第5章

Whatevertheactionheintended，hewastoolateforitsexecution。Stewartlungedout，struckthevaquero，andknockedhimofftheporch。Ashefelladaggerglitteredinthesunlightandrolledclinkingoverthestones。Themanwentdownhardanddidnotmove。Withthesameabruptviolence，andamannerofcontempt，StewartthrewHaweofftheporch，thenDonCarlos，who，beinglesssupple，fellheavily。ThenthemobbackedbeforeStewart\'srushuntilallweredowninthecourtyard。

Theshufflingoffeetceased，theclankingofspurs，andtheshouting。NelsandMonty，nowreinforcedbyNickSteele，wereasshadowsofStewart，socloselydidtheyfollowhim。Stewartwavedthembackandsteppeddownintotheyard。Hewasabsolutelyfearless；butwhatstruckMadelinesokeenlywashismagnificentdisdain。Manifestly，heknewthenatureofthemenwithwhomhewasdealing。FromthelookofhimitwasnaturalforMadelinetoexpectthemtogivewaybeforehim，whichtheydid，evenHaweandhisattendantssullenlyretreating。

DonCarlosgotuptoconfrontStewart。Theprostratevaquerostirredandmoaned，butdidnotrise。

"Youneedn\'tjibberSpanishtome，"saidStewart。"YoucantalkAmerican，andyoucanunderstandAmerican。Ifyoustartarough-househereyouandyourGreaserswillbecleanedup。

You\'vegottoleavethisranch。Youcanhavethestock，thepacksandtrapsinthesecondcorral。There\'sgrub，too。Saddleupandhitthetrail。DonCarlos，I\'mdealingmorethansquarewithyou。You\'relyingabouttheseboxesofgunsandcartridges。

You\'rebreakingthelawsofmycountry，andyou\'redoingitonpropertyinmycharge。IfIletsmugglinggoonhereI\'dbeimplicatedmyself。Nowyougetofftherange。Ifyoudon\'tI\'llhavetheUnitedStatescavalryhereinsixhours，andyoucangamblethey\'llgetwhatmycowboysleaveofyou。"

DonCarloswaseitheracapitalactorandgratefullyrelievedatStewart\'sleniencyorelsehewasthoroughlycowedbyreferencestothetroops。"Si，Senor！Gracias，Senor！"heexclaimed；andthen，turningaway，hecalledtohismen。Theyhurriedafterhim，whilethefallenvaquerogottohisfeetwithStewart\'shelpandstaggeredacrossthecourtyard。Inamomenttheyweregone，leavingHaweandhisseveralcomradesbehind。

Hawewasspitefullyejectingawadoftobaccofromhismouthandswearinginanundertoneabout"white-liveredGreasers。"HecockedhisredeyespeculativelyatStewart。

"Wal，Ireckonasyou\'resohell-bentondoin\'itupbrownthetyou\'lltrytofiremeoff\'ntherange，too？"

"IfIeverdo，Pat，you\'llneedtobecarriedoff，"repliedStewart。"JustnowI\'mpolitelyinvitingyouandyourdeputysheriffstoleave。"

"We\'llgo；butwe\'recomin\'backoneofthesedays，an\'whenwedowe\'llputyouinirons。"

"Hawe，ifyou\'vegotitinthatbadforme，comeoverhereinthecorralandlet\'sfightitout。"

"I\'manofficer，an\'Idon\'tfightoutlawsan\'sichexceptwhenI

hevtomakearrests。"

"Officer！You\'readisgracetothecounty。Ifyoueverdidgetironsonmeyou\'dtakemesomeplaceoutofsight，shootme，andthenswearyoukilledmeinself-defense。Itwouldn\'tbethefirsttimeyoupulledthattrick，PatHawe。"

"Ho，ho！"laughedHawe，derisively。Thenhestartedtowardthehorses。

Stewart\'slongarmshotout，hishandclappedonHawe\'sshoulder，spinninghimroundlikeatop。

"You\'releaving，Pat，butbeforeyouleaveyou\'llcomeoutwithyourplayoryou\'llcrawl，"saidStewart。"You\'vegotitinforme，mantoman。Speakupnowandproveyou\'renotthecowardlyskunkI\'vealwaysthoughtyou。I\'vecalledyourhand。"

PatHawe\'sfaceturnedablackish-purplehue。

"YoucanjestbetthetI\'vegotitinferyou，"heshouted，hoarsely。"You\'reonlyalow-downcow-puncher。YouneverhedadollaroradecentjobtillyouwasmixedupwiththetHammondwoman-"

Stewart\'shandflashedoutandhitHawe\'sfaceinaringingslap。

Thesheriff\'sheadjerkedback，hissombrerofelltotheground。

Ashebentovertoreachithishandshook，hisarmshook，hiswholebodyshook。

MontyPricejumpedstraightforwardandcroucheddownwithastrange，lowcry。

Stewartseemedallatoncerigid，bendingalittle。

"SayMissHammond，ifthere\'soccasiontousehername，"saidStewart，inavoicethatseemedcoollypleasant，yethadadeadlyundernote。

Hawedidamoment\'sbattlewithstranglingfury，whichheconqueredinsomemeasure。

"Isaidyouwasalow-down，drunkencow-puncher，atoughasdamnnearadesperadoasweeverhedontheborder，"wentonHawe，deliberately。HisspeechappearedtobeaddressedtoStewart，althoughhisflame-pointedeyeswereriveteduponMontyPrice。

"Iknowyoupluggedthatvaquerolastfall，an\'whenIgitmyproofI\'mcomin\'afteryou。"

"That\'sallright，Hawe。Youcancallmewhatyoulike，andyoucancomeaftermewhenyoulike，"repliedStewart。"Butyou\'regoingtogetinbadwithme。You\'reinbadnowwithMontyandNels。Prettysoonyou\'llqueeryourselfwithallthecowboysandtheranchers，too。Ifthatdon\'tputsenseintoyou——Here，listentothis。Youknewwhattheseboxescontained。YouknowDonCarloshasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。Youknowheishandandglovewiththerebels。You\'vebeenwearingblinders，andithasbeentoyourinterest。Takeahunchfromme。That\'sall。Lightoutnow，andthelessweseeofyourhandsomemugthebetterwe\'lllikeyou。"

Muttering，cursing，pallidofface，Haweclimbedastridehishorse。Hiscomradesfollowedsuit。Certainitappearedthatthesheriffwascontendingwithmorethanfearandwrath。HemusthavehadanirresistibleimpulsetoflingmoreinvectiveandthreatuponStewart，buthewasspeechless。Savagelyhespurredhishorse，andasitsnortedandleapedheturnedinhissaddle，shakinghisfist。Hiscomradesledtheway，withtheirhorsesclatteringintoacanter。Theydisappearedthroughthegate。

When，laterintheday，MadelineandFlorence，accompaniedbyAlfredandStillwell，leftDonCarlos\'sranchitwasnotanytoosoonforMadeline。TheinsideoftheMexican\'shomewasmoreunprepossessinganduncomfortablethantheoutside。Thehallsweredark，theroomshuge，empty，andmusty；andtherewasanairofsilenceandsecrecyandmysteryaboutthemmostfittingtothecharacterFlorencehadbestowedupontheplace。

Ontheotherhand，Alfred\'sranch-house，wherethepartyhaltedtospendthenight，waspicturesquelylocated，smallandcozy，camplikeinitsarrangement，andaltogetheragreeabletoMadeline。

Theday\'slongridesandtheexcitingeventshadweariedher。

SherestedwhileFlorenceandthetwomengotsupper。DuringthemealStillwellexpressedsatisfactionoverthegoodriddanceofthevaqueros，andwithhisusualoptimismtrustedhehadseenthelastofthem。Alfred，too，tookadecidedlyfavorableviewoftheday\'sproceedings。However，itwasnotlostuponMadelinethatFlorenceappearedunusuallyquietandthoughtful。Madelinewonderedalittleatthecause。SherememberedthatStewarthadwantedtocomewiththem，ordetailafewcowboystoaccompanythem，butAlfredhadlaughedattheideaandwouldhavenoneofit。

AftersupperAlfredmonopolizedtheconversationbydescribingwhathewantedtodotoimprovehishomebeforeheandFlorenceweremarried。

Thenatanearlyhourtheyallretired。

Madeline\'sdeepslumbersweredisturbedbyapoundinguponthewall，andthenbyFlorence\'scryingoutinanswertoacall：

"Getup！Throwsomeclothesonandcomeout！"

ItwasAlfred\'svoice。

"What\'sthematter？"askedFlorence，assheslippedoutofbed。

"Alfred，isthereanythingwrong？"addedMadeline，sittingup。

Theroomwasdarkaspitch，butafaintglowseemedtomarkthepositionofthewindow。

"Oh，nothingmuch，"repliedAlfred。"OnlyDonCarlos\'sranchogoingupinsmoke。"

"Fire！"criedFlorence，sharply。

"You\'llthinksowhenyouseeit。Hurryout。Majesty，oldgirl，nowyouwon\'thavetoteardownthatheapofadobe，asyouthreatened。Idon\'tbelieveawallwillstandafterthatfire。"

"Well，I\'mgladofit，"saidMadeline。"Agoodhealthyfirewillpurifytheatmosphereoverthereandsavemeexpense。Ugh！thathauntedranchogotonmynerves！Florence，Idobelieveyou\'veappropriatedpartofmyriding-habit。Doesn\'tAlfredhavelightsinthishouse？"

FlorencelaughinglyhelpedMadelinetodress。Thentheyhurriedlystumbledoverchairs，and，passingthroughthedining-room，wentoutupontheporch。

Awaytothewestward，lowdownalongthehorizon，shesawleapingredflamesandwind-sweptcolumnsofsmoke。

Stillwellappearedgreatlyperturbed。

"Al，I\'mlookin\'ferthatammunitiontoblowup，"hesaid。

"Therewasenoughofittoblowtheroofofftherancho。"

"Bill，surelythecowboyswouldgetthatstuffoutthefirstthing，"repliedAlfred，anxiously。

"Ireckonso。Butallthesame，I\'mworryin\'。Mebbetherewasn\'ttime。Supposin\'thetpowderwentoffastheboyswasgoin\'feritorcarryin\'itout！We\'llknowsoon。Iftheexplosiondoesn\'tcomequicknowwecanfiggertheboysgottheboxesout。"

Forthenextfewmomentstherewasasilenceofsustainedandpainfulsuspense。FlorencegrippedMadeline\'sarm。Madelinefeltafullnessinherthroatandarapidbeatingofherheart。

PresentlyshewasrelievedwiththeotherswhenStillwelldeclaredthedangerofanexplosionneededtobefearednolonger。

"SureyoucangambleonGeneStewart，"headded。

Thenighthappenedtobepartlycloudy，withbrokenriftsshowingthemoon，andthewindblewunusuallystrong。Thebrightnessofthefireseemedsubdued。Itwaslikeahugebonfiresmotheredbysomegreatcovering，penetratedbydifferent，widelyseparatedpointsofflame。Thesecornersofflameflewup，curlinginthewind，andthendieddown。Thusthescenewasconstantlychangingfromdulllighttodark。Therecameamomentwhenablackershadeoverspreadthewideareaofflickeringgleamsandthenobliteratedthem。Nightenfoldedthescene。Themoonpeepedacurvedyellowrimfromunderbrokenclouds。Toallappearancesthefirehadburneditselfout。Butsuddenlyapinpointoflightshowedwhereallhadbeendenseblack。Itgrewandbecamelongandsharp。Itmoved。Ithadlife。Itleapedup。Itscolorwarmedfromwhitetored。Thenfromallaboutitburstflameonflame，toleapintoagreatchangingpillaroffirethatclimbedhighandhigher。Hugefunnelsofsmoke，yellow，black，white，alltingedwiththecoloroffire，slantedskyward，driftingawayonthewind。

"Wal，Ireckonwewon\'thevthegoodofthemtwothousandtonsofalfalfawewasfiggerin\'on，"remarkedStillwell。

"Ah！Thenthatlastoutbreakoffirewasburninghay，"saidMadeline。"Idonotregrettherancho。Butit\'stoobadtolosesuchaquantityofgoodfeedforthestock。"

"It\'slost，an\'nomistake。Thefire\'sdyin\'asquickassheflaredup。Wal，Ihopenoneoftheboysgotriskytosaveasaddleorblanket。Monty——he\'shellonrunnin\'thegantletoffire。He\'slikeabossthat\'sjestbeendraggedoutofaburnin\'

stablean\'runsbacksurelocoed。There！She\'ssmolderin\'downnow。Reckonwe-allmightjestaswellturninagain。It\'sonlythreeo\'clock。"

"Iwonderhowthefireoriginated？"remarkedAlfred。"Somecarelesscowboy\'scigarette，I\'llbet。"

Stillwellrolledouthislaugh。

"Al，yousureareafree-hearted，trustin\'feller。I\'msomedoubtin\'thecigaretteidee；butyoucangambleifitwasacigaretteitbelongedtoacunnin\'vaquero，an\'wasn\'tdroppedaccident-like。"

"Now，Bill，youdon\'tmeanDonCarlosburnedtherancho？"

ejaculatcdAlfred，inmingledamazeandanger。

Againtheoldcattlemanlaughed。

"Powerfulstrangetosay，myfriend，oleBillmeansjestthet。"

"OfcourseDonCarlossetthatfire，"putinFlorence，withspirit。"Al，ifyouliveoutheahahundredyearsyou\'llneverlearnthatGreasersaretreacherous。IknowGeneStewartsuspectedsomethingunderhand。That\'swhyhewantedustohurryaway。That\'swhyheputmeontheblackhorseofDonCarlos\'s。

Hewantsthathorseforhimself，andfearedtheDonwouldstealorshoothim。Andyou，BillStillwell，you\'reasbadasAl。Youneverdistrustanybodytillit\'stoolate。You\'vebeensingingeversinceStewartorderedthevaquerosofftherange。Butyousurehaven\'tbeenthinking。"

"Wal，now，Flo，youneedn\'tpitchintomejestbecauseIhevanaturalChristianspirit，"repliedStillwell，muchaggrieved。"I

reckonI\'vehedenoughtroubleinmylifeso\'snottogolookin\'

fermore。Wal，I\'msorryaboutthehayburnin\'。Butmebbetheboyssavedthestock。An\'asferthatoleadobehouseofdarkholesan\'under-groundpassages，solong\'sMissMajestydoesn\'tmind，I\'mdarngladitburned。Come，let\'sallturninagain。

Somebody\'llrideoverearlyan\'telluswhat\'swhat。"

Madelineawakenedearly，butnotsoearlyastheothers，whowereupandhadbreakfastreadywhenshewentintothedining-room。

Stillwellwasnotinanamiableframeofmind。Thefurrowsofworrylinedhisbroadbrowandhecontinuallyglancedathiswatch，andgrowledbecausethecowboysweresolateinridingoverwiththenews。Hegulpedhisbreakfast，andwhileMadelineandtheothersatetheirshetrampedupanddowntheporch。

MadelinenotedthatAlfredgrewnervousandrestless。PresentlyheleftthetabletojoinStillwelloutside。

"They\'llslopeofftoDonCarlos\'sranchoandleaveustoridehomealone，"observedFlorence。

"Doyoumind？"questionedMadeline。

"No，Idon\'texactlymind；we\'vegotthefastesthorsesinthiscountry。I\'dliketorunthatbigblackdeviloffhislegs。No，Idon\'tmind；butI\'venohankeringforasituationGeneStewartthinks——"

Florencebegandisconnectedly，andsheendedevasively。Madelinedidnotpressthepoint，althoughshehadsomesenseofmisgiving。Stillwelltrampedin，shakingthefloorwithhishugeboots；Alfredfollowedhim，carryingafield-glass。

"Notahossinsight，"complainedStillwell。"Some-thin\'wrongoverDonCarlos\'sway。MissMajesty，it\'llbejestaswellferyouan\'Flotohitthehometrail。Wecantelephoneoveran\'seethattheboysknowyou\'recomin\'。"

Alfred，standinginthedoor，sweptthegrayvalleywithhisfield-glass。

"Bill，Iseerunningstock-horsesorcattle；Ican\'tmakeoutwhich。Iguesswe\'dbetterrustleoverthere。"

Bothmenhurriedout，andwhilethehorseswerebeingbroughtupandsaddledMadelineandFlorenceputawaythebreakfast-dishes，thenspeedilydonnedspurs，sombreros，andgauntlets。

"Herearethehorsesready，"calledAlfred。"Flo，thatblackMexicanhorseisaprince。"

ThegirlswentoutintimetohearStillwell\'sgood-byashemountedandspurredaway。AlfredwentthroughthemotionsofassistingMadelineandFlorencetomount，whichassistancetheyalwaysflouted，andthenhe，too，swungupastride。

"Iguessit\'sallright，"hesaid，ratherdubiously。"YoureallymustnotgoovertowardDonCarlos\'s。It\'sonlyafewmileshome。"

"Sureit\'sallright。Wecanride，can\'twe？"retortedFlorence。

"Betterhaveacareforyourself，goingoffovertheretomixingoodnessknowswhat。"

Alfredsaidgood-by，spurredhishorse，androdeaway。

"IfBilldidn\'tforgettotelephone！"exclaimedFlorence。"I

declareheandAlweresurerattled。"

Florencedismountedandwentintothehouse。Sheleftthedooropen。MadelinehadsomedifficultyinholdingMajesty。ItstruckMadelinethatFlorencestayedratherlongindoors。

Presentlyshecameoutwithsoberfaceandrathertightlips。

"Icouldn\'tgetanybodyonthe\'phone。Noanswer。Itriedadozentimes。"

"Why，Florence！"Madelinewasmoreconcernedbythegirl\'slooksthanbytheinformationsheimparted。

"Thewire\'sbeencut，"saidFlorence。HergrayglancesweptswiftlyafterAlfred，whowasnowfaroutofearshot。"Idon\'tlikethisalittlebit。Heah\'swhereI\'vegotto\'figger，\'asBillsays。"

Sheponderedamoment，thenhurriedintothehouse，toreturnpresentlywiththefield-glassthatAlfredhadused。Withthisshetookasurveyofthevalley，particularlyinthedirectionofMadeline\'sranch-house。Thiswashiddenbylow，rollingridgeswhichwerequitecloseby。

"Anyway，nobodyinthatdirectioncanseeusleaveheah，"shemused。"There\'smesquiteontheridges。We\'vegotcoverlongenoughtosaveustillwecanseewhat\'sahead。"

"Florence，what——whatdoyouexpect？"askedMadeline，nervously。

"Idon\'tknow。There\'sneveranytellingaboutGreasers。IwishBillandAlhadn\'tleftus。Still，cometothinkofthat，theycouldn\'thelpusmuchincaseofachase。We\'drunrightawayfromthem。Besides，they\'dshoot。IguessI\'maswellassatisfiedthatwe\'vegotthejobofgettinghomeonourownhands。Wedon\'tdarefollowAltowardDonCarlos\'sranch。Weknowthere\'stroubleoverthere。Soallthat\'sleftistohitthetrailforhome。Come，let\'sride。YousticklikeaSpanishneedletome。"

Aheavygrowthofmesquitecoveredthetopofthefirstridge，andthetrailwentthroughit。Florencetookthelead，proceedingcautiously，andassoonasshecouldseeoverthesummitsheusedthefield-glass。Thenshewenton。Madeline，followingclosely，sawdowntheslopeoftheridgetoabare，wide，grassyhollow，andonwardtomorerollingland，thickwithcactusandmesquite。Florenceappearedcautious，deliberate，yetshelostnotime。Shewasominouslysilent。Madeline\'smisgivingstookdefiniteshapeinthefearofvaquerosinambush。

Upontheascentofthethirdridge，whichMadelinerememberedwasthelastunevengroundbetweenthepointshehadreachedandhome，Florenceexercisedevenmoreguardedcareinadvancing。

Beforeshereachedthetopofthisridgeshedismounted，loopedherbridleroundadeadsnag，and，motioningMadelinetowait，sheslippedaheadthroughthemesquiteoutofsight。Madelinewaited，anxiouslylisteningandwatching。Certainitwasthatshecouldnotseeorhearanythingalarming。Thesunbegantohaveatouchofheat；themorningbreezerustledthethinmesquitefoliage；thedeepmagentaofacactusflowercaughthereye；along-tailed，cruel-beaked，brownbirdsailedsoclosetohershecouldhavetoucheditwithherwhip。Butshewasonlyvaguelyawareofthesethings。ShewaswatchingforFlorence，listeningforsomesoundfraughtwithuntowardmeaning。AllofasuddenshesawMajesty\'searswereheldstraightup。ThenFlorence\'sface，nowstrangelywhite，showedroundtheturnofthetrail。

"\'S-s-s-sh！"whisperedFlorence，holdingupawarningfinger。

Shereachedtheblackhorseandpettedhim，evidentlytostillanuneasinesshemanifested。"We\'reinforit，"shewenton。"A

wholebunchofvaqueroshidingamongthemesquiteovertheridge！

They\'venotseenorheardusyet。We\'dbetterriskridingahead，cutoffthetrail，andbeatthemtotheranch。Madeline，you\'rewhiteasdeath！Don\'tfaintnow！"

"Ishallnotfaint。Butyoufrightenme。Istheredanger？Whatshallwedo？"

"There\'sdanger。Madeline，Iwouldn\'tdeceiveyou，"wentonFlorence，inanearnestwhisper。"ThingshaveturnedoutjustasGeneStewarthinted。Oh，weshould——AlshouldhavelistenedtoGene！Ibelieve——I\'mafraidGeneknew！"

"Knewwhat？"askedMadeline。

"Nevermindnow。Listen。Wedaren\'ttakethebacktrail。We\'llgoon。I\'veaschemetofoolthatgrinningDonCarlos。Getdown，Madeline——hurry。"

Madelinedismounted。

"Givemeyourwhitesweater。Takeitoff——Andthatwhitehat！

Hurry，Madeline。"

"Florence，whatonearthdoyoumean？"criedMadeline。

"Notsoloud，"whisperedtheother。Hergrayeyessnapped。Shehaddivestedherselfofsombreroandjacket，whichsheheldouttoMadeline。"Heah。Takethese。Givemeyours。Thengetupontheblack。I\'llrideMajesty。Rustlenow，Madeline。Thisisnotimetotalk。"

"But，dear，why——whydoyouwant——？Ah！You\'regoingtomakethevaquerostakeyouforme！"

"Youguessedit。Willyou——"

"Ishallnotallowyoutodoanythingofthekind，"returnedMadeline。

ItwasthenthatFlorence\'sface，changing，tookonthehard，sternsharpnesssotypicalofacowboy\'s。MadelinehadcaughtglimpsesofthatexpressioninAlfred\'sface，andonStewart\'swhenhewassilent，andonStillwell\'salways。Itwasalookofironandfire——unchangeable，unquenchablewill。TherewasevenmuchofviolenceintheswiftactionwherebyFlorencecompelledMadelinetothechangeofapparel。

"It\'dbeenmyidea，anyhow，ifStewarthadn\'ttoldmetodoit，"

saidFlorence，herwordsasswiftasherhands。"DonCarlosisafteryou——you，MissMadelineHammond！Hewouldn\'tambushatrailforanyoneelse。He\'snotkillingcowboysthesedays。Hewantsyouforsomereason。SoGenethought，andnowIbelievehim。Well，we\'llknowforsureinfiveminutes。Youridetheblack；I\'llrideMajesty。We\'llsliproundthroughthebrush，outofsightandsound，tillwecanbreakoutintotheopen。

Thenwe\'llsplit。Youmakestraightfortheranch。I\'llcutlooseforthevalleywhereGenesaidpositivelythecowboyswerewiththecattle。Thevaqueroswilltakemeforyou。Theyallknowthosestrikingwhitethingsyouwear。They\'llchaseme。

They\'llnevergetanywherenearme。Andyou\'llbeonafasthorse。Hecantakeyouhomeaheadofanyvaqueros。Butyouwon\'tbechased。I\'mstakingallonthat。Trustme，Madeline。

Ifitwereonlymycalculation，maybeI\'d——It\'sbecauseI

rememberStewart。Thatcowboyknowsthings。Come，thisheah\'sthesafestandsmartestwaytofoolDonCarlos。"Madelinefeltherselfmoreforcedthanpersuadedintoacquiescence。Shemountedtheblackandtookupthebridle。InanothermomentshewasguidingherhorseoffthetrailinthetracksofMajesty。

Florenceledoffatrightangles，threadingaslowpassagethroughthemesquite。Shefavoredsandypatchesandopenaislesbetweenthetrees，andwascarefulnottobreakabranch。Oftenshestoppedtolisten。ThisdetourofperhapshalfamilebroughtMadelinetowhereshecouldseeopenground，theranch-houseonlyafewmilesoff，andthecattledottingthevalley。Shehadnotlosthercourage，butitwascertainthatthesefamiliarsightssomewhatlightenedthepressureuponherbreast。Excitementgrippedher。TheshrillwhistleofahorsemadeboththeblackandMajestyjump。Florencequickenedthegaitdowntheslope。SoonMadelinesawtheedgeofthebrush，thegray-bleachedgrassandlevelground。

Florencewaitedattheopeningbetweenthelowtrees。ShegaveMadelineaquick，brightglance。

"Alloverbuttheride！That\'llsurebeeasy。Boltnowandkeepyournerve！"

WhenFlorencewheeledthefieryroanandscreamedinhisearMadelineseemedsuddenlytogrowlaxandhelpless。Thebighorseleapedintothunderingaction。ThiswasmemorableofBonitaoftheflyinghairandthewildnightride。Florence\'shairstreamedonthewindandshonegoldinthesunlight。YetMadelinesawherwiththesamethrillwithwhichshehadseenthewild-ridingBonita。ThenhoarseshoutsunclampedMadeline\'spowerofmovement，andshespurredtheblackintotheopen。

Hewantedtorunandhewasswift。Madelineloosenedthereins——

laidthemlooseuponhisneck。Hisactionwasstrangetoher。

Hewashardtoride。Buthewasfast，andshecaredfornothingelse。Madelineknewhorseswellenoughtorealizethattheblackhadfoundhewasfreeandcarryingalightweight。Afewtimesshetookupthebridleandpulledtorightorleft，tryingtoguidehim。Hekeptastraightcourse，however，andcrashedthroughsmallpatchesofmesquiteandjumpedthecracksandwashes。Unevengroundofferednoperceptibleobstacletohisrunning。ToMadelinetherewasnowathrillingdifferenceinthelashofwindandtheflashofthegraygroundunderneath。Shewasrunningawayfromsomething；whatthatwasshedidnotknow。

ButsherememberedFlorence，andshewantedtolookback，yethatedtodosoforfearofthenamelessdangerFlorencehadmentioned。

Madelinelistenedforthepoundingofpursuinghoofsinherrear。

Involuntarilysheglancedback。Onthemileormoreofgraylevelbetweenherandtheridgetherewasnotahorse，aman，oranythingliving。Shewheeledtolookbackontheotherside，downthevalleyslope。

ThesightofFlorenceridingMajestyinzigzagflightbeforeawholetroopofvaquerosblanchedMadeline\'scheekandmadehergripthepommelofhersaddleinterror。Thatstrangegaitofherroanwasnothiswonderfulstride。CouldMajestyberunningwild？Madelinesawonevaquerodrawcloser，whirlinghislassoroundhishead，buthedidnotgetnearenoughtothrow。SoitseemedtoMadeline。Anothervaquerosweptacrossinfrontofthefirstone。Then，whenMadelinegaspedinbreathlessexpectancy，theroanswervedtoeludetheattack。ItflashedoverMadelinethatFlorencewasputtingthehorsetosomesuchawkwardflightasmighthavebeenexpectedofanEasterngirlfrightenedoutofherwits。Madelinemadesureofthiswhen，afterlookingagain，shesawthatFlorence，inspiteofthehorse\'sbreakinggaitandtheirregularcourse，wasdrawingslowlyandsurelydownthevalley。

Madelinehadnotlostherheadtotheextentofforgettingherownmountandthenatureofthegroundinfront。When，presently，sheturnedagaintowatchFlorence，uncertaintyceasedinhermind。Thestrangefeaturesofthatracebetweengirlandvaqueroswerenolongerinevidence。Majestywasinhisbeautiful，wonderfulstride，lowdownalongtheground，stretching，withhisnoselevelandstraightforthevalley。

Betweenhimandtheleanhorsesinpursuitlayanever-increasingspace。Hewasrunningawayfromthevaqueros。Florencewasindeed"ridingthewind，"asStewarthadaptlyexpressedhisideaofflightuponthefleetroan。

AdimnesscameoverMadeline\'seyes，anditwasnotallowingtothestingofthewind。Sherubbeditaway，seeingFlorenceasaflyingdotinastrangeblur。Whatadaring，intrepidgirl！

Thiskindofstrength——andaye，splendidthoughtforaweakersister——waswhattheWestinculcatedinawoman。

ThenexttimeMadelinelookedbackFlorencewasfaraheadofherpursuersandgoingoutofsightbehindalowknoll。AssuredofFlorence\'ssafety，Madelineputhermindtoherownrideandthepossibilitiesawaitingattheranch。Sherememberedthefailuretogetanyofherservantsorcowboysonthetelephone。Tobesure，awind-stormhadoncebrokenthewire。Butshehadlittlerealhopeofsuchbeingthecaseinthisinstance。Sherodeon，pullingtheblackasshenearedtheranch。Herapproachwasfromthesouthandofftheusualtrail，sothatshewentupthelongslopeoftheknolltowardthebackofthehouse。Underthesecircumstancesshecouldnotconsideritoutoftheordinarythatshedidnotseeanyoneaboutthegrounds。

Itwasperhapsfortunateforher，shethought，thattheclimbuptheslopecuttheblack\'sspeedsoshecouldmanagehim。Hewasnotveryhardtostop。Themomentshedismounted，however，hejumpedandtrottedoff。Attheedgeoftheslope，facingthecorrals，hehaltedtolifthisheadandshootuphisears。Thenheletoutapiercingwhistleanddasheddownthelane。

Madeline，preparedbythatwarningwhistle，triedtofortifyherselfforanewandunexpectedsituation；butassheespiedanunfamiliarcompanyofhorsemenrapidlyridingdownahollowleadingfromthefoothillsshefeltthereturnoffearsgrippingatherlikecoldhands，andshefledprecipitouslyintothehouse。

XIABandofGuerrillasMadelineboltedthedoor，and，flyingintothekitchen，shetoldthescaredservantstoshutthemselvesin。Thensherantoherownrooms。Itwasonlyamatterofafewmomentsforhertocloseandbartheheavyshutters，yetevenasshewasfasteningthelastoneintheroomsheusedasanofficeaclatteringroarofhoofsseemedtoswelluptothefrontofthehouse。Shecaughtaglimpseofwild，shaggyhorsesandragged，dustymen。

Shehadneverseenanyvaquerosthatresembledthesehorsemen。

Vaqueroshadgraceandstyle；theywerefondoflaceandglitterandfringe；theydressedtheirhorsesinsilveredtrappings。Buttheridersnowtramplingintothedrivewaywereuncouth。lean，savage。Theywereguerrillas，abandoftheraiderswhohadbeenharassingthebordersincethebeginningoftherevolution。A

secondglimpseassuredMadelinethattheywerenotallMexicans。

ThepresenceofoutlawsinthatbandbroughthometoMadelineherrealdanger。SherememberedwhatStillwellhadtoldheraboutrecentoutlawraidsalongtheRioGrande。Theseflyingbands，operatingundertheexcitementoftherevolution，appearedhereandthere，everywhere，inremoteplaces，andweregoneasquicklyastheycame。Mostlytheywantedmoneyandarms，buttheywouldstealanything，andunprotectedwomenhadsufferedattheirhands。

Madeline，hurriedlycollectinghersecuritiesandtheconsiderablemoneyshehadinherdesk，ranout，closedandlockedthedoor，crossedthepatiototheoppositesideofthehouse，and，enteringagain，wentdownalongcorridor，tryingtodecidewhichofthemanyunusedroomswouldbebesttohidein。

Andbeforeshemadeuphermindshecametothelastroom。JustthenabatteringondoororwindowinthedirectionofthekitchenandshrillscreamsfromtheservantwomenincreasedMadeline\'salarm。

Sheenteredthelastroom。Therewasnolockorbaruponthedoor。Buttheroomwaslargeanddark，anditwashalffullofbalesofalfalfahay。Probablyitwasthesafestplaceinthehouse；atleasttimewouldbenecessarytofindanyonehiddenthere。Shedroppedhervaluablesinadarkcornerandcoveredthemwithloosehay。Thatdone，shefeltherwaydownanarrowaislebetweenthepiled-upbalesandpresentlycrouchedinaniche。

Withthenecessityofactionoverfortheimmediatepresent，Madelinebecameconsciousthatshewasquiveringandalmostbreathless。Herskinfelttightandcold。Therewasaweightonherchest；hermouthwasdry，andshehadastrangetendencytoswallow。Herlisteningfacultyseemedmostacute。Dullsoundscamefrompartsofthehouseremotefromher。Intheintervalsofsilencebetweenthesesoundssheheardthesqueakingandrustlingofmiceinthehay。Amouseranoverherhand。

Shelistened，waiting，hopingyetdreadingtoheartheclatteringapproachofhercowboys。Therewouldhefighting——blood——meninjured，perhapskilled。Eventhethoughtofviolenceofanykindhurther。Butperhapstheguerrillaswouldrunintimetoavoidaclashwithhermen。Shehopedforthat，prayedforit。

ThroughhermindflittedwhatsheknewofNels，ofMonty，ofNickSteele；andsheexperiencedasensationthatlefthersomewhatchilledandsick。Thenshethoughtofthedark-browed，fire-eyedStewart。Shefeltathrilldriveawaythecoldnausea。Andherexcitementaugmented。

Waiting，listeningincreasedallheremotions。Nothingappearedtobehappening。Yethoursseemedtopasswhileshecrouchedthere。HadFlorencebeenovertaken？CouldanyofthoseleanhorsesoutrunMajesty？Shedoubtedit；sheknewitcouldnotbetrue。Nevertheless，thestrainofuncertaintywastorturing。

Suddenlythebangofthecorridordoorpiercedherthroughandthroughwiththedreadofuncertainty。Someoftheguerrillashadenteredtheeastwingofthehouse。Sheheardababelofjabberingvoices，theshufflingofbootsandclinkingofspurs，theslammingofdoorsandransackingofrooms。

Madelinelostfaithinherhiding-place。Morever，shefounditimpossibletotakethechance。Theideaofbeingcaughtinthatdarkroombythoseruffiansfilledherwithhorror。Shemustgetoutintothelight。Swiftlysheroseandwenttothewindow。Itwasrathermoreofadoorthanwindow，beingalargeapertureclosedbytwowoodendoorsonhinges。Theironhookyieldedreadilytohergrasp，andonedoorstuckfast，whiletheotheropenedafewinches。Shelookedoutuponagreenslopecoveredwithflowersandbunchesofsageandbushes。Neithermannorhorseshowedinthenarrowfieldofhervision。Shebelievedshewouldbesaferhiddenoutthereintheshrubberythaninthehouse。Thejumpfromthewindowwouldbeeasyforher。Andwithherquickdecisioncamearushandstirofspiritthatwardedoffherweakness。

Shepulledatthedoor。Itdidnotbudge。Ithadcaughtatthebottom。Pullingwithallhermightprovedtobeinvain。

Pausing，withpalmshotandbruised，sheheardalouder，closerapproachoftheinvadersofherhome。Fear，wrath，andimpotencecontestedforsupremacyoverheranddrovehertodesperation。

Shewasalonehere，andshemustrelyonherself。Andasshestrainedeverymuscletomovethatobstinatedoorandheardthequick，harshvoicesofmenandthesoundsofahurriedsearchshesuddenlyfeltsurethattheywerehuntingforher。Sheknewit。

Shedidnotwonderatit。ButshewonderedifshewerereallyMadelineHammond，andifitwerepossiblethatbrutalmenwouldharmher。Thenthetrampingofheavyfeetontheflooroftheadjoiningroomlentherthelaststrengthoffear。Pushingwithhandsandshoulders，shemovedthedoorfarenoughtopermitthepassageofherbody。Thenshesteppeduponthesillandslippedthroughtheaperture。Shesawnoone。Lightlyshejumpeddownandraninamongthebushes。Butthesedidnotaffordherthecoversheneeded。Shestolefromoneclumptoanother，findingtoolatethatshehadchosenwithpoorjudgment。Thepositionofthebusheshaddrawnherclosertothefrontofthehouseratherthanawayfromit，andjustbeforeherwerehorses，andbeyondagroupofexcitedmen。WithherheartinherthroatMadelinecroucheddown。

Ashrillyell，followedbyrunningandmountingguerrillas，rousedherhope。Theyhadsightedthecowboysandwereinflight。Rapidthumpingofbootsontheporchtoldofmenhurryingfromthehouse。Severalhorsesdashedpasther，nottenfeetdistant。Oneridersawher，forheturnedtoshoutback。

ThisdroveMadelineintoapanic。Hardlyknowingwhatshedid，shebegantorunawayfromthehouse。Herfeetseemedleaden。

Shefeltthesamehorriblepowerlessnessthatsometimescameoverherwhenshedreamedofbeingpursued。Horseswithshoutingridersstreakedpastherintheshrubbery。Therewasathunderofhoofsbehindher。Sheturnedaside，butthethunderinggrewnearer。Shewasbeingrundown。

AsMadelineshuthereyesand，staggering，wasabouttofall，apparentlyrightunderpoundinghoofs，arude，powerfulhandclappedroundherwaist，clutcheddeepandstrong，andswungheraloft。Shefeltaheavyblowwhentheshoulderofthehorsestruckher，andthenawrenchingofherarmasshewasdraggedup。Asuddenblightingpainmadesightandfeelingfadefromher。

Butshedidnotbecomeunconscioustotheextentthatshelostthesenseofbeingrapidlyborneaway。Sheseemedtoholdthatforalongtime。Whenherfacultiesbegantoreturnthemotionofthehorsewasnolongerviolent。Forafewmomentsshecouldnotdetermineherposition。Apparentlyshewasupsidedown。

Thenshesawthatshewasfacingtheground，andmustbelyingacrossasaddlewithherheadhangingdown。Shecouldnotmoveahand；shecouldnottellwhereherhandswere。Thenshefeltthetouchofsoftleather。Shesawahigh-toppedMexicanboot，wearingahugesilverspur，andthereekingflankandlegsofahorse，andadusty，narrowtrail。Soonakindofreddarknessveiledhereyes，herheadswam，andshefeltmotionandpainonlydully。

Afterwhatseemedathousandwearyhourssomeoneliftedherfromthehorseandlaidherupontheground，where，gradually，asthebloodleftherheadandshecouldsee，shebegantogettherightrelationofthings。

Shelayinasparsegroveoffirs，andtheshadowstoldoflateafternoon。Shesmelledwoodsmoke，andsheheardthesharpcrunchofhorses\'teethnippinggrass。Voicescausedhertoturnherface。Agroupofmenstoodandsatroundacamp-fireeatinglikewolves。ThelooksofhercaptorsmadeMadelineclosehereyes，andthefascination，thefeartheyrousedinhermadeheropenthemagain。Mostlytheywerethin-bodied，thin-beardedMexicans，blackandhaggardandstarved。Whatevertheymightbe，theysurelywerehunger-strickenandsqualid。Notonehadacoat。Afewhadscarfs。Someworebeltsinwhichwerescatteredcartridges。Onlyafewhadguns，andthesewereofdiversepatterns。Madelinecouldseenopacks，noblankets，andonlyafewcooking-utensils，allbatteredandblackened。Hereyesfasteneduponmenshebelievedwerewhitemen；butitwasfromtheirfeaturesandnottheircolorthatshejudged。OnceshehadseenabandofnomadrobbersintheSahara，andsomehowwasremindedofthembythismotleyoutlawtroop。

Theydividedattentionbetweenthesatisfyingofravenousappetitesandavigilantwatchingdowntheforestaisles。Theyexpectedsomeone，Madelinethought，and，manifestly，ifitwereapursuingposse，theydidnotshowanxiety。Shecouldnotunderstandmorethanawordhereandtherethattheyuttered。

Presently，however，thenameofDonCarlosrevivedkeencuriosityinherandrealizationofhersituation，andthenoncemoredreadpossessedherbreast。

Alowexclamationandasweepofarmfromoneoftheguerrillascausedthewholebandtowheelandconcentratetheirattentionintheoppositedirection。Theyheardsomething。Theysawsomeone。

Grimyhandssoughtweapons，andtheneverymanstiffened。

Madelinesawwhathuntedmenlookedlikeatthemomentofdiscovery，andthesightwasterrible。Sheclosedhereyes，sickwithwhatshesaw，fearfulofthemomentwhenthegunswouldleapout。

Thereweremutteredcurses，ashortperiodofsilencefollowedbywhisperings，andthenaclearvoicerangout，"ElCapitan！"

AstrongshockvibratedthroughMadeline，andhereyelidssweptopen。InstantlysheassociatedthenameElCapitanwithStewartandexperiencedasensationofstrangeregret。Itwasnotpursuitorrescueshethoughtofthen，butdeath。ThesemenwouldkillStewart。Butsurelyhehadnotcomealone。Thelean，darkfaces，cordedandrigid，toldherinwhatdirectiontolook。

Sheheardtheslow，heavythumpofhoofs。Soonintothewideaislebetweenthetreesmovedtheformofaman，armsflunghighoverhishead。ThenMadelinesawthehorse，andsherecognizedMajesty，andsheknewitwasreallyStewartwhorodetheroan。

Whendoubtwasnolongerpossibleshefeltasuffocatingsenseofgladnessandfearandwonder。

Manyoftheguerrillasleapedupwithdrawnweapons。StillStewartapproachedwithhishandshigh，andheroderightintothecamp-firecircle。Thenaguerrilla，evidentlythechief，waveddownthethreateningmenandstrodeuptoStewart。Hegreetedhim。Therewasamazeandpleasureandrespectinthegreeting。Madelinecouldtellthat，thoughshedidnotknowwhatwassaid。AtthemomentStewartappearedtoherascoolandcarelessasifheweredismountingatherporchsteps。Butwhenhegotdownshesawthathisfacewaswhite。Heshookhandswiththeguerrilla，andthenhisglitteringeyesrovedoverthemenandaroundthegladeuntiltheyresteduponMadeline。Withoutmovingfromhistracksheseemedtoleap，asifapowerfulcurrenthadshockedhim。Madelinetriedtosmiletoassurehimshewasaliveandwell；buttheintentinhiseyes，thepowerofhiscontrolledspirittellingherofherperilandhis，frozethesmileonherlips。

WiththathefacedthechiefandspokerapidlyintheMexicanjargonMadelinehadalwaysfoundsodifficulttotranslate。Thechiefanswered，spreadingwidehishands，oneofwhichindicatedMadelineasshelaythere。Stewartdrewthefellowalittleasideandsaidsomethingforhisearalone。Thechief\'shandssweptupinagestureofsurpriseandacquiescence。AgainStewartspokeswiftly。Hishearerthenturnedtoaddresstheband。Madelinecaughtthewords"DonCarlos"and"pesos。"Therewasabriefmutteringprotestwhichthechiefthundereddown。

Madelineguessedherreleasehadbeengivenbythisguerrillaandboughtfromtheothersoftheband。

Stewartstrodetoherside，leadingtheroan。Majestyrearedandsnortedwhenhesawhismistressprostrate。Stewartknelt，stillholdingthebridle。

"Areyouallright？"heasked。

"Ithinkso，"shereplied，essayingalaughthatwasratherafailure。"Myfeetaretied。"

Darkbloodblottedoutallthewhitefromhisface，andlightningshotfromhiseyes。Shefelthishands，likesteeltongs，looseningthebondsroundherankles。WithoutawordheliftedheruprightandthenuponMajesty。Madelinereeledalittleinthesaddle，heldhardtothepommelwithoneband，andtriedtoleanonStewart\'sshoulderwiththeother。

"Don\'tgiveup，"hesaid。

Shesawhimgazefurtivelyintotheforestonallsides。Anditsurprisedhertoseetheguerrillasridingaway。Puttingthetwofactstogether，MadelineformedanideathatneitherStewartnortheothersdesiredtomeetwithsomeoneevidentlydueshortlyintheglade。StewartguidedtheroanofftotherightandwalkedbesideMadeline，steadyingherinthesaddle。AtfirstMadelinewassoweakanddizzythatshecouldscarcelyretainherseat。

Thedizzinessleftherpresently，andthenshemadeanefforttoridewithouthelp。Herweakness，however，andapaininherwrenchedarmmadethetasklaborsome。

Stewarthadstruckoffthetrail，iftherewereone，andwaskeepingtodenserpartsoftheforest。Thesunsanklow，andtheshaftsofgoldfellwithalongslantamongthefirs。Majesty\'shoofsmadenosoundonthesoftground，andStewartstrodeonwithoutspeaking。Neitherhishurrynorvigilancerelaxeduntilatleasttwomileshadbeencovered。Thenheheldtoastraightercourseanddidnotsendsomanyglancesintothedarkeningwoods。

Theleveloftheforestbegantobecutupbylittlehollows，allofwhichslopedandwidened。Presentlythesoftgroundgaveplacetobare，rockysoil。Thehorsesnortedandtossedhishead。Asoundofsplashingwaterbrokethesilence。Thehollowopenedintoawideronethroughwhichalittlebrookmurmureditswayoverthestones。Majestysnortedagainandstoppedandbenthishead。

"Hewantsadrink，"saidMadeline。"I\'mthirsty，too，andverytired。"

Stewartliftedheroutofthesaddle，andastheirhandspartedshefeltsomethingmoistandwarm。Bloodwasrunningdownherarmandintothepalmofherhand。

"I\'m——bleeding，"shesaid，alittleunsteadily。"Oh，Iremember。

Myarmwashurt。"

Shehelditout，thebloodmakingherconsciousofherweakness。

Stewart\'sfingersfeltsofirmandsure。Swiftlyherippedthewetsleeve。Herforearmhadbeencutorscratched。Hewashedofftheblood。

"Why，Stewart，it\'snothing。Iwasonlyalittlenervous。I

guessthat\'sthefirsttimeIeversawmyownblood。"

Hemadenoreplyashetoreherhandkerchiefintostripsandboundherarm。Hisswiftmotionsandhissilencegaveherahintofhowhemightmeetamoreseriousemergency。Shefeltsafe。

Andbecauseofthatimpression，whenheliftedhisheadandshesawthathewaspaleandshaking，shewassurprised。Hestoodbeforeherfoldinghisscarf，whichwasstillwet，andfromwhichhemadenoefforttoremovetheredstains。

"MissHammond，"hesaid，hoarsely，"itwasaman\'shands——aGreaser\'sfinger-nails——thatcutyourarm。Iknowwhohewas。I

couldhavekilledhim。ButImightn\'thavegotyourfreedom。

Youunderstand？Ididn\'tdare。"

MadelinegazedatStewart，astoundedmorebyhisspeechthanhisexcessiveemotion。

"Mydearboy！"sheexclaimed。Andthenshepaused。Shecouldnotfindwords。

Hewasmakinganapologytoherfornotkillingamanwhohadlaidaroughhanduponherperson。Hewasashamedandseemedtobeinatorturethatshewouldnotunderstandwhyhehadnotkilledtheman。Thereseemedtobesomethingofpassionatescorninhimthathehadnotbeenabletoavengeheraswellasfreeher。

"Stewart，Iunderstand。Youwerebeingmykindofcowboy。I

thankyou。"

Butshedidnotunderstandsomuchassheimplied。Shehadheardmanystoriesofthisman\'scoolindifferencetoperilanddeath。

Hehadalwaysseemedashardasgranite。Whyshouldthesightofalittleblooduponherarmpalehischeekandshakehishandandthickenhisvoice？Whatwasthereinhisnaturetomakehimimplorehertoseetheonlyreasonhecouldnotkillanoutlaw？

Theanswertothefirstquestionwasthathelovedher。Itwasbeyondhertoanswerthesecond。Butthesecretofitlayinthesamestrengthfromwhichhislovesprang——anintensityoffeelingwhichseemedcharacteristicoftheseWesternmenofsimple，lonely，elementallives。AllatonceoverMadelinerushedatideofrealizationofhowgreatlyitwaspossibleforsuchamanasStewarttoloveher。Thethoughtcametoherinallitssingularpower。AllherEasternloverswhohadthegracesthatmadethemherequalsinthesightoftheworldwerewithouttheonlygreatessentialthatalonely，hardlifehadgiventoStewart。Natureherestruckajustbalance。Somethingdeepanddiminthefuture，anunknownvoice，calledtoMadelineanddisturbedher。

Andbecauseitwasnotavoicetoherintelligenceshedeadenedtheearsofherwarmandthrobbinglifeanddecidednevertolisten。

"Isitsafetorestalittle？"sheasked。"Iamsotired。

PerhapsI\'llbestrongerifIrest。"

"We\'reallrightnow，"hesaid。"Thehorsewillbebetter，too。

Iranhimout。Anduphill，atthat。"

"Wherearewe？"

"Upinthemountains，tenmilesandmorefromtheranch。There\'satrailjustbelowhere。Icangetyouhomebymidnight。

They\'llbesomeworrieddownthere。"

"Whathappened？"

"Nothingmuchtoanyonebutyou。That\'sthe——thehardluckofit。Florencecaughtusoutontheslope。Wewerereturningfromthefire。Weweredeadbeat。Butwegottotheranchbeforeanydamagewasdone。Wesurehadtroubleinfindingatraceofyou。

Nickspottedtheprintsofyourheelsunderthewindow。Andthenweknew。Ihadtofighttheboys。Ifthey\'dcomeafteryouwe\'dneverhavegottenyouwithoutafight。Ididn\'twantthat。OldBillcameoutpackingadozenguns。Hewascrazy。IhadtoropeMonty。Honest，Itiedhimtotheporch。NelsandNickpromisedtostayandholdhimtillmorning。ThatwasthebestIcoulddo。

Iwassureluckytocomeupwiththebandsosoon。Ihadfiguredright。Iknewthatguerrillachief。He\'sabanditinMexico。

It\'sabusinesswithhim。ButhefoughtforMadero，andIwaswithhimagooddeal。HemaybeaGreaser，buthe\'swhite。"

"Howdidyoueffectmyrelease？"

"Iofferedthemmoney。That\'swhattherebelsallwant。Theyneedmoney。They\'realotofpoor，hungrydevils。"

"Igatheredthatyouofferedtopayransom。Howmuch？"

"TwothousanddollarsMex。Igavemyword。I\'llhavetotakethemoney。ItoldthemwhenandwhereI\'dmeetthem。"

"Certainly。I\'mgladI\'vegotthemoney。"Madelinelaughed。

"Whatastrangethingtohappentome！Iwonderwhatdadwouldsaytothat？Stewart，I\'mafraidhe\'dsaytwothousanddollarsismorethanI\'mworth。Buttellme。Thatrebelchieftaindidnotdemandmoney？"

"No。Themoneyisforhismen。"

"Whatdidyousaytohim？Isawyouwhisperinhisear。"

Stewartdroppedhishead，avertingherdirectgaze。

"WewerecomradesbeforeJuarez。OnedayIdraggedhimoutofaditch。Iremindedhim。ThenI——ItoldhimsomethingI——I

thought——"

"Stewart，Iknowfromthewayhelookedatmethatyouspokeofme。"

Hercompaniondidnotofferareplytothis，andMadelinedidnotpressthepoint。

"IheardDonCarlos\'snameseveraltimes。Thatinterestsme。

WhathaveDonCarlosandhisvaquerostodowiththis？"

"ThatGreaserhasalltodowithit，"repliedStewart，grimly。

"Heburnedhisranchandcorralstokeepusfromgettingthem。

Buthealsodidittodrawalltheboysawayfromyourhome。

Theyhadadeepplot，allright。Ileftordersforsomeonetostaywithyou。ButAlandStillwell，who\'rebothhot-headed，rodeoffthismorning。Thentheguerrillascamedown。"

"Well，whatwastheidea——theplot——asyoucallit？"

"Togetyou，"hesaid，bluntly。

"Me！Stewart，youdonotmeanmycapture——whateveryoucallit——

wasanythingmorethanmereaccident？"

"Idomeanthat。ButStillwellandyourbrotherthinktheguerrillaswantedmoneyandarms，andtheyjusthappenedtomakeoffwithyoubecauseyouranunderahorse\'snose。"

"Youdonotinclinetothatpointofview？"

"Idon\'t。NeitherdoesNelsnorNickSteele。AndweknowDonCarlosandtheGreasers。LookhowthevaqueroschasedFloforyou！"

"Whatdoyouthink，then？"

"I\'drathernotsay。"

"But，Stewart，Iwouldliketoknow。Ifitisaboutme，surelyI

oughttoknow，"protestedMadeline。"WhatreasonhaveNelsandNicktosuspectDonCarlosofplottingtoabductme？"

"Isupposethey\'venoreasonyou\'dtake。OnceIheardNelssayhe\'dseentheGreaserlookatyou，andifheeversawhimdoitagainhe\'dshoothim。"

"Why，Stewart，thatisridiculous。Toshootamanforlookingatawoman！Thisisacivilizedcountry。"

"Well，maybeitwouldberidiculousinacivilizedcountry。

There\'ssomethingsaboutcivilizationIdon\'tcarefor。"

"What，forinstance？"

"Foronething，Ican\'tstandforthewaymenletothermentreatwomen。"

"But，Stewart，thisisstrangetalkfromyou，who，thatnightI

came——"

Shebrokeoff，sorrythatshehadspoken。Hisshamewasnotpleasanttosee。Suddenlyheliftedhishead，andshefeltscorchedbyflamingeyes。

"SupposeIwasdrunk。SupposeIhadmetsomeordinarygirl。

SupposeIhadreallymadehermarryme。Don\'tyouthinkIwouldhavestoppedbeingadrunkardandhavebeengoodtoher？"

"Stewart，Idonotknowwhattothinkaboutyou，"repliedMadeline。

Thenfollowedashortsilence。Madelinesawthelastbrightraysofthesettingsunglideupoveradistantcrag。Stewartrebridledthehorseandlookedatthesaddle-girths。

"Igotoffthetrail。AboutDonCarlosI\'llsayrightout，notwhatNelsandNickthink，butwhatIknow。DonCarloshopedtomakeoffwithyouforhimself，thesameasifyouhadbeenapoorpeonslave-girldowninSonora。Maybehehadadeeperplotthanmyrebelfriendtoldme。MaybeheevenwentsofarastohopeforAmericantroopstochasehim。TherebelsaretryingtostiruptheUnitedStates。They\'dwelcomeintervention。But，howeverthatmaybe，theGreasermeanteviltoyou，andhasmeantiteversincehesawyoufirst。That\'sall。"

"Stewart，youhavedonemeandmyfamilyaservicewecanneverhopetorepay。"

"I\'vedonetheservice。Onlydon\'tmentionpaytome。Butthere\'sonethingI\'dlikeyoutoknow，andIfindithardtosay。It\'sprompted，maybe，bywhatIknowyouthinkofmeandwhatIimagineyourfamilyandfriendswouldthinkiftheyknew。

It\'snotpromptedbyprideorconceit。Andit\'sthis：SuchawomanasyoushouldneverhavecometothisGod-forsakencountryunlessshemeanttoforgetherself。Butasyoudidcome，andasyouweredraggedawaybythosedevils，Iwantyoutoknowthatallyourwealthandpositionandinfluence——allthatpowerbehindyou——wouldneverhavesavedyoufromhellto-night。OnlysuchamanasNelsorNickSteeleorIcouldhavedonethat。"

MadelineHammondfeltthegreatlevelingforceofthetruth。

WhateverthedifferencebetweenherandStewart，orwhatevertheimagineddifferencesetupbyfalsestandardsofclassandculture，thetruthwasthathereonthiswildmountain-sideshewasonlyawomanandhewassimplyaman。Itwasamanthatsheneeded，andifherchoicecouldhavebeenconsideredinthisextremityitwouldhavefallenuponhimwhohadjustfacedherinquiet，bitterspeech。Herewasfoodforthought。

"Ireckonwe\'dbetterstartnow，"hesaid，anddrewthehorseclosetoalargerock。"Come。"

Madeline\'swillgreatlyexceededherstrength。Forthefirsttimesheacknowledgedtoherselfthatshehadbeenhurt。Still，shedidnotfeelmuchpainexceptwhenshemovedhershoulder。

Onceinthesaddle，whereStewartliftedher，shedroopedweakly。

Thewaywasrough；everystepthehorsetookhurther；andtheslopeofthegroundthrewherforwardonthepommel。Presently，astheslopegrewrockierandherdiscomfortincreased，sheforgoteverythingexceptthatshewassuffering。

"Hereisthetrail，"saidStewart，atlength。

NotfarfromthatpointMadelineswayed，andbutforStewart\'ssupportwouldhavefallenfromthesaddle。Sheheardhimswearunderhisbreath。

"Here，thiswon\'tdo，"hesaid。"Throwyourlegoverthepommel。

Theotherone——there。"

Then，mounting，heslippedbehindherandliftedandturnedher，andthenheldherwithhisleftarmsothatshelayacrossthesaddleandhisknees，herheadagainsthisshoulder。

AsthehorsestartedintoarapidwalkMadelinegraduallylostallpainanddiscomfortwhensherelaxedhermuscles。Presentlysheletherselfgoandlayinert，greatlytoherrelief。Foralittlewhilesheseemedtobehalfdrunkwiththegentleswayingofahammock。Hermindbecameatoncedreamyandactive，asifitthoughtfullyrecordedtheslow，softimpressionspouringinfromallhersenses。

Aredglowfadedinthewest。Shecouldseeoutoverthefoothills，wheretwilightwassettlinggrayonthecrests，darkinthehollows。Cedarandpinontreeslinedthetrail，andtherewerenomorefirs。Atintervalshugedrab-coloredrocksloomedoverher。Theskywasclearandsteely。Afaintstartwinkled。

Andlastly，closetoher，shesawStewart\'sface，oncemoredarkandimpassive，withtheinscrutableeyesfixedonthetrail。

Hisarm，likeabandofiron，heldher，yetitwasflexibleandyieldedhertothemotionofthehorse。Oneinstantshefeltthebrawn，thebone，heavyandpowerful；thenextthestretchandripple，theelasticityofmuscles。Heheldheraseasilyasifshewereachild。Theroughnessofhisflannelshirtrubbedhercheek，andbeneaththatshefeltthedampnessofthescarfhehadusedtobatheherarm，anddeeperstilltheregularpoundofhisheart。Againstherear，fillingitwithstrong，vibrantbeat，hisheartseemedamightyenginedeepwithinagreatcavern。Herheadhadneverbeforerestedonaman\'sbreast，andshehadnolikingforitthere；butshefeltmorethanthephysicalcontact。

Thepositionwasmysteriousandfascinating，andsomethingnaturalinitmadeherthinkoflife。Thenasthecoolwindblewdownfromtheheights，looseninghertumbledhair，shewascompelledtoseestrandsofitcurlsoftlyintoStewart\'sface，beforehiseyes，acrosshislips。Shewasunabletoreachitwithherfreehand，andthereforecouldnotrefastenit。Andwhensheshuthereyesshefeltthoseloosenedstrandsplayingagainsthischeeks。

Inthekeenerpressofsuchsensationsshecaughtthesmellofdustandafaint，wild，sweettangontheair。Therewasalow，rustlingsighofwindinthebrushalongthetrail。Suddenlythesilencerippedaparttothesharpbarkofacoyote，andthen，fromfaraway，camealongwail。AndthenMajesty\'smetal-rimmedhoofrangonastone。

TheselaterthingslentprobabilitytothatrideforMadeline。

Otherwiseitwouldhaveseemedlikeadream。Evensoitwashardtobelieve。AgainshewonderedifthiswomanwhohadbeguntothinkandfeelsomuchwasMadelineHammond。Nothinghadeverhappenedtoher。Andhere，playingaboutherlikeherhairplayedaboutStewart\'sface，wasadventure，perhapsdeath，andsurelylife。Shecouldnotbelievetheevidenceoftheday\'shappenings。Wouldanyofherpeople，herfriends，everbelieveit？Couldshetellit？HowimpossibletothinkthatacunningMexicanmighthaveusedhertofurthertheinterestsofaforlornrevolution。Sherememberedtheghoulishvisagesofthosestarvedrebels，andmarveledatherblessedfortuneinescapingthem。

Shewassafe，andnowself-preservationhadsomemeaningforher。

Stewart\'sarrivalintheglade，thecouragewithwhichhehadfacedtheoutlawedmen，grewasrealtohernowastheironarmthatclaspedher。HaditbeenaninstinctwhichhadimportunedhertosavethismanwhenhelayillandhopelessintheshackatChiricahua？Inhelpinghimhadshehedgedroundherforcesthathadjustoperatedtosaveherlife，orifnotthat，morethanlifewastoher？Shebelievedso。

Madelineopenedhereyesafterawhileandfoundthatnighthadfallen。Theskywasadark，velvetyblueblazingwithwhitestars。Thecoolwindtuggedatherhair，andthroughwavingstrandsshesawStewart\'sprofile，boldandsharpagainstthesky。

Then，ashermindsuccumbedtoherbodilyfatigue，againhersituationbecameunrealandwild。Aheavylanguor，likeablanket，begantostealuponher。Shewaveredanddrifted。Withthelasthalf-conscioussenseofamuffledthrobatherear，asomethingintangiblysweet，deep-toned，andstrange，likeadistantcallingbell，shefellasleepwithherheadonStewart\'sbreast。

XIIFriendsfromtheEastThreedaysafterherreturntotheranchMadelinecouldnotdiscoveranyphysicaldiscomfortasareminderofheradventurousexperiences。Thissurprisedher，butnotnearlysomuchasthefactthatafterafewweeksshefoundshescarcelyrememberedtheadventuresatall。IfithadnotbeenforthequietandpersistentguardianshipofhercowboysshemightalmosthaveforgottenDonCarlosandtheraiders。Madelinewasassuredofthesplendidphysicalfitnesstowhichthisranchlifehaddevelopedher，andthatshewasassimilatingsomethingoftheWesterndisregardofdanger。Ahardride，anaccident，adayinthesunanddust，anadventurewithoutlaws——thesemightoncehavebeenmattersoflargeimport，butnowforMadelinetheywereinorderwithalltherestofherchangedlife。

Therewasneveradaythatsomethinginterestingwasnotbroughttohernotice。Stillwell，whohadceaselesslyreproachedhimselfforridingawaythemorningMadelinewascaptured，grewmorelikeananxiousparentthanafaithfulsuperintendent。HewasneverateaseregardingherunlesshewasneartheranchorhadleftStewartthere，orelseNelsandNickSteele。Naturally，hetrustedmoretoStewartthantoanyoneelse。

"MissMajesty，it\'ssureamazin\'strangeaboutGene，"saidtheoldcattleman，ashetrampedintoMadeline\'soffice。

"What\'sthematternow？"sheinquired。

"Wal，Genehasrustledoffintothemountainsagain。"

"Again？Ididnotknowhehadgone。Igavehimmoneyforthatbandofguerrillas。Perhapshewenttotakeittothem。"

"No。Hetookthatadayorsoafterhefetchedyoubackhome。