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  ,B ,MR4 ,J"OS W5T ON1 MAK+ 2LIEVE T HE
0 UNAW>E (! 9T]RUP;N4
  8,8,HELL (A WAY 6/OP A LOCOMOTIVE10'
,I -PLA9$ AT ,SE?1 Z ,I CLIMB$ D[N ON 6!
"R ( WAY4 ,I WALK$ PA/ \R 5G9E & UP 6!
GIRL1 & :AT D Y ?9K8 ,H] EYES 7 %UT
TI<T4 ,%E 0 TREMBL+ T VIOL5T T Y WD SEE
X 0! MOONLI<T4 ,& %E 0 B>EFOOT1 TOO4
  8,8,:AT'S ! R[80' ,I SD1 N"O TOO
G5TLE4 ,%E GAVE A />T1 SEEM$ 6-E \ ( H]
TR.E1 & OP5$ H] EYES4 ,SAY6 ,!Y 7 BIG &
BLACK & B1UTI;L4 ,2LIEVE ME1 %E 0 "S
LOOK] -- 0
  8,! HUSSY60 ,AT : HISS ! TWO MUD-H5S
VE]$ AWAY A FEW FEET4 ,B ,J"OS 0 GETT+
HMF 9 H&1 & DIDN'T EV5 BL9K4
  8,8,:AT >E Y /OPP+ ? LOCOMOTIVE =80'
,I DEM&$ 9 ,SPANI%4 ,N>Y AN ANSW]4 ,%E
/>$ AT ME1 !N AT ! SNORT+ 5G9E & !N BUR/
96TE>S1 : Y'LL ADMIT IS UNCOMMON 2HAVI\R
= AN ,9DIAN WOMAN4
  8,8,IF Y TRY 6GET RIDES T WAY10' ,I
SLUNG AT H] 9 ,SPI7OTY ,SPANI% 7: !Y
TELL ME IS "S DI6]5T F REGUL> ,SPANI%71
,8Y'LL 2 TAK+ "O SME>$ ALL OV] \R
C[CAT*] & H1DLI<T1 & X'LL 2 UP 6MY
FIREMAN 6SCRAPE Y (F40'
  8,MY ,SPI7OTY ,SPANI% WASN'T M* 6BRAG
ON1 B ,I CD SEE %E "U/OOD1 ?\< %E ONLY
%OOK H] H1D & WDN'T SP1K4 ,B GRT ,MOSES1
%E 0 "S LOOK] -- 0
  ,I GL.ED APPREH5SIVELY AT ,MRS4 ,J"OS1
:O M/ H CAU<T ME \ (! TAIL ( H] EYE1 =
%E MUTT]$3 8,IF %E _HN'T BE5 D Y ?9K
HE'D A-TAK5 H] 96HIS H\SE 6LIVE80
  8,N[ HOLD ON1 ,S>AH10 HE PROTE/$4 8,T
A9'T FAIR4 ,2SS1 ,I'M TELL+ ?4 -- ,NEXT
?+1 ,SE? YELLS AT ME1 ,8,GO90' 6/AY "H
ALL NI<T8'
  8,8,-E ON10' ,I SD 6! GIRL1 ,8& CLIMB
ON BO>D4 ,B NEXT "T Y WANT A RIDE DON'T
FLAG A LOCOMOTIVE 2T /,NS40' ,%E FOLL[$
AL;G2 B :5 ,I GOT 6! /EP & TURN$ 6GIVE
H] A LIFT-UP1 %E WASN'T "!4 ,I W5T =W>D
AG4 ,N A SIGN (
H]4 ,ABV & 2L 0 %E] CLIFF1 &! TRACK
/RET*$ AH1D A HUNDR$ Y>DS CLE> & EMPTY4
,& !N ,I SPOTT$ H]1 CR\*$ D[N "R AG/ !
C[CAT*]1 T CLOSE ,I'D ALM /EPP$ ON H]4
,IF WE'D />T$ UP1 WE'D H RUN OV] H] 9 A
SECOND4 ,X 0 ALL S NONS5SICAL1 ,I N"E CD
MAKE \ H] AC;NS4 ,MAYBE %E 0 TRY+
6SUICIDE4 ,I GRA2$ H] 0! WRI/ & J]K$ H]
N"O TOO G5TLE 6H] FEET4 ,& %E CAME AL;G
ALL "R4 ,WOM5 D "K :5 A MAN M1NS
BUSI;S40
  ,I GL.ED F ? ,GOLIA? 6HIS LL1 BIRD-EY$
SP\SE1 & WOND]$ IF HE _H "E TRI$ 6M1N
BUSI;S ) H]4
  8,SE? KICK$ AT F/1 B ,I BOO/$ H] 96!
CAB & MADE H] SIT UP 2S ME -- 0
  8,& ,I SUPPOSE ,SE? 0 BUSY RUNN+ !
5G9E10 ,MRS4 ,J"OS OBS]V$4
  8,I 0 BR1K+ HM IN1 WASN'T ,I80 ,MR4
,J"OS PROTE/$4 8,S WE MADE ! RUN
96,AMATO4 ,%E'D N"E OP5$ H] M\? ONCE1 &
NO SOON]'D ! 5G9E /OPP$ ?AN %E'D JUMP$
6! GR.D & 0 G"O4 ,J L T4 ,N A ?ANK Y
K9DLY4 ,NO?+4
  8,B NEXT MORN+ :5 WE CAME 6PULL \ =
,QUITO )A DOZ5 FLAT C>S LOAD$ ) RAILS1
"! %E 0 9 ! CAB WAIT+ = U2 & 9 ! "DLI<T
,I CD SEE H[ M* BETT] A LOOK] %E 0 ?AN !
NI<T 2F4
  8,8,HUH6 %E'S ADOPT$ Y10' ,SE? GR9S4
,& X LOOK$ L X4 ,%E J /OOD "! & LOOK$ AT
ME -- AT U -- L A LOV+ H.D DOG T Y LOVE1
T Y'VE CAU<T )A /R+ ( SAUSAGES 9SIDE (
HM1 & T J "KS Y A9'T GO+ 6LIFT A H& 6HM4
,8,G *ASE YRF60' ,I TOLD H] ,,PRONTO40
7,MRS4 ,J"OS H] PROXIM;Y NOTICEA# )A
W9CE AT ! ,SPANI% ^W47 8,Y SEE1 ,S>AH1
,I'D NO USE = H]1 EV5 AT ! />T40
  ,MRS4 ,J"OS /I65$4 ,H] LIPS MOV$
S.D.SLY1 B ,I KNEW 6:AT SYLLA#S4
  8,& :AT MADE X H>DE/ 0 ,SE? JE]+ AT
ME4 ,8,Y C'T %AKE H] T WAY10' HE SD4
',Y\ SAV$ H] LIFE -- ' ,8,I DIDN'T10' ,I
SD %>PLY2 ,8X 0 Y40' ,8,B %E ?9KS Y DID1
: IS ! SAME ?+10' HE CAME BACK AT ME4
,8,& N[ %E 2L;GS 6Y4 ,CU/OM (! C.TRY1 Z
Y "\ 6"K40'0
  8,H1!NI%10 SD ,MRS4 ,J"OS1 & ?\< H]
/1DY GAZE 0 SET ^U ! ,T[] ( ,JEWELS ,I
KNEW %E 0 MAK+ NO REF];E 6XS >*ITECTURE4
  8,8,%E'S -E 6D LI<T H\SEKEEP+ = Y10'
,SE? GR9N$4 ,I LET HM RAVE1 ?\< AFWS ,I
KEPT HM ?R[+ 9 ! COAL TOO FA/ 6"W 8 M\?
V M*4 ,:Y1 SAY1 :5 ,I GOT 6! SPOT ": ,I
PICK$ H] UP1 & /OPP$ ! TRA9 = H] 6GET
(F1 %E J FLOPP$ D[N ON H] KNEES1 GOT A
HAMM]LOCK ) H] >MS >.D MY KNEES1 & CRI$
ALL OV] MY %OES4 ,:AT 0 ,I 6D80
  ,) NO P]CEPTI# MOVE;T T ,I 0 AW>E (1
,MRS4 ,J"OS ADV]TIS$ H] C]TITUDE ( K (
:AT ,,%E WD H D"O4
  8,&! MO;T WE PULL$ 96,QUITO1 %E DID
:AT %E'D D"O 2F -- VANI%$4 ,S>AH N"E
2LIEVES ME :5 ,I SAY H[ RELIEV$ ,I FELT
6BE QUIT ( H]4 ,B X 0 N 6BE4 ,I GOT 6MY
'DOBE H\SE & MANAG$ A CRACK+ F9E D9N] MY
COOK _H R1DY = ME4 ,%E 0 MO/LY ,SPI7OTY
& HALF ,9DIAN1 & H] "N 0 ,PALOMA4 -,N[1
,S>AH1 HAV5'T ,I TOLD Y %E 0 OLD]'N A
GR&"M1 & LOOK$ M L A BUZZ>D ?AN A DOVE8
,:Y1 ,I CDN'T BE> 6EAT ) H] >.D ": ,I CD
LOOK AT H]4 ,B %E DID MAKE ?+S -=TA#1 &
%E 0 "S ECONOMICAL :5 X CAME 6M>KET+4
  8,T AFN1 AF A BIG L;G SIE/A1 :AT'D ,I
F9D 9 ! KIT*51 J Z M* AT HOME Z IF %E
2L;G$ "!1 B T BLAM$ ,9DIAN GIRL4 ,& OLD
,PALOMA 0 SQUATT+ AT ! GIRL'S FEET &
RU2+ ! GIRL'S KNEES & LEGS L =
RHEUMATISM1 : ,I KNEW ! GIRL DIDN'T H F
! WAY ,I'D SIZ$ UP ! WALK ( H]1 & KEEP+
"T 6! RU2+ )A FUNNY SORT ( GI2]I% *ANT4
,& ,I LET LOOSE "R "! & !N4 ,Z ,S>AH
"KS1 ,I N"E CD A-BE> WOM5 >.D ! H\SE --
"Y1 UNM>RI$ WOM51 ,I M1N4 ,B X 0 NO G6
,OLD ,PALOMA SID$ )! GIRL1 & SD IF !
GIRL W5T %E W5T1 TOO4 ,AL1 %E CALL$ ME M
K9DS (A FOOL ?AN ! ,5GLI% LANGUAGE HAS
A3OMMOD,N =4 ,Y'D L ! ,SPANI% L+O1
,S>AH1 = EXPRESS+ YRF 9 S* WAYS1 & Y'D H
LIK$ OLD ,PALOMA1 TOO4 ,%E 0 A GD WOMAN1
?\< %E DIDN'T H ANY TEE? & H] FACE CD
KILL A /R;G MAN'S APPETITE 9 ! CRADLE4
  8,I GAVE IN4 ,I _H TO4 ,EXCEPT =!
EXCUSE T %E NE$$ ,VAHNA'S HELP >.D !
H\SE 7: %E DIDN'T AT ALL71 OLD ,PALOMA
N"E SD :Y %E /UCK UP =! GIRL4 ,ANYWAY1
,VAHNA 0 A QUIET ?+1 N"E 9 ! WAY4 ,& %E
N"E GA4$4 ,J SAT IN-DOORS JA2]+ )
,PALOMA & HELP+ )! *ORES4 ,B ,I WASN'T
L;G 9 GETT+ ON 6T %E 0 AFRAID ( "S?+4
,%E WD LOOK UP1 T ANXI\S X HURT1 :5"E
ANYBODY CALL$1 L "S (! BOYS 6H A GAS OR
A GAME ( P$RO4 ,I TRI$ 6WORM X \ (
,PALOMA :AT 0 WORRY+ ! GIRL1 B ALL ! OLD
WOMAN DID 0 6LOOK SOLEMN & %AKE H] H1D L
ALL ! DEVILS 9 HELL 0 LIA# 6PRECIPITATE
A VISIT ON U4
  8,& !N "O "D ,VAHNA _H A VISITOR4 ,I'D
J -E 9 F A RUN & 0 PASS+ ! "T ( "D ) H]
-- ,I _H 6BE POLITE1 EV5
IF %E _H BUTT$ 9 ON ME & -E 6LIVE 9 MY
H\SE = KEEPS -:5 ,I SAW A QUE] EXPRES.N
-E 96H] EYES4 ,9 ! DOORWAY /OOD AN
,9DIAN BOY4 ,HE LOOK$ L H]1 B 0 "Y] &
SLIMM]4 ,%E TOOK HM 96! KIT*5 & !Y M/ H
_H A GRT PALAV]1 = HE DIDN'T L1VE UNTIL
AF D>K4 ,9SIDE ! WEEK HE CAME BACK1 B ,I
MISS$ HM4 ,:5 ,I GOT HOME1 ,PALOMA PUT A
FAT NU7ET ( GOLD 96MY H&1 : ,VAHNA _H
S5T HM =4 ,! BLAM$ ?+ WEI<$ ALL ( TWO
P.DS & 0 WOR? M ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ DOLL>S4
,%E EXPLA9$ T ,VAHNA WANT$ ME 6TAKE X
6PAY = H] KEEP4 ,& ,I _H 6TAKE X 6KEEP
P1CE 9 ! H\SE4
  8,!N1 AF A L;G "T1 CAME ANO!R VISITOR4
,WE 7 SITT+ 2F ! FIRE -- 0
  8,HM &! HUSSY10 QUO? ,MRS4 ,J"OS4
  8,& ,PALOMA10 HE A4$ QKLY4
  8,HM & 8 COOK & 8 LI<T H\SEKEEP] SITT+
0! FIRE10 %E AM5D$4
  8,OH1 ,I ADMIT ,VAHNA DID L ME A :OLE
H1P10 HE ASS]T$ RECK.SLY1 !N MODIFI$ )A
PANG ( CAU;N3 8,A H1P M ?AN 0 GD = H]1
SEE+ T ,I _H NO 9CL9,N H] WAY4
  8,WELL1 Z ,I 0 SAY+1 %E _H ANO!R
VISITOR4 ,HE 0 A L1N1 TALL1 :ITE-H1D$
OLD ,9DIAN1 )A B1K ON HM L AN EAGLE4 ,HE
WALK$ "R 9 )\T KNOCK+4 ,VAHNA GAVE A LL
CRY T 0 HALF L A YELP & HALF L A GASP1 &
FLUMP$ D[N ON H] KNEES 2F ME1 PL1D+ 6ME
) DE]'S EYES & 6HM )! EYES (A DE] AB 6BE
KILL$ T DON'T WANT 6BE KILL$4 ,!N1 =A
M9UTE T SEEM$ Z L;G Z A LIFE-"T1 %E &!
OLD FELL[ GL>$ AT EA* O!R4 ,PALOMA 0 !
F/ 6TALK1 9 8 [N L+O1 = HE TALK$ BACK
6H]4 ,B GRT ,MOSES1 IF HE WASN'T ! HI< &
MI<TY "O6 ,PALOMA'S OLD KNEES 7 %AK+1 &
%E CR+$ 6HM L A H.D DOG4 ,& ALL ? 9 MY
[N H\SE6 ,I'D H ?R[N HM \ ON 8 NECK1
ONLY HE 0 S OLD4
  8,IF ! ?+S HE SD 6,VAHNA 7 Z T]RI# Z !
WAY HE LOOK$6 ,SAY6 ,HE J SPIT ^WS AT
H]6 ,B ,PALOMA KEPT :IMP]+ & BUTT+ IN1
TILL "S?+ %E SD GOT ACR1 2C 8 FACE
RELAX$4 ,HE 3DESC5D$ 6GIVE ME ! ONCE OV]
& FIR$ "S "Q AT ,VAHNA4 ,%E HUNG H] H1D1
& LOOK$ FOOLI%1 & BLU%$1 & !N REPLI$ )A
S+LE ^W &A %AKE (! H1D4 ,&) T HE J
NATUR,Y TURN$ ON 8 HEEL & B1T X4 ,I
GUESS %E'D SD ,8,NO40'
  8,= "S "T AF T ,VAHNA US$ 6FLU/] UP
:5"E %E SAW ME4 ,!N %E TOOK 6! KIT*5 =A
SPELL4 ,B AF A L;G "T %E 2GAN HANG+ >.D
! BIG ROOM AG4 ,%E 0 / MI<TY %Y1 B %E'D
KEEP ON FOLL[+ ME AB ) ^? BIG EYES ( H]S
-- 0
  8,! HUSSY60 ,I HE>D PLA9LY4 ,B ,JULIAN
,J"OS & ,I 7 PRETTY WELL US$ 6X 0? "T4
  8,I DON'T M9D SAY+ T ,I 0 GETT+ "S
9T]E/$ MYF -OH1 N 9 ! WAY ,S>AH N"E LETS
UP LETT+ ME "K %E ?9KS4 ,T TWO-P.D NU7ET
0 :AT _H ME GO+4 ,IF ,VAHNA'D PUT ME
WISE 6": X CAME F1 ,I CD SAY GD-BYE
6RAILROAD+ & HIT ! HI< PLACES =
,NEBRASKA & ,S>AH4
  8,& !N ! B1NS 7 SPILL$ 4 4 4 0A3ID5T4
,-E A LR F ,WISCONS94 ,MY ,AUNT ,ELIZA
'D DI$ & UP & LEFT ME H] BIG F>M4 ,I LET
\ A :OOP :5 ,I R1D X2 B ,I CD H CANN$ MY
JOY1 = ,I 0 JO2$ \ ( X 0! C\RTS & LAWY]S
AFW -- N A C5T 6ME1 & ,I'M / PAY+ 'M 9
9/AL;TS4
  8,B ,I DIDN'T "K1 !N2 & ,I PREP>$
6PULL BACK 6,GOD'S C.TRY4 ,PALOMA GOT
SORE1 & ,VAHNA GOT ! WEEPS4 ,8,DON'T G6
,DON'T G60' ,T 0 H] S;G4 ,B ,I GAVE
NOTICE ON MY JOB1 & WROTE A LR 6,S>AH "H
-- DIDN'T ,I1 ,S>AH8
  8,T NI<T1 SITT+ 0! FIRE L AT A FUN]AL1
,VAHNA RE,Y LOOS5$ UP =! F/ "T4
  8,8,DON'T G10' %E SAYS 6ME1 ) OLD
,PALOMA NO4+ AGREE;T ) H]4 ,8,I'LL %[ Y
": MY BRO!R GOT ! NU7ET1 IF Y DON'T G40'
,8,TOO LATE10' SD ,I4 ,& ,I TOLD H] :Y4
  8,& TOLD H] AB ME WAIT+ = Y BACK 9
,NEBRASKA10 ,MRS4 ,J"OS OBS]V$ 9 COLD1
PAS.N.S T"OS4
  8,N[1 ,S>AH1 :Y %D ,I HURT A POOR
,9DIAN GIRL'S FEEL+S8 ,( C\RSE ,I
DIDN'T4
  8,WELL1 %E & ,PALOMA TALK$ ,9DIAN "S
M1 & !N ,VAHNA SAYS3 ,8,IF Y /AY1 ,I'LL
%[ Y ! BI7E/ NU7ET T IS ! "F ( ALL O!R
NU7ETS40' ,8,H[ BIG80' ,I ASK$4 ,8,Z BIG
Z ME80' ,%E LAU<$4 ,8,BI7] ?AN Y10' %E
SAYS1 ,8M*1 M* BI7]40' ,8,!Y DON'T GR[ T
WAY10' ,I SD4 ,B %E SD %E'D SE5 X &
,PALOMA BACK$ H] UP4 ,:Y1 6LI/5 6!M Y'D
H ?"\ "! 0 MILLIONS 9 T "O NU7ET4
,PALOMA 'D N"E SE5 X H]F1 B %E'D HE>D AB
X4 ,A SECRET (! TRIBE : %E CDN'T %>E1 2+
ONLY HALF ,9DIAN H]F40
  ,JULIAN ,J"OS PAUS$ & H1V$ A SI<4
  8,& !Y KEPT ON 9SI/+ UNTIL ,I FELL =
-- 0
  8,! HUSSY10 SD ,MRS4 ,J"OS1 P]T Z A
BIRD1 AT ! R1DY 9/ANT4
  8',NO2 =! NU7ET4 ,:AT ( ,AUNT ,ELIZA'S
F>M ,I 0 RI* 5 6QUIT RAILROAD+1 B N RI*
5 6TURN MY BACK ON BIG M"OY -- & ,I J
CDN'T HELP 2LIEV+ !M TWO WOM54 ,GEE6 ,I
CD 2 ANO!R ,V&]BILT1 OR ,J4 ,P4 ,MORGAN4
,T'S ! WAY ,I ?"\2 & ,I />T$ 9 6PUMP
,VAHNA4 ,B %E WDN'T GIVE D[N4 ,8,Y -E
AL;G ) ME10' %E SAYS4 ,8,WE C 2 BACK "H
9 A C\PLE ( WEEKS ) ALL ! GOLD ! BO? ( U
C C>RY40' ,8,WE'LL TAKE A BURRO1 OR A
PACK-TRA9 ( BURROS10' 0 MY SU7ES;N4 ,B
NO?+ DO+4 ,& ,PALOMA AGRE$ ) H]4 ,X 0
TOO DANG]\S4 ,! ,9DIANS WD CAT* U4
  8,! TWO ( U PULL$ \ :5 ! NI<TS 7
MOONLI<T4 ,WE TRAVELL$ ONLY AT NI<T1 &
LAID UP 9 ! "DS4 ,VAHNA WDN'T LET ME
LI<T A FIRE1 & ,I MISS$ MY C(FEE "S?+
FI]CE4 ,WE GOT UP 9 ! R1L HI< M.TA9S (!
MA9 ,&ES1 ": ! SN[ ON "O PASS GAVE U "S
TR\#2 B ! GIRL KNEW ! TRAILS1 &1 ?\< WE
DIDN'T WA/E ANY "T1 WE 7 A FULL WEEK
GETT+ "!4 ,I "K ! G5]AL TR5D ( \R
TRAVEL1 2C ,I C>RI$ A POCKET -PASS2 &!
G5]AL TR5D IS ALL ,I NE$ 6GET "! AG1 2C
( T P1K4 ,"!'S NO MISTAK+ X4 ,"! A9'T
ANO!R P1K L X 9 ! _W4 ,N[1 ,I'M N TELL+
Y XS "PICUL> %APE1 B :5 Y & ,I H1D \ = X
F ,QUITO ,I'LL TAKE Y /RAI<T 6X4
  8,X'S NO EASY ?+ 6CLIMB1 &! P]SON
DOESN'T LIVE T C CLIMB X AT NI<T4 ,WE _H
6TAKE ! "DLI<T 6X1 & DIDN'T R1* ! TOP
TILL AF SUNSET4 ,:Y1 ,I CD TAKE H\RS &
H\RS TELL+ Y AB T LA/ CLIMB1 : ,I WON'T4
,! TOP 0 FLAT Z A BILLI>D TA#1 AB A
QU>T] ( AN ACRE 9 SIZE1 & 0 ALM CL1N (
SN[4 ,VAHNA TOLD ME T ! GRT W9DS T USU,Y
BLEW1 KEPT ! SN[ (F ( X4
  8,WE 7 W9D$1 & ,I GOT M.TA9 SICK;S S
BAD T ,I _H 6/RET* \ =A SPELL4 ,!N1 :5 !
MOON -E UP1 ,I TOOK A PR[L >.D4 ,X
DIDN'T TAKE L;G1 & ,I DIDN'T CAT* A SI<T
OR A SMELL ( ANY?+ T LOOK$ L GOLD4 ,& :5
,I ASK$ ,VAHNA1 %E ONLY LAU<$ & CLAPP$
H] H&S4 ,M1N"T MY M.TA9 SICK;S TUN$ UP
"S?+ FI]CE1 & ,I SAT D[N ON A BIG ROCK
6WAIT = X 6EASE D[N4
  8,8,-E ON1 N[10' ,I SD1 :5 ,I FELT
BETT]4 ,8,/OP YR FOOL+ & TELL ME ": T
NU7ET IS40' ,8,X'S NE>] 6Y "R N[ ?AN
,I'LL "E GET10' %E ANSW]$1 H] BIG EYES
GO+ SU45 WI/;L4 ,8,ALL Y ,GR+OS >E
ALIKE4 ,GOLD IS ! LOVE ( YR HE>T1 & WOM5
DON'T C.T M*40'
  8,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4 ,T 0 NO "T 6TELL
H] AB ,S>AH "H4 ,B ,VAHNA SEEM$ 6%AKE (F
H] DEPRESS$ FEEL+S1 & 2GAN 6LAU< & T1SE
AG4 ,8,H[ D Y L X80' %E ASK$4 ,8,L
:AT80' ,8,! NU7ET Y'RE SITT+ ON40'
  8,I JUMP$ UP Z ?\< X 0 A R$-HOT /OVE4
,& ALL X 0 0 A ROCK4 ,I FELT NAY HE>T
S9K4 ,EI %E _H G"O CL1N LOCO OR ? 0 H]
IDEA (A JOKE4 ,WR;G ON BO? C.TS4 ,%E
GAVE ME ! HAT*ET & TOLD ME 6TAKE A HACK
AT ! B\LD]1 : ,I DID1 AG & AG1 = YELL[
SPOTS SPRANG UP F "U E BL[4 ,0! GRT
,MOSES6 X 0 GOLD6 ,! :OLE BLAM$ B\LD]60
  ,J"OS ROSE SU45LY 6HIS FULL HEI<T &
FLUNG \ 8 L;G >MS1 8 FACE TURN$ 6! S\!RN
SKIES4 ,! MOVE;T %OT PANIC 96! HE>T (A
SWAN T _H DRAWN NE>] ) AMIABLY PR$ATORY
DESIGNS4 ,XS 3SEQU5T ABRUPT RETR1T
COLLID$ X )A /\T OLD LADY1 :O SQU1L$ &
DROPP$ H] BAG ( P1NUTS4 ,J"OS SAT D[N &
RESUM$4
  8,GOLD1 ,I TELL Y1 SOLID GOLD & T PURE
& S(T T ,I *OPP$ *IPS \ ( X4 ,X _H BE5
COAT$ ) "S SORT ( RA9-PRO( PA9T OR
LACQU] MADE \ ( ASPHALT OR "S?+4 ,NO
WOND] ,I'D TAK5 X =A ROCK4 ,X 0 T5 FEET
L;G1 ALL ( FIVE FEET "?1 & TAP]+ 6BO?
5DS L AN EGG4 ,"H4 ,TAKE A LOOK AT ?40
  ,F 8 POCKET HE DREW & OP5$ A L1!R
CASE1 F : HE TOOK AN OBJECT WRAPP$ 9
TISSUE-PAP]4 ,UNWRAPP+ X1 HE DROPP$ 96MY
H& A *IP ( PURE S(T GOLD1 ! SIZE (A T5-
DOLL> GOLD-PIECE4 ,I CD MAKE \ ! GREYI%
SUB/.E ON "O SIDE ) : X _H BE5 PA9T$4
  8,I *OPP$ T F "O 5D (! ?+10 ,J"OS W5T
ON1 REPLAC+ ! *IP 9 XS PAP] & L1!R CASE4
8,& LUCKY ,I PUT X 9 MY POCKET4 ,= "R AT
MY BACK CAME "O L\D ^W -- M L A CROAK
?AN A ^W1 9 MY WAY ( ?9K+4 ,& "! 0 T L1N
OLD FELL[ )! EAGLE B1K T _H DROPP$ 9 ON
U "O NI<T4 ,& "! 0 AB ?IRTY ,9DIANS ) HM
-- ALL SLIM "Y FELL[S4
  8,VAHNA'D FLOPP$ D[N & 2GUN :IMP]+1 B
,I TOLD H]1 ,8,GET UP & MAKE FRS ) !M =
ME40' ,8,NO1 NO10' %E CRI$4 ',?IS IS
D1?4 ,GD-BYE1 ,,AMIGO -- '0
  ,"H ,MRS4 ,J"OS W9C$1 & H] HUSB&
ABRUPTLY *ECK$ ! "PICUL> FL[ ( 8
N>RATIVE4
  8,8,!N GET UP & FI<T AL;G ) ME10' ,I
SD 6H]4 ,& %E DID4 ,%E 0 "S HELLION1 "!
ON ! TOP (! _W1 CLAW+ & SCRAT*+ TOO? &
NAIL -- A REGUL> %E CAT4 ,& ,I WASN'T
IDLE1 ?\< ALL ,I _H 0 T HAT*ET & MY L;G
>MS4 ,B !Y 7 TOO _M = ME1 & "! 0 NO
PLACE = ME 6PUT MY BACK
AG/ A WALL4 ,:5 ,I -E TO1 M9UTES AF !Y'D
CRACK$ ME ON ! H1D -- "H1 FEEL ?40
  ,REMOV+ 8 HAT1 ,JULIAN ,J"OS GUID$ MY
F+] TIPS "? 8 ?AT* ( S&Y HAIR UNTIL !Y
SANK 96AN 9D5T,N4 ,X 0 FULLY ?REE 9*ES
L;G1 & W5T 96! B"O XF (! SKULL4
  8,:5 ,I -E TO1 "! 0 ,VAHNA SPR1D-EAGL$
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/"O KNIFE DID = H]1 & ME !Y DIDN'T EV5 D
! HON\R ( KILL+ "! ON TOP _! SACR$ P1K4
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  8,&! BUZZ>DS DIDN'T GET ME EI4 ,I C
SEE ! MOONLI<T YET1 %9+ ON ALL ^? P1KS (
SN[1 Z ,I W5T D[N4 ,:Y1 SIR1 X 0 A FIVE-
HUNDR$-FOOT FALL1 ONLY ,I DIDN'T MAKE X4
,I W5T 96A BIG SN[-DRIFT 9 A CREVICE4 ,&
:5 ,I -E TO 7H\RS AF ,I "K1 = X 0 FULL
"D :5 ,I NEXT SAW ! SUN71 ,I F.D MYF 9 A
REGUL> SN[-CAVE OR TUNNEL CAUS$ 0! WAT]
F ! MELT+ SN[ RUNN+ AL;G ! L$GE4 ,9
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  8,B ,I PD = X4 ,X 0 TWO YE>S & OV] 2F
,I KNEW :AT HAPP5$4 ,ALL ,I KNEW 0 T ,I
0 ,JULIAN ,J"OS & T ,I'D BE5 BLACKLI/$ 9
! BIG /RIKE1 & T ,I 0 M>RI$ 6,S>AH "H4
,I M1N T4 ,I DIDN'T "K ANY?+ 9 2T1 & :5
,S>AH TRI$ 6TALK AB X1 X GAVE ME PA9S 9
! H1D4 ,I M1N MY H1D 0 QUE]1 & ,I KNEW X
0 QUE]4
  8,& !N1 SITT+ ON ! POR* ( H] "F'S
F>MH\SE BACK 9 ,NEBRASKA "O MOONLI<T
EV5+1 ,S>AH CAME \ & PUT T GOLD *IP 96MY
H&4 ,SEEMS %E'D J F.D X 9 ! TORN L9+ (!
TRUNK ,I'D BR"\ BACK F ,ECUADOR -- ,I :O
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,WELL1 ,I J SAT "! LOOK+ AT ! *IP 9 !
MOONLI<T1 & TURN+ X OV] & OV] & FIGUR+
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DIDN'T /& UP"R1 ,I J CRAWL$4 ,HE TOOK ME
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,:AT ,I ATE ,I DON'T "K4 ,MAYBE ,I
DIDN'T EAT4 ,!N X 0 DOCTORS AT ,QUITO1 &
,PALOMA NURS+ ME 7%E M/ H PACK$ T GOLD
*IP 9 MY TRUNK71 UNTIL !Y F.D \ ,I 0 A
MAN )\T A M9D1 &! RAILROAD S5T ME BACK
6,NEBRASKA4 ,AT ANY RATE1 T'S :AT ,SE?
WRITES ME4 ,( MYF1 ,I DON'T "K4 ,B ,S>AH
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6GET BACK T BIG NU7ET4 ,S>AH'S GOT M"OY
( H] [N1 & %E WON'T LET G A P5NY -- 0
  8,HE WON'T GET D[N 6,,T C.TRY NO M60
%E BROKE =?4
  8,B1 ,S>AH1 ,VAHNA'S D1D -- Y "K T10
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IS NO PLACE =A M>RI$ MAN40
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6GL[ 96SUNSET4 ,I GAZ$ =A MO;T AT H]
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& SIZE60 ,I OBJECT$4
  8,J Z EASY10 HE SMIL$4 8,I US$ 6BE
/UMP$ 0T PROPOSI;N MYF1 AF ,I GOT MY
MEMORY BACK4 ,N[ H[ 9 ,SAM ,HILL -- ' ,I
US$ 62G91 & !N SP5D H\RS FIGUR+ AT X4 ,&
!N :5 ,I GOT ! ANSW] ,I FELT D[N"R
IDIOTIC1 X 0 T EASY40 ,HE PAUS$1 !N
ANN\NC$3 8,!Y DIDN'T40
  8,B Y J -- SD !Y DID40
  8,!Y DID & !Y DIDN'T10 0 8 5IGMATIC
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NU7ET UP "!4 ,:AT !Y DID 0 6C>RY UP XS
3T5TS40
  ,HE WAIT$ UNTIL HE SAW 5LI<T5;T DAWN 9
MY FACE4
  8,& !N ( C\RSE MELT$ ALL ! GOLD1 OR
WELD$ X1 OR SMELT$ X1 ALL 96"O PIECE4 ,Y
"K ! F/ ,SPANI>DS D[N "!1 "U A L1D] "ND
,PIZ>RO1 7 A GANG ( RO2]S & CUT-?ROATS4
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,9DIANS _H LOTS ( GOLD4 ,WELL1 :AT !
,SPANI>DS DIDN'T GET1 ! SURVIV+ ,9DIANS
HID AWAY 9 T "O BIG *UNK ON TOP ! M.TA91
& X'S BE5 WAIT+ "! "E S9CE = ME -- &= Y1
IF Y WANT 6G 9 ON X40
  ,& "H1 0! ,LAGOON (! ,PALACE ( ,F9E
,>TS1 5D$ MY ACQUA9T.E ) ,JULIAN ,J"OS4
,ON MY AGREE+ 6F9.E ! ADV5TURE1 HE
PROMIS$ 6CALL ON ME AT MY HOTEL NEXT
MORN+ )! LRS ( ,SE? ,MANN]S &! RAILROAD1
& 3CLUDE >RANGE;TS4 ,B HE DID N CALL4 ,T
EV5+ ,I TELEPHON$ 8 HOTEL & 0 9=M$ 0!
CL]K T ,MR4 ,JULIAN ,J"OS & WIFE _H
DE"P$ 9 ! E>LY AFN1 ) _! BA7AGE4
  ,C ,MRS4 ,J"OS H RU%$ HM BACK & HI45
HM AWAY 9 ,NEBRASKA8 ,I REMEMB] T Z WE
SD GD-BYE1 "! 0 T 9 H] SMILE T RECALL$ !
VULP9E -PLAC5CY ( ,MONA ,LISA1 ! ,WISE4

,KOHALA1 ,HAWAII1
,,MAY #E1 #AIAF4