ime exhibition. I'm bound to own the boys act up. You wait
till you see her pass, and the way the hats fly off. Old Huz-and-Buz
came pretty near to getting lynched the first week, for playing the
smarty and drawling out as they went by, 'Miss Montmorency, I
believe?' to imitate the way in which the Bishop introduced himself.
I guess he won't be humorous again for a considerable spell.
And now, Doctor, I hope I've put the facts straight for you?'

"'You have,' I answered, draining my glass; 'and they do several
people credit.'

"'Wait a bit. You haven't heard what I'm coming to. That young man
is poor.'

"'So I gather.'

"'And I'm speaking now in the name of the boys. There was a meeting
held just now, while you were dropping your card on the Bishop; and
I'm to tell you, as deputy, that trouble ain't to be spared over him.
It's a hopeless case; but you hear--trouble ain't to be spared; and
the municipality foots the--'

"'Hold hard, there,' I broke in; and told him how the land lay.
When I'd done he held out a huge but well-shaped hand, palm upwards.

"'Put it there,' he said.

"We shook hands, and walked together (still to the strain of
'Juliana') as far as the Necropolis gate. I observed that several
citizens appeared at the doors of the saloons along our route, and
looked inquiringly at Captain Bill, who answered in each case with a
wink.

"'That passes you,' he explained, 'for the freedom of Eucalyptus
City, as you'd say at home. When you want it, you've only to come
and fetch it--in a pail. You're among friends.'

"He backed up this assurance by shaking my hand a second time, and
with great fervour. And so we parted.

"As I neared the spring on my homeward road I saw Miss Montmorency
standing beside the track, awaiting me. She looked decidedly better,
and handed me back my handkerchief, almost dry and neatly folded.

"'And how did you find him?' she asked.

"I told her.

"'We allowed it was that--the boys and I. We allowed he wouldn't
last out the fall. Did you meet any of the boys?'

"'I've been having a short drink and a long talk with Captain Bill.'

"She nodded her head, breaking off to clap both palms to her temples.

"'My! It does ache! I'm powerful glad you seen Bill. Now you know
the worst o' me and we can start fair. I allowed, first along, that
I play this hand alone; but now you've got to help. Now and then I
catch myself weakening. It's dreadful choky, sitting by t