下载辰思小说免费APP
Wilsonpointedtowherethegirlstood，herhairflyingwildlyalloverherfaceandshoulders。Shewasmakingmostelaboratebowstoanoldstump，sweepingthegroundwithhertressesinherobeisance。
Ansonstarted。Hegrewutterlyastounded。Hisamazewasludicrous。Andtheothertwomenlookedtostare，toequaltheirleader\'sbewilderment。
"What\'nhell\'scomeoverher？"askedAnson，dubiously。
"Musthevperkedup……Butsheain\'tfeelin\'thetgay！"
Wilsontappedhisforeheadwithasignificantfinger。
"ShoreIwasscaredofherthismawnin\'，"hewhispered。
"Naw！"exclaimedAnson，incredulously。
"Ifshehain\'tqueerIneverseennoqueerwimmin，"
vouchsafedShadyJones，anditwouldhavebeenjudged，bythewayhewaggedhishead，thathehadbeenallhisdaysfamiliarwithwomen。
Mozelookedbeyondwords，andquitealarmed。
"Iseenitcomin\'，"declaredWilson，verymuchexcited。"ButIwasscaredtosayso。You-allmadefunofmeaboother。
NowIshorewishIhadspokenup。"
Ansonnoddedsolemnly。Hedidnotbelievetheevidenceofhissight，butthefactsseemedstunning。Asifthegirlwereadangerousandincomprehensiblething，heapproachedherstepbystep。Wilsonfollowed，andtheothersappeareddrawnirresistibly。
"Heythar——kid！"calledAnson，hoarsely。
Thegirldrewherslightformuphaughtily。Throughherspreadingtresseshereyesgleamedunnaturallyupontheoutlawleader。Butshedeignednottoreply。
"Heythar——youRaynergirl！"addedAnson，lamely。"What\'sailin\'you？"
"Mylord！didyouaddressme？"sheasked，loftily。
ShadyJonesgotoverhisconsternationandevidentlyextractedsomehumorfromthesituation，ashisdarkfacebegantobreakitsstrain。
"Aww！"breathedAnson，heavily。
"Opheliaawaitsyourcommand，mylord。I\'vebeengatheringflowers，"shesaid，sweetly，holdingupheremptyhandsasiftheycontainedabouquet。
ShadyJonesexplodedinconvulsedlaughter。Buthismerrimentwasnotshared。Andsuddenlyitbroughtdisasteruponhim。Thegirlflewathim。
"Whydoyoucroak，youtoad？Iwillhaveyouwhippedandputinirons，youscullion！"shecried，passionately。
Shadyunderwentaremarkablechange，andstumbledinhisbackwardretreat。ThenshesnappedherfingersinMoze\'sface。
"Youblackdevil！Gethence！Avaunt！"
Ansonpluckedupcourageenoughtotouchher。
"Aww！Now，Ophelyar——"
Probablyhemeanttotrytohumorher，butshescreamed，andhejumpedbackasifshemightburnhim。Shescreamedshrilly，inwild，staccatonotes。
"You！You！"shepointedherfingerattheoutlawleader。
"Youbrutetowomen！Youranofffromyourwife！"
Ansonturnedplum-colorandthenslowlywhite。Thegirlmusthavesentarandomshothome。
"Andnowthedevil\'sturnedyouintoasnake。Along，scalysnakewithgreeneyes！Uugh！You\'llcrawlonyourbellysoon——whenmycowboyfindsyou。Andhe\'lltrampyouinthedust。"
Shefloatedawayfromthemandbegantowhirlgracefully，armsspreadandhairflying；andthen，apparentlyobliviousofthestaringmen，shebrokeintoalow，sweetsong。Nextshedancedaroundapine，thendancedintoherlittlegreeninclosure。Fromwhichpresentlyshesentoutthemostdolefulmoans。
"Aww！Whatashame！"burstoutAnson。"Thetfine，healthy，nervykid！Cleangone！Daffy！Crazy\'nabedbug！"
"Shoreit\'sashame，"protestedWilson。"Butit\'swussforus。Lord！ifwewashoodooedbefore，whatwillwebenow？
Didn\'tItellyou，SnakeAnson？Youwaswarned。AskShadyan\'Moze——theyseewhat\'sup。"
"Noluck\'llevercomeourwayag\'in，"predictedShady，mournfully。
"Itbeatsme，boss，itbeatsme，"mutteredMoze。
"Acrazywomanonmyhands！Ifthetain\'tthelaststraw！"
brokeoutAnson，tragically，asheturnedaway。Ignorant，superstitious，workeduponbythingsastheyseemed，theoutlawimaginedhimselfatlastbesetbymalignforces。Whenheflunghimselfdownupononeofthepackshisbigred-hairedhandsshook。ShadyandMozeresembledtwoothermenattheendoftheirropes。
Wilson\'stensefacetwitched，andheavertedit，asapparentlyhefoughtoffaparoxysmofsomenature。JustthenAnsonsworeathunderingoath。
"Crazyornot，I\'llgitgoldoutofthetkid！"heroared。
"But，man，talksense。Areyougittin\'daffy，too？Ideclarethisoutfit\'sbeeneatin\'loco。Youcan\'tgitgoldferher！"
saidWilson，deliberately。
"Whycan\'tI？"
"\'Causewe\'retracked。Wecan\'tmakenodickers。Why，inanotherdayorsowe\'llbedodgin\'lead。"
"Tracked！Whar\'dyougitthetidee？Assoonasthis？"
queriedAnson，liftinghisheadlikeastrikingsnake。Hismen，likewise，betrayedsuddeninterest。
"Shoreit\'snoidee。I\'ain\'tseenanyone。ButIfeelitinmysenses。Ihearsomebodycomin\'——asteponourtrail——
allthetime——nightinparticular。Reckonthere\'sabigposseafterus。"
"Wal，ifIseeorhearanythin\'I\'llknockthegirlontheheadan\'we\'lldigoutofhyar，"repliedAnson，sullenly。
Wilsonexecutedaswiftforwardmotion，violentandpassionate，soutterlyunlikewhatmighthavebeenlookedforfromhim，thatthethreeoutlawsgaped。
"Thenyou\'llshorehevtoknockJimWilsononthehaidfirst，"hesaid，invoiceasstrangeashisaction。
"Jim！Youwouldn\'tgobackonme！"imploredAnson，withupliftedhands，inadignityofpathos。
"I\'mlosin\'myhaid，too，an\'youshoremightaswellknockitin，an\'you\'llhevtobeforeI\'llstandyoumurderin\'
thetporelittlegurlyou\'vedrovecrazy。"
"Jim，Iwasonlymad，"repliedAnson。"Ferthetmatter，I\'mgrowin\'daffymyself。Aw！weallneedagoodstiffdrinkofwhisky。"
Sohetriedtothrowoffgloomandapprehension，buthefailed。Hiscomradesdidnotrallytohishelp。Wilsonwalkedaway，noddinghishead。
"Boss，letJimalone，"whisperedShady。"It\'sorfulthewayyoubuckag\'in\'him——whenyouseenhe\'sstirredup。Jim\'strueblue。Butyougottabecareful。"
Mozecorroboratedthisstatementbygloomynods。
Whenthecard-playingwasresumed，Ansondidnotjointhegame，andbothMozeandShadyevincedlittleofthatwhole-heartedobsessionwhichusuallyattendedtheirgambling。Ansonlayatlength，hisheadinasaddle，scowlingatthelittleshelterwherethecaptivegirlkeptherselfoutofsight。Attimesafaintsongorlaugh，veryunnatural，waswaftedacrossthespace。Wilsonploddedatthecookingandapparentlyheardnosounds。Presentlyhecalledthementoeat，whichofficetheysurlilyandsilentlyperformed，asifitwasafavorbestoweduponthecook。
"Snake，hadn\'tIoughttotakeabiteofgrubovertothegurl？"askedWilson。
"Doyouhevtoaskmethet？"snappedAnson。"She\'sgottabefed，ifwehevtostuffitdownherthroat。"
"Wal，Iain\'tstuckonthejob，"repliedWilson。"ButI\'lltackleit，seein\'you-allgotcoldfeet。"
Withplateandcupbereluctantlyapproachedthelittlelean-to，and，kneeling，heputhisheadinside。Thegirl，quick-eyedandalert，hadevidentlyseenhimcoming。Atanyrate，shegreetedhimwithacautioussmile。
"Jim，wasIprettygood？"shewhispered。
"Miss，youwasshorethefinestaktressIeverseen，"heresponded，inalowvoice。"Butyoudamnearoverdidit。I\'mgoin\'totellAnsonyou\'resicknow——poisonedorsomethin\'
awful。Thenwe\'llwaittillnight。Daleshorewillhelpusout。"
"Oh，I\'monfiretogetaway，"sheexclaimed。"JimWilson，I\'llneverforgetyouaslongasIlive！"
Heseemedgreatlyembarrassed。
"Wal——miss——I——I\'lldomybestlicks。ButIain\'tgamblin\'noneonresults。Bepatient。Keepyournerve。Don\'tgetscared。Ireckonbetweenmean\'Daleyou\'llgitawayfromheah。"
Withdrawinghishead，hegotupandreturnedtothecamp-fire，whereAnsonwaswaitingcuriously。
"Ileftthegrub。Butshedidn\'ttouchit。Seemssortofsicktome，likeshewaspoisoned。"
"Jim，didn\'tIhearyoutalkin\'？"askedAnson。
"Shore。Iwascoaxin\'her。Reckonsheain\'tsorantyasshewas。Butsheshoreisdoubled-up，an\'sickish。"
"Wussan\'wussallthetime，"saidAnson，betweenhisteeth。
"An\'where\'sBurt？Hyarit\'snoonan\'heleftearly。Heneverwasnowoodsman。He\'sgotlost。"
"Eitherthetorhe\'srunintosomethin\'，"repliedWilson，thoughtfully。
Ansondoubledahugefistandcurseddeepunderhisbreath——thereactionofamanwhoseaccomplicesandpartnersandtools，whoseluck，whosefaithinhimselfhadfailedhim。Heflunghimselfdownunderatree，andafterawhile，whenhisrigidityrelaxed，heprobablyfellasleep。MozeandShadykeptattheirgame。Wilsonpacedtoandfro，satdown，andthengotuptobunchthehorsesagain，walkedaroundthedellandbacktocamp。Theafternoonhourswerelong。Andtheywerewaitinghours。Theactofwaitingappearedonthesurfaceofalltheseoutlawsdid。
Atsunsetthegoldengloomoftheglenchangedtoavague，thicktwilight。Ansonrolledover，yawned，andsatup。Asheglancedaround，evidentlyseekingBurt，hisfaceclouded。
"NosignofBurt？"heasked。
Wilsonexpressedamildsurprise。"Wal，Snake，youain\'texpectin\'Burtnow？"
"Iam，courseIam。Whynot？"demandedAnson。"Anyothertimewe\'dlookferhim，wouldn\'twe？"
"Anyothertimeain\'tnow……Burtwon\'tevercomeback！"
Wilsonspokeitwithapositivefinality。"
"A-huh！Somemoreofthemqueerfeelin\'sofyourn——
operatin\'again，hey？Themonnaturalkindthetyoucan\'texplain，hey？"
Anson\'squerieswerebitterandrancorous。
"Yes。An\'，Snake，Itaxyouwiththisheah。Ain\'tanyofthemqueerfeelin\'soperatin\'inyou？"
"No！"rolledouttheleader，savagely。Buthispassionatedenialwasaproofthathelied。Fromthemomentofthisoutburst，whichwasafierceclingingtotheold，braveinstinctsofhischaracter，unlessasuddenchangemarkedthenatureofhisfortunes，hewouldrapidlydeterioratetothebreaking-point。Andinsuchbrutal，unrestrainednaturesashisthisbreaking-pointmeantadesperatestand，adesperateforcingofevents，adesperateaccumulationofpassionsthatstalkedouttodealandtomeetdisasterandbloodanddeath。
Wilsonputalittlewoodonthefireandhemunchedabiscuit。Nooneaskedhimtocook。Noonemadeanyefforttodoso。Onebyoneeachmanwenttothepacktogetsomebreadandmeat。
Thentheywaitedasmenwhoknewnotwhattheywaitedfor，yethatedanddreadedit。
Twilightinthatglenwasnaturallyastrange，veiledconditionoftheatmosphere。Itwasamergingofshadeandlight，whichtwoseemedtomakegray，creepingshadows。
Suddenlyasnortingandstampingofthehorsesstartledthemen。
"Somethin\'scaredthehosses，"saidAnson，rising。"Comeon。"
Mozeaccompaniedhim，andtheydisappearedinthegloom。
Moretramplingofhoofswasheard，thenacrackingofbrush，andthedeepvoicesofmen。Atlengththetwooutlawsreturned，leadingthreeofthehorses，whichtheyhalteredintheopenglen。
Thecamp-firelightshowedAnson\'sfacedarkandserious。
"Jim，themhossesarewilder\'ndeer，"hesaid。"Iketchedmine，an\'Mozegottwo。Buttherestworkedawaywheneverwecomeclose。Somevarminthasscaredthembad。Weallgottarustleouttharquick。"
Wilsonrose，shakinghisheaddoubtfully。Andatthatmomentthequietairsplittoapiercing，horridneighofaterrifiedhorse。Prolongedtoascreech，itbrokeandended。
Thenfollowedsnortsoffright，poundandcrackandthudofhoofs，andcrashofbrush；thenagatheringthumping，crashingroar，splitbypiercingsounds。
"Stampede！"yelledAnson，andherantoholdhisownhorse，whichhehadhalteredrightincamp。Itwasbigandwild-looking，andnowrearedandplungedtobreakaway。
Ansonjustgotthereintime，andthenittookallhisweighttopullthehorsedown。Notuntilthecrashing，snorting，poundingmeleehadsubsidedanddiedawayovertherimoftheglendidAnsondareleavehisfrightenedfavorite。
"Gone！Ourhorsesaregone！Didyouhear\'em？"heexclaimed，blankly。
"Shore。They\'reacut-upan\'crippledbunchbynow，"repliedWilson。
"Boss，we\'llnevergit\'ernback，not\'nahundredyears，"
declaredMoze。
"Thetsettlesus，SnakeAnson，"stridentlyaddedShadyJones。"Themhossesaregone！Youcankissyourhandtothem……Theywasn\'thobbled。Theyhedanorfulscare。
Theysplitonthetstampedean\'they\'llnevergittogether……Seewhatyou\'vefetchedusto！"
Undertheforceofthistriplearraignmenttheoutlawleaderdroppedtohisseat，staggeredandsilenced。Infact，silencefelluponallthemenandlikewiseenfoldedtheglen。
Nightsetinjet-black，dismal，lonely，withoutastar。
Faintlythewindmoaned。Weirdlythebrookbabbledthroughitsstrangechordstoendinthesoundthatwashollow。Itwasneverthesame——arumble，asiffaint，distantthunder——adeepgurgle，asofwaterdrawnintoavortex——arolling，asofastoneinswiftcurrent。Theblackcliffwasinvisible，yetseemedtohavemanyweirdfaces；thegiantpinesloomedspectral；theshadowswerethick，moving，changing。Flickeringlightsfromthecamp-firecircledthehugetrunksandplayedfantasticallyoverthebroodingmen。
Thiscamp-firedidnotburnorblazecheerily；ithadnoglow，nosputter，nowhiteheart，nored，livingembers。Onebyonetheoutlaws，asifwithcommonconsent，triedtheirhandsatmakingthefireburnaright。Whatlittlewoodhadbeencollectedwasold；itwouldburnupwithfalseflare，onlytodiequickly。
Afterawhilenotoneoftheoutlawsspokeorstirred。Notonesmoked。Theirgloomyeyeswerefixedonthefire。Eachonewasconcernedwithhisownthoughts，hisownlonelysoulunconsciouslyfullofadoubtofthefuture。Thatbroodinghourseveredhimfromcomrade。
Atnightnothingseemedthesameasitwasbyday。Withsuccessandplenty，withfull-bloodedactionpastandmoreinstore，theseoutlawswereasdifferentfromtheirpresentstateasthisblacknightwasdifferentfromthebrightdaytheywaitedfor。Wilson，thoughheplayedadeepgameofdeceitforthesakeofthehelplessgirl——andthusdidnothavehauntingandsuperstitiousfearsonheraccount——wasprobablymoreconsciousofimpendingcatastrophethananyofthem。
Theeviltheyhaddonespokeinthevoiceofnature，outofthedarkness，andwasinterpretedbyeachaccordingtohishopesandfears。Fearwastheirpredominatingsense。Foryearstheyhadlivedwithsomespeciesoffear——ofhonestmenorvengeance，ofpursuit，ofstarvation，oflackofdrinkorgold，ofbloodanddeath，ofstrongermen，ofluck，ofchance，offate，ofmysteriousnamelessforce。Wilsonwasthetypeoffearlessspirit，butheenduredthemostgnawingandimplacablefearofall——thatofhimself——thathemustinevitablyfalltodeedsbeneathhismanhood。
Sotheyhunchedaroundthecamp-fire，broodingbecausehopewasatlowestebb；listeningbecausetheweird，blacksilence，withitsmoanofwindandhollowlaughofbrook，compelledthemtohear；waitingforsleep，forthehourstopass，forwhateverwastocome。
AnditwasAnsonwhocaughtthefirstintimationofanimpendingdoom。
CHAPTERXXIII
"Listen！"
Ansonwhisperedtensely。Hispoisewasmotionless，hiseyesrovedeverywhere。Heheldupashaking，bludgyfinger，tocommandsilence。
Athirdandstrangersoundaccompaniedthelow，weirdmoanofthewind，andthehollowmockeryofthebrook——anditseemedabarelyperceptible，exquisitelydelicatewailorwhine。Itfilledinthelullsbetweentheothersounds。
"Ifthet\'ssomevarminthe\'sclose，"whisperedAnson。
"Butshore，it\'sfaroff，"saidWilson。
ShadyJonesandMozedividedtheiropinionsinthesameway。
Allbreathedfreerwhenthewailceased，relaxingtotheirformerloungingpositionsaroundthefire。Animpenetrablewallofblacknesscircledthepalespacelightedbythecamp-fire；andthiscirclecontainedthedark，sombergroupofmeninthecenter，thedyingcamp-fire，andafewspectraltrunksofpinesandthetetheredhorsesontheouteredge。Thehorsesscarcelymovedfromtheirtracks，andtheirerect，alertheadsattestedtotheirsensitivenesstothepeculiaritiesofthenight。
Then，atanunusuallyquietlullthestrangesoundgraduallyarosetoawailingwhine。
"It\'sthetcrazywenchcryin\'，"declaredtheoutlawleader。
Apparentlyhisalliesacceptedthatstatementwithasmuchreliefastheyhadexpressedfortheterminationofthesound。
"Shore，thetmustbeit，"agreedJimWilson，gravely。
"We\'llgitalotofsleepwiththetgurlwhinin\'allnight，"
growledShadyJones。
"Shegivesmethecreeps，"saidMoze。
Wilsongotuptoresumehisponderingwalk，headbent，handsbehindhisback，agrim，realisticfigureofperturbation。
"Jim——setdown。Youmakemenervous，"saidAnson，irritably。
Wilsonactuallylaughed，butlow，asiftokeephisstrangemirthwellconfined。
"Snake，I\'llbetyoumyhossan\'mygunag\'in\'abiscuitthetinabootsixsecondsmoreorlessI\'llbestampedinlikethemhosses。"
Anson\'sleanjawdropped。Theothertwooutlawsstaredwithroundeyes。Wilsonwasnotdrunk，theyevidentlyknew；butwhathereallywasappearedamystery。
"JimWilson，areyoushowin\'yellow？"queriedAnson，hoarsely。
"Mebbe。TheLordonlyknows。Butlistenheah……Snake，you\'veseenan\'heardpeoplecroak？"
"Youmeancashin——die？"
"Shore。"
"Wal，yes——acoupleorso，"repliedAnson，grimly。
"Butyouneverseennoonedieofshock——ofanorfulscare？"
"No，IreckonIneverdid。"
"Ihave。An\'thet\'swhat\'sailin\'JimWilson，"andheresumedhisdoggedsteps。
Ansonandhistwocomradesexchangedbewilderedglanceswithoneanother。
"A-huh！Say，what\'sthetgottodowithushyar？askedAnson，presently。
"Thetgurlisdyin\'！"retortedWilson，inavoicecrackinglikeawhip。
Thethreeoutlawsstiffenedintheirseats，incredulous，yetirresistiblyswayedbyemotionsthatstirredtothisdark，lonely，ill-omenedhour。
Wilsontrudgedtotheedgeofthelightedcircle，mutteringtohimself，andcamebackagain；thenhetrudgedfarther，thistimealmostoutofsight，butonlytoreturn；thethirdtimehevanishedintheimpenetrablewalloflight。Thethreemenscarcelymovedamuscleastheywatchedtheplacewherehehaddisappeared。Inafewmomentshecamestumblingback。
"Shoreshe\'salmostgone，"hesaid，dismally。"Ittookmynerve，butIfeltofherface……Thetorfulwailisherbreathchokin\'inherthroat……Likeadeath-rattle，onlylonginsteadofshort。"
"Wal，ifshe\'sgottacroakit\'sgoodshegitsitoverquick，"repliedAnson。"I\'ain\'thedsleepferthreenights……An\'whatIneediswhisky。"
"Snake，thet\'sgospelyou\'respoutin\'，"remarkedShadyJones，morosely。
Thedirectionofsoundintheglenwasdifficulttobeassuredof，butanymannotstirredtoahighpitchofexcitementcouldhavetoldthatthedifferenceinvolumeofthisstrangewailmusthavebeencausedbydifferentdistancesandpositions。Also，whenitwasloudest，itwasmostlikeawhine。Buttheseoutlawsheardwiththeirconsciences。
Atlastitceasedabruptly。
Wilsonagainleftthegrouptobeswallowedupbythenight。
Hisabsencewaslongerthanusual，buthereturnedhurriedly。
"She\'sdaid！"heexclaimed，solemnly。"Thetinnocentkid——
whoneverharmednoone——an\'who\'dmakeanymanbetterferseein\'her——she\'sdaid！……Anson，you\'veshoreaheaptoanswerferwhenyourtimecomes。"
"What\'seatin\'you？"demandedtheleader，angrily。"Herbloodain\'tonmyhands。"
"Itshoreis，"shoutedWilson，shakinghishandatAnson。
"An\'you\'llhevtotakeyourmedicine。Ifeltthetcomin\'
allalong。An\'Ifeelsomemore。"
"Aw！She\'sjestgonetosleep，"declaredAnson，shakinghislongframeasherose。"Gimmealight。"
"Boss，you\'replumbofftogonearadeadgurlthet\'sjestdiedcrazy，"protestedShadyJones。
"Off！Haw！Haw！Whoain\'toffinthisoutfit，I\'dliketoknow？"Ansonpossessedhimselfofastickblazingatoneand，andwiththishestalkedofftowardthelean-towherethegirlwassupposedtobedead。Hisgauntfigure，lightedbythetorch，certainlyfittedtheweird，blacksurroundings。Anditwasseenthatoncenearthegirl\'sshelterheproceededmoreslowly，untilhehalted。Hebenttopeerinside。
"SHE\'SGONE！"heyelled，inharsh，shakenaccents。
Thanthetorchburnedout，leavingonlyaredglow。Hewhirleditabout，buttheblazedidnotrekindle。Hiscomrades，peeringintently，lostsightofhistallformandtheendofthered-endedstick。Darknesslikepitchswallowedhim。Foramomentnosoundintervened。Againthemoanofwind，thestrangelittlemockinghollowroar，dominatedtheplace。Thentherecamearushofsomething，perhapsofair，likethesoftswishingofsprucebranchesswingingaside。Dull，thuddingfootstepsfollowedit。Ansoncamerunningbacktothefire。Hisaspectwaswild，hisfacepale，hiseyeswerefierceandstartingfromtheirsockets。
Hehaddrawnhisgun。
"Did——ye——seeerhear——anythin\'？"hepanted，peeringback，thenallaround，andatlastathisman。
"No。An\'Ishorewaslookin\'an\'listenin\'，"repliedWilson。
"Boss，therewasn\'tnothin\'，"declaredMoze。
"Iain\'tsosartin，"saidShadyJones，withdoubtful，staringeyes。"IbelieveIheerdarustlin\'。"
"Shewasn\'tthere！"ejaculatedAnson，inwonderingawe。
"She\'sgone！……Mytorchwentout。Icouldn\'tsee。An\'
jestthenIfeltsomethin\'waspassin\'。Fast！Ijerked\'round。Allwasblack，an\'yetifIdidn\'tseeabiggraystreakI\'mcrazier\'nthetgurl。ButIcouldn\'tsweartoanythin\'butarushin\'ofwind。Ifeltthet。"
"Gone！"exclaimedWilson，ingreatalarm。"Fellars，ifthet\'sso，thenmebbeshewasn\'tdaidan\'shewanderedoff……Butshewasdaid！Herhearthedquitbeatin\'。I\'llsweartothet。"
"Imovetobreakcamp，"saidShadyJones，gruffly，andhestoodup。Mozesecondedthatmovebyanexpressiveflashofhisblackvisage。
"Jim，ifshe\'sdead——an\'gone——what\'nhell\'scomeoff？"
huskilyaskedAnson。"It，onlyseemsthetway。We\'reallworkedup……Let\'stalksense。"
"Anson，shorethere\'saheapyouan\'medon\'tknow，"repliedWilson。"Theworldcometoanendonce。Wal，itcancometoanotherend……ItellyouIain\'tsurprised——"
"THAR！"criedAnson，whirling，withhisgunleapingout。
Somethinghuge，shadowy，grayagainsttheblackrushedbehindthemenandtrees；andfollowingitcameaperceptibleaccelerationoftheair。
"Shore，Snake，therewasn\'tnothin\'，"saidWilson，presently。"
"Iheerd，"whisperedShadyJones。
"Itwasonlyabreezeblowin\'thetsmoke，"rejoinedMoze。
"I\'dbetmysoulsomethin\'wentbackofme，"declaredAnson，glaringintothevoid。
"Listenan\'let\'smakeshore，"suggestedWilson。
Theguilty，agitatedfacesoftheoutlawsshowedplainenoughintheflickeringlightforeachtoseeaconvictingdreadinhisfellow。Likestatuestheystood，watchingandlistening。
Fewsoundsstirredinthestrangesilence。Nowandthenthehorsesheavedheavily，butstoodstill；adismal，drearynoteofthewindinthepinesviedwithahollowlaughofthebrook。Andtheselowsoundsonlyfastenedattentionuponthequalityofthesilence。Abreathing，lonelyspiritofsolitudepermeatedtheblackdell。Likeapitofunplumbeddepthsthedarknightyawned。Anevilconscience，listeningthere，couldhaveheardthemostpeaceful，beautiful，andmournfulsoundsofnatureonlyasstrainsofacallinghell。
Suddenlythesilent，oppressive，surchargedairsplittoashort，piercingscream。
Anson\'sbighorsestoodupstraight，pawingtheair，andcamedownwithacrash。Theotherhorsesshookwithterror。
"Wasn\'t——thet——acougar？"whisperedAnson，thickly。
"Thetwasawoman\'sscream，"repliedWilson，andheappearedtobeshakinglikealeafinthewind。
"Then——Ifiggeredright——thekid\'salive——wonderin\'
around——an\'sheletoutthetorfulscream，"saidAnson。
"Wonderin\'\'round，yes——butshe\'sdaid！"
"MyGawd！itain\'tpossible！"
"Wal，ifsheain\'twonderin\'rounddaidshe\'salmostdaid，"
repliedWilson。Andhebegantowhispertohimself。
"IfI\'donlyknowedwhatthetdealmeantI\'dhevpluggedBeasleyinsteadoflistenin\'……An\'Ioughttohevknockedthetkidontheheadan\'madesartinshe\'dcroaked。
Ifshegoesscreamin\'\'roundthetway——"
Hisvoicefailedasthereroseathin，splitting，high-pointedshriek，somewhatresemblingthefirstscream，onlylesswild。Itcameapparentlyfromthecliff。
Fromanotherpointinthepitch-blackglenrosethewailing，terriblecryofawomaninagony。Wild，haunting，mournfulwail！
Anson\'shorse，loosingthehalter，plungedback，almostfallingoveraslightdepressionintherockyground。Theoutlawcaughthimanddraggedhimnearerthefire。Theotherhorsesstoodshakingandstraining。Mozeranbetweenthemandheldthem。ShadyJonesthrewgreenbrushonthefire。
Withsputterandcrackleablazestarted，showingWilsonstandingtragically，hisarmsout，facingtheblackshadows。
Thestrange，liveshriekwasnotrepeated。Butthecry，likethatofawomaninherdeath-throes，piercedthesilenceagain。Itleftaquiveringringthatsoftlydiedaway。Thenthestillnessclampeddownoncemoreandthedarknessseemedtothicken。Themenwaited，andwhentheyhadbeguntorelaxthecryburstoutappallinglyclose，rightbehindthetrees。
Itwashuman——thepersonificationofpainandterror——
thetremendousstruggleofpreciouslifeagainsthorribledeath。Sopure，soexquisite，sowonderfulwasthecrythatthelistenerswrithedasiftheysawaninnocent，tender，beautifulgirltornfrightfullybeforetheireyes。Itwasfullofsuspense；itthrilledfordeath；itsmarvelouspotencywasthewildnote——thatbeautifulandghastlynoteofself-preservation。
Insheerdesperationtheoutlawleaderfiredhisgunattheblackwallwhencethecrycame。Thenhehadtofighthishorsetokeephimfromplungingaway。Followingtheshotwasanintervalofsilence；thehorsesbecametractable；themengatheredclosertothefire，withthehaltersstillheldfirmly。
"Ifitwasacougar——thet\'dscarehimoff，"saidAnson。
"Shore，butitain\'tacougar，"repliedWilson。"Waitan\'
see！"
Theyallwaited，listeningwithearsturnedtodifferentpoints，eyesrovingeverywhere，afraidoftheirveryshadows。Oncemorethemoanofwind，themockeryofbrook，deepgurgle，laughandbabble，dominatedthesilenceoftheglen。
"Boss，let\'sshakethisspookyhole，"whisperedMoze。
ThesuggestionattractedAnson，andhepondereditwhileslowlyshakinghishead。
"We\'veonlythreehosses。An\'mine\'lltakeridin\'——afterthemsqualls，"repliedtheleader。"We\'vegotpacks，too。
An\'hell\'ain\'tnothin\'onthisplaceferbein\'dark。"
"Nomatter。Let\'sgo。I\'llwalkan\'leadtheway，"saidMoze，eagerly。"Igotsharpeyes。Youfellarscanridean\'
carryapack。We\'llgitoutofherean\'comebackindaylightfertherestoftheoutfit。"
"Anson，I\'mkeenferthetmyself，"declaredShadyJones。
"Jim，whatd\'yesaytothet？"queriedAnson。"Rustlin\'outofthisblackhole？"
"Shoreit\'sagrandidee，"agreedWilson。
"Thetwasacougar，"avowedAnson，gatheringcourageasthesilenceremainedunbroken。"Butjestthesameitwasastoughonmeasifithedbeenawomanscreamin\'overabladetwistin\'inhergizzards。"
"Snake，shoreyouseenawomanheahlately？"deliberatelyaskedWilson。
"ReckonIdid。Thetkid，"repliedAnson，dubiously。
"Wal，youseenhergocrazy，didn\'tyou？"
"Yes。"
"\'An\'shewasn\'theahwhenyouwenthuntin\'ferher？"
"Correct。"
"Wal，ifthet\'sso，whatdoyouwanttoblababoutcougarsfor？"
Wilson\'sargumentseemedincontestable。ShadyandMozenoddedgloomilyandshiftedrestlesslyfromfoottofoot。
Ansondroppedhishead。
"Nomatter——ifweonlydon\'thear——"hebegan，suddenlytogrowmute。
Rightuponthem，fromsomeplace，justoutthecircleoflight，roseascream，byreasonofitsproximitythemostpiercingandagonizingyetheard，simplypetrifyingthegroupuntilthepealpassed。Anson\'shugehorsereared，andwithasnortofterrorlungedintremendousleap，straightout。HestruckAnsonwiththuddingimpact，knockinghimovertherocksintothedepressionbackofthecamp-fire，andplungingafterhim。Wilsonhadmadeaflyingleapjustintimetoavoidbeingstruck，andheturnedtoseeAnsongodown。Therecameacrash，agroan，andthenthestrikeandpoundofhoofsasthehorsestruggledup。Apparentlyhehadrolledoverhismaster。
"Help，fellars！"yelledWilson，quicktoleapdownoverthelittlebank，andinthedimlighttograspthehalter。Thethreemendraggedthehorseoutandsecurelytiedhimclosetoatree。Thatdone，theypeereddownintothedepression。
Anson\'sformcouldjustbarelybedistinguishedinthegloom。Helaystretchedout。Anothergroanescapedhim。
"ShoreI\'mscaredhe\'shurt，"saidWilson。
"Hossrolledrightontopofhim。An\'thethoss\'sheavy，"
declaredMoze。
Theygotdownandkneltbesidetheirleader。Inthedarknesshisfacelookeddullgray。Hisbreathingwasnotright。
"Snake，oldman，youain\'t——hurt？"askedWilson，withatremorinhisvoice。Receivingnoreply，hesaidtohiscomrades，"Layholdan\'we\'llhefthimupwherewecansee。"
ThethreemencarefullyliftedAnsonuponthebankandlaidhimnearthefireinthelight。Ansonwasconscious。Hisfacewasghastly。Bloodshowedonhislips。
Wilsonkneltbesidehim。Theotheroutlawsstoodup，andwithonedarkgazeatoneanotherdamnedAnson\'schanceoflife。Andontheinstantrosethatterribledistressingscreamofacuteagony——likethatofawomanbeingdismembered。ShadyJoneswhisperedsomethingtoMoze。Thentheystoodup，gazingdownattheirfallenleader。
"Tellmewhereyou\'rehurt？"askedWilson。
"He——smashed——mychest，"saidAnson，inabroken，strangledwhisper。
Wilson\'sdefthandsopenedtheoutlaw\'sshirtandfeltofhischest。
-335-
"No。Shoreyourbreast-boneain\'tsmashed，"repliedWilson，hopefully。AndhebegantorunhishandaroundonesideofAnson\'sbodyandthentheother。Abruptlyhestopped，avertedhisgaze，thenslowlyranthehandallalongthatside。Anson\'sribshadbeenbrokenandcrushedinbytheweightofthehorse。Hewasbleedingatthemouth，andhisslow，painfulexpulsionsofbreathbroughtabloodyfroth，whichshowedthatthebrokenboneshadpenetratedthelungs。
Aninjurysoonerorlaterfatal！
"Pard，youbustedaribortwo，"saidWilson。
"Aw，Jim——itmustbe——wuss\'nthet！"hewhispered。"I\'m——inorful——pain。An\'Ican\'t——gitany——breath。"
"Mebbeyou\'llbebetter，"saidWilson，withacheerfulnesshisfacebelied。
MozebentcloseoverAnson，tookashortscrutinyofthatghastlyface，attheblood-stainedlips，andtheleanhandspluckingatnothing。Thenhejerkederect。
"Shady，he\'sgoin\'tocash。Let\'sclearoutofthis。"
"I\'myoursperticklerprevious，"repliedJones。
Bothturnedaway。Theyuntiedthetwohorsesandledthemuptowherethesaddleslay。Swiftlytheblanketswenton，swiftlythesaddlesswungup，swiftlythecinchessnapped。
AnsonlaygazingupatWilson，comprehendingthismove。AndWilsonstoodstrangelygrimandsilent，somehowdetachedcoldlyfromthatselfofthepastfewhours。
"Shady，yougrabsomebreadan\'I\'llpackabunkofmeat，"
saidMoze。Bothmencamenearthefire，intothelight，withintenfeetofwheretheleaderlay。
"Fellars——youain\'t——slopin\'？"hewhispered，inhuskyamaze。
"Boss，weairthetsame。Wecan\'tdoyounogoodan\'thisholeain\'thealthy，"repliedMoze。
ShadyJonesswunghimselfastridehishorse，allabouthimsharp，eager，strung。
"Moze，I\'lltotethegruban\'youleadoutofhyar，tillwegitpastthewusttimber，"hesaid。
"Aw，Moze——youwouldn\'tleave——Jimhyar——alone，"
imploredAnson。
"Jimcanstaytillherots，"retortedMoze。"I\'vehedenoughofthishole。"
"But，Moze——itain\'tsquare——"pantedAnson。"Jimwouldn\'t——leaveme。I\'dstick——byyou……I\'llmakeit——alluptoyou。"
"Snake，you\'regoin\'tocash，"sardonicallyreturnedMoze。
AcurrentleapedallthroughAnson\'sstretchedframe。Hisghastlyfaceblazed。Thatwasthegreatandtheterriblemomentwhichforlonghadbeeninabeyance。Wilsonhadknowngrimlythatitwouldcome，byonemeansoranother。Ansonhaddoggedlyandfaithfullystruggledagainstthetideoffatalissues。MozeandShadyJones，deeplockedintheirself-centeredmotives，hadnotrealizedtheinevitabletrendoftheirdarklives。
Anson，prostrateashewas，swiftlydrewhisgunandshotMoze。WithoutsoundormovementofhandMozefell。ThentheplungeofShady\'shorsecausedAnson\'ssecondshottomiss。
AquickthirdshotbroughtnoapparentresultbutShady\'scursingresorttohisownweapon。Hetriedtoaimfromhisplunginghorse。HisbulletsspattereddustandgraveloverAnson。ThenWilson\'slongarmstretchedandhisheavygunbanged。Shadycollapsedinthesaddle，andthefrightenedhorse，throwinghim，plungedoutofthecircleoflight。
Thuddinghoofs，crashingsofbrush，quicklyceased。
"Jim——didyou——githim？"whisperedAnson。
"Shoredid，Snake，"wastheslow，haltingresponse。JimWilsonmusthavesustainedasickshudderashereplied。
Sheathinghisgun，hefoldedablanketandputitunderAnson\'shead。
"Jim——myfeet——airorfulcold，"whisperedAnson。
"Wal，it\'sgittin\'chilly，"repliedWilson，and，takingasecondblanket，helaidthatoverAnson\'slimbs。"Snake，I\'mfearedShadyhityouonce。"
"A-huh！ButnotsoI\'dcare——much——ifIhed——nowusshurt。"
"Youlaystillnow。ReckonShady\'shossstoppedoutheahaways。An\'I\'llsee。"
"Jim——I\'ain\'theerd——thetscreamfer——alittle。"
"Shoreit\'sgone……Reckonnowthetwasacougar。"
"Iknowedit！"
Wilsonstalkedawayintothedarkness。Thatinkywalldidnotseemsoimpenetrableandblackafterhehadgottenoutofthecircleoflight。Heproceededcarefullyanddidnotmakeanymissteps。Hegropedfromtreetotreetowardthecliffandpresentlybroughtupagainstahugeflatrockashighashishead。Herethedarknesswasblackest，yethewasabletoseealightformontherock。
"Miss，areyouthere——allright？"hecalled，softly。
"Yes，butI\'mscaredtodeath，"shewhisperedinreply。
"Shoreitwoundupsudden。Comenow。Ireckonyourtrouble\'sover。"
Hehelpedherofftherock，and，findingherunsteadyonherfeet，hesupportedherwithonearmandheldtheotheroutinfrontofhimtofeelforobjects。Footbyfoottheyworkedoutfromunderthedenseshadowofthecliff，followingthecourseofthelittlebrook。Itbabbledandgurgled，andalmostdrownedthelowwhistleWilsonsentout。
Thegirldraggedheavilyuponhimnow，evidentlyweakening。
Atlengthhereachedthelittleopenpatchattheheadoftheravine。Haltinghere，hewhistled。Ananswercamefromsomewherebehindhimandtotheright。Wilsonwaited，withthegirlhangingonhisarm。
"Dale\'sheah，"hesaid。"An\'don\'tyoukeelovernow——
afterallthenerveyouhed。"
Aswishingofbrush，astep，asoft，paddedfootfall；alooming，darkfigure，andalong，lowgrayshape，stealthilymoving——itwasthelastofthesethatmadeWilsonjump。
"Wilson！"cameDale\'ssubduedvoice。
"Heah。I\'vegother，Dale。Safeansound，"repliedWilson，steppingtowardthetallform。AndheputthedroopinggirlintoDale\'sarms。
"Bo！Bo！You\'reallright？"Dale\'sdeepvoicewastremulous。
Sherouseduptoseizehimandtoutterlittlecriesofjoy"Oh，Dale！……Oh，thankHeaven！I\'mreadytodropnow……Hasn\'titbeenanight——anadventure？……I\'mwell——safe——sound……Dale，weoweittothisJimWilson。"
"Bo，I——we\'llallthankhim——allourlives，"repliedDale。"Wilson，you\'reaman！……Ifyou\'llshakethatgang——"
"Dale，shorethereain\'tmuchofagangleft，onlessyouletBurtgitaway，"repliedWilson。
"Ididn\'tkillhim——orhurthim。ButIscaredhimsoI\'llbethe\'srunnin\'yet……Wilson，didalltheshootin\'
meanafight？"
"Tolerable。"
"Oh，Dale，itwasterrible！Isawitall。I——"
"Wal，Miss，youcantellhimafterIgo……I\'mwishin\'
yougoodluck。"
Hisvoicewasacool，easydrawl，slightlytremulous。
Thegirl\'sfaceflashedwhiteinthegloom。Shepressedagainsttheoutlaw——wrunghishands。
"Heavenhelpyou，JimWilson！YouAREfromTexas！……I\'llrememberyou——prayforyouallmylife！"
Wilsonmovedaway，outtowardthepaleglowoflightundertheblackpines。
CHAPTERXXIV
AsHelenRaynerwatchedDalerideawayonaquestperiloustohim，andwhichmeantalmostlifeordeathforher，itwassurpassingstrangethatshecouldthinkofnothingexceptthethrilling，tumultuousmomentwhenshehadputherarmsroundhisneck。
ItdidnotmatterthatDale——splendidfellowthathewas——hadmadetheensuingmomentfreeofshamebytakingheractionashehadtakenit——thefactthatshehadactuallydoneitwasenough。Howutterlyimpossibleforhertoanticipateherimpulsesortounderstandthem，oncetheywereactedupon！ConfoundingrealizationthenwasthatwhenDalereturnedwithhersister，Helenknewshewoulddothesamethingoveragain！"
"IfIdo——Iwon\'tbetwo-facedaboutit，"shesoliloquized，andahotblushflamedhercheeks。
ShewatchedDaleuntilherodeoutofsight。
Whenhehadgone，worryanddreadreplacedthisotherconfusingemotion。Sheturnedtothebusinessofmeetingevents。Beforesuppershepackedhervaluablesandbooks，papers，andclothes，togetherwithBo\'s，andhadtheminreadinesssoifshewasforcedtovacatethepremisesshewouldhaveherpersonalpossessions。
TheMormonboysandseveralotherofhertrustedmensleptintheirtarpaulinbedsontheporchoftheranch-housethatnight，sothatHelenatleastwouldnotbesurprised。Butthedaycame，withitsmanifolddutiesundisturbedbyanyevent。Anditpassedslowlywiththeleadenfeetoflistening，watchingvigilance。
Carmichaeldidnotcomeback，norwastherenewsofhimtobehad。Thelastknownofhimhadbeenlatetheafternoonoftheprecedingday，whenasheep-herderhadseenhimfaroutonthenorthrange，headedforthehills。TheBeemansreportedthatRoy\'sconditionhadimproved，andalsothattherewasasubduedexcitementofsuspensedowninthevillage。
ThissecondlonelynightwasalmostunendurableforHelen。
Whenshesleptitwastodreamhorribledreams；whenshelayawakeitwastohaveherheartleaptoherthroatatarustleofleavesnearthewindow，andtobeintortureofimaginationastopoorBo\'splight。AthousandtimesHelensaidtoherselfthatBeasleycouldhavehadtheranchandwelcome，ifonlyBohadbeenspared。Helenabsolutelyconnectedherenemywithhersister\'sdisappearance。Riggsmighthavebeenameanstoit。
Daylightwasnotattendedbysomanyfears；therewerethingstodothatdemandedattention。Andthusitwasthatthenextmorning，shortlybeforenoon，shewasrecalledtoherperplexitiesbyashoutingoutatthecorralsandagallopingofhorsessomewherenear。Fromthewindowshesawabigsmoke。
"Fire！Thatmustbeoneofthebarns——theoldone，farthestout，"shesaid，gazingoutofthewindow。"SomecarelessMexicanwithhiseverlastingcigarette！"
Helenresistedanimpulsetogooutandseewhathadhappened。Shehaddecidedtostayinthehouse。Butwhenfootstepssoundedontheporchandaraponthedoor，sheunhesitatinglyopenedit。FourMexicansstoodclose。Oneofthem，quickasthought，flashedahandintograspher，andinasinglemotionpulledheracrossthethreshold。
"Nohurt，Senuora，"hesaid，andpointed——makingmotionsshemustgo。
Helendidnotneedtobetoldwhatthisvisitmeant。Manyasherconjectureshadbeen，however，shehadnotthoughtofBeasleysubjectinghertothisoutrage。Andherbloodboiled。
"Howdareyou！"shesaid，tremblinginherefforttocontrolhertemper。Butclass，authority，voiceavailednothingwiththeseswarthyMexicans。Theygrinned。AnotherlaidholdofHelenwithdirty，brownhand。Sheshrankfromthecontact。
"Letgo！"sheburstout，furiously。Andinstinctivelyshebegantostruggletofreeherself。Thentheyalltookholdofher。Helen\'sdignitymightneverhavebeen！Aburning，chokingrushofbloodwasherfirstacquaintancewiththeterriblepassionofangerthatwasherinheritancefromtheAuchinclosses。Shewhohadresolvednevertolayherselfopentoindignitynowfoughtlikeatigress。TheMexicans，jabberingintheirexcitement，hadalltheycoulddo，untiltheyliftedherbodilyfromtheporch。Theyhandledherasifshehadbeenahalf-emptysackofcorn。Oneholdingeachhandandfoottheypackedher，withdressdisarrangedandhalftornoff，downthepathtothelaneanddownthelanetotheroad。Theretheystooduprightandpushedheroffherproperty。
Throughhalf-blindeyesHelensawthemguardingthegateway，readytopreventherentrance。Shestaggereddowntheroadtothevillage。Itseemedshemadeherwaythroughareddimness——thattherewasacongestioninherbrain——thatthedistancetoMrs。Cass\'scottagewasinsurmountable。Butshegotthere，tostaggerupthepath，toheartheoldwoman\'scry。Dizzy，faint，sick，withablacknessenvelopingallshelookedat，Helenfeltherselfledintothesitting-roomandplacedinthebigchair。
Presentlysightandclearnessofmindreturnedtoher。ShesawRoy，whiteasasheet，questioningherwithterribleeyes。Theoldwomanhungmurmuringoverher，tryingtocomfortheraswellasfastenthedisordereddress。
"Fourgreasers——packedmedown——thehill——threwmeoffmyranch——intotheroad！"pantedHelen。
Sheseemedtotellthisalsotoherownconsciousnessandtorealizethemightywaveofdangerthatshookherwholebody。
"IfI\'dknown——Iwouldhavekilledthem！"
Sheexclaimedthat，full-voicedandhard，withdry，hoteyesonherfriends。Royreachedouttotakeherhand，speakinghuskily。Helendidnotdistinguishwhathesaid。Thefrightenedoldwomanknelt，withunsteadyfingersfumblingovertherentsinHelen\'sdress。ThemomentcamewhenHelen\'squiveringbegantosubside，whenherbloodquietedtoletherreasonsway，whenshebegantodobattlewithherrage，andslowlytotakefearfulstockofthisconsumingperilthathadbeenasleepingtigressinherveins。
"Oh，MissHelen，youlookedsoturrible，Imadesureyouwashurted，"theoldwomanwassaying。
Helengazedstrangelyatherbruisedwrists，attheonestockingthathungdownoverhershoe-top，attherentI
whichhadbaredhershouldertotheprofanegazeofthosegrinning，beady-eyedMexicans。
"Mybody\'s——nothurt，"shewhispered。
Royhadlostsomeofhiswhiteness，andwherehiseyeshadbeenfiercetheywerenowkind。
"Wal，MissNell，it\'sluckynoharm\'sdone……Nowifyou\'llonlyseethiswholedealclear！……Notletitspoilyoursweetwayoflookin\'an\'hopin\'！Ifyoucanonlyseewhat\'srawinthisWest——an\'loveitjestthesame！"
Helenonlyhalfdivinedhismeaning，butthatwasenoughforafuturereflection。TheWestwasbeautiful，buthard。Inthefacesofthesefriendsshebegantoseethemeaningofthekeen，slopinglines，andshadowsofpain，ofalean，nakedtruth，cutasfrommarble。
"Fortheland\'ssakes，tellusallaboutit，"importunedMrs。Cass。
WhereuponHelenshuthereyesandtoldthebriefnarrativeofherexpulsionfromherhome。
"Shorewe-allexpectedthet，"saidRoy。"An\'it\'sjestaswellyou\'reherewithawholeskin。Beasley\'sinpossessionnowan\'Ireckonwe\'dallsoonerhevyouawayfromthetranch。"
"But，Roy，Iwon\'tletBeasleystaythere，"criedHelen。
"MissNell，shorebythetimethisherePinehasgrowedbigenoughferlawyou\'llhevgrayinthetprettyhair。Youcan\'tputBeasleyoffwithyourhonestan\'rightfulclaim。
AlAuchinclosswasaharddriver。Hemadeenemiesan\'hemadesomehedidn\'tkill。Theevilmendolivesafterthem。
An\'you\'vegottosufferferAl\'ssins，thoughAlwasasgoodasanymanwhoeverprosperedintheseparts。"
"Oh，whatcanIdo？Iwon\'tgiveup。I\'vebeenrobbed。Can\'tthepeoplehelpme？MustImeeklysitwithmyhandscrossedwhilethathalf-breedthief——Oh，it\'sunbelievable！"
"Ireckonyou\'lljesthevtobepatientferafewdays，"
saidRoy，calmly。"It\'llallcomerightintheend。"
"Roy！You\'vehadthisdeal，asyoucallit，allworkedoutinmindforalongtime！"exclaimedHelen。
"Shore，an\'I\'ain\'tmissedareckonin\'yet。"
"Thenwhatwillhappen——inafewdays？"
"NellRayner，areyougoin\'tohevsomespunkan\'notloseyournerveagainorgowildoutofyourhead？"
"I\'lltrytobebrave，but——butImustbeprepared，"shereplied，tremulously。
"Wal，there\'sDalean\'LasVegasan\'meferBeasleytoreckonwith。An\'，MissNell，hischancesferlonglifeareasporeashischancesferheaven！"
"But，Roy，Idon\'tbelieveindeliberatetakingoflife，"
repliedHelen，shuddering。"That\'sagainstmyreligion。I
won\'tallowit……And——then——think，Dale，allofyou——indanger！"
"Girl，how\'reyouevergoin\'tohelpyourself？ShoreyoumightholdDaleback，ifyoulovehim，an\'swearyouwon\'tgiveyourselftohim……An\'IreckonI\'drespectyourreligion，ifyouwasgoin\'tosufferthroughme……ButnotDalenoryou——norBo——norloveorheavenorhellcaneverstopthetcowboyLasVegas！"
"Oh，ifDalebringsBobacktome——whatwillIcareformyranch？"murmuredHelen。
"Reckonyou\'llonlybegintocarewhenthethappens。Yourbighunterhasgottobeputtowork，"repliedRoy，withhiskeensmile。
BeforenoonthatdaythebaggageHelenhadpackedathomewasleftontheporchofWidowCass\'scottage，andHelen\'sanxiousneedofthehourwassatisfied。Shewasmadecomfortableintheoldwoman\'sonespareroom，andshesetherselfthetaskoffortitudeandendurance。
Tohersurprise，manyofMrs。Cass\'sneighborscameunobtrusivelytothebackdoorofthelittlecottageandmadesympatheticinquiries。Theyappearedasubduedandapprehensivegroup，andwhisperedtooneanotherastheyleft。HelengatheredfromtheirvisitsaconvictionthatthewivesofthemendominatedbyBeasleybelievednogoodcouldcomeofthishigh-handedtakingoveroftheranch。Indeed，Helenfoundattheendofthedaythatastrengthhadbeenborneofhermisfortune。
ThenextdayRoyinformedherthathisbrotherJohnhadcomedowntheprecedingnightwiththenewsofBeasley\'sdescentupontheranch。Notashothadbeenfired，andtheonlydamagedonewasthatoftheburningofahay-filledbarn。
ThishadbeensetonfiretoattractHelen\'smentoonespot，whereBeasleyhadriddendownuponthemwiththreetimestheirnumber。Hehadboldlyorderedthemofftheland，unlesstheywantedtoacknowledgehimbossandremainthereinhisservice。ThethreeBeemanshadstayed，havingplannedthatjustinthiseventtheymightbevaluabletoHelen\'sinterests。BeasleyhadriddendownintoPinethesameasuponanyotherday。Royreportedalsonewswhichhadcomeinthatmorning，howBeasley\'scrowdhadcelebratedlatethenightbefore。
Thesecondandthirdandfourthdaysendlesslyworeaway，andHelenbelievedtheyhadmadeherold。Atnightshelayawakemostofthetime，thinkingandpraying，butduringtheafternoonshegotsomesleep。Shecouldthinkofnothingandtalkofnothingexcepthersister，andDale\'schancesofsavingher。
"Well，shoreyoupayDaleaporecompliment，"finallyprotestedthepatientRoy。"Itellyou——MiltDalecandoanythin\'hewantstodointhewoods。Youcanbelievethet……ButIreckonhe\'llrunchancesafterhecomesback。"
ThissignificantspeechthrilledHelenwithitsassuranceofhope，andmadeherbloodcurdleattheimpliedperilawaitingthehunter。
OntheafternoonofthefifthdayHelenwasabruptlyawakenedfromhernap。Thesunhadalmostset。Sheheardvoices——theshrill，cacklingnotesofoldMrs。Cass，highinexcitement，adeepvoicethatmadeHelentingleallover，agirl\'slaugh，brokenbuthappy。Therewerefootstepsandstampingofhoofs。DalehadbroughtBoback！Helenknewit。
Shegrewveryweak，andhadtoforceherselftostanderect。
Herheartbegantopoundinherveryears。Asweetandperfectjoysuddenlyfloodedhersoul。ShethankedGodherprayershadbeenanswered。Thensuddenlyalivewithsheermadphysicalgladness，sherushedout。
ShewasjustintimetoseeRoyBeemanstalkoutasifhehadneverbeenshot，andwithayellgreetabig，gray-clad，gray-facedman——Dale。
"Howdy，Roy！Gladtoseeyouup，"saidDale。HowthequietvoicesteadiedHelen！ShebeheldBo。Bo，lookingthesame，exceptalittlepaleanddisheveled！ThenBosawherandleapedather，intoherarms。
"Nell！I\'mhere！Safe——allright！Neverwassohappyinmylife……Oh-h！talkaboutyouradventures！Nell，youdearoldmothertome——I\'vehade-enoughforever！"
Bowaswildwithjoy，andbyturnsshelaughedandcried。
ButHelencouldnotvoiceherfeelings。HereyesweresodimthatshecouldscarcelyseeDalewhenheloomedoverherassheheldBo。Buthefoundthehandsheputshakilyout。
"Nell！……Reckonit\'sbeenharder——onyou。"Hisvoicewasearnestandhalting。Shefelthissearchinggazeuponherface。"Mrs。Casssaidyouwerehere。An\'Iknowwhy。"
Royledthemallindoors。
"Milt，oneoftheneighborboyswilltakecareofthethoss，"hesaid，asDaleturnedtowardthedustyandwearyRanger。"Where\'dyouleavethecougar？"
"Isenthimhome，"repliedDate。
"Lawsnow，Milt，ifthisain\'tgrand！"cackledMrs。Cass。
"We\'veworriedsomehere。An\'MissHelennearstarveda-hopin\'feryou。"
"Mother，Ireckonthegirlan\'Iarenearerstarvedthananybodyyouknow，"repliedDale，withagrimlaugh。
"Fertheland\'ssake！I\'llbefixin\'supperthisminit。"
"Nell，whyareyouhere？"askedBo，suspiciously。
ForanswerHelenledhersisterintothespareroomandclosedthedoor。Bosawthebaggage。Herexpressionchanged。
Theoldblazeleapedtothetelltaleeyes。
"He\'sdoneit！"shecried，hotly。
"Dearest——thankGod。I\'vegotyou——backagain！"murmuredHelen，findinghervoice。"Nothingelsematters！……I\'veprayedonlyforthat！"
"GoodoldNell！"whisperedBo，andshekissedandembracedHelen。"Youreallymeanthat，Iknow。Butnixforyourstruly！I\'mbackaliveandkicking，youbet……Where\'smy——where\'sTom？"
"Bo，notawordhasbeenheardofhimforfivedays。He\'ssearchingforyou，ofcourse。"
"Andyou\'vebeen——beenputofftheranch？"
"Well，rather，"repliedHelen，andinafewtremblingwordsshetoldthestoryofhereviction。
Boutteredawildwordthathadmoreforcethanelegance，butitbecameherpassionateresentmentofthisoutragedonehersister。
"Oh！……DoesTomCarmichaelknowthis？"sheadded，breathlessly。
"Howcouldhe？"
"Whenhefindsout，then——Oh，won\'ttherebehell？I\'mgladIgotherefirst……Nell，mybootshaven\'tbeenoffthewholeblessedtime。Helpme。Andoh，forsomesoapandhotwaterandsomecleanclothes！Nell，oldgirl，Iwasn\'traisedrightfortheseWesterndeals。Tooluxurious！"
