第18章

"SupposePogginormemightbedetained？"heasked。

Longstrethbentadarkglanceuponhislieutenant。

"Younevercantellwhat’llcomeoff，"continuedKnell。"I’lldomybest。"

"TheminuteyouseePoggintellhim。Ajobonhandsteadieshim。AndIsayagain——looktoitthatnothinghappens。EitheryouorPoggincarrythejobthrough。ButIwantbothofyouinit。Breakforthehills，andwhenyougetupintherockswhereyoucanhideyourtracksheadforMountOrd。Whenall’squietagainI’lljoinyouhere。That’sall。Callintheboys。"

LikeaswiftshadowandasnoiselessDuanestoleacrosstheleveltowardthedarkwallofrock。Everynervewasastrungwire。Foralittlewhilehismindwasclutteredandcloggedwithwhirlingthoughts，fromwhich，likeaflashingscroll，unrolledthelong，bafflingorderofaction。Thegamewasnowinhishands。HemustcrossMountOrdatnight。Thefeatwasimprobable，butitmightbedone。HemustrideintoBradford，fortymilesfromthefoothillsbeforeeighto’clocknextmorning。HemusttelegraphMacNellytobeinValVerdeonthetwenty—fifth。HemustridebacktoOrd，tointerceptKnell，facehimbedenounced，killhim，andwhiletheironwashotstrikehardtowinPoggin’shalf—woninterestashehadwhollywonFletcher’s。Failingthatlast，hemustlettheoutlawsalonetobidetheirtimeinOrd，tobefreetorideontotheirnewjobinValVerde。InthemeantimehemustplantoarrestLongstreth。Itwasamagnificentoutline，incredible，alluring，unfathomableinitsnamelesscertainty。Hefeltlikefate。Heseemedtobetheironconsequencesfallinguponthesedoomedoutlaws。

Underthewalltheshadowswereblack，onlythetipsoftreesandcragsshowing，yethewentstraighttothetrail。Itwasmerelyagraynessbetweenbordersofblack。Heclimbedandneverstopped。Itdidnotseemsteep。Hisfeetmighthavehadeyes。Hesurmountedthewall，and，lookingdownintotheebonygulfpiercedbyonepointoflight，heliftedamenacingarmandshookit。Thenhestrodeonanddidnotfaltertillhereachedthehugeshelvingcliffs。Herehelostthetrail;therewasnone;butherememberedtheshapes，thepoints，thenotchesofrockabove。Beforehereachedtheruinsofsplinteredrampartsandjumblesofbrokenwallsthemoontoppedtheeasternslopeofthemountain，andthemystifyingblacknesshehaddreadedchangedtomagicsilverlight。Itseemedaslightasday，onlysoft，mellow，andtheairheldatransparentsheen。Heranupthebareridgesanddownthesmoothslopes，and，likeagoat，jumpedfromrocktorock。Inthislightheknewhiswayandlostnotimelookingforatrail。Hecrossedthedivideandthenhadalldownhillbeforehim。Swiftlyhedescended，almostalwayssureofhismemoryofthelandmarks。

Hedidnotrememberhavingstudiedthemintheascent，yetheretheywere，eveninchangedlight，familiartohissight。Whathehadonceseenwaspicturedonhismind。And，trueasadeerstrikingforhome，hereachedthecanonwherehehadlefthishorse。

Bulletwasquicklyandeasilyfound。Duanethrewonthesaddleandpack，cinchedthemtight，andresumedhisdescent。Theworstwasnowtocome。Baredownwardstepsinrock，sliding，weatheredslopes，narrowblackgullies，athousandopeningsinamazeofbrokenstone——theseDuanehadtodescendinfasttime，leadingagiantofahorse。Bulletcrackedtheloosefragments，sentthemrolling，slidonthescalyslopes，plungeddownthesteps，followedlikeafaithfuldogatDuane’sheels。

Hourspassedasmoments。Duanewasequaltohisgreatopportunity。Buthecouldnotquellthatselfinhimwhichreachedbackoverthelapseoflonely，searingyearsandfoundtheboyinhim。Hewhohadbeenworsethandeadwasnowgraspingattheskirtsoflife——whichmeantvictory，honor，happiness。Duaneknewhewasnotjustrightinpartofhismind。Smallwonderthathewasnotinsane，hethought！Hetrampedondownward，hismarvelousfacultyforcoveringroughgroundandholdingtothetruecourseneverbeforeeveninflightsokeenandacute。Yetallthetimeaspiritwaskeepingstepwithhim。ThoughtofRayLongstrethashehadlefthermadehimweak。Butnow，withthegamecleartoitsend，withthetraptospring，withsuccessstrangelyhauntinghim，Duanecouldnotdispelmemoryofher。Hesawherwhiteface，withitssweetsadlipsandthedarkeyessotenderandtragic。Andtimeanddistanceandriskandtoilwerenothing。

Themoonslopedtothewest。Shadowsoftreesandcragsnowcrossedtotheothersideofhim。Thestarsdimmed。Thenhewasoutoftherocks，withthedimtrailpaleathisfeet。MountingBullet，hemadeshortworkofthelongslopeandthefoothillsandtherollinglandleadingdowntoOrd。Thelittleoutlawcamp，withitsshacksandcabinsandrowofhouses，laysilentanddarkunderthepalingmoon。Duanepassedbyonthelowertrail，headedintotheroad，andputBullettoagallop。Hewatchedthedyingmoon，thewaningstars，andtheeast。Hehadtimetospare，sohesavedthehorse。KnellwouldbeleavingtherendezvousaboutthetimeDuaneturnedbacktowardOrd。

Betweennoonandsunsettheywouldmeet。

Thenightworeon。Themoonsankbehindlowmountainsinthewest。Thestarsbrightenedforawhile，thenfaded。Graygloomenvelopedtheworld，thickened，laylikesmokeovertheroad。

Thenshadebyshadeitlightened，untilthroughthetransparentobscurityshoneadimlight。

DuanereachedBradfordbeforedawn。Hedismountedsomedistancefromthetracks，tiedhishorse，andthencrossedovertothestation。Heheardtheclickingofthetelegraphinstrument，anditthrilledhim。Anoperatorsatinsidereading。WhenDuanetappedonthewindowhelookedupwithstartledglance，thenwentswiftlytounlockthedoor。

"Hello。Givemepaperandpencil。Quick，"whisperedDuane。

Withtremblinghandstheoperatorcomplied。Duanewroteoutthemessagehehadcarefullycomposed。

"Sendthis——repeatittomakesure——thenkeepmum。I’llseeyouagain。Good—by。"

Theoperatorstared，butdidnotspeakaword。

Duaneleftasstealthilyandswiftlyashehadcome。Hewalkedhishorseacouplemilesbackontheroadandthenrestedhimtillbreakofday。Theeastbegantoredden，DuaneturnedgrimlyinthedirectionofOrd。

WhenDuaneswungintothewide，grassysquareontheoutskirtsofOrdhesawabunchofsaddledhorseshitchedinfrontofthetavern。Heknewwhatthatmeant。Luckstillfavoredhim。Ifitwouldonlyhold！Buthecouldasknomore。Therestwasamatterofhowgreatlyhecouldmakehispowerfelt。Anopenconflictagainstoddslayinthebalance。Thatwouldbefataltohim，andtoavoidithehadtotrusttohisnameandapresencehemustmaketerrible。Heknewoutlaws。Heknewwhatqualitiesheldthem。Heknewwhattoexaggerate。

Therewasnotanoutlawinsight。Thedustyhorseshadcovereddistancethatmorning。AsDuanedismountedheheardloud，angryvoicesinsidethetavern。Heremovedcoatandvest，hungthemoverthepommel。Hepackedtwoguns，onebeltedhighonthelefthip，theotherswinginglowontherightside。Heneitherlookednorlistened，butboldlypushedthedoorandsteppedinside。

Thebigroomwasfullofmen，andeveryfacepivotedtowardhim。Knell’spalefaceflashedintoDuane’sswiftsight;thenBoldt’s，thenBlossomKane’s，thenPanhandleSmith’s，thenFletcher’s，thenothersthatwerefamiliar，andlastthatofPoggin。ThoughDuanehadneverseenPogginorheardhimdescribed，heknewhim。Forhesawafacethatwasarecordofgreatandevildeeds。

Therewasabsolutesilence。Theoutlawswerelinedbackofalongtableuponwhichwerepapers，stacksofsilvercoin，abundleofbills，andahugegold—mountedgun。

"Areyougentslookin’forme？"askedDuane。Hegavehisvoicealltheringingforceandpowerofwhichhewascapable。Andhesteppedback，freeofanything，withtheoutlawsallbeforehim。

Knellstoodquivering，buthisfacemighthavebeenamask。TheotheroutlawslookedfromhimtoDuane。JimFletcherflunguphishands。

"MyGawd，Dodge，what’dyoubustinherefer？"hesaid，plaintively，andslowlysteppedforward。Hisactionwasthatofamantruetohimself。HemeanthehadbeensponsorforDuaneandnowhewouldstandbyhim。

"Back，Fletcher！"calledDuane，andhisvoicemadetheoutlawjump。

"Holdon，Dodge，an’you—all，everybody，"saidFletcher。"Letmetalk，seein’I’minwronghere。"

Hispersuasionsdidnoteasethestrain。

"Goahead。Talk，"saidPoggin。

FletcherturnedtoDuane。"Pard，I’mtakin’itonmyselfthetyoumeetenemiesherewhenIsworeyou’dmeetfriends。It’smyfault。I’llstandbyyouifyouletme。"

"No，Jim，"repliedDuane。

"Butwhat’dyoucomeferwithoutthesignal？"burstoutFletcher，indistress。Hesawnothingbutcatastropheinthismeeting。

"Jim，Iain’tpressin’mycompanynone。ButwhenI’mwantedbad——"

Fletcherstoppedhimwitharaisedhand。ThenheturnedtoPogginwitharudedignity。

"Poggy，he’smypard，an’he’sriled。Inevertoldhimawordthet’dmakehimsore。IonlysaidKnellhadn’tnomoreuseferhimthanferme。Now，whatyousaygoesinthisgang。Ineverfailedyouinmylife。Here’smypard。Ivouchferhim。Willyoustandferme？There’sgoin’tobehellifyoudon’t。An’uswithabigjobonhand！"

WhileFletchertoiledoverhisslow，earnestpersuasionDuanehadhisgazeriveteduponPoggin。TherewassomethingleonineaboutPoggin。Hewastawny。Heblazed。Heseemedbeautifulasfirewasbeautiful。Butlookedatcloser，withglanceseeingthephysicalman，insteadofthatthingwhichshonefromhim，hewasofperfectbuild，withmusclesthatswelledandrippled，bulginghisclothes，withthemagnificentheadandfaceofthecruel，fierce，tawny—eyedjaguar。

LookingatthisstrangePoggin，instinctivelydivininghisabnormalandhideouspower，Duanehadforthefirsttimeinhislifetheinwardquakingfearofaman。Itwaslikeacold—tonguedbellringingwithinhimandnumbinghisheart。Theoldinstinctivefiringofbloodfollowed，butdidnotdriveawaythatfear。Heknew。Hefeltsomethingheredeeperthanthoughtcouldgo。AndhehatedPoggin。

ThatindividualhadbeenconsideringFletcher’sappeal。

"Jim，Ianteup，"hesaid，"an’ifPhildoesn’traiseusoutwithabighand——why，he’llgetcalled，an’yourpardcansetinthegame。"

EveryeyeshiftedtoKnell。Hewasdeadwhite。Helaughed，andanyonehearingthatlaughwouldhaverealizedhisintenseangerequallywithanassurancewhichmadehimmasterofthesituation。

"Poggin，you’reagambler，youare——theace—high，straight—flushhandoftheBigBend，"hesaid，withstingingscorn。"I’llbetyoumyrolltoagreaserpesothatIcandealyouahandyou’llbeafraidtoplay。"

"Phil，you’retalkin’wild，"growledPoggin，withbothadviceandmenaceinhistone。

"Ifthere’sanythin’youhateit’samanwhopretendstobesomebodyelsewhenhe’snot。Thetso？"

Pogginnoddedinslow—gatheringwrath。

"Well，Jim’snewpard——thismanDodge——he’snotwhoheseems。

Oh—ho！He’sahellofalotdifferent。But_I__knowhim。An’

whenIspringhisnameonyou，Poggin，you’llfreezetoyourgizzard。Doyougetme？You’llfreeze，an’yourhand’llbestiffwhenitoughttobelightnin’——Allbecauseyou’llrealizeyou’vebeenstandin’therefiveminutes——fiveminutesALIVE

beforehim！"

Ifnothate，thenassuredlygreatpassiontowardPogginmanifesteditselfinKnell’sscornful，fieryaddress，intheshakinghandhethrustbeforePoggin’sface。IntheensuingsilentpauseKnell’spantingcouldbeplainlyheard。Theothermenwerepale，watchful，cautiouslyedgingeitherwaytothewall，leavingtheprincipalsandDuaneinthecenteroftheroom。

"Springhisname，then，you——"saidPoggin，violently，withacurse。

StrangelyKnelldidnotevenlookatthemanhewasabouttodenounce。HeleanedtowardPoggin，hishands，hisbody，hislongheadallsomewhatexpressiveofwhathisfacedisguised。

"BUCKDUANE！"heyelled，suddenly。

ThenamedidnotmakeanygreatdifferenceinPoggin。ButKnell’spassionate，swiftutterancecarriedthesuggestionthatthenameoughttobringPoggintoquickaction。Itwaspossible，too，thatKnell’smanner，theimportofhisdenunciationthemeaningbackofallhispassionheldPogginboundmorethanthesurprise。Fortheoutlawcertainlywassurprised，perhapsstaggeredattheideathathe，Poggin，hadbeenabouttostandsponsorwithFletcherforafamousoutlawhatedandfearedbyalloutlaws。

Knellwaitedalongmoment，andthenhisfacebrokeitscoldimmobilityinanextraordinaryexpressionofdevilishglee。HehadhoundedthegreatPogginintosomethingthatgavehimvicious，monstrousjoy。

"BUCKDUANE！Yes，"hebrokeout，hotly。"TheNuecesgunman！

Thattwo—shot，ace—of—spadeslonewolf！Youan’I——we’veheardathousandtimesofhim——talkedabouthimoften。An’hereheIN

FRONTofyou！Poggin，youwerebackin’Fletcher’snewpard，BuckDuane。An’he’dfooledyoubothbutforme。But_I_knowhim。An’Iknowwhyhedriftedinhere。ToflashagunonCheseldine——onyou——onme！Bah！Don’ttellmehewantedtojointhegang。Youknowagunman，foryou’reoneyourself。Don’tyoualwayswanttokillanotherman？An’don’tyoualwayswanttomeetarealman，notafour—flush？It’sthemadnessofthegunman，an’Iknowit。Well，Duanefacedyou——calledyou！An’

whenIsprunghisname，whatoughtyouhavedone？Whatwouldtheboss——anybody——haveexpectedofPoggin？Didyouthrowyourgun，swift，likeyouhavesooften？Naw;youfroze。An’why？

Becausehere’samanwiththekindofnerveyou’dlovetohave。

Becausehe’sgreat——meetin’usherealone。Becauseyouknowhe’sawonderwithagunan’youlovelife。Becauseyouan’I

an’everydamnedmanherehadtotakehisfront，eachtohimself。Ifwealldrewwe’dkillhim。Sure！Butwho’sgoin’tolead？Whowasgoin’tobefirst？Whowasgoin’tomakehimdraw？Notyou，Poggin！Youleavethatforalesserman——me——who’velivedtoseeyouacoward。Itcomesoncetoeverygunman。You’vemetyourmatchinBuckDuane。An’，byGod，I’mglad！Here’sonceIshowyouup！"

Thehoarse，tauntingvoicefailed。Knellsteppedbackfromthecomradehehated。Hewaswet，shaking，haggard，butmagnificent。

"BuckDuane，doyourememberHardin？"heasked，inscarcelyaudiblevoice。

"Yes，"repliedDuane，andaflashofinsightmadeclearKnell’sattitude。

"Youmethim——forcedhimtodraw——killedhim？"

"Yes。"

"HardinwasthebestpardIeverhad。"

Histeethclickedtogethertight，andhislipssetinathinline。

Theroomgrewstill。Evenbreathingceased。Thetimeforwordshadpassed。InthatlongmomentofsuspenseKnell’sbodygraduallystiffened，andatlastthequiveringceased。Hecrouched。Hiseyeshadasoul—piercingfire。

Duanewatchedthem。Hewaited。Hecaughtthethought——thebreakingofKnell’smuscle—boundrigidity。Thenhedrew。

Throughthesmokeofhisgunhesawtworedspurtsofflame。

Knell’sbulletsthuddedintotheceiling。Hefellwithascreamlikeawildthinginagony。

DuanedidnotseeKnelldie。HewatchedPoggin。AndPoggin，likeastrickenandastoundedman，lookeddownuponhisprostratecomrade。

FletcherranatDuanewithhandsaloft。

"Hitthetrail，youliar，oryou’llhevtokillme！"heyelled。

Withhandsstillup，heshoulderedandbodiedDuaneoutoftheroom。

Duaneleapedonhishorse，spurred，andplungedaway。

CHAPTERXXIII

DuanereturnedtoFairdaleandcampedinthemesquitetillthetwenty—thirdofthemonth。Thefewdaysseemedendless。AllhecouldthinkofwasthatthehourinwhichhemustdisgraceRayLongstrethwasslowlybutinexorablycoming。Inthatwaitingtimehelearnedwhatlovewasandalsoduty。Whenthedayatlastdawnedherodelikeonepossesseddowntheroughslope，hurdlingthestonesandcrashingthroughthebrush，withasoundinhisearsthatwasnotalltherushofthewind。

Somethingdraggedathim。

Apparentlyonesideofhismindwasunalterablyfixed，whiletheotherwasahurryingconglomerationofflashesofthought，receptionofsensations。Hecouldnotgetcalmness。Byandby，almostinvoluntarily，hehurriedfasteron。Actionseemedtomakehisstatelessoppressive;iteasedtheweight。Butthefartherhewentontheharderitwastocontinue。Hadheturnedhisbackuponlove，happiness，perhapsonlifeitself？

Thereseemednousetogoonfartheruntilhewasabsolutelysureofhimself。Duanereceivedaclearwarningthoughtthatsuchworkasseemedhauntinganddrivinghimcouldneverbecarriedoutinthemoodunderwhichhelabored。Hehungontothatthought。Severaltimesheslowedup，thenstopped，onlytogoonagain。Atlength，ashemountedalowridge，Fairdalelaybrightandgreenbeforehimnotfaraway，andthesightwasaconclusivecheck。Thereweremesquitesontheridge，andDuanesoughttheshadebeneaththem。Itwasthenoon—hour，withhot，glarysunandnowind。HereDuanehadtohaveouthisfight。

Duanewasutterlyunlikehimself;hecouldnotbringtheoldselfback;hewasnotthesamemanheoncehadbeen。Buthecouldunderstandwhy。ItwasbecauseofRayLongstreth。

Temptationassailedhim。Tohaveherhiswife！Itwasimpossible。Thethoughtwasinsidiouslyalluring。Duanepicturedahome。Hesawhimselfridingthroughthecottonandriceandcane，hometoastatelyoldmansion，wherelong—earedhoundsbayedhimwelcome，andawomanlookedforhimandmethimwithhappyandbeautifulsmile。Theremight——therewouldbechildren。Andsomethingnew，strange，confoundingwithitsemotion，cametolifedeepinDuane’sheart。Therewouldbechildren！Raytheirmother！Thekindoflifealonelyoutcastalwaysyearnedforandneverhad！Hesawitall，feltitall。

ButbeyondandaboveallotherclaimscameCaptainMacNelly’s。

Itwasthentherewassomethingcoldanddeath—likeinDuane’ssoul。Forheknew，whateverhappened，ofonethinghewassure——hewouldhavetokilleitherLongstrethorLawson。

Longstrethmightbetrappedintoarrest;butLawsonhadnosense，nocontrol，nofear。Hewouldsnarllikeapantherandgoforhisgun，andhewouldhavetobekilled。This，ofallconsummations，wastheonetobecalculatedupon。

Duanecameoutofitallbitterandcallousandsore——inthemostfittingofmoodstoundertakeadifficultanddeadlyenterprise。Hehadfallenuponhisoldstrange，futiledreams，nowrenderedpoignantbyreasonoflove。Hedroveawaythosedreams。Intheirplacescametheimagesoftheolive—skinnedLongstrethwithhissharpeyes，andthedark，evil—facedLawson，andthenreturnedtenfoldmorethrillingandsinistertheoldstrangepassiontomeetPoggin。

Itwasaboutoneo’clockwhenDuanerodeintoFairdale。Thestreetsforthemostpartweredeserted。HewentdirectlytofindMortonandZimmer。Hefoundthematlength，restless，somber，anxious，butunawareoftheparthehadplayedatOrd。

TheysaidLongstrethwashome，too。ItwaspossiblethatLongstrethhadarrivedhomeinignorance。

Duanetoldthemtobeonhandintownwiththeirmenincasehemightneedthem，andthenwithteethlockedhesetoffforLongstreth’sranch。

Duanestolethroughthebushesandtrees，andwhennearingtheporchheheardloud，angry，familiarvoices。LongstrethandLawsonwerequarrelingagain。HowDuane’sluckystarguidedhim！Hehadnoplanofaction，buthisbrainwasequaltoahundredlightning—swiftevolutions。HemeanttotakeanyriskratherthankillLongstreth。Bothofthemenwereoutontheporch。Duanewormedhiswaytotheedgeoftheshrubberyandcrouchedlowtowatchforhisopportunity。

Longstrethlookedhaggardandthin。Hewasinhisshirt—

sleeves，andhehadcomeoutwithaguninhishand。Thishelaidonatablenearthewall。Heworenobelt。

Lawsonwasred，bloated，thick—lipped，allfieryandsweatyfromdrink，thoughsoberonthemoment，andhehadtheexpressionofadesperatemaninhislaststand。Itwashislaststand，thoughhewasignorantofthat。

"What’syournews？Youneedn’tbeafraidofmyfeelings，"saidLawson。

"Rayconfessedtoaninterestinthisranger，"repliedLongstreth。

DuanethoughtLawsonwouldchoke。Hewasthick—neckedanyway，andtherushofbloodmadehimtearatthesoftcollarofhisshirt。Duaneawaitedhischance，patient，cold，allhisfeelingsshutinavise。

"Butwhyshouldyourdaughtermeetthisranger？"demandedLawson，harshly。

"She’sinlovewithhim，andhe’sinlovewithher。"

DuanereveledinLawson’scondition。Thestatementmighthavehadtheforceofajuggernaut。WasLongstrethsincere？Whatwashisgame？

Lawson，findinghisvoice，cursedRay，cursedtheranger，thenLongstreth。

"Youdamnedselfishfool！"criedLongstreth，indeepbitterscorn。"Allyouthinkofisyourself——yourlossofthegirl。

ThinkonceofME——myhome——mylife！"

ThentheconnectionsubtlyputoutbyLongstrethapparentlydawnedupontheother。Somehowthroughthisgirlherfatherandcousinweretobebetrayed。Duanegotthatimpression，thoughhecouldnottellhowtrueitwas。CertainlyLawson’sjealousywashisparamountemotion。

"Tohellwithyou！"burstoutLawson，incoherently。Hewasfrenzied。"I’llhaveher，ornobodyelsewill！"

"Youneverwill，"returnedLongstreth，stridently。"SohelpmeGodI’dratherseehertheranger’swifethanyours！"

WhileLawsonabsorbedthatshockLongstrethleanedtowardhim，allofhateandmenaceinhismien。

"Lawson，youmademewhatIam，"continuedLongstreth。"I

backedyou——shieldedyou。YOU’RECheseldine——ifthetruthistold！Nowit’sended。Iquityou。I’mdone！"

Theirgraypassion—cordedfaceswerestillasstones。

"GENTLEMEN！"Duanecalledinfar—reachingvoiceashesteppedout。"YOU’REBOTHDONE！"

TheywheeledtoconfrontDuane。

"Don’tmove！Notamuscle！Notafinger！"hewarned。

LongstrethreadwhatLawsonhadnotthemindtoread。Hisfaceturnedfromgraytoashen。

"Whatd’yemean？"yelledLawson，fiercely，shrilly。Itwasnotinhimtoobeyacommand，toseeimpendingdeath。

Allquiveringandstrung，yetwithperfectcontrol，Duaneraisedhislefthandtoturnbackalapelofhisopenvest。Thesilverstarflashedbrightly。

Lawsonhowledlikeadog。Withbarbarousandinsanefury，withsheerimpotentfolly，hesweptaclawinghandforhisgun。

Duane’sshotbrokehisaction。

BeforeLawsonevertottered，beforeheloosedthegun，Longstrethleapedbehindhim，claspedhimwithleftarm，quickaslightningjerkedthegunfrombothclutchingfingersandsheath。Longstrethprotectedhimselfwiththebodyofthedeadman。Duanesawredflashes，puffsofsmoke;heheardquickreports。Somethingstunghisleftarm。Thenablowlikewind，lightofsoundyetshockinginimpact，struckhim，staggeredhim。Thehotrendofleadfollowedtheblow。Duane’sheartseemedtoexplode，yethismindkeptextraordinarilyclearandrapid。

DuaneheardLongstrethworktheactionofLawson’sgun。Heheardthehammerclick，falluponemptyshells。LongstrethhadusedupalltheloadsinLawson’sgun。Hecursedasamancursedatdefeat。Duanewaited，coolandsurenow。Longstrethtriedtoliftthedeadman，toedgehimclosertowardthetablewherehisowngunlay。But，consideringtheperilofexposinghimself，hefoundthetaskbeyondhim。HebentpeeringatDuaneunderLawson’sarm，whichfloppedoutfromhisside。

Longstreth’seyesweretheeyesofamanwhomeanttokill。

Therewasneveranymistakingthestrangeandterriblelightofeyeslikethose。MorethanonceDuanehadachancetoaimatthem，atthetopofLongstreth’shead，atastripofhisside。

LongstrethflungLawson’sbodyoff。Butevenasitdropped，beforeLongstrethcouldleap，ashesurelyintended，forthegun，Duanecoveredhim，calledpiercinglytohim:

"Don’tjumpforthegun！Don’t！I’llkillyou！SureasGodI’llkillyou！"

LongstrethstoodperhapstenfeetfromthetablewherehisgunlayDuanesawhimcalculatingchances。Hewasgame。HehadthecouragethatforcedDuanetorespecthim。Duanejustsawhimmeasurethedistancetothatgun。Hewasmagnificent。Hemeanttodoit。Duanewouldhavetokillhim。

"Longstreth，listen，"criedDuane，swiftly。"Thegame’sup。

You’redone。Butthinkofyourdaughter！I’llspareyourlife——I’lltrytogetyoufreedomononecondition。Forhersake！I’vegotyounailed——alltheproofs。ThereliesLawson。

You’realone。I’veMortonandmentomyaid。Giveup。

Surrender。Consenttodemands，andI’llspareyou。MaybeIcanpersuadeMacNellytoletyougofreebacktoyouroldcountry。

It’sforRay’ssake！Herlife，perhapsherhappiness，canbesaved！Hurry，man！Youranswer！"

"SupposeIrefuse？"hequeried，withadarkandterribleearnestness。

"ThenI’llkillyouinyourtracks！Youcan’tmoveahand！Yourwordordeath！Hurry，Longstreth！Beaman！Forhersake！

Quick！Anothersecondnow——I’llkillyou！"

"Allright，BuckDuane，Igivemyword，"hesaid，anddeliberatelywalkedtothechairandfellintoit。

LongstrethlookedstrangelyatthebloodyblotonDuane’sshoulder。

"Therecomethegirls！"hesuddenlyexclaimed。"CanyouhelpmedragLawsoninside？Theymustn’tseehim。"

Duanewasfacingdowntheporchtowardthecourtandcorrals。

MissLongstrethandRuthhadcomeinsight，wereswiftlyapproaching，evidentlyalarmed。ThetwomensucceededindrawingLawsonintothehousebeforethegirlssawhim。

"Duane，you’renothardhit？"saidLongstreth。

"Reckonnot，"repliedDuane。

"I’msorry。Ifonlyyoucouldhavetoldmesooner！Lawson，damnhim！AlwaysI’vesplitoverhim！"

"Butthelasttime，Longstreth。"

"Yes，andIcameneardrivingyoutokillme，too。Duane，youtalkedmeoutofit。ForRay’ssake！She’llbeinhereinaminute。This’llbeharderthanfacingagun。"

"Hardnow。ButIhopeit’llturnoutallright。"

"Duane，willyoudomeafavor？"heasked，andheseemedshamefaced。

"Sure。"

"LetRayandRuththinkLawsonshotyou。He’sdead。Itcan’tmatter。Duane，theoldsideofmylifeiscomingback。It’sbeencoming。It’llbeherejustaboutwhensheentersthisroom。And，byGod，I’dchangeplaceswithLawsonifIcould！"

"Gladyou——saidthat，Longstreth，"repliedDuane。"Andsure——Lawsonpluggedme。It’soursecret。"

JustthenRayandRuthenteredtheroom。Duaneheardtwolowcries，sodifferentintone，andhesawtwowhitefaces。Raycametohisside，Sheliftedashakinghandtopointattheblooduponhisbreast。Whiteandmute，shegazedfromthattoherfather。

"Papa！"criedRay，wringingherhands。

"Don’tgiveway，"hereplied，huskily。"Bothyougirlswillneedyournerve。Duaneisn’tbadlyhurt。ButFloydis——isdead。

Listen。Letmetellitquick。There’sbeenafight。It——itwasLawson——itwasLawson’sgunthatshotDuane。Duaneletmeoff。

Infact，Ray，hesavedme。I’mtodividemyproperty——returnsofaraspossiblewhatI’vestolen——leaveTexasatoncewithDuane，underarrest。HesaysmaybehecangetMacNelly，therangercaptain，toletmego。Foryoursake！"

Shestoodthere，realizingherdeliverance，withthedarkandtragicgloryofhereyespassingfromherfathertoDuane。

"Youmustriseabovethis，"saidDuanetoher。"Iexpectedthistoruinyou。Butyourfatherisalive。Hewillliveitdown。

I’msureIcanpromiseyouhe’llbefree。PerhapsbackthereinLouisianathedishonorwillneverbeknown。Thiscountryisfarfromyouroldhome。AndeveninSanAntonioand。Austinaman’sevilreputemeanslittle。Thenthelinebetweenarustlerandarancherishardtodrawinthesewildborderdays。Rustlingisstealingcattle，andIonceheardawell—knownranchersaythatallrichcattlemenhaddonealittlestealingYourfatherdriftedouthere，and，likeagoodmanyothers，hesucceeded。

It’sperhapsjustaswellnottosplithairs，tojudgehimbythelawandmoralityofacivilizedcountry。Somewayorotherhedriftedinwithbadmen。Maybeadealthatwashonestsomehowtiedhishands。Thismatterofland，water，afewstrayheadofstockhadtobedecidedoutofcourt。I’msureinhiscaseheneverrealizedwherehewasdrifting。Thenonethingledtoanother，untilhewasfacetofacewithdealingthattookoncrookedform。Toprotecthimselfheboundmentohim。

Andsothegangdeveloped。Manypowerfulgangshavedevelopedthatwayouthere。Hecouldnotcontrolthem。Hebecameinvolvedwiththem。Andeventuallytheirdealingsbecamedeliberatelyandboldlydishonest。Thatmeanttheinevitablespillingofbloodsoonerorlater，andsohegrewintotheleaderbecausehewasthestrongest。Whateverheistobejudgedfor，Ithinkhecouldhavebeeninfinitelyworse。"

CHAPTERXXIV

Onthemorningofthetwenty—sixthDuanerodeintoBradfordintimetocatchtheearlytrain。Hiswoundsdidnotseriouslyincapacitatehim。Longstrethwaswithhim。AndMissLongstrethandRuthHerbertwouldnotbeleftbehind。TheywereallleavingFairdaleforever。LongstrethhadturnedoverthewholeofhispropertytoMorton，whowastodivideitasheandhiscomradesbelievedjust。DuanehadleftFairdalewithhispartybynight，passedthroughSandersonintheearlyhoursofdawn，andreachedBradfordashehadplanned。

ThatfatefulmorningfoundDuaneoutwardlycalm，butinwardlyhewasinatumult。HewantedtorushtoValVerde。WouldCaptainMacNellybetherewithhisrangers，asDuanehadplannedforthemtobe？MemoryofthattawnyPogginreturnedwithstrangepassion。Duanehadbornehoursandweeksandmonthsofwaiting，hadenduredthelonghoursoftheoutlaw，butnowhehadnopatience。Thewhistleofthetrainmadehimleap。

Itwasafasttrain，yettherideseemedslow。

Duane，dislikingtofaceLongstrethandthepassengersinthecar，changedhisseattoonebehindhisprisoner。Theyhadseldomspoken。Longstrethsatwithbowedhead，deepinthought。

Thegirlssatinaseatnearbyandwerepalebutcomposed。

Occasionallythetrainhaltedbrieflyatastation。ThelatterhalfofthatrideDuanehadobservedawagon—roadrunningparallelwiththerailroad，sometimesrightalongside，atothersnearorfaraway。WhenthetrainwasabouttwentymilesfromValVerdeDuaneespiedadarkgroupofhorsementrottingeastward。Hisbloodbeatlikeahammerathistemples。

Thegang！HethoughtherecognizedthetawnyPogginandfeltastrangeinwardcontraction。Hethoughtherecognizedtheclean—cutBlossomKane，theblack—beardedgiantBoldt，thered—facedPanhandleSmith，andFletcher。Therewasanothermanstrangetohim。WasthatKnell？No！itcouldnothavebeenKnell。

DuaneleanedovertheseatandtouchedLongstrethontheshoulder。

"Look！"hewhispered。Cheseldinewasstiff。Hehadalreadyseen。

Thetrainflashedby;theoutlawgangrecededoutofrangeofsight。

"DidyounoticeKnellwasn’twiththem？"whisperedDuane。

DuanedidnotspeaktoLongstrethagaintillthetrainstoppedatValVerde。

Theygotoffthecar，andthegirlsfollowedasnaturallyasordinarytravelers。ThestationwasagooddeallargerthanthatatBradford，andtherewasconsiderableactionandbustleincidenttothearrivalofthetrain。

Duane’ssweepinggazesearchedfaces，resteduponamanwhoseemedfamiliar。Thisfellow’slook，too，wasthatofonewhoknewDuane，butwaswaitingforasign，acue。ThenDuanerecognizedhim——MacNelly，clean—shaven。Withoutmustacheheappeareddifferent，younger。

WhenMacNellysawthatDuaneintendedtogreethim，tomeethim，hehurriedforward。Akeenlightflashedfromhiseyes。Hewasglad，eager，yetsuppressinghimself，andtheglanceshesentbackandforthfromDuanetoLongstrethwerequestioning，doubtful。CertainlyLongstrethdidnotlookthepartofanoutlaw。

"Duane！Lord，I’mgladtoseeyou，"wastheCaptain’sgreeting。

ThenatcloserlookintoDuane’sfacehiswarmthfled——somethinghesawtherecheckedhisenthusiasm，oratleastitsutterance。

"MacNelly，shakehandwithCheseldine，"saidDuane，low—voiced。