            ,,*APT] ,,XVIII4
  ,COL4 ,,GRANG]=D 0 A G5TLEMAN1 Y SEE4
  ,HE 0 A G5TLEMAN ALL OV]2 & S 0 8
FAMILY4 ,HE 0 WELL BORN1 Z ! SAY+ IS1 &
T'S WOR? Z M* 9 A MAN Z X IS 9 A HORSE1
S ! ,WID[ ,D\GLAS SD1 & NOBODY "E D5I$ T
%E 0 (! F/ >I/OCRACY 9 \R T[N2 & PAP HE
ALW SD X1 TOO1 ?\< HE W>N'T NO M QUAL;Y
?AN A MUDCAT HMF4 ,COL4 ,GRANG]=D 0 V
TALL & V SLIM1 & _H A D>KI%-PALY
-PLEXION1 N A SIGN ( R$ 9 X ANY":S2 HE 0
CL1N %AV$ E MORN+ ALL OV] 8 ?9 FACE1 &
HE _H ! ?9NE/ K9D ( LIPS1 &! ?9NE/ K9D (
NO/RILS1 &A HI< NOSE1 & H1VY EYEBR[S1 &!
BLACKE/ K9D ( EYES1 SUNK S DEEP BACK T
!Y SEEM$ L !Y 0 LOOK+ \ ( CAV]NS AT Y1 Z
Y MAY SAY4 ,8 =EH1D 0 HI<1 & 8 HAIR 0
BLACK & /RAI<T & HUNG 6HIS %\LD]S4 ,8
H&S 0 L;G & ?91 & E "D ( 8 LIFE HE PUT
ON A CL1N %IRT &A FULL SUIT F H1D 6FOOT
MADE \ ( L95 S :ITE X HURT YR EYES 6LOOK
AT X2 & ON ,SUN"DS HE WORE A BLUE TAIL-
COAT ) BRASS BUTTONS ON X4 ,HE C>RI$ A
MAHOGANY CANE )A SILV] H1D 6X4 ,"! W>N'T
NO FRIVOLI%;S AB HM1 N A BIT1 & HE W>N'T
"E L\D4 ,HE 0 Z K9D Z HE CD BE--Y CD
FEEL T1 Y "K1 & S Y _H 3FID;E4 ,"S"TS HE
SMIL$1 & X 0 GD 6SEE2 B :5 HE /RAI<T5$
HMF UP L A LIB]TY-POLE1 &! LI<TN+ 2GUN
6FLICK] \ F "U 8 EYEBR[S1 Y WANT$ 6CLIMB
A TREE F/1 & F9D \ :AT ! MATT] 0 AFWS4
,HE DIDN'T "E H 6TELL ANYBODY 6M9D _!
MANN]S--"EYBODY 0 ALW GD- MANN]$ ": HE
WAS4 ,"EYBODY LOV$ 6H HM >.D1 TOO2 HE 0
SUN%9E MO/ ALW--,I M1N HE MADE X SEEM L
GD W1!R4 ,:5 HE TURN$ 96A CL\DBANK X 0
AW;L D>K = HALF A M9UTE1 & T 0 5\<2 "!
WDN'T NO?+ G WR;G AG =A WEEK4
  ,:5 HM &! OLD LADY -E D[N 9 ! MORN+
ALL ! FAMILY GOT UP \ ( _! *AIRS & GIVE
!M GD-"D1 & DIDN'T SET D[N AG TILL !Y _H
SET D[N4 ,!N ,TOM & ,BOB W5T 6! SIDEBO>D
": ! DECANT] WAS1 & MIX$ A GLASS (
BITT]S & H&$ X 6HM1 & HE HELD X 9 8 H& &
WAIT$ TILL ,TOM'S & ,BOB'S 0 MIX$1 & !N
!Y B[$ & SD1 8,\R DUTY 6Y1 SIR1 &
MADAM20 & ,,!Y B[$ ! L1/ BIT 9 ! _W & SD
?ANK Y1 & S !Y DRANK1 ALL ?REE1 & ,BOB &
,TOM P\R$ A SPOON;L ( WAT] ON ! SUG> &!
MITE ( :ISKY OR APPLE BR&Y 9 ! BOTTOM (
_! TUM#RS1 & GIVE X 6ME & ,BUCK1 & WE
DRANK 6! OLD P TOO4
  ,BOB 0 ! OLDE/ & ,TOM NEXT--TALL1
B1UTI;L M5 ) V BROAD %\LD]S & BR[N
FACES1 & L;G BLACK HAIR & BLACK EYES4
,!Y DRESS$ 9 :ITE L95 F H1D 6FOOT1 L !
OLD G5TLEMAN1 & WORE BROAD ,PANAMA HATS4
  ,!N "! 0 ,MISS ,*>LOTTE2 %E 0 TW5TY-
FIVE1 & TALL & PR\D & GR&1 B Z GD Z %E
CD 2 :5 %E W>N'T /IRR$ UP2 B :5 %E 0 %E
_H A LOOK T WD MAKE Y WILT 9 YR TRACKS1
L H] "F4 ,%E 0 B1UTI;L4
  ,S 0 H] SI/]1 ,MISS ,SOPHIA1 B X 0 A
DI6]5T K9D4 ,%E 0 G5TLE & SWEET L A
DOVE1 & %E 0 ONLY TW5TY4
  ,EA* P]SON _H _! [N NI7] 6WAIT ON !M--
,BUCK TOO4 ,MY NI7] _H A MON/R\S EASY
"T1 2C ,I W>N'T US$ 6HAV+ ANYBODY D
ANY?+ = ME1 B ,BUCK'S 0 ON ! JUMP MO/ (!
"T4
  ,? 0 ALL "! 0 (! FAMILY N[1 B "! US$
6BE M--?REE SONS2 !Y GOT KILL$2 &
,EMMEL9E T DI$4
  ,! OLD G5TLEMAN [N$ A LOT ( F>MS & OV]
A HUNDR$ NI7]S4 ,"S"TS A /ACK ( P WD -E
"!1 HORSEBACK1 F T5 OR FIFTE5 MILE >.D1
& /AY FIVE OR SIX "DS1 & H S* JUNKET+S
R.D AB & ON ! RIV]1 & D.ES & PICNICS 9 !
WOODS "D"TS1 & BALLS AT ! H\SE NI<TS4
,^! P 0 MO/LY K9FOLKS (! FAMILY4 ,! M5
BR"\ _! GUNS ) !M4 ,X 0 A H&"S LOT (
QUAL;Y1 ,I TELL Y4
  ,"! 0 ANO!R CLAN ( >I/OCRACY >.D "!--
FIVE OR SIX FAMILIES--MO/LY (! "N (
,%EP- H]DSON4 ,!Y 0 Z HI<-TON$ & WELL
BORN & RI* & GR& Z ! TRIBE ( ,GRANG]=DS4
,! ,%EPH]DSONS & ,GRANG]=DS US$ ! SAME
/1MBOAT L&+1 : 0 AB TWO MILE ABV \R
H\SE2 S "S"TS :5 ,I W5T UP "! )A LOT (
\R FOLKS ,I US$ 6SEE A LOT (!
,%EPH]DSONS "! ON _! F9E HORSES4
  ,"O "D ,BUCK & ME 0 AWAY \ 9 ! WOODS
HUNT+1 & HE>D A HORSE -+4 ,WE 0 CROSS+ !
ROAD4 ,BUCK SAYS3
  8,QK6 ,JUMP =! WOODS60
  ,WE D"O X1 & !N PEEP$ D[N ! WOODS "? !
L1VES4 ,PRETTY SOON A SPL5DID "Y MAN -E
GALLOP+ D[N ! ROAD1 SETT+ 8 HORSE EASY &
LOOK+ L A SOLDI]4 ,HE _H 8 GUN ACR 8
POMMEL4 ,I _H SE5 HM 2F4 ,X 0 "Y ,H>NEY
,%EPH]DSON4 ,I HE>D ,BUCK'S GUN G (F AT
MY E>1 & ,H>NEY'S HAT TUM#D (F F 8 H1D4
,HE GRA2$ 8 GUN & RODE /RAI<T 6! PLACE
": WE 0 HID4 ,B WE DIDN'T WAIT4 ,WE />T$
"? ! WOODS ON A RUN4 ,! WOODS W>N'T
?ICK1 S ,I LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD] 6DODGE !
BULLET1 & TWICE ,I SE5 ,H>NEY COV] ,BUCK
) 8 GUN2 & !N HE RODE AWAY ! WAY HE -E--
6GET 8 HAT1 ,I RECKON1 B ,I CDN'T SEE4
,WE N"E /OPP$ RUNN+ TILL WE GOT HOME4 ,!
OLD G5TLEMAN'S EYES BLAZ$ A M9UTE--'TWAS
PL1SURE1 MA9LY1 ,I JUDG$--!N 8 FACE SORT
( SMOO!D D[N1 & HE SAYS1 K9D ( G5TLE3
  8,I DON'T L T %OOT+ F 2H A BU%4 ,:Y
DIDN'T Y /EP 96! ROAD1 MY BOY80
  8,! ,%EPH]DSONS DON'T1 "F4 ,!Y ALW
TAKE ADVANTAGE40
  ,MISS ,*>LOTTE %E HELD H] H1D UP L A
QUE5 :ILE ,BUCK 0 TELL+ 8 TALE1 & H]
NO/RILS SPR1D & H] EYES SNAPP$4 ,! TWO
"Y M5 LOOK$ D>K1 B N"E SD NO?+4 ,MISS
,SOPHIA %E TURN$ PALE1 B ! COLOR -E BACK
:5 %E F.D ! MAN W>N'T HURT4
  ,SOON Z ,I CD GET ,BUCK D[N 0! CORN-
CRIBS "U ! TREES 0\RVS1 ,I SAYS3
  8,DID Y WANT 6KILL HM1 ,BUCK80
  8,WELL1 ,I BET ,I DID40
  8,:AT DID HE D 6Y80
  8,HM8 ,HE N"E D"O NO?+ 6ME40
  8,WELL1 !N1 :AT DID Y WANT 6KILL HM
=80
  8,:Y1 NO?+--ONLY X'S ON A3.T (! FEUD40
  8,:AT'S A FEUD80
  8,:Y1 ": 0 Y RAIS$8 ,DON'T Y "K :AT A
FEUD IS80
  8,N"E HE>D ( X 2F--TELL ME AB X40
  8,WELL10 SAYS ,BUCK1 8A FEUD IS ? WAY3
,A MAN HAS A QU>REL ) ANO!R MAN1 & KILLS
HM2 !N T O!R MAN'S BRO!R KILLS ,,HM2 !N
! O!R BRO!RS1 ON BO? SIDES1 GOES = "O
ANO!R2 !N ! ,,C\S9S *IP 9--& BY & BY
"EYBODY'S KILL$ (F1 & "! A9'T NO M FEUD4
,B X'S K9D ( SL[1 & TAKES A L;G "T40
  8,HAS ? "O BE5 GO+ ON L;G1 ,BUCK80
  8,WELL1 ,I %D ,,RECKON6 ,X />T$ ?IRTY
YE> AGO1 OR SOM']S AL;G "!4 ,"! 0 TR\#
,8B\T "S?+1 & !N A LAWSUIT 6SETTLE X2 &!
SUIT W5T AG9 "O (! M51 & S HE UP & %OT !
MAN T WON ! SUIT--: HE WD NATUR,Y D1 (
C\RSE4 ,ANYBODY WD40
  8,:AT 0 ! TR\# AB1 ,BUCK8--L&80
  8,I RECKON MAYBE--,I DON'T "K40
  8,WELL1 :O D"O ! %OOT+8 ,0 X A
,GRANG]- =D OR A ,%EPH]DSON80
  8,LAWS1 H[ D ,I "K8 ,X 0 S L;G AGO40
  8,DON'T ANYBODY "K80
  8,OH1 YES1 PA "KS1 ,I RECKON1 & "S (!
O!R OLD P2 B !Y DON'T "K N[ :AT ! R[ 0
AB 9 ! F/ PLACE40
  8,HAS "! BE5 _M KILL$1 ,BUCK80
  8,YES2 "R SM>T *.E ( FUN]ALS4 ,B !Y
DON'T ALW KILL4 ,PA'S GOT A FEW BUCK%OT
9 HM2 B HE DON'T M9D X ,8CUZ HE DON'T
WEI< M*1 ANYWAY4 ,BOB'S BE5 C>V$ UP "S )
A B[IE1 & ,TOM'S BE5 HURT ONCE OR
TWICE40
  8,HAS ANYBODY BE5 KILL$ ? YE>1 ,BUCK80
  8,YES2 WE GOT "O & !Y GOT "O4 ,8,B\T
?REE MON?S AGO MY C\S9 ,BUD1 F\RTE5 YE>
OLD1 0 RID+ "? ! WOODS ON T'O!R SIDE (!
RIV]1 & DIDN'T H NO W1PON ) HM1 : 0
BLAME0' FOOLI%;S1 & 9 A L"O"S PLACE HE
HE>S A HORSE A-COM+ 2H HM1 & SEES OLD
,BALDY ,%EPH]DSON A-L9K9' AF HM ) 8 GUN
9 8 H& & 8 :ITE HAIR A-FLY+ 9 ! W9D2 &
,8/1D ( JUMP+ (F & TAK+ 6! BRU%1 ,BUD
,8L[$ HE CD \TRUN HM2 S !Y _H X1 NIP &
TUCK1 = FIVE MILE OR M1 ! OLD MAN A-GA9+
ALL ! "T2 S AT LA/ ,BUD SE5 X W>N'T ANY
USE1 S HE /OPP$ & FAC$ >.D S Z 6H !
BULLET HOLES 9 FRONT1 Y "K1 &! OLD MAN
HE RODE UP & %OT HM D[N4 ,B HE DIDN'T
GIT M* *.E 65JOY 8 LUCK1 = 9SIDE (A WEEK
\R FOLKS LAID ,,HM \40
  8,I RECKON T OLD MAN 0 A C[>D1 ,BUCK40
  8,I RECKON HE ,,W>N'T A C[>D4 ,N 0A
BLAME0' SI<T4 ,"! A9'T A C[>D AM;G/ !M
,%EPH]D- SONS--N A "O4 ,& "! A9'T NO
C[>DS AM;G/ ! ,GRANG]=DS EI4 ,:Y1 T OLD
MAN KEP0' UP 8 5D 9 A FI<T "O "D = HALF
AN H\R AG/ ?REE ,GRANG]=DS1 & -E \ W9N]4
,!Y 0 ALL A-HORSEBACK2 HE LIT (F ( 8
HORSE & GOT 2H A LL WOODPILE1 & KEP0' 8
HORSE 2F HM 6/OP ! BULLETS2 B !
,GRANG]=DS /AY$ ON _! HORSES & CAP]$ >.D
! OLD MAN1 & PEPP]$ AWAY AT HM1 & HE
PEPP]$ AWAY AT !M4 ,HM & 8 HORSE BO? W5T
HOME PRETTY L1KY & CRIPPL$1 B !
,GRANG]=DS _H 6BE ,,FET*$ HOME--& "O (
'EM 0 D1D1 & ANO!R DI$ ! NEXT "D4 ,NO1
SIR2 IF A BODY'S \ HUNT+ = C[>DS HE
DON'T WANT 6FOOL AWAY ANY "T AM;G/ !M
,%EP- H]DSONS1 2CUZ !Y DON'T BRE$ ANY (
T ,,K9D40
  ,NEXT ,SUN"D WE ALL W5T 6*UR*1 AB ?REE
MILE1 "EYBODY A-HORSEBACK4 ,! M5 TOOK _!
GUNS AL;G1 S DID ,BUCK1 & KEPT !M 2T _!
KNEES OR /OOD !M H&Y AG/ ! WALL4 ,!
,%EPH]DSONS D"O ! SAME4 ,X 0 PRETTY
ORN]Y PR1*+--ALL AB BRO!RLY LOVE1 & S*-L
TIRE"S;S2 B "EYBODY SD X 0 A GD S]MON1 &
!Y ALL TALK$ X OV] GO+ HOME1 & _H S* A
P[];L LOT 6SAY AB FAI? & GD "WS & FREE
GRACE & PRE=EORDE/9,N1 & ,I DON'T "K :AT
ALL1 T X DID SEEM 6ME 6BE "O (! R\<E/
,SUN"DS ,I _H RUN ACR YET4
  ,AB AN H\R AF D9N] "EYBODY 0 DOZ+ >.D1
"S 9 _! *AIRS & "S 9 _! ROOMS1 & X GOT
6BE PRETTY DULL4 ,BUCK &A DOG 0 /RET*$ \
ON ! GRASS 9 ! SUN S.D ASLEEP4 ,I W5T UP
6\R ROOM1 & JUDG$ ,I WD TAKE A NAP MYF4
,I F.D T SWEET ,MISS ,SOPHIA /&+ 9 H]
DOOR1 : 0 NEXT 6\RS1 & %E TOOK ME 9 H]
ROOM & %UT ! DOOR V S(T1 & ASK$ ME IF ,I
LIK$ H]1 & ,I SD ,I DID2 & %E ASK$ ME IF
,I WD D "S?+ = H] & N TELL ANYBODY1 & ,I
SD ,I WD4 ,!N %E SD %E'D =GOT H]
,TE/A;T1 & LEFT X 9 ! S1T AT *UR* 2T TWO
O!R BOOKS1 & WD ,I SLIP \ QUIET & G "! &
FET* X 6H]1 & N SAY NO?+ 6NOBODY4 ,I SD
,I WD4 ,S ,I SLID \ & SLIPP$ (F UP !
ROAD1 & "! W>N'T ANYBODY AT ! *UR*1
EXCEPT MAYBE A HOG OR TWO1 = "! W>N'T
ANY LOCK ON ! DOOR1 & HOGS LIKES A
PUN*EON FLOOR 9 SUMM]-"T 2C X'S COOL4
,IF Y NOTICE1 MO/ FOLKS DON'T G 6*UR*
ONLY :5 !Y'VE GOT TO2 B A HOG IS DI6]5T4
  ,SAYS ,I 6MYF1 "S?+'S UP2 X A9'T
NATURAL =A GIRL 6BE 9 S* A SW1T AB A
,TE/A;T4 ,S ,I GIVE X A %AKE1 & \ DROPS
A LL PIECE ( PAP] ) 8,,HALF-PA/ ,,TWO0
WROTE ON X )A P5CIL4 ,I RANSACK$ X1 B
CDN'T F9D ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I CDN'T MAKE
ANY?+ \ ( T1 S ,I PUT ! PAP] 9 ! BOOK
AG1 & :5 ,I GOT HOME & UP/AIRS "! 0
,MISS ,SOPHIA 9 H] DOOR WAIT+ = ME4 ,%E
PULL$ ME 9 & %UT ! DOOR2 !N %E LOOK$ 9 !
,TE/A;T TILL %E F.D ! PAP]1 & Z SOON Z
%E R1D X %E LOOK$ GLAD2 & 2F A BODY CD
?9K %E GRA2$ ME & GIVE ME A SQUEEZE1 &
SD ,I 0 ! BE/ BOY 9 ! _W1 & N 6TELL
ANYBODY4 ,%E 0 MI<TY R$ 9 ! FACE =A
M9UTE1 & H] EYES LI<T$ UP1 & X MADE H]
P[];L PRETTY4 ,I 0 A GD D1L A/ONI%$1 B
:5 ,I GOT MY BR1? ,I ASK$ H] :AT ! PAP]
0 AB1 & %E ASK$ ME IF ,I _H R1D X1 & ,I
SD NO1 & %E ASK$ ME IF ,I CD R1D WRIT+1
& ,I TOLD H] 8NO1 ONLY CO>SE-H&10 & !N
%E SD ! PAP] W>N'T ANY?+ B A BOOK-M>K
6KEEP H] PLACE1 & ,I MI<T G & PLAY N[4
  ,I W5T (F D[N 6! RIV]1 /UDY+ OV] ? ?+1
& PRETTY SOON ,I NOTIC$ T MY NI7] 0
FOLL[+ AL;G 2H4 ,:5 WE 0 \ ( SI<T (!
H\SE HE LOOK$ BACK & >.D A SECOND1 & !N
-ES A-RUNN+1 & SAYS3
  8,M>S ,JAWGE1 IF Y'LL -E D[N 96DE
SWAMP ,I'LL %[ Y A :OLE /ACK O' WAT]-
MO3AS9S40
  ,?9KS ,I1 T'S MI<TY CURI\S2 HE SD T
YE/]"D4 ,HE "\] "K A BODY DON'T LOVE
WAT]- MO3AS9S 5 6G >.D HUNT+ = !M4 ,:AT
IS HE UP TO1 ANYWAY8 ,S ,I SAYS3
  8,ALL "R2 TROT AH1D40
  ,I FOLL[$ A HALF A MILE2 !N HE /RUCK \
OV] ! SWAMP1 & WAD$ ANKLE DEEP Z M* Z
ANO!R HALF-MILE4 ,WE -E 6A LL FLAT PIECE
( L& : 0 DRY & V ?ICK ) TREES & BU%ES &
V9ES1 & HE SAYS3
  8,Y %OVE "R 9 DAH JI/ A FEW /EPS1 ,M>S
,JAWGE2 DAH'S :AH DEY IS4 ;,I'S SE$ 'M
2FO0'2 ,I DON'T K'Y] 6SEE 'EM NO MO0'40
  ,!N HE SLOPP$ "R AL;G & W5T AWAY1 &
PRETTY SOON ! TREES HID HM4 ,I POK$ 96!
PLACE A-WAYS & -E 6A LL OP5 PAT* Z BIG Z
A B$ROOM ALL HUNG >.D ) V9ES1 & F.D A
MAN LAY+ "! ASLEEP--&1 0J+S1 X 0 MY OLD
,JIM6
  ,I WAK$ HM UP1 & ,I RECKON$ X 0 GO+
6BE A GR& SURPRISE 6HM 6SEE ME AG1 B X
W>N'T4 ,HE NE>LY CRI$ HE 0 S GLAD1 B HE
W>N'T SURPRIS$4 ,SD HE SWUM AL;G 2H ME T
NI<T1 & HE>D ME YELL E "T1 B DASN'T
ANSW]1 2C HE DIDN'T WANT NOBODY 6PICK
,,HM UP & TAKE HM 96SLAV]Y AG4 ,SAYS HE3
  8,I GOT HURT A LL1 EN CDN'T SWIM
FAS0'1 S ,I WUZ A 3SIDA# WAYS 2H9E Y
T[>DS DE LAS0'2 :5 Y L&$ ,I RECK'N$ ,I
CD KET* UP WID Y ON DE LAN0' ,8D\T HAV9'
6%\T AT Y1 B :5 ,I SEE DAT H\SE ,I 2G9
6G SL[4 ,I ,8UZ (F TOO FUR 6HE> :AT DEY
SAY 6Y--,I WUZ ,8FRAID O' DE DOGS2 B :5
X ,8UZ ALL QUIET AG9 ,I "K$ Y\'S 9 DE
H\SE1 S ,I /RUCK \ = DE WOODS 6WAIT =
"D4 ,E>LY 9 DE MAWN9' "S ] DE NI7]S -E
AL;G1 GWYNE 6DE FIELDS1 EN DEY TUK ME EN
%[$ ME DIS PLACE1 :AH DE DOGS C'T TRACK
ME ON A3.TS O' DE WAT]1 EN DEY BR+S ME
TRUCK 6EAT E NI<T1 EN TELLS ME H[ Y\'S
A-GITT'N AL;G40
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL MY ,JACK 6FET* ME
"H SOON]1 ,JIM80
  8,WELL1 ,8TW>N'T NO USE TO ,8/URB Y1
,HUCK1 TELL WE CD D SUMFN--B WE'S ALL "R
N[4 ,I B5 A- BUY9' POTS EN PANS EN
VITTLES1 Z ,I GOT A *AN/1 EN A- PAT*9'
UP DE RAF0' NI<TS :5--0
  8,,:AT RAFT1 ,JIM80
  8,\R OLE RAF0'40
  8,Y M1N 6SAY \R OLD RAFT W>N'T SMA%$
ALL 6FL9D]S80
  8,NO1 %E W>N'T4 ,%E 0 TORE UP A GD D1L
--"O EN0' ( H] WAS2 B DEY W>N'T NO GRT
H>M D"O1 ON'Y \R TRAPS 0 MOS' ALL LOS0'4
,EF WE _HN0' DIVE0' S DEEP EN SWUM S FUR
"U WAT]1 EN DE NI<T _HN0' B5 S D>K1 EN
WE W>N'T S SK'Y]D1 EN B5 SI* PUNK9-H1DS1
Z DE SAY9' IS1 WE'D A SE$ DE RAF0'4 ,B
X'S JIS' Z WELL WE DIDN'T1 ,8KASE N[
%E'S ALL FIX$ UP AG9 MOS0' Z GD Z NEW1
EN WE'S GOT A NEW LOT O' /UFF1 9 DE
PLACE O' :AT ,8UZ LOS0'40
  8,:Y1 H[ DID Y GET HOLD (! RAFT AG1
,JIM--DID Y CAT* H]80
  8,H[ ,I GWYNE 6KET* H] EN ,I \ 9 DE
WOODS8 ,NO2 "S ] DE NI7]S F\N0' H] KET*$
ON A SNAG AL;G H1H 9 DE B50'1 EN DEY HID
H] 9 A CRICK 'M;G/ DE WILL[S1 EN DEY WUZ
S M* JAW9' ,8B\T : UN ,8UM %E B'L;G 6DE
MOS0' DAT ,I -E 6H1H ,8B\T X POOTY SOON1
S ,I UPS EN SETTLES DE TR\# 0TELL9' ,8UM
%E DON'T B'L;G 6N"O UV UM1 B 6Y EN ME2
EN ,I A/ 'M IF DEY GWYNE 6GRAB A "Y :ITE
G5LMAN'S PROPATY1 EN GIT A HID'N = X8
,D5 ,I G9 'M T5 C5TS APIECE1 EN DEY ,8UZ
MI<TY WELL SATISFI$1 EN WI%T "S MO0'
RAF'S ,8UD -E AL;G EN MAKE 'M RI* AG94
,DEY'S MI<TY GD 6ME1 DESE NI7]S IS1 EN
:AT"E ,I WANTS 'M 6D FUR ME ,I DOAN0' H
6A/ 'M TWICE1 H"OY4 ,DAT ,JACK'S A GD
NI7]1 EN POOTY SM>T40
  8,YES1 HE IS4 ,HE A9'T "E TOLD ME Y 0
"H2 TOLD ME 6-E1 & HE'D %[ ME A LOT (
WAT]- MO3AS9S4 ,IF ANY?+ HAPP5S ,,HE
A9'T MIX$ UP 9 X4 ,HE C SAY HE N"E SE5 U
TGR1 & X 'LL 2 ! TRU?40
  ,I DON'T WANT 6TALK M* AB ! NEXT "D4
,I RECKON ,I'LL CUT X PRETTY %ORT4 ,I
WAK$ UP AB DAWN1 & 0 A-GO+ 6TURN OV] & G
6SLEEP AG :5 ,I NOTIC$ H[ / X WAS--
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ANYBODY /IRR+4 ,T W>N'T
USUAL4 ,NEXT ,I NOTIC$ T ,BUCK 0 UP &
G"O4 ,WELL1 ,I GETS UP1 A-WOND]+1 & GOES
D[N /AIRS--NOBODY >.D2 "EY?+ Z / Z A
M\SE4 ,J ! SAME \TSIDE4 ,?9KS ,I1 :AT
DOES X M1N8 ,D[N 0! WOODPILE ,I -ES ACR
MY ,JACK1 & SAYS3
  8,:AT'S X ALL AB80
  ,SAYS HE3
  8,DON'T Y "K1 ,M>S ,JAWGE80
  8,NO10 SAYS ,I1 8,I DON'T40
  8,WELL1 D51 ,MISS ,SOPHIA'S RUN (F6
,8DE$ %E HAS4 ,%E RUN (F 9 DE NI<T "S "T
--NOBODY DON'T "K JIS0' :52 RUN (F 6GET
M>RI$ 6DAT "Y ,H>NEY ,%EPH]DSON1 Y "K--
L1/WAYS1 S DEY ,8SPEC4 ,DE FAMBLY F\N0'
X \ ,8B\T HALF AN H\R AGO--MAYBE A LL
MO0'--EN0' ,I ,,TELL Y DEY W>N'T NO "T
LOS0'4 ,SI* ANO!R HURRY9' UP GUNS EN
HOSSES ,,Y N"E SEE6 ,DE WOM5 FOLKS HAS
G"O = 6/IR UP DE REL,NS1 EN OLE ,M>S
,SAUL EN DE BOYS TUCK DEY GUNS EN RODE
UP DE RIV] ROAD = 6TRY 6KET* DAT "Y MAN
EN KILL HM ,8FO0' HE K9 GIT ACRO/ DE
RIV] WID ,MISS ,SOPHIA4 ,I RECK'N DEY'S
GWYNE 6BE MI<TY R\< "TS40
  8,BUCK W5T (F ,8?\T WAK+ ME UP40
  8,WELL1 ,I RECK'N HE ,,DID6 ,DEY W>N'T
GWYNE 6MIX Y UP 9 X4 ,M>S ,BUCK HE LOAD$
UP 8 GUN EN ,8L[$ HE'S GWYNE 6FET* HOME
A ,%EPH]DSON OR BU/4 ,WELL1 DEY'LL 2
PL5TY UN 'M DAH1 ,I RECK'N1 EN Y BET Y
HE'LL FET* "O EF HE GITS A *AN/40
  ,I TOOK UP ! RIV] ROAD Z H>D Z ,I CD
PUT4 ,BY & BY ;,I 2G9 6HE> GUNS A GD
WAYS (F4 ,:5 ,I CAME 9 SI<T (! LOG /ORE
&! WOODPILE ": ! /1MBOATS L&S ,I "W$
AL;G "U ! TREES & BRU% TILL ,I GOT 6A GD
PLACE1 & !N ,I CLUMB UP 96! =KS (A
COTTONWOOD T 0 \ ( R1*1 & WAT*$4 ,"! 0 A
WOOD-RANK F\R FOOT HI< A LL WAYS 9 FRONT
(! TREE1 & F/ ,I 0 GO+ 6HIDE 2H T2 B
MAYBE X 0 LUCKI] ,I DIDN'T4
  ,"! 0 F\R OR FIVE M5 CAVORT+ >.D ON _!
HORSES 9 ! OP5 PLACE 2F ! LOG /ORE1
CUSS+ & YELL+1 & TRY+ 6GET AT A C\PLE (
"Y *APS T 0 2H ! WOOD-RANK AL;GSIDE (!
/1MBOAT L&+2 B !Y CDN'T -E X4 ,E "T "O (
!M %[$ HMF ON ! RIV] SIDE (! WOODPILE HE
GOT %OT AT4 ,! TWO BOYS 0 SQUATT+ BACK
6BACK 2H ! PILE1 S !Y CD WAT* BO? WAYS4
  ,BY & BY ! M5 /OPP$ CAVORT+ >.D &
YELL+4 ,!Y />T$ RID+ T[>DS ! /ORE2 !N UP
GETS "O (! BOYS1 DRAWS A /1DY B1D OV] !
WOOD-RANK1 & DROPS "O ( !M \ ( 8 SA4LE4
,ALL ! M5 JUMP$ (F ( _! HORSES & GRA2$ !
HURT "O & />T$ 6C>RY HM 6! /ORE2 & T
M9UTE ! TWO BOYS />T$ ON ! RUN4 ,!Y GOT
HALF WAY 6! TREE ,I 0 9 2F ! M5 NOTIC$4
,!N ! M5 SEE !M1 & JUMP$ ON _! HORSES &
TOOK \ AF !M4 ,!Y GA9$ ON ! BOYS1 B X
DIDN'T D NO GD1 ! BOYS _H TOO GD A />T2
!Y GOT 6! WOODPILE T 0 9 FRONT ( MY
TREE1 & SLIPP$ 9 2H X1 & S !Y _H ! BULGE
ON ! M5 AG4 ,"O (! BOYS 0 ,BUCK1 &! O!R
0 A SLIM "Y *AP AB N9ETE5 YE>S OLD4
  ,! M5 RIPP$ >.D A:ILE1 & !N RODE AWAY4
,Z SOON Z !Y 0 \ ( SI<T ,I SUNG \ 6,BUCK
& TOLD HM4 ,HE DIDN'T "K :AT 6MAKE ( MY
VOICE -+ \ (! TREE AT F/4 ,HE 0 AW;L
SURPRIS$4 ,HE TOLD ME 6WAT* \ %>P & LET
HM "K :5 ! M5 -E 9 SI<T AG2 SD !Y 0 UP
6"S DEVIL;T OR O!R--WDN'T 2 G"O L;G4 ,I
WI%$ ,I 0 \ ( T TREE1 B ,I DASN'T -E
D[N4 ,BUCK 2GUN 6CRY & RIP1 & ,8L[$ T HM
& 8 C\S9 ,JOE 7T 0 ! O!R "Y *AP7 WD MAKE
UP = ? "D YET4 ,HE SD 8 "F & 8 TWO
BRO!RS 0 KILL$1 & TWO OR ?REE (! 5EMY4
,SD ! ,%EPH]DSONS LAID = !M 9 AMBU%4
,BUCK SD 8 "F & BRO!RS "\ 6WAIT$ = _!
REL,NS--! ,%EPH]DSONS 0 TOO /R;G = !M4
,I ASK$ HM :AT 0 2COME ( "Y ,H>NEY &
,MISS ,SOPHIA4 ,HE SD !Y'D GOT ACR !
RIV] & 0 SAFE4 ,I 0 GLAD ( T2 B ! WAY
,BUCK DID TAKE ON 2C HE DIDN'T MANAGE
6KILL ,H>NEY T "D HE %OT AT HM--,I HA9'T
"E HE>D ANY?+ L X4
  ,ALL (A SU451 BANG6 BANG6 BANG6 GOES
?REE OR F\R GUNS--! M5 _H SLIPP$ >.D "?
! WOODS & -E 9 F 2H )\T _! HORSES6 ,!
BOYS JUMP$ =! RIV]--BO? ( !M HURT--& Z
!Y SWUM D[N ! CURR5T ! M5 RUN AL;G !
BANK %OOT+ AT !M & S++ \1 8,KILL !M1
KILL !M60 ,X MADE ME S SICK ,I MO/ FELL
\ (! TREE4 ,I A9'T A-GO+ 6TELL ,,ALL T
HAPP5$--X WD MAKE ME SICK AG IF ,I 0 6D
T4 ,I WI%$ ,I _HN'T "E -E A%ORE T NI<T
6SEE S* ?+S4 ,I A9'T "E GO+ 6GET %UT (
!M--LOTS ( "TS ,I DR1M AB !M4
  ,I /AY$ 9 ! TREE TILL X 2GUN 6GET D>K1
AFRAID 6-E D[N4 ,"S"TS ,I HE>D GUNS AWAY
(F 9 ! WOODS2 & TWICE ,I SE5 LL GANGS (
M5 GALLOP PA/ ! LOG /ORE ) GUNS2 S ,I
RECKON$ ! TR\# 0 / A-GO+ ON4 ,I 0 MI<TY
D[NHE>T$2 S ,I MADE UP MY M9D ,I WDN'T
"E G ANE> T H\SE AG1 2C ,I RECKON$ ,I 0
6BLAME1 "SH[4 ,I JUDG$ T T PIECE ( PAP]
M1NT T ,MISS ,SOPHIA 0 6MEET ,H>NEY
"S":S AT HALF-PA/ TWO & RUN (F2 & ,I
JUDG$ ,I "\ 6TOLD H] "F AB T PAP] &!
CURI\S WAY %E ACT$1 & !N MAYBE HE WD A
LOCK$ H] UP1 & ? AW;L MESS WDN'T "E
HAPP5$4
  ,:5 ,I GOT D[N \ (! TREE ,I CREPT AL;G
D[N ! RIV] BANK A PIECE1 & F.D ! TWO
BODIES LAY+ 9 ! $GE (! WAT]1 & TU7$ AT
!M TILL ,I GOT !M A%ORE2 !N ,I COV]$ UP
_! FACES1 & GOT AWAY Z QK Z ,I CD4 ,I
CRI$ A LL :5 ,I 0 COV]+ UP ,BUCK'S FACE1
= HE 0 MI<TY GD 6ME4
  ,X 0 J D>K N[4 ,I N"E W5T NE> ! H\SE1
B /RUCK "? ! WOODS & MADE =! SWAMP4 ,JIM
W>N'T ON 8 ISL&1 S ,I TRAMP$ (F 9 A
HURRY =! CRICK1 & CR[D$ "? ! WILL[S1 R$-
HOT 6JUMP ABO>D & GET \ ( T AW;L C.TRY4
,! RAFT 0 G"O6 ,MY S\LS1 B ,I 0 SC>$6 ,I
CDN'T GET MY BR1? = MO/ A M9UTE4 ,!N ,I
RAIS$ A YELL4 ,A VOICE N TW5TY-FIVE FOOT
F ME SAYS3
  8,GD LAN0'6 IS DAT Y1 H"OY8 ,DOAN0'
MAKE NO NOISE40
  ,X 0 ,JIM'S VOICE--NO?+ "E S.D$ S GD
2F4 ,I RUN AL;G ! BANK A PIECE & GOT
ABO>D1 & ,JIM HE GRA2$ ME & HU7$ ME1 HE
0 S GLAD 6SEE ME4 ,HE SAYS3
  8,LAWS B.S Y1 *ILE1 ,I ,8UZ "R D[N
%O0' Y\'S D1D AG94 ,JACK'S BE5 H1H2 HE
SAY HE RECK'N Y\'S B5 %OT1 KASE Y DIDN0'
-E HOME NO MO0'2 S ;,I'S JES' DIS M9UTE
A />T9' DE RAF0' D[N T[>DS DE M\F ] DE
CRICK1 S'S 6BE ALL R1DY = 6%OVE \ EN
L1VE SOON Z ,JACK -ES AG9 EN TELLS ME =
C]TA9 Y ,,IS D1D4 ,LAWSY1 ;,I'S MI<TY
GLAD 6GIT Y BACK AG1 H"OY4
  ,I SAYS3
  8,ALL "R--T'S MI<TY GD2 !Y WON'T F9D
ME1 & !Y'LL ?9K ,I'VE BE5 KILL$1 &
FLOAT$ D[N ! RIV]--"!'S "S?+ UP "! T 'LL
HELP !M ?9K S--S DON'T Y LOSE NO "T1
,JIM1 B J %OVE (F =! BIG WAT] Z FA/ Z "E
Y C40
  ,I N"E FELT EASY TILL ! RAFT 0 TWO
MILE 2L "! & \ 9 ! MI4LE (!
,MISSISSIPPI4 ,!N WE HUNG UP \R SIGNAL
LANT]N1 & JUDG$ T WE 0 FREE & SAFE ONCE
M4 ,I _HN'T _H A BITE 6EAT S9CE YE/]"D1
S ,JIM HE GOT \ "S CORN-DODG]S &
BUTT]MILK1 & PORK & CA2AGE & GRE5S--"!
A9'T NO?+ 9 ! _W S GD :5 X'S COOK$ "R--&
:IL/ ,I EAT MY SUPP] WE TALK$ & _H A GD
"T4 ,I 0 P[];L GLAD 6GET AWAY F ! FEUDS1
& S 0 ,JIM 6GET AWAY F ! SWAMP4 ,WE SD
"! W>N'T NO HOME L A RAFT1 AF ALL4 ,O!R
PLACES D SEEM S CRAMP$ UP & S"MY1 B A
RAFT DON'T4 ,Y FEEL MI<TY FREE & EASY &
-=TA# ON A RAFT4
