第7章

Montyremovedhissombrero——somethinghehadneverdonebefore——

andthesingleinstantwhenitwasoffwaslongenoughtoshowhisheadentirelybald。Thiswasoneofthehall-marksofthatterribleMontanaprairiefirethroughwhichhehadfoughttosavethelifeofachild。Madelinedidnotforgetit，andallatonceshewantedtotakeMonty\'sside。RememberingStillwell\'swisdom，however，sheforeboreyieldingtosentiment，andcalleduponherwits。

"Miss——MissHammond，"beganMonty，stammering，"I\'mextendin\'

admirin\'greetin\'stoyouan\'yourfriends。Linkan\'mearerightdownproudtoplaythematchgamewithyouwatchin\'。ButBillsaysyou\'regoin\'tocaddieforhisteaman\'coach\'emonthefinepoints。An\'Iwanttoask，allrespectful，ifthet\'sfairan\'square？"

"Monty，thatisforyoutosay，"repliedMadeline。"Itwasmysuggestion。Butifyouobjectintheleast，ofcourseweshallwithdraw。Itseemsfairtome，becauseyouhavelearnedthegame；youareexpert，andIunderstandtheotherboyshavenochancewithyou。ThenyouhavecoachedLink。Ithinkitwouldbesportsmanlikeofyoutoacceptthehandicap。"

"Aw，ahandicap！ThetwaswhatBillwasdrivin\'at。Whydidn\'thesayso？EverytimeBillcomestoawordthet\'spietousoldgolfershejeststumbles。MissMajesty，you\'vemadeitallclearasprint。An\'Imaysaywithbecomin\'modestythetyouwasn\'tmistakennoneaboutmebein\'sportsmanlike。Mean\'Linkwasbornthetway。An\'weacceptthehandicap。Lackin\'thethandicap，I

reckonLinkan\'mewouldhavenoambishtoplayourmostbe-ootifulgame。An\'thankin\'you，MissMajesty，an\'allyourfriends，IwanttoaddthetifBill\'soutfitcouldn\'tbeatusbefore，they\'vegotaswellchanctnow，withyouladiesa-watchin\'mean\'Link。"

Montyhadseemedtoexpandwithprideashedeliveredthisspeech，andattheendhebowedlowandturnedaway。HejoinedthegrouproundStillwell。Oncemoretherewasanimateddiscussionandargumentandexpostulation。OneofthecowboyscameforCastletonandledhimawaytoexploitupongroundrules。

ItseemedtoMadelinethatthegameneverwouldbegin。Shestrolledontherimofthemesa，arminarmwithEdithWayne，andwhileEdithtalkedshelookedoutoverthegrayvalleyleadingtotheruggedblackmountainsandthevastredwastes。Intheforegroundonthegrayslopeshesawcattleinmovementandcowboysridingtoandfro。ShethoughtofStewart。ThenBoydHarveycameforthem，sayingalldetailshadbeenarranged。

Stillwellmetthemhalf-way，andthiscool，dry，oldcattleman，whosefaceandmannerscarcelychangedattheannouncementofacattle-raid，nowshowedextremeagitation。

"Wal，MissMajesty，we\'vegonean\'madeafoozlerightatthestart，"hesaid，dejectedly。

"Afoozle？Butthegamehasnotyetbegun，"repliedMadeline。

"Abadstart，Imean。It\'samazin\'bad，an\'we\'relickedalready。"

"Whatintheworldiswrong？"

Shewantedtolaugh，butStillwell\'sdistressrestrainedher。

"Wal，it\'sthisway。ThatdarnMontyisascutean\'slickasafox。Afterhegotdonedeclaimin\'aboutthehandicaphean\'Linkwassohappytotake，hegotCastletonoverhyaran\'droveusalldottywithhiscrazygol-lofnames。ThenheborrowedCastleton\'sgol-lofcoat。Ireckonborrowedissomekindword。Hejustabouttookthatblazin\'coatofftheEnglishman。ThoughIain\'tsayin\'butthatCasletonwasagreeablewhenhetumbledtoMonty\'smeanin\'。Whichwasnothin\'more\'ntobreakAmbrose\'sheart。

ThatcoatdazzlesAmbrose。YouknowhowvainAmbroseis。Why，he\'ddietogettowearthatEnglishman\'sgol-lofcoat。An\'

Montyforestalledhim。It\'splumbpitifultoseethelookinAmbrose\'seyes。Hewon\'tbeabletoplaymuch。Thenwhatdoyouthink？MontyfixedEdLinton，allright。UsuallyEdiseasy-goin\'an\'cool。Butnowhe\'sontherampage。Wal，mebbeit\'snewstoyoutolearnthatEd\'swifeispowerful，turriblejealousofhim。Edwassomethin\'ofadevilwiththewimmen。

Montygoesoveran\'tellsBeulah——that\'sEd\'swife——thatEdisgoin\'tohaveforcaddiethelovelyMissDorothywiththegoo-gooeyes。Ireckonthiswassomedisrespectful，butwithalldoorespecttoMissDorothyshehasgotapairofunbridledeyes。

Mebbeit\'sjustnaturalforhertolookatafellerlikethat。

Oh，it\'sallright；I\'mnotsayin\'any-thin\'！Iknowit\'sallproperan\'regularforgirlsbackEasttousetheireyes。Butouthyarit\'sboundtoresultdisastrous。AlltheboystalkaboutamongthemselvesisMissDot\'seyes，an\'alltheybragaboutiswhichfelleristheluckiest。Anyway，sureEd\'swifeknowsit。An\'Montyupan\'toldherthatitwasfineforhertocomeoutan\'seehowswellEdwasprancin\'roundunderthelightofMissDot\'sbrowneyes。BeulahcallsoverEd，figgertivelyspeakin\'，ropeshimforaminnit。Edcomesbackhuggin\'agrouchasbigasahill。Oh，itwasfunny！Hewasgoin\'topunchMonty\'shaidoff。An\'Montystandstherean\'laughs。SaysMonty，sarcasticasalkaliwater：\'Ed，we-allknowedyouwasaheapmarriedman，butyou\'resomelocoedtogiveyourselfaway。\'

ThatsettledEd。He\'ssometouchyaboutthewayBeulahhenpeckshim。Helosthisspirit。An\'nowhecouldn\'tplaymarbles，letalonegol-lof。Nope，Montywastoosmart：An\'Ireckonhewasrightaboutbrainsbein\'whatwins。"

Thegamebegan。AtfirstMadelineandDorothyessayedtodirecttheendeavorsoftheirrespectiveplayers。Butalltheysaidanddidonlymadetheirteamplaytheworse。Atthethirdholetheywerefarbehindandhopelesslybewildered。WhatwithMonty\'sborrowedcoat，withitsdazzlingeffectuponAmbrose，andLink\'soft-repeatedallusiontoEd\'smatrimonialstate，andStillwell\'svociferateddisgust，andtheclamoringgoodintentionandpursuitofthecowboysupporters，andtheembarrassingpresenceoftheladies，AmbroseandEdworethroughallmannerofstrangeplayuntilitbecameridiculous。

"Hey，Link，"cameMonty\'svoiceboomingoverthelinks，"ouresteemedrivalsareplayin\'shinny。"

MadelineandDorothygaveup，presently，whenthegamebecamearout，andtheysatdownwiththeirfollowerstowatchthefun。

Whetherbyhookorcrook，EdandAmbroseforgedaheadtocomecloseuponMontyandLink。Castletondisappearedinamassofgesticulating，shoutingcowboys。WhenthatcompactmassdisintegratedCastletoncameforthratherhurriedly，itappeared，tostalkbacktowardhishostessandfriends。

"Look！"exclaimedHelen，indelight。"Castletonisactuallyexcited。Whateverdidtheydotohim？Oh，thisisimmense！"

Castletonwasexcited，indeed，andalsosomewhatdisheveled。

"ByJove！thatwasarumgo，"hesaid，ashecameup。"Neversawsuchbloominggolf！Iresignedmyofficeasumpire。"

Onlyuponconsiderablepressuredidherevealthereason。"Itwaslikethis，don\'tyouknow。Theywerealltogetheroverthere，watchingeachother。MontyPrice\'sballdroppedintoahazard，andhemovedittoimprovethelie。ByJove！they\'veallbeendoingthat。Butovertherethegamewaswaxinghot。

StillwellandhiscowboyssawMontymovetheball，andtherewasarow。Theyappealedtome。Icorrectedtheplay，showedtherules。Montyagreedhewasinthewrong。However，whenitcametomovinghisballbacktoitsformerlieinthehazardtherewasmorebloomingtrouble。Montyplacedtheballtosuithim，andthenhetransfixedmewithanevileye。

"\'Dook，\'hesaid。Iwishthebloodycowboywouldnotcallmethat。\'Dook，mebbethisgameain\'tasimportantasinternationalpoliticsorsomeotherthingsrelatin\'，butthere\'ssomehealthan\'peacedependin\'onit。Savvy？Forsomespaceouropponentshavebeendeadtohonoran\'sportsmanlikeconduct。Icalculatethegamedependsonmynextdrive。I\'mplacin\'myballasneartowhereitwasashumaneyesightcould。YouseenwhereitwassameasIseenit。You\'retheumpire，an\'，Dook，Itakeyouasahonorableman。Moreover，neverinmyborndayshasmywordbeendoubtedwithoutsorrow。SoI\'maskin\'you，wasn\'tmyballlayin\'

justabouthere？\'

"Thebloodylittledesperadosmiledcheerfully，andhedroppedhisrighthanddowntothebuttofhisgun。ByJove，hedid！

ThenIhadtotellabloominglie！"

CastletonevencaughtthetoneofMonty\'svoice，butitwasplainthathehadnottheleastconceptionthatMontyhadbeenfooling。

Madelineandherfriendsdivinedit，however；and，therebeingnoneedofreserve，theyletloosethefountainsofmirth。

XIVBanditsWhenMadelineandherpartyrecoveredcomposuretheysatuptowatchthefinishofthematch。Itcamewithspectacularsuddenness。Asharpyellpealedout，andallthecowboysturnedattentivelyinitsdirection。Abigblackhorsehadsurmountedtherimofthemesaandwasjustbreakingintoarun。Hisrideryelledsharplytothecowboys。Theywheeledtodashtowardtheirgrazinghorses。

"That\'sStewart。Thereissomethingwrong，"saidMadeline，inalarm。

Castletonstared。Theothermenexclaimeduneasily。ThewomensoughtMadeline\'sfacewithanxiouseyes。

Theblackgotintohisstrideandboreswiftlydownuponthem。

"Oh，lookatthathorserun！"criedHelen。"Lookatthatfellowride！"

Helenwasnotaloneinheradmiration，forMadelinedividedheremotionsbetweengrowingalarmofsomedangermenacingandathrillandquickeningofpulse-beatthattingledoverherwhenevershesawStewartinviolentaction。Noactionofhiswasanylongerinsignificant，butviolentactionmeantsomuch。Itmightmeananything。ForonemomentsherememberedStillwellandallhistalkaboutfun，andplots，andtrickstoamuseherguest。

Thenshediscountenancedthethought。Stewartmightlendhimselftoalittlefun，buthecaredtoomuchforahorsetorunhimatthatspeedunlesstherewasimperiousneed。ThatalonesufficedtoanswerMadeline\'squestioningcuriosity。Andheralarmmountedtofearnotsomuchforherselfasforherguests。Butwhatdangercouldtherebe？Shecouldthinkofnothingexcepttheguerrillas。

Whateverthreatened，itwouldbemetandcheckedbythismanStewart，whowasthunderinguponhisfleethorse；andashenearedher，sothatshecouldseethedarkgleamoffaceandeyes，shehadastrangefeelingoftrustinherdependenceuponhim。

ThebigblackwassoclosetoMadelineandherfriendsthatwhenStewartpulledhimthedustandsandkickedupbyhispoundinghoofsflewintheirfaces。

"Oh，Stewart，whatisit？"criedMadeline。

"GuessIscaredyou，MissHammond，"hereplied。"ButI\'mpressedfortime。There\'sagangofbanditshidingontheranch，mostlikelyinadesertedhut。TheyheldupatrainnearAguaPrieta。

PatHaweiswiththepossethat\'strailingthem，andyouknowPathasnouseforus。I\'mafraiditwouldn\'tbepleasantforyouoryourgueststomeeteithertheposseorthebandits。"

"Ifancynot，"saidMadeline，considerablyrelieved。"We\'llhurrybacktothehouse。"

Theyexchangednomorespeechatthemoment，andMadeline\'sguestsweresilent。PerhapsStewart\'sactionsandlooksbeliedhiscalmwords。Hispiercingeyesrovedroundtherimofthemesa，andhisfacewasashardandsternaschiseledbronze。

MontyandNickcamegallopingup，eachleadingseveralhorsesbythebridles。NelsappearedbehindthemwithMajesty，andhewashavingtroublewiththeroan。Madelineobservedthatalltheothercowboyshaddisappeared。

OnesharpwordfromStewartcalmedMadeline\'shorse；theotherhorses，however，werefrightenedandnotinclinedtostand。Themenmountedwithouttrouble，andlikewiseMadelineandFlorence。

ButEdithWayneandMrs。Beck，beingnervousandalmosthelpless，werewithdifficultygottenintothesaddle。

"Begpardon，butI\'mpressedfortime，"saidStewart，coolly，aswithironarmheforcedDorothy\'shorsealmosttoitsknees。

Dorothy，whowasactiveandplucky，climbedastride；andwhenStewartloosedhisholdonbitandmanethehorsedoubledupandbegantobuck。Dorothyscreamedassheshotintotheair。

Stewart，asquickasthehorse，leapedforwardandcaughtDorothyinhisarms。Shehadslippedheaddownwardand，hadhenotcaughther，wouldhavehadaseriousfall。Stewart，handlingherasifshewereachild，turnedherrightsideuptosetheruponherfeet。Dorothyevidentlythoughtonlyofthespectacleshepresented，andmadestartledmotionstoreadjustherriding-habit。Itwasnotimetolaugh，thoughMadelinefeltasifshewantedto。Besides，itwasimpossibletobeanythingbutsoberwithStewartinviolentmood。ForhehadjumpedatDorothy\'sstubbornmount。Allcowboysweremastersofhorses。

Itwaswonderfultoseehimconquertheviciousanimal。Hewascruel，perhaps，yetitwasfromnecessity。When，presently，heledthehorsebacktoDorothyshemountedwithoutfurthertrouble。Meanwhile，NelsandNickhadliftedHelenintohersaddle。

"We\'lltakethesidetrail，"saidStewart，shortly，asheswunguponthebigblack。Thenheledtheway，andtheothercowboystrottedintherear。

Itwasonlyashortdistancetotherimofthemesa，andwhenMadelinesawthesteeptrail，narrowandchokedwithweatheredstone，shefeltthatherguestswouldcertainlyflinch。

"That\'sajollybadcourse，"observedCastleton。

Thewomenappearedtobespeechless。

Stewartcheckedhishorseatthedeepcutwherethetrailstarteddown。

"Boys，dropover，andgoslow，"hesaid，dismounting。"Flo，youfollow。Now，ladies，letyourhorseslooseandholdon。Leanforwardandhangtothepommel。Itlooksbad。Butthehorsesareusedtosuchtrails。"

HelenfollowedcloselyafterFlorence；Mrs。Beckwentnext，andthenEdithWayne。Dorothy\'shorsebalked。

"I\'mnotso——sofrightened，"saidDorothy。"Ifonlyhewouldbehave！"

Shebegantourgehimintothetrail，makinghimrear，whenStewartgraspedthebitandjerkedthehorsedown。

"Putyourfootinmystirrup，"saidStewart。"Wecan\'twastetime。"

Heliftedheruponhishorseandstartedhimdownovertherim。

"Goon，MissHammond。I\'llhavetoleadthisnagdown。It\'llsavetime。"

ThenMadelineattendedtothebusinessofgettingdownherself。

Itwasaloosetrail。Theweatheredslopesseemedtoslideunderthefeetofthehorses。Dust-cloudsformed；rocksrolledandrattleddown；cactusspikestoreathorseandrider。Mrs。Beckbrokeintolaughter，andtherewasanoteinitthatsuggestedhysteria。OnceortwiceDorothymurmuredplaintively。HalfthetimeMadelinecouldnotdistinguishthoseaheadthroughtheyellowdust。Itwasdryandmadehercough。Thehorsessnorted。

ShehearedStewartclosebehind，startinglittleavalanchesthatkeptrollingonMajesty\'sfetlocks。Shefearedhislegsmighthecutorbruised，forsomeofthestonescrackedbyandwentrattlingdowntheslope。AtlengththecloudsofdustthinnedandMadelinesawtheothersbeforeherrideoutuponalevel。Soonshewasdown，andStewartalso。

Heretherewasadelay，occasionedbyStewartchangingDorothyfromhishorsetoherown。ThisstruckMadelineasbeingsingular，andmadeherthoughtful。Infact，thealert，quietmannerofallthecowboyswasnotreassuring。AstheyresumedtherideitwasnoticeablethatNelsandNickwerefarinadvance，Montystayedfarintherear，andStewartrodewiththeparty。MadelineheardBoydHarveyaskStewartiflawlessnesssuchashehadmentionedwasnotunusual。Stewartrepliedthat，exceptforoccasionaldeedsofoutlawrysuchasmightbreakoutinanyisolatedsectionofthecountry，therehadbeenpeaceandquietalongtheborderforyears。ItwastheMexicanrevolutionthathadrevivedwildtimes，withalltheattendantraidsandholdupsandgun-packing。Madelineknewthattheywerereallybeingescortedhomeunderarmedguard。

Whentheyroundedtheheadofthemesa，bringingintoviewtheranch-houseandthevalley，MadelinesawdustorsmokehoveringoverahutupontheoutskirtsoftheMexicanquarters。Asthesunhadsetandthelightwasfading，shecouldnotdistinguishwhichitwas。ThenStewartsetafastpaceforthehouse。Inafewminutesthepartywasintheyard，readyandwillingtodismount。

Stillwellappeared，ostensiblycheerful，toocheerfultodeceiveMadeline。Shenotedalsothatanumberofarmedcowboyswerewalkingwiththeirhorsesjustbelowthehouse。

"Wal，you-allhadanicelittlerun，"Stillwellsaid，speakinggenerally。"Ireckontherewasn\'tmuchneedofit。PatHawethinkshe\'sgotsomeoutlawscorralledontheranch。Nothin\'atalltobefussedupabout。Stewart\'sthatparticularhewon\'thaveyoumeetin\'withanyrowdies。"

ManyandferventweretheexpressionsofrelieffromMadeline\'sfeminineguestsastheydismountedandwentintothehouse。

MadelinelingeredbehindtospeakwithStillwellandStewart。

"Now，Stillwell，outwithit，"shesaid，briefly。

Thecattlemanstared，andthenhelaughed，evidentlypleasedwithherkeenness。

"Wal，MissMajesty，there\'sgoin\'tobeafightsomewhere，an\'

Stewartwantedtogetyou-allinbeforeitcomeoff。Hesaysthevalley\'soverrunbyvaquerosan\'guerrillasan\'robbers，an\'Lordknowswhatelse。"

Hestampedofftheporch，hishugespursrattling，andstarteddownthepathtowardthewaitingmen。

Stewartstoodinhisfamiliarattentiveposition，erect，silent，withahandonpommelandbridle。

"Stewart，youareexceedingly——thoughtfulofmyinterests，"shesaid，wantingtothankhim，andnotreadilyfindingwords。"I

wouldnotknowwhattodowithoutyou。Istheredanger？"

"I\'mnotsure。ButIwanttobeonthesafeside。"

Shehesitated。Itwasnolongereasyforhertotalktohim，andshedidnotknowwhy。

"MayIknowthespecialordersyougaveNelsandNickandMonty？"

sheasked。

"WhosaidIgavethoseboysspecialorders？"

"IheardStillwelltellthemso。"

"OfcourseI\'lltellyouifyouinsist。Butwhyshouldyouworryoversomethingthat\'lllikelyneverhappen？"

"Iinsist，Stewart，"shereplied，quietly。

"Myorderswerethatatleastoneofthemmustbeonguardnearyoudayandnight——nevertobeoutofhearingofyourvoice。"

"Ithoughtasmuch。ButwhyNelsorMontyorNick？Thatseemsratherhardonthem。Forthatmatter，whyputanyonetokeepguardoverme？Doyounottrustanyotherofmycowboys？"

"I\'dtrusttheirhonesty，butnottheirability。"

"Ability？Ofwhatnature？"

"Withguns。"

"Stewart！"sheexclaimed。

"MissHammond，youhavebeenhavingsuchagoodtimeentertainingyourgueststhatyouforget。I\'mgladofthat。Iwishyouhadnotquestionedme。"

"Forgetwhat？"

"DonCarlosandhisguerrillas。"

"IndeedIhavenotforgotten。Stewart，youstillthinkDonCarlostriedtomakeoffwithme——maytryitagain？"

"Idon\'tthink。Iknow。"

"Andbesidesallyourotherdutiesyouhavesharedthewatchwiththesethreecowboys？"

"Yes。"

"Ithasbeengoingonwithoutmyknowledge？"

"Yes。"

"Sincewhen？"

"SinceIbroughtyoudownfromthemountainslastmonth。"

"Howlongisittocontinue？"

"That\'shardtosay。Tilltherevolutionisover，anyhow。"

Shemusedamoment，lookingawaytothewest，wherethegreatvoidwasfillingwithredhaze。Shebelievedimplicitlyinhim，andthemenacehoveringnearherfelllikeashadowuponherpresenthappiness。

"WhatmustIdo？"sheasked。

"IthinkyououghttosendyourfriendsbackEast——andgowiththem，untilthisguerrillawarisover。"

"Why，Stewart，theywouldbebroken-hearted，andsowouldI。"

Hehadnoreplyforthat。

"IfIdonottakeyouradviceitwillbethefirsttimesinceI

havecometolooktoyouforsomuch，"shewenton。"Cannotyousuggestsomethingelse？Myfriendsarehavingsuchasplendidvisit。Helenisgettingwell。Oh，Ishouldbesorrytoseethemgobeforetheywantto。"

"Wemighttakethemupintothemountainsandcampoutforawhile，"hesaid，presently。"Iknowawildplaceupamongthecrags。It\'sahardclimb，butworththework。Ineversawamorebeautifulspot。Finewater，anditwillbecool。Prettysoonit\'llbetoohothereforyourpartytogoout-of-doors。"

"Youmeantohidemeawayamongthecragsandclouds？"repliedMadeline，withalaugh。

"Well，it\'damounttothat。Yourfriendsneednotknow。Perhapsinafewweeksthisspelloftroubleontheborderwillbeovertillfall。"

"Yousayit\'sahardclimbuptothisplace？"

"Itsurelyis。Yourfriendswillgettherealthingiftheymakethattrip。"

"Thatsuitsme。Helenespeciallywantssomethingtohappen。Andtheyareallcrazyforexcitement。"

"They\'dgetitupthere。Badtrails，canonstohead，steepclimbs，wind-storms，thunderandlightning，rain，mountain-lionsandwildcats。"

"Verywell，Iamdecided。Stewart，ofcourseyouwilltakecharge？Idon\'tbelieveI——Stewart，isn\'ttheresomethingmoreyoucouldtellme——whyyouthink，whyyouknowmyownpersonallibertyisinperil？"

"Yes。Butdonotaskmewhatitis。IfIhadn\'tbeenarebelsoldierIwouldneverhaveknown。"

"Ifyouhadnotbeenarebelsoldier，wherewouldMadelineHammondbenow？"sheasked，earnestly。

Hemadenoreply。

"Stewart，"shecontinued，withwarmimpulse，"youoncementionedadebtyouowedme——"Andseeinghisdarkfacepale，shewavered，thenwenton。"Itispaid。"

"No，no，"heanswered，huskily。

"Yes。Iwillnothaveitotherwise。"

"No。Thatnevercanbepaid。"

Madelineheldoutherhand。

"Itispaid，Itellyou，"sherepeated。

Suddenlyhedrewbackfromtheoutstretchedwhitehandthatseemedtofascinatehim。

"I\'dkillamantotouchyourhand。ButIwon\'ttouchitonthetermsyouoffer。"

Hisunexpectedpassiondisconcertedher。

"Stewart，nomaneverbeforerefusedtoshakehandswithme，foranyreason。It——itisscarcelyflattering，"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。"Whywon\'tyou？BecauseyouthinkIofferitasmistresstoservant——ranchertocowboy？"

"No。"

"Thenwhy？Thedebtyouowedmeispaid。Icancelit。Sowhynotshakehandsuponit，asmendo？"

"Iwon\'t。That\'sall。"

"Ifearyouareungracious，whateveryourreason，"shereplied。

"Still，Imayofferitagainsomeday。Goodnight。"

Hesaidgoodnightandturned。Madelinewonderinglywatchedhimgodownthepathwithhishandontheblackhorse\'sneck。

Shewentintorestalittlebeforedressingfordinner，and，beingfatiguedfromtheday\'sridingandexcitement，shefellasleep。Whensheawokeitwastwilight。ShewonderedwhyherMexicanmaidhadnotcometoher，andsherangthebell。Themaiddidnotputinanappearance，norwasthereanyanswertothering。Thehouseseemedunusuallyquiet。Itwasabroodingsilence，whichpresentlybroketothesoundoffootstepsontheporch。MadelinerecognizedStillwell\'stread，thoughitappearedtobelightforhim。Thensheheardhimcallsoftlyinattheopendoorofheroffice。Thesuggestionofcautioninhisvoicesuitedthestrangenessofhiswalk。Withabodingsenseoftroubleshehurriedthroughtherooms。Hewasstandingoutsideherofficedoor。

"Stillwell！"sheexclaimed。

"Anybodywithyou？"heasked，inalowtone。

"No。"

"Pleasecomeoutontheporch，"headded。

Shecomplied，and，onceout，wasenabledtoseehim。Hisgraveface，palerthanshehadeverbeheldit，causedhertostretchanappealinghandtowardhim。Stillwellintercepteditandhelditinhisown。

"MissMajesty，I\'mamazin\'sorrytotellworrisomenews。"Hespokealmostinawhisper，cautiouslylookedabouthim，andseemedbothhurriedandmysterious。"Ifyou\'dheerdStewartcussyou\'dsureknowhowwehatetohevtotellyouthis。Butitcan\'tbeavoided。Thefactiswe\'reinabadfix。Ifyourguestsain\'tscaredoutoftheirskinsit\'llbeowin\'toyournervean\'howyoucarryoutStewart\'sorders。"

"Youcanrelyuponme，"repliedMadeline，firmly，thoughshetrembled。

"Wal，whatwe\'reupagainstisthis：thatgangofbanditsPatHawewaschasin\'——they\'rehidin\'inthehouse！"

"Inthehouse？"echoedMadeline，aghast。

"MissMajesty，it\'stheamazin\'truth，an\'shamedindeedamItoadmitit。Stewart——why，he\'swildwithragetothinkitcouldhevhappened。Yousee，itcouldn\'thevhappenedifIhedn\'tslopedtheboysofftothegol-lof-links，an\'ifStewarthedn\'tridoutonthemesaafterus。It\'smyfault。I\'vehedtoomuchfemininityaroundfermyoldhaid。Genecussedme——hecussedmesurescandalous。Butnowwe\'vegottofaceit——tofigger。"

"Doyoumeanthatagangofhuntedoutlaws——bandits——haveactuallytakenrefugesomewhereinmyhouse？"demandedMadeline。

"Isuredo。Seemspowerfulstrangetomewhyyoudidn\'tfindsomethin\'waswrong，seem\'allyourservantshevsloped。"

"Gone？Ah，Imissedmymaid！Iwonderedwhynolightswerelit。

Wheredidmyservantsgo？"

"DowntotheMexicanquarters，an\'scaredhalftodeath。Nowlisten。WhenStewartleftyouanhourorsoagohefolleredmedirecttowheremean\'theboyswastryin\'tokeepPatHawefromtearin\'theranchtopieces。Atthatwewashelpin\'Patallwecouldtofindthembandits。ButwhenStewartgottherehemadeadifference。Patwasnastybefore，butseein\'Stewartmadehimwuss。IreckonGenetoPatisthesameasredtoaGreaserbull。

Anyway，whenthesheriffsetfiretoanoldadobehutStewartcalledhiman\'calledhimhard。PatHawehedsixfellerswithhim，an\'fromallappearancesbandit-huntin\'wassomefiesta。

Therewasarow，an\'itlookedbadferalittle。ButGenewascool，an\'hecontrolledtheboys。ThenPatan\'histoughde-pootieswentonhuntin\'。Thathuntin\'，MissMajesty，peteredoutintowhatwasonlyafarce。IreckonPatcouldhevkeptonfoolin\'mean\'theboys，butassoonasStewartshoweduponthescene——wal，eitherPatgottoblunderin\'orelsewe-allshedourblinders。Anyway，thefactsstoodplain。PatHawewasn\'tlookin\'

hardferanybandits；hewasn\'tdaidsethuntin\'anythin\'，unlessitwastroubleferStewart。Finally，whenPat\'smenmadeferourstorehouse，wherewekeepammunition，grub，liquors，an\'sich，thenGenecalledahalt。An\'heorderedPatHaweofftheranch。

ItwashyarHawean\'Stewartlockedhorns。

An\'hyarthetruthcomeout。Therewasagangofbanditshidsomewheres，an\'atfustPatHawehedbeenpowerfulactivean\'

earnestinhishuntin\'。Butsudden-likehe\'dfetchedapecooliarchangeofheart。HehadbeensomeflusteredwithStewart\'seyesa-pryin\'intohismoves，an\'then，mebbetohidesomethin\'，mebbejestnat\'rul，hegotmad。Heholleredlaw。HepulleddownofftheshelfhisoldstockgrudgeonStewart，accusin\'himoveragainofthatGreasermurderlastfall。Stewartmadehimlooklikeafool——showedhimupasbein\'scaredofthebanditsorhevin\'somereasonferslopin\'offthetrail。Anyway，therowstartedallright，an\'butferNelsitmighthevamountedtoafight。Inthethickofit，whenStewartwasdrivin\'Patan\'hiscrowdofftheplace，oneofthemde-pootieslosthisheadan\'

wentferhisgun。Nelsthrowedhisgunan\'crippledthefeller\'sarm。Montyjumpedthenan\'throwedtwoforty-fives，an\'ferasecondorsoitlookedticklish。Butthebandit-hunterscrawled，an\'thenlitout。"

Stillwellpausedintherapiddeliveryofhisnarrative；hestillretainedMadeline\'shand，asifbythathemightcomforther。

"AfterPatleftweputourhaidstogether，"begantheoldcattleman，withalongrespiration。"Weroundedupaladwhohedseenadozenorsofellers——hewouldn\'ttotheywasGreasers——

breakin\'throughtheshrubberytothebackofthehouse。ThatwaswhileStewartwasridin\'outtothemesa。Thenthisladseenyourservantsallrunnin\'downthehilltowardthevillage。Now，heah\'sthewayGenefiggers。Theresurewassomedeviltrydownalongtherailroad，an\'PatHawetrailedbanditsuptotheranch。

Hehuntshardan\'thenalltooncthequits。StewartsaysPatHawewasn\'tscared，buthediscoveredsignsorsomethin\'，orgotwindinsomestrangewaythattherewasinthegangofbanditssomefellershedidn\'twanttoketch。Sabe？ThenGene，quicker\'naflash，springshisplanonme。He\'dgodowntoPadreMarcosan\'hevhimhelptofindoutallpossiblefromyourMexicanservants。Iwastohurryuphyaran\'tellyou——giveyouorders，MissMajesty。Ain\'tthatamazin\'strange？Wal，you\'retoassembleallyourguestsinthekitchen。Makeagrandbluffan\'

pretend，asyourhelphasleft，thatit\'llbegreatfunferyourgueststocookdinner。Thekitchenisthesafestroominthehouse。Whileyou\'rejoshin\'yourpartyalong，makin\'akindofpicnicoutofit，I\'llplacecowboysinthelongcorridor，an\'

alsooutsideinthecornerwherethekitchenjoinsontothemainhouse。It\'sprettysurethebanditsthinknoone\'swisetowherethey\'rehid。Stewartsaysthey\'reinthatendroomwherethealfalfais，an\'they\'llslopeinthenight。Ofcourse，withmean\'theboyswatchin\'，you-allwillbesafetogotobed。An\'

we\'retorouseyourguestsearlybeforedaylight，tohitthetrailupintothemountains。Tellthemtopackoutfitsbeforegoin\'tobed。Sayasyourservantshevsloped，youmightaswellgocampin\'withthecowboys。That\'sall。Ifwehevanyluckyour\'friends\'llneverknowthey\'vebeensittin\'onapowder-mine。"

"Stillwell，doyouadvisethattripupintothemountains？"askedMadeline。

"IreckonIdo，considerin\'everythin\'。Now，MissMajesty，I\'veusedupalotoftimeexplainin\'。You\'llsurekeepyournerve？"

"Yes，"Madelinereplied，andwassurprisedatherself。"BettertellFlorence。She\'llbeapowerofcomforttoyou。I\'mgoin\'

nowtofetchuptheboys。"

InsteadofreturningtoherroomMadelinewentthroughtheofficeintothelongcorridor。Itwasalmostasdarkasnight。Shefanciedshesawaslow-glidingfiguredarkerthanthesurroundinggloom；andsheentereduponthefulfilmentofherpartoftheplaninsomethingliketrepidation。Herfootstepswerenoiseless。Findingthedoortothekitchen，andgoingin，shestrucklights。Uponpassingoutagainshemadecertainshediscernedadarkshape，nowmotionless，crouchingalongthewall。

Butshemistrustedhervividimagination。Ittookallherboldnesstoenableherunconcernedlyandnaturallytostrikethecorridorlight。Thenshewentonthroughherownroomsandthenceintothepatio。

Herguestslaughinglyandgladlyenteredintothespiritoftheoccasion。Madelinefanciedherdeceitmusthavebeenperfect，seeingthatitdeceivedevenFlorence。Theytroopedmerrilyintothekitchen。Madeline，delayingatthedoor，tookasharpbutunobtrusiveglancedownthegreat，barnlikehall。Shesawnothingbutblankdarkspace。Suddenlyfromoneside，notaroddistant，protrudedapale，gleamingfacebreakingtheevenblackness。Instantlyitflashedbackoutofsight。YetthattimewaslongenoughforMadelinetoseeapairofglitteringeyes，andtorecognizethemasDonCarlos\'s。

Withoutbetrayingeitherhurryoralarm，sheclosedthedoor。Ithadaheavyboltwhichsheslowly，noiselesslyshot。Thenthecoldamazethathadallbutstunnedherintoinactionthrobbedintowrath。HowdaredthatMexicanstealintoherhome！Whatdidhemean？Washeoneofthebanditssupposedtobehiddeninherhouse？Shewasthinkingherselfintogreaterangerandexcitement，andprobablywouldhavebetrayedherselfhadnotFlorence，whohadevidentlyseenherboltthedoorandnowreadherthoughts，cometowardherwithabright，intent，questioninglook。Madelinecaughtherselfintime。

Thereuponshegaveeachofherguestsadutytoperform。LeadingFlorenceintothepantry，sheunburdenedherselfofthesecretinonebriefwhisper。Florence\'sreplywastopointoutofthelittleopenwindow，passingwhichwasafileofstealthilymovingcowboys。ThenMadelinelostbothangerandfear，retainingonlytheglowofexcitement。

Madelinecouldbegay，andsheinitiatedtheabandonmentofdignitybycallingCastletonintothepantry，and，whileinterestinghiminsomepretextorother，imprintingtheoutlinesofherflour-coveredhandsuponthebackofhisblackcoat。

Castletoninnocentlyreturnedtothekitchentobegreetedwitharoar。Thatsurprisingactofthehostesssetthepace，andtherefollowedamerry，noisytime。Everybodyhelped。Themiscellaneouscollectionofdishessoconfusinglycontrivedmadeupadinnerwhichtheyallheartilyenjoyed。Madelineenjoyeditherself，evenwiththefeelingofaswordhangingsuspendedoverher。

Thehourwaslatewhensherosefromthetableandtoldhergueststogototheirrooms，dontheirriding-clothes，packwhattheyneededforthelongandadventurouscampingtripthatshehopedwouldbetheclimaxoftheirWesternexperience，andtosnatchalittlesleepbeforethecowboysrousedthemfortheearlystart。

Madelinewentimmediatelytoherroom，andwasgettingouthercampingapparelwhenaknockinterruptedher。ShethoughtFlorencehadcometohelpherpack。Butthisknockwasuponthedooropeningoutintheporch。Itwasrepeated。

"Who\'sthere？"shequestioned。

"Stewart，"camethereply。

Sheopenedthedoor。Hestoodonthethreshold。Beyondhim，indistinctinthegloom，wereseveralcowboys。

"MayIspeaktoyou？"heasked。

"Certainly。"Shehesitatedamoment，thenaskedhiminandclosedthedoor。"Is——iseverythingallright？"

"No。Thesebanditssticktocoverprettyclose。Theymusthavefoundoutwe\'reonthewatch。ButI\'msurewe\'llgetyouandyourfriendsawaybeforeanythingstarts。IwantedtotellyouthatI\'vetalkedwithyourservants。Theywerejustscared。

They\'llcomebackto-morrow，soonasBillgetsridofthisgang。

Youneednotworryaboutthemoryourproperty。"

"Doyouhaveanyideawhoishidinginthehouse？"

"Iwasworriedsomeatfirst。PatHaweactedqueer。Iimaginedhe\'ddiscoveredhewastrailingbanditswhomightturnouttobehissmugglingguerrillacronies。Buttalkingwithyourservants，findingabunchofhorsesuponhiddendowninthemesquitebehindthepond——severalthingshavechangedmymind。Myideaisthatacowardlyhandfulofriffraffoutcastsfromtheborderhavehiddeninyourhouse，morebyaccidentthandesign。We\'llletthemgo——

getridofthemwithoutevenashot。IfIdidn\'tthinkso——well，I\'dbeconsiderablyworried。Itwouldmakeadifferentstateofaffairs。"

"Stewart，youarewrong，"shesaid。

Hestarted，buthisreplydidnotfollowswiftly。Theexpressionofhiseyesaltered。Presentlyhespoke：

"Howso？"

"Isawoneofthesebandits。Idistinctlyrecognizedhim。"

Onelongstepbroughthimclosetoher。

"Whowashe？"demandedStewart。

"DonCarlos。"

Hemutteredlowanddeep，thensaid，"Areyousure？"

"Absolutely。Isawhisfiguretwiceinthehall，thenhisfaceinthelight。Icouldnevermistakehiseyes。"

"Didheknowyousawhim？"

"Iamnotpositive，butIthinkso。Oh，hemusthaveknown！I

wasstandingfullinthelight。Ihadenteredthedoor，thenpurposelysteppedout。Hisfaceshowedfromaroundacorner，andswiftlyflashedoutofsight。"

MadelinewastremblinglyconsciousthatStewartunderwentatransformation。Shesawaswellasfelttheleapingpassionthatchangedhim。

"Callyourfriends——gettheminhere！"heordered，tersely，andwheeledtowardthedoor。

"Stewart，wait！"shesaid。

Heturned。Hiswhiteface，hisburningeyes，hispresencenowchargedwithdefinite，fearfulmeaning，influencedherstrangely，weakenedher。

"Whatwillyoudo？"sheasked。

"Thatneedn\'tconcernyou。Getyourpartyinhere。Barthewindowsandlockthedoors。You\'llbesafe。"

"Stewart！Tellmewhatyouintendtodo。"

"Iwon\'ttellyou，"hereplied，andturnedawayagain。

"ButIwillknow，"shesaid。Withahandonhisarmshedetainedhim。Shesawhowhehalted——felttheshockinhimasshetouchedhim。"Oh，Idoknow。Youmeantofight！"

"Well，MissHammond，isn\'titabouttime？"heasked。Evidentlyheovercameaviolentpassionforinstantaction。Therewasweariness，dignity，evenreproofinhisquestion。"ThefactofthatMexican\'spresencehereinyourhouseoughttoprovetoyouthenatureofthecase。Thesevaqueros，theseguerrillas，havefoundoutyouwon\'tstandforanyfightingonthepartofyourmen。DonCarlosisasneak，acoward，yethe\'snotafraidtohideinyourownhouse。Hehaslearnedyouwon\'tletyourcowboyshurtanybody。He\'stakingadvantageofit。He\'llrob，burn，andmakeoffwithyou。He\'llmurder，too，ifitfallshisway。TheseGreasersuseknivesinthedark。SoIask——isn\'titabouttimewestophim？"

"Stewart，Iforbidyoutofight，unlessinself-defense。I

forbidyou。"

"WhatImeantodoisself-defense。Haven\'tItriedtoexplaintoyouthatjustnowwe\'vewildtimesalongthisstretchofborder？MustItellyouagainthatDonCarlosishandandglovewiththerevolution？TherebelsarecrazytostiruptheUnitedStates。Youareawomanofprominence。DonCarloswouldmakeoffwithyou。Ifhegotyou，whatlittlemattertocrosstheborderwithyou！Well，wherewouldthehueandcrygo？Throughthetroopsalongtheborder！ToNewYork！ToWashington！Why，itwouldmeanwhattherebelsareworkingfor——UnitedStatesintervention。Inotherwords，war！"

"Oh，surelyyouexaggerate！"shecried。

"Maybeso。ButI\'mbeginningtoseetheDon\'sgame。And，MissHammond，I——It\'sawfulformetothinkwhatyou\'dsufferifDonCarlosgotyouovertheline。Iknowtheselow-casteMexicans。

I\'vebeenamongthepeons——theslaves。"

"Stewart，don\'tletDonCarlosgetme，"repliedMadeline，insweetdirectness。

Shesawhimshake，sawhisthroatswellasheswallowedhard，sawthehardfiercenessreturntohisface。

"Iwon\'t。That\'swhyI\'mgoingafterhim。"

"ButIforbadeyoutostartafightdeliberately。"

"ThenI\'llgoaheadandstartonewithoutyourpermission，"herepliedshortly，andagainhewheeled。

Thistime，whenMadelinecaughthisarmsheheldtoit，evenafterhestopped。

"No，"shesaid，imperiously。

Heshookoffherhandandstrodeforward。

"Pleasedon\'tgo！"shecalled，beseechingly。Buthekepton。

"Stewart！"

Sheranaheadofhim，interceptedhim，facedhimwithherbackagainstthedoor。Hesweptoutalongarmasiftobrushheraside。Butitwaveredandfell。Haggard，troubled，withworkingface，hestoodbeforeher。

"It\'sforyoursake，"heexpostulated。

"Ifitisformysake，thendowhatpleasesme。"

"Theseguerrillaswillknifesomebody。They\'llburnthehouse。

They\'llmakeoffwithyou。They\'lldosomethingbadunlesswestopthem。"

"Letusriskallthat，"sheimportuned。

"Butit\'saterriblerisk，anditoughtn\'tberun，"heexclaimed，passionately。"Iknowbesthere。Stillwellupholdsme。Letmeout，MissHammond。I\'mgoingtotaketheboysandgoaftertheseguerrillas。"

"No！"

"GoodHeavens！"exclaimedStewart。"Whynotletmego？It\'sthethingtodo。I\'msorrytodistressyouandyourguests。WhynotputanendtoDonCarlos\'sbadgering？Isitbecauseyou\'reafraidarumpuswillspoilyourfriends\'visit？"

"Itisn\'t——notthistime。"

"Thenit\'stheideaofalittleshootingattheseGreasers？"

"No。"

"You\'resicktothinkofalittleGreaserbloodstainingthehallsofyourhome？"

"No！"

"Well，then，whykeepmefromdoingwhatIknowisbest？"

"Stewart，I——I——"shefaltered，ingrowingagitation。"I\'mfrightened——confused。Allthisistoo——toomuchforme。I\'mnotacoward。Ifyouhavetofightyou\'llseeI\'mnotacoward。Butyourwayseemssoreckless——thathallissodark——theguerrillaswouldshootfrombehinddoors。You\'resowild，sodaring，you\'drushrightintoperil。Isthatnecessary？Ithink——Imean——I

don\'tknowjustwhyIfeelso——soaboutyoudoingit。ButI

believeit\'sbecauseI\'mafraidyou——youmightbehurt。"

"You\'reafraidI——Imightbehurt？"heechoed，wonderingly，thehardwhitenessofhisfacewarming，flushing，glowing。

"Yes。"

Thesingleword，withallitmightmean，withallitmightnotmean，softenedhimasifbymagic，madehimgentle，amazed，shyasaboy，stiflingunderatorrentofemotions。

Madelinethoughtshehadpersuadedhim——workedherwillwithhim。

Thenanotherofhisstartlinglysuddenmovestoldherthatshehadreckonedtooquickly。Thismovewastoputherfirmlyasidesohecouldpass；andMadeline，seeinghewouldnothesitatetoliftheroutoftheway，surrenderedthedoor。Heturnedonthethreshold。Hisfacewasstillworking，buttheflame-pointedgleamofhiseyesindicatedthereturnofthatcowboyruthlessness。

"I\'mgoingtodriveDonCarlosandhisgangoutofthehouse，"

declaredStewart。"IthinkImaypromiseyoutodoitwithoutafight。Butifittakesafight，offhegoes！"

XVTheMountainTrailAsStewartdepartedfromonedoorFlorenceknockeduponanother；

andMadeline，farshakenoutofherusualserenity，admittedthecoolWesterngirlwithmorethangladness。JusttohavehernearhelpedMadelinetogetbackherbalance。ShewasconsciousofFlorence\'ssharpscrutiny，thenofasweet，deliberatechangeofmanner。Florencemighthavebeenburningwithcuriositytoknowmoreaboutthebanditshiddeninthehouse，theplansofthecowboys，thereasonforMadeline\'ssuppressedemotion；butinsteadofaskingMadelinequestionssheintroducedtheimportantsubjectofwhattotakeonthecampingtrip。Foranhourtheydiscussedtheneedofthisandthatarticle，selectedthosethingsmostneedful，andthenpackedtheminMadeline\'sduffle-bags。

Thatdone，theydecidedtoliedown，fullydressedastheywereinriding-costume，andsleep，oratleastrest，thelittleremainingtimeleftbeforethecalltosaddle。Madelineturnedoutthelightand，peepingthroughherwindow，sawdarkformsstandingsentinel-likeinthegloom。Whenshelaydownsheheardsoftstepsonthepath。Thisfidelitytoherswelledherheart，whiletheneedofitpresagedthatfearfulsomethingwhich，sinceStewart\'spassionateappealtoher，hauntedherasinevitable。

Madelinedidnotexpecttosleep，yetshedidsleep，anditseemedtohavebeenonlyamomentuntilFlorencecalledher。ShefollowedFlorenceoutside。Itwasthedarkhourbeforedawn。

Shecoulddiscernsaddledhorsesbeingheldbycowboys。Therewasanairofhurryandmysteryaboutthedeparture。Helen，whocametip-toeingoutwithMadeline\'sotherguests，whisperedthatitwaslikeanescape。Shewasdelighted。Theotherswereamused。ToMadelineitwasindeedanescape。

InthedarknessMadelinecouldnotseehowmanyescortsherpartywastohave。Sheheardlowvoices，thechampingofbitsandthumpingofhoofs，andsherecognizedStewartwhenheledupMajestyforhertomount。Thencameapatteringofsoftfeetandthewhiningofdogs。Coldnosestouchedherhands，andshesawthelong，gray，shaggyshapesofherpackofRussianwolf-hounds。

ThatStewartmeanttoletthemgowithherwasindicativeofhowhestudiedherpleasure。Shelovedtobeoutwiththehoundsandherhorse。

StewartledMajestyoutintothedarknesspastalineofmountedhorses。

"Guesswe\'reready？"hesaid。"I\'llmakethecount。"Hewentbackalongtheline，andonthereturnMadelineheardhimsayseveraltimes，"Now，everybodyrideclosetothehorseinfront，andkeepquiettilldaylight。"ThenthesnortingandpoundingofthebigblackhorseinfrontofhertoldMadelinethatStewarthadmounted。

"Allright，we\'reoff，"hecalled。

MadelineliftedMajesty\'sbridleandlettheroango。Therewasacrackandcrunchofgravel，firestruckfromstone，alowwhinny，asnort，andthensteady，short，clip-clopofironhoofsonhardground。MadelinecouldjustdiscernStewartandhisblackoutlinedinshadowygraybeforeher。Yettheywerealmostwithintouchingdistance。Onceortwiceoneofthehugestag-houndsleapedupatherandwhinedjoyously。Athickbeltofdarknesslaylow，andseemedtothinoutabovetoagrayfog，throughwhichafewwanstarsshowed。Itwasaltogetheranunusualdeparturefromtheranch；andMadeline，alwayssusceptibleeventoordinaryincidentthatpromisedwell，nowfoundherselfthrillinglysensitivetothesoftbeatofhoofs，thefeelofcool，moistair，thedimsightofStewart\'sdarkfigure。Thecaution，theearlystartbeforedawn，theenforcedsilence——theselenttheoccasionallthatwasneedfultomakeitstirring。

Majestyplungedintoagully，wheresandandroughgoingmadeMadelinestopromancingtoattendtoriding。InthedarknessStewartwasnotsoeasytokeepclosetoevenonsmoothtrails，andnowshehadtobewatchfullyattentivetodoit。Thenfollowedalongmarchthroughdraggingsand。Meantimetheblacknessgraduallychangedtogray。AtlengthMajestyclimbedoutofthewash，andoncemorehisironshoesrangonstone。Hebegantoclimb。ThefigureofStewartandhishorseloomedmoredistinctlyinMadeline\'ssight。Bendingover，shetriedtoseethetrail，butcouldnot。ShewonderedhowStewartcouldfollowatrailinthedark。Hiseyesmustbeaspiercingastheysometimeslooked。OverhershoulderMadelinecouldnotseethehorsebehindher，butsheheardhim。

AsMajestyclimbedsteadilyMadelinesawthegraydarknessgrowopaque，changeandlighten，loseitssubstance，andyieldthegrotesqueshapesofyuccaandocotillo。Dawnwasabouttobreak。

Madelineimaginedshewasfacingeast，stillshesawnobrighteningofsky。Allatonce，tohersurprise，Stewartandhispowerfulhorsestoodclearinhersight。Shesawthecharacteristicrockandcactusandbrushthatcoveredthefoothills。Thetrailwasoldandseldomused，anditzigzaggedandturnedandtwisted。Lookingback，shesawtheshort，squatfigureofMontyPricehumpedoverhissaddle。Monty\'sfacewashiddenunderhissombrero。BehindhimrodeDorothyCoombs，andnextloomeduptheloftyformofNickSteele。Madelineandthemembersofherpartywereridingbetweencowboyescorts。

Brightdaylightcame，andMadelinesawthetrailwasleadingupthroughfoothills。Itledinaround-aboutwaythroughshallowgulliesfullofstoneandbrushwasheddownbyfloods。AteveryturnnowMadelineexpectedtocomeuponwaterandthewaitingpack-train。Buttimepassed，andmilesofclimbing，andnowaterorhorsesweremet。ExpectationinMadelinegaveplacetodesire；shewashungry。

PresentlyStewart\'shorsewentsplashingintoashallowpool。

Beyondthatdampplacesinthesandshowedhereandthere，andagainmorewaterinrockypockets。Stewartkepton。Itwaseighto\'clockbyMadeline\'swatchwhen，uponturningintoawidehollow，shesawhorsesgrazingonsparegrass，agreatpileofcanvas-coveredbundles，andafireroundwhichcowboysandtwoMexicanwomenwerebusy。

Madelinesatherhorseandreviewedherfollowersastheyrodeupsinglefile。Herguestswereinmerrymood，andtheyalltalkedatonce。

"Breakfast——andrustle，"calledoutStewart，withoutceremony。

"Noneedtotellmetorustle，"saidHelen。"Iamsimplyravenous。Thisairmakesmehungry。"

Forthatmatter，MadelineobservedHelendidnotshowanymarkedcontrasttotheothers。Thehurryorder，however，didnotinterferewiththemealbeingsomewhatinthenatureofapicnic。

Whiletheyateandtalkedandlaughedthecowboyswerepackinghorsesandburrosandthrowingthediamond-hitch，aproceduresointerestingtoCastletonthathegotupwithcoffee-cupinhandandtrampedfromoneplacetoanother。

"Heardofthatdiamond-hitch-up，"heobservedtoacowboy。

"Ballynicelittlejob！"

Assoonasthepack-trainwasinreadinessStewartstarteditoffintheleadtobreaktrail。Aheavygrowthofshrubinterspersedwithrockandcactuscoveredtheslopes；andnowallthetrailappearedtobeuphill。ItwasnotaquestionofcomfortforMadelineandherparty，forcomfortwasimpossible；itwasamatterofmakingthetravelpossibleforhim。Florenceworecorduroybreechesandhigh-topboots，andtheadvantageofthismasculinegarbwasatonceinevidence。Theriding-habitsoftheotherladiessufferedconsiderablyfromthesharpspikes。IttookallMadeline\'swatchfulnesstosaveherhorse\'slegs，topickthebestbitsofopenground，tomakecut-offsfromthetrail，andtoprotectherselffromoutreachingthornybranches，sothatthetimespedbywithoutherknowingit。Thepack-trainforgedahead，andthetrailingcouplesgrewfartherapart。Atnoontheygotoutofthefoothillstofacetherealascentofthemountains。Thesunbeatdownhot。Therewaslittlebreeze，andthedustrosethickandhunginapall。Theviewwasrestricted，andwhatscenerylayopentotheeyewasdrearyanddrab，abarrenmonotonyofslow-mountingslopesridgedbyrockycanons。

OnceStewartwaitedforMadeline，andasshecameuphesaid：

"We\'regoingtohaveastorm。"

"Thatwillbearelief。It\'ssohotanddusty，"repliedMadeline。

"ShallIcallahaltandmakecamp？"

"Here？Ohno！Whatdoyouthinkbest？"

"Well，ifwehaveagoodhealthythunder-stormitwillbesomethingnewforyourfriends。Ithinkwe\'dbewisetokeeponthego。There\'snoplacetomakeagoodcamp。Thewindwouldblowusoffthisslopeiftheraindidn\'twashusoff。It\'lltakeall-daytraveltoreachagoodcamp-site，andIdon\'tpromisethat。We\'remakingslowtime。Ifitrains，letitrain。

Thepackoutfitiswellcovered。Wewillhavetogetwet。"

"Surely，"repliedMadeline；andshesmiledathisinference。Sheknewwhatastormwasinthatcountry，andherguestshadyettoexperienceone。"Ifitrains，letitrain。"

Stewartrodeon，andMadelinefollowed。Uptheslopetoiledandnoddedthepack-animals，thelittleburrosgoingeasilywherethehorseslabored。Theirpacks，likethehumpsofcamels，bobbedfromsidetoside。Stonesrattleddown；theheat-waveswaveredblack；thedustpuffedupandsailed。Theskywasapaleblue，likeheatedsteel，exceptwheredarkcloudspeepedoverthemountaincrests。Aheavy，sultryatmospheremadebreathingdifficult。Downtheslopethetrailingpartystretchedoutintwosandthrees，anditwaseasytodistinguishthewearyriders。

HalfamilefartherupMadelinecouldseeoverthefoothillstothenorthandwestandalittlesouth，andsheforgottheheatandwearinessanddiscomfortforherguestsinwide，unlimitedprospectsofsun-scorchedearth。Shemarkedthegrayvalleyandtheblackmountainsandthewide，redgatewayofthedesert，andthedim，shadowypeaks，blueastheskytheypierced。Shewassorrywhenthebleak，gnarledcedar-treesshutoffherview。

Thentherecamearespitefromthesteepclimb，andthewayledinawindingcoursethroughamatted，storm-wrenchedforestofstuntedtrees。Evenuptothiselevationthedesertreachedwithitsgaunthand。Thecloudsoverspreadingthesky，hidingthesun，madeawelcomechange。Thepack-trainrested，andStewartandMadelinewaitedforthepartytocomeup。HerehebrieflyexplainedtoherthatDonCarlosandhisbanditshadlefttheranchsometimeinthenight。Thunderrumbledinthedistance，andafaintwindrustledthescantfoliageofthecedars。Theairgrewoppressive；thehorsespanted。

"Sureit\'llbeahummer，"saidStewart。"Thefirststormalmostalwaysisbad。Icanfeelitintheair。"

Theair，indeed，seemedtobechargedwithaheavyforcethatwaswaitingtobeliberated。

Onebyonethecouplesmountedtothecedarforest，andthefemininecontingentdeclaimedeloquentlyforrest。Buttherewastobenopermanentrestuntilnightandthenthatdependeduponreachingthecrags。Thepack-trainwaggedonward，andStewartfellinbehind。Thestorm-centergatheredslowlyaroundthepeaks；lowrumbleandhowlofthunderincreasedinfrequence；

slowlythelightshadedassmokycloudsrolledup；theairgrewsultrier，andtheexasperatingbreezepuffedafewtimesandthenfailed。

Anhourlaterthepartyhadclimbedhighandwasroundingthesideofagreatbareridgethatlonghadhiddenthecrags。Thelastburroofthepack-trainploddedovertheridgeoutofMadeline\'ssight。Shelookedbackwarddowntheslope，amusedtoseeherguestschangewearilyfromsidetosideintheirsaddles。

Farbelowlaythecedarflatandthefoothills。Fartothewesttheskywasstillclear，withshaftsofsunlightshootingdownfrombehindtheencroachingclouds。

Stewartreachedthesummitoftheridgeand，thoughonlyafewrodsahead，hewavedtoher，sweepinghishandroundtowhathesawbeyond。Itwasanimpressivegesture，andMadeline，neverhavingclimbedashighasthis，anticipatedmuch。

Majestysurmountedthelastfewstepsand，snorting，haltedbesideStewart\'sblack。ToMadelinethescenewasasiftheworldhadchanged。Theridgewasamountain-top。Itdroppedbeforeherintoablack，stone-ridged，shrub-patched，many-canonedgulf。Eastward，beyondthegulf，round，baremountain-headsloomedup。Upward，ontheright，ledgiantstepsofcliffandbenchandweatheredslopetothefir-borderedandpine-fringedcragsstandingdarkandbareagainstthestormysky。

Massedinkycloudswerepilingacrossthepeaks，obscuringthehighestones。Aforkofwhitelightningflashed，and，liketheboomingofanavalanche，thunderfollowed。

Thatboldworldofbrokenrockundertheslowmusteringofstorm-cloudswasagrim，awe-inspiringspectacle。Ithadbeauty，butbeautyofthesublimeandmajestickind。Thefiercedeserthadreacheduptomeetthemagneticheightswhereheatandwindandfrostandlightningandfloodcontendedineverlastingstrife。Andbeforetheironslaughtthismightyupflungworldofruggedstonewascrumbling，splitting，wearingtoruin。

MadelineglancedatStewart。Hehadforgottenherpresence。

Immovableasstone，hesathishorse，dark-faced，dark-eyed，and，likeanIndianunconsciousofthought，hewatchedandwatched。

Toseehimthus，todivinethestrangeaffinitybetweenthesoulofthisman，becomeprimitive，andthesavageenvironmentthathaddevelopedhim，werepowerfulhelpstoMadelineHammondinherstrangedesiretounderstandhisnature。

Acrackingofiron-shodhoofsbehindherbrokethespell。Montyhadreachedthesummit。

"Gene，whatitwon\'tallbedoin\'inaminnutMoseshisselfcouldn\'ttell，"observedMonty。

ThenDorothyclimbedtohissideandlooked。

"Oh，isn\'titjustperfectlylovely！"sheexclaimed。"ButIwishitwouldn\'tstorm。We\'llallgetwet。"

OncemoreStewartfacedtheascent，keepingtotheslowheaveoftheridgeasitrosesouthwardtowardtheloomingspiresofrock。

Soonhewasoffsmoothground，andMadeline，somerodsbehindhim，lookedbackwithconcernatherfriends。Heretherealtoil，therealclimbbegan，andamountainstormwasabouttoburstinallitsfury。