？"askedIrishMike，latethenextnight。
"Yes，"saidEric，briefly。
"Ah。So。"Mike’sshrewdgaveslidfromtheyoungman’sface。
"TheydosaythatSlick—heelsSaulisbeginnin’toworryoverthe$20，000he’sstaked。Theshoestringganghavegatheredintheinformationfr’mth’expressagentthattheauldcattlemanownsabigSpanishgrantdowninthevalley，andhas$50，00tohiscreditincertificatesofdepositfromtheexpresscompany。’Tisasgoodasgold。"
"Mike，haveyoueverseenhimbefore？"
"Ineverspilesport，meboy。"
Itwasthelastdayofthefiestaandthefamousracewasathand。
"Thereistheoldcattlemanwithhisvaqueros。"
"Faith，they’reatoughlookin’lot，allarmedwithabraceo’Coltsapiece。’Tisfunthey’dhave，cleanin’outaFandangoHouse。"
"Patty，girl，youarepaletoday。"
"Oh，Eric，’tisthelastdayofgrace。Heavenhelpusif—"
"See，Patty，gir—r—rl，they’refixin’forthefootracebetweenCherokeeBoban’thatAustraliansquirtfr’mSacramento。"
"Whyaretheyplacingmenwithgunseverytenfeetalongthetrack？"
"TheIndiancanbeattheAustralian，buthethriedtoselltheboysout，an’ifheslackenshisgaitbyeversolittle，theb’yswillbeginshootin’sthraightbeforethem。An’maybeafthertherace，he’dbetterberunnin’rightonintothenextcounty。"
"Whatnext？"
"Nextisajackassfight，an’then，therace!"
Afterthebilligerentjackshadbeenledaway，RedPetesuddenlytooktothebrush，acceleratedbyafusilladeofbullets。
"Welchin’hisbets，heis，an’iverymanheowesislettin’himhaveit。"
"Naryahit!"wailedoldJackHorner。"Theshootin’inthiscampisa—gittin’vile!Timewewasquittinsod—muchpickhandlin，an’
a—practicin’up。It’sareflectiononthecommunity。Why，thereain’tbeenaChinamandrilledwithabulletdecentan’cleanforweeks!"
"They’releadingoutthehorses!Wheredidthatlittleniggerjockeycomefrom？Themare’sgotmoregingertoday。"
"Eric，surelyyourhorsecanwin!"
"Idon’tknow，dear。"
"Hemust!Hemust，or—"
"Slick—heelsSaul’sfaceisturnin’thecolorofmenativeisle，"
chuckledIrishMike。"Patty，melittleladybird，’tisnotimetobefaintin’!"
"Oh，youcan’tknow—"
"Faith，an’Iknowmorethanyout’ink。Bearup，Asthore，thedarkesthourisjustforninstthedawn。Whisht，now!They’reoff!"
"Heretheycome!Theblackisahead!See，theniggerislyingflatonthemare’sneck。She’sclosingup!Oh，theyareneckandneck!Icannotlook。Eric—Theblackisgettingthewhip。Goodhorse!Theyareevenagain!Ah，itisonlyforamoment。Themare……isovertheline，first……Itisallended，life，love，honor，happiness……Icannotbelongtothatman!Mypooroldfather。Dearold……forhissake，I
must。I—"
"Patty，girl。"
"Eric，youarenottoblame。Youwouldwageronyourownhorse。’Tisbutnatural。ImustacceptmyfatewithwhatfortitudeIcansummon。Pleasetakemehome。Allthepeoplestaring。Icannotbearitlong。"
ButwhenSlick—heelsSaulpressedforwardtohersideattheboarding—housesteps，shewasasstatelyandcoldasthesnow—hoodedrocksofGraniteMountain。
"Ihavelosteverything，butstillIholdyoutoyourpromise。"
"Imadenopromise，sir，"shesaidhaughtily。
"’Butyouwill，"heansweredmeaningly，"tomorrow。"
"Standaside!"thunderedEric。
"Comeawn，"soothedIrishMike。"Notwiththeladyhere，Eric，b’y。"
"Patty，Icannotletyougo!Iwillshootthebeastonsight。"
"Thatwouldnotvindicatemyfather’shonor。Hush，heiscoming。ImustrememberthatIamaLaughton。"
Ericturnedtostaremoodilyoutthedustywindow。"Theregoesthecattlemanwithhisfollowersandhisstrong—box。Whathemusthavewon!
HerecomesMike。Inahurry，too!Iwonder—"
Slick—heelsSaulwasbowingbeforethegirl。
"ForgiveanauldIrishmanforintrudin’uponsotenderascene—"
（Slick—heelsglaredathimmalevolently），"butIhavehe—e—reasomethingforMistressPattyLaughton，"pretendingtoreadtheinscriptiononthepackageheheldout，"fromtheauldboy，there，whoisjustleavin’us。"
"’Breadcastuponthewatersofsweetcharityshallbereturnedanhundredfold。BlessedarethepureinheartfortheyareofthechildrenofGod，’hehaswritten。Why，itismoney!"gaspedPatty，"andsuchalargeamount!"
"Hehadmeputupye’rlittlebago’goldonhismare。Thesearey’erwinnings。"Mikesmiledinwardlyatthesumofmoney。"Sure，auldAndymusthaveputarockortwointheweebuckskinbag，"hethought，butaloudhesaid，"Ineverspilesport，an’Icouldnottellyebefore，but’tisauldAndyMageean’hisfamousracin’mare，thefastestquartermilehorsebechunethestateofMissouriandthePacificocean。
"’Tisthesamegamehe’spulledonthegamblin’crooksallthewayfromtheOregonlinetoMariposainthesouth。Evengettin’filledwit’
tanglefootispartofthedodge。Theycannottouchhiman’thevaquerosprotecthimfr’mtheshootin’。"
"Butwhataboutthetryout？"
"Alsointheschame。Themarewascross—shod；meanin’，twoofhershoes，thenearfront，an’theoffhindwans，weretwiceasheavyastheothersShecouldnotruntopspeedinth’mf’rlovenorgold。Yesterdayshewasshodinlightracin’pads，an’underherownjockey。Nohorseonthecoastcouldcatchher。An’always，thesmartracin’gamblersplayth’
auldmanforafool。Suchisoftentheendofgreed。
"Payupthedad’sgamblin’debts，an’bidthisKnighto’theGreenClothaswatean’longfare—ye—well。Thengoan’behappy，mechild。"
TheDragonandtheTomahawkIX
"WhichIwishtoremark，Andmylanguageisplain，ThatforwaysthataredarkAndfortricksthatarevain，TheheathenChineeispeculiar，WhichthesameIwouldrisetoexplain。"
—BretHarte。
CertainlearnedarchaeologistsmaintainthattherearemarkedracialsimilaritiesbetweentheAmericanIndiansandtheChinese—physicalcharacteristicsdatingfromunknowncenturies，whenthewidelysunderedcontinentswereprobablyone。
Howeverthatmaybe，inthedaysofgoldinCaliforniathegreatestanimosityexistedbetweentheIndiansandtheChinamen。Thefeelingbegan，presumably，throughintermarriageandflourishedlikethecelebratedmilkweedvineofthefoothills，whichhasbeenknowntogrow—Iquotea’49er，nowdead，whichisperhapstakinganadvantage—12
inchesinaday。
ThetaleistoldofaChinamancrossingasuspensionfootbridge，highoverawintertorrent，fromonepartofaminingcamptoanother。AnIndianrantomeethim。JohnChinamanstartedbackasquicklyashecouldontheswayingbridge。ThefasterIndiancaughthim，and，thoughminersonbothshoressoughttosavetheunfortunate"Chink"byarainofbullets，itwastoolongrange，andtheIndianthrewhimtocertaindeathintheriver。
ButtheIndiansdidnotalwayswin，andthis，then，isthetaleofanencounterbetweenHopSingandDiggerDan。
"Inagamewhichheldaccountin’，OnanoldSierramountain—"
*****
"Whassamalla，to—omuchnail—oketchemclo’e（clothes）？"snortedHopSing，comingaroundtothesideverandahwithtwopinsinhishand，towhereMissJoHalsteadwasembroideringanantimacassarinbrightworsteds。
"Oh，Sing，didyouhurtyourhand？"shecried。
"’Notherboyheapmad。"
"Anotherboy？Aren’tyoudoingthewashing？"
"Nodo。Me—"butJohadgonetothebackyard。ShefoundthetallestChinamanshehadeverseen，meeklybendingtothewashing，andquicklyobeyingthesharpordersraineduponhisqueue—circledpollbyHopSing。
"But—Sing，"protestedJo，stiflinganysortofsmile。
"Himnogood!Nogotplace!Mepayone—dollar—hophimstoponemonth，Chineehouse。Henopay。Memakemwork。"
"Yes，but—whatisthat？Thoseareshotsonthestageroadoverthehill!Oh，itmustbeanotherholdup!AndRandisshotgunmessengeronthestagetoday。Hark!Hearthehorsesrunning!They’recoming—fast。
They’retryingtomakethetown!"
"Ketchem，morehorserunbehind，"answeredSing，listeningintently，hisslantingeyesglittering。
"Sing，yougoandseewhat—"
"Cando!Yougetthatboy，make’emwash，allesame。Henogood!Youlooksee？"Joeturnedtospythefrighteneddeputywashermanwrigglingundertheverandah。"Bime—byIkill’um，"remarkedSing，composedly。"Nogottimenow。MissieJo，wagoncome，maybesobetteryoustophouse—o。"
Sixhorsestoppedthelonghill，pullingthehugerockawaystage。Theywerecomingatfullspeed，andthenearwheelerwasdrippingwithblood。
Adeadmanhungoverthehighdashboard，wherehisfeethadcaughtwhenhefell。
Leaningfaroutovertheteamwasayoungmanholdingthereinsinonehand，whilehelashedtheshot—crazedhorsestotheirlastounceofspeedwiththefifteen—footwhip。Hissawed—offshotgunlayontheseatbesidehim。ItwasRand!
"Oh，thankGod!"moanedJoe，butinanothermoment，"PooroldSaltPeter!Theymusthavekilledhimwhenhewouldn’tstop。Sing—"butHopSinghadvanished，leavingonlyhiswhiteapronacrossthewashbench。
Asthestagethunderedaroundtheturnattheendofthemainstreet，thewoundedhorsethrewuphishead，coughedbloodyspumeoverthepointers（thesecondpair），andfell。Menwerealreadyscramblingontotheirhorses，andlopinginfromalldirections。Randcutoutabuckskinleader，mounted，anddashedfranticallybackuptheroadfollowedbyadozenhorsemen。
"Rand，whowasit？"
"Idon’tknow，exactly。ThoughtIsawDiggerDan—"Theywereoverthehill，andJoheardnomore。
HopSingdidnotturnupforsupper，buthistallsubstitutedidfairlywell，andJodidnotworry。Sometimeafterdark，awearyRandappeared。
"Well，MissJo，wegotDiggerDan。Atleastwethoughtitwas，buthewon’tsayawordexceptthathewantstoseeyou。I’vecometoescortyouovertothejail。Willyoutrustyourselftomethatfar？"
"Thatfar，yes，"archly，"’tisbutashortspace。"Notforworldswouldshehavehimguessheranxietyoftheafternoon。
"Iwishthat’twereforalways。"
"WhatcanDiggerDanwantofme，"sheevaded，thankfulforthedarknesswhichhidherblushes。"Rand，hearthewolveshowling!"
"Theyareonlycoyotes，dear—MissJoe，andafraidtoventureintotownexcepttothechickenroosts。"
"Why，it’sHopSing!"exclaimedJo，uponfirstsightoftheprisoner。
"They’vecutoffhalfhisqueueandbraidedhishairintwopigtails，andputdifferentclothesonhim，andhedoeslooklikeanIndian。Howveryextraordinary!"
"KethemDiggerDancloe，"blazedSing。
"That’salikelytale，"saidthesheriff，"betchaheknowsmoreaboutstagerobbin’thanhe’llletout。"
"Iamsurehedoesnotaboutthisone。Hewaswithmeeverymoment。"
Nevertheless，shecouldnothelprememberingthesubstituteChinamanwhomSinghadputintodohiswashing。But，thoughthecomplexOrientalnaturewillneverbequiteunderstoodbytheOccidental，shehadconfidenceintheloyaltyoftheChinaman，whohadservedthemforfiveyears，andwhoselifehadoncebeensavedbyherfather。
"AhSing，willyoutellmewhathappened，"sheasked，knowingwellthatacommandwouldonlyelicitastolid"Nosavvey。"Putasafavor，oraconfidence，hemightrespond。
"HimDiggerDan，nogood!Hestealemmeclo’e。Ketchem。MissaLand（Rand）an’plentymancome，helun（run）。Iketchemhim!Tlee（three）
lobber（robber）come。To—omucheemen。Inocanfight!He—"
"Theytiedhimonahorseanddroveitdownthecanyonforustofollow，whiletheygotaway。"
"Itellyou，heknowsmoreaboutitthanhe’stelling!"
"Idon’tthinkso，sheriff，"saidRand，positively。Themanturnedtohim，suspiciously。
"Megohome，allsameMissieJoe？"HopSingraisedanexpressionlessfaceandglaredatthebroadbeltofthesheriff。
"Well，youcango，butI’mgoingtokeepaneyeonyouandseethatyourapron’shangingintheHalstead’skitcheneverydayofyourheathenlife。"
LaterthatnightwhenRandstartedhome，strangeincantationsweregoingoninSing’slean—to。Infourchinabowlspunkwasburning，andanoldChinamanwasmutteringweirdinvocationsovertheclothesofDiggerDanslowlysmoulderinginacoal—oilcaninthemiddleofthefloor。HopSingheldonehandinthesmoke，raisedtheotheraloftandmadeablood—curdlingoathofsomesortwhich，bytheexpressionofhisface，probablyconsignedtheownerforevermoretothenethermostdepths’ofTophet。
"Why，whereisAliSing？"askedJothenextmorning，whenshefoundthetallslavestillinthekitchen。
"Hegotheapsickcousin。Hegoway。Istay。Hecomebackbime—by。"Joknewthatitwasuselesstoquestionfurther。
ThesummerdriftedbyandstillSingdidnotreturn。Randwalkedinonedaywiththefirstflurryofsnow，fromhisclaiminthesouth。HecaughtbothofJo’shandsinhiswithoutaword，kissedthemtenderlyandletthemgo。
"Rand，"shefaltered，"itissolongsinceI’veheardfromyou。Youhavebeenactingsostrangely—formonths!"
"Jo，haveyounotheardthetalkthathasbeenwhisperedwithmynameeversinceSingdisappeared？TheysaythatIknowtoomuchabouttheholdups；thatIhelpedtheChinamantoescape；thatDiggerDanandHopSingareone；that—"
"Iwouldnotlistentosuchfalsehoods，"criedthegirl，hergreyeyesflashing。
"Youblessedlittlewoman!Butconsideringthis，howcanIsaytoyouwhat—tellyouthatwhichglorifiestheverylifeinmyframe。HowcanIofferyouanametarnishedbythesuspicionsofmyfellowmen？"
"Rand，Iacknowledgenosuchallegations。Oh，Imaybelosttoallsenseofwomanlyreserve，but—"
"Whenmynameiscleared，IshallhopetoenterParadise。TillthenI
mustnot。Icannotbringdisgraceuponyou。Ishallreturntomyoldpostofshotgunmessenger—"
"Rand!No!Listentomeonemoment。LasteveningDiggerDancametothisveryplace。Hetoldmethatifyouwentbacktothestageyouwouldcertainlybekilled。Theyhavebeenrobbingallsummer。ItissaidthatJoaquinisinthemountains。"
"No，theyareTomBell’smen。"
Joglancedup，startled。"Whoeveritis，hassentyouawarning。"
"MizHalstead，"calledastridentvoice，"th’stage’sjestin，an’
you’repaw’stookawfulsickupontheMiddleFork，athismine。"
"Ishallhavetogoonthemorningstage。Willyounotplease—"toRand。
"Jo，Idonotfeardeath。Itisdishonorthatmaddensme，foryoursake。
Thesnowshavecome。Theyarealreadyfittingrunnerstothestages。Themailsandthe’dust’mustgetthroughinspiteofall。Igooutonthefirstsleigh；thisoneyoumusttake。ThiswinterIshallvindicatemyname，ifitishumanlypossibletodoso。"Hekissedtheendofonelongcurlofherhair，andwasgone。
Someweekslater，duringalullbetweenstorms，Rand’sfacelitupwiththefeelingwhichbutonewomanintheworldcouldinspire，asthestagepulledintoMiddleFork。
"Fatherisnotquiterecovered，butIthoughtitbesttogethimoutbeforeweweresnowedin。Rand，DiggerDancame，"sheadded，inawhisper；’thestagewillbestoppedtoday。Yet，itisgatheringforastorm。Idarenotstay。WhatshallIdo？"
"Comealong。Iwillprotectyou。"
Twomilesfurther，astheytoppedahill，Texas，thedriver，pulledthelaboringsixfartotheside。
"Why？"askedRand。
"Cut，there，"answeredTexas，"an’it’spiledhighwithadrift。"
"Lookoutforstumps。"
"I’vegot’emspotted，"mutteredTex。
"What’sthat？"swinginghisgunquicklytotheright。Thehorsesplunged，snorting，quicklytotheleft，thesleighhitasnow—coveredstump，anditwasonlyTex’sexpertdrivingthatsaveditfromoverturning。
"Someanimal。Isawhishide。"AhideRandhadseen，butitwasthecoyote—skincoatofanIndianwhohadmadeonesignandinstantlyvanished。Veryquicklythedreadedhaltcame。
"Lookout，Tex!There’sariflebarrelfrombehindthattreetrunk。"
"Halt!"
"Haltitis。There’snothingwecando。"WasitJo’spresenceinthestagebelowthatmadehimgiveinwithoutastruggle，ordidheknowthattheWells—Fargoboxhadvanishedfromunderthedriver’sseat？OrwasitknowledgeofthehordeofyellingIndianswhichrosefromthesnowybrush，andswoopeddownupontheshootingrobbers？Fourofthemwerebrought，intriumph，tothetownonthestage。
"Whereistheexpressbox？"askedthesheriff。
"Idonotknow，"answeredRand，defiantly。
"Cachedawayuponthemountain，Isuppose，wheretheothersare。"
"Sir!"thunderedRand，"Ihavebroughtin，thebandits，asIpromised，toclearmyownnamen—allbutDiggerDan，whoescaped。WhenIsaythatIdonotknowwhathappenedtothebox，youwillpleaseunderstandthat—"
"HerecomesDiggerDannow，carryingsomething。"
"NoIndianevercarriedanythinginbasketsslungonapole!"
"Hel—lo，MissieJo，howyoudo？"blandlyremarkedDiggerDan’sdouble。
"HopSing!"
"KetchemMissaLand’smoney，nisbas—a—kit。"
"What’sintheotherone。
"Natone，lock（rock）。Makernheapeasycarry—em。"
"Wheredidyougetthebox？"
"Yousavveyplacehimhorsegetscare；himwagon，hefa’overtop—sidedown。Himmoney，hefa’out。Himstopplacesnowmeltawaybyheapbigtleetlunk。Mesee。MissaLand，Iknowhelike。Iketchem。"
WhenRandtookJohometheyweremetbyasmilingSinginasnowywhiteapron。
"Where’stheotherboy？"askedJo。
"Himboy？Itellumgetoutquick，orIkillum，sure!"
"AhSing，howcanIeverthankyouforallthesixmonthsyou’vespentinthebrush？"
"Heall—li，MassaLand。Youketchemmecomeoutnatjail。IheapsavveyyoucomeseeMissieJo。Missiepapa，lo—ongtimenow，heketcheemenodie。MissieJo，allasamemygirl—o。"
"ThoseIndians—"
"WereSing’sfriends，dear，dressedup。"
"Chinamen？"
"Yes。"
"Sing，wheredidDiggerDangoto？"
"Hegohell，"remarkedSing，pleasantly。"HelunawaytoOustamah（Indianvillage）。Meketchum。Allasquawketchernplentytaronhead，makernbigcly（cry，Indianwordforwake）。Mekillumhim。Goo—bye，megocookemvellyfinedinner。MissieJo，MassaLand，yougetmarrynow。
Mehopeyouketchemplentyboy!"Fromhispointofviewwhatgreaterblessingcouldhewishthem？Later，hepeekedincuriouslyfromthekitchen，but，askissesarenotincludedintheChinesecurriculum，hefailedtobeinterestedandreturnedtohisbaking。
TheBarstowLynchingX
"Thisismystory，sir；atrifle，indeed，Iassureyou。
Muchmore，perchance，mightbesaid—
butIholdhimofallmenmostlightlyWhoswervesfromthetruthinhistale。No，thankyouWell，sinceyouarepressing，PerhapsIdon’tcareifIdo：youmaygivemethesame，Jim—nosugar。"
—BretHarte。
Contestsofeverysortweretheorderofthedayin’49。Anyferociousencounterwhichwouldpromulgatebettingwascountenanced，andevenencouraged。Thereweredogfights，bullfights，bobcatormountainlynxfights，andfightsbetweengamechickens。
Thetaleiseventoldofcootiefightsduringlong，rainywintereveningswhichmustbespentindoors。Theharborersofthecontestantssimplyreachedundertheirshirts，drewforthadoughtygrey—backedwarrior，placedhimonachild’sslatewhichwasusedasanarena，andthefightwason。
AcampnamedLousyLevelissaidtohavemadeaspecialtyofthissortofbattle。Thousandsofdollarsweresometimesbetupontheoutcome。
Argumentsarisingfromvariouscombatsoftendevelopedintorobbing，murderingandlynching。This，then，isthetaleofacertainlynching。
*****
"Stepup，gents。Onlyadollartoseethebigfight。Onelittledollartoviewthegreatestcontestoftheage。SeethechampionfightingjackassofthestatevanquishthebiggestgrizzlyintheSierramountains。
"TheunconquerablebattlingjackasswhohaswhippedtwobullsdownatSonora，andcausedamountainliontoturntail。Stepup，gents。Onlyadollartogetinsidetheropes，"andWebfootWatsonwavedawell—kepthandtowardthearena。Itwasapine—stakedpalisade，boundaroundthetopwithrawhidethongs。Atoneend，the"championdonk"wastethered，andattheotherthe"fiercestgrizzly"wasconfinedinastoutcageofsolidplanks。
"Stepin，gents!Therearelogsandstumpstostandon。Theshowwillbeginimmediately。Wearenowloosingthelion—eatingjack。He—"
"Hey!"roaredSwipe—eyeWeller，pointingtotheladentreesoutsidetheenclosure，"efyouthinkI’magoin’topayadollarforthishereshowjestbecauseIain’tnotree—climbin’animal，you’repickin’outthewrongcustomer。Theycoughsupascreamerapiece，orthisactdon’tbeginactin’。That’sfinal!"
Nothingloath，Webfootclaimedthepenaltyfromthecrowdperchedinthetrees，insomeinstancesnotwithouttheaidofhissix—shooter，andthejackwasthenturnedlooseinthepalisade。
"He’seatin’grass，"pipedupoldGrease—topJamie。"Say，Icanseetwentyjackasseseatin’，downtotheboardin’houseatBlueTentanyday，an’Idon’thavetopaynodollar，neither。Turnoutye’rbaar!"
"Hi!Herehecomes!Eat’imup，jack!Why，thatain’tnogrizzly。
Sufferin’stars，he’sonlyalittlescaredcinnamon。"
"He’sgoin’aftermister—old—donk，though。"
"Ye—aw。Lookin’ferprotection。Hey，lookatthedonklandin’kickson’isribs。Ride’imbaar!Claw’imup!Give’im—"butthelittlecinnamonbearreachedthefenceinthreejumps，scaledit，andtooktothegrease—woodthicketsinrecordtimeinspiteoftheyellsandbulletsofthedisgruntledspectators。
Webfoothadmadeevenbettertimethanthebear，andonlytheplacidjackremainedasamementooftheoccasion。Hewastakenattheheadofalongprocessionofminersandmadetheoccasionforacalluponthewholeroundoffandangohouses，anddispensariesofliquidrowdyisminthecamp。
"Partners，aren’tyougettingsomewhatroughwiththelittlefellow？"
askedayoungmaninunimpeachableblackbroadcloth。
"Why，it’sAnthonyBarstow!Lookatthepurpleraiment!Man，youmusthavestruckpaydirt。"
"Yes，thankyou，myclaimhasturnedouttobearichone。Whatwillyoutakeforthedonk？"
"Helpyourself。He’samaverick。What’sthat？Dogfight？Sic’im，Rover!"andthefickleanddrink—befuddledmobhurriedoffdownthestreettothenewestexcitement。
Anthonytookhalfanapplefromhispocket。"Iwassavingitfortomorrow，butdoyouthinkyoucouldmanageit，LittlePard？"Thelongearsliftedatonce，andthesofthairymuzzletookthedelicacydaintilyoutofhisfingers。Anthonypettedhimandsaunteredon，intothebestofthegamblinghalls。Heseatedhimselfatatablepresidedoverbyawomandealer。
"Monsieur，itisnotpermittedzatzegamblairshallplay，"shetoldhimcourteously，withaflashofverybeautifulwhiteteeth。
"Ho!Ho!Barstow，"roaredCopper—downHicks。"That’soneonyou!Themadam，here，seesyourbrandnewtogsandthinksyouticklethegreenclothforalivin’。"
"Itismonsieur’stoilettezat’avecausezemistake。Ihavenowbetterobservehe’sface。Heiswelcome。"
"Don’tthinkyourfriendcansitin，though，"observedChamper—down，grinningbroadly。
Anthonyturned。Thedonkeyhadfollowedhimin，andwasstandingjustbehindhischair，headhanging，earslopping，lethargicpatienceshowingineverycontourofhisshaggybody。
"Ihaveconsortedwithmanyofhiskind，"saidAnthony，smiling，"andI
preferhisfranksincerity，hisbraveryunderstress，hisworldlypoise，hiscalmexterior，whichdoesconcealthefierydepthsofhisnature；infact，allhisso—calledanimalattributesIprefer，tothemoresophisticatedallureofhishumangender。"Anthonylaidastronghandonthelittlebeast’sshoulder，whiletheFrenchwomanregardedhimcuriouslyoutoflongblackeyes。
"There，takethat，yougoodfornothingcur，"andamankickedadoginthroughthedoor，tolieinatwisted，bloodyheapuponthefloor。
"Whatdoyoumean，youbrute!"calledAnthony，springingupontheminer，whoimmediatelyclosedwithhim。Mignonscreamed，andrantostopthem。
"Monsieur，forwhyyoudo—？"
"Aw，hegotlicked。Ilostmoneyonhim。"
"Yes，andyouhaven’tpaidme，neither。Youshellout，youBuckeyePete!"spokeupatallKentuckian，withamastiffonaleash。
"Itwasn’tafairfight，SpottyCollins，"whinedBuckeye。
"Itwas—itwas，so!"calledachorusofvoices。
"I’llbuyyourdog，"saidAnthony。"Thatwillpayyourdebts。"AnthonyhandedthemoneytoCollins，pickedupthehalfdeaddog，and，holdinghimagainsthisimmaculatenewfrilledshirt，hestrodeawaytowardhisclaimoverthemountain。Thejack，whoseattitudehadhair，"neverchanged"bysomuchasthewavingofasuddenlyraisedanalertheadandashisbenefactorvanished，heambledquicklyafterhim。
Petesoughttostophimatthedoorandinonelightningandconcertedmovement，hebitandstruckandkicked，scatteringthecrowdinalldirections。WhenthemenwatchingAnthonydownthestreet，burstintolaughteratthebizarreprocession，theFrenchgirlsilencedthemwithfierce，hissingsyllables……
"Heh!DudeAnthony，belovedoftheb—"
"Zosewordsyoushallnotcalllapetitehoundan’me。Evennameofadogisforsuchasyoutoogoodtobecall’。Monsieur，wetakepleasaireinyourdeparturefromhence。"
"Goon，pleasethelady，Buckeye。There’snootherjackasstokeepyouhereanylonger。"
AndBuckeyedepartedinaperfectindigohazeofprofanity。
*****
"Mignon，haveyouheardthenews？"
"Non，Monsieur，I’avesleepallzeday。"
"SpottyCollinswasfoundinBlueRavinethismorning，robbedandmurdered。Yousee，hehadalotofmoneyonhimfromthedogfight。"
"Butzebeeghound？"
"Hewasshot，too。"
"Zemurderer，zey’avecaught？"
"Notyet。Theysaythesheriff’sonhistrail，though。HejustgotbackfromSacramentoandhewentrightout。Byjinks，he’scomingnow!An’
he’sgot’im!"
"MonDieu!ItisMonsieurAnt’ony!"
"No!"
"Oui!Heem，mywoman’sheartknowswell。"
"Byjinks，youmustberight!There’sthefightin’jackfollowin’thehorses。DudeAnthonyofallpeople!"
"Itisnottrue!Itcannotbe!"
"ThinkI’vegotmyman，boys。Hisclothesarecoveredwithbloodandthemoneywasinhiscabin。"
"Ihavejustmadeastrikeinmyclaim。Thatismyownmoney。"
"Yes，ofcourse，butthecourtthinksyououghtn’ttokeepittoolong!"
"The’court’isinhiscups。He’ssittin’overthereintheplazawithhisbackagainsttheflagpole，an’hewon’tbudge。Youlisten—。
"Judge，canIseeyoutoyourroomforafewhours’sleep？"
"Whatfor？"askedthejudge，eyeingthequestionersolemnly。"IsthereanythinginthestatutesoftheStateofCaliforniawhichforbidsmypre—emptingthissmallspaceonthehighway？Isthereanyreason，ifI
amsoinclined，thatIshouldnotteachmyfellow—citizensthegreatmorallessonoftheoverthrowanddebasementofgeniusbythedemonrum？
AmInotbetteremployedthanifinastifling，tobacco—perfumedcourtroom，beatinglawintothethickskullofalawyer，whodoesn’tknowBlackstonefromwhitequartz？But，ifyouhavefourbitsonyou，andshouldaskmetojoinyou—Ah，youhave？"
"Well，"saidthesherifftoAnthony，aftertheyhadvanishedintoanearbar，"I’llhavetoputyouinthejugtillcourtconvenes。"
*****
BuckeyePetewascelebrating。Heseemedtobesuddenlyflushwith"dust"
andwasdispensingdrinkswithaliberalitywhichsoonbroughthimanumerousfollowing。Bymidnightitwasawell—mellowedassemblage。
"Mignon，howlonghaveyoubeendealin’？"
"Abouttree，fourmont’，Monsieur。"
"Idon’tmeanhere。Imeanaltogether。"
"Aboutsixye—ar，Monsieur。"
"Youmustbewelloffbythistime。An’theysaythatyou’veearneditallworkin’，andthatyou’restraight。Say，I’llmarryyou，ifyousaytheword—"
"Yousay，theysay，toomuch，Monsieur。"
"Here!Don’tyougogivin’menoorders，youFrenchcrinolinefluff!"
"Iordairnoman，an’nomanisordairme!"Shestaredhimdownwithherglittering，blackeyes，andreturnedtoherdealing。Petestrolledout，followedbyhissatellites。Whenthenoisesinthestreetgrewlouderitcausednoparticularcomment。Itwastheusualthing。ButwhenacrowdburstintotheRoyalFlush，Mignonsprangtoherfeetwithacryofanguish。
"Dealtmearawdeal，didn’tyeh，yousmartFrenchie？"gloatedBuckeyePete。"Well，lookatyourman。Takeagoodlook，an’don’tmissthenecktiehe’swearin’。Prettyli’lropechokerwegotforDandyAnthony。
Ain’tnomancangokillin’an’getawaywithit，whileI’mhere，"
lookingaroundforapplause。
"Nameofapig!"hissedMignon。"You—youwould。"
"Sure’wewould!Rightoutonthelynchin’tree。"Sheturnedanddashedfortherear。"Zesheriff!Hemustcometoutesuite!"
"Min，"whisperedSoft—soapJoe，thebartender，"helefttwohoursagoonanewcase，otherwisetheywouldn’ta—dareddothis。"
"MonDieu!An’zejustice，heisintoxicate!MotherMarie，prayforhim，"shecried，inherownlanguage，andsheranafterthelynchingparty。
Onceshestopped，shakingwithterroratwhatshetooktobeagrizzlyinthepath。Itwasonlythefightingdonkeystillfollowingthemasterwhomhehadadopted。Hemadehiswaytotheverycenterofthemob。TheFrenchgirlfollowedand，climbingontoabarrel，facedthecrowdwithflashingeyes。
"Considerwhatyoudo!ThejudgmentoflebonDieuwillbeuponyou!"
"Aw!Chokeheroff!Pullherdown，somebody。"
ButthethreeorfourwhotriedtoreachMignononherbarrelnexttotheboundmanonthehorsebeneaththehangingtree，fellvictimtothe"greatestbattlingjackinthestate。"
"Myfriend，"oratedtheoldjudgeafterwards，indescribingtheseevents，"whatmereman，howeverfilledwithtanglefoot，couldfacethewickedteeth，andhoofs，andkickswhichhadconqueredwildTexasbulls，causedthemountainliontocringeinhislair，andtheinvinciblegrizzlytofleeacrosstheSierras？"
Atanyrate，thelittledonkeywaseverywhereatonce，biting，striking，kicking，squealing，withthevenomandspeedandprecisionofarattlesnake，whileMignonrailed，unmindfulofAnthony’sprotests。
"Zebloodonheesclothes!Bah!You’aveallsee’owheiscarryhomelapetiteso—hurtdog。Oui!zedogofMonsieurPete。WhoisknowwhereMonsieurCollinsisgofornewdogfight？MonsieurPete!WhohasangeratMonsieurAnt’onyforbecauseI，Mignon，’avelookonceagainatMonsieur，whoissokindtoallwhoIavepain？MonsieurPete!Whoisinsultgoodgirl？That’sme。MonsieurPete!Whoisspendmuchmoneytonight，whoyesterdaywasbr—r—oke？MonsieurPete!Who，zen，shouldyouswingonzerope？"
Shewaited。Therewasabsolutesilencesaveforthecrackleoftheflamingpine—pitchtorches。
"Ver’well，’’inalowvoice。"I，me，Mignon，shallanswer。"Againshepaused。Alongwaydownthecanyonsheheardhorsesgallopingonthehardroad。"MonsieurPete!"shescreamed，atthetopofhervoice。
Themobstruggledforward，yelling。
"Ver’well!"shecried，snatchingasilver—mountedpistoloutofherbosom。"Comeon!Zejackass，heiske—e—llfive!I，Mignon，Ike—e—llfive!Tenshallgotolediablebeforemonbraveshallhang!"
Theyhesitated，thoseinfrontpressingbackfromthecertaindeathwhichawaitedthem。Mignonsetherarmsakimbo，thegungleamingatherhip，andtauntedthemincontemptuousFrench。
Thehorsemenhadreachedthecampandsoonthunderedintoview。"What’sthisgoingon，anyway？"demandedthesheriff，angrily。"AnthonyBarstowisinnocent。ThesemencanprovethattheyspentthenightatBarstow’scabin。WhenIlearnedthetruth，Icamestraightback。BuckeyePete，youthrowupyourhands!You’rewantedforthemurderofSpottyCollins。"
MignontorethenoosefromAnthony’sneck，laughingandcryingintrueFrenchabandon。
"Anthony，you’resnaredinanotherkindofnoose，"laughedthesheriff。
"Iknowyou’reneedin’yourarms，butthatrip—snortin’littlejackwon’tletmegetnearenoughtocutyourbonds。"
"BySalsifer!"hesaid，lateron，"I’llhavetoswearthatfightingjackinasadeputysheriff，andsethimtowatchin’roadagentsconfinedinthejail。Well，goodnight，all。Pete’slockedupsafeandsound。"
Anhourlaterasoberbandofgrimspectresreturnedtothejail，overpoweredtheguard，and，forthesecondtimethatnight，tookoutgrislyfruittohangonthelynchingtree。Therewerenopineknotsandnoattemptsatconversationtilltheleaderasked："BuckeyePete，haveyouanythingtosaybeforeyoujoinyourMaker？"
"Ain’tnouseprayin’foryourself，"spokeupanothervoice。"BetterprayforthesoulofthemanyousenttoPurgatory，andforthewell—bein’oftheotherinnocentmanyoutriedtodestroy。"
"What’sthat？"
"It’sthatfightin’jack，prowlin’’round。"
"Let’improwl!Now，then，boys，areyouready？Thenpull!"and，astheoldjudgealwaystoldinconclusion，"theysay，asthemengaveamightyheaveontheropethedonkeyranforwardandkickedthebarrelfromunderthedoomedman’sfeet!"
