The Americans by John Jakes

Territory-gold. He owned a small Montana silver mine, the Anaconda, which had ultimately revealed its true riches-an incredible vein of copper. "Have a cigar and tell me what happened," Willie said in a sympathetic way. This evening he was, as always, well . dressed: checked trousers, a plain but obviously expensive I linen shirt, and one of the large, garish cravats he fancied. Carter reached for a costly rosewood cigar box. He lit up 1 and said through a blue haze, "Things went fine at first. I got the jackass into the stable with no trouble. But then there was some noise, and Eisler came storming out to see about it." "You mean he was still at home?" "That's right. He had a toothache and didn't go to the faculty meeting." "Did he see the sign?" "Yes, right before the donkey ran off." "Then technically you won the bet," Willie said with a delighted expression. "By God, I'd have loved to have seen that Dutchman's face." "No you wouldn't. He recognized me before I got away." Willie's smile vanished. "My stars. No wonder you look so glum." "He'll have me hung up by the balls," Carter said. The words made Willie look uncomfortable; he never swore or used offensive language. Carter carried his mug toward the armoire, speaking around the cigar in his teeth: "At the very least I'll be in trouble with the college. At worst Eisler will haul me into court on some charge or other. If he doesn't, the bakery owner will. I wrecked the wagon I hired for the night. And the horse ran off-God I knows where." Willie whistled softly. Carter went on: "I'll have to deal with my mother and stepfather, too. And I don't make a habit of lying to them. It bothered me a lot when I had to tell them I'd be playing cards tonight. I don't know what the hell I can tell them about Eisler, except the truth." He paused, a hand on one of the armoire door handles. The gaslight accentuated the olive cast of his skin. Even bedraggled, he was a handsome young man. Thick arms and a slim waist testified to his fine physical condition. "I'll take my winnings whenever you care to pay me," Carter added. "That wagon will cost a small fortune-and while I get a pretty decent allowance, it isn't the same as getting a nugget as big as a baseball shipped from California once a month." Willie smiled an obligatory smile, alth.the campus joke which had been invented to explain his large and constant supply of money was growing stale. Carter jerked open the door of the armoire. He leaned down toward the zinc tub containing a pail of beer sitting on a block of ice. He was too preoccupied to really see the tub until something beside it stirred. "Jesus Christ!" he cried as a three-foot alligator roused and opened its tooth-studded jaws not six inches from his hand.
    That brought another laugh from Willie. "Oh, the devil. I forgot Charlie was asleep in there." Carter quickly stepped away. "Like hell you did." caret Willie walked back to the gas ring. "Go ahead, get your beer. Charlie won't bother you. I got him drunk again tonight." Warily, Carter leaned down and dipped his mug in the pail. Champagne Charlie, as Hearst's pet alligator was officially named, regarded Carter with a sinister eye for a moment. Then he lowered his head lethargically. Carter slammed the door. He sat down and sipped the beer. It didn't do much to raise his spirits. Nor did the hot, zesty cheese dish Willie served. The young Californian folded himself into a chair again. He spooned up some of the rabbit. Tapped a napkin against his lips, then said: 'I don't blame you for feeling rotten. I knew right after we met that we were peas from the same pod. Must be why we get along so well. We both hate the unexpected-unless, of course, we engineer it to surprise somebody else. And we like to hold the reins. Can't stand to let another person control things, am I right?" An emphatic nod from Carter. Willie continued: "I'll tell you something else. Personally, I can't take much more of the regimentation around here.