Nan of music mountain

NanofMusicMountain
ByFrankH.Spearman
CHARLESSCRIBNER’SSONS
NEWYORK
::::
1916
PublishedApril,1916
TOMYSONEUGENELONERGANSPEARMAN
CONTENTS
I.FRONTIERDAY
II.THETHIEFRIVERSTAGELINE
III.THESPANISHSINKS
IV.FIRSTBLOODATCALABASAS
V.ROUNDINGUPSASSOON
VI.HEELSFORIT
VII.MAINTAININGAREPUTATION
VIII.THEGAMBLINGROOM
IX.ACUPOFCOFFEE
X.THEGLASSBUTTON
XLAFTERTHESTORM


XII.ONMusicMOUNTAIN
XIII.PARLEY
XIV.NANDRIFTS
XV.CROSSINGADEEPRIVER
XVI.AVENTUREINTHEDARK
XVII.STRATEGY
XVIII.HERBADPENNY
XIX.DANGER

XX.FACINGTHEMUSIC
XXI.ATRYOUT
XXII.GALEPERSISTS
XXIII.DESPAINWORRIES
XXIV.ANOMINOUSMESSAGE
XXV.ASURPRISINGSLIP
XXVI.FLIGHT
XXVII.ELCAPITAN
XXVIII.LEFEVERTOTHERESCUE
XXIX.PUPPETSOFFATE
XXX.HOPEFORLORN
XXXI.DESPAINRIDESALONE
XXXII.THETRUTH


XXXIII.GAMBLINGWITHDEATH
XXXIV.ATSLEEPYCAT
NanofMusicMountain


CHAPTERI
FRONTIERDAY
LEFEVER,iftherewasatableintheroom,couldneverbegottositonachair;
andbeingrotundhesatpreferablysidewiseontheedgeofthetable.Oneofhis
smallfeethisfeetwereencasedintight,high-heeled,ill-fittinghorsemen’sboots
usuallyrestedonthefloor,theotherswungattheendofhisstubbylegslowlyin
theair.Thisidiosyncrasyhiscompanion,deSpain,hadlearnedtotolerate.
ButLefever’ssubduedwhistle,whichseemedmeditative,alwaysirritatedde
Spainmoreorless,despitehisendeavornottobeirritated.Itwaslikethelow
singingofatea-kettle,which,howeverunobtrusive,indicatessteamwithin.In

fact,JohnLefever,whowasbuiltnotunlikeakettle,andwhosehigh,shiny
foreheadwastoppedbyapompadourshockofveryyellowhair,neverwhistled
exceptwhentherewassomepressureonhissensibilities.
Thewarmsunstreamingthroughthewindowsoftheprivateofficeofthe
divisionsuperintendentatSleepyCat,arailroadtownlyingalmostwithin
gunshotofthegreatcontinentaldivide,wouldeasilyhaveaccountedforthe
cordialperspirationthatilluminedLefever’sforehead.Notthataperspirationis
easilyachievedinthehighcountry;itisn’t.None,indeed,butaphysicalgiant,
whichLefeverwas,couldmaintainsoconstantandvisibleanervousmoisturein
thefaceoftheextraordinaryatmosphericevaporationofthemountainplateaus.
AndtodeSpain,onthisoccasion,eventheglisteningbeadsonhiscompanion’s
foreheadwereannoying,forheknewthathehimselfwasproperlyresponsible
fortheirpresence.
DeSpain,tiltedbackinthesuperintendent’schair,satnearLefeverJeffrieshad
themountaindivisionthenhiselbowsrestingonthearmsoftherevolving-chair,
andwithhishandshegrippedratherdefiantlythespindlessupportingthem;his
feetwerecrossedonthewalnutrimoftheshabby,cloth-toppedtable.Inthisatti
tudehischinlayonhissoft,opencollarandtie,hissunburntlipswereshuttight,
andaboveandbetweenhisnervousbrowneyesweretwolittle,verticalfurrows
ofperplexityandregret.Hewaslookingatthedull-finishbarrelofanewrifle,
thatlayacrossLefever’slap.AtintervalsLefevertooktherifleupand,whistling
softly,examinedwithcareafractureofthelever,thebrokenthumb-pieceof


whichlayonthetablebetweenthetwomen.
FromtheMainStreetsideofthelargeroomcamethehootingandclatteringofa
FrontierDaycelebration,andthesenoisesseemednottoallaythediscomfort
apparentonthefacesofthetwomen.
“Itcertainlyiswarm,”observedLefever,aproposofnothingatall.
“Whydon’tyougetoutofthesun?”suggesteddeSpainshortly.

Lefevermadeaface.“Iamtryingtokeepawayfromthatnoise.”
“Hangit,John,”blurtedoutdeSpainpeevishly,“whatpossessedyoutosendfor
metodotheshooting,anyway?”
HiscompanionansweredgentlyLefever’spatiencewasnotedevenamong
containedmen.“Henry,”heremonstrated,“IsentforyoubecauseIthoughtyou
couldshoot.”
DeSpain’sexpressiondidnotchangeunderthereproach.Hisbronzedfacewas
naturallyamiable,andhismentalattitudetowardillluck,usuallyoneof
indifference,wasrarelymorethanoneofperplexity.Hisfeaturesweresoregular
astocontributetothisundisturbedexpression,andhisfacewouldnotordinarily
attractattentionbutforhisextremelybrightandaliveeyesthefrequentmarkof
anout-of-doormountainlifeandespeciallyforaredbirthmark,lowonhisleft
cheek,disappearingundertheturnofthejaw.Itwasmerelyastrawberry,socalled,butanineradicablestamp,andperhapstoalesspreoccupiedmana
misfortune.HenrydeSpain,however,evenattwenty-eight,wastooabsorbedin
manythingstogivethoughttothisoften,andafterknowinghim,oneforgot
aboutthebirthmarkinthemanthatcarriedit.Lefever’sreproachwasnaturally
provocative.“Ihopenow,”retorteddeSpain,butwithoutanyshowof
resentment,“youunderstandIcan’t.”
“No,”persistedLefevergoodnaturedly,“Ionlyrealize,Henry,thatthiswasn’t
yourdayforthejob.”
ThedooroftheouterofficeopenedandJeffries,thesuperintendent,walkedinto
theroom;hehadjustcomefromMedicineBendinhiscar.Thetwomenroseto
greethim.Heaskedaboutthenoiseinthestreet.


“Thatnoise,William,comesfromallCalabasasandallMorgan’sGap,”
explainedLefever,stillfondlingtherifle.“TheMorgansarecelebratingour
defeat.Theyputitalloverus.Wewerechallengedyesterday,”hecontinuedin
responsetotheabruptquestionsofJeffries.“TheMorgansofferedtoshootus
offhand,twohundredyards,bull’s-eyecount.TheboyshereBobScottandsome

ofthestage-guardsputituptome.Ithoughtwecouldtrimthembyrunningina
realgunman.IwiredtoMedicineBendforHenry.Henrycomesuplastnight
withabrand-newrifle,presented,Iimagine,bytheMedicineBendBlackHand
Local,No.13.Thisisthegun,”explainedLefeverfeebly,holdingforththe
exhibit.“Thelever,”headdedwithapatientexpletive,“broke.”
“Givemethegun,John,”interposeddeSpainresignedly.“I’lllayitonthetrack
tonightforatraintorunover.”
“Itwasatimelimit,youunderstand,William,”persistedLefever,continuingto
stickpinscalmlyintodeSpain.“Henrygottoshootingtoofast.”
“Thatwasn’twhatbeatme,”exclaimeddeSpaincurtly.Andtakingupthe
offendingriflehewalkedoutoftheroom.
“Norwasitthemosthumiliatingfeatureofhisdefeat,”murmuredLefever,as
thedoorclosedbehindhisdiscomfitedchampion.“Whatdoyouthink,
William?”hegrumbledon.“TheMorgansraninagirltoshootagainstustrueas
there’saGodinheaven.TheyputupNanMorgan,oldDukeMorgan’slittle
niece.Andwhatdoyouthink?Sheshotthefingerscleanoffourwell-known
BlackHandscout.IneverbeforeinmylifesawHenrysofussed.Thelittle
MusicMountainskirtsimplyputitalloverhim.Shehadfivebull’s-eyesto
Henry’sthreewhentheleversnapped.Heforfeited.”
“Someshooting,”commentedJeffries,rapidlysigningletters.
“WeexpectedsomewhenHenryunslunghisgun,”Lefeverwentonwithout
respectingJeflPries’spreoccupation.“Asitis,thosefellowshavecleanedup
everydollarlooseinSleepyCat,andthensome.Money?Theycouldstartabank
thisminute.”
Soundsofrevelrycontinuedtopourinthroughthestreetwindow.TheMorgans
werecelebratinguncommonly.“Rubbingitin,eh,John?”suggestedJeffries.
“Thinkofit,”gaspedLefever,“tobebeatenbyaneighteen-year-oldgirl.”


“Nowthat,”declaredJeffries,wakingupasifforthefirsttimeinterested,“is

exactlywhereyoumadeyourmistake,John.Henryisyoungandexcitable—”
“Excitable!”echoedLefever,takenaback.
“Yes,excitablewhenagirlisinthering—whynot?Especiallyatrim,all-alive,
up-and-coming,blue-eyedhussylikethatgirlofDukeMorgan’s.Shewould
upsetanyyoungfellow,John.”
“AgirlfromMorgan’sGap?”
“Morgan’sGap,nothing!”respondedJeffriesscornfully.“What’sthatgottodo
withit?Doesthatchangethefireinthegirl’seye,thecurveofherneck,the
slopeofhershoulder,John,orthecolorofhercheek?”Lefeveronlystared.“De
Spaingottothinkingaboutthegirl,”persistedJeffries,“hereyesandneckand
pinkcheeksrattledhim.Againstagirlyoushouldhaveputupanold,one-eyed
scoutlikeyourself,orme,orBobScott.
“There’sanotherthingyouforget,John,”continuedJeffries,signingevenmore
rapidly.“Agunmanshootshisbestwhenthere’ssomebodyshootingathim
otherwisehewouldn’tbeagunmanhewouldbejustanordinary,every-day
marksman,withaSchuetzenvereinmedalandaroosterfeatherinhishat.That’s
whyyoushootwell,Johnbecauseyou’reagunman,andnotamarksman.”
“Thatboycanshootallaroundme,Jeff.”
“Forinstance,”continuedJeffries,tossingoffsignaturesnowwitharubber
stamp,anddevelopinghisincontestabletheoryatthesametime,“ifyouhadput
GaleMorganupagainstHenryat,sayfivehundredyards,andtoldthemtoshoot
ateachother,insteadofagainsteachother,you’dhavegotbull’s-eyestoburn
fromdeSpain.AndtheCalabasascrowdwouldn’thaveyourmoney.John,if
youwanttowinmoney,youmuststudythepsychological.”
TherewasabundanceofrailleryinLefever’sretort:“That’swhyyouarerich,
Jef�?”
“No,IampoorbecauseIfailedtostudyit.ThatiswhyIamatSleepyCat
holdingdownadivision.Butnowthatyou’vebroughtHenryuphere,we’llkeep
him.”

“Whatdoyoumean,keephim?”demandedLefever,startinginprotest.
“WhatdoImean?”thunderedJeffries,whofrequentlythunderedevenwhenit
didn’trainintheoffice.“ImeanIneedhim.Imeanthetimetoshootabearis
whenyouseehim.John,whatkindofafellowisdeSpain?”demandedthe
superintendent,asifhehadneverheardofhim.
“HenrydeSpain?”askedLefever,sparringinnocentlyfortime.
“No,CommodoreGeorgeWashington,GeneralJackson,IsaacWattsdeSpain,”
retortedJeffriespeevishly.“Don’tyouknowthemanwe’retalkingabout?”
“Knownhimfortenyears.”
“ThenwhysayHenrydeSpain,asiftherewereadozenofhim?He’stheonly
deSpainintheseparts,isn’the?Whatkindofafellowishe?”
Lefeverwasready;andashesatinachairsidewiseatthetable,onearmflung
acrossthegreenbaize,helookedeveryinchhisdevil-may-carepart.Regarding
Jeffrieskeenly,heexclaimedwithemphasis:“Why,ifyouwanthimshortand
sharp,he’samanwithasofteyeandasnapturtlejaw,amanofclosesqueaks
andshort-armshots,alwaysgettingintotrouble,alwaysgettingout;amanthat
canwheedlemoreoutofahorsethananybodybutanIndian;coaxmoreshots
outofagunthananybodyelsecanputintoitifyouwanthimflat,that’sHenry,
asIsizehim.”
Jeffriesresumedhismildesttone:“Tellhimtocomeinaminute,John.”
DeSpainhimselfexpressedcontemptuousimpatiencewhenLefevertoldhim
thesuperintendentwantedhimtogotoworkatSleepyCat.Hedeclaredhehad
alwayshatedthetown;andLefeverreadilyunderstoodwhyheshouldespecially
detestitjustnow.Everyhorseman’syellthatrangonthesunnyafternoonair
throughtheopenwindowsandfromupthestreetanddowntherewerestilla
goodmanywasoneofderisionatdeSpain’sgallingdefeat.Whenheatlength
consentedtotalkwithJeffriesaboutcomingtoSleepyCat,theinterviewwasof
apositivesortontheonesideandanobstinatesortontheother.DeSpainraised
oneobjectionafteranothertoleavingMedicineBend,andJeffriesfinally

summonedashowofimpatience.
“Youarelookingforpromotion,aren’tyou?”hedemandedthreateningly.


“Yes,butnotformotionwithoutthefprofit,”objecteddeSpain.“Iwanttostick
totherailroadbusiness.Youwanttogetmeintothestagebusiness.”
“Temporarily,yes.ButI’vetoldyouwhenyoucomebacktothedivisionproper,
youcomeasmyassistant,ifyoumakegoodrunningtheThiefRiverstages.
Thinkofthesalary.”
“Ihavenoimmediateheirs.”
“Thisisnotamatterforjoking,deSpain.”
“Iknowthat,too.Howmanymenhavebeenshotonthestagesinthelastsix
months?”
“Why,nowandagainthestagesareheldup,yes,”admittedJeffriesbrusquely;
“thatistobeexpectedwherethespecieshipmentsarelarge.TheThiefRiver
minesarerottenwithgoldjustnow.Butyoudon’thavetodriveastage.We
supplyyouwithgoodmenforthat,andgoodguardsmenwillingtotakeany
kindofachanceifthepayisright.Andthepayisright,andyoursasgeneral
managerwillberight.”
“Ihaveneverasyetgenerallymanagedanystageline,”remarkeddeSpain,
pokingridiculeatthetitle,“nomatterhowmodestanoutfit.”
“Youwillneverlearnyounger.Thereisafascination,”declaredJeffries,
ignoringthefling,andtiltinghischaireloquentlybacktogiveeaseand
convictiontohiswords,“aboutrunningagoodstagelinethatnorailroad
businesscanevertouch.Thereis,ofcourse,nothingintheRockyMountains,
forthatmatterintheUnitedStatesnothing,Iguess,intheworldthatapproaches
theThiefRiverlineinitsopportunities.Everywagonweown,fromthelightest
totheheaviest,isbuilttoorderonourparticularspecificationsbythe
Studebakerpeople.”HereJeffriespointedhisfingersharplyatdeSpainasifto
convicthimofsomedereliction.“You’veseenthem!Youknowwhattheyare.”

DeSpain,bullied,haltinglynoddedacquiescence.
“Second-growthhickoryinthegears,”continuedJeffriesencouragingly,“ash
tonguesandboxes“Someofthoseoldbuseslooklikeash-boxes,”interposeddeSpainirreverently.


ButJeffrieswasnottobestopped:“Timkinsprings,ball-bearingaxleswhy,
man,thereisnovehicleintheworldbuiltlikeaThiefRiverstage.”
“Youaresomewagon-maker,Jeff,”saiddeSpain,regardinghimironically.
Jeffriesignoredeverysarcasm.“Thisroad,asyouknow,ownstheline.Andthe
netfromthespecieshipmentsequalsthenetonanordinaryrailroaddivision.
Butwemusthaveamantorunthatlinethatcancurbthedisordersalongthe
route.CalabasasValley,deSpain,isabadplace.”
“Isit?”deSpainaskedasnaivelyasifhehadneverheardofCalabasas,though
Jeffrieswasnervilystatingafactbaldandnotorioustoboth.
“Therearealotofbadmenthere,”Jeffrieswenton,“whoarebadsimply
becausethey’veneverhadamantoshowthem.”
“Thelastgeneralmanagerwaskilledthere,wasn’the?”
“Notinthevalley,no.HewasshotatCalabasasInn.”
“Wouldthatmakeverymuchdifferenceinthewayhefeltaboutit?”
Jeffries,withaneffort,laughed.“That’sallright,Henry!Theywon’tgetyou.”
Againheextendedhisfingerdogmatically:“IfIthoughttheywould,Iwouldn’t
sendyoudownthere.”
“Thankyou.”
“Youareyoung,ambitious:fourthousandayearisn’thangingfromevery
telegraph-pole;itisalmosttwicewhattheyarepayingme.”
“You’renotgettingshotat.”
“Noman,Henry,knowsthehourofhisdeath.Nomaninthehighcountry
knowswhenheistobemadeatargetthatyouwellunderstand.Menareshot
downinthiscountrythathavenomoreideaofgettingkilledthanIhaveoryou
have.”

“Don’tincludeme.Ihaveaprettygoodideaofgettingkilledrightawaythe
minuteItakethisjob.”


“WehavetemporizedwiththisCalabasasoutfitlongenough,”declaredJeffries,
droppinghismaskatlast.“DeafSandusky,Logan,andthatsquint-eyedthief,
DaveSassoonallhold-upmen,everyoneofthem!Henry,I’mputtingyouinon
thatjobbecauseyou’vegotnerve,becauseyoucanshoot,becauseIdon’tthink
theycangetyouandpayingyouawhalingbigsalarytostraightenthingsout
alongtheSpanishSinks.Doyouknow,Henry”Jeffriesleanedforwardand
loweredhistone.Masteroftheartofpersuadingandconvincing,ofhammering
andpounding,ofswayingthedoubtinganddecidingtheundecided,thestrongeyedmountain-manlookedhisbestasheheldtheyoungermanunderhisspell.
“Doyouknow,”herepeated,“IsuspectthatMorganGapbuncharereally
behindandbeneathalotofthisdeviltryaroundCalabasas?YoutakeGale
Morgan:why,hetrainswithDaveSassoon;takehisuncle,Duke:Sassoonnever
isintroublebutwhatDukewillhelphimout.”Jeffriesexplodedwithaslight
butforcibleexpletive.“WasthereeverathieforarobberdrivenintoMorgan’s
Gapthatdidn’tfindsympathyandshelterwithsomeoftheMorgans?Ibelieve
theyareineverygamepulledontheThiefRiverstages.”
“Asbadasthat?”
Jeffriesturnedtohisdesk.“AskJohnLefever.”
DeSpainhadalongtalkwithJohn.ButJohnwasapooradviser.Headvisedno
oneonanysubject.Hewhistled,hehummedatune,ifhishatwasonhetookit
off,andifithappenedtobeoff,whichwasunusual,heputiton.Heextended
hisarm,attimes,suddenly,asifonthebrinkofapositiveassertion.Buthe
decidednothing,andassertednothing.Ifhetalked,hetalkedwelland
energetically;buttheendofatalkusuallyfoundhimanddeSpainaboutwhere
theybegan.SoitwasonthistryingdayforLefeverwasnotablewhollytohide
theupsettingofhisconfidenceofvictory,andhishumiliationatthenowmore
distantyellsfromtheCalabasasandMorganGapvictors.

ButconcerningtheMorgansandtheirfriends,Lefever,towhomJeffrieshad
rudelyreferredthesubjectatthecloseofhistalkwithdeSpain,didabandonhis
habitualreticence.“Rustlers,thieves,robbers,coiners,outlaws!”heexclaimed
energetically.
“Isthisbecausetheygotyourmoneyto-day,John?”askeddeSpain.
“Nevermindmymoney.I’vegotanewjobwithnothingtodo,andplentyof


cash.”
DeSpainaskedwhatthejobwas.“Onthestages,”announcedLefever.“Iam
nowgeneralsuperintendentoftheThiefRiverLine.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”
“ItmeansthatIactforthereorganizationcommitteeinbuyingalfalfaforthe
horsesandsmokelesspipesfortheguards.Iamtobeyourassistant.”
“I’mnotgoingtotakethatjob,John.”
“Yes,youare.”
“NotifIknowit.IamgoingbacktoMedicineBendtonight.”Lefevertookoff
hishatandtwirleditskilfullyononehand,hummingsoftlythewhile.“John,”
askeddeSpainafterapause,“whoisthatgirlthatshotagainstmethis
afternoon?”
“That,”answeredLefever,thinking,shocked,ofJeffries’swords,“wasNan
Morgan.”
“Whoisshe?”
“JustoneoftheMorgans;livesintheGapwitholdDukeMorgan,heruncle;
livedthereaslongasIcanremember.Someshot,Henry.”
“HowcansheliveintheGap,”museddeSpain,“withanoutfitlikethat?”
“Gotnowhereelsetolive,Iguess.Ibelieveyou’dbetterchangeyourmind,
Henry,andstaywithus.”
“No,”returneddeSpainmeditatively,“I’mnotgoingtostay.I’vehadglory
enoughoutofthistownforawhile.”Hepickeduphishatandputiton.Lefever

thoughtitwelltomakenoresponse.Hewaschargedwiththemaintenanceand
operationofthestage-linearsenalatSleepyCat,andspentmanyofhisidle
momentstoyingwiththefirearms.Hebusiedhimselfnowwiththemechanism
ofahugerevolveronethatthestage-driver,FrankElpaso,hadwreckedonthe
headofatroublesomenegrocominginfromthemines.DeSpaininturntookoff
hishat,pokedthecrowndiscontentedly,and,risingwithalossofamiabilityin


hisfeaturesandmanner,walkedoutoftheroom.
ThelatesunwasstreamingdownthefulllengthofMainStreet.Thestreetwas
stillfilledwithloitererswhohadspentthedayatthefair,andlingerednowin
towninthevaguehopeofseeingabrawlorafightbeforesundowncattlemen
andcowboysfromthenorthernranges,sheepmenfromtheSpiderRivercountry,
smallranchersandirrigatorsfromtheBearbasin,whopickedtheirsteps
carefully,andspokewithprudenceinthepresenceofroisterersfromtheSpanish
Sinks,andgunmenandgamblersfromCalabasasandMorgan’sGap.The
Morgansthemselvesandtheirfollowingwereouttothelastretainer.


CHAPTERII
THETHIEFRIVERSTAGELINE
SLEEPYCAThaslittletodistinguishitinitscasualappearancefromthe
ordinarymountainrailroadtownofthewesternRockies.Thelong,handsome
railroadstation,theeating-house,andthevariousdivision-headquarters
buildingscharacteristicofsuchtownsareinSleepyCatbuiltoflocalgranite.
Theyardfacilities,shops,androundhousesarethelastwordinmodernrailroad
construction,andthedivisionhasnotinfrequentlyheldthemedalforsafety
records.
ButmorethanthesethingsgotowardmakinguptherealSleepyCat.Itisa
communitywithearlier-than-railroadtraditions.SleepyCathasbeenmoreor

lessofasettlementalmostsincethedayofJimBridger,anditsisolatedposition
inthemidstofacountryofvastdeserts,farmountainranges,andwidely
separatedwatercourseshasmadeitfromtheearliestWesterndaysarendezvous
forhunters,trappers,emigrants,prospectors,andadventurersandthesehaveall,
insomemeasure,lefttheirimpressonthetown.
SleepyCatliesprettilyonahighplateaunorthandeastoftherailroad,which
makesadetourheretothenorthtoroundtheSuperstitionRange;itisacountyseat,andthis,wherecountiesareaslargeasordinaryEasternStates,givesit
somepoliticaldistinction.
Theprincipalstreetliesjustnorthoftherailroad,andparallelsit.Amodernand
substantialhotelhasforsomeyearsfilledthecornerabovethestation.Thehotel
wasbuiltbyHarryTenisonsoonaftertheopeningoftheThiefRivergoldfields.
AlongMainStreettothewestarestrungtheusualmountain-townstoresand
saloons,buttothenorthaprettyresidencedistricthasbeenbuiltupaboutthe
court-housesquare.Andagoodwater-supply,pumpedfromRatRiver,a
brawlingmountainstreamthatflowsjustsouthofthetown,hasencouragedthe
careoflawnsandtrees.
BeforedeSpainhadwalkedfarheheardmusicfromtheopen-airdancingpavilioninGrantStreet.Stirredbyanidlecuriosity,heturnedthecornerand
stoppedtowatchthecrowdedcoupleswhirlingupanddowntheraisedplatform
underpaperlanternsandredstreamerstothemusicofanautomaticpiano.He


tookhisplaceinafringeofonlookersthatfilledthesidewalk.Buthewas
thinkingashestood,notoftheboisterousdancingortheclumsydancers,butof
thebrokenleverandthedefeatatthefair-grounds.Itstillrankledinhismind.
Whilehestoodthinkingthemusicceased.
Aman,whoappearedtobeinauthority,walkedtothecentreofthedancingfloorandmadeanannouncementthatdeSpainfailedtocatch.Themanager
apparentlyrepeatedittothoseofhispatronsthatcrowdedaroundhim,andmore
thanoncetoindividualinquirerswhohadnotcaughtthepurportofwhathad
beensaid.Theselatecomershepushedback,andwhenthefloorhadbeenwell
clearedhenoddedtotheboyoperatingthepiano,andlookedtowardayoung

couplestandinginanattitudeofwaitingattheheadofthehall.
Alleyesbeingturnedtheirway,deSpain’sattentionaswellwasdrawntoward
them.Themanwaspowerfulinstature,andrathertooheavy,butstraightasan
Indian.Hissmall,reddishfacewastannedbythesunandwind,andhismanner
ashestoodwitharmsakimbo,hishandsrestingonhisbelt,facinghispartner
andtalkingtoher,hadtheconfidenceofamanateasewithwomen.Fromthe
handsomehatwhich,asheturnedtohispartnerforthedance,hesentspinning
towardatablebesidethepiano,thesoftbrownshirtandflowingtie,downtothe
small,high-heeledandspurredboots,heworethedistinctivecowboyrigofthe
mountains,eventotheheavyhip-holster,inwhichhisrevolverwasslung.He
was,infact,rathertoosmartlydressed,tooconfidentinmannertopleasede
Spain,whowasinnomoodtobepleasedanyway,andwhocouldconceivea
dislikeforamantheinstantheseteyesonhimandalikingasquickly.He
seemedtorecall,too,thatthisparticularfellowhadcrowedtheloudestwhenhe
himselfforfeitedtheshooting-matchearlierintheday.
ButdeSpain,unamiableashenowwas,lookedwithunconcealedinterestatthe
man’sdancingpartner.She,too,wasbrownedbythemountainsunandaira
slight,erectgirl,herheadwellset,andadelicatewaist-lineaboveabelted
brownskirt,whichjustreachedthetopsofhersmall,high,tanriding-boots.She
woreasoft,French-grayStetsonhat.Herdark-brownhairwasdeftlyhidden
underit,buttroublesomeringletsstrayedaboutherearsasifshehadnotseena
glassforhours,andthese,standingfirstwithonehandandthentheotherlaid
againstherleatherbelt,sheputupintoplace,andasifnotwhollyateasewith
hersurroundings.Insteadoflookingatherpartner,whotalkedtoherwhile
waiting,hereyes,noticeablypretty,wanderedabouttheplatform,restingat
momentsonthecloselydrawnlinesofspectators.Theyreflectedintheirunrest


thedissatisfiedexpressionofherface.Atalkativewomanstandingjustinfront
ofdeSpain,toldacompanionthatthemanwasGaleMorgan,anephewof

Satterlee,laziestoftheMorgans.DeSpain,whoneverhadtolooktwiceatany
woman,atoncerecognizedinthedancingpartnerthelittleMusicMountaingirl
whohadbeenhisundoingatthetarget;thewomanaddedthatNanwas,insome
hazydegree,Gale’scousin.
Theenergeticpianothumpedthestrainsofatwo-step.GaleMorganextended
hisarmtowardNan;shelookedveryslightathisside.Butinsteadoftakingher
position,shedrewback,lookingupandfrowningassheseemedtospeak
objectinglytoGale.DeSpainsawherhesitationwithoutcatchingitsimport.The
talkativewomannearathandwasmoredivining.“Lord,thatNanMorganmakes
metired,”sheexclaimedtohergum-chewingcompanion,“everseeanything
likeher?Firstshewouldn’tdanceunlessthefloorwascleared—SleepyCat
folksain’tgoodenoughforthemMusicMountaincattlethieves!Andnowthe
musicdoesn’tsuither.Listentothatboobofaboytryingonepieceafteranother
togetonetosuitmyoutlawlady.Nerve!”
Butwhiletheimpatientwomanchafedtherighttunewasfound,andNan
Morgan’sface,asshewatchedthemanipulatorofthepiano,brightened.
“Faster!”shecriedunderherbreath,takingherpositiononhercousin’sarm.
Then,respondingwithasortoffieryimpatiencetoherpartner’sguiding,she
caughttherapidstepofthemusic,andtogetherthetwosweptdownthefloor.
Whatevertheimpatienceofthecrowdoverthefinickystart,thespectatorssoon
showedtheiradmirationofthedancingwithunrestrainedhandclapping,and
followedwithapprovingoutcries.DeSpain,standingapart,watchedNan’s
flyingfeet,wonderinghowsheandherpeoplecouldpossiblybewhattheywere
painted,andwhethertheyreallyweresoornot.Everyswayingstep,everyagile
turnprovedhowsureshewasofherself,andhowperfectlyherbodyanswered
toeveryexactionofthequickmovementofthedance.GaleMorganseemedthe
merestattendantforhispartner,who,withquickenedpulses,gaveherselfup
moreandmoretothelivelycallofthemusic.
Oncethetwoswungawayout,neartodeSpain’scorner.AsNanwhirledby,de
Spain,eitherwiththeinfectionofthemusicorfromhernearnesstohim,caught

hisbreath.Hiseyesrivetedthemselvesonherflushedfaceasshepassed
obliviousofhispresenceandherecalledhowinthemorningshehadhandled
herrifleinthesamequick,sureway.DeSpaincouldnotdanceatall;butnoone


couldsuccessfullyaccusehimofnotknowinghowtohandleanysortofagun.
Itwasonlynow,asshecamesoveryclosetohimforthefirsttimesincethe
mortificationofthemorning,andhesawthesmoothnessofherpink-brown
cheeks,thathecouldungrudginglygiveherfullcreditforshootinghimdown.
Heforgaveher,unasked,thehumiliationshehadputonhim.Hefeltanimpulse
togouptohernowthatshehadstoppeddancingandcongratulateherhonestly,
insteadofboorishlyashehaddoneatthematch,andtosay,unreservedly,that
shewasthebettershotindeed,oneofthebesthehadeverseen.
Butwhilehethoughtallofthishedidnotstirastep.Thetwodancersatonce
disappeared,andanewandrougherpartycrowdedoutonthefloor.
“Now,isn’tthataprettybunch!”exclaimedthecriticalwomanagain.“That’sthe
Calabasasgang.Lookatthosefourmenwiththeredneckerchiefs.Sandusky,
thatbigfellow,withthecrookedjawButch,theycallhimandhisjaw’snothalf
ascrookedasSanduskyhimself,either.Hecouldn’tlieinbedstraight.And
HarveyLogan,withhisblackhairplasteredoverhiseyes.Why,foronedrink
thosetwofellowswouldturnlooseonthiscrowdandkillhalfadozen.And
there’stwoofDukeMorgan’scowboyswiththem,boozingoldBullPage,and
thatsquint-eyedSassoonhe’sworsethantheothers,thatfellowafinebunchto
allowinthistown.”
DeSpainhadexcellentears.HehadheardoftheseCalabasasmenofSandusky
andofthelittlefellow,Logan.Theyhadmuchmorethanalocalreputationas
outlaws;theywereknownfromoneendoftheSuperstitionRangetotheotheras
evil-doersofmorethanordinaryruthlessness.DeSpain,fromforceofhabit,
studiedeverydetailoftheirmake-up.Bothshowedmorethantracesofdrink,
andbothsecuringpartnersjoinedrudelyinthedancing.Ithadbecomesecond

naturetodeSpaintonoteeveninsignificantdetailsconcerningmen,andhetook
aninterestinandremarkedhowverylowLogancarriedhisguninfrontofhis
hip.Sandusky’sholsterwasslunghigherandfartherbackontheside.Logan
woreatanshirtandkhaki.Sandusky,coatless,wasdressedinawhiteshirt,with
aredtie,andworeasoiled,figuredwaistcoatfastenedatthebottombyacutglassbutton.
TheSleepyCatgossipcommentedonhowmuchmoneythesemenhadbeen
spendingallday.
Shewonderedaloud,recklessapparentlyofconsequences,whohadbeen


robbed,lately,toprovideit.Hercompanionscoldedherforstirringuptalkthat
mightmaketrouble;averredshedidn’tbelievehalfthestoriessheheard;
assertedthatthesemenlivedquietlyatCalabasas,mindingtheirownaffairs.
“Andthey’rekindtopoorfolks,too.”“Sure,”grimacedtheobdurateone,“with
otherpeople’smoney.”DeSpainhadnodifficultyinplacingthetwowomen.
Onewasundoubtedlythewifeofarailroadman,whohatedthemountain
outlaws,andtheotherwas,withequalcertainty,atownsympathizerwith
slanderedmen,andthetworepresentedthetwocommunityelementsinSleepy
Cat.
DeSpain,discontented,turningagainintoMainStreet,continuedontowardthe
ThiefRiverstagebarn.HeknewanoldScotchMedicineBendbarnmanthat
workedthere,aboyhoodfriend;buttheman,McAlpin,wasout.Afterlooking
thehorsesoverandinspectingthewagonswithanewbutmildcuriosity,
awakenedbyJeffries’sproposal,deSpainwalkedbacktowardthestation.He
hadvirtuallydecidednottotakethejobthatJeffriespaintedassoattractive,and
resolvednowtotakethenighttrainbacktoMedicineBend.MedicineBendwas
hishome.Hekneweveryman,woman,andchildinthetown.Beforethetragic
deathofhisfather,hismotherhadlivedthere,anddeSpainhadgrownupinthe
townandgonetoschoolthere.Hewasarailroadman,anywayamodest
trainmasterandnoteagerforstage-linemanagement.

TheprospectofreducingtheSinkstoalawand-orderbasisathisownproperrisk
couldnotbealluringtothemostaggressiveoflaw-and-ordermenanddeSpain
wasnotaggressive.Yetwithinamomentofhissensibledecisionhewastobe
hurriedbyamereaccidenttoanexactlycontraryfate.
AshepassedGrantStreetagainheencounteredapartyonhorsebackheadingfor
theriverbridge.Trottingtheirhorsesleisurely,theyturnedthecornerdirectlyin
frontofdeSpain.Therewerefiveinthecompany.Threeofthemenwereriding
abreastandalittleahead.Ofthese,themiddlehorsemanwasasparemanof
fortyyears,withablackmilitaryhat,andafranklydisreputableair.Hisfacewas
drawnupintoaone-sidedsmile,markedbyadeep,verticalwrinklerunningup,
closetohisnose,fromthecornerofhismouthalmosttotheinnercornerofhis
eye.SattMorgan’ssmilewashabitualandlessenedhissternaspect.Athisright
rodehiscousin,DukeMorgan,older,shorter,andstouter.Hissquare,heavyjawed,smooth-shavenfacewaslightedbyhard,keeneyes,andfinishedbyan
uncompromisingchin.Dukewastherealheadoftheclan,ofwhichtherewere
numerousbranchesintheSuperstitionMountains,alllookingwithfriendliness


orenmitytotheMorgansofMorgan’sGap.
Theyellow-hairedmanridingontheleft,witharedfaceandred-lidded,
squintingeyes,wasinstaturesomethingbetweenthetwoMorgans,andabout
theageoftheeldercousin.Hisshouldersslouched,andheshowednoneofthe
bloodofhiscompanions.Butthisman,DavidSassoon,theCalabasasgambler,
quondamcowboy,andchronicbrawler,stoodinsomewayclosetothedifferent
Morgans,andwasreputedtohavegoteachofthem,atdifferenttimes,outof
morethanonetroublesomeaffair,eitherbysheerforceofarms,orthroughhis
resourcefulcunning.
Thesemenwerefollowedbyayoungermanridingwithaveryyoungwoman.
DeSpainknewnoneofthefront-rankmen,butheknewwellNanMorganand
herdancingpartner.
Theyweretalkingtogether,andNanseemedfromhermanneratoddswithher

companion.Heappearedtobetryingtolaughthesituationoffwhenhecaught
sightofdeSpainpausingforthemtopass.Gale’sfacelightedasheseteyeson
him,andhespokequicklytoNan.DeSpaincouldnotatfirsthearhiswords,but
heneedednoearstointerprethislaughandtheexpressiononhisface.Nan,
persistentlyimportuned,lookedaround.ShesawdeSpain,muchcloser,itwould
seem,thanshehadexpectedtoseeamanlookingdirectlyather,andhereyes
restedonhimonlyamoment.Thesubstanceofhercousin’swordsshe
apparentlyhadnotcaught,andherepeatedtheminaloudervoice:“There’syour
handsomeMedicineBendgunman!”
Nan,glancingagaintowarddeSpain,seemedawarethatheheard.Shelooked
away.DeSpaintightenedupwitharage.Thebloodrushedtohisface,the
sarcasmstruckin.Ifthebirthmarkcouldhavedeepenedwithhumiliationit
wouldhavedonesoattheinstantofthecoldinspectionofthegirl’sprettyeyes.
ButhecaredlessforNan’sinspection,coldasitwas,thanforthejibeofher
satisfiedcousin.Notcontent,Gale,callingaheadtotheothers,invitedtheirat
tentiontothemanonthestreetcorner.DeSpainfeltmindedtohurlaninsultat
theminabody.Itwouldhavebeenfourtooneratherawkwardoddsevenifthey
weremountedandtherewasawoman.Butheonlystoodstill,returningtheir
inspectionasinsolentlyassilencecould.Eachfacewasfaithfullyphotographed
andfiledinhismemory,andhissteadygazefollowedthemuntiltheyrodedown
thehillandclatteredjauntilyoutontheswayingsuspensionbridgethatstill
crossestheRatRiveratGrantStreet,andconnectsthewholesouthcountrythe


SpanishSinks,theThiefRivergoldfields,thesaw-toothedSuperstitionRange,
Morgan’sGap,andMusicMountainwithSleepyCatandtherailroad.
DeSpain,walkingdownGrantStreet,watchedthepartydisappearamongthe
hillsacrosstheriver.Theencounterhadstirredhim.Healreadyhatedthe
Morgans,atleastallexcepttheblue-eyedgirl,andshe,itwasnotdifficultto
divinefromherexpression,was,atleast,disdainfulofhermorningrival.

Reachingthestationplatformwhilestillbusywithhisthoughts,deSpain
encounteredJeffriesandLefever.
“Whenareyoucominguptotakemyjob,Henry?”demandedthesuperintendent
withoutanyparley.
“Iamnotcomingup,”announceddeSpainbluntly.
“Notcomingup,eh?Allright,we’llfindsomebodythatwillcomeup,”retorted
Jeffries.“John,”headded,“wireMedicineBendtosendFarrellKennedyherein
themorningtoseeme.”
“What’sthereasonthatfellowstickssoclosetoMedicineBend?”demanded
Jeffries,whenLefeverjoinedhimlaterinhisoffice.
“Don’taskme,”frownedLefeverperplexed.“Don’taskme.Henryisoddin
someways.Youcan’ttellwhat’sgoingoninsidethatfellow’sheadbylookingat
theoutsideofit.”Jeffriesgruntedcoldlyatthisbitofwisdom.“I’lltellyouwhat
IshouldthinkifIhadtothink:HenrydeSpainhasneverfoundoutrightlywho
wasresponsibleforthedeathofhisfather.Heexpectstodoit,sometime;andhe
thinkssometimehe’sgoingtofindoutrightthereinMedicineBend.”
WhiletheyweretalkingthetrainwaspullingoutforMedicineBendwithde
Spainonboard.
Itwasatediousride,anddeSpainwasmuchtooengagedwithhisthoughtsto
sleep.TheMorganswereinhishead,andhecouldnotberidofthem.He
recalledhavingbeentoldthatlongagosomeofthesesameMorganslivedonthe
PeaceRiverabovehisfather’sranch.Everystoryhehadeverheardoftheirwild
lives,fortheyweremensuddeninquarrelandrecklessofsequel,camebackto
hismind.Hewonderedwhatsortofayounggirlthiscouldbewholivedamong
themwhocouldliveamongthemandbewhatsheseemedataglancetobea


fawnamongmountain-wolves.
ItwaslatewhenhereachedMedicineBend,andrainingadismalkindofanight.
Insteadofgoingtohisroom,justacrossthestreetfromthestation,hewentupstairsandsatdownwiththetraindespatchers.Afteranhourofindecision,

markedbyalternativefitsofmakingupandunmakinghismind,hewent,instead
ofgoingtobed,intothetelegraph-room,whereblackhairedDickGradysatata
key.
“HowaboutthefighttonightatSleepyCat?”Gradyaskedatonce.
“Whatfight?”demandeddeSpainperfunctorily.
“TheCalabasasganggottogoingagainuptheretonight.Theysayoneofthe
Morganswasinit.Sometown,thatSleepyCat,eh,Henry?”
“WhatMorganwasinit?”
“GaleMorgan.Alotofstuffcameinonitanhourago.Wasthereanything
startedwhenyouleft?”
“Ididn’thearofanything,”respondeddeSpain.Buthisindifferencetothe
subjectwasmarked.
“What’sthematter?”demandedtheoperator.“Aren’tyouwelltonight?”
“Perfectly.”
“Sleepy?”
DeSpainrousedhimself.“Dick,haveyougotaSleepyCatwireopen?”
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“TellJeffriesI’lltakethatThiefRiverstagejob.”


CHAPTERIII
THESPANISHSINKS
FROMacarwindowatSleepyCatmaybeseen,stretchingfardownintothe
southwestachainoftoweringpeaks,usuallysnow-clad,thatdominatethedesert
ineverydirectionforalmostahundredmiles.Intwoextendedgroups,separated
byanarrowbutwell-definedbreak,theyconstituteamagnificentrampart,
namedbySpaniardstheSuperstitionMountains,andtheystretchbeyondthe
horizontothesouth,alongthevastdepressionknownlocallyastheSpanish
Sinks.Thebreakontheeasternsideofthechaincomesabouttwentymiles
southwestofSleepyCat,andismarkedonthenorthbythemoststriking,andin

somerespectsmostmajesticpeakintherangeMusicMountain;thebreakitself
hastakenthenameofitsearliestwhitesettlers,andiscalledMorgan’sGap.No
railroadhaseveryetpenetratedthissoutherncountry,despitethefactthatrich
mineshavebeenopenedalongthesemountains,andarestillbeingopened;butit
liesto-dayinmuchoftheconditionofprimitivesavagery,andlawlessness,as
thewordisconventionallyaccepted,thatobtainedwhenthefirstrushwasmade
fortheThiefRivergoldfields.
ItisnottobeunderstoodthatlawisanunknownequationbetweenCalabasas
andThiefRiver,orevenbetweenCalabasasandSleepyCat.Butasstatutelawit
sufferssomanyinfractionsastobehardlyrecognizableintheordinarysense.
Businessisdoneinthiscountry;butbusinessmusthalteverywherewithits
meansofcommunication,andintheMusicMountaincountryitstillrestsonthe
facilitiesofastageline.Thestagelineisabigandvigorousaffair,aperfectly
organizedrailroadadjunctwiththebesthorses,thebestwagons,thebest
freightingoutfitsthatmoneycansupply.
Butthisisbynomeans,initscivilizingeffect,arailroad.Arailroaddrives
lawlessnessbeforeittheMusicMountaincountrystillleansonstage-linelaw.
Thebullionwagonsstilltravelthedifficultroads.Theylookforsafetytotheir
armedhorsemen;thefourandsixhorsestageslooktothearmedguard,the
wayfarermustlooktohishorseanditshouldbeagoodone;themountain
ranchertohisrifle,thecattlethieftothemoonlessnight,thebandittohiswits,
thegunmantohisholster:theseincludepracticallyallofthepeoplethattravel
theSpanishSinks,excepttheMorgansandtheMormons.TheMormonslooked


totheMorgansforsafety;theMorganstothemselves.
FormanyayeartheMorganshavebeenalmostoverlordsoftheMusicMountain
country.Theyown,orhavelaidclaimto,anextendedterritoryinthemountains,
aSpanishgrant.OneofthefirstmountainMorgansmarriedaSpanishgirl,and
duringtheearlydays,whentheMorganswerenotfightingsomeoneoutof

court,theywerefightingsomeoneincourtontheirendlessandinvolvedtitles.
Butwhethertheywondomaininlawsuitorlostit,onepearloftheirholdings
theyneversubmittedtothejurisdictionofanytribunalotherthantheirown
arms.Morgan’sGapopenssouthofMusicMountain,lessthantenmileswestof
Calabasas.Itisanarrowvalleywherevalleysaremorepreciousthanwaterfor
themountainvalleymeanswaterandthisinacountrywherewaterismuchmore
preciousthanlife.AndsomeofthebestofthislandatthefootofMusic
MountainwasthematernalinheritanceofNanMorgan.
AtCalabasastheThiefRiverstagelinemaintainscompletelyequippedrelay
barns.TheyareovertwentymilesfromSleepyCat,butnearlyfiftytheother
wayfromThiefRiver.Theunequaldivisionisnotduetowhatwasdesirable
whentheroutewaslaidout,buttothelimitofwhatmancoulddointheneverconquereddesert.ThissuppliesatCalabasasaspring,totempttheunwary
travellerstillfartherwithinitsclutches.Alargenumberofhorsesarekeptat
Calabasas,andthebarncrewsarequarteredthereinacompanybarrack.Along
thelowridgesandintheshallowdepressionsaboutCalabasasSpringtherearea
veryfewwidelyseparatedshacks,oncebuiltbyfreightersandoccupiedby
squatteroutlawstobewithinreachofwater.Thisgivesthevicinitysomethingof
theappearanceofapoorlysustainedprairie-dogtown.Andexcepttheseshacks,
thereisnothingbetweenCalabasas,ThiefRiver,andthemountainsexcept
sunshineandalkali.Isaynothing,meaningespeciallynothinginthewayofa
humanhabitation.
ButthereisaqueerinnatCalabasas.ApioneerThiefRiverprospector,madwith
thirst,foughthiswayacrosstheSinkstotheCalabasasSpring,andwandered
thenceonedayintoSleepyCat.Inadeliriumofgratitudeheorderedbuiltat
Calabasaswhathetermedahotel,toprovideatthatforbiddenoasisforthe
luxuriouscomfortoffuturethirst-madwanderers.Itwasbuiltoflumberhauleda
thousandmiles,andequippedwithluxuriesbroughtthreethousandafearsome,
ramblingstructure,bigenoughforalltheprospectorsintheRockyMountains.

Havingbuiltthismonument,creditabletohisgood-willratherthanhisgood
sense,theunfortunatemanwentreallymad,andhadthesorrydistinctionof
beingthefirstpersontobeputintheinsaneasylumatBearDance.Ithadnever
occurredtohimthatanyonehadanytitleto,orthatanymaddermanwouldlay
anyclaimto,soaccursedaspotasCalabasas.ButoldDukeMorganannounced
induetimethatthehotelwasbuiltonMorganland,andbelongedtothe
Morgans.NobodyoutsideamadhousecouldbefoundtodisputewithDuke
MorganatitletolandwithintenmilesofMorgan’sGap,andnonebutalunatic
wouldattempttorunahotelatCalabasas,anyway.However,asolutionofthe
difficultywasfound:Duke’scolorabletitlegavethecuetohisretainersinthe
Gap,andintimetheycartedawaypiecemealmostofthemainbuilding,leaving
foryearsthekitchenandtheservantsquartersadjoiningittoowls,lizards,
scorpions,andspiders.
Meantime,totapthefast-developinggoldfields,thefreightrouteandstageshad
beenputin,andthebarnsbuiltatCalabasas.Aneednaturallydevelopedforat
leastonefeatureofahotelabarroom.Anewerlunaticansweredthecallof
civilizationamanonlymildlyinsanestockedthekitchenrangewithliquors,and
fittedupinacrudewaytheice-boxeswherethereneverwasiceserving
pantries,andotheroddnooksforsleepingquarters.Herethethirstystage
passenger,littlesuspectingtheoriginofthefacilitiesofferedhimforadrink,
maychoosestrongdrinkinsteadofwaterorrather,heisrestrictedtostrong
drinkwherewatermightoncehavebeenhadthespringbeingpipednowhalfa
miletothebarnsforthehorses.Andthisshack,asitislocallycalled,runbya
Mexican,isstilltheinnatCalabasas.Anditcontinuestocontribute,throughits
stirringannals,tothetragichistoryofthecontinentaldivide.
ItneedhardlybesaidthatDukeMorganlaidclaimalsototheCalabasasSpring.
Butonthisthecompany,beingacorporation,foughthim.Andaftersomewhat
lessofargumentandsomewhatmoreofsiegeandshooting,acompromisewas
reachedwherebythecompanyboughtannuallyatanexorbitantpriceallof
Duke,Satterlee,andVanceMorgan’shay,andastheMorganshadsmallriversof

waterinthemountains,andnever,exceptwhencrowded,drankwater,amodus
Vivendiwasarrangedbetweentheclaimants.Theonlysuffererthroughthiswas
theMexicanpublican,whofoundeveryMorganhislandlord,anddemanding
fromhimtithesoverthebar.Butforceisusuallymetwithcunning,andsuch
MorgansaswouldnotpayinadvanceatCalabasas,whenthirsty,oftenfoundthe
half-madpublicanoutofgoods.