第9章

"PadreJuantooktheflowersandlefthishome，promisingtoreturn，andhetravelednorthwardoverthehotanddustydesert，throughthemountainpasses，toanewcountrywherefierceandwarlikeIndiansmenacedhislife。Hewasgentleandgood，andofapersuasivespeech。Moreover，hewasyoungandhandsomeofperson。TheIndianswereApaches，andamongthemhebecameamissionary，whilealwayshewassearchingfortheflowersofgold。Heheardofgoldlyinginpebblesuponthemountainslopes，butheneverfoundany。AfewoftheApachesheconverted；themostofthem，however，werepronetobehostiletohimandhisreligion。ButPadreJuanprayedandworkedon。

"TherecameatimewhentheoldApachechief，imaginingthepadrehaddesignsuponhisinfluencewiththetribe，soughttoputhimtodeathbyfire。Thechief\'sdaughter，abeautiful，dark-eyedmaiden，secretlylovedJuanandbelievedinhismission，andsheintercededforhislifeandsavedhim。Juanfellinlovewithher。Onedayshecametohimwearinggoldenflowersinherdarkhair，andasthewindblewtheflowersagoldendustblewuponit。Juanaskedherwheretofindsuchflowers，andshetoldhimthatuponacertaindayshewouldtakehimtothemountaintolookforthem。Anduponthedaysheleduptothemountain-topfromwhichtheycouldseebeautifulvalleysandgreattreesandcoolwaters。Thereatthetopofawonderfulslopethatlookeddownupontheworld，sheshowedJuantheflowers。AndJuanfoundgoldinsuchabundancethathethoughthewouldgooutofhismind。Dustofgold！Grainsofgold！Pebblesofgold！Rocksofgold！Hewasrichbeyondalldreams。HerememberedtheVirginandherwords。Hemustreturntohispeopleandbuildtheirchurch，andthegreatcitythatwouldbearhisname。

"ButJuantarried。Alwayshewasgoingmanana。Helovedthedark-eyedApachegirlsowellthathecouldnotleaveher。HehatedhimselfforhisinfidelitytohisVirgin，tohispeople。

Hewasweakandfalse，asinner。Buthecouldnotgo，andhegavehimselfuptoloveoftheIndianmaiden。

"TheoldApachechiefdiscoveredthesecretloveofhisdaughterandthepadre。And，fierceinhisanger，hetookherupintothemountainsandburnedheraliveandcastherashesuponthewind。

HedidnotkillPadreJuan。Hewastoowise，andperhapstoocruel，forhesawthestrengthofJuan\'slove。Besides，manyofhistribehadlearnedmuchfromtheSpaniard。

"PadreJuanfellintodespair。Hehadnodesiretolive。Hefadedandwastedaway。ButbeforehediedhewenttotheoldIndianswhohadburnedthemaiden，andhebeggedthem，whenhewasdead，toburnhisbodyandtocasthisashestothewindfromthatwonderfulslope，wheretheywouldblowawaytomingleforeverwiththoseofhisIndiansweetheart。

"TheIndianspromised，andwhenPadreJuandiedtheyburnedhisbodyandtookhisashestothemountainheightsandcastthemtothewind，wheretheydriftedandfelltomixwiththeashesoftheIndiangirlhehadloved。

"Yearspassed。MorepadrestraveledacrossthedeserttothehomeoftheApaches，andtheyheardthestoryofJuan。AmongtheirnumberwasapadrewhoinhisyouthhadbeenoneofJuan\'speople。HesetforthtofindJuan\'sgrave，wherehebelievedhewouldalsofindthegold。Andhecamebackwithpebblesofgoldandflowersthatshedagoldendust，andhetoldawonderfulstory。Hehadclimbedandclimbedintothemountains，andhehadcometoawonderfulslopeunderthecrags。Thatslopewasyellowwithgoldenflowers。Whenhetouchedthemgoldenashesdriftedfromthemandblewdownamongtherocks。Therethepadrefounddustofgold，grainsofgold，pebblesofgold，rocksofgold。

"Thenallthepadreswentintothemountains。Butthediscovereroftheminelosthisway。Theysearchedandsearcheduntiltheywereoldandgray，butneverfoundthewonderfulslopeandflowersthatmarkedthegraveandthemineofPadreJuan。

"Inthesucceedingyearsthestorywashandeddownfromfathertoson。ButofthemanywhohuntedforthelostmineofthepadrestherewasneveraMexicanoranApache。FortheApachethemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofanIndianmaidenwhohadbeenfalsetohertribeandforeveraccursed。FortheMexicanthemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofthefalsepadrewhorolledstonesupontheheadsofthoseadventurerswhosoughttofindhisgraveandhisaccursedgold。"

XVIIIBonitaFlorence\'sstoryofthelostminefiredMadeline\'sguestswiththefeverforgold-hunting。Butaftertheyhadtrieditafewtimesandtheglamourofthethingworeofftheygaveupandremainedincamp。Havingexhaustedalltheresourcesofthemountain，suchthathadinterestforthem，theysettledquietlydownforarest，whichMadelineknewwouldsoonendinadesireforcivilizedcomforts。Theywerealmosttiredofroughingit。

Helen\'sdiscontentmanifesteditselfinherremark，"Iguessnothingisgoingtohappen，afterall。"

Madelineawaitedtheirpleasureinregardtothebreakingofcamp；andmeanwhile，asnoneofthemcaredformoreexertion，shetookherwalkswithoutthem，sometimesaccompaniedbyoneofthecowboys，alwaysbythestag-hounds。Thesewalksfurnishedherexceedingpleasure。And，nowthatthecowboyswouldtalktoherwithoutreserve，shegrewfonderoflisteningtotheirsimplestories。Themoresheknewofthemthemoreshedoubtedthewisdomofshut-inlives。CompanionshipwithNelsandmostofthecowboyswasinitseffectlikethatoftheruggedpinesandcragsandtheuntaintedwind。Humor，theirpredominanttraitwhenapersongrewtoknowthem，savedMadelinefromfindingtheirhardnesstrying。Theyweredreamers，asallmenwholivedlonelylivesinthewildsweredreamers。

Thecowboysallhadsecrets。Madelinelearnedsomeofthem。Shemarveledmostatthestrangewayinwhichtheyhidemotions，exceptofviolenceofmirthandtempersoeasilyaroused。Itwasallthemoreremarkableinviewofthefactthattheyfeltintenselyoverlittlethingstowhichmenoftheworldwereblindanddead。Madelinehadtobelievethatahardandperilouslifeinabarrenandwildcountrydevelopedgreatprinciplesinmen。

Livingclosetoearth，underthecold，bleakpeaks，onthedust-veileddesert，mengrewlikethenaturethatdevelopedthem——

hard，fierce，terrible，perhaps，butbig——bigwithelementalforce。

Butoneday，whileoutwalkingalone，beforesherealizeditshehadgonealongwaydownadimtrailwindingamongtherocks。Itwasthemiddleofasummerafternoon，andallaboutherwereshadowsofthecragscrossingthesunlitpatches。Thequietwasundisturbed。Shewentonandon，notblindtothefactthatshewasperhapsgoingtoofarfromcamp，butriskingitbecauseshewassureofherwayback，andenjoyingthewild，craggyrecessesthatwerenewtoher。Finallyshecameoutuponabankthatbrokeabruptlyintoabeautifullittleglade。Hereshesatdowntorestbeforeundertakingthereturntrip。

SuddenlyRuss，thekeenerofthestag-hounds，raisedhisheadandgrowled。Madelinefearedhemighthavescentedamountain-lionorwildcat。Shequietedhimandcarefullylookedaround。Toeachsidewasanirregularlineofmassiveblocksofstonethathadweatheredfromthecrags。Thelittlegladewasopenandgrassy，withhereapine-tree，thereaboulder。Theoutletseemedtogodownintoawildernessofcanonsandridges。Lookinginthisdirection，Madelinesawtheslight，darkfigureofawomancomingstealthilyalongunderthepines。Madelinewasamazed，thenalittlefrightened，forthatstealthywalkfromtreetotreewassuggestiveofsecrecy，ifnothingworse。

Presentlythewomanwasjoinedbyatallmanwhocarriedapackage，whichhegavetoher。Theycameonupthegladeandappearedtobetalkingearnestly。InanothermomentMadelinerecognizedStewart。Shehadnogreaterfeelingofsurprisethanhadatfirstbeenhers。Butforthenextmomentshescarcelythoughtatall——merelywatchedthecoupleapproaching。InaflashcamebackherformercuriosityastoStewart\'sstrangeabsencesfromcamp，andthenwiththereturnofherdoubtofhimtherecognitionofthewoman。Thesmall，darkhead，thebrownface，thebigeyes——Madelinenowsawdistinctly——belongedtotheMexicangirlBonita。Stewarthadmetherthere。Thiswasthesecretofhislonelytrips，takeneversincehehadcometoworkforMadeline。Thissecludedgladewasarendezvous。Hehadherhiddenthere。

QuietlyMadelinearose，withagesturetothedogs，andwentbackalongthetrailtowardcamp。SucceedinghersurprisewasafeelingofsorrowthatStewart\'sregenerationhadnotbeencomplete。Sorrowgaveplacetoinsufferabledistrustthatwhileshehadbeenromancingaboutthiscowboy，dreamingofhergoodinfluenceoverhim，hehadbeenmerelybase。Somehowitstungher。Stewarthadbeennothingtoher，shethought，yetshehadbeenproudofhim。Shetriedtorevolvethething，tobefairtohim，wheneveryinstinctivetendencywastoexpelhim，andallpertainingtohim，fromherthoughts。Andhereffortatsympathy，atextenuation，failedutterlybeforeherpride。

Exertingherwill-power，shedismissedStewartfromhermind。

Madelinedidnotthinkofhimagaintilllatethatafternoon，when，asshewasleavinghertenttojoinseveralofherguests，Stewartappearedsuddenlyinherpath。

"MissHammond，Isawyourtracksdownthetrail，"hebegan，eagerly，buthistonewaseasyandnatural。"I\'mthinking——well，maybeyousuregottheidea——"

"Idonotwishforanexplanation，"interruptedMadeline。

Stewartgaveaslightstart。Hismannerhadasemblanceoftheold，coolaudacity。Ashelookeddownatheritsubtlychanged。

Whateffrontery，Madelinethought，tofaceherbeforeherguestswithanexplanationofhisconduct！Suddenlyshefeltaninwardflashoffirethatwaspain，sostrange，soincomprehensible，thathermindwhirled。Thenangerpossessedher，notatStewart，butatherself，thatanythingcouldrouseinherarawemotion。

Shestoodthere，outwardlycold，serene，withlevel，haughtyeyesuponStewart；butinwardlyshewasburningwithrageandshame。

"I\'msurenotgoingtohaveyouthink——"Hebeganpassionately，buthebrokeoff，andaslow，dullcrimsonblottedoverthehealthyred-brownofhisneckandcheeks。

"Whatyoudoorthink，Stewart，isnoconcernofmine。"

"Miss——MissHammond！Youdon\'tbelieve——"falteredStewart。

Thecrimsonrecededfromhisface，leavingitpale。Hiseyeswereappealing。TheyhadakindoftimidlookthatstruckMadelineeveninheranger。Therewassomethingboyishabouthimthen。

Hetookastepforwardandreachedoutwithhishandopen-palmedinagesturethatwashumble，yetheldacertaindignity。

"Butlisten。Nevermindnowwhatyou——youthinkaboutme。

There\'sagoodreason——"

"Ihavenowishtohearyourreason。"

"Butyououghtto，"hepersisted。

"Sir！\'\'

Stewartunderwentanotherswiftchange。Hestartedviolently。A

darktideshadedhisfaceandaglitterleapedtohiseyes。Hetooktwolongstrides——loomedoverher。

"I\'mnotthinkingaboutmyself，"hethundered。"Willyoulisten？"

"No，"shereplied；andtherewasfreezinghauteurinhervoice。

Withaslightgestureofdismissal，unmistakableinitsfinality，sheturnedherbackuponhim。Thenshejoinedherguests。

Stewartstoodperfectlymotionless。Thenslowlyhebegantolifthisrighthandinwhichheheldhissombrero。Hesweptitupanduphighoverhishead。Histallformtowered。Withfiercesuddennessheflunghissombrerodown。Heleapedathisblackhorseanddraggedhimtowherehissaddlelay。Withonepitchhetossedthesaddleuponthehorse\'sback。Hisstronghandsflashedatgirthsandstraps。Everyactionwasswift，decisive，fierce。Boundingforhisbridle，whichhungoverabush，heranagainstacowboywhoawkwardlytriedtoavoidtheonslaught。

"Getoutofmyway！"heyelled。

Thenwiththesamesavagehasteheadjustedthebridleonhishorse。

"Mebbeyoubetterholdonaminnit，Gene，olefeller，"saidMontyPrice。

"Monty，doyouwantmetobrainyou？"saidStewart，withtheshort，hardringinhisvoice。

"Now，considerin\'thehighclassofmybrains，Ioughterberealcarefultokeep\'em，"repliedMonty。"Youcanbetcherlife，Gene，Iain\'tgoin\'togitinfrontofyou。ButIjestsays——

Listen！"

Stewartraisedhisdarkface。Everybodylistened。Andeverybodyheardtherapidbeatofahorse\'shoofs。Thesunhadset，buttheparkwaslight。Nelsappeareddownthetrail，andhishorsewasrunning。Inanothermomenthewasinthecircle，pullinghisbaybacktoaslidinghalt。HeleapedoffabreastofStewart。

MadelinesawandfeltadifferenceinNels\'spresence。

"What\'sup，Gene？"hequeried，sharply。

"I\'mleavingcamp，"repliedStewart，thickly。HisblackhorsebegantostampasStewartgraspedbridleandmaneandkickedthestirrupround。

Nels\'slongarmshotout，andhishandfelluponStewart，holdinghimdown。

"ShoreI\'msorry，"saidNels，slowly。"Thenyouwasgoin\'tohitthetrail？"

"Iamgoingto。Letgo，Nels。"

"Shoreyouain\'tgoin\'，Gene？"

"Letgo，damnyou！"criedStewart，ashewrestledfree。

"What\'swrong？"askedNels，liftinghishandagain。

"Man！Don\'ttouchme！"

Nelssteppedbackinstantly。HeseemedtobecomeawareofStewart\'swhite，wildpassion。AgainStewartmovedtomount。

"Nels，don\'tmakemeforgetwe\'vebeenfriends，"hesaid。

"ShoreIain\'tfergettin\'，"repliedNels。"An\'Iresignmyjobrightherean\'now！"

Hisstrangespeechcheckedthemountingcowboy。Stewartsteppeddownfromthestirrup。Thentheirhardfaceswerestillandcoldwhiletheireyeslockedglances。

MadelinewasasmuchstartledbyNels\'sspeechasStewart。Quicktonoteachangeinthesemen，shenowsensedonethatwasunfathomable。

"Resign？"questionedStewart。

"Shore。What\'dyouthinkI\'ddoundercircumstancessichashascomeup？"

"Butseehere，Nels，Iwon\'tstandforit。"

"You\'renotmybossnomore，an\'Iain\'tbeholdin\'toMissHammond，neither。I\'mmyownboss，an\'I\'lldoasIplease。

Sabe，senor？"

Nels\'swordswereatvariancewiththemeaninginhisface。

"Gene，yousentmeonalittlescoutdowninthemountains，didn\'tyou？"hecontinued。

"Yes，Idid，"repliedStewart，withanewsharpnessinhisvoice。

"Wal，shoreyouwassogoodan\'rightinyourfiggerin\'，asopposedtomine，thatI\'msickwithadmirin\'ofyou。Ifyouhedn\'tsentme——wal，I\'mreckonin\'somethin\'mighthevhappened。

Asitiswe\'reshoreupagainstahellofaproposition！"

Howsignificantwastheeffectofhiswordsuponallthecowboys！

Stewartmadeafierceandviolentmotion，terriblewherehisothermotionshadbeenbutpassionate。Montyleapedstraightupintotheairinasingularactionassuggestiveofsurpriseasitwasofwildacceptanceofmenace。LikeastalkinggiantNickSteelestrodeovertoNelsandStewart。Theothercowboysrosesilently，withoutaword。

Madelineandherguests，inalittlegroup，watchedandlistened，unabletodivinewhatallthisstrangetalkandactionmeant。

"Holdon，Nels，theydon\'tneedtohearit，"saidStewart，hoarsely，ashewavedahandtowardMadeline\'ssilentgroup。

"Wal，I\'msorry，butIreckonthey\'daswellknowfustaslast。

Mebbethetyearnin\'wishofMissHelen\'sfersomethin\'tohappenwillcometrue。ShoreI——"

"Cutoutthejoshin\'，"rangoutMonty\'sstridentvoice。

Ithadasdecidedaneffectasanyprecedingwordsoraction。

Perhapsitwasthelastthingneededtotransformthesemen，doingunaccustomeddutyasescortsofbeautifulwomen，totheirnaturalstateasmenofthewild。

"Telluswhat\'swhat，"saidStewart，coolandgrim。"DonCarlosan\'hisguerrillasarecampin\'onthetrailsthetleaduphere。

They\'vegotthemtrailsblocked。Byto-morrerthey\'dheduscorralled。Mebbetheymeanttosurpriseus。He\'sgotalotofGreasersan\'outlaws。They\'rewellarmed。Nowwhatdotheymean？

You-allcanfiggeritouttosuityourselves。MebbetheDonwantstopayasociablecallonourladies。Mebbehisgangissomehungry，asusual。Mebbetheywanttostealafewhosses，oranythin\'theycanlayhandson。Mebbetheymeanwuss，too。Nowmyideeisthis，an\'mebbeit\'swrong。IlongsinceseparatedfromlovewithGreasers。Thetblack-facedDonCarloshasgotadeepgame。Thettwo-bitofarevolutionishevin\'hardtimes。

TherebelswantAmericanintervention。They\'dstretchanypointtomaketrouble。We\'reonlytenmilesfromtheborder。Supposethemguerrillasgotourcrowdacrossthetborder？TheU。S。

cavalrywouldfoller。You-allknowwhatthet\'dmean。MebbeDonCarlos\'smindworksthetway。Mebbeitdon\'t。Ireckonwe\'llknowsoon。An\'now，Stewart，whatevertheDon\'sgameis，shoreyou\'rethemantooutfiggerhim。Mebbeit\'sjustaswellyou\'regoodan\'madaboutsomethin\'。An\'IresignmyjobbecauseIwanttofeelunbeholdin\'toanybody。Shoreitstruckmelongsincethettheolddayshedcomebackferalittlespell，an\'thereI

wastrailin\'apromisenottohurtanyGreaser。"

XIXDonCarlosStewarttookNels，Monty，andNickSteeleasideoutofearshot，andtheyevidentlyentereduponanearnestcolloquy。Presentlytheothercowboyswerecalled。Theyalltalkedmoreorless，butthedeepvoiceofStewartpredominatedovertheothers。Thentheconsultationbrokeup，andthecowboysscattered。

"Rustle，youIndians！"orderedStewart。

TheensuingsceneofactionwasnotreassuringtoMadelineandherfriends。Theywerequiet，awaitingsomeonetotellthemwhattodo。AttheoffsetthecowboysappearedtohaveforgottenMadeline。Someofthemranoffintothewoods，othersintotheopen，grassyplaces，wheretheyroundedupthehorsesandburros。

Severalcowboysspreadtarpaulinsuponthegroundandbegantoselectandrollsmallpacks，evidentlyforhurriedtravel。Nelsmountedhishorsetoridedownthetrail。MontyandNickSteelewentoffintothegrove，leadingtheirhorses。Stewartclimbedupasteepjumbleofstonebetweentwosectionsoflow，crackedcliffbackofthecamp。

Castletonofferedtohelpthepackers，andwascurtlytoldhewouldbeintheway。Madeline\'sfriendsallimportunedher：Wasthererealdanger？Weretheguerrillascoming？Wouldastartbemadeatoncefortheranch？Whyhadthecowboyssuddenlybecomesodifferent？Madelineansweredasbestshecould；butherreplieswereonlyconjecture，andmodifiedtoallaythefearsofherguests。Helenwasinawhiteglowofexcitement。

Sooncowboysappearedridingbarebackedhorses，drivinginothersandtheburros。Someofthesehorsesweretakenawayandevidentlyhiddenindeeprecessesbetweenthecrags。Thestringofburroswerepackedandsentoffdownthetrailinchargeofacowboy。NickSteeleandMontyreturned。ThenStewartappeared，clamberingdownthebreakbetweenthecliffs。

HisnextmovewastoorderallthebaggagebelongingtoMadelineandhergueststakenupthecliff。Thiswasstrenuoustoil，requiringtheneedoflassoestohauluptheeffects。

"Getreadytoclimb，"saidStewart，turningtoMadelinesparty。

"Where？"askedHelen。

Hewavedhishandattheascenttobemade。Exclamationsofdismayfollowedhisgesture。

"Mr。Stewart，istheredanger？"askedDorothy；andhervoicetrembled。

ThiswasthequestionMadelinehaduponherlipstoaskStewart，butshecouldnotspeakit。

"No，there\'snodanger，"repliedStewart，"butwe\'retakingprecautionsweallagreedonasbest。"

DorothywhisperedthatshebelievedStewartlied。Castletonaskedanotherquestion，andthenHarveyfollowedsuit。Mrs。Beckmadeatimidquery。

"Pleasekeepquietanddoasyou\'retold，"saidStewart，bluntly。

Atthisjuncture，whenthelastofthebaggagewasbeinghauledupthecliff，MontyapproachedMadelineandremovedhissombrero。

Hisblackfaceseemedthesame，yetthiswasavastlychangedMonty。

"MissHammond，I\'mgivin\'noticeIresignmyjob，"hesaid。

"Monty！Whatdoyoumean？WhatdoesNelsmeannow，whendangerthreatens？"

"Wejestquit。Thet\'sall，"repliedMonty，tersely。Hewassternandsomber；hecouldnotstandstill；hiseyesrovedeverywhere。

Castletonjumpedupfromthelogwherehehadbeensitting，andhisfacewasveryred。

"Mr。Price，doesallthisbloomingfussmeanwearetoberobbedorattackedorabductedbyalotofragamuffinguerrillas？"

"You\'vecalledthebet。"

DorothyturnedaverypalefacetowardMonty。

"Mr。Price，youwouldn\'t——youcouldn\'tdesertusnow？YouandMr。

Nels——"

"Desertyou？"askedMonty，blankly。

"Yes，desertus。Leaveuswhenwemayneedyousomuch，withsomethingdreadfulcoming。"

Montyutteredashort，hardlaughashebentastrangelookuponthegirl。

"Mean\'Nelsispurtymuchscared，an\'we\'regoin\'toslope。

MissDorothy，bein\'aswe\'verustledroundsomuch；itsortahurtsustoseeniceyounggirlsdraggedoffbythehair。"

Dorothyutteredalittlecryandthenbecamehysterical。

Castletonforoncewasfullyaroused。

"ByGad！Youandyourpartnerareacoupleofbloomingcowards。

Wherenowisthatcourageyouboastedof？"

Monty\'sdarkfaceexpressedextremesarcasm。

"Dook，inmytimeI\'veseensomebrightfellers，butyoutakethecake。It\'smostmarveloushowbrightyouare。Figger\'n\'mean\'

Nelssocorrect。Say，Dook，ifyoudon\'tgitrustledofftoMexicoan\'ropedtoacactus-bushyou\'llhevaswellstoryferyourEnglishchums。BahJove！You\'lltell\'emhowyouseentwoold-timegun-menrunlikescaredjack-rabbitsfromalotofGreasers。Likehellyouwill！Unlessyoulielikethetimeyoutoldaboutproddin\'thelion。Thattherestoryallus——"

"Monty，shutup！"yelledStewart，ashecamehurriedlyup。ThenMontyslouchedaway，cursingtohimself。

MadelineandHelen，assistedbyCastleton，workedoverDorothy，andwithsomedifficultyquietedher。Stewartpassedseveraltimeswithoutnoticingthem，andMonty，whohadbeensoridiculouslyeagertopayeverylittleattentiontoDorothy，didnotseeheratall。Rudeitseemed；inMonty\'seasemorethanthat。Madelinehardlyknewwhattomakeofit。

Stewartdirectedcowboystogototheheadoftheopenplaceinthecliffandletdownlassoes。Then，withlittlewasteofwords，heurgedthewomentowardthisroughladderofstones。

"Wewanttohideyou，"hesaid，whentheydemurred。"Iftheguerrillascomewe\'lltellthemyou\'veallgonedowntotheranch。Ifwehavetofightyou\'llbesafeupthere。"

HelensteppedboldlyforwardandletStewartputtheloopofalassoroundherandtightenit。Hewavedhishandtothecowboysabove。

"Justwalkup，now，"hedirectedHelen。

Itprovedtothewatcherstobeaneasy，safe，andrapidmeansofscalingthesteeppassage。Themenclimbedupwithoutassistance。Mrs。Beck，asusual，hadhysteria；shehalfwalkedandwashalfdraggedup。StewartsupportedDorothywithonearm，whilewiththeotherheheldtothelasso。AmbrosehadtocarryChristine。TheMexicanwomenrequirednoassistance。EdithWayneandMadelineclimbedlast；and，onceup，Madelinesawanarrowbench，thickwithshrubs，andovershadowedbyhuge，leaningcrags。Therewereholesintherock，anddarkfissuresleadingback。Itwasarough，wildplace。Tarpaulinsandbeddingwerethenhauledup，andfoodandwater。Thecowboysspreadcomfortablebedsinseveralofthecaves，andtoldMadelineandherfriendstobeasquietaspossible，nottomakealight，andtosleepdressed，readyfortravelatamoment\'snotice。

Afterthecowboyshadgonedownitwasnotacheerfulgroupleftthereinthedarkeningtwilight。Castletonprevaileduponthemtoeat。

"Thisissimplygreat，"whisperedHelen。

"Oh，it\'sawful！"moanedDorothy。"It\'syourfault，Helen。Youprayedforsomethingtohappen。"

"Ibelieveit\'sahorridtrickthosecowboysareplaying，"saidMrs。Beck。

Madelineassuredherfriendsthatnotrickwasbeingplayeduponthem，andthatshedeploredthediscomfortanddistress，butfeltnorealalarm。Shewasmoreinclinedtoevasivekindnessherethantosincerity，forshehadadecideduneasiness。Theswiftchangeinthemannerandlooksofhercowboyshadbeenashocktoher。ThelastglanceshehadofStewart\'sface，thenstern，almostsad，andhaggardwithworry，remainedtoaugmentherforeboding。

Darknessappearedtodropswiftlydown；thecoyotesbegantheirhaunting，mournfulhowls；thestarsshowedandgrewbrighter；thewindmoanedthroughthetipsofthepines。Castletonwasrestless。Hewalkedtoandfrobeforetheoverhangingshelfofrock，wherehiscompanionssatlamenting，andpresentlyhewentouttotheledgeofthebench。Thecowboysbelowhadbuiltafire，andthelightfromitroseinahuge，fan-shapedglow。

Castleton\'slittlefigurestoodoutblackagainstthislight。

Curiousandanxiousalso，Madelinejoinedhimandpeereddownfromthecliff。Thedistancewasshort，andoccasionallyshecoulddistinguishawordspokenbythecowboys。Theywereunconcernedlycookingandeating。ShemarkedtheabsenceofStewart，andmentionedittoCastleton。SilentlyCastletonpointedalmoststraightdown，andthereinthegloomstoodStewart，withthetwostag-houndsathisfeet。

PresentlyNickSteelesilencedthecamp-firecirclebyraisingawarninghand。Thecowboysbenttheirheads，listening。Madelinelistenedwithallhermight。Sheheardoneofthehoundswhine，thenthefaintbeatofhorse\'shoofs。Nickspokeagainandturnedtohissupper，andtheothermenseemedtoslackeninattention。

Thebeatofhoofsgrewlouder，enteredthegrove，thenthecircleoflight。TheriderwasNels。Hedismounted，andthesoundofhislowvoicejustreachedMadeline。

"Gene，it\'sNels。Somethin\'doin\'，"Madelineheardoneofthecowboyscall，softly。

"Sendhimover，"repliedStewart。

Nelsstalkedawayfromthefire。

"Seehere，Nels，theboysareallright，butIdon\'twantthemtoknoweverythingaboutthismix-up，"saidStewart，asNelscameup。"Didyoufindthegirl？"

MadelineguessedthatStewartreferredtotheMexicangirlBonita。

"No。ButImet"——Madelinedidnotcatchthename——"an\'hewaswild。Hewaswithaforest-ranger。An\'theysaidPatHawehadtrailedheran\'wastakin\'herdownunderarrest。"

Stewartmuttereddeepunderhisbreath，evidentlycursing。

"Wonderwhyhedidn\'tcomeonuphere？"hequeried，presently。

"Hecanseeatrail。"

"Wal，Gene，Patknowedyouwashereallright，ferthetrangersaidPathedwindoftheguerrillas，an\'PatsaidifDonCarlosdidn\'tkillyou——whichhehopedhe\'ddo——thenit\'dbetimeenoughtoputyouinjailwhenyoucomedown。"

"He\'sdeadsettoarrestme，Nels。"

"An\'he\'lldoit，liketheoldladywhokepttavernoutWest。

Gene，thereasonthetred-facedcoyotedidn\'ttrailyouuphereisbecausehe\'sscared。Healluswasscaredofyou。ButIreckonhe\'sshorescaredtodeathofmean\'Monty。"

"Well，we\'lltakePatinhisturn。Thethingnowis，whenwillthatGreaserstalkus，andwhat\'llwedowhenhecomes？"

"Myboy，there\'sonlyonewaytohandleaGreaser。Ishoretoldyouthet。Hemeansroughtowardus。He\'llcomesmilin\'up，allsoci\'blelike，insinuatin\'an\'sweeter\'nawoman。Buthe\'streacherous；he\'swussthananIndian。An\'，Gene，weknowforapositivefacthowhisganghevbeenoperatin\'betweenthesehillsan\'AguaPrieta。They\'renonervygangofoutlawslikeweusedtohev。Butthey\'replumbbad。They\'veraidedandmurderedthroughtheSanLuisPassan\'GuadalupeCanon。They\'vemurderedwomen，an\'wussthanthet，bothnorthan\'southofAguaPrieta。

MebbetheU。S。cavalrydon\'tknowit，an\'thegoodoldStates；

butwe，youan\'mean\'Montyan\'Nick，weknowit。Weknowjestaboutwhatthetrebelwardownthereamountsto。It\'sguerrillawar，an\'shoresomeharvest-timeferalotofcheapthievesan\'

outcasts。"

Oh，you\'reright，Nels。I\'mnotdisputingthat，"repliedStewart。"Ifitwasn\'tforMissHammondandtheotherwomen，I\'dratherenjoyseeingyouandMontyopenuponthatbunch。I\'mthinkingI\'dbegladtomeetDonCarlos。ButMissHammond！Why，Nels，suchawomanassheiswouldneverrecoverfromthesightofrealgun-play，letaloneanystuntswitharope。TheseEasternwomenaredifferent。I\'mnotbelittlingourWesternwomen。It\'sintheblood。MissHammondis——is——"

"Shoresheis，"interruptedNels；"butshe\'sgotadamnsightmorespunkthanyouthinkshehas，GeneStewart。I\'mnothick-skulledcow。I\'dhatesomethin\'powerfultohevMissHammondseeanyroughwork，letalonemean\'Montystartin\'

somethin\'。An\'mean\'Monty\'llsticktoyou，Gene，aslongasseemsreasonable。Mind，olefeller，beggin\'yourpardon，you\'reshorestuckonMissHammond，an\'over-tendernottohurtherfeelin\'sormakehersickbylettin\'someblood。We\'reinbadhere，an\'mebbewe\'llhevtofight。Sabe，senor？Wal，wedoyoucanjestgamblethetMissHammond\'llbegame。An\'I\'llbetyouamillionpesosthetifyougotgoin\'onct，an\'sheseenyouasI\'veseenyou——wal，Iknowwhatshe\'dthinkofyou。Thisoldworld\'ain\'tchangedmuch。Somewomenmaybewhite-skinnedan\'

soft-eyedan\'sweet-voicedan\'high-souled，buttheyallliketoseeaman！Gene，here\'syourgame。LetDonCarloscomealong。

Becivil。Ifhean\'hisgangarehungry，feed\'em。Takeevenalittleoverbearin\'Greasertalk。Beblindifhewantshisgangtostealsomethin\'。Lethimthinkthewomenhevmosieddowntotheranch。Butifhesaysyou\'relyin\'——ifheasmuchaslooksroundtoseethewomen——jestjumphimsameasyoujumpedPatHawe。Mean\'Monty\'llhangbackferthet，an\'ifyourstrongbluffdon\'tgothrough，iftheDon\'sgangeventhinksofflashin\'guns，thenwe\'llopenup。An\'allIgottosayisifthemGreasersstandferrealgun-playthey\'llbethefustIeverseen。"

"Nels，therearewhitemeninthatgang，"saidStewart。

"Shore。Butmean\'Monty\'llbethinkin\'ofthet。Iftheystartanythin\'it\'llhevtobeshorequick。"

"Allright，Nels，oldfriend，andthanks，"repliedStewart。Nelsreturnedtothecamp-fire，andStewartresumedhissilentguard。

MadelineledCastletonawayfromthebrinkofthewall。

"ByJove！Cowboysarebloom~ngstrangefolk！"heexclaimed。

"Theyarenotwhattheypretendtobe。"

"Indeed，youareright，"repliedMadeline。"Icannotunderstandthem。Come，letustelltheothersthatNelsandMontywereonlytalkinganddonotintendtoleaveus。Dorothy，atleast，willbelessfrightenedifsheknows。"

Dorothywassomewhatcomforted。Theothers，however，complainedofthecowboys\'singularbehavior。Morethanoncetheideawasadvancedthatanelaboratetrickhadbeenconcocted。Upongeneraldiscussionthisideagainedground。Madelinedidnotcombatit，becauseshesawittendedtoalessperturbedconditionofmindamongherguests。Castletonforonceprovedthathewasnotabsolutelyobtuse，andhelpedalongtheidea。

Theysattalkinginlowvoicesuntilalatehour。TheincidentnowbegantotakeonthenatureofHelen\'slong-yearned-foradventure。Someofthepartyevengrewmerryinasubduedway。

Then，gradually，onebyonetheytiredandwenttobed。Helenvowedshecouldnotsleepinaplacewheretherewerebatsandcrawlingthings。Madelinefancied，however，thattheyallwenttosleepwhileshelaywide-eyed，staringupattheblackbulgeofoverhangingrockandbeyondthestarrysky。

TokeepfromthinkingofStewartandtheburningangerhehadcausedhertofeelforherself，Madelinetriedtokeephermindonotherthings。Butthoughtofhimrecurred，andeachtimetherewasahotcommotioninherbreasthardtostifle。

Intelligentreasoningseemedoutofherpower。InthedaylightithadbeenpossibleforhertobeoblivioustoStewart\'sdeceitafterthemomentofitsrealization。Atnight，however，inthestrangesilenceandhoveringshadowsofgloom，withthespeakingstarsseemingtocalltoher，withthemoanofthewindinthepines，andthemelancholymournofcoyotesinthedistance，shewasnotabletogovernherthoughtandemotion。Thedaywaspractical，cold；thenightwasstrangeandtense。Inthedarknessshehadfancieswhollyunknowntoherinthebrightlightofthesun。Shebattledwithahauntingthought。ShehadinadvertentlyheardNels\'sconversationwithStewart；shehadlistened，hopingtohearsomegoodnewsortoheartheworst；shehadlearnedboth，and，moreover，enlightenmentononepointofStewart\'scomplexmotives。Hewishedtospareheranysightthatmightoffend，frighten，ordisgusther。YetthisStewart，whoshowedafinenessoffeelingthatmighthavebeenwantingeveninBoydHarvey，maintainedasecretrendezvouswiththatpretty，abandonedBonita。Herealwaysthehotshame，likealive，stinging，internalfire，abruptlyendedMadeline\'sthought。Itwasintolerable，anditwasthemoresobecauseshecouldneithercontrolnorunderstandit。Thehoursworeon，andatlength，asthestarsbegantopaleandtherewasnosoundwhatever，shefellasleep。

Shewascalledoutofherslumber。Dayhadbrokenbrightandcool。Thesunwasstillbelowtheeasterncrags。Ambrose，withseveralothercowboys，hadbroughtupbucketsofspring-water，andhotcoffeeandcakes。Madeline\'spartyappearedtobenonetheworseforthenight\'sexperience。Indeed，themeagerbreakfastmighthavebeenasmerrilypartakenofasitwashungrilyhadnotAmbroseenjoinedsilence。

"They\'reexpectin\'companydownbelow，"hesaid。

Thisinformationandthesummarymannerinwhichthecowboyssoonledthepartyhigherupamongtheruinedshelvesofrockcausedarecurrenceofanxiety。Madelineinsistedonnotgoingbeyondaprojectionofclifffromwhichshecouldseedirectlydownintothecamp。Asthevantage-pointwasoneaffordingconcealment，Ambroseconsented，butheplacedthefrightenedChristinenearMadelineandremainedtherehimself。

"Ambrose，doyoureallythinktheguerrillaswillcome？"askedMadeline。

"Sure。Weknow。Nelsjustrodeinandsaidtheywereontheirwayup。MissHammond，canItrustyou？Youwon\'tletoutasquealifthere\'safightdownthere？Stewarttoldmetohideyououtofsightorkeepyoufromlookin\'。"

"Ipromisenottomakeanynoise，"repliedMadeline。Madelinearrangedhercoatsothatshecouldlieuponit，andsettleddowntowaitdevelopments。Therecameaslightrattlingofstonesintherear。SheturnedtoseeHelenslidingdownabankwithaperplexedandtroubledcowboy。HelencamestoopinglowtowhereMadelinelayandsaid："Iamgoingtoseewhathappens，ifIdieintheattempt！Icanstanditifyoucan。Shewaspaleandbig-eyed。Ambrosepromptlysworeatthecowboywhohadlethergetawayfromhim。"Takeahalf-hitchonheryourselfan\'seewhereyouendup，"repliedthefellow，anddisappearedinthejumbleofrocks。Ambrose，findingwordsuseless，sternlyandheroicallypreparedtocarryHelenbacktotheothers。Helaidholdofher。Inafury，witheyesblazing，Helenwhispered：

"Letgoofme！Majesty，whatdoesthisfoolmean？"

Madelinelaughed。SheknewHelen，andhadmarkedthewhisper，whenordinarilyHelenwouldhavespokenimperiously，andnotlow。

Madelineexplainedtohertheexigencyofthesituation。"I

mightrun，butI\'llneverscream，"saidHelen。WiththatAmbrosehadtobecontenttoletherstay。However，hefoundheraplacesomewhatfartherbackfromMadeline\'sposition，wherehesaidtherewaslessdangerofherbeingseen。Thenhesternlyboundhertosilence，tarriedamomenttocomfortChristine，andreturnedtowhereMadelinelayconcealed。Hehadbeentherescarcelyamomentwhenhewhispered：

"Ihearhosses。Theguerrillasarecomin\'。"

Madeline\'shiding-placewaswellprotectedfrompossiblediscoveryfrombelow。Shecouldpeepoverakindofparapet，throughanopeninginthetipsofthepinesthatreacheduptothecliff，andobtainacommandingviewofthecampcircleanditsimmediatesurroundings。Shecouldnot，however，seefareithertorightorleftofthecamp，owingtotheobstructingfoliage。Presentlythesoundofhorses\'hoofsquickenedthebeatofherpulseandcausedhertoturnkeenergazeuponthecowboysbelow。

AlthoughshehadsomeinklingofthecourseStewartandhismenweretopursue，shewasnotbyanymeanspreparedfortheindifferenceshesaw。Frankwasasleep，orpretendedtobe。

Threecowboyswerelazilyandunconcernedlyattendingtocamp-fireduties，suchasbakingbiscuits，watchingtheovens，andwashingtinsandpots。Theelaboratesetofaluminumplates，cups，etc。，togetherwiththeothercampfixturesthathaddoneserviceforMadeline\'sparty，haddisappeared。NickSteelesatwithhisbacktoalog，smokinghispipe。Anothercowboyhadjustbroughtthehorsescloserintocamp，wheretheystoodwaitingtobesaddled。Nelsappearedtobefussingoverapack。

Stewartwasrollingacigarette。Montyhadapparentlynothingtodoforthepresentexceptwhistle，whichhewasdoingmuchmoreloudlythanmelodiously。Thewholeensemblegaveanimpressionofcarelessindifference。

Thesoundofhorses\'hoofsgrewlouderandsloweditsbeat。Oneofthecowboyspointeddownthetrail，towardwhichseveralofhiscomradesturnedtheirheadsforamoment，thenwentonwiththeiroccupations。

Presentlyashaggy，dustyhorsebearingalean，ragged，darkriderrodeintocampandhalted。Anotherfollowed，andanother。

HorseswithMexicanriderscameinsinglefileandstoppedbehindtheleader。

Thecowboyslookedup，andtheguerrillaslookeddown。"Buenosdias，senor，"ceremoniouslysaidtheforemostguerrilla。

BystrainingherearsMadelineheardthatvoice，andsherecognizeditasbelongingtoDonCarlos。HisgracefulbowtoStewartwasalsofamiliar。Otherwiseshewouldneverhaverecognizedtheformerelegantvaquerointhisuncouth，roughlydressedMexican。

StewartansweredthegreetinginSpanish，and，wavinghishandtowardthecamp-fire，addedinEnglish，"Getdownandeat。"

Theguerrillaswereanythingbutslowincomplying。Theycrowdedtothefire，thenspreadinalittlecircleandsquattedupontheground，layingtheirweaponsbesidethem。InappearancetheytalliedwiththebandofguerrillasthathadcarriedMadelineupintothefoothills，onlythisbandwaslargerandbetterarmed。

Themen，moreover，werejustashungryandaswildandbeggarly。

Thecowboyswerenotcordialintheirreceptionofthisvisit，buttheywerehospitable。Thelawofthedeserthadalwaysbeentogivefoodanddrinktowayfaringmen，whetherlostorhuntedorhunting。

"There\'stwenty-threeinthatoutfit，"whisperedAmbrose，"includin\'fourwhitemen。Prettyrummyoutfit。"

"Theyappeartobefriendlyenough，"whisperedMadeline。

"Thingsdownthereain\'twhattheyseem，"repliedAmbrose。

"Ambrose，tellme——explaintome。Thisismyopportunity。Aslongasyouwillletmewatchthem，pleaseletmeknowthe——therealthing。"

"Sure。Butrecollect，MissHammond，thatGene\'llgiveittomegoodifheeverknowsIletyoulookandtoldyouwhat\'swhat。

Well，decent-likeGeneisseem\'thempoordevilsgetasquaremeal。They\'reonlyalotofcalf-thievesinthiscountry。

Acrosstheborderthey\'rebandits，someofthem，theothersjustriffraffoutlaws。Thatrebelbluffdoesn\'tgodownwithus。I\'dhavetoseefirstbeforeI\'dbelievethemGreaserswouldfight。

They\'realotofhard-ridin\'thieves，andthey\'dstealafellow\'sblanketortobacco。Genethinksthey\'reafteryouladies——tocarryyouoff。ButGene——Oh，Gene\'ssomehighfalutininhisideaslately。Mostofusboysthinktheguerrillasareouttorob——that\'sall。"

WhatevermighthavebeenthesecretmotiveofDonCarlosandhismen，theydidnotallowittointerferewithaheartyappreciationofagenerousamountoffood。Plainly，eachindividualateallthathewasabletoeatatthetime。Theyjabberedlikeaflockofparrots；somewereevenmerry，inakindofwildway。Then，aseachandeveryonebegantorollandsmoketheinevitablecigaretteoftheMexican，therewasasubtlechangeinmanner。Theysmokedandlookedaboutthecamp，offintothewoods，upatthecrags，andbackattheleisurelycowboys。Theyhadtheairofmenwaitingforsomething。

"Senor，"beganDonCarlos，addressingStewart。Ashespokeheswepthissombrerotoindicatethecampcircle。

Madelinecouldnotdistinguishhiswords，buthisgestureplainlyindicatedaquestioninregardtotherestofthecampingparty。

Stewart\'sreplyandthewaveofhishanddownthetrailmeantthathispartyhadgonehome。Stewartturnedtosometask，andtheguerrillaleaderquietlysmoked。Helookedcunningandthoughtful。Hismengraduallybegantomanifestarestlessness，noticeableintheabsenceofformerlanguorandslowpuffingofcigarettesmoke。Presentlyabig-bonedmanwithabulletheadandablisteredredfaceofevilcoarsenessgotupandthrewawayhiscigarette。HewasanAmerican。

"Hey，cull，"hecalledinloudvoice，"ain\'tyegoin\'tocoughupadrink？"

"Myboysdon\'tcarryliquoronthetrail，"repliedStewart。Heturnednowtofacetheguerrillas。

"Haw，haw！IheerdoverinRodeothetyewasgittin\'tobeshoresomefertemperance，"saidthisfellow。"Ihatetodrinkwater，butIguessI\'vegotterdoit。"

Hewenttothespring，sprawleddowntodrink，andallofasuddenhethrusthisarmdowninthewatertobringforthabasket。Thecowboysinthehurryofpackinghadneglectedtoremovethisbasket；anditcontainedbottlesofwineandliquorsforMadeline\'sguests。Theyhadbeensubmergedinthespringtokeepthemcold。Theguerrillafumbledwiththelid，openedit，andthengotup，utteringaloudroarofdelight。

Stewartmadeanalmostimperceptiblemotion，asiftoleapforward；buthecheckedtheimpulse，andafteraquickglanceatNelshesaidtotheguerrilla：

"Guessmypartyforgotthat。You\'rewelcometoit。"Likebeestheguerrillasswarmedaroundtheluckyfinderofthebottles。

Therewasababelofvoices。Thedrinkdidnotlastlong，anditservedonlytoliberatethespiritofrecklessness。Theseveralwhiteoutlawsbegantoprowlaroundthecamp；someoftheMexicansdidlikewise；otherswaited，showingbytheirill-concealedexpectancythenatureoftheirthoughts。

ItwasthedemeanorofStewartandhiscomradesthatpuzzledMadeline。Apparentlytheyfeltnoanxietyorevenparticularinterest。DonCarlos，whohadbeencovertlywatchingthem，nowmadehisscrutinyopen，evenaggressive。HelookedfromStewarttoNelsandMonty，andthentotheothercowboys。Whilesomeofhismenprowledaroundtheotherswatchedhim，andthewaitingattitudehadtakenonsomethingsinister。Theguerrillaleaderseemedundecided，butnotinanysensepuzzled。WhenheturnedhiscunningfaceuponNelsandMontyhehadthemannerofamaninwhomdecisionwaslacking。

InhergrowingexcitementMadelinehadnotclearlyheardAmbrose\'slowwhispersandshemadeanefforttodistractsomeofherattentionfromthosebelowtothecowboycrouchingbesideher。

Thequality，thenoteofAmbrose\'swhisperhadchanged。Ithadaslightsibilantsound。

"Don\'tbemadifsudden-likeIclapmyhandsoveryoureyes，MissHammond，"hewassaying。"Somethin\'sbrewin\'below。IneverseenGenesocool。That\'sadangeroussigninhim。Andlook，seehowtheboysareworkin\'together！Oh，it\'sslowandaccident-like，butIknowit\'ssurenotaccident。ThatfoxyGreaserknows，too。

Butmaybehismendon\'t。Iftheyarewisetheyhaven\'tsenseenoughtocare。TheDon，though——he\'sworried。He\'snotpayin\'

somuchattentiontoGene，either。It\'sNelsandMontyhe\'swatchin\'。Andwellheneeddoit！There，NickandFrankhavesettleddownonthatlogwithBooly。Theydon\'tseemtobepackin\'guns。Butlookhowheavytheirvestshang。Agunineachside！Thoseboyscanpullagunandflopoverthatlogquickerthanyoucanthink。DoyounoticehowNelsandMontyandGenearesquarebetweenthemguerrillasandthetrailuphere？

Itdoesn\'tseemonpurpose，butitis。LookatNelsandMonty。

Howquiettheyareconfabbin\'together，payin\'noattentiontotheguerrillas。IseeMontylookatGene，thenIseeNelslookatGene。Well，it\'suptoGene。Andthey\'regoin\'tobackhim。

Ireckon，MissHammond，there\'dbedeadGreasersroundthatcamplongagoifNelsandMontywerefoot-loose。They\'rebeholdin\'toGene。That\'splain。And，Lord！howitticklesmetowatchthem！

Bothpackin\'twoforty-fives，buttsswingin\'clear。There\'stwenty-fourshotsinthemfourguns。Andthere\'stwenty-threeguerrillas。IfNelsandMontyeverthrowgunsatthatcloserange，why，beforeyou\'dknowwhatwasupthere\'dbeapileofGreasers。There！StewartsaidsomethingtotheDon。Iwonderwhat。I\'llgambleitwassomethingtogettheDon\'soutfitallclosetogether。Sure！Greasershavenosense。Butthemwhiteguerrillas，they\'relookin\'somedubious。Whatever\'scomin\'offwillcomesoon，youcanbet。IwishIwasdownthere。Butmaybeitwon\'tcometoascrap。Stewart\'ssetonavoidin\'that。He\'sawonderfulchaptogethisway。Lord，though，I\'dliketoseehimgoafterthatoverbearin\'Greaser！See！theDoncan\'tstandprosperity。Allthisstrangebehaviorofcowboysisbeyondhispulque-soakedbrains。Thenhe\'saGreaser。IfGenedoesn\'tknockhimontheheadpresentlyhe\'llbegintogetoverhisscare，evenofNelsandMonty。ButGene\'llpickouttherighttime。AndI\'mgettin\'nervous。Iwantsomethin\'tostart。

NeversawNelsinbutonefight，thenhejustshotaGreaser\'sarmofffortryin\'todrawonhim。ButI\'veheardallabouthim。

AndMonty！Monty\'stherealold-fashionedgun-man。Why，noneofthemstories，themlieshetoldtoentertaintheEnglishman，wasamarkertowhatMontyhasdone。WhatIdon\'tunderstandishowMontykeepssoquietandeasyandpeaceful-like。That\'snothisway，withsuchanoutfitlookin\'fortrouble。O-ha！Nowforthegrandbluff。Lookslikenofightatall！"

Theguerrillaleaderhadceasedhisrestlessstepsandglances，andturnedtoStewartwithsomethingofboldresolutioninhisaspect。

"Gracias，senor，"hesaid。"Adios。"Heswepthissombrerointhedirectionofthetrailleadingdownthemountaintotheranch；andashecompletedthegestureasmile，craftyandjeering，crossedhisswarthyface。

AmbrosewhisperedsolowthatMadelinescarcelyheardhim。"IftheGreasergoesthatwayhe\'llfindourhorsesandgetwisetothetrick。Oh，he\'swisenow！ButI\'llgambleheneverevenstartsonthattrail。"

NeitherhurriedlynorguardedlyStewartroseoutofhisleaningpostureandtookacoupleoflongstridestowardDonCarlos。

"Gobackthewayyoucame，"hefairlyyelled；andhisvoicehadtheringofabugle。

AmbrosenudgedMadeline；hiswhisperwastenseandrapid："Don\'tmissnothin\'。Gene\'scalledhim。Whatever\'scomin\'offwillbeherequickaslightnin\'。See！IguessmaybethatGreaserdon\'tsavvygoodU。S。lingo。Lookatthatdirtyyallerfaceturngreen。PutoneeyeonNelsandMonty！That\'sgreat——justtosee\'em。Justasquietandeasy。Butoh，thedifference！Bentandstiff——thatmeanseverymuscleislikearawhideriata。They\'rewatchin\'witheyesthatcanseetheworkin\'softhemGreasers\'

minds。Nowthereain\'tahoss-hairbetweenthemGreasersandhell！"

DonCarlosgaveStewartonelongmalignantstare；thenhethrewbackhishead，sweptupthesombrero，andhisevilsmileshowedgleamingteeth。

"Senor——"hebegan。

WithmagnificentboundStewartwasuponhim。Theguerrilla\'scrywasthrottledinhisthroat。Afiercewrestlingensued，tooswifttoseeclearly；thenheavy，soddenblows，andDonCarloswasbeatentotheground。Stewartleapedback。Then，crouchingwithhishandsonthebuttsofgunsathiships，heyelled，hethunderedattheguerrillas。Hehadbeenquickerthanapanther，andnowhisvoicewassoterriblethatitcurdledMadeline\'sblood，andthemenaceofdeadlyviolenceinhiscrouchingpositionmadehershuthereyes。Butshehadtoopenthem。InthatsingleinstantNelsandMontyhadleapedtoStewart\'sside。

Bothwerebentdown，withhandsonthebuttsofgunsattheirhips。Nels\'spiercingyellseemedtodivideMonty\'sroarofrage。Thentheyceased，andechoesclappedfromthecrags。Thesilenceofthosethreemencrouchingliketigersabouttoleapwasmoremenacingthanthenerve-rackingyells。

Thentheguerrillaswaveredandbrokeandranfortheirhorses。

DonCarlosrolledover，rose，andstaggeredaway，tobehelpeduponhismount。Helookedback，hispaleandbloodyfacethatofathwarteddemon。Thewholebandgotintoactionandweregoneinamoment。

"Iknewit，"declaredAmbrose。"NeverseenaGreaserwhocouldfacegun-play。Thatwassomewarm。AndMontyPriceneverflashedagun！He\'llnevergetoverthat。Ireckon，MissHarnmond，we\'resomeluckytoavoidtrouble。Genehadhisway，asyouseen。We\'llbemakin\'tracksfortheranchinabouttwoshakes。"

"Why？"whisperedMadeline，breathlessly。Shebecameconsciousthatshewasweakandshaken。

"Becausetheguerrillassurewillgettheirnerveback，andcomesneakin\'onourtrailortrytoheadusoffbyambushin\'，"

repliedAmbrose。"That\'stheirway。Otherwisethreecowboyscouldn\'tbluffawholeganglikethat。GeneknowsthenatureofGreasers。They\'rewhite-livered。ButIreckonwe\'reinmoredangernowthanbefore，unlesswegetagoodstartdownthemountain。There！Gene\'scallin\'。Come！Hurry！"

Helenhadslippeddownfromhervantage-point，andthereforehadnotseenthelastactinthatlittlecamp-firedrama。Itseemed，however，thatherdesireforexcitementwassatisfied，forherfacewaspaleandshetrembledwhensheaskediftheguerrillasweregone。

"Ididn\'tseethefinish，butthosehorribleyellswereenoughforme。"

Ambrosehurriedthethreewomenovertheroughrocks，downthecliff。Thecowboysbelowweresaddlinghorsesinhaste。

Evidentlyallthehorseshadbeenbroughtoutofhiding。

Swiftly，withregardonlyforlifeandlimb，Madeline，Helen，andChristinewereloweredbylassoesandhalfcarrieddowntothelevel。Bythetimetheyweresafelydowntheothermembersofthepartyappearedonthecliffabove。Theywereinexcellentspirits，appearingtotreatthematterasahugejoke。

AmbroseputChristineonahorseandrodeawaythroughthepines；

FrankieSladedidlikewisewithHelen。StewartledMadeline\'shorseuptoher，helpedhertomount，andspokeonesternword，"Wait！"Thenasfastasoneofthewomenreachedthelevelshewasputuponahorseandtakenawaybyacowboyescort。Fewwordswerespoken。Hasteseemedtobethegreatessential。Thehorseswereurged，and，onceinthetrail，spurredandledintoaswifttrot。Onecowboydroveupfourpack-horses，andthesewerehurriedlyloadedwiththeparty\'sbaggage。Castletonandhiscompanionsmounted，andgallopedofftocatchtheothersinthelead。ThisleftMadelinebehindwithStewartandNelsandMonty。

"They\'regoin\'toswitchoffatthehollerthetheadsnearthetrailafewmilesdown，"Nelswassaying，ashetightenedhissaddle-girth。"Thethollerheadsintoabigcanon。Onceinthet，it\'llbeeverymanferhisself。Ireckontherewon\'tbeanythin\'wussthanaroughride。"

NelssmiledreassuringlyatMadeline，buthedidnotspeaktoher。Montytookhercanteenandfilleditatthespringandhungitoverthepommelofhersaddle。Heputacoupleofbiscuitsinthesaddle-bag。

"Don\'tfergittotakeadrinkan\'abiteasyou\'reridin\'along，"

hesaid。"An\'don\'tworry，MissMajesty。Stewart\'llbewithyou，an\'mean\'Nelshangin\'ontheback-trail。"

Hissomberandsullenfacedidnotchangeinitsstrangeintensity，butthelookinhiseyesMadelinefeltshewouldneverforget。Leftalonewiththesethreemen，nowstrippedofallpretense，sherealizedhowfortunehadfavoredherandwhatperilstillhunginthebalance。Stewartswungastridehisbigblack，spurredhim，andwhistled。AtthewhistleMajestyjumped，andwithswiftcanterfollowedStewart。MadelinelookedbacktoseeNelsalreadyupandMontyhandinghimarifle。Thenthepineshidherview。

Onceinthetrail，Stewart\'shorsebrokeintoagallop。Majestychangedhisgaitandkeptattheblack\'sheels。Stewartcalledbackawarning。Thelow，wide-spreadingbranchesoftreesmightbrushMadelineoutofthesaddle。Fastridingthroughtheforestalongacrooked，obstructedtrailcalledforthallheralertness。

Likewisethestirringofherblood，alwayssusceptibletothespiritandmotionofaride，letaloneoneofperil，nowbegantothrobandburnawaytheworry，thedread，thecoldnessthathadweightedherdown。

BeforelongStewartwheeledatrightanglesoffthetrailandenteredahollowbetweentwolowbluffs。Madelinesawtracksintheopenpatchesofground。HereStewart\'shorsetooktoabriskwalk。Thehollowdeepened，narrowed，becamerocky，fulloflogsandbrush。Madelineexertedallherkeenness，andneededit，tokeepclosetoStewart。Shedidnotthinkofhim，norherownsafety，butofkeepingMajestycloseinthetracksoftheblack，ofeludingthesharpspikesinthedeadbrush，ofavoidingthetreacherousloosestones。

AtlastMadelinewasbroughttoadeadhaltbyStewartandhishorseblockingthetrail。Lookingup，shesawtheywereattheheadofacanonthatyawnedbeneathandwideneditsgray-walled，green-patchedslopesdowntoablackforestoffir。Thedrabmonotonyofthefoothillsmadecontrastbelowtheforest，andawayinthedistance，rosyandsmoky，laythedesert。Retractinghergaze，Madelinesawpack-horsescrossanopenspaceamilebelow，andshethoughtshesawthestag-hounds。Stewart\'sdarkeyessearchedtheslopeshighupalongthecraggyescarpments。

Thenheputtheblacktothedescent。

Iftherehadbeenatrailleftbytheleadingcowboys，Stewartdidnotfollowit。Heledofftotheright，zigzagginganintricatecoursethroughtheroughestgroundMadelinehadeverriddenover。Hecrashedthroughcedars，threadedatortuouswayamongboulders，madehishorseslidedownslantingbanksofsoftearth，pickedaslowandcautiousprogressacrossweatheredslopesoflooserock。Madelinefollowed，findinginthisrideataxonstrengthandjudgment。OnanordinaryhorseshenevercouldhavekeptinStewart\'strail。Itwasdustandheat，aparchingthroat，thatcausedMadelinetothinkoftime；andshewasamazedtoseethesunslopingtothewest。Stewartneverstopped；heneverlookedback；heneverspoke。Hemusthaveheardthehorseclosebehindhim。MadelinerememberedMonty\'sadviceaboutdrinkingandeatingassherodealong。Theworstofthatroughtravelcameatthebottomofthecanon。Deadcedarsandbrushandlogswereeasytopasscomparedwiththemiles，itseemed，oflooseboulders。Thehorsesslippedandstumbled。

Stewartproceededherewithexceedingcare。Atlast，whenthecanonopenedintoalevelforestoffirs，thesunwassettingredinthewest。

Stewartquickenedthegaitofhishorse。Afteramileorsoofeasytravelthegroundagainbegantofalldecidedly，slopinginnumerousridges，withdrawsbetween。Soonnightshadowedthedeepergullies。Madelinewasrefreshedbythecoolingoftheair。

Stewarttraveledslowlynow。Thebarksofcoyotesseemedtostartlehim。Oftenhestoppedtolisten。Andduringoneofthoseintervalsthesilencewasbrokenbysharprifle-shots。

Madelinecouldnottellwhethertheywerenearorfar，torightorleft，behindorbefore。EvidentlyStewartwasbothalarmedandbaffled。Hedismounted。Hewentcautiouslyforwardtolisten。Madelinefanciedsheheardacry，lowandfaraway。Itwasonlythatofacoyote，sheconvincedherself，yetitwassowailing，sohuman，thatsheshuddered。Stewartcameback。Heslippedthebridlesofbothhorses，andheledthem。Everyfewpaceshestoppedtolisten。Hechangedhisdirectionseveraltimes，andthelasttimehegotamongrough，rockyridges。Theironshoesofthehorsescrackedontherocks。Thatsoundmusthavepenetratedfarintotheforest。ItperturbedStewart，forhesearchedforsofterground。Meanwhiletheshadowsmergedintodarkness。Thestarsshone。Thewindrose。Madelinebelievedhourspassed。

Stewarthaltedagain。InthegloomMadelinediscernedalogcabin，andbeyonditpear-pointeddarktreespiercingthesky-line。ShecouldjustmakeoutStewart\'stallformasheleanedagainsthishorse。Eitherhewaslisteningordebatingwhattodo——perhapsboth。Presentlyhewentinsidethecabin。

Madelineheardthescratchingofamatch；thenshesawafaintlight。Thecabinappearedtobedeserted。Probablyitwasoneofthemanyhabitationsbelongingtoprospectorsandforesterswholivedinthemountains。Stewartcameoutagain。Hewalkedaroundthehorses，outintothegloom，thenbacktoMadeline。Foralongmomenthestoodasstillasastatueandlistened。Thensheheardhimmutter，"IfwehavetostartquickIcanridebareback。"Withthathetookthesaddleandblanketoffhishorseandcarriedthemintothecabin。

"Getoff，"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashesteppedoutofthedoor。

Hehelpedherdownandledherinside，whereagainhestruckamatch。Madelinecaughtaglimpseofarudefireplaceandrough-hewnlogs。Stewart\'sblanketandsaddlelayonthehard-packedearthenfloor。

"Restalittle，"hesaid。"I\'mgoingintothewoodsapiecetolisten。Goneonlyaminuteorso。"

Madelinehadtofeelroundinthedarktolocatethesaddleandblanket。Whenshelaydownitwaswithagratefulsenseofeaseandrelief。Asherbodyrested，however，hermindbecametheoldthrongingmazeforsensationandthought。Alldayshehadattendedtothealertbusinessofhelpingherhorse。Now，whathadalreadyhappened，thenight，thesilence，theproximityofStewartandhisstrange，sterncaution，thepossiblehappeningstoherfriends——allclaimedtheirdueshareofherfeeling。Shewentoverthemallwithlightningswiftnessofthought。Shebelieved，andshewassureStewartbelieved，thatherfriends，owingtotheirquickerstartdownthemountain，hadnotbeenheadedoffintheirtravelbyanyofthethingswhichhaddelayedStewart。Thisconvictionliftedthesuddenlyreturningdreadfromherbreast；andasforherself，somehowshehadnofear。

Butshecouldnotsleep；shedidnottryto。

Stewart\'ssoftstepssoundedoutside。Hisdarkformloomedinthedoor。AshesatdownMadelineheardthethumpofagunthathelaidbesidehimonthesill；thenthethumpofanotherasheputthatdown，too。Thesoundsthrilledher。Stewart\'swideshouldersfilledthedoor；hisfinelyshapedheadandstrong，sternprofileshowedclearlyinoutlineagainstthesky；thewindwavedhishair。Heturnedhiseartothatwindandlistened。

Motionlesshesatforwhattoherseemedhours。

Thenthestirringmemoryoftheday\'sadventure，thefeelingofthebeautyofthenight，andastrange，deep-seated，sweetlyvagueconsciousnessofhappinessportending，wereallburnedoutinhot，pressingpainattheremembranceofStewart\'sdisgraceinhereyes。Somethinghadchangedwithinhersothatwhathadbeenangeratherselfwassorrowforhim。Hewassuchasplendidman。

Shecouldnotfeelthesame；sheknewherdebttohim，yetshecouldnotthankhim，couldnotspeaktohim。Shefoughtanunintelligiblebitterness。

Thensherestedwithclosedeyes，andtimeseemedneithershortnorlong。WhenStewartcalledhersheopenedhereyestoseethegrayofdawn。Sheroseandsteppedoutside。Thehorseswhinnied。

Inamomentshewasinthesaddle，awareofcrampedmusclesandawearinessoflimbs。Stewartledoffatasharptrotintothefirforest。Theycametoatrailintowhichbeturned。Thehorsestraveledsteadily；thedescentgrewlesssteep；thefirsthinnedout；thegraygloombrightened。

WhenMadelinerodeoutofthefirsthesunhadarisenandthefoothillsrolledbeneathher；andattheiredge，wherethegrayofvalleybegan，shesawadarkpatchthatsheknewwastheranch-house。

XXTheSheriffofElCajonAboutthemiddleoftheforenoonofthatdayMadelinereachedtheranch。Herguestshadallarrivedtherelatethenightbefore，andwantedonlyherpresenceandtheassuranceofherwell-beingtoconsiderthelastofthecampingtriparareadventure。

Likewise，theyvoteditthecowboys\'masterpieceofatrick。

Madeline\'sdelay，theyaverred，hadbeenonlyaclevercouptogiveafinaleffect。Shedidnotcorrecttheirimpression，northinkitneedfultostatethatshehadbeenescortedhomebyonlyonecowboy。