第4章

You\'vesureputheartinthem。"

"Indeed，Stillwell，Iamgladtohearthat，"repliedMadeline。

"AndIshallbepleasedtoteachthemall。ButmayInothavethemalluphereatonce——atleastthoseoffduty？"

"Wal，Ireckonyoucan\'tonlessyouwanttohevthemscrappin\'，"

rejoinedStillwell，dryly。"Whatyou\'vegotonyourhandsnow，MissMajesty，istolet\'emcomeonebyone，an\'makeeachcowboythinkyou\'retakin\'moreespecialpleasureinshowin\'himthanthefellerwhocamebeforehim。Thenmebbewecangoonwithcattle-raisin\'。"

Madelineprotested，andStillwellheldinexorablytowhathesaidwaswisdom。SeveraltimesMadelinehadgoneagainsthisadvice，toherutterdiscomfitureandrout。Shedarednotriskitagain，andresignedherselfgrace-fullyandwithsubduedmerrimenttohertask。JimBellwasusheredintothegreat，light，spotlesskitchen，wherepresentlyMadelineappearedtoputonanapronandrolluphersleeves。Sheexplainedtheuseoftheseveralpiecesofaluminumthatmadeupthebread-mixerandfastenedthebuckettothetable-shelf。Jim\'slifemighthavedependeduponthislesson，judgingfromhisabsorbedmannerandhisdesiretohavethingsexplainedoverandover，especiallytheturningofthecrank。WhenMadelinehadtotakeJim\'shandthreetimestoshowhimthesimplemechanismandthenhedidnotunderstandshebegantohavefaintmisgivingsastohisabsolutesincerity。SheguessedthataslongasshetouchedJim\'shandheneverwouldunderstand。ThenasshebegantomeasureoutflourandmilkandlardandsaltandyeastshesawwithdespairthatJimwasnotlookingattheingredients，wasnotpayingtheslightestattentiontothem。Hiseyeswerecovertlyuponher。

"Jim，Iamnotsureaboutyou，"saidMadeline，severely。"Howcanyoulearntomakebreadifyoudonotwatchmemixit？"

"Iama-watchin\'you，"repliedJim，innocently。

FinallyMadelinesentthecowboyonhiswayrejoicingwiththebread-mixerunderhisarm。Nextmorning，truetoStillwell\'sprophecy，FrankSlade，Jim\'sbunkmate，presentedhimselfcheerfullytoMadelineandunbosomedhimselfofalong-deferredandpersistentdesiretorelievehisoverworkedcomradeofsomeofthehouse-keepingintheirbunk。

"MissHammond，"saidFrank，"Jim\'sorfulkindwantin\'todoitallhisself。Butheain\'tverybright，an\'Ididn\'tbelievehim。

Yousee，I\'mfromMissouri，an，you\'llhavetoshowme。"

ForawholeweekMadelineheldclinicswheresheexpoundedthescientificmethodofmodernbread-making。Shegotagooddealofenjoymentoutofherlectures。Whatboysthesegreathulkingfellowswere！Shesawthroughtheirsimpleruses。Someofthemweregraveasdeacons；othersworeexpressionsimportantenoughtohavefittedthefacesofstatesmensigninggovernmenttreaties。Thesecowboyswerechildren；theyneededtobegoverned；butinordertogovernthemtheyhadtobehumored。A

morelight-hearted，fun-lovingcrowdofboyscouldnothavebeenfound。Andtheyweregrownmen。Stillwellexplainedthattheexuberanceofspiritslayinthedifferenceintheirfortunes。

Twenty-sevencowboys，inrelaysofnine，workedeighthoursaday。ThathadneverbeenheardofbeforeintheWest。StillwelldeclaredthatcowboysfromallpointsofthecompasswouldheadtheirhorsestowardHerMajesty\'sRancho。

VIIIElCapitanStillwell\'sinterestintherevolutionacrosstheMexicanlinehadmanifestlyincreasedwiththenewsthatGeneStewarthadachieveddistinctionwiththerebelforces。ThereaftertheoldcattlemansentforElPasoandDouglasnewspapers，wrotetoranchmenheknewonthebigbendoftheRioGrande，andhewouldtalkindefinitelytoanyonewhowouldlistentohim。TherewasnotanypossibilityofStillwell\'sfriendsattheranchforgettinghisfavoritecowboy。StillwellalwaysprefacedhiseulogywithanapologeticstatementthatStewarthadgonetothebad。Madelinelikedtolistentohim，thoughshewasnotalwayssurewhichnewswasauthenticandwhichimagination。

Thereappearedtobenodoubt，however，thatthecowboyhadperformedsomedaringfeatsfortherebels。Madelinefoundhisnamementionedinseveraloftheborderpapers。WhentherebelsunderMaderostormedandcapturedthecityofJuarez，StewartdidfightingthatwonhimthenameofElCapitan。Thisbattleapparentlyendedtherevolution。ThecapitulationofPresidentDiazfollowedshortly，andtherewasafeelingofreliefamongranchersontheborderfromTexastoCalifornia。NothingmorewasheardofGeneStewartuntilApril，whenareportreachedStillwellthatthecowboyhadarrivedinElCajon，evidentlyhuntingtrouble。Theoldcattlemansaddledahorseandstartedpost-hastefortown。Intwodayshereturned，depressedinspirit。MadelinehappenedtobepresentwhenStillwelltalkedtoAlfred。

"Igottheretoolate，Al，"saidthecattleman。"Genewasgone。

An\'whatdoyouthinkofthis？DannyMainshedjestleftwithacoupleofburrospacked。Icouldn\'tfindwhatwayhewent，butI\'mbettin\'hehitthePeloncillotrail。"

"Dannywillshowupsomeday，"repliedAlfred。"WhatdidyoulearnaboutStewart？MaybeheleftwithDanny。"

"Notmuch，"saidStillwell，shortly。"Gene\'shell-bentferelection！Nomountainsferhim。"

"Welltellusabouthim。"

Stillwellwipedhissweatybrowandsquaredhimselftotalk。

"Wal，it\'ssureamazin\'strangeaboutGene。Itsgotmelocoed。

HearrivedinElCajonaweekorsoago。Hewastraineddownlikeasifhe\'dbeenridin\'therangeallwinter。Hehedplentyofmoney——Mex，theysaid。An\'alltheGreaserswascrazyabouthim。CalledhimElCapitan。Hegotdrunkan\'wentroarin\'roundferPatHawe。YourememberthatGreaserwhowaspluggedlastOctober——thenightMissMajestyarrived？Wal，he\'sdaid。He\'sdaid，an\'peoplesaysthetPatisa-goin\'tolaythetkillin\'

ontoGene。Ireckonthet\'sjesttalk，thoughPatismeanenoughtodoit，ifhehedthenerve。Anyway，ifhewasinElCajonhekeptmightymuchtohisself。Genewalkedupan\'down，upan\'

down，alldayan\'night，lookin\'ferPat。Buthedidn\'tfindhim。An\'，ofcourse，hekeptgettin\'drunker。Hejestgotplumbbad。Hemadelotsoftrouble，buttherewasn\'tnogun-play。

Mebbethetmadehimsore，sohewentan\'lickedFlo\'sbrother-in-law。Thetwasn\'tsobad。Jacksureneededagoodlickin\'。Wal，thenGenemetDannyan\'triedtogetDannydrunk。

An\'hecouldn\'t！Whatdoyouthinkofthat？Dannyhedn\'tbeendrinkin\'——wouldn\'ttouchadrop。I\'msuregladofthet，butit\'samazin\'strange。Why，Dannywasafishferredliquor。Iguesshean\'Genehadsomeprettyhardwords，thoughI\'mnotsureaboutthet。Anyway，Genewentdowntotherailroadan\'hegotonanengine，an\'hewasintheenginewhenitpulledout。Lord，I

hopehedoesn\'tholdupthetrain！IfhegetsgayoverinArizonahe\'llgotothepenatYuma。An\'thetpenisagraveyardfercowboys。IwiredtoagentsalongtherailroadtolookoutferStewart，an\'towirebacktomeifhe\'slocated。"

"Supposeyoudofindhim，Stillwell，whatcanyoudo？"inquiredAlfred。

Theoldmannoddedgloomily。

"Istraightenedhimuponce。MebbeIcandoitagain。"Then，brighteningsomewhat，beturnedtoMadeline。"Ijesthedanidee，MissMajesty。IfIcangethim，GeneStewardisthecowboyIwantfermyforeman。Hecanmanagethisbunchofcow-punchersthetaredrivin\'medotty。What\'smore，sincehe\'sfoughtfertherebelsan\'gotthatnameElCapitan，alltheGreasersinthecountrywillkneeltohim。Now，MissMajesty，wehevn\'tgotridofDonCarlosan\'hisvaquerosyet。Tobesure，hesoldyouhishousean\'ranchan\'stock。Butyouremembernothin\'wasputinblackandwhiteaboutwhenheshouldgetout。An\'DonCarlosain\'tgettin\'out。Idon\'tlikethelooksofthingsalittlebit。I\'lltellyounowthetDonCarlosknowssomethin\'aboutthecattleIlost，an\'thetyou\'vebeenlosin\'rightalong。ThetGreaserishandan\'glovewiththerebels。I\'mwillin\'togamblethetwhenhedoesgetouthean\'hisvaqueroswillmakeanotheroneofthebandsofguerrillasthetareharassin\'theborder。

Thisrevolutionain\'tover\'yet。It\'sjestcommenced。An\'allthesegangsofoutlawsaregoin\'totakeadvantageofit。We\'llseesomeoldtimes，mebbe。Wal，IneedGeneStewart。Ineedhimbad。Willyouletmehirehim，MissMajesty，ifIcangethimstraightenedup？"

Theoldcattlemanendedhuskily。

"Stillwell，byallmeansfindStewart，anddonotwaittostraightenhimup。Bringhimtotheranch，"repliedMadeline。

Thankingher，Stillwellledhishorseaway。

"Strangehowhelovesthatcowboy！"murmuredMadeline。

"Notsostrange，Majesty，"repliedherbrother。"Notwhenyouknow。StewarthasbeenwithStillwellonsomehardtripsintothedesertalone。There\'snomiddlecourseoffeelingbetweenmenfacingdeathinthedesert。Eitherheyhateeachotherorloveeachother。Idon\'tknow，butIimagineStewartdidsomethingforStillwell——saveduslife，perhaps。Besides，Stewart\'salovablechapwhenhe\'sgoingstraight。IhopeStillwellbringshimback。Wedoneedhim，Majesty。He\'sabornleader。OnceIsawhimrideintoabunchofMexicanswhomwesuspectedofrustling。Itwasfinetoseehim。Well，I\'msorrytotellyouthatweareworriedaboutDonCarlos。SomeofhisvaqueroscameintomyyardtheotherdaywhenIhadleftFloalone。Shehadabadscare。ThesevaqueroshavebeendifferentsinceDonCarlossoldtheranch。Forthatmatter，Ineverwouldhavetrustedawhitewomanalonewiththem。Buttheyareboldernow。Something\'sinthewind。They\'vegotassurance。Theycanrideoffanynightandcrosstheborder。"

DuringthesucceedingweekMadelinediscoveredthatagooddealofhersympathyforStillwellinhishuntfortherecklessStewarthadinsensiblygrowntobesympathyforthecowboy。Itwasratheraparadox，shethought，thatopposedtothecontinualreportsofStewart\'swildnessashecarousedfromtowntotownwerethecontinualexpressionsofgoodwillandfaithandhopeuniversallygivenoutbythosenearherattheranch。Stillwelllovedthecowboy；Florencewasfondofhim；Alfredlikedandadmiredhim，pitiedhim；thecowboyssworetheirregardforhimthemorehedisgracedhimself。TheMexicanscalledhimElGranCapitan。Madeline\'spersonalopinionofStewarthadnotchangedintheleastsincethenightithadbeenformed。Butcertainattributesofhis，notclearlydefinedinhermind，andthegiftofhisbeautifulhorse，hisvalorwiththefightingrebels，andallthisstrangeregardforhim，especiallythatofherbrother，madeherexceedinglyregretthecowboy\'spresentbehavior。

MeanwhileStillwellwassoearnestandzealousthatonenotfamiliarwiththesituationwouldhavebelievedhewastryingtofindandreclaimhisownson。Hemadeseveraltripstolittlestationsinthevalley，andfromthesehereturnedwithagloomyface。MadelinegotthedetailsfromAlfred。Stewartwasgoingfrombadtoworse——drunk，disorderly，savage，suretolandinthepenitentiary。ThencameareportthathurriedStillwellofftoRodeo。Hereturnedonthethirdday，acrushedman。Hebadbeensobitterlyhurtthatnoone，notevenMadeline，couldgetoutofhimwhathadhappened。HeadmittedfindingStewart，failingtoinfluencehim；andwhentheoldcattlemangotsofarheturnedpurpleinthefaceandtalkedtohimself，asifdazed："ButGenewasdrunk。Hewasdrunk，orhecouldn\'thevtreatedoldBilllikethet！"

Madelinewasstirredwithanangertowardthebrutalcowboythatwasasstrongashersorrowfortheloyaloldcattleman。AnditwaswhenStillwellgaveupthatsheresolvedtotakeahand。ThepersistentfaithofStillwell，hispatheticexcusesinthefaceofwhatmusthavebeenStewart\'sviolence，perhapsbaseness，actuatedherpowerfully，gavehernewinsightintohumannature。

Shehonoredafaiththatremainedunshaken。AndthestrangethoughtcametoherthatStewartmustsomehowbeworthyofsuchafaith，orhenevercouldhaveinspiredit。Madelinediscoveredthatshewantedtobelievethatsomewheredeepdowninthemostdepravedandsinfulwretchuponearththerewassomegrainofgood。SheyearnedtohavethefaithinhumannaturethatStillwellhadinStewart。

ShesentNels，mounteduponhisownhorse，andleadingMajesty，toRodeoinsearchofStewart。NelshadinstructionstobringStewartbacktotheranch。InduetimeNelsreturned，leadingtheroanwithoutarider。

"Yep，Ishorefoundhim，"repliedNels，whenquestioned。"Foundhimhalfsoberedup。He\'dbeeninascrap，an\'somebodyhedputhimtosleep，Iguess。Wal，whenheseenthetroanhossheletoutayellan\'grabbedhimroundtheneck。Thehossknowedhim，allright。ThenGenehuggedthehossan\'cried——criedlike——I

neverseennoonewhocriedlikehedid。Iwaitedawhile，an\'

wasjestgoin\'tosaysomethin\'tohimwhenheturnedonmered-eyed，madasfire。\'Nels，\'hesaid，\'Icareahellofalotferthetboss，an\'Ilikedyouprettywell，butifyoudon\'ttakehimawayquickI\'llshootyouboth。\'Wal，Ilitout。Ididn\'tevengittosayhowdytohim。"

Nels，youthinkituseless——anyattempttoseehim——persuadehim？"askedMadeline。

"Ishoredo，MissHammond，"repliedNels，gravely。"I\'veseenafewsun-blindedan\'locoedan\'snake-poisonedan\'skunk-bittencow-punchersinmyday，butGeneStewartbeats\'emall。He\'sshorerunnin\'wildferthedivide。"

MadelinedismissedNels，butbeforehegotoutofearshotsheheardhimspeaktoStillwell，whoawaitedhimontheporch。

"Bill，putthisinyourpipean\'smokeit——noneofthemscrapsGenehashedwasoverawoman！Itusedtobethetwhenhewasdrankhe\'dscrapovereveryprettyGreasergirlhe\'drunacross。

Thet\'swhyPatHawethinksGenepluggedthestrangevaquerowhowaswithlittleBonitathetnightlastfall。Wal，Gene\'sscrappin\'nowjesttogitshotuphisself，forsomereasonthetonlyGodAlmightyknows。"

Nels\'sstoryofhowStewartweptoverhishorseinfluencedMadelinepowerfully。HernextmovewastopersuadeAlfredtoseeifhecouldnotdobetterwiththisdoggedlybentcowboy。Alfredneededonlyawordofpersuasion，forhesaidhehadconsideredgoingtoRodeoofhisownaccord。Hewent，andreturnedalone。

"Majesty，Ican\'texplainStewart\'ssingularactions，"saidAlfred。"Isawhim，talkedwithhim。Heknewme，butnothingI

saidappearedtogettohim。Hehaschangedterribly。Ifancyhisoncemagnificentstrengthisbreaking。It——itactuallyhurtmetolookathim。Icouldn\'thavefetchedhimbackhere——notasheisnow。Iheardallabouthim，andifheisn\'tdownrightoutofhismindhe\'shell-bent，asBillsays，ongettingkilled。

Someofhisescapadesare——arenotforyourears。Billdidallanymancoulddoforanother。We\'vealldoneourbestforStewart。Ifyou\'dbeengivenachanceperhapsyoucouldhavesavedhim。Butit\'stoolate。Putitoutofmindnow，dear。"

Madeline，however，didnotforgetnorgiveitup。Ifshehadforgottenorsurrendered，shefeltthatshewouldhavebeenrelinquishinginfinitelymorethanhopetoaidoneruinedman。

Butshewasatalosstoknowwhatfurtherstepstotake。Dayspassed，andeachonebroughtadditionalgossipofStewart\'sheadlongcareertowardtheYumapenitentiary。ForhehadcrossedthelineintoCochiseCounty，Arizona，wheresheriffskeptastricterobservanceoflaw。FinallyalettercamefromafriendofNels\'sinChiricahuasayingthatStewarthadbeenhurtinabrawlthere。Hishurtwasnotserious，butitwouldprobablykeephimquietlongenoughtogetsober，andthisopportunity，Nels\'sinformantsaid，wouldbeagoodoneforStewart\'sfriendstotakehimhomebeforehegotlockedup。ThisepistleinclosedalettertoStewartfromhissister。Evidently，ithadbeenfounduponhim。Ittoldastoryofillnessandmadeanappealforaid。

Nels\'sfriendforwardedthisletterwithoutStewart\'sknowledge，thinkingStillwellmightcaretohelpStewart\'sfamily。Stewarthadnomoney，hesaid。

Thesister\'sletterfounditswaytoMadeline。Shereadit，tearsinhereyes。IttoldMadelinemuchmorethanitsbriefstoryofillnessandpovertyandwonderwhyGenehadnotwrittenhomeforsolong。Ittoldofmotherlylove，sisterlylove，brotherlylove——dearfamilytiesthathadnotbeenbroken。ItspokeofprideinthisElCapitanbrotherwhohadbecomefamous。

Itwassigned"yourlovingsisterLetty。"

Notimprobably，Madelinerevolvedinmind，thisletterwasonereasonforStewart\'sheadstrong，long-continuedabasement。Ithadbeenreceivedtoolate——afterhehadsquanderedthemoneythatwouldhavemeantsomuchtomotherandsister。Bethatasitmight，Madelineimmediatelysentabank-drafttoStewart\'ssisterwithaletterexplainingthatthemoneywasdrawninadvanceonStewart\'ssalary。Thisdone，sheimpulsivelydeterminedtogotoChiricahuaherself。

Thehorseback-ridesMadelinehadtakentothislittleArizonahamlethadtriedherendurancetotheutmost；butthejourneybyautomobile，exceptforsomerockybitsofroadandsandystretches，wascomfortable，andamatterofonlyafewhours。

Thebigtouring-carwasstillakindofseventhwondertotheMexicansandcowboys；notthatautomobileswereverynewandstrange，butbecausethisonewassuchanenormousmachineandcapableofgreaterspeedthananexpress-train。Thechauffeurwhohadarrivedwiththecarfoundhissituationamongthejealouscowboyssomewhatfarremovedfromabedofroses。Hehadbeeninducedtoremainlongenoughtoteachtheoperatingandmechanicaltechniqueofthecar。AndchoicefelluponLinkStevens，forthesimplereasonthatofallthecowboyshewastheonlyonewithanyknackformechanics。NowLinkhadbeenahard-riding，hard-drivingcowboy，andthatwinterhehadsustainedaninjurytohisleg，causedbyabadfall，andwasunabletosithishorse。Thishadbeengallandwormwoodtohim。

Butwhenthebigwhiteautomobilecameandhewaselectedtodriveit，lifewasoncemoreworthlivingforhim。ButalltheothercowboysregardedLinkandhismachineassomecorrelatedspeciesofdemon。Theyweredeathlyafraidofboth。

ItwasforthisreasonthatNels，whenMadelineaskedhimtoaccompanyhertoChiricahua，replied，reluctantly，thathewouldratherfollowonhishorse。However，sheprevailedoverhishesitancy，andwithFlorencealsointhecartheysetout。Formilesandmilesthevalleyroadwassmooth，hard-packed，andslightlydownhill。Andwhenspeedingwasperfectlysafe，Madelinewasnotaversetoit。Thegrassyplainsailedbackwardingraysheets，andthelittledotinthevalleygrewlargerandlarger。FromtimetotimeLinkglancedroundatunhappyNels，whoseeyeswerewildandwhosehandsclutchedhisseat。Whilethecarwascrossingthesandyandrockyplaces，goingslowly，Nelsappearedtobreatheeasier。Andwhenitstoppedinthewide，dustystreetofChiricahuaNelsgladlytumbledout。

"Nels，weshallwaithereinthecarwhileyoufindStewart，"

saidMadeline。

"MissHammond，IreckonGene\'llrunwhenheseesus，ifhe\'sabletorun，"repliedNels。"Wal，I\'llgofindhiman\'makeupmymindthenwhatwe\'dbetterdo。"

Nelscrossedtherailroadtrackanddisappearedbehindthelow，flathouses。Afteralittletimehereappearedandhurrieduptothecar。Madelinefelthisgraygazesearchingherface。

"MissHammond，Ifoundhim，"saidNels。"Hewassleepin\'。I

wokehim。He\'ssoberan\'notbadhurt；butIdon\'tbelieveyououghttoseehim。MebbeFlorence-"

"Nels，Iwanttoseehimmyself。Whynot？WhatdidhesaywhenyoutoldhimIwashere？"

"ShoreIdidn\'ttellhimthat。Ijestsays，\'Hullo，Gene！\'an\'

hesays，\'MyGawd！Nels！mebbeIain\'tgladtoseeahumanbein\'。\'Heaskedmewhowaswithme，an\'ItoldhimLinkan\'

somefriends。IsaidI\'dfetchthemin。Heholleredatthet。

ButIwent，anyway。Now，ifyoureallywillseehim，MissHammond，it\'sagoodchance。Butshoreit\'satouchymatter，an\'

you\'llbesomesickatsightofhim。He\'slayin\'inaGreaserholeoverhere。LikelytheGreasershevbeenkindtohim。Butthey\'reshoreapoorlot。"

Madelinedidnothesitateamoment。

"Thankyou，Nels。Takemeatonce。Come，Florence。"

Theyleftthecar，nowsurroundedbygaping-eyedMexicanchildren，andcrossedthedustyspacetoanarrowlanebetweenredadobewalls。Passingbyseveralhouses，Nelsstoppedatthedoorofwhatappearedtobeanalleywayleadingback。Iwasfilthy。

"He\'sinthere，aroundthetfirstcorner。It\'sapatio，openan\'

sunny。An\'，MissHammond，ifyoudon\'tmind，I\'llwaithereforyou。IreckonGenewouldn\'tlikeanyfellersaroundwhenheseesyougirls。"

ItwasthatwhichmadeMadelinehesitatethenandgoforwardslowly。ShehadgivennothoughtatalltowhatStewartmightfeelwhensuddenlysurprisedbyherpresence。

"Florence，youwaitalso，"saidMadeline，atthedoorway，andturnedinalone。

Andshehadsteppedintoabroken-downpatiolitteredwithalfalfastrawanddebris，allclearinthesunlight。Uponabench，backtowardher，satamanlookingoutthroughtherentsinthebrokenwall。Hehadnotheardher。TheplacewasnotquitesofilthyandstiflingasthepassagesMadelinehadcomethroughtogetthere。Thenshesawthatithadbeenusedasacorral。Aratranboldlyacrossthedirtfloor。Theairswarmedwithflies，whichthemanbrushedatwithwearyhand。MadelinedidnotrecognizeStewart。Thesideofhisfaceexposedtohergazewasblack，bruised，bearded。Hisclotheswereraggedandsoiled。Therewerebitsofalfalfainhishair。Hisshoulderssagged。Hemadeawretchedandhopelessfiguresittingthere。

MadelinedivinedsomethingofwhyNelsshrankfrombeingpresent。

"Mr。Stewart。ItisI，MissHammond，cometoseeyou，"shesaid。

Hegrewsuddenlyperfectlymotionless，asifhehadbeenchangedtostone。Sherepeatedhergreeting。

Hisbodyjerked。Hemovedviolentlyasifinstinctivelytoturnandfacethisintruder；butamoreviolentmovementcheckedhim。

Madelinewaited。Howsingularthatthisruinedcowboyhadpridewhichkepthimfromshowinghisface！Andwasitnotshamemorethanpride？

"Mr。Stewart，Ihavecometotalkwithyou，ifyouwillletme。"

"Goaway，"hemuttered。

"Mr。Stewart！"shebegan，withinvoluntaryhauteur。Butinstantlyshecorrectedherself，becamedeliberateandcool，forshesawthatshemightfailtobeevenheardbythisman。"Ihavecometohelpyou。Willyouletme？"

"ForGod\'ssake！You——you——"hechokedoverthewords。"Goaway！"

"Stewart，perhapsitwasforGod\'ssakethatIcame，"saidMadeline，gently。"Surelyitwasforyours——andyoursister\'s-"

Madelinebithertongue，forshehadnotmeanttobetrayherknowledgeofLetty。

Hegroaned，and，staggeringuptothebrokenwall，heleanedtherewithhisfacehidden。Madelinereflectedthatperhapstheslipofspeechhadbeenwell。

"Stewart，pleaseletmesaywhatIhavetosay？"

Hewassilent。Andshegatheredcourageandinspiration。

"Stillwellisdeeplyhurt，deeplygrievedthathecouldnotturnyoubackfromthis——thisfatalcourse。Mybrotherisalso。Theywantedtohelpyou。AndsodoI。Ihavecome，thinkingsomehowImightsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。Nelsbroughtyoursister\'sletter。I——Ireadit。Iwasonlythemoredeterminedtotrytohelpyou，andindirectlyhelpyourmotherandLetty。

Stewart，wewantyoutocometotheranch。Stillwellneedsyouforhisforeman。Thepositionisopentoyou，andyoucannameyoursalary。BothAlandStillwellareworriedaboutDonCarlos，thevaqueros，andtheraidsdownalongtheborder。Mycowboysarewithoutacapableleader。Willyoucome？"

"No，"heanswered。

"ButStillwellwantsyousobadly。"

"No。"

"Stewart，Iwantyoutocome。"

"No。"

Hisreplieshadbeenhoarse，loud，furious。TheydisconcertedMadeline，andshepaused，tryingtothinkofawaytoproceed。

Stewartstaggeredawayfromthewall，and，fallinguponthebench，hehidhisfaceinhishands。Allhismotions，likehisspeech，hadbeenviolent。

"Willyoupleasegoaway？"heasked。

"Stewart，certainlyIcannotremainherelongerifyouinsistuponmygoing。ButwhynotlistentomewhenIwantsomuchtohelpyou？Why？"

"I\'madamnedblackguard，"heburstout。"ButIwasagentlemanonce，andI\'mnotsolowthatIcanstandforyouseeingmehere。"

"WhenImadeupmymindtohelpyouImadeituptoseeyouwhereveryouwere。Stewart，comeaway，comebackwithustotheranch。Youareinabadconditionnow。Everythinglooksblacktoyou。Butthatwillpass。Whenyouareamongfriendsagainyouwillgetwell。Youwillheyouroldself。Theveryfactthatyouwereonceagentleman，thatyoucomeofgoodfamily，makesyouowesomuchmoretoyourself。Why，Stewart，thinkhowyoungyouare！Itisashametowasteyourlife。Comebackwithme。"

"MissHammond，thiswasmylastplunge，"hereplied，despondently。"It\'stoolate。"

"Ohno，itisnotsobadasthat。"

"It\'stoolate。"

"Atleastmakeaneffort，Stewart。Try！"

"No。There\'snouse。I\'mdonefor。Pleaseleaveme——thankyoufor-"

Hehadbeensavage，thensullen，andnowhewasgrim。Madelineallbutlostpowertoresisthisstrange，deadly，coldfinality。

Nodoubtheknewhewasdoomed。Yetsomethinghaltedher——heldherevenasshetookabackwardstep。Andshebecameconsciousofasubtlechangeinherownfeeling。Shehadcomeintothatsqualidhole，MadelineHammond，earnestenough，kindenoughinherownintentions；butshehadbeenalmostimperious——awomanhabitually，proudlyusedtobeingobeyed。Shedivinedthatallthepride，blueblood，wealth，culture，distinction，alltheimpersonalcondescendingpersuasion，allthefatuousphilanthropyonearthwouldnotavailtoturnthismanasinglehair\'s-breadthfromhisdownwardcareertodestruction。Hercominghadterriblyaugmentedhisbitterhateofhimself。Shewasgoingtofailtohelphim。Sheexperiencedasensationofimpotencethatamountedalmosttodistress。Thesituationassumedatragickeenness。

Shehadsetforthtoreversethetideofawildcowboy\'sfortunes；shefacedtheswiftwastingofhislife，thedamnationofhissoul。ThesubtleconsciousnessofchangeinherwasthebirthofthatfaithshehadreveredinStillwell。Andallatonceshebecamemerelyawoman，braveandsweetandindomitable。

"Stewart，lookatme，"shesaid。

Heshuddered。Sheadvancedandlaidahandonhisbentshoulder。

Underthelighttouchheappearedtosink。

"Lookatme，"sherepeated。

Buthecouldnotlifthishead。Hewasabject，crushed。Hedarednotshowhisswollen，blackenedface。Hisfierce，crampedposturerevealedmorethanhisfeaturesmighthaveshown；itbetrayedthetorturingshameofamanofprideandpassion，amanwhohadbeenconfrontedinhisdegradationbythewomanhehaddaredtoenshrineinhisheart。Itbetrayedhislove。

"Listen，then，"wentonMadeline，andhervoicewasunsteady。

"Listentome，Stewart。Thegreatestmenarethosewhohavefallendeepestintothemire，sinnedmost，sufferedmost，andthenhavefoughttheirevilnaturesandconquered。Ithinkyoucanshakeoffthisdesperatemoodandbeaman。"

"No！"hecried。

"Listentomeagain。SomehowIknowyou\'reworthyofStillwell\'slove。Willyoucomebackwithus——forhissake？"

"No。It\'stoolate，Itellyou。"

"Stewart，thebestthinginlifeisfaithinhumannature。I

havefaithinyou。Ibelieveyenareworthit。"

"You\'reonlykindandgood——sayingthat。Youcan\'tmeanit。"

"Imeanitwithallmyheart，"shereplied，asuddenrichwarmthsuffusingherbodyasshesawthefirstsignofhissoftening。

"Willyoucomeback——ifnotforyourownsakeorStillwell\'s——

thenformine？"

"WhatamItosuchawomanasyou？"

"Amanintrouble，Stewart。ButIhavecometohelpyou，toshowmyfaithinyou。"

"IfIbelievedthatImighttry，"hesaid。

"Listen，"shebegan，softly，hurriedly。"Mywordisnotlightlygiven。Letitprovemyfaithinyou。Lookatmenowandsayyouwillcome。"

Heheaveduphisbigframeasiftryingtocastoffagiant\'sburden，andthenslowlyheturnedtowardher。Hisfacewasablotchedandterriblething。Thephysicalbrutalizingmarkswerethere，andatthatinstantallthatappearedhumantoMadelinewasthedawningindead，furnace-likeeyesofabeautifullight。

"I\'llcome，"hewhispered，huskily。"Givemeafewdaystostraightenup，thenI\'llcome。"

IXTheNewForemanTowardtheendoftheweekStillwellinformedMadelinethatStewarthadarrivedattheranchandhadtakenupquarterswithNels。

"Gene\'ssick。Helooksbad，"saidtheoldcattleman。"He\'ssoweakan\'shakyhecan\'tliftacup。NelssaysthatGenehashedsomebadspells。Alittleliquorwouldstraightenhimupnow。

ButNelscan\'tforcehimtodrinkadrop，an\'hashedtosneaksomeliquorinhiscoffee。Wal，Ithinkwe\'llpullGenethrough。

He\'sforgottenalot。Iwasgoin\'totellhimwhathedidtomeupatRodeo。ButIknowifhe\'dbelieveithe\'dbesickerthanheis。Gene\'slosin\'hismind，orhe\'sgotsomethin\'powerfulstrangeonit。"

FromthattimeStillwell，whoevidentlyfoundMadelinehismostsympatheticlistener，unburdenedhimselfdailyofhishopesandfearsandconjectures。

Stewartwasreallyill。ItbecamenecessarytosendLinkStevensforaphysician。ThenStewartbeganslowlytomendandpresentlywasabletogetupandabout。Stillwellsaidthecowboylackedinterestandseemedtobeabrokenman。Thisstatement，however，theoldcattlemanmodifiedasStewartcontinuedtoimprove。ThenpresentlyitwasagoodauguryofStewart\'sprogressthatthecowboysoncemoretookuptheteasingrelationwhichhadbeencharacteristicofthembeforehisillness。Acowboywasindeedoutofsortswhenhecouldnotventhis。peculiarhumoronsomebodyorsomething。Stewarthadevidentlybecomeabroadtargetfortheirbadinage。

"Wal，theboysaresureafterGene，"saidStillwell，withhishugesmile。"Joshin\'himallthetimeabouthowhesitsaroundan\'hangsaroundan\'loafsaroundjesttogetaglimpseofyou，MissMajesty。Surealltheboyshevaprettybadcaseovertheirprettyboss，butnoneofthemisamarkertoGene。He\'sgotitsobad，MissMajesty，thetheactoolydon\'tknowtheyarejoshin\'

him。It\'stheamazin\'eststrangethingIeverseen。Why，Genewasalwaysafellerthetyoucouldjosh。An\'he\'dlaughan\'getbackatyou。Buthewasneverbeforedeaftotalk，an\'therewasacertainlimitnofellercaredtocrosswithhim。Nowhetakeseverywordan\'smilesdreamylike，an\'jestlooksan\'looks。

Why，he\'sbeginnin\'tomakemetired。He\'llneverrunthetbunchofcowboysifhedoesn\'twakeupquick。"

MadelinesmiledheramusementandexpressedabeliefthatStillwellwantedtoomuchinsuchshorttimefromamanwhohaddonebodyandmindagrievousinjury。

IthadbeenimpossibleforMadelinetofailtoobserveStewart\'ssingularbehavior。Sheneverwentouttotakehercustomarywalksandrideswithoutseeinghimsomewhereinthedistance。

Shewasawarethathewatchedforherandavoidedmeetingher。

WhenshesatontheporchduringtheafternoonoratsunsetStewartcouldalwaysbedescriedatsomepointnear。Heidledlistlesslyinthesun，loungedontheporchofhisbunk-house，satwhittlingthetopbarofthecorralfence，andalwaysitseemedtoMadelinehewaswatchingher。Once，whilegoingtheroundswithhergardener，sheencounteredStewartandgreetedhimkindly。Hesaidlittle，buthewasnotembarrassed。Shedidnotrecognizeinhisfaceanyfeaturethatsheremembered。Infact，oneachofthefewoccasionswhenshehadmetStewarthehadlookedsodifferentthatshehadnoconsistentideaofhisfacialappearance。Hewasnowpale，haggard，drawn。Hiseyesheldashadowthroughwhichshoneasoft，subduedlight；and，oncehavingobservedthis，MadelinefancieditwaslikethelightinMajesty\'seyes，inthedumb，worshipingeyesofherfavoritestag-hound。ShetoldStewartthatshehopedhewouldsoonbeinthesaddleagain，andpassedonherway。

ThatStewartlovedherMadelinecouldnothelpbutsee。Sheendeavoredtothinkofhimasoneofthemanywho，shewasgladtoknow，likedher。Butshecouldnotregulateherthoughtstofittheorderherintelligenceprescribed。ThoughtofStewartdissociateditselffromthoughtoftheothercowboys。Whenshediscoveredthisshefeltalittlesurpriseandannoyance。Thensheinterrogatedherself，andconcludedthatitwasnotthatStewartwassodifferentfromhiscomrades，butthatcircumstancesmadehimstandoutfromthem。Sherecalledhermeetingwithhimthatnightwhenhebadtriedtoforcehertomarryhim。Thiswasunforgetableinitself。Shecalledsubsequentmentionofhim，andfoundithadbeenpeculiarlymemorable。Themanandhisactionsseemedtohingeonevents。

Lastly，thefactstandingclearofallothersinitsrelationtoherinterestwasthathehadbeenalmostruined，almostlost，andshehadsavedhim。Thatalonewassufficienttoexplainwhyshethoughtofhimdifferently。Shehadbefriended，upliftedtheothercowboys；shehadsavedStewart\'slife。Tobesure，hehadbeenaruffian，butawomancouldnotsavethelifeofevenaruffianwithoutrememberingitwithgladness。MadelineatlengthdecidedherinterestinStewartwasnatural，andthatherdeeperfeelingwaspity。Perhapstheinteresthadbeenforcedfromher；

however，shegavethepityasshegaveeverything。

Stewartrecoveredhisstrength，thoughnotintimetorideatthespringround-up；andStillwelldiscussedwithMadelinetheadvisabilityofmakingthecowboyhisforeman。

"Wal，Geneseemstobegettin\'along，"saidStillwell。"Butheain\'tlikehisoldself。Ithinkmoreofhimatthet。Butwhere\'shisspirit？Theboys\'driderough-shodalloverhim。

MebbeI\'ddobesttowaitlongernow，astheslackseasonison。

Allthesame，ifthosevaqueroofDonCarlos\'sdon\'tlaylowI\'llsendGeneoverthere。Thet\'llwakehimup。"

AfewdaysafterwardStillwellcametoMadeline，rubbinghisbighandsinsatisfactionandwearingagrinthatwasenormous。

"MissMajesty，IreckonbeforethisI\'vesaidthingswasamazin\'

strange。ButnowGeneStewarthasgonean\'doneit！Listentome。ThemGreasersdownonourslopehevbeengettin\'prosperous。

They\'regrowin\'likebadweeds。An\'theygotanewpadre——thelittleoldfellerfromElCajon，PadreMarcos。Wal，thiswasallright，alltheboysthought，exceptGene。An\'hegotblacker\'nthunderan\'roaredroundlikeadehornedbull。Iwassuregladtoseehecouldgetmadagain。ThenGenehaidsdowntheslopeferthechurch。Nelsan\'mefolleredhim，thinkin\'hemighthevbeentooksuddenwithacrazyspellorsomethin\'。Hehasn\'tneverbeenjestrightyetsinceheleftoffdrinkin\'。Wal，werunintohimcomin\'outofthechurch。Weneverwassodumfoundedinourlives。Genewascrazy，allright——hesurehedaspell。Butitwasthekindofaspellhehedthetparalyzedus。Heranpastuslikeastreak，an\'wefollered。Wecouldn\'tketchhim。Weheerdhimlaugh——thestrangestlaughIeverheerd！You\'dthoughtthefellerwassuddenlymadeaking。Hewaslikethetfellerwhowastiedinabunyin\'-sackan\'throwedintothesea，an\'cuthiswayout，an\'swamtotheislandwherethetreasureswas，an\'stoodupyellin\'，\'Theworldismine。\'Wal，whenwegotuptohisbunk-househewasgone。Hedidn\'tcomebackalldayan\'allnight。FrankieSlade，whohasasharptongue，saysGenehedgonecrazyforliquoran\'thetwashisfinish。Nelswassomeworried。

An\'Iwassick。

"Wal。thismawnin\'IwentovertoNels\'sbunk。Someofthefellerswasthere，allspeculatin\'aboutGene。ThenbigaslifeGenestrutsroundthecorner。Hewasn\'tthesameGene。Hisfacewaspalean\'hiseyesburnedlikefire。Hehadthetoldmockin\'，coolsmile，an\'somethin\'besidesthetIcouldn\'tunderstand。

FrankieSladeupan\'madearemark——nowussthanhe\'dbeenmakin\'

ferdays——an\'Genetumbledhimoutofhischair，punchedhimgood，walkedalloverhim。Frankiewasn\'thurtsomuchashewasbewildered。\'Gene，\'hesays，\'whatthehellstruckyou？\'An\'

Genesays，kindofsweetlike，\'Frankie，youmaybeanicefellerwhenyou\'realone，butyourtalk\'soffensivetoagentleman。\'

"AfterthetwhatwassaidtoGenewaswithanicesmile。Now，MissMajesty，it\'sbeyondmewhattoallowforGene\'ssuddenchange。Firstoff，IthoughtPadreMarcoshadconvertedhim。I

actoolythoughtthet。ButIreckonit\'sonlyGeneStewartcomeback——theoldGeneStewartan\'some。Thet\'sallIcareabout。

I\'mrememberin\'howIoncetoldyouthetGenewasthelastofthecowboys。PerhapsIshouldhevsaidhe\'sthelastofmykindofcowboys。Wal，MissMajesty，you\'llbeapprecatin\'ofwhatI

meantfromnowon。"

ItwasalsobeyondMadelinetoaccountforGeneStewart\'santics，and，makingallowancefortheoldcattle-man\'sfancy，shedidnotweighhisremarksveryheavily。SheguessedwhyStewartmighthavebeenangryatthepresenceofPadreMarcos。Madelinesupposedthatitwasratheranunusualcircumstanceforacowboytobeconvertedtoreligiousbelief。Butitwaspossible。Andsheknewthatreligiousfervoroftenmanifesteditselfinextremesoffeelingandaction。Mostlikely，inStewart\'scase，hisrealmannerhadbeenbothmisunderstoodandexaggerated。

However，Madelinehadacuriousdesire，whichshedidnotwhollyadmittoherself，toseethecowboyandmakeherowndeductions。

Theopportunitydidnotpresentitselffornearlytwoweeks。

Stewarthadtakenuphisdutiesasforeman，andhisactivitieswereceaseless。Hewasabsentmostofthetime，rangingdowntowardtheMexicanline。WhenhereturnedStillwellsentforhim。

ThiswaslateintheafternoonofadayinthemiddleofApril。

AlfredandFlorencewerewithMadelineontheporch。TheysawthecowboyturnhishorseovertooneoftheMexicanboysatthecorralandthencomewithwearystepuptothehouse，beatingthedustoutofhisgauntlets。Littlestreamsofgraysandtrickledfromhissombreroasheremoveditandbowedtothewomen。

Madelinesawthemansheremembered，butwithasingularlydifferentaspect。Hisskinwasbrown；hiseyeswerepiercinganddarkandsteady；hecarriedhimselferect；heseemedpreoccupied，andtherewasnotatraceofembarrassmentinhismanner。

"Wal，Gene，I\'msuregladtoseeyou，"Stillwellwassaying。

"Wheredoyouhailfrom？"

"GuadaloupeCanon，"repliedthecowboy。

Stillwellwhistled。

"Waydownthere！Youdon\'tmeanyoufolleredthemhosstracksthetfar？"

"AllthewayfromDonCarlos\'sranchoacrosstheMexicanline。I

tookNickSteelewithme。Nickisthebesttrackerintheoutfit。Thistrailwewereonledalongthefoothillvalleys。

Firstwethoughtwhoevermadeitwashuntingforwater。Buttheypassedtworancheswithoutwatering。AtSeaton\'sWashtheydugforwater。Heretheymetapack-trainofburrosthatcamedownthemountaintrail。Theburroswereheavilyloaded。HorseandburrotracksstrucksouthfromSeaton\'stotheoldCaliforniaemigrantroad。WefollowedthetrailthroughGuadelopeCanonandacrosstheborder。OnthewaybackwestoppedatSlaughter\'sranch，wheretheUnitedStatescavalryarecamping。TherewemetforestersfromthePeloncilloforestreserve。Ifthesefellowsknewanythingtheykeptittothemselves。Sowehitthetrailhome。"

"Wal，Ireckonyouknowenough？"inquiredStillwell，slowly。

"Ireckon，"repliedStewart。

"Wal，outwithit，then，"saidStillwell，gruffly。"MissHammondcan\'tbekeptinthedarkmuchlonger。Makeyourreporttoher。"

ThecowboyshiftedhisdarkgazetoMadeline。Hewascoolandslow。

"We\'relosingafewcattleontheopenrange。Night-drivesbythevaqueros。Someofthesecattlearedrivenacrossthevalley，othersuptothefoothills。SofarasIcanfindoutnocattlearebeingdrivensouth。Sothisraidingisablindtofoolthecowboys。DonCarlosisaMexicanrebel。Helocatedhisranchohereafewyearsagoandpretendedtoraisecattle。Allthattimehehasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。

HewasforMaderoagainstDiaz。NowheisagainstMaderobecauseheandalltherebelsthinkMaderofailedtokeephispromises。

Therewillbeanotherrevolution。AndallthearmsgofromtheStatesacrosstheborder。ThoseburrosItoldaboutwerepackedwithcontrabandgoods。"

"That\'samatterfortheUnitedStatescavalry。Theyarepatrollingtheborder，"saidAlfred。

"Theycan\'tstopthesmugglingofarms，notdowninthatwildcorner，"repliedStewart。

"Whatismy——myduty？Whathasittodowithme？"inquiredMadeline，somewhatperturbed。

"Wal，MissMajesty，Ireckonithasn\'tnothingtodowithyou，"

putinStillwell。"Thet\'smybiznessan\'Stewart\'s。ButIjestwantedyoutoknow。Theremightbesometroublefollerin\'myorders。"

"Yourorders？"

"IwanttosendStewartovertofireDonCarlosan\'hisvaquerosofftherange。They\'vegottogo。DonCarlosisbreakin\'thelawoftheUnitedStates，an\'doin\'itonourpropertyan\'withourhosses。HevIyourpermission，MissHammond？"

"Why，assuredlyyouhave！Stillwell，youknowwhattodo。

Alfred，whatdoyouthinkbest？"

"It\'llmaketrouble，Majesty，butit\'sgottobedone，"repliedAlfred。"HereyouhaveacrowdofEasternfriendsduenextmonth。Wewanttherangetoourselvesthen。But，Stillwell，ifyoudrivethosevaquerosoff，won\'ttheyhangaroundinthefoothills？Ideclaretheyareabadlot。"

Stillwell\'smindwasnotatease。Hepacedtheporchwithafrowncloudinghisbrow。

"Gene，IreckonyougotthisGreaserdealfiggeredbetter\'nme，"

saidStillwell。"Nowwhatdoyousay？"

"He\'llhavetobeforcedoff，"repliedStewart，quietly。TheDon\'sprettyslick，buthisvaquerosarebadactors。It\'sjustthisway。Nelssaidtheotherdaytome，\'Gene，Ihaven\'tpackedagunforyearsuntillately，anditfeelsgoodwheneverImeetanyofthosestrangeGreasers。\'Yousee，Stillwell，DonCarloshasvaqueroscomingandgoingallthetime。They\'reguerrillabands，that\'sall。Andthey\'regettinguglier。Therehavebeenseveralshooting-scrapeslately。AranchernamedWhite，wholivesupthevalley，wasbadlyhurt。It\'sonlyamatteroftimetillsomethingstirsuptheboyshere。Stillwell，youknowNelsandMontyandNick。"

"SureIknow\'em。An\'you\'renotmentionin\'onemoreparticularcowboyinmyoutfit，"saidStiliwell，withadrychuckleandaglanceatStewart。

Madelinedivinedthecovertmeaning，andaslightchillpassedoverher，asifacoldwindhadblowninfromthehills。

"Stewart，Iseeyoucarryagun，"shesaid，pointingtoablackhandleprotrudingfromasheathswinginglowalonghisleatherchaps。

"Yes，ma\'am。"

"Whydoyoucarryit？"sheasked。

"Well，"hesaid，"it\'snotaprettygun——andit\'sheavy。"Shecaughttheinference。Thegunwasnotanornament。Hiskeen，steady，darkgazecausedhervaguealarm。Whathadonceseemedcoolandaudaciousaboutthiscowboywasnowcoldandpowerfulandmystical。Bothherinstinctandherintelligencerealizedthesteelfiberoftheman\'snature。Asshewashisemployer，shehadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnotdowhatwassochillinglymanifestthathemightdo。ButMadelinecouldnotdemand。Shefeltcuriouslyyoungandweak，andthefivemonthsofWesternlifewereasiftheyhadneverbeen。Shenowhadtodowithaquestioninvolvinghumanlife。Andthevaluesheplaceduponhumanlifeanditsspiritualsignificancewasamatterfarfromhercowboy\'sthoughts。Astrangeideaflashedup。Didsheplacetoomuchvalueuponallhumanlife？Shecheckedthat，wondering，almosthorrifiedatherself。Andthenherintuitiontoldherthatshepossessedafarstrongerpowertomovetheseprimitivementhananywoman\'ssternruleororder。

"Stewart，IdonotfullyunderstandwhatyouhintthatNelsandhiscomradesmightdo。Pleasebefrankwithme。DoyoumeanNelswouldshootuponlittleprovocation？"

"MissHammond，asfarasNelsisconcerned，shootingisnowjustamatterofhismeetingDonCarlos\'svaqueros。It\'swonderfulwhatNelshasstoodfromthem，consideringtheMexicanshe\'salreadykilled。"

"Alreadykilled！Stewart，youarenotinearnest？"criedMadeline，shocked。

"Iam。NelshasseenhardlifealongtheArizonaborder。Helikespeaceaswellasanyman。Butafewyearsofthatdoesn\'tchangewhattheearlydaysmadeofhim。AsforNickSteeleandMonty，they\'rejustbadmen，andlookingfortrouble。"

"Howaboutyourself，Stewart？Stillwell\'sremarkwasnotlostuponme，"saidMadeline，promptedbycuriosity。

Stewartdidnotreply。Helookedatherinrespectfulsilence。

InherkeenearnestnessMadelinesawbeneathhiscoolexteriorandwasallthemorebaffled。Wasthereaslight，inscrutable，mockinglightinhiseyes，orwasitonlyherimagination？

However，thecowboy\'sfacewasashardasflint。

"Stewart，Ihavecometolovemyranch，"saidMadeline，slowly，"andIcareagreatdealformy——mycowboys。Itwouldbedreadfuliftheyweretokillanybody，orespeciallyifoneofthemshouldbekilled。"

"MissHammond，you\'vechangedthingsconsiderableouthere，butyoucan\'tchangethesemen。Allthat\'sneededtostartthemisalittletrouble。AndthisMexicanrevolutionisboundtomakeroughtimesalongsomeofthewilderpassesacrosstheborder。

We\'reinline，that\'sall。Andtheboysaregettingstirredup。"

"Verywell，then，Imustaccepttheinevitable。Iamfacingaroughtime。Andsomeofmycowboyscannotbecheckedmuchlonger。But，Stewart，whateveryouhavebeeninthepast，youhavechanged。"Shesmiledathim，andhervoicewassingularlysweetandrich。"Stillwellhassooftenreferredtoyouasthelastofhiskindofcowboy。Ihavejustafaintideaofwhatawildlifeyouhaveled。Perhapsthatfitsyoutobealeaderofsuchroughmen。Iamnojudgeofwhataleadershoulddointhiscrisis。Mycowboysareentailingriskinmyemploy；mypropertyisnotsafe；perhapsmylifeevenmightbeendangered。Iwanttorelyuponyou，sinceStillwellbelieves，andI，too，thatyouarethemanforthisplace。Ishallgiveyounoorders。Butisittoomuchtoaskthatyoubemykindofacowboy？"

MadelinerememberedStewart\'sformerbrutalityandshameandabjectworship，andshemeasuredthegreatchangeinhimbythecontrastaffordednowinhisdark，changeless，intentface。

"MissHammond，whatkindofacowboyisthat？"heasked。

"I——Idon\'texactlyknow。ItisthatkindwhichIfeelyoumightbe。ButIdoknowthatintheproblemathandIwantyouractionstobegovernedbyreason，notpassion。Humanlifeisnotforanymantosacrificeunlessinself-defenseorinprotectingthosedependentuponhim。WhatStillwellandyouhintedmakesmeafraidofNelsandNickSteeleandMonty。Cannottheybecontrolled？IwanttofeelthattheywillnotgogunningforDonCarlos\'smen。Iwanttoavoidallviolence。AndyetwhenmyguestscomeIwanttofeelthattheywillbesafefromdangerorfrightorevenannoyance。MayInotrelywhollyuponyou，Stewart？JusttrustyoutomanagetheseobstreperouscowboysandprotectmypropertyandAlfred\'s，andtakecareofus——ofme，untilthisrevolutionisended？Ihaveneverhadaday\'sworrysinceIboughttheranch。ItisnotthatIwanttoshirkmyresponsibilities；itisthatIlikebeinghappy。MayIputsomuchfaithinyou？"

"Ihopeso，MissHammond，"repliedStewart。Itwasaninstantresponse，butnonethelessfraughtwithconsciousnessofresponsibility。Hewaitedamoment，andthen，asneitherStillwellnorMadelineofferedfurtherspeech，hebowedandturneddownthepath，hislongspursclinkinginthegravel。

"Wal，wal，"exclaimedStillwell，"thet\'snolittlejobyougivehim，MissMajesty。"

"Itwasawoman\'scunning，Stillwell，"saidAlfred。"Mysisterusedtobeawonderatgettingherownwaywhenwewerekids。

Justasmileortwo，afewsweetwordsorturnsofthought，andshehadwhatshewanted。"

"Al，whatacharactertogiveme！"protestedMadeline。"Indeed，I

wasdeeplyinearnestwithStewart。Idonotunderstandjustwhy，butItrusthim。Heseemslikeironandsteel。ThenIwasalittlefrightenedattheprospectoftroublewiththevaqueros。

BothyouandStillwellhaveinfluencedmetolookuponStewartasinvaluable。Ithoughtitbesttoconfessmyutterhelplessnessandtolooktohimforsupport。"

"Majesty，whateveractuatedyou，itwasastrokeofdiplomacy，"

repliedherbrother。"Stewarthasgotgoodstuffinhim。Hewasdownandout。Well，he\'smadeagamefight，anditlooksasifhe\'dwin。Trustinghim，givinghimresponsibility，relyinguponhim，wasthesurestwaytostrengthenhisholduponhimself。

Thenthatlittletouchofsentimentaboutbeingyourkindofcowboyandprotectingyou——well，ifGeneStewartdoesn\'tdevelopintoanArgus-eyedknightI\'llsayIdon\'tknowcowboys。But，Majesty，remember，he\'sacompositeoftigerbreedandforkedlightning，anddon\'timaginehehasfailedyouifhegetsintoafight。

"I\'llsuretellyouwhatGeneStewartwilldo，"saidFlorence。

"Don\'tIknowcowboys？Why，theyusedtotakemeupontheirhorseswhenIwasababy。GeneStewartwillbethekindofcowboyyoursistersaidhemightbe，whateverthatis。Shemaynotknowandwemaynotguess，butheknows。"

"Wal，Flo，thereyouhitplumbcenter，"repliedtheoldcattleman。"An\'Icouldn\'tbegladderifhewasmyownson。"

XDonCarlos\'sVaquerosEarlythefollowingmorningStewart，withacompanyofcowboys，departedforDonCarlos\'srancho。Asthedayworeonwithoutanyreportfromhim，Stillwellappearedtogrowmoreatease；andatnightfallhetoldMadelinethatheguessedtherewasnownoreasonforconcern。

"Wal，thoughit\'ssureamazin\'strange，"hecontinued，"I\'vebeenworryin\'someabouthowwewasgoin\'tofireDonCarlos。ButGenehasawayofdoin\'things。"

NextdayStillwellandAlfreddecidedtorideoverDonCarlos\'splace，takingMadelineandFlorencewiththem，anduponthereturntriptostopatAlfred\'sranch。Theystartedinthecool，graydawn，andafterthreehours\'riding，asthesunbegantogetbright，theyenteredamesquitegrove，surroundingcorralsandbarns，andanumberoflow，squatbuildingsandahuge，ramblingstructure，allbuiltofadobeandmostlycrumblingtoruin。Onlyonegreenspotrelievedthebaldredofgroundsandwalls；andthisevidentlywasmadebythespringwhichhadgivenbothvalueandfametoDonCarlos\'srange。Theapproachtothehousewasthroughawidecourtyard，bare，stony，hardpacked，withhitching-railsandwatering-troughsinfrontofalongporch。

Severaldusty，tiredhorsesstoodwithdroopingheadsandbridlesdown，theirwetflanksattestingtotraveljustended。

"Wal，dog-goneit，Al，ifthereain\'tPatHawe\'shossI\'lleatit，"exclaimedStillwell。

"What\'sPatwanthere，anyhow？"growledAlfred。

Noonewasinsight；butMadelineheardloudvoicescomingfromthehouse。Stillwelldismountedattheporchandstalkedinatthedoor。Alfredleapedoffhishorse，helpedFlorenceandMadelinedown，and，biddingthemrestandwaitontheporch，hefollowedStillwell。

"IhatetheseGreaserplaces，"saidFlorence，withagrimace。

"They\'resomysteriousandcreepy。Justwatchnow！They\'llbedark-skinned，beady-eyed，soft-footedGreaserssliprightupoutoftheground！There\'llbeanuglyfaceineverydoorandwindowandcrack。"

"It\'slikeahugebarnwithitscharacteristicodorpermeatedbytobaccosmoke，"repliedMadeline，sittingdownbesideFlorence。

"Idon\'tthinkverymuchofthisendofmypurchase。Florence，isn\'tthatDonCarlos\'sblackhorseoverthereinthecorral？"

"Itsureis。ThentheDon\'sheahyet。Iwishwehadn\'tbeeninsuchahurrytocomeover。There！thatdoesn\'tsoundencouraging。"

Fromthecorridorcametherattlingofspurs，trampingofboots，andloudvoices。MadelinedetectedAlfred\'squicknoteswhenhewasannoyed："We\'llrustlebackhome，then，"hesaid。Theanswercame，"No！"MadelinerecognizedStewart\'svoice，andshequicklystraightenedup。"Iwon\'thavetheminhere，"wentonAlfred。

"Outdoorsorin，they\'vegottobewithus！"repliedStewart，sharply。"Listen，Al，"cametheboomofStillwell\'sbigvoice，"nowthatwe\'vebuttedinoverhyarwiththegirls，youletStewartrunthings。"

Thenacrowdofmentrampedpell-melloutupontheporch。

Stewart，dark-browedandsomber，wasinthelad。Nelshungclosetohim，andMadeline\'squickglancesawthatNelshadundergonesomeindescribablechange。Thegrinning，brilliant-eyedDonCarloscamejostlingoutbesideagaunt，sharp-featuredmanwearingasilvershield。This，nodoubt，wasPatHawe。InthebackgroundbehindStillwellandAlfredstoodNickSteele，headandshouldersoveranumberofvaquerosandcowboys。

"MissHammond，I\'msorryyoucame，"saidStewart，bluntly。

"We\'reinamuddlehere。I\'veinsistedthatyouandFlobekeptclosetous。I\'llexplainlater。Ifyoucan\'tstopyourearsI

begyoutooverlookroughtalk。"

Withthatheturnedtothemenbehindhim："Nick，takeBooly，gobacktoMontyandtheboys。Fetchoutthatstuff。Allofit。

Rustle，now！"

StillwellandAlfreddisengagedthemselvesfromthecrowdtotakeuppositionsinfrontofMadelineandFlorence。PatHaweleanedagainstapostandinsolentlyogledMadelineandthenFlorence。

DonCarlospressedforward。HiswholefigurefilledMadeline\'sreluctantbutfascinatedeyes。Heworetightvelveteenbreeches，withaheavyfolddowntheoutsideseam，whichwasornamentedwithsilverbuttons。Roundhiswaistwasasash，andabeltwithfringedholster，fromwhichprotrudedapearl-handledgun。A

vestorwaistcoat，richlyembroidered，partlyconcealedablouseofsilkandwhollyrevealedasilkenscarfroundhisneck。Hisswarthyfaceshoweddarklines，likecords，underthesurface。

Hislittleeyeswereexceedinglyprominentandglittering。ToMadelinehisfaceseemedtobeabold，handsomemaskthroughwhichhiseyespiercinglybetrayedtheevilnatureoftheman。

Hebowedlowwithelaborateandsinuousgrace。Hissmilerevealedbrilliantteeth，enhancedthebrillanceofhiseyes。Heslowlyspreaddeprecatoryhands。

"Senoritas，Ibegathousandpardons，"hesaid。HowstrangeitwasforMadelinetohearEnglishspokeninasoft，whininglysweetaccent！"ThegracioushospitalityofDonCarloshaspassedwithhishouse。"

Stewartsteppedforwardand，thrustingDonCarlosaside，hecalled，"Makeway，there！"

Thecrowdfellbacktothetrampofheavyboots。Cowboysappearedstaggeringoutofthecorridorwithlongboxes。Thesetheyplacedsidebysideupontheflooroftheporch。

"Now，Hawe，we\'llproceedwithourbusiness，"saidStewart。"Youseetheseboxes，don\'tyou？"

"IreckonIseeagoodmanythingsroundhyar，"repliedHawe，meaningly。

"Well，doyouintendtoopentheseboxesuponmysay-so？"

"No！"retortedHawe。"It\'snotmyplacetomeddlewithpropertyascomebyexpressan\'allaccountedferregular。"

"Youcallyourselfasheriff！"exclaimedStewart，scornfully。

"Mebbeyou\'llthinksobeforelong，"rejoinedHawe，sullenly。

"I\'llopenthem。Here，oneofyouboys，knockthetopsofftheseboxes，"orderedStewart。"No，notyou，Monty。Youuseyoureyes。LetBoolyhandletheax。Rustle，now！"

MontyPricehadjumpedoutofthecrowdintothemiddleoftheporch。ThemannerinwhichhegavewaytoBoolyandfacedthevaqueroswasnotsignificantoffriendlinessortrust。

"Stewart，you\'redeadwrongtobustopenthemboxes。Thet\'sag\'in\'thelaw，"protestedHawe，tryingtointerfere。

Stewartpushedhimback。ThenDonCarlos，whohadbeenstunnedbytheappearanceoftheboxes，suddenlybecameactiveinspeechandperson。Stewartthrusthimbackalso。TheMexican\'sexcitementincreased。Hewildlygesticulated；heexclaimedshrillyinSpanish。When，however，thelidswerewrenchedopenandaninsidepackingtornawayhegrewrigidandsilent。

MadelineraisedherselfbehindStillwelltoseethattheboxeswerefullofriflesandammunition。

"There，Hawe！WhatdidItellyou？"demandedStewart。"Icameoverheretotakechargeofthisranch。Ifoundtheseboxeshiddeninanunusedroom。Isuspectedwhattheywere。Contrabandgoods！"

"Wal，supposin\'theyare？Idon\'tseeanycallfersechall-firedfussasyou\'remakin\'。Stewart，Icalkilateyou\'resomestuckonyournewjoban\'wanttomakeabigshowbefore-"

"Hawe，stopslingingthatkindoftalk，"interruptedStewart。

"Yougottoofreewithyourmouthoncebefore！Nowhere，I\'msupposedtobeconsultinganofficerofthelaw。Willyoutakechargeofthesecontrabandgoods？"

"Say，you\'reholdin\'onhighan\'mighty，"repliedHawe，inastonishmentthatwasplainlypretended。"What\'reyoudrivin\'

at？"

Stewartmutteredanimprecation。Hetookseveralswiftstridesacrosstheporch；heheldouthishandstoStillwellasiftoindicatethehopelessnessofintelligentandreasonablearbitration；helookedatMadelinewithaglanceeloquentofhisregretthathecouldnothandlethesituationtopleaseher。

ThenashewheeledhecamefacetofacewithNels，whohadslippedforwardoutofthecrowd。

Madelinegatheredseriousimportfromthesteel-bluemeaningflashofeyeswherebyNelscommunicatedsomethingtoStewart。

Whateverthatsomethingwas，itdispelledStewart\'simpatience。

AslightmovementofhishandbroughtMontyPriceforwardwithajump。InthesesuddenjumpsofMonty\'stherewasasuggestionofrestrainedferocity。ThenNelsandMontylinedupbehindStewart。Itwasadeliberateaction，eventoMadeline，unmistakablyformidable。PatHawe\'sfacetookonanuglylook；

hiseyeshadareddishgleam。DonCarlosaddedapalefaceandextremenervousnesstohisformerexpressionsofagitation。Thecowboysedgedawayfromthevaquerosandthebronzed，beardedhorsemenwhowereevidentlyHawe\'sassistants。

"I\'mdrivingatthis，"spokeupStewart，presently；andnowhewasslowandcaustic。"Here\'scontrabandofwar！Hawe，doyougetthat？Armsandammunitionfortherebelsacrosstheborder！

Ichargeyouasanofficertoconfiscatethesegoodsandtoarrestthesmuggler——DonCarlos。"

ThesewordsofStewart\'sprecipitatedariotamongDonCarlosandhisfollowers，andtheysurgedwildlyaroundthesheriff。Therewasanupflingingofbrown，clenchinghands，ashrill，jabberingbabelofMexicanvoices。ThecrowdaroundDonCarlosgrewlouderanddenserwiththeadditionofarmedvaquerosandbarefootedstable-boysanddusty-bootedherdsmenandblanketedMexicans，thelastofwhomsuddenlyslippedfromdoorsandwindowsandroundcomers。Itwasamotleyassemblage。Thelaced，fringed，ornamentedvaquerospresentedasharpcontrasttothebare-legged，sandal-footedboysandtheraggedherders。Shrillcries，evidentlyfromDonCarlos，somewhatquietedthecommotion。

ThenDonCarloscouldbeheardaddressingSheriffHaweinanexhortationofmingledEnglishandSpanish。Hedenied，heavowed，heproclaimed，andallinrapid，passionateutterance。

Hetossedhisblackhairinhisvehemence；hewavedhisfistsandstampedthefloor；herolledhisglitteringeyes；hetwistedhisthinlipsintoahundreddifferentshapes，andlikeacorneredwolfshowedsnarlingwhiteteeth。

ItseemedtoMadelinethatDonCarlosdeniedknowledgeoftheboxesofcontrabandgoods，thenknowledgeoftheirrealcontents，thenknowledgeoftheirdestination，and，finally，everythingexceptthattheywerethereinsight，damningwitnessestosomebody\'scomplicityinthebreakingofneutralitylaws。

Passionateashadbeenhisdenialofallthis，itwasasnothingcomparedtohisdenunciationofStewart。

"SenorStewart，hekeelmyVaquero！"shoutedDonCarlos，as，sweatingandspent，heconcludedhisarraignmentofthecowboy。

"Himyoumustarrest！SenorStewartabadman！Hekeelmyvaquero！"

"Doyouhearthet？"yelledHawe。"TheDon\'sgotyoufiggeredferthetlittlejobatElCajonlastfall。"

Theclamorburstintoaroar。HawebeganshakinghisfingerinStewart\'sfaceandhoarselyshouting。Thenalitheyoungvaquero，swiftasanIndian，glidedunderHawe\'supliftedarm。