第5章
Thepeopleweregladtohavealegitimatelyconstitutedgovernment，butdidnotparticularlyenjoyhavingstrangersfromdistantStatesputinauthorityoverthem——asentimentthatwasnaturalenough。Theythoughttheofficialsshouldhavebeenchosenfromamongthemselvesfromamongprominentcitizenswhohadearnedarighttosuchpromotion，andwhowouldbeinsympathywiththepopulaceandlikewisethoroughlyacquaintedwiththeneedsoftheTerritory。Theywererightinviewingthematterthus，withoutdoubt。Thenewofficerswere“emigrants，“andthatwasnotitletoanybody"saffectionoradmirationeither。
Thenewgovernmentwasreceivedwithconsiderablecoolness。Itwasnotonlyaforeignintruder，butapoorone。Itwasnotevenworthplucking——exceptbythesmallestofsmallfryoffice-seekersandsuch。EverybodyknewthatCongresshadappropriatedonlytwentythousanddollarsayearingreenbacksforitssupport——aboutmoneyenoughtorunaquartzmillamonth。Andeverybodyknew，also，thatthefirstyear"smoneywasstillinWashington，andthatthegettingholdofitwouldbeatediousanddifficultprocess。CarsonCitywastoowaryandtoowisetoopenupacreditaccountwiththeimportedbantlingwithanythinglikeindecenthaste。
Thereissomethingsolemnlyfunnyaboutthestrugglesofanew-bornTerritorialgovernmenttogetastartinthisworld。Ourshadatryingtimeofit。TheOrganicActandthe“instructions“fromtheStateDepartmentcommandedthatalegislatureshouldbeelectedatsuch-and-
suchatime，anditssittingsinauguratedatsuch-and-suchadate。Itwaseasytogetlegislators，evenatthreedollarsaday，althoughboardwasfourdollarsandfiftycents，fordistinctionhasitscharminNevadaaswellaselsewhere，andtherewereplentyofpatrioticsoulsoutofemployment；buttogetalegislativehallforthemtomeetinwasanothermatteraltogether。Carsonblandlydeclinedtogivearoomrent-free，orletonetothegovernmentoncredit。
ButwhenCurryheardofthedifficulty，hecameforward，solitaryandalone，andshoulderedtheShipofStateoverthebarandgotherafloatagain。Ireferto“Curry——OldCurry——OldAbeCurry。”Butforhimthelegislaturewouldhavebeenobligedtositinthedesert。Heofferedhislargestonebuildingjustoutsidethecapitallimits，rent-free，anditwasgladlyaccepted。Thenhebuiltahorse-railroadfromtowntothecapitol，andcarriedthelegislatorsgratis。
Healsofurnishedpinebenchesandchairsforthelegislature，andcoveredthefloorswithcleansaw-dustbywayofcarpetandspittooncombined。ButforCurrythegovernmentwouldhavediedinitstenderinfancy。AcanvaspartitiontoseparatetheSenatefromtheHouseofRepresentativeswasputupbytheSecretary，atacostofthreedollarsandfortycents，buttheUnitedStatesdeclinedtopayforit。Uponbeingremindedthatthe“instructions“permittedthepaymentofaliberalrentforalegislativehall，andthatthatmoneywassavedtothecountrybyMr。Curry"sgenerosity，theUnitedStatessaidthatdidnotalterthematter，andthethreedollarsandfortycentswouldbesubtractedfromtheSecretary"seighteenhundreddollarsalary——anditwas！
Thematterofprintingwasfromthebeginninganinterestingfeatureofthenewgovernment"sdifficulties。TheSecretarywassworntoobeyhisvolumeofwritten“instructions，“andthesecommandedhimtodotwocertainthingswithoutfail，viz。:
1。GettheHouseandSenatejournalsprinted；and，2。Forthiswork，payonedollarandfiftycentsper“thousand“forcomposition，andonedollarandfiftycentsper“token“forpress-work，ingreenbacks。
Itwaseasytosweartodothesetwothings，butitwasentirelyimpossibletodomorethanoneofthem。Whengreenbackshadgonedowntofortycentsonthedollar，thepricesregularlychargedeverybodybyprintingestablishmentswereonedollarandfiftycentsper“thousand“
andonedollarandfiftycentsper“token，“ingold。The“instructions“
commandedthattheSecretaryregardapaperdollarissuedbythegovernmentasequaltoanyotherdollarissuedbythegovernment。Hencetheprintingofthejournalswasdiscontinued。ThentheUnitedStatessternlyrebukedtheSecretaryfordisregardingthe“instructions，“andwarnedhimtocorrecthisways。Whereforehegotsomeprintingdone，forwardedthebilltoWashingtonwithfullexhibitsofthehighpricesofthingsintheTerritory，andcalledattentiontoaprintedmarketreportwhereinitwouldbeobservedthatevenhaywastwohundredandfiftydollarsaton。TheUnitedStatesrespondedbysubtractingtheprinting-
billfromtheSecretary"ssufferingsalary——andmoreoverremarkedwithdensegravitythathewouldfindnothinginhis“instructions“requiringhimtopurchasehay！
NothinginthisworldispalledinsuchimpenetrableobscurityasaU。S。
TreasuryComptroller"sunderstanding。Theveryfiresofthehereaftercouldgetupnothingmorethanafitfulglimmerinit。InthedaysI
speakofhenevercouldbemadetocomprehendwhyitwasthattwentythousanddollarswouldnotgoasfarinNevada，whereallcommoditiesrangedatanenormousfigure，asitwouldintheotherTerritories，whereexceedingcheapnesswastherule。Hewasanofficerwholookedoutforthelittleexpensesallthetime。TheSecretaryoftheTerritorykepthisofficeinhisbedroom，asIbeforeremarked；andhechargedtheUnitedStatesnorent，althoughhis“instructions“providedforthatitemandhecouldhavejustlytakenadvantageofit(athingwhichIwouldhavedonewithmorethanlightningpromptnessifIhadbeenSecretarymyself)。ButtheUnitedStatesneverapplaudedthisdevotion。Indeed，I
thinkmycountrywasashamedtohavesoimprovidentapersoninitsemploy。
Those“instructions“(weusedtoreadachapterfromthemeverymorning，asintellectualgymnastics，andacoupleofchaptersinSundayschooleverySabbath，fortheytreatedofallsubjectsunderthesunandhadmuchvaluablereligiousmatterinthemalongwiththeotherstatistics)
those“instructions“commandedthatpen-knives，envelopes，pensandwriting-paperbefurnishedthemembersofthelegislature。SotheSecretarymadethepurchaseandthedistribution。Theknivescostthreedollarsapiece。Therewasonetoomany，andtheSecretarygaveittotheClerkoftheHouseofRepresentatives。TheUnitedStatessaidtheClerkoftheHousewasnota“member“ofthelegislature，andtookthatthreedollarsoutoftheSecretary"ssalary，asusual。
Whitemenchargedthreeorfourdollarsa“load“forsawingupstove-
wood。TheSecretarywassagaciousenoughtoknowthattheUnitedStateswouldneverpayanysuchpriceasthat；sohegotanIndiantosawupaloadofofficewoodatonedollarandahalf。Hemadeouttheusualvoucher，butsignednonametoit——simplyappendedanoteexplainingthatanIndianhaddonethework，andhaddoneitinaverycapableandsatisfactoryway，butcouldnotsignthevoucherowingtolackofabilityinthenecessarydirection。TheSecretaryhadtopaythatdollarandahalf。HethoughttheUnitedStateswouldadmirebothhiseconomyandhishonestyingettingtheworkdoneathalfpriceandnotputtingapretendedIndian"ssignaturetothevoucher，buttheUnitedStatesdidnotseeitinthatlight。
TheUnitedStateswastoomuchaccustomedtoemployingdollar-and-a-halfthievesinallmannerofofficialcapacitiestoregardhisexplanationofthevoucherashavinganyfoundationinfact。
ButthenexttimetheIndiansawedwoodforusItaughthimtomakeacrossatthebottomofthevoucher——itlookedlikeacrossthathadbeendrunkayear——andthenI“witnessed“itanditwentthroughallright。
TheUnitedStatesneversaidaword。IwassorryIhadnotmadethevoucherforathousandloadsofwoodinsteadofone。
Thegovernmentofmycountrysnubshonestsimplicitybutfondlesartisticvillainy，andIthinkImighthavedevelopedintoaverycapablepickpocketifIhadremainedinthepublicserviceayearortwo。
Thatwasafinecollectionofsovereigns，thatfirstNevadalegislature。
Theyleviedtaxestotheamountofthirtyorfortythousanddollarsandorderedexpenditurestotheextentofaboutamillion。Yettheyhadtheirlittleperiodicalexplosionsofeconomylikeallotherbodiesofthekind。AmemberproposedtosavethreedollarsadaytothenationbydispensingwiththeChaplain。Andyetthatshort-sightedmanneededtheChaplainmorethananyothermember，perhaps，forhegenerallysatwithhisfeetonhisdesk，eatingrawturnips，duringthemorningprayer。
Thelegislaturesatsixtydays，andpassedprivatetollroadfranchisesallthetime。Whentheyadjourneditwasestimatedthateverycitizenownedaboutthreefranchises，anditwasbelievedthatunlessCongressgavetheTerritoryanotherdegreeoflongitudetherewouldnotberoomenoughtoaccommodatethetoll-roads。Theendsofthemwerehangingovertheboundarylineeverywherelikeafringe。
Thefactis，thefreightingbusinesshadgrowntosuchimportantproportionsthattherewasnearlyasmuchexcitementoversuddenlyacquiredtoll-roadfortunesasoverthewonderfulsilvermines。
CHAPTERXXVI。
ByandbyIwassmittenwiththesilverfever。“Prospectingparties“
wereleavingforthemountainseveryday，anddiscoveringandtakingpossessionofrichsilver-bearinglodesandledgesofquartz。Plainlythiswastheroadtofortune。Thegreat“GouldandCurry“minewasheldatthreeorfourhundreddollarsafootwhenwearrived；butintwomonthsithadsprunguptoeighthundred。The“Ophir“hadbeenworthonlyameretrifle，ayeargoneby，andnowitwassellingatnearlyfourthousanddollarsafoot！Notaminecouldbenamedthathadnotexperiencedanastonishingadvanceinvaluewithinashorttime。
Everybodywastalkingaboutthesemarvels。Gowhereyouwould，youheardnothingelse，frommorningtillfarintothenight。TomSo-and-Sohadsoldoutofthe"AmandaSmith“for$40，000——hadn"tacentwhenhe“tookup“theledgesixmonthsago。JohnJoneshadsoldhalfhisinterestinthe“BaldEagleandMaryAnn“for$65，000，goldcoin，andgonetotheStatesforhisfamily。ThewidowBrewsterhad“struckitrich“inthe“GoldenFleece“andsoldtenfeetfor$18，000——hadn"tmoneyenoughtobuyacrapebonnetwhenSing-SingTommykilledherhusbandatBaldyJohnson"swakelastspring。The“LastChance“hadfounda“claycasing“andknewtheywere“rightontheledge“——consequence，“feet“thatwentbeggingyesterdaywereworthabrickhouseapieceto-day，andseedyownerswhocouldnotgettrustedforadrinkatanybarinthecountryyesterdaywereroaringdrunkonchampagneto-dayandhadhostsofwarmpersonalfriendsinatownwheretheyhadforgottenhowtoboworshakehandsfromlong-continuedwantofpractice。JohnnyMorgan，acommonloafer，hadgonetosleepinthegutterandwakedupworthahundredthousanddollars，inconsequenceofthedecisioninthe“LadyFranklinandRoughandReady“lawsuit。Andsoon——dayinanddayoutthetalkpeltedourearsandtheexcitementwaxedhotterandhotteraroundus。
IwouldhavebeenmoreorlessthanhumanifIhadnotgonemadliketherest。Cart-loadsofsolidsilverbricks，aslargeaspigsoflead，werearrivingfromthemillseveryday，andsuchsightsasthatgavesubstancetothewildtalkaboutme。Isuccumbedandgrewasfrenziedasthecraziest。
Everyfewdaysnewswouldcomeofthediscoveryofabran-newminingregion；immediatelythepaperswouldteemwithaccountsofitsrichness，andawaythesurpluspopulationwouldscampertotakepossession。BythetimeIwasfairlyinoculatedwiththedisease，“Esmeralda“hadjusthadarunand“Humboldt“wasbeginningtoshriekforattention。“Humboldt！
Humboldt！“wasthenewcry，andstraightwayHumboldt，thenewestofthenew，therichestoftherich，themostmarvellousofthemarvellousdiscoveriesinsilver-landwasoccupyingtwocolumnsofthepublicprintsto“Esmeralda"s“one。IwasjustonthepointofstartingtoEsmeralda，butturnedwiththetideandgotreadyforHumboldt。Thatthereadermayseewhatmovedme，andwhatwouldassurelyhavemovedhimhadhebeenthere，Iinserthereoneofthenewspaperlettersoftheday。Itandseveralotherlettersfromthesamecalmhandwerethemainmeansofconvertingme。Ishallnotgarbletheextract，butputitinjustasitappearedintheDailyTerritorialEnterprise:
Butwhataboutourmines?Ishallbecandidwithyou。Ishallexpressanhonestopinion，baseduponathoroughexamination。
HumboldtcountyistherichestmineralregionuponGod"sfootstool。
Eachmountainrangeisgorgedwiththepreciousores。HumboldtisthetrueGolconda。
Theotherdayanassayofmerecroppingsyieldedexceedingfourthousanddollarstotheton。Aweekortwoagoanassayofjustsuchsurfacedevelopmentsmadereturnsofseventhousanddollarstotheton。Ourmountainsarefulloframblingprospectors。Eachdayandalmosteveryhourrevealsnewandmorestartlingevidencesoftheprofuseandintensifiedwealthofourfavoredcounty。Themetalisnotsilveralone。Therearedistinctledgesofauriferousore。
Alatediscoveryplainlyevincescinnabar。Thecoarsermetalsareingrossabundance。Latelyevidencesofbituminouscoalhavebeendetected。Mytheoryhaseverbeenthatcoalisaligneousformation。ItoldCol。Whitman，intimespast，thattheneighborhoodofDayton(Nevada)betrayednopresentorpreviousmanifestationsofaligneousfoundation，andthathenceIhadnoconfidenceinhislaudedcoalmines。IrepeatedthesamedoctrinetotheexultantcoaldiscoverersofHumboldt。ItalkedwithmyfriendCaptainBurchonthesubject。Mypyrhanismvanisheduponhisstatementthatintheveryregionreferredtohehadseenpetrifiedtreesofthelengthoftwohundredfeet。Thenisthefactestablishedthathugeforestsoncecasttheirgrimshadowsoverthisremotesection。Iamfirminthecoalfaith。
HavenofearsofthemineralresourcesofHumboldtcounty。Theyareimmense——incalculable。
Letmestateoneortwothingswhichwillhelpthereadertobettercomprehendcertainitemsintheabove。Atthistime，ournearneighbor，GoldHill，wasthemostsuccessfulsilvermininglocalityinNevada。Itwasfromtherethatmorethanhalfthedailyshipmentsofsilverbrickscame。“Veryrich“(andscarce)GoldHilloreyieldedfrom$100to$400
totheton；buttheusualyieldwasonly$20to$40perton——thatistosay，eachhundredpoundsoforeyieldedfromonedollartotwodollars。
Butthereaderwillperceivebytheaboveextract，thatinHumboldtfromonefourthtonearlyhalfthemasswassilver！Thatistosay，everyonehundredpoundsoftheorehadfromtwohundreddollarsuptoaboutthreehundredandfiftyinit。Somedayslaterthissamecorrespondentwrote:
Ihavespokenofthevastandalmostfabulouswealthofthisregion——itisincredible。Theintestinesofourmountainsaregorgedwithpreciousoretoplethora。Ihavesaidthatnaturehassoshapedourmountainsastofurnishmostexcellentfacilitiesfortheworkingofourmines。Ihavealsotoldyouthatthecountryabouthereispregnantwiththefinestmillsitesintheworld。ButwhatisthemininghistoryofHumboldt?
TheShebamineisinthehandsofenergeticSanFranciscocapitalists。Itwouldseemthattheoreiscombinedwithmetalsthatrenderitdifficultofreductionwithourimperfectmountainmachinery。Theproprietorshavecombinedthecapitalandlaborhintedatinmyexordium。Theyaretoilingandprobing。Theirtunnelhasreachedthelengthofonehundredfeet。Fromprimalassaysalone，coupledwiththedevelopmentofthemineandpublicconfidenceinthecontinuanceofeffort，thestockhadreareditselftoeighthundreddollarsmarketvalue。Idonotknowthatonetonoftheorehasbeenconvertedintocurrentmetal。IdoknowthattherearemanylodesinthissectionthatsurpasstheShebainprimalassayvalue。ListenamomenttothecalculationsoftheShebaoperators。TheypurposetransportingtheoreconcentratedtoEurope。TheconveyancefromStarCity(itslocality)toVirginiaCitywillcostseventydollarsperton；
fromVirginiatoSanFrancisco，fortydollarsperton；fromthencetoLiverpool，itsdestination，tendollarsperton。Theirideaisthatitsconglomeratemetalswillreimbursethemtheircostoforiginalextraction，thepriceoftransportation，andtheexpenseofreduction，andthatthenatonoftheraworewillnetthemtwelvehundreddollars。Theestimatemaybeextravagant。
Cutitintwain，andtheproductisenormous，fartranscendinganypreviousdevelopmentsofourracyTerritory。
Averycommoncalculationisthatmanyofourmineswillyieldfivehundreddollarstotheton。SuchfecunditythrowstheGould&Curry，theOphirandtheMexican，ofyourneighborhood，inthedarkestshadow。Ihavegivenyoutheestimateofthevalueofasingledevelopedmine。Itsrichnessisindexedbyitsmarketvaluation。ThepeopleofHumboldtcountyarefeetcrazy。AsI
write，ourtownsareneardeserted。Theylookaslanguidasaconsumptivegirl。Whathasbecomeofoursinewyandathleticfellow-citizens?Theyarecoursingthroughravinesandovermountaintops。Theirtracksarevisibleineverydirection。
Occasionallyahorsemanwilldashamongus。Hissteedbetrayshardusage。Healightsbeforehisadobedwelling，hastilyexchangescourtesieswithhistownsmen，hurriestoanassayofficeandfromthencetotheDistrictRecorder"s。Inthemorning，havingrenewedhisprovisionalsupplies，heisoffagainonhiswildandunbeatenroute。Why，thefellownumbersalreadyhisfeetbythethousands。Heisthehorse-leech。Hehasthecravingstomachofthesharkoranaconda。Hewouldconquermetallicworlds。
Thiswasenough。Theinstantwehadfinishedreadingtheabovearticle，fourofusdecidedtogotoHumboldt。Wecommencedgettingreadyatonce。Andwealsocommencedupbraidingourselvesfornotdecidingsooner——forwewereinterrorlestalltherichmineswouldbefoundandsecuredbeforewegotthere，andwemighthavetoputupwithledgesthatwouldnotyieldmorethantwoorthreehundreddollarsaton，maybe。Anhourbefore，IwouldhavefeltopulentifIhadownedtenfeetinaGoldHillminewhoseoreproducedtwenty-fivedollarstotheton；nowIwasalreadyannoyedattheprospectofhavingtoputupwithminesthepoorestofwhichwouldbeamarvelinGoldHill。
CHAPTERXXVII。
Hurry，wastheword！Wewastednotime。Ourpartyconsistedoffourpersons——ablacksmithsixtyyearsofage，twoyounglawyers，andmyself。
Weboughtawagonandtwomiserableoldhorses。WeputeighteenhundredpoundsofprovisionsandminingtoolsinthewagonanddroveoutofCarsononachillyDecemberafternoon。Thehorsesweresoweakandoldthatwesoonfoundthatitwouldbebetterifoneortwoofusgotoutandwalked。Itwasanimprovement。Next，wefoundthatitwouldbebetterifathirdmangotout。Thatwasanimprovementalso。ItwasatthistimethatIvolunteeredtodrive，althoughIhadneverdrivenaharnessedhorsebeforeandmanyamaninsuchapositionwouldhavefeltfairlyexcusedfromsucharesponsibility。Butinalittlewhileitwasfoundthatitwouldbeafinethingifthedrivegotoutandwalkedalso。
ItwasatthistimethatIresignedthepositionofdriver，andneverresumeditagain。Withinthehour，wefoundthatitwouldnotonlybebetter，butwasabsolutelynecessary，thatwefour，takingturns，twoatatime，shouldputourhandsagainsttheendofthewagonandpushitthroughthesand，leavingthefeeblehorseslittletodobutkeepoutofthewayandholdupthetongue。Perhapsitiswellforonetoknowhisfateatfirst，andgetreconciledtoit。Wehadlearnedoursinoneafternoon。Itwasplainthatwehadtowalkthroughthesandandshovethatwagonandthosehorsestwohundredmiles。Soweacceptedthesituation，andfromthattimeforthweneverrode。Morethanthat，westoodregularandnearlyconstantwatchespushingupbehind。
Wemadesevenmiles，andcampedinthedesert。YoungClagett(nowmemberofCongressfromMontana)unharnessedandfedandwateredthehorses；
OliphantandIcutsagebrush，builtthefireandbroughtwatertocookwith；andoldMr。Balloutheblacksmithdidthecooking。Thisdivisionoflabor，andthisappointment，wasadheredtothroughoutthejourney。
Wehadnotent，andsowesleptunderourblanketsintheopenplain。Weweresotiredthatwesleptsoundly。
Wewerefifteendaysmakingthetrip——twohundredmiles；thirteen，rather，forwelaybyacoupleofdays，inoneplace，toletthehorsesrest。
Wecouldreallyhaveaccomplishedthejourneyintendaysifwehadtowedthehorsesbehindthewagon，butwedidnotthinkofthatuntilitwastoolate，andsowentonshovingthehorsesandthewagontoowhenwemighthavesavedhalfthelabor。Partieswhometus，occasionally，advisedustoputthehorsesinthewagon，butMr。Ballou，throughwhoseiron-cladearnestnessnosarcasmcouldpierce，saidthatthatwouldnotdo，becausetheprovisionswereexposedandwouldsuffer，thehorsesbeing“bituminousfromlongdeprivation。”Thereaderwillexcusemefromtranslating。WhatMr。Balloucustomarilymeant，whenheusedalongword，wasasecretbetweenhimselfandhisMaker。Hewasoneofthebestandkindestheartedmenthatevergracedahumblesphereoflife。Hewasgentlenessandsimplicityitself——andunselfishness，too。Althoughhewasmorethantwiceasoldastheeldestofus，henevergavehimselfanyairs，privileges，orexemptionsonthataccount。Hedidayoungman"sshareofthework；anddidhisshareofconversingandentertainingfromthegeneralstand-pointofanyage——notfromthearrogant，overawingsummit-heightofsixtyyears。HisonestrikingpeculiaritywashisPartingtonianfashionoflovingandusingbigwordsfortheirownsakes，andindependentofanybearingtheymighthaveuponthethoughthewaspurposingtoconvey。Healwayslethisponderoussyllablesfallwithaneasyunconsciousnessthatleftthemwhollywithoutoffensiveness。
Intruthhisairwassonaturalandsosimplethatonewasalwayscatchinghimselfacceptinghisstatelysentencesasmeaningsomething，whentheyreallymeantnothingintheworld。Ifawordwaslongandgrandandresonant，thatwassufficienttowintheoldman"slove，andhewoulddropthatwordintothemostout-of-the-wayplaceinasentenceorasubject，andbeaspleasedwithitasifitwereperfectlyluminouswithmeaning。
Wefouralwaysspreadourcommonstockofblanketstogetheronthefrozenground，andsleptsidebyside；andfindingthatourfoolish，long-leggedhoundpuphadadealofanimalheatinhim，Oliphantgottoadmittinghimtothebed，betweenhimselfandMr。Ballou，huggingthedog"swarmbacktohisbreastandfindinggreatcomfortinit。Butinthenightthepupwouldgetstretchyandbracehisfeetagainsttheoldman"sbackandshove，gruntingcomplacentlythewhile；andnowandthen，beingwarmandsnug，gratefulandhappy，hewouldpawtheoldman"sbacksimplyinexcessofcomfort；andatyetothertimeshewoulddreamofthechaseandinhissleeptugattheoldman"sbackhairandbarkinhisear。Theoldgentlemancomplainedmildlyaboutthesefamiliarities，atlast，andwhenhegotthroughwithhisstatementhesaidthatsuchadogasthatwasnotaproperanimaltoadmittobedwithtiredmen，becausehewas“someretriciousinhismovementsandsoorganicinhisemotions。”Weturnedthedogout。
Itwasahard，wearing，toilsomejourney，butithaditsbrightside；foraftereachdaywasdoneandourwolfishhungerappeasedwithahotsupperoffriedbacon，bread，molassesandblackcoffee，thepipe-smoking，song-
singingandyarn-spinningaroundtheeveningcamp-fireinthestillsolitudesofthedesertwasahappy，care-freesortofrecreationthatseemedtheverysummitandculminationofearthlyluxury。
Itisakindoflifethathasapotentcharmforallmen，whethercityorcountry-bred。Wearedescendedfromdesert-loungingArabs，andcountlessagesofgrowthtowardperfectcivilizationhavefailedtorootoutofusthenomadicinstinct。Weallconfesstoagratifiedthrillatthethoughtof“campingout。”
Oncewemadetwenty-fivemilesinaday，andoncewemadefortymiles(throughtheGreatAmericanDesert)，andtenmilesbeyond——fiftyinall——
intwenty-threehours，withouthaltingtoeat，drinkorrest。Tostretchoutandgotosleep，evenonstonyandfrozenground，afterpushingawagonandtwohorsesfiftymiles，isadelightsosupremethatforthemomentitalmostseemscheapattheprice。
Wecampedtwodaysintheneighborhoodofthe“SinkoftheHumboldt。”
WetriedtousethestrongalkalinewateroftheSink，butitwouldnotanswer。Itwaslikedrinkinglye，andnotweaklye，either。Itleftatasteinthemouth，bitterandeverywayexecrable，andaburninginthestomachthatwasveryuncomfortable。Weputmolassesinit，butthathelpeditverylittle；weaddedapickle，yetthealkaliwastheprominenttasteandsoitwasunfitfordrinking。
Thecoffeewemadeofthiswaterwasthemeanestcompoundmanhasyetinvented。Itwasreallyvilertothetastethantheunamelioratedwateritself。Mr。Ballou，beingthearchitectandbuilderofthebeveragefeltconstrainedtoendorseandupholdit，andsodrankhalfacup，bylittlesips，makingshifttopraiseitfaintlythewhile，butfinallythrewouttheremainder，andsaidfranklyitwas“tootechnicalforhim。”
Butpresentlywefoundaspringoffreshwater，convenient，andthen，withnothingtomarourenjoyment，andnostragglerstointerruptit，weenteredintoourrest。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
AfterleavingtheSink，wetraveledalongtheHumboldtriveralittleway。Peopleaccustomedtothemonstermile-wideMississippi，growaccustomedtoassociatingtheterm“river“withahighdegreeofwaterygrandeur。Consequently，suchpeoplefeelratherdisappointedwhentheystandontheshoresoftheHumboldtortheCarsonandfindthata“river“
inNevadaisasicklyrivuletwhichisjustthecounterpartoftheEriecanalinallrespectssavethatthecanalistwiceaslongandfourtimesasdeep。OneofthepleasantestandmostinvigoratingexercisesonecancontriveistorunandjumpacrosstheHumboldtrivertillheisoverheated，andthendrinkitdry。
OnthefifteenthdaywecompletedourmarchoftwohundredmilesandenteredUnionville，Humboldtcounty，inthemidstofadrivingsnow-
storm。Unionvilleconsistedofelevencabinsandaliberty-pole。Sixofthecabinswerestrungalongonesideofadeepcanyon，andtheotherfivefacedthem。Therestofthelandscapewasmadeupofbleakmountainwallsthatrosesohighintotheskyfrombothsidesofthecanyonthatthevillagewasleft，asitwere，fardowninthebottomofacrevice。
ItwasalwaysdaylightonthemountaintopsalongtimebeforethedarknessliftedandrevealedUnionville。
Webuiltasmall，rudecabininthesideofthecreviceandroofeditwithcanvas，leavingacorneropentoserveasachimney，throughwhichthecattleusedtotumbleoccasionally，atnight，andmashourfurnitureandinterruptoursleep。Itwasverycoldweatherandfuelwasscarce。
Indiansbroughtbrushandbushesseveralmilesontheirbacks；andwhenwecouldcatchaladenIndianitwaswell——andwhenwecouldnot(whichwastherule，nottheexception)，weshiveredandboreit。
Iconfess，withoutshame，thatIexpectedtofindmassesofsilverlyingallabouttheground。Iexpectedtoseeitglitteringinthesunonthemountainsummits。Isaidnothingaboutthis，forsomeinstincttoldmethatImightpossiblyhaveanexaggeratedideaaboutit，andsoifI
betrayedmythoughtImightbringderisionuponmyself。YetIwasasperfectlysatisfiedinmyownmindasIcouldbeofanything，thatIwasgoingtogatherup，inadayortwo，oratfurthestaweekortwo，silverenoughtomakemesatisfactorilywealthy——andsomyfancywasalreadybusywithplansforspendingthismoney。Thefirstopportunitythatoffered，Isaunteredcarelesslyawayfromthecabin，keepinganeyeontheotherboys，andstoppingandcontemplatingtheskywhentheyseemedtobeobservingme；butassoonasthecoastwasmanifestlyclear，IfledawayasguiltilyasathiefmighthavedoneandneverhaltedtillIwasfarbeyondsightandcall。ThenIbeganmysearchwithafeverishexcitementthatwasbrimfulofexpectation——almostofcertainty。
Icrawledabouttheground，seizingandexaminingbitsofstone，blowingthedustfromthemorrubbingthemonmyclothes，andthenpeeringatthemwithanxioushope。PresentlyIfoundabrightfragmentandmyheartbounded！Ihidbehindaboulderandpolisheditandscrutinizeditwithanervouseagernessandadelightthatwasmorepronouncedthanabsolutecertaintyitselfcouldhaveafforded。ThemoreIexaminedthefragmentthemoreIwasconvincedthatIhadfoundthedoortofortune。Imarkedthespotandcarriedawaymyspecimen。UpanddowntheruggedmountainsideIsearched，withalwaysincreasinginterestandalwaysaugmentinggratitudethatIhadcometoHumboldtandcomeintime。Ofalltheexperiencesofmylife，thissecretsearchamongthehiddentreasuresofsilver-landwasthenearesttounmarredecstasy。Itwasadeliriousrevel。
Byandby，inthebedofashallowrivulet，Ifoundadepositofshiningyellowscales，andmybreathalmostforsookme！Agoldmine，andinmysimplicityIhadbeencontentwithvulgarsilver！IwassoexcitedthatIhalfbelievedmyoverwroughtimaginationwasdeceivingme。Thenafearcameuponmethatpeoplemightbeobservingmeandwouldguessmysecret。
Movedbythisthought，Imadeacircuitoftheplace，andascendedaknolltoreconnoiter。Solitude。Nocreaturewasnear。ThenIreturnedtomymine，fortifyingmyselfagainstpossibledisappointment，butmyfearsweregroundless——theshiningscaleswerestillthere。Isetaboutscoopingthemout，andforanhourItoileddownthewindingsofthestreamandrobbeditsbed。Butatlastthedescendingsunwarnedmetogiveupthequest，andIturnedhomewardladenwithwealth。AsIwalkedalongIcouldnothelpsmilingatthethoughtofmybeingsoexcitedovermyfragmentofsilverwhenanoblermetalwasalmostundermynose。InthislittletimetheformerhadsofalleninmyestimationthatonceortwiceIwasonthepointofthrowingitaway。
Theboyswereashungryasusual，butIcouldeatnothing。NeithercouldItalk。Iwasfullofdreamsandfaraway。Theirconversationinterruptedtheflowofmyfancysomewhat，andannoyedmealittle，too。
Idespisedthesordidandcommonplacethingstheytalkedabout。Butastheyproceeded，itbegantoamuseme。Itgrewtoberarefuntohearthemplanningtheirpoorlittleeconomiesandsighingoverpossibleprivationsanddistresseswhenagoldmine，allourown，laywithinsightofthecabinandIcouldpointitoutatanymoment。Smotheredhilaritybegantooppressme，presently。Itwashardtoresisttheimpulsetoburstoutwithexultationandrevealeverything；butIdidresist。I
saidwithinmyselfthatIwouldfilterthegreatnewsthroughmylipscalmlyandbesereneasasummermorningwhileIwatcheditseffectintheirfaces。Isaid:
“Wherehaveyouallbeen?“
“Prospecting。”
“Whatdidyoufind?“
“Nothing。”
“Nothing?Whatdoyouthinkofthecountry?“
“Can"ttell，yet，“saidMr。Ballou，whowasanoldgoldminer，andhadlikewisehadconsiderableexperienceamongthesilvermines。
“Well，haven"tyouformedanysortofopinion?“
“Yes，asortofaone。It"sfairenoughhere，maybe，butoverrated。
Seventhousanddollarledgesarescarce，though。
ThatShebamayberichenough，butwedon"townit；andbesides，therockissofullofbasemetalsthatallthescienceintheworldcan"tworkit。We"llnotstarve，here，butwe"llnotgetrich，I"mafraid。”
“Soyouthinktheprospectisprettypoor?“
“Nonameforit！“
“Well，we"dbettergoback，hadn"twe?“
“Oh，notyet——ofcoursenot。We"lltryitariffle，first。”
“Suppose，now——thisismerelyasupposition，youknow——supposeyoucouldfindaledgethatwouldyield，say，ahundredandfiftydollarsaton——
wouldthatsatisfyyou?“
“Tryusonce！“fromthewholeparty。
“Orsuppose——merelyasupposition，ofcourse——supposeyouweretofindaledgethatwouldyieldtwothousanddollarsaton——wouldthatsatisfyyou?“
“Here——whatdoyoumean?Whatareyoucomingat?Istheresomemysterybehindallthis?“
“Nevermind。Iamnotsayinganything。Youknowperfectlywelltherearenorichmineshere——ofcourseyoudo。Becauseyouhavebeenaroundandexaminedforyourselves。Anybodywouldknowthat，thathadbeenaround。Butjustforthesakeofargument，suppose——inakindofgeneralway——supposesomepersonweretotellyouthattwo-thousand-dollarledgesweresimplycontemptible——contemptible，understand——andthatrightyonderinsightofthisverycabintherewerepilesofpuregoldandpuresilver——oceansofit——enoughtomakeyouallrichintwenty-fourhours！
Come！“
“Ishouldsayhewasascrazyasaloon！“saidoldBallou，butwildwithexcitement，nevertheless。
“Gentlemen，“saidI，“Idon"tsayanything——Ihaven"tbeenaround，youknow，andofcoursedon"tknowanything——butallIaskofyouistocastyoureyeonthat，forinstance，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit！“andI
tossedmytreasurebeforethem。
Therewasaneagerscrambleforit，andaclosingofheadstogetheroveritunderthecandle-light。ThenoldBallousaid:
“Thinkofit?Ithinkitisnothingbutalotofgraniterubbishandnastyglitteringmicathatisn"tworthtencentsanacre！“
Sovanishedmydream。Someltedmywealthaway。Sotoppledmyairycastletotheearthandleftmestrickenandforlorn。
Moralizing，Iobserved，then，that“allthatglittersisnotgold。”
Mr。BallousaidIcouldgofurtherthanthat，andlayitupamongmytreasuresofknowledge，thatnothingthatglittersisgold。SoIlearnedthen，onceforall，thatgoldinitsnativestateisbutdull，unornamentalstuff，andthatonlylow-bornmetalsexcitetheadmirationoftheignorantwithanostentatiousglitter。However，liketherestoftheworld，Istillgoonunderratingmenofgoldandglorifyingmenofmica。Commonplacehumannaturecannotriseabovethat。
CHAPTERXXIX。
Trueknowledgeofthenatureofsilverminingcamefastenough。Wewentout“prospecting“withMr。Ballou。Weclimbedthemountainsides，andclamberedamongsage-brush，rocksandsnowtillwewerereadytodropwithexhaustion，butfoundnosilver——noryetanygold。Dayafterdaywedidthis。Nowandthenwecameuponholesburrowedafewfeetintothedeclivitiesandapparentlyabandoned；andnowandthenwefoundoneortwolistlessmenstillburrowing。Buttherewasnoappearanceofsilver。
Theseholeswerethebeginningsoftunnels，andthepurposewastodrivethemhundredsoffeetintothemountain，andsomedaytapthehiddenledgewherethesilverwas。Someday！Itseemedfarenoughaway，andveryhopelessanddreary。Dayafterdaywetoiled，andclimbedandsearched，andweyoungerpartnersgrewsickerandstillsickerofthepromiselesstoil。Atlastwehaltedunderabeetlingrampartofrockwhichprojectedfromtheearthhighuponthemountain。Mr。Balloubrokeoffsomefragmentswithahammer，andexaminedthemlongandattentivelywithasmalleye-glass；threwthemawayandbrokeoffmore；saidthisrockwasquartz，andquartzwasthesortofrockthatcontainedsilver。
Containedit！Ihadthoughtthatatleastitwouldbecakedontheoutsideofitlikeakindofveneering。Hestillbrokeoffpiecesandcriticallyexaminedthem，nowandthenwettingthepiecewithhistongueandapplyingtheglass。Atlastheexclaimed:
“We"vegotit！“
Wewerefullofanxietyinamoment。Therockwascleanandwhite，whereitwasbroken，andacrossitranaraggedthreadofblue。Hesaidthatthatlittlethreadhadsilverinit，mixedwithbasemetal，suchasleadandantimony，andotherrubbish，andthattherewasaspeckortwoofgoldvisible。Afteragreatdealofeffortwemanagedtodiscernsomelittlefineyellowspecks，andjudgedthatacoupleoftonsofthemmassedtogethermightmakeagolddollar，possibly。Wewerenotjubilant，butMr。Ballousaidtherewereworseledgesintheworldthanthat。Hesavedwhathecalledthe“richest“pieceoftherock，inordertodetermineitsvaluebytheprocesscalledthe“fire-assay。”Thenwenamedthemine“MonarchoftheMountains“(modestyofnomenclatureisnotaprominentfeatureinthemines)，andMr。Ballouwroteoutandstuckupthefollowing“notice，“preservingacopytobeentereduponthebooksintheminingrecorder"sofficeinthetown。
“NOTICE。”
“Wetheundersignedclaimthreeclaims，ofthreehundredfeeteach(andonefordiscovery)，onthissilver-bearingquartzleadorlode，extendingnorthandsouthfromthisnotice，withallitsdips，spurs，andangles，variationsandsinuosities，togetherwithfiftyfeetofgroundoneithersideforworkingthesame。”
Weputournamestoitandtriedtofeelthatourfortunesweremade。
ButwhenwetalkedthematteralloverwithMr。Ballou，wefeltdepressedanddubious。Hesaidthatthissurfacequartzwasnotalltherewasofourmine；butthatthewallorledgeofrockcalledthe“MonarchoftheMountains，“extendeddownhundredsandhundredsoffeetintotheearth——
heillustratedbysayingitwaslikeacurb-stone，andmaintainedanearlyuniformthickness-saytwentyfeet——awaydownintothebowelsoftheearth，andwasperfectlydistinctfromthecasingrockoneachsideofit；andthatitkepttoitself，andmaintaineditsdistinctivecharacteralways，nomatterhowdeepitextendedintotheearthorhowfaritstretcheditselfthroughandacrossthehillsandvalleys。Hesaiditmightbeamiledeepandtenmileslong，forallweknew；andthatwhereverweboredintoitabovegroundorbelow，wewouldfindgoldandsilverinit，butnogoldorsilverinthemeanerrockitwascasedbetween。Andhesaidthatdowninthegreatdepthsoftheledgewasitsrichness，andthedeeperitwentthericheritgrew。Therefore，insteadofworkinghereonthesurface，wemusteitherboredownintotherockwithashafttillwecametowhereitwasrich——sayahundredfeetorso——orelsewemustgodownintothevalleyandborealongtunnelintothemountainsideandtaptheledgefarundertheearth。Todoeitherwasplainlythelaborofmonths；forwecouldblastandboreonlyafewfeetaday——somefiveorsix。Butthiswasnotall。Hesaidthatafterwegottheoreoutitmustbehauledinwagonstoadistantsilver-mill，groundup，andthesilverextractedbyatediousandcostlyprocess。Ourfortuneseemedacenturyaway！
Butwewenttowork。Wedecidedtosinkashaft。So，foraweekweclimbedthemountain，ladenwithpicks，drills，gads，crowbars，shovels，cansofblastingpowderandcoilsoffuseandstrovewithmightandmain。
Atfirsttherockwasbrokenandlooseandwedugitupwithpicksandthrewitoutwithshovels，andtheholeprogressedverywell。Buttherockbecamemorecompact，presently，andgadsandcrowbarscameintoplay。Butshortlynothingcouldmakeanimpressionbutblastingpowder。
Thatwastheweariestwork！Oneofusheldtheirondrillinitsplaceandanotherwouldstrikewithaneight-poundsledge——itwaslikedrivingnailsonalargescale。Inthecourseofanhourortwothedrillwouldreachadepthoftwoorthreefeet，makingaholeacoupleofinchesindiameter。Wewouldputinachargeofpowder，inserthalfayardoffuse，pourinsandandgravelandramitdown，thenlightthefuseandrun。Whentheexplosioncameandtherocksandsmokeshotintotheair，wewouldgobackandfindaboutabushelofthathard，rebelliousquartzjoltedout。Nothingmore。Oneweekofthissatisfiedme。Iresigned。
ClaggetandOliphantfollowed。Ourshaftwasonlytwelvefeetdeep。Wedecidedthatatunnelwasthethingwewanted。
Sowewentdownthemountainsideandworkedaweek；attheendofwhichtimewehadblastedatunnelaboutdeepenoughtohideahogsheadin，andjudgedthataboutninehundredfeetmoreofitwouldreachtheledge。
Iresignedagain，andtheotherboysonlyheldoutonedaylonger。
Wedecidedthatatunnelwasnotwhatwewanted。Wewantedaledgethatwasalready“developed。”Therewerenoneinthecamp。
Wedroppedthe“Monarch“forthetimebeing。
Meantimethecampwasfillingupwithpeople，andtherewasaconstantlygrowingexcitementaboutourHumboldtmines。Wefellvictimstotheepidemicandstrainedeverynervetoacquiremore“feet。”Weprospectedandtookupnewclaims，put“notices“onthemandgavethemgrandiloquentnames。Wetradedsomeofour“feet“for“feet“inotherpeople"sclaims。
Inalittlewhileweownedlargelyinthe“GrayEagle，“the“Columbiana，“
the“BranchMint，“the“MariaJane，“the“Universe，“the“Root-Hog-or-
Die，“the“SamsonandDelilah，“the“TreasureTrove，“the“Golconda，“the“Sultana，“the“Boomerang，“the“GreatRepublic，“the“GrandMogul，“andfiftyother“mines“thathadneverbeenmolestedbyashovelorscratchedwithapick。Wehadnotlessthanthirtythousand“feet“apieceinthe“richestminesonearth“asthefrenziedcantphrasedit——andwereindebttothebutcher。Wewerestarkmadwithexcitement——drunkwithhappiness——smotheredundermountainsofprospectivewealth——arrogantlycompassionatetowardtheploddingmillionswhoknewnotourmarvellouscanyon——butourcreditwasnotgoodatthegrocer"s。
Itwasthestrangestphaseoflifeonecanimagine。Itwasabeggars"
revel。Therewasnothingdoinginthedistrict——nomining——nomilling——
noproductiveeffort——noincome——andnotenoughmoneyintheentirecamptobuyacornerlotinaneasternvillage，hardly；andyetastrangerwouldhavesupposedhewaswalkingamongbloatedmillionaires。
Prospectingpartiesswarmedoutoftownwiththefirstflushofdawn，andswarmedinagainatnightfallladenwithspoil——rocks。Nothingbutrocks。Everyman"spocketswerefullofthem；thefloorofhiscabinwaslitteredwiththem；theyweredisposedinlabeledrowsonhisshelves。
CHAPTERXXX。
Imetmenateveryturnwhoownedfromonethousandtothirtythousand“feet“inundevelopedsilvermines，everysinglefootofwhichtheybelievedwouldshortlybeworthfromfiftytoathousanddollars——andasoftenasanyotherwaytheyweremenwhohadnottwenty-fivedollarsintheworld。Everymanyoumethadhisnewminetoboastof，andhis“specimens“ready；andiftheopportunityoffered，hewouldinfalliblybackyouintoacornerandofferasafavortoyou，nottohim，topartwithjustafewfeetinthe“GoldenAge，“orthe“SarahJane，“orsomeotherunknownstackofcroppings，formoneyenoughtogeta“squaremeal“
with，asthephrasewent。Andyouwerenevertorevealthathehadmadeyoutheofferatsucharuinousprice，foritwasonlyoutoffriendshipforyouthathewaswillingtomakethesacrifice。Thenhewouldfishapieceofrockoutofhispocket，andafterlookingmysteriouslyaroundasifhefearedhemightbewaylaidandrobbedifcaughtwithsuchwealthinhispossession，hewoulddabtherockagainsthistongue，clapaneyeglasstoit，andexclaim:
“Lookatthat！Rightthereinthatreddirt！Seeit?Seethespecksofgold?Andthestreakofsilver?That"sfromtheUncleAbe。There"sahundredthousandtonslikethatinsight！Rightinsight，mindyou！
Andwhenwegetdownonitandtheledgecomesinsolid，itwillbetherichestthingintheworld！Lookattheassay！Idon"twantyoutobelieveme——lookattheassay！“
Thenhewouldgetoutagreasysheetofpaperwhichshowedthattheportionofrockassayedhadgivenevidenceofcontainingsilverandgoldintheproportionofsomanyhundredsorthousandsofdollarstotheton。
Ilittleknew，then，thatthecustomwastohuntouttherichestpieceofrockandgetitassayed！Veryoften，thatpiece，thesizeofafilbert，wastheonlyfragmentinatonthathadaparticleofmetalinit——andyettheassaymadeitpretendtorepresenttheaveragevalueofthetonofrubbishitcamefrom！
Onsuchasystemofassayingasthat，theHumboldtworldhadgonecrazy。
Ontheauthorityofsuchassaysitsnewspapercorrespondentswerefrothingaboutrockworthfourandseventhousanddollarsaton！
Anddoesthereaderremember，afewpagesback，thecalculations，ofaquotedcorrespondent，wherebytheoreistobeminedandshippedallthewaytoEngland，themetalsextracted，andthegoldandsilvercontentsreceivedbackbytheminersasclearprofit，thecopper，antimonyandotherthingsintheorebeingsufficienttopayalltheexpensesincurred?Everybody"sheadwasfullofsuch“calculations“asthose——
suchravinginsanity，rather。Fewpeopletookworkintotheircalculations——oroutlayofmoneyeither；excepttheworkandexpendituresofotherpeople。
Wenevertouchedourtunnelorourshaftagain。Why?Becausewejudgedthatwehadlearnedtherealsecretofsuccessinsilvermining——whichwas，nottominethesilverourselvesbythesweatofourbrowsandthelaborofourhands，buttoselltheledgestothedullslavesoftoilandletthemdothemining！
BeforeleavingCarson，theSecretaryandIhadpurchased“feet“fromvariousEsmeraldastragglers。Wehadexpectedimmediatereturnsofbullion，butwereonlyafflictedwithregularandconstant“assessments“
instead——demandsformoneywherewithtodevelopthesaidmines。Theseassessmentshadgrownsooppressivethatitseemednecessarytolookintothematterpersonally。ThereforeIprojectedapilgrimagetoCarsonandthencetoEsmeralda。Iboughtahorseandstarted，incompanywithMr。BallouandagentlemannamedOllendorff，aPrussian——notthepartywhohasinflictedsomuchsufferingontheworldwithhiswretchedforeigngrammars，withtheirinterminablerepetitionsofquestionswhichneverhaveoccurredandareneverlikelytooccurinanyconversationamonghumanbeings。Werodethroughasnow-stormfortwoorthreedays，andarrivedat“HoneyLakeSmith"s，“asortofisolatedinnontheCarsonriver。Itwasatwo-storyloghousesituatedonasmallknollinthemidstofthevastbasinordesertthroughwhichthesicklyCarsonwindsitsmelancholyway。ClosetothehouseweretheOverlandstagestables，builtofsun-driedbricks。Therewasnotanotherbuildingwithinseveralleaguesoftheplace。Towardssunsetabouttwentyhay-wagonsarrivedandcampedaroundthehouseandalltheteamsterscameintosupper——avery，veryroughset。TherewereoneortwoOverlandstagedriversthere，also，andhalfadozenvagabondsandstragglers；consequentlythehousewaswellcrowded。
Wewalkedout，aftersupper，andvisitedasmallIndiancampinthevicinity。TheIndianswereinagreathurryaboutsomething，andwerepackingupandgettingawayasfastastheycould。IntheirbrokenEnglishtheysaid，“By"m-by，heapwater！“andbythehelpofsignsmadeusunderstandthatintheiropinionafloodwascoming。Theweatherwasperfectlyclear，andthiswasnottherainyseason。Therewasaboutafootofwaterintheinsignificantriver——ormaybetwofeet；thestreamwasnotwiderthanabackalleyinavillage，anditsbankswerescarcelyhigherthanaman"shead。
So，wherewasthefloodtocomefrom?Wecanvassedthesubjectawhileandthenconcludeditwasaruse，andthattheIndianshadsomebetterreasonforleavinginahurrythanfearsofafloodinsuchanexceedinglydrytime。
Atsevenintheeveningwewenttobedinthesecondstory——withourclotheson，asusual，andallthreeinthesamebed，foreveryavailablespaceonthefloors，chairs，etc。，wasinrequest，andeventhentherewasbarelyroomforthehousingoftheinn"sguests。Anhourlaterwewereawakenedbyagreatturmoil，andspringingoutofbedwepickedourwaynimblyamongtheranksofsnoringteamstersonthefloorandgottothefrontwindowsofthelongroom。Aglancerevealedastrangespectacle，underthemoonlight。ThecrookedCarsonwasfulltothebrim，anditswaterswereragingandfoaminginthewildestway——sweepingaroundthesharpbendsatafuriousspeed，andbearingontheirsurfaceachaosoflogs，brushandallsortsofrubbish。Adepression，whereitsbedhadoncebeen，inothertimes，wasalreadyfilling，andinoneortwoplacesthewaterwasbeginningtowashoverthemainbank。Menwereflyinghitherandthither，bringingcattleandwagonscloseuptothehouse，forthespotofhighgroundonwhichitstoodextendedonlysomethirtyfeetinfrontandaboutahundredintherear。Closetotheoldriverbedjustspokenof，stoodalittlelogstable，andinthisourhorseswerelodged。
Whilewelooked，thewatersincreasedsofastinthisplacethatinafewminutesatorrentwasroaringbythelittlestableanditsmarginencroachingsteadilyonthelogs。Wesuddenlyrealizedthatthisfloodwasnotamereholidayspectacle，butmeantdamage——andnotonlytothesmalllogstablebuttotheOverlandbuildingsclosetothemainriver，forthewaveshadnowcomeashoreandwerecreepingaboutthefoundationsandinvadingthegreathay-corraladjoining。Werandownandjoinedthecrowdofexcitedmenandfrightenedanimals。Wewadedknee-deepintothelogstable，unfastenedthehorsesandwadedoutalmostwaist-deep，sofastthewatersincreased。Thenthecrowdrushedinabodytothehay-
corralandbegantotumbledownthehugestacksofbaledhayandrollthebalesuponthehighgroundbythehouse。MeantimeitwasdiscoveredthatOwens，anoverlanddriver，wasmissing，andamanrantothelargestable，andwadingin，boot-topdeep，discoveredhimasleepinhisbed，awokehim，andwadedoutagain。ButOwenswasdrowsyandresumedhisnap；butonlyforaminuteortwo，forpresentlyheturnedinhisbed，hishanddroppedoverthesideandcameincontactwiththecoldwater！
Itwasuplevelwiththemattress！Hewadedout，breast-deep，almost，andthenextmomentthesun-burnedbricksmelteddownlikesugarandthebigbuildingcrumbledtoaruinandwaswashedawayinatwinkling。
Ateleveno"clockonlytheroofofthelittlelogstablewasoutofwater，andourinnwasonanislandinmid-ocean。Asfarastheeyecouldreach，inthemoonlight，therewasnodesertvisible，butonlyalevelwasteofshiningwater。TheIndiansweretrueprophets，buthowdidtheygettheirinformation?Iamnotabletoanswerthequestion。
Weremainedcoopedupeightdaysandnightswiththatcuriouscrew。
Swearing，drinkingandcardplayingweretheorderoftheday，andoccasionallyafightwasthrowninforvariety。Dirtandvermin——butletusforgetthosefeatures；theirprofusionissimplyinconceivable——itisbetterthattheyremainso。
Thereweretwomen——however，thischapterislongenough。
CHAPTERXXXI。
Thereweretwomeninthecompanywhocausedmeparticulardiscomfort。
OnewasalittleSwede，abouttwenty-fiveyearsold，whoknewonlyonesong，andhewasforeversingingit。Bydaywewereallcrowdedintoonesmall，stiflingbar-room，andsotherewasnoescapingthisperson"smusic。Throughalltheprofanity，whisky-guzzling，“oldsledge“andquarreling，hismonotonoussongmeanderedwithneveravariationinitstiresomesameness，anditseemedtome，atlast，thatIwouldbecontenttodie，inordertoberidofthetorture。Theothermanwasastalwartruffiancalled“Arkansas，“whocarriedtworevolversinhisbeltandabowieknifeprojectingfromhisboot，andwhowasalwaysdrunkandalwayssufferingforafight。Buthewassofeared，thatnobodywouldaccommodatehim。Hewouldtryallmanneroflittlewaryrusestoentrapsomebodyintoanoffensiveremark，andhisfacewouldlightupnowandthenwhenhefanciedhewasfairlyonthescentofafight，butinvariablyhisvictimwouldeludehistoilsandthenhewouldshowadisappointmentthatwasalmostpathetic。Thelandlord，Johnson，wasameek，well-meaningfellow，andArkansasfastenedonhimearly，asapromisingsubject，andgavehimnorestdayornight，forawhile。Onthefourthmorning，Arkansasgotdrunkandsathimselfdowntowaitforanopportunity。PresentlyJohnsoncamein，justcomfortablysociablewithwhisky，andsaid:
“IreckonthePennsylvania"lection——“
ArkansasraisedhisfingerimpressivelyandJohnsonstopped。Arkansasroseunsteadilyandconfrontedhim。Saidhe:
“Wha-whatdoyouknowa——aboutPennsylvania?Answermethat。Wha——whatdoyouknow"boutPennsylvania?“
“Iwasonlygoin"tosay——“
“Youwasonlygoin"tosay。Youwas！Youwasonlygoin"tosay——whatwasyougoin"tosay?That"sit！That"swhatIwanttoknow。Iwanttoknowwha——whatyou("ic)whatyouknowaboutPennsylvania，sinceyou"remakin"yourselfsod——dfree。Answermethat！“
“Mr。Arkansas，ifyou"donlyletme——“
“Who"sahenderin"you?Don"tyouinsinuatenothingaginme！——don"tyoudoit。Don"tyoucomeinherebullyin"around，andcussin"andgoin"onlikealunatic——don"tyoudoit。"CozIwon"tstandit。Iffight"swhatyouwant，outwithit！I"myourman！Outwithit！“
SaidJohnson，backingintoacorner，Arkansasfollowing，menacingly:
“Why，Ineversaidnothing，Mr。Arkansas。Youdon"tgiveamannochance。Iwasonlygoin"tosaythatPennsylvaniawasgoin"tohaveanelectionnextweek——thatwasall——thatwaseverythingIwasgoin"tosay——IwishImayneverstirifitwasn"t。”
“Wellthenwhyd"n"tyousayit?Whatdidyoucomeswellin"aroundthatwayfor，andtryin"toraisetrouble?“
“WhyIdidn"tcomeswellin"around，Mr。Arkansas——Ijust——“
“I"maliaramI！Ger-reatCaesar"sghost——“
“Oh，please，Mr。Arkansas，Inevermeantsuchathingasthat，IwishI
maydieifIdid。AlltheboyswilltellyouthatI"vealwaysspokewellofyou，andrespectedyoumore"nanymaninthehouse。AskSmith。Ain"titso，Smith?Didn"tIsay，nolongeragothanlastnight，thatforamanthatwasagentlemanallthetimeandeverywayyoutookhim，givemeArkansas?I"llleaveittoanygentlemanhereifthemwarn"ttheverywordsIused。Come，now，Mr。Arkansas，le"stakeadrink——le"sshakehandsandtakeadrink。Comeup——everybody！It"smytreat。Comeup，Bill，Tom，Bob，Scotty——comeup。IwantyoualltotakeadrinkwithmeandArkansas——oldArkansas，Icallhim——bullyoldArkansas。Gimmeyourhandagin。Lookathim，boys——justtakealookathim。TharstandsthewhitestmaninAmerica！——andthemanthatdeniesithasgottofightme，that"sall。Gimmethatoldflipperagin！“
Theyembraced，withdrunkenaffectiononthelandlord"spartandunresponsivetolerationonthepartofArkansas，who，bribedbyadrink，wasdisappointedofhispreyoncemore。Butthefoolishlandlordwassohappytohaveescapedbutchery，thathewentontalkingwhenheoughttohavemarchedhimselfoutofdanger。TheconsequencewasthatArkansasshortlybegantogloweruponhimdangerously，andpresentlysaid:
“Lan"lord，willyoup-pleasemakethatremarkoveraginifyouplease?“
“Iwasa-sayin"toScottythatmyfatherwasup"ardsofeightyyearoldwhenhedied。”
“Wasthatallthatyousaid?“
“Yes，thatwasall。”
“Didn"tsaynothingbutthat?“
“No——nothing。”
Thenanuncomfortablesilence。
Arkansasplayedwithhisglassamoment，lollingonhiselbowsonthecounter。Thenhemeditativelyscratchedhisleftshinwithhisrightboot，whiletheawkwardsilencecontinued。Butpresentlyheloafedawaytowardthestove，lookingdissatisfied；roughlyshoulderedtwoorthreemenoutofacomfortableposition；occupiedithimself，gaveasleepingdogakickthatsenthimhowlingunderabench，thenspreadhislonglegsandhisblanket-coattailsapartandproceededtowarmhisback。Inalittlewhilehefelltogrumblingtohimself，andsoonheslouchedbacktothebarandsaid:
“Lan"lord，what"syourideaforrakin"upoldpersonalitiesandblowin"
aboutyourfather?Ain"tthiscompanyagreeabletoyou?Ain"tit?Ifthiscompanyain"tagreeabletoyou，p"r"apswe"dbetterleave。Isthatyouridea?Isthatwhatyou"recomingat?“
“Whyblessyoursoul，Arkansas，Iwarn"tthinkingofsuchathing。Myfatherandmymother——“
“Lan"lord，don"tcrowdaman！Don"tdoit。Ifnothing"lldoyoubutadisturbance，outwithitlikeaman("ic)——butdon"trakeupoldbygonesandfling"emintheteethofapasselofpeoplethatwantstobepeaceableiftheycouldgitachance。What"sthematterwithyouthismornin"，anyway?Ineverseeamancarryonso。”
“Arkansas，Ireelydidn"tmeannoharm，andIwon"tgoonwithitifit"sonpleasanttoyou。Ireckonmylicker"sgotintomyhead，andwhatwiththeflood，andhavin"somanytofeedandlookoutfor——“
“Sothat"swhat"sa-ranklin"inyourheart，isit?Youwantustoleavedoyou?There"stoomanyonus。Youwantustopackupandswim。Isthatit?Come！“
“Pleasebereasonable，Arkansas。NowyouknowthatIain"tthemanto——“
“Areyouathreatenin"me?Areyou?ByGeorge，themandon"tlivethatcanskeerme！Don"tyoutrytocomethatgame，mychicken——"cuzIcanstandagooddeal，butIwon"tstandthat。ComeoutfrombehindthatbartillIcleanyou！Youwanttodriveusout，doyou，yousneakin"
underhandedhound！Comeoutfrombehindthatbar！I"lllearnyoutobullyandbadgerandbrowbeatagentlemanthat"sforevertryingtobefriendyouandkeepyououtoftrouble！“
“Please，Arkansas，pleasedon"tshoot！Ifthere"sgottobebloodshed——“
“Doyouhearthat，gentlemen?Doyouhearhimtalkaboutbloodshed?Soit"sbloodyouwant，isit，youravin"desperado！You"dmadeupyourmindtomurdersomebodythismornin"——Iknoweditperfectlywell。I"mtheman，amI?It"smeyou"regoin"tomurder，isit?Butyoucan"tdoit"thoutIgetonechancefirst，youthievin"black-hearted，white-
liveredsonofanigger！Drawyourweepon！“
Withthat，Arkansasbegantoshoot，andthelandlordtoclamberoverbenches，menandeverysortofobstacleinafranticdesiretoescape。
Inthemidstofthewildhubbubthelandlordcrashedthroughaglassdoor，andasArkansaschargedafterhimthelandlord"swifesuddenlyappearedinthedoorwayandconfrontedthedesperadowithapairofscissors！Herfurywasmagnificent。Withheaderectandflashingeyeshestoodamomentandthenadvanced，withherweaponraised。Theastonishedruffianhesitated，andthenfellbackastep。Shefollowed。
Shebackedhimstepbystepintothemiddleofthebar-room，andthen，whilethewonderingcrowdclosedupandgazed，shegavehimsuchanothertongue-lashingasneveracowedandshamefacedbraggartgotbefore，perhaps！Asshefinishedandretiredvictorious，aroarofapplauseshookthehouse，andeverymanordered“drinksforthecrowd“inoneandthesamebreath。
Thelessonwasentirelysufficient。Thereignofterrorwasover，andtheArkansasdominationbrokenforgood。Duringtherestoftheseasonofislandcaptivity，therewasonemanwhosatapartinastateofpermanenthumiliation，nevermixinginanyquarrelorutteringaboast，andneverresentingtheinsultstheoncecringingcrewnowconstantlyleveledathim，andthatmanwas“Arkansas。”
Bythefifthorsixthmorningthewatershadsubsidedfromtheland，butthestreamintheoldriverbedwasstillhighandswiftandtherewasnopossibilityofcrossingit。Ontheeighthitwasstilltoohighforanentirelysafepassage，butlifeintheinnhadbecomenexttoinsupportablebyreasonofthedirt，drunkenness，fighting，etc。，andsowemadeanefforttogetaway。Inthemidstofaheavysnow-stormweembarkedinacanoe，takingoursaddlesaboardandtowingourhorsesafterusbytheirhalters。ThePrussian，Ollendorff，wasinthebow，withapaddle，Balloupaddledinthemiddle，andIsatinthesternholdingthehalters。Whenthehorseslosttheirfootingandbegantoswim，Ollendorffgotfrightened，fortherewasgreatdangerthatthehorseswouldmakeouraimuncertain，anditwasplainthatifwefailedtolandatacertainspotthecurrentwouldthrowusoffandalmostsurelycastusintothemainCarson，whichwasaboilingtorrent，now。
Suchacatastrophewouldbedeath，inallprobability，forwewouldbeswepttoseainthe“Sink“oroverturnedanddrowned。WewarnedOllendorfftokeephiswitsabouthimandhandlehimselfcarefully，butitwasuseless；themomentthebowtouchedthebank，hemadeaspringandthecanoewhirledupsidedowninten-footwater。
Ollendorffseizedsomebrushanddraggedhimselfashore，butBallouandI
hadtoswimforit，encumberedwithourovercoats。Butweheldontothecanoe，andalthoughwewerewasheddownnearlytotheCarson，wemanagedtopushtheboatashoreandmakeasafelanding。Wewerecoldandwater-
soaked，butsafe。Thehorsesmadealanding，too，butoursaddlesweregone，ofcourse。Wetiedtheanimalsinthesage-brushandtheretheyhadtostayfortwenty-fourhours。Webaledoutthecanoeandferriedoversomefoodandblanketsforthem，butwesleptonemorenightintheinnbeforemakinganotherventureonourjourney。
Thenextmorningitwasstillsnowingfuriouslywhenwegotawaywithournewstockofsaddlesandaccoutrements。Wemountedandstarted。Thesnowlaysodeeponthegroundthattherewasnosignofaroadperceptible，andthesnow-fallwassothickthatwecouldnotseemorethanahundredyardsahead，elsewecouldhaveguidedourcoursebythemountainranges。Thecaselookeddubious，butOllendorffsaidhisinstinctwasassensitiveasanycompass，andthathecould“strikeabee-line“forCarsoncityandneverdivergefromit。Hesaidthatifheweretostraggleasinglepointoutofthetruelinehisinstinctwouldassailhimlikeanoutragedconscience。Consequentlywedroppedintohiswakehappyandcontent。Forhalfanhourwepokedalongwarilyenough，butattheendofthattimewecameuponafreshtrail，andOllendorffshoutedproudly:
“IknewIwasasdeadcertainasacompass，boys！Hereweare，rightinsomebody"stracksthatwillhuntthewayforuswithoutanytrouble。
Let"shurryupandjoincompanywiththeparty。”
Soweputthehorsesintoasmuchofatrotasthedeepsnowwouldallow，andbeforelongitwasevidentthatweweregainingonourpredecessors，forthetracksgrewmoredistinct。Wehurriedalong，andattheendofanhourthetrackslookedstillnewerandfresher——butwhatsurpriseduswas，thatthenumberoftravelersinadvanceofusseemedtosteadilyincrease。Wewonderedhowsolargeapartycametobetravelingatsuchatimeandinsuchasolitude。Somebodysuggestedthatitmustbeacompanyofsoldiersfromthefort，andsoweacceptedthatsolutionandjoggedalongalittlefasterstill，fortheycouldnotbefaroffnow。
Butthetracksstillmultiplied，andwebegantothinktheplatoonofsoldierswasmiraculouslyexpandingintoaregiment——Ballousaidtheyhadalreadyincreasedtofivehundred！Presentlyhestoppedhishorseandsaid:
“Boys，theseareourowntracks，andwe"veactuallybeencircussingroundandroundinacircleformorethantwohours，outhereinthisblinddesert！ByGeorgethisisperfectlyhydraulic！“
Thentheoldmanwaxedwrothandabusive。HecalledOllendorffallmannerofhardnames——saidheneversawsuchaluridfoolashewas，andendedwiththepeculiarlyvenomousopinionthathe“didnotknowasmuchasalogarythm！“
Wecertainlyhadbeenfollowingourowntracks。Ollendorffandhis“mentalcompass“wereindisgracefromthatmoment。
Afterallourhardtravel，herewewereonthebankofthestreamagain，withtheinnbeyonddimlyoutlinedthroughthedrivingsnow-fall。Whilewewereconsideringwhattodo，theyoungSwedelandedfromthecanoeandtookhispedestrianwayCarson-wards，singinghissametiresomesongabouthis“sisterandhisbrother“and“thechildinthegravewithitsmother，“andinashortminutefadedanddisappearedinthewhiteoblivion。Hewasneverheardofagain。Henodoubtgotbewilderedandlost，andFatiguedeliveredhimovertoSleepandSleepbetrayedhimtoDeath。Possiblyhefollowedourtreacheroustrackstillhebecameexhaustedanddropped。
PresentlytheOverlandstagefordedthenowfastrecedingstreamandstartedtowardCarsononitsfirsttripsincethefloodcame。Wehesitatednolonger，now，buttookupourmarchinitswake，andtrottedmerrilyalong，forwehadgoodconfidenceinthedriver"sbumpoflocality。Butourhorseswerenomatchforthefreshstageteam。Weweresoonleftoutofsight；butitwasnomatter，forwehadthedeeprutsthewheelsmadeforaguide。Bythistimeitwasthreeintheafternoon，andconsequentlyitwasnotverylongbeforenightcame——andnotwithalingeringtwilight，butwithasuddenshuttingdownlikeacellardoor，asisitshabitinthatcountry。Thesnowfallwasstillasthickasever，andofcoursewecouldnotseefifteenstepsbeforeus；
butallaboutusthewhiteglareofthesnow-bedenabledustodiscernthesmoothsugar-loafmoundsmadebythecoveredsage-bushes，andjustinfrontofusthetwofaintgrooveswhichweknewwerethesteadilyfillingandslowlydisappearingwheel-tracks。
Nowthosesage-busheswereallaboutthesameheight——threeorfourfeet；
theystoodjustaboutsevenfeetapart，alloverthevastdesert；eachofthemwasameresnow-mound，now；inanydirectionthatyouproceeded(thesameasinawelllaidoutorchard)youwouldfindyourselfmovingdownadistinctlydefinedavenue，witharowofthesesnow-moundsaneithersideofit——anavenuethecustomarywidthofaroad，niceandlevelinitsbreadth，andrisingatthesidesinthemostnaturalway，byreasonofthemounds。Butwehadnotthoughtofthis。Thenimaginethechillythrillthatshotthroughuswhenitfinallyoccurredtous，farinthenight，thatsincethelastfainttraceofthewheel-trackshadlongagobeenburiedfromsight，wemightnowbewanderingdownameresage-brushavenue，milesawayfromtheroadanddivergingfurtherandfurtherawayfromitallthetime。Havingacakeoficeslippeddownone"sbackisplacidcomfortcomparedtoit。Therewasasuddenleapandstirofbloodthathadbeenasleepforanhour，andassuddenarousingofallthedrowsingactivitiesinourmindsandbodies。Wewerealiveandawakeatonce——andshakingandquakingwithconsternation，too。Therewasaninstanthaltinganddismounting，abendinglowandananxiousscanningoftheroad-bed。Useless，ofcourse；forifafaintdepressioncouldnotbediscernedfromanaltitudeoffourorfivefeetaboveit，itcertainlycouldnotwithone"snosenearlyagainstit。
CHAPTERXXXII。
Weseemedtobeinaroad，butthatwasnoproof。Wetestedthisbywalkingoffinvariousdirections——theregularsnow-moundsandtheregularavenuesbetweenthemconvincedeachmanthathehadfoundthetrueroad，andthattheothershadfoundonlyfalseones。Plainlythesituationwasdesperate。Wewerecoldandstiffandthehorsesweretired。Wedecidedtobuildasage-brushfireandcampouttillmorning。
Thiswaswise，becauseifwewerewanderingfromtherightroadandthesnow-stormcontinuedanotherdayourcasewouldbethenextthingtohopelessifwekepton。
Allagreedthatacampfirewaswhatwouldcomenearesttosavingus，now，andsowesetaboutbuildingit。Wecouldfindnomatches，andsowetriedtomakeshiftwiththepistols。Notamaninthepartyhadevertriedtodosuchathingbefore，butnotamaninthepartydoubtedthatitcouldbedone，andwithoutanytrouble——becauseeverymaninthepartyhadreadaboutitinbooksmanyatimeandhadnaturallycometobelieveit，withtrustingsimplicity，justashehadlongagoacceptedandbelievedthatothercommonbook-fraudaboutIndiansandlosthuntersmakingafirebyrubbingtwodrystickstogether。