Зима тревоги нашей

           IknewthenamesofmostofthemandonceIknewthemen—nodifferentthenfromtherest,butdifferentnowingold.ForabriefmomentIwishedIcouldbewiththeminthelowerfiles,Capt.E.A.Hawleyingold,theslobsandmalingerers,thecowardsandtheheroesalllumpedtogetheringold.Notonlythebravegetkilled,butthebravehaveabetterchanceatit.

           FatWilliedroveupandparkedbesidethemonumentandtooktheflagfromtheseatbesidehim.

           "Hi,Eth,"hesaid.Heshackledthebrassgrommetsandraisedtheflagslowlytothetopofthestaff,whereitslumpedlimpasahangedman."Shebarelymadeit,"Williesaid,pantingalittle."Lookather.Twomoredaysforher,andthenthenewonegoesup."

           "Thefifty-star?"

           "Youbet.Wegotanylon,bigdevil,twiceasbigasthisanddon’tweighnomorethanhalf."

           "How’stricks,Willie?"

           "Ican’tcomplain—butIdo.ThisgloriousFourthisalwaysamess.ComingonaMonday,there’llbejustthatmuchmoreaccidentsandfightsanddrunks—out-of-towndrunks.Wantaliftuptothestore?"

           "Thanks.I’vegottostopatthepostofficeandIthoughtI’dgetacupofcoffee."

           "Okay.I’llrideyou.I’devencoffeeyoubutStoney’smeanasabullbitch."

           "What’shisproblem?"

           "Godknows.Wentawayacoupleofdaysandhecomebackmeanandtough."

           "Where’dhego?"

           "Hedidn’tsay,buthecomebackmean.I’llwaitwhileyougetyourmail."

           "Don’tbother,Willie.I’vegottoaddresssomethings."

           "Suityourself."