第6章

Theninaboutaweekhewentasecondtime。An\'hepackedsomestuffwithhim。Nowhe\'ssneakedoff，an\'Nels，whowasdowntothelowertrail，sawhimmeetsomebodythatlookedlikePadreMarcos。Wal，Iwentdowntothechurch，and，sureenough，PadreMarcosisgone。Whatdoyouthinkofthat，MissMajesty？"

"MaybeStewartisgettingreligious，"laughedMadeline。Youtoldmesoonce。

Stillwellpuffedandwipedhisredface。

"Ifyou\'dheerdhimcussMontythismawnin\'you\'dneverguessitwasreligion。Montyan\'Nelshevbeengivin\'Genealotoftroublelately。They\'rebothsorean\'infightin\'moodeversinceDonCarloshedyoukidnapped。Surethey\'regoin\'tobreaksoon，an\'thenwe\'llhevacoupleofwildTexassteersridin\'therange。I\'veaheaptoworryme。"

"LetStewarttakehismysterioustripsintothemountains。Here，Stillwell，Ihavenewsforyouthatmaygiveyoureasonforworry。Ihavelettersfromhome。Andmysister，withapartyoffriends，iscomingouttovisitme。Theyaresocietyfolk，andoneofthemisanEnglishlord。"

"Wal，MissMajesty，Ireckonwe\'llallbegladtoseethem，"saidStillwell。"OnlesstheypackyouoffbackEast。"

"Thatisn\'tlikely，"repliedMadeline，thoughtfully。"Imustgobacksometime，though。Well，letmereadyouafewextractsfrommymail。"

Madelinetookuphersister\'sletterwithastrangesensationofhoweasilysightofacrestedmonogramandscentofdelicatelyperfumedpapercouldrecallthebrilliantlifeshehadgivenup。

Shescannedthepagesofbeautifulhandwriting。Helen\'sletterwasinturngayandbrilliantandlazy，justasshewasherself；

butMadelinedetectedmoreofcuriosityinitthanofreallongingtoseethesisterandbrotherintheFarWest。MuchofwhatHelenwrotewasenthusiasticanticipationofthefunsheexpectedtohavewithbashfulcowboys。Helenseldomwroteletters，andsheneverreadanything，notevenpopularnovelsoftheday。ShewasasabsolutelyignorantoftheWestastheEnglishman，who，shesaid，expectedtohuntbuffaloandfightIndians。Moreover，therewasasatiricnoteintheletterthatMadelinedidnotlike，andwhichrousedherspirit。Manifestly，Helenwasrevelingintheprospectofnewsensation。

Whenshefinishedreadingaloudafewparagraphstheoldcattlemansnortedandhisfacegrewredder。

"Didyoursisterwritethat？"heasked。

"Yes。"

"Wal，I——Ibegpawdin，MissMajesty。Butitdoesn\'tseemlikeyou。Doesshethinkwe\'realotofwildmenfromBorneo？"

"Evidentlyshedoes。Iratherthinksheisinforasurprise。

Now，Stillwell，youarecleverandyoucanseethesituation。I

wantmygueststoenjoytheirstayhere，butIdonotwantthattobeattheexpenseofthefeelingsofallofus，orevenanyone。Helenwillbringalivelycrowd。They\'llcraveexcitement——

theunusual。Letusseethattheyarenotdisappointed。Youtaketheboysintoyourconfidence。Tellthemwhattoexpect，andtellthemhowtomeetit。Ishallhelpyouinthat。Iwanttheboystobeondress-paradewhentheyareoffduty。Iwantthemtobeontheirmostelegantbehavior。Idonotcarewhattheydo，whatmeasurestheytaketoprotectthemselves，whattrickstheycontrive，solongastheydonotoverstepthelimitofkindnessandcourtesy。Iwantthemtoplaytheirpartsseriously，naturally，asiftheyhadlivednootherway。Myguestsexpecttohavefun。Letusmeetthemwithfun。Nowwhatdoyousay？"

Stillwellrose，hisgreatbulktowering，hishugefacebeaming。

"Wal，Isayit\'sthemostamazin\'fineideeIeverheerdinmylife。"

"Indeed，Iamgladyoulikeit，"wentonMadeline。

"Cometomeagain，Stillwell，afteryouhavespokentotheboys。

But，nowthatIhavesuggestedit，Iamalittleafraid。Youknowwhatcowboyfunis。Perhaps——"

"Don\'tyougobackonthatidee，"interruptedStillwell。Hewasassuringandbland，buthishurrytoconvinceMadelinebetrayedhim。"Leavetheboystome。Why，don\'ttheyallswearbyyou，sameastheMexicansdototheVirgin？Theywon\'tdisgraceyou，MissMajesty。They\'llbesimplyimmense。It\'llbeatanyshowyoueverseen。"

"Ibelieveitwill，"repliedMadeline。Shewasstilldoubtfulofherplan，buttheenthusiasmoftheoldcattlemanwasinfectiousandirresistible。"Verywell，wewillconsideritsettled。MyguestswillarriveonMayninth。MeanwhileletusgetHerMajesty\'sRanchoinshapeforthisinvasion。"

OntheafternoonoftheninthofMay，perhapshalfanhourafterMadelinehadreceivedatelephonemessagefromLinkStevensannouncingthearrivalofherguestsatElCajon，Florencecalledheroutupontheporch。Stillwellwastherewithhisfacewrinkledbyhiswonderfulsmileandhiseagleeyesriveteduponthedistantvalley。Faraway，perhapstwentymiles，athinstreakofwhitedustrosefromthevalleyfloorandslantedskyward。

"Look！"saidFlorence，excitedly。

"Whatisthat？"askedMadeline。

"LinkStevensandtheautomobile！"

"Ohno！Why，it\'sonlyafewminutessincehetelephonedsayingthepartyhadjustarrived。"

"Takealookwiththeglasses，"saidFlorence。

OneglancethroughthepowerfulbinocularsconvincedMadelinethatFlorencewasright。AndanotherglanceatStillwelltoldherthathewasspeechlesswithdelight。SherememberedalittleconversationshehadhadwithLinkStevensashortwhileprevious。

"Stevens，Ihopethecarisingoodshape，"shehadsaid。"Now，MissHammond，she\'sasrightasthebest-trainedhossIeverrode，"hehadreplied。

"Thevalleyroadisperfect，"shehadgoneon，musingly。"I

neversawsuchabeautifulroad，eveninFrance。Nofences，noditches，norocks，novehicles。Justalonelyroadonthedesert。"

"Shore，it\'slonely，"Stevenshadanswered，withslowlybrighteningeyes。"An\'safe，MissHammond。"

"Mysisterusedtolikefastriding。IfIremembercorrectly，allofmyguestswerealittleafflictedwiththespeedmania。

ItisacommondiseasewithNew-Yorkers。Ihope，Stevens，thatyouwillnotgivethemreasontothinkwearealtogethersteepedintheslow，dreamymananalanguoroftheSouthwest。"

Linkdoubtfullyeyedher，andthenhisbronzefacechangeditsdarkaspectandseemedtoshine。

"Beggin\'yourpardon，MissHammond，thet\'sshoretalltalkferLinkStevenstosavvy。Youmean——aslongasIdrivecarefulan\'

safeIcanrunawayfrommydust，sotosay，an\'gethereinsomethin\'lessthantheGreaser\'sto-morrow？"

Madelinehadlaughedherassent。Andnow，asshewatchedthethinstreakofdust，atthatdistancemovingwithsnailpace，shereproachedherself。ShetrustedStevens；shehadneverknownsoskilful，daring，andiron-nervedadriverashewas。Ifshehadbeeninthecarherselfshewouldhavehadnoanxiety。But，imaginingwhatStevenswoulddoonfortymilesandmoreofthatdesertroad，Madelinesufferedaprickofconscience。

"Oh，Stillwell！"sheexclaimed。"IamafraidIwillgobackonmywonderfulidea。Whatmademedoit？"

"Yoursisterwantedtherealthing，didn\'tshe？Saidtheyallwantedit。Wal，Ireckonthey\'vebegungettin\'it，"repliedStillwell。

ThatstatementfromthecattlemanallayedMadeline\'spangsofconscience。Sheunderstoodjustwhatshefelt，thoughshecouldnothaveputitinwords。Shewashungryforasightofwell-rememberedfaces；shelongedtohearthesoftlaughterandgayreparteeofoldfriends；shewaseagerforgossipyfirst-handnewsofheroldworld。Nevertheless，somethinginhersister\'sletter，inmessagesfromtheotherswhowerecoming，hadtouchedMadeline\'spride。Inonesensetheexpectedguestswerehostile，inasmuchastheywerescornfulandcuriousabouttheWestthathadclaimedher。SheimaginedwhattheywouldexpectinaWesternranch。Theywouldsurelygettherealthing，too，asStillwellsaid；andinthatcertaintywassatisfactionforasmallgrainofsomethingwithinMadelinewhichapproachedresentment。Shewistfullywondered，however，ifhersisterorfriendswouldcometoseetheWestevenalittleasshesawit。

That，perhaps，wouldhehopingtoomuch。Sheresolvedonceforalltodoherbesttogivethemthesensationtheirsensescraved，andequallytoshowthemthesweetnessandbeautyandwholesomenessandstrengthoflifeintheSouthwest。

"Wal，asNelssays，Iwouldn\'tbeinthatthereottomobilerightnowforamillionpesos，"remarkedStillwell。

"Why？IsStevensdrivingfast？"

"GoodLord！Fast？MissMajesty，therehain\'teverbeenanythin\'

exceptastreakoflightnin\'runsofastinthiscountry。I\'llbetLinkforonceisinheaven。Icanjestseehimnow，thegrim，crooked-leggedlittledevil，hunchin\'downoverthatwheelasifitwasahoss\'sneck。"

"Itoldhimnottolettheridebehotordusty，"remarkedMadeline。

"Haw，haw！"roaredStillwell。"Wal，I\'llbegoin\'。IreckonI\'dliketobehyarwhenLinkdrivesup，butIwanttobewiththeboysdownbythebunks。It\'llbesomefuntoseeNelsan\'MontywhenLinkcomesflyin\'along。"

"IwishAlhadstayedtomeetthem，"saidMadeline。

HerbrotherhadratherhurriedashipmentofcattletoCalifornia：anditwasMadeline\'ssuppositionthathehadwelcomedtheopportunitytoabsenthimselffromtheranch。

"Iamsorryhewouldn\'tstay，"repliedFlorence。"ButAl\'sallbusinessnow。Andhe\'sdoingfinely。It\'sjustaswell，perhaps。"

"Surely。Thatwasmypridespeaking。IwouldliketohaveallmyfamilyandallmyoldfriendsseewhatamanAlhasbecome。

Well，LinkStevensisrunninglikethewind。Thecarwillbeherebeforeweknowit。Florence，we\'veonlyafewmomentstodress。ButfirstIwanttoordermanyandvariousandexceedinglycoldrefreshmentsforthatapproachingparty。"

Lessthanahalf-hourlaterMadelinewentagaintotheporchandfoundFlorencethere。

"Oh，youlookjustlovely！"exclaimedFlorence，impulsively，asshegazedwide-eyedupatMadeline。"Andsomehowsodifferent！"

Madelinesmiledalittlesadly。Perhapswhenshehadputonthatexquisitewhitegownsomethinghadcometoherofthemannerwhichbefittedthewearingofit。Shecouldnotresistthedesiretolookfaironcemoreintheeyesofthesehypercriticalfriends。Thesadsmilehadbeenforthedaysthatweregone。

Forsheknewthatwhatsocietyhadoncebeenpleasedtocallherbeautyhadtrebledsinceithadlastbeenseeninadrawing-room。

Madelineworenojewels，butatherwaistshehadpinnedtwogreatcrimsonroses。Againstthedeadwhitetheyhadthelifeandfireandrednessofthedesert。

"Link\'shittheoldround-uptrail，"saidFlorence，"andoh，isn\'theridingthatcar！"

WithFlorence，aswithmostofthecowboys，thecarwasneverdriven，butridden。

Awhitespotwithalongtrailofdustshowedlowdowninthevalley。Itwasnowheadedalmoststraightfortheranch。

Madelinewatcheditgrowinglargermomentbymoment，andherpleasurableemotiongrewaccordingly。Thentherapidbeatofahorse\'shoofscausedhertoturn。

Stewartwasridinginonhisblackhorse。Hehadbeenabsentonanimportantmission，andhisdutyhadtakenhimtotheinternationalboundary-line。HispresencehomelongbeforehewasexpectedwasparticularlygratifyingtoMadeline，foritmeantthathismissionhadbeenbroughttoasuccessfulissue。Oncemore，forthehundredthtime，theman\'sreliabilitystruckMadeline。Hewasadoerofthings。Theblackhorsehaltedwearilywithouttheusualpoundofhoofsonthegravel，andthedustyriderdismountedwearily。Bothhorseandridershowedtheheatanddustandwindofmanymiles。

Madelineadvancedtotheporchsteps。AndStewart，aftertakingaparcelofpapersfromasaddle-bag，turnedtowardher。

"Stewart，youarethebestofcouriers，"shesaid。"Iampleased。"

Duststreamedfromhissombreroashedoffedit。Hisdarkfaceseemedtoriseashestraightenedwearyshoulders。

"Herearethereports，MissHammond，"hereplied。

Ashelookeduptoseeherstandingthere，dressedtoreceiveherEasternguests，hecheckedhisadvancewithaviolentactionwhichrecalledtoMadelinetheonehehadmadeonthenightshehadmethim，whenshedisclosedheridentity。Itwasnotfearnorembarrassmentnorawkwardness。Anditwasonlymomentary。Yet，slightashadbeenhispause，Madelinereceivedfromitanimpressionofsomestronghaltingforce。AmanstruckbyabulletmighthavehadaninstantjerkofmuscularcontrolsuchasconvulsedStewart。Inthatinstant，asherkeengazesearchedhisdust-cakedface，shemetthefull，freelookofhiseyes。

Herowndidnotfall，thoughshefeltawarmthstealtohercheeks。Madelineveryseldomblushed。Andnow，consciousofhersuddencoloragenuineblushflamedonherface。Itwasirritatingbecauseitwasincomprehensible。ShereceivedthepapersfromStewartandthankedhim。Hebowed，thenledtheblackdownthepathtowardthecorrals。

"WhenStewartlookslikethathe\'sbeenriding，"saidFlorence。

"Butwhenhishorselookslikethathe\'ssurebeenburningthewind。"

Madelinewatchedthewearyhorseandriderlimpdownthepath。

Whathadmadeherthoughtful？Mostlyitwassomethingneworsuddenorinexplicablethatstirredhermindtoquickanalysis。

InthisinstancethethingthathadstruckMadelinewasStewart\'sglance。Hehadlookedather，andtheoldburning，inscrutablefire，thedarkness，hadlefthiseyes。Suddenlytheyhadbeenbeautiful。Thelookhadnotbeenoneofsurpriseoradmiration；

norhaditbeenoneoflove。Shewasfamiliar，toofamiliarwithallthree。Ithadnotbeenagazeofpassion，fortherewasnothingbeautifulinthat。Madelinepondered。AndpresentlysherealizedthatStewart\'seyeshadexpressedastrangejoyofpride。ThatexpressionMadelinehadneverbeforeencounteredinthelookofanyman。Probablyitsstrangenesshadmadehernoticeitandaccountedforherblushing。Thelongershelivedamongtheseoutdoormenthemoretheysurprisedher。Particularly，howincomprehensiblewasthiscowboyStewart！Whyshouldhehaveprideorjoyatsightofher？

Florence\'sexclamationmadeMadelineoncemoreattendtotheapproachingautomobile。Itwasontheslopenow，somemilesdownthelonggradualslant。Twoyellowfunnel-shapedcloudsofdustseemedtoshootoutfrombehindthecarandrollalofttojointhecolumnthatstretcheddownthevalley。

"Iwonderwhatridingamileaminutewouldbelike，"saidFlorence。"I\'llsuremakeLinktakeme。Oh，butlookathimcome！"

Thegiantcarresembledawhitedemon，andbutforthedustwouldhaveappearedtobesailingintheair。Itsmotionwassteadilyforward，holdingtotheroadasifonrails。Anditsvelocitywasastounding。Long，grayveils，likepennants，streamedinthewind。Alowrushingsoundbecameperceptible，anditgrewlouder，becamearoar。Thecarshotlikeanarrowpastthealfalfa-field，bythebunk-houses，wherethecowboyswavedandcheered。Thehorsesandburrosinthecorralsbegantosnortandtrampandraceinfright。AtthebaseofthelongslopeofthefoothillLinkcutthespeedmorethanhalf。Yetthecarroaredup，rollingthedust，flyingcapesandveilsandulsters，andcrashedandcrackedtoahaltintheyardbeforetheporch。

Madelinedescriedagray，disheveledmassofhumanitypackedinsidethecar。Besidesthedriverthereweresevenoccupants，andforamomenttheyappearedtobecomingtolife，movingandexclaimingundertheveilsandwrapsanddust-shields。

LinkStevenssteppedoutand，removinghelmetandgoggles，coollylookedathiswatch。

"Anhouran\'aquarter，MissHammond，"hesaid。"It\'ssixty-threemilesbythevalleyroad，an\'youknowthere\'sacoupleofbadhills。Ireckonwemadefairtime，considerin\'youwantedmetodriveslowan\'safe。"

Fromthemassofdusty-veiledhumanityinthecarcamelowexclamationsandplaintivefemininewails。

Madelinesteppedtothefrontoftheporch。Thenthedeepvoicesofmenandsoftervoicesofwomenunitedinonegladoutburst，asmuchathanksgivingasagreeting，"MAJESTY！"

HelenHammondwasthreeyearsyoungerthanMadeline，andaslender，prettygirl。Shedidnotresemblehersister，exceptinwhitenessandfinenessofskin，beingmoreofabrown-eyed，brown-hairedtype。HavingrecoveredherbreathsoonafterMadelinetookhertoherroom，shebegantotalk。

"Majesty，oldgirl，I\'mhere；butyoucanbetIwouldneverhavegottenhereifIhadknownaboutthatridefromtherailroad。

Youneverwrotethatyouhadacar。IthoughtthiswasoutWest——

stage-coach，andallthatsortofthing。Suchatremendouscar！

Andtheroad！Andthatterriblelittlemanwiththeleathertrousers！Whatkindofachauffeurishe？"

"He\'sacowboy。Hewascrippledbyfallingunderhishorse，soI

hadhiminstructedtorunthecar。Hecandrive，don\'tyouthink？"

"Drive？Goodgracious！Hescaredustodeath，exceptCastleton。

Nothingcouldscarethatcold-bloodedlittleEnglishman。Iamdizzyyet。Doyouknow，Majesty，IwasdelightedwhenIsawthecar。Thenyourcowboydrivermetusattheplatform。Whataqueer-lookingindividual！Hehadabigpistolstrappedtothoseleathertrousers。Thatmademenervous。Whenhepiledusallinwithourgrips，heputmeintheseatbesidehim，whetherIlikeditornot。IwasfoolenoughtotellhimIlovedtotravelfast。

Whatdoyouthinkhesaid？Well，heeyedmeinarathercoolandspeculativewayandsaid，withasmile，\'Miss，Ireckonanythingyoulovean\'wantbadwillbecomingtoyououthere！\'Ididn\'tknowwhetheritwasdelightfulcandororimpudence。Thenhesaidtoallofus：\'Shoreyouhadbetterwrapupintheveilsan\'

dusters。It\'salong，slow，hot，dustyridetotheranch，an\'

MissHammond\'sorderwastodrivesafe。\'Hegotourbaggagechecksandgavethemtoamanwithahugewagonandafour-horseteam。Thenhecrankedthecar，jumpedin，wrappedhisarmsroundthewheel，andsankdownlowinhisseat。Therewasacrack，ajerk，akindofflasharoundus，andthatdirtylittletownwassomewhereonthemapbehind。ForaboutfiveminutesIhadalovelytime。Thenthewindbegantotearmetopieces。I

couldn\'thearanythingbuttherushofwindandroarofthecar。

Icouldseeonlystraightahead。Whataroad！Ineversawaroadinmylifetillto-day。Milesandmilesandmilesahead，withnotevenapostortree。Thatbigcarseemedtoleapatthemiles。Ithummedandsang。Iwasfascinated，thenterrified。

WewentsofastIcouldn\'tcatchmybreath。Thewindwentthroughme，andIexpectedtobedisrobedbyitanyminute。IwasafraidIcouldn\'tholdanyclotheson。PresentlyallIcouldseewasaflashinggraywallwithawhitelineinthemiddle。Thenmyeyesblurred。Myfaceburned。Myearsgrewfullofahundredthousandhowlingdevils。Iwasaboutreadytodiewhenthecarstopped。

Ilookedandlooked，andwhenIcouldsee，thereyoustood！"

"Helen，Ithoughtyouwerefondofspeeding，"saidMadeline，withalaugh。

"Iwas。ButIassureyouIneverbeforewasinafastcar；I

neversawaroad；Inevermetadriver。"

"PerhapsImayhaveafewsurprisesforyououthereinthewildandwoollyWest。"

Helen\'sdarkeyesshowedasister\'smemoryofpossibilities。

"You\'vestartedwell，"shesaid。"Iamsimplystunned。Iexpectedtofindyouoldanddowdy。Majesty，you\'rethehandsomestthingIeverlaideyeson。You\'resosplendidandstrong，andyourskinislikewhitegold。What\'shappenedtoyou？What\'schangedyou？Thisbeautifulroom，thosegloriousrosesoutthere，thecool，darksweetnessofthiswonderfulhouse！Iknowyou，Majesty，and，thoughyouneverwroteit，Ibelieveyouhavemadeahomeouthere。That\'sthemoststunningsurpriseofall。

Come，confess。IknowI\'vealwaysbeenselfishandnotmuchofasister；butifyouarehappyouthereIamglad。Youwerenothappyathome。TellmeaboutyourselfandaboutAlfred。ThenI

shallgiveyouallthemessagesandnewsfromtheEast。"

ItaffordedMadelineexceedingpleasuretohavefromoneandallofherguestsvariedencomiumsofherbeautifulhome，andarealandwarminterestinwhatpromisedtobeadelightfulandmemorablevisit。

OfthemallCastletonwastheonlyonewhofailedtoshowsurprise。HegreetedherpreciselyasbehadwhenhehadlastseenherinLondon。Madeline，rathertoherastonishment，foundmeetinghimagainpleasurable。ShediscoveredshelikedthisimperturbableEnglishman。Manifestlyhercapacityforlikinganyonehadimmeasurablyenlarged。Quiteunexpectedlyheroldgirlishloveforheryoungersistersprangintolife，andwithitinterestinthesehalf-forgottenfriends，andawarmregardforEdithWayne，achumofcollegedays。

Helen\'spartywassmallerthanMadelinehadexpectedittobe。

Helenhadbeencarefultoselectacompanyofgoodfriends，allofwhomwerewellknowntoMadeline。EdithWaynewasapatricianbrunette，aserious，soft-voicedwoman，sweetandkindly，despitearatherbitterexperiencethathadleftherworldlywise。Mrs。

CarrolltonBeck，aplain，livelyperson，hadchaperonedtheparty。ThefourthandlastofthefemininecontingentwasMissDorothyCoombs——Dot，astheycalledher——ayoungwomanofattractiveblondprettiness。

ForamanCastletonwasofverysmallstature。Hehadapink-and-whitecomplexion，asmallgoldenmustache，andhisheavyeyelids，alwaysdrooping，madehimlookdull。Hisattire，cuttowhatappearedtobeanexaggeratedEnglishstyle，attractedattentiontohisdiminutivesize。Hewasimmaculateandfastidious。RobertWeedewasaratherlargefloridyoungman，remarkableonlyforhisgoodnature。CountingBoydHarvey，ahandsome，pale-facedfellow，withthecarelesssmileofthemanforwhomlifehadbeeneasyandpleasant，thepartywascomplete。

Dinnerwasahappyhour，especiallyfortheMexicanwomenwhoserveditandwhocouldnotfailtonoteitssuccess。Theminglingoflowvoicesandlaughter，theold，gay，superficialtalk，thegraciousnessofaclasswhichlivedforthepleasureofthingsandtomaketimepasspleasurablyforothers——alltookMadelinefarbackintothepast。Shedidnotcaretoreturntoit，butshesawthatitwaswellshehadnotwhollycutherselfofffromherpeopleandfriends。

Whenthepartyadjournedtotheporchtheheathadmarkedlydecreasedandtheredsunwassinkingoverthereddesert。Anabsenceofspokenpraise，agraduallydeepeningsilence，attestedtotheimpressiononthevisitorsofthatnoblesunset。JustasthelastcurveofredrimvanishedbeyondthedimSierraMadresandthegoldenlightningbegantoflarebrighterHelenbrokethesilencewithanexclamation。

"Itwantsonlylife。Ah，there\'sahorseclimbingthehill！

See，he\'sup！Hehasarider！"

Madelineknewbeforeshelookedtheidentityofthemanridingupthemesa。Butshedidnotknowuntilthatmomenthowthehabitofwatchingforhimatthishourhadgrownuponher。Herodealongtherimofthemesaandouttothepoint，where，againstthegoldenbackground，horseandriderstoodsilhouettedinboldrelief。

"What\'shedoingthere？Whoishe？"inquiredthecuriousHelen。

"ThatisStewart，myright-handman，"repliedMadeline。"Everydaywhenheisattheranchheridesupthereatsunset。Ithinkhelikestherideandthescene；buthegoestotakealookatthecattleinthevalley。"

"Isheacowboy？"askedHelen。

"Indeedyes！"repliedMadeline，withalittlelaugh。"YouwillthinksowhenStillwellgetsholdofyouandbeginstotalk。"

MadelinefounditnecessarytoexplainwhoStillwellwas，andwhathethoughtofStewart，and，whileshewasaboutit，ofherownaccordsheaddedafewdetailsofStewart\'sfame。

"ElCapitan。Howinteresting！"musedHelen。"Whatdoeshelooklike？"

"Heissuperb。"

Florencehandedthefield-glasstoHelenandbadeherlook。

"Oh，thankyou！"saidHelen，asshecomplied。"There。Iseehim。

Indeed，heissuperb。Whatamagnificenthorse！Howstillhestands！Why，heseemscarvedinstone。"

"Letmelook？"saidDorothyCoombs，eagerly。

Helengavehertheglass。

"Youcanlook，Dot，butthat\'sall。He\'smine。Isawhimfirst。"

WhereuponMadeline\'sfeminineguestsheldaspiritedcontestoverthefield-glass，andthreeofthemmadegay，banteringboastsnottoconsiderHelen\'sself-assertedrights。MadelinelaughedwiththeotherswhileshewatchedthedarkfigureofStewartandhisblackoutlineagainstthesky。Therecameoverherathoughtnotbyanymeansneworstrange——shewonderedwhatwasinStewart\'smindashestoodthereinthesolitudeandfacedthedesertandthedarkeningwest。Somedayshemeanttoaskhim。Presentlyheturnedthehorseandrodedownintotheshadowcreepingupthemesa。

"Majesty，haveyouplannedanyfun，anyexcitementforus？"askedHelen。Shewasrestless，nervous，anddidnotseemtobeabletositstillamoment。

"YouwillthinksowhenIgetthroughwithyou，"repliedMadeline。

"What，forinstance？"inquiredHelenandDotandMrs。Beck，inunison。EdithWaynesmiledherinterest。

"Well，Iamnotcountingridesandclimbsandgolf；butthesearenecessarytotrainyoufortripsoverintoArizona。IwanttoshowyouthedesertandtheAravaipaCanon。Wehavetogoonhorsebackandpackouroutfit。Ifanyofyouarealiveafterthosetripsandwantmoreweshallgoupintothemountains。I

shouldlikeverymuchtoknowwhatyoueachwantparticularly。"

"I\'lltellyou，"repliedHelen，promptly。"DotwillbethesameouthereasshewasintheEast。Shewantstolookbashfullydownatherhand——ahandimprisonedinanother，bytheway——andlistentoamantalkpoetryabouthereyes。Ifcowboysdon\'tmakelovethatwayDot\'svisitwillbeafailure。NowElsieBeckwantssolelytoberevengeduponusfordraggingherouthere。

Shewantssomedreadfulthingtohappentous。Idon\'tknowwhat\'sinEdith\'shead，butitisn\'tfun。BobbywantstobenearElsie，andnomore。Boydwantswhathehasalwayswanted——theonlythingheeverwantedthathedidn\'tget。Castletonhasahorriblebloodthirstydesiretokillsomething。"

"Ideclarenow，Iwanttorideandcampout，also，"protestedCastleton。

"Asformyself，"wentonHelen，"Iwant——Oh，ifIonlyknewwhatitisthatIwant！Well，IknowIwanttobeoutdoors，togetintotheopen，tofeelsunandwind，toburnsomecolorintomywhiteface。Iwantsomefleshandbloodandlife。Iamtiredout。BeyondallthatIdon\'tknowverywell。I\'lltrytokeepDotfromattachingallthecowboystohertrain。"

"Whatadiversityofwants！"saidMadeline。

"Aboveall，Majesty，wewantsomethingtohappen，"concludedHelen，withpassionatefinality。

"Mydearsister，maybeyouwillhaveyourwishfulfilled，"

repliedMadeline，soberly。"Edith，Helenhasmademecuriousaboutyourespecialyearning。"

"Majesty，itisonlythatIwantedtobewithyouforawhile，"

repliedthisoldfriend。

Therewasinthewistfulreply，accompaniedbyadarkandeloquentglanceofeyes，whattoldMadelineofEdith\'sunderstanding，ofhersympathy，andperhapsabetrayalofherownunquietsoul。ItsaddenedMadeline。Howmanywomenmighttherenotbewhohadthelongingtobreakdownthebarsoftheircage，buthadnotthespirit！

XIIICowboyGolfInthewhirlofthesucceedingdaysitwasamootedquestionwhetherMadeline\'sguestsorhercowboysorherselfgotthekeenestenjoymentoutoftheflyingtime。Consideringthesamenessofthecowboys\'ordinarylife，shewasinclinedtothinktheymadethemostofthepresent。StillwellandStewart，however，hadfoundthesituationtrying。Theworkoftheranchhadtogoon，andsomeofitgotsadlyneglected。Stillwellcouldnotresisttheladiesanymorethanhecouldresistthefunintheextraordinarygoings-onofthecowboys。Stewartalonekeptthebusinessofcattle-raisingfromaserioussetback。Earlyandlatehewasinthesaddle，drivingthelazyMexicanswhomhehadhiredtorelievethecowboys。

OnemorninginJuneMadelinewassittingontheporchwithhermerryfriendswhenStillwellappearedonthecorralpath。HehadnotcometoconsultMadelineforseveraldays——anomissionsounusualastoberemarked。

"HerecomesBill——introuble，"laughedFlorence。

Indeed，heboresomefaintresemblancetoathundercloudasheapproachedtheporch；butthegreetingshegotfromMadeline\'sparty，especiallyfromHelenandDorothy，chasedawaytheblacknessfromhisfaceandbroughtthewonderfulwrinklingsmile。

"MissMajesty，sureI\'masaddemoralizedoldcattleman，"hesaid，presently。"An\'I\'minneedofaheapofhelp。"

"What\'swrongnow？"askedMadeline，withherencouragingsmile。

"Wal，it\'ssoamazin\'strangewhatcowboyswilldo。Ijestamabouttogiveup。Why，youmightsaymycowboyswereallonstrikeforvacations。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？We\'vechangedtheshifts，shortenedhours，letonean\'anotheroffduty，hiredGreasers，an\'，infact，doneeverythin\'thatcouldbethoughtof。

Butthisvacationideegrowedworse。WhenStewartsethisfootdown，thentheboysbegintogetsick。NeverinmyborndaysasacattlemanhaveIheerdofsomanydiseases。An\'yououghttoseehowlamean\'crippledan\'weakmanyoftheboyshavegotallofasudden。Theideeofacowboycomin\'tomewithasorefingeran\'

askin\'tobeletoffforaday！There\'sBooly。NowI\'veknowedahosstofallalloverhim，an\'onctherolleddownacanon。

Neverbotheredhimatall。He\'sgotablisteronhisheel，aridin\'blister，an\'hesaysit\'sgoin\'toblood-poisonin\'ifhedoesn\'trest。There\'sJimBell。He\'sdevelopedwhathesaysisspinalmengalootis，orsomesuchlike。There\'sFrankieSlade。

Hesworehehadscarletfeverbecausehisfaceburntsored，I

guess，an\'whenIholleredthatscarletfeverwascontagiousan\'

hemustbeputawaysomewhere，heupan\'saysheguesseditwasn\'tthat。Buthewassureawfulsickan\'neededtoloafaroundan\'beamused。Why，evenNelsdoesn\'twanttoworkthesedays。Ifitwasn\'tforStewart，who\'shadGreaserswiththecattle，Idon\'tknowwhatI\'ddo。"

"Whyallthissuddenillnessandidleness？"askedMadeline。

"Wal，yousee，thetruthiseveryblamedcowboyontherangeexceptStewartthinksit\'shisboundendutytoentertaintheladies。"

"Ithinkthatisjustfine！"exclaimedDorothyCoombs；andshejoinedinthegenerallaugh。

"Stewart，then，doesn\'tcaretohelpentertainus？"inquiredHelen，incuriousinterest。"Wal，MissHelen，Stewartissuredifferentfromtheothercowboys，"repliedStillwell。"Yetheusedtobelikethem。ThereneverwasacowboyfullerofthedevilthanGene。Buthe\'schanged。He\'sforemanhere，an\'thatmustbeit。Alltheresponsibilityrestsonhim。Hesurehasnotimeforamusin\'theladies。"

"Iimaginethatisourloss，"saidEdithWayne，inherearnestway。"Iadmirehim。"

"Stillwell，youneednotbesodistressedwithwhatisonlygallantryintheboys，evenifitdoesmakeatemporaryconfusioninthework，"saidMadeline。

"MissMajesty，allIsaidisnotthehalf，northequarter，nornuthin\'ofwhat\'stroublin\'me，"answeredhe，sadly。

"Verywell；unburdenyourself。"

"Wal，thecowboys，exceptin\'Gene，havegoneplumbbatty，jestplaincrazyoverthisheahgameofgol-lof。"

AmerrypealofmirthgreetedStillwell\'ssolemnassertion。

"Oh，Stillwell，youareinfun，"repliedMadeline。

"IhopetodieifI\'mnotindaidearnest，"declaredthecattleman。"It\'sanamazin\'strangefact。AskFlo。She\'lltellyou。Sheknowscowboys，an\'howiftheyeverstartonsomethin\'

theyrideitastheyrideahoss。"

Florencebeingappealedto，andevidentlyfeelingalleyesuponher，modestlyrepliedthatStillwellhadscarcelymisstatedthesituation。

"Cowboysplayliketheyworkorfight，"sheadded。"Theygivetheirwholesoulstoit。Theyaregreatbigsimpleboys。"

"Indeedtheyare，"saidMadeline。"Oh，I\'mgladiftheylikethegameofgolf。Theyhavesolittleplay。"

"Wal，somethin\'sgottobedidifwe\'retogoonraisin\'cattleatHerMajesty\'sRancho，"repliedStillwell。Heappearedbothdeliberateandresigned。

MadelinerememberedthatdespiteStillwell\'ssimplicityhewasasdeepasanyofhiscowboys，andtherewasabsolutelynogaginghimwherepossibilitiesoffunwereconcerned。Madelinefanciedthathisexaggeratedtalkaboutthecowboys\'suddencrazeforgolfwasinlinewithcertainotherremarkabletalesthathadlatelyemanatedfromhim。Someverystrangethingshadoccurredoflate，anditwasimpossibletotellwhetherornottheywereaccidents，merecoincidents，ordeep-laid，skilfullyworked-outdesignsofthefun-lovingcowboys。Certainlytherehadbeengreatfun，andattheexpenseofherguests，particularlyCastleton。SoMadelinewasatalosstoknowwhattothinkaboutStillwell\'slatestelaboration。Frommereforceofhabitshesympathizedwithhimandfounddifficultyindoubtinghisapparentsincerity。

"Togobackaways，"wentonStillwell，asMadelinelookedupexpectantly，"yourecollectwhatpridetheboystookinfixin\'upthatgol-lofcourseoutonthemesa？Wal，theyworkedonthatjob，an\'thoughIneverseenanyothercourse，I\'llgambleyourscan\'tbebeat。Theboyswassurecuriousaboutthatgame。Yourecollectalsohowtheyallwantedtoseeyouan\'yourbrotherplay，an\'becaddiesforyou？Wal，wheneveryou\'dquitthey\'dgotoworktryin\'toplaythegame。MontyPrice，hewastheleadin\'

spirit。OldasIam，MissMajesty，an\'usedasIamtocowboyexcentrikities，InearlydroppeddaidwhenIheeredthatlittlehobble-footed，burned-upMontanacow-punchersaytherewasn\'tanygametooswellforhim，an\'gol-lofwasjusthisspeed。Seriousasapreacher，mindyou，hewas。An\'hewasalwayspractisin\'。

WhenStewartgavehimchargeofthecoursean\'theclub-housean\'

allthemfunnysticks，why，Montywastickledtodeath。Yousee，Montyissensitivethatheain\'tmuchgoodanymoreforcowboywork。Hewasgladtohaveajobthathedidn\'tfeelhewashangin\'tobykindness。Wal，hepractisedthegame，an\'hereadthebooksintheclub-house，an\'hegottheboystodoin\'thesame。Thatwasn\'tveryhard，Ireckon。Theyplayedearlyan\'

latean\'inthemoonlight。ForawhileMontywascoach，an\'theboysstoodit。ButprettysoonFrankieSladegotpuffedonhisgame，an\'hehadtohaveitoutwithMonty。Wal，Montybeathimbad。ThenoneafteranothertheotherboystackledMonty。Hebeatthemall。Afterthattheysplitupan\'begintoplaymatches，twoonaside。Foraspellthisworkedfine。Butcowboyscan\'tneverbesatisfiedlongonlesstheywinallthetime。Montyan\'LinkStevens，bothcripples，youmightsay，joinedforcesan\'electedtobeatallcomers。Wal，theydid，an\'

that\'sthetrouble。Longan\'patienttheothercowboystriedtobeatthemtwogamelegs，an\'hevn\'tdoneit。MebbeifMontyan\'

Linkwasperfectlysoundintheirlegsliketheothercowboystherewouldn\'thevbeensuchaholler。Butnosoundcowboys\'lleverstandforadisgracelikethat。Why，downatthebunksintheevenin\'sit\'ssomemortifyin\'thewayMontyan\'Linkcrowovertherestoftheoutfit。They\'vetakenonsuperiorairs。

Youcouldn\'treachuptoMontywithatrimmedsprucepole。An\'

Link——wal，he\'sjustamazin\'scornful。

"\'It\'saswellgame，ain\'tit？\'saysLink，powerfulsarcastic。

\'Wal，what\'shurtin\'youlow-downcommoncowmen？Youkeepharpin\'

onMonty\'sgamelegan\'onmygameleg。Ifwehedgoodlegswe\'dbeatyouallthewuss。It\'sbrainsthatwinsingol-lof。Brainsan\'airstoocratikblood，whichofthesameyoufellerssurehevlittle。\'

"An\'thenMontyheblowssmokepowerfulcarelessan\'superior，an\'hesays：

"\'Sureit\'saswellgame。Youcow-headedgentsthinkbeefan\'

brawnoughttohevthecalloverskillan\'graymatter。You\'llallhevtobackupan\'getdown。Gooutan\'learnthegame。Youdon\'tknowabaffyfromaChineesandwich。Allyoucandoiswagglewithacluban\'fozzletheball。\'

"WheneverMontygetstousin\'themqueernamestheboysgoroundkindofdotty。Montyan\'Linkhevgotthebooksan\'directionsofthegame，an\'theywon\'tlettheotherboysseethem。Theyshowtherules，butthat\'sall。An\'，ofcourse，everygameendsinarowalmostbeforeit\'sstarted。Theboysareallturribleinearnestaboutthisgol-lof。An\'Iwanttosay，forthegoodofranchin\'，nottomentionapossiblefight，thatMontyan\'Linkhevgottobebeat。There\'llbenopeaceroundthisranchtillthat\'sdone。"

Madeline\'sguestsweremuchamused。Asforherself，inspiteofherscarcelyconsidereddoubt，Stillwell\'staleofwoeoccasionedheranxiety。However，shecouldhardlycontrolhermirth。

"WhatintheworldcanIdo？"

"Wal，IreckonIcouldn\'tsay。Ionlycometoyouforadvice。

Itseemsthataqueerkindofgamehaslocoedmycowboys，an\'forthetimebein\'ranchin\'isatastandstill。Soundsridiculous，I

know，butcowboysareasstrangeaswildcattle。AllI\'msureofisthattheconceithasgottobetakenoutofMontyan\'Link。

Onct，justonct，willsquareit，an\'thenwecanresoomeourwork。"

"Stillwell，listen，"saidMadeline，brightly。"We\'llarrangeamatchgame，afoursome，betweenMontyandLinkandyourbestpickedteam。Castleton，whoisanexpertgolfer，willumpire。

Mysister，andfriends，andIwilltaketurnsascaddiesforyourteam。Thatwillbefair，consideringyoursistheweaker。

Caddiesmaycoach，andperhapsexpertadviceisallthatisnecessaryforyourteamtodefeatMonty\'s。"

"Agrandidee，"declaredStillwell，withinstantdecision。"Whencanwehavethismatchgame？"

"Why，to-day——thisafternoon。We\'llallrideouttothelinks。"

"Wal，IreckonI\'llbesomeindebtedtoyou，MissMajesty，an\'

allyourguests，"repliedStillwell，warmly。Herosewithsombreroinhand，andatwinkleinhiseyethatagainpromptedMadelinetowonder。"An\'nowI\'llbegoin\'tofixupforthegameofcowboygol-lof。Adios。"

TheideawasasenthusiasticallyreceivedbyMadeline\'sguestsasithadbeenbyStillwell。Theywerehighlyamusedandspeculativetothepointoftakingsidesandmakingwagersontheirchoice。Moreover，thissituationsofranklyrevealedbyStillwellhadcompletedtheirdeepmystification。TheywerenowabsolutelynonplussedbythesingularcharacterofAmericancowboys。Madelinewaspleasedtonotehowseriouslytheyhadtakentheoldcattleman\'sstory。Shehadalittlethrobofwildexpectancythatmadeherbothfearanddelightintheafternoon\'sprospect。

TheJunedayshadsetinwarm；infact，hotduringthenoonhours：andthishadinculcatedinherinsatiablevisitorsatendencytoprofitbytheexperienceofthoseusedtotheSouthwest。Theyindulgedintherestfulsiestaduringtheheatedtermoftheday。

MadelinewasawakenedbyMajesty\'swell-knownwhistleandpoundingonthegravel。Thensheheardtheotherhorses。Whenshewentoutshefoundherpartyassembledingalagolfattire，andwithspiritstomatchtheircostumes。Castleton，especially，appearedresplendentinagolfcoatthatbeggareddescription。

MadelinehadfaintmisgivingswhenshereflectedonwhatMontyandNelsandNickmightdoundertheinfluenceofthatblazinggarment。

"Oh。Majesty，"criedHelen，asMadelinewentuptoherhorse，"don\'tmakehimkneel！Trythatflyingmount。Weallwanttoseeit。It\'ssostunning。"

"Butthatway，too，Imusthavehimkneel，"saidMadeline，"orI

can\'treachthestirrup。He\'ssotremendouslyhigh。"

Madelinehadtoyieldtothelaughinginsistenceofherfriends，andafterallofthemexceptFlorencewereupshemadeMajestygodownononeknee。Thenshestoodonhisleftside，facingback，andtookagoodfirmgriponthebridleandpommelandhismane。

AftershehadslippedthetoeofherbootfirmlyintothestirrupshecalledtoMajesty。Hejumpedandswungherupintothesaddle。

"NowjusttoseehowitoughttobedonewatchFlorence，"saidMadeline。

TheWesterngirlwasatherbestinriding-habitandwithherhorse。Itwasbeautifultoseetheeaseandgracewithwhichsheaccomplishedthecowboys\'flyingmount。Thensheledthepartydowntheslopeandacrosstheflattoclimbthemesa。

Madelineneversawagroupofhercowboyswithoutlookingthemover，almostunconsciously，forherforeman，GeneStewart。Thisafternoon，asusual，hewasnotpresent。However，shenowhadasense——ofwhichshewaswhollyconscious——thatshewasbothdisappointedandirritated。Hehadreallynotbeenattentivetoherguests，andhe，ofallhercowboys，wastheoneofwhomtheywantedmosttoseesomething。Helen，particularly，hadaskedtohavehimattendthematch。ButStewartwaswiththecattle。

Madelinethoughtofhisfaithfulness，andwasashamedofhermomentarylapseintothatoldimperioushabitofdesiringthingsirrespectiveofreason。

Stewart，however，immediatelyslippedoutofhermindasshesurveyedthegroupofcowboysonthelinks。Byactualcountthereweresixteen，notincludingStillwell。Andthesamenumberofsplendidhorses，allshinyandclean，grazedontheriminthecareofMexicanlads。Thecowboyswereondress-parade，lookingverydifferentinMadeline\'seyes，atleast，fromthewaycowboysusuallyappeared。Buttheywererealandnaturaltoherguests；

andtheyweresopicturesquethattheymighthavebeenstagecowboysinsteadofrealones。Sombreroswithsilverbucklesandhorsehairbandswereinevidence；andbrightsilkscarfs，embroideredvests，fringedandornamentedchaps，hugeswingingguns，andclinkingsilverspurslentafestiveappearance。

Madelineandherpartywereatonceeagerlysurroundedbythecowboys，andshefounditdifficulttorepressasmile。Ifthesecowboyswerestillremarkabletoher，whatmusttheybetoherguests？

"Wal，you-allracedover，Iseen，"saidStillwell，takingMadeline\'sbridle。"Getdown——getdown。We\'resureamazin\'gladan\'proud。An\'，MissMajesty，I\'mofferin\'tobegpawdinforthewaytheboysarepackin\'guns。Mebbeitain\'tpolite。Butit\'sStewart\'sorders。"

"Stewart\'sorders！"echoedMadeline。Herfriendsweresuddenlysilent。

"Ireckonhewon\'ttakenochancesontheboysbein\'surprisedsuddenbyraiders。An\'there\'sraidersoperatin\'infromtheGuadalupes。That\'sall。Nothin\'toworryover。Iwasjustexplainin\'。"

Madeline，withseveralofherparty，expressedrelief，butHelenshowedexcitementandthendisappointment。

"Oh，Iwantsomethingtohappen！"shecried。

Sixteenpairsofkeencowboyeyesfastenedintentlyuponherpretty，petulantface；andMadelinedivined，ifHelendidnot，thatthedesiredconsummationwasnotfaroff。

"SodoI，"saidDotCoombs。"Itwouldbeperfectlylovelytohavearealadventure。"

Thegazeofthesixteencowboysshiftedandsoughtthedemurefaceofthisotherdiscontentedgirl。Madelinelaughed，andStillwellworehisstrange，movingsmile。

"Wal，Ireckonyouladiessurewon\'thavetogohomeunhappy，"hesaid。"Why，asbossofthisheahoutfitI\'dfeelmyselfdisgracedforeverifyoudidn\'thaveyourwish。Justwait。An\'

now，ladies，thematteronhandmaynotbeamusin\'orexcitin\'toyou；buttothisheahcowboyoutfitit\'spowerfulimportant。An\'

allthehelpyoucangiveuswillsurebethankfullyreceived。

Takealookacrossthelinks。Doyou-allseethemtwoapologiesforhumanbein\'sprancin\'likeacoupleofhobbledbroncs？Wal，you\'regazin\'atMontyPricean\'LinkStevens，whohaveofasuddengottooswelltoassociatewiththeiroldbunkies。

They\'repractisin\'forthetoornament。Theydon\'twantmyboystoseehowtheyhandlethemcrookedclubs。"

"Haveyoupickedyourteam？"inquiredMadeline。

Stillwellmoppedhisredfacewithanimmensebandana，andshowedsomethingofconfusionandperplexity。

"I\'vesixteenboys，an\'theyallwanttoplay，"hereplied。

"Pickin\'theteamain\'tgoin\'tobeaneasyjob。Mebbeitwon\'tbehealthy，either。There\'sNelsandNick。Theyjuststatedcheerful-likethatiftheydidn\'tplaywewon\'thaveanygameatall。Nicknevertriedbefore，an\'Nels，allhewantsistogetacrackatMontywithoneofthemcrookedclubs。"

"Isuggestyouletallyourboysdrivefromtheteeandchoosethetwowhodrivethefarthest，"saidMadeline。

Stillwell\'sperplexedfacelightedup。

"Wal，that\'saplumbgoodidee。Theboys\'llstandforthat。"

Wherewithhebrokeuptheadmiringcircleofcowboysroundtheladies。

"Graparope——Imeanaclub——allyoucow-punchers，an\'marchoverhyaran\'takeaswipeatthislittlewhitebean。"

Thecowboysobeyedwithalacrity。Therewasconsiderabledifficultyoverthechoiceofclubsandwhoshouldtryfirst。

Thelatterquestionhadtobeadjustedbylot。However，afterFrankieSlademadeseveralineffectualattemptstohittheballfromtheteeing-ground，atlasttosenditonlyafewyards，theotherplayerswerenotsoeagertofollow。StillwellhadtopushBoolyforward，andBoolyexecutedamostmiserableshotandretiredtothelaughingcommentsofhiscomrades。Theeffortsofseveralsucceedingcowboysattestedtotheextremedifficultyofmakingagooddrive。

"Wal，Nick，it\'syourturn，"saidStillwell。

"Bill，Iain\'tsoall-firedparticularaboutplayin\'，"repliedNick。

"Why？Youwasroarin\'aboutitalittlewhileago。Afraidtoshowhowbadyou\'llplay？"

"Nope，jestplainconsiderationformyfellercow-punchers，"

answeredNick，withspirit。"I\'mappreciatin\'howbadtheyplay，an\'I\'mnotmeanenoughtoshowthemup。"

"Wal，you\'vegottoshowme，"saidStillwell。"Iknowyouneverseenagol-lofstickinyourlife。What\'smore，I\'llbetyoucan\'thitthatlittleballsquare——notinadozencracksatit。"

"Bill，I\'malsotoomuchofagenttotakeyourmoney。ButyouknowI\'mfromMissouri。Gimmeaclub。"

Nick\'sangryconfidenceseemedtoevaporateasoneafteranotherhetookupandhandledtheclubs。Itwasplainthathehadneverbeforewieldedone。But，also，itwasplainthathewasnotthekindofamantogivein。Finallyheselectedadriver，lookeddoubtfullyatthesmallknob，andthensteppedintopositionontheteeing-ground。

NickSteelestoodsixfeetfourinchesinheight。Hehadtherider\'swiryslenderness，yethewasbroadofshoulder。Hisarmswerelong。Manifestlyhewasanexceedinglypowerfulman。Heswingthedriveraloftandwhirleditdownwithatremendousswing。Crack！Thewhiteballdisappeared，andfromwhereithadbeenroseatinycloudofdust。

Madeline\'squicksightcaughttheballasitlinedsomewhattotheright。Itwasshootinglowandlevelwiththespeedofabullet。Itwentupandupinswift，beautifulflight，thenlostitsspeedandbegantosail，tocurve，todrop；anditfelloutofsightbeyondtherimofthemesa。Madelinehadneverseenadrivethatapproachedthisone。Itwasmagnificent，beyondbeliefexceptforactualevidenceofherowneyes。

TheyellingofthecowboysprobablybroughtNickSteeleoutoftheastoundingspellwithwhichhebeheldhisshot。ThenNick，suddenlyalivetothesituation，recoveredfromhistranceand，restingnonchalantlyuponhisclub，hesurveyedStillwellandtheboys。Aftertheirfirstsurprisedoutbursttheyweredumb。

You-allseenthet？"Nickgrandlywavedhishand。"ThaughtIwasjoshin\'，didn\'tyou？Why，IusedtogotoSt。Louisan\'KansasCitytoplaythisheregame。Therewassometalkofthegolfclubstakin\'medownEasttoplaythechampions。ButInevercaredferthegame。Tooeasyferme！ThemfellersbackinMissouriwerealotofcheapdubs，anyhow，alwayskickin\'becausewheneverIhitaballhardIalwayslostit。Why，Ihedtohitsortofleft-handedtolet\'emstayinmyclass。Nowyou-allcangoaheadan\'playMontyan\'Link。Icouldbeat\'emboth，playin\'

withonehand，ifIwantedto。ButIain\'tinterested。Ijesthitthetballoffthemesatoshowyou。Isurewouldn\'tbeseenplayin\'onyourteam。"

WiththatNicksaunteredawaytowardthehorses。tillwellappearedcrushed。AndnotascornfulwordwashurledafterNick，whichfactprovedthenatureofhisvictory。ThenNelsstrodeintothelimelight。Asfarasitwaspossibleforthisiron-facedcowboytobeso，hewasblandandsuave。HeremarkedtoStillwellandtheothercowboysthatsometimesitwaspainfulforthemtojudgeofthegiftsofsuperiorcowboyssuchasbelongedtoNickandhimself。HepickeduptheclubNickhadusedandcalledforanewball。Stillwellcarefullybuiltupalittlemoundofsandand，placingtheballuponit，squaredawaytowatch。Helookedgrimandexpectant。

NelswasnotsolargeamanasNick，anddidnotlooksoformidableashewavedhisclubatthegapingcowboys。Stillhewaslithe，tough，strong。Briskly，withadebonairmanner，hesteppedupandthendeliveredamightyswingattheball。Hemissed。Thepowerandmomentumofhisswingflunghimoffhisfeet，andheactuallyturnedupsidedownandspunroundonhishead。Thecowboyshowled。Stillwell\'sstentorianlaughrolledacrossthemesa。Madelineandherguestsfounditimpossibletorestraintheirmirth。AndwhenNelsgotuphecastareproachfulglanceatMadeline。Hisfeelingswerehurt。

Hissecondattempt，notbyanymeanssoviolent，resultedinascleanamissasthefirst，andbroughtjeersfromthecowboys。

Nels\'sredfaceflamedredder。Angrilyheswungagain。Themoundofsandspreadovertheteeing-groundandtheexasperatinglittleballrolledafewinches。Thistimehehadtobuildupthesandmoundandreplacetheballhimself。Stillwellstoodscornfullyby，andtheboysaddressedremarkstoNels。

"Takeoffthemblinders，"saidone。

"Nels，youreyesareshorebad，"saidanother。

"Youdon\'thitwhereyoulook。"

"Nels，yourlefteyehassprungalimp。"

"Why，youdog-gonedoldfule，youcain\'thitthetbawl。"

Nelsessayedagain，onlytomeetignominiousfailure。Thencarefullyhegatheredhimselftogether，gageddistance，balancedtheclub，swungcautiously。Andtheheadoftheclubmadeabeautifulcurveroundtheball。

"Shoreit\'sjestthetcrookedclub，"hedeclared。

Hechangedclubsandmadeanothersignalfailure。Ragesuddenlypossessinghim，hebegantoswingwildly。Always，itappeared，theillusivelittleballwasnotwhereheaimed。Stillwellhunchedhishugebulk，leanedhandsonknees，androaredhisriotousmirth。Thecowboysleapedupanddowninglee。

"Youcain\'thitthetbawl，"sangoutoneofthenoisiest。Afewmorewhirling，desperatelungesonthepartofNels，allasfutileasiftheballhadbeenthinair，finallybroughttothedoggedcowboyarealizationthatgolfwasbeyondhim。

Stillwellbawled："Oh，haw，haw，haw！Nels，you\'re——tooold——

eyesnogood！"

Nelsslammeddowntheclub，andwhenhestraightenedupwiththeredleavinghisface，thentherealprideandfireofthemanshowed。Deliberatelyhesteppedofftenpacesandturnedtowardthelittlemounduponwhichrestedtheball。Hisarmshotdown，elbowcrooked，handlikeaclaw。

"Aw，Nels，thisisfun！"yelledStillwell。

ButswiftasagleamoflightNelsflashedhisgun，andthereportcamewiththeaction。Chipsflewfromthegolf-ballasittumbledfromthemound。Nelshadhititwithoutraisingtiledust。Thenhedroppedthegunbackinitssheathandfacedthecowboys。

"Mebbemyeyesain\'tsoorfulbad，"hesaid，coolly，andstartedtowalkoff。

"Butlookah-heah，Nels，"yelledStillwell，"wecomeouttoplaygol-lof！Wecan\'tletyouknocktheballaroundwithyourgun。

What\'dyouwanttogetmadfor？It\'sonlyfun。Nowyouan\'Nickhangroundheahan\'besociable。Weain\'tdepreciatin\'yourcompanynone，noryourusefulnessonoccasions。An\'ifyoujusthain\'tgotinbornpolitenesssufficienttodothegallantbeforetheladies，why，rememberStewart\'sorders。"

"Stewart\'sorders？"queriedNels，comingtoasuddenhalt。

"That\'swhatIsaid，"repliedStillwell，withasperity。"Hisorders。Areyouforgettin\'orders？Wal，you\'reafinecowboy。

Youan\'Nickan\'Monty，\'specially，aretoobeyorders。"

Nelstookoffhissombreroandscratchedhishead。"Bill，I

reckonI\'msomeforgetful。ButIwasmad。I\'d\'a\'rememberedprettysoon，an\'mebbemymanners。"

"Sureyouwould，"repliedStillwell。"Wal，now，wedon\'tseemtobeproceedin\'muchwithmygol-lofteam。Nextambitiousplayerstepup。"

InAmbrose，whoshowedsomeskillindriving，Stillwellfoundoneofhisteam。Thesucceedingplayers，however，weresopoorandsoevenlymatchedthattheearnestStillwellwasindespair。HelosthistemperjustasspeedilyasNelshad。FinallyEdLinton\'swifeappearedridingupwithAmbrose\'swife，andperhapsthishelped，forEdsuddenlydisclosedabilitythatmadeStillwellsinglehimout。

"Letmecoachyoualittle，"saidBill。

"Sure，ifyoulike，"repliedEd。"ButIknowmoreaboutthisgamethanyoudo。"

"Wal，then，let\'sseeyouhitaballstraight。Seemstomeyougotgoodall-firedquick。It\'samazin\'strange。"ereBilllookedaroundtodiscoverthetwoyoungwivesmodestlycastingeyesofadmirationupontheirhusbands。"Haw，haw！Itain\'tsodarnedstrange。Mebbethat\'llhelpsome。Now，Ed，standupanddon\'tslingyourclubasifyouwasropin\'asteer。Comeroundeasy-likean\'hitstraight。"

Edmadeseveralattemptswhich，althoughbetterthanthoseofhispredecessors，wereratherdiscouragingtotheexactingcoach。

Presently，afteraparticularlyatrociousshot，Stillwellstrodeindistresshereandthere，andfinallystoppedadozenpacesormoreinfrontoftheteeing-ground。Ed，whoforacowboywassomewhatphlegmatic，calmlymadereadyforanotherattempt。

"Fore！"hecalled。

Stillwellstared。

"Fore！"yelledEd。

"Why\'reyouhollerin\'thatwayatme？"demandedBill。

"Imeanforyoutolopeoffthehorizon。Getbackfrominfront。"

"Oh，thatwasoneofthemdurnedcrazywordsMontyisalwayshollerin\'。Wal，IreckonI\'msafeenoughhyar。Youcouldn\'thitmeinamillionyears。"

"Bill，oozeaway，"urgedEd。

"Didn\'tIsayyoucouldn\'thitme？WhatamIcoachin\'youfor？

It\'sbecauseyouhitcrooked，ain\'tit？Wal，goahaidan\'breakyourback。"

EdLintonwasashort，heavyman，andhisstockybuildgaveevidenceofconsiderablestrength。Hisformerstrokeshadnotbeenmadeattheexpenseofexertion，butnowhegotreadyforasupremeeffort。Asuddensilenceclampeddownupontheexuberantcowboys。Itwasoneofthosefatefulmomentswhentheairwaschargedwithdisaster。AsEdswungtheclubitfairlywhistled。

Crack！Instantlycameathump。ButnoonesawtheballuntilitdroppedfromStillwell\'sshrinkingbody。Hisbighandswentspasmodicallytotheplacethathurt，andaterriblegroanrumbledfromhim。

Thenthecowboysbrokeintoafrenzyofmirththatseemedtofindadequateexpressiononlyindancingandrollingaccompanimenttotheirhowls。Stillwellrecoveredhisdignityassoonashecaughthisbreath，andheadvancedwitharuefulface。

"Wal，boys，it\'sonBill，"hesaid。"I\'malivin\'proofofthepig-headednessofmankind。Ed，youwin。You\'recaptainoftheteam。Youhitstraight，an\'ifIhadn\'tbeenobstructin\'thegeneralatmospherethatballwouldsurehavegonecleartotheChiricahuas。"

Thenmakingamegaphoneofhishugehands，heyelledaloudblastofdefianceatMontyandLink。

"Hey，youswellgol-lofers！We\'rewaitin\'。Comeonifyouain\'tscared。"

InstantlyMontyandLinkquitpractising，andliketwoemperorscamestalkingacrossthelinks。

"Guessmybluffdidn\'tworkmuch，"saidStillwell。ThenheturnedtoMadelineandherfriends。"SureIhope，MissMajesty，thatyou-allwon\'tweakenan\'goovertotheenemy。Montyissomeeloquent，an\'，besides，hehasawayofgettin\'peopletoagreewithhim。He\'llbeplumpwildwhenheheahswhathean\'Linkareupagainst。Butit\'sasquaredeal，becausehewouldn\'thelpusorlendthebookthatshowshowtoplay。An\'，besides，it\'spolicyforustobeathim。Now，ifyou\'llelectwho\'stobecaddiesan\'umpireI\'llbepowerfulobliged。"

Madeline\'sfriendswerehugelyamusedovertheprospectivematch；

but，exceptforDorothyandCastleton，theydisclaimedanyambitionforactiveparticipation。Accordingly，MadelineappointedCastletontojudgetheplay，DorothytoactascaddieforEdLinton，andsheherselftobecaddieforAmbrose。WhileStillwellbeaminglyannouncedthismomentousnewstohisteamandsupportersMontyandLinkwerestridingup。

Bothwerediminutiveinsize，bow-legged，lameinonefoot，andaltogetherunprepossessing。Linkwasyoung，andMonty\'syears，morethantwiceLink\'s，hadlefttheirmark。ButitwouldhavebeenimpossibletotellMonty\'sage。AsStillwellsaid，Montywasburnedtothecolorandhardnessofacinder。Henevermindedtheheat，andalwaysworeheavysheepskinchapswiththewooloutside。Thismadehimlookbroaderthanhewaslong。

Link，partialtoleather，had，sincehebecameMadeline\'schauffeur，takentoleatheraltogether。Hecarriednoweapon，butMontyworeahugegun-sheathandgun。Linksmokedacigaretteandlookedcoollyimpudent。Montywasdark-faced，swaggering，foralltheworldlikeabarbarianchief。

"ThatMontymakesmyfleshcreep，"saidHelen，low-voiced。

"Really，Mr。Stillwell，ishesobad——desperate——asI\'veheard？

Didheeverkillanybody？"

"Sure。\'MostasmanyasNels，"repliedStillwell，cheerfully。

"Oh！AndisthatniceMr。Nelsadesperado，too？Iwouldn\'thavethoughtso。He\'ssokindandold-fashionedandsoft-voiced。"

"Nelsissureanexampleofthedooplicityofmen，MissHelen。

Don\'tyoulistentohissoftvoice。He\'sreallyasbadasaside-winderrattlesnake。"

AtthisjunctureMontyandLinkreachedtheteeing-ground，andStillwellwentouttomeetthem。Theothercowboyspressedforwardtosurroundthetrio。MadelineheardStillwell\'svoice，andevidentlyhewasexplainingthathisteamwastohaveskilledadviceduringtheplay。Suddenlytherecamefromthecenterofthegroupaloud，angryroarthatbrokeoffassuddenly。Thenfollowedexcitedvoicesallmingledtogether。PresentlyMontyappeared，breakingawayfromrestraininghands，andhestrodetowardMadeline。

MontyPricewasatypeofcowboywhohadneverbeenknowntospeaktoawomanunlesshewasfirstaddressed，andthenheansweredinblunt，awkwardshyness。Uponthisgreatoccasion，however，itappearedthathemeanttoprotestorpleadwithMadeline，forheshowedstressofemotion。MadelinehadnevergottenacquaintedwithMonty。Shewasalittleinawe，ifnotinfear，ofhim，andnowshefounditimperativeforhertokeepinmindthatmorethananyotherofthewildfellowsonherranchthisoneshouldbedealtwithasifhewereabigboy。