ed.

"As foh fluids demanded by the human system, we are abundantly blessed,
suh. There is scurcely any popular brand that you can't get in Benton, and
I hold that we have the most skillful mixtologists in history. There are
some who are artists; artists, suh. But mainly we prefer our likker
straight."

"We're high, too," Bill put in. "Well over seven thousand feet, 'cordin'
to them railroad engineers."

"Yes, suh, you are a mile and more nearer Heaven here in Benton than you
were when beside the noble Hudson," supplemented the Colonel. "And the
prices of living are reasonable; foh money, suh, is cheap and ready to
hand. No drink is less than two bits, and a man won't tote a match across
a street foh less than a drink. Money grows, suh, foh the picking. Our
merchants are clearing thirty thousand dollars a month, and the
professional gentleman who tries to limit his game is considered a
low-down tin-horn. Yes, suh. This is the greatest terminal of the greatest
railroad in the known world. It has Omaha, No'th Platte, Cheyenne beat to
a frazzle. You cannot fail to prosper." They had been critically watching
me wash and rearrange my clothing. "You are not heeled, suh, I see?"

"Heeled?" I repeated.

"Equipped with a shooting-iron, suh. Or do you intend to remedy that
deficiency also?"

"I have not been in the habit of carrying arms."

"'Most everybody packs a gun or a bowie," Bill remarked. "Gents and ladies
both. But there's no law ag'in not."

I had finished my meager toilet, and was glad, for the espionage had been
annoying.

"Now I am at your service during a short period, gentlemen," I announced.
"Later I have an engagement, and shall ask to be excused."

The Colonel arose with alacrity. Bill stood, and seized his hat hanging at
the head of the bed.

"A little liquid refreshment is in order fust, I reckon," quoth the
Colonel. "I claim the privilege, of course. And after that--you have
sporting blood, suh? You will desire to take a turn or two foh the honor
of the Empire State?"

The inference was not quite clear. To develop it I replied guardedly,
albeit unwilling to pose as a milksop.

"I assuredly am not averse to any legitimate amusement."

"That's it," Bill commended. "Nobody is, who has red in him; and a fellow
kin see you've cut yore eye-teeth. What might you prefer, in line of a
pass-the-time, on spec'?"

"What is there, if you please?" I encouraged.

He and the Colonel gravely contemplated