e don't get his money," said some ignoble subscriber

"Yes, he will," said the Governor, "or I'm a short. He's earned it."

"You bet "' said Lin. "Fair and square. If they're goin' back on yu',
doctor, I'll chip--Shucks!" Lin's hand fell from the empty pocket;
he remembered his wad in the stake-holder's hands, and that he now
possessed possibly two dollars in silver, all told. "I can't chip
in, doctor," he said. "That hobo over there has won my cash, an' he's
filling up on the prospect right now. I don't care! It's the biggest
show I've ever saw. You're a dandy, Mr. Hilbrun! Whoop!" And Lin
clapped the rain-maker on the shoulder, exulting. He had been too well
entertained to care what he had in his pocket, and his wife had not yet
occurred to him.

They were disputing about the rainfall, which had been slightly under
half an inch in a few spots, but over it in many others; and while we
stood talking in the renewed sunlight, more telegrams were brought to
Jode, saying that there was no moisture anywhere, and simultaneously
with these, riders dashed into town with the news that twelve miles out
the rain had flattened the grain crop. We had more of such reports from
as far as thirty miles, and beyond that there had not been a drop or a
cloud. It staggered one's reason; the brain was numb with surprise.

"Well, gentlemen," said the rain-maker, "I'm packed up, and my train'll
be along soon--would have been along by this, only it's late. What's the
word as to my three hundred and fifty dollars?"

Even still there were objections expressed. He had not entirely
performed his side of the contract.

"I think different, gentlemen," said he. "But I'll unpack and let that
train go. I can't have the law on you, I suppose. But if you don't pay
me" (the rain-maker put his hands in his pockets and leaned against the
fence) "I'll flood your town."

In earthquakes and eruptions people end by expecting anything; and in
the total eclipse that was now over all Cheyenne's ordinary standards
and precedents the bewildered community saw in this threat nothing more
unusual than if he had said twice two made four. The purse was handed
over.

"I'm obliged," said Hilbrun, simply.

"If I had foreseen, gentlemen," said Jode, too deeply grieved now to
feel anger, "that I would even be indirectly associated with your losing
your money through this--this absurd occurrence, I would have declined
to help you. It becomes my duty," he continued, tu