英语民间故事五则 25页

英语民间故事五则DogedogDogedoghadalwaysbeenverylazy,andnowthathisfatherandmotherweredeadandhehadnoonetocareforhim,helivedverypoorly.Hehadlittletoeat.Hishousewasoldandsmallandsopoorthatithadnotevenafloor.Stillhewouldrathersitalldayandidleawayhistimethantoworkandhavemorethings.Oneday,however,whentherainyseasonwasnearathand,Dogedogbeganthinkinghowcoldhewouldbewhenthestormscame,andhefeltsosorryforhimselfthathedecidedtomakeafloorinhishouse・Wrappingsomericeinabananaleafforhisdinner,hetookhislongkrdfeandwenttotheforesttocutsomebamboo.Hehungthebundleofriceinatreeuntilheshouldneedit;butwhilehewasworkingacatcameandateit.Whenthehungrymancameforhisdinner,therewasnoneleftDogedogwentbacktohismiserablelittlehousewhichlookedforlorntohimeven,nowthathehaddecidedtohaveafloor.Thenextdayhewentagaintotheforestandhunghisriceinthetreeashedidbefore,butagainthecatcameandateit.Sothemanhadtogohomewithoutanydinner. Thethirddayhetooktherice,butthistimehefixedatrapinthetree,andwhenthecatcameitwascaught.HNowIhaveyou!"criedthemanwhenhefoundthecat;”andIshallkillyouforsteaIingmyrice/19h,donotkillme/1pleadedthecat,"andIwillbeofsomeusetoyou."SoDogedogdecidedtosparethecat"slife,andhetookithomeandtieditnearthedoortoguardthehouse.Sometimelaterwhenhewenttolookatit,hewasverymuchsurprisedtofindthatithadbecomeacock.nNowIcangotothecock-fightatMagsingal,"1criedtheman.Andhewasveryhappy,forhehadmuchratherdothatthanwork・Thinkingnomoreofgettingwoodforhisfloor,hestartedoutatonceforMagsingalwiththecockunderhisarm.Ashewascrossingariverhemetanalligatorwhichcalledouttohim:nWhereareyougoing,nDogedog?"HTothecock-fightatMagsingal,"repliedthemanashefondlystrokedtherooster. HWait,andIwillgowithyou/saidthealligator;andhedrewhimselfoutofthewater・Thetwowalkingtogethersoonenteredaforestwheretheymetadeeranditasked:nWhereareyougoing,Dogedog?”nTothecock-fightatMagsingal,"saidtheman.HWaitandIwillgowithyou/"saidthedeer;andhealsojoinedthem.Byandbytheymetamoundofearththathadbeenraisedbytheants,andtheywouldhavepassedwithoutnoticingithaditnotinquired:"Whereareyougoing,Dogedog?"nTothecock-fightatMagsingal「saidthemanoncemore;andthemoundofearthjoinedthem.Thecompanythenhurriedonzandjustastheywereleavingtheforest,theypassedabigtreeinwhichwasamonkey."WhereareyougoingDogedog?ushriekedthemonkey.Andwithoutwaitingforananswerzhescrambleddownthetreeandfollowedthem. Asthepartywalkedalongtheytalkedtogether,andthealligatorsaidtoDogedog:nIfanymanwantstodiveintothewater,Icanstayunderlongerthanhe."Thenthedeer,nottobeoutdon巳said:nIfanymanwantstorunrIcanrunfaster."Themoundofearth,anxioustoshowitsstrength,said:nIfanymanwantstowrestle,Icanbeathim.”Andthemonkeysaid:"Ifanymanwantstoclimb,Icangohigher.nTheyreachedMagsingalingoodtimeandthepeoplewerereadyforthefighttobegin.WhenDogedogputhisrooster,whichhadbeenacatzintothepit,itkilledtheothercockatonce,forituseditsclawslikeacat.ThepeoplebroughtmoreroostersandwageredmuchmoneyzbutDogedogfscockkilledalltheothersuntiltherewasnotoneleftinMagsingal,andDogedogwonmuchmoney.Thentheywentoutsidethetownandbroughtallthecockstheycouldfind,butnotonecouldwinoverthatofDogedog.Whenthecockswerealldead,thepeoplewantedsomeothersport,sotheybroughtamanwhocouldstayunderwaterforalongtime,andDogedogmadehimcompetewiththealligator.Butafterawhilethemanhadtocomeupfirst.Thentheybroughtaswiftrunnerandheracedwiththedeer,butthemanwasleftfarbehind.Nexttheylookedarounduntiltheyfoundaverylargemanwhowaswillingtocontend withthemoundofearth,butafterahardstrugglethemanwasthrown.Finallytheybroughtamanwhocouldclimbhigherthananyoneelse,butthemonkeywentfarabovehim,andhehadtogiveup.AllthesecontestshadbroughtmuchmoneytoDogedog,andnowhehadtobuytwohorsestocarryhissacksofsilver.Assoonashereachedhome,heboughtthehouseofaveryrichmanandwenttoliveinit.Andhewasveryhappy,forhedidnothavetoworkanymore.TheCarabaoandtheShellOneveryhotday,whenacarabaowentintotherivertobathe,hemetashellandtheybegantalkingtogether.”Youareveryslow/1saidthecarabaototheshell"Oh,no/1repliedtheshell・"Icanbeatyouinarace.1""Thenletustryandsee/"saidthecarabao・Sotheywentoutonthebankandstartedtorun.Afterthecarabaohadgonealongdistaneehestoppedandcalled,”Shell!"Andanothershelllyingbytheriveranswered,"HereIam!Thenthecarabao,thinkingthatitwasthesameshellwithwhichhewasracing, ranon.Byandbyhestoppedagainandcalled,“Shell!”Andanothershellanswered,HHereIam!”Thecarabaowassurprisedthattheshellcouldkeepupwithhim・Butheranonandon，andeverytimehestoppedtocall,anothershellansweredhim.Buthewasdeterminedthattheshellshouldnotbeathim,soheranuntilhedroppeddead.TigerSonOncetherewasanelderlywidow,ChenMa,wholivedwithheronlysoninsideaforestintheShanxiProvinee.Hersonwasoneofthetigerhunterslicensedbythelocalmagistrate,followingthesameprofessionofhisfatherandgrandfatherbeforehim.Hisshareoftheprofitsfromthesaleoftigerskins,meatandboneswassufficienttokeepthesmallmudhutwellprovisionedforhimselfandhisoldmother.Allwaswelluntilaparticularlybitterwinter.Duringasnowstorm,ChenMa"ssonwasseparatedfromhisfellowhuntersandbecamefoodforahungrytigress・Afterherinitialshockandgriefsubsided,ChenMatookstockofherownutterlydesperatesituation—anoldwomanleftallalone・Shewentandimploredthemagistratetoprovideherwithcompensationforthelossofherson,whowasheronlysourceofsupport・Themagistratedecreedthathenceforth,shewouldhaveasmall shareofprofitsfromthekillofeachtigerbythehunters.Needlesstosay,hisdecisionwasnottakenwellbythehunterszwhohadplentyofmouthsoftheirowntofeed—botholdandyoung.So,whenthehunterssucceededinkillingthetigressthatateChenMa"sson,theydecidednottogiveherashareoftheprofits.Instead,theybroughtherthetigress1newborncub.Hewasasmallquiveryballofgoldenfurwithwobblylegsandtoothlessgums.Theropetheytiedaroundhisneckwassotightthatitwaspracticallychokinghim.Instantly,ChenMa*sheartwentouttothishelplesscreature,whosejade-greeneyeswereglisteningwithtears.Afterthehuntersleft,thetigercubwobbledtowhereChenMasatandlayatherfeet.Shebentdowntorubhisearsandhelickedhershoeswithhissofttongue.Theelderlywidowlookedatthetigerbabyandsighed•”Theytoldmetobutcheryou,tosaltandsmokeyourfleshformymeatsupply.Yourskinwouldmakewarmbootsformyfeet;yourbonesaregoodformakingTigerBoneWinetoeasethepaininmyjoints.Butoh,howcanIbeartokillyou?Youaresoyoungandvital,whileIamsooldandfrail.nAndso,ChenMauntiedtheropefromthelittletiger"sneckandfedhimapasteofcookedrootswithherfingers.Hersonhadagoodsupplyofgrainsandrootsintheattachedshedandsheplannedtostretchthefoodouttolastthewinter・ Whenthestoreofthefirewoodwasrunninglow,ChenMawasunabletokeepherbedrollontopofthekangwarm(akangisabedbasebuiltofbrickswithspaceforasmallfire).Soshesleptcurlingagainstthebabytiger,whosesoftfurwascozyandwarm・Onceeversooften,womenfromnearbyvillageswouldbringsewingforChenMatodo.Shewasveryhandywithaneedle・Theypaidherforherlaborwithdriedvenisonandsmallsacksofgrain.Atfirsttheydidnotfindthelittletiger"spresencealarming;hewasnobiggerthanapiglet.However,whenspringcame,hehadgrownintothesizeofacalf,showingafullsetofteethandclaws・Thewomentoldtheirhunterhusbandsandthemencametokilltheyoungtiger.ChenMaarmedherselfwithherson"shuntingspearandthreatenedtogutanyonewhodaredtoharmherbelovedpet.Tvelostbothhusbandandson.ThistigeristheonlycompanionIhavenow.Ishallgotothemagistrateandrequesttoadopthimasmyson/Thehuntersthoughttheoldwomanhadbecomemadandjeeredather.Butsinceshewassodetermined,theydarednotkillhertigerwithoutthemagistrate"spermission.SotheyfollowedChenMaandhertigerallthewaytotheofficial"sjudgmenthall.”VenerableMother/1saidthemagistrate.HYourrequestismostunusual.Areyounotafraidthatsomedaythetigermightreverttohiswildnatureanddevouryou?"1 "Honorablesir/1repliedtheoldwidowwithtearsinhereyes.”Whatistheretofear?Ihavelivedtoolong.TheonlyworryIhavenowisbeingleftutterlyalone.Pleaseletmeadoptthisyoungtiger,forhehasbecomelikeasoninmyaffections.wThekindlymagistratedidnothavethehearttorefusesuchanancientwoman*spleading.Sohehadhisassistantdrawupadocumentforthetigerfsadoption.Inordertoprotectthetigerfromthehunters*arrowsandspears,themagistrateorderedalargecopperpendentmadetohangaroundthebeasfsneck.ThewordsHFuChee”wereengravedonthependentmeaningTigerSon.Toshowherdeepgratitude,ChenMakneltdowninfrontofthemagistrateandknoekedherforeheadthreetimes.ThensheledFuCheebacktotheirhomeintheforest・Bynextwinter,FuCheehadgrownintohismaximumsize.ChenMa"shutwasindangerofcollapsingwheneverthetigerbecameplayful.Reluctantly,sheallowedFuCheetomakehishomeinsideacavenearby.However,theaffectionatetigercamebacktovisithisadoptedmotheroften,alwaysbearingagiftinhismouth一adeaddeeroralargepieceoftreebranch.Also,hestilllikedtolickhershoesandtohavehisearsrubbed.ChenMa"sneedswerebeingcaredforjustasifhernaturalsonwasstillalive!AfterChenMadiedattheripeoldagepastonehundred,thehuntersnoticedFuCheeguardedhertombnightly.Theylefthimunmolestedashehadneverattacked anyhumansordomesticanimals.Thiswentonforanumberofyearsandthenonedaythetigerwasseennomore.Outofdeeprespectandadmirationforthefilialtigerson,thehunterserectedasmallstonemonumentatChenMa"stombwithFuCheefsstoryengravedonit.Henceforth,FuCheebecameahouseholdlegendinthatpartofShanxiProvinee.windsongItwasadaylikethedaybeforeandthedayafter.Thewindwrappeditselfaroundthesodcabiningustingmoansasthepioneerfamilywithincarriedouttheirtaskspretendingnottohear.Theyheardthewind,however.IthadbeentheirconstantcompanionontheopenplainssincetheirjourneyfromPhiladelphiatwoyearsbeforeinthespringof1865.FollowingthecoveredwagontrainofterthewindhadliftedthedrabIandscapeintobillowsofdustfallingoneveryoneandeverythinguntilthereseemedbutonecolorandonesound・NowRachelsatonthebedhand-stitchingaquiltwhilehermotherhunchedoverasewingmachineacrosstheroomrockingherfeetbackwardsandforwardsonafoottreadlethatturnedtheshaftthatmovedtheneedle・Thethumpingcounterpointedthewindoutside・LaughterandgigglingeruptedfromRache「syoungerbrotherandsisterplayingjacksontheflooranditbroughtasmiletotheirsistersface,butwhensheglancedbackattheirmothershestoppedsmiling. Rachelfeltthatherparentsworkedtoohard.TheyrarelyhadfunorrelaxationliketheyhadenjoyedinPhiladelphia.Nowherfatherwasalwaysinthefields.Hermotherpreparedmealsonawood-stokedstove,didthelaundryonawashboard,bakedflatbreadandsewedclothestotradeforgoodsintown.Rachelrememberedhermothersingingandtellingstoriesatonetimebutthatwasbeforeshehadbeguncomplainingaboutthewindandthedirtandthemud.Eventuallyshehadstoppedcomplaining,butshehadstoppedsinging,too.ThedoorswungopenanditwasRache「sfather.Enteringinapuffofdust,hecoughedandwipedhisforehead."Mightyhotdayoutthere.11HWellzI"vegotaleforyouandflatbreadtoozr,repliedhiswife.Sherosefromthesewingmachineandbegansettingthetableasherhusbandeasedhimselfintoachair.HIknow.Icouldsmellitfromoutside.SmelledsogoodIcameinearly・WhatelsehaveyouallbeenuptowhileIwasclearingrowswithMollyandBell?"Rache「sdonewithherquilt.””0h?”Rache「sfatherturnedtolookashisolderdaughterproudlyshowedoffhermasterpiece.Itwasacheerfulbloomingofcolorwithstitchesoutliningthesquares.“That/samightyfinepieceofwork.11Henodded^nHow"boutusgoingintotown thisSaturday.Youcanshowoffyourquilt,yourmothercantakeherflatbread,andI"vegotabushelofonionsready.11TheyoungchildrenwhoopedexcitedlyandMichael,theboy,begandancingaroundtheroom,liftinghiskneesandclapping.Therewasreasonforjubilation.The20-miletriptotowninthebuckboardwasaonce-a-monthaffairtowhicheveryoneinthefamilylookedforward.ThetownofWausa,Nebraskawasnotunlikeotherlittletownsthathadsprunguptowelcomethepioneers.Itwasamixofoldandnewbuildingswithwoodplanksidewalksandawidemainstreetofdirttoaccommodatetrainsofoxen.Inoneofthenewerbuildingswasthegeneralstore.GuardingthedoorwasawoodenIndianandnexttoithungabirdcage.Thefamilystoppedforamomenttolookattheyellowbirdinside・Whentheysteppedintothestoreitwasauniverseallitsown.Therewastheseentofwoodandsoapandspice.Thewallswerelinedwithracksofcratesandmasonjars,andalongtheaisleswerebushelbarrelsofpotatoesandapples・Inthebackneatlyproppedagainstthewallwereboltsoffabric.Whileherbrotherandsisterexploredthestoreandherparentsspokewiththegrocerabouttheirbreadandonions,Rachelwanderedbackoutsidetolookatthebird・Sobrightayellowitwasaminiaturepieceofthesuninthatdustyplace.Ithoppedfromperchtoperchrarelystandingstillandasithoppeditkeptitseyeson Rachel.Suddenlyashadowpassedoverthegirlandstartled,shelookeduptoseeaSiouxIndianbrave・Herheartbeatfaster.Indianssometimescametotowntobarteralthoughitwasdiscouragedbytheshopkeepers.SuchahistoryofwarfareexistedbetweenIndiansandwhitesettlersthatnoonefeltsafe・ButthisIndianwasasfascinatedbythebirdasRachel.Hestaredintentlyandthensaidsomethingshecouldnftunderstand・SeeingherpuzzledfaceherepeatedinEnglish,nItlistenstothewind/BeforeRachelcouldthinkaboutwhathehadsaid,theIndianturnedandwalkedaway・Herparentsappearedamomentlater,havingseenhimthroughthewindow."Areyouallright?"askedherfather.Rachelnodded・"Hewasjustlookingatthecanary/1Atthatmomentthelittlebirdlifteditshead,swelleditschest,andsangoutajoyoustrill.Rachelsawhermother"sfacelightupwithdelight.Racheltradedherquiltforthecanaryandneverregretteditbecausethelittlebirdentertainedthemendlessly.SirGallant,theycalledhimbecausehedidbattlewiththewind.Thelouderthewindthemoreloudlyhesang,competitionsofiercethatsometimeseveryoneburstoutlaughing.SirGallantliftedtheirspiritsturningdustdaysbackintosunshinedays.RachelthoughtaboutwhattheIndianhadsaid.She"dheardthewindbutunlike thecanaryshe"dneverlistenedtoit.Nowwhenshetriedshecouldhearmusicinthemoaning.Ofcoursethemusicwasfaintandhiddeninthebackgroundandsheneededherimagination,butitwasthereifshetrulylistened.Shebeganhummingthesoundssheheard."That"saprettytune"1hermothercommentedoneday,”whatsongisthat?HRacheldicIrTtreply,unsurehowtoexplain,andhermotherdidrTtpressthequestion.Soonshe,too,beganhumming・Occasionallybachelorcowpokesstoppedbythecabintobuyflatbreadortohavetheirclothesmended・Theywerealwayswelcomed,notforthemoneyintheirpocketbutfortheircompany.Withnoneighborsfortwentymiles,itwaslonelyontheplains.Thefamilyandgueststradednews#sharedameal,andwereserenadedbySirGallantwhowasoftenthecenterofconversation.OneafternoontheyoungerdaughterMarynoticedthecanarysittingmotionlessonhisperch.TsSirGallantsick?"sheaskedinalarm.”No.It*sjustadarkdayoutside/hermotherreassuredher.r,It1lberainingsoonandheprobablydoesn"tfeellikesinging."TheyoungerchildrenacceptedthisexplanationbutnotRachel.SheknewthatwhileSirGallantstoppedsingingfromtimetotime,hehadalwayshoppedabouthiscage・Shewenttothedoorandlookedoutside.Itwasdeathlyquiet,nowindorsoundsofbirdsorprairiedogs・Shesawtheoutlinewww.wsxdycjzx.cnofherfatherwiththetwooxeninthenorthfieldandatthesametimeshesawblackthunderclouds stackedhighintothesky.Therewasaheavinesstotheairandapricklyfeeling.TheIndian"swordsechoedinhermind.nItlistenstothewind.”RachelthoughtaboutSirGallant"soddbehaviorandtheangrythundercloudsandhowstrangeitfelt.Strainingtohear,shecaughtafaintrumblinganditwasthesoundofthunder.SuddenlyRachelknew.Sheabsolutelyknewtheywereindanger.nMomznsheshouted."Ifsatornado!”ImmediatelyMaryandMichaelbeganscreamingastheirmothergatheredthemupand,alongwithSirGallant,rushedoutside.Thesafestplacewastherootcellaratthesideofthehouse.Throwingopenthecellardoors,themotheryelledtoRacheltowarnherfather.Racheltookoffrunningacrossthefieldshoutingandwavingherarms,butnotuntilshewashalfwayacrossdidshegethisattention."What"swrong?"heyelled.Itwasanothermomentbeforeshereachedhim.MTornado.”Hiseyessearchedthehorizon.nIdon"tseeanything,butIcanbringinMollyandBellanyway.I"llcomebacktothehouse.11nNo!There*snotime・Listen!”Rachelwasclosetohystericalandbecauseshe neverliedorplayedtricks,hedidassheasked・Finallyabletoheartherumblinghejumpedtoaction.ReleasingtheyokefromtheharnessesontheoxenheturnedthemfreeandthengrabbedRache「sarmandtheybegantorun.Bythetimetheyreachedthesodcabin,thetornadowasvisible,raindrenchedtheirbodiesandathunderousroaringpoundedtheair.Thetornadolastedonlyminutesalthoughitfeltlikehours.WhenthefamilyemergedfromtheirsheltertheywererelievedtofindtheirsodcabinintactFortunatelytheoxen,too,hadescapedalthoughthescarredearthprovedthenorthfieldhadbeeninthecenterofthetornado"spath.Thelossofcropswouldmakethingsmoredifficult,buttheyfeltblessedtobealive・Theyalsofeltdivineinterventionhadcomeintheformofalittleyellowbird.Thewomanstoodinthedooroftheatticandsighed.Grayanddustyinthehalflight,theroomwasfilledwitholdfurniture,boxesandathousandforgottenmemories.Shehadinheriteditscontentsfromhergrandmotherandnowfacedthechoreofdecidingthefateofeachpiece・Attractedtoanoldsewingmachine,sooldthatithadafoottreadle,sheopenedthetopdrawer.Amidstthebuttonsandneedlesandscissorswasatinybundleoflaceneatlytiedwithribbon.Curiousshepickeditupandunwrappedit.Tohersurpriseshefoundshewasunfoldingtheburialclothofacanary,itsbodylongagodriedupbutcarefullypreserved.Holdingitinherright handshestared,perplexed,andquiteunconsciouslyputherlefthandoverherheart.EpilogThisstorywasinspiredbyanarticleIreadinamagazineyearsago.Inheritinghergrandmother"ssewingmachine(whohadbeenapioneerinoneoftheplainsstates),theauthorofthatarticlefoundthewrappedbodyofacanaryinoneofitsdrawers.Intriguedshehaddoneresearch,discover!ngjusthowmuchthepioneershadlovedtheselittlebirds・Thearticleincludedthephotographofaprairiecabinwiththreecagesofcanarieshangingfromitseaves.SliverPeteFvenevertoldthisstorybefore,butjustthesameFmtellingyounow.Iwasaboyof8in1885andIlivedinasmalltownoutwestwithmybabysisterandmyfolkswhoranthelocaldeliverystable.Itmightnothavebeensuchabadplaceexceptforoneman.HisnamewasSliverPeteandwethoughthimthemeanest,ugliest,mostcussedhombrethateverpackedagunanditwaswellknownhecarriedaColt45.Hedidn"tmuchliketowork,wasacowpokeafewmonthsoutoftheyearandtherestofthetimeheplayedandcheatedatcardsandkilledanybodywhocalledhimonitThenforrecreationorjustpurespitehekilledeverysheriffthatevertriedtoarresthim.There wasrftasoulthatdidrYtfearSliverPete,evenmyFather.Thetownspeopleendedupofferingarewardof$20,000toanyonewhocouldeitherrunSliverPeteoutoftownorputhiminhisgrave・Mindyou,thatwasafortuneinthosedaysbutwhenSliverPeteheardtherewasapriceonhisheadhejustlaughedandshotupthesaloonandthenthebakery.Hesaidhewasworthmuchmoremoneythanthat.AndwhenstrangerafterstrangercametocollecttherewardtheycametostaybecauseSliverPeteputtheminthetowncemetery.Oneverywindydaythestagecoacharrivedintownwithanunusualpassenger.Iwastheretowitnessitbecauseitwasmydutytowaterthestagecoachhorses.Thestagecoachdoorswungopenandasingleman,tallandgauntanddressedinabrown/blackcoatandhat,withawhitecollar,steppedout.IhadseenpicturesofAbrahamLincolnandthatiswhothismanremindedmeof,althoughIknewAbrahamLincolnwouldnothavebeenwearingapreacher"sclothes・Hewavedthecoachmanawayashereachedforhisowntrunkofftheroofofthecoach.Thetrunkwaswrappedinabluecloththatflappedinthewindalthoughpartiallytiedwitharope.JustashegotittothegroundagusttoreatthematerialandIclearlysawthewritingonitsside.Hegrabbedtheclothandstuffeditbackintoplace,glancingstraightatme.Thenhesmiledaslowsmile,winkedzandputhisindexfingertohismouthasiftosaywesharedasecret.That"stheonlyincidentIsawmyselfandalltherestIheardsecondhandthrougheithermyfolksormyfriends.ThemancalledhimselfPreacherDan.HesaidhehadrTtcometostaybuthewasinourtownontheLord"sbusinesstogetmoneytobuildachurch.HeSalreadyacquiredmostofit,butpeopleweresurprisedwhenhesaidheplannedonmakingtheremainderbyplayingcardsandthatGodhadtoldhimhewouldwintherestthatheneededinjustonenight.Althoughsuchbehaviorwasimproperforapreacher nobodyquestionedit.Hehadaquietmannerandquicksmileand,anyway,strangersneverstayedtoolong.Thatafternoonthecardgamestartedearly.AmongthefourplayersaroundthetablewasSliverPete.SliverPetewashismeanself,slouchedinhischairwithawhiskyathiselbow.IwastoldPreacherDandidn"tsayawordthefirsthouralthoughhesmiledreadilyenoughifanyonecaughthiseye・ThefirsttwogameswerewonbyMikeMcGrewandTomEider,townregulars.Thepursewassmall.Therewasstaticintheairlikejustbeforeanelectricstorm.ThethirdgamethepursegrewbiggerandSliverPetewonthisround.HesmiledforthefirsttimeandPreacherDansmiledback.HNicegoing.”thePreachersaid.nIseetheLorcTsinneedofhelptonight.RSliverPetesmirked.ButPreacherDanwasn"tfinished.MIbeeneyeingthatgunofyours.MayIseeit?nTheroomgrewsuddenlyquietasSliverPete"ssmilevanishedasquickasaBluetailflybeneathahorse"stailswat.HNomantouchesmygunbutme."HOh・Ididn"tmeananythingbyit/"thePreachergrinned.HYouknowPmnotaman.JustamessengerofGod・Don"tusuallycottontogunseither,butIhearyoifrerighthandywithoneandIsurewantedtoseethesmokerthat"sdonethedamage."Perhapsitwasthehintofadmirationinhisvoice,ormaybeGodintervenedtosoftenSliver"smood，buttoeveryone"ssurprise,SliverPeteunholsteredhisColt45 andputitonthetable・Hiseyesgloweredabouttheroomasifdaringanybodytodisapprove・PreacherDancalmlyretrievedthegunandexamineditthoroughly,lookingupthebarrelandbouncingitgentlyinhishandtoweighitSuddenly,unaccountablyitslippedfromhisfingersontothefloor.Kerplunk...SliverPetejumpedtohisfeet,slidinghischairbackwithasqueakButjustasquickthePreacherleanedoverandretrievedthegun,wipingitwithhisjackethemandsleeve・“Sorry"boutthat/"hesaid,handingitback.nBettersorrythandead/1growledSliverPete.Buttherewasanoticeablesighofrelieffromtheroomasheholsteredthe45andsatbackdown.Afterthatthingsseemedtopickupspeedasthebetsgotbigger.MikeMcGrewpushedawayfromthetable.”Toorichformyblood/1hesaid.Nowtherewerethreeleftatthetable,includingSliverandthePreacher,andSliverPetewaswinningbigtime.Hehadasmallmountainofbillsandcoinsand,recklessly,wasplayingforbiggerandbiggerstakes・IfPreacherDanfeltpressurehedidn"tshowitalthoughallhisChurchmoneywasfastgoingtoSliverPete.Atlast,justbeforedusk,thelastcallofcardscameandSliverhadwonitall.Hewrappedhisburlyarmsaboutthepotandbegandrawingittohim."Justamoment .MThevoicewassoftanddeadlyandastartledSliverdidn"tatfirstrealizeitcamefromthePreacherwhoadded,“Youbeencheatingallnightandifyoutakethatmoneynowyoucanaddthieverytothedeed."Sliver"shandwenttohisgunzbutknowingthePreacherdidn"tcarryagunheheldittherelikeathreat.Tdon"tcheatandIdon"tletnoonecallmeoneneither.Notevenapreacher."MIsthatso?LettheLorddecide.Thatis,ifyoucaretotakeyourfighttothestreetwhereit"srightandproperandyou"renotafraidtomeetyourmaker/"saidthePreacher.nWhyzyoudorftevenownagun/1sneeredSliver,”Andyouwouldrftknowtoshootoneanyhow."Heliterallyspitoutthewords.nrmnomatch,thatfacfsassured・ButGodsaidTdhavethatmoneytonightandyouwon"tmakehimaliar.1"ThePreacher"seyesnarrowedwithseriousintent."Solongassomeonehereseesfittoloanmehisgun,whomeverremainsstandingwillhavespokethetruth.nBecauseSliverPetehadneverturneddownagunfightinhislifeandthePreacherwashandedagunbeltwithtwogunsbythebarterider,theyendedupoutsideatoppositeendsofthestreet.Asmallcrowdgathered,notsomuchtowitnessSliverPetekillanotherman,butinsympatheticsupportofafoolishpreacherwhowasabouttodieforthesakeofhischurch・ Thetwomenstoodthereaseemingeternity,eachwiththeirgunhandpoisedandready.Thengunfirerangoutandthelookandsmellofgunsmokefilledtheair.SliverPeteblewawaythesmokeatendofhisgunbarrelashesawthetallfigureofPreacherDanhitthedirt.Criesofanguishcamefromwomenfolkinthecrowd・ButSliverPetewasunconcernedandmadeitapointtolookbored・HehadholsteredhisgunandstartedhiswalkbacktothesaloonwhenhenoticedthebodyofthePreacherbegintomove・NowSliverPetehadneverfailedtokillwithhisfirstshotandhewatched,fascinated,asthePreacherstoodupandagainpointedhisborrowedgun.SoSliverPetehadtoshoothimagain,actuallytwoshotsjusttobesure・ThePreacherfelllikeacuttree,straightdownwithhisfaceinthedirt.SliverwipedhisforeheadwithhisgunhandstillholdingthegunandhiseyessteadyonthebodyofthePreacher.Butwhathehadnftexpectedtohappenhappenedyetagain.ThecrowdgaspedastheysawthePreacherstruggleoncemoretohisfeet.ThistimeSliverPetedidn"tevengivethePreacherachaneetoaim.Forthefirsttimeinhislifetherewasfearinhisexpression.TwogunshotsrangoutandthePreacherpitchedover.Thecrowdedgedbackfromthestreet.Therewassomethingdecidedlyunnervingandotherworldlyaboutthisgunfightwhenamanwouldn"tstaydead.ItoccurredtothemmaybethePreacherhadspokethetruthabouthisconversationwithGod.The samethinghadoccurredtoSliverPete,becausewithapalefaceheveryslowlyapproachedthebody.Hewas20feetawaywhenthePreacheragainstruggledtohiskneesandthenhisfeet,thistimeholdingouthishandpalmupasiftosay,nYouowemethatmoney11.ThePreacher"sblackeyesboredintoandthroughSliverPeteandunderstandablySliverrespondedwithpanic,thistimeaimingatthePreacher"shead・ItwashislastbulletAstheshotrangoutPreacherDan"shandslappedhisforeheadandhisbodyswungacompletecirclebeforefallingfacedownintothedirt.NobodyandnothingmovedexceptacornerofthePreacher"sblackjacketcaughtbyagustofwind.SliverPetewasshakingsobadhesimplycouldn"ttearhisgazeoffthatbodyandthecrowdlookedfromhimtoitanddidn"tknowwhichwasmoreincredible.They"dneverseenSliverPetesoafraidnorwitnessedadeadmancomebacktolifebefore.Thentherewasasmallmovementjustatthewaist.Abird,awhitedove,struggledfreefrombeneaththebodyandwithagentle"coo,coo,"flappeditswingsandflewupintoacloudyskyanddisappearedfromsight.NowIdon"tknowwhatyouwouldmakeofthat,butthetownsfolkandSliverPetebothsawitasasignfromGod.TrulythishadbeenGod"smessengerandSliverPetehadjustkilledthemessenger.Unnervedhebeganbackingawayandhadgotten10stepswhenthePreacher"sbodytwitchedandslowlypulleditselfupwardstoastandingposition. "Whereareyougoing?nitboomedinadeep,sepulchervoicefromthegrave・"YouowemetheLord"smoney.nSliverPetesimplyfellapart・Hegaveastrangledsqueakofterror,droppedhisgun,whirledonhisheelsandranupthestreetuntilhewasoutofsightThestunnedcrowdwatchedhimgobeforesettingtheirfearfulgazebackonthePreacher.Standingstraightheflashedthemawide,friendlysmileandsuddenlydidn"tlooksodead.True,therewasbloodonhisforeheadbutwithonesweepofhissleeveitmysteriouslydisappeared・"That"soneproblemyouwon"tseeagain,"hesaidinavoiceagainfriendly.“Anddon"tworryyourselves"boutme.Exceptthatis,unlessyoudon"twanttomakegoodonyourpromiseofarewardforgettingridofthatsnakeSliverPete/Hewinked・ThetownsfolkwerehappytogivePreacherDanthereward.Hedidn"tevencollectallofit,onlyhalf,leavingtherestforthetownchurch・NobodyeverheardfromSliverPeteagain,althoughitwasrumoredhehadn"tstoppedrunning"tilhe"dgottoNewMexico,marriedandbecomeafarmer,nevertotouchagunagain.Peoplecouldn"tstoptalkingabouthowamancouldbeshotsixtimesandriseupasifhehadn"tbeenshotatall.ButnoonedaredaskPreacherDantoexplainitandhelefttownsoitremainedamysterytoeveryoneexceptme.Yousee,IrememberedthedayIsawthewritingonthesideofhistrunkrevealed byapeskywind.Ithadsaid,HDantheMagnificent.MagiciarTsIllusionsGreatandSmall.”SoPreacherDanwasnotapreacherbutagiftedmagician.IfigurewhenhedroppedSliverPete"sgunatthecardtableheswitcheditforonewithblanks.Thewhitedovehadjustbeenforeffect.Herewasamanschooledinthewaysofhumannatureandhehaddoneusagreatfavorwhilebeingpaidforhisservices.Ithoughtatthattimefarbeitformetogiveawayhissecrets.Somesayitwasn"tapreacherorevenadeadmanthatgotupoffthatdustyroad,butanangeloftheLordhimself,andinamannerofspeakingthatmightbeso.ButonlyGod,DantheMagnificent,andme―andnowyou一reallyknowsthetruthofwhathappenedonthatwindydayin1885・