第5章

Dale\'sanswerwasararesmileofunderstandingandapprovalthatwarmedHelen\'shearttowardhim。Allthesame，hewasamused。Sheathingthegun，hemountedhishorse。

"Comeon，Pedro，"hecalled。"Come，Itellyou，"headded，sharply，"Well，girls，wetreedhim，anyhow，an，itwasfun。

Nowwe\'llridebacktothedeerhekilledan\'packahaunchtocampforourownuse。"

"Willtheliongobacktohis——hiskill，Ithinkyoucalledit？"askedBo。

"I\'vechasedoneawayfromhiskillhalfadozentimes。

Lionsarenotplentifulherean\'theydon\'tgetoverfed。I

reckonthebalanceisprettyeven。"

ThislastremarkmadeHeleninquisitive。Andastheyslowlyrodeontheback-trailDaletalked。

"Yougirls，bein\'tender-heartedan\'notknowin\'thelifeoftheforest，what\'sgoodan\'what\'sbad，thinkitwasapitythepoordeerwaskilledbyamurderouslion。Butyou\'rewrong。AsItoldyou，thelionisabsolutelynecessarytothehealthan\'joyofwildlife——ordeer\'swildlife，sotospeak。Whendeerwerecreatedorcameintoexistence，thenthelionmusthavecome，too。Theycan\'tlivewithouteachother。Wolves，now，arenotparticularlydeer-killers。

Theyliveoffelkan\'anythin\'theycancatch。Sowilllions，forthatmatter。ButImeanlionsfollowthedeertoan\'frofromwintertosummerfeedin\'-grounds。Wherethere\'snodeeryouwillfindnolions。Well，now，ifleftalonedeerwouldmultiplyveryfast。Inafewyearstherewouldbehundredswherenowthere\'sonlyone。An\'intime，asthegenerationspassed，they\'dlosethefear，thealertness，thespeedan\'strength，theeternalvigilancethatisloveoflife——they\'dlosethatan\'begintodeteriorate，an\'

diseasewouldcarrythemoff。Isawoneseasonofblack-tongueamongdeer。Itkilledthemoff，an\'Ibelievethatisoneofthediseasesofover-production。Thelions，now，areforeveronthetrailofthedeer。Theyhavelearned。Warinessisaninstinctborninthefawn。Itmakeshimkeen，quick，active，fearful，an\'sohegrowsupstrongan\'healthytobecomethesmooth，sleek，beautiful，soft-eyed，an\'wild-lookin\'deeryougirlslovetowatch。

Butifitwasn\'tforthelions，thedeerwouldnotthrive。

Onlythestrongestan\'swiftestsurvive。Thatisthemeanin\'

ofnature。Thereisalwaysaperfectbalancekeptbynature。

Itmayvaryindifferentyears，butonthewhole，inthelongyears，itaveragesanevenbalance。"

"Howwonderfullyyouputit！"exclaimedBo，withallherimpulsiveness。"Oh，I\'mgladIdidn\'tkillthelion。"

"Whatyousaysomehowhurtsme，"saidHelen，wistfully，tothehunter。"Isee——Ifeelhowtrue——howinevitableitis。Butitchangesmy——myfeelings。AlmostI\'drathernotacquiresuchknowledgeasyours。Thisbalanceofnature——

howtragic——howsad！"

"Butwhy？"askedDale。"Youlovebirds，an\'birdsarethegreatestkillersintheforest。"

"Don\'ttellmethat——don\'tproveit，"imploredHelen。Itisnotsomuchtheloveoflifeinadeeroranycreature，andtheterribleclingingtolife，thatgivesmedistress。

Itissuffering。Ican\'tbeartoseepain。IcanSTANDpainmyself，butIcan\'tBEARtoseeorthinkofit。"

"Well，"replied。Dale，thoughtfully，"Thereyoustumpmeagain。I\'velivedlongintheforestan\'whenaman\'salonehedoesaheapofthinkin\'。An\'alwaysIcouldn\'tunderstandareasonorameanin\'forpain。Ofallthebafflin\'thingsoflife，thatisthehardesttounderstandan\'toforgive——

pain！"

Thatevening，astheysatinrestfulplacesroundthecamp-fire，withthestilltwilightfadingintonight，Daleseriouslyaskedthegirlswhattheday\'schasehadmeanttothem。Hismannerofaskingwasproductiveofthought。Bothgirlsweresilentforamoment。

"Glorious！"wasBo\'sbriefandeloquentreply。

"Why？"asked。Dale，curiously。"Youareagirl。You\'vebeenusedtohome，people，love，comfort，safety，quiet。"

"Maybethatisjustwhyitwasglorious，"saidBo，earnestly。"Icanhardlyexplain。Ilovedthemotionofthehorse，thefeelofwindinmyface，thesmellofthepine，thesightofslopeandforestgladeandwindfallandrocks，andtheblackshadeunderthespruces。Mybloodbeatandburned。Myteethclicked。Mynervesallquivered。Myheartsometimes，atdangerousmoments，almostchokedme，andallthetimeitpoundedhard。Nowmyskinwashotandthenitwascold。ButIthinkthebestofthatchaseformewasthatIwasonafasthorse，guidinghim，controllinghim。Hewasalive。Oh，howIfelthisrunning！"

"Well，whatyousayisasnaturaltomeasifIfeltit，"

saidDale。"Iwondered。You\'recertainlyfulloffire，An\'，Helen，whatdoyousay？"

"Bohasansweredyouwithherfeelings，"repliedHelen，"I

couldnotdothatandbehonest。ThefactthatBowouldn\'tshootthelionafterwetreedhimacquitsher。Nevertheless，heranswerispurelyphysical。Youknow，Mr。Dale，howyoutalkaboutthephysical。Ishouldsaymysisterwasjustayoung，wild，highlysensitive，hot-bloodedfemaleofthespecies。SheexultedinthatchaseasanIndian。Hersensationswereinheritedones——certainlynotacquiredbyeducation。Boalwayshatedstudy。Theridewasarevelationtome。IhadagoodmanyofBo\'sfeelings——thoughnotsostrong。Butoveragainstthemwastheoppositionofreason，ofconsciousness。Anew-bornsideofmynatureconfrontedme，strange，surprising，violent，irresistible。Itwasasifanothersideofmypersonalitysuddenlysaid：\'HereIam。

Reckonwithmenow！\'Andtherewasnouseforthemomenttoopposethatstrangeside。I——thethinkingHelenRayner，waspowerless。Ohyes，IhadsuchthoughtsevenwhenthebrancheswerestingingmyfaceandIwasthrillingtothebayofthehound。Oncemyhorsefellandthrewme……Youneedn\'tlookalarmed。Itwasfine。Iwentintoasoftplaceandwasunhurt。ButwhenIwassailingthroughtheairathoughtflashed：thisistheendofme！Itwaslikeadreamwhenyouarefallingdreadfully。MuchofwhatIfeltandthoughtonthatchasemusthavebeenbecauseofwhatIhavestudiedandreadandtaught。Therealityofit，theactionandflash，weresplendid。Butfearofdanger，pityforthechasedlion，consciousnessoffoolishrisk，ofarecklessdisregardfortheseriousresponsibilityIhavetaken——alltheseworkedinmymindandheldbackwhatmighthavebeenasheerphysical，primitivejoyofthewildmoment。"

Dalelistenedintently，andafterHelenhadfinishedhestudiedthefireandthoughtfullypokedtheredemberswithhisstick。Hisfacewasstillandserene，untroubledandunlined，buttoHelenhiseyesseemedsad，pensive，expressiveofanunsatisfiedyearningandwonder。Shehadcarefullyandearnestlyspoken，becauseshewasverycurioustohearwhathemightsay。

"Iunderstandyou，"hereplied，presently。"An\'I\'msuresurprisedthatIcan。I\'vereadmybooks——an\'rereadthem，butnooneevertalkedlikethattome。WhatImakeofitisthis。You\'vethesamebloodinyouthat\'sinBo。An\'bloodisstrongerthanbrain。Rememberthatbloodislife。Itwouldbegoodforyoutohaveitrunan\'beatan\'burn，asBo\'sdid。Yourblooddidthatathousandyearsortenthousandbeforeintellectwasborninyourancestors。

Instinctmaynotbegreaterthanreason，butit\'samillionyearsolder。Don\'tfightyourinstinctssohard。IftheywerenotgoodtheGodofCreationwouldnothavegiventhemtoyou。To-dayyourmindwasfullofself-restraintthatdidnotaltogetherrestrain。Youcouldn\'tforgetyourself。Youcouldn\'tFEELonly，asBodid。Youcouldn\'tbetruetoyourrealnature。"

"Idon\'tagreewithyou，"repliedHelen，quickly。"Idon\'thavetobeanIndiantobetruetomyself。"

"Why，yesyoudo，"saidDale。

"ButIcouldn\'tbeanIndian，"declaredHelen，spiritedly。

"Icouldn\'tFEELonly，asyousayBodid。Icouldn\'tgobackinthescale，asyouhint。Whatwouldallmyeducationamountto——thoughgoodnessknowsit\'slittleenough——ifIhadnocontroloverprimitivefeelingsthathappenedtobeborninme？"

"You\'llhavelittleornocontroloverthemwhentherighttimecomes，"repliedDale。"Yourshelteredlifean\'

educationhaveledyouawayfromnaturalinstincts。Butthey\'reinyouan\'you\'lllearntheproofofthatouthere。"

"No。NotifIlivedahundredyearsintheWest，"assertedHelen。

"But，child，doyouknowwhatyou\'retalkin\'about？"

HereBoletoutablissfulpealoflaughter。

"Mr。Dale！"exclaimedHelen，almostaffronted。Shewasstirred。"IknowMYSELF，atleast。"

"Butyoudonot。You\'venoideaofyourself。You\'veeducation，yes，butnotinnaturean\'life。An\'afterall，theyaretherealthings。Answerme，now——honestly，willyou？"

"Certainly，ifIcan。Someofyourquestionsarehardtoanswer。"

"Haveyoueverbeenstarved？"heasked。

"No，"repliedHelen。

"Haveyoueverbeenlostawayfromhome？"

"No。"

"Haveyoueverfaceddeath——realstarkan\'nakeddeath，closean\'terrible？"

"No，indeed。"

"Haveyoueverwantedtokillanyonewithyourbarehands？"

"Oh，Mr。Dale，you——youamazeme。No！……No！"

"IreckonIknowyouranswertomylastquestion，butI\'llaskit，anyhow……Haveyoueverbeensomadlyinlovewithamanthatyoucouldnotlivewithouthim？"

Bofelloffherseatwithahigh，trillinglaugh。"Oh，youtwoaregreat！"

"ThankHeaven，Ihaven\'tbeen，"repliedHelen，shortly。

"Thenyoudon\'tknowanythin\'aboutlife，"declaredDale，withfinality。

Helenwasnottobeputdownbythat，dubiousandtroubledasitmadeher。

"Haveyouexperiencedallthosethings？"shequeried，stubbornly。

"Allbutthelastone。Lovenevercamemyway。Howcouldit？

Ilivealone。Iseldomgotothevillageswheretherearegirls。Nogirlwouldevercareforme。Ihavenothin\'……

But，allthesame，Iunderstandlovealittle，justbycomparisonwithstrongfeelin\'sI\'velived。"

Helenwatchedthehunterandmarveledathissimplicity。Hissadandpenetratinggazewasonthefire，asifinitswhitehearttoreadthesecretdeniedhim。Hehadsaidthatnogirlwouldeverlovehim。Sheimaginedhemightknowconsiderablylessaboutthenatureofgirlsthanoftheforest。

"Tocomebacktomyself，"saidHelen，wantingtocontinuetheargument。"YoudeclaredIdidn\'tknowmyself。ThatI

wouldhavenoself-control。Iwill！"

"Imeantthebigthingsoflife，"hesaid，patiently。

"Whatthings？"

"Itoldyou。Byaskin\'whathadneverhappenedtoyouI

learnedwhatwillhappen。"

"ThoseexperiencestocometoME！"breathedHelen，incredulously。"Never！"

"SisterNell，theysurewill——particularlythelast-namedone——themadlove，"chimedinBo，mischievously，yetbelievingly。

NeitherDalenorHelenappearedtohearherinterruption。

"Letmeputitsimpler，"beganDale，evidentlyrackinghisbrainforanalogy。Hisperplexityappearedpainfultohim，becausehehadagreatfaith，agreatconvictionthathecouldnotmakeclear。"HereIam，thenaturalphysicalman，livin\'inthewilds。An\'hereyoucome，thecomplex，intellectualwoman。Remember，formyargument\'ssake，thatyou\'rehere。An\'supposecircumstancesforcedyoutostayhere。You\'dfighttheelementswithmean\'workwithmetosustainlife。Theremustbeagreatchangeineitheryouorme，accordin\'totheother\'sinfluence。An\'can\'tyouseethatchangemustcomeinyou，notbecauseofanythin\'

superiorinme——I\'mreallyinferiortoyou——butbecauseofourenvironment？You\'dloseyourcomplexity。An\'inyearstocomeyou\'dbeanaturalphysicalwoman，becauseyou\'dlivethroughan\'bythephysical。"

"Ohdear，willnoteducationbeofhelptotheWesternwoman？"queriedHelen，almostindespair。

"Sureitwill，"answeredDale，promptly。"WhattheWestneedsiswomenwhocanraisean\'teachchildren。Butyoudon\'tunderstandme。Youdon\'tgetunderyourskin。IreckonIcan\'tmakeyouseemyargumentasIfeelit。Youtakemywordforthis，though。SoonerorlateryouWILLwakeupan\'

forgetyourself。Remember。"

"Nell，I\'llbetyoudo，too，"saidBo，seriouslyforher。

"Itmayseemstrangetoyou，butIunderstandDale。Ifeelwhathemeans。It\'sasortofshock。Nell，we\'renotwhatweseem。We\'renotwhatwefondlyimagineweare。We\'velivedtoolongwithpeople——toofarawayfromtheearth。YouknowtheBiblesayssomethinglikethis：\'Dustthouartandtodustthoushaltreturn。\'WhereDOwecomefrom？"

CHAPTERXII

Dayspassed。

EverymorningHelenawokewithawonderingquestionastowhatthisdaywouldbringforth，especiallywithregardtopossiblenewsfromheruncle。Itmustcomesometimeandshewasanxiousforit。Somethingaboutthissimple，wildcamplifehadbeguntogripher。ShefoundherselfshirkingdailyattentiontotheclothesshehadbroughtWest。Theyneededit，butshehadbeguntoseehowsuperficialtheyreallywere。Ontheotherhand，camp-firetaskshadcometobeapleasure。ShehadlearnedagreatdealmoreaboutthemthanhadBo。Worryanddreadwerealwaysimpinginguponthefringeofherthoughts——alwaysvaguelypresent，thoughseldomannoying。Theywerelikeshadowsindreams。Shewantedtogettoheruncle\'sranch，totakeupthedutiesofhernewlife。Butshewasnotpreparedtobelieveshewouldnotregretthiswildexperience。Shemustgetawayfromthatinordertoseeitclearly，andshebegantohavedoubtsofherself。

Meanwhiletheactiveandrestfuloutdoorlifewenton。Boleanedmoreandmoretowardutterreconciliationtoit。Hereyeshadawonderfulflash，likebluelightning；hercheeksweregoldandbrown；herhandstanneddarkasanIndian\'s。

Shecouldvaultuponthegraymustang，or，forthatmatter，clearoverhisback。ShelearnedtoshootarifleaccuratelyenoughtowinDale\'spraise，andvowedshewouldliketodrawabeaduponagrizzlybearoruponSnakeAnson。

"Bo，ifyoumetthatgrizzlyDalesaidhasbeenprowlingroundcamplatelyyou\'drunrightupatree，"declaredHelen，onemorning，whenBoseemedparticularlyboastful。

"Don\'tfoolyourself，"retortedBo。

"ButI\'veseenyourunfromamouse！"

"Sister，couldn\'tIbeafraidofamouseandnotabear？"

"Idon\'tseehow。"

"Well，bears，lions，outlaws，andotherwildbeastsaretobemetwithhereintheWest，andmymind\'smadeup，"saidBo，inslow-noddingdeliberation。

Theyarguedastheyhadalwaysargued，Helenforreasonandcommonsenseandrestraint，Boontheprinciplethatifshemustfightitwasbettertogetinthefirstblow。

ThemorningonwhichthisargumenttookplaceDalewasalongtimeincatchingthehorses。Whenhedidcomeinheshookhisheadseriously。

"Somevarmint\'sbeenchasin\'thehorses，"hesaid，ashereachedforhissaddle。"Didyouhearthemsnortin\'an\'

runnin\'lastnight？"

Neitherofthegirlshadbeenawakened。

"Imissedoneofthecolts，"wentonDale，"an\'I\'mgoin\'torideacrossthepark。"

Dale\'smovementswerequickandstern。Itwassignificantthathechosehisheavierrifle，and，mounting，withasharpcalltoPedro，herodeoffwithoutanotherwordtothegirls。

Bowatchedhimforamomentandthenbegantosaddlethemustang。

"Youwon\'tfollowhim？"askedHelen，quickly。

"Isurewill，"repliedBo。"Hedidn\'tforbidit。"

"Buthecertainlydidnotwantus。"

"Hemightnotwantyou，butI\'llbethewouldn\'tobjecttome，whatever\'sup，"saidBo，shortly。

"Oh！Soyouthink——"exclaimedHelen，keenlyhurt。Shebithertonguetokeepbackahotreply。Anditwascertainthataburstinggushofangerfloodedoverher。Wasshe，then，suchacoward？DidDalethinkthisslipofasister，sowildandwilful，wasastrongerwomanthanshe？Amoment\'ssilentstrifeconvincedherthatnodoubthethoughtsoandnodoubthewasright。Thentheangercentereduponherself，andHelenneitherunderstoodnortrustedherself。

Theoutcomeprovedanuncontrollableimpulse。Helenbegantosaddleherhorse。ShehadthetaskhalfaccomplishedwhenBo\'scallmadeherlookup。

"Listen！"

Helenheardaringing，wildbayofthehound。

"That\'sPedro，"shesaid，withathrill。

"Sure。He\'srunning。Weneverheardhimbaylikethatbefore。"

"Where\'sDale？"

"Herodeoutofsightacrossthere，"repliedBo，pointing。

"AndPedro\'srunningtowardusalongthatslope。Hemustbeamile——twomilesfromDale。"

"ButDalewillfollow。"

"Sure。Buthe\'dneedwingstogetnearthathoundnow。Pedrocouldn\'thavegoneacrosstherewithhim……justlisten。"

ThewildnoteofthehoundmanifestlystirredBotoirrepressibleaction。SnatchingupDale\'slighterrifle，sheshoveditintohersaddle-sheath，and，leapingonthemustang，sheranhimoverbrushandbrook，straightdowntheparktowardtheplacePedrowasclimbing。ForaninstantHelenstoodamazedbeyondspeech。WhenBosailedoverabiglog，likeasteeple-chaser，thenHelenansweredtofurtherunconsideredimpulsebyfranticallygettinghersaddlefastened。Withoutcoatorhatshemounted。Thenervoushorseboltedalmostbeforeshegotintothesaddle。Astrange，trenchanttremblingcoursedthroughallherveins。ShewantedtoscreamforBotowait。Bowasoutofsight，butthedeep，muddytracksinwetplacesandthepaththroughthelonggrassaffordedHelenaneasytrailtofollow。Infact，herhorseneedednoguiding。Heraninandoutofthestragglingsprucesalongtheedgeofthepark，andsuddenlywheeledaroundacorneroftreestocomeuponthegraymustangstandingstill。Bowaslookingupandlistening。

"Thereheis！"criedBo，asthehoundbayedringingly，closertothemthistime，andshespurredaway。

Helen\'shorsefollowedwithouturging。Hewasexcited。Hisearswereup。Somethingwasinthewind。Helenhadneverriddenalongthisbrokenendofthepark，andBowasnoteasytokeepupwith。Sheledacrossbogs，brooks，swales，rockylittleridges，throughstretchesoftimberandgrovesofaspensothickHelencouldscarcelysqueezethrough。ThenBocameoutintoalargeopenoffshootofthepark，rightunderthemountainslope，andhereshesat，herhorsewatchingandlistening。Helenrodeuptoher，imaginingoncethatshehadheardthehound。

"Look！Look！"Bo\'sscreammadehermustangstandalmoststraightup。

Helengazeduptoseeabigbrownbearwithafrostedcoatgolumberingacrossanopeningontheslope。

"It\'sagrizzly！He\'llkillPedro！Oh，whereisDale！"criedBo，withintenseexcitement。

"Bo！Thatbearisrunningdown！We——wemustget——outofhisroad，"pantedHelen，inbreathlessalarm。

"Dalehasn\'thadtimetobeclose……Oh，Iwishhe\'dcome！Idon\'tknowwhattodo。"

"Rideback。Atleastwaitforhim。"

JustthenPedrospokedifferently，insavagebarks，andfollowingthatcamealoudgrowlandcrashingsinthebrush。

Thesesoundsappearedtobenotfaruptheslope。

"Nell！Doyouhear？Pedro\'sfightingthebear，"burstoutBo。Herfacepaled，hereyesflashedlikebluesteel。"Thebear\'llkillhim！"

"Oh，thatwouldbedreadful！"repliedHelen，indistress。

"Butwhatonearthcanwedo？"

"HEL-LO，DALE！"calledBo，atthehighestpitchofherpiercingvoice。

Noanswercame。Aheavycrashofbrush，arollingofstones，anothergrowlfromtheslopetoldHelenthatthehoundhadbroughtthebeartobay。

"Nell，I\'mgoingup，"saidBo，deliberately。

"No-no！Areyoumad？"returnedHelen。

"ThebearwillkillPedro。"

"Hemightkillyou。"

"YouridethatwayandyellforDale，"rejoinedBo。

"Whatwill——youdo？"gaspedHelen。

"I\'llshootatthebear——scarehimoff。Ifhechasesmehecan\'tcatchmecomingdownhill。Dalesaidthat。"

"You\'recrazy！"criedHelen，asBolookeduptheslope，searchingforopenground。Thenshepulledtheriflefromitssheath。

ButBodidnothearordidnotcare。Shespurredthemustang，andhe，wildtorun，flunggrassanddirtfromhisheels。WhatHelenwouldhavedonethensheneverknew，butthefactwasthatherhorseboltedafterthemustang。Inaninstant，seemingly，Bohaddisappearedinthegoldandgreenoftheforestslope。Helen\'smountclimbedonarun，snortingandheaving，throughaspens，brush，andtimber，tocomeoutintoanarrow，longopeningextendinglengthwiseuptheslope。

AsuddenprolongedcrashaheadalarmedHelenandhaltedherhorse。Shesawashakingofaspens。Thenahugebrownbeastleapedasacatoutofthewoods。Itwasabearofenormoussize。Helen\'sheartstopped——hertongueclovetotheroofofhermouth。Thebearturned。Hismouthwasopen，redanddripping。Helookedshaggy，gray。Heletoutaterriblebawl。Helen\'severymusclefrozestiff。Herhorseplungedhighandsidewise，wheelingalmostintheair，neighinghisterror。Likeastoneshedroppedfromthesaddle。Shedidnotseethehorsebreakintothewoods，butsheheardhim。

Hergazeneverleftthebearevenwhileshewasfalling，anditseemedshealightedinanuprightpositionwithherbackagainstabush。Itupheldher。Thebearwaggedhishugeheadfromsidetoside。Then，asthehoundbarkedcloseathand，heturnedtorunheavilyuphillandoutoftheopening。

TheinstantofhisdisappearancewasoneofcollapseforHelen。Frozenwithhorror，shehadbeenunabletomoveorfeelorthink。Allatonceshewasaquiveringmassofcold，helplessflesh，wetwithperspiration，sickwithashuddering，retching，internalconvulsion，hermindliberatedfromparalyzingshock。Themomentwasashorribleasthatinwhichthebearhadbawledhisfrightfulrage。A

stark，icy，blackemotionseemedinpossessionofher。Shecouldnotliftahand，yetallofherbodyappearedshaking。

Therewasafluttering，astranglinginherthroat。Thecrushingweightthatsurroundedherhearteasedbeforesherecovereduseofherlimbs。Then，thenakedandterriblethingwasgone，likeanightmaregivingwaytoconsciousness。Whatblessedrelief！Helenwildlygazedabouther。Thebearandhoundwereoutofsight，andsowasherhorse。Shestoodupverydizzyandweak。ThoughtofBothenseemedtoreviveher，toshockdifferentlifeandfeelingthroughoutallhercoldextremities。Shelistened。

Sheheardathuddingofhoofsdowntheslope，thenDale\'sclear，strongcall。Sheanswered。Itappearedlongbeforeheburstoutofthewoods，ridinghardandleadingherhorse。

Inthattimesherecoveredfully，andwhenhereachedher，toputasuddenhaltuponthefieryRanger，shecaughtthebridlehethrewandswiftlymountedherhorse。Thefeelofthesaddleseemeddifferent。Dale\'spiercinggrayglancethrilledherstrangely。

"You\'rewhite。Areyouhurt？"hesaid。

"No。Iwasscared。"

"Buthethrewyou？"

"Yes，hecertainlythrewme。"

"Whathappened？"

"Weheardthehoundandwerodealongthetimber。Thenwesawthebear——amonster——white——coated——"

"Iknow。It\'sagrizzly。Hekilledthecolt——yourpet。

Hurrynow。WhataboutBo？"

"Pedrowasfightingthebear。Bosaidhe\'dbekilled。Sheroderightuphere。Myhorsefollowed。Icouldn\'thavestoppedhim。ButwelostBo。Righttherethebearcameout。

Heroared。Myhorsethrewmeandranoff。Pedro\'sbarkingsavedme——mylife，Ithink。Oh！thatwasawful！Thenthebearwentup——there……Andyoucame。"

"Bo\'sfollowin\'thehound！"ejaculatedDale。And，liftinghishandstohismouth，hesentoutastentorianyellthatrolleduptheslope，rangagainstthecliffs，pealedandbrokeanddiedaway。Thenhewaited，listening。Fromfaruptheslopecameafaint，wildcry，high-pitchedandsweet，tocreatestrangeechoes，floatingawaytodieintheravines。

"She\'safterhim！"declaredDale，grimly。

"Bo\'sgotyourrifle，"saidHelen。"Oh，wemusthurry。"

"Yougoback，"orderedDale，wheelinghishorse。

"No！"Helenfeltthatwordleaveherlipswiththeforceofabullet。

DalespurredRangerandtooktotheopenslope。Helenkeptathisheelsuntiltimberwasreached。Hereasteeptrailledup。Daledismounted。

"Horsetracks——beartracks——dogtracks，"hesaid，bendingover。"We\'llhavetowalkuphere。It\'llsaveourhorsesan\'maybetime，too。"

"IsBoridingupthere？"askedHelen，eyingthesteepascent。

"Shesureis。"WiththatDalestartedup，leadinghishorse。

Helenfollowed。Itwasroughandhardwork。Shewaslightlyclad，yetsoonshewashot，laboring，andherheartbegantohurt。WhenDalehaltedtorestHelenwasjustreadytodrop。

Thebayingofthehound，thoughinfrequent，inspiritedher。

Butpresentlythatsoundwaslost。Dalesaidbearandhoundhadgoneovertheridgeandassoonasthetopwasgainedhewouldhearthemagain。

"Lookthere，"hesaid，presently，pointingtofreshtracks，largerthanthosemadebyBo\'smustang。"Elktracks。We\'vescaredabigbullan\'he\'srightaheadofus。Looksharpan\'

you\'llseehim。"

Helenneverclimbedsohardandfastbefore，andwhentheyreachedtheridge-topshewasalltuckeredout。Itwasallshecoulddotogetonherhorse。Daleledalongthecrestofthiswoodedridgetowardthewesternend，whichwasconsiderablyhigher。Inplacesopenrockygroundsplitthegreentimber。Dalepointedtowardapromontory。

Helensawasplendidelksilhouettedagainstthesky。Hewasalightgrayoverallhishindquarters，withshouldersandheadblack。Hisponderous，wide-spreadantlerstoweredoverhim，addingtothewildnessofhismagnificentpoiseashestoodthere，lookingdownintothevalley，nodoubtlisteningforthebayofthehound。WhenheheardDale\'shorsehegaveonebound，gracefullyandwonderfullycarryinghisantlers，todisappearinthegreen。

AgainonabarepatchofgroundDalepointeddown。Helensawbigroundtracks，toeinginalittle，thatgaveherachill。

Sheknewtheseweregrizzlytracks。

Hardridingwasnotpossibleonthisridgecrest，afactthatgaveHelentimetocatchherbreath。Atlength，comingoutupontheverysummitofthemountain，Daleheardthehound。Helen\'seyesfeastedafaruponawildsceneofruggedgrandeur，beforeshelookeddownonthiswesternslopeatherfeettoseebare，gradualdescent，leadingdowntosparselywoodedbenchandontodeep-greencanuon。

"Ridehardnow！"yelledDale。"IseeBo，an\'I\'llhavetoridetocatchher。"

Dalespurreddowntheslope。Helenrodeinhistracksand，thoughsheplungedsofastthatshefeltherhairstandupwithfright，shesawhimdrawawayfromher。Sometimesherhorseslidonhishaunchesforafewyards，andatthesehazardousmomentsshegotherfeetoutofthestirrupssoastofallfreefromhimifhewentdown。Shelethimchoosetheway，whileshegazedaheadatDale，andthenfartheron，inthehopeofseeingBo。Atlastshewasrewarded。FarDownthewoodedbenchshesawagrayflashofthelittlemustangandabrightglintofBo\'shair。Herheartswelled。DalewouldsoonoverhaulBoandcomebetweenherandperil。Andontheinstant，thoughHelenwasunconsciousofitthen，aremarkablechangecameoverherspirit。Fearlefther。Andahot，exalting，incomprehensiblesomethingtookpossessionofher。

Sheletthehorserun，andwhenhehadplungedtothefootofthatslopeofsoftgroundhebrokeoutacrosstheopenbenchatapacethatmadethewindbiteHelen\'scheeksandroarinherears。ShelostsightofDale。Itgaveherastrange，grimexultance。Shebenthereagergazetofindthetracksofhishorse，andshefoundthem。AlsoshemadeoutthetracksofBo\'smustangandthebearandthehound。Herhorse，scentinggame，perhaps，andafraidtobeleftalone，settledintoafleetandpowerfulstride，sailingoverlogsandbrush。Thatopenbenchhadlookedshort，butitwaslong，andHelenrodedownthegradualdescentatbreakneckspeed。Shewouldnotbeleftbehind。Shehadawakenedtoaheedlessnessofrisk。Somethingburnedsteadilywithinher。

Agrim，hardangerofjoy！Whenshesaw，fardownanotheropen，gradualdescent，thatDalehadpassedBoandthatBowasridingthelittlemustangasneverbefore，thenHelenflamedwithamadnesstocatchher，tobeatherinthatwonderfulchase，toshowherandDalewhattherereallywasinthedepthsofHelenRayner。

Herambitionwastobeshort-lived，shedivinedfromthelayofthelandahead，buttherideshelivedthenforaflyingmilewassomethingthatwouldalwaysblanchhercheeksandprickherskininremembrance。

Theopengroundwasonlytooshort。ThatthunderingpacesoonbroughtHelen\'shorsetothetimber。Hereittookallherstrengthtocheckhisheadlongflightoverdeadfallsandbetweensmalljack-pines。HelenlostsightofBo，andsherealizeditwouldtakeallherwitstokeepfromgettinglost。Shehadtofollowthetrail，andinsomeplacesitwashardtoseefromhorseback。

Besides，herhorsewasmettlesome，thoroughlyaroused，andhewantedafreereinandhisownway。Helentriedthat，onlytolosethetrailandtogetsundryknocksfromtreesandbranches。Shecouldnothearthehound，norDale。Thepinesweresmall，closetogether，andtough。Theywerehardtobend。Helenhurtherhands，scratchedherface，barkedherknees。ThehorseformedahabitsuddenlyofdecidingtogothewayhelikedinsteadofthewayHelenguidedhim，andwhenheplungedbetweensaplingstooclosetopermiteasypassageitwasexceedinglyhardonher。ThatdidnotmakeanydifferencetoHelen。Onceworkedintoafrenzy，herbloodstayedathighpressure。Shedidnotarguewithherselfaboutaneedofdesperatehurry。Evenablowontheheadthatnearlyblindedherdidnotintheleastretardher。Thehorsecouldhardlybeheld，andnotatallinthefewopenplaces。

AtlastHelenreachedanotherslope。Comingoutuponcanuonrim，sheheardDale\'sclearcall，fardown，andBo\'sansweringpeal，highandpiercing，withitsnoteofexultantwildness。Helenalsoheardthebearandthehoundfightingatthebottomofthiscanuon。

HereHelenagainmissedthetracksmadebyDaleandBo。Thedescentlookedimpassable。Sherodebackalongtherim，thenforward。Finallyshefoundwherethegroundhadbeenploweddeepbyhoofs，downoverlittlebanks。Helen\'shorsebalkedatthesejumps。Whenshegoadedhimoverthemshewentforwardonhisneck。Itseemedlikeridingstraightdownhill。ThemadspiritofthatchasegrewmorestinginglykeentoHelenastheobstaclesgrew。Then，oncemorethebayofthehoundandthebawlofthebearmadeademonofherhorse。Hesnortedashrilldefiance。Heplungedwithforehoofsintheair。Heslidandbrokeawaydownthesteep，softbanks，throughthethickbrushandthickclustersofsaplings，sendinglooserocksandearthintoavalanchesaheadofhim。Hefelloveronebank，butathicketofaspensupheldhimsothathereboundedandgainedhisfeet。Thesoundsoffightceased，butDale\'sthrillingcallfloateduponthepine-scentedair。

BeforeHelenrealizeditshewasatthefootoftheslope，inanarrowcanuon-bed，fullofrocksandtrees，withasoftroarofrunningwaterfillingherears。Trackswereeverywhere，andwhenshecametothefirstopenplaceshesawwherethegrizzlyhadplungedoffasandybarintothewater。HerehehadfoughtPedro。Signsofthatbattlewereeasytoread。Helensawwherehishugetracks，stillwet，leduptheoppositesandybank。

Thendown-streamHelendidsomemorerecklessandsplendidriding。Onlevelgroundthehorsewasgreat。Onceheleapedclearacrossthebrook。Everyplunge，everyturnHelenexpectedtocomeuponDaleandBofacingthebear。Thecanuonnarrowed，thestream-beddeepened。Shehadtoslowdowntogetthroughthetreesandrocks。Quiteunexpectedlysherodepell-melluponDaleandBoandthepantingPedro。Herhorseplungedtoahalt，answeringtheshrillneighsoftheotherhorses。

DalegazedinadmiringamazementatHelen。

"Say，didyoumeetthebearagain？"hequeried，blankly。

"No。Didn\'t——you——killhim？"pantedHelen，slowlysagginginhersaddle。

"Hegotawayintherocks。Roughcountrydownhere。

Helenslidoffherhorseandfellwithalittlepantingcryofrelief。Shesawthatshewasbloody，dirty，disheveled，andwringingwetwithperspiration。Herridinghabitwastornintotatters。Everymuscleseemedtoburnandsting，andallherbonesseemedbroken。ButitwasworthallthistomeetDale\'spenetratingglance，toseeBo\'sutter，incredulousastonishment。

"Nell——Rayner！"gaspedBo。

"If——myhorse\'dbeen——anygood——inthewoods，"pantedHelen，"I\'dnotlost——somuchtime——ridingdownthismountain。AndI\'dcaughtyou——beatyou。"

"Girl，didyouRIDEdownthislastslope？"queriedDale。

"Isuredid，"repliedHelen，smiling。

"Wewalkedeverystepoftheway，andwasluckytogetdownatthat，"respondedDale，gravely。"Nohorseshouldhavebeenriddendownthere。Why，hemusthavesliddown。"

"Weslid——yes。ButIstayedonhim。"

Bo\'sincredulitychangedtowondering，speechlessadmiration。AndDale\'sraresmilechangedhisgravity。

"I\'msorry。Itwasrashofme。Ithoughtyou\'dgoback……Butall\'swellthatendswell……Helen，didyouwakeupto-day？"

Shedroppedhereyes，notcaringtomeetthequestioninggazeuponher。

"Maybe——alittle，"shereplied，andshecoveredherfacewithherhands。Remembranceofhisquestions——ofhisassurancethatshedidnotknowtherealmeaningoflife——

ofherstubbornantagonism——madehersomehowashamed。Butitwasnotforlong。

"Thechasewasgreat，"shesaid。"Ididnotknowmyself。Youwereright。"

"Inhowmanywaysdidyoufindmeright？"heasked。

"Ithinkall——butone，"shereplied，withalaughandashudder。"I\'mnearstarvedNOW——IwassofuriousatBothatIcouldhavechokedher。Ifacedthathorriblebrute……Oh，Iknowwhatitistofeardeath！……Iwaslosttwiceontheride——absolutelylost。That\'sall。"

Bofoundhertongue。"Thelastthingwasforyoutofallwildlyinlove，wasn\'tit？"

"AccordingtoDale，Imustaddthattomynewexperiencesofto-day——beforeIcanknowreallife，"repliedHelen，demurely。

Thehunterturnedaway。"Letusgo，"hesaid，soberly。

CHAPTERXIII

Aftermoredaysofridingthegrassylevelofthatwonderfullygoldandpurplepark，anddreamilylisteningbydaytotheever-lowandever-changingmurmurofthewaterfall，andbynighttothewild，lonelymournofahuntingwolf，andclimbingtothedizzyheightswherethewindstungsweetly，HelenRaynerlosttrackoftimeandforgotherperil。

RoyBeemandidnotreturn。IfoccasionallyDalementionedRoyandhisquest，thegirlshadlittletosaybeyondarecurrentanxietyfortheolduncle，andthentheyforgotagain。ParadisePark，livedinalittlewhileatthatseasonoftheyear，wouldhaveclaimedanyone，andeverafterwardhauntedsleepingorwakingdreams。

Bogaveuptothewildlife，tothehorsesandrides，tothemanypets，andespeciallytothecougar，Tom。Thebigcatfollowedhereverywhere，playedwithher，rollingandpawing，kitten-like，andhewouldlayhismassiveheadinherlaptopurrhiscontent。Bohadlittlefearofanything，andhereinthewildsshesoonlostthat。

AnotherofDale\'spetswasahalf-grownblackbearnamedMuss。HewasabnormallyjealousoflittleBudandhehadawell-developedhatredofTom，otherwisehewasaverygood-temperedbear，andenjoyedDale\'simpartialregard。

Tom，however，chasedMussoutofcampwheneverDale\'sbackwasturned，andsometimesMussstayedaway，shiftingforhimself。WiththeadventofBo，whospentagooddealoftimeontheanimals，Mussmanifestlyfoundthecampmoreattractive。Whereupon，DalepredictedtroublebetweenTomandMuss。

Bolikednothingbetterthanarough-and-tumblefrolicwiththeblackbear。Musswasnotverybignorveryheavy，andinawrestlingboutwiththestrongandwirygirlhesometimescameoutsecondbest。ItspokewellofhimthatheseemedtobecarefulnottohurtBo。Heneverbitorscratched，thoughhesometimesgavehersoundingslapswithhispaws。

Whereupon，Bowouldclenchhergauntletedfistsandsailintohiminearnest。

Oneafternoonbeforetheearlysuppertheyalwayshad，DaleandHelenwerewatchingBoteasingthebear。Shewasinhermostvixenishmood，fulloflifeandfight。Tomlayhislonglengthonthegrass，watchingwithnarrow，gleamingeyes。

WhenBoandMusslockedinanembraceandwentdowntorolloverandover，DalecalledHelen\'sattentiontothecougar。

"Tom\'sjealous。It\'sstrangehowanimalsarelikepeople。

PrettysoonI\'llhavetocorralMuss，orthere\'llbeafight。"

HelencouldnotseeanythingwrongwithTomexceptthathedidnotlookplayful。

Duringsupper-timebothbearandcougardisappeared，thoughthiswasnotremarkeduntilafterward。Dalewhistledandcalled，buttherivalpetsdidnotreturn。NextmorningTomwasthere，curledupsnuglyatthefootofBo\'sbed，andwhenshearosehefollowedheraroundasusual。ButMussdidnotreturn。

ThecircumstancemadeDaleanxious。Heleftcamp，takingTomwithhim，anduponreturningstatedthathehadfollowedMuss\'strackasfaraspossible，andthenhadtriedtoputTomonthetrail，butthecougarwouldnotorcouldnotfollowit。DalesaidTomneverlikedabeartrail，anyway，cougarsandbearsbeingcommonenemies。So，whetherbyaccidentordesign，Bolostoneofherplaymates。

Thehuntersearchedsomeoftheslopesnextdayandevenwentupononeofthemountains。HedidnotdiscoveranysignofMuss，buthesaidhehadfoundsomethingelse。

"Boyougirlswantsomemorerealexcitement？"heasked。

HelensmiledheracquiescenceandBorepliedwithoneofherforcefulspeeches。

"Don\'tmindbein\'goodan\'scared？"hewenton。

"Youcan\'tscareme，"banteredBo。ButHelenlookeddoubtful。

"UpinoneoftheparksIranacrossoneofmyhorses——alamebayyouhaven\'tseen。Well，hehadbeenkilledbythatoldsilvertip。Theonewechased。Hadn\'tbeendeadoveranhour。Bloodwasstillrunnin\'an\'onlyalittlemeateaten。

Thatbearheardmeorsawmean\'madeoffintothewoods。

Buthe\'llcomebackto-night。I\'mgoin\'upthere，layforhim，an\'killhimthistime。Reckonyou\'dbettergo，becauseIdon\'twanttoleaveyouherealoneatnight。"

"AreyougoingtotakeTom？"askedBo。

"No。Thebearmightgethisscent。An\'，besides，Tomain\'treliableonbears。I\'llleavePedrohome，too。"

Whentheyhadhurriedsupper，andDalehadgotteninthehorses，thesunhadsetandthevalleywasshadowinglowdown，whiletherampartswerestillgolden。ThelongzigzagtrailDalefolloweduptheslopetooknearlyanhourtoclimb，sothatwhenthatwassurmountedandheledoutofthewoodstwilighthadfallen。ArollingparkextendedasfarasHelencouldsee，borderedbyforestthatinplacessentoutstragglingstretchesoftrees。Hereandthere，likeislands，wereisolatedpatchesoftimber。

Attenthousandfeetelevationthetwilightofthisclearandcoldnightwasarichandrareatmosphericeffect。Itlookedasifitwasseenthroughperfectlyclearsmokedglass。Objectsweresingularlyvisible，evenatlongrange，andseemedmagnified。Inthewest，wheretheafterglowofsunsetlingeredoverthedark，ragged，spruce-spearedhorizon-line，therewassuchatransparentgoldenlinemeltingintovividstar-firedbluethatHelencouldonlygazeandgazeinwonderingadmiration。

Dalespurredhishorseintoalopeandthespiritedmountsofthegirlskeptupwithhim。Thegroundwasrough，withtuftsofgrassgrowingclosetogether，yetthehorsesdidnotstumble。Theiractionandsnortingbetrayedexcitement。

Daleledaroundseveralclumpsoftimber，upalonggrassyswale，andthenstraightwestwardacrossanopenflattowardwherethedark-fringedforest-lineraiseditselfwildandclearagainstthecoldsky。Thehorseswentswiftly，andthewindcutlikeabladeofice。Helencouldbarelygetherbreathandshepantedasifshehadjustclimbedalaborsomehill。Thestarsbegantoblinkoutoftheblue，andthegoldpaledsomewhat，andyettwilightlingered。Itseemedlongacrossthatflat，butreallywasshort。Comingtoathinlineoftreesthatleddownoveraslopetoadeeperbutstillisolatedpatchofwoods，Daledismountedandtiedhishorse。Whenthegirlsgotoffhehalteredtheirhorsesalso。

"Stickclosetomean\'putyourfeetdowneasy，"hewhispered。Howtallanddarkheloomedinthefadinglight！

Helenthrilled，asshehadoftenoflate，atthestrange，potentialforceoftheman。Steppingsoftly，withouttheleastsound，Daleenteredthisstragglybitofwoods，whichappearedtohavenarrowbywaysandnooks。Thenpresentlyhecametothetopofawell-woodedslope，darkaspitch，apparently。ButasHelenfollowedsheperceivedthetrees，andtheywerethindwarfspruce，partlydead。Theslopewassoftandspringy，easytostepuponwithoutnoise。DalewentsocautiouslythatHelencouldnothearhim，andsometimesinthegloomshecouldnotseehim。Thenthechillthrillsranoverher。BokeptholdingontoHelen，whichfacthamperedHelenaswellasworkedsomewhattodisproveBo\'sboast。Atlastlevelgroundwasreached。Helenmadeoutalight-graybackgroundcrossedbyblackbars。Anotherglanceshowedthistobethedarktree-trunksagainsttheopenpark。

Dalehalted，andwithatouchbroughtHelentoastrainingpause。Hewaslistening。Itseemedwonderfultowatchhimbendhisheadandstandassilentandmotionlessasoneofthedarktrees。

"He\'snotthereyet，"Dalewhispered，andhesteppedforwardveryslowly。HelenandBobegantocomeupagainstthindeadbranchesthatwereinvisibleandthencracked。ThenDalekneltdown，seemedtomeltintotheground。

"You\'llhavetocrawl，"hewhispered。

HowstrangeandthrillingthatwasforHelen，andhardwork！

Thegroundboretwigsanddeadbranches，whichhadtobecarefullycrawledover；andlyingflat，aswasnecessary，ittookprodigiousefforttodragherbodyinchbyinch。Likeahugesnake，Dalewormedhiswayalong。

Graduallythewoodlightened。Theywerenearingtheedgeofthepark。Helennowsawastripofopenwithahigh，blackwallofsprucebeyond。Theafterglowflashedorchanged，likeadimmingnorthernlight，andthenfailed。Dalecrawledonfarthertohaltatlengthbetweentwotree-trunksattheedgeofthewood。

"Comeupbesideme，"hewhispered。

Helencrawledon，andpresentlyBowasbesideherpanting，withpalefaceandgreat，staringeyes，plaintobeseeninthewanlight。

"Moon\'scomin\'up。We\'rejustintime。Theoldgrizzly\'snotthereyet，butIseecoyotes。Look。"

Dalepointedacrosstheopenneckofparktoadimblurredpatchstandingapartsomelittledistancefromtheblackwall。

"That\'sthedeadhorse，"whisperedDale。"An\'ifyouwatchcloseyoucanseethecoyotes。They\'regrayan\'theymove……Can\'tyouhearthem？"

Helen\'sexcitedears，sofullofthrobsandimaginings，presentlyregisteredlowsnapsandsnarls。Bogaveherarmasqueeze。

"Ihearthem。They\'refighting。Oh，gee！"shepanted，anddrewalong，fullbreathofunutterableexcitement。

"Keepquietnowan\'watchan\'listen，"saidthehunter。

Slowlytheblack，raggedforest-lineseemedtogrowblackerandlift；slowlythegrayneckofparklightenedundersomeinvisibleinfluence；slowlythestarspaledandtheskyfilledover。Somewherethemoonwasrising。Andslowlythatvagueblurredpatchgrewalittleclearer。

Throughthetipsofthespruce，nowseentoberathercloseathand，shoneaslender，silvercrescentmoon，darkening，hiding，shiningagain，climbinguntilitsexquisitesickle-pointtoppedthetrees，andthen，magically，itclearedthem，radiantandcold。Whiletheeasternblackwallshadedstillblacker，theparkblanchedandtheborder-lineoppositebegantostandoutastrees。

"Look！Look！"criedBo，verylowandfearfully，asshepointed。

"Notsoloud，"whisperedDale。

"ButIseesomething！"

"Keepquiet，"headmonished。

Helen，inthedirectionBopointed，couldnotseeanythingbutmoon-blanchedbareground，risingcloseathandtoalittleridge。

"Liestill，"whisperedDale。"I\'mgoin\'tocrawlaroundtogetalookfromanotherangle。I\'llberightback。"

Hemovednoiselesslybackwardanddisappeared。Withhimgone，Helenfeltapalpitatingofherheartandapricklingofherskin。

"Oh，my！Nell！Look！"whisperedBo，infright。"IknowIsawsomething。"

Ontopofthelittleridgearoundobjectmovedslowly，gettingfartheroutintothelight。Helenwatchedwithsuspendedbreath。Itmovedouttobesilhouettedagainstthesky——apparentlyahuge，round，bristlinganimal，frostyincolor。Oneinstantitseemedhuge——thenextsmall——thencloseathand——andfaraway。Itswervedtocomedirectlytowardthem。SuddenlyHelenrealizedthatthebeastwasnotadozenyardsdistant。Shewasjustbeginninganewexperience——arealandhorrifyingterrorinwhichherbloodcurdled，herheartgaveatremendousleapandthenstoodstill，andshewantedtofly，butwasrootedtothespot——whenDalereturnedtoherside。

"That\'sapeskyporcupine，"hewhispered。"Almostcrawledoveryou。Hesurewouldhavestuckyoufullofquills。"

Whereuponhethrewastickattheanimal。Itbouncedstraightuptoturnroundwithstartlingquickness，anditgavefortharattlingsound；thenitcrawledoutofsight。

"Por——cu——pine！"whisperedBo，pantingly。"Itmight——

aswell——havebeen——anelephant！"

Helenutteredalong，eloquentsigh。Shewouldnothavecaredtodescribeheremotionsatsightofaharmlesshedgehog。

"Listen！"warnedDale，verylow。HisbighandclosedoverHelen\'sgauntletedone。"Thereyouhave——therealcryofthewild。"

Sharpandcoldonthenightairsplitthecryofawolf，distant，yetwonderfullydistinct。Howwildandmournfulandhungry！Howmarvelouslypure！Helenshudderedthroughallherframewiththethrillofitsmusic，thewildandunutterableanddeepemotionsitaroused。Againasoundofthisforesthadpiercedbeyondherlife，backintothedimremotepastfromwhichshehadcome。

Thecrywasnotrepeated。Thecoyoteswerestill。Andsilencefell，absolutelyunbroken。

DalenudgedHelen，andthenreachedovertogiveBoatap。

Hewaspeeringkeenlyaheadandhisstrainedintensitycouldbefelt。Helenlookedwithallhermightandshesawtheshadowygrayformsofthecoyotesskulkaway，outofthemoonlightintothegloomofthewoods，wheretheydisappeared。NotonlyDale\'sintensity，buttheverysilence，thewildnessofthemomentandplace，seemedfraughtwithwonderfulpotency。Bomusthavefeltit，too，forshewastremblingallover，andholdingtightlytoHelen，andbreathingquickandfast。

"A-huh！"mutteredDale，underhisbreath。

Helencaughtthereliefandcertaintyinhisexclamation，andshedivined，then，somethingofwhatthemomentmusthavebeentoahunter。

Thenherroving，alertglancewasarrestedbyaloominggrayshadowcomingoutoftheforest。Itmoved，butsurelythathugethingcouldnotbeabear。Itpassedoutofgloomintosilvermoonlight。Helen\'sheartbounded。Foritwasagreatfrosty-coatedbearlumberingalongtowardthedeadhorse。

InstinctivelyHelen\'shandsoughtthearmofthehunter。Itfeltlikeironunderaripplingsurface。Thetoucheasedawaytheoppressionoverherlungs，thetightnessofherthroat。Whatmusthavebeenfearlefther，andonlyapowerfulexcitementremained。AsharpexpulsionofbreathfromBoandaviolentjerkofherframeweresignsthatshehadsightedthegrizzly。

Inthemoonlighthelookedofimmensesize，andthatwildparkwiththegloomyblacknessofforestfurnishedafitsettingforhim。Helen\'squickmind，sotakenupwithemotion，stillhadathoughtforthewonderandthemeaningofthatscene。Shewantedthebearkilled，yetthatseemedapity。

Hehadawagging，rolling，slowwalkwhichtookseveralmomentstoreachhisquarry。Whenatlengthhereachedithewalkedaroundwithsniffsplainlyheardandthenacrossgrowl。Evidentlyhehaddiscoveredthathismealhadbeenmessedover。Asawholethebigbearcouldbeseendistinctly，butonlyinoutlineandcolor。Thedistancewasperhapstwohundredyards。Thenitlookedasifhehadbeguntotugatthecarcass。Indeed，hewasdraggingit，veryslowly，butsurely。

"Lookatthat！"whisperedDale。"Ifheain\'tstrong！……

ReckonI\'llhavetostophim。"

Thegrizzly，however，stoppedofhisownaccord，justoutsideoftheshadow-lineoftheforest。Thenhehunchedinabigfrostyheapoverhispreyandbegantotearandrend。

"Jesswasamightygoodhorse，"mutteredDale，grimly；"toogoodtomakeamealforahogsilvertip。"

Thenthehuntersilentlyrosetoakneelingposition，swingingtherifleinfrontofhim。Heglancedupintothelowbranchesofthetreeoverhead。

"Girls，there\'snotellin\'whatagrizzlywilldo。IfI

yell，youclimbupinthistree，an\'doitquick。"

Withthatheleveledtherifle，restinghisleftelbowonhisknee。Thefrontendoftherifle，reachingoutoftheshade，shonesilverinthemoonlight。Manandweaponbecamestillasstone。Helenheldherbreath。ButDalerelaxed，loweringthebarrel。

"Can\'tseethesightsverywell，"hewhispered，shakinghishead。"Remember，now——ifIyellyouclimb！"

Againheaimedandslowlygrewrigid。Helencouldnottakeherfascinatedeyesoffhim。Heknelt，bareheaded，andintheshadowshecouldmakeoutthegleamofhisclear-cutprofile，sternandcold。

Astreakoffireandaheavyreportstartledher。Thensheheardthebullethit。Shiftingherglance，shesawthebearlurchwithconvulsiveaction，rearingonhishindlegs。Loudclickingsnapsmusthavebeenaclashingofhisjawsinrage。Buttherewasnoothersound。ThenagainDale\'sheavygunboomed。Helenheardagainthatsingularspattingthudofstrikinglead。Thebearwentdownwithaflopasifhehadbeendealtaterrificblow。Butjustasquicklyhewasuponall-foursandbegantowhirlwithhoarse，savagebawlsofagonyandfury。Hisactionquicklycarriedhimoutofthemoonlightintotheshadow，wherehedisappeared。Therethebawlsgaveplacetognashingsnarls，andcrashingsinthebrush，andsnappingofbranches，ashemadehiswayintotheforest。

"Surehe\'smad，"saidDale，risingtohisfeet。"An\'I

reckonhardhit。ButIwon\'tfollowhimto-night。"

Boththegirlsgotup，andHelenfoundshewasshakyonherfeetandverycold。

"Oh-h，wasn\'t——it——won-wonder-ful！"criedBo。

"Areyouscared？Yourteetharechatterin\'，"queriedDale。

"I\'m——cold。"

"Well，itsureiscold，allright，"heresponded。"Nowthefun\'sover，you\'llfeelit……Nell，you\'refroze，too？"

Helennodded。Shewas，indeed，ascoldasshehadeverbeenbefore。Butthatdidnotpreventastrangewarmnessalongherveinsandaquickenedpulse，thecauseofwhichshedidnotconjecture。

"Let\'srustle，"saidDale，andledthewayoutofthewoodandskirteditsedgearoundtotheslope。Theretheyclimbedtotheflat，andwentthroughthestragglinglineoftreestowherethehorsesweretethered。

Upherethewindbegantoblow，nothardthroughtheforest，butstillstrongandsteadyoutintheopen，andbitterlycold。DalehelpedBotomount，andthenHelen。

"I\'m——numb，"shesaid。"I\'llfalloff——sure。"

"No。You\'llbewarminajiffy，"hereplied，"becausewe\'llridesomegoin\'back。LetRangerpickthewayan\'youhangon。"

WithRanger\'sfirstjumpHelen\'sbloodbegantorun。Outheshot，hislean，darkheadbesideDale\'shorse。Thewildparklayclearandbrightinthemoonlight，withstrange，silveryradianceonthegrass。Thepatchesoftimber，likespiredblackislandsinamoon-blanchedlake，seemedtoharborshadows，andplacesforbearstohide，readytospringout。

AsHelennearedeachlittlegroveherpulsesshookandherheartbeat。Halfamileofrapidridingburnedoutthecold。

Andallseemedglorious——thesailingmoon，whiteinadark-bluesky，thewhite，passionlessstars，sosolemn，sofaraway，thebeckoningfringeofforest-landatoncemysteriousandfriendly，andthefleethorses，runningwithsoft，rhythmicthudsoverthegrass，leapingtheditchesandthehollows，makingthebitterwindstingandcut。Comingupthatparktheridehadbeenlong；goingbackwasasshortasitwasthrilling。InHelen，experiencesgatheredrealizationslowly，anditwasthisswiftride，thehorsesneckandneck，andallthewildnessandbeauty，thatcompletedtheslow，insidiousworkofyears。Thetearsofexcitementfrozeonhercheeksandherheartheavedfull。Allthatpertainedtothisnightgotintoherblood。Itwasonlytofeel，tolivenow，butitcouldbeunderstoodandrememberedforeverafterward。

Dale\'shorse，alittleinadvance，sailedoveraditch。

Rangermadeasplendidleap，buthealightedamongsomegrassytuftsandfell。Helenshotoverhishead。Shestrucklengthwise，herarmsstretched，andslidhardtoashockingimpactthatstunnedher。

Bo\'sscreamranginherears；shefeltthewetgrassunderherfaceandthenthestronghandsthatliftedher。Daleloomedoverher，bendingdowntolookintoherface；Bowasclutchingherwithfrantichands。AndHelencouldonlygasp。

Herbreastseemedcavedin。Theneedtobreathewastorture。

"Nell！——you\'renothurt。Youfelllight，likeafeather。

Allgrasshere……Youcan\'tbehurt！"saidDale，sharply。

Hisanxiousvoicepenetratedbeyondherhearing，andhisstronghandswentswiftlyoverherarmsandshoulders，feelingforbrokenbones。

"Justhadthewindknockedoutofyou，"wentonDale。Itfeelsawful，butit\'snothin\'。"

Helengotalittleair，thatwaslikehotpin-pointsinherlungs，andthenadeeperbreath，andthenfull，gaspingrespiration。

"Iguess——I\'mnothurt——notabit，"shechokedout。

"Yousurehadaheader。Neversawaprettierspill。Rangerdoesn\'tdothatoften。Ireckonweweretravelin\'toofast。

Butitwasfun，don\'tyouthink？"

ItwasBowhoanswered。"Oh，glorious！……But，gee！Iwasscared。"

DalestillheldHelen\'shands。Shereleasedthemwhilelookingupathim。Themomentwasrealizationforherofwhatfordayshadbeenavague，sweetuncertainty，becomingnearandstrange，disturbingandpresent。Thisaccidenthadbeenasudden，violentendtothewonderfulride。Butitseffect，theknowledgeofwhathadgotintoherblood，wouldneverchange。Andinseparablefromitwasthismanoftheforest。

CHAPTERXIV

OnthenextmorningHelenwasawakenedbywhatsheimaginedhadbeenadreamofsomeoneshouting。Withastartshesatup。Thesunshineshowedpinkandgoldontheraggedsprucelineofthemountainrims。Bowasonherknees，braidingherhairwithshakinghands，andatthesametimetryingtopeepout。

Andtheechoesofaringingcrywerecrackingbackfromthecliffs。ThathadbeenDale\'svoice。

"Nell！Nell！Wakeup！"calledBo，wildly。"Oh，someone\'scome！Horsesandmen！"

HelengottoherkneesandpeeredoutoverBo\'sshoulder。

Dale，standingtallandstrikingbesidethecampfire，waswavinghissombrero。Awaydowntheopenedgeoftheparkcameastringofpack-burroswithmountedmenbehind。IntheforemostriderHelenrecognizedRoyBeeman。

"Thatfirstone\'sRoy！"sheexclaimed。"I\'dneverforgethimonahorse……Bo，itmustmeanUncleAl\'scome！"

"Sure！We\'rebornlucky。Herewearesafeandsound——andallthisgrandcamptrip……Lookatthecowboys……

LOOK！Oh，maybethisisn\'tgreat！"babbledBo。

Dalewheeledtoseethegirlspeepingout。

"It\'stimeyou\'reup！"hecalled。"YouruncleAlishere。"

ForaninstantafterHelensankbackoutofDale\'ssightshesatthereperfectlymotionless，sostruckwasshebythesingulartoneofDale\'svoice。Sheimaginedthatheregrettedwhatthisvisitingcavalcadeofhorsemenmeant——

theyhadcometotakehertoherranchinPine。Helen\'sheartsuddenlybegantobeatfast，butthickly，asifmuffledwithinherbreast。

"Hurrynow，girls，"calledDale。

Bowasalreadyout，kneelingontheflatstoneatthelittlebrook，splashingwaterinagreathurry。Helen\'shandstrembledsothatshecouldscarcelylaceherbootsorbrushherhair，andshewaslongbehindBoinmakingherselfpresentable。WhenHelensteppedout，ashort，powerfullybuiltmanincoarsegarbandheavybootsstoodholdingBo\'shands。

"Wal，wal！YoufavortheRayners，"hewassayingIrememberyourdad，an\'afinefellerhewas。"

BesidethemstoodDaleandRoy，andbeyondwasagroupofhorsesandriders。