

	Dan/np Morgan/np told/vbd himself/ppl he/pps would/md forget/vb Ann/np Turner/np ./.
He/pps was/bedz well/rb rid/jj of/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps certainly/rb didn't/dod* want/vb a/at wife/nn who/wps was/bedz fickle/jj as/cs Ann/np ./.
If/cs he/pps had/hvd married/vbn her/ppo ,/, he'd/pps+md have/hv been/ben asking/vbg for/in trouble/nn ./.


	But/cc all/abn of/in this/dt was/bedz rationalization/nn ./.
Sometimes/rb he/pps woke/vbd up/rp in/in the/at middle/nn of/in the/at night/nn thinking/vbg of/in Ann/np ,/, and/cc then/rb could/md not/* get/vb back/rb to/in sleep/nn ./.
His/pp$ plans/nns and/cc dreams/nns had/hvd revolved/vbn around/in her/ppo so/ql much/rb and/cc for/in so/ql long/jj that/cs now/rb he/pps felt/vbd as/cs if/cs he/pps had/hvd nothing/pn ./.
The/at easiest/jjt thing/nn would/md be/be to/to sell/vb out/rp to/in Al/np Budd/np and/cc leave/vb the/at country/nn ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at stubborn/jj streak/nn in/in him/ppo that/dt wouldn't/md* allow/vb it/ppo ./.


	The/at best/jjt antidote/nn for/in the/at bitterness/nn and/cc disappointment/nn that/wps poisoned/vbd him/ppo was/bedz hard/jj work/nn ./.
He/pps found/vbd that/cs if/cs he/pps was/bedz tired/vbn enough/qlp at/in night/nn ,/, he/pps went/vbd to/in sleep/nn simply/rb because/cs he/pps was/bedz too/ql exhausted/vbn to/to stay/vb awake/rb ./.
Each/dt day/nn he/pps found/vbd himself/ppl thinking/vbg less/ql often/rb of/in Ann/np ;/. ;/.
each/dt day/nn the/at hurt/nn was/bedz a/at little/ap duller/jjr ,/, a/at little/ap less/ql poignant/jj ./.


	He/pps had/hvd plenty/nn of/in work/nn to/to do/do ./.
Because/cs the/at summer/nn was/bedz unusually/rb dry/jj and/cc hot/jj ,/, the/at spring/nn produced/vbd a/at smaller/jjr stream/nn than/cs in/in ordinary/jj years/nns ./.
The/at grass/nn in/in the/at meadows/nns came/vbd fast/rb ,/, now/rb that/cs the/at warm/jj weather/nn was/bedz here/rb ./.
He/pps could/md not/* afford/vb to/to lose/vb a/at drop/nn of/in the/at precious/jj water/nn ,/, so/cs he/pps spent/vbd most/ap of/in his/pp$ waking/vbg hours/nns along/in the/at ditches/nns in/in his/pp$ meadows/nns ./.


	He/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn how/wrb much/ap time/nn Budd/np would/md give/vb him/ppo ./.
In/in any/dti case/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd no/at intention/nn of/in being/beg caught/vbn asleep/rb ,/, so/cs he/pps carried/vbd his/pp$ revolver/nn in/in its/pp$ holster/nn on/in his/pp$ hip/nn and/cc he/pps took/vbd his/pp$ Winchester/np with/in him/ppo and/cc leaned/vbd it/ppo against/in the/at fence/nn ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd every/at few/ap minutes/nns and/cc leaned/vbd on/in his/pp$ shovel/nn as/cs he/pps studied/vbd the/at horizon/nn ,/, but/cc nothing/pn happened/vbd ,/, each/dt day/nn dragging/vbg out/rp with/in monotonous/jj calm/nn ./.


	When/wrb ,/, in/in late/jj afternoon/nn on/in the/at last/ap day/nn in/in June/np ,/, he/pps saw/vbd two/cd people/nns top/vb the/at ridge/nn to/in the/at south/nr and/cc walk/vb toward/in the/at house/nn ,/, he/pps quit/vbd work/nn immediately/rb and/cc strode/vbd to/in his/pp$ rifle/nn ./.
It/pps could/md be/be some/dti kind/nn of/in trick/nn Budd/np had/hvd thought/vbn up/rp ./.
No/at one/pn walked/vbd in/in this/dt country/nn ,/, least/ap of/in all/abn Ed/np Dow/np or/cc Dutch/np Renfro/np or/cc any/dti of/in the/at rest/nn of/in the/at Bar/nn-tl B/np-tl crew/nn ./.
Morgan/np watched/vbd the/at two/cd figures/nns for/in a/at time/nn ,/, puzzled/vbn ./.
When/wrb they/ppss were/bed closer/rbr and/cc he/pps saw/vbd that/cs one/cd was/bedz a/at woman/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz more/ql puzzled/vbn than/cs ever/rb ./.


	He/pps cleaned/vbd his/pp$ shovel/nn ,/, left/vbd it/ppo against/in the/at fence/nn ,/, picked/vbd up/in his/pp$ Winchester/np ,/, and/cc started/vbd downstream/rb ./.
His/pp$ visitors/nns had/hvd crawled/vbn through/in the/at south/nr fence/nn and/cc were/bed crossing/vbg the/at meadow/nn ,/, angling/vbg toward/in the/at house/nn ./.
Now/rb he/pps saw/vbd that/cs both/abx the/at man/nn and/cc woman/nn were/bed moving/vbg slowly/rb and/cc irregularly/rb ,/, staggering/vbg ,/, as/cs if/cs they/ppss found/vbd it/ppo a/at struggle/nn to/to remain/vb on/in their/pp$ feet/nns ./.


	Reaching/vbg the/at house/nn ahead/rb of/in them/ppo ,/, he/pps waited/vbd with/in his/pp$ Winchester/np in/in his/pp$ hands/nns ./.
They/ppss crawled/vbd through/in the/at north/nr fence/nn and/cc came/vbd on/rp toward/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc now/rb he/pps saw/vbd that/cs both/abx were/bed young/jj ,/, not/* more/ap than/in nineteen/cd or/cc twenty/cd ./.
They/ppss were/bed dirty/jj ,/, their/pp$ clothes/nns were/bed torn/vbn ,/, and/cc the/at girl/nn was/bedz so/ql exhausted/vbn that/cs she/pps fell/vbd when/wrb she/pps was/bedz still/rb twenty/cd feet/nns from/in the/at front/jj door/nn ./.
She/pps lay/vbd there/rb ,/, making/vbg no/at effort/nn to/to get/vb back/rb on/in her/pp$ feet/nns ./.
The/at boy/nn came/vbd on/in to/in the/at porch/nn and/cc sat/vbd down/rp ,/, his/pp$ gaze/nn on/in Morgan/np as/cs if/cs half/abn expecting/vbg him/ppo to/to shoot/vb and/cc not/* really/rb caring/vbg ./.


	Morgan/np hesitated/vbd ,/, thinking/vbg that/cs if/cs this/dt was/bedz a/at trick/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz a/at good/jj one/cd ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* think/vb it/pps was/bedz possible/jj for/in this/dt couple/nn to/to be/be pretending/vbg ./.
The/at boy/nn licked/vbd his/pp$ dry/jj lips/nns ./.
He/pps asked/vbd ,/, ``/`` Could/md we/ppss have/hv a/at drink/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Morgan/np jerked/vbd his/pp$ head/nn toward/in the/at front/jj door/nn ./.
``/`` In/in the/at kitchen/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
Leaning/vbg his/pp$ Winchester/np against/in the/at front/nn of/in the/at house/nn ,/, he/pps walked/vbd to/in the/at girl/nn ./.
``/`` Get/vb up/rp ./.
There's/ex+bez water/nn in/in the/at house/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps didn't/dod* move/vb or/cc say/vb anything/pn ./.
Her/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed glazed/vbn as/cs if/cs she/pps didn't/dod* hear/vb or/cc even/rb see/vb him/ppo ./.
She/pps had/hvd reached/vbn a/at point/nn at/in which/wdt she/pps didn't/dod* even/vb care/vb how/wrb she/pps looked/vbd ./.
Her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz very/ql thin/jj ,/, and/cc burned/vbn by/in the/at sun/nn until/cs much/ap of/in the/at skin/nn was/bedz dead/jj and/cc peeling/vbg ,/, the/at new/jj skin/nn under/in it/ppo red/jj and/cc angry/jj ./.


	Her/pp$ blond/jj hair/nn was/bedz frowzy/jj ,/, her/pp$ dress/nn torn/vbn in/in several/ap places/nns ,/, and/cc her/pp$ shoes/nns were/bed so/ql completely/rb worn/vbn out/rp that/cs they/ppss were/bed practically/rb no/at protection/nn ./.
It/pps must/md have/hv hurt/vbn her/ppo even/rb to/to walk/vb ,/, for/cs the/at sole/nn was/bedz completely/rb off/in her/pp$ left/jj foot/nn and/cc Morgan/np saw/vbd that/cs it/pps was/bedz bruised/vbn and/cc bleeding/vbg ./.


	He/pps picked/vbd her/ppo up/rp ,/, sliding/vbg one/cd hand/nn under/in her/ppo shoulders/nns ,/, the/at other/ap under/in her/pp$ knees/nns ,/, and/cc carried/vbd her/ppo into/in the/at house/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz amazingly/rb light/jj ,/, and/cc so/ql relaxed/vbn in/in his/pp$ arms/nns that/cs he/pps wasn't/bedz* even/rb sure/jj she/pps was/bedz conscious/jj ./.
Any/dti lingering/vbg suspicion/nn that/cs this/dt was/bedz a/at trick/nn Al/np Budd/np had/hvd thought/vbn up/rp was/bedz dispelled/vbn ./.
No/at girl/nn would/md go/vb this/dt far/rb to/to fool/vb a/at man/nn so/cs she/pps could/md kill/vb him/ppo ./.
Besides/rb ,/, she/pps had/hvd a/at sweet/jj face/nn that/wps attracted/vbd him/ppo ./.


	He/pps put/vbd her/ppo down/rp on/in the/at couch/nn ,/, and/cc going/vbg into/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, saw/vbd that/cs the/at boy/nn had/hvd dropped/vbn into/in a/at chair/nn beside/in the/at table/nn ./.
They/ppss looked/vbd a/at good/jj deal/nn alike/rb ,/, Morgan/np thought/vbd ./.
Both/abx had/hvd blonde/jj hair/nn and/cc blue/jj eyes/nns ,/, and/cc there/ex was/bedz even/rb a/at faint/jj similarity/nn of/in features/nns ./.


	Morgan/np filled/vbd the/at dipper/nn from/in the/at water/nn bucket/nn on/in the/at shelf/nn ,/, went/vbd back/rb into/in the/at front/jj room/nn ,/, lifted/vbd the/at girl's/nn$ head/nn ,/, and/cc held/vbd the/at edge/nn of/in the/at dipper/nn to/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
She/pps drank/vbd greedily/rb ,/, and/cc murmured/vbd ,/, ``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, as/cs he/pps lowered/vbd her/ppo head/nn ./.


	He/pps stood/vbd looking/vbg down/rp at/in her/ppo for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, wondering/vbg what/wdt could/md have/hv reduced/vbn her/ppo to/in this/dt condition/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd seen/vbn a/at few/ap nester/nn wagons/nns go/vb through/in the/at country/nn ,/, the/at families/nns almost/rb starving/vbg to/in death/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn any/dti of/in them/ppo on/in foot/nn and/cc as/ql bad/jj off/rp as/cs these/dts two/cd ./.


	The/at girl/nn dropped/vbd off/rp to/in sleep/nn ./.
Morgan/np returned/vbd to/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, built/vbd a/at fire/nn ,/, and/cc carried/vbd in/rp several/ap buckets/nns of/in water/nn from/in the/at spring/nn which/wdt he/pps poured/vbd into/in the/at copper/nn boiler/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd placed/vbn on/in the/at stove/nn ./.
He/pps brought/vbd his/pp$ Winchester/np in/rp from/in the/at front/nn of/in the/at house/nn ,/, then/rb faced/vbd the/at boy/nn ./.


	``/`` Who/wps are/ber you/ppss and/cc what/wdt happened/vbd to/in you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem Billy/np Jones/np ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn answered/vbd ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez my/pp$ wife/nn Sharon/np ./.
We/ppss ran/vbd out/rp of/in money/nn and/cc we/ppss haven't/hv* eaten/vbn for/in two/cd days/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss doing/vbg here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Are/ber we/ppss in/in Wyoming/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Morgan/np nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` About/rb five/cd miles/nns north/nr of/in the/at line/nn ''/'' ./.


	Jones/np sighed/vbd as/cs if/cs relieved/vbn ./.
``/`` We've/ppss+hv been/ben looking/vbg for/in work/nn ,/, but/cc all/abn the/at ranchers/nns have/hv turned/vbn us/ppo down/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss mean/vb you/ppss dragged/vbd your/pp$ wife/nn all/abn over/in hell's/nn$ half-acre/nn looking/vbg for/in work/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Morgan/np demanded/vbd ./.
``/`` The/at town/nn of/in Buckhorn's/np+bez only/rb about/rb six/cd miles/nns from/in here/rb ./.
Why/wrb didn't/dod* you/ppo go/vb there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` We/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb town/nn work/nn ''/'' ,/, Jones/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` This/dt is/bez a/at mighty/ql empty/jj country/nn ''/'' ,/, Morgan/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez only/rb one/cd more/ap ranch/nn three/cd miles/nns north/nr of/in here/rb ./.
You'd/ppss+md have/hv starved/vbn to/in death/nn if/cs you'd/ppss+hvd missed/vbn both/abx places/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Then/rb we're/ppss+ber lucky/jj we/ppss got/vbd here/rb ./.
Could/md you/ppo give/vb us/ppo a/at job/nn ,/, Mr./np ''/'' 

	``/`` Morgan/np ./.
Dan/np Morgan/np ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz silent/jj a/at moment/nn ,/, thinking/vbg he/pps could/md use/vb a/at man/nn this/dt time/nn of/in year/nn ,/, and/cc if/cs the/at girl/nn could/md cook/vb ,/, it/pps would/md give/vb him/ppo more/ap time/nn in/in the/at meadows/nns ,/, but/cc he/pps knew/vbd nothing/pn about/in the/at couple/nn ./.
They/ppss might/md kill/vb him/ppo in/in his/pp$ sleep/nn ,/, thinking/vbg there/ex was/bedz money/nn in/in the/at house/nn ./.
He/pps dismissed/vbd the/at possibility/nn at/in once/rb ./.
The/at girl's/nn$ thin/jj face/nn haunted/vbd him/ppo ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at face/nn of/in a/at killer/nn ./.
He/pps wasn't/bedz* so/ql sure/jj about/in the/at boy/nn ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* shaved/vbn for/in several/ap weeks/nns ,/, his/pp$ sparse/jj beard/nn giving/vbg his/pp$ face/nn a/at pathetic/jj ,/, woebegone/jj expression/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz more/ap to/in this/dt than/cs Jones/np had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo ./.
They/ppss were/bed running/vbg from/in something/pn ./.
He'd/pps+md be/be an/at idiot/nn to/to let/vb them/ppo stay/vb he/pps thought/vbd ,/, but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* send/vb them/ppo on/rp ,/, either/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss could/md use/vb some/dti help/nn ''/'' ,/, Morgan/np said/vbd finally/rb ,/, ``/`` but/cc I/ppss can't/md* afford/vb to/to pay/vb you/ppo anything/pn ./.
I/ppss guess/vb you'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr go/vb on/rp in/in the/at morning/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md work/vb for/in our/pp$ keep/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn said/vbd eagerly/rb ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv been/ben mucking/vbg in/in a/at mine/nn in/in the/at San/np Juan/np ,/, but/cc I/ppss used/vbd to/to work/vb on/in a/at ranch/nn ./.
Sharon/np ,/, she's/pps+hvz cooked/vbn in/in a/at restaurant/nn ./.
We'll/ppss+md work/vb hard/rb ,/, Mr./np Morgan/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md see/vb ''/'' ,/, Morgan/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Right/ql now/rb you/ppss need/md a/at meal/nn and/cc a/at bath/nn ./.
Your/pp$ wife's/nn+bez in/in terrible/jj shape/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb ''/'' ,/, Jones/np said/vbd dejectedly/rb ./.


	Morgan/np filled/vbd the/at fire/nn box/nn with/in wood/nn again/rb ,/, then/rb started/vbd supper/nn and/cc set/vb the/at table/nn ./.
When/wrb the/at meal/nn was/bedz ready/jj ,/, he/pps told/vbd Jones/np to/to wash/vb up/rp ,/, and/cc going/vbg into/in the/at front/jj room/nn ,/, woke/vbd the/at girl/nn ./.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbd some/dti supper/nn ready/jj ''/'' ./.


	She/pps rubbed/vbd her/ppo eyes/nns and/cc stretched/vbd ,/, then/rb sat/vbn up/rp ,/, her/pp$ hands/nns going/vbg to/in her/pp$ hair/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem a/at mess/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc suddenly/rb she/pps was/bedz alarmed/vbn ./.
``/`` Who/wps are/ber you/ppo ?/. ?/.
How/wrb did/dod we/ppss get/vb here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem Dan/np Morgan/np ./.
This/dt is/bez the/at Rafter/np Aj/np-tl ./.
You/ppss fell/vbd down/rp in/in front/nn of/in the/at house/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss carried/vbd you/ppo in/rp ./.
I/ppss gave/vbd you/ppo a/at drink/nn and/cc then/rb you/ppss went/vbd to/in sleep/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ''/'' ./.
She/pps stared/vbd at/in him/ppo ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns wide/jj as/cs she/pps thought/vbd about/in what/wdt he/pps had/hvd said/vbn ;/. ;/.
then/rb she/pps murmured/vbd :/: ``/`` You're/ppss+ber very/ql kind/jj ,/, Mr./np Morgan/np ./.
Do/do you/ppss take/vb in/in all/abn the/at strays/nns who/wps come/vb by/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* have/hv many/ap strays/nns coming/vbg to/in my/pp$ front/jj door/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Think/vb you/ppo can/md walk/vb to/in the/at table/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Of/in course/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps got/vbd to/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, staggered/vbd ,/, and/cc almost/rb fell/vbd ./.
He/pps caught/vbd her/ppo by/in an/at arm/nn and/cc helped/vbd her/ppo into/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.
She/pps sat/vbd down/rp at/in the/at table/nn ,/, shaking/vbg her/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ,/, Mr./np Morgan/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem usually/rb a/at very/ql strong/jj woman/nn ,/, but/cc I'm/ppss+bem awfully/ql tired/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc hungry/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Start/vb in/rp ./.
It's/pps+bez not/* much/ap of/in a/at meal/nn ,/, but/cc it's/pps+bez what/wdt I/ppss eat/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* much/ap of/in a/at meal/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at girl/nn cried/vbd ./.
``/`` Mr./np Morgan/np ,/, it's/pps+bez the/at best-looking/jjt food/nn I/ppss ever/rb saw/vbd ''/'' ./.


	He/pps told/vbd himself/ppl he/pps had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn two/cd people/nns eat/vb so/ql much/ap ./.
When/wrb they/ppss were/bed finally/rb satisfied/vbn ,/, Jones/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss think/vb he's/pps+bez going/vbg to/to give/vb us/ppo work/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at grateful/jj way/nn she/pps looked/vbd at/in Morgan/np made/vbd him/ppo ashamed/jj of/in himself/ppl ./.
When/wrb he/pps saw/vbd the/at expression/nn in/in her/ppo eyes/nns ,/, he/pps knew/vbd he/pps couldn't/md* send/vb them/ppo on/rp ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss guess/vb the/at Lord/nn-tl looks/vbz out/rp for/in fools/nns ,/, drunkards/nns ,/, and/cc innocents/nns ''/'' ./.


	Morgan/np laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` Which/wdt are/ber you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber not/* drunkards/nns ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez all/abn I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj of/in ''/'' ./.


	She/pps helped/vbd him/ppo with/in the/at dishes/nns ,/, then/rb he/pps brought/vbd more/ap water/nn in/rp from/in the/at spring/nn before/cs it/pps got/vbd dark/jj ./.
He/pps carried/vbd the/at tub/nn from/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at house/nn where/wrb it/pps hung/vbd from/in a/at nail/nn in/in the/at wall/nn ./.
He/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` You'll/ppss+md feel/vb a/at lot/nn better/rbr after/cs you/ppss have/hv a/at bath/nn ./.
Your/pp$ feet/nns are/ber in/in bad/jj shape/nn ,/, Mrs./np Jones/np ./.
You'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to go/vb to/in town/nn to/to see/vb the/at doc/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, she'll/pps+md be/be all/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, Jones/np said/vbd quickly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss mean/vb ,/, we/ppss don't/do* have/hv any/dti way/nn to/to get/vb there/rb and/cc we/ppss can't/md* expect/vb you/ppo to/to quit/vb work/nn just/rb to/to take/vb us/ppo to/in town/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md see/vb ''/'' ,/, Morgan/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Could/md you/ppo find/vb me/ppo a/at needle/nn and/cc thread/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at girl/nn asked/vbd ./.
``/`` My/pp$ dress/nn needs/vbz some/dti work/nn on/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps nodded/vbd and/cc ,/, going/vbg into/in the/at bedroom/nn ,/, brought/vbd a/at needle/nn ,/, thread/nn ,/, and/cc scissors/nns ./.
He/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/in bed/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps nodded/vbd at/in the/at door/nn in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez my/pp$ spare/jj bedroom/nn ./.
The/at bed/nn isn't/bez* made/vbn ,/, but/cc you'll/ppss+md find/vb plenty/nn of/in blankets/nns there/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber awfully/ql kind/jj ''/'' ,/, the/at girl/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md pay/vb you/ppo back/rb if/cs you'll/ppss+md let/vb us/ppo ./.
Some/dti way/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez all/ql right/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss get/vb up/rp early/rb ./.
You'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr sleep/vb ''/'' ./.


	Jones/np followed/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at front/jj room/nn ,/, closing/vbg the/at door/nn behind/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` If/cs it's/pps+bez all/ql right/jj with/in you/ppo ,/, Mr./np Morgan/np ,/, I'll/ppss+md sleep/vb out/rp here/rb on/in the/at couch/nn ./.
We/ppss haven't/hv* slept/vbn together/rb since/cs we/ppss started/vbd ./.
I/ppss just/rb can't/md* take/vb any/dti chances/nns on/in getting/vbg her/ppo pregnant/jj ,/, and/cc if/cs we/ppss were/bed sleeping/vbg together/rb ''/'' 

	He/pps stopped/vbd ,/, embarrassed/vbn ,/, and/cc Morgan/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss understand/vb that/dt ,/, but/cc I/ppss don't/do* savvy/vb why/wrb you'd/ppss+md go/vb off/rp and/cc leave/vb your/pp$ jobs/nns in/in the/at first/od place/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We/ppss got/vbd fired/vbn ''/'' ,/, Jones/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We/ppss had/hvd to/to do/do something/pn ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss were/bed a/at pair/nn of/in lost/vbn ,/, whipped/vbn kids/nns ,/, Morgan/np thought/vbd as/cs he/pps went/vbd to/in bed/nn ./.



	Gavin/np paused/vbd wearily/rb ./.
``/`` You/ppss can't/md* stay/vb here/rb with/in me/ppo ./.
It's/pps+bez late/rb and/cc you/ppss said/vbd they'd/ppss+md be/be here/rb by/in dawn/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss can't/md* make/vb me/ppo go/vb ''/'' ./.


	Gavin/np sank/vbd down/rp again/rb into/in his/pp$ chair/nn and/cc began/vbd to/to rock/vb ./.
He/pps was/bedz thinking/vbg of/in Rittenhouse/np and/cc how/wrb he/pps had/hvd left/vbn him/ppo there/rb ,/, to/to rock/vb to/in death/nn on/in the/at porch/nn of/in the/at Splendide/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap thing/nn in/in his/pp$ life/nn for/in which/wdt he/pps felt/vbd guilt/nn ./.
Beneath/in his/pp$ black/jj shirt/nn his/pp$ frail/jj shoulders/nns shook/vbd and/cc croaks/nns of/in pain/nn broke/vbd from/in his/pp$ throat/nn ,/, the/at stored/vbn pain/nn shattering/vbg free/jj in/in slow/jj gasps/nns ,/, terrible/jj to/to see/vb ./.
Clayton/np tried/vbd to/to call/vb back/rb the/at face/nn of/in the/at man/nn he/pps had/hvd known/vbn ./.
Against/in that/dt other/ap man/nn he/pps could/md rally/vb his/pp$ anger/nn ;/. ;/.
against/in this/dt bent/nn man/nn in/in the/at chair/nn he/pps was/bedz powerless/jj ./.


	Gavin's/np$ lips/nns moved/vbd so/cs that/cs Clayton/np had/hvd to/to stoop/vb to/to catch/vb the/at words/nns ./.
``/`` Do/do you/ppo remember/vb Big/jj-tl Charlie/np-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps whispered/vbd ./.
``/`` He/pps stuck/vbd with/in me/ppo all/abn these/dts years/nns ./.
Just/rb a/at half-breed/nn 'pache/np ,/, never/rb said/vbd much/ap ,/, never/rb meant/vbd anythin/pn to/in me/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps stuck/vbd with/in me/ppo ./.
He/pps got/vbd into/in a/at fight/nn with/in Tom/np English/np ,/, your/pp$ brother's/nn$ son/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at fair/jj fight/nn ,/, the/at boy/nn provoked/vbd it/ppo --/-- Big/jj-tl Charlie/np-tl told/vbd me/ppo so/rb ./.
I/ppss believed/vbd him/ppo ./.
They/ppss killed/vbd Big/jj-tl Charlie/np-tl ,/, dumped/vbd his/pp$ body/nn in/in my/pp$ rose/nn garden/nn two/cd nights/nns ago/rb ./.
My/pp$ men/nns ,/, they/ppss all/abn left/vbd me/ppo ./.
Just/rb cleared/vbd out/rp ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* understand/vb why/wrb ,/, Clay/np ./.
They/ppss just/rb all/abn cleared/vbd out/rp ./.
I/ppss treated/vbd them/ppo fair/rb ''/'' 

	He/pps wiped/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns with/in a/at sleeve/nn ,/, then/rb stared/vbd at/in Clayton/np in/in a/at childish/jj kind/nn of/in wonder/nn ./.
``/`` Do/do you/ppss mean/vb ''/'' --/-- he/pps asked/vbd almost/rb shyly/rb --/-- ``/`` you/ppss want/vb me/ppo to/to go/vb with/in you/ppo ,/, wherever/wrb you're/ppss+ber goin/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss don't/do* hate/vb me/ppo any/dti more/ap ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Clayton/np choked/vbd ,/, shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, murmuring/vbg ,/, ``/`` No/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Come/vb here/rb ''/'' ./.
The/at old/jj man/nn beckoned/vbd with/in one/cd finger/nn and/cc Clayton/np went/vbd forward/rb to/in him/ppo ./.
Gavin/np slipped/vbd his/pp$ arms/nns around/in his/pp$ chest/nn and/cc hugged/vbd him/ppo fiercely/rb ./.
``/`` All/abn my/pp$ life/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss tried/vbd ./.
I/ppss tried/vbd ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd you/ppo driftin/vbg away/rb --/-- but/cc I/ppss tried/vbd ./.
And/cc you/ppss wanted/vbd no/at part/nn of/in me/ppo when/wrb I/ppss had/hvd so/ql much/ap to/to give/vb ./.
Now/rb there's/ex+bez nothin/pn left/vbn of/in me/ppo ./.
Laurel/nn-tl is/bez gone/vbn ,/, my/pp$ men/nns are/ber gone/vbn ,/, Ed/np is/bez dead/jj --/-- and/cc you/ppss come/vb to/in me/ppo ,/, to/to help/vb me/ppo ./.
Oh/uh !/. !/.
God/np in/in Heaven/nn-tl ,/, I/ppss can't/md* refuse/vb you/ppo now/rb ./.
That/dt would/md mock/vb me/ppo too/ql much/rb !/. !/.
Can't/md* let/vb you/ppo go/vb way/rb from/in me/ppo again/rb ''/'' He/pps closed/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, ashamed/jj of/in his/pp$ tears/nns ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md go/vb ,/, Clay/np ''/'' ./.


	Clayton/np freed/vbd himself/ppl from/in the/at embrace/nn and/cc stepped/vbd back/rb ./.
The/at eyes/nns followed/vbd him/ppo fearfully/rb ./.
``/`` The/at horses/nns ./.
There/ex isn't/bez* much/ap time/nn ./.
I'll/ppss+md saddle/vb the/at horses/nns and/cc bring/vb them/ppo round/rb ./.
You/ppss get/vb ready/jj ''/'' 



	He/pps burst/vbd from/in the/at hot/jj confinement/nn of/in the/at room/nn into/in the/at cold/jj night/nn air/nn ./.
Gavin's/np$ stallion/nn was/bedz in/in the/at barn/nn and/cc he/pps tightened/vbd the/at cinches/nns over/in the/at saddle/nn blanket/nn ,/, working/vbg by/in touch/nn in/in the/at darkness/nn ,/, comforting/vbg the/at animal/nn with/in easy/jj words/nns ./.
When/wrb he/pps had/hvd finished/vbn he/pps led/vbd him/ppo and/cc the/at mare/nn to/in the/at porch/nn ./.
The/at stallion/nn had/hvd smelled/vbn the/at mare/nn coming/vbg into/in heat/nn and/cc began/vbd to/to paw/vb the/at turf/nn ,/, shaking/vbg his/pp$ head/nn ./.
Clayton/np looped/vbd the/at reins/nns in/in a/at knot/nn over/in the/at veranda/nn post/nn and/cc patted/vbd the/at warm/jj flesh/nn of/in his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
The/at mare/nn had/hvd backed/vbn away/rb ./.
``/`` You/ppss take/vb it/ppo easy/rb ,/, boy/nn ''/'' ,/, Clayton/np whispered/vbd ./.
``/`` She/pps doesn't/doz* want/vb you/ppo now/rb ./.
You/ppss take/vb it/ppo easy/rb ,/, your/pp$ time/nn will/md come/vb ''/'' ./.


	Gavin/np stood/vbd on/in the/at porch/nn ,/, a/at thin/jj figure/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd taken/vbn a/at carbine/nn down/rp from/in the/at wall/nn and/cc it/pps trailed/vbd from/in his/pp$ hand/nn ,/, the/at stock/nn bumping/vbg on/in the/at wood/nn floor/nn ./.
Clayton/np called/vbd to/in him/ppo and/cc he/pps came/vbd slowly/rb down/in the/at steps/nns ./.


	``/`` Clay/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` where/wrb are/ber we/ppss goin/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` To/in a/at ranch/nn in/in the/at valley/nn ./.
There's/ex+bez someone/pn there/rb I/ppss have/hv to/to see/vb ./.
We/ppss may/md take/vb her/ppo with/in us/ppo --/-- to/in California/np ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb yet/rb ,/, it's/pps+bez crazy/jj ;/. ;/.
I/ppss have/hv to/to think/vb about/in it/ppo ./.
But/cc California/np is/bez where/wrb we're/ppss+ber goin/vbg ''/'' ./.


	``/`` California/np ''/'' ./.
Gavin/np began/vbd to/to nod/vb ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez a/at new/jj land/nn ./.
A/at man/nn could/md make/vb a/at mark/nn there/rb ./.
Two/cd men/nns ,/, together/rb like/cs us/ppo ,/, we/ppss could/md do/do somethin/pn fine/jj out/rp there/rb ,/, maybe/rb find/vb a/at place/nn where/wrb no/at one's/pn+hvz ever/rb been/ben ./.
Start/vb out/rp fresh/jj ,/, the/at two/cd of/in us/ppo ,/, like/cs nothin/pn had/hvd ever/rb happened/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, like/cs a/at father/nn and/cc son/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss made/vbd you/ppo what/wdt you/ppss are/ber ''/'' ,/, Gavin/np whispered/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss made/vbd you/ppo so/cs you/ppss could/md stand/vb up/rp ./.
I/ppss made/vbd you/ppo a/at man/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, Gavin/np ,/, you/ppss did/dod ''/'' ./.


	He/pps approached/vbd the/at horse/nn and/cc laid/vbd a/at hand/nn on/in the/at stallion's/nn$ quivering/vbg neck/nn ./.
``/`` Help/vb me/ppo up/rp ,/, Clay/np ./.
Help/vb me/ppo up/rp ,/, I/ppss feel/vb kind/nn of/in stiff/jj ''/'' ./.
Clayton/np lifted/vbd him/ppo gently/rb into/in the/at saddle/nn ,/, like/cs a/at child/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss hate/vb to/to leave/vb my/pp$ garden/nn ''/'' ,/, Gavin/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` They'll/ppss+md trample/vb it/ppo down/rp ./.
I/ppss loved/vbd my/pp$ garden/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It/pps will/md grow/vb again/rb --/-- in/in California/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss loved/vbd this/dt valley/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps whispered/vbd huskily/rb ./.
``/`` Lived/vbn alone/rb here/rb for/in three/cd years/nns ,/, before/cs any/dti man/nn came/vbd ./.
Lived/vbn alone/rb by/in the/at river/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz nice/jj then/rb ,/, so/ql peaceful/jj and/cc quiet/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at one/pn but/cc me/ppo ./.
I/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to leave/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Clayton/np swung/vbd into/in the/at saddle/nn and/cc whacked/vbd the/at stallion's/nn$ rump/nn ./.
The/at two/cd horses/nns broke/vbd from/in the/at yard/nn ,/, from/in the/at circle/nn of/in light/nn cast/vbn by/in the/at lamp/nn still/rb burning/vbg in/in the/at house/nn ,/, into/in the/at darkness/nn ./.



Thirty-five/cd-hl 
they/ppss rode/vbd at/in a/at measured/vbn pace/nn through/in the/at valley/nn ./.
Dawn/nn would/md come/vb soon/rb and/cc the/at night/nn was/bedz at/in its/pp$ coldest/jjt ./.
The/at moon/nn had/hvd sunk/vbn below/in the/at black/jj crest/nn of/in the/at mountains/nns and/cc the/at land/nn ,/, seen/vbn through/in eyes/nns that/dt had/hvd grown/vbn accustomed/vbn to/in the/at absence/nn of/in light/nn ,/, looked/vbd primeval/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs no/at man/nn had/hvd ever/rb trespassed/vbn before/rb ./.
It/pps looked/vbd as/cs Gavin/np had/hvd first/rb seen/vbn it/ppo years/nns ago/rb ,/, on/in those/dts nights/nns when/wrb he/pps slept/vbd alone/rb by/in his/pp$ campfire/nn and/cc waked/vbd suddenly/rb to/in the/at hoot/nn of/in an/at owl/nn or/cc the/at rustle/nn of/in a/at blade/nn of/in grass/nn in/in the/at moon's/nn$ wind/nn --/-- a/at savage/jj land/nn ,/, untenanted/jj and/cc brooding/vbg ,/, too/ql strong/jj to/to be/be broken/vbn by/in the/at will/nn of/in men/nns ./.
Gavin/np sighed/vbd bitterly/rb ./.
In/in that/ql inert/jj landscape/nn the/at caravan/nn of/in his/pp$ desires/nns passed/vbd before/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd them/ppo ambushed/vbn ,/, strewn/vbn in/in the/at postures/nns of/in the/at broken/vbn and/cc the/at dying/nn ./.
In/in vain/jj his/pp$ mind/nn groped/vbd to/to reassemble/vb the/at bones/nns of/in the/at relationships/nns he/pps had/hvd sought/vbn so/ql desperately/rb ,/, but/cc they/ppss would/md not/* come/vb to/in life/nn ./.
The/at silence/nn oppressed/vbd him/ppo ,/, made/vbd him/ppo bend/vb low/rb over/in the/at horse's/nn$ neck/nn as/cs if/cs to/to hide/vb from/in a/at wind/nn that/wps had/hvd begun/vbn to/to blow/vb far/rb away/rb and/cc was/bedz twisting/vbg slowly/rb through/in the/at darkness/nn in/in its/pp$ slow/jj search/nn ./.


	They/ppss passed/vbd ranches/nns that/wps were/bed framed/vbn dark/jj gray/jj against/in the/at black/jj hills/nns ./.
Then/rb at/in last/ap the/at darkness/nn began/vbd to/to dissolve/vb ./.
A/at bold/jj line/nn of/in violet/nn broke/vbd loose/rb from/in the/at high/jj ridge/nn of/in the/at mountains/nns ,/, followed/vbd by/in feathers/nns of/in red/nn that/wps swept/vbd the/at last/ap stars/nns from/in the/at sky/nn ./.
The/at wan/jj light/nn spread/vbd over/in the/at ground/nn and/cc the/at valley/nn revealed/vbd in/in the/at first/od glimmer/nn the/at contours/nns of/in trees/nns and/cc fences/nns and/cc palely/rb shadowed/vbn gullies/nns ./.




They/ppss had/hvd been/ben seen/vbn as/ql soon/rb as/cs they/ppss left/vbd the/at ranch/nn ,/, picked/vbd out/in of/in the/at darkness/nn by/in the/at weary/jj though/cs watchful/jj eyes/nns of/in two/cd men/nns posted/vbn a/at few/ap hundred/cd yards/nns away/rb in/in the/at windless/jj shelter/nn of/in the/at trees/nns ./.
The/at two/cd men/nns whipped/vbd their/pp$ horses/nns into/in town/nn and/cc flung/vbd themselves/ppls up/in the/at steps/nns of/in the/at saloon/nn ,/, crying/vbg their/pp$ intelligence/nn ./.


	The/at men/nns in/in Pettigrew's/np$ were/bed tired/vbn from/in a/at night's/nn$ drinking/nn ,/, their/pp$ faces/nns red/jj and/cc baggy/jj ./.
But/cc the/at liquor/nn had/hvd flushed/vbn their/pp$ courage/nn ./.
They/ppss greeted/vbd the/at news/nn angrily/rb ,/, as/cs though/cs they/ppss had/hvd been/ben cheated/vbn of/in purpose/nn ./.
Lester/np heard/vbd their/pp$ muttering/nn ,/, saw/vbd their/pp$ eyes/nns reveal/vb their/pp$ desire/nn ./.
He/pps worked/vbd his/pp$ tongue/nn round/rb and/cc round/rb in/in the/at hollow/nn of/in his/pp$ cheek/nn and/cc his/pp$ voice/nn came/vbd out/in of/in his/pp$ throat/nn ,/, dry/jj and/cc cracked/vbn ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez leavin/vbg ./.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt you/ppss wanted/vbd ,/, isn't/bez* it/pps ?/. ?/.
Clayton/np is/bez with/in him/ppo ,/, takin/vbg him/ppo out/in of/in the/at valley/nn ./.
You/ppss can't/md* ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Keep/vb out/rp of/in this/dt ''/'' ,/, Purvis/np snarled/vbd ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez not/* your/pp$ brother/nn ,/, he's/pps+bez Gavin's/np$ son/nn ./.
You/ppss see/vb ,/, he/pps lied/vbd to/in us/ppo when/wrb he/pps said/vbd he/pps was/bedz leavin/vbg alone/rb ''/'' ./.


	Joe/np Purvis/np was/bedz thinking/vbg back/rb many/ap years/nns ./.
First/rb he/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at time/nn he/pps had/hvd ridden/vbn to/in Gavin/np and/cc told/vbd him/ppo how/wrb his/pp$ cattle/nns were/bed being/beg rustled/vbd at/in the/at far/jj end/nn of/in the/at valley/nn ./.
He/pps remembered/vbd Gavin's/np$ smirk/nn ,/, his/pp$ own/jj cringing/vbg feeling/nn ,/, his/pp$ impotence/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps thought/vbd of/in a/at time/nn when/wrb Clayton's/np$ horse/nn had/hvd fallen/vbn lame/jj in/in the/at Gap/nn-tl ./.
His/pp$ wife/nn had/hvd said/vbn to/in him/ppo :/: ``/`` Nellie/np is/bez in/in love/nn with/in Clayton/np Roy/np ./.
He/pps wouldn't/md* even/vb dance/vb with/in her/ppo at/in Gavin's/np$ party/nn ./.
He/pps treats/vbz her/ppo like/cs she/pps was/bedz dirt/nn ./.
And/cc you/ppss stand/vb by/rb like/in a/at fool/nn and/cc let/vb him/ppo do/do it/ppo ''/'' 

	He/pps remembered/vbd Clayton's/np$ mocking/vbg smile/nn in/in the/at saloon/nn when/wrb he/pps had/hvd asked/vbn him/ppo what/wdt he/pps would/md do/do if/cs they/ppss brought/vbd their/pp$ cattle/nns to/in water/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at night/nn Clayton/np had/hvd tricked/vbn them/ppo in/in the/at poker/nn game/nn ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber Gavin's/np$ son/nn ''/'' ,/, Joe/np Purvis/np had/hvd said/vbn ./.


	He/pps turned/vbd to/in Lester/np ./.
``/`` You/ppss brought/vbd him/ppo back/rb to/in this/dt valley/nn thinkin/vbg he/pps would/md help/vb you/ppo find/vb your/pp$ boy/nn ./.
He/pps meant/vbd to/to help/vb Gavin/np all/abn the/at time/nn ./.
He/pps made/vbd a/at fool/nn of/in you/ppo ,/, Lester/np ''/'' ./.
He/pps swung/vbd round/rb to/in the/at other/ap men/nns --/-- ``/`` We/ppss can/md catch/vb him/ppo easy/rb !/. !/.
There/ex are/ber plenty/rb of/in fresh/jj horses/nns halfway/rb at/in my/pp$ place/nn ./.
If/cs we/ppss let/vb them/ppo go/vb ,/, they/ppss won't/md* stay/vb away/rb ,/, they'll/ppss+md find/vb men/nns to/to ride/vb with/in them/ppo and/cc they'll/ppss+md be/be back/rb ./.
There's/ex+bez only/rb one/cd way/nn they/ppss can/md get/vb out/rp now/rb and/cc that's/dt+bez through/in the/at Gap/nn-tl --/-- if/cs we/ppss ride/vb hard/rb we/ppss can/md take/vb them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Lester's/np$ hand/nn fluttered/vbd to/in Cabot's/np$ shoulder/nn ./.
The/at boy/nn jerked/vbd away/rb ./.


	``/`` He/pps killed/vbd Tom/np --/-- do/do you/ppo understand/vb that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Cabot/np turned/vbd back/vb to/in the/at men/nns and/cc he/pps was/bedz drunk/jj with/in the/at thing/nn they/ppss would/md do/do ,/, wild/jj to/to break/vb from/in the/at cloying/vbg warmth/nn of/in the/at saloon/nn into/in the/at cold/nn of/in the/at ebbing/vbg night/nn ./.
He/pps fled/vbd through/in the/at door/nn and/cc down/in the/at steps/nns ,/, running/vbg ,/, and/cc the/at men/nns grunted/vbd and/cc followed/vbd ,/, pushing/vbg Lester/np to/in one/cd side/nn where/wrb he/pps backed/vbd against/in the/at wall/nn with/in the/at sleeve/nn of/in his/pp$ jacket/nn raised/vbn before/in his/pp$ eyes/nns to/to shut/vb out/rp the/at light/nn ./.
Purvis/np and/cc Silas/np Pettigrew/np were/bed the/at last/ap to/to leave/vb ./.
They/ppss mounted/vbd up/rp and/cc rode/vbd slowly/rb behind/in the/at others/nns at/in a/at safe/jj distance/nn ./.



Thirty-six/cd-hl 
in/in the/at cold/jj dawn/nn the/at mist/nn swirled/vbd low/rb to/in the/at ground/nn ,/, then/rb rose/vbd with/in a/at gust/nn of/in sudden/jj wind/nn to/to leave/vb the/at valley/nn clear/jj ./.
The/at clouds/nns parted/vbd and/cc hard/jj gashes/nns of/in sunlight/nn swooped/vbd down/rp to/to stain/vb the/at earth/nn with/in streaks/nns of/in white/jj and/cc gold/nn light/nn so/cs that/cs the/at shadows/nns of/in the/at running/vbg horses/nns flowed/vbd like/cs dark/jj streams/nns over/in the/at dazzling/vbg snow/nn ./.
When/wrb they/ppss turned/vbd in/in the/at saddle/nn they/ppss could/md see/vb the/at men/nns behind/in them/ppo ,/, strung/vbn out/rp on/in the/at prairie/nn in/in a/at flat/jj black/jj line/nn ./.
The/at wind/nn of/in their/pp$ running/nn was/bedz cold/jj and/cc wild/jj ,/, the/at horses/nns were/bed lathered/vbn and/cc their/pp$ manes/nns streamed/vbn like/cs stiff/jj black/jj pennants/nns in/in the/at wind/nn ./.


	The/at mare/nn began/vbd to/to tire/vb and/cc Clayton/np felt/vbd the/at spray/nn of/in snow/nn from/in the/at hoofs/nns of/in Gavin's/np$ stallion/nn ./.
He/pps looked/vbd over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn at/in the/at thin/jj dotting/nn of/in pursuers/nns ./.
They/ppss neither/cc gained/vbd nor/cc fell/vbd back/rb ./.
He/pps rode/vbd low/rb on/in the/at mare's/nn$ neck/nn ./.
Ahead/rb of/in him/ppo Gavin/np turned/vbd slightly/rb off/in the/at trail/nn and/cc pointed/vbd for/in the/at Gap/nn-tl ,/, no/at more/ap than/in a/at mile/nn away/rb ./.


	Gavin's/np$ face/nn was/bedz bloodless/jj with/in excitement/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* look/vb back/rb ;/. ;/.
he/pps could/md feel/vb more/ap than/in hear/vb the/at staccato/nn beat/nn of/in hoofs/nns that/wps fanned/vbd out/rp across/in the/at prairie/nn to/in the/at north/nr ./.
He/pps knew/vbd who/wps was/bedz riding/vbg after/in him/ppo --/-- the/at men/nns he/pps had/hvd known/vbn all/abn his/pp$ life/nn ,/, the/at men/nns who/wps had/hvd worked/vbn for/in him/ppo ,/, sworn/vbn their/pp$ loyalty/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
Now/rb they/ppss were/bed riding/vbg to/to kill/vb him/ppo ./.
And/cc he/pps was/bedz fleeing/vbg ,/, running/vbg --/-- fleeing/vbg his/pp$ death/nn and/cc his/pp$ life/nn at/in the/at same/ap time/nn ./.
The/at land/nn over/in which/wdt he/pps sped/vbd was/bedz the/at land/nn he/pps had/hvd created/vbn and/cc lived/vbd in/rp :/: his/pp$ valley/nn ./.
With/in every/at leaping/vbg stride/nn of/in the/at horse/nn beneath/in him/ppo he/pps crossed/vbd one/cd more/ap patch/nn of/in earth/nn that/wps had/hvd been/ben his/pp$ ,/, that/cs he/pps would/md never/rb see/vb again/rb ./.
The/at Gap/nn-tl looming/vbg before/in him/ppo --/-- the/at place/nn where/wrb had/hvd confronted/vbn Jack/np English/np on/in that/dt day/nn so/ql many/ap years/nns ago/rb --/-- was/bedz his/pp$ exit/nn from/in all/abn that/wps had/hvd meaning/nn to/in him/ppo ./.


	California/np is/bez too/ql far/rb ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.
He/pps would/md never/rb reach/vb California/np ./.
He/pps was/bedz too/ql old/jj --/-- when/wrb he/pps passed/vbd up/rp and/cc through/in the/at corridor/nn of/in pines/nns that/wps lined/vbd the/at trail/nn he/pps could/md see/vb ahead/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz passing/vbg from/in life/nn ./.



	The/at sentry/nn was/bedz not/* dead/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz ,/, in/in fact/nn ,/, showing/vbg signs/nns of/in reviving/vbg ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben carrying/vbg an/at Enfield/np rifle/nn and/cc a/at holstered/vbn navy/nn cap-and-ball/nn pistol/nn ./.
A/at bayonet/nn hung/vbn in/in a/at belt/nn scabbard/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz partially/rb uniformed/jj in/in a/at cavalry/nn tunic/nn and/cc hat/nn ./.
Mike/np stripped/vbd these/dts from/in him/ppo and/cc donned/vbd them/ppo ./.
He/pps and/cc Dean/np tied/vbd and/cc gagged/vbd the/at man/nn ,/, using/vbg his/pp$ belt/nn and/cc shirt/nn for/in the/at purpose/nn ./.
They/ppss dragged/vbd him/ppo inside/in the/at building/nn ./.


	Fiske/np joined/vbd them/ppo ,/, unsteady/jj on/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
Julia/np ,/, seeing/vbg the/at bandage/nn ,/, rushed/vbd to/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` You/ppss are/ber hurt/vbn ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps breathed/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss never/rb felt/vbd better/rbr in/in my/pp$ life/nn ''/'' ,/, Fiske/np blustered/vbd ./.


	He/pps turned/vbd to/in Susan/np and/cc kissed/vbd her/ppo on/in the/at cheek/nn ./.
``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo ,/, My/pp$ dear/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss are/ber very/ql brave/jj ''/'' ./.


	Mike/np silenced/vbd them/ppo ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md talk/vb later/rbr ./.
First/od ,/, we've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to get/vb out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md grab/vb horses/nns ''/'' ,/, Dean/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` The/at main/nn bunch/nn is/bez outside/rb ,/, but/cc there/ex are/ber some/dti over/in there/rb inside/in the/at wall/nn ''/'' ./.


	Mike/np debated/vbd it/ppo ,/, trying/vbg to/to decide/vb whether/cs Fiske/np was/bedz strong/jj enough/qlp to/to ride/vb ./.
But/cc it/pps at/in least/ap offered/vbd him/ppo a/at chance/nn for/in living/vbg ./.
He/pps had/hvd none/pn here/rb ./.
And/cc ,/, for/in the/at sake/nn of/in Julia/np and/cc Susan/np ,/, it/pps had/hvd to/to be/be tried/vbn ./.


	The/at guerrilla/nn bivouac/nn remained/vbd silent/jj ./.
Light/nn showed/vbd in/in the/at orderly/jj room/nn across/in the/at parade/nn ground/nn ./.
Someone/pn evidently/rb was/bedz on/in duty/nn there/rb ./.
No/at doubt/nn there/ex would/md be/be men/nns guarding/vbg the/at horses/nns ./.


	About/rb a/at dozen/nn animals/nns were/bed held/vbn inside/in the/at stockade/nn ,/, as/ql best/rbt Mike/np could/md make/vb out/rp in/in the/at moonlight/nn ./.
Evidently/rb this/dt was/bedz a/at precaution/nn so/cs that/cs mounts/nns would/md be/be available/jj in/in an/at emergency/nn ./.


	He/pps handed/vbd the/at guard's/nn$ rifle/nn to/in Fiske/np ./.
``/`` Dean/np and/cc myself/ppl will/md try/vb to/to cut/vb out/rp horses/nns to/to ride/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md stampede/vb the/at rest/nn ./.
You/ppss stay/vb with/in the/at ladies/nns ./.
All/abn of/in you/ppo be/be ready/jj to/to ride/vb hell/nn for/in leather/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps added/vbd ,/, ``/`` If/cs this/dt doesn't/doz* work/vb out/rp ,/, the/at three/cd of/in you/ppo barricade/vb yourself/ppl in/in the/at house/nn and/cc talk/vb terms/nns with/in them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps handed/vbd the/at bayonet/nn to/in Dean/np and/cc kept/vbd the/at pistol/nn ./.
Susan/np halted/vbd Dean/np and/cc kissed/vbd him/ppo ./.
She/pps clung/vbd to/in him/ppo ,/, talking/vbg to/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc dabbing/vbg at/in her/ppo eyes/nns ./.


	Mike/np turned/vbd away/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz thinking/vbg that/cs the/at way/nn she/pps had/hvd responded/vbn to/in his/pp$ own/jj kiss/nn hadn't/hvd* meant/vbn what/wdt he/pps had/hvd believed/vbn it/pps had/hvd ./.
He/pps felt/vbd unutterably/rb weary/jj ./.


	Dean/np turned/vbd from/in Susan/np and/cc took/vbd Julia/np Fortune/np in/in his/pp$ arms/nns ./.
He/pps kissed/vbd her/ppo also/rb ,/, and/cc with/in deep/jj tenderness/nn ./.
She/pps too/rb began/vbd to/to weep/vb ./.
He/pps released/vbd her/ppo and/cc joined/vbd Mike/np ./.
``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	Mike/np only/rb said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Later/rbr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Be/be careful/jj ,/, McLish/np ''/'' !/. !/.
Susan/np said/vbd fiercely/rb ./.


	``/`` The/at way/nn you/ppss were/bed careful/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps snorted/vbd ./.
``/`` Running/vbg around/rb in/in the/at moonlight/nn almost/rb naked/jj and/cc slugging/vbg a/at man/nn with/in a/at rock/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps kept/vbd going/vbg ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd no/at more/ap sentimental/jj scenes/nns with/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps might/md say/vb or/cc do/do something/pn foolish/jj ./.
Something/pn all/abn of/in them/ppo would/md regret/vb ./.
He/pps might/md tell/vb her/ppo how/wrb sorry/jj a/at spectacle/nn she/pps was/bedz making/vbg of/in herself/ppl ,/, pretending/vbg to/to be/be blind/jj to/in the/at way/nn Julia/np Fortune/np had/hvd taken/vbn Dean's/np$ affections/nns from/in her/ppo ./.
And/cc using/vbg him/ppo ,/, Mike/np McLish/np ,/, as/cs a/at sop/nn to/in her/pp$ pride/nn ./.


	He/pps handed/vbd the/at bayonet/nn to/in Dean/np and/cc kept/vbd the/at pistol/nn ./.
``/`` Stay/vb well/ql back/rb of/in me/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to walk/vb up/rp to/in the/at horses/nns ,/, bold/jj as/cs brass/nn ,/, pretending/vbg I'm/ppss+bem one/cd of/in the/at guerrillas/nns ./.
There's/ex+bez bound/vbn to/to be/be someone/pn on/in guard/nn ,/, but/cc the/at hat/nn might/md fool/vb them/ppo long/jj enough/qlp for/in me/ppo to/to get/vb close/rb ''/'' ./.


	Holding/vbg the/at pistol/nn concealed/vbn ,/, he/pps walked/vbd to/in the/at rear/jj wall/nn of/in the/at stockade/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz pierced/vbn by/in a/at wagon/nn gate/nn built/vbn of/in two/cd wings/nns ./.
One/cd wing/nn stood/vbn open/jj ./.
Mike/np passed/vbd through/in it/ppo and/cc moved/vbd toward/in the/at dark/jj mass/nn of/in horses/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed tethered/vbn ,/, army/nn style/nn ,/, on/in stable/nn lines/nns ./.


	A/at voice/nn spoke/vbd near-at-hand/rb ./.
``/`` Who's/wps+bez that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Just/rb me/ppo ''/'' ,/, Mike/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Is/bez that/dt you/ppss ,/, Bill/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps located/vbd his/pp$ man/nn ./.
The/at guard/nn stood/vbd in/in the/at shadow/nn of/in the/at stockade/nn wall/nn just/rb out/in of/in reach/nn of/in the/at moonlight/nn ./.
Mike/np kept/vbd walking/vbg and/cc got/vbd within/in arm's/nn$ reach/nn before/cs the/at man/nn became/vbd suspicious/jj and/cc straightened/vbd from/in his/pp$ lax/jj slouch/nn ./.


	Mike/np struck/vbd with/in the/at muzzle/nn of/in the/at pistol/nn ./.
But/cc the/at luck/nn that/wps had/hvd been/ben running/vbg their/pp$ way/nn left/vbd him/ppo ./.
The/at guard/nn instinctively/rb parried/vbd the/at blow/nn with/in his/pp$ rifle/nn ./.
He/pps tried/vbd to/to veer/vb the/at rifle/nn around/rb to/to fire/vb into/in Mike's/np$ body/nn ./.


	Mike/np ,/, off/in balance/nn ,/, managed/vbd to/to bat/vb the/at muzzle/nn away/rb a/at moment/nn before/cs it/pps exploded/vbd ./.
The/at bullet/nn went/vbd wide/jj ./.
Mike/np swung/vbd the/at pistol/nn in/in a/at savage/jj backlash/nn ./.
This/dt time/nn it/pps connected/vbd solidly/rb on/in the/at man's/nn$ temple/nn ,/, felling/vbg him/ppo ./.


	The/at explosion/nn of/in the/at rifle/nn had/hvd crashed/vbn against/in the/at walls/nns of/in the/at stockade/nn and/cc the/at deep/jj echoes/nns were/bed still/rb rolling/vbg in/in the/at hills/nns ./.
The/at startled/vbn horses/nns began/vbd rearing/vbg on/in their/pp$ tethers/nns ./.


	Dean/np came/vbd rushing/vbg up/rp ./.
``/`` Are/ber you/ppss hit/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps demanded/vbd ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, but/cc the/at fat's/nn+bez in/in the/at fire/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Mike/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez no/at chance/nn now/rb of/in all/abn of/in us/ppo getting/vbg away/rb ./.
You'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to try/vb it/ppo alone/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at sentry's/nn$ saddled/vbd horse/nn stood/vbd picketed/vbn nearby/rb ,/, having/hvg been/ben kept/vbn handy/jj in/in case/nn of/in need/nn ./.


	Mike/np took/vbd the/at bayonet/nn from/in Dean's/np$ hand/nn and/cc slashed/vbd the/at picket/nn line/nn ./.
``/`` Up/rp you/ppss go/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Ride/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	Dean/np resisted/vbd Mike's/np$ attempt/nn to/to push/vb him/ppo toward/in the/at horse/nn ./.
``/`` Why/wrb not/* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps protested/vbd ./.


	``/`` Dammit/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Mike/np said/vbd frantically/rb ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber lighter/jjr than/cs me/ppo ./.
It's/pps+bez our/pp$ only/ap chance/nn now/rb ./.
Try/vb to/to find/vb these/dts Feds/nps ./.
The/at rest/nn of/in us/ppo can/md fort/vb up/rp in/in the/at house/nn and/cc hang/vb on/rp until/cs you/ppss get/vb back/rb ./.
You're/ppss+ber the/at one/cd that's/wps+bez taking/vbg the/at big/jj chance/nn ''/'' ./.


	Dean/np still/rb hesitated/vbd ,/, but/cc Mike/np lifted/vbd him/ppo almost/ql bodily/rb into/in the/at saddle/nn and/cc thrust/vbd the/at reins/nns in/in his/pp$ hand/nn ./.


	``/`` No/at telling/nn how/wrb good/jj this/dt horse/nn is/bez ''/'' ,/, Mike/np panted/vbd ./.
``/`` Favor/vb him/ppo and/cc save/vb something/pn in/in case/nn you/ppss hit/vb trouble/nn ./.
Watch/vb out/rp for/in Apaches/nps when/wrb it/pps comes/vbz daylight/nn ./.
Take/vb the/at pistol/nn ./.
You/ppss might/md need/vb it/ppo ./.
We'll/ppss+md still/rb have/hv the/at rifle/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss might/md be/be able/jj to/to round/vb up/rp some/dti more/ap ./.
I'll/ppss+md stampede/vb the/at rest/nn of/in these/dts horses/nns so/cs they/ppss can't/md* chase/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Dean/np leaned/vbd from/in the/at saddle/nn and/cc gave/vbd him/ppo a/at mighty/jj whack/nn on/in the/at back/nn ./.
``/`` McLish/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd as/cs he/pps kicked/vbd the/at horse/nn into/in motion/nn ,/, ``/`` I'd/ppss+md be/be a/at mighty/jj sad/jj man/nn if/cs we/ppss never/rb met/vbd again/rb ''/'' ./.


	Then/rb he/pps was/bedz on/in his/pp$ way/nn at/in a/at gallop/nn ./.
Mike/np ran/vbd down/in the/at line/nn ,/, slashing/vbg picket/nn ropes/nns with/in the/at bayonet/nn ./.
He/pps lifted/vbd a/at screeching/vbg war/nn whoop/nn ./.
That/wps touched/vbd off/rp a/at total/jj stampede/nn ./.
He/pps darted/vbd inside/in the/at stockade/nn and/cc freed/vbd the/at horses/nns there/rb ./.
These/dts poured/vbd through/in the/at gate/nn and/cc joined/vbd the/at flight/nn ./.
The/at animals/nns thundered/vbd away/rb into/in the/at moonlight/nn ,/, heading/vbg for/in the/at ridges/nns ./.


	The/at guerrillas/nns were/bed swarming/vbg from/in their/pp$ bivouac/nn at/in the/at west/nr end/nn of/in the/at enclosure/nn ./.


	``/`` Apaches/nps ''/'' !/. !/.
Mike/np yelled/vbd ./.
``/`` They're/ppss+ber stealin'/vbg the/at stock/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	He/pps scuttled/vbd in/in shadow/nn along/in the/at east/nr wall/nn of/in the/at stockade/nn and/cc then/rb followed/vbd the/at south/nr wall/nn until/cs he/pps was/bedz at/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at two/cd frame/nn buildings/nns ./.
He/pps crouched/vbd there/rb ./.


	His/pp$ shout/nn had/hvd been/ben taken/vbn up/rp and/cc repeated/vbn ./.
The/at guerrillas/nns were/bed running/vbg across/in the/at parade/nn ground/nn and/cc through/in the/at rear/jj gate/nn in/in the/at wake/nn of/in the/at departing/vbg horses/nns ./.
All/abn were/bed carrying/vbg guns/nns they/ppss had/hvd seized/vbn up/rp ,/, but/cc they/ppss were/bed half-clad/jj or/cc hardly/ql clad/vbn at/in all/abn ./.


	Durkin/np and/cc Calhoun/np came/vbd running/vbg from/in the/at post/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd pistols/nns in/in their/pp$ hands/nns ./.
They/ppss bawled/vbd questions/nns that/wps were/bed not/* answered/vbn in/in the/at uproar/nn ./.
They/ppss followed/vbd the/at others/nns toward/in the/at east/nr gate/nn ./.
Beyond/in the/at stockade/nn rifles/nns began/vbd to/to explode/vb as/cs some/dti of/in the/at guerrillas/nns fired/vbd at/in shadows/nns that/cs they/ppss imagined/vbd were/bed Apaches/nps ./.


	Mike/np made/vbd a/at dash/nn to/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at frame/nn buildings/nns ./.
He/pps crawled/vbd beneath/in the/at two/cd supply/nn wagons/nns which/wdt stood/vbd between/in the/at buildings/nns and/cc peered/vbd around/in a/at corner/nn ./.
The/at area/nn was/bedz deserted/vbn ./.
A/at man/nn was/bedz standing/vbg in/in the/at open/jj door/nn of/in the/at lighted/vbn orderly/jj room/nn a/at few/ap yards/nns to/in Mike's/np$ left/nr ,/, but/cc he/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, suddenly/rb made/vbd up/rp his/pp$ mind/nn and/cc went/vbd racing/vbg to/to join/vb the/at confused/vbn activity/nn at/in the/at east/nr end/nn of/in the/at stockade/nn ./.


	Mike/np crawled/vbd to/in the/at door/nn and/cc peered/vbd in/rp ./.
The/at orderly/jj room/nn seemed/vbd to/to be/be deserted/vbn ./.
A/at lantern/nn hung/vbd from/in a/at peg/nn ,/, giving/vbg light/nn ./.
Ducking/vbg inside/rb ,/, he/pps found/vbd that/cs three/cd rifles/nns were/bed stacked/vbn in/in a/at corner/nn ./.
A/at brace/nn of/in pistols/nns ,/, holstered/vbn on/in belts/nns ,/, hung/vbd from/in a/at peg/nn ,/, along/in with/in ammunition/nn pouches/nns ./.
An/at ammunition/nn case/nn stood/vbd open/jj ,/, containing/vbg canisters/nns which/wdt contained/vbd powder/nn cartridges/nns ./.


	Mike/np seized/vbd a/at blanket/nn from/in a/at pallet/nn in/in a/at corner/nn ,/, spread/vbd it/ppo on/in the/at floor/nn and/cc used/vbd it/ppo to/to form/vb a/at bag/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps placed/vbd his/pp$ booty/nn ./.


	Shouldering/vbg the/at load/nn he/pps peered/vbd from/in the/at door/nn ./.
His/pp$ looting/vbg of/in the/at orderly/jj room/nn had/hvd taken/vbn only/rb a/at minute/nn or/cc two/cd and/cc the/at vicinity/nn was/bedz still/rb clear/jj of/in guerrillas/nns ./.


	He/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at looming/vbg hoods/nns of/in the/at supply/nn wagons/nns ,/, struck/vbd by/in a/at new/jj inspiration/nn ./.
He/pps set/vbd his/pp$ bundle/nn down/rp ./.
Snatching/vbg the/at lantern/nn from/in its/pp$ peg/nn ,/, he/pps shattered/vbd its/pp$ globe/nn with/in a/at blow/nn against/in a/at post/nn ./.
He/pps picked/vbd up/rp the/at powder/nn canister/nn and/cc ran/vbd out/rp ./.
Bursting/vbg paper/nn cartridges/nns ,/, he/pps scattered/vbd powder/nn beneath/in the/at nearest/jjt wagon/nn and/cc dumped/vbd the/at contents/nns of/in the/at canister/nn upon/in it/ppo ./.


	He/pps shouldered/vbd the/at blanket/nn again/rb ,/, backed/vbd off/rp ,/, and/cc tossed/vbd the/at lantern/nn with/in its/pp$ open/jj wick/nn beneath/in the/at wagon/nn ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc raced/vbd across/in the/at parade/nn ground/nn toward/in the/at rock/nn house/nn ./.


	Powder/nn flame/nn gushed/vbd beneath/in the/at wagon/nn ./.
The/at stockade/nn was/bedz brilliantly/rb lighted/vbn and/cc the/at guerrillas/nns sighted/vbd him/ppo ./.
They/ppss realized/vbd the/at truth/nn ./.
Bullets/nns began/vbd to/to snap/vb past/in him/ppo ./.
One/cd struck/vbd the/at muzzle/nn of/in one/cd of/in the/at rifles/nns that/wps projected/vbd from/in the/at shoulder/nn pack/nn ./.
Its/pp$ force/nn spun/vbd him/ppo around/rb ,/, but/cc he/pps recovered/vbd and/cc got/vbd into/in stride/nn again/rb ./.


	A/at bullet/nn tore/vbd the/at earth/nn from/in beneath/in his/pp$ foot/nn when/wrb he/pps was/bedz a/at stride/nn or/cc two/cd from/in safety/nn ./.
Another/dt struck/vbd him/ppo heavily/rb in/in the/at thigh/nn and/cc he/pps went/vbd down/rp ./.


	Guerrillas/nns were/bed racing/vbg toward/in him/ppo ./.
Susan/np and/cc Julia/np came/vbd from/in the/at door/nn and/cc dragged/vbd him/ppo with/in them/ppo ./.
The/at three/cd of/in them/ppo floundered/vbn through/in the/at door/nn into/in the/at interior/nn and/cc fell/vb in/in a/at heap/nn ./.


	Susan/np bounced/vbd to/in her/pp$ feet/nns and/cc slammed/vbd the/at door/nn ./.
She/pps crouched/vbd aside/rb as/cs bullets/nns beat/vb at/in the/at portal/nn ,/, chewing/vbg into/in the/at planks/nns ./.
Some/dti tore/vbd entirely/rb through/in the/at whipsawed/vbn post/nn oak/nn ./.
The/at iron/nn hinges/nns held/vbd ,/, but/cc the/at planks/nns were/bed in/in danger/nn of/in being/beg torn/vbn from/in the/at crossbars/nns ./.


	Mike/np rolled/vbd to/in Susan/np ,/, grasped/vbd her/ppo around/in the/at knees/nns ,/, dragging/vbg her/ppo off/in her/pp$ feet/nns ./.
He/pps hovered/vbd over/in her/ppo to/to shield/vb her/ppo ,/, for/cs spent/vbn bullets/nns were/bed thudding/vbg against/in the/at rear/jj walls/nns ./.


	He/pps peered/vbd from/in a/at loophole/nn ./.
Guerrillas/nns were/bed only/rb a/at dozen/nn yards/nns away/rb ,/, charging/vbg the/at house/nn ./.
Mike/np snatched/vbd a/at pistol/nn from/in the/at heap/nn of/in scattered/vbn booty/nn and/cc fired/vbd ./.
He/pps dropped/vbd a/at man/nn with/in the/at first/od bullet/nn ./.
At/in the/at same/ap moment/nn Wheeler/np Fiske/np fired/vbd the/at rifle/nn Mike/np had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo and/cc another/dt guerrilla/nn was/bedz hit/vbn ./.
That/wps halted/vbd the/at rush/nn ./.
The/at guerrillas/nns scattered/vbd for/in cover/nn ./.


	The/at wagons/nns were/bed burning/vbg fiercely/rb ./.
The/at mudwagon/nn had/hvd caught/vbn fire/nn also/rb ./.
The/at blaze/nn was/bedz spreading/vbg to/in the/at frame/nn buildings/nns ./.


	The/at guerrillas/nns realized/vbd they/ppss faced/vbd a/at new/jj problem/nn ./.
``/`` Gawdamighty/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
One/cd screeched/vbd ./.
``/`` There/ex goes/vbz our/pp$ grub/nn an'/cc ammunition/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Get/vb a/at bucket/nn line/nn going/vbg ''/'' !/. !/.
Calhoun/np shouted/vbd ./.
``/`` Hurry/vb !/. !/.
Hurry/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at guerrillas/nns began/vbd a/at frantic/jj search/nn for/in pails/nns in/in which/wdt to/to bring/vb water/nn from/in the/at spring/nn ./.
But/cc what/wdt few/ap containers/nns they/ppss found/vbd were/bed inadequate/jj ./.
Many/ap of/in them/ppo ,/, in/in increasing/vbg panic/nn ,/, came/vbd running/vbg with/in water/nn in/in their/pp$ hats/nns in/in a/at ludicrous/jj effort/nn ./.
Both/abx buildings/nns were/bed in/in flames/nns ./.
The/at heat/nn drove/vbd the/at guerrillas/nns back/vb ./.
The/at roof/nn of/in the/at command/nn post/nn began/vbd to/to buckle/vb ./.


	``/`` Drag/vb the/at wagons/nns to/in the/at spring/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Lew/np Durkin/np yelled/vbd ./.
``/`` Run/vb 'em/ppo right/ql into/in the/at spring/nn !/. !/.
Hustle/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	One/cd of/in the/at wagons/nns erupted/vbd a/at massive/jj pillar/nn of/in flame/nn ./.
A/at sizable/jj supply/nn of/in powder/nn had/hvd been/ben touched/vbn off/rp ./.
The/at wagons/nns and/cc the/at coach/nn were/bed beyond/in saving/vbg and/cc so/rb were/bed the/at buildings/nns ./.


	The/at glow/nn of/in the/at fire/nn reached/vbd through/in the/at openings/nns in/in the/at windows/nns ,/, giving/vbg light/nn enough/ap to/to examine/vb Mike's/np$ wound/nn ./.
The/at bullet/nn had/hvd torn/vbn through/in the/at flesh/nn just/rb above/in the/at knee/nn ,/, inflicting/vbg an/at ugly/jj gash/nn that/dt was/bedz forming/vbg a/at pool/nn of/in blood/nn on/in the/at floor/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps had/hvd missed/vbn the/at bone/nn and/cc had/hvd passed/vbn on/rp through/rp ./.
Susan/np and/cc Julia/np ripped/vbd strips/nns from/in their/pp$ clothing/nn and/cc bound/vbd the/at injury/nn ./.


	Mike/np tested/vbd the/at leg/nn and/cc found/vbd that/cs he/pps was/bedz able/jj to/to hobble/vb around/rb on/in it/ppo ./.



	``/`` So/cs it/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at earthquake/nn that/wps made/vbd him/ppo return/vb to/in his/pp$ village/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
Now/rb dammit/uh ,/, I/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to go/vb into/in any/dti more/ap explanations/nns ./.
Here/rb comes/vbz Jason/np ./.
Keep/vb this/dt to/in yourself/ppl ''/'' ./.


	Reverend/np Jason/np ,/, looking/vbg worried/vbn ,/, hurried/vbd toward/in us/ppo ./.
``/`` Anything/pn wrong/jj ,/, cap'n/nn ?/. ?/.
The/at men/nns seem/vb to/to think/vb so/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Dirion/np found/vbd a/at large/jj war/nn party/nn south/nr of/in us/ppo ./.
They'll/ppss+md probably/rb attack/vb at/in dawn/nn ''/'' ,/, Montero/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps brushed/vbd past/in the/at clergyman/nn and/cc walked/vbd into/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at camp/nn ./.
Using/vbg his/pp$ hands/nns as/cs a/at trumpet/nn he/pps shouted/vbd ,/, ``/`` Fort/vb up/rp !/. !/.
Fort/vb up/rp !/. !/.
There's/ex+bez a/at large/jj war/nn party/nn on/in their/pp$ way/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	For/in a/at second/od ,/, engages/fw-nns ,/, cooks/nns ,/, voyageurs/fw-nns appeared/vbd struck/vbn dumb/jj ./.
Then/jj Little/jj-tl Billy/np-tl began/vbd shouting/vbg orders/nns to/to round/vb up/rp the/at ponies/nns and/cc fill/vb the/at water/nn buckets/nns and/cc for/in the/at cooks/nns to/to hurry/vb up/rp with/in the/at meal/nn ./.
They/ppss all/abn flew/vbd into/in action/nn ./.


	``/`` That/dt was/bedz a/at terrible/jj thing/nn to/to do/do ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd to/in Oso/np ./.
The/at Aricaras/nps treated/vbd us/ppo like/cs friends/nns ./.
And/cc here/rb all/abn the/at time/nn you/ppss knew/vbd the/at Sioux/nps would/md be/be using/vbg our/pp$ rifles/nns on/in them/ppo !/. !/.
God/np ,/, what/wdt a/at world/nn you/ppss people/nns live/vb in/rp ''/'' ./.


	Oso/np gave/vbd me/ppo an/at unruffled/jj look/nn ./.
``/`` Old/jj-tl Knife's/nn+hvz-tl got/vbn the/at largest/jjt war/nn party/nn ever/rb seen/vbn on/in the/at river/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd calmly/rb ./.
``/`` What/wdt would/md you/ppo have/hv done/vbn in/in Montero's/np$ moccasins/nns ?/. ?/.
Let/vb Old/jj-tl Knife/nn-tl come/vb up/rp and/cc kill/vb you/ppo and/cc your/pp$ people/nns ,/, or/cc would/md you/ppss steer/vb him/ppo on/in someone/pn else/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` Mr./np Manuel/np did/dod that/dt in/in the/at war/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez why/wrb the/at British/jj never/rb got/vbn the/at tribes/nns to/to fight/vb for/in the/at King/nn-tl ./.
Mr./np Manuel/np whispered/vbd in/in the/at ears/nns of/in the/at Sioux/nps that/cs the/at Cheyennes/nps were/bed comin'/nn to/to raid/vb 'em/ppo for/in their/pp$ horses/nns ./.
Then/rb he/pps went/vbd on/in to/in the/at Cheyennes/nps and/cc told/vbd them/ppo that/cs the/at Sioux/nps was/bedz goin'/vbg to/to move/vb up/rp ./.
He/pps did/dod that/dt with/in all/abn the/at Nations/nns-tl ./.
Hell/uh ,/, they/ppss were/bed fightin'/vbg each/dt other/ap so/ql hard/rb they/ppss had/hvd no/at time/nn for/in anyone/pn else/rb ./.
The/at War/nn-tl Department/nn-tl wrote/vbd Mr./np Manuel/np a/at letter/nn and/cc said/vbd he/pps was/bedz a/at hero/nn ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd that/dt letter/nn ./.
He/pps carried/vbd it/ppo in/in a/at little/ap wallet/nn made/vbd of/in fish/nn skin/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc that/dt was/bedz war/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez no/at war/nn on/rp now/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber wrong/jj ,/, Matt/np ./.
In/in this/dt country/nn there's/ex+bez a/at war/nn on/rp every/at time/nn the/at grass/nn turns/vbz green/nn ./.
First/rb it/pps was/bedz the/at Nations/nns-tl against/in themselves/ppls ,/, then/rb it/pps was/bedz them/ppo against/in the/at whites/nns ./.
And/cc it's/pps+bez goin'/vbg to/to go/vb on/rp like/cs this/dt year/nn after/in year/nn until/cs the/at white/jj people/nns take/vb over/rp this/dt land/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss remember/vb being/beg told/vbn it/pps would/md happen/vb so/ql fast/jj people/nns would/md think/vb it/pps took/vbd place/nn overnight/rb ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez why/wrb this/dt company's/nn+bez important/jj ./.
Once/cs we/ppss get/vb over/in the/at mountains/nns others/nns will/md come/vb along/rb ./.
That's/dt+bez why/wrb the/at Trust/nn-tl don't/do* want/vb us/ppo to/to make/vb it/ppo ./.
That/dt bastard/nn Chambers/np !/. !/.
--/-- Old/jj-tl Knife's/nn+bez-tl not/* the/at only/ap chief/nn he'll/pps+md get/vb to/to do/do his/pp$ dirty/jj work/nn !/. !/.
Before/cs we/ppss get/vb through/rp he'll/pps+md have/hv the/at Blackfeet/nps hankerin'/vbg for/in our/pp$ hair/nn and/cc our/pp$ goods/nns ./.
Well/uh ,/, talkin'/vbg ain't/bez* goin'/vbg to/to help/vb --/-- let's/vb+ppo fort/nn up/rp ''/'' !/. !/.


	As/cs I/ppss dug/vbd in/rp behind/in one/cd of/in the/at bales/nns we/ppss were/bed using/vbg as/cs protection/nn ,/, I/ppss grudgingly/rb found/vbd myself/ppl agreeing/vbg with/in Oso's/np$ logic/nn ,/, especially/rb when/wrb I/ppss imagined/vbd what/wdt would/md have/hv happened/vbn to/in Missy/np if/cs Old/jj-tl Knife's/nn$-tl large/jj party/nn of/in screeching/vbg warriors/nns had/hvd overrun/nn our/pp$ company/nn ./.


	For/cs ,/, unlike/in the/at Sioux/nps and/cc the/at Crows/nps ,/, the/at Aricaras/nps are/ber not/* great/jj horsemen/nns ,/, nor/cc are/ber they/ppss aggressive/jj like/cs the/at savage/jj Blackfeet/nps ./.
More/rbr of/in an/at agricultural/jj nation/nn ,/, they/ppss have/hv relied/vbn on/in their/pp$ warriors/nns only/rb for/in defense/nn and/cc for/in survival/nn in/in the/at endless/jj wars/nns of/in the/at plains/nns ./.
Still/rb ,/, I/ppss was/bedz disgusted/vbn with/in myself/ppl for/in agreeing/vbg with/in Montero's/np$ methods/nns ./.


	Surprisingly/rb ,/, he/pps had/hvd told/vbn the/at others/nns what/wdt he/pps had/hvd done/vbn ./.
In/in the/at brief/jj moment/nn I/ppss had/hvd to/to talk/vb to/in them/ppo before/cs I/ppss took/vbd my/pp$ post/nn on/in the/at ring/nn of/in defenses/nns ,/, I/ppss indicated/vbd I/ppss was/bedz sickened/vbn by/in the/at methods/nns men/nns employed/vbd to/to live/vb and/cc trade/vb on/in the/at river/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss think/vb Montero/np did/dod right/nn ''/'' ,/, Amy/np said/vbd firmly/rb ./.
``/`` Let/vb the/at savages/nns kill/vb each/dt other/ap ./.
What/wps do/do we/ppss care/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Reverend/np Jason/np was/bedz understandably/rb bitter/jj ./.
``/`` It/pps was/bedz a/at terrible/jj thing/nn to/to do/do ./.
Those/dts little/jj children/nns ./.
''/'' 

	But/cc Oso/np replied/vbd calmly/rb ,/, ``/`` Trouble/nn ain't/bez* easy/jj to/to dodge/vb out/rp in/in this/dt country/nn ,/, rev'rend/np ''/'' ./.



28/cd-hl ./.-hl
Attack/nn-hl 
Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl attacked/vbd our/pp$ camp/nn just/rb as/cs the/at first/od pink/jj threads/nns stitched/vbd together/rb the/at hills/nns and/cc the/at sky/nn ./.
Our/pp$ camp/nn was/bedz in/in the/at center/nn of/in a/at wide/jj valley/nn ./.
Montero/np had/hvd set/vbn up/rp a/at strong/jj position/nn ,/, using/vbg every/at bale/nn and/cc box/nn we/ppss had/hvd in/in addition/nn to/in barricades/nns of/in logs/nns and/cc brush/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd ordered/vbn the/at ponies/nns brought/vbn inside/in the/at fortified/vbn circle/nn and/cc had/hvd assigned/vbn Pierre/np and/cc a/at band/nn of/in picked/vbn engages/fw-nns the/at job/nn of/in trying/vbg to/to keep/vb them/ppo steady/jj under/in fire/nn ./.


	The/at pony/nn herd/nn was/bedz the/at one/cd flaw/nn in/in our/pp$ defense/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at Rees/nps undoubtedly/rb would/md try/vb to/to cut/vb down/rp as/ql many/ap of/in the/at animals/nns as/cs possible/jj ./.
Wildly/rb bucking/vbg horses/nns would/md make/vb the/at position/nn difficult/jj to/to defend/vb against/in charging/vbg warriors/nns ./.


	The/at cooks/nns had/hvd prepared/vbn one/cd of/in the/at best/jjt meals/nns we'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn in/in a/at long/jj time/nn ,/, and/cc on/in Montero's/np$ orders/nns had/hvd baked/vbn enough/ap bread/nn to/to last/vb the/at day/nn ./.
Buckets/nns were/bed filled/vbn ,/, the/at herd/nn fed/vbd and/cc watered/vbd ./.
The/at worst/jjt part/nn had/hvd been/ben the/at waiting/nn ;/. ;/.
although/cs we/ppss didn't/dod* expect/vb the/at attack/nn before/in dawn/nn ,/, the/at long/jj cloudy/jj night/nn ,/, filled/vbn with/in the/at sounds/nns of/in the/at industrious/jj insects/nns ,/, seemed/vbd endless/jj ./.
Coyotes/nns and/cc hunting/vbg wolves/nns sounded/vbd like/cs signaling/vbg Indian/jj scouts/nns ,/, the/at whinny/nn of/in a/at restless/jj pony/nn made/vbd one's/pn$ skin/nn crawl/vb ./.
Oso/np slept/vbd unconcernedly/rb ,/, his/pp$ rifle/nn cradled/vbd in/in his/pp$ arms/nns ;/. ;/.
I/ppss didn't/dod* catch/vb a/at wink/nn ./.
Every/at time/nn I/ppss closed/vbd my/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, I/ppss saw/vbd Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl rushing/vbg at/in me/ppo with/in a/at knife/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at relief/nn when/wrb they/ppss finally/rb came/vbd ./.


	They/ppss poured/vbd through/in the/at opening/nn in/in the/at valley/nn ,/, then/rb spread/vb out/rp in/in a/at long/jj line/nn to/to come/vb at/in us/ppo ,/, brandishing/vbg their/pp$ lances/nns and/cc filling/vbg the/at morning/nn with/in their/pp$ spine-chilling/jj scalp/nn cry/nn ./.


	``/`` Oso/np ''/'' ,/, Montero/np called/vbd ``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That'll/wps+md be/be a/at pleasure/nn to/to see/vb ''/'' ,/, the/at big/jj black/jj murmured/vbd as/cs he/pps stared/vbd down/in the/at barrel/nn of/in his/pp$ rifle/nn ./.


	``/`` Hold/vb your/pp$ fire/nn ''/'' ,/, Montero/np was/bedz shouting/vbg ./.
``/`` Wait/vb until/in my/pp$ shot/nn ./.
I'll/ppss+md shoot/vb the/at first/od man/nn who/wps doesn't/doz* ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss could/md see/vb them/ppo in/in my/pp$ sights/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed about/rb a/at mile/nn off/rp ;/. ;/.
under/in me/ppo the/at ground/nn quivered/vbd slightly/rb ./.
At/in first/rb they/ppss were/bed only/ap feathers/nns and/cc dark/jj indistinguishable/jj faces/nns and/cc bodies/nns ,/, hunched/vbn over/in their/pp$ horses'/nns$ heads/nns ./.
Gradually/rb they/ppss emerged/vbd as/cs men/nns ./.
Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl was/bedz in/in the/at lead/nn ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz split/vbn by/in a/at vermilion/nn streak/nn ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed pools/nns of/in white/jj ;/. ;/.
jagged/jj red/jj and/cc black/jj medicine/nn symbols/nns covered/vbd his/pp$ chest/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz naked/jj except/in for/in a/at clout/nn ./.
Next/in to/in him/ppo was/bedz a/at young/jj boy/nn I/ppss was/bedz sure/jj had/hvd sat/vbn near/in me/ppo at/in one/cd of/in the/at trading/vbg sessions/nns ./.
His/pp$ mouth/nn was/bedz open/jj ,/, his/pp$ neck/nn corded/vbn with/in the/at strain/nn of/in his/pp$ screams/nns ./.
I/ppss found/vbd his/pp$ chest/nn in/in my/pp$ sights/nns ./.
It/pps had/hvd a/at red/jj circle/nn ./.
The/at circle/nn came/vbd nearer/rbr and/cc nearer/rbr ./.


	My/pp$ God/np ,/, how/wrb long/jj is/bez he/pps going/vbg to/to wait/vb ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd ./.


	Montero's/np$ rifle/nn cracked/vbd ./.
At/in first/rb I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps had/hvd missed/vbn ./.
Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl remained/vbd erect/jj ./.
The/at feathered/vbn lance/nn was/bedz still/rb above/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.
As/cs he/pps started/vbd to/to slump/vb over/rp ,/, another/dt warrior/nn swung/vbd him/ppo onto/in his/pp$ horse/nn ./.


	I/ppss squeezed/vbd the/at trigger/nn ./.
At/in the/at last/ap second/nn I/ppss dropped/vbd my/pp$ sights/nns from/in the/at bare/jj chest/nn and/cc bright/jj red/jj circle/nn to/in the/at chest/nn of/in his/pp$ pony/nn ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd the/at pony/nn fall/vb like/cs a/at stone/nn and/cc the/at young/jj warrior/nn flew/vbd over/in its/pp$ head/nn ,/, bouncing/vbg like/cs a/at rubber/nn ball/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd to/to run/vb but/cc Oso's/np$ shot/nn caught/vbd him/ppo on/in the/at wing/nn ./.
He/pps jerked/vbd once/rb in/in the/at grass/nn and/cc lay/vbd still/rb ./.


	``/`` If/cs you're/ppss+ber goin'/vbg to/to kill/vb 'em/ppo --/-- !/. !/.
Kill/vb 'em/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Oso/np growled/vbd ./.


	What/wdt else/rb he/pps said/vbd was/bedz lost/vbn in/in the/at rattle/nn of/in gunfire/nn on/in all/abn sides/nns ./.
The/at Aricaras/nps broke/vbd under/in the/at devastating/vbg fire/nn ,/, wheeled/vbd and/cc retreated/vbd ./.


	``/`` Lead/vb up/rp !/. !/.
Lead/vb up/rp !/. !/.
They'll/ppss+md be/be back/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
Montero/np was/bedz shouting/vbg ./.


	Far/rb up/in the/at valley/nn I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at Rees/nps circling/vbg and/cc reorganizing/vbg ./.
Out/rp in/in front/nn of/in our/pp$ walls/nns the/at grass/nn was/bedz covered/vbn with/in dead/jj and/cc dying/vbg men/nns ,/, war/nn shields/nns ,/, lances/nns ,/, blankets/nns and/cc wounded/vbn and/cc dead/jj horses/nns ./.
The/at morning/nn air/nn was/bedz filled/vbn with/in the/at sweetish/jj odor/nn of/in new-spilled/jj blood/nn ,/, the/at acrid/jj stench/nn of/in frightened/vbn horses/nns ,/, and/cc the/at bitterness/nn of/in burned/vbn powder/nn ./.
A/at horse/nn screamed/vbd as/cs it/pps twisted/vbd from/in side/nn to/in side/nn in/in a/at frenzy/nn ./.
A/at rifle/nn cracked/vbd ;/. ;/.
the/at square/jj head/nn fell/vb over/rp ./.
One/cd of/in the/at warriors/nns suddenly/rb leaped/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns and/cc began/vbd running/vbg across/in the/at valley/nn to/in the/at trees/nns that/wps lined/vbd the/at small/jj creek/nn ./.
His/pp$ legs/nns pumped/vbd furiously/rb ,/, his/pp$ long/jj black/jj hair/nn streamed/vbd out/rp behind/in him/ppo ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at ragged/jj volley/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz dead/jj before/cs he/pps hit/vbd the/at ground/nn ./.


	``/`` For/in Christ's/np$ sake/nn ,/, don't/do* waste/vb your/pp$ powder/nn on/in one/cd of/in 'em/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Montero/np shouted/vbd furiously/rb ./.
``/`` Wait/vb for/in the/at charge/nn !/. !/.
The/at charge/nn ,/, I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at sharp/jj cries/nns at/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at valley/nn were/bed faint/jj ./.
They/ppss grew/vbd louder/jjr as/cs the/at Indians/nps charged/vbd again/rb ./.
I/ppss could/md see/vb their/pp$ faces/nns glistening/vbg with/in sweat/nn and/cc bear/nn grease/nn ,/, their/pp$ mouths/nns open/vb ,/, shouting/vbg their/pp$ spine-chilling/jj cries/nns ./.


	``/`` Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl is/bez back/rb ,/, ,/, Montero/np said/vbd ./.


	The/at war/nn captain/nn had/hvd been/ben badly/rb wounded/vbn and/cc was/bedz fighting/vbg to/to hold/vb his/pp$ seat/nn ./.
I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at blood/nn running/vbg down/in his/pp$ chest/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz riding/vbg between/in two/cd warriors/nns ,/, who/wps held/vbd him/ppo erect/jj when/wrb he/pps started/vbd to/to slump/vb ./.


	I/ppss forgot/vbd to/to aim/vb ./.
In/in my/pp$ sights/nns I/ppss watched/vbd him/ppo looming/vbg bigger/jjr and/cc bigger/jjr ./.
Montero's/np$ shot/nn had/hvd caught/vbn him/ppo high/jj in/in the/at chest/nn ;/. ;/.
there/ex was/bedz no/at doubt/nn he/pps was/bedz dying/vbg ./.
Again/rb we/ppss waited/vbd for/in Montero/np ./.
This/dt time/nn he/pps delayed/vbd so/ql long/jj that/cs some/dti of/in the/at engages/fw-nns shouted/vbd frantically/rb ,/, but/in they/ppss held/vbd their/pp$ fire/nn ./.
The/at horses/nns were/bed only/rb several/ap lengths/nns away/rb when/wrb he/pps fired/vbd ./.
The/at bullet/nn flung/vbd Gray/jj-tl Eyes/nns-tl from/in his/pp$ horse/nn ./.
Our/pp$ rolling/vbg volley/nn swept/vbd most/ap of/in the/at other/ap riders/nns from/in their/pp$ mounts/nns ./.
But/cc a/at few/ap reached/vbn our/pp$ wall/nn ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd the/at whir/nn of/in an/at ax/nn and/cc a/at Canadian's/np$ face/nn burst/vb apart/rb in/in a/at bloody/jj spray/nn ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd Little/jj-tl Billy/np-tl rise/vb and/cc fire/vb almost/rb point/nn blank/jj and/cc an/at Indian's/np$ face/nn became/vbd shattered/vbn flesh/nn and/cc bone/nn ./.
A/at second/od leaped/vbd from/in his/pp$ horse/nn to/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at bale/nn ,/, firing/vbg four/cd arrows/nns in/in such/jj rapid/jj succession/nn it/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb possible/jj they/ppss were/bed in/in flight/nn ./.
Men/nns screamed/vbd ./.
Oso/np reached/vbd up/rp ,/, jerked/vbd the/at buck/nn from/in the/at bale/nn and/cc snapped/vbd his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
Other/ap Indians/nps were/bed running/vbg at/in the/at ponies/nns ,/, shrilling/vbg and/cc waving/vbg blankets/nns ./.
Reverend/np Jason/np got/vbd one/cd ,/, the/at Canadians/nps the/at others/nns ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd the/at clergyman/nn kneel/vb for/in a/at moment/nn by/in the/at twitching/vbg body/nn of/in the/at man/nn he/pps had/hvd shot/nn ,/, then/rb run/vb back/rb to/in his/pp$ position/nn ./.


	The/at ponies/nns were/bed almost/rb uncontrollable/jj ./.
The/at pall/nn of/in dust/nn they/ppss raised/vbd made/vbn it/ppo difficult/jj to/to see/vb when/wrb the/at Aricaras/nps charged/vbd again/rb ./.
This/dt time/nn more/ap of/in them/ppo hurdled/vbn the/at barrier/nn ./.
A/at small/jj Indian/np dived/vbd at/in Montero/np ,/, who/wps caught/vbd him/ppo with/in a/at swift/jj upward/jj stroke/nn of/in his/pp$ rifle/nn butt/nn ./.
It/pps sounded/vbd like/cs a/at man/nn kicking/vbg a/at melon/nn ./.
Above/in me/ppo a/at dark/jj rider/nn was/bedz whipping/vbg his/pp$ pony/nn with/in a/at quirt/nn in/in an/at attempt/nn to/to hurdle/vb the/at bales/nns ./.


	Although/cs my/pp$ shot/nn killed/vbd his/pp$ horse/nn ,/, he/pps rolled/vbd off/in the/at bale/nn on/in top/nn of/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss could/md smell/vb woodsmoke/nn ,/, grease/nn ,/, and/cc oil/nn ./.
His/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed dark/jj ,/, fluid/jj ,/, fearful/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps gave/vbd a/at sigh/nn as/cs my/pp$ knife/nn went/vbd in/rp ./.
Coming/vbg over/in the/at wall/nn he/pps had/hvd seemed/vbn like/cs a/at hideous/jj devil/nn ./.
Now/rb under/in me/ppo I/ppss could/md see/vb him/ppo for/in what/wdt he/pps really/rb was/bedz ,/, a/at boy/nn dressed/vbd up/rp in/in streaks/nns of/in paint/nn ./.


	The/at Aricaras/nps made/vbd one/cd last/ap desperate/jj charge/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz pitiful/jj to/to see/vb the/at thin/jj ranks/nns of/in warriors/nns ,/, old/jj and/cc young/jj ,/, wheeling/vbg and/cc twisting/vbg their/pp$ ponies/nns frantically/rb from/in side/nn to/in side/nn only/rb to/to be/be tumbled/vbn bleeding/vbg from/in their/pp$ saddles/nns by/in the/at relentless/jj slam/nn ,/, slam/nn of/in the/at cruelly/rb efficient/jj Hawkinses/nps ./.
Others/nns ,/, badly/rb wounded/vbn ,/, gripped/vbn hands/nns in/in manes/nns ,/, knees/nns in/in bellies/nns ,/, held/vbd on/rp as/ql long/jj as/cs possible/jj and/cc then/rb ,/, weak/jj from/in ghastly/jj wounds/nns ,/, slipped/vbd sideways/rb ,/, slowly/rb ,/, almost/rb thoughtfully/rb ,/, to/to be/be broken/vbn under/in the/at slashing/vbg hoofs/nns ./.
Some/dti gracefully/rb soared/vbd from/in the/at backs/nns of/in their/pp$ wounded/vbn ,/, screaming/vbg mounts/nns to/to make/vb one/cd last/ap defiant/jj charge/nn before/cs the/at lead/nn split/vbd their/pp$ hearts/nns or/cc tore/vbd their/pp$ guts/nns ./.


	None/pn of/in them/ppo reached/vbn our/pp$ walls/nns again/rb ./.
The/at few/ap survivors/nns grudgingly/rb turned/vbd away/rb ./.
In/in the/at distance/nn we/ppss could/md hear/vb the/at drums/nns and/cc the/at wail/nn of/in the/at death/nn song/nn ./.

She/pps was/bedz carrying/vbg a/at quirt/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps started/vbd to/to raise/vb it/ppo ,/, then/rb let/vb it/ppo fall/vb again/rb and/cc dangle/vb from/in her/ppo wrist/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss saw/vbd your/pp$ fire/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, speaking/vbg slowly/rb ,/, making/vbg an/at effort/nn to/to control/vb her/ppo anger/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss could/md burn/vb down/rp this/dt whole/nn mountainside/nn with/in a/at fire/nn that/dt size/nn ./.
It/pps wouldn't/md* matter/vb to/in a/at fool/nn like/cs you/ppss ./.
It/pps would/md to/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, Wilson/np said/vbd quickly/rb ./.
``/`` The/at fire's/nn+bez too/ql big/jj ./.
And/cc I/ppss appreciate/vb the/at advice/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz losing/vbg patience/nn again/rb ./.
An/at hour/nn before/rb ,/, with/in the/at children/nns asleep/rb and/cc nothing/pn but/in the/at strange/jj darkness/nn ,/, he/pps would/md have/hv appreciated/vbn company/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd helped/vbn him/ppo change/vb his/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* advising/vbg you/ppo ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem telling/vbg you/ppo ./.
That/dt fire's/nn+bez too/ql big/jj ./.
Let/vb it/ppo burn/vb down/rp ./.
And/cc make/vb sure/jj it's/pps+bez out/rp when/wrb you/ppss leave/vb in/in the/at morning/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz taken/vbn aback/rb ./.
It/pps took/vbd him/ppo a/at long/jj time/nn to/to compose/vb himself/ppl ./.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez some/dti mistake/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd finally/rb ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber right/jj about/in the/at fire/nn ./.
It's/pps+bez bigger/jjr than/cs it/pps has/hvz to/to be/be ,/, though/cs I/ppss don't/do* see/vb where/wrb it's/pps+bez doing/vbg any/dti harm/nn ./.
But/cc you're/ppss+ber wrong/jj about/in the/at rest/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* leaving/vbg in/in the/at morning/nn ./.
Why/wrb should/md I/ppss ?/. ?/.
I/ppss own/vb the/at place/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps showed/vbd her/ppo surprise/nn by/in tightening/vbg the/at reins/nns and/cc moving/vbg the/at gelding/nn around/rb so/cs that/cs she/pps could/md get/vb a/at better/jjr look/nn at/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
It/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb to/to tell/vb her/ppo anything/pn ./.
She/pps glanced/vbd around/in the/at clearing/nn ,/, taking/vbg in/in the/at wagon/nn and/cc the/at load/nn of/in supplies/nns and/cc trappings/nns scattered/vbn over/in the/at ground/nn ,/, the/at two/cd kids/nns ,/, the/at whiteface/nn bull/nn that/wps was/bedz chewing/vbg its/pp$ cud/nn just/rb within/in the/at far/jj reaches/nns of/in the/at firelight/nn ./.
She/pps studied/vbd it/ppo for/in a/at long/jj time/nn ./.
Then/rb she/pps turned/vbd back/rb to/in Wilson/np and/cc smiled/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps wasn't/bedz* quite/ql sure/jj what/wdt she/pps meant/vbd by/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss own/vb this/dt place/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc her/pp$ tone/nn had/hvd softened/vbn until/cs it/pps was/bedz almost/rb friendly/jj ./.
``/`` You/ppss bought/vbd it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` From/in a/at man/nn in/in St./np Louis/np ''/'' ,/, Wilson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Jake/np Carwood/np ./.
Maybe/rb you/ppss know/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	The/at girl/nn laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb him/ppo ./.
I/ppss ought/md to/to ./.
My/pp$ father/nn ran/vbd him/ppo off/rp here/rb six/cd years/nns ago/rb ''/'' ./.


	Wilson/np didn't/dod* say/vb anything/pn ./.
He/pps stood/vbd watching/vbg the/at girl/nn ,/, wondering/vbg what/wdt was/bedz coming/vbg next/rb ./.
She/pps had/hvd picked/vbn up/rp the/at quirt/nn and/cc was/bedz twirling/vbg it/ppo around/in her/pp$ wrist/nn and/cc smiling/vbg at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` Carwood/np didn't/dod* tell/vb you/ppo that/dt ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, Wilson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc it's/pps+bez understandable/jj ./.
It's/pps+bez not/* the/at kind/nn of/in thing/nn that/cs a/at man/nn would/md be/be proud/jj of/in ./.
And/cc it/pps doesn't/doz* make/vb any/dti difference/nn ./.
He/pps sold/vbd me/ppo a/at clear/jj title/nn ./.
I/ppss have/hv it/ppo with/in me/ppo ,/, right/ql here/rb ./.
If/cs you/ppss want/vb to/to see/vb ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Never/rb mind/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd sternly/rb ./.
``/`` It/pps wouldn't/md* matter/vb to/in my/pp$ father/nn ,/, and/cc not/* to/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss meant/vbd what/wdt I/ppss said/vbd about/in that/dt fire/nn ./.
Be/be sure/jj it's/pps+bez out/rp when/wrb you/ppss leave/vb ./.
That's/dt+bez all/abn ./.
I'll/ppss+md let/vb you/ppss go/vb back/rb to/in doing/vbg the/at dishes/nns now/rb ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz meant/vbn to/to insult/vb him/ppo ,/, and/cc didn't/dod* quite/ql succeed/vb ./.
He/pps took/vbd the/at reins/nns just/rb below/in the/at bit/nn and/cc held/vbd them/ppo firmly/rb ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz his/pp$ turn/nn to/to smile/vb now/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* mind/vb washing/vbg dishes/nns now/rb and/cc then/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd pleasantly/rb ./.
``/`` It/pps doesn't/doz* hurt/vb ./.
It/pps might/md hurt/vb you/ppo ,/, though/rb ./.
Somebody/pn might/md mistake/vb you/ppo for/in a/at woman/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps meant/vbd to/to say/vb more/ap ,/, but/cc he/pps never/rb got/vbd the/at chance/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz quick/jj ./.
She/pps brought/vbd the/at quirt/nn down/rp ,/, slashing/vbg it/ppo across/in his/pp$ cheek/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps tried/vbd to/to step/vb back/rb ./.
She/pps swung/vbd the/at quirt/nn again/rb ,/, and/cc this/dt time/nn he/pps caught/vbd her/ppo wrist/nn and/cc pulled/vbd her/ppo out/in of/in the/at saddle/nn ./.


	She/pps came/vbd down/rp against/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps tried/vbd to/to break/vb her/ppo fall/nn ./.
He/pps grabbed/vbd her/ppo by/in the/at shoulders/nns and/cc went/vbd down/rp on/in one/cd knee/nn ,/, taking/vbg her/pp$ weight/nn so/cs that/cs some/dti of/in the/at wind/nn was/bedz driven/vbn out/in of/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps made/vbd him/ppo a/at little/ql sick/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps let/vb go/vb of/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps got/vbd up/rp slowly/rb ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz already/rb on/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps stood/vbd facing/vbg her/ppo ./.
He/pps wiped/vbd the/at blood/nn from/in his/pp$ cheek/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss ought/md to/to ''/'' --/-- he/pps said/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz shaking/vbg with/in anger/nn ,/, his/pp$ breath/nn coming/vbg in/in long/jj ,/, painful/jj gasps/nns ./.
``/`` That/dt quirt/nn --/-- I/ppss ought/md to/to use/vb it/ppo on/in you/ppo ,/, where/wrb it/pps would/md do/do the/at most/ql good/nn ./.
If/cs you/ppss were/bed a/at man/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` She/pps isn't/bez* ,/, mister/np ''/'' ./.


	The/at voice/nn came/vbd from/in behind/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc Wilson/np turned/vbd ./.
The/at fire/nn had/hvd gone/vbn down/rp ,/, and/cc the/at man/nn was/bedz only/rb a/at shadow/nn against/in the/at trees/nns ./.
But/cc a/at moment/nn later/rbr he/pps brought/vbd his/pp$ horse/nn forward/rb into/in the/at light/nn ,/, and/cc Wilson/np had/hvd a/at good/jj look/nn at/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz tall/jj and/cc dark-skinned/jj ,/, a/at half-breed/nn ,/, Wilson/np thought/vbd ./.
And/cc he/pps was/bedz handsome/jj ,/, despite/in the/at long/jj thin/jj scar/nn that/wps slanted/vbd across/in his/pp$ cheek/nn ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+bez not/* a/at man/nn ,/, mister/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss am/bem ./.
If/cs you've/ppss+hv got/vbn any/dti ideas/nns ''/'' ./.
He/pps raised/vbd the/at Winchester/np and/cc pointed/vbd it/ppo at/in Wilson's/np$ chest/nn ./.


	``/`` Put/vb the/at rifle/nn down/rp ,/, Joseph/np ''/'' ,/, the/at girl/nn said/vbd ./.
She/pps seemed/vbd irritated/vbn ./.
``/`` I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss told/vbd you/ppo to/to stay/vb home/nr ''/'' ./.


	The/at half-breed/nn eased/vbn the/at Winchester/np down/rp and/cc rested/vbd it/ppo across/in his/pp$ lap/nn ./.
The/at scar/nn looked/vbd pure/jj white/jj in/in the/at half-darkness/nn ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed black/jj and/cc deep-set/jj ,/, and/cc expressionless/jj ./.
``/`` You/ppss shouldn't/md* be/be riding/vbg up/rp here/rb after/in dark/nn ,/, Judith/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd quietly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss can/md take/vb care/nn of/in this/dt ./.
It's/pps+bez no/at job/nn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	The/at girl/nn tapped/vbd the/at quirt/nn impatiently/rb against/in her/ppo knee/nn and/cc glared/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps took/vbd it/ppo without/in flinching/vbg ./.


	``/`` I/ppss said/vbn go/vb home/nr ,/, Joseph/np ./.
You've/ppss+hv got/vbn no/at business/nn up/rp here/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at half-breed/nn didn't/dod* answer/vb this/dt time/nn ./.
But/cc the/at scar/nn seemed/vbd to/to pull/vb hard/rb at/in the/at corner/nn of/in his/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed hurt/vbn and/cc angry/jj ./.
It/pps made/vbd Wilson/np wonder/vb ./.
He/pps watched/vbd the/at half-breed/nn as/cs he/pps turned/vbd silently/rb ./.
They/ppss could/md hear/vb the/at pony's/nn$ feet/nns on/in the/at dry/jj leaves/nns for/in a/at while/nn ,/, then/rb the/at sound/nn faded/vbd out/rp ./.


	Wilson/np brushed/vbd the/at dust/nn from/in his/pp$ coat/nn ./.
``/`` Who/wps was/bedz that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ personal/jj guard/nn ?/. ?/.
You're/ppss+ber pretty/ql hard/jj on/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` He/pps works/vbz for/in my/pp$ father/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at girl/nn said/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb seemed/vbd to/to change/vb her/pp$ mind/nn ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez a/at friend/nn ./.
His/pp$ name's/nn+bez Joseph/np Sanchez/np ./.
Is/bez there/ex anything/pn else/rb you/ppss want/vb to/to know/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Not/* now/rb ''/'' ,/, Wilson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss guess/vb I'll/ppss+md find/vb out/rp soon/rb enough/qlp ./.
You've/ppss+hv got/vbn blood/nn on/in your/pp$ cheek/nn ./.
Not/* yours/pp$$ ./.
Mine/pp$$ ./.
It/pps must/md have/hv got/vbn there/rb when/wrb you/ppss fell/vbd against/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	She/pps wiped/vbd it/ppo off/rp with/in the/at sleeve/nn of/in her/ppo coat/nn ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md bet/vb that's/dt+bez as/ql close/jj as/cs you've/ppss+hv been/ben to/in a/at man/nn since/cs you/ppss were/bed a/at baby/nn ''/'' ,/, Wilson/np said/vbd ./.


	He/pps saw/vbd her/ppo hand/nn start/vb to/to work/vb down/in the/at leather/nn thong/nn toward/in the/at handle/nn of/in the/at quirt/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps grabbed/vbd her/ppo wrist/nn ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, no/at ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz without/in humor/nn now/rb ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv had/hvn enough/ap of/in that/dt ./.
I've/ppss+hv had/hvn enough/ap of/in you/ppo ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt goes/vbz on/rp around/in here/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss don't/do* care/vb ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt makes/vbz you/ppss think/vb you/ppo can/md get/vb away/rb with/in this/dt kind/nn of/in business/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss don't/do* care/vb about/in that/dt ,/, either/rb ./.
You/ppss took/vbd me/ppo by/in surprise/nn ./.
But/cc I'll/ppss+md know/vb how/wrb to/to handle/vb you/ppo next/ap time/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps brought/vbd up/rp her/pp$ free/jj hand/nn to/to hit/vb him/ppo ,/, but/cc this/dt time/nn he/pps was/bedz quicker/jjr ./.
He/pps side-stepped/vbd her/pp$ blow/nn and/cc she/pps fell/vbd ,/, stumbling/vbg against/in the/at gelding/nn ./.
She/pps finally/rb regained/vbd her/ppo balance/nn and/cc got/vbd up/rp in/in the/at saddle/nn ./.
Her/pp$ hat/nn had/hvd come/vbn off/rp and/cc fallen/vbn behind/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns ,/, held/vbd by/in the/at string/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md see/vb her/pp$ face/nn more/ql clearly/rb than/cs he/pps had/hvd at/in any/dti time/nn before/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd forgotten/vbn that/cs she/pps was/bedz so/ql pretty/jj ./.
But/cc her/pp$ prettiness/nn was/bedz what/wdt he/pps had/hvd noticed/vbn first/rb ,/, and/cc all/abn the/at other/ap things/nns had/hvd come/vbn afterward/rb :/: cruelty/nn ,/, meanness/nn ,/, self-will/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd known/vbn women/nns like/cs that/dt ,/, one/cd woman/nn in/in particular/jj ./.
And/cc one/cd had/hvd been/ben too/ql many/ap ./.
He/pps watched/vbd the/at girl/nn until/cs she/pps had/hvd gone/vbn into/in the/at trees/nns ,/, and/cc waited/vbd until/cs he/pps couldn't/md* hear/vb the/at sound/nn of/in her/pp$ horse/nn any/dti longer/jjr ,/, then/rb went/vbd up/rp to/to where/wrb the/at children/nns were/bed sleeping/vbg ./.


	They/ppss weren't/bed* sleeping/vbg ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, but/cc they/ppss thought/vbd they/ppss were/bed doing/vbg him/ppo a/at favor/nn by/in pretending/vbg ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* shown/vbn up/rp too/ql well/rb in/in their/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, letting/vbg himself/ppl be/be browbeaten/vbn by/in a/at woman/nn ./.
They/ppss expected/vbd greater/jjr things/nns from/in him/ppo ,/, regardless/rb of/in how/wrb trying/jj the/at circumstances/nns ,/, and/cc they/ppss were/bed disappointed/vbn ./.
And/cc determined/vbn not/* to/to show/vb it/ppo ./.
They/ppss lay/vbd a/at little/ql too/ql stiffly/rb ,/, with/in their/pp$ eyes/nns straining/vbg to/to stay/vb closed/vbn ./.


	``/`` Go/vb to/to sleep/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Both/abx of/in you/ppo ./.
There's/ex+bez better/jjr things/nns to/to do/do than/cs listen/vb to/in something/pn like/cs that/dt ./.
I'll/ppss+md be/be down/rp at/in the/at creek/nn finishing/vbg the/at dishes/nns ,/, if/cs you/ppss want/vb me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps found/vbd the/at pan/nn where/wrb he/pps had/hvd dropped/vbn it/ppo and/cc carried/vbd it/ppo back/rb down/rp to/in the/at stream/nn ./.
The/at coyote/nn was/bedz calling/vbg again/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps hoped/vbd that/cs this/dt time/nn there/ex would/md be/be no/at other/ap sounds/nns to/to interrupt/vb it/ppo ./.
Not/* tonight/nr ,/, at/in any/dti rate/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at feeling/nn that/cs the/at girl/nn meant/vbd trouble/nn ./.
If/cs she/pps did/dod ,/, he/pps could/md stand/vb it/ppo better/rbr in/in the/at light/nn ./.


	He/pps scrubbed/vbd absent-mindedly/rb at/in the/at pans/nns and/cc reflected/vbd on/in how/wrb things/nns had/hvd turned/vbn out/rp ./.
That/dt afternoon/nn when/wrb they/ppss had/hvd pulled/vbn up/rp in/in front/nn of/in the/at broken-down/jj ranch/nn house/nn ,/, his/pp$ hopes/nns had/hvd been/ben high/jj ./.
Already/rb some/dti of/in the/at pain/nn had/hvd gone/vbn from/in Amelia's/np$ death/nn ./.
Not/* all/abn of/in it/ppo ./.
There/ex would/md still/rb be/be plenty/rb of/in moments/nns of/in regret/nn and/cc sadness/nn and/cc guilty/jj relief/nn ./.
But/cc they/ppss were/bed starting/vbg a/at new/jj life/nn ./.
And/cc they/ppss had/hvd almost/rb everything/pn they/ppss needed/vbd :/: land/nn ,/, a/at house/nn ,/, two/cd whiteface/nn bulls/nns ,/, three/cd horses/nns ./.


	The/at land/nn wasn't/bedz* all/abn Wilson/np had/hvd expected/vbn of/in it/ppo ./.
Six/cd hundred/cd and/cc forty/cd acres/nns ,/, the/at old/jj man/nn back/rb in/in St./np Louis/np had/hvd said/vbn ;/. ;/.
good/jj grass/nn ,/, good/jj water/nn ./.
Well/rb ,/, the/at grass/nn was/bedz there/rb ,/, though/cs in/in some/dti places/nns the/at ground/nn was/bedz too/ql steep/nn for/in a/at cow/nn to/to get/vb to/in it/ppo ./.
The/at water/nn was/bedz there/rb ,/, so/ql much/rb of/in it/ppo that/cs it/pps spread/vb all/abn through/in the/at dead/jj orchard/nn ./.
And/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at house/nn ;/. ;/.
livable/jj perhaps/rb ,/, but/cc badly/rb in/in need/nn of/in repairs/nns ./.


	In/in the/at last/ap analysis/nn ,/, though/rb ,/, Wilson/np had/hvd little/ap cause/nn to/to complain/vb ./.
The/at place/nn had/hvd been/ben cheap/jj --/-- just/rb the/at little/ap he/pps had/hvd left/vbn after/in Amelia's/np$ burial/nn --/-- and/cc it/pps would/md serve/vb its/pp$ purpose/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz only/rb one/cd place/nn where/wrb Jake/np Carwood's/np$ description/nn had/hvd gone/vbn badly/rb awry/jj :/: the/at peace/nn and/cc quiet/nn ./.
It/pps hadn't/hvd* started/vbn out/rp that/dt way/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps had/hvd a/at feeling/nn --/-- thanks/nns to/in the/at girl/nn --/-- that/cs things/nns would/md get/vb worse/jjr before/cs they/ppss got/vbd better/jjr ./.



2/cd-hl 
They/ppss had/hvd the/at house/nn cleaned/vbn up/rp by/in noon/nn ,/, and/cc Wilson/np sent/vbd the/at boy/nn out/rp to/in the/at meadow/nn to/to bring/vb in/in the/at horses/nns ./.
He/pps stood/vbd on/in the/at porch/nn and/cc watched/vbd him/ppo struggling/vbg with/in the/at heavy/jj harness/nn ,/, and/cc finally/rb went/vbd over/rp to/to help/vb him/ppo ./.
Kathy/np was/bedz already/rb in/in the/at wagon/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed going/vbg to/in town/nn ,/, and/cc they/ppss were/bed both/abx excited/vbn ./.


	Wilson/np backed/vbd the/at team/nn into/in the/at traces/nns ,/, and/cc wished/vbd they/ppss weren't/bed* going/vbg to/in town/nn at/in all/abn ./.
He/pps had/hvd an/at uneasy/jj feeling/nn about/in it/ppo ./.
That/dt girl/nn last/ap night/nn ,/, what/wdt was/bedz her/pp$ name/nn ?/. ?/.
Judith/np Pierce/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap thing/nn about/in her/ppo that/dt was/bedz the/at least/ap bit/nn hard/jj to/to remember/vb ./.


	He/pps finished/vbd with/in the/at team/nn and/cc filled/vbd his/pp$ pipe/nn and/cc stood/vbd looking/vbg about/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd spent/vbn two/cd hours/nns riding/vbg around/in the/at ranch/nn that/dt morning/nn ,/, and/cc in/in broad/jj daylight/nn it/pps was/bedz even/ql less/ql inviting/jj than/cs Judith/np Pierce/np had/hvd made/vbn it/pps seem/vb ./.
There/ex was/bedz brush/nn ,/, and/cc stands/nns of/in pine/nn that/cs no/at grass/nn could/md grow/vb under/in ,/, and/cc places/nns so/ql steep/nn that/cs cattle/nns wouldn't/md* stop/vb to/to graze/vb ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz water/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz an/at artificial/jj lake/nn just/rb out/in of/in sight/nn in/in the/at first/od stand/nn of/in trees/nns ,/, fed/vbn by/in a/at half/abn dozen/nn springs/nns that/wps popped/vbd out/in of/in the/at ground/nn above/in the/at hillside/nn orchard/nn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz plenty/rb of/in water/nn ,/, too/ql much/rb ,/, and/cc that/dt was/bedz probably/rb the/at trouble/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed tracks/nns of/in cattle/nns all/abn over/in his/pp$ six/cd hundred/cd and/cc forty/cd acres/nns ./.


	The/at first/od part/nn of/in the/at road/nn was/bedz steep/jj ,/, but/cc it/pps leveled/vbd off/rp after/in the/at second/od bend/nn and/cc curled/vbd gradually/rb into/in the/at valley/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz hotter/jjr once/cs they/ppss reached/vbd the/at flat/nn ,/, and/cc drier/jjr ,/, but/cc the/at grass/nn was/bedz better/jjr ./.
A/at warm/jj breeze/nn played/vbd across/in it/ppo ,/, moving/vbg it/ppo like/cs waves/nns ./.
A/at red-tailed/jj hawk/nn flew/vbd in/rp behind/in them/ppo and/cc stayed/vbd there/rb ,/, watching/vbg for/in any/dti snakes/nns or/cc rabbits/nns that/cs they/ppss might/md stir/vb up/rp from/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at road/nn ./.
It/pps took/vbd them/ppo an/at hour/nn before/cs they/ppss came/vbd to/in the/at first/od houses/nns of/in Kelseyville/np ./.


	The/at town/nn was/bedz about/rb what/wdt Wilson/np expected/vbd :/: one/cd main/nn street/nn with/in its/pp$ rows/nns of/in false-fronted/jj buildings/nns ,/, a/at water/nn tower/nn ,/, a/at few/ap warehouses/nns ,/, a/at single/ap hotel/nn ;/. ;/.
all/ql dusty/jj and/cc sunbaked/jj ./.
The/at place/nn was/bedz quiet/jj ./.

Such/jj was/bedz my/pp$ state/nn of/in mind/nn that/cs I/ppss did/dod not/* question/vb the/at possibility/nn of/in this/dt ;/. ;/.
under/in the/at circumstances/nns I/ppss was/bedz only/rb too/ql willing/jj to/to confess/vb all/abn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz nearly/rb thirty/cd at/in the/at time/nn ./.


	I/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at hall/nn in/in the/at afternoons/nns only/rb ,/, on/in these/dts preliminary/jj matters/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz dark/jj and/cc ,/, I/ppss sensed/vbd ,/, very/ql large/jj ;/. ;/.
only/rb the/at counter/nn at/in one/cd end/nn was/bedz lighted/vbn by/in a/at long/jj fluorescent/jj tube/nn suspended/vbn directly/rb above/in it/ppo ./.
Sometimes/rb I/ppss was/bedz aware/jj of/in people/nns moving/vbg about/rb in/in the/at darkness/nn ./.
I/ppss would/md turn/vb away/rb from/in my/pp$ writing/nn in/in the/at hope/nn of/in getting/vbg a/at good/jj look/nn at/in them/ppo but/cc I/ppss never/rb quite/rb succeeded/vbd ./.
A/at glimpse/nn of/in three/cd of/in four/cd vague/jj figures/nns ,/, at/in the/at most/ap ./.
Drifting/vbg here/rb and/cc there/rb ./.
Squatting/vbg ,/, as/cs if/cs waiting/vbg ./.
The/at pulsing/vbg glow/nn of/in a/at cigarette/nn ./.
Since/cs they/ppss could/md see/vb me/ppo but/cc I/ppss not/* them/ppo ,/, their/pp$ presence/nn in/in the/at hall/nn disturbed/vbd me/ppo ./.
The/at clerk/nn paid/vbd them/ppo no/at attention/nn ./.
This/dt impressed/vbd me/ppo ,/, until/cs I/ppss realized/vbd how/wrb limited/vbn was/bedz his/pp$ sphere/nn of/in influence/nn ./.
His/pp$ job/nn simply/rb consisted/vbd in/in registering/vbg new/jj men/nns ./.
When/wrb the/at phone/nn rang/vbd he/pps answered/vbd it/ppo ./.
His/pp$ authority/nn extended/vbd to/in the/at far/jj edge/nn of/in the/at counter/nn ,/, no/at further/rbr ./.
None/pn of/in the/at men/nns hanging/vbg around/in the/at hall/nn bothered/vbd to/to speak/vb to/in him/ppo ./.
Baldness/nn was/bedz attacking/vbg his/pp$ pate/nn ./.
He/pps spoke/vbd to/in me/ppo in/in a/at gruff/jj voice/nn ,/, an/at affectation/nn which/wdt quite/rb belied/vbd his/pp$ personality/nn ./.
He/pps wore/vbd his/pp$ white/jj shirt/nn open/jj at/in the/at neck/nn ,/, revealing/vbg a/at bit/nn of/in scrawny/jj pale/jj chest/nn underneath/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz obvious/jj that/cs he/pps wished/vbd himself/ppl different/jj from/in the/at sort/nn of/in person/nn he/pps thought/vbd he/pps was/bedz ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* easy/jj for/in him/ppo and/cc he/pps often/rb slipped/vbd ./.
When/wrb one/cd of/in the/at men/nns in/in the/at hall/nn behind/in us/ppo spat/vb on/in the/at floor/nn and/cc scraped/vbd his/pp$ boot/nn over/in the/at gob/nn of/in spittle/nn I/ppss noticed/vbd how/wrb the/at clerk/nn winced/vbd ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd certain/jj he/pps was/bedz really/rb a/at spineless/jj little/jj man/nn ./.
His/pp$ hat/nn (/( the/at cause/nn of/in his/pp$ baldness/nn ?/. ?/.
)/) hung/vbd on/in a/at hook/nn on/in the/at wall/nn ,/, and/cc underneath/in it/ppo I/ppss could/md see/vb his/pp$ tie/nn ,/, knotted/vbn ,/, ready/jj to/to be/be slipped/vbn over/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, a/at black/jj badge/nn of/in frayed/vbn respectability/nn that/wps ought/md never/rb to/to have/hv left/vbn his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
The/at morning's/nn$ tabloids/nns were/bed on/in the/at counter/nn ,/, and/cc a/at stack/nn of/in dog-eared/jj men's/nns$ magazines/nns ./.
On/in a/at shelf/nn in/in the/at office/nn behind/in the/at counter/nn was/bedz a/at small/jj radio/nn dialed/vbn permanently/rb on/in a/at station/nn which/wdt broadcast/vbd only/ap vulgar/jj commercials/nns and/cc cheap/jj popular/jj music/nn ./.
Everything/pn about/in the/at clerk/nn was/bedz trivial/jj ./.
Once/rb ,/, pressing/vbg him/ppo ,/, I/ppss learned/vbd that/cs his/pp$ job/nn was/bedz only/rb part-time/jj ,/, in/in the/at afternoons/nns when/wrb nothing/pn went/vbd on/rp in/in the/at hall/nn ./.
Noticing/vbg my/pp$ disappointment/nn he/pps attempted/vbd to/to salvage/vb what/wdt scraps/nns and/cc shreds/nns of/in authority/nn he/pps felt/vbd might/md still/rb be/be clinging/vbg to/in his/pp$ person/nn ./.
With/in distaste/nn I/ppss saw/vbd him/ppo assume/vb a/at pompous/jj air/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps saw/vbd me/ppo coming/vbg he/pps turned/vbd his/pp$ radio/nn off/rp ./.
He/pps made/vbd a/at show/nn of/in rearranging/vbg my/pp$ forms/nns on/in the/at shelf/nn ./.
He/pps would/md pick/vb up/rp the/at ringing/vbg phone/nn with/in studied/vbn negligence/nn ,/, then/rb bark/nn into/in it/ppo with/in gruff/jj importance/nn ./.
What/wdt limited/vbd knowledge/nn he/pps possessed/vbd he/pps forced/vbd upon/in me/ppo ./.
In/in the/at mornings/nns ,/, I/ppss was/bedz informed/vbn ,/, fluorescent/jj tubes/nns ,/, similar/jj to/in the/at one/cd above/in the/at counter/nn ,/, illuminated/vbd the/at entire/jj hall/nn ./.
They/ppss ,/, and/cc the/at two/cd large/jj fans/nns which/wdt I/ppss could/md dimly/rb see/vb as/cs daylight/nn filtered/vbd through/in their/pp$ vents/nns ,/, down/rp at/in the/at far/jj end/nn of/in the/at hall/nn ,/, could/md be/be turned/vbn on/rp by/in a/at master/nn switch/nn situated/vbn inside/in the/at office/nn ./.
He/pps pointed/vbd out/rp the/at switch/nn to/in me/ppo and/cc for/in a/at moment/nn I/ppss foolishly/rb believed/vbd that/cs he/pps would/md let/vb deed/vb follow/vb words/nns ./.
I/ppss was/bedz shown/vbn ,/, instead/rb ,/, a/at batch/nn of/in white/jj tickets/nns of/in the/at sort/nn handed/vbn out/rp ,/, he/pps told/vbd me/ppo ,/, every/at morning/nn ./.
Now/rb ,/, here/rb was/bedz something/pn of/in obvious/jj importance/nn to/in me/ppo ,/, yet/rb when/wrb I/ppss reached/vbd for/in the/at tickets/nns he/pps snatched/vbd them/ppo away/rb from/in my/pp$ hand/nn ./.
He/pps couldn't/md* afford/vb to/to have/hv anyone/pn mess/vb around/rb with/in them/ppo ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
Each/dt of/in those/dts tickets/nns was/bedz of/in great/jj value/nn to/in its/pp$ rightful/jj recipient/nn ./.
I/ppss withdrew/vbd my/pp$ hand/nn ./.
Later/rbr I/ppss would/md remember/vb what/wdt this/dt pompous/jj little/jj man/nn had/hvd told/vbn me/ppo about/in the/at worth/nn of/in a/at ticket/nn ./.


	Having/hvg nothing/pn else/rb to/to do/do except/in wait/nn for/in my/pp$ forms/nns to/to be/be processed/vbn ,/, I/ppss gave/vbd myself/ppl over/rp to/in speculations/nns concerning/in the/at hall/nn itself/ppl ./.
When/wrb suitably/rb lighted/vbn ,/, what/wdt would/md it/ppo look/vb like/cs ?/. ?/.
The/at presence/nn of/in the/at two/cd exhaust/nn fans/nns seemed/vbd to/to indicate/vb that/cs the/at hall/nn could/md become/vb crowded/vbn for/in air/nn ./.
One/cd afternoon/nn ,/, upon/in receiving/vbg permission/nn and/cc the/at necessary/jj instructions/nns from/in the/at clerk/nn ,/, I/ppss had/hvd visited/vbn the/at toilet/nn adjoining/vbg the/at hall/nn ./.
By/in counting/vbg the/at number/nn of/in stalls/nns and/cc urinals/nns I/ppss attempted/vbd to/to form/vb a/at loose/jj estimate/nn of/in how/wrb many/ap men/nns the/at hall/nn would/md hold/vb at/in one/cd time/nn ./.
For/cs although/cs I/ppss had/hvd crossed/vbn a/at corner/nn of/in the/at hall/nn on/in my/pp$ way/nn to/in the/at toilet/nn I/ppss still/rb could/md not/* tell/vb for/in sure/jj how/wrb far/rb to/in the/at rear/nn the/at darkness/nn extended/vbd ./.
I/ppss could/md observe/vb the/at two/cd fans/nns down/rp at/in the/at end/nn ,/, but/cc their/pp$ size/nn in/in themselves/ppls meant/vbd nothing/pn to/in me/ppo as/ql long/jj as/cs I/ppss had/hvd no/at measure/nn of/in comparison/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd for/in some/dti time/nn been/ben hoping/vbg ,/, in/in vain/jj ,/, for/in one/cd of/in the/at dim/jj figures/nns to/to pass/vb between/in the/at fan/nn vents/nns and/cc myself/ppl ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd that/cs three/cd or/cc four/cd of/in them/ppo were/bed almost/ql always/rb present/rb in/in the/at hall/nn ,/, but/cc what/wdt they/ppss were/bed doing/vbg ,/, and/cc exactly/rb where/wrb ,/, I/ppss could/md not/* tell/vb ./.
It/pps was/bedz ,/, I/ppss felt/vbd ,/, possible/jj that/cs they/ppss were/bed men/nns who/wps ,/, having/hvg received/vbn no/at tickets/nns for/in that/dt day/nn ,/, had/hvd remained/vbn in/in the/at hall/nn ,/, to/to sleep/vb perhaps/rb ,/, in/in the/at corners/nns farthest/rbt removed/vbn from/in the/at counter/nn with/in its/pp$ overhead/jj light/nn ./.
This/dt light/nn did/dod not/* penetrate/vb very/ql far/rb back/rb into/in the/at hall/nn ,/, and/cc my/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed hindered/vbn rather/in than/cs aided/vbn by/in the/at dim/jj daylight/nn entering/vbg through/in the/at fan/nn vents/nns when/wrb I/ppss tried/vbd to/to pick/vb out/rp whatever/wdt might/md be/be lying/vbg ,/, or/cc squatting/vbg ,/, on/in the/at floor/nn below/rb ./.
Also/rb the/at clerk/nn appeared/vbd to/to disapprove/vb of/in my/pp$ frequent/jj curious/jj glances/nns back/vb over/in my/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.
No/at sooner/rbr would/md I/ppss turn/vb my/pp$ head/nn away/rb from/in the/at counter/nn before/cs he/pps would/md address/vb me/ppo ,/, at/in times/nns quite/ql sharply/rb ,/, in/in order/nn to/to bring/vb back/rb my/pp$ attention/nn ./.
And/cc I/ppss had/hvd hardly/rb finished/vbn my/pp$ business/nn in/in the/at toilet/nn on/in the/at aforementioned/jj occasion/nn when/wrb the/at lights/nns in/in that/dt place/nn ,/, like/cs the/at hall/nn lights/nns controlled/vbn from/in the/at switch/nn in/in the/at office/nn ,/, flicked/vbd off/rp and/cc on/rp impatiently/rb ./.
This/dt sort/nn of/in petty/jj vigilance/nn annoyed/vbd me/ppo ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd certain/jj it/pps was/bedz self-appointed/jj ./.
It/pps sprang/vbd from/in a/at type/nn of/in mentality/nn I'd/ppss+hvd encountered/vbn often/rb enough/qlp but/cc certainly/rb had/hvd not/* expected/vbn to/to find/vb here/rb ./.
I/ppss decided/vbd to/to see/vb no/at more/rbr of/in the/at clerk/nn until/cs the/at processing/nn of/in my/pp$ papers/nns was/bedz completed/vbn ./.


	I/ppss felt/vbd strongly/rb attached/vbn to/in the/at hall/nn ,/, however/wrb ,/, and/cc hardly/rb a/at day/nn passed/vbd when/wrb I/ppss did/dod not/* go/vb to/to look/vb at/in it/ppo from/in a/at distance/nn ./.
I/ppss lived/vbd in/in a/at state/nn of/in suspense/nn because/cs of/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss could/md not/* cling/vb to/in my/pp$ past/nn nor/cc did/dod I/ppss wish/vb to/in ./.
I/ppss had/hvd signed/vbn it/ppo off/rp on/in the/at forms/nns ./.
My/pp$ future/nn lay/vbd solely/rb with/in the/at hall/nn ,/, yet/rb what/wdt did/dod I/ppss know/vb about/in the/at hall/nn at/in this/dt point/nn ?/. ?/.
Although/cs I/ppss had/hvd been/ben inside/in it/ppo I/ppss had/hvd not/* yet/rb seen/vbn it/pps functioning/vbg ./.
I/ppss wished/vbd to/to prepare/vb myself/ppl but/cc did/dod not/* even/vb know/vb what/wdt sort/nn of/in clothes/nns I/ppss ought/md to/to be/be wearing/vbg ./.
I/ppss did/dod not/* despair/vb ,/, however/wrb ;/. ;/.
far/rb from/in it/ppo !/. !/.
I/ppss was/bedz constantly/rb searching/vbg for/in clues/nns around/in the/at neighborhood/nn of/in the/at hall/nn ./.
Though/cs only/rb a/at relatively/ql short/jj walk/nn separated/vbd it/ppo from/in my/pp$ own/jj part/nn of/in town/nn ,/, its/pp$ character/nn was/bedz wholly/rb foreign/jj to/in me/ppo ./.
Large/jj warehouses/nns flanked/vbd the/at street/nn on/in which/wdt the/at hall/nn fronted/vbd ./.
The/at river/nn was/bedz only/rb a/at few/ap blocks/nns away/rb but/cc an/at unbroken/jj line/nn of/in piers/nns prevented/vbd me/ppo from/in seeing/vbg it/ppo ./.
Sometimes/rb I/ppss noticed/vbd the/at tops/nns of/in ships'/nns$ masts/nns and/cc funnels/nns reaching/vbg above/in the/at pier/nn roofs/nns ./.
The/at sounds/nns issuing/vbg from/in beyond/rb --/-- winches/nns whirring/vbg ,/, men/nns shouting/vbg --/-- indicated/vbd great/jj activity/nn and/cc excited/vbn me/ppo ./.
The/at hall/nn ,/, on/in the/at other/ap hand/nn ,/, appeared/vbd lifeless/jj and/cc deserted/vbn on/in these/dts long/jj waterfront/nn afternoons/nns ./.
It/pps resembled/vbd nothing/pn I'd/ppss+hvd ever/rb seen/vbn before/rb ./.
Its/pp$ front/nn was/bedz windowless/jj ,/, but/cc irregularities/nns in/in the/at masonry/nn might/md be/be an/at indication/nn that/cs windows/nns ,/, now/rb blinded/vbn ,/, had/hvd once/rb looked/vbn out/rp upon/in the/at street/nn ./.
I/ppss kept/vbd circling/vbg the/at block/nn hoping/vbg to/to see/vb ,/, from/in the/at street/nn behind/in it/ppo ,/, the/at rear/nn of/in the/at hall/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* a/at tall/jj structure/nn and/cc other/ap buildings/nns concealed/vbd it/ppo ./.
For/in weeks/nns I/ppss wandered/vbd about/in this/dt neighborhood/nn of/in warehouses/nns and/cc garages/nns ,/, truck/nn terminals/nns and/cc taxi/nn repair/nn shops/nns ,/, gasoline/nn pumps/nns and/cc longshoremen's/nns$ lunch/nn counters/nns ,/, yet/rb never/rb did/dod I/ppss cease/vb to/to feel/vb myself/ppl a/at stranger/nn there/rb ./.


	I/ppss returned/vbd to/in the/at hall/nn ,/, despite/in my/pp$ dislike/nn for/in the/at clerk/nn ./.
As/cs I/ppss had/hvd expected/vbn ,/, he/pps insisted/vbd that/cs my/pp$ visits/nns to/in the/at hall/nn would/md do/do nothing/pn to/to further/vb the/at process/nn of/in my/pp$ application/nn ./.
Meanwhile/rb spring/nn had/hvd passed/vbn well/rb into/in summer/nn ./.
At/in last/ap ,/, when/wrb I/ppss put/vb it/ppo to/in him/ppo directly/rb ,/, the/at clerk/nn was/bedz forced/vbn to/to admit/vb that/cs the/at delay/nn in/in my/pp$ case/nn was/bedz unusual/jj ./.
When/wrb I/ppss asked/vbd him/ppo what/wdt ,/, if/cs anything/pn ,/, I/ppss could/md do/do about/in it/ppo ,/, he/pps surprised/vbd me/ppo by/in referring/vbg me/ppo to/in the/at director/nn of/in the/at hall/nn ./.
I/ppss could/md consult/vb this/dt personage/nn on/in any/dti weekday/nn morning/nn ,/, though/cs not/* before/in ten/cd o'clock/rb ./.
The/at clerk/nn impressed/vbd this/dt upon/in me/ppo :/: that/cs I/ppss should/md not/* arrive/vb in/in the/at hall/nn before/in ten/cd o'clock/rb ./.
When/wrb I/ppss went/vbd for/in my/pp$ interview/nn with/in the/at director/nn I/ppss saw/vbd why/wrb ./.
Although/cs it/pps was/bedz dark/jj as/ql usual/jj I/ppss could/md see/vb that/cs the/at hall/nn had/hvd only/rb recently/rb contained/vbn a/at great/jj many/ap people/nns ./.
Cigarette/nn butts/nns littered/vbd the/at floor/nn ./.
The/at big/jj fans/nns were/bed going/vbg ,/, drawing/vbg from/in the/at large/jj room/nn the/at remnants/nns of/in stale/jj smoke/nn which/wdt drifted/vbd about/rb in/in pale/jj strata/nns underneath/in the/at ceiling/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd felt/vbn the/at draft/nn they/ppss were/bed making/vbg while/cs mounting/vbg the/at stairs/nns ./.
The/at staircase/nn itself/ppl seemed/vbd still/rb to/to be/be echoing/vbg the/at heavy/jj footfalls/nns of/in many/ap men/nns ./.
I/ppss stopped/vbd by/in the/at counter/nn ./.
No/at one/pn was/bedz behind/in it/ppo ,/, but/cc in/in the/at rear/jj wall/nn of/in the/at office/nn I/ppss noticed/vbd ,/, for/in the/at first/od time/nn ,/, a/at door/nn which/wdt had/hvd been/ben left/vbn partially/rb open/jj ./.
Past/in it/ppo I/ppss could/md see/vb part/nn part/nn of/in a/at desk/nn ,/, a/at flag/nn in/in a/at corner/nn ,/, a/at rug/nn on/in the/at floor/nn ./.
The/at director's/nn$ office/nn ./.
I/ppss rapped/vbd my/pp$ knuckles/nns on/in the/at counter/nn ./.
The/at director/nn came/vbd to/in the/at door/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz at/in once/rb disappointed/vbn ,/, although/cs just/rb what/wdt I/ppss had/hvd expected/vbn him/ppo to/to look/vb like/jj I/ppss could/md not/* have/hv explained/vbn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at man/nn in/in his/pp$ late/jj forties/nns ,/, with/in graying/vbg hair/nn ,/, of/in medium/nn height/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps looked/vbd dapper/jj in/in a/at lightweight/jj summer/nn suit/nn ,/, brown/jj silk/nn tie/nn and/cc green-tinted/jj soft/jj collar/nn ./.
He/pps wore/vbd perforated/vbn ,/, white-topped/jj shoes/nns ;/. ;/.
they/ppss somehow/rb made/vbd me/ppo expect/vb to/to see/vb him/ppo launch/vb into/in a/at vaudeville/nn tapdance/nn routine/nn any/dti moment/nn ./.
But/cc he/pps came/vbd toward/in me/ppo sedately/rb enough/qlp ,/, showed/vbd me/ppo around/in the/at counter/nn ,/, offered/vbd me/ppo a/at seat/nn inside/in his/pp$ office/nn ,/, then/rb walked/vbd to/in a/at file/nn cabinet/nn and/cc got/vbd out/rp my/pp$ application/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd the/at impression/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd read/vbn my/pp$ forms/nns ,/, perhaps/rb several/ap times/nns ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* look/vb at/in them/ppo now/rb ./.
As/cs he/pps lowered/vbd himself/ppl on/in the/at chair/nn behind/in his/pp$ desk/nn I/ppss wondered/vbd what/wdt this/dt dapper/jj ,/, slightly/rb ridiculous/jj man/nn could/md possibly/rb have/hv to/to do/do with/in the/at workings/nns of/in the/at hall/nn ./.
He/pps spoke/vbd ,/, in/in a/at voice/nn as/ql immaculate/jj as/cs his/pp$ appearance/nn ./.
Why/wrb had/hvd I/ppss registered/vbd ?/. ?/.
Begging/vbg my/pp$ pardon/nn ,/, he/pps must/md express/vb his/pp$ astonishment/nn over/in seeing/vbg a/at person/nn of/in my/pp$ background/nn applying/vbg at/in the/at hall/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd looked/vbn over/in my/pp$ forms/nns and/cc was/bedz impressed/vbn by/in what/wdt he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn there/rb ;/. ;/.
indeed/rb ,/, my/pp$ scholastic/jj qualifications/nns were/bed such/jj that/cs he/pps ,/, a/at college/nn graduate/nn himself/ppl ,/, must/md envy/vb me/ppo them/ppo ./.
Was/bedz I/ppss sure/jj ,/, he/pps asked/vbd ,/, that/cs I/ppss knew/vbd what/wdt I/ppss was/bedz applying/vbg for/in ?/. ?/.
What/wdt sort/nn of/in men/nns I/ppss would/md come/vb into/in contact/nn with/in ,/, at/in the/at hall/nn ?/. ?/.
These/dts questions/nns did/dod not/* surprise/vb me/ppo ;/. ;/.
I/ppss felt/vbd certain/jj that/cs the/at director/nn ,/, like/cs the/at afternoon/nn clerk/nn ,/, seldom/rb moved/vbd beyond/in the/at counter/nn ,/, that/cs the/at hall/nn ,/, to/in them/ppo ,/, was/bedz a/at jungle/nn ,/, a/at dark/jj and/cc unwelcome/jj place/nn ./.
Though/cs I/ppss doubted/vbd that/cs he/pps would/md understand/vb me/ppo ,/, I/ppss told/vbd the/at director/nn my/pp$ motives/nns for/in applying/vbg ./.
I/ppss had/hvd always/rb ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, hankered/vbd after/cs working/vbg hard/rb with/in my/pp$ hands/nns ./.
This/dt desire/nn ,/, I/ppss went/vbd on/rp ,/, growing/vbg voluble/jj as/cs my/pp$ conviction/nn was/bedz aroused/vbn ,/, had/hvd mounted/vbn at/in such/abl a/at rate/nn recently/rb that/cs I/ppss now/rb found/vbd its/pp$ realization/nn necessary/jj not/* only/rb to/in my/pp$ physical/jj but/cc also/rb to/in my/pp$ spiritual/jj wellbeing/nn ./.
To/in this/dt effect/nn I/ppss had/hvd already/rb severed/vbn all/abn connections/nns which/wdt bound/vbd me/ppo to/in my/pp$ former/ap existence/nn ./.

The/at flat/jj ,/, hard/jj cap/nn was/bedz small/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps thrust/vbd it/ppo to/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Tie/vb him/ppo up/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hell/nn with/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Before/cs they/ppss could/md guess/vb his/pp$ intention/nn Rankin/np stepped/vbd forward/rb and/cc swung/vbd the/at guard's/nn$ own/jj gun/nn against/in the/at uncovered/vbn head/nn ,/, hard/rb ./.
The/at man/nn went/vbd over/rp without/in sound/nn ,/, falling/vbg to/in the/at bare/jj floor/nn ./.


	Barton/np said/vbd harshly/rb ,/, ``/`` Why/wrb did/dod you/ppo do/do that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Rankin/np sneered/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` What/wdt did/dod you/ppo want/vb me/ppo to/to do/do ,/, kiss/vb him/ppo ?/. ?/.
He/pps dumped/vbd me/ppo in/in solitary/jj twice/rb ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np caught/vbd the/at lighter/jjr man's/nn$ shoulder/nn and/cc swung/vbd him/ppo around/rb ./.


	``/`` Let's/vb+ppo get/vb one/cd thing/nn straight/rb ,/, you/ppss and/cc me/ppo ./.
The/at only/ap reason/nn we/ppss brought/vbd you/ppo was/bedz to/to get/vb Miller/np out/rp ./.
If/cs you/ppss ever/rb try/vb anything/pn without/in my/pp$ orders/nns I'll/ppss+md kill/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Fred/np Rankin/np looked/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps seemed/vbd to/in Barton/np that/cs the/at green/jj eyes/nns mocked/vbd him/ppo ,/, the/at thin-lipped/jj smile/nn held/vbd insolence/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd no/at time/nn to/to waste/vb now/rb ./.


	``/`` Come/vb on/rp ./.
Let's/vb+ppo move/vb ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss filed/vbd out/rp through/in the/at guard-room/nn door/nn ,/, into/in the/at paved/vbn square/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed three/cd other/ap men/nns within/in this/dt prison/nn whom/wpo Barton/np would/md have/hv liked/vbn to/to liberate/vb ,/, but/cc they/ppss were/bed in/in other/ap cell/nn blocks/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at chance/nn ./.
They/ppss moved/vbd slowly/rb ,/, toward/in the/at main/nn gate/nn ,/, following/vbg the/at wall/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at moon/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd chosen/vbn this/dt night/nn purposely/rb ./.
They/ppss reached/vbd the/at guard/nn house/nn without/in alerting/vbg the/at men/nns on/in the/at walls/nns above/rb ,/, and/cc Powers/np slipped/vbd through/in the/at door/nn ./.


	Two/cd men/nns were/bed on/in duty/nn inside/rb ,/, playing/vbg pinochle/nn ,/, relaxed/vbn ./.
They/ppss looked/vbd up/rp in/in surprise/nn as/cs Powers/np came/vbd in/rp ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss doing/vbg out/in of/in the/at block/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez Curtiss/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, naming/vbg the/at man/nn Rankin/np had/hvd hit/vbn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to have/hv help/nn ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss stared/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
The/at sergeant/nn in/in charge/nn climbed/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez wrong/jj with/in him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez having/hvg some/dti kind/nn of/in a/at fit/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at sergeant/nn turned/vbd to/in the/at door/nn ./.
As/cs he/pps passed/vbd through/in it/ppo Barton/np shoved/vbd his/pp$ gun/nn against/in the/at man's/nn$ side/nn ./.


	``/`` One/cd sound/nn and/cc you're/ppss+ber dead/jj ''/'' ./.


	The/at sergeant/nn froze/vbd ./.
Powers/np had/hvd not/* followed/vbn ./.
Powers/np was/bedz covering/vbg the/at remaining/vbg guard/nn ./.
The/at man/nn half-reached/vbd for/in the/at cord/nn of/in the/at alarm/nn bell/nn ./.
Powers/np knocked/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn aside/rb ./.
Deliberately/rb ,/, with/in none/pn of/in Rankin's/np$ viciousness/nn ,/, he/pps laid/vbd the/at barrel/nn of/in his/pp$ gun/nn alongside/in the/at guard's/nn$ head/nn ./.


	They/ppss were/bed free/jj ./.
Even/rb Barton/np could/md not/* quite/rb believe/vb it/ppo ./.
It/pps had/hvd gone/vbn without/in a/at hitch/nn ./.
They/ppss slid/vbd through/in the/at wicket/nn in/in the/at big/jj gate/nn ,/, ghosted/vbd across/in the/at dark/jj ground/nn ./.
Five/cd minutes/nns later/rbr they/ppss reached/vbd the/at horses/nns ./.
Barton/np was/bedz relieved/vbn to/to see/vb that/cs Carl/np Dill/np and/cc Emmett/np Foster/np had/hvd brought/vbn extra/jj mounts/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben worried/vbn that/cs with/in Miller/np and/cc Rankin/np added/vbd to/in the/at escape/nn party/nn they/ppss would/md be/be short/jj ./.


	No/at one/pn hurried/vbd ./.
They/ppss walked/vbd the/at horses/nns ,/, heading/vbg along/in the/at river/nn ,/, Barton/np and/cc Emmett/np Foster/np in/in the/at lead/nn ,/, seven/cd men/nns riding/vbg quietly/rb through/in the/at night/nn ./.


	The/at only/ap thing/nn which/wdt would/md have/hv attracted/vbn attention/nn was/bedz that/cs two/cd wore/vbd the/at uniform/nn of/in prison/nn guards/nns ,/, three/cd the/at striped/vbn suits/nns of/in convicts/nns ./.


	Five/cd miles/nns ./.


	In/in a/at small/jj grove/nn against/in the/at river/nn they/ppss halted/vbd ,/, turning/vbg deep/jj into/in the/at protection/nn of/in the/at trees/nns ./.
Foster/np had/hvd brought/vbn extra/jj clothing/nn also/rb ./.
A/at good/jj man/nn ,/, Emmett/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben one/cd of/in the/at original/jj Night/nn-tl Riders/nns-tl ,/, one/cd who/wps had/hvd escaped/vbn the/at trial/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz to/in him/ppo that/cs Barton/np had/hvd sent/vbn Carl/np Dill/np on/in Dill's/np$ release/nn from/in the/at prison/nn ./.


	Clyde/np Miller/np was/bedz crying/vbg softly/rb to/in himself/ppl ,/, shedding/vbg his/pp$ striped/vbn suit/nn and/cc fumbling/vbg into/in the/at nondescript/jj butternut/nn pants/nns ,/, the/at worn/vbn brown/jj shirt/nn ./.
Kid/nn-tl Boyd/np was/bedz unusually/rb silent/jj ,/, Rankin/np watchful/jj ,/, a/at few/ap paces/nns apart/rb ./.
Barton/np finished/vbd his/pp$ dressing/nn and/cc extended/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn to/in Powers/np ./.


	``/`` I/ppss won't/md* even/vb try/vb to/to thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	The/at ex-prison/nn guard/nn was/bedz embarrassed/vbn ./.
He/pps said/vbd in/in a/at studied/vbn voice/nn ,/, ``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* do/do it/ppo for/in you/ppo ./.
I/ppss did/dod it/ppo for/in the/at valley/nn ./.
You're/ppss+ber the/at only/ap man/nn the/at Night/nn-tl Riders/nns-tl will/md follow/vb ./.
We've/ppss+hv been/ben starving/vbg and/cc I/ppss don't/do* like/vb to/to starve/vb ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np turned/vbd away/rb ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns falling/vbg upon/in Rankin/np beside/in his/pp$ horse/nn ./.


	``/`` Good/jj luck/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at murderer/nn lifted/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` Meaning/vbg you/ppss want/vb me/ppo to/to ride/vb out/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss aren't/ber* one/cd of/in us/ppo ./.
There's/ex+bez nothing/pn for/in you/ppo here/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss got/vbd no/at place/nn to/to go/vb ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np hesitated/vbd ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* trust/vb Rankin/np ,/, his/pp$ violent/jj temper/nn ,/, his/pp$ killer/nn instinct/nn ./.
But/cc ten/cd years/nns in/in prison/nn had/hvd taught/vbn him/ppo realities/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed in/in a/at fight/nn ,/, outweighed/vbn in/in both/abx numbers/nns and/cc money/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/ql right/rb to/to put/vb a/at bunch/nn of/in ranchers/nns onto/in horses/nns ,/, to/to call/vb them/ppo Night/nn-tl Riders/nns-tl ,/, to/to set/vb out/rp to/to attack/vb the/at largest/jjt mining/vbg combination/nn the/at country/nn had/hvd ever/rb seen/vbn if/cs all/abn they/ppss wanted/vbd was/bedz adventure/nn ./.
But/cc if/cs they/ppss really/rb hoped/vbd to/to succeed/vb they/ppss needed/vbd professionals/nns ,/, men/nns who/wps knew/vbd how/wrb to/to use/vb a/at gun/nn against/in men/nns ,/, who/wps would/md match/vb the/at killers/nns on/in the/at other/ap side/nn ./.


	``/`` Your/pp$ choice/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd briefly/rb ,/, and/cc turned/vbd to/in Kid/nn-tl Boyd/np ./.
``/`` Bury/vb those/dts uniforms/nns so/cs they/ppss won't/md* be/be found/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Then/jj Barton/np touched/vbd Carl/np Dill's/np$ arm/nn and/cc moved/vbd off/rp ,/, up/in the/at river/nn bank/nn ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd a/at careful/jj ,/, uninterrupted/jj report/nn from/in Dill/np on/in the/at conditions/nns in/in the/at valley/nn ./.


	They/ppss squatted/vbd on/in their/pp$ heels/nns in/in the/at deep/jj mud/nn and/cc Dill/np found/vbd a/at cigar/nn in/in his/pp$ breast/nn pocket/nn ,/, passing/vbg it/ppo over/rp silently/rb ./.
He/pps too/rb knew/vbd the/at agony/nn of/in going/vbg for/in weeks/nns ,/, sometimes/rb months/nns without/in the/at solace/nn of/in tobacco/nn ./.


	Mitchell/np Barton/np drew/vbd in/in the/at fragrance/nn deeply/rb ,/, letting/vbg the/at smoke/nn lie/vb warm/jj and/cc soothing/vbg in/in his/pp$ throat/nn for/in a/at moment/nn before/cs he/pps exhaled/vbd ./.


	Through/in the/at gloom/nn he/pps could/md not/* see/vb the/at man/nn beside/in him/ppo clearly/rb but/cc he/pps knew/vbd him/ppo thoroughly/rb ./.
For/in his/pp$ first/od five/cd years/nns in/in prison/nn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd shared/vbn a/at cell/nn ./.


	Carl/np Dill/np was/bedz neither/cc a/at rancher/nn nor/cc a/at valley/nn man/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben the/at auditor/nn for/in the/at mining/vbg syndicate/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd stolen/vbn fifty/cd thousand/cd dollars/nns of/in the/at syndicate's/nn$ money/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd done/vbn time/nn for/in the/at theft/nn ./.


	The/at one/cd thing/nn they/ppss had/hvd in/in common/nn was/bedz their/pp$ hatred/nn ./.
Both/abx hated/vbd Donald/np Kruger/np ./.
It/pps had/hvd drawn/vbn them/ppo together/rb ,/, and/cc since/cs his/pp$ release/nn from/in prison/nn Dill/np had/hvd worked/vbn tirelessly/rb to/to effect/vb this/dt night's/nn$ escape/nn ./.


	He/pps said/vbd now/rb ,/, ``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn the/at perfect/jj headquarters/nns set/vb up/rp ./.
The/at old/jj Haskell/np mine/nn ''/'' ./.


	Mitch/np Barton/np knew/vbd the/at place/nn ./.
Twenty/cd years/nns before/in a/at group/nn of/in Easterners/nns-tl had/hvd bought/vbn out/rp the/at Haskell/np claims/nns in/in the/at rocky/jj hills/nns south/nr of/in Grass/nn-tl Valley/nn-tl ./.
They/ppss had/hvd spent/vbn a/at million/cd dollars/nns ,/, carving/vbg in/in a/at road/nn ,/, putting/vbg up/rp buildings/nns ,/, drilling/vbg their/pp$ haulage/nn tunnel/nn ./.
Then/rb the/at vein/nn had/hvd petered/vbn out/rp and/cc the/at whole/jj project/nn had/hvd been/ben abandoned/vbn ./.


	``/`` The/at road's/nn$ washed/vbn badly/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Dill/np ,/, ``/`` but/cc there's/ex+bez a/at trail/nn you/ppss can/md get/vb over/rp with/in a/at horse/nn ./.
A/at company/nn of/in cavalry/nn couldn't/md* come/vb in/rp there/rb if/cs two/cd men/nns were/bed guarding/vbg that/dt trail/nn ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` How/wrb do/do the/at valley/nn people/nns feel/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` As/ql mad/jj as/cs ever/rb ./.
But/cc Kruger's/np$ men/nns keep/vb them/ppo off/in balance/nn ,/, and/cc they/ppss don't/do* trust/vb me/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem an/at outsider/nn ./.
When/wrb they/ppss learn/vb you're/ppss+ber in/in the/at hills/nns though/rb ,/, they'll/ppss+md rally/vb ,/, don't/do* worry/vb about/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np waited/vbd for/in a/at long/jj moment/nn ,/, then/rb asked/vbd the/at question/nn which/wdt lay/vb always/rb uppermost/rbt in/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ boy/nn ./.
Did/dod you/ppo find/vb him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Dill/np was/bedz silent/jj as/cs if/cs he/pps hated/vbd to/to answer/vb ,/, and/cc Barton/np had/hvd a/at cold/nn ,/, sick/jj feeling/nn of/in apprehension/nn ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez in/in Morgan's/np$-tl Ferry/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np half-straightened/vbd in/in surprise/nn ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez he/pps doing/vbg there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Again/rb Dill/np hesitated/vbd ./.
``/`` Dealing/vbg faro/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Dealing/vbg faro/nn ?/. ?/.
How/wrb come/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Your/pp$ sister-in-law/nn has/hvz the/at faro/nn bank/nn in/in Cap/np Ayres'/np$ saloon/nn ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np cursed/vbd under/in his/pp$ breath/nn ./.
After/cs another/dt long/jj pause/nn he/pps asked/vbd ,/, ``/`` How/wrb many/ap people/nns know/vb who/wps they/ppss are/ber ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Everyone/pn ./.
Your/pp$ cousin/nn Finley/np saw/vbd to/in that/dt ./.
He's/pps+bez quite/abl a/at rat/nn ,/, you/ppss know/vb ./.
He/pps sold/vbd out/rp to/in Kruger's/np$ men/nns ./.
He's/pps+hvz informed/vbd them/ppo of/in everything/pn you've/ppss+hv ever/rb written/vbn him/ppo ./.
He/pps wants/vbz your/pp$ ranch/nn ''/'' ./.


	Barton/np stood/vbd up/rp ./.
He/pps said/vbd tensely/rb ,/, ``/`` All/ql right/rb ./.
Let's/vb+ppo go/vb get/vb the/at boy/nn ''/'' ./.


	Dill/np had/hvd come/vbn up/rp also/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss was/bedz afraid/jj of/in this/dt ./.
I/ppss almost/rb didn't/dod* tell/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss hadn't/hvd* I'd/ppss+md have/hv killed/vbn you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Dill's/np$ voice/nn tightened/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc you/ppss can't/md* ride/vb into/in the/at Ferry/nn-tl ./.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt they'll/ppss+md expect/vb you/ppo to/to do/do ./.
They'll/ppss+md be/be there/rb waiting/vbg for/in you/ppo ./.
I/ppss understand/vb how/wrb you/ppss feel/vb about/in the/at child/nn ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` The/at hell/nn you/ppss do/do ''/'' ./.
Barton's/np$ voice/nn was/bedz rougher/jjr than/cs Dill/np had/hvd ever/rb heard/vbn it/ppo ./.
``/`` I/ppss never/rb saw/vbd him/ppo ./.
My/pp$ wife/nn died/vbd in/in childbirth/nn after/cs I/ppss was/bedz sent/vbn away/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss can't/md* leave/vb him/ppo there/rb ./.
Donald/np Kruger/np would/md like/vb nothing/pn better/rbr than/in to/to hold/vb him/ppo as/cs hostage/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss wouldn't/md* entrust/vb a/at snake/nn to/in his/pp$ tender/jj care/nn ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to get/vb the/at boy/nn ./.
Let's/vb+ppo ride/vb ''/'' ./.



Chapter/nn-hl two/cd-hl 
Barton's/np$ men/nns cut/vb the/at telegraph/nn wires/nns in/in half/abn a/at dozen/nn places/nns ,/, carrying/vbg away/rb whole/jj sections/nns to/to make/vb repairs/nns more/ql difficult/jj ./.
It/pps was/bedz over/rp an/at hour/nn before/cs their/pp$ escape/nn was/bedz discovered/vbn ,/, but/cc still/rb the/at news/nn that/cs Barton/np was/bedz free/jj flashed/vbn across/in the/at central/jj portion/nn of/in the/at state/nn ./.


	It/pps reached/vbd Donald/np Kruger/np in/in his/pp$ massive/jj home/nr in/in Burlingame/np ./.
It/pps reached/vbd the/at mines/nns at/in North/jj-tl San/np-tl Juan/np-tl and/cc Bloomfield/np ./.
It/pps brought/vbd men/nns out/in of/in bed/nn and/cc sent/vbd them/ppo into/in hurried/vbn conferences/nns ./.


	For/cs everyone/pn involved/vbn knew/vbd that/cs the/at whole/jj valley/nn was/bedz a/at powder/nn keg/nn ,/, and/cc Mitchell/np Barton/np the/at fuse/nn which/wdt could/md send/vb it/ppo into/in explosive/jj violence/nn ./.


	Creighton/np Hague/np sat/vbd in/in his/pp$ office/nn above/in the/at Ione/np pit/nn ./.
The/at office/nn was/bedz of/in logs/nns ,/, four/cd rooms/nns ,/, each/dt heated/vbn by/in an/at iron/nn stove/nn ./.
The/at building/nn was/bedz dwarfed/vbn by/in the/at scene/nn outside/rb ./.
There/ex a/at dozen/nn giant/jj monitors/nns played/vbd their/pp$ seventy-five-foot/jj jets/nns of/in water/nn against/in the/at huge/jj seam/nn of/in tertiary/jj gravel/nn which/wdt was/bedz the/at mountainside/nn ./.


	The/at gravel/nn was/bedz the/at bed/nn of/in an/at ancient/jj river/nn ,/, buckled/vbn in/in some/dti prehistoric/jj upheaval/nn of/in earth/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz partially/rb cemented/vbn by/in ages/nns and/cc pressure/nn ,/, yet/rb it/pps crumpled/vbd before/in the/at onslaught/nn of/in the/at powerful/jj streams/nns ,/, the/at force/nn of/in a/at thousand/cd fire/nn hoses/nns ,/, and/cc with/in the/at gold/nn it/pps held/vbd washed/vbn down/rp through/in the/at long/jj sluices/nns ./.
A/at million/cd dollars'/nns$ of/in gold/nn a/at month/nn ./.
A/at million/cd tons/nns of/in rock/nn and/cc soil/nn and/cc brush/nn ./.


	The/at monitors/nns ran/vbd twenty-four/cd hours/nns each/dt day/nn ./.
Their/pp$ roar/nn ,/, like/cs the/at swelling/vbg volume/nn of/in a/at hundred/cd tornadoes/nns could/md be/be heard/vbn for/in miles/nns ./.
Hague/np ,/, like/cs all/abn who/wps worked/vbd near/in the/at pits/nns ,/, was/bedz partly/rb deafened/vbn from/in the/at constant/jj assault/nn against/in his/pp$ eardrums/nns ./.


	He/pps was/bedz a/at big/jj man/nn ,/, wearing/vbg a/at neat/jj flannel/nn shirt/nn against/in the/at cold/jj foothill/nn air/nn ./.
Fat/nn showed/vbd in/in loose/jj rolls/nns beneath/in the/at shirt/nn ./.
Ten/cd years/nns older/jjr than/cs Mitch/np Barton/np ,/, he/pps had/hvd clawed/vbn his/pp$ way/nn up/rp from/in mucker/nn in/in the/at pits/nns to/in manager/nn of/in the/at operation/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz proud/jj of/in his/pp$ accomplishments/nns ,/, proud/jj of/in his/pp$ job/nn ,/, proud/jj that/cs Donald/np Kruger/np and/cc his/pp$ associates/nns trusted/vbd him/ppo ./.
He/pps lived/vbd and/cc breathed/vbd for/in the/at mining/vbg company/nn ./.


	No/at man/nn could/md have/hv reached/vbn his/pp$ spot/nn nor/cc held/vbd it/ppo without/in being/beg ruthless/jj ,/, and/cc Hague/np had/hvd made/vbn a/at virtue/nn of/in ruthlessness/nn all/abn of/in his/pp$ life/nn ./.


	There/ex came/vbd a/at ghost/nn of/in noise/nn at/in the/at office/nn door/nn and/cc Hague/np swung/vbd to/to see/vb Kodyke/np in/in the/at entrance/nn from/in the/at outer/jj room/nn ./.
Hague/np had/hvd never/rb accustomed/vbn himself/ppl to/in Kodyke/np ./.
The/at man/nn was/bedz tall/jj ,/, thin/jj ,/, with/in a/at narrow/jj face/nn and/cc a/at too-large/jj nose/nn ./.
The/at eyes/nns always/rb held/vbd Hague/np ,/, eyes/nns of/in a/at dead/jj man/nn ,/, lidless/jj as/cs a/at lizard's/nn$ ,/, with/in the/at fixed/vbn intensity/nn of/in a/at cobra/nn ./.
Even/rb Hague/np was/bedz repelled/vbn by/in the/at machinelike/jj deadliness/nn that/wps was/bedz Kodyke/np ./.


	He/pps knew/vbd nothing/pn about/in the/at man's/nn$ history/nn ./.
Kodyke/np had/hvd appeared/vbn at/in the/at mine/nn one/cd day/nn bearing/vbg a/at letter/nn from/in Kruger/np ./.
Kodyke/np was/bedz to/to head/vb the/at dread/jj company/nn police/nns ./.
He/pps ran/vbd the/at change/nn rooms/nns ./.
He/pps threw/vbd out/rp the/at hi-graders/nns ./.
He/pps supervised/vbd the/at cleanups/nns and/cc handled/vbd the/at shipments/nns of/in raw/jj gold/nn which/wdt each/dt week/nn went/vbd out/rp to/in San/np Francisco/np ./.


	Hague/np squeezed/vbd down/rp his/pp$ uneasy/jj dislike/nn ./.
He/pps pulled/vbd open/jj the/at top/nn drawer/nn of/in his/pp$ desk/nn and/cc drew/vbd out/rp a/at tintype/nn ./.


	``/`` This/dt is/bez Mitchell/np Barton/np ./.
He/pps broke/vbd out/in of/in Folsom/np last/ap night/nn ./.
Apparently/rb he/pps bribed/vbd one/cd of/in the/at guards/nns ./.
We/ppss want/vb him/ppo back/rb there/rb or/cc we/ppss want/vb him/ppo dead/jj ''/'' ./.


	Kodyke/np took/vbd the/at picture/nn in/in a/at lean/jj hand/nn ,/, studying/vbg it/ppo thoughtfully/rb ./.


	``/`` Dangerous/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Dangerous/jj ,/, yes/rb ./.
You/ppss know/vb how/wrb the/at ranchers/nns in/in the/at valley/nn are/ber ./.
They/ppss blame/vb us/ppo for/in all/abn their/pp$ troubles/nns ./.
Ten/cd years/nns ago/rb they/ppss blew/vbd up/rp some/dti of/in our/pp$ ditches/nns ./.
It/pps cost/vbd us/ppo a/at hundred/cd thousand/cd dollars/nns and/cc thirty/cd days/nns lost/vbn time/nn to/to fix/vb them/ppo ./.
We/ppss don't/do* want/vb Barton's/np$ Night/nn-tl Riders/nns-tl loose/jj again/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at gunman/nn nodded/vbd ,/, slipping/vbg the/at picture/nn into/in his/pp$ breast/nn pocket/nn ,/, saying/vbg nothing/pn ./.


	Normally/rb Hague/np wasted/vbd no/at words/nns ,/, but/cc now/rb he/pps found/vbd himself/ppl unable/jj to/to stop/vb their/pp$ flow/nn although/cs he/pps knew/vbd Kodyke/np was/bedz aware/jj of/in all/abn he/pps said/vbd ./.

If/cs she/pps sensed/vbd any/dti unusual/jj preoccupation/nn on/in the/at part/nn of/in her/ppo mother/nn ,/, she/pps did/dod not/* comment/vb upon/in it/ppo ./.


	After/cs they/ppss had/hvd finished/vbn eating/vbg ,/, Melissa/np took/vbd Sprite/np the/at kitten/nn under/in her/pp$ arm/nn --/-- ``/`` so/cs that/cs Auntie/np Grace/np can/md teach/vb it/ppo about/in the/at whistle/nn ''/'' --/-- and/cc climbed/vbd into/in the/at station/nn wagon/nn beside/in her/ppo mother/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd offered/vbn to/to walk/vb ,/, but/cc Pamela/np knew/vbd she/pps would/md not/* feel/vb comfortable/jj about/in her/pp$ child/nn until/cs she/pps had/hvd personally/rb confided/vbn her/ppo to/in the/at care/nn of/in the/at little/jj pink/jj woman/nn who/wps chose/vbd to/to be/be called/vbn ``/`` Auntie/np ''/'' ./.


	When/wrb they/ppss reached/vbd their/pp$ neighbor's/nn$ house/nn ,/, Pamela/np said/vbd a/at few/ap polite/jj words/nns to/in Grace/np and/cc kissed/vbd Melissa/np lightly/rb on/in the/at forehead/nn ,/, the/at impulse/nn prompted/vbn by/in a/at stray/jj thought/nn --/-- of/in the/at type/nn to/in which/wdt she/pps was/bedz frequently/rb subject/jj these/dts days/nns --/-- that/cs they/ppss might/md never/rb see/vb one/cd another/dt again/rb ./.
Then/rb she/pps turned/vbd the/at station/nn wagon/nn around/rb and/cc headed/vbd it/ppo back/rb down/in the/at hill/nn ,/, with/in the/at village/nn as/cs her/pp$ ostensible/jj destination/nn ./.


	As/cs she/pps drove/vbd ,/, she/pps thought/vbd about/rb her/pp$ plan/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz really/rb quite/ql simple/jj ./.
So/ql simple/jj ,/, in/in fact/nn ,/, that/cs it/pps might/md even/rb work/vb --/-- although/cs Pamela/np ,/, now/rb ,/, in/in her/pp$ new/jj frame/nn of/in mind/nn ,/, was/bedz careful/jj not/* to/to pretend/vb too/ql much/ap assurance/nn ./.
That/dt mistake/nn ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ,/, had/hvd cost/vbn her/ppo dearly/rb these/dts past/ap few/ap days/nns ,/, and/cc she/pps wanted/vbd to/to avoid/vb falling/vbg into/in any/dti more/ap of/in the/at traps/nns that/cs the/at mountain/nn might/md set/vb for/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps must/md be/be cautious/jj so/cs as/cs not/* to/to alert/vb the/at scheming/vbg forest/nn ./.


	When/wrb the/at station/nn wagon/nn drew/vbd abreast/rb of/in the/at dusty/jj dirt/nn road/nn that/wps led/vbd up/in to/in the/at porch/nn of/in the/at Culver/np house/nn ,/, Pamela/np turned/vbd the/at wheel/nn ,/, guiding/vbg the/at car/nn to/in its/pp$ familiar/jj parking/vbg spot/nn close/jj to/in the/at house/nn ,/, and/cc stopped/vbd ./.
All/abn of/in her/ppo movements/nns were/bed careful/jj and/cc methodical/jj ,/, partaking/vbg of/in the/at stealth/nn of/in a/at criminal/nn who/wps has/hvz plotted/vbn his/pp$ felony/nn for/in months/nns in/in advance/nn and/cc knows/vbz exactly/rb which/wdt step/nn to/to take/vb next/rb in/in the/at course/nn of/in the/at final/jj execution/nn of/in his/pp$ crime/nn ./.
She/pps locked/vbd the/at ignition/nn ,/, removed/vbd the/at keys/nns ,/, stepped/vbd out/in of/in the/at car/nn and/cc went/vbd into/in the/at house/nn ./.
Here/rb ,/, she/pps dropped/vbd the/at keys/nns on/in a/at small/jj table/nn beside/in the/at door/nn and/cc went/vbd upstairs/rb to/in her/pp$ bedroom/nn ./.


	On/in her/pp$ bureau/nn lay/vb a/at small/jj ,/, brass/nn ornament/nn of/in simple/jj design/nn and/cc faded/vbn engraving/nn --/-- an/at object/nn which/wdt ,/, Pamela/np believed/vbd now/rb ,/, had/hvd been/ben the/at property/nn of/in her/ppo great-grandfather/nn ,/, Major/nn-tl Hiram/np Munroe/np Culver/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd belonged/vbn to/in this/dt land/nn and/cc ,/, perhaps/rb ,/, had/hvd desecrated/vbn it/ppo --/-- and/cc this/dt was/bedz the/at only/ap material/nn symbol/nn that/wps remained/vbd of/in him/ppo ./.
If/cs she/pps ,/, Pamela/np ,/, were/bed being/beg held/vbn responsible/jj for/in his/pp$ crimes/nns ,/, then/rb hers/pp$$ must/md be/be the/at final/jj act/nn of/in expiation/nn ./.
She/pps would/md return/vb this/dt symbol/nn to/in the/at mountain/nn ,/, as/cs one/pn pours/vbz seed/nn back/nn into/in the/at soil/nn every/at Spring/nn-tl or/cc as/cs ancient/jj fertility/nn cults/nns demand/vb annual/jj human/nn sacrifice/nn ./.


	Slowly/rb and/cc thoughtfully/rb ,/, she/pps slipped/vbd the/at ornament/nn into/in the/at pocket/nn of/in her/ppo slacks/nns ,/, moved/vbd down/in the/at stairs/nns and/cc out/in of/in the/at house/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz only/ap one/cd place/nn where/wrb the/at mountain/nn might/md receive/vb her/ppo --/-- that/ql unnamed/jj ,/, unnameable/jj pool/nn harbored/vbn in/in its/pp$ secret/jj bosom/nn ./.
Atonement/nn ,/, if/cs atonement/nn were/bed possible/jj ,/, could/md only/rb be/be made/vbn at/in that/ql sacred/jj ,/, sacrificial/jj basin/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz there/rb that/cs she/pps would/md have/hv to/to enact/vb her/pp$ renunciation/nn ,/, beg/vb forgiveness/nn ./.


	Perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz insane/jj ,/, Pamela/np thought/vbd ./.
Perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz all/abn a/at vividly/rb conceived/vbn dream/nn ./.
But/cc she/pps was/bedz caught/vbn in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc she/pps faced/vbd the/at terrible/jj possibility/nn that/cs ,/, if/cs it/pps were/bed a/at dream/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz one/cd from/in which/wdt she/pps might/md never/rb awaken/vb ./.


	Facing/vbg the/at forest/nn now/rb ,/, she/pps who/wps had/hvd not/* dared/vbn to/to enter/vb it/ppo before/rb ,/, walked/vbd between/in two/cd trees/nns at/in random/nn and/cc headed/vbd in/in what/wdt she/pps believed/vbd was/bedz the/at direction/nn of/in the/at pool/nn ./.
She/pps remembered/vbd little/ap of/in her/ppo previous/jj journey/nn there/rb with/in Grace/np ,/, and/cc she/pps could/md but/cc hope/vb that/cs her/pp$ dedication/nn to/in her/pp$ mission/nn would/md enable/vb her/ppo to/to accomplish/vb it/ppo ./.


	The/at forest/nn was/bedz open/jj and/cc freely/rb welcoming/vbg ,/, extending/vbg an/at enchanted/vbn hand/nn ./.
The/at ground/nn was/bedz covered/vbn with/in soft/jj pine/nn needles/nns and/cc the/at slope/nn was/bedz gentle/jj ./.
Birds/nns chirped/vbd and/cc chattered/vbd in/in the/at trees/nns and/cc the/at sun/nn ,/, all/ql dewy-eyed/jj and/cc soft/jj ,/, caressed/vbd her/pp$ shoulders/nns warmly/rb from/in time/nn to/in time/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz not/* ,/, thought/vbd Pamela/np ,/, such/abl an/at evil/jj place/nn after/in all/abn ./.
No/at wonder/nn Melissa/np responded/vbd so/ql completely/rb to/in its/pp$ beckoning/nn ./.


	Perhaps/rb she/pps had/hvd no/at reason/nn to/to fear/vb these/dts trees/nns that/wps whispered/vbd their/pp$ secrets/nns above/in her/pp$ head/nn as/cs she/pps passed/vbd ./.
Was/bedz it/pps not/* possible/jj ,/, after/in all/abn ,/, that/cs the/at forest/nn was/bedz in/in league/nn with/in her/ppo and/cc her/pp$ child/nn that/cs its/pp$ sympathy/nn lay/vb with/in the/at Culvers/nps that/cs she/pps had/hvd erred/vbn in/in failing/vbg to/to understand/vb this/dt ?/. ?/.


	Pamela/np felt/vbd calm/jj and/cc peaceful/jj as/cs she/pps walked/vbd along/rb ./.
The/at slight/jj flutter/nn that/wps had/hvd disturbed/vbn the/at motion/nn of/in her/ppo heart/nn when/wrb she/pps entered/vbd the/at forest/nn was/bedz gone/vbn now/rb ,/, and/cc even/rb the/at dim/jj groves/nns of/in trees/nns through/in which/wdt she/pps occasionally/rb passed/vbd did/dod not/* reawaken/vb her/ppo fear/nn ./.
She/pps regarded/vbd them/ppo as/cs signs/nns that/cs she/pps was/bedz nearing/vbg the/at glen/nn she/pps sought/vbd ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz glad/jj to/in at/in last/ap be/be doing/vbg something/pn positive/jj in/in her/pp$ unenunciated/jj ,/, undefined/jj struggle/nn with/in the/at mountain/nn and/cc its/pp$ darkling/jj inhabitants/nns ./.


	Having/hvg persisted/vbn too/ql long/jj in/in deliberate/jj ignorance/nn and/cc denial/nn of/in the/at forces/nns that/wps threatened/vbd her/ppo ,/, Pamela/np was/bedz relieved/vbn now/rb to/to admit/vb their/pp$ potency/nn and/cc to/to be/be taking/vbg definite/jj steps/nns toward/in grappling/vbg with/in them/ppo ./.
A/at few/ap days/nns ago/rb ,/, she/pps would/md have/hv thought/vbn such/abl an/at expedition/nn as/cs this/dt utterly/rb ridiculous/jj ;/. ;/.
today/nr ,/, on/in the/at contrary/nn ,/, it/pps seemed/vbd utterly/rb reasonable/jj ./.


	She/pps did/dod not/* pause/vb to/to consider/vb what/wdt she/pps would/md do/do if/cs her/pp$ plan/nn should/md fail/vb ;/. ;/.
she/pps directed/vbd all/abn of/in her/ppo mental/jj and/cc physical/jj energy/nn toward/in achieving/vbg this/dt one/cd goal/nn ./.
If/cs ,/, as/cs she/pps walked/vbd ,/, her/pp$ steps/nns fumbled/vbd from/in time/nn to/in time/nn ,/, she/pps chose/vbd to/to ignore/vb that/dt omen/nn ./.
If/cs the/at slope/nn grew/vbd steeper/jjr and/cc the/at groves/nns more/ql dim/jj ,/, she/pps tried/vbd not/* to/to heed/vb ./.
Success/nn depended/vbd upon/in maintaining/vbg her/pp$ equanimity/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps must/md be/be poised/vbn and/cc proud/jj and/cc unafraid/jj in/in order/nn to/to prove/vb to/in the/at mountain/nn that/cs she/pps was/bedz in/in earnest/nn ./.


	The/at forest/nn took/vbd on/in an/at impersonal/jj aspect/nn ./.
It/pps did/dod not/* care/vb what/wdt sort/nn of/in person/nn prowled/vbd its/pp$ woods/nns ,/, plucked/vbd at/in its/pp$ bark/nn or/cc stripped/vbd the/at berries/nns from/in its/pp$ bushes/nns ./.
Unconcerned/jj ,/, indifferent/jj ,/, unmotivated/jj ,/, the/at forest/nn was/bedz simply/rb there/rb --/-- fighting/vbg man's/nn$ depredations/nns with/in more/ql abundant/jj growth/nn and/cc man's/nn$ follies/nns with/in its/pp$ own/jj musical/jj evening/nn laughter/nn ./.
Red/jj man/nn or/cc white/jj man/nn ,/, pacifist/nn or/cc killer/nn ,/, the/at forest/nn would/md accept/vb them/ppo all/abn --/-- knowing/vbg that/cs it/pps could/md thrive/vb equally/ql well/rb on/in slaughter/nn and/cc beneficence/nn ;/. ;/.
knowing/vbg that/cs its/pp$ ageless/jj mass/nn would/md always/rb dwarf/vb the/at short/jj span/nn of/in time/nn allotted/vbn to/in any/dti man/nn ./.


	Pamela/np shook/vbd her/ppo head/nn ./.
She/pps must/md not/* think/vb about/in time/nn ./.
That/dt was/bedz another/dt one/cd of/in those/dts traps/nns ./.


	In/in her/pp$ grim/jj pursuit/nn of/in tranquillity/nn ,/, Pamela/np focused/vbd her/ppo thoughts/nns on/in her/pp$ husband/nn ./.
If/cs ,/, when/wrb this/dt was/bedz all/abn over/rp ,/, she/pps found/vbd the/at words/nns to/to tell/vb him/ppo about/in it/ppo ,/, she/pps wondered/vbd if/cs he/pps would/md ever/rb understand/vb ./.
How/wrb could/md he/pps comprehend/vb her/pp$ need/nn when/wrb he/pps himself/ppl was/bedz innocent/jj ?/. ?/.
Indian/jj ghosts/nns would/md not/* impinge/vb upon/in his/pp$ nights/nns ,/, nor/cc would/md his/pp$ days/nns be/be haunted/vbn by/in the/at dimly-outlined/jj ,/, ill-conceived/jj figure/nn of/in her/ppo benighted/jj ancestor/nn ./.
His/pp$ bright/jj ,/, daylight/nn mind/nn would/md whistle/vb away/rb such/jj images/nns ;/. ;/.
they/ppss would/md not/* dare/vb to/to face/vb his/pp$ scoffing/nn ./.


	Pamela/np was/bedz glad/jj Jim/np was/bedz nowhere/nn near/rb ./.
His/pp$ presence/nn would/md have/hv interfered/vbn with/in her/ppo duty/nn ./.


	The/at mountainside/nn grew/vbd steeper/jjr and/cc she/pps slipped/vbd once/rb or/cc twice/rb on/in the/at smooth/jj pine/nn needles/nns ./.
The/at trees/nns huddled/vbd more/ql closely/rb together/rb ,/, their/pp$ limbs/nns and/cc leaves/nns intertwined/vbd in/in a/at coarse/jj curtain/nn against/in the/at sun/nn ./.
Bushes/nns and/cc vines/nns abetted/vbd the/at rocks/nns in/in forming/vbg thorny/jj detours/nns for/in the/at struggling/vbg stranger/nn ,/, and/cc without/in the/at direct/jj light/nn of/in the/at sun/nn to/to act/vb as/cs compass/nn ,/, Pamela/np could/md no/at longer/jjr be/be positive/jj of/in her/ppo direction/nn ./.


	Nevertheless/rb ,/, she/pps continued/vbd to/to move/vb upward/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz sure/jj she/pps would/md reach/vb the/at pool/nn by/in climbing/vbg ,/, and/cc she/pps clung/vbd to/in that/dt belief/nn despite/in the/at increasing/vbg number/nn of/in obstacles/nns ./.
The/at forest/nn had/hvd become/vbn an/at alien/jj world/nn where/wrb she/pps strove/vbd ,/, alone/rb ,/, unprotected/jj ,/, unguided/jj ,/, to/to deal/vb with/in whatever/wdt hindrances/nns were/bed offered/vbn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at bold/jj ,/, dark/jj castle/nn of/in pine/nn boughs/nns that/wps stood/vbd like/cs a/at medieval/jj fortress/nn ,/, eclipsing/vbg the/at sun/nn and/cc human/nn time/nn ./.
At/in one/cd and/cc the/at same/ap time/nn ,/, she/pps was/bedz within/in it/ppo but/cc still/rb searching/vbg for/in the/at drawbridge/nn that/wps would/md give/vb her/ppo entry/nn ./.


	Silence/nn came/vbd into/in the/at forest/nn --/-- a/at solid/jj being/nn that/wps clapped/vbd its/pp$ hand/nn over/in the/at murmuring/vbg mouths/nns of/in the/at birds/nns and/cc the/at whispered/vbn comfort/nn of/in the/at trees/nns ./.
Silence/nn walked/vbd at/in Pamela's/np$ side/nn ,/, its/pp$ presence/nn numbingly/rb close/rb ,/, yet/rb too/ql far/jj for/in her/ppo to/to hear/vb ./.
Silence/nn stood/vbd in/in front/nn of/in her/ppo ,/, waiting/vbg ,/, and/cc in/in back/nn of/in her/ppo ,/, blocking/vbg her/pp$ retreat/nn ./.


	She/pps stumbled/vbd over/in the/at root/nn of/in a/at tree/nn that/wps protruded/vbd maliciously/rb above/in the/at earth/nn ./.
In/in spite/nn of/in her/pp$ attempt/nn to/to preserve/vb her/pp$ balance/nn ,/, she/pps fell/vbd ,/, bruising/vbg her/pp$ arm/nn on/in a/at naked/jj stone/nn ./.
For/in a/at moment/nn ,/, she/pps could/md not/* catch/vb her/ppo breath/nn and/cc then/rb ,/, her/pp$ breath/nn returning/vbg in/in short/jj ,/, frightened/vbn spasms/nns ,/, she/pps lifted/vbd herself/ppl to/in her/pp$ feet/nns laboriously/rb ./.
She/pps started/vbd to/to brush/vb the/at dirt/nn and/cc bits/nns of/in leaves/nns off/in her/pp$ clothes/nns ./.
Her/pp$ arm/nn bled/vbd slightly/rb ,/, and/cc the/at offended/vbn skin/nn cried/vbd out/rp in/in pain/nn ./.


	She/pps looked/vbd around/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz bewildered/vbn ./.
She/pps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv come/vbn such/abl a/at long/jj distance/nn --/-- too/ql far/rb for/in her/pp$ destination/nn which/wdt had/hvd wilfully/rb been/ben swallowed/vbn up/rp in/in the/at greedy/jj gloom/nn of/in the/at trees/nns ./.
She/pps stood/vbd quite/ql still/jj ,/, trying/vbg to/to focus/vb upon/in a/at direction/nn in/in which/wdt to/to turn/vb ,/, a/at path/nn to/to follow/vb ,/, a/at clue/nn to/to guide/vb her/ppo ./.


	She/pps was/bedz standing/vbg in/in a/at thick/jj grove/nn ./.
The/at trees/nns were/bed crowded/vbn so/ql closely/rb together/rb that/cs their/pp$ branches/nns overlapped/vbd ,/, virtually/rb shutting/vbg out/rp the/at sun/nn completely/rb ./.
The/at earth/nn smelled/vbd moist/jj and/cc pungent/jj as/cs it/pps might/md in/in a/at cave/nn deprived/vbn of/in the/at cleansing/vbg effect/nn of/in the/at sun's/nn$ rays/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd the/at feeling/nn that/cs ,/, under/in the/at mouldering/vbg leaves/nns ,/, there/ex would/md be/be the/at bodies/nns of/in dead/jj animals/nns ,/, quietly/rb decaying/vbg and/cc giving/vbg their/pp$ soil/nn back/rb to/in the/at mountain/nn ./.


	The/at thought/nn made/vbd Pamela/np shudder/vb ./.
A/at terrible/jj chill/nn swept/vbd through/in the/at grove/nn ./.
Not/* a/at breeze/nn exactly/rb ,/, but/cc a/at pocket/nn of/in icy/jj air/nn that/wps settled/vbd with/in a/at loathsome/jj familiarity/nn upon/in the/at deep/jj confines/nns of/in the/at grove/nn ,/, catching/vbg Pamela/np in/in a/at leering/vbg embrace/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at peculiar/jj density/nn about/in it/ppo ,/, a/at thick/jj substance/nn that/wps could/md be/be sensed/vbn but/cc never/rb identified/vbn ,/, never/rb actually/rb perceived/vbn ./.


	Where/wrb before/rb had/hvd she/pps felt/vbd or/cc dreamt/vbd or/cc imagined/vbd such/abl a/at scene/nn ?/. ?/.
She/pps already/rb knew/vbd this/dt unwholesome/jj ,/, chilling/vbg atmosphere/nn that/wps was/bedz somehow/rb grotesquely/rb alive/jj ./.
It/pps enclosed/vbd her/ppo clammy/jj hands/nns and/cc twined/vbd around/in her/pp$ ankles/nns ./.
It/pps crept/vbd into/in the/at open/jj neck/nn of/in her/ppo blouse/nn and/cc slid/vbd down/in her/pp$ body/nn ,/, seeping/vbg into/in her/ppo flesh/nn through/in all/abn the/at quivering/vbg pores/nns of/in her/ppo skin/nn ./.
It/pps crawled/vbd across/in her/pp$ breasts/nns ,/, suffocating/vbg the/at life/nn in/in her/pp$ nipples/nns ./.
It/pps circled/vbd her/ppo thighs/nns ,/, exploring/vbg with/in its/pp$ icy/jj tentacles/nns ./.
It/pps entered/vbd her/ppo body/nn with/in the/at ghastly/jj intimacy/nn of/in an/at incubus/nn ,/, and/cc its/pp$ particles/nns ,/, spreading/vbg ,/, creeping/vbg ,/, crawling/vbg ,/, joined/vbd themselves/ppls into/in steel/nn bands/nns that/wps constricted/vbd her/pp$ knees/nns so/ql tightly/rb that/cs they/ppss ached/vbd ;/. ;/.
stifled/vbn her/pp$ lungs/nns so/cs that/cs her/pp$ breath/nn came/vbd in/in harsh/jj gasps/nns ;/. ;/.
clutched/vbn her/pp$ throat/nn and/cc sucked/vbd up/rp the/at moisture/nn in/in her/pp$ mouth/nn so/cs that/cs her/pp$ tongue/nn was/bedz dry/jj and/cc hard/jj and/cc stuck/vbd to/in the/at roof/nn of/in her/ppo mouth/nn and/cc her/pp$ teeth/nns were/bed clenched/vbn together/rb in/in the/at rigid/jj fixture/nn of/in her/ppo jaws/nns ./.


	She/pps had/hvd to/to get/vb away/rb from/in here/rb before/cs this/dt demoniac/jj possession/nn swallowed/vbd up/rp the/at liquid/nn of/in her/ppo eyes/nns and/cc sank/vbd into/in the/at fibers/nns of/in her/pp$ brain/nn ,/, depriving/vbg her/ppo of/in reason/nn and/cc sight/nn ./.
But/cc she/pps did/dod not/* know/vb which/wdt way/nn to/to go/vb ./.
The/at shadows/nns of/in the/at trees/nns engulfed/vbd her/ppo ,/, foreclosing/vbg every/at possible/jj exit/nn from/in the/at grove/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd been/ben snared/vbn here/rb by/in a/at vile/jj sensuality/nn that/wps writhed/vbd around/in her/pp$ throat/nn in/in ever-tightening/jj circles/nns ./.


	She/pps could/md not/* scream/vb ,/, for/cs even/rb if/cs a/at sound/nn could/md take/vb shape/nn within/in her/pp$ parched/vbn mouth/nn ,/, who/wps would/md hear/vb ,/, who/wps would/md listen/vb ?/. ?/.


	Does/doz the/at mountain/nn listen/vb ?/. ?/.


	Pamela/np groped/vbd blindly/rb ./.
She/pps had/hvd to/to escape/vb ./.
She/pps had/hvd to/to move/vb in/in some/dti direction/nn --/-- any/dti direction/nn that/wps would/md take/vb her/ppo away/rb from/in this/dt evil/jj place/nn ./.


	She/pps thrust/vbd forward/rb through/in the/at shadows/nns and/cc the/at trees/nns that/wps resisted/vbd her/ppo and/cc tried/vbd to/to fling/vb her/ppo back/rb ./.
Her/pp$ own/jj body/nn protested/vbd ,/, aching/vbg painfully/rb where/wrb the/at blood/nn in/in her/pp$ veins/nns had/hvd congealed/vbn ,/, where/wrb cold/jj demon/nn wisps/nns still/rb clung/vbd and/cc caressed/vbd ./.


	Every/at movement/nn she/pps made/vbd seemed/vbn unnecessarily/rb noisy/jj ./.
Twigs/nns cracked/vbd loudly/rb under/in her/pp$ feet/nns ;/. ;/.
bushes/nns swished/vbd and/cc scratched/vbd at/in her/ppo slacks/nns ;/. ;/.
tree/nn branches/nns snapped/vbd as/cs she/pps pushed/vbd them/ppo ruthlessly/rb away/rb from/in her/ppo ./.



	Miraculously/rb ,/, she/pps found/vbd exactly/rb the/at right/jj statement/nn ./.
She/pps began/vbd it/ppo deliberately/rb ,/, so/cs that/cs none/pn of/in her/ppo words/nns would/md be/be lost/vbn on/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` I/ppss want/vb to/to tell/vb you/ppo something/pn Thomas/np DeMontez/np Lord/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem well/rb aware/jj that/cs you've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at pedigree/nn as/ql long/jj as/cs my/pp$ leg/nn ,/, and/cc that/cs I/ppss don't/do* amount/vb to/in anything/pn ./.
But/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` But/cc it/pps don't/do* matter/vb a-tall/rb ''/'' ,/, Lord/np supplied/vbd fondly/rb ./.
``/`` To/in me/ppo you'll/ppss+md always/rb be/be the/at girl/nn o'/in my/pp$ dreams/nns ,/, an'/cc the/at sweetest/jjt flower/nn that/dt grows/vbz ''/'' ./.


	Beaming/vbg idiotically/rb ,/, he/pps pooched/vbd out/rp his/pp$ lips/nns and/cc attempted/vbd to/to kiss/vb her/ppo ./.
She/pps yanked/vbd away/rb from/in him/ppo furiously/rb ./.


	``/`` You/ppss shut/vbd up/rp !/. !/.
Shu-tt/vb up-pp/rp !/. !/.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn something/pn to/to say/vb to/in you/ppo ,/, and/cc by/in God/np you're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to listen/vb ./.
Do/do you/ppo hear/vb me/ppo ?/. ?/.
You're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to listen/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	Lord/np nodded/vbd agreeably/rb ./.
He/pps said/vbd he/pps wanted/vbd very/ql much/rb to/to listen/vb ./.
He/pps knew/vbd that/cs anything/pn a/at brainy/jj little/ap lady/nn like/cs her/ppo had/hvd to/to say/vb would/md be/be plumb/ql important/jj ,/, as/ql well/rb as/cs pleasin'/vbg to/in the/at ear/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps didn't/dod* want/vb to/to miss/vb a/at word/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
So/rb would/md she/pps mind/vb speaking/vbg a/at little/ap louder/jjr ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss think/vb you/ppo stink/vb ,/, Tom/np Lord/np !/. !/.
I/ppss think/vb you're/ppss+ber mean/jj and/cc hateful/jj and/cc stupid/jj ,/, and/cc --/-- louder/jjr ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Said/vbn Joyce/np ./.


	``/`` Uh-huh/uh ./.
So/cs I/ppss can/md hear/vb you/ppo while/cs I'm/ppss+bem checkin'/vbg the/at car/nn ./.
Looks/nns like/vb we/ppss might/md be/be in/rp for/in a/at speck/nn of/in trouble/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps opened/vbd the/at door/nn and/cc got/vbd out/rp ./.
He/pps waited/vbd at/in the/at car/nn side/nn for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, looking/vbg down/rp at/in her/ppo expectantly/rb ./.


	``/`` Well/rb ?/. ?/.
Wasn't/bedz* you/ppss goin'/vbg to/to say/vb somethin'/pn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Then/rb ,/, helpfully/rb ,/, as/cs she/pps merely/rb stared/vbd at/in him/ppo in/in weary/jj silence/nn ,/, ``/`` Maybe/rb you/ppss could/md write/vb it/ppo down/rp for/in me/ppo ,/, huh/uh ?/. ?/.
Print/vb it/ppo in/in real/ql big/jj letters/nns ,/, an'/cc I/ppss can/md cipher/vb it/ppo out/rp later/rbr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Aah/uh ,/, go/vb on/rp ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Just/rb go/vb the/at hell/nn on/rp ''/'' ./.


	He/pps grinned/vbd ,/, nodded/vbd ,/, and/cc walked/vbd around/rb to/in the/at front/nn of/in the/at car/nn ./.
Lips/nns pursed/vbd mournfully/rb ,/, he/pps stared/vbd down/rp at/in its/pp$ crazily/rb sagging/vbg left/jj side/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps hunkered/vbd down/rp on/in the/at heels/nns of/in his/pp$ handmade/jj boots/nns ,/, peered/vbd into/in the/at orderly/jj chaos/nn of/in axle/nn ,/, shock/nn absorber/nn ,/, and/cc spring/nn ./.


	He/pps went/vbd prone/rb on/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ,/, the/at better/jjr to/to pursue/vb his/pp$ examination/nn ./.
After/in a/at time/nn ,/, he/pps straightened/vbd again/rb ,/, brushing/vbg the/at red/jj Permian/jj dust/nn from/in his/pp$ hands/nns ,/, slapping/vbg it/ppo from/in his/pp$ six-dollar/jj levis/nns and/cc his/pp$ tailored/vbn ,/, twenty-five-dollar/jj shirt/nn ./.


	He/pps wore/vbd no/at gun/nn --/-- a/at strange/jj ommission/nn for/in a/at peace/nn officer/nn in/in this/dt country/nn ./.
Never/rb ,/, he'd/pps+hvd once/rb told/vbd Joyce/np ,/, had/hvd he/pps encountered/vbd any/dti man/nn or/cc situation/nn that/wps called/vbd for/in a/at gun/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps really/rb feels/vbz that/dt way/nn ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ./.
That's/dt+bez really/rb all/abn he's/pps+hvz got/vbn ,/, all/abn he/pps is/bez ./.
Just/rb a/at big/jj pile/nn of/in self-confidence/nn in/in an/at almost/rb teensy/jj package/nn ./.
If/cs I/ppss could/md make/vb myself/ppl feel/vb the/at same/ap way/nn 

	She/pps studied/vbd him/ppo hopefully/rb ,/, yearningly/rb ;/. ;/.
against/in the/at limitless/jj background/nn of/in sky/nn and/cc wasteland/nn it/pps was/bedz easy/jj to/to confirm/vb her/pp$ analysis/nn ./.
Here/rb in/in the/at God-forsaken/jj place/nn ,/, the/at westerly/jj end/nn of/in nowhere/nn ,/, Tom/np Lord/np looked/vbd almost/rb insignificant/jj ,/, almost/rb contemptible/jj ./.


	He/pps was/bedz handsome/jj ,/, with/in his/pp$ coal-black/jj hair/nn and/cc eyes/nns ,/, his/pp$ fine-chiseled/jj features/nns ./.
But/cc she'd/pps+hvd known/vbn plenty/nn of/in handsomer/jjr guys/nns ,/, and/cc ,/, conceding/vbg his/pp$ good/jj looks/nns ,/, what/wdt was/bedz there/ex left/vbn ?/. ?/.
He/pps wasn't/bedz* a/at big/jj man/nn ;/. ;/.
rather/rb on/in the/at medium/nn side/nn ./.
Neither/cc was/bedz he/pps very/ql powerful/jj of/in build/nn ./.
He/pps could/md move/vb very/ql quickly/rb ,/, she/pps knew/vbd (/( although/cs he/pps seldom/rb found/vbd occasion/nn to/to do/do so/rb )/) ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz more/ql wiry/jj than/cs truly/rb strong/jj ./.
And/cc his/pp$ relatively/rb small/jj hands/nns and/cc feet/nns gave/vbd him/ppo an/at almost/rb delicate/jj appearance/nn ./.


	Just/rb nothing/pn ,/, she/pps told/vbd herself/ppl ./.
Just/rb so/ql darned/vbn sure/jj of/in himself/ppl that/cs he/pps puts/vbz the/at Indian/jj sign/nn on/in everyone/pn ./.
But/cc ,/, by/in gosh/uh ,/, I/ppss want/vb him/ppo and/cc I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to have/hv him/ppo !/. !/.


	He/pps caught/vbd her/ppo eye/nn ,/, came/vbd back/rb around/in the/at car/nn with/in the/at boot-wearer/nn ;/. ;/.
teetering/vbg ,/, half-mincing/jj walk/nn ./.
Why/wrb did/dod these/dts yokels/nns still/rb wear/vb boots/nns ,/, anyway/rb ,/, when/wrb most/ap had/hvd scarcely/rb sat/vbn a/at horse/nn in/in years/nns ?/. ?/.
He/pps slid/vbd in/rp at/in her/ppo side/nn ,/, tucked/vbd a/at cigar/nn into/in his/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, and/cc politely/rb proffered/vbd one/cd to/in her/ppo ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, cut/vb it/ppo out/rp ,/, Tom/np ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps snapped/vbd ./.
``/`` Can't/md* you/ppss stop/vb that/dt stupid/jj clowning/nn for/in even/rb a/at minute/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` This/dt ain't/bez* your/pp$ brand/nn ,/, maybe/rb ''/'' ,/, Lord/np suggested/vbd ./.
``/`` Or/cc maybe/rb you/ppss just/rb don't/do* feel/vb like/cs a/at cigar/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss feel/vb like/cs getting/vbg back/rb to/in town/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez what/wdt I/ppss feel/vb like/cs !/. !/.
Now/rb ,/, are/ber you/ppss going/vbg to/to take/vb me/ppo or/cc am/bem I/ppss supposed/vbd to/to walk/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Might/md get/vb there/rb faster/rbr walkin'/vbg ''/'' ,/, Lord/np drawled/vbd ,/, ``/`` seein'/vbg as/cs how/wrb I/ppss got/vbd a/at busted/vbn front/jj spring/nn ./.
On/in the/at other/ap hand/nn ,/, howsomever/rb ,/, maybe/rb you/ppss wouldn't/md* either/rb ./.
I/ppss figger/vb it's/pps+bez probl'y/rb a/at sixty-five-mile/jj walk/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss c'n/md maybe/rb get/vb this/dt spring/nn patched/vbn up/rp in/in a/at couple/nn of/in hours/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` How/wrb --/-- with/in what/wdt ?/. ?/.
There's/ex+bez nothing/pn out/rp here/rb but/cc rattlesnakes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, ain't/bez* it/pps the/at truth/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Lord/np laughed/vbd with/in secret/jj amusement/nn ./.
``/`` Not/* a/at danged/vbn thing/nn but/cc rattlesnakes/nns ,/, so/cs I/ppss reckon/vb I'll/ppss+md get/vb the/at boss/nn rattler/nn to/to help/vb me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Tom/np !/. !/.
For/in God's/np$ sake/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Looky/vb ''/'' ./.
He/pps pointed/vbd ,/, cutting/vbg her/ppo off/rp ./.
``/`` See/vb that/dt wildcat/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps saw/vbd it/ppo then/rb ,/, the/at distant/jj derrick/nn of/in the/at wildcat/nn --/-- a/at test/nn well/rb in/in unexplored/jj country/nn ./.
And/cc even/rb with/in her/pp$ limited/vbn knowledge/nn of/in such/jj things/nns ,/, she/pps knew/vbd that/cs the/at car/nn could/md be/be repaired/vbn there/rb ;/. ;/.
sufficiently/rb ,/, at/in least/ap ,/, to/to get/vb them/ppo back/rb into/in town/nn ./.
A/at wildcatter/nn had/hvd to/to be/be prepared/vbn for/in almost/rb any/dti emergency/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to depend/vb on/in himself/ppl ,/, since/cs he/pps was/bedz invariably/rb miles/nns and/cc hours/nns away/rb from/in others/nns ./.


	``/`` Well/rb ,/, let's/vb+ppo get/vb going/vbg ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd impatiently/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss ''/'' --/-- She/pps broke/vbd off/rp ,/, frowning/vbg ./.
``/`` What/wdt did/dod you/ppss mean/vb by/in that/dt rattlesnake/nn gag/nn ?/. ?/.
Getting/vbg the/at boss/nn rattlesnake/nn to/to help/vb you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Why/wrb ,/, I/ppss meant/vbd what/wdt I/ppss said/vbd ''/'' ,/, Lord/np declared/vbd ./.
``/`` What/wdt else/rb would/md I/ppss mean/vb ,/, anyways/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps looked/vbd at/in him/ppo ,/, lips/nns compressed/vbn ./.
Then/rb ,/, with/in a/at shrug/nn of/in pretended/vbn indifference/nn ,/, she/pps took/vbd a/at compact/nn from/in her/ppo purse/nn and/cc went/vbd through/in the/at motions/nns of/in fixing/vbg her/pp$ make-up/nn ./.
In/in his/pp$ mood/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz the/at best/jjt way/nn to/to handle/vb him/ppo ;/. ;/.
that/dt is/bez ,/, to/to show/vb no/at curiosity/nn whatsoever/wps ./.
Otherwise/rb ,/, she/pps would/md be/be baited/vbn into/in a/at tantrum/nn --/-- teased/vbd and/cc provoked/vbd until/cs she/pps lost/vbd control/nn of/in herself/ppl ,/, and/cc thus/rb lost/vbd still/rb another/dt battle/nn in/in the/at maddening/vbg struggle/nn of/in Tom/np Lord/np Vs./in-tl Joyce/np Lakewood/np ./.


	The/at car/nn lurched/vbd along/rb at/in a/at snail's/nn$ crawl/nn ,/, the/at left-front/nn mudguard/nn banging/vbg and/cc scraping/vbg against/in the/at tire/nn ,/, occasionally/rb scraping/vbg against/in the/at road/nn itself/ppl ./.
Lord/np whistled/vbd tunelessly/rb as/cs he/pps fought/vbd the/at steering/vbg wheel/nn ./.
He/pps seemed/vbd very/ql pleased/vbn with/in himself/ppl ,/, as/cs though/cs some/dti intricate/jj scheme/nn was/bedz working/vbg out/rp exactly/rb as/cs he/pps had/hvd planned/vbn ./.
Along/rb with/in this/dt self-satisfaction/nn ,/, however/wrb ,/, Joyce/np sensed/vbd a/at growing/vbg tension/nn ./.
It/pps poured/vbd out/rp of/in him/ppo like/cs an/at electric/jj current/nn ,/, a/at feeling/nn that/cs the/at muscles/nns and/cc nerves/nns of/in his/pp$ fine-drawn/jj body/nn were/bed coiling/vbg for/in action/nn ,/, and/cc that/cs that/dt action/nn would/md be/be all/abn that/cs he/pps anticipated/vbd ./.


	Joyce/np had/hvd seen/vbn him/ppo like/cs this/dt once/rb before/rb --/-- more/ap than/in once/rb ,/, actually/rb ,/, but/cc on/in one/cd particularly/rb memorable/jj occasion/nn ./.
That/dt was/bedz the/at day/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd practically/rb mopped/vbn up/rp the/at main/nn street/nn of/in Big/jj-tl Sands/nns-tl with/in Aaron/np McBride/np ,/, field/nn boss/nn for/in the/at Highlands/nns-tl Oil/nn-tl &/cc-tl Gas/nn-tl Company/nn-tl ./.


	Tom/np had/hvd been/ben laying/vbg for/in Aaron/np McBride/np for/in a/at long/jj time/nn ,/, just/rb waiting/vbg to/to catch/vb him/ppo out/in of/in line/nn ./.
McBride/np gave/vbd him/ppo his/pp$ opportunity/nn when/wrb he/pps showed/vbd up/rp in/in town/nn with/in a/at pistol/nn on/in his/pp$ hip/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at legitimate/jj reason/nn for/in wearing/vbg it/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz payday/nn for/in Highlands/nns-tl ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz packing/vbg a/at lot/nn of/in money/nn back/rb into/in the/at oil/nn fields/nns ./.
Moreover/rb ,/, as/ql long/jj as/cs the/at weapon/nn was/bedz carried/vbn openly/rb ,/, the/at sheriff's/nn$ office/nn had/hvd made/vbn no/rb previous/jj issue/nn of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` So/cs what's/wdt+bez this/dt all/abn about/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps demanded/vbd ,/, when/wrb Lord/np confronted/vbd him/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* the/at only/ap man/nn in/in town/nn with/in a/at gun/nn ,/, or/cc the/at only/ap one/cd without/in a/at permit/nn ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz the/at wrong/jj thing/nn to/to say/vb ./.
By/in failing/vbg to/to do/do as/cs he/pps was/bedz told/vbn instantly/rb --/-- to/to take/vb out/rp a/at permit/nn or/cc return/vb the/at gun/nn to/in his/pp$ car/nn --/-- he/pps had/hvd played/vbn into/in Lord's/np$ hands/nns ./.


	The/at trouble/nn was/bedz that/cs he/pps had/hvd virtually/rb had/hvn to/to protest/vb ./.
The/at deputy/nn had/hvd forced/vbn him/ppo to/in by/in his/pp$ manner/nn of/in accosting/vbg him/ppo ./.


	So/cs ,/, ``/`` How/wrb about/in it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Why/wrb single/vb me/ppo out/rp on/in this/dt permit/nn deal/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Well/rb ,/, I'll/ppss+md tell/vb you/ppo about/in that/dt ''/'' ,/, Lord/np told/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` We/ppss aim/vb t'/to be/be see-lective/jj ,/, y'know/ppss+vb ?/. ?/.
Don't/do* like/vb to/to bother/vb no/at one/pn unless/cs we/ppss have/hv to/in ,/, which/wdt I/ppss figger/vb we/ppss do/do ,/, in/in your/pp$ case/nn ./.
Figger/vb we/ppss got/vbd to/to be/be plumb/ql careful/jj with/in any/dti of/in you/ppo Highlands/nns-tl big/jj shots/nns ''/'' ./.


	McBride/np reddened/vbd ./.
He/pps himself/ppl had/hvd heard/vbn that/cs there/ex was/bedz gangster/nn money/nn in/in the/at company/nn ,/, but/cc that/dt had/hvd nothing/pn to/to do/do with/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz an/at honest/jj man/nn doing/vbg a/at hard/jj job/nn ,/, and/cc the/at implication/nn that/cs he/pps was/bedz anything/pn else/rb was/bedz unbearable/jj ./.


	``/`` Look/vb ,/, Lord/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd hoarsely/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb you've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at grudge/nn against/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc maybe/rb I/ppss can't/md* blame/vb you/ppo ./.
You/ppss think/vb that/cs Highlands/nns-tl swindled/vbd you/ppo and/cc I/ppss helped/vbd 'em/ppo do/do it/ppo ./.
But/cc you're/ppss+ber all/ql wrong/jj ,/, man/nn !/. !/.
I'm/ppss+bem no/at lawyer/nn ./.
I/ppss just/rb do/do what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem told/vbn ,/, and/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` uh-huh/uh ./.
An'/cc that/wps could/md mean/vb trouble/nn with/in a/at fella/nn that's/wps+bez workin'/vbg for/in crooks/nns ./.
So/cs you/ppss get/vb rid/jj of/in that/dt pistol/nn right/ql now/rb ,/, Mis-ter/np McBride/np ./.
You/ppss do/do that/dt or/cc take/vb you/ppss out/rp a/at permit/nn right/ql now/rb ''/'' ./.


	McBride/np couldn't/md* do/do either/dtx ,/, of/in course/nn ./.
Not/* immediately/rb ,/, as/cs the/at deputy/nn demanded/vbd ./.
Not/* without/in a/at face-saving/jj respite/nn of/in at/in least/ap a/at few/ap minutes/nns ./.
To/to do/do so/rb would/md make/vb his/pp$ job/nn well-nigh/ql impossible/jj ./.
Oil-field/nn workers/nns were/bed a/at rough-tough/jj lot/nn ./.
How/wrb could/md he/pps exert/vb authority/nn over/in them/ppo --/-- make/vb them/ppo toe/vb the/at line/nn ,/, as/cs he/pps had/hvd to/in --/-- if/cs he/pps knuckled/vbd under/rb to/in this/dt small-town/nn clown/nn ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb around/rb to/in it/ppo a/at little/ap later/rbr ''/'' ,/, he/pps mumbled/vbd desperately/rb ./.
``/`` Just/rb as/ql soon/rb as/cs I/ppss go/vb to/in the/at bank/nn ,/, and/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` huh-uh/uh ./.
Now/rb ,/, Mis-ter/np McBride/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Lord/nn-tl ,/, and/cc he/pps laid/vbd a/at firmly/rb restraining/vbg hand/nn on/in the/at field/nn boss's/nn$ arm/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz strictly/rb the/at deputy's/nn$ game/nn ,/, but/cc McBride/np had/hvd gone/vbn too/ql far/rb to/to throw/vb in/rp ./.
Now/rb ,/, he/pps could/md only/rb play/vb the/at last/ap card/nn in/in what/wdt was/bedz probably/rb the/at world's/nn$ coldest/jjt deck/nn ./.


	He/pps flung/vbd off/rp Lord's/np$ hand/nn and/cc attempted/vbd to/to push/vb past/in him/ppo ,/, inadvertently/rb shoving/vbg him/ppo into/in a/at storefront/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz practically/rb the/at last/ap move/nn that/dt McBride/np made/vbd of/in his/pp$ own/jj volition/nn ./.


	Lord/np slugged/vbd him/ppo in/in the/at stomach/nn ,/, so/ql hard/rb that/cs the/at organ/nn almost/rb pressed/vbd against/in his/pp$ spine/nn ./.
Then/rb ,/, as/cs he/pps doubled/vbd ,/, gasping/vbg ,/, vomiting/vbg the/at breakfast/nn he/pps had/hvd so/ql lately/rb eaten/vbn ,/, Lord/np straightened/vbd him/ppo with/in an/at uppercut/nn ./.
A/at rabbit/nn punch/nn redoubled/vbd him/ppo ./.
And/cc then/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at numbing/vbg blow/nn to/in the/at heart/nn ,/, and/cc another/dt gut-flattening/jj blow/nn to/in the/at stomach/nn 

	But/cc he/pps couldn't/md* keep/vb up/rp with/in them/ppo ./.
No/at more/ap could/md he/pps defend/vb himself/ppl against/in them/ppo ./.
He/pps seemed/vbd to/to be/be fighting/vbg not/* one/cd man/nn but/cc a/at dozen/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps could/md no/at longer/jjr think/vb of/in face-saving/jj ,/, of/in honor/nn ,/, but/cc only/rb of/in escape/nn ./.


	Why/wrb ,/, he's/pps+bez going/vbg to/to kill/vb me/ppo ,/, he/pps thought/vbd wildly/rb ./.
I/ppss meant/vbd him/ppo no/at harm/nn ./.
I've/ppss+hv given/vbn willful/jj hurt/nn to/in no/at man/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz just/rb doing/vbg my/pp$ job/nn ,/, just/rb following/vbg orders/nns ,/, and/cc for/in that/dt he's/pps+bez going/vbg to/to kill/vb me/ppo ./.
Beat/vb me/ppo to/in death/nn in/in front/nn of/in a/at hundred/cd people/nns ./.


	Somehow/rb more/ql terrible/jj than/cs the/at certainty/nn that/cs he/pps was/bedz about/rb to/to die/vb was/bedz the/at knowledge/nn that/cs Lord/np would/md probably/rb not/* suffer/vb for/in it/ppo :/: the/at murder/nn would/md go/vb unpunished/jj ./.
He/pps ,/, McBride/np ,/, would/md be/be cited/vbn as/cs in/in the/at wrong/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps ,/, Lord/np ,/, would/md go/vb scot-free/jj ,/, an/at officer/nn who/wps had/hvd only/rb done/vbn his/pp$ duty/nn ,/, though/cs perhaps/rb too/ql energetically/rb ./.


	McBride/np staggered/vbd into/in the/at street/nn ,/, flopped/vbd sprawling/vbg in/in the/at stinging/vbg dust/nn ./.
Fear-maddened/jj ,/, fleeing/vbg the/at lengthening/vbg shadow/nn of/in death/nn ,/, he/pps scrambled/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns again/rb ./.
He/pps couldn't/md* see/vb ;/. ;/.
he/pps was/bedz long/jj past/in the/at point/nn of/in coherent/jj thinking/nn ./.
Dimly/rb ,/, he/pps heard/vbd laughter/nn ,/, hoots/nns of/in derision/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps could/md not/* read/vb the/at racket/nn properly/rb ./.
He/pps could/md not/* grasp/vb that/cs Lord/np had/hvd withdrawn/vbn from/in the/at fight/nn minutes/nns ago/rb ,/, and/cc that/cs his/pp$ leaden/jj arms/nns were/bed flailing/vbg at/in nothing/pn but/cc the/at air/nn ./.


	He/pps hated/vbd them/ppo too/ql much/rb to/to understand/vb --/-- the/at people/nns of/in this/dt isolated/vbn law-unto-itself/jj world/nn that/wps was/bedz Lord's/np$ world/nn ./.
This/dt ,/, he/pps was/bedz sure/jj ,/, was/bedz the/at way/nn they/ppss would/md act/vb ;/. ;/.
laughing/vbg at/in a/at dying/vbg man/nn ,/, laughing/vbg as/cs a/at man/nn was/bedz beaten/vbn to/in death/nn ./.
And/cc nothing/pn would/md be/be done/vbn about/in it/ppo ./.
Nothing/pn unless/cs 

	Donna/np !/. !/.
Donna/np ,/, his/pp$ young/jj wife/nn ,/, the/at girl/nn who/wps was/bedz both/abx daughter/nn and/cc wife/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
Donna/np was/bedz like/cs he/pps was/bedz ./.
She/pps lived/vbd by/in the/at rules/nns ,/, never/rb compromising/vbg ,/, never/rb blinded/vbn or/cc diverted/vbn by/in circumstance/nn ./.
And/cc Donna/np would/md --/-- 

	When/wrb he/pps regained/vbd consciousness/nn he/pps was/bedz in/in Lord's/np$ house/nn ,/, in/in the/at office/nn of/in Doctor/nn-tl Lord/np ,/, the/at deputy's/nn$ deceased/jj father/nn ./.



	The/at Brannon/np outfit/nn --/-- known/vbn as/cs the/at Slash-B/np because/cs of/in its/pp$ brand/nn --/-- reached/vbd Hondo/np-tl Creek/nn-tl before/in sundown/nn ./.
The/at herd/nn was/bedz watered/vbn and/cc then/rb thrown/vbn onto/in a/at broad/jj grass/nn flat/nn which/wdt was/bedz to/to be/be the/at first/od night's/nn$ bedground/nn ./.
Two/cd of/in the/at new/jj hands/nns ,/, a/at Mexican/np named/vbd Jose/np Amado/np and/cc a/at kid/nn known/vbn only/rb as/cs Laredo/np ,/, were/bed picked/vbn for/in the/at first/od trick/nn of/in riding/vbg night/nn herd/nn ./.


	The/at rest/nn of/in the/at crew/nn offsaddled/vbd their/pp$ mounts/nns and/cc turned/vbd them/ppo into/in the/at remuda/nn ./.
They/ppss got/vbd tin/nn cups/nns of/in coffee/nn from/in the/at big/jj pot/nn on/in the/at coosie's/nn$ fire/nn ,/, rolled/vbd and/cc lighted/vbd brown-paper/nn cigarettes/nns ,/, lounged/vbd about/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz some/dti idle/jj talk/nn ,/, a/at listless/jj discussion/nn of/in this/dt or/cc that/dt small/jj happening/nn during/in the/at day's/nn$ drive/nn ./.
But/cc they/ppss deliberately/rb avoided/vbd the/at one/cd subject/nn that/wps had/hvd them/ppo all/abn curious/jj :/: the/at failure/nn of/in the/at boss's/nn$ wife/nn and/cc son/nn to/to join/vb the/at outfit/nn ./.
It/pps especially/rb bothered/vbd the/at older/jjr hands/nns ./.


	The/at cook/nn ,/, Mateo/np Garcia/np ,/, had/hvd arrived/vbn there/rb long/jj before/in the/at herd/nn ./.
He'd/pps+md started/vbn a/at fire/nn and/cc put/vbn coffee/nn on/rp ,/, and/cc now/rb was/bedz busy/jj at/in the/at work/nn board/nn of/in his/pp$ chuck/nn wagon/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz readying/vbg a/at batch/nn of/in sourdough/nn biscuits/nns for/in the/at Dutch/jj oven/nn ./.
Supper/nn would/md be/be ready/jj within/in the/at hour/nn ./.


	The/at Maguire/np family/nn was/bedz setting/vbg up/rp a/at separate/jj camp/nn nearby/rb ./.
Billie/np had/hvd unhitched/vbn the/at mules/nns from/in both/abx Tom/np Brannon's/np$ and/cc his/pp$ father's/nn$ wagon/nn ./.
Hank/np had/hvd gathered/vbn wood/nn for/in a/at cookfire/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ wife/nn was/bedz busy/jj at/in it/ppo now/rb ./.
Conchita/np kept/vbd an/at eye/nn on/in the/at twins/nns and/cc little/jj Elena/np ,/, trying/vbg to/to keep/vb them/ppo from/in falling/vbg into/in the/at creek/nn by/in which/wdt they/ppss persisted/vbd in/in playing/vbg ./.
Conchita/np nagged/vbd at/in the/at younger/jjr children/nns ,/, attempting/vbg without/in success/nn to/to keep/vb her/pp$ thoughts/nns off/in Tom/np Brannon/np ./.


	Tom/np Brannon/np had/hvd caught/vbn up/rp with/in the/at outfit/nn shortly/rb after/cs the/at Maguires/nps joined/vbd it/ppo ,/, which/wdt had/hvd been/ben at/in midday/nn ./.
He'd/pps+hvd come/vbn alone/rb ,/, without/in his/pp$ wife/nn and/cc child/nn ./.
He'd/pps+hvd been/ben in/in an/at angry/jj mood/nn :/: Conchita/np had/hvd thought/vbn his/pp$ face/nn almost/rb ugly/jj with/in the/at anger/nn in/in him/ppo ./.


	She/pps wondered/vbd what/wdt had/hvd taken/vbn place/nn in/in town/nn ,/, between/in him/ppo and/cc his/pp$ wife/nn ./.
She/pps wished/vbd that/cs she/pps could/md talk/vb to/in her/pp$ mother/nn about/in it/ppo ./.
Not/* that/cs her/pp$ mother/nn knew/vbd what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn ,/, but/cc they/ppss could/md speculate/vb upon/in it/ppo ./.
But/cc her/pp$ mother/nn would/md rebuke/vb her/ppo if/cs she/pps mentioned/vbd it/ppo ,/, and/cc say/vb that/cs it/pps was/bedz none/pn of/in her/pp$ concern/nn ./.


	``/`` Pat/np ,/, get/vb out/rp of/in that/dt creek/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss too/rb ,/, Sean/np !/. !/.
Elena/np ,/, you'll/ppss+md get/vb mud/nn all/abn over/in your/pp$ dress/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Even/rb as/cs she/pps called/vbd to/in the/at children/nns ,/, Conchita/np let/vb her/pp$ gaze/vb seek/vb Tom/np Brannon/np ./.
Tomas/np ,/, she/pps called/vbd him/ppo --/-- as/cs the/at Mexican/jj hands/nns did/dod ./.
He/pps was/bedz in/in earnest/jj conversation/nn with/in her/pp$ father/nn and/cc the/at old/jj vaquero/nn ,/, Luis/np Hernandez/np ./.
Whatever/wdt they/ppss are/ber talking/vbg about/rb ?/. ?/.
Conchita/np wondered/vbd ./.


	It/pps bothered/vbd her/ppo that/cs she/pps probably/rb would/md never/rb know/vb ./.
Certainly/rb ,/, she/pps wouldn't/md* dare/vb ask/vb her/pp$ father/nn afterward/rb ./.
He/pps would/md tell/vb her/ppo not/* to/to pry/vb into/in grownups'/nns$ affairs/nns --/-- as/cs though/cs she/pps were/bed a/at little/jj kid/nn like/cs Elena/np !/. !/.


	At/in the/at moment/nn ,/, the/at three/cd men/nns were/bed not/* saying/vbg much/ap of/in anything/pn ./.
They/ppss were/bed sitting/vbg on/in their/pp$ heels/nns ,/, rider-fashion/rb ,/, over/rp by/in the/at still/rb empty/jj calf/nn wagon/nn ./.
Brannon/np was/bedz hunkered/vbn down/rp with/in his/pp$ broad/jj back/nn to/in the/at left/jj rear/jj wheel/nn ,/, with/in the/at other/ap two/cd facing/vbg him/ppo ./.
He/pps held/vbd a/at cigarette/nn in/in his/pp$ right/jj hand/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz burning/vbg away/rb ,/, forgotten/vbn ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz clouded/vbn with/in unhappiness/nn ./.


	He'd/pps+hvd told/vbn Hank/np Maguire/np and/cc Luis/np Hernandez/np about/in his/pp$ wife's/nn$ refusal/nn to/to come/vb with/in him/ppo and/cc about/in what/wdt he/pps now/rb intended/vbd to/to do/do ./.
They/ppss were/bed considering/vbg it/ppo gravely/rb ,/, neither/dtx seeming/vbg to/to like/vb what/wdt he/pps planned/vbd ./.


	Finally/rb Hernandez/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss could/md offer/vb you/ppo advice/nn ,/, Tomas/np ,/, but/cc you/ppss wouldn't/md* heed/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Let's/vb+ppo hear/vb it/ppo ,/, anyway/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Wait/vb a/at little/ap while/nn ./.
Let/vb Senora/np Brannon/np live/vb in/in her/pp$ father's/nn$ house/nn for/in a/at time/nn ./.
Give/vb her/ppo time/nn to/to miss/vb you/ppo ./.
Maybe/rb she/pps will/md then/rb come/vb to/in you/ppo ./.
After/in all/abn ,/, you/ppss want/vb the/at senora/nn as/ql much/rb as/cs you/ppss want/vb the/at boy/nn ./.
You/ppss need/vb her/ppo even/rb more/rbr than/cs you/ppss need/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She/pps won't/md* change/vb her/pp$ mind/nn ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` John/np Clayton/np will/md see/vb to/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc after/in a/at time/nn away/rb from/in you/ppo ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` A/at year/nn ,/, Luis/np ?/. ?/.
Five/cd ?/. ?/.
Ten/cd ?/. ?/.
How/wrb long/jj should/md I/ppss wait/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
``/`` Maybe/rb in/in a/at year/nn ,/, Tomas/np ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` In/in a/at year/nn she'll/pps+md like/vb living/vbg in/in Clayton's/np$ house/nn too/ql much/rb to/to come/vb back/rb to/in me/ppo ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np said/vbd flatly/rb ./.
``/`` And/cc the/at boy/nn will/md be/be too/ql much/rb under/in his/pp$ influence/nn by/in then/rb ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to take/vb Danny/np away/rb from/in Clayton/np before/cs I/ppss lose/vb him/ppo altogether/rb ./.
Hell/nn ,/, in/in a/at year/nn or/cc five/cd or/cc ten/cd ,/, the/at boy/nn will/md have/hv forgotten/vbn me/ppo --/-- his/pp$ own/jj father/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` But/cc to/to take/vb him/ppo and/cc leave/vb his/pp$ mother/nn behind/rb is/bez not/* good/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` In/in my/pp$ place/nn ,/, you'd/ppss+md follow/vb such/jj advice/nn as/cs you/ppss give/vb me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Hernandez/np looked/vbd suddenly/rb uncertain/jj ./.
``/`` That/cs I/ppss can't/md* answer/vb ,/, for/cs I/ppss can't/md* imagine/vb something/pn like/cs this/dt happening/vbg to/in me/ppo ./.
Maybe/rb I/ppss should/md withdraw/vb my/pp$ advice/nn --/-- no/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Brannon/np looked/vbd at/in Hank/np Maguire/np ./.
``/`` And/cc you/ppo ?/. ?/.
What/wdt would/md you/ppo do/do in/in my/pp$ place/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Hank/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ,/, Tom/np ./.
Like/cs Luis/np ,/, I/ppss can't/md* see/vb something/pn like/cs this/dt happening/vbg to/in me/ppo ./.
With/in Maria/np and/cc me/ppo ,/, there's/ex+hvz never/rb any/dti problem/nn ./.
Where/wrb I/ppss go/vb ,/, she/pps goes/vbz --/-- and/cc the/at kids/nns with/in us/ppo ./.
You're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to need/vb your/pp$ woman/nn ./.
And/cc the/at boy/nn will/md need/vb his/pp$ mother/nn ./.
If/cs you/ppss take/vb the/at one/pn ,/, you'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr take/vb both/abx ''/'' ./.


	Brannon/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss won't/md* force/vb Beth/np to/to come/vb against/in her/pp$ will/nn ./.
But/cc I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to have/hv my/pp$ son/nn ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss were/bed silent/jj for/in a/at little/ap while/nn ,/, each/dt looking/vbg glum/nn ./.


	Finally/rb Luis/np Hernandez/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` What/wdt must/md be/be ,/, must/md be/be ./.
I/ppss am/bem with/in you/ppo ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, Tomas/np ''/'' ./.


	And/cc Hank/np Maguire/np added/vbd ,/, ``/`` So/rb am/bem I/ppss ,/, Tom/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np said/vbd ,/, rising/vbg ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md ride/vb out/rp as/cs soon/rb as/cs we've/ppss+hv had/hvd chuck/nn ''/'' ./.




Brannon/np timed/vbd it/ppo so/cs that/cs they/ppss rode/vbd in/in an/at hour/nn after/in nightfall/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd for/in cover/nn both/abx darkness/nn and/cc a/at summer/nn storm/nn ./.
During/in much/ap of/in the/at fifteen-mile/jj ride/nn they/ppss had/hvd watched/vbn a/at lurid/jj display/nn of/in lightning/nn in/in the/at sky/nn to/in the/at east/nr ./.
Later/rbr ,/, they'd/ppss+hvd heard/vbn the/at rumble/nn of/in thunder/nn and/cc then/rb ,/, just/rb outside/rb Rockfork/np ,/, they/ppss ran/vbd into/in rain/nn ./.
Those/dts who/wps had/hvd slickers/nns donned/vbd them/ppo ./.
The/at others/nns put/vb on/rp old/jj coats/nns or/cc ducking/vbg jackets/nns ,/, whichever/wdt they/ppss carried/vbd behind/in their/pp$ saddle/nn cantles/nns ./.


	There/ex were/bed seven/cd of/in them/ppo ,/, enough/ap for/in a/at show/nn of/in strength/nn --/-- to/to run/vb a/at bluff/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz to/to be/be nothing/pn more/ap than/in that/dt ./.
There/ex was/bedz to/to be/be no/at gunplay/nn ./.
If/cs the/at bluff/nn failed/vbd and/cc they/ppss ran/vbd into/in trouble/nn ,/, Brannon/np had/hvd told/vbn the/at others/nns ,/, they/ppss would/md withdraw/vb --/-- and/cc he/pps would/md come/vb after/in his/pp$ son/nn another/dt time/nn ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* want/vb to/to put/vb himself/ppl outside/in the/at law/nn ./.


	With/in him/ppo were/bed Hank/np Maguire/np ,/, Luis/np Hernandez/np ,/, and/cc Luis's/np$ son/nn Pedro/np ./.
The/at Ramirez/np brothers/nns were/bed also/rb along/rb ./.
The/at seventh/od man/nn was/bedz Red/np Hogan/np ,/, a/at wiry/jj little/ap puncher/nn with/in a/at wild/jj streak/nn and/cc a/at liking/nn for/in hell-raising/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed all/abn good/jj men/nns ./.


	It/pps was/bedz dark/jj early/rb ,/, because/cs of/in the/at storm/nn ./.
Also/rb because/cs of/in the/at storm/nn ,/, the/at streets/nns of/in Rockfork/np were/bed deserted/vbn ./.
Lighted/vbn windows/nns glowed/vbd jewel-bright/jj through/in the/at downpour/nn ./.
They/ppss reined/vbd in/rp before/in the/at town/nn marshal's/nn$ office/nn ,/, a/at box-sized/jj building/nn on/in Main/jjs-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
A/at lamp/nn burned/vbd inside/rb ,/, but/cc Brannon/np ,/, peering/vbg through/in the/at window/nn ,/, saw/vbd that/cs the/at office/nn was/bedz empty/jj ./.
He'd/pps+hvd hoped/vbn to/to catch/vb Jesse/np Macklin/np there/rb ./.


	``/`` Probably/rb just/rb stepped/vbd out/rp ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb to/to have/hv supper/nn ./.
Red/np ,/, come/vb along/rb ./.
The/at rest/nn of/in you/ppo wait/vb here/rb ''/'' ./.


	With/in Red/np Hogan/np ,/, he/pps rode/vbd to/in the/at Welcome/nn-tl Cafe/nn-tl ./.
Hogan/np got/vbd down/rp from/in the/at saddle/nn and/cc had/hvd a/at look/nn inside/rb ./.
``/`` Not/* there/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, getting/vbg back/rb onto/in his/pp$ horse/nn ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb he's/pps+bez at/in the/at hotel/nn ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss rode/vbd to/in the/at Rockfork/np-tl House/nn-tl ,/, a/at little/ap farther/rbr along/in the/at opposite/jj side/nn of/in the/at street/nn ./.
They/ppss reined/vbd in/rp there/rb ,/, Brannon/np remaining/vbg in/in the/at saddle/nn while/cs Hogan/np went/vbd to/to look/vb for/in Jesse/np Macklin/np in/in the/at hotel/nn dining/vbg room/nn ./.
Brannon/np had/hvd no/at slicker/nn ./.
He'd/pps+hvd put/vb on/rp his/pp$ old/jj brown/jj corduroy/nn coat/nn and/cc it/pps was/bedz already/rb soaked/vbn ./.
But/cc he/pps felt/vbd no/at physical/jj discomfort/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz only/rb vaguely/rb aware/jj of/in the/at sluicing/vbg rain/nn ./.
He/pps hardly/rb noticed/vbd the/at blue-green/jj flashes/nns of/in lightning/nn and/cc the/at hard/jj claps/nns of/in thunder/nn ./.


	Hogan/np reappeared/vbd ,/, stopped/vbd on/in the/at hotel/nn porch/nn ,/, lifted/vbd a/at hand/nn in/in signal/nn ./.
Brannon/np dismounted/vbd and/cc climbed/vbd the/at steps/nns ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+hvz finished/vbn eating/vbg ''/'' ,/, Hogan/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Sitting/vbg with/in a/at cup/nn of/in coffee/nn now/rb ./.
It/pps shouldn't/md* be/be long/jj ''/'' ./.


	It/pps seemed/vbd long/jj ,/, at/in least/ap to/in Tom/np Brannon/np ./.
He/pps and/cc Hogan/np waited/vbd by/in the/at door/nn ,/, one/cd to/in either/dtx side/nn ./.
Macklin/np was/bedz the/at third/od man/nn to/to come/vb out/rp ,/, and/cc he/pps came/vbd unhurriedly/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz puffing/vbg on/in a/at cigar/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz turning/vbg up/rp his/pp$ coat/nn collar/nn against/in the/at rain/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz not/* until/cs he/pps moved/vbd across/in the/at porch/nn that/cs he/pps became/vbd aware/jj of/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc then/rb it/pps was/bedz too/ql late/jj ./.
They/ppss closed/vbd in/rp fast/rb ,/, kept/vbd him/ppo from/in reaching/vbg inside/in his/pp$ coat/nn for/in his/pp$ gun/nn ./.


	``/`` Just/rb come/vb along/rb ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np told/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` Don't/do* start/vb anything/pn you/ppss can't/md* finish/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, listen/vb ''/'' --/-- Macklin/np began/vbd ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md talk/vb over/rp at/in your/pp$ office/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Brannon/np ,/, I/ppss warn/vb you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo go/vb ,/, Marshal/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc took/vbd him/ppo by/in the/at arm/nn ./.


	Hogan/np gripped/vbd the/at lawman's/nn$ other/ap arm/nn ./.
They/ppss escorted/vbd him/ppo down/rp from/in the/at porch/nn and/cc through/in the/at rain/nn to/in his/pp$ office/nn ./.
The/at other/ap five/cd Slash-B/np men/nns followed/vbd them/ppo inside/rb ,/, crowding/vbg the/at small/jj room/nn ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz stiff/jj with/in anger/nn when/wrb they/ppss let/vb go/vb of/in his/pp$ arms/nns ./.
He/pps looked/vbd at/in each/dt of/in them/ppo in/in turn/nn ,/, Brannon/np last/ap of/in all/abn ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md remember/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Every/at last/ap one/cd of/in you/ppo ./.
As/cs for/in you/ppo ,/, Brannon/np ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Put/vb your/pp$ gun/nn on/in the/at desk/nn ,/, Marshal/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, hold/vb on/rp ,/, damn/vb it/ppo ;/. ;/.
I/ppss won't/md* ''/'' --/-- 

	Red/np Hogan's/np$ patience/nn ran/vbd out/rp ./.
He/pps lifted/vbd the/at skirt/nn of/in Macklin's/np$ coat/nn ,/, took/vbd his/pp$ gun/nn from/in its/pp$ holster/nn ,/, tossed/vbd it/ppo onto/in the/at desk/nn ./.
``/`` Too/ql much/ap fooling/nn around/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Don't/do* press/vb your/pp$ luck/nn ,/, badge-toter/nn ''/'' ./.


	Brannon/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Now/rb the/at key/nn to/in the/at lockup/nn ,/, Marshal/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Key/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Macklin/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` What/wdt for/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Can't/md* you/ppss guess/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Brannon/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We're/ppss+ber putting/vbg you/ppo where/wrb you/ppss won't/md* come/vb to/in harm/nn ./.
Come/vb on/rp --/-- the/at key/nn ./.
Get/vb it/ppo out/rp ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Damned/vbn if/cs I/ppss will/md ./.
Brannon/np ,/, you've/ppss+hv assaulted/vbn a/at law/nn officer/nn and/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	They/ppss moved/vbd in/rp on/in him/ppo ,/, crowded/vbd him/ppo from/in all/abn sides/nns ./.
No/at man/nn laid/vbd a/at hand/nn on/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc the/at threat/nn of/in violence/nn was/bedz there/rb ./.
His/pp$ face/nn took/vbd on/rp a/at sudden/jj pallor/nn ,/, became/vbd beaded/vbn with/in sweat/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv trouble/nn with/in his/pp$ breathing/nn ./.
He/pps held/vbd out/rp a/at moment/nn longer/rbr ,/, then/rb his/pp$ nerve/nn gave/vbd under/in the/at pressure/nn ./.


	He/pps swore/vbd ,/, and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` All/ql right/rb ./.
It's/pps+bez here/rb in/in my/pp$ pocket/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Get/vb it/ppo out/rp ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np ordered/vbd ./.
Then/rb ,/, as/cs Macklin/np obeyed/vbd :/: ``/`` Now/rb let's/vb+ppo go/vb out/rp back/rb ''/'' ./.


	Resignedly/rb ,/, Macklin/np turned/vbd to/in the/at back/nn door/nn ./.
They/ppss followed/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at rain/nn and/cc across/rb to/in the/at squat/nn stone/nn building/nn fifty/cd feet/nns to/in the/at rear/nn ./.
The/at door/nn of/in the/at lockup/nn was/bedz of/in oak/nn planks/nns and/cc banded/vbn with/in strap/nn iron/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz secured/vbn by/in an/at oversized/jj padlock/nn ./.
Macklin/np balked/vbd again/rb ,/, not/* wanting/vbg to/to unlock/vb and/cc open/vb the/at door/nn ./.
They/ppss crowded/vbd him/ppo in/in that/dt threatening/vbg way/nn once/rb more/rbr ,/, forced/vbd him/ppo to/to give/vb in/rp ./.
Once/cs the/at door/nn was/bedz open/jj ,/, they/ppss crowded/vbd him/ppo inside/in the/at dark/jj building/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz uttering/vbg threats/nns in/in a/at low/jj but/cc savage/jj voice/nn when/wrb they/ppss closed/vbd and/cc padlocked/vbd the/at door/nn ./.


	They/ppss returned/vbd to/in the/at street/nn ,/, mounted/vbd their/pp$ horses/nns ,/, rode/vbd through/in the/at rain/nn to/in the/at big/jj house/nn on/in Houston/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
Its/pp$ windows/nns glowed/vbd with/in lamplight/nn ./.
Deputy/nn-tl Marshal/nn-tl Luke/np Harper/np still/rb stood/vbd guard/nn on/in the/at veranda/nn ,/, a/at forlorn/jj ,/, scarecrowish/jj figure/nn in/in the/at murky/jj dark/nn ./.
He/pps came/vbd to/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at veranda/nn ,/, peered/vbd down/rp at/in them/ppo with/in his/pp$ hand/nn on/in his/pp$ gun/nn ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* try/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Brannon/np told/vbd him/ppo ,/, dismounting/vbg and/cc starting/vbg up/in the/at steps/nns with/in his/pp$ men/nns following/vbg ./.
``/`` Don't/do* get/vb yourself/ppl killed/vbn for/in something/pn that/dt doesn't/doz* concern/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps strode/vbd past/in the/at now/rb frightened/vbn man/nn ,/, entered/vbd the/at house/nn ./.
Miguel/np and/cc Arturo/np Ramirez/np remained/vbd on/in the/at veranda/nn to/to keep/vb Harper/np from/in interfering/vbg ./.
The/at others/nns followed/vbd Brannon/np inside/rb ./.
They/ppss trailed/vbd him/ppo across/in the/at wide/jj hallway/nn to/in the/at parlor/nn ,/, four/cd roughly/rb garbed/vbn and/cc tough-looking/jj men/nns who/wps probably/rb had/hvd never/rb before/rb ventured/vbn into/in such/abl a/at house/nn ./.
They/ppss brought/vbd to/in it/ppo all/abn the/at odors/nns that/wps clung/vbd to/in men/nns like/vb themselves/ppls ,/, that/dt of/in their/pp$ own/jj sweat/nn ,/, of/in campfire/nn smoke/nn ,/, of/in horses/nns and/cc cattle/nns ./.
They/ppss tracked/vbd mud/nn on/in the/at oaken/jj floor/nn ,/, on/in the/at carpet/nn ./.
Their/pp$ presence/nn fouled/vbd the/at elegance/nn of/in that/dt room/nn ./.


	And/cc their/pp$ arrival/nn caught/vbd John/np Clayton/np and/cc Charles/np Ansley/np off/in guard/nn ./.



	The/at author/nn of/in the/at anonymous/jj notes/nns seemed/vbd to/to be/be all-knowing/jj ./.
For/cs men/nns who/wps had/hvd left/vbn cattle/nns alone/rb after/in getting/vbg their/pp$ first/od notices/nns had/hvd received/vbn no/at second/od ./.
But/cc the/at day/nn of/in the/at deadline/nn came/vbd and/cc passed/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at men/nns who/wps had/hvd scoffed/vbn at/in the/at warnings/nns laughed/vbd with/in satisfaction/nn ./.
For/cs ,/, with/in a/at single/ap exception/nn ,/, nothing/pn had/hvd happened/vbn to/in them/ppo ./.


	The/at exception/nn was/bedz an/at Iron/nn-tl Mountain/nn-tl settler/nn named/vbn William/np Lewis/np ./.
After/cs walking/vbg out/rp to/in his/pp$ corral/nn that/dt morning/nn ,/, he'd/pps+hvd been/ben amazed/vbn to/to see/vb the/at dust/nn puff/vb up/rp in/in front/nn of/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
A/at split/vbn second/nn later/rbr ,/, the/at distant/jj crack/nn of/in a/at rifle/nn had/hvd sounded/vbn ./.
He'd/pps+hvd mounted/vbn up/rp immediately/rb and/cc raced/vbn with/in a/at revolver/nn ready/jj toward/in the/at spot/nn from/in which/wdt he'd/pps+hvd estimated/vbn the/at shot/nn had/hvd come/vbn ./.
But/cc he/pps had/hvd found/vbn all/abn of/in the/at thickets/nns and/cc points/nns of/in cover/nn deserted/vbn ./.
There/ex had/hvd been/ben no/at sign/nn of/in a/at rifleman/nn and/cc no/at track/nn or/cc trace/nn to/to show/vb that/cs anyone/pn had/hvd been/ben near/rb ./.


	Lewis/np was/bedz a/at man/nn who/wps had/hvd made/vbn a/at full-time/jj job/nn of/in cow/nn stealing/nn ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* even/rb pretended/vbn to/to be/be farming/vbg his/pp$ spread/nn ./.
His/pp$ land/nn had/hvd never/rb been/ben plowed/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd done/vbn his/pp$ rustling/nn openly/rb and/cc boasted/vbd about/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd received/vbn both/abx first/od and/cc second/od anonymous/jj notices/nns ,/, and/cc each/dt time/nn he/pps had/hvd accused/vbn his/pp$ neighbors/nns of/in writing/vbg them/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd cursed/vbn at/in them/ppo and/cc threatened/vbn them/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at man/nn ,/, those/dts neighbors/nns testified/vbd later/rbr ,/, who/wps didn't/dod* have/hv a/at friend/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.


	William/np Lewis/np made/vbd the/at rounds/nns of/in all/abn who/wps lived/vbd near/in him/ppo again/rb ,/, that/dt August/np morning/nn after/cs a/at bullet/nn landed/vbd at/in his/pp$ feet/nns ,/, and/cc once/rb more/rbr he/pps accused/vbd and/cc threatened/vbd everyone/pn ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md be/be ready/jj next/ap time/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps raged/vbd ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md be/be shootin'/vbg right/ql back/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps had/hvd his/pp$ chance/nn the/at very/ql next/ap morning/nn ,/, for/cs exactly/rb the/at same/ap thing/nn happened/vbd again/rb ./.
This/dt time/nn Lewis/np had/hvd his/pp$ own/jj rifle/nn in/in his/pp$ hands/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps threw/vbd some/dti answering/vbg fire/nn back/rb at/in the/at mysterious/jj far-off/jj shot/nn ,/, then/rb spent/vbd most/ap of/in the/at day/nn searching/vbg out/rp the/at area/nn ./.
He/pps found/vbd nothing/pn ,/, but/cc he/pps still/rb refused/vbd to/to give/vb up/rp and/cc move/vb out/rp ./.


	``/`` Just/rb let/vb me/ppo meet/vb up/rp with/in that/dt damned/vbn bushwhackin'/jj coward/nn face-to-face/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps exploded/vbd ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez all/abn I/ppss ask/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	He/pps never/rb got/vbd that/dt chance/nn ./.
For/cs the/at unseen/jj ,/, ghostlike/jj rifleman/nn aimed/vbd a/at little/ap higher/jjr the/at third/od time/nn ./.
A/at bullet/nn smashed/vbd directly/rb into/in the/at center/nn of/in William/np Lewis'/np$ chest/nn ./.
He/pps slumped/vbd against/in a/at log/nn fence/nn rail/nn ,/, then/rb tried/vbd to/to lift/vb himself/ppl ./.
Two/cd more/ap shots/nns followed/vbd in/in quick/jj succession/nn ,/, dropping/vbg him/ppo limp/jj and/cc huddled/vbd on/in the/at ground/nn ./.


	An/at inquest/nn was/bedz held/vbn ,/, and/cc after/cs a/at good/jj deal/nn of/in testimony/nn about/in the/at anonymous/jj notes/nns ,/, the/at county/nn coroner/nn estimated/vbd that/cs the/at shooting/nn had/hvd been/ben done/vbn from/in a/at distance/nn of/in 300/cd yards/nns ./.
Rumors/nns of/in the/at offer/nn Tom/np Horn/np had/hvd made/vbn at/in the/at Stockgrowers'/nns$-tl Association/nn-tl meeting/nn had/hvd leaked/vbn out/rp by/in then/rb ,/, and/cc as/cs a/at grand/jj jury/nn investigation/nn of/in the/at murder/nn got/vbd underway/rb ,/, the/at prosecuting/vbg attorney/nn ,/, a/at Colonel/nn-tl Baird/np ,/, ordered/vbd that/cs the/at tall/jj stock/nn detective/nn be/be summoned/vbn for/in questioning/vbg ./.


	It/pps took/vbd some/dti time/nn to/to locate/vb Horn/np ./.
He/pps was/bedz finally/rb found/vbn in/in the/at Bates/np-tl Hole/nn-tl region/nn of/in Natrona/np-tl County/nn-tl ,/, two/cd counties/nns away/rb ./.
Prosecutor/nn-tl Baird/np immediately/rb assumed/vbd he/pps was/bedz hiding/vbg out/rp there/rb after/in the/at shooting/nn and/cc began/vbd preparing/vbg an/at indictment/nn ./.
But/cc that/dt indictment/nn was/bedz never/rb made/vbn ./.
For/cs Tom/np Horn/np ,/, it/pps turned/vbd out/rp ,/, had/hvd a/at number/nn of/in rancher/nn and/cc cowboy/nn witnesses/nns ready/jj and/cc willing/jj to/to swear/vb with/in straight/jj faces/nns that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben in/in Bates/np-tl Hole/nn-tl the/at day/nn of/in the/at killing/nn ./.


	The/at former/ap scout's/nn$ alibi/nn couldn't/md* be/be shaken/vbn ./.
The/at authorities/nns had/hvd to/to release/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps immediately/rb rode/vbd on/rp to/in Cheyenne/np ,/, threw/vbd a/at ten-day/jj drinking/vbg spree/nn and/cc dropped/vbd some/dti very/ql strong/jj hints/nns among/in friends/nns ./.


	``/`` Dead/jj center/nn at/in three/cd hundred/cd yards/nns ,/, that/dt coroner/nn said/vbd ''/'' !/. !/.
He'd/pps+md grin/vb ./.
``/`` Three/cd shots/nns in/in that/dt fella/nn 'fore/cs he/pps hit/vbd the/at ground/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss reckon/vb there's/ex+bez two/cd men/nns in/in this/dt state/nn can/md shoot/vb like/in that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Publicly/rb ,/, he/pps denied/vbd everything/pn ./.
Privately/rb ,/, he/pps created/vbd and/cc magnified/vbd an/at image/nn of/in himself/ppl as/cs a/at hired/vbn assassin/nn ./.
For/cs a/at blood-chilling/jj ring/nn of/in terror/nn to/in the/at very/ap sound/nn of/in his/pp$ name/nn was/bedz the/at tool/nn he/pps needed/vbd for/in the/at job/nn he'd/pps+hvd promised/vbn to/to do/do ./.




Tom/np Horn/np was/bedz soon/rb back/rb at/in work/nn ,/, giving/vbg his/pp$ secret/jj employers/nns their/pp$ money's/nn$ worth/nn ./.
A/at good/jj many/ap beef-hungry/jj settlers/nns were/bed accepting/vbg the/at death/nn of/in William/np Lewis/np as/cs proof/nn that/cs the/at warning/vbg notes/nns were/bed not/* idle/jj threats/nns ./.
The/at company/nn herds/nns were/bed being/beg raided/vbn less/ql often/rb ,/, and/cc cabins/nns and/cc soddies/nns all/abn over/in the/at range/nn were/bed standing/vbg deserted/vbn ./.
But/cc there/ex were/bed other/ap homesteaders/nns who/wps passed/vbd the/at Lewis/np murder/nn off/rp as/cs a/at personal/jj grudge/nn killing/nn ,/, the/at work/nn of/in one/pn of/in his/pp$ neighbors/nns ./.
The/at rustling/vbg problem/nn was/bedz by/in no/at means/nns solved/vbn ./.


	Even/rb in/in the/at very/ql area/nn where/wrb the/at shooting/nn had/hvd been/ben done/vbn ,/, cattle/nns were/bed still/rb disappearing/vbg ./.
For/in less/ap than/in a/at dozen/nn miles/nns from/in the/at unplowed/jj land/nn of/in the/at dead/jj man/nn lived/vbd another/dt settler/nn who/wps had/hvd ignored/vbn the/at warnings/nns that/wps his/pp$ existence/nn might/md be/be foreclosed/vbn on/in --/-- a/at blatant/jj and/cc defiant/jj rustler/nn named/vbn Fred/np Powell/np ./.


	``/`` Fred/np was/bedz mighty/ql crude/jj about/in the/at way/nn he/pps took/vbd in/in cattle/nns ''/'' his/pp$ own/jj hired/vbn man/nn ,/, Andy/np Ross/np ,/, mentioned/vbd later/rbr ./.
``/`` Everyone/pn knew/vbd it/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps sort/rb of/in acted/vbn like/cs he/pps didn't/dod* care/vb who/wps knew/vbd it/ppo --/-- even/rb after/in them/ppo notes/nns came/vbd ,/, even/rb after/cs he'd/pps+hvd heard/vbn about/in Lewis/np ,/, even/rb after/cs he'd/pps+hvd been/ben shot/vbn at/in a/at couple/nn o'/in times/nns hisself/ppl ''/'' !/. !/.


	On/in the/at morning/nn of/in September/np 10/cd ,/, 1895/cd ,/, Powell/np and/cc Ross/np rose/vbd at/in dawn/nn and/cc began/vbd their/pp$ day's/nn$ work/nn ./.
Haying/vbg time/nn was/bedz close/rb at/in hand/nn ,/, and/cc they/ppss needed/vbd some/dti strong/jj branches/nns to/to repair/vb a/at hay/nn rack/nn ./.
Harnessing/vbg a/at team/nn to/in a/at buckboard/nn ,/, they/ppss drove/vbd out/rp to/in a/at willow-lined/jj creek/nn about/in a/at half-mile/nn off/rp ,/, then/rb climbed/vbd down/rp and/cc began/vbd chopping/vbg ./.


	Andy/np Ross/np had/hvd just/rb started/vbn swinging/vbg an/at ax/nn at/in his/pp$ second/od willow/nn when/wrb the/at distant/jj blast/nn of/in a/at rifle/nn sounded/vbd ./.
He/pps looked/vbd around/rb in/in surprise/nn ,/, then/rb noticed/vbd that/cs Fred/np Powell/np was/bedz clutching/vbg his/pp$ chest/nn ./.
The/at hired/vbn man/nn ran/vbd over/rp to/to help/vb his/pp$ boss/nn ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ God/np ,/, I'm/ppss+bem shot/vbn ''/'' !/. !/.
Powell/np gasped/vbd ./.
And/cc he/pps collapsed/vbd and/cc died/vbd instantly/rb ./.


	Ross/np had/hvd no/at intention/nn of/in searching/vbg for/in the/at assassin/nn ./.
He/pps heaved/vbd the/at dead/jj man/nn onto/in the/at buckboard/nn ,/, yelled/vbd and/cc lashed/vbd at/in the/at team/nn and/cc got/vbd out/rp of/in there/rb fast/rb ./.
But/cc he/pps brought/vbd back/rb the/at sheriff/nn and/cc several/ap deputies/nns ,/, and/cc to/in the/at lawmen/nns the/at entire/jj affair/nn seemed/vbd a/at repetition/nn of/in the/at Lewis/np killing/nn ./.


	A/at detailed/vbn scouring/nn of/in the/at entire/jj area/nn revealed/vbd nothing/pn beyond/in a/at ledge/nn of/in rocks/nns that/wps might/md have/hv been/ben the/at rifleman's/nn$ hiding/vbg place/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed no/at tracks/nns of/in either/cc hoofs/nns or/cc boots/nns ./.
Not/* even/rb an/at empty/jj cartridge/nn case/nn could/md be/be found/vbn ./.


	Once/rb again/rb ,/, Tom/np Horn/np was/bedz the/at first/od and/cc most/ql likely/jj suspect/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz brought/vbn in/rp for/in questioning/vbg immediately/rb ./.
Once/rb again/rb ,/, he/pps shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, kept/vbd his/pp$ face/nn expressionless/jj and/cc his/pp$ voice/nn very/ql calm/jj ,/, and/cc had/hvd a/at strongly/rb supported/vbn alibi/nn ready/jj ./.
Later/rbr ,/, riding/vbg in/rp for/in some/dti lusty/jj enjoyment/nn of/in the/at liquor/nn and/cc professional/jj ladies/nns of/in Cheyenne/np ,/, he/pps laid/vbd claim/nn to/in the/at killing/nn with/in the/at vague/jj insinuations/nns he/pps made/vbd ./.


	``/`` Exterminatin'/vbg cow/nn thieves/nns is/bez just/rb a/at business/nn proposition/nn with/in me/ppo ''/'' ,/, he'd/pps+md blandly/rb announce/vb ./.
``/`` And/cc I/ppss sort/nn o'/in got/vbn a/at corner/nn on/in the/at market/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Tom/np ''/'' ,/, a/at friend/nn asked/vbd him/ppo once/rb ,/, ``/`` how/wrb come/vb you/ppss bushwhacked/vbd them/dts rustlers/nns ?/. ?/.
They/ppss wouldn't/md* o'/hv stood/vbn no/at chance/nn with/in you/ppo in/in a/at plain/jj ,/, straight-out/jj shoot-down/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps had/hvd lots/nns of/in friends/nns ,/, then/rb as/cs always/rb ./.
Even/rb as/cs he/pps became/vbd widely/rb known/vbn as/cs a/at professional/jj killer/nn ,/, nearly/rb every/at cowboy/nn and/cc rancher/nn in/in Wyoming/np seemed/vbd proud/jj to/to call/vb him/ppo a/at friend/nn ./.
No/at man's/nn$ name/nn brought/vbd more/ap cheers/nns when/wrb it/pps was/bedz announced/vbn in/in a/at rodeo/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps explained/vbd ,/, ``/`` s'posin'/cs you/ppss was/bedz a/at nester/nn swingin'/vbg the/at long/jj rope/nn ?/. ?/.
Which/wdt would/md you/ppo be/be most/rbt scairt/vbn of/in --/-- a/at dry-gulchin'/nn or/cc a/at shoot-down/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, I/ppss can/md see/vb that/dt ''/'' ,/, the/at friend/nn was/bedz forced/vbn to/to agree/vb ./.
``/`` But/cc well/rb ,/, it/pps just/rb don't/do* seem/vb sportin'/vbg somehow/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Sportin'/vbg ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at tall/jj sunburnt/vbn rustler-hunter/nn stared/vbd in/in amazement/nn ./.
``/`` Sportin'/vbg ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps echoed/vbd again/rb in/in soft/jj wonder/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss seen/vbn a/at lot/nn o'/in things/nns in/in my/pp$ time/nn ./.
I/ppss found/vbd a/at trooper/nn once/cs the/at Apache/nps had/hvd spread-eagled/vbn on/in an/at ant/nn hill/nn ,/, and/cc another/dt time/nn we/ppss ran/vbd across/rb some/dti teamsters/nns they'd/ppss+hvd caught/vbn ,/, tied/vbn upside/rb down/rp on/in their/pp$ own/jj wagon/nn wheels/nns over/in little/jj fires/nns until/cs their/pp$ brains/nns was/bedz exploded/vbn right/ql out/rp o'/in their/pp$ skulls/nns ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd o'/in Texas/np cattlemen/nns wrappin'/vbg a/at cow/nn thief/nn up/rp in/in green/jj hides/nns and/cc lettin'/vbg the/at sun/nn shrink/vb 'em/ppo and/cc squeeze/vb him/ppo to/in death/nn ./.
But/cc there's/ex+bez one/cd thing/nn I/ppss never/rb seen/vbn or/cc heard/vbd of/in ,/, one/cd thing/nn I/ppss just/rb don't/do* think/vb there/ex is/bez ,/, and/cc that's/dt+bez a/at sportin'/vbg way/nn o'/in killin'/vbg a/at man/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	After/in the/at first/od two/cd murders/nns ,/, the/at warning/vbg notes/nns were/bed rarely/rb ignored/vbn ./.
The/at lesson/nn had/hvd been/ben learned/vbn ./.
The/at examples/nns were/bed plain/jj ./.
When/wrb Fred/np Powell's/np$ brother-in-law/nn ,/, Charlie/np Keane/np ,/, moved/vbd into/in the/at dead/jj man's/nn$ home/nr ,/, the/at anonymous/jj letter/nn writer/nn took/vbd no/at chances/nns on/in Charlie/np taking/vbg up/rp where/wrb Fred/np had/hvd left/vbn off/rp and/cc wasted/vbd no/at time/nn on/in a/at first/od notice/nn :/: 

	If/cs you/ppss don't/do* leave/vb this/dt country/nn within/in 3/cd days/nns ,/, your/pp$ life/nn will/md be/be taken/vbn the/at same/ap as/cs Powell's/np$ was/bedz ./.


	This/dt was/bedz the/at message/nn found/vbn tacked/vbn to/in the/at cabin/nn door/nn ./.
Keane/np left/vbd ,/, within/in three/cd days/nns ./.


	All/abn through/in Albany/np-tl and/cc Laramie/np-tl counties/nns ,/, other/ap men/nns were/bed doing/vbg the/at same/ap ./.
Houses/nns of/in settlers/nns who'd/wps+hvd treated/vbn the/at company/nn herds/nns as/cs a/at natural/jj resource/nn ,/, free/jj for/in the/at taking/nn ,/, were/bed sitting/vbg empty/jj ,/, with/in weeds/nns growing/vbg high/jj in/in their/pp$ yards/nns ./.
The/at small/jj half-heartedly/rb tended/vbn fields/nns of/in men/nns who'd/wps+hvd spent/vbn more/ap time/nn rustling/vbg cattle/nns than/cs farming/vbg were/bed lying/vbg fallow/jj ./.
No/at cow/nn thief/nn could/md count/vb on/rp a/at jury/nn of/in his/pp$ sympathetic/jj peers/nns to/to free/vb him/ppo any/dti longer/rbr ./.
Jury/nn ,/, judge/nn and/cc executioner/nn were/bed riding/vbg the/at range/nn in/in the/at form/nn of/in a/at single/ap unknown/jj figure/nn that/wps could/md materialize/vb anywhere/rb ,/, at/in any/dti time/nn ,/, to/to dispense/vb an/at ancient/jj brand/nn of/in justice/nn the/at men/nns of/in the/at new/jj West/nr-tl had/hvd believed/vbn long/rb outdated/vbn ./.




For/in three/cd straight/jj years/nns ,/, Tom/np Horn/np patrolled/vbd the/at southern/jj Wyoming/np pastures/nns ,/, and/cc how/wrb many/ap men/nns he/pps killed/vbd after/in Lewis/np and/cc Powell/np (/( if/cs he/pps killed/vbd Lewis/np and/cc Powell/np )/) will/md never/rb be/be known/vbn ./.
It/pps is/bez possible/jj ,/, although/cs highly/ql doubtful/jj ,/, that/cs he/pps killed/vbd none/pn at/in all/abn but/cc merely/rb let/vb his/pp$ reputation/nn work/vb for/in him/ppo by/in privately/rb claiming/vbg every/at unsolved/jj murder/nn in/in the/at state/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez also/rb possible/jj ,/, but/cc equally/rb doubtful/jj ,/, that/cs he/pps actually/rb shot/vbd down/rp the/at hundreds/nns of/in men/nns with/in which/wdt his/pp$ legend/nn credits/vbz him/ppo ./.


	For/cs that/dt legend/nn was/bedz growing/vbg explosively/rb ,/, Rumor/nn was/bedz insisting/vbg he/pps received/vbd a/at price/nn of/in $600/nns a/at man/nn ./.
(/( The/at best/jjt evidence/nn is/bez that/cs he/pps received/vbd a/at monthly/jj wage/nn of/in about/in $125/nns ,/, very/ql good/jj money/nn in/in an/at era/nn when/wrb top/nn hands/nns worked/vbd for/in $30/nns and/cc found/vbd ./.
)/) Rumor/nn had/hvd it/ppo he/pps slipped/vbd two/cd small/jj rocks/nns under/in each/dt victim's/nn$ head/nn as/cs a/at sort/nn of/in trademark/nn ./.
(/( A/at detailed/vbn search/nn of/in old/jj coroner's/nn$ reports/nns fails/vbz to/to substantiate/vb this/dt in/in the/at slightest/jjt ./.
)/) 

	One/cd thing/nn was/bedz certain/jj --/-- his/pp$ method/nn was/bedz effective/jj ,/, so/ql effective/jj that/cs after/in a/at time/nn even/rb the/at warning/vbg notices/nns were/bed often/rb unnecessary/jj ./.
The/at mere/jj fact/nn that/cs the/at tall/jj figure/nn with/in the/at rifle/nn and/cc field/nn glasses/nns had/hvd been/ben seen/vbn riding/vbg that/dt way/nn was/bedz enough/ap to/to frighten/vb three/cd rustling/vbg homesteaders/nns out/in of/in the/at Upper/jj-tl Laramie/np-tl country/nn in/in a/at single/ap week/nn ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ reputation's/nn$ my/pp$ stock/nn in/in trade/nn ''/'' ,/, Tom/np mentioned/vbd more/ap than/in once/rb ./.
He/pps evidently/rb couldn't/md* foresee/vb that/cs it/pps might/md be/be his/pp$ downfall/nn in/in the/at end/nn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd made/vbn himself/ppl the/at personification/nn of/in the/at Devil/nn-tl to/in the/at homesteaders/nns ./.
But/cc to/in the/at cattlemen/nns who/wps had/hvd been/ben facing/vbg bankruptcy/nn from/in rustling/vbg losses/nns and/cc to/in the/at cowboys/nns who/wps had/hvd been/ben faced/vbn with/in lay-offs/nns a/at few/ap years/nns earlier/rbr ,/, he/pps was/bedz becoming/vbg a/at vastly/rb different/jj type/nn of/in legendary/jj figure/nn ./.
Such/jj ranchers/nns as/cs Coble/np and/cc Clay/np and/cc the/at Bosler/np brothers/nns carried/vbd him/ppo on/in their/pp$ books/nns as/cs a/at cowhand/nn even/rb while/cs he/pps was/bedz receiving/vbg a/at much/ql larger/jjr salary/nn from/in parties/nns unknown/jj ./.
He/pps made/vbd their/pp$ spreads/nns his/pp$ headquarters/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps helped/vbd out/rp in/in their/pp$ roundups/nns ./.


	In/in the/at cow/nn camps/nns ,/, Tom/np Horn/np was/bedz regarded/vbn as/cs a/at hero/nn ,/, as/cs the/at same/ap kind/nn of/in champion/nn he/pps was/bedz when/wrb he/pps entered/vbd and/cc invariably/rb won/vbd the/at local/jj rodeos/nns ./.
The/at hands/nns and/cc their/pp$ bosses/nns saw/vbd him/ppo as/cs a/at lone/jj knight/nn of/in the/at range/nn ,/, waging/vbg a/at dedicated/vbn crusade/nn against/in a/at lawless/jj new/jj society/nn that/wps was/bedz threatening/vbg a/at beloved/jj way/nn of/in life/nn ./.
The/at wailing/vbg ,/, guitar-strumming/jj minstrels/nns of/in the/at cattle/nns kingdom/nn made/vbd up/rp songs/nns about/in him/ppo ./.


	By/in 1898/cd ,/, rustling/vbg losses/nns had/hvd been/ben driven/vbn down/rp to/in the/at lowest/jjt level/nn ever/rb seen/vbn in/in Wyoming/np ./.



	When/wrb several/ap minutes/nns had/hvd passed/vbn and/cc Curt/np hadn't/hvd* emerged/vbn from/in the/at livery/nn stable/nn ,/, Brenner/np reentered/vbd the/at hotel/nn and/cc faced/vbd Summers/np across/in the/at counter/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv a/at little/jj job/nn for/in you/ppo ,/, Charlie/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj you/ppss won't/md* mind/vb doing/vbg me/ppo a/at small/jj favor/nn ''/'' ./.


	Brenner's/np$ voice/nn was/bedz oily/jj ,/, but/cc Summers/np wasn't/bedz* fooled/vbn ./.
He/pps moistened/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns uneasily/rb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez it/pps you/ppss want/vb me/ppo to/to do/do ,/, Mr./np Brenner/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Brenner/np shrugged/vbd carelessly/rb ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez very/ql simple/jj ./.
I/ppss just/rb want/vb you/ppo to/to take/vb a/at message/nn to/in Diane/np Molinari/np ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb here/rb to/in the/at hotel/nn ''/'' ./.


	Vastly/ql relieved/vbn ,/, Summers/np nodded/vbd and/cc started/vbd toward/in the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` One/cd thing/nn ,/, Summers/np ''/'' ,/, Brenner/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber not/* to/to mention/vb my/pp$ name/nn ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo Curt/np Adams/np wants/vbz to/to see/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Summers/np pulled/vbd up/rp short/rb ,/, and/cc turned/vbd around/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ,/, Mr./np Brenner/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd haltingly/rb ,/, beginning/vbg to/to get/vb an/at inkling/nn of/in Brenner's/np$ plans/nns ./.
``/`` It/pps doesn't/doz* seem/vb quite/ql right/jj ,/, telling/vbg her/ppo a/at thing/nn like/in that/dt ./.
Couldn't/md* I/ppss just/rb ''/'' --/-- His/pp$ voice/nn trailed/vbd off/rp into/in silence/nn ./.


	Brenner/np continued/vbd to/to smile/vb ,/, but/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed cold/jj ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc looked/vbd around/rb at/in the/at lobby/nn as/cs though/cs seeing/vbg things/nns he/pps hadn't/hvd* before/rb noticed/vbn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb ,/, Summers/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd thoughtfully/rb ./.
``/`` Eagle's/nn$-tl Nest/nn-tl ought/md to/to have/hv a/at fire/nn company/nn ./.
If/cs someone/pn were/bed to/to drop/vb a/at match/nn in/in here/rb ,/, this/dt place/nn would/md go/vb up/rp like/cs a/at haystack/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps started/vbd toward/in the/at stairway/nn ,/, then/rb turned/vbd to/to add/vb ,/, ``/`` Tell/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb to/in Adams's/np$ room/nn ,/, that/cs Adams/np is/bez in/in trouble/nn ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo to/to hurry/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb sir/nn ''/'' ./.
His/pp$ face/nn pale/jj ,/, Summers/np headed/vbd for/in the/at street/nn ./.




Curt's/np$ visit/nn to/in the/at livery/nn stable/nn had/hvd been/ben merely/rb a/at precaution/nn in/in case/nn anyone/pn should/md be/be watching/vbg ./.
He/pps paused/vbd only/rb long/jj enough/qlp to/to ascertain/vb that/cs Jess's/np$ buckskin/nn was/bedz still/rb missing/vbg and/cc that/cs his/pp$ own/jj gray/nn was/bedz all/ql right/jj ,/, then/rb climbed/vbd through/in a/at back/nn window/nn and/cc dropped/vbd to/in the/at ground/nn outside/rb ./.


	The/at fact/nn that/cs Jess's/np$ horse/nn had/hvd not/* been/ben returned/vbn to/in its/pp$ stall/nn could/md indicate/vb that/cs Diane's/np$ information/nn had/hvd been/ben wrong/jj ,/, but/cc Curt/np didn't/dod* interpret/vb it/ppo this/dt way/nn ./.
A/at man/nn like/cs Jess/np would/md want/vb to/to have/hv a/at ready/jj means/nns of/in escape/nn in/in case/nn it/pps was/bedz needed/vbn ./.
Probably/rb his/pp$ horse/nn would/md be/be close/jj to/to where/wrb he/pps was/bedz hiding/vbg ./.


	From/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at barn/nn it/pps was/bedz a/at simple/jj matter/nn to/to reach/vb Black's/np$ house/nn without/in using/vbg the/at street/nn ./.
Curt/np approached/vbd the/at place/nn cautiously/rb ,/, and/cc watched/vbd it/ppo several/ap minutes/nns from/in the/at protection/nn of/in a/at grove/nn of/in trees/nns ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at light/nn in/in Black's/np$ front/jj room/nn ,/, but/cc drawn/vbn curtains/nns prevented/vbd any/dti view/nn of/in the/at interior/nn ./.
Curt/np circled/vbd the/at house/nn and/cc located/vbd a/at barn/nn out/rp back/rb ./.
He/pps could/md hear/vb horses/nns moving/vbg around/rb inside/rb ,/, and/cc nothing/pn else/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at lock/nn on/in the/at door/nn ,/, only/rb an/at iron/nn hook/nn which/wdt he/pps unfastened/vbd ./.
He/pps opened/vbd the/at door/nn and/cc went/vbd in/rp ,/, pulling/vbg it/ppo shut/vbn behind/in him/ppo ./.


	Again/rb he/pps stood/vbd in/in the/at darkness/nn listening/vbg ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz only/rb the/at scrape/nn of/in a/at shod/vbn hoof/nn on/in a/at plank/nn floor/nn ./.
He/pps moved/vbd ahead/rb carefully/rb ,/, his/pp$ left/jj hand/nn in/in front/jj of/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc came/vbd to/in a/at wooden/jj partition/nn ./.
Horse/nn smell/nn was/bedz very/ql strong/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md hear/vb the/at crunch/nn of/in grain/nn being/beg ground/vbn between/in strong/jj jaws/nns ./.
He/pps found/vbd a/at match/nn in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn and/cc lit/vbd it/ppo ./.


	There/ex were/bed two/cd horses/nns in/in the/at barn/nn ,/, a/at sway-backed/jj dun/nn and/cc Jess/np Crouch's/np$ buckskin/nn ./.
Curt/np snuffed/vbd out/rp the/at match/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz certain/jj now/rb that/cs Jess/np was/bedz in/in the/at house/nn ,/, but/cc also/rb ,/, presumably/rb ,/, was/bedz Stacey/np Black/np ./.
Curt/np wanted/vbd to/to get/vb Jess/np alone/rb ,/, without/in interference/nn from/in anyone/pn ,/, even/rb as/ql spineless/jj a/at person/nn as/cs the/at store/nn owner/nn ./.


	He/pps studied/vbd the/at problem/nn for/in a/at few/ap seconds/nns and/cc thought/vbd of/in a/at means/nns by/in which/wdt it/pps might/md be/be solved/vbn ./.
Reaching/vbg across/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ,/, he/pps slapped/vbd the/at buckskin/nn on/in the/at rump/nn ./.
The/at startled/vbn animal/nn let/vb out/rp a/at terrified/vbn squeal/nn and/cc thrashed/vbd around/rb in/in the/at stall/nn ./.


	As/cs Curt/np had/hvd hoped/vbn ,/, the/at house/nn door/nn banged/vbd open/rb ./.
He/pps slapped/vbd the/at buckskin/nn again/rb and/cc it/pps kicked/vbd wildly/rb ,/, its/pp$ hoofs/nns rattling/vbg the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ./.


	Curt/np moved/vbd over/rp beside/in the/at door/nn and/cc waited/vbd ./.
Presently/rb he/pps heard/vbd footsteps/nns crossing/vbg the/at yard/nn ,/, and/cc Jess's/np$ smothered/vbn curses/nns ./.
The/at door/nn swung/vbd open/rb ,/, and/cc Jess/np said/vbd sourly/rb ,/, ``/`` What/wdt the/at hell's/nn+bez the/at matter/nn with/in you/ppo ?/. ?/.
''/'' 

	The/at horse/nn continued/vbd to/to snort/vb ./.
Curt/np doubted/vbd that/cs any/dti animal/nn belonging/vbg to/in Jess/np would/md find/vb much/ap reassurance/nn in/in its/pp$ owner's/nn$ voice/nn ./.


	Jess/np cursed/vbd again/rb ,/, and/cc entered/vbd the/at barn/nn ./.
A/at match/nn flared/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps reached/vbd above/in his/pp$ head/nn to/to light/vb a/at lantern/nn which/wdt hung/vbd from/in a/at wire/nn loop/nn ./.
As/cs he/pps crossed/vbd to/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ,/, Curt/np drew/vbd his/pp$ gun/nn and/cc clicked/vbd back/rb the/at hammer/nn ./.


	``/`` Before/cs you/ppss try/vb anything/pn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Remember/vb what/wdt happened/vbd to/in Gruller/np ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np caught/vbd his/pp$ breath/nn in/in surprise/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd to/to reach/vb for/in his/pp$ gun/nn ,/, but/cc apparently/rb thought/vbd better/rbr of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez the/at stuff/nn ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Just/rb hold/vb it/ppo that/dt way/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps reached/vbd out/rp to/to pull/vb the/at door/nn shut/vbn and/cc fasten/vb it/ppo with/in a/at sliding/vbg bolt/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss and/cc I/ppss have/hv a/at little/ap talking/nn to/to do/do ,/, Jess/np ./.
You/ppss won't/md* be/be needing/vbg this/dt ''/'' ./.
He/pps moved/vbd up/rp and/cc lifted/vbd Jess's/np$ pistol/nn out/in of/in its/pp$ holster/nn ./.


	``/`` Damn/vb you/ppo ,/, Adams/np ''/'' --/-- Jess/np was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to recover/vb from/in his/pp$ initial/jj shock/nn ./.
``/`` We/ppss ain't/hv* got/vbn nothing/pn to/to talk/vb about/rb ./.
If/cs I/ppss don't/do* come/vb back/rb in/in the/at house/nn ,/, Breed's/np+bez going/vbg to/to ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Your/pp$ trigger-happy/jj brother/nn isn't/bez* in/in the/at house/nn ./.
About/rb now/rb he's/pps+bez probably/rb having/hvg supper/nn ./.
That/dt long/jj ride/nn the/at four/cd of/in you/ppo took/vbd must've/md+hv given/vbn him/ppo a/at good/jj appetite/nn ./.
Now/rb turn/vb around/rb so/cs I/ppss can/md see/vb your/pp$ face/nn ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np turned/vbd ./.
There/ex was/bedz raw/jj fury/nn in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc the/at veins/nns of/in his/pp$ neck/nn were/bed swollen/jj ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber about/rb as/ql dumb/jj as/cs they/ppss come/vb ,/, Adams/np ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt you're/ppss+ber up/rp to/in ,/, but/cc when/wrb Brenner/np ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss can/md forget/vb about/in Brenner/np ,/, too/rb ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez Ben/np Arbuckle/np we're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to talk/vb about/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Arbuckle/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jess/np stiffened/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb nothin'/pn about/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ?/. ?/.
I/ppss suppose/vb you/ppss don't/do* know/vb anything/pn about/in a/at piece/nn of/in two-by-four/nn ,/, either/rb ;/. ;/.
one/pn with/in blood/nn all/abn over/in it/ppo ,/, Arbuckle's/np$ blood/nn ''/'' ./.
Curt's/np$ fingers/nns put/vbd a/at little/ql more/ap pressure/nn on/in the/at trigger/nn of/in his/pp$ gun/nn ./.
``/`` So/rb help/vb me/ppo ,/, Crouch/np ,/, I'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to kill/vb you/ppo where/wrb you/ppss stand/vb ,/, but/cc ,/, before/cs I/ppss do/do ,/, I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to hear/vb you/ppo admit/vb killing/vbg him/ppo ./.
Now/rb start/vb talking/vbg ./.
Who/wps told/vbd you/ppo to/to do/do it/ppo ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz it/pps Dutch/np Brenner/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Curt/np was/bedz holding/vbg Jess's/np$ gun/nn in/in his/pp$ left/jj hand/nn ./.
He/pps drew/vbd back/rb his/pp$ arm/nn to/to slash/vb the/at gunbarrel/nn across/in Jess's/np$ face/nn ,/, but/cc didn't/dod* finish/vb the/at motion/nn ./.
Pistol-whipping/vbg an/at unarmed/jj man/nn might/md come/vb easy/rb to/in someone/pn like/cs Jess/np ,/, but/cc Curt/np couldn't/md* bring/vb himself/ppl to/to do/do it/ppo ./.


	Apparently/rb sensing/vbg this/dt ,/, and/cc realizing/vbg that/cs it/pps gave/vbd him/ppo an/at advantage/nn ,/, Jess/np became/vbd bold/jj ./.


	``/`` Having/hvg all/abn the/at guns/nns makes/nns you/ppo a/at big/jj man/nn ,/, don't/do* it/ppo ,/, Adams/np ?/. ?/.
If/cs we/ppss was/bedz both/abx armed/vbn ,/, you/ppss wouldn't/md* talk/vb so/ql tough/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Curt/np reached/vbd out/rp and/cc dropped/vbd Jess's/np$ pistol/nn back/rb into/in the/at holster/nn ./.
He/pps retreated/vbd a/at step/nn and/cc holstered/vbd his/pp$ own/jj ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ,/, Crouch/np ;/. ;/.
we're/ppss+ber on/in even/jj terms/nns ./.
Now/rb draw/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	Sweat/nn bubbled/vbd out/rp on/in Jess's/np$ swarthy/jj face/nn ./.
The/at fingers/nns of/in his/pp$ right/jj hand/nn twisted/vbd into/in a/at claw/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* reach/vb for/in the/at gun/nn ./.


	Curt/np ,/, angry/jj enough/qlp to/to be/be a/at little/ql reckless/jj ,/, raised/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns shoulder/nn high/rb ./.


	``/`` Does/doz this/dt make/vb it/ppo any/dti easier/jjr ,/, coward/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* drawin'/vbg against/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Jess/np said/vbd thickly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss heard/vbd how/wrb you/ppss outdrew/vbd Chico/np ./.
I/ppss ain't/bem* a/at gunslinger/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
You're/ppss+ber the/at kind/nn of/in bastard/nn who/wps sneaks/vbz up/rp on/in a/at man/nn from/in behind/rb and/cc hits/vbz him/ppo with/in a/at club/nn ./.
I/ppss just/rb wanted/vbd to/to hear/vb you/ppo say/vb so/rb ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np stared/vbd at/in him/ppo without/in answering/vbg and/cc let/vb his/pp$ hands/nns fall/vb to/in his/pp$ sides/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd found/vbn Curt's/np$ weakness/nn ,/, or/cc what/wdt to/in Jess/np was/bedz a/at weakness/nn ,/, and/cc was/bedz smart/jj enough/qlp to/to take/vb advantage/nn of/in it/ppo ./.


	Somewhere/nn in/in the/at distance/nn ,/, a/at woman/nn screamed/vbd ./.
Curt/np was/bedz too/ql involved/vbn in/in his/pp$ own/jj problems/nns to/to pay/vb much/ap attention/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to make/vb Jess/np talk/vb ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd to/to do/do it/ppo before/cs Stacey/np Black/np got/vbd curious/jj and/cc came/vbd to/to investigate/vb ./.
Once/rb more/rbr he/pps lifted/vbd Jess's/np$ gun/nn from/in its/pp$ holster/nn ,/, only/rb this/dt time/nn he/pps tossed/vbd it/ppo into/in the/at stall/nn with/in the/at frightened/vbn buckskin/nn ./.
He/pps dropped/vbd his/pp$ own/jj beside/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md do/do it/ppo another/dt way/nn ,/, then/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd harshly/rb ./.


	Jess's/np$ coarse/jj features/nns twisted/vbd in/in a/at surprised/vbn grin/nn which/wdt was/bedz smashed/vbn out/rp of/in shape/nn by/in Curt's/np$ fist/nn ./.
With/in a/at roar/nn of/in pain/nn and/cc fury/nn Jess/np made/vbd his/pp$ attack/nn ./.


	Curt/np managed/vbd to/to duck/vb beneath/in the/at man's/nn$ flailing/vbg fist/nn ,/, and/cc drove/vbd home/nr a/at solid/jj left/nr to/in Jess's/np$ mid-section/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz like/cs hitting/vbg a/at sack/nn of/in salt/nn ./.
Pain/nn shot/vbd up/in Curt's/np$ arm/nn clear/rb to/in the/at shoulder/nn ,/, but/cc Jess/np seemed/vbd hardly/ql aware/jj that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben hit/vbn ./.
He/pps slammed/vbd into/in the/at wall/nn ,/, bounced/vbd back/rb ,/, and/cc caught/vbd Curt/np with/in a/at roundhouse/nn right/nn which/wdt sent/vbd him/ppo spinning/vbg ./.
An/at inch/nn lower/jjr and/cc it/pps would/md have/hv knocked/vbn him/ppo out/rp ./.
As/cs it/pps was/bedz ,/, his/pp$ vision/nn blurred/vbd and/cc for/in a/at moment/nn he/pps was/bedz unable/jj to/to move/vb ./.
When/wrb his/pp$ eyes/nns began/vbd to/to focus/vb ,/, he/pps saw/vbd Jess/np charging/vbg at/in him/ppo with/in a/at pitchfork/nn ./.


	Curt/np twisted/vbd to/in one/cd side/nn ,/, and/cc the/at tines/nns of/in the/at fork/nn bit/vbd into/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Jess/np wasted/vbd a/at few/ap seconds/nns trying/vbg to/to yank/vb them/ppo loose/jj ./.
It/pps gave/vbd Curt/np time/nn to/to stagger/vb to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.


	The/at tines/nns broke/vbd off/rp under/in Jess's/np$ twisting/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps swung/vbd the/at handle/nn in/in an/at attempt/nn to/to knock/vb Curt's/np$ brains/nns out/rp ./.
His/pp$ aim/nn was/bedz hurried/vbn ;/. ;/.
so/cs the/at pitchfork/nn whistled/vbd over/in Curt's/np$ head/nn ./.


	By/in now/rb Curt/np was/bedz seeing/vbg clearly/rb again/rb ./.
He/pps stepped/vbd inside/in Jess's/np$ guard/nn and/cc landed/vbd two/cd blows/nns to/in the/at big/jj man's/nn$ belly/nn ,/, putting/vbg everything/pn he/pps had/hvd behind/in them/ppo ./.
They/ppss made/vbd Jess/np double/vb over/rp ./.
When/wrb his/pp$ head/nn came/vbd down/rp ,/, Curt/np grabbed/vbd him/ppo by/in the/at hair/nn and/cc catapulted/vbd him/ppo head/nn first/rb into/in the/at wall/nn ./.


	The/at building/nn shook/vbd ,/, setting/vbg the/at lantern/nn to/in swaying/vbg ,/, and/cc the/at buckskin/nn to/in pitching/vbg again/rb ./.
Even/rb Black's/np$ old/jj crowbait/nn began/vbd to/to snort/vb ,/, and/cc from/in the/at house/nn Black/np yelled/vbd ,/, ``/`` Jess/np !/. !/.
What's/wdt+bez going/vbg on/rp out/in there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Jess/np didn't/dod* seem/vb too/ql sure/jj himself/ppl ./.
He/pps lurched/vbd drunkenly/rb to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ,/, lowered/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, and/cc took/vbd one/cd step/nn away/rb from/in the/at wall/nn ./.
Curt/np caught/vbd him/ppo flush/rb on/in the/at nose/nn with/in a/at blow/nn which/wdt started/vbd at/in the/at floor/nn ./.


	Jess/np had/hvd had/hvn enough/ap ./.
Blood/nn gushed/vbd from/in his/pp$ nose/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps backed/vbd off/rp as/ql rapidly/rb as/cs he/pps could/md ,/, stumbling/vbg over/in his/pp$ own/jj feet/nns in/in his/pp$ frantic/jj haste/nn to/to get/vb away/rb from/in Curt's/np$ fists/nns ./.


	Curt/np was/bedz in/in almost/ql as/ql bad/jj shape/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* quit/vb ./.
He/pps backed/vbd Jess/np into/in a/at corner/nn ,/, grabbed/vbd a/at handful/nn of/in the/at man's/nn$ shirtfront/nn ,/, and/cc drew/vbd back/rb his/pp$ right/jj fist/nn ./.


	``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo about/in Arbuckle/np !/. !/.
You/ppss killed/vbd him/ppo ,/, didn't/dod* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It/pps was/bedz Brenner's/np$ idea/nn ''/'' ,/, Jess/np mumbled/vbd ,/, dabbing/vbg at/in his/pp$ nose/nn ./.
``/`` He/pps found/vbd out/rp about/in you/ppo and/cc Arbuckle/np talking/vbg ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd to/to show/vb the/at town/nn what/wdt happened/vbd to/in anyone/pn who/wps tried/vbd to/to start/vb trouble/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss mean/vb anyone/pn who/wps stood/vbd up/rp for/in his/pp$ rights/nns ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps let/vbd go/vb of/in the/at shirt/nn ,/, and/cc Jess/np slumped/vbd to/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Turning/vbg his/pp$ back/nn ,/, Curt/np crossed/vbd to/in the/at stall/nn ,/, reached/vbd over/rp to/to untie/vb the/at buckskin's/nn$ halter/nn rope/nn ,/, and/cc waved/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn in/in the/at animal's/nn$ face/nn ./.


	The/at buckskin/nn bolted/vbd out/in of/in the/at stall/nn ./.
Curt/np moved/vbd in/rp and/cc picked/vbd up/rp his/pp$ gun/nn ./.
He/pps shook/vbd loose/jj straw/nn out/in of/in the/at action/nn ,/, and/cc placed/vbd the/at gun/nn in/in his/pp$ holster/nn ./.
Leaving/vbg Jess's/np$ where/wrb it/pps lay/vbd ,/, he/pps left/vbd the/at stall/nn ./.


	``/`` Get/vb up/rp ,/, Crouch/np ./.
We're/ppss+ber going/vbg someplace/rb ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np painfully/rb got/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns as/cs someone/pn rattled/vbd the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` Who's/wps+bez in/in there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Black/np called/vbd fearfully/rb ./.


	Curt/np opened/vbd the/at door/nn ,/, grabbed/vbd Black/np by/in the/at shoulder/nn ,/, and/cc pulled/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at barn/nn ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber staying/vbg right/ql here/rb for/in a/at while/nn ./.
This/dt dirty/jj coward/nn just/rb admitted/vbd killing/vbg Arbuckle/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to let/vb him/ppo tell/vb it/ppo to/in somebody/pn else/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps shoved/vbd Black/np toward/in the/at stall/nn ,/, and/cc pointed/vbd his/pp$ pistol/nn at/in Jess/np ./.


	``/`` Get/vb out/rp of/in here/rb ./.
You're/ppss+ber coming/vbg along/rb peacefully/rb ,/, or/cc I'll/ppss+md put/vb a/at bullet/nn in/in your/pp$ leg/nn ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np stumbled/vbd through/in the/at door/nn ./.
Curt/np followed/vbd ,/, reaching/vbg behind/in him/ppo to/to shut/vb the/at door/nn and/cc hook/vb it/ppo ./.
Black/np would/md have/hv little/ap trouble/nn getting/vbg out/rp ,/, but/cc it/pps might/md delay/vb him/ppo a/at few/ap minutes/nns ./.


	``/`` Where're/wrb+ber you/ppss takin'/vbg me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jess/np asked/vbd worriedly/rb ./.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/in Marshal/nn-tl Woods's/np$ house/nn ./.
Maybe/rb if/cs the/at marshal/nn hears/vbz this/dt himself/ppl ,/, it'll/pps+md make/vb a/at difference/nn ./.
Somebody/pn in/in this/dt town/nn must/md still/rb have/hv some/dti backbone/nn ''/'' ./.



	Over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn he/pps could/md see/vb Max's/np$ loose/jj grin/nn and/cc the/at Burnsides'/nps$ glowering/vbg faces/nns ./.
``/`` Honey/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps whispered/vbd ./.
``/`` Soon/rb as/cs we/ppss send/vb them/ppo on/in their/pp$ way/nn and/cc make/vb camp/nn ,/, let's/vb+ppo you/ppo and/cc me/ppo go/vb for/in a/at walk/nn down/rp by/in the/at Snake/nn-tl --/-- all/abn by/in ourselves/ppls ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Sally/np ''/'' ,/, admonished/vbd her/pp$ mother/nn ,/, ``/`` you've/ppss+hv got/vbn all/abn evening/nn to/to visit/vb with/in Dan/np ./.
His/pp$ wounds/nns need/vb dressing/vbg now/rb ''/'' ./.


	Mrs./np Jackson's/np$ words/nns recalled/vbd Dan/np to/in his/pp$ lack/nn of/in fitness/nn for/in courting/vbg ./.
What/wdt a/at spectacle/nn he/pps was/bedz ,/, caked/vbn with/in dirt/nn and/cc sweat/nn and/cc blood/nn ,/, filthy/jj as/cs a/at pig/nn and/cc naked/jj as/cs an/at Indian/np ,/, kissing/vbg the/at finest/jjt ,/, the/at sweetest/jjt ,/, the/at bravest/jjt ,/, and/cc absolutely/rb the/at prettiest/jjt girl/nn in/in this/dt whole/jj wonderful/jj world/nn ./.
He/pps released/vbd her/ppo reluctantly/rb for/in her/pp$ enthusiastic/jj reunion/nn with/in Old/jj-tl Hap/np ./.
``/`` Got/vbd a/at lot/nn to/to tend/vb to/in ,/, but/cc I'll/ppss+md get/vb back/rb quick/rb as/cs I/ppss can/md ''/'' ,/, he/pps assured/vbd her/ppo ./.


	Dan/np could/md hear/vb Clayton/np Burnside/np and/cc Eben/np Jackson/np summing/vbg up/rp their/pp$ final/jj reckoning/nn for/in rental/nn on/in the/at oxen/nns ./.
Jackson/np was/bedz doing/vbg most/ap of/in the/at talking/vbg ./.
So/ql long/jj as/cs Sally's/np$ pa/nn was/bedz coming/vbg out/rp best/rbt on/in the/at haggle/nn ,/, Dan/np didn't/dod* feel/vb the/at need/nn of/in putting/vbg in/in his/pp$ two-bits'/nns$ worth/nn ./.


	Soon/rb as/cs the/at Burnsides/nps moved/vbd on/rp ,/, he'd/pps+md lead/vb Rex/np down/rp by/in the/at river/nn ;/. ;/.
there/rb he/pps could/md shave/vb and/cc scrub/vb himself/ppl up/rp for/in the/at evening/nn ./.
Damn/vb it/ppo ,/, he/pps thought/vbd bitterly/rb ,/, picking/vbg up/rp his/pp$ shirt/nn and/cc staring/vbg at/in the/at fresh/jj bullet/nn hole/nn in/in the/at sleeve/nn ./.
If/cs I/ppss hadn't/hvd* got/vbn Nate/np stopped/vbd when/wrb I/ppss did/dod ,/, my/pp$ duds'd/nns+md all/abn be/be shot/vbn plumb/ql to/in hell/nn !/. !/.


	He/pps stooped/vbd ,/, picked/vbd up/rp his/pp$ ruined/vbn hat/nn ,/, and/cc pursed/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns thoughtfully/rb ./.
From/in the/at way/nn the/at wound/nn in/in his/pp$ head/nn was/bedz itching/vbg ,/, Dan/np knew/vbd that/cs it/pps would/md heal/vb ./.
But/cc his/pp$ only/ap hat/nn was/bedz something/pn else/rb again/rb ./.
``/`` Nate/np !/. !/.
Nate/np ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps shouted/vbd ./.


	The/at Burnsides/nps ,/, now/rb ready/jj to/to roll/vb ,/, were/bed purposefully/rb deaf/jj to/in his/pp$ cry/nn ./.


	``/`` Nate/np ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps bellowed/vbd to/in the/at retreating/vbg back/nn directly/rb in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* going/vbg to/to fight/vb you/ppo no/at more/rbr ''/'' ./.
Nate/np turned/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, attempting/vbg to/to speak/vb in/in a/at soothing/vbg voice/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb you/ppss ain't/ber* ''/'' !/. !/.
Dan/np affirmed/vbd ,/, feeling/vbg ten/cd feet/nns tall/jj ./.
He/pps moved/vbd in/in close/rb ,/, jerked/vbd the/at handsome/jj ,/, broad-brimmed/jj beaver/nn hat/nn from/in Nate's/np$ head/nn and/cc clamped/vbd it/ppo on/in his/pp$ own/jj ./.
``/`` Here's/rb+bez a/at present/nn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, shoving/vbg his/pp$ bullet-riddled/jj hat/nn down/rp over/in Nate's/np$ purpling/vbg forehead/nn ./.
``/`` Me/ppo and/cc you's/ppss+bez trading/vbg hats/nns so's/cs you'll/ppss+md have/hv something/pn permanent/jj to/to remember/vb me/ppo by/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	Sally/np left/vbd her/pp$ choring/nn to/to stand/vb beside/in Dan/np ./.
Slipping/vbg her/pp$ hand/nn in/in his/pp$ ,/, they/ppss silently/rb watched/vbd the/at Burnsides/nps make/vb the/at bend/nn in/in the/at road/nn and/cc disappear/vb from/in sight/nn ./.
Much/rb as/cs they/ppss had/hvd to/to look/vb forward/rb to/in ,/, they/ppss didn't/dod* begrudge/vb a/at moment/nn of/in the/at time/nn they/ppss spent/vbd seeing/vbg them/ppo go/vb ./.




At/in first/od Matilda/np could/md not/* believe/vb her/pp$ own/jj eyes/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd spent/vbn too/ql many/ap hours/nns looking/vbg ahead/rb ,/, hoping/vbg and/cc longing/vbg to/to catch/vb even/rb a/at glimpse/nn of/in Dan/np and/cc finding/vbg nothing/pn but/in emptiness/nn ./.
And/cc now/rb she/pps could/md see/vb him/ppo ,/, looking/vbg uncommon/jj handsome/jj ,/, standing/vbg there/rb beside/in Sally/np Jackson/np and/cc her/pp$ folks/nns in/in front/nn of/in their/pp$ trail-worn/jj wagon/nn ./.


	Seeing/vbg them/ppo waiting/vbg there/rb at/in the/at foot/nn of/in Emigrant/nn-tl Rock/nn-tl was/bedz so/ql overwhelming/jj that/cs ,/, for/in a/at good/jj minute/nn after/cs they/ppss rounded/vbd the/at bend/nn and/cc started/vbd down/in the/at grade/nn leading/vbg toward/in them/ppo ,/, Matilda/np could/md not/* speak/vb at/in all/abn ./.
Then/rb ,/, with/in a/at glory/nn that/wps almost/rb wiped/vbd out/rp the/at deep/jj ,/, downward/jj sags/nns in/in her/pp$ careworn/jj face/nn ,/, Matilda/np leaned/vbd over/in the/at wheel/nn and/cc shouted/vbd to/in Hez/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz stumbling/vbg along/rb in/in the/at heat/nn and/cc the/at dust/nn on/in the/at opposite/jj side/nn of/in the/at wagon/nn ``/`` Pa/nn-tl !/. !/.
Pa/nn-tl !/. !/.
I/ppss can/md see/vb Dan/np ./.
And/cc he's/pps+bez with/in the/at Jacksons/nps ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` What/wdt about/in Burnsides/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Hez/np asked/vbd ,/, who/wps still/rb believed/vbn they'd/ppss+md have/hv them/ppo to/to lick/vb ./.


	``/`` They/ppss ain't/ber* even/rb in/in sight/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps replied/vbd ./.


	By/in then/rb Hez/np could/md see/vb for/in himself/ppl ,/, and/cc so/rb could/md the/at others/nns ./.
Soon/rb they/ppss were/bed all/abn shouting/vbg greetings/nns ,/, exchanging/vbg smiles/nns ,/, and/cc rejoicing/vbg to/to think/vb that/cs they/ppss were/bed all/abn back/rb together/rb again/rb ./.
But/cc even/rb a/at reunion/nn as/ql joyous/jj as/cs this/dt one/pn did/dod not/* make/vb a/at break/nn in/in the/at routines/nns of/in the/at day/nn ./.
Nor/cc could/md they/ppss stop/vb and/cc find/vb out/rp about/in all/abn that/wps had/hvd happened/vbn until/cs they/ppss made/vbd circle/nn ,/, tended/vbd the/at cattle/nns ,/, tethered/vbd the/at horses/nns ,/, gathered/vbd fuel/nn ,/, carried/vbd water/nn ,/, and/cc started/vbd their/pp$ cooking/vbg fires/nns ./.
Then/rb ,/, and/cc only/rb then/rb ,/, with/in the/at Jacksons/nps and/cc Dan/np as/cs their/pp$ true/jj guests/nns of/in honor/nn ,/, did/dod the/at Harrows/nps take/vb time/nn to/to catch/vb up/rp on/in the/at news/nn ./.
No/at sooner/rbr did/dod they/ppss hear/vb of/in Dan's/np$ injury/nn than/cs both/abx Gran/np and/cc Matilda/np went/vbd into/in immediate/jj action/nn ./.
The/at wound/nn in/in his/pp$ scalp/nn was/bedz examined/vbn ,/, pronounced/vbn healing/vbg ,/, and/cc well/rb doctored/vbn with/in simples/nns ,/, before/cs they/ppss dished/vbd up/rp the/at victuals/nns ./.
From/in then/rb on/rp ,/, in/in keeping/vbg with/in the/at traditions/nns they/ppss had/hvd followed/vbn since/in childhood/nn ,/, the/at whole/jj group/nn settled/vbd down/rp to/to relish/vb their/pp$ food/nn ./.
Even/rb Sally/np ,/, in/in spite/in of/in her/pp$ gaiety/nn and/cc obvious/jj welcome/nn ,/, followed/vbd the/at old/jj taboo/nn of/in ``/`` quitting/vbg the/at gab/nn when/wrb wearing/vbg the/at nosebag/nn ''/'' ./.


	After/in their/pp$ supper/nn ,/, the/at evening/nn turned/vbd into/in a/at regular/jj ``/`` Hoe-Down/np ''/'' ./.
Only/rb ,/, they/ppss carefully/rb substituted/vbd old/jj country/nn folk/nn dances/nns for/in the/at Virginia/np-tl Reels/nns-tl and/cc square/nn dances/nns that/wps were/bed so/ql popular/jj among/in more/ql worldly/jj trains/nns in/in the/at great/jj westward/rb migration/nn ./.
But/cc with/in Bill/np O'Connor/np on/in the/at fiddle/nn ,/, and/cc Gran/np Harrow/np exuberantly/rb shouting/vbg ``/`` Glory/uh Be/uh ''/'' and/cc ``/`` Hallelujah/uh ''/'' above/in their/pp$ united/vbn chant/nn of/in the/at lilting/vbg old/jj ballads/nns ,/, they/ppss played/vbd their/pp$ quaint/jj folk/nn games/nns with/in all/abn the/at fervor/nn and/cc abandon/nn of/in a/at real/jj celebration/nn ./.


	``/`` Golly/uh ''/'' ,/, Rod/np exclaimed/vbd to/in Harmony/np as/cs he/pps dutifully/rb stood/vbd by/in her/pp$ side/nn among/in the/at ringed/vbn spectators/nns ,/, ``/`` don't/do* that/dt fiddle/nn make/vb you/ppo wish/vb the/at Bible/np didn't/dod* say/vb us/ppo Baptists/nps can't/md* dance/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Nor/cc Methodists/nps ,/, neither/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps replied/vbd ./.
``/`` Not/* that/cs it/pps matters/vbz to/in me/ppo ,/, being/beg this/dt far/jj along/rb ''/'' ./.


	Rod/np gave/vbd her/ppo a/at warm/jj pat/nn on/in the/at shoulder/nn before/cs he/pps replied/vbd ./.
``/`` Come/vb spring/nn ,/, you'll/ppss+md be/be kicking/vbg up/rp your/pp$ heels/nns and/cc feeling/vbg coltish/jj again/rb too/rb ,/, gal/nn ''/'' ./.


	At/in these/dts words/nns of/in sympathy/nn and/cc understanding/nn ,/, Harmony/np said/vbd generously/rb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss don't/do* mind/vb setting/vbg here/rb along/in with/in Gran/np while/cs you/ppss go/vb out/rp and/cc join/vb in/in the/at games/nns ''/'' ./.


	Rod/np shifted/vbd his/pp$ eager/jj eyes/nns from/in the/at milling/vbg group/nn out/rp in/in the/at circle/nn long/jj enough/qlp to/to reply/vb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* much/ap of/in a/at hand/nn for/in Dare-Base/np and/cc Farmer-in-the-Dell/np ,/, but/cc I'd/ppss+md sure/rb like/vb to/to get/vb in/rp on/in the/at handhold/nn and/cc wrestles/nns ''/'' ./.
He/pps looked/vbd down/rp at/in his/pp$ big/jj hands/nns and/cc slowly/rb flexed/vbd his/pp$ long/jj fingers/nns ./.
``/`` Don't/do* reckon/vb there's/ex+bez nobody/pn out/rp there/rb ,/, 'cept/in maybe/rb Dan/np ,/, who/wps can/md outgrip/vb me/ppo ,/, Harmony/np ''/'' ./.


	With/in Rod/np on/in his/pp$ way/nn and/cc Matilda/np visiting/vbg with/in Mrs./np Jackson/np while/cs they/ppss searched/vbd out/rp familiar/jj names/nns on/in the/at face/nn of/in the/at cliff/nn ,/, Harmony/np settled/vbd on/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at grub/nn box/nn ,/, to/to ease/vb the/at pressure/nn of/in her/ppo swollen/jj body/nn on/in her/pp$ bone-weary/jj legs/nns ,/, and/cc worried/vbd about/in all/abn that/dt might/md have/hv happened/vbn to/in Sally/np ./.
And/cc she/pps was/bedz deeply/rb thankful/jj that/cs she/pps could/md see/vb her/ppo now/rb ,/, out/rp there/rb in/in the/at midst/nn of/in a/at gay/jj ,/, youthful/jj circle/nn ,/, skipping/vbg and/cc singing/vbg ,/, ``/`` Farmer/nn in/in the/at dell/nn ,/, Farmer/nn in/in the/at dell/nn ,/, Heigh-ho/uh the/at dairy-oh/uh ,/, the/at farmer/nn in/in the/at dell/nn ''/'' ./.


	At/in the/at sight/nn of/in Sally's/np$ happy/jj face/nn and/cc carefree/jj expression/nn ,/, Harmony's/np$ dark/jj ,/, brooding/vbg eyes/nns quickly/rb brightened/vbd with/in unshed/jj tears/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz glad/jj ,/, completely/rb and/cc unselfishly/rb glad/jj ,/, to/to see/vb that/cs things/nns were/bed working/vbg out/rp the/at right/jj way/nn for/in both/abx Sally/np and/cc Dan/np ./.
And/cc she/pps really/rb tried/vbd to/to go/vb a/at step/nn further/rbr and/cc say/vb she/pps hoped/vbd they'd/ppss+md be/be just/rb as/ql right/jj as/cs they/ppss now/rb were/bed for/in her/ppo and/cc for/in Rod/np ./.
But/cc she/pps couldn't/md* ,/, not/* yet/rb ./.
Not/* with/in the/at memory/nn of/in her/pp$ folks/nns and/cc the/at lost/vbn Conestoga/np still/rb holding/vbg her/ppo close/rb ./.


	Out/rp in/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at circle/nn the/at farmer/nn ,/, who/wps was/bedz Dan/np ,/, wasted/vbd no/at time/nn when/wrb they/ppss came/vbd to/in the/at line/nn ,/, ``/`` The/at farmer/nn choose/vb his/pp$ wife/nn ''/'' ./.
With/in a/at swift/jj swoop/nn of/in his/pp$ big/jj arms/nns ,/, he/pps grabbed/vbd Sally/np out/in of/in the/at circle/nn surrounding/vbg him/ppo ,/, and/cc then/rb kissed/vbd her/ppo soundly/rb before/cs setting/vbg her/ppo down/rp so/cs she/pps could/md stand/vb by/in his/pp$ side/nn while/cs they/ppss jointly/rb chose/vbd the/at rest/nn of/in their/pp$ ``/`` outfit/nn ''/'' ./.
Soon/rb the/at child/nn ,/, the/at dog/nn ,/, the/at cat/nn and/cc even/rb the/at cheese/nn ,/, all/abn joined/vbn them/ppo out/rp there/rb in/in the/at circle/nn ./.


	By/in now/rb Harmony/np could/md see/vb that/cs most/ap of/in the/at adults/nns in/in the/at train/nn were/bed winded/vbn and/cc resting/vbg ,/, or/cc else/rb siphoned/vbd off/rp from/in the/at games/nns by/in the/at challenging/jj lure/nn of/in the/at great/jj cliff/nn towering/vbg above/in them/ppo ./.
No/at matter/nn how/wrb many/ap registry/nn rocks/nns they/ppss came/vbd to/in on/in this/dt journey/nn ,/, each/dt one/cd exerted/vbd its/pp$ own/jj appeal/nn ./.
Even/rb strange/jj names/nns seemed/vbd to/to make/vb them/ppo feel/vb closer/rbr to/in some/dti kind/nn of/in civilization/nn when/wrb stumbled/vbn across/rb out/rp here/rb in/in this/dt wilderness/nn ./.
Already/rb a/at few/ap hardy/jj folk/nn from/in their/pp$ own/jj train/nn were/bed zealously/rb chipping/vbg away/rb at/in the/at register/nn rocks/nns ,/, leaving/vbg their/pp$ own/jj records/nns along/in with/in those/dts made/vbn by/in the/at earlier/jjr trains/nns ./.
Soon/rb she/pps saw/vbd Rod/np and/cc Hez/np moving/vbg over/rp to/to join/vb them/ppo ./.


	No/at sooner/rbr were/bed they/ppss through/in and/cc the/at guards/nns posted/vbd ,/, than/cs the/at whole/jj camp/nn turned/vbd in/rp for/in a/at night/nn of/in sound/jj sleep/nn ./.
For/in Matilda/np ,/, it/pps was/bedz the/at first/od she/pps had/hvd known/vbn in/in many/abn a/at night/nn ./.
Even/rb the/at knowledge/nn that/cs she/pps was/bedz losing/vbg another/dt boy/nn ,/, as/cs a/at mother/nn always/rb does/doz when/wrb a/at marriage/nn is/bez made/vbn ,/, did/dod not/* prevent/vb her/ppo from/in having/hvg the/at first/rb carefree/jj ,/, dreamless/jj sleep/nn that/cs she/pps had/hvd known/vbn since/cs they/ppss dropped/vbd down/in the/at canyon/nn and/cc into/in Bear/nn-tl Valley/nn-tl ,/, way/rb ,/, way/rb back/rb there/rb when/wrb they/ppss were/bed crossing/vbg those/dts other/ap mountains/nns ./.




Next/ap morning/nn ,/, they/ppss moved/vbd on/rp again/rb ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ souls'/nns$ a-gracious/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Gran/np Harrow/np exclaimed/vbd ,/, watching/vbg their/pp$ rippling/vbg muscles/nns as/cs Rod/np and/cc Dan/np swung/vbd her/ppo up/rp into/in the/at load/nn ./.
``/`` A/at body/nn would/md swear/vb I/ppss floated/vbd right/ql up/rp here/rb on/in a/at cloud/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Rod/np and/cc Dan/np released/vbd their/pp$ holds/nns on/in the/at arms/nns of/in her/pp$ hickory/nn rocker/nn and/cc exchanged/vbd embarrassed/vbn grins/nns ./.
``/`` Shucks/uh ,/, Gran/np ''/'' ,/, they/ppss said/vbd almost/rb in/in unison/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt wasn't/bedz* nothing/pn at/in all/abn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Leaning/vbg forward/rb in/in her/pp$ chair/nn ,/, Gran/np nearsightedly/rb scrutinized/vbd Dan's/np$ face/nn ./.
``/`` How's/wrb+bez Sally/np like/vb rubbin'/vbg agin/rb that/dt thar/rb little/jj ticklebrush/nn ye're/ppss+ber a-raising/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Quit/vb ragging/vbg him/ppo ,/, Gran/np ''/'' ,/, Rod/np protested/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* ragging/vbg him/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Gran/np peered/vbd again/rb at/in the/at week-old/jj blond/jj mustache/nn shadowing/vbg Dan's/np$ upper/jj lip/nn ./.
``/`` But/cc honest-to-Betsy/uh ,/, I've/ppss+hv seed/vbn more/ap hair/nn than/cs that/dt on/in a/at piece/nn o'/in bacon/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at two/cd tall/jj brothers/nns waited/vbd silently/rb while/cs their/pp$ mother/nn handed/vbd Gran/np her/pp$ cold/jj snack/nn and/cc water/nn jug/nn ,/, placed/vbd the/at chamber/nn pot/nn beside/in her/ppo feet/nns ,/, and/cc returned/vbd to/in her/pp$ place/nn at/in the/at front/nn of/in the/at wagon/nn with/in Alice/np ./.


	``/`` Rheumatics/nns worse/jjr ,/, Pa/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Dan/np asked/vbd Hez/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd limped/vbn back/rb from/in his/pp$ team/nn to/to hold/vb the/at notched-stick/nn chair/nn braces/nns in/in place/nn while/cs his/pp$ boys/nns swung/vbd up/rp the/at tailgate/nn and/cc tied/vbd it/ppo tight/jj at/in the/at ends/nns ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ right/jj leg's/nn+bez stiff/jj as/cs a/at board/nn this/dt morning/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps replied/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc the/at sun'll/nn+md fry/vb it/ppo out'n/rp+in me/ppo onct/cs we/ppss git/vb to/in rolling/vbg ''/'' ./.


	The/at three/cd men/nns stepped/vbd out/rp to/in the/at side/nn to/to wait/vb for/in Captain/nn-tl Clemens'/np$ signal/nn ./.


	Hez/np looked/vbd up/rp at/in the/at high/jj face/nn of/in Emigrant/nn-tl Rock/nn-tl ,/, official/jj signboard/nn for/in the/at Raft/nn-tl River/nn-tl turnoff/nn ,/, and/cc gloated/vbd ,/, ``/`` Seems/vbz funny/jj that/cs them/dts Burnsides/nps never/rb took/vbd time/nn to/to leave/vb their/pp$ John-Henry/np up/rp thar/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Wonder/vb what/wdt made/vbd them/ppo hurry/vb so/ql ''/'' ,/, Rod/np drawled/vbd ,/, giving/vbg Dan/np a/at sly/jj wink/nn ./.


	Dan/np grinned/vbd ,/, and/cc changed/vbd the/at subject/nn ./.
``/`` From/in now/rb on/rp ,/, Sally/np and/cc me/ppo and/cc her/pp$ folks/nns aim/vb to/to give/vb you/ppo our/pp$ turn/nn when/wrb it/pps comes/vbz up/rp and/cc fall/vb in/rp behind/in you/ppo and/cc Rod's/np$ outfit/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Ain't/bez* no/at sense/nn you/ppss eating/vbg our/pp$ dust/nn ''/'' ,/, Rod/np protested/vbd ./.


	``/`` Sally/np and/cc her/pp$ ma/nn want/vb to/to trade/vb off/rp on/in account/nn of/in Harmony/np being/beg so/ql far/jj along/rb ''/'' ,/, Dan/np explained/vbd ./.
``/`` Jackson/np recruited/vbd his/pp$ critters/nns ,/, and/cc him/ppo and/cc me/ppo fixed/vbd up/rp his/pp$ wagon/nn while/cs we/ppss was/bedz waiting/vbg for/in you/ppo to/to catch/vb up/rp ./.
He's/pps+bez got/vbn the/at tightest/jjt running/vbg gear/nn in/in the/at train/nn now/rb ./.
Besides/rb ,/, 'tain't/ppss+bez* no/at more'n/rbr+cs right/jj for/in me/ppo to/to follow/vb with/in my/pp$ black/jj oxen/nns ,/, so's/cs I/ppss can/md unhook/vb and/cc pull/vb up/rp fast/jj if/cs either/dtx of/in you/ppo get/vb in/in a/at pinch/nn ''/'' ./.


	Captain/nn-tl Clemens'/np$ signal/nn shot/nn sent/vbd the/at men/nns hurrying/vbg to/in their/pp$ waiting/vbg teams/nns ./.


	``/`` Reckon/vb ye're/ppss+ber right/jj ,/, Dan/np ''/'' ,/, Hez/np called/vbd back/rb over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md shore/nn be/be needing/vbg ye/ppo both/abx on/in the/at pull/nn out/rp o'/in the/at canyon/nn ''/'' ./.


	Rod/np looked/vbd apprehensively/rb ahead/rb at/in the/at narrowing/vbg ,/, precipice-walled/jj gorge/nn ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md double/vb teams/nns zigzagging/vbg up/in the/at mountain/nn ,/, Harmony/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps spoke/vbd reassuringly/rb ,/, concerned/vbn by/in the/at pinched/vbn look/nn around/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
``/`` Like/jj enough/qlp we'll/ppss+md all/abn be/be up/rp on/in top/nn by/in sundown/nn ''/'' ./.


	Out/rp of/in the/at corner/nn of/in his/pp$ eye/nn ,/, he/pps could/md see/vb his/pp$ father's/nn$ wheels/nns beginning/vbg to/to turn/vb ./.


	Before/cs Harmony/np had/hvd a/at chance/nn to/to reply/vb ,/, Rod/np cracked/vbd his/pp$ long/jj whip/nn over/in his/pp$ thin/jj oxen's/nns$ backs/nns ./.

While/cs no/rb larger/jjr than/cs Dutch/jj-tl Springs/nns-tl ,/, this/dt mining/vbg supply/nn town/nn had/hvd the/at appearance/nn of/in being/beg far/ql busier/jjr and/cc more/ql prosperous/jj ./.
Men/nns crowded/vbd the/at streets/nns and/cc freight/nn rigs/nns and/cc teams/nns were/bed moving/vbg about/rb ./.
Although/cs they/ppss were/bed forced/vbn to/to maintain/vb a/at sharper/jjr watch/nn ,/, this/dt activity/nn enabled/vbd them/ppo to/to ride/vb in/rp and/cc rack/vb their/pp$ broncs/nns without/in any/dti particular/jj attention/nn being/beg paid/vbn them/ppo ./.


	``/`` Gyp'll/np+md be/be holdin'/vbg forth/rb in/in some/dti bar/nn if/cs he's/pps+bez here/rb at/in all/abn ''/'' ,/, Cobb/np declared/vbd ,/, glancing/vbg along/in the/at street/nn as/cs they/ppss stretched/vbd their/pp$ legs/nns ./.


	There/ex were/bed no/at less/ap than/cs six/cd or/cc seven/cd saloons/nns in/in Ganado/np ,/, not/* counting/vbg the/at lower/jjr class/nn dives/nns ,/, all/abn vying/vbg for/in the/at trade/nn of/in celebrating/vbg miners/nns and/cc teamsters/nns ./.
Pat/np only/rb nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` Take/vb one/cd side/nn of/in the/at street/nn ,/, and/cc I'll/ppss+md take/vb the/at other/ap ''/'' ,/, he/pps proposed/vbd ./.
``/`` If/cs you/ppss spot/vb Carmer/np give/vb a/at yell/nn before/cs you/ppss move/vb in/rp ''/'' ./.


	Cobb's/np$ assent/nn was/bedz tight/jj ./.
``/`` You/ppss do/do the/at same/ap ./.
It's/pps+bez all/abn I/ppss ask/vb ,/, Stevens/np ''/'' ./.


	Separating/vbg ,/, they/ppss took/vbd different/jj sides/nns of/in the/at main/nn drag/nn and/cc systematically/rb combed/vbd the/at bars/nns ./.
Russ/np visited/vbd two/cd places/nns without/in result/nn and/cc his/pp$ blood/nn pressure/nn was/bedz down/rp to/in zero/nn ./.
Suddenly/rb it/pps seemed/vbd to/in him/ppo insane/jj that/cs they/ppss might/md hope/vb to/to locate/vb Gyp/np Carmer/np so/ql casually/rb ,/, even/rb were/bed he/pps to/to prove/vb the/at thief/nn ./.
He/pps tramped/vbd out/in of/in the/at Miners/nns-tl Rest/nn-tl with/in his/pp$ hopes/nns plummeting/vbg ,/, and/cc headed/vbd doggedly/rb for/in the/at Palace/nn-tl Saloon/nn-tl ,/, the/at last/ap place/nn of/in any/dti consequence/nn on/in this/dt side/nn of/in the/at street/nn ./.


	The/at Palace/nn-tl was/bedz an/at elaborate/jj establishment/nn ,/, built/vbn practically/rb on/in stilts/nns in/in front/jj ,/, with/in long/jj flights/nns of/in wooden/jj steps/nns running/vbg up/rp to/in the/at porch/nn ./.
Behind/in its/pp$ ornate/jj facade/nn the/at notorious/jj dive/nn clung/vbd like/cs a/at bird's/nn$ nest/nn to/in the/at rocky/jj ribs/nns of/in the/at canyonside/nn ./.
Russ/np ran/vbd up/in the/at steps/nns quickly/rb to/in the/at plank/nn porch/nn ./.
The/at front/jj windows/nns of/in the/at place/nn were/bed long/jj and/cc narrow/jj ,/, reaching/vbg nearly/rb to/in the/at floor/nn and/cc affording/vbg an/at unusually/rb good/jj view/nn of/in the/at interior/nn ./.
Heading/vbg for/in the/at batwings/nns ,/, Cobb/np glanced/vbd perfunctorily/rb through/in the/at nearest/jjt window/nn ,/, and/cc suddenly/rb dodged/vbd aside/rb ./.
Nerves/nns tight/jj as/cs a/at bowstring/nn ,/, he/pps paused/vbd to/to gather/vb his/pp$ wits/nns ./.


	Against/in all/abn expectation/nn ,/, Carmer/np was/bedz inside/rb ,/, clearly/rb enjoying/vbg himself/ppl to/in the/at hilt/nn and/cc already/rb so/ql tipsy/jj that/cs it/pps seemed/vbd unlikely/jj he/pps was/bedz bothering/vbg to/to note/vb anything/pn or/cc anyone/pn about/in him/ppo ./.
Fierce/jj anger/nn surged/vbd through/in Russ/np ./.
He/pps fought/vbd down/rp the/at impulse/nn to/to rush/vb in/rp and/cc collar/vb the/at vicious/jj puncher/nn on/in the/at spot/nn ./.


	Reaching/vbg the/at porch/nn rail/nn beyond/in view/nn of/in the/at bar/nn windows/nns ,/, he/pps feverishly/rb scanned/vbd the/at busy/jj street/nn below/rb ./.
Stevens/np was/bedz nowhere/nn in/in sight/nn ./.
Muffling/vbg an/at exclamation/nn ,/, Russ/np sprang/vbd to/in the/at nearest/jjt steps/nns and/cc ran/vbd down/rp ./.
As/cs luck/nn had/hvd it/ppo ,/, he/pps had/hvd not/* gone/vbn twenty/cd feet/nns in/in the/at street/nn before/cs Pat/np appeared/vbd ./.


	``/`` What/wdt luck/nn ,/, Cobb/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd swiftly/rb ./.


	Russ/np pointed/vbd upward/rb ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez there/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps got/vbd out/rp tersely/rb ,/, curbing/vbg his/pp$ rising/vbg excitement/nn ./.
Hitching/vbg his/pp$ cartridge/nn belt/nn around/rb ,/, Pat/np glanced/vbd upward/rb briefly/rb at/in the/at Palace/nn-tl and/cc started/vbd that/dt way/nn with/in Cobb/np at/in his/pp$ side/nn ./.


	Climbing/vbg the/at steps/nns steadily/rb ,/, they/ppss reached/vbd the/at top/nn and/cc headed/vbd for/in the/at door/nn ./.
Pat/np pushed/vbd through/rp first/rb ./.
Forced/vbn behind/in him/ppo momentarily/rb ,/, Russ/np followed/vbd at/in once/rb and/cc halted/vbd two/cd steps/nns inside/rb ./.
His/pp$ eyes/nns widened/vbd ./.
While/cs five/cd minutes/nns ago/rb the/at place/nn had/hvd presented/vbn a/at scene/nn of/in easy/jj revelry/nn ,/, with/in Gyp/np Carmer/np a/at prominent/jj figure/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz now/rb as/ql somnolent/jj and/cc dull/jj as/cs the/at day/nn before/in payday/nn ./.
Carmer/np himself/ppl was/bedz nowhere/nn to/to be/be seen/vbn ./.


	A/at man/nn knocked/vbd the/at roulette/nn ball/nn about/rb idly/rb in/in its/pp$ track/nn ,/, and/cc another/dt dozed/vbd at/in one/pn of/in the/at card/nn tables/nns ./.
Two/cd men/nns murmured/vbd with/in their/pp$ heads/nns together/rb at/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at bar/nn ,/, while/cs the/at sleek-headed/jj bartender/nn absently/rb polished/vbd a/at glass/nn ./.
Looking/vbg the/at setup/nn over/rp ,/, Stevens/np started/vbd coolly/rb for/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at place/nn ./.


	``/`` Where/wrb yuh/ppss goin'/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	It/pps was/bedz the/at barkeep/nn ./.
Halting/vbg ,/, Pat/np turned/vbd to/to survey/vb him/ppo deliberately/rb ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* reply/vb ,/, going/vbg on/rp toward/in the/at back/nn ./.
Less/ql assured/vbn than/cs the/at tall/jj ,/, wide-shouldered/jj man/nn in/in the/at lead/nn ,/, Cobb/np followed/vbd alertly/rb ,/, a/at hand/nn on/in his/pp$ gun/nn butt/nn ./.
The/at bartender/nn measured/vbd this/dt situation/nn with/in heavy/jj eyes/nns and/cc decided/vbd he/pps wanted/vbd no/at part/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps said/vbd no/at more/ap ./.


	A/at hall/nn opened/vbd in/in back/nn of/in the/at bar/nn ,/, running/vbg toward/in an/at ell/nn ./.
Pat/np moved/vbd into/in it/ppo ./.
Small/jj rooms/nns ,/, probably/rb for/in cards/nns ,/, opened/vbd off/rp on/in either/dtx side/nn ./.
All/ql the/at doors/nns were/bed open/jj at/in this/dt hour/nn except/in one/cd ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz toward/in this/dt that/cs Stevens/np made/vbd his/pp$ way/nn with/in Russ/np close/rb at/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.


	The/at door/nn was/bedz locked/vbn ./.
A/at single/ap kick/nn made/vbd it/ppo spring/vb open/jj ,/, shuddering/vbg ./.
Pat/np saw/vbd Gyp/np Carmer/np staggering/vbg forward/rb ,/, a/at half-filled/jj bottle/nn upraised/vbn as/cs if/cs to/to strike/vb ./.
Russ/np sprang/vbd through/rp to/to bat/vb it/ppo nimbly/rb aside/rb ./.
With/in a/at bellow/nn Carmer/np lunged/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz more/ap than/in half-drunk/jj ,/, and/cc his/pp$ faculties/nns were/bed dulled/vbn ./.
Cobb/np unleashed/vbd a/at single/ap powerful/jj jab/nn that/wps sent/vbd Gyp/np reeling/vbg wildly/rb and/cc crashing/vbg down/rp with/in a/at whining/vbg groan/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd to/to struggle/vb up/rp ,/, heaving/vbg desperately/rb ./.
Russ/np gave/vbd him/ppo a/at brutal/jj thrust/nn that/wps tumbled/vbd him/ppo over/rp flat/jj on/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ./.
Kneeling/vbg ,/, Cobb/np planted/vbd a/at sturdy/jj knee/nn in/in the/at small/nn of/in his/pp$ back/nn ,/, holding/vbg him/ppo pinned/vbn ./.


	``/`` Okay/uh ,/, Stevens/np ./.
I've/ppss+hv drawn/vbn his/pp$ fangs/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps snapped/vbd ./.
``/`` Go/vb through/in his/pp$ pockets/nns ,/, will/md you/ppo ?/. ?/.
If/cs we/ppss have/hv to/in we'll/ppss+md take/vb him/ppo apart/rb and/cc see/vb what/wdt he's/pps+bez made/vbn of/in ''/'' !/. !/.


	Complying/vbg methodically/rb ,/, Pat/np pulled/vbd pocket/nn after/in pocket/nn inside/rb out/rp without/in finding/vbg a/at thing/nn ./.
Cobb/np watched/vbd this/dt with/in hunted/vbn eyes/nns ,/, his/pp$ desperate/jj hope/nn waning/vbg by/in the/at moment/nn ./.
Stevens/np was/bedz grunting/vbg over/in the/at last/ap empty/jj pocket/nn when/wrb Russ/np abruptly/rb rose/vbd and/cc lunged/vbd toward/in Carmer's/np$ hat/nn ,/, which/wdt had/hvd tumbled/vbn half-a-dozen/nn feet/nns away/rb when/wrb he/pps first/rb fell/vbd ./.
Cobb/np got/vbd it/ppo ./.
Straightening/vbg up/rp ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns ablaze/rb ,/, he/pps held/vbd out/rp the/at battered/vbn Stetson/np ./.


	``/`` Look/vb at/in this/dt ''/'' !/. !/.


	Inside/in the/at crown/nn ,/, stuffed/vbn behind/in the/at stained/vbn sweatband/nn ,/, could/md be/be seen/vbn thin/jj ,/, crumpled/vbn wads/nns of/in currency/nn ./.
Carmer's/np$ ingenious/jj cache/nn for/in his/pp$ loot/nn had/hvd been/ben found/vbn ./.




``/`` By/in golly/uh ,/, Stevens/np !/. !/.
You/ppss were/bed right/jj ''/'' ,/, Russ/np exclaimed/vbd ,/, tearing/vbg the/at loose/jj bills/nns out/in of/in Carmer's/np$ hat/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt is/bez ,/, if/cs we/ppss can/md be/be sure/jj this/dt is/bez Colcord's/np$ money/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	Pat/np grunted/vbd ./.
``/`` Where/wrb else/rb would/md he/pps get/vb it/ppo ?/. ?/.
Count/vb what/wdt you've/ppss+hv got/vbn there/rb ,/, Cobb/np ./.
We/ppss can/md soon/rb tell/vb ''/'' ./.


	Russ/np ran/vbd through/in the/at bills/nns and/cc named/vbd an/at amount/vb it/pps was/bedz highly/ql unlikely/jj any/dti cowpuncher/nn would/md come/vb by/rb honestly/rb ./.
Pat/np nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez within/in a/at hundred/cd of/in what/wdt Crip/np had/hvd ''/'' ,/, he/pps declared/vbd ./.
``/`` We/ppss know/vb Penny/np spent/vbd some/dti --/-- and/cc Carmer/np must/md have/hv dropped/vbn a/at few/ap dollars/nns getting/vbg that/dt load/nn on/rp ''/'' ./.


	Handing/vbg the/at money/nn over/rp ,/, Russ/np wiped/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns on/in his/pp$ pants-legs/nns as/cs if/cs ridding/vbg himself/ppl of/in something/pn unclean/jj ./.
His/pp$ glance/nn at/in Gyp/np Carmer/np was/bedz disdainful/jj ./.
``/`` Shall/md we/ppss get/vb out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Leaving/vbg the/at card/nn room/nn ,/, they/ppss moved/vbd back/rb through/in the/at Palace/nn-tl the/at way/nn they/ppss had/hvd come/vbn ./.
Glowering/vbg looks/nns met/vbd them/ppo in/in the/at bar/nn ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at attempt/nn to/to halt/vb them/ppo ./.
Pausing/vbg in/in the/at outside/jj door/nn to/to glance/vb behind/in him/ppo ,/, Pat/np looked/vbd his/pp$ unspoken/jj warning/nn and/cc stepped/vbd out/rp ./.
He/pps and/cc Cobb/np clattered/vbd down/in the/at high/jj steps/nns to/in the/at street/nn ./.


	Neither/dtx spoke/vbd till/cs they/ppss reached/vbd their/pp$ horses/nns ./.
Pat/np paused/vbd there/rb ,/, looking/vbg across/rb at/in the/at young/jj fellow/nn ./.
It'll/pps+md be/be a/at pleasure/nn for/in you/ppo to/to return/vb this/dt money/nn to/in Colcord/np and/cc tell/vb him/ppo about/in it/ppo ,/, Russ/np ''/'' ./.
He/pps started/vbd to/to return/vb it/ppo ./.


	To/in his/pp$ faint/jj surprise/nn Russ/np held/vbd up/rp his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
``/`` Not/* me/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps ruled/vbd decidedly/rb ./.
I've/ppss+hv had/hvn enough/ap ./.
It/pps was/bedz you/ppss that/wps tracked/vbd it/ppo down/rp anyway/rb ,/, Stevens/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps pursued/vbd strictly/rb ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md shove/vb along/rb home/nr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Whatever/wdt you/ppss say/vb ''/'' ./.
Pat/np swung/vbd into/in the/at saddle/nn ,/, yet/rb still/rb he/pps delayed/vbd ,/, his/pp$ brows/nns puckered/vbn ./.
``/`` You/ppss owe/vb it/ppo to/in Penny/np to/to give/vb her/ppo a/at chance/nn to/to explain/vb that/cs she/pps was/bedz defending/vbg you/ppo ,/, really/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps observed/vbd mildly/rb ./.


	``/`` Old/jj Crip/np wasn't/bedz* ''/'' ,/, retorted/vbd Cobb/np tartly/rb ./.
``/`` He'll/pps+md know/vb when/wrb you/ppss tell/vb him/ppo ./.
But/cc I/ppss want/vb this/dt to/to sink/vb in/rp awhile/rb ./.
Then/rb maybe/rb next/ap time/nn he/pps won't/md* be/be so/ql quick/jj on/in the/at trigger/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Pat/np had/hvd never/rb pretended/vbn to/to give/vb advice/nn in/in such/jj affairs/nns ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber the/at doctor/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps returned/vbd with/in a/at smile/nn ./.
``/`` But/cc I/ppss still/rb think/vb Penny's/np+bez an/at awful/ql nice/jj girl/nn ,/, Russ/np ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss don't/do* have/hv to/to tell/vb me/ppo ''/'' ,/, flashed/vbd Cobb/np ./.
Giving/vbg the/at other/ap a/at dark/jj look/nn ,/, he/pps hauled/vbd his/pp$ bronc/nn around/rb and/cc trotted/vbd down/rp off/in the/at street/nn ./.
Pat/np let/vbd him/ppo go/vb ,/, following/vbg more/ql leisurely/rb ./.
At/in the/at first/od restaurant/nn he/pps sensibly/rb pulled/vbd up/rp to/to go/vb in/rp for/in his/pp$ dinner/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs a/at consequence/nn did/dod not/* see/vb Cobb/np strike/vb the/at open/jj range/nn at/in the/at mouth/nn of/in the/at canyon/nn and/cc head/vb straight/rb across/in the/at swells/nns for/in Antler/np ./.


	The/at truth/nn was/bedz ,/, the/at puncher/nn was/bedz both/abx bewildered/vbn and/cc dismayed/vbn by/in his/pp$ own/jj mixed/vbn luck/nn ./.
``/`` Penny's/np+bez always/rb glad/jj to/to see/vb me/ppo over/in there/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps mused/vbd bleakly/rb ./.
Yet/rb had/hvd he/pps not/* visited/vbn the/at girl/nn at/in Saw/nn-tl Buck/nn-tl he/pps would/md never/rb have/hv been/ben involved/vbn in/in this/dt latest/jjt tangle/nn ./.


	Over/in and/cc above/in that/dt ,/, however/wrb ,/, was/bedz his/pp$ growing/vbg suspicion/nn of/in Chuck/np Stober's/np$ part/nn in/in recent/jj events/nns ./.
``/`` Gyp/np Carmer/np couldn't/md* have/hv known/vbn about/in Colcord's/np$ money/nn unless/cs he/pps was/bedz told/vbn --/-- and/cc who/wps else/rb would/md have/hv told/vbn him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd himself/ppl ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez the/at second/od time/nn War/nn-tl Ax/nn-tl hands/nns made/vbd a/at play/nn for/in that/dt money/nn ./.


	How/wrb much/ap of/in an/at accident/nn could/md that/dt be/be ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Nearing/vbg home/nr ,/, he/pps jerked/vbd to/in attention/nn at/in the/at distant/jj crack/nn of/in a/at gun/nn ./.
In/in town/nn no/at one/pn paid/vbd much/ap attention/nn to/in an/at occasional/jj shot/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc on/in the/at range/nn gunfire/nn had/hvd a/at meaning/nn ./.
Hauling/vbg up/rp ,/, Russ/np listened/vbd carefully/rb ./.
Two/cd minutes/nns later/rbr it/pps came/vbd again/rb --/-- a/at double/jj explosion/nn ,/, followed/vbn by/in a/at third/od ,/, sounding/vbg more/ql distant/jj ./.


	As/ql near/rb as/cs Cobb/np could/md determine/vb the/at shots/nns came/vbd from/in the/at direction/nn of/in the/at Antler/np ranch/nn house/nn ./.
He/pps tightened/vbd up/rp in/in a/at twinkling/vbg ./.
So/ql far/rb as/cs he/pps knew/vbd ,/, only/rb his/pp$ father/nn could/md be/be there/rb ./.
What/wdt did/dod it/pps mean/vb ?/. ?/.
Clapping/vbg spurs/nns to/in the/at bronc/nn he/pps set/vbd off/rp at/in a/at sharp/jj canter/nn ,/, with/in growing/vbg alarm/nn ./.


	His/pp$ first/od glimpse/nn of/in the/at ranch/nn house/nn across/in the/at brushy/jj swells/nns told/vbd him/ppo nothing/pn ./.
Still/rb a/at quarter-mile/nn away/rb ,/, the/at fresh/jj clap/nn of/in guns/nns only/rb served/vbd to/to increase/vb his/pp$ speed/nn ./.
Setting/vbg a/at course/nn straight/rb for/in the/at house/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz covering/vbg ground/nn fast/rb when/wrb an/at angry/jj bee/nn buzzed/vbd past/rb close/rb to/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.


	When/wrb it/pps was/bedz followed/vbn by/in a/at second/od ,/, whining/vbg even/ql closer/rbr ,/, Cobb/np swerved/vbd sharply/rb aside/rb into/in a/at depression/nn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd now/rb what/wdt he/pps was/bedz up/rp against/in ./.
Whoever/wps was/bedz out/rp there/rb hiding/vbg in/in the/at brushy/jj cover/nn was/bedz besieging/vbg the/at Antler/np house/nn and/cc ,/, having/hvg spotted/vbn his/pp$ approach/nn ,/, was/bedz determined/vbn to/to drive/vb him/ppo off/rp before/cs he/pps could/md get/vb into/in the/at fight/nn ./.


	Cursing/vbg himself/ppl for/in having/hvg ridden/vbn out/rp the/at last/ap few/ap days/nns without/in a/at rifle/nn in/in his/pp$ saddle/nn boot/nn ,/, Russ/np drew/vbd his/pp$ Colt/np and/cc examined/vbd it/ppo briefly/rb ./.
If/cs he/pps wondered/vbd whether/cs the/at attackers/nns would/md allow/vb him/ppo to/to pull/vb away/rb unmolested/jj ,/, he/pps had/hvd his/pp$ answer/nn a/at moment/nn later/rbr ./.


	``/`` Over/in this/dt way/nn !/. !/.
He/pps ain't/hvz* gone/vbn far/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
A/at harsh/jj cry/nn floated/vbd to/in him/ppo across/in the/at brush/nn ./.


	A/at carbine/nn cracked/vbd more/ql loudly/rb ,/, and/cc a/at slug/nn clipped/vbd fragments/nns from/in the/at brush/nn off/in at/in one/cd side/nn ./.
The/at would-be/jj assassin/nn had/hvd his/pp$ position/nn figured/vbn pretty/ql close/rb ./.
Dismounting/vbg ,/, Russ/np looked/vbd about/rb hastily/rb ./.
Toward/in the/at west/nr this/dt depression/nn led/vbd toward/in a/at draw/nn ./.
Leading/vbg his/pp$ pony/nn ,/, he/pps hurried/vbd that/dt way/nn ,/, not/* remounting/vbg till/cs he/pps was/bedz well/rb below/in the/at level/nn of/in the/at surrounding/vbg range/nn ./.


	Swinging/vbg up/rp then/rb ,/, and/cc bending/vbg forward/rb over/in the/at horn/nn ,/, he/pps urged/vbd his/pp$ mount/nn down/in the/at meandering/vbg draw/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd not/* covered/vbn a/at hundred/cd yards/nns before/cs a/at gun/nn crashed/vbd from/in somewhere/rb behind/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben sighted/vbn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ attacker/nn pumping/vbg shot/nn after/in shot/nn ./.
A/at shot/nn or/cc two/cd went/vbd wild/jj before/cs Cobb/np felt/vbd something/pn tug/vb at/in his/pp$ foot/nn ./.
A/at slug/nn had/hvd torn/vbn half/abn of/in his/pp$ stirrup-guard/nn away/rb ./.
A/at second/od twitched/vbd his/pp$ shirtsleeve/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps felt/vbd a/at brief/jj burn/nn on/in his/pp$ upper/jj arm/nn ./.
Another/dt snarled/vbd close/rb overhead/rb ./.


	``/`` Jumping/uh Jerusalem/uh !/. !/.
Let's/vb+ppo get/vb out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	At/in the/at first/od shot/nn Russ/np had/hvd hurled/vbn his/pp$ mount/nn to/in the/at left/nr toward/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at winding/vbg draw/nn ./.
The/at long/jj minute/nn before/cs he/pps reached/vbd effective/jj cover/nn seemed/vbd endless/jj ./.
Sweeping/vbg a/at look/nn around/rb ,/, he/pps saw/vbd that/cs he/pps was/bedz safe/jj for/in the/at moment/nn ./.
He/pps heard/vbd cries/nns from/in behind/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps could/md make/vb out/rp no/at words/nns ./.


	He/pps dashed/vbd madly/rb for/in the/at next/ap elbow/nn turn/nn in/in the/at draw/nn ,/, and/cc made/vbd it/ppo ./.
Recklessly/rb hurling/vbg the/at bronc/nn sidewise/rb into/in an/at intersecting/vbg draw/nn ,/, he/pps plunged/vbd forward/rb with/in undiminished/jj speed/nn ./.
Gradually/rb the/at wash/nn climbed/vbd upward/rb ,/, forcing/vbg him/ppo toward/in open/jj range/nn ./.
Yet/rb he/pps must/md chance/vb it/ppo ./.
He/pps clambered/vbd out/in of/in the/at dwindling/vbg wash/nn ,/, the/at loose/jj dirt/nn flying/vbg behind/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc flashed/vbd a/at look/nn about/rb ./.

Early/rb in/in November/np the/at clouds/nns lifted/vbd enough/qlp to/to carry/vb out/rp the/at assigned/vbn missions/nns ./.
And/cc Sweeney/np-tl Squadron/nn-tl put/vbd its/pp$ first/od marks/nns on/in the/at combat/nn record/nn ./.
Every/at plane/nn that/wps could/md fly/vb was/bedz sent/vbn into/in the/at air/nn ./.


	Cricket/np took/vbd eight/cd ships/nns and/cc went/vbd south/nr across/in the/at Straits/nps and/cc along/in the/at north/nr coast/nn of/in Mindanao/np to/in Cagayan/np ./.
Anything/pn the/at enemy/nn flew/vbd or/cc floated/vbn was/bedz his/pp$ target/nn ./.
Fleischman/np with/in eight/cd was/bedz to/to patrol/vb the/at Leyte/np-tl Gulf/nn-tl area/nn ,/, with/in his/pp$ main/jjs task/nn to/to get/vb any/dti kamikaze/fw-nns before/cs they/ppss got/vbd to/in the/at ships/nns ./.
Greg/np himself/ppl took/vbd two/cd flights/nns ,/, with/in Todman/np leading/vbg the/at second/od ,/, to/to patrol/vb and/cc look/vb for/in targets/nns of/in opportunities/nns around/in Ormoc/np on/in the/at east/jj coast/nn of/in Leyte/np ./.
Each/dt plane/nn carried/vbd two/cd five-hundred/cd pound/nn bombs/nns ./.


	A/at weapons/nns carrier/nn took/vbd Greg/np ,/, Todman/np ,/, Belton/np ,/, Banjo/np Ferguson/np ,/, and/cc Walters/np and/cc the/at others/nns the/at two/cd miles/nns from/in the/at bivouac/nn area/nn to/in the/at strip/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at rough/jj long/jj ride/nn through/in the/at mud/nn and/cc pot/nn holes/nns ./.
No/at one/pn had/hvd much/ap to/to say/vb ./.
The/at sky/nn glowered/vbd down/rp at/in them/ppo ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at feeling/nn that/cs this/dt mission/nn would/md be/be canceled/vbn like/cs all/abn the/at others/nns and/cc that/cs this/dt muddy/jj wet/jj dark/jj world/nn of/in combat/nn would/md go/vb on/rp forever/rb ./.


	The/at truck/nn dropped/vbd them/ppo off/rp at/in the/at various/jj revetments/nns spread/vb through/in the/at jungle/nn ./.
Donovan/np snatched/vbd Greg's/np$ chute/nn from/in him/ppo with/in a/at belligerent/jj motion/nn and/cc almost/rb ran/vbd to/in the/at plane/nn with/in it/ppo ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz dark/jj as/cs the/at sky/nn above/in it/ppo as/cs he/pps stood/vbd on/in the/at wing/nn and/cc waited/vbd for/in his/pp$ pilot/nn ./.
Greg/np climbed/vbd into/in the/at cockpit/nn feeling/vbg as/cs if/cs he/pps had/hvd never/rb been/ben in/in one/cd before/rb ./.
But/cc his/pp$ hands/nns and/cc those/dts of/in Donovan/np moved/vbd automatically/rb adjusting/vbg and/cc arranging/vbg in/in the/at check-out/nn procedure/nn ./.


	``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn her/ppo as/ql neat/jj as/cs I/ppss can/md ''/'' ,/, Donovan/np said/vbd ,/, as/cs he/pps dropped/vbd the/at straps/nns of/in the/at Seton/np harness/nn over/in Greg's/np$ shoulders/nns ./.
``/`` But/cc this/dt goddamn/jj climate/nn ./.
It's/pps+bez for/in carabao/fw-nn not/* airplanes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md make/vb out/rp ./.
Don't/do* you/ppss worry/vb ,/, chief/nn ''/'' ,/, Greg/np replied/vbd ,/, wondering/vbg if/cs he/pps himself/ppl believed/vbd it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ./.
See/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Donovan/np said/vbd as/cs he/pps jumped/vbd off/in the/at wing/nn ./.
The/at expression/nn was/bedz his/pp$ trade-mark/nn ,/, his/pp$ open/jj sesame/nn to/in good/jj luck/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ prayer/nn that/cs pilot/nn and/cc plane/nn would/md always/rb return/vb ./.
At/in the/at prearranged/vbn time/nn ,/, Greg/np started/vbd the/at engine/nn and/cc taxied/vbd out/rp ./.
From/in the/at time/nn the/at chocks/nns were/bed pulled/vbn until/cs the/at plane/nn was/bedz out/in of/in sight/nn ,/, he/pps knew/vbd Donovan/np would/md keep/vb his/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at strip/nn ./.
He/pps wondered/vbd where/wrb the/at superstition/nn had/hvd originated/vbn that/cs it/pps was/bedz bad/jj luck/nn for/cs a/at crew/nn chief/nn to/to watch/vb his/pp$ plane/nn take/vb off/rp on/in a/at combat/nn mission/nn ./.
Yet/rb long/jj before/cs the/at scheduled/vbn time/nn for/in return/nn ,/, Donovan/np would/md be/be watching/vbg for/in every/at speck/nn in/in the/at sky/nn ./.


	Greg/np rumbled/vbd down/in the/at rough/jj metal/nn taxi/nn strip/nn ,/, and/cc one/cd by/in one/cd the/at seven/cd members/nns of/in his/pp$ flight/nn fell/vbd in/rp behind/in him/ppo ./.
The/at dark/jj brown/jj bombs/nns hanging/vbg under/in each/dt wing/nn looked/vbd large/jj and/cc powerful/jj ./.
The/at pilots'/nns$ heads/nns looked/vbd ridiculously/rb small/jj ./.
The/at control/nn tower/nn gave/vbd him/ppo immediate/jj take-off/nn permission/nn ,/, and/cc the/at clean/jj roar/nn of/in the/at engine/nn that/wps took/vbd him/ppo off/in the/at rough/jj strip/nn spoke/vbd well/rb of/in the/at skill/nn of/in Donovan/np ./.


	Greg's/np$ mission/nn was/bedz the/at last/ap to/to leave/vb ,/, and/cc as/cs he/pps circled/vbd the/at ships/nns off/in Tacloban/np he/pps saw/vbd the/at clouds/nns were/bed dropping/vbg down/rp again/rb ./.
To/in the/at west/nr ,/, the/at dark/jj green/jj hills/nns of/in Leyte/np were/bed lost/vbn in/in the/at clouds/nns about/rb halfway/rb up/in their/pp$ slopes/nns ./.
Underneath/in him/ppo the/at sea/nn was/bedz a/at dark/jj and/cc muddied/vbn gray/jj ./.
Water/nn splashed/vbd against/in his/pp$ windshield/nn as/cs he/pps led/vbd the/at flight/nn in/in and/cc out/in of/in showers/nns ./.
The/at metal/nn strip/nn they/ppss had/hvd taken/vbn off/rp from/in was/bedz coal/nn black/jj against/in the/at green/jj jungle/nn around/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps possessed/vbd the/at fighter/nn pilot's/nn$ horror/nn of/in bad/jj weather/nn and/cc instrument/nn flying/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps wondered/vbd ,/, if/cs the/at ceiling/nn did/dod drop/vb ,/, whether/cs he/pps and/cc the/at other/ap flights/nns would/md be/be able/jj to/to find/vb their/pp$ way/nn back/rb in/in this/dt unfamiliar/jj territory/nn ./.
He/pps shivered/vbd in/in the/at warm/jj cockpit/nn ./.


	The/at overcast/nn was/bedz solid/jj above/in him/ppo ./.
As/ql far/rb as/cs he/pps could/md see/vb there/ex was/bedz no/at hole/nn to/to climb/vb through/in it/ppo ./.
They/ppss would/md have/hv to/to go/vb west/nr through/in the/at narrow/jj river/nn valley/nn that/wps separated/vbd Leyte/np from/in Samar/np and/cc hope/vb that/cs it/pps didn't/dod* close/vb in/rp before/cs they/ppss returned/vbd ./.


	Greg/np pushed/vbd the/at radio/nn button/nn on/in his/pp$ throttle/nn ./.
``/`` Todman/np ,/, let's/vb+ppo try/vb to/to go/vb under/in this/dt stuff/nn ./.
Stay/vb in/in close/rb and/cc we'll/ppss+md go/vb up/in the/at valley/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Roger/uh ,/, Sweeney/np ''/'' ,/, Todman/np called/vbd back/rb ,/, and/cc pulled/vbd his/pp$ four/cd in/in and/cc slightly/rb above/in Greg/np ./.


	Greg/np took/vbd the/at formation/nn wide/jj around/in three/cd A-26/nn attack/nn bombers/nns that/wps were/bed headed/vbn north/nr over/in the/at Gulf/nn-tl ./.
He/pps dropped/vbd down/rp to/in five/cd hundred/cd feet/nns ,/, swinging/vbg a/at little/ap north/nr of/in the/at city/nn of/in Tacloban/np ,/, and/cc punched/vbd into/in the/at opening/nn that/wps showed/vbd against/in the/at mountain/nn ./.


	The/at valley/nn was/bedz only/rb a/at few/ap hundred/cd yards/nns wide/jj with/in just/rb about/rb room/nn enough/ap for/in a/at properly/rb performed/vbn hundred-and-eighty-degree/jj turn/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz only/rb a/at fifteen-minute/jj flight/nn ,/, but/cc before/cs it/pps was/bedz through/rp Greg/np felt/vbd himself/ppl developing/vbg a/at case/nn of/in claustrophobia/nn ./.
The/at ceiling/nn stayed/vbd solid/jj above/in them/ppo at/in about/rb eight/cd hundred/cd feet/nns ,/, and/cc at/in times/nns the/at sheer/jj cliffs/nns seemed/vbd about/rb to/to close/vb in/rp ./.
If/cs the/at other/ap pilots/nns were/bed worried/vbn ,/, they/ppss did/dod not/* show/vb it/ppo ./.
The/at formation/nn remained/vbd perfect/jj ./.


	When/wrb the/at sea/nn was/bedz visible/jj ahead/rb of/in them/ppo ,/, the/at relief/nn was/bedz as/ql great/jj as/cs if/cs the/at sun/nn had/hvd come/vbn out/rp ./.
He/pps spread/vbd the/at flight/nn out/rp and/cc led/vbd them/ppo across/in a/at point/nn of/in land/nn and/cc then/rb down/in the/at coast/nn ./.
Although/cs they/ppss drew/vbd light/jj ground/nn fire/nn they/ppss saw/vbd no/at signs/nns of/in activity/nn ./.


	Once/rb Todman/np thought/vbd he/pps had/hvd spotted/vbn a/at tank/nn and/cc went/vbd down/rp to/to investigate/vb while/cs Greg/np covered/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` Somebody/pn beat/vb us/ppo to/in it/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Todman/np said/vbd over/in the/at radio/nn as/cs he/pps came/vbd back/rb up/rp in/in formation/nn ./.


	Visibility/nn continued/vbd to/to be/be limited/vbn ,/, and/cc Greg/np was/bedz never/rb able/jj to/to get/vb above/in a/at thousand/cd feet/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz frustrating/vbg ./.
His/pp$ earphones/nns were/bed constantly/rb full/jj of/in the/at sounds/nns of/in enemy/nn contacts/nns made/vbn by/in other/ap flights/nns ./.
He/pps thought/vbd once/rb that/cs he/pps identified/vbd the/at somewhat/ql hysterical/jj voice/nn of/in Fleischman/np claiming/vbg a/at kill/nn ./.
But/cc Greg's/np$ area/nn remained/vbd as/ql placid/jj as/cs a/at Florida/np dawn/nn ./.


	Finally/rb ,/, as/cs time/nn began/vbd to/to run/vb out/rp ,/, he/pps headed/vbd into/in Ormoc/np and/cc glide-bombed/vbd a/at group/nn of/in houses/nns that/wps Intelligence/nn-tl had/hvd thought/vbn might/md contain/vb Japanese/jj supplies/nns ./.
The/at low/jj clouds/nns made/vbd bombing/vbg difficult/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz not/* enough/ap room/nn to/to make/vb the/at usual/jj vertical/jj bomb/nn run/nn ./.
The/at accuracy/nn was/bedz deplorable/jj ./.
One/cd of/in Greg's/np$ bombs/nns hung/vbd up/rp ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz miles/nns from/in the/at target/nn before/cs he/pps could/md get/vb rid/jj of/in it/ppo ./.
Only/rb one/cd of/in the/at flight/nn scored/vbd a/at direct/jj hit/nn and/cc the/at rest/nn blew/vbd up/rp jungle/nn ./.


	With/in their/pp$ load/nn of/in bombs/nns gone/vbn ,/, the/at planes/nns moved/vbd swiftly/rb and/cc easily/rb ./.
Greg/np went/vbd up/rp tight/rb against/in the/at ceiling/nn and/cc led/vbd them/ppo back/rb to/in their/pp$ pass/nn to/in home/nr ./.
Mercifully/rb ,/, it/pps was/bedz still/rb open/jj ./.
Like/cs a/at man/nn making/vbg a/at deep/jj dive/nn ,/, Greg/np took/vbd full/jj breath/nn and/cc plunged/vbd back/rb into/in the/at valley/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz about/rb to/to make/vb a/at gas/nn check/nn on/in his/pp$ flight/nn when/wrb Todman's/np$ voice/nn broke/vbd in/rp :/: ``/`` Sweeneys/nps !/. !/.
Three/cd bogies/nns ./.
Twelve/cd o'clock/rb level/nn ''/'' ./.


	Greg's/np$ eyes/nns flicked/vbd up/rp from/in his/pp$ instrument/nn panel/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd them/ppo ,/, specks/nns against/in the/at gray/jj ,/, but/cc closing/vbg fast/rb ./.
They/ppss were/bed headed/vbn straight/rb for/in each/dt other/ap on/in a/at collision/nn course/nn ./.
Friend/nn or/cc enemy/nn ?/. ?/.
The/at same/ap old/jj question/nn ./.
And/cc only/rb a/at few/ap seconds/nns to/to answer/vb it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Zeros/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
Todman/np said/vbd excitedly/rb ,/, and/cc hopefully/rb ./.


	And/cc then/rb he/pps thought/vbd Todman/np might/md be/be right/jj ./.
His/pp$ mind/nn flicked/vbd through/in the/at mental/jj pictures/nns he/pps had/hvd from/in the/at hours/nns of/in Aircraft/nn-tl Identification/nn-tl ./.
He/pps narrowed/vbd the/at shape/nn down/in to/in two/cd :/: either/cc a/at Zero/nn-tl or/cc a/at U./np-tl S./np-tl Navy/nn-tl type/nn aircraft/nn ./.


	If/cs it/pps were/bed the/at enemy/nn ,/, tactically/rb his/pp$ position/nn was/bedz correct/jj ./.
Japanese/jj aircraft/nn were/bed strong/jj on/in maneuverability/nn ,/, American/jj on/in speed/nn and/cc firepower/nn ./.
His/pp$ present/jj maximum/nn altitude/nn ,/, up/in against/in the/at overcast/nn ,/, gave/vbd him/ppo the/at opportunity/nn to/to exploit/vb his/pp$ advantages/nns ./.
But/cc it/pps also/rb made/vbd him/ppo conspicuous/jj to/in the/at enemy/nn ,/, if/cs it/pps was/bedz the/at enemy/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps hadn't/hvd* been/ben spotted/vbn already/rb ./.
But/cc the/at closing/vbg aircraft/nn showed/vbd no/at sign/nn of/in deviating/vbg from/in their/pp$ original/jj course/nn ./.


	In/in seconds/nns ,/, Greg/np made/vbd his/pp$ decision/nn ./.


	He/pps pushed/vbd the/at radio/nn button/nn ./.
``/`` Sweeney/np Blue/np ,/, hit/vb the/at deck/nn ./.
Lots/nns of/in throttle/nn ./.
Todman/np ,/, you/ppss take/vb the/at one/cd on/in the/at left/nr ./.
I'll/ppss+md take/vb the/at middle/nn ./.
Belton/np ,/, the/at one/cd on/in the/at right/nr ./.
If/cs they're/ppss+ber Japs/nps ./.
Let's/vb+ppo make/vb sure/jj first/rb ''/'' ./.
Greg/np had/hvd the/at stick/nn forward/rb and/cc the/at throttle/nn up/rp before/cs he/pps heard/vbd the/at two/cd ``/`` Rogers/nps ''/'' ./.


	The/at planes/nns ,/, light/jj with/in most/ap of/in the/at gas/nn burned/vbn out/rp ,/, responded/vbd beautifully/rb ./.
Greg's/np$ airspeed/nn indicator/nn was/bedz over/rp 350/cd when/wrb he/pps leveled/vbd off/rp just/rb above/in the/at trees/nns ./.
The/at opposing/vbg aircraft/nn continued/vbd to/to come/vb on/rp ./.
They/ppss appeared/vbd to/to be/be the/at enemy/nn ./.
Greg/np wished/vbd the/at Air/nn-tl Corps/nn-tl had/hvd continued/vbn to/to camouflage/vb planes/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, no/at way/nn for/in the/at other/ap planes/nns to/to get/vb by/in them/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at box/nn ./.
But/cc they/ppss could/md turn/vb and/cc escape/vb to/in the/at east/nr ./.


	Greg/np pushed/vbd the/at radio/nn button/nn again/rb ./.
``/`` Todman/np ,/, drop/vb your/pp$ second/od element/nn back/rb ./.
If/cs any/dti of/in us/ppo miss/vb ,/, they/ppss can/md pick/vb up/rp the/at pieces/nns ./.
Now/rb let's/vb+ppo make/vb sure/jj they're/ppss+ber Japs/nps ''/'' ./.


	Even/rb as/cs he/pps said/vbd it/ppo ,/, Greg/np knew/vbd they/ppss had/hvd found/vbn the/at enemy/nn ./.
The/at shapes/nns were/bed unmistakable/jj and/cc the/at Rising/vbg-tl Suns/nns-tl were/bed showing/vbg up/rp ,/, slightly/rb brighter/jjr pinpoints/nns in/in the/at gray/jj gloom/nn ./.


	Greg/np slapped/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn across/in the/at switches/nns that/wps turned/vbd on/rp the/at guns/nns and/cc gun/nn camera/nn and/cc gun/nn sight/nn ./.
The/at circle/nn with/in the/at dot/nn in/in the/at center/nn showed/vbd up/rp yellow/jj on/in the/at reflector/nn glass/nn in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ hands/nns shook/vbd ./.
``/`` Arm/vb your/pp$ guns/nns ,/, Sweeneys/nps ''/'' ./.


	``/`` They're/ppss+ber Japs/nps ./.
They're/ppss+ber Japs/nps ''/'' ,/, came/vbd a/at high-pitched/jj voice/nn ./.


	``/`` Greg/np to/in Sweeney/np Blue/np ./.
One/cd pass/nn only/rb ./.
No/at turns/nns ./.
You'll/ppss+md bust/vb your/pp$ ass/nn in/in this/dt canyon/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez an/at order/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps moved/vbd the/at flights/nns over/rp against/in one/cd wall/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd them/ppo all/abn a/at chance/nn to/to make/vb a/at high-speed/nn climbing/vbg turn/nn attack/nn and/cc a/at break-away/nn that/dt would/md not/* take/vb them/ppo into/in the/at overcast/nn or/cc force/vb a/at tight-turn/nn recovery/nn ./.
If/cs the/at turn/nn was/bedz too/ql tight/jj ,/, a/at barrel/nn roll/nn would/md bring/vb them/ppo out/rp ./.
A/at hell/nn of/in an/at altitude/nn for/in a/at barrel/nn roll/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps could/md be/be done/vbn ./.


	Greg/np slammed/vbd his/pp$ throttle/nn to/in the/at fire/nn wall/nn and/cc rammed/vbd up/in the/at RPM/nn ,/, and/cc the/at engine/nn responded/vbd as/cs if/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben waiting/vbg ./.
The/at clearly/rb identifiable/jj enemy/nn continued/vbd on/rp as/cs if/cs no/at one/pn else/rb were/bed around/rb ./.
``/`` They/ppss haven't/hv* seen/vbn us/ppo ''/'' ,/, Greg/np yelled/vbd to/in himself/ppl over/in the/at engine/nn noise/nn ./.
``/`` They/ppss haven't/hv* seen/vbn us/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps hit/vbd the/at radio/nn button/nn ./.
``/`` Now/rb ,/, Sweeneys/nps ,/, now/rb ./.
Let's/vb+ppo take/vb 'em/ppo home/nr ''/'' ./.


	He/pps hauled/vbd back/rb on/in the/at stick/nn and/cc felt/vbd his/pp$ cheeks/nns sag/vb ./.
Out/in of/in the/at corner/nn of/in his/pp$ eye/nn ,/, he/pps watched/vbd his/pp$ wingman/nn move/vb out/rp a/at bit/nn and/cc shoot/vb up/rp with/in him/ppo ./.
Perfect/jj ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.


	With/in the/at rapid/jj rate/nn of/in closure/nn ,/, the/at approach/nn from/in below/rb ,/, the/at side/nn ,/, and/cc ahead/rb ,/, there/ex would/md be/be only/rb a/at moment/nn when/wrb damage/nn could/md be/be done/vbn ./.
Just/rb like/cs shooting/vbg at/in a/at duck/nn while/cs performing/vbg a/at half-gainer/nn from/in a/at diving/vbg board/nn ./.


	He/pps tightened/vbd his/pp$ turn/nn ./.
His/pp$ nose/nn up/rp ./.
It/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be dangerous/jj ./.
Eight/cd aircraft/nn in/in this/dt small/jj box/nn ./.
Please/vb ,/, dear/jj God/np ,/, make/vb my/pp$ pilots/nns good/jj ,/, he/pps prayed/vbd ./.


	He/pps took/vbd a/at lead/nn on/in the/at enemy/nn ,/, using/vbg a/at distance/nn of/in five/cd of/in the/at radii/nns in/in his/pp$ circular/jj sight/nn and/cc then/rb added/vbd another/dt ./.
The/at enemy/nn did/dod not/* veer/vb ./.
It/pps did/dod not/* seem/vb possible/jj that/cs they/ppss hadn't/hvd* been/ben spotted/vbn ./.
Blind/jj fools/nns ./.


	Now/rb !/. !/.


	Greg's/np$ fingers/nns closed/vbd on/in the/at stick/nn trigger/nn ./.
The/at plane/nn rumbled/vbd and/cc slowed/vbd ./.
Six/cd red/jj lines/nns etched/vbd their/pp$ way/nn into/in the/at gray/jj and/cc vanished/vbd ./.
As/cs if/cs drawn/vbn by/in a/at wire/nn the/at enemy/nn flew/vbd into/in them/ppo ./.
Greg/np tightened/vbd his/pp$ turn/nn until/cs the/at plane/nn shuddered/vbd ./.
Luck/nn was/bedz with/in him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ burst/nn held/vbd for/in a/at second/od on/in the/at engine/nn section/nn of/in the/at plane/nn ./.
The/at Jap's/np$ propeller/nn flew/vbd off/rp in/in pieces/nns ./.
A/at large/jj piece/nn of/in engine/nn cowling/nn vanished/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn Greg/np had/hvd time/nn to/to see/vb ./.
His/pp$ maneuvering/nn for/in the/at shot/nn had/hvd placed/vbn him/ppo near/in the/at overcast/nn ,/, almost/rb inverted/vbn and/cc heading/vbg up/rp into/in the/at clouds/nns ./.
His/pp$ speed/nn was/bedz dropping/vbg rapidly/rb ./.
If/cs he/pps spun/vbd out/rp now/rb ,/, he/pps would/md join/vb his/pp$ opponent/nn on/in the/at ground/nn ./.


	Wingman/nn ,/, stay/vb clear/rb ,/, he/pps prayed/vbd ./.
He/pps pushed/vbd stick/nn and/cc rudder/nn and/cc entered/vbd the/at overcast/nn on/in his/pp$ back/nn ./.
He/pps fought/vbd the/at panic/nn of/in vertigo/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn which/wdt was/bedz up/rp and/cc which/wdt was/bedz down/rp ./.
He/pps held/vbd the/at controls/nns where/wrb they/ppss had/hvd been/ben ./.
Sweat/nn popped/vbd out/rp over/in him/ppo and/cc he/pps felt/vbd the/at slick/nn between/in his/pp$ palm/nn and/cc the/at stick/nn grip/nn ./.
His/pp$ air/nn speed/nn dropped/vbd until/cs he/pps thought/vbd he/pps would/md spin/vb out/rp ./.



	Over/in the/at rattling/vbg of/in fenders/nns ,/, humming/nn of/in tires/nns and/cc chattering/nn of/in gears/nns there/ex was/bedz a/at charming/jj melody/nn of/in whispers/nns and/cc tiny/jj giggles/nns ./.
Cool/jj air/nn moving/vbg slowly/rb through/in the/at open/jj or/cc smashed-out/jj side/nn windows/nns hinted/vbd of/in blooming/vbg roadside/nn vegetation/nn ,/, and/cc occasionally/rb a/at faint/jj fragrance/nn of/in perfume/nn swirled/vbd from/in the/at back/nn seat/nn ./.


	``/`` Moriarty/np ''/'' ,/, my/pp$ driver/nn suddenly/rb exclaimed/vbd with/in something/pn so/ql definite/jj ,/, so/ql final/jj in/in his/pp$ tone/nn I/ppss once/rb more/rbr repeated/vbd the/at absurdity/nn ,/, mustering/vbg all/abn my/pp$ latent/jj powers/nns of/in hypocrisy/nn to/to sound/vb convinced/vbn ./.


	We/ppss were/bed coming/vbg to/in an/at intersection/nn ,/, turning/vbg right/nr ,/, chuffing/vbg to/in a/at stop/nn ./.


	Forced/vbn to/to realize/vb that/cs this/dt was/bedz the/at end/nn of/in a/at very/ql short/jj line/nn I/ppss scanned/vbd a/at road/nn marker/nn and/cc discovered/vbd what/wdt the/at end/nn of/in a/at slightly/ql longer/jjr line/nn would/md be/be for/in the/at old/jj Mexican/np :/: Moriarty/np ,/, New/jj-tl Mexico/np-tl ./.


	``/`` Gracias/fw-nns ./.
Adios/fw-uh ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, exhausting/vbg my/pp$ Spanish/jj vocabulary/nn on/in my/pp$ host/nn and/cc exchanging/vbg one/cd of/in a/at scarcely-tapped/jj store/nn of/in smiles/nns with/in my/pp$ host's/nn$ daughters/nns ./.
I/ppss waved/vbd with/in discretion/nn and/cc moderation/nn to/in the/at vague/jj golden/jj faces/nns fading/vbg through/in rising/vbg dust/nn and/cc the/at distortions/nns of/in the/at back/nn window/nn glass/nn ./.
Then/rb I/ppss saw/vbd the/at father's/nn$ head/nn slightly/rb turn/vb ;/. ;/.
gauche/jj rainbow/nn shapes/nns replaced/vbd the/at poignant/jj ovals/nns of/in gold/nn ./.




Autos/nns whizzed/vbd past/rb ./.
White-shirted/jj and/cc conservatively-cravated/jj drivers/nns stared/vbd conspicuously/rb toward/in the/at eastern/jj horizon/nn and/cc past/in my/pp$ supplicating/vbg and/cc accusing/vbg gaze/nn ./.


	Suddenly/rb a/at treble/jj auto/nn horn/nn tootley-toot-tootled/vbd ,/, and/cc ,/, thumbing/vbg hopefully/rb ,/, I/ppss saw/vbd emergent/jj in/in windshield/nn flash/nn :/: red/jj lips/nns ,/, streaming/vbg silk/nn of/in blonde/jj hair/nn and/cc --/-- ah/uh ,/, trembling/vbg confusion/nn of/in hope/nn ,/, apprehension/nn ,/, despair/nn --/-- the/at leering/vbg face/nn of/in old/jj Herry/np ./.


	``/`` Mor-ee-air-teeeee/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps shrieked/vbd ,/, his/pp$ white/jj teeth/nns grossly/rb counterpointing/vbg those/dts of/in the/at glittering/vbg blonde/nn ./.


	Over/in the/at rapidly-diminishing/jj outline/nn of/in a/at jump/nn seat/nn piled/vbd high/rb with/in luggage/nn Herry's/np$ black/jj brushcut/nn was/bedz just/ql discernible/jj ,/, near/in ,/, or/cc enviably/rb near/in that/dt spot/nn where/wrb --/-- hidden/vbn --/-- more/ql delicately-textured/jj ,/, most/ql beautifully/rb tinted/vbn hair/nn must/md still/rb be/be streaming/vbg back/rb in/in cool/jj ,/, oh/uh cool/jj wind/nn sweetly/rb perfumed/vbn with/in sagebrush/nn and/cc yucca/nn flowers/nns and/cc engine/nn fumes/nns ./.


	Damn/vb his/pp$ luck/nn ./.
I/ppss would/md have/hv foregone/vbn my/pp$ romantic/jj chances/nns rather/in than/cs leave/nn a/at friend/nn sweltering/vbg and/cc dusty/jj and/cc --/-- Well/uh ,/, at/in least/ap I/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv shouted/vbn back/rb a/at taunt/nn ./.


	Still/rb nursing/vbg anger/nn I/ppss listlessly/rb thumbed/vbd a/at car/nn that/wps was/bedz slowly/rb approaching/vbg ,/, its/pp$ pre-war/jj chrome/nn nearly/rb blinding/vbg me/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz stopping/vbg ./.


	Just/rb as/cs I/ppss straightened/vbd up/rp with/in my/pp$ duffel/nn bag/nn ,/, I/ppss heard/vbd :/: ``/`` Sahjunt/nn-tl Yoorick/np ,/, meet/vb Mrs./np Major/nn-tl J./np A./np Roebuck/np ''/'' ./.
The/at voice/nn was/bedz that/dt of/in Johnson/np ,/, tail/nn gunner/nn off/in another/dt crew/nn ./.


	Squeezing/vbg a/at look/nn between/in Johnson's/np$ fat/jj jowls/nns and/cc the/at car/nn frame/nn a/at handsome/jj and/cc still/rb darkhaired/jj lady/nn inquired/vbd ``/`` Y'all/ppss drahve/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss nodded/vbd ./.


	``/`` Onleh/rb one/cd thiihng/nn ''/'' ,/, Mrs./np Roebuck/np continued/vbd ./.
``/`` Ahm/ppss+bem goin/vbg nawth/nr t'jawn/to+vb mah/pp$ husbun/nn in/in Sante/np Fe/np ,/, an/cc y'all/ppss maht/md prefuh/vb the/at suhthuhn/jj rewt/nn ./.
But/cc Corporal/nn-tl Johnson/np has/hvz alreadeh/rb said/vbn it/pps didn/dod* make/vb no/at diffrunce/nn t'hi-im/in+ppo ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd that/cs it/pps didn't/dod* make/vb any/dti difference/nn to/in me/ppo either/rb ,/, as/ql far/rb as/cs I/ppss knew/vbd ./.


	How/wrb far/rb I/ppss knew/vbd will/md shortly/rb become/vb apparent/jj ./.
Let/vb me/ppo pass/vb over/in the/at trip/nn to/in Sante/np Fe/np with/in something/pn of/in the/at same/ap speed/nn which/wdt made/vbd Mrs./np Roebuck/np ``/`` wonduh/vb if/cs the/at wahtahm/nn speed/nn limit/nn ''/'' (/( 35/cd m.p.h./nns )/) ``/`` is/bez still/rb in/in ee-faket/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss let/vb up/rp on/in the/at accelerator/nn ,/, only/rb to/to gradually/rb reach/vb again/rb the/at 60/cd m.p.h./nns which/wdt would/md ,/, I/ppss hoped/vbd ,/, overhaul/vb Herry/np and/cc the/at blonde/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs there/ex were/bed cars/nns whose/wp$ drivers/nns apparently/rb had/hvd something/pn more/ql important/jj to/to catch/vb than/cs had/hvd I/ppss ,/, Mrs./np Major/nn-tl Roebuck/np settled/vbd down/rp to/in practicing/vbg on/in Corporal/nn-tl Johnson/np the/at kittenish/jj wiles/nns she/pps would/md need/vb when/wrb making/vbg her/pp$ duty/nn call/nn on/in Colonel/nn-tl and/cc Mrs./np Somebody/pn-tl in/in Sante/np Fe/np ./.


	When/wrb Johnson/np ejaculated/vbd ``/`` Howsabout/wrb my/pp$ buying/vbg us/ppo all/abn a/at nice/jj cold/jj Co-cola/np ,/, Ma'am/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Mrs./np Roebuck/np smilingly/rb declined/vbd and/cc began/vbd suddenly/rb to/to go/vb on/rp about/in her/pp$ son/nn ,/, who/wps was/bedz ``/`` onleh/rb a/at little/ql younguh/jjr than/cs you/ppss bawhs/nns ''/'' ./.


	Johnson/np never/rb would/md have/hv believed/vbn she/pps had/hvd a/at son/nn that/dt age/nn ./.
Mrs./np Roebuck/np thought/vbd Johnson/np was/bedz a/at ``/`` sweet/jj bawh/nn t'lah/to+vb lahk/in thet/dt ''/'' ,/, but/cc her/pp$ Herman/np was/bedz getting/vbg to/to be/be a/at man/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz no/at getting/nn around/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` Just/rb befoh/cs he/pps left/vbd foh/in his/pp$ academeh/nn we/ppss wuh/bed hevin/hvg dack-rihs/nns on/in the/at vuhranduh/nn ,/, Major/nn-tl Roebuck/np an/cc Ah/ppss ,/, an/at Huhmun/np says/vbz '/' May/md Ah/ppss hev/hv one/cd too/rb '/' ?/. ?/.
Just/rb as/ql p'lite/jj an/cc --/-- an/cc cohnfidunt/jj ,/, an/cc Ah/ppss says/vbz '/' Uh/in coahse/nn you/ppss cain't/md* '/' ,/, but/cc he/pps says/vbz '/' Whah/wrb nawt/* ,/, you/ppss ah/ber hevin/hvg one/cd '/' ?/. ?/.
An/cc Ah/ppss coudn/md* ansuh/vb him/ppo an/cc so/rb Ah/ppss said/vbd '/' Aw/ql right/rb ,/, Ah/ppss gay-ess/vb ,/, an/cc his/pp$ fathuh/nn didn/dod* uttuh/vb one/cd wohd/nn an/cc aftuh/cs Huhmun/np was/bedz gone/vbn ,/, the/at majuh/nn laughed/vbd an/cc tole/vbd me/ppo thet/cs he/pps an/cc the/at bawh/nn had/hvd been/ben hevin/hvg an/at occasional/jj drink/nn t'gethuh/rb f'ovuh/in+in a/at yeah/nn ,/, onleh/rb an/at occasional/jj one/cd ,/, but/cc just/rb the/at same/ap it/pps was/bedz behahn/in mah/pp$ back/nn ,/, an/cc Ah/ppss doan/do* think/vb thet's/dt+bez nahce/jj at/in all/abn ,/, d'you/do+ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss don't/do* ''/'' ,/, Johnson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem a/at good/jj Baptist/np ,/, and/cc drinking/vbg ''/'' 



Mrs./np Roebuck/np very/ql kindly/rb let/vb me/ppo drive/vb through/in Sante/np Fe/np to/in a/at road/nn which/wdt would/md ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, lead/vb us/ppo to/in Taos/np and/cc then/jj Raton/np and/cc ``/`` eventshahleh/rb ''/'' out/in of/in New/jj-tl Mexico/np-tl ./.
How/wrb lightly/rb her/pp$ ``/`` eventshah-leh/rb-nc ''/'' passed/vbd into/in the/at crannies/nns where/wrb I/ppss was/bedz storing/vbg dialect/nn material/nn for/in some/dti vaguely/rb dreamed/vbn opus/nn ,/, and/cc how/wrb the/at word/nn would/md echo/vb ./.
And/cc re-echo/vb ./.


	Hardly/rb had/hvd Mrs./np Roebuck/np driven/vbn off/rp when/wrb a/at rusty/jj pick-up/jj truck/nn ,/, father/nn or/cc grandfather/nn of/in Senor/np ``/`` Moriarty's/np$ ''/'' Ford/np sedan/nn ,/, came/vbd screeching/vbg to/in a/at dust-swirling/jj stop/nn ,/, and/cc a/at brown/jj face/nn appeared/vbd ,/, its/pp$ nose/nn threatened/vbn by/in shards/nns of/in what/wdt had/hvd once/rb been/ben the/at side/nn window/nn ./.


	``/`` Get/vb in/rp ,/, buddies/nns ./.
Get/vb in/rp ''/'' ./.
The/at straight/jj ,/, black/jj hair/nn flopped/vbd in/in a/at vigorous/jj nod/nn ,/, the/at slender/jj nose/nn plunged/vbd toward/in glass/nn teeth/nns and/cc drew/vbd safely/rb back/rb ./.


	Johnson/np unwired/vbd the/at right/jj hand/nn door/nn ,/, whose/wp$ window/nn was/bedz ,/, like/cs the/at left/jj one/cd ,/, merely/rb loosely-taped/jj fragments/nns of/in glass/nn ,/, and/cc Johnson/np wadded/vbd himself/ppl into/in a/at narrow/jj seat/nn made/vbn still/ql more/ql narrow/jj by/in three/cd cases/nns of/in beer/nn ./.


	``/`` In/in back/nn ,/, buddy/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at driver/nn said/vbd to/in me/ppo ./.


	Quickly/rb but/cc carefully/rb lowering/vbg my/pp$ duffel/nn bag/nn over/in the/at low/jj side-rack/nn ,/, I/ppss stepped/vbd on/in the/at running/vbg board/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps flopped/vbd down/rp ,/, sprang/vbd back/rb up/rp and/cc gouged/vbd my/pp$ shin/nn ./.
The/at truck/nn was/bedz hurtling/vbg forward/rb ./.
I/ppss seized/vbd the/at rack/nn and/cc made/vbd a/at western-style/jj flying-mount/nn just/rb in/in time/nn ,/, one/cd of/in my/pp$ knees/nns mercifully/rb landing/vbg on/in my/pp$ duffel/nn bag/nn --/-- and/cc merely/rb wrecking/vbg my/pp$ camera/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz to/to discover/vb later/rbr --/-- my/pp$ other/ap knee/nn landing/vbg on/in the/at slivery/jj truck/nn floor/nn boards/nns and/cc --/-- but/cc this/dt is/bez no/at medical/jj report/nn ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz again/rb in/in motion/nn and/cc at/in a/at speed/nn which/wdt belied/vbd the/at truck's/nn$ similarity/nn to/in Senor/np X's/np$ Ford/np turtle/nn ./.
Maybe/rb I/ppss would/md beat/vb old/jj Herry/np to/in Siberia/np after/in all/abn ./.
Whatever/wdt satisfaction/nn that/wps might/md offer/vb ./.


	Something/pn pulled/vbd my/pp$ leg/nn ./.


	I/ppss drew/vbd back/rb ,/, drawing/vbg back/rb my/pp$ foot/nn for/in a/at kick/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz only/rb Johnson/np reaching/vbg around/in the/at wire/nn chicken/nn fencing/nn ,/, which/wdt half/abn covered/vbn the/at truck/nn cab's/nn$ glassless/jj rear/jj window/nn ./.
The/at way/nn his/pp$ red/jj rubber/nn lips/nns were/bed stretched/vbn across/in his/pp$ pearly/jj little/jj teeth/nns I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps was/bedz only/rb having/hvg a/at little/jj joke/nn ,/, but/cc ,/, no/rb ,/, he/pps wanted/vbd me/ppo to/to bend/vb down/rp from/in the/at roar/nn of/in wind/nn so/cs he/pps could/md roar/vb something/pn into/in my/pp$ ear/nn ./.


	``/`` Wanna/vb+at beer/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hell/uh ,/, yes/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss roared/vbd back/rb between/in dusty/jj lips/nns ./.
Did/dod I/ppss want/vb a/at beer/nn ?/. ?/.
Did/dod an/at anteater/nn want/vb ants/nns ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Bueno/fw-uh ,/, amigo/fw-nn ./.
Gracias/fw-nns ''/'' ,/, I/ppss hollered/vbd ,/, my/pp$ first/od long/jj swallow/nn filling/vbg me/ppo with/in confidence/nn and/cc immediately/rb doubling/vbg the/at size/nn of/in my/pp$ Spanish/jj vocabulary/nn ./.


	At/in once/rb my/pp$ ears/nns were/bed drowned/vbn by/in a/at flow/nn of/in what/wdt I/ppss took/vbd to/to be/be Spanish/np ,/, but/cc --/-- the/at driver's/nn$ white/jj teeth/nns flashing/vbg at/in me/ppo ,/, the/at road/nn wildly/rb veering/vbg beyond/in his/pp$ glistening/vbg hair/nn ,/, beyond/in his/pp$ gesticulating/vbg bottle/nn --/-- it/pps could/md have/hv been/ben the/at purest/jjt Oxford/np English/np I/ppss was/bedz half/abn hearing/vbg ;/. ;/.
I/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv known/vbn the/at difference/nn ./.


	Johnson/np was/bedz trying/vbg to/to grab/vb the/at wheel/nn ,/, though/cs the/at swerve/nn of/in the/at truck/nn was/bedz throwing/vbg him/ppo away/rb from/in it/ppo ./.
White/jj teeth/nns suddenly/rb vanishing/vbg ,/, the/at driver/nn slammed/vbd the/at side/nn of/in his/pp$ bottle/nn against/in Johnson's/np$ ear/nn ./.


	We/ppss were/bed off/in the/at road/nn ,/, gleaming/vbg barbed/vbn wire/nn pulling/vbg taut/jj ./.
I/ppss ducked/vbd just/rb as/cs the/at first/od strand/nn broke/vbd somewhere/rb down/in the/at line/nn and/cc came/vbd whipping/vbg over/in the/at sideboards/nns ./.
We/ppss were/bed in/in a/at field/nn ,/, in/in a/at tight/jj ,/, screeching/vbg turn/nn ./.
Prairie/nn dogs/nns were/bed popping/vbg up/rp and/cc popping/vbg down/rp ./.
When/wrb I/ppss fell/vbd on/in my/pp$ back/nn ,/, I/ppss saw/vbd a/at vulture/nn hovering/vbg ./.


	Just/rb as/cs I/ppss got/vbd to/in my/pp$ knees/nns ,/, there/ex was/bedz again/rb the/at sound/nn of/in the/at fence/nn stretching/vbg ,/, and/cc I/ppss had/hvd time/nn only/rb to/to start/vb taking/vbg my/pp$ kneeling/vbg posture/nn seriously/rb ./.
This/dt time/nn no/at wire/nn came/vbd whipping/vbg into/in the/at truck/nn ./.


	We/ppss were/bed back/rb on/in the/at road/nn ./.
I/ppss regained/vbd my/pp$ squatting/vbg position/nn behind/in the/at truck/nn cab's/nn$ rear/jj window/nn ./.
Johnson's/np$ left/jj hand/nn was/bedz pressed/vbn against/in the/at side/nn of/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, red/jj cheeks/nns whitening/vbg beneath/in his/pp$ fingers/nns ./.


	``/`` Tee-wah/np ''/'' ,/, the/at driver/nn cackled/vbd ,/, his/pp$ black/jj eyes/nns glittering/vbg behind/in dull/jj silver/jj chicken/nn fencing/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt was/bedz Tee-wah/np I/ppss was/bedz talking/vbg ./.
You/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss was/bedz a/at Mexican/np ,/, didn't/dod* you/ppss ,/, buddy/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss nodded/vbd ./.


	``/`` Hell/uh ,/, that's/dt+bez all/ql right/jj ,/, buddy/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at Indian/np (/( I/ppss now/rb guessed/vbd )/) said/vbd ./.
``/`` Drink/vb your/pp$ beer/nn ''/'' ./.


	Miraculously/rb ,/, the/at bottle/nn was/bedz still/rb in/in my/pp$ hand/nn ,/, foam/nn still/rb geysering/vbg over/in my/pp$ (/( luckily/rb )/) waterproof/jj watch/nn ./.
No/at sooner/rbr had/hvd I/ppss started/vbd drinking/vbg than/cs the/at driver/nn started/vbd zigzagging/vbg the/at truck/nn ./.
The/at beer/nn foamed/vbd furiously/rb ./.
I/ppss drank/vbd furiously/rb ./.
A/at long/jj time/nn ./.
Emptied/vbd the/at bottle/nn ./.


	Teeth/nns again/rb flashing/vbg back/rb at/in me/ppo ,/, the/at driver/nn released/vbd a/at deluge/nn of/in Spanish/np in/in which/wdt ``/`` amigo/fw-nn ''/'' appeared/vbd every/at so/ql often/rb like/cs an/at island/nn in/in the/at stormy/jj waves/nns of/in surrounding/vbg sound/nn ./.
I/ppss bobbed/vbd my/pp$ head/nn each/dt time/nn it/pps appeared/vbd ./.


	Suddenly/rb the/at Spanish/np became/vbd an/at English/np in/in which/wdt only/rb one/cd word/nn emerged/vbd with/in clarity/nn and/cc precision/nn ,/, ``/`` son/nn of/in a/at bitch/nn ''/'' ,/, sometimes/rb hyphenated/vbn by/in vicious/jj jabs/nns of/in a/at beer/nn bottle/nn into/in Johnson's/np$ quivering/vbg ribs/nns ./.


	A/at big/jj car/nn was/bedz approaching/vbg ,/, its/pp$ chrome/nn teeth/nns grinning/vbg ./.
Beyond/in it/ppo the/at gray/jj road/nn stretched/vbd a/at long/jj ,/, long/jj way/nn ./.
The/at car/nn was/bedz just/rb about/rb to/in us/ppo ,/, its/pp$ driver's/nn$ fat/jj ,/, solemn/jj face/nn intent/jj on/in the/at road/nn ahead/rb ,/, on/in business/nn ,/, on/in a/at family/nn in/in Sante/np Fe/np --/-- on/in anything/pn but/in an/at old/jj pick-up/jj truck/nn in/in which/wdt two/cd human/nn beings/nns desperately/rb needed/vbd rescue/nn ./.


	I/ppss tossed/vbd the/at bottle/nn ./.
High/rb ,/, so/cs it/pps would/md only/rb bounce/vb harmlessly/rb but/cc loudly/rb off/in the/at car's/nn$ steel/nn roof/nn ./.
Too/ql high/rb ./.
On/in unoccupied/jj roadway/nn the/at bottle/nn shattered/vbd into/in a/at small/jj amber/jj flash/nn ./.


	``/`` Aye-yah-ah-ah/uh ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at Indian/np was/bedz again/rb raising/vbg his/pp$ bottle/nn ,/, but/cc to/in my/pp$ astonished/vbn relief/nn --/-- probably/rb only/rb a/at fraction/nn of/in Johnson's/np$ --/-- the/at bottle/nn this/dt time/nn went/vbd to/in the/at Indian's/np$ lips/nns ./.


	Another/dt car/nn was/bedz coming/vbg ,/, a/at tiny/jj ,/, dark/jj shape/nn on/in a/at far/jj hill/nn ./.
I/ppss started/vbd looking/vbg on/in the/at splintery/jj truck/nn bed/nn for/in a/at piece/nn of/in board/nn ,/, a/at dirt/nn clod/nn --/-- anything/pn I/ppss could/md throw/vb and/cc with/in better/jjr aim/nn than/cs I/ppss had/hvd thrown/vbn the/at beer/nn bottle/nn ./.


	We/ppss were/bed slowing/vbg ./.
In/in the/at ditch/nn sand/nn was/bedz white/jj and/cc soft-looking/jj ,/, only/rb an/at occasional/jj pebble/nn discernible/jj ,/, faintly/rb gleaming/vbg ./.
But/cc Johnson/np couldn't/md* quickly/rb unwire/vb the/at truck/nn door/nn ,/, and/cc if/cs I/ppss escaped/vbd ,/, he/pps might/md suffer/vb ./.


	The/at car/nn was/bedz approaching/vbg fast/rb ./.
On/in the/at truck/nn bed/nn there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn smaller/jjr than/cs a/at piece/nn of/in rusty/jj machinery/nn ;/. ;/.
with/in more/ap time/nn I/ppss could/md have/hv loosened/vbn a/at small/jj burr/nn or/cc cotter/nn pin/nn --/-- 

	Suddenly/rb and/cc not/* a/at second/nn too/ql soon/rb I/ppss thought/vbd of/in the/at coins/nns in/in my/pp$ pocket/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at time/nn to/to pick/vb out/rp a/at penny/nn ;/. ;/.
I/ppss got/vbd a/at coin/nn between/in my/pp$ thumb/nn and/cc forefinger/nn ,/, leaned/vbd my/pp$ elbows/nns in/in a/at very/ql natural/jj and/cc casual/jj manner/nn on/in top/nn of/in the/at truck/nn cab/nn and/cc flipped/vbd my/pp$ little/jj missile/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at blur/nn just/rb under/in my/pp$ focus/nn of/in vision/nn ,/, a/at crash/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at car's/nn$ far/jj windshield/nn panel/nn turned/vbd into/in a/at silver/nn web/nn with/in a/at dark/jj hole/nn in/in the/at center/nn ./.


	I/ppss heard/vbd the/at screech/nn of/in brakes/nns behind/in me/ppo ,/, an/at insane/jj burst/nn of/in laughter/nn beneath/in me/ppo ./.
Looking/vbg back/rb I/ppss saw/vbd a/at gray-haired/jj man/nn getting/vbg out/in of/in his/pp$ halted/vbn car/nn and/cc trying/vbg to/to read/vb our/pp$ license/nn number/nn ./.


	``/`` S-s-sahjunt/nn ''/'' ./.
Johnson's/np$ fat/jj hand/nn ,/, another/dt bottle/nn were/bed protruding/vbg from/in the/at truck/nn cab/nn ,/, and/cc that/ql self-proclaimed/jj Baptist/np teetotaler/nn ,/, had/hvd a/at bottle/nn at/in his/pp$ own/jj lips/nns ./.


	Two/cd cars/nns came/vbd over/in a/at crest/nn ,/, their/pp$ chrome/nn and/cc glass/nn flashing/vbg ./.
The/at Indian's/np$ arm/nn whipped/vbd sidewise/rb --/-- there/ex was/bedz a/at flash/nn of/in amber/jj and/cc froth/nn ,/, the/at crash/nn of/in the/at bottle/nn shattering/vbg against/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at first/od car/nn ./.


	Brakes/nns shrieked/vbd behind/in us/ppo ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd Johnson's/np$ bottle/nn snatched/vbn from/in his/pp$ hand/nn ,/, saw/vbd it/pps go/vb in/in a/at swirl/nn of/in foam/nn just/rb behind/in the/at second/od car/nn ./.
This/dt time/nn there/ex was/bedz no/at sound/nn of/in brakes/nns but/cc the/at shrieking/nn of/in women/nns ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd back/rb at/in pale/jj ovals/nns framed/vbn in/in the/at elongated/vbn oval/nn of/in the/at car's/nn$ rear/jj window/nn ./.


	``/`` Drink/vb ,/, you/ppss son/nn of/in a/at bitch/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
I/ppss quickly/rb turned/vbd around/rb and/cc began/vbd to/to drink/vb ./.
But/cc the/at Indian/np was/bedz jabbing/vbg another/dt bottle/nn toward/in Johnson/np ./.



	I/ppss guided/vbd her/ppo to/in the/at divan/nn ,/, turned/vbd off/rp the/at TV/nn ,/, faced/vbd her/ppo ./.
She/pps sat/vbd quietly/rb ,/, staring/vbg at/in me/ppo from/in the/at wide/jj eyes/nns ./.
And/cc what/wdt eyes/nns they/ppss were/bed ./.
Big/jj and/cc dark/jj ,/, a/at melting/jj ,/, golden/jj brown/jj ./.
Eyes/nns like/vb hot/jj honey/nn ,/, eyes/nns that/wps sizzled/vbd ./.
Plus/cc flawless/jj skin/nn ,/, smooth/jj brow/nn and/cc cheeks/nns ,/, lips/nns that/wps looked/vbd as/cs if/cs you/ppss could/md get/vb a/at shock/nn from/in them/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at disturbingly/rb familiar/jj face/nn ,/, too/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss couldn't/md* remember/vb where/wrb we/ppss had/hvd met/vbn ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Do/do we/ppss know/vb each/dt other/ap ,/, Miss/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss remembered/vbd reading/vbg about/in you/ppo in/in the/at papers/nns and/cc that/cs you/ppss lived/vbd here/rb ,/, and/cc when/wrb it/pps happened/vbd all/abn I/ppss could/md think/vb of/in was/bedz ''/'' --/-- This/dt time/nn she/pps stopped/vbd the/at rush/nn of/in words/nns herself/ppl ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ./.
Shall/md I/ppss go/vb on/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps smiled/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz her/pp$ first/od smile/nn ./.
But/cc worth/jj waiting/vbg for/in ./.


	``/`` Sure/rb ''/'' ./.
I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc one/cd word/nn at/in a/at time/nn ,/, O.K./rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps was/bedz still/rb hugging/vbg the/at stained/vbn coat/nn around/in her/ppo ,/, so/cs I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Relax/vb ,/, let/vb me/ppo take/vb your/pp$ things/nns ./.
Would/md you/ppss like/vb a/at drink/nn ,/, or/cc coffee/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, thanks/nns ''/'' ./.
She/pps stood/vbd up/rp ,/, pulled/vbd the/at coat/nn from/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns and/cc started/vbd to/to slide/vb it/ppo off/rp ,/, then/rb let/vbd out/rp a/at high-pitched/jj scream/nn and/cc I/ppss let/vbd out/rp a/at low-pitched/jj ,/, wobbling/vbg sound/nn like/cs a/at muffler/nn blowing/vbg out/rp ./.
She/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg nothing/pn beneath/in the/at coat/nn ./.
She/pps jerked/vbd the/at coat/nn back/rb on/rp and/cc squeezed/vbd it/ppo around/in her/ppo again/rb ,/, but/cc not/* soon/rb enough/qlp ./.
There/ex had/hvd been/ben a/at good/jj second/nn or/cc two/cd during/in which/wdt my/pp$ muffler/nn had/hvd been/ben blowing/vbg out/rp ,/, and/cc now/rb I/ppss was/bedz certain/jj I'd/ppss+hvd seen/vbn her/pp$ somewhere/rb before/rb ./.




``/`` I/ppss forgot/vbd ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps yelped/vbd ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, do/do forgive/vb me/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` I/ppss forgive/vb ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` That's/dt+bez what/wdt started/vbd all/abn the/at trouble/nn in/in the/at first/od place/nn ./.
Oh/uh ,/, dear/nn ,/, I'm/ppss+bem all/ql unstrung/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss and/cc me/ppo both/abx ,/, dear/nn ./.
Haven't/hv* we/ppss haven't/hv* I/ppss seen/vbn you/ppo ./.
I/ppss mean/vb ,/, surely/rb we've/ppss+hv ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss may/md have/hv seen/vbn me/ppo on/in TV/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv done/vbn several/ap filmed/vbn commercials/nns for/in ''/'' --/-- 

	Then/rb it/pps hit/vbd me/ppo ./.
``/`` Zing/np ''/'' !/. !/.
I/ppss cried/vbd ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb ,/, yes/rb ./.
And/cc you/ppss recognized/vbd me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, indeed/rb ./.
In/in fact/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz watching/vbg you/ppo on/in that/dt little/ap seventeen-inch/jj screen/nn when/wrb you/ppss rang/vbd my/pp$ bell/nn ./.
Man/nn ,/, you/ppss rang/vbd --/-- it/pps was/bedz in/in color/nn ,/, too/rb ,/, Miss/np ,/, and/cc Miss/np ?/. ?/.
What's/wdt+bez your/pp$ name/nn ,/, anyway/rb ?/. ?/.
Ah/uh ,/, you/ppss were/bed splendid/jj ''/'' ./.
I/ppss sat/vbd by/in her/ppo on/in the/at divan/nn ./.
``/`` Splendid/jj ./.
In/in a/at waterfall/nn and/cc all/abn that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez the/at last/ap one/cd we/ppss did/dod ./.
That/dt was/bedz a/at fun/nn one/cd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md bet/vb ./.
It/pps was/bedz fun/nn for/in me/ppo ,/, all/ql right/rb ./.
I/ppss don't/do* mean/vb to/to pry/vb ,/, but/cc do/do they/ppss hide/vb the/at swimsuit/nn with/in the/at bubbles/nns ?/. ?/.
I/ppss mean/vb :/: Is/bez advertising/vbg honest/jj ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It/pps depends/vbz on/in who/wps does/doz it/ppo ./.
I/ppss never/rb wear/vb anything/pn at/in all/abn ./.
It/pps wouldn't/md* --/-- wouldn't/md* seem/vb fair/jj ,/, somehow/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss couldn't/md* agree/vb with/in you/ppo more/rbr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss really/rb do/do have/hv something/pn important/jj to/to tell/vb you/ppo ,/, Mr./np Scott/np ./.
About/in the/at murder/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Murder/nn ?/. ?/.
Oh/uh ,/, yeah/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo about/in the/at murder/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps told/vbd me/ppo ./.
Zing/np was/bedz the/at creation/nn of/in two/cd men/nns ,/, Louis/np Thor/np and/cc Bill/np Blake/np ,/, partners/nns in/in zing/np !/. !/.
,/, Inc./vbn-tl ./.
They'd/ppss+hvd peddled/vbn the/at soap/nn virtually/rb alone/rb ,/, and/cc without/in much/ap success/nn ,/, until/in about/rb a/at year/nn ago/rb ,/, when/wrb --/-- with/in the/at addition/nn of/in ``/`` SX-21/np-tl ''/'' to/in their/pp$ secret/jj formula/nn and/cc the/at inauguration/nn of/in a/at high-powered/jj advertising/vbg campaign/nn --/-- sales/nns had/hvd soared/vbn practically/rb into/in orbit/nn ./.
Their/pp$ product/nn had/hvd been/ben endorsed/vbn by/in Good/jj-tl Housekeeping/nn-tl ,/, the/at A.M.A./np ,/, and/cc the/at Veterinary/jj-tl Journal/nn-tl ,/, among/in other/ap repositories/nns of/in higher/jjr wisdom/nn ,/, and/cc before/in much/ql longer/jjr if/cs you/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv a/at cake/nn of/in their/pp$ soap/nn in/in the/at john/nn ,/, even/rb your/pp$ best/jjt friends/nns would/md think/vb you/ppss didn't/dod* bathe/vb ./.


	My/pp$ lovely/jj caller/nn --/-- Joyce/np Holland/np was/bedz her/pp$ name/nn --/-- had/hvd previously/rb done/vbn three/cd filmed/vbn commercials/nns for/in zing/np ,/, and/cc this/dt evening/nn ,/, the/at fourth/od ,/, a/at super/jj production/nn ,/, had/hvd been/ben filmed/vbn at/in the/at home/nr of/in Louis/np Thor/np ./.
The/at water/nn in/in Thor's/np$ big/jj swimming/vbg pool/nn had/hvd been/ben covered/vbn with/in a/at blanket/nn of/in thick/jj ,/, foamy/jj soapsuds/nns --/-- fashioned/vbn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, from/in zing/np --/-- Joyce/np had/hvd dived/vbn from/in the/at board/nn into/in the/at pool/nn ,/, then/rb swirled/vbd and/cc cavorted/vbd in/in her/pp$ luxurious/jj ``/`` bath/nn ''/'' while/cs cameras/nns rolled/vbd ./.
The/at finished/vbn --/-- and/cc drastically/rb cut/vbn --/-- product/nn would/md begin/vb with/in a/at hazy/jj longshot/nn of/in Joyce/np entering/vbg the/at suds/nns ,/, then/rb bursting/vbg above/in the/at pool's/nn$ surface/nn clad/vbn in/in layers/nns of/in lavender/nn lather/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss had/hvd a/at hunch/nn this/dt item/nn was/bedz going/vbg to/to sell/vb tons/nns and/cc tons/nns of/in soap/nn ;/. ;/.
even/rb to/in clean/jj men/nns and/cc boys/nns ./.


	Joyce/np went/vbd on/rp ,/, ``/`` When/wrb we'd/ppss+hvd finished/vbn ,/, Lou/np --/-- Mr./np Thor/np --/-- asked/vbd me/ppo to/to stay/vb a/at little/ql longer/jjr ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd a/at few/ap stills/nns for/in magazine/nn ads/nns ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
Everybody/pn left/vbd and/cc I/ppss stayed/vbd in/in the/at pool/nn ,/, then/rb Lou/np came/vbd back/rb alone/rb and/cc leaped/vbd into/in the/at pool/nn too/rb ./.
And/cc he/pps didn't/dod* have/hv any/dti clothes/nns on/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` He/pps didn't/dod* ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, he/pps didn't/dod* ./.
Did/dod ,/, I/ppss mean/vb ''/'' ./.
She/pps paused/vbd ./.
``/`` Did/dod leap/vb into/in the/at pool/nn ,/, and/cc didn't/dod* have/hv anything/pn on/rp ./.
Anyway/rb ,/, it/pps was/bedz evident/jj what/wdt he/pps had/hvd in/in mind/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss got/vbd away/rb ,/, didn't/dod* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ./.
He/pps caught/vbd up/rp with/in me/ppo once/rb and/cc grabbed/vbd me/ppo ,/, but/cc I/ppss was/bedz all/ql covered/vbn with/in zing/np --/-- it's/pps+bez very/ql slippery/jj ,/, you/ppss know/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb ./.
I/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv the/at stuff/nn in/in the/at house/nn ./.
But/cc I'm/ppss+bem pleased/vbn to/to hear/vb ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` So/cs I/ppss just/rb scooted/vbd out/in of/in his/pp$ clutches/nns ./.
I/ppss swam/vbd like/cs mad/jj ,/, got/vbd out/in of/in the/at pool/nn ,/, grabbed/vbd my/pp$ robe/nn ,/, and/cc ran/vbd to/in the/at car/nn ./.
The/at keys/nns were/bed still/rb in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc I/ppss was/bedz miles/nns away/rb before/cs I/ppss remembered/vbd that/cs my/pp$ clothes/nns and/cc purse/nn and/cc everything/pn were/bed still/rb in/in the/at little/ap cabana/nn where/wrb I'd/ppss+hvd changed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	She'd/pps+hvd driven/vbn around/rb for/in a/at while/nn ,/, Joyce/np said/vbd ,/, then/rb ,/, thinking/vbg Louis/np Thor/np would/md have/hv calmed/vbn down/rp by/in that/dt time/nn ,/, she'd/pps+hvd gone/vbn back/rb to/in his/pp$ home/nr on/in Bryn/np-tl Mawr/np-tl Drive/nn-tl ,/, parked/vbd in/in front/nn ,/, and/cc walked/vbd toward/in the/at pool/nn ./.
While/cs several/ap yards/nns from/in it/ppo ,/, still/rb concealed/vbn by/in the/at shrubbery/nn ,/, she'd/pps+hvd seen/vbn two/cd men/nns on/in her/pp$ left/nr at/in the/at pool's/nn$ edge/nn ./.
She/pps went/vbd on/rp :/: 

	``/`` A/at man/nn was/bedz holding/vbg onto/in Lou/np ,/, holding/vbg him/ppo up/rp ./.
Maybe/rb Lou/np was/bedz only/rb unconscious/jj ,/, but/cc right/ql then/rb I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps must/md be/be dead/jj ./.
The/at man/nn shoved/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at water/nn ,/, then/rb ran/vbd past/in the/at cabana/nn ./.
There's/ex+bez a/at walk/nn there/rb that/wps goes/vbz out/in to/in Quebec/np-tl Drive/nn-tl ./.
I/ppss was/bedz so/ql scared/vbn well/uh ,/, I/ppss just/rb ran/vbd to/in my/pp$ car/nn and/cc came/vbd here/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb who/wps the/at other/ap man/nn was/bedz ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss never/rb did/dod see/vb his/pp$ face/nn ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* get/vb a/at good/jj look/nn at/in him/ppo at/in all/abn ,/, his/pp$ back/nn was/bedz to/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc I/ppss was/bedz so/ql scared/vbn It/pps was/bedz just/rb somebody/pn in/in a/at man's/nn$ suit/nn ./.
But/cc I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj the/at other/ap one/pn was/bedz Lou/np ''/'' ./.


	What/wdt Joyce/np wanted/vbd me/ppo to/to do/do was/bedz go/vb to/in Thor's/np$ house/nn and/cc ``/`` do/do whatever/wdt detectives/nns do/do ''/'' ,/, and/cc get/vb her/pp$ clothes/nns --/-- and/cc handbag/nn containing/vbg her/pp$ identification/nn ./.
She/pps realized/vbd I'd/ppss+md have/hv to/to notify/vb the/at police/nn ,/, but/cc fervently/rb hoped/vbd I/ppss could/md avoid/vb mentioning/vbg her/pp$ name/nn ./.


	Her/pp$ impact/nn in/in the/at zing/np commercials/nns had/hvd led/vbn to/in her/pp$ being/beg considered/vbn for/in an/at excellent/jj part/nn in/in an/at upcoming/jj TV/np-tl series/nn ,/, Underwater/jj-tl Western/jj-tl Eye/nn-tl ,/, a/at documentary-type/jj show/nn to/to be/be sponsored/vbn by/in Oatnut/np-tl Grits/nns-tl ./.
But/cc if/cs Joyce/np got/vbd involved/vbn in/in murder/nn or/cc salacious/jj scandal/nn ,/, the/at role/nn would/md probably/rb go/vb to/in the/at sponsor's/nn$ wife/nn ,/, Mrs./np Oatnut/np-tl Grits/nns-tl ./.
Or/cc at/in least/ap not/* to/in Joyce/np ./.


	``/`` And/cc I/ppss so/ql want/vb the/at part/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` The/at commercials/nns have/hv just/rb been/ben for/in money/nn ,/, there/ex hasn't/hvz* been/ben any/dti real/jj incentive/nn for/in me/ppo to/to do/do them/ppo ,/, but/cc in/in Underwater/jj-tl Western/jj-tl Eye/nn-tl I'd/ppss+md have/hv a/at chance/nn to/to act/vb ./.
I/ppss could/md show/vb what/wdt I/ppss can/md do/do ''/'' ./.




As/ql far/rb as/cs I/ppss was/bedz concerned/vbn ,/, she/pps had/hvd already/rb and/cc had/hvd dandily/rb shown/vbn what/wdt she/pps could/md do/do ./.
But/cc I/ppss promised/vbd Joyce/np I/ppss would/md mention/vb her/pp$ name/nn ,/, if/cs at/in all/abn ,/, only/rb as/cs a/at last/ap resort/nn ./.
Seeming/vbg much/ql relieved/vbn ,/, she/pps smiled/vbd one/cd of/in those/dts worth-waiting-for/jj smiles/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss smiled/vbd all/abn the/at way/nn into/in the/at bedroom/nn ./.
There/rb I/ppss got/vbd my/pp$ Colt/np-tl Special/nn-tl and/cc shoulder/nn harness/nn ,/, slipped/vbd my/pp$ coat/nn on/rp ,/, and/cc went/vbd back/rb into/in the/at front/jj room/nn ./.


	Joyce/np squirmed/vbd a/at little/ap on/in the/at divan/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem starting/vbg to/to itch/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Itch/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, I'm/ppss+bem still/rb all/ql covered/vbn with/in that/dt soap/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz loaded/vbn with/in suds/nns when/wrb I/ppss ran/vbd away/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss haven't/hv* had/hvn a/at chance/nn to/to wash/vb it/ppo off/rp ./.
Mmmm/uh ,/, it/pps sure/rb itches/vbz ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss might/md as/ql well/rb wait/vb here/rb while/cs I'm/ppss+bem gone/vbn ,/, so/cs you/ppss can/md use/vb my/pp$ shower/nn if/cs you'd/ppss+md like/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, I'd/ppss+md love/vb to/to ''/'' ./.
I/ppss showed/vbd her/ppo the/at shower/nn and/cc tub/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps said/vbd ,/, smiling/vbg ,/, ``/`` If/cs you/ppss really/rb don't/do* mind/vb ,/, I/ppss think/vb I'll/ppss+md get/vb clean/jj in/in the/at shower/nn ,/, then/rb soak/vb for/in a/at few/ap minutes/nns in/in your/pp$ tub/nn ./.
That/dt always/rb relaxes/vbz me/ppo ./.
Doesn't/doz* it/pps you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Only/rb when/wrb I/ppss do/do it/ppo ''/'' ./.
I/ppss shook/vbd my/pp$ head/nn ./.
One/cd of/in my/pp$ virtues/nns or/cc vices/nns is/bez a/at sort/nn of/in three-dimensional/jj imagination/nn complete/jj with/in sound/nn effects/nns and/cc glorious/jj living/vbg color/nn ./.
``/`` Soak/vb as/ql long/jj as/cs you/ppss want/vb ,/, Joyce/np ./.
It'll/pps+md probably/rb be/be at/in least/ap an/at hour/nn or/cc two/cd before/cs I/ppss can/md check/vb back/rb with/in you/ppo ./.
So/cs you'll/ppss+md have/hv everything/pn all/abn to/in yourself/ppl ,/, doggone/uh ''/'' 

	I/ppss looked/vbd at/in my/pp$ watch/nn ./.
Ten/cd after/in nine/cd ./.
Time/nn to/to go/vb ,/, I/ppss supposed/vbd ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, goodbye/uh ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Goodbye/uh ./.
You'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr hurry/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, you/ppss can/md count/vb on/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	She/pps smiled/vbd slightly/rb ./.
Softly/rb ./.
Warmly/rb ./.
``/`` Don't/do* hurry/vb too/ql much/rb ./.
I'll/ppss+md be/be soaking/vbg for/in at/in least/ap half/abn an/at hour/nn ''/'' ./.


	That/dt was/bedz all/abn she/pps said/vbd ./.
But/cc suddenly/rb those/dts hot-honey/nn eyes/nns seemed/vbd to/to have/hv everything/pn but/cc swarms/nns of/in bees/nns in/in them/ppo ./.
However/wrb ,/, when/wrb there's/ex+bez a/at job/nn to/to be/be done/vbn ,/, I'm/ppss+bem a/at monstrosity/nn of/in grim/jj determination/nn ,/, I/ppss like/vb to/to think/vb ./.
I/ppss spun/vbd about/rb and/cc clattered/vbd through/in the/at front/jj room/nn to/in the/at door/nn ./.
As/cs I/ppss went/vbd out/rp ,/, I/ppss could/md hear/vb water/nn pouring/vbg in/in the/at shower/nn ./.
Hot/jj water/nn ./.
She/pps wouldn't/md* be/be taking/vbg a/at cold/jj shower/nn ./.
Hell/uh ,/, she/pps couldn't/md* ./.


	Bryn/np-tl Mawr/np-tl Drive/nn-tl is/bez only/rb two/cd or/cc three/cd miles/nns from/in the/at Spartan/np ,/, and/cc it/pps took/vbd me/ppo less/ap than/in five/cd minutes/nns to/to get/vb there/rb ./.
But/cc the/at scene/nn was/bedz not/* the/at quiet/jj ,/, calm/jj scene/nn I'd/ppss+hvd expected/vbn ./.
Four/cd cars/nns were/bed parked/vbn at/in the/at curb/nn ,/, and/cc two/cd of/in them/ppo were/bed police/nn radio/nn cars/nns ./.
Lights/nns blazed/vbd in/in the/at big/jj house/nn and/cc surrounding/vbg grounds/nns ./.
I/ppss followed/vbd a/at shrubbery-lined/jj gravel/nn path/nn alongside/in the/at house/nn to/in the/at pool/nn ./.
Two/cd uniformed/jj officers/nns ,/, a/at couple/nn of/in plain-clothesmen/nns I/ppss knew/vbd ,/, and/cc two/cd other/ap men/nns stood/vbd on/in a/at gray/jj cement/nn area/nn next/in to/in the/at pool/nn on/in my/pp$ left/nr ./.
At/in the/at pool's/nn$ far/jj end/nn was/bedz the/at little/ap cabana/nn Joyce/np had/hvd mentioned/vbn ,/, and/cc on/in the/at water's/nn$ surface/nn floated/vbd scattered/vbn lavender/nn patches/nns of/in limp-looking/jj lather/nn ./.
A/at few/ap yards/nns beyond/in the/at group/nn of/in men/nns ,/, a/at man's/nn$ nude/jj body/nn lay/vb face/nn down/rp on/in a/at patch/nn of/in thick/jj green/jj dichondra/nn ./.


	Lieutenant/nn-tl Rawlins/np ,/, one/cd of/in the/at plain-clothesmen/nns ,/, spotted/vbd me/ppo and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Hi/uh ,/, Shell/np ''/'' ,/, and/cc walked/vbd toward/in me/ppo ./.
``/`` How'd/wrb+dod you/ppss hear/vb about/in this/dt one/cd ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss grinned/vbd ,/, but/cc ignored/vbd the/at question/nn ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* push/vb it/ppo ;/. ;/.
Rawlins/np worked/vbd out/in of/in Central/jj-tl Homicide/nn-tl and/cc we'd/ppss+hvd been/ben friends/nns for/in years/nns ./.


	He/pps filled/vbd me/ppo in/rp ./.
A/at call/nn to/in the/at police/nns had/hvd been/ben placed/vbn from/in here/rb a/at couple/nn of/in minutes/nns after/in nine/cd P.M./rb ,/, and/cc the/at first/od police/nn car/nn had/hvd arrived/vbn two/cd or/cc three/cd minutes/nns after/in that/dt --/-- 10/cd minutes/nns ago/rb now/rb ./.
Present/rb at/in the/at scene/nn --/-- in/in addition/nn to/in the/at dead/jj man/nn ,/, who/wps was/bedz indeed/rb Louis/np Thor/np --/-- had/hvd been/ben Thor's/np$ partner/nn Bill/np Blake/np ,/, and/cc Antony/np Rose/np ,/, an/at advertising/vbg agency/nn executive/nn who/wps handled/vbd the/at zing/np account/nn ./.
Neither/dtx of/in them/ppo ,/, I/ppss understood/vbd ,/, had/hvd been/ben present/rb at/in the/at filming/vbg session/nn earlier/rbr ./.


	``/`` What/wdt were/bed they/ppss doing/vbg here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd Rawlins/np ./.


	``/`` They/ppss were/bed supposed/vbn to/to meet/vb Thor/np at/in nine/cd PM/np for/in a/at conference/nn concerning/in the/at ad/nn campaign/nn for/in their/pp$ soap/nn ,/, a/at new/jj angle/nn based/vbn on/in this/dt SX-21/np-tl stuff/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, I've/ppss+hv heard/vbn more/ap about/in SX-21/np-tl than/in space/nn exploration/nn lately/rb ./.
What/wdt is/bez the/at gunk/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` How/wrb would/md I/ppss know/vb ?/. ?/.
It's/pps+bez a/at secret/nn ./.
That/dt was/bedz the/at new/jj advertising/vbg angle/nn --/-- something/pn about/in a/at Lloyd's/np$-tl of/in-tl London/np-tl policy/nn to/to insure/vb the/at secrecy/nn of/in the/at secret/jj ingredient/nn ./.
Actually/rb ,/, only/rb two/cd men/nns know/vb what/wdt the/at formula/nn is/bez ,/, Blake/np and/cc ''/'' --/-- He/pps stopped/vbd and/cc looked/vbd at/in Thor's/np$ body/nn ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` O.K./uh ,/, so/cs now/rb only/ap Blake/np knows/vbz ./.
How's/wrb+doz it/pps strike/vb you/ppo ,/, foul/jj or/cc fair/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Can't/md* say/vb yet/rb ./.
Deputy/nn coroner/nn says/vbz it/pps looks/vbz like/cs he/pps sucked/vbd in/rp a/at big/jj pile/nn of/in those/dts thick/jj suds/nns and/cc strangled/vbd on/in 'em/ppo ./.
The/at PM/nn might/md show/vb he/pps drowned/vbd instead/rb ,/, but/cc that's/dt+bez what/wdt the/at once-over-lightly/nn gives/vbz us/ppo ./.
Accident/nn ,/, murder/nn ,/, suicide/nn --/-- take/vb your/pp$ pick/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md pick/vb murder/nn ./.
Anything/pn else/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` According/in to/in Rose/np ,/, he/pps arrived/vbd here/rb a/at couple/nn minutes/nns before/in nine/cd and/cc spotted/vbd Thor/np in/in the/at water/nn ,/, got/vbd a/at hooked/vbn pole/nn from/in the/at pool-equipment/nn locker/nn and/cc started/vbd hauling/vbg him/ppo out/rp ./.



	Too/ql many/ap people/nns think/vb that/cs the/at primary/jj purpose/nn of/in a/at higher/jjr education/nn is/bez to/to help/vb you/ppo make/vb a/at living/nn ;/. ;/.
this/dt is/bez not/* so/rb ,/, for/cs education/nn offers/vbz all/abn kinds/nns of/in dividends/nns ,/, including/in how/wrb to/to pull/vb the/at wool/nn over/in a/at husband's/nn$ eyes/nns while/cs you/ppss are/ber having/hvg an/at affair/nn with/in his/pp$ wife/nn ./.
If/cs it/pps were/bed not/* for/in an/at old/jj professor/nn who/wps made/vbd me/ppo read/vb the/at classics/nns I/ppss would/md have/hv been/ben stymied/vbn on/in what/wdt to/to do/do ,/, and/cc now/rb I/ppss understand/vb why/wrb they/ppss are/ber classics/nns ;/. ;/.
those/dts who/wps wrote/vbd them/ppo knew/vbd people/nns and/cc what/wdt made/vbd people/nns tick/vb ./.


	I/ppss worked/vbd for/in my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl (/( an/at Uncle/nn-tl by/in marriage/nn so/cs you/ppss will/md not/* think/vb this/dt has/hvz a/at mild/jj undercurrent/nn of/in incest/nn )/) who/wps ran/vbd one/cd of/in those/dts antique/jj shops/nns in/in New/jj-tl Orleans'/np$-tl Vieux/fw-jj-tl Carre/fw-nn-tl ,/, the/at old/jj French/jj-tl Quarter/nn-tl ./.
The/at arrangement/nn I/ppss had/hvd with/in him/ppo was/bedz to/to work/vb four/cd hours/nns a/at day/nn ./.
The/at rest/nn of/in the/at time/nn I/ppss devoted/vbd to/in painting/vbg or/cc to/in those/dts other/ap activities/nns a/at young/jj and/cc healthy/jj man/nn just/rb out/in of/in college/nn finds/vbz interesting/jj ./.


	I/ppss had/hvd a/at one-room/jj studio/nn which/wdt overlooked/vbd an/at ancient/jj courtyard/nn filled/vbn with/in flowers/nns and/cc plants/nns ,/, blooming/vbg everlastingly/rb in/in the/at southern/jj sun/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd come/vbn to/in New/jj-tl Orleans/np-tl two/cd years/nns earlier/rbr after/cs graduating/vbg college/nn ,/, partly/rb because/cs I/ppss loved/vbd the/at city/nn and/cc partly/rb because/cs there/ex was/bedz quite/abl a/at noted/vbn art/nn colony/nn there/rb ./.
When/wrb my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl offered/vbd me/ppo a/at part-time/jj job/nn which/wdt would/md take/vb care/nn of/in my/pp$ normal/jj expenses/nns and/cc give/vb me/ppo time/nn to/to paint/vb I/ppss accepted/vbd ./.


	The/at arrangement/nn turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be excellent/jj ./.
I/ppss loved/vbd the/at city/nn and/cc I/ppss particularly/rb loved/vbd the/at gaiety/nn and/cc spirit/nn of/in Mardi/np Gras/np ./.
I/ppss had/hvd seen/vbn two/cd of/in them/ppo and/cc we/ppss would/md soon/rb be/be in/in another/dt city-wide/jj ,/, joyous/jj celebration/nn with/in romance/nn in/in the/at air/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc ,/, when/wrb you/ppss took/vbd a/at walk/nn you/ppss never/rb knew/vbd what/wdt adventure/nn or/cc pair/nn of/in sparkling/vbg eyes/nns were/bed waiting/vbg around/in the/at next/ap corner/nn ./.
The/at very/ap faces/nns of/in the/at people/nns bore/vbd this/dt expectation/nn of/in fun/nn and/cc pleasure/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz as/cs if/cs they/ppss could/md hardly/rb wait/vb to/to get/vb into/in their/pp$ costumes/nns ,/, cover/vb their/pp$ faces/nns with/in masks/nns and/cc go/vb adventuring/vbg ./.


	My/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl and/cc I/ppss were/bed not/* too/ql close/jj socially/rb because/cs of/in the/at difference/nn in/in our/pp$ ages/nns ./.
Sometimes/rb I/ppss wondered/vbd vaguely/rb what/wdt he/pps did/dod about/in women/nns for/cs my/pp$ Aunt/nn-tl ,/, by/in blood/nn ,/, had/hvd died/vbn some/dti years/nns ago/rb ,/, but/cc neither/dtx of/in us/ppo said/vbn anything/pn ./.
One/cd Monday/nr morning/nn I/ppss saw/vbd him/ppo approach/vb the/at store/nn with/in a/at woman/nn and/cc introduce/vb me/ppo to/in her/ppo as/cs my/pp$ new/jj Aunt/nn-tl ./.
They/ppss were/bed married/vbn over/in the/at week-end/nn ,/, though/cs he/pps was/bedz easily/rb sixty/cd and/cc she/pps could/md not/* have/hv been/ben even/rb thirty/cd ./.
She/pps looked/vbd more/ap like/cs twenty-five/cd or/cc six/cd ./.
It/pps was/bedz really/rb a/at May/np and/cc December/np combination/nn ./.


	My/pp$ new/jj Aunt/nn-tl was/bedz perhaps/rb three/cd or/cc four/cd years/nns older/jjr than/cs I/ppss and/cc it/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at long/jj time/nn since/cs I/ppss had/hvd seen/vbn as/ql gorgeous/jj a/at woman/nn who/wps oozed/vbd sex/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz something/pn about/in the/at contour/nn of/in her/pp$ face/nn ,/, her/pp$ smile/nn that/wps was/bedz like/cs New/jj-tl Orleans/np-tl sunshine/nn ,/, the/at way/nn she/pps held/vbd her/pp$ head/nn ,/, the/at way/nn she/pps walked/vbd --/-- there/ex was/bedz scarcely/rb anything/pn she/pps did/dod which/wdt did/dod not/* fascinate/vb me/ppo ./.
Her/pp$ legs/nns were/bed the/at full/jj ,/, sexy/jj kind/nn ,/, full/jj bodied/jj like/cs a/at rare/jj wine/nn and/cc just/rb as/cs tantalizing/vbg to/in the/at appetite/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at calf/nn was/bedz magnificent/jj ,/, the/at ankle/nn perfect/jj ./.


	You/ppss must/md forgive/vb me/ppo if/cs I/ppss seem/vb to/to dwell/vb too/ql much/rb on/in her/pp$ physical/jj aspects/nns but/cc I/ppss am/bem an/at artist/nn ,/, accustomed/vbn to/in studying/vbg the/at physical/jj body/nn ./.
The/at true/jj artist/nn is/bez like/cs one/cd of/in those/dts scientists/nns who/wps ,/, from/in a/at single/ap bone/nn can/md reconstruct/vb an/at animal's/nn$ entire/jj body/nn ./.
The/at artist/nn looks/vbz at/in an/at ankle/nn ,/, a/at calf/nn ,/, a/at bosom/nn and/cc ,/, in/in his/pp$ mind's/nn$ eye/nn ,/, the/at clothes/nns drop/vb away/rb and/cc he/pps sees/vbz her/ppo as/cs she/pps really/rb is/bez ./.
And/cc that/dt is/bez the/at way/nn I/ppss first/rb saw/vbd her/ppo when/wrb my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl brought/vbd her/ppo into/in his/pp$ antique/nn store/nn ./.


	That/cs she/pps impressed/vbd me/ppo instantly/rb was/bedz obvious/jj ;/. ;/.
I/ppss was/bedz aware/jj that/cs when/wrb our/pp$ eyes/nns met/vbd we/ppss both/abx quickly/rb averted/vbd them/ppo ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss saw/vbd a/at faint/jj surge/nn of/in color/nn rise/vb to/in her/pp$ neck/nn and/cc quickly/rb suffuse/vb her/pp$ cheeks/nns ./.
True/rb ,/, she/pps was/bedz my/pp$ Aunt/nn-tl ,/, married/vbn to/in an/at Uncle/nn-tl related/vbd to/in me/ppo only/rb by/in marriage/nn ,/, but/cc why/wrb she/pps had/hvd married/vbn a/at man/nn twice/rb her/pp$ age/nn ,/, and/cc more/ap ,/, perhaps/rb ,/, I/ppss did/dod not/* know/vb or/cc much/rb care/vb ./.


	She/pps was/bedz standing/vbg with/in her/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at glass/nn door/nn ./.
Her/pp$ form/nn was/bedz silhouetted/vbn and/cc with/in the/at strong/jj light/nn I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at outlines/nns of/in her/pp$ body/nn ,/, a/at body/nn that/cs an/at artist/nn or/cc anyone/pn else/rb would/md have/hv admired/vbn ./.
As/cs it/pps is/bez in/in so/ql many/ap affairs/nns of/in the/at heart/nn ,/, a/at man/nn and/cc a/at woman/nn meet/vb and/cc something/pn clicks/vbz ./.
Something/pn clicked/vbd in/in this/dt instance/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss treated/vbd her/ppo circumspectly/rb and/cc I/ppss felt/vbd that/cs she/pps knew/vbd it/ppo ,/, for/cs we/ppss both/abx kept/vbd our/pp$ distance/nn ./.


	When/wrb she/pps appeared/vbd at/in the/at store/nn to/to help/vb out/rp for/in a/at few/ap hours/nns even/vb my/pp$ looking/nn at/in her/ppo was/bedz surreptitious/jj lest/cs my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl notice/vb it/ppo ./.
And/cc then/rb I/ppss became/vbd aware/jj that/cs she/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, glanced/vbd at/in me/ppo surreptitiously/rb ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd that/cs her/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed undressing/vbg me/ppo as/cs if/cs she/pps were/bed a/at painter/nn and/cc I/ppss a/at nude/jj model/nn ./.
I/ppss dismissed/vbd these/dts feelings/nns as/cs wishful/jj thinking/nn but/cc I/ppss could/md not/* get/vb it/ppo out/in of/in my/pp$ head/nn that/cs we/ppss had/hvd a/at strong/jj physical/jj attraction/nn for/in one/dtx another/dt and/cc we/ppss both/abx feared/vbd to/to dwell/vb on/in it/ppo because/cs of/in our/pp$ relationship/nn ./.
When/wrb our/pp$ eyes/nns met/vbd the/at air/nn was/bedz filled/vbn with/in an/at unuttered/jj message/nn of/in ``/`` Me/ppo ,/, too/rb ''/'' ./.
You/ppss have/hv probably/rb experienced/vbn this/dt ./.
It/pps is/bez nothing/pn you/ppss can/md put/vb your/pp$ fingers/nns on/rp but/cc the/at air/nn suddenly/rb fills/vbz with/in a/at high/jj charge/nn of/in electricity/nn ./.


	Why/wrb she/pps married/vbd him/ppo I/ppss do/do not/* know/vb ./.
I/ppss myself/ppl was/bedz fond/jj of/in him/ppo but/cc what/wdt a/at young/jj woman/nn half/abn his/pp$ age/nn saw/vbd in/in him/ppo was/bedz a/at mystery/nn to/in me/ppo ./.
He/pps already/rb had/hvd that/dt slow/jj pace/nn that/wps comes/vbz over/in the/at elderly/jj ,/, while/cs she/pps herself/ppl had/hvd all/abn the/at signs/nns of/in one/pn who/wps appreciates/vbz the/at joys/nns of/in living/vbg ./.
Perhaps/rb ,/, with/in my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl ,/, she/pps found/vbd a/at measure/nn of/in economic/jj security/nn that/wps she/pps needed/vbd ;/. ;/.
or/cc maybe/rb she/pps liked/vbd men/nns old/jj enough/qlp to/to be/be her/pp$ father/nn ;/. ;/.
some/dti women/nns with/in father/nn fixations/nns do/do ./.


	For/in several/ap weeks/nns we/ppss eyed/vbd one/dtx another/dt almost/rb like/cs sparring/vbg partners/nns ,/, and/cc then/rb one/cd day/nn Uncle/nn-tl was/bedz slightly/rb indisposed/vbn and/cc stayed/vbd home/nr ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ bride/nn opened/vbd the/at store/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz waiting/vbg in/in front/nn of/in it/ppo when/wrb she/pps showed/vbd up/rp and/cc told/vbd me/ppo of/in my/pp$ Uncle's/nn$-tl indisposition/nn ./.
Even/rb as/cs she/pps was/bedz telling/vbg me/ppo about/in it/ppo I/ppss became/vbd aware/jj of/in a/at give-away/jj flush/nn that/wps suffused/vbd her/pp$ neck/nn and/cc moved/vbd upwards/rb to/in her/pp$ cheeks/nns ,/, and/cc subconsciously/rb I/ppss realized/vbd that/cs when/wrb she/pps entered/vbd the/at store/nn she/pps did/dod not/* switch/vb on/rp the/at lights/nns ./.
The/at cavernous/jj depth/nn ,/, cluttered/vbn with/in antiques/nns ,/, echoed/vbd to/in her/pp$ hard/jj heels/nns as/cs she/pps walked/vbd directly/rb to/in the/at office/nn in/in the/at rear/nn and/cc took/vbd the/at seat/nn at/in his/pp$ desk/nn ./.
She/pps placed/vbd her/pp$ palms/nns ,/, fingers/nns outspread/vbn ,/, on/in the/at desk/nn in/in an/at odd/jj gesture/nn as/cs if/cs to/to say/vb ,/, ``/`` Now/rb ,/, what/wdt next/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss was/bedz aware/jj of/in a/at humid/jj look/nn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns that/wps told/vbd me/ppo the/at time/nn was/bedz opportune/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz little/ap likelihood/nn of/in any/dti customers/nns walking/vbg in/rp at/in that/dt hour/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz standing/vbg beside/in her/ppo ,/, watching/vbg the/at outspread/vbn palms/nns and/cc wondering/vbg about/in the/at old/jj horsehair/nn sofa/nn against/in the/at wall/nn on/in which/wdt he/pps sometimes/rb napped/vbd ./.


	I/ppss bent/vbd and/cc kissed/vbd the/at still/ql pink/jj neck/nn and/cc suddenly/rb she/pps jumped/vbd up/rp ,/, and/cc her/pp$ two/cd arms/nns encircled/vbd me/ppo in/in a/at bear-like/jj crush/nn ./.
Her/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, which/wdt had/hvd been/ben so/ql much/rb in/in my/pp$ thoughts/nns ,/, was/bedz warm/jj and/cc moist/jj and/cc tender/jj ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd her/ppo murmur/vb ,/, ``/`` We'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr lock/vb the/at door/nn ''/'' ./.


	It/pps did/dod not/* take/vb me/ppo long/jj to/to slip/vb the/at bolt/nn securely/rb and/cc return/vb to/in the/at rear/nn and/cc its/pp$ couch/nn ./.


	When/wrb we/ppss opened/vbd the/at door/nn again/rb for/in business/nn and/cc switched/vbd on/rp the/at lights/nns she/pps said/vbd :/: 

	``/`` He/pps will/md not/* always/rb be/be indisposed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb ./.
I/ppss was/bedz thinking/vbg about/in that/dt ./.
How/wrb will/md we/ppss work/vb it/ppo out/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber the/at man/nn ./.
You/ppss figure/vb it/ppo out/rp ./.
I've/ppss+hv noticed/vbn the/at way/nn you've/ppss+hv been/ben looking/vbg at/in me/ppo ever/rb since/cs we/ppss met/vbd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb we/ppss both/abx felt/vbd it/ppo ''/'' ./.
I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb so/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.


	``/`` But/cc now/rb what/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Even/rb as/cs I/ppss said/vbd it/ppo I/ppss realized/vbd that/cs an/at education/nn can/md be/be invaluable/jj ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb what/wdt we/ppss can/md do/do ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` Tell/vb him/ppo I/ppss made/vbd a/at pass/nn at/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	She/pps raised/vbd a/at protesting/vbg hand/nn with/in a/at startled/vbn air/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss trying/vbg to/to do/do ?/. ?/.
Get/vb thrown/vbn out/rp ?/. ?/.
If/cs I/ppss even/rb hint/vb at/in it/ppo do/do you/ppo think/vb it/ppo will/md matter/vb that/cs you/ppss are/ber his/pp$ nephew/nn --/-- and/cc not/* even/rb a/at blood/nn nephew/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to be/be thrown/vbn out/rp and/cc I/ppss don't/do* think/vb I/ppss will/md ./.
I/ppss think/vb I/ppss have/hv a/at way/nn so/cs we/ppss can/md carry/vb on/rp without/in his/pp$ suspecting/vbg us/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` By/in telling/vbg him/ppo you/ppss are/ber making/vbg passes/nns at/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd incredulously/rb ./.


	``/`` When/wrb I/ppss was/bedz in/in college/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss grinned/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss remember/vb a/at poem/nn I/ppss had/hvd to/to read/vb in/in my/pp$ lit/nn class/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* even/rb remember/vb who/wps wrote/vbd it/ppo but/cc it/pps was/bedz one/cd of/in those/dts 15th/od or/cc 16th/od century/nn poets/nns ./.
In/in those/dts days/nns poems/nns often/rb told/vbd a/at story/nn in/in verse/nn and/cc those/dts boys/nns had/hvd some/dti corkers/nns to/to tell/vb ;/. ;/.
and/cc now/rb I/ppss think/vb we/ppss can/md use/vb the/at knowledge/nn they/ppss passed/vbd on/rp to/in us/ppo ./.
Tomorrow/nr Mardi/np Gras/np opens/vbz officially/rb ./.
A/at lot/nn of/in people/nns will/md roam/vb the/at streets/nns in/in costumes/nns and/cc masks/nns ,/, and/cc having/hvg a/at ball/nn ./.
There/ex will/md be/be romance/nn and/cc flirtation/nn ./.
If/cs you/ppss tell/vb him/ppo I/ppss made/vbd a/at pass/nn at/in you/ppo he/pps might/md think/vb you/ppss misunderstood/vbn something/pn I/ppss said/vbd or/cc did/dod ,/, so/cs instead/rb of/in just/rb telling/vbg him/ppo I/ppss made/vbd a/at pass/nn ,/, say/vb I/ppss tried/vbd to/to date/vb you/ppo and/cc that/cs you/ppss agreed/vbd so/cs you/ppss could/md prove/vb to/in him/ppo what/wdt a/at louse/nn I/ppss really/rb am/bem ./.
We/ppss made/vbd a/at rendezvous/nn tomorrow/nr evening/nn at/in nine/cd on/in some/dti street/nn near/in Lake/nn-tl Ponchartrain/np-tl ./.
And/cc to/to prove/vb what/wdt you/ppss tell/vb him/ppo about/in me/ppo you/ppss suggest/vb that/cs he/pps keep/vb the/at date/nn instead/rb ./.
You/ppss are/ber both/abx the/at same/ap size/nn ./.
He/pps could/md use/vb your/pp$ clothes/nns for/in a/at costume/nn and/cc a/at heavy/jj veil/nn for/in a/at mask/nn ./.
When/wrb I/ppss show/vb up/rp he/pps will/md know/vb you/ppss are/ber a/at good/jj wife/nn to/to have/hv told/vbn him/ppo about/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc you/ppss ''/'' --/-- she/pps began/vbd ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* worry/vb about/in me/ppo ./.
It/pps will/md turn/vb out/rp all/ql right/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* understand/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps insisted/vbd ./.
``/`` Are/ber you/ppss trying/vbg to/to cut/vb your/pp$ throat/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss chuckled/vbd ,/, ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem just/rb beginning/vbg to/to collect/vb dividends/nns on/in my/pp$ investment/nn in/in education/nn ''/'' ./.


	As/cs we/ppss expected/vbd ,/, on/in the/at following/vbg day/nn my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl was/bedz completely/rb recovered/vbn and/cc opened/vbd the/at store/nn as/ql usual/jj at/in 10/cd in/in the/at morning/nn ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd that/cs he/pps looked/vbd at/in me/ppo coldly/rb and/cc appraisingly/rb and/cc seemed/vbd to/to be/be uncertain/jj what/wdt his/pp$ attitude/nn towards/in me/ppo should/md be/be ,/, but/cc he/pps did/dod not/* say/vb one/cd word/nn which/wdt might/md indicate/vb that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben told/vbn of/in advances/nns to/in his/pp$ wife/nn ./.


	I/ppss quit/vb work/nn at/in my/pp$ usual/jj hour/nn as/cs if/cs this/dt day/nn was/bedz no/rb different/jj from/in other/ap days/nns ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd subsequently/rb that/cs my/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl and/cc Aunt/nn-tl had/hvd dinner/nn in/in a/at nearby/rb restaurant/nn in/in the/at French/jj-tl Quarter/nn-tl after/cs which/wdt he/pps went/vbd home/nr to/to get/vb into/in his/pp$ costume/nn to/to keep/vb the/at date/nn ./.
Shortly/rb before/in nine/cd I/ppss drove/vbd my/pp$ jalopy/nn to/in the/at street/nn facing/vbg the/at Lake/nn-tl and/cc parked/vbd the/at car/nn in/in shadows/nns far/rb enough/qlp away/rb from/in the/at rendezvous/nn corner/nn but/cc near/rb enough/qlp to/to keep/vb the/at corner/nn in/in clear/jj view/nn ./.
A/at few/ap minutes/nns later/rbr I/ppss saw/vbd my/pp$ Uncle's/nn$-tl car/nn drive/vb up/rp and/cc a/at woman's/nn$ figure/nn emerge/vb and/cc walk/vb to/in the/at corner/nn ./.
I/ppss must/md say/vb the/at figure/nn was/bedz well/rb made/vbn up/rp ./.
If/cs it/pps were/bed not/* that/cs I/ppss knew/vbd who/wps it/pps was/bedz I/ppss could/md have/hv mistaken/vbn it/ppo for/in my/pp$ Aunt/nn-tl so/ql well/rb did/dod her/pp$ clothes/nns fit/vb him/ppo ./.
In/in one/cd hand/nn he/pps gripped/vbd firmly/rb a/at parasol/nn though/cs there/ex had/hvd been/ben no/at indication/nn of/in rain/nn ./.
I/ppss suspected/vbd why/wrb he/pps brought/vbd it/ppo along/rb ./.


	In/in the/at half/abn darkness/nn I/ppss approached/vbd cautiously/rb ,/, making/vbg sure/jj he/pps did/dod not/* see/vb me/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz looking/vbg out/rp on/in the/at dark/jj waters/nns of/in the/at Lake/nn-tl when/wrb I/ppss came/vbd upon/in him/ppo and/cc without/in wasting/vbg words/nns I/ppss smacked/vbd him/ppo hard/rb across/in the/at face/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss cheap/jj bitch/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
I/ppss exclaimed/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss cheap/jj ,/, no/at good/jj ,/, two-timing/vbg bitch/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss get/vb a/at good/jj ,/, loyal/jj husband/nn --/-- smack/vb !/. !/.
--/-- and/cc you/ppss fall/vb for/in a/at pass/nn by/in his/pp$ own/jj nephew/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss should/md --/-- smack/vb !/. !/.
--/-- be/be ashamed/jj of/in yourself/ppl ./.

He/pps had/hvd better/rbr write/vb a/at postcard/nn to/in Walter/np ./.
He/pps opened/vbd the/at myth/nn book/nn again/rb and/cc there/rb (/( along/in the/at margin/nn next/in to/in Robert/np Graves'/np$ imaginative/jj interpretation/nn of/in the/at creation/nn of/in the/at Dactyls/nns-tl from/in Rhea's/np$ fingertips/nns )/) were/bed the/at names/nns of/in four/cd Munich/np bars/nns and/cc Meredith/np Wilder's/np$ address/nn ./.
The/at bars/nns were/bed marked/vbn as/cs Walter/np had/hvd marked/vbn them/ppo in/in a/at small/jj black/jj book/nn kept/vbn in/in a/at nearly/rb secret/jj drawer/nn ./.
The/at code/nn ,/, which/wdt had/hvd probably/rb something/pn to/to do/do with/in sex/nn or/cc some/dti other/ap interest/nn ,/, Nicolas/np was/bedz determined/vbn to/to find/vb out/rp and/cc put/vb to/to use/vb ./.
A/at card/nn to/in Walter/np would/md get/vb him/ppo an/at introduction/nn to/in this/dt Meredith/np ,/, and/cc that/dt might/md be/be good/jj for/in something/pn ./.
Nicolas/np called/vbd on/in his/pp$ muse/nn ,/, a/at line/nn came/vbd back/rb :/: 

	``/`` Squaresville/np ,/, man/nn ,/, and/cc all/abn the/at palazzos/nns are/ber crummy/jj Palasts/nps ''/'' ./.


	That/dt ought/md to/to draw/vb a/at laugh/nn ,/, Nicolas/np reasoned/vbd ,/, as/cs he/pps stored/vbd the/at line/nn away/rb on/in the/at wax/nn tape/nn that/wps was/bedz his/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	And/cc indeed/rb ,/, his/pp$ postcard/nn did/dod draw/vb from/in Walter/np a/at letter/nn recommending/vbg his/pp$ friend/nn ,/, the/at poet/nn Nicolas/np Manas/np ,/, to/in his/pp$ friend/nn Meredith/np Wilder/np ./.
Five/cd days/nns later/rbr ,/, on/in receiving/vbg it/ppo ,/, Meredith/np sat/vbd drumming/vbg his/pp$ dactyls/nns on/in his/pp$ writing/vbg table/nn ./.
Dammit/uh !/. !/.
He/pps inwardly/rb cried/vbd ./.


	His/pp$ hand/nn was/bedz large/jj and/cc square/jj and/cc heavily/rb tanned/vbn ./.
The/at voice/nn crying/vbg in/in him/ppo was/bedz the/at voice/nn of/in guilt/nn ./.
His/pp$ four/cd weeks/nns in/in Italy/np had/hvd turned/vbn into/in nearer/rbr three/cd months/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd returned/vbn to/in the/at pension/nn a/at week/nn ago/rb ./.
Now/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz just/rb in/in the/at late/jj poems/nns of/in Holderlin/np and/cc therefore/rb had/hvd most/ap of/in the/at nineteenth/od century/nn before/in him/ppo --/-- plus/cc next/ap semester's/nn$ class/nn preparation/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz determined/vbn to/to spend/vb an/at industrious/jj summer/nn ./.
Well/uh ,/, maybe/rb Manas/np wouldn't/md* call/vb ./.
Meredith's/np$ fingers/nns slowed/vbd and/cc stopped/vbd over/in a/at line/nn before/in him/ppo :/: Sie/fw-ppss lacheln/fw-vb ,/, die/fw-at Schwarzen/fw-jj Hexen/fw-nn ./.
The/at menace/nn of/in Manas/np gradually/rb faded/vbd as/cs Meredith/np asked/vbd himself/ppl should/md he/pps translate/vb it/ppo ,/, '/' How/wrb the/at dark/jj fates/nns laughed/vbd '/' ?/. ?/.
Or/cc ,/, more/ql rhythmically/rb ,/, '/' The/at swarthy/jj witches/nns are/ber laughing/vbg '/' ?/. ?/.
And/cc he/pps missed/vbd the/at point/nn that/cs the/at swarthy/jj witches/nns might/md be/be laughing/vbg at/in him/ppo for/in hoping/vbg to/to escape/vb Nicolas/np Manas/np ./.


	But/cc Nicolas/np ,/, too/rb ,/, was/bedz being/beg interrupted/vbn ,/, that/dt morning/nn ./.


	Not/* by/in the/at 11:00/cd sun/nn which/wdt had/hvd spread/vbn a/at warmth/nn around/in his/pp$ spot/nn of/in grass/nn in/in the/at English/jj-tl Gardens/nns-tl and/cc sent/vbd him/ppo off/rp to/to sleep/vb ;/. ;/.
but/cc by/in a/at blond/jj girl/nn in/in a/at sweater/nn and/cc skirt/nn who/wps stood/vbd a/at few/ap yards/nns off/rp and/cc tenderly/rb regarded/vbd him/ppo ./.
Should/md she/pps wake/vb him/ppo ?/. ?/.
She/pps didn't/dod* have/hv the/at heart/nn ./.
Her/pp$ heart/nn ,/, her/pp$ maternal/jj feeling/nn ,/, in/in fact/nn her/pp$ being/nn was/bedz too/ql busy/jj expressing/vbg itself/ppl ,/, as/cs quietly/rb thrilled/vbn by/in this/dt sight/nn of/in her/pp$ Nicolas/np curled/vbd asleep/rb under/in a/at blanket/nn ,/, in/in a/at park/nn like/cs a/at scene/nn from/in Poussin/np ./.
She/pps was/bedz just/rb not/* able/jj to/to break/vb the/at spell/nn ./.
(/( Would/md she/pps have/hv been/ben able/jj to/to had/hvd she/pps known/vbn that/cs the/at blanket/nn belonged/vbd to/in a/at young/jj ballet/nn dancer/nn Nicolas/np had/hvd found/vbn his/pp$ first/od night/nn in/in one/cd of/in Walter's/np$ marked/vbn bars/nns ?/. ?/.
Nicolas/np :/: ``/`` Look/vb ,/, Nicolas/np doesn't/doz* go/vb to/in bed/nn with/in boys/nns --/-- no/at sex/nn ,/, see/vb ?/. ?/.
So/rb if/cs all/abn these/dts beers/nns was/bedz to/to get/vb me/ppo in/in bed/nn ,/, man/nn ,/, you/ppss just/rb spent/vbd a/at lot/nn of/in money/nn ''/'' ./.
Ballet/nn dancer/nn :/: Protests/nns ,/, tears/nns ,/, and/cc ``/`` take/vb what/wdt you/ppss want/vb ,/, Nicolas/np ,/, I/ppss am/bem a/at dancer/nn ,/, you/ppss are/ber a/at poet/nn ,/, it/pps is/bez all/abn beautiful/jj ''/'' ./.
To/in this/dt meek/jj conjugation/nn Nicolas/np had/hvd replied/vbn ,/, ``/`` O.K./uh I/ppss can/md use/vb this/dt blanket/nn ./.
And/cc when/wrb you/ppss get/vb off/in this/dt job/nn tonight/nr ,/, well/uh ,/, you/ppss can/md gimme/vb+ppo something/pn to/to eat/vb ''/'' ./.
And/cc ,/, as/cs a/at matter/nn of/in fact/nn ,/, Nicolas/np had/hvd slept/vbn in/in the/at park/nn only/rb part/nn of/in one/cd night/nn ,/, when/wrb he/pps discovered/vbd that/cs Munich's/np$ early/jj mornings/nns even/rb in/in summer/nn are/ber laden/jj with/in dew/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd always/rb known/vbn how/wrb to/to find/vb a/at bed/nn ,/, and/cc on/in his/pp$ own/jj terms/nns ./.
He/pps used/vbd the/at blanket/nn for/in late/jj morning/nn naps/nns when/wrb hosts/nns of/in the/at night/nn had/hvd gone/vbn off/rp to/in jobs/nns and/cc proved/vbd reluctant/jj to/to leave/vb him/ppo in/in their/pp$ small/jj rooms/nns with/in their/pp$ few/ap possessions/nns ./.
Mary/np Jane/np Lerner/np knew/vbd none/pn of/in this/dt ./.
)/) Her/pp$ Nicolas/np lay/vb curled/vbn in/in the/at sun/nn like/cs a/at fawn/nn ,/, black/jj hair/nn falling/vbg over/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz telling/vbg herself/ppl that/cs this/dt might/nn just/rb be/be her/pp$ reward/nn at/in the/at end/nn of/in a/at long/jj meaningful/jj search/nn for/in truth/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz surely/rb a/at reunion/nn in/in art/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz all/abn that/dt poetry/nn promised/vbd ./.


	That/dt long/jj night/nn with/in Nicolas/np and/cc marijuana/nn in/in Venice/np had/hvd opened/vbn her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
His/pp$ advice/nn ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn saying/vbg his/pp$ poems/nns ,/, the/at fact/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd not/* so/ql much/rb as/cs touched/vbd her/ppo --/-- on/in the/at contrary/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd put/vbn his/pp$ head/nn back/rb and/cc she/pps had/hvd stroked/vbn his/pp$ hair/nn --/-- this/dt was/bedz all/abn new/jj ./.
Her/pp$ eyes/nns had/hvd opened/vbn ,/, she/pps had/hvd caught/vbn a/at glimpse/nn of/in a/at new/jj faith/nn ./.


	The/at next/ap day/nn he/pps was/bedz gone/vbn ./.


	Mary/np Jane/np might/md not/* be/be the/at most/ql intelligent/jj woman/nn ,/, but/cc she/pps was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at most/ql determined/vbn ./.
Even/rb so/rb ,/, it/pps took/vbd her/ppo several/ap days/nns to/to force/vb Walter/np to/to tell/vb her/ppo Nicolas's/np$ whereabouts/nn ./.
Packing/vbg a/at small/jj suitcase/nn ,/, informing/vbg her/pp$ husband/nn whom/wpo she/pps found/vbd in/in Harry's/np$-tl Bar/nn-tl that/cs she/pps was/bedz taking/vbg a/at train/nn to/in Germany/np to/to get/vb away/rb for/in a/at while/nn ,/, patting/vbg his/pp$ arm/nn ,/, refusing/vbg a/at drink/nn ,/, getting/vbg on/in the/at train/nn --/-- all/abn this/dt had/hvd only/rb taken/vbn her/ppo two/cd hours/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd arrived/vbn this/dt morning/nn and/cc come/vbn straight/rb to/in the/at English/jj-tl Gardens/nns-tl ./.
``/`` Dear/jj girl/nn ''/'' ,/, Walter/np had/hvd finally/rb said/vbn ,/, ``/`` he/pps writes/vbz me/ppo that/cs he/pps is/bez sleeping/vbg in/in the/at English/jj-tl Gardens/nns-tl ''/'' ./.
``/`` How/wrb like/jj him/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Mary/np Jane/np had/hvd smilingly/rb said/vbn ./.
``/`` His/pp$ address/nn ''/'' ,/, Walter/np added/vbd ,/, ``/`` is/bez that/dt great/jj foundling/nn home/nr ,/, the/at American/jj-tl Express/nn-tl ./.
And/cc I/ppss will/md greatly/rb appreciate/vb it/ppo if/cs you/ppss will/md not/* tell/vb your/pp$ husband/nn ./.
''/'' For/in the/at last/ap half/abn hour/nn Mary/np Jane/np had/hvd criss-crossed/vbn half/abn the/at length/nn of/in the/at Gardens/nns-tl and/cc ,/, at/in last/ap ,/, come/vbn upon/in her/pp$ knight/nn ./.
His/pp$ presence/nn there/rb ,/, asleep/rb in/in the/at grass/nn ,/, confirmed/vbd all/abn that/cs Mary/np Jane/np believed/vbd it/pps was/bedz in/in his/pp$ power/nn to/to teach/vb her/ppo :/: freedom/nn from/in the/at tedium/nn of/in needs/nns such/jj as/cs hotels/nns ,/, the/at meaning/nn of/in nature/nn ,/, how/wrb to/to live/vb ,/, simply/rb ,/, with/in the/at angels/nns ./.


	She/pps set/vbd down/rp her/pp$ suitcase/nn ./.
Should/md she/pps wake/vb him/ppo ?/. ?/.
No/rb ./.
Smiling/vbg ,/, she/pps sat/vbd down/rp on/in the/at suitcase/nn and/cc waited/vbd and/cc watched/vbd ./.


	The/at sun/nn grew/vbd hotter/jjr as/cs it/pps approached/vbd the/at midday/nn ./.
Nicolas/np was/bedz dreaming/vbg he/pps had/hvd his/pp$ head/nn pressed/vbn against/in the/at dashboard/nn of/in a/at speeding/vbg car/nn ./.
He/pps began/vbd sweating/vbg ./.
In/in his/pp$ dream/nn he/pps cried/vbd ,/, ``/`` Slow/vb down/rp ,/, for/in Chrissake/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps half/abn woke/vbd and/cc rolled/vbd over/rp with/in his/pp$ face/nn in/in the/at cooler/jjr grass/nn ./.
His/pp$ nose/nn was/bedz tickled/vbn ./.
He/pps sneezed/vbd ./.
He/pps blew/vbd his/pp$ nose/nn expertly/rb between/in his/pp$ fingers/nns ./.
He/pps spit/vbd ./.
He/pps half/abn sat/vbd up/rp and/cc scratched/vbd at/in the/at hair/nn on/in his/pp$ forehead/nn and/cc then/rb ,/, more/ql vigorously/rb ,/, between/in his/pp$ legs/nns ./.
He/pps belched/vbd ,/, he/pps stretched/vbd ./.


	Mary/np Jane/np got/vbd up/rp ,/, quietly/rb ,/, and/cc walked/vbd away/rb ./.


	Twenty/cd minutes/nns later/rbr she/pps was/bedz at/in the/at desk/nn of/in the/at Grafin's/np$ pension/nn ,/, her/pp$ tears/nns dried/vbn ,/, signing/vbg a/at hotel/nn form/nn and/cc asking/vbg for/in a/at bath/nn ./.


	Mary/np Jane/np belonged/vbd to/in a/at world/nn acquainted/vbn with/in small/jj attractive/jj hotels/nns and/cc pensions/nns in/in all/abn the/at major/jj and/cc minor/jj cities/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd retreated/vbn to/in this/dt world/nn ./.
The/at Grafin/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz charmed/vbn by/in her/ppo ,/, told/vbd her/ppo ,/, ``/`` Your/pp$ sister/nn who/wps was/bedz here/rb two/cd years/nns ago/rb has/hvz quite/ql dark/jj hair/nn ./.
Families/nns are/ber very/ql interesting/jj ./.
Nevertheless/rb ,/, there/ex is/bez no/at bath/nn ./.
But/cc a/at young/jj American/np has/hvz a/at bath/nn next/in to/in his/pp$ room/nn and/cc I/ppss shall/md ask/vb him/ppo if/cs you/ppss might/md use/vb it/ppo this/dt once/rb ./.
And/cc then/rb we/ppss shall/md see/vb ./.
''/'' (/( The/at Grafin/np was/bedz partial/jj to/in the/at word/nn shall/md-nc ./.
)/) 

	Meredith/np was/bedz irritated/vbn when/wrb the/at Grafin/np knocked/vbd at/in his/pp$ door/nn and/cc told/vbd him/ppo ,/, ``/`` She/pps is/bez a/at great/jj beauty/nn !/. !/.
Shall/md we/ppss allow/vb her/ppo not/* to/to have/hv a/at bath/nn ?/. ?/.
Actually/rb ,/, she/pps is/bez a/at sad/jj beauty/nn ,/, I/ppss believe/vb ./.
You/ppss shall/md see/vb her/ppo at/in dinner/nn ''/'' ./.
Rather/ql erotically/rb he/pps listened/vbd to/in the/at bath/nn water/nn running/vbg ;/. ;/.
when/wrb it/pps stopped/vbd he/pps began/vbd busily/rb typing/vbg ,/, sitting/vbg up/rp in/in a/at virtuous/jj way/nn ./.
Before/in dinner/nn ,/, he/pps shaved/vbd for/in the/at second/od time/nn that/dt day/nn ./.
A/at thing/nn he/pps did/dod not/* like/vb doing/vbg ,/, generally/rb ./.
Singing/vbg into/in the/at mirror/nn and/cc his/pp$ interested/vbn eyes/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz pleased/vbn to/to note/vb ,/, when/wrb he/pps stripped/vbd for/in his/pp$ own/jj bath/nn ,/, that/cs he/pps still/rb had/hvd the/at best/jjt part/nn of/in his/pp$ Italian/jj sun/nn tan/nn ./.
He/pps flexed/vbd his/pp$ muscles/nns for/in several/ap minutes/nns ,/, got/vbd into/in the/at tub/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb grew/vbd self-conscious/jj of/in splashing/vbg as/cs he/pps washed/vbd ./.


	In/in the/at small/jj gallery/nn used/vbn as/cs the/at guests'/nns$ dining/vbg room/nn ,/, Meredith/np sat/vbd down/rp at/in his/pp$ place/nn and/cc ,/, as/cs always/rb ,/, began/vbd teasing/vbg the/at young/jj waitress/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz asking/vbg had/hvd it/pps been/ben she/pps who/wps left/vbd the/at love/nn note/nn in/in his/pp$ sheets/nns (/( she/pps also/rb served/vbd as/cs maid/nn )/) when/wrb he/pps saw/vbd the/at Grafin/np followed/vbd by/in a/at stately/jj blond/jj girl/nn approaching/vbg his/pp$ table/nn ./.
It/pps would/md be/be literary/jj license/nn calculated/vbn to/to glamorize/vb life/nn to/to say/vb that/cs he/pps ,/, oh/uh ,/, dropped/vbd his/pp$ napkin/nn ,/, so/ql startled/vbn was/bedz he/pps by/in Mary/np Jane's/np$ beauty/nn ./.
Yet/rb he/pps did/dod drop/vb his/pp$ badinage/nn with/in the/at ordinary/jj country/nn girl/nn as/ql much/rb in/in deference/nn to/in the/at Grafin/np as/cs acknowledgement/nn that/cs here/rb ,/, indeed/rb ,/, was/bedz something/pn special/jj ./.
Mary/np Jane/np had/hvd made/vbn very/ql little/ap effort/nn ./.
Above/in a/at dark/jj green/jj skirt/nn she/pps wore/vbd a/at pale/jj green/jj cashmere/nn sweater/nn with/in ,/, as/cs he/pps soon/rb perceived/vbd ,/, no/at brassiere/nn beneath/in ./.
Her/pp$ white/jj blond/jj hair/nn was/bedz clean/jj and/cc brushed/vbn long/jj straight/rb down/rp to/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns ./.
Perhaps/rb her/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed larger/jjr and/cc more/ap of/in a/at summer/nn blue/jj for/in all/abn they/ppss had/hvd seen/vbn and/cc wept/vbn that/dt day/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd touched/vbn her/pp$ face/nn ,/, truly/rb a/at noble/jj and/cc pure/jj face/nn ,/, only/rb with/in a/at lip/nn salve/nn which/wdt made/vbd her/pp$ lips/nns glisten/vb but/cc no/at redder/jjr than/in usual/jj ./.
The/at result/nn was/bedz grace/nn and/cc modesty/nn ./.
As/cs she/pps was/bedz rather/ql tired/vbn this/dt evening/nn ,/, her/pp$ simple/jj ``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo for/in the/at use/nn of/in your/pp$ bath/nn ''/'' --/-- when/wrb she/pps sat/vbd down/rp opposite/in him/ppo --/-- spoken/vbn in/in a/at low/jj voice/nn ,/, came/vbd across/rb with/in coolnesses/nns of/in intelligence/nn and/cc control/nn ./.
Meredith/np began/vbd falling/vbg in/in love/nn ./.


	Soup/nn :/: ``/`` Only/rb this/dt morning/nn ''/'' ;/. ;/.
veal/nn cutlets/nns :/: ``/`` Oh/uh ,/, I/ppss couldn't/md* possibly/rb eat/vb all/abn this/dt ''/'' !/. !/.
;/. ;/.
Wine/nn :/: ``/`` Then/rb you/ppss were/bed typing/vbg poems/nns this/dt afternoon/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
;/. ;/.
Fruit/nn compote/nn :/: ``/`` If/cs you/ppss think/vb I/ppss would/md understand/vb it/ppo ''/'' ;/. ;/.
a/at smile/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt a/at beautiful/jj room/nn ./.
Like/cs as/cs if/cs it/pps were/bed built/vbn of/in books/nns ''/'' ./.


	Having/hvg opened/vbn the/at windows/nns onto/in the/at terrace/nn ,/, lit/vbn the/at fire/nn ,/, translated/vbn the/at motto/nn ,/, Meredith/np grinned/vbd and/cc took/vbd down/rp a/at little/jj triplet/nn of/in books/nns bound/vb together/rb in/in old/jj calfskin/nn ./.
Opening/vbg these/dts he/pps brought/vbd out/rp a/at schnapps/nn bottle/nn and/cc small/jj gold/nn thimble-sized/jj glasses/nns hidden/vbn inside/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb the/at maids/nns tipple/vb in/in the/at afternoon/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Those/dts sweet/jj girls/nns ?/. ?/.
Oh/uh you're/ppss+ber joking/vbg ./.
It/pps tastes/vbz a/at little/ap like/cs poppyseed/nn ./.
What's/wdt+bez its/pp$ name/nn ?/. ?/.
Steinhager/np ''/'' She/pps whispered/vbd Steinhager/np to/in herself/ppl ,/, several/ap times/nns ,/, memorizing/vbg it/ppo ./.
``/`` Would/md you/ppss first/rb read/vb the/at poem/nn aloud/rb to/in me/ppo and/cc then/rb let/vb me/ppo read/vb it/ppo to/in myself/ppl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Meredith's/np$ voice/nn was/bedz always/rb deep/rb ,/, with/in rough/jj bass/nn notes/nns in/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
in/in reading/vbg ,/, on/in platforms/nns ,/, even/rb in/in the/at large/jj auditorium/nn of/in the/at Y.M.H.A./np ,/, Poetry/nn-tl Center/nn-tl nights/nns ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn was/bedz intimate/jj ,/, thoughtful/jj ,/, and/cc a/at trifle/nn shy/jj ./.
His/pp$ new/jj poem/nn ,/, a/at love/nn poem/nn ,/, told/vbd of/in a/at young/jj husband/nn leading/vbg his/pp$ wife/nn upstairs/rb to/in the/at bedroom/nn when/wrb the/at lights/nns in/in the/at house/nn have/hv failed/vbn ./.
The/at husband/nn points/vbz the/at steps/nns out/rp with/in his/pp$ flashlight/nn :/: ``/`` Its/pp$ white/jj stare/nn filling/vbg her/pp$ pale/jj eyes/nns To/in the/at blind/jj brim/nn with/in appetite/nn ,/, Bleaching/vbg her/pp$ hands/nns that/wps grazed/vbd my/pp$ thighs/nns And/cc sent/vbd us/ppo from/in the/at table/nn in/in surprise/nn To/to let/vb the/at dishes/nns soak/vb all/abn night/nn ,/, ''/'' (/( Mary/np Jane/np asked/vbd herself/ppl if/cs Meredith/np was/bedz blushing/vbg at/in this/dt line/nn ,/, or/cc was/bedz it/pps the/at fire/nn ?/. ?/.
)/) But/cc he/pps read/vbd on/rp ./.
In/in the/at bedroom/nn before/cs the/at husband/nn and/cc wife/nn find/vb their/pp$ way/nn to/in the/at bed/nn ,/, the/at lights/nns go/vb on/rp :/: ``/`` In/in dull/jj domestic/jj radiance/nn I/ppss watch/vb her/ppo staring/vbg face/nn ,/, still/ql blind/jj ,/, Start/vb wincing/vbg in/in obedience/nn To/in dirty/jj waters/nns ,/, counters/nns ,/, pots/nns and/cc pans/nns ,/, Waiting/vbg below/in stairs/nns ,/, in/in her/pp$ mind/nn ''/'' ./.
Mary/np Jane/np took/vbd the/at page/nn from/in him/ppo and/cc began/vbd reading/vbg it/ppo ,/, moving/vbg her/pp$ lips/nns with/in the/at words/nns ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, it's/pps+bez that/dt myth/nn ,/, about/in Orpheus/np and/cc What/wdt is/bez her/pp$ name/nn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss can/md never/rb pronounce/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
She/pps repeated/vbd ``/`` Eurydice/np ''/'' ./.
The/at third/od time/nn rather/ql urgently/rb ./.
But/cc with/in her/pp$ hand/nn poem/nn again/rb ./.
She/pps raised/vbd her/ppo face/nn and/cc nodded/vbd ,/, ``/`` It's/pps+bez sweet/jj ,/, and/cc very/ql sad/jj ''/'' ./.
They/ppss discussed/vbd the/at way/nn people/nns never/rb tell/vb each/dt other/ap the/at things/nns on/in their/pp$ minds/nns ./.
They/ppss finished/vbd the/at small/jj bottle/nn of/in Steinhager/np ./.
She/pps confessed/vbd she/pps was/bedz unhappy/jj ,/, he/pps asked/vbd was/bedz it/pps her/pp$ husband/nn ?/. ?/.
She/pps began/vbd to/to explain/vb ,/, ``/`` There/ex was/bedz this/dt poet/nn ,/, in/in Italy/np ''/'' He/pps interrupted/vbd ,/, ``/`` Please/uh don't/do* judge/vb all/abn poets/nns ''/'' ./.
They/ppss smiled/vbd ./.


	At/in her/pp$ door/nn ,/, two/cd or/cc three/cd hours/nns later/rbr ,/, Mary/np Jane/np whispered/vbd ,/, ``/`` Everyone/pn is/bez asleep/rb ''/'' ./.
Kissing/vbg her/ppo he/pps whispered/vbd ,/, several/ap times/nns ,/, ``/`` Eurydice/np ''/'' ./.
The/at third/od time/nn rather/ql urgently/rb ./.
But/cc with/in her/pp$ hand/nn softly/rb on/in his/pp$ cheek/nn for/in a/at last/ap moment/nn ,/, she/pps closed/vbd the/at door/nn and/cc he/pps went/vbd back/rb down/in the/at hall/nn and/cc into/in his/pp$ bed/nn excited/vbn ,/, expectant/jj ,/, and/cc finally/rb faintly/rb grinning/vbg with/in the/at feel/nn of/in her/pp$ hand/nn against/in his/pp$ mouth/nn ./.



	They/ppss were/bed west/nr of/in the/at Sabine/np ,/, but/cc only/ap God/np knew/vbd where/wrb ./.


	For/in three/cd days/nns ,/, their/pp$ stolid/jj oxen/nns had/hvd plodded/vbn up/in a/at blazing/vbg valley/nn as/ql flat/jj and/cc featureless/jj as/cs a/at dead/jj sea/nn ./.
Molten/jj glare/nn singed/vbd their/pp$ eyelids/nns an/at angry/jj crimson/nn ;/. ;/.
suffocating/vbg air/nn sapped/vbd their/pp$ strength/nn and/cc strained/vbd their/pp$ nerves/nns to/in snapping/vbg ;/. ;/.
dust/nn choked/vbd their/pp$ throats/nns and/cc lay/vbd like/cs acid/jj in/in their/pp$ lungs/nns ./.
And/cc the/at valley/nn stretched/vbd endlessly/rb out/rp ahead/rb ,/, scorched/vbn and/cc baked/vbn and/cc writhing/vbg in/in its/pp$ heat/nn ,/, until/cs it/pps vanished/vbd into/in the/at throbbing/vbg wall/nn of/in fiery/jj orange/jj brown/jj haze/nn ./.


	Ben/np Prime/np extended/vbd his/pp$ high-stepped/jj stride/nn until/cs he/pps could/md lay/vb his/pp$ goad/nn across/in the/at noses/nns of/in the/at oxen/nns ./.
``/`` Hoa-whup/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps commanded/vbd from/in his/pp$ raw/jj throat/nn ,/, and/cc felt/vbd the/at pain/nn of/in movement/nn in/in his/pp$ cracked/vbn ,/, black/jj burned/vbn lips/nns ./.


	He/pps removed/vbd his/pp$ hat/nn to/to let/vb the/at trapped/vbn sweat/nn cut/vb rivulets/nns through/in the/at dust/nn film/nn upon/in his/pp$ gaunt/jj face/nn ./.
He/pps spat/vbd ./.
The/at dust-thick/jj saliva/nn came/vbd from/in his/pp$ mouth/nn like/cs balled/vbn cotton/nn ./.
He/pps moved/vbd back/rb to/in the/at wheel/nn and/cc stood/vbd there/rb blowing/vbg ,/, grasping/vbg the/at top/nn of/in a/at spoke/nn to/to still/vb the/at trembling/vbg of/in his/pp$ played-out/jj limbs/nns ./.
The/at burning/vbg air/nn dried/vbd his/pp$ sweat-soaked/jj clothes/nns in/in salt-edged/jj patches/nns ./.


	He/pps cleared/vbd his/pp$ throat/nn and/cc wet/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns ./.
As/ql cheerfully/rb as/ql possible/jj ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Well/uh ,/, I/ppss guess/vb we/ppss could/md all/abn do/do with/in a/at little/ap drink/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps unlashed/vbd the/at dipper/nn and/cc drew/vbd water/nn from/in a/at barrel/nn ./.
They/ppss could/md no/at longer/jjr afford/vb the/at luxury/nn of/in the/at canvas/nn sweat/nn bag/nn that/wps cooled/vbd it/ppo by/in evaporation/nn ./.
The/at water/nn was/bedz warm/jj and/cc stale/jj and/cc had/hvd a/at brackish/jj taste/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz water/nn ./.
Thank/vb the/at Lord/nn-tl ,/, they/ppss still/rb had/hvd water/nn !/. !/.


	He/pps cleansed/vbd his/pp$ mouth/nn with/in a/at small/jj quantity/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd a/at long/jj but/cc carefully/rb controlled/vbn draught/nn ./.
He/pps replenished/vbd the/at dipper/nn and/cc handed/vbd it/ppo to/in his/pp$ young/jj wife/nn riding/vbg the/at hurricane/nn deck/nn ./.
She/pps took/vbd it/ppo grudgingly/rb ,/, her/pp$ dark/jj eyes/nns baleful/jj as/cs they/ppss met/vbd his/pp$$ ./.


	She/pps drank/vbd and/cc pushed/vbd back/rb her/pp$ gingham/nn bonnet/nn to/to wet/vb a/at kerchief/nn and/cc wipe/vb her/pp$ face/nn ./.
She/pps set/vbd the/at dipper/nn on/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at deck/nn ,/, leaving/vbg it/ppo for/in him/ppo to/to stretch/vb after/in it/ppo while/cs she/pps looked/vbd on/rp scornfully/rb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt happens/vbz when/wrb there's/ex+bez no/at more/ap water/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd smolderingly/rb ./.


	She/pps was/bedz like/cs charcoal/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd --/-- dark/jj ,/, opaque/jj ,/, explosive/jj ./.
Her/pp$ thick/jj hair/nn was/bedz the/at color/nn and/cc texture/nn of/in charcoal/nn ./.
Her/pp$ temper/nn sparked/vbd like/cs charcoal/nn when/wrb it/pps first/rb lights/vbz up/rp ./.
And/cc all/abn the/at time/nn ,/, she/pps had/hvd the/at heat/nn of/in hatred/nn in/in her/ppo ,/, like/cs charcoal/nn that/wps is/bez burning/vbg on/in its/pp$ under/jj side/nn ,/, but/cc not/* visibly/rb ./.


	A/at ripple/nn ran/vbd through/in the/at muscles/nns of/in his/pp$ jaws/nns ,/, but/cc he/pps kept/vbd control/nn upon/in his/pp$ voice/nn ./.


	``/`` There/ex must/md be/be some/dti water/nn under/in there/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps tilted/vbd his/pp$ homely/jj face/nn toward/in the/at dry/jj bed/nn of/in the/at river/nn ./.
``/`` We/ppss can/md get/vb it/ppo if/cs we/ppss dig/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd patiently/rb ./.


	``/`` And/cc add/vb fever/nn to/in our/pp$ troubles/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps scoffed/vbd ./.
``/`` Or/cc do/do you/ppss want/vb to/to see/vb if/cs I/ppss can/md stand/vb fever/nn ,/, too/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` We/ppss can/md boil/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	Her/pp$ chin/nn sharpened/vbd ./.
``/`` We're/ppss+ber lost/vbn and/cc burning/vbg up/rp already/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps bit/vbd out/rp tensely/rb ./.
``/`` The/at tires/nns are/ber rattling/vbg on/in the/at wheels/nns now/rb ./.
They'll/ppss+md roll/vb off/rp in/in another/dt day/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at valley/nn like/cs this/dt on/in your/pp$ map/nn ./.
You/ppss don't/do* even/rb know/vb where/wrb we're/ppss+ber headed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hettie/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd as/ql gently/rb as/cs he/pps could/md ,/, ``/`` we're/ppss+ber still/rb headed/vbn west/nr ./.
Somewhere/rb ,/, we'll/ppss+md hit/vb a/at trail/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Somewhere/rb !/. !/.
''/'' She/pps repeated/vbd ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb in/in time/nn to/to make/vb a/at cross/nn and/cc dig/vb our/pp$ graves/nns ''/'' ./.


	His/pp$ wide/jj mouth/nn compressed/vbd ./.
In/in a/at way/nn ,/, he/pps couldn't/md* blame/vb her/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd picked/vbn out/rp this/dt pathless/jj trail/nn ,/, instead/rb of/in the/at common/jj one/pn ,/, in/in a/at moment/nn of/in romantic/jj fancy/nn ,/, to/to give/vb them/ppo privacy/nn on/in their/pp$ honeymoon/nn ./.


	It/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at mistake/nn ,/, but/cc anything/pn would/md have/hv been/ben a/at mistake/nn ,/, as/cs it/pps turned/vbd out/rp ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at roughness/nn and/cc crudity/nn and/cc discomfort/nn of/in the/at trip/nn that/wps had/hvd frightened/vbn her/ppo ./.
She/pps had/hvd hated/vbn the/at whole/jj idea/nn before/cs they/ppss started/vbd ./.
Actually/rb ,/, she/pps had/hvd hated/vbn him/ppo before/cs she/pps ever/rb saw/vbd him/ppo ./.
It/pps had/hvd been/ben five/cd days/nns too/ql late/jj before/cs he/pps learned/vbd that/cs she'd/pps+hvd gone/vbn through/in the/at wedding/nn ceremony/nn in/in a/at semitrance/nn of/in laudanum/nn ,/, administered/vbn by/in her/pp$ mother/nn ./.


	The/at bitterness/nn of/in their/pp$ wedding/nn night/nn still/rb ripped/vbd within/in him/ppo like/cs an/at open/jj wound/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd jumped/vbn away/rb from/in his/pp$ shy/jj touch/nn like/cs a/at cat/nn confronted/vbn by/in a/at sidewinder/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd left/vbn her/ppo inviolate/jj ,/, thinking/vbg familiarity/nn would/md gentle/vb her/ppo in/in time/nn ./.
But/cc each/dt mile/nn westward/rb ,/, she/pps had/hvd hated/vbn him/ppo the/at deeper/rbr ./.


	He/pps stared/vbd at/in the/at dipper/nn ,/, turning/vbg it/ppo over/rp and/cc over/rp in/in his/pp$ wide/jj ,/, calloused/vbn hands/nns ./.
``/`` I/ppss suppose/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps muttered/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss can/md sell/vb the/at outfit/nn for/in enough/ap to/to send/vb you/ppo home/nr to/in your/pp$ folks/nns ,/, once/cs we/ppss find/vb a/at settlement/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* try/vb to/to be/be noble/jj ''/'' !/. !/.
Her/pp$ laugh/nn was/bedz hard/jj ./.
``/`` They/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv sold/vbn me/ppo in/in the/at first/od place/nn if/cs there'd/ex+hvd been/ben food/nn enough/ap to/to go/vb around/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps winced/vbd ./.
``/`` Hettie/np ,/, they/ppss didn't/dod* sell/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd miserably/rb ./.
``/`` They/ppss knew/vbd I/ppss was/bedz a/at good/jj sharecrop/nn farmer/nn back/rb in/in Carolina/np ,/, but/cc out/in West/nr-tl was/bedz a/at chance/nn to/to build/vb a/at real/jj farm/nn of/in our/pp$ own/jj ./.
They/ppss thought/vbd it/pps would/md be/be a/at chance/nn for/in you/ppo to/to make/vb a/at life/nn out/rp where/wrb nobody/pn will/md be/be thought/vbn any/dti better/rbr than/cs the/at next/ap except/in for/in just/rb what's/wdt+bez inside/in of/in them/ppo ./.
Without/in money/nn or/cc property/nn ,/, what/wdt would/md you/ppo have/hv had/hvn at/in Baton/np Rouge/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss might/md have/hv starved/vbn ,/, but/cc at/in least/ap I/ppss wouldn't/md* be/be fried/vbn to/in a/at crisp/nn and/cc soaked/vbn with/in dirt/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	He/pps darkened/vbd under/in his/pp$ heavy/jj burn/nn ./.
His/pp$ blue/jj eyes/nns sought/vbd the/at shimmering/vbg sea/nn of/in haze/nn ahead/rb ./.


	To/in his/pp$ puzzlement/nn ,/, there/ex suddenly/rb was/bedz no/at haze/nn ./.
The/at valley/nn lay/vbd clear/jj ,/, and/cc open/jj to/in the/at eye/nn ,/, right/ql up/rp to/in the/at sharp-limbed/jj line/nn of/in gaunt/jj ,/, scoured/vbn hills/nns that/wps formed/vbd the/at horizon/nn twenty/cd miles/nns ahead/rb ./.




Then/rb he/pps noticed/vbd the/at clouds/nns racing/vbg upon/in them/ppo --/-- heavy/jj ,/, ominous/jj ,/, leaden/jj clouds/nns that/wps formed/vbd even/rb as/cs they/ppss sliced/vbd over/in the/at crests/nns of/in the/at surrounding/vbg hills/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn clouds/nns like/vb them/ppo before/rb ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd the/at primitive/jj feel/nn of/in danger/nn that/wps gripped/vbd a/at man/nn before/in a/at hurricane/nn in/in Carolina/np ./.


	He/pps hollered/vbd hoarsely/rb ,/, ``/`` Hang/vb on/rp ''/'' !/. !/.
And/cc goaded/vbd the/at oxen/nns as/cs he/pps yelled/vbd ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd to/to turn/vb them/ppo ,/, putting/vbg the/at wagon/nn against/in the/at storm/nn ./.
Too/ql late/rb ,/, he/pps realized/vbd that/cs in/in turning/vbg ,/, he/pps had/hvd wheeled/vbn them/ppo onto/in a/at patch/nn of/in sandy/jj ground/nn ,/, instead/rb of/in atop/in a/at grade/nn or/cc ridge/nn ./.


	He/pps swung/vbd up/rp over/in the/at wheel/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss had/hvd better/rbr get/vb inside/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps warned/vbd her/ppo ./.


	But/cc she/pps sat/vbd on/rp in/in stubborn/jj silence/nn ./.


	The/at clouds/nns bulged/vbd downward/rb and/cc burst/vbd suddenly/rb into/in a/at great/jj black/jj funnel/nn ./.
Frozen/vbn ,/, they/ppss stared/vbd at/in it/ppo whirling/vbg down/in the/at valley/nn ,/, gouging/vbg and/cc spitting/vbg out/rp boulders/nns and/cc chunks/nns of/in earth/nn like/cs a/at starving/vbg hound/nn dog/nn cracking/vbg marrowbones/nns ./.
The/at six-ton/jj Conestoga/np began/vbd to/to whip/vb and/cc shake/vb ./.


	Their/pp$ world/nn turned/vbd black/jj ./.
It/pps was/bedz filled/vbn with/in dust/nn and/cc wind/nn and/cc sound/nn and/cc violence/nn ./.
The/at heavens/nns opened/vbd ,/, pelting/vbg them/ppo with/in hail/nn the/at size/nn of/in walnuts/nns ./.
And/cc then/rb came/vbd the/at water/nn --/-- not/* rain/nn ,/, but/cc solid/jj sheets/nns that/wps sluiced/vbd down/rp like/cs water/nn slopping/vbg from/in a/at bucket/nn ./.
Walls/nns of/in water/nn rushed/vbd down/in the/at slopes/nns and/cc filled/vbd the/at hollows/nns like/cs the/at crests/nns of/in flash/nn floods/nns ./.
Through/in the/at splash/nn of/in the/at rising/vbg waters/nns ,/, they/ppss could/md hear/vb the/at roar/nn of/in the/at river/nn as/cs it/pps raged/vbd through/in its/pp$ canyon/nn ,/, gnashing/vbg big/jj chunks/nns out/in of/in the/at banks/nns ./.


	The/at jetting/vbg ,/, frothing/vbg surface/nn of/in the/at river/nn reached/vbd the/at level/nn of/in the/at runoff/nn ./.
The/at dangerous/jj current/nn upon/in the/at prairie/nn ceased/vbd ,/, but/cc the/at water/nn stood/vbd and/cc kept/vbd on/in rising/vbg ./.
They/ppss cringed/vbd under/in sodden/jj covers/nns ,/, listening/vbg to/in the/at waves/nns slop/vb against/in the/at bottom/nn ./.


	The/at cloudburst/nn cut/vbd off/rp abruptly/rb ./.
They/ppss were/bed engulfed/vbn by/in the/at weird/jj silence/nn ,/, broken/vbn only/rb by/in the/at low/jj ,/, angry/jj murmur/nn of/in the/at river/nn ./.
Then/rb the/at darkness/nn thinned/vbd ,/, and/cc there/ex was/bedz light/nn again/rb ,/, and/cc then/rb bright/jj sunlight/nn ./.


	Beaten/vbn with/in fear/nn and/cc sound/nn and/cc wet/jj and/cc chill/nn ,/, they/ppss crawled/vbd to/in the/at hurricane/nn deck/nn and/cc looked/vbd out/rp haggardly/rb at/in a/at world/nn of/in water/nn that/wps reached/vbd clear/rb to/in the/at surrounding/vbg hills/nns ./.
The/at water/nn level/nn was/bedz higher/jjr than/cs their/pp$ hubs/nns ./.
Only/rb the/at heavy/jj bones/nns of/in the/at oxen/nns kept/vbd them/ppo anchored/vbn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at real/jj sign/nn of/in the/at river/nn now/rb ,/, just/rb a/at roiling/vbg ,/, oily/jj ribbon/nn of/in liquid/nn movement/nn through/in muddy/jj waters/nns that/wps reached/vbd everywhere/rb ./.
Clumps/nns of/in brush/nn rode/vbd down/in the/at ribbon/nn ./.
Now/rb and/cc then/rb ,/, the/at glistening/vbg side/nn of/in a/at half-swamped/jj object/nn showed/vbd as/cs it/pps swept/vbd past/rb ./.


	The/at girl/nn crawled/vbd out/rp into/in the/at renewing/vbg warmth/nn of/in the/at sunshine/nn ,/, hugging/vbg her/pp$ shoulders/nns and/cc still/rb trembling/vbg ./.
Her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz pale/jj but/cc set/vbn and/cc her/pp$ dark/jj eyes/nns smoldered/vbd with/in blame/nn for/in Ben/np ./.


	Out/in of/in compulsion/nn to/to say/vb something/pn cheery/jj ,/, Ben/np Prime/np blurted/vbd ,/, ``/`` Well/uh ,/, we/ppss were/bed lucky/jj to/to be/be on/in soft/jj ground/nn when/wrb the/at first/od floodheads/nns hit/vb ./.
At/in least/ap ,/, the/at wheels/nns dug/vbd in/rp ./.
The/at soaking/nn will/md put/vb life/nn back/rb in/in the/at wagon/nn ,/, too/rb ''/'' ./.


	His/pp$ wife/nn didn't/dod* give/vb a/at sign/nn she'd/pps+hvd heard/vbn ./.
She/pps was/bedz watching/vbg a/at tree/nn ride/nn wildly/rb down/in that/dt roiling/vbg current/nn ./.
Somebody/pn was/bedz riding/vbg the/at tree/nn ./.
It/pps raced/vbd closer/rbr and/cc they/ppss could/md see/vb a/at woman/nn with/in white/jj hair/nn ,/, sitting/vbg astride/in an/at upright/nn branch/nn ./.


	She/pps did/dod not/* call/vb out/rp ./.
But/cc as/cs the/at tree/nn passed/vbd ,/, she/pps lifted/vbd an/at arm/nn in/in gesture/nn of/in better/jjr luck/nn and/cc farewell/nn ./.
They/ppss watched/vbd the/at tree/nn until/cs it/pps twisted/vbd sharply/rb on/in a/at bend/nn ./.
It/pps speared/vbd up/rp into/in the/at air/nn ,/, then/rb sinking/vbg back/rb ,/, the/at up-jutting/jj branch/nn turned/vbd slowly/rb ./.
The/at pale/jj blob/nn of/in the/at woman/nn disappeared/vbd ./.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez the/at one/pn who's/wps+bez lucky/jj ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at girl/nn murmured/vbd harshly/rb ./.


	Ben's/np$ eyes/nns strained/vbd with/in the/at bitter/jj hurt/nn ,/, his/pp$ homely/jj face/nn slashed/vbn with/in gray/jj and/cc crimson/jj ./.
Then/rb he/pps took/vbd off/rp his/pp$ wet/jj boots/nns and/cc dropped/vbd down/rp into/in the/at water/nn to/to talk/vb with/in the/at beasts/nns ,/, needing/vbg their/pp$ comfort/nn more/rbr than/cs they/ppss needed/vbd his/pp$$ ./.


	It/pps was/bedz nearly/rb sundown/nn and/cc he/pps went/vbd to/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at wagon/nn ,/, half-swimming/jj his/pp$ way/nn ,/, for/cs he/pps was/bedz not/* a/at tall/jj man/nn ./.
He/pps let/vbd down/rp the/at tailgate/nn and/cc was/bedz knocked/vbn over/rp by/in the/at sluice/nn of/in water/nn ./.


	He/pps sputtered/vbd back/rb to/in his/pp$ feet/nns and/cc scrambled/vbd madly/rb to/to pull/vb his/pp$ bags/nns of/in seed/nn grain/nn forward/rb ./.
They/ppss were/bed already/rb swollen/jj to/in bursting/vbg ./.
Of/in all/abn their/pp$ worldly/jj belongings/nns ,/, next/in to/in the/at oxen/nns and/cc his/pp$ gun/nn ,/, the/at seed/nn grain/nn had/hvd been/ben the/at most/ql treasured/vbn ./.
It/pps was/bedz spoiled/vbn now/rb for/in seed/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps would/md sour/vb and/cc mold/vb in/in three/cd days/nns if/cs they/ppss failed/vbd to/to find/vb a/at place/nn and/cc fuel/nn to/to dry/vb it/ppo ./.
The/at oxen/nns might/md as/ql well/rb enjoy/vb it/ppo ./.


	He/pps examined/vbd the/at water/nn marks/nns on/in the/at iron/nn tires/nns when/wrb the/at animals/nns were/bed finished/vbn ./.
The/at waters/nns lay/vb muddy/jj but/cc placid/jj ,/, without/in a/at ripple/nn of/in movement/nn against/in the/at wheels/nns ;/. ;/.
there/ex was/bedz not/* a/at match-width/nn of/in damp/jj mark/nn to/to show/vb they/ppss were/bed receding/vbg ./.


	He/pps doubted/vbd if/cs a/at man/nn could/md wade/vb as/ql far/rb as/cs the/at desolate/jj ,/, dry/jj hills/nns that/wps rimmed/vbd the/at valley/nn ./.
A/at terrible/jj ,/, numbing/vbg sense/nn of/in futility/nn swept/vbd over/in him/ppo ./.


	He/pps gripped/vbd the/at wheel/nn hard/rb to/to fight/vb the/at despondency/nn of/in defeat/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps noticed/vbd that/cs the/at dry/jj wood/nn of/in the/at wheels/nns had/hvd swollen/vbn ./.
The/at spokes/nns were/bed tight/jj again/rb ,/, the/at iron/nn tires/nns gripped/vbd onto/in the/at wheels/nns as/cs if/cs of/in one/cd piece/nn ./.


	Hope/nn surged/vbd within/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps swung/vbd toward/in the/at front/nn to/to give/vb the/at news/nn to/in Hettie/np ,/, then/rb stopped/vbd ,/, barred/vbn from/in her/ppo by/in the/at vehemence/nn of/in her/pp$ blame/nn and/cc hate/nn ./.
Still/rb ,/, he/pps felt/vbd better/rbr ./.
A/at tight/jj wagon/nn meant/vbd so/ql much/ap ./.




He/pps got/vbd a/at small/jj fire/nn started/vbn and/cc put/vbd on/rp bacon/nn and/cc coffee/nn ./.
He/pps poured/vbd the/at water/nn off/in the/at sourdough/nn and/cc off/in the/at flour/nn ,/, salvaging/vbg the/at chunky/jj ,/, watery/jj messes/nns for/in biscuits/nns of/in a/at sort/nn ./.
Their/pp$ jams/nns and/cc jellies/nns had/hvd not/* suffered/vbn ./.
He/pps found/vbd a/at jar/nn of/in preserved/vbn tomatoes/nns and/cc one/cd of/in eggs/nns that/cs they/ppss had/hvd meant/vbn to/to save/vb ./.
Now/rb he/pps broke/vbd them/ppo open/rb ,/, hoping/vbg a/at good/jj meal/nn might/md lessen/vb this/dt depression/nn crushing/vbg Hettie/np ./.


	His/pp$ long/jj nose/nn wiggled/vbd at/in the/at smells/nns of/in frizzling/vbg bacon/nn and/cc heating/vbg java/nn ,/, but/cc the/at fire/nn was/bedz low/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps wanted/vbd to/to waste/vb no/at time/nn ./.
He/pps furled/vbd the/at slashed/vbn sides/nns of/in the/at canvas/nn tarpaulins/nns ,/, leaving/vbg the/at ribs/nns and/cc wagon/nn open/jj ./.


	He/pps looked/vbd thoughtfully/rb at/in his/pp$ wife's/nn$ trunk/nn ,/, holding/vbg her/pp$ meager/jj treasures/nns ./.
He/pps said/vbd hesitantly/rb ,/, ``/`` Hettie/np ,/, I/ppss don't/do* figure/vb your/pp$ things/nns got/vbd wet/jj too/ql much/rb ./.
That's/dt+bez a/at good/jj trunk/nn ./.
If/cs you/ppss want/vb to/to get/vb them/ppo aired/vbn ''/'' 

	She/pps said/vbd without/in turning/vbg her/pp$ head/nn ,/, ``/`` After/cs that/dt rain/nn beating/vbg in/in atop/rb the/at dust/nn ,/, there/ex isn't/bez* a/at thing/nn that/dt won't/md* be/be streaked/vbn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps drew/vbd a/at long/jj breath/nn and/cc opened/vbd the/at trunk/nn and/cc hung/vbd out/rp her/pp$ clothes/nns and/cc spoilables/nns upon/in the/at wagon/nn ribs/nns ./.



	Sulphur/nn ,/, oil/nn ,/, and/cc copra/nn make/vb the/at kind/nn of/in tinder/nn any/dti firebug/nn dreams/vbz of/in ./.
I/ppss suppose/vb a/at Lascar/np sailor/nn had/hvd sneaked/vbn a/at cigarette/nn in/in the/at hold/nn and/cc touched/vbd off/rp the/at blaze/nn ./.
Now/rb ,/, roaring/vbg up/rp in/in great/jj oily/jj clouds/nns of/in smoke/nn and/cc flames/nns ,/, the/at fierce/jj heat/nn quickly/rb drove/vbd us/ppo to/in the/at stern/nn where/wrb we/ppss huddled/vbd like/cs suffocating/vbg sheep/nn ,/, not/* knowing/vbg what/wdt to/to do/do ./.


	The/at lifeboats/nns were/bed stuck/vbn fast/rb ./.
We/ppss couldn't/md* budge/vb them/ppo ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd a/at cry/nn from/in a/at stoker/nn as/cs a/at pillar/nn of/in flame/nn leaped/vbd from/in a/at hatch/nn and/cc tongued/vbd the/at man's/nn$ bare/jj back/nn ./.
He/pps sprinted/vbd to/in the/at rail/nn and/cc leaped/vbd overboard/rb into/in the/at shark-infested/jj waters/nns ./.


	One/cd especially/rb bad/jj detonation/nn shook/vbd Lifeboat/nn-tl No./nn-tl 3/cd-tl which/wdt trembled/vbd violently/rb in/in the/at davits/nns ./.
Brassnose/np yelled/vbd :/: ``/`` Come/vb on/rp ,/, Sommers/np ,/, Max/np step/vb on/in it/ppo ,/, we/ppss got/vbd a/at chance/nn now/rb ./.
Heave/vb on/in those/dts ropes/nns ;/. ;/.
the/at boat's/nn+hvz come/vbn unstuck/jj ''/'' ./.


	We/ppss pulled/vbd and/cc swore/vbd and/cc yanked/vbd and/cc wept/vbd ,/, scraping/vbg our/pp$ hands/nns until/cs they/ppss bled/vbd profusely/rb ./.
The/at Bonaventure/np was/bedz quivering/vbg and/cc lurching/vbg like/cs an/at old/jj spavined/jj mare/nn ./.
Her/pp$ stern/nn was/bedz down/rp and/cc a/at sharp/jj list/nn helped/vbd us/ppo to/to cut/vb loose/jj the/at lifeboat/nn which/wdt dropped/vbd heavily/rb into/in the/at water/nn ./.


	Brassnose/np ,/, Max/np and/cc I/ppss leaped/vbd into/in the/at sea/nn and/cc swam/vbd to/in the/at boat/nn ./.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo get/vb away/rb fast/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Brassnose/np ,/, shaking/vbg water/nn from/in his/pp$ mop/nn of/in bleached/vbn hair/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt tub/nn is/bez going/vbg to/to explode/vb all/abn at/in once/rb ''/'' ./.


	Then/rb the/at Bonaventure/np seemed/vbd to/to disintegrate/vb with/in a/at roar/nn of/in live/jj steam/nn ,/, geysers/nns of/in sparks/nns and/cc flames/nns ,/, and/cc a/at dense/jj cloud/nn of/in black-and-orange/jj smoke/nn ./.
Dimly/rb ,/, we/ppss heard/vbd the/at voices/nns of/in men/nns in/in mortal/jj agony/nn but/cc we/ppss couldn't/md* go/vb back/rb into/in that/dt inferno/nn ./.


	Already/rb our/pp$ leaky/jj lifeboat/nn was/bedz filled/vbn with/in five/cd inches/nns of/in water/nn ./.
``/`` Sommers/np ,/, you/ppss bale/nn while/cs we/ppss row/vb ''/'' ,/, Brassnose/np commanded/vbd ./.


	As/ql best/rbt as/cs I/ppss could/md determine/vb ,/, we/ppss were/bed some/dti 700/cd miles/nns west/nr of/in New/jj-tl Guinea/np-tl ,/, in/in the/at Bismark/np-tl Archipelago/nn-tl ./.
Three/cd days/nns previously/rb ,/, we/ppss had/hvd steamed/vbn past/in barren/jj Rennell/np-tl Island/nn-tl in/in the/at distance/nn ./.
Now/rb we/ppss peered/vbd anxiously/rb for/in any/dti speck/nn of/in land/nn in/in the/at Pacific/np ,/, for/cs this/dt interminable/jj bailing/nn would/md have/hv to/to stop/vb soon/rb ./.
There/ex were/bed gigantic/jj blisters/nns and/cc rope/nn burns/nns on/in our/pp$ hands/nns ;/. ;/.
our/pp$ muscles/nns were/bed hot/jj wires/nns of/in pain/nn ./.


	Brassnose/np was/bedz strangely/rb silent/jj ./.
The/at big/jj man/nn with/in the/at whitened/vbn hair/nn murmured/vbd something/pn :/: his/pp$ words/nns sounded/vbd as/cs if/cs they/ppss were/bed in/in the/at Manu/np tongue/nn ,/, which/wdt I/ppss recognized/vbd ,/, having/hvg studied/vbn the/at dialect/nn in/in my/pp$ Anthropology/nn-tl 6/cd-tl ,/, class/nn at/in the/at University/nn-tl of/in-tl Chicago/np-tl ./.


	He/pps then/rb said/vbd something/pn which/wdt struck/vbd a/at chord/nn in/in my/pp$ memory/nn ./.


	``/`` God/np help/vb us/ppo if/cs we're/ppss+ber near/in the/at island/nn of/in Eromonga/np ./.
We'd/ppss+md be/be in/in real/jj trouble/nn then/rb ./.
I'd/ppss+md rather/rb keep/vb bailing/vbg --/-- or/cc sink/vb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz puzzled/vbn by/in the/at remark/nn ,/, then/rb I/ppss recalled/vbd the/at voice/nn of/in mild/jj Professor/nn-tl Howard/np Griggs/np three/cd years/nns ago/rb in/in a/at university/nn lecture/nn on/in primitive/jj societies/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben speaking/vbg of/in this/dt archipelago/nn :/: 

	``/`` Even/rb when/wrb the/at islands/nns were/bed under/in German/jj mandate/nn before/in World/nn-tl War/nn-tl 1/cd-tl ,/, ,/, Europeans/nps gave/vbd Eromonga/np a/at wide/jj berth/nn ./.
The/at place/nn is/bez inhabited/vbn by/in several/ap hundred/cd warlike/jj women/nns who/wps are/ber anachronisms/nns of/in the/at Twentieth/od-tl Century/nn-tl --/-- stone/nn age/nn amazons/nns who/wps live/vb in/in an/at all-female/jj ,/, matriarchal/jj society/nn which/wdt is/bez self-sufficient/jj ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss remembered/vbd ,/, too/rb ,/, the/at jesting/vbg voice/nn of/in a/at classmate/nn ,/, Bobby/np Pauson/np :/: ``/`` But/cc how/wrb do/do they/ppss reproduce/vb ,/, Dr./nn-tl Griggs/np ?/. ?/.
I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj that/cs males/nns have/hv something/pn to/to do/do with/in that/dt process/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	There/ex had/hvd been/ben classroom/nn guffaws/nns which/wdt quickly/rb subsided/vbd as/cs Professor/nn-tl Griggs/np said/vbd dryly/rb :/: ``/`` I/ppss see/vb your/pp$ point/nn ,/, Pauson/np ./.
Of/in course/nn ,/, males/nns play/vb a/at role/nn there/rb ,/, but/cc believe/vb me/ppo when/wrb I/ppss say/vb you/ppss wouldn't/md* enjoy/vb yourself/ppl one/cd bit/nn on/in Eromonga/np ./.
Indeed/rb ,/, you/ppss wouldn't/md* live/vb long/jj ,/, for/cs the/at females/nns either/cc drive/vb the/at men/nns they've/ppss+hv seized/vbn from/in neighboring/vbg islands/nns back/vb to/in their/pp$ boats/nns after/cs exploiting/vbg them/ppo for/in amatory/jj purposes/nns ,/, or/cc they/ppss destroy/vb them/ppo by/in revolting/jj but/cc ingenious/jj methods/nns ./.
In/in fact/nn ,/, one/cd important/jj aspect/nn of/in their/pp$ very/ap religion/nn is/bez the/at annihilation/nn of/in men/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss think/vb I/ppss know/vb what/wdt you/ppss mean/vb ,/, Brassnose/np ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb something/pn about/in Eromonga/np ./.
Let's/vb+ppo hope/vb we/ppss come/vb to/in a/at safer/jjr place/nn ''/'' ./.


	But/cc we/ppss didn't/dod* ./.
Three/cd hours/nns later/rbr ,/, while/cs we/ppss were/bed bailing/vbg desperately/rb ,/, a/at dot/nn of/in land/nn came/vbd into/in view/nn ./.
Foster/np Lukuklu/np Frayne/np made/vbd a/at sign/nn over/in his/pp$ heart/nn with/in his/pp$ two/cd linked/vbn thumbs/nns :/: I/ppss recognized/vbd it/ppo as/cs an/at ancient/jj Manu/np gesture/nn intended/vbn to/to propitiate/vb the/at Devil/nn-tl ./.


	A/at half-hour/nn passed/vbd ;/. ;/.
we/ppss had/hvd drifted/vbn closer/rbr ./.
In/in a/at voice/nn so/ql frightened/vbn as/cs to/to seem/vb not/* his/pp$ own/jj ,/, the/at big/jj bo'sun's/nn$ mate/nn quavered/vbd :/: 

	``/`` Tchalo/fw-uh !/. !/.
It/pps is/bez Eromonga/np --/-- look/vb hard/rb ,/, you/ppss can/md see/vb with/in your/pp$ naked/jj eye/nn the/at wooden/jj scaffolding/nn on/in the/at cliff/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss squinted/vbd at/in the/at looming/vbg shoreline/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at wooden/jj tower/nn or/cc derrick/nn there/rb ,/, something/pn like/cs a/at ski/nn jump/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz perhaps/rb 80/cd feet/nns high/jj and/cc had/hvd been/ben artfully/rb constructed/vbn of/in logs/nns ./.
A/at fine/jj example/nn of/in engineering/vbg in/in a/at primitive/jj society/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez the/at scaffolding/nn for/in ,/, Brassnose/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps made/vbd a/at sound/nn of/in despair/nn deep/rb in/in his/pp$ throat/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz embarrassing/vbg to/to see/vb strapping/jj ,/, blonde/jj Brassnose/np comport/vb himself/ppl like/cs a/at child/nn who/wps talks/vbz about/in bogeymen/nns ./.


	``/`` Aaa-ee/uh !/. !/.
It/pps is/bez their/pp$ tultul/fw-nn ,/, the/at '/' jumping/vbg platform/nn '/' of/in death/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez the/at last/nn of/in the/at three/cd tests/nns of/in manhood/nn which/wdt the/at women/nns impose/vb ,/, to/to discover/vb if/cs a/at male/nn is/bez worthy/jj of/in survival/nn there/rb ./.
Often/rb ,/, I/ppss heard/vbd my/pp$ uncles/nns and/cc cousins/nns speak/vb of/in it/ppo when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz a/at small/jj boy/nn growing/vbg up/rp in/in Rabaul/np ./.
They/ppss had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn a/at tultul/fw-nn but/cc they/ppss had/hvd heard/vbn about/in it/ppo from/in their/pp$ fathers/nns ''/'' ./.


	Our/pp$ lifeboat/nn was/bedz filling/vbg rapidly/rb and/cc despite/in what/wdt I/ppss had/hvd heard/vbn of/in the/at inhabitants/nns of/in Eromonga/np ,/, I/ppss was/bedz glad/jj to/to see/vb a/at long/jj and/cc graceful/jj outrigger/nn manned/vbn by/in three/cd bronzed/vbn girls/nns glide/vb out/in of/in a/at lagoon/nn into/in the/at open/jj sea/nn and/cc toward/in our/pp$ craft/nn ./.


	I/ppss expected/vbd Brassnose/np --/-- as/cs a/at man/nn with/in a/at strain/nn of/in Melanesian/np in/in his/pp$ blood/nn --/-- to/to speak/vb to/in them/ppo ./.
But/cc he/pps had/hvd turned/vbn a/at sickly/jj green/jj and/cc appeared/vbd tongue-tied/jj or/cc panicked/vbd ./.


	So/cs ,/, I/ppss mustered/vbd my/pp$ few/ap words/nns of/in the/at Manu/np dialect/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` We/ppss greet/vb you/ppo in/in peace/nn ./.
In/in ngandlu/fw-nn ./.
My/pp$ friends/nns and/cc I/ppss come/vb from/in a/at ship/nn which/wdt was/bedz destroyed/vbn by/in fire/nn ./.
We/ppss are/ber thirsty/jj and/cc hungry/jj ;/. ;/.
our/pp$ sore/jj and/cc burned/vbn hands/nns and/cc arms/nns need/vb attention/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at girl/nn in/in the/at prow/nn of/in the/at outrigger/nn turned/vbd a/at smile/nn like/cs a/at beacon/nn on/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss noted/vbd that/cs her/pp$ full/jj breasts/nns were/bed bare/jj and/cc that/cs she/pps wore/vbd a/at garland/nn of/in red/jj pandanus/nn fruit/nn in/in her/pp$ blue-black/jj hair/nn ./.


	She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` My/pp$ name/nn is/bez Songau/np and/cc these/dts girls/nns are/ber Ponkob/np and/cc Piwen/np ./.
You/ppss are/ber welcome/jj to/in Eromonga/np ./.
My/pp$ people/nns await/vb you/ppo on/in the/at shore/nn ./.
You/ppss shall/md have/hv food/nn ,/, water/nn and/cc rest/nn ''/'' ./.


	Thirty/cd minutes/nns later/rbr ,/, the/at outrigger/nn grated/vbd on/in sand/nn and/cc other/ap girls/nns ,/, waiting/vbg on/in shore/nn ,/, rushed/vbd forward/rb to/to pull/vb it/ppo up/rp on/in the/at beach/nn and/cc make/vb it/ppo fast/rb with/in vine/nn ropes/nns to/in a/at large/jj boulder/nn ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd a/at dozen/nn or/cc so/rb other/ap outriggers/nns moored/vbd there/rb ./.


	I/ppss looked/vbd ./.
All/abn my/pp$ rosy/jj visions/nns of/in rest/nn and/cc even/rb pleasure/nn on/in this/dt island/nn vanished/vbd at/in the/at sight/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at mound/nn of/in bleached/vbn human/nn bones/nns and/cc skulls/nns at/in the/at base/nn of/in the/at big/jj wooden/jj derrick/nn ./.
Some/dti had/hvd been/ben there/rb for/in years/nns ;/. ;/.
others/nns still/rb had/hvd whitened/vbn shreds/nns of/in decayed/vbn flesh/nn sticking/vbg to/in them/ppo ./.


	There/ex was/bedz one/cd object/nn which/wdt sickened/vbd yet/rb fascinated/vbd me/ppo ./.
This/dt was/bedz also/rb a/at corpse/nn --/-- a/at male/nn ,/, judging/vbg from/in the/at coral/nn arm/nn bands/nns ,/, the/at tribal/jj scars/nns still/rb discernible/jj on/in the/at maggoty/jj face/nn ,/, the/at painted/vbn bone/nn of/in the/at warrior/nn caste/nn which/wdt still/rb pierced/vbd the/at septum/nn of/in the/at rotting/vbg nose/nn ./.


	The/at body/nn may/md have/hv been/ben two/cd or/cc three/cd weeks'/nns$ dead/jj ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd with/in revulsion/nn at/in the/at legs/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed shattered/vbn ./.
Many/ap small/jj bones/nns protruded/vbd crazily/rb from/in the/at shreds/nns of/in flesh/nn ./.
The/at man/nn must/md have/hv leaped/vbn to/in his/pp$ death/nn from/in the/at topmost/jjs rung/nn of/in the/at tultul/fw-nn ./.


	As/cs if/cs divining/vbg my/pp$ thoughts/nns ,/, the/at girl/nn Songau/np smiled/vbd warmly/rb and/cc said/vbd in/in the/at casual/jj tone/nn an/at American/jj woman/nn might/md use/vb in/in describing/vbg her/pp$ rose/nn garden/nn :/: 

	``/`` This/dt is/bez our/pp$ tultul/fw-nn ,/, a/at jumping/vbg platform/nn ,/, aku/nn ./.
Later/rbr ,/, you/ppss shall/md know/vb it/ppo better/rbr ./.
Is/bez it/pps not/* well-made/jj ?/. ?/.
Our/pp$ old/jj one/pn blew/vbd down/rp in/in a/at storm/nn at/in the/at time/nn of/in the/at pokeneu/fw-nn festival/nn fifteen/cd moons/nns ago/rb ./.
It/pps took/vbd thirty/cd of/in our/pp$ women/nns almost/rb six/cd moons/nns to/to build/vb this/dt one/pn ,/, which/wdt is/bez higher/jjr and/cc-tl stronger/jjr than/cs the/at old/jj one/pn ./.
We/ppss are/ber very/ql proud/jj of/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss have/hv every/at right/nn to/to be/be ''/'' ,/, I/ppss replied/vbd gravely/rb in/in the/at Manu/np dialect/nn ,/, but/cc my/pp$ attention/nn was/bedz fixed/vbn on/in Brassnose/np ,/, the/at biggest/jjt and/cc strongest/jjt of/in us/ppo ./.
He/pps looked/vbd as/cs if/cs he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to keel/vb over/rp ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd a/at queasiness/nn in/in my/pp$ own/jj stomach/nn but/cc it/pps wouldn't/md* do/do to/to show/vb these/dts girls/nns that/cs we/ppss were/bed afraid/jj ./.
Not/* so/ql soon/rb ,/, anyway/rb ./.


	I/ppss clapped/vbd the/at big/jj man/nn with/in the/at bleached/vbn hair/nn on/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn and/cc said/vbd heartily/rb ,/, hoping/vbg it/pps would/md make/vb an/at impression/nn on/in the/at women/nns :/: ``/`` This/dt one/cd is/bez the/at maku/fw-nn Frayne/np ./.
He/pps speaks/vbz your/pp$ language/nn too/rb ,/, for/cs he/pps is/bez the/at grandson/nn of/in a/at chieftain/nn on/in Taui/np who/wps made/vbd much/ap magic/nn and/cc was/bedz strong/jj and/cc cunning/jj ./.
The/at maku/fw-nn Frayne/np has/hvz inherited/vbn this/dt strength/nn from/in his/pp$ grandfather/nn ''/'' ./.


	This/dt was/bedz the/at worst/jjt thing/nn I/ppss could/md have/hv said/vbn ./.
Brassnose/np turned/vbd a/at stricken/vbn face/nn toward/in me/ppo and/cc said/vbd brokenly/rb ,/, ``/`` Sommers/np ,/, you/ppss meddling/vbg Yank/np ,/, you're/ppss+ber a/at fool/nn !/. !/.
They/ppss despise/vb males/nns who/wps brag/vb of/in their/pp$ strength/nn ;/. ;/.
they/ppss destroy/vb such/jj men/nns with/in their/pp$ damned/vbn tests/nns ./.
You've/ppss+hv ruined/vbn me/ppo ,/, blast/vb you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	At/in first/rb ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps was/bedz out/in of/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, talking/vbg wildly/rb like/cs this/dt ./.
But/cc a/at glance/nn at/in Songau/np and/cc the/at other/ap women/nns confirmed/vbd what/wdt Brassnose/np had/hvd blurted/vbn out/rp ./.


	The/at women's/nns$ faces/nns had/hvd hardened/vbn after/in my/pp$ statement/nn ./.
At/in a/at nod/nn from/in Songau/np ,/, four/cd lithe/jj and/cc muscular/jj girls/nns darted/vbd to/in Frayne's/np$ side/nn and/cc seized/vbd him/ppo by/in the/at arms/nns ./.
The/at man/nn was/bedz an/at ox/nn and/cc he/pps put/vbd up/rp a/at creditable/jj struggle/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc four/cd Eromonga/np women/nns are/ber more/ap than/in a/at match/nn for/in the/at strongest/jjt male/nn that/wps ever/rb lived/vbd ./.


	Besides/rb ,/, terror/nn had/hvd sapped/vbn some/dti of/in Frayne's/np$ vitality/nn and/cc will/nn ./.
My/pp$ last/ap impression/nn as/cs they/ppss led/vbd him/ppo off/rp to/in a/at stockade/nn was/bedz of/in his/pp$ pale/jj face/nn 

	./.
In/in the/at Manu/np tongue/nn ,/, ``/`` eromonga/nn-nc ''/'' means/vbz manhood/nn --/-- a/at quality/nn which/wdt the/at women/nns derisively/rb toasted/vbd in/in weekly/jj feasts/nns at/in which/wdt great/jj quantities/nns of/in a/at brew/nn like/cs kava/nn were/bed imbibed/vbn ./.
In/in the/at hut/nn to/in which/wdt I/ppss was/bedz assigned/vbn --/-- Max/np had/hvd his/pp$ own/jj quarters/nns --/-- my/pp$ food/nn was/bedz brought/vbn to/in me/ppo by/in a/at wrinkled/vbn crone/nn with/in bare/jj drooping/vbg breasts/nns who/wps seemed/vbd to/to enjoy/vb conversing/vbg with/in me/ppo in/in rudimentary/jj phrases/nns ./.


	Her/pp$ name/nn was/bedz L'Turu/np and/cc she/pps told/vbd me/ppo many/ap things/nns ./.
For/in an/at anthropologist/nn ,/, loquacious/jj old/jj L'Turu/np was/bedz a/at mine/nn of/in information/nn ./.
Though/cs I/ppss had/hvd a/at great/jj dread/nn of/in the/at island/nn and/cc felt/vbd I/ppss would/md never/rb leave/vb it/ppo alive/jj ,/, I/ppss eagerly/rb wrote/vbd down/rp everything/pn she/pps told/vbd me/ppo about/in its/pp$ women/nns ./.
(/( Her/pp$ account/nn was/bedz later/rbr confirmed/vbn by/in the/at Scobee-Frazier/np-tl Expedition/nn-tl from/in the/at University/nn-tl of/in-tl Manitoba/np-tl in/in 1951/cd ./.
)/) 

	From/in L'Turu/np ,/, I/ppss heard/vbd that/cs until/cs about/in 1850/cd the/at people/nns of/in this/dt island/nn --/-- which/wdt was/bedz about/in the/at size/nn of/in Guam/np or/cc smaller/jjr --/-- had/hvd been/ben of/in both/abx sexes/nns ,/, and/cc that/cs the/at normal/jj family/nn life/nn of/in Melanesian/np tribes/nns was/bedz observed/vbn here/rb with/in minor/jj variations/nns ./.


	But/cc in/in the/at middle/nn of/in the/at last/ap century/nn an/at island/nn woman/nn named/vbn ``/`` Karipo/np ''/'' seized/vbd a/at spear/nn in/in the/at heat/nn of/in an/at inter-tribal/jj battle/nn and/cc rallied/vbd the/at women/nns after/cs their/pp$ men/nns had/hvd fled/vbn ./.
Miraculously/rb ,/, Karipo/np and/cc her/pp$ women/nns had/hvd succeeded/vbn in/in driving/vbg a/at hundred/cd invaders/nns from/in the/at isle/nn of/in Pamasu/np back/rb to/in their/pp$ war/nn canoes/nns ,/, after/in considerable/jj loss/nn of/in life/nn on/in both/abx sides/nns ./.


	Karipo/np was/bedz something/pn of/in a/at politician/nn as/ql well/rb as/cs a/at militarist/nn ./.
She/pps quickly/rb exploited/vbd the/at exalted/vbn position/nn she/pps now/rb occupied/vbd ,/, by/in harassing/vbg the/at disorganized/vbn males/nns and/cc even/rb putting/vbg many/ap of/in them/ppo to/in death/nn ./.
Within/in a/at decade/nn or/cc less/ap ,/, few/ap men/nns were/bed left/vbn and/cc a/at feminist/nn society/nn had/hvd sprung/vbn up/rp ./.


	``/`` Karipo/np was/bedz great/jj goddess/nn ,/, told/vbd our/pp$ mothers/nns that/cs men/nns were/bed not/* necessary/jj except/in to/to father/vb children/nns ''/'' ,/, the/at crone/nn told/vbd me/ppo ./.
``/`` All/abn men/nns went/vbd away/rb from/in here/rb ./.
Those/dts who/wps stayed/vbd had/hvd to/to pass/vb tests/nns ./.
Few/ap passed/vbd ''/'' ./.
She/pps cackled/vbd with/in mirth/nn ,/, showing/vbg the/at stumps/nns of/in betel-stained/jj teeth/nns ./.
``/`` Karipo's/np$ women/nns then/rb named/vbd this/dt place/nn '/' Eromonga/np '/' --/-- manhood/nn --/-- for/cs just/rb the/at strongest/jjt men/nns could/md stay/vb here/rb ./.
Come/vb ,/, I/ppss show/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	The/at old/jj woman/nn arose/vbd stiffly/rb and/cc led/vbd me/ppo to/in a/at clearing/nn where/wrb a/at small/jj hut/nn stood/vbd ./.
In/in the/at shade/nn of/in a/at palm/nn tree/nn in/in front/nn of/in the/at squalid/jj dwelling/nn I/ppss saw/vbd four/cd figures/nns in/in a/at semi-circle/nn on/in the/at ground/nn ./.



	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb he/pps spent/vbd the/at morning/nn getting/vbg himself/ppl all/ql organized/vbn ,/, then/rb headed/vbd for/in home/nr ./.
Maybe/rb to/to beat/vb up/rp on/in his/pp$ squaw/nn ''/'' ./.
Benson/np looked/vbd up/rp and/cc saw/vbd Ramey's/np$ long/jj head/nn tilt/vb forward/rb to/to rub/vb his/pp$ chin/nn on/in the/at stiff/jj edge/nn of/in the/at overall/nn bib/nn ./.
Ramey/np reached/vbd out/rp with/in the/at tire/nn iron/nn and/cc dislodged/vbd a/at chunk/nn of/in mud/nn that/wps was/bedz caked/vbn on/in the/at spare/jj tire/nn rack/nn ./.


	``/`` I'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to know/vb just/rb which/wdt it/pps is/bez that/cs those/dts guys/nns don't/do* understand/vb ,/, the/at liquor/nn or/cc automobiles/nns ''/'' ./.
Somehow/rb the/at thought/nn of/in a/at simple/jj man/nn bewildered/vbd by/in things/nns no/at one/pn had/hvd ever/rb really/rb helped/vbn him/ppo understand/vb moved/vbd the/at driver/nn ./.
For/in a/at moment/nn his/pp$ hatred/nn toward/in drunken/jj or/cc careless/jj drivers/nns softened/vbd ./.
Maybe/rb the/at Indian/np wasn't/bedz* too/ql much/rb at/in fault/nn ,/, Ramey/np thought/vbd ./.
Maybe/rb he/pps was/bedz only/rb doing/vbg the/at best/jjt he/pps knew/vbd how/wrb ,/, like/cs any/dti of/in us/ppo ./.
Anyway/rb ,/, he/pps doesn't/doz* deserve/vb to/to lie/vb there/rb in/in the/at sun/nn and/cc be/be stared/vbn at/in ./.


	``/`` Ever/rb see/vb yourself/ppl spread/vbn out/rp on/in the/at pavement/nn ,/, Benny/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd to/in his/pp$ partner/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss mean/vb dream/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Not/* exactly/rb ./.
Just/rb see/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
Benson/np grinned/vbd and/cc flipped/vbd a/at rock/nn with/in his/pp$ thumb/nn like/cs a/at marble/nn ./.


	``/`` Nope/rb ,/, just/rb you/ppss ,/, all/abn the/at time/nn --/-- sometimes/rb I/ppss think/vb it's/pps+bez the/at only/ap way/nn I'll/ppss+md ever/rb get/vb a/at decent/jj partner/nn ''/'' ./.


	Ramey/np smiled/vbd but/cc he/pps thought/vbd to/in himself/ppl ,/, I/ppss always/rb see/vb me/ppo too/rb ./.
Never/rb Benny/np ./.
Whenever/wrb he/pps saw/vbd someone/pn lying/vbg in/in the/at dirt/nn ,/, Ramey/np wondered/vbd what/wdt the/at person/nn had/hvd been/ben thinking/vbg and/cc he/pps would/md try/vb out/rp thoughts/nns in/in his/pp$ own/jj mind/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps would/md realize/vb they/ppss were/bed really/rb things/nns that/wps only/rb he/pps himself/ppl could/md think/vb ./.
With/in this/dt realization/nn ,/, sometimes/rb ,/, he/pps saw/vbd himself/ppl as/cs he/pps looked/vbd down/rp ./.


	``/`` You/ppss seen/vbn him/ppo yet/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Benson/np said/vbd ,/, referring/vbg to/in the/at Indian/np ./.


	``/`` He/pps wasn't/bedz* in/in the/at car/nn ''/'' ,/, Ramey/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` You/ppss didn't/dod* go/vb clear/rb around/rb ''/'' ,/, Benson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` If/cs you/ppss want/vb to/to see/vb something/pn ,/, he's/pps+bez back/rb on/in the/at other/ap side/nn by/in the/at trunk/nn of/in the/at car/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Too/ql long/jj a/at waiting/vbg line/nn ''/'' ,/, Ramey/np answered/vbd ,/, pretending/vbg to/to joke/vb ./.


	A/at few/ap minutes/nns later/rbr the/at insurance/nn man/nn ,/, a/at road/nn checker/nn ,/, drove/vbd up/rp in/in the/at gray/jj coupe/nn with/in license/nn plates/nns on/in it/ppo from/in a/at far-away/jj state/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at trick/nn they/ppss used/vbd to/to try/vb and/cc conceal/vb their/pp$ identity/nn when/wrb they/ppss followed/vbd trucks/nns to/to check/vb their/pp$ speed/nn ./.
Sometimes/rb they/ppss just/rb parked/vbd at/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at road/nn and/cc used/vbd radar/nn on/in the/at trucks/nns as/cs they/ppss passed/vbd ./.
All/ql the/at drivers/nns knew/vbd about/in the/at plates/nns and/cc they/ppss also/rb knew/vbd about/in the/at big/jj floppy/jj straw/nn hat/nn with/in shredded/vbn edges/nns ,/, the/at kind/jj natives/nns in/in travel/nn ads/nns wear/vb when/wrb they/ppss are/ber out/rp joyfully/rb chopping/vbg cane/nn ./.
Horsely/np ,/, an/at agent/nn on/in the/at east/nr end/nn ,/, wore/vbd the/at hat/nn ,/, trying/vbg to/to look/vb like/cs a/at tourist/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd always/rb seemed/vbn strange/jj to/in Ramey/np that/cs to/to disguise/vb himself/ppl as/cs a/at tourist/nn ,/, an/at ex-truck/nn driver/nn like/cs Horsely/np would/md merely/rb pick/vb something/pn outlandish/jj and/cc put/vb it/ppo on/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	The/at insurance/nn man/nn informed/vbd them/ppo that/cs he/pps had/hvd talked/vbn to/in Crumley/np who/wps was/bedz all/ql right/jj and/cc that/cs he/pps would/md watch/vb the/at men's/nns$ personal/jj effects/nns until/cs they/ppss towed/vbd the/at rig/nn back/rb to/in town/nn ./.
He/pps chatted/vbd with/in Ramey/np and/cc Benson/np for/in a/at minute/nn or/cc so/rb in/in the/at meager/jj shade/nn of/in the/at trailer/nn ./.
Every/at so/ql often/rb the/at diminishing/vbg sound/nn of/in a/at car/nn came/vbd under/in the/at trailer/nn as/cs it/pps slowed/vbd down/rp for/in the/at wreck/nn then/rb speeded/vbd up/rp again/rb as/cs it/pps got/vbd clear/rb ./.


	When/wrb they/ppss were/bed ready/jj to/to leave/vb ,/, Benson/np and/cc Ramey/np walked/vbd back/rb around/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at trailer/nn ./.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez a/at body/nn you/ppss won't/md* mind/vb looking/vbg at/in ''/'' ,/, Benson/np said/vbd and/cc they/ppss stopped/vbd ./.
She/pps had/hvd driven/vbn up/rp with/in her/pp$ husband/nn in/in a/at convertible/jj with/in Eastern/jj-tl license/nn plates/nns ,/, although/cs the/at two/cd drivers/nns knew/vbd nothing/pn at/in the/at moment/nn about/in that/dt ./.
She/pps wore/vbd shorts/nns and/cc a/at loose/jj terry-cloth/nn shirt/nn ./.
Slender/jj and/cc tanned/vbn ,/, her/pp$ dark/jj brown/jj hair/nn was/bedz drawn/vbn straight/rb back/rb ,/, simply/rb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt outfit/nn does/doz she/pps drive/vb for/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Benson/np said/vbd ./.


	Seeing/vbg her/ppo caused/vbd a/at lurch/nn in/in Ramey/np ,/, a/at recognition/nn ./.
She/pps might/md have/hv been/ben someone/pn he/pps had/hvd once/rb loved/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn her/ppo before/rb ,/, but/cc now/rb he/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at manner/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps and/cc Benson/np went/vbd in/in and/cc out/in of/in the/at cities/nns ,/, at/in each/dt end/nn of/in their/pp$ run/nn ./.
The/at truck/nn routes/nns ,/, the/at industrial/jj areas/nns with/in walls/nns grimed/vbn with/in diesel/nn smoke/nn passed/vbd briefly/rb through/in his/pp$ mind/nn --/-- back/jj alleys/nns were/bed their/pp$ access/nn to/in a/at city/nn and/cc they/ppss could/md never/rb stay/vb ./.
How/wrb would/md you/ppss ever/rb see/vb her/ppo again/rb ?/. ?/.
The/at feeling/nn subsided/vbd ,/, it/pps was/bedz only/rb a/at small/jj yearning/nn ./.
Their/pp$ work/nn was/bedz lonely/jj ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez she/pps doing/vbg in/in this/dt bunch/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Benson/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc Ramey/np wondered/vbd how/wrb close/jj their/pp$ thoughts/nns might/md have/hv been/ben ./.


	The/at girl/nn looked/vbd around/rb at/in the/at countryside/nn ./.
Her/pp$ glance/nn swung/vbd past/in the/at trailer/nn where/wrb the/at two/cd drivers/nns were/bed standing/vbg ./.
It/pps made/vbd only/rb a/at tiny/jj bump/nn over/in the/at two/cd men/nns like/cs a/at tire/nn over/in a/at piece/nn of/in gravel/nn then/rb moved/vbd on/rp ./.
She/pps began/vbd to/to watch/vb a/at blonde-haired/jj man/nn ,/, also/rb in/in shorts/nns ,/, standing/vbg right/ql at/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at wrecked/vbn car/nn in/in the/at one/cd spot/nn that/wps most/ap of/in the/at crowd/nn had/hvd detoured/vbn slightly/rb ./.
What/wdt had/hvd caught/vbn his/pp$ attention/nn was/bedz obscured/vbn by/in the/at car/nn itself/ppl ,/, so/cs that/cs neither/cc the/at girl/nn nor/cc the/at truck/nn drivers/nns could/md see/vb ,/, but/cc Benson/np knew/vbd what/wdt it/pps was/bedz ./.
The/at girl/nn took/vbd a/at couple/nn of/in steps/nns toward/in the/at man/nn in/in shorts/nns when/wrb Benson/np ,/, in/in that/dt barefoot/jj courtliness/nn Ramey/np could/md never/rb decide/vb was/bedz real/jj ,/, said/vbd ,/, ``/`` You/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to go/vb around/in there/rb ,/, Ma'am/nn-tl ''/'' ./.
The/at girl/nn stopped/vbd but/cc did/dod not/* turn/vb her/pp$ head/nn or/cc acknowledge/vb that/cs someone/pn had/hvd spoken/vbn to/in her/ppo ./.


	The/at man/nn stood/vbd near/in the/at bent/vbn levi-clad/jj body/nn of/in the/at Indian/np who/wps lay/vbd face/nn down/rp almost/rb under/in the/at car/nn ./.
The/at two/cd drivers/nns moved/vbd closer/rbr ./.


	``/`` What/wdt does/doz he/pps want/vb ,/, a/at spoon/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Benson/np said/vbd to/in Ramey/np ./.


	One/cd tiny/jj detail/nn in/in a/at happening/nn can/md clog/vb the/at memory/nn and/cc stick/vb like/cs meat/nn in/in a/at crooked/jj tooth/nn ,/, while/cs the/at rest/nn of/in the/at occurrence/nn will/md go/vb hazy/jj and/cc uncertain/jj ./.
With/in Ramey/np it/pps was/bedz a/at dusty/jj work/nn shoe/nn that/dt was/bedz half-off/rb the/at Indian's/np$ foot/nn that/cs he/pps would/md always/rb remember/vb ./.
The/at laces/nns were/bed broken/vbn at/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at eyelets/nns but/cc there/ex was/bedz still/rb a/at bow/nn knot/nn at/in the/at top/nn ./.
The/at slightest/jjt twitch/nn would/md have/hv parted/vbn the/at shoe/nn entirely/rb from/in the/at foot/nn ,/, yet/rb the/at toes/nns were/bed still/rb inside/rb ./.


	The/at two/cd men/nns in/in overalls/nns stood/vbd just/rb behind/in the/at blonde-headed/jj man/nn ./.
He/pps wore/vbd tennis/nn shorts/nns and/cc a/at white/jj sweater/nn with/in a/at red/jj V/np-tl at/in the/at neck/nn ,/, the/at sleeves/nns pushed/vbn above/in the/at elbows/nns ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc looked/vbd at/in them/ppo with/in clear/jj blue/jj eyes/nns ,/, immaculate/jj eyes/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz very/ql tanned/vbn --/-- big/jj hands/nns might/md have/hv torn/vbn him/ppo from/in a/at Coca-Cola/np poster/nn ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez dead/jj ,/, isn't/bez* he/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at man/nn said/vbd ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc bent/vbd over/in the/at body/nn of/in the/at Indian/np ./.
There/ex was/bedz nothing/pn in/in particular/jj on/in the/at man's/nn$ face/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz simply/rb a/at matter/nn of/in curiosity/nn ,/, a/at natural/jj right/nn to/to examine/vb ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at man/nn said/vbd ,/, backing/vbg up/rp a/at step/nn ,/, still/rb looking/vbg down/rp ./.
His/pp$ words/nns were/bed mostly/rb to/in himself/ppl ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* ''/'' ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at gentle/jj concern/nn in/in Benson's/np$ voice/nn ./.
Ramey/np looked/vbd down/rp and/cc saw/vbd the/at white/jj sneaker/nn at/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at man's/nn$ tanned/vbn leg/nn cautiously/rb nudge/vb a/at bit/nn of/in folded/vbn ,/, blood-flecked/jj substance/nn lying/vbg by/in itself/ppl on/in the/at pavement/nn ./.


	``/`` But/cc what/wdt is/bez it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at man/nn said/vbd with/in a/at tone/nn of/in impatience/nn ./.


	But/cc what/wdt is/bez it/pps ?/. ?/.
The/at man/nn had/hvd spoken/vbn only/rb once/rb ./.
Ramey/np heard/vbd the/at words/nns again/rb inside/rb ,/, weakened/vbn ,/, the/at way/nn moving/vbg water/nn sounds/vbz through/in a/at grove/nn of/in trees/nns ,/, until/cs he/pps was/bedz not/* sure/jj whether/cs it/pps was/bedz sound/nn or/cc light-headedness/nn pressing/vbg in/in his/pp$ ears/nns ./.


	The/at sneaker/nn reached/vbd out/rp once/rb more/rbr to/to tap/vb against/in the/at mass/nn and/cc Ramey's/np$ vision/nn darkened/vbd except/in for/in an/at unreasonable/jj clarity/nn of/in the/at man's/nn$ leg/nn ./.
Ramey/np saw/vbd sunlight/nn touch/vb the/at curly/jj blonde/jj hairs/nns on/in the/at brown/jj skin/nn ./.
He/pps stared/vbd at/in the/at shining/vbg ,/, shining/vbg circles/nns of/in hairs/nns and/cc heard/vbd the/at voice/nn of/in his/pp$ partner/nn through/in trees/nns ,/, ``/`` Don't/do* do/do that/dt ,/, fella/nn ./.
Them's/dts+bez brains/nns ''/'' ./.


	The/at man/nn seemed/vbd to/to sink/vb a/at little/ap as/cs Ramey/np brought/vbd the/at tire/nn iron/nn down/rp on/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn and/cc it/pps seemed/vbd that/cs the/at blonde/jj head/nn was/bedz turning/vbg as/cs he/pps hit/vbd the/at man/nn again/rb ,/, with/in his/pp$ fist/nn ./.
Ramey/np swung/vbd and/cc caught/vbd the/at man/nn just/rb to/in the/at left/nr of/in his/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at straight/jj ,/, solid/jj ,/, once-in-a-lifetime/jj shot/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps laid/vbd all/abn four/cd knuckles/nns in/in between/in the/at man's/nn$ cheekbone/nn and/cc his/pp$ chin/nn ./.
Ramey's/np$ fist/nn and/cc the/at air/nn expelled/vbn from/in the/at man's/nn$ collapsing/vbg cheek/nn made/vbd a/at hollow/jj pop/nn in/in the/at air/nn like/cs cupped/vbn hands/nns clapping/vbg together/rb ./.


	The/at man/nn took/vbd two/cd short/jj steps/nns backward/rb then/rb sat/vbd down/rp heavily/rb on/in the/at pavement/nn ./.
Ramey/np heard/vbd a/at cry/nn from/in the/at girl/nn and/cc felt/vbd a/at slight/jj pain/nn somewhere/nn in/in his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
As/cs he/pps watched/vbd the/at man/nn sit/vb suddenly/rb ,/, a/at detached/vbn part/nn of/in his/pp$ mind/nn observed/vbd how/wrb very/ql difficult/jj it/pps was/bedz ,/, really/rb ,/, to/to knock/vb a/at man/nn off/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* done/vbn it/ppo this/dt time/nn and/cc he/pps would/md never/rb again/rb hit/vb anyone/pn so/ql hard/rb ./.


	With/in a/at thoughtful/jj look/nn ,/, the/at man/nn sat/vbd on/in the/at pavement/nn ,/, legs/nns straight/rb out/rp in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ arms/nns hung/vbd like/cs empty/jj shirt/nn sleeves/nns ,/, and/cc his/pp$ mouth/nn was/bedz slightly/ql open/jj ./.
After/in what/wdt seemed/vbd several/ap seconds/nns ,/, the/at open/jj mouth/nn grew/vbd dark/jj inside/rb then/rb blood/nn began/vbd to/to ooze/vb from/in it/ppo ./.
The/at man/nn brought/vbd one/cd hand/nn up/rp slowly/rb and/cc the/at fingers/nns fumbled/vbd across/in his/pp$ face/nn until/cs he/pps touched/vbd his/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
He/pps moaned/vbd and/cc pulled/vbd the/at hand/nn away/rb ./.
Even/rb yet/rb there/ex was/bedz no/at realization/nn in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.


	Ramey/np could/md hear/vb the/at crowd/nn coming/vbg up/rp rapidly/rb behind/in him/ppo and/cc the/at questioning/vbg voices/nns coming/vbg over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn had/hvd no/at identity/nn or/cc importance/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* look/vb around/rb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt happened/vbd ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Someone/pn said/vbd ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez hurt/vbn ''/'' !/. !/.
A/at woman's/nn$ voice/nn said/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb he/pps heard/vbd a/at sort/nn of/in wail/nn from/in the/at man's/nn$ wife/nn ./.
The/at man/nn on/in the/at ground/nn began/vbd to/to move/vb ;/. ;/.
one/cd of/in his/pp$ hands/nns flattened/vbd out/rp on/in the/at pavement/nn and/cc supported/vbd him/ppo ./.
Blood/nn dripped/vbd down/in the/at front/nn of/in his/pp$ sweater/nn ,/, soaking/vbg into/in a/at dark/jj streak/nn of/in dirt/nn that/wps ran/vbd diagonally/rb across/in the/at white/jj wool/nn on/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ,/, as/cs though/cs the/at bright/jj V/nn woven/vbn into/in the/at neckline/nn had/hvd melted/vbn ,/, running/vbg a/at darker/jjr color/nn ./.


	The/at girl/nn kneeled/vbd by/in her/pp$ husband/nn with/in one/cd arm/nn at/in his/pp$ back/nn ./.
``/`` Can/md you/ppss hear/vb ,/, can/md you/ppss talk/vb to/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps begged/vbd ./.
An/at incoherent/jj ,/, puzzled/vbn sound/nn came/vbd from/in the/at red/jj mouth/nn ./.
The/at girl/nn looked/vbd around/rb quickly/rb at/in several/ap of/in the/at people/nns ./.
None/pn of/in the/at crowd/nn had/hvd stepped/vbn forward/rb to/to help/vb ./.
Then/rb she/pps saw/vbd Ramey/np and/cc her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz misshapen/jj with/in bewilderment/nn ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb did/dod you/ppo do/do it/ppo --/-- why/wrb did/dod you/ppss hit/vb him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, her/pp$ voice/nn rising/vbg ./.
Ramey/np said/vbd nothing/pn ./.
A/at shine/nn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns suddenly/rb became/vbd tears/nns and/cc she/pps turned/vbd back/rb to/in her/pp$ husband/nn again/rb ./.


	Behind/in Ramey/np feet/nns scraped/vbd beneath/in sharp/jj questioning/vbg whispers/nns ./.
No/at one/pn seemed/vbd to/to know/vb for/in sure/jj what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn ,/, nor/cc was/bedz there/ex any/dti purpose/nn or/cc responsibility/nn in/in the/at muttering/vbg feet/nns and/cc urgent/jj voices/nns behind/in the/at driver/nn ,/, beyond/in finding/vbg out/rp ./.


	Ramey/np looked/vbd around/rb and/cc caught/vbd sight/nn of/in his/pp$ partner/nn near/in the/at front/jj end/nn of/in the/at wrecked/vbn truck/nn talking/vbg to/in the/at patrolman/nn ./.
Benson/np moved/vbd his/pp$ arms/nns ,/, gesturing/vbg with/in an/at unfamiliar/jj vigor/nn and/cc talking/vbg rapidly/rb ./.
Ramey/np caught/vbd a/at glimpse/nn of/in the/at insurance/nn man/nn ./.
Some/dti of/in the/at ruddiness/nn was/bedz gone/vbn from/in his/pp$ face/nn and/cc he/pps stared/vbd at/in Ramey/np ./.
It's/pps+bez all/abn over/rp now/rb ,/, the/at driver/nn thought/vbd as/cs he/pps saw/vbd the/at patrolman/nn turn/vb and/cc walk/vb rapidly/rb down/rp along/in the/at trailer/nn toward/in them/ppo ./.
Ramey/np watched/vbd him/ppo coming/vbg with/in a/at vision/nn as/ql clean/jj as/cs the/at glare/nn on/in the/at metal/nn sides/nns of/in the/at trailer/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at dark/jj sweat/nn spots/nns flip/vb in/in and/cc out/in of/in sight/nn under/in the/at patrolman's/nn$ swinging/vbg arms/nns and/cc in/in the/at leather/nn holster/nn that/wps swaggered/vbd and/cc rolled/vbd at/in the/at side/nn of/in his/pp$ stocky/jj body/nn ,/, the/at sun/nn left/vbd a/at smoky/jj shine/nn on/in the/at narrow/jj strip/nn of/in blue/jj metal/nn that/wps ran/vbd between/in the/at horned/jj handles/nns of/in his/pp$ pistol/nn ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ,/, step/vb back/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at patrolman/nn said/vbd to/in no/at one/pn in/in particular/jj as/cs he/pps pushed/vbd between/in the/at fat/jj man/nn in/in the/at baseball/nn cap/nn and/cc a/at young/jj boy/nn in/in levis/nns ./.
He/pps walked/vbd straight/rb up/in to/in the/at man/nn sitting/vbg on/in the/at ground/nn and/cc bent/vbd over/rp to/to look/vb at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss all/ql right/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Mough/nn --/-- it's/pps+bez my/pp$ mough/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at man/nn said/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to talk/vb without/in moving/vbg his/pp$ lips/nns ./.
His/pp$ brown/jj face/nn looked/vbd gray/jj from/in dirt/nn streaks/nns where/wrb his/pp$ hand/nn had/hvd come/vbn off/in the/at dusty/jj pavement/nn and/cc rubbed/vbn across/in it/ppo ./.

Then/rb he/pps calmly/rb and/cc carefully/rb slugged/vbd the/at remaining/vbg five/cd shots/nns into/in the/at venomous/jj head/nn --/-- caught/vbn in/in the/at wicker/nn back/nn of/in the/at chair/nn ,/, the/at eyes/nns dead/rb on/in him/ppo as/cs the/at life/nn finally/rb went/vbd out/in of/in the/at brute/nn ./.
The/at body/nn continued/vbd to/to lash/vb ,/, but/cc now/rb Keith/np used/vbd the/at legs/nns of/in the/at chair/nn to/to fork/vb the/at loathsome/jj ,/, bloody/jj mass/nn out/in of/in the/at bungalow/nn ./.
He/pps slammed/vbd the/at door/nn and/cc listened/vbd as/cs his/pp$ servants/nns ran/vbd up/rp ,/, alarmed/vbn at/in the/at sound/nn of/in the/at shots/nns ./.
He/pps heard/vbd their/pp$ chattering/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb the/at sounds/nns of/in hacking/vbg as/cs they/ppss dismembered/vbd the/at snake/nn right/ql on/in the/at porch/nn with/in wood/nn axes/nns ./.


	It/pps was/bedz only/rb then/rb that/cs he/pps turned/vbd to/to look/vb at/in Penny/np ./.


	She/pps was/bedz sitting/vbg on/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at bed/nn again/rb ,/, back/rb in/in the/at same/ap position/nn where/wrb the/at snake/nn had/hvd found/vbn her/ppo ./.
The/at fear/nn had/hvd not/* entirely/rb gone/vbn from/in her/pp$ face/nn ,/, but/cc there/ex were/bed some/dti other/ap emotions/nns now/rb ,/, crowding/vbg into/in her/pp$ eyes/nns and/cc the/at lines/nns of/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.


	But/cc her/pp$ hands/nns were/bed calm/jj ,/, now/rb ./.
She's/pps+hvz got/vbn guts/nns ,/, thought/vbd Keith/np ./.
She's/pps+hvz got/vbn more/ap guts/nns than/cs any/dti other/ap woman/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.


	``/`` Keith/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Penny/np ,/, ``/`` Keith/np ,/, you/ppss were/bed wonderful/jj ./.
I/ppss don't/do* suppose/vb a/at wife/nn should/md be/be grateful/jj to/in her/pp$ husband/nn for/in saving/vbg her/pp$ life/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss am/bem ./.
Thank/vb you/ppo ,/, Keith/np ''/'' ./.


	He/pps smiled/vbd at/in her/pp$ sincerity/nn ./.
And/cc for/in the/at hundredth/od time/nn that/dt week/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz startled/vbn at/in her/pp$ beauty/nn ./.
Strange/jj ./.
Seven/cd years/nns they'd/ppss+hvd been/ben married/vbn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd her/pp$ mind/nn pretty/ql well/rb ,/, by/in now/rb ,/, its/pp$ quick/jj perceptions/nns and/cc sympathies/nns ,/, its/pp$ painful/jj insistence/nn on/in truth/nn and/cc directness/nn ,/, its/pp$ capacity/nn for/in love/nn almost/rb too/ql deep/jj for/in a/at man/nn to/to reciprocate/vb ,/, even/rb in/in part/nn ./.
But/cc her/pp$ beauty/nn always/rb surprised/vbd him/ppo anew/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss realize/vb that/cs this/dt is/bez hardly/rb the/at time/nn to/to say/vb it/ppo ,/, Penny/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Keith/np ./.
``/`` But/cc knowing/vbg you/ppo ,/, I/ppss know/vb that/cs you're/ppss+ber glad/jj to/to be/be alive/jj ,/, and/cc grateful/jj --/-- and/cc sorry/jj because/cs I/ppss killed/vbd the/at snake/nn ,/, even/rb though/cs I/ppss had/hvd to/to ./.
Isn't/bez* that/dt so/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Penny/np lowered/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, almost/rb in/in a/at whisper/nn ,/, as/cs if/cs admitting/vbg to/in a/at crime/nn ./.


	``/`` The/at snake/nn was/bedz beautiful/jj ,/, wasn't/bedz* it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Asked/vbd Keith/np ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn getting/vbg harsher/jjr in/in spite/in of/in himself/ppl ,/, as/cs he/pps struggled/vbd to/to control/vb his/pp$ growing/vbg anger/nn ./.
``/`` It/pps was/bedz a/at king/nn cobra/nn ,/, the/at largest/jjt you/ppss ever/rb saw/vbd ,/, and/cc it/pps deserved/vbd to/to live/vb out/rp its/pp$ life/nn in/in the/at jungle/nn ,/, didn't/dod* it/pps ?/. ?/.
didn't/dod* it/pps ?/. ?/.
''/'' 

	Penny/np did/dod not/* answer/vb ./.
Now/rb ,/, she/pps just/rb sat/vbd there/rb looking/vbg at/in him/ppo ,/, without/in an/at expression/nn except/in concern/nn for/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber all/abn God's/np$ creatures/nns ,/, aren't/ber* we/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Keith/np was/bedz snarling/vbg now/rb ./.
``/`` All/abn of/in us/ppo --/-- every/at goddam/jj roach/nn and/cc worm/nn and/cc killer/nn in/in that/dt jungle/nn ./.
You/ppss love/vb this/dt village/nn and/cc these/dts stinking/vbg brown/jj people/nns because/cs they're/ppss+ber God's/np$ creatures/nns ,/, too/rb ./.
And/cc you/ppss love/vb Ahmiri/np ,/, that/dt black/jj bastard/nn of/in a/at servant/nn even/rb a/at little/ql more/rbr ,/, because/cs he's/pps+bez a/at beautiful/jj man/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps loves/vbz you/ppo because/cs you're/ppss+ber a/at beautiful/jj woman/nn ./.
We're/ppss+ber all/abn God's/np$ creatures/nns ,/, aren't/ber* we/ppss ,/, Penny/np ?/. ?/.
All/abn of/in us/ppo ,/, that/dt is/bez ,/, except/in me/ppo ./.
You/ppss hate/vb me/ppo ,/, you/ppss hate/vb my/pp$ guts/nns ,/, because/cs I/ppss like/vb to/to hunt/vb ./.
You/ppss actually/rb hate/vb me/ppo --/-- and/cc we/ppss both/abx know/vb it/ppo --/-- because/cs I/ppss killed/vbd that/dt filthy/jj snake/nn ./.
Well/uh ,/, why/wrb don't/do* you/ppss say/vb something/pn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Penny/np would/md not/* rise/vb to/in his/pp$ mood/nn ./.


	``/`` There/ex isn't/bez* anything/pn left/vbn to/to say/vb ,/, is/bez there/ex ,/, Keith/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps softly/rb let/vbd herself/ppl into/in the/at bed/nn ,/, and/cc took/vbd her/pp$ regular/jj side/nn ,/, away/rb from/in the/at door/nn ,/, where/wrb she/pps slept/vbd better/rbr because/cs Keith/np was/bedz between/in her/ppo and/cc the/at invader/nn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd she/pps was/bedz not/* sulking/vbg ,/, not/* even/rb angry/jj at/in him/ppo ./.
Just/rb as/cs he/pps knew/vbd that/cs she/pps had/hvd stopped/vbn loving/vbg him/ppo ./.


	The/at Brahmaputra/np has/hvz its/pp$ headwaters/nns in/in the/at tableland/nn of/in the/at world/nn ,/, the/at towering/vbg white/jj headwalls/nns of/in the/at Himalayas/nps that/wps are/ber unknown/jj to/in man/nn as/cs any/dti other/ap space/nn on/in the/at planet/nn ./.
For/in a/at brief/jj period/nn each/dt year/nn ,/, the/at rays/nns of/in the/at sun/nn are/ber warm/jj enough/qlp to/to melt/vb some/dti of/in the/at snows/nns piled/vbn a/at mile/nn deep/jj at/in the/at base/nn of/in the/at headwalls/nns ,/, and/cc then/rb the/at pinnacles/nns glisten/vb in/in the/at daytime/nn at/in high/jj noon/nn ,/, and/cc billions/nns of/in gallons/nns of/in water/nn begin/vb their/pp$ slow/jj seepage/nn under/in the/at glaciers/nns and/cc across/in the/at rockstrewn/jj hanging/vbg valleys/nns on/in their/pp$ long/jj ,/, meandering/vbg journey/nn to/in the/at sea/nn --/-- running/vbg east/nr past/in the/at sky-carving/jj massifs/nns of/in Gurla/np Mandhata/np and/cc Kemchenjunga/np ,/, then/rb turning/vbg south/nr and/cc curling/vbg down/rp through/in the/at jungles/nns of/in Assam/np ,/, past/in the/at Khasi/np-tl Hills/nns-tl ,/, and/cc into/in Bengal/np ,/, past/in Sirinjani/np and/cc Madaripur/np ,/, until/cs the/at hard/jj water/nn of/in the/at melting/vbg snows/nns mingles/vbz with/in the/at soft/jj drainage/nn of/in fields/nns and/cc at/in length/nn fans/vbz out/rp to/to meld/vb with/in the/at teeming/vbg salt/nn depths/nns of/in the/at Bay/nn-tl of/in-tl Bengal/np-tl ./.


	Keith/np Sterling/np had/hvd looked/vbn down/rp on/in the/at Brahmaputra/np more/ap times/nns than/cs he/pps could/md remember/vb ,/, during/in the/at war/nn days/nns when/wrb he/pps flew/vbd over/in the/at Hump/np of/in the/at world/nn ,/, thinking/vbg it/ppo high/jj adventure/nn in/in those/dts times/nns before/cs man/nn was/bedz guiding/vbg himself/ppl through/in outer/jj space/nn ./.
But/cc Keith/np looked/vbd down/rp more/ap than/in up/rp ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at jungles/nns below/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc of/in the/at wild/jj ,/, strange/jj ,/, untracked/jj beauty/nn there/rb and/cc he/pps promised/vbd himself/ppl that/dt someday/rb he/pps would/md return/vb ,/, on/in foot/nn perhaps/rb ,/, to/to hunt/vb in/in this/dt last/ap corner/nn of/in the/at world/nn where/wrb man/nn is/bez sometimes/rb himself/ppl the/at hunted/vbn ,/, and/cc animals/nns the/at lords/nns ./.


	At/in first/rb it/pps had/hvd been/ben just/rb a/at romantic/jj dream/nn of/in his/pp$$ ,/, the/at same/ap as/cs the/at idea/nn of/in finishing/vbg Oxford/np after/in the/at war/nn ./.
But/cc ``/`` after/in the/at war/nn ''/'' was/bedz a/at luxury/nn of/in a/at phrase/nn he/pps did/dod not/* permit/vb himself/ppl ./.
Wing/nn-tl Commanders/nns-tl in/in the/at RAF/np-tl do/do not/* imply/vb survival/nn in/in the/at future/nn either/cc in/in their/pp$ orders/nns or/cc in/in their/pp$ attitudes/nns ,/, to/in their/pp$ men/nns or/cc to/in themselves/ppls ./.
And/cc Keith's/np$ record/nn of/in kills/nns made/vbd him/ppo a/at man/nn to/to listen/vb to/in --/-- a/at man/nn paradoxically/rb ,/, who/wps might/md even/rb survive/vb ./.
He/pps became/vbd a/at fighter/nn pilot/nn after/in the/at stint/nn over/in the/at Hump/np in/in the/at big/jj crates/nns ./.
The/at RAF/np-tl was/bedz Britain's/np$ weapon/nn of/in attrition/nn ,/, and/cc flying/vbg a/at fighter/nn plane/nn was/bedz the/at way/nn her/pp$ sons/nns could/md serve/vb her/ppo best/rbt at/in this/dt point/nn in/in the/at war/nn ./.


	He/pps knew/vbd how/wrb to/to shoot/vb down/rp Nazis/nps ./.
And/cc he/pps knew/vbd that/cs the/at men/nns talked/vbd about/in him/ppo behind/in his/pp$ back/nn ,/, saying/vbg that/cs he/pps was/bedz one/cd up/rp on/in everybody/pn else/rb --/-- including/in the/at pilot/nn of/in the/at plane/nn with/in the/at swastika/nn on/in it/ppo --/-- because/cs he/pps was/bedz chemically/rb incapable/jj of/in fear/nn ./.
That/dt was/bedz true/jj ,/, but/cc only/rb half/abn the/at truth/nn ./.
The/at other/ap half/abn he/pps didn't/dod* like/vb to/to recognize/vb ,/, even/rb to/in himself/ppl ./.
He/pps enjoyed/vbd the/at killing/nn ./.
Not/* defending/vbg England/np ,/, or/cc being/beg an/at ace/nn ,/, or/cc fighting/vbg for/in humanity/nn ./.
He/pps enjoyed/vbd killing/vbg ./.
And/cc he/pps would/md have/hv enjoyed/vbn it/ppo just/rb as/ql much/rb if/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at Nazi/np ./.


	Nowadays/rb ,/, we/ppss talk/vb as/cs though/cs the/at blitz/nn were/bed just/rb a/at short/jj skirmish/nn ./.
The/at Nazis/nps bombed/vbd Britain/np ,/, so/cs the/at RAF/np-tl retaliated/vbd and/cc shot/vbd them/ppo all/abn down/rp ./.
Not/* quite/abl ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at war/nn of/in nerves/nns ,/, of/in stamina/nn ,/, of/in dogged/jj endurance/nn in/in which/wdt the/at stupid/jj insistence/nn of/in the/at British/nps on/in their/pp$ right/nn to/in their/pp$ own/jj country/nn became/vbd ultimately/rb an/at unsurmountable/jj obstacle/nn to/in the/at Nazis/nps ,/, who/wps were/bed better/rbr organized/vbn and/cc technically/rb superior/jj ./.
It/pps took/vbd a/at long/jj time/nn before/cs the/at British/nps tipped/vbd the/at balance/nn ./.


	Keith/np learned/vbd too/ql much/ap about/in air/nn combat/nn ,/, and/cc air/nn killing/nn ,/, to/to be/be risked/vbn ./.
They/ppss grounded/vbd him/ppo (/( over/in his/pp$ protests/nns --/-- not/* including/in his/pp$ true/jj reason/nn for/in wanting/vbg to/to fly/vb )/) and/cc put/vbd him/ppo in/in the/at Command/nn-tl offices/nns ./.


	That/dt was/bedz where/wrb he/pps met/vbd Penny/np ./.


	He/pps was/bedz aware/jj of/in her/ppo as/cs a/at frightfully/rb good-looking/jj American/jj WAC/np-tl ,/, a/at second/od lieutenant/nn assigned/vbn to/to do/do the/at paper/nn work/nn ,/, (/( regardless/rb of/in how/ql important/jj she/pps might/md have/hv thought/vbn she/pps was/bedz )/) in/in the/at Command/nn-tl offices/nns ,/, but/cc that/dt was/bedz all/abn ./.
Penny/np knew/vbd him/ppo better/rbr ,/, on/in her/pp$ part/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at war/nn reputation/nn ,/, but/cc this/dt was/bedz the/at kind/nn of/in man/nn women/nns like/vb even/rb without/in medals/nns ./.
They/ppss don't/do* go/vb for/in bull-like/jj muscle/nn ,/, as/cs a/at rule/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd strength/nn in/in his/pp$ six-foot/jj frame/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz like/cs the/at tensile/jj steel/nn in/in a/at rapier/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz on/in the/at thin/jj side/nn ,/, with/in big/jj hands/nns ,/, and/cc the/at kind/nn of/in wrists/nns that/wps give/vb away/rb the/at power/nn in/in forearm/nn and/cc bicep/nn ./.


	His/pp$ hair/nn was/bedz black/jj ,/, already/rb greying/vbg at/in the/at temples/nns in/in the/at classic/jj beauty-idiom/nn ,/, the/at only/ap one/cd permitted/vbn to/in a/at man/nn ./.
The/at pretty/ql little/ap twittering/vbg WACS/np-tl said/vbd he/pps had/hvd the/at look/nn of/in eagles/nns --/-- and/cc Penny/np ,/, hating/vbg the/at cliche/nn ,/, had/hvd to/to admit/vb that/cs in/in this/dt case/nn it/pps applied/vbd ./.
Keith/np was/bedz an/at eagle/nn ./.


	Penny/np and/cc Keith/np had/hvd no/at romance/nn ./.
No/at dates/nns or/cc hand-holding/nn ./.
But/cc they/ppss met/vbd in/in one/cd searing/vbg moment/nn that/wps gave/vbd them/ppo to/in one/cd another/dt instantly/rb ./.


	The/at Command/nn-tl offices/nns were/bed in/in the/at border/nn country/nn ,/, up/in north/nr ,/, where/wrb the/at radar/nn systems/nns centralized/vbd their/pp$ intelligence/nn reports/nns ,/, and/cc the/at fighters/nns were/bed dispatched/vbn to/to harry/vb the/at enemy/nn ./.
The/at Nazis/nps knew/vbd this/dt ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, and/cc while/cs their/pp$ chief/jjs quarry/nn was/bedz the/at industrial/jj centers/nns ,/, they/ppss let/vbd a/at few/ap drop/nn every/at time/nn they/ppss went/vbd over/rp ,/, hoping/vbg for/in a/at lucky/jj hit/nn ./.


	This/dt time/nn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd been/ben lucky/jj ./.
The/at Command/nn-tl post/nn was/bedz underground/jj ,/, and/cc well/rb camouflaged/vbn ./.
But/cc there/ex hadn't/hvd* been/ben enough/ap time/nn to/to build/vb it/ppo for/in keeps/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at measure/nn of/in protection/nn in/in its/pp$ concrete/nn walls/nns and/cc ceiling/nn ,/, but/cc the/at engineers/nns who/wps hastily/rb installed/vbd it/pps were/bed well/rb aware/jj that/dt concrete/nn is/bez not/* much/ql better/rbr than/cs prayer/nn ,/, if/cs as/ql efficacious/jj ,/, when/wrb a/at direct/jj hit/nn comes/vbz along/rb ./.


	This/dt one/pn was/bedz actually/rb more/ap of/in a/at ``/`` near/jj miss/nn ''/'' ./.
The/at bomb/nn plunged/vbd into/in the/at ground/nn near/in the/at Post/nn-tl ,/, but/cc not/* precisely/rb into/in the/at Command/nn-tl room/nn itself/ppl ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at shattering/vbg ,/, cracking/vbg sound/nn as/cs the/at concrete/nn started/vbd to/to buckle/vb ,/, the/at air/nn filled/vbd with/in dust/nn and/cc flying/vbg debris/nn ,/, and/cc everyone/pn in/in the/at room/nn --/-- men/nns and/cc women/nns hit/vbd the/at floor/nn and/cc used/vbd the/at desks/nns as/cs turtlebacks/nns ,/, as/cs ordered/vbn ./.


	That/dt is/bez ,/, everyone/pn but/in Keith/np and/cc Penny/np ./.


	They/ppss stood/vbd there/rb ,/, just/rb the/at two/cd of/in them/ppo ,/, in/in the/at rocking/vbg ,/, shattering/vbg blast/nn ./.
Keith/np was/bedz on/in his/pp$ feet/nns because/cs he/pps didn't/dod* care/vb at/in all/abn about/in life/nn any/dti more/rbr :/: Penny/np on/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, proudly/rb ,/, because/cs she/pps cared/vbd too/ql much/rb ./.


	The/at bomb/nn was/bedz a/at solitary/jj one/pn ./.
The/at blast/nn damaged/vbd ,/, but/cc did/dod not/* destroy/vb the/at room/nn ./.
Keith's/np$ eyes/nns met/vbd Penny's/np$ as/cs they/ppss stood/vbd there/rb in/in this/dt strange/jj marriage/nn of/in destruction/nn ./.
And/cc ,/, as/cs the/at others/nns began/vbd to/to crawl/vb out/rp from/in beneath/in the/at desks/nns and/cc tend/vb to/in those/dts wounded/vbn ,/, and/cc mark/vb the/at several/ap killed/vbn ,/, he/pps climbed/vbd across/in the/at debris/nn to/in Penny/np and/cc took/vbd her/pp$ hand/nn in/in his/pp$$ ./.


	The/at chaplain/nn married/vbd them/ppo ,/, on/in the/at next/ap day/nn ./.


	After/in the/at war/nn ,/, Penny/np had/hvd wanted/vbn Keith/np at/in least/ap to/to visit/vb her/pp$ home/nr with/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps came/vbd from/in Ohio/np ,/, from/in what/wdt she/pps called/vbd a/at ``/`` small/jj farm/nn ''/'' of/in two/cd hundred/cd acres/nns ,/, as/cs indeed/rb it/pps was/bedz to/in farmer-type/jj farmers/nns ./.
But/cc to/in Keith's/np$ London-bred/jj mind/nn ,/, such/jj acreage/nn sounded/vbd rather/ql invincible/jj ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* that/dt ,/, however/wrb ,/, which/wdt decided/vbd them/ppo not/* to/to go/vb to/in America/np ./.
Keith/np told/vbd Penny/np about/in his/pp$ dream/nn to/to return/vb to/in India/np and/cc Burma/np ./.
He/pps stressed/vbd the/at wild/jj beauty/nn of/in the/at mountains/nns ,/, and/cc the/at jungles/nns ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* tell/vb her/ppo the/at truth/nn he/pps now/rb freely/rb admitted/vbd to/in himself/ppl ./.
He/pps couldn't/md* stop/vb killing/vbg ./.
That/dt was/bedz his/pp$ true/jj love/nn ,/, not/* Penny/np ./.
The/at terrible/jj power/nn of/in a/at gun/nn ,/, the/at thing/nn that/wps blasted/vbd the/at soul/nn out/in of/in a/at living/vbg body/nn ,/, man/nn or/cc beast/nn ,/, was/bedz one/cd he/pps never/rb wanted/vbd to/to lose/vb ./.
And/cc in/in the/at hunting/vbg land/nn ,/, this/dt hunger/nn was/bedz considered/vbn to/to be/be a/at noble/jj thing/nn ./.


	When/wrb they/ppss got/vbd to/in Shillong/np ,/, in/in Assam/np ,/, he/pps was/bedz happy/jj ./.
This/dt is/bez a/at paradise/nn for/in hunters/nns ./.
This/dt was/bedz the/at land/nn of/in the/at sladang/nn ,/, the/at great/jj water/nn buffalo/nn with/in horns/nns forty/cd inches/nns across/in the/at spread/nn ./.
The/at great/jj black/jj leopards/nns ./.
The/at sambur/nn buck/nn ,/, the/at jungle/nn stag/nn that/wps is/bez even/rb more/ql noble/jj than/cs the/at Scottish/jj elk/nn ./.
He/pps even/rb hunted/vbd elephant/nn ,/, although/cs the/at Asian/jj elephant/nn is/bez not/* quite/ql as/ql ferocious/jj as/cs his/pp$ African/jj cousin/nn ./.
But/cc there/ex are/ber big/jj rogues/nns in/in both/abx countries/nns ./.
These/dts were/bed the/at ones/nns Keith/np sought/vbd out/rp --/-- the/at loners/nns ,/, the/at ones/nns who/wps killed/vbd for/in the/at joy/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, like/cs himself/ppl ./.


	He/pps and/cc Penny/np would/md go/vb out/rp on/in tame/jj elephants/nns ,/, raised/vbn from/in babyhood/nn in/in the/at keddah/fw-nn ./.
And/cc while/cs he/pps was/bedz ever/rb alert/jj for/in game/nn ,/, and/cc most/ql particularly/rb a/at tiger/nn ,/, Penny/np marvelled/vbd at/in the/at Eden/np they/ppss were/bed traversing/vbg ./.
They/ppss came/vbd upon/in cheetal/nn deer/nn at/in woodland/nn pools/nns ./.
Peacocks/nns strutted/vbd across/in their/pp$ path/nn ,/, preening/vbg ./.
There/ex were/bed fantastic/jj flowers/nns without/in perfume/nn ,/, and/cc gaudy/jj birds/nns without/in song/nn ./.
Mouse/nn deer/nn played/vbd around/in the/at feet/nns of/in the/at elephants/nns ,/, or/cc fled/vbd when/wrb the/at mighty/jj legs/nns thrashed/vbd too/ql close/rb ./.
Wild/jj boar/nn watched/vbd their/pp$ progress/nn with/in little/ap pig/nn eyes/nns ,/, and/cc grunted/vbd derision/nn when/wrb they/ppss didn't/dod* consider/vb such/jj game/nn worthy/jj of/in a/at shot/nn from/in the/at ./.

Now/rb ,/, the/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, they/ppss were/bed anchored/vbn at/in The/at-tl Elbow/nn-tl and/cc the/at boat/nn was/bedz riding/vbg directly/rb over/in the/at underwater/jj ledge/nn where/wrb the/at green/jj water/nn turned/vbd to/in deepest/jjt blue/jj and/cc the/at cliff/nn dropped/vbd straight/rb down/rp 600/cd fathoms/nns ,/, with/in the/at weighted/vbn line/nn beside/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
and/cc Robinson/np Roy/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd gone/vbn down/in this/dt line/nn ten/cd minutes/nns before/rb to/to set/vb a/at new/jj depth/nn record/nn for/in the/at free/jj dive/nn ,/, was/bedz already/rb back/rb on/in the/at surface/nn ./.


	He/pps and/cc his/pp$ safety/nn man/nn ,/, Herr/np Schaffner/np ,/, swam/vbd up/rp to/in the/at boarding/vbg ladder/nn together/rb ./.
The/at German/np courteously/rb indicated/vbd that/cs Robinson/np should/md mount/vb first/rb ./.
Robinson/np clambered/vbd heavily/rb into/in the/at boat/nn ,/, sat/vbd down/rp ,/, and/cc stripped/vbd off/rp his/pp$ triple-tank/nn assembly/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz frowning/vbg ./.
He/pps took/vbd his/pp$ mask/nn from/in his/pp$ forehead/nn and/cc threw/vbd it/ppo ,/, unexpectedly/rb ,/, across/in the/at deck/nn ./.


	``/`` Temper/nn ,/, temper/nn ''/'' ,/, Mrs./np Forsythe/np said/vbd ,/, laughing/vbg uneasily/rb ./.
A/at phony/jj blonde/nn hanging/vbg onto/in a/at bygone/jj youth/nn and/cc beauty/nn ,/, but/cc irreparably/rb stringy/jj in/in the/at neck/nn ,/, she/pps was/bedz already/rb working/vbg on/in her/pp$ second/od gin/nn and/cc tonic/nn ,/, though/cs it/pps was/bedz not/* yet/rb ten/cd A.M./rb 

	``/`` I/ppss loused/vbd it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Rob/np said/vbd ,/, with/in a/at savage/jj note/nn in/in his/pp$ voice/nn ./.
``/`` All/abn I/ppss have/hv to/to do/do to/to set/vb the/at record/nn is/bez to/to go/vb on/rp down/rp ./.
So/rb instead/rb I/ppss come/vb up/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Was/bedz it/pps my/pp$ equipment/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at German/np asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Was/bedz it/pps something/pn went/vbd bad/jj with/in the/at breathing/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` The/at equipment/nn was/bedz fine/jj ''/'' ,/, Rob/np stated/vbd ,/, standing/vbg up/rp ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at huge/jj young/jj man/nn of/in twenty-four/cd ,/, clothed/vbn in/in muscle/nn ,/, immensely/ql strong/jj ,/, with/in a/at habitual/jj gentleness/nn and/cc diffidence/nn of/in manner/nn that/wps was/bedz submerged/vbn under/in his/pp$ present/jj agitation/nn ./.
He/pps stared/vbd stonily/rb at/in the/at floor/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss was/bedz down/in to/in 275/cd ./.
I've/ppss+hv been/ben that/dt far/rb half/abn a/at dozen/nn times/nns ./.
I/ppss don't/do* get/vb it/ppo why/wrb this/dt time/nn I/ppss should/md pull/vb such/abl a/at stupid/jj trick/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, I/ppss get/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Artie/np said/vbd ,/, still/rb on/in the/at ladder/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss are/ber a/at big/jj muscle-bound/jj ape/nn and/cc you/ppss got/vbd this/dt idea/nn about/in setting/vbg a/at record/nn ./.
And/cc you/ppss also/rb got/vbd this/dt little/ap spark/nn in/in your/pp$ bird-brain/nn that/wps tells/vbz you/ppo to/to turn/vb around/rb before/cs you/ppss drown/vb yourself/ppl ./.
So/cs you/ppss turn/vb around/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, it/pps wasn't/bedz* that/dt ''/'' ,/, Rob/np said/vbd ./.
A/at note/nn of/in awe/nn came/vbd into/in his/pp$ voice/nn ./.
``/`` When/wrb I/ppss came/vbd up/rp ,/, damnit/uh ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss was/bedz going/vbg down/rp ./.
I/ppss came/vbd up/rp maybe/rb fifty/cd feet/nns before/cs I/ppss knew/vbd what/wdt was/bedz happening/vbg ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Pressure-happy/jj ''/'' ,/, Artie/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc climbed/vbd in/rp ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez right/jj ''/'' ,/, Robinson/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss was/bedz expecting/vbg it/ppo ,/, sure/rb ./.
But/cc when/wrb it/pps happens/vbz to/in you/ppo like/in that/dt ,/, I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo ,/, and/cc you're/ppss+ber a/at hundred/cd feet/nns from/in where/wrb you/ppss thought/vbd you/ppss were/bed --/-- well/uh ,/, it/pps makes/vbz you/ppo think/vb ./.
You/ppss don't/do* head/vb back/rb down/rp again/rb ./.
Not/* me/ppo ,/, anyway/rb ./.
Not/* right/ql away/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps had/hvd his/pp$ voice/nn under/in control/nn again/rb :/: no/at one/pn became/vbd aware/jj that/cs he/pps was/bedz terrified/vbn by/in what/wdt had/hvd just/rb happened/vbn to/in him/ppo ./.


	Waddell/np ,/, the/at newspaperman/nn ,/, was/bedz a/at fellow/nn in/in his/pp$ middle/jj forties/nns ,/, with/in a/at graying/vbg crewcut/nn ,/, heavy-framed/jj glasses/nns ,/, and/cc a/at large/jj jaw/nn padded/vbn with/in fat/nn ./.
Now/rb he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to show/vb how/wrb much/ap he/pps knew/vbd ./.
``/`` Our/pp$ boy/nn didn't/dod* chicken/vb out/rp ,/, no/rb sir/nn ./.
He/pps ran/vbd into/in the/at rapture/nn of/in the/at depths/nns ./.
Nitrogen/nn narcosis/nn ./.
It/pps makes/vbz the/at diver/nn feel/vb drunk/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, that's/dt+bez the/at only/ap way/nn to/to be/be ''/'' ,/, Mrs./np Forsythe/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc gave/vbd her/pp$ brassy/jj laugh/nn ./.


	``/`` Maybe/rb not/* ,/, if/cs you're/ppss+ber 200/cd feet/nns under/in water/nn ''/'' ,/, Artie/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Anyway/rb ''/'' ,/, Waddell/np went/vbd on/rp ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez nothing/pn to/to fool/vb with/in ./.
It/pps can/md kill/vb you/ppo ./.
Personally/rb ,/, I/ppss don't/do* blame/vb him/ppo for/in giving/vbg up/rp the/at dive/nn ,/, much/rb as/cs I/ppss regret/vb losing/vbg the/at story/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Nobody's/pn+bez giving/vbg anything/pn up/rp ''/'' ,/, Robinson/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps stood/vbd there/rb ,/, towering/vbg over/in them/ppo all/abn :/: gentle/jj ,/, mighty/jj ,/, determined/vbn ,/, the/at moving/vbg force/nn in/in the/at group/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc yet/rb like/cs a/at child/nn among/in adults/nns ./.
``/`` You/ppss think/vb I/ppss got/vbd you/ppo and/cc Artie/np and/cc Herr/np Schaffner/np all/abn the/at way/nn out/rp here/rb just/rb for/in the/at boat/nn ride/nn ?/. ?/.
I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg down/rp again/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez my/pp$ boy/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Mr./np Forsythe/np exclaimed/vbd ./.
``/`` Rob's/np+bez not/* going/vbg to/to give/vb up/rp as/ql easy/rb as/cs all/abn that/dt ''/'' ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at florid/jj ,/, puffy/jj man/nn in/in his/pp$ early/jj sixties/nns ,/, very/ql natty/jj in/in his/pp$ yachting/vbg cap/nn ,/, striped/vbn jacket/nn and/cc white/jj flannels/nns ./.
He/pps went/vbd to/in Key/nn-tl West/jj-tl every/at fall/nn and/cc winter/nn and/cc was/bedz the/at only/ap man/nn in/in town/nn who/wps did/dod not/* know/vb that/cs his/pp$ title/nn of/in ``/`` Commodore/nn-nc ''/'' was/bedz never/rb used/vbn without/in irony/nn ./.
Old/jj Commodore/nn-tl Forsythe/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd once/rb lost/vbn a/at fifty-dollar/jj bet/nn on/in whether/cs he/pps could/md get/vb both/abx motors/nns started/vbn and/cc turn/vb on/rp the/at running/vbg lights/nns without/in accidentally/rb turning/vbg on/rp something/pn else/rb first/rb ./.
Now/rb it/pps did/dod not/* occur/vb to/in him/ppo even/rb to/to wonder/vb whether/cs it/pps was/bedz wise/jj for/in Robinson/np to/to dive/vb again/rb :/: Rob/np was/bedz his/pp$ boy/nn ,/, the/at kid/nn he/pps had/hvd rescued/vbn from/in the/at streets/nns ,/, the/at object/nn of/in his/pp$ pride/nn ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb ''/'' ,/, he/pps went/vbd on/rp ,/, ``/`` when/wrb Rob/np asked/vbd me/ppo if/cs he/pps could/md make/vb his/pp$ dive/nn on/in this/dt trip/nn ,/, I/ppss didn't/dod* think/vb twice/rb about/in it/ppo ./.
I've/ppss+hv helped/vbn him/ppo along/rb ever/rb since/cs he/pps was/bedz a/at youngster/nn hanging/vbg around/in his/pp$ brother's/nn$ tackle/nn shop/nn ./.
Hell/uh ,/, I/ppss gave/vbd him/ppo the/at first/od decent/jj job/nn he/pps ever/rb had/hvd ,/, six/cd ,/, seven/cd --/-- how/wrb many/ap years/nns ago/rb was/bedz it/pps ,/, Rob/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Seven/cd years/nns ago/rb ,/, Commodore/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, Rob/np said/vbd impassively/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz thinking/vbg ,/, big/jj deal/nn :/: skipper/nn on/in his/pp$ drunken/jj fishing/vbg parties/nns for/in seven/cd years/nns and/cc no/rb better/rbr off/rp than/cs when/wrb I/ppss started/vbd ./.
``/`` Excuse/vb me/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd abruptly/rb ./.
He/pps went/vbd down/in the/at steps/nns to/in the/at galley/nn and/cc sleeping/vbg quarters/nns ;/. ;/.
went/vbd into/in the/at forward/jj stateroom/nn and/cc locked/vbd the/at door/nn behind/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` When/wrb you/ppss gotta/vbn+to go/vb ,/, you/ppss gotta/vbn+to go/vb ''/'' ,/, Mrs./np Forsythe/np said/vbd ./.


	Waddell/np muttered/vbd something/pn about/in taking/vbg a/at look/nn around/rb and/cc climbed/vbd up/rp to/in the/at flying/vbg bridge/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz disturbed/vbn by/in what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn on/in the/at dive/nn and/cc by/in what/wdt he/pps remembered/vbd of/in a/at conversation/nn he/pps had/hvd had/hvn the/at night/nn before/rb with/in the/at German/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd come/vbn out/in of/in the/at head/nn while/cs he/pps was/bedz fixing/vbg himself/ppl a/at drink/nn in/in the/at galley/nn ./.


	``/`` Hi/uh there/rb ,/, Schaffner/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps had/hvd said/vbn ./.
``/`` Can/md I/ppss make/vb you/ppo one/cd ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb thank/vb you/ppo very/ql much/rb ''/'' ,/, Schaffner/np had/hvd answered/vbn in/in his/pp$ accented/vbn English/np ./.
``/`` I/ppss do/do not/* drink/vb so/ql much/rb ,/, thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Waddell/np had/hvd looked/vbn the/at man/nn over/rp ,/, trying/vbg to/to size/vb him/ppo up/rp ./.
He/pps was/bedz in/in his/pp$ early/jj forties/nns ,/, rather/ql short/jj and/cc very/ql compactly/rb built/vbn ,/, and/cc with/in a/at manner/nn that/wps was/bedz reserved/vbn and/cc stiff/jj despite/in his/pp$ efforts/nns to/to adapt/vb himself/ppl to/in American/jj ways/nns ./.
His/pp$ open/jj face/nn seemed/vbd to/to promise/vb a/at sort/nn of/in innocence/nn ,/, until/cs one/pn looked/vbd into/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, which/wdt had/hvd no/at warmth/nn in/in them/ppo but/cc only/rb alert/jj intelligence/nn ./.
Waddell/np had/hvd heard/vbn that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at commando/nn in/in Rommel's/np$-tl Afrika/fw-np-tl Corps/nn-tl ,/, and/cc he/pps said/vbd to/in himself/ppl :/: I'd/ppss+md hate/vb to/to run/vb into/in him/ppo in/in the/at desert/nn on/in a/at dark/jj night/nn ./.
Aloud/rb he/pps had/hvd said/vbn ,/, making/vbg conversation/nn :/: 

	``/`` Rob/np tells/vbz me/ppo he's/pps+bez using/vbg your/pp$ Atlantis/np equipment/nn on/in the/at dive/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, Herr/np Schaffner/np had/hvd said/vbn ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez one/cd hell/nn of/in a/at decent/jj boy/nn ./.
I/ppss like/vb that/dt kid/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss agree/vb ,/, yes/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc if/cs the/at dive/nn goes/vbz OK/rb he/pps has/hvz the/at exclusive/jj import/nn rights/nns to/in your/pp$ line/nn for/in this/dt country/nn ,/, is/bez that/dt right/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, no/rb ''/'' ,/, Herr/np Schaffner/np said/vbd ./.


	Waddell/np turned/vbd to/to face/vb him/ppo ./.
``/`` No/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc that's/dt+bez what/wdt he/pps told/vbd me/ppo ./.
Why/wrb ,/, that's/dt+bez his/pp$ main/jjs reason/nn for/in making/vbg the/at dive/nn ''/'' ./.


	Shaffner/np looked/vbd at/in him/ppo ,/, altogether/rb without/in guile/nn ,/, and/cc shrugged/vbd his/pp$ shoulders/nns ,/, making/vbg a/at little/jj spreading/vbg gesture/nn with/in his/pp$ two/cd hands/nns ./.


	``/`` What/wdt do/do you/ppss mean/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Waddell/np asked/vbd ,/, frowning/vbg ./.


	``/`` Please/vb let/vb me/ppo explain/vb ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np said/vbd earnestly/rb ,/, his/pp$ face/nn still/rb devoid/jj of/in deceit/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss have/hv in/in Europe/np a/at gross/jj business/nn of/in seven/cd million/cd dollars/nns the/at year/nn ./.
Now/rb I/ppss wish/vb to/to enter/vb the/at American/jj market/nn ,/, where/wrb the/at competition/nn is/bez very/ql strong/jj ./.
I/ppss must/md have/hv a/at powerful/jj representative/nn here/rb ,/, a/at firm/nn with/in a/at national/jj distribution/nn and/cc ten/cd ,/, twenty/cd thousand/cd dollars/nns to/to advertise/vb my/pp$ products/nns ./.
With/in all/abn respect/nn to/in a/at fine/jj young/jj man/nn ,/, Mr./np Roy/np is/bez not/* able/jj to/to provide/vb these/dts necessaries/nns ''/'' ./.


	Waddell/np was/bedz not/* an/at eminently/rb moral/jj person/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps did/dod not/* like/vb what/wdt he/pps had/hvd just/rb heard/vbn ./.
``/`` Did/dod you/ppo tell/vb him/ppo all/abn this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Perhaps/rb not/* in/in so/ql many/ap words/nns ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc surely/rb you/ppss have/hv misunderstood/vbn Mr./np Roy/np ./.
Never/rb ,/, never/rb did/dod I/ppss offer/vb him/ppo the/at exclusive/jj rights/nns ./.
We/ppss spoke/vbd of/in the/at need/nn for/in advertising/vbg ,/, and/cc I/ppss agreed/vbd that/cs the/at deep/jj dive/nn would/md be/be most/ql useful/jj for/in publicity/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz most/ql eager/jj to/to make/vb the/at dive/nn ;/. ;/.
of/in course/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz willing/jj ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at definite/jj agreement/nn about/in business/nn arrangements/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, damn/uh ''/'' ,/, Waddell/np said/vbd ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at end/nn of/in his/pp$ front-page/nn feature/nn story/nn ,/, with/in byline/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd out/in the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` One/cd moment/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Herr/np Schaffner/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss intend/vb to/to speak/vb with/in Mr./np Roy/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What/wdt else/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Waddell/np asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss will/md pardon/vb ,/, I/ppss think/vb it/pps would/md be/be better/rbr if/cs not/* ./.
Mr./np Roy/np is/bez determined/vbn to/to make/vb this/dt dive/nn ./.
Whatever/wdt you/ppss tell/vb him/ppo he/pps will/md dive/vb ./.
I/ppss know/vb this/dt from/in my/pp$ talks/nns with/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, let's/vb+ppo let/vb him/ppo make/vb up/rp his/pp$ own/jj mind/nn ,/, OK/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Waddell/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` On/in the/at basis/nn of/in the/at facts/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss will/md make/vb him/ppo unhappy/jj and/cc anxious/jj ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` At/in 200/cd ,/, 300/cd ,/, 400/cd feet/nns under/in the/at water/nn ,/, when/wrb he/pps must/md be/be paying/vbg very/ql much/ap attention/nn ,/, he/pps will/md be/be thinking/vbg about/in what/wdt you/ppss are/ber telling/vbg him/ppo ./.
It/pps is/bez not/* good/jj ,/, Mr./np Waddell/np :/: you/ppss will/md do/do him/ppo great/jj harm/nn ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at doubt/nn that/cs Herr/np Schaffner/np meant/vbd every/at word/nn of/in what/wdt he/pps said/vbd ./.
Waddell/np came/vbd back/rb from/in the/at door/nn and/cc sat/vbd on/in a/at bunk/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss am/bem an/at honest/jj man/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np said/vbd with/in fervor/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss will/md give/vb Mr./np Roy/np his/pp$ due/nn for/in this/dt dive/nn ./.
I/ppss will/md make/vb him/ppo distributor/nn for/in all/abn of/in Florida/np --/-- a/at big/jj market/nn ./.
All/abn tourists/nns come/vb to/in Florida/np ./.
This/dt will/md help/vb him/ppo to/to get/vb out/in of/in his/pp$ little/ap tackle/nn shop/nn ./.
Yes/rb !/. !/.
But/cc there/ex is/bez no/at use/nn causing/vbg him/ppo to/to worry/vb at/in this/dt time/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at German's/np$ words/nns worked/vbd on/in the/at newspaperman/nn like/cs a/at reprieve/nn from/in an/at odious/jj duty/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd a/at big/jj swig/nn of/in his/pp$ drink/nn ./.
It/pps would/md be/be a/at colossal/jj shame/nn to/to throw/vb away/rb a/at story/nn like/cs this/dt ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb maybe/rb you're/ppss+ber right/jj ,/, Schaffner/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` He/pps has/hvz the/at distributorship/nn for/in Florida/np ,/, you/ppss say/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` At/in least/ap for/in South/jj-tl Florida/np-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` By/in God/np ''/'' ,/, Waddell/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` we/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to upset/vb the/at boy/nn at/in this/dt time/nn of/in all/abn times/nns ./.
I/ppss guess/vb you're/ppss+ber right/jj ''/'' ./.
He/pps sloshed/vbd his/pp$ drink/nn around/rb and/cc drained/vbd it/ppo in/in a/at few/ap large/jj gulps/nns ./.
The/at story/nn was/bedz shaping/vbg up/rp nicely/rb in/in his/pp$ mind/nn :/: the/at young/jj pioneer/nn ,/, as/cs of/in old/jj ,/, altruistically/rb braving/vbg the/at unknown/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at rewards/nns prompt/jj and/cc juicy/jj in/in modern/jj big-business/nn America/np ./.
``/`` Join/vb me/ppo in/in another/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps had/hvd asked/vbn ./.


	``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, the/at German/np had/hvd said/vbn courteously/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss do/do not/* drink/vb so/ql much/rb ''/'' ./.




Now/rb ,/, in/in that/dt same/ap cabin/nn ,/, Robinson/np fell/vbd to/in his/pp$ knees/nns beside/in a/at bunk/nn ./.
Fear/nn and/cc relief/nn mingled/vbd in/in his/pp$ churning/vbg emotions/nns ./.
He/pps pressed/vbd his/pp$ palms/nns together/rb and/cc addressed/vbd himself/ppl to/in the/at patron/nn saint/nn of/in divers/nns in/in a/at hurried/vbn and/cc anxious/jj whisper/nn ./.


	``/`` Blessed/vbn Saint/nn-tl Nicholas/np ,/, I/ppss thank/vb thee/ppo for/in getting/vbg me/ppo out/in of/in that/dt mess/nn and/cc sending/vbg me/ppo up/rp instead/rb of/in down/rp when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz bewildered/vbn ./.
And/cc when/wrb I/ppss make/vb the/at dive/nn again/rb ''/'' --/-- He/pps paused/vbd ;/. ;/.
crossed/vbn himself/ppl ;/. ;/.
said/vbd a/at Hail/vb-tl Mary/np-tl ,/, slowly/rb and/cc with/in understanding/nn ./.
Folding/vbg between/in his/pp$ hands/nns the/at cross/nn that/wps hung/vbd from/in his/pp$ neck/nn ,/, he/pps took/vbd his/pp$ appeal/nn direct/rb to/in Headquarters/nn-tl ./.
``/`` Holy/jj Mary/np ,/, Mother/nn-tl of/in-tl God/np-tl ,/, Star/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Sea/nn-tl ,/, stay/vb Thou/ppss with/in me/ppo on/in this/dt next/ap dive/nn ./.
Make/vb it/ppo come/vb off/rp all/ql right/rb ./.
Let/vb me/ppo set/vb the/at record/nn this/dt time/nn ,/, and/cc let/vb me/ppo get/vb back/rb OK/rb ,/, so/cs the/at German/np will/md give/vb me/ppo the/at exclusive/nn ./.
And/cc make/vb my/pp$ life/nn different/jj and/cc better/jjr from/in this/dt time/nn on/rp ./.
Amen/uh ''/'' ./.


	He/pps crossed/vbd himself/ppl again/rb and/cc rose/vbd ./.
He/pps felt/vbd a/at good/jj deal/nn less/ql shaky/jj ./.
As/cs he/pps reached/vbd for/in the/at door/nn there/ex was/bedz a/at knock/nn on/in it/ppo and/cc when/wrb he/pps opened/vbd he/pps found/vbd Artie/np ,/, who/wps came/vbd in/rp and/cc sat/vbd down/rp on/in a/at bunk/nn ./.
Artie/np had/hvd picked/vbn up/rp a/at snorkle/nn and/cc was/bedz twirling/vbg it/ppo on/in his/pp$ forefinger/nn ./.
He/pps waited/vbd awhile/rb before/cs he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Roy/np ,/, you/ppss know/vb your/pp$ decompression/nn table/nn ,/, don't/do* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb I/ppss know/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Robinson/np answered/vbd warily/rb ./.


	``/`` You/ppss came/vbd straight/rb up/rp from/in 275/cd without/in a/at stop/nn ''/'' ,/, Artie/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, I/ppss was/bedz a/at little/ap bit/nn confused/vbn ./.
Anyway/rb ,/, I/ppss wasn't/bedz* down/rp long/jj enough/qlp to/to matter/vb ./.
You/ppss don't/do* see/vb me/ppo stretched/vbn out/rp on/in the/at deck/nn ,/, do/do you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb what/wdt they/ppss say/vb about/in two/cd deep/jj dives/nns in/in one/cd day/nn ''/'' ,/, Artie/np went/vbd on/rp ,/, still/rb twirling/vbg the/at snorkle/nn and/cc studying/vbg it/ppo intently/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* think/vb you/ppss should/md go/vb down/rp again/rb ''/'' ./.



	Early/rb that/dt day/nn Matsuo/np saw/vbd a/at marine/nn ./.
The/at enemy/nn came/vbd looming/vbg around/in a/at bend/nn in/in the/at trail/nn and/cc Matsuo/np took/vbd a/at hasty/jj shot/nn ,/, then/rb fled/vbd without/in knowing/vbg the/at result/nn ,/, ran/vbd until/cs breath/nn was/bedz a/at pain/nn in/in his/pp$ chest/nn and/cc his/pp$ legs/nns were/bed rubbery/jj ./.
As/cs his/pp$ feet/nns slowed/vbd ,/, he/pps felt/vbd ashamed/jj of/in the/at panic/nn and/cc resolved/vbd to/to make/vb a/at stand/nn ./.
He/pps crossed/vbd the/at next/ap meadow/nn and/cc climbed/vbd a/at tree/nn where/wrb the/at jungle/nn trail/nn resumed/vbd ./.


	In/in the/at leafiest/jjt part/nn of/in the/at tree/nn ,/, straddling/vbg a/at broad/jj horizontal/jj limb/nn ,/, he/pps could/md see/vb over/in the/at meadow/nn ./.
For/in a/at while/nn he/pps was/bedz content/jj to/to let/vb events/nns develop/vb in/in their/pp$ good/jj time/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at doubt/nn the/at marine/nn was/bedz the/at lead/nn scout/nn of/in a/at column/nn ,/, and/cc while/cs his/pp$ shot/nn had/hvd probably/rb bred/vbn indecision/nn ,/, they/ppss would/md soon/rb come/vb hunting/vbg ./.


	His/pp$ superiors/nns had/hvd emphasized/vbn that/cs marines/nns tortured/vbd others/nns for/in the/at sheer/jj pleasure/nn ./.
Yesterday/nr ;/. ;/.
today/nr ;/. ;/.
tomorrow/nr :/: no/at surrender/nn ./.
His/pp$ remembering/vbg the/at self-dictate/nn brought/vbd no/at peace/nn --/-- only/rb a/at faint/jj chill/nn of/in doubt/nn ./.
He/pps murmured/vbd to/in himself/ppl ,/, with/in firmness/nn :/: ``/`` No/at surrender/nn ''/'' ./.
It/pps was/bedz best/jjt to/to die/vb fighting/vbg the/at marines/nns ./.
His/pp$ superiors/nns had/hvd also/rb preached/vbn this/dt ,/, saying/vbg it/pps was/bedz the/at way/nn for/in eternal/jj honor/nn ./.


	What/wdt if/cs the/at marines/nns never/rb came/vbd ?/. ?/.
His/pp$ comrades/nns were/bed all/abn dead/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at rice/nn ./.
Then/rb it/pps would/md be/be a/at choice/nn between/in starvation/nn and/cc suicide/nn ./.


	Whichever/wdt the/at way/nn ,/, he/pps would/md rot/vb in/in this/dt vast/jj choking/vbg green/jj ,/, his/pp$ wife/nn never/rb to/to receive/vb an/at urn/nn of/in his/pp$ ashes/nns ./.
He/pps sighed/vbd and/cc leaned/vbd for/in a/at moment/nn against/in the/at trunk/nn ./.
His/pp$ fingers/nns touched/vbd the/at bone/nn handle/nn of/in a/at knife/nn ./.
The/at knife/nn ,/, an/at ammunition/nn pouch/nn ,/, and/cc a/at half-filled/jj bottle/nn of/in purified/vbn water/nn hung/vbd on/in his/pp$ belt/nn ./.
Besides/rb the/at belt/nn he/pps wore/vbd a/at loin/nn cloth/nn ./.


	As/cs he/pps looked/vbd up/rp from/in picking/vbg at/in a/at leg/nn ulcer/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd a/at marine/nn in/in the/at jungle/nn across/in the/at clearing/nn ./.
Gloom/nn receded/vbd ./.


	The/at marine/nn came/vbd to/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at green/jj jungle/nn mist/nn and/cc stayed/vbd ,/, as/cs though/cs debating/vbg whether/cs to/to brave/vb the/at sunlight/nn ./.
His/pp$ fatigues/nns made/vbd a/at streak/nn of/in almost/ql phosphorescent/jj green/jj in/in the/at mist/nn ./.


	``/`` Come/vb out/rp ,/, come/vb out/rp in/in the/at meadow/nn ''/'' ,/, Matsuo/np said/vbd under/in his/pp$ breath/nn ./.


	The/at man/nn leaned/vbd against/in a/at tree/nn and/cc wiped/vbd a/at sleeve/nn across/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
A/at signal/nn ?/. ?/.
Matsuo/np lifted/vbd his/pp$ rifle/nn ,/, easing/vbg the/at sling/nn under/in his/pp$ left/jj upper/jj arm/nn for/in steadiness/nn ./.


	Fresh/jj on/in his/pp$ mind/nn were/bed events/nns of/in the/at past/jj day/nn when/wrb his/pp$ whole/jj regiment/nn was/bedz destroyed/vbn in/in the/at hills/nns ./.
They/ppss had/hvd fought/vbn from/in caves/nns ,/, and/cc the/at marines/nns resorted/vbd to/in burning/vbg them/ppo out/rp ./.
Even/rb now/rb ,/, like/cs a/at ringing/nn in/in his/pp$ ears/nns ,/, he/pps heard/vbd the/at wooooosh/nn of/in flame-throwers/nns squirting/vbg great/jj orange/jj billows/nns ./.
A/at wave/nn of/in flame/nn rippling/vbg through/in their/pp$ cave/nn had/hvd reached/vbn Nagamo/np ,/, his/pp$ friend/nn ,/, and/cc with/in a/at shriek/nn the/at man/nn bolted/vbd through/in the/at entrance/nn ,/, then/rb slowed/vbd to/in the/at jerky/jj walk/nn of/in a/at puppet/nn ,/, his/pp$ uniform/nn blazing/vbg ./.
The/at marines/nns let/vb him/ppo advance/vb ./.
When/wrb he/pps sank/vbd on/in his/pp$ knees/nns ,/, they/ppss had/hvd allowed/vbn him/ppo to/to char/vb without/in administering/vbg the/at stroke/nn of/in mercy/nn ./.


	Matsuo/np had/hvd faked/vbn death/nn and/cc was/bedz pitched/vbn on/in a/at stack/nn of/in corpses/nns ,/, both/abx the/at burned/vbn and/cc the/at unburned/jj ,/, the/at latter/ap decomposing/vbg rapidly/rb under/in the/at tropical/jj sun/nn ./.
The/at callous/jj marines/nns had/hvd laughed/vbn at/in each/dt other's/ap$ retching/nn ,/, while/cs stacking/vbg bodies/nns ./.
Matsuo/np repeatedly/rb choked/vbd down/rp his/pp$ own/jj nausea/nn ./.
At/in nightfall/nn he/pps had/hvd been/ben able/jj to/to sneak/vb down/in a/at hillside/nn and/cc into/in the/at jungle/nn ,/, reeking/vbg of/in death/nn ./.


	Apprehensively/rb he/pps peered/vbd to/in the/at left/nr ,/, to/in the/at right/nr into/in the/at leafy/jj ,/, vine-crisscrossed/jj maze/nn ./.
He/pps decided/vbd that/cs the/at marines/nns must/md be/be deploying/vbg around/in the/at meadow/nn ,/, with/in the/at one/cd left/vbn to/to distract/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps strained/vbd his/pp$ hearing/nn ./.
Cautious/jj feet/nns stepping/vbg on/in leafmold/nn ;/. ;/.
faint/jj creaking/nn of/in belts/nns and/cc slings/nns ;/. ;/.
whispers/nns :/: he/pps heard/vbd none/pn of/in these/dts ./.
Only/rb the/at hum/nn of/in insects/nns and/cc the/at distant/jj fluttering/vbg call/nn of/in a/at bird/nn ./.
Because/cs he/pps couldn't/md* hear/vb them/ppo ,/, he/pps was/bedz more/rbr convinced/vbn they/ppss were/bed there/rb ./.


	A/at spectacle/nn occurred/vbd across/in the/at meadow/nn :/: the/at lone/jj marine/nn took/vbd a/at seat/nn on/in the/at ground/nn ;/. ;/.
leaning/vbg sidewise/rb on/in a/at tree/nn trunk/nn ,/, he/pps embraced/vbd it/ppo ./.
Humiliation/nn made/vbd Matsuo/np tremble/vb ./.
While/cs his/pp$ comrades/nns cocked/vbd the/at trap/nn ,/, that/dt one/pn behaved/vbd as/cs if/cs it/pps was/bedz some/dti dull/jj maneuver/nn ./.
Taking/vbg aim/nn at/in the/at man's/nn$ face/nn ,/, Matsuo/np squeezed/vbd the/at trigger/nn up/in to/in the/at point/nn of/in discharge/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb he/pps changed/vbd his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd the/at arrogant/jj marine/nn to/to know/vb fear/nn ,/, and/cc so/cs he/pps aimed/vbd above/in the/at head/nn ./.


	The/at shot/nn reverberated/vbd in/in diminishing/vbg whiplashes/nns of/in sound/nn ./.
Hush/nn followed/vbd ./.
Like/cs a/at mischievous/jj boy/nn expecting/vbg punishment/nn ,/, Matsuo/np awaited/vbd reaction/nn from/in the/at jungle/nn ./.
How/ql stupid/jj to/to give/vb his/pp$ position/nn away/rb ./.


	The/at jungle/nn did/dod not/* retort/vb ./.
The/at sitter/nn remained/vbd seated/vbn hugging/vbg the/at tree/nn ./.
Before/in long/jj the/at atmosphere/nn reverted/vbd to/in its/pp$ old/jj normalcy/nn ,/, and/cc insects/nns hummed/vbd and/cc birds/nns occasionally/rb called/vbd ./.
Matsuo/np puzzled/vbd and/cc grew/vbd anxious/jj over/in the/at complete/jj passiveness/nn ,/, concluding/vbg that/cs he/pps was/bedz the/at butt/nn of/in a/at devilish/jj joke/nn ./.


	Five/cd or/cc so/rb minutes/nns later/rbr the/at marine/nn abruptly/rb pulled/vbd up/rp and/cc stepped/vbd into/in sunlight/nn ,/, immediately/rb throwing/vbg his/pp$ hands/nns over/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
He/pps went/vbd into/in a/at whirling/vbg dance/nn ,/, a/at sort/nn of/in blind/jj chasing/nn of/in the/at tail/nn ./.
It/pps ended/vbd when/wrb he/pps tumbled/vbd ;/. ;/.
but/cc jumping/vbg right/ql up/rp ,/, he/pps staggered/vbd in/in no/at particular/jj direction/nn ./.
He/pps wore/vbd no/at head/nn cover/nn of/in any/dti kind/nn and/cc ,/, more/ql odd/jj ,/, had/hvd no/at visible/jj weapon/nn ./.


	With/in a/at sudden/jj decisiveness/nn he/pps lurched/vbd in/in Matsuo's/np$ direction/nn ,/, crossing/vbg the/at meadow/nn in/in a/at zigzagging/vbg gallop/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps got/vbd closer/rbr to/in the/at tree/nn ,/, Matsuo/np noted/vbd the/at wild/jj look/nn on/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
The/at pockets/nns of/in his/pp$ jacket/nn bulged/vbd ./.
Hand/nn grenades/nns ./.


	The/at bobbing/vbg head/nn was/bedz a/at poor/jj target/nn ,/, so/cs Matsuo/np shot/vbd him/ppo in/in the/at upper/jj trunk/nn ./.


	The/at marine/nn spun/vbd ,/, clapping/vbg a/at hand/nn high/rb on/in his/pp$ chest/nn ,/, and/cc dived/vbd forward/rb ./.
In/in the/at hush/nn that/wps followed/vbd the/at echoes/nns ,/, Matsuo/np was/bedz tense/jj ./.
They/ppss could/md come/vb on/in him/ppo now/rb without/in difficulty/nn ./.
Gradually/rb he/pps reached/vbd a/at conclusion/nn ./.
The/at marine/nn was/bedz alone/rb ,/, for/cs they/ppss were/bed impatient/jj people/nns and/cc by/in now/rb would/md have/hv vied/vbn to/to knock/vb him/ppo from/in the/at tree/nn ./.


	Down/in the/at tree/nn he/pps scrambled/vbd and/cc knelt/vbd at/in the/at edge/nn of/in foliage/nn ./.
The/at marine/nn was/bedz sprawled/vbn some/dti thirty/cd yards/nns away/rb ,/, one/cd arm/nn extended/vbn ./.
Matsuo/np jumped/vbd when/wrb the/at hidden/vbn arm/nn flopped/vbd out/rp ./.
Reflex/nn ?/. ?/.


	Rifle/nn leveled/vbn on/in the/at man/nn ,/, he/pps made/vbd a/at rush/nn ./.
Heat/nn ,/, in/in the/at sunlight/nn ,/, pressed/vbd in/rp like/cs an/at invisible/jj crowd/nn ./.


	He/pps squatted/vbd by/in the/at head/nn ,/, gently/rb placing/vbg the/at rifle/nn on/in the/at ground/nn ./.
With/in a/at snakestrike/nn motion/nn he/pps grasped/vbd the/at hair/nn ,/, and/cc ,/, twisting/vbg ,/, pulled/vbd the/at marine/nn over/rp on/in his/pp$ back/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz bearded/vbn ./.
The/at bullet/nn had/hvd penetrated/vbn in/in the/at area/nn of/in the/at right/jj collarbone/nn ;/. ;/.
around/in the/at hole/nn ,/, blood/nn glistened/vbd in/in a/at little/jj patch/nn ./.
Maintaining/vbg his/pp$ clutch/nn on/in the/at hair/nn ,/, Matsuo/np watched/vbd the/at closed/vbn eyes/nns while/cs rummaging/vbg in/in the/at jacket/nn pockets/nns ./.
In/in one/cd :/: a/at package/nn of/in cigarettes/nns and/cc a/at tinplated/vbn lighter/nn ,/, both/abx sticky/jj from/in the/at man's/nn$ bleeding/nn ./.
In/in the/at other/ap :/: a/at wristwatch/nn with/in broken/vbn crystal/nn wrapped/vbn in/in a/at dirty/jj handkerchief/nn ./.
One/cd by/in one/cd he/pps tossed/vbd the/at objects/nns aside/rb ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* smoke/vb and/cc could/md not/* light/vb fires/nns with/in a/at flintless/jj lighter/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd no/at use/nn any/dti longer/jjr for/in exact/jj time/nn ,/, even/rb had/hvd the/at watch/nn been/ben running/vbg ./.
Then/rb there/ex was/bedz no/at saying/nn how/wrb many/ap times/nns the/at marine/nn had/hvd blown/vbn his/pp$ nose/nn on/in the/at handkerchief/nn ./.


	Too/ql bad/jj the/at marine/nn had/hvd no/at water/nn ./.
From/in its/pp$ holder/nn he/pps took/vbd his/pp$ own/jj canteen/nn ./.
The/at cap/nn was/bedz stuck/vbn and/cc made/vbd a/at thin/jj rusty/jj squeaking/nn as/cs he/pps applied/vbd pressure/nn ./.
The/at marine's/nn$ eyes/nns opened/vbd ,/, squeezed/vbd shut/vbn ,/, then/rb opened/vbn squinted/vbd in/in the/at glare/nn ./.


	So/cs ,/, alive/jj ./.
Matsuo/np put/vbd the/at bottle/nn to/in his/pp$ own/jj lips/nns ./.
The/at marine/nn reached/vbd up/rp a/at hand/nn ./.
Matsuo/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` None/pn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.
The/at marine/nn blinked/vbd ,/, soon/rb dropping/vbg his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
Not/* only/rb had/hvd he/pps no/at canteen/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps lacked/vbd even/rb the/at belt/nn to/to hang/vb one/pn on/rp ./.
``/`` You/ppss came/vbd well/rb equipped/vbn to/to die/vb ''/'' ./.


	Some/dti odor/nn made/vbd him/ppo lean/vb over/in the/at man/nn ./.
He/pps sniffed/vbd and/cc recognized/vbd it/ppo ./.
Sake/fw-nn ./.
So/cs that/dt had/hvd been/ben his/pp$ difficulty/nn ./.
Drunk/jj on/in sake/fw-nn ,/, he/pps must/md have/hv wandered/vbn off/rp from/in his/pp$ bivouac/nn ./.


	The/at marine/nn tried/vbd to/to roll/vb on/in his/pp$ right/jj side/nn ,/, and/cc moaned/vbd ./.
When/wrb he/pps rolled/vbd on/in the/at left/jj side/nn ,/, propping/vbg on/in his/pp$ left/jj elbow/nn ,/, Matsuo/np seized/vbd his/pp$ hair/nn and/cc pulled/vbd him/ppo back/rb over/rp ./.
``/`` Be/be a/at good/jj turtle/nn ''/'' ./.


	Awkwardly/rb with/in one/cd hand/nn Matsuo/np got/vbd the/at cap/nn back/rb on/in the/at water/nn bottle/nn ./.
The/at smell/nn of/in sake/fw-nn had/hvd freshened/vbn yesterday's/nr$ events/nns in/in his/pp$ thoughts/nns ./.
In/in the/at caves/nns ,/, with/in other/ap supplies/nns ,/, they/ppss had/hvd kept/vbn cases/nns of/in sake/fw-nn ./.


	The/at marine/nn shut/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
``/`` Are/ber you/ppss a/at thrower/nn of/in flame/nn ,/, marine/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Matsuo/np took/vbd the/at small/jj knife/nn from/in its/pp$ scabbard/nn and/cc laid/vbd it/ppo on/in the/at ground/nn ,/, out/in of/in the/at marine's/nn$ reach/nn and/cc away/rb from/in their/pp$ shadows/nns ./.
He/pps waited/vbd in/in his/pp$ squat/nn ,/, gripping/vbg the/at hair/nn ./.


	Every/at so/ql often/rb he/pps turned/vbd the/at knife/nn ./.
Its/pp$ blade/nn was/bedz dazzling/vbg in/in the/at intense/jj sunlight/nn ./.
The/at sun/nn was/bedz noon/nn high/jj and/cc Matsuo/np perspired/vbd until/cs his/pp$ body/nn was/bedz dripping/vbg ./.
Wet/jj also/rb were/bed the/at marine's/nn$ fatigues/nns and/cc the/at face/nn had/hvd an/at oily/jj film/nn ./.
The/at man/nn had/hvd thrown/vbn the/at left/jj hand/nn over/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
Now/rb and/cc again/rb he/pps murmured/vbd something/pn that/wps ended/vbd in/in a/at giggle/nn ./.
He/pps must/md have/hv saturated/vbn himself/ppl in/in the/at drink/nn ,/, for/cs the/at bullet/nn not/* to/to shock/vb him/ppo out/in of/in his/pp$ drunken/jj haze/nn ./.
Matsuo/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
Strange/jj ./.


	At/in last/rb he/pps reached/vbd for/in the/at knife/nn ./.
Even/rb the/at bone/nn handle/nn scorched/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps retrieved/vbd the/at marine's/nn$ handkerchief/nn to/to wrap/vb it/ppo ./.
First/rb he/pps barely/rb touched/vbd the/at blade/nn on/in the/at hand/nn which/wdt shaded/vbd the/at eyes/nns ./.
The/at marine/nn yelled/vbd and/cc flung/vbd the/at hand/nn away/rb ./.
With/in a/at firm/jj grip/nn on/in the/at man's/nn$ hair/nn Matsuo/np applied/vbd the/at blade/nn flat/rb on/in a/at cheek/nn ./.
A/at shrill/jj yelp/nn ,/, kicked/vbn legs/nns ,/, and/cc groping/vbg hands/nns that/wps circled/vbd Matsuo's/np$ wrist/nn ./.
Matsuo/np wrenched/vbd free/jj and/cc burned/vbd the/at hands/nns into/in retreat/nn ;/. ;/.
burned/vbd the/at other/ap cheek/nn ;/. ;/.
burned/vbd each/dt hand/nn when/wrb they/ppss came/vbd groping/vbg again/rb ./.
The/at marine/nn commenced/vbd to/to weep/vb and/cc it/pps blighted/vbd the/at sense/nn of/in enjoyment/nn ./.


	Matsuo/np stood/vbd up/rp ./.
``/`` A/at small/jj measure/nn of/in payment/nn ,/, marine/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps dropped/vbd the/at knife/nn in/in its/pp$ scabbard/nn ,/, hung/vbd the/at rifle/nn behind/in a/at shoulder/nn ./.


	The/at marine/nn ,/, hands/nns on/in cheeks/nns ,/, rolled/vbd by/in his/pp$ unwounded/jj side/nn onto/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ./.
He/pps ceased/vbd weeping/vbg ./.


	Matsuo/np walked/vbd toward/in his/pp$ tree/nn ,/, once/rb glancing/vbg back/rb ./.
The/at marine/nn was/bedz still/jj ./.
He/pps would/md soon/rb die/vb ./.


	As/cs Matsuo/np climbed/vbd by/in using/vbg the/at vines/nns and/cc kicking/vbg his/pp$ feet/nns against/in the/at trunk/nn ,/, a/at mood/nn of/in gloom/nn immersed/vbd him/ppo like/cs a/at jungle/nn shadow/nn ./.
What/wdt now/rb ?/. ?/.
In/in the/at jungle/nn ,/, birds/nns were/bed mute/jj ,/, while/cs insects/nns preserved/vbd only/ap the/at monotony/nn of/in living/vbg ./.


	Someone/pn called/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at marine/nn :/: head/nn lifted/vbn ,/, he/pps strained/vbd and/cc called/vbd ./.
Then/rb he/pps astonished/vbd Matsuo/np by/in pushing/vbg and/cc dragging/vbg himself/ppl until/cs he/pps sat/vbd ./.
He/pps cupped/vbd his/pp$ mouth/nn and/cc yelled/vbd ./.
Matsuo/np hustled/vbd the/at rifle/nn off/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.
Once/rb and/cc for/in all/abn he'd/pps+md finish/vb this/dt marine/nn who/wps would/md not/* die/vb ./.
He/pps aimed/vbd ,/, but/cc listened/vbd ./.
It/pps sounded/vbd as/cs if/cs the/at man/nn were/bed calling/vbg him/ppo :/: ``/`` Hey/uh ,/, Japanese/np hey/uh there/rb ,/, Japanese/np ''/'' ./.
The/at man/nn tilted/vbd back/rb his/pp$ head/nn and/cc went/vbd through/in the/at pantomime/nn of/in drinking/vbg from/in a/at container/nn ./.
He/pps performed/vbd the/at act/nn twice/rb more/rbr ,/, and/cc the/at begging/nn in/in his/pp$ tone/nn grew/vbd more/rbr distinct/jj ./.


	``/`` Sake/fw-nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Matsuo/np called/vbd ./.


	The/at marine/nn nodded/vbd vigorously/rb ./.


	Matsuo/np laughed/vbd ,/, slung/vbd the/at rifle/nn ./.
The/at marine/nn was/bedz a/at winehead/nn ./.
His/pp$ superiors/nns had/hvd said/vbn that/cs all/abn marines/nns were/bed depraved/vbn ./.


	The/at marine/nn slumped/vbd forward/rb into/in a/at bow/nn like/cs a/at priest/nn before/in an/at idol/nn ./.
Remembering/vbg his/pp$ own/jj thirst/nn ,/, Matsuo/np took/vbd out/rp his/pp$ water/nn bottle/nn ./.
One/cd swallow/nn was/bedz all/abn he/pps would/md have/hv ;/. ;/.
he/pps was/bedz very/ql thirsty/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps must/md observe/vb water/nn discipline/nn ./.
His/pp$ years/nns of/in campaigning/vbg had/hvd taught/vbn him/ppo the/at value/nn of/in water/nn discipline/nn ./.


	He/pps began/vbd to/to uncap/vb the/at bottle/nn ,/, the/at rusty/jj cap/nn squealing/vbg on/in its/pp$ threads/nns ./.
Popping/vbg upright/nn ,/, the/at marine/nn waved/vbd both/abx hands/nns and/cc shouted/vbd ./.


	Of/in course/nn it/pps was/bedz water/nn he/pps really/rb craved/vbd ;/. ;/.
down/rp in/in the/at broil/nn of/in the/at sun/nn he/pps was/bedz becoming/vbg dried/vbn out/rp ./.
The/at marine/nn shouted/vbd for/in it/ppo until/cs it/pps seemed/vbd that/cs his/pp$ voice/nn had/hvd to/to crack/vb ./.
Matsuo/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at water/nn for/in an/at enemy/nn ./.
And/cc when/wrb this/dt was/bedz gone/vbn ,/, he/pps hadn't/hvd* even/rb a/at little/ql bitter/jj tablet/nn to/to purify/vb other/ap water/nn if/cs he/pps were/bed to/to discover/vb some/dti stagnant/jj jungle/nn pool/nn ./.


	He/pps capped/vbd the/at bottle/nn and/cc replaced/vbd it/ppo ./.
After/in all/abn ,/, he/pps had/hvd less/ap reason/nn to/to desire/vb it/ppo than/cs the/at marine/nn ./.


	Before/in much/ql longer/jjr the/at marine/nn quieted/vbd down/rp ./.
His/pp$ head/nn slumped/vbd ./.
The/at upper/jj part/nn of/in his/pp$ packet/nn had/hvd stained/vbn dark/jj ./.
``/`` Marine/nn ./.
There/ex is/bez nothing/pn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Matsuo/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ superiors/nns will/md certainly/rb beat/vb you/ppo for/in your/pp$ desertion/nn ,/, besides/in the/at dishonor/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
I've/ppss+hv nothing/pn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	From/in the/at convulsive/jj quivers/nns of/in the/at man's/nn$ shoulders/nns it/pps was/bedz plain/jj he/pps had/hvd resumed/vbn the/at weeping/nn ./.
He/pps reminded/vbd Matsuo/np of/in a/at similar/jj thing/nn he/pps had/hvd witnessed/vbn in/in China/np ./.
In/in China/np it/pps was/bedz a/at baby/nn sitting/vbg on/in a/at railroad/nn platform/nn ,/, smudged/vbn ,/, blood-specked/jj ,/, with/in the/at village/nn burning/vbg about/in him/ppo and/cc shells/nns exploding/vbg ./.



	Chairs/nns scraped/vbd back/rb and/cc customers/nns hastily/rb vacated/vbd their/pp$ tables/nns as/cs the/at tall/jj young/jj buffalo/nn hunter/nn pushed/vbd open/rb the/at swing/nn doors/nns and/cc walked/vbd towards/in the/at bar/nn ./.
Only/rb Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl and/cc his/pp$ gang/nn stayed/vbd where/wrb they/ppss were/bed ./.
Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl was/bedz slumped/vbn with/in his/pp$ back/nn against/in the/at bar/nn ,/, elbows/nns supporting/vbg his/pp$ massive/jj frame/nn ./.
He/pps leered/vbd at/in the/at stranger/nn as/cs the/at distance/nn between/in them/ppo closed/vbd ./.


	``/`` Since/cs when/wrb did/dod they/ppss allow/vb beardless/jj kids/nns into/in the/at saloon/nn bars/nns of/in this/dt town/nn ,/, boys/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Seems/vbz to/in me/ppo I/ppss don't/do* remember/vb altering/vbg any/dti law/nn about/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	He/pps straightened/vbd up/rp ,/, alert/jj now/rb as/cs the/at buffalo/nn hunter/nn came/vbd closer/rbr ./.
``/`` Stay/vb right/ql here/rb where/wrb you/ppss are/ber ,/, kid/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps called/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* aim/vb to/to have/hv minors/nns breathing/vbg down/in my/pp$ neck/nn when/wrb I'm/ppss+bem a-drinking/vbg ''/'' :/: 

	The/at stranger/nn ignored/vbd him/ppo ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* stop/vb till/cs he/pps was/bedz within/in three/cd feet/nns of/in Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl and/cc by/in that/dt time/nn the/at gang/nn leader's/nn$ right/jj hand/nn was/bedz on/in the/at butt/nn of/in his/pp$ revolver/nn ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem Billy/np Tilghman/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at stranger/nn ,/, ``/`` and/cc I've/ppss+hv come/vbn for/in Pat/np Conyers'/np$ body/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc what/wdt makes/vbz you/ppss think/vb you're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to get/vb it/ppo ,/, pretty/jj boy/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Because/cs I'm/ppss+bem asking/vbg ./.
Most/ap of/in the/at time/nn I/ppss get/vb what/wdt I/ppss ask/vb for/in ''/'' ./.


	Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl winked/vbd at/in his/pp$ six/cd cronies/nns ./.
``/`` The/at kid/nn has/hvz no/at manners/nns ,/, boys/nns ./.
Shall/md we/ppss teach/vb him/ppo some/dti ''/'' ?/. ?/.
His/pp$ gun/nn was/bedz half/ql drawn/vbn when/wrb he/pps asked/vbd the/at question/nn ,/, but/cc the/at weapon/nn never/rb left/vbd its/pp$ holster/nn ./.
Tilghman's/np$ clenched/vbn fist/nn swept/vbd over/rp in/in a/at terrific/jj right/jj cross/nn and/cc clipped/vbd the/at big/jj gunfighter/nn on/in the/at side/nn of/in his/pp$ chin/nn ./.
His/pp$ head/nn snapped/vbd round/rb and/cc he/pps reeled/vbd back/rb ,/, crashing/vbg into/in the/at table/nn where/wrb his/pp$ buddies/nns were/bed sprawling/vbg ./.


	Tilghman/np leapt/vbd on/in to/in him/ppo ,/, dragged/vbd him/ppo upright/rb and/cc hit/vbd him/ppo again/rb ,/, this/dt time/nn sending/vbg him/ppo careening/vbg against/in the/at bar/nn ./.
A/at bullet/nn gouged/vbd into/in the/at bar/nn top/nn an/at inch/nn from/in Tilghman's/np$ stomach/nn as/cs Blue/jj-tl Throat's/nn$-tl henchmen/nns started/vbd shooting/vbg ./.
Tilghman/np flung/vbd himself/ppl aside/rb ,/, dropped/vbd on/in one/cd knee/nn and/cc pulled/vbd his/pp$ own/jj gun/nn ./.


	The/at Colt/np roared/vbd twice/rb and/cc two/cd men/nns dropped/vbd ,/, writhing/vbg ./.
A/at third/od shot/nn doused/vbd the/at light/nn ./.
Somewhere/rb at/in the/at far/jj end/nn of/in the/at room/nn a/at voice/nn yelled/vbd ,/, ``/`` You/ppss all/ql right/jj ,/, Billy/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, George/np ,/, but/cc I/ppss ain't/hv* got/vbn poor/jj old/jj Pat's/np$ body/nn yet/rb ./.
And/cc I/ppss aim/vb to/to have/hv it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps fired/vbd again/rb ,/, and/cc somewhere/nn in/in the/at gloom/nn a/at man/nn screamed/vbd ./.
Another/dt took/vbd off/rp his/pp$ gun/nn belt/nn and/cc flung/vbd his/pp$ weapons/nns to/in the/at floor/nn ./.
``/`` OK/rb ,/, Tilghman/np ,/, I'm/ppss+bem quitting/vbg ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc me/ppo ''/'' ,/, said/vbd another/dt Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl henchman/nn ./.


	Somebody/pn brought/vbd a/at light/nn ./.
Tilghman/np and/cc his/pp$ partner/nn ,/, George/np Rust/np ,/, herded/vbd the/at men/nns into/in a/at corner/nn ./.
``/`` And/cc now/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Tilghman/np with/in deadly/jj calm/nn ,/, ``/`` I'll/ppss+md repeat/vb what/wdt I/ppss said/vbd ./.
I've/ppss+hv come/vbn for/in Pat/np Conyers'/np$ body/nn ''/'' ./.


	In/in two/cd minutes/nns the/at body/nn of/in Tilghman's/np$ former/ap comrade/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd been/ben killed/vbn by/in Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl in/in a/at gambling/vbg brawl/nn the/at previous/jj night/nn ,/, was/bedz carried/vbn into/in the/at town's/nn$ funeral/nn parlor/nn to/to be/be prepared/vbn for/in decent/jj burial/nn ./.
Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl ,/, nursing/vbg an/at aching/vbg jaw/nn and/cc a/at collosal/jj dose/nn of/in wounded/vbn pride/nn ,/, rode/vbd out/in of/in town/nn with/in the/at survivors/nns of/in the/at fight/nn ./.


	``/`` That/dt critter/nn will/md be/be back/rb tomorrow/nr ''/'' ,/, predicted/vbd George/np Rust/np ,/, ``/`` and/cc he'll/pps+md bring/vb fifty/cd of/in his/pp$ kind/nn back/rb with/in him/ppo ./.
Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl won't/md* stand/vb for/in this/dt ./.
He'll/pps+md shoot/vb up/rp the/at town/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at prediction/nn was/bedz correct/jj ./.
The/at Reverend/np James/np Doran/np had/hvd scarcely/rb completed/vbn Pat/np Conyers'/np$ last/ap rites/nns on/in Boot/nn-tl Hill/nn-tl in/in the/at township/nn of/in Petrie/np ,/, when/wrb shots/nns were/bed heard/vbn in/in the/at distance/nn ./.


	``/`` Amen/uh ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at Reverend/np Doran/np ,/, grabbing/vbg his/pp$ rifle/nn propped/vbn up/rp against/in a/at tombstone/nn ,/, ``/`` and/cc now/rb my/pp$ brethren/nns ,/, it/pps would/md seem/vb that/cs our/pp$ presence/nn is/bez required/vbn elsewhere/rb ''/'' ./.


	Billy/np Tilghman/np and/cc his/pp$ comrades/nns rode/vbd off/rp to/in the/at battle/nn ./.
Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl ,/, who/wps had/hvd ruled/vbn the/at town/nn with/in his/pp$ six-shooter/nn for/in the/at last/ap six/cd months/nns ,/, certainly/rb had/hvd no/at intention/nn of/in relinquishing/vbg his/pp$ profitable/jj dictatorship/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz essential/jj that/cs he/pps should/md restore/vb his/pp$ formidable/jj reputation/nn as/cs a/at rip-roaring/jj ,/, ruthless/jj gun-slinger/nn ,/, and/cc this/dt was/bedz the/at time-honored/jj Wild/jj-tl West/nr-tl method/nn of/in doing/vbg it/ppo ./.


	He/pps rode/vbd in/rp at/in the/at head/nn of/in sixty/cd trigger-happy/jj and/cc liquor-crazed/jj desperadoes/nns and/cc took/vbd over/rp a/at livery/nn barn/nn at/in the/at entrance/nn to/in Main/jjs-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
The/at entire/jj length/nn of/in the/at street/nn could/md be/be raked/vbn with/in rifle/nn fire/nn from/in this/dt barn/nn ./.
Any/dti posse/nn riding/vbg down/in the/at street/nn to/to demand/vb Blue/jj-tl Throat's/nn$-tl surrender/nn would/md be/be wiped/vbn out/rp with/in one/cd deadly/jj burst/nn of/in fire/nn ./.


	The/at law-abiding/jj citizens/nns of/in Petrie/np had/hvd gathered/vbn inside/in Kaster's/np$-tl Store/nn-tl ,/, halfway/rb down/in the/at street/nn ./.
Several/ap were/bed firing/vbg into/in the/at barn/nn when/wrb Billy/np Tilghman/np arrived/vbd ./.
He/pps sized/vbd up/rp the/at situation/nn and/cc shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` If/cs Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl has/hvz his/pp$ way/nn he'll/pps+md keep/vb us/ppo all/abn cooped/vbn up/rp in/in here/rb for/in days/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez only/rb one/cd thing/nn to/to move/vb him/ppo fast/rb ,/, and/cc we/ppss have/hv it/ppo right/ql here/rb in/in this/dt very/ap store/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps called/vbd the/at store/nn owner/nn and/cc together/rb they/ppss went/vbd into/in the/at stockroom/nn ./.
Billy/np returned/vbd with/in six/cd sticks/nns of/in dynamite/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem gonna/vbg+to drop/vb these/dts into/in Blue/jj-tl Throat's/nn$-tl lap/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps announced/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc I'd/ppss+md like/vb every/at gun/nn to/to be/be firing/vbg into/in that/dt barn/nn while/cs I/ppss get/vb near/rb enough/qlp to/to toss/vb 'em/ppo through/in the/at window/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps slipped/vbd outside/rb ,/, hugging/vbg the/at walls/nns of/in buildings/nns and/cc dodging/vbg into/in doorways/nns ./.
Blue/jj-tl Throat's/nn$-tl men/nns spotted/vbd him/ppo and/cc a/at hail/nn of/in bullets/nns splintered/vbd the/at store/nn fronts/nns and/cc board/nn walk/nn as/cs he/pps passed/vbd ./.


	Fifty/cd yards/nns away/rb from/in the/at barn/nn he/pps dodged/vbd inside/in a/at barber's/nn$ shop/nn and/cc came/vbd out/rp at/in the/at back/nn ./.
Here/rb he/pps couldn't/md* be/be seen/vbn by/in Blue/jj-tl Throat/nn-tl and/cc his/pp$ gang/nn ./.
All/abn he/pps had/hvd to/to do/do was/bedz light/vb the/at fuses/nns of/in the/at dynamite/nn sticks/nns ,/, run/vb to/in within/in ten/cd yards/nns of/in an/at open/jj window/nn in/in the/at barn/nn and/cc hurl/vb the/at sticks/nns through/in ./.


	Billy/np Tilghman/np did/dod just/rb that/dt ./.
Within/in seconds/nns the/at big/jj barn/nn was/bedz blasted/vbn into/in smoking/vbg splinters/nns ,/, with/in every/at outlaw/nn either/cc dead/jj or/cc injured/vbn inside/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at abrupt/jj end/nn of/in Blue/jj-tl Throat's/nn$-tl dictatorship/nn in/in Petrie/np ./.
Though/cs only/rb slightly/rb injured/vbn himself/ppl the/at big/jj hoodlum/nn never/rb returned/vbd to/in those/dts parts/nns ./.


	To/in Tilghman/np the/at incident/nn was/bedz just/rb one/cd of/in a/at long/jj list/nn of/in hair-raising/jj ,/, smash-'em-down/jj adventures/nns on/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at law/nn which/wdt started/vbd in/in 1872/cd when/wrb he/pps was/bedz only/rb eighteen/cd years/nns old/jj ,/, and/cc did/dod not/* end/vb till/cs fifty/cd years/nns later/rbr when/wrb he/pps was/bedz shot/vbn dead/jj after/cs warning/vbg a/at drunk/nn to/to be/be quiet/jj ./.


	Of/in all/abn the/at rip-roaring/jj two-fisted/jj tough/jj boys/nns of/in the/at Old/jj-tl West/nr-tl ,/, ``/`` Uncle/nn-tl Billy/np Tilghman/np ''/'' stands/vbz out/rp head/nn and/cc shoulders/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz the/at lawman/nn who/wps survived/vbd more/ap gunfights/nns than/cs any/dti other/ap famous/jj gun-slinging/jj character/nn in/in the/at book/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at most/ap action/nn ,/, beat/vbd up/rp more/ap badmen/nns with/in his/pp$ bare/jj fists/nns ,/, broke/vbd up/rp the/at most/ap gangs/nns and/cc sent/vbd more/ap murderers/nns to/in the/at gallows/nn than/cs any/dti other/ap U.S./np marshal/nn who/wps lived/vbd before/in or/cc after/in him/ppo ./.


	For/in fifty/cd years/nns his/pp$ guns/nns and/cc ham-like/jj fists/nns shot/vbd holes/nns through/in and/cc battered/vbd the/at daylights/nns out/in of/in the/at enemies/nns of/in law/nn and/cc order/nn in/in the/at frontier/nn towns/nns of/in the/at West/nr-tl ./.


	The/at deeds/nns of/in countless/jj western/jj bandits/nns and/cc outlaws/nns have/hv been/ben glorified/vbn almost/rb to/in the/at point/nn of/in hero-worship/nn ,/, but/cc because/cs Billy/np Tilghman/np remained/vbd strictly/rb on/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at law/nn throughout/in his/pp$ action-packed/jj career/nn ,/, his/pp$ achievements/nns and/cc the/at appalling/jj risks/nns he/pps took/vbd while/cs taming/vbg the/at West/nr-tl have/hv remained/vbn almost/rb unsung/jj ./.


	Citizens/nns took/vbd the/at view/nn that/cs a/at lawman/nn was/bedz expected/vbn to/to risk/vb his/pp$ life/nn on/in the/at odd/jj occasion/nn anyway/rb ,/, but/cc this/dt fighting/vbg fury/nn of/in a/at man/nn risked/vbd it/ppo regularly/rb over/in a/at period/nn of/in half/abn a/at century/nn ./.


	He/pps came/vbd within/in an/at ace/nn of/in being/beg riddled/vbn with/in bullets/nns during/in his/pp$ long/jj fight/nn with/in the/at Doolin/np gang/nn which/wdt terrorized/vbd Oklahoma/np in/in the/at 1890's/nns ./.
Led/vbn by/in Bill/np Doolin/np ,/, these/dts mobsters/nns specialized/vbd in/in train/nn robberies/nns but/cc as/in a/at sideline/nn they/ppss looted/vbd stores/nns and/cc robbed/vbd banks/nns ,/, making/vbg liberal/jj use/nn of/in their/pp$ guns/nns ./.
Bill/np Doolin's/np$ ambition/nn ,/, it/pps appeared/vbd ,/, was/bedz to/to carve/vb out/rp his/pp$ name/nn with/in bullets/nns alongside/in those/dts of/in Jesse/np James/np and/cc Billy/np-tl the/at-tl Kid/nn-tl ,/, and/cc Bill/np Tilghman/np had/hvd sworn/vbn he/pps would/md stop/vb him/ppo ./.


	Tilghman/np knew/vbd that/cs some/dti ranchers/nns were/bed hand-in-glove/jj with/in the/at Doolin/np gang/nn ./.
They/ppss bought/vbd rustled/vbn cattle/nns from/in the/at outlaw/nn ,/, kept/vbd him/ppo supplied/vbn with/in guns/nns and/cc ammunition/nn ,/, harbored/vbd his/pp$ men/nns in/in their/pp$ houses/nns ./.
Billy/np decided/vbd to/to set/vb an/at example/nn by/in arresting/vbg one/cd of/in the/at ranchers/nns ,/, named/vbn Ed/np Dunn/np ,/, who/wps lived/vbd at/in Rock/nn-tl Fort/nn-tl ./.


	On/in a/at bitterly/rb cold/jj day/nn in/in January/np ,/, 1895/cd ,/, accompanied/vbn only/rb by/in Neal/np Brown/np as/cs his/pp$ deputy/nn ,/, Tilghman/np left/vbd the/at township/nn of/in Guthrie/np and/cc headed/vbd for/in Rock/nn-tl Fort/nn-tl and/cc Dunn's/np$ ranch/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz snowing/vbg hard/jj when/wrb they/ppss got/vbd there/rb and/cc they/ppss saw/vbd no/at horses/nns outside/rb ./.
The/at only/jj evidence/nn of/in occupation/nn came/vbd from/in the/at chimney/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz belching/vbg out/rp thick/jj smoke/nn ./.


	The/at two/cd lawmen/nns halted/vbd their/pp$ wagon/nn about/in twenty/cd yards/nns from/in the/at door/nn ./.
``/`` Wait/vb here/rb ,/, Neal/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Tilghman/np ./.
``/`` If/cs I/ppss don't/do* come/vb out/rp within/in half/abn an/at hour/nn ride/nn back/vb to/in town/nn and/cc bring/vb out/rp a/at posse/nn ''/'' ./.


	Leaving/vbg his/pp$ rifle/nn in/in the/at wagon/nn ,/, Tilghman/np walked/vbd up/rp to/in the/at door/nn and/cc hammered/vbd on/in it/ppo ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at reply/nn so/cs he/pps shoved/vbd it/ppo open/jj with/in his/pp$ foot/nn and/cc stepped/vbd inside/rb ./.
Directly/rb opposite/in the/at door/nn was/bedz a/at roaring/vbg log/nn fire/nn ,/, a/at welcome/nn sight/nn on/in that/dt bitterly/rb cold/jj day/nn ./.
Seated/vbn near/in it/ppo with/in his/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at door/nn was/bedz the/at rancher/nn ,/, Ed/np Dunn/np ./.


	``/`` Hello/uh ,/, Ed/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Tilghman/np ./.
The/at rancher/nn grunted/vbd an/at acknowledgement/nn but/cc didn't/dod* move/vb ./.


	Tilghman/np closed/vbd the/at door/nn behind/in him/ppo and/cc walked/vbd towards/in the/at fire/nn ./.
Suddenly/rb he/pps saw/vbd something/pn which/wdt made/vbd his/pp$ big/jj heart/nn give/vb a/at sickening/vbg lurch/nn and/cc caused/vbd the/at hairs/nns to/to bristle/vb on/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
Along/in each/dt side/nn of/in the/at room/nn were/bed six/cd tiered/jj bunks/nns ,/, each/dt one/cd screened/vbd off/rp with/in a/at curtain/nn ./.


	And/cc projecting/vbg wickedly/rb through/in these/dts curtains/nns were/bed the/at gleaming/vbg muzzles/nns of/in six/cd rifles/nns ,/, all/abn trained/vbn on/in Billy/np Tilghman/np ./.
The/at fighting/vbg marshal/nn had/hvd walked/vbn right/ql into/in a/at trap/nn and/cc at/in any/dti moment/nn six/cd slugs/nns might/md slam/nn into/in his/pp$ hide/nn ./.


	Thinking/vbg fast/rb ,/, Tilghman/np never/rb hesitated/vbd for/in one/cd instant/nn ./.
He/pps walked/vbd right/ql up/rp to/in the/at fire/nn as/cs though/cs blissfully/rb unaware/jj of/in the/at guns/nns covering/vbg him/ppo ./.
The/at men/nns behind/in them/ppo were/bed Bill/np Doolin/np and/cc five/cd of/in his/pp$ gang/nn --/-- every/at man/nn a/at killer/nn ./.


	``/`` Cold/jj day/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Tilghman/np ,/, placing/vbg his/pp$ hands/nns behind/in him/ppo and/cc casually/rb presenting/vbg his/pp$ backside/nn to/in the/at fire/nn ./.
``/`` Just/rb dropped/vbd in/rp to/to ask/vb where/wrb Jed/np Hawkins/np lives/nns ./.
Can't/md* seem/vb to/to locate/vb landmarks/nns in/in this/dt snow/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at rancher/nn was/bedz trembling/vbg ./.
He/pps wouldn't/md* look/vb Tilghman/np in/in the/at face/nn ./.
``/`` Follow/vb the/at river/nn for/in five/cd miles/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd hoarsely/rb ./.
``/`` Jed's/np$ homestead/nn is/bez on/in the/at south/nr bank/nn ''/'' ./.


	Resisting/vbg the/at overwhelming/jj temptation/nn to/to flng/vb himself/ppl out/in of/in that/dt bristling/vbg death-trap/nn ,/, Tilghman/np deliberately/rb engaged/vbd the/at nervous/jj rancher/nn in/in trivial/jj conversation/nn for/in a/at good/jj ten/cd minutes/nns ./.
All/abn that/dt time/nn rifle/nn barrels/nns were/bed pointing/vbg unwaveringly/rb at/in his/pp$ head/nn and/cc body/nn ./.
One/cd false/jj move/nn on/in his/pp$ part/nn and/cc he/pps would/md be/be a/at dead/jj man/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ,/, he/pps announced/vbd ,/, ``/`` Guess/vb I'll/ppss+md be/be going/vbg now/rb ,/, Ed/np ,/, and/cc thanks/nns for/in the/at warmup/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps strolled/vbd back/rb to/in the/at door/nn ,/, whistling/vbg softly/rb ,/, hands/nns still/rb clasped/vbn behind/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps left/vbd the/at house/nn and/cc almost/ql certain/jj death/nn without/in even/rb increasing/vbg his/pp$ pace/nn and/cc wondered/vbd by/in what/wdt remarkable/jj stroke/nn of/in Providence/np he/pps had/hvd been/ben allowed/vbn to/to come/vb out/rp alive/jj ./.


	But/cc he/pps knew/vbd well/rb enough/qlp that/cs those/dts guns/nns would/md still/rb be/be trained/vbn on/in his/pp$ back/nn as/cs he/pps walked/vbd towards/in the/at wagon/nn ./.
If/cs he/pps showed/vbd signs/nns of/in collecting/vbg his/pp$ rifle/nn and/cc going/vbg back/rb with/in his/pp$ deputy/nn to/in the/at ranch/nn he/pps would/md be/be shot/vbn down/rp instantly/rb ./.


	Leisurely/rb he/pps climbed/vbd on/rp to/in the/at wagon/nn next/in to/in Neal/np Brown/np ./.
``/`` Don't/do* say/vb or/cc do/do anything/pn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd softly/rb ./.
``/`` Just/rb get/vb out/in of/in here/rb without/in it/ppo looking/vbg as/cs though/cs we're/ppss+ber in/in a/at hurry/nn ./.
That/dt place/nn is/bez crawling/vbg with/in Bill/np Doolin/np and/cc his/pp$ gang/nn ''/'' ./.


	Even/rb as/cs he/pps spoke/vbd those/dts words/nns Billy/np Tilghman's/np$ life/nn hung/vbd on/in a/at thread/nn ./.
Back/rb in/in the/at house/nn a/at hoodlum/nn named/vbn Red/np Buck/np ,/, sore/jj because/cs Billy/np had/hvd been/ben allowed/vbn to/to leave/vb unscathed/jj ,/, jumped/vbd from/in a/at bunk/nn and/cc swore/vbd he/pps was/bedz going/vbg after/in him/ppo to/to kill/vb him/ppo right/ql then/rb ./.


	``/`` You'll/ppss+md stay/vb right/ql here/rb ''/'' ,/, commanded/vbd Bill/np Doolin/np ,/, covering/vbg Red/np with/in his/pp$ rifle/nn ./.
``/`` Billy/np Tilghman/np is/bez too/ql good/jj a/at man/nn to/to shoot/vb in/in the/at back/nn ./.
We'll/ppss+md let/vb him/ppo go/vb ''/'' ./.


	But/cc the/at fighting/vbg marshal's/nn$ fifty-year/jj run/nn of/in immunity/nn from/in violent/jj death/nn came/vbd to/in a/at full/jj and/cc final/jj stop/nn one/cd night/nn in/in a/at street/nn at/in Cromwell/np ,/, Oklahoma/np ,/, where/wrb he/pps had/hvd been/ben sent/vbn to/to clean/vb up/rp the/at gambling/vbg and/cc vice/nn rackets/nns ./.


	Wiley/np Lynn/np ,/, a/at self-styled/jj prohibition/nn officer/nn ,/, had/hvd hit/vbn town/nn the/at previous/jj day/nn and/cc had/hvd been/ben drinking/vbg ever/rb since/rb ./.
That/dt night/nn he/pps reeled/vbd out/in of/in Ma/nn-tl Murphy's/np$ dance/nn hall/nn and/cc proceeded/vbd to/to disturb/vb the/at peace/nn by/in shooting/vbg off/rp his/pp$ revolver/nn ./.

For/in several/ap months/nns now/rb ,/, Jack/np Carter/np ,/, a/at big/jj overgrown/vbn boy/nn of/in fifteen/cd with/in a/at fuzzy/jj ,/, pimpled/jj face/nn and/cc greenish/jj catlike/jj eyes/nns with/in a/at lot/nn of/in red/nn in/in them/ppo ,/, had/hvd been/ben haunted/vbn by/in a/at dream/nn ,/, a/at vision/nn ,/, of/in a/at Woman/nn-tl ./.
This/dt Woman/nn-tl had/hvd no/at distinct/jj shape/nn or/cc size/nn and/cc no/at particular/jj face/nn ,/, but/cc she/pps radiated/vbd warmth/nn ,/, a/at sweet/jj warmth/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps would/md talk/vb to/in him/ppo in/in a/at soothing/vbg voice/nn about/in things/nns his/pp$ mother/nn would/md have/hv said/vbn were/bed not/* nice/jj and/cc put/vb her/pp$ hands/nns on/in him/ppo and/cc kiss/vb him/ppo passionately/rb ./.
When/wrb she/pps would/md do/do these/dts things/nns ,/, he/pps would/md turn/vb blind/jj for/in an/at instant/nn and/cc become/vb sick/jj at/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps would/md run/vb to/in the/at toilet/nn behind/in the/at house/nn ./.
Sometimes/rb he/pps did/dod this/dt three/cd or/cc four/cd times/nns a/at day/nn ,/, for/cs this/dt Woman/nn-tl was/bedz almost/rb always/rb with/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps would/md feel/vb ashamed/jj each/dt time/nn and/cc wonder/vb whether/cs his/pp$ mother/nn and/cc father/nn knew/vbd --/-- thinking/vbg they/ppss might/md see/vb it/ppo in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns or/cc smell/vb it/ppo on/in him/ppo ./.
But/cc they/ppss never/rb said/vbd anything/pn ,/, so/cs he/pps figured/vbd it/pps was/bedz all/ql right/rb ./.


	And/cc so/rb when/wrb Miss/np Langford/np came/vbd to/to teach/vb at/in the/at one-room/jj Chestnut/nn-tl school/nn-tl ,/, where/wrb Jack/np was/bedz a/at pupil/nn in/in the/at eighth/od grade/nn ,/, the/at Woman/nn-tl of/in Jack's/np$ mind/nn assumed/vbd the/at teacher's/nn$ face/nn and/cc figure/nn ./.
He/pps could/md not/* keep/vb his/pp$ eyes/nns off/in her/ppo when/wrb at/in school/nn ;/. ;/.
when/wrb he/pps went/vbd home/nr at/in night/nn ,/, he/pps took/vbd her/ppo with/in him/ppo in/in his/pp$ mind/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps did/dod the/at things/nns the/at anonymous/jj Woman/nn-tl used/vbd to/to do/do ,/, and/cc he/pps did/dod the/at thing/nn afterwards/rb each/dt time/nn as/cs he/pps used/vbd to/to do/do ./.
When/wrb he/pps awoke/vbd in/in the/at mornings/nns ,/, she/pps was/bedz in/in his/pp$ mind/nn and/cc he/pps could/md hardly/rb wait/vb to/to get/vb to/to school/vb to/to be/be near/in her/ppo in/in the/at flesh/nn ./.


	Miss/np Langford/np (/( her/pp$ first/od name/nn was/bedz Evelyn/np )/) was/bedz an/at attractive/jj girl/nn ./.
Tall/jj ,/, blonde/jj ,/, blue-eyes/nns ,/, fair/jj ,/, buxom/jj without/in being/beg heavy/jj ,/, she/pps cut/vbd a/at fine/jj figure/nn of/in budding/vbg womanhood/nn as/cs she/pps swished/vbd among/in the/at pupils/nns in/in her/pp$ fresh/jj ,/, starched/vbn summer/nn dress/nn ./.
Something/pn was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to stir/vb and/cc come/vb alive/jj in/in her/ppo ,/, too/rb (/( it/pps may/md have/hv been/ben there/rb for/in a/at good/jj while/nn ,/, since/cs she/pps was/bedz twenty/cd now/rb ;/. ;/.
but/cc if/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben ,/, it/pps had/hvd been/ben smothered/vbn until/in now/rb by/in fear/nn )/) :/: you/ppss could/md tell/vb it/ppo by/in the/at way/nn she/pps watched/vbd the/at older/jjr ,/, bigger/jjr boys/nns ,/, like/cs Jack/np ./.
She/pps would/md look/vb at/in Jack/np ,/, with/in that/ql hidden/vbn something/pn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc Jack/np would/md see/vb the/at Woman/nn-tl and/cc become/vb breathless/jj and/cc a/at little/ql sick/jj ./.


	School/nn began/vbd in/in August/np ,/, the/at hottest/jjt part/nn of/in the/at year/nn ,/, and/cc for/in the/at first/od few/ap days/nns Miss/np Langford/np was/bedz very/ql lenient/jj with/in the/at children/nns ,/, letting/vbg them/ppo play/vb a/at lot/nn and/cc the/at new/jj ones/nns sort/vb of/in get/vb acquainted/vbn with/in one/cd another/dt ./.
The/at first/od two/cd or/cc three/cd days/nns they/ppss went/vbd home/nr early/rb ./.


	All/abn ,/, that/dt is/bez ,/, except/in Jack/np ./.
He/pps hung/vbd around/rb the/at schoolhouse/nn ,/, watching/vbg through/in a/at window/nn from/in outside/nn while/cs Miss/np Langford/np straightened/vbd desks/nns and/cc put/vb the/at room/nn in/in order/nn ./.
Once/rb (/( this/dt was/bedz on/in the/at third/od day/nn of/in school/nn )/) she/pps kneeled/vbd down/rp to/to pick/vb up/rp some/dti books/nns where/wrb they'd/ppss+hvd dropped/vbd on/in the/at floor/nn and/cc Jack/np looked/vbd up/in her/pp$ dress/nn --/-- at/in the/at bare/jj expanse/nn of/in incredibly/rb white/jj leg/nn ./.
He/pps thought/vbd for/in a/at moment/nn his/pp$ heart/nn had/hvd stopped/vbn beating/vbg ./.
About/rb that/dt time/nn Miss/np Langford/np straightened/vbd up/rp and/cc looked/vbd out/in the/at window/nn directly/rb at/in him/ppo ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, although/cs probably/rb she/pps didn't/dod* even/rb see/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps jumped/vbd back/rb ,/, ducked/vbd and/cc ran/vbd ,/, crouching/vbg ,/, down/in the/at hill/nn away/rb from/in the/at school/nn ./.


	He/pps didn't/dod* look/vb back/rb and/cc he/pps ran/vbd until/cs he/pps was/bedz out/in of/in sight/nn of/in the/at schoolhouse/nn and/cc out/in of/in breath/nn ;/. ;/.
then/rb he/pps slowed/vbd to/in a/at walk/nn ./.
The/at vision/nn became/vbd even/ql stronger/jjr now/rb ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb her/ppo yet/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps muttered/vbd to/in himself/ppl ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to get/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.
That/dt night/nn he/pps dreamed/vbd a/at dream/nn violent/jj with/in passion/nn ,/, in/in which/wdt he/pps and/cc the/at Woman/nn-tl ,/, now/rb the/at teacher/nn ,/, did/dod everything/pn except/in engage/vb in/in the/at act/nn (/( and/cc this/dt probably/rb only/rb because/cs he/pps had/hvd never/rb engaged/vbn in/in the/at act/nn in/in reality/nn )/) ,/, and/cc when/wrb he/pps awoke/vbd the/at next/ap morning/nn his/pp$ heart/nn was/bedz afire/jj ./.


	He/pps ate/vbd litle/rb that/dt morning/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ mother/nn became/vbd concerned/vbn ,/, inasmuch/rb as/cs he/pps usually/rb ate/vbd heartily/rb ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn ,/, honey/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, with/in the/at solicitude/nn of/in a/at middle-aged/jj woman/nn for/in her/pp$ only/rb child/nn ./.
``/`` Aren't/ber* you/ppss hungry/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/at ,/, I'm/ppss+bem not/* hungry/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, pushing/vbg back/rb the/at bacon/nn and/cc eggs/nns ./.
Outside/rb it/pps was/bedz already/rb hot/jj at/in 7:30/cd A.M./rb ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz getting/vbg hot/jj in/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd a/at little/ql sick/jj at/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ./.


	``/`` Are/ber you/ppss sick/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/at ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md be/be all/ql right/rb ./.
I/ppss guess/vb it's/pps+bez this/dt hot/jj weather/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* you/ppss play/vb hard/rb today/nr then/rb ./.
And/cc if/cs you/ppss get/vb sick/jj ,/, ask/vb the/at teacher/nn to/to let/vb you/ppss come/vb home/nr early/rb ./.
Daddy/nn-tl left/vbd the/at car/nn for/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/in town/nn this/dt afternoon/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` OK./uh ,/, I/ppss won't/md* play/vb hard/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps promised/vbd ./.


	Just/rb then/jj Charles/np Lever/np yelled/vbd ,/, ``/`` Hey/uh ,/, Jack/np ''/'' ,/, from/in the/at quarry/nn road/nn which/wdt ran/vbd behind/in the/at Carter/np house/nn ,/, and/cc Jack/np grabbed/vbd the/at lunch/nn from/in the/at table/nn and/cc darted/vbd out/in the/at kitchen/nn door/nn ,/, yelling/vbg ``/`` Good-bye/uh ,/, Mom/nn-tl ''/'' over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.


	``/`` Whaddya/wdt+do+pps say/vb ,/, boy/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Charles/np said/vbd ,/, grinning/vbg ,/, showing/vbg his/pp$ huge/jj yellow/jj teeth/nns ./.
Charles/np ,/, also/rb fifteen/cd ,/, was/bedz tall/jj and/cc skinny/jj ,/, scraggly/jj ,/, with/in straight/jj black/jj hair/nn like/cs an/at Indian's/np$ and/cc sharp/jj brown/jj eyes/nns ./.
He/pps considered/vbd himself/ppl handsome/jj and/cc seemed/vbd to/to think/vb all/abn the/at girls/nns were/bed after/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb what/wdt I/ppss done/vbn last/ap night/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Charles/np said/vbd as/cs they/ppss picked/vbd their/pp$ way/nn over/in the/at rocky/jj road/nn which/wdt led/vbd up/in the/at hill/nn away/rb from/in the/at Dixie/np-tl Highway/nn-tl ,/, through/in a/at corn/nn field/nn and/cc a/at patch/nn of/in woods/nns to/in the/at school/nn ./.


	Jack/np knew/vbd of/in course/nn that/cs the/at tale/nn to/to be/be unfolded/vbn would/md involve/vb a/at girl/nn and/cc probably/rb be/be dirty/jj ,/, because/cs girls/nns were/bed Charles'/np$ only/rb apparent/jj interest/nn ./.
But/cc Jack/np always/rb derived/vbd vicarious/jj sensual/jj thrills/nns from/in Charles'/np$ revelations/nns (/( even/rb when/wrb he/pps suspected/vbd his/pp$ friend/nn of/in exaggeration/nn or/cc invention/nn )/) ,/, so/cs he/pps usually/rb invited/vbd them/ppo ,/, as/cs he/pps did/dod now/rb ./.
``/`` No/at ./.
What/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss got/vbd Margaret/np Rider/np in/in one/cd of/in them/ppo old/jj box/nn cars/nns down/in there/rb by/in the/at quarry/nn ''/'' ./.


	A/at nude/jj imaginary/jj picture/nn of/in Miss/np Langford/np flashed/vbd across/in Jack's/np$ mind/nn ./.
His/pp$ heart/nn beat/vbd faster/rbr ./.
``/`` Hell/nn you/ppss say/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, lapsing/vbg into/in the/at profanity/nn he/pps often/rb used/vbd when/wrb away/rb from/in his/pp$ parents/nns and/cc especially/rb when/wrb he/pps was/bedz with/in Charles/np ./.
``/`` How'd/wrb+dod you/ppss do/do it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hell/nn ,/, I/ppss jist/rb got/vbd on/in top/nn of/in --/-- ''/'' 

	``/`` No/at ,/, I/ppss mean/vb how'd/wrb+dod you/ppss get/vb her/ppo to/to do/do it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hell/nn ,/, I/ppss jist/rb ask/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Jist/rb like/cs that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hell/nn ,/, yes/rb ./.
She's/pps+hvz been/ben hangin'/vbg around/in me/ppo a/at lot/nn here/rb lately/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss figgered/vbd I/ppss might/md as/ql well's/rb+cs try/vb it/ppo ./.
Besides/rb I/ppss heard/vbd her/pp$ old/jj uncle/nn that/cs stays/vbz there/ex has/hvz been/ben doin'/vbg it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss never/rb heard/vbd that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez all/abn over/in Branchville/np ./.
If/cs you'd/ppss+md get/vb out/rp of/in your/pp$ back/nn yard/nn once/rb in/in a/at while/nn you/ppss might/md even/rb get/vb her/ppo your/pp$ ownself/ppl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss might/md try/vb it/ppo one/cd of/in these/dts days/nns ''/'' ,/, Jack/np said/vbd wonderingly/rb ,/, thinking/vbg of/in Miss/np Langford/np ./.




When/wrb they/ppss reached/vbd the/at school/nn ,/, a/at gang/nn of/in boys/nns and/cc girls/nns were/bed already/rb there/rb playing/vbg ``/`` crack/nn the/at whip/nn ''/'' in/in front/nn of/in the/at schoolhouse/nn ./.
Miss/np Langford/np ,/, in/in a/at fresh/jj white/jj dress/nn and/cc low-heeled/jj white/jj sandals/nns ,/, without/in socks/nns ,/, was/bedz out/rp there/rb with/in them/ppo ,/, trying/vbg to/to get/vb them/ppo inside/rb ./.


	``/`` Time/nn for/in books/nns ''/'' ,/, she/pps yelled/vbd ,/, jingling/vbg a/at little/ap five-and-dime/nn store/nn bell/nn in/in her/pp$ right/jj hand/nn ./.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo go/vb inside/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, come/vb on/rp Miss/np Langford/np ,/, play/vb with/in us/ppo just/ql onct/rb ''/'' ,/, one/cd of/in the/at little/jj girls/nns begged/vbd ,/, smiling/vbg wistfully/rb ./.


	``/`` No/at ,/, not/* now/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at teacher/nn ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb at/in dinner/nn time/nn ./.
Come/vb inside/rb now/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at children/nns grudgingly/rb stopped/vbd playing/vbg then/rb and/cc straggled/vbd into/in the/at schoolhouse/nn ./.


	Jack/np watched/vbd Miss/np Langford/np all/abn morning/nn ./.
He/pps could/md think/vb of/in nothing/pn else/rb save/vb his/pp$ mental/jj image/nn of/in her/ppo nude/jj figure/nn and/cc what/wdt Charles/np had/hvd said/vbn that/dt morning/nn about/in Margaret/np Rider/np ./.
Occasionally/rb he/pps would/md look/vb across/in the/at aisle/nn at/in Margaret/np ,/, fourteen/cd and/cc demure/jj in/in a/at fresh/jj green/jj organdy/nn dress/nn ,/, sitting/vbg in/in the/at sixth-grade/nn row/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md hardly/rb believe/vb she/pps would/md do/do what/wdt Charles/np had/hvd said/vbn she/pps did/dod ./.


	At/in noontime/nn ,/, remembering/vbg what/wdt the/at teacher/nn had/hvd said/vbn about/in maybe/rb playing/vbg with/in the/at kids/nns ,/, Jack/np stayed/vbd close/jj to/in the/at schoolhouse/nn while/cs all/abn the/at other/ap big/jj boys/nns ,/, except/in Charles/np ,/, went/vbd off/rp out/in the/at road/nn to/to play/vb ball/nn ./.
``/`` Why/wrb ain't/ber* you/ppss playin'/vbg ball/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd Charles/np suspiciously/rb as/cs they/ppss sat/vbd in/in the/at well-house/nn shade/nn ,/, watching/vbg the/at girls/nns congregate/vb in/in front/nn of/in the/at schoolhouse/nn ./.
``/`` Miss/np Langford/np ,/, come/vb out/rp and/cc play/vb with/in us/ppo like/cs you/ppss promised/vbd ''/'' ,/, several/ap of/in the/at little/jj girls/nns called/vbd ./.


	``/`` I'd/ppss+md druther/rb stay/vb here/rb and/cc watch/vb the/at girls/nns ''/'' ,/, Charles/np grinned/vbd ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb some/dti of/in 'em/ppo will/md fall/vb down/rp and/cc we'll/ppss+md see/vb up/in their/pp$ dress/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Maybe/rb ''/'' ,/, Jack/np said/vbd idly/rb ,/, watching/vbg for/in Miss/np Langford/np ./.


	Presently/rb she/pps came/vbd out/in of/in the/at schoolhouse/nn ./.
When/wrb she/pps appeared/vbd ,/, two/cd or/cc three/cd of/in the/at little/jj girls/nns jumped/vbd up/rp and/cc down/rp ,/, yelling/vbg ,/, ``/`` Goody/uh ,/, goody/uh ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Let's/vb+ppo play/vb with/in 'em/ppo ''/'' ,/, Jack/np said/vbd ,/, rising/vbg from/in where/wrb he/pps sat/vbd on/in the/at ground/nn and/cc dusting/vbg off/rp his/pp$ overall/nn pants/nns ./.


	``/`` O.K./uh ''/'' Charles/np rose/vbd also/rb ,/, and/cc the/at two/cd of/in them/ppo moved/vbn over/rp to/to join/vb the/at girls/nns ./.


	They/ppss played/vbd crack/nn the/at whip/nn a/at few/ap minutes/nns without/in mishap/nn ./.
Then/rb when/wrb Miss/np Langford/np was/bedz on/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at line/nn of/in girls/nns ,/, Jack/np ,/, in/in the/at middle/nn of/in the/at line/nn ,/, gave/vbd an/at extra/ql hard/jj pull/nn and/cc the/at young/jj teacher/nn sprawled/vbd backwards/rb ,/, sitting/vbg down/rp hard/rb ,/, her/pp$ dress/nn flying/vbg over/in her/pp$ head/nn ./.
While/cs she/pps was/bedz struggling/vbg to/to get/vb her/ppo skirt/nn down/rp and/cc get/vb on/in her/pp$ feet/nns again/rb ,/, Jack/np ran/vbd over/rp ,/, offered/vbd her/ppo his/pp$ hand/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Gosh/uh ,/, I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ,/, Miss/np Langford/np ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* mean/vb to/to pull/vb so/ql hard/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez all/ql right/jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, tossing/vbg her/pp$ head/nn back/rb to/to get/vb the/at hair/nn out/in of/in her/ppo eyes/nns ./.
``/`` It/pps was/bedz my/pp$ fault/nn ''/'' ./.
With/in one/cd hand/nn she/pps held/vbd her/ppo skirt/nn down/rp while/cs she/pps took/vbd Jack's/np$ extended/vbn hand/nn with/in the/at other/ap ./.
When/wrb her/pp$ hand/nn touched/vbd his/pp$ ,/, fire/nn went/vbd through/in Jack/np and/cc he/pps felt/vbd weak/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps managed/vbd somehow/rb to/to get/vb her/ppo on/in her/pp$ feet/nns ./.
He/pps thought/vbd she/pps gave/vbd him/ppo that/dt look/nn with/in the/at hidden/vbn something/pn in/in it/ppo as/cs he/pps let/vbd her/pp$ hand/vb go/vb ./.


	``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, dusting/vbg herself/ppl off/rp ./.


	``/`` Will/md you/ppss play/vb with/in us/ppo again/rb ,/, Miss/np Langford/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
One/cd of/in the/at little/jj girls/nns said/vbd ./.


	``/`` No/rb more/rbr today/nr ./.
Maybe/rb some/dti other/ap day/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, shucks/uh ''/'' ,/, the/at girl/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* believe/vb I'll/ppss+md play/vb any/dti more/rbr neither/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Me/ppo neither/rb ''/'' ,/, others/nns said/vbd ,/, and/cc soon/rb the/at game/nn broke/vbd up/rp ,/, the/at children/nns going/vbg off/rp in/in pairs/nns ,/, in/in larger/jjr groups/nns and/cc alone/rb ./.


	Jack/np walked/vbd off/rp alone/rb out/in the/at road/nn in/in the/at searing/vbg midday/nn sun/nn ,/, past/in Robert/np Allen's/np$ three-room/jj ,/, tarpapered/vbn house/nn ,/, toward/in the/at field/nn where/wrb the/at other/ap boys/nns were/bed playing/vbg ball/nn ,/, thinking/vbg of/in what/wdt he/pps would/md do/do in/in order/nn to/to make/vb Miss/np Langford/np have/hv him/ppo stay/vb in/rp after/in school/nn --/-- because/cs this/dt was/bedz the/at day/nn he/pps had/hvd decided/vbn when/wrb he/pps thought/vbd he/pps saw/vbd the/at look/nn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.


	When/wrb he/pps came/vbd back/rb to/in the/at schoolhouse/nn ,/, his/pp$ mind/nn was/bedz made/vbn up/rp ./.
He/pps simply/rb would/md not/* work/vb his/pp$ arithmetic/nn problems/nns when/wrb the/at teacher/nn held/vbd his/pp$ class/nn ./.
That/dt should/md do/do it/ppo ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, because/cs Miss/np Langford/np had/hvd said/vbn she/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be strict/jj about/in school/nn work/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd considered/vbn throwing/vbg erasers/nns or/cc flipping/vbg paperwads/nns at/in someone/pn or/cc pulling/vbg the/at hair/nn of/in the/at girl/nn sitting/vbg in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* take/vb a/at chance/nn on/in either/dtx of/in these/dts possibilities/nns :/: the/at teacher/nn probably/rb would/md make/vb him/ppo stand/vb face-to-wall/rb in/in a/at corner/nn instead/rb of/in stay/vb in/rp after/in school/nn ./.


	The/at only/ap drawback/nn now/rb to/in the/at plan/nn he'd/pps+hvd decided/vbn on/rp was/bedz that/cs someone/pn else/rb might/md fail/vb to/to do/do his/pp$ work/nn ,/, too/rb ,/, and/cc the/at teacher/nn would/md have/hv that/cs person/nn stay/vb late/rb along/in with/in Jack/np ./.
``/`` But/cc I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to take/vb a/at chance/nn on/in it/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl desperately/rb ./.


	To/in his/pp$ surprise/nn his/pp$ plan/nn worked/vbd perfectly/rb ./.
``/`` All/ql right/rb ,/, if/cs you/ppss can't/md* do/do your/pp$ arithmetic/nn during/in school/nn hours/nns you/ppss can/md do/do it/ppo after/in school/nn is/bez out/rp ''/'' ,/, Miss/np Langford/np said/vbd firmly/rb ,/, not/* smiling/vbg ./.
``/`` You/ppss will/md stay/vb here/rb thirty/cd minutes/nns after/cs the/at others/nns go/vb home/nr this/dt afternoon/nn and/cc work/vb your/pp$ problems/nns ''/'' ./.


	And/cc so/rb when/wrb the/at others/nns stampeded/vbd out/rp that/dt afternoon/nn Jack/np remained/vbd docilely/rb in/in his/pp$ seat/nn near/in a/at window/nn ,/, looking/vbg out/rp in/in what/wdt he/pps hoped/vbd was/bedz a/at pitiable/jj manner/nn ,/, while/cs the/at other/ap kids/nns laughed/vbd and/cc yelled/vbd in/rp at/in him/ppo and/cc made/vbd faces/nns as/cs they/ppss dispersed/vbd ,/, going/vbg home/nr ./.
He/pps scarcely/rb saw/vbd them/ppo ./.
His/pp$ heart/nn was/bedz pounding/vbg like/cs a/at mighty/jj dynamo/nn and/cc he/pps was/bedz trying/vbg to/to think/vb ,/, his/pp$ mind/nn seeming/vbg to/to scream/vb at/in him/ppo like/cs a/at hurt/vbn or/cc frightened/vbn child/nn ,/, ``/`` How/wrb will/md I/ppss do/do it/ppo ?/. ?/.



	On/in the/at fringe/nn of/in the/at amused/vbn throng/nn of/in white/jj onlookers/nns stood/vbd a/at young/jj woman/nn of/in remarkable/jj beauty/nn and/cc poise/nn ./.
She/pps munched/vbd little/jj ginger/nn cakes/nns called/vbn mulatto's/nn$ belly/nn and/cc kept/vbd her/pp$ green/jj ,/, somewhat/ql hypnotic/jj eyes/nns fixed/vbn on/in a/at light-colored/jj male/nn who/wps was/bedz prancing/vbg wildly/rb with/in a/at 5-foot/jj king/nn snake/nn wrapped/vbn around/in his/pp$ bronze/jj neck/nn ./.


	The/at youth/nn with/in the/at snake/nn had/hvd a/at natural/jj pride/nn and/cc joy/nn of/in life/nn which/wdt appealed/vbd to/in the/at woman/nn ./.
Lithe/jj and/cc muscular/jj ,/, he/pps had/hvd well-molded/jj features/nns ,/, and/cc his/pp$ light/jj color/nn told/vbd of/in the/at European/jj ancestors/nns who/wps had/hvd been/ben intimate/jj with/in the/at slave/nn women/nns of/in his/pp$ family/nn ./.


	The/at haughty/jj white/jj girl/nn turned/vbd to/in a/at distinguished/vbn ,/, hawk-faced/jj man/nn standing/vbg at/in her/ppo side/nn and/cc murmured/vbd :/: ``/`` Look/vb at/in your/pp$ watch/nn ,/, Col./nn-tl Garvier/np ./.
It/pps is/bez almost/rb time/nn for/in and/cc calinda/nn to/to begin/vb ''/'' ./.


	Col./nn-tl Henri/np Garvier/np was/bedz one/cd of/in New/jj-tl Orleans'/np$-tl most/ql important/jj and/cc enlightened/vbn slave/nn owners/nns ./.
He/pps chuckled/vbd and/cc gave/vbd the/at signal/nn for/in the/at dance/nn to/to start/vb ./.
The/at slaves/nns ran/vbd gaily/rb to/in the/at center/nn of/in Congo/np-tl Square/nn-tl and/cc gathered/vbd around/in a/at sweaty/jj youth/nn they/ppss called/vbd Johnny/np No-Name/np ./.


	Johnny/np vigorously/rb pounded/vbd two/cd bleached/vbn steer/nn bones/nns against/in the/at gourd/nn which/wdt served/vbd as/cs his/pp$ drum/nn ./.
He/pps showed/vbd his/pp$ gleaming/vbg tusks/nns of/in teeth/nns and/cc bellowed/vbd incoherently/rb ,/, his/pp$ brass/nn earrings/nns jangling/vbg discordantly/rb as/cs he/pps shook/vbd and/cc trembled/vbd in/in ecstasy/nn ./.


	The/at drummer/nn flogged/vbd the/at gourd/nn with/in frantic/jj intensity/nn as/cs the/at dancers/nns began/vbd the/at calinda/nn ,/, a/at sensual/jj gyration/nn which/wdt had/hvd long/rb been/ben a/at favorite/nn of/in voodoo/nn practitioners/nns and/cc their/pp$ disciples/nns in/in the/at Louisiana/np slave/nn compounds/nns ./.
The/at dance/nn was/bedz of/in Haitian/jj origin/nn ./.


	The/at white/jj girl/nn with/in the/at penetrating/jj green/jj eyes/nns sipped/vbd the/at lemonade/nn handed/vbn to/in her/ppo by/in a/at handsome/jj man/nn of/in about/rb 30/cd ,/, who/wps had/hvd coppery/jj skin/nn and/cc beetling/jj eyebrows/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz possessive/jj in/in his/pp$ manner/nn and/cc ,/, though/cs a/at slave/nn ,/, obviously/rb was/bedz educated/vbn after/in a/at fashion/nn and/cc imitated/vbd the/at manners/nns of/in his/pp$ owners/nns ./.
He/pps proudly/rb wore/vbd the/at blue/jj livery/nn of/in her/ppo house/nn ,/, for/in the/at girl/nn was/bedz Madame/np Delphine/np Lalaurie/np ,/, wife/nn of/in the/at prominent/jj surgeon/nn ,/, Dr./nn-tl Louis/np Lalaurie/np ,/, who/wps bore/vb one/cd of/in the/at South's/nr$-tl oldest/jjt and/cc most/ql cherished/vbn names/nns ./.


	Delphine/np was/bedz a/at pace-setter/nn in/in high/jj society/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at top/jjs horsewoman/nn and/cc one/cd of/in the/at city's/nn$ most/ql gracious/jj hostesses/nns ./.
Although/cs New/jj-tl Orleans/np-tl was/bedz not/* to/to learn/vb of/in it/ppo for/in a/at spell/nn ,/, she/pps also/rb was/bedz a/at sadist/nn ,/, a/at nymphomaniac/nn and/cc unobtrusively/ql mad/jj --/-- the/at perpetrator/nn of/in some/dti of/in the/at worst/jjt crimes/nns against/in humanity/nn ever/rb committed/vbn on/in American/jj soil/nn ./.


	Madame/np Lalaurie/np gestured/vbd with/in her/ppo riding/vbg crop/nn toward/in the/at 20-year-old/jj youth/nn who/wps was/bedz stomping/vbg and/cc writhing/vbg with/in the/at king/nn snake/nn still/rb draped/vbn over/in his/pp$ bare/jj shoulders/nns ./.
The/at slender/jj ,/, handsome/jj fellow/nn was/bedz called/vbn Dandy/np Brandon/np by/in the/at other/ap slaves/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz gifted/jj with/in animal/nn magnetism/nn and/cc a/at potent/jj allure/nn for/in women/nns of/in any/dti race/nn ./.
But/cc Dandy/np had/hvd had/hvn little/ap experience/nn with/in girls/nns on/in his/pp$ master's/nn$ plantation/nn in/in Bayou/np-tl St./nn-tl John/np-tl ./.


	Shy/jj ,/, actually/rb ,/, he/pps avoided/vbd feminine/jj overtures/nns and/cc seemed/vbd truly/ql ignorant/jj of/in the/at girls'/nns$ desires/nns when/wrb they/ppss sought/vbd to/to make/vb liaisons/nns with/in him/ppo in/in the/at open/jj fields/nns ,/, in/in carriages/nns and/cc in/in boathouses/nns ./.


	This/dt young/jj slave/nn was/bedz therefore/rb quite/ql unprepared/jj when/wrb Delphine/np Lalaurie/np signaled/vbd that/cs she/pps wanted/vbd him/ppo to/to draw/vb near/rb ./.
The/at woman/nn eyed/vbd the/at youth/nn with/in the/at avidity/nn a/at coin/nn collector/nn might/md display/vb toward/in a/at rare/jj doubloon/nn which/wdt is/bez not/* yet/rb in/in his/pp$ collection/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez your/pp$ name/nn ,/, boy/nn ?/. ?/.
Come/vb a/at bit/nn closer/rbr ./.
I/ppss won't/md* bite/vb ,/, you/ppss know/vb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps gaped/vbd at/in Madame/np Lalaurie/np and/cc sniffed/vbd the/at Paris/np perfume/nn which/wdt emanated/vbd from/in her/ppo ./.
Then/rb he/pps smiled/vbd shyly/rb ./.
``/`` My/pp$ name/nn is/bez Dandy/np Brandon/np ,/, missy/nn ./.
I/ppss belong/vb to/in Master/nn-tl Alexander/np Prieur/np ''/'' ./.


	She/pps said/vbd with/in intense/jj feeling/nn :/: ``/`` Come/vb near/rb ,/, let/vb me/ppo feel/vb your/pp$ arms/nns ./.
You/ppss look/vb quite/ql strong/jj and/cc healthy/jj to/in me/ppo ,/, Dandy/np ''/'' ./.


	Mrs./np Lalaurie/np impatiently/rb propelled/vbd the/at slave/nn toward/in her/ppo waiting/vbg carriage/nn ./.
Lifting/vbg her/pp$ skirts/nns ,/, she/pps climbed/vbd in/rp ,/, never/rb relinquishing/vbg her/pp$ grip/nn on/in his/pp$ arm/nn ./.
The/at woman/nn seemed/vbd utterly/rb unafraid/jj of/in the/at snake/nn which/wdt coiled/vbd on/in the/at floor/nn in/in a/at torpor/nn ./.


	Once/rb inside/in the/at luxuriosly-upholstered/jj landau/nn ,/, she/pps drew/vbd the/at curtains/nns and/cc proceeded/vbd to/to give/vb the/at startled/vbn youth/nn the/at kind/nn of/in physical/jj examination/nn usually/rb reserved/vbn for/in army/nn inductees/nns ./.
Satisfied/vbn at/in last/rb ,/, and/cc after/cs a/at few/ap amorous/jj gambits/nns on/in her/pp$ part/nn which/wdt convinced/vbd Delphine/np that/cs Dandy/np was/bedz capable/jj of/in learning/vbg new/jj arts/nns ,/, she/pps opened/vbd the/at window/nn and/cc called/vbd to/in her/pp$ liveried/jj driver/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz the/at big/jj man/nn with/in the/at proprietory/jj air/nn and/cc the/at beetling/jj ,/, shaggy/jj eyebrows/nns ./.


	``/`` Aristide/np !/. !/.
I/ppss want/vb you/ppo to/to find/vb Monsieur/np Prieur/np at/in once/rb and/cc give/vb him/ppo this/dt money/nn for/in the/at boy's/nn$ purchase/nn ./.
There's/ex+bez $600/nns in/in gold/nn in/in this/dt chamois/nn sack/nn ./.
If/cs the/at old/jj fool/nn argues/vbz about/in the/at price/nn ,/, tell/vb him/ppo I/ppss shall/md order/vb my/pp$ husband/nn not/* to/to treat/vb him/ppo as/cs a/at patient/nn any/dti longer/jjr ./.
Prieur/np has/hvz gout/nn and/cc depends/vbz on/in Louis'/np$ pills/nns and/cc bleedings/nns ./.
Besides/rb ,/, he/pps owns/vbz 300/cd slaves/nns ./.
One/cd less/ap shouldn't/md* matter/vb to/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Aristide/np Devol/np ,/, the/at sardonic/jj manservant/nn who/wps had/hvd been/ben brought/vbn in/in chains/nns years/nns before/rb from/in his/pp$ native/nn Sierra/np Leone/np ,/, smiled/vbd thinly/rb and/cc touched/vbd his/pp$ well-brushed/jj beaver/nn hat/nn ./.
His/pp$ bold/jj eyes/nns raked/vbd the/at woman/nn ,/, and/cc a/at perceptive/jj spectator/nn might/md sense/vb that/cs there/ex was/bedz more/ap to/in their/pp$ relationship/nn than/cs that/dt of/in slave/nn to/in owner/nn ./.


	``/`` Another/dt youth/nn ,/, Madame/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at coachman/nn said/vbd softly/rb ./.
``/`` This/dt one/cd is/bez a/at tender/jj chicken/nn ,/, oui/fw-rb ?/. ?/.
Such/jj delicate/jj beauty/nn ,/, such/jj fine/jj flesh/nn ./.
It/pps will/md rip/vb and/cc shred/vb easily/rb for/in Madame/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Be/be quiet/jj ,/, Devol/np !/. !/.
You/ppss are/ber forgetting/vbg your/pp$ place/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at tall/jj coachman/nn walked/vbd off/rp briskly/rb in/in search/nn of/in Alexander/np Prieur/np ./.
Delphine/np Lalaurie/np took/vbd the/at reins/nns in/in her/pp$ gloved/vbn hands/nns and/cc drove/vbd Dandy/np Brandon/np --/-- cowering/vbg in/in the/at back/nn seat/nn of/in the/at carriage/nn --/-- to/in her/pp$ mansion/nn at/in 677/cd-tl Perdido/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.


	Dr./nn-tl Louis/np Lalaurie/np stood/vbd on/in the/at veranda/nn at/in the/at head/nn of/in the/at driveway/nn and/cc watched/vbd his/pp$ carriage/nn as/cs it/pps approached/vbd the/at pillared/vbn mansion/nn ./.
Dandy/np ,/, curiosity/nn overcoming/vbg his/pp$ apprehensions/nns ,/, peered/vbd out/rp at/in the/at doctor/nn from/in the/at window/nn of/in the/at vehicle/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd a/at pint-sized/jj man/nn with/in a/at graying/vbg spade/nn beard/nn and/cc an/at unusually/rb large/jj head/nn ./.
Dr./nn-tl Lalaurie/np wore/vbd a/at maroon/jj smoking/vbg jacket/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ myopic/jj eyes/nns were/bed blurry/jj and/cc glistened/vbd behind/in thick/jj octagonal/jj lenses/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz about/rb 50/cd years/nns old/jj ./.


	``/`` Another/dt young/jj man/nn ,/, my/pp$ dear/nn ?/. ?/.
Really/rb ,/, you/ppss are/ber most/ql indiscreet/jj to/to drive/vb him/ppo here/rb yourself/ppl ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, frowning/vbg with/in displeasure/nn ./.


	Delphine/np presented/vbd her/pp$ cheek/nn for/in a/at kiss/nn ,/, and/cc the/at physician/nn pecked/vbd it/ppo like/cs a/at timid/jj rooster/nn ./.


	``/`` Dandy/np is/bez to/to be/be our/pp$ house/nn guest/nn ,/, Louis/np ./.
I/ppss want/vb the/at room/nn in/in the/at attic/nn prepared/vbn for/in him/ppo He/pps is/bez a/at most/ql unusual/jj lad/nn ,/, quite/ql precocious/jj in/in many/ap ways/nns ./.
He/pps deserves/vbz a/at better/jjr life/nn than/cs just/rb rotting/vbg away/rb on/in the/at Prieur/np plantation/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Quite/ql so/rb ,/, my/pp$ dear/nn ./.
His/pp$ room/nn will/md be/be ready/jj shortly/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at physician/nn led/vbd the/at horses/nns to/in the/at stable/nn after/cs a/at cursory/jj glance/nn at/in the/at cringing/vbg slave/nn ./.
Had/hvd Dandy/np been/ben older/jjr or/cc wiser/jjr ,/, instinct/nn might/md have/hv warned/vbn him/ppo that/cs he/pps would/md be/be well/rb advised/vbn to/to flee/vb from/in the/at Lalauries'/nps$ tender/jj care/nn if/cs he/pps valued/vbd his/pp$ life/nn ./.


	But/cc he/pps liked/vbd the/at smell/nn of/in Delphine's/np$ perfume/nn ./.
Besides/rb ,/, her/pp$ endearments/nns and/cc caresses/nns in/in the/at carriage/nn had/hvd been/ben new/jj and/cc stirring/jj experiences/nns to/in the/at simple/jj youth/nn ./.
Also/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz weary/jj of/in plantation/nn drudgery/nn and/cc monotony/nn ./.


	So/cs Dandy/np Brandon/np trustingly/rb entered/vbd the/at house/nn with/in Delphine/np Lalaurie/np and/cc trudged/vbd up/in the/at rear/jj steps/nns to/in the/at attic/nn room/nn which/wdt was/bedz to/to be/be his/pp$ new/jj home/nr ./.
Airless/jj and/cc dingy/jj though/cs it/pps was/bedz ,/, the/at attic/nn represented/vbd luxury/nn to/in a/at slave/nn who/wps had/hvd led/vbn a/at wretched/jj life/nn with/in six/cd brothers/nns and/cc sisters/nns and/cc assorted/vbn relatives/nns in/in a/at shanty/nn at/in Bayou/np-tl St./nn-tl John/np-tl ./.


	He/pps bounced/vbd exuberantly/rb on/in the/at sagging/vbg bed/nn and/cc was/bedz even/ql more/ql delighted/vbn when/wrb Madame/np Lalaurie/np --/-- after/cs closing/vbg the/at door/nn --/-- showed/vbd the/at slave/nn that/cs the/at bed/nn was/bedz designed/vbn for/in something/pn other/ap than/in slumber/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz just/rb as/ql well/rb that/cs the/at ignorant/jj Dandy/np enjoyed/vbd himself/ppl to/in the/at hilt/nn that/dt first/od evening/nn ,/, for/cs the/at room/nn was/bedz to/to become/vb his/pp$ prison/nn cell/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps finally/rb left/vbd the/at sinister/jj mansion/nn on/in Perdido/np-tl Street/nn-tl ,/, he/pps was/bedz carried/vbn out/rp in/in a/at coroner's/nn$ basket/nn ./.




Just/rb six/cd weeks/nns after/in Dandy/np Brandon's/np$ arrival/nn at/in the/at mansion/nn ,/, the/at little/jj surgeon/nn and/cc his/pp$ svelte/jj young/jj wife/nn gave/vbd their/pp$ annual/jj open/jj house/nn and/cc ball/nn ,/, to/in which/wdt only/rb New/jj-tl Orleans'/np$-tl oldest/jjt and/cc wealthiest/jjt families/nns were/bed invited/vbn ./.


	A/at stringed/vbn orchestra/nn played/vbd softly/rb behind/in the/at potted/vbn palms/nns ,/, and/cc Delphine/np circulated/vbd graciously/rb among/in her/ppo guests/nns ,/, chatting/vbg airily/rb of/in the/at forthcoming/jj races/nns ,/, the/at latest/jjt fashions/nns from/in Paris/np ,/, and/cc Louisiana/np politics/nn ./.


	Suddenly/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at commotion/nn upstairs/rb ,/, a/at despairing/vbg boyish/jj shriek/nn ,/, and/cc the/at strains/nns of/in the/at waltz/nn faltered/vbd and/cc died/vbd as/cs the/at musicians/nns and/cc guests/nns gaped/vbd at/in an/at apparition/nn descending/vbg the/at marble/nn staircase/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz Dandy/np Brandon/np ,/, clad/vbn only/rb in/in a/at bloody/jj loincloth/nn ,/, emaciated/vbn and/cc quaking/vbg as/cs if/cs the/at devil/nn were/bed breathing/vbg hard/jj on/in him/ppo ./.
The/at lad's/nn$ once/rb superb/jj body/nn was/bedz a/at mass/nn of/in scars/nns and/cc welts/nns ./.
His/pp$ pinched/vbn face/nn showed/vbd the/at ravages/nns of/in malnutrition/nn ./.


	Feebly/rb he/pps pointed/vbd an/at accusing/vbg finger/nn at/in Madame/np Lalaurie/np and/cc shouted/vbd :/: ``/`` Evil/jj woman/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss did/dod this/dt you/ppss like/vb to/to hurt/vb to/to beat/vb people/nns I/ppss want/vb to/to go/vb home/nr ''/'' ./.


	These/dts were/bed the/at last/ap words/nns he/pps ever/rb uttered/vbd ./.
Convulsively/rb ,/, he/pps spat/vbd up/rp some/dti blood/nn and/cc collapsed/vbd into/in the/at arms/nns of/in Senator/nn-tl Gaston/np Berche/np ,/, crimsoning/vbg the/at frilly/jj shirt/nn and/cc waistcoat/nn the/at politician/nn wore/vbd ./.


	Dr./nn-tl Louis/np Lalaurie/np examined/vbd the/at inert/jj form/nn of/in the/at slave/nn on/in the/at parquet/nn dance/nn floor/nn and/cc pronounced/vbd him/ppo dead/jj ./.
The/at ball/nn broke/vbd up/rp in/in confusion/nn ./.
Guests/nns stared/vbd with/in horror/nn at/in Madame/np Lalaurie/np and/cc made/vbd speedy/jj departures/nns ./.
Delphine/np stood/vbd like/cs stone/nn ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns alive/jj with/in hate/nn as/cs she/pps looked/vbd down/rp at/in the/at sheeted/vbn corpse/nn ./.


	But/cc at/in the/at coroner's/nn$ inquest/nn Delphine/np told/vbd a/at forthright/jj story/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss saw/vbd the/at boy/nn Dandy/np at/in the/at Congo/np-tl Square/nn-tl festivities/nns and/cc felt/vbd sorry/jj for/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz our/pp$ hope/nn to/to educate/vb him/ppo and/cc to/to give/vb him/ppo his/pp$ freedom/nn when/wrb the/at right/jj time/nn came/vbd ,/, for/cs he/pps was/bedz a/at bright/jj and/cc friendly/jj youth/nn who/wps seemed/vbd worthy/jj of/in our/pp$ interest/nn ./.
After/cs I/ppss paid/vbd Monsieur/np Prieur/np for/in Dandy/np ,/, I/ppss brought/vbd him/ppo home/nr ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz ill/jj at/in ease/nn and/cc ran/vbd away/rb the/at same/ap night/nn ./.
How/wrb he/pps returned/vbd in/in such/abl a/at ghastly/jj condition/nn ,/, or/cc why/wrb ,/, I/ppss cannot/md* say/vb ./.
Dr./nn-tl Lalaurie/np and/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* even/rb know/vb he/pps was/bedz in/in the/at house/nn until/in the/at night/nn of/in our/pp$ ball/nn when/wrb he/pps came/vbd down/in the/at stairs/nns ''/'' ./.


	She/pps daubed/vbd at/in her/pp$ swimming/vbg eyes/nns with/in a/at lacy/jj handkerchief/nn and/cc said/vbd with/in obvious/jj emotion/nn :/: ``/`` That/dt poor/jj boy/nn !/. !/.
He/pps must/md have/hv fallen/vbn in/rp with/in evil/jj companions/nns ,/, for/cs he/pps was/bedz a/at simple/jj youth/nn and/cc quite/ql trusting/jj and/cc inexperienced/jj ./.
Ruffians/nns must/md have/hv robbed/vbn and/cc beaten/vbn him/ppo before/cs bringing/vbg him/ppo back/rb to/in our/pp$ house/nn to/to die/vb ./.
Such/abl a/at pitiful/jj end/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Though/cs the/at slave's/nn$ dying/vbg words/nns about/in the/at woman/nn troubled/vbn the/at coroner's/nn$ panel/nn ,/, Dandy's/np$ accusation/nn was/bedz adjudged/vbn an/at aberration/nn by/in the/at jury/nn and/cc disregarded/vbd ./.
The/at Lalauries/nps were/bed at/in the/at top/jjs rung/nn of/in the/at social/jj ladder/nn ,/, and/cc even/rb a/at jury/nn didn't/dod* feel/vb privileged/jj to/to doubt/vb the/at veracity/nn of/in so/ql illustrious/jj a/at lady/nn ./.
Moreover/rb ,/, runaway/jj slaves/nns frequently/rb got/vbd into/in serious/jj trouble/nn in/in New/jj-tl Orleans'/np$-tl dives/nns ./.


	So/cs the/at verdict/nn was/bedz ``/`` death/nn at/in the/at hands/nns of/in a/at person/nn or/cc persons/nns unknown/jj ''/'' ,/, and/cc the/at elite/nn of/in the/at city/nn ,/, accepting/vbg Delphine's/np$ testimony/nn ,/, welcomed/vbd her/ppo and/cc the/at doctor/nn back/rb into/in the/at fold/nn ./.
Once/rb again/rb life/nn went/vbd its/pp$ serene/jj way/nn --/-- soirees/nns ,/, fox/nn hunts/nns ,/, balls/nns and/cc dinners/nns ./.


	The/at excitement/nn over/in Brandon's/np$ bizarre/jj death/nn abated/vbd and/cc Madame/np Lalaurie's/np$ stock/nn soared/vbd when/wrb she/pps resumed/vbd her/ppo self-imposed/jj chores/nns of/in visiting/vbg the/at poor/jj and/cc bringing/vbg cakes/nns and/cc comfort/nn to/in destitute/jj patients/nns in/in the/at county/nn hospital/nn ./.
Then/rb ,/, on/in July/np 2/cd ,/, there/ex occurred/vbd another/dt incident/nn which/wdt set/vbd tongues/nns to/in wagging/vbg at/in a/at furious/jj clip/nn ./.


	Mrs./np Victor/np Dominique/np ,/, socially/rb prominent/jj and/cc a/at neighbor/nn of/in the/at Lalauries/nps ,/, chanced/vbd to/to glance/vb out/in of/in her/pp$ parlor/nn window/nn at/in dusk/nn one/cd evening/nn and/cc beheld/vbd an/at amazing/jj sight/nn ./.
The/at manservant/nn Devol/np and/cc his/pp$ mistress/nn ,/, Delphine/np Lalaurie/np ,/, were/bed pursuing/vbg a/at young/jj girl/nn --/-- an/at octoroon/nn of/in cameo-like/jj beauty/nn --/-- across/in the/at front/nn lawn/nn of/in the/at Lalaurie/np mansion/nn ./.
The/at girl/nn was/bedz not/* more/ap than/in 16/cd ./.
She/pps was/bedz nude/jj to/in the/at waist/nn and/cc her/pp$ tumbled/vbn abundance/nn of/in black/jj hair/nn did/dod not/* conceal/vb the/at knife/nn slashes/nns on/in her/pp$ back/nn ./.


	The/at bleeding/vbg girl/nn was/bedz tiring/vbg fast/rb ;/. ;/.
the/at coachman/nn and/cc Delphine/np were/bed gaining/vbg on/in her/ppo as/cs she/pps raced/vbd down/in Perdido/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.


	The/at fugitive/nn cried/vbd out/rp in/in an/at oddly/rb sibilant/jj voice/nn :/: ``/`` Help/vb me/ppo ,/, somebody/pn !/. !/.
They/ppss have/hv pulled/vbn out/rp all/abn my/pp$ teeth/nns and/cc now/rb she/pps will/md carve/vb out/rp my/pp$ tongue/nn with/in her/ppo hacksaw/nn !/. !/.

``/`` Bastards/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps would/md say/vb ,/, ``/`` all/abn I/ppss did/dod was/bedz put/vbn a/at beat/nn to/in that/dt Vivaldi/np stuff/nn ,/, and/cc the/at first/od chair/nn clobbered/vbd me/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Since/in then/rb ,/, and/cc since/cs the/at pure/jj grain/nn had/hvd gotten/vbn him/ppo divorced/vbn from/in every/at decent/jj --/-- and/cc even/rb indecent/jj --/-- group/nn from/in Greenwich/np-tl Village/nn-tl to/in the/at Embarcadero/np ,/, he/pps had/hvd become/vbn a/at sucker-rolling/jj freight-jumper/nn ./.


	``/`` There/ex ain't/bez* nothin'/pn faster/rbr ,/, or/cc lonelier/jjr ,/, or/cc more/ql direct/jj than/cs a/at cannonball/nn freight/nn when/wrb you/ppss wanna/vb+to go/vb someplace/rb ''/'' ,/, Feathertop/np would/md say/vb ./.
``/`` The/at accommodations/nns may/md not/* be/be the/at poshest/jjt ,/, but/cc man/nn !/. !/.
There/ex ain't/bez* nobody/pn askin'/vbg for/in your/pp$ ticket/nn stub/nn ,/, neither/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps had/hvd been/ben conning/vbg the/at freights/nns for/in a/at long/jj ,/, long/jj time/nn now/rb ./.
Ever/rb since/in the/at hooch/nn ,/, and/cc the/at trouble/nn with/in the/at Quartet/nn-tl ,/, and/cc Midge/np and/cc the/at child/nn ./.
Ever/rb since/in all/abn that/dt ./.
It/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at very/ql long/jj time/nn that/wps had/hvd no/at form/nn and/cc no/at end/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz --/-- as/cs he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl in/in the/at vernacular/nn of/in a/at trade/nn no/at longer/jjr his/pp$ own/jj --/-- riding/vbg the/at dark/jj train/nn out/rp ./.
Out/rp and/cc out/rp and/cc never/rb to/to return/vb again/rb ./.
Till/cs one/cd day/nn the/at last/ap freight/nn had/hvd been/ben jumped/vbn ,/, the/at last/ap pint/nn had/hvd been/ben killed/vbn ,/, the/at last/ap beat/nn had/hvd been/ben rapped/vbn ./.
That/dt was/bedz the/at day/nn it/pps ended/vbd ./.




The/at freight/nn car/nn was/bedz cold/jj ,/, early/rb in/in the/at morning/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz pressed/vbn far/rb back/rb into/in the/at corner/nn of/in the/at car/nn on/in his/pp$ hay/nn sacks/nns ,/, the/at rattling/nn and/cc tinning/nn of/in the/at wheels/nns on/in the/at rails/nns almost/rb covering/vbg the/at sound/nn of/in his/pp$ ocarina/nn ./.


	He/pps held/vbd his/pp$ elbows/nns away/rb from/in his/pp$ body/nn ,/, and/cc the/at little/jj sweet/jj potato/nn trilled/vbd neatly/rb and/cc sweetly/rb as/cs he/pps tickled/vbd its/pp$ tune-belly/nn ./.


	The/at train/nn slowed/vbd at/in a/at road/nn crossing/nn ,/, and/cc the/at big/jj door/nn slid/vbd open/jj ;/. ;/.
at/in first/rb gratingly/rb ,/, caught/vbd by/in grains/nns of/in corn/nn --/-- then/rb with/in a/at clash/nn into/in its/pp$ slot/nn ./.


	The/at boy/nn lifted/vbd the/at girl/nn by/in the/at waist/nn and/cc set/vb her/ppo on/in the/at lip/nn of/in the/at floor/nn ./.
She/pps pulled/vbd her/pp$ legs/nns up/rp under/in her/ppo ,/, to/to rise/vb ,/, her/pp$ full/jj peasant/nn skirt/nn drawing/vbg up/in her/pp$ thighs/nns ,/, and/cc Feathertop's/np$ music/nn pfffted/vbd away/rb ./.
``/`` Now/rb that/dt is/bez a/at very/ql nice/jj ,/, a/at very/ql nice/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps murmured/vbd to/in himself/ppl ,/, back/rb in/in his/pp$ corner/nn ./.


	A/at little/jj thing/nn ,/, but/cc the/at right/jj twist/nn for/in the/at action/nn that/wps counted/vbd ./.
Hot/jj ,/, that/dt was/bedz the/at word/nn ,/, hot/jj !/. !/.
Hair/nn like/cs a/at morning-frightened/jj sparrow's/nn$ wings/nns ,/, with/in the/at sun/nn shining/vbg down/rp over/in them/ppo ./.
A/at poet/nn ,/, yet/rb !/. !/.
His/pp$ thoughts/nns for/in the/at swanlike/jj neck/nn ,/, the/at full/jj ,/, high/jj breasts/nns ,/, the/at slim/jj waist/nn ,/, and/cc the/at long/jj legs/nns were/bed less/ap than/in poetic/jj ,/, however/wrb ./.


	Zingggg-O/uh !/. !/.


	Then/rb the/at boy/nn straight-armed/vbd himself/ppl up/rp ,/, twisting/vbg at/in the/at last/ap moment/nn so/cs he/pps landed/vbd sitting/vbg ./.


	He/pps was/bedz less/ap to/to see/vb ,/, but/cc Feathertop/np took/vbd him/ppo in/rp ,/, too/rb ,/, just/rb to/to keep/vb the/at records/nns straight/jj ./.


	Curly/jj hair/nn ,/, high/jj cheekbones/nns ,/, wide/jj gnomelike/jj mouth/nn ,/, a/at pair/nn of/in drummer's/nn$ blocky/jj hands/nns ,/, and/cc a/at body/nn that/wps said/vbd well/rb ,/, maybe/rb I/ppss can/md wrestle/vb you/ppo for/in ten/cd minutes/nns --/-- but/cc then/rb I'm/ppss+bem finished/vbn ./.


	``/`` We/ppss made/vbd it/ppo ,/, Cappy/np ''/'' ,/, the/at chick/nn said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, seems/vbz so/rb ,/, don't/do* it/ppo ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn laughed/vbd ,/, hugging/vbg her/ppo close/rb ./.


	``/`` Ah-ah/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Feathertop/np interrupted/vbd ,/, standing/vbg up/rp ,/, brushing/vbg the/at pig/nn offal/nn from/in his/pp$ dirty/jj pants/nns ./.
``/`` None/pn of/in that/dt ./.
We/ppss run/vb a/at respectable/jj house/nn here/rb ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss whirled/vbd and/cc saw/vbd him/ppo ,/, standing/vbg there/rb dim/jj in/in the/at slatted/jj light/jj from/in the/at boarded/vbn freight/nn wall/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz big/jj ,/, and/cc filthy/jj ,/, and/cc his/pp$ toes/nns stuck/vbd out/in of/in the/at flapping/vbg tops/nns of/in his/pp$ shoes/nns ./.
He/pps held/vbd the/at black/jj plastic/jj kazoo/nn lightly/rb ./.


	``/`` Come/vb sit/vb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Feathertop/np ,/, motioning/vbg them/ppo toward/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` That/dt crap/nn is/bez softer/jjr over/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at girl/nn smiled/vbd ,/, and/cc started/vbd forward/rb ./.
The/at boy/nn yanked/vbd her/ppo back/rb hard/rb ,/, tugging/vbg her/ppo off/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, and/cc gathered/vbd her/ppo into/in the/at crook/nn of/in his/pp$ arm/nn ./.


	``/`` Now/rb stay/vb with/in me/ppo ,/, Kitty/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps snapped/vbd irritably/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss vowed/vbd to/to take/vb care/nn of/in you/ppo --/-- and/cc that's/dt+bez what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem gonna/vbg+to do/do ./.
We/ppss don't/do* know/vb this/dt guy/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oooo/uh ,/, square/nn bit/nn ''/'' ,/, Feathertop/np screwed/vbd his/pp$ face/nn up/rp ./.
This/dt guy/nn was/bedz strictly/rb from/in Outsville/np ./.
But/cc nowhere/rb !/. !/.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez with/in this/dt vow/nn jazz/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Feathertop/np inquired/vbd ,/, lounging/vbg against/in the/at freight's/nn$ vibrating/vbg wall/nn ./.


	``/`` We/ppss --/-- we/ppss eloped/vbd ''/'' ,/, Cappy/np said/vbd ./.
His/pp$ head/nn came/vbd up/rp and/cc he/pps said/vbd it/ppo defiantly/rb ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, congratulations/nns ''/'' ./.
Feathertop/np made/vbd an/at elaborate/jj motion/nn with/in his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
These/dts two/cd were/bed going/vbg to/to be/be easy/jj pickins/nns ./.
They/ppss couldn't/md* have/hv much/ap dough/nn ,/, but/cc then/rb none/pn of/in the/at freight-bums/nns Feathertop/np rolled/vbd had/hvd much/ap ./.
And/cc besides/rb ,/, the/at chick/nn had/hvd a/at little/ap something/pn the/at others/nns didn't/dod* have/hv ./.
That/dt was/bedz gonna/vbg+to be/be fun/nn collecting/vbg !/. !/.


	But/cc not/* just/rb yet/rb ./.
Feathertop/np was/bedz a/at connoisseur/nn ./.
He/pps liked/vbd to/in savor/nn his/pp$ meat/nn before/cs he/pps tasted/vbd it/ppo ./.
``/`` Come/vb sit/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps repeated/vbd ,/, motioning/vbg to/in the/at piled/vbn hay/nn bags/nns ,/, over/in the/at pig/nn leavings/nns ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem just/rb a/at poor/jj ex-jazz/nn man/nn ,/, name/nn of/in --/-- uh/uh --/-- Boyd/np Smith/np ''/'' ./.
He/pps grinned/vbd at/in them/ppo wolfishly/rb ./.


	``/`` That/dt ain't/bez* your/pp$ name/nn ,/, Mister/np ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn accused/vbd ./.


	``/`` And/cc you/ppss know/vb --/-- you're/ppss+ber right/jj ''/'' !/. !/.
Feathertop/np aimed/vbd a/at finger/nn at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, come/vb on/rp ,/, Cappy/np ''/'' ,/, the/at girl/nn chided/vbd ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez okay/jj ./.
He's/pps+bez a/at nice/jj guy/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps started/vbd to/to move/vb toward/in the/at hay/nn bags/nns ,/, dragging/vbg the/at reluctant/jj Cappy/np behind/in her/ppo ./.


	Feathertop/np watched/vbd the/at smooth/jj scissoring/nn of/in her/ppo slim/jj ,/, trim/jj legs/nns as/cs she/pps walked/vbd to/in the/at bags/nns ,/, and/cc tucked/vbd them/ppo beneath/in her/ppo ,/, smoothing/vbg the/at skirt/nn out/rp in/in a/at wide/jj circle/nn ./.
He/pps cleared/vbd his/pp$ throat/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at long/jj ,/, hot/jj while/nn since/cs he'd/pps+hvd seen/vbn anything/pn as/ql nice/jj as/cs this/dt within/in grabbin'/vbg distance/nn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd it/ppo all/abn doped/vbn ,/, of/in course/nn ./.
Slug/vb the/at kid/nn ,/, grab/vb his/pp$ dough/nn --/-- at/in least/ap enough/ap to/to get/vb to/in Philadelphia/np --/-- and/cc then/rb have/hv a/at rockin'/jj ball/nn with/in the/at doll/nn ./.
Hmm/uh --/-- diddle/uh !/. !/.


	``/`` Where'd/wrb+dod you/ppss come/vbn from/in ,/, Mr./np --/-- uh/uh --/-- Mr./np Smith/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Kitty/np inquired/vbd politely/rb ./.


	``/`` Where/wrb from/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps mused/vbd ./.
``/`` Out/rp ./.
I/ppss been/ben riding/vbg train/nn for/in a/at ways/nns now/rb ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss lapsed/vbd into/in silence/nn ,/, and/cc the/at freight/nn wallowed/vbd up/in a/at hill/nn ,/, scooted/vbd down/in the/at other/ap side/nn ,/, shaking/vbg and/cc clanking/vbg to/in itself/ppl ./.


	After/in a/at while/nn ,/, Kitty/np murmured/vbd something/pn to/in Cappy/np ,/, and/cc he/pps held/vbd her/ppo close/rb ,/, answering/vbg ,/, ``/`` We'll/ppss+md just/rb have/hv to/to wait/vb till/cs we/ppss pull/vb into/in Philly/np ,/, honey/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn ,/, she/pps wanna/vb+to go/vb the/at bathroom/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Ernie/np found/vbd it/ppo immensely/ql funny/jj ./.


	The/at boy/nn scowled/vbd at/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc the/at girl/nn looked/vbd shocked/vbn ./.


	``/`` No/rb !/. !/.
Certainly/rb not/* ,/, I/ppss mean/vb ,/, no/rb that/dt isn't/bez* what/wdt I/ppss said/vbd ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps snapped/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` I/ppss only/rb said/vbd I/ppss was/bedz hungry/jj ./.
We/ppss haven't/hv* had/hvn anything/pn to/to eat/vb all/abn day/nn ''/'' ./.


	Joviality/nn suffused/vbd Feathertop/np Ernie/np Cargill's/np$ voice/nn as/cs he/pps reached/vbd behind/in him/ppo ,/, pulling/vbg out/rp a/at battered/vbn carpet/nn bag/nn ,/, with/in leather/nn handles/nns ./.
``/`` Whyn't/wrb+dod* ya/ppss say/vb so/rb ,/, fellow/nn travelers/nns !/. !/.
Why/wrb ,/, we/ppss got/vbd dinner/nn right/ql here/rb ./.
C'mon/vb+rp ,/, buddy/nn ,/, help/vb me/ppo set/vb up/rp the/at kitchen/nn and/cc we'll/ppss+md have/hv food/nn in/in a/at minute/nn or/cc two/cd ''/'' ./.


	Cappy/np looked/vbd wary/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps moved/vbd off/in the/at floorboards/nns and/cc followed/vbd the/at dirty/jj ex-musician/nn to/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at refuse-littered/jj boxcar/nn ./.


	Ernie/np crouched/vbd and/cc opened/vbd the/at carpet/nn bag/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd out/rp a/at small/jj packet/nn filled/vbn with/in bits/nns of/in charcoal/nn ,/, a/at deep/jj pot/nn of/in thin/jj metal/nn ,/, some/dti sheets/nns of/in newspaper/nn ,/, a/at book/nn of/in matches/nns and/cc a/at wrinkled/vbn and/cc many-times/nns folded/vbn piece/nn of/in tin/nn foil/nn with/in holes/nns in/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps put/vbd the/at charcoal/nn in/in the/at pot/nn ,/, lit/vbd the/at paper/nn with/in the/at matches/nns ,/, and/cc carefully/rb stretched/vbd the/at tin/nn foil/nn across/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at pot/nn ./.


	``/`` A/at charcoal/nn pit/nn ,/, man/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, indicating/vbg the/at slightly-smoking/jj makeshift/jj brazier/nn ./.
``/`` Fan/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps told/vbd Cappy/np ,/, handing/vbg him/ppo a/at sheet/nn of/in newspaper/nn ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, but/cc what're/wdt+ber we/ppss gonna/vbg+to eat/vb ?/. ?/.
Charcoal/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Fella/nn ''/'' ,/, Ernie/np waggled/vbd a/at dirty/jj finger/nn at/in the/at younger/jjr man/nn ,/, ``/`` you/ppss try/vb my/pp$ ever-lovin'/jj patience/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps reached/vbd once/rb more/rbr into/in the/at carpet/nn bag/nn and/cc brought/vbd up/rp a/at package/nn of/in wieners/nns ./.


	``/`` Hot/jj dogs/nns ,/, man/nn ./.
Not/* the/at greatest/jjt ,/, but/cc they/ppss stick/vb to/in your/pp$ belly/nn insides/nns ''/'' ./.


	He/pps ripped/vbd down/rp the/at cellophane/nn carefully/rb ,/, and/cc laid/vbd three/cd dogs/nns on/in the/at tin/nn foil/nn ./.
Almost/rb immediately/rb they/ppss began/vbd to/to sizzle/vb ./.
He/pps looked/vbd up/rp and/cc grinned/vbd ./.


	``/`` A/at Kroger's/np$ self-serve/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps explained/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss self-served/vbd ''/'' ./.




When/wrb they/ppss had/hvd licked/vbn the/at last/ap of/in the/at wieners'/nns$ taste/nn from/in their/pp$ fingers/nns ,/, they/ppss settled/vbd back/rb ,/, and/cc Cappy/np offered/vbd Ernie/np a/at cigarette/nn ./.
Nice/jj kid/nn ,/, Ernie/np thought/vbd ,/, too/ql bad/jj ./.


	``/`` How/wrb come/vbn you're/ppss+ber riding/vbg the/at rods/nns ,/, kids/nns like/cs you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Ernie/np asked/vbd ./.


	Cappy/np looked/vbd down/rp at/in his/pp$ wide/jj hands/nns ,/, and/cc did/dod not/* reply/vb ./.
But/cc surprisingly/rb ,/, Kitty's/np$ face/nn came/vbd up/rp and/cc she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` My/pp$ father/nn ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* want/vb us/ppo to/to get/vb married/vbn ./.
So/cs we/ppss ran/vbd away/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb didn't/dod* he/pps want/vb you/ppo to/to get/vb hitched/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	This/dt time/nn even/rb she/pps did/dod not/* answer/vb ./.
She/pps looked/vbd down/rp at/in her/pp$ hands/nns ,/, too/rb ./.
After/in a/at few/ap seconds/nns ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Dad/nn-tl didn't/dod* like/vb Cappy/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz my/pp$ fault/nn ''/'' ./.


	Cappy's/np$ head/nn came/vbd around/rb sharply/rb ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ fault/nn ,/, hell/uh !/. !/.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn my/pp$ fault/nn ./.
If/cs I'd/ppss+hvd been/ben careful/jj it/pps never/rb woulda/md+hv ''/'' --/-- he/pps stopped/vbd abruptly/rb ./.


	Ernie's/np$ eyebrows/nns went/vbd up/rp ./.
``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	The/at girl/nn still/rb did/dod not/* raise/vb her/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, but/cc she/pps added/vbd simply/rb ,/, ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem pregnant/jj ''/'' ./.


	Cappy/np raged/vbd at/in himself/ppl ./.
``/`` Oh/uh he/pps was/bedz stupid/jj ,/, her/pp$ old/jj man/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss never/rb heard/vbd nothin'/pn like/cs it/pps :/: Kitty's/np+bez gonna/vbg+to go/vb have/hv an/at abortion/nn ,/, and/cc Kitty's/np+bez gonna/vbg+to go/vb away/rb to/in a/at convent/nn ,/, and/cc Kitty's/np+bez this/dt and/cc Kitty's/np+bez that/dt like/cs he/pps was/bedz nuts/nns or/cc somethin'/pn ,/, y'know/ppss+vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Ernie/np nodded/vbd ./.
This/dt was/bedz a/at slightly/ql different/jj matter/nn ./.
He/pps remembered/vbd Midge/np ,/, and/cc the/at child/nn ./.
But/cc that/dt had/hvd been/ben a/at time/nn before/in all/abn this/dt ,/, a/at time/nn he/pps didn't/dod* think/vb about/in ./.
A/at time/nn before/cs the/at white/jj lightning/nn and/cc the/at bumming/nn had/hvd turned/vbn him/ppo inside/rb out/rp ./.
But/cc these/dts kids/nns weren't/bed* like/in him/ppo ./.


	Oh/uh crap/uh !/. !/.
He/pps thought/vbd ,/, Pull/vb out/in of/in it/ppo ,/, old/jj son/nn ./.
These/dts are/ber just/rb another/dt couple/nn of/in characters/nns to/to roll/vb ./.
What/wdt they/ppss got/vbd ,/, you/ppss get/vb ./.
Now/rb forget/vb all/abn this/dt other/ap ./.


	``/`` Wanna/vb+at drink/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Ernie/np offered/vbd ,/, taking/vbg the/at pint/nn of/in sweet/jj lucy/nn from/in his/pp$ jacket/nn pocket/nn ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ./.
Now/rb that/cs you/ppss offer/vb ''/'' ./.
The/at answer/nn came/vbd from/in the/at open/jj door/nn of/in the/at boxcar/nn ./.
From/in the/at man/nn who/wps had/hvd leaped/vbn in/rp from/in the/at high/jj bank/nn outside/rb ,/, as/cs the/at train/nn had/hvd slowed/vbn on/in the/at grade/nn ./.


	Ernie/np stared/vbd at/in the/at man/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz big/jj ./.
Real/ql big/jj ,/, with/in shoulders/nns out/in to/in here/rb ,/, and/cc hair/nn all/abn over/in him/ppo like/cs a/at grizzly/nn ./.
Road/nn gang/nn ,/, Ernie/np thought/vbd ./.


	``/`` You/ppss gonna/vbg+to give/vb me/ppo a/at drink/nn ,/, fella/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at big/jj man/nn asked/vbd again/rb ,/, taking/vbg a/at step/nn into/in the/at boxcar/nn ./.


	Ernie/np hesitated/vbd a/at moment/nn ./.
This/dt character/nn could/md break/vb him/ppo in/in half/abn ./.
``/`` Sure/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc lifted/vbd the/at pint/nn to/in his/pp$ own/jj lips/nns ./.
He/pps guzzled/vbd down/rp three-quarters/nns of/in the/at strong/jj home-blend/nn and/cc proffered/vbd the/at remainder/nn ./.
The/at man/nn stalked/vbd toward/in them/ppo ,/, his/pp$ big/jj boots/nns heavy/jj on/in the/at wooden/jj flooring/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd the/at bottle/nn with/in undue/jj belligerence/nn ,/, and/cc making/vbg sucking/vbg noises/nns with/in his/pp$ thick/jj lips/nns ,/, drained/vbd it/ppo completely/rb ./.


	He/pps threw/vbd his/pp$ head/nn back/rb ,/, closed/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc belched/vbd ferociously/rb ./.
He/pps belched/vbd again/rb ,/, and/cc opening/vbg his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, threw/vbd the/at bottle/nn out/in the/at open/jj door/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, now/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc reached/vbd into/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb I/ppss was/bedz gonna/vbg+to have/hv company/nn in/in this/dt car/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/in Philadelphia/np ''/'' ,/, Kitty/np said/vbd ,/, pulling/vbg her/pp$ skirt/nn down/rp around/in her/pp$ legs/nns all/abn the/at more/ap ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss don't/do* think/vb so/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at big/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz the/at final/jj clincher/nn for/in Ernie/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd suspected/vbn this/dt guy/nn was/bedz trouble/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb he/pps was/bedz sure/jj of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Maybe/rb you/ppss and/cc me/ppo will/md ,/, girlie/nn ,/, but/cc these/dts two/cd ain't/ber* goin'/vbg nowhere/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps advanced/vbd on/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc abruptly/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at shocked/vbn electricity/nn in/in the/at car/nn ./.
Ernie/np was/bedz screaming/vbg inside/in himself/ppl :/: No/rb ,/, damn/vb you/ppo ,/, you/ppss ain't/ber* gonna/vbg+to take/vb my/pp$ meal/nn ticket/nn away/rb from/in me/ppo !/. !/.


	The/at newcomer/nn stalked/vbd toward/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc Kitty/np shied/vbd back/rb ,/, her/pp$ hand/nn to/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
Her/pp$ scream/nn split/vbd up/rp the/at silence/nn of/in the/at car/nn ,/, accompanied/vbn by/in the/at rattling/vbg of/in the/at freight/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb Cappy/np came/vbd off/in the/at floor/nn ,/, his/pp$ legs/nns driving/vbg him/ppo hard/rb ./.
The/at kid/nn hit/vbd the/at bigger/jjr man/nn with/in an/at audible/jj thwump/nn !/. !/.
And/cc carried/vbd him/ppo backward/rb in/in a/at footballer's/nn$ tackle/nn ./.
They/ppss went/vbd down/rp in/in a/at heap/nn and/cc for/in a/at long/jj minute/nn there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn to/to see/vb but/in flailing/vbg arms/nns and/cc legs/nns ./.


	The/at kid/nn showed/vbd for/in an/at instant/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ arm/nn was/bedz cocked/vbn back/rb ./.
The/at fist/nn went/vbd down/rp into/in the/at pile/nn of/in flesh/nn ,/, and/cc Ernie/np heard/vbd the/at bigger/jjr man's/nn$ deeper/jjr voice/nn go/vb ,/, ``/`` Aaawww/uh ''/'' !/. !/.


	Then/rb they/ppss were/bed tumbling/vbg again/rb ,/, and/cc the/at big/jj man/nn reached/vbd into/in the/at same/ap pocket/nn he/pps had/hvd gone/vbn for/in earlier/rbr ,/, and/cc came/vbd up/rp with/in a/at vicious/jj switchblade/nn ./.


	He/pps held/vbd the/at knife/nn aloft/rb an/at instant/nn --/-- an/at instant/nn enough/ap to/to press/vb the/at stud/nn ./.
The/at blade/nn came/vbd out/rp with/in a/at snick/nn !/. !/.
He/pps fisted/vbd the/at knife/nn overhand/rb ,/, and/cc drew/vbd back/rb to/to plunge/vb it/ppo into/in the/at kid's/nn$ throat/nn ./.


	Kitty/np screamed/vbd insanely/rb and/cc her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz white/jj ./.
She/pps grabbed/vbd at/in Feathertop's/np$ sleeve/nn and/cc shrieked/vbd ,/, ``/`` Help/vb him/ppo !/. !/.
Help/vb him/ppo !/. !/.
Do/do something/pn ''/'' !/. !/.

