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grisly mystery behind us。＇
What a startle it was！ Eight seconds would amply cover the time it
occupiedmaybe even five would do it。 We only had time to plunge at a
curtain and unbuckle and unbutton part of it in an awkward and hindering
flurry； when our whip cracked sharply overhead； and we went rumbling and
thundering away； down a mountain 〃grade。〃
We fed on that mystery the rest of the nightwhat was left of it； for it
was waning fast。 It had to remain a present mystery； for all we could
get from the conductor in answer to our hails was something that sounded；
through the clatter of the wheels； like 〃Tell you in the morning！〃
So we lit our pipes and opened the corner of a curtain for a chimney； and
lay there in the dark； listening to each other's story of how he first
felt and how many thousand Indians he first thought had hurled themselves
upon us； and what his remembrance of the subsequent sounds was； and the
order of their occurrence。 And we theorized； too； but there was never a
theory that would account for our driver's voice being out there； nor yet
account for his Indian murderers talking such good English； if they were
Indians。
So we chatted and smoked the rest of the night comfortably away； our
boding anxiety being somehow marvelously dissipated by the real presence
of something to be anxious about。
We never did get much satisfaction about that dark occurrence。 All that
we could make out of the odds and ends of the information we gathered in
the morning； was that the disturbance occurred at a station； that we
changed drivers there； and that the driver that got off there had been
talking roughly about some of the outlaws that infested the region （〃for
there wasn't a man around there but had a price on his head and didn't
dare show himself in the settlements；〃 the conductor said）； he had talked
roughly about these characters； and ought to have 〃drove up there with
his pistol cocked and ready on the seat alongside of him； and begun
business himself； because any softy would know they would be laying for
him。〃
That was all we could gather； and we could see that neither the conductor
nor the new driver were much concerned about the matter。 They plainly
had little respect for a man who would deliver offensive opinions of
people and then be so simple as to come into their presence unprepared to
〃back his judgment；〃 as they pleasantly phrased the killing of any
fellow…being who did not like said opinions。 And likewise they plainly
had a contempt for the man's poor discretion in venturing to rouse the
wrath of such utterly reckless wild beasts as those outlawsand the
conductor added：
〃I tell you it's as much as Slade himself want to do！〃
This remark created an entire revolution in my curiosity。 I cared
nothing now about the Indians； and even lost interest in the murdered
driver。 There was such magic in that name； SLADE！ Day or night； now； I
stood always ready to drop any subject in hand； to listen to something
new about Slade and his ghastly exploits。 Even before we got to Overland
City； we had begun to hear about Slade and his 〃division〃 （for he was a
〃division…agent〃） on the Overland； and from the hour we had left Overland
City we had heard drivers and conductors talk about only three things
〃Californy；〃 the Nevada silver mines； and this desperado Slade。 And a
deal the most of the talk was about Slade。 We had gradually come to have
a realizing sense of the fact that Slade was a man whose heart and hands
and soul were steeped in the blood of offenders against his dignity； a
man who awfully avenged all injuries； affront； insults or slights； of
whatever kindon the spot if he could； years afterward if lack of
earlier opportunity compelled it； a man whose hate tortured him day and
night till vengeance appeased itand not an ordinary vengeance either；
but his enemy's absolute deathnothing less； a man whose face would
light up with a terrible joy when he surprised a foe and had him at a
disadvantage。 A high and efficient servant of the Overland； an outlaw
among outlaws and yet their relentless scourge； Slade was at once the
most bloody； the most dangerous and the most valuable citizen that
inhabited the savage fastnesses of the mountains。
CHAPTER X。
Really and truly； two thirds of the talk of drivers and conductors had
been about this man Slade； ever since the day before we reached
Julesburg。 In order that the eastern reader may have a clear conception
of what a Rocky Mountain desperado is； in his highest state of
development； I will reduce all this mass of overland gossip to one
straightforward narrative； and present it in the following shape：
Slade was born in Illinois； of good parentage。 At about twenty…six years
of age he killed a man in a quarrel and fled the country。 At St。 Joseph；
Missouri； he joined one of the early California…bound emigrant trains；
and was given the post of train…master。 One day on the plains he had an
angry dispute with one of his wagon…drivers； and both drew their
revolvers。 But the driver was the quicker artist； and had his weapon
cocked first。 So Slade said it was a pity to waste life on so small a
matter； and proposed that the pistols be thrown on the ground and the
quarrel settled by a fist…fight。 The unsuspecting driver agreed； and
threw down his pistolwhereupon Slade laughed at his simplicity； and
shot him dead！
He made his escape； and lived a wild life for awhile； dividing his time
between fighting Indians and avoiding an Illinois sheriff； who had been
sent to arrest him for his first murder。 It is said that in one Indian
battle he killed three savages with his own hand； and afterward cut their
ears off and sent them； with his compliments； to the chief of the tribe。
Slade soon gained a name for fearless resolution； and this was sufficient
merit to procure for him the important post of overland division…agent at
Julesburg； in place of Mr。 Jules； removed。 For some time previously； the
company's horses had been frequently stolen； and the coaches delayed； by
gangs of outlaws； who were wont to laugh at the idea of any man's having
the temerity to resent such outrages。 Slade resented them promptly。
The outlaws soon found that the new agent was a man who did not fear
anything that breathed the breath of life。 He made short work of all
offenders。 The result was that delays ceased； the company's property was
let alone； and no matter what happened or who suffered； Slade's coaches
went through； every time！ True； in order to bring about this wholesome
change； Slade had to kill several mensome say three； others say four；
and others sixbut the world was the richer for their loss。 The first
prominent difficulty he had was with the ex…agent Jules； who bore the
reputation of being a reckless and desperate man himself。 Jules hated
Slade for supplanting him； and a good fair occasion for a fight was all
he was waiting for。 By and by Slade dared to employ a man whom Jules had
once discharged。 Next； Slade seized a team of stage…horses which he
accused Jules of having driven off and hidden somewhere for his own use。
War was declared； and for a day or two the two men walked warily about
the streets； seeking each other； Jules armed with a double…barreled shot
gun； and Slade with his history…creating revolver。 Finally； as Slade
stepped into a store Jules poured the contents of his gun into him from
behind the door。 Slade was plucky； and Jules got several bad pistol
wounds in return。
Then both men fell； and were carried to their respective lodgings； both
swearing that better aim should do deadlier work next time。 Both were
bedridden a long time； but Jules got to his feet first； and gathering his
possessions together； packed them on a couple of mules； and fled to the
Rocky Mountains to gather strength in safety against the day of
reckoning。 For many months he was not seen or heard of； and was
gradually dropped out of the remembrance of all save Slade himself。 But
Slade was not the man to forget him。 On the contrary； common report said
that Slade kept a reward standing for his capture； dead or alive！
After awhile； seeing that Slade's energetic