第8章

类别:其他 作者:Alfred Henry Lewis字数:20945更新时间:18/12/14 16:42:47
\"\'\"Themcontoomeliousremarkstothelady,\"hesaystomygrandfather,\"lowersyouinmyesteemalot。An\'whilethewayyoubreaksupthatsetteewiththeRoarin\'Wolverinegoessometowardsreestablishin\'you,stillIshallnotlookonyouasthegentI takesyoufor,ontilyouseeksthisyereinjuredfemalean\' crawfishesonthatp\'isen-takin\'bluff。\" \"\'Somygrandfathergoesoutondeckwheretheladyisstillsobbin\' an\'hangin\'onthecaptain\'sneckliketheloopofarope,an\' apol\'gizes。Thentheladytakesabrace,acceptsthemcontritions,an\'putsitupforherpartthatshecanseemygrandfather\'sashore-enoughgentan\'asonofchivalry;an\'withthattheriotwindsupplumbpleasantall\'round。\' \"\'IfImaycomeromancin\'inyere,\'saysDocPeets,sorto\'breakin\' intotheplayatthisp\'int,\'withainterruption,IwantstosaythatIregyardsthisasaveryprettynarratif,an\'requeststhedrinksoncttotheColonel\'sgrandfather。\'Wedrinksaccordin\',an\' theColonelresoomes。 \"\'MygrandfathercomesbackfromthisyereexpeditiondowntheOhioamostvoylentJacksonman。An\'he\'strootohisfaithasaadherenttoJacksonthroughtimeswhentheClayfolksgetsthatintemp\'ratetheyhunts\'emwithdogs。Theoldgentwaswont,asIsu\'gests,toregalemychildishy\'earswiththestoryofwhathesuffers,Hetellshowhegoespirootin\'offamongthefarmersinthebackcounties;sleepin\'onhuskbeds,tillthebed-ropescutsplumbthroughan\'marksoutachecker-boardonhisframethatwouldstayformonths。Oncehe\'ssleepin\'inaloft,an\'allofasuddenaboutdaybreaktheoldgenthearsasquallthatmightynearlocoeshim,it\'ssoclostan\'turrible。Heboilsoutontheflooran\'beginstoclawonhisduds,allowin\',bein\'he\'sonlyhalfawakethata-way,thatit\'sapasselofthemmurderin\'ClayWhigswho\'scometocrawlhishumpforshore。Butshe\'safalsealarm。It\'sonlyaDom\'nickroosterwho\'sbeenperchedallnightonmygrandfather\'swristwherehisarmsticksoutenbed,an\'who\'sdonecrowedawholelot,asishishabitwhenheglintsthecomin\'day。It\'sthemsorto\'thingsthatsendsashudderthroughyou,an\'showswhatthatoldpatriotsuffersforhisfaith。 \"\'Butmygrandfatherkeepsonprevailin\'alonginthemviewsontilhejestconquershiscountyan\'carriesherforJackson。Shore!hehastroubleatthepolls,an\'troubleintheconventions。Buthepersists;an\'he\'sthatdomineerin\'an\'dogmatictheyatlastnotonlygiveshimhisway,butcomesrackin\'alongwithhim。Inthelastconvention,henacherallyherdsthingsintoacorner,an\' thar\'sonlyfortyvotesag\'inhimatthefinish。Mygrandfatherallerssayswhenrelatin\'ofittomelongafterwards: \"\'\"An\'grandsonWillyum,fivegallonsmoreofrumwouldhavemadethatconventionyoonanimous。 \"\'Butwhathe\'pstheoldgentmosttowardsthelast,isaj\'intdebatehehaswithSpenceWitherspoon,whichbeginswithreecrim\'nationsan\'windsupwiththeguns。Also,itleavesthisyereaggravatin\'Witherspoonlessawholelot。 \"\'\"Wasn\'tyou-allfornullification,an\'ain\'tyounowforJacksonan\'theunion?\"asksthisyereinsultin\'Witherspoon。\"Didn\'tyoumakeaCalhounspeechoveronMinkRuntwoyearsago,an\'ain\'tyouatthisbarbecue,to-day,consoomin\'burgooan\'shoutin\'forOldHickory?\" \"\'\"Whatyou-allstatesistroo,\"saysmygrandfather。\"Butmypartyturns,an\'Iturnswithit。You-allcan\'tloseJackSterett。Hecanturnsoquicktheheelsofhismoccasinswillbeinfront。\" \"\'\"Whichthemtalentsofyoursforchange,\"saysWitherspoon,\"remindsmeapowerfullotofthestoryofhowJedgeChinngivesBillHatfield,theblacksmith,thatBerkshiresuckin\'pig。 \'\"An\'whateveristhatstory?\"asksmygrandfather,beginnin\'toloosenhisbowie-knifeinitssheath。 \"\'\"Takeyourpawsoffthatoldbutcherofyour\'n,\"returnsthispesterin\'Witherspoon,\"an\'I\'lltellthestory。Butyou\'vegottoquittriflin\'withthat\'leven-inchknifeontilI\'mplumbthrough,orI\'llfoolyouupalotan\'jestwon\'ttellit。\" \"\'Tharuponmygrandfathertakeshishandoffentheknife-haft,an\' Witherspoonbranchesforth: \"\'\"WhenIrecallshowthisoncompromisin\'outlaw,\"p\'intin\'tomygrandfather,\"talksforCalhounan\'nullificationoveronMinkRun,an\'todayisyereshoutin\'inarum-soddenwayfortheunionan\' AndyJackson,asIobservesyeretofore,itshoreremindsmeofthestoryofhowJedgeChinngiveBillHatfieldthatBerkshireshoat。 \'Sendoveroneofyourniggerswithabasketan\'lethimgetone,Bill,\'saysJedgeChinn,who\'sbeentellin\'Hatfieldaboutthepigs。 Neytday,Billmountshisniggerboy,Dick,onamule,withabasketonhisarm,an\'DicklinesoutforJedgeChinn\'sfortofetchawaythatlittlehawg。Dickputshiminthebasket,climbsontohismule,an\'goesteeterin\'outforhome。Onthewayback,DickstopsatHickman\'stavern。Whilehe\'spourin\'inagillofcornjooce,awagwho\'spresentsubtractsthepigan\'putsinoneofoldHickman\'sblackNoofoundlandpups。WhenDickgetshometoBillHatfield\'s,Billtakesonelookatthepup,breaksthebigrasponDick\'shead,throwstheforehammerathim,an\'bidshimgobacktoJedgeChinnan\'tellhimthathe,Bill,willsallyoverthefirstdulldayan\' p\'isenhiscattlean\'burnhisbarns。Dicktakesthebasketfullofdogonhisarm,an\'goesp\'intin\'forJedgeChinn。Nacherally,DickstopsatHickman\'stavernsoastomollifyhisfeelin\'swiththatred-eye。Thisyerewaggetsinag\'inontheplay,subtractsthepupan\'restoresthelittlehawgawholelot。WhenDickgetstoJedgeChinn,heonfoldstotheJedgetouchin\'themtransformationsfrompigtopup。\'Pshaw!\'saystheJedge,who\'soneofthempos\'tivesharpsthatnoghosttalesisgoin\'toshake;\'pshaw!BillHatfield\'sgettin\'tobealoonatic。ItellshimthelasttimeIhasmyhossshodthatifhekeepsonpourin\'downthatHickmanwhiskey,he\'llshorelydie,an\'beginbydyin\'atthetop。TheseyereilloosionsofhisshowsIdrivesthecenter。\'ThentheJedgeoncoversthebasketan\'turnsoutthelittlehawg。WhenniggerDickseeshim,hefallsonhisknees。\'I\'machu\'chmember,MarseJedge,\' saysDick,\'an\'you-allbelieveswhatIsays。Thatanamile\'sconjured,Jedge。Iseeshimyerean\'Iseeshimthar;an\',Jedge,he\'seitherpigorpup,whicheverwayhelikes。\' \"\'\"An\',ladiesan\'gents,\"concloodesthisWitherspoon,makin\'aincriminatin\'gestureso\'stoincloodemygrandfatherthata-way; \"whenIreflectsonthisonblushin\'turncoat,JackSterett,asI statesprior,itmakesmethinkofhowJedgeChinnlavishesthatBerkshireshoatonblacksmithBillHatfield。Confessin\'thataforetimehe\'sanullificationpigonMinkRun,hesetsyereatthisbarbecuean\'withoutcolorofshamedeclar\'shimse\'faunionpup。 MisterCha\'rman,allIcansayis,itshorebeatssquinchowls!\" \"\'Asthestoryisfinished,thetroocewhichbindsmygrandfatherends,an\'hepullshisbowie-knifean\'chasesthisWitherspoonfromtherostrum。He\'dhadhisdetractor\'sskelprightthar,butthecha\'rmanan\'otherleadin\'speritsinterferes,an\'insistsonthemresentmentsofmygrandfather\'sfindin\'theusualchannelintheirexpression。Witherspoon,who\'sgotonanewblanketcoat,allowshewon\'tfightnonewithknivesastheycutsan\'sp\'ilesyourclothes; hesaysheprefersriflesan\'fiftypacesforhis。Mygrandfather,who\'stheeasiestgenttogetalongwithinmattersofmeredetail,isagree\'ble;an\'asneitherhimnorWitherspoonhasbroughttheirweepons,thetwovicepres\'dents,who\'sgoin\'toactasseconds——thepres\'dentbymootualconsentdealin\'thegameasreferee——rummagesaboutair\'borrysabraceofLooeyvilleriflesfrommembersoftheBlackB\'arGleeClub——they\'rethebarytonean\'tenor——an\'mygrandfatheran\'thescandal-mongerin\'Witherspoonisstoodup。 \"\'\"Gents,\"saysthepres\'dent,\"thewordswillbe,\'Fire-one-two- three-stop。\'It\'sincumbentonyou-alltoblazeawayanywherebetweenthewords\'Fire\'an\'\'Stop\'。Mypartin\'injunctionsis,\'Mayheavendefendtheright,\'an\'beshorean\'seeyourhindsightsasyouonhooksyourguns。\" \"\'Attheword,mygrandfatheran\'Witherspoonrespondspromptan\' gay。Witherspoonovershoots,whilemygrandfatherplantshisleadinamongWitherspoon\'sidees,an\'thatracontoorquitsKaintuckyfortheotherworldwithoutamurmur。 \"\'\"Iregyardsthiseventasavict\'ryforJacksonan\'principle,\" saysmygrandfather,ashe\'scalledontoproceedwithhisoration,\"an\'I\'dliketosayinthatconnection,ifHenryClaywillcounthisspoonswhenhenextcomessneakin\'homefromWashin\'ton,he\'llfindhe\'sshortSpenceWitherspoon。\"\' \"\'Yourgrandfather\'satroohumorist,\'saysTexasThompson,asColonelSterettpausesinthemrecitalsofhistoreachthebottle; \'Ilooksonthatlastwitticismofhisasplumbapt。\' \"\'Mygrandfather,\'resoomesColonelSterett,afterbein\'refreshed,\'isasfulloffunasmoney-musk,an\'whenthataudiencegetsontothejokeinitscompleteness,themerrimentiswideanyooniversal。 It\'sthehitofthebarbecue;an\'inthisway,littlebylittle,mygrandfatherwinshisneighborstohisbeliefs,ontilhe\'sgotthecommoonityallstretchedan\'hawgtied,an\'brandshertriumphantforGen\'ralJackson。\' \"\'An\'doesyourownpapfollowinthefootprintsofhisoldgent,asaconvincin\'an\'determinedstatesmanthata-way?\'asksDocPeets。 \'No,\'saysColonelSterett,\'myownpersonalparentsimmersdownawholelotcomparedtomygrandfather。Hedon\'ttakehispol\'ticssomuchtoheart;hisdemocracyain\'tsovirulentan\'don\'tstrikein。 Hisonlyfirmstandonquestionsofstate,asIrelatestheotherday,iswhenheinsistsonbein\'nootraldoorin\'thelatewar。I explainshowhetalksfederalan\'thinksreb,an\'manages,thata- way,topromoteadecentaverage。 \"\'Hisnootrality,however,don\'tincloodethefam\'lynone。MybrotherJeff——an\'Ineverbeholdsahaughtiersperit-goessquanderin\'offwithMorganatthefirstbooglecall,\'\"\'ThatraidofMorgan\'s,\'saysEnright,hiseyebrightenin\',\'isplumbfullofdashan\'fire。\'\"\'Shore,\'saystheColonel,\'plumbfullofdashan\' fire。ButJefftellsmeofitlater,footbyfoot,fromthetimetheycrossestheriverintoInjeanny,tilltheycomessquatterin\' acrossatBlennerhasset\'sIslandintoKaintuckyag\'in,all\'Isadly,thoughfrankly,admitsitlookslikeitpossessessomeelementsofachicken-stealin\'expeditionalso。Jeffsaysheneverseessomanyfolkssincere,an\'withtheirmindsmadeup,ashimall\'Morganan\' therestoftheBlooGrasschivalryencountersoilthatcroosade。 Thar\'sanuprisin\'ofthepeasantry,Jeffsays,whereevertheygoes; an\'thenclodspursoocsJeffan\'theothers,fromstarttofinish,withhoesan\'rakesan\'mattocksan\'clothes-polesan\'puddin\'- sticksan\'otherbarbarousan\'obsoletearms,an\'neverletsupontilJeffan\'Morganall\'theirgallantcomradesisag\'insafeinthearmsoftheirKaintuckybrethren。 Theirstayinanygivenspotistroolybrief。 ThattownofCincinnatimakesupabundleofmoneybigenoughtochokeacowtogive\'emasaransom;butJeffan\'Morganneverdohearofitforyears。Theygoesbysoplumbswifttheydon\'tgetnotice;an\'theyfadesawayinthedistancesofasttheykeepsaheadofthenews。However,theygetsbacktoKaintuckysafean\'coveredwithdustan\'gloryinevenparts;an\'asforJeffspeshul,astheharvestofhisvalor,hereportshimse\'ftheownerofaone-sixthinterestinasleighwhichhiman\'fiveofhisindomitablecompanionshasdonedrugacrosstheriverontheirreturn。Buttheydon\'tlingeroverthistrophy;dootycalls\'em,sotheystoresthesleighinabarnan\'ridesawaytofurtherhonors。 \"\'WeneverdohearofJeffnoneallthroughthatwarbutonce。Afterhe\'sj\'inedStonewallJackson,Irecallshowhesendshomesixhundreddollarsinconfed\'ratemoneywithalettertomyfather。Itrunslikethis: IncampwithStonewallJackson。 RespectedSir: Theslavewhobearsthiswillgiveyoufrommeatreasureofsixhundreddollars。Idesirethatyoupaythetavernandwhatevercreditorsofmineyoufind。Toowedebtsdoesnotcomportwiththehonorofacavalier,andIproposetosilenceallbaseclamorsonthathead。Iremain,mostveneratedsir,Yourstocommand,JeffersonSterett。 \"\'That\'sthelastwe-allhearsofmysens\'tivean\'high-speritedbrotherontilafterMisterLeesurrenders。It\'sonemornin\'whenJeffcomeshome,an\'themannerofhisreturnshorelydisplayshisnobilityofsoul,thata-way,asondiscouragedan\'ondimmed。Noone\'slookin\'forJeffpartic\'lar,whenIhearsasteamboatwhistleforourlandin\'。I,bein\'asIamfulloftheontamedcur\'osityofyooth,goescurvin\'outtoseewhat\'sup。Ihearsthepilotgivetheengineerthebellstosetherback。onthesta\'boardwheel,an\'thenonboth。Theboatcomesdriftin\'in。Astagin\'isletdown,anwiththetreadofaconquerorwhoshouldcomeashorebutmybrotherJeff! Thar\'snothin\'inhishands;heain\'tgotnothin\'withhimthatheain\'twearin\'。An\'allhehasonisaoldwoolhat,ahick\'ryshirt,graytrousers,an\'apairofcopper-rivetshoesasredasabayhoss。Ashestrikesthebank,Jeffturnsan\'sweepsthescenewiththeeyeofaeagle。Thentakin\'abogussilverwatchoutenhispocket,hew\'irlsheroverhisheadbytheleatherstringan\'letshergooutintotheriver,ker-chunk! \"\'\"WhichIentersintothisyererebellion,\"saysJeff,flashin\'aproud,highglanceonmewhereIstandswonderin\',\"withoutnothin\',an\'Iproposestoreturnwithhonorontarnished,an\'asporeasI goesin。\" \"\'Asmean\'Jeffreepairsuptothehouse,Inotesthemostrenegade-lookin\'niggerfollowin\'behind。 \"\'\"Whoever\'sdisyerenigger?\"Iasks。 \"\'\"He\'smyvalet,\"saysJeff。 \"\'Myarm\'saheaptooslight,\'goesonColonelSterett,followin\'asmalllibation,\'tostrikeablowfortheconfed\'racy,butmysoulisshorelyinthecause。Idoestrytoj\'ine,final,an\'isonlysavedtharfrom,an\'fromwhatwould,ondoubted,havebeenmycertaindeath,byarebgen\'ralnamedWheeler。Hedon\'tmeantodoit;she\'sinadvertentsofarashe\'sconcerned;buthesavesmejestthesame。 An\'settin\'yereasIbe,enjoyin\'thefriendshipan\'esteemofyou- allcitizensofWolfville,Ifeelsmorean\'morethedebtofgratitoodeIowesthatgallantofficeran\'man。\' \"\'HoweverdoesthisGen\'ralWheelersaveyou?\'asksDanBoggs。 \'WhichI\'mshoreeagertohear。\' \"\'Thetaleissimple,\'respondstheColonel,\'an\'it\'satribootetothatbravecommanderwhichI\'mallersreadytopay。It\'sinthemiddleyearsofthewar,an\'I\'mgoin\'toschoolinavillagewhichliesbackfromtheriver,an\'isabouttwentymilesfrommyancestralhome。Thar\'sastockadeintheplacewhichsomeinvadin\' Yankshasbuilt,an\'thar\'sabouttwentyof\'eminside,sorto\' givin\'orderstothevillagean\'makin\'itspatrioticinhabitantseithermarchormarktime,whicheverchancestobetheirYankeecaprices。 \"\'AsatrooSouthernyooth,whofeelsforhisstrugglin\'country,I loathesthemYankeestothelimit,an\'hasnomoreusefor\'emthanHugginshasforatemp\'rancelecturer。 \"\'Onedayatroopofrebcavalryjumpsintothevillage,an\' stampedestheseyereinvadersplumboffthescene。Wegetsthenewsuptotheschool,an\'adjournsinabunchtocomedowntownan\' cel\'bratethesuccessoftheSouthernarms。AsIarrivesatthefieldofcarnage,arebcavalrymanisswingin\'outenthesaddle。Hethrowsthebridleofhishosstome。 \"\'\"Seeyere,Bud,\"hesays,\"holdmyhossaminutewhileIseesifIcan\'tburnthisstockade。\" \"\'Istandstharwhiletherebfussesawaywithsomepinesplintersan\'lightwood,strugglin\'toinaug\'rateaholycaust。Hecan\'tmakethelandin\';themtimbersistoogreen,thata-way。 \"\'WhileI\'mstandin\'thar,lendin\'myse\'ftothisyereconflagratoryenterprise,Ihappenstocastmyeyesoveronthehillsamilebackfromthevillage,an\'I\'mshockedawholelottoobservethememinencesan\'summitsisbloowithYankeescomin\'。NowI\'mamightycarefulboy,an\'Idon\'tallownonetoletaragin\'clanjamfreyofthemLincolnhirelingscaperuponmewhileI\'mholdin\'arebboss。 SoIcallstothisyereincendiarytrooperwherehe\'sblowin\'an\' experimentin\'an\'stillfailin\'withthemflames。 \"\'\"Secesh!\"Ishouts;\"oh,you-allsecesh!You\'damightysightbettercomegetyourhoss,orthemYankswho\'sbulgin\'alongoveryonder\'llspreadyourhideonthefence。\" \"\'ThisrebtakesalookattheYanks,an\'thencomesan\'getshishoss。Ashegathersupthebridlereinan\'swingsintothesaddle,amadthirsttofight,diean\'bleedformycountryseizesme,an\'I grabsthereb\'shossbythebitsan\'detainshim。 \"\'\"Say,Mister,\"Ipleads,\"whycan\'tyou-alltakemewithyou?\" \"\'\"Whichyou\'realottooyoung,son,\"saysthereb,takin\'anothersize-upoftheYanks。 \"\'\"Iain\'tsoyoungasIlooks,\"Iargues;\"I\'mjestsmallofmyage。\" \"\'\"Now,Ireckonsthat\'sso,\"saysthereb,beamin\'onmeapprovin\',\"an\'you\'relikewisemightypeart。ButI\'lltellyou,Bud,youain\'tgotnohoss。\" \"\'\"That\'snothin\',\"Iresponds;\"whichifyou-allwillonlygetmeagun,Icanstealahoss,thata-way,inthefirstmile。\" \"\'Seein\'mesoreadywiththemargyments,an\'sodeadpertinacioustogo,thisyeretrooperbeginstoactoneasy,likehisresolootiongetsshooksome。Atlasthegriddshisteethtogetherlikehismind\'smadeup。 \"\'\"Lookyere,boy,\"hesays,\"doyouknowwhoourGen\'ralis?\" \"\'\"No,\"Isays,\"Idon\'t。\" \"\'\"Well,\"saysthereb,asheshoveshisfeetdeepinthestirrups,an\'settlesinhissaddlelikehe\'sgoin\'tomakesometime;\"well,he\'saragin\'an\'onfetteredmaverick,namedWheeler;an\'fromthewayhegoesskallyhootin\'\'round,he\'sgoin\'togetusallkilledorcapturedbeforeeverwegetsback,an\'Idon\'twantnochil\'enonmyhands。\"\"\'Withthatthisyeresoldieryanksthebridleoutenmygrasp,clapsthesteelintohishoss\'sflanks,an\'leavesmelikeabulletfromagun。Formypart,Istandstharsaved;saved,asI says,bythatGen\'ralWheeler\'srepootationwithhismen。\'\" CHAPTERXVII。 OldManEnright\'sLove。 \"Son,I\'mgettin\'plumbalarmedaboutmyse\'f,\"observedtheOldCattleman,aswedrewtogetherforourusualtalk。\"I\'vebeensorto\'cog\'tatin\'tharof,an\'IbeginstoallowI\'mamightysighttoogarrulousthata-way。Thisyereconversationhabitisshoregrowin\' onme,an\',ifIdon\'twatchout,I\'mgoin\'tobeabiggertalkerthanoldVanceGroggins,\" \"WasGrogginsagreatconversationist?\"Iasked。 \"DoesthisyereVanceGrogginsconverse?WhichIwishIhasstoredbyapintoflickerforeverythin\'Vancesays!ItwouldbealongspellbeforeeverI\'mdriventogoransackin\'\'roundtofindoneofthemlife-savin\'stations,calledbycommonconsent,a\'s\'loon!\' ThisVancedon\'tdonothin\'buttalk;he\'sgotthatmuchtosay,itgetsinhisway。Vancecomesmightyclosttogettin\'aheaptheworstofitoncemerelyonaccountofthempowersofcommoonication。 \"Yousee,thisyereVanceisabroke-downsport,an\'isdealin\' faro-bankforJessJenkinsoverontheCanadian。An\'Vancejestcan\'tresisttakin\'partineveryconversationthat\'sstarted。Lettwogentsacrossthelayoutgotoexchangin\'views,orswappin\' observations,an\'youcangamblethatVancecomesjimmin\'alongin。 An\'Vanceisallerstellin\'abouthisbrotherAbe。Doesagentmentionthathebrandseighthundredcalvesthatspringround-up,VancecutsinwiththebluffthathisbrotherAbebrandstwelvehundred;doesasportsu\'gestthatheseesapartywinfourthousanddollarsag\'inmonteorrouletteorfaroorsomesechamoosement,VancegetstharpromptwithsomeranikaboorelationsofatimewhenhisbrotherAbegoesag\'instWhiteyBobatWichita,makesakillin\' ofoversixtythousanddollars,an\'breaksthebank。 \"\'MybrotherAbe,\'saysthisyerescand\'lousVancethata-way,\'jestnacherallywinsthekyarpetsoffWhiteyBob\'sfloor。\' \"Son,it\'ssimpleegreegiousthewaythisVancecarriesoninthemfoolrev\'lationstouchin\'hisbrotherAbe。 \"Itgetsso,final,thatapasselofsportslodgescomplaintswithJenkins。\'What\'stheuse!\'saysthemmaddenedsportstoJenkins。 \'ThisVancedon\'tdealfaro-bank;hejestdon\'tdonothin\'buttalk。 Tharwesets,ourbetsonthelayout,an\'wedon\'tgetnoaction。 ThisVancewon\'tdealakyardforfearwedon\'thearaboutthatbrotherAbeGrogginsofhis\'n。\' \"ThemcriticismsmakesJenkinsplentyquer\'lous。HeroundsVanceupan\'currieshimawholelot。ThenhetellsVancetopullhisfreight;hedon\'twanthimtodealfaro-bankforhimnomore。 \"Atthis,Vanceturnsplumbpiteous,an\'asksJenkinsnottothrowhimloose,thata-way。An\'hepromisestore-organizean\'alterhissystem。\'Iknowsmyfailin\'s,\'saysVanceaheapmournful。\'Youdon\'thavetocome\'roundtauntin\'mewith\'em;I\'mdeadonto\'emmyse\'f。I\'mtoofrankan\'I\'mtoosociable;I\'mtoopronetoregalemyfellowgentswithleafsfrommyexperience;an\'Irealize,aswellasyoudo,Jenk,it\'swrong。Shorely,I\'venorighttostopinthemiddleofadealtotellastoryan\'forcethehopesan\'fears,nottosaythefortunes,ofahalf-dozenintensesports,an\'someof\'emintheholeatthat,towaittillIgetsthrough!Iknowitain\'tright,Jenk;butIpromisesyou,ifyou\'llletmegobehindtheboxag\'into-night,onthehonorofakyardsharp,you-allwillneverhearayelpoutenmefromsodatohock。An\'that\'swhatever!\" \"\'Itain\'tnotalonethatyoutalksforever,\'remonstratesJenkins; \'butit\'sthemfrightfulliesyoutells。Whichthey\'reenoughtoonsettleagent\'splay,tosaynothin\'ofrunnin\'thereskofraisin\'ahoodooan\'queerin\'mybank。ButItriesyouoncemore,Vance;onlygetitstraight:Soshoreaseveryoutakestoonloadin\' onthecompanyoneofthemexaggerationsaboutthatfelonAbe,I won\'tsay\"Go,\"I\'lljestonlimberan\'burnthemoccasinsoffyouwithmygun。\' \"It\'sthatverynight;Vancehasbeendealin\'thegameformightylikelyit\'sthreehours,an\'noonegetsaverbalriseoutenhimmore\'nifhe\'sagravenimage。Vanceisgettin\'proudofhimse\'f,an\'Jenkins,whocomesprowlin\'\'roundthegameattimes,beginstoreckonmebbyVance\'lldo。AllgoeswellontilapartyletsflysomehyperboleaboutatavernhestrikesinLittleRock,whichforsizean\'extensifcharacteristicslaysoveranythin\'onearthlikeasummer\'scloud。 \"\'Youthinksso?\'saysVance,stoppin\'thedeal,an\'leanin\'aelbowonthebox,whilehegoesprojectin\'towardsthecountenanceoftheLittleRockpartywiththeforefingerofhisotherhand,kindo\' claimin\'hisattention。\'Youthinksso!Iallowsnowyou-allreckonsthatforahotel,thisyereLittleRockedificeistheoldhe-coon! Letmetellyousomethin\':MybrotherAbegoesouttooneofthembathin\'camps,sweptbyoceanbreezes,onthePacificslope,an\'youshouldshorelyoughterbeholdthejointheslamsup!Pards,thar\'smorethantwothousandroomsinthatwickeyup!It\'s\'levenhundredan\'twelvefoothigh,fourthousandtwohundredan\'fifty-fourfootlong,an\'——\'It\'shereporeVancecatchesJenkins\'eyeglarin\'onhimhardan\'remorseless——\'an\'twentyfootwide,\'saysVance,aheaphurried,dashin\'thekyardsoutenthebox。\'Fivelose,jackwin,\' concloodesVanceconfoosedly,makin\'ahastychangeofsubjects。 \"Yes,indeed!\"andtheoldgentlemanlookedthoughtfullyacrossthelawnashewounduphistaleoftheunfortunateGroggins,\"Yes,indeedIfIkeepsontalkin\'away,I\'llbecomealaughin\'-stock,sameasthatlocoedVance!Thar\'sonematterthatallersimbuesmewithaheapofrespectfordeefan\'dumbfolks;whichtheyshorelydokeepthingstothemse\'fsawholelot。\" ItwasfifteenminutesbeforeIcouldconvincemyfriendthathisWolfvillestoriesinnosortdiminishedhisdignity。Also,I remindedhimofapromisetoonedaytellmeofEnright\'soneaffairoflove;plainlyhisbondinthatshouldbefulfilled。Atlasthegaveway,andaftercommandingthecomingofafavoriteandhighlyrefreshingbeverage,heldforthasfollows: \"It\'sneverbeenmybeliefs,\"hesaid,\"thatSamEnrightwouldhavedippedintothemoldloveconcernsofhisifhe\'dbeenhimse\'f。 Enright\'ssickatthetime。Shore!heain\'tsicktothep\'intofbein\'downinhisblankets,an\'isstillmeanderin\'\'roundthecampasdootydictatesorhisinterestcalls,buthe\'splentyailin\'jestthesame。Thar\'stheroodimentsofadispootebetweenDocPeetsan\' Enrightastowhyhishealththattimeisboggin\'down。Peetsputsitupit\'saover-accoomulationofalkali;Enrightallowsit\'sbecausehe\'sbornsolongago。Peetshashisway,however,bein\'ascientistthata-way,an\'takespossessionofthecase。 \"No,itain\'tthemmaladiesthatsoweakensEnrighthelapsesintoconfidencesabouthisearlylove;butyousee,son,Peetsstopshisnose-paint;won\'tlethimdrinksomuchasadrop;an\'bein\'cutoffshortonnourishmentlikeIsays,itmakesEnright——atleastsoI allersfiggers——somechildishan\'light-headed。That\'sright;youremovethatgoodoldValleyTanfromthemenuofapartywho\'sbeenadherin\'an\'referrin\'toityearafteryearformightylikelyallhisdays,an\'itsorto\'takesthestiffenin\'outenhisdignityalot;hebeginstoonbendan\'waxeasyan\'confidenshul。Isseemsthenlikehegoesaboutcravin\'countenancean\'support。An\'downondermybelt,itstrikesmeatthetime,an\'itshorestrikesmeyet,thatravishin\'thecanteenfromEnright,nacherallyenfeebleshiman\'setshimtotalkin\'antellin\'ofpastdays。Oh,hedon\'tkeepupthisyereonhealthfulabstinenceforever。Peetsdeclar\'sEnrightremovedfromdanger,an\'askshimtodrink,himse\'f,insideoftwoweeks。 \"\'Whereagent,\'saysPeets,elab\'ratin\'thisyeretheeryofnotdrinkin\'none,\'hasbeencrookin\'hiselbowconstant,an\'thengoeswrong,bodily,it\'sagreatplaytostophisnose-paintabrupt。It\'sashocktohim,sameasaextraaceinapokerdeck;an\'whenagent\'isill,shocksiswhatheneeds。\' \"\'Butletmesaveyaboutthis,\'saysDanBoggs,who\'sallersaheapinquis\'tivean\'searchin\'afterknowledge;\'doyou-allimposethisonwontedsobrietyasapenalty,ordoyoumaketheplaymeedic\'nal?\' Meedic\'nal,\'saysPeets。\'Inextremecases,sobrietyisplentycooratif。\' \"DoesEnrightbowtoDocPeets\'demandsaboutnowhiskeythata-way? Son,Peetsisplumbinex\'rableaboutthempreescriptionsofhis。Helooksonthemildestargymentag\'in\'emaspersonalaffronts。Peetsisthemostimmov\'blesharp,medical,thateverIcrossesupwith; an\'whenitcomestothempreescriptions,therecklessestsportinArizonalaysdownhishand。 \"OnceIknowsPeetstopassonthefailin\'conditionofatenderfootwho\'sbunkedinan\'allowshe\'lldiealotovertotheO。K。 Restauraw。Peetsdecidesthisyereshorthornneedsabstinencefromlicker。Peetsbreaksthenewstotheonhappyvictim,an\'putshimonwatertillthecrisisshallbepast。Also,PeetsnotifiedtheRedLightnottoheedanyrequestsofthispartyinrespectstosaidnose-paint。 \"Itturnsoutthissickperson,bonin\'forlickerasisplumbnacheral,forgetshimse\'fasagentan\'sorto\'reckonshe\'llgetfraudulentwithPeets。Hefiggershe\'lljestcomeInjunin\'intotheRedLight,quilhimse\'faboutafewdrinkssurreptitious,an\'thengotrackin\'backtohisblankets,an\'DocPeetsnonethewiser。So,likeIsays,thisyereillpersonfrontssoftlyuptotheRedLightbaran\'callsforValleyTan。 \"BlackJack,thebarkeep,don\'tknowthispartyfromacross-L steer;hegetsthemmandatesfromPeets,butitneverdoesstrikeBlackJackthatthisyereisthedyin\'sportalloodedto。Indarknessthata-way,BlackJacktossesaglassonthebaran\'shovesthebottle。Itshorelookslikethatfailin\'shorthornisgoin\'toquitwinner,themrecooperatifs。 \"But,son,he\'sinterrupted。He\'sfilledhisglass——an\'he\'sbeenplentyfreeaboutit——an\'standstharwiththebottleinhishand,whentwogunsbark,an\'onebulletsmashestheglassan\'theotherthebottlewherethispersonisholdin\'it。No,thisartillerypracticedon\'tstampedemenone;I\'mplumbawareit\'sDocPeets\' derringersfromthego-off。Peetsstandsinthedoor,oneofhislittlepup-gunsineachhand。 \"\'WhichIlikesyouraplomb!\'saysBlackJacktoPeets,asheswabsoffthebarinapeevishway。\'ImakesitmyboastthatI\'mthebest-nacheredbarkeepbetweentheColoradoan\'theRioGrande,an\' yetI\'mfreetoconfess,sechplayschafesme。MayIask,\'an\'BlackJackstopswipin\'thebaran\'turnsonPeetsplumbp\'lite,\'whatyourideeisinthusshootin\'yourwayintoacommercialaffairinwhichyouhasnointerest?\' \"\'Thisycrebibulouspersonismypatient,\'saysPeets,aheaphaughty。\'Ipreescribesnolicker;an\'thempreescriptionsisgoin\' tobefilled,youbet!ifIhastofill\'emwithagun。Whateverdoyou-allreckonamedicalpractitioneris?Doyoufiggerhe\'saMexican,an\'thathisdiagnosises,thata-way,don\'tgo?Inotifiesyouthismornin\'asIstandsyeregettin\'mythirddrink,thatifthisoutcastcomestrackin\'inwithdemandsfornose-paint,torememberhe\'ssickan\'throwhimoutonhishead。An\'yere\'showI\'mobeyed!\' \"Which,ofcourse,thisexplainsthingstoBlackJack,an\'heseeshisinadvertences。Hecomesoutfrombehindthebartowherethissickmaverickhasdonefaintedintheconfoosion,an\'collarshiman\'setshimonachar。 \"\'Doc,\'saysBlackJack,whenhe\'sgotthewiltedgentplantedfirman\'safe,\'Itendersmyregrets。Havin\'neitherbrandsnory\'earmarkstoguideby,Ineverrecognizesthispersonasyourinvalidatall;nonewhatever。I\'dshorebentagunonhiman\' harassedhimbackintohislair,asyourequests,ifIsuspectshisidentity。ToshowI\'monthesquar\',Doc,I\'lldothispartyanyvoylence,evenatthislatehour,whichyouthinkwillmakeamends。\' \"\'Yourapol\'gyisaccepted,\'saysPeets,butstillhaughty;\'I descernshowyougetsmaladroitthrougherrorsoverwhichyouhasnocontrol。Astothisperson,who\'ssofullofstealthycunnin\',he\'sallright。Solongashedon\'tgetnolicker,novoylenceiscalledforinhiscase。\'An\'withthatPeetsconductshispatient,who\'scometoag\'in,backtohisreservation。 \"ButIonbucklesthisafternoontotellyou-allaboutOldManEnright\'searlylove,an\'ifIaimstomakethetripbeforethemooncomesup,Ibetterhitthetrailofthemreminiscencesan\'nofurtherdelays。 \"It\'sinthebackroomoftheNewYorkStorewherethecasksbe,an\' Enright,onwhosenervesan\'speritsPeets\'preescriptionsof\'nolicker\'hasbeenfeedin\'fortwofulldays,sitstharsorto\' fidgin\'withhisfingersan\'movin\'hisfeetinawaywhichshowshe\'saheaponaige。Thar\'samelancholysettlesonusall,aswecamps\'roundoncratesan\'shoeboxesan\'silentlysympathizeswithEnrighttoseehimsoredooced。Atlastthegrandoldchiefstartsintotalkwithoutquestionsorrequests。 \"\'Ifyou-alldon\'tmind,\'saysEnright,\'I\'llletgoahandfulofmem\'riestouchin\'myyooth。Thar\'snothin\'likemaladiestomakeagentsentimental,onlessitbegettin\'shotuporcutupwithbulletsorbowies;an\'theseyerevisitations,whichPeetsthinksisalkalian\'Iholdsistheburdensofthemyearsofmine,shoreleavesmeplumbromantic。 \'WhichI\'vebeenthinkin\'allday,betweentimeswhenI\'mthinkin\' oflicker,ofPollyHawks;an\'I\'llsayrightyereshe\'smyfirstan\'onlylove。She\'safineyoungfemale,isPolly——tallasasaplin\',withaarmonherlikeacant-hook。Pollycanliftan\'hangupasideofbeef,an\'isasgoodastwohandsatalog-rollin\'。 \"\'Thisyere\'sbackinoldTennesseeonthebanksoftheCumberland。 It\'saboutsixyearsfollowin\'ontheMexicanwar,an\'I\'mshotup\'ardsintothesemblancesofaman。MyaffectionsforPollyhastheirbeginnin\'sinacoon-huntintowhichb\'arsan\'dogsgetscommingledinpainfulprofoosion。 \"\'Iain\'tthewonderofaweekwithariflenow,sinceI\'moldan\' dim,butthemtimesontheCumberlandIhasfameassech。More\'nonce,ag\'instthebestthereisineithertheCumberlandortheTennesseebottoms,orontheridgebetween,I\'vewonasgoodas,sayfirst,secondandfifthquartersinashootforthebeef。\' \"\'Whateverdoyou-allcallafifthquarterofbeef?\'asksDanBoggs。 \'FourquartersisallI\'meverabletocounttotheanamile。\' \"\'It\'syoothan\'inexperience,\'saysEnright,\'thatpromptsthemqueries。Thefifthquarteristhehidean\'tallow;an\'alsothar\'sasixthquarter,thesamebein\'thebulletsinthestumpwhichmakesthetarget,an\'whichisdugoutawholelot,leadbein\'plentyinfrequentinthemdaysI\'mdreamin\'of。 \"\'AsI\'msayin\',whenDanlamsloosethemthickheadquestions,I\'marenownedshot,an\'myweaknessishuntin\'b\'ars。Ifinds\'eman\' kills\'emthateasy,Ithinksthar\'snothin\'intheworldbutb\'ars。 An\'whenIain\'thuntin\'b\'ars,I\'mlayin\'fordeer;an\'whenI ain\'tlayin\'fordeer,I\'msquawkin\'turkeys;an\'whenIain\'tsquawkin\'turkeys,I\'moutnightswithapasselofmisfitdogsI harbors,ashakin\'upthesceneryforraccoons。Altogether,I\'msomebusyasyou-allmaywellinfer。 \"\'OnenightI\'mcoonhuntin\'。ThedogstreesoveronRapidRun。WhenIarrives,thewholepackiscirkled\'roundthebaseofabigbeech,singin\';myoldAndrewJacksondogleadin\'thechoirwiththeair,an\'myThomasBentondoggrowlin\'bass,whiletheotherswarbleswhatpartstheywill,indiscrim\'nate。 \"\'Nacherally,thedogscan\'tclimbthetreenone,an\'Ihastomakethatplaymyse\'f。Ilaysdownmygun,an\'shucksmybeltsan\'knife,an\'goesswarmin\'upthebeech。It\'sshorelyateediousenterprise,an\'someroughbesides。Thatbeechseemsasfullofspikesan\' thornsasahoneylocust——itsasorto\'porkypineofatree。 \"\'WhichIworksmylaceratedwayintothelowerbranches,an\'then,glancesupag\'inthefirmamentstolocatethecoon。Heain\'tvis\'blenone;he\'shigherupan\'theleavesan\'breshhideshim。IgoesontillI\'mtwentyfootfromtheground;thenIlooksupag\'in,\"\'Gents,itain\'tnocoon;it\'sab\'ar,blackaspaintan\'asbigasabaggagewagon。Heain\'ttwofootabovemetoo;an\'thesightofhim,settin\'tharlikeablackbaleofcotton,an\'hisnearness,an\' partic\'larlyafewterseremarksheletsdrop,comesmightyclosttoastonishin\'metodeath。Ithinksofmygun;an\'thenIletsgoallboltstogoan\'getit。Shore,Ifallsoutenthetree;tharain\'tnotimetodescendslowan\'dignified。 \"\'AsIcomescrashin\'alongthroughthembeechboughs,itinculcatesamisonderstandin\'amongthedogs。AndrewJackson,ThomasBentonan\' theothersisconvokedaboutthattreeonapurelycoontheery。Theyexpectsmetoknockthecoondownto\'em。Theyshorelydonotexpectmetocometumblin\'nonemyse\'f。IttharforebefallsthatwhenI makesmydebooamong\'em,themcanines,blindedan\'besottedasI saywiththoughtsofcoon,prouncesuponmeinabody。Everydogrendsoffaspecimentofme。Theydon\'tbitetwice;theyperceivesbythetastethatitain\'tnocoonan\'desists。 \"\'WhichIdon\'treckontheirworryin\'mewouldhavebecomeacontinyoousperformancenohow;formean\'thedogsishardlytangledupthata-way,whenwe\'reinterferedwithbytheb\'ar。LooksliketheexampleIsetsisinfectious;forwhenIletsgo,theb\'arletsgo;an\'Ihardlyhitsthegroundan\'becomestheragin\'centerofinteresttoAndrewJackson,ThomasBentonan\'themothers,whentheb\'arisdownonallofusliketheoldCumberlandonasandbardoorin\'aspringrise。Ishoreregyardshisadventthata-wayasthedayofjedgment。 \"\'No,wedon\'tcorralhim。Theb\'arsimplyr\'arsbacklongenoughtoputAndrewJacksonan\'ThomasBentonintomournin\',an\'thengoesscuttlin\'offthroughthebusheslikethegraceofheaventhroughacamp-meetin\'。Asformyse\'f,Ilaysthar;an\'whatbetweendogan\' b\'aran\'thefallIgets,I\'mascompletelyathingofthepastaseverfindsrefoogeinthatstripoftimber。AsnearasImakesoutbyfeelin\'ofmyse\'f,Iain\'tfittomakegourdsoutof。Ofcourse,she\'samistakeonthepartofthedogs,an\'plumbaccidentalasfarastheb\'ar\'sconcerned;butitshorecrumplesmeupasentirelyasifthisyereoutfitofanamilesplotstheplayforamonth。 \"\'Withthelastflickerofmyfailin\'strength,Icrawlstomyoldgent\'steepeean\'istookin。An\'youshoreshouldhaveheardthelanguageofthathouseholdwhentheyseesthefullan\'awfulextentthemdogsan\'thatb\'arlaysmewaste。WhichI\'mlayedupeightweeks。 \"\'Myoldgentgoesgrumblin\'offinthemornin\',an\'roundsupoldAuntTillyHawkstonurseme。OldAuntTillylivesoveronthePaintedPost,an\'isplumblearnedinyarbsan\'sechasInjunturnips,opydeldock,live-forever,skoke-berryroots,jinsonan\' whitewoodbark。An\'sotheyropesupAuntTillyHawksan\'tellshertorideherdonmywoundsan\'dislocations。 \"\'ButI\'mplumbweakan\'nervousan\'can\'tstandAuntTillynone。 Sheain\'tgotnoupperteeth,sameasacow,herfaceiswrinkledlikeaburntboot,an\'shedipssnuff。Moreover,shegivesmethehorrorsbyallerssingin\'inaquaverin\'way\"\'Harkfromthetombsadolefulsound,Miney\'earsattendthecry。 Yelivin\'mencomeviewthegroundWhereyoushallshortlylie。 \"\'AuntTillysoundsaheaplikeatea-kettlewhenshe\'srenderin\' thisyeremadrigal,an\'that,an\'thewords,an\'alltherest,makesmegloomyan\'dejected。I\'mshorepinin\'awayondertheseyeremaligninflooences,whenmyoldgentnotesIain\'trecooperatin\',an\'soheguessesthecause;an\'withthathegivesAuntTillyalay-off,an\'tellshertosendalongherniecePollytotakeherplace,\"\'Thar\'saencouragin\'difference。Pollyisbigan\'stronglikeI states;buthereyesislikestars,an\'she\'sasfullofsweetnessasabeetreeorabar\'lofm\'lasses。SoPollycampsdownbymycouchofpainan\'beginsdallyin\'soothin\'lywithmyheatedbrow。I commencesrecoverin\'fromthemattacksofb\'arsan\'dogsinstanter。 \"\'ThisyerePollyHawksain\'tnonenewtome。Ineverco\'tsher;butImeetsherfrequentatbarnraisin\'san\'quiltin\'s,whichallerswindsupinadance;an\'inthemgamesan\'merriments,sechas\"bowin\'tothewittiest,kneelin\'totheprettiest,an\'kissin\'theoneyoulovesthebest,\"ImorethanonceregyardsPollyasanalloorin\'formofhoomanhollyhock,an\'selectsher。Butthar\'snoflushofburnin\'love;nothin\'norethanthemamiableformalitieswhichbefitstheo\'casion。 \"\'WhilethisyerePollyisnursin\'me,however,shetakesonadifferentattitoodeawholelot。ItlookslikeIbeginstoneedherpermanent,an\'everytimeIsetsmyeyesonherIfeelsassoftasb\'ar\'sgrease。It\'sshorelylove;thatPollyHawksisassweetan\' lusciousasaroastapple。\' \"\'Isshefortroosolovely?\'asksFaroNell,who\'sbeenhangin\' ontoEnright\'swords。 \"\'Frankly,Nellie,\'saysEnright,sorto\'pinchin\'downhisbluff; \'nowthatI\'mca\'meran\'mybloodiscool,thisyerePollydon\'tseemsoplumbprismatic。Still,Imustsay,she\'splentyradiant。\' \"\'Doesyou-all,\'saysDanBoggs,\'putthisyerePollyinnom\'nationtobeyourwifewhileyou\'requiledupsick?\' \"\'No,IdefersthemofferstomomentswhenI\'mmorerobust,\'saysEnright。 \"\'Youshoreoughterrodeatherwhileyou\'resickthata-way,\' remonstratesBoggs。\'That\'sthetimetosetyourstackdown。Femalesiseasymovedtopity,an\',asI\'veheared——forI\'venothin\'togoby,personal,sinceI\'mnevermarriedan\'isneversicknone——isaheapmorepronetowedagentwho\'ssick,thanwhenhe\'swellalot。\' \"\'Iholdsthemdoctrinesmyse\'f,\'observesEnright;\'however,I don\'tdescendonPollywithnoprop\'sitions,neitherthennorfinal,asyou-allshallhear,Dan,ifyou\'llonlyholdyourse\'fdown。No,I continyoosonlovin\'Pollytomyse\'fthata-way,ontilI\'mabletogopokin\'aboutoncrutches;an\'then,asthar\'snomoreneedofherministrations,PollylinesoutforoldAuntTilly\'scabinag\'in。 \"\'It\'satthisyerejuncturethingshappenswhichsorto\' complicatesthendreamsofmine。WhileIain\'tbeensayin\'nothin\',an\'hasbeenplumbreticentastomyfeelin\'s,jestthesame,bylookoract,ormebbyit\'sasigh,Itipsoffmyhand。Itain\'tnotimebeforealltheneighborsisawareofmyloveforPollyHawks。 Also,thisPollyhasaloverwhoitlookslikehasbeenco\'tin\'her,an\'bringin\'herminkpeltsan\'wildturkeysindeescrim\'nate,formonths。IneverdohearofthisgentontilI\'mcripplin\'\'roundonthemstiltsofcrutches;an\'thenIain\'tinformedofhimnoneonlyafterhe\'sinformedofme。 \"\'Thar\'sameasleylittlelimberjawofapartywhosenameisIkeSparks;thisIkeisallersrunnin\'abouttellin\'thingsan\'settin\' trapstocapturetroubleforotherfolks。Ikeisaorneryanamile—— littlean\'furtif——meanenoughtosuckaigs,an\'cunnin\'enoughtohidetheshells。Hehateseverybody,thisIkedoes;an\'he\'sassuspiciousasBillJohnson\'sdog,whichlastisthatdoubtfulan\' suspiciousheshorewalkssidewaysallhislifeforfearsomeone\'sgoin\'tokickhim。Thislow-downIkeimpartstoPolly\'sotherloveraboutthestateofmyfeelin\'s;an\'thenitain\'tnotimewhenI getsnoticeofthissport\'sexistence。 \"\'It\'sinthelickerroomofthetavernatPineKnot,towhichscenesI\'vescrambledonthemcrutchesoneevenin\',wherethispartyfirstmeetsupwithmeinperson。He\'sabig,tallcitizenwithlanky,longha\'r,an\'isdressedinablankethuntin\'shirtan\'hasacoon-skincapwiththetailhangin\'overhislefty\'ear。Also,hepacksaHawkinsrifle,bulletsaboutfortytothepound。Formyse\'f,Idon\'tgetentrancednonewiththisperson\'slooks,an\'asIain\'tfit,physical,fornoskrimmage,Ihastosingplumblow。 \"\'Thar\'sabandofussettin\'\'roundwhenthisloverofPolly\'sshowsinthedoor,drinkin\'an\'warblin\'thatentertainin\'ditty,whichgoes:\" \"\'\"Tharsitsadog,byabarndoor,An\'Bingoishisname,O! An\'Bingoishisname。\" \"\'AsPolly\'sotherbeaucomesin,weceasesthisrefrain。Hepitcheshisrifletothelandlordoverthebar,an\'callsforaBaldfacewhiskeytoddy。Hetakesfourorfivedrinks,contemplatin\'usmeanwhileaheapdisdainful。Thenhearcheshisback,bendshiselbows,beginsawar-song,an\'goesdancin\'stiff-laiglikeaInjun,infrontofthebar。Thisishowthisextravagantpartysings。It\'swhatColonelSterett,yere,towhomIrepeatsitformer,calls\"blanketverse。\" \"\'\"Letallthesonsofmenb\'arwitness!\"singsthisgent,ashegoesskatin\'stiff-laigaboutinaringlikeIrelates,armsbent,an\'backarched;\"letallthesonsofmenb\'arwitness;an\' speshullyletacowerin\'varmint,namedSamEnright,sizemeupan\' shudder!I\'mthemakerofdesertsan\'thewall-eyedharbingerofdesolation!I\'mkintorattlesnakesonmymother\'sside;I\'mkingofalltheeaglesan\'fullbrothertotheb\'ars!I\'mthebloo-eyedlynxofWhiskeyCrossin\',an\'Iweighsfourthousandpounds!I\'mahe- steamboat;I\'veputacrimpinacat-a-mountwithnothin\'butmylivin\'hands!Ibrokeafull-grownallagatoracrossmyknee,torehimasunderan\'showeredhisshrinkin\'fragmentsoverafullsectionofland!Ihuggedacinnamonb\'artodeath,an\'madeagrizzlypleadformercy!Who\'llcomegougewithme?Who\'llcomebitewithme? Who\'llcomeputhisknucklesinmyback?I\'mWeasel-eye,thedeadshot;I\'mtheblood-drinkin\',skelp-t\'arin\',knife-plyin\'demonofSunflowerCreek!Theflashofmyglancewilldeadenawhiteoak,an\' myscreechinangerwillbackthepantherplumboffhisnatifheath! I\'maslayeran\'aslaughterer,an\'Icooksan\'eatsmydead!IcanwadetheCumberlandwithoutwettin\'myse\'f,an\'Idrinksoutenthespringwithouttouchin\'theground!I\'maswinge-cat;butIwarnsyounottobemisledbymylooks!I\'maflyin\'bison,an\' deevastationridesuponmybreath!Whoop!whoop!whoopee!I\'mthePurpleBlossomofGinghamMountain,an\'whereisthatsonofthunderwho\'lltryan\'nipmeinthebud!Whoop!whoopee!I\'myeretofightordrinkwithanysport;anyoneorboth!Whoopee!Whereisthestatelystagtostamphishooforraphisantlerstomyproclamations!Whereisthatboundin\'buck!Whoopee!whoop!whoop!\" \"\'ThenthisyerevociferousPurpleBlossompausesforbreath;butkeepsuphisstilt-laigdance,considerin\'memeanwhilewithhiseye,plentybaleful。We-allonourpartsisviewin\'himoveraheaprespectful,an\'ain\'tretortin\'aword。Thenhebeginsag\'inwithayelpthatwouldstampedeafieldofcorn。 \"\'\"WhoistharlovelierthanPollyHawks!\"heshouts。\"Showmethefemalemoreentrancin\',an\'letmedropdeadatherfeet!WhoislovelierthanPollyHawks,thesweetheartofFlyin\'Bison,theonchainedtornadoofthehills!FeastyourgazeonPollyHawks;herbeautywouldmelttheheartofNacher!I\'mthePurpleBlossomofGinghamMountain;PollyHawksshallmarryan\'followmetomywigwam!Herbedshallbeofb\'ar-skins;herfoodshallbeyearlin\' venison,an\'wildhoneyfromthetree!Hergownshallbepanther\'speltsfringed\'roundwithwolf-tailsan\'eagles\'claws!Sheshallbeltherse\'fwitharattlesnake,an\'herSundaybonnetshallbeaswarmofbees!WhenIkissheritsoundslikethecrackofawhip,an\'Iwouldn\'tpartwithherfortwentycows!Wewillwedan\' pop\'latetheearthwithterror!Whereisthesooicidewho\'llstandinmyway?\" \"\'Atthisp\'intthePurpleBlossomleavesoffdancin\'an\'frontsuptome,personal。 \"\'\"Whoopee!\"hesays;\"saythatyoudon\'tlovethegirlan\'I\'llgiveyouonehundreddollarsbeforeIspillsyourlife!\" \"\'Which,ofcourse,alltheseyeremoosicalan\'terpshicoreenpreeliminariesmeanssimplysomuchwarbetweenmean\'thissperitedbeauofPolly\'s,toseewho\'llownthelady\'sheart。IexplainsthatI\'mnotjestthenfitforcombat,sufferin\'asIbefromthatoverabundanceofdogan\'b\'ar。ThePurpleBlossomisplumbp\'lite,an\'sayshedon\'thungertowhipnocripples。Thenhenamesadaytwomonthsawaywhenheallowshe\'llshoredescendfromGinghamMountain,meltmedownan\'runmeintocandlestoburnattheweddin\'ofhiman\'PollyHawks。Thenwedrinkstogether,allfraternal,an\'hegivesmeachewoftobaccooutenabox,madeoftheheadofabaldeagle,intokenofamity,thata-way。 \"\'ButthatrumpusbetweenthePurpleBlossoman\'meneverdoescomeoff;an\'themritesovermean\'Pollyisindef\'nitelypostponed。Thefactis,Ihastoleavealot。Istartsouttocommitajoke,an\'itturnsoutacrime;an\'soIgoesstreakin\'itfromthescenesofmyyoothfulfrolicsforsaferstampin\'grounds。 \"\'It\'smebbysixweeksfollowin\'themdeclarationsofthePurpleBlossom。It\'sco\'tdayatWar-whoopCrossin\',an\'theJedgean\' everylaw-sharponthatcircuitcomestrailin\'intocamp。ThisyereoutfitofWarwhoopisspeshulfretfulag\'installformsofgamblin\'。 WhereforetheJedge,an\'thestate\'sattorney,an\'mebbyfiveotherspeculators,atnightadjournstothecabinofaflat-boatwhichistiedupatthefootofthelevee,so\'stheycandivertthemse\'fswithalittledraw-pokerwithoutshockin\'thehamletan\'gettin\' themse\'fsarrestedan\'finedsome。 \"\'It\'sgonetoaboutfourthdrinktimeaftersupper,an\'I\'mromancin\'about,tryin\'tofiggerouthowI\'mtowinPolly,whenasI\'mwaltzin\'alongthelevee——I\'mplumbalone,an\'thetownitse\'fhasturnedintoitsblankets——Igetssightofthisyerepokerfestivalragin\'inthecabin。Thartheybe,antein\',goin\'itblind,straddlin\',raisin\'beforethedraw,bluffin\',an\'bettin\',an\' havin\'thetimeoftheirc\'reers。 \"\'It\'sthespringflood,an\'theoldCumberlandisbank-fullan\' stilla-risin\'。Theflatboatissoftlyraisin\'an\'fallin\'onthesobbin\'tide。It\'sthenthemjocularimpulsesseizesme,thata-way; an\'Istoopsan\'castsoffheroneline,an\'thatflatboatswimssilentlyawayonthebosomoftheriver。Thesportsinsideknowsnothin\'an\'guessesless,an\'theirgayetyswellsonwithoutahitch。 \"\'It\'sthreeo\'clockan\'JedgeFinn,who\'swonaboutahundredan\' sixtydollars,realizesit\'sallthemoneyintheoutfit,an\'getscoldfeetplentyprompt。Hemurmurssomethin\'abouttellin\'theoldladyFinnhe\'dbeinearly,an\'shovesbackamidstthescoffsan\' jeersofthelosers。ButthegoodoldJedgedon\'tmind,an\'openin\' thedoor,hegoesoutintothenightan\'thedark,an\'carefullypickshiswayoverboardintofortyfootofwater。TheyelltheJedgeemitsashemakeshislittleholeintheCumberlandisthefirstnewsthemkyardsharpsgetsthatthey\'reafloatawholelot。 \"\'Itain\'tnopush-overrescooin\'JedgeFinnthattime。Theonehundredan\'sixtyisinMexicanmoney,an\'he\'sgotapoundortwoofitsinkeredabouthisoldframeineverypocket;sohegoestothebottomlikeakagofnails。 \"\'Buttheyworkshard,an\'atlastfisheshimout,an\'rollshimoverabar\'ltogetthewateran\'themoneyoutenhim。Whichondersechtreatment,theJedgedisgorgesboth,an\'atlastcomestoatriflean\'isfedwhiskeywithaspoon。 \"\'Havin\'savedtheJedge,theothersturnslooseavolleyofyellsthatshorelyscaresupthemechoesfaran\'wide。Itwakesupalittleoldtugthat\'stiedinDeadNiggerBend,an\'shefiresupan\' pushesforthtotheirrelief。Thetughauls\'embacktoWarwhoopforseventydollars,whichispaidoutoftherescooedtreasureofJedgeFinn,thesamebein\'declar\'dsalvagebythembanditshe\'sbeenplayin\'with。 \"\'It\'stwoo\'clockintheafternoonwhenthatbandofgamblerspullsupag\'inatWarwhoop,an\'they\'reshorelyasaddenedpartyastheyfilesashore。Thevillageistharinafrownin\'an\'resentfulbodytoarrest\'emforthemvoylations,whichisaccordin\'done。 \"\'Atthesametime,Iregyardstheplayasthefunniest,ondoubted,that\'severbeenevolvedinTennessee;butmymoodchangesassubsequenteventsassoomesasomberface。OldJedgeFinngoesfumin\' aboutlikeawrongedlion,an\'therestisashotaselectiondayinahornet\'snest。Pards,I\'maMexican!iftheydon\'tindictmeforpiracyonthehighseas,an\'pledgetheirwordstoseemehangedbeforeeverco\'tadjourns。 \"\'Thatletsmeout,rightthar!Iseesthesymptomsofmyonpop\'larityinadvance,an\'don\'tprocrastinatenone。Igoessailin\'overthedividetotheTennessee,downtheTennesseetotheOhio,downtheOhiototheMississippi,downtheMississippitotheArkansaw,uptheArkansawtoLittleRock;an\'tharIpauses,exhaustedshore,butsafeasamurdererinGeorgia。WhichIneverdoesgobackforplumbtenyears。 \"\'Nacherally,becauseofthisyereexodus,ImissesmyengagementswiththePurpleBlossom;alsothemnuptialsIplotsaboutPollyHawks,suffersthekyboshawholelot。However,Isurvives,an\' Pollysurvives;shean\'thePurpleBlossomhooksupamonthlater,an\'Ilearnssincetheyshorehasoffspringsenoughtopackaprimaryorstartapublicschool。It\'salloverlongago,an\'I\'mgladthekyardsfallsastheydo。Still,asIintimates,thar\'sthemmomentsofromancetoridemedown,whenIremembersmyoneloneloveaffairwithPollyHawks,thebeautyofthePaintedPost。\' \"Enrightpauses,an\'we-allsetsstillamomentoutofrespectstotheoldchief。AtlastDanBoggs,who\'salwaysbubblin\'thata-way,speaksup: \"\'WhichI\'mshoresorry,\'saysDan,\'youdon\'tfetchthemoosicofthatPurpleBlossom\'swar-songWest。Ideemsthatamightyexcellentlay,an\'wouldadmiretolearnitan\'singitsomemyse\'f。I\'dshoregooveran\'carolittoRedDog;itwouldredoocethemdrunkardstofrenzy。\"\'