第11章

Rapidfootstepswithanaccompanimentofclinkingspurssoundedinthehallway。Thenayoungmanranoutupontheporch。Heresembledacowboyinhislithebuild，hisgarbandaction，inthewayheworehisgun，buthisface，insteadofbeingred，wasclearbrowntan。Hiseyeswereblue；hishairwaslightandcurly。Hewasahandsome，frank-facedboy。AtsightofMadelineheslammeddownhissombreroand，leapingather，hepossessedhimselfofherhands。Hisswiftviolencenotonlyalarmedher，butpainfullyremindedherofsomethingshewishedtoforget。

Thiscowboybenthisheadandkissedherhandsandwrungthem，andwhenhestraighteneduphewascrying。

"MissHammond，she\'ssafean\'almostwell，an\'whatIfearedmostain\'tso，thankGod，"hecried。"SureI\'llneverbeabletopayyouforallyou\'vedoneforher。She\'stoldmehowshewasdraggeddownhere，howGenetriedtosaveher，howyouspokeupforGenean\'her，too，howMontyatthelastthrowedhisguns。

PoorMonty！Weweregoodfriends，Montyan\'I。Butitwasn\'tfriendshipformethatmadeMontystandinthere。Hewouldhavesavedher，anyway。MontyPricewasthewhitestmanIeverknew。

There\'sNelsan\'Nickan\'Gene，he\'sbeensomefriendtome；butMontyPricewas——hewasgrand。Heneverknew，anymorethanyouorBill，here，ortheboys，whatBonitawastome。"

Stillwell\'skindandheavyhandfelluponthecowboy\'sshoulder。

"Danny，what\'sallthisqueergab？"heasked。"An\'you\'retakin\'

somelibertywithMissHammond，whoneverseenyoubefore。SureI\'mmakin\'allowanceferamazin\'strangetalk。Iseeyou\'renotdrinkin\'。Mebbeyou\'replumblocoed。Come，easeupnowan\'talksense。"

Thecowboy\'sfine，frankfacebrokeintoasmile。Hedashedthetearsfromhiseyes。Thenhelaughed。Hislaughhadapleasant，boyishring——ahappyring。

"Bill，oldpal，standbridledownaminute，willyou？"ThenhebowedtoMadeline。"Ibegyourpardon，MissHammond，forseemin\'

rudeness。I\'mDannyMains。An\'Bonitaismywife。I\'msocrazygladshe\'ssafean\'unharmed——sogratefultoyouthat——why，sureit\'sawonderIdidn\'tkissyououtright。"

"Bonita\'syourwife！"ejaculatedStillwell。

"Sure。We\'vebeenmarriedformonths，"repliedDanny，happily。

"GeneStewartdidit。GoodoldGene，he\'shellonmarryin\'。I

guessmaybeIhaven\'tcometopayhimupforallhe\'sdoneforme！Yousee，I\'vebeeninlovewithBonitafortwoyears。An\'

Gene——youknow，Bill，whatawayGenehaswithgirls——hewas——

well，hewastryin\'togetBonitatohaveme。"

Madeline\'squick，varyingemotionswereswallowedupinaboundlessgladness。Somethingdark，deep，heavy，andsomberwasfloodedfromherheart。Shehadasuddenrichsenseofgratitudetowardthissmiling，clean-facedcowboywhoseblueeyesflashedthroughtears。

"DannyMains！"shesaid，tremulouslyandsmilingly。"Ifyouareasgladasyournewshasmademe——ifyoureallythinkImeritsuchareward——youmaykissmeoutright。"

Withabashfulwonder，butwithrightheartywill，DannyMainsavailedhimselfofthisgraciousprivilege。Stillwellsnorted。

Thesignsofhisphenomenalsmileweremanifest，otherwiseMadelinewouldhavethoughtthatsnortanindicationoffuriousdisapproval。

"Bill，straddleachair，"saidDanny。"You\'vegonebackaheaptheselastfewmonths，frettin\'overyourbadboys，Dannyan\'

Gene。You\'llneedsupportunderyouwhileI\'mthrowin\'myyarn。

Storyofmylife，Bill。"HeplacedachairforMadeline。"MissHammond，beggin\'yourpardonagain，Iwantyoutolisten，also。

You\'vethefacean\'eyesofawomanwholovestohearofotherpeople\'shappiness。Besides，somehow，it\'seasyformetotalklookin\'atyou。"

Hismannersubtlychangedthen。Possiblyittookonalittleswagger；certainlyhelostthedignitythathehadshownunderstressoffeeling；hewasnowmorelikeacowboyabouttoboastoraffectsomestunningmaneuver。Walkingofftheporch，hestoodbeforethewearyhorseandburro。

"Playedout！"heexclaimed。

Thenwiththeswiftviolencesocharacteristicofmenofhisclassheslippedthepackfromtheburroandthrewsaddleandbridlefromthehorse。

"There！See\'em！Takealookatthelastdog-goneweightyoueverpacked！You\'vebeensomefaithfultoDannyMains。An\'

DannyMainspays！Neverasaddleagainorastraporahalterorahobblesolongasyoulive！Solongasyoulivenothin\'butgrassan\'clover，an\'coolwaterinshadyplaces，an\'dustyswalestorollinan\'restan\'sleep！"

Thenheuntiedthepackand，takingasmall，heavysackfromit，hecamebackupontheporch。DeliberatelyhedumpedthecontentsofthesackatStillwell\'sfeet。Pieceafterpieceofrockthumpeduponthefloor。Thepiecesweresharp，ragged，evidentlybrokenfromaledge；thebodyofthemwaswhiteincolor，withyellowveinsandbarsandstreaks。Stillwellgraspeduponerockafteranother，staredandstuttered，puttherockstohislips，dugintothemwithhisshakingfingers；thenhelaybackinhischair，headagainstthewall，andashegapedatDannytheoldsmilebegantotransformhisface。

"Lord，Dannyifyouhevn\'tbeenan\'gonean\'struckitrich！"

DannyregardedStillwellwithloftycondescension。

"Somerich，"hesaid。"Now，Bill，what\'vewegothere，say，offhand？"

"Oh，Lord，Danny！I\'mafraidtosay。Look，MissMajesty，jestlookatthegold。I\'velivedamongprospectorsan\'gold-minesferthirtyyears，an\'Ineverseenthebeatofthis。"

"TheLostMineofthePadres！"criedDanny，instentorianvoice。

"An\'itbelongstome！"

Stillwellmadesomeincoherentsoundashesatupfascinated，quitebesidehimself。

"Bill，itwassomelongtimeagosinceyousawme，"saidDanny。

"Factis，Iknowhowyoufelt，becauseGenekeptmeposted。I

happenedtorunacrossBonita，an\'Iwasn\'tgoin\'toletherrideawayalone，whenshetoldmeshewasintrouble。WehitthetrailforthePeloncillos。BonitahadGene\'shorse，an\'shewastomeethimuponthetrail。Wegottothemountainsallright，an\'nearlystarvedforafewdaystillGenefoundus。Hehadgotintroublehimselfan\'couldn\'tfetchmuchwithhim。

"Wemadeforthecragsan\'builtacabin。IcomedownthatdayGenesenthishorseMajestytoyou。NeversawGenesobroken-hearted。Well，afterheslopedfortheborderBonitaan\'

Iwerehardputtoittokeepalive。Butwegotalong，an\'I

thinkitwasthenshebegantocarealittleforme。BecauseI

wasdecent。Ikilledcougarsan\'wentdowntoRodeotogetbountiesfortheskins，an\'boughtgruban\'suppliesIneeded。

OnceIwenttoElCajonan\'runplumbintoGene。Hewasbackfromtherevolutionan\'cuttin\'upsome。ButIgotawayfromhimafterdoin\'allIcouldtodraghimoutoftown。AlongtimeafterthatGenetraileduptothecragsan\'foundus。Genehadstoppeddrinkin\'，he\'dchangedwonderful，wasfinean\'dandy。ItwasthenhebegantopesterthelifeoutofmetomakememarryBonita。Iwashappy，sowasshe，an\'Iwassomescaredofspoilin\'it。Bonitahadbeenalittleflirt，an\'Iwasafraidshe\'dgetshyofahalter，soIbuckedagainstGene。ButIwasalllocoed，asitturnedout。Genewouldcomeupoccasionally，packin\'suppliesforus，an\'alwayshe\'dgetaftermetodotherightthingbyBonita。Gene\'ssodog-gonehardtobuckagainst！

Ihadtogivein，an\'IaskedBonitatomarryme。Well，shewouldn\'tatfirst——saidshewasn\'tgoodenoughforme。ButIsawthemarriageideawasworkin\'deep，an\'Ijustkeptonbein\'asdecentasIknewhow。Soitwasmywantin\'tomarryBonita——mybein\'gladtomarryher——thatmadehergrowsoftan\'sweetan\'

prettyas——asamountainquail。GenefetchedupPadreMarcos，an\'hemarriedus。"

Dannypausedinhisnarrative，breathinghard，asifthememoryoftheincidentdescribedhadstirredstrongandthrillingfeelinginhim。Stillwell\'ssmilewasrapturous。MadelineleanedtowardDannywithhereyesshining。

"MissHammond，an\'you，BillStillwell，nowlisten，forthisisstrangeI\'vegottotellyou。TheafternoonBonitaan\'Iweremarried，whenGenean\'thepadrehadgone，Iwashappyoneminutean\'low-heartedthenext。IwasmiserablebecauseIhadabadname。Icouldn\'tbuyevenadecentdressformyprettywife。

Bonitaheardme，an\'shewassomemysterious。Shetoldmethestoryofthelostmineofthepadres，an\'shekissedmeanmadejoyfulovermeinthestrangestway。Iknewmarriagewenttowomen\'sheads，an\'IthoughtevenBonitahadaspell。

"Well，sheleftmeforalittle，an\'whenshecamebacksheworesomeprettyyellowflowersinherhair。Hereyeswerebigan\'

blackan\'beautiful。Shesaidsomequeerthingsaboutspiritsrollin\'rocksdownthecanon。Thenshesaidshewantedtoshowmewhereshealwayssatan\'waitedan\'watchedformewhenIwasaway。

Sheledmearoundunderthecragstoalongslope。Itwassomeprettythere——clearan\'open，withalongsweep，an\'thedesertyawnin\'deepan\'red。Therewereyellowflowersonthatslope，thesamekindshehadinherhair——thesamekindthatApachegirlworehundredsofyearsagowhensheledthepadretothegold-mine。

"WhenIthoughtofthat，an\'sawBonita\'seyes，an\'thenheardthestrangecrackofrollin\'rocks——heardthemrattledownan\'

rollan\'growfaint——Iwassomeoutofmyhead。Butnotforlong。Themrockswererollin\'allright，onlyitwastheweatherin\'ofthecliffs。

"An\'thereunderthecragswasagoldpocket。

"ThenIwasworsethanlocoed。Iwentgold-crazy。Iworkedlikeseventeenburros。Bill，Idugalotofgoldbearin\'quartz。

Bonitawatchedthetrailsforme，broughtmewater。ThatwashowshecometogetcaughtbyPatHawean\'hisguerrillas。Sure！

PatHawewassosetondoin\'GenedirtthathemixedupwithDonCarlos。Bonitawilltellyousomestaggerin\'newsaboutthatoutfit。Justnowmystoryisallgold。"

DannyMainsgotupandkickedbackhischair。BluelightninggleamedfromhiseyesashethrustahandtowardStillwell。

"Bill，oldpal，putherthere——givemeyourhand，"hesaid。"Youwerealwaysmyfriend。Youhadfaithinme。Well，DannyMainsowesyou，an\'heowesGeneStewartagooddeal，an\'DannyMainspays。Iwanttwopardnerstohelpmeworkmygold-mine。Youan\'

Gene。Ifthere\'sanyranchhereaboutsthattakesyourfancyI\'llbuyit。IfMissHammondevergetstiredofherrangeanstockan\'homeI\'llbuythemforGene。Ifthere\'sanyrailroadortownroundherethatshelikesI\'llbuyit。IfIseeanythin\'myselfthatIlikeI\'llbuyit。Goout；findGeneforme。I\'machin\'

toseehim，totellhim。Gofetchhim；an\'righthereinthishouse，withmywifean\'MissHammondaswitnesses，we\'lldrawupapardnership。Gofindhim，Bill。Iwanttoshowhimthisgold，showhimhowDannyMainspays！An\'theonlybitterdropinmycupto-dayisthatIcan\'teverpayMontyPrice。"

Madeline\'slipstremblinglyformedtotellDannyMainsandStillwellthatthecowboytheywantedsomuchhadlefttheranch；

buttheflameoffineloyaltythatburnedinDanny\'seyes，thehappinessthatmadetheoldcattleman\'sfaceatonceamazingandbeautiful，stiffenedherlips。ShewatchedthehugeStillwellandthelittlecowboy，bothtalkingwildly，astheywalkedoffarminarmtofindStewart。SheimaginedsomethingofwhatDanny\'sdisappointmentwouldbe，oftheelderman\'sconsternationandgrief，whenhelearnedStewarthadleftfortheborder。Atthisjunctureshelookeduptoseeastrange，yetfamiliarfigureapproaching。PadreMarcos！CertainitwasthatMadelinefeltherselftrembling。Whatdidhispresencemeanonthisday？Hehadalwaysavoidedmeetingherwheneverpossible。Hehadbeenexceedinglygratefulforallshehaddoneforhispeople，hischurch，andhimself；buthehadneverthankedherinperson。

Perhapshehadcomeforthatpurposenow。ButMadelinedidnotbelieveso。

MentionofPadreMarcos，sightofhim，hadalwaysoccasionedMadelinealittleindefinableshock；andnow，ashesteppedtotheporch，ashrunken，stooped，andsad-facedman，shewasstartled。

Thepadrebowedlowtoher。

"Senora，willyougrantmeaudience？"heasked，inperfectEnglish，andhisvoicewaslow-tonedandgrave。

"Certainly，PadreMarcos，"repliedMadeline；andsheledhimintoheroffice。

"MayIbegtoclosethedoors？"heasked。"Itisamatterofgreatmoment，whichyoumightnotcaretohaveanyonehear。"

WonderinglyMadelineinclinedherhead。Thepadregentlyclosedonedoorandthentheothers。

"Senora，Ihavecometodiscloseasecret——myownsinfulnessinkeepingit——andtoimploreyourpardon。DoyourememberthatnightSenorStewartdraggedmebeforeyouinthewaiting-roomatElCajon？"

"Yes，"repliedMadeline。

"Senora，sincethatnightyouhavebeenSenorStewart\'swife！"

Madelinebecameasmotionlessasstone。Sheseemedtofeelnothing，onlytohear。

"YouareSenorStewart\'swife。Ihavekeptthesecretunderfearofdeath。ButIcouldkeepitnolonger。SenorStewartmaykillmenow。Ah，Senora，itisverystrangetoyou。Youweresofrightenedthatnight，youknewnotwhathappened。SenorStewartthreatenedme。Heforcedyou。Hemademespeaktheservice。HemadeyouspeaktheSpanishyes。AndI，Senora，knowingthedeedsofthesesinfulcowboys，fearingworsethandisgracetoonesobeautifulandsogoodasyou，Icouldnotdolessthanmarryyoutruly。Atleastyoushouldbehiswife。SoImarriedyou，truly，intheserviceofmychurch。"

"MyGod！"criedMadeline，rising。

"Hearme！Iimploreyou，Senora，hearmeout！Donotleaveme！

Donotlookso——so——Ah，Senora，letmespeakawordforSenorStewart。Hewasdrunkthatnight。Hedidnotknowwhathewasabout。Inthemorninghecametome，mademeswearbymycrossthatIwouldnotrevealthedisgracehehadputuponyou。IfI

didhewouldkillme。LifeisnothingtotheAmericanvaquero，Senora。Ipromisedtorespecthiscommand。ButIdidnottellhimyouwerehiswife。HedidnotdreamIhadtrulymarriedyou。

Hewenttofightforthefreedomofmycountry——Senora，heisonesplendidsoldier——andIbroodedoverthesinofmysecret。IfhewerekilledIneednevertellyou。ButifhelivedIknewthatI

mustsomeday。

"StrangeindeedthatSenorStewartandPadreMarcosshouldbothcometothisranchtogether。ThegreatchangeyourgoodnesswroughtinmybelovedpeoplewasnogreaterthanthechangeinSenorStewart。Senora，Ifearedyouwouldgoawayoneday，gobacktoyourEasternhome，ignorantofthetruth。ThetimecamewhenIconfessedtoStewart——saidImusttellyou。Senor，themanwentmadwithjoy。Ihaveneverseensosupremeajoy。Hethreatenednomoretokillme。Thatstrong，cruelvaquerobeggedmenottotellthesecret——nevertorevealit。Heconfessedhisloveforyou——alovesomethinglikethedesertstorm。Hesworebyallthatwasoncesacredtohim，andbymycrossandmychurch，thathewouldbeagoodman，thathewouldbeworthytohaveyousecretlyhiswifeforthelittletimelifelefthimtoworshipatyourshrine。Youneedednevertoknow。SoIheldmytongue，halfpityinghim，halffearinghim，andprayingforsomeGod-sentlight。

"Senora，itwasafool\'sparadisethatStewartlivedin。Isawhim，often。WhenhetookmeupintothemountainstohavememarrythatwaywardBonitaandherloverIcametohaverespectforamanwhoseideasaboutnatureandlifeandGodwereatavariancewithmine。ButthemanisaworshiperofGodinallmaterialthings。Heisapartofthewindandsunanddesertandmountainthathavemadehim。IhaveneverheardmorebeautifulwordsthanthoseinwhichhepersuadedBonitatoacceptSenorMains，toforgetheroldlovers，andhenceforthtohehappy。Heistheirfriend。IwishIcouldtellyouwhatthatmeans。Itsoundssosimple。Itisreallysimple。Allgreatthingsareso。

ForSenorStewartitwasnaturaltobeloyaltohisfriend，tohaveafinesenseofthehonorduetoawomanwhohadlovedandgiven，tobringabouttheirmarriage，tosuccorthemintheirneedandloneliness。Itwasnaturalforhimnevertospeakofthem。Itwouldhavebeennaturalforhimtogivehislifeintheirdefenseifperilmenacedthem。Senora，Iwantyoutounderstandthattomethemanhasthesamestability，thesamestrength，thesameelementswhichIaminthehabitofattributingtothephysicallifearoundmeinthiswildandruggeddesert。"

Madelinelistenedasoneunderaspell。Itwasnotonlythatthissoft-voiced，eloquentpriestknewhowtomovetheheart，stirthesoul；buthisdefense，hispraiseofStewart，iftheyhadbeencouchedinthecrudespeechofcowboys，wouldhavebeenaglorytoher。

"Senora，Iprayyou，donotmisunderstandmymission。BeyondmyconfessiontoyouIhaveonlyadutytotellyouofthemanwhosewifeyouare。ButIamapriestandIcanreadthesoul。ThewaysofGodareinscrutable。Iamonlyahumbleinstrument。Youareanoblewoman，andSenorStewartisamanofdesertironforgedanewinthecrucibleoflove。Quiensabe？SenorStewartsworehewouldkillmeifIbetrayedhim。Buthewillnotlifthishandagainstme。Forthemanbearsyouaverygreatandpurelove，andithaschangedhim。Inolongerfearhisthreat，butI

dofearhisanger，shouldheeverknowIspokeofhislove，ofhisfool\'sparadise。Ihavewatchedhisdarkfaceturnedtothesunsettingoverthedesert。Ihavewatchedhimliftittothelightofthestars。Think，mygraciousandnoblelady，thinkwhatishisparadise？Toloveyouabovethespiritoftheflesh；toknowyouarehiswife，his，nevertobeanother\'sexceptbyhissacrifice；towatchyouwithasecretgloryofjoyandpride；tostand，whilehemight，betweenyouandevil；tofindhishappinessinservice；towait，withneveradreamoftellingyou，forthehourtocomewhentoleaveyoufreehemustgooutandgethimselfshot！Senora，thatisbeautiful，itissublime，itisterrible。Ithasbroughtmetoyouwithmyconfession。I

repeat，Senora，thewaysofGodareinscrutable。WhatisthemeaningofyourinfluenceuponSenorStewart？Oncehewasmerelyananimal，brutal，unquickened；nowheisaman——Ihavenotseenhislike！SoIbeseechyouinmyhumbleofficeaspriest，asaloverofmankind，beforeyousendStewarttohisdeath，tobesurethereisherenomysteriousdispensationofGod。Love，thatmightyandblessedandunknownthing，mightbeatwork。Senora，IhaveheardthatsomewhereintherichEasterncitiesyouareaverygreatlady。Iknowyouaregoodandnoble。ThatisallI

wanttoknow。Tomeyouareonlyawoman，thesameasSenorStewaftisonlyaman。SoIprayyou，Senora，beforeyouletStewartgiveyoufreedomatsuchcostbesureyoudonotwanthislove，lestyoucastawaysomethingsweetandennoblingwhichyouyourselfhavecreated。"

XXIIITheLightofWesternStarsBlinded，likeawildcreature，MadelineHammondrantoherroom。

Shefeltasifastrokeoflightninghadshatteredtheshadowysubstanceofthedreamshehadmadeofreallife。ThewonderofDannyMains\'sstory，thestrangeregretwithwhichshehadrealizedherinjusticetoStewart，theastoundingsecretasrevealedbyPadreMarcos——thesewereforgotteninthesuddenconsciousnessofherownlove。

Madelinefledasifpursued。Withtremblinghandsshelockedthedoors，drewtheblindsofthewindowsthatopenedontheporch，pushedchairsasidesothatshecouldpacethelengthofherroom。Shewasnowalone，andshewalkedwithsoft，hurried，unevensteps。Shecouldbeherselfhere；sheneedednomask；thelonghabitofserenelyhidingthetruthfromtheworldandfromherselfcouldbebroken。Theseclusionofherdarkenedchambermadepossiblethatbetrayalofherselftowhichshewasimpelled。

Shepausedinherswiftpacingtoandfro。Sheliberatedthethoughtthatknockedatthegatesofhermind。Withquiveringlipsshewhisperedit。Thenshespokealoud：

"Iwillsayit——hearit。I——Ilovehim！"

"Ilovehim！"sherepeatedtheastoundingtruth，butshedoubtedheridentity。

"AmIstillMadelineHammond？Whathashappened？WhoamI？"

Shestoodwherethelightfromoneunclosedwindowfelluponherimageinthemirror。"Whoisthiswoman？"

Sheexpectedtoseeafamiliar，dignifiedperson，aquiet，unruffledfigure，atranquilfacewithdark，proudeyesandcalm，proudlips。No，shedidnotseeMadelineHammond。Shedidnotseeanyonesheknew。Werehereyes，likeherheart，playingherfalse？Thefigurebeforeherwasinstinctwithpulsatinglife。

Thehandsshesaw，claspedtogether，presseddeepintoaswellingbosomthatheavedwitheachpantingbreath。Thefaceshesaw——

white，rapt，strangelyglowing，withparted，quiveringlips，withgreat，staring，tragiceyes——thiscouldnotbeMadelineHammond\'sface。

Yetasshelookedsheknewnofancycouldreallydeceiveher，thatshewasonlyMadelineHammondcomeatlasttotheendofbroodingdreams。Sheswiftlyrealizedthechangeinher，divineditscauseandmeaning，accepteditasinevitable，andstraightwayfellbackagainintothemoodofbewilderingamaze。

Calmnesswasunattainable。Thesurpriseabsorbedher。Shecouldnotgobacktocounttheinnumerable，imperceptiblestepsofherundoing。Heroldpowerofreflecting，analyzing，eventhinkingatall，seemedtohavevanishedinapulse-stirringsenseofonenewemotion。Sheonlyfeltallherinstinctiveoutwardactionthatwasaphysicalrelief，allherinvoluntaryinnerstrifethatwasmaddening，yetunutterablysweet；andtheyseemedtobejustonebewilderingeffectofsurprise。

Inanaturelikehers，wherestrengthoffeelinghadlongbeeninhibitedasamatteroftraining，suchatransformingsurpriseassuddenconsciousnessofpassionateloverequiredtimeforitsawakening，timeforitssway。

Byandbythatlastenlighteningmomentcame，andMadelineHammondfacednotonlytheloveinherheart，butthethoughtofthemansheloved。

Suddenly，assheraged，somethinginher——thisdauntlessnewpersonality——tookarmsagainstindictmentofGeneStewart。Hermindwhirledabouthimandhislife。Shesawhimdrunk，brutal；

shesawhimabandoned，lost。Thenoutofthepictureshehadofhimthusslowlygrewoneofadifferentman——weak，sick，changedbyshock，growingstrong，strangely，spirituallyaltered，silent，lonelylikeaneagle，secretive，tireless，faithful，softasawoman，hardasirontoendure，andatthelastnoble。

Shesoftened。Inaflashhercomplexmoodchangedtoonewhereinshethoughtofthetruth，thebeauty，thewonderofStewart\'suplifting。Humblyshetrustedthatshehadhelpedhimtoclimb。

Thatinfluencehadbeenthebestshehadeverexerted。Ithadwroughtmagicinherowncharacter。Byitshehadreachedsomehigher，noblerplaneoftrustinman。Shehadreceivedinfinitelymorethanshehadgiven。

Herswiftlyflyingmemoryseemedtoassortavastmineoftreasuresofthepast。OfthatletterStewarthadwrittentoherbrothershesawvividwords。Butah！shehadknown，andifithadnotmadeanydifferencethen，nowitmadeallintheworld。

Sherecalledhowherloosenedhairhadblownacrosshislipsthatnighthehadriddendownfromthemountainscarryingherinhisarms。SherecalledthestrangejoyofprideinStewart\'seyeswhenhehadsuddenlycomeuponherdressedtoreceiveherEasternguestsinthewhitegownwiththeredrosesatherbreast。

Swiftlyastheyhadcomethesedreamfulmemoriesdeparted。Therewastobenorestforhermind。Allshehadthoughtandfeltseemedonlytopresageatumult。

Heedless，desperate，shecastoffthelastremnantofself-control，turnedfromtheoldproud，pale，cold，self-containedghostofherselftofacethisstrange，strong，passionatewoman。Then，withhandspressedtoherbeatingheart，witheyesshut，shelistenedtotheringingtrip-hammervoiceofcircumstance，oftruth，offatality。Thewholestorywasrevealed，simpleenoughinthesumofitscomplicateddetails，strangeandbeautifulinpart，remorselessinitsproofofgreatloveonStewart\'sside，indreamingblindnessonherown，and，fromthefirstfatalmomenttothelast，propheticoftragedy。

Madeline，likeaprisonerinacell，beganagaintopacetoandfro。

"Oh，itisallterrible！"shecried。"Iamhiswife。Hiswife！

Thatmeetingwithhim——themarriage——thenhisfall，hislove，hisrise，hissilence，hispride！AndIcanneverbeanythingtohim。CouldIbeanythingtohim？I，MadelineHammond？ButIamhiswife，andIlovehim！Hiswife！Iamthewifeofacowboy！

Thatmightbeundone。Canmylovebeundone？Ah，doIwantanythingundone？Heisgone。Gone！Couldhehavemeant——I

willnot，darenotthinkofthat。Hewillcomeback。No，heneverwillcomeback。Oh，whatshallIdo？"

ForMadelineHammondthedaysfollowingthatstormoffeelingwereleaden-footed，endless，hopeless——alongsuccessionofwearyhours，sleeplesshours，passionatehours，allhauntedbyafearslowlygrowingintotorture，afearthatStewarthadcrossedthebordertoinvitethebulletwhichwouldgiveherfreedom。Thedaycamewhensheknewthistobetrue。Thespiritualtidingsreachedher，notsubtlyassomanydivinationshadcome，butinaclear，vitalflashofcertainty。Thenshesuffered。Sheburnedinwardly，andthenatureofthatdeepfireshowedthroughhereyes。Shekepttoherself，waiting，waitingforherfearstobeconfirmed。

Attimesshebrokeoutinwrathatthecircumstancesshehadfailedtocontrol，atherself，atStewart。

"HemighthavelearnedfromAmbrose！"sheexclaimed，sickwithabitternesssheknewwasnotconsistentwithherpride。SherecalledChristine\'strenchantexpositionofAmbrose\'swooing：

"Hetellmeheloveme；hekeesme；hehugme；heputmeonhishorse；herideawaywithme；hemarryme。"

TheninthenextbreathMadelinedeniedthisinsistentclamoringofalovethatwasgraduallybreakingherspirit。Likeasombershadowremorsefollowedher，shadingblacker。Shehadbeenblindtoaman\'shonesty，manliness，uprightness，faith，andstriving。

Shehadbeendeadtolove，tonobilitythatshehadherselfcreated。PadreMarcos\'sgrave，wisewordsreturnedtohaunther。

Shefoughtherbitterness，scornedherintelligence，hatedherpride，and，weakening，gaveupmoreandmoretoayearning，hopelesshope。

ShehadshunnedthelightofthestarsasshehadviolentlydismissedeveryhintingsuggestivememoryofStewart\'skisses。

Butonenightshewentdeliberatelytoherwindow。Theretheyshone。Herstars！Beautiful，passionlessasalways，butstrangelycloser，warmer，speakingakinderlanguage，helpfulastheyhadneverbeen，teachinghernowthatregretwasfutile，revealingtoherintheironegrand，blazingtaskthesupremedutyoflife——tobetrue。

Thoseshiningstarsmadeheryield。Shewhisperedtothemthattheyhadclaimedher——theWestclaimedher——Stewartclaimedherforever，whetherhelivedordied。Shegaveuptoherlove。Anditwasasifhewasthereinperson，dark-faced，fire-eyed，violentinhisaction，crushinghertohisbreastinthatfarewellmoment，kissingherwithoneburningkissofpassion，thenwithcold，terriblelipsofrenunciation。

"Iamyourwife！"shewhisperedtohim。Inthatmoment，throbbing，exalted，quiveringinherfirstsweet，tumultuoussurrendertolove，shewouldhavegivenherall，herlife，tobeinhisarmsagain，tomeethislips，toputforeveroutofhispoweranythoughtofwildsacrifice。

Andonthemorningofthenextday，whenMadelinewentoutupontheporch，Stillwell，haggardandstern，withahusky，incoherentword，handedheramessagefromElCajon。Sheread：

ElCapitanStewartcapturedbyrebelsoldiersinfightatAguaPrietayesterday。HewasasharpshooterintheFederalranks。

SentencedtodeathThursdayatsunset。

XXIVTheRide"Stillwell！\'

Madeline\'scrywasmorethantheutteranceofabreakingheart。

Itwasfullofagony。Butalsoitutteredtheshatteringofastructurebuiltoffalsepride，ofoldbeliefs，ofbloodlessstandards，ofignoranceofself。Itbetrayedthefinalconquestofherdoubts，andoutoftheirdarknessblazedtheunquenchablespiritofawomanwhohadfoundherself，herlove，hersalvation，herdutytoaman，andwhowouldnotbecheated。

Theoldcattlemanstoodmutebeforeher，staringatherwhiteface，athereyesofflame。

"Stillwell！IamStewart\'swife！"

"MyGawd，MissMajesty！"heburstout。"Iknowedsomethin\'

turriblewaswrong。Aw，sureit\'sapity——"

"DoyouthinkI\'lllethimbeshotwhenIknowhimnow，whenI\'mnolongerblind，whenIlovehim？"sheasked，withpassionateswiftness。"Iwillsavehim。ThisisWednesdaymorning。Ihavethirty-sixhourstosavehislife。Stillwell，sendforLinkandthecar！"

Shewentintoheroffice。Hermindworkedwithextraordinaryrapidityandclearness。Herplan，borninonelightning-likeflashofthought，necessitatedthecarefulwordingoftelegramstoWashington，toNewYork，toSanAntonio。TheseweretoSenators，Representatives，menhighinpublicandprivatelife，menwhowouldrememberherandwhowouldservehertotheirutmost。Neverbeforehadherpositionmeantanythingtohercomparablewithwhatitmeantnow。Neverinallherlifehadmoneyseemedthepowerthatitwasthen。Ifshehadbeenpoor！A

shudderingchillfrozethethoughtatitsinception。Shedispelledheartbreakingthoughts。Shehadpower。Shehadwealth。Shewouldsetintooperationalltheunlimitedmeansthesegaveher——thewiresandpulleysandstringsunderneaththesurfaceofpoliticalandinternationallife，theopen，free，purchasingvalueofmoneyorthedeep，underground，mysterious，incalculablypowerfulinfluencemovedbygold。ShecouldsaveStewart。Shemustawaitresults——deadlockedinfeeling，strainedperhapsalmostbeyondendurance，becausethesuspensewouldbegreat；butshewouldallownopossibilityoffailuretoenterhermind。

WhenshewentoutsidethecarwastherewithLink，helmetinhand，acool，brightgleaminhiseyes，andwithStillwell，losinghishaggardmisery，beginningtorespondtoMadeline\'sspirit。

"Link，driveStillwelltoElCajonintimeforhimtocatchtheElPasotrain，"shesaid。"Waitthereforhisreturn，andifanymessagecomesfromhim，telephoneitatoncetome。"

ThenshegaveStillwellthetelegramstosendfromElCajonanddraftstocashinElPaso。Sheinstructedhimtogobeforetherebeljunta，thenstationedatJuarez，toexplainthesituation，tobidthemexpectcommunicationsfromWashingtonofficialsrequestingandadvisingStewart\'sexchangeasaprisonerofwar，tooffertobuyhisreleasefromtherebelauthorities。

WhenStillwellhadheardherthroughhishuge，bowedformstraightened，aghostofhisoldsmilejustmovedhislips。Hewasnolongeryoung，andhopecouldnotatoncedriveawaysternandgrimrealities。Ashebentoverherhandhismannerappearedcourtlyandreverent。Buteitherhewasspeechlessorfeltthemomentnotoneforhimtobreaksilence。

HeclimbedtoaseatbesideLink，whopocketedthewatchhehadbeenstudyingandleanedoverthewheel。Therewasacrack，amuffledsoundburstingintoaroar，andthebigcarjerkedforwardtoboundovertheedgeoftheslope，toleapdownthelongincline，toshootoutuponthelevelvalleyflooranddisappearinmovingdust。

ForthefirsttimeindaysMadelinevisitedthegardens，thecorrals，thelakes，thequartersofthecowboys。Thoughimaginingshewascalm，shefearedshelookedstrangetoNels，toNick，toFrankieSlade，tothoseboysbestknowntoher。Thesituationforthemmusthavebeenoneoftormentingpainandbewilderment。

Theyactedasiftheywantedtosaysomethingtoher，butfoundthemselvesspellbound。Shewondered——didtheyknowshewasStewart\'swife？Stillwellhadnothadtimetotellthem；

besides，hewouldnothavementionedthefact。ThesecowboysonlyknewthatStewartwassentencedtobeshot；theyknewifMadelinehadnotbeenangrywithhimhewouldnothavegoneindesperatefightingmoodacrosstheborder。Shespokeoftheweather，ofthehorsesandcattle，askedNelswhenhewastogoonduty，andturnedawayfromthewide，sunlit，adobe-archedporchwherethecowboysstoodsilentandbareheaded。Thenoneofhersubtleimpulsescheckedher。

"Nels，youandNickneednotgoondutyto-day，"shesaid。"I

maywantyou。I——I——"

Shehesitated，paused，andstoodlingeringthere。HerglancehadfallenuponStewart\'sbigblackhorseprancinginanear-bycorral。

"IhavesentStillwelltoElPaso，"shewenton，inalowvoiceshefailedtoholdsteady。"HewillsaveStewart。Ihavetotellyou——IamStewart\'swife！"

Shefeltthestrickenamazethatmadethesemensilentandimmovable。Withlevelgazeavertedsheleftthem。Returningtothehouseandherroom，shepreparedforsomething——forwhat？Towait！

Thenagreatinvisibleshadowseemedtohoverbehindher。Sheessayedmanytasks，tofailofattention，tofindthathermindheldonlyStewartandhisfortunes。WhyhadhebecomeaFederal？

Shereflectedthathehadwonhistitle，ElCapitan，fightingforMadero，therebel。ButMaderowasnowaFederal，andStewartwastruetohim。IncrossingtheborderhadStewartanyothermotivethantheonehehadimpliedtoMadelineinhismockingsmileandscornfulwords，"Youmighthavesavedmeahellofalotoftrouble！"Whattrouble？Shefeltagainthecoldshockofcontactwiththegunshehaddroppedinhorror。Hemeantthetroubleofgettinghimselfshotintheonlywayamancouldseekdeathwithoutcowardice。Buthadheanyothermotive？SherecalledDonCarlosandhisguerrillas。ThenthethoughtleapedupinhermindwithgrippingpowerthatStewartmeanttohuntDonCarlos，tomeethim，tokillhim。Itwouldbethedeedofasilent，vengeful，implacablemandrivenbywildjusticesuchashadbeenthedeadlyleaveninMontyPrice。ItwasadeedtoexpectofNelsorNickSteel——and，aye，ofGeneStewart。

MadelinefeltregretthatStewart，ashehadclimbedsohigh，hadnotrisenabovedeliberateseekingtokillhisenemy，howeverevilthatenemy。

Thelocalnewspapers，whichcameregularlyadaylatefromElPasoandDouglas，hadneverwonanyparticularinterestfromMadeline；now，however，shetookupanycopiesshecouldfindandreadalltheinformationpertainingtotherevolution。Everywordseemedvitaltoher，ofmovingsignificantforce。

AMERICANSROBBEDBYMEXICANREBELS

MADERA，STATEOFCHIHUAHUA，MEXICO，July17——HavinglootedtheMaderaLumberCompany\'sstorehousesof$25，000worthofgoodsandrobbedscoresofforeignersofhorsesandsaddles，therebelcommandofGen。AntonioRojas，comprisingathousandmen，startedwestwardto-daythroughthestateofSonoraforAgnaymasandPacificcoastpoints。

ThetroopsareheadedforDolores，whereamountainpassleadsintothestateofSonora。Theirentrancewillbeopposedby1，000Maderistavolunteers，whoarereportedtobewaitingtherebelinvasion。

TherailroadsouthofMaderaisbeingdestroyedandmany。

AmericanswhoweretravelingtoChihuahuafromJuarezaremaroonedhere。

GeneralRojasexecutedfivemenwhilehereforallegedoffensesofatrivialcharacter。Gen。RosalioyHernandez，Lieut。

CiprianoAmador，andthreesoldiersweretheunfortunates。

WASHINGTON，July17——SomewhereinMexicoPatrickDunne，anAmericancitizen，isinprisonundersentenceofdeath。ThismuchandnomoretheStateDepartmentlearnedthroughRepresentativeKinkaidofNebraska。ConsularofficersinvarioussectionsofMexicohavebeendirectedtomakeeveryefforttolocateDunneandsavehislife。

JUAREZ，MEXICO，July31——GeneralOrozco，chiefoftherebels，declaredto-day：

"IftheUnitedStateswillthrowdownthebarriersandletushavealltheammunitionwecanbuy，IpromiseinsixtydaystohavepeacerestoredinMexicoandastablegovernmentincharge。"

CASASGRANDES，CHIHUAHUA，July31——RebelsoldierslootedmanyhomesofMormonsnearhereyesterday。AlltheMormonfamilieshavefledtoElPaso。AlthoughGeneralSalazarhadtwoofhissoldiersexecutedyesterdayforrobbingMormons，hehasnotmadeanyattempttostophismenlootingtheunprotectedhomesofAmericans。

Lastnight\'sandto-day\'strainscarriedmanyAmericansfromPearson，Madera，andotherlocalitiesoutsidetheMormonsettlements。RefugeesfromMexicocontinuedtopourintoElPaso。Aboutonehundredcamelastnight，themajorityofwhomweremen。Heretoforefewmencame。

Madelinereadoninfeverishabsorption。Itwasnotarealwar，butastarving，robbing，burning，hopelessrevolution。Fivemenexecutedforallegedoffensesofatrivialnature！Whatchancehad，then，aFederalprisoner，anenemytobefeared，anAmericancowboyintheclutchesofthosecrazedrebels？

Madelineenduredpatiently，enduredforlonginterminablehourswhileholdingtoherhopewithindomitablewill。

Nomessagecame。Atsunsetshewentoutdoors，sufferingatormentofaccumulatingsuspense。Shefacedthedesert，hoping，prayingforstrength。Thedesertdidnotinfluenceherasdidthepassionless，unchangeablestarsthathadsoothedherspirit。

Itwasred，mutable，shroudedinshadows，terriblelikehermood。

Adust-veiledsunsetcoloredthevast，brooding，nakedwasteofrockandsand。ThegrimChiricahuafrownedblackandsinister。

ThedimbluedomesoftheGuadalupesseemedtowhisper，tobeckontoher。BeyondthemsomewherewasStewart，awaitingtheendofafewbriefhours——hoursthattoherwereboundless，endless，insupportable。

Nightfell。Butnowthewhite，pitilessstarsfailedher。Thenshesoughttheseclusionanddarknessofherroom，theretoliewithwideeyes，waiting，waiting。Shehadalwaysbeensusceptibletothesomber，mysticunrealitiesofthenight，andnowhermindslowlyrevolvedroundavagueandmonstrousgloom。

Nevertheless，shewasacutelysensitivetooutsideimpressions。

Sheheardthemeasuredtreadofaguard，therustleofwindstirringthewindow-curtain，theremote，mournfulwailofacoyote。Byandbythedeadsilenceofthenightinsulatedherwithleadenoppression。Therewassilentdarknessforsolongthatwhenthewindowcasementsshowedgrayshebelieveditwasonlyfancyandthatdawnwouldnevercome。Sheprayedforthesunnottorise，nottobeginitsshorttwelve-hourjourneytowardwhatmightbeafatalsettingforStewart。Butthedawndidlighten，swiftlyshethought，remorselessly。Daylighthadbroken，andthiswasThursday！

Sharpringingofthetelephonebellstartledher，rousedherintoaction。Sherantoanswerthecall。

"Hello——hello——MissMajesty！"camethehurriedreply。"ThisisLinktalkin\'。Messagesforyou。Favorable，theoperatorsaid。

I\'mtorideoutwiththem。I\'llcomea-hummin\'。"

Thatwasall。MadelineheardthebangofthereceiverasStevensthrewitdown。Shepassionatelywantedtoknowmore，butwasimmeasurablygratefulforsomuch！Favorable！ThenStillwellhadbeensuccessful。Herheartleaped。Suddenlyshebecameweakandherhandsfailedoftheiraccustomedmorningdeftness。Ittookherwhatseemedathousandyearstodress。Breakfastmeantnothingtoherexceptthatithelpedhertopassdraggingminutes。

Finallyalowhum，mountingswiftlytoaroarandendingwithasharpreport，announcedthearrivalofthecar。IfherfeethadkeptpacewithherheartshewouldhaveracedouttomeetLink。

Shesawhim，helmetthrownback，watchinhand，andhelookedupatherwithhiscool，brightsmile，withhisfamiliarapologeticmanner。

"Fifty-threeminutes，MissMajesty，"hesaid，"butIhedtorideroundaherdofsteersan\'bumpacoupleoffthetrail。"

Hegavehe\'apacketoftelegrams。Madelinetorethemopenwithshakingfingers，begantoreadwithswift，dimeyes。SomewerefromWashington，assuringherofeverypossibleservice；somewerefromNewYork；otherswritteninSpanishwerefromElPaso，andtheseshecouldnotwhollytranslateinabriefglance。

WouldsheneverfindStillwell\'smessage？Itwasthelast。Itwaslengthy。Itread：

BoughtStewart\'srelease。Alsoarrangedforhistransferasprisonerofwar。Bothmattersofficial。He\'ssafeifwecangetnoticetohiscaptors。NotsureI\'vereachedthembywire。

Afraidtotrustit。YougowithLinktoAguaPrieta。TakethemessagessentyouinSpanish。TheywillprotectyouandsecureStewart\'sfreedom。TakeNelswithyou。Stopfornothing。TellLinkall——trusthim——lethimdrivethatcar。STILLWELL

ThefirstfewlinesofStillwell\'smessageliftedMadelinetotheheightsofthanksgivingandhappiness。Then，readingon，sheexperiencedacheck，anumb，icy，sickeningpang。Atthelastlinesheflungoffdoubtanddread，andinwhite，coldpassionfacedtheissue。

"Read，"shesaid，briefly，handingthetelegramtoLink。Hescanneditandthenlookedblanklyupather。

"Link，doyouknowtheroads，thetrails——thedesertbetweenhereandAguaPrieta？"sheasked。

"Thet\'ssuremyoldstampin\'-ground。An\'IknowSonora，too。"

"WemustreachAguaPrietabeforesunset——longbefore，soifStewartisinsomenear-bycampwecangettoitin——intime。"

"MissMajesty，itain\'tpossible！"heexclaimed。"Stillwell\'scrazytosaythet。"

"Link，cananautomobilebedrivenfromhereintonorthernMexico？"

"Sure。Butit\'dtaketime。"

"Wemustdoitinlittletime，"shewenton，inswifteagerness。

"OtherwiseStewartmaybe——probablywillbe——beshot。"

LinkStevensappearedsuddenlytogrowlax，shriveled，toloseallhispeculiarpertbrightness，toweakenandage。

"I\'monlya——acowboy，MissMajesty。"Healmostfaltered。Itwasasingularchangeinhim。"Thet\'sanawfulride——downovertheborder。IfbysomeluckIdidn\'tsmashthecarI\'dturnyourhairgray。You\'dneverbenogoodafterthetride！"

"IamStewart\'swife，"sheansweredhimandshelookedathim，notconsciousofanymotivetopersuadeorallure，butjusttolethimknowthegreatnessofherdependenceuponhim。

Hestartedviolently——theoldactionofStewart，thememorableactionofMontyPrice。Thismanwasofthesamewildbreed。

ThenMadeline\'swordsflowedinatorrent。"IamStewart\'swife。

Ilovehim；Ihavebeenunjusttohim；Imustsavehim。Link，I

havefaithinyou。IbeseechyoutodoyourbestforStewart\'ssake——formysake。I\'llrisktheridegladly——bravely。I\'llnotcarewhereorhowyoudrive。I\'dfarratherplungeintoacanon——

gotomydeathontherocks——thannottrytosaveStewart。"

Howbeautifultheresponseofthisrudecowboy——torealizehisabsoluteunconsciousnessofself，toseethehaggardshadeburnoutofhisface，theold，cool，devil-may-carespiritreturntohiseyes，andtofeelsomethingwonderfulabouthimthen！Itwasmorethanwillordaringorsacrifice。Ablood-tiemighthaveexistedbetweenhimandMadeline。Shesensedagainthatindefinablebrother-likequality，sofine，soalmostinvisible，whichseemedtobeaninalienabletraitinthesewildcowboys。

"MissMajesty，thetridefiggersimpossible，butI\'lldoit！"hereplied。Hiscool，brightglancethrilledher。"I\'llneedmebbehalfanhourtogooverthecaran\'topackonwhatI\'llwant。"

Shecouldnotthankhim，andherreplywasmerelyarequestthathetellNelsandothercowboysoffdutytocomeuptothehouse。

WhenLinkhadgoneMadelinegaveamoment\'sthoughttopreparationsfortheride。Sheplacedwhatmoneyshehadandthetelegramsinasatchel。Thegownshehadonwasthinandwhite，notsuitablefortravel，butshewouldnotriskthelosingofonemomentinchangingit。Sheputonalongcoatandwoundveilsroundherheadandneck，arrangingtheminahoodsoshecouldcoverherfacewhennecessary。SherememberedtotakeanextrapairofgogglesforNels\'suse，andthen，drawingonhergloves，shewentoutreadyfortheride。

Anumberofcowboyswerewaiting。Sheexplainedthesituationandlefttheminchargeofherhome。WiththatsheaskedNelstoaccompanyherdownintothedesert。Heturnedwhitetohislips，andthisoccasionedMadelinetorememberhismortaldreadofthecarandLink\'sdriving。

"Nels，I\'msorrytoaskyou，"sheadded。"Iknowyouhatethecar。ButIneedyou——mayneedyou，oh！somuch。"

"Why，MissMajesty，thet\'sshoreallamistakenideeofyoursaboutmehatin\'thecar，"hesaid，inhisslow，softdrawl。"I

wasonlyjealousofLink；an\'theboys，theymadethetjokeuponmeaboutbein\'scaredofridin\'fast。ShoreI\'mpowerfulproudtogo。An\'Ireckonifyouhedn\'taskedmemyfeelin\'smighthevbeensomehurt。Becauseifyou\'regoin\'downamongtheGreasersyouwantme。"

Hiscool，easyspeech，hisfamiliarswagger，thesmilewithwhichheregardedherdidnotintheleastdeceiveMadeline。Thegraywasstillinhisface。Incomprehensibleasitseemed，Nelshadadread，anuncannyfear，anditwasofthathugewhiteautomobile。

Butheliedaboutit。Hereagainwasthatstrangequalityoffaithfulness。

Madelineheardthebuzzofthecar。Linkappeareddrivinguptheslope。Hemadeashort，slidingturnandstoppedbeforetheporch。Linkhadtiedtwolong，heavyplanksuponthecar，oneoneachside，andineveryavailablespacehehadstrappedextratires。Ahugecaskoccupiedonebackseat，andanotherseatwasfulloftoolsandropes。TherewasjustroominthisrearpartofthecarforNelstosqueezein。LinkputMadelineinfrontbesidehim，thenbentoverthewheel。Madelinewavedherhandatthesilentcowboysontheporch。Notanaudiblegood-bywasspoken。

Thecarglidedoutoftheyard，leapedfromleveltoslope，andstartedswiftlydowntheroad，outintotheopenvalley。EachstrongerrushofdrywindinMadeline\'sfacemarkedtheincreaseofspeed。Shetookoneglanceatthewindingcattle-road，smooth，unobstructed，disappearinginthegrayofdistance。Shetookanotherattheleather-garbed，leather-helmeteddriverbesideher，andthenshedrewthehoodofveilsoverherfaceandfasteneditroundhernecksotherewasnopossibilityofitsblowingloose。

Harderandstrongerpressedthewindtillitwaslikesheetedleadforcingherbackinherseat。Therewasaceaseless，intense，inconceivablyrapidvibrationunderher；occasionallyshefeltalongswing，asifsheweretobepropelledaloft；butnojarsdisturbedtheeasycelerityofthecar。Thebuzz，theroarofwheels，ofheavybodyinflight，increasedtoacontinuousdroninghum。Thewindbecameaninsupportablebodymovingtowardher，crushingherbreast，makingthetaskofbreathingmostdifficult。ToMadelinethetimeseemedtoflywiththespeedofmiles。Amomentcamewhenshedetectedafaintdifferenceinhumandrushandvibration，intheceaselesssweepingoftheinvisibleweightagainsther。Thisdifferencebecamemarked。Linkwasreducingspeed。Thencameswiftchangeofallsensation，andsherealizedthecarhadslowedtonormaltravel。

Madelineremovedherhoodandgoggles。Itwasarelieftobreathefreely，tobeabletousehereyes。Toherright，notfardistant，laythelittletownofChiricahua。SightofitmadeherrememberStewartinawaystrangetoherconstantthoughtofhim。Totheleftinclinedthegrayvalley。Thereddesertwashiddenfromview，buttheGuadalupeMountainsloomedcloseinthesouthwest。

OppositeChiricahua，wheretheroadforked，LinkStevensheadedthecarstraightsouthandgraduallyincreasedspeed。Madelinefacedanotherendlessgrayincline。ItwastheSanBernardinoValley。Thesingingofthecar，thestingingofthewindwarnedhertodrawthehoodsecurelydownoverherfaceagain，andthenitwasasifshewasridingatnight。Thecarlurchedahead，settledintothatdrivingspeedwhichwedgedMadelinebackasinavise。Againthemomentswentbyfleetasthemiles。

Seemingly，therewasanaccelerationofthecartillitreachedacertainswiftness——aperiodoftimeinwhichitheldthatpace，andthenadiminishingofallmotionandsoundwhichcontributedtoMadeline\'sacutesensation。Uncoveringherface，shesawLinkwaspassinganothervillage。CoulditbeBernardino？SheaskedLink——repeatedthequestion。

"Sure，"hereplied。"Eightymiles。"

Linkdidnotthistimeapologizefortheworkofhismachine。

Madelinemarkedtheomissionwithherfirstthrilloftheride。

Leaningover，sheglancedatLink\'swatch，whichhehadfasteneduponthewheelinfrontofhiseyes。Aquartertoten！Linkhadindeedmadeshortworkofthevalleymiles。

BeyondBernardinoLinksheeredofftheroadandputthecartoalong，low-risingslope。HerethevalleyappearedtorunsouthunderthedarkbrowsoftheGuadalupes。Linkwasheadingsouthwest。Madelineobservedthatthegrassbegantofailastheyclimbedtheridge；bare，white，dustyspotsappeared；therewerepatchesofmesquiteandcactusandscatteringareasofbrokenrock。

Shemighthavebeenpreparedforwhatshesawfromtheridge-top。

Beneaththemthedesertblazed。Seenfromafar，itwasstrikingenough，butridingdownintoitsredjawsgaveMadelinethefirstaffronttoherimperiousconfidence。Allaboutherranchhadbeendesert，thevalleysweredesert；butthiswasdifferent。

Herebeganthereddesert，extendingfarintoMexico，faracrossArizonaandCaliforniatothePacific。Shesawabare，hummockyridge，downwhichthecarwasgliding，bounding，swinging，andthislongslantseemedtomergeintoacorrugatedworldofrockandsand，patchedbyflatsandbasins，streakedwithcanonsandrangesofragged，saw-toothedstone。ThedistantSierraMadreswereclearer，bluer，lesssmokyandsuggestiveofmiragethanshehadeverseenthem。Madeline\'ssustainingfaithupheldherinthefaceofthisappallingobstacle。Thenthedesertthathadrolleditsimmensitybeneathhergraduallybegantorise，toloseitsdistantmargins，tocondenseitsvaryinglightsandshades，atlasttohideitsyawningdepthsandloomingheightsbehindredridges，whichwereonlylittlesteps，littleoutposts，littlelandmarksatitsgates。

Thebouncingofthehugecar，throwingMadelineup，directedherattentionandfastenedituponthewayLinkStevenswasdrivingandupontheimmediateforeground。Thenshediscoveredthathewasfollowinganoldwagon-road。Atthefootofthatlongslopetheystruckintorougherground，andhereLinktooktoacautiouszigzagcourse。Thewagon-roaddisappearedandthenpresentlyreappeared。ButLinkdidnotalwaysholdtoit。Hemadecuts，detours，crosses，andallthetimeseemedtobegettingdeeperintoamazeoflow，reddunes，offlatcanon-bedslinedbybanksofgravel，ofridgesmountinghigher。YetLinkStevenskeptonandneverturnedback。Heneverheadedintoaplacethathecouldnotpass。Uptothispointoftravelhehadnotbeencompelledtobackthecar，andMadelinebegantorealizethatitwasthecowboy\'swonderfuljudgmentofgroundthatmadeadvancepossible。Heknewthecountry；hewasneverataloss；aftermakingachoiceofdirection，heneverhesitated。

Thenatthebottomofawidecanonheenteredawashwherethewheelsjustbarelyturnedindraggingsand。Thesunbeatdownwhite-hot，thedustarose，therewasnotabreathofwind；andnosoundsavetheslideofarocknowandthendowntheweatheredslopesandthelaboredchuggingofthemachine。Thesnailpace，likethesandatthewheels，begantodragatMadeline\'sfaith。

LinkgaveoverthewheeltoMadeline，and，leapingout，hecalledNels。WhentheyuntiedthelongplanksandlaidthemstraightinfrontforthewheelstopassoverMadelinesawhowwisehadbeenLink\'sforethought。Withtheaidofthoseplankstheyworkedthecarthroughsandandgravelotherwiseimpossibletopass。

Thiscanonwidenedandopenedintospaceaffordinganunobstructedviewformiles。Thedesertslopedupinsteps，andinthemorninglight，withthesunbrightonthemesasandescarpments，itwasgray，drab，stone，slate，yellow，pink，and，dominatingall，adullrust-red。Therewaslevelgroundahead，awind-sweptfloorashardasrock。Linkrushedthecaroverthisfreedistance。Madeline\'searsfilledwithadroninghumlikethesoundofamonstrous，hungrybeeandwithastrange，incessantcrinklewhichsheatlengthguessedtobethespreadingofsheetsofgravelfromunderthewheels。ThegiantcarattainedsuchaspeedthatMadelinecouldonlydistinguishthecoloredlandmarkstothefore，andthesefadedasthewindstunghereyes。

ThenLinkbegantheascentofthefirststep，along，sweeping，barrenwastewithdunesofwonderfulvioletandheliotropehues。

Herewerewell-definedmarksofanoldwagon-roadlatelytraversedbycattle。Thecarclimbedsteadily，surmountedtheheight，facedanotherlongbenchthathadbeencleanedsmoothbydesertwinds。Theskywasanintense，light，steelyblue，hardontheeyes。Madelineveiledherface，anddidnotuncoverituntilLinkhadreducedtheracingspeed。Fromthesummitofthenextridgeshesawmoreredruinofdesert。

AdeepwashcrossingtheroadcausedLinkStevenstoturnduesouth。Therewasanarrowspacealongthewashjustwideenoughforthecar。Linkseemedoblivioustothefactthattheoutsidewheelswereperilouslyclosetotheedge。Madelineheardtherattleofloosenedgravelandearthslidingintothegully。Thewashwidenedandopenedoutintoasandyflat。Linkcrossedthisandturnedupontheoppositeside。Rocksimpededtheprogressofthecar，andthesehadtoberolledoutoftheway。Theshelvesofsilt，apparentlyreadytoslidewiththeslightestweight，thelittletributarywashes，theboulder-strewnstretchesofslope，thenarrowspacesallowingnomorethanafootfortheoutsidewheels，thespear-pointedcactusthathadtobeavoided——alltheseobstacleswereasnothingtothecowboydriver。Hekepton，andwhenhecametotheroadagainhemadeupforthelosttimebyspeed。

Anotherheightwasreached，andhereMadelinefanciedthatLinkhaddriventhecartothesummitofahighpassbetweentwomountainranges。Thewesternslopeofthatpassappearedtobeexceedinglyroughandbroken。Belowitspreadoutanothergrayvalley，attheextremeendofwhichglistenedawhitespotthatLinkgrimlycalledDouglas。PartofthatwhitespotwasAguaPrieta，thesistertownacrosstheline。Madelinelookedwitheyesthatwouldfainhavepiercedtheinterveningdistance。

Thedescentofthepassbeganunderdifficulties。Sharpstonesandcactusspikespenetratedthefronttires，burstingthemwithrippingreports。Ittooktimetoreplacethem。Theplankswerecalledintorequisitiontocrosssoftplaces。Ajaggedpointofprojectingrockhadtobebrokenwithasledge。Atlengthahugestoneappearedtohinderanyfurtheradvance。Madelinecaughtherbreath。Therewasnoroomtoturnthecar。ButLinkStevenshadnointentionofsuchathing。Hebackedthecartoaconsiderabledistance，thenwalkedforward。Heappearedtobebusyaroundtheboulderforamomentandreturneddowntheroadontherun。Aheavyexplosion，acloudofdust，andarattleoffallingfragmentstoldMadelinethatherindomitabledriverhadclearedapassagewithdynamite。Heseemedtobepreparedforeveryemergency。MadelinelookedtoseewhateffectthediscoveryofLinkcarryingdynamitewouldhaveuponthesilentNels。

"Shore，now，MissMajesty，thereain\'tnothin\'goin\'tostopLink，"saidNels，withareassuringsmile。ThesignificanceoftheincidenthadnotdawneduponNels，orelsehewasheedlessofit。Afterall，hewasafraidonlyofthecarandLink，andthatfearwasanidiosyncrasy。Madelinebegantoseehercowboydriverwithclearereyesandhisspiritawokesomethinginherthatmadedangerofnomoment。Nelslikewisesubtlyresponded，and，thoughhewasgray-faced，tight-lipped，hiseyestookonthecool，brightgleamofLink\'s。

Cactusbarredtheway，rocksbarredtheway，gulliesbarredtheway，andtheseNelsaddressedinthegrimhumorwithwhichhewaswonttoviewtragicthings。AmistakeonLink\'spart，aslipofawheel，aburstingofatireatacriticalmoment，aninstantofthebadluckwhichmighthappenahundredtimesonalessperilousride——anyoneofthesemightspelldisasterforthecar，perhapsdeathtotheoccupants。AgainandagainLinkusedtheplankstocrosswashesinsand。Sometimesthewheelsranallthelengthoftheplanks，sometimesslippedoff。PresentlyLinkcametoaditchwherewaterhadworndeepintotheroad。Withouthesitationheplacedthem，measuringdistancecarefully，andthenstartedacross。Thedangerwasinditchingthemachine。Oneoftheplankssplit，saggedalittle，butLinkmadethecrossingwithoutaslip。

Theroadledroundunderanoverhangingcliffandwasnarrow，rocky，andslightlydownhill。BiddingMadelineandNelswalkroundthishazardouscorner，Linkdrovethecar。Madelineexpectedtohearitcrashdownintothecanon，butpresentlyshesawLinkwaitingtotakethemaboardagain。Thencamesteeperpartsoftheroad，placesthatLinkcouldrundownifhehadspacebelowtocontrolthecar，andontheotherhandplaceswherethelittleinclinesendedinabruptledgesupononesideoradeclivityupontheother。Herethecowboy，withropesonthewheelsandhalf-hitchesuponthespursofrock，letthecarslidedown。

OnceataparticularlybadspotMadelineexclaimedinvoluntarily，"Oh，timeisflying！"LinkStevenslookedupatherasifhehadbeenreprovedforhiscare。Hiseyesshoneliketheglintofsteelonice。PerhapsthatutteranceofMadeline\'swasneededtoliberatehisrecklessnesstoitsutmost。Certainlyheputthecartoseeminglyimpossiblefeats。Herimmedgullies，hehurdledrisingground，heleapedlittlebreaksintheevenroad。Hemadehismachineclinglikeagoattosteepinclines；heroundedcornerswiththeinsidewheelshigherthantheoutside；hepassedoverbanksofsoftearththatcavedintheinstanthecrossedweakplaces。Hekeptonandon，threadingtortuouspassagesthroughrock-strewnpatches，keepingtotheoldroadwhereitwasclear，abandoningitforopenspaces，andalwaysgoingdown。

Atlengthamileofclean，brownslope，ridgedandgroovedlikeawashboard，ledgentlydowntomeetthefloorofthevalley，wherethescantgrama-grassstruggledtogiveatingeofgray。Theroadappearedtobecomemoreclearlydefined，andcouldbeseenstrikingstraightacrossthevalley。

ToMadeline\'sdismay，thatroadleddowntoadeep，narrowwash。

Itplungedononeside，ascendedontheotheratastillsteeperangle。Thecrossingwouldhavebeenlaborsomeforahorse；foranautomobileitwasunpassable。Linkturnedthecartotherightalongtherimanddroveasfaralongthewashasthegroundpermitted。Thegullywidened，deepenedalltheway。Thenhetooktheotherdirection。WhenhemadethisturnMadelineobservedthatthesunhadperceptiblybegunitsslantwestward。

Itshoneinherface，glaringandwrathful。Linkdrovebacktotheroad，crossedit，andkeptondownthelineofthewash。Itwasadeepcutinredearth，wornstraightdownbyswiftwaterintherainyseasons。Itnarrowed。Insomeplacesitwasonlyfivefeetwide。Linkstudiedthesepointsandlookeduptheslope，andseemedtobemakingdeductions。Thevalleywaslevelnow，andtherewerenothingbutlittlebreaksintherimofthewash。

Linkdrovemileaftermile，lookingforaplacetocross，andtherewasnone。Finallyprogresstothesouthwasobstructedbyimpassablegullieswherethewashplungedintotheheadofacanon。Itwasnecessarytobackthecaradistancebeforetherewasroomtoturn。Madelinelookedattheimperturbabledriver。

Hisfacerevealednomorethanthesameoldhard，immutablecharacter。Whenhereachedthenarrowestpoints，whichhadsointerestedhim，hegotoutofthecarandwalkedfromplacetoplace。Oncewithalittlejumpheclearedthewash。ThenMadelinenotedthatthefartherrimwassomewhatlower。InaflashshedivinedLink\'sintention。Hewashuntingaplacetojumpthecaroverthecrackintheground。

Soonhefoundonethatseemedtosuithim，forhetiedhisredscarfuponagreasewood-bush。Then，returningtothecar，heclamberedin，and，muttering，brokehislongsilence："Thisain\'tnoair-ship，hutI\'veoutfiggeredthetdamnwash。"Hebackedupthegentleslopeandhaltedjustshortofsteeperground。Hisredscarfwavedinthewind。Hunchinglowoverthewheel，hestarted，slowlyatfirst，thenfaster，andthenfaster。Thegreatcargaveaspringlikeahugetiger。TheimpactofsuddenlyformedwindalmosttoreMadelineoutofherseat。ShefeltNels\'spowerfulhandsonhershoulders。Sheclosedhereyes。Thejoltingheadwayofthecargaveplacetoaglidingrush。Thiswasbrokenbyaslightjar，andthenabovethehumandroarroseacowboyyell。Madelinewaitedwithstrainednervesfortheexpectedcrash。Itdidnotcome。Openinghereyes，shesawthelevelvalleyfloorwithoutabreak。Shehadnotevennoticedtheinstantwhenthecarhadshotoverthewash。

Astrangebreathlessnessattackedher，andsheattributedittotheceleritywithwhichshewasbeingcarriedalong。Pullingthehooddownoverherface，shesanklowintheseat。Thewhirofthecarnowseemedtobeaworld-fillingsound。Againthefeelingofexcitement，thepoignancyofemotionalheights，theever-presentimpendingsenseofcatastrophebecameheldinabeyancetothesheerintensityofphysicalsensations。Therecameatimewhenallherstrengthseemedtouniteinanefforttoliftherbreastagainsttheterrificforceofthewind——todrawairintoherflattenedlungs。Shebecamepartlydazed。Thedarknessbeforehereyeswasnotalloccasionedbythebloodthatpressedlikeastonemaskonherface。Shehadasensethatshewasfloating，sailing，drifting，reeling，evenwhilebeingborneswiftlyasathunderbolt。Herhandsandarmswereimmovableundertheweightofmountains。Therewasalong，blankperiodfromwhichsheawakenedtofeelanarmsupportingher。Thensherallied。Thevelocityofthecarhadbeencuttothespeedtowhichshewasaccustomed。Throwingbackthehood，shebreathedfreelyagain，recoveredfully。

Thecarwasbowlingalongawideroadupontheoutskirtsofacity。Madelineaskedwhatplaceitcouldbe。

"Douglas，"repliedLink。"An\'jestaroundisAguaPrieta！"

ThatlastnameseemedtostunMadeline。Sheheardnomore，andsawlittleuntilthecarstopped。Nelsspoketosomeone。Thensightofkhaki-cladsoldiersquickenedMadeline\'sfaculties。Shewasontheboundary-linebetweentheUnitedStatesandMexico，andAguaPrieta，withitswhiteandbluewalledhouses，itsbrown-tiledroofs，laybeforeher。Asoldier，evidentlydespatchedbyNels，returnedandsaidanofficerwouldcomeatonce。Madeline\'sattentionwascenteredintheforeground，upontheguardovertheroad，uponthedry，dustytownbeyond；butshewasawareofnoiseandpeopleintherear。Acavalryofficerapproachedthecar，stared，andremovedhissombrero。

"CanyoutellmeanythingaboutStewart，theAmericancowboywhowascapturedbyrebelsafewdaysago？"askedMadeline。

"Yes，"repliedtheofficer。"TherewasaskirmishoverthelinebetweenacompanyofFederalsandalargeforceofguerrillasandrebels。TheFederalsweredrivenwestalongtheline。Stewartisreportedtohavedonerecklessfightingandwascaptured。HegotaMexicansentence。Heisknownherealongtheborder，andthenewsofhiscapturestirredupexcitement。Wedidallwecouldtogethisrelease。Theguerrillasfearedtoexecutehimhere，andbelievedhemightbeaidedtoescape。SoadetachmentdepartedwithhimforMezquital。"

"HewassentencedtobeshotThursdayatsunset——to-night？"

"Yes。ItwasrumoredtherewasapersonalresentmentagainstStewart。IregretthatIcan\'tgiveyoudefiniteinformation。

IfyouarefriendsofStewart——relatives——Imightfind——"

"Iamhiswife，"interruptedMadeline。"Willyoupleasereadthese。"Shehandedhimthetelegrams。"Adviseme——helpme，ifyoucan？"

Withawonderingglanceathertheofficerreceivedthetelegrams。Hereadseveral，andwhistledlowinamaze。Hismannerbecamequick，alert，serious。

"Ican\'treadthesewritteninSpanish，butIknowthenamessigned。"Swiftlyheranthroughtheothers。

"Why，thesemeanStewart\'sreleasehasbeenauthorized。Theyexplainmysteriousrumorswehaveheardhere。Greasertreachery！

Forsomestrangereasonmessagesfromtherebeljuntahavefailedtoreachtheirdestination。WeheardreportsofanexchangeforStewart，butnothingcameofit。NoonedepartedforMezquitalwithauthority。Whatanoutrage！Come，I\'llgowithyoutoGeneralSalazar，therebelchiefincommand。Iknowhim。

Perhapswecanfindoutsomething。"

Nelsmaderoomfortheofficer。LinksentthecarwhirringacrossthelineintoMexicanterritory。Madeline\'ssensibilitieswerenowexquisitelyalive。ThewhiteroadledintoAguaPrieta，atownofcoloredwallsandroofs。Goatsandpigsandbuzzardsscatteredbeforetheroarofthemachine。Nativewomenwearingblackmantlespeepedthroughiron-barredwindows。Menwearinghugesombreros，cottonshirtsandtrousers，brightsashesroundtheirwaists，andsandals，stoodmotionless，watchingthecargoby。Theroadendedinanimmenseplaza，inthecenterofwhichwasacircularstructurethatinsomemeasureresembledacorral。

Itwasabull-ring，wherethenationalsportofbull-fightingwascarriedon。Justnowitappearedtobequartersforaconsiderablearmy。Ragged，unkemptrebelswereeverywhere，andthewholesquarewaslitteredwithtents，packs，wagons，arms。

Therewerehorses，mules，burros，andoxen。

TheplacewassocrowdedthatLinkwascompelledtodriveslowlyuptotheentrancetothebull-ring。Madelinecaughtaglimpseoftentsinside，thenherviewwasobstructedbyacurious，pressingthrong。Thecavalryofficerleapedfromthecarandpushedhiswayintotheentrance。

"Link，doyouknowtheroadtothisMezquital？"askedMadeline。

"Yes。I\'vebeenthere。"

"Howfarisit？"

"Aw，notsoveryfar，"hemumbled。

"Link！Howmanymiles？"sheimplored。

"Ireckononlyafew。"

Madelineknewthathelied。Sheaskedhimnomore；norlookedathim，noratNels。Howstiflingwasthiscrowded，ill-smellingplaza！Thesun，redandlowering，hadslopedfardowninthewest，butstillburnedwithfurnaceheat。Aswarmofflieswhirledoverthecar。Theshadowsoflow-sailingbuzzardscrossedMadeline\'ssight。Thenshesawarowofthehuge，uncannyblackbirdssittinguponthetiledroofofahouse。Theyhadneitheranairofsleepingnorresting。Theywerewaiting。

Shefoughtoffahorribleghastlyideabeforeitsfullrealization。Theserebelsandguerrillas——whatlean，yellow，beardedwretches！TheycuriouslywatchedLinkashewentworkingoverthecar。Notwowerealike，andallwereragged。Theyhadglitteringeyessunkdeepintheirheads。Theyworehugesombrerosofbrownandblackfelt，ofstraw，ofcloth。Everymanworeabeltorsashintowhichwasthrustsomekindofweapon。

Someworeboots，someshoes，somemoccasins，somesandals，andmanywerebarefooted。Theywereanexcited，jabbering，gesticulatingmob。Madelineshudderedtothinkhowafrenzytospillbloodcouldrunthroughthesepoorrevolutionists。Ifitwaslibertytheyfoughtfor，theydidnotshowtheintelligenceintheirfaces。Theywerelikewolvesuponascent。Theyaffrontedher，shockedher。Shewonderediftheirofficersweremenofthesameclass。Whatstruckheratlastandstirredpityinherwasthefactthateverymanofthehordeherswiftglanceroamedover，howeverdirtyandbedraggledhewas，woreuponhimsomeornament，sometasselorfringeorlace，someensign，someband，bracelet，badge，orbelt，sometwistofscarf，somethingthatbetrayedthevanitywhichwasthepoorjeweloftheirsouls。

Itwasintherace。

Suddenlythecrowdpartedtoletthecavalryofficerandarebelofstrikingpresencegettothecar。

"Madam，itisasIsuspected，"saidtheofficer，quickly。"ThemessagesdirectingStewart\'sreleaseneverreachedSalazar。Theywereintercepted。ButevenwithoutthemwemighthavesecuredStewart\'sexchangeifithadnotbeenforthefactthatoneofhiscaptorswantedhimshot。Thisguerrillainterceptedtheorders，andthenwasinstrumentalintakingStewarttoMezquital。

Itisexceedinglysad。Why，heshouldbeafreemanthisinstant。Iregret——"

"Whodidthis——thisthing？"criedMadeline，coldandsick。"Whoistheguerrilla？"

"SenorDonCarlosMartinez。Hehasbeenabandit，amanofinfluenceinSonora。Heismoreofasecretagentintheaffairsoftherevolutionthananactiveparticipator。Buthehasseenguerrillaservice。"

"DonCarlos！Stewartinhispower！OGod！"Madelinesankdown，almostovercome。Thentwogreathands，powerful，thrilling，claspedhershoulders，andNelsbentoverher。

"MissMajesty，shorewe\'rewastin\'timehere，"hesaid。Hisvoice，likehishands，wasuplifting。Shewheeledtohimintremblingimportunity。Howcold，bright，bluetheflashofhiseyes！TheytoldMadelineshemustnotweaken。ButshecouldnotspeakherthoughttoNels——couldonlylookatLink。

"Itfiggersimpossible，butI\'lldoit！"saidLinkStevens，inanswertohervoicelessquery。Thecold，grim，wildsomethingabouthercowboysblanchedMadeline\'sface，steeledhernerve，calledtothedepthsofherforthatlastsupremecourageofawoman。ThespiritofthemomentwasnaturewithLinkandNels；

withheritmustbepassion。

"CanIgetapermittogointotheinterior——toMezquital？"askedMadelineoftheofficer。

"Youaregoingon？Madam，it\'saforlornhope。Mezquitalisahundredmilesaway。Butthere\'sachance——thebarestchanceifyourmancandrivethiscar。TheMexicansareeithermurderousorceremoniousintheirexecutions。ThearrangementsforStewart\'swillbeelaborate。But，barringunusualcircumstances，itwilltakeplacepreciselyatthehourdesignated。Youneednopermit。Yourmessagesareofficialpapers。Buttosavetime，perhapsdelay，IsuggestyoutakethisMexican，SenorMontes，withyou。HeoutranksDonCarlosandknowsthecaptainoftheMezquitaldetachment。"

"Ah！ThenDonCarlosisnotincommandoftheforcesholdingStewart？"

"No。"

"Ithankyou，sir。Ishallnotforgetyourkindness，"concludedMadeline。

ShebowedtoSenorMontes，andrequestedhimtoenterthecar。

Nelsstowedsomeoftheparaphernaliaaway，makingroomintherearseat。Linkbentoverthewheel。Thestartwassosudden，withsuchcrackandroar，thatthecrowdsplitinwilddisorder。

Outoftheplazathecarran，gatheringheadway；downastreetlinedbywhiteandbluewalls；acrossasquarewhererebelswerebuildingbarricades；alongarailroadtrackfullofironflat-carsthatcarriedmountedpiecesofartillery；throughtheoutlyingguards，whowavedtotheofficer，Montes。

Madelineboundherglassestightlyoverhereyes，andwoundveilsroundthelowerpartofherface。Shewasallinastrangeglow，shehadbeguntoburn，tothrob，tothrill，toexpand，andshemeanttoseeallthatwaspossible。Thesullensun，redasfire，hungoverthemountainrangeinthewest。Howlowithadsunk！

Beforeherstretchedanarrow，whiteroad，dusty，hardasstone——

ahighwaythathadbeenusedforcenturies。Ifithadbeenwideenoughtopermitpassingavehicleitwouldhavebeenamagnificentcourseforautomobiles。Buttheweedsandthedustyflowersandthemesquiteboughsandarmsofcactusbrushedthecarasitspedby。

Faster，faster，faster！ThatoldresistlessweightbegantopressMadelineback；theoldincessantbellowofwindfilledherears。LinkStevenshunchedlowoverthewheel。Hiseyeswerehiddenunderleatherhelmetandgoggles，butthelowerpartofhisfacewasunprotected。Heresembledademon，sodarkandstone-hardandstrangelygrinningwashe。AllatonceMadelinerealizedhowmatchless，howwonderfuladriverwasthiscowboy。

ShedivinedthatweakeningcouldnothavebeenpossibletoLinkStevens。Hewasacowboy，andhereallywasridingthatcar，makingitanswertohiswill，asithadbeenborninhimtomasterahorse。Hehadneverdriventosuithimself，hadneverreachedanall-satisfyingspeeduntilnow。BeyondthathismotivewastosaveStewart——tomakeMadelinehappy。Lifewasnothingtohim。Thatfactgavehimthesuperhumannervetofacetheperilofthisride。Becauseofhisdisregardofselfhewasabletooperatethemachine，tochoosethepower，thespeed，theguidance，thegoingwiththebestjudgmentandhighestefficiencypossible。MadelineknewhewouldgethertoMezquitalintimetosaveStewartorhewouldkillherintheattempt。

Thewhite，narrowroadflashedoutoftheforeground，slippedwithinconceivablerapidityunderthecar。Whenshemarkedaclumpofcactusfaraheaditseemedtoshootather，tospeedbehindhereventheinstantshenoticedit。Nevertheless，MadelineknewLinkwasnotputtingthecartoitslimit。Swiftlyashewasflying，heheldsomethinginreserve。Buthetooktheturnsoftheroadasifheknewthewaywasclearedbeforehim。

Hetrustedtoacowboy\'sluck。Awagoninoneofthosecurves，aherdofcattle，evenafrightenedsteer，meantawreck。Madelineneverclosedhereyesatthesefatefulmoments。IfLinkcouldstakehimself，theothers，andheruponsuchchance，whatcouldnotshestakewithhermotive？Sowhilethegreatcarhummedandthrummed，anddartedroundthecurvesontwowheels，andspedonlikeabullet，Madelinelivedthatride，meanttofeelittotheuttermost。

Butitwasnotallswiftgoing。AstretchofsoftergrounddelayedLink，madethecarlaborandpantandpoundandgrindthroughgravel。Moreover，thecactusplantsassumedanalarmingabilitytoimpedeprogress。Long，slenderarmsoftheocotilloencroachedupontheroad；broad，roundleavesdidlikewise；

flutedcolumns，fallenliketimbersinaforest，layalongthenarrowmargins；thebayonetcactusandthebisnagileanedthreateningly；clustersofmaguey，shadowedbythehuge，loomingsaguaro，infringeduponthehighwaytoMezquital。Andeveryleafandbladeandbranchofcactusborewickedthorns，anyoneofwhichwouldbefataltoatire。

Itcameatlength，theburstingreport。Thecarlurched，wentonlikeacrippledthing，andhalted，obedienttothemasterhandatthewheel。SwiftasLinkwasinreplacingthetire，helosttime。Theredsun，moresullen，duskierasitnearedtheblack，boldhorizon，appearedtomockMadeline，toeyeherinderision。

Linkleapedin，andthecarsprangahead。Theroad-bedchanged，thetreeschanged——allthesurroundingschangedexceptthecactus。Thereweremilesofrollingridges，roughinthehollows，andshortrockybitsofroad，andwashestocross，andalow，sandyswalewheremesquitesgroupedaforestalongatricklinginch-deepsheetofwater。Greenthingssoftenedthehard，dryaspectofthedesert。Therewerebirdsandparrotsanddeerandwildboars。AlltheseMadelineremarkedwithcleareyes，withremarkablesusceptibilityofattention；butwhatshestrainedtosee，whatsheyearnedfor，prayedfor，wasstraight，unobstructedroad。

Buttheroadbegantowindup；itturnedandtwistedintantalizinglazycurves；itwasinnohurrytosurmountahillthatbegantoassumeproportionsofamountain；itwasleisurely，aswereallthingsinMexicoexceptstrife。Thatwasquick，fierce，bloody——itwasSpanish。

Thedescentfromthatelevationwasdifficult，extremelyhazardous，yetLinkStevensdrovefast。Atthebaseofthehillrocksandsandallbuthaltedhimforgood。Thenintakinganabruptcurveagraspingspearruinedanothertire。Thistimethecarraspedacrosstheroadintothecactus，burstingthesecondfront-wheeltire。LikedemonsindeedLinkandNelsworked。

Shuddering，Madelinefeltthedecliningheatofthesun，sawwithgloomyeyestheshadingoftheredlightoverthedesert。Shedidnotlookbacktoseehownearthesunwastothehorizon。

ShewantedtoaskNels。Strangeasanythingonthisterribleridewastheabsenceofspeech。Asyetnowordhadbeenspoken。

MadelinewantedtoshriektoLinktohurry。Buthewasmorethanhumanlyswiftinallhisactions。Sowithmutelips，withthefireinherbeginningtochill，withalifelessnessmenacingherspirit，shewatched，hopedagainsthope，prayedforalong，straight，smoothroad。

Quitesuddenlyshesawit，seeminglymilesofclear，narrowlanedisappearinglikeathin，whitestreakindistantgreen。PerhapsLinkStevens\'sheartleapedlikeMadeline\'s。ThehugecarwitharoarandajerkseemedtoanswerMadeline\'scall，acrynolesspoignantbecauseitwassilent。

Faster，faster，faster！Theroarbecameawhininghum。ThenforMadelinesoundceasedtobeanything——shecouldnothear。Thewindwasnowheavy，imponderable，nolongeraswift，plasticthing，butsolid，likeanon-rushingwall。ItboredownuponMadelinewithsuchresistlessweightthatshecouldnotmove。

Thegreenofdesertplantsalongtheroadmergedintwoshapelessfences，slidingatherfromthedistance。Objectsaheadbegantoblurthewhiteroad，togrowstreaky，likeraysoflight，theskytotakeonmoreofareddeninghaze。

Madeline，realizinghersightwasfailingher，turnedforonemorelookatLinkStevens。Ithadcometobehisridealmostasmuchasitwashers。Hehunchedlowerthanever，rigid，strainedtothelastdegree，aterrible，implacabledriver。Thiswashishour，andhewasgreat。Ifhesomuchasbrushedaflyingtireagainstoneofthemillionsofspikesclutchingout，strikingoutfromthecactus，therewouldbeashock，asplittingwaveofair——

anend。MadelinethoughtshesawthatLink\'sbulgingcheekandjawweregray，thathistight-shutlipswerewhite，thatthesmilewasgone。Thenhereallywashuman——notademon。Shefeltastrangesenseofbrotherhood。Heunderstoodawoman\'ssoulasMontyPricehadunderstoodit。Linkwasthelightning-forgedautomaton，thedriving，relentless，unconquerableinstrumentofawoman\'swill。Hewasamanwhoseforcewasdirectedbyawoman\'spassion。Hereacheduptoherheight，feltherlove，understoodthenatureofheragony。Thesemadehimheroic。Butitwasthehardlife，thewildyearsofdangeronthedesert，thecompanionshipofruthlessmen，theelemental，thatmadepossiblehisphysicalachievement。Madelinelovedhisspiritthenandgloriedintheman。

Shehadpictureduponherheart，nevertobeforgotten，thislittlehunched，deformedfigureofLink\'shangingwithdauntless，withdeathlessgripoverthewheel，hisgrayfacelikeamarblemask。

ThatwasMadeline\'slastclearsensationupontheride。Blinded，dazed，shesuccumbedtothedemandsuponherstrength。Shereeled，fellback，onlyvaguelyawareofahelpinghand。

Confusionseizedhersenses。Allaboutherwasadarkchaosthroughwhichshewasrushing，rushing，rushingunderthewrathfulredeyeofasettingsun。Then，astherewasnomoresoundorsightforher，shefelttherewasnocolor。Buttherushneverslackened——arushthroughopaque，limitlessspace。Formoments，hours，agesshewaspropelledwiththevelocityofashooting-star。Theearthseemedahugeautomobile。Anditspedwithherdownanendlesswhitetrackthroughtheuniverse。

Looming，ghostly，ghastly，spectralformsofcactiplants，largeaspine-trees，stabbedherwithgiantspikes。Shebecameanunstablebeinginashapeless，colorless，soundlesscosmosofunrelatedthings，butalwaysrushing，eventomeetthedarknessthathauntedherandneverreachedher。

Butatanendofinfinitetimethatrushceased。Madelinelostthequeerfeelingofbeingdisembodiedbyafrightfullyswiftcareeningthroughboundlessdistance。Shedistinguishedvoices，lowatfirst，apparentlyfaraway。Thensheopenedhereyestoblurredbutconscioussight。

Thecarhadcometoastop。Linkwaslyingfacedownoverthewheel。Nelswasrubbingherhands，callingtoher。Shesawahousewithcleanwhitewashedwallandbrown-tiledroof。Beyond，overadarkmountainrange，peepedthelastredcurve，thelastbeautifulrayofthesettingsun。

XXVAttheEndoftheRoadMadelinesawthatthecarwassurroundedbyarmedMexicans。Theypresentedacontrasttotheothersshehadseenthatday；shewonderedalittleattheirsilence，attheirrespectfulfront。

Suddenlyasharpspokenorderopeneduptheranksnexttothehouse。SenorMontesappearedinthebreak，comingswiftly。Hisdarkfaceworeasmile；hismannerwascourteous，important，authoritative。

"Senora，itisnottoolate！"

Hespokeherlanguagewithanaccentstrangetoher，sothatitseemedtohinderunderstanding。

"Senora，yougothereintime，"hewenton。"ElCapitanStewartwillbefree。"

"Free！"shewhispered。

Sherose，reeling。

"Come，"repliedMontes，takingherarm。"Perdoneme，Senora。"

WithouthisassistanceshewouldhavefallenwhollyuponNels，whosupportedherontheotherside。Theyhelpedheralightfromthecar。Foramomentthewhitewalls，thehazyredsky，thedarkfiguresoftherebels，whirledbeforeMadeline\'seyes。Shetookafewsteps，swayingbetweenherescorts；thentheconfusionofhersightandmindpassedaway。Itwasasifshequickenedwithathousandvivifyingcurrents，asifshecouldseeandhearandfeeleverythingintheworld，asifnothingcouldbeoverlooked，forgotten，neglected。

Sheturnedback，rememberingLink。Hewaslurchingfromthecar，helmetandgogglesthrustback，thegrayshadegonefromhisface，thecool，brightgleamofhiseyesdisappearingforsomethingwarmer。

SenorMontesledMadelineandhercowboysthroughahalltoapatio，andonthroughalargeroomwithflooringofrough，bareboardsthatrattled，intoasmallerroomfullofarmedquietrebelsfacinganopenwindow。

Madelinescannedthefacesofthesemen，expectingtoseeDonCarlos。Buthewasnotpresent。AsoldieraddressedherinSpanishtooswiftlyuttered，toovolubleforhertotranslate。

But，likeSenorMontes，hewasgraciousand，despitehisraggedgarbanduncouthappearance，heboretheunmistakablestampofauthority。

MontesdirectedMadeline\'sattentiontoamanbythewindow。A

loosescarfofvividredhungfromhishand。

"Senora，theywerewaitingforthesuntosetwhenwearrived，"

saidMontes。"ThesignalwasabouttobegivenforSenorStewart\'swalktodeath。"

"Stewart\'swalk！"echoedMadeline。

"Ah，Senora，letmetellyouhissentence——thesentenceIhavehadthehonorandhappinesstorevokeforyou。"

Stewarthadbeencourt-martialedandsentencedaccordingtoaMexicancustomobservedincasesofbravesoldierstowhomhonorableandfittingexecutionsweredue。HishourhadbeensetforThursdaywhenthesunhadsunk。Uponsignalhewastobeliberatedandwasfreetowalkoutintotheroad，totakeanydirectionhepleased。Heknewhissentence；knewthatdeathawaitedhim，thateverypossibleavenueofescapewasblockedbymenwithriflesready。Buthehadnottheslightestideaatwhatmomentorfromwhatdirectionthebulletsweretocome。

"Senora，wehavesentmessengerstoeverysquadofwaitingsoldiers——anorderthatElCapitanisnottobeshot。Heisignorantofhisrelease。Ishallgivethesignalforhisfreedom。"

Monteswasceremonious，gallant，emotional。Madelinesawhispride，anddivinedthatthesituationwasonewhichbroughtoutthevanity，theostentation，aswellasthecrueltyofhisrace。

Hewouldkeepherinanagonyofsuspense，letStewartstartuponthatterriblewalkinignoranceofhisfreedom。ItwasthemotiveofaSpaniard。SuddenlyMadelinehadahorriblequakingfearthatMonteslied，thathemeanthertobeawitnessofStewart\'sexecution。Butno，themanwashonest；hewasonlybarbarous。Hewouldsatisfycertaininstinctsofhisnature——

sentiment，romance，cruelty——bystartingStewartuponthatwalk，bywatchingStewart\'sactionsinthefaceofseemingdeath，byseeingMadeline\'sagonyofdoubt，fear，pity，love。AlmostMadelinefeltthatshecouldnotendurethesituation。Shewasweakandtottering。

"Senora！Ah，itwillbeonebeautifulthing！"Montescaughtthescarffromtherebel\'shand。Hewasglowing，passionate；hiseyeshadastrange，soft，coldflash；hisvoicewaslow，intense。

Hewaslivingsomethingsplendidtohim。"I\'llwavethescarf，Senora。Thatwillbethesignal。Itwillbeseendownattheotherendoftheroad。SenorStewart\'sjailerwillseethesignal，takeoffStewart\'sirons，releasehim，openthedoorforhiswalk。Stewartwillbefree。Buthewillnotknow。Hewillexpectdeath。Asheisabraveman，hewillfaceit。Hewillwalkthisway。Everystepofthatwalkhewillexpecttobeshotfromsomeunknownquarter。Buthewillnotbeafraid。Senora，I

haveseenElCaptainfightinginthefield。Whatisdeathtohim？Ah，willitnotbemagnificenttoseehimcomeforth——towalkdown？Senora，youwillseewhatamanheis。Allthewayhewillexpectcold，swiftdeath。Hereatthisendoftheroadhewillmeethisbeautifullady！"

"Isthereno——nopossibilityofamistake？"falteredMadeline。

"None。Myorderincludedunloadingofrifles。"

"DonCarlos？"

"Heisinirons，andmustanswertoGeneralSalazar，"repliedMontes。

Madelinelookeddownthedesertedroad。Howstrangetoseethelastruddyglowofthesunoverthebrowofthemountainrange！

Thethoughtofthatsunsethadbeentortureforher。Yetithadpassed，andnowtheafterlightswereluminous，beautiful，prophetic。

Withaheartstrickenbybothjoyandagony，shesawMonteswavethescarf。

Thenshewaited。Nochangemanifesteditselfdownthelengthofthatlonelyroad。Therewasabsolutesilenceintheroombehindher。Howterribly，infinitelylongseemedthewaiting！Neverinallherfuturelifewouldsheforgetthequaintpink，blue，andwhitewalledhouseswiththeircoloredroofs。ThatdustybareroadresembledoneoftheuncoveredstreetsofPompeiiwithitslookofcenturiesofsolitude。

Suddenlyadooropenedandatallmansteppedout。

MadelinerecognizedStewart。Shehadtoplacebothhandsonthewindow-sillforsupport，whileastormofemotionswayedher。

Likearetreatingwaveitrushedaway。Stewartlived。Hewasfree。Hehadsteppedoutintothelight。Shehadsavedhim。

Lifechangedforherinthatinstantofrealizationandbecamesweet，full，strange。

Stewartshookhandswithsomeoneinthedoorway。Thenhelookedupanddowntheroad。Thedoorclosedbehindhim。Leisurelyherolledacigarette，stoodclosetothewallwhilehescratchedamatch。EvenatthatdistanceMadeline\'skeeneyescaughtthesmallflame，thefirstlittlepuffofsmoke。

Stewartthentooktothemiddleoftheroadandleisurelybeganhiswalk。

ToMadelineheappearednatural，walkedasunconcernedlyasifhewerestrollingforpleasure；buttheabsenceofanyotherlivingthing，thesilence，theredhaze，thesurchargedatmosphere——

thesewereallunnatural。FromtimetotimeStewartstoppedtoturnfaceforwardtowardhousesandcorners。Onlysilencegreetedthesesignificantmovesofhis。Oncehehaltedtorollandlightanothercigarette。Afterthathisstepquickened。

Madelinewatchedhim，withpride，love，pain，glorycombatingforamasteryoverher。Thiswalkofhisseeminglytooklongerthanallherhoursofawakening，ofstrife，ofremorse，longerthantheridetofindhim。Shefeltthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhertowaittillhereachedtheendoftheroad。Yetinthehurryandriotofherfeelingsshehadfleetingpanics。Whatcouldshesaytohim？Howmeethim？Wellsherememberedthetall，powerfulformnowgrowingcloseenoughtodistinguishitsdress。Stewart\'sfacewasyetonlyadarkgleam。Soonshewouldseeit——longbeforehecouldknowshewasthere。Shewantedtoruntomeethim。Nevertheless，shestoodrootedtohercovertbehindthewindow，livingthatterriblewalkwithhimtotheuttermostthoughtofhome，sister，mother，sweetheart，wife，lifeitself——everythoughtthatcouldcometoamanstalkingtomeethisexecutioners。WithallthattumultinhermindandheartMadelinestillfellpreytotheincomprehensiblevariationsofemotionpossibletoawoman。EverystepStewarttookthrilledher。Shehadsomestrange，subtleintuitionthathewasnotunhappy，andthathebelievedbeyondshadowofdoubtthathewaswalkingtohisdeath。Hisstepsdraggedalittle，thoughtheyhadbeguntobeswift。Theold，hard，physical，wildnerveofthecowboywasperhapsinconflictwithspiritualgrowthofthefinerman，realizingtoolatethatlifeoughtnottobesacrificed。

Thenthedarkgleamthatwashisfacetookshape，grewsharperandclearer。Hewasstalkingnow，andtherewasasuggestionofimpatienceinhisstride。IttookthesehiddenMexicansalongtimetokillhim！Atapointinthemiddleoftheroad，evenwiththecornerofahouseandoppositetoMadeline\'sposition，Stewarthaltedstock-still。Hepresentedafair，boldmarktohisexecutioners，andhestoodtheremotionlessafullmoment。

Onlysilencegreetedhim。PlainitwastoMadeline，andshethoughttoallwhohadeyestosee，thattoStewart，sinceforsomereasonhehadbeensparedallalonghiswalk，thiswasthemomentwhenheoughttobemercifullyshot。Butasnoshotscamearuggeddignitylefthimforarecklessscornmanifestinthewayhestrolled，acrosstothecornerofthehouse，rolledyetanothercigarette，and，presentingabroadbreasttothewindow，smokedandwaited。

ThatwaitwasalmostunendurableforMadeline。Perhapsitwasonlyamoment，severalmomentsatthelongest，butthetimeseemedayear。Stewart\'sfacewasscornful，hard。Didhesuspecttreacheryonthepartofhiscaptors，thattheymeanttoplaywithhimasacatwithamouse，tomurderhimatleisure？

Madelinewassureshecaughttheold，inscrutable，mockingsmilefleetingacrosshislips。Heheldthatpositionforwhatmusthavebeenareasonabletimetohismind，thenwithalaughandashrughethrewthecigaretteintotheroad。Heshookhisheadasifattheincomprehensiblemotivesofmenwhocouldhavenofairreasonsnowfordelay。

Hemadeasuddenviolentactionthatwasmorethanastraighteningofhispowerfulframe。Itwastheoldinstinctiveviolence。Thenhefacednorth。Madelinereadhisthought，knewhewasthinkingofher，callingheralastsilentfarewell。Hewouldservehertohislastbreath，leaveherfree，keephissecret。Thatpictureofhim，dark-browed，fire-eyed，strangelysadandstrong，sankindeliblyintoMadeline\'sheartofhearts。

Thenextinstanthewasstridingforward，toforcebyboldandscornfulpresenceaspeedyfulfilmentofhissentence。

Madelinesteppedintothedoor，crossedthethreshold。Stewartstaggeredasifindeedthebulletsheexpectedhadpiercedhiminmortalwound。Hisdarkfaceturnedwhite。Hiseyeshadtheraptstare，thewildfearofamanwhosawanapparition，yetwhodoubtedhissight。PerhapshehadcalledtoherastheMexicanscalledtotheirVirgin；perhapsheimaginedsuddendeathhadcomeunawares，andthiswasherimageappearingtohiminsomeotherlife。

"Who——are——you？"hewhispered，hoarsely。

Shetriedtoliftherhands，failed，triedagain，andheldthemout，trembling。

"ItisI。Majesty。Yourwife！"

End