第8章

Thepeach-andapple-treeswereminglingblossomsofpinkandwhite；adrowsyhumofbeesfilledthefragrantair；

rich，dark-greenalfalfacoveredthesmallorchardflat；awoodfiresentupalazycolumnofbluesmoke；andbirdsweresingingsweetly。

Helencouldscarcelybelievethatamidallthistranquillityamanlayperhapsfatallyinjured。AssuredlyCarmichaelhadbeensomberandreticentenoughtorousethegravestfears。

WidowCassappearedonthelittleporch，agray，bent，worn，butcheerfuloldwomanwhomHelenhadcometoknowasherfriend。

"Myland！I\'mthetgladtoseeyou，MissHelen，"shesaid。

"An\'you\'vefetchedthelittlelassasI\'venotgotacquaintedwithyet。"

"Goodmorning，Mrs。Cass。How——howisRoy？"repliedHelen，anxiouslyscanningthewrinkledface。

"Roy？Nowdon\'tyoulooksoscared。Roy\'s\'mostreadytogitonhishossan\'ridehome，ifIlethim。Heknowedyouwasa-comin\'。An\'hemademeholdalookin\'-glassforhimtoshave。How\'sthetferamanwithabullet-holethroughhim！

Youcan\'tkillthemMormons，nohow。"

Sheledthemintoalittlesitting-room，whereonacouchunderneathawindowRoyBeemanlay。Hewaswideawakeandsmiling，buthaggard。Helaypartlycoveredwithablanket。

Hisgrayshirtwasopenattheneck，disclosingbandages。

"Mornin\'——girls，"hedrawled。"Shoreisgoodofyou，now，comin\'down。"

Helenstoodbesidehim，bentoverhim，inherearnestness，asshegreetedhim。Shesawashadeofpaininhiseyesandhisimmobilitystruckher，buthedidnotseembadlyoff。Bowaspale，round-eyed，andapparentlytooagitatedtospeak。

Carmichaelplacedchairsbesidethecouchforthegirls。

"Wal，what\'sailin\'youthisnicemornin\'？"askedRoy，eyesonthecowboy。

"Huh！Wouldyouexpectmetobewearin\'thesmileof\'afellargoin\'tobemarried？"retortedCarmichael。

"Shoreyouhaven\'tmadeupwithBoyet，"returnedRoy。

Boblushedrosyred，andthecowboy\'sfacelostsomethingofitssomberhue。

"Iallowit\'snoneofyourd——darnbiznessifSHEain\'tmadeupwithme，"hesaid。

"LasVegas，you\'reawonderwithahossan\'arope，an\'I

reckonwithagun，butwhenitcomestogirlsyoushoreain\'tthere。"

"I\'mnoMormon，bygolly！Come，MaCass，let\'sgetoutofhere，sotheycantalk。"

"Folks，Iwasjesta-goin\'tosaythetRoy\'sgotfeveran\'

heoughtn\'tt\'talktoomuch，"saidtheoldwoman。ThensheandCarmichaelwentintothekitchenandclosed，thedoor。

RoylookedupatHelenwithhiskeeneyes，morekindlypiercingthanever。

"MybrotherJohnwashere。He\'djustleftwhenyoucome。HerodehometotellmyfolksI\'mnotsobadhurt，an\'thenhe\'sgoin\'torideabee-lineintothemountains。"

Helen\'seyesaskedwhatherlipsrefusedtoutter。

"He\'sgoin\'afterDale。Isenthim。Ireckonedwe-allsortaneededsightofthetdoggonehunter。"

RoyhadavertedhisgazequicklytoBo。

"Don\'tyouagreewithme，lass？"

"Isuredo，"repliedBo，heartily。

AllwithinHelenhadbeenstilledforthemomentofherrealization；andthencameswellandbeatofheart，andinconceivablechafingofatideatitsrestraint。

"CanJohn——fetchDaleout——whenthesnow\'ssodeep？"sheasked，unsteadily。

"Shore。He\'stakin\'twohossesuptothesnow-line。Then，ifnecessary，he\'llgooverthepassonsnow-shoes。ButIbethimDalewouldrideout。Snow\'saboutgoneexceptonthenorthslopesan\'onthepeaks。"

"Then——whenmayI——weexpecttoseeDale？"

"Threeorfourdays，Ireckon。Iwishhewasherenow……

MissHelen，there\'stroubleafoot。"

"Irealizethat。I\'mready。DidLasVegastellyouaboutBeasley\'svisittome？"

"No。Youtellme，"repliedRoy。

BrieflyHelenbegantoacquainthimwiththecircumstancesofthatvisit，andbeforeshehadfinishedshemadesureRoywasswearingtohimself。

"Heaskedyoutomarryhim！Jerusalem！……ThetI\'dneverhavereckoned。The——low-downcoyoteofagreaser！……

Wal，MissHelen，whenImetupwithSenuorBeasleylastnighthewasshorespoilin\'fromsomethin\'；nowIseewhatthetwas。An\'IreckonIpickedoutthebadtime。"

"Forwhat？Roy，whatdidyoudo？"

"Wal，I\'dmadeupmymindawhilebacktotalktoBeasleythefirstchanceIhad。An\'thetwasit。IwasinthestorewhenIseenhimgointoTurner\'s。SoIfollowed。Itwas\'mostdark。Beasleyan\'Riggsan\'Mulveyan\'somemoreweredrinkin\'an\'powwowin\'。SoIjustbracedhimrightthen。"

"Roy！Oh，thewayyouboyscourtdanger！"

"But，MissHelen，thet\'stheonlyway。TobeafraidMAKES

moredanger。Beasley\'pearedcivilenoughfirstoff。Himan\'

mekeptedgin\'off，an\'hispardskeptedgin\'afterus，tillwegotoverinacornerofthesaloon。Idon\'tknowallI

saidtohim。ShoreItalkedaheap。Itoldhimwhatmyoldmanthought。An\'BeasleyknowedaswellasIthetmyoldman\'snotonlytheoldestinhabitanthereabouts，buthe\'sthewisest，too。An\'hewouldn\'ttellalie。Wal，Iusedallhissayin\'sinmyargumenttoshowBeasleythetifhedidn\'thaulupshorthe\'dendalmostasshort。Beasley\'sthick-headed，an\'powerfulconceited。Vainasapeacock！Hecouldn\'tsee，an\'hegotmad。Itoldhimhewasrichenoughwithoutrobbin\'youofyourranch，an\'——wal，Ishoreputupabigtalkforyourside。Bythistimehean\'hisganghadmecrowdedinacorner，an\'fromtheirlooksIbeguntogetcoldfeet。ButIwasinitan\'hadtomakethebestofit。Theargumentworkeddowntohispinnin\'metomywordthatI\'dfightforyouwhenthetfightcomeoff。An\'IshoretoldhimformyownsakeIwishedit\'dcomeoffquick……Then——wal——thensomethin\'didcomeoffquick！"

"Roy，thenheshotyou！"exclaimedHelen，passionately。

"Now，MissHelen，Ididn\'tsaywhodoneit，"repliedRoy，withhisengagingsmile。

"Tellme，then——whodid？"

"Wal，IreckonIsha\'n\'ttellyouunlessyoupromisenottotellLasVegas。Thetcowboyisplumboffhishead。Hethinksheknowswhoshotmean\'I\'vebeenlyin\'somethin\'

scandalous。Yousee，ifhelearns——thenhe\'llgogunnin\'。

An\'，MissHelen，thetTexanisbad。HemightgetpluggedasIdid——an\'therewouldbeanothermanputoffyoursidewhenthebigtroublecomes。"

"Roy，IpromiseyouIwillnottellLasVegas，"repliedHelen，earnestly。

"Wal，then——itwasRiggs！"Roygrewstillpalerasheconfessedthisandhisvoice，almostawhisper，expressedshameandhate。"Thetfour-flushdidit。ShotmefrombehindBeasley！Ihadnochance。Icouldn\'tevenseehimdraw。ButwhenIfellan\'laytherean\'theothersdroppedback，thenIseenthesmokin\'guninhishand。Helookedpowerfulimportant。An\'Beasleybegantocusshiman\'wascussin\'himastheyallrunout。"

"Oh，coward！thedespicablecoward！"criedHelen。

"NowonderTomwantstofindout！"exclaimedBo，lowanddeep。"I\'llbethesuspectsRiggs。"

Shorehedoes，butIwouldn\'tgivehimnosatisfaction。"

"Roy，youknowthatRiggscan\'tlastouthere。"

"Wal，IhopehelaststillIgetonmyfeetagain。"

"Thereyougo！Hopeless，allyouboys！Youmustspillblood！"murmuredHelen，shudderingly。

"DearMissHelen，don\'ttakeonso。I\'mlikeDale——nomantohuntuptrouble。Butoutherethere\'sasortofunwrittenlaw——aneyeforaneye——atoothforatooth。IbelieveinGodAlmighty，an\'killin\'isagainstmyreligion，butRiggsshotme——thesameasshootin\'meintheback。"

"Roy，I\'monlyawoman——Ifear，faint-heartedandunequaltothisWest。"

"Waittillsomethin\'happenstoyou。\'Supposin\'Beasleycomesan\'grabsyouwithhisowndirtybigpawsan\'，aftermaulin\'yousome，throwsyououtofyourhome！Orsupposin\'

Riggschasesyouintoacorner！"

Helenfeltthestartofallherphysicalbeing——aviolentleapofblood。Butshecouldonlyjudgeofherlooksfromthegrimsmileofthewoundedmanashewatchedherwithhiskeen，intenteyes。

"Myfriend，anythin\'canhappen，"hesaid。"Butlet\'shopeitwon\'tbetheworst。"

Hehadbeguntoshowsignsofweakness，andHelen，risingatonce，saidthatsheandBohadbetterleavehimthen，butwouldcometoseehimthenextday。AthercallCarmichaelenteredagainwithMrs。Cass，andafterafewremarksthevisitwasterminated。Carmichaellingeredinthedoorway。

"Wal，Cheerup，youoldMormon！"hecalled。

"Cheerupyourself，youcrossoldbachelor！"retortedRoy，quiteunnecessarilyloud。"Can\'tyouraiseenoughnervetomakeupwithBo？"

Carmichaelevacuatedthedoorwayasifhehadbeenspurred。

Hewasquiteredinthefacewhileheunhitchedtheteam，andsilentduringtherideuptotheranch-house。Therehegotdownandfollowedthegirlsintothesittingroom。Heappearedstillsomber，thoughnotsullen，andhadfullyregainedhiscomposure。

"DidyoufindoutwhoshotRoy？"heasked，abruptly，ofHelen。

"Yes。ButIpromisedRoyIwouldnottell，"repliedHelen，nervously。Sheavertedhereyesfromhissearchinggaze，intuitivelyfearinghisnextquery。

"Wasitthet——Riggs？"

"LasVegas，don\'taskme。Iwillnotbreakmypromise。"

Hestrodetothewindowandlookedoutamoment，andpresently，whenheturnedtowardBo，heseemedastronger，loftier，moreimpellingman，withallhisemotionsundercontrol。

"Bo，willyoulistentome——ifIsweartospeakthetruth——asIknowit？"

"Why，certainly，"repliedBo，withthecolorcomingswiftlytoherface。

"Roydoesn\'twantmetoknowbecausehewantstomeetthetfellarhimself。An\'IwanttoknowbecauseIwanttostophimbeforehecandomoredirttousorourfriends。Thet\'sRoy\'sreasonan\'mine。An\'I\'maskin\'YOUtotellme。"

"But，Tom——Ioughtn\'t，"repliedBo，haltingly。

"DidyoupromiseRoynottotell？"

"No。"

"Oryoursister？"

"No。Ididn\'tpromiseeither。"

"Wal，thenyoutellme。Iwantyoutotrustmeinthisherematter。ButnotbecauseIloveyouan\'oncehadawilddreamyoumightcarealittleforme——"

"Oh——Tom！"falteredBo。

"Listen。IwantyoutotrustmebecauseI\'mtheonewhoknowswhat\'sbest。Iwouldn\'tliean\'Iwouldn\'tsaysoifI

didn\'tknowshore。IswearDalewillbackmeup。Buthecan\'tbehereforsomedays。An\'thetganghasgottobebluffed。Yououghttoseethis。Ireckonyou\'vebeenquickinsavvyin\'Westernways。Icouldn\'tpayyounohighercompliment，BoRayner……Nowwillyoutellme？"

"Yes，Iwill，"repliedBo，withtheblazeleapingtohereyes。

"Oh，Bo——pleasedon\'t——pleasedon\'t。Wait！"imploredHelen。

"Bo——it\'sbetweenyouan\'me，"saidCarmichael。

"Tom，I\'lltellyou，"whisperedBo。"Itwasalowdown，cowardlytrick……Roywassurrounded——andshotfrombehindBeasley——bythatfour-flushRiggs！"

CHAPTERXIX

ThememoryofawomanhadruinedMiltDale\'speace，hadconfoundedhisphilosophyofself-sufficient，lonelyhappinessinthesolitudeofthewilds，hadforcedhimtocomefacetofacewithhissoulandthefatalsignificanceoflife。

Whenherealizedhisdefeat，thatthingswerenotastheyseemed，thattherewasnojoyforhiminthecomingofspring，thathehadbeenblindinhisfree，sensorial，Indianrelationtoexistence，hefellintoaninexplicablystrangestate，adespondency，agloomasdeepasthesilenceofhishome。Dalereflectedthatthestrongerananimal，thekeeneritsnerves，thehigheritsintelligence，thegreatermustbeitssufferingunderrestraintorinjury。Hethoughtofhimselfasahighorderofanimalwhosegreatphysicalneedwasaction，andnowtheincentivetoactionseemeddead。Hegrewlax。Hedidnotwanttomove。Heperformedhisdiminishingdutiesundercompulsion。

Hewatchedforspringasaliberation，butnotthathecouldleavethevalley。Hehatedthecold，hegrewwearyofwindandsnow；heimaginedthewarmsun，theparkoncemoregreenwithgrassandbrightwithdaisies，thereturnofbirdsandsquirrelsanddeertoheiroldhaunts，wouldbethemeanswherebyhecouldbreakthisspelluponhim。Thenhemightgraduallyreturntopastcontentment，thoughitwouldneverbethesame。

Butspring，comingearlytoParadisePark，broughtafevertoDale\'sblood——afireofunutterablelonging。Itwasgood，perhaps，thatthiswasso，becauseheseemeddriventowork，climb，tramp，andkeepceaselesslyonthemovefromdawntilldark。Actionstrengthenedhislaxmusclesandkepthimfromthosemotionless，senselesshoursofbrooding。Heatleastneednotbeashamedoflongingforthatwhichcouldneverbehis——thesweetnessofawoman——ahomefulloflight，joy，hope，themeaningandbeautyofchildren。Butthosedarkmoodsweresinkingsintoapitofhell。

Dalehadnotkepttrackofdaysandweeks。HedidnotknowwhenthesnowmeltedoffthreeslopesofParadisePark。Allheknewwasthatanagehaddraggedoverhisheadandthatspringhadcome。Duringhisrestlesswakinghours，andevenwhenhewasasleep，thereseemedalwaysinthebackofhismindagrowingconsciousnessthatsoonhewouldemergefromthistrial，achangedman，readytosacrificehischosenlot，togiveuphislonelylifeofselfishindulgenceinlazyaffinitywithnature，andtogowhereverhisstronghandsmightperformsomerealservicetopeople。

Nevertheless，hewantedtolingerinthismountainfastnessuntilhisordealwasover——untilhecouldmeether，andtheworld，knowinghimselfmoreofamanthaneverbefore。

Onebrightmorning，whilehewasathiscamp-fire，thetamecougargavealow，growlingwarning。Dalewasstartled。Tomdidnotactlikethatbecauseofaprowlinggrizzlyorastrayingstag。PresentlyDaleespiedahorsemanridingslowlyoutofthestragglingspruces。AndwiththatsightDale\'sheartgavealeap，recallingtohimadivinationofhisfuturerelationtohiskind。Neverhadhebeensogladtoseeaman！

ThisvisitorresembledoneoftheBeemans，judgingfromthewayhesathishorse，andpresentlyDalerecognizedhimtobeJohn。

Atthisjuncturethejadedhorsewasspurredintoatrot，soonreachingthepinesandthecamp。

"Howdy，there，youoleb\'ar-hunter！"calledJohn，wavinghishand。

ForallhisheartygreetinghisappearancecheckedalikeresponsefromDale。ThehorsewasmudtohisflanksandJohnwasmudtohisknees，wet，bedraggled，worn，andwhite。Thishueofhisfacemeantmorethanfatigue。

"Howdy，John？"repliedDale。

Theyshookhands。Johnwearilyswunghislegoverthepommel，butdidnotatoncedismount。Hiscleargrayeyeswerewonderinglyriveteduponthehunter。

"Milt——what\'nhell\'swrong？"hequeried。

"Why？"

"Bustmeifyouain\'tchangedsoIhardlyknowedyou。You\'vebeensick——allalonehere！"

"DoIlooksick？"

"Wal，Ishouldsmile。Thinan\'palean\'downinthemouth！

Milt，whatailsyou？"

"I\'vegonetoseed。"

"You\'vegoneoffyourhead，jestasRoysaid，livin\'alonehere。Youoverdidit，Milt。An\'youlooksick。"

"John，mysicknessishere，"repliedDale，soberly，ashelaidahandonhisheart。

"Lungtrouble！"ejaculatedJohn。"Withthetchest，an\'upinthisair？……Getout！"

"No——notlungtrouble，"saidDale。

"Isavvy。HadahunchfromRoy，anyhow。"

"Whatkindofahunch？"

"Easynow，Dale，oleman……Don\'tyoureckonI\'mridin\'

inonyouprettyearly？Lookatthethoss！"Johnslidoffandwavedahandatthedroopingbeast，thenbegantounsaddlehim。"Wal，hedonegreat。Weboggedsomecomin\'

over。An\'Iclimbedthepassatnightonthefrozensnow。"

"You\'rewelcomeastheflowersinMay。John，whatmonthisit？"

"Byspades！areyouasbadasthet？……Let\'ssee。It\'sthetwenty-thirdofMarch。"

"March！Well，I\'mbeat。I\'velostmyreckonin\'——an\'alotmore，maybe。"

"Thar！"declaredJohn，slappingthemustang。"Youcanjesthangupheretillmynexttrip。Milt，how\'reyourhosses？"

"Winteredfine。"

"Wal，thet\'sgood。We\'llneedtwobig，stronghossesrightoff。"

"Whatfor？"queriedDale，sharply。Hedroppedastickofwoodandstraightenedupfromthecamp-fire。

"You\'regoin\'toridedowntoPinewithme——thet\'swhatfor。"

FamiliarlythencamebacktoDalethequiet，intentsuggestivenessoftheBeemansinmomentsforebodingtrial。

AtthiscertainassuranceofJohn\'s，toosignificanttobedoubted，Dale\'sthoughofPinegaveslowbirthtoastrangesensation，asifhehadbeendeadandwasvibratingbacktolife。

"Tellwhatyougottotell！"hebrokeout。

QuickasaflashtheMormonreplied："Roy\'sbeenshot。Buthewon\'tdie。Hesentforyou。Baddeal\'safoot。BeasleymeanstoforceHelenRayneroutan\'stealherranch。"

AtremorranallthroughDale。Itseemedanotherpainfulyetthrillingconnectionbetweenhispastandthisvaguelycallingfuture。Hisemotionshadbeenbroodingsdreams，longings。Thisthinghisfriendsaidhadthestingofreallife。

"ThenoldAl\'sdead？"heasked。

"Longago——IreckonaroundthemiddleofFebruary。ThepropertywenttoHelen。She\'sbeendoin\'fine。An\'manyfolkssayit\'sapityshe\'llloseit。"

"Shewon\'tloseit，"declaredDale。Howstrangehisvoicesoundedtohisownears！Itwashoarseandunreal，asiffromdisuse。

"Wal，we-allhaveouridees。Isayshewill。Myfathersaysso。Carmichaelsaysso。"

"Who\'she？"

"Reckonyourememberthetcow-puncherwhocameupwithRoyan\'Auchinclossafterthegirls——lastfall？"

"Yes。TheycalledhimLas——LasVegas。Ilikedhislooks。"

"Humph！You\'lllikehimaheapwhenyouknowhim。He\'skepttheranchgoin\'forMissHelenallalong。Butthedeal\'scomin\'toahead。Beasley\'sgotthickwiththetRiggs。Yourememberhim？"

"Yes。"

"Wal，he\'sbeenhangin\'outatPineallwinter，watchin\'forsomechancetogetatMissHelenorBo。Everybody\'sseenthet。An\'jestlatelyhechasedBoonhossback——gavethekidanastyfall。RoysaysRiggswasafterMissHelen。ButI

thinkoneort\'otherofthegirlswoulddothetvarmint。

Wal，thetsortastartedgoin\'s-on。CarmichaelbeatRiggsan\'

drovehimoutoftown。Buthecomeback。BeasleycalledonMissHelenan\'offeredtomarryherso\'snottotaketheranchfromher，hesaid。"

Daleawokewithathunderingcurse。

"Shore！"exclaimedJohn。"I\'dsaythesame——onlyI\'mreligious。Don\'tthetbeady-eyedgreaser\'sgallmakeyouwanttospitalloveryourself？MyGawd！butRoywasmad！

Roy\'spowerfulfondofMissHelenan\'Bo……Wal，then，Roy，firstchancehegot，bracedBeasleyan\'givehimsomestraighttalk。Beasleywasfoamin\'atthemouth，Roysaid。

ItwasthenRiggsshotRoy。ShothimfrombehindBeasleywhenRoywasn\'tlookin\'！An\'Riggsbragsofbein\'agun-fighter。Mebbethetwasn\'tabadshotforhim！"

"Ireckon，"repliedDale，asheswallowedhard。"Now，justwhatwasRoy\'smessagetome？"

"Wal，Ican\'trememberallRoysaid，"answeredJohn，dubiously。"ButRoyshorewasexcitedan\'deadinearnest。

Hesays：\'TellMiltwhat\'shappened。TellhimHelenRayner\'sinmoredangerthanshewaslastfall。TellhimI\'veseenherlookawayacrostthemountainstowardParadiseParkwithherheartinhereyes。Tellhimsheneedshimmostofall！\'"

Daleshookalloveraswithanattackofague。Hewasseizedbyawhirlwindofpassionate，terriblesweetnessofsensation，whenwhathewildlywantedwastocurseRoyandJohnfortheirsimple-mindedconclusions。

"Roy\'s——crazy！"pantedDale。

"Wal，now，Milt——thet\'sdownrightsurprisin\'ofyou。Roy\'sthelevel-headestofanyfellarsIknow。"

"Man！ifheMADEmebelievehim——an\'itturnedoutuntrue——I\'d——I\'dkillhim，"repliedDale。

"Untrue！DoyouthinkRoyBeemanwouldlie？"

"But，John——youfellowscan\'tseemycase。NellRaynerwantsme——needsme！……Itcan\'tbetrue！"

"Wal，mylove-sickpard——itjestIStrue！"exclaimedJohn，feelingly。"Thet\'sthehelloflife——neverknowin\'。Buthereit\'sjoyforyou。YoucanbelieveRoyBeemanaboutwomenasquickasyou\'dtrusthimtotrackyourlosthoss。

Roy\'smarriedthreegirls。Ireckonhe\'llmarrysomemore。

Roy\'sonlytwenty-eightan\'hehastwobigfarms。Hesaidhe\'dseenNellRayner\'sheartinhereyes，lookin\'foryou——an\'youcanjestbetyourlifethet\'strue。An\'hesaiditbecausehemeansyoutorustledowntherean\'fightforthetgirl。"

"I\'ll——go，"saidDale，inashakywhisper，ashesatdownonapinelognearthefire。Hestaredunseeinglyatthebluebellsinthegrassbyhisfeetwhilestormafterstormpossessedhisbreast。Theywerefierceandbriefbecausedrivenbyhiswill。InthosefewmomentsofcontendingstrifeDalewasimmeasurablyremovedfromthatdarkgulfofselfwhichhadmadehiswinteranightmare。Andwhenhestooderectagainitseemedthattheoldearthhadastirring，electrifyingimpetusforhisfeet。Somethingblack，bitter，melancholy，andmorbid，alwaysunrealtohim，hadpassedawayforever。Thegreatmomenthadbeenforceduponhim。HedidnotbelieveRoyBeeman\'spreposteroushintregardingHelen；buthehadgonebackorsoaredonward，asifbymagic，tohisoldtrueself。

MountedonDale\'sstrongesthorses，withonlyalightpack，anax，andtheirweapons，thetwomenhadreachedthesnow-lineonthepassbynoonthatday。Tom，thetamecougar，trottedalongintherear。

Thecrustofthesnow，nowhalfthawedbythesun，wouldnotholdtheweightofahorse，thoughitupheldthemenonfoot。Theywalked，leadingthehorses。Travelwasnotdifficultuntilthesnowbegantodeepen；thenprogressslackenedmaterially。Johnhadnotbeenabletopickoutthelineofthetrail，soDaledidnotfollowhistracks。AnoldblazeonthetreesenabledDaletokeepfairlywelltothetrail；andatlengththeheightofthepasswasreached，wherethesnowwasdeep。Herethehorseslabored，plowingthroughfootbyfoot。When，finally，theysanktotheirflanks，theyhadtobedraggedandgoadedon，andhelpedbythickflatbunchesofspruceboughsplacedundertheirhoofs。Ittookthreehoursofbreakingtoiltodothefewhundredyardsofdeepsnowontheheightofthepass。Thecougardidnothavegreatdifficultyinfollowing，thoughitwasevidenthedidnotlikesuchtraveling。

Thatbehindthem，thehorsesgatheredheartandworkedontotheedgeofthesteepdescent，wheretheyhadalltheycoulddotoholdbackfromslidingandrolling。Fasttimewasmadeonthisslope，atthebottomofwhichbeganadenseforestwithsnowstilldeepinplacesandwindfallshardtolocate。

ThemenhereperformedHerculeanlabors，buttheygotthroughtoaparkwherethesnowwasgone。Theground，however，softandboggy，inplaceswasmoretreacherousthanthesnow；andthetravelershadtoskirttheedgeoftheparktoapointopposite，andthengoonthroughtheforest。

Whentheyreachedbareandsolidground，justbeforedarkthatnight，itwashightime，forthehorseswerereadytodrop，andthemenlikewise。

Campwasmadeinanopenwood。Darknessfellandthemenwererestingonboughbeds，feettothefire，withTomcurledupcloseby，andthehorsesstilldroopingwheretheyhadbeenunsaddled。Morning，however，discoveredthemgrazingonthelong，bleachedgrass。Johnshookhisheadwhenhelookedatthem。

"YoureckonedtomakePinebynightfall。Howfarisit——

thewayyou\'llgo？"

"Fiftymileorthereabouts，"repliedDale。

"Wal，wecan\'trideitonthemcritters。"

"John，we\'ddomorethanthatifwehadto。"

Theyweresaddledandonthemovebeforesunrise，leavingsnowandbogbehind。Levelparksandlevelforestsledoneafteranothertolongslopesandsteepdescents，allgrowingsunnierandgreenerasthealtitudediminished。Squirrelsandgrouse，turkeysanddeer，andlesstamedenizensoftheforestgrewmoreabundantasthetraveladvanced。Inthisgamezone，however，DalehadtroublewithTom。Thecougarhadtobewatchedandcalledoftentokeephimoffoftrails。

"Tomdoesn\'tlikealongtrip，"saidDale。"ButI\'mgoin\'totakehim。Somewayorotherhemaycomeinhandy。"

"SichimontoBeasley\'sgang，"repliedJohn。"Somemenarepowerfulscaredofcougars。ButIneverwas。"

"Norme。ThoughI\'vehadcougarsgivemeadarnuncannyfeelin\'。"

Thementalkedbutlittle。Daleledtheway，withTomtrottingnoiselesslybesidehishorse。Johnfollowedclosebehind。Theylopedthehorsesacrossparks，trottedthroughtheforests，walkedslowupwhatfewinclinestheymet，andsliddownthesoft，wet，pine-matteddescents。Sotheyaveragedfromsixtoeightmilesanhour。Thehorsesheldupwellunderthatsteadytravel，andthiswithoutanyrestatnoon。

Daleseemedtofeelhimselfinanemotionaltrance。Yet，despitethis，thesameoldsensorialperceptionscrowdedthickandfastuponhim，strangelysweetandvividafterthepastdeadmonthswhenneithersunnorwindnorcloudnorscentofpinenoranythinginnaturecouldstirhim。Hismind，hisheart，hissoulseemedsteepedinanintoxicatingwineofexpectation，whilehiseyesandearsandnosehadneverbeenkeenertoregisterthefactsoftheforest-land。

Hesawtheblackthingfaraheadthatresembledaburnedstump，butheknewwasabearbeforeitvanished；hesawgrayflashofdeerandwolfandcoyote，andtheredoffox，andthesmall，waryheadsofoldgobblersjuststickingabovethegrass；andhesawdeeptracksofgameaswellastheslow-risingbladesofbluebellswheresomesoft-footedbeasthadjusttrod。Andheheardthemelancholynotesofbirds，thetwitterofgrouse，thesoughofthewind，thelightdroppingofpine-cones，thenearanddistantbarkofsquirrels，thedeepgobbleofaturkeycloseathandandthechallengefromarivalfaraway，thecrackingoftwigsinthethickets，themurmurofrunningwater，thescreamofaneagleandtheshrillcryofahawk，andalwaysthesoft，dull，steadypadsofthehoofsofthehorses。

Thesmells，too，werethesweet，stingingonesofspring，warmandpleasant——theodoroftheclean，freshearthcuttingitswaythroughthatthick，strongfragranceofpine，thesmelloflogsrottinginthesun，andoffreshnewgrassandflowersalongabrookofsnow-water。

"Ismellsmoke，"saidDale，suddenly，ashereinedin，andturnedforcorroborationfromhiscompanion。

Johnsniffedthewarmair。

"Wal，you\'remoreofanInjunthanme，"hereplied，shakinghishead。

Theytraveledon，andpresentlycameoutupontherimofthelastslope。Alongleagueofgreenslantedbelowthem，breakingupintostragglinglinesoftreesandgrovesthatjoinedthecedars，andtheseinturnstretchedonanddowningray-blackpatchestothedesert，thatglitteringandbare，withstreaksofsomberhue，fadedintheobscurityofdistance。

ThevillageofPineappearedtonestleinacurveoftheedgeofthegreatforest，andthecabinslookedliketinywhitedotssetingreen。

"Lookthere，"saidDale，pointing。

Somemilestotherightagrayescarpmentofrockcroppedoutoftheslope，formingapromontory；andfromitathin，palecolumnofsmokecurledupwardtobelostfromsightassoonasithadnobackgroundofgreen。

"Thet\'syoursmoke，shoreenough，"repliedJohn，thoughtfully。"Now，Ijestwonderwho\'scampin\'there。Nowaternearorgrassforhosses。"

"John，thatpoint\'sbeenusedforsmokesignalsmanyatime。"

"Wasjestthinkin\'ofthetsame。Shallweridearoundtherean\'takeapeek？"

"No。Butwe\'llrememberthat。IfBeasley\'sgothisdeepschemegoin\'，he\'llhaveSnakeAnson\'sgangsomewhereclose。"

"Roysaidthetsame。Wal，it\'ssomethreehourstillsundown。Thehosseskeepup。IreckonI\'mfooled，forwe\'llmakePineallright。ButoldTomthere，he\'stiredorlazy。"

Thebigcougarwaslyingdown，panting，andhishalf-shuteyeswereonDale。

"Tom\'sonlylazyan\'fat。Hecouldtravelatthisgaitforaweek。Butlet\'srestahalf-houran\'watchthatsmokebeforemovin\'on。WecanmakePinebeforesundown。"

Whentravelhadbeenresumed，half-waydowntheslopeDale\'ssharpeyescaughtabroadtrackwhereshodhorseshadpassed，climbinginalongslanttowardthepromontory。Hedismountedtoexamineit，andJohn，comingup，proceededwithalacritytogetoffanddolikewise。Dalemadehisdeductions，afterwhichhestoodinabrownstudybesidehishorse，waitingforJohn。

"Wal，what\'dyoumakeoftheseheretracks？"askedthatworthy。

"Somehorsesan\'aponywentalonghereyesterday，an\'

to-dayasinglehorsemade，thatfreshtrack。"

"Wal，Milt，forahunteryouain\'tsobadathosstracks，"

observedJohn，"Buthowmanyhosseswentyesterday？"

"Icouldn\'tmakeout——several——maybefourorfive。"

"Sixhossesan\'acoltorlittlemustang，unshod，tobestrict-correct。Wal，supposin\'theydid。What\'sitmeantous？"

"Idon\'tknowasI\'dthoughtanythin\'unusual，ifithadn\'tbeenforthatsmokewesawofftherim，an\'thenthisherefreshtrackmadealongto-day。Looksqueertome。"

"WishRoywashere，"repliedJohn，scratchinghishead。

"Milt，I\'veahunch，ifhewas，he\'dfollerthemtracks。"

"Maybe。Butwehaven\'ttimeforthat。Wecanbacktrailthem，though，iftheykeepclearastheyarehere。An\'we\'llnotloseanytime，either。"

ThatbroadtrackledstraighttowardPine，downtotheedgeofthecedars，where，amidsomejaggedrocks，evidencesshowedthatmenhadcampedtherefordays。Hereitendedasabroadtrail。Butfromthenorthcamethesinglefreshtrackmadethatveryday，andfromtheeast，moreinalinewithPine，cametwotracksmadethedaybefore。Andthesewereimprintsofbigandlittlehoofs。ManifestlytheseinterestedJohnmorethantheydidDale，whohadtowaitforhiscompanion。

"Milt，itain\'tacolt\'s——thetlittletrack，"avowedJohn。

"Whynot——an\'whatifitisn\'t？"queriedDale。

"Wal，itain\'t，becauseacoltalwaysstragglesback，an\'

fromonesidetot\'other。Thislittletrackkeepsclosetothebigone。An\'，byGeorge！itwasmadebyaledmustang。"

JohnresembledRoyBeemanthenwiththatleaping，intentfireinhisgrayeyes。Dale\'sreplywastospurhishorseintoatrotandcallsharplytothelaggingcougar。

Whentheyturnedintothebroad，blossom-borderedroadthatwastheonlythoroughfareofPinethesunwassettingredandgoldbehindthemountains。Thehorsesweretootiredforanymorethanawalk。Nativesofthevillage，catchingsightofDaleandBeeman，andthehugegraycatfollowinglikeadog，calledexcitedlytooneanother。AgroupofmeninfrontofTurner\'sgazedintentlydowntheroad，andsoonmanifestedsignsofexcitement。DaleandhiscomradedismountedinfrontofWidowCass\'scottage。AndDalecalledashestrodeupthelittlepath。Mrs。Casscameout。Shewaswhiteandshaking，butappearedcalm。AtsightofherJohnBeemandrewasharpbreath。

"Wal，now——"hebegan，hoarsely，andleftoff。

"How\'sRoy？"queriedDale。

"LordknowsI\'mgladtoseeyou，boys！Milt，you\'rethinan\'

strange-lookin\'。Roy\'shadalittlesetback。Hegotashockto-dayan\'itthrowedhimoff。Fever——an\'nowhe\'soutofhishead。Itwon\'tdonogoodforyoutowastetimeseein\'

him。Takemywordforithe\'sallright。Butthere\'sothersas——Fortheland\'ssakes，MiltDale，youfetchedthetcougarback！Don\'tlethimnearme！"

"Tomwon\'thurtyou，mother，"saidDale，asthecougarcamepaddingupthepath。"Youweresayin\'somethin\'——aboutothers。IsMissHelensafe？Hurry！"

"Rideuptoseeher——an\'wastenomoretimehere。"

Dalewasquickinthesaddle，followedbyJohn，butthehorseshadtobeseverelypunishedtoforcethemeventoatrot。Andthatwasalaggingtrot，whichnowdidnotleaveTornbehind。

TherideuptoAuchincloss\'sranch-houseseemedendlesstoDale。Nativescameoutintheroadtowatchafterhehadpassed。SternasDalewasindominatinghisfeelings，hecouldnotwhollysubordinatehismountingjoytoawaitingterribleanticipationofcatastrophe。Butnomatterwhatawaited——norwhatfatefuleventsmighthingeuponthisnamelesscircumstanceabouttobedisclosed，thewonderfulandgloriousfactofthepresentwasthatinamomenthewouldseeHelenRayner。

Thereweresaddledhorsesinthecourtyard，butnoriders。A

Mexicanboysatontheporchbench，intheseatwhereDalerememberedhehadencounteredAlAuchincloss。Thedoorofthebigsitting-roomwasopen。Thescentofflowers，themurmurofbees，thepoundingofhoofscamevaguelytoDale。

Hiseyesdimmed，sothattheground，whenheslidoutofhissaddle，seemedfarbelowhim。Hesteppedupontheporch。Hissightsuddenlycleared。AtightfullnessathisthroatmadeincoherentthewordshesaidtotheMexicanboy。Buttheywereunderstood，astheboyranbackaroundthehouse。Daleknockedsharplyandsteppedoverthethreshold。

Outside，John，truetohishabits，wasthinking，eveninthatmomentofsuspense，aboutthefaithful，exhaustedhorses。Asheunsaddledthemhetalked："Fersoftan\'fathosses，winterin\'highup，wal，you\'vedonesomethin\'！"

ThenDaleheardavoiceinanotherroom，astep，acreakofthedoor。Itopened。Awomaninwhiteappeared。HerecognizedHelen。Butinsteadoftherichbrownbloomanddark-eyedbeautysohauntinglylimnedonhismemory，hesawawhite，beautifulface，strainedandquiveringinanguish，andeyesthatpiercedhisheart。Hecouldnotspeak。

"Oh！myfriend——you\'vecome！"shewhispered。

Daleputoutashakinghand。Butshedidnotseeit。Sheclutchedhisshoulders，asiftofeelwhetherornothewasreal，andthenherarmswentuproundhisneck。

"Oh，thankGod！Iknewyouwouldcome！"shesaid，andherheadsanktohisshoulder。

Daledivinedwhathehadsuspected。Helen\'ssisterhadbeencarriedoff。Yet，whilehisquickmindgraspedHelen\'sbrokenspirit——theunbalancethatwasreasonforthismarvelousandgloriousact——hedidnottakeothermeaningoftheembracetohimself。Hejuststoodthere，transported，chargedlikeatreestruckbylightning，makingsurewithallhiskeensenses，sothathecouldfeelforever，howshewasclingingroundhisneck，herfaceoverhisburstingheart，herquiveringformclosepressedtohis。

"It\'s——Bo，"hesaid，unsteadily。

"Shewentridingyesterday——and——never——came——back！"

repliedHelen，brokenly。

"I\'veseenhertrail。She\'sbeentakenintothewoods。I\'llfindher。I\'llfetchherback，"hereplied，rapidly。

Withashocksheseemedtoabsorbhismeaning。Withanothershocksheraisedherface——leanedbackalittletolookathim。

"You\'llfindher——fetchherback？"

"Yes，"heanswered，instantly。

WiththatringingworditseemedtoDalesherealizedhowshewasstanding。Hefelthershakeasshedroppedherarmsandsteppedback，whilethewhiteanguishofherfacewasfloodedoutbyawaveofscarlet。Butshewasbraveinherconfusion。Hereyesneverfell，thoughtheychangedswiftly，darkeningwithshame，amaze，andwithfeelingshecouldnotread。

"I\'malmost——outofmyhead，"shefaltered。

"Nowonder。Isawthat……Butnowyoumustgetclear-headed。I\'venotimetolose。"

Heledhertothedoor。

"John，it\'sBothat\'sgone，"hecalled。"Sinceyesterday……Sendtheboytogetmeabagofmeatan\'bread。Youruntothecorralan\'getmeafreshhorse。MyoldhorseRangerifyoucanfindhimquick。An\'rustle。"

WithoutawordJohnleapedbarebackononeofthehorseshehadjustunsaddledandspurredhimacrossthecourtyard。

Thenthebigcougar，seeingHelen，gotupfromwherehelayontheporchandcametoher。

"Oh，it\'sTom！"criedHelen，andasherubbedagainstherkneesshepattedhisheadwithtremblinghand。"Youbig，beautifulpet！Oh，howIremember！Oh，howBowouldloveto——"

"Where\'sCarmichael？"interruptedDale。"Outhuntin\'Bo？"

"Yes。Itwashewhomissedherfirst。Herodeeverywhereyesterday。Lastnightwhenhecamebackhewaswild。I\'venotseenhimto-day。HemadealltheothermenbutHalandJoestayhomeontheranch。"

"Right。An\'Johnmuststay，too，declaredDale。"Butit\'sstrange。Carmichaeloughttohavefoundthegirl\'stracks。

Shewasridin\'apony？"

"BorodeSam。He\'salittlebronc，verystrongandfast。"

"Icomeacrosshistracks。How\'dCarmichaelmissthem？"

"Hedidn\'t。Hefoundthem——trailedthemallalongthenorthrange。That\'swhereheforbadeBotogo。Yousee，they\'reinlovewitheachother。They\'vebeenatodds。

Neitherwillgivein。Bodisobeyedhim。There\'shardgroundoffthenorthrange，sohesaid。Hewasabletofollowhertracksonlysofar。"

"Werethereanyothertracksalongwithhers？"

"No。"

"MissHelen，Ifoundthem\'waysoutheastofPineupontheslopeofthemountain。Thereweresevenotherhorsesmakin\'

thattrail——whenwerunacrossit。Onthewaydownwefoundacampwheremenhadwaited。An\'Bo\'spony，ledbyarideronabighorse，comeintothatcampfromtheeast——

maybenorthalittle。An\'thattellsthestory。"

"Riggsranherdown——madeoffwithher！"criedHelen，passionately。"Oh，thevillain！Hehadmeninwaiting。

That\'sBeasley\'swork。Theywereafterme。"

"Itmaynotbejustwhatyousaid，butthat\'scloseenough。

An\'Bo\'sinabadfix。Youmustfacethatan\'trytobearupunder——fearsoftheworst。"

"Myfriend！Youwillsaveher！"

"I\'llfetchherback，aliveordead。"

"Dead！Oh，myGod！"Helencried，andclosedhereyesaninstant，toopenthemburningblack。"ButBoisn\'tdead。I

knowthat——Ifeelit。She\'llnotdieveryeasy。She\'salittlesavage。Shehasnofear。She\'dfightlikeatigressforherlife。She\'sstrong。Yourememberhowstrong。Shecanstandanything。Unlesstheymurderheroutrightshe\'lllive——alongtime——throughanyordeal……SoIbegyou，myfriend，don\'tloseanhour——don\'tevergiveup！"

Daletrembledundertheclaspofherhands。Loosinghisownfromherclinginghold，hesteppedoutontheporchAtthatmomentJohnappearedonRanger，comingatagallop。

"Nell，I\'llnevercomebackwithouther，"saidDale。"I

reckonyoucanhope——onlybeprepared。That\'sall。It\'shard。ButthesedamneddealsarecommonouthereintheWest。"

"SupposeBeasleycomes——here！"exclaimedHelen，andagainherhandwentouttowardhim。

"Ifhedoes，yourefusetogetoff，"repliedDale。"Butdon\'tlethimorhisgreasersputadirtyhandonyou。

Shouldhethreatenforce——why，packsomeclothes——an\'

yourvaluables——an\'godowntoMrs。Cass\'s。An\'waittillIcomeback！"

"Wait——tillyou——comeback！"shefaltered，slowlyturningwhiteagain。Herdarkeyesdilated。"Milt——you\'relikeLasVegas。You\'llkillBeasley！"

Daleheardhisownlaugh，verycoldandstrange，foreigntohisears。Agrim，deadlyhateofBeasleyviedwiththetendernessandpityhefeltforthisdistressedgirl。Itwasasoretrialtoseeherleaningthereagainstthedoor——tobecompelledtoleaveheralone。Abruptlybestalkedofftheporch。Tomfollowedhim。TheblackhorsewhinniedhisrecognitionofDaleandsnortedatsightofthecougar。JustthentheMexicanboyreturnedwithabag。Daletiedthis，withthesmallpack，behindthesaddle。

"John，youstayherewithMissHelen，"saidDale。"An\'ifCarmichaelcomesback，keephim，too！An\'to-night，ifanyoneridesintoPinefromthewaywecome，youbesuretospothim。"

"I\'lldothet，Milt，"respondedJohn。

Dalemounted，and，turningforalastwordtoHelen，hefeltthewordsofcheerhaltedonhislipsashesawherstandingwhiteandbroken-hearted，withherhandstoherbosom。Hecouldnotlooktwice。

"Comeonthere，youTom，"hecalledtothecougar。Reckononthistrackyou\'llpaymeforallmytrainin\'ofyou"

"Oh，myfriend！"cameHelen\'ssadvoice，almostawhispertohisthrobbingears。"Heavenhelpyou——tosaveher！I——"

ThenRangerstartedandDaleheardnomore。Hecouldnotlookback。Hiseyeswerefulloftearsandhisbreastached。

Byatremendouseffortheshiftedthatemotion——calledonallthespiritualenergyofhisbeingtothedutyofthisgrimtaskbeforehim。

Hedidnotridedownthroughthevillage，butskirtedthenorthernborder，andworkedroundtothesouth，where，comingtothetrailhehadmadeanhourpast，heheadedonit，straightfortheslopenowdarkeninginthetwilight。

Thebigcougarshowedmorewillingnesstoreturnonthistrailthanhehadshowninthecoming。Rangerwasfreshandwantedtogo，butDaleheldhimin。

Acoolwindblewdownfromthemountainwiththecomingofnight。AgainstthebrighteningstarsDalesawthepromontoryliftitsboldoutline。Itwasmilesaway。Ithauntedhim，strangelycalling。Anight，andperhapsaday，separatedhimfromthegangthatheldBoRaynerprisoner。Dalehadnoplanasyet。HehadonlyamotiveasgreatastheloveheboreHelenRayner。

Beasley\'sevilgeniushadplannedthisabduction。Riggswasatool，acowardlyknavedominatedbyastrongerwill。SnakeAnsonandhisganghadlaininwaitatthatcedarcamp；hadmadethatbroadhooftrackleadingupthemountain。Beasleyhadbeentherewiththemthatveryday。AllthiswasasassuredtoDaleasifhehadseenthemen。

ButthematterofDale\'srecoveringthegirlanddoingitspeedilystrunghismentalstrengthtoitshighestpitch。

Manyoutlinesofactionflashedthroughhismindasherodeon，peeringkeenlythroughthenight，listeningwithpractisedears。Allwererejected。Andattheoutsetofeverynewbranchingofthoughthewouldgazedownatthegrayformofthecougar，long，graceful，heavy，ashepaddedbesidethehorse。FromthefirstthoughtofreturningtohelpHelenRaynerhehadconceivedanundefinedideaofpossiblevalueinthequalitiesofhispet。Tomhadperformedwonderfulfeatsoftrailing，buthehadneverbeentriedonmen。Dalebelievedhecouldmakehimtrailanything，yethehadnoproofofthis。OnefactstoodoutofallDale\'sconjectures，anditwasthathehadknownmen，andbravemen，tofearcougars。

Farupontheslope，inalittlehollowwherewaterranandtherewasalittlegrassforRangertopick，Dalehalteredhimandmadereadytospendthenight。Hewassparingwithhisfood，givingTommorethanhetookhimself。CurledcloseuptoDale，thebigcatwenttosleep。

ButDalelayawakeforlong。

Thenightwasstill，withonlyafaintmoanofwindonthisshelteredslope。Dalesawhopeinthestars。HedidnotseemtohavepromisedhimselforHelenthathecouldsavehersister，andthenherproperty。Heseemedtohavestatedsomethingunconsciouslysettled，outsideofhisthinking。

Strangehowthiscertaintywasnotvague，yetirreconcilablewithanyplanshecreated！Behindit，somehownamelesswithinconceivablepower，surgedallhiswonderfulknowledgeofforest，oftrails，ofscents，ofnight，ofthenatureofmenlyingdowntosleepinthedark，lonelywoods，ofthenatureofthisgreatcatthatliveditseveryactioninaccordancewithhiswill。

Hegrewsleepy，andgraduallyhismindstilled，withhislastconsciousthoughtaportentthathewouldawakentoaccomplishhisdesperatetask。

CHAPTERXX

YoungBurtpossessedthekeenesteyesofanymaninSnakeAnson\'sgang，forwhichreasonhewasgiventhepostaslookoutfromtheloftypromontory。Hisinstructionsweretokeepsharpwatchovertheopenslopesbelowandtoreportanysightofahorse。

Acedarfirewithgreenboughsontopofdeadwoodsentupalong，palecolumnofsmoke。Thissignal-firehadbeenkeptburningsincesunrise。

Theprecedingnightcamphadbeenmadeonalevelspotinthecedarsbackofthepromontory。ButmanifestlyAnsondidnotexpecttoremaintherelong。For，afterbreakfast，thepackshadbeenmadeupandthehorsesstoodsaddledandbridled。Theywererestlessanduneasy，tossingbitsandfightingflies。Thesun，nowhalf-waytomeridian，washotandnobreezeblewinthatshelteredspot。

ShadyJoneshadriddenoffearlytofillthewater-bags，andhadnotyetreturned。Anson，thinnerandscalierandmoresnakelikethanever，wasdealingagreasy，dirtydeckofcards，hisopponentbeingthesquare-shaped，black-visagedMoze。Inlieuofmoneythegamblerswageredwithcedar-berries，eachofwhichberriesrepresentedapipefuloftobacco。JimWilsonbroodedunderacedar-tree，hisunshavenfaceadirtydust-hue，asmolderingfireinhislighteyes，asullensettohisjaw。EverylittlewhilehewouldraisehiseyestoglanceatRiggs，anditseemedthataquickglancewasenough。Riggspacedtoandfrointheopen，coatlessandhatless，hisblack-broadclothtrousersandembroideredvestdustyandtorn。Anenormousgunbumpedawkwardlyinitssheathswingingbelowhiship。Riggslookedperturbed。Hisfacewassweatingfreely，yetitwasfarfromredincolor。Hedidnotappeartomindthesunortheflies。Hiseyeswerestaring，dark，wild，shiftingingazefromeverythingtheyencountered。Butoftenthatgazeshotbacktothecaptivegirlsittingunderacedarsomeyardsfromtheman。

BoRayner\'slittle，bootedfeetweretiedtogetherwithoneendofalassoandtheotherendtrailedoffovertheground。Herhandswerefree。Herriding-habitwasdustyanddisordered。Hereyesblazeddefiantlyoutofasmall，paleface。

"HarveRiggs，Iwouldn\'tbestandinginthosecheapbootsofyoursforamilliondollars，"shesaid，sarcastically。Riggstooknonoticeofherwords。

"Youpackthatgun-sheathwrongendout。Whathaveyougotthegunfor，anyhow？"sheadded，tauntingly。

SnakeAnsonletoutahoarselaughandMoze\'sblackvisageopenedinahugegrin。JimWilsonseemedtodrinkinthegirl\'swords。Sullenandsomber，hebenthisleanhead，verystill，asiflistening。

"You\'dbettershutup，"saidRiggs，darkly。

"Iwillnotshutup，"declaredBo。

"ThenI\'llgagyou，"hethreatened。

"Gagme！Why，youdirty，low-down，two-bitofabluff！"sheexclaimed，hotly，"I\'dliketoseeyoutryit。I\'lltearthatlonghairofyoursrightoffyourhead。"

Riggsadvancedtowardherwithhishandsclutching，asifeagertothrottleher。Thegirlleanedforward，herfacereddening，hereyesfierce。

"Youdamnedlittlecat！"mutteredRiggs，thickly。"I\'llgagyou——ifyoudon\'tstopsquallin\'。"

"Comeon。Idareyoutolayahandonme……HarveRiggs，I\'mnottheleastafraidofyou。Can\'tyousavvythat？

You\'realiar，afour-flush，asneak！Why，you\'renotfittowipethefeetofanyoftheseoutlaws。"

Riggstooktwolongstridesandbentoverher，histeethprotrudinginasnarl，andhecuffedherhardonthesideofthehead。

Bo\'sheadjerkedbackwiththeforceoftheblow，butsheutterednocry。

"Areyougoin\'tokeepyourjawshut？"hedemanded，stridently，andadarktideofbloodsurgedupintohisneck。

"IshouldsmileI\'mnot，"retortedBo，incool，deliberateangerofopposition。"You\'veropedme——andyou\'vestruckme！Nowgetaclub——standoffthere——outofmyreach——

andbeatme！Oh，ifIonlyknewcusswordsfitforyou——

I\'dcallyouthem！"

SnakeAnsonhadstoppedplayingcards，andwaswatching，listening，withhalf-disgusted，half-amusedexpressiononhisserpent-likeface。JimWilsonslowlyrosetohisfeet。

Ifanyonehadobservedhimitwouldhavebeentonotethathenowseemedsingularlyfascinatedbythisscene，yetallthewhileabsorbedinhimself。Onceheloosenedtheneck-bandofhisblouse。

Riggsswunghisarmmoreviolentlyatthegirl。Butshedodged。

"Youdog！"shehissed。"Oh，ifIonlyhadagun！"

Herfacethen，withitsdeadwhitenessandtheeyesofflame，heldatragic，impellingbeautythatstungAnsonintoremonstrance。

"Aw，Riggs，don\'tbeatupthekid，"heprotested。"Thetwon\'tdoanygood。Letheralone。"

"Butshe\'sgottoshutup，"repliedRiggs。

"How\'nhellairyougoin\'toshetherup？Mebbeifyougetoutofhersightshe\'llbequiet……Howaboutthet，girl？"

AnsongnawedhisdroopingmustacheasheeyedBo。

"HaveImadeanykicktoyouoryourmenyet？"shequeried。

"Itstrikesmeyou\'ain\'t，"repliedAnson。

"Youwon\'thearmemakeanysolongasI\'mtreateddecent，"

saidBo。"Idon\'tknowwhatyou\'vegottodowithRiggs。Heranmedown——ropedme——draggedmetoyourcamp。NowI\'veahunchyou\'rewaitingforBeasley。"

"Girl，yourhunch\'scorrect，"saidAnson。

"Well，doyouknowI\'mthewronggirl？"

"What\'sthet？Ireckonyou\'reNellRayner，whogotleftalloldAuchincloss\'sproperty。"

"No。I\'mBoRayner。Nellismysister。Sheownstheranch。

Beasleywantedher。"

Ansoncurseddeepandlow。Underhissharp，bristlingeyebrowshebentcunninggreeneyesuponRiggs。

"Say，you！Iswhatthiskidsaysso？"

"Yes。She\'sNellRayner\'ssister，"repliedRiggs，doggedly。

"A-huh！Wal，whyinthehelldidyoudragherintomycampan\'offupheretosignalBeasley？Heain\'twantin\'her。Hewantsthegirlwhoownstheranch。Didyoutakeonefertheother——sameasthetdaywewaswithyou？"

"GuessImusthave，"repliedRiggs，sullenly。

"Butyouknowedherfromhersisteraforeyoucometomycamp？"

Riggsshookhishead。Hewaspalernowandsweatingmorefreely。Thedankhairhungwetoverhisforehead。Hismannerwasthatofamansuddenlyrealizinghehadgottenintoatightplace。

"Oh，he\'saliar！"exclaimedBo，withcontemptuousringinhervoice。"Hecomesfrommycountry。HehasknownNellandmeforyears。"

SnakeAnsonturnedtolookatWilson。

"Jim，nowhyar\'saqueerdealthisfellerhasrunginonus。

Ithoughtthetkidwasprettyyoung。Don\'tyourememberBeasleytoldusNellRaynerwasahandsomewoman？"

"Wal，pardAnson，ifthisheahgurlain\'thandsomemyeyeshavegonepore，"drawledWilson。

"A-huh！SoyourTexaschilvareeovertheladiesissomeoperatin\'，"retortedAnson，withfinesarcasm。"Butthetain\'ttellin\'mewhatyouthink？"

"Wal，Iain\'ttellin\'youwhatIthinkyet。ButIknowthetkidain\'tNellRayner。ForI\'veseenher。"

Ansonstudiedhisright-handmanforamoment，then，takingouthistobacco-pouch，hesathimselfdownuponastoneandproceededleisurelytorollacigarette。Heputitbetweenhisthinlipsandapparentlyforgottolightit。Forafewmomentshegazedattheyellowgroundandsomescantsage-brush。Riggstooktopacingupanddown。Wilsonleanedasbeforeagainstthecedar。Thegirlslowlyrecoveredfromherexcessofanger。

"Kid，seehyar，"saidAnson，addressingthegirl；"ifRiggsknowedyouwasn\'tNellan\'fetchedyoualonganyhow——what\'dhedothetfur？"

"Hechasedme——caughtme。Thenhesawsomeoneafterusandhehurriedtoyourcamp。Hewasafraid——thecur！"

Riggsheardherreply，forheturnedamalignantglanceuponher。

"Anson，IfetchedherbecauseIknowNellRaynerwillgiveupanythin\'onearthforher，"hesaid，inloudvoice。

Ansonponderedthisstatementwithanairofconsideringitsapparentsincerity。

"Don\'tyoubelievehim，"declaredBoRayner，bluntly。"He\'saliar。He\'sdouble-crossingBeasleyandallofyou。"

Riggsraisedashakinghandtoclenchitather。"Keepstillorit\'llbetheworseforyou。"

"Riggs，shutupyourself，"putinAnson，asheleisurelyrose。"Mebbeit\'ain\'toccurredtoyouthetshemighthavesometalkinterestin\'tome。An\'I\'mrunnin\'thishyarcamp……Now，kid，talkupan\'saywhatyoulike。"

"Isaidhewasdouble-crossingyouall，"repliedthegirl，instantly。"Why，I\'msurprisedyou\'dbecaughtinhiscompany！MyuncleAlandmysweetheartCarmichaelandmyfriendDale——they\'vealltoldmewhatWesternmenare，evendowntooutlaws，robbers，cutthroatrascalslikeyou。

AndIknowtheWestwellenoughnowtobesurethatfour-flushdoesn\'tbelonghereandcan\'tlasthere。HewenttoDodgeCityonceandwhenhecamebackhemadeabluffatbeingabadman。Hewasaswaggering，bragging，drinkinggun-fighter。Hetalkedofthemenhe\'dshot，ofthefightshe\'dhad。Hedressedlikesomeofthosegun-throwinggamblers……HewasinlovewithmysisterNell。Shehatedhim。HefollowedusoutWestandhehashungonouractionslikeasneakingIndian。Why，NellandIcouldn\'tevenwalktothestoreinthevillage。Herodeaftermeoutontherange——chasedme……ForthatCarmichaelcalledRiggs\'sbluffdowninTurner\'ssaloon。Daredhimtodraw！

Cussedhimeverynameontherange！Slappedandbeatandkickedhim！DrovehimoutofPine！……Andnow，whateverhehassaidtoBeasleyoryou，it\'sadeadsurebethe\'splayinghisowngame。That\'stogetholdofNell，andifnother——thenme！……Oh，I\'moutofbreath——andI\'moutofnamestocallhim。IfItalkedforever——I\'dneverbe——

ableto——dohimjustice。Butlendme——agun——aminute！"

JimWilson\'squietformvibratedwithastart。Ansonwithhisadmiringsmilepulledhisgunand，takingacoupleofstepsforward，helditoutbuttfirst。Shestretchedeagerlyforitandhejerkeditaway。

"Holdonthere！"yelledRiggs，inalarm。

"Damme，Jim，ifshedidn\'tmeanbizness！"exclaimedtheoutlaw。

"Wal，now——seeheah，Miss。Wouldyouborehim——ifyouhedagun？"inquiredWilson，withcuriousinterest。Therewasmoreofrespectinhisdemeanorthanadmiration。

"No。Idon\'twanthiscowardlybloodonmyhands，"repliedthegirl。"ButI\'dmakehimdance——I\'dmakehimrun。"

"Shoreyoucanhandleagun？"

Shenoddedheranswerwhilehereyesflashedhateandherresolutelipstwitched。