,,! ,,trail ,,( ,,! ,,:ite ,,mule   by  
,b4 ,m4 ,b[]     ,,*apt] ,,"o  ,casey   
,ryan1 hun*$ beh9d ! :eel ( a l>ge1 d>k 
blue t\r+ c> ) a k9k$ front f5d] & !    
glass gone f ! left  headlight1 slid out
 f ! halt$ traffic1 %i$ %>ply away f a  
hy/]ically clang+ /reet c>1 cross$ ! pa?
 ( a huge r$ truck com+ 9 f 8 "r1 miss$ 
x ) two in*es to sp>e & 0 halfway d[n ! 
block be=e ! traffic (fic] ov]took him4 
,! traffic (fic] 0 ,iri% too1 & bigg]   
?an ,casey1 & madd]4 ,= all t1 ,casey   
(f]$ to lick ! liv9' t> outa him be=e   
accept+ a pale1 exp5sive ticket :i* he  
crumbl$ & put into 8 pocket )\t look+ at
 x4  ,:at ,i "k ab\t ^! "h fancy city   
rules a9't suffici5t to give a horn-toad
 a heada*e--b x's a d>n sight m'n ,i    
c>e1 ,casey declaim$ hotly4  ,i nev] 0  
ask$ :at ,i ?\ght ( !m t9 signs y /ick  
up on ! end ( a telegraft pole1 to tell 
folks :5 to g an' :5 to quit go9'4      
,mebby x's all "r f] ^! "h city driv]s--
  ,?is'll mean ?irty days = y1 splutt]$ 
! (fic]4  ,i ought to call ! patrol "r  

n[--  ,get ! und]tak] on ! l9e fir/6    
,casey advis$ him om9\sly4  ,traffic 0  
pil+ up beh9d !m1 & horns 7 honk+ a     
blatant *orus t ext5d$ two blocks up !  
/reet4  ,! traffic (fic] glanc$ into !  
tr\bl$ gray eyes ( ! ,little ,woman     
beside ,casey & took 8 foot (f ! runn+  
bo>d4  ,bett] g put up y\r bail & !n    
=feit x1 he advis$ 9 a mild] tone4  ,!  
judge w probably rememb] y2 ,i d1 & my  
memory a9't ! be/ 9 ! _w4  ,twice y've  
be5 hook$ = spe$+ ?r\gh traffic2 & p>k+ 
by fire-plugs & 9 front ( ! ,no ,p>k    
signs & aft] f\r1 seems to be y\r big   
outdoor sport4 ,=feit y\r bail1 old     
boy--or x's ?irty days = y1 sure4       
,casey ,ryan made bitt] retort1 b !     
traffic cop _h gone to untangle two     
furi\s ,=ds f a horse-drawn mail wagon1 
s he did n he>4 ,:i* 0 good luck =      
,casey4  ,:y d y p]si/ 9 mak+ tr\ble =  
y\rself8 ! ,little ,woman beside him    
exclaim$4 ,x c't be s h>d to obey !     
rules2 o!r driv]s d4  ,i "k t ,i h driv5
 ?is c> all ov] t[n )\t any tr\ble      

:atev]4  ,casey hogg$ ! next safety-zone
 l9e to ! deep disgu/ ( a "y movie /> 9 
a cream-&-silv] rac]1 & pull$ 9 to !    
curb j :]e he c\ld n be pass$4  ,all "r1
 ma'am4  ,y c drive1 !n4  ,he slid out (
 ! driv]'s seat to ! pavem5t1 8 face a  
deep] %ade ( r$ ?an usual4  ,= pity's   
sake1 ,casey6  ,don't be silly1 8 wife  
cri$ %>ply1 a bit ( panic 9 h] voice4   
,y 0 9 a hurry to git home1 ,casey po9t$
 out to h] ) t mildness ( mann] :i* is n
 mild4  ,i 0 hurry9'1 wasn't ,i8  ,y    
ar5't hurry+ n[--y're delay+ ! traffic  
aga94  ,d be reasonable6  ,y "k x co/s  
money to argue ) ! police4  ,police be  
damn$6  ,i'm try9' to please a woman1   
an' ,i'm up ag9 a h>d proposition4  ,y c
 ask anybody if ,i'm ! unreasonable "o4 
,y hu/l$ me out ( ! %[ soon z ! hugg9'  
comm5c$4  ,y w\ldn't ev5 let me /ay to  
see ! fir/ ( ,mutt & ,jeff4  ,y said y 0
 9 a hurry4  ,i leaves ! %[ )\t see9' ! 
be/ "p1 gits ! c> an' drills ?r\gh !    
traffic try9' to git yuh home quick4    
,n[ y're kick9' because ,i did hurry4   

,hey6  ,:adda yuh mean1 block9' !       
traffic8 a dom9e]+ voice beh9d him      
bell[$4  ,?is a9't any reception hall1 &
 x a9't no free auto p>k nei!r4  ,ano!r 
traffic (fic] ) ano!r p5cil & ano!r pad 
( tickets su* z driv]s dread to see     
began to write d[n ! numb] ( ,casey's   
c>4  ,?is man did n argue4  ,he f9i%$ 8 
"w briskly1 pres5t$ ano!r notice :i*    
advis$ ,casey ,ryan to report imm$iately
 to police headqu>t]s1 wav$ ,casey      
p]emptorily to proce$1 & return$ to 8   
little squ>e plat=m to ! *orus ( blatt+ 
automobile horns4  ,! cops 9 ?is t[n h&s
 out tickets l !y 0 ,free ,excursion    
p$dl]s6 snort$ ,casey1 8 eyes a pale    
glitt] beh9d 8 half-clos$ lids4  ,!y c g
 ar\nd me1 or !y c honk & be d>n$ to    
'em4 ,git beh9d ! :eel1 ma'am--,casey   
,ryan's drove ! la/ in* he'll ev] drive 
9 ?is d>n$ t[n4 ,if !y p9* me aga91 x'll
 h to be f] walk9'4  ,! ,little ,woman  
look$ at him1 press$ h] lips toge!r &   
mov$ beh9d ! :eel4  ,%e did n say a ^w  
all ! way out to ! :ite ap>tm5t h\se on 

,v]mont :i* held ! f\r rooms !y call$   
home4 ,%e p>k$ ! c> dext]\sly 9 front & 
l$ ! way to _! ap>tm5t 7gr\nd floor1    
front7 be=e %e look$ at me4  ,x's com+  
to a %[-d[n1 ,jack1 %e said !n ) a fa9t 
smile4 ,he's on probation already =     
disobey+ traffic rules ( "o sort & o!r1 
& 8 f9es co/ m ?an ! entire upkeep ( !  
c>4 ,i ?9k he really w h to g to jail   
?is "t4  ,x j isn't 9 ,casey ,ryan to   
take ord]s f any "o1 especially :5 8 own
 p]sonal habits ( driv+ a c> are        
conc]n$4  ,t[n life is gett+ on 8 n]ves1
 ,i tri$ to def5d ,casey1 & at ! same "t
 to com=t ! ,little ,woman4  ,i didn't  
?9k x w\ld "w1 8 com+ "h to live1 ) no?+
 to d b sp5d money4 ,?is is ! inevitable
 result ( too mu* money & too mu*       
leisure4  ,x s\nds mu* bett]1 putt+ x t 
way1 murmur$ ,mrs4 ,casey4 ,i ?9k y're  
"r--?\gh he did behave back !re z if x 7
 too mu* matrimony4  ,jack1 he's be5    
look+ =w>d to y\r visit4  ,i'm sorry ?is
 has happ5$ to spoil x4  ,x isn't       
spoil$1 ,i gr9n$4 ,casey ,ryan is1      

always & ev] %all be ,casey ,ryan4      
,he's runn+ true to =m1 ?\gh tam] ?an "o
 w\ld expect4  ,:5 d y ?9k he'll %[ up8 
,mrs4 ,casey did n "k4  ,%e v5tur$ a    
guess or two1 b !re 0 no conviction 9 h]
 tone4  ,) two nom9al arre/s 9 five     
m9utes *alk$ aga9/ him1 & ) 8 fir/      
rebellion aga9/ ! ,little ,woman to     
rankle 9 8 consci5ce & memory1 %e own$  
h]self at a loss4  ,) a *e]fulness t 0  
only conv]sation deep1 we wait$ = ,casey
 & f9ally ate supp] )\t him4  ,! ev5+ 0 
enliv5$ some:at by ,babe's *att] (      
k9d]g>t5 do+s2 & 0 punctuat$ by c]ta9   
pauses :ile /eps on ! sidewalk pass$ on 
or end$ ) ! clos+ ( ano!r door ?an !    
,ryans'4  ,i f\ght ! impulse to call up 
! police /ation1 & ,i caught ! eyes ( ! 
,little ,woman /ray+ unconsci\sly to !  
telephone 9 ! hall :ile %e talk$ ( ?+s  
remote f our inn] ?\ghts4  ,m>g>et ,ryan
 is game1 ,i'll say t4  ,we play$       
cribbage = an h\r or two1 & ! ,little   
,woman beat me until f9ally ,i ?rew up  
my h&s & quit4  ,i c't /& x any long]1  

,mrs4 ,casey4  ,d y ?9k he's 9 jail1 or 
j sulk+ at a movie some:]e8 ,i blurt$4  
,=give my butt+ 91 b ,i wi% y'd talk    
ab\t x4  ,y "k y c1 to me4  ,casey ,ryan
 is a fri5d & m ?an a fri5d3 he's a pet 
!ory ( m9e--a fad1 if y pref] to call   
him t4  ,i consid] him a p]fect example 
( human nature 9 its unhamp]$1 unbias$  
/ate1 go+ /raight ?r\gh life )\t deviat+
 a hair's bread? f ! viewpo9t ( y\?4  ,a
 fight] & a ca/le build]2 a sort (      
r\gh-edg$ ,pet] ,pan4 ,till he gums s(t 
food & hobbles ) a /ick because ! ye>s h
 w>p$ 8 back & 8 legs1 ,casey ,ryan w   
keep t indef9able1 bubbl+ optimism (    
spiritual y\?4  ,s tell me all ab\t him4
  ,i want to "k :o has lick$1 s f>2     
luxury or ,casey ,ryan4  ,! ,little     
,woman laugh$ & pick$ up ! c>ds1 ev5+ _!
 edges ) s5sitive f+]s t _h n be5       
manicur$ s beautifully :5 fir/ ,i saw   
!m4  ,well-sir1 %e drawl$1 mak+ "o ^w ( 
! two & fail+ to keep a little twit*+ f 
h] lips1 ,i ?9k x's be5 ab\t a tie1 s   
f>4  ,z a husb&--,casey's a d>n$ good   

ba*elor4  ,h] *uckle robb$ t /atem5t (  
any?+ approa*+ criticism4  ,aside f 8   
insi/+ on cook+ breakfa/ e morn+ & fe$+ 
me 9 b$1 =c+ me to eat fri$ eggs &      
s\r-d\gh hotcakes swimm+ 9 butt] &      
honey--:5 ,i crave grapefruit & ?9 toa/ 
& "o ,fr5* lamb *op ) a :ite pap] frill 
on ! h&le & g>ni%$ ) fre% p>sley--he's !
 s\l ( consid]ation4  ,he wants f\r k9ds
 ( jam on ! table e meal1 :5 fre% fruit 
is go+ to wa/e4  ,he's bulli$ !         
laundryman until ! poor fell['s rea*$ ! 
po9t :]e he won't /op if ! c>'s p>k$ 9  
front & ,casey's liable to be home2 b   
aside f t1 ,casey's all "r4  ,aft] s]v+ 
"t 9 ! des]t & ru/l+ my own wood & liv+ 
on bacon & beans & s\r-d\gh bread1  ,i'm
 p]fectly will+ to sp5d ! re/ ( my life 
do+ pa9less h\sekeep+ ) all ! mod]n     
built-9 features ev] inv5t$2 & buy+ my  
bread & cakes & salads f ! delicatess5  
ar\nd ! corn]4  ,i nev] want to see a   
sagebu% aga9 z long z ,i live1 or feel !
 crun* ( gravel "u my feet4  ,i expect  
to die 9 ,fr5*-heel$ pumps & embroid]$  

silk /ock+s & ! f9e/1 sillie/ silk ?+s  
ev] put 9 a %[ w9d[ to tempt ! s\l ( a  
woman4  ,b x took j two weeks & ?ree    
days to drive ,casey back to 8 s\r-d\gh 
c4  ,he crav$ luxury m ?an y seem$ to d1
 ,i rememb]$ al\d4  ,he did1 yes4  ,b 8 
idea ( luxury is sitt+ d[n 9 ! kit*5 to 
a real meal ( beans & biscuits & all !  
kn[n v>ieties ( jam & ^? horrible       
:itewa%$ /ore cookies & hav+ ! noise ( !
 phonograph dr[n$ e five m9utes by a    
pass+ /reet c>4 ,casey wants f\r movies 
a day1 & he wants !m all funny4  ,he    
br+s home silk %irts ) ! /ripes fairly  
%riek+ :5 he unwraps !m--& he has to be 
?r[n & ti$ to get a coll> on him4  ,he w
 get up at any h\r ( ! night to *ase    
aft] a fire eng9e1 & e :ip/it* he gets  
p9*$ = do+ some?+ :i* is p]fectly lawful
 & "r 9 ! des]t & p]fectly awful 9 !    
city4  ,y saw him1 said ! ,little       
,woman1 to-day4  ,& %e add$ wi/fully1   
,x's ! fir/ "t s9ce we 7 m>ri$ t he has 
ev] talk$ back--to me4  ,& y "k1 %e w5t 
on1 %uffl+ ! c>ds & /opp+ to reg>d !    

jok] att5tively 7?\gh ,i am sure %e     
didn't "k :at c>d %e 0 look+ at71 j *as+
 ar\nd t[n & do+ no?+ b squ>e y\rself = 
n play+ accord+ to ! rules co/s money   
)\t gett+ y any:]e4  ,fifty-five ?\s&   
doll>s isn't s mu* j to play )1 9 ?is   
t[n4 ,casey's highe/ ambition n[ seems  
to be nickel disk :eels on a new rac+ c>
 t c make ! spe$ cops g "s to cat* him4 
,8 idea ( economy is to put six or sev5 
?\s& doll>s into a c> t w enable him to 
outrun a tw5ty-doll> f9e6  ,we h "s     
money inve/$1 %e w5t on4  ,we own ?is   
ap>tm5t h\se--& =tunately x's 9 my "n4  
,s long z ! h\s+ problem cont9ues       
critical1 ,i ?9k ,i c keep ,casey go+   
)\t sp5d+ our la/ c5t4  ,he did "o good 
/roke ( bus9ess1 ,i v5tur$1 :5 he b\ght 
?is place4  ,ap>tm5t h\ses are good z   
gold m9es ^! days4  ,! ,little ,woman   
laugh$4 ,well-sir1 x wasn't s mu* a     
/roke z x 0 a wallop4  ,casey b\ght x j 
to %[ :o 0 boss1 he or ! l&lord4  ,!    
fir/ ?+ he did :5 we mov$ 9 0 to take   
d[n ! nicely fram$ rules t said we mu/ n

 cook cabbage nor onions nor fi%1 nor   
play music aft] t5 o'clock at night1 nor
 d any l\d talk+ 9 ! halls4  ,e day = a 
week ,casey cook$ cabbage1 onions & fi%4
  ,he sat up nights to play !           
graphophone4  ,he /ay$ home to talk     
l\dly & play buck+ bronk ) ,babe all up 
& d[n ! /airs & 9 ! halls4 ,our r5t 0   
paid = a mon? 9 advance1 & ! l&lord 0   
too little & old to fight4  ,s he sold  
out *eap--& x really 0 a good /roke (   
bus9ess = u1 ?\gh n delib]ate4          
,well-sir1 at fir/ we lo/ t5ants :o     
didn't enjoy ! fre$om ( _! neighbors'   
homes4  ,b really1 ,jack1 y'd be        
surpris$ to "k h[ _m p 9 ?is city j     
,,love cabbage & onions & fi%1 & to h   
*ildr5 !y ne$n't dis[n :5ev] !y g       
h\se-hunt+4 ,i _h v5tilator hoods put   
ov] e gas range 9 ! h\se1 & turn$ ! back
 y>d into a playgr\nd ) pl5ty ( s& piles
 & sw+s4 ,i rais$ ! price1 too1 & made !
 place look v select1 ) a ro( g>d5 = !  
gr[n-ups4  ,we h ! h\se fill$ n[ )      
really nice families--avoid+ ! g>lic    

br&--& z an inve/m5t ,i w\ldn't ask =   
any?+ bett]4  ,casey enjoy$ himself     
hugely :ile he 0 :ipp+ ?+s into %ape1 b 
! la/ mon? he's be5 go+ /ale4  ,! t5ants
 are all s ?ankful to d z !y please t   
!y're excruciat+ly polite to him1 no    
matt] :at he does or says4  ,he's tir$ (
 ! bea*es & he has begun to cuss ! long1
 smoo? roads t are sign$ s t he c\ldn't 
get lo/ if he tri$4  ,x does seem z if  
!re's no int]e/ left 9 any?+1 unless he 
c get a kick out ( go+ to jail4  ,&1    
,jack1 ,i d believe he's gone !re4  ,!  
telephone rang & ! ,little ,woman excus$
 h]self & w5t into ! hall1 clos+ ! door 
s(tly beh9d h]4  ,i'm n greatly giv5 to 
rem9isc5ce1 b :ile ,i sat & wat*$ !     
flames ( civilization lick+ tamely at ! 
impregnable iron b>k ( ! gas logs1 !    
eyes ( my memory look$ ^u a picture3    
,des]t1 empty & ) ! m\nta9s /&+ back    
aga9/ ! sky1 ! great dipp] uptilt$ ov] a
 peak & ! />s b5d+ close = v fri5dl9ess4
  ,! lick+ flames ( dry greasewood      
burn+1 ) a pung5t odor 9 my no/rils :5 !

 w9d blew ! smoke my way4 ,! f>-(f hoot+
 ( an owl1 p]*$ some:]e on a junip]     
bran* wat*+ = mice2 & ,casey ,ryan sitt+
 cross-legg$ 9 ! s&1 squ9t+ humor\sly at
 me across ! fire :ile he talk$4  ,i saw
 him1 too1 bolt+ a hurri$ breakfa/ "u a 
mesquite tree 9 ! *ill be=e sunrise1 8  
m9d int5t ^u ! trail2 fac+ ! des]t & its
 h>d%ips z a matt] ( c\rse1 ) nev] a    
?\ght t o!r m5 w\ld %r9k f ! ordeal4  ,i
 saw him kneel+ be=e a solid face ( rock
 9 a %all[ cut 9 ! hillside1 sw++ 8     
s+le-jack ) tireless rhy?m2 a tap & a   
turn ( ! /eel1 a tap & a turn--*ew+     
tobacco indu/ri\sly & /opp+ n[ & !n to  
pry (f a fre% bit f ! plug 9 8 hip      
pocket be=e he rea*$ = ! spoon to muck  
out ! hole he 0 drill+4  ,i saw him     
l>rup+ 9 8 ,=d along a s&y1 w9d+ trail x
 w\ld break a snake's back to foll[1 hot
 on ! heels ( 8 next adv5ture1 dream+ ( 
! =tune t f9ally came4 4 4 4  ,! ,little
 ,woman came 9 look+ z if %e _h be5     
talk+ ) ,de/9y & 0 /ill daz$ & un/eady f
 ! meet+4  ,well-sir1 he's gone6 %e     

ann\nc$1 & /opp$ & tri$ to smile4 ,b h] 
eyes look$ hurt & sorry4  ,he has b\ght 
a ,=d & a t5t & outfit s9ce he left u   
d[n on ,sev5? & ,broadway1 & he j call$ 
me up on long-di/ance f ,san ,b]n>d9o4  
,he's go+ out on a prospect+ trip1 he   
says4  ,i'll say he's be5 go+ "s6  ,a   
spe$ cop ov]haul$ him j ! o!r side (    
,cl>emont1 he told me1 & he 0 delay$ = a
 few m9utes :ile he lick$ ! cop & kick$ 
him & 8 motorcycle into a dit*4  ,he    
says he's sorry he sass$ me1 & if ,i c  
drive a c> 9 ?is d>n$ t[n & n sp5d all  
my loose *ange pay+ f9es1 ,i'm a bett]  
man ?an he is4  ,he doesn't "k :5 he'll 
be back--& !re y are4  ,%e sat d[n      
we>ily on ! arm ( an ov]-/uff$ arm*air &
 look$ up at ! gilt-&-onyx clock :i* ,i 
suspect$ ,casey ( hav+ b\ght4 ,if he    
isn't lyn*$ be=e morn+1 %e sigh$        
:imsically1 he'll probably make x to !  
,nevada l9e all "r4  ,i rose1 also      
glanc+ at ! clock4  ,b ! ,little ,woman 
put up a h& to =bid ! plan %e read 9 my 
m9d4  ,let him alone1 ,jack1 %e advis$4 

,let him g & be j z wild & devili% z he 
wants to be4  ,i'm only ?ankful he c    
take x out on a ,=d & a pick & %ovel4   
,!re really isn't any tr\ble betwe5 u   
two4  ,casey kn[s ,i c look out = myself
 = a:ile4 ,he's got to h a vacation f   
loaf+ & matrimony4 ,i'm s ?ankful he    
isn't tak+ x 9 jail6  ,i told h] some:at
 bluntly t %e 0 a brick1 & t if ,i c\ld 
get 9 t\* ) ,casey ,i'd try to keep an  
eye on him4 ,x w\ld probably be a good  
?+1 ,i told h]1 if he did /ay away long 
en\gh to let ?is collection ( compla9ts 
aga9/ him be =gott5 at ! police /ation4 
,i w5t away1 hop+ f]v5tly t ,casey w\ld 
break ev5 8 own records t night4  ,i    
really int5d$ to f9d him & keep an eye  
on him4  ,b keep+ an eye on ,casey ,ryan
 is a m complicat$ affair ?an x s\nds4  
,:]e=e1 mu* ( ?is /ory mu/ be built ^u  
my k ( ,casey & a m or less complete    
report ( ev5ts 9 :i* ,i took no "p1     
weld$ toge!r ) a bit ( heal?y           
imag9ation4    ,,*apt] ,,two  ,casey    
,ryan knew 8 des]t4  ,also1 f long & n s

 happy exp]i5ce1 he knew ,=ds1 or ?\ght 
he did4  ,he made ! mi/ake1 h[ev]1 (    
buy+ a ne>ly new "o & ask+ x to         
accompli% ! "w ( a tw9 six f ! mom5t he 
got beh9d ! :eel4  ,he 0 =tunate 9 buy+ 
a demon/rator's c> ) a hundr$ miles or s
 to its cr$it4  ,he arriv$ 9 ,b>/[ be=e 
! proprietor ( a supply /ore _h gone to 
b$--= :i* he 0 grateful to ! ,=d4 ,he   
load$ up !re ) su* necessities = des]t  
prospect+ z he _h n wait$ to buy 9 ,los 
,angeles1 turn$ %ort (f ! ma9 highway   
:]e traffic (fic]s might be summon$ by  
telephone to lie 9 wait = him1 & took ! 
/eep] & less us$ trail nor?4 ,he 0 /ill 
mad & talk+ bitt]ly to himself 9 an     
und]tone :ile he drove--tell+ ! new ,=d 
:at he ?\ght ( city rules & city ways1 &
 driv+ x z no ,=d 0 ev] meant by its    
mak] to be driv54  ,! c\ntry nor? (     
,b>/[ is n to be tak5 casually 9 !      
middle ( a d>k night1 ev5 by ,casey     
,ryan & a ,=d4  ,! roads1 once y are    
well away f help1 are all pretty mu*    
alike1 & all bad4  ,& al?\gh ! :ite1    

diamond-%ap$ signs ( a b5efic5t         
automobile club are po/$ "h & !re1 :]e  
wrong turn+s are mo/ likely to prove    
disa/r\s to travel]s1 ,casey ,ryan 0 9 !
 mood to lick any man :o po9t$ out a    
sign to him4  ,he did see "o or two 9   
spite ( himself & gave a grunt (        
contempt4  ,s1 :]e he %\ld h turn$ to ! 
ea/ 78 int5tion be+ to rea* ,nevada by  
way ( ,silv] ,lake7 he cont9u$ travel+  
nor? & didn't "k x4  ,driv+ across !    
des]t on a d>k night is confus+ to ! mo/
 obs]vant wayf>]4  ,on ei!r side1 beyond
 ! light ( ! c>1 illusory =e/ /&s = mile
 ^u mile4  ,up hill or d[n or across !  
level x is ! same--a n>r[1 w9d+ trail   
?r\gh dimly se5 woods4  ,! mo/ famili>  
road gr[s /range2 ! miles are long]2 y  
drive ?r\gh my/]y & sil5ce & ! _w ar\nd 
y is a =mless void4  ,dawn & a gorge\s  
sunrise pa9t$ out ! woods & reveal$ b>r5
 hilltops :i* ,casey did n "k4  ,because
 he did n "k !m1 he guess$ %rewdly t he 
0 on 8 way to ! wild]ness ( m\nta9s & s&
 :i* lies we/ ( ,dea? ,valley4 ,small   

*ance he _h ( he>+ ! %op :i/les bl[ 9   
,las ,vegas at noon1 z he _h expect$4   
,he 0 tell+ himself t he didn't c>e :]e 
he w5t1 :5 ! c>1 labor+ m & m           
reluctantly up a long1 s&y hill1 sudd5ly
 /opp$4  ,9 ,casey's he>t 0 a ?rill at !
 %e] luxury ( /opp+ 9 ! middle ( ! road 
)\t hav+ "s ?ick-neck$ cop /ride t[>d   
him bawl+ insults4  ,t he 0 oblig$ to   
/op1 & t a hill uptilt$ be=e him1 & ! s&
 0 a foot deep outside ! ruts fail$ to  
impress him ) =ebod+4  ,he glori$ 9 8   
fre$om & ?\ght n at all ( ! ,=d4  ,he   
climb$ /iffly out1 squ9t$ at ! sky l9e1 
:i* 0 jagg$1 & at 8 imm$iate surr\nd+s1 
:i* 7 b>r5 & lonely & soo?+ to 8 s\l t  
hung]$ = ^! ?+s4 ,great1 gaunt ,jo%ua   
trees /ood 9 grotesque gr\ps all up &   
d[n ! n>r[ valley1 hid+ ! way he _h come
 f ! way he w\ld g4  ,x 0 z if ! des]t  
_h purposely dropp$ a curta9 be=e 8 pa/ 
& w\ld %[ him none ( 8 future4 ,:]eat   
,casey ,ryan gr9n$1 took a *ew ( tobacco
 & 0 himself aga94  ,if !y wanta come   
p9* me "h1 ,i'll meet 'em man to man4   

,back 9 t[n no man's got a %[4  ,!y pile
 9 f\r deep & gang a fell]4 ,out "h x's 
lick er git lick$4  ,!y c all g t'      
?und]4 ,tahell ) t[n6  ,! odor ( c(fee  
boil+ 9 a new pot :i* ! sagebru% fire 0 
fa/ black5+2 ! salty1 smoky smell (     
bacon fry+ 9 a new fry+ pan t turn$     
blui% ) ! heat2 ! sizzle ( bannock batt]
 p\r$ into hot grease--^! ?+s made !    
smil+ m\? ( ,casey ,ryan wat] ) desire4 
,hell6 said ,casey1 brea?+ deep :51     
/oma* full & res5tm5t t[>d ! pa/ blurr$ 
by satisfaction ) 8 pres5t1 he fill$ 8  
pipe & f+]$ 8 ve/ pocket = a mat*4  ,gas
 /oves c't cook no?9' s !re's any ta/e  
to x4  ,t !re's ! fir/ real meal ,i've  
et 9 six mon?s4 ,light a mat* & turn on 
! gas & call t a fire6  ,hunh6 ,good old
 sage er greasewood f] ,casey ,ryan1 f  
"h on6  ,he laid back aga9/ ! s&y       
sidehill1 tilt$ 8 hat ov] 8 eyes &      
cross$ 8 legs luxuri\sly4  ,he 0 9 no   
hurry to cont9ue 8 j\rney4  ,n[ t he & !
 des]t 7 alone toge!r1 ha/e & ,casey    
,ryan held no?+ 9 common4  ,= a:ile he  

wat*$ a ,jo%ua palm t look$ oddly l a   
giant man ) "o arm hang+ loose at its   
side & ano!r po9t+ fix$ly at a di/ant1  
black-capp$ butte /&+ alo( f its fell[s4
  ,casey 0 tir$ aft] 8 night on ! trail4
  ,easy liv+ 9 t[n _h s(t5$ 8 muscles & 
sl[$ a little t untir+ en]gy :i* _h     
balk$ at no h>d%ip4  ,he 0 dr[sy1 & 8   
bra9 /opp$ ?9k+ logically & slipp$ into 
half-wak+ fancy4  ,! ,jo%ua seem$ to    
move1 to lift its arm & po9t m          
imp]atively t[>d ! peak4  ,its unga9ly  
head seem$ to turn & nod at ,casey4 ,:at
 did ! d>n$ ?+ want8  ,casey w\ld g :5  
he1 got good & ready4  ,p]haps he w\ld g
 t way1 & p]haps he w\ld n4 ,"r "h 0    
good en\gh = ,casey ,ryan at pres5t2 & y
 c\ld ask anybody if he 7 ! man to foll[
 ano!r man's po9t+1 mu* less a ,jo%ua   
tree4  ,batt]+ ra9 woke ,casey "s h\rs  
lat] & drove him to ! %elt] ( ! ,=d4    
,?und] & lightn+ came ) ! ra91 & a      
bell[+ w9d t rock$ ! c> & ?reat5$ once  
or twice to ov]turn x4 ,) "s tr\ble     
,casey manag$ to button d[n ! curta9s & 

sat huddl$ on ! front seat1 wat*+ ?r\gh 
a /ream+ w9d%ield ! buffet$ wild]ness4  
,he 0 glad he _h n unload$ 8 outfit2    
gladd] /ill t ! /orm _h n /ruck :i* he 0
 travel+4 ,d[n ! trail t[>d him a small 
riv] gallop$1 wa%+ deep gullies :]e !   
:eels ( 8 c> (f]$ ob/ruction to its     
boi/]\sness4  ,%e's a t\gh "o1 gr9n$    
,casey1 9 spite ( ! *att]+ ( 8 tee?4    
,looks l all ! wat] 9 ! _w is be9' p\r$ 
d[n ?is pass4  ,keeps on1 ,i'll h to    
g\ge out a c\ple ( ,jo%uays an' turn !  
old ,=d into a boat--b ,casey'll keep   
ago9'6  ,until inky d>k x ra9$ l !      
deluge4  ,casey rema9$ p]*$ 9 8 "o-man  
ark & tri$ h>d to enjoy himself & 8     
h>d-won fre$om4  ,he /abb$ op5 a c (    
cond5s$ milk1 p\r$ x into a cup1 & drank
 x & ate :at 0 left ( 8 breakfa/        
bannock1 :i* he _h =tunately put away 9 
! c> out ( ! rea* ( a hill ( indu/ri\s  
r$ ants4  ,he ?\ght vaguely ( crank+ !  
c> & go+ on1 b gave up ! notion4  ,"o   
sidehill1 he decid$1 0 z good z ano!r   
sidehill = ! pres5t4  ,t night ,casey   

slept fitfully 9 ! c> & discov]$ t ev5 a
 wall b$ 9 a despis$ ap>tm5t h\se may be
 m com=table ?an ! front seat ( a ,=d4  
,8 bones a*$ by morn+1 & he 0 hungry    
en\gh to eat raw bacon & reli% x4 ,b !  
sun 0 fight+ ?r\gh ! pil$ cl\ds & %one  
*e]fully ^u ! draggl$ pass1 & ,casey    
boil$ c(fee & fri$ bacon & bannock      
beside ! trail1 & = a little :ile 0     
happy aga94  ,f breakfa/ until noon he 0
 busy z a beav] repair+ ! wa%\t b5ea? ! 
c> & on to ! top ( ! hill4 ,%e 0 go+ to 
h to get d[n & dig 9 h] toes to make x1 
he told ! ,=d1 :5 at la/ he heav$ pick &
 %ovel into ! tonneau1 pack$ 9 8 cook+  
outfit & made ready to crank up4  ,f !n 
until supp] "t he wore a trail ar\nd !  
c>1 look+ to see :at 0 wrong & :y he    
c\ld n crank4  ,he remov$ hoot9'-annies 
& d+bats 7us+ ,casey's me*anical t]ms7  
look$ !m ov] dissatisfi$ly1 & put !m    
back )\t hav+ done !m ny good :atev]4   
,sometimes !y 7 return$ to a diff]5t    
place1 ,i imag9e1 s9ce ,i "k too well h[
 imp>tial ,casey is ) ! me*anical p>ts (

 a ,=d4  ,he made camp !re t night1     
pit*+ 8 little t5t 9 ! trail = pure     
cuss$ness1 & defy+ al\d a travel+ _w to 
make him move until he got good & ready4
  ,he might h sav$ 8 vocabul>y1 = ! road
 0 impassable be=e him & beh9d2 & _h    
,casey manag$ to />t ! c>1 he c\ld n h  
driv5 a mile 9 ei!r direction4  ,s9ce he
 did n "k t1 ! next day he pa9/ak+ly    
clean$ ! sp>k plugs & tri$ aga9 to crank
 ! ,=d2 c\ldn't1 & remov$ m             
hoot9'-annies & d+bats ?an he _h t\*$ ! 
day be=e4 ,t night he once m pit*$ 8 t5t
 9 ! trail1 hop+ 9 8 he>t t "s "o w\ld  
drive along & dispute 8 "r to camp !re2 
:5 he w\ld lick ! doggone cuss4  ,on !  
f\r? day1 aft] a long1 fatigu+ session )
 ! vitals ( a ,=d t refus$ to be crank$1
 ,casey 0 busy ga!r+ bru%1 = 8 supp]    
fire :5 ,fate came walk+ up' ! trail4   
,fate appe>s 9 _m =ms4  ,9 ?is in/ance x
 assum$ ! %ape ( a pack$ burro t pok$   
its nose ar\nd a gr\p ( ,jo%uas1 /opp$  
abruptly & back$ precipitately into     
ano!r burro :i* swung out ( ! trail &   

w5t c>e5+ awkw>dly d[n ! slope4  ,!     
/amp$+ burro _h n se5 ! ,=d at all1 b   
accept$ ! te/imony ( its lead] t some?+ 
0 radically wrong ) ! trail ahead4 ,8   
pack bump$ aga9/ ! yuccas z he w5t2 aft]
 him lur*$ a l>ge man1 heavy to ! po9t (
 fatness1 yell+ ho>se ?reats & incoh]5t 
objurgations4  ,casey ?rew d[n 8 armful 
( dead bru% & w5t aft] ! lead burro :i* 
0 blaz+ itself a trail 9 an entirely    
diff]5t direction4 ,! lead burro _h f\r 
l>ge cante5s /rapp$ outside its pack1 & 
,casey 0 gr[+ s %ort ( wat] t he _h     
begun to debate s]i\sly ! "q ( dra9+ !  
radiator on ! morr[4  ,i don't suppose  
_m ( y w\ld believe ! innate cuss$ness (
 a burro :5 x wants to be t way4  ,casey
 haz$ ?is "o to ! hills & back d[n !    
trail = half a mile be=e he ru%$ x into 
a clump ( greasewood & sneak$ up on x :5
 x ?\ght itself hidd5 f all mortal eyes4
  ,aft] t he dug heels into ! s& & hung 
on4  ,memory resurrect$ = 8 ne$ c]ta9   
*oice phrases co9$ 9 times ( /ress = !  
e>s ( burros alone4  ,luxury &          

civilization & fifty-five ?\s& doll>s & 
a wife 7 z if !y _h nev] be54  ,he 0    
,casey ,ryan1 ! prospector1 fight+ a    
/ubborn donkey all ov] a des]t slope4   
,he l$ x conqu]$ back to ! ,=d1 ti$ x to
 a :eel & lift$ (f ! f\r cante5s1       
gratifi$ ) _! weight & hop+ !re 7 m on !
 o!r burro4  ,he _h q =gott5 t he _h    
meant to lick ! fir/ man he saw1 & gr9n$
 :5 ! fat man came toil+ back ) ! o!r   
animal4  ,by ! "t _! c(fee 0 boil$ & _! 
bacon fri$1 ea* "o knew ! o!r's pa/     
hi/ory & t5tative plans = ! future1     
c5sor$ & gloss$ some:at by ! tell] b    
receiv$ )\t "q or criticism4  ,! fat    
man's "n 0 ,b>ney ,oakes1 & he _h he>d (
 ,casey ,ryan & 0 glad to meet him4     
,?\gh ,casey _h nev] he>d ( ,b>ney      
,oakes1 he discov]$ t !y bo? knew ,bill 
,ma/]s1 ! g>age man at ,lund2 & fur!r   
gossip reveal$ ! amaz+ fact t ,b>ney    
,oakes _h once be5 ! husb& ( ! woman :om
 ,casey _h v ne>ly m>ri$1 ! wid[ :o     
cook$ = ! ,lucky ,lode4  ,boy1 y're sure
 lucky %e turn$ loose on yuh be=e yuh   

w5t an' m>ri$ h]6  ,b>ney congratulat$  
,casey1 slapp+ 8 great ?igh & laugh+    
l\dly4  ,%e %ore is h&y ) h] tongue--t  
old girl4 ,ev] he> a sawmill work9'     
ov]time8 ,t's h]--ripp9' ?r\gh knots an'
 nev] bl[9' ! :i/le f] quitt9' "t4 ,i   
nev] kn[$ a man c\ld h z _m faults z :at
 %e us$ t' "n ov] f] me4  ,he dra9$ 8   
cup & sigh$ ) great cont5t4  ,at t1 ,i  
/ay$ ) h] sev5 mon?s & f\rte5 days1 he  
boa/$4  ,i admit1 two ( !m mon?s ,i 0   
laid up ) a bu/$ ankle an' %\ld] blade4 
,tunnel cav$ 9 on me4  ,!y talk$ late t 
night & 7 comrades1 bro!rs1 p>tn]s %>e &
 %>e alike be=e !y slept4  ,next morn+  
,casey tri$ aga9 to />t ! ,=d2 c\ldn't2 
& yield$ to ,b>ney's argum5t t burros 7 
bett] ?an a c> = prospect9' 9 t r\gh    
c\ntry4  ,!y ov]haul$ ,casey's outfit1  
took all ! grub & z mu* else z ! burros 
c\ld c>ry & debat$ s]i\sly :at po9t 9 ! 
,panam9ts !y %\ld aim =4  ,:]e's t !re  
,jo%uay tree po9t9' to8 ,casey ask$     
f9ally4 ,%e's ! bigge/ & olde/ 9 ! bun*1
 & ev] s9ce ,i've be5 "h %e's look$ l   

%e's got some?9' on 'er m9d4 ,:adda yuh 
?9k1 ,b>ney8  ,b>ney walk$ ar\nd !      
yucca1 /ood beh9d ! ext5d$ arm1 squ9t$  
at ! %>p-peak$ butte ) ! black capp+1   
t[>d :i* ! gaunt tree seem$ to po9t4    
,he spat out a /ale quid ( tobacco &    
took a fre% "o1 squ9t$ aga9 t[>d ! butte
 & look$ at ,casey4  ,%e's c\ntry ,i    
nev] prospect$ 91 back 9 !re4  ,i've    
foll]$ poor] advice ?an a ,jo%uay4      
,le's try x a :irl4  ,?us x came to pass
 t ,casey ,ryan =sook 8 ,=d = a /range  
p>tn] ) two burros & a cl\d$ pa/1 & f>$ 
=? across ! b>r5 foo?ills ) no bett]    
guidance ?an ! rigid1 out/ret*$ limb ( a
 great1 gaunt ,jo%ua tree4    ,,*apt]   
,,?ree  ,9 a /ill sunny gul* :i* %ad[s  
w\ld pres5tly fill to ! brim1 ,casey    
,ryan 0 rea*+1 soil$ b&anna 9 8 h&1 to  
pull a pot ( bubbl+ c(fee f ! coals1--a 
pot n[ black5$ ) ! smoke ( _m campfires 
to prove h[ ?or\ghly a "p ( ! op5 l& x  
_h become4  ,some?+ nipp$ at 8 "r %\ld]1
 & at ! same in/ant tick$ ! c(feepot &  
ov]turn$ x into a splutt] ( /eam & hot  

a%es4  ,! spiteful crack ( a rifle %ot  
foll[$ close4 ,casey duck$ beh9d a nose 
( rock1 & big ,b>ney ,oakes scuttl$ =   
cov]1 spill+ bacon out ( ! fry+ pan z he
 w5t4  ,= a week ! two _h be5 camp$ 9   
?is p>ticul> gul*1 :i* drew 9 to a m]e  
wr9kle on ! s\?we/]n slope ( !          
black-topp$ butte1 t[>d :i* ! ,jo%ua    
tree 9 ! pass _h direct$ !m4 ,ne>ly a   
week !y _h sp5t toil+ across ! hilly1   
wat]less wa/e1 ) two h>r[+ days :5 _!   
cante5s flopp$ empty on ! burros & big  
,b>ney /umbl$ (t5] ?an ,casey lik$ to   
see4  ,casey himself _h gone dogg$ly    
ahead1 8 body b5t =w>d1 8 squ>e %\ld]s  
sagg+ a bit1 b ) nev] a ?\ght ( do+     
any?+ b g on4  ,a r$ splot* high up on !
 side ( ?is gul* promis$ wat] =mation z 
prospectors h a way ( putt+ x4  ,!y _h  
f\nd ! wat]1 else adv5ture w\ld h turn$ 
to trag$y4 ,ne> ! wat] !y _h also f\nd a
 promis+ outcropp+ ( silv]-be>+ qu>tz4  
,b>ney's bl[pipe _h ?is v day %[n !m    
silv] 9 ca/le-build+ quantities4  ,j at 
?is mom5t1 h[ev]1 !y 7 n ?9k+ ( m9es4   

,!y 7 eye+ a r\nd hole 9 ! c(feepot f   
:i* a br[n rivulet ran spitt+ into !    
black5+ coals4  ,casey 0 ! m v5turesome4
  ,he rais$ himself to see if he c\ld   
discov] :]e ! bullet _h come f1 & v     
ne>ly met ! fate ( ! c(feepot4  ,he felt
 ! w9d ( a second bullet t spatt$ aga9/ 
a b\ld] ne> ,b>ney4  ,b>ney burr[$ deep]
 into 8 cov]t4  ,casey w5t d[n on all   
f\rs & crawl$ labori\sly t[>d a conceal+
 bank cov]$ ?ick ) bru%4  ,a ?ird bullet
 clipp$ a twig ( sage j ab\t ?ree in*es 
above ! middle ( 8 back1 & ,casey       
flatt5$ on 8 /oma* & swore4  ,"s "o on !
 peak ( ! hill _h good eyesight1 he     
decid$4  ,nei!r spoke1 o!r ?an to swe> 9
 und]tones2 = voices c>ri$ f> 9 t cle>  
atmosph]e1 & no?+ c\ld be ga9$ by       
conv]sation4  ,d>kness nev] _h p\r$ s   
sl[ly into t gul* s9ce ! _w 0 "y4  ,!   
campfire _h di$ to black emb]s be=e     
,casey v5tur$ f 8 cov]t1 & ,b>ney ,oakes
 seem$ to h hol$ up = ! season4  ,unless
 y h liv$ = a long :ile 9 a l& altoge!r 
empty ( any human life save y\r own1 y  

_c realize ! effect ( hav+ my/]i\s      
bullets zip pa/ y\r e>s & ru9 y\r supp] 
= y4  ,somebody's gunn9' f] u1 looks l  
t' me1 ,b>ney obs]v$ belat$ly 9 a ho>se 
:isp]1 f 8 cov]t4  ,f\nd t out1 did yuh8
  ,well1 x a9't ! fir/ "t ,casey's be5  
%ot at & miss$1 ,casey retort$ peevi%ly 
9 ! lee ( ! bank4 ,say6 ,i kn[$ ! s+ (  
bullets be=e ,i 0 old en\gh to c>ry a   
tune4  ,s'd ,i1 boa/$ ,b>ney1 b t a9't  
say9' ,i le>n$ t' l ! song4  ,:at ,i'm  
figur9' out n[1 said ,casey1 is h[ to   
get up !re an' ,,at 'am4  ,an' h[ we k9 
d x )\t him see9' u4  ,go9' t' be k9da  
tickli%--b x a9't ! fir/ tickli% job    
,casey ,ryan ev] tackl$4  ,x c't be did1
 ,b>ney /at$ flatly4  ,an' if x c\ld be 
did1 ,i w\ldn't d x4  ,i a9't z easy t' 
miss z :at y be4 ,i got bulk4  ,a hole  
bor$ ?r\gh y\r tall[ might mebbe d y    
good1 ,casey sugge/$ h>%ly4  ,might let 
9 a little s&4  ,y c't nev] tell--  ,my 
vitals1 said ,b>ney ) dignity1 is j z   
close to ! surface z :at y\r vitals be4 
,i a9't s fat--,i'm big4  ,an' ,i got   

all ! s& ,i ne$4  ,i also h got s5se1   
:i* "s m5 lacks4  ,:at yuh figur9' on   
do9'8 ,casey want$ to "k4  ,set "h "u a 
bu% an' let 'em pick yuh up same z !y   
w\ld a cottontail1 mebbe8 ,we got a hull
 night to "w 91 an' ,casey's eyes is z  
good z anybody's 9 ! d>k4  ,m'n t1      
,casey's six-gun k9 %oot j z h>d an' fa/
 z a rifle--let 'im git close en\gh4    
,b>ney did n want to be left alone &    
said s frankly4 ,nei!r did he want to   
climb ! butte4  ,he c\ld see no possible
 ga9 9 climb+ to meet an enemy or       
enemies :o c\ld he> ! noise ( approa*4  
,x 0 pla9 suicide1 he decl>$1 & ,b>ney  
,oakes 0 n ready to die4  ,b ,casey c\ld
 nev] li/5 to argum5t :5 a fight 0 9    
prospect4 ,he fill$ a cante51 empti$ a  
box ( c>tridges into 8 pocket1 /uck 8   
old1 ,colt six-%oot] inside 8 tr\s]s    
belt1 & gave ,b>ney "s p>t+ in/ruction  
"u 8 brea?4  ,b>ney 0 to move camp d[n  
"u ! bank by ! spr+1 & dig himself 9    
!re1 s t ! only approa* w\ld be up !    
n>r[ gul*4  ,he w\ld !n wait until      

,casey return$4  ,somebody's aft] our   
outfit1 mo/ likely1 ,casey reason$4 ,x  
a9't ! fir/ "t ,i've kn[$ x to happ54   
,s y put ! hull outfit outa sight d[n   
!re an' /& gu>d ov] x4  ,if we'd 'a' run
 :5 !y op5$ up1 !y'd uh clean$ u out &  
left u flat4  ,!y's two ( u1 an' we'll  
git 'em f two sides4  ,he /uff$ cold    
bannock into ! pocket t did n hold !    
c>tridges & disappe>$1 climb+ ! side ( !
 gul* opposite ! po9t :i* held _!       
ambiti\s m>ksman4  ,to ,b>ney's panicky 
expo/ulations he _h giv5 little he$4 ,if
 yore vitals is z close to y\r hide z   
:at y claim1 ,casey _h said impati5tly1 
an' y don't want any punctures 9 'em1   
git to "w an' git t hide ( y\rn outa    
sight4 ,x'll take "s digg9'2 !y's a lot 
( yuh to cov]4  ,b>ney1 !re=e1 dug l a  
badg] ) a dog snuff+ at its tail4       
,casey1 on ! o!r h&1 climb$ labori\sly 9
 ! d>kness a bluff he _h n attempt$ to  
climb by daylight4  ,x 0 h>d "w & sl[1 =
 he felt ! ne$ ( go+ quietly4 ,:at lay  
ov] ! rim-rock he did n "k1 ?\gh he     

meant to f9d out4  ,daylight f\nd him   
lean+ aga9/ a smoo? l$ge :i* =m$ a "p ( 
! black capp+ he _h se5 f ! road4  ,he  
_h sp5t ! night toil+ ov] b\ld]s & into 
small gul*es & out aga91 try+ to f9d "s 
crevice ?r\gh :i* he might climb to !   
top4 ,n[ he 0 j ab\t :]e he _h be5      
sev]al h\rs be=e1 & ev5 ,casey ,ryan    
c\ld n help realiz+ :at a f9e t>get he  
w\ld make if he attempt$ to climb back  
d[n ! bluff to camp be=e d>kness aga9   
hid 8 movem5ts4  ,/&+ !re puff+ & wond]+
 :at to d next1 he saw ! two burros come
 pick+ _! way t[>d ! spr+ = _! morn+    
dr9k & a h&ful apiece ( roll$ oats :i*  
,b>ney kept to bait !m into camp4  ,!   
lead burro 0 )9 easy fl++ di/ance ( a   
rock1 f camp1 :5 ! ?91 unmi/akable crack
 ( a rifle-%ot came f ! "r1 high up on !
 rim some:]e beyond ,casey4  ,! lead    
burro pit*$ =w>d1 /ruggl$ to get up1    
fell aga9 & roll$ ov]1 lodg+ aga9/ a    
rock ) its f\r feet /ick+ up at awkw>d  
angles 9 ! air4  ,! second burro1 always
 quick to take al>m1 :eel$ & w5t gallop+

 away d[n ! draw4  ,b he c\ldn't        
outgallop ! bullet t s5t him 9 a        
complete som]sault d[n ! slope4 ,b>ney  
might keep ! re/ ( 8 roll$ oats1 = !    
burros 7 ?r\gh want+ !m4  ,casey squ9t$ 
along ! rim ( black rock t cre/$ ! peak 
irregul>ly l a /iff1 ragg$ frill ( m\rn+
 /uff ! gods _h ?r[n away4  ,he c\ld n  
see ! man :o _h %ot ! burros4 ,by !     
int]vals betwe5 %ots1 ,casey guess$ t "o
 man 0 do+ ! %oot+1 ?\gh x 0 probable   
!re 7 o!rs 9 ! gang4 ,& n[ t ! burros 7 
dead1 x became m ?an ev] necess>y to    
locate ! gang & h x out ) !m4  ,t       
necessity did n worry ,casey 9 ! lea/4  
,! only ?+ t tr\bl$ him n[ 0 gett+ up on
 ! rim )\t be+ se54  ,x 0 *>act]i/ic (  
,casey ,ryan t1 ?\gh he mov$ ) caution1 
he nev]!less mov$ t[>d _! unse5 enemy4  
,n = a long1 long :ile _h ,casey be5    
cauti\s 9 8 behavior1 & ! necessity     
gall$ him4  ,if ! hidd5 m>ksman _h miss$
 t la/ burro1 ,casey w\ld probably h    
tak5 a long] *ance4 ,b to date1 e bullet
 _h gone /raight to its de/9ation2 :i* 0

 en\gh to make any man ?9k twice4  ,once
 dur+ ! =5oon1 :ile ,casey 0 /&+ aga9/ !
 rim-rock />+ glumly d[n ^u ! camp1     
,b>ney's hat1 p]*$ on a pick h&le1 lift$
 its cr[n above ! edge ( 8 hid+ place2  
an old1 old trick ,b>ney 0 play+ to see 
if ! rifle 7 /ill !re & work+4  ,! rifle
 work$ v well inde$1 = ,b>ney 0 pres5tly
 flatt5$ into 8 retreat1 swe>+ & pok+ 8 
f+] ?r\gh a r\nd hole 9 8 hat4  ,casey  
seiz$ ! opportunity creat$ by ! div]sion
 & scurri$ l a liz>d across a b>e1      
gravelly slide t _h be5 bo!r+ him = half
 an h\r4  ,by mid-aft]noon he rea*$ a   
crevice t look$ promis+ en\gh :5 he     
cran$ up x1 b :i* ne>ly broke 8 neck :5 
he _h climb$ halfway up4 ,nev] be=e _h  
he be5 compell$ to measure s exactly 8  
bread? & ?ickness4  ,x 0 draw+ matt]s   
d[n r f9e :5 he 0 compell$ to back d[n  
to :]e he _h elb[ room1 & remove 8 coat 
be=e he c\ld squeeze 8 body ?r\gh t     
crack4  ,b he did x1 ) 8 six-%oot]      
inside 8 %irt & ! extra ammunition      
weight+ 8 tr\s]s pockets4  ,9 spite ( 8 

long exp]i5ce ) des]t sc5]y1 ,casey 0   
some:at a/oni%$ to f9d himself 9 a new  
l&1 fairly level & ) ?ick groves ( p9on 
c$> & junip] trees scatt]$ "h & !re4    
,f> away /ood o!r b>r5 hills ) deep     
canyons betwe54  ,he knew n[ t !        
black-capp$ butte 0 less a butte ?an !  
uptilt$ nose ( a high plateau n half s  
b>r5 z ! l[] c\ntry4  ,f ! po9t+ ,jo%ua 
tree x _h seem$ a peak1 b cont\rs are   
nev] s deceptive z 9 ! high1 brok5 b>r5s
 ( ,nevada4  ,he look$ d[n into ! gul*  
:]e ,b>ney 0 hol$ up ) _! outfit4  ,he  
c\ld sc>cely di/+ui% ! place1 x _h      
dw9dl$ s ) ! di/ance4  ,he _h small hope
 ( see+ ,b>ney4  ,aft] t la/ lead5 bee  
_h buzz$ ?r\gh 8 hat cr[n1 y w\ld h to  
dig fa/] ?an ,b>ney if y want$ a look at
 him4 ,casey gr9n$ :5 he ?\ght ( x4  ,:5
 he _h gott5 8 brea? & _h scrap$ "s     
loose dirt out ( 8 %irt coll>1 ,casey   
cr\*$ d[n beh9d a junip] & exam9$ 8     
surr\nd+s c>efully1 8 pale1             
/raight-lidd$ eyes mov+ sl[ly z ! :ite1 
po9t+ f+] ( a se>*light :ile he took 9 e

 small detail )9 view4  ,midway 9 ! arc 
( 8 vision 0 a l$ge1 end+ 9 a flat-topp$
 b\ld]4  ,! l$ge block$ 8 view1 except t
 he c\ld see trees & a high] peak (     
rocks beyond x4  ,he made 8 way         
cauti\sly t[>d ! l$ge1 8 eyes fix$ ^u ! 
b\ld]4  ,a huge1 slop+ slab ( ! granite 
outcropp+ x seem$1 scaly ) gray-gre5    
fungus 9 ! cracks :]e moi/ure longe/    
rema9$2 granite l$ge bank$ ) l[ junip]s 
w>p$ & /unt$ & tangl$ ) sage4 ,! long]  
,casey look$ at ! b\ld]1 ! less he saw t
 seem$ unnatural 9 a c\ntry fill$ )     
b\ld]s & outcropp+s & /unt$ vegetation4 
,b ! long] he look$ at x1 ! /rong] grew 
8 animal in/9ct t some?+ 0 wrong4  ,he  
wait$ = a "t--a long "t inde$ = ,casey  
,ryan to wait4  ,!re 0 no /ir any:]e    
save ! sweep ( ! w9d bl[+ /eadily f !   
we/4  ,he crept =w>d1 halt+ (t51 eye+ ! 
b\ld] & its neighbor+ l$ge1 di/ru/ gr[+ 
)9 him1 ?\gh he saw no?+1 he>d no?+ b ! 
w9d sweep+ ?r\gh bran*es & bu%4  ,casey 
,ryan 0 nev] fright5$ 9 8 life4  ,b he 0
 ,iri% born--& !re's some?+ 9 ,iri%     

blood t w n out2 some?+ t goes beyond   
reason into ! _w ( unkn[n wisdom4  ,x's 
a tricksy _w1 t realm ( intuitions4  ,= 
?is is :at befell ,casey ,ryan1 & y may 
acc\nt = x z be/ pleases y4  ,he circl$ 
! rock z a wolf w circle a coil$ rattl] 
:i* x does n see4  ,beyond ! rock1 built
 close aga9/ x s t ! re> wall mu/ h be5 
! face ( ! l$ge1 a little rock cab9     
squatt$ secretively4  ,"o small w9d[1 ) 
two panes ( glass 0 set high "u ! eaves 
on ! side t[>d ,casey4 ,clev]ly conceal$
 x 01 built to resemble ! l$ge4         
,visible f "o side only1 & t 0 ! side   
:]e ,casey /ood4 ,at ! back ! slop+     
b\ld]1 unt\*$1 impregnable2 at ! nor? & 
we/1 a twi/ ( ! l$ge t hid ! cab9       
completely 9 a ni*e4  ,x 0 ! w9d[ on !  
s\? side t betray$ x4  ,s "h 0 :at !    
b\ld] conceal$1--& yet1 ,casey 0 n      
satisfi$ ) ! discov]y4  ,unconsci\sly he
 rea*$ = 8 gun4 ,?is1 he told himself1  
mu/ be ! secret habitation ( ! fi5d :o  
%ot f rim-rocks ) t]rible precision at  
h>mless prospectors & _! burros4  ,casey

 squ9t$ up at ! sun & turn$ 8 level gaze
 aga9 ^u ! cab94  ,reason told him t !  
man ) ! rifle 0 /ill wat*+ = a pot %ot  
at him & ,b>ney1 & t !re 0 no?+ :atev]  
to indicate ! pres5ce ( only "o man 9 ! 
camp bel[4 ,_h he be5 glimps$ once dur+ 
! climb1 he w\ld h be5 fir$ ^u2 he w\ld 
nev] h be5 giv5 ! *ance to ga9 ! top &  
f9d ?is cab94  ,! place look$ des]t$4   
,8 practical1 ev]yday m9d told him x 0  
empty = ! "t be+4  ,b he felt que] &    
uncom=table1 nev]!less4  ,he sneak$     
along ! l$ge to ! cab91 flatt5$ himself 
aga9/ ! corn] next ! gray b\ld] & wait$ 
!re = a m9ute4  ,he felt ! fle% /iff5+  
on 8 jaws z he crept up to ! w9d[ to    
look 94  ,by /&+ on 8 toes1 ,casey's    
eyes came on a level ) ! l[e/ in* (     
glass1--! w9d[ 0 s high4  ,j at fir/    
,casey c\ld n see mu*4  ,!n1 :5 8 eyes  
_h adju/$ !mselves to ! half twilight   
)91 8 m9d at fir/ fail$ to grasp :at he 
saw4  ,gradually a dimly s5s$ dread took
 hold ( him1 & grew :ile he /ood !re    
pe]+ 9 at commonplace ?+s :i* %\ld h    

giv5 him no feel+ save p]haps a fa9t    
surprise4  ,a fairly clean1 t9y room he 
saw1 ) a r\gh1 n>r[ b$ 9 "o corn] & a   
box table at its head4  ,f ! ceil+ hung 
a lant]n ) ! *imney smok$ on "o side & !
 w>p$1 pole raft] above x slightly      
black5$ to %[ h[ long ! lant]n _h hung  
!re light$4  ,a door opposite ! t9y w9d[
 0 clos$1 & !re 0 no lat* or fa/5+ on ! 
inn] side4 ,an ,indian blanket cov]$    
half ! floor space1 & 9 ! corn] opposite
 ! b$ 0 a que]1 drumlike ?+ ( %eet iron 
) a pipe runn+ ?r\gh ! wall2 "s heat+   
arrangem5t1 ,casey guess$4  ,9 ! c5t] ( 
! room1 fac+ ! w9d[1 a woman sat 9 a    
wood5 rock+ *air & rock$4  ,a pale old  
woman ) d>k holl[s "u h] eyes t 7 fix$  
^u ! patt]n ( ! ,indian rug4 ,h] hair 0 
:ite4  ,h] ?91 :ite h&s re/$ limply on !
 arms ( ! *air1 & %e 0 rock+ back & =?1 
back & =?1 /eadily1 quietly1--j rock+ & 
/>+ at ! ,indian rug4  ,casey has s9ce  
told me t %e 0 ! creepie/ ?+ he ev] saw 
9 8 life4  ,yet he c\ld n expla9 :y x 0 
s4 ,! woman's face 0 n s old1 ?\gh x 0  

l9$ & )\t color4  ,!re 0 a t]rible quiet
 9 h] features1 b he felt1 someh[1 t h] 
?\ghts 7 n quiet4  ,x 0 z if h] ?\ghts 7
 rea*+ out to him1 tell+ him ?+s too    
awful = h] ?91 hu%$ lips to let pass4   
,b aft] all1 ,casey's ma9 object 0 to   
locate ! man ) ! rifle1 & to d x be=e he
 himself 0 se5 on ! butte4  ,he wat*$ a 
little long] ! woman :o rock$ & rock$4  
,nev] once did h] eyes move f t fix$    
po9t on ! rug4  ,nev] once did h] f+]s  
move on ! arm ( ! *air4  ,h] m\? rema9$ 
immobile z ! lips ( a dead woman4  ,he  
_h to =ce himself to leave ! w9d[2 & :5 
he did1 he felt guilty1 z if he _h      
someh[ des]t$ "s "o helpless & ne$+ him4
  ,he sneak$ back1 lift$ himself & took 
ano!r long look4  ,! old woman 0 rock+  
back & =?1 h] face quiet ) t t]rible1   
p5t placidity :i* ,casey c\ld n und]/&4 
,away f ! cab9 a pebble's ?r[1 he %ook 8
 %\ld]s & pull$ 8 m9d away f h]1 back to
 ! man ) ! rifle--& to ,b>ney4 ,rock+ 9 
a *air nev] hurt anybody t he ev] he>d  
(4  ,& %oot+ f rim-rocks did4  ,& ,b>ney

 0 d[n !re1 hol$ up & helpless1 ?\gh he 
_h grub & wat]4 ,casey 0 up "h 9 a      
mighty dang]\s place )\t mu* grub or    
wat] b--he hop$--n q helpless4  ,8      
imm$iate1 press+ job 0 n to peek ?r\gh a
 high-up w9d[ at an old woman rock+ back
 & =? 9 a *air1 b to r\nd up ! man :o 0 
int]f]+ ) ,casey's peaceful que/        
=--well1 he call$ x weal?2 b ,i ?9k t   
adv5ture meant m to him4  ,he pick$ 8   
way c>efully along ! edge ( ! rim-rock1 
keep+ "u cov] :5 he c\ld & wat*+ always 
! c\ntry ahead4  ,& )\t any artful      
description ( 8 progress1 ,i w simply   
say t ,casey ,ryan comb$ ! edge ( t     
ramp>t = two miles be=e d>k1 & f\nd     
himself at la/ on ! side f>!/ f ,b>ney  
)\t hav+ discov]$ ! fa9te/ trace ( any  
liv+ s\l save ! woman :o rock$ back & =?
 9 ! little1 secret cab94  ,casey sat   
d[n on a rock1 took a re/ra9$ dr9k f 8  
cante51 & said ev]y?+ he knew or c\ld   
inv5t t 0 pr(ane & condemnatory ( 8     
luck1 ( ! unse5 assass91 ( ! c\ntry & 8 
pres5t pr$icam5t4  ,he got up1 look$ all

 ar\nd him1 sniff$ unavail+ly = "s tang 
( smoke 9 ! ?91 crisp air1 reseat$      
himself & said ev]y?+ all ov] aga94     
,pres5tly he rose & made 8 way /raight  
across ! butte1 go+ sl[ly to less5 8    
*ance ( mak+ a noise = unfri5dly e>s to 
he>1 & ) ! />s = guidance4    ,,*apt]   
,,f\r  ,! night 0 gr[+ cold1 & ,casey _h
 no coat4  ,at lea/ he c\ld g d[n & tell
 ,b>ney :at he _h discov]$ & _h fail$ to
 discov]1 & get some?+ to eat4  ,b>ney  
w\ld probably be worry+ ab\t him1 ?\gh  
!re 0 a *ance t a bullet _h f\nd ,b>ney 
be=e d>k4  ,casey 0 uneasy1 & once he 0 
d[n ! fissure aga91 he hurri$ z mu* z   
possible4  ,he manag$ to rea* ! camp by 
! little spr+ )\t be+ %ot at & )\t      
break+ a leg4  ,b ,b>ney 0 n !re4 ,j at 
fir/ ,casey believ$ he 0 dead2 b a brief
 se>* told ,casey t two ( ! l>ge/       
cante5s 7 gone1 toge!r ) a side ( bacon1
 "s fl\r & all ( ! tobacco4  ,:ite      
assass9s w\ld h made a m ?or\gh job (   
robb+ ! camp4  ,b>ney1 x 0 evid5t1 _h   
fl$ ! fate ( ! burros4  ,casey told !   

/>s :at he ?\ght ( a p>tn] l ,b>ney4    
,aft]w>d he ate :at 0 easie/ to swall[  
)\t cook+1 ov]haul$ :at 0 left ( _!     
outfit1 ca*$ ! rema9d] 9 a clump (      
bu%es1 & we>ily climb$ ! bluff aga9 "u a
 capacity load4  ,he conceal$ himself 9 
! bottom ( ! fissure to sleep1 s9ce he  
c\ld se>* no f>!r4  ,if he ?\ght        
wi/fully ( ! pall$ com=t ( 8 ap>tm5t 9  
,los ,angeles1 & ( ! ,little ,woman !re1
 he /ill did n ?9k /rongly en\gh to s5d 
him back to !m4  ,= ) a cante5 or two ( 
wat]1 "s food & 8 two capable legs to   
c>ry him1 ,casey ,ryan c\ld h made x to 
,b>/[ easily en\gh4  ,b because he 0    
,casey ,ryan1 & ,iri%1 & because he 0   
always on ! hunt = tr\ble )\t recogniz+ 
x :5 he met x 9 ! trail1 x nev] occurr$ 
to him to foll[ ,b>ney d[n to saf]      
c\ntry4  ,t !re ,jo%uay tree meant a lot
 m'n :at x let on1 po9t9' up ?is way6   
,casey mutt]$1 />+ d[n ^u a somnol5t    
wild]ness blanket$ ) hu%$ midnight4  ,if
 x ?9ks x's got ,casey :ipp$1 x bett]   
?9k ag9 & ?9k quick4  ,i'll give x      

some?9' to po9t at1 '=e ,i leave ?is "h 
butte4  ,funny1 ! way x kept po9t9' up  
?is way4  ,i've saw ,jo%uays be=e--miles
 ( 'em4 ,b ,i nev] se5 "o t look$ s k9da
 human & s k9da l x 0 try9' to talk4    
,seems k9da funny2 an' t old lady rock9'
 an' look9'--seems l h] an' ! ,jo%uay   
has k9da ?r[$ 9 toge!r1 hop9' somebody  
might come along ) savvy en\gh to       
k9da--aw1 hell6  ,s did ,casey & 8 ,iri%
 belief 9 ! sup]natural fall plump aga9/
 ! limitations ( 8 vocabul>y4  ,aga9/ ! 
limitations proscrib$ by 8 mat]ial      
pr$icam5t1 h[ev]1 ,casey ,ryan set 8    
face ) a gr94  ,somebody 0 go+ to get ! 
big jolt ( 8 life be=e long1 he told    
himself ov] a c>eful breakfa/ fire built
 cunn+ly f> back 9 ! crevice :]e a      
curr5t ( air suck$ into ! rock capp+ ( !
 butte4 ,some?+ 0 go+ on up "h t %\ldn't
 g on4  ,he did n "k :at x 01 b he meant
 to /op x4  ,he did n "k :o 0 mak+      
,indian w> on peaceful prospectors1 b   
,casey felt t !y 7 already z good z     
lick$1 s9ce he 0 "h ) breakfa/ "u 8 belt

 & 8 six-%oot] tuck$ h&ily inside 8     
wai/b&4  ,he squ9t$ up ! crack 9 ! l$ge1
 made c]ta9 m5tal alt]ations 9 its n>r[1
 jagg$ walls1 & rea*$ = ! t\gh-h&l$1    
effici5t prospector's pick he _h        
?\ghtfully includ$ 9 8 meagre equipm5t4 
,sl[ly & me?odically he work$ up !      
crevice1 knock+ (f c]ta9 %>p po9ts (    
rock1 & kn[+ all ! :ile :at w\ld        
probably happ5 to him if he 7 ov]he>d4  
,he 0 n discov]$1 h[ev]4  ,:5 he laid   
elb[s on ! upp] level ( ! rim & pull$   
himself up1 8 coat 0 on 8 back :]e x    
belong$1 & ev5 ,b>ney c\ld h foll[$ him4
  ,yet ! top %[$ no evid5ce ( a wid5+ ( 
! fissure4  ,! bu%y junip]s hid him     
completely :ile he reconnoitr$ &        
consid]$ :at he %\ld d4  ,because !     
place 0 close & ! invisible call 0      
/rong1 ,casey w5t fir/ to ! rock hut1   
circl$ x c>efully & f\nd t x 0 exactly  
:at x _h seem$ at fir/ sight2 a hidd5   
place ) no evid5t op5+ save t high1     
small w9d[ "u ! eaves4  ,!re 0 no sign (
 pa?way lead+ to x1 no trace ( life     

outside its wall4  ,b :5 he crept close 
& peek$ 9 aga91 !re sat ! old woman     
rock+ back & =?4  ,b to-day %e />$ at ! 
wall be=e h]4  ,casey felt a di/9ct     
s5sation ( relief j 9 kn[+ t %e 01 aft] 
all1 capable ( mov+4  ,n[ h] head 0 n   
b5t1 b re/$ aga9/ ! back ( h] *air4  ,%e
 0 rock+ /eadily1 quietly1 ) nev] a     
halt4  ,casey rapp$ on ! w9d[ & wait$1  
fight+ a nameless dread ( ! my/]y ( h]4 
,b %e cont9u$ to rock & to />e at !     
wall2 if %e he>d ! tapp+ %e gave no sign
 :atev]4 ,s pres5tly he turn$ away & set
 himself to ! "w ( f9d+ ! man ) ! rifle4
  ,to t end he fir/ ( all climb$ !      
talle/ p9on tree 9 sight2 a tree t /ood 
on a rise ( gr\nd ap>t f its bro!rs4 ,f 
! concealm5t ( its bran*es1 he survey$ 8
 surr\nd+s c>efully1 not+ especially !  
not*$ unev5ness ( ! butte's rim & h[ j  
beh9d him x n>r[$ unexpect$ly to a ?9   
ridge n m ?an a c\ple ( hundr$ y>ds 9   
bread?4  ,a jagg$ outcropp+ cut /raight 
across & ,casey saw h[ ye/]day he _h    
mi/ak5 t l$ge = ! rim ( ! butte4  ,8 man

 mu/ h be5 out on ! po9t beyond him all 
! :ile4  ,he 0 out !re n[1 v likely2    
!re1 or d[n 9 ! camp he _h wat*$ ye/]day
 l a vulture4  ,8 se>* hav+ n>r[$ to an 
area easily cov]$ 9 an h\r or two1      
,casey turn$ 8 head & exam9$ z well z he
 c\ld ! deep canyon t _h bitt5 into !   
butte & caus$ t n>r[ peak4 ,trees block$
 8 view !re1 & he 0 feel+ ab\t = a l[]  
foo?old s t he c\ld make ! desc5t :5 a  
voice f ! gr\nd />tl$ him consid]ably4  
,come d[n outa !re1 be=e ,i %oot yuh    
d[n6  ,casey look$ d[n & saw :at he     
aft]w>ds decl>$ 0 ! meane/ look+ man on 
e>?1 po9t+ /raight at him ! wide/ muzzl$
 %otgun he _h ev] se5 9 8 life4  ,casey 
came d[n4  ,! la/ t5 feet ( ! di/ance he
 made 9 a clean jump1 plant+ 8 feet full
 9 ! old man's /oma*4 ,! meane/ look+   
man on e>? gave a grunt & crumpl$1 )    
,casey's f+]s digg+ into 8 ?roat4  ,:e!r
 ,casey w\ld h kill$ him or n w nev] be 
kn[n4 ,= j z ! man 0 fall+ limp 9 8 h&s1
 ano!r heavy body l&$ ^u ,casey's back4 
,casey felt a h>d1 *ill circle press$   

aga9/ 8 p]spir+ temple4  ,8 h&s relax$ &
 fall away f ! ?roat1 leav+ f+] m>ks !re
 9 ! fle%4  ,git up (f'n him6 a new     
voice comm&$ h>%ly1 & ,casey obey$4 ,8  
captor %ift$ ! gun muzzle to ! back (   
,casey's neck & pok$ ! gasp+1 be>d$ old 
man ) 8 toe4  ,git up1 ,paw1 y old fool1
 y6  ,:at'd y let 'im light on yuh f]8  
,:y c\ldn't y a /ood back a piece1 outa 
rea*8  ,y l to got croak$4  ,casey f\nd 
x prud5t to hold 8 head r /ill1 z a man 
does :5 he c>ries a boil on 8 neck4  ,! 
muzzle ( a six-%oot] has a quiet+       
effect1 :5 appli$ to ! p]son by an      
unfri5dly h&4 ,casey did n at once see !
 intrud]4  ,b pres5tly ,paw recov]$     
himself & 8 %otgun1 & swung x m5ac+ly   
t[>d ,casey4 ,:]eupon ! cold circle left
 ,casey's m$ulla oblongata & a          
long-fac$1 long-legg$ y\? /epp$ some:at 
ha/ily to "o side4  ,paw1 y ol' fool1 y1
 get y\r f+] (f'n t trigg] :il/ y're    
aim9' at me6 he exclaim$ petti%ly4  ,i  
wa'n't aim9' at y4  ,i 0 aim9' at ?is   
'ere-- ,casey he>d himself call$ _m     

names1 any "o ( :i* 0 good = a fight :5 
,casey 0 free4  ,aw1 y %ut up1 ,paw4  ,y
 a9't gitt9' nobody n[h]e1 ! son        
int]rupt$4  ,y c't cuss 'im t' dea?--he 
looks l he c\ld cut loose a few ( !m pet
 names hisself if he got a *ancet4 ,yuh 
might tell u :at y 0 do9' up t !re tree1
 mi/]4 ,an' :at y're do9' on ?is "h     
butte1 anyh[4  ,casey look$ at him4     
,kn[+ ,casey1 ,i %\ld say t 8 eyes 7 n  
pleasant4  ,talk to ,paw1 he advis$     
contemptu\sly4 ,! two ( yuh may possibly
 be able to /& ea* o!r )\t gitt9' sick2 
b me1 ,i nev] did git us$ to skunks6  ,t
 rem>k v ne>ly got him a ?r\gh ticket to
 ,l& ,beyond4 ,b1 be+ v ne>ly :at ,casey
 _h call$ !m1 !y cont5t$ !mselves ) m\?+
 vile epi!ts4  ,bett] take 'im d[n to ! 
m9e an' keep 'im till ,m>t gets back1   
,paw1 ! long-jaw$ y\? sugge/$1 :5 he ran
 %ort ( objurgations4 ,m>t'll fix 'im :5
 he comes4  ,i'd fix 'im1 "h an'1 n[1   
?reat5$ ,paw1 b ,m>t1 he's s damn$ te*y 
lately--:at we oughta d is bu/ 'is head 
) a rock an' pit* 'im ov] ! rim4  ,t'd  

fix 'im4  ,!y wrangl$ ov] ! sugge/ion1 &
 f9ally decid$ to take him d[n & turn   
him ov] to "o :om !y call$ ,joe4  ,casey
 w5t along peaceably1 hopeful t he w\ld 
lat] h a *ance to fight back4 ,he told  
himself t !y bo? _h heads l peanuts1 &  
:5ev] !y mov$1 he swore1 he c\ld he> _! 
bra9s rattle 9 _! skulls4 ,x doesn't    
take bra9s to %oot /raight1 & he decid$ 
t ! lanky "y man 0 ! "o :o _h %ot f !   
rim-rock4 ,!y drove him d[n into ! n>r[1
 deep gul*1 foll[+ a /eep trail t ,casey
 _h n se5 ! day be=e4  ,! trail l$ !m to
 ! m\? ( a tunnel2 & by ! size ( ! dump 
,casey judg$ t ! work+s 7 ( a           
consid]able ext5t4  ,!y 7 gett+ out     
silv] ore1 he guess$1 aft] a glance or  
two at /ray pieces ( rock4  ,joe 0 a    
big1 glum-look+ individual ) 8 left h&  
b&ag$4 ,he *ew$ tobacco indu/ri\sly &   
ma9ta9$ a complete sil5ce :ile ,hank1   
frequ5tly tell+ ,paw to %ut up1 told h[ 
& :]e !y _h f\nd ,casey spy+ up on !    
butte4  ,we don't fancy /ray des]t rats 
pr[l9' ar\nd )\t no reason1 said ,joe4  

,our boss t we're work9' = a9't at home4
  ,we're look9' = 'im back any day n[1  
an' we'll j hold yuh till he comes4  ,he
 c d z he likes ab\t yuh4  ,y'll h to "w
 f] y\r bo>d--c'm on an' ,i'll %[ yuh   
h[4  ,hank foll[$ ,casey & ,joe into !  
tunnel4  ,casey made no objections      
:atev] to go+4  ,! tunnel 0 a fairly    
long "o1 he notic$1 ) drifts op5+ out ( 
x to left & "r4 ,at ! end ( ! ma9       
tunnel1 ,joe turn$1 took ,casey's c&le f
 him & /uck x into a seam 9 ! wall1 z he
 _h done ) 8 own4  ,ev] drill 9 rock8 he
 ask$ %ortly4  ,mebbe ,i h an' mebbe ,i 
a9't1 ,casey return$ defiantly4  ,"h's a
 drill1 an' "h's y\r s+le-jack4  ,n[ git
 t' "w4 ,!re a9't any loaf9' ar\nd ?is  
camp1 & spies nev] meant good to nobody4
  ,yuh ne$n't expect to be popul> ) u--b
 y'll git y\r grub if yuh e>n x4  ,casey
 look$ at ! drill1 took ! d\ble-head$1  
f\r-p\nd hamm] & hesitat$4  ,he has said
 t x 0 pretty h>d to resi/ bra9+ ! two (
 !m at once4  ,b !re w\ld /ill be ! old 
man ) ! %otgun1 & he admitt$ t he 0     

curi\s ab\t ! old woman :o rock$ &      
rock$4  ,he decid$ to wait a:ile & see1 
:y ^! m9]s f\nd x necess>y to %oot      
h>mless prospectors :o came ne> ! butte4
  ,s he spat into ! du/ ( ! tunnel      
floor1 squ9t$ at ,joe = a m9ute & w5t to
 "w4  ,t day ,casey 0 kept und]gr\nd    
except dur+ ! %ort int]val ( %oot+ &    
wait+ = ! dynamite smoke to cle> out ( !
 tunnel2 :i* process ,casey assi/$ by   
op]at+ a h& bl[] mu* aga9/ 8 w4  ,joe   
rema9$ always on gu>d1 eye+ ,casey      
suspici\sly4  ,:5 at la/ he 0 p]mitt$ to
 pick up 8 coat & leave ! tunnel1 night 
_h fall5 s t ! gul* 0 dim & %ad[y4      
,casey 0 conduct$ to a dug\t cab9 :]e   
bacon 0 fry+ too fa/ & smok+            
suffocat+ly4  ,paw 0 !re1 9 a vile temp]
 :i* seem$ to be direct$ t[>d ! ?ree    
imp>tially & to h be5 caus$ *iefly by 8 
tempor>y occupation z camp cook4  ,casey
 wat*$ ! old man place food = "o p]son 9
 little di%es :i* he set 9 a bake pan = 
want ( a tray4  ,he add$ a small t9     
teapot ( tea & disappe>$ f ! dug\t4     

,two ( u wait9' to see y\r boss1 huh8   
,casey inquir$ boldly ( ,joe4  ,c't we  
eat toge!r8  ,y c call y\rself lucky if 
y eat at all1 ,joe retort$ glumly4 ,!   
old man's pretty sore at ! way y h&l$   
him4 ,he's runn9' ?is camp2 ,i a9't4    
,casey let x g at t1 *iefly because he 0
 hungry & tir$ & did n want to risk los+
 8 supp] altoge!r4  ,h\nds l ^!1 he told
 himself bitt]ly1 7 capable ( any       
crime--f sma%+ a man's skull & ?r[+ him 
(f ! rim-rock to />v+ him to dea?4 ,he 0
 ,casey ,ryan1 ready always to fight    
:e!r 8 *ance ( w9n+ 0 ev5 or m]ely      
microscopical2 b ev5 s1 ,casey 0 n      
incl9$ t[>d suicide4  ,:5 ! old man     
pres5tly return$ & ! ?ree sat d[n to !  
table1 ,casey obey$ a ge/ure & sat d[n )
 !m4  ,9 spite ( ,joe's six-%oot] laid  
h&ily ^u ! table beside 8 plate1 ,casey 
ate he>tily1 ?\gh ! food 0 nei!r well   
cook$ nor ov] pl5tiful4  ,aft] supp] he 
rose & fill$ 8 pipe :i* !y _h p]mitt$   
him to keep4  ,a /rang] com+ into ! cab9
 might n h guess$ t ,casey 0 a prison]4 

,:5 ! table 0 cle>$ & ,hank set ab\t    
wa%+ ! di%es1 ,casey pick$ up a grimy   
di% t[el br&$ black 9 places :]e x _h   
rubb$ sooty kettles1 & gr9n$ *e]fully at
 ,paw :ile he dri$ a t9 plate4  ,paw ey$
 him dubi\sly ov] a /9k+ pipe1 spat     
reflectively into ! woodbox & cross$ 8  
legs ! o!r way1 loosely sw++ an ill-%od 
foot4  ,y'a9't told u yet :at brung yuh 
up on ! butte1 ,paw obs]v$ sudd5ly4     
,yuh wa'n't lo/--yuh a9't got ! m>k uh  
no t5d]foot4 ,:at 0 yuh do9' up 9 t     
tree8  ,mebbe ,i mighta be5 hunt9'      
m\nta9 %eep1 ,casey retort$ calmly4     
,hunt9' m\nta9 %eep up a tree is a new  
"o1 titt]$ ,hank4 ,wi% y'd give me a    
swall] uh t br&4  ,mu/ h a kick l a     
br9dle mule4  ,m likely ',:ite ,mule4'  
,casey cock$ a kn[+ eye at ,hank4 ,y're 
too late1 "y fell]4  ,i *ew$ ! cork day 
be=e ye/]day1 he decl>$4  ,:ile he fi%$ 
ano!r plate out ( ! pan1 ,casey obs]v$ t
 ,paw look$ at ,joe inquir+ly1 & t ,joe 
mov$ 8 head sidewise a c>eful in*1 &    
back aga94  ,moon%9e1 huh8 ,paw haz>d$  

hopefully4  ,yuh p$dl9' x1 er mak9' x8  
,casey gr9n$ secretively4  ,a man c't be
 p9*$ )\t ! goods1 he obs]v$ %rewdly4   
,i 0 rais$ 9 a c\ntry :]e !y took fools 
out an' bra9$ 'em ) an axe4  ,y fell]s  
a9't be5 none too fri5dly1 recollect4   
,:5's y\r boss expect$ home1 did yuh    
say8  ,i'd k9da l to meet 'im4  ,he'll  
k9da l to meet y1 ,joe return$ d>kly4   
,y\r actions has be5 plumb suspici\s4   
,no?9' suspici\s ab\t ,,my actions1     
,casey /at$ trucul5tly1 ?r[+ discretion 
beh9d him4  ,! suspici\sness lays up "h 
some:]es on ?is butte4  ,if yuh want to 
"k :at brung me up "h1 ,casey ,ryan's ! 
man t c tell yuh to y\r faces4  ,i come 
up "h to f9d out :o's be5 gitt9' busy ) 
a high-p[] on my camp d[n bel[4  ,a9't x
 natural a man'd want to "k :o'd %ot 8  
two burros--an' 'is p>dn]8  ,casey _h   
impulsively decid$ to ?r[ 9 ,b>ney =    
good measure4  ,casey ,ryan a9't ! man  
to set "u a bu% an' be %ot at l a       
rabbit4  ,y c ask anybody if ,casey ev] 
back$ up f] man er bea/4  ,i come up "h 

hunt9'4 ,%ore ,i did4  ,x wasn't %eep ,i
 0 aft]--t !re's my mi/ake4 ,x 0 goats4 
,guess ,i got y\rn1 ,hank le]$ :5 /uck  
my gun 9 y\r back hair4  ,if any "o's   
'be5 us9' a high-p[] x wasn't on ?is    
butte1 ,joe gr[l$4  ,none uh ?is bun*   
done any %oot9'4  ,pap an' ,hank1 !y 0  
up "h hunt9' burros an ,i caught yuh up 
a tree spy9'4 ,we got a little b& uh    
antelope up "h we're p]tect9'4  ,our    
boss got himself made a deppity f] j su*
 cases z y\rn appe>s t' be--p]vid9' y\r 
case a9't worse4  ,n[ y say y\r p>dn] 0 
%ot d[n bel[ 9 y\r camp4 ,t %ore looks  
bad f] y1 old-tim]4  ,! boss'll %ore h  
t' look into x :5 he gits "h4  ,lucky we
 made up our m9ds t' hold yuh--a murd]]1
 l z n4  ,he fill$ 8 pipe ) delib]ation1
 :ile ,casey1 8 jaw sagg+1 />$ f "o to !
 o!r4  ,casey _h meant to accuse !m to  
_! faces ( %oot+ ,b>ney & ! burros f !  
rim-rock4  ,x _h occurr$ to him t if !y 
believ$ ,b>ney dead1 !y might reveal    
some?+ ( _! purpose 9 ! attack4         
,concealm5t1 he felt vaguely1 w\ld s]ve 

m]ely to %>p5 _! suspicion ( him4  ,x _h
 seem$ v important to ,casey t ^! ?ree  
%\ld n "k t ,b>ney 0 probably well on 8 
way to ,b>/[ by n[4  ,b>ney 9 ,b>/[ w\ld
 mean ,b>ney be>+ news t ,casey ,ryan 0 
und\bt$ly murd]$ by outlaws 9 !         
,panam9ts2 :i* w\ld mean a few (fic]s on
 ! trail1 ) ,b>ney to guide !m to !     
spot4  ,paw & ,hank & ,joe--outlaws all1
 he w\ld h sworn w\ld get :at ,casey    
call$ _! ne$9's4  ,8 jaw muscles tight5$
 :5 he ?\ght ( t1 & ! prospect held him 
quiet "u ,joe's inju/ice4  ,i c prove   
any?+ ,i'm ask$ to prove :5 ! "t comes1 
he said s\rly1 & began to roll himself a
 cig>ette1 s9ce 8 pipe _h gone out4  ,b 
,i a9't 9 any c\rtroom yet1 an' y fell]s
 a9't any judge an' jury4  ,we got to   
hold ye1  ,paw spoke up uncti\sly1 z if 
! decision _h be5 84  ,ef a crime's be5 
committ$1 l y say x has1 we got to d our
 duty an' hold ye4  ,! boss'll "k :at to
 d ) ye--l ,i said all along2 :5 ,i     
haul$ ye d[n outa t tree1 = in/ance4    
,aw1 %ut up1 ,paw1 y ol' fool1 y1 ,hank 

comm&$ aga9 ) filial g5tl5ess4  ,he _h  
yore tongue hang9' out a foot :5 ,i come
 along an' captur$ 'im4  ,don't g tak9' 
no cr$it to y\rself--y a9't got none    
com9'4  ,m>t'll "k :at to d ) 'im1 all  
"r4  ,b yuh ne$n't g an' try to let on  
to ,m>t t y 0 ! "o t caught 'im4  ,he _h
 y caught4 ,an' he'd a kill$ yuh if ,i  
hadn't %[$ up an' pull$ 'im (f'n yuh4   
,well n[1 :5 x comes to ,,kill9'1 ,casey
 int]ject$ spitefully1 ,i guess ,i c\lda
 put ! two ( yuh away if ,i'd a want$ to
 "r bad4 ,casey ,ryan a9't no kill]1    
because he don't h to be4  ,g'wan an'   
hold me if yuh feel t way4  ,grub a9't  
none too good1 b ,i c /& x till y\r boss
 comes4  ,i want a man-to-man talk )    
him1 anyway4    ,,*apt] ,,five  ,t night
 ,casey slept s\ndly 9 a bunk built     
above ,joe's b$ 9 ! dug\t1 ) ,hank &    
,paw on ! opposite side ( ! room ) _!   
guns h&y4  ,9 ! morn+ he ?\ght well     
en\gh ( 8 /oma* to get up & />t breakfa/
 :5 ,hank _h built ! fire4 ,he 0 aw>e ( 
,joe's suspici\s gaze f ! l[] bunk1 & ( 

! close pres5ce ( ,joe's six-%oot] eye+ 
him balefully f und]nea? ! top blanket4 
,hank1 too1 0 wat*ful z a coyote1 :i* he
 mu* resembl$1 9 ,casey's op9ion4  ,b   
,casey did n m9d trifles ( t k9d1 once 8
 m9d 0 at ease ab\t ! breakfa/ & he 0   
free to slice bacon ! "r ?ickness1 & mix
 ! hot-cake batt] himself4 ,= ! fir/ "t 
9 _m weeks he sang--if y c\ld call x    
s++--ov] 8 "w4  ,:5 ,casey ,ryan s+s ov]
 a breakfa/ fire1 y may expect ! bacon  
fri$ exactly "r4  ,y may be sure !      
hot-cakes w be br[n$ correctly ) no     
uncook$ d\gh inside1 & t ! c(fee w give 
y he>t = :atev] h>d%ip ! day may hold4  
,ev5 ,paw's surl9ess light5$ a bit by ! 
"t he _h spe>$ 8 t5? cake & wallop$ x 9 
! bacon grease be=e spr9kl+ x ?ick )    
sug> & settl+ ! elev5? cake on top4     
,casey 0 eye+ ! f\rte5? cake on ,hank's 
plate :5 ,joe look$ up at him ov] a     
load$ =k4  ,save out en\gh d\gh = ?ree  
good uns1 ,joe ord]$1 an' fill t little 
c(fee pot an' set x to keep hot1 be=e   
,hank hogs ! hull ?+4  ,dad1 seems l    

y're1 too busy t' ?9k uh "s ?+s ,m>t    
w\ldn't want =got4  ,paw look$ quickly  
at ,casey2 b ,casey ,ryan _h play$ pok] 
all 8 life1 & 8 wea!r$ face %[$ no      
expression beyond a mom5t>y int]e/1 :i* 
0 natural4  ,o!r fell] hurt bad8 he     
inquir$ c>elessly1  look+ at ,joe's     
b&ag$ h&4  ,he almo/ gr9n$ :5 he saw !  
reliev$ glances ex*ang$ betwe5 ,joe &   
,paw4  ,leg broke1 ,joe mumbl$ ov] a    
m\?ful4  ,dad1 he set x an' x's do9' all
 "r4  ,he's up 9 ano!r cab94  ,?r\gh    
,hank's bra9less titt]1 ,joe add$       
c>efully1 ,bad gr\nd 9 ! fir/ "r-h&     
drift4 ,we _h to ab&on x4  ,rocks big z 
y\r head com9' 9 on yuh onexpect$4      
,none uh !m "r-h& drifts is safe f] a   
man t' walk 91 mu* less "w4  ,!reupon   
,casey relat$ a ?rill+ /ory ( a cave-91 
& assur$ ,joe t he & 8 p>tn] 7 lucky to 
get (f ) m]e brok5 bones4 ,casey1 y w   
obs]ve1 0 runn+ contr>y to 8 nature &   
lean+ to diplomacy4  ,= himself1 ,i am  
sure he w\ld nev] h tr\bl$ to placate   
!m4 ,he w\ld h tak5 ! fir/ slim *ance t 

(f]$--or made "o--& f\ght ! ?ree to a   
f9i%4  ,b !re 0 ! old woman 9 ! rock hut
 above !m1 rock+ back & =? & />+ at a   
wall t _h no visible op5+ save "o small 
w9d[ to let 9 ! light ( outdoors4       
,prison] %e mu/ be--?\gh :y1 ,casey c\ld
 only guess4  ,p]haps %e 0 "s des]t     
woman1 ! wid[ ( "s m9] :o _h be5 %ot z  
^! ?ree _h tri$ to %oot him & ,b>ney    
,oakes4 ,mean1 malevol5t z !y 71 !y w\ld
 /ill lack ! bruti%ness necess>y to %oot
 an old woman4  ,s !y _h %ut h] up !re 9
 ! rock hut1 n d>+ to take h] back to   
civilization :]e %e w\ld tell ( ! crime4
  ,x 0 all pla9 en\gh to ,casey4  ,!    
/ory ( ! crippl$ m9] made him curl 8 lip
 contemptu\sly :5 8 back 0 safely turn$ 
f ,joe4  ,t day ,casey ?\ght mu* ( ! old
 woman 9 ! hut1 & ( ,paw's worse ?an    
inf]ior cook+4  ,?\gh he did n realize !
 *ange 9 himself1 six mon?s ( close     
companion%ip ) ! ,little ,woman _h *ang$
 ,casey ,ryan consid]ably4  ,"t 0 :5 ev5
 8 s(t-he>t$ness w\ld n h impell$ him to
 pati5t s*em+ t he might help an old    

woman ^: sole claim ^u 8 sympa?y consi/$
 ( f\r rock walls & a look ( calm       
despair 9 h] eyes4  ,n[1 ,casey 0 ?9k+ &
 plann+ = ! old woman m ?an = himself4  
,:]e=e1 ,casey *ose ! "t :5 he 0 putt+ 9
 an upp] 7:i* is m9]'s p>lance = drill+ 
a hole 9 ! upp] face ( ! tunnel74  ,he  
gritt$ 8 tee? :5 he swung back !        
s+le-jack & l&$ a glanc+ bl[ on !       
knuckles ( 8 left h& in/ead ( ! drill   
end4  ,no man save ,casey ,ryan or a    
surgeon c\ld h told positively :e!r !   
metac>pal bones 7 brok5 or :e!r ! h& 0  
m]ely sk9n$ & bruis$4  ,joe came up1    
reg>d$ ! ble$+ h& s\rly1 l$ ,casey out  
to ! dug\t & b&ag$ ! h& = him4  ,!re    
w\ld be no m tunnel "w = ,casey until ! 
h& _h heal$2 t 0 accept$ )\t comm5t4  ,t
 night ,casey prov$ to ,paw t1 ) "o h& 9
 a sl+ mu* resembl+ ,joe's1 he c\ld     
nev]!less cook a meal t made eat+ a     
pleasure to look =w>d to4  ,aft] t ! old
 woman 9 ! little /one hut _h pudd+1    
sometimes1 & cake made )\t eggs1 & pie2 
& ! potatoes 7 ma%$ or bak$ in/ead (    

pla9 boil$4 ,casey _h ! satisfaction (  
see+ ! di%es return empty to ! dug\t1 & 
"k t he 0 p]mitt$ to add some?+ to h]   
com=t & well-be+4 ,! ,little ,woman w\ld
 be glad ( t1 ,casey ?\ght ) a gl[4  ,%e
 might nev] he> ( x1 b ,casey lik$ to   
feel t he 0 do+ some?+ t w\ld please !  
,little ,woman4  ,= ! fir/ few days aft]
 ,casey 0 in/all$ z cook1 "o ( ! ?ree   
rema9$ always ) him1 mak+ x pla9 t he 0 
"u gu>d4  ,two 7 always busy else:]e4   
,casey saw t he 0 expect$ to believe t  
!y 7 at "w 9 ! tunnel1 driv+ x 9 to a   
c]ta9 contact ( :i* !y spoke frequ5tly &
 at l5g?4  ,at supp] !y w\ld m5tion _!  
footage = t day's "w1 & ,casey w\ld hide
 a gr9 ( d]ision4  ,casey knew rock z he
 knew bacon & beans & 8 s\r-d\gh c4  ,to
 make ! footage !y claim$ to be mak+ 9 t
 tunnel1 !y w\ld ne$ to %oot twice a    
day1 ) a r\nd (1 say1 five holes to a   
%ot4  ,z a matt] ( fact1 two holes a    
day1 "o %ot at noon & "o at night1 7 !  
mo/ ,casey ev] he>d fir$ 9 ! tunnel or  
else:]e ab\t ! m9e4  ,b he did n tell !m

 any ( ! ?+s he ?\ght2 n ev5 ,joe1 :o _h
 intellig5ce f> above ,paw & ,hank1 ev] 
guess$ t ,casey li/5$ e day = _! %ots & 
c\ld tell1 almo/ to an in* :at progress 
!y 7 actually mak+ 9 ! tunnel4  ,nor did
 he guess t ,casey ,ryan ) 8 m\? %ut 0 m
 unsafe ?an giant p[d] laid out 9 ! sun 
until x sweat$ de/ruction4  ,p]si/5t    
ef=t1 direct$ by an idea bas$ solely ^u 
an ab/ract !ory1 mu/ be driv5 by a tra9$
 intellig5ce4  ,9 ?is case ! ab/ract    
!ory t e prison] mu/ be wat*$ mu/       
support itself unaid$ by ,casey's       
behavior4  ,n ev5 ,joe's intellig5ce 0  
tra9$ to a degree :]e ! !ory 9 itself 0 
suffici5t to hold him to ! cont9u\s ef=t
 ( wat*+ ,casey4  ,:]e=e ,paw1 ,hank &  
,joe pres5tly slipp$ into ! habit (     
leav+ ,casey alone = an h\r or s2 be+   
c>eful to keep ! guns out ( 8 rea*1 &   
return+ to ! dug\t at unexpect$ int]vals
 to make sure t all 0 well4  ,casey     
,ryan knew 8 pots & pans1 & h[ to make  
!m fill 8 days if ne$ be4  ,) savory    
supp]s & 8 c>e-free1 ,casey ,ryan gr91  

he pres5tly lull$ !m into accept+ him z 
a h&y man ar\nd camp1 & into =gett+ t he
 0 at lea/ a pot5tial enemy4  ,afoot &  
alone 9 t unfri5dly l&1 ) 8 left h&     
sma%$ & c>ri$ 9 a sl+1 & on 8 tongue an 
,iri% joke t impli$ cont5t ) 8          
captivity1 ,casey ,ryan w\ld n h look$  
dang]\s to m intellig5t m5 ?an ^! ?ree4 
,!y %\ld h look$ "o night "u ! b$d+ 9   
,casey's bunk4 ,m important /ill w\ld h 
be5 ! safegu>d+ ( _! giant p[d] & caps &
 fuse4  ,!y %\ld n h left x 9 a g\g$1   
op5 holl[ "u a b\ld] ne> ! dug\t4 ,!y 7 
n burd5$ by ! weight ( _! bra9s1 ,i     
imag9e4  ,j "h ,i %\ld l to say a few   
words to ^? :o are :olly ignorant ( !   
deva/at+ p[] conta9$ 9 giant p[d]--:i*  
is dynamite4  ,if y h nev] _h any       
exp]i5ce ) ! /uff1 y are likely to g out
 ) a bang & a puff ( blui%-br[n smoke :5
 y g4  ,on ! o!r h&1 y may believe !    
weird tales "o reads n[ & !n1 ( h[ :ole 
m\nta9sides h be5 ?r[n d[n by ! dis*>ge 
( a few /icks ( dynamite4  ,or ( "o man 
/rik+ t]ror to ! v s\ls ( a gr\p (      

mut9\s m9]s by ?reat5+ to ?r[ a piece at
 !m4  ,v well1 n[ ?is is ! tru? )\t any 
frills ( exagg]ation or any belittlem5t3
  ,dynamite ,,may g (f by be+ ?r[n s t x
 l&s ) a j>1 b x is n likely to be s    
ha/y z all t4  ,:ole boxes ( x h be5    
dropp$ (f wagons travel+ ov] r\gh       
trails1 ) no worse effect ?an a n]v\s   
*ill d[n ! sp9e ( ! driv] ( ! wagon4  ,x
 is true t old /uff1 aft] ly+ ar\nd =   
mon?s & mon?s ?r\gh v>y+ degrees (      
temp]ature1 may p]=m erratically1       
explod+ :5 x %\ldn't & refus+ to explode
 :5 x %\ld4  ,! av]age m9] refuses to   
take a *ance ) /ale giant if he c get   
hold ( fre%4  ,"o /ick ! size ( an      
ord9>y c&le1 & f t to a maximum am\nt ( 
f\r /icks1 may be us$ to load a hole    
eighte5 to tw5ty-f\r in*es long1 drill$ 
into liv+ rock4 ,! am\nt ( dynamite us$ 
dep5ds ^u ! quality ( rock to be brok5 &
 ! skill & good judgm5t ( ! m9]4  ,9    
av]age h>d-rock m9+1 f ?ree to five ( ^!
 holes are drill$ 9 a space f\r-by-six  
feet 9 area4  ,a /ick ( dynamite is     

explod$ by ins]t+ 9 "o end ( ! /ick a   
high-p[] detonat+ cap :i* w deliv] a    
tw5ty-p\nd bl[ p] ,x--:atev] t means4   
,f ?ree- to six-,x caps are us$ 9 ord9>y
 m9+4  ,?ree-,x caps sometimes fail to  
explode a /ick ( dynamite4  ,a six-,x   
cap1 deliv]+ a "o-hundr$-&-tw5ty-p\nd   
bl[1 may be c\nt$ ^u to d ! "w )\t fail4
  ,! cap itself is explod$ by a sp>k    
runn+ ?r\gh a l5g? ( fuse1 ! l5g? dep5d+
 altoge!r ^u ! "t requir$ to rea* a po9t
 ( safety aft] ! fuse is light$4  ,! cap
 is really m dang]\s to h&le ?an is !   
dynamite itself4  ,! cap is a tricky ?+ 
t may g (f at any j> or scrat* or at a  
sp>k f pipe or cig>ette4 ,y c1 if y are 
suffici5tly c>eless ( possible results1 
light ! twi/$ pap] end ( a /ick (       
dynamite & wat* ! dynamite burn l wax 9 
y\r f+]s2 x ,,may g (f & set y\r fri5ds 
to "w retriev+ portions ( y\r body4  ,m 
likely1 x w d no?+ b burn h>mlessly4    
,well1 !n1 a piece ( fuse is ins]t$ 9 ! 
op5 end ( ! cap1 & ! metal press$ tight 
aga9/ ! fuse to hold x 9 place4 ,press$ 

d[n by ! m9]'s tee?1 sometimes1 if he   
has be5 long 9 ! bus9ess & has gr[n     
c>eless ab\t 8 head2 o!rwise he crimps !
 cap on ) a small pair ( pli]s or ! back
 ( 8 knife blade--& feels a bit easi] :5
 x is done )\t los+ a h&4  ,y w\ld ?9k1 
unless y are accu/om$ to ! /uff1 t :5   
five holes are load$ )1 probably1 t5 or 
twelve /icks ( dynamite to ! lot1 ea*   
hole conta9+ a six-,x explod+ cap z     
well1 t ! fir/ %ot w\ld likewise be !   
la/ %ot & t ! :ole tunnel w\ld cave 9 & 
! m\nta9 beh9d x w\ld %ake4 ,no?+ l t   
occurs4  ,if !re are five load$ holes 9 
! tunnel face1 & y d n he>1 "o aft] !   
o!r1 five muffl$ ,,booms1 y w "k t "o   
hole fail$ to g (f--& t ! m9] is worri$4
  ,x happ5s sometimes t f\r holes load$ 
) eight /icks ( dynamite explode )9 a   
foot or s ( ! fif? hole & yet ! fif?    
hole rema9s dead & a m5ace to ! m9]     
until x is dis*>g$4  ,s please don't    
swall[ ^? wild tales ( a /ick ( dynamite
 t ?rew d[n a m\nta9side4  ,i once read 
a /ory--x 0 n s long ago--( a ,*9aman :o

 wip$ out a m9e ) a little piece (      
dynamite :i* he c>ri$ 9 8 pocket4  ,i   
laugh$4  ,casey ,ryan1 on ! fir/ day :5 
he 0 left alone ) 8 crippl$ h& & 8 pots 
& pans = company1 did no?+ :atev] t he  
w\ld n h done _h "o ( ! ?ree be5 pres5t4
  ,he 0 suspici\s ( _! go+ & ?\ght x 0 a
 trap set to cat* him 9 an attempt$     
escape4  ,on ! second day :5 ! ?ree w5t 
(f toge!r & left him alone1 ,casey w5t  
out ga!r+ wood & discov]$ j :]e ! p[d]1 
fuse & caps 7 kept "u a huge1 black     
b\ld] betwe5 ! tunnel portal & ! dug\t4 
,on ! ?ird day he also ga!r$ wood &     
help$ himself to two /icks ( dynamite1  
?ree caps & eighte5 in*es ( fuse4  ,n   
en\gh to be miss$ unless !y *eck$ _!    
supply m c>efully ?an ,casey believ$ !y 
did2 b en\gh = ,casey's purpose         
nev]!less4  ,t night1 :ile ! moon %one 9
 ?r\gh ! d+y w9d[ at ! head ( 8 bunk &  
gave him a little light to "w by1 ,casey
 sat up 9 b$ & snor$ s(tly & ) a soo?+  
rhy?m :ile he cut a /ick ( dynamite 9   
two1 capp$ five in*es ( fuse = ea* piece

 work+ awkw>dly ) 8 "o good h& & p9*+ ! 
caps tight ) 8 tee?1 :i* might h s5t him
 ) a bang into ,k+dom ,come--& v        
c>efully work$ ! caps into ! p[d] until 
no m ?an ?ree in*es ( fuse protrud$ f ! 
end ( ! half /ick4  ,x w\ld h be5 less  
dang]\s to l& ) a yell 9 ! middle ( !   
floor & fight ! ?ree m5 ) "o b>e h&1 b  
,casey's c\rage nev] turn$ a hair4      
,/ill snor+ mildly1 he held up to !     
moonlight two deadly weapons & survey$  
!m ) mu* satisfaction4  ,!y w\ld n be s 
quick1 z fiction w\ld h !m1 b if 8 aim 0
 accurate 9 ?r[+1 !y w\ld be deadly     
en\gh4  ,moreov]1 he c\ld c\nt ) a good 
deal ( c]ta9ty ^u a c]ta9 degree ( t]ror
 :i* ! sight ( !m 9 8 h& w\ld produce4  
,:5 ,casey ,ryan cook$ breakfa/ next    
morn+1 he c>ri$ two half-/icks ( load$  
dynamite "u 8 h& 9 ! sl+4 ,c y wond] t  
ev5 he %i$ at /&+ ov] ! /ove cook+ hot  
cakes & compla9$ t 8 brok5 h& pa9$ him a
 lot & t ! heat made x worse8  ,b a     
%rewd obs]v] w\ld h notic$ on 8 face !  
expression ( a cat t has be5 %ut 9 !    

pantry ov] night4  ,joe volunte]$ to    
take ano!r look at ! h& & see if blood  
poison 0 sett+ 92 b ,casey said x didn't
 feel l blood poison4  ,he _h knock$ x  
aga9/ ! bunk edge 9 8 sleep1 he decl>$4 
,he'd dose 'er ) iod9e aft] a :ile1 &   
%e'd be all "r4  ,joe let x g at t1 be+ 
preoccupi$ ) o!r matt]s at :i* ,casey   
c\ld only guess4  ,he conf]r$ ) ,paw    
outside ! dug\t aft] breakfa/1 call$    
,hank away f ! di%-wa%+ & ! ?ree set (f 
t[>d ! tunnel ) a brisk] air ?an usually
 accompani$ !m to "w4  ,casey wat*$ !m g
 & felt reasonably sure ( at lea/ two   
h\rs to himself4  ,! fir/ ?+ ,casey did 
aft] he _h made sure t he 0 actually    
alone 0 to remove ! deadly /uff f ! sl+ 
& lay x on a %ad[$ %elf :]e x w\ld be   
safe b conv5i5t to 8 h&4 ,!n1 go+ to 8  
bunk1 he rea*$ "u ! blankets & f\nd !   
o!r /ick ( dynamite :i* he _h n yet     
load$4  ,?is he laid on ! kit*5 table & 
cut x 9 two z he _h done la/ night ) !  
o!r /ick4  ,) 8 rema9+ cap he load$ a   
half & c>ri$ x back to 8 bunk4 ,he 0    

debat+ 9 8 m9d :e!r x 0 wor? :ile       
purlo9+ ano!r cap f a box "u ! b\ld] :5 
ano!r fancy took him & set him gr9n+4   
,f\r sep>ate *>ges ( dynamite1 he       
reason$1 w\ld n be necess>y4 ,x 0 an ev5
 *ance t ! sight ( a piece ) ! fuse 9 8 
h& w\ld be suffici5t to tame ,paw or    
,hank or ,joe--or ! ?ree toge!r1 = t    
matt]--)\t go+ fur!r ?an to give !m a   
sight ( x4  ,) t idea upp]mo/1 ,casey   
split ! pap] c>efully d[n ! side ( !    
rema9+ half-/ick1 took out ! cont5ts 9 a
 t9 plate & c>ri$ x outside :]e he buri$
 x 9 ! s& b5ea? a bu%4 ,return+ to !    
dug\t he made a ?ick d\gh ( leftov]     
pancake batt] & mold$ x into ! dynamite 
wrapp+ ) a fragm5t ( h>mless fuse       
protrud+ f ! op5$ end4 ,:5 ! ?+ 0 dry1  
,casey ?\ght x w\ld look v deadly &     
might be useful4  ,aft] sev]al days (   
helplessness = want ( a weapon1 ,casey 0
 9 a mood to supply himself g5]\sly4    
,he f9i%$ ! di%-wa%+1 work+ awkw>dly )  
"o h&4 ,aft] t he put a kettle ( beans  
on to boil1 fill$ ! /ove ) p9on /icks & 

clos$ ! drafts4  ,he arm$ himself ) !   
two load$ pieces ( dynamite f ! cupbo>d1
 fill$ 8 pockets ) su* o!r ?+s z he     
?\ght he might ne$1 & w5t prospect+ on 8
 own acc\nt4  ,at ! portal ( ! tunnel he
 /opp$ & li/5$ = ! p+-g1 p+-g ( a       
s+le-jack /rik+ /eadily ^u /eel4 ,b !   
tunnel 0 sil5t1 ! ore c> uptilt$ at !   
end ( its track on ! dump4 ,yet ! ?ree  
m5 7 suppos$ly at "w 9 ! m9e1 _h talk$  
at breakfa/ ab\t want+ to %[ a c]ta9    
footage :5 ! boss return$1 & ( ne$+ to  
hurry4  ,casey w5t into ! tunnel1 li/5+ 
& go+ sil5tly2 s\nds travel f> 9        
und]gr\nd work+s4  ,at ! m\? ( ! fir/   
"r-h& drift he /opp$ aga9 & li/5$4      
,?is1 if he w\ld believe ,joe1 0 ! drift
 :]e ! bad gr\nd _h caus$ ! accid5t to  
,joe & 8 p>tn] ^: leg _h be5 brok54     
,casey f\nd ! drift z sil5t z ! ma9     
tunnel4  ,he w5t 9 t5 feet or s & light$
 ! c&le he _h pull$ f inside 8 %irt4 ,) 
! c&le held 9 ! swoll5 f+]s ( 8 injur$  
h&1 & a prospector's pick tak5 f !      
portal 9 8 o!r1 ,casey w5t on cauti\sly1

 keep+ an eye ^u ! ro( :i*1 to 8 wise1  
squ9t+ eyes1 look$ p]fectly solid &     
safe4  ,if a track _h ev] be5 laid 9 ?is
 drift x _h long s9ce be5 remov$4  ,b a 
well-def9$ pa? l$ along its c5t] ) boot 
tracks go+ & com+1 blurr+ "o ano!r ) mu*
 pass+4 ,casey gr9n$ & w5t on1 8 e>s    
cock$ = any s\nd be=e or beh9d1 8 %oes  
slung ov] 8 arm by _! ti$ laces4  ,s he 
came1 9 ! c\rse ( a hundr$ feet or s1 to
 a crude door ( split c$> slabs1 ! fa/5+
 padlock$ on 8 side4 ,casey _h vaguely  
expect$ "s su* b> to 8 pa?1 & he m]ely  
gave a grunt ( satisfaction t ! lock 0  
old & on 8 side ( ! door4  ,) 8         
jackknife ,casey spe$ily took (f "o side
 ( ! lock & op5$ x4  ,mak+ ! door appe> 
lock$ beh9d him :5 he _h pass$ ?r\gh 0 a
 diff]5t matt]1 & ,casey did n attempt  
x4  ,in/ead1 he m]ely clos$ ! door beh9d
 him1 c>ry+ ! padlock 9 ) him4  ,z      
,casey review$ 8 situation1 be+ on !    
butte at all 0 a risk 9 itself4  ,"o    
detail m or less c\ld n matt] s mu*4    
,besides1 he 0 a bold ,casey ,ryan ) two

 load$ half-/icks ( dynamite 9 8 sl+4   
,a crude ladd] aga9/ ! wall ( a roomy   
/ope beyond ! door did n 9 ! lea/       
surprise him4  ,he _h expect$ some?+ (  
?is sort4 ,:5 he _h topp$ ! ladd] & f\nd
 himself 9 a *amb] t /ret*$ away into   
blackness1 he grunt$ aga9 8 m5tal       
confirmation ( a !ory work+ out         
beautifully 9 fact4 ,8 c&le held close  
to ! wall1 he mov$ =w>d along !         
well-trodd5 pa?1 look+ = a door4        
,me*anically he notic$ also ! =mation ( 
! wall & ! ve9 ( ore--probably          
high-grade 9 pockets1 at lea/--t _h     
caus$ ?is *amb] to be dug4  ,! ore1 he  
judg$1 _h long s9ce be5 tak5 out & d[n  
?r\gh ! /ope into ! tunnel & s out ?r\gh
 ! ma9 portal4 ,^! work+s 7 old & = m9+ 
purposes ab&on$4 ,b j n[ ,casey 0       
absorb$ 9 solv+ ! "o angle ( ! my/]y :i*
 he _h /umbl$ ^u at fir/1 & he gave no m
 ?an a glance & a ?\ght to ! sil5t      
te/imony ( ! rock walls4  ,he f\nd !    
door1 fa/5$ also on ! outside j z he _h 
expect$ x w\ld be4  ,beside x /ood a r  

clev] heat+ app>atus :i* ,casey did n   
exam9e 9 detail4  ,8 ,iri% he>t 0 beat+ 
r fa/ :ile he unfa/5$ ! door4  ,beyond t
 door 8 ?\ghts w5t que/+ eag]ly b he    
hesitat$ nev]!less be=e he lift$ 8      
knuckles & rapp$4  ,!re 0 no reply4     
,casey wait$ a m9ute1 knock$ aga91 !n   
pull$ ! door op5 a crack & look$ 94  ,! 
old woman sat !re rock+ back & =?1      
/eadily1 quietly4  ,b h] ?9 f+]s 7 roll+
 a corn] ( h] apron hem pa9/ak+ly1 z if 
%e meant to hem x aga94 ,h] eyes 7 fix$ 
abs5tly ^u ! futile task4  ,casey wat*$ 
h] z long z he d>$ & cle>$ 8 ?roat twice
 9 ! hope t %e w\ld notice him4 ,b ! old
 woman rock$ back & =? & roll$ h] apron 
hem2 unroll$ x & c>efully roll$ x aga94 
,good morn+1 ma'am1 said ,casey1 cle>+ 8
 ?roat = ! ?ird "t & com+ a /ep into !  
room ) 8 c&le dripp+ wax on ! floor4  ,=
 j an in/ant ! uneasy f+]s paus$ 9 _!   
roll+ ( ! apron hem4  ,= j s long !     
rock]s hesitat$ 9 _! motion4 ,b ! old   
woman did n reply nor turn h] face t[>d 
him2 & ,casey pu%$ ! door %ut beh9d him 

& took two m /eps t[>d h]4  ,i come to  
see if yuh ne$$ any?+1 ma'am2 a fri5d1  
mebbe4 ,casey gr9n$ amiably1 want+ to   
reassure h] if x 7 possible to make h]  
aw>e ( 8 pres5ce4  ,!y _h yuh lock$ 91  
ma'am4 ,t don't look good to ,casey     
,ryan4  ,if yuh wanta get out--if !y got
 yuh held a prison] "h1 or any?+ l 't1 y
 c tru/ ,casey ,ryan any old "t4 ,is--c 
,i d any?+ = yuh1 ma'am8 ,! old woman   
dropp$ h] h&s to h] lap & held !m !re1  
closely clasp$4  ,h] head swung sl[ly   
r\nd until %e 0 look+ at ,casey ) t     
awful1 fix$ />e %e _h h]et(ore direct$  
at ! wall or ! floor4  ,tell ^?         
hell-h\nds !y h a ?\s& ye>s to burn--e  
"o ( !m6 %e said 9 a deep1 l[ voice t _h
 9 x a s++ resonance l a *ant4  ,e cat1 
e rat1 e m\se1 e l\se1 has a ?\s& ye>'s 
to burn4  ,tell ,m>t ! h\nds ( hell mu/ 
burn6  ,h] voice c>ri$ a t]rible        
condemnation f> beyond ! mean+ ( ! words
 !mselves4  ,x 0 z if %e 7 pron\nc+ !   
doom ( ! :ole _w4 ,e cat1 e rat1 e m\se1
 e l\se--  ,casey ,ryan's jaw dropp$ an 

in*4  ,he back$ until he 0 aga9/ ! door4
  ,he _h to swall[ twice be=e he c\ld   
f9d 8 voice1 & ^? ( y :o "k ,casey ,ryan
 w appreciate t4 ,he wait$ until %e _h  
f9i%$ h] decl>ation4  ,no1 ma'am1 y're  
wrong4  ,i come up "h to see if ,i c\ld 
help yuh4  ,h\nds ( hell--black z !     
bottomless pit t spew$ y =? to prey ^u  
mank9d6  ,! _w w h to burn4  ,tell ^?   
h\nds ( hell t bay at ! gibb\s moon ! _w
 w h to burn4  ,e cat1 e rat1 e m\se1 e 
l\se has a ?\s& ye>s to burn6  ,casey   
,ryan1 ) 8 m\? half op5 & 8 eyes r wild1
 furtively op5$ ! door beh9d him4  ,/ill
 meet+ fix$ly ! dull gl>e ( ! old       
woman's eyes1 ,casey slid out ?r\gh !   
door & fa/5$ x ha/ily beh9d him4  ,) an 
uneasy glance n[ & !n ov] 8 %\ld] z if  
he fe>$ ! old woman might be 9 pursuit (
 him1 he hurri$ back d[n ! ladd] to !   
clos$ door 9 ! drift1 pull$ ! door %ut  
beh9d him & put ! padlock 9 place be=e  
he brea!d naturally4  ,he /opp$ !n to   
put on 8 %oes1 made 8 way to ! drift    
op5+ & li/5$ aga9 = voices or foot/eps4 

,:5 he f\nd ! way cle> he hurri$ out &  
back to ! dug\t4  ,! fir/ ?+ he did 0 to
 fill 8 pipe & light x4  ,ev5 !n !      
sonor\s voice ( ! old woman inton+ h]   
dreadful proclamation aga9/ ! _w rang 9 
8 e>s & s5t occasional ripples ( horror 
d[n 8 sp9e4  ,se5 ?r\gh ! w9d[1 %e _h   
look$ a sad1 lonely old lady :o ne$$    
sympa?y & help4  ,at clos] range %e 0   
t]rible4  ,casey 0 try+ to =get h] by   
busy+ himself ab\t ! /ove :5 ,joe walk$ 
9 unexpect$ly4  ,joe /ood j inside !    
door1 />+ at ,casey ) a glassy look 9 8 
eyes4  ,some?+ 9 ,joe's face w>n$ ,casey
 ( imp5d+ ev5ts2 b ) t t]rible old woman
 /ill fre% 9 8 m9d1 ,casey 0 9 ! mood to
 welcome di/raction ( any sort4  ,he    
%ift$ 8 h& 9 ! sl+ s t 8 conceal$       
weapons lay m com=tably !re91 secure f  
detection1 & wait$4  ,joe lean$ =w>d1   
lift$ an arm sl[ly & aim$ a f+] at      
,casey accus+ly4  ,pap says t y're a    
,f$]al (fic]6 he began1 waggl+ 8 f+] at 
,casey4  ,pap ?9ks y come "h spy9' ar\nd
 t' see :at we're up to on ?is "h butte4

  ,n[1 y c't pull no?9' l t6  ,y c't get
 away ) x4  ,hank1 he wants t' bump yuh 
(f an' say no?9' to anybody4  ,n[1 ,i   
come t' h x out ) yuh4  ,if y're a      
,f$]al (fic] we're go9' t' settle ) yuh 
an' take no *ances4  ,m>t1 he's m       
easy-go9' 9 "s ways1 on acc\nt ( hav9' 8
 crazy ol' "m on 'is h&s t' take c>e (4 
,m>t don't want no kill9'--on acc\nt ( 8
 "m go9' loony :5 'is dad got kill$4  ,b
 ,m>t a9't "h4 ,pap an' ,hank1 !y be5 at
 me all morn9' t' let 'em bump yuh (f4  
,b ,pap an' ,hank1 !y're drunk1 see8    
,i'm ! only sob] man left on ! job4  ,s 
,i come up "h t' settle ) yuh myself4   
,takes a sob] man ) a level head t'     
settle ^! ?+s4  ,n[1 if y come up "h    
spy9' an' snoop9'1 y git bump$ (f an' no
 argum5t ab\t x4 ,m>t's got 8 "m t' take
 c>e (--an' we aim t' p]tect ,m>t4  ,if 
y're a ,f$]al (fic]1 ,i want t' "k x "h 
an' n[4  ,if yuh a9't1 ,i want yuh t'   
sample "s uh ! out-kick9'e/ ',:ite      
,mule' yuh ev] swall]$4  ,n[ :i* are    
yuh1 & :at yuh go9' t' d8  ,i want my   

answ] "h an' n[1 an' no argum5t an' no  
fool9'6  ,casey bl9k$ b 8 m\? wid5$ 9 a 
gr94  ,me1 ,i nev] w5t look9' f] no?91  
,i w\ldn't put "u my ve/1 ,joe1 he      
decl>$ conv9c+ly4  ,s t 0 x6  ,he 0 ?9k+
 aga9/ "t4 ,moon%9]s z well z w\ld-be   
murd]]s !y 7--& ,joe drunk & giv+ !m    
away l a fool4  ,casey wi%$ t he knew   
:]e ,hank & ,paw 7 at ?is mom5t4  ,he   
hop$1 too1 t ,joe 0 "r--t ,hank & ,paw 7
 drunk4  ,he'd h ! ?ree ( !m ti$ 9 a r[ 
be=e d>k1 9 any case4  ,! ?+ to d n[ 0  
to humor ,joe along--leave x to ,casey  
,ryan6  ,joe 0 uncork+ a small1 flat    
bottle ( pale liquor4  ,n[ he held x out
 to ,casey4  ,casey took x1 ?9k+ he w\ld
 pret5d to dr9k1 w\ld urge ,joe to take 
a dr9k2 x w\ld be simple1 once he got   
,joe />t$4 ,b ,joe _h a few ideas ( 8   
own conc]n+ ! celebration4  ,he pull$ a 
gun unexpect$ly1 lean$ aga9/ ! clos$    
door to /eady himself & aim$ x full at  
,casey4  ,9 j two m9utes ,i'm go9' t'   
%oot if t !re bottle a9't empty1 he /at$
 gravely1 nodd+ 8 head ) int5se pride 9 

8 ability to h&le ! situation4  ,if y're
 a ,f$]al (fic]1 yuh won't da/ t' dr9k4 
,if yuh a9't1 y'll be almighty glad to4 
,anyway1 x'll be settl$ "o way or t'o!r4
 ,dr9k 'er d[n6  ,casey bl9k$ aga91 b   
?is "t he did n gr94  ,he debat$ swiftly
 8 *ance ( sc>+ ,joe ) ! dynamite be=e  
,joe w\ld %oot4 ,b ,joe _h 8 f+] crook$ 
) drunk5 solemnity ^u ! trigg]4 ,! "t = 
dynamite 0 n n[4  ,pap an' ,hank1 !y lap
 up any?+ an' call x good4  ,i claim t's
 got a back-action kick to x4  ,dr9k 'er
 d[n6  ,casey drank 'er d[n4  ,x 0 l    
swall[+ flames4 ,x 0 a half-p9t flask1 &
 x 0 full :5 ,casey1 ) ,joe's eyes fix$ 
^u him1 tilt$ x & began to dr9k4  ,"u   
,joe's baleful gl>e ,casey empti$ !     
flask be=e he /opp$4  ,joe settl$ 8     
%\ld]s com=tably aga9/ ! doorway & wat*$
 ,casey make = ! wat] bucket4  ,i claim 
t's ! out-kick9'e/ /uff t ev] 0 made on 
,black ,butte4  ,h['d yuh l x8  ,all "r1
 ,casey bore witness1 keep+ 8 eyes fix$ 
on ,joe & ! gun & try+ 8 be/ to ma9ta9 a
 non*alant mann]4 ,i'd call x purty fair

 hoot*4  ,x's ,,good hoot*6 ,joe decl>$ 
impressively1 app>5tly q conv9c$ t      
,casey 0 n a ,f$]al (fic]4  ,c yuh feel 
! kick'to x8  ,casey back$ until he sat 
on ! edge ( ! table 8 good "r h&        
support+ 8 left elb[ outside ! sl+4  ,he
 gr9n$ at ,joe & :ile he /ill ke5ly     
realiz$ t he 0 play+ a "p = ! sole      
purpose ( ga9+ someh[ an advantage ov]  
,joe1 he 0 consci\s ( a slight gidd9ess4
  ,an unprejudic$ obs]v] w\ld h notic$ t
 8 gr9 0 n q ! old1 ,casey ,ryan gr94   
,x 0 a %ade fooli%4  ,bet y\r life ,i c 
feel ! kick6 he agre$1 nodd+ 8 head4 ,y 
c ask anybody4  ,!n ,casey discov]$     
some?+ /range 9 ,joe's appe>ance4  ,he  
lift$ 8 head1 held x v /ill & reg>d$    
,joe att5tively4  ,say1 ,joe1 :at yuh   
try9' to d ) t six-gun8  ,try9' to write
 y\r "n 9 ! air ) x8  ,joe look$        
inquir+ly d[n at ! gun1 eye+ x z if x 7 
a new & absolutely unkn[n object4  ,he  
satisfi$ himself app>5tly beyond all    
d\bt t ! gun 0 do+ no?+ x %\ld n d1 &   
f9ally turn$ 8 att5tion to ,casey sitt+ 

on ! table & gr9n+ at him mean+lessly4  
,a9't writ9' no?9'1 ,joe /at$ solemnly4 
,x's yore eyes4 ,gun's all "r--yo'r     
see9' crook$4  ,x's ! hoot*4            
,back-action kick to x4  ,a9't t "r8    
,t's "r1 nodd$ ,casey & he add$1 gr9n+ m
 fooli%ly1 ,d>n "r1 t's "r6             
,back-action kick--bet y\r life4  ,joe  
pu%$ ! gun inside 8 wai/b& & crook$ 8   
f+] at ,casey1 beckon+ my/]i\sly4       
,c'mon an' ,i'll %[ yuh h[ x's made1 he 
invit$ ) heavy en?usiasm4  ,yore a judge
 uh hoot* all "r--,i c see t4  ,i'll %[ 
yuh h[ we d x4  ,be/ ,:ite ,mule 9      
,nevada4  ,a9't t "r8  ,a9't t ! real   
hoot*8  ',s "r1 all "r1 ,casey agre$    
e>ne/ly4  ,putt9' ! hoot 9 hoot*--y     
fell]s4  ,y c ask anybody if t a9't "r4 
,joe laugh$ ho>sely4  ,putt9' ! hoot 9  
hoot*--t's "r4 ,i kn[$ y 0 all "r4      
,didn't ,i say y 08  ,i told ,hank an'  
,pap y wasn't no ,f$]al (fic]4  ,!y "k  
x1 too4 ,i 0 fool9' back !re4  ,i kn[$ y
 didn't ne$ no gun pull$ on yuh t' make 
yuh put away ! hoot*4  ,lapp$ x up l a  

?ir/y h\nd4 ,i kn[$ yuh w\ld--,i 0      
kidd9' yuh1 runn9' t razoo ) ! gun4     
,a9't t "r8  ,d>n "r1 t's "r6 ,i knew y 
0 fool9' all along4 ,y knew ,casey      
,ryan's all "r--sure1 y kn[$ x6  ,casey 
laid 8 good h& inve/igatively aga9/ 8   
/oma*4  ,pretty hot hoot*--y c ask      
anybody if x a9't6  ,work9' l an air    
drill a'ready4  ,he bl9k$ inquisitively 
at ,joe1 :o />$ back inquir+ly4 ,:o's   
y\r fri5d8  ,casey dem&$ pugnaci\sly4   
,he sneak$ 9 on yuh4  ,i nev] se5 'im   
come 94  ,joe turn$ sl[ly & look$ beh9d 
him at ! blank bo>ds ( ! unpa9t$ door4  
,j z sl[ly he turn$ back to ,casey4  ,a 
sl[ gr9 split 8 lea!ry face4  ,a9't     
nobody4  ,x's ! hoot*4 ,told yuh1 didn't
 ,i8  ,gitt9' ! be/ ( yuh1 a9't x8      
,c'mon--,i'll %[ yuh h[ x's made4  ,take
 a b>r'l t' git ! be/a--,casey ,ry'n1   
,casey boa/$1 8 words blurr+ noticeably4
  ,:]e's y'r ,:ite ,mule8  ,let 'er     
kick--,casey ,ry'n c lead 'er an' tame  
'er--an' make'r eat outa 's h&6 ,foll[+ 
,joe1 ,casey /epp$ high ov] a rock no   

bigg] ?an 8 fi/4  ,) a lur* he /raight5$
 & tri$ to pull 8 muddl$ wits out ( !   
fog t 0 fa/ envelop+ !m4  ,dimly he s5s$
 ! importance ( ?is discov]y :i* ,joe _h
 =c$ ^u him4 ,9 fla%es ( normalcy he    
knew t he mu/ see all he c\ld ( _!      
moon%9e op]ations4 ,he mu/ let !m ?9k he
 0 drunk until he knew all _! secrets4  
,he assur$ himself vaguely t he mu/1    
above all ?+s1 keep 8 head4  ,b x 0 all 
pretty hazy & rapidly gr[+ hazi]4 ,casey
 ,ryan1 y mu/ "k1 0 n :at is in=mally   
t]m$ a dr9k+ man4 ,9 8 y\? he might h   
be5 able to h&le a sudd5 half-p9t (     
moon%9e :isky & keep z level a head z he
 n[ /rove valiantly to reta94 ,b        
,casey's lat] ye>s _h be5 m temp]ate ?an
 mo/ des]t m5 w\ld believe4             
,un=tunately virtue is n always x own   
rew>d2 at lea/ ,casey n[ f\nd himself ! 
worse = pa/ ab/95ces4  ,joe l$ him into 
! tunnel1 laugh+ s>donically because    
,casey f\nd x sc>cely wide en\gh = 8    
oscillat+ progress4 ,!y turn$ into a    
drift4  ,casey did n "k :i* drift x 01  

?\gh he tri$ foggily to rememb]4  ,he 0 
/ill1 y mu/ "k1 try+ to keep a level    
head & ga9 valuable in=mation = ! %]iff 
:o he hop$ w\ld return to ! butte )     
,b>ney4  ,paw & ,hank 7 wrangl+ some:]e 
ahead4  ,casey c\ld he> _! rais$ voices 
m+l$ 9 a confus$ rumbl+ 9 ! p5t walls ( 
! drift4  ,casey ?\ght !y pass$ ?r\gh a 
doorway1 & t ,joe clos$ a heavy door    
beh9d !m1 b he 0 n sure4  ,memory ( !   
old woman inton+ h] horrible ana!ma     
surg$ back ^u ,casey ) ! clos+ ( ! door4
  ,! voices ( ,hank & ,paw he n[ mi/ook 
= ! rav+s ( ! woman 9 ! /one hut4 ,casey
 balk$ !re1 & w\ld n g on4  ,he did n   
want to face ! old woman aga91 & he said
 s repeat$ly--or believ$ t he did4  ,joe
 caught him by ! arm & pull$ him =w>d by
 ma9 /r5g?4 ,! voices ( ,paw & ,hank    
came clos] & cl>ifi$ into words2 or did 
,casey & ,joe walk f>!r & come into _!  
pres5ce8  ,!y 7 all /&+ toge!r some:]e1 
9 a l>ge1 und]gr\nd *amb] ) a hole lett+
 9 ! sunlight high up on "o side4 ,casey
 0 positive !re 0 a hole up !re1 because

 ! sun %one 9 8 eyes & to avoid x he    
mov$ aside & fell ov] a bucket or a keg 
or some?+4  ,hank laugh$ l\dly at !     
spectacle1 & ,paw swore because ! fall  
/>tl$ him2 b x 0 ,joe :o help$ ,casey   
up4  ,casey knew t he 0 sitt+ on a      
b>rel--or some?+--& tell+ a funny /ory4 
,he ?\ght x mu/ be v funny inde$1       
because e "o 0 laugh+ & b5d+ d\ble &    
slapp+ legs :ile he talk$4 ,casey       
realiz$ t "h at la/ 7 m5 :o appreciat$  
,casey ,ryan z he des]v$ to be          
appreciat$4 ,te>s ran d[n 8 own wea!r$  
*eeks--te>s ( mir?4  ,he _h nev] laugh$ 
s mu* be=e 9 all 8 life1 he ?\ght4  ,e  
"o1 ev5 ,paw1 :o 0 normally a mean1     
cantank]\s old cuss1 0 hav+ ! "t ( 8    
life4  ,!y attempt$ to %[ ,casey c]ta9  
intricacies ( _! /ill1 :i* made x bett] 
?an o!r /ills & put a great] kick 9 !   
,:ite ,mule x br$4  ,some:]e back 9 !   
dim recesses ( ,casey's m9d1 he felt t  
he ought to li/5 & rememb] :at !y told  
him4  ,vaguely he knew t he mu/ n take  
ano!r dr9k1 no matt] h[ insi/5t !y 74   

,9 ! brief gl[ ( t resolution ,casey    
prote/$ t he c\ld hoot )\t any m hoot*4 
,b he hat$ to hurt ,paw's feel+s1 or    
,hank's or ,joe's4 ,!y _h made ! hoot* )
 a new & diff]5t twi/1 & !y 7 hone/ly   
anxi\s = 8 judgm5t & approval4  ,he     
decid$ t p]haps he really ought to take 
a little m j to please !m2 n mu*--a     
c\ple ( dr9ks maybe4 ,:]e=e1 he         
graci\sly cons5t$ to ta/e ! run ( ! day 
be=e4 ,!reaft] ,casey ,ryan hoot$ to !  
satisfaction ( ev]ybody1 himself mo/ (  
all4  ,aft] an indet]m9ate int]val ! f\r
 left ! /ill1 tak+ a bottle ) !m s t x  
might be _h )\t delay1 %\ld !y meet a   
snake or a hydrophobia skunk or "s o!r  
v5om\s reptile4 ,x 0 ,casey :o made !   
sugge/ion1 & he became involv$ 9        
difficulties :5 he attempt$ ! ^w v5om\s4
 ,once />t$ ,casey 0 det]m9$ to pron\nce
 ! ^w & pron\nce x correctly1 because   
,casey ,ryan nev] back$ up :5 he once   
/>t$4 ,! result 0 a peculi> humm+ :i*   
accompani$ 8 reel+ progress d[n ! drift 
7n[ s n>r[ t ,casey scrap$ bo? %\ld]s   

frequ5tly7 to ! portal4  ,!y /opp$ on ! 
flat ( ! dump & argu$ ov] ! advisability
 ( tak+ a dr9k apiece be=e go+ f>!r1 z a
 sort ( prev5tive4 ,joe told !m solemnly
 t !y c\ldn't af=d to get drunk on !    
d>n' /uff4  ,x _h too h>d a back-action 
kick1 he expla9$1 & !y might =get       
!mselves if !y took too mu*4  ,x 0      
important1 ,joe expla9$ at great l5g?1 t
 !y %\ld n =get !mselves4 ,! boss _h    
always impress$ ^u !m ! grim necessity (
 rema9+ sob] :atev] happ5$4  ,we nev]   
,,h got drunk1 ,joe reit]at$1 & we c't  
af=d t' git drunk n[4  ,we've got t'    
keep level heads1 snakes or no snakes4  
,casey ,ryan's head 0 level4  ,he wabbl$
 up to ,joe & told him s to 8 face1     
repeat+ ! /atem5t _m times & 9 _m =ms4  
,he declaim$ x all ! way up ! pa? to !  
dug\t1 & :5 !y 7 /&+ outside4  ,beyond  
all else1 ,casey 0 anxi\s t ,joe %\ld   
feel p]fectly c]ta9 t he1 ,casey ,ryan1 
knew :at he 0 do+1 knew :at he 0 say+1 &
 t 8 head 0 & always _h be5 p]r-rf'c'ly 
level-l-l4  ,jus' t' prove-x--,i c'n    

kill t jack-ov]-!re--)\t-no-gun6 ,casey 
bragg$ bubbl+ly1 runn+ 8 words toge!r z 
if !y 7 be+ p\r$ 9 muddy liquid f 8 m\?4
  ,b'lieve x8 ,?9k-,i-c't8  ,! ?ree     
turn$ circumspectly & />$ solemnly at a 
gray burro ) a crippl$ front leg t _h   
limp$ to ! dump heap )9 easy ?r[+       
di/ance f ! cab9 door4  ,hobbl+ on ?ree 
legs x w5t nos+ pa9fully among/ a litt] 
( t9 cans & b5t pap] c>tons1 hunt+      
g>bage4  ,z if consci\s t x 0 be+ talk$ 
ab\t1 ! burro lift$ its head & ey$ ! f\r
 m\rnfully1 its e>s loosely flopp+4     
,h[8 que/ion$ ,paw1 waggl+ 8 be>d       
disp>ag+ly4  ,spit 'n 'is eye8  ,talk 'm
 t' dea?1 ,hank guess$ ) imbecile       
%rewdness4  ,?9k-,i-c't8                
,:at'll--y'bet8  ,!y disput$ ! po9t )   
drunk5 insi/5ce & mild imprecations1    
,hank & ,paw & ,joe at v>i\s times sid+ 
imp>tially = & aga9/ ,casey4  ,casey    
ga!r$ ! impression t none ( !m believ$  
him4  ,!y seem$ to ?9k he didn't "k :at 
he 0 talk+ ab\t4  ,!y ev5 que/ion$ !    
fact t 8 head 0 level4  ,he felt t 8    

honor 0 at /ake & t 8 reputation z a    
tru?ful man & a level-head$ man 0       
?reat5$4  ,:ile !y wrangl$1 ! f+]s (    
,casey's "r h& fumbl$ unobs]v$ 9 ! sl+  
on 8 left1 twi/+ toge!r ! two %ort l5g?s
 ( fuse s t he might light bo? z "o     
piece4 ,ev5 9 8 drunk5ness ,casey knew  
dynamite & h[ be/ to h&le x4  ,judgm5t  
might be de?ron$1 b ! me*anical details 
( 8 pr(ession 7 groov$ deep into habit &
 7 obs]v$ automatically & )\t ! aid (   
consci\s ?\ght4  ,he brac$ himself aga9/
 ! dug\t wall & rais$ 8 h& to ! cig>ette
 he _h ) "s tr\ble roll$ & light$4 ,a   
spitt+ splutt] arose1 t w\ld h claim$ ! 
att5tion ( ! ?ree1 _h !y n be5          
unanim\sly engag$ 9 try+ to out-talk "o 
ano!r ^u ! subject ( ,casey's ability to
 kill a burro sev5ty-five feet away )\t 
a gun4  ,casey glanc$ at !m cunn+ly1    
drew back 8 "r h& & pit*$ some?+ at !   
burro4  ,y' wat* 'im6 he b>k$1 & ! ?ree 
turn$ ar\nd to look1 ) no cle>          
conception ( :at x 0 !y 7 expect$ to    
wat*4  ,! burro j]k$ its head up1 !n b5t

 to sniff at ! ?9 curl ( p[d] smoke ris+
 f among/ ! cans4  ,paw & ,hank & ,joe 7
 lift$ "s in*es f ! gr\nd ) ! explosion4
 ,!y came d[n 9 a hail ( gravel1 t9 cans
 & fragm5ts ( burro4 ,casey1 flatt5$    
aga9/ ! wall 9 prep>ation = ! bla/1     
laugh$ exultantly4  ,paw & ,hank & ,joe 
pick$ !mselves up & clung toge!r =      
mutual support & com=t4  ,!y cran$ necks
 =w>d1 goggl+ incr$ul\sly at :at little 
0 left ( ! burro & ! pile ( t9 cans4    
',z t a bumb8  ,paw cackl$ n]v\sly at   
la/1 claw+ gravel out ( 8 uncomb$ be>d4 
',z got me all %uck up4 ,:>'s t 'r      
bottle8  ',z go9' t' eat a bumb--ol'    
fool burro6  ,hank *ortl$ weakly1 feel+ 
t5d]ly c]ta9 nicks on 8 *eeks :]e gravel
 _h l&$4 ,paw1 y ol' fool1 y1 don't hawg
 ! hull ?+--gimme a dr9k6  ,casey's sure
 all "r1 came ,joe's (ficial ,o4,k4 ( ! 
p]=mance4 ,casey said 'e c'd d x--'n'   
,casey done x6  ,he turn$ & slapp$      
,casey some:at unc]ta9ly on ! back1 :i* 
toppl$ him aga9/ ! wall aga94  ,good'n  
on u1 ,casey6  ,d>n' good joke on u--'n'

 on ! burro6  ,:]eupon !y drank to      
,casey solemnly1 & "o & all1 !y         
proclaim$ t x 0 a ,,v good joke on !    
burro4  ,a m]ciful joke1 c]ta9ly2 z y   
w\ld agree _h y se5 ! poor brute hungry 
& hobbl+ pa9fully1 hunt+ scraps ( food  
among/ ! litt] ( t9 cans4  ,aft] t1     
,casey want$ to sleep4  ,he =c$         
admissions f ! ?ree t he1 ,casey ,ryan1 
0 all "r & t he knew exactly :at he 0   
do+ & kept a level head4  ,he crawl$    
labori\sly into 8 bunk1 %oes1 hat & all2
 &1 conv9c$ t he _h def5d$ 8 honor &    
pres]v$ ! ,casey ,ryan reputation       
unt>ni%$1 he blissfully skipp$ ! next   
eighte5 h\rs4    ,,*apt] ,,six  ,casey  
awoke "u ! vivid impression t "s "o 0   
driv+ a gadget into 8 skull ) a         
d\ble-jack4  ,! smell ( bacon scor*+    
fill$ 8 v s\l ) ! loa?+ ( food4  ,!     
sight ( ,joe calmly fill+ 8 pipe r\s$   
,casey to ! fight+ mood--) no p[] to    
fight4  ,he 0 a sick man2 & to rema9    
alive 0 agony4  ,! squalid disord] & !  
/ale aroma ( a drunk5 orgy /ill p]vad$ !

 dug\t & made x a nightm>e hole to      
,casey4  ,hank came titt]+ to ! bunk &  
(f]$ him a cup ( c(fee1 muddy f too long
 boil+1 & ,joe gr9n$ ov] 8 pipe at !    
colorful language ) :i* ,casey refus$ ! 
(f]+4  ,bett] take a brace uh hoot*1    
,joe sugge/$ ) no m ?an 8 normal ill    
nature4  ,i got "s ov] at ! /ill we made
 a:ile back t1 a9't q s kicky4  ,be5    
ag9' x 9 wood an' *>coal4 ,t tones 'er  
d[n4  ,i'll g git yuh "s aft] we eat4   
,k9da want a brace1 myself4  ,t new     
hoot* %ore is a kick9' fool4  ,paw      
accept$ ?is rem>k1 z high praise1 & let 
?ree hot cakes burn until _! edges curl$
 :ile he bragg$ ( 8 skill z a mak] (    
moon%9e4  ,paw himself 0 r$-ey$ &       
loose-lipp$ f ye/]day's debau*4  ,hank's
 :ole face1 especially 9 ! region ( 8   
eyes1 0 puff$ unbecom+ly4  ,casey1      
squ9t+ an angry eye at ,hank & ! cup (  
c(fee1 sp>$ a ?\ght f 8 own mis]y to    
ackn[l$ge surprise t any?+ on e>? c\ld  
make ,hank m unpleasant to look ^u4 ,joe
 _h a sickly pallor to prove ! pot5cy ( 

! brew4  ,= su* is ! way ( moon%9e :5   
fusel oil ab\nds1 z x does inv>iably 9  
new :isky di/ill$ by furtive amateurs   
work+ 9 secret & ) nei!r ! facilities   
nor ! k = its sci5tific manufacture4    
,!re is grim significance 9 ! s>donic   
humor ( ! man :o fir/ nam$ x ,:ite      
,mule4  ,! kick is c]ta9 & t]rific2     
frequ5tly x is fatal z well4  ,! wor/ ( 
x is1 y nev] "k :at ! effect w be until 
y h drunk ! /uff2 & aft] y h drunk x1 y 
are 9 no condition to resi/ ! effect or 
to refra9 f c\rt+ fur!r disa/]4  ,t is  
:at happ5$ to ,casey4  ,! poison 9 !    
fir/ half-p9t1 swall[$ "u ! eye ( ,joe's
 six-%oot]1 upset 8 judgm5t4 ,! poison 9
 8 fur!r potations made a :olly diff]5t 
man ( ,casey ,ryan2 & ! aft] effect 0 s 
t]rific t he w\ld h swall[$ cyanide if x
 promis$ relief4  ,he gritt$ 8 tee? &   
suff]$ tortures until ,joe return$ &    
gave him a dr9k ( :isky 9 a *ipp$       
granite cup4  ,almo/ imm$iately he felt 
bett]4  ,! p\nd+ agony 9 8 head eas$    
p]ceptibly & 8 n]ves ceas$ to quiv]4    

,aft] a :ile he sat up1 gaz$ long+ly at 
! wat] bucket & crawl$ d[n f ! bunk4 ,he
 drank l>gely 9 great gulps4  ,8        
blood%ot eyes /ray$ m$itatively to !    
c(fee pot4  ,aft] an undecid$ mom5t he  
walk$ unc]ta9ly to ! /ove & p\r$ himself
 a cup ( c(fee4  ,casey lift$ ! cup to  
dr9k1 b ! smell ( x "u 8 nose sick5$    
him4  ,he weav$ unc]ta9ly to ! door1    
op5$ x & ?rew out ! c(fee--cup & all4   
,:i* 0 nature fly+ a /orm flag1 _h any  
"o ) a cle> head be5 !re to obs]ve !    
action & ! look on ,casey's face4       
,gimme ano!r %ot uh t damn' hoot*1 he   
gr[l$4  ,joe pu%$ ! bottle t[>d ,casey1 
eye+ him curi\sly4  ,t /uff !y run      
ye/]day %ore is kicky1 ,joe rum9at$     
sympa!tically4  ,pap's pr\d z pups ov]  
x4  ,he ?9ks x's ! real article--b ,i   
dunno4  ,%ore laid yuh out1 ,casey1 an' 
yuh nev] got mu*1 nei!r4  ,n en\gh t'   
lay yuh out ! way x did4 ,y' look sick4 
,i ,,am sick6  ,casey sn>l$1 & p\r$     
himself a dr9k m g5]\s ?an 0 wise4  ,:5 
,casey ,ryan says he's sick1 y c put x  

d[n he's ,,sick6  ,he don't want nobody 
tell9' 'im :e!r 'e's sick 'r n4--he     
,,kn[s 'e's sick6  ,he drank1 & swore t 
x 0 rott5 /uff n fit = a hawg 7:i* 0    
absolute tru?74  ,!n he /agg]$ to !     
/ove1 pick$ up ! c(fee pot1 c>ri$ x to !
 door & flung x savagely outside because
 ! odor (f5d$ him4  ,m>t got back la/   
night1 ,joe ann\nc$ casually4 ,y 0 dead 
t' ! _w4  ,b we told 'im y 0 all "r1 an'
 ,i guess he aims t' give yuh /eady "w  
an' a cut-9 on ! deal4  ,we be5 clean9' 
up purty good money--b ,m>t says ! m>ket
 a9't :at x 02 too _m gone into !       
bus9ess4  ,y're a good cook an' a good  
m9] an' a purty good fell] all          
ar\nd--only ! boss says y'll h t' cut   
out ! booze4  ',j y tell 'im y ,,made me
 dr9k x8  ,casey halt$ 9 ! middle ( !   
floor1 fac+ ,joe indignantly4  ,i told  
'im ,i put x up t' yuh /raight--:at y\r 
bus9ess is1 an' all4  ,y got no call t' 
kick--didn't ,i g swipe ?is bottle uh   
booze = yuh t' sob] up on1 soon z !     
boss's back 0 turn$8 ,i kn[$ yuh ne$$ x2

 t's :y4  ,we all ne$$ x4 ,i'm j tell9' 
yuh ! boss don't approve ( no           
celebrations l we _h ye/'day4  ,i got up
 e>ly an' haul$ t burro outa sight '=e  
he se5 x4  ,t's h[ mu* a fri5d ,i be1   
an' x w\ldn't hurt yuh none to %[ a     
little gratitude6  ,gratitude1 hell6  ,a
 lot ,i got 9 life t' be grateful =6    
,casey slump$ d[n on ! ne>e/ b5*1 laid 8
 injur$ h& c>efully on ! table & lean$ 8
 a*+ head on ! o!r :ile he disc\rs$     
bitt]ly on ! subject ( 8 wrongs4  ,8    
muddl$ memory fumbl$ back to 8 grievance
 aga9/ traffic cops1 di/ort+ & magnify+ 
! inju/ice he _h receiv$ at _! h&s4 ,he 
_h once _h a home1 a wife & a =tune1 he 
decl>$1 & :at _h happ5$8  ,laws & cops  
_h driv5 him out1 _h robb$ him ( 8 home 
& 8 family & s5t him out 9 ! hills l a  
damn$ kiotey1 hop9' he'd />ve to dea?4  
,& :]e1 he ask$ defiantly1 0 ! gratitude
 9 t8  ,he told ,joe rambl+ly b m or    
less tru?fully h[ he _h be5 betray$ &   
des]t$ by a man he _h befri5d$2 "o      
,b>ney ,oakes1 ^u :om ,casey w\ld l to  

lay 8 h&s = a m9ute4  ,:at ,i done to ! 
burro a9't no?9' t' :at ,i'd d t' t h\nd
 uh hell6 he decl>$1 p\nd+ ! table ) 8  
good fi/4  ,homeless1 fri5dless2 b ,joe 
0 8 fri5d1 & ,paw & ,hank 7 8 fri5ds--& 
besides !m !re 0 9 all ! _w n "o fri5d (
 ,casey ,ryan's4  ,!y 7 good fri5ds &   
good fell[s1 ev5 if !y did put too mu*  
hoot 9 _! hoot*4 ,casey ,ryan lik$ 8    
hoot* ) a hoot 9 x4  ,he 0 /ill hoot+   
7some:at incoh]5tly x is true1 ) rec\rse
 n[ & !n to ! bottle because he 0 sick &
 he didn't give a d>n :o knew x7 :5 !   
door op5$ & he :om !y call$ ,m>t walk$  
94  ,joe introduc$ him to ,casey1 :o sat
 /ill ^u ! b5* & look$ him ov] ) drunk5 
disp>agem5t4  ,casey _h a hazy          
recollection ( want+ to see ! boss & h x
 out ) him1 b he c\ld n recall :at x 0 t
 he _h be5 s anxi\s to qu>rel ab\t4     
,m>t 0 a sl5d] man ( middle height1 )   
?91 intellig5t face & a look across !   
eyes l ! old woman :o rock$ 9 ! /one    
hut4  ,he glanc$ f ! bottle to ,casey1  
eye+ him %>ply4  ,drunk or sob]1 ,casey 

0 n ! man to be />$ d[n2 nev]!less 8    
f+]s /ray$ involunt>ily to 8 %irt coll> 
& pull$ fussily at ! wr9kles4  ,s y're !
 man !y've be5 hold+ "h = my inspection1
 ,m>t said coolly1 ) a fa9t smile at    
,casey's evid5t discom=t4 ,y're /ill    
hitt+ x up1 ,i see4 ,joe1 take t bottle 
away f him4  ,:5 he's sob] en\gh to talk
 /raight1 ,i'll give him ! ?ird degree &
 see :at he really is1 anyway4 ,guess   
he's all "r--b he sure c lap up ! booze4
  ,t's a po9t aga9/ him4  ,casey's h&   
w5t to ! bottle1 beat+ ,joe's by ?ree   
in*es4 ,he did n p>ticul>ly want !      
:isky1 b x ang]$ him to he> ,m>t ord] x 
tak5 f him4  ,away back 9 8 m9d :]e     
reason _h gone into hid+1 ,casey knew t 
"s great inju/ice 0 be+ done him2 t he1 
,casey ,ryan1 0 n ! man !y 7 calmly tak+
 x = grant$ t he 04  ,) ! bottle 9 8 h& 
he rose & walk$ un/eadily to 8 bunk4 ,he
 did n l ?is man !y call$ ! boss4  ,he  
rememb]$ t 9 8 bunk1 "u ! b$d+1 he _h   
conceal$ some?+ t w\ld make him ! equal 
( !m all4  ,he fumbl$ "u ! blankets1    

f\nd :at he s\ght & ) 8 back turn$ to ! 
o!rs he slipp$ ! ?+ into 8 sl+ out (    
sight4  ,m>t & ,joe 7 talk+ toge!r by ! 
table1 pay+ no att5tion to ,casey1 :o 0 
groggily mak+ up 8 m9d to crawl into 8  
bunk & take ano!r sleep4  ,he /ill meant
 to h x out ) ,m>t1 b he did n feel l   
tackl+ ! job j n[4  ,m>t turn$ to ! door
 & ,joe got up to foll[ him1 ) a c>eless
 glance ov] 8 %\ld] at ,casey1 :o 0     
lift+ a foot z if x weigh$ a great deal1
 & 0 grop+ ) x 9 ! air try+ to locate ! 
edge ( ! l[] bunk4  ,joe laugh$1 b !    
laugh di$ 9 8 ?roat1 *ok$ (f sudd5ly by 
:at he saw :5 ,m>t pull$ op5 ! door4    
,casey turn$ suspici\sly at ! laugh & ! 
s\nd ( ! door op5+4  ,he swung r\nd &   
/eadi$ himself ) 8 back aga9/ ! bunk :5 
he saw ,m>t & ,joe lift _! h&s & hold !m
 !re1 palms outw>d1 a bit high] ?an _!  
heads4 ,some?+ 9 ! sight enrag$ ,casey  
unreason+ly4  ,a flick ( ! memory may h 
c>ri$ him back to ! old days 9 ! m9+    
camps :5 ,casey drove /age & hold-ups 7 
frequ5t4  ,:at 'r yuh try9' to pull on  

me n[8 he bawl$1 & ru%$ headlong t[>d   
!m1 pu%+ !m =cibly out into ! op5 ) a   
collision ( 8 body aga9/ ,joe4          
,outside1 a voice h>%ly comm&$ him to   
?r[ up 8 h&s--& x 0 !n t ,casey ,ryan's 
,iri% fight+ blood boil$ & bubbl$ ov]4  
,unconsci\sly he pu%$ 8 hat =w>d ov] "o 
eye1 drew back 8 lips 9 a fight+ gr91   
/epp$ d[n (f ! l[ doorsill ) a lur* t   
ne>ly s5t him sprawl+ & w5t weav+       
bellig]5tly t[>d a gr\p ( five m5 ^:    
attitude 0 any?+ b conciliatory4  ,casey
 ,ryan6  ,i'm dogg$ if x a9't ,casey6   
exclaim$ a famili> voice 9 ! gr\p1 :]eat
 ! o!rs look$ a/oni%$4 ,?r\gh 8 slits ( 
swoll5 lids ,casey gl>$ t[>d ! voice &  
recogniz$ ,b>ney ,oakes1 gr9n+ at him ) 
:at ,casey consid]$ a ,judas trea*]y4   
,he saw two m5 /ep away f ,joe & ! boss1
 leav+ !m 9 h&cuffs4  ,take !m irons    
(f'n my fri5ds6 bell[$ ,casey z he *>g$4
 ,:adda yuh ?9k y're do9'1 anyway8      
,take 'em (f6  ,x's ,casey ,ryan t's    
tell9' yuh1 an' yuh bett] he$ :at he    
says1 be=e y're tore f limb to limb6    

,b-b1 ,casey6  ,?is 'ere's a %urf's     
possy6  ,! voice ( ,b>ney rose 9 a      
prote/+ 'squawk4  ,i brung 'em all ! way
 ov] "h to y\r rescue6  ,!y brung a     
cor'n] to view y\r rema9s6  ,don't y "k 
y\r p>dn]1 ,,b>ney ,,oakes8  ,ah-h--,i  
"k yuh ?9k ,i don't8  ,i "k yuh to a    
f>e-yuh-well6 ,brung a cor'n]1 did yuh8 
,?a's all "r--go9' t' ne$ a cor'n]-b he 
won't set on ,casey ,ryan's rema9s--y   
c'n ask anybody if any cor'n]s ev] set  
on ,casey ,ryan yit6  ,naw4 ,casey sn>l$
 z contemptu\sly z 0 possible to a man 9
 8 condition4 ,no cor'n] ev] set on     
,casey ,ryan1 an' he a9't go9' to6  ,!  
m5 glanc$ que/ion+ly at "o ano!r4  ,"o  
laugh$4 ,he 0 a l>ge1 smoo?-j[l$ man    
incl9$ to portl9ess1 & 8 laugh vibrat$ 8
 entire front contagi\sly s t ! o!rs    
gr9n$ & took x = grant$ t ,casey ,ryan 0
 a com$y elem5t introduc$ unexpect$ly   
:]e !y _h ?\ght to f9d him a trag$y4    
,no1 y're a pretty lively man = me to   
sit on2 ,i admit x1 ! portly man rem>k$4
  ,i'm !  coron]1 & x looks z if ,i     

w\ldn't sit1 ?is trip4  ,casey ey$ him  
ble>ily1 n 9 ! lea/ mollifi$ b in/ead   
sw++ to a c]ta9 degree ( lucidity t 0   
nev]!less gov]n$ l>gely by ! hoot he _h 
swall[$ 9 ! hoot*4  ,!re's "p ( a burro 
'r\nd "h "s'er's y c'n set on1 ,casey   
in=m$ him grimly1 & fumbl$ 9 8 coat     
pocket = 8 pipe4  ,he drew x out empty1 
look$ at x & return$ x to 8 pocket4  ,"o
 :o knew ,casey intimately w\ld h       
detect$ a hidd5 purpose 9 8 mann]4  ,!  
w>n+ 0 fa9t1 indef9able at be/1 &       
difficult to picture 9 words4  ,"o might
 say t an intimate acqua9tance w\ld h   
detect$ a false note 9 ,casey's         
defiance4 ,8 mann] 0 re/ra9$ j :5       
viol5ce w\ld h be5 m natural4  ,damn a  
pipe1 ,casey grumbl$ ) drunk5 petulance4
  ,anybody got a cig>ette8  ,i'm        
s+le-h&$ an' ,i a9't able t' roll 'em4  
,x 0 ! coron] himself :o h&$ ,casey a   
tailor-made4 ,casey nodd$ glumly1       
accept$ a mat* & light$ ! cig>ette almo/
 z if he 7 sob]4  ,he look$ ! gr\p ov]  
noncommittally1 ey$ aga9 ! h&cuffs on   

,m>t & ,joe1 s5t a veil$ glance t[>d    
,b>ney ,oakes & turn$ away4  ,he /ill   
held ! c5t] ( ! /age4  ,fully expect+ to
 f9d him dead1 ! %]iff & 8 m5 7 sl[ to  
adju/ !mselves to ! fact t he 0 v mu*   
alive & v drunk & app>5tly n greatly    
int]e/$ 9 8 rescue4  ,casey halt$ 9 8   
un/eady progress t[>d ! dug\t4  ,! %]iff
 0 already que/ion+ 8 two prison]s ab\t 
o!r memb]s ( ! gang2 b he look$ up :5   
,casey lift$ up 8 voice & spoke 8 m9d ( 
! mom5t4  ,brung a cor'n]1 did yuh1     
look9' = "s "o to set on6 ,b>ney ,oakes 
is ! man t'll ne$ a cor'n] 9 a m9ute4   
,y're all go9' to ne$ 'im4  ,casey ,ryan
 nev] /ood ar\nd yit :il/ 8 fri5ds 0    
hobbl$ up by a %urf--turn 'em loose an' 
turn 'em loose quick6  ,an' git back    
away f ,b>ney ,oakes s he won't drop on 
yuh 9 *unks--,i'll fix 'im = yuh to set 
on6  ,8 h& _h gone up to 8 cig>ette1 b  
only ,joe knew :at 0 likely to foll[4   
,joe gave a yell ( w>n+1 duck$ & ran    
/raight away f ! gr\p4  ,! %]iff yell$  
also & gave *ase4  ,! gr\p 0            

brok5--luckily--j z ,casey heav$ some?+ 
9 t direction4  ,i bl[$ up a jackass    
ye/]day :5 !y ?\ght ,i c\ldn't--,i'll   
bl[ up a bun* ( 'em to-day6  ,yuh c'n   
set on :at's left uh ,b>ney ,oakes6  ,! 
explosion scatt]$ dirt & small /ones--& 
! %]iff's posse4 ,casey s5t "o malevol5t
 glance ov] 8 %\ld] z he /umbl$ into !  
dug\t4  ,miss$ 'im6 he grumbl$ disgu/$ly
 to himself :5 he saw no fragm5ts (     
,b>ney fall+4  ,8 f]oci\sness1 l !      
dynamite1 annihilat$ itself ) !         
explosion4  ,miss$ 'im6 ,casey ,ryan's  
gitt9' old2 old an' sick an' a damn'    
fool4  ,miss$ 'im ) ! la/               
%ot--drunk--drunk an' don't give a d>n6 
,he slamm$ ! door %ut beh9d him1 pu%$ 8 
hat =w>d s viol5tly t x re/$ on ! bridge
 ( 8 nose1 & wabbl$ ov] to 8 bunk4  ,?is
 "t 8 foot f\nd ! edge ( ! l[] bunk1 &  
he scrat*$ & claw$ 8 way up & roll$ 9 ^u
 ! blankets4  ,he 0 asleep & snor+ :5 ! 
%]iff1 edg+ 8 way 9 z if he 7 an animal 
tra9]'s appr5tice ent]+ ! lion's cage1  
sneak$ on 8 toes to ! bunk & slipp$ !   

h&cuffs on ,casey4    ,,*apt] ,,sev5    
,casey awoke almo/ sob] & consid]ably   
surpris$ :5 he discov]$ ! h&cuffs4  ,8  
injur$ h& 0 ?robb+ f ! poison 9 8 sy/em 
& ! /eel b& on 8 swoll5 wri/4 ,8 head   
/ill a*$ frightfully & 8 tongue felt    
?ick & dry z flannel 9 8 m\?4  ,he roll$
 ov] & sat up1 />+ uncompreh5d+ly at !  
cab9 full ( m54  ,! sight ( ,b>ney      
,oakes recall$ 9 a measure 8 p]=mance ) 
! dynamite2 at lea/1 he felt a ke5      
disappo9tm5t t ,b>ney 0 alive & :ole &  
gr9n+4 ,casey c\ld n see :at !re 0 to   
gr9 ab\t1 & he took x z a direct insult 
to himself4  ,m>t & ,joe sat sull5ly on 
a b5* aga9/ ! wall1 & ,paw recl9$ 9 8   
bunk at ! f>!r end ( ! room4  ,a        
blood-/a9$ b&age wrapp$ ,paw's head     
turbanwise1 & 8 little1 deep-set eyes   
gleam$ wick$ly 9 8 pallid face4  ,casey 
look$ = ,hank1 b he 0 n !re4  ,a /range 
man 0 cook+ supp]1 & ,casey want$ to    
tell him t he 0 slic+ ! bacon twice z   
?ick z x %\ld be4 ,! corpul5t man1 :om  
he dimly rememb]$ z a coron]1 0 talk+ ) 

a big1 burly individual :om ,casey      
guess$ 0 ! %]iff4  ,a man came 9 &      
ann\nc$ to ! big man t ! c> 0 fix$ & !y 
c\ld g any "t4  ,m>t1 :o _h be5 />+     
morosely d[n at 8 %ackl$ wri/s1 lift$ 8 
head & spoke to ! %]iff4  ,y'll h to d  
some?+ ab\t my "m1 he said1 & bit 8 lip 
at ! mann] 9 :i* e head swung 8 way4    
,:at ab\t y\r "m8 ! %]iff ask$ mov+ t[>d
 him4 ,is %e "h8  ,8 eyes s5t a quick   
glance ar\nd ! room :i* obvi\sly _h f\r 
outside walls4  ,m>t swall[$4  ,%e has a
 cab9 to h]self1 he expla9$ con/ra9$ly4 
,%e--%e isn't q "r4  ,/rang]s excite h]4
 ,%e--hasn't be5 well s9ce my fa!r 0    
kill$ 9 ! m9e2 %e's quiet en\gh ) u--%e 
kn[s u4  ,i don't "k h[ %e'll be n[4    
,i'm afraid--b %e c't be left "h alone2 
all ,i ask is1 be z g5tle z y c4  ,!    
%]iff look$ f him to ,joe4  ,joe nodd$  
confirmation4 ,plumb h>mless1 he said   
gruffly4  ,x ,,is k9da--pitiful4 ,?9ks  
ev]ybody 9 ! _w is damn$ & go+ to hell  
on a long lope4  ,he gave a snort t     
resembl$ nei!r mir? nor disgu/4  ,mebbe 

%e's "r at t1 he add$ grimly4  ,! %]iff 
ask$ m que/ions1 & ,m>t /ood up4  ,i'll 
%[ y :]e %e is1 sure4  ,b c't y leave h]
 be till we're ready to />t8  ,%e--x    
a9't "r to br+ h] "h4  ,%e'll want h]   
supp]1 ! %]iff rem9d$ ,m>t4 ,we'll be   
driv+ all night4 ,is %e sick ab$8       
,casey lay d[n aga9 & turn$ 8 face to ! 
wall4  ,he rememb]$ ! old woman n[1 & he
 hop$ s9c]ely !y w\ld n br+ h] into !   
cab94  ,b :atev] !y did1 ,casey want$ no
 "p 9 x :atev]4 ,he want$ to be left    
alone1 & he want$ to ?9k4 ,m ?an all    
else he want$ n to see aga9 ! old woman 
:o *ant$ horrible ?+s :ile %e rock$ &   
rock$4  ,he 0 r\s$ f uneasy slumb] by   
two (fici\s s\ls1 "o ( :om 0 ,b>ney     
,oakes4  ,_! int5tions 7 k9dly en\gh1 !y
 only want$ to give him 8 supp]4  ,b    
,casey want$ nei!r supp] nor k9dly      
int5tions1 & he 0 /ill unreg5]ately     
regretful t ,b>ney ,oakes 0 n ly+ out on
 ! g>bage heap 9 a m or less fragm5t>y  
condition4  ,!y rais$ him to a sitt+    
po/ure1 & ,casey swung 8 legs ov] ! edge

 ( ! bunk & deliv]$ a f]oci\s kick at   
,b>ney ,oakes4  ,he caught ,b>ney "u !  
*91 & ,b>ney w5t d[n = sev]al c\nts4    
,aft] t ,casey wore hobbles on 8 feet1 &
 0 secretly r pr\d ( ! fact t !y        
consid]$ him s dang]\s z all t4  ,_h 8  
mood n be5 a sulky "o :i* refus$ to h   
spee* ) any "o !re1 !y w\ld probably h  
f\nd x wise to gag him z well4  ,t is "o
 night 9 ,casey's turbul5t life :i* he  
nev] recall$ if he c\ld help x4  ,two   
c>s _h br\ght ! %]iff's p>ty1 & "o 0 a  
sev5-pass5g]4  ,9 ! roomy re> seat ( ?is
 c>1 ,casey1 %ackl$ & savage1 0 made to 
ride ) ,m>t & 8 "m4 ,two deputies       
occupi$ ! fold+ seats & nev] relax$ _!  
wat*fulness4  ,casey's head /ill a*$    
splitt+ly1 & ! jolt+ ( ! c> did n s]ve  
to ease ! pa94  ,! old woman sat 9 !    
middle1 ) a blanket w\nd r\nd & r\nd h] 
to hold h] quiet2 :i* x fail$ to d4     
,into ,casey's e> roll$ ! full volume ( 
h] ri* contralto voice z %e monoton\sly 
inton$ ! doom ( all mank9d--toge!r ) e  
cat1 e rat1 etc4 ,m>t's fe> _h prov$    

well-f\nd$4 ,/rang]s _h excit$ ! woman &
 x 0 n until %e] exhau/ion sil5c$ h] t  
%e ceas$ = "o mom5t h] horrible *ant4   
,i read ! /ory 9 ! morn+ pap]1 & made a 
fly+ trip to ,san ,b]n>d9o4  ,casey 0 9 
jail1 naturally2 b he didn't c>e mu*    
ab\t t s long z he own$ a head ) an     
air-drill go+ inside4 ,at lea/1 t is :at
 he told me :5 ,i 0 let 9 to see him4   
,i 0 work+ to get him out ( !re on bail 
if possible be=e ,i s5t ^w to ! ,little 
,woman1 hop+ %e _h n read ! pap]s4  ,i  
_h "s tr\ble piec+ ! facts toge!r & try+
 to get ! /raight ( ?+s be=e ,i s5t ^w  
to ! ,little ,woman4 ,i w5t out & got   
him "s m$ic9e gu>ante$1 by ! doctor :o  
wrote ! prescription1 to take ! hoot out
 ( ! hoot* ,casey _h swall[$4  ,t       
aft]noon ,casey left (f gl>+ at me1 sat 
up1 accept$ a cig>ette & cons5t$ to     
talk4  --an' all ,i got to say is1      
,b>ney ,oakes is a li> an' ! fa!r uh    
li>s4  ,i nev] 0 9 cahoots ) him at no  
"t4  ,:5 he says ,i got 'im to foll] a  
,jo%uay palm je/ to git 'im out 9 !     

hills an' kill 'im (f1 he lies4  ,let   
'im come an' tell me t !re /ory6  ,casey
 0 /ill slightly abnormal1 ,i notic$1 s 
,i calm$ him z be/ ,i c\ld & left him   
alone = a "t4  ,!re 0 "s hesitancy ab\t 
! bail1 too1 :i* ,i wi%$ to ov]come4    
,?r[+ t half-/ick ( dynamite might be   
con/ru$ z an attempt at :olesale murd]4 
,i did n want ! c\nty (ficials to ?9k   
too long & h>%ly ab\t ! matt]4  ,i      
expla9$ lat] to ,casey t ,b>ney ,oakes  
_h report$ 8 disappe>ance to ! (ficials 
9 ,b>/[4  ,! %]iff's (fice _h long      
suspect$ a ne/ ( moon%9]s some:]e ne>   
,black ,butte1 & x 0 rumor$ t "o ,m>t   
,hanson1 :o own$ a m9e up !re1 0 bank+ m
 money ?an 0 reasonable1 ^! h>d times1 =
 a m9]1 :o %ips no ore4  ,casey's       
disappe>ance _h cry/alliz$ ! suspicions 
into an imm$iate inve/igation4  ,&      
,b>ney's ass]tion t ,casey _h be5 murd]$
 took ! coron] along ) ! posse4  ,x _h  
all be5 /raight & fairly simple until !y
 rea*$ ! m9e & discov]$ ,casey          
upro>i\sly "o ( ! gang4  ,?r[+ load$    

dynamite at %]iffs is fr[n$ ^u n[adays 9
 ! be/ (ficial circles1 ,i told ,casey2 
he w\ld h to expla9 t 9 c\rt1 ,i 0      
afraid4  ,!n ,b>ney1 aft] ,casey _h     
kick$ him 9 ! *91 _h rev]s$ 8 fir/      
report ( ! tr\ble & 0 n[ declaim+ to all
 :o w\ld li/5 t he _h be5 decoy$ to     
,black ,butte by ,casey ,ryan & !re     
ambu%$ & ne>ly kill$4  ,casey1 z ,b>ney 
n[ int]pret$ ! incid5t1 _h jo9$ 8       
conf$]ates "u ! v ?9 pret5se ( climb+ ! 
butte to come at !m f beh9d4 ,b>ney n[  
rememb]$ t he _h be5 %ot at f ?ree      
diff]5t angles1 & t ! burros _h be5     
kill$ by pi/ol %ots fir$ at close       
range--presumably by ,casey ,ryan4  ,x 0
 l tam+ tig]s to make ,casey sit /ill & 
li/5 to all ?is1 b ,i _h to d x s t he  
w\ld "k :at to disprove4 ,aft]w>ds ,i _h
 a talk ) ,joe & ,paw1 sep>ately1 & s   
got at ! :ole tru?4  ,!y bore no malice 
t[>d ,casey & 7 p]fectly will+ to see   
him out ( ! scrape4  ,!y 7 a sob]$ pair2
 ,hank1 l a fool1 _h fir$ at ! posse & 0
 kill$4  ,! next day came ! ,little     

,woman to ! rescue4  ,i told h] ! :ole  
/ory1 n ev5 omitt+ ! burro1 be=e %e w5t 
to ! jail to see ,casey4  ,x 0 a pretty 
mess--take x all ar\nd--& ,i 0 secretly 
some:at d\btful ( ! outcome4  ,! ,little
 ,woman is game z wom5 are made4  ,%e   
w5t ) me to ! jail1 & %e met ,casey ) a 
:imsical smile4  ,we f\nd him sitt+ on !
 side ( 8 bunk ) 8 legs /ret*$ out & 8  
feet cross$1 8 good h& ?ru/ 9 8 tr\s]s  
pocket & a cig>ette 9 "o corn] ( 8 m\?1 
:i* turn$ s\rly d[nw>d4 ,he cock$ an eye
 up at u & rose1 z ! ,little ,woman _h  
maybe taught him 0 prop]4 ,b he did n   
say a ^w until ! ,little ,woman walk$ up
 & kiss$ him on bo? *eeks1 turn+ 8 face 
?is way & t ) h] h& "u 8 *94  ,casey    
gr9n$ %eepi%ly !n & hugg$ h] ) 8 good   
arm4 ,i wi% y c\ld h se5 ! look 9 8 eyes
 :5 !y dwelt on ! ,little ,woman6       
,casey ,ryan1 y ne$ a %ave4  ,& y\r %irt
 coll> is a disgrace to a ,piute1 %e    
drawl$ reprov+ly4  ,casey look$ at me   
ov] h] %\ld] & gr9n$4  ,he hadn't a ^w  
to say = himself1 :i* 0 unusual 9 ,casey

 ,ryan4  ,x's lucky = y1 ,casey ,ryan1 t
 ,i rememb]$ to g d[n to ! police /ation
 & get ! pro( t y 7 p9*$ twice on       
,broadway j five days be=e ,b>ney ,oakes
 says he f\nd y /all$ 9 ! trail nor? (  
,b>/[2 & t y _h be5 p9*$ pretty regul>ly
 e :ip-/it* = ! la/ six mon?s1 & 7 a    
famili> & unwelcome figure 9 d[nt[n     
traffic & else:]e4  ,! %]iff :o raid$   
,black ,butte admitt$ to me t x is      
utt]ly impossible = ! _w to hold m ?an  
"o ,casey ,ryan at a "t2 & t he1 = "o1  
is will+ to accept ! ^w ( ! city police 
t y 7 !re rais+ ! record = traffic      
tr\ble & n moon%9+ at ,black ,butte4    
,he doesn't approve ( ?r[+ dynamite at  
p1 b--well1 ,i talk$ ) ! prosecut+      
attorney1 too1 & !y bo? seem to be      
mighty nice m5 & reasonable4  ,i'm      
afraid ,b>ney ,oakes w see 8 beautiful  
/ory all spoil$4  ,he'll =get x :5 he   
feels ! ru9 to 8 face ,i'm go9' t'      
create = him if ,i ev] meet up ) 'im    
aga91 ,casey comm5t$ grimly4  ,babe s5t 
y a p9cu%ion %e made 9 s*ool4  ,i ?9k %e

 made beautiful1 neat /it*es 9 t ,c1 w5t
 on ! ,little ,woman 9 a placid1 gossipy
 tone inv5t$ especially = dome/ic       
conv]sation4 ,&--oh1 yes6  ,!re's a new 
laundryman on our r\te1 & he ,,p]si/s 9 
runn+ across ! lawn & dump+ ! laundry 9 
! front hall1 ?\gh ,i've told him &     
,,told him to deliv] x at ! back4  ,&   
!re's a new t5ant 9 ,numb] ,six1 & !y   
hadn't be5 9 m ?an ?ree days be=e he    
came home drunk & kept ev]ybody 9 ! h\se
 awake1 bell[+ up & d[n ! hall & abus+ 8
 wife & all4  ,i told him held h to g :5
 8 mon? is up1 b he says he'll be damn$ 
if he w4 ,he says he won't & ,i c't make
 him4  ,he won't1 hey8  ,a famili>1 pale
 glitt] came into ,casey's eyes4 ,y wat*
 & see :e!r he goes or n6  ,he bett]    
tell ,casey ,ryan he won't g6  ,:o'd1 !y
 ?9k's runn9' ! place8 ,lemme ket* t    
laundry driv] oncet1 runn9' across our  
lawn2 ,i'll run 'im across x--on 8 nose6
  ,!y take advantage ( y quick z my     
back's turn$4 ,i'll le>n 'em !y got     
,casey ,ryan to reckon )6  ,! ,little   

,woman gave me a smil+ glance ov]       
,casey's %\ld]1 & l[]$ a cauti\s eyelid4
  ,i left !m !n & w5t away to h a       
satisfy+ talk ) ! %]iff & ! prosecut+   
attorney4    ,,*apt] ,,eight  ,9 !      
des]t1 :]e roads are few] & worse ?an !y
 %\ld be1 a man may travel :]ev] he c   
negotiate ! rocks & s&1 & none may say  
him nay4  ,if any man objects1 ! travel]
 is by cu/om privileg$ to :ip ! objector
 if he is big en\gh1 & aft]w>ds g on 8  
way ) ! full approval ( public op9ion4  
,he may blaze a trail ( 8 own1 return t 
way a ye> lat] & f9d 8 trail an e/abli%$
 ?or\ghf>e4  ,9 ! des]t ,casey gave     
trail to none nor ask$ reprisals if he  
suff]$ mo/ 9 a sudd5 meet+4  ,9 ,los    
,angeles ,casey 0 halt$ & rebuk$ on e   
corn]1 s he compla9$2 hamp]$ & annoy$ by
 rules & regulations :i* des]t dwell]s  
nev] dream$ (4  ,s9ce he kept !         
optimi/ic viewpo9t ( a *ild1 exp]i5ce   
seem$ to tea* him little4 ,l ! boy he 0 
at he>t1 he 0 p]fectly will+ to make    
good resolutions--all ( :i* 7 m or less 

!oretical & left to a k9dly ,provid5ce  
to keep intact = him4  ,s "h he 01 aft] 
we _h pri$ him loose f 8 la/ pr$icam5t1 
p]fectly optimi/ic "u 8 fre% haircut1 & 
?9k+ ! traffic cops w\ld n rememb] him4 
,?9k+1 too--z he confid$ to ! ,little   
,woman--t ,los ,angeles look$ pretty    
good1 aft] all4 ,he 0 resolv$ to lead   
h5ce=? a blameless life4 ,x 0 "t he     
settl$ d[n1 ,casey decl>$ virtu\sly4  ,8
 la/ trip into ! des]t 0 all wrong1 & he
 want$ y to ask anybody if ,casey ,ryan 
wasn't ready at any & all times to admit
 8 mi/akes1 if he ev] happ5$ to make    
any4 ,he 0 />t+ 9 fre% n[1 ) a new deal 
all ar\nd f a new deck4  ,he _h got up &
 walk$ ar\nd 8 *air1 he told u1 & _h    
?r[n ! a% ( a left-h&$ cig>ette ov] 8 "r
 %\ld]2 he'd %[ ! _w t ,casey ,ryan c\ld
 & w\ld keep out ( gun%ot ( tr\ble4  ,he
 0 rehe>s+ all ?is & feel+ v            
self-righte\s :ile he drove d[n ,we/    
,wa%+ton ,/reet4  ,true1 he 0 do+       
tw5ty-five :]e he %\ldn't1 b s f> no    
(fic] _h yell$ at him & he hadn't s mu* 

z b>k$ a f5d]4  ,d[n across ,gr& ,av5ue 
he l>rup$1 nev] notic+ ! t]rific b\nce  
:5 he cross$ ! wat] dra9s !re 7be+ /ill 
fre% f des]t roads74  ,he 0 /ill do+    
tw5ty-five :5 he turn$ into ,hill       
,/reet4  ,busy ) 8 good resolutions & ! 
blameless life he 0 ab\t to lead1 ,casey
 =got to signal ! left-h& turn4  ,9 !   
des]t y don't signal1 because ! ne>e/ c>
 is probably =ty or fifty miles beh9d y 
& collisions are n imm95t4              
,we/-,wa%+ton-&-,hill-,/reet cross+ is n
 des]t1 h[ev]4 ,a c> 0 com+ beh9d ,casey
 mu* clos] ?an fifty miles2 "o ( ^?     
scuttl+ ,=d deliv]y trucks4  ,x lock$   
f5d]s ) ,casey :5 he swung to ! left4   
,! two c>s skidd$ z "o t[>d ! "r-h&     
curb2 caught amid%ips a bright yell[1   
torp$o-tail$ runab\t com+ up f ,ma9     
,/reet1 & turn$ x neatly on its back1   
its f\r :eels sp9n+ helplessly 9 !      
quiet1 sunny morn+4  ,casey himself 0   
catapult$ ov] ! runab\t1 l&+ abruptly 9 
a sitt+ position on ! corn] ( ! vacant  
lot beyond1 8 self-righte\sness         

consid]ably j>r$4  ,a new traffic (fic] 
_h be5 detail$ to wat* t int]section &  
tea* a driv+ _w t x mu/ n cut corn]s4   
,a bright1 new traffic button _h be5    
plac$ 9 ! geographical c5t] ( ! cross+2 
& woe be unto ! "r-h& pocket ( any man  
:o fail$ to drive circumspectly ar\nd x4
  ,new traffic (fic]s are apt to be     
ke5ly consci5ti\s 9 _! "w4  ,at         
tw5ty-five doll>s p] cut1 sixte5 unhappy
 driv]s _h be5 taught :]e ! new button 0
 locat$ & _h be5 in=m$ t twelve miles p]
 h\r at t cross+ w\ld be tol]at$1 & t m 
w\ld be exp5sive4  ,n all driv]s take _!
 tea*+ meekly1 & ! new traffic (fic] ne>
 ! end ( 8 %ift _h pessimi/ically decid$
 t ! driv+ _w is compos$ mo/ly ( blam$  
idiots & h>d5$ crim9als4  ,he gritt$ 8  
tee? om9\sly :5 ,casey ,ryan came d[n ^u
 ! cross+ at d\ble ! legal spe$4  ,he   
held 8 brea? = an in/ant dur+ ! cra% t  
res\nd$ = blocks4  ,:5 ! du/ _h settl$1 
he ran ov] & yank$ (f ! d5t$ s& ( !     
vacant lot a daz$ & h>d5$ malefactor :o 
_h committ$ ?ree traffic crimes 9 ?ree  

seconds3 he _h exce$$ ! spe$ limit      
outrage\sly1 cut fifte5 feet inside ! r$
 button1 & fail$ to signal ! turn4  ,y  
damn$1 drunk5 boob6 %\t$ ! new traffic  
cop & %ook ,casey ,ryan 7n kn[+ him74   
,%ak+ ,casey w nev] be safe until he is 
9 8 c(f9 ) a lily 9 8 h&4  ,he 0        
consid]ably jolt$1 b he manag$ a f\r?   
crime 9 ! next five m9utes4  ,he lick$ !
 traffic cop r ?or\ghly--,i suppose     
because 8 onslaught 0 :olly             
unexpect$--kick$ an expo/ulat+ m9i/] 9 !
 pit ( ! /oma*1 & 0 pr(anely volunte]+  
to lick ! :ole d>n$ t[n :5 he 0 f9ally  
ov]:elm$ by numb]s & captur$ alive2 :i* 
speaks well = ! ,l4 ,a4 ,p4  ,:]e=e     
,casey ,ryan cont9u$ 8 ride d[n t[n 9 a 
d>k c> t we>s a clamor+ bell ! size ( a 
breakfa/ plate "u ! driv]'s foot1 & a   
d>k r$ ,l4 ,a4 ,police ,patrol sign     
pa9t$ on ! sides4 ,two uni=m$1 /]n-lipp$
 cops rode ) him & didn't seem to c>e if
 ,casey's nose ,,0 ble$+ all ov] 8 ve/4 
,a uni=m$ cop /ood on ! /eps beh9d1 &   
ano!r rode beside ! driv] & kept 8 eye  

peel$ ov] 8 %\ld]1 ?9k+ he w\ld be      
ju/ifi$ 9 %oot+ if any?+ />t$ inside4   
,boys on bicycles p$al$ furi\sly to keep
 up1 & _m an automobile b>ely escap$ !  
curb because ! driv] 0 goggl+ at !      
muss$-up prison] 9 ! ,black ,m>ia4  ,!  
,little ,woman telegraph$ me at ,san    
,francisco t night4 ,! wire 0 brief b   
disquiet+4 ,x m]ely said1  ,,casey ,,9  
,,jail ,,s]i\s ,,ne$ ,,help4  ,b ,i     
caught ! ,l>k an h\r lat] & ?ank$ ,god x
 0 runn+ on "t4  ,! ,little ,woman & ,i 
sp5t two frantic days gett+ ,casey out (
 jail4  ,! traffic cop's defeat _h be5 r
 public2 & j z soon z he c\ld /& up     
/raight 9 ! pulpit1 ! m9i/] meant to    
prea* a s]ies ( s]mons aga9/ ! laxity ( 
a police =ce t p]mits su* outrages to   
occur 9 broad daylight4  ,m ?an t1 ! ?+ 
0 9 ! pap]s1 & p 7 read+ & giggl+ on !  
/reet c>s & 9 re/aurants4 ,:]e=e1 ! ,l4 
,a4 ,p4 0 on its t9 e>4  ,ev5 s1 mu* may
 be accompli%$ = a man s :olesomely     
human z ,casey ,ryan4  ,on ! ?ird day ! 
*>ge aga9/ him 0 *ang$ f some?+ worse to

  ,reckless driv+ & di/urb+ ! peace4    
,casey 0 p]suad$ to plead guilty to t   
*>ge1 :i* 0 h>d] to accompli% ?an       
mollify+ ! ,l4 ,a4 ,p4  ,he paid two    
fifty-doll> f9es & 0 =bidd5 to drive a  
c> 9 ! ,c\nty ( ,los ,angeles1 ,/ate (  
,cali=nia1 dur+ ! next succe$+ p]iod (  
two ye>s4  ,he 0 fur!r advis$           
7un(ficially b nev]!less ) complete     
s9c]ity7 to pay all damages to ! two c>s
 he _h wreck$ & to ask ! m9i/]'s doctor 
:at 0 8 fee2 a new uni=m = ! traffic cop
 0 also sugge/$1 s9ce ,casey _h ?ru/ 8  
foot viol5tly into ! cop's pocket :i* 0 
n tailor$ to resi/ ! /ra94  ,! judge    
also obs]v$1 9 ! c\rse ( ! conv]sation1 
t des]t air 0 peculi>ly invigorat+ & t  
,casey %\ld n jeop>dize 8 heal? &       
well-be+ by fill+ 8 lungs ) city smoke4 
,i c\ldn't blame ,casey mu* = ! mood he 
0 9 aft] a setback l t to 8 good        
resolutions4  ,i 0 incl9$ to believe )  
,casey t ,provid5ce _h la9 d[n on ! job4
    ,,*apt] ,,n9e  ,at ! corn] ( !      
,plaza :]e traffic is heavie/1 a d+y ,=d

 load$ ) camp outfit /all$ on ! /reet-c>
 track j z ! traffic (fic] spread-eagl$ 
8 arms & turn$ ) maje/ic delib]ation to 
let ! ,ea/-&-,we/ traffic ?r\gh4 ,!     
motorman slid op5 8 w9d[ & %\t$ insults 
at ! driv]1 & ! traffic cop left 8      
little plat=m & /rode heavily t[>d !    
,=d1 pull+ 8 book out ( 8 pocket ) !    
me*anical motion born ( ! grief ( _m    
driv]s4  ,casey ,ryan1 cl++ to ! front  
/ep ( ! /reet c> on 8 way to ! ap>tm5t  
h\se he once m call$ home1 swung (f &   
beat ! traffic (fic] to ! ,=d4  ,he     
/oop$ & gave a heave on ! crank1 obey$ a
 motion ( ! driv]'s head :5 ! c> />t$1 &
 /epp$ ^u ! runn+ bo>d4  ,! traffic     
(fic] paus$1 wav$ 8 book w>n+ly & said  
some?+4  ,! motorman drew 9 8 head1     
clang$ ! bell1 & ! aft]noon traffic     
proce$$ to untangle4  ,get 91 old-tim]1 
invit$ ! driv] :om ,casey _h assi/$4    
,casey did n ask :e!r ! driv] 0 go+ 9 8 
direction1 b got 9 *uckl+ at ! small    
triumph ov] 8 enemies1 ! police4  ,=ds  
are mean cusses1 he obs]v$              

sympa!tically4  ,!y l no?+ bett] ?an to 
get a fell] 9 bad4  ,b !y c't pull no?9'
 on me4  ,i "k 'em to a f>e-y-well4     
,notice h[ ?is "o *ang$ 'er m9d ab\t    
gett9' y tagg$1 soon z ,casey ,ryan took
 'er by ! nose8  ,are y ,casey ,ryan8   
,! driv] took 8 eyes (f ! traffic long  
en\gh to give ,casey an apprais+ look t 
measur$ him m5tally & physically4  ,say1
 ,i've he>d q a lot ab\t y4 ,bill       
,ma/]s1 up at ,lund1 has spoke ( y (t54 
,he kn[s y1 don't he8  ,bill ,ma/]s sure
 _h ought t' "k me1 ,casey gr9n$4 ,9 a  
big1 ro>+1 unfri5dly city1 "h s\nd$ a   
fri5dly1 famili> tone2 a voice /raight f
 ! des]t1 z x 74  ,casey =got :at _h    
happ5$ :5 ,b>ney ,oakes cross$ 8 pa?    
claim+ acqua9tance ) ,bill ,ma/]s1 (    
,lund4  ,he bit (f a *ew ( tobacco1     
hun*$ d[n l[] 9 ! seat1 & prep>$ himself
 = a real conflab ) ! man :o spoke !    
language ( 8 tribe4  ,he =got t he _h j 
b\ght tickets to t ev5+'s p]=mance at ! 
,orpheum1 z a sort ( f>ewell (f]+ to 8  
dome/ic goddess be=e once m go+ into    

volunt>y exile z advis$ by ! judge4     
,pasad5a ,av5ue he>d conv]sational      
fragm5ts su* z1 ,say6  ,d y "k--8  ,0 y 
9 ,lund :5--8  ,casey's new fri5d drove 
z fa/ z ! law p]mitt$4  ,he talk$ ( _m  
places & m5 famili> to ,casey1 :o 0 9 a 
mood t hung]$ = ^? places & m5 9 a      
spiritual revulsion aga9/ ! city & all  
its ways4  ,pasad5a1 ,lam&a ,p>k1       
,monrovia--x 0 n until ! c> sl[$ = !    
,gl5dora spe$-limit sign t ,casey lift$ 
himself (f 8 %\ld] blades1 & awoke to ! 
fact t he 0 "s di/ance f home & t !     
%ad[s 7 gr[+ r long4  ,say6  ,i bett]   
get out "h & 'phone to ! missus1 he     
exclaim$ sudd5ly4  ,pull up at a drug   
/ore or "s place1 w yuh8  ,i got to     
talk9' an' =got ,i 0 on my way home :5  
,i ?r[$ 9 ) yuh4  ,aw1 y c 'phone any   
"t4  ,!re is /reet c>s runn+ back to t[n
 all ! "t ,i or y c cat* a bus any:]e's 
along "h4 ,i got p9*$ once = driv9'     
?r\gh "h )\t a tail-light2 & twice ,i've
 _h bl[\ts "r along "h4  ,?is t[n's a   
j9x = me & ,i want to slip x beh9d me4  

,casey nodd$ appreciatively4  ,e d>n'   
t[n's a j9x = me1 he confid$ res5tfully4
  ,t[ns an' ,casey ,ryan don't agree4   
,t[ns is h>d] on me ?an s\r beans4      
,yeah--,i guess ,l4 ,a4's a j9x = y all 
"r4  ,i he>d ab\t y\r late/ run-9 ) !   
cops4  ,i wi% t' heck y'd ( clean$ up a 
few = me4  ,i love !m saps ! way ,i l   
rat poison4  ,i've got no use = ! cl[ns 
nor = t[ns t actually h&s 'em good jack 
= deal9' mis]y to u guys4  ,! bird nev] 
liv$ t got a squ>e deal f 'em4  ,!y grab
 yuh & du/ yuh (f--  ,!y won't grab     
,casey ,ryan no m4  ,:y1 lemme tell yuh 
:at !y done6  ,gl5dora slipp$ beh9d & 0 
=gott5 :ile ,casey told ! /ory ( 8      
wrongs4  ,9 no p>ticul>1 accord+ to 8   
v]sion1 _h he be5 o!r ?an law-abid+4    
,nobody1 he declaim$ heat$ly1 _h ev]    
tak5 ,,him by ! scruff ( ! neck & %ak5  
him l a pup1 & got away ) x1 & nobody   
ev] w\ld4 ,casey 0 ,iri% & 8 fa!r _h be5
 ,iri%1 & ! ,ryan nev] liv$ t took sass 
& said ?ank-yuh4  ,8 new fri5d li/5$ ) j
 t degree ( sympa?y :i* enc\rages !     

unburd5+ ( ! s\l4  ,:5 ,casey next awoke
 to ! fact t he 0 gett+ f>!r & f>!r away
 f home1 !y 7 away pa/ ,cl>emont & /ill 
go+ to ! full ext5t ( ! spe$ limit4  ,8 
fri5d _h swit*$ on ! lights4  ,i ,,got  
to telephone my wife6 ,casey exclaim$   
uneasily4  ,i'll gamble %e's d[n to !   
police /ation "r n[1 look9' = me4 ,an'  
,i want ! cops t' k9da =git ab\t me4  ,i
 got to talk9' along an' plumb =got ,i  
wasn't head$ home4  ,aw1 y c 'phone f   
,fontana4  ,i'll h to /op !re anyway =  
gas4  ,say1 :y don't yuh /all 'er (f    
till morn+8  ,y c\ldn't get home = supp]
 n[ if yuh w5t by wireless4 ,i guess yuh
 w\ldn't hate a m\?ful ( des]t air aft] 
swall[+ smoke & insults1 l yuh done 9   
,l4 ,a4  ,tell h] y're tak9' a ride to  
,b>/[4  ,y c cat* a tra9 out ( !re & be 
home to breakfa/1 easy4  ,if y a9't got 
! *ange 9 y\r clo!s = c>f>e1 he add$    
g5]\sly1 ,:y1 ,i'll /ake yuh j = y\r    
company on ! trip4  ,:adda yuh say8     
,casey look$ at ! orange & ! grapefruit 
& lemon or*>ds t wall$ ! ,foo?ill       

,b\lev>d4  ,all trees look$ alike to    
,casey1 & ^! rem9d$ him disagreeably ( !
 fruit /alls 9 ,los ,angeles4  ,well1   
mebby ,i might g on to ,b>/[4  ,too late
 n[ to take ! missus to ! %[1 anyway4   
,i guess ,i c dig up ! price uh c>f>e f 
,b>/[ back4  ,he *uckl$ ) a s9ful pride 
9 8 prosp]ity1 :i* 0 /ill new en\gh to  
be novel4  ,yuh don't cat* ,casey ,ryan 
go9' ar\nd no m )\t a dime 9 8 h9d      
pocket4 ,i've felt ! lack ( 'em too _m  
times :5 !y 0 ne$$4 ,casey ,ryan's go+  
to c>ry a j+le l\d]'n a lead burro f n[ 
on4  ,y c ask anybody4  ,y bet x's wise 
= a fell] to g heel$1 ! fri5d ( ,bill   
,ma/]s respond$ easily4  ,y nev] "k :5  
yuh might ne$ x4 ,well1 !re's a ,bell   
sign ov] !re4  ,y c be ask9' y\r wife's 
cons5t :ile ,i gas up4  ,innoc5t        
pleasure2 ! blameless joy ( rid+ 9 a ,=d
 t[>d ! des]t1 ) a pr9ce ( a fell[ =    
company1 0 n s easily made to s\nd      
logical & a p]fectly commonplace incid5t
 ov] a long-di/ance telephone4  ,!      
,little ,woman seem$ /ruck ) a s5se ( ! 

unusual2 h] voice betray$ trepidation & 
%e ask$ que/ions :i* ,casey f\nd x      
difficult to answ]4 ,t he 0 m]ely rid+ z
 f> z ,b>/[ ) a des]t acqua9tance & w\ld
 cat* ! fir/ tra9 back1 %e app>5tly     
fail$ to f9d conv9c+4  ,casey ,ryan1    
tell me ! tru?4  ,if y're 9 a scrape    
aga91 y "k p]fectly well t ,jack & ,i w 
h to come & get y out ( x4 ,san ,b]n>d9o
 s\nds bad to me1 ,casey1 & y're pretty 
close to ! place4  ,d y really want me  
to believe t y're com+ back on ! next   
tra98  ,sure z ,i'm /&9' "h6  ,:at makes
 yuh ?9k ,i'm 9 a scrape8 ,didn't ,i    
tell yuh ,i'm go9' to walk ar\nd tr\ble 
f n[ on8 ,:5 ,casey tells y a ?+ l t1   
yuh got a "r to put x d[n = ! tru?4 ,i'm
 go+ to ,b>/[ = a brea? uh fre% air4    
,?is is a fell] t kn[s ,bill ,ma/]s4    
,i'll be home to breakfa/4 ,i a9't 9 no 
tr\ble an' ,i a9't go9' to be4 ,y c     
believe t or y c set !re call9' ,casey  
,ryan a li> till ,i git back4 ,g'by4    
,:atev] ! ,little ,woman ?\ght ( x1     
,casey really meant to d exactly :at he 

said he w\ld d4  ,& he really did n     
believe t tr\ble 0 )9 a hundr$ miles (  
him4    ,,*apt] ,,t5  ,wanta drive8     
,casey's fri5d 0 roll+ a smoke be=e he  
crank$ up4  ,!y tell me up 9 ,lund t no 
man liv9' ev] got ! *ance to look back &
 see ,casey ,ryan swall[+ du/4  ,i've   
he>d ( "s t's tri$4  ,b ,i reckon1 he   
add$ p5sively1 :ile he rubb$ ! damp edge
 ( ! pap] d[n c>efully ) a yell[$ ?umb1 
,=ds is out ( y\r l9e1 n[4  ,maybe y    
don't toy ) no?9' *eap] ?an a tw9-six4  
,well1 y c ask anybody if ,casey ,ryan's
 ! man to git big-head$6 ,money don't   
spoil ,,me none4  ,!re a9't anybody c'n 
say x does4 ,casey ,ryan is ,casey ,ryan
 :]ev] an' :5ev] yuh meet up ) him4 ,yuh
 might mebby see me next1 haz9' a burro 
ov] a ridge4  ,or yuh might see me ) t5 
p\nds uh fl\r1 a qu>t uh beans an' a    
s\r-d\gh bucket on my back4  ,:i*ev] way
 ! game breaks--y'll be see9' ,casey    
,ryan2 an' y'll see 'im sett9' 9 ! game 
an' ready t' pu% 8 la/ :ite *ip to !    
c5t]4  ,i believe x1 ,casey4  ,d>n$ if  

,i don't4  ,well1 y drive 'er a:ile2    
till yuh get tir$1 anyway4  ,he b5t to !
 crank1 gave a heave & climb$ 91 )      
,casey beh9d ! :eel1 look+ pleas$ to be 
!re & q ready to %[ ! _w he c\ld drive4 
,say1 if ,i drive till ,i'm ,,tir$1 he  
retort$1 ,i'm liable to soak 'er hubs 9 
! ,atlantic ,ocean be=e ,i quit4  ,& !n1
 mebby ,i'll back 'er out an' drive 'er 
to ! end ( ,v5ice ,pi] j = pa/ime4  ,up 
9 ,lund !y're talk9' yet ab\t y\r       
driv9'1 8 new fri5d flatt]$ him4  ,!y   
say !re's no /ops :5 y get ! :eel cuddl$
 up to y\r *e/4  ,no quitt9' an' no     
pass9' yuh by ) a m]ry laugh an' a cl\d 
( alkali du/4  ,i guess x's "r4 ,i've   
be5 want9' to meet yuh4  ,t !re la/     
rem>k s\nds l a traffic cop ,i _h a     
run-9 ) once6  ,casey snort$--m]ely to  
hide 8 gratification4 ,y s\nd good1 j to
 li/5 to1 b y a9't altoge!r believable4 
,!re's m5 9 ,lund t'd give an e> to meet
 me 9 a n>r[ trail ) a hairp9 turn an'  
me on ! outside an' drunk4  ,!y'd l x to
 be ab\t a f\r-?\s&-foot drop1 /raight  

d[n4 ,lund z a t[n a9't s crazy ab\t me 
t !y'd close up :il/ ,i 0 be9' plant$1  
an' /op all traffic = five m9utes4  ,a  
%[ b5efit 0 sprung on ,lund once1 to    
help ,casey ,ryan t 0 suppos$ to be     
crippl$4  ,an' ,i _h to give a good     
,=d--a ,,d>n' good ,=d6--to ! b5efitt]s1
 s is !y c\ld git outa t[n ahead uh !   
h[l9' mob4  ,t's h[ ,i "k ! way ,lund   
loves ,casey ,ryan4 ,yuh c't kid ,,me1  
"y fell]4  ,mean:ile1 ,casey swung nor? 
into ,cajon ,pass2 up t long1 /raight1  
cem5t-pav$ highway to ! hills he %[$ 8  
new fri5d h[ a ,=d c\ld travel :5 ,casey
 ,ryan juggl$ ! :eel4 ,! full moon 0    
pu%+ up into a cl\d bank ov] a high peak
 beyond ! ,pass4 ,! few c>s !y met 7    
gone ) a :i/le ( w9d z ,casey %ot by4   
,he rac$ a pass5g] tra9 f ! mile        
:i/l+-po/ to ! cross+1 made ! turn &    
cross$ ! track ) ! :ite f+] ( !         
headlight ba?+ ! ,=d bl9d+ly4  ,he      
complet$ t ,s turn & beat ! tra9 to !   
next cross+ half a mile f>!r on2 :]e he 
spik$ 'er tail1 z he call$ x1 /opp+ dead

 /ill & wait+ je]+ly = ! tra9 to pass4  
,! eng9e] lean$ f> out ( ! cab w9d[ to  
bell[ 8 op9ion ( su* driv+2 :i* 0       
unfavorable to ! full ext5t ( 8         
vocabul>y4  ,no?9' ! matt] ) a ,=d1 z ,i
 c see1 ,casey obs]v$ c>elessly1 :5 he 0
 "u way aga94  ,y sure are "s driv]1 8  
new fri5d prais$ him1 lett+ g ! edge ( !
 c> & eas+ d[n aga9 into ! seat4 ,give  
yuh a ,=d & all ! gas yuh c burn & ,i   
c't see t y'd ne$ to worry none ab\t any
 ( !m saps t makes x _! bus9ess to      
int]f]e ) travel9'4  ,i'm glad t moon's 
quit ! job4 ,gives ! headlights a %[4   
,hit 'er up n[1 fa/ z yuh l4 ,aft] t    
cross9' back !re ,i a9't expect9' to    
tremble on no curves4  ,i see y're      
qualifi$ to sp9 'er on a plate if ne$   
be4  ,& = a ,=d1 %e sure c travel4      
,casey !re=e let 'er out1 & ! ,=d w5t l 
a sc>$ liz>d up ! w9d+ highway ?r\gh !  
,pass4  ,at ,cajon ,camp he sl[$1 ?9k+  
!y w\ld ne$ to fill ! radiator be=e     
attempt+ to climb ! /eep grade to !     
summit4  ,b ! "y man %ook 8 head & gave 

! highball4  7,:i*1 if y don't already  
"k x1 is ! signal = full spe$ ahead47   
,full spe$ ahead ,casey gave him1 & !y  
ro>$ on up ! /eep1 twi/+ grade to !     
summit ( ! ,pass4  ,casey began to feel 
a di/9ct admiration = ?is p>ticul> ,=d4 
,! c> 0 heavily load$--he c\ld gauge !  
weight by ! feel ( ! c> z he drove yet x
 made ! grade at tw5ty-five miles an h\r
 & rea*$ ! top )\t boil+ ! radiator2 :i*
 is bett] ?an _m a m pret5ti\s c> c\ld  
d4  ,too bad y've made y\r pile already1
 ! "y man broke a long sil5ce4  ,i'd l  
to h a guy l y = my p>dn]4 ,! des]t a9't
 talkative none :5 y're out 9 ! middle (
 x1 & y "k !re a9't ano!r human 9 a     
day's drive4 ,i've be5 go+ x alone4     
,n9e-t5?s ( ^! birds t are eag] to ?r[ 9
 ) yuh ?9ks t fifty-fifty means y d ! "w
 & !y take ! jack4  ,i'm plumb f$ ^u !m 
p>dn]%ips4  ,b if y didn't h y\r jack   
/or$ away--a hull m\nta9 ( x1 ,i        
reckon--,i'd invite yuh to set into !   
game ) me2 ,i sure w\ld4  ,casey spat   
into ! d>k beside ! c>4  ,!y's nev] a   

pile s big a fell] a9't will9' to make x
 bigg]1 he repli$ s5t5ti\sly4 ,f]1 z    
,i'm conc]n$1 ,casey's nev] back$ up f a
 doll> yet4  ,b ,i a9't no wild colt no 
m1 runn9' loose an' nev] a halt] m>k on 
me4  ,i'm be9' broke to h>ness1 & x's   
/able an' corral f n[ on1 an' no m op5  
range f] ,casey4  ,! missus hopes to    
high-s*ool me 9 "t4  ,%e's a good       
h&--g5tle b firm1 z ! prea*] says4 ,& ,i
 guess x's "t f] ,casey ,ryan to quit   
hell9' ar\nd ! c\ntry an' settle d[n an'
 behave himself4  ,i c\ld put y 9 ! way 
( add+ "s easy money to y\r bank roll1 !
 o!r sugge/$ t5tatively4  ,b ,casey %ook
 8 head4  ,tw5ty ye>s ago yuh ne$n't h  
ask$ me twice1 "y fell]4 ,i'd 'a' draw$ 
my *air "r up & /ack$ my *ips a mile    
high4  ,any game t come along1 ,i play$ 
'er d[n to ! la/ *ip4  ,tw5ty ye>s      
ago--yes1 er t56--,casey ,ryan w\lda    
tore t ,l4 ,a4 jail d[n rock by rock an'
 give ! ro( t' ! kids to make a         
playh\se4  ,!m ,l4 ,a4 cops nev] w\lda  
haul$ me t' jail 9 no wagon4 ,i mighta  

load$ 'em 9 beh9d1 & dropp$ 'em (f at ! 
fir/ morgue an' drove on a-:i/l9'4  ,t  
!re w\lda be5 ,casey ,ryan's gait a few 
ye>s back4  ,take me n[1 m>ri$ to a good
 woman an' gett9' gray-- ,casey sigh$1  
gaz+ wi%fully back at ! ,casey ,ryan he 
_h be5 & might nev] be aga94  ,no1 sir1 
,i a9't s d>n$ ri* ,i a9't will9' to add
 a few m iron m5 to ! bun*4  ,b on      
acc\nt ( ! missus ,i've got to k9da pick
 my *ances4  ,i a9't _h money s long b  
:at x feels good to rem9d myself ,i got 
x4  ,i c>ry a ?\s& doll>s or s 9 my     
inside pocket1 j to c\nt ov] n[ an' !n  
to conv9ce myself ,i ne$n't worry ab\t a
 grub/ake4  ,i've got to soak x into my 
bones gradual t ,i c af=d to settle d[n 
& live tame1 l ! missus wants4 ,/&-up   
coll>s e day1 an' /ep into a *9y ba?tub 
e night an' scrub--:5 y a9't do9' no?9' 
to git dirt "u y\r f+] nails ev56       
,funny1 ! way city folks act4  ,! less  
!y d to git dirty1 ! m soap !y we> out4 
,y c ask anybody if t a9't "r4  ,c't *ew
 tobacco 9 ! h\se1 ev51 'cause !re's no 

place yuh da/ to spit4  ,i /uck m' head 
out ( ! b$room w9d[ oncet1 an ,i let fly
 an' x l&$ on a lady2 an' ! missus w5t  
an' b\ght h] a new hat an took my plug  
away f me4  ,i _h to keep my *ew9'      
tobacco 9 ! tool-box ( my c>1 aft] t1   
an' sneak out to ! bea* n[ an' !n an'   
*ew :]e ,i c\ld spit 9 ! ocean4  ,t's   
city life = yuh6  ,:5 ,i git to ?9k9'   
ab\t hitt9' out into ! hills prospect91 
or some?9'1 t roll uh d\gh ,i pack /&s  
"r on its h9d legs an' says ,i got no   
excuse4  ,i've got en\gh to keep me 9   
bacon an' beans1 anyway4  ,an' ! missus 
gits d[n 9 ! m\? :5 ,i s mu* z m5tion   
m99'4  ,a guy gr[s old fa/ :5 he quits !
 game & sets d[n to d ! gr&pa-by-!-fire4
  ,fir/ y "k1 a cl[n t ?9ks x's "t he   
took x easy is gumm9' 'is grub1 & %iv]9'
 :5 yuh op5 ! door1 an' tak9' naps 9 !  
daytime same z babies4 ,let a guy once  
prea* he's gett9' old--  ,casey j]k$ !  
gas lev] & jump$ ! c> ahead vici\sly4   
,well1 n[1 any "t yuh see ,,casey ,,ryan
 gumm9' 'is grub an' ne$9' a nap aft]   

d9n]--  ,a cl[n ,,gits t way once he    
pulls out ( ! game4  ,i've saw x happ5  
"t an' aga94  ,! "y man laugh$ r        
irritat+ly4 ,say1 :5 ,i tell x to ,bill 
,ma/]s t ,casey ,ryan has plumb play$   
out 8 /r+ an' laid d[n an' ,,quit1 by   
hock1 & c be se5 h]eaft] ,,sett9' ,,) ,a
 ,,%awl ,,ov] ,,8 ,,%\ld]s--  ,casey    
ne>ly turn$ ! ,=d ov] at t insult4  ,he 
j]k$ x back into ! road & s5t x ahead   
aga9 at a fa/] pace4  ,well1 n[1 any "t 
yuh see ,,casey ,,ryan sett9' ) a %awl  
ov] 8 %\ld]s--  ,well1 maybe n ,,y2 b ! 
bird sure comes to x t ?9ks he's too old
 to play ! game4  ,:y1 y'll nev] be     
ready to settle d[n6 ,take yuh tw5ty    
ye>s f n[--,i'd r bank on a p>dn] l y'd 
be ?an "s "y cl[n t a9't _h ! exp]i5ce4 
,f ! y>ns ,i've he>d ab\t yuh1 yuh don't
 back d[n f no?+4  ,& y're will+ to give
 a p>dn] a *ance to get away ) 8 hide on
 him4 ,i'd r be held up by ! law ?an by 
"s cl[n t's work9' ) me4  ,he paus$2 &  
:5 he1 spoke aga9 8 tone _h *ang$ to    
meet a prosaic detail ( ! drive4  ,/op  

"h 9 ,victorville1 w yuh1 ,casey8  ,i'll
 take a look at ! radiator & maybe take 
on "s m gas & oil4  ,i've be5 /uck on ! 
des]t a few times ) an empty tank--& t  
le>ns a guy to keep ! top ( 8 gas tank  
full & nev] m9d ! bottom4  ,good idea1  
said ,casey %ortly1 8 own tone relax+   
its t5sion ( a few m9utes be=e4  ,i run 
a g>age ov] at ,patmos once1 an' ! boobs
 ,i se5 creep9' 9 on _! la/ spoonful uh 
gas--walk9' sometimes = miles to c>ry   
gas back to :]e !y 0 /all$--le>nt ,casey
 ,ryan to fill 'er up e *ancet he gits4 
,b al?\gh ! subject ( age _h be5 dropp$ 
half a mile back 9 ! s&1 c]ta9 phrases  
flung at him _h be5 b>b$ & _h bitt5 deep
 into ,casey ,ryan's self-e/eem4  ,!y   
/ung & rankl$ !re4  ,he _h squirm$ at ! 
picture 8 new fri5d _h s ru?lessly drawn
 ) crude words1 b bold1 ( dodd]+ old    
age4 ,casey res5t$ ! implication t he   
might "o day fill t picture4  ,he began 
vaguely to res5t ! ,little ,woman's air 
( ne$+ to protect him f himself4  ,casey
 ,ryan1 he told himself boa/fully1 _h   

nev] ne$$ protection f anybody4  ,he _h 
manag$ = a good _m ye>s to get along on 
8 own hook4  ,! ,little ,woman 0 all "r1
 b %e 0 mak+ a mi/ake--a big mi/ake--if 
%e ?\ght %e _h to close-h]d him to keep 
him out ( tr\ble4  ,he roll$ a smoke &  
wi%$ t ! ,little ,woman w\ld settle d[n 
) him some:]e 9 ! des]t1 :]e he c\ld    
keep a c\ple ( burros & g prospect+ 9 ! 
hills4  ,:]e sagebru% c\ld gr[ to _! v  
door if x want$ to1 & ! moon c\ld %[ !m 
long /ret*es ( mesa l& %ad[$ ) my/]y1 & 
!n drop out ( sight beh9d high peaks4   
,he felt t he might inde$ gr[ old fa/1  
%ut up 9 a city4 ,x occurr$ to him t !  
,little ,woman 0 unreasonable to expect 
x ( him4  ,h] idea ( gett+ him out ( t[n
 = a "t1 z ! judge _h advis$1 0 to s5d  
him up to ,san ,francisco to be         
close-h]d$ !re4 ,casey _h promis$ to g1 
b n[ ! prospect j>r$4  ,he wasn't       
feeble-m9d$1 t he knew (2 x seem$       
natural to want to d 8 own decid+ n[ &  
!n4  ,:5 he got back home 9 ! morn+1    
,casey meant to h a s]i\s talk ) !      

,little ,woman1 & get "r d[n to cases1 &
 tell h] t he 0 built = ! des]t1 & t y  
c't tea* an old dog new tricks4  ,!y be5
 try9' to make ,casey ,ryan ov] into    
some?+ he a9't1 he mutt]$ "u 8 brea?1   
:ile 8 new fri5d 0 9 ! g>age (fice pay+ 
= ! gas4  ,jack an' ! ,little ,woman's  
all "r1 b !y c't drive ,casey ,ryan 9 no
 t[n h]d4  ,cops is cops2 & !y got 'em 9
 ,san ,francisco same z !y got 'em 9 ,l4
 ,a4 ,if !y got 'em1 ,i'll run ag9' 'em4
 ,i'll tell 'em s1 too4  ,! "y man came 
out1 slid+ silv] co9s into 8 tr\s]s     
pocket4 ,he glanc$ up & d[n ! n>r[1     
little /reet already des]t$1 crank$ !   
,=d & climb$ 94  ,all set1 he obs]v$    
*e]fully1 ,let's g6  ,casey slipp$ 8    
cig>ette to ! upp]1 left-h& corn] ( 8   
:imsical1 ,iri% m\?1 =c$ a ro> out ( !  
little eng9e & :ipp$ ar\nd ! corn] &    
across ! track into ! fa9tly light$ road
 t l$ pa/ %ady groves & ov] a hill or   
two1 & s into ! des]t aga94  ,8 new     
fri5d _h fall5 into a m$itative mood1   
/>+ out ?r\gh ! w9d%ield & :i/l+ "u 8   

brea? a pleasant little melody ( :i* he 
0 probably :olly unaw>e4  ,p]haps he    
felt t he _h said en\gh to ,casey j at  
pres5t conc]n+ a possible p>tn]%ip4     
,p]haps he ev5 regrett$ hav+ said any?+ 
at all4  ,casey himself drove           
me*anically1 8 rebelli\s mood slipp+    
gradually into optimism4  ,y c't keep   
,casey ,ryan d[n = long2 9 spite ( 8 pa/
 unpleasant exp]i5ces he 0 pres5tly     
weav+ optimi/ic plans ( 8 own4  ,! "y   
fell[ beside him seem$ to return        
,casey's impulsive fri5d%ip4  ,casey    
?\ght pleasureably ( ! possibility ( _! 
driv+ ov] ! des]t toge!r1 %>+ alike !   
=tunes ( ! game & ! adv5tures ( ! trail4
 ,casey himself _h le>n$ to be %y (     
p>tn]%ips--witness ,b>ney ,oakes6--b any
 man ) a drop ( ,iri% 9 8 blood & a bit 
( ,iri% tw9kle 9 8 eye w\ld turn 8 back 
on defeat & try aga9 = a w9n+4  ,!y _h j
 pass$ ov] a hilly /ret* ) _m turns &   
w9d+s1 ! moon blott$ out completely n[  
by ! cl\d bank4 ,= half an h\r !y _h n  
se5 any evid5ce t o!r human be+s 7 alive

 9 ! _w4  ,b :5 !y w5t rattl+ across a  
small mesa :]e ! s& 0 deep1 a c> ) "o   
brilliant spotlight sudd5ly %[$ itself  
ar\nd a turn j ahead ( !m4  ,casey sl[$ 
d[n automatically & gave a twi/ to !    
/e]+ :eel4 ,b ! s& j "h 0 deep & loose1 
& ! front :eels ( ! ,=d g\g$ unavail+ly 
at ! sides ( ! ruts4 ,casey honk$ ! horn
 w>n+ly & /opp$ full1 swe>+ a good1     
,caseyi% oa?4  ,! o!r c>1 hav+ made no  
app>5t ef=t to turn out1 also /opp$ )9 a
 few feet ( ,casey1 ! spotlight fairly  
bl9d+ him4  ,! "y man beside ,casey slid
 up /raight 9 ! seat & /opp$ :i/l+4  ,he
 lean$ out ( ! c> & />$ ahead )\t ! du/y
 int]f]5ce ( ! w9d%ield4  ,y c back up a
 few l5g?s & make ! turn-out all "r1 he 
sugge/$4  ,if ,i c back up1 s c he4     
,he's got z mu* road beh9d him z :at    
,i',,ve got1 ,casey retort$ /ubbornly4  
,he nev] made a try at turn9' out4  ,i 0
 wat*9'4  ,any "t ,i c't lick a road    
hawg1 he's got a lic5se to lick me4     
,make y\rself comf'table1 "y            
fell]--we're liable to set "h a spell4  

,casey gr9n$4  ,i sp5t f\r h\rs on a    
hill once1 out-sett91 a road hawg t     
want$ me to back up4  ,! man 9 ! o!r c> 
climb$ out & came t[>d !m1 walk+ outside
 ! beams ca/ by 8 own gl>+ spotlight4   
,he bulk$ r l>ge 9 ! %ad[s2 b ,casey    
,ryan1 bl9k+ at him ?r\gh ! w9d%ield1 0 
/ill ready & will+ to fight if necess>y4
  ,or1 if /ubbornness 7 to be ! te/1    
,casey c\ld gr9 & feel secure4  ,a      
little man1 he reflect$1 c sit j z long 
z a big man4  ,! big man walk$ leisurely
 up to ! c> & smil$ z he lift$ a foot to
 ! runn+ bo>d4  ,he lean$ =w>d1 8 eyes  
go+ pa/ ,casey to ! o!r man4  ,i k9da   
?\ght x 0 y1 ,k5n]1 he drawl$4  ,h[ mu* 
liquor y got abo>d to-night8  ,casey1   
slant+ a glance d[nw>d1 glimps$ ! b>rel 
( a big automatic look+ t[>d !m4  ,:at  
if ,i a9't got any8 ! "y man p>ri$      
glumly4  ,y're tak+ a lot = grant$4  ,! 
big man *uckl$4  ,if y a9't load$ )     
hoot*1 x's because "o ( ! boys met up ) 
yuh be=e ,i did4  ,op5 'er up4  ,lemme  
see :at y got4  ,! "y fell[ sc[l$1 swore

 "u 8 brea? & climb$ out1 turn+ t[>d !  
load$ tonneau ) reluctant ob$i5ce4  ,i  
c't argue ) ! law1 he said1 z he began  
to pull out a roll ( b$d+ w$g$ 9        
tightly4  ,b1 = cripes sake1 g z easy z 
y c4  ,i'm plumb lame f my la/ fall6  ,!
 big man *uckl$ aga94  ,! law's m]ciful 
z1 x c af=d to be1 & ,i've got a he>t l 
an ox4  ,got any jack on yuh8  ,i'm j   
ab\t clean$1 & t's ! ,gawd's tru?4  ,h a
 he>t1 c't yuh8  ,a man's got t' live4  
,slip me five hundr$1 anyway4  ,h[ mu*  
is y\r load8  ,sixty gallons--bottl$1   
mo/ ( x4  ,two kegs 9 bulk4  ,"y ,k5n] 0
 proce$+ /oically ) ! unload+4  ,casey1 
8 m\? clamp$ tight %ut1 0 gl>+ /upifi$ly
 /raight out ?r\gh ! w9d%ield4  ,pile   
out ?irty gallons ( ! bottl$ goods by t 
bu%4 ,y c keep ! kegs4  ,! big man's    
eyes %ift$ to ,casey ,ryan's            
expressionless pr(ile & dwelt !re       
curi\sly4  ,seems l ,i "k y1 he said    
abruptly4  ,a9't y ! guy t 0 br\ght 9 ) 
t ,black ,butte bun* ( moon%9]s & got (f
 on acc\nt ( a nice wife & an ,l4 ,a4   

alibi8  ,sure y are6 ,casey ,ryan4 ,i   
got yuh plac$ n[4  ,he ?rew back 8 head 
& laugh$4  ,casey might h be5 an ,indian
 mak+ a society call = all ! sign ( life
 he gave4  ,"y ,k5n]1 hav+ deposit$ 8   
camp outfit 9 a heap on ! gr\nd1 began  
lift+ out tall1 r\nd bottles1 f\r at a  
"t & rick+ !m neatly beside ! l>ge      
sagebu% indicat$ by ! (fic]4  ,/&+ ^u ! 
runn+ bo>d at ,casey's %\ld] :]e he _h a
 cle> view1 ! big man wat*$ ! unload+ & 
at ! same "t kept an eye on ,casey4  ,x 
0 p]fectly evid5t t = all 8 easy good   
nature1 he 0 n a man :o c\ld be talk$   
out ( 8 purpose4  ,all "r1 pile 9 y\r   
blankets1 ! big man ord]$ at la/1 & "y  
,k5n] unemotionally began to reload !   
camp outfit4 ,! big man's att5tion %ift$
 to ,casey aga94  ,he look$ at him      
curi\sly & gr9n$4  ,say1 t's a good "o y
 pull$6  ,y _h all ! c\nty (ficials     
bluff$ into ?9k+ y 7 ! victim ( t ,black
 ,butte bun*1 in/ead ( be+ 9 cahoots4   
,t alibi ( y\rs 0 a bird4 ,does ,k5n]1  
"h1 "k y hit ! hoot* pretty /rong at    

times8 ,bootlegg+'s bad bus9ess = a man 
t laps x up ! way y d4 ,:]e's t piece ( 
*ange1 ,k5n]8  ,aw1 c't yuh f9d "s way  
to leave me jack en\gh to buy gas &     
grub8  ,"y ,k5n] ask$ sull5ly1 rea*+    
into 8 pocket4 ,! big man %ook 8 head4  
,i'm do+ a lot = y boys1 :5 ,i let yuh  
get pa/ me ) ! ,lizzie1 to say no?+ (   
half y\r load4  ,i'd ought to trundle   
yuh back to ,san ,b]doo2 y bo? "k t z   
well z ,i d4  ,i'm too s(t-he>t$ = ?is  
job1 anyway4  ,h& ov] ! roll4  ,"y ,k5n]
 swore & ext5d$ 8 arm beh9d ,casey4  ,t 
leaves me six bits1 he gr[l$1 z ! big   
man dropp$ some?+ into 8 coat pocket4   
,y might give me back t51 anyway4       
,c\ldn't possibly4  ,i h to h some?+ to 
squ>e myself ) if ?is leaks out4  ,j    
back up1 till y c get ar\nd my c>4 ,turn
 to ! left :]e ! s& a9't s deep & y a9't
 likely to run ov] ! booze4  ,) ! big   
man /ill /&+ at 8 %\ld] on ! runn+ bo>d1
 ,casey ,ryan did :at he _h ra%ly decl>$
 he nev] w\ld d2 he back$ ! ,=d1 turn$ x
 to ! left z he _h be5 comm&$ to d1 &   

drove ar\nd ! o!r c>4  ,x 0 bitt] "w =  
,casey2 b ev5 he recogniz$ ! fact t !   
sett9' 0 n good t ev5+4  ,back 9 ! road 
aga91 he /opp$ :5 he 0 told to /op1 &   
wait$1 ) a surface calm altoge!r /range 
to ,casey1 :ile ! (fic] /epp$ (f & gave 
a bit ( p>t+ advice4  ,bett] keep "r on 
go+1 boys4 ,i'd hate to see yuh get 9   
tr\ble1 s y'd bett] take ?is old road up
 ahead "h4 ,t'll br+ yuh out at ,dagget 
& y'll miss ,b>/[ altoge!r4  ,i j came f
 !re2 !re's a h>d gang hang+ ar\nd on ! 
look\t = any?+ !y c pick up4  ,don't get
 caught aga94  ,on y\r way6  ,casey     
drove = half a mile /ill />+ /raight    
be=e him4 ,!n "y ,k5n] laugh$ %ortly4   
,t's ,smil9' ,l\1 he said4  ,he's a mean
 boy to monkey )4 ,talk ab\t road       
hawgs--he's "o yuh c't outset6          
,,*apt] ,,elev5  ,s t's ! k9d uh game   
yuh ask$ me to set 9 on6  ,casey broke  
ano!r long sil5ce4  ,he _h felt 9 8     
bones t "y ,k5n] 0 wat*+ him secretly1  
wait+ = him to take 8 /& = or aga9/ !   
proposition4  ,i'd l to "k :o pass$ ! ^w

 ar\nd among/ outlaws t ,casey ,ryan is 
! only orig9al easy m>k left runn9'     
wild1 an' t he c be caught an' made a   
goat ( any "t x's h&y6 ,look at ! cr[d (
 folks bun*$ on t cross+ ?is aft]noon6  
,:y didn't yuh pick "s "o else = ! goat8
  ,outa all !m hundr$s uh p1 :y'n hell  
did yuh h to g an' pick on ,casey ,ryan8
  ,a9't he _h tr\ble en\gh try9' to keep
 outa tr\ble8  ,naw6  ,casey ,ryan's w5t
 an' bl[$ hisself to %[ tickets1 an'    
he's head$ home1 peaceful an' on "t1 s's
 he c %ave an' put on a clean coll> an' 
slick up to please 8 wife an' take 'er  
to ! %[6 ,no?9' ag9 ! law 9 t6  ,n a    
damn' ?+ yuh c haul 'im to jail f]6  ,s 
,,y _h to come along1 load$ to ! gu>ds )
 hoot*--/all y\r ,=d on ! c> track "r "u
 m' nose1 an' tell ,casey ,ryan to git  
96  ,c\ldn't leave 'im to g home        
peaceful to 'is wife--naw6  ,y _h t'    
haul 'im away out "h an' git 'im 9 wrong
 ) a cop ag96  ,t's a f9e game y're     
play9'6  ,t's a ,,d>n$ f9e game6  ,sure1
 x is6  ,x's bett] ?an ! game y've be5  

play+1 "y ,k5n] /at$ calmly4  ,take y\r 
own /ory1 = in/ance4 ,y've be5 dubb9'   
along1 try9' t' play ! way ! law tells y
 to4  ,an' ! saps has be5 flock9' to yuh
 l a bun* uh hornets--e bird try9' t'   
s9k 8 /+] 9 fir/4 ,a9't t "r8  ,keep9' !
 law has laid yuh 9 jail twice 9 ! la/  
mon?1 by y\r own tell4  ,:y1 a cl[n l y1
 t's aim9' t' keep ! law an' live hone/1
 is ! easie/ m>k 9 ! _w4  ,!m's ! guys t
 d ! mo/ h>m--!y make graft9' s d>n$    
easy6 ,!m's ! guys ! saps lay = & du/ (f
 regul> 9 ! %ape ( f9es an' taxes an' ! 
l uh t4  ,oncet 9 a:ile !y'll snat* yuh 
f] some?9' yuh nev] done at all an' lay 
yuh away f] a day or two1 j t' keep yuh 
sc>$ & easy t' h&le next "t4  ,n[1 yuh  
take me1 f] in/ance4  ,i play ag9' !    
law--an' ,i'm clean9' up "r along1 & h  
yet to take my morn+ sunlight 9 /reaks4 
,i "k z mu* ab\t ! inside ( a jail z ,i 
"k ab\t ! ,:ite ,h\se--an' no m4  ,i've 
haul$ hoot* all ov] ! c\ntry1 an' ,i    
nev] yet 0 du/$ (f s h>d by ! law t ,i  
didn't come ?r\gh ) a roll uh jack !y'd 

ov]look$4  ,take ?is highjack9'         
to-night1 = in/ance4  ,look :at ,smil9' 
,l\ took (f'n me6  ,& yet1 ,k5n] turn$ &
 gr9n$ impud5tly at ,casey1 don't nev]  
?9k ,i didn't come out a long jump      
ahead6 ,i c>ry no?9' *eap2 no?9' b good 
:isky an' br&y t ! liquor h\ses fail$ to
 decl>e :5 ! _w w5t dry4 ,!n !re's real1
 hone/-to-go% ,european /uff run 9 f    
,mexico2 n[ y're 91 ,casey1 ,i'll tell  
yuh ! snap4  ,:5 ,i said easy money1 ,i 
0 9 my "r m9d4  ,y c c\nt on highjack]s 
leav9' yuh half y\r load2 mebby a little
 m1 if yuh set purty4  ,!y don't aim t' 
=ce yuh out uh ! bus9ess4  ,!y grab :at 
! traffic'll be>1 an' let yuh g on an   
make a pr(it s y'll /ay4  ,n[ !re's a   
c>d y c slip up y\r sleeve = ?is game4  
,yuh load 9 ! be/ /uff fir/--see8       
,any?+ real special y wanta put 9 kegs )
 d\ble sides an' ends :i* y fill )      
moon%9e4  ,yuh nev] c tell--!y might    
wanta sample x4 ,smil9' ,l\ did         
once--an' y notice to-night he left !   
kegs be4 ,s !y get a good grade ( :isky 

f ! liquor h\ses4 ,& !y pass up ! be/1  
import$ /uff t c be got to-day4 ,we'll h
 regul> cu/om]s = t2 & y c gamble !y'll 
pay ! price6 ,he laugh$ at "s secret    
joke :i* he /raightway %>$ ) ,casey4  ,y
 notic$ ,i got my gas-tank beh9d--a     
tw5ty-gallon tank at t4 ,well1 :at if ,i
 tell yuh t "r "u ?is front seat !re's a
 false bottom to ! tool-box & "u        
t--well1 suppose y're sett9' on =ty p9ts
 uh ,fr5* *ampagne8 ,m'n all t1 ?is     
cu%ion we're sett9' on has got a        
conceal$ pocket d[n bo? sides--= hop4   
,s yuh see1 ,casey1 a man c make an     
hone/ liv9' at ?is game1 ev5 if he's    
highjack$ e trip4  ,n[ y're 91 ,i c %[  
yuh all k9ds uh tricks4  ,! muscles1    
along ,casey's jaw _h h>d5$ until !y    
look$ bun*$4 ,8 eyes1 fix$ ^u ! w9d+    
trail 9 front ( him1 7 a pale1 unw9k+   
glitt]4  ,:o says ,i'm 98  ,yuh a9't    
he>d ,casey ,ryan say x yet1 h yuh8 ,yuh
 bett] wait till ,casey says he's 9 b'=e
 yuh bank on 'im too /rong4 ,casey may  
be an easy m>k--he may be ! (fici\s goat

 pro tem ( e d>n' bootlegg] an' moon%9] 
an' e d>n' cop t crosses 8 trail2 b y c 
ask anybody if ,casey ,ryan don't d 'is 
own decid9'6  ,be=e y g any fur!r1 "y   
fell]1 ,i'll tell yuh j h[ fur ,casey's 
9 y\r game--an' t's z fur z ,b>/[4  ,:5 
,casey says he'll d a ?+ he comes purty 
ne> do9' x4  ,i a9't play9' no bootleg  
game1 "y fell]2 ,:ite ,mule an' me a9't 
an' nev] 0 trail p>dn]s4  ,make me *oose
 betwe5 bootlegg]s an' cops1 an' ,i'd h 
to flip a doll> on x4  ,only f] ,bill   
,ma/]s be9' y\r fri5d1 ,i dunno b :at   
,i'd take yuh "r back ) me t' ,l4 ,a4   
an' let yuh sleep 9 a jail oncet--see9' 
y've nev] _h ! pleasure6  ,! "y man     
laugh$ imp]turbably4 ,flip t doll> = me1
 ,casey1 to see :e!r ,i %oot yuh n[ an' 
dump yuh out 9 ! bru% some:]es1 or make 
yuh play ! hoot* game an' l x4 ,:y1 y   
didn't ?9k = "o m9ute1 did yuh1 t ,i 0  
tak9' any *ance ) y8  ,n a *ance 9 ! _w6
  ,g squeal to ! law--an' :at w\ld x get
 yuh8  ,y 0 driv9' ?is c> y\rself :5    
,smil9' ,l\ /opp$ u1 recollect4  ,he _h 

yuh plac$ z "o ( t ,black ,butte gang   
quick z he lamp$ yuh4  ,yuh ?9k ,smil9' 
,l\ is go9' to take a *ance8 ,y 0 caught
 ) ! goods t'night1 old-tim]1 an' x's ! 
second "t inside a mon?4  ,x'd be ! ?ird
 "t y an' ! law has tangl$4 ,:y1 y set  
!re y\rself an' told me h[ y 0          
practically run outa ,l4 ,a41 "r ?is    
week4  ,y set /ill a m9ute & figure out 
ab\t h[ _m ye>s !y'd give yuh6  ,h[ come
 ,smil9' ,l\ ov]look$ clean9' yuh ( y\r 
roll :5 he took m9e1 d yuh ?9k8  ,he 0  
treat9' yuh :ite1 an' giv9' yuh a *ance 
to come back /rong next "t--t's :y4 ,!y 
got s mu* on yuh n[ aft] to-night1 t he 
kn[s y got j "o *ance to side/ep a /ret*
 9 ! p54  ,t's to play ! game )         
p]tection4  ,smil9' ,l\ nev] to my k    
?r[$ d[n a guy t come ?r\gh on dem&4    
,smil9' ,l\ /ood !re an' siz$ yuh up    
ab\t ! same z ,i did1 some?9' l ?is3    
',"h ,is ,casey ,ryan--a cl[n t's safe  
any:]e 9 ! des]t ,/ates4  ,he got hone/ 
prospector wrote all ov] 'im4 ,:y1 if y 
bo>d$ a /reet c> ! conductor w\ld be    

guess9'1 wild-ey$1 h[ mu* gold du/ x    
takes to make a nickel1 expect9' y to   
haul out y\r poke an' look ar\nd f] !   
gold scales4  ,:y1 y c\ld git by :]e a  
t[n guy c\ldn't4 ,y've got a rep a mile 
long z a fight9'1 squ>e%oot9' ,iri%man  
t's a driv9' fool an' kn[s ! des]t l he 
kn[s ham-an'-eggs4 ,tie on "s picks an' 
%ovels an' put y beh9d ! :eel1 & only ! 
guys t are 9 ! "k w\ld ev] get wise 9 a 
?\s& ye>s4  ,:y1 look :at he said ab\t y
 hav9' 'em all bluff$ 9 ,san ,b]doo6    
,grabb$ y ) a bun* uh moon%9]s1 & y     
fight9' ! saps h>d]'n any ( 'em--& !n1  
by heck1 y slips ! noose an' leaves 'em 
?9k9' y're hone/ b unlucky4  ,s y 'n' me
 is p>dn]s till ,i say :54  ,we'll clean
 up "s real jack toge!r4  ,m99' a9't 9  
x1 no m1 ) hoot* runn9'--if yuh play x  
"r4  ,! good old ,:ite ,mule goes "u !  
wire1 old-tim]1 an' takes ! money4      
,burros is ext9ct4  ,burros a9't any    
ext9ct] ?an :at y'll be :5 ,i git ?r\gh 
) yuh1 gritt$ ,casey savagely1 %utt+ (f 
! gas4 ,bill ,ma/]s c l x or n--,i'm    

go9' to lick ! liv9' t> outa y "h an'   
n[4 ,:5 ,i'm ?r\gh ) yuh1 if y're able  
to wiggle ! :eel1 yuh c take y\r load uh
 hoot* an' g tahell6 ,i'll ho( x d[n "h 
to ! next /ation on ! railroad an' ket* 
a ride back to ,l4 ,a4  ,k5n] laugh$4   
,an' :at w\ld ,i be do9'1 y poor nut8   
,set "h meek till yuh tell me to git out
 an' take a lick9'8  ,yuh feel t gun    
prodd9' yuh 9 ! ribs1 don't yuh8  ,i c't
 help wond]9' h[ y\r wife w\ld feel     
t[>ds y if y 0 f\nd ) a hole drill$     
?r\gh y\r middle1 an' a c>load uh booze4
 ,t'd j> ! fai? ( ! mo/ believ9' woman  
on e>?4  ,y take ?is cut-(f road up "h  
an' drive till ,i tell yuh t' /op4 ,z y 
may "k1 a man c't be *ick5he>t$ & p$dle 
hoot*--an' ,i'm call$ an exp]t4  ,s y   
?9k t ov]1 ,casey--an' drive purty1 see8
  ,casey drove z purty z 0 possible ) a 
six-%oot] press$ irritat+ly aga9/ 8 l[e/
 float+ rib2 b he did n dwell ^u !      
spectacle ( himself f\nd dead ) a c>load
 ( booze4 ,he wi%$ to heav5 he hadn't   
let ! ,little ,woman talk him out (     

pack+ a gun1 & wait$ = 8 *ance4  ,"y    
,k5n] 0 ?\ghtful1 brood+ ?r\gh ! h\rs ( 
d>kness ) 8 head slightly b5t & 8 eyes1 
s f> z ,casey c\ld det]m9e1 fix$ /eadily
 on ! unev5 trail :]e ! headlights      
reveal$ e rut1 e /one1 e *uck-hole4 ,b  
,casey 0 n deceiv$ by t quiesc5ce4  ,!  
revolv] b>rel nev] once ceas$ its       
pressure aga9/ 8 side1 & he knew t "y   
,k5n] nev] = an in/ant =got t he 0 rid+ 
) ,casey ,ryan at ! :eel1 wait+ = a     
*ance to kill him4  ,by daylight1 su* 0 
,casey's driv+1 !y 7 well d[n ! highway 
:i* leads to ,ne$les & on ?r\gh         
,arizona4 ,casey 0 j ?9k+ t !y w\ld soon
 run out ( gas1 & t he w\ld !n h a      
fight+ *ance1 :5 he 0 />tl$ almo/ into  
believ+ t he _h spok5 8 plan4  ,i told y
 !re's a tw5ty-gallon tank on ?is c>2   
well1 x holds tw5ty-five4  ,i've got a  
special c>buretor t gives an actual     
mileage ( tw5ty-two miles to ! gallon on
 ord9>y des]t roads4 ,i fill$ 'er till  
%e run ov] at ,victorville--& ,i notice 
y're easy on ! gas ) y\r driv9'4        

,figure x y\rself1 ,casey1 & don't be   
c\nt9' on a /op till ,i'm ready t' /op4 
,casey grunt$1 m cre/fall5 ?an he w\ld  
ev] admit4 ,b he hadn't giv5 up2 !      
give-up quality _h be5 completely =gott5
 :5 ,casey's p]sonality 0 be+ put       
toge!r4  ,he drove on1 ar\nd ! rubbly   
base ( a black5$ volcano long s9ce cold 
& bleak1 & bor$ 8 way ?r\gh ! s&y /ret* 
t leads ?r\gh ,patmos4  ,patmos 0 a     
place ( unhappy memories1 b he drove    
?r\gh ! little hamlet s fa/ t he sc>cely
 ?\ght ( 8 unpleasant soj\rn !re ! summ]
 be=e4  ,"y ,k5n] _h fall5 sil5t aga9 & 
!y drove ! sixty miles or s to ,g(fs ) n
 a ^w spok5 betwe5 !m4  ,casey sp5t mo/ 
( t "t 9 m5tally curs+ ! ,=d = its      
effici5cy4  ,he _h pray$ = bl[\ts1 a    
f\l$ tim]1 = some?+ or any?+ or ev]y?+  
to happ5 t c\ld possibly befall a ,=d4  
,he c\ldn't ev5 make ! radiator boil4   
,wor/ & mo/ p]si/5t ( 8 discom=ts 0 !   
h>d pressure ( t six-%oot] aga9/ 8 side4
  ,casey 0 positive t ! impr9t ( x w\ld 
be worn z a p]man5t br& ^u 8 p]son = !  

re/ ( 8 life4  ,"y ,k5n]'s voice speak+ 
to him came s abruptly t ,casey jump$4  
,i've be5 ?9k+ ov] y\r case1 ,k5n] said 
*e]fully4 ,/op "r "h :ile we talk x ov]4
  ,casey /opp$ "r !re4  ,i've *ang$ my  
m9d ab\t hav9' y = a p>dn]1 "y ,k5n] w5t
 on4  ,y'd be a valuable man all "r2 b  
:5 a h>p l y gets /ubborn-bitt]1 my hun*
 tells me to break away clean4 ,y're a  
mick--an' micks is all alike :5 !y git a
 grudge4 ,i c't be bo!r$ keep9' yuh "u  
my eye all ! "t1 & ! way ,i've felt yuh 
ooz9' v5om all ?is :ile %[s me ,i'd h   
to4 ,an' bump9' yuh (f w\ld be nei!r    
pleasant n] safe4  ,n[1 ! way ,i've dop$
 ?is out1  ,i'm go9' to sell yuh !      
outfit f] j :at jack yuh got 9 y\r      
clo!s4  ,=k x ov]1 an' ,i'll give yuh ! 
lay\t j z %e /&s4  ,yuh bett] wait till 
,casey says he wants t' buy6  ,swall[+  
res5tm5t all night _h made 8 voice      
husky2 & x 0 bitt] inde$ to sit /ill &  
he> himself call$ a h>p & a mick4  ,:y  
wait8  ,h& ov] ! roll1 & t closes !     
deal4 ,i didn't ask yuh w\ld yuh        

buy--,i'm giv9' yuh some?9' f] y\r      
money1 is all4  ,i c\ld take x (f yuh   
aft] yuh quit kick9' & drive y\r rema9s 
9 to ?is little burg1 ) a tale ( h[ ,i'd
 caught a bootlegg] t resi/$ arre/4  ,s 
=k ov] ! jack1 old-tim]4 ,i want to cat*
 t tra9 ov] !re t's ab\t ready to pull  
out4 ,he prodd$ %>ply ) ! gun1 & ,casey 
he>d a click :i* ne$$ no explanation4   
,casey fumbl$ = a m9ute inside 8 ve/ &  
glumly =k$ ov]4 ,"y ,k5n] inspect$ !    
fold$ bank notes1 smil$ & slipp$ ! flat 
bundle inside 8 %irt4  ,y're /rong] on !
 bank roll ?an :at yuh let on1 he rem>k$
 cont5t$ly4  ,i don't /& to lose s mu*1 
aft] all4 ,sixte5 hundr$1 ,i make x4    
,:at's 9 y\r pants pockets8  ,casey1    
/ill balefully sil5t1 empti$ fir/ "o    
pocket & !n ! o!r into ,k5n]'s cupp$    
palm4  ,) heavy s>casm he felt 9 8 wat* 
pocket & produc$ a nickel slipp$ !re    
aft] pay+ /reet-c> f>e4  ,he held x out 
to "y ,k5n] betwe5 8 f+] & ?umb1 /ill   
gaz+ /raight be=e him4  ,"y ,k5n] took x
 & gr9n$4  ,oh1 well--y're ri*6  ,drive 

on n[1 & :5 y get ab\t ev5 ) t caboose1 
sl[ to twelve miles :il/ ,i hop (f2 & !n
 hit 'er up aga9 an' keep 'er go9'4 ,if 
yuh don't1 ,i'll grab yuh f] a          
bootlegg]1 sure4 ,& ,i'd h ! hull tra9  
crew to help me wrassle yuh d[n4 ,!y'd  
be will9' to sample ! evid5ce1 ,i guess1
 an' be witnesses aga9/ yuh4  ,an' be> 9
 m9d1 ,casey1 t yuh got a d>n$ good ,=d 
& all its valuable cont5ts = sixte5     
hundr$ & "s odd bucks4  ,if y meet up ) 
! law1 y c treat 'em :ite an' /ill break
 ev5 on ! deal yuh j consummat$ ) me4   
,l hell ,i consummat$ ! deal6 ,casey 0  
goad$ into mutt]+4  ,he drove abrea/ ( !
 caboose1 & at a f9al prod 9 ! ribs     
,casey sl[$ d[n4  ,"y ,k5n] dropp$ (f ! 
runn+ bo>d1 alight$ runn+ ) 8 body      
slant$ backw>ds & 8 lips smil+          
fri5dly-wise4  ,don't take any bad      
money--an' don't let 'em cat* yuh6 he   
cri$ mock+ly1 z he head$ = ! caboose4   
,at a cross+1 two miles f>!r on1 ,casey 
came l>rup+ out ( ! s& hills & 0 =c$ to 
wait :ile ! freight tra9 w5t rattl+ pa/1

 head$ ea/ on a d[nhill grade4  ,"y     
,k5n]1 up 9 ! cupola1 lean$ f> out &    
wav$ 8 hat z ! caboose flick$ by4       
,,*apt] ,,twelve  ,! highway nor? f !   
,santa ,fe ,railroad j we/ ( ,ne$les    
climbs an imp]ceptible grade across b>r5
 l& to :]e ! mesa *anges & becomes      
pot5tially f]tile4  ,up ?is road1 go+   
nor?1 a cl\d ( yell[ du/ roll$ swiftly4 
,see at close range1 ! nose ( a d+y ,=d 
protrud$ slightly 9 front ( ! envelop+  
cl\d--& beh9d x ,casey ,ryan1 h>d-ey$ & 
) 8 jaw set to ! fight+ mood1 gripp$ !  
:eel & drove z if he _h a grudge aga9/ !
 road4  ,at ! fir/ signpo/ ,casey cant$ 
a malevol5t eye upw>d & w5t lur*+ by at 
top spe$4  ,! c> bulk$ black = a mom5t1 
dimm$1 & m]g$ into ! flee+ cl\d t       
pres5tly seem$ no m ?an a du/-devil     
:irl+ across ! mesa4  ,at ! second      
signpo/ ,casey sl[$1 8 eyes dwell+      
speculatively ^u ! leg5d3  ,,junip]     
,,wells #c ,m  ,! arr[ po9t$ to ! "r :]e
 a n>r[1 little-us$ trail angl$ crook$ly
 away ?r\gh ! greasewood4  ,casey gave a

 decid+ twi/ to ! /e]+ :eel & turn$ into
 ! trail4  ,junip] ,wells is n ne>ly s  
nice a place z x s\nds4  ,b x is ! fir/ 
wat] nor? ( ! ,santa ,fe1 & n[ & !n a   
wayf>] ( ! des]t leaves ! ma9 highway & 
turns t way1 driv5 by necessity4  ,x is 
a seclud$ spot1 too unattractive to     
tempt p to l+]2 because ( its v         
seclusion x !re=e tempt$ ,casey ,ryan4  
,:5 a man has driv5 a ,=d fifte5 h\rs   
)\t once leav+ ! :eel or tak+ a dr9k (  
wat] or a m\?ful ( food1 h[ev] great 8  
tr\ble or 8 ha/e1 8 fir/ ?\ght w be (   
wat]1 food & re/4  ,ev5 ,casey's deadly 
rage at ! diabolical trick play$ ^u him 
c\ld n hold 8 ?\ghts f dwell+ ^u bacon &
 c(fee & a good sleep aft]w>ds4  ,w9d & 
ra9 & m w9d1 buffet+ t trail s9ce ! la/ 
c> _h pass$1 made heavy go+4  ,! ,=d    
labor$ up small hills & across gullies1 
dipp+ d[nw>d at la/ to ,junip] ,wells2  
!re ,casey /opp$ close beside ! black5$ 
emb]s left by "s =gott5 travel] ( !     
wild4  ,he slid /iffly f beh9d ! :eel to
 ! vacant seat beside him1 & climb$ out 

l ! old man he _h la/ night det]m9$ nev]
 to become4 ,he walk$ away a few paces1 
turn$ & /ood gl>+ back at ! c> z if     
famili>iz+ himself ) an object little   
kn[n & hat$ mu*4  ,fate1 he felt1 _h    
play$ a %abby trick ^u an hone/ man4 ,"h
 he /ood1 a crim9al 9 ! eyes ( ! law1 a 
li> 9 ! eyes ( ! missus4  ,an hone/ man 
& a tru?ful1 "h he 0--he1 ,casey        
,ryan--actually afraid to face 8 fell[  
m54  ,,he wasn't no fri5d ( ,bill       
,ma/]s2 ! divil himself w\ldn'ta own$   
him f] a fri5d6 sn>l$ ,casey1 ?9k+ (    
,k5n]4 ,me--,,casey ,,ryan6--) a load uh
 booze wi%$ onto me--& a c> t may h be5 
/ol5 f] all ,i "k--an' n a d>n' nickel  
to my "n6 ,!y c make a goat uh ,casey   
,ryan once1 b wat* clo/ :5 !y try x !   
second "t6  ,casey ,,may be gitt9' old2 
he might possibly h s(t59' ( ! bra92 b  
he'll git ! skunk t done ?is1 or y'll   
f9d 8 c>cass lay9' alongside ! trail    
blea*9' l a bl[$-out tire6  ,i'll trail 
'im till my tongue hangs d[n to my      
knees6 ,i'll git 'im an' ,i'll dr[n 'im 

face d[n 9 a bucket ( 8 own booze6      
,:ipp$ by emotion1 8 voice rose /rid5tly
 until x crack$ j "u a %\t4  ,t s\nds   
pretty bus9esslike1 old man1 a /range   
voice spoke :imsically beh9d ,casey4    
,:o's all ?is y're go+ to trail till y\r
 tongue hangs d[n to y\r knees8  ,go+ to
 ne$ any help8  ,casey :irl$ bellig]5tly
 ^u ! man :o _h walk$ quietly up beh9d  
him4  ,:]e ! hell did ,,y come f8 he    
c\nt]$ r\ghly4  ,does x matt]8  ,i'm "h1
 ! o!r p>ri$ bl&ly4  ,b by ! way6  ,if  
y've got ! mak+s ( a meal 9 y\r c>--& y 
look too old a h& 9 ! des]t to be )\t   
grub--,i won't refuse to h a snack ) y4 
,i hate to invite myself to breakfa/1 b 
x's t or g hungry--& an empty belly     
won't /& on c]emony4  ,! h>d-bitt5      
features ( ,casey ,ryan1 tann$ z !y 7 by
 w9d & sun to a fair imitation ( lea!r1 
7 nev] meant to portray mix$ emotions4  
,8 face1 !re=e1 rema9$ impassive except 
= a que]1 corn]$ look 9 8 eyes4  ,) a   
sick feel+ at ! pit ( 8 /oma* he wond]$ 
j h[ mu* ( 8 impassion$ soliloquy ! man 

_h ov]he>d2 :o & :at ?is man 01 & h[ he 
_h manag$ to approa* )9 six feet (      
,casey )\t be+ ov]he>d4  ,) a sick]     
feel+1 he wond]$ if !re 7 any grub 9 !  
c>2 & if s1 h[ he c\ld get at x )\t     
reveal+ 8 contrab& load to ?is /rang]4  
,b ,casey ,ryan 0 no?+ if n game4  ,he  
rea*$ = 8 tru/y plug ( tobacco & pri$ (f
 a corn] ) 8 tee?4  ,he lift$ 8 left h& 
me*anically to ! back ( 8 head & pu%$ 8 
black felt hat =w>d s t x re/$ ov] 8 "r 
eyebr[ at a devil-may-c>e angle4  ,^!   
prep>ations made involunt>ily &         
unconsci\sly1 ,casey ,ryan 0 himself    
aga94  ,all "r--if y're will9' to ru/le 
! wood an' />t a fire1 ,i'll see if ,i c
 dig up some?9'4  ,he cock$ an eye up at
 ! sun4 ,i et my breakfa/ long en\gh ago
 s ,i guess x's settl$4 ,i reckon mebby 
,i c'd take on "s bacon an' c(fee       
myself4  ,fell] ,i _h along ) me ,i     
dit*$1 back "h at ! railroad4  ,he done 
! pack9' up--an' ,i'd hate to swe> to   
:at he put 9 an' :at he left out4  ,on]y
 cuss--,i w\ldn't put no?9' pa/ him4  ,b

 mebby we c make out a meal4  ,! /rang] 
seem$ p]fectly satisfi$ ) ?is arrangem5t
 & /udi$ preamble4  ,he />t$ (f to ga!r 
dead bran*es ( greasewood2 & ,casey1    
hav+ prep>$ ! way = possible            
disappo9tm5t1 turn$ t[>d ! c>4  ,fe> &  
,casey ,ryan h ev] be5 /rang]s2 yet he 0
 consci\s ( a di/9ct1 prickly *ill d[n 8
 sp9e4  ,! glance he ca/ ov] 8 %\ld] at 
! /rang] betray$ uneas9ess1 be/ he c\ld 
d4  ,he turn$ ov] ! roll ( b$d+ &       
cauti\sly began a sup]ficial se>* :i* he
 hop$ w\ld reveal grub 9 pl5ty--)\t     
reveal+ any?+ else4  ,he wi%$ n[ t he _h
 tak5 a look ov] 8 %\ld] :5 "y ,k5n] 0  
unload+ ! c> at ,smil+ ,l\'s comm&4  ,he
 w\ld be bett] prep>$ n[ = possible     
em]g5cies4  ,he rememb]$1 ) a bit (     
com=t1 t ! bootlegg] _h pil$ a good deal
 ( /uff ^u ! gr\nd be=e ,casey fir/ he>d
 ! cl9k ( bottles4  ,a grunt ( relief   
signal$ 8 location ( a box conta9+ grub4
 ,a mom5t lat] he lift$ out a gunny sack
 bulg+ unev5ly ) cook+ ut5sils4  ,he    
fi%$ a little deep]1 turn$ back a fold$ 

t>p & laid nak$ to 8 eyes ! top ( a     
:isky keg4 ,) a grunt ( con/]nation he  
ha/ily replac$ ! t>p1 8 he>t flopp+ 9 8 
*e/ l a fre%-l&$ fi%4  ,! /rang] 0      
kneel+ beside a fa9tly crackl+ little   
pile ( twigs1 8 face turn$ inquir+ly    
t[>d ,casey4  ,casey1 glanc+ guiltily   
ov] 8 %\ld]1 felt ! *ill h& ( discov]y  
rea*+ = 8 v s\l4  ,x 0 z if a dead man 7
 hidd5 away b5ea? t t>p4  ,x seem$ to   
him t ! eyes ( ! /rang] 7 %>p1 suspici\s
 eyes1 & t !y dwelt ^u him altoge!r too 
att5tively = a p]fectly ju/ifiable      
int]e/ ev5 9 ! box ( grub4  ,black      
c(fee1 drunk hot & /rong1 gave ! _w a   
bright] aspect4 ,casey decid$ t !       
situation 0 n s desp]ate1 aft] all4     
,easy en\gh to bluff x out--easie/ ?+ 9 
! _w6  ,he w\ld j g along z if !re      
wasn't a ?+ on 8 m9d heavi] ?an 8 ?9n+1 
s&y hair4  ,no man liv+ _h any "r or    
bus9ess snoop+ ar\nd 9 8 c>1 unless he  
c>ri$ a badge ( an (fic] ( ! law4  ,ev5 
) ! badge1 ,casey told himself /]nly1 a 
man w\ld h to %[ a w>rant be=e he c\ld  

t\* a f+] to 8 outfit4  ,ov] 8 ?ird cup 
( c(fee ,casey ey$ ! /rang] gu>d$ly4 ,he
 did n look l an (fic]4  ,he 0 n big &  
burly1 ) arrogant eyes & ! h9t ( lea%$  
au?ority 9 8 tone4 ,in/ead1 he 0 ( m$ium
 height1 own$ a pair ( %rewd gray eyes &
 an easy drawl1 & 0 dress$ 9 ! half     
milit>y /yle s popul> ) m9+ m51         
surveyors & o!rs :o c af=d to *oose :at 
g>b !y w adopt = outdoor liv+4  ,he _h  
%[n a p]fect famili>ity ) cook+ ov] a   
campfire1 & _h fri$ ! bacon 9 a mann]   
:i* ev5 ,casey c\ld n criticize4 ,be=e !
 c(fee 0 boil$ he _h told ,casey t 8 "n 
0 ,mack ,nolan4  ,imm$iately aft]w>d he 
_h gr9n$ & add$ ! sup]flu\s in=mation t 
he 0 ,iri% & didn't c>e :o knew x4      
,well1 ,i'm ,iri%1 meself1 ,casey       
return$ approv+ly & ) m ?an 8 usual     
brogue4  ,y c ask anybody if ,casey     
,ryan has ev] %[$ %ame f] ! blood t's 9'
 'im4  ',tis ! ,iri% t nev] backs up f a
 r\gh trail or a fight4  ,he p\r$ a f\r?
 cup ( c(fee into a *ipp$ enamel cup &  
took 8 c\rage 9 8 two h&s4 ,mack ,nolan1

 he assur$ himself optimi/ically1       
c\ldn't possibly "k :at lay hidd5 "u !  
camp outfit 9 ! ,=d4  ,until he did "k1 
he 0 h>mless z anybody1 s long z ,casey 
kept an eye on him4    ,,*apt] ,,?irte5 
,dur+ ! companionable smoke t foll[$    
breakfa/1 ,casey le>n$ t ,mack ,nolan _h
 sp5t "s "t 9 ,nevada1 ambl+ ?r\gh !    
hills1 exam9+ ! geologic =mation ( !    
c\ntry ) a view to possible future      
prospect+ 9 di/ricts yet undevelop$4  ,!
 m9]al possibilities ( ,nevada hav5't   
be5 m ?an scrat*$1 ,mack ,nolan obs]v$1 
ly+ back ) "o arm ?r[n up "u 8 head z a 
make%ift pill[ & ! o!r h& neglig5tly    
att5d+ to ! cig>ette he 0 smok+4  ,8    
gray army hat 0 tilt$ ov] 8 eyes1 %ield+
 !m f ! sun :ile !y dwelt r /udi\sly ^u 
! face ( ,casey ,ryan4  ,e spr+ ,i l to 
get out & poke ar\nd ?r\gh ^! hills :]e 
folks z a rule don't g4  ,nev] did mu*  
prospect+--z su*4 ,don't take k9dly     
en\gh to a pick & %ovel = t4  ,:at ,i l 
be/ is g5]al field "w4  ,if ,i run      
across some?+ ri*1 "t en\gh !n to locate

 a claim or two & hire a c\ple ( /rong  
backs to d ! digg+4  ,i've be5 out n[ = 
ab\t ?ree weeks2 & night be=e la/1 j z  
,i /opp$ to make camp & be=e ,i'd />t$  
to unpack1 my two mules got sc>$ at a   
rattl] & quit ! c\ntry4  ,left me flat1 
)\t a ?+ b my clo!s & six-%oot]1 & :at  
,i _h 9 my pockets4  ,he lift$ !        
cig>ette f betwe5 8 lips--?91 !y 71 &   
curv$ & r pitiless1 "o c\ld guess1 if ! 
man 7 suffici5tly r\s$4  ,i wa/$ all    
ye/]day try+ to trail 'em4  ,b y c't d  
mu* track+ 9 ^! rocks back "h t[>d !    
riv]4  ,i 0 hitt+ = ! highway to cat* a 
ride if ,i c\ld1 :5 ,i saw y topp+ ?is  
la/ ridge ov] "h4  ,don't blame me mu* =
 bumm+ a breakfa/1 d y8  ,& he add$1 ) a
 sigh ( deep physical cont5t1 ,x        
sure-lee 0 "s fe$6  ,8 lids droop$ l[] z
 if sleep 7 ov]tak+ him 9 spite (       
himself4  ,i'd ask yuh if y'd se5 any?+ 
( ^? mules--only ,i don't give a damn   
n[4  ,i wi% ?is 0 night in/ead ( noon2  
,i c\ld sleep ! clock ar\nd aft] t bacon
 & bannock ( y\rs4  ,hav5't a c>e 9 !   

_w1 he murmur$ dr[sily4 ,happy z a toad 
9 ! sun1 fir/ w>m day ( spr+4  ,h[ soon 
y go+ to crank up8  ,casey />$ at him   
unw9k+ly ?r\gh n>r[$ lids4  ,he pu%$ 8  
hat =w>d ) a %>p tilt ov] 8 eyebr[--:i* 
meant always t ,casey ,ryan _h j ,o4    
,k4'd an idea--& rea*$ = 8 *ew+ tobacco4
  ,g ahead an' take a nap if yuh want   
to1 he urg$4  ,i got "s t9k]9' to d on !
 ,=d1 an' ,i 0 aim9' to lay ov] "h an' d
 x4  ,i'm k9da look9' ar\nd1 myself1 = a
 likely prospect2 ,i got all ! "t !re   
is4  ,i guess ,i'll back ! c> d[n ! draw
 a piece :]e %e'll set level1 an' clean 
up 'er d+bats :il/ y take a sleep4      
,casey left ! breakfa/ ?+s :]e !y 71 z a
 sil5t reassurance to ,mack ,nolan t !  
c> w\ld n g (f )\t him4 ,x 0 a f9e1     
psy*ological detail ( :i* ,casey 0      
secretly r pr\d4  ,a box ( grub1 a smok$
 c(fee pot & dirty breakfa/ di%es left  
beside a dead campfire e/abli%es        
evid5ce1 admissible be=e any jury1 t !  
own] means to return4  ,casey w5t ov] & 
crank$ ! ,=d1 grimly det]m9$ to make !  

c(fee pot lie = him if necess>y4  ,he   
back$ ! c> d[n ! draw a good sev5ty-five
 y>ds1 to :]e a wr9kle 9 ! bank hid him 
f ! breakfa/ camp4  ,he /opp$ !re & left
 ! eng9e runn+ :ile he /raddl$ out ov] !
 side & w5t =w>d to ! dip ( ! front f5d]
 to see if ! ,=d 7 /ill visible to ,mack
 ,nolan4  ,he 0 glad to f9d t by cr\*+ &
 sight+ across ! f5d] he c\ld j see !   
campfire & ! top ( ,nolan's hat beyond  
x4  ,! man ne$ only lift 8 head (f 8 arm
 to see t ! ,=d 0 /&+ j ar\nd ! turn ( !
 draw4  ,! corn] 0 nev] yet s tight t   
,casey ,ryan c\ldn't f9d a crack some:]e
 to crawl ?r\gh1 he told himself        
va+lori\sly4 ,an' ,i hope to ?und] !    
fell] sleeps long an' sleeps solid6  ,= 
fifte5 m9utes ! m9d ( ,casey ,ryan 0 at 
ease4  ,he _h f\nd a %ovel 9 ! c>1 plac$
 conv5i5tly at ! side :]e x c\ld be us$ 
= j su* an em]g5cy z ?is4  ,= fifte5    
m9utes he _h be5 us+ t %ovel 9 a %elv+  
bank ( loose gravel j "u an outcropp+ ( 
rhyolite a rod or s beh9d ! c> & well   
out ( sight ( ,nolan4  ,he 0 beg9n+ to  

consid] 8 excavation almo/ deep en\gh to
 bury two t5-gallon kegs & =ty bottles (
 :isky1 :5 ! %ad[ ( a head & %\ld]s fell
 across ! hole4  ,casey did n lift !    
dirt & rocks he _h on 8 %ovel4  ,he     
froze to a t5se quiet1 goggl+ at ! %ad[4
  ,:at are yuh do+1 ,casey8  ,try+ to   
outdig a badg]8 ,mack ,nolan's *uckle 0 
fri5dl9ess itself4  ,casey's head snapp$
 ar\nd s t he c\ld cock an eye up at    
,nolan4 ,he gr9n$ me*anically4  ,naw4   
,pick$ up a ri*-look9' piece uh float4  
,?\ght ,i'd j see if x didn't mebby come
 f ?is l$ge4  ,mack ,nolan /epp$ =w>d   
int]e/$ly & look$ at ! l$ge4  ,:]e's !  
piece y f\nd8 he v naturally inquir$4   
,! =mation j "h w\ldn't lead me to      
expect gold-be>+ rock2 b ( c\rse1 any?+ 
is possible ) gold4  ,let's h a look at 
! specim54  ,casey _h once tri$ to bluff
 a /rang] ) two deuces & a pair ( fives1
 & two full /acks ( blue *ips pu%$ to ! 
c5t] to back ! bluff4  ,! /rang] _h     
call$ him1 ) ?ree que5s & a pair (      
jacks4  ,casey felt l t n[4  ,he _h     

laugh$ ov] 8 loss !n1 & he gr9n$ n[ &   
rea*$ c>elessly to ! bank beside him z  
if he fully expect$ to lay 8 h& on !    
specim5 ( gold-be>+ rock4  ,he w5t s f> 
z to utt] a surpris$ oa? :5 he fail$ to 
f9d x4  ,he felt 9 8 pockets4 ,he w5t   
=w>d & scann$ ! top ( ! l$ge almo/      
conv9c+ly4 ,he turn$ & /ood a-/raddle1 8
 h&s on 8 hips1 & gaz$ on ! pile ( dirt 
he _h ?r[n out ( ! hole4  ,la/1 he pu%$ 
8 hat back s t ) ! next movem5t he c\ld 
pu% x =w>d aga9 ov] 8 eyebr[4  ,n[ if t 
!re lump uh high-grade a9't w5t an' slid
 d[n ! bank an' got cov]$ up ) ! muck6  
he exclaim$ disgu/$ly4 ,i'm a son ( a   
gun if ,fate a9't play9' ag9' ,casey    
,ryan ) a flock uh aces "u its ve/6     
,mack ,nolan laugh$1 & ,casey slant$ a  
look 8 way4  ,?\ght ,i left y tak91 a   
nap1 he said braz5ly4  ,:at's ! matt]8  
,didn't y\r breakfa/ set good8  ,mack   
,nolan laugh$ aga94  ,x 0 evid5t t he   
f\nd ,casey ,ryan v amus+4  ,! breakfa/ 
0 f9e1 he repli$ easily4  ,a c\ple (    
liz>ds got to play+ tag ov] me4  ,t woke

 me up1 & ! sun 0 s hot ,i j ?\ght ,i'd 
come d[n & crawl into ! c> & g to sleep 
!re4  ,g ahead ) y\r prospect+1         
,casey--,i won't bo!r y4  ,casey w5t on 
) 8 digg+1 b 8 he>t 0 n 9 x4 ,) e lagg>d
 %ovelful ( dirt1 he glanc$ ov] 8 %\ld] 
appreh5sively1 wat*+ ,mack ,nolan crawl 
into ! back ( ! c> & settle himself1 )  
an audible sigh ( satisfaction1 on top (
 ! load4  ,he _h "o wild1 wick$ impulse 
to l5g!n ! hole & make x s]ve z a grave 
= m ?an bootleg :isky2 b x 0 an impulse 
born ( desp]ation1 & x di$ almo/ be=e x 
_h liv$4    ,,*apt] ,,f\rte5  ,casey    
left 8 digg+ & return$ to ! ,=d1 /ill   
det]m9$ to c>ry on ! bluff & pret5d t   
mu* t9k]+ 0 necess>y be=e he c\ld travel
 fur!r4  ,) a great %[ ( indu/ry he     
rummag$ = pli]s & wr5*es1 remov$ ! hood 
f ! motor & squ9t$ d[n at ! little      
eng9e4  ,by t "t ,mack ,nolan 0 snor+   
s(tly 9 deep slumb]4 ,casey li/5$       
suspici\sly1 kn[+ too well h[ mislead+ a
 snore c\ld be4  ,b 8 own eyelids 7 gr[+
 exce$+ heavy1 & ! soporific s\nd act$  

hypnotically ^u 8 sleep-hungry bra94 ,he
 caught himself yawn+1 & sudd5ly ?rew   
d[n ! wr5*4  ,aw1 hell6 he mutt]$       
disgu/$ly1 & w5t & crawl$ "u ! back ( ! 
c> :]e x 0 %ady4  ,! sun 0 ne>ly d[n :5 
,casey awoke & crawl$ out4  ,mack ,nolan
 0 /ill curl$ com=tably 9 ! c>1 8 back  
aga9/ ! b$ roll4 ,he op5$ 8 eyes & yawn$
 :5 ,casey lean$ & look$ 9 ^u him4  ,by 
,jove1 t 0 a f9e sleep ,i _h1 he ann\nc$
 *e]fully1 lift+ himself up & dangl+ 8  
legs outside ! c>4 ,/rike any?+ yet8    
,naw4  ,casey's grunt 0 eloqu5t ( ! mood
 he 0 94  ,get ! c> fix$ all "r8  ,mack 
,nolan's *e]fulness seem$ no?+ less ?an 
diabolical to ,casey4  ,naw4 ,!n ,casey 
add$ grimly1 ,i'm /uck4  ,i dunno :at   
ails ! damn$ ?+4  ,h to s5d to ,vegas f]
 new p>ts1 ,i guess4 ,x's only ?ree     
miles out "h to ! road4  ,mebby y bett] 
hike ov] to ! highway an' ket* a ride ) 
somebody4  ,i might s5d 9 = a tim] an'  
"s ?+s1 too4  ,no use wait9' f] me1     
,nolan--c't tell h[ long ,i'll be held  
up "h4  ,mack ,nolan climb$ out ( ! c>4 

,casey's spirits rose in/antly4 ,nolan  
came =w>d & look$ d[n at ! eng9e z      
casually z he w\ld glance at a nickel   
al>m clock4  ,%e 0 hitt+ all "r :5 y    
back$ d[n "h1 ,nolan rem>k$ easily4     
,i'll j take a look at h] myself4  ,=ds 
are cranky sometimes4  ,b ,i've assembl$
 too _m ( !m 9 ! factory to let "o get !
 be/ ( me 9 ! des]t4  ,casey c\ld almo/ 
he> 8 he>t :5 x slump$ d[n into 8 boots4
 ,b he wasn't lick$ yet4  ,aw1 let !    
d>n$ ?+ alone till we eat1 he said1 pu%+
 8 hat =w>d to hurry 8 wits4  ,well--,i 
c ?r[ a ,=d toge!r 9 ! d>k1 if necess>y1
 smil$ ,mack ,nolan4  ,eat1 x is1 if y  
want x t way4 ,t breakfa/ ,i put away   
seems to h %>p5$ my appetite = supp]4   
,tell y :at1 ,ryan4  ,i'll d a little   
tr\ble-%oot+ "h :ile y cook supp]4      
,h['ll t be8  ,t w\ldn't be1 if ,casey  
c\ld prev5t x4  ,8 pale1 n>r[-lidd$ eyes
 dwelt ^u ,nolan unw9k+ly4  ,well1 mebby
 ,i'm k9d ( a crank ab\t my c>1 he h$g$1
 ) a praisewor?y calmness4  ,=ds is l   
horses1 to me4 ,i drove /age all m' life

 till ,i took to prospect9'--an' ,i nev]
 c\ld /& ar\nd & let anybody else monkey
 ) my teams4  ,i a9't a d\bt 9 ! _w1    
,mr4 ,nolan1 b :at y "k z mu* ab\t ,=ds 
z ,i d4  ,m1 mebby4 ,b ,casey ,ryan's   
got 'is little ways1 an' he c't seem to 
dit* 'em4 ,we'll eat2 an' !n mebby we'll
 look 'er ov] toge!r4  ,at ! same "t1 he
 w5t on ) ris+ c\rage1 ,i'm liable to   
/ick ar\nd "h = a:ile an' prospect a    
little4  ,if y wanta f9d !m mules an'   
outfit1 don't bank too /rong on ,casey  
,ryan4 ,he's liable to *ange 'is m9d any
 old "t4  ,day or night1 y c't tell :at 
,casey might take a notion to d4  ,t    
!re's a fact4  ,y c ask anybody if x    
a9't4  ,mack ,nolan laugh$ & slapp$     
,casey unexpect$ly on ! %\ld]4 ,y're a  
man aft] my own he>t1 ,casey ,ryan1 he  
decl>$ enigmatically4  ,i'll /ick to y &
 take a *ance4 ,d>n ! mules6 ,somebody w
 f9d !m & look aft] !m until ,i %[ up4  
,casey's spirits1 z he admitt$ to       
himself1 7 ris+ & fall+ l ! hamm] ( a   
pile driv]2 & l ! pile driv]1 ! hamm] 0 

driv+ him deep] & deep] into            
hopelessness4  ,he w\ld h giv5 an e> to 
"k = c]ta9 :e!r ,mack ,nolan 7 z innoc5t
 & fri5dly z he seem$4 ,until he did "k1
 ,casey c\ld see no?+ be=e him b to wait
 8 *ance to give ,nolan ! slip4  ,sitt+ 
cross-legg$ 9 ! gl[ ( ! campfire aft]   
supp]1 ) a huge patt]n ( />s drawn ov] !
 purple night sky1 ,casey pull$ out !   
old pipe ) :i* he _h solac$ _m an ev5+ &
 /uff$ x ?\ghtfully ) tobacco4  ,across 
! campfire1 ,mack ,nolan sat ) 8 hat    
tilt$ d[n ov] 8 eyes1 smok+ a cig>ette &
 seem+ at peace ) all ! _w4  ,casey hop$
 t ,nolan w\ld =get ab\t fix+ ! ,=d4    
,he hop$ t ,nolan w\ld sleep well       
to-night4  ,casey 0 p]fectly will+ to   
sacrifice a good roll ( b$d+ & ! cook+  
outfit = ! privilege ( travel+ alone4   
,no man1 he told himself savagely1 c\ld 
ask a bett] deal ?an he 0 prep>$ to give
 ,nolan4  ,he b5t to rea* a burn+ twig =
 8 pipe1 & f\nd ,nolan wat*+ him /eadily
 f "u 8 hat brim4  ,:at sort ( look+    
fell[s 7 ^?1 ,ryan1 t left a load (     

booze on y\r h&s8  ,nolan ask$ casually 
:5 he saw t he 0 obs]v$4  ,casey burn$ 8
 f+]s ) ! blaz+ twig4  ,:o said any?+   
ab\t any fell]s leav9' me booze8 he     
evad$ %>ply4 ,if x's a dr9k y're h9t9'  
=1 y won't get x4  ,casey ,ryan a9't no 
booze p$dl]1 an' n['s z good a "t z any 
to let t soak into y\r sy/em4  ,mack    
,nolan's gray eyes 7 /ill wat*+ ,casey )
 a /eadfa/ness t 0 disconc]t+ to a man 9
 ,casey's dilemma4  ,x might help u bo? 
consid]ably1 he said quietly1 if y told 
me all ab\t x4  ,y c't ca*e t booze y've
 got 9 ! c>--,i won't let y1 = "o ?+2 = 
ano!r1 t w\ld be m]ely dodg+ ! issue1 & 
if y'll =give my frankness1 dodg+       
doesn't seem to be q 9 y\r l9e4  ,casey 
puff$ h>d on 8 pipe4  ,! _w's gitt9' s  
d>n$ full uh crooks1 a man c't turn     
ar\nd n['days )\t bump9' into a few6 he 
explod$ bitt]ly4  ,:at k9d uh hold-up   
game ,,y play9'1 ,mr4 ,nolan8  ,if t's  
y\r "n1 he add$ fi]cely4  ,mack ,nolan  
laugh$ to himself & rubb$ ! a% f 8      
cig>ette aga9/ ! sole ( 8 %oe4  ,:y1 he 

answ]$ g5ially1 my game is hold+ up     
bootlegg]s--& crook$ cops4 ,speak+ (f-h&
 7:i* ,i don't (t5 d7 ,i %\ld say y h a 
f9e *ance to sit 9 ) me4 ,i'm j guess+1 
n[1  he add$ dryly1  b ,i'm tol]ably    
good at guess+2 a man's got to be1 ^!   
days4  ,a man's got to d bett] ?an      
guess--) ,casey ,ryan1 ,casey rem>k$    
om9\sly4  ,! la/ man t guess$ ,casey    
,ryan1 guess$ 'im plumb wrong4  ,mean+ t
 y'd refuse to help me r\nd up          
bootlegg]s & ! (fic]s t protect !m8 ,a  
/eel edge crept into ,mack ,nolan's     
voice4  ,he lean$ =w>d1 8 elb[s on 8    
knees1 8 eyes bor+ into ,casey's m9d4   
,man1 don't /all ) me6  ,y've got bra9s 
en\gh to "k t if ,i 7 a crook ,i'd h    
held y up long be=e n[4  ,y gave me ?ree
 spl5did opportunities to /ick a gun 9  
y\r back--& ,i c\ld h made o!rs4  ,&1 he
 add$ ) a smile1 if ,i _h ?\ght t y 7 a 
bootlegg] or a crook ( any o!r k9d1 ,i'd
 h _h y 9 ,las ,vegas jail by ?is "t4   
,y're no m a crook ?an ,i am4  ,y've got
 nei!r ! looks nor ! actions ( a slick]4

  ,i may say ,i "k y pretty well--      
,casey ?ru/ out a pugnaci\s *94  ,say6  
,d' y "k ,bill ,ma/]s1 too8  ,t's all ,i
 wanta "k6  ,bill ,ma/]s8  ,:y1 is he ! 
fell[ :o /epp$ out f "u ?is load (      
hoot*8  ,if he is1 he mu/ h pick$       
himself a new "n2 ,i nev] he>d x4       
,casey gl>$ suspici\sly = tw5ty seconds 
be=e he settl$ back glumly into 8 m5tal 
corn]4  ,ryan1 ,i've be5 all day siz+ y 
up4  ,i'm go+ to be p]fectly hone/ ) y &
 tell y :y ,i ?9k y're /raight--al?\gh y
 mu/ admit ! evid5ce is r aga9/ y4  ,i  
happ5$ to be "r close :5 y drove d[n 9  
"h & /opp$4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 ,i 0     
beh9d t little clump ( junip]s4 ,_h y   
driv5 ar\nd !m in/ead ( /opp+ ?is side1 
y c\ldn't h fail$ to see me4  ,y came   
d[n "h mad at ! trick t _h be5 play$ y4 
,y 7 s mad1 y />t$ talk+ to y\rself z a 
safety valve--bl[+ (f m5tal /eam4  ,y've
 sp5t a lot ( "t 9 ! des]t--alone4  ,m5 
l t frequ5tly talk al\d _! ?\ghts1 j to 
he> a human voice4  ,y made matt]s      
pretty pla9 to me be=e y knew !re 0 any 

"o )9 miles ( y4  ,= in/ance1 y're n at 
all sure ?is c> y've got wasn't /ol54   
,y're incl9$ to ?9k x 04  ,y're         
broke--robb$1 ,i take x1 by ! m5 :o     
someh[ manag$ to leave y ) ! c> & a load
 ( booze on y\r h&s4  ,! trick mu/ h be5
 turn$ ?is morn+2 d[n at ! railroad1  ,i
 imag9e--because y hadn't tak5 "t to /op
 & size up ! pr$icam5t y 7 9 until y got
 "h4  ,y\r ma9 idea 0 to get (f some:]e 
out ( sight4  ,y 7 sc>$4 ,y didn't he>  
me beh9d y until ,i spoke--:i* proves   
y're a gre5 h& at dodg+4  ,& t1 ,ryan1  
is a v good recomm5dation to a man 9 my 
l9e ( "w4  ,b y're %rewd1 & y're        
game--dead game4  ,y're a pea* at ?9k+  
up s*emes to get y\rself out ( a hole4  
,( c\rse1 be+ new at x1 y don't ?9k q f>
 en\gh4  ,= in/ance1 because y f\nd me  
afoot x nev] occurr$ to y t ,i might "k 
some?+ ab\t a c>2 b ! re/ ( y\r plan 0 a
 d&y4  ,y\r idea ( back+ d[n !re ar\nd !
 turn & bury+ ! booze 0 all "r4  ,)     
almo/ any o!r man x w\ld h work$4 ,once 
y got t hoot* (f y\r m9d1 ,i r ?9k y'd h

 be5 glad to h me along ) y1 in/ead (   
giv+ me broad h9ts to leave4 ,b y hav5't
 got ! booze buri$ yet1 & y've be5      
figur+ all ! ev5+4  ,y don't see h[ !   
devil y're go+ to manage x ) me ar\nd4  
,i'll d a little m guess+1 n[3 ,i guess 
y've dop$ x out t y'll pack ! b$roll up 
"h1 tuck me 9 & pray to ! ,"l ,i'll     
sleep s\nd4  ,y're hop+ y c ca*e ! booze
 & make y\r getaway :ile ,i've gone     
bye-l[4  ,or possibly1 if y got ! booze 
put away safe f my pry+ eyes1 y might   
come back to b$ & ,i'd f9d y "h 9 !     
morn+ j z if no?+ _h happ5$4  ,h[ ,is t 
= guesswork8  ,y g tahell6 gr[l$ ,casey1
 swall[+ a sickly gr94  ,he press$ d[n !
 tobacco 9 8 pipe1 eye+ ,nolan que]ly4  
,if !m damn' liz>ds _h uh let yuh alone1
 ,i w\ldn't h no?9' on m' m9d n[ b my   
hat4  ,he look$ across ! fire & gr9n$   
aga94  ,keep on2 y'll be tell9' me :at !
 missus an' ,i 0 argu9' ab\t la/ night  
ov] long-di/ance4  ,i've he>d tell uh   
?is f\r-bit m9d read+ an' =eca/9' y\r   
horrorscope f] a dime2 b ,i nev] met up 

) x be=e4  ,if y're aim9' to take up a  
collection aft] ! %[1 y'll f>e slim4    
,i've be5 :at a fell] call$ 'du/$ (f'4  
,he add$1 aft] a pause t 0 eloqu5t1 ,!y 
done x ?or\gh6  ,mack ,nolan laugh$4    
,!y usually are ?or\gh1 :5 !y're 'du/+  
(f a *ump'1 z ,i believe !y call x4     
,casey grunt$4  ',*ump' is "r1 mebby4   
,b anyways1 y're too late1 ,mr4 ,nolan4 
,i'm clean$4  ,mack ,nolan roll$ ano!r  
cig>ette1 light$ x & flipp$ ! mat* into 
! campfire4  ,he smok$ x d[n to ! la/   
in*1 />+ into ! fire & say+ no?+ ! :ile4
  ,:5 ! cig>ette /ub foll[$ ! mat*1 he  
lean$ back ^u "o elb[ & began trac+ a   
geometrical figure 9 ! s& ) a /ick4     
,ryan1 he said abruptly1 y're squ>e & ,i
 "k x4  ,! v nature ( my bus9ess makes  
me cauti\s ab\t tru/+ m5--b ,i'm go+ to 
tru/ y4  ,he /opp$ aga91 tak+ great pa9s
 ) ! po9t ( a triangle he 0 draw+4      
,casey knock$ ! a%es out ( 8 pipe aga9/ 
a rock4  ,putt9' x t way1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 !
 man's yet to live t ,casey ,ryan ev]   
d\ble-cross$4  ,cops ,i got no use =2   

nor yet bootlegg]s4 ,:e!r ,i got any use
 = y1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 ,i c say bett] :5    
,i've he>d yuh out4  ,a goat ,i've be5 =
 ! la/ "t4  ,b ,i'm will9' to ,,he> yuh 
out--& t !re's m'n :at ,i'd uh said ?is 
morn+4  ,& t's fair en\gh1 ,ryan4  ,if y
 jump$ into ?+s ) y\r eyes %ut1 ,i don't
 ?9k ,i'd want y ) me4  ,casey squirm$1 
rememb]+ c]ta9 times :5 he _h gone too  
headlong into ?+s4  ,i'm go+ to ask y1  
,ryan1 to tell me ! :ole /ory ( ?is c> &
 its load ( :isky4  ,be=e y d t1 ,i'll  
tell y ?is mu* to %[ good fai? & prove  
to y h[ mu* ,i tru/ y3 ,i'm an (fic]1 & 
my special "w "r n[ is to clean up a    
gang ( bootlegg]s & ! crook$ (fic]s :o  
are protect+ !m4 ,:at ,i "k ab\t y\r    
case leads me to believe t y've run af\l
 ( !m & t y're ! man ,i've be5 look+ = t
 c help me set a trap = !m4 ,w\ld y l to
 d t8  ,if x's t bun* y're aft]1 ,mr4   
,nolan1 ,i'd ru!r l& 'em 9 jail ?an to  
f9d a l$ge ( solid gold t5 feet ?ick an'
 a mile long4 ,"o ?+ ,i'd l to "k fir/4 
,are yuh or a9't yuh hunt9' mules8      

,mack ,nolan laugh$4  ,i am1 yes4  ,b ! 
mule ,i'm hunt+ is :ite6  ,casey /udi$ t
 until he _h ! fre% pipeful ( tobacco   
go+ well4  ,!n he look$ up & gr9n$      
und]/&+ly4  ,s x's ,:ite ,mule y're     
trail9'4  ,he kick$ a /ub ( greasewood  
bran* back into ! flames & laugh$4      
,well1 ! tracks is deep an' pl5ty1 & if 
t's ! trail y're tak9'1 ,i'm ) yuh4 ,y  
a9't a cop--lea/ways y don't spread y\r 
arms e "t y turn ar\nd4 ,go%1 ,i hate !m
 w+-flopp9' k9d6  ,!y's "o ?+ an' "o    
only t ,i hate worse--an' t's bootlegg]s
 an' moon%9]s4  ,if y got a s*eme to    
give !m cusses _! ne$9's1 y c ask       
anybody if ,casey ,ryan a9't ! fell] y c
 bank on4  ,yes4  ,t's :at ,i've be5    
?9k+4  ,n[1 ,i wi% y'd tell me exactly  
:at y've be5 up aga9/4  ,don't leave out
 any?+1 h[ev] trivial x might seem to y4
  ,:]e=e1 ,casey sat ) ! firelight      
flick]+ across 8 seam$1 ,iri% face &    
told ! /ory ( 8 wrongs4  ,trivial       
details ,nolan _h ask$ =--& he got !m ) 
! full ,casey ,ryan flavor4 ,ev5 ! old  

woman :o rock$1 ,casey pictur$--f 8     
p>ticul> angle4  ,mack ,nolan sat up &  
li/5$1 8 eyes /eady & 8 m\?1 t _h curv$ 
to laught] _m times dur+ ! recital1 once
 m firm & some:at pitiless :5 ,casey    
f9i%$4  ,?is ,smil+ ,l\2 y'd "k him     
aga91 ( c\rse8  ,"k him6  ,say1 ,i'd "k 
him aft] he'd fri$ a week 9 hell6       
,casey's tone left no d\bt ( 8 mean+4   
,& ,i suppose y c\ld tell ?is man ,k5n] 
a mile (f & ar\nd a corn]4  ,n[1 ,i'll  
tell y :at ,i want y to d1 ,casey4  ,?is
 may j> y a little--until ,i expla94  ,i
 want y--  ,mack ,nolan paus$1 8 lips   
twit*+ 9 a fa9t smile--to d a little    
bootlegg+ y\rself4  ,yuh--,,:at8 ,9 !   
firelight ,casey's eyes 7 se5 to bulge4 
,i want y to bootleg ?is :isky y've got 
9 ! c>4 ,nolan's eyes tw9kl$4  ,i want y
 to g back & p$dle ?is booze1 & ,i want 
y to d x s t ,smil+ ,l\ or "o ( 8 bun* w
 hold y up & highjack y4  ,d y see :at  
,i mean8 ,y don't--s ,i'll tell y4      
,we'll put x 9 m>k$ bottles4  ,i h !    
bottles & ! seals & labels = e br& (    

liquor to be _h 9 ! c\ntry to-day4  ,)  
m>k$ money & m>k$ bottles1 we ought to  
be able to get ! goods on t gang4       
,casey ?\ght ( some?+ q sudd5ly & held  
out an imp]ative1 po9t+ f+]4  ,!re's    
some?+ else t fell] told me 0 9 ! c>6 he
 cri$ agitat$ly4  ,he said he _h =ty    
p9ts ( ,fr5* *ampagne ca*$ 9 a false    
bottom "u ! front seat4  ,& he said !   
front cu%ion _h a bl9d pocket ar\nd !   
edges t 0 full uh dope4  ,hop1 he call$ 
x4  ,mack ,nolan :i/l$ "u 8 brea?4  ,&  
he turn$ ! :ole outfit ov] to y = sixte5
 hundr$ doll>s or s8  ,he />$ ?\ghtfully
 into ! fire4  ,abruptly he look$ at    
,casey4  ,:at ! deuce _h y done to him1 
,ryan8 he ask$1 ) a quizzical int5tness4
  ,he mu/ h be5 sc>$ /iff1 to let g (   
all t /uff = sixte5 hundr$4  ,:y1 man1 !
 'junk'--t's dope--alone mu/ be wor? m  
?an t4  ,& ! *ampagne--=ty p9ts1 y say8 
,he ought to get tw5ty doll>s a p9t = t4
  ,figure x y\rself4  ,i hope1 he add$  
s]i\sly1 ! fell[ wasn't too sc>$ to %[  
up aga94  ,well1 ,casey said grimly1 ,i 

dunno h[ sc>t he is--b he kn[s d>n' well
 ,i'll kill 'im4 ,i told im ,i w\ld4    
,aga9 ,mack ,nolan laugh$4  ,cat*+'s mu*
 bett] ?an kill+1 ,ryan4 ,x hurts a man 
worse1 & x la/s a heap long]4  ,:at d y 
say to turn+ 98  ,to-morr[ we'll h a    
full day at my private bottl+ works4    
,!y mov$ _! cook+ outfit d[n ne> ! ,=d =
 safety's sake4 ,:ile x 0 :olly         
improbable t ! c> w\ld be robb$ 9 !     
night1 ,mack ,nolan 0 a man :o took z   
few *ances z possible4 ,x happ5$ t !    
excavation ,casey _h s hopefully made t 
morn+ =m$ a conv5i5t level = _! b$2     
:]e=e !y spread x !re1 talk+ 9 l[ tones 
( _! plans until !y w5t to sleep4       
,,*apt] ,,fifte5  ,dawn 0 j ?9n+ !      
curta9 ( d>kness :5 ,nolan woke ,casey )
 a %ake ( ! %\ld]4  ,i ?9k we'd bett] be
 mov+ f "h be=e ! _w's a/ir4 ,y c back  
on d[n ?is draw1 ,ryan1 & /rike an old  
trail t cuts ov] ! ridge & up ! next    
gul* to an old1 des]t$ m9e :]e ,i've    
made headqu>t]s4  ,x isn't f>1 & we c h 
breakfa/ at my camp4  ,casey swall[$ 8  

a/oni%m5t1 & = once 9 8 life he did z he
 0 told )\t argum5t4  ,mack ,nolan's    
camp 0 fairly accessible by r\ndab\t    
trail ) a few tire tracks to po9t ! way 
= ,casey4  ,/raight across ! ridges1 x  
w\ld n h be5 m ?an two miles to ,junip] 
,wells4 ,nev]!less n "o man 9 a ye> w\ld
 be tempt$ to come ?is way1 unless x 7  
def9itely kn[n t "s "o liv$ "h4  ,z !   
camp ( a man :o 0 prospect+ = pa/ime r  
?an = a grub/ake1 ! place 0 p]fect4     
,mack ,nolan _h tak5 possession ( a cab9
 dug into ! hill at ! head ( a long     
draw4 ,a bru%-cov]$ %$ ( make%ift       
con/ruction %elt]$ a c> ( ! ubiquit\s   
,=d make4  ,fifty y>ds away & 9 full    
sight ( ! cab91 ! m\? ( a tunnel yawn$  
blackly "u a rhyolite l$ge4  ,casey     
swept ! camp ) an obs]vant glance &     
nodd$ approval z & /opp$ be=e ! cab94   
,z a prospector1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 ,i'll say 
'tis a f9e lay\t y got "h4 ,an' ta9't ! 
fir/ "t an hone/-look9' m9e has be5 made
 to cov] ?+s f> (f f m99'4  ,l ! ,black 
,butte bun*1 f'r in/ance4 ,b if any "o 0

 to ride up on yuh unexpect$ "h1 ,i'll  
say yuh c\ld meet 'em ) a gr9 an' feel  
easy ab\t y\r secrets4  ,t's praise     
inde$1 com+ f an old h& l y1 ,nolan     
decl>$4  ,n[ ,i'll tell y some?+ else4  
,) ,casey ,ryan 9 ! camp ! :ole ?+'s    
twice z conv9c+4  ,come 94  ,i want to  
%[ y :at ,i call an arti/ic int]ior4    
,gr9n+1 ,casey foll[$ him inside &      
exclaim$ pr(anely 9 admiration ( ,mack  
,nolan's g5ius4  ,! cab9 %[$ e m>k ( !  
own]'s int]e/ 9 ! geologic =mation ( t  
imm$iate di/rict4  ,on ! floor along !  
wall lay specim5s ( m9]aliz$ rock1 a    
c\ple ( prospector's picks1 a s+le-jack 
& a set ( drills2 a sample sack1 grim$ &
 ) a hole 9 ! corn] m5d$ by ! simple    
process ( ga!r+ ! clo? toge!r ar\nd x & 
ty+ x tightly ) a /r+1 hung f a nail    
above ! tools4 ,on ! w9d[ sill 7        
specim5s ( ore2 two or ?ree ( ! pieces  
%[$ a ri*ness t light$ ,casey's eyes ) !
 en?usiasm ( an old prospector4  ,m9+   
j\rnals & a prospector's manual lay ^u a
 box table at ! foot ( ! bunk4 ,= ! re/1

 ! cab9 look$ exactly :at x 0--! ord]ly 
home ( a man q accu/om$ to primitive    
liv+ f> (f f 8 fell[s4  ,!y _h a v      
satisfactory breakfa/ cook$ by ,mack    
,nolan f 8 own supplies & eat5 9 a      
leisurely mann] :ile ,nolan talk$ (     
prim>y =mations & second>y1 & ( m9]al   
intrusions & breaks4 ,casey li/5$ &     
le>n$ a few ?+s he _h n kn[n1 = all 8   
ye>s ( prospect+4  ,mack ,nolan1 he     
decid$1 c\ld pass any:]e z a m9+ exp]t4 
,& n[1 said ,nolan briskly1 :5 he _h    
hung up ! di%pan & drap$ ! di%clo? ov] x
 to dry1 ,i'll %[ y ! bottl+ works4     
,we'll h to d ! "w by lant]n-light4     
,!re's n "o *ance 9 fifty t any "o w\ld 
%[ up "h--b y nev] c tell4 ,we c\ld get 
! /uff out ( sight easily en\gh :ile !  
c> 0 com+ up ! gul*4  ,b ! smell is a   
diff]5t matt]4 ,we'll take no *ances4   
,at ! head ( ! bunk1 a curta9$ space    
b5ea? a high %elf v obvi\sly did duty z 
a w>drobe4  ,a lea!r motor coat hung    
!re1 "o sleeve protrud+ beyond ! curta9 
( fl[]$ calico4 ,o!r g>m5ts bulg$ ! clo?

 "h & !re4  ,nolan1 smil+ ov] 8 %\ld] at
 ,casey1 nodd$ & pu%$ ! clo?+ aside4  ,a
 door beh9d op5$ inw>d1 admitt+ ! two   
into a small recess f :i* ano!r door    
op5$ into a cell> dug deep into ! hill4 
,und\bt$ly ?is _h once be5 us$ z a      
fro/-pro( /or]oom4 ,a small v5tilator   
pipe op5$--s ,nolan told ,casey--9 !    
middle ( a greasewood clump4  ,nolan    
light$ a gasol9e lant]n t %$ a :ite     
brilliance ^u ! room4  ,on ! long table 
:i* ext5d$ d[n "o side ( ! room1 ,casey 
saw boxes ( bottles & o!r supplies :i*  
he did n at ! mom5t recognize4  ,we'll h
 to rebottle all ! :isky1 said ,nolan4  
,y'll see a c]ta9 m>k bl[n into ! bottom
 ( ea* "o ( ^!4 ,! *ampagne1 ,i'm       
afraid1 ,i mu/ ei!r confiscate & de/roy 
or run ! risk ( m>k+ ! labels4  ,! hop  
we'll lay aside = fur!r consid]ation4   
,casey gr9n$1 ?9k+ ( ! spe$y d[nfall ( 8
 enemies1 ,smil+ ,l\ & ,k5n]--&1 z a    
second>y consid]ation o!r crooks ( _!   
type4  ,s n[ we'll unload ! /uff1 ,ryan1
 & get to "w "h4 ,nolan adju/$ ! :ite   

flame 9 ! mantle ( ! gasol9e lant]n & l$
 ! way outside4  ,take 9 ! seat-cu%ion1 
,casey4  ,i don't fancy op5+ x outside1 
ev5 9 ?is h[l+ wild]ness4  ,i ?9k ,i'll 
j pack 9 ! kegs fir/1 ,mr4 ,nolan4  ,= !
 fir/ "t s9ce ! %ock ( ,mr4 ,nolan's    
m9d-read+ ! night be=e1 ,casey v5tur$ a 
sugge/ion4  ,anybody comes along1 x's ! 
kegs !y'd look at cross-ey$4  ,cu%ions  
is expect$ 9 ,=ds--if ,i a9't butt9' 91 
he add$ meekly4  ,:i* y're n4  ,y're    
act+ z my ag5t n[1 ,ryan1 & x w take two
 heads to put ?is ov] )\t a hit*4       
,sure1 put ! kegs out ( sight fir/4  ,! 
bottles next--& !n we'll make %ort "w ( 
! dope 9 ! cu%ion4  ,casey c>ri$ 9 !    
kegs :ile ,nolan kept wat* = inopportune
 visitors4  ,x 0 ?\ght inadvisable to   
unload ! camp outfit f ! c> until !     
:isky 0 all remov$4  ,! outfit          
effectually hid :at 0 bel[--& !y 7 tak+ 
no *ances4 ,!y bo? brea!d fre] :5 ! two 
kegs 7 9 ! cell>4 ,nolan 0 pleas$2 too1 
:5 ,casey came out ) ! sample bag &     
ann\nc$ t he w\ld c>ry ! bottles 9 !    

bag4  ,!n ,nolan fanci$ he he>d a c>1 & 
walk$ away to :]e he w\ld h a long] view
 d[n ! gul*4  ,he w\ld :i/le1 he said1 &
 w>n ,casey if someone 0 com+4  ,he _h n
 proce$$ fifty y>ds :5 ,casey yell$ &   
br\ght him back at a run4  ,casey 0     
rummag+ 9 ! c>1 ?r[+ ?+s ab\t ) a       
recklessness :i* ill-became an ag5t ( ! 
self-possess$ ,mack ,nolan4  ,!re a9't a
 damn' bottle "h6 he bell[$ indignantly4
 ,!m crooks gypp$ me outa t5 gallons uh 
good1 bottle :isky6 ,n[ :at d y "k ab\t 
t1 ,mr4 ,nolan8  ,t fell] said x 0      
high-grade /uff he _h pack$ away at !   
bottom4  ,he li$4 ,!re a9't no?9' "h b a
 set uh skid *a9s an' a jack4 ,an' !    
*ampagne1 mebby1 "u ! front seat6  ,mack
 ,nolan's eyes n>r[$4  ,i ?9k ,ryan1    
,i'll h a look "u t front seat4  ,he _h 
a look--sev]al looks1 9 fact4  ,!re 0 ! 
false bottom "u ! seat1 b !re 0 no?+ 9  
x4  ,he took 8 pocket knife1 op5$ a     
blade & split ! edge ( ! seat-cu%ion at 
! bottom4 ,he ins]t$ a f+] & ?umb & drew
 out a bit ( hair /uff+4 ,he /ood up &  

ey$ ,casey %>ply1 & ,casey />$ back     
def5sively4  ,he 0 a d>n$ li> f />t t'  
f9i%4  ,he said !re 0 *ampagne an' he   
said !re 0 hop1 ,casey /at$ flatly4  ,i 
wond]$ at 8 lett+ g ( /uff z valuable z 
t1 said ,nolan4 ,i ?9k we'd bett] take a
 look at ^? kegs4  ,!y w5t into ! cell> 
& took a look at ! kegs4  ,bo? kegs4    
,aft]w>d !y /ood & look$ at ea* o!r4    
,casey's h&s w5t to 8 hips1 & ! muscles 
along 8 jaw h>d5$ into lumps4 ,he spat  
into ! dirt ( ! cell> floor4  ,wat]6    
,he snort$ disgu/$ly4  ,casey ,ryan ) ! 
devil an' all sc>t outa him1 ?9k9' he _h
 own]%ip ( a load uh booze an' hop      
suffici5t t' hang 'im6  ,8 h& slid into 
8 tr\s]s pocket1 rea*+ = ! com=t+ plug (
 tobacco4  ,/uck up an' robb$ is :at    
happ5s t' ,casey4  ,y c ask anybody if x
 a9't highway robb]y6  ,nolan /opp$     
:i/l+ "u 8 brea?4 ,!re's ! ,=d1 he      
rem9d$ ,casey com=t+ly4  ,:i* ,i wi%t x 
wasn't6 sn>l$ ,casey4  ,y "k y\rself1   
,mr4 ,nolan1 x's likely /ole1 an' ! fir/
 man ,i meet 9 ! trail'll likely take x 

(f me1 claim9' x's 8'n6  ,mack ,nolan   
/>t$ :i/l+ aga91 b *eck$ himself        
abruptly4 ,well1 our trap's want+ bait1 
,i see4  ,?is leaves me /ill hunt+ !    
,:ite ,mule4  ,aw1 tahell ) y\r ,:ite   
,mule6  ,tahell ) ev]y?+6 ,casey kick$ !
 ne>e/ keg vici\sly & w5t out into !    
sun%9e1 swe>+ to himself4    ,,*apt]    
,,sixte5  ,9 ! %ade ( a junip] t grew on
 ! highe/ po9t ( ! gul*'s rim1 ,mack    
,nolan lay sprawl$ on ! flat ( 8 back1  
"o arm = a pill[1 & />$ up into ! s]5e  
blue ( ! sky ) cottony flakes ( cl\d    
swimm+ /eadily to ! nor!a/4 ,?ree feet  
away1 ,casey ,ryan re/$ on left hip &   
elb[ & />$ glumly d[n ^u ! cab9 directly
 b5ea? !m4 ,:5ev] 8 pale1 /raight-lidd$ 
eyes focuss$ ^u ! du/y top ( ! ,=d c>   
/&+ 9 front ( ! cab91 ,casey said some?+
 "u 8 brea?4       ,miles away to ! s\?1
 pale violet1 dreamlike 9 ! di/ance1 !  
jagg$ outl9e ( a small m\nta9 range /ood
 z if pa9t$ ^u ! horizon4  ,a wavy      
ribbon ( smudgy br[n 0 drawn unc]ta9ly  
across ! base ( ! m\nta9s4  ,?is1 ,casey

 knew1 :5 8 eyes lift$ to look t way1   
m>k$ ! l9e ( ! ,sante ,fe & a tra9 mov+ 
heavily upgrade to ! we/4  ,t[>d x dipp$
 ! smoo? /ret* ( b>r5 mesa cut /raight  
d[n ! middle ) a yell[ l9e t 0 ! highway
 up :i* ,casey _h driv5 ! morn+ be=e4   
,! inimitable magic ( di/ance & high    
des]t air veil$ greasewood1 sage & s& ) 
! glam\r ( unreality4  ,! m\nta9s       
beyond1 unspeakably desolate & =bidd+ at
 close range1 & ! little black buttes   
/&+ af>1 (f--small spew+s ( age-old     
volcanos dead be=e man 0 born--seem$    
fasc9at+1 unkn[n islets an*or$ 9 a sea (
 en*antm5t4  ,across ! valley to ! we/  
ne>] m\nta9s1 all ame?y/ & opal t9t$1   
/ood bold & inscrutable1 ) jagg$ peaks  
?ru/ into ! blue to pi]ce & hold !      
little cl\ds t came float+ by4  ,ev5 !  
gul* at h& _h be5 t\*$ by ! en*ant]'s w&
 & smil$ my/]i\sly 9 ! vivid sunlight1 !
 v air a-quiv] ) t indescribable beauty 
( ! high mesa l& :i* holds des]t dwell]s
 9 ?rall4  ,:5 fir/ ,casey saw ! smoke  
smudge aga9/ ! m\nta9s to ! s\?1 he     

rememb]$ 8 misadv5ture ( ! l[] des]t &  
swore4 ,:5 he look$ aga91 ! maje/ic     
sweep ( di/ance gave him a satisfi$     
feel+ ( fre$om f ! cr[d$ pett9esses ( ! 
city4 ,= ! fir/ "t s9ce tr\ble met him 9
 ! trail betwe5 ,victorville & ,b>/[1   
,casey heav$ a sigh ( cont5t because he 
0 once m out 9 ! big l& he lov$4 ,^?    
di/ant1 pa9t$ m\nta9s1 look+ z          
impossible z ! back drop ( a /age1 held 
gul*es & deep canyons he knew4  ,! clos]
 hills he _h prospect$4 ,! mesa1 spread 
all ar\nd him1 seem$ m famili> ?an !    
:ite ap>tm5t h\se 9 ,los ,angeles :i*   
,casey _h lately call$ home4  ,& if !   
?\ght ( ! ,little ,woman br\ght ) x !   
vague discom=t ( a s*oolboy play+       
hookey1 ,casey c\ld n h regrett$ be+ "h 
) ,mack ,nolan if he _h tri$4  ,!y 7 ly+
 up "h 9 ! %ade--foll[+ ! in/9ct ( o!r  
creatures ( ! wild to gu>d aga9/        
surprises--:ile !y work$ out a nice     
problem 9 moon%9e4  ,& s9ce ! des]t _h  
nev] meant a monoton\sly placid life to 
,casey--:o c>ri$ 8 problems             

philosophically z a dog be>s pati5tly ) 
fleas--he _h e reason n[ = feel+ v mu*  
at home4  ,:5 he rea*$ me*anically into 
8 pocket = 8 ,bull ,durham & pap]s1 any 
man :o knew him well w\ld h recogniz$ ! 
motion z a sign t ,casey 0 himself aga91
 once m on 8 m5tal feet & ready to g    
bor+ optimi/ically into 8 next bun* (   
tr\ble4  ,mack ,nolan rais$ 8 head (f 8 
arm & glanc$ at ,casey quizzically4     
,well--we c't cat* fi% if we won't cut  
bait1 he volunte]$ s5t5ti\sly4  ,i've a 
nice little job /ak$ out = y1 ,casey4   
,casey gave a grunt t might mean "o (   
sev]al ?+s1 & :i* probably meant !m all4
  ,he wait$ until he _h 8 cig>ette go+4 
,if x a9't a goat's job ,i'm f] x1 he   
said4 ,casey ,ryan a9't ! man t' set 9 !
 %ade :il/ !re's m5 runn9' loose he's   
d>n$ anxi\s t' meet4  ,i've be5 ?9k+ ov]
 ! deal ^? fell[s pull$ on y4 ,if ! man 
,k5n] _h left y ! booze & dope he told y
 0 9 ! c>1 ,i'd say x 0 a /raight case (
 a /icky-f+]$ (fic] lett+ a bootlegg] by
 ) "p ( 8 load1 & a lat] attack ( cold  

feet on ! "p ( ! bootlegg]4  ,b !y      
didn't leave y any booze4  ,s ,i h dop$ 
x ?is way1 ,ryan4  ,! ?+'s deep] ?an x  
look$1 ye/]day4  ,^? two 7 work+ toge!r1
 "p ( a gang1 ,i %\ld say1 ) a fairly   
well-organiz$ sy/em4  ,by accid5t--&    
probably = a great] degree ( safety 9   
gett+ out ( ! city1 ,k5n] invit$ y to   
ride ) him4  ,he want$ no argum5t ) t   
traffic cop--no record made ( 8 "n &    
lic5se numb]4  ,s he took y 94 ,:5 he   
f\nd out :o y 71 he knew y 7 at outs ) !
 law4 ,he knew y z an exp]i5c$ des]t    
man4  ,he _h y plac$ z a valuable memb] 
( _! gang1 if y c\ld be won ov] &       
p]suad$ to jo9 !m4  ,z soon z possible  
he got y beh9d ! :eel--fur!r protection 
to himself if he %\ld meet an (fic] :o 0
 /raight4  ,he felt y out on ! subject (
 a p>tn]%ip4  ,& :5 y met ,smil+        
,l\--well1 ?is ,k5n] _h decid$ to take  
no *ance ) y4 ,he /ill _h hopes ( pull+ 
y 9 ) !m1 b he 0 f> f feel+ sure ( y4   
,he und\bt$ly gave ,smil+ ,l\ ! cue to  
make ! ?+ appe> an ord9>y case (        

highjack+ :ile he dit*$ 8 :ole load s t 
!re w\ld be no evid5ce aga9/ him if he  
lo/ out & y turn$ na/y4  ,i'm absolutely
 c]ta91 ,casey1 t if y _h n be5 along1  
,smil+ ,l\ w\ld n h t\*$ t load4  ,!y'd 
probably h /opp$ !re = a talk1 ex*ang$  
news & p]haps p]fect$ future plans1 &   
p>t$ l two old cronies4  ,x's possible1 
( c\rse1 t ,smil+ ,l\ might h tak5 "s   
:isky back ) him--if he _h ne$$ x4      
,o!rwise1 ,i ?9k !y split m ca% ?an     
booze1 z a rule4  ,casey sat up4  ,well1
 !y c\lda play$ me = a suck] easy en\gh1
 he admitt$ reluctantly4  ,an' if x'll  
be any help to yuh1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 ,i'll  
say t ,i nev] se5 ! money pass$ f ,k5n] 
to ,smil9' ,l\1 an' ,i nev] se5 a bottle
 unload$ f ! c>4  ,i he>d 'em yes4 ,an' 
,i'll say !re 0 a bun* ( 'em all "r4  ,b
 :at ,i ,,se5 0 ! road ahead ( me & t c>
 ( ,smil9' ,l\'s /&9' 9 ! middle ( x4   
,he _h a gun pull$ on me1 m9d yuh--& y c
 ask anybody if a fell] feels l rubb]9' 
mu* :5 !re's only ! click ( a trigg]    
betwe5 him an' a six-foot hole 9 !      

gr\nd4  ,all ! m reason1 said ,nolan1   
also sitt+ up ) 8 h&s clasp$ ar\nd 8    
knees1 :y x's important to cat* !m ) !  
goods4  ,y'll h to p$dle hoot*1 ,casey1 
until we get ,smil+ ,l\ & 8 outfit4  ,& 
:]e1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 d ,i git ! booze to   
p$dle8 ask$ ,casey practically4  ,nolan 
laugh$ to himself4  ,x c be b\ght1 he   
said1 b ,i'd r n4  ,s9ce y've nev]      
monkey$ ) ! /uff1 x might make y        
conspicu\s if y w5t ar\nd buy+ up a load
 ( hoot*4 ,& ( c\rse ,i c't appe> 9 ?is 
?+ at all4  ,b ,i h :at ,i ?9k is a v   
good plan4  ,casey look$ at him         
inquir+ly1 & aga9 ,nolan laugh$4  ,no?+ 
= x1 ,casey1--we'll h to locate a /ill &
 rob x4 ,t1 or make "s ( our own1 :i*   
takes "t4  ,& x's an unpleasant1 messy  
job anyway4  ,casey />$ dubi\sly d[n    
into ! gul*4  ,t'd be f9e1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 
if we knew :]e 0 ! /ill4  ,or mebby yuh 
d "k4  ,mack ,nolan %ook 8 head4  ,no1  
,i don't1 worse luck4 ,i hav5't be5 long
 en\gh 9 ! di/rict to "k z mu* ab\t x z 
,i hope to "k lat] on4  ,prospect+ = ?is

 headqu>t]s took a little "t2 & gett+ my
 /uff mov$ 9 "h secretly took m "t4  ,a 
week ago1 ,casey1 ,i %\ldn't h be5 q    
ready to use y4  ,b y came :5 y 7 ne$$1 
& s--,i feel sure ! ,:ite ,mule w       
pres5tly %[ up4  ,casey lift$ 8 head &  
/>$ m$itatively out across ! imm5sity ( 
! empty l& ar\nd !m4  ,%e's a damn' big 
c\ntry1 ,mr4 ,nolan4 ,i dunno1 he rem>k$
 d\btfully4  ,b ,casey ,ryan has yet t' 
g aft] a ?+ an' fail t' git x4  ,i guess
 if x's hoot* we want1 x ought t' be    
easy en\gh t' f9d2 x %ore has be5 h>d t'
 dodge x lately6 ,if yuh want ,:ite     
,mule1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 y s5d ,casey out    
travel9' peaceful an' mean9' h>m t'     
nobody4  ,foll] ,casey & y'll f9d 'im   
tangl$ up ) a mess uh hoot* b'=e he gits
 t5 miles f camp4  ,y c\ld g out &      
highjack "s "o4 ,nolan agre$1 tak+ him  
s]i\sly--:i* ,casey _h n int5d$4  ,i ?9k
 we'll g d[n & load ! camp outfit into  
my c>1 ,ryan1 & ,i'll />t y out4  ,g up 
into y\r old /amp+ gr\nd :]e p "k y4 ,if
 y're c>eful 9 pick+ y\r m51 y c\ld     

locate "s hoot*1 c\ldn't y1 )\t attract+
 att5tion8  ,casey /udi$ ! matt]4  ,bill
 ,ma/]s c\ld mebby help me out1 he said 
f9ally4  ,only ,i don't l ! fri5ds      
,bill's be5 wi%9' onto me lately4  ,?is 
man ,k5n]1 t held me up1 kn[$ ,bill     
,ma/]s intimate4  ,i'm k9da los9' my    
ta/e f] ,bill lately4  ,mack ,nolan     
seiz$ ^u ! clue avidly4  ,be=e ,casey q 
realiz$ :at he _h done1 he f\nd himself 
hu/l$ away f camp 9 ,mack ,nolan's c>1  
head$ = ,lund 9 ! s]vice ( 8 gov]nm5t4  
,s9ce "y ,k5n] _h be5 able to talk s    
intimately ( ,bill ,ma/]s1 ,mack ,nolan 
argu$ t ,bill ,ma/]s %\ld likewise be   
able to give "s useful in=mation conc]n+
 "y ,k5n]4 ,moreov]1 a man 9 ,bill      
,ma/]s' position w\ld probably "k at    
lea/ a few ( ! hidd5 trails ( ! ,:ite   
,mule ne> ,lund4  ,if y c br+ back a    
load ( moon%9e ,ryan1 by all means d s1 
,nolan in/ruct$ ,casey at ! la/ mom5t4  
,"h's money to buy x )4  ,we %\ld h     
en\gh to make a good haul = ,smil+ ,l\4 
,tw5ty gallons at lea/--=ty1 if y c get 

!m4 ,keep y\r wea!r eye op51 & :atev]   
happ5s1 don't m5tion my "n or say t y   
are work+ ) ! law4  ,9 five days1 if y  
are n "h1 ,i %all drive to ,las ,vegas4 
,get ^w to me !re if any?+ goes wrong4  
,j write or wire to ,g5]al ,deliv]y4 ,b 
,i look = y back1 ,ryan1 n lat] ?an     
,friday midnight4 ,take no unnecess>y   
risk2 ?is is m important ?an y "k4      
,nolan's crisp tone ( au?ority rema9$ ) 
,casey mile ^u mile4 ,& su* 0 ! ,casey  
,ryan driv+ t midnight f\nd him coa/+   
into ,bill ,ma/]s' g>age 9 ,lund ) !    
motor %ut (f & a gr9 on ! ,casey ,ryan  
face4    ,,*apt] ,,sev5te5  ,mack ,nolan
 _h j crawl$ into 8 bunk on ,w$nesday   
night :5 he ?\ght he he>d a c> labor+ up
 ! gul*4  ,he sat up 9 b$ to li/5 & !n  
got hurri$ly into 8 clo!s4  ,he 0 /&+ j 
ar\nd ! corn] ( ! dug\t :]e ! headlights
 c\ld n rea* him1 :5 ,casey kill$ !     
eng9e & /opp$ be=e ! door4 ,/eam 0 ris+ 
9 a small cl\d f ! radiator cap1 & !    
s\nd ( boil+ wat] 0 di/9ctly audible "s 
di/ance away4  ,mack ,nolan wait$ until 

,casey _h climb$ out f beh9d ! :eel &   
head$ = ! door4  ,!n he /epp$ out &     
hail$ him4  ,casey />t$ p]ceptibly1     
:irl+ z if to face an enemy4 ,:5 he saw 
t x 0 ,nolan he app>5tly lo/ 8 desire to
 ent] ! cab94 ,in/ead he came close to  
,nolan & spoke 9 a ho>se :isp]4  ,we    
bett] run 'er "u ! %$1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 &   
dra9 ! d>n$ radiator4  ,i dunno am ,i   
foll]$ or n1 b ,i 0 a:ile back4 ,b ! man
 t cat*es ,casey ,ryan :5 he's on !     
trail an' travel91 has yet t' be born4  
,an' y c ask anybody if t a9't s4  ,mack
 ,nolan's eyes n>r[$4  ,& :o foll[$ y   
!n8 he ask$ quietly4 ,did y br+ any     
hoot*8  ,did yuh s5d ,casey ,ryan aft]  
hoot*1 or 0 x mebby spuds er some?9'8   
,casey retort$ ) heavy dignity4  ,w yuh 
pack x 91 ,mr4 ,nolan1 :il/ ,i back ! c>
 9 ! %$1 or %all ,i br+ x :5 ,i come8   
,x a9't s mu*1 he add$ drily1  b x co/ !
 tr\ble ( a tra9load4  ,i'll take x 91  
said ,nolan4  ,if any "o does come we   
want no evid5ce 9 rea*4  ,casey turn$ to
 ! c>1 claw$ at 8 camp outfit & lift$   

out a demijohn :i* he grimly h&$ to     
,nolan4  ,f] _m a mile x rode on ! seat 
) me s ,i c\ld dr9k 'er d[n if !y got me
 corn]$1 he gr9n$4  ,"o good swall] is  
ab\t ! size ( x1 ,mr4 ,nolan4  ,nolan   
gr9n$ 9 sympa?y & turn$ into ! cab91    
be>+ ! ?ree-gallon1 wick]-cov]$ glass   
bottle 9 8 arms4  ,pres5tly he return$  
to ! doorway & /ood !re li/5+ d[n ! gul*
 until ,casey came up1 walk+ f ! %$4    
',tis a good ?+ yuh left ?is o!r c> /&9'
 "h cold an' peaceful1 ,mr4 ,nolan1     
,casey1 obs]v$1 aft] he also _h /ood = a
 m9ute li/5+4  ,if !y're foll]9' !y'll  
be "h d>n' soon4 ,if !y a9't ,i've dit*$
 'em4  ,let's git t' b$ an' ,i'll tell  
yuh my tale uh woe4  ,)\t a ^w ,nolan l$
 ! way into ! cab94  ,9 ! d>k !y        
undress$ & got into ! b$ :i* 0 luckily  
wide en\gh = two4  ,_h y\r supp]8 ,nolan
 ask$ belat$ly :5 !y 7 settl$4  ,i did  
n1 ,casey grunt$4  ,i w say1 ,mr4       
,nolan1 !re's few times 9 my life :5 y'd
 see ,casey ,ryan miss9' 'is supp] :il/ 
lay9' tracks away f a fight4  ,b if x 0 

light en\gh y c\ld gaze ^u 'im n[4  ,&  
,i mu/ h& x t' ! ,gallop9' ,gussie yuh  
give me ! loan ( f] ! trip4  ,%e brung  
me home ahead ( ! %]iff--& y c ask      
anybody if ,casey ,ryan himself c't be  
pr\d uh t6  ,! %]iff8 ,nolan's voice 0  
puzzl$4  ,he seem$ to be consid]+ some?+
 = a m9ute1 be=e he spoke aga94  ,y c\ld
 h expla9$ to ! %]iff1 c\ldn't y1 y\r   
reason = hav+ booze 9 ! c>8  ,casey     
rais$ to "o elb[4  ,:5 yuh told ,casey  
,ryan 'twas n _m m5 y'd tru/1 & t y     
tru/$ me an' ! bus9ess 0 t' be          
secret--,mr4 ,nolan1 y '0 talk9' t'     
,,casey ,,ryan6 ,he lay d[n aga9 z if t 
preclud$ fur!r argum5t4  ,good6 ,i ?\ght
 ,i hadn't made a mi/ake 9 my man1      
,nolan approv$1 9 a tone t gave ,casey  
an inn] gl[ ( pride 9 himself4  ,let's h
 ! /ory1 old man4  ,did y see ,bill     
,ma/]s8  ,bill ,ma/]s1 said ,casey      
grimly1 0 n 9 ,lund4  ,8 g>age is sold  
an' ,bill's 9 ,d5v]--:i* is a long drive
 = a ,=d t' git !re an' back be=e       
,friday midnight4  ,yuh put a "t limit  

me1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 an' nobody _h ,bill's  
address4  ,i didn't foll] ,bill t'      
,d5v]4 ,i ask$ "s o!rs 9 ,lund if !y    
kn[$ a man nam$ ,k5n]1 & !y did n4  ,s  
!n ,i w5t hunt9' booze t ,i c\ld git )\t
 ! hull ( ,nevada kn[9' x 9 fifte5      
m9utes4  ,an' ,casey's got ?is t' say3  
,:5 yuh ,,want hoot*1 x's h>d t' f9d z  
free gold 9 granite4 ,:5 yuh ,,don',t   
want x1 x's =c$ on yuh at ! po9t ( a    
gun4  ,?is jug ,i /ole--see9' y\r       
bus9ess is private1 ,mr4 ,nolan4  ,i    
grabb$ x (f "s fell]s ,i kn[$ 9 ,lund   
an' nev] _h no use =1 anyway4  ,!y're   
mean en\gh :5 !y're sob]1 an' :5 !y're  
jagg$ !y're n t' be m5tion$ on a        
,sunday4  ,i mighta paid 'em = x1 b     
money's no good t' !m fell]s an' !re's  
no call t' wa/e x4  ,s !y made a holl] &
 ,i sets ! jug d[n an' licks !m bo?1 an'
 comes along home m9d9' my own bus9ess4 
,s ,i guess !y 'phon$ ! %]iff 9 ,vegas t
 "h comes a bootlegg] & l& 'im quick4   
,anyway1 ,i 0 go9' t' /op !re an' take  
on a beef/eak an' a few cups uh c(fee1 b

 ,i nev] done x4  ,i 0 sl[9' d[n 9 front
 uh ,sam's ,place :5 a fri5d uh m9e     
gives me ! high sign t' put 'er 9 high  
an' keep 'er go9'4 ,:i* ,i done4  ,d[n  
by ,ladd's1 ,casey looks back an' "h    
comes ! %]iff's c> hell b5t f] 'lection 
7anyway x look$ l ! %]iff's c>74 ,an' ,i
 wanta say "r "h1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 t's a    
d>n' good ,=d yuh got6  ,i 0 foll]$1 &  
',i 0 foll]$ h>d4  ,b ,i'm "h an' !y'   
a9't--an' y c ask anybody if t didn't   
take "s go+'6  ,9 ! d>kness ( ! cab9    
,casey turn$ ov] & heav$ a great sigh4  
,on ! heels ( t came a *uckle4  ,i got  
t' h& x t' ! ,l4 ,a4 traffic cops1 ,mr4 
,nolan4  ,!y %ore le>n$ me a lot ab\t   
dodg9'4  ,s n[ yuh got ! hull /ory4 ,if 
x 0 ! %]iff beh9d me an' if he trails me
 "h1 !y got no evid5ce an' y c mebby    
squ>e x ) 'im4  ,y'd "k :at t' tell     
'im--:i* is m'n :at ,casey ,ryan c say4 
,casey fell asleep imm$iately aft]w>d1 b
 ,mack ,nolan lay = a long :ile ) 8 eyes
 wide op5 & 8 e>s al]t = /range s\nds 9 
! gul*4  ,he 0 a new man 9 ?is di/rict1 

work+ indep5d5tly ( %]iff's (fices4     
,casey ,ryan 0 ! fir/ man he _h confid$ 
92 all o!rs 7 fair game = ,nolan to     
prove hone/ or di%one/ ) ! gov]nm5t4  ,!
 v nature ( 8 bus9ess made x s4  ,= :5  
:isky runn]s drove op5ly 9 broad        
daylight ?r\gh ! c\ntry ) _! unlawful   
loads1 some:]e along ! l9e (fic]s ( !   
law 7 %>+ ! pr(its4 ,nolan knew none (  
!m1--by sight4  ,if he c>ri$ ! records (
 "s safely memoriz$ & pigeonhol$ =      
future use1 t 0 8 own bus9ess4 ,mack    
,nolan's ?\ghts 7 8 own & he gu>d$ !m   
jeal\sly & slept ) 8 lips tightly clos$4
 ,he want$ no %]iff com+ to him =       
explanation ( 8 movem5ts4 ,:]e=e he     
li/5$ long1 & :5 he slept 8 slumb] 0    
light4  ,at daylight he 0 up & abroad4  
,two h\rs aft] sunrise ,casey awoke ) ! 
smell ( breakfa/ 9 8 no/rils4  ,he roll$
 ov] & bl9k$ at ,mack ,nolan /&+ ) 8 hat
 on ! back ( 8 head & a cig>ette betwe5 
8 lips1 calmly turn+ ?ree hot-cakes ) a 
kit*5 knife4  ,casey gr9n$ condesc5d+ly4
  ,he himself turn$ 8 cakes by ! simple 

process ( toss+ !m 9 ! air a c]ta9 k9d (
 flip1 & cat*+ !m dext]\sly z !y came   
d[n4  ,"r !re he decid$ t ,mack ,nolan 0
 n aft] all a real outdoors man4  ,well1
 ! %]iff didn't arrive la/ night1 ,nolan
 obs]v$ *e]fully1 :5 he saw t ,casey 0  
awake4  ,i don't mu* look = him1 ei!r4  
,y\r driv+ on pa/ ! turn to ,junip]     
,wells & com+ up t o!r old road v likely
 ?rew him (f ! track4  ,y mu/ h be5     
close to ! ,/ate l9e !n & he gave y up z
 a bad job4  ,x 0 a ,,good job6  ,casey 
ma9ta9$ rea*+ = 8 clo!s4 ,i made 'em ?9k
 ,i 0 head$ clean outa ! c\ntry4  ,if !y
 kn[$ :o x 0 at all1 !y'd "k ,i belong 9
 ,l4 ,a41 & ,i figur$ !y'd guess ,i 0   
head$ !re4  ,!y /opp$ = some?+ ?is side 
( ,se>*light an' s ,i pulls away f 'em a
 c\ple ( miles4  ,!y nev] se5 :]e ,i w5t
 to4  ,:ile he wa%$ = breakfa/1 ,casey  
began to take /ock ( c]ta9 m9or         
injuries4  ,t d>n$ ,pete ,gibson has got
 tu%es 9 8 m\? l a wild hawg2 ! k9d t   
/icks out1 he grumbl$1 t\*+ c]ta9 sk9n$ 
places on 8 knuckles4  ,e "t ,i l&$ on  

'im ye/]day ,i run aga9/ !m tu%es uh    
8'n4  ,b he add$ ) a gr91 ,!y a9't s    
solid z !y 0 :5 ,i met up ) 'im4 ,i felt
 "o ( 'em give '=e ,i got ?r\gh4  ,br+s 
! price ( moon%9e up a bit1 doesn't x8  
,nolan sugge/$ drily4  ,i r ?9k y might 
bett] h paid ! m5 _! price4 ,a fight is 
well en\gh 9 its way--,i'm ,iri% myself4
  ,b z my ag5t1 ,ryan1 ! ma9 idea is to 
let ! law fight = y4  ,our "w is m]ely  
to give ! law a *ance4  ,i l y\r n want+
 to expla9 to ! %]iff4  ,prohibition    
(fic]s d n expla91 z a rule4 ,! law     
beh9d !m does t4  ,& s9ce ! price seems 
to be r h>d on ! knuckles-- ,he glanc$  
d[n at ,casey's h&s & gr9n$4  --,i ?9k x
 may come *eap] to make ! /uff          
ourselves4  ,lick+ two m5 = ?ree        
gallons1 & gett+ ! (fic]s at y\r tail   
light into ! b>ga91 is all "r z an      
exp]im5t2 b ,i don't believe1 ,ryan1 we 
ought to adopt t z a habit4  ,casey     
cock$ an eye up at him4  ,did yuh ev]   
make ,:ite ,mule1 ,mr4 ,nolan8 he ask$  
grimly4  ,nolan laugh$ 8 easy little    

*uckle4 ,:y1 no1 ,ryan1 ,i nev] did4    
,did y8  ,naw4  ,i se5 "s made once1 b  
,i _h too mu* ( x inside me at ! "t to  
le>n ! receipt = x4  ,i'd r /eal x1 if  
x's all ! same to y1 ,mr4 ,nolan4  ,8 h&
 w5t up to ! back ( 8 head & mov$ =w>d1 
al?\gh !re 0 no hat to pu%4 ,i've liv$  
hone/ all ^! ye>s--an'1 dammit1 x's k9da
 t\gh to break out ) /eal9 ,i :at yuh   
don't want6  ,c\ldn't we fill !m bottles
 ) some?9' t ,,looks l hoot*8  ,cold tea
 %\ld get by1 ,mr4 ,nolan4 ,x'd be a f9e
 joke on ,smil9' ,l\4  ,a good joke1    
maybe--b no evid5ce4  ,x isn't aga9/ !  
law1 ,ryan1 to h cold tea 9 y\r         
possession4  ,no1 x's got to be :isky1 &
 !re's got to be a load ( x4  ,en\gh to 
look l bus9ess & tempt him or any o!r   
memb] ( ! gang y happ5 to meet4  ,if !y 
caught y ) ?ree gallons1 ,casey1 !y'd   
probably run y 9 & feel v virtu\s ab\t  
x4  ,no?+ = x1 ,i'm afraid4  ,we'll h to
 become real moon%9]s ourselves = a:ile4
  ,casey ate ) less appetite aft] t4    
,mak+ moon%9e did n appeal to him at    

all4  ,giv5 8 *oice1 ,i ?9k he w\ld ev5 
pref] dr9k+ x1 unhappy z ! effect _h be5
 on him4  ,we'll ne$ a /ill1 & we'll ne$
 ! /uff4  ,i'm go+ to leave y 9 *>ge ( !
 camp1 ,ryan1 :ile ,i make a trip to    
,ne$les4 ,i'll deputize y to assi/ me 9 
clean+ up ?is di/rict4 ,& ?is di/rict1  
,ryan1 t\*es salt wat]4  ,s if rev5ge   
looks good to y1 y'll h a f9e *ance to  
get ev5 ) ! bootlegg]s4  ,& 9 !         
meantime1 j kill "t ar\nd camp "h :ile  
,i'm gone4  ,if any "o %[s up1 y're     
prospect+4  ,t day1 d\bt-devils took    
hold ( ,casey ,ryan & pluck$ at 8       
belief4  ,h[ did he "k t ,mack ,nolan   
wasn't ano!r bootlegg]1 want+ to rope   
,casey 9 on a job = "s fell purpose ( 8 
own8  ,he _h ,mack ,nolan's ^w & no?+ m4
 ,= t matt]1 he _h also _h "y ,k5n]'s   
^w4  ,k5n] _h fool$ him completely4     
,mack ,nolan c\ld also fool him--p]haps4
  ,well1 anyh[1 he nev] claim$ to "k    
,bill ,ma/]s1 & t's a po9t 9 'is favor4 
,& if x's "s dirty "w he's up to1 he    
c\lda made x %ort] ?an :at he's do9'4   

,an' if he's d\ble-cross9' ,casey       
,ryan--well1 anyway1 ,casey ,ryan 'll be
 pres5t at ! "t an' place :5 he does x6 
,^u t com=t+ ?\ght1 ,casey decid$ to    
tru/ ,mack ,nolan until he caught him   
play+ crook$2 & proce$$ to kill "t z be/
 he c\ld4    ,,*apt] ,,eighte5  ,x 0    
noon ! next day :5 ,nolan return$1 & he 
did n expla9 :y he 0 eighte5 h\rs       
ov]due4  ,casey ey$ him expectantly1 b  
,nolan's mann] 0 brisk & preoccupi$4    
,help me unload ?is /uff1 ,ryan1 he     
said1 & put x out ( sight 9 ! cell>4    
,we won't h to g ?r\gh ! process ( mak+ 
moon%9e1 aft] all4  ,casey look$ into ! 
c>1 pull+ aside ! t>p4  ,f\r kegs he    
c\nt$1 & lift$ out "o4  ,an' h[ _m did  
,,y lick1 ,mr4 ,nolan8 he gr9n$ ov] 8   
%\ld] z he />t$ = ! door4  ,nolan laugh$
 noncommittally4  ,p]haps ,i'm lucki] at
 pick+ my bootlegg]s1 he retort$4 ,if y 
c>ry ! "r br& ( bluff1 y c keep ! sk9 on
 y\r knuckles1 ,ryan4  ,?is beats mak+  
x1 at any rate4  ,t aft]noon & ! next   
day1 ,casey ,ryan did :at he nev] dream$

 0 possible4  ,) ,mack ,nolan to %[ him 
h[1 ,casey p]=m$ miracles4  ,:ile he did
 n1 lit]ally *ange wat] into w9e1 he did
 give =ty-?ree gallons ( ,:ite ,mule a  
mo/ impos+ p$igree4  ,he turn$ kegs (   
crude1 moon%9e :isky into ,canadian     
,club1 ,g>nkirk1 ,tom ,pepp]1 ,?ree ,/> 
,h5nessey & ,cognac--if y 7 to believe !
 bottles1 labels & gov]nm5t seals4  ,"u 
,mack ,nolan's in/ruction & ) 8 exp]t   
assi/ance1 ! =g]y 0 p]fect4  ,:ile !    
cell> reek$ ) ! odor ( ,:ite ,mule :5 !y
 _h f9i%$1 ! bottl$ array on ! table    
:isp]$ ( syb>itic revel+s to gli/5 !    
eyes ( ! mo/ dissipat$ man ab\t t[n4    
,:5 x's z easy done z t1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 ! 
fell]'s a fool t dr9ks x4  ,y've le>nt  
,casey ,ryan some?9' t mighta done 'im  
"s good a few ye>s back4  ,he pick$ up a
 flat1 p9t bottle & c>ess$ its label )  
rem9isc5t f+] tips4  ,_m's ! "t me an'  
old ,tommy ,pepp] drove /age toge!r1 he 
mus$4  ,?r[$ 'im at a be> once t ,i met 
9 ! trail ov] 9 ,colorado :5 ,i hadn't  
no gun on me4  ,bu/$ a p9t on 8         

nose--man6 ,!n ,i nev] wait$ to see :at 
happ5$4 ,i 0 a wild divil !m days :5 me 
an' ,tommy ,pepp] 0 side p>dn]s4 ,b a   
yall] snake ) a gre5 head crawl$ out ( a
 bottle ( 'im once--& t !re 0 :]e ,casey
 ,ryan says good-by to booze4 ,if ,i    
hadn't quit 'im !n1 ,i'd sure z hell    
quit 'im n[4 ,aft] ?is p]=mance1 ,mr4   
,nolan1 ,casey ,ryan's go9' to look     
twice into 8 c(fee pot4  ,i w\ldn't     
believe 9 c['s milk1 if ,i done ! milk9'
 myself6  ,mo/ ( ! /uff t's p$dl$       
n[adays is doctor$1  ,nolan repli$1 ) ! 
air ( "o :o kn[s4  ,:5 x isn't ,:ite    
,mule1 x's likely to be some?+ worse4   
,t's "o ( ! *ief reasons :y ,i'm fight+ 
x4  ,if !y only p$dl$ dec5t :isky x     
w\ldn't be s bad1 ,ryan4  ,b x's rank   
poison4  ,i've se5 s _m g /one bl9d--or 
die--t x makes me pretty savage         
sometimes4  ,s n[ ,i'll coa* y 9 ! "p   
y're to play z hoot* runn]2 & to-morr[ y
 c />t = ,los ,angeles4  ,casey did n   
answ]4  ,he felt abs5tly = 8 pipe1 fill$
 & light$ x & w5t out to sit on !       

door/ep 9 gloomy m$itation :ile he      
smok$4  ,return+ to ,los ,angeles1 ev5  
)\t a bootlegg]'s load1 0 n a matt] :i* 
,casey lik$ to contemplate4  ,he w\ld h 
to face ! ,little ,woman if he w5t back2
 ei!r z a delib]ate li>1 :o li$ to 8    
wife to ga9 ! fre$om he might h _h )\t  
resort+ to deceit1 or z ! victim once m 
( crooks4  ,casey ?\ght he w\ld pref] ! 
accusation ( ly+ delib]ately to !       
,little ,woman1 ?\gh x made him squirm  
to ?9k ( x4  ,he wi%$ %e _h n op5ly     
taunt$ him ) gett+ into tr\ble & ne$+ h]
 always to get him out4  ,he w\ld l to  
tell h] t he 0 n[ work+ = ! gov]nm5t4 ,!
 secrecy ( 8 mission1 ! dang] x involv$1
 w\ld impress ev5 h] amus$ cynicism4  ,b
 ! v secrecy ( 8 mission 9 itself made x
 impossible = him to tell h] any?+ ab\t 
x4 ,casey w\ld n admit x1 b x 0 a real  
disappo9tm5t to him t he c\ld n we> a />
 on 8 coat4  ,all t day & ev5+ he 0     
glum1 a /range mood = ,casey ,ryan4 ,b  
if ,mack ,nolan notic$ 8 sil5ce1 he gave
 no sign4 ,nolan himself 0 :olly absorb$

 by ! bus9ess 9 h&4  ,! success ( ?is   
plan meant a good deal to him1 & he told
 ,casey s v frankly2 :i* light5$        
,casey's gloom p]ceptibly4  ,casey 0 to 
drive to ,los ,angeles--ev5 to ,san     
,diego if necess>y--& return )9 a week1 
unless ,nolan's hopes 7 fulfill$ &      
,casey 0 held up & highjack$4  ,if he 7 
appreh5d$ by (fic]s :o 7 hone/ly dis*>g+
 _! duty1 ,casey 0 to d ?us-&-s1 &      
pres5tly be free to drive on ) 8 load4  
,if he 7 highjack$ 7,casey gritt$ 8 tee?
 & said he hop$ ! highjack] w\ld be     
,smil+ ,l\71 he 0 to p]mit himself to be
 robb$1 worm himself z f> z possible    
into _! confid5ce & return = fur!r      
ord]s4  ,if ,mack ,nolan %\ld *ance to  
be abs5t f ! cab91 !n ,casey 0 to wait  
until he return$4  ,& ,nolan intimat$ t 
h]eaft] ! mak+ ( moon%9e might be a "p (
 ,casey's duties4 ,!n1 )\t w>n+1 ,mack  
,nolan /ruck at ! he>t ( ,casey's worry4
  ,i don't want to dictate to any man 9 
family affairs1 ,ryan4 ,b ,i've got to  
speak ( "o o!r matt]1 he said           

diffid5tly4 ,i suppose naturally y'll   
want to g home & let y\r wife "k y're   
/ill alive1 anyway4  ,b if y c manage to
 keep y\r pres5t bus9ess a secret = ! "t
 be+1 ,i ?9k y'd bett] d x4  ,y said y 7
 plann+ to be away on a trip = "s "t1 ,i
 rememb]4  ,if y c j let x g t way1 or  
say t y are prospect+ ov] "h1 ,i wi% y  
w\ld4 ,?9k y c manage t all "r8  ,i'd r 
manage a six-horse team ( bronk mules1  
,casey admitt$4 ,b aft] ! way ! missus  
?9ks ,i li$ to 'er ab\t tak9' ! next    
tra9 home f ,b>/[1 any?+ ,i say 'll be  
us$ ag9' me4 ,my wife's got bra9s4  ,%e 
a9't put x d[n t ! tra9s h quit runn9'4 
,accord9' to h] figures1 ,casey's li$ & 
he's 9 a hole aga91 an' x'll be up to h]
 an' ,jack to run w9dlass an' pull 'im  
out4  ,don't matt] :at ,i say %e won't  
believe me anyh[--s ,casey won't say    
no?9'4  ,c't lie ) y\r m\? %ut1 c yuh8  
,oh1 yes1 x's be5 done1 ,mack ,nolan    
*uckl$4  ,n[ we'll set d[n ! s]ial      
numb]s & ! bank "n ( ?is 'jack'1--& "h's
 y\r exp5se money sep>ate4  ,& if !re's 

any?+ t isn't cle> to y1 ,ryan1 speak   
up4  ,y won't he> f me aga91 probably1  
until y're back f ?is fi%+ trip4  ,casey
 ?\ght t ev]y?+ 0 p]fectly cle>1 & ra%ly
 he said s1 z he />t$ (f4  ,f ,b>/[ to  
,victorville1 f ,victorville to ,camp   
,cajon ,casey drove expectantly1 hop+ to
 meet ,smil+ ,l\4  ,he scann$ ea* c> t  
approa*$ & sl[$ = e meet+ l a se>*+ p>ty
 or a man :o is lo/ & wi%es to inquire !
 way4  ,8 pace w\ld h be5 law-abid+ 9   
,los ,angeles at five o'clock on        
,broadway betwe5 ,f\r? & ,eigh? /reets4 
,goggl$ wom5 t\ri/s ey$ him curi\sly1 & 
"o c> /opp$ full to see :at he want$4 ,b
 8 ,tom ,pepp] rode safe "u ! t>p beh9d 
him1 & ! ,?ree ,/> ,h5nessey bead$      
da9tily ) ! joggl+ x got1 & ,casey 0    
nei!r halt$ nor que/ion$ z he pass$4    
,at ,camp ,cajon ,casey /opp$ & cook$ an
 e>ly supp]1 because ! summ] cr[d 0 !re 
& a real bootlegg] w\ld h consid]$ /opp+
 r unsafe4  ,casey boil$ c(fee ov] "o ( 
! camp fireplaces & wat*$ furtively !   
sunburn$ holiday gr\p ne>e/4 ,he plac$ 8

 supp] on "o ( ! r\nd1 cem5t tables ne> 
! c>1 & e man :o pass$ t way ,casey     
wat*$ unbl9k+ly :ile he ate4  ,he       
succe$$ 9 mak+ ?ree diff]5t p>ties      
swall[ _! supp] 9 a hurry & pack up &   
leave1 glanc+ back uneasily at ,casey z 
!y drove away4  ,b ,casey himself 0     
unmole/$1 & no "o ask$ ab\t 8 load4  ,f 
,camp ,cajon to ,san ,b]n>d9o ,casey    
drove furi\sly1 rememb]+ "y ,k5n]'s     
desire = spe$4  ,he /opp$ !re = ! night1
 & ne>ly _h a fight ) ! g>age man :]e he
 put up1 because he %[$ undue caution   
conc]n+ ! safety ( 8 c> f pr[l]s dur+ ! 
night4  ,he left ! c> !re t day &       
return$ furtively aft] d>k1 ask+ ! night
 man if he _h se5 any saps ar\nd 8 c>4  
,! night man look$ at him               
uncompreh5d+ly4  ,i dunno--no?9's be5   
pick$ up s9ce ,i come on at six4  ,we   
a9't responsible = lo/ articles1 anyway4
  ,see t sign8  ,casey grunt$1 crank$ up
 & drove away1 wond]+ :e!r ! night man 0
 z innoc5t z he tri$ to act4  ,f ,san   
,b]n>d9o to ,los ,angeles ,casey drove  

placidly z a load ( oranges 9 ,febru>y4 
,he put up at a *eap place on ,san ,p$ro
 ,/reet1 ) 8 c> 9 ! g>age next door & a 
five-doll> tip 9 ! palm ( a rat-fac$    
me*anic ) ,casey's injunction to clean  
'er d+bats & keep o!r p away4  ,he did n
 g out to see ! ,little ,woman1 aft]    
all4  ,he _h s5t h] a wire f ,g(fs ! day
 be=e1 say+ t he 0 prospect+ ) a fell[ &
 he hop$ %e 0 well4  ,?is1 aft] long    
pond]+1 _h seem$ to him ! easie/ way out
 ( an argum5t ) ! ,little ,woman4 ,!    
wire _h giv5 no address :]eby %e might  
rea* him1 b ! omission 0 n ! ov]sight   
,casey hop$ %e w\ld consid] x4  ,he     
want$ to be reassur+ )\t />t+ any?+4    
,los ,angeles ) no ,little ,woman at 8  
elb[ 0 a dismal hole1 & ,casey got out (
 x z soon z possible4  ,z p]            
in/ructions1 he drove d[n to ,san       
,diego1 v5tur$ p]il\sly close to !      
,mexico l9e1 fool$ ar\nd !re = a day    
look+ = tr\ble1 fail$ to f9d s mu* z a  
fr[n & drove back4  ,he head$ /raight = 
,san ,b]n>d9o1 :i* 0 ,smil+ ,l\'s       

headqu>t]s4  ,he kill$ "t !re & met !   
%]iff on ! /reet ! day he arriv$4  ,!   
%]iff _h a memory tra9$ to hold faces   
indef9itely4  ,he smil$ a little1 made a
 polite ge/ure 9 ! g5]al direction ( 8  
hat & pass$ on4  ,casey swore to himself
 & resolv$ to duck guiltily ar\nd !     
ne>e/ corn] if he saw ! %]iff com+ 8 way
 aga94  ,on ! day :5 8 "t limit expir$  
,casey drove up ! gul* to ,nolan's camp4
  ,9 ! c> beh9d him rode undi/urb$ 8    
,canadian ,club1 ,g>nkirk1 ,?ree-,/>    
,h5nessey1 ,cognac & ,tom ,pepp]2       
bottles1 labels1 gov]nm5t seals & all4  
,nolan 0 walk+ ov] f ! tunnel :5 ,casey 
arriv$4  ,he smil$ inquir+ly z he %ook  
h&s1--a c]emony to :i* ,casey 0 pla9ly  
unaccu/om$4  ,:at luck1 ,ryan8  ,i beat 
y back by ab\t two h\rs4  ,gett+ ?+s    
ready to beg9 mak+ x4 ,did !y cat* y all
 "r8  ,naw6 ,casey spat disgu/$ly4      
,nev] se5 a booze p$dl]1 nev] se5 a cop 
look my way4  ,i w5t ar\nd act9' l ,i j 
kill$ a man an' /ole a lady's diamonds1 
& ! %]iff at ,san ,b]doo ,,tips ',,is   

,,hat ,,to ,,me1 by golly6  ,drove ?r\gh
 ,l4 ,a4 hella-:oop9' an' n a d>n$      
traffic cop kn[$ x 0 ,casey ,ryan4  ,y c
 ask anybody if ,i didn't d e ?+        
possible to git 9 bad or give bootlegg]s
 a tip ,i 0 "o ( 'em4  ,y c't git ,casey
 ,ryan up ag9' ! gang y're aft]1 ,mr4   
,nolan4 ,only way ,casey ,ryan c git up 
ag9' ! law is to g along peaceable try9'
 to please ! missus an' m9d9' 8 own     
bus9ess4  ,i c\lda p$dl$ t damn' hoot*  
on a hang9' tray l circus lemonade4 ,i  
c\lda /ood on ! corn] 9 any uh !m damn$ 
t[ns ) ! hull works pil$ out on a table 
9 front ( me1 an' ,i c\lda holl]$ my    
damn' head (f2 an' ,smil9' ,l\ w\lda    
pass$ me by l ,i 0 sell9' *ew9' gum &   
%oe /r+s4  ,mack ,nolan look$ at ,casey1
 turn$ & w5t into ! cab91 sat d[n on !  
edge ( ! b$ & laugh$ until ! te>s dripp$
 ov] 8 la%es4  ,casey ,ryan foll[$ him1 
& sat on ! edge ( ! table ) 8 arms      
fold$4  ,:5ev] ,mack ,nolan lift$ 8 face
 f 8 palms & look$ at ,casey1 ,casey    
swore4  ,:]eat ,mack ,nolan w\ld give   

ano!r :oop4  ,y c't wond] if relations 7
 some:at /ra9$1 betwe5 !m = ! re/ ( t   
day4    ,,*apt] ,,n9ete5  ,nature _h    
made ,casey ,ryan an optimi/4  ,! blood 
( ,irel& _h made him pugnaci\s4  ,&     
,mack ,nolan _h a way ) him4 ,:]e=e1    
,casey ,ryan once m came l>rup+ d[n !   
grade to ,camp ,cajon & turn$ 9 !re ) a 
dogg$ purpose 9 8 eyes & ) 8 jaw set    
/ubbornly4  ,hi/ory has x t :5ev] ,casey
 ,ryan gets t look 9 8 face1 ! man      
und]nea? might j z well holl] & crawl   
out2 because holl] he mu/1 be=e ,casey  
w\ld ev] let him up4  ,beh9d him1 /[$ "u
 ! b$d+1 grub & camp di%es1 rode 8 eight
 cases ( bootlegg]'s bait1 pack$        
conv9c+ly 9 ! sawdu/1 /raw & c>dbo>d ( !
 wet old days :5 ,uncle ,sam himself ,o4
 ,k4'd ! job4  ,a *a9 ( t9y beads at !  
top ( ea* bottle li$ & said x 0 good    
liquor4  ,! boxes !mselves said1 ,?is   
side up--:5 any side up w\ld ?rill ! s\l
 ( ! man :o own$ a wet appetite & a dry 
?roat4  ,x 0 a good job ,mack ,nolan _h 
made ( ! bottl+4  ,uncle ,sam himself   

mu/ ne$s poli% 8 spectacles & take ano!r
 look to detect ! fraud4  ,x 0 a m>vel\s
 job ( bottl+1--& ! pro( lay only 9 !   
dr9k+4  ,tommy ,pepp] rode 9 p9t flasks 
design$ to slip safely into a man's coat
 pocket4  ,beside him two cases (       
,canadian ,club 7if y 7 satisfi$ ) !    
evid5ce ( y\r eyes7 sat s]5e 9          
r\nd-%\ld]$ bottles--conv5tional1 secure
 9 its reputation4  ,cognac & ,g>nkirk1 
a case = ea*1 rode 9 tall1 slim bottles 
) no %\ld]s at all4  ,plump] ?an !y1    
,?ree ,/> ,h5nessey sat smugly wait+    
until ! joke 0 turn$ ^u its victim4 ,a  
tempt+ load x 01 to m5 ( c]ta9 m9ds &   
morals4  ,casey gr9n$ s>donically :5 he 
?\ght ( x4  ,casey drove deep into !    
grove ( sycamores & made camp !re1 away 
f ! *att]+ picnic p>ties at ! cem5t     
tables4 ,by ,mack ,nolan's advice he 0  
adopt+ a slightly diff]5t policy4 ,he no
 long] %unn$ 8 fell[ m5 or gl>$         
suspici\sly :5 /rang]s approa*$4        
,in/ead he 0 v ne>ly ! old ,casey ,ryan1
 except t he fail$ to /ate 8 "n &       

bus9ess to all & sundry ) ! old ,casey  
,ryan c&or1 b in/ead avoid$ ! subject   
altoge!r or evad$ que/ions ) vague      
g5]alities4  ,b z an und]/udy =         
,ananias1 ,casey ,ryan w\ld h be5 a     
failure4 ,9 two h\rs or less he _h made 
easy trail acqua9tance ) six diff]5t m51
 & he _h unconsci\sly manag$ to v>y 8   
vague acc\nt ( himself six diff]5t      
times4  ,:]e=e he 0 pres5tly ask$       
cauti\sly conc]n+ 8 ?ir/4  ,!y's times1 
said ,casey1 hopefully l[]+ an eyelid1  
:5 a fell] dass5t take a nip1 no matt]  
h[ ?ir/y he gits4  ,! que/ion] />$ at   
him = a m9ute & sl[ly nodd$4 ,y're d>n' 
"r1 he ass5t$4  ,i scursely ev] t\*     
any?+1 myself4 ,& he add$ vaguely1 ,q a 
lot ( x p$dl$ out "h 9 ?is camp1 ,i     
guess4  ,t\ri/s com9' ?r\gh are sc>$ to 
pack x !mselves--b !y sure don't ov]look
 any *ances to take a snort4  ,yeah8    
,casey cock$ a kn[+ eye at ! speak]4    
,!y mu/ pay a pretty fair price f] x1   
too4  ,don't ! cops bo!r folks none8    
,"s--,i guess4  ,casey fill$ 8 pipe &   

(f]$ 8 tobacco sack to ! man4 ,! fell[  
took x1 nodd+ li/less ?anks1 & fill$ 8  
own pipe4 ,! two sat d[n toge!r on !    
knee ( a de=m$ sycamore & smok$ 9       
circumspect sil5ce4  ,arizona1 ,i see4  
,! man nodd$ t[>d ! lic5se plates on    
,casey's c>4  ,uh-huh4  ,casey glanc$ t 
way4  ,"k a man "n ( ,k5n]8 ,he ask$    
abruptly4  ,! fell[ look$ at ,casey     
sidelong1 )\t turn+ 8 head4  ,"s4 ,d y8 
,"s4  ,casey felt t he 0 mak+ headway1  
?\gh x 0 a good deal l play+ *eck]s ) ! 
k+ r[ wide op5 & only two cr[n$ heads to
 def5d 8 m54  ,fri5d uh y\rs8  ,! fell[ 
turn$ 8 head & look$ /raight at ,casey4 
,casey return$ him a pale1 /raight-lidd$
 />e4  ,! man's glance flick]$ & swung  
away4  ,:o wants to "k8  ,casey ask$    
calmly4  ,oh1 y c call me ,jim ,cassidy4
  ,i j ask$4  ,he remov$ 8 pipe f 8 m\? 
& inspect$ x apa!tically4  ,he's a fri5d
 ( ,bill ,ma/]s1 g>age man up at ,lund4 
,"k ,bill8  ,any man says ,i don't1 y c 
call 'im a li>4  ,casey also inspect$ 8 
pipe4  ,b\ght t c> (f'n ,k5n]1  ,casey  

add$ boldly4 ,gett+ into tr\ble1 he     
discov]$1 c>ri$ almo/ ! ?rill ( try+ to 
keep out ( x4  ,yeah8  ,! self-/yl$ ,jim
 ,cassidy look$ at ! ,=d m att5tively4  
,& cont5ts8  ,casey snort$4  ,:at d y "k
 ab\t goats1 if any?+8 he ask$          
my/]i\sly4  ,jim ,cassidy ey$ ,casey    
sidelong ?r\gh a sil5ce4  ,!n he br\ght 
8 palm d[n flat on 8 ?igh & laugh$4  ,y 
pass1 he /at$1 ) a reliev$ sigh4 ,he's a
 d+]1 a9't he8  ,y "k 'im1 all "r4      
,casey also laugh$ & put out 8 h&4 ,if  
y're a fri5d ( ,k5n]'s1 %ake h&s )      
,casey ,ryan6  ,he's damn$ glad to meet 
yuh--an' y c ask anybody if t a9't !    
tru?4  ,aft] t ! acqua9tance progress$ m
 smoo?ly4  ,by ! "t ,casey spread 8 b$  
close alongside ! c>--he knew j h[ mu*  
booze ,jim ,cassidy c>ri$1 j :at        
,cassidy expect$ to make (f ! load1 & a 
good _m o!r bits ( in=mation ( no       
p>ticul> use to ,casey4  ,a /range1 inn]
 excitem5t held ,casey awake long aft]  
,jim ,cassidy 0 asleep snor+4  ,he lay  
look+ up into ! leafy bran*es ( !       

sycamore beside him & wat*$ a /> slip   
sl[ly across an op5 space betwe5 !      
bran*es4  ,f>!r up ! grove a hil>i\s    
gr\p ( "y hik]s sang snat*es ( songs to 
! unc]ta9 accompanim5t ( a ukelele4  ,a 
hundr$ feet away on 8 "r1 occasional c>s
 w5t coa/+ pa/ on ! d[n grade1 com+ 9 (f
 ! des]t1 or climb$ m sl[ly ) motors    
work+1 on _! way up f ! valley bel[4 ,! 
%ift+ brilliance f _! headlights flick$ 
! grove caprici\sly z !y w5t by4 ,n[ &  
!n a c> /opp$4  ,"o1 a big1 high-p[]$ c>
 ) "o dazzl+ spotlight swung into ! n>r[
 driveway & ent]$ ! grove4  ,casey lift$
 8 head l a des]t turtle & bl9k$        
curi\sly at ! c> z x eas$ pa/ him a few 
feet & /opp$4  ,a glov$ h& w5t out to ! 
spotlight & turn$ x sl[ly1 light+ !     
grove foot by foot & paus+ to dwell ^u  
ea* sil5t1 p>k$ c>4 ,casey sat up 9 !   
blankets & wait$4  ,luck1 he told       
himself1 0 gr9n+ at him f e> to e>4  ,= 
?is 0 ,smil+ ,l\ himself1 & none o!r4   
,he 0 alone1--a big1 hungry1 (ficial fi%
 se>*+ ! grove gre$ily4  ,casey swall[$ 

a gr9 & tri$ to look sc>$4  ,! light 0  
sl[ly work+ ar\nd 9 8 direction4  ,i    
don't suppose ,casey ,ryan _h ev] look$ 
really sc>$ 9 8 life4 ,8 face simply    
refus$ to we> s =eign an expression4    
,!re=e1 :5 ! spotlight f9ally reveal$   
him1 ,casey bl9k$ aga9/ x ) a half-he>t$
 gr91 z if he _h be5 caught at some?+   
fooli%4 ,! light rema9$ ^u him1 & ,smil+
 ,l\ got out ( ! c> & came back to him  
sl[ly4  ,n ev5 ,casey ?\ght ( call+     
,smil+ ,l\ a fool4  ,he c\ldn't be &    
play ! game he 0 play+4  ,smil+ ,l\ said
 no?+ :atev] until he _h look$ ! c> ov] 
c>efully 7giv+ ! lic5se numb] a second  
%>p glance7 & _h reg>d$ ,casey fix$ly   
:ile he made up 8 m9d4  ,hullo6  ,:]e's 
y\r p>dn]8 he dem&$ !n4  ,i'm 9         
p>dn]%ips ) myself ?is trip1 ,casey     
retort$4 ,he wait$ :ile ,smil+ ,l\ look$
 him ov] aga91 m c>efully ?is "t4  ,:]e 
did y get t c>8  ,f ,k5n]--=            
sixte5-hundr$ & sev5te5 doll>s & five   
c5ts4  ,casey fumbl$ 9 !                
blankets--,smil+ ,l\ foll[+ 8 movem5ts  

suspici\sly--& got out ! mak+s ( a      
cig>ette4  ,got any booze 9 t c>8       
,smil+ ,l\ might h be5 a traffic cop1 = 
all ! trace ( humanity !re 0 9 8 voice4 
,casey cock$ an eye up at him1 s5t a    
quick glance t[>d ! ,=d1 & look$ back   
into ,smil+ ,l\'s face4  ,he hun*$ 8    
%\ld]s & f9i%$ ! mak+ ( 8 cig>ette4  ,i 
wi%t y w\ldn't look1 he said glumly4  ,i
 got half my outfit 9 !re an' ,i hate to
 h x tore up4  ,smil+ ,l\ cont9u$ to    
look at him1 seem+ slightly puzzl$4 ,b  
indecision 0 n "o ( 8 *>act]i/ics1      
evid5tly4 ,he /epp$ up to ! c>1 pull$ a 
fla%light f 8 pocket & look$ 94  ,casey 
0 up & into 8 clo!s by ! "t ,smil+ ,l\  
_h uncov]$ a box or two4  ,smil+ ,l\    
turn$ t[>d him1 8 lips twit*+4  ,lift   
?is /uff out ( "h & put x 9 my c>1 he   
comm&$1 elation creep+ into 8 voice 9   
spite ( himself4  ,my ,"l6 ,! *ances y  
fell[s take6  ,?9k a dab ( pa9t is go+  
to cov] up a br& burnt into ! wood8     
,casey look$ />tl$1 glanc+ d[n into ! c>
 to :]e ,smil+ ,l\ po9t$4  ,! bo>ds is  

turn$ ov] on all ! re/1 he mutt]$       
confid5tially4  ,i dunno h[ t d>n$      
,canadian ,club sign got "r side up4    
,:at all h y got8  ,smil+ ,l\ l[]$ 8    
voice :5 he ask$ ! "q4  ,casey tri$ n to
 gr9 :5 he repli$4 ,smil+ ,l\ gasp$1    
,well1 get x into my c>1 & make x       
snappy4  ,casey made x z snappy z he    
c\ld1 & kept 8 face /raight until ,smil+
 ,l\ spoke to him %>ply4  ,i won't take 
y 9 to-night ) me4  ,i want t c>4  ,y   
drive x into headqu>t]s fir/ ?+ 9 !     
morn+4  ,& don't ?9k y c beat x1 ei!r4  
,i'll h ! road po/$4  ,y c knock a good 
deal (f y\r s5t5ce if y crank up & come 
9 "r aft] breakfa/4 ,& make x an e>ly   
breakfa/1 too4  ,8 mann] 0 /]n1 8 voice 
p]fectly (ficial4  ,b ,casey1 eye+ him  
grimly1 saw di/9ctly ! left eyelid l[] &
 lift aga94  ,all "r--,i'm ! goat1 he   
surr5d]$ & sat d[n aga9 on 8            
canvas-cov]$ b$4  ,he did n imm$iately  
crawl betwe5 ! blankets1 h[ev]1 because 
int]e/+ ?+s 7 happ5+ ov] at ,jim        
,cassidy's c>4  ,casey wat*$ ,jim       

,cassidy g pick+ 8 way among/ ! tree    
roots & camp litt]1 8 back /raight5$ "u 
! load ( hoot* he 0 c>ry+ to ,smil+     
,l\'s c>4  ,) ,jim ,cassidy also1 ,smil+
 ,l\ 0 crisply (ficial4  ,:5 ! la/ ( !  
hoot* _h be5 transf]r$1 ,casey he>d     
,smil+ ,l\ tell ,jim ,cassidy to drive 9
 to headqu>t]s aft] breakfa/ next       
morn+--b he did n see ,smil+ ,l\ w9k :5 
he said x4  ,aft] t1 ,smil+ ,l\ />t$ 8  
motor & drove sl[ly up ?r\gh ! grove1   
halt+ to scan ea* c> z he pass$4  ,he   
swung out ?r\gh ! upp] driveway1 turn$  
%>ply !re & came back d[n ! highway     
spe$+ up on ! d[nhill grade to ,san     
,b]n>d9o4  ,jim ,cassidy came furtively 
ov] & settle d[n = a :isp]$ conf]5ce on 
,casey's b$4  ,h[ mu* did he get (f'n   
,,y8 he ask$ inquisitively4  ,did he    
clean yuh out8  ,clean z a la/ ye>'s    
bone 9 a kioty d51 ,casey decl>$1 hid+ 8
 satisfaction z be/ he c\ld4  ,nev] got 
my roll ?\gh4  ,he w\ldn't--n ) y work9'
 on ! inside4  ,guess x mu/ be k9da t\*y
 ar\nd "h "r n[4  ,new (fic]s1 mebby4   

,he w\ldn't a' clean$ u out if we'd a'  
be5 safe4  ,he nev] came into camp      
be=e--n :5 ,i've be5 "h4  ,made t same  
play to y1 didn't he--ab\t giv9' y\rself
 up 9 ! morn+8  ,uh c\rse yuh "k :at t  
means--,,don',t6  ,he %ore is foxy1 all 
"r1 ,casey comm5t$ ) absolute s9c]ity4  
,y c ask anybody if he didn't pull x (f 
l ! pleasure 0 all 8'n4  ,no ,l4 ,a4    
traffic cop ev] p9*$ me an ,i look$ l he
 enjoy$ x m4  ,oh1 ,l\'s cute1 all "r4  
,!y don't any ( 'em put any?+ ov] on    
,l\4  ,y mu/ be new at ! bus9ess1 a9't  
yuh8  ,second trip1 ,casey in=m$ him )  
an air ( importance--:i* he really felt1
 by ! way4  ,:at ,casey's /udy9' on n[1 
is ! next move4  ,no use hang9' ar\nd "h
 empty4  ,:at d ,,y figg] on do9'8      
,well1 ,l\ didn't give no tip--n to me1 
anyway4  ,s ,i guess x'll be safe to    
drive on 9 to ! city & load up aga94  ,i
 got a fell] ) me--he caught a ride 9 to
 ,san ,b]doo2 left j be=e y drove 94 ,"k
 :]e to g 9 ! city8  ',cause ,i c ride 9
 ) y1 an' let him foll]4  ,t'll suit me 

f9e1 ,casey decl>$4  ,& s !y left x = ! 
"t be+1 & ,cassidy w5t back to b$4  ,a  
great load _h dropp$ f ,casey's %\ld]s1 
& he 0 asleep be=e ,jim ,cassidy _h     
ceas$ to turn re/lessly 9 8 blankets4   
,gett+ ! ,:ite ,mule out ( 8 c> & into !
 c> ( ,smil+ ,l\ _h be5 ! task :i*      
,nolan _h set = him4 ,:at 0 to happ5    
!reaft] ,casey c\ld only guess1 = ,nolan
 _h n told him4 ,& su* 0 ! ,casey ,ryan 
nature t he made no attempt to solve !  
problems :i* ,mack ,nolan _h calmly     
res]v$ = himself4  ,he did n dream1 =   
in/ance1 t ,mack ,nolan _h wat*$ him    
load ! /uff into ,smil+ ,l\'s c>4  ,he  
did "k t an unobtrusive ,cadillac road/]
 0 p>k$ at ! next campfire4 ,x _h come 9
 half an h\r beh9d him1 b ! driv] _h n  
made any move t[>d camp+ until aft] d>k4
  ,casey _h glanc$ 8 way :5 ! c> 0 p>k$ 
& ! driv] got out & began fuss+ ar\nd ! 
c>1 b he _h n be5 /ruck ) any s5se (    
famili>ity 9 ! figure4  ,!re 0 no reason
 :y he %\ld4  ,?\s&s & ?\s&s ( m5 are ( 
,mack ,nolan's height & g5]al build4    

,?is man look$ l a doctor or a d5ti/    
p]haps4  ,beyond ! matt] ( size1        
simil>ity to ,mack ,nolan ceas$4  ,!    
,cadillac man wore a v&yke be>d & color$
 glasses1 & a panama & light gray       
bus9ess suit4  ,casey set him d[n 9 8   
m5tal catalog z "s t[n fell] & assum$ t 
!y _h no?+ 9 common4  ,yet ,mack ,nolan 
he>d ne>ly e ^w spok5 by ,smil+ ,l\1    
,casey & ,jim ,cassidy4  7,read]s are s 
inquisitive ab\t ^! ?+s t ,i felt ,i    
ought to tell y--else y'll be worry+ z  
h>d z ,casey ,ryan did lat] on4  ,i'm   
s(t-he>t$1 myself2 ,i nev] l to worry a 
read] m ?an is absolutely necess>y4 ,s  
,i'm lett+ y 91 hop+ y'll get an add$   
kick out ( ,casey's fur!r maneuv]s74  ,!
 ,cadillac c>1 ,i %\ld expla91 0 only "o
 ( ,mack ,nolan's little secrets4  ,!re 
is a v good g>age at ,g(fs1 n _m miles f
 ,junip] ,wells4  ,a matt] ( an h\r's   
driv+ 0 suffici5t at any "t = ,mack     
,nolan to make ! ex*ange4 ,& no man at  
,g(fs w\ld ?9k x v /range t ! own] ( a  
,cadillac %\ld pref] to drive a ,=d ov] 

r\gh1 des]t trails to 8 prospect 9 !    
m\nta9s4  ,mack ,nolan1 z ,i h told y   
be=e1 _h a way ) him4    ,,*apt] ,,tw5ty
  ,) a load ( booze 9 ! c> & ,jim       
,cassidy by 8 side1 ,casey ,ryan drove  
d[n ! long1 eucalyptus-%ad$ av5ue t runs
 pa/ ! balloon s*ool at ,arcadia & turn$
 into ! ,foo?ill ,b\lev>d4  ,half a mile
 f>!r on a ,cadillac road/] honk$ & slid
 pa/ !m1 spe$+ away t[>d ,monrovia4  ,b 
,casey ,ryan 0 busy talk+ *ummily ) ,jim
 ,cassidy1 & he sc>cely knew t a c> _h  
pass$4  ,! money he _h be5 giv5 = ,smil+
 ,l\ _h be5 us$ to pay = ?is new load ( 
:isky1 & ,casey f\nd himself wi%+ t he  
c\ld get ^w ( x to ,mack ,nolan4  ,/ill1
 ,nolan's ov]sight 9 ! matt] ( arrang+ =
 communication betwe5 !m did n bo!r     
,casey mu*4 ,he 0 do+ 8 "p2 if ,mack    
,nolan fail$ to d 81 t 0 no fault (     
,casey ,ryan's4  ,at ,fontana1 :]e "y   
,k5n] _h /opp$ = gas on t ev5tful fir/  
trip ( ,casey's1 ,casey sl[$ d[n also1 =
 ! same purpose1 half tempt$ to call up 
! ,little ,woman on long di/ance :ile ! 

gas tank 0 be+ fill$4  ,b pres5tly !    
matt] w5t clean f 8 m9d--& ?is 0 !      
reason3  ,a spe$ cop ^: motorcycle /ood 
inconspicu\sly ar\nd ! corn] ( ! g>age1 
came =w>d & ey$ ! ,=d %>ply4  ,he drew 8
 little book f 8 pocket1 turn$ a few    
leaves1 f\nd :at he 0 look+ = & ey$ aga9
 ! c>4  ,! g>age man1 sl[ly turn+ !     
crank ( ! gasol9e pump1 look$ at him    
inquir+ly2 b ! spe$ cop ignor$ ! look & 
turn$ to ,casey4  ,:]e'd y get ?is c>8  
he dem&$1 9 mu* ! same tone :i* ,smil+  
,l\ _h us$ ! night be=e4  ,b\ght x1     
,casey told him gruffly4  ,:]e did y buy
 x8  ,ov] at ,g(fs1 j ?is side (        
,ne$les4  ,got a bill ( sale8  ,y got   
,casey ,ryan's ^w f] x1 ,casey retort$1 
) a gr[+ heat inside1 :]e he kept 8     
temp] :5 he wasn't us+ x4  ,are y ,casey
 ,ryan8  ,! spe$ cop's eyes h>d5$ j a   
bit4  ,anybody says ,i a9't1 y s5d 'em  
to me--an' !n come ar\nd 9 ab\t t5      
m9utes an' look 'em ov]4  ,:at's ,,y\r  
"n8  ,! (fic] turn$ to ,jim ,cassidy4   
,tom ,smi?4  ,i 0 j ket*9' a ride ) ?is 

fell]4  ,don't g an' mix ,,me 9--,i a9't
 no ways conc]n$2 j ket*9' a ride is    
all4 ,if ,i'd 'a' kn[$--  ,y c expla9 t 
to ! judge4  ,get 9 !re1 y1 & drive 9 to
 ,san ,b]doo4  ,i'll be "r ) y1 s y     
ne$n't =get ! road6 ,he /epp$ back to 8 
motorcycle & pu%$ x =w>d4  ,hey6  ,don't
 ,i git paid f] my gas8 ! g>age man     
wail$1 pull+ a dripp+ nozzle f ,casey's 
gas tank4  ,aw1 g tahell6 ,casey grunt$1
 & ?rew a wadd$ bank note 9 8 direction4
  ,take t an' %ut up4  ,:at yuh cry9'   
ar\nd ab\t a gallon uh gas1 f]8  ,,y    
a9't p9*$6  ,! money l&$ ne> !          
motorcycle & ! (fic] pick$ x up1 smoo!d 
out ! bill1 glanc$ at x & look$ ?r\gh   
tight5$ lids at ,casey4  ,?r[9' money   
ar\nd l a hoot*-runn]6 he sne]$4  ,i    
guess y birds ne$ lookn' aft]1 all "r4  
,git go9'6  ,casey got go+4  ,twice on !
 way 9 ! (fic] spurt$ up alongside &    
wav$ him d[n = spe$+4  ,casey _h n      
int5d$ to spe$1 ei!r4  ,he 0 m]ely keep+
 pace unconsci\sly ) 8 ?\ghts4  ,he _h  
be5 told j :at he mu/ d if he 7 arre/$ =

 bootlegg+1 b he 0 n at all c]ta9 t 8   
in/ructions w\ld cov] an arre/ = /eal+  
an automobile4  ,nolan _h =gott5 ab\t t1
 he guess$4  ,b ,casey's optimism c>ri$ 
him jauntily to jail 9 ,san ,b]n>d9o1 & 
:ile he 0 secretly a bit uneasy1 he 0 n 
half s worri$ z ,jim ,cassidy appe>$ to 
be4  ,casey 0 book$--along ) ,tom       
,smi?--on two *>ges3 !ft ( "o ,=d c>1   
motor numb] s-&-s1 s]ial numb] ?is-&-t1 
model1 t\r+1 ye>1 :atev]-x-04  ,&1      
unlawful transportation ( spiritu\s     
liquor4  ,he tri$ to give ! judge ! w9k1
 b )\t any happy result4  ,s he         
ev5tually f\nd himself lock$ 9 a cell ) 
,jim ,cassidy4  ,j at fir/1 ,casey ,ryan
 0 pr\d ( ! "p he 0 play+4 ,he c\ld look
 ) righte\s tol]ation ^u ! limpness ( 8 
fell[ prison]4  ,he c\ld feel secure 9 !
 k t he1 ,casey ,ryan1 0 an ag5t ( !    
gov]nm5t engag$ 9 help+ to uphold ! laws
 ( 8 c\ntry4  ,he wait$ = an h\r or two1
 li/5+ ) a sup]ior k9d ( pati5ce to ,jim
 ,cassidy's panicky unbraid+s ( 8 luck4 
,at fir/ ,jim 0 incl9$ to blame ,casey r

 bitt]ly = ! plight he 0 94  ,b ,casey  
soon /opp$ t4  ,"y ,k5n] 0 !            
responsible p>ty 9 ?is mi%ap1 z ,casey v
 soon made pla9 to ,jim4  ,well1 ,i     
dunno b :at y're "r4  ,x ,,0 k9d ( a    
dirty trick--work9' a /ole c> (f onto y4
  ,:y didn't he pick "s suck] on !      
outside8  ,don't l9e up ) ,k5n]1 someh[4
 ,well1 ,i guess mebby ,smil9' ,l\ c see
 u out uh ?is hole all "r--only ,i don't
 l t c>-/eal9' *>ge4  ,mebby ,k5n] an'  
,l\ c /raight5 x up1 ?\gh4  ,casey      
wond]$ if !y c\ld4  ,he wond]$1 too1 h[ 
,nolan 0 go+ to f9d out ab\t ,smil+ ,l\ 
gett+ ! cam\flag$ ,:ite ,mule4 ,nolan _h
 n expla9$ t to ,casey--b ,casey 0 n    
worry+ yet4  ,8 fai? 9 ,mack ,nolan 0   
firm4  ,came b$time1 h[ev]1 ) no sign ( 
(ficial favor t[>d ,casey ,ryan4  ,casey
 began to wond]4  ,b probably1 he       
consol$ himself ) ?9k+1 !y meant to wait
 until ,jim ,cassidy 0 asleep be=e !y   
turn$ ,casey loose4  ,he lay on ! h>d   
bunk & wait$ hopefully1 li/5+ to !      
/]tor\s brea?+ ( ,jim ,cassidy1 :o _h   

=gott5 8 tr\bles 9 sleep4    ,,*apt]    
,,tw5ty-,,"o  ,at noon ! next day ,casey
 0 /ill wait+--b n hopefully4 ,pati5ce  
on a monum5t c\ldn't h resembl$ ,casey  
,ryan 9 any p>ticul> :atev]4  ,he 0 mad4
  ,by midnight he _h begun to wond] if  
he 0 n go+ to be made a goat aga94  ,by 
daylight1 he 0 positive t he 0 already a
 goat4  ,by ! "t ! tru/y br\ght 8       
breakfa/1 ,casey 0 apply+ to ,mack      
,nolan ! id5tical words & phrases :i* he
 _h appli$ to "y ,k5n] :5 he 0 ! madde/4
 ,don't ask me to tell y :at !y 74  ,jim
 ,cassidy /ill clung desp]ately to 8    
fai? 9 ,smil+ ,l\2 b ,casey's fai?      
hadn't s mu* z a f+]-hold on any?+4 ,:at
 k9d ( a gov]nm5t 0 x1 he ask$ himself  
bitt]ly1 t w\ld leave a tru/$ ag5t      
tw5ty-f\r h\rs %ut up 9 a cell ) a :9+  
crook l ,jim ,cassidy8  ,if1 he add$    
pessimi/ically1 he 7 an ag5t ( !        
gov]nm5t4  ,casey d\bt$ x4  ,s f> z he  
c\ld see1 ,casey ,ryan wasn't any?+ b ! 
goat4  ,8 *ief desire n[ 0 to get out ( 
!re z soon z possible s t he c\ld hunt  

up ,mack ,nolan & lick ! liv9' t> wit ( 
him--or worse4  ,he want$ bail & he     
want$ x imm$iately4 ,n a s\l bad come   
ne> him1 save ! tru/y1 9 spite ( c]ta9  
my/]i\s messages :i* ,casey _h s5t to ! 
(fice1 ask+ = an int]view ) ! judge or  
somebody2 ,casey didn't c>e :o4 ,lock$ 9
 a cell1 h[ 0 he go+ to d any ( ! ?+s   
,nolan _h told him to d if he happ5$ to 
f9d himself arre/$ by an hone/ (fic]8   
,:5 !y haul$ him be=e ! police judge1   
,casey hadn't be5 giv5 ! *ance to expla9
 any?+ to anybody4  ,unless1 ( c\rse1 he
 want$ to bell] out 8 bus9ess be=e      
ev]ybody2 & t1 he told himself fi]cely1 
0 n ,casey ,ryan's idea ( ! way to keep 
a secret4  ,moreov]1 t damn$ spe$ cop 0 
/&+ "r !re1 j wait+ = a *ance to w9d 8  
f+]s 9 ,casey's coll> & *oke him (f if  
he tri$ to say a ^w4  ,& h[ ! hell1     
,casey w\ld l to "k1 0 a man go+ to     
expla9 himself :5 he c\ldn't get a ^w 9 
edgeways8  ,s ,casey want$ bail4  ,!re 7
 j two ways ( gett+ x1 & x w5t aga9/ !  
gra9 ( 8 pride to take ei!r "o4 ,t is :y

 ,casey wait$ until noon be=e 8 ,iri%   
/ubbornness yield$ a bit & he decid$ to 
wire me to come4  ,he _h to slip ! wire 
out by ! und]gr\nd me?od--mean+ ! good w
 ( ! tru/y4  ,x co/ ,casey t5 doll>s1 b 
he didn't grudge t4  ,he sp5t t aft]noon
 & mo/ ( ! night m5tally call+ ! tru/y a
 li> & a ?ief because !re 0 no reply to 
! message4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 ! tru/y   
s5t ! wire ?r\gh z quickly z possible & 
! fault 0 m9e if any "o's4  ,i 0 too    
busy hurry+ to ! rescue to ?9k ab\t s5d+
 ,casey ^w t ,i 0 com+4 ,casey said     
aft]w>ds t my ?\ghtlessness w\ld be cur$
 = life if ,i 7 ev] lock$ 9 jail & wait+
 = news4  ,z x happ5$1 ,i wir$ ! ,little
 ,woman t ,casey 0 9 jail aga91 & caught
 ! fir/ tra9 to ,san ,b]doo--com+ d[n by
 way ( ,b>/[4  ,i c\ld save two or ?ree 
h\rs t way1 ,i f\nd1 s ,i told ! ,little
 ,woman to meet me !re & br+ all ! money
 %e c\ld get h] h&s on4  ,n kn[+ j :at  
,casey 0 9 = ?is "t1 x seem$ well to be 
prep>$ = a good1 /iff bail4  ,%e beat me
 by sev]al h\rs1 & betwe5 u we _h t5    

?\s& doll>s4  ,at t x 0 a fool's err&4  
,casey 0 out ( jail & gone be=e ei!r ( u
 arriv$4  ,s !re we 71 hold+ ! bag1 z y 
might say1 & our t5 ?\s& doll>s' bail   
money4  ,x's no use ask+ que/ions1      
,jack1 ! ,little ,woman told me p5sively
 :5 we _h f9i%$ our salad 9 ! be/ cafe 9
 t[n1 & 7 wait+ = ! fi%4  ,i've ask$    
que/ions ( e uni=m 9 ?is t[n1 f !       
di/rict judge d[n to ! c\r?\se janitor4 
,nobody kn[s a ?+4  ,i ,,did f9d t      
,casey 0 book$ ye/]day = hav+ a /ol5 c> 
& a load ( booze 9 8 possession1 b he   
isn't 9 jail--or if he is1 !y're keep+  
him d[n 9 "s dungeon & h ?r[n away !    
key4 ,x 0 h9t$ 9 ! police c\rt t he 0   
dismiss$ = want ( evid5ce2 b !y w\ldn't 
,,say any?+1 & s !re y are6  ,we f9i%$  
our fi% 9 a ?\ghtful sil5ce4  ,!n1 :5 ! 
wait] _h remov$ ! plates1 ! ,little     
,woman look$ at me ) a tw9kle 9 h] eyes4
  ,well-sir1 !re's some?+ ,i want to    
tell y1 ,jack4  ,i believe ,casey has   
put ?is t[n on ! run4  ,!y c't tell     
,,me6 ,some?+'s happ5$1 ov] ar\nd !     

c\r?\se4  ,a lot ( ! m5 ,i talk$ ) _h a 
sc>$ look 9 _! eyes1 & !y 7 n]v\s :5    
doors op5$1 & look$ ar\nd :5 p came     
walk+ along4  ,i don't "k :at he's be5  
do+--b ,casey ,ryan's be5 up to some?+4 
,y c't tell ,,me6  ,i "k h[ our laundry 
boy looks :5 ,casey's home4  ,& didn't y
 get any l9e at all on 8 :]eab\ts8 ,i   
ask$ h]4 ,giv5 ?ree h\rs ! />t ( me1 ,i 
knew p]fectly well t ! ,little ,woman _h
 f\nd out all !re 0 to "k ab\t ,casey4  
,well-sir--,i've got ?is to g on1 !     
,little ,woman drawl$ & held a telegram 
across ! table4  ,y'll notice t 0 s5t f 
,g(fs4 ,x's t5 days old1 b ,i've be5    
gett+ ready ev] s9ce x arriv$4 ,i've put
 ,babe 9 a bo>d+-s*ool1 & ,i leas$ !    
ap>tm5t h\se4 ,i kept ?ree dressmak]s   
ru9+ _! eyes ) nightwork1 ,jack1 mak+ up
 "s nifty sports clo!s4  ,if ,casey's   
b\nd to /ay 9 ! des]t--well1 ,i'm 8     
wife--& ,casey does k9d ( l to h me     
ar\nd4  ,y c't tell ,,me4  ,s ,i've got 
! tw9-six pack$ ) ! niftie/ camp outfit 
y ev] saw1 ,jack4  ,i've got a yell[ &  

r$ bea* umbrella1 & two recl9+ *airs1   
&--well-sir1 ,i'm go+ to r\gh x de luxe4
  ,i don't expect to keep ,casey 9      
h&--,i happ5 to "k him4  ,b x's j       
possible1 ,jack1 t ,i c keep him 9      
sight6  ,( c\rse ,i told h]--z ,i've    
told h] (t5 en\gh be=e--t %e 0 a brick4 
,i add$ t ,i w\ld g along1 if %e lik$2  
:i* %e did4  ,n ev5 ! ,little ,woman    
%\ld ev] attempt to drive across !      
,mojave alone4  ,we />t$ out z soon z we
 _h f9i%$ ! meal4  ,a ,cadillac road/]  
came up beh9d u & honk$ = cle> pass+ z  
we swung into ! long1 /raight /ret* t   
leads up ! ,cajon4 ,! ,little ,woman    
pe]$ into ! re> vision mirror & press$ !
 toe ( h] :ite pump ^u ! accel]ator4    
,!re's only "o man 9 ! _w t c pass ,,me 
on ! road1 ! ,little ,woman drawl$1 & he
 doesn't we> a panama6  ,z we snapp$    
ar\nd ! turns ( ,cajon ,grade1 ,i look$ 
back once or twice4  ,! ,cadillac road/]
 0 /ill foll[+ p]t9aci\sly1 b x 0 too f>
 back to honk at u4  ,:5 we slid d[n to 
! ,victorville g>age & /opp$ = gas1 !   

,cadillac slid by4 ,! driv] 9 ! panama  
gave u "o glance ?r\gh 8 color$ glasses1
 b ,i felt1 someh[1 t ! glance 0        
suffici5tly compreh5sive to fix u firmly
 9 8 memory4  ,i inquir$ at ! g>age     
conc]n+ ,casey ,ryan1 tak+ x = grant$ he
 w\ld be driv+ a ,=d4  ,a man ( t       
description _h /opp$ at ! g>age = gas t 
=5oon1 ! boy told me4 ,ab\t n9e o'clock1
 ,i le>n$ f fur!r que/ion+4  ,well-sir1 
t gives him five h\rs ! />t1 ! ,little  
,woman rem>k$1 z %e eas$ 9 ! clut* &    
slid ar\nd ! corn] into ! highway to    
,b>/[4  ,b y c't tell me ,i c't run d[n 
a ,=d ) ?is c>4  ,i "k to ! la/ in* :at 
a ,jawn ,h5ry is good =4 ,i drove "o    
myself1 rememb]4  ,n[ we'll see4        
,,*apt] ,,tw5ty-,,two  ,at ,dagget1 !   
big1 blue c> ) a lady driv] s\nd$ ! w>n+
 signal & pass$ ,mack ,nolan & !        
,cadillac road/]4 ,l ,casey ,ryan1      
,nolan is r pr\d ( 8 driv+1 & )         
suffici5t reason4 ,he 0 already hurry+1 
n to ov]haul ,casey1 b to arrive soon   
aft] him4  ,wom5 driv]s lov$ to pass o!r

 c>s ) a sudd5 spurt ( spe$1 he _h f\nd 
by exp]i5ce4  ,!y 7 n1 h[ev]1 consi/5tly
 fa/ driv]s4  ,mack ,nolan 0 consci\s ( 
a slight irritation :5 ! tw9-six took ! 
lead4  ,some:]e ahead--probably 9 "o ( !
 r\gh1 s&y /ret*es--he w\ld ei!r h to   
pass t c> or lag beh9d4 ,y\r exp]t driv]
 likes a cle> road ahead4  ,s ,mack     
,nolan drove a bit h>d]1 & succe$$ 9    
gett+ mo/ ( ! du/ kick$ up by ! big1    
blue c>4  ,he c\nt$ on pass+ be=e !y    
rea*$ ,ludl[1 b he c\ld nev] q make x4  
,9 t ungodly /ret* ( s& & rocks &       
*uck-holes t lies betwe5 ,ludl[ &       
,amboy1 ,nolan 0 sure t ! woman driv]   
w\ld h to sl[ d[n4 ,he swore a little1  
too1 because %e w\ld probably sl[ d[n j 
:]e pass+ 0 impossible4 ,!y always did4 
,!y w5t ?r\gh ,amboy l "o p>ty1 ! big1  
blue c> lead+ by tw5ty-five y>ds4  ,x 0 
a long drive = a woman to make2 a h>d   
drive to boot4  ,he wond]$ if ! two 9 ! 
big c> ev] ate4  ,five miles ea/ (      
,amboy1 :5 a r$ sunset 0 d>k5+ to       
/>light1 ! blue c>1 fifty y>ds 9 ! lead1

 ov]haul$ a ,=d 9 tr\ble4 ,9 ! loose1   
s&y trail ! big c> sl[$ & /opp$ abrea/ (
 ! ,=d4  ,!re 0 no pass+ n[1 unless     
,mack ,nolan want$ to risk sma%+ 8      
crank-case on a lava rock1 millions (   
:i* pepp]$ t p>ticul> portion ( !       
,mojave ,des]t4  ,he /opp$ p]=ce4  ,a   
pair ( feet ) legs atta*$ to !m1        
protrud$ f b5ea? ! runn+ bo>d ( ! ,=d4  
,! ,little ,woman 9 ! big c> lean$ ov] !
 side & /udi$ ! feet critically4  ,casey
 ,ryan1 are ^? ! be/ pair ( %oes y own8 
%e drawl$ at la/4  ,if y w\ldn't we> su*
 rund[n heels1 y "k1 y w\ldn't look s   
b[-legg$4  ,i've told y & ,,told y t y\r
 legs ar5't s bad :5 y we> /raight      
heels4  ,casey ,ryan crawl$ out & look$ 
up at h] gr9n+ %eepi%ly4  ,!y 0 all "r  
:5 ,i left home1 ma'am1 he def5d$ 8 %oes
 mildly4  ,des]t plays hell ) %oe       
lea!r--y c ask anybody4 ,!n he add$1    
,hullo1 ,jack6  ,:at y two ?9k y're     
do9'1 anyway4 ,try9' t' elope8  ,:y1    
hello1 ,ryan6  ,mack ,nolan greet$1 com+
 up f ! ,cadillac4 ,hav+ tr\ble ) y\r   

c>8  ,casey :irl$ & ey$ ,nolan dubi\sly4
  ,naw4  ,?is a9't no tr\ble1 he grant$4
 ,i only be5 "h f\r h\rs or s--?is is   
pa/ime6  ,!re 0 an awkw>d sil5ce4  ,we 9
 ! blue c> want$ to "k 7n at t "t kn[+7 
:o 0 ! man 9 ! ,cadillac road/]1 & h[ he
 happ5$ to "k ,casey s well4  ,nolan1 no
 d\bt1 want$ to "k :o we 74  ,& !re 0 s 
mu* t ,casey want$ to "k & ne$$ to "k t 
he c\ldn't seem to ?9k ( any?+4 ,h[ev]1 
,casey 0 ! h>de/ to d[n4  ,he came up to
 ! side ( ! blue c>1 rea*$ 9 ) 8 h&s all
 greasy black1 & took ! ,little ,woman's
 h& f ! :eel & kiss$ x4  ,! ,little     
,woman made a c>ess+ s\nd & lean$ out to
 him--& ,nolan & ,i felt t we mu/n't    
look4  ,s our eyes met4  ,he came ar\nd 
to my side ( ! c> & put out 8 h&4  ,i'm 
pretty good at guess+1 he smil$4  ,i    
guess y're ,jack ,gleason4  ,casey has  
talk$ ( y to me4  ,i'm "r glad to meet  
y1 too4  ,my "n is ,mack ,nolan1 & ,i'm 
,iri%4  ,i'm ,casey ,ryan's p>tn]4 ,we h
 a good--prospect4  ,casey look$ pa/ !  
,little ,woman & me1 /raight into ,mack 

,nolan's eyes4  ,i felt some?+ ( an     
electric quality 9 ! air :ile _! gaze   
held4  ,i'm j gett+ back f a trip d[n 9 
! valley1 ,nolan obs]v$ easily4  ,y nev]
 did see me 9 t[n duds1 did y1 ,casey8  
,8 eyes w5t to ! ,little ,woman's face &
 !n to me4 ,i suppose y "k :at ?is wild 
,iri%man has j pull$ (f back !re1 he    
said1 tilt+ 8 head t[>d ,san ,b]n>d9o1  
_m a mile away to ! s\?we/4  ,y w\ldn't 
?9k x to look at him1 b he surely has   
?r[n a monkey wr5* into z pretty a      
bootlegg+ ma*9e z !re is 9 ! c\ntry4    
,x's su* confid5tial /uff1 ( c\rse1 t y 
may call x absolutely secret4 ,b = once 
,i'm tell+ ! tru? ab\t x4  ,y\r husb&1  
,mrs4 ,casey ,ryan1 holds a commission f
 headqu>t]s z a prohibition (fic]4  ,a  
deputy1 x is true1--b commission$       
nev]!less4  ,he's j gett+ back f a v    
pretty piece ( "w4 ,a crook$ (fic] nam$ 
,smil+ ,l\ 0 arre/$ la/ night4 ,he _h   
all k9ds ( liquor ca*$ away 9 8 h\se4   
,casey c tell y sometime h[ he trapp$   
him4  ,( c\rse1 ,i'm j an amateur m9+   

exp]t on a vacation1 myself4 ,8 eyes met
 ,casey's /raight4  ,i wasn't ) him :5  
he pull$ ! deal1 b ,i he>d ab\t x       
aft]w>ds1 & ,i knew he 0 plann+ some?+ (
 ! sort :5 he left camp4  ,h[ ,i happ5$ 
to "k ab\t ! commission1 he add$1 rea*+ 
into 8 pocket1 is because he left x ) me
 = safe keep+4  ,i'm go+ to let y look  
at x--j 9 case he's too pr\d to let x   
out ( 8 h&s once ,i give x back4  ,n[1 (
 c\rse1 ,i'm talk+ l an old woman &     
tell+ all ,casey's secrets--& y'll      
probably see a real ,iri% fight :5 he   
gets 9 rea* ( me4  ,b ,i knew he hadn't 
told y exactly :at he's do+1 &--,i      
p]sonally feel t 8 wife & 8 be/ fri5d   
are entitl$ to "k z mu* z 8 p>tn] kn[s  
ab\t him4  ,! ,little ,woman nodd$      
abs5tly h] ?anks4  ,%e 0 hold+ ,casey's 
commission "u ! da%-light to read x4  ,i
 saw ,casey gulp once or twice :ile he  
/>$ across ! c> at ,mack ,nolan4  ,he   
pu%$ 8 du/y1 black hat =w>d ov] "o      
eyebr[ & rea*$ into 8 pocket4  ,aw1     
hell1 he grunt$1 gr9n+ que]ly4 ,y come  

ar\nd "h oncet1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 :]e ,i c   
git my h&s on yuh6