The Open Boat and Other Stories

world was declared to be a desert and unpeopled. Sometimes, however, on days when no heat-mist arose, a blue shape, dim, of the

the air. The sky was ever flawless; the manoeuvring of clouds was an unknown pageant; but at times a sheep-herder could s

colour, perhaps, off in the bushes, caused him suddenly to turn his head. Presently he arose, and, shading his eyes with h

" shout

up in the manner affected by the villain in the play. His serape muffled the lower part of his face, and his great sombrero shaded his brow. Being

wrong side was uppermost, and he held his frying-pan poised in the air. He surveyed with ev

lings: "Beel, you mus' geet off range. We want you

about?" said Bil

an'? Too mooch. You mus' geet

at." Bill's eyes wavered in bewilderment, and his jaw fell. "

Upon his face was then to be seen a smile that was gently,

oward the fire. "Go on, you dog-gone little yaller rat!" he said over his shoulder

one, thrusting his head forward and movin

ll?" sa

The Mexican tapped h

d help me lick you fellers, since I'm the only white man in half a day's ride. Now, look; if you fellers try to rush this camp, I'm goin' to plug about fifty per cent. of the gentlemen present, sure. I'm goin' in for trouble, an' I'll git a lot of

difference. "Oh, all right," he said. Then, in a tone of deep menace an

aid Bill. "Well, you tell