第1章

THEOPENRIVER

ThewinterhadbrokenearlyandtheScotchRiverwasrunningice-

freeandfullfrombanktobank。Therewasstillsnowinthewoods，andwithgoodsleighingandopenriverseverydaywasgoldentothelumbermenwhohadstufftogetdowntothebigwater。Adaygainednowmightsaveweeksatachutefartherdown，wheretheraftswouldcrowdoneanotherandstriveforrightofway。

DanMurphywasmightilypleasedwithhimselfandwiththebitoftheworldabouthim，fortherelayhiswinter\'scutoflogsintheriverbelowhimsnugandsecureandheldtightbyaboomacrossthemouth，justwhereitflowedintotheNation。Inafewdayshewouldhavehiscribmade，andhisoutfitreadytostartfortheOttawamills。Hewassuretobeaheadofthebigtimberraftsthattookupsomuchspace，andwhosecrewswithunbearableeffronteryconsideredthemselvesthearistocratsoftheriver。

Yes，itwasapleasantandsatisfyingsight，somethreesolidmilesoflogsboomedattheheadofthebigwater。SuddenlyMurphyturnedhisfaceuptheriver。

"What\'sthatnow，d\'yethink，LeNware？"heasked。

LeNoir，or"LeNware，"astheyallcalleditinthatcountry，wasDanMurphy\'sforeman，andashehimselfsaid，"forhaxe，forhit(eat)，forfightdebossondereeverHottawa！byGar！"LouisLeNoirwasaFrench-Canadian，handsome，active，hardy，andpowerfullybuilt。HehadcomefromtheNewBrunswickwoodssomethreeyearsago，andhadwroughtandfoughthisway，ashethought，againstallrivalstotheproudpositionof"bossondereever，"

thetopmostpinnacleofalumberman\'sambition。ItwassomethingtoseeLeNoir"runalog"acrosstheriverandback；thatis，hewouldbalancehimselfuponafloatinglog，andbyspinningitround，wouldsenditwhitherhewould。AtMurphy\'squestionLeNoirstoodlisteningwithbentheadandopenmouth。Downtherivercamethesoundofsinging。"Don-nome！Ahoui！bedam！DasMacdonaldgangforsure！DemenfromGlengarrie，lesdiables！Deynothoutdereeveryet。"Hisbosswentoffintoavolleyofoaths——

"They\'llbewantingtherivernow，an\'they\'redivilstofight。"

"Wegiveemdefullbelly，heh？Bon！"saidLeNoir，throwingbackhishead。HisonlyunconqueredrivalontheriverwasthebossoftheMacdonaldgang。

Horo，monigheandonnbhoidheach，Hi-ri，monigheandonnbhoidheach，Mochaileag，laghach，bhoidheach，Chaphosainnachthu。

Downtherivercamethestrong，clearchorusofmen\'svoices，andsoona"pointer"pulledbysixstalwartmenwithaladinthesternswungroundthebendintoview。Asinglevoicetookupthesong——

\'Sannthamorun\'snabeanntaibh，Farbheilmoribhinnghreannar，MarrosamfasachshamhraidhAngleannfadoshuil。

Aftertheversethefullchorusbrokeforthagain——

Horo，monighean，etc。

Swiftlythepointershotdownthecurrent，theswayingbodiesandswingingoarsinperfectrhythmwiththesongthatroseandfellwithmelancholybutmusicalcadence。Themenonthehighbankstoodlookingdownupontheapproachingsingers。"Youknowdemfellers？"saidLeNoir。Murphynodded。"Iverydivilivthim——BigMackCameron，DannieRoss，FinlayCampbell——theredheadedone——thenextIdon\'tknow，andyes！bedad！there\'sthatblankedYankee，YankeeJim，theycallhim，an\'badlucktillhim。Thedivilwillhavetotakethepokertillhim，forhe\'llbatehimwidhisfists，andsohewill——andthatbigblackdivilisBlackHugh，thebrotherivthebossMacdonald。He\'llbeupinthecampbeyant，andamightyluckythingforyou，LeNoir，heis。"

"Bah！"spatLeNoir，"DatbeegMacdonaldImakheemrunlikeoneleetlesheep，onetamatdelongSault，bah！Nogood！"LeNoir\'scontemptforMacdonaldwasgenuineandcomplete。FortwoyearshehadtriedtomeetthebossMacdonald，buthisrivalhadalwaysavoidedhim。

Meantime，thepointercameswingingalong。Asitturnedthepointtheboyutteredanexclamation——"Lookthere！"Thesongandtherowingstoppedabruptly；thebig，darkmanstoodupandgazeddowntheriver，packedfrombanktobankwiththebrownsaw-logs；deepcursesbrokefromhim。Thenhecaughtsightofthemenonthebank。Awordofcommandandthepointershotintotheshore，andthenextmomentMacdonaldDubh，orBlackHugh，ashewassometimescalled，followedbyhismen，wasclimbingupthesteepbank。

"Whattheblank，blank，dotheselogsmean，Murphy？"hedemanded，withoutpauseforsalutation。

"Tisafoineavenin\'MistherMacdonald，"saidMurphy，blandlyofferinghishand，"an\'Hivenblissye。"

MacdonaldcheckedhimselfwithaneffortandreluctantlyshookhandswithMurphyandLeNoir，whomheslightlyknew。"Itisaferygootevening，indeed，"hesaid，inasquietavoiceashecouldcommand，"butIaminquiringabouttheselogs。"

"Shure，an\'itisadhrynight，andonpolitetokapeyeztalkinghere。Comeinwidyez，"andmuchagainsthiswillBlackHughfollowedMurphytothetavern，themostpretentiousofagroupoflogbuildings——oncealumbercamp——whichstoodbackalittledistancefromtheriver，andaboutwhichMurphy\'smen，somesixtyofthem，werenowcamped。

ThetavernwasfullofMurphy\'sgang，amotleycrew，mostlyFrenchCanadiansandIrish，justoutofthewoodsandreadyforanydevilmentthatpromisedexcitement。Mostofthemknewbysight，andallbyreputation，Macdonaldandhisgang，forfromthefarthestreachesoftheOttawadowntheSt。LawrencetoQuebectheMacdonaldgangofGlengarrymenwasfamous。Theycame，mostofthem，fromthatstripofcountryrunningbackfromtheSt。LawrencethroughGlengarryCounty，knownastheIndianLands——onceanIndianreservation。TheyweresonsofthemenwhohadcomefromthehighlandsandislandsofScotlandintheearlyyearsofthelastcentury。Drivenfromhomesinthelandoftheirfathers，theyhadsetthemselveswithindomitablefaithandcouragetohewfromthe，solidforest，homesforthemselvesandtheirchildrenthatnonemighttakefromthem。Thesepioneerswereboundtogetherbytiesofblood，butalsobybondsstrongerthanthoseofblood。Theirloneliness，theirtriumphs，theirsorrows，bornoftheircommonlife-longconflictwiththeforestanditsfiercebeasts，knittheminbondscloseandenduring。Thesonsborntothemandrearedintheheartofthepineforestsgrewuptowitnessthatheroicstrugglewithsternnatureandtotaketheirpartinit。Andmightymentheywere。Theirlifebredinthemhardinessofframe，alertnessofsense，readinessofresource，endurance，superbself-

reliance，acouragethatgrewwithperil，andwithalacertainwildnesswhichattimesdeepenedintoferocity。Bytheirfatherstheforestwasdreadedandhated，butthesons，withriflesinhand，troditspathlessstretcheswithoutfear，andwiththeirbroad-axestheytooktolloftheirancientfoe。Forwhileinspringandsummertheyfarmedtheirnarrowfields，andrescuednewlandsfromthebrule；inwintertheysoughttheforest，andbackontheirownfarmsorin"theshanties"theycutsawlogs，ormadesquaretimber，theironlysourceofwealth。Theshantylifeoftheearlyfiftiesoflastcenturywasnottheluxuriousthingofto-

day。Itwasfullofprivation，forthemenwerepoorlyhousedandfed，andofperil，forthemakingofthetimberandthegettingitdownthesmallerriverstothebigwaterwasaworkofhardshipanddanger。Remotefromtherestraintsoflawandofsociety，andlivinginwildsurroundingsandinhourlytouchwithdanger，smallwonderthatoftentheshanty-menwerewildandreckless。SothatmanyapoorfellowinasinglewildcarouseinQuebec，ormorefrequentlyinsomerivertown，wouldflingintothehandsofsharksandharlotsandtavern-keepers，withwhomthebossesweresometimesinleague，theearningsofhislongwinter\'swork，andwouldwaketofindhimselfsickandpenniless，farfromhomeandbrokeninspirit。

Ofalltheshanty-menoftheOttawathemenofGlengarry，andofGlengarrymenMacdonald\'sgangwereeasilyfirst，andofthegangDonaldBhainMacdonald，orMacdonaldMore，ortheBigMacdonald，forhewasvariouslyknown，wasnotonlythe"boss"butbestandchief。Therewasnonelikehim。Agiantinsizeandstrength，aprinceofbroad-axemen，athomeinthewoods，sure-footedanddaringonthewater，freewithhiswages，andalwaysreadytodrinkwithfriendorfightwithfoe，thewholeriveradmired，feared，orhatedhim，whilehisownmenfollowedhimintothewoods，ontoajam，orintoafightwithequaljoyousnessanddevotion。Fightingwaslikewinetohim，whenthefightwasworthwhile，andhewentintothefightshisadmirerswerealwaysarrangingforhimwiththeeasiestgoodhumorandwithasmileonhisface。ButMacdonaldBhain\'scarousing，fightingdayscametoanabruptstopaboutthreeyearsbeforetheopeningofthistale，forononeofhissummervisitstohishome，"ThewordoftheLordinthemouthofhisservantAlexanderMurray，"ashewaswonttosay，"foundhimandhewasanewman。"Hewentintohisnewlifewiththesamewhole-

souledjoyousnessashadmarkedtheold，andheannouncedthatwiththeshantyandtheriverhewas"doneforevermore。"Butafterthesummer\'sworkwasdone，andtheloggingover，andwhenthesnapofthefirstfrostnippedtheleavesfromthetrees，Macdonaldbecamerestless。Hetookdownhisbroad-axeandspenthourspolishingitandbringingittoanedge，thenheputitinitswoodensheathandlaiditaway。Butthefeverwasuponhim，tenthousandvoicesfromtheforestwereshoutingforhim。Hewentawaytroubledtohisminister。Inanhourhecamebackwiththeoldgoodhumorinhisface，tookdownthebroad-axeagain，andretouchedit，lovingly，hummingthewhiletheoldriversongoftheGlengarrymen——

Horomonighean，etc。

Hewasgoingbacktothebushandtothebiggestfightofhislife。

Nowonderhewasglad。Thenhisgoodlittlewifebegantogetreadyhislong，heavystockings，histhickmits，hishomespunsmock，andothergear，forsheknewwellthatsoonshewouldbealoneforanotherwinter。BeforelongthewordwentroundthatMacdonaldBhainwasfortheshantiesagain，andhismencametohimfortheirorders。

ButitwasnottotheoldlifethatMacdonaldwasgoing，andhegravelytoldthosethatcametohimthathewouldtakenomanwhocouldnothandlehisaxeandhand-spike，andwhocouldnotbehavehimself。"Behavinghimself"meanttakingnomorewhiskeythanamancouldcarry，andrefusingallinvitationstofightunless"necessitywaslaiduponhim。"Theonlymantoobjectwashisownbrother，MacdonaldDubh，whosetemperwasswifttoblaze，andwithwhomtheblowwasquickerthantheword。ButafterthesecondyearoftheneworderevenBlackHughfellintoline。MacdonaldsoonbecamefamousontheOttawa。Hepickedonlythebestmen，hefedthemwell，paidthemthehighestwages，andcaredfortheircomfort，butheldtheminstrictestdiscipline。Theywoulddrinkbutkeptsober，theywouldspendmoneybutknewhowmuchwascomingtothem。Theyfearednomenevenof"twicetheirownheavyandbig，"butwouldneverfightexceptundernecessity。Contractsbegantocometheirway。Theymademoney，andwhatwasbetter，theybroughtithome。Thebestmensoughttojointhem，butbyrivalgangsandbymenrejectedfromtheirrankstheywerehatedwithdeepesthearthatred。ButthemenfromGlengarryknewnofearandsoughtnofavor。Theyaskedonlyagoodbeltofpineandanopenriver。Asaruletheygotboth，anditwaspeculiarlymaddeningtoBlackHughtofindtwoorthreemilesofsolidlogsbetweenhistimberandtheopenwateroftheNation。BlackHughhadatemperfierceandquick，andwheninfullflamehewasamantoavoid，forfromneithermannordevilwouldheturn。TheonlymanwhocouldholdhimwashisbrotherMacdonaldBhain，forstrongmanashewas，BlackHughknewwellthathisbrothercouldwithasingleswiftgripbringhimtohisknees。

ItwasunfortunatethatthecommandofthepartythisdayshouldhavebeenMacdonaldDubh\'s。Unfortunate，too，thatitwasDanMurphyandhismenthathappenedtobeblockingtherivermouth。

FortheGlengarrymen，whohandledonlysquaretimber，despisedtheMurphygangassawlog-men；"log-rollers"or"mushrats"theycalledthem，andhatedthemasIrish"Papishes"andFrench"Crapeaux，"

whilebetweenDanMurphyandMacdonaldDubhtherewasanancientpersonalgrudge，andto-dayMurphythoughthehadfoundhistime。

Therewereonlysixoftheenemy，hehadtentimesthenumberwithhim，manyofthemeagertopayoffoldscores；andbesidestherewasLouisLeNoirasthe"BossBully"oftheriver。TheFrenchmanwasnotonlyapowerfulman，activewithhandsandfeet，buthewasanadeptinallkindsoffightingtricks。SincecomingtotheOttawahehadheardofthebigMacdonald，andhesoughttomeethim。ButMacdonaldavoidedhimonceandagaintillLeNoir，havingneverknownanyoneavoidingafightforanyreasonotherthanfear，proclaimedMacdonaldacoward，andhimself"debossondereever。"Nowtherewasachanceofmeetinghisrivalandofforcingafight，fortheGlengarrycampcouldnotbefarawaywherethebigMacdonaldhimselfwouldbe。SoDanMurphy，backedupwithnumbers，andthebossbullyLeNoir，determinedthatfortheseMacdonaldmenthedayofsettlementhadcome。Buttheyweredangerousmen，anditwouldbewelltotakeallprecautions，andhencehisfriendlyinvitationtothetavernfordrinks。

MacdonaldDubh，scorningtoshowhesitation，thoughhesuspectedtreachery，strodeafterMurphytothetaverndoorandthroughthecrowdofshanty-menfillingtheroom。Theywereasferociouslookingalotofmenascouldwellbegottogether，eveninthatcountryandinthosedays——shaggyofhairandbeard，dressedoutinredandblueandgreenjerseys，withknittedsashesabouttheirwaists，andredandblueandgreentuquesontheirheads。Drunkenrowsweretheirdelight，andfightssofiercethatmanyamancameoutbatteredandbruisedtodeathortolife-longdecrepitude。

Theyweresittingonthebenchesthatranroundtheroom，orloungingagainstthebarsinging，talking，blaspheming。AtthesightofMacdonaldDubhandhismentherefelladeadsilence，andthengrowlsofrecognition，butMurphywasnotyetready，androaringout"Dh-r-r-i-n-k-s，"heseizedacoupleofhismenleaningagainstthebar，andhurlingthemtorightandleft，cried，"Ma-a-keroomforyerbetthers，bethepowers！Sthandup，bhoys，andfillyirsilves！"

BlackHughandhismenlinedupgravelytothebarandwerestraightwaysurroundedbythecrowdyellinghideously。ButifMurphyandhisgangthoughttointimidatethosegraveHighlanderswithnoise，theyweregreatlymistaken，fortheystoodquietlywaitingfortheirglassestobefilled，alert，butwithanairofperfectindifference。Someeightortenglassesweresetdownandfilled，whenMurphy，snatchingacoupleofbottlesfromtheshelfbehindthebar，handedthemouttohismen，crying，"Here，yebluddythaves，lavetheglassestothegintlemen！"

Therewasnomistakingtheinsolenceinhistone，andthechorusofderisiveyellsthatansweredhimshowedthathisremarkhadgonetothespot。

YankeeJim，whohadkeptclosetoBlackHugh，sawtheveinsinhisneckbeginningtoswell，andfacetogrowdark。HewaslongingtobeatMurphy\'sthroat。"Speakhimfair，"hesaid，inalowtone，"there\'sratheragoodstringof\'emraound。"MacdonaldDubhglancedabouthim。Hiseyefellonhisboy，andforthefirsttimehisfacebecameanxious。"Ranald，"hesaid，angrily，"takeyourselfoutofthis。Itisnoplaceforyouwhatever。"Theboy，aslightladofseventeen，buttallandwell-knit，andwithhisfather\'sfierce，wild，darkface，hesitated。

"Go，"saidhisfather，givinghimaslightcuff。

"Here，boy！"yelledLeNoir，catchinghimbythearmandholdingthebottletohismouth，"drink。"Theboytookagulp，choked，andspatitout。LeNoirandhismenroared。"Datgoodwhiskey，"hecried，stillholdingtheboy。"Younotlakdat，hey？"

"No，"saidtheboy，"itisnotgoodatall。"

"Tryheemsomemore，"saidLeNoir，thrustingthebottleathimagain。

"Iwillnot，"saidRanald，lookingatLeNoirstraightandfearless。

"Ho-ho！monbraveenfant！Butyouhavenotdegoodmannere。Come，drink！"Hecaughttheboybythebackoftheneck，andmadeasiftopourthewhiskeydownhisthroat。BlackHugh，whohadbeenkeptbackbyYankeeJimallthistime，startedforward，butbeforehecouldtakeasecondstepRanald，squirmingroundlikeacat，hadsunkhisteethintoLeNoir\'swrist。WithacryofrageandpainLeNoirraisedthebottleandwasbringingitdownonRanald\'shead，whenBlackHugh，withonehand，caughtthefallingblow，andwiththeotherseizedRanald，andcrying，"Getoutofthis！"heflunghimtowardsthedoor。ThenturningtoLeNoir，hesaid，withsurprisingself-control，"Itismyselfthatissorrythataboyofmineshouldbeguiltyofbitinglikeadog。"

"Sa-c-r-relechien！"yelledLeNoir，shakingoffMacdonaldDubh；

"heisonedog，andthesonofadog！"Heturnedandstartedfortheboy。ButYankeeJimhadgotRanaldtothedoorandwaswhisperingtohim。"Run！"criedYankeeJim，pushinghimoutofthedoor，andtheboywasofflikethewind。LeNoirpursuedhimashortwayandreturnedraging。

YankeeJim，orYankee，ashewascalledforshort，camebacktoMacdonaldDubh\'sside，andwhisperingtotheotherHighlanders，"Keepyourbacksclear，"satupcoollyonthecounter。Thefightwassuretocomeandtherewereseventooneagainstthemintheroom。Ifhecouldonlygaintime。Everyminutewasprecious。Itwouldtaketheboyfifteenminutestorunthetwomilestocamp。

ItwouldbehalfanhourbeforetherestoftheGlengarrymencouldarrive，andmuchfightingmaybedoneinthattime。HemustavertattentionfromMacdonaldDubh，whowaswaitingtocramLeNoir\'sinsultdownhisthroat。YankeeJimhadnotonlyallthecoolcouragebutalsotheshrewd，calculatingspiritofhisrace。Hewasreadytofight，andifneedbeagainstodds，buthepreferredtofightonaseventermsaspossible。

SoonLeNoircameback，wildwithfury，andyellingcursesatthetopofhisvoice。Hehurledhimselfintotheroom，thecrowdfallingbackfromhimoneitherhand。

"Hola！"heyelled，"Sacrebleu！"Hetooktwoquicksteps，andspringingupintotheairhekickedthestovepipethatranalongsomesevenfeetabovethefloor。

"Purtygoodkicking，"calledoutYankee，slidingdownfromhisseat。"Usedtokicksomemyself。ExcuseME。"Hestoodforamomentlookingupatthestovepipe，thenwithoutapparentefforthesprangintotheair，shotuphislonglegs，andknockedthestovepipewithabangagainsttheceiling。Therewasashoutofadmiration。

"Mydamages，"hesaidtoPatMurphy，whostoodbehindthecounter。

"Goodthingthereain\'tnofire。Thoughtitwashigher。Wouldn\'tcaretokickforthedrinks，wouldye？"headdedtoLeNoir。

LeNoirwastoofurioustoenterintoanycontestsopeaceful，butashespeciallypridedhimselfonhishighkick，hepausedamomentandwasabouttoagreewhenBlackHughbrokein，harshly，spoilingallYankee\'splans。

"Thereisnotimeforsuchfoolishness，"hesaid，turningtoDanMurphy。"Iwanttoknowwhenwecangetourtimberout。"

"Depindsintoirlyonyirsilf，"saidMurphy。

"Whenwillyourlogsbeoutoftheway？"

"Indadean\'that\'saha-r-r-done，"laughedMurphy。

"Andwillyoutellmewhatrighthevyoutocloseuptheriver？"

BlackHugh\'swrathwasrising。

"Youwudthinknowitwuzyirsilfthatownedtheriver。An\'bedadit\'sthethoughtofyirmind，itis。An\'it\'snottheriveronly，butthewholecreationyeanyirbrotherthinkisyours。DanMurphywascloseuptoMacdonaldDubhbythistime。"Yis，blank，blank，yirfaces，an\'ye\'dliketoturnbetterthanyirsilvesfromafftheriver，soyewud，yeblack-heartedthavesthatyeare。"

This，ofcourse，wasbeyondallendurance。ForanswerBlackHughsmotehimsuddenandfierceonthemouth，andMurphywentdown。

"Purtyone，"sangoutYankee，cheerily。"Now，boys，backtothewall。"

BeforeMurphycouldrise，LeNoirsprangoverhimandlituponMacdonaldlikeacat，butMacdonaldshookhimselffreeandsprangbacktotheGlengarrylineatthewall。

"Macan\'Diabboil，"heroared，"Glengarryforever！"

"Glengarry！"yelledthefourHighlandersbesidehim，wildwiththedelightofbattle。Itwasaplainnecessity，andtheywentintoitwithfreeconsciencesandhappyhearts。

"Letmeathim，"criedMurphy，strugglingpastLeNoirtowardsMacdonald。

"Non！Heistome！"yelledLeNoir，dancinginfrontofMacdonald。

"Here，Murphy，"calledoutYankee，obligingly，"helpyourselfthisway。"Murphydashedathim，butYankee\'slongarmshotouttomeethim，andMurphyagainfoundthefloor。

"Comeon，boys，"criedPatMurphy，Dan\'sbrother，andfollowedbyhalfadozenothers，heflunghimselfatYankeeandthelineofmenstandingupagainstthewall。ButYankee\'sarmsflashedoutonce，twice，thrice，andPatMurphyfellbackoverhisbrother；twoothersstaggeredacrossandcheckedtheoncomingrush，whileDannieRossandbigMackCameronhadeachbeatenbacktheirman，andtheGlengarrylinestoodunbroken。Manformantheywerefarmorethanamatchfortheiropponents，andstandingshouldertoshoulder，withtheirbackstothewall，theytauntedMurphyandhisgangwithallthewealthofgibesandoathsattheircommand。

"Where\'stherestofyouroutfit，Murphy？"drawledYankee。"Don\'tseem\'sifyou\'dcountedright。"

"Itisacolddayfortheparleyvoos，"laughedBigMackCameron。

"Comeup，lads，andtakeatasteofsomethinghot。"

ThentheMurphymen，clearingawaythefallen，rushedagain。TheystrovetobringtheHighlanderstoaclinch，butYankee\'svoicewashighandclearincommand。

"Keeptheline，boys！Don\'tlet\'emdrawyou！"AndtheGlengarrymenwaitedtilltheycouldstrike，andwhentheystruckmenwentdownandwerepulledbackbytheirfriends。

"Intilthem，bhoys！"yelledDanMurphy，keepingoutofrangehimself。"Intilthedivils！"Andagainandagainhismencrowdeddownuponthelineagainstthewall，butagainandagaintheywerebeatendownorhurledbackbruisedandbleeding。

MeantimeLeNoirwasdevotinghimselftoBlackHughatoneendoftheline，dancinginuponhimandawayagain，butwithoutmuchresult。BlackHughrefusedtobedrawnout，andfoughtwarilyondefense，knowingtheoddsweregreatandwaitinghischancetodeliveronegoodblow，whichwasallheasked。

TheGlengarrymenwereenjoyingthemselveshugely，andwhennotshoutingtheirbattle-cry，"Glengarryforever！"ortauntingtheirfoes，theywerejokingeachotheronthefortunesofwar。BigMackCameron，whoheldthecenter，drewmostofthesallies。Hewaseasy-temperedandgood-natured，andtookhisknockswiththeutmostgoodhumor。

"Thatwasagoodone，Mack，"saidDannieRoss，hisspecialchum，asasoundingwhackcameinonBigMack\'sface。"AstrueasdeathI

willbetellingittoBellaPeter。Bella，thedaughterofPeterMcGregor，wassupposedtobedeartoBigMack\'sheart。

"Whatapeetyshecouldnotseehimthenow，"saidFinlayCampbell。

"Manalive，shewouldsaythewordqueeck！"

"\'Tismorethanshewilldotoyouwhatever，ifyoucannotkeepoffthatcrapeauyonderalittlebetter，"saidBigMack，reachingforaFrenchmanwhokeptdodginginuponhimwithannoyingpersistence。

ThenMackbegantoswearGaelicoaths。

\'Tain\'tfair，Mack！"calledoutYankeefromhisendoftheline，"badlanguageinEnglishisbadenough，butinGaelicitmustbeuncommonrough。"Sotheygibedeachother。Butthetacticsoftheenemywereexceedinglyirritating，andwerebeginningtotelluponthetempersoftheHighlanders。

"Cometome，yecowardlylittledevil，"roaredMacktohispersistingassailant。"Noonewillhurtyou！Comeaway，man！

A-a-ah-ouch！"Hiscryofsatisfactionathavinggrabbedhismanendedinahowlofpain，fortheFrenchmanhadgotMack\'sthumbbetweenhisteeth，andwaschewingitvigorously。

"Yewould，wouldyou，yedog？"roaredBigMack。HeclosedhisfingersintotheFrenchman\'sgullet，anddrewhimuptostrike，butoneverysidehandsreachedforhimandstayedhisblow。Thenhelosthimself。Withayellofragehejambedhismanbackintothecrowd，sinkinghisfingersdeeperanddeeperintohisenemy\'sthroattillhisfacegrewblackandhisheadfelloverononeside。

ButitwasafatalmoveforMack，andovercomebynumbersthatcrowdeduponhim，hewentdownfightingwildlyandbearingtheFrenchmanbeneathhim。TheGlengarrylinewasbroken。BlackHughsawMack\'speril，andknewthatitmeantdestructiontoall。Withawildercrythanusual，"Glengarry！Glengarry！"hedashedstraightintoLeNoir，whogavebackswiftly，caughttwomenwhowerebeatingBigMack\'slifeout，andhurledthemaside，andgraspinghisfriend\'scollar，hauledhimtohisfeet，andthrewhimbackagainstthewallandintothelineagainwithhisgripstilluponhisFrenchman\'sthroat。

"Letdeadmengo，Mack，"hecried，butevenashespokeLeNoir，seeinghisopportunity，sprangathimandwithabackwardkickcaughtMacdonaldfairinthefaceandlashedhimhardagainstthewall。ItwastheterribleFrench\'lash\'andwasoneofLeNoir\'sspecialtricks。BlackHugh，stunnedanddazed，leanedbackagainstthewall，spreadingouthishandsweaklybeforehisface。LeNoir，seeingvictorywithinhisgrasp，rushedintofinishoffhisspecialfoe。ButYankeeJim，who，whileengagedincheerfullyknockingbackthetwoMurphysandotherswhotooktheirturnathim，hadbeenkeepinganeyeonthelineofbattle，sawMacdonald\'sdanger，andknowingthatthecrisishadcome，dashedacrosstheline，crying"Followme，boys。"Hislongarmsswungroundhisheadlikethesailsofawind-mill，andmenfellbackfromhimasiftheyhadbeenmadeofwood。AsLeNoirsprang，Yankeeshotfiercelyathim，buttheFrenchman，tooquickforhim，duckedandleapeduponBlackHugh，whowasstillswayingagainstthewall，borehimdownandjumpedwithhisheavy"corked"bootsonhisbreastandface。AgaintheGlengarrylinewasbroken。AtoncethecrowdsurgedabouttheGlengarrymen，whonowstoodbacktoback，beatingoffthemenleapingatthemfromeveryside，asastagbeatsoffdogs，andstillchantinghightheirdauntlesscry，"Glengarryforever，"towhichBigMackaddedatintervals，"TohellwiththePapishes！"Yankee，failingtocheckLeNoir\'sattackuponBlackHugh，foughtoffthemencrowdinguponhim，andmadehiswaytothecornerwheretheFrenchmanwasstillengagedinkickingtheprostrateHighlandertodeath。

"Takethat，youblamedcuss，"hesaid，catchingLeNoirinthejawandknockinghisheadwithathudagainstthewall。Beforehecouldstrikeagainhewasthrownagainsthisenemy，whoclutchedhimandheldlikeavice。

CHAPTERII

VENGEANCEISMINE

TheGlengarrymenhadfoughttheirfight，anditonlyremainedfortheirfoestowreaktheirvengeanceuponthemandwipeoutoldscores。Oneminutemorewouldhavedoneforthem，butinthatminutethedoorcamecrashingin。Therewasamightyroar，"Glengarry！Glengarry！"andthegreatMacdonaldhimself，withtheboyRanaldandsomehalf-dozenofhismenbehindhim，stoodamongthem。Onallhandsthefightstopped。Amomenthestood，hisgreatheadandshoulderstoweringabovethecrowd，histawnyhairandbeardfallingaroundhisfacelikeagreatmane，hisblueeyesgleamingfromunderhisshaggyeyebrowslikelividlightning。A

singleglancearoundtheroom，andagainraisinghisbattle-cry，"Glengarry！"heseizedthenearestshrinkingFrenchman，liftedhimhigh，andhurledhimsmashingintothebottlesbehindthecounter。

Hismen，followinghim，boundedliketigersontheirprey。Afewminutesoffierce，eagerfighting，andtheGlengarrymenwereallfreedandontheirfeet，allexceptBlackHugh，wholaygroaninginhiscorner。"Hold，lads！"MacdonaldBhaincried，inhismightyvoice。"Stop，I\'mtellingyou。"Thefightingceased。

"DanMurphy！"hecried，castinghiseyeroundtheroom，"whereareyou，yesonofBelial？"

Murphy，crouchingatthebackofthecrowdnearthedoor，soughttoescape。

"Ah！thereyouare！"criedMacdonald，andreachingthroughthecrowdwithhisgreat，longarm，hecaughtMurphybythehairoftheheadanddraggedhimforward。

"R-r-r-a-a-t！R-r-r-a-a-t！R-r-r-a-a-t！"hesnarled，shakinghimtillhisteethrattled。"Itisyourselfthatisthecauseofthiswickedness。Now，maytheLordhavemercyonyoursoul。"WithonehandhegrippedMurphybythethroat，holdinghimatarm\'slength，andraisedhishugefisttostrike。Butbeforetheblowfellhepaused。

"No！"hemuttered，inadisappointedtone，"itisnotgoodenough。

Iwillnotbedemeaningmyself。Hence，your-r-a-a-t！"Ashespokeheliftedtheshakingwretchasifhehadbeenabundleofclothes，swunghimhalfroundandhurledhimcrashingthroughthewindow。

"Istherenogootmanhereatallwhowillstandbeforeme？"heragedinawild，joyousfury。"Willnottwoofyoucomeforth，then？"Noonemoved。"Cometome！"hesuddenlycried，andsnatchingtwooftheenemy，hedashedtheirheadstogether，andthrewtheminsensibleonthefloor。

ThenhecaughtsightofhisbrotherforthefirsttimelyinginthecornerwithBigMacksupportinghishead，andLeNoirstandingnear。

"Whatisthis？Whatisthis？"hecried，stridingtowardLeNoir。

"Andisityouthathasdonethiswork？"heasked，inavoiceofsubduedrage。

"Oui！"criedLeNoir，steppingbackandputtinguphishands，"dasme；LouisLeNoir！byGar！"Hestruckhimselfonthebreastashespoke。

"Outofmyway！"criedMacdonald，swinginghisopenhandontheFrenchman\'sear。WithaswiftsweephebrushedLeNoirasidefromhisplace，andignoringhimstoopedoverhisbrother。ButLeNoirwasnocoward，andbesideshisboastedreputationwasatstake。Hethoughthesawhischance，andrushingatMacdonaldashewasbendingoverhisbrother，deliveredhisterrible\'lash\'。ButMacdonaldhadnotlivedwithandfoughtwithFrenchmenalltheseyearswithoutknowingtheirtricksandways。HesawLeNoir\'s\'lash\'coming，andquicklyturninghishead，avoidedtheblow。

"Ah！wouldye？Takethat，then，andbequate！"andsosaying，hecaughtLeNoironthesideoftheheadandsenthimtothefloor。

"Keephimoffawhile，Yankee！"saidMacdonald，forLeNoirwasupagain，andcomingathim。

Thenkneelingbesidehisbrotherhewipedthebloodyfroththatwasoozingfromhislips，andsaidinalow，anxioustone：

"Hugh，bhodaich(oldman)，areyehurted？Canyenotspeaktome，Hugh？"

"Oich-oh，"BlackHughgroaned。"Itwasanecessity——Donaldman——

and——hetookme——unawares——withhis——keeck。"

"Indeed，andI\'llwarrantyou！"agreedhisbrother，"butIwillbeattendingtohim，neveryoufear。"

Macdonaldwasabouttorise，whenhisbrothercaughthisarm。

"Youwill——notbe——killinghim，"heurged，betweenhispainfulgasps，"becauseIwillbedoingthatmyselfsomeday，byGod\'shelp。"

HiswordsandtheeagerhateinhisfaceseemedtoquietMacdonald。

"Alas！alas！"hesaid，sadly，"itisnotallowedmetosmitehimashedeserves——\'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord，\'andIhavesolemnlypromisedtheministernottosmiteforgloryorforrevenge！Alas！alas！"

ThenturningtoLeNoir，hesaid，gravely："Itisnotgivenmetopunishyouforyourcoward\'sblow。Gofromme！"ButLeNoirmisjudgedhim。

"Bah！"hecried，contemptuously，"youtinkmeonebaby，youstrikemeondeheadsidelikeonelittleboy。Bon！LouisLeNware，debesbullyondeHottawa，he\'snot\'fraidforhanyman，byGar！"HeprancedupanddownbeforeMacdonald，workinghimselfintoagreatrage，asMacdonaldgrewmoreandmorecontrolled。

Macdonaldturnedtohismenwithakindofappeal——"Ihevgivenmypromise，andMacdonaldwillnotbreakhisword。"

"Bah！"criedLeNoir，spittingathim。

"NowmaytheLordgivemegracetowithstandtheenemy，"saidMacdonald，gravely，"forIamgreatlymovedtotakevengeanceuponyou。"

"Bah！"criedLeNoiragain，mistakingMacdonald\'squietnessandself-controlforfear。"Younogood！Yourbrotherisnogood！

Beegsheep！Beegsheep！Bah！"

"Godhelpme，"saidMacdonaldasiftohimself。"Iamamanofgrace！Butmustthisdoggounpunished？"

LeNoircontinuedstridingupanddown，nowandthenspringinghighintheairandknockinghisheelstogetherwithblood-curdlingyells。HeseemedtofeelthatMacdonaldwouldnotfight，andhiscourageanddesireforbloodgrewaccordingly。

"Willyounotbequate？"saidMacdonald，risingafterafewmomentsfromhisbrother\'sside，wherehehadbeenwipinghislipsandgivinghimwatertodrink。"Youwillbebetteroutside。"

"Oui！youstrikemeontheheadside。Bon！Istrikeyoudesameway！ByGar！"sosayingheapproachedMacdonaldlightly，andstruckhimaslightblowonthecheek。

"Ay，"saidMacdonald，growingwhiteandrigid。"Istruckyoutwice，LeNoir。Here！"heofferedtheothersideofhisface。

LeNoirdancedupcarefully，madeaslightpass，andstrucktheofferedcheek。

"Now，thatisdone，willitpleaseyoutodoitagain？"saidMacdonald，withearnestentreatyinhisvoice。LeNoirmusthavebeenmadwithhisrageandvanity，elsehehadcaughttheglitterintheblueeyeslookingthroughtheshaggyhair。AgainLeNoirapproached，thistimewithgreaterconfidence，anddealtMacdonaldastingingblowonthesideofthehead。

"NowtheLordbepraised，"hecried，joybreakingoutinhisface。

"Hehasdeliveredmyenemyintomyhand。Foritisthethirdtimehehassmittenme，andthatisbeyondthelimitappointedbyHimself。"WiththisheadvanceduponLeNoirwithagladheart。

Hisconsciencewasclearatlast。

LeNoirstoodupagainsthisantagonist。Hewellknewhewasabouttomakethefightofhislife。HehadbeatenmenasbigasMacdonald，butheknewthathishopelayinkeepingoutoftheenemy\'sreach。Sohedancedaroundwarily。Macdonaldfollowedhimslowly。LeNoiropenedwithaswiftandsavagereachforMacdonald\'sneck，butfailedtobreaktheguardanddancedoutagain，Macdonaldstillpressingonhim。AgainandagainLeNoirrushed，buttheguardwasimpregnable，andsteadilyMacdonaldadvanced。Thatsteady，relentlessadvancebegantotellontheFrenchman\'snerves。Thesweatgatheredinbigdropsonhisforeheadandrandownhisface。Hepreparedforasupremeeffort。

Swiftlyretreating，heluredMacdonaldtoamorerapidadvance，thenwithayellhedoubledhimselfintoaballanddeliveredhimselfhead，hands，andfeetintoMacdonald\'sstomach。Itisatrickthatsometimesavailstobreakanunsteadyguardandtosecureaclinchwithanunwaryopponent。ButMacdonaldhadbeenwaitingforthattrick。Stoppingshort，heleanedovertooneside，andstoopingslightly，caughtLeNoirlowandtossedhimclearoverhishead。LeNoirfellwithaterriblethudonhisback，butwasonhisfeetagainlikeacatandreadyfortheever-advancingMacdonald。Butthoughhehadnotbeenstruckasingleblowheknewthathehadmethismaster。Thatunbreakableguard，thesmilingfacewiththegleaming，unsmilingeyes，thatawfulunwaveringadvance，weretoomuchforhim。Hewaspale，hisbreathcameinquickgasps，andhiseyesshowedthefearofahuntedbeast。Hepreparedforafinaleffort。Feigningagreaterdistressthanhefelt，heyieldedweaklytoMacdonald\'sadvance，thensuddenlygatheringhisfullstrengthhesprangintotheairandlashedoutbackwardatthathated，smilingface。Hisbootfounditsmark，notonMacdonald\'sface，butfaironhisneck。Theeffectwasterrific。Macdonaldstaggeredbacktwoorthreepaces，butbeforeLeNoircouldbeathim，hehadrecoveredsufficientlytomaintainhisguard，andshakeoffhisfoe。AttheyellthatwentupfromMurphy\'smen，thebigHighlander\'sfacelostitssmileandbecamekeenandcruel，hiseyesglitteredwiththeflashofsteelandhecameforwardoncemorewithaquick，lighttread。Hisgreatbodyseemedtolosebothsizeandweight，solightlydidhestepontiptoe。Therewasnomorepause，butlightly，swiftly，andeagerlyheglideduponLeNoir。Therewassomethingterrifyinginthatswift，cat-likemovement。InvaintheFrenchmanbackedanddodgedandtriedtoguard。Once，twice，Macdonald\'sfistsfell。LeNoir\'srightarmhunglimpbyhissideandhestaggeredbacktothewallhelpless。Withoutaninstant\'sdelay，Macdonaldhadhimbythethroat，andgrippinghimfiercely，begantoslowlybendhimbackwardoverhisknee。ThenforthefirsttimeMacdonaldspoke：

"LeNoir，"hesaid，solemnly，"thedaysofyourboastingareover。

Youwillnolongergloryinyourstrength，fornowIwillbreakyourbacktoyou。"

LeNoirtriedtospeak，buthisvoicecameinhorriblegurgles。Hisfacewasaghastlygreenishhue，linedwithpurpleandswollenveins，hiseyeswerestandingoutofhishead，andhisbreathsobbinginraucousgasps。Slowlytheheadwentback。Thecrowdstoodinhorror-strickensilencewaitingforthesickeningsnap。

Yankee，unabletostanditanylonger，steppeduptohischief，andinamostmatteroffactvoicedrawledout，"AboutaninchmorethatwayIguess\'lldothetrick，ifheain\'tdouble-jointed。"

"Aye，"saidMacdonald，holdinggrimlyon。

"Tonald，"——BlackHugh\'svoicesoundedfaintbutclearintheawfulsilence——"Tonald——youwillnot——bekilling——him。Rememberthatnow。Iwill——never——forgiveyou——ifyouwill——takethat——frommyhands。"

ThecryforvengeancesmoteMacdonaldtotheheart，andrecalledhimtohimself。Hepaused，threwbackhislocksfromhiseyes，thenrelaxinghisgrip，stoodup。

"Godpreserveme！"hegroaned，"whatamIabout？"

Forsometimeheremainedstandingsilent，withheaddownasifnotquitesureofhimself。Hewasrecalledbyagripofhisarm。Heturnedandsawhisnephew，Ranald，athisside。Theboy\'sdarkfacewaspalewithpassion。

"Andisthatallyouaregoingtodotohim？"hedemanded。

Macdonaldgazedathim。

"Doyounotseewhathehasdone？"hecontinued，pointingtohisfather，whowasstilllyingproppeduponsomecoats。"Whydidyounotbreakhisback？Yousaidyouwould！Thebrute，beast！"

Hehurledoutthewordsinhothate。Hisvoicepiercedthenoiseoftheroom。Macdonaldstoodstill，gazingatthefierce，darkfaceinsolemnsilence。Thenhesadlyshookhishead。

"Mylad，\'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord。\'Itwouldhavepleasedmewell，butthehandoftheLordwaslaiduponmeandIcouldnotkillhim。"

"Thenitismyselfwillkillhim，"heshrieked，springinglikeawildcatatLeNoir。Buthisunclewoundhisarmsaroundhimandheldhimfast。Foraminuteandmorehestruggledfiercely，cryingtobesetfree，tillrecognizingtheuselessnessofhiseffortshegrewcalm，andsaidquietly，"Letmeloose，uncle；Iwillbequiet。"Andhisunclesethimfree。Theboyshookhimself，andthenstandingupbeforeLeNoirsaid，inahigh，clearvoice：

"Willyouhearme，LeNoir？ThedaywillcomewhenIwilldotoyouwhatyouhavedonetomyfather，andifmyfatherwilldie，thenbythelifeofGod[acommonoathamongtheshanty-men]Iwillhaveyourlifeforit。"Hisvoicehadanunearthlyshrillnessinit，andLeNoirshrankback。

"Whist，whist，lad！bequate！"saidhisuncle；"thesearenotgootwords。"Theladheededhimnot，butsankdownbesidehisfatheronthefloor。BlackHughraisedhimselfonhiselbowwithagrimsmileonhisface。

"Itisagootladwhatever，butpleaseGodhewillnotneedtokeephisword。"Helaidhishandinamomentarycaressuponhisboy\'sshoulder，andsankbackagain，saying，"Takemeoutofthis。"

ThenMacdonaldBhainturnedtoDanMurphyandgravelyaddressedhim：

"DanMurphy，itisanungodlyandcowardlyworkyouhavedonethisday，andthecurseofGodwillbeonyouifyouwillnotrepent。"

Thenheturnedaway，andwithBigMack\'shelpborehisbrothertothepointer，followedbyhismen，bloody，bruised，butunconquered。

ButbeforehelefttheroomLeNoirsteppedforward，andofferinghishand，said，"Youmakfriendswit\'me。YoudebossbullyondereeverHottawa。"

Macdonaldneitheranswerednorlookedhisway，butpassedoutingravesilence。

ThenYankeeJimremarkedtoDanMurphy，"Iguessyou\'dbettergitthemlogsoutpurtymightyquick。We\'llwanttheriverinabouttwodays。"DanMurphysaidnotaword，butwhentheGlengarrymenwantedtherivertheyfounditopen。

ButforMacdonaldthefightwasnotyetover，forashesatbesidehisbrother，listeningtohisgroans，hismencouldseehimwreathinghishandsandchantinginanundertonethewords，"VengeanceisminesaiththeLord。"Andashesatbythecamp-firethatnightlisteningtoYankee\'saccountofthebeginningofthetrouble，andheardhowhisbrotherhadkepthimselfinhand，andhowatlasthehadbeenfoullysmitten，Macdonald\'sconflictdeepened，andheroseupandcriedaloud：

"Godhelpme！Isthistogounpunished？Iwillseekhimto-morrow。"

Andhepassedoutintothedarkwoods。

AfterafewmomentstheboyRanaldslippedawayafterhimtobegthathemightbeallowedtogowithhimto-morrow。Stealingsilentlythroughthebusheshecametowherehecouldseethekneelingfigureofhisuncleswayingupanddown，andcaughtthesoundsofwordsbrokenwithgroans：

"Letmego，OLord！Letmego！"HeplednowinGaelicandagaininEnglish。"Letnotthemanbeescapinghisjustpunishment。

Grantmethis，O，Lord！Letmesmitebutonce！"Thenafterapausecamethewords，"\'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord！\'

Vengeanceismine！Ay，itisthetrueword！But，Lord，letnotthismanofBelial，thisPapish，escape！"Thenagain，likearefrainwouldcomethewords，"Vengeanceismine。Vengeanceismine，"inever-deeperagony，tillthrowinghimselfonhisface，helaysilentalongtime。

Suddenlyherosetohiskneesandsoremained，lookingsteadfastlybeforehimintothewoods。Thewindcamesighingthroughthepineswithawailandasob。Macdonaldshudderedandthenfellonhisfaceagain。TheVisionwasuponhim。"Ah，Lord，itisthebloodyhandsandfeetIsee。Itisenough。"AtthisRanaldslippedbackawe-strickentothecamp。When，afteranhour，Macdonaldcamebackintothefirelight，hisfacewaspaleandwet，butcalm，andtherewasanexaltedlookinhiseyes。Hismengazedathimwithwonderandaweintheirfaces。

"Mercyonus！Hewillbeseeingsomething，"saidBigMacktoYankeeJim。

"Seein\'somethin\'？What？Abar？"inquiredYankee。

"Whistnow！"saidBigMack，inalowvoice。"Hehasthesight。Bequatenow，willyou？Hewillbespeaking。"

ForashorttimeMacdonaldsatgazingintothefireinsilence，thenturninghisfacetowardthemenwhowerewaiting，hesaid：

"Therewillbenomoreofthis。\'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord！\'Itisnotforme。TheLordwilldoHisownwork。ItisthewilloftheLord。"Andthemenknewthatthelastwordhadbeensaidonthatsubject，andthatLeNoirwassafe。

CHAPTERIII

THEMANSEINTHEBUSH

StraightnorthfromtheSt。LawrencerunstheroadthroughtheIndianLands。Atfirstitswayliesthroughopencountry，fromwhichtheforesthasbeendrivenfarbacktothehorizononeitherside，foralongthegreatriverthesemanyyearsvillageshaveclustered，withopenfieldsaboutthemstretchingfaraway。ButwhenoncetheroadleavestheFront，withitstownsandvillagesandopenfields，andpassesbeyondMartintownandovertheNorthBranch，itreachesacountrywheretheforestismoreafeatureofthelandscape。Andwhensomedozenormoreofthecrossroadsmarkingtheconcessionswhichleadofftoeastandwesthavebeenpassed，theroadseemstostrikeintoadifferentworld。Theforestlosesitsconqueredappearance，anddominateseverything。

Thereisforesteverywhere。Itlinesupcloseandthickalongtheroad，andhereandtherequiteovershadowsit。Itcrowdsinuponthelittlefarmsandshutsthemofffromoneanotherandfromtheworldoutside，andpeersinthroughthelittlewindowsoftheloghouseslookingsosmallandlonely，butsobeautifulintheirforestframes。Atthenineteenthcross-roadtheforestgivesgroundalittle，forheretheroadrunsrightpastthenewbrickchurch，whichisalmostfinished，andwhichwillbeopenedinafewweeks。Beyondthecross，theroadleadsalongtheglebe，andaboutaquarterofamilebeyondthecornerthereopensuponitthebig，heavygatethatthemembersoftheRev。AlexanderMurray\'scongregationmustswingwhentheywishtovisitthemanse。Theopeningofthisgate，madeofuprightpolesheldbyauger-holesinaframeofbiggerpoles，wasalmosttoogreatataskfortheminister\'sseven-year-oldsonHughie，whoalwaysrodedown，standingonthehindaxleofthebuggy，toopenitforhisfather。

ItwasagreatrelieftohimwhenLongJohnCameron，whohadtheknackofdoingthingsforpeople\'scomfort，broughthisaxandbigaugeronedayandmadeakindofcradleontheprojectingendofthetopbar，whichhethenweightedwithheavystones，sothatthegate，whenoncethepinwaspulledoutofthepost，wouldswingbackitselfwithHughiestraddledonthetopofit。

Itwashisfavoritepostofobservationwhenwaitingforhismothertocomehomefromoneofhermanymeetings。AndonthisparticularMarcheveninghehadbeenwaitinglongandimpatiently。

Suddenlyheshouted："Horo，mamma！Horo！"Hehadcaughtsightofthelittleblackponyawayupatthechurchhill，andhadbecomesowildlyexcitedthathewasnowstandingonthetopbarfranticallywavinghisScotchbonnetbythetails。Downtheslopecametheponyonthegallop，forsheknewwellthatsoonLambertwouldhavehersaddleoff，andthathernosewouldbedeepintobranmashwithinfiveminutesmore。Butherridersatherfirmlyandbroughtherdowntoagentletrotbythetimethegatewasreached。

"Horo，mamma！"shoutedHughie，clamberingdowntoopenthegate。

"Well，mydarling！haveyoubeenagoodboyallafternoon？"

"Huh-huh！Guesswho\'scomebackfromtheshanties！"

"I\'msureIcan\'tguess。Whoisit？"Itwasaverybrightandverysweetface，withlarge，serious，gray-browneyesthatlookeddownonthelittleboy。

"Guess，mamma！"

"Why，whocanitbe？BigMack？"

"No！"Hughiedanceddelightedly。"Tryagain。He\'snotbig。"

"IamsureIcanneverguess。Whoa，Pony！"Ponywasmostunwillingtogetincloseenoughtothegate-posttoletHughiespringonbehindhismother。

"You\'llhavetobequick，Hughie，whenIgetnearagain。Therenow！Whoa，Pony！Takecare，child！"

Hughiehadsprungcleanoffthepost，andlightingonPony\'sbackjustbehindthesaddle，hadclutchedhismotherroundthewaist，whiletheponystartedofffullgallopforthestable。

"Now，mother，whoisit？"insistedHughie，asLambert，theFrench-

Canadianman-of-all-work，liftedhimfromhisplace。

"You\'llhavetotellme，Hughie！"

"Ranald！"

"Ranald？"

"Yes，Ranaldandhisfather，MacdonaldDubh，andhe\'shurtedawfulbad，and——"

"Hurt，Hughie，"interposedthemother，gently。

"Huh-huh！Ranaldsaidhewashurted。"

"Hurt，youmean，Hughie。Whowashurt？Ranald？"

"No；hisfatherwashurted——hurt——awfulbad。Hewaslyingdowninthesleigh，andYankeeJim——"

"Mr。Latham，youmean，Hughie。"

"Huh-huh，"wentonHughie，breathlessly，"andYankee——Mr。Lathamaskediftheministerwashome，andIsaid\'No，\'andthentheywentaway。"

"Whatwasthematter？Didyouseethem，Lambert？"

"Oui"("Way，"Lambertpronouncedit)，"butdeynottellmewhathe\'shurt。"

Theminister\'swifewenttowardthehouse，withashadowonherface。Shesharedwithherhusbandhispeople\'ssorrows。Sheknewevenbetterthanhethelife-historyofeveryfamilyinthecongregation。MacdonaldDubhhadlongbeenclassedamongthewildandcarelessinthecommunity，anditweigheduponherheartthathislifemightbeindanger。

"Ishallseehimto-morrow，"shesaidtoherself。

Forafewmomentsshestoodonthedoorsteplookingattheglowintheskyoverthedarkforest，whichonthewestsidecamequiteuptothehouseandbarn。

"Look，Hughie，atthebeautifultintsintheclouds，andseethedarkshadowspointingouttowardusfromthebush。"Hughieglancedamoment。

"Mamma，"hesaid，"Iamjustdeadforsupper。"

"Oh，notquite，Ihope，Hughie。Butlook，Iwantyoutonoticethosecloudsandtheskybehindthem。Howlovely！Oh，howwonderful！"

Herenthusiasmcaughttheboy，andforafewmomentsheforgotevenhishunger，andholdinghismother\'shand，gazedupatthewesternsky。Itwasapictureofrarebeautythatlaystretchedoutfromthemansebackdoor。Closetothebarncamethepasture-fielddottedwithhugestumps，thenthebrulewherethetreeslayfallenacrossoneanother，overwhichthefirehadrun，andthenthesolidwallofforesthereandthereovertoppedbytheloftycrestofawhitepine。Intotheforestinthewestthesunwasdescendingingorgeousrobesofglory。Thetreetopscaughttheyellowlight，andgleamedlikethegoldenspiresofsomegreatandfabledcity。

"Oh，mamma，seethatbigpinetop！Doesn\'titlooklikewindows？"

criedHughie，pointingtooneoftheloftypinecreststhroughwhichtheskyquiveredlikemoltengold。

"Andthestreetsofthecityarepuregold，"saidthemother，softly。

"Yes，Iknow，"saidHughie，confidently，fortohimallthescenesandstoriesoftheBiblehadlongbeenfamiliar。"Isitlikethat，mamma？"

"Muchbetter，eversomuchbetterthanyoucanthink。"

"Oh，mamma，I\'mjustawfulhungry！"

"Comeaway，then；soamI。Whathaveyougot，Jessie，fortwoveryhungrypeople？"

"Porridgeandpancakes，"saidJessie，theminister\'s"girl，"whonotonlyruledinthekitchen，butusingthekitchenasabase，controlledtheinterioreconomyofthemanse。

"Oh，goody！"yelledHughie；"justwhatIlike。"Andfromtheplatesofporridgeandthepilesofpancakesthatvanishedfromhisplatenoonecoulddoubthisword。

Theirreadingthatnightwasaboutthecitywhosestreetswereofpuregold，andafteralittletalk，Hughieandhisbabybrotherweretuckedawaysafelyforthenight，andthemothersatdowntohernever-endingtaskofmakingandmending。

TheministerwasawayatPresbyterymeetinginMontreal，andfortendayshiswifewouldstandinthebreach。OfcoursetheelderswouldtakethemeetingontheSabbathdayandontheWednesdayevening，butforallotherministerialdutieswhentheministerwasabsentthecongregationlookedtotheminister\'swife。Andsoonitcamethatthesickandthesorrowingandthesin-burdenedfoundintheminister\'swifesuchhelpandcomfortandguidanceasmadetheabsenceoftheministerseemnogreattrialafterall。Eightyearsagotheministerhadbroughthiswifefromahomeofgentleculture，fromalifeofintellectualandartisticpursuits，andfromacircleoflovingfriendsofwhichshewastheprideandjoy，tothishomeintheforest。There，isolatedfromallcongenialcompanionshipwithherownkind，deprivedofalltheluxuriesandofmanyofthecomfortsofheryoungdays，andofthementalstimulusofthatcontactofmindswithoutwhichfewcanmaintainintellectuallife，shegaveherselfwithoutstinttoherhusband\'speople，withneverathoughtofself-pityorself-praise。Bydayandbynightshelaboredforherhusbandandfamilyandforherpeople，forshethoughtthemhers。Shetaughtthewomenhowtoadorntheirrudehomes，gatheredthemintoBibleclassesandsewingcircles，whereshereadandtalkedandwroughtandprayedwiththemtilltheygrewtoadoreherasasaint，andtotrustherasaleaderandfriend，andtobealittlelikeher。Andnotthewomenonly，butthemen，too，lovedandtrustedher，andthebigboysfounditeasiertotalktotheminister\'swifethantotheministerortoanyofhissession。Shemadeherownandherchildren\'sclothes，collars，hats，andcaps，herhusband\'sshirtsandneckties，toilinglateintothemorninghours，andallwithoutfrownorshadowofcomplaint，andindeedwithoutsuspicionthatanybutthehappiestlotwashers，orthatshewas，ashersisterssaid，"justburiedaliveinthebackwoods。"Notshe！Shelivedtoserve，andthewhereandhowwerenotherstodetermine。So，withbrightfaceandbraveheart，shemetherdaysandfacedthebattle。

Andscoresofwomenandmenarelivingbetterandbraverlivesbecausetheyhadherfortheirminister\'swife。

Butthedayhadbeenlong，andthestrugglewiththeMarchwindpullsharduponthestrength，andoutsidethepineswerecrooningsoftly，andgraduallythebraveheaddroopedtillbetweenthestitchesshefellasleep。Butnotformanyminutes，foraknockatthekitchendoorstartledher，andbeforelongsheheardJessie\'svoicerisewrathful。

"Indeed，I\'lldonosuchthing。Thisisnotimetocometotheminister\'shouse。"

Foranswertherewasamumbleofwords。

"Well，then，youcanjustwaituntilmorning。Shecangointhemorning。"

"Whatisit，Jessie？"Theminister\'swifecameintothekitchen。

"Oh，Ranald，I\'mgladtoseeyouback。Hughietoldmeyouhadcome。Butyourfatherisill，hesaid。Howishe？"

Ranaldshookhandsshyly，feelingmuchashamedunderJessie\'ssharpreproof。

"Indeed，itwasAuntKirstythatsentme，"saidRanald，apologetically。

"Thensheoughttohaveknownbetter，"saidJessie，sharply。

"Nevermind，Jessie。Ranald，tellmeaboutyourfather。"

"Heisverybadindeed，andmyauntisafraidthat——"Theboy\'sliptrembled。Thenhewenton："Andshethoughtperhapsyoumighthavesomemedicine，and——"

"Butwhatisthematter，Ranald？"

"Hewashurtedbad——andheisnotrightwiseinhishead。"

"Buthowwashehurt？"

Ranaldhesitated。

"Iwasnotthere——Iamthinkingitwassomethingthatstruckhim。"

"Ah，atree！Butwheredidthetreestrikehim？"

"Here，"pointingtohisbreast；"anditissoreinhisbreathing。"

"Well，Ranald，ifyouputthesaddleonPony，Ishallbereadyinaminute。"

Jessiewasindignant。

"Youwillnotstirafootthisnight。Youwillsendsomemedicine，andthenyoucangointhemorning。"

Buttheminister\'swifeheededhernot。

"Youarenotwalking，Ranald？"

"No，Ihavethecolt。"

"Oh，that\'ssplendid。We\'llhaveafinegallop——thatis，ifthemoonisup。"

"Yes，itisjustcomingup，"saidRanald，hurryingawaytothestablethathemightescapeJessie\'swrathandgettheponyready。

Itwasnounusualthingfortheministerandhiswifetobecalledupontododutyfordoctorandnurse。Thedoctorwastwentymilesaway。SoMrs。Murraygotintoherriding-habit，threwherknittedhoodoverherhead，putsomesimplemedicinesintoherhand-bag，andintenminuteswaswaitingforRanaldatthedoor。

CHAPTERIV

THERIDEFORLIFE

Thenightwasclear，withatouchoffrostintheair，yetwiththefeelinginitofapproachingspring。Adimlightfellovertheforestfromthehalf-moonandthestars，andseemedtofillupthelittleclearinginwhichthemansestood，withaweirdandmysteriousradiance。Farawayintheforestthelong-drawnhowlofawolfroseandfell，andinamomentsharpandclearcameananswerfromthebushjustathand。Mrs。Murraydreadedthewolves，butshewasnocowardandscornedtoshowfear。

"Thewolvesareout，Ranald，"shesaid，carelessly，asRanaldcameupwiththepony。

"Theyarenotmany，Ithink，"answeredtheboyascarelessly；"but——

areyou——doyouthink——perhapsIcouldjusttakethemedicine——andyouwillcome——"

"Nonsense，Ranald！bringupthepony。DoyouthinkIhavelivedallthistimeinIndianLandstobeafraidofawolf？"

"Indeed，youarenotafraid，Iknowthatwell！"Ranaldshrankfromlayingthecrimeofbeingafraidatthedooroftheminister\'swife，whosefearlessnesswasproverbialinthecommunity；"butmaybe——"Thetruthwas，Ranaldwouldratherbealoneifthewolvescameout。

ButMrs。Murraywasinthesaddle，andtheponywasimpatienttobeoff。

"WewillgobytheCamerons\'clearing，andthentaketheirwoodtrack。Itisabetterroad，"saidRanald，aftertheyhadgotthroughthebiggate。

"Now，Ranald，youthinkIamafraidoftheswamp，andbytheCamerons\'ismuchlonger。"

"Indeed，Ihearthemsaythatyouarenotafraidofthe——ofanything，"saidRanald，quickly，"butthisroadisbetterforthehorses。"

"Comeon，then，withyourcolt"；andtheponydartedawayonherquick-springinggallop，followedbythecoltgoingwithalong，easy，lopingstride。ForamiletheykeptsidebysidetilltheyreachedtheCamerons\'lane，whenRanaldheldinthecoltandallowedtheponytolead。AstheypassedthroughtheCamerons\'

yardthebigblackdogs，famousbear-hunters，camebayingatthem。