Part 19 (1/2)

CHORUS OF Pa.s.sENGERS

Speed, Yuba Bill! oh, speed us to our dinner!

Speed to the sunset that beckons far away.

SECOND TOURIST

William of Yuba, O Son of Nims.h.i.+, hearken!

Check thy profanity, but not thy chariot's play.

Tell us, O William, before the shadows darken, Where, and, oh! how we shall dine? O William, say!

YUBA BILL

It ain't my fault, nor the k.u.mpeney's, I reckon, Ye can't get ez square meal ez any on the Bay, Up at you place, whar the senset 'pears to beckon-- Ez thet sharp allows in his airy sort o' way.

Thar woz a place wor yer hash ye might hev wrestled, Kept by a woman ez chipper ez a jay-- Warm in her breast all the morning suns.h.i.+ne nestled; Red on her cheeks all the evening's suns.h.i.+ne lay.

SECOND TOURIST

Praise is but breath, O chariot compeller!

Yet of that hash we would bid you farther say.

YUBA BILL

Thar woz a snipe--like you, a fancy tourist-- Kem to that ranch ez if to make a stay, Ran off the gal, and ruined jist the purist Critter that lived--

STRANGER (quietly)

You're a liar, driver!

YUBA BILL (reaching for his revolver).

Eh!

Here take my lines, somebody--

CHORUS OF Pa.s.sENGERS

Hush, boys! listen!

Inside there's a lady! Remember! No affray!

YUBA BILL

Ef that man lives, the fault ain't mine or his'n.

STRANGER

Wait for the sunset that beckons far away, Then--as you will! But, meantime, friends, believe me, Nowhere on earth lives a purer woman; nay, If my perceptions do surely not deceive me, She is the lady we have inside to-day.