"Who was that chap?" asked Redburn, not a little bewildered.

"That?--why that's Calamity Jane!"

"Calamity Jane? _What_ a name."

"Yes, she's an odd one. Can ride like the wind, shoot like a
sharp-shooter, and swear like a trooper. Is here, there and
everywhere, seemingly all at one time. Owns this coop and two or three
other lots in Deadwood; a herding ranch at Laramie, an interest in a
paying placer claim near Elizabeth City, and the Lord only knows how
much more."

"But it is not a _woman_?"

"Reckon 'tain't nothin' else."

"God forbid that a child of mine should ever become so debased and--"

"Hold! there are yet a few redeeming qualities about her. She was
_ruined_--" and here a shade dark as a thunder-cloud passed over Ned
Harris' face--"and set adrift upon the world, homeless and friendless;
yet she has bravely fought her way through the storm, without asking
anybody's assistance. True, she may not now have a heart; that was
trampled upon, years ago, but her character has not suffered blemish
since the day a foul wretch stole away her honor!"

"What is her real name?"