Wehuddledtogetheronourkneesinthedeepsnow，andthehorsesputtheirnosestogetherandbowedtheirpatientheadsoverus；andwhilethefeatheryflakeseddieddownandturnedusintoagroupofwhitestatuary，weproceededwiththemomentousexperiment。Webroketwigsfromasagebushandpiledthemonalittleclearedplaceintheshelterofourbodies。Inthecourseoftenorfifteenminutesallwasready，andthen，whileconversationceasedandourpulsesbeatlowwithanxioussuspense，Ollendorffappliedhisrevolver，pulledthetriggerandblewthepileclearoutofthecounty！Itwastheflattestfailurethateverwas。
Thiswasdistressing，butitpaledbeforeagreaterhorror——thehorsesweregone！Ihadbeenappointedtoholdthebridles，butinmyabsorbinganxietyoverthepistolexperimentIhadunconsciouslydroppedthemandthereleasedanimalshadwalkedoffinthestorm。Itwasuselesstotrytofollowthem，fortheirfootfallscouldmakenosound，andonecouldpasswithintwoyardsofthecreaturesandneverseethem。Wegavethemupwithoutaneffortatrecoveringthem，andcursedthelyingbooksthatsaidhorseswouldstaybytheirmastersforprotectionandcompanionshipinadistressfultimelikeours。
Weweremiserableenough，before；wefeltstillmoreforlorn，now。
Patiently，butwithblightedhope，webrokemoresticksandpiledthem，andoncemorethePrussianshotthemintoannihilation。Plainly，tolightafirewithapistolwasanartrequiringpracticeandexperience，andthemiddleofadesertatmidnightinasnow-stormwasnotagoodplaceortimefortheacquiringoftheaccomplishment。Wegaveitupandtriedtheother。Eachmantookacoupleofsticksandfelltochafingthemtogether。Attheendofhalfanhourwewerethoroughlychilled，andsowerethesticks。WebitterlyexecratedtheIndians，thehuntersandthebooksthathadbetrayeduswiththesillydevice，andwondereddismallywhatwasnexttobedone。AtthiscriticalmomentMr。Balloufishedoutfourmatchesfromtherubbishofanoverlookedpocket。Tohavefoundfourgoldbarswouldhaveseemedpoorandcheapgoodluckcomparedtothis。
Onecannotthinkhowgoodamatchlooksundersuchcircumstances——orhowlovableandprecious，andsacredlybeautifultotheeye。Thistimewegatheredstickswithhighhopes；andwhenMr。Balloupreparedtolightthefirstmatch，therewasanamountofinterestcentreduponhimthatpagesofwritingcouldnotdescribe。Thematchburnedhopefullyamoment，andthenwentout。Itcouldnothavecarriedmoreregretwithitifithadbeenahumanlife。Thenextmatchsimplyflashedanddied。
Thewindpuffedthethirdoneoutjustasitwasontheimminentvergeofsuccess。Wegatheredtogethercloserthanever，anddevelopedasolicitudethatwasraptandpainful，asMr。Ballouscratchedourlasthopeonhisleg。Itlit，burnedblueandsickly，andthenbuddedintoarobustflame。Shadingitwithhishands，theoldgentlemanbentgraduallydownandeveryheartwentwithhim——everybody，too，forthatmatter——andbloodandbreathstoodstill。Theflametouchedthesticksatlast，tookgradualholduponthem——hesitated——tookastrongerhold——
hesitatedagain——helditsbreathfiveheart-breakingseconds，thengaveasortofhumangaspandwentout。
Nobodysaidawordforseveralminutes。Itwasasolemnsortofsilence；
eventhewindputonastealthy，sinisterquiet，andmadenomorenoisethanthefallingflakesofsnow。Finallyasad-voicedconversationbegan，anditwassoonapparentthatineachofourheartslaytheconvictionthatthiswasourlastnightwiththeliving。IhadsohopedthatIwastheonlyonewhofeltso。Whentheotherscalmlyacknowledgedtheirconviction，itsoundedlikethesummonsitself。Ollendorffsaid:
“Brothers，letusdietogether。Andletusgowithoutonehardfeelingtowardseachother。Letusforgetandforgivebygones。Iknowthatyouhavefelthardtowardsmeforturningoverthecanoe，andforknowingtoomuchandleadingyouroundandroundinthesnow——butImeantwell；
forgiveme。IacknowledgefreelythatIhavehadhardfeelingsagainstMr。Ballouforabusingmeandcallingmealogarythm，whichisathingI
donotknowwhat，butnodoubtathingconsidereddisgracefulandunbecominginAmerica，andithasscarcelybeenoutofmymindandhashurtmeagreatdeal——butletitgo；IforgiveMr。Ballouwithallmyheart，and——“
PoorOllendorffbrokedownandthetearscame。Hewasnotalone，forI
wascryingtoo，andsowasMr。Ballou。OllendorffgothisvoiceagainandforgavemeforthingsIhaddoneandsaid。Thenhegotouthisbottleofwhiskyandsaidthatwhetherhelivedordiedhewouldnevertouchanotherdrop。Hesaidhehadgivenupallhopeoflife，andalthoughill-prepared，wasreadytosubmithumblytohisfate；thathewishedhecouldbesparedalittlelonger，notforanyselfishreason，buttomakeathoroughreforminhischaracter，andbydevotinghimselftohelpingthepoor，nursingthesick，andpleadingwiththepeopletoguardthemselvesagainsttheevilsofintemperance，makehislifeabeneficentexampletotheyoung，andlayitdownatlastwiththepreciousreflectionthatithadnotbeenlivedinvain。Heendedbysayingthathisreformshouldbeginatthismoment，evenhereinthepresenceofdeath，sincenolongertimewastobevouchsafedwhereintoprosecuteittomen\'shelpandbenefit——andwiththathethrewawaythebottleofwhisky。
Mr。Balloumaderemarksofsimilarpurport，andbeganthereformhecouldnotlivetocontinue，bythrowingawaytheancientpackofcardsthathadsolacedourcaptivityduringthefloodandmadeitbearable。
Hesaidhenevergambled，butstillwassatisfiedthatthemeddlingwithcardsinanywaywasimmoralandinjurious，andnomancouldbewhollypureandblemishlesswithouteschewingthem。“Andtherefore，“continuedhe，“indoingthisactIalreadyfeelmoreinsympathywiththatspiritualsaturnalianecessarytoentireandobsoletereform。”Theserollingsyllablestouchedhimasnointelligibleeloquencecouldhavedone，andtheoldmansobbedwithamournfulnessnotunmingledwithsatisfaction。
Myownremarkswereofthesametenorasthoseofmycomrades，andIknowthatthefeelingsthatpromptedthemwereheartfeltandsincere。Wewereallsincere，andalldeeplymovedandearnest，forwewereinthepresenceofdeathandwithouthope。Ithrewawaymypipe，andindoingitfeltthatatlastIwasfreeofahatedviceandonethathadriddenmelikeatyrantallmydays。WhileIyettalked，thethoughtofthegoodImighthavedoneintheworldandthestillgreatergoodImightnowdo，withthesenewincentivesandhigherandbetteraimstoguidemeifIcouldonlybesparedafewyearslonger，overcamemeandthetearscameagain。Weputourarmsabouteachother\'snecksandawaitedthewarningdrowsinessthatprecedesdeathbyfreezing。
Itcamestealingoveruspresently，andthenwebadeeachotheralastfarewell。Adeliciousdreaminesswroughtitswebaboutmyyieldingsenses，whilethesnow-flakeswoveawindingsheetaboutmyconqueredbody。Oblivioncame。Thebattleoflifewasdone。
CHAPTERXXXIII。
IdonotknowhowlongIwasinastateofforgetfulness，butitseemedanage。Avagueconsciousnessgrewuponmebydegrees，andthencameagatheringanguishofpaininmylimbsandthroughallmybody。I
shuddered。Thethoughtflittedthroughmybrain，“thisisdeath——thisisthehereafter。”
Thencameawhiteupheavalatmyside，andavoicesaid，withbitterness:
“Willsomegentlemanbesogoodastokickmebehind?“
ItwasBallou——atleastitwasatowzledsnowimageinasittingposture，withBallou\'svoice。
Iroseup，andthereinthegraydawn，notfifteenstepsfromus，weretheframebuildingsofastagestation，andunderashedstoodourstillsaddledandbridledhorses！
Anarchedsnow-driftbrokeup，now，andOllendorffemergedfromit，andthethreeofussatandstaredatthehouseswithoutspeakingaword。
Wereallyhadnothingtosay。Wewereliketheprofanemanwhocouldnot“dothesubjectjustice，“thewholesituationwassopainfullyridiculousandhumiliatingthatwordsweretameandwedidnotknowwheretocommenceanyhow。
Thejoyinourheartsatourdeliverancewaspoisoned；well-nighdissipated，indeed。Wepresentlybegantogrowpettishbydegrees，andsullen；andthen，angryateachother，angryatourselves，angryateverythingingeneral，wemoodilydustedthesnowfromourclothingandinunsociablesinglefileplowedourwaytothehorses，unsaddledthem，andsoughtshelterinthestation。
Ihavescarcelyexaggeratedadetailofthiscuriousandabsurdadventure。ItoccurredalmostexactlyasIhavestatedit。Weactuallywentintocampinasnow-driftinadesert，atmidnightinastorm，forlornandhopeless，withinfifteenstepsofacomfortableinn。
Fortwohourswesatapartinthestationandruminatedindisgust。
Themysterywasgone，now，anditwasplainenoughwhythehorseshaddesertedus。Withoutadoubttheywereunderthatshedaquarterofaminuteaftertheyhadleftus，andtheymusthaveoverheardandenjoyedallourconfessionsandlamentations。
Afterbreakfastwefeltbetter，andthezestoflifesooncameback。
Theworldlookedbrightagain，andexistencewasasdeartousasever。
Presentlyanuneasinesscameoverme——grewuponme——assailedmewithoutceasing。Alas，myregenerationwasnotcomplete——Iwantedtosmoke！
Iresistedwithallmystrength，butthefleshwasweak。Iwanderedawayaloneandwrestledwithmyselfanhour。Irecalledmypromisesofreformandpreachedtomyselfpersuasively，upbraidingly，exhaustively。Butitwasallvain，Ishortlyfoundmyselfsneakingamongthesnow-driftshuntingformypipe。Idiscovereditafteraconsiderablesearch，andcreptawaytohidemyselfandenjoyit。Iremainedbehindthebarnagoodwhile，askingmyselfhowIwouldfeelifmybraver，stronger，truercomradesshouldcatchmeinmydegradation。AtlastIlitthepipe，andnohumanbeingcanfeelmeanerandbaserthanIdidthen。Iwasashamedofbeinginmyownpitifulcompany。Stilldreadingdiscovery，Ifeltthatperhapsthefurthersideofthebarnwouldbesomewhatsafer，andsoIturnedthecorner。AsIturnedtheonecorner，smoking，Ollendorffturnedtheotherwithhisbottletohislips，andbetweenussatunconsciousBalloudeepinagameof“solitaire“withtheoldgreasycards！
Absurditycouldgonofarther。Weshookhandsandagreedtosaynomoreabout“reform“and“examplestotherisinggeneration。”
ThestationwewereatwasatthevergeoftheTwenty-six-MileDesert。
Ifwehadapproachedithalfanhourearlierthenightbefore，wemusthaveheardmenshoutingthereandfiringpistols；fortheywereexpectingsomesheepdroversandtheirflocksandknewthattheywouldinfalliblygetlostandwanderoutofreachofhelpunlessguidedbysounds。
Whileweremainedatthestation，threeofthedroversarrived，nearlyexhaustedwiththeirwanderings，buttwoothersoftheirpartywereneverheardofafterward。
WereachedCarsoninduetime，andtookarest。Thisrest，togetherwithpreparationsforthejourneytoEsmeralda，keptusthereaweek，andthedelaygaveustheopportunitytobepresentatthetrialofthegreatland-slidecaseofHydevs。Morgan——anepisodewhichisfamousinNevadatothisday。Afterawordortwoofnecessaryexplanation，Iwillsetdownthehistoryofthissingularaffairjustasittranspired。
CHAPTERXXXIV。
ThemountainsareveryhighandsteepaboutCarson，EagleandWashoeValleys——veryhighandverysteep，andsowhenthesnowgetstomeltingofffastintheSpringandthewarmsurface-earthbeginstomoistenandsoften，thedisastrousland-slidescommence。Thereadercannotknowwhataland-slideis，unlesshehaslivedinthatcountryandseenthewholesideofamountaintakenoffsomefinemorninganddepositeddowninthevalley，leavingavast，treeless，unsightlyscaruponthemountain\'sfronttokeepthecircumstancefreshinhismemoryalltheyearsthathemaygoonlivingwithinseventymilesofthatplace。
GeneralBuncombewasshippedouttoNevadaintheinvoiceofTerritorialofficers，tobeUnitedStatesAttorney。Heconsideredhimselfalawyerofparts，andheverymuchwantedanopportunitytomanifestit——partlyforthepuregratificationofitandpartlybecausehissalarywasTerritoriallymeagre(whichisastrongexpression)。Nowtheoldercitizensofanewterritorylookdownupontherestoftheworldwithacalm，benevolentcompassion，aslongasitkeepsoutoftheway——whenitgetsinthewaytheysnubit。Sometimesthislattertakestheshapeofapracticaljoke。
OnemorningDickHyderodefuriouslyuptoGeneralBuncombe\'sdoorinCarsoncityandrushedintohispresencewithoutstoppingtotiehishorse。Heseemedmuchexcited。HetoldtheGeneralthathewantedhimtoconductasuitforhimandwouldpayhimfivehundreddollarsifheachievedavictory。Andthen，withviolentgesturesandaworldofprofanity，hepouredouthisgrief。Hesaiditwasprettywellknownthatforsomeyearshehadbeenfarming(orranchingasthemorecustomarytermis)inWashoeDistrict，andmakingasuccessfulthingofit，andfurthermoreitwasknownthathisranchwassituatedjustintheedgeofthevalley，andthatTomMorganownedaranchimmediatelyaboveitonthemountainside。
Andnowthetroublewas，thatoneofthosehatedanddreadedland-slideshadcomeandslidMorgan\'sranch，fences，cabins，cattle，barnsandeverythingdownontopofhisranchandexactlycoveredupeverysinglevestigeofhisproperty，toadepthofaboutthirty-eightfeet。Morganwasinpossessionandrefusedtovacatethepremises——saidhewasoccupyinghisowncabinandnotinterferingwithanybodyelse\'s——andsaidthecabinwasstandingonthesamedirtandsameranchithadalwaysstoodon，andhewouldliketoseeanybodymakehimvacate。
“AndwhenIremindedhim，“saidHyde，weeping，“thatitwasontopofmyranchandthathewastrespassing，hehadtheinfernalmeannesstoaskmewhydidn\'tIstayonmyranchandholdpossessionwhenIseehima-coming！Whydidn\'tIstayonit，theblatheringlunatic——byGeorge，whenIheardthatracketandlookedupthathillitwasjustlikethewholeworldwasa-rippinganda-tearingdownthatmountainside——
splinters，andcord-wood，thunderandlightning，hailandsnow，oddsandendsofhaystacks，andawfulcloudsofdust！——treesgoingendoverendintheair，rocksasbigasahousejumping\'boutathousandfeethighandbustingintotenmillionpieces，cattleturnedinsideoutanda-comingheadonwiththeirtailshangingoutbetweentheirteeth！——andinthemidstofallthatwrackanddestructionsotthatcussedMorganonhisgate-post，a-wonderingwhyIdidn\'tstayandholdpossession！Lawsblessme，Ijusttookoneglimpse，General，andlitout\'nthecountyinthreejumpsexactly。
“ButwhatgrindsmeisthatthatMorganhangsonthereandwon\'tmoveoff\'nthatranch——saysit\'shis\'nandhe\'sgoingtokeepit——likesitbetter\'nhedidwhenitwashigherupthehill。Mad！Well，I\'vebeensomadfortwodaysIcouldn\'tfindmywaytotown——beenwanderingaroundinthebrushinastarvingcondition——gotanythingheretodrink，General?
ButI\'mherenow，andI\'ma-goingtolaw。Youhearme！“
Neverinalltheworld，perhaps，wereaman\'sfeelingssooutragedasweretheGeneral\'s。Hesaidhehadneverheardofsuchhigh-handedconductinallhislifeasthisMorgan\'s。Andhesaidtherewasnouseingoingtolaw——Morganhadnoshadowofrighttoremainwherehewas——
nobodyinthewideworldwouldupholdhiminit，andnolawyerwouldtakehiscaseandnojudgelistentoit。Hydesaidthatrighttherewaswherehewasmistaken——everybodyintownsustainedMorgan；HalBrayton，averysmartlawyer，hadtakenhiscase；thecourtsbeinginvacation，itwastobetriedbeforeareferee，andex-GovernorRoophadalreadybeenappointedtothatofficeandwouldopenhiscourtinalargepublichallnearthehotelattwothatafternoon。
TheGeneralwasamazed。HesaidhehadsuspectedbeforethatthepeopleofthatTerritorywerefools，andnowheknewit。Buthesaidresteasy，resteasyandcollectthewitnesses，forthevictorywasjustascertainasiftheconflictwerealreadyover。Hydewipedawayhistearsandleft。
AttwointheafternoonrefereeRoop\'sCourtopenedandRoopappearedthronedamonghissheriffs，thewitnesses，andspectators，andwearinguponhisfaceasolemnitysoawe-inspiringthatsomeofhisfellow-
conspiratorshadmisgivingsthatmaybehehadnotcomprehended，afterall，thatthiswasmerelyajoke。Anunearthlystillnessprevailed，forattheslightestnoisethejudgeutteredsternlythecommand:
“OrderintheCourt！
Andthesheriffspromptlyechoedit。PresentlytheGeneralelbowedhiswaythroughthecrowdofspectators，withhisarmsfulloflaw-books，andonhisearsfellanorderfromthejudgewhichwasthefirstrespectfulrecognitionofhishighofficialdignitythathadeversalutedthem，andittrickledpleasantlythroughhiswholesystem:
“WayfortheUnitedStatesAttorney！
Thewitnesseswerecalled——legislators，highgovernmentofficers，ranchmen，miners，Indians，Chinamen，negroes。ThreefourthsofthemwerecalledbythedefendantMorgan，butnomatter，theirtestimonyinvariablywentinfavoroftheplaintiffHyde。Eachnewwitnessonlyaddednewtestimonytotheabsurdityofaman\'sclaimingtoownanotherman\'spropertybecausehisfarmhadsliddownontopofit。ThentheMorganlawyersmadetheirspeeches，andseemedtomakesingularlyweakones——
theydidreallynothingtohelptheMorgancause。AndnowtheGeneral，withexultationinhisface，gotupandmadeanimpassionedeffort；hepoundedthetable，hebangedthelaw-books，heshouted，androared，andhowled，hequotedfromeverythingandeverybody，poetry，sarcasm，statistics，history，pathos，bathos，blasphemy，andwoundupwithagrandwar-whoopforfreespeech，freedomofthepress，freeschools，theGloriousBirdofAmericaandtheprinciplesofeternaljustice！
[Applause。]
WhentheGeneralsatdown，hediditwiththeconvictionthatiftherewasanythingingoodstrongtestimony，agreatspeechandbelievingandadmiringcountenancesallaround，Mr。Morgan\'scasewaskilled。Ex-
GovernorRoopleanthisheaduponhishandforsomeminutes，thinking，andthestillaudiencewaitedforhisdecision。Thenhegotupandstooderect，withbendedhead，andthoughtagain。Thenhewalkedthefloorwithlong，deliberatestrides，hischininhishand，andstilltheaudiencewaited。Atlasthereturnedtohisthrone，seatedhimself，andbeganimpressively:
“Gentlemen，Ifeelthegreatresponsibilitythatrestsuponmethisday。
Thisisnoordinarycase。Onthecontraryitisplainthatitisthemostsolemnandawfulthatevermanwascalledupontodecide。
Gentlemen，Ihavelistenedattentivelytotheevidence，andhaveperceivedthattheweightofit，theoverwhelmingweightofit，isinfavoroftheplaintiffHyde。Ihavelistenedalsototheremarksofcounsel，withhighinterest——andespeciallywillIcommendthemasterlyandirrefutablelogicofthedistinguishedgentlemanwhorepresentstheplaintiff。Butgentlemen，letusbewarehowweallowmerehumantestimony，humaningenuityinargumentandhumanideasofequity，toinfluenceusatamomentsosolemnasthis。Gentlemen，itillbecomesus，wormsasweare，tomeddlewiththedecreesofHeaven。ItisplaintomethatHeaven，initsinscrutablewisdom，hasseenfittomovethisdefendant\'sranchforapurpose。Wearebutcreatures，andwemustsubmit。IfHeavenhaschosentofavorthedefendantMorganinthismarkedandwonderfulmanner；andifHeaven，dissatisfiedwiththepositionoftheMorganranchuponthemountainside，haschosentoremoveittoapositionmoreeligibleandmoreadvantageousforitsowner，itillbecomesus，insectsasweare，toquestionthelegalityoftheactorinquireintothereasonsthatpromptedit。No——HeavencreatedtheranchesanditisHeaven\'sprerogativetorearrangethem，toexperimentwiththemaroundatitspleasure。Itisforustosubmit，withoutrepining。
Iwarnyouthatthisthingwhichhashappenedisathingwithwhichthesacrilegioushandsandbrainsandtonguesofmenmustnotmeddle。
Gentlemen，itistheverdictofthiscourtthattheplaintiff，RichardHyde，hasbeendeprivedofhisranchbythevisitationofGod！Andfromthisdecisionthereisnoappeal。”
Buncombeseizedhiscargooflaw-booksandplungedoutofthecourt-roomfranticwithindignation。HepronouncedRooptobeamiraculousfool，aninspiredidiot。InallgoodfaithhereturnedatnightandremonstratedwithRoopuponhisextravagantdecision，andimploredhimtowalkthefloorandthinkforhalfanhour，andseeifhecouldnotfigureoutsomesortofmodificationoftheverdict。Roopyieldedatlastandgotuptowalk。Hewalkedtwohoursandahalf，andatlasthisfacelituphappilyandhetoldBuncombeithadoccurredtohimthattheranchunderneaththenewMorganranchstillbelongedtoHyde，thathistitletothegroundwasjustasgoodasithadeverbeen，andthereforehewasofopinionthatHydehadarighttodigitoutfromunderthereand——
TheGeneralneverwaitedtoheartheendofit。Hewasalwaysanimpatientandirascibleman，thatway。Attheendoftwomonthsthefactthathehadbeenplayeduponwithajokehadmanagedtoboreitself，likeanotherHoosacTunnel，throughthesolidadamantofhisunderstanding。
CHAPTERXXXV。
WhenwefinallyleftforEsmeralda，horseback，wehadanadditiontothecompanyinthepersonofCapt。JohnNye，theGovernor\'sbrother。Hehadagoodmemory，andatonguehunginthemiddle。Thisisacombinationwhichgivesimmortalitytoconversation。Capt。Johnneversufferedthetalktoflagorfalteronceduringthehundredandtwentymilesofthejourney。Inadditiontohisconversationalpowers，hehadoneortwootherendowmentsofamarkedcharacter。Onewasasingular“handiness“
aboutdoinganythingandeverything，fromlayingoutarailroadororganizingapoliticalparty，downtosewingonbuttons，shoeingahorse，orsettingabrokenleg，orahen。Anotherwasaspiritofaccommodationthatpromptedhimtotaketheneeds，difficultiesandperplexitiesofanybodyandeverybodyuponhisownshouldersatanyandalltimes，anddisposeofthemwithadmirablefacilityandalacrity——hencehealwaysmanagedtofindvacantbedsincrowdedinns，andplentytoeatintheemptiestlarders。Andfinally，whereverhemetaman，womanorchild，incamp，innordesert，heeitherknewsuchpartiespersonallyorhadbeenacquaintedwitharelativeofthesame。Suchanothertravelingcomradewasneverseenbefore。Icannotforbeargivingaspecimenofthewayinwhichheovercamedifficulties。Ontheseconddayout，wearrived，verytiredandhungry，atapoorlittleinninthedesert，andweretoldthatthehousewasfull，noprovisionsonhand，andneitherhaynorbarleytospareforthehorses——mustmoveon。Therestofuswantedtohurryonwhileitwasyetlight，butCapt。Johninsistedonstoppingawhile。
Wedismountedandentered。Therewasnowelcomeforusonanyface。
Capt。Johnbeganhisblandishments，andwithintwentyminuteshehadaccomplishedthefollowingthings，viz。:foundoldacquaintancesinthreeteamsters；discoveredthatheusedtogotoschoolwiththelandlord\'smother；recognizedhiswifeasaladywhoselifehehadsavedonceinCalifornia，bystoppingherrunawayhorse；mendedachild\'sbrokentoyandwonthefavorofitsmother，aguestoftheinn；helpedthehostlerbleedahorse，andprescribedforanotherhorsethathadthe“heaves“；
treatedtheentirepartythreetimesatthelandlord\'sbar；producedalaterpaperthananybodyhadseenforaweekandsathimselfdowntoreadthenewstoadeeplyinterestedaudience。Theresult，summedup，wasasfollows:Thehostlerfoundplentyoffeedforourhorses；wehadatroutsupper，anexceedinglysociabletimeafterit，goodbedstosleepin，andasurprisingbreakfastinthemorning——andwhenweleft，weleftlamentedbyall！Capt。Johnhadsomebadtraits，buthehadsomeuncommonlyvaluableonestooffsetthemwith。
EsmeraldawasinmanyrespectsanotherHumboldt，butinalittlemoreforwardstate。Theclaimswehadbeenpayingassessmentsonwereentirelyworthless，andwethrewthemaway。Theprincipalonecroppedoutofthetopofaknollthatwasfourteenfeethigh，andtheinspiredBoardofDirectorswererunningatunnelunderthatknolltostriketheledge。Thetunnelwouldhavetobeseventyfeetlong，andwouldthenstriketheledgeatthesamedeptthatashafttwelvefeetdeepwouldhavereached！TheBoardwerelivingonthe“assessments。”[N。B——ThishintcomestoolatefortheenlightenmentofNewYorksilverminers；theyhavealreadylearnedallaboutthisneattrickbyexperience。]TheBoardhadnodesiretostriketheledge，knowingthatitwasasbarrenofsilverasacurbstone。ThisreminiscencecallstomindJimTownsend\'stunnel。Hehadpaidassessmentsonaminecalledthe“Daley“tillhewaswell-nighpenniless。FinallyanassessmentwasleviedtorunatunneltwohundredandfiftyfeetontheDaley，andTownsendwentuponthehilltolookintomatters。
HefoundtheDaleycroppingoutoftheapexofanexceedinglysharp-
pointedpeak，andacoupleofmenupthere“facing“theproposedtunnel。
Townsendmadeacalculation。Thenhesaidtothemen:
“Soyouhavetakenacontracttorunatunnelintothishilltwohundredandfiftyfeettostrikethisledge?“
“Yes，sir。”
“Well，doyouknowthatyouhavegotoneofthemostexpensiveandarduousundertakingsbeforeyouthatwaseverconceivedbyman?“
“Whyno——howisthat?“
“Becausethishillisonlytwenty-fivefeetthroughfromsidetoside；
andsoyouhavegottobuildtwohundredandtwenty-fivefeetofyourtunnelontrestle-work！“
ThewaysofsilverminingBoardsareexceedinglydarkandsinuous。
Wetookupvariousclaims，andcommencedshaftsandtunnelsonthem，butneverfinishedanyofthem。Wehadtodoacertainamountofworkoneachto“hold“it，elseotherpartiescouldseizeourpropertyaftertheexpirationoftendays。Wewerealwayshuntingupnewclaimsanddoingalittleworkonthemandthenwaitingforabuyer——whonevercame。Weneverfoundanyorethatwouldyieldmorethanfiftydollarsaton；andasthemillschargedfiftydollarsatonforworkingoreandextractingthesilver，ourpocket-moneymeltedsteadilyawayandnonereturnedtotakeitsplace。Welivedinalittlecabinandcookedforourselves；andaltogetheritwasahardlife，thoughahopefulone——forweneverceasedtoexpectfortuneandacustomertoburstuponussomeday。
Atlast，whenflourreachedadollarapound，andmoneycouldnotbeborrowedonthebestsecurityatlessthaneightpercentamonth(I
beingwithoutthesecurity，too)，Iabandonedminingandwenttomilling。
Thatistosay，Iwenttoworkasacommonlaborerinaquartzmill，attendollarsaweekandboard。
CHAPTERXXXVI。
Ihadalreadylearnedhowhardandlonganddismalataskitistoburrowdownintothebowelsoftheearthandgetoutthecovetedore；andnowI
learnedthattheburrowingwasonlyhalfthework；andthattogetthesilveroutoftheorewasthedrearyandlaboriousotherhalfofit。
Wehadtoturnoutatsixinthemorningandkeepatittilldark。
Thismillwasasix-stampaffair，drivenbysteam。Sixtall，uprightrodsofiron，aslargeasaman\'sankle，andheavilyshodwithamassofironandsteelattheirlowerends，wereframedtogetherlikeagate，andtheseroseandfell，oneaftertheother，inaponderousdance，inanironboxcalleda“battery。”Eachoftheserodsorstampsweighedsixhundredpounds。Oneofusstoodbythebatteryalldaylong，breakingupmassesofsilver-bearingrockwithasledgeandshovelingitintothebattery。Theceaselessdanceofthestampspulverizedtherocktopowder，andastreamofwaterthattrickledintothebatteryturnedittoacreamypaste。Theminutestparticlesweredriventhroughafinewirescreenwhichfittedclosearoundthebattery，andwerewashedintogreattubswarmedbysuper-heatedsteam——amalgamatingpans，theyarecalled。
Themassofpulpinthepanswaskeptconstantlystirredupbyrevolving“mullers。”Aquantityofquicksilverwaskeptalwaysinthebattery，andthisseizedsomeoftheliberatedgoldandsilverparticlesandheldontothem；quicksilverwasshakeninafineshowerintothepans，also，abouteveryhalfhour，throughabuckskinsack。Quantitiesofcoarsesaltandsulphateofcopperwereadded，fromtimetotimetoassisttheamalgamationbydestroyingbasemetalswhichcoatedthegoldandsilverandwouldnotletitunitewiththequicksilver。
Allthesetiresomethingswehadtoattendtoconstantly。Streamsofdirtywaterflowedalwaysfromthepansandwerecarriedoffinbroadwoodentroughstotheravine。Onewouldnotsupposethatatomsofgoldandsilverwouldfloatontopofsixinchesofwater，buttheydid；andinordertocatchthem，coarseblanketswerelaidinthetroughs，andlittleobstructing“riffles“chargedwithquicksilverwereplacedhereandthereacrossthetroughsalso。Theseriffleshadtobecleanedandtheblanketswashedouteveryevening，togettheirpreciousaccumulations——andafterallthiseternityoftroubleonethirdofthesilverandgoldinatonofrockwouldfinditswaytotheendofthetroughsintheravineatlastandhavetobeworkedoveragainsomeday。
Thereisnothingsoaggravatingassilvermilling。Thereneverwasanyidletimeinthatmill。Therewasalwayssomethingtodo。ItisapitythatAdamcouldnothavegonestraightoutofEdenintoaquartzmill，inordertounderstandthefullforceofhisdoomto“earnhisbreadbythesweatofhisbrow。”Everynowandthen，duringtheday，wehadtoscoopsomepulpoutofthepans，andtediously“wash“itinahornspoon——washitlittlebylittleovertheedgetillatlastnothingwasleftbutsomelittledullglobulesofquicksilverinthebottom。Iftheyweresoftandyielding，thepanneededsomesaltorsomesulphateofcopperorsomeotherchemicalrubbishtoassistdigestion；iftheywerecrisptothetouchandwouldretainadint，theywerefreightedwithallthesilverandgoldtheycouldseizeandhold，andconsequentlythepanneededafreshchargeofquicksilver。Whentherewasnothingelsetodo，onecouldalways“screentailings。”Thatistosay，hecouldshovelupthedriedsandthathadwasheddowntotheravinethroughthetroughsanddashitagainstanuprightwirescreentofreeitfrompebblesandprepareitforworkingover。
Theprocessofamalgamationdifferedinthevariousmills，andthisincludedchangesinstyleofpansandothermachinery，andagreatdiversityofopinionexistedastothebestinuse，butnoneofthemethodsemployed，involvedtheprincipleofmillingorewithout“screeningthetailings。”Ofallrecreationsintheworld，screeningtailingsonahotday，withalong-handledshovel，isthemostundesirable。
Attheendoftheweekthemachinerywasstoppedandwe“cleanedup。”
Thatistosay，wegotthepulpoutofthepansandbatteries，andwashedthemudpatientlyawaytillnothingwasleftbutthelongaccumulatingmassofquicksilver，withitsimprisonedtreasures。Thiswemadeintoheavy，compactsnow-balls，andpiledthemupinabright，luxuriousheapforinspection。Makingthesesnow-ballscostmeafinegoldring——thatandignorancetogether；forthequicksilverinvadedtheringwiththesamefacilitywithwhichwatersaturatesasponge——separateditsparticlesandtheringcrumbledtopieces。
Weputourpileofquicksilverballsintoanironretortthathadapipeleadingfromittoapailofwater，andthenappliedaroastingheat。
Thequicksilverturnedtovapor，escapedthroughthepipeintothepail，andthewaterturneditintogoodwholesomequicksilveragain。
Quicksilverisverycostly，andtheyneverwasteit。Onopeningtheretort，therewasourweek\'swork——alumpofpurewhite，frostylookingsilver，twiceaslargeasaman\'shead。Perhapsafifthofthemasswasgold，butthecolorofitdidnotshow——wouldnothaveshowniftwothirdsofithadbeengold。Wemelteditupandmadeasolidbrickofitbypouringitintoanironbrick-mould。
Bysuchatediousandlaboriousprocessweresilverbricksobtained。
Thismillwasbutoneofmanyothersinoperationatthetime。ThefirstoneinNevadawasbuiltatEganCanyonandwasasmallinsignificantaffairandcomparedmostunfavorablywithsomeoftheimmenseestablishmentsafterwardslocatedatVirginiaCityandelsewhere。
Fromourbricksalittlecornerwaschippedoffforthe“fire-assay“——amethodusedtodeterminetheproportionsofgold，silverandbasemetalsinthemass。Thisisaninterestingprocess。Thechipishammeredoutasthinaspaperandweighedonscalessofineandsensitivethatifyouweighatwo-inchscrapofpaperonthemandthenwriteyournameonthepaperwithacourse，softpencilandweighitagain，thescaleswilltakemarkednoticeoftheaddition。
Thenalittlelead(alsoweighed)isrolledupwiththeflakeofsilverandthetwoaremeltedatagreatheatinasmallvesselcalledacupel，madebycompressingboneashesintoacup-shapeinasteelmold。Thebasemetalsoxydizeandareabsorbedwiththeleadintotheporesofthecupel。Abuttonorglobuleofperfectlypuregoldandsilverisleftbehind，andbyweighingitandnotingtheloss，theassayerknowstheproportionofbasemetalthebrickcontains。Hehastoseparatethegoldfromthesilvernow。Thebuttonishammeredoutflatandthin，putinthefurnaceandkeptsometimeataredheat；aftercoolingitoffitisrolleduplikeaquillandheatedinaglassvesselcontainingnitricacid；theaciddissolvesthesilverandleavesthegoldpureandreadytobeweighedonitsownmerits。Thensaltwaterispouredintothevesselcontainingthedissolvedsilverandthesilverreturnstopalpableformagainandsinkstothebottom。Nothingnowremainsbuttoweighit；thentheproportionsoftheseveralmetalscontainedinthebrickareknown，andtheassayerstampsthevalueofthebrickuponitssurface。
Thesagaciousreaderwillknownow，withoutbeingtold，thatthespeculativeminer，ingettinga“fire-assay“madeofapieceofrockfromhismine(tohelphimsellthesame)，wasnotinthehabitofpickingouttheleastvaluablefragmentofrockonhisdump-pile，butquitethecontrary。Ihaveseenmenhuntoverapileofnearlyworthlessquartzforanhour，andatlastfindalittlepieceaslargeasafilbert，whichwasrichingoldandsilver——andthiswasreservedforafire-assay！Ofcoursethefire-assaywoulddemonstratethatatonofsuchrockwouldyieldhundredsofdollars——andonsuchassaysmanyanutterlyworthlessminewassold。
Assayingwasagoodbusiness，andsosomemenengagedinit，occasionally，whowerenotstrictlyscientificandcapable。Oneassayergotsuchrichresultsoutofallspecimensbroughttohimthatintimeheacquiredalmostamonopolyofthebusiness。Butlikeallmenwhoachievesuccess，hebecameanobjectofenvyandsuspicion。Theotherassayersenteredintoaconspiracyagainsthim，andletsomeprominentcitizensintothesecretinordertoshowthattheymeantfairly。Thentheybrokealittlefragmentoffacarpenter\'sgrindstoneandgotastrangertotakeittothepopularscientistandgetitassayed。Inthecourseofanhourtheresultcame——wherebyitappearedthatatonofthatrockwouldyield$1，184。40insilverand$366。36ingold！
Duepublicationofthewholematterwasmadeinthepaper，andthepopularassayerlefttown“betweentwodays。”
Iwillremark，inpassing，thatIonlyremainedinthemillingbusinessoneweek。ItoldmyemployerIcouldnotstaylongerwithoutanadvanceinmywages；thatIlikedquartzmilling，indeedwasinfatuatedwithit；
thatIhadneverbeforegrownsotenderlyattachedtoanoccupationinsoshortatime；thatnothing，itseemedtome，gavesuchscopetointellectualactivityasfeedingabatteryandscreeningtailings，andnothingsostimulatedthemoralattributesasretortingbullionandwashingblankets——still，Ifeltconstrainedtoaskanincreaseofsalary。
Hesaidhewaspayingmetendollarsaweek，andthoughtitagoodroundsum。HowmuchdidIwant?
Isaidaboutfourhundredthousanddollarsamonth，andboard，wasaboutallIcouldreasonablyask，consideringthehardtimes。
Iwasorderedoffthepremises！Andyet，whenIlookbacktothosedaysandcalltomindtheexceedinghardnessofthelaborIperformedinthatmill，IonlyregretthatIdidnotaskhimsevenhundredthousand。
ShortlyafterthisIbegantogrowcrazy，alongwiththerestofthepopulation，aboutthemysteriousandwonderful“cementmine，“andtomakepreparationstotakeadvantageofanyopportunitythatmightoffertogoandhelphuntforit。
CHAPTERXXXVII。
ItwassomewhereintheneighborhoodofMonoLakethatthemarvellousWhitemancementminewassupposedtolie。EverynowandthenitwouldbereportedthatMr。W。hadpassedstealthilythroughEsmeraldaatdeadofnight，indisguise，andthenwewouldhaveawildexcitement——becausehemustbesteeringforhissecretmine，andnowwasthetimetofollowhim。
Inlessthanthreehoursafterdaylightallthehorsesandmulesanddonkeysinthevicinitywouldbebought，hiredorstolen，andhalfthecommunitywouldbeoffforthemountains，followinginthewakeofWhiteman。ButW。woulddriftaboutthroughthemountaingorgesfordaystogether，inapurposelesssortofway，untiltheprovisionsoftheminersranout，andtheywouldhavetogobackhome。Ihaveknownitreportedatelevenatnight，inalargeminingcamp，thatWhitemanhadjustpassedthrough，andintwohoursthestreets，soquietbefore，wouldbeswarmingwithmenandanimals。Everyindividualwouldbetryingtobeverysecret，butyetventuringtowhispertojustoneneighborthatW。
hadpassedthrough。Andlongbeforedaylight——thisinthedeadofWinter——thestampedewouldbecomplete，thecampdeserted，andthewholepopulationgonechasingafterW。
Thetraditionwasthatintheearlyimmigration，morethantwentyyearsago，threeyoungGermans，brothers，whohadsurvivedanIndianmassacreonthePlains，wanderedonfootthroughthedeserts，avoidingalltrailsandroads，andsimplyholdingawesterlydirectionandhopingtofindCaliforniabeforetheystarved，ordiedoffatigue。Andinagorgeinthemountainstheysatdowntorestoneday，whenoneofthemnoticedacuriousveinofcementrunningalongtheground，shotfulloflumpsofdullyellowmetal。Theysawthatitwasgold，andthatherewasafortunetobeacquiredinasingleday。Theveinwasaboutaswideasacurbstone，andfullytwothirdsofitwaspuregold。Everypoundofthewonderfulcementwasworthwell-nigh$200。
Eachofthebrothersloadedhimselfwithabouttwenty-fivepoundsofit，andthentheycoveredupalltracesofthevein，madearudedrawingofthelocalityandtheprincipallandmarksinthevicinity，andstartedwestwardagain。Buttroublesthickenedaboutthem。Intheirwanderingsonebrotherfellandbrokehisleg，andtheotherswereobligedtogoonandleavehimtodieinthewilderness。Another，wornoutandstarving，gaveupbyandby，andlaiddowntodie，butaftertwoorthreeweeksofincrediblehardships，thethirdreachedthesettlementsofCaliforniaexhausted，sick，andhismindderangedbyhissufferings。Hehadthrownawayallhiscementbutafewfragments，buttheseweresufficienttoseteverybodywildwithexcitement。However，hehadhadenoughofthecementcountry，andnothingcouldinducehimtoleadapartythither。Hewasentirelycontenttoworkonafarmforwages。ButhegaveWhitemanhismap，anddescribedthecementregionaswellashecouldandthustransferredthecursetothatgentleman——forwhenIhadmyoneaccidentalglimpseofMr。W。inEsmeraldahehadbeenhuntingforthelostmine，inhungerandthirst，povertyandsickness，fortwelveorthirteenyears。
Somepeoplebelievedhehadfoundit，butmostpeoplebelievedhehadnot。IsawapieceofcementaslargeasmyfistwhichwassaidtohavebeengiventoWhitemanbytheyoungGerman，anditwasofaseductivenature。Lumpsofvirgingoldwereasthickinitasraisinsinasliceoffruitcake。Theprivilegeofworkingsuchamineoneweekwouldbesufficientforamanofreasonabledesires。
Anewpartnerofours，aMr。Higbie，knewWhitemanwellbysight，andafriendofours，aMr。VanDorn，waswellacquaintedwithhim，andnotonlythat，buthadWhiteman\'spromisethatheshouldhaveaprivatehintintimetoenablehimtojointhenextcementexpedition。VanDornhadpromisedtoextendthehinttous。OneeveningHigbiecameingreatlyexcited，andsaidhefeltcertainhehadrecognizedWhiteman，uptown，disguisedandinapretendedstateofintoxication。InalittlewhileVanDornarrivedandconfirmedthenews；andsowegatheredinourcabinandwithheadsclosetogetherarrangedourplansinimpressivewhispers。
Weweretoleavetownquietly，aftermidnight，intwoorthreesmallparties，soasnottoattractattention，andmeetatdawnonthe“divide“
overlookingMonoLake，eightorninemilesdistant。Weweretomakenonoiseafterstarting，andnotspeakaboveawhisperunderanycircumstances。ItwasbelievedthatforonceWhiteman\'spresencewasunknowninthetownandhisexpeditionunsuspected。Ourconclavebrokeupatnineo\'clock，andwesetaboutourpreparationdiligentlyandwithprofoundsecrecy。Ateleveno\'clockwesaddledourhorses，hitchedthemwiththeirlongriatas(orlassos)，andthenbroughtoutasideofbacon，asackofbeans，asmallsackofcoffee，somesugar，ahundredpoundsofflourinsacks，sometincupsandacoffeepot，fryingpanandsomefewothernecessaryarticles。Allthesethingswere“packed“onthebackofaledhorse——andwhoeverhasnotbeentaught，byaSpanishadept，topackananimal，lethimneverhopetodothethingbynaturalsmartness。Thatisimpossible。Higbiehadhadsomeexperience，butwasnotperfect。Heputonthepacksaddle(athinglikeasaw-buck)，piledthepropertyonitandthenwoundaropealloverandaboutitandunderit，“everywhichway，“takingahitchiniteverynowandthen，andoccasionallysurgingbackonittillthehorse\'ssidessunkinandhegaspedforbreath——buteverytimethelashingsgrewtightinoneplacetheyloosenedinanother。
Weneverdidgettheloadtightallover，butwegotitsothatitwoulddo，afterafashion，andthenwestarted，insinglefile，closeorder，andwithoutaword。Itwasadarknight。Wekeptthemiddleoftheroad，andproceededinaslowwalkpasttherowsofcabins，andwheneveraminercametohisdoorItrembledforfearthelightwouldshineonusanexcitecuriosity。Butnothinghappened。Webeganthelongwindingascentofthecanyon，towardthe“divide，“andpresentlythecabinsbegantogrowinfrequent，andtheintervalsbetweenthemwiderandwider，andthenIbegantobreathetolerablyfreelyandfeellesslikeathiefandamurderer。Iwasintherear，leadingthepackhorse。Astheascentgrewsteeperhegrewproportionatelylesssatisfiedwithhiscargo，andbegantopullbackonhisriataoccasionallyanddelayprogress。Mycomradeswerepassingoutofsightinthegloom。Iwasgettinganxious。IcoaxedandbulliedthepackhorsetillIpresentlygothimintoatrot，andthenthetincupsandpansstrungabouthispersonfrightenedhimandheran。
Hisriatawaswoundaroundthepummelofmysaddle，andso，ashewentbyhedraggedmefrommyhorseandthetwoanimalstraveledbrisklyonwithoutme。ButIwasnotalone——theloosenedcargotumbledoverboardfromthepackhorseandfellclosetome。Itwasabreastofalmostthelastcabin。
Aminercameoutandsaid:
“Hello！“
Iwasthirtystepsfromhim，andknewhecouldnotseeme，itwassoverydarkintheshadowofthemountain。SoIlaystill。Anotherheadappearedinthelightofthecabindoor，andpresentlythetwomenwalkedtowardme。Theystoppedwithintenstepsofme，andonesaid:
“Sh！Listen。”
IcouldnothavebeeninamoredistressedstateifIhadbeenescapingjusticewithapriceonmyhead。Thentheminersappearedtositdownonaboulder，thoughIcouldnotseethemdistinctlyenoughtobeverysurewhattheydid。Onesaid:
“Iheardanoise，asplainasIeverheardanything。Itseemedtobeaboutthere——“
Astonewhizzedbymyhead。Iflattenedmyselfoutinthedustlikeapostagestamp，andthoughttomyselfifhemendedhisaimeversolittlehewouldprobablyhearanothernoise。Inmyheart，now，Iexecratedsecretexpeditions。Ipromisedmyselfthatthisshouldbemylast，thoughtheSierraswereribbedwithcementveins。Thenoneofthemensaid:
“I\'lltellyouwhat！WelchknewwhathewastalkingaboutwhenhesaidhesawWhitemanto-day。Iheardhorses——thatwasthenoise。IamgoingdowntoWelch\'s，rightaway。”
TheyleftandIwasglad。Ididnotcarewhithertheywent，sotheywent。IwaswillingtheyshouldvisitWelch，andthesoonerthebetter。
Assoonastheyclosedtheircabindoormycomradesemergedfromthegloom；theyhadcaughtthehorsesandwerewaitingforaclearcoastagain。Weremountedthecargoonthepackhorseandgotunderway，andasdaybrokewereachedthe“divide“andjoinedVanDorn。ThenwejourneyeddownintothevalleyoftheLake，andfeelingsecure，wehaltedtocookbreakfast，forweweretiredandsleepyandhungry。Threehourslatertherestofthepopulationfiledoverthe“divide“inalongprocession，anddriftedoffoutofsightaroundthebordersoftheLake！
Whetherornotmyaccidenthadproducedthisresultweneverknew，butatleastonethingwascertain——thesecretwasoutandWhitemanwouldnotenteruponasearchforthecementminethistime。Wewerefilledwithchagrin。
Weheldacouncilanddecidedtomakethebestofourmisfortuneandenjoyaweek\'sholidayonthebordersofthecuriousLake。Mono，itissometimescalled，andsometimesthe“DeadSeaofCalifornia。”ItisoneofthestrangestfreaksofNaturetobefoundinanyland，butitishardlyevermentionedinprintandveryseldomvisited，becauseitliesawayofftheusualroutesoftravelandbesidesissodifficulttogetatthatonlymencontenttoenduretheroughestlifewillconsenttotakeuponthemselvesthediscomfortsofsuchatrip。Onthemorningofoursecondday，wetraveledaroundtoaremoteandparticularlywildspotonthebordersoftheLake，whereastreamoffresh，ice-coldwaterentereditfromthemountainside，andthenwewentregularlyintocamp。Wehiredalargeboatandtwoshot-gunsfromalonelyranchmanwholivedsometenmilesfurtheron，andmadereadyforcomfortandrecreation。
WesoongotthoroughlyacquaintedwiththeLakeandallitspeculiarities。
CHAPTERXXXVIII。
MonoLakeliesinalifeless，treeless，hideousdesert，eightthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea，andisguardedbymountainstwothousandfeethigher，whosesummitsarealwaysclothedinclouds。Thissolemn，silent，sail-lesssea——thislonelytenantoftheloneliestspotonearth——islittlegracedwiththepicturesque。Itisanunpretendingexpanseofgrayishwater，aboutahundredmilesincircumference，withtwoislandsinitscentre，mereupheavalsofrentandscorchedandblisteredlava，snowedoverwithgraybanksanddriftsofpumice-stoneandashes，thewindingsheetofthedeadvolcano，whosevastcraterthelakehasseizeduponandoccupied。
Thelakeistwohundredfeetdeep，anditssluggishwatersaresostrongwithalkalithatifyouonlydipthemosthopelesslysoiledgarmentintothemonceortwice，andwringitout，itwillbefoundascleanasifithadbeenthroughtheablestofwasherwomen\'shands。Whilewecampedthereourlaundryworkwaseasy。Wetiedtheweek\'swashingasternofourboat，andsailedaquarterofamile，andthejobwascomplete，alltothewringingout。Ifwethrewthewateronourheadsandgavethemaruborso，thewhitelatherwouldpileupthreeincheshigh。Thiswaterisnotgoodforbruisedplacesandabrasionsoftheskin。Wehadavaluabledog。Hehadrawplacesonhim。Hehadmorerawplacesonhimthansoundones。HewastherawestdogIalmosteversaw。Hejumpedoverboardonedaytogetawayfromtheflies。Butitwasbadjudgment。
Inhiscondition，itwouldhavebeenjustascomfortabletojumpintothefire。
Thealkaliwaternippedhiminalltherawplacessimultaneously，andhestruckoutfortheshorewithconsiderableinterest。Heyelpedandbarkedandhowledashewent——andbythetimehegottotheshoretherewasnobarktohim——forhehadbarkedthebarkalloutofhisinside，andthealkaliwaterhadcleanedthebarkalloffhisoutside，andheprobablywishedhehadneverembarkedinanysuchenterprise。Heranroundandroundinacircle，andpawedtheearthandclawedtheair，andthrewdoublesomersaults，sometimesbackwardandsometimesforward，inthemostextraordinarymanner。Hewasnotademonstrativedog，asageneralthing，butratherofagraveandseriousturnofmind，andI
neversawhimtakesomuchinterestinanythingbefore。Hefinallystruckoutoverthemountains，atagaitwhichweestimatedatabouttwohundredandfiftymilesanhour，andheisgoingyet。Thiswasaboutnineyearsago。Welookforwhatisleftofhimalonghereeveryday。
AwhitemancannotdrinkthewaterofMonoLake，foritisnearlypurelye。ItissaidthattheIndiansinthevicinitydrinkitsometimes，though。Itisnotimprobable，fortheyareamongthepurestliarsIeversaw。[Therewillbenoadditionalchargeforthisjoke，excepttopartiesrequiringanexplanationofit。Thisjokehasreceivedhighcommendationfromsomeoftheablestmindsoftheage。]
TherearenofishinMonoLake——nofrogs，nosnakes，nopolliwigs——
nothing，infact，thatgoestomakelifedesirable。Millionsofwildducksandsea-gullsswimaboutthesurface，butnolivingthingexistsunderthesurface，exceptawhitefeatherysortofworm，onehalfaninchlong，whichlookslikeabitofwhitethreadfrayedoutatthesides。Ifyoudipupagallonofwater，youwillgetaboutfifteenthousandofthese。Theygivetothewaterasortofgrayish-whiteappearance。Thenthereisafly，whichlookssomethinglikeourhousefly。Thesesettleonthebeachtoeatthewormsthatwashashore——andanytime，youcanseethereabeltoffliesaninchdeepandsixfeetwide，andthisbeltextendscleararoundthelake——abeltoffliesonehundredmileslong。
Ifyouthrowastoneamongthem，theyswarmupsothickthattheylookdense，likeacloud。Youcanholdthemunderwateraslongasyouplease——theydonotmindit——theyareonlyproudofit。Whenyouletthemgo，theypopuptothesurfaceasdryasapatentofficereport，andwalkoffasunconcernedlyasiftheyhadbeeneducatedespeciallywithaviewtoaffordinginstructiveentertainmenttomaninthatparticularway。Providenceleavesnothingtogobychance。AllthingshavetheirusesandtheirpartandproperplaceinNature\'seconomy:theduckseattheflies——theflieseattheworms——theIndianseatallthree——thewildcatseattheIndians——thewhitefolkseatthewildcats——andthusallthingsarelovely。
MonoLakeisahundredmilesinastraightlinefromtheocean——andbetweenitandtheoceanareoneortworangesofmountains——yetthousandsofsea-gullsgothereeveryseasontolaytheireggsandreartheiryoung。Onewouldassoonexpecttofindsea-gullsinKansas。
AndinthisconnectionletusobserveanotherinstanceofNature\'swisdom。Theislandsinthelakebeingmerelyhugemassesoflava，coatedoverwithashesandpumice-stone，andutterlyinnocentofvegetationoranythingthatwouldburn；andsea-gull\'seggsbeingentirelyuselesstoanybodyunlesstheybecooked，Naturehasprovidedanunfailingspringofboilingwateronthelargestisland，andyoucanputyoureggsinthere，andinfourminutesyoucanboilthemashardasanystatementIhavemadeduringthepastfifteenyears。Withintenfeetoftheboilingspringisaspringofpurecoldwater，sweetandwholesome。
So，inthatislandyougetyourboardandwashingfreeofcharge——andifnaturehadgonefurtherandfurnishedaniceAmericanhotelclerkwhowascrustyanddisobliging，anddidn\'tknowanythingaboutthetimetables，ortherailroadroutes——or——anything——andwasproudofit——Iwouldnotwishforamoredesirableboarding-house。
HalfadozenlittlemountainbrooksflowintoMonoLake，butnotastreamofanykindflowsoutofit。Itneitherrisesnorfalls，apparently，andwhatitdoeswithitssurpluswaterisadarkandbloodymystery。
ThereareonlytwoseasonsintheregionroundaboutMonoLake——andtheseare，thebreakingupofoneWinterandthebeginningofthenext。Morethanonce(inEsmeralda)Ihaveseenaperfectlyblisteringmorningopenupwiththethermometeratninetydegreesateighto\'clock，andseenthesnowfallfourteeninchesdeepandthatsameidenticalthermometergodowntoforty-fourdegreesundershelter，beforenineo\'clockatnight。
Underfavorablecircumstancesitsnowsatleastonceineverysinglemonthintheyear，inthelittletownofMono。SouncertainistheclimateinSummerthataladywhogoesoutvisitingcannothopetobepreparedforallemergenciesunlessshetakesherfanunderonearmandhersnowshoesundertheother。WhentheyhaveaFourthofJulyprocessionitgenerallysnowsonthem，andtheydosaythatasageneralthingwhenamancallsforabrandytoddythere，thebarkeeperchopsitoffwithahatchetandwrapsitupinapaper，likemaplesugar。Anditisfurtherreportedthattheoldsoakershaven\'tanyteeth——worethemouteatinggincocktailsandbrandypunches。Idonotendorsethatstatement——Isimplygiveitforwhatitisworth——anditisworth——well，Ishouldsay，millions，toanymanwhocanbelieveitwithoutstraininghimself。ButIdoendorsethesnowontheFourthofJuly——becauseIknowthattobetrue。
CHAPTERXXXIX。
Aboutseveno\'clockoneblisteringhotmorning——foritwasnowdeadsummertime——HigbieandItooktheboatandstartedonavoyageofdiscoverytothetwoislands。Wehadoftenlongedtodothis，buthadbeendeterredbythefearofstorms；fortheywerefrequent，andsevereenoughtocapsizeanordinaryrow-boatlikeourswithoutgreatdifficulty——andoncecapsized，deathwouldensueinspiteofthebravestswimming，forthatvenomouswaterwouldeataman\'seyesoutlikefire，andburnhimoutinside，too，ifheshippedasea。Itwascalledtwelvemiles，straightouttotheislands——alongpullandawarmone——butthemorningwassoquietandsunny，andthelakesosmoothandglassyanddead，thatwecouldnotresistthetemptation。Sowefilledtwolargetincanteenswithwater(sincewewerenotacquaintedwiththelocalityofthespringsaidtoexistonthelargeisland)，andstarted。Higbie\'sbrawnymusclesgavetheboatgoodspeed，butbythetimewereachedourdestinationwejudgedthatwehadpullednearerfifteenmilesthantwelve。
Welandedonthebigislandandwentashore。Wetriedthewaterinthecanteens，now，andfoundthatthesunhadspoiledit；itwassobrackishthatwecouldnotdrinkit；sowepoureditoutandbeganasearchforthespring——forthirstaugmentsfastassoonasitisapparentthatonehasnomeansathandofquenchingit。Theislandwasalong，moderatelyhighhillofashes——nothingbutgrayashesandpumice-stone，inwhichwesunktoourkneesateverystep——andallaroundthetopwasaforbiddingwallofscorchedandblastedrocks。Whenwereachedthetopandgotwithinthewall，wefoundsimplyashallow，far-reachingbasin，carpetedwithashes，andhereandthereapatchoffinesand。Inplaces，picturesquejetsofsteamshotupoutofcrevices，givingevidencethatalthoughthisancientcraterhadgoneoutofactivebusiness，therewasstillsomefireleftinitsfurnaces。Closetooneofthesejetsofsteamstoodtheonlytreeontheisland——asmallpineofmostgracefulshapeandmostfaultlesssymmetry；itscolorwasabrilliantgreen，forthesteamdriftedunceasinglythroughitsbranchesandkeptthemalwaysmoist。Itcontrastedstrangelyenough，didthisvigorousandbeautifuloutcast，withitsdeadanddismalsurroundings。Itwaslikeacheerfulspiritinamourninghousehold。
Wehuntedforthespringeverywhere，traversingthefulllengthoftheisland(twoorthreemiles)，andcrossingittwice——climbingash-hillspatiently，andthenslidingdowntheothersideinasittingposture，plowingupsmotheringvolumesofgraydust。Butwefoundnothingbutsolitude，ashesandaheart-breakingsilence。Finallywenoticedthatthewindhadrisen，andweforgotourthirstinasolicitudeofgreaterimportance；for，thelakebeingquiet，wehadnottakenpainsaboutsecuringtheboat。Wehurriedbacktoapointoverlookingourlandingplace，andthen——butmerewordscannotdescribeourdismay——theboatwasgone！Thechanceswerethattherewasnotanotherboatontheentirelake。Thesituationwasnotcomfortable——intruth，tospeakplainly，itwasfrightful。Wewereprisonersonadesolateisland，inaggravatingproximitytofriendswhowereforthepresenthelplesstoaidus；andwhatwasstillmoreuncomfortablewasthereflectionthatwehadneitherfoodnorwater。Butpresentlywesightedtheboat。Itwasdriftingalong，leisurely，aboutfiftyyardsfromshore，tossinginafoamysea。
Itdrifted，andcontinuedtodrift，butatthesamesafedistancefromland，andwewalkedalongabreastitandwaitedforfortunetofavorus。
Attheendofanhouritapproachedajuttingcape，andHigbieranaheadandpostedhimselfontheutmostvergeandpreparedfortheassault。Ifwefailedthere，therewasnohopeforus。Itwasdrivinggraduallyshorewardallthetime，now；butwhetheritwasdrivingfastenoughtomaketheconnectionornotwasthemomentousquestion。WhenitgotwithinthirtystepsofHigbieIwassoexcitedthatIfanciedIcouldhearmyownheartbeat。When，alittlelater，itdraggedslowlyalongandseemedabouttogoby，onlyonelittleyardoutofreach，itseemedasifmyheartstoodstill；andwhenitwasexactlyabreasthimandbegantowidenaway，andhestillstandinglikeawatchingstatue，Iknewmyheartdidstop。Butwhenhegaveagreatspring，thenextinstant，andlitfairlyinthestern，Idischargedawar-whoopthatwokethesolitudes！
Butitdulledmyenthusiasm，presently，whenhetoldmehehadnotbeencaringwhethertheboatcamewithinjumpingdistanceornot，sothatitpassedwithineightortenyardsofhim，forhehadmadeuphismindtoshuthiseyesandmouthandswimthattriflingdistance。ImbecilethatI
was，Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Itwasonlyalongswimthatcouldbefatal。
Theseawasrunninghighandthestormincreasing。Itwasgrowinglate，too——threeorfourintheafternoon。Whethertoventuretowardthemainlandornot，wasaquestionofsomemoment。Butweweresodistressedbythirstthatwedecidetotryit，andsoHigbiefelltoworkandItookthesteering-oar。Whenwehadpulledamile，laboriously，wewereevidentlyinseriousperil，forthestormhadgreatlyaugmented；
thebillowsranveryhighandwerecappedwithfoamingcrests，theheavenswerehungwithblack，andthewindblewwithgreatfury。
Wewouldhavegoneback，now，butwedidnotdaretoturntheboataround，becauseassoonasshegotinthetroughoftheseashewouldupset，ofcourse。Ouronlyhopelayinkeepingherhead-ontotheseas。
Itwashardworktodothis，sheplungedso，andsobeatandbelaboredthebillowswithherrisingandfallingbows。NowandthenoneofHigbie\'soarswouldtriponthetopofawave，andtheotheronewouldsnatchtheboathalfaroundinspiteofmycumbersomesteeringapparatus。
Weweredrenchedbythespraysconstantly，andtheboatoccasionallyshippedwater。Byandby，powerfulasmycomradewas，hisgreatexertionsbegantotellonhim，andhewasanxiousthatIshouldchangeplaceswithhimtillhecouldrestalittle。ButItoldhimthiswasimpossible；forifthesteeringoarweredroppedamomentwhilewechanged，theboatwouldsluearoundintothetroughofthesea，capsize，andinlessthanfiveminuteswewouldhaveahundredgallonsofsoap-
sudsinusandbeeatenupsoquicklythatwecouldnotevenbepresentatourowninquest。
Butthingscannotlastalways。Justasthedarknessshutdownwecameboomingintoport，headon。Higbiedroppedhisoarstohurrah——Idroppedminetohelp——theseagavetheboatatwist，andovershewent！
Theagonythatalkaliwaterinflictsonbruises，chafesandblisteredhands，isunspeakable，andnothingbutgreasingalloverwillmodifyit——
butweate，drankandsleptwell，thatnight，notwithstanding。
InspeakingofthepeculiaritiesofMonoLake，Ioughttohavementionedthatatintervalsallarounditsshoresstandpicturesqueturret-lookingmassesandclustersofawhitish，coarse-grainedrockthatresemblesinferiormortardriedhard；andifonebreaksofffragmentsofthisrockhewillfindperfectlyshapedandthoroughlypetrifiedgulls\'eggsdeeplyimbeddedinthemass。Howdidtheygetthere?Isimplystatethefact——
foritisafact——andleavethegeologicalreadertocrackthenutathisleisureandsolvetheproblemafterhisownfashion。
AttheendofaweekweadjournedtotheSierrasonafishingexcursion，andspentseveraldaysincampundersnowyCastlePeak，andfishedsuccessfullyfortroutinabright，miniaturelakewhosesurfacewasbetweentenandeleventhousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea；coolingourselvesduringthehotAugustnoonsbysittingonsnowbankstenfeetdeep，underwhoseshelteringedgesfinegrassanddaintyflowersflourishedluxuriously；andatnightentertainingourselvesbyalmostfreezingtodeath。ThenwereturnedtoMonoLake，andfindingthatthecementexcitementwasoverforthepresent，packedupandwentbacktoEsmeralda。Mr。Balloureconnoitredawhile，andnotlikingtheprospect，setoutaloneforHumboldt。
Aboutthistimeoccurredalittleincidentwhichhasalwayshadasortofinteresttome，fromthefactthatitcamesonear“instigating“myfuneral。AtatimewhenanIndianattackhadbeenexpected，thecitizenshidtheirgunpowderwhereitwouldbesafeandyetconvenienttohandwhenwanted。Aneighborofourshidsixcansofriflepowderinthebake-ovenofanolddiscardedcookingstovewhichstoodontheopengroundnearaframeout-houseorshed，andfromandafterthatdayneverthoughtofitagain。Wehiredahalf-tamedIndiantodosomewashingforus，andhetookupquartersundertheshedwithhistub。Theancientstovereposedwithinsixfeetofhim，andbeforehisface。Finallyitoccurredtohimthathotwaterwouldbebetterthancold，andhewentoutandfiredupunderthatforgottenpowdermagazineandsetonakettleofwater。Thenhereturnedtohistub。
Ienteredtheshedpresentlyandthrewdownsomemoreclothes，andwasabouttospeaktohimwhenthestoveblewupwithaprodigiouscrash，anddisappeared，leavingnotasplinterbehind。Fragmentsofitfellinthestreetsfulltwohundredyardsaway。Nearlyathirdoftheshedroofoverourheadswasdestroyed，andoneofthestovelids，aftercuttingasmallstanchionhalfintwoinfrontoftheIndian，whizzedbetweenusanddrovepartlythroughtheweather-boardingbeyond。Iwasaswhiteasasheetandasweakasakittenandspeechless。ButtheIndianbetrayednotrepidation，nodistress，notevendiscomfort。Hesimplystoppedwashing，leanedforwardandsurveyedtheclean，blankgroundamoment，andthenremarked:
“Mph！Damstoveheapgone！“——andresumedhisscrubbingasplacidlyasifitwereanentirelycustomarythingforastovetodo。Iwillexplain，that“heap“is“Injun-English“for“verymuch。”Thereaderwillperceivetheexhaustiveexpressivenessofitinthepresentinstance。
CHAPTERXL。
Inowcometoacuriousepisode——themostcurious，Ithink，thathadyetaccentedmyslothful，valueless，heedlesscareer。Outofahillsidetowardtheupperendofthetown，projectedawallofreddishlookingquartz-croppings，theexposedcombofasilver-bearingledgethatextendeddeepdownintotheearth，ofcourse。Itwasownedbyacompanyentitledthe“WideWest。”Therewasashaftsixtyorseventyfeetdeepontheundersideofthecroppings，andeverybodywasacquaintedwiththerockthatcamefromit——andtolerablyrichrockitwas，too，butnothingextraordinary。Iwillremarkhere，thatalthoughtotheinexperiencedstrangerallthequartzofaparticular“district“looksaboutalike，anoldresidentofthecampcantakeaglanceatamixedpileofrock，separatethefragmentsandtellyouwhichmineeachcamefrom，aseasilyasaconfectionercanseparateandclassifythevariouskindsandqualitiesofcandyinamixedheapofthearticle。
Allatoncethetownwasthrownintoastateofextraordinaryexcitement。
InminingparlancetheWideWesthad“struckitrich！“Everybodywenttoseethenewdevelopments，andforsomedaystherewassuchacrowdofpeopleabouttheWideWestshaftthatastrangerwouldhavesupposedtherewasamassmeetinginsessionthere。Noothertopicwasdiscussedbuttherichstrike，andnobodythoughtordreamedaboutanythingelse。
Everymanbroughtawayaspecimen，grounditupinahandmortar，washeditoutinhishornspoon，andglaredspeechlessuponthemarvelousresult。Itwasnothardrock，butblack，decomposedstuffwhichcouldbecrumbledinthehandlikeabakedpotato，andwhenspreadoutonapaperexhibitedathicksprinklingofgoldandparticlesof“native“silver。
Higbiebroughtahandfultothecabin，andwhenhehadwasheditouthisamazementwasbeyonddescription。WideWeststocksoaredskywards。Itwassaidthatrepeatedoffershadbeenmadeforitatathousanddollarsafoot，andpromptlyrefused。Wehaveallhadthe“blues“——themeresky-
blues——butminewereindigo，now——becauseIdidnotownintheWideWest。
Theworldseemedhollowtome，andexistenceagrief。Ilostmyappetite，andceasedtotakeaninterestinanything。StillIhadtostay，andlistentootherpeople\'srejoicings，becauseIhadnomoneytogetoutofthecampwith。
TheWideWestcompanyputastoptothecarryingawayof“specimens，“andwelltheymight，foreveryhandfuloftheorewasworthasunofsomeconsequence。Toshowtheexceedingvalueoftheore，Iwillremarkthatasixteen-hundred-poundsparcelofitwassold，justasitlay，atthemouthoftheshaft，atonedollarapound；andthemanwhoboughtit“packed“itonmulesahundredandfiftyortwohundredmiles，overthemountains，toSanFrancisco，satisfiedthatitwouldyieldataratethatwouldrichlycompensatehimforhistrouble。TheWideWestpeoplealsocommandedtheirforemantorefuseanybuttheirownoperativespermissiontoenterthemineatanytimeorforanypurpose。Ikeptupmy“blue“
meditationsandHigbiekeptupadealofthinking，too，butofadifferentsort。Hepuzzledoverthe“rock，“examineditwithaglass，inspecteditindifferentlightsandfromdifferentpointsofview，andaftereachexperimentdeliveredhimself，insoliloquy，ofoneandthesameunvaryingopinioninthesameunvaryingformula:
“ItisnotWideWestrock！“
HesaidonceortwicethathemeanttohavealookintotheWideWestshaftifhegotshotforit。Iwaswretched，anddidnotcarewhetherhegotalookintoitornot。Hefailedthatday，andtriedagainatnight；
failedagain；gotupatdawnandtried，andfailedagain。Thenhelayinambushinthesagebrushhourafterhour，waitingforthetwoorthreehandstoadjourntotheshadeofaboulderfordinner；madeastartonce，butwaspremature——oneofthemencamebackforsomething；trieditagain，butwhenalmostatthemouthoftheshaft，anotherofthemenroseupfrombehindtheboulderasiftoreconnoitre，andhedroppedonthegroundandlayquiet；presentlyhecrawledonhishandsandkneestothemouthoftheshaft，gaveaquickglancearound，thenseizedtheropeandsliddowntheshaft。
Hedisappearedinthegloomofa“sidedrift“justasaheadappearedinthemouthoftheshaftandsomebodyshouted“Hello！“——whichhedidnotanswer。Hewasnotdisturbedanymore。Anhourlaterheenteredthecabin，hot，red，andreadytoburstwithsmotheredexcitement，andexclaimedinastagewhisper:
“Iknewit！Wearerich！IT\'SABLINDLEAD！“
Ithoughttheveryearthreeledunderme。Doubt——conviction——doubtagain——exultation——hope，amazement，belief，unbelief——everyemotionimaginablesweptinwildprocessionthroughmyheartandbrain，andI
couldnotspeakaword。Afteramomentortwoofthismentalfury，I
shookmyselftorights，andsaid:
“Sayitagain！“
“It\'sblindlead！“
“Cal，let\'s——let\'sburnthehouse——orkillsomebody！Let\'sgetoutwherethere\'sroomtohurrah！Butwhatistheuse?Itisahundredtimestoogoodtobetrue。”
“It\'sablindlead，foramillion！——hangingwall——footwall——claycasings——everythingcomplete！“Heswunghishatandgavethreecheers，andIcastdoubttothewindsandchimedinwithawill。ForIwasworthamilliondollars，anddidnotcare“whetherschoolkeptornot！“
ButperhapsIoughttoexplain。A“blindlead“isaleadorledgethatdoesnot“cropout“abovethesurface。Aminerdoesnotknowwheretolookforsuchleads，buttheyareoftenstumbleduponbyaccidentinthecourseofdrivingatunnelorsinkingashaft。HigbieknewtheWideWestrockperfectlywell，andthemorehehadexaminedthenewdevelopmentsthemorehewassatisfiedthattheorecouldnothavecomefromtheWideWestvein。Andsohaditoccurredtohimalone，ofallthecamp，thattherewasablindleaddownintheshaft，andthateventheWideWestpeoplethemselvesdidnotsuspectit。Hewasright。Whenhewentdowntheshaft，hefoundthattheblindleadhelditsindependentwaythroughtheWideWestvein，cuttingitdiagonally，andthatitwasenclosedinitsownwell-definedcasing-rocksandclay。Henceitwaspublicproperty。Bothleadsbeingperfectlywelldefined，itwaseasyforanyminertoseewhichonebelongedtotheWideWestandwhichdidnot。
Wethoughtitwelltohaveastrongfriend，andthereforewebroughttheforemanoftheWideWesttoourcabinthatnightandrevealedthegreatsurprisetohim。Higbiesaid:
“Wearegoingtotakepossessionofthisblindlead，recorditandestablishownership，andthenforbidtheWideWestcompanytotakeoutanymoreoftherock。Youcannothelpyourcompanyinthismatter——
nobodycanhelpthem。Iwillgointotheshaftwithyouandprovetoyourentiresatisfactionthatitisablindlead。Nowweproposetotakeyouinwithus，andclaimtheblindleadinourthreenames。Whatdoyousay?“
Whatcouldamansaywhohadanopportunitytosimplystretchforthhishandandtakepossessionofafortunewithoutriskofanykindandwithoutwronginganyoneorattachingtheleasttaintofdishonortohisname?Hecouldonlysay，“Agreed。”
Thenoticewasputupthatnight，anddulyspreadupontherecorder\'sbooksbeforeteno\'clock。Weclaimedtwohundredfeeteach——sixhundredfeetinall——thesmallestandcompactestorganizationinthedistrict，andtheeasiesttomanage。
Noonecanbesothoughtlessastosupposethatweslept，thatnight。
HigbieandIwenttobedatmidnight，butitwasonlytoliebroadawakeandthink，dream，scheme。Thefloorless，tumble-downcabinwasapalace，theraggedgrayblanketssilk，thefurniturerosewoodandmahogany。
Eachnewsplendorthatburstoutofmyvisionsofthefuturewhirledmebodilyoverinbedorjerkedmetoasittingposturejustasifanelectricbatteryhadbeenappliedtome。Weshotfragmentsofconversationbackandforthateachother。OnceHigbiesaid:
“Whenareyougoinghome——totheStates?“
“To-morrow！“——withanevolutionortwo，endingwithasittingposition。
“Well——no——butnextmonth，atfurthest。”
“We\'llgointhesamesteamer。”
“Agreed。”
Apause。
“Steamerofthe10th?“
“Yes。No，the1st。”
“Allright。”
Anotherpause。
“Whereareyougoingtolive?“saidHigbie。
“SanFrancisco。”
“That\'sme！“
Pause。
“Toohigh——toomuchclimbing“——fromHigbie。
“Whatis?“
“IwasthinkingofRussianHill——buildingahouseupthere。”
“Toomuchclimbing?Shan\'tyoukeepacarriage?“
“Ofcourse。Iforgotthat。”
Pause。
“Cal。，whatkindofahouseareyougoingtobuild?“
“Iwasthinkingaboutthat。Three-storyandanattic。”
“Butwhatkind?“
“Well，Idon\'thardlyknow。Brick，Isuppose。”
“Brick——bosh。”
“Why?Whatisyouridea?“
“Brownstonefront——Frenchplateglass——billiard-roomoffthedining-
room——statuaryandpaintings——shrubberyandtwo-acregrassplat——
greenhouse——irondogonthefrontstoop——grayhorses——landau，andacoachmanwithabugonhishat！“
“ByGeorge！“
Alongpause。
“Cal。，whenareyougoingtoEurope?“
“Well——Ihadn\'tthoughtofthat。Whenareyou?“
“IntheSpring。”
“Goingtobegoneallsummer?“
“Allsummer！Ishallremaintherethreeyears。”
“No——butareyouinearnest?“
“IndeedIam。”
“Iwillgoalongtoo。”
“Whyofcourseyouwill。”
“WhatpartofEuropeshallyougoto?“
“Allparts。France，England，Germany——Spain，Italy，Switzerland，Syria，Greece，Palestine，Arabia，Persia，Egypt——allover——everywhere。”
“I\'magreed。”
“Allright。”
“Won\'titbeaswelltrip！“
“We\'llspendfortyorfiftythousanddollarstryingtomakeitone，anyway。”
Anotherlongpause。
“Higbie，weowethebutchersixdollars，andhehasbeenthreateningtostopour——“
“Hangthebutcher！“
“Amen。”
Andsoitwenton。Bythreeo\'clockwefounditwasnouse，andsowegotupandplayedcribbageandsmokedpipestillsunrise。Itwasmyweektocook。Ialwayshatedcooking——now，Iabhorredit。
Thenewswasallovertown。Theformerexcitementwasgreat——thisonewasgreaterstill。Iwalkedthestreetssereneandhappy。Higbiesaidtheforemanhadbeenofferedtwohundredthousanddollarsforhisthirdofthemine。IsaidIwouldliketoseemyselfsellingforanysuchprice。Myideaswerelofty。Myfigurewasamillion。Still，IhonestlybelievethatifIhadbeenofferedit，itwouldhavehadnoothereffectthantomakemeholdoffformore。
Ifoundabundantenjoymentinbeingrich。Amanofferedmeathree-
hundred-dollarhorse，andwantedtotakemysimple，unendorsednoteforit。ThatbroughtthemostrealizingsenseIhadyethadthatIwasactuallyrich，beyondshadowofdoubt。Itwasfollowedbynumerousotherevidencesofasimilarnature——amongwhichImaymentionthefactofthebutcherleavingusadoublesupplyofmeatandsayingnothingaboutmoney。
Bythelawsofthedistrict，the“locators“orclaimantsofaledgewereobligedtodoafairandreasonableamountofworkontheirnewpropertywithintendaysafterthedateofthelocation，orthepropertywasforfeited，andanybodycouldgoandseizeitthatchose。Sowedeterminedtogotoworkthenextday。Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoon，asIwascomingoutofthepostoffice，ImetaMr。Gardiner，whotoldmethatCapt。JohnNyewaslyingdangerouslyillathisplace(the“Nine-MileRanch“)，andthatheandhiswifewerenotabletogivehimnearlyasmuchcareandattentionashiscasedemanded。Isaidifhewouldwaitformeamoment，Iwouldgodownandhelpinthesickroom。
IrantothecabintotellHigbie。Hewasnotthere，butIleftanoteonthetableforhim，andafewminuteslaterIlefttowninGardiner\'swagon。
