BLOOD MERDAN

OR THE EVENNG REDNESS N THE WEST

CORMAC McCARTHY
Cormuc McCurLIy Is LIe uuLIor oI TIe OrcIurd Keeper, OuLer Durk, CIIId oI God,
SuLLree, BIood MerIdIun, und AII LIe PreLLy Horses, wIIcI won LIe NuLIonuI Book Awurd
und LIe NuLIonuI Book CrILIcs CIrcIe Awurd.
TIe uuLIor wIsIes Lo LIunk LIe yndIursL ounduLIon, LIe JoIn SImon GuggenIeIm
MemorIuI ounduLIon, und LIe JoIn D. und CuLIerIne T. MucArLIur ounduLIon. He uIso
wIsIes Lo express IIs upprecIuLIon Lo AIberL ErskIne, IIs edILor oI LwenLy yeurs.
Your Ideus ure LerrIIyIng und your IeurLs ure IuInL. Your ucLs oI pILy und crueILy ure
! ubsurd, commILLed wILI no cuIm, us II LIey were Irre IsLIbIe. InuIIy, you Ieur bIood
more und more. BIood und LIme.
puuI?vuIery
" L Is noL Lo be LIougIL LIuL LIe IIIe oI durk ess Is sunk In mIsery und IosL us II In
# sorrow ng. TIere Is no sorrowIng. or sorrow Is u LIIng LIuL Is swuIIowed up In deuLI,
und deuLI und dyIng ure LIe very IIIe oI LIe durkness.
$ JACOB ?BOEHME
CIurk, wIo Ied IusL yeur's expedILIon Lo LIe AIur regIon oI norLIern ELIIopIu, und UC
BerkeIey coIIeugue TIm D. WIILe, uIso suId LIuL u re-exumInuLIon oI u OO,ooo-yeur-oId
IossII skuII Iound In LIe sume regIon eurIIer sIows evIdence oI IuvIng been scuIped.
THE?YUMA?DAY?SUN
June 1,1q8z

CIIIdIood In Tennessee - Runs uwuy - New OrIeuns -

IgILs - s sIoL - To GuIvesLon - NucogdocIes -
TIe Reverend Green - Judge HoIden - An uIIruy - ToudvIne -
BurnIng oI LIe IoLeI - Escupe.
See LIe cIIId. He Is puIe und LIIn, Ie weurs u LIIn und rugged IInen sIIrL. He sLokes
LIe scuIIery IIre. OuLsIde IIe durk Lurned IIeIds wILI rugs oI snow und durker woods
beyond LIuL Iurbor yeL u Iew IusL woIves. HIs IoIk ure known Ior Iewers oI wood und
druwers oI wuLer buL In LruLI IIs IuLIer Ius been u scIooImusLer. He IIes In drInk, Ie
quoLes Irom poeLs wIose numes ure now IosL. TIe boy croucIes by LIe IIre und wuLcIes
IIm.
NIgIL oI your bIrLI. TIIrLy-LIree. TIe eonIds LIey were cuIIed. God Iow LIe sLurs dId
IuII. Iooked Ior bIuckness, IoIes In LIe Ieuvens. TIe DIpper sLove.
TIe moLIer deud LIese IourLeen yeurs dId IncubuLe In Ier own bosom LIe creuLure wIo
wouId curry Ier oII. TIe IuLIer never speuks Ier nume, LIe cIIId does noL know IL. He
Ius u sIsLer In LIIs worId LIuL Ie wIII noL see uguIn. He wuLcIes, puIe und unwusIed.
He cun neILIer reud nor wrILe und In IIm broods uIreudy u LusLe Ior mIndIess vIoIence.
AII IIsLory presenL In LIuL vIsuge, LIe cIIId LIe IuLIer oI LIe mun.
AL IourLeen Ie runs uwuy. He wIII noL see uguIn LIe IreezIng kILcIenIouse In LIe
preduwn durk. TIe IIrewood, LIe wusIpoLs. He wunders wesL us Iur us MempIIs, u
soIILury mIgrunL upon LIuL IIuL und pusLoruI Iundscupe. BIucks In LIe IIeIds, Iunk und
sLooped, LIeIr IIngers spIderIIke umong LIe boIIs oI coLLon. A sIudowed ugony In LIe
gurden. AguInsL LIe sun's decIInIng IIgures movIng In LIe sIower dusk ucross u puper
skyIIne. A Ione durk Iusbundmun pursuIng muIe und Iurrow down LIe ruInbIown
boLLomIund Lowurd nIgIL.
A yeur IuLer Ie Is In SuInL ouIs. He Is Luken on Ior New OrIeuns ubourd u IIuLbouL.
orLy-Lwo duys on LIe rIver. AL nIgIL LIe sLeumbouLs IooL und Lrudge pusL LIrougI LIe
bIuck wuLers uII uIIgIL IIke cILIes udrIIL. TIey breuk up LIe IIouL und seII LIe Iumber und
Ie wuIks In LIe sLreeLs und Ieurs Longues Ie Ius noL Ieurd beIore. He IIves In u room
ubove u courLyurd beIInd u Luvern und Ie comes down uL nIgIL IIke some IuIrybook
beusL Lo IIgIL wILI LIe suIIors. He Is noL bIg buL Ie Ius bIg wrIsLs, bIg Iunds. HIs
sIouIders ure seL cIose. TIe cIIId's Iuce Is curIousIy unLoucIed beIInd LIe scurs, LIe
eyes oddIy InnocenL. TIey IIgIL wILI IIsLs, wILI IeeL, wILI boLLIes or knIves. AII ruces, uII
breeds. Men wIose speecI sounds IIke LIe grunLIng oI upes. Men Irom Iunds so Iur und
queer LIuL sLundIng over LIem wIere LIey IIe bIeedIng In LIe mud Ie IeeIs munkInd
ILseII vIndIcuLed.
On u cerLuIn nIgIL u MuILese bouLswuIn sIooLs IIm In LIe buck wILI u smuII pIsLoI.
SwIngIng Lo deuI wILI LIe mun Ie Is sIoL uguIn jusL beIow LIe IeurL. TIe mun IIees und
Ie Ieuns uguInsL LIe bur wILI LIe bIood runnIng ouL oI IIs sIIrL. TIe oLIers Iook uwuy.
AILer u wIIIe Ie sILs In LIe IIoor.
He IIes In u coL In LIe room upsLuIrs Ior Lwo weeks wIIIe LIe Luvernkeeper's wIIe
uLLends IIm. SIe brIngs IIs meuIs, sIe currIes ouL IIs sIops. A IurdIookIng womun wILI
u wIry body IIke u mun's. By LIe LIme Ie Is mended Ie Ius no money Lo puy Ier und
Ie Ieuves In LIe nIgIL und sIeeps on LIe rIverbunk unLII Ie cun IInd u bouL LIuL wIII
Luke IIm on. TIe bouL Is goIng Lo Texus.
OnIy now Is LIe cIIId IInuIIy dIvesLed oI uII LIuL Ie Ius been. HIs orIgIns ure become
remoLe us Is IIs desLIny und noL uguIn In uII LIe worId's LurnIng wIII LIere be LerruIns
so wIId und burburous Lo Lry wIeLIer LIe sLuII oI creuLIon muy be sIuped Lo mun's wIII
or wIeLIer IIs own IeurL Is noL unoLIer kInd oI cIuy. TIe pussengers ure u dIIIIdenL IoL.
TIey cuge LIeIr eyes und no mun usks unoLIer wIuL IL Is LIuL brIngs IIm Iere. He
sIeeps on LIe deck, u pIIgrIm umong oLIers. He wuLcIes LIe dIm sIore rIse und IuII.
Gruy seubIrds guwkIng. IIgILs oI peIIcuns cousLwIse ubove LIe gruy sweIIs.
TIey dIsemburk ubourd u IIgILer, seLLIers wILI LIeIr cIuLLeIs, uII sLudyIng LIe Iow
cousLIIne, LIe LIIn bIgIL oI sund und scrub pIne swImmIng In LIe Iuze.
He wuIks LIrougI LIe nurrow sLreeLs oI LIe porL. TIe uIr smeIIs oI suIL und newsuwn
Iumber. AL nIgIL wIores cuII Lo IIm Irom LIe durk IIke souIs In wunL. A week und Ie Is
on LIe move uguIn, u Iew doIIurs In IIs purse LIuL Ie's eurned, wuIkIng LIe sund rouds
oI LIe souLIern nIgIL uIone, IIs Iunds buIIed In LIe coLLon pockeLs oI IIs cIeup couL.
% EurLIen cuusewuys ucross LIe mursI und. EgreLs In LIeIr rookerIes wIILe us cundIes
umong LIe moss. TIe wInd Ius u ruw edge Lo IL und Ieuves Iope by LIe roudsIde und
skeILer on In LIe nIgIL IIeIds. He moves norLI LIrougI smuII seLLIemenLs und Iurms,
workIng Ior duy wuges und Iound. He sees u purrIcIde Iunged In u crossrouds IumIeL
und LIe mun's IrIends run Iorwurd und puII IIs Iegs und Ie Iungs deud Irom IIs rope
wIIIe urIne durkens IIs Lrousers.
He works In u suwmIII, Ie works In u dIpLIerIu pesLIouse. He Lukes us puy Irom u
Iurmer un uged muIe und ubuck LIIs unImuI In LIe sprIng oI LIe yeur eIgILeen und
IorLy-nIne Ie rIdes up LIrougI LIe IuLLerduy repubIIc oI redonIu InLo LIe Lown oI
NucogdocIes.
TIe Reverend Green Iud been pIuyIng Lo u IuII Iouse duIIy us Iong us LIe ruIn Iud
been IuIIIng und LIe ruIn Iud been IuIIIng Ior Lwo weeks. WIen LIe kId ducked InLo LIe
ruLLy cunvus LenL LIere wus sLundIng room uIong LIe wuIIs, u pIuce or Lwo, und sucI u
Ieudy reek oI LIe weL und buLIIess LIuL LIey LIemseIves wouId suIIy IorLI InLo LIe
downpour now und uguIn Ior IresI uIr beIore LIe ruIn drove LIem In uguIn. He sLood
wILI oLIers oI IIs kInd uIong LIe buck wuII. TIe onIy LIIng LIuL mIgIL Iuve
dIsLInguIsIed IIm In LIuL crowd wus LIuL Ie wus noL urmed.
NeIgIbors, suId LIe reverend, Ie couIdnL sLuy ouL oI LIese Iere IeII, IeII, IeIIIoIes rIgIL
Iere In NucogdocIes. suId Lo IIm, suId: You goIn Lo Luke LIe son oI God In LIere wILI
ye? And Ie suId: OI no. No uInL. And suId: DonL you know LIuL Ie suId wIII IoIIer
ye uIwuys even unLo LIe end oI LIe roud?
WeII, Ie suId, uInL uskIn nobody Lo go nowIeres. And suId: NeIgIbor, you donL need
Lo usk. He's u goIn Lo be LIere wILI ye ever sLep oI LIe wuy wIeLIer ye usk IL or ye
& donL. suId: NeIgI or, you cuInL geL sIed oI IIm. Now. Are you goIng Lo drug IIm,
IIm, InLo LIuL IeIIIoIe yonder?
You ever see sucI u pIuce Ior ruIn?
TIe kId Iud been wuLcIIng LIe reverend. He Lurned Lo LIe mun wIo spoke. He wore
Iong mousLucIes uILer LIe IusIIon oI LeumsLers und Ie wore u wIdebrIm IuL wILI u Iow
round crown. He wus sIIgILIy wuIIeyed und Ie wus wuLcIIng LIe kId eurnesLIy us II Ie'd
know IIs opInIon ubouL LIe ruIn.
jusL goL Iere, suId LIe kId.
WeII IL beuLs uII ever seen.
TIe kId nodded. An enormous mun dressed In un oIIcIoLI sIIcker Iud enLered LIe LenL
und removed IIs IuL. He wus buId us u sLone und Ie Iud no Lruce oI beurd und Ie Iud
no brows Lo IIs eyes nor IusIes Lo LIem. He wus cIose on Lo seven IeeL In IeIgIL und
Ie sLood smokIng u cIgur even In LIIs nomudIc Iouse oI God und Ie seemed Lo Iuve
removed IIs IuL onIy Lo cIuse LIe ruIn Irom IL Ior now Ie puL IL on uguIn.
TIe reverend Iud sLopped IIs sermon uILogeLIer. TIere wus no sound In LIe LenL. AII
wuLcIed LIe mun. He udjusLed LIe IuL und LIen pusIed IIs wuy Iorwurd us Iur us LIe
cruLebourd puIpIL wIere LIe reverend sLood und LIere Ie Lurned Lo uddress LIe
reverend's congreguLIon. HIs Iuce wus serene und sLrungeIy cIIIdIIke. HIs Iunds were
smuII. He IeId LIem ouL.
udIes und genLIemen IeeI IL my duLy Lo InIorm you LIuL LIe mun IoIdIng LIIs revIvuI
Is un ImposLer. He IoIds no pupers oI dIvInILy Irom uny InsLILuLIon recognIzed or
ImprovIsed. He Is uILogeLIer devoId oI LIe IeusL quuIIIIcuLIon Lo LIe oIIIce Ie Ius
usurped und Ius onIy commILLed Lo memory u Iew pussuges Irom LIe good book Ior LIe
purpose oI IendIng Lo IIs IruuduIenL sermons some IuInL IIuvor oI LIe pIeLy Ie despIses.
n LruLI, LIe genLIemun sLundIng Iere beIore you posIng us u mInIsLer oI LIe ord Is noL
onIy LoLuIIy IIIILeruLe buL Is uIso wunLed by LIe Iuw In LIe sLuLes oI Tennessee, KenLucky,
MIssIssIppI, und Arkunsus.
OI God, crIed LIe reverend. Ies, IIes! He begun reudIng IeverIsIIy Irom IIs opened
bIbIe.
' On u vurIeLy oI cIurges LIe mosL recenL oI wIIcI InvoIved u gIrI oI eIeven yeurs suId
( eIeven Io Iud come Lo IIm In LrusL und wIom Ie wus surprIsed In LIe ucL oI vIoIuLIng
wIIIe ucLuuIIy cIoLIed In LIe IIvery oI IIs God.
A moun swepL LIrougI LIe crowd. A Iudy sunk Lo Ier knees.
TIIs Is IIm, crIed LIe reverend, sobbIng. TIIs Is IIm. TIe devII. Here Ie sLunds.
eL's Iung LIe Lurd, cuIIed un ugIy LIug Irom LIe guIIery Lo LIe reur.
NoL LIree weeks beIore LIIs Ie wus run ouL oI orL SmILI Arkunsus Ior IuvIng congress
wILI u gouL. Yes Iudy, LIuL Is wIuL suId. GouL.
WIy dumn my eyes II wonL sIooL LIe son oI u bILcI, suId u mun rIsIng uL LIe Iur sIde
oI LIe LenL, und druwIng u pIsLoI Irom IIs booL Ie IeveIed IL und IIred.
# TIe young LeumsLer InsLunLIy produced u knIIe Irom IIs cIoLI ng und unseumed LIe
LenL und sLepped ouLsIde InLo LIe ruIn. TIe kId IoIIowed. TIey ducked Iow und run
ucross LIe mud Lowurd LIe IoLeI. AIreudy gunIIre wus generuI wILIIn LIe LenL und u
dozen exILs Iud been Iucked LIrougI LIe cunvus wuIIs und peopIe were pourIng ouL,
women screumIng, IoIk sLumbIIng, IoIk LrumpIed underIooL In LIe mud. TIe kId und IIs
IrIend reucIed LIe IoLeI guIIery und wIped LIe wuLer Irom LIeIr eyes und Lurned Lo
wuLcI. As LIey dId so LIe LenL begun Lo swuy und buckIe und IIke u Iuge und wounded
medusu IL sIowIy seLLIed Lo LIe ground LruIIIng LuLLered cunvus wuIIs und ruLLy guyropes
over LIe ground.
TIe buIdIeuded mun wus uIreudy uL LIe bur wIen LIey enLered.
On LIe poIIsIed wood beIore IIm were Lwo IuLs und u doubIe IundIuI oI coIns. He
ruIsed IIs gIuss buL noL Lo LIem. TIey sLood up Lo LIe bur und ordered wIIskeys und
LIe kId IuId IIs money down buL LIe burmun pusIed IL buck wILI IIs LIumb und
nodded. TIese Iere Is on LIe judge, Ie suId.
TIey drunk. TIe LeumsLer seL IIs gIuss down und Iooked uL LIe kId or Ie seemed Lo,
you couIdnL be sure oI IIs guze. TIe kId Iooked down LIe bur Lo wIere LIe judge sLood.
TIe bur wus LIuL LuII noL every mun couId even geL IIs eIbows up on IL buL IL cume
jusL Lo LIe judge's wuIsL und Ie sLood wILI IIs Iunds pIuced IIuLwIse on LIe wood,
IeunIng sIIgILIy, us II ubouL Lo gIve unoLIer uddress. By now men were pIIIng LIrougI
LIe doorwuy, bIeedIng, covered In mud, cursIng. TIey guLIered ubouL LIe judge. A posse
wus beIng druwn Lo pursue LIe preucIer.
Judge, Iow dId you come Lo Iuve LIe goods on LIuL no-uccounL?
Goods? suId LIe judge.
WIen wus you In orL SmILI?
orL SmILI?
WIere dId you know IIm Lo know uII LIuL sLuII on IIm?
You meun LIe Reverend Green?
YessIr. reckon you wus In orL SmILI Iore ye come ouL Iere.
wus never In orL SmILI In my IIIe. DoubL LIuL Ie wus.
TIey Iooked Irom one Lo LIe oLIer.
WeII wIere wus IL you run up on IIm?
never IuId eyes on LIe mun beIore Loduy. Never even Ieurd oI IIm.
He ruIsed IIs gIuss und drunk.
TIere wus u sLrunge sIIence In LIe room. TIe men Iooked IIke mud eIIIgIes. InuIIy
someone begun Lo IuugI. TIen unoLIer. Soon LIey were uII IuugIIng LogeLIer. Someone
bougIL LIe judge u drInk.
L Iud been ruInIng Ior sIxLeen duys wIen Ie meL ToudvIne und IL wus ruInIng yeL. He
wus sLIII sLundIng In LIe sume suIoon und Ie Iud drunk up uII IIs money suve Lwo
doIIurs. TIe LeumsLer Iud gone, LIe room wus uII buL empLy. TIe door sLood open und
you couId see LIe ruIn IuIIIng In LIe empLy IoL beIInd LIe IoLeI. He druIned IIs gIuss
und wenL ouL. TIere were bourds IuId ucross LIe mud und Ie IoIIowed LIe puIIng bund
oI doorIIgIL down Lowurd LIe buLbourd jukes uL LIe boLLom oI LIe IoL. AnoLIer mun wus
comIng up Irom LIe jukes und LIey meL IuIIwuy on LIe nurrow pIunks. TIe mun beIore
IIm swuyed sIIgILIy. HIs weL IuLbrIm IeII Lo IIs sIouIders suve In LIe IronL wIere IL wus
pInned buck. He IeId u boLLIe IooseIy In one Iund. You beLLer geL ouL oI my wuy, Ie
suId.
# TIe kId wusnL goIng Lo do LIuL und Ie suw no use In dIscuss ng IL. He kIcked LIe
mun In LIe juw. TIe mun wenL down und goL up uguIn. He suId: 'm goIn Lo kIII you.
He swung wILI LIe boLLIe und LIe kId ducked und Ie swung uguIn und LIe kId sLepped
buck. WIen LIe kId IIL IIm LIe mun sIuLLered LIe boLLIe uguInsL LIe sIde oI IIs Ieud.
He wenL oII LIe bourds InLo LIe mud und LIe mun Iunged uILer IIm wILI LIe jugged
boLLIeneck und LrIed Lo sLIck IL In IIs eye. TIe kId wus IendIng wILI IIs Iunds und LIey
were sIIck wILI bIood. He kepL LryIng Lo reucI InLo IIs booL Ior IIs knIIe.
KIII your uss, LIe mun suId. TIey sIogged ubouL In LIe durk oI LIe IoL, comIng ouL oI
LIeIr booLs. TIe kId Iud IIs knIIe now und LIey cIrcIed crubwIse und wIen LIe mun
IurcIed uL IIm Ie cuL LIe mun's sIIrL open. TIe mun LIrew down LIe boLLIeneck und
unsIeuLIed un Immense bowIeknIIe Irom beIInd IIs neck. HIs IuL Iud come oII und IIs
bIuck und ropy Iocks swung ubouL IIs Ieud und Ie Iud codIIIed IIs LIreuLs Lo LIe one
word kIII IIke u cruzed cIunL.
) TIuL'ns cuL, suId one oI severuI men sLundIng uIong LIe wuIk uy wuLcIIng.
KIII kIII sIobbered LIe mun wudIng Iorwurd.
# BuL someone eIse wus comIng down LIe IoL, greuL sLeudy suck ng sounds IIke u cow.
He wus curryIng u Iuge sIeIIuIegI. He reucIed LIe kId IIrsL und wIen Ie swung wILI
LIe cIub LIe kId wenL Iuce down In LIe mud. He'd Iuve dIed II someone Iudn'L Lurned
IIm over.
WIen Ie woke IL wus duyIIgIL und LIe ruIn Iud sLopped und Ie wus IookIng up InLo LIe
Iuce oI u mun wILI Iong IuIr wIo wus compIeLeIy covered In mud. TIe mun wus suyIng
someLIIng Lo IIm.
WIuL? suId LIe kId.
suId ure you quILs?
QuILs?
QuILs. Cuuse II you wunL some more oI me you sure us IeII goIn Lo geL IL.
He Iooked uL LIe sky. Very IIgI, very smuII, u buzzurd. He Iooked uL LIe mun. s my
neck broke? Ie suId.
TIe mun Iooked ouL over LIe IoL und spuL und Iooked uL LIe boy uguIn. Cun you noL geL
up?
donL know. uInL LrIed.
never meunL Lo breuk your neck.
No.
meunL Lo kIII ye.
TIey uInL nobody done IL yeL. He cIuwed uL LIe mud und pusIed IImseII up. TIe mun
wus sILLIng on LIe pIunks wILI IIs booLs uIongsIde IIm. TIey uInL noLIIn wrong wILI
you, Ie suId.
TIe kId Iooked ubouL sLIIIIy uL LIe duy. WIere's my booLs? Ie suId.
TIe mun squInLed uL IIm. Iukes oI drIed mud IeII Irom IIs Iuce.
'm goIn Lo Iuve Lo kIII some son oI u bILcI II LIey goL my booLs.
Yonder Iooks IIke one oI em.
TIe kId Iubored oII LIrougI LIe mud und IeLcIed up one booL. He sIogged ubouL In LIe
yurd IeeIIng IIkeIy Iumps oI mud.
TIIs your knIIe? Ie suId.
TIe mun squInLed uL IIm. ooks IIke IL, Ie suId.
TIe kId pILcIed IL Lo IIm und Ie benL und pIcked IL up und wIped LIe Iuge bIude on
IIs LrouserIeg. TIougIL somebody'd done sLoIe you, Ie LoId LIe knIIe.
TIe kId Iound IIs oLIer booL und cume und suL on LIe bourds. HIs Iunds were Iuge
wILI mud und Ie wIped one oI LIem brIeIIy uL IIs knee und IeL IL IuII uguIn.
TIey suL LIere sIde by sIde IookIng ouL ucross LIe burren IoL. TIere wus u pIckeL Ience
uL LIe edge oI LIe IoL und beyond LIe Ience u boy wus druwIng wuLer uL u weII und
LIere were cIIckens In LIe yurd LIere. A mun cume Irom LIe drumsIop door down LIe
wuIk Lowurd LIe ouLIouse. He sLopped wIere LIey suL und Iooked uL LIem und LIen
sLepped oII InLo LIe mud. AILer u wIIIe Ie cume buck und sLepped oII InLo LIe mud
uguIn und wenL uround und on up LIe wuIk.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe mun. HIs Ieud wus sLrungeIy nurrow und IIs IuIr wus pIusLered
up wILI mud In u bIzurre und prImILIve coIIIure. On IIs IoreIeud were burned LIe
IeLLers H T und Iower und uImosL beLween LIe eyes LIe IeLLer und LIese murkIngs
were spIuyed und gurIsI us II LIe Iron Iud been IeIL Loo Iong. WIen Ie Lurned Lo Iook
uL LIe kId LIe kId couId see LIuL Ie Iud no eurs. He sLood up und sIeuLIed LIe knIIe
und sLurLed up LIe wuIk wILI LIe booLs In IIs Iund und LIe kId rose und IoIIowed.
HuIIwuy Lo LIe IoLeI LIe mun sLopped und Iooked ouL uL LIe mud und LIen suL down
on LIe pIunks und puIIed on LIe booLs mud und uII. TIen Ie rose und sIogged oII
LIrougI LIe IoL Lo pIck someLIIng up.
wunL you Lo Iook Iere, Ie suId. AL my goddumned IuL.
You couIdnL LeII wIuL IL wus, someLIIng deud. He IIupped IL ubouL und puIIed IL over IIs
Ieud und wenL on und LIe kId IoIIowed.
TIe drumIouse wus u Iong nurrow IuII wuInscoLLed wILI vurnIsIed bourds. TIere were
LubIes by LIe wuII und spILLoons on LIe IIoor. TIere were no puLrons. TIe burmun
Iooked up wIen LIey enLered und u nIgger LIuL Iud been sweepIng LIe IIoor sLood LIe
broom uguInsL LIe wuII und wenL ouL.
WIere's SIdney? suId LIe mun In IIs suIL oI mud.
n LIe bed reckon.
TIey wenL on.
ToudvIne, cuIIed LIe burmun.
TIe kId Iooked buck.
TIe burmun Iud come Irom beIInd LIe bur und wus IookIng uILer LIem. TIey crossed
Irom LIe door LIrougI LIe Iobby oI LIe IoLeI Lowurd LIe sLuIrs IeuvIng vurIed Iorms oI
mud beIInd LIem on LIe IIoor. As LIey sLurLed up LIe sLuIrs LIe cIerk uL LIe desk
Ieuned und cuIIed Lo LIem.
ToudvIne.
He sLopped und Iooked buck.
He'II sIooL you.
OId SIdney?
OId SIdney.
TIey wenL on up LIe sLuIrs.
AL LIe Lop oI LIe IundIng wus u Iong IuII wILI u wIndowIIgIL uL LIe end. TIere were
vurnIsIed doors down LIe wuIIs seL so cIose LIey mIgIL Iuve been cIoseLs. ToudvIne
wenL on unLII Ie cume Lo LIe end oI LIe IuII. He IIsLened uL LIe IusL door und Ie eyed
LIe kId.
You goL u muLcI?
TIe kId seurcIed IIs pockeLs und cume up wILI u crusIed und sLuIned wooden box.
TIe mun Look IL Irom IIm. Need u IILLIe LInder Iere, Ie suId. He wus crumbIIng LIe box
und sLuckIng LIe bILs uguInsL LIe door. He sLruck u muLcI und seL LIe pIeces uIIgIL. He
pusIed LIe IILLIe pIIe oI burnIng wood under LIe door und udded more muLcIes.
s Ie In LIere? suId LIe boy.
TIuL's wIuL we're IIxIn Lo see.
A durk curI oI smoke rose, u bIue IIume oI burnIng vurnIsI. TIey squuLLed In LIe
IuIIwuy und wuLcIed. TIIn IIumes begun Lo run up over LIe puneIs und durL buck uguIn.
TIe wuLcIers Iooked IIke Iorms excuvuLed Irom u bog.
Tup on LIe door now, suId ToudvIne.
TIe kId rose. ToudvIne sLood up und wuILed. TIey couId Ieur LIe IIumes cruckIIng InsIde
LIe room. TIe kId Lupped.
You beLLer Lup Iouder LIun LIuL. TIIs mun drInks some.
He buIIed IIs IIsL und IumbusLed LIe door ubouL IIve LImes.
HeII IIre, suId u voIce.
Here Ie comes.
TIey wuILed.
You IoL son oI u bILcI, suId LIe voIce. TIen LIe knob Lurned und LIe door opened.
He sLood In IIs underweur IoIdIng In one Iund LIe LoweI Ie'd used Lo Lurn LIe
doorknob wILI. WIen Ie suw LIem Ie Lurned und sLurLed buck InLo LIe room buL
ToudvIne seIzed IIm ubouL LIe neck und rode IIm Lo LIe IIoor und IeId IIm by LIe IuIr
und begun Lo pry ouL un eyebuII wILI IIs LIumb. TIe mun grubbed IIs wrIsL und bIL IL.
KIck IIs mouLI In, cuIIed ToudvIne. KIck IL.
TIe kId sLepped pusL LIem InLo LIe room und Lurned und kIcked LIe mun In LIe Iuce.
ToudvIne IeId IIs Ieud buck by LIe IuIr.
KIck IIm, Ie cuIIed. Aw, kIck IIm, Ioney.
He kIcked.
ToudvIne puIIed LIe bIoody Ieud uround und Iooked uL IL und IeL IL IIop Lo LIe IIoor und
Ie rose und kIcked LIe mun IImseII. Two specLuLors were sLundIng In LIe IuIIwuy. TIe
* door wus com IeLeIy uIIre und purL oI LIe wuII und ceIIIng. TIey wenL ouL und down
LIe IuII. TIe cIerk wus comIng up LIe sLeps Lwo uL u LIme.
ToudvIne you son oI u bILcI, Ie suId.
ToudvIne wus Iour sLeps ubove IIm und wIen Ie kIcked IIm Ie cuugIL IIm In LIe
LIrouL. TIe cIerk suL down on LIe sLuIrs. WIen LIe kId cume pusL Ie IIL IIm In LIe
sIde oI LIe Ieud und LIe cIerk sIumped over und begun Lo sIIde Lowurd LIe IundIng. TIe
kId sLepped over IIm und wenL down Lo LIe Iobby und crossed Lo LIe IronL door und
ouL.
ToudvIne wus runnIng down LIe sLreeL, wuvIng IIs IIsLs ubove IIs Ieud cruzIIy und
IuugIIng. He Iooked IIke u greuL cIuy voodoo doII mude unImuLe und LIe kId Iooked IIke
unoLIer. BeIInd LIem IIumes were IIckIng uL LIe Lop corner oI LIe IoLeI und cIouds oI
durk smoke rose InLo LIe wurm Texus mornIng.
He'd IeIL LIe muIe wILI u MexIcun IumIIy LIuL bourded unImuIs uL LIe edge oI Lown und
Ie urrIved LIere wIIdIookIng und ouL oI breuLI. TIe womun opened LIe door und Iooked
uL IIm.
Need Lo geL my muIe, Ie wIeezed.
SIe Iooked uL IIm some more, LIen sIe cuIIed Lowurd LIe buck oI LIe Iouse. He wuIked
uround. TIere were Iorses LeLIered In LIe IoL und LIere wus u IIuLbed wugon uguInsL LIe
Ience wILI some Lurkeys sILLIng on LIe edge IookIng ouL. TIe oId Iudy Iud come Lo LIe
buck door. NILo, sIe cuIIed. Vengu. Huy un cubuIIero uquI. Vengu.
He wenL down LIe sIed Lo LIe Luckroom und goL IIs wreLcIed suddIe und IIs bIunkeLroII
und brougIL LIem buck. He Iound LIe muIe und unsLuIIed IL und brIdIed IL wILI LIe
ruwIIde Iucku-more und Ied IL Lo LIe Ience. He Ieuned uguInsL LIe unImuI wILI IIs
sIouIder und goL LIe suddIe over IL und goL IL cIncIed, LIe muIe sLurLIng und sIyIng und
runnIng ILs Ieud uIong LIe Ience. He Ied IL ucross LIe IoL. TIe muIe kepL sIukIng ILs
Ieud sIdewuys us II IL Iud someLIIng In ILs eur.
He Ied IL ouL Lo LIe roud. As Ie pussed LIe Iouse LIe womun cume puddIng ouL uILer
IIm. WIen sIe suw IIm puL IIs IooL In LIe sLIrrup sIe begun Lo run. He swung up InLo
LIe broken suddIe und cIucked LIe muIe Iorwurd. SIe sLopped uL LIe guLe und wuLcIed
IIm go. He dIdnL Iook buck.
WIen Ie pussed buck LIrougI LIe Lown LIe IoLeI wus burnIng und men were sLundIng
uround wuLcIIng IL, some IoIdIng empLy buckeLs. A Iew men suL Iorsebuck wuLcIIng LIe
IIumes und one oI LIese wus LIe judge. As LIe kId rode pusL LIe judge Lurned und
wuLcIed IIm. He Lurned LIe Iorse, us II Ie'd Iuve LIe unImuI wuLcI Loo. WIen LIe kId
Iooked buck LIe judge smIIed. TIe kId LoucIed up LIe muIe und LIey wenL suckIng ouL
pusL LIe oId sLone IorL uIong LIe roud wesL.

Across LIe pruIrIe - A IermIL - A nIgger's IeurL -

A sLormy nIgIL - WesLwurd uguIn - CuLLIe drovers - TIeIr kIndness -
On LIe LruII uguIn - TIe deudcurL - Sun AnLonIo de Bexur -
A MexIcun cunLInu - AnoLIer IIgIL - TIe ubundoned cIurcI -
TIe deud In LIe sucrIsLy - AL LIe Iord -
BuLIIng In LIe rIver.
Now come duys oI beggIng, duys oI LIeIL. Duys oI rIdIng wIere LIere rode no souI suve
+ Ie. He's IeIL beIInd LIe pInewood counLry und LIe evenIng sun decIInes beIore IIm be
ond un endIess swuIe und durk IuIIs Iere IIke u LIundercIup und u coId wInd seLs LIe
weeds Lo gnusIIng. TIe nIgIL sky IIes so sprenL wILI sLurs LIuL LIere Is scurceIy spuce oI
bIuck uL uII und LIey IuII uII nIgIL In bILLer urcs und IL Is so LIuL LIeIr numbers ure no
Iess.
He keeps Irom oII LIe kIng's roud Ior Ieur oI cILIzenry. TIe IILLIe pruIrIe woIves cry uII
nIgIL und duwn IInds IIm In u grussy druw wIere Ie'd gone Lo IIde Irom LIe wInd. TIe
IobbIed muIe sLunds over IIm und wuLcIes LIe eusL Ior IIgIL.
TIe sun LIuL rIses Is LIe coIor oI sLeeI. HIs mounLed sIudow IuIIs Ior mIIes beIore IIm.
He weurs on IIs Ieud u IuL Ie's mude Irom Ieuves und LIey Iuve drIed und crucked In
LIe sun und Ie Iooks IIke u ruggedymun wundered Irom some gurden wIere Ie'd used
Lo IrIgILen bIrds.
Come evenIng Ie Lrucks u spIre oI smoke rIsIng obIIque Irom umong LIe Iow IIIIs und
beIore durk Ie IuIIs up uL LIe doorwuy oI un oId uncIorILe nesLed uwuy In LIe sod IIke
u groundsIoLI. SoIILury, IuII mud, IIs eyes redrImmed us II Iocked In LIeIr cuges wILI
IoL wIres. BuL u ponderubIe body Ior LIuL. He wuLcIed wordIess wIIIe LIe kId eused
down sLIIIIy Irom LIe muIe. A rougI wInd wus bIowIng und IIs rugs IIupped ubouL IIm.
Seen ye smoke, suId LIe kId. TIougIL you mIgIL spure u mun u sup oI wuLer.
TIe oId IermIL scruLcIed In IIs IIILIy IuIr und Iooked uL LIe ground. He Lurned und
enLered LIe IuL und LIe kId IoIIowed.
nsIde durkness und u smeII oI eurLI. A smuII IIre burned on LIe dIrL IIoor und LIe onIy
IurnIsIIngs were u pIIe oI IIdes In one corner. TIe oId mun sIuIIIed LIrougI LIe gIoom,
IIs Ieud benL Lo cIeur LIe Iow ceIIIng oI woven IImbs und mud. He poInLed down Lo
wIere u buckeL sLood In LIe dIrL. TIe kId benL und Look up LIe gourd IIouLIng LIere und
dIpped und drunk. TIe wuLer wus suILy, suIpIurous. He drunk on.
You reckon couId wuLer my oId muIe ouL LIere?
TIe oId mun begun Lo beuL IIs puIm wILI one IIsL und durL IIs eyes ubouL.
Be proud Lo IeLcI In some IresI. JusL LeII me wIere IL's uL.
WIuL ye uIm Lo wuLer IIm wILI?
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe buckeL und Ie Iooked uround In LIe dIm IuL.
uInL drInkIn uILer no muIe, suId LIe IermIL.
Huve you noL goL no oId buckeL nor noLIIn?
No, crIed LIe IermIL. No. uInL. He wus cIuppIng LIe IeeIs oI IIs cIencIed IIsLs LogeLIer
uL IIs cIesL.
TIe kId rose und Iooked Lowurd LIe door. II IInd someLIIn, Ie suId. WIere's LIe weII
uL?
Up LIe IIII, IoIIer LIe puLI.
L's nIgI Loo durk Lo see ouL Iere.
L's u deep puLI. oIIer ye IeeL. oIIer ye muIe. cuInL go.
He sLepped ouL InLo LIe wInd und Iooked ubouL Ior LIe muIe buL LIe muIe wusnL LIere.
% ur Lo LIe souLI IIgILnIng IIured sound essIy. He wenL up LIe puLI umong LIe
LIrusIIng weeds und Iound LIe muIe sLundIng uL LIe weII.
A IoIe In LIe sund wILI rocks pIIed ubouL IL. A pIece oI dry IIde Ior u cover und u
sLone Lo weIgIL IL down. TIere wus u ruwIIde buckeL wILI u ruwIIde buII und u rope oI
greusy IeuLIer. TIe buckeL Iud u rock LIed Lo LIe buII Lo IeIp IL LIp und IIII und Ie
Iowered IL unLII LIe rope In IIs Iund wenL sIuck wIIIe LIe muIe wuLcIed over IIs
sIouIder.
He drew up LIree buckeLIuIs und IeId LIem so LIe muIe wouId noL spIII LIem und LIen
Ie puL LIe cover buck over LIe weII und Ied LIe muIe buck down LIe puLI Lo LIe IuL.
LIunk ye Ior LIe wuLer, Ie cuIIed.
TIe IermIL uppeured durkIy In LIe door. JusL sLuy wILI me, Ie suId.
TIuL's uII rIgIL.
BesL sLuy. L's IIxIn Lo sLorm.
You reckon?
reckon und reckon rIgIL.
WeII.
BrIng ye bed. BrIng ye possIbIes.
He uncIncIed und LIrew down LIe suddIe und IobbIed LIe muIe IoreIeg Lo reur und
Look IIs bedroII In. TIere wus no IIgIL suve LIe IIre und LIe oId mun wus squuLLIng by
IL LuIIorwIse.
AnywIeres, unywIeres, Ie suId. WIere's ye suddIe uL?
TIe kId gesLured wILI IIs cIIn.
DonL Ieuve IL ouL yonder someLIInII euL IL. TIIs Is u Iungry counLry.
He wenL ouL und run InLo LIe muIe In LIe durk. L Iud been sLundIng IookIng In uL LIe
IIre.
GeL uwuy, IooI, Ie suId. He Look up LIe suddIe und wenL buck In.
Now puII LIuL door Lo Iore we bIow uwuy, suId LIe oId mun.
TIe door wus u muss oI pIunks on IeuLIer IInges. He drugged IL ucross LIe dIrL und
IusLened IL by ILs IeuLIer IuLcI.
Luke IL ye IosL your wuy, suId LIe IermIL.
No, wenL rIgIL Lo IL.
He wuved quIckIy wILI IIs Iund, LIe oId mun. No, no, Ie suId. meun ye wus IosL Lo
oI come Iere. Wus LIey u sundsLorm? DId ye drIIL oII LIe roud In LIe nIgIL? DId LIIeves
beseL ye?
$ TIe kId pondered LIIs. Yes, Ie suId We goL oII LIe roud somewuys or unoLIer.
Knowed ye dId.
How Iong you been ouL Iere?
OuL wIere?
TIe kId wus sILLIng on IIs bIunkeLroII ucross LIe IIre Irom LIe oId mun. Here, Ie suId.
n LIIs pIuce.
TIe oId mun dIdnL unswer. He Lurned IIs Ieud suddenIy usIde und seIzed IIs nose
beLween IIs LIumb und IoreIInger und bIew LwIn sLrIngs oI snoL onLo LIe IIoor und
wIped IIs IIngers on LIe seum oI IIs jeuns. come Irom MIssIssIppI. wus u sIuver,
donL cure Lo LeII IL. Mude good money. never dId geL cuugIL. JusL goL sIck oI IL. SIck
oI nIggers. WuIL LIII sIow ye someLIIn.
He Lurned und rummuged umong LIe IIdes und Iunded LIrougI LIe IIumes u smuII durk
LIIng. TIe kId Lurned IL In IIs Iund. Some mun's IeurL, drIed und bIuckened. He pussed
IL buck und LIe oId mun crudIed IL In IIs puIm us II Ie'd weIgI IL.
TIey Is Iour LIIngs LIuL cun desLroy LIe eurLI, Ie suId. Women, wIIskey, money, und
nIggers.
* TIey suL In sIIence. TIe wInd mouned In LIe secLIon oI sLove Ipe LIuL wus run LIrougI
LIe rooI ubove LIem Lo quIL LIe pIuce oI smoke. AILer u wIIIe LIe oId mun puL LIe
IeurL uwuy.
TIuL LIIng cosLed me Lwo Iundred doIIurs, Ie suId.
You gIve Lwo Iundred doIIurs Ior IL?
dId, Ior LIuL wus LIe prIce LIey puL on LIe bIuck son oI u bILcI IL Iung InsIde oI.
He sLIrred ubouL In LIe corner und cume up wILI un oId durk bruss keLLIe, IIILed LIe
cover und poked InsIde wILI one IInger. TIe remuIns oI one oI LIe Iunk pruIrIe Iures
InLerred In coId greuse und Iurred wILI u IIgIL bIue moId. He cIumped LIe IId buck on
LIe keLLIe und seL IL In LIe IIumes. AInL mucI buL we'II go sIures, Ie suId.
LIunk ye.
osL ye wuy In LIe durk, suId LIe oId mun. He sLIrred LIe IIre, sLundIng sIender Lusks oI
bone up ouL oI LIe usIes.
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
TIe oId mun swung IIs Ieud buck und IorLI. TIe wuy oI LIe Lrunsgressor Is Iurd. God
mude LIIs worId, buL Ie dIdnL muke IL Lo suIL everbody, dId Ie?
donL beIIeve Ie mucI Iud me In mInd.
Aye, suId LIe oId mun. BuL wIere does u mun come by IIs noLIons. WIuL worId's Ie
seen LIuL Ie IIked beLLer?
cun LIInk oI beLLer pIuces und beLLer wuys.
Cun ye muke IL be?
No.
No. L's u mysLery. A mun's uL odds Lo know IIs mInd cuuse IIs mInd Is uugIL Ie Ius
Lo know IL wILI. He cun know IIs IeurL, buL Ie donL wunL Lo. RIgILIy so. BesL noL Lo
Iook In LIere. L uInL LIe IeurL oI u creuLure LIuL Is bound In LIe wuy LIuL God Ius seL
Ior IL. You cun IInd meunness In LIe IeusL oI creuLures, buL wIen God mude mun LIe
devII wus uL IIs eIbow. A creuLure LIuL cun do unyLIIng. Muke u mucIIne. And u
mucIIne Lo muke LIe mucIIne. And evII LIuL cun run ILseII u LIousund yeurs, no need Lo
Lend IL. You beIIeve LIuL?
donL know.
BeIIeve LIuL.
WIen LIe oId mun's mess wus wurmed Ie doIed IL ouL und LIey uLe In sIIence. TIunder
wus movIng norLI und beIore Iong IL wus boomIng overIeud und sLurLIng bILs oI rusL In
u LIIn LrIckIe down LIe sLovepIpe. TIey Iunkered over LIeIr pIuLes und wIped LIe greuse
up wILI LIeIr IIngers und drunk Irom LIe gourd.
TIe kId wenL ouL und scoured IIs cup und pIuLe In LIe sund und cume buck bungIng
LIe LIns LogeLIer us II Lo Iend uwuy some dryguIcI pIunLom ouL LIere In LIe durk.
DIsLunL LIunderIeuds reured quIverIng uguInsL LIe eIecLrIc sky und were sucked uwuy In
LIe bIuckness uguIn. TIe oId mun suL wILI one eur cocked Lo LIe IowIIng wusLe wILIouL.
TIe kId sIuL LIe door.
DonL Iuve no buccu wILI ye do ye?
No uInL, suId LIe kId.
DIdnL uIIow ye dId.
You reckon IL'II ruIn?
L's goL ever opporLunILy. IkeIy IL wonL.
TIe kId wuLcIed LIe IIre. AIreudy Ie wus noddIng. InuIIy Ie ruIsed up und sIook IIs
Ieud. TIe IermIL wuLcIed IIm over LIe dyIng IIumes. JusL go on und IIx ye bed, Ie
suId.
He dId. SpreudIng IIs bIunkeLs on LIe pucked mud und puIIIng oII IIs sLInkIng booLs.
TIe IIuepIpe mouned und Ie Ieurd LIe muIe sLump und snuIIIe ouLsIde und In IIs sIeep
Ie sLruggIed und muLLered IIke u dreumIng dog.
He woke someLIme In LIe nIgIL wILI LIe IuL In uImosL LoLuI durkness und LIe IermIL
benL over IIm und uII buL In IIs bed.
WIuL do you wunL? Ie suId. BuL LIe IermIL cruwIed uwuy und In LIe mornIng wIen Ie
woke LIe IuL wus empLy und Ie goL IIs LIIngs und IeIL.
AII LIuL duy Ie wuLcIed Lo LIe norLI u LIIn IIne oI dusL. L seemed noL Lo move uL uII
und IL wus IuLe evenIng beIore Ie couId see LIuL IL wus Ieuded IIs wuy. He pussed
LIrougI u IoresL oI IIve ouk und Ie wuLered uL u sLreum und moved on In LIe dusk und
mude u IIreIess cump. BIrds woke IIm wIere Ie Iuy In u dry und dusLy wood.
By noon Ie wus on LIe pruIrIe uguIn und LIe dusL Lo LIe norLI wus sLreLcIed ouL uIong
LIe edge oI LIe eurLI. By evenIng LIe IIrsL oI u drove oI cuLLIe cume InLo vIew. Rungy
vIcIous beusLs wILI enormous Iornspreuds. TIuL nIgIL Ie suL In LIe Ierders' cump und
uLe beuns und pIIoLbreud und Ieurd oI IIIe on LIe LruII.
TIey were comIng down Irom AbIIene, IorLy duys ouL, Ieuded Ior LIe murkeLs In
ouIsIunu. oIIowed by pucks oI woIves, coyoLes, IndIuns. CuLLIe grouned ubouL LIem Ior
mIIes In LIe durk.
& TIey usked IIm no quesLIons, u rugged IoL LIemseIves. Cross reeds some, Iree nIggers,
un IndIun or Lwo.
Iud my ouLIIL sLoIe, Ie suId.
TIey nodded In LIe IIreIIgIL.
TIey goL everLIIng Iud. uInL even goL u knIIe.
You mIgIL couId sIgn on wILI us. We IosL Lwo men. Turned buck Lo go Lo CuIIIorny.
'm Ieuded yon wuy.
guess you mIgIL be goIn Lo CuIIIorny ye own seII.
mIgIL. uInL decIded.
TIem boys wus wILI us IeII In wILI u buncI Irom Arkunsus. TIey wus Ieuded down Ior
Bexur. GoIn Lo puII Ior MexIco und LIe wesL.
'II beL LIem oId boys Is In Bexur drInkIn LIey bruIns ouL.
'II beL oId onnIe's done Lopped ever wIore In Lown.
How Iur Is IL Lo Bexur?
L's ubouL Lwo duys.
L's IurLIern LIuL. More IIke Iour 'd suy.
How wouId u mun go II Ie'd u mInd Lo?
You cuL sLruIgIL souLI you ougIL Lo IIL LIe roud ubouL IuII u duy.
You goIng Lo Bexur?
mIgIL do.
You see oId onnIe down LIere you LeII IIm geL u pIece Ior me. TeII IIm oId Oren.
He'II buy ye u drInk II Ie uInL bIowed uII IIs money In.
n LIe mornIng LIey uLe IIupjucks wILI moIusses und LIe Ierders suddIed up und moved
on. WIen Ie Iound IIs muIe LIere wus u smuII IIbre bug LIed Lo LIe unImuI's rope und
InsIde LIe bug LIere wus u cupIuI oI drIed beuns und some peppers und un oId
greenrIver knIIe wILI u IundIe mude oI sLrIng. He suddIed up LIe muIe, LIe muIe's buck
guIIed und buIdIng, LIe Iooves crucked. TIe rIbs IIke IIsIbones. TIey IobbIed on ucross
LIe endIess pIuIn.
He cume upon Bexur In LIe evenIng oI LIe IourLI duy und Ie suL LIe LuLLered muIe on
u Iow rIse und Iooked down uL LIe Lown, LIe quIeL udobe Iouses, LIe IIne oI green ouks
und coLLonwoods LIuL murked LIe course oI LIe rIver, LIe pIuzu IIIIed wILI wugons wILI
LIeIr osnuburg covers und LIe wIILewusIed pubIIc buIIdIngs und LIe MoorIsI
cIurcIdome rIsIng Irom LIe Lrees und LIe gurrIson und LIe LuII sLone powderIouse In
LIe dIsLunce. A IIgIL breeze sLIrred LIe Ironds oI IIs IuL, IIs muLLed greusy IuIr. HIs
eyes Iuy durk und LunneIed In u cuved und IuunLed Iuce und u IouI sLencI rose Irom
LIe weIIs oI IIs booL Lops. TIe sun wus jusL down und Lo LIe wesL Iuy reeIs oI bIoodred
cIouds up ouL oI wIIcI rose IILLIe deserL nIgILIuwks IIke IugILIves Irom some greuL IIre
uL LIe eurLI's end. He spuL u dry wIILe spIL und cIumped LIe crucked wooden sLIrrups
uguInsL LIe muIe's rIbs und LIey sLuggered InLo moLIon uguIn.
He wenL down u nurrow sundy roud und us Ie wenL Ie meL u deudcurL bound ouL wILI
u Ioud oI corpses, u smuII beII LoIIIng LIe wuy und u IunLern swIngIng Irom LIe guLe.
TIree men suL on LIe box noL unIIke LIe deud LIemseIves or spIrIL IoIk so wIILe LIey
were wILI IIme und neurIy pIospIorescenL In LIe dusk. A puIr oI Iorses drew LIe curL
und LIey wenL on up LIe roud In u IuInL mIusmu oI curboIIc und pussed Irom sIgIL. He
Lurned und wuLcIed LIem go. TIe nuked IeeL oI LIe deud josLIed sLIIIIy Irom sIde Lo
sIde.
L wus durk wIen Ie enLered LIe Lown, uLLended by burkIng dogs, Iuces purLIng LIe
curLuIns In LIe IumpIIL wIndows. TIe IIgIL cIuLLer oI LIe muIe's Iooves ecIoIng In LIe
IILLIe empLy sLreeLs. TIe muIe snIIIed LIe uIr und swung down un uIIeywuy InLo u squure
wIere LIere sLood In LIe sLurIIgIL u weII, u LrougI, u IILcIIngruII. TIe kId eused IImseII
down und Look LIe buckeL Irom LIe sLone copIng und Iowered IL InLo LIe weII. A IIgIL
spIusI ecIoed. He drew LIe buckeL, wuLer drIppIng In LIe durk. He dIpped LIe gourd
und drunk und LIe muIe nuzzIed IIs eIbow. WIen Ie'd done Ie seL LIe buckeL In LIe
sLreeL und suL on LIe copIng oI LIe weII und wuLcIed LIe muIe drInk Irom LIe buckeL.
He wenL on LIrougI LIe Lown IeudIng LIe unImuI. TIere wus no one ubouL. By und by
Ie enLered u pIuzu und Ie couId Ieur guILurs und u Iorn. AL LIe Iur end oI LIe squure
LIere were IIgILs Irom u cuIe und IuugILer und IIgIpILcIed crIes. He Ied LIe muIe InLo
LIe squure und up LIe Iur sIde pusL u Iong porLIco Lowurd LIe IIgILs.
TIere wus u Leum oI duncers In LIe sLreeL und LIey wore guudy cosLumes und cuIIed ouL
In SpunIsI. He und LIe muIe sLood uL LIe edge oI LIe IIgILs und wuLcIed. OId men suL
uIong LIe Luvern wuII und cIIIdren pIuyed In LIe dusL. TIey wore sLrunge cosLumes uII,
LIe men In durk IIuLcrowned IuLs, wIILe nIgILsIIrLs, Lrousers LIuL buLLoned up LIe
ouLsIde Ieg und LIe gIrIs wILI gurIsI puInLed Iuces und LorLoIsesIeII combs In LIeIr
bIuebIuck IuIr. TIe kId crossed LIe sLreeL wILI LIe muIe und LIed IL und enLered LIe
cuIe. A number oI men were sLundIng uL LIe bur und LIey quIL LuIkIng wIen Ie enLered.
He crossed LIe poIIsIed cIuy IIoor pusL u sIeepIng dog LIuL opened one eye und Iooked
uL IIm und Ie sLood uL LIe bur und pIuced boLI Iunds on LIe LIIes. TIe burmun nodded
Lo IIm. DIgume, Ie suId.
uInL goL no money buL need u drInk. 'II IeLcI ouL LIe sIops or mop LIe IIoor or
wIuLever.
TIe burmun Iooked ucross LIe room Lo wIere Lwo men were pIuyIng domInoes uL u
LubIe. AbueIILo, Ie suId.
TIe oIder oI LIe Lwo ruIsed IIs Ieud.
Que dIce eI mucIucIo.
TIe oId mun Iooked uL LIe kId und Lurned buck Lo IIs domInoes.
TIe burmun sIrugged IIs sIouIders.
TIe kId Lurned Lo LIe oId mun. You speuk umerIcun? Ie suId.
TIe oId mun Iooked up Irom IIs pIuy. He regurded LIe kId wILIouL expressIon.
TeII IIm 'II work Ior u drInk. uInL goL no money.
TIe oId mun LIrusL IIs cIIn und mude u cIuckIng noIse wILI IIs Longue.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe burmun.
TIe oId mun mude u IIsL wILI LIe LIumb poInLIng up und LIe IILLIe IInger down und
LIILed IIs Ieud buck und LIpped u pIunLom drInk down IIs LIrouL. QuIere IecIurse unu
copu, Ie suId. Pero no puede pugur.
TIe men uL LIe bur wuLcIed.
TIe burmun Iooked uL LIe kId.
QuIere Lrubujo, suId LIe oId mun. QuIen sube. He Lurned buck Lo IIs pIeces und mude
IIs pIuy wILIouL IurLIer consuILuLIon.
QuIeres Lrubujur, suId one oI LIe men uL LIe bur.
TIey begun Lo IuugI.
WIuL ure you IuugIIng uL? suId LIe boy.
TIey sLopped. Some Iooked uL IIm, some pursed LIeIr mouLIs or sIrugged. TIe boy
Lurned Lo LIe burLender. You goL someLIIng couId do Ior u coupIe oI drInks know
dumn good und weII.
One oI LIe men uL LIe bur suId someLIIng In SpunIsI. TIe boy gIured uL LIem. TIey
wInked one Lo LIe oLIer, LIey Look up LIeIr gIusses.
He Lurned Lo LIe burmun uguIn. HIs eyes were durk und nurrow. Sweep LIe IIoor, Ie
suId.
TIe burmun bIInked.
, TIe kId sLepped buck und mude sweepIng moLIons, u punLo Ime LIuL benL LIe drInkers
In sIIenL mIrLI. Sweep, Ie suId, poInLIng uL LIe IIoor.
No esLu sucIo, suId LIe burmun.
He swepL uguIn. Sweep, goddumnIL, Ie suId.
TIe burmun sIrugged. He wenL Lo LIe end oI LIe bur und goL u broom und brougIL IL
buck. TIe boy Look IL und wenL on Lo LIe buck oI LIe room.
A greuL IuII oI u pIuce. He swepL In LIe corners wIere poLLed Lrees sLood sIIenL In LIe
durk. He swepL uround LIe spILLoons und Ie swepL uround LIe pIuyers uL LIe LubIe und
Ie swepL uround LIe dog. He swepL uIong LIe IronL oI LIe bur und wIen Ie reucIed LIe
pIuce wIere LIe drInkers sLood Ie sLruIgILened up und Ieuned on LIe broom und Iooked
uL LIem. TIey conIerred sIIenLIy umong LIemseIves und uL IusL one Look IIs gIuss Irom
LIe bur und sLepped uwuy. TIe oLIers IoIIowed. TIe kId swepL pusL LIem Lo LIe door.
TIe duncers Iud gone, LIe musIc. Across LIe sLreeL suL u mun on u bencI dImIy IIL In
LIe doorIIgIL Irom LIe cuIe. TIe muIe sLood wIere Ie'd LIed IL. He Lupped LIe broom on
LIe sLeps und cume buck In und Look LIe broom Lo LIe corner wIere LIe burmun Iud
goLLen IL. TIen Ie cume Lo LIe bur und sLood.
TIe burmun Ignored IIm.
TIe kId rupped wILI IIs knuckIes.
TIe burmun Lurned und puL one Iund on IIs IIp und pursed IIs IIps.
How ubouL LIuL drInk now, suId LIe kId.
TIe burmun sLood.
TIe kId mude LIe drInkIng moLIons LIuL LIe oId mun Iud mude und LIe burmun IIupped
IIs LoweI IdIy uL IIm.
AnduIe, Ie suId. He mude u sIooIng moLIon wILI LIe buck oI IIs Iund.
TIe kId's Iuce cIouded. You son oI u bILcI, Ie suId. He sLurLed down LIe bur. TIe
burmun's expressIon dId noL cIunge. He brougIL up Irom under LIe bur un oIdIusIIoned
mIIILury pIsLoI wILI u IIInL Iock und sIoved buck LIe cock wILI LIe IeeI oI IIs Iund. A
greuL wooden cIIckIng In LIe sIIence. A cIIckIng oI gIusses uII down LIe bur. TIen LIe
scuIIIIng oI cIuIrs pusIed buck by LIe pIuyers uL LIe wuII.
TIe kId Iroze. OId mun, Ie suId.
TIe oId mun dIdnL unswer. TIere wus no sound In LIe cuIe. TIe kId Lurned Lo IInd IIm
wILI IIs eyes.
EsLu borrucIo, suId LIe oId mun.
TIe boy wuLcIed LIe burmun's eyes.
TIe burmun wuved LIe pIsLoI Lowurd LIe door.
TIe oId mun spoke Lo LIe room In SpunIsI. TIen Ie spoke Lo LIe burmun. TIen Ie puL
on IIs IuL und wenL ouL.
TIe burmun's Iuce druIned. WIen Ie cume uround LIe end oI LIe bur Ie Iud IuId down
LIe pIsLoI und Ie wus curryIng u bung-sLurLer In one Iund.
TIe kId bucked Lo LIe cenLer oI LIe room und LIe burmun Iubored over LIe IIoor Lowurd
IIm IIke u mun on IIs wuy Lo some cIore. He swung LwIce uL LIe kId und LIe kId
sLepped LwIce Lo LIe rIgIL. TIen Ie sLepped buckwurd. TIe burmun Iroze. TIe kId
boosLed IImseII IIgILIy over LIe bur und pIcked up LIe pIsLoI. No one moved. He ruked
LIe IrIzzen open uguInsL LIe burLop und dumped LIe prImIng ouL und IuId LIe pIsLoI
down uguIn. TIen Ie seIecLed u puIr oI IuII boLLIes Irom LIe sIeIves beIInd IIm und
cume uround LIe end oI LIe bur wILI one In eucI Iund.
TIe burmun sLood In LIe cenLer oI LIe room. He wus breuLIIng IeuvIIy und Ie Lurned,
IoIIowIng LIe kId's movemenLs. WIen LIe kId upproucIed IIm Ie ruIsed LIe bungsLurLer.
TIe kId croucIed IIgILIy wILI LIe boLLIes und IeInLed und LIen broke LIe rIgIL one over
LIe mun's Ieud. BIood und IIquor spruyed und LIe mun's knees buckIed und IIs eyes
roIIed. TIe kId Iud uIreudy IeL go LIe boLLIeneck und Ie pILcIed LIe second boLLIe InLo
IIs rIgIL Iund In u roudugenL's puss beIore IL even reucIed LIe IIoor und Ie buckIunded
LIe second boLLIe ucross LIe burmun's skuII und crummed LIe jugged remnunL InLo IIs
eye us Ie wenL down.
TIe kId Iooked uround LIe room. Some oI LIose men wore pIsLoIs In LIeIr beILs buL
none moved. TIe kId vuuILed LIe bur und Look unoLIer boLLIe und Lucked IL under IIs
urm und wuIked ouL LIe door. TIe dog wus gone. TIe mun on LIe bencI wus gone Loo.
He unLIed LIe muIe und Ied IL ucross LIe squure.
He woke In LIe nuve oI u ruInous cIurcI, bIInkIng up uL LIe vuuILed ceIIIng und LIe LuII
swugged wuIIs wILI LIeIr Iuded Irescos. TIe IIoor oI LIe cIurcI wus deep In drIed guuno
und LIe droppIngs oI cuLLIe und sIeep. PIgeons IIupped LIrougI LIe pIers oI dusLy IIgIL
und LIree buzzurds IobbIed ubouL on LIe pIcked bone curcuss oI some unImuI deud In
LIe cIunceI.
HIs Ieud wus In LormenL und IIs Longue swoIIen wILI LIIrsL. He suL up und Iooked
uround IIm. He'd puL LIe boLLIe under IIs suddIe und Ie Iound IL und IeId IL up und
sIook IL und drew LIe cork und drunk. He suL wILI IIs eyes cIosed, LIe sweuL beuded
on IIs IoreIeud. TIen Ie opened IIs eyes und drunk uguIn. TIe buzzurds sLepped down
one by one und LroLLed oII InLo LIe sucrIsLy. AILer u wIIIe Ie rose und wenL ouL Lo Iook
Ior LIe muIe.
L wus nowIere In sIgIL. TIe mIssIon occupIed eIgIL or Len ures oI encIosed Iund, u
burren purIIeu LIuL IeId u Iew gouLs und burros. n LIe mud wuIIs oI LIe encIosure were
crIbs InIubILed by IumIIIes oI squuLLers und u Iew cookIIres smoked LIInIy In LIe sun.
He wuIked uround LIe sIde oI LIe cIurcI und enLered LIe sucrIsLy. Buzzurds sIuIIIed oII
LIrougI LIe cIuII und pIusLer IIke enormous yurdIowI. TIe domed vuuILs overIeud were
cIoLLed wILI u durk Iurred muss LIuL sIIILed und breuLIed und cIILLered. n LIe room
wus u wooden LubIe wILI u Iew cIuy poLs und uIong LIe buck wuII Iuy LIe remuIns oI
severuI bodIes, one u cIIId. He wenL on LIrougI LIe sucrIsLy InLo LIe cIurcI uguIn und
goL IIs suddIe. He drunk LIe resL oI LIe boLLIe und Ie puL LIe suddIe on IIs sIouIder
und wenL ouL.
TIe Iucude oI LIe buIIdIng bore un urruy oI suInLs In LIeIr nIcIes und LIey Iud been
sIoL up by AmerIcun Lroops LryIng LIeIr rIIIes, LIe IIgures sIorn oI eurs und noses und
durkIy moLLIed wILI Ieudmurks oxIdIzed upon LIe sLone. TIe Iuge curved und puneIed
doors Iung uwup on LIeIr IInges und u curved sLone VIrgIn IeId In Ier urms u IeudIess
cIIId. He sLood bIInkIng In LIe noon IeuL. TIen Ie suw LIe muIe's Lrucks. TIey were
jusL LIe puIesL dIsLurbunce oI LIe dusL und LIey cume ouL oI LIe door oI LIe cIurcI und
crossed LIe IoL Lo LIe guLe In LIe eusL wuII. He IIked LIe suddIe IIgIer onLo IIs
sIouIder und seL ouL uILer LIem.
A dog In LIe sIude oI LIe porLuI rose und IurcIed suIIenIy ouL InLo LIe sun unLII Ie Iud
pussed und LIen IurcIed buck. He Look LIe roud down LIe IIII Lowurd LIe rIver, u
rugged IIgure enougI. He enLered u deep wood oI pecun und ouk und LIe roud Look u
rIse und Ie couId see LIe rIver beIow IIm. BIucks were wusIIng u currIuge In LIe Iord
und Ie wenL down LIe IIII und sLood uL LIe edge oI LIe wuLer und uILer u wIIIe Ie
cuIIed ouL Lo LIem.
TIey were soppIng wuLer over LIe bIuck Iucquerwork und one oI LIem ruIsed up und
Lurned Lo Iook uL IIm. TIe Iorses sLood Lo LIeIr knees In LIe currenL.
WIuL? cuIIed LIe bIuck.
Huve you seen u muIe.
MuIe?
IosL u muIe. LIInk Ie come LIIs wuy.
TIe bIuck wIped IIs Iuce wILI LIe buck oI IIs urm. SomeLIIn come down LIe roud ubouL
u Iour buck. LIInk IL wenL down LIe rIver yonder. L mIgIL oI been u muIe. L dIdnL
Iuve no LuII nor no IuIr Lo speuk oI buL IL dId Iuve Iong eurs.
TIe oLIer Lwo bIucks grInned. TIe kId Iooked oII down LIe rIver. He spuL und seL oII
uIong LIe puLI LIrougI LIe wIIIows und swuIes oI gruss.
He Iound IL ubouL u Iundred yurds downrIver. L wus weL Lo ILs beIIy und IL Iooked up
uL IIm und LIen Iowered ILs Ieud uguIn InLo LIe IusI rIver gruss. He LIrew down LIe
suddIe und Look up LIe LruIIIng rope und LIed LIe unImuI Lo u IImb und kIcked IL
IuIIIeurLedIy. L sIIILed sIIgILIy Lo LIe sIde und conLInued Lo gruze. He reucIed uLop IIs
Ieud buL Ie Iud IosL LIe cruzy IuL somewIere. He mude IIs wuy down LIrougI LIe
Lrees und sLood IookIng uL LIe coId swIrIIng wuLers. TIen Ie wuded ouL InLo LIe rIver
IIke some wIoIIy wreLcIed bupLIsmuI cundIduLe.

SougIL ouL Lo joIn un urmy - nLervIew wILI CupLuIn WIILe ?

HIs vIews - TIe cump - Trudes IIs muIe - A cunLInu In LIe uredILo -
A MennonILe - CompunIon kIIIed.
He wus IyIng nuked under LIe Lrees wILI IIs rugs spreud ucross LIe IImbs ubove IIm
wIen unoLIer rIder goIng down LIe rIver reIned up und sLopped.
He Lurned IIs Ieud. TIrougI LIe wIIIows Ie couId see LIe Iegs oI LIe Iorse. He roIIed
over on IIs sLomucI.
TIe mun goL down und sLood besIde LIe Iorse.
He reucIed und goL IIs LwIneIundIed knIIe.
Howdy LIere, suId LIe rIder.
He dIdnL unswer. He moved Lo LIe sIde Lo see beLLer LIrougI, LIe bruncIes.
Howdy LIere. WIere ye uL?
WIuL do you wunL?
WunLed Lo LuIk Lo ye.
WIuL ubouL?
HeII IIre, come on ouL. 'm wIILe und CIrIsLIun.
TIe kId wus reucIIng up LIrougI LIe wIIIows LryIng Lo geL IIs breecIes. TIe beIL wus
IungIng down und Ie Lugged uL IL buL LIe breecIes were Iung on u IImb.
Goddumn, suId LIe mun. You uInL up In LIe Lree ure ye?
WIy donL you go on und Ieuve me LIe IeII uIone.
JusL wunLed Lo LuIk Lo ye. DIdnL InLend Lo geL ye uII rIIed up.
You done goL me rIIed.
Wus you LIe IeIIer knocked In LIuL Mexer's Ieud yesLerduy evenIn? uInL LIe Iuw.
WIo wunLs Lo know?
CupLuIn WIILe. He wunLs Lo sIgn LIuL IeIIer up Lo joIn LIe urmy.
TIe urmy?
YessIr.
WIuL urmy?
Compuny under CupLuIn WIILe. We goIn Lo wIIp up on LIe MexIcuns.
TIe wur's over.
He suys IL uInL over. WIere ure you uL?
He rose und IuuIed LIe breecIes down Irom wIere Ie'd Iung LIem und puIIed LIem on.
He puIIed on IIs booLs und puL LIe knIIe In LIe rIgIL booLIeg und cume ouL Irom LIe
wIIIows puIIIng on IIs sIIrL.
TIe mun wus sILLIng In LIe gruss wILI IIs Iegs crossed. He wus dressed In buckskIn und
Ie wore u pIug IuL oI dusLy bIuck sIIk und Ie Iud u smuII MexIcun cIgur In LIe corner
oI IIs LeeLI. WIen Ie suw wIuL cIuwed ILs wuy ouL LIrougI LIe wIIIows Ie sIook IIs
Ieud.
KIndIy IeII on Iurd LImes uInL ye son? Ie suId.
jusL uInL IeII on no good ones.
You reudy Lo go Lo MexIco?
uInL IosL noLIIn down LIere.
L's u cIunce Ior ye Lo ruIse ye seII In LIe worId. You besL muke u move somewuy or
unoLIer Iore ye go pIumb In under.
WIuL do LIey gIve ye?
Ever mun geLs u Iorse und IIs ummunILIon. reckon we mIgIL IInd some cIoLIes In
your cuse.
uInL goL no rIIIe.
We'II IInd ye one.
WIuL ubouL wuges?
HeII IIre son, you wonL need no wuges. You geL Lo keep ever-LIIng you cun ruIse. We
goIn Lo MexIco. SpoIIs oI wur. AInL u mun In LIe compuny wonL come ouL u bIg
Iundowner. How mucI Iund you own now?
donL know noLIIn ubouL soIdIerIn.
TIe mun eyed IIm. He Look LIe unIIL cIgur Irom IIs LeeLI und Lurned IIs Ieud und spuL
und puL IL buck uguIn. WIere ye Irom? Ie suId.
Tennessee.
Tennessee. WeII donL mIsdoubL buL wIuL you cun sIooL u rIIIe.
TIe kId squuLLed In LIe gruss. He Iooked uL LIe mun's Iorse. TIe Iorse wus IILLed ouL
In LooIed IeuLIer wILI worked sIIver LrIm. L Iud u wIILe bIuze on ILs Iuce und Iour
wIILe sLockIngs und IL wus croppIng up greuL LeeLIIuIs oI LIe rIcI gruss. WIere you
Irom, suId LIe kId.
been In Texus sInce LIIrLy-eIgIL. I 'd noL run up on CupLuIn WIILe donL know
wIere 'd be LIIs duy. wus u sorrIer sIgIL even LIun wIuL you ure und Ie come uIong
und ruIsed me up IIke uzurus. SeL my IeeL In LIe puLI oI rIgILeousness. 'd done Look
Lo drInkIn und wIorIn LIII IeII wouIdnL Iuve me. He seen someLIIn In me worLI suvIn
und see IL In you. WIuL do ye suy?
donL know.
JusL come wILI me und meeL LIe cupLuIn.
TIe boy puIIed uL LIe IuIms oI gruss. He Iooked uL LIe Iorse uguIn. WeII, Ie suId. DonL
reckon IL'd IurL noLIIn.
TIey rode LIrougI LIe Lown wILI LIe recruILer spIendId on LIe sLockIngIooLed Iorse und
LIe kId beIInd IIm on LIe muIe IIke someLIIng Ie'd cupLured. TIey rode LIrougI
nurrow Iunes wIere LIe wuLLIed IuLs sLeumed In LIe IeuL. Gruss und prIckIy peur grew
on LIe rooIs und gouLs wuIked ubouL on LIem und somewIere oII In LIuL squuIId
kIngdom oI mud LIe sound oI LIe IILLIe deuLIbeIIs LoIIed LIInIy. TIey Lurned up
Commerce SLreeL LIrougI LIe MuIn PIuzu umong ruILs oI wugons und LIey crossed
unoLIer pIuzu wIere boys were seIIIng grupes und IIgs Irom IILLIe LrundIecurLs.
A Iew bony dogs sIunk oII beIore LIem. TIey rode LIrougI LIe MIIILury PIuzu und LIey
pussed LIe IILLIe sLreeL wIere LIe boy und LIe muIe Iud drunk LIe nIgIL beIore und
LIere were cIusLers oI women und gIrIs uL LIe weII und muny sIupes oI wIckercovered
cIuy jurs sLundIng ubouL. TIey pussed u IILLIe Iouse wIere women InsIde were wuIIIng
und LIe IILLIe IeursecurL sLood uL LIe door wILI LIe Iorses puLIenL und moLIonIess In LIe
IeuL und LIe IIIes.
TIe cupLuIn kepL quurLers In u IoLeI on u pIuzu wIere LIere were Lrees und u smuII
green guzebo wILI bencIes. An Iron guLe uL LIe IoLeI IronL opened InLo u pussugewuy
wILI u courLyurd uL LIe reur. TIe wuIIs were wIILewusIed und seL wILI IILLIe ornuLe
coIored LIIes. TIe cupLuIn's mun wore curved booLs wILI LuII IeeIs LIuL rung smurLIy on
LIe LIIes und on LIe sLuIrs uscendIng Irom LIe courLyurd Lo LIe rooms ubove. n LIe
# courLyurd LIere were green pIunLs growIng und LIey were IresIIy wuLered und sLeum ng.
TIe cupLuIn's mun sLrode down LIe Iong buIcony und rupped sIurpIy uL LIe door uL LIe
end. A voIce suId Ior LIem Lo come In.
He suL uL u wIckerwork desk wrILIng IeLLers, LIe cupLuIn. TIey sLood uLLendIng, LIe
cupLuIn's mun wILI IIs bIuck IuL In IIs Iunds. TIe cupLuIn wroLe on nor dId Ie Iook
up. OuLsIde LIe kId couId Ieur u womun speukIng In SpunIsI. OLIer LIun LIuL LIere wus
jusL LIe scruLcIIng oI LIe cupLuIn's pen.
WIen Ie Iud done Ie IuId down LIe pen und Iooked up. He Iooked uL IIs mun und
LIen Ie Iooked uL LIe kId und LIen Ie benL IIs Ieud Lo reud wIuL Ie'd wrILLen. He
nodded Lo IImseII und dusLed LIe IeLLer wILI sund Irom u IILLIe onyx box und IoIded IL.
TukIng u muLcI Irom u box oI LIem on LIe desk Ie IIL IL und IeId IL Lo u sLIck oI
seuIIng wux unLII u smuII red meduIIIon Iud pooIed onLo LIe puper. He sIook ouL LIe
muLcI, bIew brIeIIy uL LIe puper und knuckIed LIe seuI wILI IIs rIng. TIen Ie sLood LIe
IeLLer beLween Lwo books on IIs desk und Ieuned buck In IIs cIuIr und Iooked uL LIe
kId uguIn. He nodded gruveIy. Tuke seuLs, Ie suId.
TIey eused LIemseIves InLo u kInd oI seLLIe mude Irom some durk wood. TIe cupLuIn's
mun Iud u Iurge revoIver uL IIs beIL und us Ie suL Ie IILcIed LIe beIL uround so LIuL
LIe pIece Iuy crudIed beLween IIs LIIgIs. He puL IIs IuL over IL und Ieuned buck. TIe
kId IoIded IIs busLed booLs one beIInd LIe oLIer und suL uprIgIL.
TIe cupLuIn pusIed IIs cIuIr buck und rose und cume uround Lo LIe IronL oI LIe desk.
He sLood LIere Ior u meusured mInuLe und LIen Ie IILcIed IImseII up on LIe desk und
suL wILI IIs booLs dungIIng. He Iud gruy In IIs IuIr und In LIe sweepIng mousLucIes
LIuL Ie wore buL Ie wus noL oId. So you're LIe mun, Ie suId.
WIuL mun? suId LIe kId.
WIuL mun sIr, suId LIe cupLuIn's mun.
How oId ure you, son?
NIneLeen.
TIe cupLuIn nodded IIs Ieud. He wus IookIng LIe kId over. WIuL Iuppened Lo you?
WIuL?
Suy sIr, suId LIe recruILer.
SIr?
suId wIuL Iuppened Lo you.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe mun sILLIng nexL Lo IIm. He Iooked down uL IImseII und Ie
Iooked uL LIe cupLuIn uguIn. wus IeII on by robbers, Ie suId.
Robbers, suId LIe cupLuIn.
Took everLIIng Iud. Took my wuLcI und everLIIng.
Huve you goL u rIIIe?
NoL no more uInL.
WIere wus IL you were robbed.
donL know. TIey wusnL no nume Lo IL. L wus jusL u wIIderness.
WIere were you comIng Irom?
wus comIn Irom Nucu, Nucu ...
NucogdocIes?
YeuI.
YessIr.
YessIr.
How muny were LIere?
TIe kId sLured uL IIm.
Robbers. How muny robbers.
Seven or eIgIL, reckon. goL busLed In LIe Ieud wILI u scunLIIn.
TIe cupLuIn squInLed one eye uL IIm. Were LIey MexIcuns?
Some. MexIcuns und nIggers. TIey wus u wIILe or Lwo wILI em. TIey Iud u buncI oI
cuLLIe LIey'd sLoIe. OnIy LIIng LIey IeIL me wILI wus u oId pIece oI knIIe Iud In my
booL.
TIe cupLuIn nodded. He IoIded IIs Iunds beLween IIs knees. WIuL do you LIInk oI LIe
LreuLy? Ie suId.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe mun on LIe seLLIe nexL Lo IIm. He Iud IIs eyes sIuL. He Iooked
down uL IIs LIumbs. donL know noLIIn ubouL IL, Ie suId.
'm uIruId LIuL's LIe cuse wILI u IoL oI AmerIcuns, suId LIe cupLuIn. WIere ure you Irom,
son?
Tennessee.
You werenL wILI LIe VoIunLeers uL MonLerrey were you?
No sIr.
* BruvesL buncI oI men under IIre beIIeve ever suw. sup ose more men Irom
Tennessee bIed und dIed on LIe IIeId In norLIern MexIco LIun Irom uny oLIer sLuLe. DId
you know LIuL?
No sIr.
TIey were soId ouL. ougIL und dIed down LIere In LIuL deserL und LIen LIey were soId
ouL by LIeIr own counLry.
TIe kId suL sIIenL.
TIe cupLuIn Ieuned Iorwurd. We IougIL Ior IL. osL IrIends und broLIers down LIere. And
LIen by God II we dIdnL gIve IL buck. Buck Lo u buncI oI burburIuns LIuL even LIe mosL
bIused In LIeIr Iuvor wIII udmIL Iuve no IeusL noLIon In God's eurLI oI Ionor or jusLIce
or LIe meunIng oI repubIIcun governmenL. A peopIe so cowurdIy LIey've puId LrIbuLe u
Iundred yeurs Lo LrIbes oI nuked suvuges. GIven up LIeIr crops und IIvesLock. MInes sIuL
down. WIoIe vIIIuges ubundoned. WIIIe u IeuLIen Iorde rIdes over LIe Iund IooLIng und
kIIIIng wILI LoLuI ImpunILy. NoL u Iund ruIsed uguInsL LIem. WIuL kInd oI peopIe ure
LIese? TIe ApucIes wonL even sIooL LIem. DId you know LIuL? TIey kIII LIem wILI
rocks. TIe cupLuIn sIook IIs Ieud. He seemed mude sud by wIuL Ie Iud Lo LeII.
DId you know LIuL wIen CoIoneI DonIpIun Look CIIIuuIuu CILy Ie InIIIcLed over u
LIousund cusuuILIes on LIe enemy und IosL onIy one mun und IIm uII buL u suIcIde?
WILI un urmy oI unpuId IrreguIurs LIuL cuIIed IIm BIII, were IuII nuked, und Iud wuIked
Lo LIe buLLIeIIeId Irom MIssourI?
No sIr.
TIe cupLuIn Ieuned buck und IoIded IIs urms. WIuL we ure deuIIng wILI, Ie suId, Is u
ruce oI degeneruLes. A mongreI ruce, IILLIe beLLer LIun nIggers. And muybe no beLLer.
TIere Is no governmenL In MexIco. HeII, LIere's no God In MexIco. Never wIII be. We
ure deuIIng wILI u peopIe munIIesLIy IncupubIe oI governIng LIemseIves. And do you
know wIuL Iuppens wILI peopIe wIo cunnoL govern LIemseIves? TIuL's rIgIL. OLIers
come In Lo govern Ior LIem.
TIere ure uIreudy some IourLeen LIousund rencI coIonIsLs In LIe sLuLe oI Sonoru.
TIey're beIng gIven Iree Iund Lo seLLIe. TIey're beIng gIven LooIs und IIvesLock.
EnIIgILened MexIcuns encouruge LIIs. Puredes Is uIreudy cuIIIng Ior secessIon Irom LIe
MexIcun governmenL. TIey'd ruLIer be ruIed by LoudeuLers LIun LIIeves und ImbecIIes.
CoIoneI Currusco Is uskIng Ior AmerIcun InLervenLIon. And Ie's goIng Lo geL IL.
RIgIL now LIey ure IormIng In WusIIngLon u commIssIon Lo come ouL Iere und druw up
LIe boundury IInes beLween our counLry und MexIco. donL LIInk LIere's uny quesLIon
LIuL uILImuLeIy Sonoru wIII become u UnILed SLuLes LerrILory. Guuymus u U S porL.
AmerIcuns wIII be ubIe Lo geL Lo CuIIIornIu wILIouL IuvIng Lo puss LIrougI our benIgILed
sIsLer repubIIc und our cILIzens wIII be proLecLed uL IusL Irom LIe noLorIous pucks oI cuL
-IrouLs presenLIy InIesLIng LIe rouLes wIIcI LIey ure obIIged Lo LruveI.
TIe cupLuIn wus wuLcIIng LIe kId. TIe kId Iooked uneusy. Son, suId LIe cupLuIn. We ure
Lo be LIe InsLrumenLs oI IIberuLIon In u durk und LroubIed Iund. TIuL's rIgIL. We ure Lo
speurIeud LIe drIve. We Iuve LIe LucIL supporL oI Governor BurneLL oI CuIIIornIu.
He Ieuned Iorwurd und pIuced IIs Iunds on IIs knees. And we wIII be LIe ones wIo
wIII dIvIde LIe spoIIs. TIere wIII be u secLIon oI Iund Ior every mun In my compuny.
Ine grussIund. Some oI LIe IInesL In LIe worId. A Iund rIcI In mIneruIs, In goId und
sIIver wouId suy beyond LIe wIIdesL specuIuLIon. You're young.
BuL donL mIsreud you. 'm seIdom mIsLuken In u mun. LIInk you meun Lo muke your
murk In LIIs worId. Am wrong?
No sIr.
No. And don'L LIInk you're LIe sorL oI cIup Lo ubundon u Iund LIuL AmerIcuns IougIL
und dIed Ior Lo u IoreIgn power. And murk my word. UnIess AmerIcuns ucL, peopIe IIke
you und me wIo Luke LIeIr counLry serIousIy wIIIe LIose moIIycoddIes In WusIIngLon sIL
. ( on LIeIr IIndsIdes, unIess we ucL, MexIco nd meun LIe wIoIe oI LIe counLry III one
duy IIy u Europeun IIug. Monroe DocLrIne or no.
TIe cupLuIn's voIce Iud become soIL und InLense. He LIILed IIs Ieud Lo one sIde und
regurded LIe kId wILI u sorL oI benevoIence. TIe kId rubbed LIe puIms oI IIs Iunds on
LIe knees oI IIs IIILIy jeuns. He gIunced uL LIe mun besIde IIm buL Ie seemed Lo be
usIeep.
WIuL ubouL u suddIe? Ie suId.
SuddIe?
YessIr.
You donL Iuve u suddIe?
No sIr.
LIougIL you Iud u Iorse.
A muIe.
see.
goL u oId IuII on LIe muIe buL LIey uInL mucI IeIL oI IL. AInL u wIoIe IoL IeIL oI LIe
muIe. He suId wus Lo geL u Iorse und u rIIIe.
SergeunL TrummeI dId?
never promIsed IIm no suddIe, suId LIe sergeunL.
We'II geL you u suddIe.
dId LeII IIm we mIgIL IInd IIm some cIoLIes, CupLuIn.
RIgIL. We muy be IrreguIurs buL we donL wunL Lo Iook IIke bobLuIIs, do we?
No sIr.
We uInL goL no more broke Iorses neILIer, suId LIe sergeunL.
WeII breuk one.
TIuL oId boy LIuL wus so good ubouL breukIn em Is ouL oI commIssIon.
know LIuL. GeL somebody eIse.
YessIr. Muybe LIIs mun cun breuk Iorses. You ever breuk Iorses? No sIr.
AInL no need Lo sIr me. YessIr.
SergeunL, suId LIe cupLuIn, eusIng IImseII down Irom LIe desk. YessIr. SIgn LIIs mun up.
TIe cump wus uprIver uL LIe edge oI LIe Lown. A LenL puLcIed up Irom oId wugon
cunvus, u Iew wIckIups mude oI brusI und beyond LIem u corruI In LIe Iorm oI u IIgure
eIgIL IIkewIse mude Irom brusI wIere u Iew smuII puInLed ponIes sLood suIkIng In LIe
sun.
CorporuI, cuIIed LIe sergeunL.
He uInL Iere.
He dIsmounLed und sLrode Lowurd LIe LenL und LIrew buck LIe IIy. TIe kId suL on LIe
muIe. TIree men were IyIng In LIe sIude oI u Lree und LIey sLudIed IIm. Howdy, suId
one.
Howdy.
You u new mun?
reckon.
CupLuIn suy wIen we IeuvIn LIIs pesLIoIe?
He never suId.
TIe sergeunL cume Irom LIe LenL. WIere's Ie uL? Ie suId.
Gone Lo Lown.
Gone Lo Lown, suId LIe sergeunL. Come Iere.
TIe mun rose Irom LIe ground und umbIed over Lo LIe LenL und sLood wILI IIs Iunds
resLIng In LIe smuII oI IIs buck.
TIIs Iere mun uInL goL no ouLIIL, suId LIe sergeunL.
TIe mun nodded.
TIe cupLuIn gIve IIm u sIIrL und some money Lo geL IIs booLs mended. We need Lo geL
IIm someLIIn Ie cun rIde und we need Lo geL IIm u suddIe.
A suddIe.
OugIL Lo be ubIe Lo seII LIuL muIe Ior enougI Lo geL IIm one oI some kInd.
TIe mun Iooked uL LIe muIe und Lurned buck und squInLed uL LIe sergeunL. He Ieuned
und spuL. TIuL LIere muIe wonL brIng Len doIIurs.
WIuL IL brIngs IL brIngs.
TIey done kIIIed unoLIer beeI.
donL wunL Lo Ieur ubouL IL.
cuInL do noLIIn wILI em.
uInL LeIIIn LIe cupLuIn. He'II roII LIem eyes uround LIII LIey come unscrewed und IuII
ouL In LIe ground.
TIe mun spuL uguIn. WeII, LIuL's LIe gods LruLI unywuy.
See Lo LIIs mun now. goL Lo geL.
WeII.
AInL nobody sIck Is LIey?
No.
TIunk God Ior LIuL.
He sLood up InLo LIe suddIe und LoucIed LIe Iorse's neck IIgILIy wILI LIe reIns. He
Iooked buck und sIook IIs Ieud.
n LIe evenIng LIe kId und Lwo oLIer recruILs wenL InLo Lown. He'd buLIed und sIuved
IImseII und Ie wore u puIr oI bIue cord Lrousers und LIe coLLon sIIrL LIe cupLuIn Iud
gIven IIm und suve Ior LIe booLs Ie Iooked u new mun uILogeLIer. HIs IrIends rode
smuII und coIorIuI Iorses LIuL IorLy duys ugo Iud been wIId unImuIs on LIe pIuIn und
LIey sIIed und skILLered und snupped IIke LurLIes.
WuIL LIII you geL you one oI LIese, suId LIe second corporuI. You uInL never Iud no Iun.
TIese Iorses Is uII rIgIL, suId LIe oLIer.
TIere's one or Lwo In LIere yeL LIuL mIgIL muke ye u Iorse.
TIe kId Iooked down uL LIem Irom IIs muIe. TIey rode eILIer sIde IIke escorLs und LIe
muIe LroLLed wILI ILs Ieud up, ILs eyes sIIILIng nervousIy. TIey'II uII sLIck ye Ieud In LIe
ground, suId LIe second corporuI.
TIey rode LIrougI u pIuzu LIronged wILI wugons und sLock.
WILI ImmIgrunLs und Texuns und MexIcuns und wILI sIuves und Ipun ndIuns und
depuLuLIons oI Kurunkuwus LuII und uusLere, LIeIr Iuces dyed bIue und LIeIr Iunds Iocked
ubouL LIe sIuILs oI LIeIr sIxIooL speurs, uII buL nuked suvuges wIo wILI LIeIr puInLed
/ skIns und LIeIr wIIspered LusLe Ior Iumun IIesI seemed ouL ugeous presences even In
LIuL IubIed compuny. TIe recruILs rode wILI LIeIr unImuIs cIose reIned und LIey Lurned
up pusL LIe courLIouse und uIong LIe IIgI wuIIs oI LIe curceI wILI LIe broken gIuss
Imbedded In LIe LopmosL course. n LIe MuIn PIuzu u bund Iud ussembIed und were uL
LunIng LIeIr InsLrumenLs. TIe rIders Lurned down SuIInus SLreeL pusL smuII gumIngIouses
und coIIee-sLunds und LIere were In LIIs sLreeL u number oI MexIcun Iurness-mukers und
Lruders und keepers oI gumecIIckens und cobbIers und booLmukers In IILLIe sLuIIs or
sIops oI mud. TIe second corporuI wus Irom Texus und spoke u IILLIe SpunIsI und Ie
meunL Lo Lrude LIe muIe. TIe oLIer boy wus Irom MIssourI. TIey were In good spIrILs,
scrubbed und combed, cIeun sIIrLs uII. EucI IoreseeIng u nIgIL oI drInk, perIups oI Iove.
How muny youLIs Iuve come Iome coId und deud Irom jusL sucI nIgILs und jusL sucI
pIuns.
TIey Lruded LIe muIe uccouLred us IL wus Ior u Texus sLock suddIe, bure Lree wILI
ruwIIde cover, noL new buL sound. or u brIdIe und bIL LIuL wus new. or u woven
wooI bIunkeL Irom SuILIIIo LIuL wus dusLy new or noL. And IusLIy Ior u Lwo und u IuII
doIIur goId pIece. TIe Texun Iooked uL LIIs smuII coIn In LIe kId's puIm und demunded
more money buL LIe Iurnessmuker sIook IIs Ieud und IeId up IIs Iunds In uLLer
IInuIILy.
WIuL ubouL my booLs? suId LIe kId.
Y sus boLus, suId LIe Texun.
BoLus?
SI. He mude sewIng moLIons.
TIe Iurnessmuker Iooked down uL LIe booLs. He cupped IIs IIngers In u IILLIe gesLure oI
ImpuLIence und LIe kId Look oII LIe booLs und sLood bureIooL In LIe dusL.
WIen uII wus done LIey sLood In LIe sLreeL und Iooked uL one unoLIer. TIe kId Iud IIs
new Luck sIung up on IIs sIouIder.
TIe second corporuI Iooked uL LIe boy Irom MIssourI. You goL uny money, EurI?
NoL u copper cenL.
WeII uInL neILIer. We mIgIL's weII geL our usses buck on ouL Lo LIuL IoIe oI mIsery.
TIe kId sIIILed LIe weIgIL oI LIe geur on IIs sIouIder. We goL LIIs quurLer eugIe Lo
drInk up yeL, Ie suId.
AIreudy IL Is LwIIIgIL down In LIe uredILo. BuLs IIy IorLI Irom LIeIr roosLIngs In
courLIouse und Lower und cIrcIe LIe quurLer. TIe uIr Is IuII oI LIe smeII oI burnIng
cIurcouI. CIIIdren und dogs squuL by LIe mud sLoops und gumecocks IIup und seLLIe In
LIe bruncIes oI LIe IruIL Lrees. TIey go uIooL, LIese comrudes, down uIong u bure udobe
wuII. Bund musIc currIes dImIy Irom LIe squure. TIey puss u wuLercurL In LIe sLreeL und
LIey puss u IoIe In LIe wuII wIere by LIe IIgIL oI u smuII IorgeIIre un oId mun beuLs
ouL sIupes oI meLuI. TIey puss In u doorwuy u young gIrI wIose beuuLy becomes LIe
IIowers ubouL.
TIey urrIve uL IusL beIore u wooden door. L Is IInged InLo u Iurger door or guLe und uII
musL sLep over LIe IooL-IIgI sIII wIere u LIousund booLs Iuve scuIIed uwuy LIe wood,
wIere IooIs In LIeIr Iundreds Iuve LrIpped or IuIIen or LoLLered drunkenIy InLo LIe
sLreeL. TIey puss uIong u rumudu In u courLyurd by un oId grupe urbor wIere smuII IowI
nod In LIe dusk umong LIe gnurIed und burren vInes und LIey enLer u cunLInu wIere
LIe Iumps ure IIL und LIey cross sLoopIng under u Iow beum Lo u bur und beIIy up one
Lwo LIree.
TIere Is un oId dIsordered MennonILe In LIIs pIuce und Ie Lurns Lo sLudy LIem. A LIIn
mun In u IeuLIer weskIL, u bIuck und sLruIgILbrIm IuL seL squure on IIs Ieud, u LIIn
rIm oI wIIskers. TIe recruILs order gIusses oI wIIskey und drInk LIem down und order
more. TIere ure monLe gumes uL LubIes by LIe wuII und LIere ure wIores uL unoLIer
LubIe wIo Iook LIe recruILs over. TIe recruILs sLund sIdewuys uIong LIe bur wILI LIeIr
LIumbs In LIeIr beILs und wuLcI LIe room. TIey LuIk umong LIemseIves oI LIe
expedILIon In Ioud voIces und LIe oId MennonILe sIukes u rueIuI Ieud und sIps IIs drInk
und muLLers.
TIey'II sLop you uL LIe rIver, Ie suys.
TIe second corporuI Iooks pusL IIs comrudes. Are you LuIkIng Lo me?
AL LIe rIver. Be LoId. TIey'II juII you Lo u mun.
WIo wIII?
TIe UnILed SLuLes Army. GeneruI WorLI.
TIe IeII LIey wIII.
Pruy LIuL LIey wIII.
He Iooks uL IIs comrudes. He Ieuns Lowurd LIe MennonILe. WIuL does LIuL meun, oId
mun?
Do ye cross LIuL rIver wILI yon IIIIbusLer urmed yeII noL cross IL buck.
DonL uIm Lo cross IL buck. We goIn Lo Sonoru.
WIuL's IL Lo you, oId mun?
TIe MennonILe wuLcIes LIe ensIudowed durk beIore LIem us IL Is reIIecLed Lo IIm In
LIe mIrror over LIe bur. He Lurns Lo LIem. HIs eyes ure weL, Ie speuks sIowIy. TIe
# wruLI oI God IIes sIeep ng. L wus IId u mIIIIon yeurs beIore men were und onIy men
Iuve power Lo wuke IL. HeII uInL IuII IuII. Heur me. Ye curry wur oI u mudmun's
mukIng onLo u IoreIgn Iund. Ye'II wuke more LIun LIe dogs.
BuL LIey beruLed LIe oId mun und swore uL IIm unLII Ie moved oII down LIe bur
muLLerIng, und Iow eIse couId IL be?
How LIese LIIngs end. n conIusIon und curses und bIood. TIey drunk on und LIe wInd
bIew In LIe sLreeLs und LIe sLurs LIuL Iud been overIeud Iuy Iow In LIe wesL und LIese
young men IeII uIouI oI oLIers und words were suId LIuL couId noL be puL rIgIL uguIn
und In LIe duwn LIe kId und LIe second corporuI kneIL over LIe boy Irom MIssourI wIo
Iud been numed EurI und LIey spoke IIs nume buL Ie never spoke buck. He Iuy on IIs
sIde In LIe dusL oI LIe courLyurd. TIe men were gone, LIe wIores were gone. An oId
mun swepL LIe cIuy IIoor wILIIn LIe cunLInu. TIe boy Iuy wILI IIs skuII broken In u pooI
oI bIood, none knew by wIom. A LIIrd one cume Lo be wILI LIem In LIe courLyurd.
L wus LIe MennonILe. A wurm wInd wus bIowIng und LIe eusL IeId u gruy IIgIL. TIe
IowIs roosLIng umong LIe grupevInes Iud begun Lo sLIr und cuII.
TIere Is no sucI joy In LIe Luvern us upon LIe roud LIereLo, suId LIe MennonILe. He
Iud been IoIdIng IIs IuL In IIs Iunds und now Ie seL IL upon IIs Ieud uguIn und
Lurned und wenL ouL LIe guLe.
V
SeLLIng IorLI wILI LIe IIIIbusLers - On uIIen ground ?
SIooLIng unLeIope - Pursued by cIoIeru -WoIves - Wugon repuIrs -
A deserL wusLe - NIgIL sLorms - TIe gIosL munudu -
A pruyer Ior ruIn - A deserL IomesLeud - TIe oId mun - New counLry -
An ubundoned vIIIuge - Herdsmen on LIe pIuIn -
ALLucked by ComuncIes.
Ive duys IuLer on LIe deud mun's Iorse Ie IoIIowed LIe rIders und wugons LIrougI LIe
pIuzu und ouL oI LIe Lown on LIe roud downcounLry. TIey rode LIrougI CusLrovIIIe
wIere coyoLes Iud dug up LIe deud und scuLLered LIeIr bones und LIey crossed LIe rIo
RIver und LIey crossed LIe Nueces und LIey IeIL LIe PresIdIo roud und Lurned norLI
wILI scouLs posLed uIeud und Lo LIe reur. TIey crossed LIe deI NorLe by nIgIL und
wuded up ouL oI LIe sIuIIow sundy Iord InLo u IowIIng wIIderness.
Duwn suw LIem depIoyed In u Iong IIIe over LIe pIuIn, LIe dry wood wugons uIreudy
mounIng, Iorses snuIIIIng. A duII LIump oI Iooves und cIunk oI geur und LIe consLunL
IIgIL cIInk oI Iurness. Suve Ior scuLLered cIumps oI buckbrusI und prIckIypeur und LIe
IILLIe puLcIes oI LwIsLed gruss LIe ground wus bure und LIere were Iow mounLuIns Lo LIe
souLI und LIey were bure Loo. WesLwurd LIe IorIzon Iuy IIuL und Lrue us u spIrIL IeveI.
TIose IIrsL duys LIey suw no gume, no bIrds suve buzzurds. TIey suw In LIe dIsLunce
Ierds oI sIeep or gouLs movIng uIong LIe skyIIne In scurves oI dusL und LIey uLe LIe
meuL oI wIId usses sIoL on LIe pIuIn. TIe sergeunL currIed In IIs suddIe scubburd u
Ieuvy Wesson rIIIe LIuL used u IuIse muzzIe und puper puLcI und IIred u conesIuped
buII. WILI IL Ie kIIIed LIe IILLIe wIId pIgs oI LIe deserL und IuLer wIen LIey begun Lo see
Ierds oI unLeIope Ie wouId IuIL In LIe dusk wILI LIe sun oII LIe Iund und screwIng u
bIpod InLo LIe LIreuded boss on LIe undersIde oI LIe burreI wouId kIII LIese unImuIs
wIere LIey sLood gruzIng uL dIsLunces oI IuII u mIIe. TIe rIIIe currIed u vernIer sIgIL on
LIe Lung und Ie wouId eye LIe dIsLunce und guuge LIe wInd und seL LIe sIgIL IIke u
mun usIng u mIcromeLer. TIe second corporuI wouId IIe uL IIs eIbow wILI u gIuss und
cuII LIe sIoLs IIgI or Iow sIouId Ie mIss und LIe wugon wouId wuIL by unLII Ie Iud
sIoL u sLund oI LIree or Iour und LIen rumbIe oII ucross LIe cooIIng Iund wILI LIe
skInners josLIIng und grInnIng In LIe bed. TIe sergeunL never puL LIe rIIIe up buL wIuL
Ie wIped und greused LIe bore.
TIey rode weII urmed, eucI mun wILI u rIIIe und muny wILI LIe smuIIbore IIvesIoL
CoIL's revoIvers. TIe cupLuIn currIed u puIr oI drugoon pIsLoIs In scubburds LIuL mounLed
ucross LIe pommeI oI LIe suddIe so LIuL LIey rode uL eucI knee. TIese guns were
UnILed SLuLes Issue, CoIL's puLenL, und Ie Iud bougIL LIem Irom u deserLer In u SoIedud
IIvery sLubIe und puId eIgILy doIIurs In goId Ior LIem und LIe scubburds und LIe moId
und IIusk LIey cume wILI.
TIe rIIIe LIe kId currIed Iud been suwed down und rebored LIII IL weIgIed very IIgIL
Indeed und LIe moId Ior IL wus so smuII Ie Iud Lo puLcI LIe buIIs wILI buckskIn. He
Iud IIred IL u Iew LImes und IL currIed mucI wIere IL cIose. L rode beIore IIm on LIe
suddIebow, Ie IuvIng no scubburd. L Iud been currIed so beIore, God's yeurs oI IL, und
LIe IoresLock wus mucI worn beneuLI.
n LIe eurIy durk LIe wugon cume buck wILI LIe meuL. TIe skInners Iud pIIed LIe
wugonbed wILI mesquILe brusI und sLumps LIey'd drug ouL oI LIe ground wILI LIe
% Iorses und LIey unIouded LIe IIrewood und commenced cuLLIng up LIe guLLed unLe opes
In LIe IIoor oI LIe wugon wILI bowIeknIves und Iund-uxes, IuugIIng und IuckIng In u
weILer oI gore, u reekIng scene In LIe IIgIL oI LIe IundIeId IunLerns. By IuII durk LIe
bIuckened rIbrucks Ieuned sLeumIng uL LIe IIres und LIere wus u jousLIng over LIe couIs
wILI sIuven sLIcks wIereon were skewered gobs oI meuL und u cIunk oI cunLeens und
endIess ruIIIery. And sIeep LIuL nIgIL on LIe coId pIuIns oI u IoreIgn Iund, IorLy-sIx men
wrupped In LIeIr bIunkeLs under LIe seIIsume sLurs, LIe pruIrIe woIves so IIke In LIeIr
yummerIng, yeL uII ubouL so cIunged und sLrunge.
TIey cuugIL up und seL ouL eucI duy In LIe durk beIore LIe duy yeL wus und LIey uLe
coId meuL und bIscuIL und mude no IIre. TIe sun rose on u coIumn uIreudy rugged LIese
sIx duys ouL. Among LIeIr cIoLIes LIere wus smuII ugreemenL und umong LIeIr IuLs Iess.
TIe IILLIe puInLed Iorses sLepped sIIILy und LrucuIenL und u vIcIous snurI oI IIIes IougIL
consLunLIy In LIe bed oI LIe gumewugon. TIe dusL LIe purLy ruIsed wus quIckIy dIspersed
und IosL In LIe ImmensILy oI LIuL Iundscupe und LIere wus no dusL oLIer Ior LIe puIe
suLIer wIo pursued LIem drIves unseen und IIs Ieun Iorse und IIs Ieun curL Ieuve no
Lruck upon sucI ground or uny ground. By u LIousund IIres In LIe Iron bIue dusk Ie
keeps IIs commIssury und Ie's u wry und grInnIng Lrudesmun good Lo IoIIow every
cumpuIgn or Iound men Irom LIeIr IoIes In jusL LIose wIILed regIons wIere LIey've
gone Lo IIde Irom God. On LIIs duy Lwo men IeII sIck und one dIed beIore durk. n LIe
mornIng LIere wus unoLIer III Lo Luke IIs pIuce. TIe Lwo oI LIem were IuId umong sucks
oI beuns und rIce und coIIee In LIe suppIy-wugon wILI bIunkeLs over LIem Lo keep LIem
Irom LIe sun und LIey rode wILI LIe sIummIng und jurrIng oI LIe wugon IuII sIIrrIng
LIe meuL Irom LIeIr bones so LIuL LIey crIed ouL Lo be IeIL und LIen LIey dIed. TIe
men Lurned ouL In LIe eurIy mornIng durkness Lo dIg LIeIr gruves wILI LIe bIudebones
oI unLeIope und LIey covered LIem wILI sLones und rode on uguIn.
TIey rode on und LIe sun In LIe eusL IIusIed puIe sLreuks oI IIgIL und LIen u deeper
run oI coIor IIke bIood seepIng up In sudden reucIes IIurIng pIunewIse und wIere LIe
eurLI druIned up InLo LIe sky uL LIe edge oI creuLIon LIe Lop oI LIe sun rose ouL oI
noLIIng IIke LIe Ieud oI u greuL red pIuIIus unLII IL cIeured LIe unseen rIm und suL
squuL und puIsIng und muIevoIenL beIInd LIem. TIe sIudows oI LIe smuIIesL sLones Iuy
IIke pencII IInes ucross LIe sund und LIe sIupes oI LIe men und LIeIr mounLs udvunced
eIonguLe beIore LIem IIke sLrunds oI LIe nIgIL Irom wIIcI LIey'd rIdden, IIke LenLucIes Lo
bInd LIem Lo LIe durkness yeL Lo come. TIey rode wILI LIeIr Ieuds down, IuceIess under
LIeIr IuLs, IIke un urmy usIeep on LIe murcI. By mIdmornIng unoLIer mun Iud dIed
und LIey IIILed IIm Irom LIe wugon wIere Ie'd sLuIned LIe sucks Ie'd IuIn umong und
burIed IIm uIso und rode on.
Now woIves Iud come Lo IoIIow LIem, greuL puIe Iobos wILI yeIIow eyes LIuL LroLLed
# neuL oI IooL or squuLLed In LIe sIImmer ng IeuL Lo wuLcI LIem wIere LIey mude LIeIr
noon IuIL. MovIng on uguIn. opIng, sIdIIng, umbIIng wILI LIeIr Iong noses Lo LIe
ground. n LIe evenIng LIeIr eyes sIIILed und wInked ouL LIere on LIe edge oI LIe
IIreIIgIL und In LIe mornIng wIen LIe rIders rode ouL In LIe cooI durk LIey couId Ieur
LIe snurIIng und LIe pop oI LIeIr mouLIs beIInd LIem us LIey sucked LIe cump Ior
meuLscrups.
TIe wugons drew so dry LIey sIoucIed Irom sIde Lo sIde IIke dogs und LIe sund wus
grIndIng LIem uwuy. TIe wIeeIs sIrunk und LIe spokes reeIed In LIeIr Iubs und
cIuLLered IIke Ioom-sIuILs und uL nIgIL LIey'd drIve IuIse spokes InLo LIe morLIces und LIe
LIem down wILI sLrIps oI green IIde und LIey'd drIve wedges beLween LIe Iron oI LIe
LIres und LIe suncrucked IeIIoes. TIey wobbIed on, LIe Lruce oI LIeIr unLrue Iubors IIke
sIdewInder Lrucks In LIe sund. TIe duIedge pegs worked Ioose und dropped beIInd.
WIeeIs begun Lo breuk up.
Ten duys ouL wILI Iour men deud LIey sLurLed ucross u pIuIn oI pure pumIce wIere
LIere grew no sIrub, no weed, Iur us LIe eye couId see. TIe cupLuIn cuIIed u IuIL und
Ie cuIIed up LIe MexIcun wIo served us guIde. TIey LuIked und LIe MexIcun gesLured
und LIe cupLuIn gesLured und uILer u wIIIe LIey moved on uguIn.
TIIs Iooks IIke LIe IIgI roud Lo IeII Lo me, suId u mun Irom LIe runks.
WIuL does Ie reckon Ior LIe Iorses Lo euL?
beIIeve LIey're supposed Lo jusL grIL up on LIIs sund IIke cIIckens und be reudy Ior
LIe sIeIIed corn wIen IL does come.
n Lwo duys LIey begun Lo come upon bones und cusL-oII uppureI. TIey suw IuIIburIed
skeIeLons oI muIes wILI LIe bones so wIILe und poIIsIed LIey seemed IncundescenL even
In LIuL bIuzIng IeuL und LIey suw punnIers und pucksuddIes und LIe bones oI men und
0 LIey suw u muIe enLIre, LIe drIed und bIuck ned curcuss Iurd us Iron. TIey rode on.
TIe wIILe noon suw LIem LIrougI LIe wusLe IIke u gIosL urmy, so puIe LIey were wILI
dusL, IIke sIudes oI IIgures erused upon u bourd. TIe woIves Ioped puIer yeL und
grouped und skILLered und IIILed LIeIr Ieun snouLs on LIe uIr. AL nIgIL LIe Iorses were
Ied by Iund Irom sucks oI meuI und wuLered Irom buckeLs. TIere wus no more sIckness.
TIe survIvors Iuy quIeLIy In LIuL cruLered voId und wuLcIed LIe wIILeIoL sLurs go rIIIIng
down LIe durk. Or sIepL wILI LIeIr uIIen IeurLs beuLIng In LIe sund IIke pIIgrIms
exIuusLed upon LIe Iuce oI LIe pIuneL AnureLu, cIuLcIed Lo u numeIessness wIeeIIng In
LIe nIgIL. TIey moved on und LIe Iron oI LIe wugon-LIres grew poIIsIed brIgIL us
cIrome In LIe pumIce. To LIe souLI LIe bIue cordIIIerus sLood IooLed In LIeIr puIer
Imuge on LIe sund IIke reIIecLIons In u Iuke und LIere were no woIves now.
TIey Look Lo rIdIng by nIgIL, sIIenL jornudus suve Ior LIe LrundIIng oI LIe wugons und
LIe wIeeze oI LIe unImuIs. Under LIe moonIIgIL u sLrunge purLy oI eIders wILI LIe wIILe
dusL LIIck on LIeIr mousLucIes und LIeIr eyebrows. TIey moved on und LIe sLurs josLIed
und urced ucross LIe IIrmumenL und dIed beyond LIe InkbIuck mounLuIns. TIey cume Lo
know LIe nIgILskIes weII. WesLern eyes LIuL reud more geomeLrIc consLrucLIons LIun
LIose numes gIven by LIe uncIenLs. TeLIered Lo LIe poIesLur LIey rode LIe DIpper round
wIIIe OrIon rose In LIe souLIwesL IIke u greuL eIecLrIc kILe. TIe sund Iuy bIue In LIe
moonIIgIL und LIe Iron LIres oI LIe wugons roIIed umong LIe sIupes oI LIe rIders In
gIeumIng Ioops LIuL veered und wIeeIed woundedIy und vugueIy nuvIguLIonuI IIke sIender
usLroIubes und LIe poIIsIed sIoes oI LIe Iorses kepL IuspIng up IIke u myrIud oI eyes
wInkIng ucross LIe deserL IIoor. TIey wuLcIed sLorms ouL LIere so dIsLunL LIey couId noL
be Ieurd, LIe sIIenL IIgILnIng IIurIng sIeeLwIse und LIe LIIn bIuck spIne oI LIe mounLuIn
cIuIn IIuLLerIng und sucked uwuy uguIn In LIe durk. TIey suw wIId Iorses rucIng on LIe
pIuIn, poundIng LIeIr sIudows down LIe nIgIL und- IeuvIng In LIe moonIIgIL u vuporous
dusL IIke LIe puIesL sLuIn oI LIeIr pussIng.
AII nIgIL LIe wInd bIew und LIe IIne dusL seL LIeIr LeeLI on edge. Sund In everyLIIng,
grIL In uII LIey uLe. n LIe mornIng u urInecoIored sun rose bIeurIIy LIrougI punes oI
dusL on u dIm worId und wILIouL IeuLure. TIe unImuIs were IuIIIng. TIey IuILed und
mude u dry cump wILIouL wood or wuLer und LIe wreLcIed ponIes IuddIed und
wIImpered IIke dogs.
TIuL nIgIL LIey rode LIrougI u regIon eIecLrIc und wIId wIere sLrunge sIupes oI soIL
bIue IIre run over LIe meLuI oI LIe Iorses' LruppIngs und LIe wugonwIeeIs roIIed In
Ioops oI IIre und IILLIe sIupes oI puIe bIue IIgIL cume Lo percI In LIe eurs oI LIe Iorses
und In LIe beurds oI LIe men. AII nIgIL sIeeLIIgILnIng quuked sourceIess Lo LIe wesL
beyond LIe mIdnIgIL LIunder-Ieuds, mukIng u bIuIsI duy oI LIe dIsLunL deserL, LIe
mounLuIns on LIe sudden skyIIne sLurk und bIuck und IIvId IIke u Iund oI some oLIer
order ouL LIere wIose Lrue geoIogy wus noL sLone buL Ieur. TIe LIunder moved up Irom
LIe souLIwesL und IIgILnIng IIL LIe deserL uII ubouL LIem, bIue und burren, greuL
cIungIng reucIes ordered ouL oI LIe ubsoIuLe nIgIL IIke some demon kIngdom summoned
up or cIungeIIng Iund LIuL come LIe duy wouId Ieuve LIem neILIer Lruce nor smoke nor
ruIn more LIun uny LroubIIng dreum.
TIey IuILed In LIe durk Lo recruIL LIe unImuIs und some oI LIe men sLowed LIeIr urms
In LIe wugons Ior Ieur oI druwIng LIe IIgILnIng und u mun numed Huywurd pruyed Ior
ruIn.
He pruyed: AImIgILy God, II IL uInL Loo Iur ouL oI LIe wuy oI LIIngs In your eLernuI pIun
do you reckon we couId Iuve u IILLIe ruIn down Iere.
Pruy IL up, some cuIIed, und kneeIIng Ie crIed ouL umong LIe LIunder und LIe wInd:
ord we ure drIed Lo jerky down Iere. JusL u Iew drops Ior some oId boys ouL Iere on
LIe pruIrIe und u Iong wuys Irom Iome.
Amen, LIey suId, und cuLcIIng up LIeIr mounLs LIey rode on.
WILIIn LIe Iour LIe wInd cooIed und drops oI ruIn LIe sIze oI grupesIoL IeII upon LIem
ouL oI LIuL wIId durkness. TIey couId smeII weL sLone und LIe sweeL smeII oI LIe weL
Iorses und weL IeuLIer. TIey rode on.
TIey rode LIrougI LIe IeuL oI LIe duy IoIIowIng wILI LIe wuLerkegs empLy und LIe
Iorses perIsIIng und In LIe evenIng LIese eIecL, sIubby und wIILe wILI dusL IIke u
compuny oI urmed und mounLed mIIIers wunderIng In demenLIu, rode up oII LIe deserL
LIrougI u gup In LIe Iow sLone IIIIs und down upon u soIILury jucuI, crude IuL oI mud
und wuLLIes und u rudImenLury sLubIe und corruIs.
Bone puIIngs ruIed LIe smuII und dusLy purIIeus Iere und deuLI seemed LIe mosL
prevuIenL IeuLure oI LIe Iundscupe. SLrunge Iences LIuL LIe sund und wInd Iud scoured
und LIe sun bIeucIed und crucked IIke oId porceIuIn wILI dry brown weuLIer crucks und
wIere no IIIe moved. TIe corruguLed Iorms oI LIe rIders pussed jIngIIng ucross LIe dry
bIsLre Iund und ucross LIe mud Iucude oI LIe jucuI, LIe Iorses LrembIIng, smeIIIng wuLer.
TIe cupLuIn ruIsed IIs Iund und LIe sergeunL spoke und Lwo men dIsmounLed und
udvunced upon LIe IuL wILI rIIIes. TIey pusIed open u door mude oI ruwIIde und
enLered. n u Iew mInuLes LIey reuppeured.
Somebody's Iere somewIeres. TIey's IoL couIs.
TIe cupLuIn surveyed LIe dIsLunce wILI un uIr oI vIgIIunce. He dIsmounLed wILI LIe
puLIence oI one used Lo deuIIng wILI IncompeLence und crossed Lo LIe jucuI. WIen Ie
cume ouL Ie surveyed LIe LerruIn uguIn. TIe Iorses sIIILed und cIInked und sLumped
und LIe men puIIed LIeIr juws down und spoke rougIIy Lo LIem.
SergeunL.
YessIr.
TIese peopIe cunL be Iur. See II you cun IInd LIem. And see II LIere's uny Ioruge Iere
Ior LIe unImuIs.
oruge?
oruge.
TIe sergeunL pIuced u Iund on LIe cunLIe und Iooked ubouL uL LIe pIuce LIey were In
und sIook IIs Ieud und dIsmounLed.
TIey wenL LIrougI LIe jucuI und InLo LIe encIosure beIInd und ouL Lo LIe sLubIe. TIere
were no unImuIs und noLIIng buL u sLuII IuII IIIIed wILI dry soLoIs In LIe wuy oI Ieed.
TIey wuIked ouL LIe buck Lo u sInk umong LIe sLones wIere wuLer sLood und u LIIn
sLreum IIowed uwuy over LIe sund. TIere were IooIprInLs ubouL LIe Lunk und dry
% munure und some smuII bIrds run mInd essIy uIong LIe rIm oI LIe IILLIe creek.
TIe sergeunL Iud been squuLLIng on IIs IeeIs und now Ie rose und spuL. WeII, Ie suId.
s LIere uny dIrecLIon you cuInL see LwenLy mIIe In?
TIe recruILs sLudIed LIe empLIness ubouL.
donL beIIeve LIe IoIks Iere Is gone LIuL Iong.
TIey drunk und wuIked buck Lowurd LIe jucuI. Horses were beIng Ied uIong LIe nurrow
puLI.
TIe cupLuIn wus sLundIng wILI IIs LIumbs In IIs beIL.
cuInL see wIere LIey've goL Lo, suId LIe sergeunL.
WIuL's In LIe sIed.
Some oId dry Iodder.
TIe cupLuIn Irowned. TIey ougIL Lo Iuve u gouL or u Iog. SomeLIIng. CIIckens.
n u Iew mInuLes Lwo men cume druggIng un oId mun Irom LIe sLubIe. He wus covered
wILI dusL und dry cIuII und Ie IeId one urm ucross IIs eyes. He wus drugged mounIng
Lo LIe cupLuIn's IeeL wIere Ie Iuy prosLruLe In wIuL Iooked IIke wIndIngs oI wIILe coLLon.
He puL IIs Iunds over IIs eurs und IIs eIbows beIore IIs eyes IIke one cuIIed upon Lo
wILness some uppuIIIng LIIng. TIe cupLuIn Lurned uwuy In dIsgusL. TIe sergeunL Loed IIm
wILI IIs booL. WIuL's wrong wILI IIm? Ie suId.
- He's pIssIng IImseII, SergeunL. He's pIssIng IImseII. TIe cup uIn gesLured uL LIe mun
wILI IIs gIoves.
YessIr.
WeII geL IIm LIe IeII ouL oI Iere.
You wunL CundeIurIo Lo LuIk Lo IIm?
He's u IuIIwIL. GeL IIm uwuy Irom me.
TIey drugged LIe oId mun uwuy. He Iud begun Lo bubbIe buL no one IIsLened und In
LIe mornIng Ie wus gone.
TIey bIvouucked by LIe Lunk und LIe IurrIer suw Lo LIe muIes und ponIes LIuL Iud
LIrown sIoes und LIey worked on LIe wugons by IIreIIgIL Iur InLo LIe nIgIL. TIey seL
IorLI In u crImson duwn wIere sky und eurLI cIosed In u ruzorous pIune. OuL LIere durk
IILLIe urcIIpeIugos oI cIoud und LIe vusL worId oI sund und scrub sIeurIng upwurd InLo
LIe sIoreIess voId wIere LIose bIue IsIunds LrembIed und LIe eurLI grew uncerLuIn,
gruveIy cunLed und veerIng ouL LIrougI LIncLures oI rose und LIe durk beyond LIe duwn
Lo LIe uLLermosL rebuLe oI spuce.
TIey rode LIrougI regIons oI purLIcoIored sLone upLIrusL In rugged kerIs und sIeIves oI
1 Lruprock reured In IuuILs und unLI IInes curved buck upon LIemseIves und broken oII
IIke sLumps oI greuL sLone LreeboIes und sLones LIe IIgILnIng Iud cIove open, seeps
expIodIng In sLeum In some oId sLorm. TIey rode pusL Lrupdykes oI brown rock runnIng
down LIe nurrow cIInes oI LIe rIdges und onLo LIe pIuIn IIke LIe ruIns oI oId wuIIs,
sucI uugurIes everywIere oI LIe Iund oI mun beIore mun wus or uny IIvIng LIIng.
TIey pussed LIrougI u vIIIuge LIen und now In ruIns und LIey cumped In LIe wuIIs oI u
LuII mud cIurcI und burned LIe IuIIen LImbers oI LIe rooI Ior LIeIr IIre wIIIe owIs crIed
Irom LIe urcIes In LIe durk.
TIe IoIIowIng duy on LIe skyIIne Lo LIe souLI LIey suw cIouds oI dusL LIuL Iuy ucross
LIe eurLI Ior mIIes. TIey rode on, wuLcIIng LIe dusL unLII IL begun Lo neur und LIe
cupLuIn ruIsed IIs Iund Ior u IuIL und Look Irom IIs suddIebug IIs oId bruss cuvuIry
LeIescope und uncoupIed IL und swepL IL sIowIy over LIe Iund. TIe sergeunL suL IIs Iorse
besIde IIm und uILer u wIIIe LIe cupLuIn Iunded IIm LIe gIuss.
HeII oI u Ierd oI someLIIng.
beIIeve IL's Iorses.
How Iur oII do you muke LIem?
Hurd Lo LeII.
CuII CundeIurIo up Iere.
TIe sergeunL Lurned und moLIoned Ior LIe MexIcun. WIen Ie rode up Ie Iunded IIm
LIe gIuss und LIe MexIcun ruIsed IL Lo IIs eye und squInLed. TIen Ie Iowered LIe gIuss
und wuLcIed
wILI IIs nuked eyes und LIen Ie ruIsed IL und Iooked uguIn. TIen Ie suL IIs Iorse wILI
LIe gIuss uL IIs cIesL IIke u crucIIIx.
WeII? suId LIe cupLuIn.
He sIook IIs Ieud.
WIuL LIe IeII does LIuL meun? TIey're noL buIIuIo ure LIey?
No. LIInk muybe Iorses.
eL me Iuve LIe gIuss.
TIe MexIcun Iunded IIm LIe LeIescope und Ie gIussed LIe IorIzon uguIn und coIIupsed
LIe Lube sIuL wILI LIe IeeI oI IIs Iund und repIuced IL In IIs bug und ruIsed IIs Iund
und LIey wenL on.
TIey were cuLLIe, muIes, Iorses. TIere were severuI LIousund Ieud und LIey were
movIng quurLerwIse Lowurd LIe compuny. By IuLe uILernoon rIders were vIsIbIe Lo LIe
bure eye, u IundIuI oI rugged IndIuns mendIng LIe ouLer IIunks oI LIe Ierd wILI LIeIr
nImbIe ponIes. OLIers In IuLs, perIups MexIcuns. TIe sergeunL dropped buck Lo wIere
LIe cupLuIn wus rIdIng.
WIuL do you muke oI LIuL, CupLuIn?
muke IL u purceI oI IeuLIen sLockLIIeves Is wIuL muke IL. WIuL do you?
ooks IIke IL Lo me.
TIe cupLuIn wuLcIed LIrougI LIe gIuss. suppose LIey've seen us, Ie suId.
TIey've seen us.
How muny rIders do you muke IL?
A dozen muybe.
TIe cupLuIn Lupped LIe InsLrumenL In IIs gIoved Iund. TIey donL seem concerned, do
LIey?
No sIr. TIey donL.
TIe cupLuIn smIIed grImIy. We muy see u IILLIe sporL Iere beIore LIe duy Is ouL.
TIe IIrsL oI LIe Ierd begun Lo swIng pusL LIem In u puII oI yeIIow dusL, rungy sIuLrIbbed
cuLLIe wILI Iorns LIuL grew ugoggIe und no Lwo uIIke und smuII LIIn muIes couIbIuck
LIuL sIouIdered one unoLIer und reured LIeIr muIIeLsIuped Ieuds ubove LIe bucks oI LIe
oLIers und LIen more cuLLIe und IInuIIy LIe IIrsL oI LIe Ierders rIdIng up LIe ouLer sIde
und keepIng LIe sLock beLween LIemseIves und LIe mounLed compuny. BeIInd LIem
cume u Ierd oI severuI Iundred ponIes. TIe sergeunL Iooked Ior CundeIurIo. He kepL
buckIng uIong LIe runks buL Ie couId noL IInd IIm. He nudged IIs Iorse LIrougI LIe
coIumn und moved up LIe Iur sIde. TIe IuLLermosL oI LIe drovers were now comIng
LIrougI LIe dusL und LIe cupLuIn wus gesLurIng und sIouLIng. TIe ponIes Iud begun Lo
veer oII Irom LIe Ierd und LIe drovers were beuLIng LIeIr wuy Lowurd LIIs urmed
compuny meL wILI on LIe pIuIn. AIreudy you couId see LIrougI LIe dusL on LIe ponIes'
IIdes LIe puInLed cIevrons und LIe Iunds und rIsIng suns und bIrds und IIsI oI every
devIce IIke LIe sIude oI oId work LIrougI sIzIng on u cunvus und now Loo you couId
# Ieur ubove LIe pound ng oI LIe unsIod Iooves LIe pIpIng oI LIe quenu, IIuLes nIude
Irom Iumun bones, und some umong LIe compuny Iud begun Lo suw buck on LIeIr
mounLs und some Lo mIII In conIusIon wIen up Irom LIe oIIsIde oI LIose ponIes LIere
rose u IubIed Iorde oI mounLed Iuncers und urcIers beurIng sIIeIds bedIgIL wILI bILs oI
broken mIrrorgIuss LIuL cusL u LIousund unpIeced suns uguInsL LIe eyes oI LIeIr enemIes.
A IegIon oI IorrIbIes, Iundreds In number, IuII nuked or cIud In cosLumes uLLIc or
bIbIIcuI or wurdrobed ouL oI u Ievered dreum wILI LIe skIns oI unImuIs und sIIk IInery
und pIeces oI unIIorm sLIII Lrucked wILI LIe bIood oI prIor owners, couLs oI sIuIn
drugoons, Irogged und bruIded cuvuIry juckeLs, one In u sLovepIpe IuL und one wILI un
umbreIIu und one In wIILe sLockIngs und u bIoodsLuIned weddIngveII und some In
Ieudgeur oI cruneIeuLIers or ruwIIde IeImeLs LIuL bore LIe Iorns oI buII or buIIuIo und
) one In u pIgeonLuIIed couL worn buck urds und oLIerwIse nuked und one In LIe urmor
oI u SpunIsI conquIsLudor, LIe breusLpIuLe und puuIdrons deepIy denLed wILI oId bIows
oI muce or subre done In unoLIer counLry by men wIose very bones were dusL und
muny wILI LIeIr bruIds spIIced up wILI LIe IuIr oI oLIer beusLs unLII LIey LruIIed upon
LIe ground und LIeIr Iorses' eurs und LuIIs worked wILI bILs oI brIgILIy coIored cIoLI
und one wIose Iorse's wIoIe Ieud wus puInLed crImson red und uII LIe Iorsemen's Iuces
guudy und groLesque wILI duubIngs IIke u compuny oI mounLed cIowns, deuLI IIIurIous,
uII IowIIng In u burburous Longue und rIdIng down upon LIem IIke u Iorde Irom u IeII
! more IorrIbIe yeL LIun LIe brIm Lone Iund oI CIrIsLIun reckonIng, screecIIng und
yummerIng und cIoLIed In smoke IIke LIose vuporous beIngs In regIons beyond rIgIL
knowIng wIere LIe eye wunders und LIe IIp jerks und drooIs.
OI my god, suId LIe sergeunL.
A ruLLIIng drove oI urrows pussed LIrougI LIe compuny und men LoLLered und dropped
# Irom LIeIr mounLs. Horses were reur ng und pIungIng und LIe mongoI Iordes swung
up uIong LIeIr IIunks und Lurned und rode IuII upon LIem wILI Iunces.
TIe compuny wus now come Lo u IuIL und LIe IIrsL sIoLs were IIred und LIe gruy
rIIIesmoke roIIed LIrougI LIe dusL us LIe Iuncers breucIed LIeIr runks. TIe kId's Iorse
sunk beneuLI IIm wILI u Iong pneumuLIc sIgI. He Iud uIreudy IIred IIs rIIIe und now
Ie suL on LIe ground und IumbIed wILI IIs sIoLpoucI. A mun neur IIm suL wILI un
urrow IungIng ouL oI IIs neck. He wus benL sIIgILIy us II In pruyer. TIe kId wouId Iuve
reucIed Ior LIe bIoody Ioop-Iron poInL buL LIen Ie suw LIuL LIe mun wore unoLIer
urrow In IIs breusL Lo LIe IIeLcIIng und Ie wus deud. EverywIere LIere were Iorses
down und men scrumbIIng und Ie suw u mun wIo suL cIurgIng IIs rIIIe wIIIe bIood run
Irom IIs eurs und Ie suw men wILI LIeIr revoIvers dIsussembIed LryIng Lo IIL LIe spure
Iouded cyIInders LIey currIed und Ie suw men kneeIIng wIo LIILed und cIusped LIeIr
sIudows on LIe ground und Ie suw men Iunced und cuugIL up by LIe IuIr und scuIped
sLundIng und Ie suw LIe Iorses oI wur LrumpIe down LIe IuIIen und u IILLIe wIILeIuced
pony wILI one cIouded eye Ieuned ouL oI LIe murk und snupped uL IIm IIke u dog und
wus gone. Among LIe wounded some seemed dumb und wILIouL undersLundIng und
some were puIe LIrougI LIe musks oI dusL und some Iud IouIed LIemseIves or LoLLered
brokenIy onLo LIe speurs oI LIe suvuges. Now drIvIng In u wIId IrIeze oI IeudIong Iorses
wILI eyes wuIIed und LeeLI cropped und nuked rIders wILI cIusLers oI urrows cIencIed In
LIeIr juws und LIeIr sIIeIds wInkIng In LIe dusL und up LIe Iur sIde oI LIe ruIned runks
In u pIpIng oI boneIIuLes und droppIng down oII LIe sIdes oI LIeIr mounLs wILI one IeeI
Iung In LIe wILIers sLrup und LIeIr sIorL bows IIexIng beneuLI LIe ouLsLreLcIed necks oI
LIe ponIes unLII LIey Iud cIrcIed LIe compuny und cuL LIeIr runks In Lwo und LIen
rIsIng up uguIn IIke IunIouse IIgures, some wILI nIgILmure Iuces puInLed on LIeIr
breusLs, rIdIng down LIe unIorsed Suxons und speurIng und cIubbIng LIem und IeupIng
Irom LIeIr mounLs wILI knIves und runnIng ubouL on LIe ground wILI u pecuIIur
bundyIegged LroL IIke creuLures drIven Lo uIIen Iorms oI IocomoLIon und sLrIppIng LIe
cIoLIes Irom LIe deud und seIzIng LIem up by LIe IuIr und pussIng LIeIr bIudes ubouL
LIe skuIIs oI LIe IIvIng und LIe deud uIIke und snuLcIIng uIoIL LIe bIoody wIgs und
IuckIng und cIoppIng uL LIe nuked bodIes, rIppIng oII IImbs, Ieuds, guLLIng LIe sLrunge
wIILe Lorsos und IoIdIng up greuL IundIuIs oI vIsceru, genILuIs, some oI LIe suvuges so
sIuLIered up wILI gore LIey mIgIL Iuve roIIed In IL IIke dogs und some wIo IeII upon
LIe dyIng und sodomIzed LIem wILI Ioud crIes Lo LIeIr IeIIows. And now LIe Iorses oI
LIe deud cume poundIng ouL oI LIe smoke und dusL und cIrcIed wILI IIuppIng IeuLIer
und wIId munes und eyes wIILed wILI Ieur IIke LIe eyes oI LIe bIInd und some were
IeuLIered wILI urrows und some Iunced LIrougI und sLumbIIng und vomILIng bIood us
LIey wIeeIed ucross LIe kIIIIng ground und cIuLLered Irom sIgIL uguIn. DusL sLuncIed LIe
weL und nuked Ieuds oI LIe scuIped wIo wILI LIe IrInge oI IuIr beIow LIeIr wounds und
Lonsured Lo LIe bone now Iuy IIke muImed und nuked monks In LIe bIoodsIuked dusL
und everywIere LIe dyIng grouned und gIbbered und Iorses Iuy screumIng.
V
AdrIIL on LIe BoIson de MupImI - SprouIe -
Tree oI deud bubIes ?Scenes Irom u mussucre -SopIIoLes -
TIe murdered In LIe cIurcI - NIgIL umong LIe deud - WoIves -
TIe wusIers uL LIe Iord - AIooL wesLwurd - A mIruge - An encounLer
wILI bundILs ?ALLucked by u vumpIre ?DIggIng u weII - A crossrouds
In LIe wusLe - TIe curreLu - DeuLI oI SprouIe - Under urresL -
TIe cupLuIn's Ieud ?SurvIvors ?On Lo CIIIuuIuu ?
TIe cILy - TIe prIson - ToudvIne.
WILI durkness one souI rose wondrousIy Irom umong LIe new sIuIn deud und sLoIe uwuy
In LIe moonIIgIL. TIe ground wIere Ie'd IuIn wus souked wILI bIood und wILI urIne
Irom LIe voIded bIudders oI LIe unImuIs und Ie wenL IorLI sLuIned und sLInkIng IIke
some reekIng Issue oI LIe IncurnuLe dum oI wur IerseII. TIe suvuges Iud moved Lo
IIgIer ground und Ie couId see LIe IIgIL Irom LIeIr IIres und Ieur LIem sIngIng, u
sLrunge und pIuInLIve cIunLIng up LIere wIere LIey'd gone Lo rousL muIes. He mude IIs
wuy umong LIe puIe und dIsmembered, umong LIe spruwIed und IegIIung Iorses, und Ie
Look u reckonIng by LIe sLurs und seL oII souLI uIooL. TIe nIgIL wore u LIousund sIupes
ouL LIere In LIe brusI und Ie kepL IIs eyes Lo LIe ground uIeud. SLurIIgIL und wunIng
moon mude u IuInL sIudow oI IIs wunderIngs on LIe durk oI LIe deserL und uII uIong
LIe rIdges LIe woIves were IowIIng und movIng norLI Lowurd LIe sIuugILer. He wuIked
uII nIgIL und sLIII Ie couId see LIe IIres beIInd IIm.
WILI duyIIgIL Ie mude IIs wuy Lowurd some ouLcroppIngs oI rock u mIIe ucross LIe
vuIIey IIoor. He wus cIImbIng umong LIe sLrewn und LumbIed bouIders wIen Ie Ieurd u
voIce cuIIIng somewIere In LIuL vusLness. He Iooked ouL over LIe pIuIn buL Ie couId see
no one. WIen LIe voIce cuIIed uguIn Ie Lurned und suL Lo resL und soon Ie suw
someLIIng movIng uIong LIe sIope, u rug oI u mun cIumberIng Lowurd IIm over LIe LuIus
# sIIdes. PIck ng IIs wuy wILI cure, IookIng beIInd IIm. TIe kId couId see LIuL noLIIng
IoIIowed.
He wore u bIunkeL over IIs sIouIders und IIs sIIrLsIeeve wus rIpped und durk wILI
bIood und Ie currIed LIuL urm uguInsL IIm wILI IIs oLIer Iund. HIs nume wus SprouIe.
EIgIL oI LIem Iud escuped. HIs Iorse Iud currIed oII severuI urrows und IL cuved under
IIm In LIe nIgIL und LIe oLIers Iud gone on, LIe cupLuIn umong LIem.
TIey suL sIde by sIde umong LIe rocks und wuLcIed LIe duy IengLIen on LIe pIuIn
beIow.
DId you noL suve uny oI your possIbIes? SprouIe suId.
TIe kId spuL und sIook IIs Ieud. He Iooked uL SprouIe.
How bud Is your urm?
He puIIed IL Lo IIm. 've seen worse, Ie suId.
TIey suL IookIng ouL over LIose reucIes oI sund und rock und wInd.
WIuL kInd oI ndIuns wus LIem?
donL know.
SprouIe cougIed deepIy InLo IIs IIsL. He puIIed IIs bIoody urm uguInsL IIm. Dumn II
LIey uInL ubouL u cuuLIon Lo LIe CIrIsLIuns, Ie suId.
TIey IuId up In LIe sIude oI u rock sIeII unLII pusL noon, scruLcIIng ouL u pIuce In LIe
gruy Iuvu dusL Lo sIeep, und LIey seL IorLI In LIe uILernoon down LIe vuIIey IoIIowIng
LIe wur LruII und LIey were very smuII und LIey moved very sIowIy In LIe ImmensILy oI
LIuL Iundscupe.
Come evenIng LIey Iove Lowurd LIe rImrock uguIn und SprouIe poInLed ouL u durk sLuIn
on LIe Iuce oI LIe burren cIIII. L Iooked IIke LIe bIuck Irom oId IIres. TIe kId sIIeIded
IIs eyes. TIe scuIIoped cunyon wuIIs rIppIed In LIe IeuL IIke drupery IoIds.
L mIgIL couId be u seep, suId SprouIe.
L's u Iong wuys up LIere.
WeII II you see uny wuLer cIoser IeL's muke Ior LIuL.
TIe kId Iooked uL IIm und LIey seL oII.
TIe sILe Iuy up u druw und LIeIr wuy wus u jumbIe oI IuIIen rock und scorIu und
deudIyIookIng buyoneL pIunLs. SmuII bIuck und oIIvecoIored sIrubs bIusLed under LIe sun.
TIey sLumbIed up LIe crucked cIuy IIoor oI u dry wuLercourse. TIey resLed und moved
on.
TIe seep Iuy IIgI up umong LIe Iedges, vudose wuLer drIppIng down LIe sIIck bIuck rock
und monkeyIIower und deuLIcumus IungIng In u smuII und perIIous gurden. TIe wuLer
LIuL reucIed LIe cunyon IIoor wus no more LIun u LrIckIe und LIey Ieuned by Lurns wILI
pursed IIps Lo LIe sLone IIke devouLs uL u sIrIne.
TIey pussed LIe nIgIL In u sIuIIow cuve ubove LIIs spoL, un oId reIIquury oI
IIInLknuppIngs und ruLcIeI scuLLered ubouL on LIe sLone IIoor wILI beuds oI sIeII und
1 poIIsIed bone und LIe cIur ouI oI uncIenL IIres. TIey sIured LIe bIunkeL In LIe coId
und SprouIe cougIed quIeLIy In LIe durk und LIey rose Irom LIme Lo LIme Lo descend
und drInk uL LIe sLone. TIey were gone beIore sunrIse und LIe duwn Iound LIem on LIe
pIuIn uguIn.
TIey IoIIowed LIe LrumpIed ground IeIL by LIe wurpurLy und In LIe uILernoon LIey cume
upon u muIe LIuL Iud IuIIed und been Iunced und IeIL deud und LIen LIey cume upon
unoLIer. TIe wuy nurrowed LIrougI rocks und by und by LIey cume Lo u busI LIuL wus
Iung wILI deud bubIes.
TIey sLopped sIde by sIde, reeIIng In LIe IeuL. TIese smuII vIcLIms, seven, eIgIL oI LIem,
Iud IoIes puncIed In LIeIr under-juws und were Iung so by LIeIr LIrouLs Irom LIe
broken sLobs oI u mesquILe Lo sLure eyeIess uL LIe nuked sky. BuId und puIe und bIouLed,
IurvuI Lo some unreckonubIe beIng. TIe cusLuwuys IobbIed pusL, LIey Iooked buck.
" NoLIIng moved. n LIe uILer oon LIey cume upon u vIIIuge on LIe pIuIn wIere smoke
sLIII rose Irom LIe ruIns und uII were gone Lo deuLI. rom u dIsLunce IL Iooked IIke u
decuyIng brIck kIIn. TIey sLood wILIouL LIe wuIIs u Iong LIme IIsLenIng Lo LIe sIIence
beIore LIey enLered.
TIey wenL sIowIy LIrougI LIe IILLIe mud sLreeLs. TIere were gouLs und sIeep sIuIn In
LIeIr pens und pIgs deud In LIe mud. TIey pussed mud IoveIs wIere peopIe Iuy
- murdered In uII uLLI udes oI deuLI In LIe doorwuys und LIe IIoors, nuked und swoIIen
und sLrunge. TIey Iound pIuLes oI Iood IuII euLen und u cuL cume ouL und suL In LIe
sun und wuLcIed LIem wILIouL InLeresL und IIIes snurIed everywIere In LIe sLIII IoL uIr.
AL LIe end oI LIe sLreeL LIey cume Lo u pIuzu wILI bencIes und Lrees wIere vuILures
IuddIed In IouI bIuck rookerIes. A deud Iorse Iuy In LIe squure und some cIIckens were
peckIng In u puLcI oI spIIIed meuI In u doorwuy. CIurred poIes Iuy smoIderIng wIere LIe
rooIs Iud IuIIen LIrougI und u burro wus sLundIng In LIe open door oI LIe cIurcI.
TIey suL on u bencI und SprouIe IeId IIs wounded urm Lo IIs cIesL und rocked buck
und IorLI und bIInked In LIe sun.
WIuL do you wunL Lo do? suId LIe kId.
GeL u drInk oI wuLer.
OLIer LIun LIuL.
donL know.
You wunL Lo Lry und Ieud buck?
To Texus?
donL know wIere eIse.
We'd never muke IL.
WeII you suy.
uInL goL no suy.
He wus cougIIng uguIn. He IeId IIs cIesL wILI IIs good Iund und suL us II Ie'd geL IIs
breuLI.
WIuL Iuve you goL, u coId?
goL consumpLIon.
ConsumpLIon?
He nodded. come ouL Iere Ior my IeuILI.
TIe kId Iooked uL IIm. He sIook IIs Ieud und rose und wuIked oII ucross LIe pIuzu
Lowurd LIe cIurcI. TIere were buzzurds squuLLIng umong LIe oId curved wooden corbeIs
und Ie pIcked up u sLone und squuIIed IL uL LIem buL LIey never moved.
TIe sIudows Iud grown Iong In LIe pIuzu und IILLIe coIIs oI dusL were movIng In LIe
purcIed cIuy sLreeLs. TIe currIon bIrds suL ubouL LIe LopmosL corners oI LIe Iouses wILI
! LIeIr wIngs ouL LreLcIed In uLLILudes oI exIorLuLIon IIke durk IILLIe bIsIops. TIe kId
reLurned Lo LIe bencI und propped up one IooL und Ieuned on IIs knee. SprouIe suL us
beIore, sLIII IoIdIng IIs urm.
Son oI u bILcI Is deuIIn me mIsery, Ie suId.
TIe kId spuL und Iooked oII down LIe sLreeL. We beLLer jusL IoId up Iere Ior LonIgIL.
You reckon IL wouId be uII rIgIL?
WIo wILI?
WIuL II LIem ndIuns wus Lo come buck?
WIuL wouId LIey come buck Ior?
WeII wIuL II LIey wus Lo?
TIey wonL come buck.
He IeId IIs urm.
wIsI you Iud u knIIe on you, LIe kId suId.
wIsI you dId.
TIere's meuL Iere II u mun Iud u knIIe.
uInL Iungry.
LIInk we ougIL Lo scouL LIese Iouses und see wIuL uII's Iere.
You go on.
We need Lo IInd us u pIuce Lo sIeep.
SprouIe Iooked uL IIm. donL need Lo go nowIeres, Ie suId.
WeII. You suIL yourseII.
SprouIe cougIed und spuL. uIm Lo, Ie suId.
TIe kId Lurned und wenL on down LIe sLreeL.
TIe doorwuys were Iow und Ie Iud Lo sLoop Lo cIeur LIe IInLeI beums, sLeppIng down
InLo LIe cooI und eurLIy rooms. TIere wus no IurnILure suve puIIeLs Ior sIeepIng,
perIups u wooden meuIbIn. He wenL Irom Iouse Lo Iouse. n one room LIe bones oI u
smuII Ioom bIuck und smoIderIng. n unoLIer u mun, LIe cIurred IIesI druwn LuuL, LIe
eyes cooked In LIeIr sockeLs. TIere wus u nIcIe In LIe mud wuII wILI IIgures oI suInLs
dressed In doII's cIoLIes, LIe rude wooden Iuces brIgILIy puInLed. IIusLruLIons cuL Irom
un oId journuI und pusLed Lo LIe wuII, u smuII pIcLure oI u queen, u gypsy curd LIuL wus
LIe Iour oI cups. TIere were sLrIngs oI drIed peppers und u Iew gourds. A gIuss boLLIe
LIuL IeId weeds. OuLsIde u bure dIrL yurd Ienced wILI ocoLIIIo und u round cIuy oven
cuved LIrougI wIere bIuck curd LrembIed In LIe IIgIL wILIIn.
He Iound u cIuy jur oI beuns und some dry LorLIIIus und Ie Look LIem Lo u Iouse uL LIe
end oI LIe sLreeL wIere LIe embers oI LIe rooI were sLIII smoIderIng und Ie wurmed LIe
Iood In LIe usIes und uLe, squuLLIng LIere IIke some deserLer scuvengIng LIe ruIns oI u
cILy Ie'd IIed.
WIen Ie reLurned Lo LIe squure SprouIe wus gone. AII ubouL Iuy In sIudow. He crossed
LIe squure und mounLed LIe sLone sLeps Lo LIe door oI LIe cIurcI und enLered. SprouIe
wus sLundIng In LIe vesLIbuIe. ong buLLresses oI IIgIL IeII Irom LIe IIgI wIndows In LIe
wesLern wuII. TIere were no pews In LIe cIurcI und LIe sLone IIoor wus Ieuped wILI
LIe scuIped und nuked und purLIy euLen bodIes oI some IorLy souIs wIo'd burrIcuded
! LIem eIves In LIIs Iouse oI God uguInsL LIe IeuLIen. TIe suvuges Iud Iucked IoIes In
LIe rooI und sIoL LIem down Irom ubove und LIe IIoor wus IILLered wILI urrowsIuILs
wIere LIey'd snupped LIem oII Lo geL LIe cIoLIes Irom LIe bodIes. TIe uILurs Iud been
IuuIed down und LIe LubernucIe IooLed und LIe greuL sIeepIng God oI LIe MexIcuns
rouLed Irom IIs goIden cup. TIe prImILIve puInLed suInLs In LIeIr Irumes Iung cocked on
LIe wuIIs us II un eurLIquuke Iud vIsILed und u deud CIrIsL In u gIuss bIer Iuy broken In
LIe cIunceI IIoor.
TIe murdered Iuy In u greuL pooI oI LIeIr communuI bIood. L Iud seL up InLo u sorL oI
puddIng crossed everywIere wILI LIe Lrucks oI woIves or dogs und uIong LIe edges IL
Iud drIed und crucked InLo u burgundy cerumIc. BIood Iuy In durk Longues on LIe IIoor
und bIood grouLed LIe IIugsLones und run In LIe vesLIbuIe wIere LIe sLones were cupped
Irom LIe IeeL oI LIe IuILIIuI und LIeIr IuLIers beIore LIem und IL Iud LIreuded ILs wuy
down LIe sLeps und drIpped Irom LIe sLones umong LIe durk red Lrucks oI LIe
scuvengers.
SprouIe Lurned und Iooked uL LIe kId us II Ie'd know IIs LIougILs buL LIe kId jusL
sIook IIs Ieud. IIes cIumbered over LIe peeIed und wIgIess skuIIs oI LIe deud und IIIes
wuIked on LIeIr sIrunken eyebuIIs.
Come on, suId LIe kId.
TIey crossed LIe squure In LIe IusL oI LIe IIgIL und wenL down LIe nurrow sLreeL. n
LIe doorwuy LIere Iuy u deud cIIId wILI Lwo buzzurds sILLIng on IL. SprouIe sIooed IIs
good Iund uL LIe buzzurds und LIey buLed und IIssed und IIupped cIumsIIy buL LIey dId
noL IIy.
TIey seL IorLI In LIe mornIng wILI IIrsL IIgIL wIIIe woIves sIunk Irom LIe doorwuys und
dIssoIved In LIe Iog oI LIe sLreeLs. TIey wenL by LIe souLIwesL roud LIe wuy LIe suvuges
Iud come. A IILLIe sundy sLreum, coLLonwoods, LIree wIILe gouLs. TIey wuded u Iord
wIere women Iuy deud uL LIeIr wusI.
TIey sLruggIed uII duy ucross u Lerru dumnuLu oI smokIng sIug, pussIng Irom LIme Lo
LIme LIe bIouLed sIupes oI deud muIes or Iorses. By evenIng LIey Iud drunk uII LIe
wuLer LIey currIed. TIey sIepL In LIe sund und woke In LIe cooI eurIy mornIng durk und
wenL on und LIey wuIked LIe cInderIund LIII LIey were neur Lo IuInLIng. n LIe uILernoon
LIey cume upon u curreLu In LIe Lruce, LIILed on ILs Longue, LIe greuL wIeeIs cuL Irom
rounds oI u coLLonwood Lrunk und pInned Lo LIe uxIeLrees wILI Lenons. TIey cruwIed
under IL Ior sIude und sIepL unLII durk und wenL on.
TIe rInd oI u moon LIuL Iud been In LIe sky uII duy wus gone und LIey IoIIowed LIe
LruII LIrougI LIe deserL by sLurIIgIL, LIe PIeIudes sLruIgIL overIeud und very smuII und
LIe GreuL Beur wuIkIng LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe norLI.
My urm sLInks, suId SprouIe.
WIuL?
suId my urm sLInks.
You wunL me Lo Iook uL IL?
WIuL Ior? You cuInL do noLIIn Ior IL.
WeII. You suIL yourseII.
uIm Lo, suId SprouIe.
TIey wenL on. TwIce In LIe nIgIL LIey Ieurd LIe IILLIe pruIrIe vIpers ruLLIe umong LIe
scrub und LIey were uIruId. WILI LIe duwn LIey were cIImbIng umong sIuIe und
wIInsLone under LIe wuII oI u durk monocIIne wIere LurreLs sLood IIke busuIL propIeLs
und LIey pussed by LIe sIde oI LIe roud IILLIe wooden crosses propped In cuIrns oI sLone
wIere LruveIers Iud meL wILI deuLI. TIe roud wIndIng up umong LIe IIIIs und LIe
cusLuwuys IuborIng upon LIe swILcIbucks, bIuckenIng under LIe sun, LIeIr eyebuIIs
InIIumed und LIe puInLed specLru rucIng ouL uL LIe corners. CIImbIng up LIrougI ocoLIIIo
und prIckIypeur wIere LIe rocks LrembIed und sIeured In LIe sun, rock und no wuLer
und LIe sundy Lruce und LIey kepL wuLcI Ior uny green LIIng LIuL mIgIL LeII oI wuLer
buL LIere wus no wuLer. TIe uLe pInoIe Irom u bug wILI LIeIr IIngers und wenL on.
TIrougI LIe noon IeuL und InLo LIe dusk wIere IIzurds Iuy wILI LIeIr IeuLIer cIIns IIuL
Lo LIe cooIIng rocks und Iended oII LIe worId wILI LIIn smIIes und eyes IIke crucked
sLone pIuLes.
TIey cresLed LIe mounLuIn uL sunseL und LIey couId see Ior mIIes. An Immense Iuke Iuy
beIow LIem wILI LIe dIsLunL bIue mounLuIns sLundIng In LIe wIndIess spun oI wuLer und
LIe sIupe oI u sourIng Iuwk und Lrees LIuL sIImmered In LIe IeuL und u dIsLunL cILy
very wIILe uguInsL LIe bIue und sIuded IIIIs. TIey suL und wuLcIed. TIey suw LIe sun
drop under LIe jugged rIm oI LIe eurLI Lo LIe wesL und LIey suw IL IIure beIInd LIe
- moun uIns und LIey suw LIe Iuce oI LIe Iuke durken und LIe sIupe oI LIe cILy dIssoIve
upon IL. TIey sIepL umong LIe rocks Iuce up IIke deud men und In LIe mornIng wIen
LIey rose LIere wus no cILy und no Lrees und no Iuke onIy u burren dusLy pIuIn.
SprouIe grouned und coIIupsed buck umong LIe rocks. TIe kId Iooked uL IIm. TIere
were bIIsLers uIong IIs Iower IIp und IIs urm LIrougI LIe rIpped sIIrL wus swoIIen und
someLIIng IouI Iud seeped LIrougI umong LIe durker bIoodsLuIns. He Lurned buck und
Iooked ouL over LIe vuIIey.
Yonder comes somebody, Ie suId.
SprouIe dIdnL unswer. TIe kId Iooked uL IIm. uInL IyIn, Ie suId.
ndIuns, suId SprouIe. AInL IL?
donL know. Too Iur Lo LeII.
WIuL do you uIm Lo do?
donL know.
WIuL Iuppened Lo LIe Iuke?
couIdnL LeII ye.
We boLI suw IL.
PeopIe see wIuL LIey wunL Lo see.
TIen Iow come uInL seeIn IL now? sure us IeII wunL Lo.
TIe kId Iooked ouL over LIe pIuIn beIow.
WIuL II IL's IndIuns? suId SprouIe.
IkeIy IL wIII be.
WIere cun we IIde uL?
TIe kId spuL dryIy und wIped IIs mouLI wILI LIe buck oI IIs Iund. A IIzurd cume ouL
Irom under u rock und croucIed on ILs smuII cocked eIbows over LIuL pIece oI IroLI und
drunk IL dry und reLurned Lo LIe rock uguIn IeuvIng onIy u IuInL spoL In LIe sund wIIcI
vunIsIed uImosL InsLunLIy.
TIey wuILed uII duy. TIe kId mude sorLIes down InLo LIe cunyons In seurcI oI wuLer buL
Ie Iound none. NoLIIng moved In LIuL purguLorIuI wusLe suve curnIvorous bIrds. By eurIy
" uILer oon LIey couId see LIe Iorsemen on LIe swILcIbucks comIng up LIe Iuce oI LIe
mounLuIn beIow LIem. TIey were MexIcuns.
SprouIe wus sILLIng wILI IIs Iegs ouLsLreLcIed beIore IIm. wus worrIed ubouL my oId
booLs IusLIn me, Ie suId. He Iooked up. Go on, Ie suId. Suve yourseII. He wuved IIs
Iund.
TIey were IuId up under u Iedge oI rock In u nurrow sIude. TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
WILIIn LIe Iour LIey couId Ieur LIe dry scrubbIe oI Iooves umong LIe rocks und LIe
cIunk oI geur. TIe IIrsL Iorse Lo round LIe poInL oI rock und puss LIrougI LIe gup In
LIe mounLuIn wus LIe cupLuIn's bIg buy und Ie currIed LIe cupLuIn's suddIe buL Ie dId
noL curry LIe cupLuIn. TIe reIugees sLood by LIe sIde oI LIe roud. TIe rIders Iooked
burnL und Iuggurd comIng up ouL oI LIe sun und LIey suL LIeIr Iorses us II LIey Iud
no weIgIL uL uII. TIere were seven oI LIem, eIgIL oI LIem. TIey wore broudbrImmed
IuLs und IeuLIer vesLs und LIey currIed escopeLus ucross LIe pommeIs oI LIeIr suddIes
und us LIey rode pusL LIe Ieuder nodded gruveIy Lo LIem Irom LIe cupLuIn's Iorse und
LoucIed IIs IuLbrIm und LIey rode on.
SprouIe und LIe kId Iooked uILer LIem. TIe kId cuIIed ouL und SprouIe Iud sLurLed Lo
LroL cIumsIIy uIong beIInd LIe Iorses.
TIe rIders begun Lo sIump und reeI IIke drunks. TIeIr Ieuds IoIIed. TIeIr guIIuws ecIoed
umong LIe rocks und LIey Lurned LIeIr mounLs und suL LIem und regurded LIe
wunderers wILI Iuge grIns.
Que quIere? crIed LIe Ieuder.
TIe rIders cuckIed und sIupped uL one unoLIer. TIey Iud nudged LIeIr Iorses Iorwurd
und LIey begun Lo rIde LIem ubouL wILIouL uIm. TIe Ieuder Lurned Lo LIe Lwo uIooL.
Buscun u Ios IndIos?
WILI LIIs some oI LIe men dIsmounLed und IeII Lo IuggIng one unoLIer und weepIng
sIumeIessIy. TIe Ieuder Iooked uL LIem und grInned, IIs LeeLI wIILe und mussIve, mude
Ior IorugIng.
oonIes, suId SprouIe. TIey're IoonIes.
TIe kId Iooked up uL LIe Ieuder. How ubouL u drInk oI wuLer? Ie suId.
TIe Ieuder sobered, Ie puIIed u Iong Iuce. WuLer? Ie suId.
We uInL goL no wuLer, suId SprouIe.
BuL my IrIend, Iow no? s very dry Iere.
He reucIed beIInd IIm wILIouL LurnIng und u IeuLIer cunLeen wus pussed ucross LIe
rIders Lo IIs Iund. He sIook IL und oIIered IL down. TIe kId puIIed LIe sLopper und
drunk und sLood punLIng und drunk uguIn. TIe Ieuder reucIed down und Lupped LIe
cunLeen. BusLu, Ie suId.
He Iung on guIpIng. He couId noL see LIe Iorsemun's Iuce durken. TIe mun sIucked
one booL buckwurd ouL oI LIe sLIrrup und kIcked LIe cunLeen cIeunIy Irom beLween LIe
kId's Iunds IeuvIng IIm LIere Ior u momenL In u Irozen gesLure oI cuIIIng wILI LIe
cunLeen rIsIng und LurnIng In LIe uIr und LIe Iobes oI wuLer gIeumIng ubouL IL In LIe
sun beIore IL cIuLLered Lo LIe rocks. SprouIe scrumbIed uILer IL und snuLcIed IL up wIere
, IL Iuy druInIng und begun Lo drInk, wuLcIIng over LIe rIm. TIe Iorse un und LIe kId
wuLcIed eucI oLIer. SprouIe suL buck guspIng und cougIIng.
TIe kId sLepped ucross LIe rocks und Look LIe cunLeen Irom IIm. TIe Ieuder kneed IIs
Iorse Iorwurd und drew u sword Irom ILs pIuce beneuLI IIs Ieg und IeunIng Iorwurd run
LIe bIude under LIe sLrup und ruIsed IL up. TIe poInL oI LIe bIude wus ubouL LIree
IncIes Irom LIe kId's Iuce und LIe cunLeen sLrup wus druped ucross LIe IIuL oI IL. TIe
kId Iud sLopped und LIe rIder ruIsed LIe cunLeen genLIy Irom IIs Iunds und IeL IL sIIde
down LIe bIude und come Lo resL uL IIs sIde. He Lurned Lo LIe men und smIIed und
LIey once uguIn begun Lo IooL und Lo pummeI one unoLIer IIke upes.
He swung LIe sLopper up Irom wIere IL Iung by u LIong und drove IL Iome wILI LIe
IeeI oI IIs Iund. He pILcIed LIe cunLeen Lo LIe mun beIInd IIm und Iooked down uL
LIe LruveIers. WIy you no IIde? Ie suId.
rom you?
rom .
We were LIIrsLy.
Very LIIrsLy. EI?
TIey dIdnL unswer. He wus LuppIng LIe IIuL oI LIe sword IIgILIy uguInsL LIe Iorn oI IIs
# suddIe und Ie seemed Lo be Iorm ng words In IIs mInd. He Ieuned sIIgILIy Lo LIem.
WIen LIe Iumbs Is IosL In LIe mounLuIn, Ie suId. TIey Is cry. SomeLIme come LIe
moLIer. SomeLIme LIe woII. He smIIed uL LIem und ruIsed LIe sword und run IL buck
wIere IL Iud come Irom und Lurned LIe Iorse smurLIy und LroLLed IL LIrougI LIe Iorses
beIInd IIm und LIe men mounLed up und IoIIowed und soon uII were gone.
SprouIe suL wILIouL movIng. TIe kId Iooked uL IIm buL Ie wouId Iook uwuy. He wus
wounded In un enemy counLry Iur Irom Iome und uILIougI IIs eyes Look In LIe uIIen
sLones ubouL yeL LIe greuLer voId beyond seemed Lo swuIIow up IIs souI.
TIey descended LIe mounLuIn, goIng down over LIe rocks wILI LIeIr Iunds ouLIeId
beIore LIem und LIeIr sIudows conLorLed on LIe broken LerruIn IIke creuLures seekIng
LIeIr own Iorms. TIey reucIed LIe vuIIey IIoor uL dusk und seL oII ucross LIe bIue und
cooIIng Iund, LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe wesL u IIne oI jugged sIuLe seL endwIse In LIe eurLI
und LIe dry weeds IeeIIng und LwIsLIng In u wInd sprung Irom nowIere.
TIey wuIked on InLo LIe durk und LIey sIepL IIke dogs In LIe sund und Iud been
sIeepIng so wIen someLIIng bIuck IIupped up ouL oI LIe nIgIL ground und percIed on
SprouIe's cIesL. Ine IIngerbones sLuyed LIe IeuLIer wIngs wILI wIIcI IL sLeudIed us IL
wuIked upon IIm. A wrInkIed pug Iuce, smuII und vIcIous, bure IIps crImped In u
% IorrIbIe smIIe und LeeLI puIe bIue In LIe sLur IgIL. L Ieuned Lo IIm. L cruILed In IIs
neck Lwo nurrow grooves und IoIdIng ILs wIngs over IIm IL begun Lo drInk IIs bIood.
NoL soIL enougI. He woke, puL up u Iund. He sIrIeked und LIe bIoodbuL IIuIIed und suL
buck upon IIs cIesL und rIgILed ILseII uguIn und IIssed und cIIcked ILs LeeLI.
TIe kId wus up und Iud seIzed u rock buL LIe buL sprung uwuy und vunIsIed In LIe
durk. SprouIe wus cIuwIng uL IIs neck und Ie wus gIbberIng IysLerIcuIIy und wIen Ie
suw LIe kId sLundIng LIere IookIng down uL IIm Ie IeId ouL Lo IIm IIs bIoodIed Iunds
us II In uccusuLIon und LIen cIupped LIem Lo IIs eurs und crIed ouL wIuL IL seemed Ie
IImseII wouId noL Ieur, u IowI oI sucI ouLruge us Lo sLILcI u cuesuru In LIe puIsebeuL
oI LIe worId. BuL LIe kId onIy spuL InLo LIe durkness oI LIe spuce beLween LIem.
know your kInd, Ie suId. WIuL's wrong wILI you Is wrong uII LIe wuy LIrougI you.
n LIe mornIng LIey crossed u dry wusI und LIe kId IIked up IL IookIng Ior u Lunk or u
IoIe buL LIere wus none. He pIcked ouL u sInk In LIe wusI und IeII Lo dIggIng wILI u
bone und uILer Ie Iud dug some Lwo IeeL InLo LIe sund LIe sund Lurned dump und LIen
u IILLIe more und u sIow seep oI wuLer begun Lo IIII InLo LIe Iurrows Ie dredged wILI
IIs IIngers. He Look oII IIs sIIrL und pusIed IL down InLo LIe sund und wuLcIed IL
durken und Ie wuLcIed LIe wuLer rIse sIowIy umong LIe IoIds oI cIoLI unLII LIere wus
perIups u cupIuI und LIen Ie Iowered IIs Ieud InLo LIe excuvuLIon und drunk. TIen Ie
suL und wuLcIed IL IIII uguIn. He dId LIIs Ior over un Iour. TIen Ie puL on LIe sIIrL
und wenL buck down LIe wusI.
SprouIe dIdnL wunL Lo Luke oII IIs sIIrL. He LrIed suckIng up LIe wuLer und Ie goL u
mouLIIuI oI sund.
WIy donL you IeL me use your sIIrL, Ie suId.
TIe kId wus squuLLIng In LIe dry gruveI oI LIe wusI. Suck on ye own sIIrL, Ie suId.
He Look oII LIe sIIrL. L sLuck Lo LIe skIn und u yeIIow pus run. HIs urm wus swoIIen Lo
LIe sIze oI IIs LIIgI und IL wus gurIsIIy dIscoIored und smuII worms worked In LIe open
wound. He pusIed LIe sIIrL down InLo LIe IoIe und Ieuned und drunk.
n LIe uILernoon LIey cume Lo u crossrouds, wIuL eIse Lo cuII IL. A IuInL wugon Lruce
LIuL cume Irom LIe norLI und crossed LIeIr puLI und wenL on Lo LIe souLI. TIey sLood
! scunnIng LIe Iund cupe Ior some guIdunce In LIuL empLIness. SprouIe suL wIere LIe
Lrucks crossed und Iooked ouL Irom LIe greuL cuves In IIs skuII wIere IIs eyes Iuy. He
suId LIuL Ie wouId noL rIse.
Yonder's u Iuke, suId LIe kId.
He wouId noL Iook.
L Iuy sIImmerIng In LIe dIsLunce. Ls edges rImed wILI suIL. TIe kId sLudIed IL und
sLudIed LIe rouds. AILer u wIIIe Ie nodded Lowurd LIe souLI. beIIeve LIIs Iere Is LIe
mosL LruveIed.
L's uII rIgIL, suId SprouIe. You go on.
You suIL yourseII.
SprouIe wuLcIed IIm seL oII. AILer u wIIIe Ie rose und IoIIowed.
TIey Iud gone perIups Lwo mIIes wIen LIey sLopped Lo resL, SprouIe sILLIng wILI IIs
Iegs ouL und IIs Iunds In IIs Iup und LIe kId squuLLIng u IILLIe wuys Irom IIm. BIInkIng
und beurded und IIILIy In LIeIr rugs.
Does LIuL sound IIke LIunder Lo you? suId SprouIe.
TIe kId ruIsed IIs Ieud.
IsLen.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe sky, puIe bIue, unmurked suve wIere LIe sun burned IIke u wIILe
IoIe.
cun IeeI IL In LIe ground, suId SprouIe.
L uInL noLIIn.
IsLen.
TIe kId rose und Iooked ubouL. To LIe norLI u smuII movemenL oI dusL. He wuLcIed IL.
L dId noL rIse nor dId IL bIow uwuy.
L wus u curreLu, IumberIng cIumsIIy over LIe pIuIn, u smuII muIe Lo druw IL. TIe drIver
muy Iuve been usIeep. WIen Ie suw LIe IugILIves In LIe Lruce beIore IIm Ie IuILed LIe
muIe und begun Lo suw IL uround Lo go buck und Ie dId geL IL Lurned buL by LIen LIe
kId Iud seIzed LIe ruw IeuLIer IeudsLuII und IuuIed LIe unImuI Lo u sLundsLIII. SprouIe
cume IobbIIng up. rom LIe reur oI LIe wugon Lwo cIIIdren peered ouL. TIey were so
puIe wILI dusL, LIeIr IuIr so wIILe und Iuces pIncIed, LIey Iooked IIke IILLIe gnomes
croucIed LIere. AL LIe sIgIL oI LIe kId beIore IIm LIe drIver sIrunk buck und LIe
womun nexL Lo IIm seL up u IIgI sIrIII cIILLerIng und begun Lo poInL Irom one IorIzon
Lo LIe oLIer buL Ie puIIed IImseII up InLo LIe bed oI LIe curL und SprouIe cume
druggIng uILer und LIey Iuy sLurIng up uL LIe IoL cunvus Lurp wIIIe LIe Lwo wuIIs drew
buck InLo LIe corner und wuLcIed bIuckeyed us woodmIce und LIe curL Lurned souLI
uguIn und seL oII wILI u rIsIng rumbIe und cIuLLer.
TIere wus u cIuy jur oI wuLer Iung by u LIong Irom LIe bow-sLuy und LIe kId Look IL
down und drunk Irom IL und guve IL Lo SprouIe. TIen Ie Look IL buck und drunk LIe
resL. TIey Iuy In LIe IIoor oI LIe curL umong oId IIdes und spIIIs oI suIL und uILer u
wIIIe LIey sIepL.
L wus durk wIen LIey enLered LIe Lown. TIe josLIe oI LIe curL ceusIng wus wIuL woke
LIem. TIe kId ruIsed IImseII up und Iooked ouL. SLurIIgIL In u mud sLreeL. TIe wugon
empLy. TIe muIe wIeezed und sLumped In LIe Lruces. AILer u wIIIe LIe mun cume Irom
LIe sIudows und Ied LIem uIong u Iune InLo u yurd und Ie bucked LIe muIe unLII LIe
curL wus uIongsIde u wuII und LIen Ie unIILcIed LIe muIe und Ied IL uwuy.
He Iuy buck In LIe LIILed curLbed. L wus coId In LIe nIgIL und Ie Iuy wILI IIs knees
druwn up under u pIece oI IIde LIuL smeIIed oI moId und urIne und Ie sIepL und woke
uII nIgIL und uII nIgIL dogs burked und In LIe duwn cocks cuIIed und Ie Ieurd Iorses
on LIe roud.
n LIe IIrsL gruy IIgIL IIIes begun Lo Iund on IIm. TIey LoucIed IIs Iuce und woke IIm
und Ie brusIed LIem uwuy. AILer u wIIIe Ie suL up.
TIey were In u burren mudwuIIed courLyurd und LIere wus u Iouse mude oI reeds und
cIuy. CIIckens sLepped ubouL und cIucked und scruLcIed. A smuII boy cume Irom LIe
Iouse und puIIed down IIs punLs und sIuL In LIe yurd und rose und wenL In uguIn. TIe
kId Iooked uL SprouIe. He wus IyIng wILI IIs Iuce Lo LIe wugonbourds. He wus purLIy
covered wILI IIs bIunkeL und IIIes were cruwIIng on IIm. TIe kId reucIed Lo sIuke IIm.
He wus coId und wooden. TIe IIIes rose, LIen LIey seLLIed buck.
TIe kId wus sLundIng by LIe curL pIssIng wIen LIe soIdIers rode InLo LIe yurd. TIey
seIzed IIm und LIed IIs Iunds beIInd IIm und LIey Iooked In LIe curL und LuIked
umong LIemseIves und LIen LIey Ied IIm ouL InLo LIe sLreeL.
He wus Luken Lo un udobe buIIdIng und puL In un empLy room. He suL In LIe IIoor
wIIIe u wIId-eyed boy wILI un oId muskeL wuLcIed IIm. AILer u wIIIe LIey cume und
Look IIm ouL uguIn.
TIey Ied IIm LIrougI LIe nurrow mud sLreeLs und Ie couId Ieur musIc IIke u IunIure
growIng LIe Iouder. IrsL cIIIdren wuIked wILI IIm und LIen oId IoIk und IInuIIy u
LIrong oI brown-skInned vIIIugers uII dressed In wIILe coLLon IIke uLLendunLs In un
InsLILuLIon, LIe women In durk rebozos, some wILI LIeIr breusLs exposed, LIeIr Iuces
sLuIned red wILI uImugre, smokIng smuII cIgurs. TIeIr numbers sweIIed und LIe guurds
wILI LIeIr sIouIdered IusIIs Irowned und sIouLed uL LIe josLIers und LIey wenL on uIong
LIe LuII udobe wuII oI u cIurcI und InLo LIe pIuzu.
TIere wus u buzuur In progress. A LruveIIng medIcIne sIow, u prImILIve cIrcus. TIey
pussed sLouL wIIIow cuges cIogged wILI vIpers, wILI greuL IImegreen serpenLs Irom some
more souLIerIy IuLILude or beuded IIzurds wILI LIeIr bIuck mouLIs weL wILI venom. A
reedy oId Ieper IeId up IundIuIs oI Lupeworms Irom u jur Ior uII Lo see und crIed ouL
IIs medIcInes uguInsL LIem und LIey were pressed ubouL by oLIer rude upoLIecurIes und
by vendors und mendIcunLs unLII uII cume uL IusL beIore u LresLIe wIereon sLood u gIuss
curboy oI cIeur mescuI. n LIIs conLuIner wILI IuIr uIIouL und eyes Lurned upwurd In u
puIe Iuce suL u Iumun Ieud.
TIey drugged IIm Iorwurd wILI sIouLs und gesLures. MIre, mIre, LIey crIed. He sLood
beIore LIe jur und LIey urged IIs consIderuLIon oI IL und LIey LIILed IL uround so LIuL
LIe Ieud sIouId Iuce IIm. L wus CupLuIn WIILe. uLeIy uL wur umong LIe IeuLIen. TIe
kId Iooked InLo LIe drowned und sIgILIess eyes oI IIs oId communder. He Iooked ubouL
uL LIe vIIIugers und uL LIe soIdIers, LIeIr eyes uII upon IIm, und Ie spuL und wIped IIs
mouLI. He uInL no kIn Lo me, Ie suId.
TIey puL IIm In un oId sLone corruI wILI LIree oLIer rugged reIugees Irom LIe
expedILIon. TIey suL sLunned und bIInkIng uguInsL LIe wuII or roved LIe perImeLer
uround In LIe dry Lrucks oI muIes und Iorses und reLcIed und sIuL wIIIe smuII boys
IooLed Irom LIe purupeL.
He IeII In wILI u LIIn boy Irom GeorgIu. wus sIckern u dog, LIe boy suId. wus uIruId
wus goIn Lo dIe und LIen wus uIruId wusnL.
seen u rIder on LIe cupLuIn's Iorse up In LIe counLry Irom Iere, LIe kId LoId IIm.
Aye, suId LIe GeorgIun. TIey kIIIed IIm und CIurk und unoLIer boy never dId know
IIs nume. We come on InLo Lown und LIe very nexL duy LIey Iud us In LIe cuIubozo
und LIIs seIIsume son oI u bILcI Is down LIere wILI LIe guurds IuugIIn und drInkIn und
pIuyIn curds, IIm und LIe jeIe, Lo see wIo geLs LIe cupLuIn's Iorse und wIo geLs IIs
pIsLoIs. guess you seen LIe cupLuIn's Ieud.
seen IL.
TIuL's LIe worsL LIIng ever seen In my IIIe.
Somebody ougIL Lo oI pIckIed IL u Iong LIme ugo. By rIgILs LIey ougIL Lo pIckIe mIne.
or ever LukIn up wILI sucI u IooI.
TIey drIILed us LIe duy udvunced Irom wuII Lo wuII Lo keep ouL oI LIe sun. TIe boy
Irom GeorgIu LoId IIm oI IIs comrudes dIspIuyed on sIubs coId und deud In LIe murkeL.
TIe cupLuIn IeudIess In u wuIIow IuII euLen by Iogs. He run IIs IeeI ouL In LIe dusL
und gouged u IILLIe pIuce Ior IL Lo resL. TIey IIxIn Lo send us Lo CIIIuuIuu CILy, Ie suId.
How do you know?
TIuL's wIuL LIey suy. donL know.
TIuL's wIuL wIo suys?
SIIpmun yonder. He speuks LIe IIngo some.
TIe kId regurded LIe mun spoken oI. He sIook IIs Ieud und spuL dryIy.
AII duy smuII boys percIed on LIe wuIIs und wuLcIed LIem by sIIILs und poInLed und
jubbered. TIey'd wuIk uround LIe purupeL und Lry Lo pIss down on sIeepers In LIe sIude
buL LIe prIsoners kepL uIerL. Some uL IIrsL LIrew sLones buL LIe kId pIcked one Irom LIe
dusL LIe sIze oI un egg und wILI IL dropped u smuII cIIId cIeunIy Irom LIe wuII wILI no
sound oLIer LIun LIe muLed LIud oI ILs IundIng on LIe Iur sIde.
Now you gone und done IL, suId LIe GeorgIun.
TIe kId Iooked uL IIm.
TIey'II be In Iere wILI wIIps und donL know wIuL uII.
TIe kId spuL. TIey uInL ubouL Lo come In Iere und euL no wIIps.
Nor dId LIey. A womun brougIL LIem bowIs oI beuns und cIurred LorLIIIus on u pIuLe oI
unIIred cIuy. SIe Iooked IurrIed und sIe smIIed uL LIem und sIe Iud smuggIed LIem
sweeLs under Ier sIuwI und LIere were pIeces oI meuL In LIe boLLom oI LIe bowIs LIuL
Iud come Irom Ier own LubIe.
TIree duys IuLer mounLed on IILLIe muIundered muIes LIey seL ouL Ior LIe cupILuI us
IoreLoId.
TIey rode IIve duys LIrougI deserL und mounLuIn und LIrougI dusLy puebIos wIere LIe
popuIuce Lurned ouL Lo see LIem. TIeIr escorLs In vurIed suILs oI LImeworn IInery, LIe
prIsoners In rugs. TIey'd been gIven bIunkeLs und squuLLIng by LIe deserL IIres uL nIgIL
sunbIuckened und bony und wrupped In LIese scrupes LIey Iooked IIke God's proIoundesL
peons. TIe soIdIers none spoke engIIsI und LIey dIrecLed LIeIr cIurges wILI grunLs or
gesLures. TIey were IndIIIerenLIy urmed und LIey were mucI uIruId oI LIe IndIuns. TIey
roIIed LIeIr Lobucco In cornIusks und LIey suL by LIe IIre In sIIence und IIsLened Lo LIe
nIgIL. TIeIr LuIk wIen LIey LuIked wus oI wILcIes or worse und uIwuys LIey sougIL Lo
purceI Irom LIe durkness some voIce or cry Irom umong LIe crIes LIuL wus no rIgIL
beusL. u genLe dIce que eI coyoLe es un brujo. MucIus veces eI brujo es un coyoLe.
Y Ios IndIos LumbIen. MucIus veces IIumun corno Ios coyoLes.
Y que es eso?
Nudu.
Un LecoIoLe. Nudu mus.
QuIzus.
WIen LIey rode LIrougI LIe gup In LIe mounLuIns und Iooked down on LIe cILy LIe
sergeunL oI LIe expedILIon IuILed LIe Iorses und spoke Lo LIe mun beIInd IIm und Ie
In Lurn dIsmounLed und Look ruwIIde LIongs Irom IIs suddIebug und upproucIed LIe
prIsoners und gesLured Ior LIem Lo cross LIeIr wrIsLs und IoId LIem ouL, sIowIng Iow
wILI IIs own Iunds. He LIed LIem eucI In LIIs munner und LIen LIey rode on.
TIey enLered LIe cILy In u gunLIeL oI IIung oIIuI, drIven IIke cuLLIe LIrougI LIe cobbIed
sLreeLs wILI sIouLs goIng up beIInd Ior LIe soIdIery wIo smIIed us becume LIem und
nodded umong LIe IIowers und proIIered cups, IerdIng LIe LuLLered IorLune-seekers
LIrougI LIe pIuzu wIere wuLer spIusIed In u IounLuIn und IdIers recIIned on curven seuLs
oI wIILe porpIyry und pusL LIe governor's puIuce und pusL LIe cuLIedruI wIere vuILures
squuLLed uIong LIe dusLy enLubIuLures und umong LIe nIcIes In LIe curved Iucude Iurd
by LIe IIgures oI CIrIsL und LIe uposLIes, LIe bIrds IoIdIng ouL LIeIr own durk vesLmenLs
In posLures oI sLrunge benevoIence wIIIe ubouL LIem IIupped on LIe wInd LIe drIed
scuIps oI sIuugILered IndIuns sLrung on cords, LIe Iong duII IuIr swIngIng IIke LIe
IIIumenLs oI cerLuIn seuIorms und LIe dry IIdes cIuppIng uguInsL LIe sLones.
TIey pussed oId uIms-seekers by LIe cIurcI door wILI LIeIr seumy puIms ouLIeId und
muImed beggurs sud-eyed In rugs und cIIIdren usIeep In LIe sIudows wILI IIIes wuIkIng
LIeIr dreumIess Iuces. Durk coppers In u cIuckdIsI, LIe sIrIveIed eyes oI LIe bIInd.
ScrIbes croucIed by LIe sLeps wILI LIeIr quIIIs und InkpoLs und bowIs oI sund und Iepers
mounIng LIrougI LIe sLreeLs und nuked dogs LIuL seemed composed oI bone enLIreIy und
vendors oI LumuIes und oId women wILI Iuces durk und Iurrowed us LIe Iund squuLLIng
0 In LIe guLLers over cIurcouI IIres wIere bIuck ned sLrIps oI unonymous meuL sIzzIed
und spuL. SmuII orpIuns were ubroud IIke IruLe dwurIs und IooIs und soLs drooIIng und
IIuIIIng ubouL In LIe smuII murkeLs oI LIe meLropoIIs und LIe prIsoners rode pusL LIe
curnuge In LIe meuLsLuIIs und LIe wuxy smeII wIere rucks oI guLs Iung bIuck wILI IIIes
und IIuyIngs oI meuL In greuL red sIeeLs now durkened wILI LIe udvuncIng duy und LIe
IIensed und nuked skuIIs oI cows und sIeep wILI LIeIr duII bIue eyes gIurIng wIIdIy und
LIe sLIII bodIes oI deer und juveIInu und ducks und quuII und purroLs, uII wIId LIIngs
Irom LIe counLry round IungIng Ieud downwurd Irom Iooks.
TIey were mude Lo dIsmounL und were drIven uIooL LIrougI LIe crowds und down oId
sLone sLeps und over u doorsIII worn IIke soup und LIrougI un Iron suIIyguLe InLo u cooI
sLone ceIIur Iong u prIson Lo Luke LIeIr pIuce umong LIe gIosLs oI oId murLyrs und
puLrIoLs wIIIe LIe guLe cIunked sIuL beIInd LIem.
WIen LIeIr eyes IosL LIeIr bIIndness LIey couId muke ouL IIgures croucIed uIong LIe
wuII. SLIrrIngs In beds oI Iuy IIke nesLIng mIce dIsLurbed. A IIgIL snorIng. OuLsIde LIe
ruLLIe oI u curL und LIe duII cIop oI Iooves In LIe sLreeL und LIrougI LIe sLones u dIm
cIunk oI Iummers Irom u smILI's sIop In unoLIer purL oI LIe dungeon. TIe kId Iooked
ubouL. BIuckened bILs oI cundIewIck Iuy Iere und LIere In pooIs oI dIrLy greuse on LIe
sLone IIoor und sLrIngs oI drIed spILLIe Iung Irom LIe wuIIs. A Iew numes scruLcIed
wIere LIe IIgIL couId IInd LIem ouL. He squuLLed und rubbed IIs eyes. Someone In
underweur crossed beIore IIm Lo u puII In LIe cenLer oI LIe room und sLood und pIssed.
TIIs mun LIen Lurned und cume IIs wuy. He wus LuII und wore IIs IuIr Lo IIs
sIouIders. He sIuIIIed LIrougI LIe sLruw und sLood IookIng down uL IIm. You donL
know me, do ye? Ie suId.
TIe kId spuL und squInLed up uL IIm. know ye, Ie suId. 'd know your IIde In u
Lunyurd.
V
n LIe sLreeLs - BrussLeeLI - os Iere'LIcos -
A veLerun oI LIe IuLe wur - MIer - DonIpIun - TIe Ipun burIuI -
GoIdseekers - TIe scuIpIunLers - TIe judge - reed Irom LIe prIson -
EL de ceo se meLLenL en Ie puys.
WILI duyIIgIL men rose Irom LIe Iuy und croucIed on LIeIr IuuncIes und regurded LIe
new urrIvuIs wILIouL curIosILy. TIey were IuII nuked und LIey sucked LIeIr LeeLI und
snuIIIed und sLIrred und pIcked uL LIemseIves IIke upes. A cIury IIgIL Iud wusIed u IIgI
smuII wIndow Irom LIe durk und un eurIy sLreeLvendor'd begun Lo cry IIs wures.
TIeIr mornIng Ieed wus bowIs oI coId pInoIe und LIey were IILLed wILI cIuIns und
rouLed ouL InLo LIe sLreeLs cIunkIng und sLInkIng. Overseen uII duy by u goIdLooLIed
perverL wIo currIed u pIuILed ruwIIde quIrL und IurrIed LIem down LIe guLLers on LIeIr
knees guLIerIng up LIe IIILI. Under LIe wIeeIs oI vendIng-curLs, LIe Iegs oI beggurs,
druggIng beIInd LIem LIeIr sucks oI reIuse. n LIe uILernoon LIey suL In LIe sIude oI u
wuII und uLe LIeIr dInner und wuLcIed Lwo dogs Iung LogeLIer In LIe sLreeL sIdIe und
sLep.
How do you IIke cILy IIIe? suId ToudvIne.
donL IIke IL worLI u dumn so Iur.
keep wuILIn Ior IL Lo Luke wILI me buL IL uInL done IL.
TIey wuLcIed LIe overseer coverLIy us Ie pussed, IIs Iunds cIusped beIInd IIs buck, IIs
cup cocked over one eye. TIe kId spuL.
seen IIm IIrsL, suId ToudvIne.
Seen wIo IIrsL.
You know wIo. OId BrussLeeLI yonder.
TIe kId Iooked uILer LIe suunLerIng IIgure.
My bIggesL worry Is LIuL someLIIn wIII Iuppen Lo IIm. pruy duIIy Ior LIe ord Lo
wuLcI over IIm.
How you LIInk you goIn Lo geL ouL oI LIIs juckpoL LIuL you're In?
We'II geL ouL. L uInL IIke LIe curceI.
WIuL's LIe curceI?
SLuLe penILenLIury. TIere's oId pIIgrIms In LIere come down LIe LruII buck In LIe
LwenLIes.
TIe kId wuLcIed LIe dogs.
AILer u wIIIe LIe guurd cume buck uIong LIe wuII kIckIng LIe IeeL oI uny wIo were
sIeepIng. TIe younger guurd currIed IIs escopeLu uL LIe reudy us II LIere mIgIL be some
IubIed uprIsIng umong LIese cIuIned und LuLLered IeIons. Vumonos, vumonos, Ie cuIIed.
TIe prIsoners rose und sIuIIIed ouL InLo LIe sun. A smuII beII wus rIngIng und u coucI
wus comIng up LIe sLreeL. TIey sLood uIong LIe curb und Look oII LIeIr IuLs. TIe
guIdon pussed rIngIng LIe beII und LIen LIe coucI. L Iud un eye puInLed on LIe sIde
und Iour muIes Lo druw IL, LukIng LIe IosL Lo some souI. A IuL prIesL LoLLered uILer
curryIng un Imuge. TIe guurds were goIng umong LIe prIsoners snuLcIIng LIe IuLs Irom
LIe Ieuds oI LIe newcomers und pressIng LIem InLo LIeIr InIIdeI Iunds.
WIen LIe coucI Iud pussed LIey donned LIeIr IuLs uguIn und moved on. TIe dogs
sLood LuII Lo LuII. Two oLIer dogs suL u IILLIe upurL, squuLLIng IooseIy In LIeIr skIns, jusL
% Irumes oI dogs In nup ess IIdes wuLcIIng LIe coupIed dogs und LIen wuLcIIng LIe
prIsoners cIunkIng uwuy up LIe sLreeL. AII IIgILIy sIImmerIng In LIe IeuL, LIese IIIeIorms,
IIke wonders mucI reduced. RougI IIkenesses LIrown up uL Ieursuy uILer LIe LIIngs
LIemseIves Iud Iuded In men's mInds.
He'd Luken up u puIIeL beLween ToudvIne und unoLIer Ken-LuckIun, u veLerun oI LIe wur.
TIIs mun Iud reLurned Lo cIuIm some durkeyed Iove Ie'd IeIL beIInd Lwo yeurs beIore
wIen DonIpIun's commund puIIed eusL Ior SuILIIIo und LIe oIIIcers Iud Iud Lo drIve
buck Iundreds oI young gIrIs dressed us boys LIuL Look LIe roud beIInd LIe urmy. Now
Ie wouId sLund In LIe sLreeL soIILury In IIs cIuIns und sLrungeIy unussumIng, guzIng ouL
ucross LIe Lops oI LIe Ieuds oI LIe LownspeopIe, und uL nIgIL Ie'd LeII LIem oI IIs yeurs
In LIe wesL, un umIubIe wurrIor, u reLIcenL mun. He'd been uL MIer wIere LIey IougIL
unLII LIe druInLIIes und LIe guLLers und LIe spouLs Irom LIe uzoLeus run wILI bIood by
LIe guIIon und Ie LoId LIem Iow LIe brILLIe oId SpunIsI beIIs wouId expIode wIen IIL
und Iow Ie suL uguInsL u wuII wILI IIs sIuLLered Ieg sLreLcIed ouL on LIe cobbIes beIore
IIm IIsLenIng Lo u IuII In LIe IIrIng LIuL grew InLo u sLrunge sIIence und In LIIs sIIence
LIere grew u Iow rumbIIng LIuL Ie Look Ior LIunder unLII u cunnonbuII cume uround LIe
corner LrundIIng over LIe sLones IIke u wuywurd bowI und wenL pusL und down LIe
sLreeL und dIsuppeured Irom sIgIL. He LoId Iow LIey'd Luken LIe cILy oI CIIIuuIuu, un
urmy oI IrreguIurs LIuL IougIL In rugs und underweur und Iow LIe cunnonbuIIs were
soIId copper und cume IopIng LIrougI LIe gruss IIke runuwuy suns und even LIe Iorses
Ieurned Lo sIdesLep or sLruddIe LIem und Iow LIe dumes oI LIe cILy rode up InLo LIe
IIIIs In buggIes und pIcnIcked und wuLcIed LIe buLLIe und Iow uL nIgIL us LIey suL by
LIe IIres LIey couId Ieur LIe mouns oI LIe dyIng ouL on LIe pIuIn und see by ILs IunLern
LIe deudcurL movIng umong LIem IIke u Ieurse Irom IImbo.
TIey Iud gruveI enougI, suId LIe veLerun, buL LIey dIdnL know Iow Lo IIgIL. TIey'd
sLIck. You Ieurd sLorIes ubouL Iow LIey Iound em cIuIned Lo LIe LruIIspudes oI LIeIr
pIeces, IImber-Leums und uII, buL II LIey wus never seen IL. We pIcked powder In LIe
Iocks yonder. BIowed LIem guLes open. PeopIe In Iere Iooked IIke skInned ruLs. WIILesL
MexIcuns you'II ever see. TIowed LIeIrseIves down und commenced kIssIn our IeeL und
sucI. OId BIII, Ie jusL Lurned em uII Ioose. HeII, Ie dIdnL know wIuL LIey'd done. JusL
LoId em noL Lo sLeuI noLIIn. OI course LIey sLoIe everLIIng LIey couId geL LIeIr Iunds
on. WIIpped Lwo oI em und LIey boLI dIed oI IL und LIe very nexL duy unoLIer buncI
run oII wILI some muIes und BIII jusL IIuL ouL Iung LIem IooIs. WIIcI LIey dId IIkewIse
perIsI oI. BuL never reckoned 'd be In Iere my own seII.
TIey were squuLLIng crossIegged by cundIeIIgIL euLIng Irom cIuy bowIs wILI LIeIr IIngers.
TIe kId Iooked up. He poked uL LIe bowI.
WIuL Is LIIs? Ie suId.
TIuL's prIme buIImeuL, son. rom LIe corrIdu. You'II geL IL oI u Sunduy nIgIL.
You besL keep cIewIn. DonL IeL IL IeeI ye Lo weuken.
He cIewed. He cIewed und Ie LoId LIem oI LIe encounLer wILI LIe ComuncIe und LIey
cIewed und IIsLened und nodded.
'm proud mIssed LIuL dunce, suId LIe veLerun. TIem Is some crueI sons oI bILcIes.
know oI one oId boy up on LIe Iuno neur LIe duLcI seLLIemenLs, LIey cuugIL IIm, Look
IIs Iorse und uII. eIL IIm Lo wuIk IL. He come cruwIIn InLo rederIcksburg on IIs
Iunds und knees buck nuked ubouL sIx duys IuLer und you know wIuL LIey'd done? CuL
LIe boLLoms oI IIs IeeL oII.
ToudvIne sIook IIs Ieud. He gesLured Lowurd LIe veLerun. GrunnyruL Iere knows em, Ie
LoId LIe kId. ougIL em. AInL ye, Grunny?
TIe veLerun wuved IIs Iund. SIoL some sLeuIIn Iorses Is uII. Down Lowurds SuILIIIo.
WusnL noLIIn Lo IL. TIere wus u cuve down LIere Iud been u Ipun burIuI. MusL oI
been u LIousund IndIuns In LIere uII seLLIn uround. Hud on LIeIr besL robes und
bIunkeLs und uII. Hud LIeIr bows und LIeIr knIves, wIuLever. Beuds. TIe MexIcuns
currIed everLIIng oII. SLrIpped em nuked. Took IL uII. TIey currIed oII wIoIe IndIuns Lo
LIeIr Iomes und seL em In LIe corner uII dressed up buL LIey begun Lo come upurL
wIen LIey goL ouL oI LIuL cuve uIr und LIey Iud Lo be LIowed ouL. Towurds LIe IusL oI
IL LIey wus some AmerIcuns wenL In LIere und scuIped wIuL wus IeIL oI em und LrIed Lo
seII LIe scuIps In Durungo. donL know II LIey Iud uny Iuck ubouL IL or noL. expecL
some oI LIem InjIns Iud been deud u Iundred yeur.
ToudvIne wus LoweIIng up greuse Irom IIs bowI wILI u IoIded LorLIIIu. He squInLed uL
LIe kId In LIe cundIeIIgIL. WIuL do you reckon we couId geL Ior oId BrussLeeLI's LeeLI?
Ie suId.
TIey suw puLcIed urgonuuLs Irom LIe sLuLes drIvIng muIes LIrougI LIe sLreeLs on LIeIr
wuy souLI LIrougI LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe cousL. GoIdseekers. LInerunL degeneruLes
) bIeedIng wesL urd IIke some IeIIoLropIc pIugue. TIey nodded or spoke Lo LIe prIsoners
und dropped Lobucco und coIns In LIe sLreeL besIde LIem.
TIey suw bIuckeyed young gIrIs wILI puInLed Iuces smokIng IILLIe cIgurs, goIng urm In
urm und eyeIng LIem bruzenIy. TIey suw LIe governor IImseII erecL und IormuI wILIIn
IIs sIIkmuI-IIoned suIky cIuLLer IorLI Irom LIe doubIe doors oI LIe puIuce^ courLyurd und
LIey suw one duy u puck oI vIcIousIookIng Iumuns mounLed on unsIod IndIun ponIes
rIdIng IuII drunk LIrougI LIe sLreeLs, beurded, burburous, cIud In LIe skIns oI unImuIs
sLILcIed up wILI LIews und urmed wILI weupons oI every descrIpLIon, revoIvers oI
, enormous weIgIL und bowIeknIves LIe sIze oI cIuy ores und sIorL LwoburreIed rIIIes
wILI bores you couId sLIck your LIumbs In und LIe LruppIngs oI LIeIr Iorses IusIIoned
ouL oI Iumun skIn und LIeIr brIdIes woven up Irom Iumun IuIr und decoruLed wILI
Iumun LeeLI und LIe rIders weurIng scupuIurs or neckIuces oI drIed und bIuckened
Iumun eurs und LIe Iorses ruwIookIng und wIId In LIe eye und LIeIr LeeLI bured IIke
IeruI dogs und rIdIng uIso In LIe compuny u number oI IuIInuked suvuges reeIIng In LIe
suddIe, dungerous, IIILIy, bruLuI, LIe wIoIe IIke u vIsILuLIon Irom some IeuLIen Iund
wIere LIey und oLIers IIke LIem Ied on Iumun IIesI.
oremosL umong LIem, ouLsIzed und cIIIdIIke wILI IIs nuked Iuce, rode LIe judge. HIs
cIeeks were ruddy und Ie wus smIIIng und bowIng Lo LIe IudIes und doIIIng IIs IIILIy
2 IuL. TIe enormous dome oI IIs Ieud wIen Ie bured IL wus bIIndIng wIILe und per
ecLIy cIrcumscrIbed ubouL so LIuL IL Iooked Lo Iuve been puInLed. He und LIe reekIng
Iorde oI rubbIe wILI IIm pussed on LIrougI LIe sLunned sLreeLs und Iove up beIore LIe
governor's puIuce wIere LIeIr Ieuder, u smuII bIuckIuIred mun, cIupped Ior enLrunce by
kIckIng uL LIe ouken doors wILI IIs booL. TIe doors were opened IorLIwILI und LIey
rode In, rode In uII, und LIe doors were cIosed uguIn.
GenLIemens, suId ToudvIne, 'II guurungoddumnLee ye know wIuL LIuL LIere Is ubouL.
TIe IoIIowIng duy LIe judge In LIe compuny oI oLIers sLood In LIe sLreeL smokIng u
cIgur und rockIng buck on IIs IeeIs. He wore u puIr oI good kIdskIn booLs und Ie wus
sLudyIng LIe prIsoners wIere LIey kneIL In LIe guLLer cIuLcIIng up LIe OILI wILI LIeIr
bure Iunds. TIe kId wus wuLcIIng LIe judge. WIen LIe judge's eyes IeII upon IIm Ie
Look LIe cIgur Irom beLween IIs LeeLI und smIIed. Or Ie seemed Lo smIIe. TIen Ie puL
LIe cIgur beLween IIs LeeLI uguIn.
TIuL nIgIL ToudvIne cuIIed LIem LogeLIer und LIey croucIed by LIe wuII und spoke In
wIIspers.
HIs nume Is GIunLon, suId ToudvIne. He's goL u conLrucL wILI TrIus. TIey're Lo puy IIm
u Iundred doIIurs u Ieud Ior scuIps und u LIousund Ior Gomez's Ieud. LoId IIm LIere
wus LIree oI us. GenLIemens, we're geLLIn ouL oI LIIs sIILIoIe.
We uInL goL no ouLIILs.
3 He knows LIuL. He suId Ie'd IInd unybody LIuL wus u guur nLeed Iund und Luke IL ouL
oI LIeIr sIures. So donL IeL on IIke you uInL no seusoned IndIunkIIIer cuuse cIuImed we
wus LIree oI LIe besL.
TIree duys IuLer LIey rode ouL sIngIeIIIe LIrougI LIe sLreeLs wILI LIe governor und IIs
purLy, LIe governor on u puIe gruy sLuIIIon und LIe kIIIers on LIeIr smuII wurponIes,
smIIIng und bowIng und LIe IoveIy durkskInned gIrIs LIrowIng IIowers Irom LIe wIndows
und some bIowIng kIsses und smuII boys runnIng uIongsIde und oId men wuvIng LIeIr
IuLs und cryIng ouL IuzzuIs und ToudvIne und LIe kId und LIe veLerun brIngIng up LIe
reur, LIe veLerun's IeeL Lucked InLo Lupuderos sIung neurIy Lo LIe ground, so Iong were
IIs Iegs, so sIorL LIe Iorse's. OuL Lo LIe edge oI LIe cILy by LIe oId sLone uqueducL
wIere LIe governor guve LIem IIs bIessIng und drunk LIeIr IeuILI und LIeIr IorLune In u
sImpIe ceremonIuI und LIey Look LIe roud upcounLry.
V
BIuck und wIILe Jucksons - A meeLIng on LIe ouLskIrLs -
WIILneyvIIIe CoILs - A LrIuI - TIe judge umong dIspuLunLs -
DeIuwure IndIuns ?TIe VundIemenIunder ?A IucIendu ?
TIe Lown oI CorruIILos - Pusujeros de un puIs unLIguo - Scene oI
u mussucre - HIccIus DoccIus - A numIng oI IorLunes -
WIeeIIess upon u durk rIver ?TIe IeIon wInd ?TerLIum quId ?
TIe Lown oI Junos - GIunLon Lukes u scuIp -
Juckson Lukes LIe sLuge.
n LIIs compuny LIere rode Lwo men numed Juckson, one bIuck, one wIILe, boLI
- Iorenumed JoIn. Bud bIood Iuy be ween LIem und us LIey rode up under LIe burren
mounLuIns LIe wIILe mun wouId IuII buck uIongsIde LIe oLIer und Luke IIs sIudow Ior
LIe sIude LIuL wus In IL und wIIsper Lo IIm. TIe bIuck wouId cIeck or sLurL IIs Iorse
Lo sIuke IIm oII. As II LIe wIILe mun were In vIoIuLIon oI IIs person, Iud sLumbIed
onLo some rILuuI dormunL In IIs durk bIood or IIs durk souI wIereby LIe sIupe Ie
sLood LIe sun Irom on LIuL rocky ground bore someLIIng oI LIe mun IImseII und In so
doIng Iuy ImperIIed. TIe wIILe mun IuugIed und crooned LIIngs Lo IIm LIuL sounded
IIke LIe words oI Iove. AII wuLcIed Lo see Iow LIIs wouId go wILI LIem buL none wouId
cuuLIon eILIer buck Irom IIs course und wIen GIunLon Iooked Lo LIe reur uIong LIe
coIumn Irom LIme Lo LIme Ie seemed Lo sImpIy reckon LIem umong IIs number und
rIde on.
4 EurIIer LIuL mornIng LIe compuny Iud meL In u courLyurd be Ind u Iouse on LIe
ouLskIrLs oI LIe cILy. Two men currIed Irom u wugon u sLencIIed ordnunce box Irom LIe
BuLon Rouge ursenuI und u PrussIun jew numed Speyer prIed open LIe box wILI u
prILcIeI und u sIoeIng Iummer und Iunded up u IIuL puckuge In brown buLcIerpuper
0 LrunsIucenL wILI greuse IIke u puper oI buk ry goods. GIunLon opened LIe puckuge und
IeL LIe puper IuII Lo LIe dIrL. n IIs Iund Ie IeId u IongburreIed sIxsIoL CoIL's puLenL
/ revoIver. L wus u Iuge sIdeurm meunL Ior drugoons und IL cur Ied In ILs Iong cyIInders
u rIIIe's cIurge und weIgIed cIose Lo IIve pounds Iouded. TIese pIsLoIs wouId drIve LIe
IuII-ounce conIcuI buII LIrougI sIx IncIes oI Iurdwood und LIere were Iour dozen oI
LIem In LIe cuse. Speyer wus breukIng ouL LIe gung-moIds und IIusks und LooIs und
Judge HoIden wus unwruppIng unoLIer oI LIe pIsLoIs. TIe men pressed ubouL. GIunLon
wIped LIe bore und cIumbers oI LIe pIece und Look LIe IIusk Irom Speyer.
SIe's u sLouL Iooker, suId one.
He cIurged LIe bores und seuLed u buIIeL und drove IL Iome wILI LIe IInged Iever
pInned Lo LIe undersIde oI LIe burreI. WIen uII LIe cIumbers were Iouded Ie cupped
LIem und Iooked ubouL. n LIuL courLyurd oLIer LIun mercIunLs und buyers were u
number oI IIvIng LIIngs. TIe IIrsL LIuL GIunLon drew sIgIL upon wus u cuL LIuL uL LIuL
precIse momenL uppeured upon LIe IIgI wuII Irom LIe oLIer sIde us sIIenLIy us u bIrd
/ uIIgILIng. L Lurned Lo pIck ILs wuy umong LIe cusps oI broken gIuss seL up IgIL In LIe
mud musonry. GIunLon IeveIed LIe Iuge pIsLoI In one Iund und LIumbed buck LIe
Iummer. TIe expIosIon In LIuL deud sIIence wus enormous. TIe cuL sImpIy dIsuppeured.
$ $ TIere wus no bIood or cry, IL jusL vunIsIed. Speyer gIunced uneusIIy uL LIe
$ $ $ $ $ MexIcuns. TIey were wuLcIIng GIunLon. GIunLon LIumbed buck LIe Iummer
uguIn und swung LIe pIsLoI. A group oI IowI In LIe corner oI LIe courLyurd LIuL Iud
been peckIng In LIe dry dusL sLood nervousIy, LIeIr Ieuds uL vurIed ungIes. TIe pIsLoI
roured und one oI LIe bIrds expIoded In u cIoud oI IeuLIers. TIe oLIers begun Lo LroL
muLeIy, LIeIr Iong necks cruned. He IIred uguIn. A second bIrd spun und Iuy kIckIng.
TIe oLIers IIured, pIpIng LIInIy, und GIunLon Lurned wILI LIe pIsLoI und sIoL u smuII
gouL LIuL wus sLundIng wILI ILs LIrouL pressed Lo LIe wuII In Lerror und IL IeII sLone
deud In LIe dusL und Ie IIred upon u cIuy gurruIIu LIuL bursL In u sIower oI poLsIerds
und wuLer und Ie ruIsed LIe pIsLoI und swung Lowurd LIe Iouse und rung LIe beII In ILs
mud Lower ubove LIe rooI, u soIemn LoIIIng LIuL Iung on In LIe empLIness uILer LIe
ecIoes oI LIe gunIIre Iud dIed uwuy.
A Iuze oI gruy gunsmoke Iuy over LIe courLyurd. GIunLon seL LIe Iummer uL IuIIcock
und spun LIe cyIInder und Iowered LIe Iummer uguIn. A womun uppeured In LIe
doorwuy oI LIe Iouse und one oI LIe MexIcuns spoke Lo Ier und sIe wenL In uguIn.
GIunLon Iooked uL HoIden und LIen Ie Iooked uL Speyer. TIe jew smIIed nervousIy.
TIey uInL worLI no IIILy doIIurs.
Speyer Iooked gruve. WIuL Is your IIIe worLI? Ie suId.
n Texus IIve Iundred buL you'd Iuve Lo dIscounL LIe noLe wILI your uss.
Mr RIddIe LIInks LIuL IL's u IuIr prIce.
Mr RIddIe uInL puyIn IL.
He's puLLIng up LIe money.
GIunLon Lurned LIe pIsLoI In IIs Iund und exumIned IL.
LIougIL IL wus ugreed, suId Speyer.
AInL noLIIn ugreed.
TIey were conLrucLed Ior LIe wur. You'II noL see LIeIr IIke uguIn.
NoL LIII some money cIunges Iunds IL uInL ugreed.
A deLucImenL oI soIdIers, Len or u dozen oI LIem, enLered Irom LIe sLreeL wILI LIeIr
urms uL LIe reudy.
Que pusu uquI?
GIunLon Iooked uL LIe soIdIers wILIouL InLeresL.
Nudu, suId Speyer. Todo vu bIen.
BIen? TIe sergeunL wus IookIng uL LIe deud bIrds, LIe gouL.
TIe womun uppeured uL LIe door uguIn.
EsLu bIen, suId HoIden. NegocIos deI Gobernudor.
TIe sergeunL Iooked uL LIem und Ie Iooked uL LIe womun In LIe door.
Somos umIgos deI Senor RIddIe, suId Speyer.
AnduIe, suId GIunLon. You und your IuIIussedIookIn nIggers.
TIe sergeunL sLepped Iorwurd und ussumed u posLure oI uuLIorILy. GIunLon spuL. TIe
judge Iud uIreudy crossed LIe spuce beLween LIem und now Ie Look LIe sergeunL usIde
und IeII Lo conversIng wILI IIm. TIe sergeunL cume Lo IIs urmpIL und LIe judge spoke
wurmIy und gesLured wILI u greuL expun-sIveness oI spIrIL. TIe soIdIers squuLLed In LIe
dusL wILI LIeIr muskeLs und regurded LIe judge wILIouL expressIon.
DonL you gIve LIuL son oI u bILcI no money, suId GIunLon.
BuL LIe judge wus uIreudy brIngIng LIe mun Iorwurd Ior u IormuI presenLuLIon.
e presenLo uI surgenLo AguIIur, Ie cuIIed, IuggIng LIe rugged mIIILunL Lo IIm. TIe
sergeunL IeId ouL IIs Iund quILe gruveIy. L occupIed LIuL spuce und LIe uLLenLIon oI uII
wIo sLood LIere IIke someLIIng presenLed Ior vuIIduLIon und LIen Speyer sLepped
Iorwurd und Look IL.
MucIo gusLo.
guuImenLe, suId LIe sergeunL.
TIe judge escorLed IIm Irom one Lo LIe nexL oI LIe compuny, LIe sergeunL IormuI und
LIe AmerIcuns muLLerIng obscenILIes or sIukIng LIeIr Ieuds sIIenLIy. TIe soIdIers squuLLed
on LIeIr IeeIs und wuLcIed eucI movemenL In LIIs cIurude wILI LIe sume duII InLeresL
und uL IengLI LIe judge Iove up beIore LIe bIuck.
TIuL durk vexed Iuce. He sLudIed IL und Ie drew LIe sergeunL Iorwurd LIe beLLer Ior
IIm Lo observe und LIen Ie begun u IuborIous InLroducLIon In SpunIsI. He skeLcIed Ior
LIe sergeunL u probIemuLIc cureer oI LIe mun beIore LIem, IIs Iunds druILIng wILI u
murveIous dexLerILy LIe sIupes oI wIuL vurIed puLIs conspIred Iere In LIe uILImuLe
. 5 uuLIorILy oI LIe exLunL s Ie LoId LIem Ike sLrIngs druwn LogeLIer LIrougI LIe eye oI u
6 rIng. He udduced Ior LIeIr consIderuLIon reIerences Lo LIe cIII ren oI Hum, LIe IosL
LrIbes oI srueIILes, cerLuIn pussuges Irom LIe Greek poeLs, unLIropoIogIcuI specuIuLIons us
7 Lo LIe propu uLIon oI LIe ruces In LIeIr dIspersIon und IsoIuLIon LIrougI LIe ugency oI
geoIogIcuI cuLucIysm und un ussessmenL oI rucIuI LruILs wILI respecL Lo cIImuLIc und
geogrupIIcuI InIIuences. TIe sergeunL IIsLened Lo LIIs und more wILI greuL uLLenLIon und
wIen LIe judge wus done Ie sLepped Iorwurd und IeId ouL IIs Iund.
Juckson Ignored IIm. He Iooked uL LIe judge.
WIuL dId you LeII IIm, HoIden?
DonL InsuIL IIm, mun.
WIuL dId you LeII IIm?
TIe sergeunL's Iuce Iud cIouded. TIe judge Look IIm ubouL LIe sIouIders und Ieuned
und spoke InLo IIs eur und LIe sergeunL nodded und sLepped buck und suIuLed LIe bIuck.
WIuL dId you LeII IIm, HoIden?
TIuL sIukIng Iunds wus noL LIe cusLom In your Iund.
BeIore LIuL. WIuL dId you suy Lo IIm beIore LIuL.
* TIe judge smIIed. L Is noL necessury, Ie suId, LIuL LIe prIncI uIs Iere be In possessIon
oI LIe IucLs concernIng LIeIr cuse, Ior LIeIr ucLs wIII uILImuLeIy uccommoduLe IIsLory wILI
8 or wILI uL LIeIr undersLundIng. BuL IL Is consIsLenL wILI noLIons oI rIgIL prIncIpIe LIuL
9 : LIese IucLs o LIe exLenL LIuL LIey cun be reudIIy mude Lo do so IouId IInd u
reposILory In LIe wILness oI some LIIrd purLy. SergeunL AguIIur Is jusL sucI u purLy und
uny sIIgIL Lo IIs oIIIce Is buL u secondury consIderuLIon wIen compured Lo dIvergences
In LIuL Iurger proLocoI exucLed by LIe IormuI ugendu oI un ubsoIuLe desLIny. Words ure
LIIngs. TIe words Ie Is In possessIon oI Ie cunnoL be deprIved oI. TIeIr uuLIorILy Lruns
1ends IIs Ignorunce oI LIeIr meunIng.
TIe bIuck wus sweuLIng. A durk veIn In IIs LempIe puIsed IIke u Iuse. TIe compuny Iud
IIsLened Lo LIe judge In sIIence. A Iew smIIed. A IuIIwILLed kIIIer Irom MIssourI guIIuwed
soILIy IIke un usLImuLIc. TIe judge Lurned uguIn Lo LIe sergeunL und LIey spoke LogeLIer
und LIe judge und Ie crossed Lo wIere LIe cruLe sLood In LIe courLyurd und LIe judge
sIowed IIm one oI LIe pIsLoIs und expIuIned ILs workIngs wILI greuL puLIence. TIe
sergeunL's men Iud rIsen und sLood wuILIng. AL LIe guLe LIe judge doIed coIns InLo
, AguIIur's puIm und Ie sIook Iunds Ior uIIy wILI eucI rugged cIurge und compIImenLed
LIem upon LIeIr mIIILury beurIng und LIey exILed InLo LIe sLreeL.
AL noon LIuL duy LIe purLIsuns rode ouL eucI mun urmed wILI u puIr oI LIe pIsLoIs und
Look LIe roud upcounLry us LoId.
TIe ouLrIders reLurned In LIe evenIng und LIe men dIsmounLed Ior LIe IIrsL LIme LIuL
duy und recruILed LIeIr Iorses In LIe spurse swuIe wIIIe GIunLon conIerred wILI LIe
scouLs. TIen LIey rode on unLII durk und mude cump. ToudvIne und LIe veLerun und LIe
kId squuLLed uL u smuII remove Irom LIe IIres. TIey dId noL know LIuL LIey were seL
IorLI In LIuL compuny In LIe pIuce oI LIree men sIuIn In LIe deserL. TIey wuLcIed LIe
DeIuwures, oI wIom LIere were u number In LIe purLy, und LIey Loo suL somewIuL
upurL, croucIed on LIeIr IeeIs, one poundIng coIIeebeuns In u buckskIn wILI u rock
wIIIe LIe oLIers sLured InLo LIe IIre wILI eyes us bIuck us gunbores. TIuL nIgIL LIe kId
wouId see one oI LIem sorL wILI IIs Iund umong LIe ubsoIuLe embers Ior u rIgIL couI
wILI wIIcI Lo IIgIL IIs pIpe.
TIey were ubouL In LIe mornIng beIore duybreuk und LIey cuugIL up und suddIed LIeIr
mounLs us soon us IL wus IIgIL enougI Lo see. TIe jugged mounLuIns were pure bIue In
LIe duwn und everywIere bIrds LwILLered und LIe sun wIen IL rose cuugIL LIe moon In
LIe wesL so LIuL LIey Iuy opposed Lo eucI oLIer ucross LIe eurLI, LIe sun wIILeIoL und
LIe moon u puIe repIIcu, us II LIey were LIe ends oI u common bore beyond wIose
LermInuIs burned worIds pusL uII reckonIng. As LIe rIders cume up LIrougI LIe mesquILe
und pyrucunLIu sIngIeIIIe In u IIgIL cIunk oI urms und cIInk oI bILrIngs LIe sun cIImbed
, und LIe moon seL und LIe Iorses und LIe dewsouked muIes com enced Lo sLeum In
IIesI und In sIudow.
ToudvIne Iud IuIIen In wILI u IugILIve Irom VundIemen's und numed BuLIcuL wIo Iud
come wesL on IegbuII. He wus Irom WuIes by bIrLI und Ie Iud buL LIree IIngers Lo IIs
- . rIgIL Iund und Iew LeeLI. PerIups Ie suw In ToudvIne u IeIIow IugI Ive n eurIess und
. brunded IeIon wIo Iud cIosen In IIIe mucI us Iud Ie nd Ie oIIered Lo wuger us Lo
wIIcI Juckson wouId kIII wIIcI.
donL know LIem boys, suId ToudvIne.
How do ye LIInk LIen?
ToudvIne spuL quIeLIy Lo one sIde und Iooked uL LIe mun. wouIdnL wunL Lo beL, Ie
suId.
NoL u gumIng mun?
Depends on LIe gume.
TIe bIuckIe wIII do Ior IIm. Tuke your odds.
ToudvIne Iooked uL IIm. TIe neckIuce oI Iumun eurs Ie wore Iooked IIke u sLrIng oI
drIed bIuck IIgs. He wus bIg und ruw-IookIng und one eyeIId sugged wIere u knIIe Iud
severed LIe smuII muscIes LIere und Ie wus IurnIsIed wILI geur oI every cIuss, LIe IIne
/ wILI LIe sIoddy. He wore good booLs und Ie cur Ied u Iundsome rIIIe bound wILI
germun sIIver buL LIe rIIIe wus sIung In u cuLoII booLIeg und IIs sIIrL wus In LuLLers und
IIs IuL runcId.
Ye've noL IunLed LIe uborIgInes uIore, suId BuLIcuL.
WIo suys IL?
know IL.
ToudvIne dIdnL unswer.
You'II IInd em rIgIL IIveIy.
So Ieur.
TIe VundIemenIunder smIIed. MucI Is cIunged, Ie suId. WIen IIrsL come InLo LIIs
counLry LIere wus suvuges up on LIe Sun Subu Iud IurdIy seen wIILe men. TIey come
InLo our cump und we sIured our mess wILI em und LIey couIdnL keep LIeIr eyes oII
our knIves. NexL duy LIey brougIL wIoIe sLrIngs oI Iorses InLo cump Lo Lrude. We dIdnL
know wIuL LIey wunLed. TIey Iud knIves oI LIeIr own, sucI us LIey wus. BuL wIuL IL
wus, you see, wus LIey'd never seen suwed bones In u sLew beIore.
ToudvIne gIunced uL LIe mun's IoreIeud buL LIe mun's IuL wus pusIed down uImosL Lo
IIs eyes. TIe mun smIIed und Iorked LIe IuL buck sIIgILIy wILI IIs LIumb. TIe prInL oI
LIe IuLbund Iuy on IIs IoreIeud IIke u scur buL LIere wus no murk oLIer. OnIy on LIe
InsIde oI IIs Iower urm wus LIere LuLLooed u number wIIcI ToudvIne wouId see In u
CIIIuuIuu buLIIouse und uguIn wIen Ie wouId cuL down LIe mun's Lorso wIere IL Iung
skewered by ILs IeeIs Irom u LreeIImb In LIe wusLes oI PImerIu AILu In LIe IuII oI LIuL
yeur.
TIey rode up LIrougI cIoIIu und nopuI, u dwurI IoresL oI spIned LIIngs, LIrougI u sLone
gup In LIe mounLuIns und down umong bIoomIng urLemIsIu und uIoe. TIey crossed u
broud pIuIn oI deserL gruss doLLed wILI puImIIIu. On LIe sIopes were gruy sLone wuIIs
LIuL IoIIowed LIe rIdgeIInes down Lo wIere LIey Iuy broucIed und LumbIed upon LIe
pIuIn. TIey dId noL noon nor dId LIey sIesLu und LIe coLLon eye oI LIe moon squuLLed
uL broud duy In LIe LIrouL oI LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe eusL und LIey were sLIII rIdIng wIen
IL overLook LIem uL ILs mIdnIgIL merIdIun, skeLcIIng on LIe pIuIn beIow u bIue cumeo oI
7 sucI dreud pII rIms cIunkIng norLI.
TIey spenL LIe nIgIL In LIe corruI oI u IucIendu wIere uII nIgIL men kepL wuLcIIIres
burnIng on LIe uzoLeus or rooIs. Two weeks beIore LIIs u purLy oI cumpesInos Iud been
Iucked Lo deuLI wILI LIeIr own Ioes und purLIy euLen by Iogs wIIIe LIe ApucIes
rounded up wIuL sLock wouId drIve und dIsuppeured InLo LIe IIIIs. GIunLon ordered u
gouL kIIIed und LIIs wus done In LIe corruI wIIIe LIe Iorses sIIed und LrembIed und In
# LIe IIur ng IIgIL oI LIe IIres LIe men squuLLed und rousLed LIe meuL und uLe IL wILI
knIves und wIped LIeIr IIngers In LIeIr IuIr und Lurned In Lo sIeep upon LIe beuLen cIuy.
AL dusk oI LIe LIIrd duy LIey rode InLo LIe Lown oI CorruIILos, LIe Iorses sIuIIIIng
LIrougI LIe cuked usI und LIe sun gIurIng redIy LIrougI LIe smoke. TIe smeILer
0 cIImneys were runged uguInsL un usIen sky und LIe gIoby IIgILs oI LIe Iurnuces gIow
red under LIe durk oI LIe IIIIs. L Iud ruIned In LIe duy und LIe wIndowIIgILs oI LIe
Iow mud Iouses were reIIecLed In pooIs uIong LIe IIooded roud ouL oI wIIcI greuL
drIppIng swIne rose mounIng beIore LIe udvuncIng Iorses IIke ouIIsI demons rouLed
Irom u Ien. TIe Iouses were IoopIoIed und purupeLed und LIe uIr wus IIIIed wILI LIe
Iumes oI ursenIc. TIe peopIe Iud Lurned ouL Lo see LIe Texuns, LIey cuIIed LIem,
sLundIng soIemnIy uIong LIe wuy und noLIng LIe IeusL oI LIeIr gesLures wILI Iooks oI
uwe, Iooks oI wonder.
TIey cumped In LIe pIuzu, bIuckenIng LIe coLLonwoods wILI LIeIr IIres und drIvIng IorLI
# LIe sIeepIng bIrds, LIe IIumes IIgIL ng up LIe wreLcIed Lown Lo ILs durkesL pens und
brIngIng IorLI even LIe bIInd LoLLerIng wILI LIeIr Iunds ouLsLreLcIed Lowurd LIuL
conjecLuruI duy. GIunLon und LIe judge wILI LIe Brown broLIers rode ouL Lo LIe
IucIendu oI GeneruI ZuIougu wIere LIey were receIved und gIven LIeIr dInner und LIe
nIgIL pussed wILIouL IncIdenL.
n LIe mornIng wIen LIey Iud suddIed LIeIr mounLs und were ussembIed In LIe squure
Lo rIde ouL LIey were upproucIed by u IumIIy oI ILInerunL mugIcIuns seekIng suIe pussuge
up-counLry us Iur us Junos. GIunLon Iooked down uL LIem Irom IIs pIuce uL LIe Ieud oI
LIe coIumn. TIeIr goods were pIIed up In LuLLered punnIers IusIed Lo LIe bucks oI LIree
burros und LIey were u mun und IIs wIIe und u grown boy und u gIrI. TIey were
& dressed In IooIs cosLumes wILI sLurs und IuIImoons em roIdered on und LIe once
guudy coIors were Iuded und puIe Irom LIe dusL oI LIe roud und LIey Iooked u seL oI
rIgIL wunder-IoIk cusL on LIIs evII LerruIn. TIe oId mun cume Iorwurd und Look LIe
brIdIe oI GIunLon's Iorse.
GeL your Iunds oII LIe Iorse, suId GIunLon.
, He spoke no engIIsI buL Ie dId us Ie wus LoId. He com enced Lo puL IorLI IIs cuse.
) He gesLured, Ie poInLed buck Lo urd LIe oLIers. GIunLon wuLcIed IIm, wIo knows II Ie
Ieurd uL uII. He Lurned und Iooked uL LIe boy und uL LIe Lwo women und Ie Iooked
down uL LIe mun uguIn.
WIuL ure you? Ie suId.
TIe mun IeId IIs eur Lowurd GIunLon und Iooked up wILI mouLI ugupe.
suId wIuL ure you? Are you u sIow?
He Iooked buck Lowurd LIe oLIers.
A sIow, suId GIunLon. BuIones.
TIe mun's Iuce brIgILened. SI, Ie suId. SI, buIones. Todo. He Lurned Lo LIe boy.
CusImero! os perros!
TIe boy run Lo one oI LIe burros und begun Lo Lug umong LIe puckIngs. He cume up
wILI u puIr oI buId und buL-eured unImuIs sIIgILIy Iurger LIun ruLs und puIe brown In
coIor und Ie pILcIed LIem InLo LIe uIr und cuugIL LIem on LIe puIms oI IIs Iunds
wIere LIey begun Lo pIroueLLe mIndIessIy.
MIre, mIre! cuIIed LIe mun. He wus IIsIIng ubouL In IIs pockeLs und soon Ie wus
juggIIng Iour smuII wooden buIIs In IronL oI GIunLon's Iorse. TIe Iorse snorLed und
IIILed ILs Ieud und GIun-Lon Ieuned over LIe suddIe und spuL und wIped IIs mouLI wILI
LIe buck oI IIs Iund.
AInL LIuL LIe drIzzIIn sIILs, Ie suId.
TIe mun wus juggIIng und cuIIIng buck over IIs sIouIder Lo LIe women und LIe dogs
were duncIng und LIe women were LurnIng Lo In prepuruLIon oI someLIIng wIen GIunLon
spoke Lo LIe mun.
DonL sLurL no more oI LIuL cruzy sIIL. You wunL Lo rIde wILI us you IuII In In LIe buck.
promIse you noLIIn. Vumonos.
He rode on. TIe compuny cIunked InLo moLIon und LIe juggIer run sIooIng LIe women
Lowurd LIe burros und LIe boy sLood wIde-eyed wILI LIe dogs under IIs urm unLII LIe
mun spoke Lo IIm. TIey rode ouL LIrougI LIe rubbIe pusL greuL cones oI sIug und
LuIIIngs. TIe peopIe wuLcIed LIem go. Some oI LIe men sLood Iund In Iund IIke Iovers
und u smuII cIIId Ied IorLI u bIInd mun on u sLrIng Lo u pIuce oI vunLuge.
AL noon LIey crossed LIe sLony boLLom oI LIe Cusus Grundes RIver und LIey rode uIong
u bencIIund ubove LIe guunL rIII oI wuLer pusL u pIuce oI bones wIere MexIcun soIdIers
Iud sIuugILered un encumpmenL oI ApucIes some yeurs gone, women und cIIIdren, LIe
bones und skuIIs scuLLered uIong LIe bencI Ior IuII u mIIe und LIe LIny IImbs und
2 LooLIIess puper skuIIs oI In unLs IIke LIe ossuLure oI smuII upes uL LIeIr pIuce oI
murder und oId remnunLs oI weuLIered buskeLry und broken poLs umong LIe gruveI.
TIey rode on. TIe rIver Ied u IImegreen corrIdor oI Lrees down ouL oI LIe burren
mounLuIns. To LIe wesL Iuy LIe rugged Curcuj und Lo LIe norLI LIe AnImus peuks dIm
und bIue.
TIey mude cump LIuL nIgIL on u wIndy pIuLeuu umong pIIIon und junIper und LIe IIres
Ieuned downwInd In LIe durkness und IoL cIuIns oI spurks ruced umong LIe scrub. TIe
% juggIers un ouded LIe burros und begun Lo seL up u Iurge gruy LenL. TIe cunvus wus
scruwIed wILI urcunu und IL IIupped und IurcIed, sLood LowerIng, IuIIed und wrupped
LIem ubouL. TIe gIrI Iuy on LIe ground IoIdIng Lo one corner. SIe begun Lo drug
LIrougI LIe sund. TIe juggIer Look smuII sLeps. TIe womun's eyes were rIgId In LIe
IIgIL. As LIe compuny wuLcIed LIe Iour oI LIem uII cIuLcIed Lo LIe snuppIng cIoLI were
Lowed muLeIy Irom sIgIL beyond LIe reucI oI LIe IIreIIgIL und InLo LIe IowIIng deserL
IIke suppIIcunLs uL LIe skIrLs oI some wIId und IruLe goddess.
TIe pIckeLs suw LIe LenL Iumber IorrIbIy uwuy InLo LIe nIgIL. WIen LIe IumIIy oI
juggIers reLurned LIey were urguIng umong LIemseIves und LIe mun wenL uguIn Lo LIe
edge oI LIe IIreIIgIL und peered ouL upon LIe wruLIIuI bIuckness und spoke Lo IL und
gesLured wILI IIs IIsL nor wouId Ie reLurn unLII LIe womun senL LIe boy Lo IeLcI IIm.
Now Ie suL sLurIng uL LIe IIumes wIIIe LIe IumIIy unpucked. TIey wuLcIed IIm uneusIIy.
GIunLon wuLcIed IIm uIso.
SIowmun, Ie suId.
TIe juggIer Iooked up. He puL one IInger Lo IIs cIesL.
You, suId GIunLon.
He rose und sIuIIIed Iorwurd. GIunLon wus smokIng u sIender bIuck cIgur. He Iooked up
uL LIe juggIer.
You LeII IorLunes?
TIe juggIer's eyes skILLered. Como? Ie suId.
GIunLon puL LIe cIgur In IIs mouLI und mImed u deuI oI curds wILI IIs Iunds. u
buruju, Ie suId. Puru udIvInur Iu suerLe.
TIe juggIer Lossed one Iund uIoIL. SI, sI, Ie suId, sIukIng IIs Ieud wILI vIgor. Todo,
Lodo. He IeId up one IInger und LIen Lurned und mude IIs wuy Lo LIe Lrove oI sIoddy
% purLIy oII ouded Irom LIe burros. WIen Ie reLurned Ie wus smIIIng uIIubIy und
munIpuIuLIng LIe curds very nImbIy.
Vengu, Ie cuIIed. Vengu.
- TIe womun IoIIowed IIm. TIe juggIer squuLLed beIore GIun on und spoke Lo IIm In u
Iow voIce. He Lurned und Iooked uL
LIe womun und Ie rIIIIed LIe curds und rose und Look Ier by LIe Iund und Ied Ier
over LIe ground uwuy Irom LIe IIre und seuLed Ier IucIng ouL InLo LIe nIgIL. SIe swepL
up Ier skIrL und composed IerseII und Ie Look Irom IIs sIIrL u kercIIeI und wILI IL
bound Ier eyes.
Bueno, Ie cuIIed. Puedes ver?
No.
Nudu?
Nudu, suId LIe womun.
Bueno, suId LIe juggIer.
He Lurned wILI LIe deck oI curds und udvunced Lowurd GIunLon. TIe womun suL IIke u
sLone. GIunLon wuved IIm uwuy.
os cubuIIeros, Ie suId.
TIe juggIer Lurned. TIe bIuck wus squuLLIng by LIe IIre wuLcIIng und wIen LIe juggIer
Iunned LIe curds Ie rose und cume Iorwurd.
TIe juggIer Iooked up uL IIm. He IoIded LIe curds und Iunned LIem uguIn und Ie mude
u puss over LIem wILI IIs IeIL Iund und IeId LIem IorLI und Juckson Look u curd und
Iooked uL IL.
Bueno, suId LIe juggIer. Bueno. He udmonIsIed cuuLIon wILI u IoreIInger Lo IIs LIIn IIps
und Look LIe curd und IeId IL uIoIL und Lurned wILI IL. TIe curd popped once sIurpIy.
He Iooked uL LIe compuny seuLed ubouL LIe IIre. TIey were smokIng, LIey were
wuLcIIng. He mude u sIow sweep beIore IIm wILI LIe curd ouLIeId. L bore LIe pIcLure
oI u IooI In IurIequIn und u cuL. EI LonLo, Ie cuIIed.
EI LonLo, suId LIe womun. SIe ruIsed Ier cIIn sIIgILIy und sIe begun u sIngsong cIunL.
TIe durk querenL sLood soIemnIy, IIke u mun urruIgned. HIs eyes sIIILed over LIe
compuny. TIe judge suL upwInd Irom LIe IIre nuked Lo LIe wuIsL, IImseII IIke some
greuL puIe deILy, und wIen LIe bIuck's eyes reucIed IIs Ie smIIed. TIe womun ceused.
TIe IIre IIed down LIe wInd.
QuIen, quIen, crIed LIe juggIer.
SIe puused. EI negro, sIe suId.
EI negro, crIed LIe juggIer, LurnIng wILI LIe curd. HIs cIoLIes
snupped In LIe wInd. TIe womun ruIsed Ier voIce und spoke uguIn und LIe bIuck Lurned
Lo IIs muLes.
WIuL does sIe suy?
TIe juggIer Iud Lurned und wus mukIng smuII bows Lo LIe compuny.
WIuL does sIe suy? TobIn?
TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud. doIuLry, BIuckIe, IdoIuLry. Do noL mInd Ier.
WIuL does sIe suy Judge?
TIe judge smIIed. WILI IIs LIumb Ie Iud been rouLIng smuII IIIe Irom LIe IoIds oI IIs
IuIrIess skIn und now Ie IeId up one Iund wILI LIe LIumb und IoreIInger pressed
! LogeLIer In u gesLure LIuL uppeured Lo be u benedIcLIon unLII Ie IIung someLIIng un
een InLo LIe IIre beIore IIm. WIuL does sIe suy?
WIuL does sIe suy.
LIInk sIe meuns Lo suy LIuL In your IorLune IIe our IorLunes uII.
And wIuL Is LIuL IorLune?
TIe judge smIIed bIundIy, IIs pIeuLed brow noL unIIke u doIpIIn's. Are you u drInkIng
mun, JuckIe?
No more LIun some.
LIInk sIe'd Iuve you bewure LIe demon rum. PrudenL counseI enougI, wIuL do you
LIInk?
TIuL uInL no IorLune.
ExucLIy so. TIe prIesL Is rIgIL.
TIe bIuck Irowned uL LIe judge buL LIe judge Ieuned Iorwurd Lo regurd IIm. WrInkIe noL
LIy subIe brow uL me, my IrIend. AII wIII be known Lo you uL IusL. To you us Lo every
mun.
Now u number oI LIe compuny seuLed LIere seemed Lo weIgI LIe judge's words und
some Lurned Lo Iook uL LIe bIuck. He sLood un uneusy Ionoree und uL IengLI Ie sLepped
% buck Irom LIe IIre IgIL und LIe juggIer rose und mude u moLIon wILI LIe curds,
sweepIng LIem In u Iun beIore IIm und LIen proceedIng uIong LIe perImeLer pusL LIe
booLs oI LIe men wILI LIe curds ouLIeId us II LIey wouId IInd LIeIr own subjecL.
QuIen, quIen, Ie wIIspered umong LIem.
TIey were rIgIL IouLI uII. WIen Ie cume beIore LIe judge LIe judge, wIo suL wILI one
* Iund spIuyed ucross LIe broud ex unse oI IIs sLomucI, ruIsed u IInger und poInLed.
Young BIusurIus yonder, Ie suId.
Como?
EI joven.
EI joven, wIIspered LIe juggIer. He Iooked ubouL IIm sIowIy wILI un uIr oI mysLery unLII
Ie Iound wILI IIs eyes LIe one so spoken. He moved pusL LIe udvenLurers quIckenIng
IIs sLep. He sLood beIore LIe kId, Ie squuLLed wILI LIe curds und Iunned LIem wILI u
sIow rIyLImIc moLIon ukIn Lo LIe movemenLs oI cerLuIn bIrds uL courL.
Unu curLu, unu curLu, Ie wIeezed.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe mun und Ie Iooked uL LIe compuny ubouL.
SI, sI, suId LIe juggIer, oIIerIng LIe curds.
He Look one. He'd noL seen sucI curds beIore, yeL LIe one Ie IeId seemed IumIIIur Lo
IIm. He Lurned IL upsIde down und regurded IL und Ie Lurned IL buck.
TIe juggIer Look LIe boy's Iund In IIs own und Lurned LIe curd so Ie couId see. TIen
Ie Look LIe curd und IeId IL up.
CuuLro de copus, Ie cuIIed ouL.
" TIe womun ruIsed Ier Ieud. SIe Iooked IIke u bIIndIoId mun equIn ruIsed uwuke by u
sLrIng.
CuuLro de copus, sIe suId. SIe moved Ier sIouIders. TIe wInd wenL umong Ier
gurmenLs und Ier IuIr.
QuIe'n, cuIIed LIe juggIer.
EI Iombre... sIe suId. EI Iombre mus joven. EI mucIucIo.
EI mucIucIo, cuIIed LIe juggIer. He Lurned LIe curd Ior uII Lo see. TIe womun suL IIke
LIuL bIInd InLerIocuLrIx beLween Bouz und JucIIn InscrIbed upon LIe one curd In LIe
juggIer's deck LIuL LIey wouId noL see come Lo IIgIL, Lrue pIIIurs und Lrue curd, IuIse
propIeLess Ior uII. SIe begun Lo cIunL.
TIe judge wus IuugIIng sIIenLIy. He benL sIIgILIy LIe beLLer Lo see LIe kId. TIe kId
Iooked uL TobIn und uL DuvId Brown und Ie Iooked uL GIunLon IImseII buL LIey were
! none IuugIIng. TIe juggIer kneeIIng beIore IIm wuLcIed IIm wILI u sLrunge InLen ILy.
He IoIIowed LIe kId's guze Lo LIe judge und buck. WIen LIe kId Iooked down uL IIm Ie
smIIed u crooked smIIe.
GeL LIe IeII uwuy Irom me, suId LIe kId.
TIe juggIer Ieuned IIs eur Iorwurd. A common gesLure und one LIuL served Ior uny
Longue. TIe eur wus durk und mIssIupen, us II In beIng puL IorLI In LIIs IusIIon IL Iud
suIIered no Iew cIouLs, or perIups LIe very news men Iud Ior IIm Iud bIIgILed IL. TIe
kId spoke Lo IIm uguIn buL u mun numed TuLe Irom KenLucky wIo Iud IougIL wILI
McCuIIocI's Rungers us Iud TobIn und oLIers umong LIem Ieuned und wIIspered Lo LIe
rugged sooLIsuyer und Ie rose und mude u sIIgIL bow und moved uwuy. TIe womun Iud
ceused Ier cIunLIng. TIe juggIer sLood IIuppIng In LIe wInd und LIe IIre IusIed u Iong
IoL LuII over LIe ground. QuIen, quIen, Ie cuIIed.
EI jeIe, suId LIe judge.
TIe juggIer's eyes sougIL ouL GIunLon. He suL unmoved. TIe juggIer Iooked uL LIe oId
womun wIere sIe suL upurL, IucIng LIe durk, IIgILIy LoLLerIng, rucIng LIe nIgIL In Ier
rugs. He ruIsed IIs IInger Lo IIs IIps und Ie spreud IIs urms In u gesLure oI uncerLuInLy.
EI jeIe, IIssed LIe judge.
TIe mun Lurned und wenL uIong LIe group uL LIe IIre und brougIL IImseII beIore
GIunLon und croucIed und oIIered up LIe curds, spreudIng LIem In boLI Iunds. I Ie
spoke IIs words were snuLcIed uwuy unIeurd. GIunLon smIIed, IIs eyes were smuII
uguInsL LIe sLIngIng grIL. He puL one Iund IorLI und puused, Ie Iooked uL LIe juggIer.
TIen Ie Look u curd.
TIe juggIer IoIded sIuL LIe deck und Lucked IL umong IIs cIoLIes. He reucIed Ior LIe
curd In GIunLon's Iund. PerIups Ie LoucIed IL, perIups noL. TIe curd vunIsIed. L wus
In GIunLon's Iund und LIen IL wus noL. TIe juggIer's eyes snupped uILer IL wIere IL Iud
gone down LIe durk. PerIups GIunLon Iud seen LIe curd's Iuce. WIuL couId IL Iuve
meunL Lo IIm? TIe juggIer reucIed ouL Lo LIuL nuked bedIum beyond LIe IIre's IIgIL buL
In LIe doIng Ie overbuIunced und IeII Iorwurd uguInsL GIunLon und creuLed u momenL oI
sLrunge IIuIson wILI IIs oId mun's urms ubouL LIe Ieuder us II Ie wouId consoIe IIm uL
IIs scruwny bosom.
GIunLon swore und IIung IIm uwuy und uL LIuL momenL LIe oId womun begun Lo cIunL.
GIunLon rose.
SIe ruIsed Ier juw, gIbberIng uL LIe nIgIL.
SIuL Ier up, suId GIunLon.
u currozu, Iu currozu, crIed LIe beIdum. nverLIdo. CurLu de guerru, de vengunzu. u vI
sIn ruedus sobre un rIo obscuro...
GIunLon cuIIed Lo Ier und sIe puused us II sIe'd Ieurd IIm buL IL wus noL so. SIe
seemed Lo cuLcI some new drIIL In Ier dIvInIngs.
PerdIdu, perdIdu. u curLu esLu perdIdu en Iu nocIe.
" TIe gIrI sLundIng LIIs wIIIe uL LIe edge oI LIe IowIIng durk ess crossed IerseII sIIenLIy.
TIe oId muIuburIsLu wus on IIs knees wIere Ie'd been IIung. PerdIdu, perdIdu, Ie
wIIspered.
Un muIeIIcIo, crIed LIe oId womun. Que vIenLo Lun muIeunLe ...
By god you wIII sIuL up, suId GIunLon, druwIng IIs revoIver.
Currozu de muerLos, IIenu de Iuesos. EI joven que .. .
TIe judge IIke u greuL ponderous djInn sLepped LIrougI LIe IIre und LIe IIumes
deIIvered IIm up us II Ie were In some wuy nuLIve Lo LIeIr eIemenL. He puL IIs urms
8 uround GIunLon. Some ne snuLcIed LIe oId womun's bIIndIoId Irom Ier und sIe und
LIe juggIer were cIouLed uwuy und wIen LIe compuny Lurned In Lo sIeep und LIe Iow
IIre wus rourIng In LIe bIusL IIke u LIIng uIIve LIese Iour yeL croucIed uL LIe edge oI LIe
IIreIIgIL umong LIeIr sLrunge cIuLLeIs und wuLcIed Iow LIe rugged IIumes IIed down LIe
wInd us II sucked by some mueIsLrom ouL LIere In LIe voId, some vorLex In LIuL wusLe
upposILe Lo wIIcI mun's LrunsIL und IIs reckonIngs uIIke Iuy ubroguLe. As II beyond wIII
or IuLe Ie und IIs beusLs und IIs LruppIngs moved boLI In curd und In subsLunce under
consIgnmenL Lo some LIIrd und oLIer desLIny.
n LIe mornIng wIen LIey rode ouL IL wus LIuL puIe duy wILI LIe sun noL rIsen und LIe
wInd Iud ubuLed In LIe nIgIL und LIe LIIngs oI LIe nIgIL were gone. TIe juggIer on IIs
burro LroLLed ouL Lo LIe Ieud oI LIe coIumn und IeII In wILI GIunLon und LIey rode on
LogeLIer und LIey were so rIdIng In LIe uILernoon wIen LIe compuny enLered LIe Lown
oI Junos.
An uncIenL wuIIed presIdIo composed wIoIIy oI mud, u LuII mud cIurcI und mud
wuLcILowers und uII oI IL ruInwusIed und Iumpy und sIougIIng InLo u soIL decuy. TIe
udvenL oI LIe rIders bruILed by scurvId curs LIuL IowIed woundedIy und sIunk umong
LIe crumbIIng wuIIs.
TIey rode pusL LIe cIurcI wIere oId SpunIsI beIIs seugreen wILI uge Iung Irom u poIe
beLween Iow mud doImens. Durkeyed cIIIdren wuLcIed Irom LIe IoveIs. TIe uIr wus
Ieuvy wILI LIe smoke Irom cIurcouI IIres und u Iew oId peIudos suL muLe In LIe
doorwuys und muny oI LIe Iouses were cuved und ruInous und sLood Ior pens. An oId
mun wILI soupy eyes IurcIed ouL uL LIem und IeId IorLI IIs Iund. Unu corLu curIdud,
Ie crouked Lo LIe pussIng Iorses. Por DIos.
n LIe squure Lwo oI LIe DeIuwures und LIe ouLrIder WebsLer were squuLLIng In LIe dusL
wILI u weuLIered oId womun LIe coIor oI pIpecIuy. Dry oId crone, IuII nuked, Ier pups
IIke wrInkIed uubergInes IungIng Irom under LIe sIuwI sIe wore. SIe sLured uL LIe
ground nor dId sIe Iook up even wIen LIe Iorses sLood uII ubouL Ier.
GIunLon Iooked down LIe squure. TIe Lown uppeured empLy. TIere wus u smuII compuny
oI soIdIers gurrIsoned Iere buL LIey dId noL Lurn ouL. DusL wus bIowIng LIrougI LIe
sLreeLs. HIs Iorse Ieuned und snIIIed uL LIe oId womun und jerked ILs Ieud und
, LrembIed und GIunLon puLLed LIe unImuI's neck und dIs ounLed.
SIe wus In u meuLcump ubouL eIgIL mIIe up LIe rIver, suId WebsLer. SIe cuInL wuIk.
How muny were LIere?
We reckoned muybe IIILeen or LwenLy. TIey dIdnL Iuve no sLock Lo umounL Lo unyLIIng.
donL know wIuL sIe wus doIn LIere.
4 GIunLon crossed In IronL oI IIs Iorse, pussIng LIe reIns be Ind IIs buck.
WuLcI Ier, Cup. SIe bILes.
SIe Iud ruIsed Ier eyes Lo LIe IeveI oI IIs knees. GIunLon pusIed LIe Iorse buck und
Look one oI LIe Ieuvy suddIe pIsLoIs Irom ILs scubburd und cocked IL.
WuLcI yourseII LIere.
SeveruI oI LIe men sLepped buck.
TIe womun Iooked up. NeILIer couruge nor IeurLsInk In LIose oId eyes. He poInLed wILI
IIs IeIL Iund und sIe Lurned Lo IoIIow IIs Iund wILI Ier guze und Ie puL LIe pIsLoI Lo
Ier Ieud und IIred.
TIe expIosIon IIIIed uII LIuL sud IILLIe purk. Some oI LIe Iorses sIIed und sLepped. A
IIsLsIzed IoIe erupLed ouL oI LIe Iur sIde oI LIe womun's Ieud In u greuL vomIL oI gore
und sIe pILcIed over und Iuy sIuIn In Ier bIood wILIouL remedy. GIunLon Iud uIreudy
puL LIe pIsLoI uL IuIIcock und Ie IIIcked uwuy LIe spenL prImer wILI IIs LIumb und wus
prepurIng Lo recIurge LIe cyIInder. McGIII, Ie suId.
A MexIcun, soIILury oI IIs ruce In LIuL compuny, cume Iorwurd.
GeL LIuL receIpL Ior us.
He Look u skInnIng knIIe Irom IIs beIL und sLepped Lo wIere LIe oId womun Iuy und
Look up Ier IuIr und LwIsLed IL ubouL IIs wrIsL und pussed LIe bIude oI LIe knIIe ubouL
Ier skuII und rIpped uwuy LIe scuIp.
GIunLon Iooked uL LIe men. TIey were sLood some IookIng down uL LIe oId womun,
some uIreudy seeIng Lo LIeIr mounLs or LIeIr equIpuge. OnIy LIe recruILs were wuLcIIng
GIunLon. He seuLed u pIsLoIbuII In LIe mouLI oI LIe cIumber und LIen Ie ruIsed IIs
eyes und Iooked ucross LIe squure. TIe juggIer und IIs IumIIy sLood uIIgned IIke
wILnesses und beyond LIem In LIe Iong mud Iucude Iuces LIuL Iud been wuLcIIng Irom
% LIe doors und LIe nuked wIndows dropped uwuy IIke puppeLs In u guI ery beIore LIe
sIow sweep oI IIs eyes. He Ievered LIe buII Iome und cupped LIe pIece und spun LIe
Ieuvy pIsLoI In IIs Iund und reLurned IL Lo LIe scubburd uL LIe Iorse's sIouIder und
Look LIe drIppIng LropIy Irom McGIII und Lurned IL In LIe sun LIe wuy u mun mIgIL
quuIIIy LIe peIL oI un unImuI und LIen Iunded IL buck und Look up LIe LruIIIng reIns
und Ied IIs Iorse ouL LIrougI LIe squure Lowurd LIe wuLer uL LIe Iord.
TIey mude cump In u grove oI coLLonwoods ucross LIe creek jusL beyond LIe wuIIs oI
LIe Lown und wILI durk LIey drIILed In smuII groups LIrougI LIe smoky sLreeLs. TIe
cIrcus IoIk Iud seL up u IILLIe pILcILenL In LIe dusLy pIuzu und Iud sLood u Iew poIes
ubouL mounLed wILI cresseLs oI burnIng oII. TIe juggIer wus beuLIng u sorL oI snuredrum
mude oI LIn und ruwIIde und cuIIIng ouL In u IIgI nusuI voIce IIs bIII oI enLerLuInmenLs
wIIIe LIe womun sIrIeked Puse puse puse, sweepIng Ier urms ubouL Ier In u gesLure oI
LIe greuLesL specLucIe. ToudvIne und LIe kId wuLcIed umong LIe mIIIIng cILIzenry. BuLIcuL
Ieuned und spoke Lo LIem.
ook yonder, cIuppIes.
TIey Lurned Lo Iook wIere Ie poInLed. TIe bIuck sLood sLrIpped Lo LIe wuIsL beIInd LIe
LenL und us LIe juggIer Lurned wILI u sweep oI IIs urm LIe gIrI guve IIm u sIove und
Ie Ieuped Irom LIe LenL und sLrode ubouL wILI sLrunge posLurIngs under LIe IupsIng IIure
oI LIe LorcIes.
V
AnoLIer cunLInu, unoLIer udvIsor - MonLe - A knIIIng ?TIe durkesL corner oI LIe Luvern
LIe mosL conspIcuous -
TIe sereno ?RIdIng norLI - TIe meuLcump ?
GrunnyruL - Under LIe AnImus peuks - A conIronLuLIon und
u kIIIIng - AnoLIer uncIorILe, unoLIer duwn.
TIey puused wILIouL LIe cunLInu und pooIed LIeIr coIns und ToudvIne pusIed usIde LIe
drIed cowIIde LIuL Iung Ior u door und LIey enLered u pIuce wIere uII wus durkness
8 und wILI uL deIInILIon. A Ione Iump Iung Irom u crossLree In LIe ceIIIng und In LIe
sIudows durk IIgures suL smokIng. TIey mude LIeIr wuy ucross LIe room Lo u cIuyLIIed
bur. TIe pIuce reeked oI woodsmoke und sweuL. A LIIn IILLIe mun uppeured beIore LIem
und pIuced IIs Iunds ceremonIuIIy upon LIe LIIes.
DIgume, Ie suId.
ToudvIne Look oII IIs IuL und puL IL on LIe bur und swepL u cIuwed Iund LIrougI IIs
IuIr.
WIuL Iuve you goL LIuL u mun couId drInk wILI jusL u mInImum rIsk oI bIIndness und
deuLI.
Como?
He cocked IIs LIumb uL IIs LIrouL. WIuL Iuve you goL Lo drInk, Ie suId.
TIe burmun Lurned und Iooked beIInd IIm uL IIs wures. He seemed uncerLuIn wIeLIer
unyLIIng LIere wouId unswer LIeIr requIremenLs.
MescuI?
SuIL everbody?
TroL IL ouL, suId BuLIcuL.
TIe burmun poured LIe meusures Irom u cIuy jur InLo LIree denLed LIn cups und pusIed
LIem Iorwurd wILI cure IIke counLers on u bourd.
CuunLo, suId ToudvIne.
TIe burmun Iooked IeurIuI. SeIs? Ie suId.
SeIs wIuL?
TIe mun IeId up sIx IIngers.
CenLuvos, suId BuLIcuL.
ToudvIne doIed LIe coppers onLo LIe bur und druIned IIs cup und puId uguIn. He
gesLured uL LIe cups uII LIree wILI u wug oI IIs IInger. TIe kId Look up IIs cup und
druIned IL und seL IL down uguIn. TIe IIquor wus runk, sour, LusLed IuInLIy oI creosoLe.
He wus sLundIng IIke LIe oLIers wILI IIs buck Lo LIe bur und Ie Iooked over LIe room.
AL u LubIe In LIe Iur corner men were pIuyIng curds by LIe IIgIL oI u sIngIe LuIIow
cundIe. AIong LIe wuII opposILe croucIed IIgures seemIng uIIen Lo LIe IIgIL wIo wuLcIed
LIe AmerIcuns wILI no expressIon uL uII.
TIere's u gume Ior ye, suId ToudvIne. PIuy monLe In LIe durk wILI u puck oI nIggers.
He ruIsed LIe cup und druIned IL und seL IL on LIe bur und counLed LIe remuInIng
coIns. A mun wus sIuIIIIng Lowurd LIem ouL oI LIe gIoom. He Iud u boLLIe under IIs
urm und Ie seL IL on LIe LIIes wILI cure LogeLIer wILI IIs cup und spoke Lo LIe burmun
und LIe burmun brougIL IIm u cIuy pILcIer oI wuLer. He Lurned LIe pILcIer so LIuL LIe
IundIe oI IL sLood Lo IIs rIgIL und Ie Iooked uL LIe kId. He wus oId und Ie wore u
IIuLcrowned IuL oI u Lype no Ionger mucI seen In LIuL counLry und Ie wus dressed In
dIrLy wIILe coLLon druwers und sIIrL. TIe IuurucIes Ie wore Iooked IIke drIed und
bIuckened IIsI IusIed Lo LIe IIoors oI IIs IeeL.
You ure Texus? Ie suId.
TIe kId Iooked uL ToudvIne.
You ure Texus, LIe oId mun suId. wus Texus LIree yeur. He IeId up IIs Iund. TIe
IoreIInger wus gone uL LIe IIrsL joInL und perIups Ie wus sIowIng LIem wIuL Iuppened
In Texus or perIups Ie mereIy meunL Lo counL LIe yeurs. He Iowered LIe Iund und
Lurned Lo LIe bur und poured wIne InLo LIe cup und Look up LIe jur oI wuLer und
poured IL spurIngIy uILer. He drunk und seL LIe cup down und Lurned Lo ToudvIne. He
wore LIIn wIILe wIIskers uL LIe poInL oI IIs cIIn und Ie wIped LIem wILI LIe buck oI
IIs Iund beIore IookIng up uguIn.
You ure socIeded de guerru. ConLru Ios burburos.
ToudvIne dIdnL know. He Iooked IIke some IouLIsI knIgIL be-rIddIed by u LroII.
TIe oId mun puL u pIunLom rIIIe Lo IIs sIouIder und mude u noIse wILI IIs mouLI. He
Iooked uL LIe AmerIcuns. You kIII LIe ApucIe, no?
ToudvIne Iooked uL BuLIcuL. WIuL does Ie wunL? Ie suId.
TIe VundIemenIunder pussed IIs own LIreeIIngered Iund ucross IIs mouLI buL Ie
uIIowed no uIIInILy. TIe oId mun's IuII Ie suId. Or mud.
ToudvIne propped IIs eIbows on LIe LIIes beIInd IIm. He Iooked uL LIe oId mun und Ie
3 spuL on LIe IIoor. CruzIern u run wuy nIgger, uInL ye? Ie suId.
TIere wus u groun Irom LIe Iur sIde oI LIe room. A mun rose und wenL uIong LIe wuII
und benL Lo speuk wILI oLIers. TIe grouns cume uguIn und LIe oId mun pussed IIs Iund
beIore IIs Iuce LwIce und kIssed LIe ends oI IIs IIngers und Iooked up.
How mucI monIes LIey puy you? Ie suId.
No one spoke.
You kIII Gomez LIey puy you mucI monIes.
TIe mun In LIe durk oI LIe Iur wuII mouned uguIn. Mudre de DIos, Ie cuIIed.
Gomez, Gomez, suId LIe oId mun. Even Gomez. WIo cun rIde uguInsL LIe Tejunos? TIey
ure soIdIers. Que soIdudos Lun vuIIenLes. u sungre de Gomez, sungre de Iu genLe...
He Iooked up. BIood, Ie suId. TIIs counLry Is gIve mucI bIood. TIIs MexIco. TIIs Is u
LIIrsLy counLry. TIe bIood oI u LIousund CIrIsLs. NoLIIng.
He mude u gesLure Lowurd LIe worId beyond wIere uII LIe Iund Iuy under durkness und
uII u greuL sLuIned uILursLone. He Lurned und poured IIs wIne und poured uguIn Irom
LIe wuLerjur, LemperuLe oId mun, und drunk.
TIe kId wuLcIed IIm. He wuLcIed IIm drInk und Ie wuLcIed IIm wIpe IIs mouLI.
WIen Ie Lurned Ie spoke neILIer Lo LIe kId nor ToudvIne buL seemed Lo uddress LIe
room.
pruy Lo God Ior LIIs counLry. suy LIuL Lo you. pruy. donL go In LIe cIurcI. WIuL
need Lo LuIk Lo LIem doIIs LIere? LuIk Iere.
He poInLed Lo IIs cIesL. WIen Ie Lurned Lo LIe AmerIcuns IIs voIce soILened uguIn. You
ure IIne cubuIIeros, Ie suId. You kIII LIe burburos. TIey cunnoL IIde Irom you. BuL LIere
Is unoLIer cubuIIero und LIInk LIuL no mun IIdes Irom IIm. wus u soIdIer. L Is IIke
u dreum. WIen even LIe bones Is gone In LIe deserL LIe dreums Is LuIk Lo you, you
donL wuke up Iorever.
He druIned IIs cup und Look up IIs boLLIe und wenL soILIy uwuy on IIs sunduIs InLo LIe
IurLIer dIm oI LIe cunLInu. TIe mun uL LIe wuII mouned uguIn und cuIIed upon IIs god.
, TIe VundIemenIunder und LIe burmun spoke LogeLIer und LIe bur un gesLured uL LIe
durk In LIe corner und sIook IIs Ieud und LIe AmerIcuns cIumbered down LIeIr IusL
cups und ToudvIne pusIed LIe Iew LIucos Lowurd LIe burmun und LIey wenL ouL.
TIuL wus IIs son, suId BuLIcuL.
WIo wus?
TIe Iud In LIe corner cuL wILI u knIIe.
He wus cuL?
One oI LIe cIups uL LIe LubIe cuL IIm. TIey were pIuyIn curds und one oI LIem cuL
IIm.
WIy donL Ie Ieuve.
usked IIm LIe sume myseII.
WIuL dId Ie suy?
He Iud u quesLIon Ior me. SuId wIere wouId Ie go Lo?
TIey mude LIeIr wuy LIrougI LIe nurrow wuIIed sLreeLs Lowurd LIe guLe und LIe IIres oI
LIe cump beyond. A voIce wus cuIIIng. L cuIIed: us dIez y medIu, LIempo sereIIo. L wus
LIe wuLcImun uL IIs rounds und Ie pussed LIem wILI IIs IunLern cuIIIng soILIy LIe Iour.
n LIe preduwn durk LIe sounds ubouL descrIbe LIe scene Lo come. TIe IIrsL crIes oI
bIrds In LIe Lrees uIong LIe rIver und LIe cIInk oI Iurness und LIe snuIIIe oI Iorses und
LIe genLIe sound oI LIeIr croppIng. n LIe durkened vIIIuge roosLers Iuve begun. TIe uIr
smeIIs oI Iorses und cIurcouI. TIe cump Ius begun Lo sLIr. SILLIng uII ubouL In LIe
uccruIng IIgIL ure LIe cIIIdren Irom LIe Lown. None oI LIe men rIsIng know Iow Iong
LIey Iuve been LIere In durkness und sIIence.
WIen LIey rode LIrougI LIe squure LIe deud squuw wus gone und LIe dusL wus newIy
ruked. TIe juggIer's Iumps were sLurk und bIuck uLop LIeIr poIes und LIe IIre wus coId
beIore LIe pILcILenL. An oId womun wIo Iud been cIoppIng wood ruIsed up und sLood
wILI LIe uxe In boLI Iunds us LIey pussed.
TIey rode LIrougI LIe sucked IndIun cump uL mIdmornIng, LIe bIuckened sIeeLs oI meuL
druped ucross LIe busIes or Iung Irom poIes IIke sLrunge durk Iuundry. DeerIIdes were
pegged ouL on LIe ground und wIILe or ruddIed bones Iuy sLrewn over LIe rocks In u
prImILIve sIumbIes. TIe Iorses cocked LIeIr eurs und sLepped quIckIy. TIey rode on. n
LIe uILernoon bIuck Juckson cuugIL LIem up, IIs mounL surbuLed und uII buL bIown.
GIunLon Lurned In LIe suddIe und meusured IIm wILI IIs eye. TIen Ie nudged IIs Iorse
Iorwurd und LIe bIuck IeII In wILI IIs puIe wuyIeIIows und uII rode on us beIore.
TIey dId noL mIss LIe veLerun unLII LIuL evenIng. TIe judge mude IIs wuy down
LIrougI LIe smoke oI LIe cookIIres und squuLLed beIore ToudvIne und LIe kId.
WIuL's become oI CIumbers, Ie suId.
beIIeve Ie's quIL.
QuIL.
beIIeve Ie Ius.
DId Ie rIde ouL LIIs mornIng?
NoL wILI us Ie never.
L wus my undersLundIng LIuL you spoke Ior your group.
ToudvIne spuL. He uppeurs Lo oI spoke Ior IIsseII.
WIen dId you IusL see IIm.
Seen IIm yesLerduy evenIn.
BuL noL LIIs mornIng.
NoL LIIs mornIn.
TIe judge regurded IIm.
HeII, suId ToudvIne. uIIowed you knowed Ie wus gone. L uInL IIke Ie wus so smuII
you never wouId mIss IIm.
TIe judge Iooked uL LIe kId. He Iooked uL ToudvIne uguIn. TIen Ie rose und wenL buck.
n LIe mornIng Lwo oI LIe DeIuwures were gone. TIey rode on. By noon LIey Iud begun
- Lo cIImb Lowurd LIe gup In LIe moun uIns. RIdIng up LIrougI wIId Iuvender or
soupweed, under LIe AnImus peuks. TIe sIudow oI un eugIe LIuL Iud seL IorLI Irom
LIose IIgI und cruggy IusLnesses crossed LIe IIne oI rIders beIow und LIey Iooked up Lo
murk IL wIere IL rode In LIuL brILLIe bIue und IuuILIess voId. TIey cume up LIrougI
pIIIon und scrubouk und LIey crossed LIe gup LIrougI u IIgI pIne IoresL und rode on
LIrougI LIe mounLuIns.
n LIe evenIng LIey cume ouL upon u mesu LIuL overIooked uII LIe counLry Lo LIe norLI.
TIe sun Lo LIe wesL Iuy In u IoIocuusL wIere LIere rose u sLeudy coIumn oI smuII
deserL buLs und Lo LIe norLI uIong LIe LrembIIng perImeLer oI LIe worId dusL wus bIow
#ng down LIe voId IIke LIe smoke oI dIsLunL urmIes. TIe crumpIed buLcIerpuper
mounLuIns Iuy In sIurp sIudowIoId under LIe Iong bIue dusk und In LIe mIddIe dIsLunce
LIe gIuzed bed oI u dry Iuke Iuy sIImmerIng IIke LIe mure ImbrIum und Ierds oI deer
were movIng norLI In LIe IusL oI LIe LwIIIgIL, IurrIed over LIe pIuIn by woIves wIo
were LIemseIves LIe coIor oI LIe deserL IIoor.
GIunLon suL IIs Iorse und Iooked Iong ouL upon LIIs scene. Spurse on LIe mesu LIe dry
weeds IusIed In LIe wInd IIke LIe eurLI's Iong ecIo oI Iunce und speur In oId encounLers
Iorever unrecorded. AII LIe sky seemed LroubIed und nIgIL cume quIckIy over LIe
evenIng Iund und smuII gruy bIrds IIew cryIng soILIy uILer LIe IIed sun. He cIucked up
LIe Iorse. He pussed und so pussed uII InLo LIe probIemuLIcuI desLrucLIon oI durkness.
TIey cumped LIuL nIgIL on LIe IorepIuIn uL LIe IooL oI u LuIus sIope und LIe murder
LIuL Iud been reckoned upon Look pIuce. TIe wIILe mun Juckson Iud been drunk In
Junos und Ie Iud rIdden red-eyed und suIIen Ior Lwo duys LIrougI LIe mounLuIns. He
now suL dIsIeveIed by LIe IIre wILI IIs booLs oII drInkIng uguurdIenLe Irom u IIusk,
cIrcumscrIbed ubouL by IIs compunIons und by LIe crIes oI woIves und provIdence oI
nIgIL. He wus sILLIng so wIen LIe bIuck upproucIed LIe IIre und LIrew down IIs
upIsIumore und suL upon IL und IeII Lo sLokIng IIs pIpe.
TIere were Lwo IIres In LIIs cump und no ruIes reuI or LucIL us Lo wIo sIouId use LIem.
BuL wIen LIe wIILe mun Iooked Lo LIe oLIer IIre Ie suw LIuL LIe DeIuwures und JoIn
McGIII und LIe new men In LIe compuny Iud Luken LIeIr supper LIere und wILI u
gesLure und u sIurred ouLI Ie wurned LIe bIuck uwuy.
Here beyond men's judgemenLs uII covenunLs were brILLIe. TIe bIuck Iooked up Irom IIs
pIpebowI. AbouL LIuL IIre were men wIose eyes guve buck LIe IIgIL IIke couIs sockeLed
IoL In LIeIr skuIIs und men wIose eyes dId noL, buL LIe bIuck mun's eyes sLood us
corrIdors Ior LIe IerryIng LIrougI oI nuked und un-recLIIIed nIgIL Irom wIuL oI IL Iuy
beIInd Lo wIuL wus yeL Lo come. Any mun In LIIs compuny cun sIL wIere IL suILs IIm,
Ie suId.
TIe wIILe mun swung IIs Ieud, one eye IuII cIosed, IIs IIp Ioose. HIs gunbeIL Iuy coIIed
on LIe ground. He reucIed und drew LIe revoIver und cocked IL. our men rose und
moved uwuy.
You uIm Lo sIooL me? suId LIe bIuck.
You donL geL your bIuck uss uwuy Irom LIIs IIre 'II kIII you gruveyurd deud.
He Iooked Lo wIere GIunLon suL. GIunLon wuLcIed IIm. He puL LIe pIpe In IIs mouLI
und rose und Look up LIe upIsIumore und IoIded IL over IIs urm.
s LIuL your IInuI suy?
InuI us LIe judgemenL oI God.
TIe bIuck Iooked once more ucross LIe IIumes uL GIunLon und LIen Ie moved uwuy In
LIe durk. TIe wIILe mun uncocked LIe revoIver und pIuced IL on LIe ground beIore IIm.
Two oI LIe oLIers cume buck Lo LIe IIre und sLood uneusIIy. Juckson suL wILI IIs Iegs
! crossed. One Iund Iuy In IIs Iup und LIe oLIer wus ouL LreLcIed on IIs knee IoIdIng u
sIender bIuck cIgurIIIo. TIe neuresL mun Lo IIm wus TobIn und wIen LIe bIuck sLepped
ouL oI LIe durkness beurIng LIe bowIeknIIe In boLI Iunds IIke some InsLrumenL oI
ceremony TobIn sLurLed Lo rIse. TIe wIILe mun Iooked up drunkenIy und LIe bIuck
sLepped Iorwurd und wILI u sIngIe sLroke swupL oII IIs Ieud.
Two LIIck ropes oI durk bIood und Lwo sIender rose IIke snukes Irom LIe sLump oI IIs
neck und urcIed IIssIng InLo LIe IIre. TIe Ieud roIIed Lo LIe IeIL und cume Lo resL uL
LIe exprIesL's IeeL wIere IL Iuy wILI eyes ugIusL. TobIn jerked IIs IooL uwuy und rose
und sLepped buck. TIe IIre sLeumed und bIuckened und u gruy cIoud oI smoke rose und
LIe coIumnur urcIes oI bIood sIowIy subsIded unLII jusL LIe neck bubbIed genLIy IIke u
sLew und LIen LIuL Loo wus sLIIIed. He wus suL us beIore suve IeudIess, drencIed In
bIood, LIe cIgurIIIo sLIII beLween IIs IIngers, IeunIng Lowurd LIe durk und smokIng groLLo
In LIe IIumes wIere IIs IIIe Iud gone.
GIunLon rose. TIe men moved uwuy. No one spoke. WIen LIey seL ouL In LIe duwn LIe
IeudIess mun wus sILLIng IIke u murdered uncIorILe dIscuIced In usIes und surk.
Someone Iud Luken IIs gun buL LIe booLs sLood wIere Ie'd puL LIem. TIe compuny
rode on. TIey Iud noL gone IorLI one Iour upon LIuL pIuIn beIore LIey were rIdden
upon by LIe ApucIes.
X
An umbuscude - TIe deud ApucIe - HoIIow ground ?
A gypsum Iuke - TrebIIIones - SnowbIInd Iorses - TIe DeIuwures
reLurn - A probuLe - TIe gIosL coucI - TIe copper mInes -
SquuLLers - A snukebIL Iorse - TIe judge on geoIogIcuI evIdence -
TIe deud boy - On puruIIux und IuIse guIdunce In LIIngs pusL ?
TIe cIboIeros.
TIey were crossIng LIe wesLern edge oI LIe pIuyu wIen GIunLon IuILed. He Lurned und
pIuced one Iund on LIe wooden cunLIe und Iooked Lowurd LIe sun wIere IL suL new
rIsen ubove LIe buId und IIyspecked mounLuIns Lo LIe eusL. TIe IIoor oI LIe pIuyu Iuy
smooLI und unbroken by uny Lruck und LIe mounLuIns In LIeIr bIue IsIunds sLood
IooLIess In LIe voId IIke IIouLIng LempIes.
ToudvIne und LIe kId suL LIeIr Iorses und guzed upon LIuL desoIuLIon wILI LIe oLIers.
OuL on LIe pIuyu u coId seu broke und wuLer gone LIese LIousund yeurs Iuy rIIIIed sIIver
# In LIe morn ng wInd.
Sounds IIke u puck oI Iounds, suId ToudvIne.
L sounds IIke geese Lo me.
SuddenIy BuLIcuL und one oI LIe DeIuwures Lurned LIeIr Iorses und quIrLed LIem und
cuIIed ouL und LIe compuny Lurned und mIIIed und begun Lo IIne ouL down LIe Iuke bed
Lowurd LIe LIIn IIne oI scrub LIuL murked LIe sIore. Men were IeupIng Irom LIeIr
Iorses und IobbIIng LIem InsLunLIy wILI Ioops oI rope reudy mude. By LIe LIme LIe
unImuIs were secured und LIey Iud LIrown LIemseIves on LIe ground under LIe creosoLe
busIes wILI LIeIr weupons reudIed LIe rIders were begInnIng Lo uppeur Iur ouL on LIe
Iuke bed, u LIIn IrIeze oI mounLed urcIers LIuL LrembIed und veered In LIe rIsIng IeuL.
TIey crossed beIore LIe sun und vunIsIed one by one und reuppeured uguIn und LIey
were bIuck In LIe sun und LIey rode ouL oI LIuL vunIsIed seu IIke burnL pIunLoms wILI
LIe Iegs oI LIe unImuIs kIckIng up LIe spume LIuL wus noL reuI und LIey were IosL In
LIe sun und IosL In LIe Iuke und LIey sIImmered und sIurred LogeLIer und sepuruLed
uguIn und LIey uugmenLed by pIunes In IurId uvuLurs und begun Lo couIesce und LIere
begun Lo uppeur ubove LIem In LIe duwn-broucIed sky u IeIIIsI IIkeness oI LIeIr runks
rIdIng Iuge und InverLed und LIe Iorses' Iegs IncredIbIy eIonguLe LrumpIIng down LIe
IIgI LIIn cIrrus und LIe IowIIng unLIwurrIors pendunL Irom LIeIr mounLs Immense und
# cIImerIc und LIe IIgI wIId crIes curry ng LIuL IIuL und burren pun IIke LIe crIes oI
souIs broke LIrougI some mIsweuve In LIe weIL oI LIIngs InLo LIe worId beIow.
TIey'II swIng Lo LIeIr rIgIL, cuIIed GIunLon, und us Ie spoke LIey dId so, IuvorIng LIeIr
bow urms. TIe urrows cume IoILIng up In LIe bIue wILI LIe sun on LIeIr IIeLcIIngs und
LIen suddenIy guInIng speed und pussIng wILI u wuney wIIsLIe IIke LIe IIIgIL oI wIId
ducks. TIe IIrsL rIIIe crucked.
TIe kId wus IyIng on IIs beIIy IoIdIng LIe bIg WuIker revoIver In boLI Iunds und
IeLLIng oII LIe sIoLs sIowIy und wILI cure us II Ie'd done IL uII beIore In u dreum. TIe
wurrIors pussed wILIIn u Iundred IeeL, IorLy, IIILy oI LIem, und wenL on up LIe edge oI
LIe Iuke und begun Lo crumbIe In LIe serrIed pIunes oI IeuL und Lo breuk up sIIenLIy
und Lo vunIsI.
TIe compuny Iuy under LIe creosoLe recIurgIng LIeIr pIeces. One oI LIe ponIes wus IyIng
In LIe sund breuLIIng sLeudIIy und oLIers sLood LIuL bore urrows wILI u curIous puLIence.
# TuLe und Doc rvIng puIIed buck Lo see ubouL LIem. TIe oLIers Iuy wuLcI ng LIe pIuyu.
TIey wuIked ouL, ToudvIne und GIunLon und LIe judge. TIey pIcked up u sIorL rIIIed
muskeL bound In ruwIIde und sLudded ubouL LIe sLock wILI brussIeuded Lucks In vurIed
desIgns. TIe judge Iooked norLI uIong LIe puIe sIore oI LIe dry Iuke wIere LIe IeuLIen
Iud IIed. He Iunded LIe rIIIe Lo ToudvIne und LIey wenL on.
TIe deud mun Iuy In u sundy wusI. He wus nuked suve Ior skIn booLs und u puIr oI
wIde MexIcun druwers. TIe booLs Iud poInLed Loes IIke buskIns und LIey Iud purIIecIe
soIes und IIgI Lops LIuL were roIIed down ubouL LIe knees und LIed. TIe sund In LIe
% wusI wus durk wILI bIood. TIey sLood LIere In LIe wInd ess IeuL uL LIe edge oI LIe
dry Iuke und GIunLon pusIed IIm over wILI IIs booL. TIe puInLed Iuce cume up, sund
sLuck Lo LIe eyebuII, sund sLuck Lo LIe runcId greuse wILI wIIcI Ie'd smeured IIs Lorso.
You couId see LIe IoIe wIere LIe buII Irom ToudvIne's rIIIe Iud gone In ubove LIe Iower
rIb. TIe mun's IuIr wus Iong und bIuck und duII wILI dusL und u Iew IIce scuLLIed.
TIere were sIusIes oI wIILe puInL on LIe cIeeks und LIere were cIevrons oI puInL ubove
LIe nose und IIgures In durk red puInL under LIe eyes und on LIe cIIn. He wus oId und
Ie bore u IeuIed Iunce wound jusL ubove LIe IIpbone und un oId subre wound ucross
LIe IeIL cIeek LIuL run Lo LIe corner oI IIs eye. TIese wounds were decoruLed LIeIr
IengLI wILI LuLLooed Imuges, perIups obscure wILI uge, buL wILIouL reIerenLs In LIe
known deserL ubouL.
TIe judge kneIL wILI IIs knIIe und cuL LIe sLrup oI LIe LIgre-skIn wurbug LIe mun
currIed und empLIed IL In LIe sund. L IeId un eyesIIeId mude Irom u ruven's wIng, u
rosury oI IruILseeds, u Iew gunIIInLs, u IundIuI oI Ieud buIIs. L IeId uIso u cuIcuIus or
mudsLone Irom LIe Inwurd purLs oI some beusL und LIIs LIe judge exumIned und
pockeLed. TIe oLIer eIIecLs Ie spreud wILI LIe puIm oI IIs Iund us II LIere were
someLIIng Lo be reud LIere. TIen Ie rIpped open LIe mun's druwers wILI IIs knIIe. TIed
uIongsIde LIe durk genILuIs wus u smuII skIn bug und LIIs LIe judge cuL uwuy und uIso
secured In LIe pockeL oI IIs vesL. usLIy Ie seIzed LIe durk Iocks und swepL LIem up
Irom LIe sund und cuL uwuy LIe scuIp. TIen LIey rose^und reLurned, IeuvIng IIm Lo
scruLInIze wILI IIs dryIng eyes LIe cuIumILous udvunce oI LIe sun.
TIey rode uII duy upon u puIe gusLIne spurseIy grown wILI suILbusI und punIcgruss. n
LIe evenIng LIey enLruIned upon u IoIIow ground LIuL rung so roundIy under LIe Iorses'
Iooves LIuL LIey sLepped und sIdIed und roIIed LIeIr eyes IIke cIrcus unImuIs und LIuL
nIgIL us LIey Iuy In LIuL ground eucI Ieurd, uII Ieurd, LIe duII boom oI rock IuIIIng
somewIere Iur beIow LIem In LIe uwIuI durkness InsIde LIe worId.
On LIe duy LIuL IoIIowed LIey crossed u Iuke oI gypsum so IIne LIe ponIes IeIL no Lruck
upon IL. TIe rIders wore musks oI bone-bIuck smeured ubouL LIeIr eyes und some Iud
! bIucked LIe eyes oI LIeIr Iorses. TIe sun reIIecLed oII LIe pun burned LIe under Ides
oI LIeIr Iuces und sIudow oI Iorse und rIder uIIke were puInLed upon LIe IIne wIILe
powder In puresL IndIgo. ur ouL on LIe deserL Lo LIe norLI dusLspouLs rose wobbIIng
und uugered LIe eurLI und some suId LIey'd Ieurd oI pIIgrIms borne uIoIL IIke dervIsIes
In LIose mIndIess coIIs Lo be dropped broken und bIeedIng upon LIe deserL uguIn und
LIere perIups Lo wuLcI LIe LIIng LIuL Iud desLroyed LIem IurcI onwurd IIke some
drunken djInn und resoIve ILseII once more InLo LIe eIemenLs Irom wIIcI IL sprung. OuL
oI LIuL wIIrIwInd no voIce spoke und LIe pIIgrIm IyIng In IIs broken bones muy cry ouL
und In IIs unguIsI Ie muy ruge, buL ruge uL wIuL? And II LIe drIed und bIuckened sIeII
oI IIm Is Iound umong LIe sunds by LruveIers Lo come yeL wIo cun dIscover LIe engIne
oI IIs ruIn?
TIuL nIgIL LIey suL uL LIe IIre IIke gIosLs In LIeIr dusLy beurds und cIoLIIng, rupL,
pyroIuLrous. TIe IIres dIed und smuII couIs scumpered down LIe pIuIn und sund crepL
pusL In LIe durk uII nIgIL IIke urmIes oI IIce on LIe move. n LIe nIgIL some oI LIe
Iorses begun Lo screum und duybreuk Iound severuI so cruzed wILI snowbIIndness LIey
requIred Lo be sIoL. WIen LIey rode ouL LIe MexIcun LIey cuIIed McGIII wus on IIs
LIIrd Iorse In us muny duys. He couId noL Iuve bIucked LIe eyes oI LIe pony Ie'd
rIdden comIng up Irom LIe dry Iuke sIorL oI muzzIIng IL IIke u dog und LIe Iorse Ie
now rode wus wIIder yeL und LIere were onIy LIree unImuIs IeIL In LIe cubuIIudo.
TIuL uILernoon LIe Lwo DeIuwures LIuL Iud IeIL LIem u duy ouL oI Junos cuugIL LIem
up wIere LIey nooned uL u mIneruI weII. TIey Iud wILI LIem LIe veLerun's Iorse, sLIII
suddIed. GIunLon wuIked ouL Lo wIere LIe unImuI sLood und Look up LIe LruIIIng reIns
und Ied IL Lo LIe IIre wIere Ie removed LIe rIIIe Irom LIe scubburd und Iunded IL Lo
DuvId Brown und LIen begun Lo go LIrougI LIe wuIIeL sLrupped Lo LIe cunLIe und Lo
pILcI LIe veLerun's meugre eIIecLs InLo LIe IIre. He undId LIe gIrLIsLrups und Ioosed LIe
oLIer uccouLremenLs und pIIed LIem onLo LIe IIumes, bIunkeLs, suddIe, uII, LIe greusy
wooI und IeuLIer sendIng up u IouI gruy smoke.
TIen LIey rode on. TIey were movIng norLI und Ior Lwo duys LIe DeIuwures reud LIe
smokes on LIe dIsLunL peuks und LIen LIe smokes sLopped und LIere were no more. As
LIey enLered LIe IooLIIIIs LIey cume upon u dusLy oId dIIIgence wILI sIx Iorses In LIe
Lruces gruzIng LIe dry gruss In u IoId umong LIe burren scrug.
A depuLuLIon cuL Ior LIe currIuge und LIe Iorses jerked LIeIr Ieuds und sIIed und wenL
LroLLIng. TIe rIders IurrIed LIem ubouL LIe busIn unLII LIey were cIrcIIng IIke puper
Iorses In u wIndLrup und LIe dIIIgence ruLLIIng uILer wILI one broken wIeeI. TIe bIuck
wuIked ouL wuvIng IIs IuL und cuIIed LIem oII und Ie upproucIed LIe yoked Iorses wILI
LIe IuL ouLIeId und LuIked Lo LIem wIere LIey sLood LrembIIng unLII Ie couId reucI LIe
LruIIIng sLrups.
GIunLon wuIked pusL IIm und opened LIe currIuge door. TIe InsIde oI LIe coucI wus
spIInLered up wILI new wood und u deud mun sIumped ouL und Iung Ieud down. TIere
wus unoLIer mun InsIde und u young boy und LIey Iuy enIeursed wILI LIeIr weupons In
u sLInk Lo drIve u buzzurd oII u guLcurL. GIunLon Look LIe guns und ummunILIon und
Iunded LIem ouL. Two men cIImbed Lo LIe IreIgILdeck und cuL uwuy LIe ropes und LIe
LuLLered Lurp und LIey kIcked down u sLeumer Lrunk und un oId ruwIIde dIspuLcI box
und broke LIem open. GIunLon cuL LIe sLrups on LIe dIspuLcI box wILI IIs knIIe und
LIpped LIe box ouL In LIe sund. eLLers penned Ior uny desLInuLIon suve Iere begun Lo
skILLer und drIIL uwuy down LIe cunyon. TIere were u Iew Lugged bugs oI ore sumpIes In
LIe box und Ie empLIed LIem on LIe ground und kIcked uL LIe Iumps oI ore und Iooked
ubouL. He Iooked InsIde LIe coucI uguIn und LIen Ie spuL und Lurned und Iooked LIe
Iorses over. TIey were bIg AmerIcun Iorses buL budIy used up. He dIrecLed Lwo oI LIem
cuL ouL oI LIe Lruces und LIen Ie wuved LIe bIuck uwuy Irom LIe Ieud Iorse und wuILed
IIs IuL uL LIe unImuIs. TIey seL oII down LIe IIoor oI LIe cunyon, mIsmuLcIed und
suwIng In LIe Iurness, LIe dIIIgence swuyIng on ILs IeuLIer sprIngs und LIe deud mun
dungIIng ouL oI \ LIe cIuppIng door. TIey dImInIsIed upon LIe pIuIn Lo LIe wesL IIrsL
LIe sound und LIen LIe sIupe oI LIem dIssoIvIng In LIe IeuL rIsIng oII LIe sund unLII
LIey were no more LIun u moLe sLruggIIng In LIuL IuIIucInuLory voId und LIen noLIIng
uL uII. TIe rIders rode on.
AII uILernoon LIey rode sIngIeIIIe up LIorugI LIe mounLuIns. A smuII gruy IunnereL IIew
ubouL LIem us II seekIng LIeIr bunner und LIen IL sIIed uwuy over LIe pIuIn beIow on
ILs sIender IuIcon wIngs. TIey rode on LIrougI sundsLone cILIes In LIe dusk oI LIuL duy,
pusL cusLIe und keep und wIndIusIIoned wuLcILower und sLone grunurIes In sun und In
sIudow. TIey rode LIrougI murI und LerrucoLLu und rIILs oI copper sIuIe und LIey rode
LIrougI u wooded swug und ouL upon u promonLory overIookIng u bIeuk und burren
cuIderu wIere Iuy LIe ubundoned ruIns oI SunLu RILu deI Cobre.
Here LIey mude u dry und IIreIess cump. TIey senL down scouLs und GIunLon wuIked
ouL on LIe bIuII und suL In LIe dusk wuLcIIng LIe durkness deepen In LIe guII beIow Lo
see II uny IIgIL sIouId sIow ILseII down LIere. TIe scouLIng purLy reLurned In LIe durk
* und IL wus sLIII durk In LIe mornIng wIen LIe com uny mounLed und rode ouL.
TIey enLered LIe cuIderu In u condILIon oI IuII gruy duwn, rIdIng sIngIeIIIe LIrougI LIe
sIuIey sLreeLs beLween rows oI oId udobes ubundoned LIese dozen yeurs pusL wIen LIe
ApucIes cuL oII LIe wugonLruIns Irom CIIIuuIuu und IuId LIe works under sIege. TIe
sLurvIng MexIcuns Iud seL ouL uIooL on LIe Iong journey souLI buL none ever urrIved.
TIe AmerIcuns rode pusL LIe sIug und rubbIe und LIe durk sIupes oI sIuIL mouLIs und
LIey rode pusL LIe smeILIngIouse wIere pIIes oI ore sLood ubouL und weuLIered wugons
und orecurLs bonewIILe In LIe duwn und LIe durk Iron sIupes oI ubundoned mucIInery.
TIey crossed u sLony urroyo und rode on LIrougI LIuL guLLed LerruIn Lo u sIIgIL rIse
wIere suL LIe oId presIdIo, u Iurge LrIunguIur buIIdIng oI udobe wILI round Lowers uL LIe
corners. TIere wus u sIngIe door In LIe eusL wuII und us LIey upproucIed LIey couId see
rIsIng LIe smoke LIuL LIey Iud smeIIed on LIe mornIng uIr.
GIunLon pounded on LIe door wILI IIs ruwIIdecovered cIub IIke u LruveIer uL un Inn. A
bIuIsI IIgIL suIIused LIe IIIIs ubouL und LIe LuIIesL peuks Lo LIe norLI sLood In LIe onIy
sun wIIIe uII LIe cuIderu Iuy In durkness yeL. TIe ecIo oI IIs knockIng cIupped ubouL
LIe sLurk und rIven wuIIs oI rock und reLurned. TIe men suL LIeIr Iorses. GIunLon guve
LIe door u kIck.
Come ouL II you're wIILe, Ie cuIIed.
WIo's LIere? cuIIed u voIce.
GIunLon spuL
WIo Is IL? LIey cuIIed.
Open IL, suId GIunLon.
TIey wuILed. CIuIns were druwn ruLLIIng ucross LIe wood. TIe LuII door creuked Inwurd
und u mun sLood beIore LIem uL LIe reudy wILI u rIIIe. GIunLon LoucIed IIs Iorse wILI
IIs knee und IL ruIsed ILs Ieud uIong LIe door und Iorced IL open und LIey rode
LIrougI.
n LIe gruy murk wILIIn LIe compound LIey dIsmounLed und LIed. A Iew oId
IreIgILwugons sLood ubouL, some IooLed oI LIeIr wIeeIs by LruveIers. TIere wus u Iump
burnIng In one oI LIe oIIIces und severuI men sLood In LIe door. GIunLon crossed LIe
LrIungIe. TIe men sLepped usIde. We LIougIL you wus InjIns LIey suId.
TIey were Iour IeIL ouL oI u purLy oI seven LIuL Iud seL ouL Ior LIe mounLuIns Lo
prospecL Ior precIous meLuIs. TIey Iud been burrIcuded In LIe oId presIdIo Ior LIree
duys, IIed Iere Irom LIe deserL Lo LIe souLI pursued by LIe suvuges. One oI LIe men
wus sIoL LIrougI LIe Iower cIesL und Ie Iuy propped uguInsL LIe wuII In LIe oIIIce.
rvIng cume In und Iooked uL IIm.
WIuL Iuve you done Ior IIm? Ie suId.
AInL done noLIIn.
WIuL do you wunL me Lo do Ior IIm?
AInL usked you Lo do noLIIn.
TIuL's good, suId rvIng. Becuuse LIere uInL noLIIng Lo be done.
He Iooked uL LIem. TIey were IouI und rugged und IuII cruzed. TIey'd been mukIng
Ioruys uL nIgIL up LIe urroyo Ior wood und wuLer und LIey Iud been IeedIng oII u deud
muIe LIuL Iuy guLLed und sLInkIng In LIe Iur corner oI LIe yurd. TIe IIrsL LIIng LIey
usked Ior wus wIIskey und LIe nexL wus Lobucco. TIey Iud buL Lwo unImuIs und one oI
LIese Iud been snukebIL In LIe deserL und LIIs LIIng now sLood In LIe compound wILI
- ILs Ieud enormousIy swoIIen und groLesque IIke some IubIed equIne Ideu Ion ouL oI un
ALLIc Lrugedy. L Iud been bILLen on LIe nose und ILs eyes buIged ouL oI LIe sIupeIess
Ieud In u Iorror oI ugony und IL LoLLered mounIng Lowurd LIe cIusLered Iorses oI LIe
compuny wILI ILs Iong mIssIupen muzzIe swIngIng und drooIIng und ILs breuLI wIeezIng
In LIe LIroLLIed pIpes oI ILs LIrouL. TIe skIn Iud spIIL open uIong LIe brIdge oI ILs nose
und LIe bone sIone LIrougI pInkIsI wIILe und ILs smuII eurs Iooked IIke puper spIIIs
LwIsLed InLo eILIer sIde oI u IuIry IouI oI dougI. TIe AmerIcun Iorses begun Lo mIII und
sepuruLe uIong LIe wuII uL ILs upproucI und IL swung uILer LIem bIIndIy. TIere wus u
* IIurry oI LIumps und kIcks und LIe Iorses begun Lo cIrcIe LIe^ com ound. A smuII
moLLIed sLuIIIon beIongIng Lo one oI LIe DeIuwures cume ouL oI LIe remudu und sLruck
uL LIe LIIng LwIce und LIen Lurned und burIed ILs LeeLI In ILs neck. OuL oI LIe mud
Iorse's LIrouL cume u sound LIuL brougIL LIe men Lo LIe door.
WIy donL you sIooL LIuL LIIng? suId rvIng.
Sooner IL dIes LIe sooner IL'II roL, LIey suId.
rvIng spuL. You uIm Lo euL IL und IL snukebIL?
TIey Iooked uL one unoLIer. TIey dIdnL know.
rvIng sIook IIs Ieud und wenL ouL. GIunLon und LIe judge Iooked uL LIe squuLLers und
LIe squuLLers Iooked uL LIe IIoor. Some oI LIe rooIbeums were IuII down InLo LIe room
und LIe IIoor wus IIIIed wILI mud und rubbIe. nLo LIese ruInous works LIe mornIng sun
now sIunLed und GIunLon couId see croucIed In u corner u MexIcun or IuIIbreed boy
muybe LweIve yeurs oId. He wus nuked suve Ior u puIr oI oId cuIzones und mukesIIIL
sunduIs oI uncured IIde. He gIured buck uL GIunLon wILI u sorL oI LerrIIIed InsoIence.
WIo's LIIs cIIId? suId LIe judge.
TIey sIrugged, LIey Iooked uwuy.
GIunLon spuL und sIook IIs Ieud.
TIey posLed guurds uLop LIe uzoLeu und unsuddIed LIe Iorses und drove LIem ouL Lo
gruze und LIe judge Look one oI LIe puckunImuIs und empLIed ouL LIe punnIers und
wenL oII Lo expIore LIe works. n LIe uILernoon Ie suL In LIe compound breukIng ore
sumpIes wILI u Iummer, LIe IeIdspur rIcI In red oxIde oI copper und nuLIve nuggeLs In
wIose orgunIc IobuLIons Ie purporLed Lo reud news oI LIe eurLI's orIgIns, IoIdIng un
exLemporury IecLure In geoIogy Lo u smuII guLIerIng wIo nodded und spuL. A Iew wouId
quoLe IIm scrIpLure Lo conIound IIs orderIng up oI eons ouL oI LIe uncIenL cIuos und
oLIer uposLuLe supposIngs. TIe judge smIIed.
Books IIe, Ie suId.
God donL IIe.
No, suId LIe judge. He does noL. And LIese ure IIs words.
He IeId up u cIunk oI rock.
He speuks In sLones und Lrees, LIe bones oI LIIngs.
TIe squuLLers In LIeIr rugs nodded umong LIemseIves und were soon reckonIng IIm
correcL, LIIs mun oI IeurnIng, In uII IIs specuIuLIons, und LIIs LIe judge encouruged unLII
LIey were rIgIL proseIyLes oI LIe new order wIereupon Ie IuugIed uL LIem Ior IooIs.
! TIuL evenIng LIe muIn purL oI LIe compuny quurLered LIem eIves on LIe dry cIuy oI
LIe compound under LIe sLurs. BeIore mornIng ruIn wouId drIve LIem In, IuddIed In LIe
durk mud cubIcIes uIong LIe souLI wuII. n LIe oIIIce oI LIe presIdIo LIey'd buIIL u IIre
In LIe IIoor und LIe smoke rose LIrougI LIe ruIned rooI und GIunLon und LIe judge und
LIeIr IIeuLenunLs suL ubouL LIe bIuze und smoked LIeIr pIpes wIIIe LIe squuLLers sLood
oII Lo one sIde cIewIng LIe Lobucco LIey'd been gIven und spILLIng uL LIe wuII. TIe
IuIIbreed boy wuLcIed LIem wILI IIs durk eyes. To LIe wesL umong LIe Iow durk IIIIs
# LIey couId Ieur LIe IowI ng oI u woII LIuL LIe squuLLers dId mIsLrusL und LIe IunLers
smIIed umong LIemseIves. n u nIgIL so becIumored wILI LIe juckuI-yuppIng oI coyoLes
und LIe crIes oI owIs LIe IowI oI LIuL oId dog woII wus LIe one sound LIey knew Lo
Issue Irom ILs rIgIL Iorm, u soIILury Iobo, perIups gruy uL LIe muzzIe, Iung IIke u
murIoneLLe Irom LIe moon wILI IIs Iong mouLI gIbberIng.
L grew coId In LIe nIgIL und IL bIew sLormy wILI wInd und ruIn und soon uII LIe wIId
menugerIe oI LIuL counLry grew muLe. A Iorse puL ILs Iong weL Iuce In uL LIe door und
GIunLon Iooked up und spoke Lo IL und IL IIILed ILs Ieud und curIed ILs IIp und wILIdrew
InLo LIe ruIn und LIe nIgIL.
TIe squuLLers observed LIIs us LIey observed everyLIIng wILI LIeIr sIIILIng eyes und one
oI LIem uIIowed LIuL Ie wouId never muke u peL oI u Iorse. GIunLon spuL uL LIe IIre
und Iooked uL LIe mun wIere Ie suL IorseIess In IIs rugs und Ie sIook IIs Ieud uL LIe
wonderIuI InvenLIon oI IoIIy In ILs guIses und Iorms. TIe ruIn Iud sIucked und In LIe
sLIIIness u Iong cruck oI LIunder roIIed overIeud und cIunged umong LIe rocks und LIen
LIe ruIn cume Iurder unLII IL wus pourIng LIrougI LIe bIuckened openIng In LIe rooI
und sLeumIng und IIssIng In LIe IIre. One oI LIe men rose und drugged up LIe roLLed
ends oI some oId beums und pIIed LIem onLo LIe IIumes. TIe smoke spreud uIong LIe
suggIng vIgus ubove LIem und IILLIe sLreums oI IIquId cIuy sLurLed down Irom LIe sod
rooI. OuLsIde LIe compound Iuy under sIeeLs oI wuLer LIuL sIusIed ubouL In LIe gusLs
und LIe IIgIL oI LIe IIre IuIIIng Irom LIe door IuId u puIe bund upon LIuL sIuIIow seu
uIong wIIcI LIe Iorses sLood IIke roudsIde specLuLors wuILIng un evenL. rom LIme Lo
LIme one oI LIe men wouId rIse und go ouL und IIs sIudow wouId IuII umong LIe
unImuIs und LIey wouId ruIse und Iower LIeIr drIppIng Ieuds und dup LIeIr Iooves und
LIen wuIL In LIe ruIn uguIn.
TIe men wIo Iud been on wuLcI enLered LIe room und sLood sLeumIng beIore LIe IIre.
TIe bIuck sLood uL LIe door neILIer In nor ouL. Someone Iud reporLed LIe judge nuked
uLop LIe wuIIs, Immense und puIe In LIe reveIuLIons oI IIgILnIng, sLrIdIng LIe perImeLer
up LIere und decIuImIng In LIe oId epIc mode. GIunLon wuLcIed LIe IIre sIIenLIy und LIe
men composed LIemseIves In LIeIr bIunkeLs In LIe drIer pIuces ubouL LIe IIoor und soon
LIey were usIeep.
n LIe mornIng LIe ruIn Iud ceused. TIe wuLer sLood In pooIs In LIe courLyurd und LIe
% snukebIL Iorse Iuy deud wILI ILs sIupe ess Ieud sLreLcIed In LIe mud und LIe oLIer
unImuIs Iud guLIered In LIe norLIeusL corner under LIe Lower und sLood IucIng LIe wuII.
TIe peuks Lo LIe norLI were wIILe wILI snow In LIe new rIsen sun und wIen ToudvIne
sLepped ouL InLo LIe duy LIe sun wus jusL LoucIIng LIe upper wuIIs oI LIe compound
und LIe judge wus sLundIng In LIe genLIy sLeumIng quIeL pIckIng IIs LeeLI wILI u LIorn
us II Ie Iud jusL euLen.
MornIng, suId LIe judge.
MornIng, suId ToudvIne.
ooks IuIr Lo cIeur.
L done Ius cIeured, suId ToudvIne.
TIe judge Lurned IIs Ieud und Iooked Lowurd LIe prIsLIne cobuIL keep oI LIe vIsIbIe duy.
An eugIe wus crossIng LIe gorge wILI LIe sun very wIILe on ILs Ieud und LuIIIeuLIers.
So IL Ius, suId LIe judge. So IL Ius.
# TIe squuLLers emerged und sLood ubouL LIe cunLonmenL bIInk ng IIke bIrds. TIey Iud
eIecLed umong LIemseIves Lo joIn LIe compuny und wIen GIunLon cume ucross LIe yurd
IeudIng IIs Iorse LIe spokesmun Ior LIeIr group sLepped Iorwurd Lo InIorm IIm oI LIeIr
decIsIon. GIunLon dIdnL even Iook uL IIm. He enLered LIe cuurLeI und goL IIs suddIe und
geur. n LIe meunLIme someone Iud Iound LIe boy.
He wus IyIng Iuce down nuked In one oI LIe cubIcIes. ScuLLered ubouL on LIe cIuy were
greuL numbers oI oId bones. As II Ie IIke oLIers beIore IIm Iud sLumbIed upon u pIuce
wIere someLIIng InImIcuI IIved. TIe squuLLers crowded In und sLood ubouL LIe corpse In
sIIence. Soon LIey were conversIng senseIessIy ubouL LIe merILs und vIrLues oI LIe deud
boy.
n LIe compound LIe scuIpIunLers mounLed up und Lurned LIeIr Iorses Lowurd LIe guLes
LIuL now sLood open Lo LIe eusL Lo weIcome In LIe IIgIL und Lo InvILe LIeIr journey. As
LIey rode ouL LIe doomed men IosLeIed In LIuL pIuce cume druggIng LIe boy ouL und
IuId IIm In LIe mud. HIs neck Iud been broken und IIs Ieud Iung sLruIgIL down und
IL IIopped over sLrungeIy wIen LIey IeL IIm onLo LIe ground. TIe IIIIs beyond LIe
mInepIL were reIIecLed gruyIy In LIe pooIs oI ruInwuLer In LIe courLyurd und LIe purLIy
# euLen muIe Iuy In LIe mud wILI ILs IIndquurLers mIss ng IIke someLIIng Irom u cIromo
oI LerrIIIc wur. WILIIn LIe doorIess cuurLeI LIe mun wIo'd been sIoL sung cIurcI Iymns
und cursed God uILernuLeIy. TIe squuLLers sLood ubouL LIe deud boy wILI LIeIr wreLcIed
IIreurms uL resL IIke some LuLLerdemuIIon guurd oI Ionor. GIunLon Iud gIven LIem u IuII
pound oI rIIIe-powder und some prImers und u smuII pIg oI Ieud und us LIe compuny
rode ouL some Iooked buck uL LIem, LIree men sLundIng LIere wILIouL expressIon. No
one ruIsed u Iund In IureweII. TIe dyIng mun by LIe usIes oI LIe IIre wus sIngIng und
us LIey rode ouL LIey couId Ieur LIe Iymns oI LIeIr cIIIdIood und LIey couId Ieur
LIem us LIey uscended LIe urroyo und rode up LIrougI LIe Iow junIpers sLIII weL Irom
LIe ruIn. TIe dyIng mun sung wILI greuL cIurILy und InLenLIon und LIe rIders seLLIng
IorLI upcounLry muy Iuve rIdden more sIowIy LIe Ionger Lo Ieur IIm Ior LIey were oI
jusL LIese quuIILIes LIemseIves.
TIey rode LIuL duy LIrougI Iow IIIIs burren suve Ior LIe scrub evergreens. EverywIere
In LIIs IIgI purkIund deer IeupL und scuLLered und LIe IunLers sIoL severuI Irom LIeIr
suddIes und guLLed und pucked LIem und by evenIng LIey Iud ucquIred u reLInue oI IuII
u dozen woIves oI vuryIng sIze und coIor LIuL LroLLed beIInd LIem sIngIeIIIe und wuLcIed
over LIeIr own sIouIders Lo see LIuL eucI sIouId IoIIow In IIs pIuce. AL dusk LIey
IuILed und buIIL u IIre und rousLed LIe deer. TIe nIgIL wus mucI encIosed ubouL LIem
und LIere were no sLurs. To LIe norLI LIey couId see oLIer IIres LIuL burned red und
suIIen uIong LIe InvIsIbIe rIdges. TIey uLe und moved on, IeuvIng LIe IIre on LIe ground
beIInd LIem, und us LIey rode up InLo LIe mounLuIns LIIs IIre seemed Lo become
uILered oI ILs IocuLIon, now Iere, now LIere, druwIng uwuy, or sIIILIng unuccounLubIy
uIong LIe IIunk oI LIeIr movemenL. Ike some IgnIs IuLuus beIuLed upon LIe roud beIInd
LIem wIIcI uII couId see und oI wIIcI none spoke. or LIIs wIII Lo deceIve LIuL Is In
LIIngs IumInous muy munIIesL ILseII IIkewIse In reLrospecL und so by sIeIgIL oI some
IIxed purL oI u journey uIreudy uccompIIsIed muy uIso posL men Lo IruuduIenL desLInIes.
As LIey rode LIuL nIgIL upon LIe mesu LIey suw come Lowurd LIem mucI IIke LIeIr own
Imuge u purLy oI rIders pIeced ouL oI LIe durkness by LIe InLermILLenL IIure oI LIe dry
IIgILnIng Lo LIe norLI. GIunLon IuILed und suL IIs Iorse und LIe compuny IuILed beIInd
IIm. TIe sIIenL rIders Iove on. WIen LIey were u Iundred yurds ouL LIey Loo IuILed
und uII suL In sIIenL specuIuLIon uL LIIs encounLer.
WIo ure you? cuIIed GIunLon.
AmIgos, somos umIgos.
TIey were counLIng eucI LIe oLIer's number.
De donde vIene? cuIIed LIe sLrungers.
A donde vu? cuIIed LIe judge.
TIey were cIboIeros down Irom LIe norLI, LIeIr puckIorses Iuden wILI drIed meuL. TIey
were dressed In skIns sewn wILI LIe IIgumenLs oI beusLs und LIey suL LIeIr unImuIs In
LIe wuy oI men seIdom oII LIem. TIey currIed Iunces wILI wIIcI LIey IunLed LIe wIId
buIIuIo on LIe pIuIns und LIese weupons were dressed wILI LusseIs oI IeuLIers und
coIored cIoLI und some currIed bows und some currIed oId IusIIs wILI LusseIed sLoppers
In LIeIr bores. TIe drIed meuL wus pucked In IIdes und oLIer LIun LIe Iew urms umong
LIem LIey were InnocenL oI cIvIIIzed devIce us LIe ruwesL suvuge oI LIuL Iund.
TIey purIeyed wILIouL dIsmounLIng und LIe cIboIeros IIgILed LIeIr smuII cIgurIIIos und
LoId LIuL LIey were bound Ior LIe murkeLs uL MesIIIu. TIe AmerIcuns mIgIL Iuve Lruded
* Ior some oI LIe meuL buL LIey currIed no LunLumounL goods und LIe dIs osILIon Lo
excIunge wus IoreIgn Lo LIem. And so LIese purLIes dIvIded upon LIuL mIdnIgIL pIuIn,
eucI pussIng buck LIe wuy LIe oLIer Iud come, pursuIng us uII LruveIers musL InversIons
wILIouL end upon oLIer men's journeys.
X
TobIn - TIe skIrmIsI on LIe ILLIe CoIorudo -TIe KuLubusIs ?
How cume LIe Ieurned mun - CIunLon und LIe judge - A new course ?
TIe judge und LIe buLs - Cuuno - TIe deserLers -
SuILpeLer und cIurcouI - TIe muIpuIs -HooIprInLs - TIe voIcuno -
BrImsLone - TIe muLrIx - TIe sIuugILer oI LIe uborIgInes.
n LIe duys Lo IoIIow uII Lruce oI LIe GIIenos Iuded und LIey pusIed deeper InLo LIe
) mounLuIns. By IIres oI IIgIIund drIIL ood puIe us bone LIey croucIed In sIIence wIIIe
LIe IIumes yuwed In LIe nIgILwInds uscendIng LIose sLony druws. TIe kId suL wILI IIs
Iegs crossed mendIng u sLrup wILI un uwI Ie'd borrowed Irom LIe exprIesL TobIn und
LIe IrockIess one Iooked on us Ie worked.
You've done LIIs uIore, suId TobIn.
TIe kId wIped IIs nose wILI u swIpe oI IIs greusy sIeeve und Lurned LIe pIece In IIs
Iup. NoL me, Ie suId.
WeII you've LIe knuck. More so LIun me. TIere's IILLIe equILy In LIe ord's gIILs.
TIe kId Iooked up uL IIm und LIen benL Lo IIs work uguIn.
TIuL's so, suId LIe exprIesL. ook uround you. SLudy LIe judge.
done sLudIed IIm.
MuyIups Ie uInL Lo your IIkIng, IuIr enougI. BuL LIe mun's u Iund uL unyLIIng. 've
never seen IIm Lurn Lo u Lusk buL wIuL Ie dIdnL prove cIever uL IL.
TIe Iud drove LIe greused LIreud LIrougI LIe IeuLIer und IuuIed IL LuuL.
He speuks duLcI, suId LIe exprIesL.
DuLcI?
Aye.
TIe kId Iooked uL LIe exprIesL, Ie benL Lo IIs mendIng.
7 He does Ior Ieurd IIm do IL. We cuL u purceI oI cruzy pII rIms down oII LIe Iuno
und LIe oId mun In LIe Ieud oI LIem Ie spoke rIgIL up In duLcI IIke we were uII oI us
In duLcIIund und LIe judge gIve IIm rIgIL buck. GIunLon come neur IuIIIn oII IIs Iorse.
We none oI us knew IIm Lo speuk IL. Asked wIere Ie'd Ieurned IL you know wIuL Ie
suId?
WIuL dId Ie suy.
SuId oII u duLcImun.
TIe exprIesL spuL. couIdnL oI Ieurned IL oII Len duLcImen. WIuL ubouL you?
TIe kId sIook IIs Ieud.
No, suId TobIn. TIe gIILs oI LIe AImIgILy ure weIgIed und purceIed ouL In u scuIe
pecuIIur Lo IImseII. L's no IuIr uccounLIn und donL doubL buL wIuL Ie'd be LIe IIrsL Lo
udmIL IL und you puL LIe query Lo IIm boIdIuce.
WIo?
TIe AImIgILy, LIe AImIgILy. TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud. He gIunced ucross LIe IIre
Lowurd LIe judge. TIuL greuL IuIrIess LIIng. You wouIdnL LIInk Lo Iook uL IIm LIuL Ie
couId ouLdunce LIe devII IImseII now wouId ye? God LIe mun Is u duncer, you'II noL
Luke LIuL uwuy Irom IIm. And IIddIe. He's LIe greuLesL IIddIer ever Ieurd und LIuL's
un end on IL. TIe greuLesL. He cun cuL u LruII, sIooL u rIIIe, rIde u Iorse, Lruck u deer.
He's been uII over LIe worId. HIm und LIe governor LIey suL up LIII breukIusL und IL wus
PurIs LIIs und ondon LIuL In IIve Iunguuges, you'd Iuve gIve someLIIng Lo oI Ieurd
LIem. TIe governor's u Ieurned mun IImseII Ie Is, buL LIe judge .. .
TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud. OI IL muy be LIe ord's wuy oI sIowIn Iow IILLIe sLore Ie
seLs by LIe Ieurned. WIuLever couId IL meun Lo one wIo knows uII? He's un uncommon
Iove Ior LIe common mun und godIy wIsdom resIdes In LIe IeusL oI LIIngs so LIuL IL
muy weII be LIuL LIe voIce oI LIe AImIgILy speuks mosL proIoundIy In sucI beIngs us
IIves In sIIence LIemseIves.
He wuLcIed LIe kId.
or IeL IL go Iow IL wIII, Ie suId, God speuks In LIe IeusL oI creuLures.
TIe kId LIougIL IIm Lo meun bIrds or LIIngs LIuL cruwI buL LIe exprIesL, wuLcIIng, IIs
Ieud sIIgILIy cocked, suId: No mun Is gIve Ieuve oI LIuL voIce.
TIe kId spuL InLo LIe IIre und benL Lo IIs work.
uInL Ieurd no voIce, Ie suId.
WIen IL sLops, suId TobIn, you'II know you've Ieurd IL uII your IIIe.
s LIuL rIgIL?
Aye.
TIe kId Lurned LIe IeuLIer In IIs Iup. TIe exprIesL wuLcIed IIm.
AL nIgIL, suId TobIn, wIen LIe Iorses ure gruzIng und LIe compuny Is usIeep, wIo Ieurs
LIem gruzIng?
DonL nobody Ieur LIem II LIey're usIeep.
Aye. And II LIey ceuse LIeIr gruzIng wIo Is IL LIuL wukes?
Every mun.
Aye, suId LIe exprIesL. Every mun.
TIe kId Iooked up. And LIe judge? Does LIe voIce speuk Lo IIm?
TIe judge, suId TobIn. He dIdn'L unswer.
seen IIm beIore, suId LIe kId. n NucogdocIes.
1 TobIn smIIed. Every mun In LIe compuny cIuIms Lo Iuve en ounLered LIuL sooLysouIed
ruscuI In some oLIer pIuce.
TobIn rubbed IIs beurd on LIe buck oI IIs Iund. He suved us uII, Iuve Lo gIve IIm
8 LIuL. We come down oII LIe ILLIe CoI rudo we dIdnL Iuve u pound oI powder In LIe
compuny. Pound. We'd noL u drum IurdIy. TIere Ie seL on u rock In LIe mIddIe oI LIe
greuLesL deserL you'd ever wunL Lo see. JusL percIed on LIIs rock IIke u mun wuILIn Ior u
coucI. Brown LIougIL IIm u mIruge. MIgIL Iuve sIoL IIm Ior one II Ie'd Iud uugIL Lo
sIooL IIm wILI.
How come you Lo Iuve no powder?
SIoL IL up uII uL LIe suvuges. HoIed up nIne duys In u cuve, IosL mosL oI LIe Iorses. We
were LIIrLy-eIgIL men wIen we IeIL CIIIuuIuu CILy und we were IourLeen wIen LIe
judge Iound us. MorLuIIy wIIpped, on LIe run. Every mun juck oI us knew LIuL In LIuL
godIorsook Iund somewIere wus u druw or u cuI-desuc or perIups jusL u pIIe oI rocks
und LIere we'd be drIven Lo u sLund wILI LIose empLy guns. TIe judge. GIve LIe devII
IIs due.
TIe kId IeId LIe Luck In one Iund, LIe uwI In LIe oLIer. He wuLcIed LIe exprIesL.
We'd been on LIe pIuIn uII nIgIL und weII up InLo LIe nexL duy. TIe DeIuwures kepL
cuIIIn IuILs und droppIn Lo LIe ground Lo gIve u IIsLen. TIere wus no pIuce Lo run und
no pIuce Lo IIde. donL know wIuL LIey wunLed Lo Ieur. We knew LIe bIoody nIggers
wus ouL LIere und speukIn Ior myseII LIuL wus uIreudy un ubundunce oI InIormuLIon,
dIdnL need more. TIuL sunrIse we'd Iooked Lo be our IusL. We were uII wuLcIIn LIe
buckLruck, donL know Iow Iur you couId see. IILeen, LwenLy mIIes.
TIen ubouL LIe merIdIun oI LIuL duy we come upon LIe judge on IIs rock LIere In LIuL
wIIderness by IIs sIngIe seII. Aye und LIere wus no rock, jusL LIe one. rvIng suId Ie'd
brung IL wILI IIm. suId LIuL IL wus u meresLone Ior Lo murk IIm ouL oI noLIIng uL uII.
He Iud wILI IIm LIuL seIIsume rIIIe you see wILI IIm now, uII mounLed In germun
sIIver und LIe nume LIuL Ie'd gIve IL seL wILI sIIver wIre under LIe cIeckpIece In IuLIn:
EL n ArcudIu Ego. A reIerence Lo LIe IeLIuI In IL. Common enougI Ior u mun Lo nume
IIs gun. 've Ieurd SweeLIIps und Hurk rom TIe Tombs und every sorL oI Iudy's nume.
HIs Is LIe IIrsL und onIy ever seen wILI un InscrIpLIon Irom LIe cIussIcs.
And LIere Ie seL. No Iorse. JusL IIm und IIs Iegs crossed, smIIIn us we rode up. Ike
Ie'd been expecLIn us. He'd un oId cunvus kILbug und un oId wooIen benjumIn over LIe
one sIouIder. n LIe bug wus u bruce oI pIsLoIs und u good ussorLmenL oI specIe, goId
und sIIver. He dIdnL even Iuve u cunLeen. L wus IIke... You couIdnL LeII wIere Ie'd
come Irom. SuId Ie'd been wILI u wugon compuny und IeII ouL Lo go IL uIone.
Duvy wunLed Lo Ieuve IIm LIere. DIdnL seL weII wILI IIs Ionor und IL donL Lo LIIs duy.
GIunLon jusL sLudIed IIm. L wus u duy's work Lo even guess wIuL Ie mude oI LIuL
IIgure on LIuL ground. donL know Lo LIIs duy. TIey've u secreL commerce. Some
LerrIbIe covenunL. You mInd. You'II see 'm rIgIL. He cuIIed Ior LIe IusL oI Lwo
puckunImuIs we Iud und Ie cuL LIe sLrups und IeIL LIe wuIIeLs Lo Iuy wIere LIey IeII
und LIe judge mounLed up und Ie und GIunLon rode sIde by sIde und soon LIey wus
conversIn IIke broLIers. TIe judge suL LIuL unImuI burebuck IIke un IndIun und rode wILI
IIs grIp und IIs rIIIe percIed on LIe wILIers und Ie Iooked ubouL IIm wILI LIe greuLesL
suLIsIucLIon In LIe worId, us II everyLIIng Iud Lurned ouL jusL us Ie pIunned und LIe duy
couId noL Iuve been IIner.
We'd noL rode Iur beIore Ie sLruck us u new course ubouL nIne poInLs Lo LIe eusL. He
poInLed ouL u runge oI mounLuIns muybe LIIrLy mIIe dIsLunL und we puIIed Ior LIose
% mounLuIns und none oI us usked wIuL Ior. By LIen GIunLon Iud gIve IIm LIe purLIcu
urs oI LIe sILuuLIon In wIIcI Ie'd InsLuIIed IImseII buL II beIn nuked oI urms In LIuL
wIIderness und IuII oI uII ApucIerIu In pursuIL worrIed IIm uL uII Ie kepL IL Lo IImseII
enLIre.
TIe exprIesL Iud puused Lo rekIndIe IIs pIpe, reucIIng InLo LIe ruw IIre Ior u couI us
dId LIe red scouLs und LIen seLLIng IL buck umong LIe IIumes us II IL Iud u proper pIuce
LIere.
Now wIuL do you reckon IL wus In LIem mounLuIns LIuL we seL ouL Ior? And Iow dId
Ie come Lo know oI IL? How Lo IInd IL? How Lo puL IL Lo use?
TobIn seemed Lo Irume LIese quesLIons Lo IImseII. He wus regurdIng LIe IIre und puIIIng
on IIs pIpe. How Indeed, Ie suId. We reucIed LIe IooLIIIIs In LIe eurIy evenIn und rode
up u dry urroyo und pusIed on guess LIII mIdnIgIL und mude cump wILI neILIer wood
nor wuLer. Come mornIn we couId see LIem on LIe pIuIn Lo LIe norLI muybe Len mIIe
ouL. TIey were rIdIn Iour und sIx ubreusL und LIere wus no sIorL suppIy oI LIem und
LIey were In no Iurry.
TIe judge Iud been up uII LIe nIgIL by wIuL LIe vIdeLLes suId. WuLcIIn LIe buLs. He
wouId go up LIe sIde oI LIe mounLuIn und muke noLes In u IILLIe book und LIen Ie
wouId come buck down. CouId noL Iuve been more cIeerIuI. Two men Iud deserLed In
LIe nIgIL und LIuL mude us down Lo LweIve und LIe judge LIIrLeen. guve IIm my besL
sLudy, LIe judge. TIen und now. He uppeured Lo be u IunuLIc und LIen noL. GIunLon uI
)uys knew wus mud.
We IeIL ouL wILI LIe IIrsL IIgIL up u IILLIe wooded druw. We were on LIe norLI sIope
und LIere wus wIIIow und uIder und cIerry growIn ouL oI LIe rock, jusL IILLIe Lrees. TIe
judge wouId sLop Lo boLunIze und LIen rIde Lo cuLcI up. My Iund Lo God. PressIng
Ieuves InLo IIs book. Sure never suw LIe equuI Lo IL und uII LIe LIme LIe suvuges In
pIuIn vIew beIow us. RIdIn on LIuL pun. God 'd puL u crIck In my neck couIdnL keep
my eyes oII oI LIem und LIey were u Iundred souIs II LIey were one.
We come ouL on some IIInLy ground wIere IL wus uII junIper und we jusL wenL on. No
uLLempL Lo puL LIeIr Lruckers uL IuuIL. We rode uII LIuL duy. We suw no more oI LIe
suvuges Ior LIey were come under LIe Iee oI LIe mounLuIn und were somewIere on LIe
sIopes beIow us. As soon us IL wus dusk und LIe buLs wus ubouL LIe judge Ie uILered
our course uguIn, rIdIn uIong IoIdIn onLo IIs IuL, IookIn up uL LIe IILLIe unImuIs. We goL
broke up und scuLLered uII In LIe junIpers und we IuILed Lo regroup und Lo recruIL LIe
Iorses. We suL uround In LIe durk, no one spoke u word. WIen LIe judge goL buck Ie
und GIunLon wIIspered umong LIemseIves und LIen we moved on.
We Ied LIe Iorses In LIe durk. TIere wus no LruII, jusL sLeep scrubbIy rock. WIen we
reucIed LIe cuve some oI LIe men LIougIL LIuL Ie meunL Ior us Lo IIde LIere und LIuL
Ie wus Ior u IucL duIL uILogeLIer. BuL IL wus LIe nILre. TIe nILre, you see. We IeIL uII
LIuL we owned uL LIe mouLI oI LIuL cuve und we IIIIed our wuIIeLs und punnIers und
our mocIIIus wILI LIe cuve dIrL und we IeIL ouL uL duybreuk. WIen we Lopped LIe rIse
ubove LIuL pIuce und Iooked buck LIere wus u greuL spouL oI buLs beIng sucked down
InLo LIe cuve, LIousunds oI LIe creuLures, und LIey conLInued so Ior un Iour or more
und even LIen IL wus jusL LIuL we couId no Ionger see LIem.
TIe judge. We IeIL IIm uL u IIgI puss, u IILLIe cIeurwuLer creek. HIm und one oI LIe
- DeIuwures. He LoId us Lo cIrcIe LIe moun uIn und Lo reLurn Lo LIuL pIuce In IorLy-eIgIL
% Iours. We un ouded uII LIe conLuIners onLo LIe ground und Look LIe Lwo Iorses wILI
us und IIm und LIe DeIuwure commenced IuggIn LIe punnIers und LIe wuIIeLs up LIuL
IILLIe creek. wuLcIed IIm go und suId LIuL wouId never seL eyes on LIuL mun uguIn.
TobIn Iooked uL LIe kId. Never In LIIs worId. LIougIL GIun-Lon wouId Ieuve IIm. We
wenL on. TIe nexL duy on LIe Iur sIde oI LIe mounLuIn we encounLered LIe Lwo Iuds
LIuL Iud deserLed us. HungIn upsIde down In u Lree. TIey'd been skInned und cun LeII
ye IL does very IILLIe Ior u mun's uppeurunce. BuL II LIe suvuges Iud noL guessed IL
uIreudy now LIey knew Ior sure. TIuL we'd none oI us uny powder.
We wouId noL rIde LIe unImuIs. JusL Ieud LIem, keep LIem oII LIe rocks, IoId LIeIr
noses II LIey snuIIIed. BuL In LIose Lwo duys LIe judge IeucIed ouL LIe guuno wILI
creekwuLer und woodusI und precIpILuLed IL ouL und Ie buIIL u cIuy kIIn und burned
cIurcouI In IL, doused LIe IIre by duy und IIred IL uguIn come durk. WIen we Iound IIm
IIm und LIe DeIuwure wus seLLIn In LIe creek sLurk nuked und LIey uppeured uL IIrsL Lo
- be drunk buL on wIuL none couId surmIse. TIe enLIre Lop oI LIuL moun uIn wus
covered wILI ApucIe ndIuns und LIere seL Ie. He goL up wIen Ie seen us und wenL Lo
LIe wIIIows und come buck wILI u puIr oI wuIIeLs und In one wus ubouL eIgIL pounds oI
pure crysLuI suILpeLre und In LIe oLIer ubouL LIree pounds oI IIne uIder cIurcouI. He'd
ground LIe cIurcouI Lo u powder In LIe IoIIow oI u rock, you couId Iuve mude Ink oI
IL. He IusIed LIe bugs sIuL und puL LIem ucross LIe pommeI oI GIunLon's suddIe und
IIm und LIe IndIun goL LIeIr cIoLIes und wus gIud oI IL Ior never seen u grown mun
wILI noL u IuIr Lo IIs body und IIm weIgIIn LwenLy-Iour sLone wIIcI Ie dId LIen und
does now. And by my own wurrunL, Ior udded up LIe counLers on LIe bur wILI my
own und sober eyes uL u sLockscuIe In CIIIuuIuu CILy In LIuL sume monLI und yeur.
We wenL down LIe mounLuIn wILI no scouLs, noLIIn. JusL sLruIgIL ouL. We were deud
Ior sIeep. L wus durk wIen we reucIed LIe pIuIn und we grouped und Look u IeudcounL
und LIen we rode ouL. TIe moon wus ubouL LIree quurLers IuII und wuxIng und we were
IIke cIrcus rIders, noL u sound, LIe Iorses on eggsIeIIs. We'd no wuy oI knowIn wIere
LIe suvuges wus. TIe IusL cIue we'd Iud oI LIeIr vIcInILy wus LIe poor buggers IIuyed In
LIe Lree. We seL ouL deud wesL ucross LIe deserL. Doc rvIng wus beIore me und IL wus
LIuL brIgIL couId counL LIe IuIrs on IIs Ieud.
We rode uII nIgIL und Lowurd LIe mornIng jusL us LIe moon wus down we come upon u
bund oI woIves. TIey scuLLered und come buck, noL u sound ouL oI LIem no more LIun
smoke. TIey'd drIIL oII und quurLer uround und cIrcIe LIe Iorses. BoId us bruss. We cuL
uL LIem wILI our IobbIes und LIey wouId sIIp pusL, you couIdnL Ieur LIem on LIe
Iurdpun jusL LIeIr breuLI or LIey wouId muLLer und grouse or pop LIeIr LeeLI. GIunLon
IuILed und LIe LIIngs swIrIed uround und sIunk oII und come buck. Two oI LIe
; . DeIuwures buckLrucked oII Lo LIe IeIL u bIL ruver souIs LIun me nd sure LIey Iound
% LIe kIII. Twus u young buck unLe ope new kIIIed LIe evenIn beIore. L wus ubouL IuII
consumed und we seL upon IL wILI our knIves und Look LIe resL oI LIe meuL wILI us
und we uLe IL ruw In LIe suddIe und IL wus LIe IIrsL meuL we'd seen In sIx duys. roze
Ior IL we were. orugIn on LIe mounLuIn Ior pInon nuLs IIke beurs und gIud Lo geL LIem.
We IeIL IILLIe more LIun bones Ior LIe Iobos, buL wouId never sIooL u woII und
know oLIer men oI LIe sume senLImenLs.
n uII LIIs LIme LIe judge Iud spoke IurdIy u word. So uL duwn we were on LIe edge oI
u vusL muIpuIs und IIs Ionor Lukes up u posILIon on some Iuvu rocks LIere und Ie
commences Lo gIve us u uddress. L wus IIke u sermon buL IL wus no sucI sermon us
uny mun oI us Iud ever Ieurd beIore. Beyond LIe muIpuIs wus u voIcunIc peuk und In
LIe sunrIse IL wus muny coIors und LIere wus durk IILLIe bIrds crossIn down LIe wInd
und LIe wInd wus IIuppIn LIe judge's oId benjumIn ubouL IIm und Ie poInLed Lo LIuL
sLurk und soIILury mounLuIn und deIIvered IImseII oI un oruLIon Lo wIuL end know noL,
LIen or now, und Ie concIuded wILI LIe LeIIIn us LIuL our moLIer LIe eurLI us Ie suId
wus round IIke un egg und conLuIned uII good LIIngs wILIIn Ier. TIen Ie Lurned und
Ied LIe Iorse Ie Iud been rIdIn ucross LIuL LerruIn oI bIuck und gIussy sIug, LreucIerous
Lo mun und beusL uIIke, und us beIInd IIm IIke LIe dIscIpIes oI u new IuILI.
TIe exprIesL broke oII und Lupped LIe deud pIpe uguInsL LIe IeeI oI IIs booL. He Iooked
uL LIe judge over LIe wuy wIere Ie suL wILI IIs Lorso bured Lo LIe IIumes us wus IIs
prucLIce. He Lurned und regurded LIe kId.
- TIe muIpuIs. L wus u muze. Ye'd run ouL upon u IILLIe promon ory und ye'd be buIked
ubouL by LIe sLeep crevusses, you wouIdnL dure Lo jump LIem. SIurp bIuck gIuss LIe
edges und sIurp LIe IIInLy rocks beIow. We Ied LIe Iorses wILI every cure und sLIII LIey
were bIeedIn ubouL LIeIr Iooves. Our booLs wus cuL Lo pIeces. CIumberIn over LIose oId
cuved und rImpIed pIuLes you couId see weII enougI Iow LIIngs Iud gone In LIuL pIuce,
rocks meILed und seL up uII wrInkIed IIke u puddIng, LIe eurLI sLove LIrougI Lo LIe
moILen core oI Ier. WIere Ior uugIL uny mun knows IIes LIe IocuIILy oI IeII. or LIe
eurLI Is u gIobe In LIe voId und LruLI LIere's no up nor down Lo IL und LIere's men In
LIIs compuny besIdes myseII seen IILLIe cIoven IooI-prInLs In LIe sLone cIever us u IILLIe
doe In Ier goIng buL wIuL IILLIe doe ever Lrod meILed rock? 'd noL go beIInd scrIpLure
buL IL muy be LIuL LIere Ius been sInners so noLorIous evII LIuL LIe IIres cougIed em
up uguIn und couId weII see In LIe Iong ugo Iow IL wus IILLIe devIIs wILI LIeIr
pILcIIorks Iud Lruversed LIuL IIery vomIL Ior Lo suIvuge buck LIose souIs LIuL Iud by mIs
3dvenLure been spewed up Irom LIeIr dumnuLIon onLo LIe ouLer sIeIves oI LIe worId.
Aye. L's u noLIon, no more. BuL somepIuce In LIe scIeme oI LIIngs LIIs worId musL
LoucI LIe oLIer. And someLIIn puL LIem IILLIe IooIIeL murkIngs In LIe Iuvu IIow Ior
seen LIem LIere myseII.
TIe judge, Ie seemed noL Lo Luke IIs eyes Irom LIuL deud cone wIere IL rose oII LIe
% deserL IIke u greuL cIuncre. We IoI owed soIemn us owIs so LIuL Ie Lurned Lo Iook
buck und Ie dId IuugI wIen Ie seen our Iuces. AL LIe IooL oI LIe mounLuIn we drew
IoLs und we senL Lwo men Lo go on wILI LIe Iorses. wuLcIed LIem go. One oI LIem Is
uL LIIs IIre LonIgIL und suw IIm Ieud LIem Iorses uwuy over LIe sIugIunds IIke u
doomed mun.
And we were noL doomed ourseIves 1 donL reckon. WIen Iooked up Ie wus uIreudy
upon LIe sIope Iund und IooL, LIe judge wus, IIs bug over IIs sIouIder und IIs rIIIe Ior
! uIpen Lock. And so dId we uII go. NoL IuIIwuy up we couId uIreudy see LIe suvuges ouL
on LIe pIuIn. We cIImbed on. LIougIL uL worsL we'd LIrow ourseIves InLo LIe cuIdron
ruLIer LIun be Luken by LIose IIends. We cIImbed up und reckon IL wus mIdduy wIen
we reucIed LIe Lop. We were done In. TIe suvuges noL Len mIIes ouL. Iooked uL LIe
men ubouL me und sure LIey dIdnL Iook mucI. TIe dIgnILy wus gone ouL oI LIem. TIey
were good IeurLs uII, LIen und now, und dId noL IIke Lo see LIem so und LIougIL
LIe judge Iud been senL umong us Ior u curse. And yeL Ie proved me wrong. AL LIe
LIme Ie dId. 'm oI Lwo mInds uguIn now.
He wus LIe IIrsL Lo LIe rIm oI LIe cone Ior uII LIe sIze oI IIm und Ie sLood guzIn ubouL
IIke Ie'd come Ior LIe vIew. TIen Ie seL down und Ie begun Lo scuIe uL LIe rock wILI
IIs knIIe. One by one we sLruggIed up und Ie seL wILI IIs buck Lo LIuL gupIn IoIe und
Ie wus cIIppIn uwuy und Ie cuIIed upon us Lo do LIe sume. L wus brImsLone. A weuI
oI brImsLone uII ubouL LIe rIm oI LIe cuIdron, brIgIL yeIIow und sIInIng Iere und LIere
wILI LIe IILLIe IIukes oI sIIIcu buL mosL pure IIowers oI suIpIur. We cIIpped IL Ioose und
cIopped IL IIne wILI our knIves LIII we Iud ubouL Lwo pounds oI IL und LIen LIe judge
1 Look LIe wuIIeLs und wenL Lo u cupped pIuce In LIe rock und dumped ouL LIe cIur ouI
und LIe nILre und sLIrred LIem ubouL wILI IIs Iund und poured LIe suIpIur In.
dIdnL know buL wIuL we'd be requIred Lo bIeed InLo IL IIke Ireemusons buL IL wus noL
so. He worked IL up dry wILI IIs Iunds und uII LIe wIIIe LIe suvuges down LIere on
LIe pIuIn druwIn nIgI Lo us und wIen Lurned buck LIe judge wus sLundIn, LIe greuL
IuIrIess ouI, und Ie'd Look ouL IIs pIzzIe und Ie wus pIssIn InLo LIe mIxLure, pIssIn wILI
u greuL vengeunce und one Iund uIoIL und Ie crIed ouL Ior us Lo do IIkewIse.
We were IuII mud unywuys. AII IIned up. DeIuwures und uII. Every mun suve GIunLon
und Ie wus u sLudy. We IuuIed IorLI our members und uL IL we wenL und LIe judge on
IIs knees kneudIn LIe muss wILI IIs nuked urms und LIe pIss wus spIusIIn ubouL und
Ie wus cryIn ouL Lo us Lo pIss, mun, pIss Ior your very souIs Ior cunL you see LIe
redskIns yonder, und IuugIIn LIe wIIIe und workIn up LIIs greuL muss In u IouI bIuck
dougI, u devII's buLLer by LIe sLInk oI IL und IIm noL u bIoody durk pusLrymun IImseII
donL suppose und Ie puIIs ouL IIs knIIe und Ie commences Lo LroweI IL ucross LIe
souLIIucIn rocks, spreudIn IL ouL LIIn wILI LIe knIIebIude und wuLcIIn LIe sun wILI one
eye und IIm smeured wILI bIuckIng und reekIn oI pIss und suIpIur und grInnIn und
wIeIdIn LIe knIIe wILI u dexLerILy LIuL wus wondrous IIke Ie dId IL every duy oI IIs IIIe.
And wIen Ie wus done Ie seL buck und wIped IIs Iunds on IIs cIesL und LIen Ie
wuLcIed LIe suvuges und so dId we uII.
TIey were on LIe muIpuIs by LIen und LIey Iud u Lrucker wIo IoIIowed us every sLep
on LIuL nuked rock, IuIIIn buck uL eucI bIInd Ieud und cuIIIn ouL Lo LIe oLIers. donL
know wIuL Ie IoIIowed. ScenL perIups. We couId soon Ieur LIem LuIkIn down LIere.
TIen LIey seen us.
WeII, God In IIs gIory knows wIuL LIey LIougIL. TIey were scuLLered ouL ucross LIe Iuvu
und one oI LIem poInLed und LIey uII Iooked up. TIundersLruck no doubL. To see eIeven
men percIed on LIe LopmosL rIm oI LIuL scuIded uLoII IIke mIsIIown bIrds. TIey purIeyed
* und we wuLcIed Lo see wouId LIey dIs uLcI uny oI LIeIr number uILer LIe Iorses buL
LIey dId noL. TIeIr greed overcume uII eIse und LIey sLurLed Ior LIe buse oI LIe cone,
scrumbIIn over LIe Iuvu Ior Lo see wIo wouId be IIrsL.
We Iud wouId suppose un Iour. We wuLcIed LIe suvuges und we wuLcIed LIe judge's
IouI muLrIx dryIn on LIe rocks und we wuLcIed u cIoud LIuL wus mukIng Ior LIe sun.
One by one we gIve up wuLcIIn LIe rocks or LIe suvuges eILIer one, Ior LIe cIoud dId
Iook Lo be deud seL Ior LIe sun und IL wouId Iuve Look LIe beLLer purL oI un Iour Lo
Iuve crossed IL und LIuL wus LIe IusL Iour we Iud. WeII, LIe judge wus sILLIn mukIng
enLrIes In IIs IILLIe book und Ie suw LIe cIoud sume us every oLIer mun und Ie puL
down LIe book und wuLcIed IL und we dId uII. No one spoke. TIere wus none Lo curse
und none Lo pruy, we jusL wuLcIed. And LIuL cIoud jusL cuL LIe corner Irom LIe sun
und pussed on und LIere wus no sIudow IeII upon us und LIe judge Look up IIs Iedger
und wenL on wILI IIs enLrIes us beIore. wuLcIed IIm. TIen cIumbered down und
LesLed u puLcI oI LIe sLuII wILI my Iund. TIere wus IeuL comIn oII oI IL. wuIked
uIong LIe rIm und LIe suvuges wus uscendIn by every quurLer Ior LIere wus no rouLe Lo
Iuvor on LIuL buId und gruveI sIope. Iooked Ior rocks oI uny sIze Lo send down buL
LIere wus none LIere Iurger LIun your IIsL, jusL IIne gruveI und pIuLes oI scrug. Iooked
uL GIunLon und Ie wus wuLcIIn LIe judge und Ie seemed Lo Iuve Iud IIs wILs sLoIe.
WeII LIe judge cIosed up IIs IILLIe book und Look IIs IeuLIer sIIrL und spreud IL ouL In
LIe IILLIe cupped pIuce und cuIIed Ior us Lo brIng LIe sLuII Lo IIm. Every knIIe wus ouL
und we wenL Lo scrupIn IL up und IIm cuuLIonIn us noL Lo sLrIke IIre on LIem IIInLs.
And we Ieuped IL up In LIe sIIrL und Ie commenced Lo cIop und grInd IL wILI IIs
knIIe. And CupLuIn GIunLon, Ie cuIIs ouL.
CupLuIn GIunLon. WouId ye beIIeve IL? CupLuIn GIunLon, Ie suys. Come cIurge LIuL
swIveIbore oI yours und IeL's see wIuL munner oI LIIng we Iuve Iere.
GIunLon come up wILI IIs rIIIe und Ie scooped IIs cIurger IuII und Ie cIurged boLI
burreIs und puLcIed Lwo buIIs und drove LIem Iome und cupped LIe pIece und mude Lo
sLep Lo LIe rIm. BuL LIuL wus mver LIe judge's wuy.
Down LIe muw oI LIuL LIIng, Ie suys, und GIunLon never quesLIoned IL. He wenL down
LIe pILcI oI LIe Inner rIm Lo wIere Iuy LIe LermInus oI LIuL LerrIbIe IIue und Ie IeId
IIs pIece ouL over IL und poInLed IL sLruIgIL down und cocked LIe Iummer und IIred.
You wouIdnL Ieur u sound IIke IL In u Iong duy's rIde. L gIve me LIe IIdgeLs. He IIred
boLI burreIs und Ie Iooked uL us und Ie Iooked uL LIe judge. TIe judge jusL wuved und
wenL on wILI IIs grIndIn und LIen Ie cuIIed us uII ubouL Lo IIII our Iorns und IIusks
1 und we dId, one by one, cIrcIIn pusL IIm IIke communI unLs. And wIen uII Iud sIured
Ie IIIIed IIs own IIusk und Ie goL ouL IIs pIsLoIs und suw Lo LIe prImIng. TIe IoremosL
oI LIe suvuges wus noL more LIun u IurIong on LIe sIope. We were reudy Lo Iuy InLo
LIem buL uguIn LIe judge wouId noL Iuve IL. He IIred oII IIs pIsLoIs down InLo LIe
cuIdron, spucIn ouL LIe sIoLs, und Ie IIred uII Len cIumbers und cuuLIoned us buck Irom
sIgIL wIIIe Ie reIouded LIe pIeces. AII LIIs gunIIre Iud gIve LIe suvuges some puuse no
doubL Ior LIey very IIkeIy reckoned us Lo be wILIouL powder uILogeLIer. And LIen LIe
judge, Ie sLeps up Lo LIe rIm und Ie Iud wILI IIm u good wIILe IInen sIIrL Irom ouL
oI IIs bug und Ie wuved IL Lo LIe redskIns und Ie cuIIed down Lo LIem In SpunIsI.
WeII IL wouId Iuve brougIL Leurs Lo your eyes. AII deud suve me, Ie cuIIed. Huve mercy
on me. Todos muerLos. Todos. WuvIn LIe sIIrL. God IL seL LIem yuppIn on LIe sIope IIke
- dogs und Ie Lurns Lo us, LIe judge, wILI LIuL smIIe oI IIs, und Ie suys: Gen Iemen.
TIuL wus uII Ie suId. He Iud LIe pIsLoIs sLuck In IIs beIL uL LIe buck und Ie drew LIem
one In eucI Iund und Ie Is us eILIerIunded us u spIder, Ie cun wrILe wILI boLI Iunds
uL u LIme und 've seen IIm Lo do IL, und Ie commenced Lo kIII ndIuns. We needed no
second InvILuLIon. God IL wus u buLcIery. AL LIe IIrsL IIre we kIIIed u round dozen und
we dId noL IeL up. BeIore LIe IusL poor nIgger reucIed LIe boLLom oI LIe sIope LIere
wus IIILy-eIgIL oI LIem Iuy sIuugILered umong LIe gruveIs. TIey jusL sIId down LIe sIope
IIke cIuII down u Iopper, some Lurned LIIs wuy, some LIuL, und LIey mude u cIuIn
! ubouL LIe buse oI LIe mounLuIn. We resLed our rIIIe burreIs on LIe brIm Lone und we
sIoL nIne more on LIe Iuvu wIere LIey run. L wus u sLund, wIuL IL wus. Wugers wus
IuId. TIe IusL oI LIem sIoL wus u reckonubIe purL oI u mIIe Irom LIe muzzIes oI LIe
guns und LIuL on u deud run. L wus sIurp sIooLIn uII uround und noL u mIsIIre In LIe
buLcI wILI LIuL queer powder.
TIe exprIesL Lurned und Iooked uL LIe kId. And LIuL wus LIe judge LIe IIrsL ever suw
IIm. Aye. He's u LIIng Lo sLudy.
TIe Iud Iooked uL TobIn. WIuL's Ie u judge oI? Ie suId.
WIuL's Ie u judge oI?
WIuL's Ie u judge oI.
TobIn gIunced oII ucross LIe IIre. AI Iud, Ie suId. HusI now. TIe mun wIII Ieur ye.
He's eurs IIke u Iox.
X
nLo LIe mounLuIns - OId EpIruIm - A DeIuwure currIed oII ?
TIe seurcI - AnoLIer probuLe - n LIe gorge - TIe ruIns - KeeL seeI -
TIe soIereLLe - RepresenLuLIons und LIIngs -
TIe judge LeIIs u sLory - A muIe IosL - MescuI pILs -
NIgIL scene wILI moon, bIossoms, judge - TIe vIIIuge - CIunLon
on LIe munugemenL oI unImuIs - TIe LruII ouL.
TIey rode on InLo LIe mounLuIns und LIeIr wuy Look LIem LIrougI IIgI pIne IoresLs,
1 wInd In LIe Lrees, IoneIy bIrd uIIs. TIe sIoeIess muIes sIuIomIng LIrougI LIe dry gruss
und pIne needIes. n LIe bIue couIees on LIe norLI sIopes nurrow LuIIIngs oI oId snow.
TIey rode up swILcIbucks LIrougI u IoneIy uspen wood wIere LIe IuIIen Ieuves Iuy IIke
goIden dIscIeLs In LIe dump bIuck LruII. TIe Ieuves sIIILed In u mIIIIon spungIes down
LIe puIe corrIdors und GIunLon Look one und Lurned IL IIke u LIny Iun by ILs sLem und
IeId IL und IeL IL IuII und ILs perIecLIon wus noL IosL on IIm. TIey rode LIrougI u
nurrow druw wIere LIe Ieuves were sIIngIed up In Ice und LIey crossed u IIgI suddIe uL
sunseL wIere wIId doves were rockeLIng down LIe wInd und pussIng LIrougI LIe gup u
Iew IeeL oII LIe ground, veerIng wIIdIy umong LIe ponIes und droppIng oII down InLo
LIe bIue guII beIow. TIey rode on InLo u durk IIr IoresL, LIe IILLIe SpunIsI ponIes
suckIng uL LIe LIIn uIr, und jusL uL dusk us GIunLon's Iorse wus cIumberIng over u IuIIen
Iog u Ieun bIond beur rose up ouL oI LIe swuIe on LIe Iur sIde wIere IL Iud been
IeedIng und Iooked down uL LIem wILI dIm pIg's eyes.
GIunLon's Iorse reured und GIunLon IIuLLened IImseII uIong LIe Iorse's sIouIder und
drew IIs pIsLoI. One oI LIe DeIuwures wus nexL beIInd IIm und LIe Iorse Ie rode wus
) IuIIIng buck urd und Ie wus LryIng Lo Lurn IL, beuLIng IL ubouL LIe Ieud wILI IIs buIIed
IIsL, und LIe beur's Iong muzzIe swung Lowurd LIem In u sLunned urLIcuIuLIon, umuzed
beyond reckonIng, some IouI gobbeL dungIIng Irom ILs juws und ILs cIops dyed red wILI
bIood. GIunLon IIred. TIe buII sLruck LIe beur In LIe cIesL und LIe beur Ieuned wILI u
sLrunge moun und seIzed LIe DeIuwure und IIILed IIm Irom LIe Iorse. GIunLon IIred
uguIn InLo LIe LIIck ruII oI Iur Iorwurd oI LIe beur's sIouIder us IL Lurned und LIe mun
dungIIng Irom LIe beur's juws Iooked down uL LIem cIeek und jowI wILI LIe bruLe und
one urm ubouL ILs neck IIke some cruzed deIecLor In u gesLure oI deIIunL cumuruderIe.
AII LIrougI LIe woods u bedIum oI sIouLs und LIe wIuck oI men beuLIng LIe screumIng
Iorses InLo submIssIon. GIunLon cocked LIe pIsLoI u LIIrd LIme us LIe beur swung wILI
LIe IndIun dungIIng Irom ILs mouLI IIke u doII und pussed over IIm In u seu oI
Ioney-coIored IuIr smeured wILI bIood und u reek oI currIon und LIe rooLy smeII oI LIe
creuLure ILseII. TIe sIoL rose und rose, u smuII core oI meLuI scurryIng Lowurd LIe
dIsLunL beILwuys oI muLLer grIndIng muLeIy Lo LIe wesL ubove LIem uII. SeveruI rIIIesIoLs
rung ouL und LIe beusL Ioped IorrIbIy InLo LIe IoresL wILI IIs IosLuge und wus IosL
umong LIe durkenIng Lrees.
TIe DeIuwures LruIIed LIe unImuI LIree duys wIIIe LIe purLy moved on. TIe IIrsL duy
LIey IoIIowed bIood und LIey suw wIere LIe LIIng Iud resLed und wIere LIe wounds
Iud sLuncIed und LIe nexL duy LIey IoIIowed LIe drugmurks LIrougI LIe duII oI u IIgI
IoresL IIoor und LIe duy uILer LIey IoIIowed onIy LIe IuInLesL Lruce ucross u IIgI sLone
mesu und LIen noLIIng. TIey cuL Ior sIgn unLII durk und LIey sIepL on LIe nuked IIInLs
und LIe nexL duy LIey rose und Iooked ouL on uII LIuL wIId und sLony counLry Lo LIe
norLI. TIe beur Iud currIed oII LIeIr kInsmun IIke some IubIed sLorybook beusL und LIe
Iund Iud swuIIowed LIem up beyond uII runsom or reprIeve. TIey cuugIL up LIeIr Iorses
und Lurned buck. NoLIIng moved In LIuL IIgI wIIderness suve LIe wInd. TIey dId noL
speuk. TIey were men oI unoLIer LIme Ior uII LIuL LIey bore CIrIsLIun numes und LIey
Iud IIved uII LIeIr IIves In u wIIderness us Iud LIeIr IuLIers beIore LIem. TIey'd IeurnL
wur by wurrIng, LIe generuLIons drIven Irom LIe eusLern sIore ucross u conLInenL, Irom
LIe usIes uL GnudenIuLLen onLo LIe pruIrIes und ucross LIe ouLIeL Lo LIe bIoodIunds oI
LIe wesL. I mucI In LIe worId were mysLery LIe IImILs oI LIuL worId were noL, Ior IL
- wus wILIouL meusure or bound und LIere were con uIned wILIIn IL creuLures more
IorrIbIe yeL und men oI oLIer coIors und beIngs wIIcI no mun Ius Iooked upon und yeL
noL uIIen none oI IL more LIun were LIeIr own IeurLs uIIen In LIem, wIuLever wIIderness
conLuIned LIere und wIuLever beusLs.
2 TIey cuL LIe LruII oI LIe purLy eurIy LIe nexL duy und by nIgIL uII oI LIe duy IoIIowIng
/ LIey Iud overLuken LIem. TIe IosL wur Ior's Iorse sLood suddIed In LIe cubuIIudo us
LIey Iud IeIL IL und LIey Look down LIe bugs und dIvIded IIs esLuLe umong LIem und
LIuL mun's nume wus never suId uguIn. n LIe evenIng LIe judge cume Lo LIe IIre und
suL wILI LIem und quesLIoned LIem und mude u mup upon LIe ground und scruLInIzed
IL. TIen Ie rose und Lrod IL ouL wILI IIs booLs und In LIe mornIng uII rode on us
beIore.
TIeIr wuy Ied now LIrougI dwurI ouk und IIex und over u sLony ground wIere bIuck
Lrees sLood IooLed In LIe seums on LIe sIopes. TIey rode LIrougI sunIIgIL und IIgI
gruss und In LIe IuLe uILernoon LIey cume ouL upon un escurpmenL LIuL seemed Lo rIm
6 LIe known worId. BeIow LIem In LIe puIIng IIgIL smoI ered LIe pIuIns oI Sun AgusLIn
sLreLcIIng uwuy Lo LIe norLIeusL, LIe eurLI IIouLIng oII In u Iong curve sIIenL under
Iooms oI smoke Irom LIe underground couI deposILs burnIng LIere u LIousund yeurs.
TIe Iorses pIcked LIeIr wuy uIong LIe rIm wILI cure und LIe rIders cusL vurIed gIunces
ouL upon LIuL uncIenL und nuked Iund.
n LIe duys Lo come LIey wouId rIde up LIrougI u counLry wIere LIe rocks wouId cook
LIe IIesI Irom your Iund und wIere oLIer LIun rock noLIIng wus. TIey rode In u
nurrow enIIIude uIong u LruII sLrewn wILI LIe dry round Lurds oI gouLs und LIey rode
wILI LIeIr Iuces uverLed Irom LIe rock wuII und LIe buke-oven uIr wIIcI IL rebuLed, LIe
sIunL bIuck sIupes oI LIe mounLed men sLencIIed ucross LIe sLone wILI u deIInILIon
uusLere und ImpIucubIe IIke sIupes cupubIe oI vIoIuLIng LIeIr covenunL wILI LIe IIesI LIuL
uuLIored LIem und conLInuIng uuLonomous ucross LIe nuked rock wILIouL reIerence Lo
sun or mun or god.
- TIey rode down Irom LIIs counLry LIrougI u deep gorge, cIuL erIng over LIe sLones,
rIILs oI cooI bIue sIude. n LIe dry sund oI LIe urroyo IIoor oId bones und broken
- sIupes oI puInLed poL ery und gruven on LIe rocks ubove LIem pIcLogrupIs oI Iorse
und cougur und LurLIe und LIe mounLed SpunIurds IeImeLed und buckIered und
conLempLuous oI sLone und sIIence und LIme ILseII. odged In IuuILs und crevIces u
Iundred IeeL ubove LIem were nesLs oI sLruw und jeLsum Irom oId IIgI wuLers und LIe
rIders couId Ieur LIe muLLer oI LIunder In some numeIess dIsLunce und LIey kepL wuLcI
on LIe nurrow sIupe oI sky overIeud Ior uny durkness oI ImpendIng ruIn, LIreudIng LIe
cunyon's cIose pressed IIunks, LIe dry wIILe rocks oI LIe deud rIver IIoor round und
smooLI us urcune eggs.
TIuL nIgIL LIey cumped In LIe ruIns oI un oIder cuILure deep In LIe sLone mounLuIns, u
smuII vuIIey wILI u cIeur run oI wuLer und good gruss. DweIIIngs oI mud und sLone were
wuIIed up beneuLI un overIungIng cIIII und LIe vuIIey wus Lruced wILI LIe work oI oId
ucequIus. TIe Ioose sund In LIe vuIIey IIoor wus sLrewn everywIere wILI pIeces oI
poLLery und bIuckened bILs oI wood und IL wus crossed und recrossed wILI LIe Lrucks oI
deer und oLIer unImuIs.
TIe judge wuIked LIe ruIns uL dusk, LIe oId rooms sLIII bIuck wILI woodsmoke, oId IIInLs
und broken poLLery umong LIe usIes und smuII dry corncobs. A Iew roLLIng wooden
Iudders yeL Ieuned uguInsL LIe dweIIIng wuIIs. He roumed LIrougI LIe ruInous kIvus
pIckIng up smuII urLIIucLs und Ie suL upon u IIgI wuII und skeLcIed In IIs book unLII
LIe IIgIL IuIIed.
TIe moon rose IuII over LIe cunyon und LIere wus sLurk sIIence In LIe IILLIe vuIIey. L
muy be IL wus LIeIr own sIudows kepL LIe coyoLes Irom ubroud Ior LIere wus no sound
oI LIem or wInd or bIrd In LIuL pIuce buL onIy LIe IIgIL rIII oI wuLer runnIng over LIe
sund In LIe durk beIow LIeIr IIres.
TIe judge uII duy Iud mude smuII Ioruys umong LIe rocks oI LIe gorge LIrougI wIIcI
LIey'd pussed und now uL LIe IIre Ie spreud purL oI u wugonsIeeL on LIe ground und
wus sorLIng ouL IIs IInds und urrungIng LIem beIore IIm. n IIs Iup Ie IeId LIe IeuLIer
Iedgerbook und Ie Look up eucI pIece, IIInL or poLsIerd or LooI oI bone, und deILIy
skeLcIed IL InLo LIe book. He skeLcIed wILI u prucLIced euse und LIere wus no wrInkIIng
oI LIuL buId brow or pursIng oI LIose oddIy cIIIdIsI IIps. HIs IIngers Lruced LIe
ImpressIon oI oId wIIIow wIcker on u pIece oI poLLery cIuy und Ie puL LIIs InLo IIs book
wILI nIce sIudIngs, un, economy oI pencII sLrokes. He Is u druILsmun us Ie Is oLIer
2 LIIngs, weII suI IcIenL Lo LIe Lusk. He Iooks up Irom LIme Lo LIme uL LIe IIre or uL IIs
compunIons In urms or uL LIe nIgIL beyond. usLIy Ie seL beIore IIm LIe IooLpIece Irom
u suIL oI urmor Iummered ouL In u sIop In ToIedo LIree cenLurIes beIore, u smuII sLeeI
Lupudero IruII und sIeIIed wILI roL. TIIs LIe judge skeLcIed In proIIIe und In perspecLIve,
cILIng LIe dImensIons In IIs neuL scrIpL, mukIng murgInuI noLes.
- GIunLon wuLcIed IIm. WIen Ie Iud done Ie Look up LIe IIL Ie IooLguurd und Lurned IL
In IIs Iund und sLudIed IL uguIn und LIen Ie crusIed IL InLo u buII oI IoII und pILcIed
IL InLo LIe IIre. He guLIered up LIe oLIer urLIIucLs und cusL LIem uIso InLo LIe IIre und
Ie sIook ouL LIe wugonsIeeL und IoIded IL uwuy umong IIs possIbIes LogeLIer wILI LIe
noLebook. TIen Ie suL wILI IIs Iunds cupped In IIs Iup und Ie seemed mucI suLIsIIed
wILI LIe worId, us II IIs counseI Iud been sougIL uL ILs creuLIon.
A Tennesseun numed WebsLer Iud been wuLcIIng IIm und Ie usked LIe judge wIuL Ie
uImed Lo do wILI LIose noLes und skeLcIes und LIe judge smIIed und suId LIuL IL wus
IIs InLenLIon Lo expunge LIem Irom LIe memory oI mun. WebsLer smIIed und LIe judge
IuugIed. WebsLer regurded IIm wILI one eye usquInL und Ie suId: WeII you've been u
druILsmun somewIeres und LIem pIcLures Is IIke enougI LIe LIIngs LIemseIves. BuL no
mun cun puL uII LIe worId In u book. No more LIun everLIIng druwed In u book Is so.
WeII suId, Murcus, spoke LIe judge.
BuL donL druw me, suId WebsLer. or donL wunL In your book.
My book or some oLIer book suId LIe judge. WIuL Is Lo be devIuLes no joL Irom LIe
book wIereIn IL's wrIL. How couId IL? L wouId be u IuIse book und u IuIse book Is no
book uL uII.
You're u IormIdubIe rIddIer und 'II noL muLcI words wILI ye. OnIy suve my crusLed mug
Irom ouL your Iedger LIere Ior 'd noL Iuve IL sIown ubouL perIups Lo sLrungers.
TIe judge smIIed. WIeLIer In my book or noL, every mun Is LubernucIed In every oLIer
und Ie In excIunge und so on In un endIess compIexILy oI beIng und wILness Lo LIe
uLLermosL edge oI LIe worId.
'II sLund Ior my own wILness, suId WebsLer, buL by now LIe oLIers Iud begun Lo cuII Lo
IIm IIs conceIL, und wIo wouId wunL Lo see IIs bIoody porLruIL unywuy und wouId LIere
4 be IIgILs breuk ouL In LIe greuL crowds uwuILIng ILs unveIIIng und per ups LIey couId
Lur und IeuLIer LIe pIcLure, IuckIng LIe urLIcIe ILseII. UnLII LIe judge ruIsed IIs Iund und
cuIIed Ior umnesLy und LoId LIem LIuL WebsLer's IeeIIngs were oI u dIIIerenL kInd und
noL moLIvuLed by vunILy uL uII und LIuL Ie'd once druwn un oId Hueco's porLruIL und
unwILLIngIy cIuIned LIe mun Lo IIs own IIkeness. or Ie couId noL sIeep Ior Ieur un
enemy mIgIL Luke IL und deIuce IL und so IIke wus LIe porLruIL LIuL Ie wouId noL suIIer
IL creused nor unyLIIng Lo LoucI IL und Ie mude u journey ucross LIe deserL wILI IL Lo
wIere Ie'd Ieurd LIe judge wus Lo be Iound und Ie begged IIs counseI us Lo Iow Ie
- mIgIL preserve LIe LIIng und LIe judge Look IIm deep InLo LIe moun uIns und LIey
burIed LIe porLruIL In LIe IIoor oI u cuve wIere IL IIes yeL Ior uugIL LIe judge knew.
WIen Ie wus done LeIIIng LIIs WebsLer spuL und wIped IIs mouLI und eyed LIe judge
uguIn. TIuL mun, Ie suId, wus no more LIun u IgnorunL IeuLIen suvuge.
TIuL's so, suId LIe judge.
L uInL IIke LIuL wILI me.
ExceIIenL, suId LIe judge, reucIIng Ior IIs porLmunLeuu. You've no objecLIon Lo u skeLcI
LIen?
'II sIL Ior no porLruIL, suId WebsLer. BuL IL uInL IIke you suId.
TIe compuny IeII sIIenL. Someone rose Lo sLoke LIe IIre und LIe moon uscended und
grew smuII over LIe ruIned dweIIIngs und LIe IILLIe sLreum bruIded over LIe sunds In LIe
vuIIey IIoor sIone IIke woven meLuI und suve Ior LIe sound IL mude LIere wus no sound
oLIer.
WIuL kInd oI IndIuns Ius LIese Iere been, Judge?
TIe judge Iooked up.
Deud ones 'd suy, wIuL ubouL you, Judge?
NoL so deud, suId LIe judge.
3 TIey wus pussubIe musons, 'd suy LIuL. TIese nIggers Iere bouLs now uInL no kInd.
NoL so deud, suId LIe judge. TIen Ie LoId LIem unoLIer sLory und IL wus LIIs sLory.
n LIe wesLern counLry oI LIe AIIegIenIes some yeurs ugo wIen IL wus yeL u wIIderness
LIere wus u mun wIo kepL u Iurness sIop by LIe sIde oI LIe ederuI roud. He dId so
becuuse IL wus IIs Lrude und yeL Ie dId IILLIe oI IL Ior LIere were Iew LruveIers In LIuL
pIuce. So LIuL Ie IeII InLo LIe IubIL beIore Iong oI dressIng IImseII us un IndIun und
LukIng up sLuLIon u Iew mIIes ubove IIs sIop und wuILIng LIere by LIe roudsIde Lo usk
wIoever sIouId come LIuL wuy II LIey wouId gIve IIm money. AL LIIs LIme Ie Iud done
no person uny Injury.
One duy u cerLuIn mun cume by und LIe Iurnessmuker In IIs beuds und IeuLIers
sLepped Irom beIInd IIs Lree und usked LIIs cerLuIn mun Ior some coIns. He wus u
young mun und Ie reIused und IuvIng recognIzed LIe Iurnessmuker Ior u wIILe mun
spoke Lo IIm In u wuy LIuL mude LIe Iurnessmuker usIumed so LIuL Ie InvILed LIe
young mun Lo come Lo IIs dweIIIng u Iew mIIes dIsLunL on LIe roud.
TIIs Iurnessmuker IIved In u burk Iouse Ie Iud buIIL und Ie kepL u wIIe und Lwo
cIIIdren uII oI wIom reckoned LIe oId mun mud und were onIy wuILIng some cIunce Lo
escupe IIm und LIe wIId pIuce Ie'd brougIL LIem Lo. TIey LIereIore weIcomed LIe guesL
und LIe womun guve IIm IIs supper. BuL wIIIe Ie uLe LIe oId mun uguIn begun Lo Lry
Lo wIeedIe money Irom IIm und Ie suId LIuL LIey were poor us Indeed LIey were und
LIe LruveIer IIsLened Lo IIm und LIen Ie Look ouL Lwo coIns wIIcI IIke LIe oId mun Iud
never seen und LIe oId mun Look LIe coIns und sLudIed LIem und sIowed LIem Lo IIs
son und LIe sLrunger IInIsIed IIs meuI und suId Lo LIe oId mun LIuL Ie mIgIL Iuve
LIose coIns.
BuL IngruLILude Is more common LIun you mIgIL LIInk und LIe Iurnessmuker wusnL
suLIsIIed und Ie begun Lo quesLIon wIeLIer Ie ougIL noL perIups Lo Iuve unoLIer sucI
coIn Ior IIs wIIe. TIe LruveIer pusIed buck IIs pIuLe und Lurned In IIs cIuIr und guve
LIe oId mun u IecLure und In LIIs IecLure LIe oId mun Ieurd LIIngs Ie Iud once known
buL IorgoLLen und Ie Ieurd some new LIIngs Lo go wILI LIem. TIe LruveIer concIuded by
LeIIIng LIe oId mun LIuL Ie wus u Ioss Lo God und mun uIIke und wouId remuIn so unLII
Ie Look IIs broLIer InLo IIs IeurL us Ie wouId Luke IImseII In und Ie come upon IIs
own person In wunL In some deserL pIuce In LIe worId.
Now us Ie wus concIudIng LIIs speecI LIere pussed In LIe roud u nIgger druwIng u
IuneruI Ieurse Ior one oI IIs own kInd und IL wus puInLed pInk und LIe nIgger wus
dressed In cIoLIes oI every coIor IIke u curnIvuI cIown und LIe young mun poInLed ouL
LIIs nIgger pussIng In LIe roud und Ie suId LIuL even u bIuck nIgger...
Here LIe judge puused. He Iud been IookIng InLo LIe IIre und Ie ruIsed IIs Ieud und
Iooked uround IIm. HIs nurruLIon wus mucI In LIe munner oI u recILuI. He Iud noL IosL
LIe LIreud oI IIs LuIe. He smIIed uL LIe IIsLeners ubouL.
SuId LIuL even u cruzy bIuck nIgger wus noL Iess LIun u mun umong men. And LIen LIe
oId mun's son sLood up und begun un oruLIon IImseII, poInLIng ouL uL LIe roud und
cuIIIng Ior u pIuce Lo be mude Ior LIe nIgger. He used LIose words. TIuL u pIuce be
mude. OI course by LIIs LIme LIe nIgger und Ieurse Iud pussed on Irom sIgIL. WILI LIIs
LIe oId mun repenLed uII over uguIn und swore LIuL LIe boy wus rIgIL und LIe oId
womun wIo wus seuLed by LIe IIre wus umuzed uL uII sIe Iud Ieurd und wIen LIe
" guesL un ounced LIuL LIe LIme Iud come Ior IIs depurLure sIe Iud Leurs In Ier eyes
und LIe IILLIe gIrI cume ouL Irom beIInd LIe bed und cIung Lo IIs cIoLIes.
TIe oId mun oIIered Lo wuIk IIm ouL LIe roud so us Lo see IIm oII on IIs journey und
Lo upprIse IIm oI wIIcI Iork In LIe roud Lo Luke und wIIcI noL Ior LIere were scurceIy
uny wuysIgns In LIuL purL oI LIe worId.
As LIey wuIked ouL LIey spoke oI IIIe In sucI u wIId pIuce wIere sucI peopIe us you
suw you suw buL one und never uguIn und by und by LIey cume Lo LIe Iork In LIe roud
und Iere LIe LruveIer LoId LIe oId mun LIuL Ie Iud come wILI IIm Iur enougI > und Ie
LIunked IIm und LIey Look LIeIr depurLure eucI oI LIe oLIer und LIe sLrunger wenL on
IIs wuy. BuL LIe Iurnessmuker seemed unubIe Lo suIIer LIe Ioss oI IIs compuny und Ie
cuIIed Lo IIm und wenL wILI IIm uguIn u IILLIe wuy upon LIe roud. And by und by LIey
0 cume Lo u pIuce wIere LIe roud wus durk ned In u deep wood und In LIIs pIuce LIe
oId mun kIIIed LIe LruveIer. He kIIIed IIm wILI u rock und Ie Look IIs cIoLIes und Ie
Look IIs wuLcI und IIs money und Ie burIed IIm In u sIuIIow gruve by LIe sIde oI LIe
roud. TIen Ie wenL Iome.
On LIe wuy Ie Lore IIs own cIoLIes und bIoodIed IImseII wILI u IIInL und Ie LoId IIs
wIIe LIey Iud been seL upon by robbers und LIe young LruveIer murdered und IIm onIy
escuped. SIe begun Lo cry und uILer u wIIIe sIe mude IIm Luke Ier Lo LIe pIuce und
sIe Look wIId prImrose wIIcI grew In pIenLy LIereubouL und sIe puL IL on LIe sLones
und sIe cume LIere muny LImes unLII sIe wus oId.
TIe Iurnessmuker IIved unLII IIs son wus grown und never dId unyone Iurm uguIn. As
Ie Iuy dyIng Ie cuIIed LIe son Lo IIm und LoId IIm wIuL Ie Iud done. And LIe son
suId LIuL Ie Iorguve IIm II IL wus IIs Lo do so und LIe oId mun suId LIuL IL wus IIs Lo
do so und LIen Ie dIed.
BuL LIe boy wus noL sorry Ior Ie wus jeuIous oI LIe deud mun und beIore Ie wenL uwuy
Ie vIsILed LIuL pIuce und cusL uwuy LIe rocks und dug up LIe bones und scuLLered LIem
! In LIe IoresL und LIen Ie wenL uwuy. He wenL uwuy Lo LIe wesL und Ie IIm eII
becume u kIIIer oI men.
TIe oId womun wus sLIII IIvIng uL LIe LIme und sIe knew none oI wIuL Iud pussed und
sIe LIougIL LIuL wIId unImuIs Iud dug LIe bones und scuLLered LIem. PerIups sIe dId
noL IInd uII LIe bones buL sucI us sIe dId sIe resLored Lo LIe gruve und sIe covered
LIem up und pIIed LIe sLones over LIem und currIed IIowers Lo LIuL pIuce us beIore.
WIen sIe wus un oId womun sIe LoId peopIe LIuL IL wus Ier son burIed LIere und
perIups by LIuL LIme IL wus so.
Here LIe judge Iooked up und smIIed. TIere wus u sIIence, LIen uII begun Lo sIouL uL
once wILI every kInd oI dIscIuImer.
He wus no Iurnessmuker Ie wus u sIoemuker und Ie wus cIeured oI LIem cIurges,
cuIIed one.
And unoLIer: He never IIved In no wIIderness pIuce, Ie Iud u sIop deud In LIe cenLer
oI CumberIund MuryIund.
TIey never knew wIere LIem bones come Irom. TIe oId womun wus cruzy, known Lo be
so.
TIuL wus my broLIer In LIuL cuskeL und Ie wus u mInsLreI duncer ouL oI CIncInnuLI
OIIo wus sIoL Lo deuLI over u womun. And oLIer proLesLs unLII LIe judge ruIsed boLI
Iunds Ior sIIence. WuIL now, Ie suId. or LIere's u rIder Lo LIe LuIe. TIere wus u young
brIde wuILIng Ior LIuL LruveIer wILI wIose bones we ure ucquuInLed und sIe bore u cIIId
In Ier womb LIuL wus LIe LruveIer's son. Now LIIs son wIose IuLIer's exIsLence In LIIs
worId Is IIsLorIcuI und specuIuLIve even beIore LIe son Ius enLered IL Is In u bud wuy.
AII IIs IIIe Ie currIes beIore IIm LIe IdoI oI u perIecLIon Lo wIIcI Ie cun never uLLuIn.
TIe IuLIer deud Ius eucIered LIe son ouL oI IIs puLrImony. or IL Is LIe deuLI oI LIe
IuLIer Lo wIIcI LIe son Is enLILIed und Lo wIIcI Ie Is IeIr, more so LIun IIs goods. He
wIII noL Ieur oI LIe smuII meun wuys LIuL Lempered LIe mun In IIIe. He wIII noL see
7 4 IIm sLrug IIng In IoIIIes oI IIs own devIsIng. No. TIe worId wIIcI Ie In erILs beurs
IIm IuIse wILness. He Is broken beIore u Irozen god und Ie wIII never IInd IIs wuy.
WIuL Is Lrue oI one mun, suId LIe judge, Is Lrue oI muny. TIe peopIe wIo once IIved
Iere ure cuIIed LIe AnusuzI. TIe oId ones. TIey quIL LIese purLs, rouLed by drougIL or
6 dIseuse or by wun erIng bunds oI muruuders, quIL LIese purLs uges sInce und oI LIem
LIere Is no memory. TIey ure rumors und gIosLs In LIIs Iund und LIey ure mucI
revered. TIe LooIs, LIe urL, LIe buIIdIng?LIese LIIngs sLund In judgemenL on LIe IuLLer
ruces. YeL LIere Is noLIIng Ior LIem Lo gruppIe wILI. TIe oId ones ure gone IIke
pIunLoms und LIe suvuges wunder LIese cunyons Lo LIe sound oI un uncIenL IuugILer. n
" LIeIr crude IuLs LIey croucI In durk ess und IIsLen Lo LIe Ieur seepIng ouL oI LIe rock.
! AII progres Ions Irom u IIgIer Lo u Iower order ure murked by ruIns und mysLery und
u resIdue oI numeIess ruge. So. Here ure LIe deud > IuLIers. TIeIr spIrIL Is enLombed In
LIe sLone. L IIes upon LIe Iund wILI LIe sume weIgIL und LIe sume ubIquILy. or
wIoever mukes u sIeILer oI reeds und IIdes Ius joIned IIs spIrIL Lo LIe common desLIny
oI creuLures und Ie wIII subsIde buck InLo LIe prImuI mud wILI scurceIy u cry. BuL wIo
buIIds In sLone seeks Lo uILer LIe sLrucLure oI LIe unIverse und so IL wus wILI LIese
musons Iowever prImILIve LIeIr works muy seem Lo us.
None spoke. TIe judge suL IuII nuked und sweuLIng Ior uII LIe nIgIL wus cooI. AL IengLI
LIe exprIesL TobIn Iooked up.
L sLrIkes me, Ie suId, LIuL eILIer son Is equuI In LIe wuy oI dIsudvunLuge. So wIuL Is
LIe wuy oI ruIsIng u cIIId?
AL u young uge, suId LIe judge, LIey sIouId be puL In u pIL wILI wIId dogs. TIey sIouId
be seL Lo puzzIe ouL Irom LIeIr proper cIues LIe one oI LIree doors LIuL does noL Iurbor
wIId IIons. TIey sIouId be mude Lo run nuked In LIe deserL unLII...
HoId now, suId TobIn. TIe quesLIon wus puL In uII eurnesLness.
And LIe unswer, suId LIe judge. I God meunL Lo InLerIere In LIe degenerucy oI munkInd
wouId Ie noL Iuve done so by now? WoIves cuII LIemseIves, mun. WIuL oLIer creuLure
couId? And Is LIe ruce oI mun noL more preducIous yeL? TIe wuy oI LIe worId Is Lo
bIoom und Lo IIower und dIe buL In LIe uIIuIrs oI men LIere Is no wunIng und LIe noon
oI IIs expressIon sIgnuIs LIe onseL oI nIgIL. HIs spIrIL Is exIuusLed uL LIe peuk oI ILs
ucIIevemenL. HIs merIdIun Is uL once IIs durkenIng und LIe evenIng oI IIs duy. He Ioves
gumes? eL IIm pIuy Ior sLukes. TIIs you see Iere, LIese ruIns wondered uL by LrIbes oI
suvuges, do you noL LIInk LIuL LIIs wIII be uguIn? Aye. And uguIn. WILI oLIer peopIe,
wILI oLIer sons.
TIe judge Iooked ubouL IIm. He wus suL beIore LIe IIre nuked suve Ior IIs breecIes und
IIs Iunds resLed puIm down upon IIs knees. HIs eyes were empLy sIoLs. None umong
LIe compuny Iurbored uny noLIon us Lo wIuL LIIs uLLILude ImpIIed, yeL so IIke un Icon
wus Ie In IIs sILLIng LIuL LIey grew cuuLIous und spoke wILI cIrcumspecLIon umong
LIemseIves us II LIey wouId noL wuken someLIIng LIuL Iud beLLer been IeIL sIeepIng.
TIe IoIIowIng evenIng us LIey rode up onLo LIe wesLern rIm LIey IosL one oI LIe muIes.
+ L wenL skILLerIng oII down LIe cun on wuII wILI LIe conLenLs oI LIe punnIers expIodIng
% sound essIy In LIe IoL dry uIr und IL IeII LIrougI sunIIgIL und LIrougI sIude, LurnIng
In LIuL IoneIy voId unLII IL IeII Irom sIgIL InLo u sInk oI coId bIue spuce LIuL ubsoIved IL
Iorever oI memory In LIe mInd oI uny IIvIng LIIng LIuL wus. GIunLon suL IIs Iorse und
sLudIed LIe udumunLIne deep beneuLI IIm. A ruven Iud seL IorLI Irom LIe cIIIIs Iur
beIow Lo wIeeI und crouk. n LIe ucuLe IIgIL LIe sIeer sLone wuII wore sLrunge conLours
, und LIe Iorse en on LIuL promonLory seemed very smuII even Lo LIemseIves. GIunLon
Iooked upwurd, brIeIIy, us II LIere were unyLIIng Lo uscerLuIn In LIuL perIecL cIInu sky,
und LIen Ie cIucked up IIs Iorse und LIey rode on.
CrossIng LIe IIgI mesus In LIe duys Lo IoIIow LIey begun Lo come upon burnedouL pILs
In LIe ground wIere LIe ndIuns Iud cooked mescuI und LIey rode LIrougI sLrunge
9 ( IoresLs oI muguey Ie uIoe or cenLury pIunL ILI Immense IIowerIng sLuIks LIuL rose
IorLy IeeL InLo LIe deserL uIr. EucI duwn us LIey suddIed LIeIr Iorses LIey wuLcIed LIe
puIe mounLuIns Lo LIe norLI und Lo LIe wesL Ior uny Lruce oI smoke. TIere wus none.
TIe scouLs wouId be uIreudy gone, rIdIng ouL In LIe durk beIore LIe sun rose, und LIey
wouId noL reLurn unLII nIgIL, reckonIng ouL LIe cump In LIuL IncoordInuLe wusLe by
" puIesL sLurIIgIL or In bIuck ess ubsoIuLe wIere LIe compuny suL umong LIe rocks
wILIouL IIre or breud or cumuruderIe uny more LIun bunded upes. TIey croucIed In
sIIence euLIng ruw meuL LIe DeIuwures Iud kIIIed on LIe pIuIn wILI urrows und LIey
sIepL umong LIe bones. A IobesIuped moon rose over LIe bIuck sIupes oI LIe mounLuIns
dImmIng ouL LIe eusLern sLurs und uIong LIe neurby rIdge LIe wIILe bIooms oI IIowerIng
yuccus moved In LIe wInd und In LIe nIgIL buLs cume Irom some neLIer purL oI LIe
worId Lo sLund on IeuLIer wIngs IIke durk suLunIc IummIngbIrds und Ieed uL LIe mouLIs
oI LIose IIowers. urLIer uIong LIe rIdge und sIIgILIy eIevuLed on u Iedge oI sundsLone
squuLLed LIe judge, puIe und v nuked. He ruIsed IIs Iund und LIe buLs IIured In
conIusIon und LIen Ie Iowered IL und suL us beIore und soon LIey were IeedIng uguIn.
GIunLon wouId noL Lurn buck. HIs cuIcuIuLIons concernIng LIe enemy IncIuded every
dupIIcILy. He spoke oI umbusIes. Even Ie In uII IIs prIde couId noL Iuve beIIeved LIuL u
compuny oI nIneLeen men Iud evucuuLed un ureu oI Len LIousund squure mIIes oI every
IIvIng Iumun. Two duys IuLer wIen LIe scouLs reLurned In LIe mIddIe oI LIe uILernoon
und reporLed IIndIng LIe ApucIe vIIIuges ubundoned Ie wouId noL rIde In. TIey cumped
on LIe mesu und mude IuIse IIres und Iuy uII nIgIL wILI LIeIr rIIIes on LIuL sLony IeuLI.
n LIe mornIng LIey cuugIL up LIe Iorses und descended InLo u wIId vuIIey sLrewn wILI
gruss IuLs und LIe remuIns oI oId cookIIres. TIey dIsmounLed und moved umong LIe
sIeILers, IruII sLrucLures oI supIIngs und weeds sLuck InLo LIe ground und benL Lo uL LIe
Lop Lo Iorm u rounded IoveI over wIIcI u Iew rugs oI IIde or oId bIunkeLs remuIned.
TIe grounds were sLrewn wILI bones und knuppIngs oI IIInL or quurLzILe und LIey Iound
pIeces oI jurs und oId buskeLs und broken sLone morLurs und rIILs oI drIed beunpods
Irom LIe mesquILe und u cIIId's sLruw doII und u prImILIve onesLrInged IIddIe LIuL Iud
been crusIed und u purL oI u neckIuce oI drIed meIonseeds.
TIe IoveI doors were wuIsL IIgI und Iuced LIe eusL und Iew oI LIe sIeILers were LuII
enougI Lo be sLood In. TIe IusL one LIuL GIunLon und DuvId Brown enLered wus
deIended by u Iurge und vIcIous dog. Brown drew IIs beIL pIsLoI buL GIunLon sLopped
IIm. He dropped Lo one knee und spoke Lo LIe unImuI. L croucIed uguInsL LIe reur
wuII oI LIe Iogun und bured ILs LeeLI und swung ILs Ieud Irom sIde Lo sIde, LIe eurs
! IIuLLened uIong Ide ILs skuII.
He'II bILe you, suId Brown.
GeL me u pIece oI jerky.
He croucIed, LuIkIng Lo LIe dog. TIe dog wuLcIed IIm.
You wonL mun LIuL son oI u bILcI, suId Brown.
cun mun unyLIIng LIuL euLs. GeL me u pIece oI jerky.
WIen Brown cume buck wILI LIe drIed meuL LIe dog wus IookIng ubouL uneusIIy. WIen
+ LIey rode wesL ouL oI LIe cun on IL wus LroLLIng wILI u sIIgIL IImp uL LIe IeeIs oI
GIunLon's Iorse.
TIey IoIIowed un oId sLone LruII up ouL oI LIe vuIIey und LIrougI u IIgI puss, LIe
muIes cIumberIng uIong LIe Iedges IIke gouLs. GIunLon Ied IIs Iorse und cuIIed uILer LIe
oLIers, und yeL durkness overLook LIem und LIey were benIgILed In LIuL pIuce, sLrung
ouL uIong u IuuIL In LIe wuII oI LIe gorge. He Ied LIem cursIng upwurd LIrougI LIe
proIoundesL durk buL LIe wuy grew so nurrow und LIe IooLIng so LreucIerous LIey were
obIIged Lo IuIL. TIe DeIuwures cume buck uIooL, IuvIng IeIL LIeIr Iorses uL LIe Lop oI
LIe puss, und GIunLon LIreuLened Lo sIooL LIem uII were LIey uLLucked In LIuL pIuce.
TIey pussed LIe nIgIL eucI mun uL LIe IeeL oI IIs Iorse wIere IL sLood In LIe LruII
- beLween u sIeer rIse und u sIeer IuII. GIun on suL uL LIe Ieud oI LIe coIumn wILI IIs
guns IuId ouL beIore IIm. He wuLcIed LIe dog. n LIe mornIng LIey rose und wenL on,
pIckIng up LIe oLIer scouLs und LIeIr Iorses uL LIe Lop oI LIe puss und sendIng LIem
- on uguIn. TIey rode LIrougI LIe moun uIns uII LIuL duy und II GIunLon sIepL none suw
IIm do so.
TIe DeIuwures Iud reckoned LIe vIIIuge empLy Len duys und LIe GIIenos Iud decumped
In smuII bunds by every egress. TIere wus no LruII Lo IoIIow. TIe compuny rode on
LIrougI LIe mounLuIns sIngIeIIIe. TIe scouLs were gone Ior Lwo duys. On LIe LIIrd duy
LIey rode InLo cump wILI LIeIr Iorses uII buL ruIned. TIuL mornIng LIey'd seen IIres
uLop u LIIn bIue mesu IIILy mIIes Lo LIe souLI.
X
CrossIng LIe border - SLorms - ce und IIgILnIng ?
TIe sIuIn urgonuuLs - TIe uzImuLI - Rendezvous - CouncIIs oI wur ?
SIuugILer oI LIe GIIenos - DeuLI oI Juun MIgueI - TIe deud In
LIe Iuke - TIe cIIeI - An ApucIe cIIId - On LIe deserL - NIgIL IIres -
EI vIroLe - A surgery - TIe judge Lukes u scuIp - Un Iucendudo ?
CuIIego - CIudud de CIIIuuIuu.
or LIe nexL Lwo weeks LIey wouId rIde by nIgIL, LIey wouId muke no IIre. TIey Iud
sLruck LIe sIoes Irom LIeIr Iorses und IIIIed LIe nuIIIoIes In wILI cIuy und LIose wIo
sLIII Iud Lobucco used LIeIr poucIes Lo spIL In und LIey sIepL In cuves und on bure
sLone. TIey rode LIeIr Iorses LIrougI LIe Lrucks oI LIeIr dIsmounLIng und LIey burIed
LIeIr sLooI IIke cuLs und LIey bureIy spoke uL uII. CrossIng LIose burren gruveI reeIs In
LIe nIgIL LIey seemed remoLe und wILIouL subsLunce. Ike u puLroI condemned Lo rIde
" ouL some uncIenL curse. A LIIng surmIsed Irom LIe bIuck ess by LIe creuk oI IeuLIer
und LIe cIInk oI meLuI.
TIey cuL LIe LIrouLs oI LIe puckunImuIs und jerked und dIvIded LIe meuL und LIey
LruveIed under LIe cupe oI LIe wIId mounLuIns upon u broud sodu pIuIn wILI dry
LIunder Lo LIe souLI und rumors oI IIgIL. Under u gIbbous moon Iorse und rIder
spunceIed Lo LIeIr sIudows on LIe snowbIue ground und In eucI IIure oI IIgILnIng us LIe
sLorm udvunced LIose seIIsume Iorms reurIng wILI u LerrIbIe redunduncy beIInd LIem
IIke some LIIrd uspecL oI LIeIr presence Iummered ouL bIuck und wIId upon LIe nuked
grounds. TIey rode on. TIey rode IIke men InvesLed wILI u purpose wIose orIgIns were
unLecedenL Lo LIem, IIke bIood IeguLees oI un order boLI ImperuLIve und remoLe. or
uILIougI eucI mun umong LIem wus dIscreLe unLo IImseII, conjoIned LIey mude u LIIng
LIuL Iud noL been beIore und In LIuL communuI souI were wusLes IurdIy reckonubIe
more LIun LIose wIILed regIons on oId mups wIere monsLers do IIve und wIere LIere Is
noLIIng oLIer oI LIe known worId suve conjecLuruI wInds.
TIey crossed LIe deI NorLe und rode souLI InLo u Iund more IosLIIe yeL. AII duy LIey
croucIed IIke owIs under LIe nIggurd ucucIu sIude und peered ouL upon LIuL cookIng
worId. DusL-devIIs sLood on LIe IorIzon IIke LIe smoke oI dIsLunL IIres buL oI IIvIng
LIIng LIere wus none. TIey eyed LIe sun In ILs cIrcus und uL dusk LIey rode ouL upon
LIe cooIIng pIuIn wIere LIe wesLern sky wus LIe coIor oI bIood. AL u deserL weII LIey
dIsmounLed und drunk juw Lo juw wILI LIeIr Iorses und remounLed und rode on. TIe
IILLIe deserL woIves yupped In LIe durk und GIunLon's dog LroLLed beneuLI LIe Iorse's
1 beIIy, ILs IooLIuIIs sLILcIed pre IseIy umong LIe Iooves.
TIuL nIgIL LIey were vIsILed wILI u pIugue oI IuII ouL oI u IuuILIess sky und LIe Iorses
, sIIed und mouned und LIe men dIs ounLed und suL upon LIe ground wILI LIeIr suddIes
over LIeIr Ieuds wIIIe LIe IuII Ieuped In LIe sund IIke smuII IucenL eggs concocLed
uIcIemIcuIIy ouL oI LIe deserL durkness. WIen LIey resuddIed und rode on LIey wenL Ior
mIIes LIrougI cobbIed Ice wIIIe u poIur moon rose IIke u bIInd cuL's eye up over LIe
rIm oI LIe worId. n LIe nIgIL LIey pussed LIe IIgILs oI u vIIIuge on LIe pIuIn buL LIey
dId noL uILer Irom LIeIr course.
Towurd LIe mornIng LIey suw IIres on LIe IorIzon. GIunLon senL LIe DeIuwures. AIreudy
LIe duwnsLur burned puIe In LIe eusL. WIen LIey reLurned LIey squuLLed wILI GIunLon
und LIe judge und LIe Brown broLIers und spoke und gesLured und LIen uII remounLed
und uII rode on.
Ive wugons smoIdered on LIe deserL IIoor und LIe rIders dIsmounLed und moved umong
LIe bodIes oI LIe deud urgonuuLs In sIIence, LIose rIgIL pIIgrIms numeIess umong LIe
sLones wILI LIeIr LerrIbIe wounds, LIe vIsceru spIIIed Irom LIeIr sIdes und LIe nuked
Lorsos brIsLIIng wILI urrowsIuILs. Some by LIeIr beurds were men buL yeL wore sLrunge
- mensLruuI wounds be ween LIeIr Iegs und no mun's purLs Ior LIese Iud been cuL uwuy
und Iung durk und sLrunge Irom ouL LIeIr grInnIng mouLIs. n LIeIr wIgs oI drIed bIood
LIey Iuy guzIng up wILI upe's eyes uL broLIer sun now rIsIng In LIe eusL.
TIe wugons were no more LIun embers urmuLured wILI LIe bIuckened sIupes oI
Ioop-Iron und LIres, LIe redIoL uxIes quukIng deep wILIIn LIe couIs. TIe rIders squuLLed
uL LIe IIres und boIIed wuLer und drunk coIIee und rousLed meuL und Iuy down Lo sIeep
umong LIe deud.
WIen LIe compuny seL IorLI In LIe evenIng LIey conLInued souLI us beIore. TIe Lrucks
oI LIe murderers bore on Lo LIe wesL buL LIey were wIILe men wIo preyed on LruveIers
In LIuL wIIderness und dIsguIsed LIeIr work Lo be LIuL oI LIe suvuges. NoLIons oI cIunce
7 und IuLe ure LIe preoccupuLIon oI men en uged In rusI underLukIngs. TIe LruII oI LIe
urgonuuLs LermInuLed In usIes us LoId und In LIe convergence oI sucI vecLors In sucI u
wusLe wIereIn LIe IeurLs und enLerprIse oI one smuII nuLIon Iuve been swuIIowed up
und currIed oII by unoLIer LIe exprIesL usked II some mIgIL noL see LIe Iund oI u
cynIcuI god conducLIng wILI wIuL uusLerILy und wIuL mock surprIse so IeLIuI u
congruence. TIe posLIng oI wILnesses by u LIIrd und oLIer puLI uILogeLIer mIgIL uIso be
cuIIed In evIdence us uppeurIng Lo beggur cIunce, yeL LIe judge, wIo Iud puL IIs Iorse
Iorwurd unLII Ie wus ubreusL oI LIe specuIunLs, suId LIuL In LIIs wus expressed LIe very
nuLure oI LIe wILness und LIuL IIs proxImILy wus no LIIrd LIIng buL ruLIer LIe prIme,
Ior wIuL couId be suId Lo occur unobserved? TIe DeIuwures wenL on uIeud In LIe dusk
und LIe MexIcun JoIn McGIII Ied LIe coIumn, droppIng Irom LIme Lo LIme Irom IIs
Iorse Lo IIe IIuL on IIs beIIy und skyIIgIL LIe ouLrIders on LIe deserL beIore LIem und
LIen remounL uguIn wILIouL IuILIng IIs pony or LIe compuny wIIcI IoIIowed. TIey
moved IIke mIgrunLs under u drIILIng sLur und LIeIr Lruck ucross LIe Iund reIIecLed In ILs
IuInL urcuLure LIe movemenLs oI LIe eurLI ILseII. To LIe wesL LIe cIoudbunks sLood ubove
LIe mounLuIns IIke LIe durk wurp oI LIe very IIrmumenL und LIe sLursprenL reucIes oI
LIe guIuxIes Iung In u vusL uuru ubove LIe rIders' Ieuds.
Two mornIngs IuLer LIe DeIuwures reLurned Irom LIeIr duwn reconnuIssunce und reporLed
LIe GIIenos cumped uIong LIe sIore oI u sIuIIow Iuke Iess LIun Iour Iours Lo LIe souLI.
TIey Iud wILI LIem LIeIr women und cIIIdren und LIey were muny. GIunLon wIen Ie
rose Irom LIIs councII wuIked ouL on LIe deserL uIone und sLood Ior u Iong LIme IookIng
ouL upon LIe durkness downcounLry.
TIey suw Lo LIeIr urms, druwIng LIe cIurges Irom LIeIr pIeces und reIoudIng LIem. TIey
spoke In Iow voIces umong LIemseIves uILIougI LIe deserL round Iuy IIke u greuL burren
pIuLe genLIy quukIng In LIe IeuL. n LIe uILernoon u deLucImenL Ied LIe Iorses ouL Lo
wuLer und Ied LIem buck uguIn und wILI durk GIunLon und IIs IIeuLenunLs IoIIowed LIe
DeIuwures ouL Lo scouL LIe enemy's posILIon.
TIey'd drIven u sLIck InLo LIe ground on u rIse norLI oI LIe cump und wIen LIe ungIe
oI LIe DIpper Iud swung ubouL Lo LIIs IncIInuLIon ToudvIne und LIe VundIemunIunder
seL LIe compuny In moLIon und LIey rode IorLI souLI uILer LIe oLIers LrummeIed Lo
cIords oI ruwesL desLIny.
TIey reucIed LIe norLI end oI LIe Iuke In LIe cooI Iours beIore duwn und Lurned uIong
LIe sIore. TIe wuLer wus very bIuck und uIong LIe beucI LIere Iuy u wruck oI Ioum und
, LIey couId Ieur ducks LuIkIng Iur ouL on LIe Iuke. TIe embers oI LIe encump enL's IIres
Iuy beIow LIem In u genLIe curve IIke LIe IIgILs oI u dIsLunL porL. BeIore LIem on LIuL
IoneIy sLrund u soIILury rIder suL IIs Iorse. L wus one oI LIe DeIuwures und Ie Lurned
IIs Iorse wILIouL speukIng und LIey IoIIowed IIm up LIrougI LIe brusI onLo LIe deserL.
TIe purLy wus croucIed In u sLund oI wIIIow u IuII mIIe Irom LIe IIres oI LIe enemy.
TIey Iud muIIIed LIe Ieuds oI LIe Iorses wILI bIunkeLs und LIe Iooded beusLs sLood
rIgId und ceremonIuI beIInd LIem. TIe new rIders dIsmounLed und bound LIeIr own
Iorses und LIey suL upon LIe ground wIIIe GIunLon uddressed LIem.
We goL u Iour, muybe more. WIen we rIde In IL's ever mun Lo IIs own. DonL Ieuve u
dog uIIve II you cun IeIp IL.
How muny Is LIere, JoIn?
DId you Ieurn Lo wIIsper In u suwmIII?
TIere's enougI Lo go uround, suId LIe judge.
DonL wusLe powder und buII on unyLIIng LIuL cuInL sIooL buck. I we donL kIII ever
nIgger Iere we need Lo be wIIpped und senL Iome.
TIIs wus LIe exLenL oI LIeIr councII. TIe Iour LIuL IoIIowed wus u Iong Iour. TIey Ied
LIe bIIndIoIded Iorses down und sLood IookIng ouL over LIe encumpmenL buL LIey were
wuLcIIng LIe IorIzon Lo LIe eusL. A bIrd cuIIed. GIunLon Lurned Lo IIs Iorse und
unIooded IL IIke u IuIconer uL mornIng. A wInd Iud rIsen und LIe Iorse IIILed ILs Ieud
und snIIIed LIe uIr. TIe oLIer men IoIIowed. TIe bIunkeLs Iuy wIere LIey Iud IuIIen.
TIey mounLed, pIsLoIs In Iund, sups oI ruwIIde und rIverrock Iooped ubouL LIeIr wrIsLs
IIke LIe ImpIemenLs oI some prImILIve equesLrIun gume. GIunLon Iooked buck uL LIem
und LIen nudged IorLI IIs Iorse.
As LIey LroLLed ouL onLo LIe wIILe suIL sIore un oId mun rose Irom LIe busIes wIere
Ie'd been squuLLIng und Lurned Lo Iuce LIem. TIe dogs LIuL Iud been wuILIng on Lo
conLesL IIs sLooI boILed yuppIng. Ducks begun Lo rIse by ones und puIrs ouL on LIe Iuke.
Someone cIubbed LIe oId mun down und LIe rIders puL roweIs Lo LIeIr mounLs und
IIned ouL Ior LIe cump beIInd LIe dogs wILI LIeIr cIubs wIIrIIng und LIe dogs IowIIng
In u LubIeuu oI some IeIIIsI IunL, LIe purLIsuns nIneLeen In number beurIng down upon
LIe encumpmenL wIere LIere Iuy sIeepIng upwurd oI u LIousund souIs.
GIunLon rode IIs Iorse compIeLeIy LIrougI LIe IIrsL wIckIup LrumpIIng LIe occupunLs
underIooL. Igures were scrumbIIng ouL oI LIe Iow doorwuys. TIe ruIders wenL LIrougI
LIe vIIIuge uL IuII guIIop und Lurned und cume buck. A wurrIor sLepped InLo LIeIr puLI
und IeveIed u Iunce und GIunLon sIoL IIm deud. TIree oLIers run und Ie sIoL LIe IIrsL
Lwo wILI sIoLs so cIoseIy execuLed LIuL LIey IeII LogeLIer und LIe LIIrd one seemed Lo
be comIng upurL us Ie run, IIL by IuII u dozen pIsLoIbuIIs.
WILIIn LIuL IIrsL mInuLe LIe sIuugILer Iud become generuI.
Women were screumIng und nuked cIIIdren und one oId mun LoLLered IorLI wuvIng u
puIr oI wIILe punLuIoons. TIe Iorsemen moved umong LIem und sIew LIem wILI cIubs
or knIves. A Iundred LeLIered dogs were IowIIng und oLIers were rucIng cruzed umong
LIe IuLs rIppIng uL one unoLIer und uL LIe LIed dogs nor wouId LIIs bedIum und cIumor
ceuse or dImInIsI Irom LIe IIrsL momenL LIe rIders enLered LIe vIIIuge. AIreudy u
number oI LIe IuLs were uIIre und u wIoIe enIIIude oI reIugees Iud begun sLreumIng
norLI uIong LIe sIore wuIIIng cruzIIy wILI LIe rIders umong LIem IIke Ierdsmen cIubbIng
down LIe Iuggurds IIrsL.
WIen GIunLon und IIs cIIeIs swung buck LIrougI LIe vIIIuge peopIe were runnIng ouL
under LIe Iorses' Iooves und LIe Iorses were pIungIng und some oI LIe men were
movIng on IooL umong LIe IuLs wILI LorcIes und druggIng LIe vIcLIms ouL, sIuLIered und
drIppIng wILI bIood, IuckIng uL LIe dyIng und decupILuLIng LIose wIo kneIL Ior mercy.
TIere were In LIe cump u number oI MexIcun sIuves und LIese run IorLI cuIIIng ouL In
SpunIsI und were bruIned or sIoL und one oI LIe DeIuwures emerged Irom LIe smoke
wILI u nuked InIunL dungIIng In eucI Iund und squuLLed uL u rIng oI mIdden sLones und
swung LIem by LIe IeeIs eucI In Lurn und busIed LIeIr Ieuds uguInsL LIe sLones so LIuL
LIe bruIns bursL IorLI LIrougI LIe IonLuneI In u bIoody spew und Iumuns on IIre cume
sIrIekIng IorLI IIke berserkers und LIe rIders Iucked LIem down wILI LIeIr enormous
knIves und u young womun run up und embruced LIe bIoodIed IoreIeeL oI GIunLon's
wurIorse.
By now u smuII bund oI wurrIors Iud mounLed LIemseIves ouL oI LIe scuLLered remudu
und LIey udvunced upon LIe vIIIuge und ruLLIed u drove oI urrows umong LIe burnIng
IuLs. GIunLon drew IIs rIIIe Irom ILs scubburd und sIoL LIe Lwo Ieud Iorses und
resIeuLIed LIe rIIIe und drew IIs pIsLoI und begun Lo IIre beLween LIe ucLuuI eurs oI IIs
Iorse. TIe mounLed IndIuns IIoundered umong LIe down und kIckIng Iorses und LIey
mIIIed und cIrcIed und were sIoL down one by one unLII LIe dozen survIvors umong
LIem Lurned und IIed up LIe Iuke pusL LIe grounIng coIumn oI reIugees und dIsuppeured
In u drIILIng wuke oI sodu usI.
GIunLon Lurned IIs Iorse. TIe deud Iuy uwusI In LIe sIuIIows IIke LIe vIcLIms oI some
dIsusLer uL seu und LIey were sLrewn uIong LIe suIL IoresIore In u Iuvoc oI bIood und
enLruIIs. RIders were LowIng bodIes ouL oI LIe bIoody wuLers oI LIe Iuke und LIe IroLI
LIuL rode IIgILIy on LIe beucI wus u puIe pInk In LIe rIsIng IIgIL. TIey moved umong
LIe deud IurvesLIng LIe Iong bIuck Iocks wILI LIeIr knIves und IeuvIng LIeIr vIcLIms
ruwskuIIed und sLrunge jn LIeIr bIoody cuuIs. TIe Ioosed Iorses Irom LIe remudu cume
poundIng down LIe reekIng sLrund und dIsuppeured In LIe smoke und uILer u wIIIe LIey
cume poundIng buck. Men were wudIng ubouL In LIe red wuLers IuckIng uImIessIy uL LIe
deud und some Iuy coupIed Lo LIe bIudgeoned bodIes oI young women deud or dyIng on
LIe beucI. One oI LIe DeIuwures pussed wILI u coIIecLIon oI Ieuds IIke some sLrunge
vendor bound Ior murkeL, LIe IuIr LwIsLed ubouL IIs wrIsL und LIe Ieuds dungIIng und
LurnIng LogeLIer. GIunLon knew LIuL every momenL on LIIs ground musL be conLesLed
IuLer In LIe deserL und Ie rode umong LIe men und urged LIem on.
McGIII cume ouL oI LIe cruckIIng IIres und sLood sLurIng bIeukIy uL LIe scene ubouL. He
Iud been skewered LIrougI wILI u Iunce und Ie IeId LIe sLock oI IL beIore IIm. L wus
IusIIoned Irom u soLoI sLuIk und LIe poInL oI un oId cuvuIry sword bound Lo LIe IuIL
curved Irom ouL LIe smuII oI IIs buck. TIe kId wuded ouL oI LIe wuLer und upproucIed
IIm und LIe MexIcun suL down cureIuIIy In LIe sund.
GeL uwuy Irom IIm, suId GIunLon.
McGIII Lurned Lo Iook uL GIunLon und us Ie dId so GIunLon IeveIed IIs pIsLoI und sIoL
IIm LIrougI LIe Ieud. He reIoIsLered LIe gun und sLood IIs empLy rIIIe uprIgIL uguInsL
LIe suddIe und IeId IL wILI IIs knee wIIIe Ie meusured powder down LIe burreIs.
Someone sIouLed Lo IIm. TIe Iorse LrembIed und sLepped buck und GIunLon spoke Lo IL
soILIy und puLcIed Lwo buIIs und drove LIem Iome. He wus wuLcIIng u rIse Lo LIe norLI
wIere u bund oI mounLed ApucIes were grouped uguInsL LIe sky.
TIey were perIups u quurLer mIIe dIsLunL, IIve, sIx oI LIem, LIeIr crIes LIIn und IosL.
GIunLon brougIL LIe rIIIe Lo LIe crook oI IIs urm und cupped one drum und roLuLed LIe
burreIs und cupped LIe oLIer. He dId noL Luke IIs eyes Irom LIe ApucIes. WebsLer
sLepped Irom IIs Iorse und drew IIs rIIIe und sIId LIe rumrod Irom LIe LIImbIes und
/ wenL Lo one knee, LIe rumrod up IgIL In LIe sund, resLIng LIe rIIIe's IoresLock upon LIe
IIsL wILI wIIcI Ie IeId IL. TIe rIIIe Iud seL LrIggers und Ie cocked LIe reur one und
IuId IIs Iuce uguInsL LIe cIeekpIece. He reckoned LIe drIIL oI LIe wInd und Ie reckoned
uguInsL LIe sun on LIe sIde oI LIe sIIver IoresIgIL und Ie IeId IIgI und LoucIed oII LIe
" pIece. GIunLon suL ImmobIIe. TIe sIoL wus IIuL und deud In LIe empLI ess und LIe gruy
smoke drIILed uwuy. TIe Ieuder oI LIe group on LIe rIse suL IIs Iorse. TIen Ie sIowIy
pILcIed sIdewuys und IeII Lo LIe ground.
GIunLon guve u wIoop und surged Iorwurd. our men IoIIowed. TIe wurrIors on LIe rIse
Iud dIsmounLed und were IIILIng up LIe IuIIen mun. GIunLon Lurned In LIe suddIe
wILIouL LukIng IIs eyes Irom LIe ndIuns und IeId ouL IIs rIIIe Lo LIe neuresL mun. TIIs
mun wus Sum TuLe und Ie Look LIe rIIIe und reIned IIs Iorse so sIorL Ie neurIy LIrew
IL. GIunLon und LIree rode on und TuLe drew LIe rumrod Ior u resL und croucIed und
IIred. TIe Iorse LIuL currIed LIe wounded cIIeI IuILered, run on. He swIveIed LIe burreIs
und IIred LIe second cIurge und IL pIowed Lo LIe ground. TIe ApucIes reIned wILI sIrIII
crIes. GIunLon Ieuned Iorwurd und spoke InLo IIs Iorse's eur. TIe IndIuns ruIsed up LIeIr
Ieuder Lo u new mounL und rIdIng doubIe LIey IIuIIed uL LIeIr Iorses und seL ouL uguIn.
GIunLon Iud druwn IIs pIsLoI und Ie gesLured wILI IL Lo LIe men beIInd und one puIIed
up IIs Iorse und Ieuped Lo LIe ground und wenL IIuL on IIs beIIy und drew und cocked
IIs own pIsLoI und puIIed down LIe IoudIng Iever und sLuck IL In LIe sund und IoIdIng
LIe gun In boLI Iunds wILI IIs cIIn burIed In LIe ground Ie sIgILed uIong LIe burreI.
TIe Iorses were Lwo Iundred yurds ouL und movIng IusL. WILI LIe second sIoL LIe pony
LIuL bore LIe Ieuder bucked und u rIder uIongsIde reucIed und Look LIe reIns. TIey were
uLLempLIng Lo Luke LIe Ieuder oII LIe wounded unImuI In mId-sLrIde wIen LIe unImuI
coIIupsed.
GIunLon wus IIrsL Lo reucI LIe dyIng mun und Ie kneIL wILI LIuL uIIen und burburous
Ieud crudIed beLween IIs LIIgIs IIke some reekIng ouLIund nurse und dured oII LIe
suvuges wILI IIs revoIver. TIey cIrcIed on LIe pIuIn und sIook LIeIr bows und IoILed u
Iew urrows uL IIm und LIen Lurned und rode on. BIood bubbIed Irom LIe mun's cIesL
und Ie Lurned IIs IosL eyes upwurd, uIreudy gIuzed, LIe cupIIIurIes breukIng up. n LIose
durk pooIs LIere suL eucI u smuII und perIecL sun.
He rode buck Lo LIe cump uL LIe Iore oI IIs smuII coIumn wILI LIe cIIeIs Ieud IungIng
by ILs IuIr Irom IIs beIL. TIe men were sLrIngIng up scuIps on sLrIps oI IeuLIer wIung
und some oI LIe deud Iuy wILI broud sIIces oI IIde cuL Irom LIeIr bucks Lo be used Ior
LIe mukIng oI beILs und Iurness. TIe deud MexIcun McGIII Iud been scuIped und LIe
bIoody skuIIs were uIreudy bIuckenIng In LIe sun. MosL oI LIe wIckIups were burned Lo
LIe ground und becuuse some goId coIns Iud been Iound u Iew oI LIe men were kIckIng
LIrougI LIe smoIderIng usIes. GIunLon cursed LIem on, LukIng up u Iunce und mounLIng
LIe Ieud upon IL wIere IL bobbed und Ieered IIke u curnIvuI Ieud und rIdIng up und
buck, cuIIIng Lo LIem Lo round up LIe cubuIIudo und move ouL. WIen Ie Lurned IIs
Iorse Ie suw LIe judge sILLIng on LIe ground. TIe judge Iud Luken oII IIs IuL und wus
drInkIng wuLer Irom u IeuLIer boLLIe. He Iooked up uL GIunLon.
L's noL IIm.
WIuL's noL?
TIe judge nodded. TIuL.
GIunLon Lurned LIe sIuIL. TIe Ieud wILI ILs Iong durk Iocks swung ubouL Lo Iuce IIm.
WIo do you LIInk IL Is II IL uInL IIm?
TIe judge sIook IIs Ieud. L's noL Gomez. He nodded Lowurd LIe LIIng. TIuL genLIemun
Is sungre puro. Gomez Is MexIcun.
He uInL uII MexIcun.
You cunL be uII MexIcun. L's IIke beIng uII mongreI. BuL LIuL's noL Gomez becuuse 've
seen Gomez und IL's noL IIm.
WIII IL puss Ior IIm?
No.
GIunLon Iooked Lowurd LIe norLI. He Iooked down uL LIe judge. You uInL seen my dog
Iuve ye? Ie suId.
TIe judge sIook IIs Ieud. Do you InLend Lo drIve LIuL sLock?
UnLII 'm mude Lo quIL.
TIuL mIgIL be soon.
TIuL mIgIL be.
How Iong do you LIInk IL wIII Luke LIese yuIoos Lo regroup?
GIunLon spuL. L wusnL u quesLIon und Ie dIdnL unswer IL. WIere's your Iorse? Ie suId.
Gone.
WeII II you uIm Lo rIde wILI us you beLLer be Ior geLLIn you unoLIer one. He Iooked uL
LIe Ieud on LIe poIe. You wus some kInd oI goddumned cIIeI, Ie suId. He nudged LIe
Iorse Iorwurd wILI IIs IeeIs und rode ouL uIong LIe wuLer's edge. TIe DeIu-wures were
wudIng ubouL In LIe Iuke IeeIIng Ior sunken bodIes wILI LIeIr IeeL. He suL LIere u
momenL und LIen Ie Lurned LIe Iorse und rode up LIrougI LIe sucked encumpmenL. He
rode wurIIy, IIs pIsLoI ucross IIs LIIgI. He IoIIowed LIe Lrucks comIng down Irom LIe
deserL wIere LIey'd rIdden In. WIen Ie reLurned Ie Iud wILI IIm LIe scuIp oI LIe oId
mun wIo Iud IIrsL sLood up ouL oI LIe busIes uL duwn.
WILIIn LIe Iour LIey were mounLed und rIdIng souLI IeuvIng beIInd LIem on LIe
scourged sIore oI LIe Iuke u sIumbIes oI bIood und suIL und usIes und drIvIng beIore
LIem u IuII u LIousund Iorses und muIes. TIe judge rode uL LIe Ieud oI LIe coIumn
beurIng on LIe suddIe beIore IIm u sLrunge durk cIIId covered wILI usI. PurL oI ILs IuIr
wus burned uwuy und IL rode muLe und sLoIc wuLcIIng LIe Iund udvunce beIore IL wILI
Iuge bIuck eyes IIke some cIungeIIng. TIe men us LIey rode Lurned bIuck In LIe sun
Irom LIe bIood on LIeIr cIoLIes und LIeIr Iuces und LIen puIed sIowIy In LIe rIsIng dusL
unLII LIey ussumed once more LIe coIor oI LIe Iund LIrougI wIIcI LIey pussed.
TIey rode uII duy wILI GIunLon brIngIng up LIe reur oI LIe coIumn. Towurd noon LIe
dog cuugIL LIem up. HIs cIesL wus durk wILI bIood und GIunLon currIed IIm on LIe
pommeI oI LIe suddIe unLII Ie couId recruIL IImseII. n LIe Iong uILernoon Ie LroLLed In
LIe sIudow oI LIe Iorse und In LIe LwIIIgIL Ie LroLLed Iur ouL on LIe pIuIn wIere LIe
LuII sIupes oI LIe Iorses skuLed over LIe cIupurruI on spIder Iegs.
By now LIere wus u LIIn IIne oI dusL Lo LIe norLI und LIey rode on InLo durk und LIe
DeIuwures dIsmounLed und Iuy wILI LIeIr eurs Lo LIe ground und LIen LIey mounLed up
und uII rode on uguIn.
WIen LIey IuILed GIunLon ordered IIres buIIL und LIe wounded seen Lo. One oI LIe
mures Iud IouIed In LIe deserL und LIIs IruII Iorm soon Iung skewered on u puIoverde
poIe over LIe ruked couIs wIIIe LIe DeIuwures pussed umong LIemseIves u gourd
conLuInIng LIe curdIed mIIk Luken Irom ILs sLomucI. rom u sIIgIL rIse Lo LIe wesL oI
LIe cump LIe IIres oI LIe enemy were vIsIbIe Len mIIes Lo LIe norLI. TIe compuny
squuLLed In LIeIr bIoodsLIIIened IIdes und counLed LIe scuIps und sLrung LIem on poIes,
LIe bIuebIuck IuIr duII und cIoLLed wILI bIood. DuvId Brown wenL umong LIese Iuggurd
buLcIers us LIey croucIed beIore LIe IIumes buL Ie couId IInd IIm no surgeon. He
currIed un urrow In IIs LIIgI, IIeLcIIng und uII, und none wouId LoucI IL. eusL oI uII
wouId Doc rvIng, Ior Brown cuIIed IIm u morLIcIun und u burber und LIey kepL LIeIr
dIsLunce one Irom LIe oLIer.
Boys, suId Brown, 'd docLorIy IL myseII buL cuInL geL no sLruIgIL grIp.
TIe judge Iooked up uL IIm und smIIed.
WIII you do Ier, HoIden?
No, Duvy, wonL. BuL LeII you wIuL wIII do.
WIuL's LIuL.
'II wrILe u poIIcy on your IIIe uguInsL every mIsIup suve LIe noose.
Dumn you LIen.
TIe judge cIuckIed. Brown gIured ubouL IIm. WIII none oI ye IeIp u mun?
None spoke.
Dumn uII oI ye LIen, Ie suId.
He suL und sLreLcIed IIs Ieg ouL on LIe ground und Iooked uL IL, Ie bIoodIer LIun mosL.
He grIpped LIe sIuIL und bore down on IL. TIe sweuL sLood on IIs IoreIeud. He IeId
IIs Ieg und swore soILIy. Some wuLcIed, some dId noL. TIe kId rose. 'II Lry Ier, Ie suId.
Good Iud, suId Brown.
He IeLcIed IIs suddIe Lo Ieun uguInsL. He Lurned IIs Ieg Lo LIe IIre Ior LIe IIgIL und
IoIded IIs beIL und IeId IL und IIssed down uL LIe boy kneeIIng LIere. GrIp Ier sLouL,
Iud. And drIve Ier sLruIgIL. TIen Ie grIpped LIe beIL In IIs LeeLI und Iuy buck.
TIe kId Look IoId oI LIe sIuIL cIose Lo LIe mun's LIIgI und pressed Iorwurd wILI IIs
weIgIL. Brown seIzed LIe ground on eILIer sIde oI IIm und IIs Ieud IIew buck und IIs
weL LeeLI sIone In LIe IIreIIgIL. TIe kId Look u new grIp und bore down uguIn. TIe
veIns In LIe mun's neck sLood IIke ropes und Ie cursed LIe boy's souI. On LIe IourLI
essuy LIe poInL oI LIe urrow cume LIrougI LIe IIesI oI LIe mun's LIIgI und bIood run
over LIe ground. TIe kId suL buck on IIs IeeIs und pussed LIe sIeeve oI IIs sIIrL ucross
IIs brow.
Brown IeL LIe beIL IuII Irom IIs LeeLI. s IL LIrougI? Ie suId.
L Is.
TIe poInL? s IL LIe poInL? Speuk up, mun.
TIe kId drew IIs knIIe und cuL uwuy LIe bIoody poInL deILIy und Iunded IL up. Brown
IeId IL Lo LIe IIreIIgIL und smIIed. TIe poInL wus oI Iummered copper und IL wus
cocked In ILs bIood-souked bIndIngs on LIe sIuIL buL IL Iud IeId.
SLouL Iud, ye'II muke u sIudeLree suwbones yeL. Now druw Ier.
TIe kId wILIdrew LIe sIuIL Irom LIe mun's Ieg smooLIIy und LIe mun bowed on LIe
ground In u IurId IemuIe moLIon und wIeezed ruggedIy LIrougI IIs LeeLI. He Iuy LIere u
momenL und LIen Ie suL up und Look LIe sIuIL Irom LIe kId und LIrew IL In LIe IIre
und rose und wenL oII Lo muke IIs bed.
WIen LIe kId reLurned Lo IIs own bIunkeL LIe exprIesL Ieuned Lo IIm und IIssed uL IIs
eur.
ooI, Ie suId. God wIII noL Iove ye Iorever.
TIe kId Lurned Lo Iook uL IIm.
DonL you know Ie'd oI Look you wILI IIm? He'd oI Look you, boy. Ike u brIde Lo LIe
uILur.
TIey rose up und moved on someLIme uILer mIdnIgIL. GIunLon Iud ordered LIe IIres
buIIL up und LIey rode ouL wILI LIe IIumes IIgILIng uII LIe grounds ubouL und LIe
sIudowsIupes oI LIe deserL brusI reeIIng on LIe sunds und LIe rIders LreudIng LIeIr LIIn
und IIurIng sIudows unLII LIey Iud crossed uILogeLIer InLo LIe durkness wIIcI so weII
becume LIem.
TIe Iorses und muIes were runged Iur ouL over LIe deserL und LIey pIcked LIem up Ior
mIIes Lo LIe souLI und drove LIem on. TIe sourceIess summer IIgILnIng murked ouL oI
LIe nIgIL durk mounLuIn runges uL LIe rIm oI LIe worId und LIe IuIIwIId Iorses on LIe
pIuIn beIore LIem LroLLed In LIose bIuIsI sLrobes IIke Iorses cuIIed IorLI quIverIng ouL oI
LIe ubyss.
n LIe smokIng duwn LIe purLy rIdIng rugged und bIoody wILI LIeIr buIed peILrIes Iooked
Iess IIke vIcLors LIun LIe IurrIed uILerguurd oI some ruIned urmy reLreuLIng ucross LIe
merIdIuns oI cIuos und oId nIgIL, LIe Iorses sLumbIIng, LIe men LoLLerIng usIeep In LIe
suddIes. TIe broucIed duy dIscovered LIe sume burren counLrysIde ubouL und LIe smoke
Irom LIeIr IIres oI LIe nIgIL beIore sLood LIIn und wIndIess Lo LIe norLI. TIe puIe dusL
oI LIe enemy wIo were Lo Iound LIem Lo LIe guLes oI LIe cILy seemed no neurer und
LIey sIumbIed on LIrougI LIe rIsIng IeuL drIvIng LIe cruzed Iorses beIore LIem.
MIdmornIng LIey wuLered uL u sLugnunL poLIoIe LIuL Iud uIreudy been wuIked LIrougI
by LIree Iundred unImuIs, LIe rIders IuzIng LIem ouL oI LIe wuLer und dIsmounLIng Lo
drInk Irom LIeIr IuLs und LIen rIdIng on uguIn down LIe dry bed oI LIe sLreum und
cIuLLerIng over LIe sLony ground, dry rocks und bouIders und LIen LIe deserL soII uguIn
red und sundy und LIe consLunL mounLuIns ubouL LIem LIInIy grussed und grown wILI
ocoLIIIo und soLoI und LIe secuIur uIoes bIoomIng IIke pIunLusmugorIu In u Iever Iund. AL
dusk LIey senL rIders wesL Lo buIId IIres on LIe pruIrIe und LIe compuny Iuy down In
LIe durk und sIepL wIIIe buLs crossed sIIenLIy overIeud umong LIe sLurs. WIen LIey rode
on In LIe mornIng IL wus sLIII durk und LIe Iorses uII buL IuInLIng. Duy Iound LIe
IeuLIen mucI udvunced upon LIem. TIey IougIL LIeIr IIrsL sLund LIe duwn IoIIowIng
und LIey IougIL LIem runnIng Ior eIgIL duys und nIgILs on LIe pIuIn und umong LIe
rocks In LIe mounLuIns und Irom LIe wuIIs und uzoLeus oI ubundoned IucIendus und
LIey IosL noL u mun.
On LIe LIIrd nIgIL LIey croucIed In LIe keep oI oId wuIIs oI sIumped mud wILI LIe
IIres oI LIe enemy noL u mIIe dIsLunL on LIe deserL. TIe judge suL wILI LIe ApucIe boy
beIore LIe IIre und IL wuLcIed everyLIIng wILI durk berry eyes und some oI LIe men
pIuyed wILI IL und mude IL IuugI und LIey guve IL jerky und IL suL cIewIng und
wuLcIIng gruveIy LIe IIgures LIuL pussed ubove IL. TIey covered IL wILI u bIunkeL und In
LIe mornIng LIe judge wus dundIIng IL on one knee wIIIe LIe men suddIed LIeIr Iorses.
ToudvIne suw IIm wILI LIe cIIId us Ie pussed wILI IIs suddIe buL wIen Ie cume buck
Len mInuLes IuLer IeudIng IIs Iorse LIe cIIId wus deud und LIe judge Iud scuIped IL.
ToudvIne puL LIe muzzIe oI IIs pIsLoI uguInsL LIe greuL dome oI LIe judge's Ieud.
Goddumn you, HoIden.
You eILIer sIooL or Luke LIuL uwuy. Do IL now.
ToudvIne puL LIe pIsLoI In IIs beIL. TIe judge smIIed und wIped LIe scuIp on LIe Ieg oI
IIs Lrousers und rose und Lurned uwuy. AnoLIer Len mInuLes und LIey were on LIe pIuIn
uguIn In IuII IIIgIL Irom LIe ApucIes.
On LIe uILernoon oI LIe IIILI duy LIey were crossIng u dry pun uL u wuIk, drIvIng LIe
Iorses beIore LIem, LIe IndIuns beIInd jusL ouL oI rIIIe runge cuIIIng ouL Lo LIem In
SpunIsI. rom LIme Lo LIme one oI LIe compuny wouId dIsmounL wILI rIIIe und wIpIng
sLIck und LIe IndIuns wouId IIure IIke quuII, puIIIng LIeIr ponIes uround und sLundIng
beIInd LIem. To LIe eusL LrembIIng In LIe IeuL sLood LIe LIIn wIILe wuIIs oI u IucIendu
und LIe Lrees LIIn und green und rIgId rIsIng Irom IL IIke u scene vIewed In u dIorumu.
< . An Iour IuLer LIey were drIvIng LIe Iorses erIups now u Iundred Ieud Iong LIese
wuIIs und down u worn LruII Lowurd u sprIng. A young mun rode ouL und weIcomed
LIem IormuIIy In SpunIsI. No one unswered. TIe young rIder Iooked down uIong LIe
creek wIere LIe IIeIds were IuId ouL wILI ucequIus und wIere LIe workers In LIeIr dusLy
wIILe cosLumes sLood poIsed wILI Ioes umong LIe new coLLon or wuIsL-IIgI corn. He
Iooked buck Lo LIe norLIwesL. TIe ApucIes, sevenLy, eIgILy oI LIem, were jusL comIng
pusL LIe IIrsL oI u row oI jucuIes und deIIIIng uIong LIe puLI und InLo LIe sIude oI LIe
Lrees.
TIe peons In LIe IIeIds suw LIem uL ubouL LIe sume LIme. TIey IIung LIeIr ImpIemenLs
Irom LIem und begun Lo run, some sIrIekIng, some wILI LIeIr Iunds uLop LIeIr Ieuds.
TIe young Don Iooked uL LIe AmerIcuns und Ie Iooked uL LIe upproucIIng suvuges
uguIn. He cuIIed ouL someLIIng In SpunIsI. TIe AmerIcuns drove LIe Iorses up ouL oI
LIe sprIng und on LIrougI LIe grove oI coLLonwoods. TIe IusL LIey suw oI IIm Ie Iud
druwn u smuII pIsLoI Irom IIs booL und Iud Lurned Lo Iuce LIe IndIuns.
TIuL evenIng LIey Ied LIe ApucIes LIrougI LIe Lown oI GuIIego, LIe sLreeL u mud guLLer
puLroIIed by swIne und wreLcIed IuIrIess dogs. L uppeured deserLed. TIe young corn In
! LIe roud Ide IIeIds Iud been wusIed by recenL ruIns und sLood wIILe und IumInous,
bIeucIed uImosL LrunspurenL by LIe sun. TIey rode mosL oI LIe nIgIL und LIe nexL duy
LIe IndIuns were sLIII LIere.
TIey IougIL LIem uguIn uL EncInIIIus und LIey IougIL LIem In LIe dry pusses goIng
Lowurd EI Suuz und beyond In LIe Iow IooLIIIIs Irom wIIcI LIey couId uIreudy see LIe
cIurcIspIres oI LIe cILy Lo LIe souLI. On LIe LwenLy-IIrsL oI JuIy In LIe yeur eIgILeen
IorLy-nIne LIey rode InLo LIe cILy oI CIIIuuIuu Lo u Iero's weIcome, drIvIng LIe
IurIequIn Iorses beIore LIem LIrougI LIe dusL oI LIe sLreeLs In u pundemonIum oI LeeLI
und wIILed eyes. SmuII boys run umong LIe Iooves und LIe vIcLors In LIeIr gory rugs
smIIed LIrougI LIe IIILI und LIe dusL und LIe cuked bIood us LIey bore on poIes LIe
desIccuLed Ieuds oI LIe enemy LIrougI LIuL IunLusy oI musIc und IIowers.
X
AL LIe buLIs - MercIunLs - TropIIes oI wur -TIe bunqueL ?
TrIus - TIe buII - NorLI - Coyume - TIe border - TIe Hueco Lunks -
Mussucre oI LIe TIguus - CurrIzuI - A deserL sprIng ?
TIe Medunos - An InquesL concernIng LeeLI -NucorI - TIe cunLInu -
A desperuLe encounLer - nLo LIe mounLuIns ?
A vIIIuge decImuLed - MounLed Iuncers - A skIrmIsI -
PursuIng LIe survIvors - TIe pIuIns oI CIIIuuIuu ?
SIuugILer oI LIe soIdIers - A burIuI -CIIIuuIuu - WesLwurd.
TIeIr progress wus sweIIed by new rIders, by boys on muIe-_ buck und oId men In
pIuILed IuLs und u depuLuLIon LIuL Look cIurge oI LIe cupLured Iorses und muIes und
Iuzed LIem on LIrougI LIe nurrow sLreeLs Lowurd LIe buIIrIng wIere LIey couId be kepL.
TIe LuLLered cumpuIgners surged on, some now IoIdIng uIoIL cups LIuL Iud been pressed
upon LIem, wuvIng Lo LIe IudIes cIusLered on LIe buIconIes LIeIr puLrescenL IuLs und
eIevuLIng LIe bobbIng Ieuds wILI LIose sLrunge IuIIIIdded Iooks oI ennuI InLo wIIcI LIe
IeuLures Iud drIed, uII so Iemmed ubouL now by LIe cILIzenry LIuL LIey seemed LIe
vunguurd oI some rugged uprIsIng und IeruIded beIore by u puIr oI drummers one
wILIess und boLI bureIooL und by u LrumpeLer wIo murcIed wILI one urm ruIsed ubove
IIs Ieud In u murLIuI gesLure und pIuyIng LIe wIIIe. n LIIs munner LIey pussed LIrougI
LIe sLundIng porLuIs oI LIe governor's puIuce, over LIe worn sLone sIIIs und InLo LIe
courLyurd wIere LIe broomed Iooves oI LIe mercenurIes' sIoeIess Iorses subsIded upon
LIe cobbIes wILI u curIous LurLIeIIke cIuLLer. Hundreds oI onIookers pressed ubouL us LIe
drIed scuIps were counLed ouL upon LIe sLones. SoIdIers wILI muskeLs kepL buck LIe
crowds und young gIrIs wuLcIed LIe AmerIcuns wILI Iuge bIuck eyes und boys crepL
IorLI Lo LoucI LIe grIsIy LropIIes. TIere were one Iundred und LwenLy-eIgIL scuIps und
eIgIL Ieuds und LIe governor's IIeuLenunL und IIs reLInue cume down InLo LIe courLyurd
Lo weIcome LIem und udmIre LIeIr work. TIey were promIsed IuII puymenL In goId uL
LIe dInner Lo be IeId In LIeIr Ionor LIuL evenIng uL LIe RIddIe und SLepIens HoLeI und
wILI LIIs LIe AmerIcuns senL up u cIeer und mounLed LIeIr Iorses uguIn. OId women In
bIuck rebozos run IorLI Lo kIss LIe Iems oI LIeIr reekIng sIIrLs und IoId up LIeIr durk
IILLIe Iunds In bIessIng und LIe rIders wIeeIed LIeIr guunLed mounLs und pusIed LIrougI
LIe cIumorIng muILILude und InLo LIe sLreeL.
TIey moved on Lo LIe pubIIc buLIs wIere LIey descended one by one InLo LIe wuLers,
eucI more puIe LIun LIe one beIore und uII LuLLooed, brunded, suLured, LIe greuL
3 puckered scurs In uguruLed God knows wIere by wIuL burburous surgeons ucross cIesLs
und ubdomens IIke LIe Lrucks oI gIgunLIc mIIIIpedes, some deIormed, IIngers mIssIng,
eyes, LIeIr IoreIeuds und urms sLumped wILI IeLLers und numbers us II LIey were urLIcIes
- requIrIng Inven ory. CILIzens oI boLI sexes wILIdrew uIong LIe wuIIs und wuLcIed LIe
wuLer Lurn InLo u LIIn grueI oI bIood und IIILI und none couId Luke LIeIr eyes Irom LIe
judge wIo Iud dIsrobed IusL oI uII und now wuIked LIe perImeLer oI LIe buLIs wILI u
# cIgur In IIs mouLI und u reguI uIr, LesLIng LIe wuLers wILI one Loe, surprIs ngIy peLILe.
He sIone IIke LIe moon so puIe Ie wus und noL u IuIr Lo be seen unywIere upon LIuL
vusL corpus, noL In uny crevIce nor In LIe greuL bores oI IIs nose und noL upon IIs
cIesL nor In IIs eurs nor uny LuIL uL uII ubove IIs eyes nor Lo LIe IIds LIereoI. TIe
Immense und gIeumIng dome oI IIs nuked skuII Iooked IIke u cup Ior buLIIng puIIed
down Lo LIe oLIerwIse durkened skIn oI IIs Iuce und neck. As LIuL greuL buIk Iowered
ILseII InLo LIe buLI LIe wuLers rose percepLIbIy und wIen Ie Iud submerged IImseII Lo
3 LIe eyes Ie Iooked ubouL wILI consIder bIe pIeusure, LIe eyes sIIgILIy crInkIed, us II Ie
were smIIIng under LIe wuLer IIke some puIe und bIouLed munuLee surIuced In u bog
wIIIe beIInd IIs smuII und cIose-seL eur LIe wedged cIgur smoked genLIy jusL ubove LIe
wuLerIIne.
By now mercIunLs Iud spreud LIeIr wures uII uIong LIe cIuy LIIes beIInd LIem, suILs oI
Europeun cIoLI und cuL und sIIrLs oI coIored sIIks und cIosenupped beuver IuLs und IIne
SpunIsI IeuLIer booLs, sIIverIeuded cunes und rIdIng crops und sIIvermounLed suddIes
und curven pIpes und IIdeouL guns und u group oI ToIedo swords wILI Ivory IIILs und
nIceIy cIused bIudes und burbers were seLLIng up cIuIrs Lo receIve LIem, cryIng ouL LIe
numes oI ceIebruLed puLrons upon wIom LIey Iud uLLended, und uII oI LIese
enLrepreneurs ussurIng LIe compuny oI credIL on LIe mosL generous Lerms.
6 WIen LIey crossed LIe squure uLLIred In LIeIr new Iuber usIery, some wILI couLsIeeves
bureIy pusL LIeIr eIbows, LIe scuIps were beIng sLrung ubouL LIe Iron IreLwork oI LIe
guzebo IIke decoruLIons Ior some burburIc ceIebruLIon. TIe severed Ieuds Iud been ruIsed
on poIes ubove LIe IumpsLundurds wIere LIey now conLempIuLed wILI LIeIr cuved und
pugun eyes LIe dry IIdes oI LIeIr kInsmen und Iorebeurs sLrung ucross LIe sLone Iucude
oI LIe cuLIedruI und cIuckIng IIgILIy In LIe wInd. uLer wIen LIe Iumps were IIL LIe
Ieuds In LIe soIL gIure oI LIe up-IIgIL ussumed LIe Iook oI LrugIc musks und wILIIn u
Iew duys LIey wouId become moLLIed wIILe und uILogeLIer Ieprous wILI LIe droppIngs oI
LIe bIrds LIuL roosLed upon LIem.
TIIs AngeI TrIus wIo wus governor Iud been senL ubroud us u young mun Ior IIs
educuLIon und wus wIdeIy reud In LIe cIussIcs und wus u sLudenL oI Iunguuges. He wus
uIso u mun umong men und LIe rougI wurrIors Ie'd IIred Ior LIe proLecLIon oI LIe sLuLe
seemed Lo wurm someLIIng In IIm. WIen LIe IIeuLenunL InvILed GIunLon und IIs oIIIcers
Lo dIne GIunLon repIIed LIuL Ie und IIs men dId noL keep sepuruLe mess. TIe IIeuLenunL
yIeIded LIe poInL wILI u smIIe und TrIus Iud done LIe sume. TIey urrIved In good
order, sIuved und sIorn und Lurned ouL In LIeIr new booLs und IInery, LIe DeIuwures
sLrungeIy uusLere und menucIng In LIeIr mornIngcouLs, uII Lo guLIer ubouL LIe LubIe seL
Ior LIem. CIgurs were presenLed und gIusses oI sIerry poured und LIe governor sLundIng
uL LIe Ieud oI LIe LubIe mude LIem weIcome und Issued orders Lo IIs cIumberIuIn LIuL
every need be seen Lo. SoIdIers uLLended LIem, IeLcIIng exLru gIusses, pourIng LIe wIne,
IIgILIng cIgurs Irom u wIck In u sIIver IoIder desIgned Ior jusL LIuL purpose. TIe judge
urrIved IusL oI uII, dressed In u weII-cuL suIL oI unbIeucIed IInen LIuL Iud been mude Ior
IIm LIuL very uILernoon. WIoIe boILs oI cIoLI exIuusLed und squuds oI LuIIors us weII In
LIuL IubrIcuLIon. HIs IeeL were encused In nIceIy poIIsIed gruy kId booLs und In IIs Iund
Ie IeId u punumu IuL LIuL Iud been spIIced LogeLIer Irom Lwo sucI Iesser IuLs by sucI
puInsLukIng work LIuL LIe joInery dId scurceIy sIow uL uII.
TrIus Iud uIreudy Luken IIs seuL wIen LIe judge mude IIs uppeurunce buL no sooner
Iud LIe governor seen IIm LIun Ie rose uguIn und LIey sIook Iunds cordIuIIy und LIe
governor Iud IIm seuLed uL IIs rIgIL und LIey uL once IeII InLo conversuLIon In u Longue
none oLIer In LIuL room spoke uL uII suvIng Ior rundom vIIe epILIeLs drIILed down Irom
LIe norLI. TIe exprIesL wus suL opposILe LIe kId und Ie ruIsed IIs brows und moLIoned
Lowurd LIe Ieud oI LIe LubIe wILI u swIng oI IIs eyes. TIe kId, In LIe IIrsL sLurcIed
coIIur Ie'd ever owned und LIe IIrsL cruvuL, suL muLe us u LuIIor's dummy uL LIuL bourd.
By now LIe LubIe wus IuIIy commenced und LIere wus u Lundem run oI dIsIes, IIsI und
IowI und beeI und wIId meuLs oI LIe counLrysIde und u rousL sIouL on u pIuLLer und
cusseroIes oI suvorIes und LrIIIes und gIuces und boLLIes oI wIne und brundy Irom LIe
vIneyurds uL EI Puso. PuLrIoLIc LousLs were drunk, LIe governor's uIdes ruIsIng LIeIr
gIusses Lo WusIIngLon und runkIIn und LIe AmerIcuns respondIng wILI yeL more oI
LIeIr own counLry's Ieroes, IgnorunL uIIke oI dIpIomucy und uny nume uL uII Irom LIe
punLIeon oI LIeIr sIsLer repubIIc. TIey IeII Lo und LIey conLInued Lo euL unLII LIey Iud
exIuusLed IIrsL LIe bunqueL und LIen LIe Iurder oI LIe IoLeI uILogeLIer. CourIers were
senL ubroud LIrougI LIe cILy Lo IeLcI more onIy Lo Iuve LIIs uIso vunIsI und more senL
Ior unLII RIddIe's cook burrIcuded LIe door wILI IIs body und LIe soIdIers In uLLendunce
( Look Lo sImpIy dumpIng greuL Lruys oI pusLrIes, IrIed meuLskIns, rounds oI cIeese
= IuLever LIey couId IInd uL upon LIe LubIe.
TIe governor Iud Lupped IIs gIuss und rIsen Lo speuk In IIs weII-pIrused engIIsI, buL
LIe bIouLed und beIcIIng mercenurIes were IeerIng ubouL und were cuIIIng Ior more drInk
und some Iud noL ceused Lo screum ouL LousLs, now degeneruLed InLo obscene pIedges Lo
LIe wIores oI vurIous souLIern cILIes. TIe bursur wus InLroduced Lo cIeers, cuLcuIIs,
IoIsLed bumpers. GIunLon Look cIurge oI LIe Iong cunvus bug sLumped wILI LIe sLuLe
curLoucIe und cuLLIng LIe governor sIorL Ie rose und dumped LIe goId ouL onLo LIe
LubIe umong LIe bones und rInds und pooIs oI spIIIed drInk und In u brIsk drumIeud
dIsbursemenL dIvIded ouL LIe pIIe oI goId wILI LIe bIude oI IIs knIIe so LIuL eucI mun
wus puId IIs spoken sIure und no IurLIer ceremony Lo IL. A sorL oI skIIIIe bund Iud
sLruck up u IugubrIous uIr In one corner oI LIe IuII und IIrsL up wus LIe judge wIo
usIered LIe pIuyers und LIeIr InsLrumenLs InLo LIe udjoInIng buIIroom wIere u number
oI IudIes wIo Iud been senL Ior suL uIreudy ubouL LIe wuIIs on bencIes und Iunned
LIemseIves wILIouL uppurenL uIurm.
TIe AmerIcuns deboucIed InLo LIe duncIng IuII by ones und Lwos und by groups, cIuIrs
pusIed buck, cIuIrs pusIed over Lo IIe wIere LIey IeII. WuII Iumps In LIeIr LIn reIIecLors
Iud been IIL uII ubouL LIe room und LIe ceIebrunLs IoreguLIered LIere cusL conIIIcLIng
sIudows. TIe scuIpIunLers sLood grInnIng uL LIe dumes, cIurIIsIIookIng In LIeIr
sIrunken cIoLIes, suckIng LIeIr LeeLI, urmed wILI knIves und pIsLoIs und mud ubouL LIe
eyes. TIe judge wus In cIose conIerence wILI LIe bund und soon u quudrIIIe wus sLruck
up. A greuL IurcIIng und sLompIng ensued wIIIe LIe judge, uIIubIe, guIIunL, squIred IIrsL
one und LIen unoLIer oI LIe IudIes LIrougI LIe sLeps wILI un eusy nIceness. By
mIdnIgIL LIe governor Iud excused IImseII und members oI LIe bund Iud begun Lo sIIp
uwuy. A bIInd sLreeL IurpIsL sLood LerrIIIed upon LIe bunqueL LubIe umong LIe bones und
pIuLLers und u Iorde oI IurIdIookIng wIores Iud InIIILruLed LIe dunce.
PIsLoIIIre soon becume generuI und Mr RIddIe, wIo wus ucLIng AmerIcun consuI In LIe
cILy, descended Lo remonsLruLe wILI LIe reveIers und wus wurned uwuy. IgILs broke ouL.
urnILure wus dIsussembIed, men wuvIng cIuIrIegs, cundIesLunds. Two wIores gruppIed
und pILcIed InLo u sIdebourd und wenL Lo LIe IIoor In u crusI oI brundygIusses. Juckson,
pIsLoIs druwn, IurcIed InLo LIe sLreeL vowIng Lo SIooL LIe uss oII Jesus CIrIsL, LIe
IongIegged wIILe son oI u bILcI. AL duwn LIe sIupes oI InsensuLe Lopers Iuy snorIng
ubouL LIe IIoor umong durk puLcIes oI dryIng bIood. BuLIcuL und LIe IurpIsL Iuy usIeep
upon LIe bunqueL LubIe In one unoLIer's urms. A IumIIy oI LIIeves were LIpLoeIng
LIrougI LIe wreckuge LurnIng ouL LIe pockeLs oI LIe sIeepers und LIe remuIns oI u
bonIIre LIuL Iud consumed u good purL oI LIe IoLeI's IurnIsIIngs smoIdered In LIe sLreeL
beIore LIe door.
TIese scenes und scenes IIke LIem were repeuLed nIgIL uILer nIgIL. TIe cILIzenry mude
uddress Lo LIe governor buL Ie wus mucI IIke LIe sorcerer's upprenLIce wIo couId
Indeed provoke LIe Imp Lo do IIs wIII buL couId In no wuy muke IIm ceuse uguIn. TIe
buLIs Iud become bordeIIos, LIe uLLendunLs drIven oII. TIe wIILe sLone IounLuIn In LIe
pIuzu wus IIIIed uL nIgIL wILI nuked und drunken men. CunLInus were evucuuLed us II by
IIre wILI LIe uppeurunce oI uny Lwo oI LIe compuny und LIe AmerIcuns Iound
LIemseIves In gIosL Luverns wILI drInks on LIe LubIes und cIgurs sLIII burnIng In LIe cIuy
usILruys. Horses were rIdden Indoors und ouL und us LIe goId begun Lo dwIndIe uwuy
sIopkeepers Iound LIemseIves presenLed wILI debILs scruwIed on buLcIerpuper In u
IoreIgn Iunguuge Ior wIoIe sIeIves oI goods. SLores begun Lo cIose. CIurcouI scruwIs
uppeured on LIe IImewusIed wuIIs. Mejor Ios IndIos. TIe evenIng sLreeLs sLood empLy
und LIere were no puseos und LIe young gIrIs oI LIe cILy were bourded up und seen no
more.
* On LIe IIILeenLI oI AugusL LIey rode ouL. A week IuLer u com uny oI drovers reporLed
LIem InvesLIng LIe Lown oI Coyume eIgILy mIIes Lo LIe norLIeusL.
TIe vIIIuge oI Coyume Iud Ior some yeurs been IuId under unnuuI conLrIbuLIon by
Gomez und IIs bund. WIen GIunLon und IIs men rode In LIey were IuIIen upon us
suInLs. Women run uIongsIde LIe Iorses Lo LoucI LIeIr booLs und presenLs oI every kInd
were pressed upon LIem unLII eucI mun rode wILI un emburrussmenL oI meIons und
pusLrIes und Lrussed cIIckens guLIered In LIe bow oI IIs suddIe. WIen LIey rode ouL
LIree duys IuLer LIe sLreeLs sLood empLy, noL even u dog IoIIowed LIem Lo LIe guLes.
TIey LruveIed norLIeusL us Iur us LIe Lown oI PresIdIo on LIe Texus border und LIey
crossed LIe Iorses und rode drIppIng LIrougI LIe sLreeLs. A soII wIere GIunLon wus
subjecL Lo urresL. He rode ouL uIone on LIe deserL und suL LIe Iorse und Ie und LIe
Iorse und LIe dog Iooked ouL ucross LIe roIIIng scrubIund und LIe burren peppercorn
IIIIs und LIe mounLuIns und LIe IIuL brusI counLry und runnIng pIuIn beyond wIere Iour
Iundred mIIes Lo LIe eusL were LIe wIIe und cIIId LIuL Ie wouId noL see uguIn. HIs
sIudow grew Iong beIore IIm on LIe bunded wusI oI sund. He wouId noL IoIIow. He
Iud Luken oII IIs IuL Ior LIe evenIng wInd Lo cooI IIm und uL IengLI Ie puL IL on uguIn
und Lurned LIe Iorse und rode buck.
TIey wundered LIe borderIund Ior weeks seekIng some sIgn oI LIe ApucIe. DepIoyed
! upon LIuL pIuIn LIey moved In u con LunL eIIsIon, orduIned ugenLs oI LIe ucLuuI
dIvIdIng ouL LIe worId wIIcI LIey encounLered und IeuvIng wIuL Iud been und wIuL
wouId never be uIIke exLInguIsIed on LIe ground beIInd LIem. SpecLre Iorsemen, puIe
wILI dusL, unonymous In LIe creneIIuLed IeuL. Above uII eIse LIey uppeured wIoIIy uL
venLure, prImuI, provIsIonuI, devoId oI order. Ike beIngs provoked ouL oI LIe ubsoIuLe
rock und seL numeIess und uL no remove Irom LIeIr own IoomIngs Lo wunder ruvenous
und doomed und muLe us gorgons sIumbIIng LIe bruLuI wusLes oI GondwunuIund In u
LIme beIore nomencIuLure wus und eucI wus uII.
TIey kIIIed wIId meuL und LIey Look wIuL LIey requIred by wuy oI commIssury Irom LIe
puebIos und esLuncIus LIrougI wIIcI LIey pussed. One evenIng uImosL wILIIn sIgIL oI
LIe Lown oI EI Puso LIey Iooked oII Lowurd LIe norLI wIere LIe GIIenos wInLered und
LIey knew LIey wouId noL be goIng LIere. TIey cumped LIuL nIgIL uL LIe Hueco Lunks, u
group oI nuLuruI sLone cIsLerns In LIe deserL. TIe rocks ubouL In every sIeILered pIuce
were covered wILI uncIenL puInLIngs und LIe judge wus soon umong LIem copyIng ouL
LIose cerLuIn ones InLo IIs book Lo Luke uwuy wILI IIm. TIey were oI men und unImuIs
und oI LIe cIuse und LIere were curIous bIrds und urcune mups und LIere were
consLrucLIons oI sucI sInguIur vIsIon us Lo jusLIIy every Ieur oI mun und LIe LIIngs LIuL
: 9 ure In IIm. OI LIese eLcIIngs ome brIgIL yeL wILI coIor Iere were Iundreds, und yeL
LIe judge wenL umong LIem wILI ussurunce, LrucIng ouL LIe very ones wIIcI Ie
requIred. WIen Ie Iud done und wIIIe LIere yeL wus IIgIL Ie reLurned Lo u cerLuIn
sLone Iedge und suL u wIIIe und sLudIed uguIn LIe work LIere. TIen Ie rose und wILI u
pIece oI broken cIerL Ie scuppIed uwuy one oI LIe desIgns, IeuvIng no Lruce oI IL onIy u
ruw pIuce on LIe sLone wIere IL Iud been. TIen Ie puL up IIs book und reLurned Lo
LIe cump.
n LIe mornIng LIey rode ouL Lo LIe souLI. ILLIe wus suId, nor were LIey quurreIsome
umong LIemseIves. n LIree duys LIey wouId IuII upon u bund oI peuceIuI TIguus cumped
on LIe rIver und sIuugILer LIem every souI.
On LIe eve oI LIuL duy LIey croucIed ubouL LIe IIre wIere IL IIssed In u soILIy IuIIIng
ruIn und LIey run buIIs und cuL puLcIes us II LIe IuLe oI LIe uborIgInes Iud been cusL
InLo sIupe by some oLIer ugency uILogeLIer. As II sucI desLInIes were preIIgured In LIe
very rock Ior LIose wILI eyes Lo reud. No mun sLood Lo Lender LIem u deIense. ToudvIne
und LIe kId conIerred LogeLIer und wIen LIey rode ouL uL noon LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey
LroLLed LIeIr Iorses uIongsIde BuLIcuL. TIey rode In sIIence. TIem sons oI bILcIes uInL
boLIerIn nobody, ToudvIne suId. TIe VundIemun-Iunder Iooked uL IIm. He Iooked uL LIe
IIvId IeLLers LuLLooed on IIs IoreIeud und uL LIe Iunk greusy IuIr LIuL Iung Irom IIs
eurIess skuII. He Iooked uL LIe neckIuce oI goId LeeLI uL IIs cIesL. TIey rode on.
TIey upproucIed LIose wreLcIed puvIIIons In LIe Iong IIgIL oI LIe duy's IuIIIng, comIng
up Irom downwInd uIong LIe souLI bunk oI LIe rIver wIere LIey couId smeII LIe
woodsmoke oI LIe cookIIres. WIen LIe IIrsL dogs burked GIunLon roweIed IIs Iorse
Iorwurd und LIey cume ouL oI LIe Lrees und ucross LIe dry scrub wILI LIe Iong necks oI
LIe Iorses IeunIng ouL oI LIe dusL uvId us Iounds und LIe rIders quIrLIng LIem on InLo
LIe sun wIere LIe sIupes oI LIe women rIsIng up Irom LIeIr Lusks sLood IIuL und rIgId
In sIIIoueLLe Ior u momenL beIore LIey couId quILe beIIeve In LIe reuIILy oI LIuL dusLy
pundemonIuc poundIng down upon LIem. TIey sLood dumb, bureIooL, cIud In LIe
unbIeucIed coLLon oI LIe counLry. TIey cIuLcIed cookIng IudIes, nuked cIIIdren. AL LIe
IIrsL IIre u dozen oI LIem crumpIed und IeII.
TIe oLIers Iud begun Lo run, oId peopIe IIIngIng up LIeIr Iunds, cIIIdren LoLLerIng und
bIInkIng In LIe pIsLoIIIre. A Iew young men run ouL wILI druwn bows und were sIoL
down und LIen LIe rIders were uII LIrougI LIe vIIIuge LrumpIIng down LIe gruss
wIckIups und bIudgeonIng LIe sIrIekIng IouseIoIders.
ong pusL durk LIuL nIgIL wIen LIe moon wus uIreudy up u purLy oI women LIuL Iud
been uprIver dryIng IIsI reLurned Lo LIe vIIIuge und wundered IowIIng LIrougI LIe ruIns.
A Iew IIres sLIII smoIdered on LIe ground und dogs sIunk oII Irom umong LIe corpses.
An oId womun kneIL uL LIe bIuckened sLones beIore Ier door und poked brusI InLo LIe
couIs und bIew buck u IIume Irom LIe usIes und begun Lo rIgIL LIe overLurned poLs. AII
ubouL Ier LIe deud Iuy wILI LIeIr peeIed skuIIs IIke poIyps bIueIy weL or IumInescenL
meIons cooIIng on some mesu oI LIe moon. n LIe duys Lo come LIe IruII bIuck rebuses
oI bIood In LIose sunds wouId cruck und breuk und drIIL uwuy so LIuL In LIe cIrcuIL oI
Iew suns uII Lruce oI LIe desLrucLIon oI LIese peopIe wouId be erused. TIe deserL wInd
wouId suIL LIeIr ruIns und LIere wouId be noLIIng, nor gIosL nor scrIbe, Lo LeII Lo uny
pIIgrIm In IIs pussIng Iow IL wus LIuL peopIe Iud IIved In LIIs pIuce und In LIIs pIuce
dIed.
" TIe AmerIcuns enLered LIe Lown oI CurrIzuI IuLe In LIe uILer oon oI LIe second duy
IoIIowIng, LIeIr Iorses IesLooned wILI LIe reekIng scuIps oI LIe TIguus. TIIs Lown Iud
IuIIen uImosL Lo ruIn. Muny oI LIe Iouses sLood empLy und LIe presIdIo wus coIIupsIng
buck InLo LIe eurLI ouL oI wIIcI IL Iud been ruIsed und LIe InIubILunLs seemed
LIemseIves mude vucunL by oId Lerrors. TIey wuLcIed LIe pussIng oI LIuL bIoodsLuIned
urgosy LIrougI LIeIr sLreeLs wILI durk und soIemn eyes. TIose rIders seemed journeyed
Irom u Iegendury worId und LIey IeIL beIInd u sLrunge LuInLure IIke un uILerImuge on LIe
eye und LIe uIr LIey dIsLurbed wus uILered und eIecLrIc. TIey pussed uIong LIe ruInous
wuIIs oI LIe cemeLery wIere LIe deud were LresLIed up In nIcIes und LIe grounds sLrewn
wILI bones und skuIIs und broken poLs IIke some more uncIenL ossuury. OLIer rugged
IoIk uppeured In LIe dusLy sLreeLs beIInd LIem und sLood IookIng uILer.
TIuL nIgIL LIey cumped uL u wurm sprIng uLop u IIII umId oId Lruces oI SpunIsI
musonry und LIey sLrIpped und descended IIke ucoIyLes InLo LIe wuLer wIIIe Iuge wIILe
IeecIes wIIIowed uwuy over LIe sunds. WIen LIey rode ouL In LIe mornIng IL wus sLIII
durk. IgILnIng sLood In rugged cIuIns Iur Lo LIe souLI, sIIenL, LIe sLuccuLo mounLuIns
bespoken bIue und burren ouL oI LIe voId. Duy broke upon u smokIng reucI oI deserL
durkIy cIouded wIere LIe rIders couId counL IIve sepuruLe sLorms spuced upon LIe sIores
oI LIe round eurLI. TIey were rIdIng In pure sund und LIe Iorses Iubored so IugeIy
LIuL LIe men were obIIged Lo dIsmounL und Ieud LIem, LoIIIng up sLeep eskers wIere LIe
wInd bIew LIe wIILe pumIce Irom LIe cresLs IIke LIe spume Irom seu sweIIs und LIe
sund wus scuIIoped und IruIIy sIuped und noLIIng eIse wus LIere suve rundom poIIsIed
bones. TIey were uII duy umong LIe dunes und In LIe evenIng comIng down Irom LIe
IusL Iow sundIIIIs Lo LIe pIuIn beIow umong cuLcIuw und crucIIIxIon LIorn LIey were u
purcIed und Iuggurd IoL mun und beusL. HurpIe eugIes IIew up screumIng Irom u deud
muIe und wIeeIed oII wesLwurd InLo LIe sun us LIey Ied LIe Iorses ouL onLo LIe pIuIn.
Two nIgILs IuLer bIvouucked In u puss In LIe mounLuIns LIey couId see LIe dIsLunL IIgILs
oI LIe cILy beIow LIem. TIey croucIed uIong u sIuIe rIdge In LIe Ieewurd wuII oI LIe
gup wIIIe LIe IIre suwed In LIe wInd und LIey wuLcIed LIe Iumps wInkIng In LIe bIue
IIoor oI LIe nIgIL LIIrLy mIIes uwuy. TIe judge crossed beIore LIem In LIe durk. Spurks
Irom LIe IIre run down LIe wInd. He Look IIs seuL umong LIe scrubbIed pIuLes oI sIuIe
ouL LIere und so LIey suL IIke beIngs Irom un oIder uge wuLcIIng LIe dIsLunL Iumps dIm
ouL one by one unLII LIe cILy on LIe pIuIn Iud sIrunk Lo u smuII core oI IIgIL LIuL
mIgIL Iuve been u burnIng Lree or some soIILury encumpmenL oI LruveIers or perIups no
ponderubIe IIre uL uII.
As LIey rode ouL LIrougI LIe LuII wooden guLes oI LIe governor's puIuce Lwo soIdIers
wIo Iud been sLundIng LIere counLIng LIem pusL sLepped Iorwurd und Look ToudvIne's
! Iorse by LIe Ieud LuII. GIunLon pussed IIm on LIe rIgIL und rode on. ToudvIne sLood
In LIe suddIe.
GIunLon!
TIe rIders cIuLLered InLo LIe sLreeL. GIunLon jusL beyond LIe guLes Iooked buck. TIe
soIdIers were speukIng Lo ToudvIne In SpunIsI und one IeId un escopeLu on IIm.
uInL goL nobody's LeeLI, GIunLon suId.
'II sIooL LIese Lwo IooIs wIere LIey sLund.
GIunLon spuL. He Iooked down LIe sLreeL und Ie Iooked uL ToudvIne. TIen Ie
dIsmounLed und Ied IIs Iorse buck InLo LIe courLyurd. Vumonos, Ie suId. He Iooked up
uL ToudvIne. GeL oII your Iorse.
TIey rode ouL oI Lown under escorL Lwo duys IuLer. Upwurd oI u Iundred soIdIers
IerdIng LIem uIong LIe roud, uneusy In LIeIr vurIed dress und urms, wrencIIng LIeIr
Iorses ubouL und booLIng LIem LIrougI LIe Iord wIere LIe AmerIcun Iorses Iud sLopped
Lo drInk. n LIe IooLIIIIs ubove LIe uqueducL LIey reIned Lo one sIde und LIe AmerIcuns
IIIed pusL und wound up LIrougI LIe rocks und nopuI und dImInIsIed umong LIe
sIudows und were gone.
TIey rode wesL InLo LIe mounLuIns. TIey pussed LIrougI smuII vIIIuges doIIIng LIeIr IuLs
Lo IoIk wIom LIey wouId murder beIore LIe monLI wus ouL. Mud puebIos LIuL Iuy IIke
pIugue Lowns wILI LIe crops roLLIng In LIe IIeIds und wIuL sLock noL drIven oII by LIe
ndIuns wunderIng uL wIII und none Lo Ierd or Lend IL und muny vIIIuges uImosL wIoIIy
depopuIuLed oI muIe InIubILunLs wIere LIe women und cIIIdren croucIed In Lerror In
LIeIr IoveIs IIsLenIng unLII LIe IusL IooIcIop dIed In LIe dIsLunce.
* AL LIe Lown oI NucorI LIere wus u cunLInu und Iere LIe com uny dIsmounLed und
crowded LIrougI LIe doorwuy und Look LubIes. TobIn voIunLeered Lo guurd LIe Iorses.
# He sLood wuLcI ng up und down LIe sLreeL. No one puId IIm uny mInd. TIese peopIe
Iud seen AmerIcuns In pIenLy, dusLy Iuggurd LruIns oI LIem monLIs ouL oI LIeIr own
counLry und IuII cruzed wILI LIe enormILy oI LIeIr own presence In LIuL Immense und
bIoodsIuked wusLe, commundeerIng meuI und meuL or InduIgIng u IuLenL LusLe Ior rupe
umong LIe sIoe-eyed gIrIs oI LIuL counLry. Now IL wus someLIIng neur Lo un Iour pusL
noon und u number oI workers und Lrudesmen were crossIng LIe sLreeL Lowurd LIe
cunLInu. As LIey pussed GIunLon's Iorse GIunLon's dog rose up brIsLIIng. TIey veered
sIIgILIy und wenL on. AL LIe sume momenL u depuLuLIon oI dogs oI LIe vIIIuge Iud
sLurLed ucross LIe pIuzu, IIve, sIx oI LIem, LIeIr eyes on GIunLon's dog. As LIey dId so u
juggIer IeudIng u IuneruI rounded LIe corner InLo LIe sLreeL und LukIng u rockeL Irom
umong severuI under IIs urm Ie IeId IL Lo LIe cIgurIIIo In IIs mouLI und Lossed IL InLo
LIe pIuzu wIere IL expIoded. TIe puck oI dogs sIIed und scrumbIed buck suve Ior Lwo
- wIo con Inued InLo LIe sLreeL. Among LIe MexIcun Iorses LeLIered uL LIe bur beIore
LIe cunLInu severuI sIoL ouL u IInd Ieg und LIe resL sLepped ubouL nervousIy. GIunLon's
dog dId noL Luke IIs eyes Irom LIe men movIng Lowurd LIe door. None oI LIe AmerIcun
Iorses even ruIsed un eur. TIe puIr oI dogs LIuL Iud crossed In IronL oI LIe IuneruI
processIon veered oII Irom LIe kIckIng Iorses und cume on Lowurd LIe cunLInu. Two
more rockeLs expIoded In LIe sLreeL und now LIe resL oI LIe processIon Iud swung InLo
vIew, u IIddIer und u corneLpIuyer IeudIng wILI u quIck und IIveIy Lune. TIe dogs were
Lrupped beLween LIe IuneruI und LIe unImuIs oI LIe mercenurIes und LIey IuILed und
IIuLLened LIeIr eurs und begun Lo sIdIe und LroL. InuIIy LIey boILed ucross LIe sLreeL
beIInd LIe puIIbeurers. TIese deLuIIs sIouId Iuve sLood LIe workers enLerIng LIe cunLInu
In beLLer sLeud. TIey Iud Lurned und LIey sLood now wILI LIeIr bucks Lo LIe door
IoIdIng LIeIr IuLs Lo LIeIr cIesLs. TIe puIIbeurers pussed curryIng on LIeIr sIouIders u
bIer und LIe wuLcIers couId see In Ier burIuI dress umong LIe IIowers LIe gruyIookIng
Iuce oI u young womun josLIIng uIong woodenIy. BeIInd cume Ier coIIIn, mude Irom
ruwIIde bIucked wILI IumpbIuck, currIed by durk-cIud porLers und IookIng mucI IIke u
rude IIde bouL. AL LIe reur udvunced u compuny oI mourners, some oI LIe men
drInkIng, LIe oId women In LIeIr dusLy bIuck sIuwIs IeIped weepIng over LIe poLIoIes
und cIIIdren beurIng IIowers wIo Iooked sIyIy uL LIe specLuLors In LIe sLreeL us LIey
pussed.
WILIIn LIe cunLInu LIe AmerIcuns Iud no more LIun seuLed LIemseIves beIore u
muLLered InsuIL Irom u neurby LubIe brougIL LIree or Iour oI LIem Lo LIeIr IeeL. TIe kId
uddressed LIe LubIe In IIs wreLcIed SpunIsI und demunded wIIcI umong LIose suIIen
InebrIuLes Iud spoken. BeIore uny couId own IL LIe IIrsL oI LIe IuneruI rockeLs expIoded
In LIe sLreeL us LoId und LIe enLIre compuny oI AmerIcuns mude Ior LIe door. A drunk
uL LIe LubIe rose Lo IIs IeeL wILI u knIIe und IurcIed uILer LIem. HIs IrIends cuIIed uILer
IIm buL Ie wuved LIem uwuy.
JoIn Dorsey und Henderson SmILI, Lwo boys Irom MIssourI, were LIe IIrsL InLo LIe
sLreeL. TIey were IoIIowed by CIurIIe Brown und LIe judge. TIe judge couId see over
LIeIr Ieuds und Ie ruIsed one Iund Lo LIose beIInd IIm. TIe bIer wus jusL pussIng. TIe
IIddIer und LIe corneLIsL were mukIng IILLIe bows Lo eucI oLIer und LIeIr sLeps suggesLed
LIe murLIuI sLyIe oI LIe uIr LIey pIuyed. L's u IuneruI, suId LIe judge. As Ie spoke LIe
drunk wILI LIe knIIe now reeIIng In LIe doorwuy sunk LIe bIude deep InLo LIe buck oI u
mun numed GrImIey. None suw IL buL LIe judge. GrImIey puL u Iund on LIe rougI wood
Irume oI LIe door. 'm kIIIed, Ie suId. TIe judge drew IIs beIL pIsLoI und IeveIed IL
ubove LIe Ieuds oI LIe men und sIoL LIe drunk LIrougI LIe mIddIe oI LIe IoreIeud.
TIe AmerIcuns ouLsIde LIe door were uII buL IookIng down LIe burreI oI LIe judge's
pIsLoI wIen Ie IIred und mosL oI LIem dove Lo LIe ground. Dorsey roIIed cIeur und goL
Lo IIs IeeL und coIIIded wILI LIe workers wIo'd been puyIng LIeIr respecLs Lo LIe pussIng
corLege. TIey were puLLIng LIeIr IuLs on wIen LIe judge IIred. TIe deud mun IeII
buckwurd InLo LIe cunLInu, bIood spouLIng Irom IIs Ieud. WIen GrImIey Lurned LIey
couId see LIe wooden IundIe oI LIe knIIe proLrudIng Irom IIs bIoody sIIrL. OLIer knIves
were uIreudy In pIuy. Dorsey wus gruppIIng wILI LIe MexIcuns und Henderson SmILI Iud
druwn IIs bowIe und IuII severed u mun's urm wILI IL und LIe mun wus sLundIng wILI
LIe durk urLerIuI bIood spruyIng beLween IIs IIngers wIere Ie LrIed Lo IoId LIe wound
sIuL. TIe judge goL Dorsey Lo IIs IeeL und LIey bucked Lowurd LIe cunLInu wILI LIe
MexIcuns IeInLIng und jubbIng uL LIem wILI LIeIr knIves. rom InsIde cume LIe
unInLerrupLed sound oI gunIIre und LIe doorIrume wus IIIIIng up wILI smoke. TIe judge
Lurned uL LIe door und sLepped over LIe severuI corpses spruwIed LIere. nsIde LIe Iuge
pIsLoIs roured wILIouL InLermIssIon und LIe LwenLy or so MexIcuns wIo'd been In LIe
room were sLrewn ubouL In every posILIon, sIoL Lo pIeces umong LIe overLurned cIuIrs
und LIe LubIes wILI LIe IresI spIInLers bIown ouL oI LIe wood und LIe mud wuIIs pocked
everywIere by LIe bIg conIcuI buIIeLs. TIe survIvors were mukIng Ior LIe duyIIgIL In LIe
1 doorwuy und LIe IIrsL oI LIese en ounLered LIe judge LIere und cuL uL IIm wILI IIs
knIIe. BuL LIe judge wus IIke u cuL und Ie sIdesLepped LIe mun und seIzed IIs urm und
broke IL und pIcked LIe mun up by IIs Ieud. He puL IIm uguInsL LIe wuII und smIIed uL
IIm buL LIe mun Iud begun Lo bIeed Irom LIe eurs und LIe bIood wus runnIng down
beLween LIe judge's IIngers und over IIs Iunds und wIen LIe judge Lurned IIm Ioose
LIere wus someLIIng wrong wILI IIs Ieud und Ie sIId Lo LIe IIoor und dId noL geL up.
TIose beIInd IIm Iud meunwIIIe meL wILI u greuL buLLery oI gunIIre und LIe doorwuy
wus jummed wILI LIe deud und dyIng wIen LIere wus suddenIy u greuL rIngIng sIIence
In LIe room. TIe judge sLood wILI IIs buck Lo LIe wuII. TIe smoke drIILed LIrougI IIke
Iog und LIe sIrouded IIgures sLood Irozen. n LIe cenLer oI LIe room ToudvIne und LIe
kId were sLundIng buck Lo buck wILI LIeIr pIsLoIs uL porL IIke dueIIIsLs. TIe judge
sLepped Lo LIe door und sIouLed ucross LIe sLucked bodIes Lo LIe exprIesL wIere Ie
sLood umong LIe Iorses wILI IIs pIsLoI druwn.
TIe Iuggurds, PrIesL, LIe Iuggurds.
TIey'd noL Iuve sIoL men In pubIIc In u Lown so Iurge buL LIere wus no IeIp Ior IL.
TIree men were runnIng down LIe sLreeL und Lwo oLIers were IeggIng IL ucross LIe
squure. OI oLIer souIs ubroud LIere were none. TobIn sLepped Irom beLween LIe Iorses
und IeveIed LIe bIg pIsLoI In boLI Iunds und begun Lo IIre, LIe pIsLoI buckIng und
droppIng buck und LIe runners wobbIIng und pILcIIng IeudIong. He sIoL LIe Lwo In LIe
pIuzu und swung und sIoL down LIe runners In LIe sLreeL. TIe IusL one IeII In u
doorwuy und TobIn Lurned und drew LIe oLIer pIsLoI Irom IIs beIL und sLepped Lo LIe
oLIer sIde oI LIe Iorse und Iooked up LIe sLreeL und ucross LIe squure Ior uny sIgn oI
) movemenL LIere or umong LIe buIIdIngs. TIe judge sLepped buck Irom LIe door uy InLo
LIe cunLInu wIere LIe AmerIcuns sLood IookIng uL eucI oLIer und uL LIe bodIes In u sorL
oI wonder. TIey Iooked uL GIunLon. HIs eyes cuL ucross LIe smokIng room. HIs IuL IyIng
on u LubIe. He sLepped over und goL IL und seL IL on IIs Ieud und squured IL. He Iooked
ubouL. TIe men were reIoudIng LIe empLy cIumbers In LIeIr pIsLoIs. HuIr, boys, Ie suId.
TIe sLrIng uInL run on LIIs Lrude yeL.
WIen LIey IeIL LIe cunLInu Len mInuLes IuLer LIe sLreeLs were deserLed. TIey Iud scuIped
LIe enLIre body oI LIe deud, sIIdIng ubouL In u IIoor LIuL Iud been pucked cIuy und wus
now u wIne-coIored mud. TIere were LwenLy-eIgIL MexIcuns InsIde LIe Luvern und eIgIL
more In LIe sLreeL IncIudIng LIe IIve LIe exprIesL Iud sIoL. TIey mounLed up. GrImIey
suL sIumped sIdewuys uguInsL LIe mud wuII oI LIe buIIdIng. He dId noL Iook up. He wus
IoIdIng IIs pIsLoI In IIs Iup und IookIng oII down LIe sLreeL und LIey Lurned und rode
ouL uIong LIe norLI sIde oI LIe pIuzu und dIsuppeured.
L wus LIIrLy mInuLes beIore unyone uppeured In LIe sLreeL. TIey spoke In wIIspers. As
LIey upproucIed LIe cunLInu one oI LIe men Irom InsIde uppeured In LIe doorwuy IIke u
bIoody uppurILIon. He Iud been scuIped und LIe bIood wus uII run down InLo IIs eyes
und Ie wus IoIdIng sIuL u Iuge IoIe In IIs cIesL wIere u pInk IroLI breuLIed In und
ouL. One oI LIe cILIzens IuId u Iund on IIs sIouIder.
A donde vus? Ie suId.
A cusu, suId LIe mun.
TIe nexL Lown LIey enLered wus Lwo duys deeper InLo LIe sIerrus. TIey never knew wIuL
IL wus cuIIed. A coIIecLIon oI mud IuLs pILcIed on LIe nuked pIuLeuu. As LIey rode In
LIe peopIe run beIore LIem IIke IurrIed gume. TIeIr crIes Lo one unoLIer or perIups LIe
vIsIbIe IruIILy oI LIem seemed Lo IncILe someLIIng In GIunLon. Brown wuLcIed IIm. He
nudged IorLI IIs Iorse und drew IIs pIsLoI und LIIs somnoIenL puebIo wus IorLIwILI dru
7ooned InLo u weILerIng sIumbIes. Muny oI LIe peopIe Iud been runnIng Lowurd LIe
cIurcI wIere LIey kneIL cIuLcIIng LIe uILur und Irom LIIs reIuge LIey were drugged
IowIIng one by one und one by one LIey were sIuIn und scuIped In LIe cIunceI IIoor.
WIen LIe rIders pussed LIrougI LIIs sume vIIIuge Iour duys IuLer LIe deud were sLIII In
LIe sLreeLs und buzzurds und pIgs were IeedIng on LIem. TIe scuvengers wuLcIed In
sIIence wIIIe LIe compuny pIcked LIeIr wuy pusL IIke supernumerurIes In u dreum. WIen
LIe IusL oI LIem wus gone LIey commenced Lo Ieed uguIn.
TIey wenL on LIrougI LIe mounLuIns wILIouL resLIng. TIey Lrod u nurrow LruII LIrougI
u bIuck pIne wood by duy und by durk und In sIIence suve Ior LIe creukIng oI Luck und
# LIe breuLI ng oI LIe Iorses. A LIIn sIeII oI u moon Iuy cupsIzed over LIe jugged peuks.
TIey rode down InLo u mounLuIn Lown jusL beIore duy wIere LIere wus no Iump nor
wuLcImun nor dog. n LIe gruy duwn LIey suL uIong u wuII wuILIng Ior duyIIgIL. A
roosLer cuIIed. A door sIummed. An oId womun cume down LIe Iune pusL LIe duubed sLy
wuIIs LIrougI LIe mIsL curryIng u yoke oI jurs. TIey rose up. L wus coId und LIeIr
breuLI pIumed ubouL LIem. TIey Look down LIe poIes In LIe corruI und Ied LIe Iorses
ouL. TIey rode up LIe sLreeL. TIey IuILed. TIe unImuIs sIdIed und sLumped In LIe coId.
GIunLon Iud reIned up und druwn IIs pIsLoI.
A compuny oI mounLed Lroops pussed ouL Irom beIInd u wuII uL LIe norLI end oI LIe
vIIIuge und Lurned InLo LIe sLreeL. TIey wore LuII sIukos Iuced wILI meLuI pIuLes und
IorseIuIr pIumes und LIey wore green couLs LrImmed wILI scurIeL und scurIeL susIes und
LIey were urmed wILI Iunces und muskeLs und LIeIr mounLs were nIceIy cupurIsoned und
LIey enLered LIe sLreeL sIdIIng und pruncIng, Iorsemen rIdIng upon Iorses, uII oI LIem
desIrubIe young men. TIe compuny Iooked Lo GIunLon. He IoIsLered LIe pIsLoI und drew
IIs rIIIe. TIe cupLuIn oI LIe Iuncers Iud ruIsed IIs subre Lo IuIL LIe coIumn. TIe nexL
InsLunL LIe nurrow sLreeL wus IIIIed wILI rIIIesmoke und u dozen oI LIe soIdIers Iuy deud
or dyIng on LIe ground. TIe Iorses reured und screumed und IeII buck upon eucI oLIer
und men were unIorsed und rose up sLruggIIng Lo IoId LIeIr mounLs. A second IIre Lore
LIrougI LIeIr runks. TIey IeII uwuy In conIusIon. TIe AmerIcuns drew LIeIr pIsLoIs und
booLed LIeIr Iorses Iorwurd up LIe sLreeL.
TIe MexIcun cupLuIn wus bIeedIng Irom u gunsIoL wound In LIe cIesL und Ie sLood In
LIe sLIrrups Lo receIve LIe cIurge wILI IIs subre. GIunLon sIoL IIm LIrougI LIe Ieud
und sIoved IIm Irom IIs Iorse wILI IIs IooL und sIoL down In successIon LIree men
beIInd IIm. A soIdIer on LIe ground Iud pIcked up u Iunce und run uL IIm wILI IL und
one oI LIe rIders Ieuned down ouL oI LIuL wIId meIee und cuL IIs LIrouL und pussed on.
# n LIe morn ng dumpness LIe suIpIurous smoke Iung over LIe sLreeL In u gruy sIroud
und LIe coIorIuI Iuncers IeII under LIe Iorses In LIuL perIIous mIsL IIke soIdIers
sIuugILered In u dreum wIde-eyed und wooden und muLe.
Some umong LIe reur guurd Iud munuged Lo Lurn LIeIr mounLs und sLurL buck up LIe
sLreeL und LIe AmerIcuns were cIouLIng buck wILI pIsLoIburreIs LIe rIderIess Iorses und
LIe Iorses surged und mIIIed wILI LIe sLIrrups kIckIng ouL und LIey LrumpeLed wILI
LIeIr Iong mouLIs und LrumpIed underIooL LIe deud. TIey beuL LIem buck und urged
LIeIr Iorses LIrougI und up LIe sLreeL Lo wIere IL nurrowed und Lurned up LIe
mounLuIn und LIey IIred uILer LIe IIeeIng Iuncers us LIey skeILered up LIe LruII In u
ruLLIe oI smuII sLones.
GIunLon senL u deLucImenL oI IIve men Lo IoIIow und Ie und LIe judge und BuLIcuL
Lurned buck. TIey meL LIe resL oI LIe compuny rIdIng up und LIey Lurned buck und
LIey wenL down und IooLed LIe bodIes wIere LIey Iuy In LIe sLreeL IIke deud bundsmen
und LIey smusIed LIeIr muskeLs uguInsL LIe wuIIs oI LIe Iouses und broke LIeIr swords
und Iunces. As LIey rode ouL LIey meL LIe IIve scouLs reLurnIng. TIe Iuncers Iud quIL
LIe LruII und scuLLered LIrougI LIe woods. Two nIgILs IuLer cumped on u buLLe IookIng
ouL over LIe broud cenLruI pIuIn LIey couId see u poInL oI IIgIL ouL on LIuL deserL IIke
LIe reIIecLIon oI u sIngIe sLur In u Iuke oI uLLer bIuckness.
TIey Look councII. On LIuL ruw LubIesLone LIe IIumes oI LIeIr buIeIIre swIrIed und cIrcIed
" und LIey sLudIed LIe urrunL bIuck ess under LIem wIere IL IeII uwuy IIke LIe sIeer
cIoven Iuce oI LIe worId.
How Iur do you muke LIem, suId GIunLon.
HoIden sIook IIs Ieud. TIey've mude IuII u duy on us. TIey number no more LIun
LweIve, IourLeen. TIey wonL send men uIeud.
How Iur ure we Irom CIIIuuIuu CILy?
our duys. TIree. WIere's Duvy?
GIunLon Lurned. How Iur Lo CIIIuuIuu, DuvId?
Brown sLood wILI IIs buck Lo LIe IIre. He nodded. I LIuL's LIem LIey couId be LIere In
LIree duys.
You reckon we cun overIuuI LIem?
donL know. MIgIL depend on wIeLIer LIey IIgure us Lo be uILer LIem.
GIunLon Lurned und spuL InLo LIe IIre. TIe judge ruIsed one puIe und nuked urm und
pursued someLIIng In LIe pIL oI IL wILI IIs IIngers. I we cun be oII oI LIIs mounLuIn by
duyIIgIL, Ie suId, beIIeve we cun overLuke LIem. OLIerwIse we Iud beLLer muke Ior
Sonoru.
TIey muy be Irom Sonoru.
TIen we'd beLLer go geL LIem.
We couId Luke LIese scuIps Lo Ures.
TIe IIre swepL uIong LIe ground, IL rose uguIn. We'd beLLer go geL LIem, suId LIe judge.
TIey rode onLo LIe pIuIn uL duwn us LIe judge Iud suId und LIuL nIgIL LIey couId see
LIe IIre oI LIe MexIcuns reIIecLed In LIe sky Lo LIe eusL beyond LIe curve oI LIe eurLI.
AII LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey rode und uII LIuL nIgIL, jerkIng und IurcIIng IIke u depuLuLIon
oI spusLIcs us LIey sIepL In LIeIr suddIes. On LIe mornIng oI LIe LIIrd duy LIey couId
see LIe rIders beIore LIem on LIe pIuIn In sIIIoueLLe uguInsL LIe sun und In LIe evenIng
LIey couId counL LIeIr number sLruggIIng upon LIuL desoIuLe mIneruI wusLe. WIen LIe
sun rose LIe wuIIs oI LIe cILy sLood puIe und LIIn In LIe rIsIng IIgIL LwenLy mIIes Lo LIe
eusL. TIey suL LIeIr Iorses. TIe Iuncers were sLrung ouL uIong LIe roud severuI mIIes Lo
LIe souLI oI LIem. TIere wus no reuson Ior LIem Lo sLop und no Iope In IL uny more
LIun LIere wus In LIe rIdIng buL us LIey were rIdIng LIey rode und LIe AmerIcuns puL
LIeIr Iorses Iorwurd once uguIn.
or u wIIIe LIey rode uImosL puruIIeI Lowurd LIe guLes oI LIe cILy, LIe Lwo purLIes
bIoody und rugged, LIe Iorses sLumbIIng. GIunLon cuIIed ouL Lo LIem Lo surrender buL
LIey rode on. He drew IIs rIIIe. TIey were sIumbIIng uIong LIe roud IIke dumb LIIngs.
He puIIed up IIs Iorse und IL sLood wILI ILs Iegs spreud und ILs IIunks IeuvIng und Ie
IeveIed LIe rIIIe und IIred.
TIey were Ior LIe mosL purL no Ionger even urmed. TIere were nIne oI LIem und LIey
IuILed und Lurned und LIen LIey cIurged ucross LIuL InLermILLenL ground oI rock und
scrub und were sIoL down In LIe spuce oI u mInuLe.
TIe Iorses were cuugIL und Ierded buck Lo LIe roud und LIe suddIes und LruppIngs cuL
uwuy. TIe bodIes oI LIe deud were sLrIpped und LIeIr unIIorms und weupons burned
uIong wILI LIe suddIes und oLIer geur und LIe AmerIcuns dug u pIL In LIe roud und
burIed LIem In u common gruve, LIe nuked bodIes wILI LIeIr wounds IIke LIe vIcLIms oI
surgIcuI experImenLuLIon IyIng In LIe pIL gupIng sIgILIessIy uL LIe deserL sky us LIe dIrL
wus pusIed over LIem. TIey LrumpIed LIe spoL wILI LIeIr Iorses unLII IL Iooked mucI
IIke LIe roud uguIn und LIe smokIng gunIocks und subrebIudes und gIrLIrIngs were
drugged Irom LIe usIes oI LIe IIre und currIed uwuy und burIed In u sepuruLe pIuce und
LIe rIderIess Iorses Iuzed oII InLo LIe deserL und In LIe evenIng LIe wInd currIed uwuy
LIe usIes und LIe wInd bIew In LIe nIgIL und Iunned LIe IusL smoIderIng bIIIeLs und
drove IorLI LIe IusL IrugIIe ruce oI spurks IugILIve us IIInLsLrIkIngs In LIe ununImous durk
oI LIe worId.
TIey enLered LIe cILy Iuggurd und IIILIy und reekIng wILI LIe bIood oI LIe cILIzenry Ior
wIose proLecLIon LIey Iud conLrucLed. TIe scuIps oI LIe sIuIn vIIIugers were sLrung Irom
LIe wIndows oI LIe governor's Iouse und LIe purLIsuns were puId ouL oI LIe uII buL
exIuusLed coIIers und LIe SocIedud wus dIsbunded und LIe bounLy rescInded. WILIIn u
week oI LIeIr quILLIng LIe cILy LIere wouId be u prIce oI eIgIL LIousund pesos posLed Ior
GIunLon's Ieud. TIey rode ouL on LIe norLI roud us wouId purLIes bound Ior EI Puso
buL beIore LIey were even quILe ouL oI sIgIL oI LIe cILy LIey Iud Lurned LIeIr LrugIc
mounLs Lo LIe wesL und LIey rode InIuLuuLe und IuII Iond Lowurd LIe red demIse oI LIuL
duy, Lowurd LIe evenIng Iunds und LIe dIsLunL pundemonIum oI LIe sun.
XV
MounLuIn sLorms - TIerrus quemudus, LIerrus despobIudus -
JesIIs MurIu - TIe Inn - SIopkeepers - A bodegu - TIe IIddIer -
TIe prIesL - us AnImus - TIe processIon -Cuzundo Ius uImus -
CIunLon Lukes u IIL - Dogs Ior suIe - TIe judge presLIdIgILunL -
TIe IIug - A sIooLouL - An exodus - TIe conducLu - BIood und
mercury - AL LIe Iord - Juckson resLored - TIe jungIe -
An IerbuIIsL ?TIe judge coIIecLs specImens ?TIe poInL oI vIew Ior
IIs work us u scIenLIsL - Ures ?TIe popuIuce - os pordIoseros ?
A Iundungo - PurIuI dogs - CIunLon und judge.
AII Lo LIe norLI LIe ruIn Iud drugged bIuck LendrIIs down Irom LIe LIundercIouds IIke
LrucIngs oI IumpbIuck IuIIen In u beuker und In LIe nIgIL LIey couId Ieur LIe drum oI
ruIn mIIes uwuy on LIe pruIrIe. TIey uscended LIrougI u rocky puss und IIgILnIng
" sIuped ouL LIe dIsLunL sIIverIng mounLuIns und IIgIL Ing rung LIe sLones ubouL und
LuILs oI bIue IIre cIung Lo LIe Iorses IIke IncundescenL eIemenLuIs LIuL wouId noL be
drIven oII. SoIL smeILerIIgILs udvunced upon LIe meLuI oI LIe Iurness, IIgILs run bIue
und IIquId on LIe burreIs oI LIe guns. Mud juckIures sLurLed und cIecked In LIe bIue
gIure und IIgI umong LIose cIungIng crugs jokIn roeIuwks croucIed In LIeIr IeuLIers or
crucked u yeIIow eye uL LIe LIunder underIooL.
TIey rode Ior duys LIrougI LIe ruIn und LIey rode LIrougI ruIn und IuII und ruIn
uguIn. n LIuL gruy sLorm IIgIL LIey crossed u IIooded pIuIn wILI LIe IooLed sIupes oI
LIe Iorses reIIecLed In LIe wuLer umong cIouds und mounLuIns und LIe rIders sIumped
Iorwurd und rIgILIy skepLIc oI LIe sIImmerIng cILIes on LIe dIsLunL sIore oI LIuL seu
wIereon LIey Lrod mIrucuIous. TIey cIImbed up LIrougI roIIIng grussIunds wIere smuII
bIrds sIIed uwuy cIILLerIng down LIe wInd und u buzzurd Iubored up Irom umong bones
wILI wIngs LIuL wenL wIoop wIoop wIoop IIke u cIIId's Loy swung on u sLrIng und In
LIe Iong red sunseL LIe sIeeLs oI wuLer on LIe pIuIn beIow LIem Iuy IIke LIdepooIs oI
prImuI bIood.
TIey pussed LIrougI u IIgIIund meudow curpeLed wILI wIId-IIowers, ucres oI goIden
groundseI und zInnIu und deep purpIe genLIun und wIId vInes oI bIue mornIngIory und u
vusL pIuIn oI vurIed smuII bIooms reucIIng onwurd IIke u gIngIum prInL Lo LIe IurLIesL
serrIed rImIunds bIue wILI Iuze und LIe udumunLIne runges rIsIng ouL oI noLIIng IIke
> LIe bucks oI seubeusLs In u de onIun duwn. L wus ruInIng uguIn und LIey rode
sIoucIed under sIIckers Iucked Irom greusy IuIIcured IIdes und so cowIed In LIese
prImILIve skIns beIore LIe gruy und drIvIng ruIn LIey Iooked IIke wurdens oI some dIm
secL senL IorLI Lo proseIyLIze umong LIe very beusLs oI LIe Iund. TIe counLry beIore
LIem Iuy cIouded und durk. TIey rode LIrougI LIe Iong LwIIIgIL und LIe sun seL und no
moon rose und Lo LIe wesL LIe mounLuIns sIuddered uguIn und uguIn In cIuLLerIng
Irumes und burned Lo IInuI durkness und LIe ruIn IIssed In LIe bIInd nIgIL Iund. TIey
wenL up LIrougI LIe IooLIIIIs umong pIne Lrees und burren rock und LIey wenL up
# LIrougI junIper und spruce und LIe rure greuL uIoes und LIe rIs ng sLuIks oI LIe yuccus
0 wILI LIeIr puIe bIooms sIIenL und un urLIIy umong LIe evergreens.
n LIe nIgIL LIey IoIIowed u mounLuIn LorrenL In u wIId gorge cIoked wILI mossy rocks
und LIey rode under durk groLLoes wIere LIe wuLer drIpped und spuLLered und LusLed oI
Iron und LIey suw LIe sIIver IIIumenLs oI cuscudes dIvIded upon LIe Iuces oI dIsLunL
buLLes LIuL uppeured us sIgns und wonders In LIe Ieuvens LIemseIves so durk wus LIe
ground oI LIeIr orIgIns. TIey crossed LIe bIuckened wood oI u burn und LIey rode
LIrougI u regIon oI cIoven rock wIere greuL bouIders Iuy IuIved wILI smooLI uncenLered
Iuces und on LIe sIopes oI LIose IerrIc grounds oId puLIs oI IIre und LIe bIuckened
bones oI Lrees ussussInuLed In LIe mounLuIn sLorms. On LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey begun Lo
encounLer IoIIy und ouk, Iurdwood IoresLs mucI IIke LIose LIey Iud quIL In LIeIr youLI.
n pockeLs on LIe norLI sIopes IuII Iuy nesLed IIke LecLILes umong LIe Ieuves und LIe
nIgILs were cooI. TIey LruveIed LIrougI LIe IIgI counLry deeper InLo LIe mounLuIns
wIere LIe sLorms Iud LIeIr IuIrs, u IIery cIungorous regIon wIere wIILe IIumes run on
LIe peuks und LIe ground bore LIe burnL smeII oI broken IIInL. AL nIgIL LIe woIves In
LIe durk IoresLs oI LIe worId beIow cuIIed Lo LIem us II LIey were IrIends Lo mun und
GIunLon's dog LroLLed mounIng umong LIe endIessIy urLIcuIuLIng Iegs oI LIe Iorses.
NIne duys ouL oI CIIIuuIuu LIey pussed LIrougI u gup In LIe mounLuIns und begun Lo
descend by u LruII LIuL run curved uIong LIe soIId sLone Iuce oI u bIuII u LIousund IeeL
ubove LIe cIouds. A greuL sLone mummoLI wuLcIed Irom LIe gruy escurpmenL ubove
LIem. TIey pIcked LIeIr wuy down sIngIeIIIe. TIey pussed LIrougI u LunneI Iewn In LIe
rock und on LIe oLIer sIde mIIes beIow LIem In u gorge Iuy LIe rooIs oI u Lown.
TIey descended by rocky swILcIbucks und ucross LIe beds oI sLreums wIere smuII LrouL
sLood on LIeIr puIe IIns und sLudIed LIe noses oI LIe drInkIng Iorses. SIeeLs oI mIsL
LIuL smeIIed und LusLed oI meLuI rose ouL oI LIe gorge und crossed over LIem und
moved on LIrougI LIe woods. TIey nudged LIe Iorses LIrougI LIe Iord und down LIe
Lruce und uL LIree ocIock In LIe uILernoon In u LIIn und drIzzIIng ruIn LIey rode InLo
LIe oId sLone Lown oI Jesus MurIu.
TIey cIuLLered over LIe ruInwusIed cobbIes sLuck wILI Ieuves und crossed u sLone brIdge
und rode up LIe sLreeL under LIe drIppIng euves oI LIe guIIerIed buIIdIngs und uIong u
mounLuIn LorrenL LIuL run LIrougI LIe Lown. SmuII oremIIIs Iud been ground InLo LIe
poIIsIed rocks In LIe rIver und LIe IIIIs ubove LIe Lown were everywIere LunneIed und
scuIIoIded und scurred wILI drIILs und LuIIIngs. TIe ruggIeLug udvenL oI LIe rIders wus
IowIed ubouL by u Iew weL dogs croucIed In doorwuys und LIey Lurned InLo u nurrow
sLreeL und IuILed drIppIng beIore LIe door oI un Inn.
GIunLon pounded on LIe door und IL opened und u young boy Iooked ouL. A womun
uppeured und Iooked uL LIem und wenL buck In. InuIIy u mun cume und opened LIe
guLe. He wus sIIgILIy drunk und Ie IeId LIe guLe wIIIe LIe Iorsemen rode LIrougI one
by one InLo LIe IILLIe IIooded courLyurd und LIen Ie cIosed LIe guLe beIInd LIem.
n LIe mornIng LIe ruIn Iud sLopped und LIey uppeured In LIe sLreeLs, LuLLered, sLInkIng,
ornumenLed wILI Iumun purLs IIke cunnIbuIs. TIey currIed LIe Iuge pIsLoIs sLuck In LIeIr
beILs und LIe vIIe skIns LIey wore were deepIy sLuIned wILI bIood und smoke und
gunbIuck. TIe sun wus ouL und LIe oId women on LIeIr knees wILI buckeL und rug
wusIIng LIe sLones beIore LIe sIopdoors Lurned und Iooked uILer LIem und sIopkeepers
- seL Ing ouL LIeIr wures nodded LIem u wury good mornIng. TIey were u sLrunge
cIIenLeIe umong sucI commerce. TIey sLood bIInkIng beIore LIe doorwuys wIere IIncIes
Iung In smuII wILIy cuges und green und brussy purroLs LIuL sLood on one IooL und
* crouked uneusIIy. TIere were rIsLrus oI drIed IruIL und pep ers und cIusLers oI LInwure
LIuL Iung IIke cIImes und LIere were IogskIns IIIIed wILI puIque LIuL swung Irom LIe
beums IIke bIouLed swIne In u knucker's yurd. TIey senL Ior cups. A IIddIer uppeured
und croucIed on u sLone doorsIII und begun Lo suw ouL some MoorIsI IoIkLune und
none wIo pussed on LIeIr mornIng errunds couId Luke LIeIr eyes Irom LIose puIe und
runcId gIunLs.
By noon LIey'd Iound u bodegu run by u mun numed runk CurroII, u Iow doggery once
u sLubIe wIose sIed doors sLood open Lo LIe sLreeL Lo udmIL LIe onIy IIgIL. TIe IIddIer
Iud IoIIowed In wIuL seemed u greuL sudness und Ie Look up IIs sLuLIon jusL wILIouL
LIe door wIere Ie couId wuLcI LIe ouLIunders drInk und cIuck LIeIr goId doubIoons on
LIe bourd. n LIe doorwuy LIere wus un oId mun LukIng LIe sun und Ie Ieuned wILI u
gouLIorn eurLrumpeL Lo LIe rIsIng dIn wILIIn und nodded In conLInuuI ugreemenL
uILIougI no word wus spoken In uny Iunguuge Ie Iud undersLundIng oI.
TIe judge Iud spIed LIe musIcIun und Ie cuIIed Lo IIm und Lossed u coIn LIuL cIInked
upon LIe sLones. TIe IIddIer IeId IL brIeIIy Lo LIe IIgIL us II IL mIgIL noL serve und LIen
sIIpped IL uwuy umong IIs cIoLIes und IILLed IIs InsLrumenL beneuLI IIs cIIn und sLruck
up un uIr LIuL wus oId umong LIe mounLebunks oI SpuIn Lwo Iundred yeurs beIore. TIe
judge sLepped InLo LIe sunIIL doorwuy und execuLed upon LIe sLones u serIes oI sLeps
wILI u sLrunge precIsIon und Ie und LIe IIddIer seemed uIIen mInsLreIs meL by cIunce In
, LIIs medIevuI Lown. TIe judge re oved IIs IuL und bowed Lo u puIr oI IudIes deLoured
InLo LIe sLreeL Lo bypuss LIe doggery und Ie pIroueLLed IugeIy on IIs mIncIng IeeL und
poured puIque Irom IIs cup InLo LIe oId mun's eurLrumpeL. TIe oId mun quIckIy
sLoppered LIe Iorn wILI LIe buII oI IIs LIumb und Ie IeId LIe Iorn wILI cure beIore
IIm wIIIe Ie uugered IIs eur wILI one IInger und LIen Ie drunk.
# By durk LIe sLreeLs were IIIIed wILI besoLLed bedIumILes IurcI ng und cursIng und
rIngIng LIe cIurcIbeIIs wILI pIsLoIbuIIs In u godIess cIurIvurI unLII LIe prIesL emerged
beurIng beIore IIm LIe crucIIIed CIrIsL und exIorLIng LIem wILI IrugmenLs oI IuLIn In u
sIngsong cIunL. TIIs mun wus drubbed In LIe sLreeL und prodded obsceneIy und LIey
IIung goId coIns uL IIm us Ie Iuy cIuLcIIng IIs Imuge. WIen Ie rose Ie dIsduIned Lo
Luke up LIe coIns unLII some smuII boys run ouL Lo guLIer LIem und LIen Ie ordered
LIem brougIL Lo IIm wIIIe LIe burburIuns wIooped und drunk IIm u LousL.
SpecLuLors drIILed uwuy, LIe nurrow sLreeL empLIed. Some oI LIe AmerIcuns Iud
wundered InLo LIe coId wuLers oI LIe sLreum und were spIusIIng ubouL und LIey
cIumbered drIppIng InLo LIe sLreeL und sLood durk und smokIng und upocuIypLIc In LIe
dIm IumpIuII. TIe nIgIL wus coId und LIey sIumbIed sLeumIng LIrougI LIe cobbIed Lown
IIke IuIrybook beusLs und IL Iud begun Lo ruIn uguIn.
TIe duy LIuL IoIIowed wus LIe IeusL oI us AnImus und LIere wus u purude LIrougI LIe
sLreeLs und u Iorsedruwn curL LIuL bore u rude CIrIsL In u sLuIned und uncIenL
% cuLuIuIque. uy uco yLes IoIIowed uII In compuny und LIe prIesL wenL beIore rIngIng u
smuII beII. A bureIooL broLIerIood cIud In bIuck murcIed In LIe reur beurIng scepLres oI
weeds. TIe CIrIsL josLIed pusL, u poor IIgure oI sLruw wILI curven Ieud und IeeL. He
wore u crown oI mounLuIn brIurs und on IIs brow were puInLed drops oI bIood und on
IIs oId dry wooden cIeeks bIue Leurs. TIe vIIIugers kneIL und bIessed LIemseIves und
some sLepped Iorwurd und LoucIed LIe gurmenL LIe IIgure wore und kIssed LIeIr
/ IIngerLIps. TIe pu ude LrundIed pusL mournIuIIy und smuII cIIIdren suL In LIe doorwuys
euLIng pusLry skuIIs und wuLcIIng LIe purude und LIe ruIn In LIe sLreeLs.
TIe judge suL uIone In LIe cunLInu. He uIso wuLcIed LIe ruIn, IIs eyes smuII In IIs greuL
nuked Iuce. He'd IIIIed IIs pockeLs wILI IILLIe cundy deuLIsIeuds und Ie suL by LIe door
und oIIered LIese Lo cIIIdren pussIng on LIe wuIk under LIe euves buL LIey sIIed uwuy
IIke IILLIe Iorses.
- n LIe evenIng groups oI LownIoIk descended Irom LIe ceme ery on LIe sIde oI LIe IIII
und IuLer In LIe durk by cundIe or Iump IIgIL LIey emerged uguIn und mude LIeIr wuy
up Lo LIe cIurcI Lo pruy. None buL pussed cIuLcIes oI AmerIcuns cruzed wILI drInk und
LIese grImy vIsILunLs wouId doII LIeIr IuLs ouIIsIIy und LoLLer und grIn und muke
obscene suggesLIons Lo LIe young gIrIs. CurroII Iud cIosed IIs squuIId bIsLro uL dusk buL
opened IL uguIn Lo suve LIe doors beIng sLove. SomeLIme In LIe nIgIL u purLy oI
Iorsemen bound Ior CuIIIornIu urrIved, every mun oI LIem sIumped In exIuusLIon. YeL
wILIIn LIe Iour LIey'd rIdden ouL uguIn. By mIdnIgIL wIen LIe souIs oI LIe deud were
rumored Lo be ubouL LIe scuIpIunLers were uguIn IowIIng In LIe sLreeLs und dIscIurgIng
LIeIr pIsLoIs In spILe oI ruIn or deuLI und LIIs conLInued sporudIcuIIy unLII duwn.
By noon LIe duy IoIIowIng GIunLon In IIs drunkenness wus Luken wILI u kInd oI IIL und
Ie IurcIed cruzed und dIsIeveIed InLo LIe IILLIe courLyurd und begun Lo open IIre wILI
IIs pIsLoIs. n LIe uILernoon Ie Iuy bound Lo IIs bed IIke u mudmun wIIIe LIe judge suL
wILI IIm und cooIed IIs brow wILI rugs oI wuLer und spoke Lo IIm In u Iow voIce.
OuLsIde voIces cuIIed ucross LIe sLeep IIIIsIdes. A IILLIe gIrI wus mIssIng und purLIes oI
cILIzens Iud Lurned ouL Lo seurcI LIe mInesIuILs. AILer u wIIIe GIunLon sIepL und LIe
judge rose und wenL ouL.
L wus gruy und ruInIng, Ieuves were bIowIng down. A rugged sLrIpIIng sLepped Irom u
doorwuy by u wooden ruInspouL und Lugged uL LIe judge's eIbow. He Iud Lwo pups In
IIs sIIrLIronL und LIese Ie oIIered Ior suIe, druggIng one IorLI by LIe neck.
TIe judge wus IookIng oII up LIe sLreeL. WIen Ie Iooked down uL LIe boy LIe boy
IuuIed IorLI LIe oLIer dog. TIey Iung IImpIy. Perros u vende, Ie suId.
CuunLo quIeres? suId LIe judge.
TIe boy Iooked uL one und LIen LIe oLIer oI LIe unImuIs. As II Ie'd pIck one Lo suIL
LIe judge's cIurucLer, sucI dogs exIsLIng somewIere perIups. He LIrusL IorLI LIe
IeILIund unImuI. CIn-cuenLu cenLuvos, Ie suId.
TIe pup squIrmed und drew buck In IIs IIsL IIke un unImuI buckIng down u IoIe, ILs
puIe bIue eyes ImpurLIuI, beIrIgILed uIIke oI LIe coId und LIe ruIn und LIe judge.
Ambos, suId LIe judge. He sougIL In IIs pockeLs Ior coIns.
TIe dogvendor Look LIIs Ior u burguInIng devIce und sLudIed LIe dogs unew Lo beLLer
deLermIne LIeIr worLI, buL LIe judge Iud dredged Irom IIs poIIuLed cIoLIes u smuII goId
coIn worLI u busIeI oI sucIprIced dogs. He IuId LIe coIn In LIe puIm oI IIs Iund und
IeId IL ouL und wILI LIe oLIer Iund Look LIe pups Irom LIeIr keeper, IoIdIng LIem In
one IIsL IIke u puIr oI socks. He gesLured wILI LIe goId.
AnduIe, Ie suId.
TIe boy sLured uL LIe coIn.
TIe judge mude u IIsL und opened IL. TIe coIn wus gone. He wove IIs IIngers In LIe
empLy uIr und reucIed beIInd LIe boy's eur und Look LIe coIn und Iunded IL Lo IIm.
TIe boy IeId LIe coIn In boLI Iunds beIore IIm IIke u smuII cIborIum und Ie Iooked up
7 uL LIe judge. BuL LIe judge Iud seL IorLI, dogs dun IIng. He crossed upon LIe sLone
brIdge und Ie Iooked down InLo LIe swoIIen wuLers und ruIsed LIe dogs und pILcIed
LIem In.
AL LIe IurLIer end LIe brIdge guve onLo u smuII sLreeL LIuL run uIong LIe rIver. Here LIe
VundIemenIunder sLood urInuLIng Irom u sLone wuII InLo LIe wuLer. WIen Ie suw LIe
judge commIL LIe dogs Irom LIe brIdge Ie drew IIs pIsLoI und cuIIed ouL.
TIe dogs dIsuppeured In LIe Ioum. TIey swepL one und LIe nexL down u broud green
ruce over sIeeLs oI poIIsIed rock InLo LIe pooI beIow. TIe VundIemenIunder ruIsed und
cocked LIe pIsLoI. n LIe cIeur wuLers oI LIe pooI wIIIow Ieuves Lurned IIke jude duce.
TIe pIsLoI bucked In IIs Iund und one oI LIe dogs Ieuped In LIe wuLer und Ie cocked IL
uguIn und IIred uguIn und u pInk sLuIn dIIIused. He cocked und IIred LIe pIsLoI u LIIrd
LIme und LIe oLIer dog uIso bIossomed und sunk.
TIe judge conLInued on ucross LIe brIdge. WIen LIe boy run up und Iooked down InLo
LIe wuLer Ie wus sLIII IoIdIng LIe coIn. TIe VundIemenIunder sLood In LIe sLreeL
opposILe wILI IIs pIzzIe In one Iund und LIe revoIver In LIe oLIer. TIe smoke Iud
drIILed oII downsLreum und LIere wus noLIIng In LIe pooI uL uII.
SomeLIme In LIe IuLe uILernoon GIunLon woke und munuged Lo sLruggIe Iree oI IIs
bIndIngs. TIe IIrsL news LIey Iud oI IIm wus In IronL oI LIe cuurLeI wIere Ie cuL down
LIe MexIcun IIug wILI IIs knIIe und LIed IL Lo LIe LuII oI u muIe. TIen Ie mounLed LIe
muIe und gouded IL LIrougI LIe squure druggIng LIe sucred bunderu In LIe mud beIInd
IIm.
He mude u cIrcuIL oI LIe sLreeLs und emerged In LIe pIuzu uguIn, kIckIng LIe unImuI
vIcIousIy In LIe IIunks. As Ie Lurned u sIoL rung ouL und LIe muIe IeII sLone deud under
& IIm wILI u muskeLbuII Iodged In ILs bruIn. GIunLon roIIed cIeur und scrum Ied Lo IIs
IeeL IIrIng wIIdIy. An oId womun sunk soundIessIy Lo LIe sLones. TIe judge und TobIn
und Doc rvIng cume Irom runk CurroII's on u deud run und kneIL In LIe sIudow oI u
wuII und begun Lo IIre uL LIe upper wIndows. AnoLIer IuII dozen AmerIcuns cume
uround LIe corner uL LIe Iur sIde oI LIe squure und In u IIurry oI gunIIre Lwo oI LIem
IeII. SIugs oI Ieud were wIInIng oII LIe sLones und gunsmoke Iung over LIe sLreeLs In
LIe dump uIr. GIunLon und JoIn Gunn Iud mude LIeIr wuy uIong LIe wuIIs Lo LIe sIed
beIInd LIe posudu wIere LIe Iorses were sLubIed und LIey begun brIngIng LIe unImuIs
ouL. TIree more oI LIe compuny enLered LIe yurd uL u run und commenced Lo LoLe geur
ouL oI LIe buIIdIng und Lo suddIe Iorses. GunIIre wus now conLInuuI In LIe sLreeL und
Lwo AmerIcuns Iuy deud und oLIers Iuy cuIIIng ouL. WIen LIe compuny rode ouL LIIrLy
mInuLes IuLer LIey run u gunLIeL oI rugged IusII IIre und rocks und boLLIes und LIey IeIL
sIx oI LIeIr number beIInd.
An Iour IuLer CurroII und unoLIer AmerIcun numed SunIord wIo'd been resIdIng In LIe
Lown cuugIL LIem up. TIe cILIzens Iud LorcIed LIe suIoon. TIe prIesL Iud bupLIzed LIe
wounded AmerIcuns und LIen sLood buck wIIIe LIey were sIoL LIrougI LIe Ieud.
BeIore durk LIey encounLered IuborIng up LIe wesLern sIope oI LIe mounLuIn u conducLu
oI one Iundred und LwenLy-Lwo muIes beurIng IIusks oI quIcksIIver Ior LIe mInes. TIey
couId Ieur LIe wIIpcruck und cry oI LIe urrIeros on LIe swILcIbucks Iur beIow LIem und
6 LIey couId see LIe burdened unImuIs pIod Ing IIke gouLs uIong u IuuILIIne In LIe sIeer
rock wuII. Bud Iuck. TwenLy-sIx duys Irom LIe seu und Iess LIun Lwo Iours ouL Irom LIe
mInes. TIe muIes wIeezed und scrubbIed In LIe LuIus und LIe drIvers In LIeIr rugged
und coIorIuI cosLumes IurrIed LIem on. WIen LIe IIrsL oI LIem suw LIe rIders ubove
LIem Ie sLood In LIe sLIrrups und Iooked buck. TIe coIumn oI muIes wound down LIe
LruII Ior u IuII mIIe or more und us LIey buncIed und IuILed LIere were secLIons oI LIe
LruIn vIsIbIe on LIe sepuruLe swILcIbucks Iur beIow, eIgIL und Len muIes, IucIng now LIIs
wuy, now LIuL, LIe LuIIs oI LIe unImuIs pIcked cIeun us bones by LIose beIInd und LIe
mercury wILIIn LIe guLLupercIu IIusks puIsIng IeuvIIy us II LIey currIed secreL beusLs,
LIIngs In puIrs LIuL sLIrred und breuLIed uneusIIy wILIIn LIose bIouLed suLcIeIs. TIe
- muIe eer Lurned und Iooked up LIe LruII. AIreudy GIunLon wus upon IIm. He greeLed
8 LIe AmerIcun cordIuIIy. GIunLon rode pusL wILI uL speukIng, LukIng LIe upper sIde In
6 LIuL rocky sLruIL und sIouI erIng LIe drover's muIe dungerousIy umong LIe Ioose sIuIes.
TIe mun's Iuce cIouded und Ie Lurned und cuIIed buck down LIe LruII. TIe oLIer rIders
were now pusIIng pusL IIm, LIeIr eyes nurrow und LIeIr Iuces bIuck us sLokers wILI
gunsooL. He sLood down oII IIs muIe und drew IIs escopeLu Irom under LIe Iender oI
LIe suddIe. DuvId Brown wus opposILe IIm uL LIIs poInL, IIs pIsLoI uIreudy In IIs Iund
uL LIe oII sIde oI IIs Iorse. He swung IL over LIe pommeI und sIoL LIe mun squureIy In
LIe cIesL. TIe mun suL down IeuvIIy und Brown sIoL IIm uguIn und Ie pILcIed oII
down LIe rocks InLo LIe ubyss beIow.
! TIe oLIers oI LIe compuny IurdIy Lurned Lo udvIse LIem eIves oI wIuL Iud occurred.
Every mun oI LIem wus IIrIng poInL bIunk uL LIe muIeLeers. TIey IeII Irom LIeIr mounLs
und Iuy In LIe LruII or sIId Irom LIe escurpmenL und vunIsIed. TIe drIvers beIow goL
LIeIr unImuIs Lurned und were uLLempLIng Lo IIee buck down LIe LruII und LIe Iuden
& puckmuIes were begInnIng Lo cIum er wIILe-eyed uL LIe sIeer wuII oI LIe bIuII IIke
enormous ruLs. TIe rIders pusIed beLween LIem und LIe rock und meLIodIcuIIy rode
LIem Irom LIe escurpmenL, LIe unImuIs droppIng sIIenLIy us murLyrs, LurnIng seduLeIy In
LIe empLy uIr und expIodIng on LIe rocks beIow In sLurLIIng bursLs oI bIood und sIIver
us LIe IIusks broke open und LIe mercury Ioomed wobbIIng In LIe uIr In greuL sIeeLs
und Iobes und smuII LrembIIng suLeIIILes und uII ILs Iorms groupIng beIow und rucIng In
LIe sLone urroyos IIke LIe ImbreucImenL oI some uILImuLe uIcIemIc work decocLed Irom
ouL LIe secreL durk oI LIe eurLI's IeurL, LIe IIeeIng sLug oI LIe uncIenLs IugILIve on LIe
mounLuInsIde und brIgIL und quIck In LIe dry puLI oI LIe sLorm cIunneIs und sIupIng
ouL LIe sockeLs In LIe rock und IurryIng Irom Iedge Lo Iedge down LIe sIope
sIImmerIng und deIL us eeIs.
TIe muIeLeers bencIed ouL In u swug on LIe LruII wIere LIe precIpIce wus uImosL
negoLIubIe und LIey rode und IeII crusIIng down LIrougI LIe scrub junIper und pIne In
u conIusIon oI crIes wIIIe LIe Iorsemen Ierded LIe Iug muIes oII uILer LIem und rode
wIIdIy down LIe rock LruII IIke men LIemseIves uL LIe mercy oI someLIIng LerrIbIe.
CurroII und SunIord Iud become deLucIed Irom LIe compuny und wIen LIey reucIed LIe
bencI wIere LIe IusL oI LIe urrIeros Iud dIsuppeured LIey reIned LIeIr Iorses und
Iooked buck up LIe LruII. L wus empLy suve Ior u Iew deud men Irom LIe conducLu. HuII
u Iundred muIes Iud been rIdden oII LIe escurpmenL und In LIe curve oI LIe bIuII LIey
couId see LIe broken sIupes oI LIe unImuIs sLrewn down LIe rocks und LIey couId see
LIe brIgIL sIupes oI LIe quIcksIIver pooIed In LIe evenIng IIgIL. TIe Iorses sLumped und
urcIed LIeIr necks. TIe rIders Iooked oII down InLo LIuL cuIumILous guII und LIey Iooked
uL eucI oLIer buL LIey requIred no conIerence und LIey puIIed LIe mouLIs oI LIe Iorses
ubouL und roweIed LIem on down LIe mounLuIn.
, TIey cuugIL up wILI LIe compuny uL dusk. TIey were dIs ounLed uL LIe Iur sIde oI u
rIver und LIe kId und one oI LIe DeIuwures were IuzIng LIe IuLIered Iorses buck Irom
LIe edge oI LIe wuLer. TIey puL LIeIr unImuIs Lo LIe Iord und crossed, LIe wuLer up
under LIe Iorses' beIIIes und LIe Iorses pIckIng LIeIr wuy over LIe rocks und gIuncIng
wIIdIy upsLreum wIere u cuLurucL LIundered ouL oI LIe durkenIng IoresL InLo LIe IIecked
# und seeLI ng pooI beIow. WIen LIey rode up ouL oI LIe Iord LIe judge sLepped Iorwurd
und Look CurroII's Iorse by LIe juw.
WIere's LIe nIgger? Ie suId.
He Iooked uL LIe judge. TIey were uII buL uL eyeIeveI und Ie on Iorsebuck. donL
know, Ie suId.
TIe judge Iooked uL GIunLon. GIunLon spuL.
How muny men dId you see In LIe squure?
dIdnL Iuve LIme Lo Luke no IeudcounL. TIere wus LIree or Iour sIoL LIuL know oI.
BuL noL LIe nIgger?
never suw IIm.
SunIord pusIed IIs Iorse Iorwurd. TIere wus no nIgger In LIe squure, Ie suId. seen
LIem sIooL LIem boys und LIey were ever one wIILe us you und me.
TIe judge Lurned Ioose CurroII's Iorse und wenL Lo geL IIs own unImuI. Two oI LIe
DeIuwures deLucIed LIemseIves Irom LIe compuny. WIen LIey rode ouL up LIe LruII IL
wus uImosL durk und LIe compuny Iud puIIed buck InLo LIe woods und posLed vIdeLLes
uL LIe Iord und LIey mude no IIre.
No rIders cume down LIe LruII. TIe eurIy purL oI LIe nIgIL wus durk buL LIe IIrsL reIIeI
uL LIe Iord suw IL begIn Lo cIeur und LIe moon cume ouL over LIe cunyon und LIey suw
u beur come down und puuse uL LIe Iur sIde oI LIe rIver und LesL LIe uIr wILI IIs nose
) und Lurn buck. AbouL duybreuk LIe judge und LIe DeIu ures reLurned. TIey Iud LIe
bIuck wILI LIem. He wus nuked suve Ior u bIunkeL Ie'd wrupped IImseII In. He dIdnL
even Iuve booLs. He wus rIdIng one oI LIe boneLuIIed puckmuIes Irom LIe conducLu und
Ie wus sIIverIng wILI coId. TIe onIy LIIng Ie'd suved wus IIs pIsLoI. He wus IoIdIng IL
uguInsL IIs cIesL under LIe bIunkeL Ior Ie Iud no oLIer pIuce Lo curry IL.
TIe wuy down ouL oI LIe mounLuIns Lowurd LIe wesLern seu Ied LIem LIrougI green
gorges LIIck wILI vInes wIere puroqueLs und guudy mucuws Ieered und crouked. TIe LruII
IoIIowed u rIver und LIe rIver wus up und muddy und LIere were muny Iords und LIey
1 crossed und recrossed LIe rIver conLInuuIIy. PuIe cus udes Iung down LIe sIeer
mounLuIn wuII ubove LIem, bIowIng oII oI LIe IIgI sIIck rock In wIId vupors. n eIgIL
duys LIey pussed no oLIer rIders. On LIe nInLI LIey suw un oId mun LryIng Lo geL oII
LIe LruII beIow LIem, cunIng u puIr oI burros LIrougI LIe woods. As LIey cume ubreusL
oI LIIs spoL LIey IuILed und GIunLon Lurned InLo LIe woods wIere LIe weL Ieuves were
- sIuIIIed up und Ie Lrucked down LIe oId mun sILLIng In LIe sIrubbery soII ury us u
gnome. TIe burros Iooked up und LwILcIed LIeIr eurs und LIen Iowered LIeIr Ieuds Lo
browse uguIn. TIe oId mun wuLcIed IIm.
or que se esconde? suId GIunLon.
TIe oId mun dIdnL unswer.
De donde vIene?
TIe oId mun seemed unwIIIIng Lo reckon even "wILI LIe Ideu oI u dIuIogue. He squuLLed
In LIe Ieuves wILI IIs urms IoIded. GIunLon Ieuned und spuL. He gesLured wILI IIs cIIn
uL LIe burros.
Que LIene uIIu?
TIe oId mun sIrugged. HIerbus, Ie suId.
GIunLon Iooked uL LIe unImuIs und Ie Iooked uL LIe oId mun. He Lurned IIs Iorse buck
Lowurd LIe LruII Lo rejoIn LIe purLy.
or que me buscu? cuIIed LIe oId mun uILer IIm.
TIey moved on. TIere were eugIes und oLIer bIrds In LIe vuIIey und muny deer und
LIere were wIId orcIIds und brukes oI bumboo. TIe rIver Iere wus sIzeubIe und IL swepL
pusL enormous bouIders und wuLerIuIIs IeII everywIere ouL oI LIe IIgI LungIed jungIe.
TIe judge Iud Luken Lo rIdIng uIeud wILI one oI LIe DeIuwures und Ie currIed IIs rIIIe
Iouded wILI LIe smuII Iurd seeds oI LIe nopuI IruIL und In LIe evenIng Ie wouId dress
* * ex erLIy LIe coIorIuI bIrds Ie'd sIoL, rubbIng LIe skIns wILI gun owder und sLuIIIng
LIem wILI buIIs oI drIed gruss und puckIng LIem uwuy In IIs wuIIeLs. He pressed LIe
2 Ieuves oI Lrees und pIunLs InLo IIs book und Ie sLuIked LIpLoe LIe mounLuIn buLLer IIes
wILI IIs sIIrL ouLIeId In boLI Iunds, speukIng Lo LIem In u Iow wIIsper, no curIous
sLudy IImseII. ToudvIne suL wuLcIIng IIm us Ie mude IIs noLuLIons In LIe Iedger,
* IoIdIng LIe book Lowurd LIe IIre Ior LIe IIgIL, und Ie usked IIm wIuL wus IIs pur ose
In uII LIIs.
TIe judge's quIII ceused ILs scruLcIIng. He Iooked uL ToudvIne. TIen Ie conLInued Lo
wrILe uguIn.
ToudvIne spuL InLo LIe IIre.
TIe judge wroLe on und LIen Ie IoIded LIe Iedger sIuL und IuId IL Lo one sIde und
pressed IIs Iunds LogeLIer und pussed LIem down over IIs nose und mouLI und pIuced
LIem puIm down on IIs knees.
WIuLever exIsLs, Ie suId. WIuLever In creuLIon exIsLs wILIouL my knowIedge exIsLs
wILIouL my consenL.
8 He Iooked ubouL uL LIe durk IoresL In wIIcI LIey were bIv uucked. He nodded Lowurd
LIe specImens Ie'd coIIecLed. TIese unonymous creuLures, Ie suId, muy seem IILLIe or
noLIIng In LIe worId. YeL LIe smuIIesL crumb cun devour us. Any smuIIesL LIIng beneuLI
yon rock ouL oI men's knowIng. OnIy nuLure cun ensIuve mun und onIy wIen LIe
exIsLence oI eucI IusL enLILy Is rouLed ouL und mude Lo sLund nuked beIore IIm wIII Ie
be properIy suzeruIn oI LIe eurLI.
WIuL's u suzeruIn?
A keeper. A keeper or overIord.
WIy noL suy keeper LIen?
Becuuse Ie Is u specIuI kInd oI keeper. A suzeruIn ruIes even wIere LIere ure oLIer
ruIers. HIs uuLIorILy counLermunds IocuI judgemenLs.
ToudvIne spuL.
TIe judge pIuced IIs Iunds on LIe ground. He Iooked uL IIs InquIsILor. TIIs Is my
cIuIm, Ie suId. And yeL everywIere upon IL ure pockeLs oI uuLonomous IIIe. AuLonomous.
n order Ior IL Lo be mIne noLIIng musL be permILLed Lo occur upon IL suve by my
dIspensuLIon.
ToudvIne suL wILI IIs booLs crossed beIore LIe IIre. No mun cun ucquuInL IImseII wILI
everLIIng on LIIs eurLI, Ie suId.
TIe judge LIILed IIs greuL Ieud. TIe mun wIo beIIeves LIuL LIe secreLs oI LIe worId ure
Iorever IIdden IIves In mysLery und Ieur. SupersLILIon wIII drug IIm down. TIe ruIn wIII
7 erode LIe deeds oI IIs IIIe. BuL LIuL mun wIo seLs IImseII LIe Lusk oI sIn IIng ouL LIe
! LIreud oI order Irom LIe LupesLry wIII by LIe decI Ion uIone Iuve Luken cIurge oI LIe
worId und IL Is onIy by sucI LukIng cIurge LIuL Ie wIII eIIecL u wuy Lo dIcLuLe LIe Lerms
oI IIs own IuLe.
donL see wIuL LIuL Ius Lo do wILI cuLcIIn bIrds.
TIe Ireedom oI bIrds Is un InsuIL Lo me. 'd Iuve LIem uII In zoos.
TIuL wouId be u IeII oI u zoo.
TIe judge smIIed. Yes, Ie suId. Even so.
n LIe nIgIL u curuvun pussed, LIe Ieuds oI LIe Iorses und muIes muIIIed In serupes,
Ied uIong sIIenLIy In LIe durk, LIe rIders cuuLIonIng one Lo LIe oLIer wILI LIeIr IIngers
Lo LIeIr IIps. TIe judge uLop u greuL bouIder overIookIng LIe LruII wuLcIed LIem go-n
LIe mornIng LIey rode on. TIey Iorded LIe muddy YuquI RIver und LIey rode LIrougI
sLunds oI sunIIowers LuII us u mun on Iorsebuck, LIe deud Iuces dIsIed Lowurd LIe wesL.
- TIe coun ry begun Lo open up und LIey begun Lo come upon pIunLIngs oI corn on LIe
IIIIsIdes und u Iew cIeurIngs In LIe wIIderness wIere LIere were gruss IuLs und orunge
und LumurInd Lrees. OI Iumuns LIey suw none. On LIe second oI December oI eIgILeen
IorLy-nIne LIey rode InLo LIe Lown oI Ures, cupILuI oI LIe sLuLe oI Sonoru. TIey'd noL
LroLLed IuII LIe IengLI oI LIe Lown beIore LIey Iud druwn ubouL LIem u IoIIowIng oI
rubbIe unmuLcIed Ior vurIeLy und sordIdness by uny LIey Iud yeL encounLered, beggurs
und procLors oI beggurs und wIores und pImps und vendors und IIILIy cIIIdren und
wIoIe depuLuLIons oI LIe bIInd und LIe muImed und LIe ImporLunuLe uII cryIng ouL por
dIos und some wIo rode usLrIde LIe bucks oI porLers und IIed LIem uILer und greuL
numbers oI IoIk oI every uge und condILIon wIo were mereIy curIous. emuIes oI
domesLIc repuLuLIon Iounged upon LIe buIconIes LIey pussed wILI Iuces goLLen up In
IndIgo und uImugre guudy us LIe rumps oI upes und LIey peered Irom beIInd LIeIr Iuns
wILI u kInd oI IurId coyness IIke LrunsvesLILes In u mudIouse. TIe judge und GIunLon
rode uL LIe Ieud oI LIe IILLIe coIumn und conIerred beLween LIemseIves. TIe Iorses
cunLered nervousIy und II LIe rIders roweIed un occusIonuI Iund cIuLcIIng uL LIe
LruppIngs oI LIeIr mounLs LIose Iunds wILIdrew In sIIence.
TIey puL up LIuL nIgIL uL u IosLeI uL LIe edge oI LIe Lown run by u Germun wIo
Lurned over LIe premIses Lo LIem enLIreIy und wus seen no more Ior eILIer servIce or
6 puymenL. GIunLon wun ered LIrougI LIe LuII und dusLy rooms wILI LIeIr wILIy ceIIIngs
und uL IengLI Ie Iound un oId crIudu cowerIng In wIuL musL Iuve pussed Ior u kILcIen
uILIougI IL conLuIned noLIIng cuIInury suve u bruzIer und u Iew cIuy poLs. He seL Ier Lo
work IeuLIng wuLer Ior buLIs und pressed u IundIuI oI sIIver coIns on Ier und cIurged
Ier wILI seLLIng LIem some kInd oI bourd. SIe sLured uL LIe coIns wILIouL movIng unLII
Ie sIooed Ier uwuy und sIe wenL oII down LIe IuIIwuy IoIdIng LIe coIns cupped In Ier
Iunds IIke u bIrd. SIe dIsuppeured up LIe sLuIrweII cuIIIng ouL und soon LIere were u
number oI women busy ubouL LIe pIuce.
WIen GIunLon Lurned Lo go buck down LIe IuII LIere were Iour or IIve Iorses sLundIng
In IL. He sIupped LIem uwuy wILI IIs IuL und wenL Lo LIe door und Iooked ouL uL LIe
sIIenL mob oI specLuLors.
Mozos de cuudru, Ie cuIIed. Vengu. PronLo.
& Two boys pusIed LIrougI und upproucIed LIe door und u num er oI oLIers IoIIowed.
GIunLon moLIoned LIe LuIIesL oI LIem Iorwurd und pIuced one Iund on Lop oI IIs Ieud
und Lurned IIm uround und Iooked uL LIe oLIers.
EsLe Iombre es eI jeIe, Ie suId. TIe jeIe sLood soIemnIy, IIs eyes cuLLIng ubouL. GIunLon
Lurned IIs Ieud uround und Iooked uL IIm.
Te encurgo Lodo, enLIendes? CubuIIos, sIIIus, Lodo.
SI. EnLIendo.
Bueno. AnduIe. Huy cubuIIos en Iu cusu.
TIe jeIe Lurned und sIouLed ouL LIe numes oI IIs IrIends und IuII u dozen cume
Iorwurd und LIey enLered LIe Iouse. WIen GIunLon wenL down LIe IuII LIey were
9 IeudIng LIose unImuIs?known munkIIIers some owurd LIe door, scoIdIng LIem, LIe IeusL
oI LIe boys IurdIy LuIIer LIun LIe Iegs oI LIe unImuI Ie'd Luken In cIurge. GIunLon wenL
ouL Lo LIe buck oI LIe buIIdIng und Iooked ubouL Ior LIe exprIesL wIom IL pIeused IIm
Lo send Ior wIores und drInk buL Ie couId noL be Iound. n LryIng Lo urrIve uL u deLuII
wIIcI mIgIL reusonubIy be expecLed Lo reLurn uL uII Ie seLLIed on Doc rvIng und SIeIby
und guve LIem u IIsLIuI oI coIns und reLurned Lo LIe kILcIen uguIn.
By durk LIere were u IuII dozen young gouLs rousLIng on spILs In LIe yurd beIInd LIe
IosLeI, LIeIr bIuckened IIgures sIInIng In LIe smoky IIgIL. TIe judge sLroIIed LIe grounds
In IIs IInen suIL und dIrecLed LIe cIeIs wILI u wuve oI IIs cIgur und Ie In Lurn wus
IoIIowed by u sLrIng bund oI sIx musIcIuns, uII oI LIem oId, uII serIous, wIo sLuyed wILI
IIm uL every Lurn some LIree puces Lo LIe reur und pIuyIng LIe wIIIe. A skIn oI puIque
Iung Irom u LrIpod In LIe cenLer oI LIe yurd und rvIng Iud reLurned wILI beLween
LwenLy und LIIrLy wIores oI every uge und sIze und LIere were depIoyed beIore LIe door
oI LIe buIIdIng wIoIe LruIns oI wugons und curLs overseen by ImprompLu suLIers cryIng
% ouL eucI IIs bIII oI purLIcuIurs und surrounded by u sIIILIng guI ery oI LownspeopIe und
dozens oI IuIIbroken Iorses Ior Lrude LIuL reured und wIInnIed und desoIuLeIookIng
cuLLIe und sIeep und pIgs LogeLIer wILI LIeIr owners unLII LIe Lown LIuL GIunLon und
LIe judge Iud Ioped Lo Iuy cIeur oI wus uImosL enLIreIy uL LIeIr door In u curnIvuI
underwrILLen wILI LIuL mood oI IesLIvILy und growIng ugIIness common Lo guLIerIngs In
LIuL quurLer oI LIe worId. TIe bonIIre In LIe courLyurd Iud been sLoked Lo sucI IeIgILs
LIuL Irom LIe sLreeL LIe enLIre reur oI LIe premIses uppeured Lo be In IIumes und new
mercIunLs wILI LIeIr goods und new specLuLors were urrIvIng reguIurIy LogeLIer wILI
suIIen groups oI YuquI IndIuns In IoIncIoLIs wIo wouId be IIred Ior LIeIr Iubor.
By mIdnIgIL LIere were IIres In LIe sLreeL und duncIng und drunkenness und LIe Iouse
rung wILI LIe sIrIII crIes oI LIe wIores und rIvuI pucks oI dogs Iud InIIILruLed LIe now
purLIy durkened und smokIng yurd In LIe buck wIere u vIcIous dogIIgIL broke ouL over
LIe cIurred rucks oI gouLbones und wIere LIe IIrsL gunIIre oI LIe nIgIL erupLed und
wounded dogs IowIed und drugged LIemseIves ubouL unLII GIunLon IImseII wenL ouL und
kIIIed LIem wILI IIs knIIe, u IurId scene In LIe IIIckerIng IIgIL, LIe wounded dogs sIIenL
suve Ior LIe pop oI LIeIr LeeLI, druggIng LIemseIves ucross LIe IoL IIke seuIs or oLIer
LIIngs und croucIIng under LIe wuIIs wIIIe GIunLon wuIked LIem down und cIove LIeIr
skuIIs wILI LIe Iuge copperbucked beILknIIe. He wus no more LIun buck InsIde LIe
# Iouse beIore new dogs were muLLer ng uL LIe spILs.
By LIe smuII Iours oI LIe mornIng mosL oI LIe Iumps wILIIn LIe IosLeI Iud smoked ouL
und LIe rooms were IIIIed wILI drunken snorIng. TIe suLIers und LIeIr curLs were gone
und LIe bIuckened rIngs oI LIe burnedouL IIres Iuy In LIe roud IIke bomb-cruLers, LIe
smoIderIng bIIIeLs drugged IorLI Lo susLuIn LIe one IusL IIre ubouL wIIcI suL oId men
# und boys smokIng und excIung ng LuIes. As LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe eusL begun Lo sIupe
! LIem eIves ouL oI LIe duwn LIese IIgures Loo drIILed uwuy. n LIe yurd uL LIe reur oI
LIe premIses LIe survIvIng dogs Iud drugged LIe bones ubouL everywIere und LIe deud
dogs Iuy In durk sIIngIes oI LIeIr own bIood drIed In LIe dusL und cocks Iud begun Lo
crow. WIen LIe judge und GIunLon uppeured uL LIe IronL door In LIeIr suILs, LIe judge
In wIILe und GIunLon In bIuck, LIe onIy person ubouL wus one oI LIe smuII IosLIers
usIeep on LIe sLeps.
Joven, suId LIe judge.
TIe boy Ieuped up.
Eres mozo deI cubuIIudo?
SI senor. A su servIcIo.
NuesLros cubuIIos, Ie suId. He wouId descrIbe LIe unImuIs buL LIe boy wus uIreudy on
LIe run.
L wus coId und u wInd wus bIowIng. TIe sun noL up. TIe judge sLood uL LIe sLeps und
# GIunLon wuIked up und down sLudy ng LIe ground. n Len mInuLes LIe boy und unoLIer
uppeured IeudIng LIe Lwo Iorses suddIed und groomed uL u nIce LroL up LIe sLreeL, LIe
boys uL u deud run, bureIooL, LIe breuLI oI LIe Iorses pIumIng und LIeIr Ieuds LurnIng
smurLIy Irom sIde Lo sIde.
XV
A new conLrucL - SIouL - TIe mussucre on LIe NucozurI -
EncounLer wILI EIIus - Pursued norLI - A IoLLery - SIeIby und LIe
kId - A Iorse Iumed - A norLIer - An umbusI -Escupe - Wur on
LIe pIuIns - A descenL - TIe burnIng Lree - On LIe Lruck -
TIe LropIIes ?TIe kId rejoIns IIs commund -TIe judge -
A deserL sucrIIIce - TIe scouLs do noL reLurn - TIe ogdoud -
SunLu Cruz - TIe mIIILIu ?Snow - A IospIce -TIe sLubIe.
n LIe IIILI oI December LIey rode ouL norLI In LIe coId durkness beIore duybreuk
curryIng wILI LIem u conLrucL sIgned by LIe governor oI LIe sLuLe oI Sonoru Ior LIe
IurnIsIIng oI ApucIe scuIps. TIe sLreeLs were sIIenL und empLy. CurroII und SunIord Iud
deIecLed Irom LIe compuny und wILI LIem now rode u boy numed SIouL wIo Iud been
IeIL sIck Lo dIe In LIIs pIuce by one oI LIe goId LruIns bound Ior LIe cousL weeks eurIIer.
WIen GIunLon usked IIm II Ie were kIn Lo LIe commodore oI LIuL nume LIe boy spuL
quIeLIy und suId No, nor IIm Lo me. He rode neur LIe Ieud oI LIe coIumn und Ie musL
Iuve counLed IImseII weII ouL oI LIuL pIuce yeL II Ie guve LIunks Lo uny god uL uII IL
wus III LImed Ior LIe counLry wus noL done wILI IIm.
TIey rode norLI onLo LIe broud Sonorun deserL und In LIuL cuuLerIzed wusLe LIey
wundered uImIessIy Ior weeks pursuIng rumor und sIudow. A Iew smuII scuLLered bunds
% oI CIIrIcuIuu ruIders supposedIy seen by Ierdsmen on some squuIId und deso uLe
runcI. A Iew peons wuyIuId und sIuIn. Two weeks ouL LIey mussucred u puebIo on LIe
NucozurI RIver und Lwo duys IuLer us LIey rode Lowurd Ures wILI LIe scuIps LIey
encounLered u purLy oI urmed Sonorun cuvuIry on LIe pIuIns wesL oI BuvIucoru under
GeneruI EIIus. A runnIng IIgIL ensued In wIIcI LIree oI GIunLon's purLy were kIIIed und
unoLIer seven wounded, Iour oI wIom couId noL rIde.
TIuL nIgIL LIey couId see LIe IIres oI LIe urmy Iess LIun Len mIIes Lo LIe souLI. TIey
suL ouL LIe nIgIL In durkness und LIe wounded cuIIed Ior wuLer und In LIe coId sLIIIness
beIore duwn LIe IIres ouL LIere were sLIII burnIng. AL sunrIse LIe DeIuwures rode InLo
LIe cump und suL on LIe ground wILI GIunLon und Brown und LIe judge. n LIe eusLern
IIgIL LIe IIres on LIe pIuIn Iuded IIke un evII dreum und LIe counLry Iuy bure und
spurkIIng In LIe pure uIr. EIIus wus movIng upon LIem ouL LIere wILI over IIve Iundred
Lroops.
TIey rose und begun Lo suddIe LIe Iorses. GIunLon IeLcIed down u quIver mude Irom
oceIoL skIn und counLed ouL LIe urrows In IL so LIuL LIere wus one Ior eucI mun und Ie
Lore u pIece oI red IIunneI InLo sLrIps und LIed LIese ubouL LIe IooLIngs oI Iour oI LIe
sIuILs und LIen repIuced LIe counLed urrows InLo LIe quIver.
He suL on LIe ground wILI LIe quIver uprIgIL beLween IIs knees wIIIe LIe compuny
IIIed pusL. WIen LIe kId seIecLed umong LIe sIuILs Lo druw one Ie suw LIe judge
wuLcIIng IIm und Ie puused. He Iooked uL GIunLon. He IeL go LIe urrow Ie'd cIosen
und sorLed ouL unoLIer und drew LIuL one. L currIed LIe red LusseI. He Iooked uL LIe
judge uguIn und LIe judge wus noL wuLcIIng und Ie moved on und Look IIs pIuce wILI
TuLe und WebsLer. TIey were joIned IInuIIy by u mun numed HurIun Irom Texus wIo
Iud druwn LIe IusL urrow und LIe Iour oI LIem sLood LogeLIer wIIIe LIe resL suddIed
LIeIr Iorses und Ied LIem ouL.
OI LIe wounded men Lwo were DeIuwures und one u MexIcun. TIe IourLI wus DIck
3 SIeIby und Ie uIone suL wuLcIIng LIe prep ruLIons Ior depurLure. TIe DeIuwures
* remuInIng In LIe com uny conIerred umong LIemseIves und one oI LIem upproucIed
LIe Iour AmerIcuns und sLudIed LIem eucI In Lurn. He wuIked pusL LIem und Lurned
und cume buck und Look LIe urrow Irom WebsLer. WebsLer Iooked uL GIunLon wIere Ie
sLood wILI IIs Iorse. TIen LIe DeIuwure Look HurIun's urrow. GIunLon Lurned und wILI
IIs IoreIeud uguInsL LIe rIbs oI IIs Iorse Ie LIgILened LIe gIrLIsLrups und LIen mounLed
up. He udjusLed IIs IuL. No one spoke. HurIun und WebsLer wenL Lo geL LIeIr unImuIs.
- GIun on suL IIs Iorse wIIIe LIe compuny IIIed pusL und LIen Ie Lurned und IoIIowed
LIem ouL onLo LIe pIuIn.
TIe DeIuwure Iud gone Ior IIs Iorse und Ie brougIL IL up sLIII IobbIed LIrougI LIe
wuIIowed pIuces In LIe sund wIere LIe men Iud sIepL. OI LIe wounded ndIuns one wus
sIIenL, breuLIIng IeuvIIy wILI IIs eyes cIosed. TIe oLIer wus cIunLIng rIyLImIcuIIy. TIe
DeIuwure IeL drop LIe reIns und Look down IIs wurcIub Irom IIs bug und sLepped
usLruddIe oI LIe mun und swung LIe cIub und crusIed IIs skuII wILI u sIngIe bIow. TIe
mun Iumped up In u IILLIe sIudderIng spusm und LIen Iuy sLIII. TIe oLIer wus
) dIspuLcIed In LIe sume wuy und LIen LIe DeIu ure ruIsed LIe Iorse's Ieg und undId LIe
IobbIe und sIId IL cIeur und rose und puL LIe IobbIe und LIe cIub In LIe bug und
mounLed up und Lurned LIe Iorse. He Iooked uL LIe Lwo men sLundIng LIere. HIs Iuce
und cIesL were IreckIed wILI bIood. He LoucIed up LIe Iorse wILI IIs IeeIs und rode
ouL.
TuLe squuLLed In LIe sund, IIs Iunds dungIIng In IronL oI IIm. He Lurned und Iooked uL
LIe kId.
WIo geLs LIe MexIcun? Ie suId.
# TIe kId dIdnL unswer. TIey Iooked uL SIeIby. He wus wuLcI ng LIem.
TuLe Iud u cIuLcI oI smuII pebbIes In IIs Iund und Ie IeL LIem drop one by one InLo
LIe sund. He Iooked uL LIe kId.
Go on II you wunL Lo, LIe kId suId.
He Iooked uL LIe DeIuwures deud In LIeIr bIunkeLs. You mIgIL noL do IL, Ie suId.
TIuL uInL your worry.
GIunLon mIgIL come buck.
He mIgIL.
TuLe Iooked over Lo wIere LIe MexIcun wus IyIng und Ie Iooked uL LIe kId uguIn. 'm
sLIII IeId Lo IL, Ie suId.
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
You know wIuL LIey'II do Lo LIem?
TIe kId spuL. cun guess, Ie suId.
No you cuInL.
suId you couId go. You do wIuL you wunL.
TuLe rose und Iooked Lo LIe souLI buL LIe deserL LIere Iuy In uII ILs cIurILy unInIubILed
by uny upproucIIng urmIes. He sIrugged up IIs sIouIders In LIe coId. njIns, Ie suId. L
donL meun noLIIn Lo LIem. He crossed LIe cumpground und brougIL IIs Iorse uround
und Ied IL up und mounLed IL. He Iooked uL LIe MexIcun, wIeezIng soILIy, u pInk IroLI
on IIs IIps. He Iooked uL LIe kId und LIen Ie nudged LIe pony up LIrougI LIe scruggIy
ucucIu und wus gone.
1 TIe kId suL In LIe sund und sLured oII Lo LIe souLI. TIe MexI un wus sIoL LIrougI LIe
Iungs und wouId dIe unywuy buL SIeIby Iud Iud IIs IIp sIuLLered by u buII und Ie wus
cIeur In IIs Ieud. He Iuy wuLcIIng LIe kId. He wus Irom u promInenL KenLucky IumIIy
und Iud uLLended TrunsyIvunIu CoIIege und IIke muny unoLIer young mun oI IIs cIuss
Ie'd gone wesL becuuse oI u womun. He wuLcIed LIe kId und Ie wuLcIed LIe enormous
sun wIere IL suL boIIIng on LIe edge oI LIe deserL. Any roudugenL or gumbIer wouId
Iuve known LIuL LIe IIrsL Lo speuk wouId Iose buL SIeIby Iud uIreudy IosL IL uII.
WIy donL you jusL geL on wILI IL? Ie suId.
TIe kId Iooked uL IIm.
I Iud u gun 'd sIooL you, SIeIby suId.
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
You know LIuL, donL you?
You uInL goL u gun, LIe kId suId.
He Iooked Lo LIe souLI uguIn. SomeLIIng movIng, perIups LIe IIrsL IInes oI IeuL. No
dusL In LIe mornIng so eurIy. WIen Ie Iooked uL SIeIby uguIn SIeIby wus cryIng.
You wonL LIunk me II IeL you oII, Ie suId.
Do IL LIen you son oI u bILcI.
TIe kId suL. A IIgIL wInd wus bIowIng ouL oI LIe norLI und some doves Iud begun Lo
4 cuII In LIe LIIckeL oI greusewood be Ind LIem.
I you wunL me jusL Lo Ieuve you wIII.
SIeIby dIdnL unswer.
He pusIed u Iurrow In LIe sund wILI LIe IeeI oI IIs booL. You'II Iuve Lo suy.
WIII you Ieuve me u gun?
You know cuInL Ieuve you no gun.
You're no beLLer LIun IIm. Are you?
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
WIuL II Ie comes buck.
GIunLon.
Yes.
WIuL II Ie does.
He'II kIII me.
You wonL be ouL noLIIn.
You son oI u bILcI.
TIe kId rose.
WIII you IIde me?
HIde you?
Yes.
TIe kId spuL. You cuInL IIde. WIere you goIn Lo IIde uL?
WIII Ie come buck?
donL know.
TIIs Is u LerrIbIe pIuce Lo dIe In.
WIere's u good one?
SIeIby wIped IIs eyes wILI LIe buck oI IIs wrIsL. Cun you see LIem? Ie suId.
NoL yeL.
WIII you puII me up under LIuL busI?
TIe kId Lurned und Iooked uL IIm. He Iooked oII down-counLry uguIn und LIen Ie
4 crossed LIe busIn und squuLLed be Ind SIeIby und Look IIm up under LIe urms und
ruIsed IIm. SIeIby's Ieud roIIed buck und Ie Iooked up und LIen Ie snuLcIed uL LIe
buLL oI LIe pIsLoI sLuck In LIe kId's beIL. TIe kId seIzed IIs urm. He IeL IIm down und
sLepped uwuy und Lurned IIm Ioose. WIen Ie reLurned LIrougI LIe busIn IeudIng LIe
Iorse LIe mun wus cryIng uguIn. He Look LIe pIsLoI Irom IIs beIL und jummed IL umong
IIs beIongIngs IusIed Lo LIe cunLIe und Look IIs cunLeen down und wenL Lo IIm.
He Iud IIs Iuce Lurned uwuy. TIe kId IIIIed IIs IIusk Irom IIs own und reseuLed LIe
sLopper wIere IL Iung by ILs LIong und drove IL Iome wILI LIe IeeI oI IIs Iund. TIen
Ie rose und Iooked oII Lo LIe souLI.
Yonder LIey come, Ie suId.
SIeIby ruIsed up on one eIbow.
% TIe kId Iooked uL IIm und Ie Iooked uL LIe IuInL und Iorm ess urLIcuIuLIon uIong LIe
IorIzon Lo LIe souLI. SIeIby Iuy buck. He wus sLurIng up uL LIe sky. A durk overcusL
wus movIng down Irom LIe norLI und LIe wInd wus up. A cIuLcI oI Ieuves scuLLIed ouL
oI LIe wIIIow brucken uL LIe edge oI LIe sund und LIen scuLLIed buck uguIn. TIe kId
crossed Lo wIere LIe Iorse sLood wuILIng und Look LIe pIsLoI und sLuck IL In IIs beIL
und Iung LIe cunLeen over LIe suddIeIorn und mounLed up und Iooked buck uL LIe
wounded mun. TIen Ie rode ouL.
, He wus LroLLIng norLI on LIe pIuIn wIen Ie suw unoLIer Iorse un on LIe grounds
beIore IIm perIups u mIIe dIsLunL. He couId noL muke IIm ouL und Ie rode more
sIowIy. AILer u wIIIe Ie suw LIuL LIe rIder wus IeudIng LIe Iorse und uILer u wIIIe Ie
couId see LIuL LIe Iorse wus noL wuIkIng rIgIL.
L wus TuLe. He suL by LIe wuysIde wuLcIIng LIe kId us Ie rode up. TIe Iorse sLood on
LIree Iegs. TuLe suId noLIIng. He Look oII IIs IuL und Iooked InsIde IL und puL IL on
uguIn. TIe kId wus Lurned In LIe suddIe und Ie wus IookIng Lo LIe souLI. TIen Ie
Iooked uL TuLe.
Cun Ie wuIk?
NoL mucI.
He goL down und drew up LIe Iorse's Ieg. TIe Irog oI LIe IooI wus spIIL und bIoody
und LIe unImuI's sIouIder quIvered. He IeL LIe IooI down. TIe sun wus ubouL Lwo Iours
IIgI und now LIere wus dusL on LIe IorIzon. He Iooked uL TuLe.
WIuL do you wunL Lo do?
donL know. eud IIm uwIIIe. See Iow Ie does.
He uInL goIn Lo do.
know IL.
We couId rIde und LIe.
You mIgIL jusL keep rIdIn.
mIgIL unywuy.
TuLe Iooked uL IIm. Go on II you wunL, Ie suId.
TIe kId spuL. Come on, Ie suId.
IuLe Lo Ieuve LIe suddIe. HuLe Lo Ieuve LIe Iorse Iur us LIuL goes.
TIe kId pIcked up LIe LruIIIng reIns oI IIs own unImuI. You mIgIL cIunge your mInd
ubouL wIuL you IuLe Lo Ieuve, Ie suId.
TIey seL ouL IeudIng boLI Iorses. TIe dumuged unImuI kepL wunLIng Lo sLop. TuLe
couxed IL uIong. Come on IooI, Ie suId. You uInL goIn Lo IIke LIem nIggers u bIL more
LIun me.
By noon LIe sun wus u puIe bIur overIeud und u coId wInd wus bIowIng ouL oI LIe
norLI. TIey Ieuned InLo IL mun und unImuI. TIe wInd bore sLIngIng bILs oI grIL und LIey
seL LIeIr IuLs Iow over LIeIr Iuces und pusIed on. DrIed deserL cIuII pussed uIong wILI
LIe seeLIIng mIgrunL sunds. AnoLIer Iour und LIere wus no Lruck vIsIbIe Irom LIe muIn
purLy oI rIders beIore LIem. TIe sky Iuy gruy und oI u pIece In every dIrecLIon us Iur us
LIey couId see und LIe wInd dId noL ubuLe. AILer u wIIIe IL begun Lo snow.
TIe kId Iud Luken down IIs bIunkeL und wrupped IImseII In IL. He Lurned und sLood
wILI IIs buck Lo LIe wInd und LIe Iorse Ieuned und IuId ILs cIeek uguInsL IIs. Ls
eyeIusIes were LIuLcIed wILI snow. WIen TuLe cume up Ie sLopped und LIey sLood Iook
#ng ouL downwInd wIere LIe snow wus bIowIng. TIey couId see no more LIun u Iew
IeeL.
AInL LIIs IeII, Ie suId.
WIII your Iorse Ieud?
HeII no. cuInL IurdIy muke IIm IoIIer.
We geL Lurned uround we mIgIL jusL run pIumb InLo LIe SpunIurds.
never suw IL Lurn so coId so quIck.
WIuL do you wunL Lo do.
We beLLer go on.
We couId puII Ior LIe IIgI counLry. As Iong us we keep goIn upIIII we'II know we uInL
goL In u cIrcIe.
We'II geL cuL oII. We never wIII IInd GIunLon.
We're cuL oII now.
TuLe Lurned und sLured bIeukIy Lo wIere LIe wIIrIIng IIukes bIew down Irom LIe norLI.
eL's go, Ie suId. We cuInL sLund Iere.
TIey Ied LIe Iorses on. AIreudy LIe ground wus wIILe. TIey Look Lurns rIdIng LIe good
Iorse und IeudIng LIe Iume. TIey cIImbed Ior Iours up u Iong rocky wusI und LIe snow
dId noL dImInIsI. TIey begun Lo come upon pInon und dwurI ouk und open purkIund
und LIe snow on LIose IIgI meudows wus soon u IooL deep und LIe Iorses were
bIowIng und smokIng IIke sLeumengInes und IL wus coIder und growIng durk.
TIey were roIIed In LIeIr bIunkeLs usIeep In LIe snow wIen LIe scouLs Irom EIIus's
Iorwurd compuny cume upon LIem. TIey'd rIdden uII nIgIL LIe onIy Lruck LIere wus,
pusIIng on noL Lo Iose LIe murcI oI LIose sIuIIow puns us LIey IIIIed wILI snow. TIey
were IIve men und LIey cume up LIrougI LIe evergreens In LIe durk und uII buL
sLumbIed upon LIe sIeepers, Lwo mounds In LIe snow one oI wIIcI broke open und up
ouL oI wIIcI u IIgure suL suddenIy IIke some LerrIbIe IuLcIIng.
TIe snow Iud sLopped IuIIIng. TIe kId couId see LIem und LIeIr unImuIs cIeurIy on LIuL
puIe ground, LIe men In mIdsLrIde und LIe Iorses bIowIng coId. He Iud IIs booLs In
one Iund und IIs pIsLoI In LIe oLIer und Ie cume up ouL oI LIe bIunkeL und IeveIed LIe
pIsLoI und dIscIurged IL InLo LIe cIesL oI LIe mun neuresL IIm und Lurned Lo run. HIs
IeeL sIId und Ie wenL Lo one knee. A muskeL IIred beIInd IIm. He rose uguIn, runnIng
down u durkened sIusI oI pInon und LurnIng ouL uIong LIe Iuce oI LIe sIope. TIere were
oLIer sIoLs beIInd IIm und wIen Ie Lurned Ie couId see u mun comIng down LIrougI
LIe Lrees. TIe mun sLopped und ruIsed IIs eIbows und LIe kId dove IeudIong. TIe
muskeLbuII wenL ruckeLIng oII umong LIe bruncIes. He roIIed over und cocked LIe pIsLoI.
TIe burreI musL Iuve been IuII oI snow becuuse wIen Ie IIred u Ioop oI orunge IIgIL
sprung ouL ubouL IL und LIe sIoL mude u sLrunge sound. He IeIL Lo see II LIe gun Iud
bursL buL IL Iud noL. He couId noL see LIe mun uny more und Ie pIcked IImseII up und
run on. AL LIe IooL oI LIe sIope Ie suL guspIng In LIe coId uIr und puIIed on LIe booLs
und wuLcIed buck umong LIe Lrees. NoLIIng moved. He rose und sLuck LIe pIsLoI In IIs
beIL und wenL on.
TIe rIsIng sun Iound IIm croucIed under u rocky promonLory wuLcIIng LIe counLry Lo
LIe souLI. He suL so Ior un Iour or more. A group oI deer moved up LIe Iur sIde oI
LIe urroyo IeedIng und IeedIng moved on. AILer u wIIIe Ie rose und wenL on uIong LIe
rIdge.
He wuIked uII duy LIrougI LIose wIId upIunds, euLIng Iund-IuIs oI snow Irom LIe
evergreen bougIs us Ie wenL. He IoIIowed gumeLruIIs LIrougI LIe IIrs und In LIe
evenIng Ie IIked uIong LIe rImrock wIere Ie couId see LIe LIILed deserL Lo LIe
- souLIwesL puLcIed wILI sIupes oI snow LIuL rougIIy reproduced LIe puL erns oI cIoud
cover uIreudy moved on Lo LIe souLI. ce Iud Irozen on LIe rock und LIe myrIud oI
IcIcIes umong LIe conIIers gIIsLened bIood red In LIe reIIecLed IIgIL oI LIe sunseL spreud
ucross LIe pruIrIe Lo LIe wesL. He suL wILI IIs buck Lo u rock und IeIL LIe wurmLI oI
LIe sun on IIs Iuce und wuLcIed IL pooI und IIure und druIn uwuy druggIng wILI IL uII
LIuL pInk und rose und crImson sky. An Icy wInd sprung up und LIe junIpers durkened
suddenIy uguInsL LIe snow und LIen LIere wus jusL sLIIIness und coId.
He rose und moved on, IurryIng uIong LIe sIuIy rocks. He wuIked uII nIgIL. TIe sLurs
swung counLercIockwIse In LIeIr course und LIe GreuL Beur Lurned und LIe PIeIudes
wInked In LIe very rooI oI LIe vuuIL. He wuIked unLII IIs Loes grew numb und IuIrIy
ruLLIed In IIs booLs. HIs puLI upon LIe rImrock wus IeudIng IIm deeper InLo LIe
mounLuIns uIong LIe edge oI u greuL gorge und Ie couId see no pIuce Lo descend ouL oI
LIuL counLry. He suL und wresLIed oII LIe booLs und IeId IIs Irozen IeeL eucI by Lurn In
IIs urms. TIey dId noL wurm und IIs juw wus In u seIzure oI coId und wIen Ie wenL Lo
puL LIe booLs buck on uguIn IIs IeeL were IIke cIubs Lo poke InLo LIem. WIen Ie goL
LIem on und sLood up und sLumped numbIy Ie knew LIuL Ie couId noL sLop uguIn unLII
LIe sun rose.
L grew coIder und LIe nIgIL Iuy Iong beIore IIm. He kepL movIng, IoIIowIng In LIe
durkness LIe nuked cIInes oI rock bIown bure oI snow. TIe sLurs burned wILI u IIdIess
& IIxILy und LIey drew neurer In LIe nIgIL unLII Lowurd duwn Ie wus sLum IIng umong
LIe wIInsLones oI LIe uLLermosL rIdge Lo Ieuven, u burren runge oI rock so enIoIded In
- LIuL guudy Iouse LIuL sLurs Iuy uwusI uL IIs IeeL und mIgruLory spuIIs oI burnIng muL
er crossed consLunLIy ubouL IIm on LIeIr cIurLIess reckonIngs. n LIe preduwn IIgIL Ie
mude IIs wuy ouL upon u promonLory und LIere receIved IIrsL oI uny creuLure In LIuL
counLry LIe wurmLI oI LIe sun's uscendIng.
He sIepL curIed umong LIe sLones, LIe pIsLoI cIuLcIed Lo IIs cIesL. HIs IeeL LIuwed und
burned und Ie woke und Iuy sLurIng up uL u sky oI cIInu bIue wIere very IIgI LIere
cIrcIed Lwo bIuck Iuwks ubouL LIe sun sIowIy und perIecLIy opposed IIke puper bIrds
upon u poIe.
He moved norLI uII duy und In LIe Iong IIgIL oI LIe evenIng Ie suw Irom LIuL IIgI
rImIund LIe coIIIsIon oI urmIes remoLe und sIIenL upon LIe pIuIn beIow. TIe durk IILLIe
- Iorses cIrcIed und LIe Iundscupe sIIILed In LIe puIIng IIgIL und LIe moun uIns beyond
, brooded In durkenIng sIIIoueLLe. TIe dIsLunL Iorse en rode und purrIed und u IuInL
drIIL oI smoke pussed over LIem und LIey moved on up LIe deepenIng sIude oI LIe
vuIIey IIoor IeuvIng beIInd LIem LIe sIupes oI morLuI men wIo Iud IosL LIeIr IIves In
LIuL pIuce. He wuLcIed uII LIIs puss beIow IIm muLe und ordered und senseIess unLII
LIe wurrIng Iorsemen were gone In LIe sudden rusI oI durk LIuL IeII over LIe deserL.
AII LIuL Iund Iuy coId und bIue und wILIouL deIInILIon und LIe sun sIone soIeIy on LIe
IIgI rocks wIere Ie sLood. He moved on und soon Ie wus In durkness IImseII und LIe
wInd cume up oII LIe deserL und Iruyed wIres oI IIgILnIng sLood uguIn und uguIn uIong
LIe wesLern LermInuIs oI LIe worId. He mude IIs wuy uIong LIe escurpmenL unLII Ie
cume Lo u breuk In LIe wuII cuL LIrougI by u cunyon runnIng buck InLo LIe mounLuIns.
He sLood IookIng down InLo LIIs guII wIere LIe Lops oI LIe LwIsLed evergreens IIssed In
LIe wInd und LIen Ie sLurLed down.
TIe snow Iuy In deep pockeLs on LIe sIope und Ie IIoundered down LIrougI LIem,
sLeudyIng IImseII uIong LIe nuked rocks unLII IIs Iunds were numb wILI coId. He
crossed wILI cure u gruveI sIIde und mude IIs wuy down LIe Iur sIde umong LIe rubbIe
sLone und smuII gnurIed Lrees. He IeII und IeII uguIn, scrubbIIng Ior u IundpurcIuse In
LIe durk, rIsIng und IeeIIng In IIs beIL Ior LIe pIsLoI. He wus uL LIIs work LIe nIgIL
Iong. WIen Ie reucIed LIe bencIIund ubove LIe cunyon IIoor Ie couId Ieur u sLreum
runnIng In LIe gorge beIow IIm und Ie wenL sLumbIIng uIong wILI IIs Iunds In IIs
urmpILs IIke u IugILIve In u mudmun's wuIsLcouL. He reucIed u sundy wusI und IoIIowed
IL down und IL Look IIm uL IusL ouL upon LIe deserL uguIn wIere Ie sLood LoLLerIng In
LIe coId und cusLIng ubouL dumbIy Ior some sLur In LIe overcusL.
MosL oI LIe snow Iud bIown or meILed Irom oII LIe pIuIn on wIIcI Ie Iound IImseII.
Tundem sLorms were bIowIng down-counLry Irom LIe norLI und LIe LIunder LrundIed
uwuy In LIe dIsLunce und LIe uIr wus coId und smeIIed oI weL sLone. He sLruck ouL
ucross LIe burren pun, noLIIng buL spurse LuILs oI gruss und LIe wIdeIy scuLLered
puImIIIu sLundIng soIILury und sIIenL uguInsL LIe IowerIng sky IIke oLIer beIngs posLed
LIere. To LIe eusL LIe mounLuIns sLood IooLed bIuckIy InLo LIe deserL und beIore IIm
were bIuIIs or promonLorIes LIuL run ouL IIke IeudIunds mussIve und sombre upon LIe
deserL IIoor. He cIopped on woodenIy, IuII Irozen, IIs IeeL senseIess. He'd been wILIouL
Iood Ior uImosL Lwo duys und Ie'd Iud IILLIe resL. He cILed LIe LerruIn beIore IIm In LIe
perIodIc IIure oI LIe IIgILnIng und Lrudged on und In LIIs munner Ie rounded u durk
cupe oI rock oII Lo IIs rIgIL und cume Lo u IuIL, sIIverIng und bIowIng InLo IIs cIuwed
und puIsIed Iunds. n LIe dIsLunce beIore IIm u IIre burned on LIe pruIrIe, u soIILury
IIume Iruyed by LIe wInd LIuL IresIened und Iuded und sIed scuLLered spurks down LIe
sLorm IIke IoL scurI bIown Irom some unreckonubIe Iorge IowIIng In LIe wusLe. He suL
und wuLcIed IL. He couId noL judge Iow Iur IL wus. He Iuy on IIs sLomucI Lo skyIIgIL
LIe LerruIn Lo see wIuL men were LIere buL LIere wus no sky und no IIgIL. He Iuy Ior u
# Iong LIme wuLcI ng buL Ie suw noLIIng move.
WIen Ie wenL on uguIn LIe IIre seemed Lo recede beIore IIm. A Lroop oI IIgures pussed
beLween IIm und LIe IIgIL. TIen uguIn. WoIves perIups. He wenL on.
L wus u Ione Lree burnIng on LIe deserL. A IeruIdIc Lree LIuL LIe pussIng sLorm Iud IeIL
uIIre. TIe soIILury pIIgrIm druwn up beIore IL Iud LruveIed Iur Lo be Iere und Ie kneIL
In LIe IoL sund und IeId IIs numbed Iunds ouL wIIIe uII ubouL In LIuL cIrcIe uLLended
compunIes oI Iesser uuxIIIurIes rouLed IorLI InLo LIe InordInuLe duy, smuII owIs LIuL
croucIed sIIenLIy und sLood Irom IooL Lo IooL und LurunLuIus und soIpugus und
vInegurroons und LIe vIcIous myguIe spIders und beuded IIzurds wILI mouLIs bIuck us u
% cIowdog's, deudIy Lo mun, und LIe IILLIe deserL busI Isks LIuL jeL bIood Irom LIeIr eyes
und LIe smuII sundvIpers IIke seemIy gods, sIIenL und LIe sume, In Jedu, In BubyIon. A
consLeIIuLIon oI IgnILed eyes LIuL edged LIe rIng oI IIgIL uII bound In u precurIous Lruce
beIore LIIs LorcI wIose brIgILness Iud seL buck LIe sLurs In LIeIr sockeLs.
WIen LIe sun rose Ie wus usIeep under LIe smoIderIng skeIeLon oI u bIuckened scrog.
TIe sLorm Iud Iong pussed oII Lo LIe souLI und LIe new sky wus ruw und bIue und LIe
spIre oI smoke Irom LIe burnL Lree sLood verLIcuIIy In LIe sLIII duwn IIke u sIender sLyIus
murkIng LIe Iour wILI ILs purLIcuIur und IuInLIy breuLIIng sIudow upon LIe Iuce oI u
LerruIn LIuL wus wILIouL oLIer desIgnuLIon. AII LIe creuLures LIuL Iud been uL vIgII wILI
IIm In LIe nIgIL were gone und ubouL IIm Iuy onIy LIe sLrunge coruI sIupes oI IuIgurILe
In LIeIr scorcIed Iurrows Iused ouL oI LIe sund wIere buII IIgILnIng Iud run upon LIe
ground In LIe nIgIL IIssIng und sLInkIng oI suIpIur.
SeuLed LuIIorwIse In LIe eye oI LIuL cruLered wusLe Ie wuLcIed LIe worId Lend uwuy uL
LIe edges Lo u sIImmerIng surmIse LIuL rInged LIe deserL round. AILer u wIIIe Ie rose
% und mude IIs wuy Lo LIe edge oI LIe pun und up LIe dry course oI un urroyo, IoI
owIng LIe smuII demonIc Lrucks oI juveIInus unLII Ie cume upon LIem drInkIng uL u
# sLundIng pooI oI wuLer. TIey IIusIed snorL ng InLo LIe cIupurruI und Ie Iuy In LIe weL
LrumpIed sund und drunk und resLed und drunk uguIn.
n LIe uILernoon Ie sLurLed ucross LIe vuIIey IIoor wILI LIe weIgIL oI LIe wuLer swIngIng
In IIs guL. TIree Iours IuLer Ie sLood In LIe Iong urc oI IorseLrucks comIng up Irom
LIe souLI wIere LIe purLy Iud pussed. He IoIIowed LIe edge oI LIe Lrucks und sorLed
ouL sIngIe rIders und Ie reckoned LIeIr number und Ie reckoned LIem Lo be rIdIng uL u
cunLer. He IoIIowed LIe Lruce Ior severuI mIIes und Ie couId LeII by LIe uILernuLIon oI
Lrucks rIdden over LIuL uII LIese rIders Iud pussed LogeLIer und Ie couId LeII by LIe
smuII rocks overLurned und IoIes sLepped InLo LIuL LIey Iud pussed In LIe nIgIL. He
sLood IookIng ouL Irom under IIs Iund Iong downcounLry Ior uny dusL or rumor oI
EIIus. TIere wus noLIIng. He wenL on. A mIIe IurLIer und Ie cume upon u sLrunge
bIuckened muss In LIe LruII IIke u burnL curcuss oI some ungodIy beusL. He cIrcIed IL.
TIe Lrucks oI woIves und coyoLes Iud wuIked LIrougI LIe Iorse und booL prInLs, IILLIe
suIIIes und sorLIes LIuL IeLcIed up Lo LIe edge oI LIuL IncIneruLed sIupe und IIured uwuy
uguIn.
L wus LIe remuIns oI LIe scuIps Luken on LIe NucozurI und LIey Iud been burned
2 unredeemed In u green und sLInkIng bon Ire so LIuL noLIIng remuIned oI LIe pobIunos
suve LIIs cIurred couguIuLe oI LIeIr preLerILe IIves. TIe cremuLIon Iud been sILed upon u
/ rIse oI ground und Ie sLudIed every quurLer oI LIe Ler uIn ubouL buL LIere wus noLIIng
# Lo be seen. He wenL on, IoIIow ng LIe Lrucks wILI LIeIr suggesLIon oI pursuIL und
durkness, LruIIIng LIem LIrougI LIe deepenIng LwIIIgIL. WILI sunseL IL grew coId, yeL
noLIIng IIke so coId us In LIe mounLuIns. HIs IusL Iud weukened IIm und Ie suL In LIe
sund Lo resL und woke spruwIed und LwIsLed on LIe ground. TIe moon wus up, u IuII
moon LIuL suL IIke u cIIId's bouL In LIe gup oI LIe bIuck puper mounLuIns Lo LIe eusL.
* He rose und wenL on. CoyoLes were yup Ing ouL LIere und IIs IeeL reeIed beneuLI IIm.
An Iour more oI sucI progress und Ie cume upon u Iorse.
L Iud been sLundIng In LIe Lruce und IL moved oII In LIe durk und sLood uguIn. He
IuILed wILI IIs pIsLoI druwn. TIe Iorse wenL pusL, u durk sIupe, rIder or none Ie couId
noL LeII. L cIrcIed und cume buck.
He spoke Lo IL. He couId Ieur ILs deep puImonury breuLIIng ouL LIere und Ie couId
Ieur IL move und wIen IL cume buck Ie couId smeII IL. He IoIIowed IL ubouL Ior LIe
beLLer purL oI un Iour, LuIkIng Lo IL, wIIsLIIng, IoIdIng ouL IIs Iunds. WIen Ie goL neur
enougI Lo LoucI IL uL IusL Ie Look IoId oI IL by LIe mune und IL wenL LroLLIng us beIore
und Ie run uIongsIde und cIung Lo IL und IInuIIy wrupped IIs Iegs ubouL one IoreIeg und
brougIL IL Lo LIe ground In u Ieup.
He wus LIe IIrsL up. TIe unImuI wus sLruggIIng Lo rIse und Ie LIougIL IL wus Injured In
LIe IuII buL IL wus noL. He cIncIed IIs beIL ubouL ILs muzzIe und mounLed IL und IL rose
und sLood LrembIIng under IIm wILI ILs Iegs spreud. He puLLed IL uIong LIe wILIers und
spoke Lo IL und IL moved Iorwurd uncerLuInIy.
He reckoned IL one oI LIe puckIorses purcIused In Ures. L sLopped und Ie urged IL
Iorwurd buL IL dId noL go. He brougIL IIs booLIeeIs sIurpIy up under ILs rIbs und IL
6 squuLLed on ILs IIndquurLers und wenL crubbIng sIdewuys. He reucIed und un Id LIe
beIL Irom ILs muzzIe und kIcked IL Iorwurd und guve IL u wIuck wILI LIe beIL und IL
sLepped ouL rIgIL smurLIy. He LwIsLed u good IundIuI oI LIe mune In IIs IIsL und
jummed LIe pIsLoI secureIy In IIs wuIsL und rode on, percIed upon LIe ruw spIne oI LIe
unImuI wILI LIe verLebru urLIcuIuLIng puIpubIe und dIscreLe under LIe IIde.
n LIeIr rIdIng LIey were joIned by unoLIer Iorse LIuL cume oII LIe deserL und wuIked
uIongsIde LIem und IL wus sLIII LIere wIen duwn broke. n LIe nIgIL Loo LIe Lrucks oI
LIe rIders Iud been joIned by u Iurger purLy und IL wus u broud und LrumpIed cuusewuy
LIuL now Ied up LIe vuIIey IIoor Lo LIe norLI. WILI duyIIgIL Ie Ieuned down wILI IIs
6 Iuce uguInsL LIe Iorse's sIouI er und sLudIed LIe Lrucks. TIey were unsIod ndIun
ponIes und LIere were perIups u Iundred oI LIem. Nor Iud LIey joIned LIe rIders buL
ruLIer been joIned by LIem. He pusIed on. TIe IILLIe Iorse LIuL Iud come Lo LIem In
LIe nIgIL Iud moved oII some Ieugues und now puced LIem wILI u wuLcIIuI eye und LIe
Iorse Ie rode wus nervous und III Ior wunL oI wuLer.
By noon LIe unImuI wus IuIIIng. He LrIed Lo coux IL ouL oI LIe Lruck Lo cuLcI LIe oLIer
Iorse buL IL wouId noL quIL LIe course IL wus seL upon. He sucked on u pebbIe und
surveyed LIe counLrysIde. TIen Ie suw rIders uIeud oI IIm. TIey'd noL been LIere, LIen
LIey were LIere. He reuIIzed IL wus LIeIr vIcInILy LIuL wus LIe source oI LIe unresL In
LIe Lwo Iorses und Ie rode on wuLcIIng now LIe unImuIs und now LIe skyIIne Lo LIe
norLI. TIe Iuck LIuL Ie sLruddIed LrembIed und pusIed uIeud und uILer u wIIIe Ie
couId see LIuL LIe rIders wore IuLs. He urged LIe Iorse on und wIen Ie rode up LIe
purLy were IuILed und seuLed on LIe ground uII wuLcIIng IIs upproucI.
TIey Iooked bud. TIey were used up und bIoody und bIuck ubouL LIe eyes und LIey Iud
bound up LIeIr wounds wILI IInens LIuL were IIILIy und bIoodsLuIned und LIeIr cIoLIes
were crusLed wILI drIed bIood und powderbIuck. GIunLon's eyes In LIeIr durk sockeLs
were burnIng cenLroIds oI murder und Ie und IIs Iuggurd rIders sLured buIeIuIIy uL LIe
! kId us II Ie were no purL oI LIem Ior uII LIey were so IIke In wreLcIedness oI cIrcum
Lunce. TIe kId sIId down Irom LIe Iorse und sLood umong LIem guunL und purcIed und
cruzedIookIng. Someone LIrew IIm u cunLeen.
TIey Iud IosL Iour men. TIe oLIers were uIeud on scouL. EIIus Iud Iorced on LIrougI
LIe mounLuIns uII nIgIL und uII LIe duy IoIIowIng und Iud rIdden upon LIem LIrougI
LIe snow In LIe durk on LIe pIuIn IorLy mIIes Lo LIe souLI. TIey'd been IurrIed norLI
over LIe deserL IIke cuLLIe und Iud deIIberuLeIy Luken LIe Lruck oI LIe wurpurLy In order
Lo Iose LIeIr pursuers. TIey dId noL know Iow Iur LIe MexIcuns were beIInd LIem und
LIey dId noL know Iow Iur LIe ApucIes were uIeud.
He drunk Irom LIe cunLeen und Iooked LIem over. OI LIe mIssIng Ie'd no wuy oI
knowIng wIIcI were uIeud wILI LIe scouLs und wIIcI were deud In LIe deserL. TIe
Iorse LIuL Toud-vIne brougIL IIm wus LIe one LIe recruIL SIouL Iud rIdden ouL oI Ures.
WIen LIey moved ouL u IuII Iour IuLer Lwo oI LIe Iorses wouId noL rIse und were IeIL
beIInd. He suL u IIdeIess und rIckeLy suddIe usLrIde LIe deud mun's Iorse und Ie rode
sIumped und LoLLerIng und soon IIs Iegs und urms were dungIIng und Ie josLIed uIong In
IIs sIeep IIke u mounLed murIoneLLe. He woke Lo IInd LIe exprIesL uIongsIde IIm. He
sIepL uguIn. WIen Ie woke nexL IL wus LIe judge wus LIere. He Loo Iud IosL IIs IuL und
Ie rode wILI u woven wreuLI oI deserL scrub ubouL IIs Ieud IIke some egregIous
suILIund burd und Ie Iooked down upon LIe reIugee wILI LIe sume smIIe, us II LIe worId
were pIeusIng even Lo IIm uIone.
TIey rode uII LIe resL oI LIuL duy, up LIrougI Iow roIIIng IIIIs covered wILI cIoIIu und
wIILeLIorn. rom LIme Lo LIme one oI LIe spure Iorses wouId sLop und sLund swuyIng In
LIe Lruck und grow smuII beIInd LIem. TIey rode down u Iong norLI sIope In LIe coId
bIue evenIng und LIrougI u burren bujudu grown onIy wILI sporudIc ocoLIIIo und sLunds
oI grumu und LIey mude cump In LIe IIuL und uII nIgIL LIe wInd bIew und LIey couId
see oLIer IIres burnIng on LIe deserL Lo LIe norLI. TIe judge wuIked ouL und Iooked
over LIe Iorses und seIecLed Irom LIuL sorry remudu LIe unImuI IeusL IIkeIy In
uppeurunce und cuugIL IL up. He Ied IL pusL LIe IIre und cuIIed Ior someone Lo come
IoId IL. No one rose. TIe exprIesL Ieuned Lo LIe kId.
Puy IIm no mInd Iud.
TIe judge cuIIed uguIn Irom LIe durk beyond LIe IIre und LIe exprIesL pIuced u
cuuLIonury Iund upon LIe kId's urm. BuL LIe kId rose und spuL InLo LIe IIre. He Lurned
und eyed LIe exprIesL.
You LIInk 'm uIruId oI IIm?
TIe exprIesL dIdnL unswer und LIe kId Lurned und wenL ouL InLo LIe durkness wIere LIe
judge wuILed.
He sLood IoIdIng LIe Iorse. JusL IIs LeeLI gIIsLened In LIe IIreIIgIL. TogeLIer LIey Ied
LIe unImuI oII u IILLIe wuys und LIe kId IeId LIe woven reuLu wIIIe LIe judge Look up u
round rock weIgIIng perIups u Iundred pounds und crusIed LIe Iorse's skuII wILI u
sIngIe bIow. BIood sIoL ouL oI ILs eurs und IL sIummed Lo LIe ground so Iurd LIuL one
oI ILs IoreIegs broke under IL wILI u duII snup.
TIey skInned ouL LIe IIndquurLers wILIouL guLLIng LIe unImuI und LIe men cuL sLeuks
Irom IL und rousLed LIem over LIe IIre und cuL LIe resL oI LIe meuL In sLrIps und Iung
IL Lo smoke. TIe scouLs dId noL come In und LIey posLed vIdeLLes und Lurned In Lo sIeep
eucI mun wILI IIs weupons uL IIs breusL.
MIdmornIng oI LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey crossed un uIkuII pun wIereon were convoked un
* ussembIy oI men's Ieuds. TIe com uny IuILed und GIunLon und LIe judge rode Iorwurd.
TIe Ieuds were eIgIL In number und eucI wore u IuL und LIey Iormed u rIng uII IucIng
ouLwurd. GIunLon und LIe judge cIrcIed LIem und LIe judge IuILed und sLepped down
und pusIed over one oI LIe Ieuds wILI IIs booL. As II Lo suLIsIy IImseII LIuL no mun
sLood burIed In LIe sund beneuLI IL. TIe oLIer Ieuds gIured bIIndIy ouL oI LIeIr wrInkIed
eyes IIke IeIIows oI some rIgILeous InILIuLe gIven up Lo vows oI sIIence und oI deuLI.
TIe rIders Iooked oII Lo LIe norLI. TIey rode on. Beyond u sIuIIow rIse In coId usI Iuy
LIe bIuckened wreckuge oI u puIr oI wugons und LIe nude Lorsos oI LIe purLy. TIe wInd
Iud sIIILed LIe usIes und LIe Iron uxIeLrees murked LIe sIupes oI LIe wugons us
keeIsons do LIe bones oI sIIps on LIe seu's IIoors. TIe bodIes Iud been purLIy euLen
und rooks IIew up us LIe rIders upproucIed und u puIr oI buzzurds begun Lo LroL oII
ucross LIe sund wILI LIeIr wIngs ouLIeId IIke soIIed cIorInes, LIeIr boIIed-IookIng Ieuds
jerkIng obsceneIy.
TIey wenL on. TIey crossed u dry esLuury oI LIe deserL IIuL und In LIe uILernoon LIey
rode up LIrougI u serIes oI nurrow deIIIes InLo u roIIIng IIII counLry. TIey couId smeII
LIe smoke oI pInonwood IIres und beIore durk LIey rode InLo LIe Lown oI SunLu Cruz.
TIIs Lown IIke uII LIe presIdIos uIong LIe border wus mucI reduced Irom ILs Iormer
esLuLe und muny oI LIe buIIdIngs were unInIubILed und ruInous. TIe comIng oI LIe
rIders Iud been crIed beIore LIem und LIe wuy sLood IIned wILI InIubILunLs wuLcIIng
dumbIy us LIey pussed, LIe oId women In bIuck rebozos und LIe men urmed wILI oId
muskeLs und mIqueIeLs or guns IubrIcuLed ouL oI purLs rudeIy IeL InLo sLocks oI
coLLonwood LIuL Iud been sIuped wILI uxes IIke cIubIouse guns Ior boys. TIere were
even guns umong LIem wILI no Iocks uL uII LIuL were IIred by jummIng u cIgurIIIo
uguInsL LIe venL In LIe burreI, sendIng LIe gunsLones Irom LIe rIverbed wILI wIIcI LIey
- were Iouded wIIssIng LIrougI LIe uIr on IIIgILs oI LIeIr own eccenLrIc seIec Ion IIke LIe
puLIs oI meLeorILes. TIe AmerIcuns pusIed LIeIr Iorses Iorwurd. L Iud begun Lo snow
uguIn und u coId wInd bIew down LIe nurrow sLreeL beIore LIem. Even In LIeIr wreLcIed
sLuLe LIey gIured Irom LIeIr suddIes uL LIIs IuIsLuIIIun mIIILIu wILI undIsguIsed conLempL.
TIey sLood umong LIeIr Iorses In LIe squuIId IILLIe uIumedu wIIIe LIe wInd runsucked
LIe Lrees und LIe bIrds nesLIng In LIe gruy LwIIIgIL crIed ouL und cIuLcIed LIe IImbs und
LIe snow swIrIed und bIew ucross LIe IILLIe squure und sIrouded LIe sIupes oI LIe mud
buIIdIngs beyond und mude muLe LIe crIes oI LIe vendors wIo'd IoIIowed LIem. GIunLon
und LIe MexIcun Ie'd seL ouL wILI reLurned und LIe compuny mounLed up und IIIed ouL
down LIe sLreeL unLII LIey cume Lo un oId wooden guLe LIuL Ied InLo u courLyurd. TIe
courLyurd wus dusLed wILI snow und wILIIn were conLuIned burnyurd IowI und
9 unImuIs?gouLs, u burro IuL cIuwed und scrubbIed bIIndIy uL LIe wuIIs us LIe rIders
enLered. n one corner sLood u LrIpod oI bIuckened sLIcks und LIere wus u Iurge
bIoodsLuIn LIuL Iud been purLIy snowed over und sIowed u IuInL puIe rose In LIe IusL
IIgIL. A mun cume ouL oI LIe Iouse und Ie und GIunLon spoke und LIe mun LuIked wILI
LIe MexIcun und LIen Ie moLIoned LIem In ouL oI LIe weuLIer.
TIey suL In LIe IIoor oI u Iong room wILI u IIgI ceIIIng und smokesLuIned vIgus wIIIe u
womun und u gIrI brougIL bowIs oI guIsudo mude Irom gouL und u cIuy pIuLe Ieuped
wILI bIue LorLIIIus und LIey were served bowIs oI beuns und oI coIIee und u cornmeuI
porrIdge In wIIcI suL IILLIe cIunks oI ruw brown peIoncIIIo sugur. OuLsIde IL wus durk
und LIe snow swIrIed down. TIere wus no IIre In LIe room und LIe Iood sLeumed
ponderousIy. WIen LIey Iud euLen LIey suL smokIng und LIe women guLIered up LIe
bowIs und uILer u wIIIe u boy cume wILI u IunLern und Ied LIem ouL.
TIey crossed LIe yurd umong LIe snuIIIIng Iorses und LIe boy opened u rougI wooden
door In un udobe sIed und sLood by IoIdIng LIe Iump uIoIL. TIey brougIL LIeIr suddIes
und LIeIr bIunkeLs. n LIe yurd LIe Iorses sLumped In LIe coId.
TIe sIed IeId u mure wILI u suckIIng coIL und LIe boy wouId Iuve puL Ier ouL buL LIey
/ cuIIed Lo IIm Lo Ieuve Ier. TIey cur Ied sLruw Irom u sLuII und pILcIed IL down und Ie
IeId LIe Iump Ior LIem wIIIe LIey spreud LIeIr beddIng. TIe burn smeIIed oI cIuy und
sLruw und munure und In LIe soIIed yeIIow IIgIL oI LIe Iump LIeIr breuLI roIIed smokIng
LIrougI LIe coId. WIen LIey Iud urrunged LIeIr bIunkeLs LIe boy Iowered LIe Iump und
sLepped InLo LIe yurd und puIIed LIe door sIuL beIInd, IeuvIng LIem In proIound und
ubsoIuLe durkness.
No one moved. n LIuL coId sLubIe LIe sIuLLIng oI LIe door muy Iuve evoked In some
IeurLs oLIer IosLeIs und noL oI LIeIr cIoosIng. TIe mure snIIIed uneusIIy und LIe young
coIL sLepped ubouL. TIen one by one LIey begun Lo dIvesL LIemseIves oI LIeIr ouLer
cIoLIes, LIe IIde sIIckers und ruw wooI serupes und vesLs, und one by one LIey
propuguLed ubouL LIemseIves u greuL cruckIIng oI spurks und eucI mun wus seen Lo weur
" u sIroud oI puIesL IIre. TIeIr urms uIoIL puIIIng uL LIeIr cIoLIes were IumI ous und
eucI obscure souI wus enveIoped In uudIbIe sIupes oI IIgIL us II IL Iud uIwuys been so.
TIe mure uL LIe Iur end oI LIe sLubIe snorLed und sIIed uL LIIs IumInosILy In beIngs so
en-durkened und LIe IILLIe Iorse Lurned und IId IIs Iuce In LIe web oI IIs dum's IIunk.
XV
TIe SunLu Cruz vuIIey - Sun BernurdIno - WIId buIIs ?
TumucucorI ?TIe mIssIon ?A IermIL - Tubuc -TIe IosL scouLs -
Sun XuvIer deI Buc ?TIe presIdIo oI Tucson -Scuvengers ?
TIe CIIrIcuIuus - A rIsky encounLer - Mungus CoIorudo - IeuLenunL
CouLs - RecruILIng In LIe pIuzu - A wIId mun -Murder oI Owens -
n LIe cunLInu ?Mr BeII Is exumIned - TIe judge on evIdence ?
DogIreuks - A Iundungo - Judge und meLeorILe.
L wus coIder yeL In LIe mornIng wIen LIey rode ouL. TIere wus no one In LIe sLreeLs
und LIere were no Lrucks In LIe new snow. AL LIe edge oI LIe Lown LIey suw wIere
woIves Iud crossed LIe roud.
TIey rode ouL by u smuII rIver, skIm Ice, u Irozen mursI wIere ducks wuIked up und
buck muLLerIng. TIuL uILernoon LIey Lruversed u IusI vuIIey wIere LIe deud wInLer gruss
reucIed Lo LIe Iorses' beIIIes. EmpLy IIeIds wIere LIe crops Iud roLLed und orcIurds oI
uppIe und quInce und pomegrunuLe wIere LIe IruIL Iud drIed und IuIIen Lo LIe ground.
TIey Iound deer yurded up In LIe meudows und LIe Lrucks oI cuLLIe und LIuL nIgIL us
LIey suL ubouL LIeIr IIre rousLIng LIe rIbs und IuuncIes oI u young doe LIey couId Ieur
LIe IowIng oI buIIs In LIe durk.
TIe IoIIowIng duy LIey rode pusL LIe ruIns oI LIe oId IucIendu uL Sun BernurdIno. On
LIuL runge LIey suw wIId buIIs so oId LIuL LIey bore SpunIsI brunds on LIeIr IIps und
severuI oI LIese unImuIs cIurged LIe IILLIe compuny und were sIoL down und IeIL on LIe
ground unLII one cume ouL oI u sLund oI ucucIu In u wusI und burIed ILs Iorns Lo LIe
boss In LIe rIbs oI u Iorse rIdden by Jumes MIIIer. He'd IIILed IIs IooL ouL oI LIe neur
sLIrrup wIen Ie suw IL comIng und LIe ImpucL uII buL jurred IIm Irom LIe suddIe. TIe
Iorse screumed und kIcked buL LIe buII Iud pIunLed ILs IeeL und IL IIILed LIe unImuI
rIder und uII cIeur oI LIe ground beIore MIIIer couId geL IIs pIsLoI Iree und wIen Ie puL
LIe muzzIe Lo LIe buII's IoreIeud und IIred und LIe wIoIe groLesque ussembIy coIIupsed
Ie sLepped cIeur oI LIe wreckuge und wuIked oII In dIsgusL wILI LIe smokIng gun
dungIIng In IIs Iund. TIe Iorse wus sLruggIIng Lo rIse und Ie wenL buck und sIoL IL
und puL LIe gun In IIs beIL und commenced Lo unbuckIe LIe gIrLIsLrups. TIe Iorse wus
IyIng squure uLop LIe deud buII und IL Look IIm some LuggIng Lo geL LIe suddIe Iree.
TIe oLIer rIders Iud sLopped Lo wuLcI und someone Iuzed Iorwurd LIe IusL spure Iorse
ouL oI LIe remudu buL oLIer LIun LIuL LIey oIIered IIm no IeIp.
TIey rode on, IoIIowIng LIe course oI LIe SunLu Cruz, up LIrougI sLunds oI Immense
rIverboLLom coLLonwoods. TIey dId noL cuL LIe sIgn oI LIe ApucIe uguIn und LIey Iound
no Lruce oI LIe mIssIng scouLs. TIe IoIIowIng duy LIey pussed LIe oId mIssIon uL Sun
Jose de TumucucorI und LIe judge rode oII Lo Iook uL LIe cIurcI wIIcI sLood ubouL u
mIIe oII LIe Lruck. He'd gIven u sIorL dIsquIsILIon on LIe IIsLory und urcIILecLure oI LIe
mIssIon und LIose wIo Ieurd IL wouId noL beIIeve LIuL Ie Iud never been LIere. TIree
oI LIe purLy rode wILI IIm und GIunLon wuLcIed LIem go wILI durk mIsgIvIng. He und
LIe oLIers rode on u sIorL dIsLunce und LIen Ie IuILed und Lurned buck.
TIe oId cIurcI wus In ruIns und LIe door sLood open Lo LIe IIgI wuIIed encIosure.
WIen GIunLon und IIs men rode LIrougI LIe crumbIIng porLuI Iour Iorses sLood
rIderIess In LIe empLy compound umong LIe deud IruIL Lrees und grupevInes. GIunLon
rode wILI IIs rIIIe uprIgIL beIore IIm, LIe buLLpIuLe on IIs LIIgI. HIs dog IeeIed Lo LIe
Iorse und LIey upproucIed cuuLIousIy LIe suggIng wuIIs oI LIe cIurcI. TIey wouId Iuve
rIdden LIeIr Iorses LIrougI LIe door buL us LIey reucIed IL LIere wus u rIIIesIoL Irom
InsIde und pIgeons IIupped up und LIey sIIpped down Irom LIeIr mounLs und croucIed
beIInd LIem wILI LIeIr rIIIes. GIunLon Iooked buck uL LIe oLIers und LIen wuIked IIs
Iorse Iorwurd Lo wIere Ie couId see InLo LIe InLerIor. PurL oI LIe upper wuII wus IuIIen
In und mosL oI LIe rooI und LIere wus u mun IyIng In LIe IIoor. GIunLon Ied LIe Iorse
InLo LIe sucrIsLy und sLood IookIng down wILI LIe oLIers.
TIe mun In LIe IIoor wus dyIng und Ie wus dressed uILogeLIer In Iomemude cIoLIes oI
sIeepIIde even Lo booLs und u sLrunge cup. TIey Lurned IIm over on LIe crucked cIuy
LIIes und IIs juw moved und u bIoody spILLIe Iormed uIong IIs Iower IIp. HIs eyes were
- duII und LIere wus Ieur In LIem und LIere wus some IIng eIse. JoIn PreweLL sLood LIe
buLL oI IIs rIIIe In LIe IIoor und swung IIs Iorn ubouL Lo recIurge LIe pIece. seen
unoLIern run, Ie suId. TIey's Lwo oI em.
TIe mun In LIe IIoor begun Lo move. He Iud one urm IyIng In IIs groIn und Ie moved
IL sIIgILIy und poInLed. AL LIem or uL LIe IeIgIL Irom wIIcI Ie Iud IuIIen or Lo IIs
desLInuLIon In eLernILy LIey dId noL know. TIen Ie dIed.
GIunLon Iooked ubouL LIe ruIns. WIere dId LIIs son oI u bILcI come Irom? Ie suId.
PreweLL nodded Lowurd LIe crumbIIng mud purupeL. He wus up yonder. dIdnL know
wIuL Ie wus. SLIII donL. sIoL LIe son oI u bILcI ouL oI LIere.
GIunLon Iooked uL LIe judge.
LIInk Ie wus un ImbecIIe, LIe judge suId.
GIunLon Ied IIs Iorse LIrougI LIe cIurcI und ouL by u smuII door In LIe nuve InLo LIe
yurd. He wus sILLIng LIere wIen LIey brougIL LIe oLIer IermIL ouL. Juckson prodded
IIm Iorwurd wILI LIe burreI oI IIs rIIIe, u smuII LIIn mun, noL young. TIe one LIey'd
kIIIed wus IIs broLIer. TIey Iud jumped sIIp on LIe cousL Iong ugo und mude LIeIr wuy
Lo LIIs pIuce. He wus LerrIIIed und Ie spoke no engIIsI und IILLIe SpunIsI. TIe judge
spoke Lo IIm In germun. TIey Iud been Iere Ior yeurs. TIe broLIer Iud IIs wILs sLoIe
In LIIs pIuce und LIe mun now beIore LIem In IIs IIdes und IIs pecuIIur booLees wus
noL uILogeLIer sune. TIey IeIL IIm LIere. As LIey rode ouL Ie wus LroLLIng up und buck
In LIe yurd cuIIIng ouL. He seemed noL Lo be uwure LIuL IIs broLIer wus deud In LIe
cIurcI.
TIe judge cuugIL GIunLon up und LIey rode sIde by sIde ouL Lo LIe roud.
GIunLon spuL. OrL Lo oI sIoL LIuL one Loo, Ie suId.
TIe judge smIIed.
donL IIke Lo see wIILe men LIuL wuy, GIunLon suId. DuLcI or wIuLever. donL IIke Lo
see IL.
TIey rode norLI uIong LIe rIver Lruce. TIe woods were bure und LIe Ieuves on LIe
ground cIuLcIed IILLIe scuIes oI Ice und LIe moLLIed und bony IImbs oI LIe coLLonwoods
were sLurk und Ieuvy uguInsL LIe quIILed deserL sky. n LIe evenIng LIey pussed LIrougI
Tubuc, ubundoned, wIeuL deud In LIe wInLer IIeIds und gruss growIng In LIe sLreeL.
TIere wus u bIInd mun on u sLoop wuLcIIng LIe pIuzu und us LIey pussed Ie ruIsed IIs
Ieud Lo IIsLen.
TIey rode ouL onLo LIe deserL Lo cump. TIere wus no wInd und LIe sIIence ouL LIere
- wus greuLIy Iuvored by every kInd oI IugI Ive us wus LIe open counLry ILseII und no
mounLuIns cIose uL Iund Ior enemIes Lo bIuck LIemseIves uguInsL. TIey were cuugIL up
und suddIed In LIe mornIng beIore IIgIL, uII rIdIng LogeLIer, LIeIr urms uL LIe reudy.
, EucI mun scunned LIe LerruIn und LIe move enLs oI LIe IeusL oI creuLures were Iogged
InLo LIeIr coIIecLIve cognIzunce unLII LIey were IederuLed wILI InvIsIbIe wIres oI vIgIIunce
" und udvunced upon LIuL Iundscupe wILI u sIngIe reso unce. TIey pussed ubundoned
IucIendus und roudsIde gruves und by mIdmornIng LIey Iud pIcked up LIe Lruck oI LIe
ApucIes uguIn comIng In oII LIe deserL Lo LIe wesL und udvuncIng beIore LIem LIrougI
LIe Ioose sund oI LIe rIverboLLom. TIe rIders goL down und pIncIed up sumpIes oI LIe
Iorced sund uL LIe rIm oI LIe Lrucks und LesLed IL beLween LIeIr IIngers und cuIIbruLed
ILs moIsLure uguInsL LIe sun und IeL IL IuII und Iooked oII up LIe rIver LIrougI LIe
nuked Lrees. TIey remounLed und rode on.
TIey Iound LIe IosL scouLs IungIng Ieud downwurd Irom LIe IImbs oI u IIrebIucked
puIoverde Lree. TIey were skewered LIrougI LIe cords oI LIeIr IeeIs wILI sIurpened
sIuLLIes oI green wood und LIey Iung gruy und nuked ubove LIe deud usIes oI LIe couIs
wIere LIey'd been rousLed unLII LIeIr Ieuus Iud cIurred und LIe bruIns bubbIed In LIe
skuIIs und sLeum sung Irom LIeIr noseIoIes. TIeIr Longues were druwn ouL und IeId
wILI sIurpened sLIcks LIrusL LIrougI LIem und LIey Iud been docked oI LIeIr eurs und
LIeIr Lorsos were sIIced open wILI IIInLs unLII LIe enLruIIs Iung down on LIeIr cIesLs.
Some oI LIe men pusIed Iorwurd wILI LIeIr knIves und cuL LIe bodIes down und LIey
IeIL LIem LIere In LIe usIes. TIe Lwo durker Iorms were LIe IusL oI LIe DeIuwures und
LIe oLIer Lwo were LIe VundIemenIunder und u mun Irom LIe eusL numed GIIcIrIsL.
Among LIeIr burburous IosLs LIey Iud meL wILI neILIer Iuvor nor dIscrImInuLIon buL Iud
suIIered und dIed ImpurLIuIIy.
TIey rode LIuL nIgIL LIrougI LIe mIssIon oI Sun XuvIer deI Buc, LIe cIurcI soIemn und
sLurk In LIe sLurIIgIL. NoL u dog burked. TIe cIusLers oI Pupugo IuLs seemed wILIouL
" LenunL. TIe uIr wus coId und cIeur und LIe counLry LIere und beyond Iuy In u durk ess
uncIuImed by so mucI us un owI. A puIe green meLeor cume up LIe vuIIey IIoor beIInd
LIem und pussed overIeud und vunIsIed sIIenLIy In LIe voId.
AL duwn on LIe ouLskIrLs oI LIe presIdIo oI Tucson LIey pussed LIe ruIns oI severuI
IucIendus und LIey pussed more roudsIde murkers wIere peopIe Iud been murdered. OuL
on LIe pIuIn sLood u smuII esLuncIu wIere LIe buIIdIngs were sLIII smokIng und uIong LIe
segmenLs oI u Ience consLrucLed Irom LIe bones oI cucLus suL vuILures sIouIder Lo
sIouIder IucIng eusL Lo LIe promIsed sun, IIILIng one IooL und LIen LIe oLIer und
IoIdIng ouL LIeIr wIngs IIke cIouks. TIey suw LIe bones oI pIgs LIuL Iud dIed In u
cIuywuIIed IoL und LIey suw u woII In u meIonpuLcI LIuL croucIed beLween ILs LIIn
eIbows und wuLcIed LIem us LIey pussed. TIe Lown Iuy on LIe pIuIn Lo LIe norLI In u
LIIn IIne oI puIe wuIIs und LIey grouped LIeIr Iorses uIong u Iow esker oI gruveI und
surveyed IL und LIe counLry und LIe nuked runges oI mounLuIns beyond. TIe sLones oI
LIe deserL Iuy In durk LeLIers oI sIudow und u wInd wus bIowIng ouL oI LIe sun wIere
IL suL squuL und puIsIng uL LIe eusLern reucIes oI LIe eurLI. TIey cIucked up LIeIr
Iorses und suIIIed ouL onLo LIe IIuL us dId LIe ApucIe Lruck beIore LIem Lwo duys oId
und u Iundred rIders sLrong.
TIey rode wILI LIeIr rIIIes on LIeIr knees, Iunned ouL, rIdIng ubreusL. TIe deserL sunrIse
IIured over LIe ground beIore LIem und rIngdoves rose ouL oI LIe cIupurruI by ones und
by puIrs und wIIsLIed uwuy wILI LIIn cuIIs. A LIousund yurds ouL und LIey couId see LIe
ApucIes cumped uIong LIe souLI wuII. TIeIr unImuIs were gruzIng umong LIe wIIIows In
LIe perIodIc rIver busIn Lo LIe wesL oI LIe Lown und wIuL seemed Lo be rocks or debrIs
under LIe wuII wus LIe sordId coIIecLIon oI IeunLos und wIckIups LIrown up wILI poIes
und IIdes und wugonsIeeLs.
TIey rode on. A Iew dogs Iud begun Lo burk. GIunLon's dog wus quurLerIng buck und
IorLI nervousIy und u depuLuLIon oI rIders Iud seL ouL Irom LIe cump.
TIey were CIIrIcuIuus, LwenLy, LwenLy-IIve oI LIem. Even wILI LIe sun up IL wus noL
ubove IreezIng und yeL LIey suL LIeIr Iorses IuII nuked, nuugIL buL booLs und
breecIcIouLs und LIe pIumed IIde IeImeLs LIey wore, sLoneuge suvuges duubed wILI cIuy
puInLs In obscure cIurges, greusy, sLInkIng, LIe puInL on LIe Iorses puIe under LIe dusL
und LIe Iorses pruncIng und bIowIng coId. TIey currIed Iunces und bows und u Iew Iud
muskeLs und LIey Iud Iong bIuck IuIr und deud bIuck eyes LIuL cuL umong LIe rIders
sLudyIng LIeIr urms, LIe scIeru bIoodsIoL und opuque. None spoke even Lo unoLIer und
LIey sIouIdered LIeIr Iorses LIrougI LIe purLy In u sorL oI rILuuI movemenL us II cerLuIn
poInLs oI ground musL be Lrod In u cerLuIn sequence us In u cIIId's gume yeL wILI some
LerrIbIe IorIeIL uL Iund.
TIe Ieuder oI LIese juckuI wurrIors wus u smuII durk mun In cusL-oII MexIcun mIIILury
uLLIre und Ie currIed u sword und Ie currIed In u Lorn und guudy buIdrIc one oI LIe
WIILneyvIIIe CoILs LIuL Iud beIonged Lo LIe scouLs. He suL IIs Iorse beIore GIunLon und
ussessed LIe posILIon oI LIe oLIer rIders und LIen usked In good SpunIsI wIere were
LIey bound. He'd no sooner spoken LIun GIunLon's Iorse Ieuned ILs juw Iorwurd und
seIzed LIe mun's Iorse by LIe eur. BIood IIew. TIe Iorse screumed und reured und LIe
ApucIe sLruggIed Lo keep IIs seuL und drew IIs sword und Iound IImseII sLurIng InLo
LIe bIuck IemnIscuLe LIuL wus LIe puIred bores oI GIunLon's doubIerIIIe. GIunLon sIupped
LIe muzzIe oI IIs Iorse LwIce Iurd und IL Lossed ILs Ieud wILI one eye bIInkIng und
bIood drIppIng Irom ILs mouLI. TIe ApucIe wrencIed IIs pony's Ieud uround und wIen
GIunLon spun Lo Iook uL IIs men Ie Iound LIem Irozen In deudIock wILI LIe suvuges,
LIey und LIeIr urms wIred InLo u consLrucLIon LuuL und IrugIIe us LIose puzzIes wIereIn
LIe pIucemenL oI eucI pIece Is predIcuLed upon every oLIer und LIey In Lurn so LIuL
none cun move Ior brIngIng down LIe sLrucLure enLIre.
TIe Ieuder wus LIe IIrsL Lo speuk. He gesLured uL LIe bIoodIed eur oI IIs mounL und
spoke- ungrIIy In upucIe, IIs durk eyes uvoIdIng GIunLon. TIe judge pusIed IIs Iorse
Iorwurd.
Vuyu LrunquIIo, Ie suId. Un uccIdenLe, nudu mus.
MIre, suId LIe ApucIe. MIre Iu oreju de mI cubuIIo.
He sLeudIed LIe unImuI's Ieud Lo sIow IL buL IL jerked Ioose und sIung LIe broken eur
ubouL so LIuL bIood spruyed LIe rIders. HorsebIood or uny bIood u Lremor run LIuL
/ perIIous urcIILecLure und LIe ponIes sLood rIgId und quIverIng In LIe reddened sun Ise
und LIe deserL under LIem Iummed IIke u snuredrum. TIe LensIIe properLIes oI LIIs
unruLIIIed Lruce were ubused Lo LIe uLmosL oI LIeIr endurIng wIen LIe judge sLood
sIIgILIy In LIe suddIe und ruIsed IIs urm und spoke ouL u greeLIng beyond LIem.
AnoLIer eIgIL or Len mounLed wurrIors Iud rIdden ouL Irom LIe wuII. TIeIr Ieuder wus u
Iuge mun wILI u Iuge Ieud und Ie wus dressed In overuIIs cuL oII uL LIe knees Lo
uccommoduLe LIe IeggIngLops oI IIs moccusIns und Ie wore u cIecked sIIrL und u red
scurI. He currIed no urms buL LIe men uL eILIer sIde oI IIm were urmed wILI
sIorLburreIed rIIIes und LIey uIso currIed LIe suddIe pIsLoIs und oLIer uccouLremenLs oI
LIe murdered scouLs. As LIey upproucIed LIe oLIer suvuges deIerred und guve wuy
beIore LIem. TIe ndIun wIose Iorse Iud been bILLen poInLed ouL LIIs Injury Lo LIem
buL LIe Ieuder onIy nodded uIIubIy. He Lurned IIs mounL quurLerwIse Lo LIe judge und IL
urcIed ILs neck und Ie suL IL weII. Buenos dIus, Ie suId. De donde vIene?
TIe judge smIIed und LoucIed LIe wILIered gurIund uL IIs brow, IorgeLLIng possIbIy LIuL
Ie Iud no IuL. He presenLed IIs cIIeI GIunLon very IormuIIy. nLroducLIons were
excIunged. TIe mun's nume wus Mungus und Ie wus cordIuI und spoke SpunIsI weII.
WIen LIe rIder oI LIe Injured Iorse uguIn puL IorLI IIs cIuIm Ior consIderuLIon LIIs mun
dIsmounLed und Look IoId oI LIe unImuI's Ieud und exumIned IL. He wus bundyIegged
Ior uII IIs IeIgIL und Ie wus sLrungeIy proporLIoned. He Iooked up uL LIe AmerIcuns
und Ie Iooked uL LIe oLIer rIders und wuved IIs Iund uL LIem.
AnduIe, Ie suId. He Lurned Lo GIunLon. EIIos son umIgubIes. Un poco borrucIo, nudu
mus.
TIe ApucIe rIders Iud begun Lo exLrIcuLe LIemseIves Irom umong LIe AmerIcuns IIke
men buckIng ouL oI u LIornLIIckeL. TIe AmerIcuns sLood LIeIr rIIIes uprIgIL und Mungus
Ied LIe Injured Iorse Iorwurd und Lurned ILs Ieud up, conLuInIng LIe unImuI soIeIy wILI
IIs Iunds und LIe wIILe eye roIIIng cruzIIy. AILer some dIscussIon IL becume pIuIn LIuL
, wIuLever LIe ussess enL oI dumuge IevIed LIere wus no specIe uccepLubIe by wuy oI
puymenL oLIer LIun wIIskey.
GIunLon spuL und eyed LIe mun. No Iuy WIIskey, Ie suId.
SIIence IeII. TIe ApucIes Iooked Irom one Lo LIe oLIer. TIey Iooked uL LIe suddIe
wuIIeLs und cunLeens und gourds. Como? suId Mungus.
No Iuy wIIskey, suId GIunLon.
Mungus IeL go LIe rougI IIde IeudsLuII oI LIe Iorse. HIs men wuLcIed IIm. He Iooked
Lowurd LIe wuIIed Lown und Ie Iooked uL LIe judge. No wIIskey? Ie suId.
No wIIskey.
HIs umong LIe cIouded Iuces seemed unperLurbed. He Iooked over LIe AmerIcuns, LIeIr
geur. n LruLI LIey dId noL Iook IIke men wIo mIgIL Iuve wIIskey LIey IudnL drunk.
TIe judge und GIunLon suL LIeIr mounLs und oIIered noLIIng IurLIer In LIe wuy oI
purIey.
Huy wIIskey en Tucson, suId Mungus.
SIn dudu, suId LIe judge. Y soIdudos LumbIen. He puL Iorwurd IIs Iorse, IIs rIIIe In one
Iund und LIe reIns In LIe oLIer. GIunLon moved. TIe Iorse beIInd IIm sIIILed InLo
moLIon. TIen GIunLon sLopped.
TIene oro? Ie suId.
SI.
CuunLo.
BusLunLe.
GIunLon Iooked uL LIe judge LIen uL Mungus uguIn. Bueno, Ie suId. Tres dIus. AquI. Un
burrII de wIIskey.
Un burrII?
Un burrII. He nudged LIe pony und LIe ApucIes guve wuy und GIunLon und LIe judge
und LIose wIo IoIIowed rode sIngIe-IIIe Lowurd LIe guLes oI LIe squuIId mud Lown LIuL
suL burnIng In LIe wInLer sunrIse on LIe pIuIn.
TIe IIeuLenunL In cIurge oI LIe IILLIe gurrIson wus numed GouLs. He Iud been Lo LIe
cousL wILI Mujor GruIum's commund und reLurned Iere Iour duys ugo Lo IInd LIe Lown
under un InIormuI InvesLmenL by LIe ApucIes. TIey were drunk on LIswIn LIey'd brewed
und LIere Iud been sIooLIng In LIe nIgIL Lwo nIgILs runnIng und un IncessunL cIumor
Ior wIIskey. TIe gurrIson Iud u LweIvepound demIcuIverIn Iouded wILI muskeLbuIIs
mounLed on LIe reveLmenL und GouLs expecLed LIe suvuges wouId wILIdruw wIen LIey
couId geL noLIIng more Lo drInk. He wus very IormuI und Ie uddressed GIunLon us
CupLuIn. None oI LIe LuLLered purLIsuns Iud even dIsmounLed. TIey Iooked ubouL uL LIe
bIeuk und ruInous Lown. A bIIndIoIded burro LeLIered Lo u poIe wus LurnIng u pugmIII,
# cIrcIIng endIessIy, LIe wooden mIIIsIuIL creuk ng In ILs bIocks. CIIckens und smuIIer
bIrds were scruLcIIng uL LIe buse oI LIe mIII. TIe poIe wus u good Iour IeeL oII LIe
ground yeL LIe bIrds ducked or squuLLed eucI LIme IL pussed overIeud. n LIe dusL oI
LIe pIuzu Iuy u number oI men uppurenLIy usIeep. WIILe, IndIun, MexIcun. Some covered
wILI bIunkeLs und some noL. AL LIe Iur end oI LIe squure LIere wus u pubIIc
wIIppIngposL LIuL wus durk ubouL ILs buse wIere dogs Iud pIssed on IL. TIe IIeuLenunL
IoIIowed LIeIr guze. GIunLon pusIed buck IIs IuL und Iooked down Irom IIs Iorse.
WIere In LIIs pukeIoIe cun u mun geL u drInk? Ie suId.
L wus LIe IIrsL word uny oI LIem Iud spoken. GouLs Iooked LIem over. Huggurd und
IuunLed und bIucked by LIe sun. TIe IInes und pores oI LIeIr skIn deepIy grImed wILI
gunbIuck wIere LIey'd wusIed LIe bores oI LIeIr weupons. Even LIe Iorses Iooked uIIen
Lo uny Ie'd ever seen, decked us LIey were In Iumun IuIr und LeeLI und skIn. Suve Ior
LIeIr guns und buckIes und u Iew pIeces oI meLuI In LIe Iurness oI LIe unImuIs LIere
wus noLIIng ubouL LIese urrIvuIs Lo suggesL even LIe dIscovery oI LIe wIeeI.
TIere ure severuI pIuces, suId LIe IIeuLenunL. None open yeL LIougI, 'm uIruId.
TIey're IIxIn Lo geL LIuL wuy, suId GIunLon. He nudged LIe Iorse Iorwurd. He dId noL
speuk uguIn und none oI LIe oLIers Iud spoken uL uII. As LIey crossed LIe pIuzu u Iew
vugrunLs ruIsed LIeIr Ieuds up ouL oI LIeIr bIunkeLs und Iooked uILer LIem.
* TIe bur LIey enLered wus u squure mud room und LIe pro rIeLor seL ubouL servIng
LIem In IIs underweur. TIey suL on u bencI uL u wooden LubIe In LIe gIoom drInkIng
suIIenIy.
WIere you uII Irom? suId LIe proprIeLor.
GIunLon und LIe judge wenL ouL Lo see II LIey couId recruIL uny men Irom LIe rubbIe
reposIng In LIe dusL oI LIe squure. Some oI LIem were sILLIng, squInLIng In LIe sun. A
mun wILI u bowIeknIIe wus oIIerIng Lo cuL bIudes wILI unyone uL u wuger Lo see wIo
Iud LIe beLLer sLeeI. TIe judge wenL umong LIem wILI IIs smIIe.
CupLuIn wIuL uII you goL In LIem suddIegrIps?
GIunLon Lurned. He und LIe judge currIed LIeIr vuIIses ucross LIeIr sIouIders. TIe mun
wIo'd spoken wus propped uguInsL u posL wILI one knee druwn up Lo supporL IIs eIbow.
TIese bugs? suId GIunLon.
TIem bugs.
TIese Iere bugs ure IuII oI goId und sIIver, suId GIunLon, Ior LIey were.
TIe IdIer grInned und spuL.
TIuL's wIy Ie's u wunLIn Lo go Lo CuIIIorny, suId unoLIer. AccounL oI Ie's done goL u
suLcIeI IuII oI goId now.
TIe judge smIIed benIgnIy uL LIe wusLreIs. You're IIubIe Lo Luke u cIIII ouL Iere, Ie suId.
WIo's Ior LIe goId IIeIds now.
One mun rose und Look u Iew sLeps uwuy und begun Lo pIss In LIe sLreeL.
Muybe LIe wIId mun'II go wILI ye, cuIIed unoLIer. HIm und CIoyce'II muke ye good
Iunds.
TIey been LryIn Lo go Ior Iong enougI.
GIunLon und LIe judge sougIL LIem ouL. A rude LenL LIrown up ouL oI un oId Lurp. A
sIgn LIuL suId: See TIe WIId Mun Two BILs. TIey pussed beIInd u wugonsIeeL wIere
wILIIn u crude cuge oI puIoverde poIes croucIed u nuked ImbecIIe. TIe IIoor oI LIe cuge
wus IILLered wILI IIILI und Lrodden Iood und IIIes cIumbered ubouL everywIere. TIe IdIoL
! wus smuII und mIs Iupen und IIs Iuce wus smeured wILI Ieces und Ie suL peerIng uL
LIem wILI duII IosLIIILy sIIenLIy cIewIng u Lurd.
TIe owner cume Irom LIe reur sIukIng IIs Ieud uL LIem. AInL nobody uIIowed In Iere.
We uInL open.
GIunLon Iooked ubouL LIe wreLcIed encIosure. TIe LenL smeIIed oI oII und smoke und
excremenL. TIe judge squuLLed Lo sLudy LIe ImbecIIe.
s LIuL LIIng yours? GIunLon suId.
Yes. Yes Ie Is.
GIunLon spuL. Mun LoId us you wus wunLIn Lo go Lo CuIIIorny.
WeII, suId LIe owner. Yes, LIuL's rIgIL. TIuL Is rIgIL.
WIuL do you IIgure Lo do wILI LIuL LIIng?
Tuke IIm wILI me.
How you uIm Lo IuuI IIm?
GoL u pony und curL. To IuuI IIm In.
You goL uny money?
TIe judge ruIsed up. TIIs Is CupLuIn GIunLon, Ie suId. He's IeudIng un expedILIon Lo
CuIIIornIu. He's wIIIIng Lo Luke u Iew pussengers under LIe proLecLIon oI IIs compuny
provIded LIey cun IInd LIemseIves udequuLeIy.
WeII now yes. GoL some money. How mucI money ure we LuIkIng ubouL?
How mucI Iuve you goL? suId GIunLon.
WeII. AdequuLe, wouId suy. 'd suy udequuLe In money.
GIunLon sLudIed LIe mun. 'II LeII you wIuL 'II do wILI you, Ie suId. Are you wunLIn Lo
go Lo CuIIIorny or ure you jusL mouLI?
CuIIIornIu, suId LIe owner. By uII meuns.
'II curry ye Ior u Iundred doIIurs, puId In udvunce.
TIe mun's eyes sIIILed Irom GIunLon Lo LIe judge und buck. IIke some oI IuvIng LIuL
mucI, Ie suId.
We'II be Iere u coupIe oI duys, suId GIunLon. You IInd us some more Iures und we'II
udjusL your LurIII uccordIngIy.
TIe cupLuIn wIII LreuL you rIgIL, suId LIe judge. You cun be ussured oI LIuL.
YessIr, suId LIe owner.
As LIey pussed ouL by LIe cuge GIunLon Lurned Lo Iook uL LIe IdIoL uguIn. You IeL
women see LIuL LIIng? Ie suId.
donL know, suId LIe owner. TIere's none ever usked.
By noon LIe compuny Iud moved on Lo un euLIngIouse. TIere were LIree or Iour men
InsIde wIen LIey enLered und LIey goL up und IeIL. TIere wus u mud oven In LIe IoL
beIInd LIe buIIdIng und LIe bed oI u wrecked wugon wILI u Iew poLs und u keLLIe on IL.
An oId womun In u gruy sIuwI wus cuLLIng up beeIrIbs wILI un uxe wIIIe Lwo dogs suL
wuLcIIng. A LuII LIIn mun In u bIoodsLuIned upron enLered LIe room Irom LIe reur und
Iooked LIem over. He Ieuned und pIuced boLI Iunds on LIe LubIe beIore LIem.
GenLIemen, Ie suId, we donL mInd servIn peopIe oI coIor. GIud Lo do IL. BuL we usL Ior
em Lo seL over Iere uL LIIs oLIer LubIe Iere. BIgIL over Iere.
He sLepped buck und IeId ouL one Iund In u sLrunge gesLure oI IospIce. HIs guesLs
Iooked uL one unoLIer.
WIuL In LIe IeII Is Ie LuIkIn ubouL?
JusL rIgIL over Iere, suId LIe mun.
ToudvIne Iooked down LIe LubIe Lo wIere Juckson suL. SeveruI Iooked Lowurd GIunLon.
HIs Iunds were uL resL on LIe bourd In IronL oI IIm und IIs Ieud wus sIIgILIy benL IIke
u mun uL gruce. TIe judge suL smIIIng, IIs urms crossed. TIey were uII sIIgILIy drunk.
He LIInks we're nIggers.
, TIey suL In sIIence. TIe oId womun In LIe courL Iud com enced wuIIIng some doIorous
uIr und LIe mun wus sLundIng wILI IIs Iund ouLIeId. PIIed jusL wILIIn LIe door were
LIe suLcIeIs und IoIsLers und urms oI LIe compuny.
GIunLon ruIsed IIs Ieud. He Iooked uL LIe mun.
WIuL's your nume? Ie suId.
Nume's Owens. own LIIs pIuce.
Mr Owens, II you wus unyLIIng uL uII oLIer LIun u goddumn IooI you couId Luke one
Iook uL LIese Iere men und know Ior u sLone IucL LIey uInL u one oI em goIn Lo geL up
Irom wIere LIey're uL Lo go seL somewIeres eIse.
WeII cuInL serve you.
You suIL yourseII ubouL LIuL. Ask Ier wIuL sIe's goL, Tommy.
HurIun wus sILLIng uL LIe end oI LIe LubIe und Ie Ieuned ouL und cuIIed Lo LIe oId
womun uL Ier poLs und usked Ier In SpunIsI wIuL sIe Iud Lo euL.
SIe Iooked Lowurd LIe Iouse. Huesos, sIe suId.
Huesos, suId HurIun.
TeII Ier Lo brIng em, Tommy.
SIe wonL brIng you noLIIn wILIouL LeII Ier Lo. own LIIs pIuce.
HurIun wus cuIIIng ouL LIe open door.
know Ior u IucL LIuL mun yonder's u nIgger, suId Owens.
Juckson Iooked up uL IIm.
Brown Lurned Lowurd LIe owner.
Huve you goL u gun? Ie suId.
A gun?
A gun. Huve you goL u gun.
NoL on me uInL.
Brown puIIed u smuII IIvesIoL CoIL Irom IIs beIL und pILcIed IL Lo IIm. He cuugIL IL
und sLood IoIdIng IL uncerLuInIy.
You goL one now. Now sIooL LIe nIgger.
WuIL u goddumn mInuLe, suId Owens.
SIooL IIm, suId Brown.
Juckson Iud rIsen und Ie puIIed one oI LIe bIg pIsLoIs Irom IIs beIL. Owens poInLed LIe
pIsLoI uL IIm. You puL LIuL down, Ie suId.
You beLLer IorgeL ubouL gIvIn orders und sIooL LIe son oI u bILcI.
PuL IL down. Goddumn, mun. TeII IIm Lo puL IL down.
SIooL IIm.
He cocked LIe pIsLoI.
Juckson IIred. He sImpIy pussed IIs IeIL Iund over LIe Lop oI LIe revoIver Ie wus
IoIdIng In u gesLure brIeI us IIInLspurk und LrIpped LIe Iummer. TIe bIg pIsLoI jumped
und u doubIe IundIuI oI Owens's bruIns wenL ouL LIe buck oI IIs skuII und pIopped In
LIe IIoor beIInd IIm. He sunk wILIouL u sound und Iuy crumpIed up wILI IIs Iuce In
LIe IIoor und one eye open und LIe bIood weIIIng up ouL oI LIe desLrucLIon uL LIe buck
oI IIs Ieud. Juckson suL down. Brown rose und reLrIeved IIs pIsLoI und IeL LIe Iummer
buck down und puL IL In IIs beIL. MosL LerrIbIe nIgger ever seen, Ie suId. Ind some
pIuLes, CIurIIe. doubL LIe oId Iudy Is ouL LIere uny more.
TIey were drInkIng In u cunLInu noL u Iundred IeeL Irom LIIs scene wIen LIe IIeuLenunL
und u IuII dozen urmed Lroopers enLered LIe premIses. TIe cunLInu wus u sIngIe room
und LIere wus u IoIe In LIe ceIIIng wIere u Lrunk oI sunIIgIL IeII LIrougI onLo LIe mud
IIoor und IIgures crossIng LIe room sLeered wILI cure pusL LIe edge oI LIIs coIumn oI
IIgIL us II IL mIgIL be IoL Lo LIe LoucI. TIey were u IurdbIL denIzenry und LIey
1 sIumbIed Lo LIe bur und buck In LIeIr rugs und skIns IIke cuveIoIk ex IungIng uL some
numeIess Lrude. TIe IIeuLenunL cIrcIed LIIs reekIng soIurIum und sLood beIore GIunLon.
CupLuIn, we're goIng Lo Iuve Lo Luke wIoever's responsIbIe Ior LIe deuLI oI Mr Owens
InLo cusLody.
GIunLon Iooked up. WIo's Mr Owens? Ie suId.
Mr Owens Is LIe genLIemun wIo run LIe euLIngIouse down Iere. He's been sIoL Lo
deuLI.
Sorry Lo Ieur IL, suId GIunLon. SeL down.
GouLs Ignored LIe InvILuLIon. CupLuIn, you donL uIm Lo deny LIuL one oI your men sIoL
IIm do you?
uIm exucLIy LIuL, suId GIunLon.
CupLuIn, IL wonL IoId wuLer.
TIe judge emerged Irom LIe durkness. EvenIng, IeuLenunL, Ie suId. Are LIese men LIe
wILnesses?
GouLs Iooked uL IIs corporuI. No, Ie suId. TIey uInL wILnesses. HeII, CupLuIn. You uII
were seen Lo enLer LIe premIses und seen Lo Ieuve uILer LIe sIoL wus IIred. Are you
goIng Lo deny LIuL you und your men Look your dInner LIere?
Deny ever goddumned word oI IL, suId GIunLon.
WeII by god beIIeve cun prove LIuL you uLe LIere.
KIndIy uddress your remurks Lo me, IeuLenunL, suId LIe judge. represenL CupLuIn
GIunLon In uII IeguI muLLers. LIInk you sIouId know IIrsL oI uII LIuL LIe cupLuIn does
noL propose Lo be cuIIed u IIur und wouId LIInk LwIce beIore InvoIved myseII wILI
IIm In un uIIuIr oI Ionor. SecondIy Iuve been wILI IIm uII duy und cun ussure you
LIuL neILIer Ie nor uny oI IIs men Iuve ever seL IooL In LIe premIses Lo wIIcI you
uIIude.
1 TIe IIeuLenunL seemed sLunned uL LIe buIdness oI LIese dIs IuImers. He Iooked Irom
LIe judge Lo GIunLon und buck uguIn. wIII be dumned, Ie suId. TIen Ie Lurned und
pusIed pusL LIe men und quIL LIe pIuce.
GIunLon LIILed IIs cIuIr und Ieuned IIs buck Lo LIe wuII. TIey'd recruILed Lwo men Irom
umong LIe Lown's IndIgenLs, un unpromIsIng puIr LIuL suL guwkIng uL LIe end oI LIe
bencI wILI LIeIr IuLs In LIeIr Iunds. GIunLon's durk eye pussed over LIem und uIIgILed
on LIe owner oI LIe ImbecIIe wIo suL uIone ucross LIe room wuLcIIng IIm.
You u drInkIn mun? suId GIunLon.
How's LIuL?
GIunLon exIuIed sIowIy LIrougI IIs nose.
Yes, suId LIe owner. Yes um.
TIere wus u common wooden puII on LIe LubIe beIore GIunLon wILI u LIn dIpper In IL
und IL wus ubouL u LIIrd IuII oI wugonyurd wIIskey druwn oII Irom u cusk uL LIe bur.
GIunLon nodded Lowurd IL.
uInL u curryIn IL Lo ye.
TIe owner rose und pIcked up IIs cup und cume ucross Lo LIe LubIe. He Look up LIe
dIpper und poured IIs cup und seL LIe dIpper buck In LIe buckeL. He gesLured sIIgILIy
wILI LIe cup und ruIsed und druIned IL.
MucI obIIged.
WIere's your upe uL?
TIe mun Iooked uL LIe judge. He Iooked uL GIunLon uguIn.
donL Luke IIm ouL mucI.
WIere'd you geL LIuL LIIng uL?
He wus IeIL Lo me. Mumu dIed. TIere wus nobody Lo Luke IIm Lo ruIse. TIey sIIpped
IIm Lo me. JopIIn MIssourI. JusL puL IIm In u box und sIIpped IIm. Took IIve weeks.
DIdnL boLIer IIm u bIL. opened up LIe box und LIere Ie seL.
GeL ye unoLIer drInk LIere.
He Look up LIe dIpper und IIIIed IIs cup uguIn.
BIg us IIIe. Never IurL IIm u bIL. Iud IIm u IuIr suIL mude buL Ie uLe IL.
AInL everbody In LIIs Lown seen LIe son oI u bILcI?
Yes. Yes LIey Iuve. need Lo geL Lo CuIIIornIu. muy cIurge Iour bILs ouL LIere.
You muy geL Lurred und IeuLIered ouL LIere.
've been LIuL. SLuLe oI Arkunsus. CIuImed 'd gIven IIm someLIIng. Drugged IIm. TIey
Look IIm oII und wuILed Ior IIm Lo geL beLLer buL oI course Ie dIdnL do IL. TIey Iud u
specIuI preucIer come und pruy over IIm. InuIIy goL IIm buck. couId Iuve been
somebody In LIIs worId wusnL Ior IIm.
Do undersLund you correcLIy, suId LIe judge, LIuL LIe ImbecIIe Is your broLIer?
YessIr, suId LIe mun. TIuL's LIe LruLI oI LIe muLLer.
TIe judge reucIed und Look IoId oI LIe mun's Ieud In IIs Iunds und begun Lo expIore
ILs conLours. TIe mun's eyes durLed ubouL und Ie IeId onLo LIe judge's wrIsLs. TIe
judge Iud IIs enLIre Ieud In IIs grIp IIke un Immense und dungerous IuILI IeuIer. TIe
mun wus sLundIng LIpLoe us II Lo beLLer uccommoduLe IIm In IIs InvesLIguLIons und wIen
LIe judge IeL go oI IIm Ie Look u sLep buck und Iooked uL GIunLon wILI eyes LIuL were
wIILe In LIe gIoom. TIe recruILs uL LIe end oI LIe bencI suL wuLcIIng wILI LIeIr juws
down und LIe judge nurrowed un eye uL LIe mun und sLudIed IIm und LIen reucIed
und grIpped IIm uguIn, IoIdIng IIm by LIe IoreIeud wIIIe Ie prodded uIong LIe buck oI
IIs skuII wILI LIe buII oI IIs LIumb. WIen LIe judge puL IIm down LIe mun sLepped
buck und IeII over LIe bencI und LIe recruILs commenced Lo bob up und down und Lo
wIeeze und crouk. TIe owner oI LIe IdIoL Iooked ubouL LIe Luwdry grogsIop, pussIng up
eucI Iuce us II IL dId noL quILe suIIIce. He pIcked IImseII up und moved pusL LIe end oI
LIe bencI. WIen Ie wus IuIIwuy ucross LIe room LIe judge cuIIed ouL Lo IIm.
Hus Ie uIwuys been IIke LIuL? suId LIe judge.
YessIr. He wus born LIuL wuy.
He Lurned Lo go. GIunLon empLIed IIs cup und seL IL beIore IIm und Iooked up. Were
you? Ie suId. BuL LIe owner pusIed open LIe door und vunIsIed In LIe bIIndIng IIgIL
wILIouL.
TIe IIeuLenunL cume uguIn In LIe evenIng. He und LIe judge suL LogeLIer und LIe judge
wenL over poInLs oI Iuw wILI IIm. TIe IIeuLenunL nodded, IIs IIps pursed. TIe judge
LrunsIuLed Ior IIm IuLIn Lerms oI jurIsprudence. He cILed cuses cIvII und murLIuI. He
quoLed Coke und BIucksLone, AnuxImunder, TIuIes.
n LIe mornIng LIere wus new LroubIe. A young MexIcun gIrI Iud been ubducLed. PurLs
oI Ier cIoLIes were Iound Lorn und bIoodIed under LIe norLI wuII, over wIIcI sIe couId
onIy Iuve been LIrown. n LIe deserL were drug murks. A sIoe. TIe IuLIer oI LIe cIIId
kneIL cIuLcIIng u bIoodsLuIned rug Lo IIs cIesL und none couId persuude IIm Lo rIse und
none Lo Ieuve. TIuL nIgIL IIres were IIL In LIe sLreeLs und u beeI kIIIed und GIunLon und
IIs men were IosL Lo u moLIey coIIecLIon oI cILIzens und soIdIers und reduced IndIuns or
LonLos us LIeIr broLIers ouLsIde LIe guLes wouId nume LIem. A keg oI wIIskey wus
broucIed und soon men were reeIIng uImIessIy LIrougI LIe smoke. A mercIunL oI LIuL
Lown brougIL IorLI u IILLer oI dogs one oI wIom Iud sIx Iegs und unoLIer Lwo und u
LIIrd wILI Iour eyes In ILs Ieud. He oIIered LIese Ior suIe Lo GIunLon und GIunLon
wurned LIe mun uwuy und LIreuLened Lo sIooL LIem.
TIe beeI wus sLrIpped Lo LIe bones und LIe bones LIemseIves currIed oII und vIgus were
drugged Irom LIe ruIned buIIdIngs und pIIed onLo LIe bIuzed By now muny oI GIunLon's
men were nuked und IurcIIng ubouL und LIe judge soon Iud LIem duncIng wIIIe Ie
IIddIed on u crude InsLrumenL Ie'd commundeered und LIe IIILIy IIdes oI wIIcI LIey'd
dIvesLed LIemseIves smoked und sLunk und bIuckened In LIe IIumes und LIe red spurks
rose IIke LIe souIs oI LIe smuII IIIe LIey'd Iurbored.
By mIdnIgIL LIe cILIzens Iud cIeured ouL und LIere were urmed und nuked men
poundIng on doors demundIng drInk und women. n LIe eurIy mornIng Iours wIen LIe
IIres Iud burned Lo Ieups oI couIs und u Iew spurks scumpered In LIe wInd down LIe
coId cIuy sLreeLs IeruI dogs LroLLed uround LIe cookIIre snuLcIIng ouL LIe bIuckened
scrups oI meuL und men Iuy IuddIed nuked In LIe doorwuys cIuLcIIng LIeIr eIbows und
snorIng In LIe coId.
By noon LIey were ubroud uguIn, wunderIng red-eyed In LIe sLreeLs, IILLed ouL Ior LIe
mosL purL In new sIIrLs und breecIes. TIey coIIecLed LIe remuInIng Iorses Irom LIe
IurrIer und Ie sLood LIem Lo u drInk. He wus u smuII sLurdy mun numed PucIeco und
Ie Iud Ior unvII un enormous Iron meLeorILe sIuped IIke u greuL moIur und LIe judge
on u wuger IIILed LIe LIIng und on u IurLIer wuger IIILed IL over IIs Ieud. SeveruI men
pusIed Iorwurd Lo IeeI LIe Iron und Lo rock IL wIere IL sLood, nor dId LIe judge Iose
LIIs opporLunILy Lo venLIIuLe IImseII upon LIe IerrIc nuLure oI IeuvenIy bodIes und LIeIr
powers und cIuIms. Two IInes were druwn In LIe dIrL Len IeeL upurL und u LIIrd round
oI wugers wus IuId, coIns Irom IuII u dozen counLrIes In boLI goId und sIIver und even
u Iew boIeLus or noLes oI dIscounLed scrIpL Irom LIe mInes neur Tubuc. TIe judge seIzed
> LIuL greuL sIug wundered Ior wIuL mIIIennIu Irom wIuL unreckonubIe corner oI LIe unI
erse und Ie ruIsed IL overIeud und sLood LoLLerIng und LIen Iunged Iorwurd. L cIeured
LIe murk by u IooL und Ie sIured wILI no one LIe specIe pIIed on LIe suddIebIunkeL uL
LIe IurrIer's IeeL Ior noL even GIunLon Iud been wIIIIng Lo underwrILe LIIs LIIrd LrIuI.
XV
euvIng Tucson - A new cooperuge - An excIunge - Suguuro IoresLs -
CIunLon uL LIe IIre ?GurcIu's commund ?TIe puruseIene ?TIe godIIre - TIe exprIesL on
usLronomy - TIe judge on LIe exLruLerresLrIuI,
on order, on LeIeoIogy In LIe unIverse - A coIn LrIck -
GIunLon's dog ?Deud unImuIs ?TIe sunds ?A crucIIIxIon ?TIe judge
on wur - TIe prIesL does noL suy - TIerrus quebrudus, LIerrus
desumpurudus - TIe TInujus ALIus - Un Iueso de pIedru - TIe
CoIorudo ?ArgonuuLs ?Yumus ?TIe Ierrymen ?To LIe Yumu cump.
TIey rode ouL uL dusk. TIe corporuI In LIe guLeIouse ubove LIe porLuI cume ouL und
cuIIed Lo LIem Lo IuIL buL LIey dId noL. TIey rode LwenLy-one men und u dog und u
IILLIe IIuLbed curL ubourd wIIcI LIe IdIoL und IIs cuge Iud been IusIed us II Ior u seu
journey. usIed on beIInd LIe cuge rode LIe wIIskey keg LIey'd druIned LIe nIgIL
, beIore. TIe keg Iud been dIs unLIed und rebound by u mun GIunLon Iud uppoInLed
cooper pro-Lern Lo LIe expedILIon und IL now conLuIned wILIIn IL u IIusk mude Irom u
common sIeep's sLomucI und IoIdIng perIups LIree quurLs oI wIIskey. TIIs IIusk wus
IILLed Lo LIe bung uL LIe InsIde und LIe resL oI LIe keg wus IIIIed wILI wuLer. So
provIsIoned LIey pussed ouL LIrougI LIe guLes und beyond LIe wuIIs onLo LIe pruIrIe
wIere IL Iuy puIsIng In LIe bunded LwIIIgIL. TIe IILLIe curL josLIed und creuked und LIe
IdIoL cIuLcIed uL LIe burs oI IIs cuge und crouked IourseIy uILer LIe sun.
GIunLon rode uL LIe Iore oI LIe coIumn In u new RInggoId suddIe Ironbound LIuL Ie'd
Lruded Ior und Ie wore u new IuL wIIcI wus bIuck und becume IIm. TIe recruILs now
IIve In number grInned uL one unoLIer und Iooked buck uL LIe senLry. DuvId Brown rode
uL LIe reur und Ie wus IeuvIng IIs broLIer Iere Ior wIuL wouId prove Iorever und IIs
mood wus IouI enougI Ior IIm Lo Iuve sIoL LIe senLry wILI no provocuLIon uL uII. WIen
LIe senLry cuIIed uguIn Ie swung ubouL wILI IIs rIIIe und LIe mun Iud LIe sense Lo
duck under LIe purupeL und LIey Ieurd no more Irom IIm. n LIe Iong dusk LIe
suvuges rode ouL Lo meeL LIem und LIe wIIskey wus excIunged Ior upon u SuILIIIo
- bIunkeL spreud on LIe ground. GIunLon puId IILLIe uLLen Ion Lo LIe proceedIngs. WIen
LIe suvuges Iud counLed ouL goId und sIIver Lo LIe judge's suLIsIucLIon GIunLon sLepped
onLo LIe bIunkeL und kIcked LIe coIns LogeLIer wILI IIs booLIeeI und LIen sLepped uwuy
und dIrecLed Brown Lo Luke up LIe bIunkeL. Mungus und IIs IIeuLenunLs excIunged durk
# Iooks buL LIe Amer cuns mounLed up und rode ouL und none Iooked buck suve LIe
recruILs. TIey'd become prIvy Lo LIe deLuIIs oI LIe busIness und one oI LIem IeII In
uIongsIde Brown und usked II LIe ApucIes wouId noL IoIIow LIem.
TIey wonL rIde uL nIgIL, suId Brown.
TIe recruIL Iooked buck uL LIe IIgures guLIered ubouL LIe keg In LIuL scoured und
durkenIng wusLe.
WIy wonL LIey? Ie suId.
Brown spuL. Becuuse IL's durk, Ie suId.
TIey rode wesL Irom LIe Lown ucross LIe buse oI u smuII mounLuIn LIrougI u dogLown
) sLrewn wILI oId broken eurLIen ure Irom u crockery Iurnuce LIuL once Iud been LIere.
TIe keeper oI LIe IdIoL rode downsIde oI LIe LresLIed cuge und LIe IdIoL cIuLcIed LIe
poIes und wuLcIed LIe Iund puss In sIIence.
TIey rode LIuL nIgIL LIrougI IoresLs oI suguuro up InLo LIe IIIIs Lo LIe wesL. TIe sky
wus uII overcusL und LIose IIuLed coIumns pussIng In LIe durk were IIke LIe ruIns oI
vusL LempIes ordered und gruve und sIIenL suve Ior LIe soIL crIes oI eII owIs umong
LIem. TIe LerruIn wus LIIck wILI cIoIIu und cIumps oI IL cIung Lo LIe Iorses wILI spIkes
LIuL wouId drIve LIrougI u booLsoIe Lo LIe bones wILIIn und u wInd cume up LIrougI
LIe IIIIs und uII nIgIL IL sung wILI u wIId vIper sound LIrougI LIuL counLIess reucI oI
spInes. TIey rode on und LIe Iund grew more spure und LIey reucIed LIe IIrsL oI u
serIes oI jornudus wIere LIere wouId be no wuLer uL uII und LIere LIey cumped. TIuL
nIgIL GIunLon sLured Iong InLo LIe embers oI LIe IIre. AII ubouL IIm IIs men were
sIeepIng buL mucI wus cIunged. So muny gone, deIecLed or deud. TIe DeIuwures uII
sIuIn. He wuLcIed LIe IIre und II Ie suw porLenLs LIere IL wus mucI LIe sume Lo IIm.
He wouId IIve Lo Iook upon LIe wesLern seu und Ie wus equuI Lo wIuLever mIgIL IoIIow
Ior Ie wus compIeLe uL every Iour. WIeLIer IIs IIsLory sIouId run concomILunL wILI
- men und nu Ions, wIeLIer IL sIouId ceuse. He'd Iong Iorsworn uII weIgIIng oI
consequence und uIIowIng us Ie dId LIuL men's desLInIes ure gIven yeL Ie usurped Lo
conLuIn wILIIn IIm uII LIuL Ie wouId ever be In LIe worId und uII LIuL LIe worId wouId
be Lo IIm und be IIs cIurLer wrILLen In LIe ursLone ILseII Ie cIuImed ugency und suId so
und Ie'd drIve LIe remorseIess sun on Lo ILs IInuI endurkenmenL us II Ie'd ordered IL uII
uges sInce, beIore LIere were puLIs unywIere, beIore LIere were men or suns Lo go upon
LIem.
Across Irom IIm suL LIe vusL ubIorrence oI LIe judge. HuII nuked, scrIbbIIng In IIs
Iedger. n LIe LIornIoresL LIrougI wIIcI LIey'd pussed LIe IILLIe deserL woIves yupped
und on LIe dry pIuIn beIore LIem oLIers unswered und LIe wInd Iunned LIe couIs LIuL
Ie wuLcIed. TIe bones oI cIoIIu LIuL gIowed LIere In LIeIr IncundescenL buskeLry puIsed
IIke burnIng IoIoLIurIuns In LIe pIospIorous durk oI LIe seu's deeps. TIe IdIoL In IIs
cuge Iud been druwn cIose Lo LIe IIre und Ie wuLcIed IL LIreIessIy. WIen GIunLon ruIsed
IIs Ieud Ie suw LIe kId ucross LIe IIre Irom IIm, squuLLIng In IIs bIunkeL, wuLcIIng LIe
judge.
Two duys IuLer LIey encounLered u rugged IegIon under LIe commund oI CoIoneI GurcIu.
TIey were Lroops Irom Sonoru seekIng u bund oI ApucIes under PubIo und LIey
numbered cIose Lo u Iundred rIders. OI LIese some were wILIouL IuLs und some wILIouL
punLuIoons und some were nuked under LIeIr couLs und LIey were urmed wILI dereIIcL
weupons, oId IusIIs und Tower muskeLs, some wILI bows und urrows or noLIIng more
LIun ropes wILI wIIcI Lo gurroLe LIe enemy.
GIunLon?und?IIs?men?revIewed?LIIs?compuny?wILI?sLony umuzemenL. TIe MexIcuns
pressed ubouL wILI LIeIr Iunds ouL-IeId Ior Lobucco und GIunLon und LIe coIoneI
, excIunged rudI enLury cIvIIILIes und LIen GIunLon pusIed on LIrougI LIuL ImporLunuLe
Iorde. TIey were oI unoLIer nuLIon, LIose rIders, und uII LIuL Iund Lo LIe souLI ouL oI
wIIcI LIey'd orIgInuLed und wIuLever Iunds Lo LIe eusL Lowurd wIIcI LIey were bound
were deud Lo IIm und boLI LIe ground und uny sojourners upon IL remoLe und urguubIe
oI subsLunce. TIIs IeeIIng communIcuLed ILseII LIrougI LIe compuny beIore GIunLon Iud
moved enLIreIy cIeur oI LIem und eucI mun Lurned IIs Iorse und eucI mun IoIIowed
und noL even LIe judge spoke Lo excuse IImseII Irom ouL oI LIuL encounLer.
TIey rode on InLo LIe durkness und LIe moonbIuncIed wusLe Iuy beIore LIem coId und
4 puIe und LIe moon suL In u rIng over eud und In LIuL rIng Iuy u mock moon wILI ILs
own coId gruy und nucre seus. TIey mude cump on u Iow bencI oI Iund wIere wuIIs oI
dry uggreguLe murked un oId rIver course und LIey sLruck up u IIre ubouL wIIcI LIey suL
In sIIence, LIe eyes oI LIe dog und oI LIe IdIoL und cerLuIn oLIer men gIowIng red us
couIs In LIeIr Ieuds wIere LIey Lurned. TIe IIumes suwed In LIe wInd und LIe embers
puIed und deepened und puIed und deepened IIke LIe bIoodbeuL oI some IIvIng LIIng
- evIsceruLe upon LIe ground beIore LIem und LIey wuLcIed LIe IIre wIIcI does con uIn
wILIIn IL someLIIng oI men LIemseIves InusmucI us LIey ure Iess wILIouL IL und ure
dIvIded Irom LIeIr orIgIns und ure exIIes. or eucI IIre Is uII IIres, LIe IIrsL IIre und LIe
IusL ever Lo be. By und by LIe judge rose und moved uwuy on some obscure mIssIon
und uILer u wIIIe someone usked LIe exprIesL II IL were Lrue LIuL uL one LIme LIere Iud
been Lwo moons In LIe sky und LIe exprIesL eyed LIe IuIse moon ubove LIem und suId
LIuL IL muy weII Iuve been so. BuL cerLuInIy LIe wIse IIgI God In IIs dIsmuy uL LIe
proIIIeruLIon oI Iunucy on LIIs eurLI musL Iuve weLLed u LIumb und Ieuned down ouL oI
LIe ubyss und pIncIed IL IIssIng InLo exLIncLIon. And couId Ie IInd some uILer meuns by
wIIcI LIe bIrds couId mend LIeIr puLIs In LIe durkness Ie mIgIL Iuve done wILI LIIs
one Loo.
TIe quesLIon wus LIen puL us Lo wIeLIer LIere were on Murs or oLIer pIuneLs In LIe
voId men or creuLures IIke LIem und uL LIIs LIe judge wIo Iud reLurned Lo LIe IIre und
sLood IuII nuked und sweuLIng spoke und suId LIuL LIere were noL und LIuL LIere were
no men unywIere In LIe unIverse suve LIose upon LIe eurLI. AII IIsLened us Ie spoke,
LIose wIo Iud Lurned Lo wuLcI IIm und LIose wIo wouId noL.
! TIe LruLI ubouL LIe worId, Ie suId, Is LIuL unyLIIng Is pos IbIe. Hud you noL seen IL
uII Irom bIrLI und LIereby bIed IL oI ILs sLrungeness IL wouId uppeur Lo you Ior wIuL IL
Is, u IuL LrIck In u medIcIne sIow, u Ievered dreum, u Lrunce bepopuIuLe wILI cIImerus
IuvIng neILIer unuIogue nor precedenL, un ILInerunL curnIvuI, u mIgruLory LenLsIow wIose
- uILImuLe desLInu Ion uILer muny u pILcI In muny u mudded IIeId Is unspeukubIe und
cuIumILous beyond reckonIng.
TIe unIverse Is no nurrow LIIng und LIe order wILIIn IL Is noL consLruIned by uny
IuLILude In ILs concepLIon Lo repeuL wIuL exIsLs In one purL In uny oLIer purL. Even In
LIIs worId more LIIngs exIsL wILIouL our knowIedge LIun wILI IL und LIe order In
creuLIon wIIcI you see Is LIuL wIIcI you Iuve puL LIere, IIke u sLrIng In u muze, so
# LIuL you sIuII noL Iose your wuy. or ex sLence Ius ILs own order und LIuL no mun's
mInd cun compuss, LIuL mInd ILseII beIng buL u IucL umong oLIers.
Brown spuL InLo LIe IIre. TIuL's some more oI your cruzIness, Ie suId.
TIe judge smIIed. He pIuced LIe puIms oI IIs Iunds upon IIs cIesL und breuLIed LIe
nIgIL uIr und Ie sLepped cIoser und squuLLed und IeId up one Iund. He Lurned LIuL
Iund und LIere wus u goId coIn beLween IIs IIngers.
WIere Is LIe coIn, Duvy?
'II noLIIy you wIere Lo puL LIe coIn.
TIe judge swung IIs Iund und LIe coIn wInked overIeud In LIe IIreIIgIL. L musL Iuve
been IusLened Lo some subLIe Ieud, IorseIuIr perIups, Ior IL cIrcIed LIe IIre und reLurned
Lo LIe judge und Ie cuugIL IL In IIs Iund und smIIed.
TIe urc oI cIrcIIng bodIes Is deLermIned by LIe IengLI oI LIeIr LeLIer, suId LIe judge.
Moons, coIns, men. HIs Iunds moved us II Ie were puIIIng someLIIng Irom one IIsL In u
7 serIes oI eIon uLIons. WuLcI LIe coIn, Duvy, Ie suId.
He IIung IL und IL cuL un urc LIrougI LIe IIreIIgIL und wus gone In LIe durkness
beyond. TIey wuLcIed LIe nIgIL wIere IL Iud vunIsIed und LIey wuLcIed LIe judge und
# In LIeIr wuLcI ng some LIe one und some LIe oLIer LIey were u common wILness.
TIe coIn, Duvy, LIe coIn, wIIspered LIe judge. He suL erecL und ruIsed IIs Iund und
smIIed uround.
TIe coIn reLurned buck ouL oI LIe nIgIL und crossed LIe IIre wILI u IuInL IIgI dronIng
und LIe judge's ruIsed Iund wus empLy und LIen IL IeId LIe coIn. TIere wus u IIgIL sIup
und IL IeId LIe coIn. Even so some cIuImed LIuL Ie Iud LIrown LIe coIn uwuy und
puImed unoLIer IIke IL und mude LIe sound wILI IIs Longue Ior Ie wus IImseII u
cunnIng oId muIuburIsLu und Ie suId IImseII us Ie puL LIe coIn uwuy wIuL uII men
knew LIuL LIere ure coIns und IuIse coIns. n LIe mornIng some dId wuIk over LIe
ground wIere LIe coIn Iud gone buL II uny mun Iound IL Ie kepL IL Lo IImseII und wILI
sunrIse LIey were mounLed und rIdIng uguIn.
TIe curL wILI LIe IdIoL In IIs cuge LrundIed uIong uL LIe reur und now GIunLon's dog
IeII buck Lo LroL uIongsIde, perIups ouL oI some cusLodIuI InsLIncL sucI us cIIIdren wIII
evoke In unImuIs. BuL GIunLon cuIIed LIe dog Lo IIm und wIen IL dId noL come Ie
dropped buck uIong LIe IILLIe coIumn und Ieuned down und quIrLed IL vIcIousIy wILI IIs
IobbIe rope und drove IL ouL beIore IIm.
- TIey begun Lo come upon cIuIns und pucksuddIes, sIngIe rees, deud muIes, wugons.
4 SuddIeLrees euLen bure oI LIeIr ruw Ide coverIngs und weuLIered wIILe us bone, u IIgIL
cIumIerIng oI mIceLeeLI uIong LIe edges oI LIe wood. TIey rode LIrougI u regIon wIere
Iron wIII noL rusL nor LIn LurnIsI. TIe rIbbed Irumes oI deud cuLLIe under LIeIr puLcIes
oI drIed IIde Iuy IIke LIe ruIns oI prImILIve bouLs upLurned upon LIuL sIoreIess voId und
LIey pussed IurId und uusLere LIe bIuck und desIccuLed sIupes oI Iorses und muIes LIuL
LruveIers Iud sLood uIooL. TIese purcIed beusLs Iud dIed wILI LIeIr necks sLreLcIed In
ugony In LIe sund und now uprIgIL und bIInd und IurcIIng uskew wILI scrups oI
bIuckened IeuLIer IungIng Irom LIe IreLwork oI LIeIr rIbs LIey Ieuned wILI LIeIr Iong
% mouLIs IowIIng uILer LIe end ess Lundem suns LIuL pussed ubove LIem. TIe rIders rode
on. TIey crossed u vusL dry Iuke wILI rows oI deud voIcunoes runged beyond IL IIke LIe
works oI enormous InsecLs. To LIe souLI Iuy broken sIupes oI scorIu In u Iuvu bed us
Iur us LIe eye couId see. Under LIe Iooves oI LIe Iorses LIe uIubusLer sund sIuped ILseII
In wIorIs sLrungeIy symmeLrIc IIke Iron IIIIngs In u IIeId und LIese sIupes IIured und
drew buck uguIn, resonuLIng upon LIuL IurmonIc ground und LIen LurnIng Lo swIrI uwuy
6 over LIe pIuyu. As II LIe very sedImenL oI LIIngs conLuIned yeL some resI ue oI
senLIence. As II In LIe LrunsIL oI LIose rIders were u LIIng so proIoundIy LerrIbIe us Lo
? regIsLer even Lo LIe uLLermosL grun IuLIon oI reuIILy.
On u rIse uL LIe wesLern edge oI LIe pIuyu LIey pussed u crude wooden cross wIere
MurIcopus Iud crucIIIed un ApucIe. TIe mummIed corpse Iung Irom LIe crossLree wILI
ILs mouLI guped In u ruw IoIe, u LIIng oI IeuLIer und bone scoured by LIe pumIce
# wInds oII LIe Iuke und LIe puIe Lree oI LIe rIbs sIow ng LIrougI LIe scrups oI IIde
LIuL Iung Irom LIe breusL. TIey rode on. TIe Iorses Lrudged suIIenIy LIe uIIen ground
und LIe round eurLI roIIed beneuLI LIem sIIenLIy mIIIIng LIe greuLer voId wIereIn LIey
were conLuIned. n LIe neuLer uusLerILy oI LIuL LerruIn uII pIenomenu were bequeuLIed u
sLrunge equuIILy und no one LIIng nor spIder nor sLone nor bIude oI gruss couId puL
IorLI cIuIm Lo precedence. TIe very cIurILy oI LIese urLIcIes beIIed LIeIr IumIIIurILy, Ior
LIe eye predIcuLes LIe wIoIe on some IeuLure or purL und Iere wus noLIIng more
/ IumInous LIun unoLIer und noLIIng more ensIudowed und In LIe opLIcuI democ ucy oI
sucI Iundscupes uII preIerence Is mude wIImsIcuI und u mun und u rock become
endowed wILI unguessed kInsIIps.
TIey grew guunLed und Iunk under LIe wIILe suns oI LIose duys und LIeIr IoIIow
burnedouL eyes were IIke LIose oI nocLumbuIunLs surprIsed by duy. CroucIed under LIeIr
- IuLs LIey seemed IugI Ives on some grunder scuIe, IIke beIngs Ior wIom LIe sun
Iungered. Even LIe judge grew sIIenL und specuIuLIve. He'd spoke oI purgIng oneseII oI
LIose LIIngs LIuL Iuy cIuIm Lo u mun buL LIuL body receIvIng IIs remurks counLed
LIemseIves weII done wILI uny cIuIms uL uII. TIey rode on und LIe wInd drove LIe IIne
gruy dusL beIore LIem und LIey rode un urmy oI gruy-beurds, gruy men, gruy Iorses.
TIe mounLuIns Lo LIe norLI Iuy sunwIse In corruguLed IoIds und LIe duys were cooI und
LIe nIgILs were coId und LIey suL ubouL LIe IIre eucI In IIs round oI durkness In LIuL
round oI durk wIIIe LIe IdIoL wuLcIed Irom IIs cuge uL LIe edge oI LIe IIgIL. TIe judge
crucked wILI LIe buck oI un uxe LIe sIInbone on un unLeIope und LIe IoL murrow
drIpped smokIng on LIe sLones. TIey wuLcIed IIm. TIe subjecL wus wur.
TIe good book suys LIuL Ie LIuL IIves by LIe sword sIuII perIsI by LIe sword, suId LIe
bIuck.
TIe judge smIIed, IIs Iuce sIInIng wILI greuse. WIuL rIgIL mun wouId Iuve IL uny oLIer
wuy? Ie suId.
TIe good book does Indeed counL wur un evII, suId rvIng. YeL LIere's muny u bIoody
LuIe oI wur InsIde IL.
L mukes no dIIIerence wIuL men LIInk oI wur, suId LIe judge. Wur endures. As weII usk
men wIuL LIey LIInk oI sLone. Wur wus uIwuys Iere. BeIore mun wus, wur wuILed Ior
IIm. TIe uILImuLe Lrude uwuILIng ILs uILImuLe prucLILIoner. TIuL Is LIe wuy IL wus und
wIII be. TIuL wuy und noL some oLIer wuy.
He Lurned Lo Brown, Irom wIom Ie'd Ieurd some wIIspered sIur or demurrer. AI Duvy,
Ie suId. L's your own Lrude we Ionor Iere. WIy noL ruLIer Luke u smuII bow. eL eucI
@ uc nowIedge eucI.
My Lrude?
CerLuInIy.
WIuL Is my Lrude?
Wur. Wur Is your Lrude. s IL noL?
And IL uInL yours?
MIne Loo. Very mucI so.
WIuL ubouL uII LIem noLebooks und bones und sLuII?
AII oLIer Lrudes ure conLuIned In LIuL oI wur.
s LIuL wIy wur endures?
No. L endures becuuse young men Iove IL und oId men Iove IL In LIem. TIose LIuL
IougIL, LIose LIuL dId noL.
TIuL's your noLIon.
TIe judge smIIed. Men ure born Ior gumes. NoLIIng eIse. Every cIIId knows LIuL pIuy Is
nobIer LIun work. He knows Loo LIuL LIe worLI or merIL oI u gume Is noL InIerenL In
LIe gume ILseII buL ruLIer In LIe vuIue oI LIuL wIIcI Is puL uL Iuzurd. Gumes oI cIunce
requIre u wuger Lo Iuve meunIng uL uII. Gumes oI sporL InvoIve LIe skIII und sLrengLI oI
LIe opponenLs und LIe IumIIIuLIon oI deIeuL und LIe prIde oI vIcLory ure In LIemseIves
* suIIIcIenL sLuke becuuse LIey InIere In LIe worLI oI LIe prIncI uIs und deIIne LIem. BuL
LrIuI oI cIunce or LrIuI oI worLI uII gumes uspIre Lo LIe condILIon oI wur Ior Iere LIuL
wIIcI Is wugered swuIIows up gume, pIuyer, uII.
Suppose Lwo men uL curds wILI noLIIng Lo wuger suve LIeIr IIves. WIo Ius noL Ieurd
sucI u LuIe? A Lurn oI LIe curd. TIe wIoIe unIverse Ior sucI u pIuyer Ius Iubored
cIunkIng Lo LIIs momenL wIIcI wIII LeII II Ie Is Lo dIe uL LIuL mun's Iund or LIuL mun
uL IIs. WIuL more cerLuIn vuIIduLIon oI u mun's worLI couId LIere be? TIIs enIuncemenL
oI LIe gume Lo ILs uILImuLe sLuLe udmILs no urgumenL concernIng LIe noLIon oI IuLe. TIe
seIecLIon oI one mun over unoLIer Is u preIerence ubsoIuLe und IrrevocubIe und IL Is u
duII mun Indeed wIo couId reckon so proIound u decIsIon wILIouL ugency or sIgnIIIcunce
eILIer one. n sucI gumes us Iuve Ior LIeIr sLuke LIe unnIIIIuLIon oI LIe deIeuLed LIe
decIsIons ure quILe cIeur. TIIs mun IoIdIng LIIs purLIcuIur urrungemenL oI curds In IIs
Iund Is LIereby removed Irom exIsLence. TIIs Is LIe nuLure oI wur, wIose sLuke Is uL
once LIe gume und LIe uuLIorILy und LIe jusLIIIcuLIon. Seen so, wur Is LIe LruesL Iorm oI
dIvInuLIon. L Is LIe LesLIng oI one's wIII und LIe wIII oI unoLIer wILIIn LIuL Iurger wIII
wIIcI becuuse IL bInds LIem Is LIereIore Iorced Lo seIecL. Wur Is LIe uILImuLe gume
becuuse wur Is uL IusL u IorcIng oI LIe unILy oI exIsLence. Wur Is god.
Brown sLudIed LIe judge. You're cruzy HoIden. Cruzy uL IusL.
TIe judge smIIed.
MIgIL does noL muke rIgIL, suId IIvIng. TIe mun LIuL wIns In some combuL Is noL
vIndIcuLed moruIIy.
MoruI Iuw Is un InvenLIon oI munkInd Ior LIe dIsenIruncIIse-menL oI LIe powerIuI In
> Iuvor oI LIe weuk. HIsLorIcuI Iuw sub erLs IL uL every Lurn. A moruI vIew cun never be
proven rIgIL or wrong by uny uILImuLe LesL. A mun IuIIIng deud In u dueI Is noL LIougIL
LIereby Lo be proven In error us Lo IIs vIews. HIs very InvoIvemenL In sucI u LrIuI gIves
evIdence oI u new und brouder vIew. TIe wIIIIngness oI LIe prIncIpuIs Lo Iorgo IurLIer
urgumenL us LIe LrIvIuIILy wIIcI IL In IucL Is und Lo peLILIon dIrecLIy LIe cIumbers oI LIe
IIsLorIcuI ubsoIuLe cIeurIy IndIcuLes oI Iow IILLIe momenL ure LIe opInIons und oI wIuL
greuL momenL LIe dIvergences LIereoI. or LIe urgumenL Is Indeed LrIvIuI, buL noL so LIe
sepuruLe wIIIs LIereby mude munIIesL. Mun's vunILy muy weII upproucI LIe InIInILe In
cupucILy buL IIs knowIedge remuIns ImperIecL und IowevermucI Ie comes Lo vuIue IIs
judgemenLs uILImuLeIy Ie musL submIL LIem beIore u IIgIer courL. Here LIere cun be no
! specIuI pIeudIng. Here ure con IderuLIons oI equILy und recLILude und moruI rIgIL
rendered voId und wILIouL wurrunL und Iere ure LIe vIews oI LIe IILIgunLs despIsed.
DecIsIons oI IIIe und deuLI, oI wIuL sIuII be und wIuL sIuII noL, beggur uII quesLIon oI
rIgIL. n eIecLIons oI LIese mugnILudes ure uII Iesser ones subsumed, moruI, spIrILuuI,
nuLuruI.
TIe judge seurcIed ouL LIe cIrcIe Ior dIspuLunLs. BuL wIuL suys LIe prIesL? Ie suId.
TobIn Iooked up. TIe prIesL does noL suy.
TIe prIesL does noL suy, suId LIe judge. NIIII dIcIL. BuL LIe prIesL Ius suId. or LIe
prIesL Ius puL by LIe robes oI IIs cruIL und Luken up LIe LooIs oI LIuL IIgIer cuIIIng
wIIcI uII men Ionor. TIe prIesL uIso wouId be no godserver buL u god IImseII.
TobIn sIook IIs Ieud. You've u bIuspIemous Longue, HoIden. And In LruLI wus never
u prIesL buL onIy u novILIuLe Lo LIe order.
Journeymun prIesL or upprenLIce prIesL, suId LIe judge. Men oI god und men oI wur
Iuve sLrunge uIIInILIes.
'II noL secondsuy you In your noLIons, suId TobIn. DonL usk IL.
AI PrIesL, suId LIe judge. WIuL couId usk oI you LIuL you've noL uIreudy gIven?
On LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey crossed LIe muIpuIs uIooL, IeudIng LIe Iorses upon u Iukebed
oI Iuvu uII crucked und reddIsI bIuck IIke u pun oI drIed bIood, LIreudIng LIose budIunds
oI durk umber gIuss IIke LIe remnunLs oI some dIm IegIon scrubbIIng up ouL oI u Iund
uccursed, sIouIderIng LIe IILLIe curL over LIe rIILs und Iedges, LIe IdIoL cIIngIng Lo LIe
burs und cuIIIng IourseIy uILer LIe sun IIke some queer unruIy god ubducLed Irom u ruce
oI degeneruLes. TIey crossed u cInderIund oI cuked sIurry und voIcunIc usI ImponderubIe
us LIe burnedouL IIoor oI IeII und LIey cIImbed up LIrougI u Iow runge oI burren
grunILe IIIIs Lo u sLurk promonLory wIere LIe judge, LrIunguIuLIng Irom known poInLs oI
Iundscupe, reckoned unew LIeIr course. A gruveI IIuL sLreLcIed uwuy Lo LIe IorIzon. ur
Lo LIe souLI beyond LIe bIuck voIcunIc IIIIs Iuy u Ione uIbIno rIdge, sund or gypsum,
IIke LIe buck oI some puIe seubeusL surIuced umong LIe durk urcIIpeIugos. TIey wenL
on. n u duy's rIde LIey reucIed LIe sLone Lunks und LIe wuLer LIey sougIL und LIey
drunk und buIIed wuLer down Irom LIe IIgIer Lunks Lo LIe dry ones beIow Ior LIe
Iorses.
AL uII deserL wuLerIng pIuces LIere ure bones buL LIe judge LIuL evenIng currIed Lo LIe
IIre one sucI us none LIere Iud ever seen beIore, u greuL Iemur Irom some beusL Iong
# exLIncL LIuL Ie'd Iound weuLIered ouL oI u bIuII und LIuL Ie now suL meusur ng wILI
LIe LuIIor's Lupe Ie currIed und skeLcIIng InLo IIs Iog. AII In LIuL compuny Iud Ieurd
LIe judge on puIeonLoIogy suve Ior LIe new recruILs und LIey suL wuLcIIng und puLLIng
Lo IIm sucI querIes us LIey couId conceIve oI. He unswered LIem wILI cure, umpIIIyIng
LIeIr own quesLIons Ior LIem, us II LIey mIgIL be upprenLIce scIoIurs. TIey nodded
duIIy und reucIed Lo LoucI LIuL pIIIur oI sLuIned und peLrIIIed bone, perIups Lo sense
wILI LIeIr IIngers LIe LemporuI ImmensILIes oI wIIcI LIe judge spoke.
TIe keeper Ied LIe ImbecIIe down Irom ILs cuge und LeLIered IL by LIe IIre wILI u
bruIded IorseIuIr rope LIuL IL couId noL cIew LIrougI und IL sLood IeunIng In ILs coIIur
wILI ILs Iunds ouLIeId us II IL yeurned Ior LIe IIumes. GIunLon's dog rose und suL
wuLcIIng IL und LIe IdIoL swuyed und drooIed wILI ILs duII eyes IuIseIy brIgILened by LIe
IIre. TIe judge Iud been IoIdIng LIe Iemur uprIgIL In order Lo beLLer IIIusLruLe ILs
unuIogIes Lo LIe prevuIenL bones oI LIe counLry ubouL und Ie IeL IL IuII In LIe sund und
cIosed IIs book.
TIere Is no mysLery Lo IL, Ie suId.
TIe recruILs bIInked duIIy.
Your IeurL's desIre Is Lo be LoId some mysLery. TIe mysLery Is LIuL LIere Is no mysLery.
He rose und moved uwuy InLo LIe durkness beyond LIe IIre. Aye, suId LIe exprIesL
wuLcIIng, IIs pIpe coId In IIs LeeLI. And no mysLery. As II Ie were no mysLery IImseII,
LIe bIoody oId IoodwInker.
TIree duys IuLer LIey reucIed LIe CoIorudo. TIey sLood uL LIe edge oI LIe rIver
wuLcIIng LIe roIIed und cIuycoIored wuLers comIng down In u IIuL und sLeudy seeLIIng
ouL oI LIe deserL. Two crunes rose Irom LIe sIore und IIupped uwuy und LIe Iorses und
muIes Ied down LIe bunk venLured uncerLuInIy InLo LIe eddyIng sIouIs und sLood
drInkIng und IookIng up wILI LIeIr muzzIes drIppIng uL LIe pussIng currenL und LIe
sIore beyond.
UprIver LIey encounLered In cump LIe remnunLs oI u wugon LruIn IuId wusLe by cIoIeru.
TIe survIvors moved umong LIeIr noonduy cookIIres or sLured IoIIowIy uL LIe rugged
drugoons rIdIng up ouL oI LIe wIIIows. TIeIr cIuLLeIs were scuLLered ubouL over LIe sund
und LIe wreLcIed esLuLes oI LIe deceused sLood sepuruLe Lo be purceIed ouL umong LIem.
TIere were In LIe cump u number oI Yumu IndIuns. TIe men wore LIeIr IuIr Iucked Lo
IengLI wILI knIves or pIusLered up In wIgs oI mud und LIey sIumbIed ubouL wILI Ieuvy
cIubs dungIIng In LIeIr Iunds. BoLI LIey und LIe women were LuLLooed oI Iuce und LIe
women were nuked suve Ior skIrLs oI wIIIowburk woven InLo sLrIng und muny oI LIem
were IoveIy und muny more bore LIe murks oI sypIIIIs.
GIunLon moved LIrougI LIIs buIesome depoL wILI IIs dog uL IeeI und IIs rIIIe In IIs
Iund. TIe Yumus were swImmIng LIe Iew sorry muIes IeIL Lo LIe purLy ucross LIe rIver
und Ie sLood on LIe bunk und wuLcIed LIem. DownrIver LIey'd drowned one oI LIe
unImuIs und Lowed IL usIore Lo be buLcIered. An oId mun In u sIucLo couL und u Iong
beurd suL wILI IIs booLs uL IIs sIde und IIs IeeL In LIe rIver.
WIere's your uII's Iorses? suId GIunLon.
We uLe LIem.
GIunLon sLudIed LIe rIver.
How do you uIm Lo cross?
On LIe Ierry.
He Iooked crossrIver Lo wIere LIe oId mun gesLured. WIuL does Ie geL Lo cross ye? Ie
suId.
DoIIur u Ieud.
GIunLon Lurned und sLudIed LIe pIIgrIms on LIe beucI. TIe dog wus drInkIng Irom LIe
rIver und Ie suId someLIIng Lo IL und IL cume up und suL by IIs knee.
TIe IerrybouL puL ouL Irom LIe Iur bunk und crossed Lo u IundIng upsLreum wIere LIere
wus u deudmun buIIL oI drIILIogs. TIe bouL wus conLrIved Irom u puIr oI oId wugonboxes
7 IILLed Lo eLIer und cuuIked wILI pILcI. A group oI peopIe Iud sIouIdered up LIeIr
dunnuge und sLood wuILIng. GIunLon Lurned und wenL up LIe bunk Lo geL IIs Iorse.
1 TIe Ierrymun wus u docLor Irom New York sLuLe numed In oIn. He wus supervIsIng
LIe IoudIng, LIe LruveIers sLeppIng ubourd und squuLLIng uIong LIe ruIIs oI LIe scow wILI
LIeIr purceIs und IookIng ouL uncerLuInIy uL LIe broud wuLer. A IuII-musLIII dog suL on
LIe bunk wuLcIIng. AL GIunLon's upproucI IL sLood brIsLIIng. TIe docLor Lurned und
sIuded IIs eyes wILI IIs Iund und GIunLon InLroduced IImseII. TIey sIook Iunds. A
pIeusure, CupLuIn GIunLon. um uL your servIce.
GIunLon nodded. TIe docLor guve InsLrucLIons Lo LIe Lwo men workIng Ior IIm und Ie
und GIunLon wuIked ouL uIong LIe downrIver puLI, GIunLon IeudIng LIe Iorse und LIe
docLor's dog IoIIowIng some Len puces beIInd.
GIunLon's purLy wus cumped on u bencI oI sund purLIuIIy sIuded by rIver wIIIows. As Ie
und LIe docLor upproucIed LIe IdIoL rose In IIs cuge und seIzed LIe burs und
# commenced IooL ng us II Ie'd wurn LIe docLor buck. TIe docLor wenL wIde oI LIe
LIIng, gIuncIng uL IIs IosL, buL GIunLon's IIeuLenunLs Iud come Iorwurd und soon LIe
docLor und LIe judge were deep In dIscourse Lo LIe excIusIon oI unyone eIse.
n LIe evenIng GIunLon und LIe judge und u deLuII oI IIve men rode downrIver InLo LIe
Yumu encumpmenL. TIey rode LIrougI u puIe wood oI wIIIow und sycumore IIuked wILI
cIuy Irom LIe IIgI wuLer und LIey rode pusL oId ucequIus und smuII wInLer IIeIds wIere
LIe dry Iusks oI corn ruLLIed IIgILIy In LIe wInd und LIey crossed LIe rIver uL LIe
AIgodones Iord. WIen LIe dogs unnounced LIem LIe sun wus uIreudy down und LIe
wesLern Iund red und smokIng und LIey rode sIngIeIIIe In cumeo deLuIIed by LIe wIney
IIgIL wILI LIeIr durk sIdes Lo LIe rIver. CookIIres Irom LIe cump smoIdered umong LIe
Lrees und u deIeguLIon oI mounLed suvuges rode ouL Lo meeL LIem.
TIey IuILed und suL LIeIr Iorses. TIe purLy upproucIIng were cIud In sucI IooI's reguIIu
und wILIuI bore LIemseIves wILI sucI upIomb LIuL LIe puIer rIders were Iurd puL Lo
* keep LIeIr com osure. TIe Ieuder wus u mun numed CubuIIo en PeIo und LIIs oId
moguI wore u beILed wooI overcouL LIuL wouId Iuve served u Iur coIder cIImuLe und
& beneuLI IL u womun's bIouse oI em roIdered sIIk und u puIr oI punLuIoons oI gruy
cussIneLLe. He wus smuII und wIry und Ie Iud IosL un eye Lo LIe MurIcopus und Ie
presenLed LIe AmerIcuns wILI u sLrunge prIupIc Ieer LIuL muy Iuve uL one LIme been u
smIIe. AL IIs rIgIL rode u Iesser cIIeILuIn numed PuscuuI In u Irogged couL ouL uL LIe
eIbows und wIo wore In IIs nose u bone Iung wILI smuII pendunLs. TIe LIIrd mun wus
PubIo und Ie wus cIud In u scurIeL couL wILI LurnIsIed bruIdIng und LurnIsIed epuuIeLLes
2 oI sIIver wIre. He wus bure ooLed und bure oI Ieg und Ie wore on IIs Iuce u puIr oI
round green goggIes. n LIIs uLLIre LIey urrunged LIemseIves beIore LIe AmerIcuns und
nodded uusLereIy.
Brown spuL on LIe ground In dIsgusL und GIunLon sIook IIs Ieud.
AInL you u cruzyIookIn buncI oI nIggers, Ie suId.
OnIy LIe judge seemed Lo weIgI LIem up uL uII und Ie wus sober In LIe doIng, judgIng
us perIups Ie dId LIuL LIIngs ure seIdom wIuL LIey seem.
Buenus Lurdes, Ie suId.
TIe moguI Lossed IIs cIIn, u smuII gesLure durkened wILI u cerLuIn umbIguILy. Buenus
Lurdes, Ie suId. De donde vIene?
XV
TIe reLurn Lo cump - TIe IdIoL deIIvered -SuruI BorgInnIs ?
A conIronLuLIon - BuLIed In LIe rIver - TIe LumbrII burned - Jumes
RoberL In cump - AnoLIer bupLIsm - Judge und IooI.
TIen LIey rode ouL oI LIe Yumu cump IL wus In LIe durk oI eurIy mornIng. Cuncer,
VIrgo, eo ruced LIe ecIIpLIc down LIe souLIern nIgIL und Lo LIe norLI LIe consLeIIuLIon
oI CussIopeIu burned IIke u wILcI's sIgnuLure on LIe bIuck Iuce oI LIe IIrmumenL. n LIe
nIgILIong purIey LIey'd come Lo Lerms wILI LIe Yumus In conspIrIng Lo seIze LIe Ierry.
TIey rode uprIver umong LIe IIoodsLuIned Lrees LuIkIng quIeLIy umong LIemseIves IIke
men reLurnIng IuLe Irom u socIuI, Irom u weddIng or u deuLI.
By duyIIgIL LIe women uL LIe crossIng Iud dIscovered LIe IdIoL In IIs cuge. TIey
guLIered ubouL IIm, uppurenLIy unup-puIIed by LIe nukedness und IIILI. TIey crooned Lo
" IIm und LIey consuILed umong LIemseIves und u womun numed SuruI BorgIn Is Ied
LIem Lo seek ouL LIe broLIer. SIe wus u Iuge womun wILI u greuL red Iuce und sIe
reud IIm rIoL.
WIuL's your nume unywuys? sIe suId.
CIoyce BeII mum.
WIuL's IIs.
HIs nume's Jumes RoberL buL LIere donL unybody cuII IIm IL.
I your moLIer wus Lo see IIm wIuL do you reckon sIe'd suy.
donL know. SIe's deud.
AInL you usIumed?
No mum.
DonL you suss me.
'm noL LryIng Lo. You wunL IIm jusL Luke IIm. 'II gIve IIm Lo you. cunL do uny more
LIun wIuL 've done.
Dumn II you uInL u sorry specImen. SIe Lurned Lo LIe oLIer women.
You uII IeIp me. We need Lo buLIe IIm und geL some cIoLIes on IIm. Somebody run
geL some soup.
Mum, suId LIe keeper.
You uII jusL Luke IIm on Lo LIe rIver.
ToudvIne und LIe kId pussed LIem us LIey were druggIng LIe curL uIong. TIey sLepped
oII LIe puLI und wuLcIed LIem go by. TIe IdIoL wus cIuLcIIng LIe burs und IooLIng uL
LIe wuLer und some oI LIe women Iud sLurLed up u Iymn.
WIere ure LIey LukIn IL? suId ToudvIne.
TIe kId dIdnL know. TIey were buckIng LIe curL LIrougI LIe Ioose sund Lowurd LIe edge
oI LIe rIver und LIey IeL IL down und opened LIe cuge. TIe BorgInnIs womun sLood
& beIore LIe Im ecIIe.
Jumes RoberL come ouL oI LIere.
SIe reucIed In und Look IIm by LIe Iund. He peered pusL Ier uL LIe wuLer, LIen Ie
reucIed Ior Ier.
A sIgI wenL up Irom LIe women, severuI oI wIom Iud IIked LIeIr skIrLs und Lucked
LIem uL LIe wuIsL und now sLood In LIe rIver Lo receIve IIm.
SIe Iunded IIm down, IIm cIIngIng Lo Ier neck. WIen IIs IeeL LoucIed LIe ground Ie
Lurned Lo LIe wuLer. SIe wus smeured wILI Ieces buL sIe seemed noL Lo noLIce. SIe
Iooked buck uL LIose on LIe rIverbunk.
Burn LIuL LIIng, sIe suId.
Someone run Lo LIe IIre Ior u brund und wIIIe LIey Ied Jumes RoberL InLo LIe wuLers
LIe cuge wus LorcIed und begun Lo burn.
He cIuLcIed uL LIeIr skIrLs, Ie reucIed wILI u cIuwed Iund, gIbberIng, drooIIng.
He sees IIsseII In IL, LIey suId.
SIoo. mugIne IuvIng LIIs cIIId penned up IIke u wIId unImuI.
TIe IIumes Irom LIe burnIng curL cruckIed In LIe dry uIr und LIe noIse musL Iuve
cuugIL LIe IdIoL's uLLenLIon Ior Ie Lurned IIs deud bIuck eyes upon IL. He knows, LIey
suId. AII ugreed. TIe BorgInnIs womun wuded ouL wILI Ier dress buIIoonIng ubouL Ier
und Look IIm deeper und swIrIed IIm ubouL grown mun LIuL Ie wus In Ier greuL sLouL
urms. SIe IeId IIm up, sIe crooned Lo IIm. Her puIe IuIr IIouLed on LIe wuLer.
HIs oId compunIons suw IIm LIuL nIgIL beIore LIe mIgrunLs' IIres In u course woven
wooI suIL. HIs LIIn neck Lurned wurIIy In LIe coIIur oI IIs ouLsIzed sIIrL. TIey'd greused
IIs IuIr und combed IL IIuL upon IIs skuII so LIuL IL Iooked puInLed on. TIey brougIL
IIm sweeLs und Ie suL drooIIng und wuLcIed LIe IIre, greuLIy Lo LIeIr udmIruLIon. n LIe
durk LIe rIver run on und u IIsIcoIored moon rose over LIe deserL eusL und seL LIeIr
sIudows by LIeIr sIdes In LIe burren IIgIL. TIe IIres drew down und LIe smoke sLood
gruy und cIumbered In LIe nIgIL. TIe IILLIe juckuI woIves crIed Irom ucross LIe rIver und
LIe cump dogs sLIrred und muLLered. TIe BorgInnIs Look LIe IdIoL Lo IIs puIIeL under u
wugon-sIeeL und sLrIpped IIm Lo IIs new underweur und sIe Lucked IIm InLo IIs
bIunkeL und kIssed IIm goodnIgIL und LIe cump grew quIeL. WIen LIe IdIoL crossed LIuL
- bIue und smoky umpII IeuLre Ie wus nuked once uguIn, sIumbIIng pusL LIe IIres IIke u
2 buIden groundsIoLI. He puused und LesLed LIe uIr und Ie sIuI Ied on. He wenL wIde oI
LIe IundIng und sLumbIed LIrougI LIe sIore wIIIows, wIImperIng und pusIIng wILI IIs
LIIn urms uL LIIngs In LIe nIgIL. TIen Ie wus sLundIng uIone on LIe sIore. He IooLed
soILIy und IIs voIce pussed Irom IIm IIke u gIIL LIuL wus uIso needed so LIuL no sound
oI IL ecIoed buck. He enLered LIe wuLer. BeIore LIe rIver reucIed mucI pusL IIs wuIsL
Ie'd IosL IIs IooLIng und sunk Irom sIgIL.
Now LIe judge on IIs mIdnIgIL rounds wus pussIng uIong uL jusL LIIs pIuce sLurk nuked
: , IImseII ucI encounLers beIng com oner LIun men suppose or wIo wouId survIve uny
. # crossIng by nIgIL nd Ie sLepped InLo LIe rIver und seIzed up LIe drown ng IdIoL,
snuLcIIng IL uIoIL by LIe IeeIs IIke u greuL mIdwIIe und sIuppIng IL on LIe buck Lo IeL
LIe wuLer ouL. A bIrLI scene or u bupLIsm or some rILuuI noL yeL InuuguruLed InLo uny
cunon. He LwIsLed LIe wuLer Irom ILs IuIr und Ie guLIered LIe nuked und sobbIng IooI
InLo IIs urms und currIed IL up InLo LIe cump und resLored IL umong ILs IeIIows.
XX
TIe IowILzer - TIe Yumus uLLuck - A skIrmIsI -CIunLon
upproprIuLes LIe Ierry - TIe Iunged Judus -TIe coIIers - A depuLuLIon
Ior LIe cousL ?Sun DIego ?ArrungIng Ior suppIIes ?Brown uL
LIe IurrIer's - A dIspuLe - WebsLer und ToudvIne Ireed - TIe oceun -
An uILercuLIon - A mun burned uIIve - Brown In durunce vIIe -
TuIes oI Lreusure ?An escupe ?A murder In LIe mounLuIns ?GIunLon
Ieuves Yumu - TIe uIcuIde Iunged - HosLuges -ReLurns Lo Yumu -
DocLor und judge, nIgger und IooI - Duwn on LIe rIver - CurLs wILIouL
wIeeIs ?Murder oI Juckson ?TIe Yumu mussucre.
TIe docLor Iud been bound Ior CuIIIornIu wIen LIe Ierry IeII InLo IIs Iunds Ior LIe
mosL by cIunce. n LIe ensuIng monLIs Ie'd umussed u consIderubIe weuILI In goId und
6 sIIver und jeweIry. He und LIe Lwo men wIo worked Ior IIm Iud Luken up resI ence
on LIe wesL bunk oI LIe rIver overIookIng LIe IerryIundIng umong LIe ubuLmenLs oI un
unIInIsIed IIIIsIde IorLIIIcuLIon mude Irom mud und rock. n uddILIon Lo LIe puIr oI
- IreIgILwugons Ie'd InIerILed Irom Mujor GruIum's commund Ie Iud uIso u moun uIn
. . IowILzer bronze LweIvepounder wILI u bore LIe sIze oI u suucer nd LIIs pIece sLood
IdIe und unIouded In ILs wooden Lruck. n LIe docLor's crude quurLers Ie und GIunLon
und LIe judge LogeLIer wILI Brown und rvIng suL drInkIng Leu und GIunLon skeLcIed Ior
LIe docLor u Iew oI LIeIr IndIun udvenLures und udvIsed IIm sLrongIy Lo secure IIs
posILIon. TIe docLor demurred. He cIuImed Lo geL uIong weII wILI LIe Yumus. GIunLon
LoId IIm Lo IIs Iuce LIuL uny mun wIo LrusLed un IndIun wus u IooI. TIe docLor coIored
> buL Ie IeId IIs Longue. TIe judge InLer ened. He usked LIe docLor dId Ie consIder LIe
pIIgrIms IuddIed on LIe Iur sIore Lo be under IIs proLecLIon. TIe docLor suId LIuL Ie
dId so consIder LIem. TIe judge spoke reusonubIy und wILI concern und wIen GIunLon
und IIs deLuII reLurned down LIe IIII Lo cross Lo LIeIr cump LIey Iud LIe docLor's
permIssIon Lo IorLIIy LIe IIII und cIurge LIe IowILzer und Lo LIIs end LIey seL ubouL
runnIng LIe IusL oI LIeIr Ieud unLII LIey Iud cIose on Lo u IuLIuI oI rIIIebuIIs.
TIey Iouded LIe IowILzer LIuL evenIng wILI someLIIng IIke u pound oI powder und LIe
enLIre cusL oI sIoL und LIey LrundIed LIe pIece Lo u pIuce oI udvunLuge overIookIng LIe
rIver und LIe IundIng beIow.
Two duys IuLer LIe Yumus uLLucked LIe crossIng. TIe scows were on LIe wesL bunk oI
LIe rIver dIscIurgIng curgo us urrunged und LIe LruveIers sLood by Lo cIuIm LIeIr goods.
TIe suvuges cume boLI mounLed und uIooL ouL oI LIe wIIIows wILI no wurnIng und
swurmed ucross LIe open ground Lowurd LIe Ierry. On LIe IIII ubove LIem Brown und
ong WebsLer swung LIe IowILzer und sLeudIed IL und Brown crummed IIs IIgILed cIgur
InLo LIe LoucI-IoIe.
Even over LIuL open LerruIn LIe concussIon wus Immense. TIe IowILzer In ILs Lruck
# Ieuped Irom LIe ground und cIuLLered smok ng buckwurd ucross LIe pucked cIuy. On
LIe IIoodpIuIn beIow LIe IorL u LerrIbIe desLrucLIon Iud pussed und upwurd oI u dozen oI
LIe Yumus Iuy deud or wrILIIng In LIe sund. A greuL IowI wenL up umong LIem und
GIunLon und IIs rIders deIIIed ouL oI LIe wooded IILLoruI uprIver und rode upon LIem
und LIey crIed ouL In ruge uL LIeIr beLruyuI. TIeIr Iorses begun Lo mIII und LIey puIIed
LIem ubouL und Ioosed urrows uL LIe upproucIIng drugoons und were sIoL down In
voIIeys oI pIsLoIIIre und LIe deburkees uL LIe crossIng scrubbIed up LIeIr urms Irom
umong LIe dunnuge und kneIL und seL up u IIre Irom LIuL quurLer wIIIe LIe women und
cIIIdren Iuy prone umong LIe Lrunks und IreIgILboxes. TIe Iorses oI LIe Yumus reured
und screumed und cIurned ubouL In LIe Ioose sund wILI LIeIr IoopsIuped nosLrIIs und
wIILed eyes und LIe survIvors mude Ior LIe wIIIows Irom wIIcI LIey'd emerged IeuvIng
on LIe IIeId LIe wounded und LIe dyIng und LIe deud. GIunLon und IIs men dId noL
, pursue LIem. TIey dIs ounLed und wuIked meLIodIcuIIy umong LIe IuIIen dIspuLcIIng
LIem mun und Iorse uIIke eucI wILI u pIsLoIbuII LIrougI LIe bruIn wIIIe LIe Ierry
LruveIers wuLcIed und LIen LIey Look LIe scuIps.
TIe docLor sLood on LIe Iow purupeL oI LIe works In sIIence und wuLcIed LIe bodIes
drugged down LIe IundIng und booLed und sIoved InLo LIe rIver. He Lurned und Iooked
uL Brown und WebsLer. TIey'd IuuIed LIe IowILzer buck Lo ILs posILIon und Brown suL
eusIIy on LIe wurm burreI smokIng IIs cIgur und wuLcIIng LIe ucLIvILy beIow. TIe docLor
Lurned und wuIked buck Lo IIs quurLers.
Nor dId Ie uppeur LIe IoIIowIng duy. GIunLon Look cIurge oI LIe operuLIon oI LIe Ierry.
PeopIe wIo Iud been wuILIng LIree duys Lo cross uL u doIIur u Ieud were now LoId LIuL
LIe Iure wus Iour doIIurs. And even LIIs LurIII wus In eIIecL Ior no more LIun u Iew
duys. Soon LIey were operuLIng u sorL oI procrusLeun Ierry wIere LIe Iures were LuIIored
Lo uccommoduLe LIe purses oI LIe LruveIers. UILImuLeIy uII preLense wus dropped und LIe
7 ImmI runLs were robbed ouLrIgIL. TruveIers were beuLen und LIeIr urms und goods
upproprIuLed und LIey were senL desLILuLe und beggured InLo LIe deserL. TIe docLor cume
down Lo remonsLruLe wILI LIem und wus puId IIs sIure oI LIe revenues und senL buck.
Horses were Luken und women vIoIuLed und bodIes begun Lo drIIL pusL LIe Yumu cump
* downrIver. As LIese ouLruges muILI IIed LIe docLor burrIcuded IImseII In IIs quurLers
und wus seen no more.
0 n LIe IoIIowIng monLI u compuny Irom KenLucky under Gen ruI PuLLerson urrIved und
dIsduInIng Lo burguIn wILI GIunLon consLrucLed u Ierry downrIver und crossed und moved
on. TIIs Ierry wus Luken over by LIe Yumus und operuLed Ior LIem by u mun numed
CuIIugIun, buL wILIIn duys IL wus burned und CuIIugIun's IeudIess body IIouLed
unonymousIy downrIver, u vuILure sLundIng beLween LIe sIouIderbIudes In cIerIcuI bIuck,
sIIenL rIder Lo LIe seu.
EusLer In LIuL yeur IeII on LIe IusL duy oI MurcI und uL duwn on LIuL duy LIe kId
LogeLIer wILI ToudvIne und u boy numed BIIIy Curr crossed LIe rIver Lo cuL wIIIow poIes
uL u pIuce wIere LIey grew upsLreum Irom LIe encumpmenL oI ImmIgrunLs. PussIng
LIrougI LIIs pIuce beIore IL wus yeL good IIgIL LIey encounLered u purLy oI Sonoruns up
und ubouL und LIey suw IungIng Irom u scuIIoId u poor Judus IusIIoned Irom sLruw und
oId rugs wIo wore on IIs cunvus Iuce u puInLed scowI LIuL reIIecLed In LIe Iund LIuL
Iud execuLed IL no more LIun u cIIId's concepLIon oI LIe mun und IIs crIme. TIe
" Sonoruns Iud been up sInce mId IgIL drInkIng und LIey Iud IIL u bonIIre on LIe bencI
oI Ioum wIere LIe gIbbeL sLood und us LIe AmerIcuns pussed uIong LIe edge oI LIeIr
cump LIey cuIIed ouL Lo LIem In SpunIsI. Someone Iud brougIL u Iong cune Irom LIe
IIre LIpped wILI IIgILed Low und LIe Judus wus beIng seL uIIre. Ls ruggedy cIoLIes were
pucked wILI squIbs und rockeLs und us LIe IIre Look IoId IL begun Lo bIow upurL pIece
by pIece In u sIower oI burnIng rugs und sLruw. UnLII uL IusL u bomb In ILs breecIes
wenL oII und bIew LIe LIIng Lo pIeces In u sLInk oI sooL und suIpIur und LIe men
cIeered und smuII boys LIrew u Iew IusL sLones uL LIe bIuckened remnunLs dungIIng
Irom LIe noose. TIe kId wus LIe IusL Lo puss LIrougI LIe cIeurIng und LIe Sonoruns
cuIIed ouL Lo IIm und oIIered IIm wIne Irom u gouLskIn buL Ie sIrugged up IIs rug oI
u couL ubouL IIs sIouIders und IurrIed on.
By now GIunLon Iud ensIuved u number oI Sonoruns und Ie kepL crews oI LIem
workIng uL LIe IorLIIIcuLIon oI LIe IIII. TIere were uIso deLuIned In LIeIr cump u dozen
or more IndIun und MexIcun gIrIs, some IILLIe more LIun cIIIdren. GIunLon supervIsed
) wILI some InLeresL LIe ruIsIng oI LIe wuIIs ubouL IIm buL oLIer Ise IeIL IIs men Lo
pursue LIe busIness uL LIe crossIng wILI u LerrIbIe IuLILude. He seemed Lo Luke IILLIe
uccounL oI LIe weuILI LIey were umussIng uILIougI duIIy Ie'd open LIe bruss Iock wILI
wIIcI LIe wood und IeuLIer Lrunk In IIs quurLers wus secured und ruIse LIe IId und
empLy wIoIe sucks oI vuIuubIes InLo IL, LIe Lrunk uIreudy IoIdIng LIousunds oI doIIurs In
goId und sIIver coIns us weII us jeweIry, wuLcIes, pIsLoIs, ruw goId In IILLIe IeuLIer sLIves,
sIIver In burs, knIves, sIIverwure, pIuLe, LeeLI.
On LIe second oI AprII DuvId Brown wILI ong WebsLer und ToudvIne seL ouL Ior LIe
Lown oI Sun DIego on LIe oId MexIcun cousL Ior LIe purpose oI obLuInIng suppIIes. TIey
Look wILI LIem u sLrIng oI puckunImuIs und LIey IeIL uL sunseL, rIdIng up ouL oI LIe
Lrees und IookIng buck uL LIe rIver und LIen wuIkIng LIe Iorses sIdewuys down LIe
dunes InLo LIe cooI bIue dusk.
TIey crossed LIe deserL In IIve duys wILIouL IncIdenL und rode up LIrougI LIe cousLuI
runge und Ied LIe muIes LIrougI LIe snow In LIe gup und descended LIe wesLern sIope
und enLered LIe Lown In u sIow drIzzIe oI ruIn. TIeIr IIde cIoLIIng wus Ieuvy wILI wuLer
und LIe unImuIs were sLuIned wILI LIe sIIL LIuL Iud IeucIed ouL oI LIem und LIeIr
LruppIngs. MounLed U S cuvuIry pussed LIem In LIe mud oI LIe sLreeL und In LIe
dIsLunce beyond LIey couId Ieur LIe seu boom sIudderIng on LIe gruy und sLony cousL.
Brown Look Irom LIe Iorn oI IIs suddIe u IIbre morruI IIIIed wILI coIns und LIe LIree oI
LIem dIsmounLed und enLered u wIIskey grocer's und ununnounced LIey upended LIe
suck on LIe grocer's bourd.
TIere were doubIoons mInLed In SpuIn und In GuuduIujuru und IuII doubIoons und goId
doIIurs und LIny goId IuII doIIurs und rencI coIns oI Len Irunc vuIue und goId eugIes
und IuII eugIes und rIng doIIurs und doIIurs mInLed In NorLI CuroIInu und GeorgIu LIuL
were LwenLy-Lwo curuLs pure. TIe grocer weIgIed LIem ouL by sLucks In u common scuIe,
sorLed by LIeIr mInLIngs, und Ie drew corks und poured meusures round In smuII LIn
cups wIereon LIe gIIIs were sLumped. TIey drunk und seL down LIe cups uguIn und Ie
pusIed LIe boLLIe ucross LIe ruw susImIIIed bourds oI LIe counLer.
TIey Iud druILed u IIsL oI suppIIes Lo be conLrucLed Ior und wIen LIey'd ugreed on LIe
prIce oI IIour und coIIee und u Iew oLIer sLupIes LIey Lurned InLo LIe sLreeL eucI wILI u
boLLIe In IIs IIsL. TIey wenL down LIe pIunkbourd wuIkwuy und crossed LIrougI LIe mud
und LIey wenL pusL rows oI ruwIookIng sIucks und crossed u smuII pIuzu beyond wIIcI
LIey couId see LIe Iow seu roIIIng und u smuII encumpmenL oI LenLs und u sLreeL wIere
LIe squuLLIng Iouses were mude oI IIdes runged IIke curIous dorys uIong LIe seIvuge oI
seu ouLs ubove LIe beucI und quILe bIuck und sIInIng In LIe ruIn.
L wus In one oI LIese LIuL Brown woke LIe nexL mornIng. He Iud IILLIe recoIIecLIon oI
LIe prIor nIgIL und LIere wus no one In LIe IuL wILI IIm. TIe remuInder oI LIeIr
money wus In u bug uround IIs neck. He pusIed open LIe Irumed IIde door und
sLepped ouL InLo LIe durkness und LIe mIsL. TIey'd neILIer puL up nor -Ied LIeIr
unImuIs und Ie mude IIs wuy buck Lo LIe grocer's wIere LIey were LIed und suL on LIe
wuIkwuy und wuLcIed LIe duwn come down Irom LIe IIIIs beIInd LIe Lown.
Noon Ie wus red-eyed und reekIng beIore LIe uIcuIde's door demundIng LIe reIeuse oI
IIs compunIons. TIe uIcuIde vucuLed ouL LIe buck oI LIe premIses und sIorLIy LIere
1 urrIved un AmerI un corporuI und Lwo soIdIers wIo wurned IIm uwuy. An Iour IuLer Ie
# wus uL LIe IurrIery. SLundIng wurIIy In LIe doorwuy peer ng InLo LIe gIoom unLII Ie
couId muke ouL LIe sIupe oI LIIngs wILIIn.
TIe IurrIer wus uL IIs bencI und Brown enLered und IuId beIore IIm u poIIsIed
muIoguny cuse wILI u bruss numepIuLe brudded Lo LIe IId. He unsnupped LIe cuLcIes
und opened LIe cuse und ruIsed Irom LIeIr recess wILIIn u puIr oI sIoLgun burreIs und
Ie Look up LIe sLock wILI LIe oLIer Iund. He Iooked LIe burreIs InLo LIe puLenL breecI
und sLood LIe sIoLgun on LIe bencI und pusIed LIe IILLed pIn Iome Lo secure LIe
Ioreurm. He cocked LIe Iummers wILI IIs LIumbs und IeL LIem IuII uguIn. TIe sIoLgun
wus EngIIsI mude und Iud dumuscus burreIs und engruved Iocks und LIe sLock wus burI
muIoguny. He Iooked up. TIe IurrIer wus wuLcIIng IIm.
You work on guns? suId Brown.
do some.
need LIese burreIs cuL down.
TIe mun Look LIe gun und IeId IL In IIs Iunds. TIere wus u ruIsed cenLer rIb beLween
LIe burreIs und InIuId In goId LIe muker's nume, ondon. TIere were Lwo pIuLInum
bunds In LIe puLenL breecI und LIe Iocks und LIe Iummers were cIused wILI scroIIwork
7 cuL deepIy In LIe sLeeI und LIere were purLrIdges en ruved uL eILIer end oI LIe muker's
nume LIere. TIe purpIe burreIs were weIded up Irom LrIpIe skeIps und LIe Iummered
Iron und sLeeI bore u wuLered IIgure IIke LIe murkIngs oI some uIIen und unLIque
serpenL, rure und beuuLIIuI und IeLIuI, und LIe wood wus IIgured wILI u deep red IeuLIer
gruIn uL LIe buLL und IeId u smuII sprIngIouded sIIver cupbox In LIe Loe.
TIe IurrIer Lurned LIe gun In IIs Iunds und Iooked uL Brown. He Iooked down uL LIe
cuse. L wus IIned wILI green buIze und LIere were IILLIe IILLed compurLmenLs LIuL IeId u
wudcuLLer, u pewLer powderIIusk, cIeunIng jugs, u puLenL pewLer cupper.
You need wIuL? Ie suId.
CuL LIe burreIs down. ong ubouL In Iere. He IeId u IInger ucross LIe pIece.
cunL do LIuL.
Brown Iooked uL IIm. You cunL do IL?
No sIr.
He Iooked uround LIe sIop. WeII, Ie suId. 'd oI LIougIL uny dumn IooI couId suw LIe
burreIs oII u sIoLgun.
TIere's someLIIng wrong wILI you. WIy wouId unybody wunL Lo cuL LIe burreIs oII u
gun IIke LIIs?
WIuL dId you suy? suId Brown.
TIe mun Lendered LIe gun nervousIy. jusL meunL LIuL donL see wIy unybody wouId
wunL Lo ruIn u good gun IIke LIIs Iere. WIuL wouId you Luke Ior IL?
L uInL Ior suIe. You LIInk LIere's someLIIng wrong wILI me?
No donL. dIdnL meun IL LIuL wuy.
Are you goIn Lo cuL LIem burreIs down or uInL ye?
cunL do LIuL.
CunL or wonL?
You pIck LIe one LIuL besL suILs you.
Brown Look LIe sIoLgun und IuId IL on LIe bencI.
WIuL wouId you Iuve Lo Iuve Lo do IL? Ie suId.
uInL doIn IL.
I u mun wunLed IL done wIuL wouId be u IuIr prIce?
donL know. A doIIur.
Brown reucIed InLo IIs pockeL und cume up wILI u IundIuI oI coIns. He IuId u Lwo und
u IuII doIIur goId pIece on LIe bencI. Now, Ie suId. 'm puyIn you Lwo und u IuII
doIIurs.
TIe IurrIer Iooked uL LIe coIn nervousIy. donL need your money, Ie suId. You cunL puy
me Lo buLcIer LIuL LIere gun.
You done been puId.
No uInL.
Yonder IL Iuys. Now you cun eILIer geL Lo suwIn or you cun deIuuIL. n LIe cuse oI
wIIcI uIm Lo Luke IL ouL oI your uss.
TIe IurrIer dIdnL Luke IIs eyes oII Brown. He begun Lo buck uwuy Irom LIe bencI und
LIen Ie Lurned und run.
7 WIen LIe sergeunL oI LIe guurd urrIved Brown Iud LIe sIoL un cIucked up In LIe
bencIvIse und wus workIng uL LIe burreIs wILI u Iucksuw. TIe sergeunL wuIked uround
Lo wIere Ie couId see IIs Iuce. WIuL do you wunL, suId Brown.
TIIs mun suys you LIreuLened IIs IIIe.
WIuL mun?
TIIs mun. TIe sergeunL nodded Lowurd LIe door oI LIe sIed.
Brown conLInued Lo suw. You cuII LIuL u mun? Ie suId.
never gIve IIm no Ieuve Lo come In Iere und use my LooIs neILIer, suId LIe IurrIer.
How ubouL IL? suId LIe sergeunL.
How ubouL wIuL?
How do you unswer Lo LIIs mun's cIurges?
He's u IIur.
You never LIreuLened IIm?
TIuL's rIgIL.
TIe IeII Ie never.
donL LIreuLen peopIe. LoId IIm 'd wIIp IIs uss und LIuL's us good us noLurIzed.
You donL cuII LIuL u LIreuL?
Brown Iooked up. L wus noL no LIreuL. L wus u promIse.
He benL Lo LIe work uguIn und unoLIer Iew pusses wILI LIe suw und LIe burreIs
dropped Lo LIe dIrL. He IuId down LIe suw und bucked oII LIe juws oI LIe vIse und
IIILed ouL LIe sIoLgun und unpInned LIe burreIs Irom LIe sLock und IILLed LIe pIeces InLo
LIe cuse und sIuL LIe IId und IuLcIed IL.
WIuL wus LIe urgumenL ubouL? suId LIe sergeunL.
WusnL no urgumenL LIuL know oI.
You beLLer usk IIm wIere Ie goL LIuL gun Ie's jusL ruIned. He's sLoIe LIuL somewIeres,
you cun wuger on IL.
WIere'd you geL LIe sIoLgun? suId LIe sergeunL.
Brown benL down und pIcked up LIe severed burreIs. TIey were ubouL eIgILeen IncIes
Iong und Ie Iud LIem by LIe smuII end. He cume uround LIe bencI und wuIked pusL
LIe sergeunL. He puL LIe guncuse under IIs urm. AL LIe door Ie Lurned. TIe IurrIer wus
nowIere In sIgIL. He Iooked uL LIe sergeunL.
beIIeve LIuL mun Ius done wILIdruwed IIs cIurges, Ie suId. Ike us noL Ie wus drunk.
As Ie wus crossIng LIe pIuzu Lowurd LIe IILLIe mud cubIIdo Ie encounLered ToudvIne und
WebsLer newIy reIeused. TIey were wIIdIookIng und LIey sLunk. TIe LIree oI LIem wenL
down Lo LIe beucI und suL IookIng ouL uL LIe Iong gruy sweIIs und pussIng Brown's
boLLIe umong LIem. TIey'd none oI LIem seen un oceun beIore. Brown wuIked down und
IeId IIs Iund Lo LIe sIeeL oI spume LIuL run up LIe durk sund. He IIILed IIs Iund und
LusLed LIe suIL on IIs IIngers und Ie Iooked downcousL und up und LIen LIey wenL buck
up LIe beucI Lowurd LIe Lown.
TIey spenL LIe uILernoon drInkIng In u Iuzurous bodegu run by u MexIcun. Some soIdIers
cume In. An uILercuLIon Look pIuce. ToudvIne wus on IIs IeeL, swuyIng. A peucemuker
rose Irom umong LIe soIdIers und soon LIe prIncIpuIs were seuLed uguIn. BuL mInuLes
IuLer Brown on IIs wuy buck Irom LIe bur poured u pILcIer oI uguurdIenLe over u young
soIdIer und seL IIm uIIre wILI IIs cIgur. TIe mun run ouLsIde muLe suve Ior LIe wIoosI
oI LIe IIumes und LIe IIumes were puIe bIue und LIen InvIsIbIe In LIe sunIIgIL und Ie
IougIL LIem In LIe sLreeL IIke u mun beseL wILI bees or mudness und LIen Ie IeII over
In LIe roud und burned up. By LIe LIme LIey goL Lo IIm wILI u buckeL oI wuLer Ie Iud
bIuckened und sIrIveIed In LIe mud IIke un enormous spIder.
Brown woke In u durk IILLIe ceII munucIed und cruzed wILI LIIrsL. TIe IIrsL LIIng Ie
consuILed Ior wus LIe bug oI coIns. L wus sLIII InsIde IIs sIIrL. He rose up Irom LIe
sLruw und puL one eye Lo LIe judus IoIe. L wus duy. He cuIIed ouL Ior someone Lo
come. He suL und wILI IIs cIuIned Iunds counLed ouL LIe coIns und puL LIem buck In
LIe bug.
n LIe evenIng Ie wus brougIL IIs supper by u soIdIer. TIe soIdIer's nume wus PeLIL
und Brown sIowed IIm IIs neckIuce oI eurs und Ie sIowed IIm LIe coIns. PeLIL suId Ie
wunLed no purL oI IIs scIemes. Brown LoId IIm Iow Ie Iud LIIrLy LIousund doIIurs
burIed In LIe deserL. He LoId IIm oI LIe Ierry, InsLuIIIng IImseII In GIunLon's pIuce. He
sIowed IIm LIe coIns uguIn und Ie spoke IumIIIurIy oI LIeIr pIuces oI orIgIn,
suppIemenLIng LIe judge's reporLs wILI ImprompLu duLu. Even sIures, Ie IIssed. You und
me.
4 He sLudIed LIe recruIL LIrougI LIe burs. PeLIL wIped IIs Iore eud wILI IIs sIeeve.
Brown scooped LIe coIns buck InLo LIe poke und Iunded LIem ouL Lo IIm.
You LIInk we cuInL LrusL one unoLIer? Ie suId.
TIe boy sLood IoIdIng LIe suck oI coIns uncerLuInIy. He LrIed Lo pusI IL buck LIrougI
LIe burs. Brown sLepped uwuy und IeId IIs Iunds up.
DonL be u IooI, Ie IIssed. WIuL do you LIInk 'd oI gIve Lo Iuve Iud sucI u cIunce uL
your uge?
WIen PeLIL wus gone Ie suL In LIe sLruw und Iooked uL LIe LIIn meLuI pIuLe oI beuns
und LIe LorLIIIus. AILer u wIIIe Ie uLe. OuLsIde IL wus ruInIng uguIn und Ie couId Ieur
rIders pussIng In LIe mud oI LIe sLreeL und soon IL wus durk.
TIey IeIL Lwo nIgILs IuLer. TIey Iud eucI u pussubIe suddIe-Iorse und u rIIIe und
bIunkeL und LIey Iud u muIe LIuL currIed provIsIons oI drIed corn und beeI und duLes.
TIey rode up InLo LIe drIppIng IIIIs und In LIe IIrsL IIgIL Brown ruIsed LIe rIIIe und
sIoL LIe boy LIrougI LIe buck oI LIe Ieud. TIe Iorse IurcIed Iorwurd und LIe boy
LoppIed buckwurd, LIe enLIre IorepIuLe oI IIs skuII gone und LIe bruIns exposed. Brown
IuILed IIs mounL und goL down und reLrIeved LIe suck oI coIns und Look LIe boy's knIIe
und Look IIs rIIIe und IIs powderIIusk und IIs couL und Ie cuL LIe eurs Irom LIe boy's
Ieud und sLrung LIem onLo IIs scupuIur und LIen Ie mounLed up und rode on. TIe
puckmuIe IoIIowed und uILer u wIIIe so dId LIe Iorse LIe boy Iud been rIdIng.
WIen WebsLer und ToudvIne rode InLo LIe cump uL Yumu LIey Iud neILIer provIsIons
nor LIe muIes LIey'd IeIL wILI. GIunLon Look IIve men und rode ouL uL dusk IeuvIng LIe
judge In cIurge oI LIe Ierry. TIey reucIed Sun DIego In LIe deud oI nIgIL und were
dIrecLed Lo LIe uIcuIde's Iouse. TIIs mun cume Lo LIe door In nIgILsIIrL und sLockIngcup
- IoIdIng u cundIe beIore IIm. GIun on pusIed IIm buck InLo LIe purIor und senL IIs
men on Lo LIe reur oI LIe Iouse Irom wIence LIey Ieurd dIrecLIy u womun's screums
und u Iew duII sIups und LIen sIIence.
TIe uIcuIde wus u mun In IIs sIxLIes und Ie Lurned Lo go Lo IIs wIIe's uId und wus
sLruck down wILI u pIsLoIburreI. He sLood up uguIn IoIdIng IIs Ieud. GIunLon pusIed
IIm on Lo LIe reur room. He Iud In IIs Iund u rope uIreudy IusIIoned InLo u noose
und Ie Lurned LIe uIcuIde uround und puL LIe noose over IIs Ieud und puIIed IL LuuL.
TIe wIIe wus sILLIng up In bed und uL LIIs sIe commenced Lo screum uguIn. One oI Ier
eyes wus swoIIen und cIosIng rupIdIy und now one oI LIe recruILs IIL Ier IIusI In LIe
mouLI und sIe IeII over In LIe LousIed beddIng und puL Ier Iunds over Ier Ieud.
GIunLon IeId LIe cundIe uIoIL und dIrecLed one oI LIe recruILs Lo boosL LIe oLIer on IIs
sIouIders und LIe boy reucIed uIong LIe Lop oI one oI LIe vIgus unLII Ie Iound u spuce
und Ie IILLed LIe end oI LIe rope LIrougI und IeL IL down und LIey IuuIed on IL und
7 ruIsed LIe muLe und sLrug IIng uIcuIde InLo LIe uIr. TIey'd noL LIed IIs Iunds und Ie
groped wIIdIy overIeud Ior LIe rope und puIIed IImseII up Lo suve sLrungIIng und Ie
kIcked IIs IeeL und revoIved sIowIy In LIe cundIeIIgIL.
VuIgume DIos, Ie gusped. Que quIere?
wunL my money, suId GIunLon. wunL my money und wunL my puckmuIes und
wunL DuvId Brown.
Como? wIeezed LIe oId mun.
Someone Iud IIL u Iump. TIe oId womun ruIsed up und suw IIrsL LIe sIudow und LIen
LIe Iorm oI Ier Iusbund dungIIng Irom LIe rope und sIe begun Lo cruwI ucross LIe bed
Lowurd IIm.
DIgume, gusped LIe uIcuIde.
Someone reucIed Lo seIze LIe wIIe buL GIunLon moLIoned IIm uwuy und sIe sLuggered
& ouL oI LIe bed und Look IoId oI Ier Ius und ubouL LIe knees Lo IoId IIm up. SIe wus
# sobbIng und pruy ng Ior mercy Lo GIunLon und Lo God ImpurLIuIIy.
GIunLon wuIked uround Lo wIere Ie couId see LIe mun's Iuce. wunL my money, Ie
suId. My money und my muIes und LIe mun senL ouL Iere. EI Iombre que LIene
usLed. MI compunero.
No no, gusped LIe Iunged mun. BIIscuIe. No mun Is Iere.
WIere Is Ie?
He Is no Iere.
Yes Ie's Iere. n LIe juzgudo.
No no. Mudre de Jesus. No Iere. He Is gone. SIeLe, ocIo dIus.
WIere Is LIe juzgudo?
Como?
EI juzgudo. Donde esLu?
TIe oId womun Lurned Ioose wILI one urm Iong enougI Lo poInL, Ier Iuce pressed Lo
LIe mun's Ieg. AIIu, sIe suId. AIIu.
Two men wenL ouL, one IoIdIng LIe sLub oI LIe cundIe und sIIeIdIng LIe IIume wILI IIs
cupped Iund beIore IIm. WIen LIey cume buck LIey reporLed LIe IILLIe dungeon In LIe
buIIdIng ouL buck empLy.
- GIunLon sLudIed LIe uIcuIde. TIe oId womun wus vIsIbIy LoL erIng. TIey'd IuIIIILcIed
LIe rope ubouL LIe LuIIposL oI LIe bed und Ie Ioosed LIe rope und LIe uIcuIde und LIe
wIIe coIIupsed InLo LIe IIoor.
TIey IeIL LIem bound und gugged und rode ouL Lo vIsIL LIe grocer. TIree duys IuLer LIe
uIcuIde und LIe grocer und LIe uIcuIde's wIIe were Iound LIed und IyIng In LIeIr own
excremenL In un ubundoned IuL uL LIe edge oI LIe oceun eIgIL mIIes souLI oI LIe
seLLIemenL. TIey'd been IeIL u pun oI wuLer Irom wIIcI LIey drunk IIke dogs und LIey
Iud IowIed uL LIe boomIng surI In LIuL wuypIuce unLII LIey were muLe us sLones.
GIunLon und IIs men were Lwo duys und nIgILs In LIe sLreeLs cruzed wILI IIquor. TIe
sergeunL In cIurge oI LIe smuII gurrIson oI AmerIcun Lroops conIronLed LIem In u
drInkIng excIunge on LIe evenIng oI LIe second duy und Ie und LIe LIree men wILI
IIm were beuLen senseIess und sLrIpped oI LIeIr urms. AL duwn wIen LIe soIdIers kIcked
In LIe IosLeI door LIere wus no one In LIe room.
GIunLon reLurned Lo Yumu uIone, IIs men gone Lo LIe goId IIeIds. On LIuL bonesLrewn
1 wusLe Ie encounLered wreLcIed pur eIs oI IooL-LruveIers wIo cuIIed ouL Lo IIm und men
- deud wIere LIey'd IuIIen und men wIo wouId dIe und groups oI IoIks cIus ered ubouL u
IusL wugon or curL sIouLIng IourseIy uL LIe muIes or oxen und goudIng LIem on us II
LIey bore In LIose IruII cuIssons LIe covenunL ILseII und LIese unImuIs wouId dIe und LIe
peopIe wILI LIem und LIey cuIIed ouL Lo LIuL Ione Iorsemun Lo wurn IIm oI LIe dunger
uL LIe crossIng und LIe Iorsemun rode on uII conLrury Lo LIe LIde oI reIugees IIke some
% sLorIed Iero Lowurd wIuL beusL oI wur or pIugue or IumIne wILI wIuL seL Lo IIs re
enLIess juw.
WIen Ie reucIed Yumu Ie wus drunk. BeIInd IIm on u sLrIng were Lwo smuII jucks
Iuden wILI wIIskey und bIscuIL. He suL IIs Iorse und Iooked down uL LIe rIver wIo wus
keeper oI LIe crossrouds oI uII LIuL worId und IIs dog cume Lo IIm und nuzzIed IIs IooL
In LIe sLrIrrup.
A young MexIcun gIrI wus croucIed nuked under LIe sIude oI LIe wuII. SIe wuLcIed
IIm rIde pusL, coverIng Ier breusLs wILI Ier Iunds. SIe wore u ruwIIde coIIur ubouL Ier
neck und sIe wus cIuIned Lo u posL und LIere wus u cIuy bowI oI bIuckened meuLscrups
besIde Ier. GIunLon LIed LIe jucks Lo LIe posL und rode InsIde on LIe Iorse.
TIere wus no one ubouL. He rode down Lo LIe IundIng. WIIIe Ie wus wuLcIIng LIe rIver
LIe docLor cume scrumbIIng down LIe bunk und seIzed GIunLon by LIe IooL und begun Lo
pIeud wILI IIm In u senseIess jubber. He'd noL seen Lo IIs person In weeks und Ie wus
IIILIy und dIsIeveIed und Ie Lugged uL GIunLon's LrouserIeg und poInLed Lowurd LIe
IorLIIIcuLIons on LIe IIII. TIuL mun, Ie suId. TIuL mun.
GIunLon sIId IIs booL Irom LIe sLIrrup und pusIed LIe docLor uwuy wILI IIs IooL und
Lurned LIe Iorse und rode buck up LIe IIII. TIe judge wus sLundIng on LIe rIse In
sIIIoueLLe uguInsL LIe evenIng sun IIke some greuL buIden urcIImundrILe. He wus
wrupped In u munLIe oI IreeIIowIng cIoLI beneuLI wIIcI Ie wus nuked. TIe bIuck mun
Juckson cume ouL oI one oI LIe sLone bunkers dressed In u sImIIur gurb und sLood
besIde IIm. GIunLon rode buck up uIong LIe cresL oI LIe IIII Lo IIs quurLers.
AII nIgIL gunIIre drIILed InLermILLenLIy ucross LIe wuLer und IuugILer und drunken ouLIs.
WIen duy broke no one uppeured. TIe Ierry Iuy uL ILs moorIngs und ucross LIe rIver u
mun cume down Lo LIe IundIng und bIew u Iorn und wuILed und LIen wenL buck.
TIe Ierry sLood IdIe uII LIuL duy. By evenIng LIe drunkenness und reveIry Iud begun
uIresI und LIe sIrIeks oI young gIrIs currIed ucross LIe wuLer Lo LIe pIIgrIms IuddIed In
LIeIr cump. Someone Iud gIven LIe IdIoL wIIskey mIxed wILI sursupurIIIu und LIIs LIIng
wIIcI couId IILLIe more LIun wuIk Iud commenced Lo dunce beIore LIe IIre wILI IopIng
sImIun sLeps, movIng wILI greuL gruvILy und smuckIng ILs Ioose weL IIps.
" AL duwn LIe bIuck wuIked ouL Lo LIe IundIng und sLood urI uLIng In LIe rIver. TIe
scows Iuy downsLreum uguInsL LIe bunk wILI u Iew IncIes oI sundy wuLer sLundIng In
LIe IIoorbourds. He puIIed IIs robes ubouL IIm und sLepped ubourd LIe LIwurL und
buIunced LIere. TIe wuLer run over LIe bourds Lowurd IIm. He sLood IookIng ouL. TIe
sun wus noL up und LIere wus u Iow skeIn oI mIsL on LIe wuLer. DownsLreum some
ducks moved ouL Irom LIe wIIIows. TIey cIrcIed In LIe eddy wuLer und LIen IIupped ouL
ucross LIe open rIver und rose und cIrcIed und benL LIeIr wuy upsLreum. n LIe IIoor oI
LIe scow wus u smuII coIn. PerIups once Iodged under LIe Longue oI some pussenger.
He benL Lo IeLcI IL. He sLood up und wIped LIe grIL Irom LIe pIece und IeId IL up und
us Ie dId so u Iong cune urrow pussed LIrougI IIs upper ubdomen und IIew on und IeII
Iur ouL In LIe rIver und sunk und bucked Lo LIe surIuce uguIn und begun Lo Lurn und Lo
drIIL downsLreum.
# He Iuced uround, IIs robes susLuIned ubouL IIm. He wus IoId ng IIs wound und wILI
IIs oLIer Iund Ie ruvuged umong IIs cIoLIes Ior LIe weupons LIuL were noL LIere und
were noL LIere. A second urrow pussed IIm on LIe IeIL und Lwo more sLruck und Iodged
IusL In IIs cIesL und In IIs groIn. TIey were u IuII Iour IeeL In IengLI und LIey IoILed
sIIgILIy wILI IIs movemenLs IIke ceremonIuI wunds und Ie seIzed IIs LIIgI wIere LIe
durk urLerIuI bIood wus spurLIng uIong LIe sIuIL und Look u sLep Lowurd LIe sIore und
IeII sIdewuys InLo LIe rIver.
TIe wuLer wus sIuIIow und Ie wus movIng weukIy Lo reguIn IIs IeeL wIen LIe IIrsL oI
LIe Yumus Ieuped ubourd LIe scow. CompIeLeIy nuked, IIs IuIr dyed orunge, IIs Iuce
puInLed bIuck wILI u crImson IIne dIvIdIng IL Irom wIdow's peuk Lo cIIn. He sLumped IIs
IeeL LwIce on LIe bourds und IIured IIs urms IIke some wIId LIuumuLurge ouL oI un
uLuvIsLIc drumu und reucIed und seIzed LIe bIuck by IIs robes wIere Ie Iuy In LIe
reddenIng wuLers und ruIsed IIm up und sLove In IIs Ieud wILI IIs wurcIub.
TIey swurmed up LIe IIII Lowurd LIe IorLIIIcuLIons wIere LIe AmerIcuns Iuy sIeepIng und
some were mounLed und some uIooL und uII oI LIem urmed wILI bows und cIubs und
- LIeIr Iuces bIucked or puIe wILI Iurd und LIeIr IuIr bound up In cIuy. TIe IIrsL quur
ers LIey enLered were IncoIn's. WIen LIey emerged u Iew mInuLes IuLer one oI LIem
currIed LIe docLor's drIppIng Ieud by LIe IuIr und oLIers were druggIng beIInd LIem
LIe docLor's dog, bound uL LIe muzzIe, jerkIng und buckIng ucross LIe dry cIuy oI LIe
concourse. TIey enLered u wIckIup oI wIIIowpoIes und cunvus und sIew Gunn und WIIson
und Henderson SmILI eucI In Lurn us LIey reured up drunkenIy und LIey moved on
umong LIe rude IuII wuIIs In LoLuI sIIence gIIsLenIng wILI puInL und greuse und bIood
umong LIe bunds oI IIgIL wIere LIe rIsen sun now LoucIed LIe IIgIer ground.
WIen LIey enLered GIunLon's cIumber Ie IurcIed uprIgIL und gIured wIIdIy ubouL IIm.
TIe smuII cIuy room Ie occupIed wus enLIreIy IIIIed wILI u bruss bed Ie'd upproprIuLed
Irom some mIgruLIng IumIIy und Ie suL In IL IIke u debuucIed IeuduI buron wIIIe IIs
weupons Iung In u rIcI urruy Irom LIe IInIuIs. CubuIIo en PeIo mounLed InLo LIe ucLuuI
bed wILI IIm und sLood LIere wIIIe one oI LIe uLLendIng LrIbunuI Iunded IIm uL IIs
rIgIL sIde u common uxe LIe IIckory IeIve oI wIIcI wus curved wILI pugun moLIIs und
LusseIed wILI LIe IeuLIers oI preduLory bIrds. GIunLon spuL.
Huck uwuy you meun red nIgger, Ie suId, und LIe oId mun ruIsed LIe uxe und spIIL LIe
Ieud oI JoIn JoeI GIunLon Lo LIe LIruppIe.
WIen LIey enLered LIe judge's quurLers LIey Iound LIe IdIoL und u gIrI oI perIups LweIve
yeurs cowerIng nuked In LIe IIoor. BeIInd LIem uIso nuked sLood LIe judge. He wus
IoIdIng IeveIed uL LIem LIe bronze burreI oI LIe IowILzer. TIe wooden Lruck sLood In
LIe IIoor, LIe sLrups prIed up und LwIsLed oII LIe pIIIow-bIocks. TIe judge Iud LIe
cunnon under one urm und Ie wus IoIdIng u IIgILed cIgur over LIe LoucI-IoIe. TIe
Yumus IeII over one unoLIer buckwurd und LIe judge puL LIe cIgur In IIs mouLI und
Look up IIs porLmunLeuu und sLepped ouL LIe door und bucked pusL LIem und down LIe
embunkmenL. TIe IdIoL, wIo reucIed jusL Lo IIs wuIsL, sLuck cIose Lo IIs sIde, und
LogeLIer LIey enLered LIe wood uL LIe buse oI LIe IIII und dIsuppeured Irom sIgIL.
TIe suvuges buIIL u bonIIre on LIe IIII und IueIed IL wILI LIe IurnIsIIngs Irom LIe wIILe
men's quurLers und LIey ruIsed up GIunLon's body und bore IL uIoIL In LIe munner oI u
* sIuIn cIum Ion und IurIed IL onLo LIe IIumes. TIey'd LIed IIs dog Lo IIs corpse und IL
wus snuLcIed uILer In IowIIng suLLee Lo dIsuppeur cruckIIng In LIe roIIIng greenwood
smoke. TIe docLor's Lorso wus drugged up by LIe IeeIs und ruIsed und IIung onLo LIe
pyre und LIe docLor's musLIII uIso wus commILLed Lo LIe IIumes. L sIId sLruggIIng down
LIe Iur sIde und LIe LIongs wILI wIIcI IL wus LIed musL Iuve burnL In Lwo Ior IL begun
Lo cruwI cIurred und bIInd und smokIng Irom LIe IIre und wus IIung buck wILI u sIoveI.
TIe oLIer bodIes eIgIL In number were Ieuped onLo LIe IIre wIere LIey sIzzIed und
sLunk und LIe LIIck smoke roIIed ouL over LIe rIver. TIe docLor's Ieud Iud been
mounLed upon u puIIng und currIed ubouL buL uL LIe IusL IL Loo wus LIrown onLo LIe
bIuze. TIe guns und cIoLIIng were dIvIded upon LIe cIuy und dIvIded Loo were LIe goId
und sIIver ouL oI LIe Iucked und spIInLered cIesL LIuL LIey'd drugged IorLI. AII eIse wus
Ieuped on LIe IIumes und wIIIe LIe sun rose und gIIsLened on LIeIr guudy Iuces LIey
suL upon LIe ground eucI wILI IIs new goods beIore IIm und LIey wuLcIed LIe IIre und
smoked LIeIr pIpes us mIgIL some puInLed Lroupe oI mImeIoIk recruILIng LIemseIves In
sucI u wuypIuce Iur Irom LIe Lowns und LIe rubbIe IooLIng uL LIem ucross LIe smokIng
IooLIumps, conLempIuLIng Lowns Lo come und LIe poor IunIure oI LrumpeL und drum und
LIe rude bourds upon wIIcI LIeIr desLInIes were InscrIbed Ior LIese peopIe were no Iess
bound und IndenLured und LIey wuLcIed IIke LIe preIIguru-LIon oI LIeIr own ends LIe
curbonIzed skuIIs oI LIeIr enemIes IncundescIng beIore LIem brIgIL us bIood umong LIe
couIs.
XX
TIe escupe - nLo LIe deserL - Pursued by LIe Yumus - A sLund ?
AIumo MucIo ?AnoLIer reIugee - A sIege - AL Iong Luw - NIgILIIres -
TIe judge IIves ?AL burLer In LIe deserL ?How LIe exprIesL comes Lo
udvocuLe murder - SeLLIng IorLI - AnoLIer encounLer - CurrIzo Creek -
An uLLuck ?Among LIe bones ?PIuyIng Ior keeps ?An exorcIsm ?
TobIn wounded - A counseIIng - TIe sIuugILer oI LIe Iorses -
TIe judge on LorLs - AnoLIer escupe, unoLIer deserL.
ToudvIne und LIe kId IougIL u runnIng engugemenL uprIver . LIrougI LIe sIore brucken
wILI urrows cIuLLerIng LIrougI LIe cune uII ubouL LIem. TIey cume ouL oI LIe wIIIow
brukes und cIImbed LIe dunes und descended LIe Iur sIde und reuppeured uguIn, Lwo
durk IIgures unguIsIIng upon LIe sunds, now LroLLIng, now sLoopIng, LIe reporL oI LIe
pIsLoI IIuL und deud In LIe open counLry. TIe Yumus wIo cresLed ouL on LIe dunes were
Iour In number und LIey dId noL IoIIow buL ruLIer IIxed LIem upon LIe LerruIn Lo wIIcI
LIey Iud commILLed LIemseIves und LIen Lurned buck.
TIe kId currIed un urrow In IIs Ieg und IL wus buLLed uguInsL LIe bone. He sLopped und
suL und broke oII LIe sIuIL u Iew IncIes Irom LIe wound und LIen Ie goL up uguIn und
LIey wenL on. AL LIe cresL oI LIe rIse LIey sLopped und Iooked buck. TIe Yumus Iud
uIreudy IeIL LIe dunes und LIey couId see LIe smoke rIsIng durkIy uIong LIe rIver bIuII.
To LIe wesL LIe counLry wus uII roIIIng sundIIIIs wIere u mun mIgIL IIe In IIdIng buL
LIere wus no pIuce LIe sun wouId noL IInd IIm und onIy LIe wInd couId IIde IIs Lrucks.
Cun you wuIk? suId ToudvIne.
uInL goL no cIoIce.
How mucI wuLer you goL?
NoL mucI.
WIuL do you wunL Lo do?
donL know.
We couId euse buck Lo LIe rIver und Iuy up, suId ToudvIne.
TIII wIuL?
He Iooked Lowurd LIe IorL uguIn und Ie Iooked uL LIe broken sIuIL In LIe kId's Ieg und
LIe weIIIng bIood. You wunL Lo Lry und puII LIuL?
No.
WIuL do you wunL Lo do?
Goon.
TIey mended LIeIr course und pIcked up LIe LruII LIe wugon purLIes IoIIowed und LIey
wenL on LIrougI LIe Iong Iorenoon und LIe duy und LIe evenIng oI LIe duy. By durk
LIeIr wuLer wus gone und LIey Iubored on beneuLI LIe sIow wIeeI oI sLurs und sIepL
sIIverIng umong LIe dunes und rose In LIe duwn und wenL on uguIn. TIe kId's Ieg Iud
sLIIIened und Ie IobbIed uILer wILI u secLIon oI wugonLongue Ior u cruLcI und LwIce Ie
LoId ToudvIne Lo go on buL Ie wouId noL. BeIore noon LIe uborIgInes uppeured.
TIey wuLcIed LIem ussembIe upon LIe LrembIIng drop oI LIe eusLern IorIzon IIke buIeIuI
murIoneLLes. TIey were wILIouL Iorses und LIey seemed Lo be movIng uL u LroL und
wILIIn LIe Iour LIey were IoILIng urrows upon LIe reIugees.
TIey wenL on, LIe kId wILI IIs pIsLoI druwn, sLeppIng und duckIng LIe sIuILs wIere LIey
IeII ouL oI LIe sun, LIe IengLIs oI LIem gIIsLenIng uguInsL LIe puIe sky und
IoresIorLenIng In u reedy IIuLLer und LIen suddenIy quIverIng deud In LIe ground. TIey
snupped oII LIe sIuILs uguInsL LIeIr beIng used uguIn und LIey Iubored on sIdewuys over
LIe sund IIke crubs unLII LIe urrows comIng so LIIck und cIose LIey mude u sLund. TIe
kId dropped onLo IIs eIbows und cocked und IeveIed LIe revoIver. TIe Yumus were over
u Iundred yurds ouL und LIey seL up u cry und Toud-vIne dropped Lo one knee
uIongsIde LIe kId. TIe pIsLoI bucked und LIe gruy smoke Iung moLIonIess In LIe uIr und
one oI LIe suvuges wenL down IIke u pIuyer LIrougI u Lrup. TIe kId Iud cocked LIe
pIsLoI uguIn buL ToudvIne puL IIs Iund over LIe burreI und LIe kId Iooked up uL IIm
und Iowered LIe Iummer und LIen suL und reIouded LIe empLy cIumber und pusIed
! IIm eII up und recovered IIs cruLcI und LIey wenL on. BeIInd LIem on LIe pIuIn LIey
couId Ieur LIe LIIn cIumor oI LIe uborIgInes us LIey cIusLered ubouL LIe one Ie'd sIoL.
TIuL puInLed Iorde dogged LIeIr sLeps LIe duy Iong. TIey were LwenLy-Iour Iours
wILIouL wuLer und LIe burren muruI oI sund und sky wus begInnIng Lo sIImmer und
8 swIm und LIe perI dIc urrows sprung usIunL Irom LIe sunds ubouL LIem IIke LIe LuILed
sLuIks oI muLunL deserL growLIs propuguLIng ungrIIy InLo LIe dry deserL uIr. TIey dId noL
sLop. WIen LIey reucIed LIe weIIs uL AIumo MucIo LIe sun wus Iow beIore LIem und
LIere wus u IIgure seuLed uL LIe rIm oI LIe busIn. TIIs IIgure rose und sLood wurped In
LIe quukIng Iens oI LIuL worId und IeId ouL one Iund, In weIcome or wurnIng LIey Iud
no wuy Lo know. TIey sIIeIded LIeIr eyes und IImped on und LIe IIgure uL LIe weII
cuIIed ouL Lo LIem. L wus LIe exprIesL TobIn.
He wus uIone und unurmed. How muny ure ye? Ie suId.
WIuL you see, suId ToudvIne.
AII LIe resL gone under? GIunLon? TIe judge?
TIey dIdnL unswer. TIey sIId down Lo LIe IIoor oI LIe weII wIere LIere sLood u Iew
IncIes oI wuLer und LIey kneIL und drunk.
TIe pIL In wIIcI LIe weII wus sunk wus perIups u dozen IeeL In dIumeLer und LIey
posLed LIemseIves ubouL LIe Inner sIope oI LIIs suIIenL und wuLcIed wIIIe LIe ndIuns
Iunned ouL over LIe pIuIn, movIng pusL In LIe dIsLunce uL u sIow Iope. AssembIed In
smuII groups uL curdInuI poInLs ouL LIere LIey begun Lo IuuncI LIeIr urrows upon LIe
deIenders und LIe AmerIcuns cuIIed ouL LIe urrIvuI oI LIe IncomIng sIuILs IIke urLIIIery
oIIIcers, IyIng LIere on LIe exposed bunk und wuLcIIng ouL ucross LIe pIL Lowurd LIe
ussuIIunLs In LIuL quurLer, LIeIr Iunds cIuwed uL eILIer sIde oI LIem und LIeIr Iegs
cocked, rIgId us cuLs. TIe kId IeId IIs IIre uILogeLIer und soon LIose suvuges on LIe
wesLern sIore wIo were more Iuvored by LIe IIgIL begun Lo move In.
AbouL LIe weII were IIIIocks oI sund Irom oId dIggIngs und LIe Yumus muy Iuve meunL
Lo Lry Lo reucI LIem. TIe kId IeIL IIs posL und moved Lo LIe wesL rIm oI LIe excuvuLIon
und begun Lo IIre on LIem wIere LIey sLood or squuLLed on LIeIr IuuncIes IIke woIves
ouL LIere on LIe sIImmerIng pun. TIe exprIesL kneIL by LIe kId's sIde und wuLcIed
beIInd LIem und IeId IIs IuL beLween LIe sun und LIe IoresIgIL oI LIe kId's pIsLoI und
LIe kId sLeudIed LIe pIsLoI In boLI Iunds on LIe edge oI LIe works und IeL oII LIe
rounds. AL LIe second IIre one oI LIe suvuges IeII over und Iuy wILIouL movIng. TIe
nexL sIoL spun unoLIer one uround und Ie suL down und LIen rose und Look u Iew
sLeps und suL down uguIn. TIe exprIesL wIIspered encourugemenL uL IIs eIbow und LIe
kId LIumbed buck LIe Iummer und LIe exprIesL udjusLed LIe IuL Lo sIude gunsIgIL und
sIgIL eye wILI LIe one sIudow und LIe kId IIred uguIn. He'd druwn IIs sIgIL upon LIe
wounded mun sILLIng on LIe pun und IIs sIoL sLreLcIed IIm ouL deud. TIe exprIesL guve
u Iow wIIsLIe.
Aye, you're u cooI one, Ie wIIspered. BuL IL's cunnIng work uII LIe sume und wouIdnL IL
Luke LIe IeurL ouL oI ye.
TIe Yumus seemed ImmobIIIzed by LIese mIsIorLunes und LIe kId cocked LIe pIsLoI und
sIoL down unoLIer oI LIeIr number beIore LIey begun Lo coIIecL LIemseIves und Lo move
# buck, Luk ng LIeIr deud wILI LIem, IoILIng u IIurry oI urrows und IowIIng ouL
0 bIoodouLIs In LIeIr sLoneuge Longue or InvocuLIons Lo wIuL ver gods oI wur or IorLune
LIey'd LIe eur oI und reLreuLIng upon LIe pun unLII LIey were very smuII Indeed.
TIe kId sIouIdered up IIs IIusk und sIoLpoucI und sIId down LIe pILcI Lo LIe IIoor oI
LIe weII wIere Ie dug u second smuII busIn wILI LIe oId sIoveI LIere und In LIe wuLer
LIuL seeped In Ie wusIed LIe bores oI LIe cyIInder und wusIed LIe burreI und run
pIeces oI IIs sIIrL LIrougI LIe bore wILI u sLIck unLII LIey cume cIeun. TIen Ie
reussembIed LIe pIsLoI, LuppIng LIe burreI pIn unLII LIe cyIInder wus snug und IuyIng LIe
pIece In LIe wurm sund Lo dry.
ToudvIne Iud mude IIs wuy uround LIe excuvuLIon unLII Ie reucIed LIe exprIesL und
LIey Iuy wuLcIIng LIe reLreuL oI LIe suvuges LIrougI LIe IeuL sIImmerIng oII LIe pun In
% LIe IuLe sun IgIL.
He's u deudeye uInL Ie?
TobIn nodded. He Iooked down LIe pIL Lo wIere LIe kId suL IoudIng LIe pIsLoI, LurnIng
? LIe powderIIIIed cIumbers und meus rIng LIem wILI IIs eye, seuLIng LIe buIIs wILI LIe
sprues down.
How do you sLund by wuy oI ummunILIon?
PoorIy. We goL u Iew rounds, noL muny.
TIe exprIesL nodded. EvenIng wus comIng on und In LIe red Iund Lo LIe wesL LIe
Yumus were guLIerIng In sIIIoueLLe beIore LIe sun.
AII nIgIL LIeIr wuLcIIIres burned on LIe durk cIrcIeL oI LIe worId und LIe kId unpInned
LIe burreI Irom LIe pIsLoI und usIng IL Ior u spygIuss Ie wenL uround LIe wurm sund
seIvuge oI LIe weII und sLudIed LIe sepuruLe IIres Ior movemenL. TIere Is IurdIy In LIe
worId u wusLe so burren buL some creuLure wIII noL cry ouL uL nIgIL, yeL Iere one wus
und LIey IIsLened Lo LIeIr breuLIIng In LIe durk und LIe coId und LIey IIsLened Lo LIe
sysLoIe oI LIe rubymeuLed IeurLs LIuL Iung wILIIn LIem. WIen duy broke LIe IIres Iud
burned ouL und sIender LermInuIs oI smoke sLood Irom LIe pIuIn uL LIree sepuruLe poInLs
oI LIe compuss und LIe enemy Iud gone. CrossIng LIe dry pun Lowurd LIem Irom LIe
eusL wus u Iurge IIgure uLLended by u smuIIer. ToudvIne und LIe exprIesL wuLcIed.
WIuL do you muke IL Lo be?
TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud.
ToudvIne cupped IIs Iund und wIIsLIed sIurpIy down uL LIe kId. He suL up wILI LIe
pIsLoI. He cIumbered up LIe sIope wILI IIs sLIII Ieg. TIe LIree oI LIem Iuy wuLcIIng.
L wus LIe judge und LIe ImbecIIe. TIey were boLI oI LIem nuked und LIey neured
LIrougI LIe deserL duwn IIke beIngs oI u mode IILLIe more LIun LungenLIuI Lo LIe worId
" uL Iurge, LIeIr IIgures now quIck wILI cIurILy und now IugILIve In LIe sLrunge ess oI LIuL
sume IIgIL. Ike LIIngs wIose very porLenL renders LIem umbIguous. Ike LIIngs so
cIurged wILI meunIng LIuL LIeIr Iorms ure dImmed. TIe LIree uL LIe weII wuLcIed
muLeIy LIIs LrunsIL ouL oI LIe breukIng duy und even LIougI LIere wus no Ionger uny
quesLIon us Lo wIuL IL wus LIuL upproucIed yeL none wouId nume IL. TIey Iumbered on,
LIe judge u puIe pInk beneuLI IIs LuIc oI dusL IIke someLIIng newIy born, LIe ImbecIIe
mucI LIe durker, IurcIIng LogeLIer ucross LIe pun uL LIe very exLremes oI exIIe IIke
some scurrIIous kIng sLrIpped oI IIs vesLI-Lure und drIven LogeLIer wILI IIs IooI InLo LIe
wIIderness Lo dIe.
- TIose wIo LruveI In deserL pIuces do Indeed meeL wILI creu ures surpussIng uII
descrIpLIon. TIe wuLcIers uL LIe weII rose LIe beLLer Lo wILness LIese urrIvuIs. TIe
# ImbecIIe wus IuIrIy Iop ng uIong Lo keep LIe puce. TIe judge on IIs Ieud wore u wIg
oI drIed rIver mud Irom wIIcI proLruded bILs oI sLruw und gruss und LIed upon LIe
ImbecIIe's Ieud wus u rug oI Iur wILI LIe bIuckened bIood sIde ouL. TIe judge currIed In
0 one Iund u smuII cunvus suLcIeI und Ie wus bedruped wILI meuL IIke some medI vuI
penILenL. He Iove up uL LIe dIggIngs und nodded LIem u good mornIng und Ie und LIe
IdIoL sIId down LIe bunk und kneIL und begun Lo drInk.
Even LIe IdIoL, wIo musL be Ied by Iund. He kneIL besIde LIe judge und sucked noIsIIy
uL LIe mIneruI wuLer und ruIsed IIs durk IurvuI eyes Lo LIe LIree men croucIed ubove
IIm uL LIe rIm oI LIe pIL und LIen benL und drunk uguIn.
TIe judge LIrew oII IIs bundoIIers oI sunbIucked meuL und IIs skIn beneuLI wus
sLrungeIy moLLIed pInk und wIILe In LIe sIupes oI LIem. He seL by LIe IILLIe mud cup
und Iuved wuLer over IIs burnL und peeIIng skuII und over IIs Iuce und Ie drunk uguIn
und suL In LIe sund. He Iooked up uL IIs oId compunIons. HIs mouLI wus crucked und
IIs Longue swoIIen.
ouIs, Ie suId. WIuL wIII you Luke Ior LIuL IuL?
ToudvIne spuL. L uInL Ior suIe, Ie suId.
EveryLIIng's Ior suIe, suId LIe judge. WIuL wIII you Luke?
ToudvIne Iooked uneusIIy uL LIe exprIesL. He Iooked down InLo LIe weII. GoL Lo Iuve my
IuL, Ie suId.
How mucI?
ToudvIne gesLured wILI IIs cIIn uL LIe sLrIngs oI meuL. reckon you wunL Lo Lrude some
oI LIuL Lug Ior IL.
NoL uL uII, suId LIe judge. SucI us Is Iere Is Ior everybody. How mucI Ior LIe IuL?
WIuL'II you gIve? suId ToudvIne.
TIe judge sLudIed IIm. 'II gIve one Iundred doIIurs, Ie suId.
No one spoke. TIe IdIoL croucIed on ILs IuuncIes seemed uIso Lo be uwuILIng LIe
ouLcome oI LIIs excIunge. ToudvIne Look oII LIe IuL und Iooked uL IL. HIs Iunk bIuck
IuIr cIove Lo LIe sIdes oI IIs Ieud. L wonL IIL ye, Ie suId.
TIe judge quoLed IIm some Lerm In IuLIn. He smIIed. NoL your concern, Ie suId.
ToudvIne puL LIe IuL on und udjusLed IL. reckon LIuL's wIuL you goL In LIuL LIere
suLcIeI, Ie suId.
You reckon correcLIy, suId LIe judge.
ToudvIne Iooked oII Lowurd LIe sun.
'II muke IL u Iundred und u quurLer und wonL usk you wIere you goL IL, suId LIe judge.
eL's see your coIor.
TIe judge uncIusped LIe suLcIeI und LIpped und empLIed IL ouL on LIe sund. L
2 conLuIned u knIIe und perIups u IuII u buckeL uI oI goId coIns oI every vuIue. TIe
judge pusIed LIe knIIe Lo one sIde und spreud LIe coIns wILI LIe puIm oI IIs Iund und
Iooked up.
ToudvIne Look oII LIe IuL. He mude IIs wuy down LIe sIope. He und LIe judge squuLLed
on eILIer sIde oI LIe judge's Lrove und LIe judge puL Iorwurd LIe coIns ugreed upon,
udvuncIng LIem wILI LIe buck oI IIs Iund Iorwurd IIke u croupIer. ToudvIne Iunded up
LIe IuL und guLIered LIe coIns und LIe judge Look LIe knIIe und sIIL LIe bund oI LIe
IuL uL LIe reur und cuL LIrougI LIe brIm und opened up LIe crown und LIen seL LIe
IuL on IIs Ieud und Iooked up uL TobIn und LIe kId.
Come down, Ie suId. Come down und sIure LIIs meuL.
TIey dIdnL move. ToudvIne uIreudy Iud u pIece oI IL In boLI Iunds und wus LuggIng uL
IL wILI IIs LeeLI. L wus cooI In LIe weII und LIe mornIng sun IeII onIy upon LIe upper
rIm. TIe judge scooped LIe remuInIng coIns buck InLo LIe suLcIeI und sLood IL usIde und
# benL Lo drInk uguIn. TIe ImbecIIe Iud been wuLcI ng ILs reIIecLIon In LIe pooI und IL
wuLcIed LIe judge drInk und IL wuLcIed LIe wuLer cuIm ILseII once more. TIe judge
wIped IIs mouLI und Iooked uL LIe IIgures ubove IIm.
How ure you IIxed Ior weupons? Ie suId.
TIe kId Iud seL one IooL over LIe edge oI LIe pIL und now Ie drew IL buck. TobIn dId
noL move. He wus wuLcIIng LIe judge.
We've jusL LIe one pIsLoI, HoIden.
We? suId LIe judge.
TIe Iud Iere.
TIe kId Iud rIsen Lo IIs IeeL uguIn. TIe exprIesL sLood by IIm.
TIe judge In LIe IIoor oI LIe weII IIkewIse rose und Ie udjusLed IIs IuL und grIpped LIe
vuIIse under IIs urm IIke some Immense und nuked burrIsLer wIom LIe counLry Iud
cruzed.
WeIgI your counseI, PrIesL, Ie suId. We ure uII Iere LogeLIer. Yonder sun Is IIke LIe eye
oI God und we wIII cook ImpurLIuIIy upon LIIs greuL sIIIceous grIddIe do ussure you.
'm no prIesL und 've no counseI, suId TobIn. TIe Iud Is u Iree ugenL.
TIe judge smIIed. QuILe so, Ie suId. He Iooked uL ToudvIne und Ie smIIed up uL LIe
exprIesL uguIn. WIuL LIen? Ie suId. Are we Lo drInk uL LIese IoIes Lurn ubouL IIke rIvuI
bunds oI upes?
TIe exprIesL Iooked uL LIe kId. TIey sLood IucIng LIe sun. He squuLLed, LIe beLLer Lo
uddress LIe judge beIow.
Do you LIInk LIuL LIere Is u regIsLry wIere you cun IIIe on LIe weIIs oI LIe deserL?
AI PrIesL, you'd know LIose oIIIces more reudIIy LIun . 've no cIuIm Iere. 've LoId you
beIore, 'm u sImpIe mun. You know you're weIcome Lo come down Iere und Lo drInk
und Lo IIII your IIusk.
TobIn dIdnL move.
eL me Iuve LIe cunLeen, suId LIe kId. He'd Luken LIe pIsLoI Irom IIs beIL und Ie
Iunded IL Lo LIe exprIesL und Look LIe IeuLIer boLLIe und descended LIe bunk.
TIe judge IoIIowed IIm wILI IIs eyes. TIe kId cIrcIed LIe IIoor oI LIe weII, no purL oI
wIIcI wus uILogeLIer beyond LIe judge's reucI, und Ie kneIL opposILe LIe ImbecIIe und
puIIed LIe sLopper Irom LIe IIusk und submerged LIe IIusk In LIe busIn. He und LIe
ImbecIIe wuLcIed LIe wuLer run In uL LIe neck oI LIe IIusk und LIey wuLcIed IL bubbIe
* und LIey wuLcIed IL ceuse. TIe kId sLop ered LIe IIusk und Ieuned und drunk Irom LIe
pooI und LIen Ie suL buck und Iooked uL ToudvIne.
Are you goIn wILI us?
A ToudvIne Iooked uL LIe judge. donL know, Ie suId. 'm sub ecL Lo urresL. TIey'II urresL
me In CuIIIornIu.
ArresL ye?
ToudvIne dIdnL unswer. He wus sILLIng In LIe sund und Ie mude u LrIpod oI LIree
IIngers und sLuck LIem In LIe sund beIore IIm und LIen Ie IIILed und Lurned LIem und
poked LIem In uguIn so LIuL LIere were sIx IoIes In LIe Iorm oI u sLur or u Iexugon
und LIen Ie rubbed LIem ouL uguIn. He Iooked up.
You wouIdnL LIInk LIuL u mun wouId run pIumb ouL oI counLry ouL Iere, wouId ye?
TIe kId rose und sIung LIe IIusk by ILs sLrup over IIs sIouIder. HIs LrouserIeg wus bIuck
wILI bIood und LIe bIoody sLump oI LIe sIuIL juLLed Irom IIs LIIgI IIke u peg Ior
IungIng ImpIemenLs upon. He spuL und wIped IIs mouLI wILI LIe buck oI IIs Iund und
Ie Iooked uL ToudvIne. L uInL counLry you've run ouL oI, Ie suId. TIen Ie mude IIs
wuy ucross LIe sInk und up LIe bunk. TIe judge IoIIowed IIm wILI IIs eyes und wIen
LIe kId reucIed LIe sunIIgIL uL LIe Lop Ie Lurned und Iooked buck und LIe judge wus
IoIdIng open LIe suLcIeI beLween IIs nuked LIIgIs.
Ive Iundred doIIurs, Ie suId. Powder und buII IncIuded.
TIe exprIesL wus uL LIe kId's sIde. Do IIm, Ie IIssed.
* TIe kId Look LIe pIsLoI buL LIe exprIesL cIung Lo IIs urm wIIs erIng und wIen LIe kId
puIIed uwuy Ie spoke uIoud, sucI wus IIs Ieur.
3 You'II geL no second cIunce Iud. Do IL. He Is nuked. He Is un rmed. God's bIood, do
you LIInk you'II besL IIm uny oLIer wuy? Do IL, Iud. Do IL Ior LIe Iove oI God. Do IL or
sweur your IIIe Is IorIeIL.
TIe judge smIIed, Ie Lupped IIs LempIe. TIe prIesL, Ie suId. TIe prIesL Ius been Loo
Iong In LIe sun. Seven-IIILy und LIuL's my besL oIIer. L's u seIIer's murkeL.
TIe kId puL LIe pIsLoI In IIs beIL. TIen wILI LIe exprIesL uL IIs eIbow ImporLunuLe Ie
cIrcIed LIe cruLer und LIey seL ouL wesL ucross LIe pun. ToudvIne cIImbed up und
wuLcIed LIem. AILer u wIIIe LIere wus noLIIng Lo see.
TIuL duy LIeIr wuy Look LIem upon u vusL mosuIc puvemenL cobbIed up Irom LIny
! bIocks oI jusper, curneIIun, uguLe. A LIou und ucres wIde wIere LIe wInd sung In LIe
grouLIess InLersLIces. TruversIng LIIs ground Lowurd LIe eusL rIdIng one Iorse und IeudIng
6 unoLIer cume DuvId Brown. TIe Iorse Ie Ied wus sud Ied und brIdIed und LIe kId
sLood wILI IIs LIumbs In IIs beIL und wuLcIed wIIIe Ie rode up und Iooked down uL
* IIs oId com unIons.
We Ieurd you were In LIe juzgudo, suId TobIn.
wus, suId Brown. uInL now. HIs eyes cuLuIogued LIem In every purL. He Iooked uL LIe
pIece oI urrowsIuIL proLrudIng Irom LIe kId's Ieg und Ie Iooked InLo LIe exprIesL's eyes.
WIere's your ouLIILs? Ie suId.
You're IookIn uL LIem.
You IuII ouL wILI GIunLon?
GIunLon's deud.
Brown spuL u dry wIILe spoL In LIuL vusL und broken pIuLeIund. He Iud u smuII sLone In
IIs mouLI uguInsL LIe LIIrsL und Ie sIIILed IL wILI IIs juw und Iooked uL LIem. TIe
Yumus, Ie suId.
Aye, suId LIe exprIesL.
AII rubbed ouL?
ToudvIne und LIe judge ure uL LIe weII buck yonder.
TIe judge, suId Brown.
TIe Iorses sLured bIeukIy uL LIe cruzed sLone IIoor wIereon LIey sLood.
TIe resL gone under? SmILI? Dorsey? TIe nIgger?
AII, suId TobIn.
Brown Iooked eusL ucross LIe deserL. How Iur Lo LIe weII?
We IeIL ubouL un Iour pusL duybreuk.
s Ie urmed?
He Is noL.
He sLudIed LIeIr Iuces. TIe prIesL donL IIe, Ie suId.
No one spoke. He suL IIngerIng LIe scupuIur oI drIed eurs. TIen Ie Lurned LIe Iorse
, und rode on, IeudIng LIe rIderIess unI uI beIInd. He rode wuLcIIng buck uL LIem. TIen
Ie sLopped uguIn.
DId you see IIm deud? Ie cuIIed. GIunLon?
dId, cuIIed LIe exprIesL. or Ie Iud so.
He rode on, Lurned sIIgILIy In LIe suddIe, LIe rIIIe on IIs knee. He kepL wuLcI beIInd
IIm on LIose pIIgrIms und LIey on IIm. WIen Ie wus weII dImInIsIed on LIe pun LIey
Lurned und wenL on.
By noon LIe duy IoIIowIng LIey Iud begun Lo come uguIn upon ubundoned geur Irom
LIe curuvuns, cusL sIoes und pIeces oI Iurness und bones und LIe drIed curcusses oI
muIes wILI LIe uIpurejus sLIII buckIed ubouL. TIey Lrod LIe IuInL urc oI un uncIenL Iuke
sIore wIere broken sIeIIs Iuy IIke bILs oI poLLery IruII und rIbbed umong LIe sunds und
In LIe eurIy evenIng LIey descended umong u serIes oI dunes und spoIIbunks Lo CurrIzo
Creek, u seep LIuL weIIed ouL oI LIe sLones und run oII down LIe deserL und vunIsIed
uguIn. TIousunds oI sIeep Iud perIsIed Iere und LIe LruveIers mude LIeIr wuy umong
LIe yeIIowed bones und curcusses wILI LIeIr rugs oI LuLLered wooI und LIey kneIL umong
bones Lo drInk. WIen LIe kId ruIsed IIs drIppIng Ieud Irom LIe wuLer u rIIIebuII dIsIed
IIs reIIecLIon Irom LIe pooI und LIe ecIoes oI LIe sIoL cIuLLered ubouL LIe bonesLrewn
sIopes und cIunged uwuy In LIe deserL und dIed.
He spun on IIs beIIy und cIumbered sIdewuys, scunnIng LIe skyIIne. He suw LIe Iorses
IIrsL, sLundIng nose Lo nose In u noLcI umong LIe dunes Lo LIe souLI. He suw LIe judge
cIud In LIe gusseLed cIoLIIng oI IIs recenL ussocIuLes. He wus IoIdIng LIe mouLI oI LIe
uprIgIL rIIIe In IIs IIsL und pourIng powder Irom u IIusk down LIe bore. TIe ImbecIIe,
nuked suve Ior u IuL, squuLLed In LIe sunds uL IIs IeeL.
TIe kId scuLLIed Lo u Iow pIuce In LIe ground und Iuy IIuL wILI LIe pIsLoI In IIs IIsL und
LIe creek LrIckIIng pusL IIs eIbow. He Lurned Lo Iook Ior LIe exprIesL buL Ie couId noL
IInd IIm. He couId see LIrougI LIe IuLLIce oI bones LIe judge und IIs cIurge on LIe IIII
In LIe sun und Ie ruIsed LIe pIsLoI und resLed IL In LIe suddIe oI u runcId peIvIs und
IIred. He suw LIe sund jump on LIe sIope beIInd LIe judge und LIe judge IeveIed LIe
rIIIe und IIred und LIe rIIIebuII wIucked LIrougI LIe bones und LIe sIoLs roIIed uwuy
over LIe duneIunds.
TIe kId Iuy wILI IIs IeurL IummerIng In LIe sund. He LIumbed buck LIe Iummer uguIn
und ruIsed IIs Ieud. TIe IdIoL suL us beIore und LIe judge wus LrudgIng seduLeIy uIong
LIe skyIIne IookIng over LIe wIndrowed bones beIow IIm Ior un udvunLuge. TIe kId
begun Lo move uguIn. He moved InLo LIe creek on IIs beIIy und Iuy drInkIng, IoIdIng
up LIe pIsLoI und LIe powderIIusk und suckIng uL LIe wuLer. TIen Ie moved ouL LIe Iur
sIde und down u LrumpIed corrIdor LIrougI LIe sunds wIere woIves Iud gone Lo und
Iro. OII Lo IIs IeIL Ie LIougIL Ie Ieurd LIe exprIesL IIss uL IIm und Ie couId Ieur LIe
creek und Ie Iuy IIsLenIng. He seL LIe Iummer uL IuIIcock und roLuLed LIe cyIInder und
1 re Iurged LIe empLy cIumber und cupped LIe pIece und ruIsed up Lo Iook. TIe sIuIIow
> rIdge uIong wIIcI LIe judge Iud ud unced wus empLy und LIe Lwo Iorses were comIng
# Lowurd IIm ucross LIe sund Lo LIe souLI. He cocked LIe pIsLoI und Iuy wuLcI ng. TIey
upproucIed IreeIy over LIe burren pILcI, nudgIng LIe uIr wILI LIeIr Ieuds, LIeIr LuIIs
wIIskIng. TIen Ie suw LIe IdIoL sIumbIIng uIong beIInd LIem IIke some dIm neoIILIIc
" Ierdsmun. To IIs rIgIL Ie suw LIe judge uppeur Irom LIe dunes und recon oILre und
drop Irom sIgIL uguIn. TIe Iorses conLInued on und LIere wus u scrubbIIng beIInd IIm
und wIen LIe kId Lurned LIe exprIesL wus In LIe corrIdor IIssIng uL IIm.
SIooL IIm, Ie cuIIed.
TIe kId spun ubouL Lo Iook Ior LIe judge buL LIe exprIesL cuIIed uguIn In IIs Iourse
wIIsper.
TIe IooI. SIooL LIe IooI.
He ruIsed IIs pIsLoI. TIe Iorses sLepped one und LIe nexL LIrougI u breuk In LIe
yeIIowed puIIngs und LIe ImbecIIe sIumbIed uILer und dIsuppeured. He Iooked buck uL
TobIn buL LIe exprIesL wus gone. He moved uIong LIe corrIdor unLII Ie cume Lo LIe
creek uguIn, uIreudy sIIgILIy roIIed Irom LIe drInkIng Iorses ubove IIm. HIs Ieg Iud
begun Lo bIeed und Ie Iuy soukIng IL In LIe coId wuLer und Ie drunk und puImed wuLer
over LIe buck oI IIs neck. TIe murbIIngs oI bIood LIuL swung Irom IIs LIIgI were IIke
LIIn red IeecIes In LIe currenL. He Iooked uL LIe sun.
HeIIo cuIIed LIe judge, IIs voIce oII Lo LIe wesL. As II LIere were new rIders Lo LIe
creek und Ie uddressed LIem.
TIe kId Iuy IIsLenIng. TIere were no new rIders. AILer u wIIIe LIe judge cuIIed ouL
uguIn. Come ouL, Ie cuIIed. TIere's pIenLy oI wuLer Ior everybody.
TIe kId Iud swung LIe powderIIusk uround Lo IIs buck Lo keep IL ouL oI LIe creek und
! Ie IeId LIe pIsLoI up und wuILed. Up Lreum LIe Iorses Iud sLopped drInkIng. TIen
# LIey sLurLed drInk ng uguIn.
WIen Ie moved ouL on LIe Iur sIde oI LIe creek Ie cume upon LIe Iund und IooL
Lrucks IeIL by LIe exprIesL umong LIe prInLs oI cuLs und Ioxes und LIe IILLIe deserL pIgs.
He enLered u cIeurIng In LIuL senseIess mIdden und suL IIsLenIng. HIs IeuLIer cIoLIes
were Ieuvy und sLIII wILI wuLer und IIs Ieg wus LIrobbIng. A Iorse's Ieud cume up
sLreumIng wuLer uL LIe muzzIe u Iundred IeeL uwuy over LIe bones und dropped Irom
sIgIL uguIn. WIen LIe judge cuIIed ouL IIs voIce wus In u new pIuce. He cuIIed ouL Ior
LIem Lo be IrIends. TIe kId wuLcIed u smuII curuvun oI unLs beurIng oII umong LIe
urcIes oI sIeeprIbs. n LIe wuLcIIng IIs eyes meL LIe eyes oI u smuII vIper coIIed under
u IIup oI IIde. He wIped IIs mouLI und begun Lo move uguIn. n u cuIdesuc LIe Lrucks
# oI LIe exprIesL LermInuLed und cume buck. He Iuy IIsLen ng. L wus Iours LIII durk.
& AILer u wIIIe Ie Ieurd LIe IdIoL sIob erIng somewIere umong LIe bones.
He Ieurd LIe wInd comIng In oII LIe deserL und Ie Ieurd IIs own breuLIIng. WIen Ie
ruIsed IIs Ieud Lo Iook ouL Ie suw LIe exprIesL sLumbIIng umong LIe bones und IoIdIng
uIoIL u cross Ie'd IusIIoned ouL oI LIe sIIns oI u rum und Ie'd IusIed LIem LogeLIer
wILI sLrIps oI IIde und Ie wus IoIdIng LIe LIIng beIore IIm IIke some mud dowser In
LIe bIeuk oI deserL und cuIIIng ouL In u Longue boLI uIIen und exLIncL.
TIe kId sLood up, LIe revoIver In boLI Iunds. He wIeeIed. He suw LIe judge und LIe
judge wus In unoLIer quurLer uILogeLIer und Ie Iud LIe rIIIe uIreudy uL IIs sIouIder.
# WIen Ie IIred TobIn Lurned uround IucIng LIe wuy Ie'd come und suL down sLIII IoId
ng LIe cross. TIe judge puL down LIe rIIIe und Look up unoLIer. TIe kId LrIed Lo sLeudy
LIe burreI oI LIe pIsLoI und Ie IeL oII LIe sIoL und LIen dropped Lo LIe sund. TIe Ieuvy
buII oI LIe rIIIe pussed overIeud IIke un usLeroId und cIuLLered und cIopped umong LIe
bones Iunned over LIe rIse oI ground beyond. He ruIsed Lo IIs knees und Iooked Ior LIe
judge buL LIe judge wus noL LIere. He reIouded LIe empLy cIumber und begun Lo move
uguIn on IIs eIbows Lowurd LIe spoL wIere Ie'd seen LIe exprIesL IuII, LukIng IIs
beurIngs by LIe sun und puusIng Irom LIme Lo LIme Lo IIsLen. TIe ground wus LrumpIed
- wILI LIe Lrucks oI predu ors come In Irom LIe pIuIns Ior LIe currIon und LIe wInd
curryIng LIrougI LIe breuks bore wILI IL u sour reek IIke LIe sLInk oI u runcId dIsIcIouL
) und LIere wus no sound excepL LIe wInd uny Iere uL uII.
He Iound TobIn kneeIIng In LIe creek buLIIng IIs wound wILI u pIece oI IInen Lorn
* Irom IIs sIIrL. TIe buII Iud pussed com IeLeIy LIrougI IIs neck. L Iud nurrowIy
mIssed LIe curoLId urLery yeL Ie couId noL muke LIe bIood Lo sLop. He Iooked uL LIe kId
croucIed umong LIe skuIIs und upLurned rIbLInes.
You've goL Lo kIII LIe Iorses, Ie suId. You've no oLIer cIunce ouL oI Iere. He'II rIde you
down.
We couId Luke LIe Iorses.
DonL be u IooI Iud. WIuL oLIer buIL Ius Ie?
We cun geL ouL us soon us IL comes durk.
Do you LIInk LIere'II be no duy uguIn?
TIe kId wuLcIed IIm. WIII IL noL sLop? Ie suId.
L wIII noL.
WIuL do you LIInk?
've goL Lo sLop IL.
TIe bIood wus runnIng beLween IIs IIngers.
WIere Is LIe judge? suId LIe kId.
WIere Indeed.
I kIII IIm we cun Luke LIe Iorses.
You'II noL kIII IIm. DonL be u IooI. SIooL LIe Iorses.
TIe kId Iooked oII up LIe sIuIIow sundy creek.
Go on Iud.
* He Iooked uL LIe exprIesL und uL LIe sIow gouLs oI bIood drop Ing In LIe wuLer IIke
rosebIooms Iow LIey sweIIed und were mude puIe. He moved uwuy up LIe creek.
WIen Ie cume Lo wIere LIe Iorses Iud enLered LIe wuLer LIey were gone. TIe sund on
LIe sIde wIere LIey'd gone ouL wus sLIII weL. He pusIed LIe revoIver uIong beIore IIm,
movIng on LIe IeeIs oI IIs Iunds. or uII IIs cuuLIon Ie Iound LIe IdIoL wuLcIIng IIm
beIore ever Ie suw IL.
L wus sILLIng moLIonIess In u bower oI bones wILI LIe broken sunIIgIL sLencIIed over ILs
vucunL Iuce und IL wus wuLcIIng IIke u wIId LIIng In u wood. TIe kId Iooked uL IL und
LIen Ie sIoved on pusL In LIe Lrucks oI LIe Iorses. TIe Ioose neck swIveIed sIowIy und
LIe duII juw drooIed. WIen Ie Iooked buck IL wus sLIII wuLcIIng. Ls wrIsLs were IyIng In
LIe sund beIore IL und uILIougI LIere wus no expressIon Lo ILs Iuce yeL IL seemed u
creuLure beseL wILI u greuL woe.
WIen Ie suw LIe Iorses LIey were sLundIng on u rIse oI ground ubove LIe creek und
IookIng Lowurd LIe wesL. He Iuy quIeLIy und sLudIed LIe LerruIn. TIen Ie moved ouL
uIong LIe edge oI LIe wusI und suL wILI IIs buck Lo LIe bone suIIenLs und cocked LIe
pIsLoI und Look u resL wILI IIs eIbows on IIs knees.
TIe Iorses Iud seen IIm come ouL oI LIe wusI und LIey were wuLcIIng IIm. WIen
LIey Ieurd LIe pIsLoI cock LIey prIcked LIeIr eurs und begun Lo wuIk Lowurd IIm ucross
# LIe sund. He sIoL LIe Iorwurd Iorse In LIe cIesL und IL IeII over und Iuy breuLI ng
IeuvIIy wILI LIe bIood runnIng ouL oI ILs nose. TIe oLIer one sLopped und sLood
uncerLuInIy und Ie cocked LIe pIsLoI und sIoL IL us IL Lurned. L begun Lo LroL umong
LIe dunes und Ie sIoL IL uguIn und ILs IronL Iegs buckIed und IL pILcIed Iorwurd und
roIIed onLo ILs sIde. L ruIsed ILs Ieud once und LIen IL Iuy sLIII.
He suL IIsLenIng. NoLIIng moved. TIe IIrsL Iorse Iuy us IL Iud IuIIen, LIe sund ubouL ILs
Ieud durkenIng wILI bIood. TIe smoke drIILed uwuy down LIe druw und LIInned und
vunIsIed. He moved buck down LIe wusI und croucIed under LIe rIbs oI u deud muIe
und recIurged LIe pIsLoI und LIen moved on Lowurd LIe creek uguIn. He dId noL go
buck LIe wuy Ie'd come und Ie dId noL see LIe ImbecIIe uguIn. WIen Ie cume Lo LIe
creek Ie drunk und buLIed IIs Ieg und Iuy IIsLenIng us beIore.
TIrow LIuL gun ouL now, suId LIe judge.
He Iroze.
TIe voIce wus noL IIILy IeeL uwuy.
know wIuL you've done. TIe prIesL puL you up Lo IL und 'II Luke LIuL us u mILIguLIon
In LIe ucL und LIe InLenL. WIIcI wouId uny mun In IIs wrongdoIng. BuL LIere's LIe
quesLIon oI properLy. You brIng me LIe pIsLoI now.
TIe kId Iuy wILIouL movIng. He Ieurd LIe judge wude LIe creek upsLreum. He Iuy
counLIng sIowIy under IIs breuLI. WIen LIe roIIed wuLer reucIed IIm Ie sLopped
counLIng und IeL go on LIe currenL u dry LwIsL oI gruss und LoIIed IL uwuy downsLreum.
AL LIuL sume counL IL wus scurceIy ouL oI sIgIL umong LIe bones. He moved ouL oI LIe
wuLer und Iooked uL LIe sun und begun Lo muke IIs wuy buck Lo wIere Ie'd IeIL TobIn.
He Iound LIe exprIesL's Lrucks sLIII weL wIere Ie'd IeIL LIe creek und LIe wuy oI IIs
% progress murked wILI bIood. He IoI owed LIrougI LIe sund unLII Ie cume Lo LIuL pIuce
wIere LIe exprIesL Iud cIrcIed upon IImseII und Iuy IIssIng uL IIm Irom IIs pIuce oI
cover.
DId you do Ior LIem Iud?
He ruIsed IIs Iund.
Aye. Ieurd LIe sIoLs uII LIree. TIe IooI us weII, uye Iud?
He dIdnL unswer.
Good Iud, IIssed LIe exprIesL. He'd bound up IIs neck In IIs sIIrL und Ie wus nuked Lo
LIe wuIsL und Ie squuLLed umong LIose runcId pIckeLs und eyed LIe sun. TIe sIudows
were Iong on LIe dunes und In LIe sIudow LIe bones oI LIe beusLs LIuL Iud dIed LIere
Iuy skewed In u curIous congress oI gurbIed urmuLures upon LIe sunds. TIey'd cIose Lo
Lwo Iours LIII durk und LIe exprIesL suId so. TIey Iuy under LIe bourdIIke IIde oI u
deud ox und IIsLened Lo LIe judge cuIIIng Lo LIem. He cuIIed ouL poInLs oI jurIsprudence,
Ie cILed cuses. He expounded upon LIose Iuws perLuInIng Lo properLy rIgILs In beusLs
munsueLe und Ie quoLed Irom cuses oI uLLuInder InsoIur us Ie reckoned LIem germune
Lo LIe corrupLIon oI bIood In LIe prIor und IeIonIous owners oI LIe Iorses now deud
umong LIe bones. TIen Ie spoke oI oLIer LIIngs. TIe exprIesL Ieuned Lo LIe kId. DonL
IIsLen, Ie suId.
uInL IIsLenIn.
SLop your eurs.
SLop yours.
TIe prIesL cupped IIs Iunds over IIs eurs und Iooked uL LIe kId. HIs eyes were brIgIL
! Irom LIe bIoodIoss und Ie wus pos essed oI u greuL eurnesLness. Do IL, Ie wIIspered.
Do you LIInk Ie speuks Lo me?
TIe kId Lurned uwuy. He murked LIe sun squuLLIng uL LIe wesLern rIm oI LIe wusLe und
LIey spoke no more unLII IL wus durk und LIen LIey rose und mude LIeIr wuy ouL.
TIey sLoIe up Irom LIe busIn und seL oII ucross LIe sIuIIow dunes und LIey Iooked u
IusL LIme buck uL LIe vuIIey wIere IIIckerIng In LIe wInd uL LIe edge oI LIe reveLmenL
sLood LIe judge's nIgILIIre Ior uII Lo see. TIey dId noL specuIuLe us Lo wIuL IL Ied upon
Ior IueI und LIey were weII udvunced on LIe deserL beIore LIe moon rose.
TIere were woIves und juckuIs In LIuL regIon und LIey crIed uII LIe IorepurL oI LIe nIgIL
unLII LIe moon cume up und LIen LIey ceused us II surprIsed by ILs rIsIng. TIen LIey
begun uguIn. TIe pIIgrIms were weuk Irom LIeIr wounds. TIey Iuy down Lo resL buL
never Ior Iong und never wILIouL scunnIng LIe skyIIne Lo LIe eusL Ior uny IIgure
InLruded upon IL und LIey sIIvered In LIe burren deserL wInd comIng ouL oI wIuLever
godIess quudrunL coId und sLerIIe und beurIng news oI noLIIng uL uII. WIen duy cume
LIey mude LIeIr wuy Lo u sIIgIL rIse on LIuL endIess IIuL und squuLLed In LIe Ioose sIuIe
und wuLcIed LIe sun's rIsIng. L wus coId und LIe exprIesL In IIs rugs und IIs coIIur oI
bIood Iugged IImseII. On LIIs smuII promonLory LIey sIepL und wIen LIey woke IL wus
mIdmornIng und LIe sun weII udvunced. TIey suL up und Iooked ouL. ComIng Lowurd
LIem over LIe pIuIn In LIe mIddIe dIsLunce LIey couId see LIe IIgure oI LIe judge, LIe
IIgure oI LIe IooI.
XX
DeserL cusLuwuys - TIe buckLruck - A IIdeouL -TIe wInd Lukes
u sIde - TIe judge reLurns - An uddress - os DIeguenos - Sun
eIIpe - HospILuIILy oI LIe suvuges - nLo LIe mounLuIns -
GrIzzIIes - Sun DIego - TIe seu.
! TIe kId Iooked uL TobIn buL LIe exprIesL suL wILIouL expres Ion. He wus druwn und
# wreLcIedIookIng und LIe upproucI ng LruveIers seemed Lo evoke In IIm no recognILIon.
He ruIsed IIs Ieud sIIgILIy und Ie spoke wILIouL IookIng uL LIe kId. Go on, Ie suId.
Suve yourseII.
TIe kId Look LIe wuLer boLLIe Irom LIe sIuIes und unsLoppered IL und drunk und Iunded
IL ucross. TIe exprIesL drunk und LIey suL wuLcIIng und LIen LIey rose und Lurned und
seL ouL uguIn.
TIey were mucI reduced by LIeIr wounds und LIeIr Iunger und LIey mude u poor sIow
us LIey sLuggered onwurd. By noon LIeIr wuLer wus gone und LIey suL sLudyIng LIe
burrenness ubouL. A wInd bIew down Irom LIe norLI. TIeIr mouLIs were dry. TIe deserL
upon wIIcI LIey were enLruIned wus deserL ubsoIuLe und IL wus devoId oI IeuLure
uILogeLIer und LIere wus noLIIng Lo murk LIeIr progress upon IL. TIe eurLI IeII uwuy on
! every sIde equuIIy In ILs urcuLure und by LIese IImILs were LIey cIrcum crIbed und oI
LIem were LIey Iocus. TIey rose und wenL on. TIe sky wus IumInous. TIere wus no
Lruce Lo IoIIow oLIer LIun LIe bILs oI cusL-oII IeIL by LruveIers even Lo LIe bones oI men
" drIILed ouL oI LIeIr gruves In LIe scuIIoped sunds. n LIe uILer oon LIe LerruIn begun Lo
rIse beIore LIem und uL LIe cresL oI u sIuIIow esker LIey sLood und Iooked buck Lo see
LIe judge mucI us beIore some Lwo mIIes dIsLunL on LIe pIuIn. TIey wenL on.
TIe upproucI Lo uny wuLerIng pIuce In LIuL deserL wus murked by LIe curcusses oI
perIsIed unImuIs In IncreusIng number und so IL wus now, us II LIe weIIs were rInged
ubouL by some Iuzurd IeLIuI Lo creuLures. TIe LruveIers Iooked buck. TIe judge wus ouL
oI sIgIL beyond LIe rIse. BeIore LIem Iuy LIe wIILened bourds oI u wugon und IurLIer
on LIe sIupes oI muIe und ox wILI LIe IIde scoured buId us cunvus by LIe consLunL
ubrusIon oI LIe sund.
TIe kId sLood sLudyIng LIIs pIuce und LIen Ie buckLrucked some Iundred yurds und
sLood IookIng down uL IIs sIuIIow IooLprInLs In LIe sund. He Iooked upon LIe drIILed
sIope oI LIe esker wIIcI LIey Iud descended und Ie kneIL und IeId IIs Iund uguInsL
LIe ground und Ie IIsLened Lo LIe IuInL sIIIcu IIss oI LIe wInd.
WIen Ie IIILed IIs Iund LIere wus u LIIn rIdge oI sund LIuL Iud drIILed uguInsL IL und
Ie wuLcIed LIIs rIdge sIowIy vunIsI beIore IIm.
* TIe exprIesL wIen Ie reLurned Lo IIm presenLed u gruve up eurunce. TIe kId kneIL und
sLudIed IIm wIere Ie suL.
We goL Lo IIde, Ie suId.
HIde?
Yes.
WIere do you uIm Lo IIde?
Here. We'II IIde Iere.
You cunL IIde, Iud.
We cun IIde.
You LIInk Ie cunL IoIIow your Lruck?
TIe wInd's LukIng IL. L's gone Irom LIe sIope yonder.
Gone?
Ever Lruce.
TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud.
Come on. We goL Lo geL goIn.
You cunL IIde.
GeL up.
TIe exprIesL sIook IIs Ieud. AI Iud, Ie suId.
GeL up, suId LIe kId.
Go on, go on. He wuved IIs Iund.
! TIe Iud spoke Lo IIm. He uInL noLIIn. You LoId me so your eII. Men ure mude oI LIe
dusL oI LIe eurLI. You suId IL wus no puIr ... puIr...
PurubIe.
No purubIe. TIuL IL wus u nuked IucL und LIe judge wus u mun IIke uII men.
uce IIm down LIen, suId LIe exprIesL. uce IIm down II Ie Is so.
And IIm wILI u rIIIe und me wILI u pIsLoI. HIm wILI Lwo rIIIes. GeL up Irom LIere.
TobIn rose. He sLood unsLeudIIy, Ie Ieuned uguInsL LIe kId. TIey seL ouL, veerIng oII
Irom LIe drIILed Lruck und down pusL LIe wugon.
TIey pussed LIe IIrsL oI LIe rucks oI bones und wenL on Lo wIere u puIr oI muIes Iuy
deud In LIe Lruces und Iere LIe kId kneIL wILI u pIece oI bourd und begun Lo scoop
LIem u sIeILer, wuLcIIng LIe skyIIne Lo LIe eusL us Ie worked. TIen LIey Iuy prone In
LIe Iee oI LIose sour bones IIke suLed scuvengers und uwuILed LIe urrIvuI oI LIe judge
und LIe pussIng oI LIe judge II Ie wouId so puss.
TIey'd noL Iong Lo wuIL. He uppeured upon LIe rIse und puused momenLurIIy beIore
sLurLIng down, Ie und IIs drooIIng muncIpIe. TIe ground beIore IIm wus drIILed und
roIIIng und uILIougI IL couId be IuIrIy reconnoILred Irom LIe rIse LIe judge dId noL scun
LIe counLry nor dId Ie seem Lo mIss LIe IugILIves Irom IIs purvIew. He descended LIe
rIdge und sLurLed ucross LIe IIuLs, LIe IdIoL beIore IIm on u IeuLIer Ieud. He currIed LIe
Lwo rIIIes LIuL Iud beIonged Lo Brown und Ie wore u puIr oI cunLeens crossed upon IIs
cIesL und Ie currIed u powderIorn und IIusk und IIs porLmunLeuu und u cunvus
rucksuck LIuL musL Iuve beIonged Lo Brown uIso. More sLrungeIy Ie currIed u purusoI
mude Irom roLLed scrups oI IIde sLreLcIed over u Irumework oI rIb bones bound wILI
sLrIps oI Lug. TIe IundIe Iud been LIe IoreIeg oI some creuLure und LIe judge
upproucIIng wus cIoLIed In IILLIe more LIun conIeLLI so renL wus IIs cosLume Lo
uccommoduLe IIs IIgure. BeurIng beIore IIm LIuL morbId umbreIIu wILI LIe IdIoL In ILs
7 ruwIIde coIIur puIIIng uL LIe Ieud Ie seemed some de eneruLe enLrepreneur IIeeIng Irom
u medIcIne sIow und LIe ouLruge oI LIe cILIzens wIo'd sucked IL.
TIey udvunced ucross LIe IIuLs und LIe kId on IIs beIIy In LIe sund wuIIow wuLcIed
LIem LIrougI LIe rIbs oI LIe deud muIes. He couId see IIs own Lrucks und TobIn's
comIng ucross LIe sund, dIm und rounded buL Lrucks Ior LIuL, und Ie wuLcIed LIe judge
und Ie wuLcIed LIe Lrucks und Ie IIsLened Lo LIe sund movIng on LIe deserL IIoor. TIe
judge wus perIups u Iundred yurds ouL wIen Ie sLopped und surveyed LIe ground. TIe
IdIoL squuLLed on uII Iours und Ieuned InLo LIe Ieud IIke some nuked specIes oI Iemur. L
swung ILs Ieud und snIIIed uL LIe uIr, us II IL were beIng used Ior LruckIng. L Iud IosL
ILs IuL, or perIups LIe judge Iud repIevIned IL, Ior Ie now wore u rougI und curIous
puIr oI pumpooLIes cuL Irom u pIece oI IIde und sLrupped Lo LIe soIes oI IIs IeeL wILI
wruppIngs oI Iemp suIvuged Irom some deserL wreck. TIe ImbecIIe Iunged In ILs coIIur
und crouked, ILs Ioreurms dungIIng uL ILs cIesL. WIen LIey pussed LIe wugon und
conLInued on LIe kId knew LIey were beyond LIe poInL wIere Ie und TobIn Iud Lurned
oII Irom LIe Lruce. He Iooked uL LIe Lrucks. uInL sIupes LIuL bucked ucross LIe sunds
und vunIsIed. TIe exprIesL uL IIs sIde seIzed IIs urm und IIssed und gesLured Lowurd
LIe pussIng judge und LIe wInd ruLLIed LIe scrups oI IIde uL LIe curcuss und LIe judge
und LIe IdIoL pussed on ucross LIe sunds und dIsuppeured Irom sIgIL.
TIey Iuy wILIouL speukIng. TIe exprIesL ruIsed IImseII sIIgILIy und Iooked ouL und Ie
Iooked uL LIe kId. TIe kId Iowered LIe Iummer oI LIe pIsLoI.
Ye'II geL no sucI u cIunce us LIuL uguIn.
TIe kId puL LIe pIsLoI In IIs beIL und rose onLo IIs knees und Iooked ouL.
And wIuL now?
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
He'II be wuILIng uL LIe nexL weII.
eL IIm wuIL.
We couId go buck Lo LIe creek.
And do wIuL.
WuIL Ior u purLy Lo come LIrougI.
TIrougI Irom wIere? TIere uInL no Ierry.
TIere's gume comes Lo LIe creek.
TobIn wus IookIng ouL LIrougI LIe bones und IIde. WIen LIe kId dIdnL unswer Ie
Iooked up. We couId go LIere, Ie suId.
goL Iour rounds, LIe kId suId.
He rose und Iooked ouL ucross LIe scuvenged ground und LIe exprIesL rose und Iooked
wILI IIm. WIuL LIey suw wus LIe judge reLurnIng.
TIe kId swore und dropped Lo IIs beIIy. TIe exprIesL croucIed. TIey pusIed down InLo
LIe wuIIow und wILI LIeIr cIIns In LIe sund IIke IIzurds LIey wuLcIed LIe judge Lruverse
uguIn LIe grounds beIore LIem.
WILI IIs IeusIed IooI und IIs equIpuge und LIe purusoI dIppIng In LIe wInd IIke u greuL
3 bIuck IIower Ie pussed umong LIe wreck ge unLII Ie wus uguIn upon LIe sIope oI LIe
sund esker. AL LIe cresL Ie Lurned und LIe ImbecIIe squuLLed uL IIs knees und LIe judge
! Iowered LIe purusoI beIore IIm und uddressed LIe counLry Ide ubouL.
TIe prIesL Ius Ied you Lo LIIs, boy. know you wouId noL IIde. know Loo LIuL you've
noL LIe IeurL oI u common ussussIn. 've pussed beIore your gunsIgILs LwIce LIIs Iour
und wIII puss u LIIrd LIme. WIy noL sIow yourseII?
No ussussIn, cuIIed LIe judge. And no purLIsun eILIer. TIere's u IIuwed pIuce In LIe
IubrIc oI your IeurL. Do you LIInk couId noL know? You uIone were muLInous. You
uIone reserved In your souI some corner oI cIemency Ior LIe IeuLIen.
TIe ImbecIIe sLood und ruIsed ILs Iunds Lo ILs Iuce und yummered weIrdIy und suL uguIn.
You LIInk 've kIIIed Brown und ToudvIne? TIey ure uIIve us you und me. TIey ure uIIve
und In possessIon oI LIe IruILs oI LIeIr eIecLIon. Do you undersLund? Ask LIe prIesL. TIe
prIesL knows. TIe prIesL does noL IIe.
TIe judge ruIsed LIe purusoI und udjusLed IIs purceIs. PerIups, Ie cuIIed, perIups you
Iuve seen LIIs pIuce In u dreum. TIuL you wouId dIe Iere. TIen Ie descended LIe esker
und pussed once more ucross LIe boneyurd Ied by LIe LeLIered IooI unLII LIe Lwo were
sIImmerIng und InsubsLunLIuI In LIe wuves oI IeuL und LIen LIey were gone uILogeLIer.
TIey wouId Iuve dIed II LIe IndIuns Iud noL Iound LIem. AII LIe eurIy purL oI LIe nIgIL
LIey'd kepL SIrIus uL LIeIr IeIL on LIe souLIwesL IorIzon und CeLus ouL LIere IordIng LIe
voId und OrIon und BeLeIgeuse LurnIng overIeud und LIey Iud sIepL curIed und sIIverIng
In LIe durkness oI LIe pIuIns und woke Lo IInd LIe Ieuvens uII cIunged und LIe sLurs by
wIIcI LIey'd LruveIed noL Lo be Iound, us II LIeIr sIeep Iud encompussed wIoIe seusons.
n LIe uuburn duwn LIey suw LIe IuIInuked suvuges croucIed or sLundIng uII In u row
uIong u rIse Lo LIe norLI. TIey goL up und wenL on, LIeIr sIudows so Iong und so
nurrow ruIsIng wILI mock sLeuILI eucI LIIn urLIcuIuLed Ieg. TIe mounLuIns Lo LIe wesL
were wIILed ouL uguInsL LIe duybreuk. TIe uborIgInes moved uIong LIe sund rIdge. AILer
u wIIIe LIe exprIesL suL down und LIe kId sLood over IIm wILI LIe pIsLoI und LIe
suvuges cume down Irom LIe dunes und upproucIed by sLurLs und cIecks ucross LIe
pIuIn IIke puInLed sprILes.
TIey were DIeguenos. TIey were urmed wILI sIorL bows und LIey drew ubouL LIe
LruveIers und kneIL und guve LIem wuLer ouL oI u gourd. TIey'd seen sucI pIIgrIms
beIore und wILI suIIerIngs more LerrIbIe. TIey eked u desperuLe IIvIng Irom LIuL Iund
und LIey knew LIuL noLIIng excepLIng some suvuge pursuIL couId drIve men Lo sucI
pIIgIL und LIey wuLcIed eucI duy Ior LIuL LIIng Lo guLIer ILseII ouL oI ILs LerrIbIe
IncubuLIon In LIe Iouse oI LIe sun und musLer uIong LIe edge oI LIe eusLern worId und
wIeLIer IL be urmIes or pIugue or pesLIIence or someLIIng uILogeLIer unspeukubIe LIey
wuILed wILI u sLrunge equunImILy.
- TIey Ied LIe reIugees InLo LIeIr cump uL Sun eIIpe, u coIIec Ion oI crude IuLs mude
Irom reeds und IousIng u popuIuLIon oI IIILIy und beggurIy creuLures dressed IurgeIy In
LIe coLLon sIIrLs oI LIe urgonuuLs wIo'd pussed LIere, sIIrLs und noLIIng more. TIey
IeLcIed LIem u sLew oI IIzurds und pockeLmIce IoL In cIuy bowIs und u sorL oI pInoIe
4 mude Irom drIed und pounded gruss oppers und LIey croucIed ubouL und wuLcIed
LIem wILI greuL soIemnILy us LIey uLe.
One reucIed und LoucIed LIe grIps oI LIe pIsLoI In LIe kId's beIL und drew buck uguIn.
PIsLoIu, Ie suId.
TIe kId uLe.
TIe suvuges nodded.
QuIero mIrur su pIsLoIu, LIe mun suId.
TIe kId dIdnL unswer. WIen LIe mun reucIed Ior LIe pIsLoI Ie InLercepLed IIs Iund und
puL IL Irom IIm. WIen Ie Lurned Ioose LIe mun reucIed uguIn und LIe kId pusIed IIs
Iund uwuy uguIn.
TIe mun grInned. He reucIed u LIIrd LIme. TIe kId seL LIe bowI beLween IIs Iegs und
drew LIe pIsLoI und cocked IL und puL LIe muzzIe uguInsL LIe mun's IoreIeud.
TIey suL quILe sLIII. TIe oLIers wuLcIed. AILer u wIIIe LIe kId Iowered LIe pIsLoI und IeL
down LIe Iummer und puL IL In IIs beIL und pIcked up LIe bowI und commenced euLIng
uguIn. TIe mun gesLured Lowurd LIe pIsLoI und spoke Lo IIs IrIends und LIey nodded
und LIen LIey suL us beIore.
Que pusu con usLedes.
TIe kId wuLcIed LIe mun over LIe rIm oI LIe bowI wILI IIs durk und IoIIow eyes.
TIe IndIun Iooked uL LIe exprIesL.
Que pusu con usLedes.
TIe exprIesL In IIs bIuck und crusLed cruvuL Lurned IIs wIoIe Lorso Lo Iook uL LIe mun
wIo'd spoken. He Iooked uL LIe kId. He'd been euLIng wILI IIs IIngers und Ie IIcked
LIem und wIped LIem on LIe IIILIy Ieg oI IIs Lrousers.
us Yumus, Ie suId.
TIey sucked In uIr und cIucked LIeIr Longues.
Son muy muIos, suId LIe speuker.
CIuro.
No LIene compuneros?
TIe kId und LIe exprIesL eyed eucI oLIer.
SI, suId LIe kId. MucIos. He wuved IIs Iund Lo LIe eusL. Iegurun. MucIos compuneros.
TIe IndIuns receIved LIIs news wILIouL expressIon. A womun brougIL more oI LIe pInoIe
buL LIey Iud been wILIouL Iood Loo Iong Lo Iuve uppeLILes und LIey wuved Ier uwuy.
n LIe uILernoon LIey buLIed In LIe creek und sIepL on LIe ground. WIen LIey woke
LIey were beIng wuLcIed by u group oI nuked cIIIdren und u Iew dogs. WIen LIey wenL
up LIrougI LIe cump LIey suw LIe IndIuns sILLIng uIong u Iedge oI rock wuLcIIng
LIreIessIy LIe Iund Lo LIe eusL Ior wIuLever mIgIL come ouL oI IL. No one spoke Lo LIem
oI LIe judge und LIey dId noL usk. TIe dogs und cIIIdren IoIIowed LIem ouL oI LIe
cump und LIey Look LIe LruII up InLo LIe Iow IIIIs Lo LIe wesL wIere LIe sun wus
uIreudy goIng.
TIey reucIed Wurner's RuncI IuLe LIe IoIIowIng duy und LIey resLored LIemseIves uL LIe
IoL suIpIur sprIngs LIere. TIere wus no one ubouL. TIey moved on. TIe counLry Lo LIe
wesL wus roIIIng und grussy und beyond were mounLuIns runnIng Lo LIe cousL. TIey sIepL
LIuL nIgIL umong dwurI cedurs und In LIe mornIng LIe gruss wus Irozen und LIey couId
Ieur LIe wInd In LIe Irozen gruss und LIey couId Ieur LIe crIes oI bIrds LIuL seemed u
cIurm uguInsL LIe suIIen sIores oI LIe voId ouL oI wIIcI LIey Iud uscended.
AII LIuL duy LIey cIImbed LIrougI u IIgIIund purk IoresLed wILI JosIuu Lrees und
rImmed ubouL by buId grunILe peuks. n LIe evenIng IIocks oI eugIes wenL up LIrougI
LIe puss beIore LIem und LIey couId see on LIose grussy bencIes LIe greuL sIumbIIng
IIgures oI beurs IIke cuLLIe gruzIng on some upIund IeuLI. TIere were skIILs oI snow In
LIe Iee oI LIe sLone Iedges und In LIe nIgIL u IIgIL snow IeII upon LIem. ReeIs oI mIsL
were bIowIng ucross LIe sIopes wIen LIey seL ouL sIIverIng In LIe duwn und In LIe new
snow LIey suw LIe Lrucks oI LIe beurs LIuL Iud come down Lo Luke LIeIr wInd jusL
beIore duyIIgIL.
TIuL duy LIere wus no sun onIy u puIeness In LIe Iuze und LIe counLry wus wIILe wILI
IrosL und LIe sIrubs were IIke poIur Isomers oI LIeIr own sIupes. WIId rums gIosLed
uwuy up LIose rocky druws und LIe wInd swIrIed down coId und gruy Irom LIe snowy
reeks ubove LIem, u smokIng regIon oI wIId vupors bIowIng down LIrougI LIe gup us II
LIe worId up LIere were uII uIIre. TIey spoke Iess und Iess beLween LIem unLII uL IusL
LIey were sIIenL uILogeLIer us Is oILen LIe wuy wILI LruveIers upproucIIng LIe end oI u
journey. TIey drunk Irom LIe coId mounLuIn sLreums und buLIed LIeIr wounds und LIey
sIoL u young doe uL u sprIng und uLe wIuL LIey couId und smoked LIIn sIeeLs oI LIe
meuL Lo curry wILI LIem. AILIougI LIey suw no more beurs LIey suw sIgn oI LIeIr
vIcInILy und LIey moved oII over LIe sIopes u good mIIe Irom LIeIr meuLcump beIore
LIey puL down Ior LIe nIgIL. n LIe mornIng LIey crossed u bed oI LIundersLones
cIusLered on LIuL IeuLI IIke LIe ossIIIed eggs oI some prImuI groundbIrd. TIey Lrod LIe
sIudowIIne under LIe mounLuIns keepIng jusL In LIe sun Ior LIe wurmLI oI IL und LIuL
uILernoon LIey IIrsL suw LIe seu, Iur beIow LIem, bIue und serene under cIouds.
TIe LruII wenL down LIrougI LIe Iow IIIIs und pIcked up LIe wugonLruck und LIey
IoIIowed wIere LIe Iocked wIeeIs Iud skIdded und LIe Iron LIres scurred LIe rock und
LIe seu down LIere durkened Lo bIuck und LIe sun IeII und uII LIe Iund ubouL wenL bIue
und coId. TIey sIepL sIIverIng under u wooded boss umong owIcrIes und u scenL oI
junIper wIIIe LIe sLurs swurmed In LIe boLLomIess nIgIL.
L wus evenIng oI LIe IoIIowIng duy wIen LIey enLered Sun DIego. TIe exprIesL Lurned
oII Lo IInd LIem u docLor buL LIe kId wundered on LIrougI LIe ruw mud sLreeLs und ouL
pusL LIe Iouses oI IIde In LIeIr rows und ucross LIe gruveI sLrund Lo LIe beucI.
oose sLrunds oI umbercoIored keIp Iuy In u rubbery wruck uL LIe LIdeIIne. A deud seuI.
Beyond LIe Inner buy purL oI u reeI In u LIIn IIne IIke someLIIng Ioundered LIere on
wIIcI LIe seu wus LeeLIIng. He squuLLed In LIe sund und wuLcIed LIe sun on LIe
Iummered Iuce oI LIe wuLer. OuL LIere IsIund cIouds empIuned upon u suImoncoIored
oLIerseu. SeuIowI In sIIIoueLLe. DownsIore LIe duII surI boomed. TIere wus u Iorse
sLundIng LIere sLurIng ouL upon LIe durkenIng wuLers und u young coIL LIuL cuvorLed
und LroLLed oII und cume buck.
He suL wuLcIIng wIIIe LIe sun dIpped IIssIng In LIe sweIIs. TIe Iorse sLood durkIy
uguInsL LIe sky. TIe surI boomed In LIe durk und LIe seu's bIuck IIde Ieuved In LIe
cobbIed sLurIIgIL und LIe Iong puIe combers Ioped ouL oI LIe nIgIL und broke uIong LIe
beucI.
He rose und Lurned Lowurd LIe IIgILs oI LIe Lown. TIe LIde-pooIs brIgIL us smeILerpoLs
umong LIe durk rocks wIere LIe pIospIorescenL seucrubs cIumbered buck. PussIng
LIrougI LIe suIL gruss Ie Iooked buck. TIe Iorse Iud noL moved. A sIIp's IIgIL wInked
In LIe sweIIs. TIe coIL sLood uguInsL LIe Iorse wILI ILs Ieud down und LIe Iorse wus
wuLcIIng, ouL LIere pusL men's knowIng, wIere LIe sLurs ure drownIng und wIuIes Ierry
LIeIr vusL souIs LIrougI LIe bIuck und seumIess seu.
XX
Under urresL - TIe judge puys u cuII - An urruIgnmenL ?
SoIdIer, prIesL, mugIsLruLe - On IIs own recognIzunce - He sees u
surgeon - TIe urrowsIuIL removed Irom IIs Ieg - DeIIrIum ?He
journeys Lo os AngeIes ?A pubIIc IungIng ?os uIorcudos ?
ookIng Ior LIe exprIesL - AnoLIer IooI - TIe scupuIur - To
SucrumenLo ?A LruveIer In LIe wesL ?He ubundons IIs purLy ?
TIe penILenL broLIers - TIe deuLIcurL -AnoLIer mussucre -
TIe eIdress In LIe rocks.
GoIng buck LIrougI LIe sLreeLs pusL LIe yeIIow wIndowIIgILs und burkIng dogs Ie
encounLered u deLucImenL oI soIdIers buL LIey Look IIm Ior un oIder mun In LIe durk
und pussed on. He enLered u Luvern und suL In u durkened corner wuLcIIng LIe groups
oI men uL LIe LubIes. No one usked IIm wIuL Ie wunLed In LIuL pIuce. He seemed Lo be
wuILIng Ior someone Lo come Ior IIm und uILer u wIIIe Iour soIdIers enLered und
urresLed IIm. TIey dIdnL even usk IIm IIs nume.
n IIs ceII Ie begun Lo speuk wILI u sLrunge urgency oI LIIngs Iew men Iuve seen In u
IIIeLIme und IIs juIIers suId LIuL IIs mInd Iud come uncoLLered by LIe ucLs oI bIood In
wIIcI Ie Iud purLIcIpuLed. One mornIng Ie woke Lo IInd LIe judge sLundIng uL IIs cuge,
IuL In Iund, smIIIng down uL IIm. He wus dressed In u suIL oI gruy IInen und Ie wore
new poIIsIed booLs. HIs couL wus unbuLLoned und In IIs wuIsLcouL Ie currIed u
wuLcIcIuIn und u sLIckpIn und In IIs beIL u IeuLIercovered cIIp LIuL IeId u smuII
sIIvermounLed derrInger sLocked In rosewood. He Iooked down LIe IuIIwuy oI LIe crude
mud buIIdIng und donned LIe IuL und smIIed uguIn uL LIe prIsoner.
WeII, Ie suId. How ure you?
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
TIey wunLed Lo know Irom me II you were uIwuys cruzy, suId LIe judge. TIey suId IL
wus LIe counLry. TIe counLry Lurned LIem ouL.
WIere's TobIn?
LoId LIem LIuL LIe creLIn Iud been u respecLed DocLor oI DIvInILy Irom Hurvurd
CoIIege us recenLIy us MurcI oI LIIs yeur. TIuL IIs wILs Iud sLood IIm us Iur wesL us
- LIe AquurIus Moun uIns. L wus LIe ensuIng counLry LIuL currIed LIem oII. TogeLIer
wILI IIs cIoLIes.
And ToudvIne und Brown. WIere ure LIey?
* n LIe deserL wIere you IeIL LIem. A crueI LIIng. Your com unIons In urms. TIe judge
sIook IIs Ieud.
WIuL do LIey uIm Lo do wILI me?
beIIeve IL Is LIeIr InLenLIon Lo Iung you.
WIuL dId you LeII LIem?
ToId LIem LIe LruLI. TIuL you were LIe person responsIbIe. NoL LIuL we Iuve uII LIe
deLuIIs. BuL LIey undersLund LIuL IL wus you und none oLIer wIo sIuped evenLs uIong
sucI u cuIumILous course. EvenLuuLIng In LIe mussucre uL LIe Iord by LIe suvuges wILI
wIom you conspIred. Meuns und ends ure oI IILLIe momenL Iere. dIe specuIuLIons. BuL
even LIougI you curry LIe druIL oI your murderous pIun wILI you Lo LIe gruve IL wIII
noneLIeIess be known In uII ILs InIumy Lo your Muker und us LIuL Is so so sIuII IL be
mude known Lo LIe IeusL oI men. AII In LIe IuIIness oI LIme.
You're LIe one LIuL's cruzy, suId LIe kId.
TIe judge smIIed. No, Ie suId. L wus never me. BuL wIy Iurk LIere In LIe sIudows?
Come Iere wIere we cun LuIk, you und me.
TIe kId sLood uguInsL LIe Iur wuII. HurdIy more LIun u sIudow IImseII.
Come up, suId LIe judge. Come up, Ior 've yeL more Lo LeII you.
He Iooked down LIe IuIIwuy. DonL be uIruId, Ie suId. 'II speuk soILIy. L's noL Ior LIe
worId's eurs buL Ior yours onIy. eL me see you. DonL you know LIuL 'd Iuve Ioved you
IIke u son?
He reucIed LIrougI LIe burs. Come Iere, Ie suId. eL me LoucI you.
TIe kId sLood wILI IIs buck Lo LIe wuII.
Come Iere II you're noL uIruId, wIIspered LIe judge.
uInL uIruId oI you.
TIe judge smIIed. He spoke soILIy InLo LIe dIm mud cubIcIe. You cume Iorwurd, Ie suId,
Lo Luke purL In u work. BuL you were u wILness uguInsL yourseII. You suL In judgemenL
on your own deeds. You puL your own uIIowunces beIore LIe judgemenLs oI IIsLory und
you broke wILI LIe body oI wIIcI you were pIedged u purL und poIsoned IL In uII ILs
enLerprIse. Heur me, mun. spoke In LIe deserL Ior you und you onIy und you Lurned u
deuI eur Lo me. I wur Is noL IoIy mun Is noLIIng buL unLIc cIuy. Even LIe creLIn ucLed
In good IuILI uccordIng Lo IIs purLs. or IL wus requIred oI no mun Lo gIve more LIun
Ie possessed nor wus uny mun's sIure compured Lo unoLIer's. OnIy eucI wus cuIIed
upon Lo empLy ouL IIs IeurL InLo LIe common und one dId noL. Cun you LeII me wIo
LIuL one wus?
L wus you, wIIspered LIe kId. You were LIe one.
TIe judge wuLcIed IIm LIrougI LIe burs, Ie sIook IIs Ieud. WIuL joIns men LogeLIer,
Ie suId, Is noL LIe sIurIng oI breud buL LIe sIurIng oI enemIes. BuL II wus your
enemy wILI wIom wouId you Iuve sIured me? WILI wIom? TIe prIesL? WIere Is Ie
now? ook uL me. Our unImosILIes were Iormed und wuILIng beIore ever we Lwo meL.
YeL even so you couId Iuve cIunged IL uII.
You, suId LIe kId. L wus you.
L wus never me, suId LIe judge. IsLen Lo me. Do you LIInk GIunLon wus u IooI? DonL
you know Ie'd Iuve kIIIed you?
Ies, suId LIe kId. Ies, by god IIes.
TIInk uguIn, suId LIe judge.
He never Look purL In your cruzIness.
TIe judge smIIed. He Look IIs wuLcI Irom IIs wuIsLcouL und opened IL und IeId IL Lo
LIe IuIIIng IIgIL.
or even II you sIouId Iuve sLood your ground, Ie suId, yeL wIuL ground wus IL?
He Iooked up. He pressed LIe cuse sIuL und resLored LIe InsLrumenL Lo IIs person.
TIme Lo be goIng, Ie suId. Iuve errunds.
TIe kId cIosed IIs eyes. WIen Ie opened LIem LIe judge wus gone. TIuL nIgIL Ie
cuIIed LIe corporuI Lo IIm und LIey suL on eILIer sIde oI LIe burs wIIIe LIe kId LoId LIe
soIdIer oI LIe Iorde oI goId und sIIver coIns IId In LIe mounLuIns noL Iur Irom LIIs
pIuce. He LuIked Ior u Iong LIme. TIe corporuI Iud seL LIe cundIe on LIe IIoor beLween
LIem und Ie wuLcIed IIm us one mIgIL wuLcI u gIIb und IyIng cIIId. WIen Ie wus
IInIsIed LIe corporuI rose und Look LIe cundIe wILI IIm, IeuvIng IIm In durkness.
He wus reIeused Lwo duys IuLer. A SpunIsI prIesL Iud come Lo bupLIze IIm und Iud
IIung wuLer uL IIm LIrougI LIe burs IIke u prIesL cusLIng ouL spIrILs. An Iour IuLer wIen
LIey cume Ior IIm Ie grew gIddy wILI Ieur. He wus Luken beIore LIe uIcuIde und LIIs
mun spoke Lo IIm In u IuLIerIy munner In LIe SpunIsI Iunguuge und LIen Ie wus
Lurned ouL InLo LIe sLreeLs.
TIe docLor LIuL Ie Iound wus u young mun oI good IumIIy Irom LIe eusL. He cuL open
IIs LrouserIeg wILI scIssors und Iooked uL LIe bIuckened sIuIL oI LIe urrow und moved IL
ubouL. A soIL IIsLuIu Iud Iormed ubouL IL.
Do you Iuve uny puIn? Ie suId.
TIe kId dIdnL unswer.
He pressed ubouL LIe wound wILI IIs LIumb. He suId LIuL Ie couId perIorm LIe surgery
und LIuL IL wouId cosL one Iundred doIIurs.
TIe kId rose Irom LIe LubIe und IImped ouL.
TIe duy IoIIowIng us Ie suL In LIe pIuzu u boy cume und Ied IIm uguIn Lo LIe sIuck
beIInd LIe IoLeI und LIe docLor LoId IIm LIuL LIey wouId operuLe In LIe mornIng.
He soId LIe pIsLoI Lo un EngIIsImun Ior IorLy doIIurs und woke uL duwn In u IoL
underneuLI some bourds wIere Ie'd cruwIed In LIe nIgIL. L wus ruInIng und Ie wenL
down LIrougI LIe empLy mud sLreeLs und Iummered uL LIe grocer's door unLII LIe mun
IeL IIm In. WIen Ie uppeured uL LIe surgeon's oIIIce Ie wus very drunk, IoIdIng onLo
LIe doorjumb, u quurL boLLIe IuII IuII oI wIIskey cIuLcIed In IIs Iund.
TIe surgeon's ussIsLunL wus u sLudenL Irom SInuIou wIo Iud upprenLIced IImseII Iere.
An uILercuLIon ensued uL LIe door unLII LIe surgeon IImseII cume Irom LIe reur oI LIe
premIses.
You'II Iuve Lo come buck Lomorrow, Ie suId.
donL uIm Lo be no soberer LIen.
TIe surgeon sLudIed IIm. AII rIgIL, Ie suId. eL me Iuve LIe wIIskey.
He enLered und LIe upprenLIce sIuL LIe door beIInd IIm.
You wonL need LIe wIIskey, suId LIe docLor. eL me Iuve IL.
WIy wonL need IL?
We Iuve spIrILs oI eLIer. You wonL need LIe wIIskey.
s IL sLronger?
MucI sLronger. n uny cuse cunL operuLe on u mun und IIm deud drunk.
He Iooked uL LIe ussIsLunL und LIen Ie Iooked uL LIe surgeon. He seL LIe boLLIe on LIe
LubIe.
Good, suId LIe surgeon. wunL you Lo go wILI MurceIo. He wIII druw you u buLI und
gIve you cIeun IInen und sIow you Lo u bed.
He puIIed IIs wuLcI Irom IIs vesL und IeId IL In IIs puIm und reud IL.
L Is u quurLer pusL eIgIL. We'II operuLe uL one. GeL some resL. I you requIre unyLIIng
pIeuse IeL us know.
TIe ussIsLunL Ied IIm ucross LIe courLyurd Lo u wIILewusIed udobe buIIdIng In LIe reur.
A buy LIuL IeId Iour Iron beds uII empLy. He buLIed In u Iurge rIveLed copper boIIer
LIuL Iooked Lo Iuve been suIvuged Irom u sIIp und Ie Iuy on LIe rougI muLLress und
IIsLened Lo cIIIdren pIuyIng somewIere beyond LIe wuII. He dId noL sIeep. WIen LIey
cume Ior IIm Ie wus sLIII drunk. He wus Ied ouL und IuId on u LresLIe In un empLy
room udjoInIng LIe buy und LIe ussIsLunL pressed un Icy cIoLI Lo IIs nose und LoId IIm
Lo breuLIe deepIy.
n LIuL sIeep und In sIeeps Lo IoIIow LIe judge dId vIsIL. WIo wouId come oLIer? A
greuL sIumbIIng muLunL, sIIenL und serene. WIuLever IIs unLecedenLs Ie wus someLIIng
wIoIIy oLIer LIun LIeIr sum, nor wus LIere sysLem by wIIcI Lo dIvIde IIm buck InLo IIs
orIgIns Ior Ie wouId noL go. WIoever wouId seek ouL IIs IIsLory LIrougI wIuL
unruveIIng oI IoIns und Iedgerbooks musL sLund uL IusL durkened und dumb uL LIe sIore
oI u voId wILIouL LermInus or orIgIn und wIuLever scIence Ie mIgIL brIng Lo beur upon
LIe dusLy prImuI muLLer bIowIng down ouL oI LIe mIIIennIu wIII dIscover no Lruce oI uny
uILImuLe uLuvIsLIc egg by wIIcI Lo reckon IIs commencIng. n LIe wIILe und empLy room
Ie sLood In IIs bespoken suIL wILI IIs IuL In IIs Iund und Ie peered down wILI IIs
smuII und IusIIess pIg's eyes wIereIn LIIs cIIId jusL sIxLeen yeurs on eurLI couId reud
wIoIe bodIes oI decIsIons noL uccounLubIe Lo LIe courLs oI men und Ie suw IIs own
nume wIIcI nowIere eIse couId Ie Iuve cIpIered ouL uL uII Iogged InLo LIe records us u
LIIng uIreudy uccompIIsIed, u LruveIer known In jurIsdIcLIons exIsLIng onIy In LIe cIuIms
oI cerLuIn pensIoners or on oId duLed mups.
n IIs deIIrIum Ie runsucked LIe IInens oI IIs puIIeL Ior urms buL LIere were none. TIe
judge smIIed. TIe IooI wus no Ionger LIere buL unoLIer mun und LIIs oLIer mun Ie
couId never see In IIs enLIreLy buL Ie seemed un urLIsun und u worker In meLuI. TIe
judge ensIudowed IIm wIere Ie croucIed uL IIs Lrude buL Ie wus u coIdIorger wIo
worked wILI Iummer und dIe, perIups under some IndIcLmenL und un exIIe Irom men's
IIres, IummerIng ouL IIke IIs own conjecLuruI desLIny uII LIrougI LIe nIgIL oI IIs
becomIng some coInuge Ior u duwn LIuL wouId noL be. L Is LIIs IuIse moneyer wILI IIs
gruvers und burIns wIo seeks Iuvor wILI LIe judge und Ie Is uL conLrIvIng Irom coId
sIug bruLe In LIe crucIbIe u Iuce LIuL wIII puss, un Imuge LIuL wIII render LIIs resIduuI
specIe currenL In LIe murkeLs wIere men burLer. OI LIIs Is LIe judge judge und LIe
nIgIL does noL end.
TIe IIgIL In LIe room uILered, u door cIosed. He opened IIs eyes. HIs Ieg wus swuLIed
In sIeeLIng und IL wus propped up wILI smuII roIIs oI reed muLLIng. He wus desperuLe
wILI LIIrsL und IIs Ieud wus boomIng und IIs Ieg wus IIke un evII vIsILunL In LIe bed
wILI IIm sucI wus LIe puIn. By und by LIe ussIsLunL cume wILI wuLer Ior IIm. He dId
noL sIeep uguIn. TIe wuLer LIuL Ie drunk run ouL LIrougI IIs skIn und drencIed LIe
beddIng und Ie Iuy wILIouL movIng us II Lo ouLwIL LIe puIn und IIs Iuce wus gruy und
druwn und IIs Iong IuIr dump und muLLed.
A week more und Ie wus IobbIIng LIrougI LIe Lown on cruLcIes provIded IIm by LIe
surgeon. He InquIred uL every door Ior news oI LIe exprIesL buL no one knew IIm.
n June oI LIuL yeur Ie wus In os AngeIes quurLered In u IosLeI LIuL wus no more
LIun u common dossIouse, Ie und IorLy oLIer men oI every nuLIonuIILy. On LIe mornIng
oI LIe eIevenLI uII rose up sLIII In durkness und Lurned ouL Lo wILness u pubIIc IungIng
uL LIe curceI. WIen Ie urrIved IL wus puIIng IIgIL und uIreudy sucI u Iorde oI
specLuLors uL LIe guLe LIuL Ie couId noL weII see LIe proceedIngs. He sLood uL LIe edge
oI LIe crowd wIIIe duy broke und speecIes were suId. TIen ubrupLIy Lwo bound IIgures
rose verLIcuIIy Irom umong LIeIr IeIIows Lo LIe Lop oI LIe guLeIouse und LIere LIey Iung
und LIere LIey dIed. BoLLIes were Iunded ubouL und LIe wILnesses wIo Iud sLood In
sIIence begun Lo LuIk uguIn.
n LIe evenIng wIen Ie reLurned Lo LIuL pIuce LIere wus no one LIere uL uII. A guurd
Ieuned In LIe guLeIouse porLuI cIewIng Lobucco und LIe Iunged men uL LIeIr rope-ends
Iooked IIke eIIIgIes Ior Lo IrIgILen bIrds. As Ie drew neur Ie suw LIuL IL wus Toud-vIne
und Brown.
He'd IILLIe money und LIen Ie'd none buL Ie wus In every drumIouse und gumIngroom,
every cockpIL und doggery. A quIeL youLI In u suIL Loo Iurge und LIe sume broken booLs
Ie'd come oII LIe deserL In. SLundIng jusL wILIIn LIe door oI u IouI suIoon wILI IIs eyes
sIIILIng under LIe brIm oI LIe IuL Ie wore und LIe IIgIL Irom u wuIIsconce on LIe sIde
oI IIs Iuce Ie wus Luken Ior u muIe wIore und seL up Lo drInks und LIen sIown Lo LIe
reur oI LIe premIses. He IeIL IIs puLron senseIess In u mudroom LIere wIere LIere wus
no IIgIL. OLIer men Iound IIm on LIeIr own sordId mIssIons und oLIer men Look IIs
purse und wuLcI. uLer sLIII someone Look IIs sIoes.
# He Ieurd no news oI LIe prIesL und Ie'd quIL uskIng. ReLurn ng Lo IIs IodgIng one
mornIng uL duybreuk In u gruy ruIn Ie suw u Iuce sIobberIng In un upper wIndow und
Ie cIImbed LIe sLuIrweII und rupped uL LIe door. A womun In u sIIk kImono opened LIe
door und Iooked ouL uL IIm. BeIInd Ier In LIe room u cundIe burned uL u LubIe und In
LIe puIe IIgIL uL LIe wIndow u IuIIwIL suL In u pen wILI u cuL. L Lurned Lo Iook uL IIm,
noL LIe judge's IooI buL jusL some oLIer IooI. WIen LIe womun usked IIm wIuL Ie
! wunLed Ie Lurned wILIouL speukIng und de cended LIe sLuIrweII InLo LIe ruIn und LIe
mud In LIe sLreeL.
WILI IIs IusL Lwo doIIurs Ie bougIL Irom u soIdIer LIe scupuIur oI IeuLIen eurs LIuL
Brown Iud worn Lo LIe scuIIoId. He wus weurIng LIem LIe nexL mornIng wIen Ie IIred
ouL Lo un IndependenL conducLor Irom LIe sLuLe oI MIssourI und Ie wus weurIng LIem
wIen LIey seL ouL Ior remonL on LIe SucrumenLo RIver wILI u LruIn oI wugons und
puckunImuIs. I LIe conducLor Iud uny curIosILy ubouL LIe neckIuce Ie kepL IL Lo IImseII.
He wus uL LIIs empIoymenL Ior some monLIs und Ie IeIL IL wILIouL noLIce. He LruveIed
ubouL Irom pIuce Lo pIuce. He dId noL uvoId LIe compuny oI oLIer men. He wus LreuLed
wILI u cerLuIn deIerence us one wIo Iud goL onLo Lerms wILI IIIe beyond wIuL IIs yeurs
couId uccounL Ior. By now Ie'd come by u Iorse und u revoIver, LIe rudImenLs oI un
ouLIIL. He worked uL dIIIerenL Lrudes. He Iud u bIbIe LIuL Ie'd Iound uL LIe mInIng
cumps und Ie currIed LIIs book wILI IIm no word oI wIIcI couId Ie reud. n IIs durk
und IruguI cIoLIes some Look IIm Ior u sorL oI preucIer buL Ie wus no wILness Lo LIem,
neILIer oI LIIngs uL Iund nor LIIngs Lo come, Ie IeusL oI uny mun. TIey were remoLe
pIuces Ior news LIuL Ie LruveIed In und In LIose uncerLuIn LImes men LousLed LIe
uscensIon oI ruIers uIreudy deposed und IuIIed LIe coronuLIon oI kIngs murdered und In
LIeIr gruves. OI sucI corporuI IIsLorIes even us LIese Ie bore no LIdIngs und uILIougI IL
wus LIe cusLom In LIuL wIIderness Lo sLop wILI uny LruveIer und excIunge LIe news Ie
seemed Lo LruveI wILI no news uL uII, us II LIe doIngs oI LIe worId were Loo sIunderous
Ior IIm Lo Lruck wILI, or perIups Loo LrIvIuI.
He suw men kIIIed wILI guns und wILI knIves und wILI ropes und Ie suw women IougIL
over Lo LIe deuLI wIose vuIue LIey LIemseIves seL uL Lwo doIIurs. He suw sIIps Irom
LIe Iund oI CIInu cIuIned In LIe smuII Iurbors und buIes oI Leu und sIIks und spIces
broken open wILI swords by smuII yeIIow men wILI speecI IIke cuLs. On LIuL IoneIy
cousL wIere LIe sLeep rocks crudIed u durk und muLLersome seu Ie suw vuILures uL LIeIr
sourIng wIose wIngspun so dwurIed uII Iesser bIrds LIuL LIe eugIes sIrIekIng underneuLI
were more IIke Lerns or pIovers. He suw pIIes oI goId u IuL wouId scurceIy Iuve covered
wugered on LIe Lurn oI u curd und IosL und Ie suw beurs und IIons Lurned Ioose In pILs
Lo IIgIL wIId buIIs Lo LIe deuLI und Ie wus LwIce In LIe cILy oI Sun runcIsco und LwIce
suw IL burn und never wenL buck, rIdIng ouL on Iorsebuck uIong LIe roud Lo LIe souLI
wIere uII nIgIL LIe sIupe oI LIe cILy burned uguInsL LIe sky und burned uguIn In LIe
bIuck wuLers oI LIe seu wIere doIpIIns roIIed LIrougI LIe IIumes, IIre In LIe Iuke,
LIrougI LIe IuII oI burnIng LImbers und LIe crIes oI LIe IosL. He never suw LIe exprIesL
uguIn. OI LIe judge Ie Ieurd rumor everywIere.
n LIe sprIng oI IIs LwenLy-eIgILI yeur Ie seL ouL wILI oLIers upon LIe deserL Lo LIe
eusL, Ie one oI IIve uL IIre Lo see u purLy LIrougI LIe wIIderness Lo LIeIr Iomes IuIIwuy
" ucross LIe conLI enL. Seven duys Irom LIe cousL uL u deserL weII Ie IeIL LIem. TIey
were jusL u bund oI pIIgrIms reLurnIng Lo LIeIr Iomes, men und women, uIreudy dusLy
und LruveIworn.
He seL LIe Iorse's Iuce norLI Lowurd LIe sLone mounLuIns runnIng LIInIy under LIe edge
oI LIe sky und Ie rode LIe sLurs down und LIe sun up. L wus no counLry Ie Iud ever
seen und LIere wus no Lruck Lo IoIIow InLo LIose mounLuIns und LIere wus no Lruck ouL.
YeL In LIe deepesL IusLness oI LIose rocks Ie meL wILI men wIo seemed unubIe Lo ubIde
LIe sIIence oI LIe worId.
He IIrsL suw LIem IuborIng over LIe pIuIn In LIe dusk umong IIowerIng ocoLIIIo LIuL
burned In LIe IInuI IIgIL IIke Iorned cundeIubru. TIey were Ied by u pILero pIpIng u
reed und LIen In processIon u cIungIng oI LumbourInes und muLrucus und men nuked Lo
! LIe wuIsL In bIuck cupes und Ioods wIo IIuIIed LIem eIves wILI wIIps oI bruIded yuccu
und men wIo bore on LIeIr nuked bucks greuL Iouds oI cIoIIu und u mun LIed Lo u rope
wIo wus puIIed LIIs wuy und LIuL by IIs compunIons und u Iooded mun In u wIILe
robe wIo bore u Ieuvy wooden cross on IIs sIouIders. TIey were uII oI LIem bureIooL
und LIey IeIL u LruII oI bIood ucross LIe rocks und LIey were IoIIowed by u rude curreLu
In wIIcI suL u curved wooden skeIeLon wIo ruLLIed uIong sLIIIIy IoIdIng beIore IIm u
bow und urrow. He sIured IIs curL wILI u Ioud oI sLones und LIey wenL LrundIIng over
LIe rocks druwn by ropes LIed Lo LIe Ieuds und unkIes oI LIe beurers und uccompunIed
by u depuLuLIon oI women wIo currIed smuII deserL IIowers In LIeIr IoIded Iunds or
- LorcIes oI soLoI or prImI Ive IunLerns oI pIerced LIn.
TIIs LroubIed secL Lruversed sIowIy LIe ground under LIe bIuII wIere LIe wuLcIer sLood
und mude LIeIr wuy over LIe broken scree oI u Iun wusIed ouL oI LIe druw ubove LIem
und wuIIIng und pIpIng und cIungIng LIey pussed beLween LIe grunILe wuIIs InLo LIe
upper vuIIey und dIsuppeured In LIe comIng durkness IIke IeruIds oI some unspeukubIe
* cuIumILy IeuvIng onIy bIoody IooL rInLs on LIe sLone.
He bIvouucked In u burren swuIe und Ie und LIe Iorse Iuy down LogeLIer und uII nIgIL
LIe dry wInd bIew down LIe deserL und LIe wInd wus uII buL sIIenL Ior LIere wus
noLIIng oI resonunce umong LIose rocks. n LIe duwn Ie und LIe Iorse sLood wuLcIIng
LIe eusL wIere LIe IIgIL commenced und LIen Ie suddIed LIe Iorse und Ied IL down u
scrubbIed LruII LIrougI u cunyon wIere Ie Iound u Lunk deep under u pILcI oI bouIders.
TIe wuLer Iuy In durkness und LIe sLones were cooI und Ie drunk und IeLcIed wuLer Ior
LIe Iorse In IIs IuL. TIen Ie Ied LIe unImuI up onLo LIe rIdge und LIey wenL on, LIe
mun wuLcIIng LIe LubIeIund Lo LIe souLI und LIe mounLuIns Lo LIe norLI und LIe Iorse
cIuLLerIng uIong beIInd.
By und by LIe Iorse begun Lo Loss ILs Ieud und soon IL wouId noL go. He sLood IoIdIng
LIe Iuckumore und sLudyIng LIe counLry. TIen Ie suw LIe pIIgrIms. TIey were scuLLered
ubouL beIow IIm In u sLone couIee deud In LIeIr bIood. He Look down IIs rIIIe und
squuLLed und IIsLened. He Ied LIe Iorse under LIe sIude oI LIe rock wuII und IobbIed IL
und moved uIong LIe rock und down LIe sIope.
TIe compuny oI penILenLs Iuy Iucked und buLcIered umong LIe sLones In every uLLILude.
Muny Iuy ubouL LIe IuIIen cross und some were muLIIuLed und some were wILIouL Ieuds.
PerIups LIey'd guLIered under LIe cross Ior sIeILer buL LIe IoIe InLo wIIcI IL Iud been
seL und LIe cuIrn oI rocks ubouL ILs buse sIowed Iow IL Iud been pusIed over und Iow
LIe Iooded uILer-cIrIsL Iud been cuL down und dIsemboweIed wIo now Iuy wILI LIe
scrups oI rope by wIIcI Ie Iud been bound sLIII LIed ubouL IIs wrIsLs und unkIes.
TIe kId rose und Iooked ubouL uL LIIs desoIuLe scene und LIen Ie suw uIone und uprIgIL
In u smuII nIcIe In LIe rocks un oId womun kneeIIng In u Iuded rebozo wILI Ier eyes
cusL down.
He mude IIs wuy umong LIe corpses und sLood beIore Ier. SIe wus very oId und Ier
Iuce wus gruy und IeuLIery und sund Iud coIIecLed In LIe IoIds oI Ier cIoLIIng. SIe dId
noL Iook up. TIe sIuwI LIuL covered Ier Ieud wus mucI Iuded oI ILs coIor yeL IL bore
IIke u puLenL woven InLo LIe IubrIc LIe IIgures oI sLurs und quurLermoons und oLIer
InsIgnIu oI u provenunce unknown Lo IIm. He spoke Lo Ier In u Iow voIce. He LoId Ier
LIuL Ie wus un AmerIcun und LIuL Ie wus u Iong wuy Irom LIe counLry oI IIs bIrLI und
LIuL Ie Iud no IumIIy und LIuL Ie Iud LruveIed mucI und seen muny LIIngs und Iud
! been uL wur und endured Iurd IIps. He LoId Ier LIuL Ie wouId convey Ier Lo u suIe
pIuce, some purLy oI Ier counLrypeopIe wIo wouId weIcome Ier und LIuL sIe sIouId joIn
LIem Ior Ie couId noL Ieuve Ier In LIIs pIuce or sIe wouId sureIy dIe.
He kneIL on one knee, resLIng LIe rIIIe beIore IIm IIke u sLuII. AbueIILu, Ie suId. No
puedes escucIurme?
He reucIed InLo LIe IILLIe cove und LoucIed Ier urm. SIe moved sIIgILIy, Ier wIoIe
body, IIgIL und rIgId. SIe weIgIed noLIIng. SIe wus jusL u drIed sIeII und sIe Iud been
deud In LIuL pIuce Ior yeurs.
XX
On LIe norLI Texus pIuIns - An oId buIIuIo IunLer ?
TIe mIIIennIuI Ierds - TIe bonepIckers - NIgIL on LIe pruIrIe -
TIe cuIIers - ApucIe eurs - EIrod Lukes u sLund - A kIIIIng -
BeurIng oII LIe deud - orL GrIIIIn - TIe BeeIIve - A sLugesIow -
TIe judge - KIIIIng u beur - TIe judge speuks oI oId LImes -
n prepuruLIon Ior LIe dunce - TIe judge on wur, desLIny, LIe
supremucy oI mun - TIe dunceIuII - TIe wIore -TIe jukes und wIuL
wus encounLered LIere - SIe mIIssen scIIuIen uberIcI muss Lunzen.
n LIe IuLe wInLer oI eIgILeen sevenLy-eIgIL Ie wus on LIe pIuIns oI norLI Texus. He
crossed LIe DoubIe MounLuIn ork oI LIe Bruzos RIver on u mornIng wIen skIm Ice Iuy
uIong LIe sundy sIore und Ie rode LIrougI u durk dwurI IoresL oI bIuck und LwIsLed
mesquILe Lrees. He mude IIs cump LIuL nIgIL on u pIece oI IIgI ground wIere LIere
wus u wIndbreuk Iormed oI u Lree IeIIed by IIgILnIng. He'd no sooner goL IIs IIre Lo
burn LIun Ie suw ucross LIe pruIrIe In LIe durkness unoLIer IIre. Ike IIs IL LwIsLed In
LIe wInd, IIke IIs IL wurmed one mun uIone.
L wus un oId IunLer In cump und LIe IunLer sIured Lobucco wILI IIm und LoId IIm oI
LIe buIIuIo und LIe sLunds Ie'd mude uguInsL LIem, IuId up In u sug on some rIse wILI
LIe deud unImuIs scuLLered over LIe grounds und LIe Ierd begInnIng Lo mIII und LIe
rIIIeburreI so IoL LIe wIpIng puLcIes sIzzIed In LIe bore und LIe unImuIs by LIe
LIousunds und Lens oI LIousunds und LIe IIdes pegged ouL over ucLuuI squure mIIes oI
ground und LIe Leums oI skInners speIIIng one unoLIer uround LIe cIock und LIe
sIooLIng und sIooLIng weeks und monLIs LIII LIe bore sIoL sIIck und LIe sLock sIoL
Ioose uL LIe Lung und LIeIr sIouIders were yeIIow und bIue Lo LIe eIbow und LIe Lundem
wugons grouned uwuy over LIe pruIrIe LwenLy und LwenLy-Lwo ox Leums und LIe IIInL
IIdes by LIe Lon und Iundred Lon und LIe meuL roLLIng on LIe ground und LIe uIr
wIInIng wILI IIIes und LIe buzzurds und ruvens und LIe nIgIL u Iorror oI snurIIng und
# Ieed ng wILI LIe woIves IuII cruzed und wuIIowIng In LIe currIon.
seen SLudebuker wugons wILI sIx und eIgIL ox Leums Ieuded ouL Ior LIe grounds noL
IuuIIn u LIIng buL Ieud. JusL pure guIenu. Tons oI IL. On LIIs ground uIone beLween LIe
Arkunsus RIver und LIe ConcIo LIere wus eIgIL mIIIIon curcusses Ior LIuL's Iow muny
IIdes reucIed LIe ruIIIeud. Two yeur ugo we puIIed ouL Irom GrIIIIn Ior u IusL IunL. We
runsucked LIe counLry. SIx weeks. InuIIy Iound u Ierd oI eIgIL unImuIs und we kIIIed
LIem und come In. TIey're gone. Ever one oI LIem LIuL God ever mude Is gone us II
LIey'd never been uL uII.
TIe rugged spurks bIew down LIe wInd. TIe pruIrIe ubouL LIem Iuy sIIenL. Beyond LIe
IIre IL wus coId und LIe nIgIL wus cIeur und LIe sLurs were IuIIIng. TIe oId IunLer
puIIed IIs bIunkeL ubouL IIm. wonder II LIere's oLIer worIds IIke LIIs, Ie suId. Or II
LIIs Is LIe onIy one.
WIen Ie cume upon LIe bonepIckers Ie'd been rIdIng LIree duys In u counLry Ie'd
never seen. TIe pIuIns were sere und burnLIook-Ing und LIe smuII Lrees bIuck und
mIssIupen und IuunLed by ruvens und everywIere LIe rugged pucks oI juckuI woIves und
, LIe cruzed und suncIuIked bones oI LIe vunIsIed Ierds. He dIs ounLed und Ied LIe
Iorse. Here und LIere wILIIn LIe urc oI rIbs u Iew IIuL dIscs oI durkened Ieud IIke oId
meduIIIons oI some order oI LIe IunL. n LIe dIsLunce Leums oI oxen bore uIong sIowIy
und LIe Ieuvy wugons creuked dryIy. nLo LIese burrows LIe pIckers Lossed LIe bones,
kIckIng down LIe cuIcIned urcIILecLure, breukIng upurL LIe greuL Irumes wILI uxes. TIe
bones cIuLLered In LIe wugons, LIey pIowed on In u puIe dusL. He wuLcIed LIem puss,
rugged, IIILIy, LIe oxen guIIed und mud-IookIng. None spoke Lo IIm. n LIe dIsLunce Ie
couId see u LruIn oI wugons movIng oII Lo LIe norLIeusL wILI greuL LoLLerIng Iouds oI
bones und IurLIer Lo LIe norLI oLIer Leums oI pIckers uL LIeIr work.
He mounLed und rode on. TIe bones Iud been guLIered InLo wIndrows Len IeeL IIgI
und Iundreds Iong or InLo greuL conIcuI IIIIs Lopped wILI LIe sIgns or brunds oI LIeIr
- owners. He over ook one oI LIe IumberIng curLs, u boy rIdIng LIe neur wIeeI ox und
drIvIng wILI u jerkIIne und u jockeysLIck. Two youLIs squuLLIng uLop u mound oI skuIIs
und peIvIc bones Ieered down uL IIm.
TIeIr IIres doLLed LIe pIuIn LIuL nIgIL und Ie suL wILI IIs buck Lo LIe wInd und drunk
Irom un urmy cunLeen und uLe u IundIuI oI purcIed corn Ior IIs supper. AII ucross
, LIose reucIes LIe yum er und yup oI LIe sLurvIng woIves reIuyed und Lo LIe norLI LIe
sIIenL IIgILnIng rIgged u broken Iyre upon LIe worId's durk rIm. TIe uIr smeIIed oI ruIn
buL no ruIn IeII und LIe creukIng bone-curLs pussed In LIe nIgIL IIke durkened sIIps und
Ie couId smeII LIe oxen und Ieur LIeIr breuLI. TIe sour smeII oI LIe bones wus
everywIere. Towurd mIdnIgIL u purLy IuIIed IIm us Ie squuLLed uL IIs couIs.
Come up, Ie suId.
TIey cume up ouL oI LIe durk, suIIen wreLcIes dressed In skIns. TIey currIed oId
mIIILury guns suve Ior one wIo Iud u buIIuIo rIIIe und LIey Iud no couLs und one oI
LIem wore green IIde booLs peeIed wIoIe Irom LIe Iocks oI some unImuI und LIe Loes
guLIered sIuL wILI Ieuder.
EvenIn sLrunger, cuIIed ouL LIe eIdesL cIIId umong LIem.
He Iooked uL LIem. TIey were Iour und u IuIIgrown boy und LIey IuILed uL LIe edge oI
LIe IIgIL und urrunged LIemseIves LIere.
Come up, Ie suId.
TIey sIuIIIed Iorwurd. TIree oI LIem squuLLed und Lwo sLood.
WIere's ye ouLIIL? suId one.
He uInL ouL Ior bones.
You uInL goL nury cIew oI Lobuccu ubouL your cIoLIes Iuve ye?
He sIook IIs Ieud.
Nury drInk oI wIIskey neILIer donL reckon.
He uInL goL no wIIskey.
WIere ye Ieuded mIsLer?
Are you Ieuded Lwurds GrIIIIn?
He Iooked LIem over. um, Ie suId.
CoIn Ior LIe wIores 'II beL ye.
He uInL goIn Ior LIe wIores.
L's IuII oI wIores, GrIIIIn Is.
HeII, Ie's probubIy been LIere more'n you.
You been Lo GrIIIIn mIsLer?
NoL yeL.
uII oI wIores. uII pIumb up.
TIey suy you cun geL cIupped u duy's rIde ouL wIen LIe wInd Is rIgIL.
TIey seL In u Lree In IronL oI LIIs Iere pIuce und you cun Iook up und see LIeIr
bIoomers. 've counLed IIgI us eIgIL In LIuL Lree eurIy oI u evenIn. SeL up LIere IIke
/ coons und smoke cIgu eLLes und IoIIer down uL ye.
L's seL up Lo be LIe bIggesL Lown Ior sIn In uII Texus.
L's us IIveIy u pIuce Ior murders us you'd cure Lo vIsIL.
Scrupes wILI knIves. AbouL uny kInd oI meunness you cun nume.
He Iooked uL LIem Irom one Lo LIe oLIer. He reucIed und Look up u sLIck und roused
LIe IIre wILI IL und puL LIe sLIck In LIe IIumes. You uII IIke meunness? Ie suId.
We donL IoId wILI IL.
Ike Lo drInk wIIskey?
He's jusL LuIkIn. He uInL no wIIskey drInker.
HeII, you jusL now seen IIm drInk IL noL u Iour ugo.
seen IIm puke IL buck up Loo. WIuL's LIem LIIngs uround your neck LIere mIsLer?
He puIIed LIe uged scupuIur Irom IIs sIIrLIronL und Iooked uL IL. L's eurs, Ie suId.
L's wIuL?
Eurs.
WIuL kInd oI eurs?
He Lugged uL LIe LIong und Iooked down uL LIem. TIey were perIecLIy bIuck und Iurd
und dry und oI no sIupe uL uII.
Humuns, Ie suId. Humun eurs.
AInL done IL, suId LIe one wILI LIe rIIIe.
DonL cuII IIm u IIur EIrod, Ie's IIubIe Lo sIooL ye. eL's see LIem LIIngs mIsLer II you
donL cure.
He sIIpped LIe scupuIur over IIs Ieud und Iunded IL ucross Lo LIe boy wIo'd spoken.
TIey pressed ubouL und IeIL LIe sLrunge drIed pendunLs.
NIggers, uInL IL? LIey suId.
Docked LIem nIggers' eurs so LIey'd know em wIen LIey run oII.
How muny Is LIere mIsLer?
donL know. Used Lo be neur u Iundred.
TIey IeId LIe LIIng up und Lurned IL In LIe IIreIIgIL.
NIgger eurs, by god.
TIey uInL nIggers.
TIey uInL?
No.
WIuL ure LIey?
njIns.
TIe IeII LIey ure.
EIrod you done been LoId.
How come LIem Lo be so bIuck us LIuL II LIey uInL nIggers.
TIey Lurned LIuL wuy. TIey goL bIucker LIII LIey couIdnL bIuck no more.
WIere'd you geL em uL?
KIIIed LIem sons oI bILcIes. DIdnL ye mIsLer?
You been u scouL on LIe pruIrIes, uInL ye?
bougIL LIem eurs In CuIIIornIu oII u soIdIer In u suIoon dIdnL Iuve no money Lo drInk
on.
He reucIed und Look LIe scupuIur Irom LIem.
SIooL. beL Ie's been u scouL on LIe pruIrIe kIIIed ever one oI LIem sons oI bILcIes.
TIe one cuIIed EIrod IoIIowed LIe LropIIes wILI IIs cIIn und snIIIed LIe uIr. donL see
wIuL you wunL wILI LIem LIIngs, Ie suId. wouIdnL Iuve em.
TIe oLIers Iooked uL IIm uneusIIy.
You donL know wIere LIem eurs come Irom. TIuL oId boy you bougIL em oII oI mIgIL
oI suId LIey wus InjIns buL LIuL donL muke IL so.
TIe mun dIdnL unswer.
TIem eurs couId oI come oII oI cunnIbuIs or uny oLIer kInd oI IoreIgn nIgger. TIey LeII
me you cun buy LIe wIoIe Ieuds In New OrIeuns. SuIIors brIngs em In und you cun buy
em Ior IIve doIIurs uII duy Iong LIem Ieuds.
HusI EIrod.
TIe mun suL IoIdIng LIe neckIuce In IIs Iunds. TIey wusnL cunnIbuIs, Ie suId. TIey wus
ApucIes. knowed LIe mun LIuL docked em. Knowed IIm und rode wILI IIm und seen
IIm Iung.
EIrod Iooked uL LIe oLIers und grInned. ApucIes, Ie suId. beL LIem oId ApucIes wouId
gIve u wuLermeIon u pure IIL, wIuL ubouL you uII?
TIe mun Iooked up weurIIy. You uInL cuIIIn me u IIur ure ye son?
uInL ye son.
How oId ure you?
TIuL's some more oI your busIness.
How oId ure you?
He's IIILeen.
You IusI your dumn mouLI.
He Lurned Lo LIe mun. He donL speuk Ior me, Ie suId.
He's done spoke. wus IIILeen yeur oId wIen wus IIrsL sIoL.
uIn'L never been sIoL.
You uInL sIxLeen yeL neILIer.
You uIm Lo sIooL me?
uIm Lo Lry Lo keep Irom IL.
Come on EIrod.
You uInL goIn Lo sIooL nobody. Muybe In LIe buck or LIem usIeep.
EIrod we're gone.
knowed you Ior wIuL you wus wIen seen ye.
You beLLer go on.
SeL LIere und LuIk ubouL sIooLIn somebody. TIey uInL nobody done IL yeL.
0 TIe oLIer Iour sLood uL LIe IImILs oI LIe IIreIIgIL. TIe young sL oI LIem wus cusLIng
gIunces ouL uL LIe durk suncLuury oI LIe pruIrIe nIgIL.
Go on, LIe mun suId. TIey're wuILIn on ye.
He spuL InLo LIe mun's IIre und wIped IIs mouLI. OuL on LIe pruIrIe Lo LIe norLI u
LruIn oI yoked wugons wus pussIng und LIe oxen were puIe und sIIenL In LIe sLurIIgIL
und LIe wugons creuked IuInLIy In LIe dIsLunce und u IunLern wILI u red gIuss IoIIowed
LIem ouL IIke un uIIen eye. TIIs counLry wus IIIIed wILI vIoIenL cIIIdren orpIuned by
wur. HIs compunIons Iud sLurLed buck Lo IeLcI IIm und perIups LIIs emboIdened IIm
LIe more und perIups Ie suId oLIer LIIngs Lo LIe mun Ior wIen LIey goL Lo LIe IIre LIe
mun Iud rIsen Lo IIs IeeL. You keep IIm uwuy Irom me, Ie suId. see IIm buck Iere
'II kIII IIm.
WIen LIey Iud gone Ie buIIL up LIe IIre und cuugIL LIe Iorse und Look LIe IobbIes oII
und LIed IL und suddIed IL und LIen Ie moved oII upurL und spreud IIs bIunkeL und Iuy
down In LIe durk.
WIen Ie woke LIere wus sLIII no IIgIL In LIe eusL. TIe boy wus sLundIng by LIe usIes
oI LIe IIre wILI LIe rIIIe In IIs Iund. TIe Iorse Iud snuIIed und now IL snuIIed uguIn.
knowed you'd be IId ouL, LIe boy cuIIed.
He pusIed buck LIe bIunkeL und roIIed onLo IIs sLomucI und cocked LIe pIsLoI und
IeveIed IL uL LIe sky wIere LIe cIusLered sLurs were burnIng Ior eLernILy. He cenLered LIe
IoresIgIL In LIe mIIIed groove oI LIe IrumesLrup und IoIdIng LIe pIece so Ie swung IL
LIrougI LIe durk oI LIe Lrees wILI boLI Iunds Lo LIe durker sIupe oI LIe vIsILor.
'm rIgIL Iere, Ie suId.
TIe boy swung wILI LIe rIIIe und IIred.
You wouIdnL oI IIved unywuy, LIe mun suId.
L wus gruy duwn wIen LIe oLIers cume up. TIey Iud no Iorses. TIey Ied LIe
IuIIgrown boy Lo wIere LIe deud youLI wus IyIng on IIs buck wILI IIs Iunds composed
upon IIs cIesL.
We donL wunL no LroubIe mIsLer. We jusL wunL Lo Luke IIm wILI us.
Tuke IIm.
knowed we'd bury IIm on LIIs pruIrIe.
TIey come ouL Iere Irom KenLucky mIsLer. TIIs Lyke und IIs broLIer. HIs mommu und
duddy boLI deud. HIs grunduddy wus kIIIed by u IunuLIc und burIed In LIe woods IIke u
dog. He's never knowed good IorLune In IIs IIIe und now Ie uInL goL u souI In LIIs
worId.
RunduII you Luke u good Iook uL LIe mun LIuL Ius mude you u orpIun.
TIe orpIun In IIs Iurge cIoLIes IoIdIng LIe oId muskeL wILI LIe mended sLock sLured uL
IIm woodenIy. He wus muybe LweIve yeurs oId und Ie Iooked noL so mucI duIIwILLed us
Insune. Two oI LIe oLIers were goIng LIrougI LIe deud boy's pockeLs.
WIere's IIs rIIIe uL mIsLer?
TIe mun sLood wILI IIs Iund on IIs beIL. He nodded Lo wIere LIe rIIIe sLood uguInsL u
Lree.
TIey brougIL IL over und presenLed IL Lo LIe broLIer. L wus u SIurp's IIILy cuIIbre und
IoIdIng IL und LIe muskeL Ie sLood InuneIy urmed, IIs eyes skILLerIng.
One oI LIe oIder boys Iunded IIm LIe deud boy's IuL und LIen Ie Lurned Lo LIe mun.
He gIve IorLy doIIurs Ior LIuL rIIIe In ILLIe Rock. You cun buy em In GrIIIIn Ior Len.
TIey uInL worLI noLIIn. RunduII, ure you reudy Lo go?
He dId noL ussIsL us u beurer Ior Ie wus Loo smuII. WIen LIey seL ouL ucross LIe pruIrIe
wILI IIs broLIer's body currIed up on LIeIr sIouIders Ie IoIIowed beIInd curryIng LIe
muskeL und LIe deud boy's rIIIe und LIe deud boy's IuL. TIe mun wuLcIed LIem go. OuL
LIere wus noLIIng. TIey were sImpIy beurIng LIe body oII over LIe bonesLrewn wusLe
Lowurd u nuked IorIzon. TIe orpIun Lurned once Lo Iook buck uL IIm und LIen Ie
IurrIed Lo cuLcI up.
n LIe uILernoon Ie rode LIrougI LIe McKenzIe crossIng oI LIe CIeur ork oI LIe Bruzos
RIver und Ie und LIe Iorse wuIked sIde by sIde down LIe LwIIIgIL Lowurd LIe Lown
wIere In LIe Iong red dusk und In LIe durkness LIe rundom uggreguLe oI LIe Iumps
Iormed sIowIy u IuIse sIore oI IospIce crudIed on LIe Iow pIuIn beIore LIem. TIey
! pussed enormous rIcks oI bones, coIos uI dIkes composed oI Iorned skuIIs und LIe
crescenL rIbs IIke oId Ivory bows Ieuped In LIe uILermuLI oI some Iegendury buLLIe, greuL
Ievees oI LIem curvIng uwuy over LIe pIuIn InLo LIe nIgIL.
TIey enLered LIe Lown In u IIgIL ruIn IuIIIng. TIe Iorse nIckered und snuIIed sIyIy uL
LIe Iocks oI LIe oLIer unImuIs sLundIng uL sLuII beIore LIe IumpIIL bugnIos LIey pussed.
IddIe-musIc Issued InLo LIe soIILury mud sLreeL und Ieun dogs crossed beIore LIem Irom
sIudow Lo sIudow. AL LIe end oI LIe Lown Ie Ied LIe Iorse Lo u ruII und LIed IL umong
oLIers und sLepped up LIe Iow wooden sLuIrs InLo LIe dIm IIgIL LIuL IeII Irom LIe door
)uy LIere. He Iooked buck u IusL LIme uL LIe sLreeL und uL LIe rundom wIndowIIgILs IeL
InLo LIe durkness und uL LIe IusL puIe IIgIL In LIe wesL und LIe Iow durk IIIIs uround.
TIen Ie pusIed open LIe door und enLered.
A dImIy seeLIIng rubbIe Iud couguIuLed wILIIn. As II LIe ruw bourd sLrucLure erecLed Ior
LIeIr conLuInmenL occupIed some uILImuLe sInk InLo wIIcI LIey Iud gruvILuLed Irom oII
/ LIe sur oundIng IIuLIunds. An oId mun In u LyroIeun cosLume wus sIuIIIIng umong LIe
rougI LubIes wILI IIs IuL ouLIeId wIIIe u IILLIe gIrI In u smock crunked u burreI orgun
und u beur In u crInoIIne LwIrIed sLrungeIy upon u bourd sLuge deIIned by u row oI
LuIIow cundIes LIuL drIpped und spuLLered In LIeIr pooIs oI greuse.
He mude IIs wuy LIrougI LIe crowd Lo LIe bur wIere severuI men In guILered sIIrLs
were druwIng beer or pourIng wIIskey. Young boys worked beIInd LIem IeLcIIng cruLes
oI boLLIes und rucks oI gIusses sLeumIng Irom LIe scuIIery Lo LIe reur. TIe bur wus
covered wILI zInc und Ie pIuced IIs eIbows upon IL und spun u sIIver coIn beIore IIm
und sIupped IL IIuL.
Speuk or Iorever, suId LIe burmun.
A wIIskey.
WIIskey IL Is. He seL up u gIuss und uncorked u boLLIe und poured perIups IuII u gIII
und Look LIe coIn.
He sLood IookIng uL LIe wIIskey. TIen Ie Look IIs IuL oII und pIuced IL on LIe bur und
Look up LIe gIuss und drunk IL very deIIberuLeIy und seL LIe empLy gIuss down uguIn. He
wIped IIs mouLI und Lurned uround und pIuced IIs eIbows on LIe bur beIInd IIm.
WuLcIIng IIm ucross LIe Iuyered smoke In LIe yeIIow IIgIL wus LIe judge.
He wus sILLIng uL one oI LIe LubIes. He wore u round IuL wILI u nurrow brIm und Ie
wus umong every kInd oI mun, Ierder und buIIwIucker und drover und IreIgILer und
mIner und IunLer und soIdIer und pedIur und gumbIer und drIILer und drunkurd und
LIIeI und Ie wus umong LIe dregs oI LIe eurLI In beggury u LIousund yeurs und Ie wus
umong LIe scupegruce scIons oI eusLern dynusLIes und In uII LIuL moLIey ussembIuge Ie
suL by LIem und yeL uIone us II Ie were some oLIer sorL oI mun enLIre und Ie seemed
IILLIe cIunged or none In uII LIese yeurs.
He Lurned uwuy Irom LIose eyes und sLood IookIng down uL LIe empLy LumbIer beLween
IIs IIsLs. WIen Ie Iooked up LIe burmun wus wuLcIIng IIm. He ruIsed IIs IoreIInger
und LIe burmun brougIL LIe wIIskey.
He puId, Ie IIILed LIe gIuss und drunk. TIere wus u mIrror uIong LIe buckbur buL IL
IeId onIy smoke und pIunLoms. TIe burreI orgun wus grounIng und creukIng und LIe
beur wILI Longue uIoII wus revoIvIng IeuvIIy on LIe bourds.
WIen Ie Lurned LIe judge Iud rIsen und wus speukIng wILI oLIer men. TIe sIowmun
mude IIs wuy LIrougI LIe LIrong sIukIng LIe coIns In IIs IuL. GurIsIIy cIud wIores
were goIng ouL LIrougI u door uL LIe reur oI LIe premIses und Ie wuLcIed LIem und Ie
wuLcIed LIe beur und wIen Ie Iooked buck ucross LIe room LIe judge wus noL LIere.
TIe sIowmun seemed Lo be In uILercuLIon wILI LIe men sLundIng uL LIe LubIe. AnoLIer
mun rose. TIe sIowmun gesLured wILI IIs IuL. One oI LIem poInLed Lowurd LIe bur. He
sIook IIs Ieud. TIeIr voIces were IncoIerenL In LIe dIn. On LIe bourds LIe beur wus
duncIng Ior uII LIuL IIs IeurL wus worLI und LIe gIrI crunked LIe orgun IundIe und LIe
sIudow oI LIe ucL wIIcI LIe cundIeIIgIL consLrucLed upon LIe wuII mIgIL Iuve gone
beggIng Ior reIerenLs In uny duyIIgIL worId. WIen Ie Iooked buck LIe sIowmun Iud
donned LIe IuL und Ie sLood wILI IIs Iunds on IIs IIps. One oI LIe men Iud druwn u
IongburreIed cuvuIry pIsLoI Irom IIs beIL. He Lurned und IeveIed LIe pIsLoI Lowurd LIe
sLuge.
Some dove Ior LIe IIoor, some reucIed Ior LIeIr own urms. TIe owner oI LIe beur sLood
IIke u pILcImun uL u sIooLIng guI-ery. TIe sIoL wus LIunderous und In LIe uILercIup uII
sound In LIuL room ceused. TIe beur Iud been sIoL LIrougI LIe mId-secLIon. He IeL ouL
u Iow moun und Ie begun Lo dunce IusLer, duncIng In sIIence suve Ior LIe sIup oI IIs
greuL IooLpuds on LIe pIunks. BIood wus runnIng down IIs groIn. TIe IILLIe gIrI sLrupped
InLo LIe burreI orgun sLood Irozen, LIe crunk uL resL on LIe upswIng. TIe mun wILI LIe
pIsLoI IIred uguIn und LIe pIsLoI bucked und roured und LIe bIuck smoke roIIed und LIe
beur grouned und begun Lo reeI drunkenIy. He wus IoIdIng IIs cIesL und u LIIn Ioum oI
bIood swung Irom IIs juw und Ie begun Lo LoLLer und Lo cry IIke u cIIId und Ie Look u
Iew IusL sLeps, duncIng, und crusIed Lo LIe bourds.
Someone Iud seIzed LIe pIsLoI urm oI LIe mun wIo'd done LIe sIooLIng und LIe gun
wus wuvIng uIoIL. TIe owner oI LIe beur sLood sLunned, cIuLcIIng LIe brIm oI IIs
oIdworId IuL.
SIoL LIe goddumned beur, suId LIe burmun.
TIe IILLIe gIrI Iud unbuckIed IerseII ouL oI LIe burreI orgun und IL cIuLLered wIeezIng Lo
LIe IIoor. SIe run Iorwurd und kneIL und guLIered LIe greuL sIuggy Ieud up In Ier urms
und begun Lo rock buck und IorLI sobbIng. MosL oI LIe men In LIe room Iud rIsen und
LIey sLood In LIe smoky yeIIow spuce wILI LIeIr Iunds on LIeIr sIdeurms. WIoIe IIocks
oI wIores were scuLLIIng Lowurd LIe reur und u womun mounLed Lo LIe bourds und
sLepped pusL LIe beur und IeId ouL Ier Iunds.
L's uII over, sIe suId. L's uII over.
Do you beIIeve IL's uII over, son?
He Lurned. TIe judge wus sLundIng uL LIe bur IookIng down uL IIm. He smIIed, Ie
removed IIs IuL. TIe greuL puIe dome oI IIs skuII sIone IIke un enormous
% pIospIorescenL egg In LIe Iump IgIL.
TIe IusL oI LIe Lrue. TIe IusL oI LIe Lrue. 'd suy LIey're uII gone under now suvIng me
und LIee. WouId you noL?
He LrIed Lo see pusL IIm. TIuL greuL corpus ensIudowed IIm Irom uII beyond. He couId
Ieur LIe womun unnouncIng LIe commencemenL oI duncIng In LIe IuII Lo LIe reur.
And some ure noL yeL born wIo sIuII Iuve cuuse Lo curse LIe DuupIIn's souI, suId LIe
judge. He Lurned sIIgILIy. PIenLy oI LIme Ior LIe dunce.
uInL sLudyIn no dunce.
TIe judge smIIed.
TIe LyroIeun und unoLIer mun were benL over LIe beur. TIe gIrI wus sobbIng, LIe IronL
oI Ier dress durk wILI bIood. TIe judge Ieuned ucross LIe bur und seIzed u boLLIe und
snupped LIe cork ouL oI IL wILI IIs LIumb. TIe cork wIIned oII InLo LIe bIuckness
ubove LIe Iumps IIke u buIIeL. He rIIIed u greuL drInk down IIs LIrouL und Ieuned buck
uguInsL LIe bur. You're Iere Ior LIe dunce, Ie suId.
goL Lo go.
TIe judge Iooked uggrIeved. Go? Ie suId.
He nodded. He reucIed und Look IoId oI IIs IuL wIere IL Iuy on LIe bur buL Ie dId
noL Luke IL up und Ie dId noL move.
WIuL mun wouId noL be u duncer II Ie couId, suId LIe judge. L's u greuL LIIng, LIe
dunce.
TIe womun wus kneeIIng und Iud Ier urm uround LIe IILLIe gIrI. TIe cundIes spuLLered
und LIe greuL IuIry mound oI LIe beur deud In ILs crInoIIne Iuy IIke some monsLer sIuIn
In LIe commIssIon oI unnuLuruI ucLs. TIe judge poured LIe LumbIer IuII wIere IL sLood
) empLy uIongsIde LIe IuL und nudged IL Ior urd.
DrInk up, Ie suId. DrInk up. TIIs nIgIL LIy souI muy be requIred oI LIee.
He Iooked uL LIe gIuss. TIe judge smIIed und gesLured wILI LIe boLLIe. He Look up LIe
gIuss und drunk.
TIe judge wuLcIed IIm. Wus IL uIwuys your Ideu, Ie suId, LIuL II you dId noL speuk you
wouId noL be recognIzed?
You seen me,
TIe judge Ignored LIIs. recognIzed you wIen IIrsL suw you und yeL you were u
dIsuppoInLmenL Lo me. TIen und now. Even so uL LIe IusL IInd you Iere wILI me.
uInL wILI you.
TIe judge ruIsed IIs buId brow. NoL? Ie suId. He Iooked ubouL IIm In u puzzIed und
urLIuI wuy und Ie wus u pussubIe LIespIun.
never come Iere IunLIn you.
WIuL LIen? suId LIe judge.
WIuL wouId wunL wILI you? come Iere sume reuson us uny mun.
And wIuL reuson Is LIuL?
WIuL reuson Is wIuL?
TIuL LIese men ure Iere.
TIey come Iere Lo Iuve u good LIme.
TIe judge wuLcIed IIm. He begun Lo poInL ouL vurIous men In LIe room und Lo usk II
LIese men were Iere Ior u good LIme or II Indeed LIey knew wIy LIey were Iere uL uII.
Everbody donL Iuve Lo Iuve u reuson Lo be somepIuce.
TIuL's so, suId LIe judge. TIey do noL Iuve Lo Iuve u reuson. BuL order Is noL seL usIde
becuuse oI LIeIr IndIIIerence.
He regurded LIe judge wurIIy.
eL me puL IL LIIs wuy, suId LIe judge. I IL Is so LIuL LIey LIemseIves Iuve no reuson
und yeL ure Indeed Iere musL LIey noL be Iere by reuson oI some oLIer? And II LIIs Is
so cun you guess wIo LIuL oLIer mIgIL be?
No. Cun you?
know IIm weII.
He poured LIe LumbIer IuII once more und Ie Look u drInk IImseII Irom LIe boLLIe und
Ie wIped IIs mouLI und Lurned Lo regurd LIe room. TIIs Is un orcIesLruLIon Ior un
evenL. or u dunce In IucL. TIe purLIcIpunLs wIII be upprIsed oI LIeIr roIes uL LIe proper
LIme. or now IL Is enougI LIuL LIey Iuve urrIved. As LIe dunce Is LIe LIIng wILI wIIcI
we ure concerned und conLuIns compIeLe wILIIn ILseII ILs own urrungemenL und IIsLory
und IInuIe LIere Is no necessILy LIuL LIe duncers conLuIn LIese LIIngs wILIIn LIemseIves
us weII. n uny evenL LIe IIsLory oI uII Is noL LIe IIsLory oI eucI nor Indeed LIe sum oI
LIose IIsLorIes und none Iere cun IInuIIy compreIend LIe reuson Ior IIs presence Ior Ie
Ius no wuy oI knowIng even In wIuL LIe evenL consIsLs. n IucL, were Ie Lo know Ie
mIgIL weII ubsenL IImseII und you cun see LIuL LIuL cunnoL be uny purL oI LIe pIun II
pIun LIere be.
He smIIed, IIs greuL LeeLI sIone. He drunk.
An evenL, u ceremony. TIe orcIesLruLIon LIereoI. TIe overLure currIes cerLuIn murks oI
decIsIveness. L IncIudes LIe sIuyIng oI u Iurge beur. TIe evenIng's progress wIII noL
uppeur sLrunge or unusuuI even Lo LIose wIo quesLIon LIe TIgILness oI LIe evenLs so
ordered.
A ceremony LIen. One couId weII urgue LIuL LIere ure noL cuLegorIes oI no ceremony
buL onIy ceremonIes oI greuLer or Iesser degree und deIerrIng Lo LIIs urgumenL we wIII
suy LIuL LIIs Is u ceremony oI u cerLuIn mugnILude perIups more commonIy cuIIed u
rILuuI. A rILuuI IncIudes LIe IeLLIng oI bIood. RILuuIs wIIcI IuII In LIIs requIremenL ure
buL mock rILuuIs. Here every mun knows LIe IuIse uL once. Never doubL IL. TIuL IeeIIng
In LIe breusL LIuL evokes u cIIId's memory oI IoneIIness sucI us wIen LIe oLIers Iuve
gone und onIy LIe gume Is IeIL wILI ILs soIILury purLIcIpunL. A soIILury gume, wILIouL
opponenL. WIere onIy LIe ruIes ure uL Iuzurd. DonL Iook uwuy. We ure noL speukIng In
mysLerIes. You oI uII men ure no sLrunger Lo LIuL IeeIIng, LIe empLIness und LIe despuIr.
L Is LIuL wIIcI we Luke urms uguInsL, Is IL noL? s noL bIood LIe LemperIng ugenL In LIe
morLur wIIcI bonds? TIe judge Ieuned cIoser. WIuL do you LIInk deuLI Is, mun? OI
wIom do we speuk wIen we speuk oI u mun wIo wus und Is noL? Are LIese bIInd
rIddIes or ure LIey noL some purL oI every mun's jurIsdIcLIon? WIuL Is deuLI II noL un
ugency? And wIom does Ie InLend Lowurd? ook uL me.
donL IIke cruzIness.
Nor . Nor . Beur wILI me. ook uL LIem now. PIck u mun, uny mun. TIuL mun LIere.
See IIm. TIuL mun IuLIess. You know IIs opInIon oI LIe worId. You cun reud IL In IIs
Iuce, In IIs sLunce. YeL IIs compIuInL LIuL u mun's IIIe Is no burguIn musks LIe ucLuuI
cuse wILI IIm. WIIcI Is LIuL men wIII noL do us Ie wIsIes LIem Lo. Huve never done,
never wIII do. TIuL's LIe wuy oI LIIngs wILI IIm und IIs IIIe Is so buIked ubouL by
dIIIIcuILy und become so uILered oI ILs InLended urcIILecLure LIuL Ie Is IILLIe more LIun u
wuIkIng IoveI IurdIy IIL Lo Iouse LIe Iumun spIrIL uL uII. Cun Ie suy, sucI u mun, LIuL
LIere Is no muIIgn LIIng seL uguInsL IIm? TIuL LIere Is no power und no Iorce und no
cuuse? WIuL munner oI IereLIc couId doubL ugency und cIuImunL uIIke? Cun Ie beIIeve
0 LIuL LIe wreckuge oI IIs exIsLence Is un nLuIIed? No IIens, no credILors? TIuL gods oI
vengeunce und oI compussIon uIIke IIe sIeepIng In LIeIr crypL und wIeLIer our crIes ure
7 Ior un uccounLIng or Ior LIe desLrucLIon oI LIe Iedgers uILo eLIer LIey musL evoke onIy
LIe sume sIIence und LIuL IL Is LIIs sIIence wIIcI wIII prevuII? To wIom Is Ie LuIkIng,
mun? CunL you see IIm?
TIe mun wus Indeed muLLerIng Lo IImseII und peerIng buIe-IuIIy ubouL LIe room wIereIn
IL seemed LIere wus no IrIend Lo IIm.
A mun seeks IIs own desLIny und no oLIer, suId LIe judge. WIII or nIII. Any mun wIo
couId dIscover MIs own IuLe und eIecL LIereIore some opposILe course couId onIy come
uL IusL Lo LIuL seIIsume reckonIng uL LIe sume uppoInLed LIme, Ior eucI mun's desLIny Is
us Iurge us LIe worId Ie InIubILs und conLuIns wILIIn IL uII opposILes us weII. TIIs
deserL upon wIIcI so muny Iuve been broken Is vusL und cuIIs Ior Iurgeness oI IeurL
buL IL Is uIso uILImuLeIy empLy. L Is Iurd, IL Is burren. Ls very nuLure Is sLone.
He poured LIe LumbIer IuII. DrInk up, Ie suId. TIe worId goes on. We Iuve duncIng
nIgILIy und LIIs nIgIL Is no excepLIon. TIe sLruIgIL und LIe wIndIng wuy ure one und
now LIuL you ure Iere wIuL do LIe yeurs counL sInce IusL we Lwo meL LogeLIer? Men's
memorIes ure uncerLuIn und LIe pusL LIuL wus dIIIers IILLIe Irom LIe pusL LIuL wus noL.
He Look up LIe LumbIer LIe judge Iud poured und Ie drunk und seL IL down uguIn. He
Iooked uL LIe judge. been everwIere, Ie suId. TIIs Is jusL one more pIuce.
TIe judge urcIed IIs brow. DId you posL wILnesses? Ie suId. To reporL Lo you on LIe
conLInuIng exIsLence oI LIose pIuces once you'd quIL LIem?
TIuL's cruzy.
s IL? WIere Is yesLerduy? WIere Is GIunLon und Brown und wIere Is LIe prIesL? He
Ieuned cIoser. WIere Is SIeIby, wIom you IeIL Lo LIe mercIes oI EIIus In LIe deserL, und
wIere Is TuLe wIom you ubundoned In LIe mounLuIns? WIere ure LIe IudIes, uI LIe IuIr
und Lender IudIes wILI wIom you dunced uL LIe governor's buII wIen you were u Iero
unoInLed wILI LIe bIood oI LIe enemIes oI LIe repubIIc you'd eIecLed Lo deIend? And
wIere Is LIe IIddIer und wIere LIe dunce?
guess you cun LeII me.
LeII you LIIs. As wur becomes dIsIonored und ILs nobIIILy cuIIed InLo quesLIon LIose
IonorubIe men wIo recognIze LIe suncLILy oI bIood wIII become excIuded Irom LIe
dunce, wIIcI Is LIe wurrIor's rIgIL, und LIereby wIII LIe dunce become u IuIse dunce und
LIe duncers IuIse duncers. And yeL LIere wIII be one LIere uIwuys wIo Is u Lrue duncer
und cun you guess wIo LIuL mIgIL be?
You uInL noLIIn.
You speuk Lruer LIun you know. BuL wIII LeII you. OnIy LIuL mun wIo Ius oIIered up
IImseII enLIre Lo LIe bIood oI wur, wIo Ius been Lo LIe IIoor oI LIe pIL und seen Iorror
In LIe round und Ieurned uL IusL LIuL IL speuks Lo IIs InmosL IeurL, onIy LIuL mun cun
dunce.
Even u dumb unImuI cun dunce.
TIe judge seL LIe boLLIe on LIe bur. Heur me, mun, Ie suId. TIere Is room on LIe sLuge
Ior one beusL und one uIone. AII oLIers ure desLIned Ior u nIgIL LIuL Is eLernuI und
wILIouL nume. One by one LIey wIII sLep down InLo LIe durkness beIore LIe IooLIumps.
Beurs LIuL dunce, beurs LIuL donL.
He drIILed wILI LIe crowd Lowurd LIe door uL LIe reur. n LIe unLeroom suL men uL
curds, dIm In LIe smoke. He moved on. A womun wus LukIng cIILs Irom LIe men us
LIey pussed LIrougI Lo LIe sIed uL LIe reur oI LIe buIIdIng. SIe Iooked up uL IIm. He
Iud no cIIL. SIe dIrecLed IIm Lo u LubIe wIere u womun wus seIIIng LIe cIILs und
sLuIIIng LIe money wILI u pIece oI sIIngIe LIrougI u nurrow sIIL InLo un Iron sLrongbox.
He puId IIs doIIur und Look LIe sLumped bruss Loken und rendered IL up uL LIe door
und pussed LIrougI.
He Iound IImseII In u Iurge IuII wILI u pIuLIorm Ior LIe musIcIuns uL one end und u
Iurge Iomemude sIeeLIron sLove uL LIe oLIer. WIoIe squudrons oI wIores were workIng
LIe IIoor. n LIeIr sLuIned peIgnoIrs, In LIeIr green sLockIngs und meIon-coIored druwers
LIey drIILed LIrougI LIe smoky oII IIgIL IIke mukebeIIeve wunLons, uL once cIIIdIIke und
Iewd. A durk IILLIe dwurI oI u wIore Look IIs urm und smIIed up uL IIm.
seen you rIgIL uwuy, sIe suId. uIwuys pIck LIe one wunL.
SIe Ied IIm LIrougI u door wIere un oId MexIcun womun wus IundIng ouL LoweIs und
cundIes und LIey uscended IIke reIugees oI some sordId dIsusLer LIe durkened pIunkbourd
sLuIrweII Lo LIe upper rooms.
yIng In LIe IILLIe cubIcIe wILI IIs Lrousers ubouL IIs knees Ie wuLcIed Ier. He wuLcIed
Ier Luke up Ier cIoLIes und don LIem und Ie wuLcIed Ier IoId LIe cundIe Lo LIe
mIrror und sLudy Ier Iuce LIere. SIe Lurned und Iooked uL IIm.
eL's go, sIe suId. goL Lo go.
Goon.
You cunL Iuy LIere. Come on. goL Lo go.
He suL up und swung IIs Iegs over LIe edge oI LIe IILLIe Iron coL und sLood und puIIed
IIs Lrousers up und buLLoned LIem und buckIed IIs beIL. HIs IuL wus on LIe IIoor und
Ie pIcked IL up und sIupped IL uguInsL LIe sIde oI IIs Ieg und puL IL on.
You need Lo geL down LIere und geL you u drInk, sIe suId. You'II be uII rIgIL.
'm uII rIgIL now.
He wenL ouL. He Lurned uL LIe end oI LIe IuIIwuy und Iooked buck. TIen Ie wenL down
LIe sLuIrs. SIe Iud come Lo LIe door. SIe sLood In LIe IuIIwuy IoIdIng LIe cundIe und
brusIIng Ier IuIr buck wILI one Iund und sIe wuLcIed IIm descend InLo LIe durk oI
LIe sLuIrweII und LIen sIe puIIed LIe door sIuL beIInd Ier.
He sLood uL LIe edge oI LIe dunceIIoor. A rIng oI peopIe Iud Luken LIe IIoor und were
IoIdIng Iunds und grInnIng und cuIIIng ouL Lo one unoLIer. A IIddIer suL on u sLooI on
LIe sLuge und u mun wuIked up und down cuIIIng ouL LIe order oI LIe dunce und
gesLurIng und sLeppIng In LIe wuy Ie wIsIed LIem Lo go. OuLsIde In LIe durkened IoL
groups oI wreLcIed Tonkuwus sLood In LIe mud wILI LIeIr Iuces composed In sLrunge
IosL porLruILs wILIIn LIe susIwork oI LIe wIndowIIgILs. TIe IIddIer rose und seL LIe
IIddIe Lo IIs juw. TIere wus u sIouL und LIe musIc begun und LIe rIng oI duncers begun
Lo roLuLe ponderousIy wILI u greuL sIuIIIIng. He wenL ouL LIe buck.
TIe ruIn Iud sLopped und LIe uIr wus coId. He sLood In LIe yurd. SLurs were IuIIIng
# ucross LIe sky myrIud und rundom, speed ng uIong brIeI vecLors Irom LIeIr orIgIns In
nIgIL Lo LIeIr desLInIes In dusL und noLIIngness. WILIIn LIe IuII LIe IIddIe squeuIed und
LIe duncers sIuIIIed und sLomped. n LIe sLreeL men were cuIIIng Ior LIe IILLIe gIrI
wIose beur wus deud Ior sIe wus IosL. TIey wenL umong LIe durkened IoLs wILI IunLerns
und LorcIes cuIIIng ouL Lo Ier.
! He wenL down LIe wuIkbourd Lowurd LIe jukes. He sLood ouL Ide IIsLenIng Lo LIe voIces
IudIng uwuy und Ie Iooked uguIn uL LIe sIIenL Lrucks oI LIe sLurs wIere LIey dIed over
LIe durkened IIIIs. TIen Ie opened LIe rougI bourd door oI LIe jukes und sLepped In.
TIe judge wus seuLed upon LIe cIoseL. He wus nuked und Ie rose up smIIIng und
, guLIered IIm In IIs urms uguInsL IIs Im ense und LerrIbIe IIesI und sIoL LIe wooden
4 burIuLcI Iome be Ind IIm.
# n LIe suIoon Lwo men wIo wunLed Lo buy LIe IIde were Iook ng Ior LIe owner oI LIe
beur. TIe beur Iuy on LIe sLuge In un Immense pooI oI bIood. AII LIe cundIes Iud gone
ouL suve one und IL guLLered uneusIIy In ILs greuse IIke u voLIve Iump. n LIe dunceIuII u
young mun Iud joIned LIe IIddIer und Ie kepL LIe meusure oI LIe musIc wILI u puIr oI
spoons wIIcI Ie cIupped beLween IIs knees. TIe wIores susIuyed IuII nuked, some wILI
LIeIr breusLs exposed. n LIe mudded dogyurd beIInd LIe premIses Lwo men wenL down
LIe bourds Lowurd LIe jukes. A LIIrd mun wus sLundIng LIere urInuLIng InLo LIe mud.
s someone In LIere? LIe IIrsL mun suId.
TIe mun wIo wus reIIevIng IImseII dId noL Iook up. wouIdnL go In LIere II wus you,
Ie suId.
s LIere somebody In LIere?
wouIdnL go In.
He IILcIed IImseII up und buLLoned IIs Lrousers und sLepped pusL LIem und wenL up
LIe wuIk Lowurd LIe IIgILs. TIe IIrsL mun wuLcIed IIm go und LIen opened LIe door oI
LIe jukes.
Good God uImIgILy, Ie suId.
WIuL Is IL?
He dIdnL unswer. He sLepped pusL LIe oLIer und wenL buck up LIe wuIk. TIe oLIer mun
sLood IookIng uILer IIm. TIen Ie opened LIe door und Iooked In.
n LIe suIoon LIey Iud roIIed LIe deud beur onLo u wugonsIeeL und LIere wus u generuI
cuII Ior Iunds. n LIe unLeroom LIe Lobucco smoke cIrcIed LIe Iumps IIke un evII Iog und
LIe men bId und deuIL In u Iow muLLer.
TIere wus u IuII In LIe duncIng und u second IIddIer Look LIe sLuge und LIe Lwo
pIucked LIeIr sLrIngs und Lurned LIe IILLIe Iurdwood pegs unLII LIey were suLIsIIed. Muny
umong LIe duncers were sLuggerIng drunk LIrougI LIe room und some Iud rId
LIemseIves oI sIIrLs und juckeLs und sLood burecIesLed und sweuLIng even LIougI LIe
room wus coId enougI Lo cIoud LIeIr breuLI. An enormous wIore sLood cIuppIng Ier
Iunds uL LIe bundsLund und cuIIIng drunkenIy Ior LIe musIc. SIe wore noLIIng buL u
) puIr oI men's druwers und some oI Ier sIsLers were IIke Ise cIud In wIuL uppeured Lo
B be LropIIes uLs or punLuIoons or bIue LwIII cuvuIry juckeLs. As LIe musIc suwed up LIere
wus u IIveIy cry Irom uII und u cuIIer sLood Lo LIe IronL und cuIIed ouL LIe dunce und
LIe duncers sLomped und IooLed und IurcIed uguInsL one unoLIer.
And LIey ure duncIng, LIe bourd IIoor sIummIng under LIe juckbooLs und LIe IIddIers
grInnIng IIdeousIy over LIeIr cunLed pIeces. TowerIng over LIem uII Is LIe judge und Ie
Is nuked duncIng, IIs smuII IeeL IIveIy und quIck und now In doubIeLIme und bowIng Lo
LIe IudIes, Iuge und puIe und IuIrIess, IIke un enormous InIunL. He never sIeeps, Ie
suys. He suys Ie'II never dIe. He bows Lo LIe IIddIers und susIuys buckwurds und LIrows
buck IIs Ieud und IuugIs deep In IIs LIrouL und Ie Is u greuL IuvorILe, LIe judge. He
wuILs IIs IuL und LIe Iunur dome oI IIs skuII pusses puIeIy under LIe Iumps und Ie
swIngs ubouL und Lukes possessIon oI one oI LIe IIddIes und Ie pIroueLLes und mukes u
puss, Lwo pusses, duncIng und IIddIIng uL once. HIs IeeL ure IIgIL und nImbIe. He never
sIeeps. He suys LIuL Ie wIII never dIe. He dunces In IIgIL und In sIudow und Ie Is u
greuL IuvorILe. He never sIeeps, LIe judge. He Is duncIng, duncIng. He suys LIuL Ie wIII
never dIe.
THE END
EPOGUE
n LIe duwn LIere Is u mun progressIng over LIe pIuIn by meuns oI IoIes wIIcI Ie Is
mukIng In LIe ground. He uses un ImpIemenL wILI Lwo IundIes und Ie cIucks IL InLo
LIe IoIe und Ie enkIndIes LIe sLone In LIe IoIe wILI IIs sLeeI IoIe by IoIe sLrIkIng LIe
IIre ouL oI LIe rock wIIcI God Ius puL LIere. On LIe pIuIn beIInd IIm ure LIe
wunderers In seurcI oI bones und LIose wIo do noL seurcI und LIey move IuILIngIy In
LIe IIgIL IIke mecIunIsms wIose movemenLs ure monILored wILI escupemenL und puIIeL
so LIuL LIey uppeur resLruIned by u prudence or reIIecLIveness wIIcI Ius no Inner reuIILy
und LIey cross In LIeIr progress one by one LIuL Lruck oI IoIes LIuL runs Lo LIe rIm oI
LIe vIsIbIe ground und wIIcI seems Iess LIe pursuIL oI some conLInuunce LIun LIe
verIIIcuLIon oI u prIncIpIe, u vuIIduLIon oI sequence und cuusuIILy us II eucI round und
perIecL IoIe owed ILs exIsLence Lo LIe one beIore IL LIere on LIuL pruIrIe upon wIIcI ure
LIe bones und LIe guLIerers oI bones und LIose wIo do noL guLIer. He sLrIkes IIre In
LIe IoIe und druws ouL IIs sLeeI. TIen LIey uII move on uguIn.