第2章

ThenHelensawHarveRiggsenter，burdenedwithmuchluggage。Hewasamanofaboutmediumheight，ofdark，flashyappearance，cultivatinglongblackmustacheandhair。

Hisapparelwasstriking，asitconsistedofblackfrock-coat，blacktrousersstuffedinhigh，fancy-toppedboots，anembroideredvest，andflowingtie，andablacksombrero。Hisbeltandgunwereprominent。Itwassignificantthatheexcitedcommentamongtheotherpassengers。

Whenhehaddepositedhispiecesofbaggageheseemedtosquarehimself，and，turningabruptly，approachedtheseatoccupiedbythegirls。Whenhereachedithesatdownuponthearmoftheoneopposite，tookoffhissombrero，anddeliberatelylookedatHelen。Hiseyeswerelight，glinting，withhard，restlessquiver，andhismouthwascoarseandarrogant。Helenhadneverseenhimdetachedfromherhomesurroundings，andnowthedifferencestruckcolduponherheart。

"Hello，Nell！"hesaid。"Surprisedtoseeme？"

"No，"shereplied，coldly。

"I\'llgambleyouare。"

"HarveRiggs，ItoldyouthedaybeforeIlefthomethatnothingyoucoulddoorsaymatteredtome。"

"Reckonthatain\'tso，Nell。AnywomanIkeeptrackofhasreasontothink。An\'youknowit。"

"Thenyoufollowedme——outhere？"demandedHelen，andhervoice，despitehercontrol，quiveredwithanger"Isuredid，"hereplied，andtherewasasmuchthoughtofhimselfintheactastherewasofher。

"Why？Why？It\'suseless——hopeless。"

"IsworeI\'dhaveyou，ornobodyelsewould，"hereplied，andhere，inthepassionofhisvoicetheresoundedegotismratherthanhungerforawoman\'slove。"ButIreckonI\'dhavestruckWestanyhow，soonerorlater。"

"You\'renotgoingto——alltheway——toPine？"falteredHelen，momentarilyweakening。

"Nell，I\'llcamponyourtrailfromnowon，"hedeclared。

ThenBosatbolt-upright，withpalefaceandflashingeyes。

"HarveRiggs，youleaveNellalone，"sheburstout，inringing，braveyoungvoice。"I\'lltellyouwhat——I\'llbet——ifyoufollowherandnagheranymore，myuncleAlorsomecowboywillrunyououtofthecountry。"

"Hello，Pepper！"repliedRiggs，coolly。"Iseeyourmannershaven\'timprovedan\'you\'restillwildaboutcowboys。"

"Peopledon\'thavegoodmannerswith——with——"

"Bo，hush！"admonishedHelen。ItwasdifficulttoreproveBojustthen，forthatyoungladyhadnottheslightestfearofRiggs。Indeed，shelookedasifshecouldslaphisface。AndHelenrealizedthathoweverherintelligencehadgraspedthepossibilitiesofleavinghomeforawildcountry，andwhateverherdeterminationtobebrave，theactualbeginningofself-reliancehadleftherspiritweak。Shewouldriseoutofthat。Butjustnowthisflashing-eyedlittlesisterseemedaprotector。BowouldreadilyadaptherselftotheWest，Helenthought，becauseshewassoyoung，primitive，elemental。

WhereuponBoturnedherbacktoRiggsandlookedoutofthewindow。Themanlaughed。ThenhestoodupandleanedoverHelen。

"Nell，I\'mgoin\'whereveryougo，"hesaid，steadily。"Youcantakethatfriendlyornot，justasitpleasesyou。Butifyou\'vegotanysenseyou\'llnotgivethesepeopleouthereahunchagainstme。Imighthurtsomebody……An\'

wouldn\'titbebetter——toactfriends？ForI\'mgoin\'tolookafteryou，whetheryoulikeitornot。"

Helenhadconsideredthismananannoyance，andlateramenace，andnowshemustdeclareopenenmitywithhim。

Howeverdisgustingtheideathatheconsideredhimselfafactorinhernewlife，itwasthetruth。Heexisted，hehadcontroloverhismovements。Shecouldnotchangethat。Shehatedtheneedofthinkingsomuchabouthim；andsuddenly，withahot，burstinganger，shehatedtheman。

"You\'llnotlookafterme。I\'lltakecareofmyself，"shesaid，andsheturnedherbackuponhim。Sheheardhimmutterunderhisbreathandslowlymoveawaydownthecar。ThenBoslippedahandinhers。

"Nevermind，Nell，"shewhispered。"YouknowwhatoldSheriffHainessaidaboutHarveRiggs。\'Afour-flushwould-begun-fighter！IfheeverstrikesarealWesterntownhe\'llgetrunoutofit。\'Ijustwishmyred-facedcowboyhadgotonthistrain！"

HelenfeltarushofgladnessthatshehadyieldedtoBo\'swildimportunitiestotakeherWest。ThespiritwhichhadmadeBoincorrigibleathomeprobablywouldmakeherreacthappilytolifeoutinthisfreecountry。YetHelen，withallherwarmthandgratefulness，hadtolaughathersister。

"Yourred-facedcowboy！Why，Bo，youwerescaredstiff。Andnowyouclaimhim！"

"Icertainlycouldlovethatfellow，"repliedBo，dreamily。

"Child，you\'vebeensayingthataboutfellowsforalongtime。Andyou\'veneverlookedtwiceatanyofthemyet。"

"Hewasdifferent……Nell，I\'llbethecomestoPine。"

"Ihopehedoes。Iwishhewasonthistrain。Ilikedhislooks，Bo。"

"Well，Nelldear，helookedatMEfirstandlast——sodon\'tgetyourhopesup……Oh，thetrain\'sstarting！……

Good-by，Albu-ker——what\'sthatawfulname？……Nell，let\'seatdinner。I\'mstarved。"

ThenHelenforgothertroublesandtheuncertainfuture，andwhatwithlisteningtoBo\'schatter，andpartakingagainoftheendlessgoodthingstoeatinthehugebasket，andwatchingthenoblemountains，shedrewoncemoreintohappymood。

ThevalleyoftheRioGrandeopenedtoview，widenearathandinagreatgray-greengapbetweenthebareblackmountains，narrowinthedistance，wheretheyellowriverwoundaway，glisteningunderahotsun。BosquealedingleeatsightofnakedlittleMexicanchildrenthatdartedintoadobehutsasthetrainclatteredby，andsheexclaimedherpleasureintheIndians，andthemustangs，andparticularlyinagroupofcowboysridingintotownonspiritedhorses。

HelensawallBopointedout，butitwastothewonderfulrollingvalleythathergazeclunglongest，andtothedimpurpledistancethatseemedtoholdsomethingfromher。Shehadneverbeforeexperiencedanyfeelinglikethat；shehadneverseenatenthsofar。Andthesightawokesomethingstrangeinher。Thesunwasburninghot，asshecouldtellwhensheputahandoutsidethewindow，andastrongwindblewsheetsofdrydustatthetrain。ShegatheredatoncewhattremendousfactorsintheSouthwestwerethesunandthedustandthewind。Andherrealizationmadeherlovethem。Itwasthere；theopen，thewild，thebeautiful，thelonelyland；andshefeltthepoignantcallofbloodinher——toseek，tostrive，tofind，tolive。Onelookdownthatyellowvalley，endlessbetweenitsdarkironramparts，hadgivenherunderstandingofheruncle。Shemustbelikehiminspirit，asitwasclaimedsheresembledhimotherwise。

AtlengthBogrewtiredofwatchingscenerythatcontainednolife，and，withherbrightheadonthefadedcloak，shewenttosleep。ButHelenkeptsteady，farseeinggazeoutuponthatlandofrockandplain；andduringthelonghours，asshewatchedthroughcloudsofdustandveilsofheat，somestronganddoubtfulandrestlesssentimentseemedtochangeandthentofix。Itwasherphysicalacceptance——

hereyesandhersensestakingtheWestasshehadalreadytakenitinspirit。

Awomanshouldloveherhomewhereverfateplacedher，Helenbelieved，andnotsomuchfromdutyasfromdelightandromanceandliving。Howcouldlifeeverbetediousormonotonousouthereinthistremendousvastnessofbareearthandopensky，wheretheneedtoachievemadethinkingandponderingsuperficial？

ItwaswithregretthatshesawthelastofthevalleyoftheRioGrande，andthenofitsparalleledmountainranges。

Butthemilesbroughtcompensationinothervalleys，otherbold，blackupheavalsofrock，andthenagainbare，boundlessyellowplains，andsparselycedaredridges，andwhitedrywashes，ghastlyinthesunlight，anddazzlingbedsofalkali，andthenadesertspacewheregoldenandblueflowersbloomed。

Shenoted，too，thatthewhitesandyellowsofearthandrockhadbeguntoshadetored——andthissheknewmeantanapproachtoArizona。Arizona，thewild，thelonely，thereddesert，thegreenplateau——Arizonawithitsthunderingrivers，itsunknownspaces，itspasture-landsandtimber-lands，itswildhorses，cowboys，outlaws，wolvesandlionsandsavages！Astoaboy，thatnamestirredandthrilledandsangtoherofnameless，sweet，intangiblethings，mysteriousandallofadventure。Butshe，beingagirloftwenty，whohadacceptedresponsibilities，mustconcealthedepthsofherheartandthatwhichhermotherhadcomplainedwashermisfortuneinnotbeingbornaboy。

Timepassed，whileHelenwatchedandlearnedanddreamed。

Thetrainstopped，atlongintervals，atwaysidestationswherethereseemednothingbutadobeshedsandlazyMexicans，anddustandheat。Boawokeandbegantochatter，andtodigintothebasket。ShelearnedfromtheconductorthatMagdalenawasonlytwostationson。Andshewasfullofconjecturesastowhowouldmeetthem，whatwouldhappen。SoHelenwasdrawnbacktosoberrealities，inwhichtherewasconsiderablezest。Assuredlyshedidnotknowwhatwasgoingtohappen。TwiceRiggspassedupanddowntheaisle，hisdarkfaceandlighteyesandsardonicsmiledeliberatelyforceduponhersight。ButagainHelenfoughtagrowingdreadwithcontemptuousscorn。Thisfellowwasnothalfaman。Itwasnotconceivablewhathecoulddo，exceptannoyher，untilshearrivedatPine。HerunclewastomeetherorsendforheratSnowdrop，whichplace，Helenknew，wasdistantagoodlongridebystagefromMagdalena。Thisstage-ridewastheclimaxandthedreadofallthelongjourney，inHelen\'sconsiderations。

"Oh，Nell！"criedBo，withdelight。"We\'renearlythere！

Nextstation，theconductorsaid。"

"Iwonderifthestagetravelsatnight，"saidHelen，thoughtfully。

"Sureitdoes！"repliedtheirrepressibleBo。

Thetrain，thoughitclatteredalongasusual，seemedtoHelentofly。TherethesunwassettingoverbleakNewMexicanbluffs，Magdalenawasathand，andnight，andadventure。Helen\'sheartbeatfast。Shewatchedtheyellowplainswherethecattlegrazed；theirpresence，andirrigationditchesandcottonwood-treestoldherthattherailroadpartofthejourneywasnearlyended。Then，atBo\'slittlescream，shelookedacrossthecarandoutofthewindowtoseealineoflow，flat，red-adobehouses。Thetrainbegantoslowdown。Helensawchildrenrun，whitechildrenandMexicantogether；thenmorehouses，andhighuponahillanimmenseadobechurch，crudeandglaring，yetsomehowbeautiful。

HelentoldBotoputonherbonnet，and，performingalikeofficeforherself，shewasashamedofthetremblingofherfingers。Therewerebustleandtalkinthecar。

Thetrainstopped。HelenpeeredouttoseeastragglingcrowdofMexicansandIndians，allmotionlessandstolid，asiftrainsornothingelsemattered。NextHelensawawhiteman，andthatwasarelief。Hestoodoutinfrontoftheothers。Tallandbroad，somehowstriking，hedrewasecondglancethatshowedhimtobeahuntercladingray-fringedbuckskin，andcarryingarifle。

CHAPTERV

Here，therewasnokindlybrakemantohelpthesisterswiththeirluggage。HelenbadeBotakehershare；thusburdened，theymadeanawkwardandlaboriousshifttogetoffthetrain。

UpontheplatformofthecarastronghandseizedHelen\'sheavybag，withwhichshewasstraining，andaloudvoicecalledout：

"Girls，we\'rehere——sureoutinthewildan\'woollyWest！"

ThespeakerwasRiggs，andhehadpossessedhimselfofpartofherbaggagewithactionandspeechmeantmoretoimpressthecuriouscrowdthantobereallykind。IntheexcitementofarrivingHelenhadforgottenhim。Themannerofsuddenreminder——theinsincerityofit——madehertemperflash。

Shealmostfell，encumberedasshewas，inherhurrytodescendthesteps。ShesawthetallhunteringraystepforwardclosetoherasshereachedforthebagRiggsheld。

"Mr。Riggs，I\'llcarrymybag，"shesaid。

"Letmelugthis。YouhelpBowithhers，"hereplied，familiarly。

"ButIwantit，"sherejoined，quietly，withsharpdetermination。NolittleforcewasneededtopullthebagawayfromRiggs。

"Seehere，Helen，youain\'tgoin\'anyfartherwiththatjoke，areyou？"hequeried，deprecatingly，andhestillspokequiteloud。

"It\'snojoketome，"repliedHelen。"ItoldyouIdidn\'twantyourattention。"

"Sure。Butthatwastemper。I\'myourfriend——fromyourhometown。An\'Iain\'tgoin\'toletaquarrelkeepmefromlookin\'afteryoutillyou\'resafeatyouruncle\'s。"

Helenturnedherbackuponhim。ThetallhunterhadjusthelpedBooffthecar。ThenHelenlookedupintoasmoothbronzedfaceandpiercinggrayeyes。

"AreyouHelenRayner？"heasked。

"Yes。"

"Myname\'sDale。I\'vecometomeetyou。"

"Ah！Myunclesentyou？"addedHelen，inquickrelief。

"No；Ican\'tsayAlsentme，"begantheman，"butIreckon——"

HewasinterruptedbyRiggs，who，graspingHelenbythearm，pulledherbackastep。

"Say，mister，didAuchinclosssendyoutomeetmyyoungfriendshere？"hedemanded，arrogantly。

Dale\'sglanceturnedfromHelentoRiggs。Shecouldnotreadthisquietgraygaze，butitthrilledher。

"No。Icomeonmyownhook，"heanswered。

"You\'llunderstand，then——they\'reinmycharge，"addedRiggs。

Thistimethesteadylight-grayeyesmetHelen\'s，andiftherewasnotasmileinthemorbehindthemshewasstillfurtherbaffled。

"Helen，Ireckonyousaidyoudidn\'twantthisfellow\'sattention。"

"Icertainlysaidthat，"repliedHelen，quickly。JustthenBoslippedclosetoherandgaveherarmalittlesqueeze。

ProbablyBo\'sthoughtwaslikehers——herewasarealWesternman。Thatwasherfirstimpression，andfollowingswiftlyuponitwasasensationofeasednerves。

RiggsswaggeredclosertoDale。

"Say，Buckskin，IhailfromTexas——"

"You\'rewastin\'ourtimean\'we\'veneedtohurry，"

interruptedDale。Histoneseemedfriendly。"An\'ifyoueverlivedlonginTexasyouwouldn\'tpesteraladyan\'yousurewouldn\'ttalklikeyoudo。"

"What！"shoutedRiggs，hotly。Hedroppedhisrighthandsignificantlytohiship。

"Don\'tthrowyourgun。Itmightgooff，"saidDale。

WhateverRiggs\'sintentionhadbeen——anditwasprobablyjustwhatDaleevidentlyhadreadit——henowflushedanangryredandjerkedathisgun。

Dale\'shandflashedtooswiftlyforHelen\'seyetofollowit。Butsheheardthethudasitstruck。ThegunwentflyingtotheplatformandscatteredagroupofIndiansandMexicans。

"You\'llhurtyourselfsomeday，"saidDale。

Helenhadneverheardaslow，coolvoicelikethishunter\'s。

Withoutexcitementoremotionorhurry，ityetseemedfullandsignificantofthingsthewordsdidnotmean。Boutteredastrangelittleexultantcry。

Riggs\'sarmhaddroppedlimp。Nodoubtitwasnumb。Hestared，andhispredominatingexpressionwassurprise。Astheshufflingcrowdbegantosnickerandwhisper，RiggsgaveDaleamalignantglance，shiftedittoHelen，andthenlurchedawayinthedirectionofhisgun。

Daledidnotpayanymoreattentiontohim。GatheringupHelen\'sbaggage，hesaid，"Comeon，"andshoulderedalanethroughthegapingcrowd。Thegirlsfollowedcloseathisheels。

"Nell！what\'dItellyou？"whisperedBo。"Oh，you\'reallatremble！"

Helenwasawareofherunsteadiness；angerandfearandreliefinquicksuccessionhadleftherratherweak。Oncethroughthemotleycrowdofloungers，shesawanoldgraystage-coachandfourleanhorses。Agrizzled，sunburnedmansatonthedriver\'sseat，whipandreinsinhand。Besidehimwasayoungermanwithrifleacrosshisknees。Anotherman，young，tall，lean，dark，stoodholdingthecoachdooropen。

Hetouchedhissombrerotothegirls。HiseyesweresharpasheaddressedDale。

"Milt，wasn\'tyouheldup？"

"No。Butsomelong-hairedgalootwastryin\'toholdupthegirls。Wantedtothrowhisgunonme。Iwassurescared，"

repliedDale，ashedepositedtheluggage。

Bolaughed。Hereyes，restinguponDale，werewarmandbright。Theyoungmanatthecoachdoortookasecondlookather，andthenasmilechangedthedarkhardnessofhisface。

Dalehelpedthegirlsupthehighstepintothestage，andthen，placingthelighterluggage，inwiththem，hethrewtheheavierpiecesontop"Joe，climbup，"hesaid。

"Wal，Milt，"drawledthedriver，"let\'soozealong。"

Dalehesitated，withhishandonthedoor。Heglancedatthecrowd，nowedgingcloseagain，andthenatHelen。

"IreckonIoughttotellyou，"hesaid，andindecisionappearedtoconcernhim。

"What？"exclaimedHelen。

"Badnews。Buttalkin\'takestime。An\'wemustn\'tloseany。"

"There\'sneedofhurry？"queriedHelen，sittingupsharply。

"Ireckon。"

"IsthisthestagetoSnowdrop？

"No。Thatleavesinthemornin\'。Werustledthisoldtraptogetastartto-night。"

"Thesoonerthebetter。ButI——Idon\'tunderstand，"saidHelen，bewildered。

"It\'llnotbesafeforyoutorideonthemornin\'stage，"

returnedDale。

"Safe！Oh，whatdoyoumean？"exclaimedHelen。

ApprehensivelyshegazedathimandthenbackatBo。

"Explainin\'willtaketime。An\'factsmaychangeyourmind。

Butifyoucan\'ttrustme——"

"Trustyou！"interposedHelen，blankly。"YoumeantotakeustoSnowdrop？"

"Ireckonwe\'dbettergoroundaboutan\'nothitSnowdrop，"

hereplied，shortly。

"ThentoPine——tomyuncle——AlAuchincloss？

"Yes，I\'mgoin\'totryhard。"

Helencaughtherbreath。Shedivinedthatsomeperilmenacedher。Shelookedsteadily，withallawoman\'skeenness，intothisman\'sface。ThemomentwasoneofthefatefuldecisionssheknewtheWesthadinstoreforher。HerfutureandthatofBo\'swerenowtobedependentuponherjudgments。Itwasahardmomentand，thoughsheshiveredinwardly，shewelcomedtheinitialandinevitablestep。ThismanDale，byhisdressofbuckskin，mustbeeitherscoutorhunter。Hissize，hisaction，thetoneofhisvoicehadbeenreassuring。

ButHelenmustdecidefromwhatshesawinhisfacewhetherornottotrusthim。Andthatfacewasclearbronze，unlined，unshadowed，likeatranquilmask，clean-cut，strong-jawed，witheyesofwonderfultransparentgray。

"Yes，I\'lltrustyou，"shesaid。"Getin，andletushurry。

Thenyoucanexplain。"

"Allready，Bill。Send\'emalong，"calledDale。

Hehadtostooptoenterthestage，and，oncein，heappearedtofillthatsideuponwhichhesat。Thenthedrivercrackedhiswhip；thestagelurchedandbegantoroll；themotleycrowdwasleftbehind。Helenawakenedtothereality，asshesawBostaringwithbigeyesatthehunter，thatastrangeradventurethanshehadeverdreamedofhadbeganwiththerattlingrollofthatoldstage-coach。

Dalelaidoffhissombreroandleanedforward，holdinghisriflebetweenhisknees。Thelightshonebetteruponhisfeaturesnowthathewasbareheaded。Helenhadneverseenafacelikethat，whichatfirstglanceappeareddarklybronzedandhard，andthenbecameclear，cold，aloof，still，intense。Shewishedshemightseeasmileuponit。Andnowthatthediewascastshecouldnottellwhyshehadtrustedit。Therewassingularforceinit，butshedidnotrecognizewhatkindofforce。Oneinstantshethoughtitwasstern，andthenextthatitwassweet，andagainthatitwasneither。

"I\'mgladyou\'vegotyoursister，"hesaid，presently。

"Howdidyouknowshe\'smysister？"

"Ireckonshelookslikeyou。"

"Nooneelseeverthoughtso，"repliedHelen，tryingtosmile。

Bohadnodifficultyinsmiling，asshesaid，"WishIwashalfasprettyasNell。"

"Nell。Isn\'tyournameHelen？"queriedDale。

"Yes。Butmy——somefewcallmeNell。"

"IlikeNellbetterthanHelen。An\'what\'syours？"wentonDale，lookingatBo。

"Mine\'sBo。justplainB-o。Isn\'titsilly？ButIwasn\'taskedwhentheygaveittome，"shereplied。

"Bo。It\'snicean\'short。Neverhearditbefore。ButI

haven\'tmetmanypeopleforyears。"

"Oh！we\'veleftthetown！"criedBo。"Look，Nell！Howbare！

It\'sjustlikedesert。"

"Itisdesert。We\'vefortymilesofthatbeforewecometoahilloratree。"

Helenglancedout。Aflat，dull-greenexpansewavedawayfromtheroadonandontoabright，darkhorizon-line，wherethesunwassettingraylessinaclearsky。Open，desolate，andlonely，thescenegaveheracoldthrill。

"DidyouruncleAleverwriteanythin\'aboutamannamedBeasley？"askedDale。

"Indeedhedid，"repliedHelen，withastartofsurprise。

"Beasley！Thatnameisfamiliartous——anddetestable。Myunclecomplainedofthismanforyears。Thenhegrewbitter——accusedBeasley。Butthelastyearorsonotaword！"

"Well，now，"beganthehunter，earnestly，"let\'sgetthebadnewsover。I\'msorryyoumustbeworried。ButyoumustlearntotaketheWestasitis。There\'sgoodan\'bad，maybemorebad。That\'sbecausethecountry\'syoung……Sotocomerightoutwithit——thisBeasleyhiredagangofoutlawstomeetthestageyouwasgoin\'intoSnowdrop——to-morrow——

an\'tomakeoffwithyou。"

"Makeoffwithme？"ejaculatedHelen，bewildered。

"Kidnapyou！Which，inthatgang，wouldbeworsethankillingyou！"declaredDale，grimly，andheclosedahugefistonhisknee。

Helenwasutterlyastounded。

"Howhor-rible！"shegaspedout。"Makeoffwithme！……

WhatinHeaven\'snamefor？"

Bogaveventtoafiercelittleutterance。

"Forreasonsyououghttoguess，"repliedDale，andheleanedforwardagain。Neitherhisvoicenorfacechangedintheleast，butyettherewasasomethingabouthimthatfascinatedHelen。"I\'mahunter。Iliveinthewoods。AfewnightsagoIhappenedtobecaughtoutinastorman\'Itooktoanoldlogcabin。SoonasIgotthereIheardhorses。I

hidupintheloft。Somemenrodeupan\'comein。Itwasdark。Theycouldn\'tseeme。An\'theytalked。ItturnedouttheywereSnakeAnsonan\'hisgangofsheep-thieves。TheyexpectedtomeetBeasleythere。Prettysoonhecame。HetoldAnsonhowoldAl，youruncle，wasonhislastlegs——howhehadsentforyoutohavehispropertywhenhedied。BeasleysworehehadclaimsonAl。An\'hemadeadealwithAnsontogetyououtoftheway。HenamedthedayyouweretoreachMagdalena。WithAldeadan\'younotthere，Beasleycouldgettheproperty。An\'thenhewouldn\'tcareifyoudidcometoclaimit。It\'dbetoolate……Well，theyrodeawaythatnight。An\'nextdayIrustleddowntoPine。They\'reallmyfriendsatPine，exceptoldAl。ButtheythinkI\'mqueer。I

didn\'twanttoconfide。inmanypeople。BeasleyisstronginPine，an\'forthatmatterIsuspectSnakeAnsonhasotherfriendstherebesidesBeasley。SoIwenttoseeyouruncle。

HeneverhadanyuseformebecausehethoughtIwaslazylikeanIndian。OldAlhateslazymen。Thenwefellout——

orhefellout——becausehebelievedatamelionofminehadkilledsomeofhissheep。An\'nowIreckonthatTommighthavedoneit。ItriedtoleaduptothisdealofBeasley\'saboutyou，butoldAlwouldn\'tlisten。He\'scross——verycross。An\'whenItriedtotellhim，why，hewentrightoutofhishead。Sentmeofftheranch。NowIreckonyoubegintoseewhatapickleIwasin。FinallyIwenttofourfriendsIcouldtrust。They\'reMormonboys——brothers。

That\'sJoeoutontop，withthedriver。ItoldthemallaboutBeasley\'sdealan\'askedthemtohelpme。SoweplannedtobeatAnsonan\'hisgangtoMagdalena。IthappensthatBeasleyisasstronginMagdalenaasheisinPine。An\'

wehadtogocareful。Buttheboyshadacoupleoffriendshere——Mormons，too，whoagreedtohelpus。Theyhadthisoldstage……An\'hereyouare。"DalespreadouthisbighandsandlookedgravelyatHelenandthenatBo。

"You\'reperfectlysplendid！"criedBo，ringingly。Shewaswhite；herfingerswereclenched；hereyesblazed。

Daleappearedstartledoutofhisgravity，andsurprised，thenpleased。Asmilemadehisfacelikeaboy\'s。Helenfeltherbodyallrigid，yetslightlytrembling。Herhandswerecold。Thehorrorofthisrevelationheldherspeechless。ButinherheartsheechoedBo\'sexclamationofadmirationandgratitude。

"Sofar，then，"resumedDale，withaheavybreathofrelief。

"Nowonderyou\'reupset。I\'veabluntwayoftalkin\'……

Nowwe\'vethirtymilestorideonthisSnowdroproadbeforewecanturnoff。To-daysometimetherestoftheboys——

Roy，John，an\'Hal——weretoleaveShowDown，which\'satownfartheronfromSnowdrop。Theyhavemyhorsesan\'packsbesidestheirown。Somewhereontheroadwe\'llmeetthem——

to-night，maybe——ortomorrow。Ihopenotto-night，becausethat\'dmeanAnson\'sgangwasridin\'intoMagdalena。"

Helenwrungherhandshelplessly。

"Oh，haveInocourage？"shewhispered。

"Nell，I\'masscaredasyouare，"saidBo，consolingly，embracinghersister。

"Ireckonthat\'snatural，"saidDale，asifexcusingthem。

"But，scaredornot，youbothbraceup。It\'sabadjob。ButI\'vedonemybest。An\'you\'llbesaferwithmean\'theBeemanboysthanyou\'dbeinMagdalena，oranywhereelse，exceptyouruncle\'s。"

"Mr——Mr。Dale，"falteredHelen，withhertearsfalling，"don\'tthinkmeacoward——or——orungrateful。I\'mneither。It\'sonlyI\'mso——soshocked。Afterallwehopedandexpected——this——this——issucha——aterriblesurprise。"

"Nevermind，Nelldear。Let\'stakewhatcomes，"murmuredBo。

"That\'sthetalk，"saidDale。"Yousee，I\'vecomerightoutwiththeworst。Maybewe\'llgetthrougheasy。Whenwemeettheboyswe\'lltaketothehorsesan\'thetrails。Canyouride？"

"BohasbeenusedtohorsesallherlifeandIridefairlywell，"respondedHelen。Theideaofridingquickenedherspirit。

"Good！Wemayhavesomehardridin\'beforeIgetyouuptoPine。Hello！What\'sthat？"

Abovethecreaking，rattling，rollingroarofthestageHelenheardarapidbeatofhoofs。Ahorseflashedby，gallopinghard。

Daleopenedthedoorandpeeredout。Thestagerolledtoahalt。Hesteppeddownandgazedahead。

"Joe，whowasthat？"hequeried。

"Naryme。An\'Billdidn\'tknowhim，either，"repliedJoe。"I

seenhim\'wayback。Hewasridin\'some。An\'heslowedupgoin\'pastus。Nowhe\'srunnin\'again。"

Daleshookhisheadasifhedidnotlikethecircumstances。

"Milt，he\'llnevergetbyRoyonthisroad，"saidJoe。

Maybehe\'llgetbybeforeRoystrikesinontheroad。"

"Itain\'tlikely。"

Helencouldnotrestrainherfears。"Mr。Dale，youthinkhewasamessenger——goingaheadtopostthat——thatAnsongang？"

"Hemightbe，"repliedDale，simply。

ThentheyoungmancalledJoeleanedoutfromtheseataboveandcalled："MissHelen，don\'tyouworry。Thetfellarismoreliabletostopleadthananythin\'else。"

Hiswords，meanttobekindandreassuring，werealmostassinistertoHelenasthemenacetoherownlife。LonghadsheknownhowcheaplifewasheldintheWest，butshehadonlyknownitabstractly，andshehadneverletthefactremainbeforeherconsciousness。Thischeerfulyoungmanspokecalmlyofspillingbloodinherbehalf。Thethoughtitrousedwastragic——forbloodshedwasinsupportabletoher——andthenthethrillswhichfollowedweresonew，strange，bold，andtinglingthattheywererevolting。Helengrewconsciousofunplumbeddepths，ofinstinctsatwhichshewasamazedandashamed。

"Joe，handdownthatbasketofgrub——thesmallonewiththecanteen，"saidDale，reachingoutalongarm。Presentlyheplacedacloth-coveredbasketinsidethestage。"Girls，eatallyouwantan\'thensome。"

"Wehaveabaskethalffullyet，"repliedHelen。

"You\'llneeditallbeforewegettoPine……Now，I\'llrideupontopwiththeboysan\'eatmysupper。It\'llbedark，presently，an\'we\'llstopoftentolisten。Butdon\'tbescared。"

Withthathetookhisrifleand，closingthedoor，clambereduptothedriver\'sseat。Thenthestagelurchedagainandbegantorollalong。

NottheleastthingtowonderatofthiseventfuleveningwasthewayBoreachedforthebasketoffood。Helensimplystaredather。

"Bo，youCAN\'TEAT！"sheexclaimed。

"IshouldsmileIcan，"repliedthatpracticalyounglady。

"Andyou\'regoingtoifIhavetostuffthingsinyourmouth。Where\'syourwits，Nell？Hesaidwemusteat。Thatmeansourstrengthisgoingtohavesomeprettyseveretrials……Gee！it\'sallgreat——justlikeastory！Theunexpected——why，helookslikeaprinceturnedhunter！——

long，dark，stagejourney——heldup——fight——escape——

wildrideonhorses——woodsandcampsandwildplaces——

pursued——hiddenintheforest——morehardrides——thensafeattheranch。Andofcoursehefallsmadlyinlovewithme——no，you，forI\'llbetruetomyLasVegaslover——"

"Hush，silly！Bo，tellme，aren\'tyouSCARED？"

"Scared！I\'mscaredstiff。ButifWesterngirlsstandsuchthings，wecan。NoWesterngirlisgoingtobeatME！"

ThatbroughtHelentoarealizationofthebraveplaceshehadgivenherselfindreams，andshewasatonceashamedofherselfandwildlyproudofthislittlesister。

"Bo，thankHeavenIbroughtyouwithme！"exclaimedHelen，fervently。"I\'lleatifitchokesme。"

Whereuponshefoundherselfactuallyhungry，andwhilesheatesheglancedoutofthestage，firstfromonesideandthenfromtheother。Thesewindowshadnoglassandtheyletthecoolnightairblowin。Thesunhadlongsincesunk。Outtothewest，whereabold，blackhorizon-linesweptawayendlessly，theskywascleargold，shadingtoyellowandblueabove。Starswereout，paleandwan，butgrowingbrighter。Theearthappearedbareandheaving，likeacalmsea。ThewindboreafragrancenewtoHelen，acridlysweetandclean，anditwassocolditmadeherfingersnumb。

"Iheardsomeanimalyelp，"saidBo，suddenly，andshelistenedwithheadpoised。

ButHelenheardnothingsavethesteadyclip-clopofhoofs，theclinkofchains，thecreakandrattleoftheoldstage，andoccasionallythelowvoicesofthemenabove。

Whenthegirlshadsatisfiedhungerandthirst，nighthadsettleddownblack。Theypulledthecloaksupoverthem，andclosetogetherleanedbackinacorneroftheseatandtalkedinwhispers。Helendidnothavemuchtosay，butBowastalkative。

"Thisbeatsme！"shesaidonce，afteraninterval。"Wherearewe，Nell？ThosemenupthereareMormons。Maybetheyareabductingus！"

"Mr。Daleisn\'taMormon，"repliedHelen。

"Howdoyouknow？"

"Icouldtellbythewayhespokeofhisfriends。"

"Well，Iwishitwasn\'tsodark。I\'mnotafraidofmenindaylight……Nell，didyoueverseesuchawonderfullookingfellow？What\'dtheycallhim？Milt——MiltDale。Hesaidhelivedinthewoods。IfIhadn\'tfalleninlovewiththatcowboywhocalledme——well，I\'dbeagonernow。"

AfteranintervalofsilenceBowhispered，startlingly，"WonderifHarveRiggsisfollowingusnow？"

"Ofcourseheis，"repliedHelen，hopelessly。

"He\'dbetterlookout。Why，Nell，heneversaw——henever——whatdidUncleAlusedtocallit？——sav——savvied——

that\'sit。Riggsneversavviedthathunter。ButIdid，youbet。"

"Savvied！Whatdoyoumean，Bo？"

"Imeanthatlong-hairedgalootneversawhisrealdanger。

ButIfeltit。Somethingwentlightinsideme。Dalenevertookhimseriouslyatall。"

"RiggswillturnupatUncleAl\'s，sureasI\'mborn，"saidHelen。

"Lethimturn，"repliedBo，contemptuously。"Nell，don\'tyoueverbotheryourheadagainabouthim。I\'llbetthey\'reallmenouthere。AndIwouldn\'tbeinHarveRiggs\'sbootsforalot。"

AfterthatBotalkedofheruncleandhisfatalillness，andfromthatshedriftedbacktothelovedonesathome，nowseeminglyattheothersideoftheworld，andthenshebrokedownandcried，afterwhichshefellasleeponHelen\'sshoulder。

ButHelencouldnothavefallenasleepifshehadwantedto。

Shehadalways，sinceshecouldremember，longedforamoving，activelife；and\'orwantofabetterideashehadchosentodreamofgipsies。Andnowitstruckhergrimlythat，ifthesefirstfewhoursofheradventintheWestwereforecastsofthefuture，shewasdestinedtohaveherlongingsmorethanfulfilled。

Presentlythestagerolledslowerandslower，untilitcametoahalt。Thenthehorsesheaved，theharnessesclinked，themenwhispered。Otherwisetherewasanintensequiet。Shelookedout，expectingtofinditpitch-dark。Itwasblack，yetatransparentblackness。Tohersurpriseshecouldseealongway。Ashooting-starelectrifiedher。Themenwerelistening。Shelistened，too，butbeyondtheslightsoundsaboutthestagesheheardnothing。Presentlythedrivercluckedtohishorses，andtravelwasresumed。

Forawhilethestagerolledonrapidly，evidentlydownhill，swayingfromsidetoside，andrattlingasifabouttofalltopieces。Thenitslowedonalevel，andagainithaltedforafewmoments，andoncemoreinmotionitbeganalaborsomeclimb。Helenimaginedmileshadbeencovered。Thedesertappearedtoheaveintobillows，growingrougher，anddark，roundbushesdimlystoodout。Theroadgrewunevenandrocky，andwhenthestagebegananotherdescentitsviolentrockingjoltedBooutofhersleepandinfactalmostoutofHelen\'sarms。

"WhereamI？"askedBo，dazedly。

"Bo，you\'rehavingyourheart\'sdesire，butIcan\'ttellyouwhereyouare，"repliedHelen。

Boawakenedthoroughly，whichfactwasnownowonder，consideringthejostlingoftheoldstage。

"Holdontome，Nell！……Isitarunaway？"

"We\'vecomeaboutathousandmileslikethis，Ithink，"

repliedHelen。"I\'venotawholeboneinmybody。"

Bopeeredoutofthewindow。

"Oh，howdarkandlonesome！Butit\'dbeniceifitwasn\'tsocold。I\'mfreezing。"

"Ithoughtyoulovedcoldair，"tauntedHelen。

"Say，Nell，youbegintotalklikeyourself，"respondedBo。

Itwasdifficulttoholdontothestageandeachotherandthecloakallatonce，buttheysucceeded，exceptintheroughestplaces，whenfromtimetotimetheywerebouncedaround。Bosustainedasharpraponthehead。

"Oooooo！"shemoaned。"NellRayner，I\'llneverforgiveyouforfetchingmeonthisawfultrip。"

"JustthinkofyourhandsomeLasVegascowboy，"repliedHelen。

EitherthisremarksubduedBoorthesuggestionsufficedtoreconcilehertothehardshipsoftheride。

Meanwhile，astheytalkedandmaintainedsilenceandtriedtosleep，thedriverofthestagekeptathistaskafterthemannerofWesternmenwhoknewhowtogetthebestoutofhorsesandbadroadsanddistance。

Byandbythestagehaltedagainandremainedatastandstillforsolong，withthemenwhisperingontop，thatHelenandBowererousedtoapprehension。

Suddenlyasharpwhistlecamefromthedarknessahead。

"Thet\'sRoy，"saidJoeBeeman，inalowvoice。

"Ireckon。An\'meetin\'ussoquicklooksbad，"repliedDale。

"Driveon，Bill。"

"Mebbeitseemsquicktoyou，"mutteredthedriver，butifwehain\'tcomethirtymile，an\'ifthetridgetharhain\'tyourturnin\'-offplace，why，Idon\'tknownothin\'。"

Thestagerolledonalittlefarther，whileHelenandBosatclaspingeachothertight，wonderingwithbatedbreathwhatwastobethenextthingtohappen。

Thenoncemoretheywereatastandstill。Helenheardthethudofbootsstrikingtheground，andthesnortsofhorses。

"Nell，Iseehorses，"whisperedBo，excitedly。"There，tothesideoftheroad……andherecomesaman……Oh，ifheshouldn\'tbetheonethey\'reexpecting！"

Helenpeeredouttoseeatall，darkform，movingsilently，andbeyonditavagueoutlineofhorses，andthenpalegleamsofwhatmusthavebeenpack-loads。

Daleloomedup，andmetthestrangerintheroad。

"Howdy，Milt？Yougotthegirlsure，oryouwouldn\'tbehere，"saidalowvoice。

"Roy，I\'vegottwogirls——sisters，"repliedDale。

ThemanRoywhistledsoftlyunderhisbreath。Thenanotherlean，rangyformstrodeoutofthedarkness，andwasmetbyDale。

"Now，boys——howaboutAnson\'sgang？"queriedDale。

"AtSnowdrop，drinkin\'an\'quarrelin\'。Reckonthey\'llleavethereaboutdaybreak，"repliedRoy。

"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"

"Mebbeacoupleofhours。"

"Anyhorsegoby？"

"No。"

"Roy，astrangeriderpassedusbeforedark。Hewashittin\'

theroad。An\'he\'sgotbyherebeforeyoucame。"

"Idon\'tlikethetnews，"repliedRoy，tersely。"Let\'srustle。Withgirlsonhossbackyou\'llneedallthestartyoucanget。Hey，John？"

"SnakeAnsonshorecanfollerhosstracks，"repliedthethirdman。

"Milt，saytheword，"wentonRoy，ashelookedupatthestars。"Daylightnotfaraway。Here\'stheforksoftheroad，an\'yourhosses，an\'ouroutfit。Youcanbeinthepinesbysunup。"

InthesilencethatensuedHelenheardthethrobofherheartandthepantinglittlebreathsofhersister。Theybothpeeredout，handsclenchedtogether，watchingandlisteninginstrainedattention。

"It\'spossiblethatriderlastnightwasn\'tamessengertoAnson，"saidDale。"InthatcaseAnsonwon\'tmakeanythin\'

ofourwheeltracksorhorsetracks。He\'llgorightontomeettheregularstage。Bill，canyougobackan\'meetthestagecomin\'beforeAnsondoes？"

"Wal，Ireckonso——an\'takeiteasyatthet，"repliedBill。

"Allright，"continuedDale，instantly。"John，youan\'Joean\'Halridebacktomeettheregularstage。An\'whenyoumeetitgetonan\'beonitwhenAnsonholdsitup。"

"Thet\'sshoreagreeabletome，"drawledJohn。

"I\'dliketobeonit，too，"saidRoy，grimly。

"No。I\'llneedyoutillI\'msafeinthewoods。Bill，handdownthebags。An\'you，Roy，helpmepackthem。DidyougetallthesuppliesIwanted？"

"Shoredid。Iftheyoungladiesain\'tpowerfulparticularyoucanfeedthemwellforacoupleofmonths。"

Dalewheeledand，stridingtothestage，heopenedthedoor。

"Girls，you\'renotasleep？Come，"hecalled。

Bosteppeddownfirst。

"Iwasasleeptillthis——thisvehiclefellofftheroadbackaways，"shereplied。

RoyBeeman\'slowlaughwassignificant。Hetookoffhissombreroandstoodsilent。Theolddriversmotheredaloudguffaw。

"Veehicle！Wal，I\'llbedoggoned！Joe，didyouhearthet？

Allthespunkygurlsain\'tbornoutWest。"

AsHelenfollowedwithcloakandbagRoyassistedher，andsheencounteredkeeneyesuponherface。Heseemedbothgentleandrespectful，andshefelthissolicitude。Hisheavygun，swinginglow，struckherasshesteppeddown。

Dalereachedintothestageandhauledoutbasketsandbags。

Thesehesetdownontheground。

"Turnaround，Bill，an\'goalongwithyou。Johnan\'Halwillfollowpresently，"orderedDale。

"Wal，gurls，"said，lookingdownuponthem，"Iwasshorepowerfulgladtomeetyou-all。An\'I\'mashamedofmycountry——offerin\'twosichpurtygurlsinsultsan\'low-downtricks。Butshoreyou\'llgothroughsafenow。Youcouldn\'tbeinbettercompanyferridin\'orhuntin\'ormarryin\'orgittin\'religion——"

"Shutup，youoldgrizzly！"brokeinDale，sharply。

"Haw！Haw！Good-by，gurls，an\'goodluck！"endedBill，ashebegantowhipthereins。

Bosaidgood-byquitedistinctly，butHelencouldonlymurmurhers。Theolddriverseemedafriend。

Thenthehorseswheeledandstamped，thestagecareenedandcreaked，presentlytorolloutofsightinthegloom。

"You\'reshiverin\'，"saidDale，suddenly，lookingdownuponHelen。Shefelthisbig，hardhandclasphers。"Coldasice！"

"Iamc-cold，"repliedHelen。"Iguesswe\'renotwarmlydressed。"

"Nell，weroastedallday，andnowwe\'refreezing，"declaredBo。"Ididn\'tknowitwaswinteratnightouthere。"

"Miss，haven\'tyousomewarmglovesan\'acoat？"askedRoy，anxiously。"It\'ain\'tbeguntogetcoldyet。"

"Nell，we\'veheavygloves，riding-suitsandboots——allfineandnew——inthisblackbag，"saidBo，enthusiasticallykickingabagatherfeet。

"Yes，sowehave。Butalotofgoodthey\'lldous，to-night，"returnedHelen。

"Miss，you\'ddowelltochangerighthere，"saidRoy，earnestly。"It\'llsavetimeinthelongrunan\'alotofsufferin\'beforesunup。"

Helenstaredattheyoungman，absolutelyamazedwithhissimplicity。Shewasadvisedtochangehertraveling-dressforariding-suit——outsomewhereinacold，windydesert——inthemiddleofthenight——amongstrangeyoungman！

"Bo，whichbagisit？"askedDale，asifshewerehissister。Andwhensheindicatedtheone，hepickeditup。

"Comeofftheroad。"

Bofollowedhim，andHelenfoundherselfmechanicallyattheirheels。Daleledthemafewpacesofftheroadbehindsomelowbushes。

"Hurryan\'changehere，"hesaid。"We\'llmakeapackofyouroutfitan\'leaveroomforthisbag。"

Thenhestalkedawayandinafewstridesdisappeared。

Bosatdowntobeginunlacinghershoes。Helencouldjustseeherpale，prettyfaceandbig，gleamingeyesbythelightofthestars。ItstruckherthenthatBowasgoingtomakeeminentlymoreofasuccessofWesternlifethanshewas。

"Nell，thosefellowsaren-nice，"saidBo，reflectively。

"Aren\'tyouc-cold？Say，hesaidhurry！"

ItwasbeyondHelen\'scomprehensionhowsheeverbegantodisrobeoutthereinthatopen，windydesert，butaftershehadgottenlaunchedonthetaskshefoundthatitrequiredmorefortitudethancourage。Thecoldwindpiercedrightthroughher。AlmostshecouldhavelaughedatthewayBomadethingsfly。

"G-g-g-gee！"chatteredBo。"In-neverw-wassoc-c-coldinallmylife。NellRayner，m-maytheg-goodLordforgivey-you！"

Helenwastoointentonherowntroublestotakebreathtotalk。Shewasastrong，healthygirl，swiftandefficientwithherhands，yetthis，thehardestphysicalordealshehadeverexperienced，almostovercameher。Booutdistancedherbymoments，helpedherwithbuttons，andlacedonewholebootforher。Then，withhandsthatstung，Helenpackedthetraveling-suitsinthebag。

"There！Butwhatanawfulmess！"exclaimedHelen。"Oh，Bo，ourprettytraveling-dresses！"

"We\'llpressthemt-to-morrow——onal-log，"repliedBo，andshegiggled。

Theystartedfortheroad。Bo，strangetonote，didnotcarryhershareoftheburden，andsheseemedunsteadyonherfeet。

Themenwerewaitingbesideagroupofhorses，oneofwhichcarriedapack。

"Nothin\'slowaboutyou，"saidDale，relievingHelenofthegrip。"Roy，putthemupwhileIslingonthisbag。"

Royledouttwoofthehorses。

"Getup，"hesaid，indicatingBo。"Thestirrupsareshortonthissaddle。"

Bowasanadeptatmounting，butshemadesuchawkwardandslowworkofitinthisinstancethatHelencouldnotbelievehereyes。

"Haw\'rethestirrups？"askedRoy。"Standinthem。Guessthey\'reaboutright……Carefulnow！Thethossisskittish。Holdhimin。"

BowasnotlivinguptothereputationwithwhichHelenhadcreditedher。

"Now，miss，yougetup，"saidRoytoHelen。Andinanotherinstantshefoundherselfastrideablack，spiritedhorse。

Numbwithcoldasshewas，sheyetfeltthecoursingthrillsalongherveins。

Roywasatthestirrupswithswifthands。

"You\'retaller\'nIguessed，"hesaid。"Stayup，butliftyourfoot……Shorenow，I\'mgladyouhavethemthick，softboots。Mebbewe\'llrideallovertheWhiteMountains。"

"Bo，doyouhearthat？"calledHelen。

ButBodidnotanswer。Shewasleaningratherunnaturallyinhersaddle。Helenbecameanxious。JustthenDalestrodebacktothem。

"Allcinchedup，Roy？"

"Jestready，"repliedRoy。

ThenDalestoodbesideHelen。Howtallhewas！Hiswideshouldersseemedonalevelwiththepommelofhersaddle。

Heputanaffectionatehandonthehorse。

"Hisname\'sRangeran\'he\'sthefastestan\'finesthorseinthiscountry。"

"Ireckonheshoreis——alongwithmybay，"corroboratedRoy。

"Roy，ifyourodeRangerhe\'dbeatyourpet，"saidDale。"Wecanstartnow。Roy，youdrivethepack-horses。"

HetookanotherlookatHelen\'ssaddleandthenmovedtodolikewisewithBo\'s。

"Areyou——allright？"heasked，quickly。

Boreeledinherseat。

"I\'mn-nearfroze，"shereplied，inafaintvoice。Herfaceshonewhiteinthestarlight。HelenrecognizedthatBowasmorethancold。

"Oh，Bo！"shecalled，indistress。

"Nell，don\'tyouworry，now。"

"Letmecarryyou，"suggestedDale。

"No。I\'lls-s-stickonthishorseord-die，"fiercelyretortedBo。

Thetwomenlookedupatherwhitefaceandthenateachother。ThenRoywalkedawaytowardthedarkbunchofhorsesofftheroadandDaleswungastridetheonehorseleft。

"Keepclosetome，"hesaid。

BofellinlineandHelenbroughtuptherear。

Helenimaginedshewasneartheendofadream。Presentlyshewouldawakenwithastartandseethepalewallsofherlittleroomathome，andhearthecherrybranchesbrushingherwindow，andtheoldclarion-voicedcockproclaimthehourofdawn。

CHAPTERVI

Thehorsestrotted。AndtheexercisesoonwarmedHelen，untilshewasfairlycomfortableexceptinherfingers。Inmind，however，shegrewmoremiserableasshemorefullyrealizedhersituation。Thenightnowbecamesodarkthat，althoughtheheadofherhorsewasalongsidetheflankofBo\'s，shecouldscarcelyseeBo。FromtimetotimeHelen\'sanxiousquerybroughtfromhersistertheanswerthatshewasallright。

Helenhadnotriddenahorseformorethanayear，andforseveralyearsshehadnotriddenwithanyregularity。

Despiteherthrillsuponmounting，shehadentertainedmisgivings。Butshewasagreeablysurprised，forthehorse，Ranger，hadaneasygait，andshefoundshehadnotforgottenhowtoride。Bo，havingbeenusedtoridingonafarmnearhome，mightbeexpectedtoacquitherselfadmirably。ItoccurredtoHelenwhataplighttheywouldhavebeeninbutforthethick，comfortableridingoutfits。

Darkasthenightwas，Helencoulddimlymakeouttheroadunderneath。Itwasrocky，andapparentlylittleused。WhenDaleturnedofftheroadintothelowbrushorsageofwhatseemedalevelplain，thetravelingwasharder，rougher，andyetnoslower。Thehorseskepttothegaitoftheleaders。

Helen，discoveringitunnecessary，ceasedattemptingtoguideRanger。Thereweredimshapesinthegloomahead，andalwaystheygaveHelenuneasiness，untilcloserapproachprovedthemtoberocksorlow，scrubbytrees。Theseincreasedinbothsizeandnumberasthehorsesprogressed。

OftenHelenlookedbackintothegloombehind。Thisactwasinvoluntaryandoccasionedhersensationsofdread。Daleexpectedtobepursued。AndHelenexperienced，alongwiththedread，flashesofunfamiliarresentment。Notonlywasthereanattemptafoottorobherofherheritage，butevenherpersonalliberty。ThensheshudderedatthesignificanceofDale\'swordsregardingherpossibleabductionbythishiredgang。Itseemedmonstrous，impossible。Yet，manifestlyitwastrueenoughtoDaleandhisallies。TheWest，then，inrealitywasraw，hard，inevitable。

Suddenlyherhorsestopped。HehadcomeupalongsideBo\'shorse。Dalehadhaltedahead，andapparentlywaslistening。

Royandthepack-trainwereoutofsightinthegloom。

"Whatisit？"whisperedHelen。

"ReckonIheardawolf，"repliedDale。

"Wasthatcryawolf\'s？"askedBo。"Iheard。Itwaswild。"

"We\'regettin\'upclosetothefoot-hills，"saidDale。"Feelhowmuchcoldertheairis。"

"I\'mwarmnow，"repliedBo。"Iguessbeingnearfrozewaswhatailedme……Nell，how\'reyou？"

"I\'mwarm，too，but——"Helenanswered。

"Ifyouhadyourchoiceofbeinghereorbackhome，snuginbed——whichwouldyoutake？"askedBo。

"Bo！"exclaimedHelen，aghast。

"Well，I\'dchoosetoberighthereonthishorse，"rejoinedBo。

Daleheardher，forheturnedaninstant，thenslappedhishorseandstartedon。

HelennowrodebesideBo，andforalongtimetheyclimbedsteadilyinsilence。Helenknewwhenthatdarkhourbeforedawnhadpassed，andshewelcomedanalmostimperceptiblelighteningintheeast。Thenthestarspaled。Graduallyagraynessabsorbedallbutthelargerstars。Thegreatwhitemorningstar，wonderfulasHelenhadneverseenit，lostitsbrillianceandlifeandseemedtoretreatintothedimmingblue。

Daylightcamegradually，sothatthegraydesertbecamedistinguishablebydegrees。Rollingbarehills，halfobscuredbythegrayliftingmantleofnight，roseintheforeground，andbehindwasgrayspace，slowlytakingformandsubstance。Intheeasttherewasakindlingofpaleroseandsilverthatlengthenedandbrightenedalongahorizongrowingvisiblyrugged。

"Reckonwe\'dbettercatchupwithRoy，"saidDale，andhespurredhishorse。

RangerandBo\'smountneedednootherurging，andtheyswungintoacanter。Faraheadthepack-animalsshowedwithRoydrivingthem。ThecoldwindwassokeeninHelen\'sfacethattearsblurredhereyesandfrozehercheeks。AndridingRangeratthatpacewaslikeridinginarocking-chair。Thatride，invigoratingandexciting，seemedalltooshort。

"Oh，Nell，Idon\'tcare——whatbecomesof——me！"exclaimedBo，breathlessly。

Herfacewaswhiteandred，freshasarose，hereyesglanceddarklyblue，herhairblewoutinbright，unrulystrands。HelenknewshefeltsomeofthephysicalstimulationthathadsorousedBo，andseemedsoirresistible，butsomberthoughtwasnotdeflectedthereby。

ItwascleardaylightwhenRoyledoffroundaknollfromwhichpatchesofscrubbytrees——cedars，Dalecalledthem——straggleduponthesideofthefoot-hills。

"Theygrowonthenorthslopes，wherethesnowstayslongest，"saidDale。

Theydescendedintoavalleythatlookedshallow，butprovedtobedeepandwide，andthenbegantoclimbanotherfoot-hill。UponsurmountingitHelensawtherisingsun，andsogloriousaviewconfrontedherthatshewasunabletoanswerBo\'swildexclamations。

Bare，yellow，cedar-dottedslopes，apparentlylevel，sogradualwastheascent，stretchedawaytoadenseraggedlineofforestthatroseblackoverrangeafterrange，atlasttofailnearthebaresummitofamagnificentmountain，sunrise-flushedagainstthebluesky。

"Oh，beautiful！"criedBo。"ButtheyoughttobecalledBlackMountains。"

"OldBaldy，there，iswhitehalftheyear，"repliedDale。

"Lookbackan\'seewhatyousay，"suggestedRoy。

Thegirlsturnedtogazesilently。Helenimaginedshelookeddownuponthewholewideworld。Howvastlydifferentwasthedesert！Verilyityawnedawayfromher，redandgoldnearathand，growingsoftlyflushedwithpurplefaraway，abarrenvoid，borderlessandimmense，wheredark-greenpatchesandblacklinesandupheavedridgesonlyservedtoemphasizedistanceandspace。

"Seethetlittlegreenspot，"saidRoy，pointing。"Thet\'sSnowdrop。An\'theotherone——\'waytotheright——thet\'sShowDown。"

"WhereisPine？"queriedHelen，eagerly。

"Fartherstill，upoverthefoot-hillsattheedgeofthewoods。"

"Thenwe\'reridingawayfromit。"

"Yes。Ifwe\'dgonestraightforPinethetgangcouldovertakeus。Pineisfourdays\'ride。An\'bytakin\'tothemountainsMiltcanhidehistracks。An\'whenhe\'sthrownAnsonoffthescent，thenhe\'llcircledowntoPine。"

"Mr。Dale，doyouthinkyou\'llgetustheresafely——andsoon？"askedHelen，wistfully。

"Iwon\'tpromisesoon，butIpromisesafe。An\'Idon\'tlikebein\'calledMister，"hereplied。

"Areweevergoingtoeat？"inquiredBo，demurely。

AtthisqueryRoyBeemanturnedwithalaughtolookatBo。

Helensawhisfacefullyinthelight，anditwasthinandhard，darklybronzed，witheyeslikethoseofahawk，andwithsquarechinandleanjawsshowingscant，lightbeard。

"Weshoreare，"hereplied。"Soonaswereachthetimber。

Thetwon\'tbelong。"

"Reckonwecanrustlesomean\'thentakeagoodrest，"saidDale，andheurgedhishorseintoajog-trot。

Duringasteadytrotforalonghour，Helen\'srovingeyeswereeverywhere，takingnoteofthethingsfromneartofar——thescantsagethatsoongaveplacetoasscantyagrass，andthedarkblotsthatprovedtobedwarfcedars，andtheravinesopeningoutasifbymagicfromwhathadappearedlevelground，towindawaywideningbetweengraystonewalls，andfartheron，patchesoflonelypine-trees，twoandthreetogether，andthenastragglingclumpofyellowaspens，andupbeyondthefringedborderofforest，growingnearerallthewhile，theblacksweepingbenchesrisingtothenobledomeofthedominantmountainoftherange。

Nobirdsoranimalswereseeninthatlongrideuptowardthetimber，whichfactseemedstrangetoHelen。Theairlostsomethingofitscold，cuttingedgeasthesunrosehigher，anditgainedsweetertangofforest-land。ThefirstfaintsuggestionofthatfragrancewasutterlynewtoHelen，yetitbroughtavaguesensationoffamiliarityandwithitanemotionasstrange。Itwasasifshehadsmelledthatkeen，pungenttanglongago，andherphysicalsensecaughtitbeforehermemory。

Theyellowplainhadonlyappearedtobelevel。Royleddownintoashallowravine，whereatinystreammeandered，andhefollowedthisaroundtotheleft，comingatlengthtoapointwherecedarsanddwarfpinesformedalittlegrove。

Here，astheothersrodeup，hesatcross-leggedinhissaddle，andwaited。

"We\'llhangupawhile，"hesaid。"Reckonyou\'retired？"

"I\'mhungry，butnottiredyet，"repliedBo。

Helendismounted，tofindthatwalkingwassomethingshehadapparentlylostthepowertodo。Bolaughedather，butshe，too，wasawkwardwhenoncemoreupontheground。

ThenRoygotdown。Helenwassurprisedtofindhimlame。Hecaughtherquickglance。

"Ahossthrewmeoncean\'rolledonme。Onlybrokemycollar-bone，fiveribs，onearm，an\'mybow-legsintwoplaces！"

Notwithstandingthisevidencethathewasacripple，ashestoodtheretallandlitheinhishomespun，raggedgarments，helookedsingularlypowerfulandcapable。

"Reckonwalkin\'aroundwouldbegoodforyougirls，"advisedDale。"Ifyouain\'tstiffyet，you\'llbesoon。An\'walkin\'

willhelp。Don\'tgofar。I\'llcallwhenbreakfast\'sready。"

Alittlewhilelaterthegirlswerewhistledinfromtheirwalkandfoundcamp-fireandmealawaitingthem。Roywassittingcross-legged，likeanIndian，infrontofatarpaulin，uponwhichwasspreadahomelybutsubstantialfare。Helen\'squickeyedetectedacleanlinessandthoroughnessshehadscarcelyexpectedtofindinthecampcookingofmenofthewilds。Moreover，thefarewasgood。

Sheateheartily，andasforBo\'sappetite，shewasinclinedtobeasmuchashamedofthatasamusedatit。Theyoungmenwerealleyes，assiduousintheirservicetothegirls，butspeakingseldom。ItwasnotlostuponHelenhowDale\'sgraygazewentoftendownacrosstheopencountry。Shedivinedapprehensionfromitratherthansawmuchexpressioninit。

"I——declare，"burstoutBo，whenshecouldnoteatanymore，"thisisn\'tbelievable。I\'mdreaming……Nell，theblackhorseyourodeistheprettiestIeversaw。"

Ranger，withtheotheranimals，wasgrazingalongthelittlebrook。Packsandsaddleshadbeenremoved。Themenateleisurely。Therewaslittleevidenceofhurriedflight。YetHelencouldnotcastoffuneasiness。Roymighthavebeendeep，andcareless，withamotivetosparethegirls\'

anxiety，butDaleseemedincapableofanythinghedidnotabsolutelymean。

"Restorwalk，"headvisedthegirls。"We\'vegotfortymilestoridebeforedark。"

Helenpreferredtorest，butBowalkedabout，pettingthehorsesandpryingintothepacks。Shewascuriousandeager。

DaleandRoytalkedinlowtoneswhiletheycleaneduptheutensilsandpackedthemawayinaheavycanvasbag。

"YoureallyexpectAnson\'llstrikemytrailthismornin\'？"

Dalewasasking。

"Ishoredo，"repliedRoy。

"An\'howdoyoufigurethatsosoon？"

"How\'dyoufigureit——ifyouwasSnakeAnson？"queriedRoy，inreply。

"DependsonthatriderfromMagdalena，"SaidDale，soberly。

"Althoughit\'slikelyI\'dseenthemwheeltracksan\'hosstracksmadewhereweturnedoff。Butsupposin\'hedoes。"

"Milt，listen。ItoldyouSnakemetusboysfacetofacedaybeforeyesterdayinShowDown。An\'hewasplumbcurious。"

"Buthemissedseein\'orhearin\'aboutme，"repliedDale。

"Mebbehedidan\'mebbehedidn\'t。Anyway，what\'sthedifferencewhetherhefindsoutthismornin\'orthisevenin\'？"

"Thenyouain\'texpectin\'afightifAnsonholdsupthestage？"

"Wal，he\'dhavetoshootfirst，whichain\'tlikely。Johnan\'

Hal，sincethetshootin\'-scrapeayearago，havebeensortofgun-shy。Joemightgetriled。ButIreckonthebestwecanbeshoreofisadelay。An\'it\'dbesensenottocountonthet。"

"Thenyouhangupherean\'keepwatchforAnson\'sgang——

saylongenoughso\'stobesurethey\'dbeinsightiftheyfindourtracksthismornin\'。Makin\'sureonewayoranother，youride\'cross-countrytoBigSpring，whereI\'llcampto-night。"

Roynoddedapprovalofthatsuggestion。Thenwithoutmorewordsbothmenpickedupropesandwentafterthehorses。

HelenwaswatchingDale，sothatwhenBocriedoutingreatexcitementHelenturnedtoseeasavageyellowlittlemustangstandingstraightuponhishindlegsandpawingtheair。Royhadropedhimandwasnowdragginghimintocamp。

"Nell，lookatthatforawildpony！"exclaimedBo。

Helenbusiedherselfgettingwelloutofthewayoftheinfuriatedmustang。Roydraggedhimtoacedarnearby。

"Comenow，Buckskin，"saidRoy，soothingly，andheslowlyapproachedthequiveringanimal。Hewentcloser，handoverhand，onthelasso。Buckskinshowedthewhitesofhiseyesandalsohiswhiteteeth。ButhestoodwhileRoyloosenedtheloopand，slippingitdownoverhishead，fasteneditinacomplicatedknotroundhisnose。

"Thet\'sahackamore，"hesaid，indicatingtheknot。He\'sneverhadabridle，an\'neverwillhaveone，Ireckon。"

"Youdon\'tridehim？"queriedHelen。

"SometimesIdo，"repliedRoy，withasmile。"Wouldyougirlsliketotryhim？"

"Excuseme，"answeredHelen。

"Gee！"ejaculatedBo。"Helookslikeadevil。ButI\'dtacklehim——ifyouthinkIcould。"

ThewildleavenoftheWesthadfoundquickrootinBoRayner。

"Wal，I\'msorry，butIreckonI\'llnotletyou——foraspell，"repliedRoy，dryly。

"Hepitchessomethin\'powerfulbad。"

"Pitches。Youmeanbucks？"

"Ireckon。"

Inthenexthalf-hourHelensawmoreandlearnedmoreabouthowhorsesoftheopenrangewerehandledthanshehadeverheardof。ExceptingRanger，andRoy\'sbay，andthewhiteponyBorode，therestofthehorseshadactuallytoberopedandhauledintocamptobesaddledandpacked。Itwasajobforfearless，strongmen，andonethatcalledforpatienceaswellasarmsofiron。SothatforHelenRaynerthethingsucceedingtheconfidenceshehadplacedinthesemenwasrespect。Toanobservingwomanthathalf-hourtoldmuch。

WhenallwasinreadinessforastartDalemounted，andsaid，significantly："Roy，I\'lllookforyouaboutsundown。

Ihopenosooner。"

"Wal，it\'dbebadifIhadtorustlealongsoonwithbadnews。Let\'shopeforthebest。We\'vebeenshoreluckysofar。Nowyoutaketothepine-matsinthewoodsan\'hideyourtrail。"

Daleturnedaway。ThenthegirlsbadeRoygood-by，andfollowed。SoonRoyandhisbuckskin-coloredmustangwerelosttosightroundaclumpoftrees。

Theunhamperedhorsesledtheway；thepack-animalstrottedafterthem；theriderswereclosebehind。Alltraveledatajog-trot。Andthisgaitmadethepacksbobupanddownandfromsidetoside。ThesunfeltwarmatHelen\'sbackandthewindlostitsfrostycoldness，thatalmostappeareddamp，foradry，sweetfragrance。Daledroveuptheshallowvalleythatshowedtimberonthelevelsaboveandablackborderoftimbersomefewmilesahead。Itdidnottakelongtoreachtheedgeoftheforest。

Helenwonderedwhythebigpinesgrewsofaronthatplainandnofarther。Probablythegrowthhadtodowithsnow，but，asthegroundwaslevel，shecouldnotseewhytheedgeofthewoodsshouldcomejustthere。

Theyrodeintotheforest。

ToHelenitseemedastrange，criticalentranceintoanotherworld，whichshewasdestinedtoknowandtolove。Thepineswerebig，brown-barked，seamed，andknotted，withnotypicalconformationexceptamajestyandbeauty。Theygrewfarapart。Fewsmallpinesandlittleunderbrushflourishedbeneaththem。Thefloorofthisforestappearedremarkableinthatitconsistedofpatchesofhighsilverygrassandwidebrownareasofpine-needles。ThesemanifestlywerewhatRoyhadmeantbypine-mats。Hereandthereafallenmonarchlayrivenorrotting。Helenwaspresentlystruckwiththesilenceoftheforestandthestrangefactthatthehorsesseldommadeanysoundatall，andwhentheydiditwasacrackingofdeadtwigorthudofhoofonlog。Likewiseshebecameawareofaspringynatureoftheground。Andthenshesawthatthepine-matsgavelikerubbercushionsunderthehoofsofthehorses，andaftertheyhadpassedsprangbacktoplaceagain，leavingnotrack。Helencouldnotseeasignofatrailtheyleftbehind。Indeed，itwouldtakeasharpeyetofollowDalethroughthatforest。ThisknowledgewasinfinitelycomfortingtoHelen，andforthefirsttimesincetheflighthadbegunshefeltalesseningoftheweightuponmindandheart。Itleftherfreeforsomeoftheappreciationshemighthavehadinthiswonderfulrideunderhappiercircumstances。

Bo，however，seemedtooyoung，toowild，toointensetomindwhatthecircumstanceswere。Sherespondedtoreality。Helenbegantosuspectthatthegirlwouldwelcomeanyadventure，andHelenknewsurelynowthatBowasatrueAuchincloss。

ForthreelongdaysHelenhadfeltaconstraintwithwhichheretoforeshehadbeenunfamiliar；forthelasthoursithadbeensubmergedunderdread。Butitmustbe，sheconcluded，bloodlikehersister\'s，poundingatherveinstobesetfreetoraceandtoburn。

Bolovedaction。Shehadaneyeforbeauty，butshewasnotcontemplative。ShewasnowhelpingDaledrivethehorsesandholdtheminrathercloseformation。Sherodewell，andasyetshowednosymptomsoffatigueorpain。Helenbegantobeawareofboth，butnotenoughyettolimitherinterest。

Awonderfulforestwithoutbirdsdidnotseemrealtoher。

OfalllivingcreaturesinnatureHelenlikedbirdsbest，andsheknewmanyandcouldimitatethesongsofafew。Buthereunderthestatelypinestherewerenobirds。Squirrels，however，begantobeseenhereandthere，andinthecourseofanhour\'stravelbecameabundant。Theonlyonewithwhichshewasfamiliarwasthechipmunk。Alltheothers，fromtheslimbrightblackstothestripedrussetsandthewhite-tailedgrays，weretotallynewtoher。Theyappearedtameandcurious。Theredsbarkedandscoldedatthepassingcavalcade；theblacksglidedtosomesafebranch，theretowatch；thegrayspaidnoespecialheedtothisinvasionoftheirdomain。

OnceDale，haltinghishorse，pointedwithlongarm，andHelen，followingthedirection，descriedseveralgraydeerstandinginaglade，motionless，withlongearsup。Theymadeawildandbeautifulpicture。Suddenlytheyboundedawaywithremarkablespringystrides。

Theforestonthewholeheldtothelevel，opencharacter，buttherewereswalesandstream-bedsbreakingupitsregularconformity。Towardnoon，however，itgraduallychanged，afactthatHelenbelievedshemighthaveobservedsoonerhadshebeenmorekeen。Thegenerallayofthelandbegantoascend，andthetreestogrowdenser。

Shemadeanotherdiscovery。Eversinceshehadenteredtheforestshehadbecomeawareofafullnessinherheadandasomethingaffectinghernostrils。Sheimagined，withregret，thatshehadtakencold。Butpresentlyherheadclearedsomewhatandsherealizedthatthethickpineodoroftheforesthadcloggedhernostrilsasifwithasweetpitch。

Thesmellwasoverpoweringanddisagreeablebecauseofitsstrength。Alsoherthroatandlungsseemedtoburn。

Whenshebegantoloseinterestintheforestandhersurroundingsitwasbecauseofachesandpainswhichwouldnolongerbedeniedrecognition。Thereaftershewasnotpermittedtoforgetthemandtheygrewworse。One，especially，wasapainbeyondallherexperience。Itlayinthemusclesofherside，aboveherhip，anditgrewtobeatreacherousthing，foritwasnotpersistent。Itcameandwent。Afteritdidcome，withaterribleflash，itcouldbebornebyshiftingoreasingthebody。Butitgavenowarning。Whensheexpecteditshewasmistaken；whenshedaredtobreatheagain，then，withpiercingswiftness，itreturnedlikeabladeinherside。This，then，wasoneoftheriding-painsthatmadeavictimofatenderfootonalongride。Itwasalmosttoomuchtobeborne。Thebeautyoftheforest，thelivingcreaturestobeseenscurryingaway，thetime，distance——everythingfadedbeforethatstablikepain。Toherinfinitereliefshefoundthatitwasthetrotthatcausedthistorture。WhenRangerwalkedshedidnothavetosufferit。ThereforesheheldhimtoawalkaslongasshedaredoruntilDaleandBowerealmostoutofsight；

thenshelopedhimaheaduntilhehadcaughtup。

Sothehourspassed，thesungotaroundlow，sendinggoldenshaftsunderthetrees，andtheforestgraduallychangedtoabrighter，butathicker，color。Thisslowlydarkened。

Sunsetwasnotfaraway。

Sheheardthehorsessplashinginwater，andsoonsherodeuptoseethetinystreamsofcrystalwaterrunningswiftlyoverbedsofgreenmoss。Shecrossedanumberoftheseandfollowedalongthelastoneintoamoreopenplaceintheforestwherethepineswerehuge，towering，andfarapart。A

low，graybluffofstonerosetotheright，perhapsone-thirdashighasthetrees。Fromsomewherecametherushingsoundofrunningwater。

"BigSpring，"announcedDale。"Wecamphere。Yougirlshavedonewell。"

AnotherglanceprovedtoHelenthatallthoselittlestreamspouredfromunderthisgraybluff。

"I\'mdyingforadrink，"criedBo。withhercustomaryhyperbole。

"Ireckonyou\'llneverforgetyourfirstdrinkhere，"

remarkedDale。