versations besides the
one recorded.

"Reading tracks is harder to learn than Greek, and more interesting,"
said Charlie. "Cattlemen have always had to read sign, and they've
always had to read it right--ever since they was six years old. What
you begin learning at six years old is the only thing you ever learn
good. So cowmen don't just look and talk. They see and think."

He moved easily across the room in a vast silence. Caney's eyes met
those of the Merman barkeeper. The Merman's bloodless and sinister
face made no change, but he made a change in the order.

"Step up, Mr. See," said the Merman. "This one's on me. What will it
be?"

"Beer," said Charlie. He nodded to the crowd. "Howdy, boys! Hello,
Shaky--that you?"

He lined up beside Shaky; he noted sly sidelong glances and furtive
faces reflected in the blistered mirror behind the bar.

"Sure is. Play you a game of pool--what?"

"All set?" demanded Caney from the other end of the bar. "Drink her
down, fellers! Here's to the gallows tree!"

"Looks like a good season for fruit," said Charlie. A miner laughed.

Shaky drained his glass. "Come on, pool shark." He hooked his arm in
Charlie's and they went back to the big hall. Part of the crowd
drifted after them.

There was only one pool table, just beyond the door. Down one side
were ranged tables for monte, faro, senate and stud. On the other side
the bar extended beyond the partition and took up twenty feet of the
hall, opposite the pool table. On the end of the bar were ranged
generous platters of free lunch--shrimps, pretzels, strips of toasted
bread, sausages, mustard, pickles, olives, crackers and cheese. Behind
it was a large quick-lunch oil stove, darkened now. Beyond that was
a vast oak refrigerator with a high ornamental top reaching almost
to the ceiling. Next in order was a crap table and another for
seven-and-a-half. A big heater, unused now, shared the central space
with the pool table. Between these last two was a small table littered
with papers and magazines. Two or three men sat there reading.

"Pretty quiet to-night?" said Charlie, nodding his chin at the sheeted
games.

"Yes. Halfway between pay days. Don't pay to start up," said Shaky
carelessly. "At that, it is quieter than usual to-night."

They played golf pool.

"It is not true that everyone who plays golf pool goes goopy,"
remarked Charlie at the end of the first game. "All crazy men play
golf pool, of course. But that is n