第10章

Notthattheirlifewasmeagre。Itwasthattheyfoundkeenerdelightsanddeepersatisfactionsinlittlethings。Daylight，whohadplayedthegameinitsbiggestandmostfantasticaspects，foundthathere，ontheslopesofSonomaMountain，itwasstillthesameoldgame。Manhadstillworktoperform，forcestocombat，obstaclestoovercome。Whenheexperimentedinasmallwayatraisingafewpigeonsformarket，hefoundnolesszestincalculatinginsquabsthanformerlywhenhehadcalculatedinmillions。

Achievementwasnolessachievement，whiletheprocessofitseemedmorerationalandreceivedthesanctionofhisreason。

Thedomesticcatthathadgonewildandthatpreyedonhispigeons，hefound，bythecomparativestandard，tobeofnolessparamountmenacethanaCharlesKlinknerinthefieldoffinance，tryingtoraidhimforseveralmillions。Thehawksandweaselsand’coonsweresomanyDowsetts，Lettons，andGuggenhammersthatstruckathimsecretly。Theseaofwildvegetationthattosseditssurfagainsttheboundariesofallhisclearingsandthatsometimescreptinandfloodedinasingleweekwasnomeanenemytocontendwithandsubdue。Hisfat-soiledvegetable-gardeninthenookofhillsthatfailedofitsbestwasaproblemofengrossingimportance，andwhenhehadsolveditbyputtingindrain-tile，thejoyoftheachievementwaseverwithhim。Heneverworkedinitandfoundthesoilunpackedandtractablewithoutexperiencingthethrillofaccomplishment。

Therewasthematteroftheplumbing。Hewasenabledtopurchasethematerialsthroughaluckysaleofanumberofhishairbridles。Theworkhedidhimself，thoughmorethanoncehewasforcedtocallinDedetoholdtightwithapipe-wrench。Andintheend，whenthebath-tubandthestationarytubswereinstalledandinworkingorder，hecouldscarcelytearhimselfawayfromthecontemplationofwhathishandshadwrought。

Thefirstevening，missinghim，Dedesoughtandfoundhim，lampinhand，staringwithsilentgleeatthetubs。Herubbedhishandovertheirsmoothwoodenlipsandlaughedaloud，andwasasshamefacedasanyboywhenshecaughthimthussecretlyexultinginhisownprowess。

Itwasthisadventureinwood-workingandplumbingthatbroughtaboutthebuildingofthelittleworkshop，whereheslowlygatheredacollectionoflovedtools。Andhe，whointheolddays，outofhismillions，couldpurchaseimmediatelywhateverhemightdesire，learnedthenewjoyofthepossessionthatfollowsuponrigideconomyanddesirelongdelayed。HewaitedthreemonthsbeforedaringtheextravaganceofaYankeescrew-driver，andhisgleeinthemarvelouslittlemechanismwassokeenthatDedeconceivedforthrightagreatidea。Forsixmonthsshesavedheregg-money，whichwashersbyrightofallotment，andonhisbirthdaypresentedhimwithaturning-latheofwonderfulsimplicityandmultifariousefficiencies。

Andtheirmutualdelightinthetool，whichwashis，wasonlyequalledbytheirdelightinMab’sfirstfoal，whichwasDede’sspecialprivateproperty。

ItwasnotuntilthesecondsummerthatDaylightbuiltthehugefireplacethatoutrivalledFerguson’sacrossthevalley。Forallthesethingstooktime，andDedeandDaylightwerenotinahurry。Theirswasnotthemistakeoftheaveragecity-dwellerwhofleesinultra-moderninnocencetothesoil。Theydidnotessaytoomuch。Neitherdidtheyhaveamortgagetoclear，nordidtheydesirewealth。Theywantedlittleinthewayoffood，andtheyhadnorenttopay。Sotheyplannedunambiguously，reservingtheirlivesforeachotherandforthecompensationsofcountry-dwellingfromwhichtheaveragecountry-dwellerisbarred。FromFerguson’sexample，too，theyprofitedmuch。Herewasamanwhoaskedforbuttheplainestfare；

whoministeredtohisownsimpleneedswithhisownhands；whoworkedoutasalaboreronlywhenheneededmoneytobuybooksandmagazines；andwhosawtoitthatthemajorportionofhiswakingtimewasforenjoyment。

Helovedtoloaflongafternoonsintheshadewithhisbooksortobeupwiththedawnandawayoverthehills。

OnoccasionheaccompaniedDedeandDaylightondeerhuntsthroughthewildcanonsandovertheruggedsteepsofHoodMountain，thoughmoreoftenDedeandDaylightwereoutalone。Thisridingwasoneoftheirchiefjoys。

Everywrinkleandcreaseinthehillstheyexplored，andtheycametoknoweverysecretspringandhiddendellinthewholesurroundingwallofthevalley。Theylearnedallthetrailsandcow-paths；butnothingdelightedthemmorethantoessaytheroughestandmostimpossiblerides，wheretheyweregladtocrouchandcrawlalongthenarrowestdeer-runs，BobandMabstrugglingandforcingtheirwayalongbehind。Backfromtheirridestheybroughttheseedsandbulbsofwildflowerstoplantinfavoringnooksontheranch。Alongthefoottrailwhichleddownthesideofthebigcanontotheintakeofthewater-pipe，theyestablishedtheirfernery。Itwasnotaformalaffair，andthefernswerelefttothemselves。DedeandDaylightmerelyintroducednewonesfromtimetotime，changingthemfromonewildhabitattoanother。Itwasthesamewiththewildlilac，whichDaylighthadsenttohimfromMendocinoCounty。Itbecamepartofthewildnessoftheranch，and，afterbeinghelpedforaseason，waslefttoitsowndevices。

theyusedtogathertheseedsoftheCaliforniapoppyandscatterthemovertheirownacres，sothattheorange-coloredblossomsspangledthefieldsofmountainhayandprosperedinflamingdriftsinthefencecornersandalongtheedgesoftheclearings。

Dede，whohadafondnessforcattails，establishedafringeofthemalongthemeadowstream，wheretheywerelefttofightitoutwiththewater-cress。Andwhenthelatterwasthreatenedwithextinction，Daylightdevelopedoneoftheshadedspringsintohiswater-cressgardenanddeclaredwaruponanyinvadingcattail。OnherweddingdayDedehaddiscoveredalongdog-toothvioletbythezigzagtrailabovetheredwoodspring，andhereshecontinuedtoplantmoreandmore。TheopenhillsideabovethetinymeadowbecameacolonyofMariposalilies。Thiswasduemainlytoherefforts，whileDaylight，whorodewithashort-handledaxonhissaddle-bow，clearedthelittlemanzanitawoodontherockyhillofallitsdeadanddyingandovercrowdedweaklings。

Theydidnotlaboratthesetasks。Norweretheytasks。Merelyinpassing，theypaused，fromtimetotime，andlentahandtonature。Theseflowersandshrubsgrewofthemselves，andtheirpresencewasnoviolationofthenaturalenvironment。Themanandthewomanmadenoefforttointroduceaflowerorshrubthatdidnotofitsownrightbelong。Nordidtheyprotectthemfromtheirenemies。Thehorsesandthecoltsandthecowsandthecalvesranatpastureamongthemoroverthem，andflowerorshrubhadtotakeitschance。Butthebeastswerenotnoticeablydestructive，fortheywerefewinnumberandtheranchwaslarge。

Ontheotherhand，Daylightcouldhavetakeninfullyadozenhorsestopasture，whichwouldhaveearnedhimadollarandahalfperheadpermonth。Butthisherefusedtodo，becauseofthedevastationsuchclosepasturingwouldproduce。

Fergusoncameovertocelebratethehousewarmingthatfollowedtheachievementofthegreatstonefireplace。Daylighthadriddenacrossthevalleymorethanoncetoconferwithhimabouttheundertaking，andhewastheonlyotherpresentatthesacredfunctionoflightingthefirstfire。Byremovingapartition，Daylighthadthrowntworoomsintoone，andthiswasthebigliving-roomwhereDede’streasureswereplaced——herbooks，andpaintingsandphotographs，herpiano，theCrouchedVenus，thechafing-dishandallitsglitteringaccessories。Already，inadditiontoherownwild-animalskins，werethoseofdeerandcoyoteandonemountain-lionwhichDaylighthadkilled。Thetanninghehaddonehimself，slowlyandlaboriously，infrontierfashion。

HehandedthematchtoDede，whostruckitandlightedthefire。Thecrispmanzanitawoodcrackledastheflamesleapedupandassailedthedrybarkofthelargerlogs。Thensheleanedintheshelterofherhusband’sarm，andthethreestoodandlookedinbreathlesssuspense。WhenFergusongavejudgment，itwaswithbeamingfaceandextendedhand。”Shedraws！Bycrickey，shedraws”hecried。

HeshookDaylight’shandecstatically，andDaylightshookhiswithequalfervor，and，bending，kissedDedeonthelips。Theywereasexultantoverthesuccessoftheirsimplehandiworkasanygreatcaptainatastonishingvictory。InFerguson’seyeswasactuallyasuspiciousmoisturewhilethewomanpressedevenmorecloselyagainstthemanwhoseachievementitwas。

Hecaughtherupsuddenlyinhisarmsandwhirledherawaytothepiano，cryingout:”Comeon，Dede！TheGloria！TheGloria！”

Andwhiletheflamesinthefireplacethatworked，thetriumphantstrainsoftheTwelfthMassrolledforth。

BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXVIPartIIChapterXXVIDaylighthadmadenoassertionoftotalabstinencethoughhehadnottakenadrinkformonthsafterthedayheresolvedtolethisbusinessgotosmash。Soonheprovedhimselfstrongenoughtodaretotakeadrinkwithouttakingasecond。Ontheotherhand，withhiscomingtoliveinthecountry，hadpassedalldesireandneedfordrink。Hefeltnoyearningforit，andevenforgotthatitexisted。Yetherefusedtobeafraidofit，andintown，onoccasion，wheninvitedbythestorekeeper，wouldreply:”Allright，son。Ifmytakingadrinkwillmakeyouhappyheregoes。Whiskeyformine。”

Butsuchadrinkbegannodesireforasecond。Itmadenoimpression。

Hewastooprofoundlystrongtobeaffectedbyathimbleful。AshehadprophesiedtoDede，BurningDaylight，thecityfinancier，haddiedaquickdeathontheranch，andhisyoungerbrother，theDaylightfromAlaska，hadtakenhisplace。Thethreatenedinundationoffathadsubsided，andallhisold-timeIndianleannessandofmusclehadreturned。So，likewise，didtheoldslighthollowsinhischeekscomeback。Forhimtheyindicatedthepinkofphysicalcondition。HebecametheacknowledgedstrongmanofSonomaValley，theheaviestlifterandhardestwindedamongahuskyraceoffarmerfolk。Andonceayearhecelebratedhisbirthdayintheold-fashionedfrontierway，challengingallthevalleytocomeupthehilltotheranchandbeputonitsback。Andafairportionofthevalleyresponded，broughtthewomen-folkandchildrenalong，andpicnickedfortheday。

Atfirst，wheninneedofreadycash，hehadfollowedFerguson’sexampleofworkingatday’slabor；buthewasnotlongingravitatingtoaformofworkthatwasmorestimulatingandmoresatisfying，andthatallowedhimevenmoretimeforDedeandtheranchandtheperpetualridingthroughthehills。Havingbeenchallengedbytheblacksmith，inaspiritofbanter，toattemptthebreakingofacertainincorrigiblecolt，hesucceededsosignallyastoearnquiteareputationasahorse-breaker。Andsoonhewasabletoearnwhatevermoneyhedesiredatthis，tohim，agreeablework。

Asugarking，whosebreedingfarmandtrainingstableswereatCaliente，threemilesaway，sentforhimintimeofneed，and，beforetheyearwasout，offeredhimthemanagementofthestables。ButDaylightsmiledandshookhishead。Furthermore，herefusedtoundertakethebreakingofasmanyanimalsaswereoffered。”I’msurenotgoingtodiefromoverwork，”

heassuredDede；andheacceptedsuchworkonlywhenhehadtohavemoney。

Later，hefencedoffasmallruninthepasture，where，fromtimetotime，hetookinalimitednumberofincorrigibles。”We’vegottheranchandeachother，”hetoldhiswife，”andI’dsoonerridewithyoutoHoodMountainanydaythanearnfortydollars。Youcan’tbuysunsets，andlovingwives，andcoolspringwater，andsuchfolderols，withfortydollars；andfortymilliondollarscan’tbuybackformeonedaythatIdidn’tridewithyoutoHoodMountain。”

Hislifewaseminentlywholesomeandnatural。Earlytobed，hesleptlikeaninfantandwasupwiththedawn。Alwayswithsomethingtodo，andwithathousandlittlethingsthatenticedbutdidnotclamor，hewashimselfneveroverdone。Nevertheless，thereweretimeswhenbothheandDedewerenotaboveconfessingtirednessatbedtimeafterseventyoreightymilesinthesaddle。

Sometimes，whenhehadaccumulatedalittlemoney，andwhentheseasonfavored，theywouldmounttheirhorses，withsaddle-bagsbehind，andrideawayoverthewallofthevalleyanddownintotheothervalleys。Whennightfell，theyputupatthefirstconvenientfarmorvillage，andonthemorrowtheywouldrideon，withoutdefiniteplan，merelycontinuingtorideon，dayafterday，untiltheirmoneygaveoutandtheywerecompelledtoreturn。Onsuchtripstheywouldbegoneanywherefromaweektotendaysortwoweeks，andoncetheymanagedathreeweeks’trip。

Theyevenplannedambitiouslysomedaywhentheyweredisgracefullyprosperous，torideallthewayuptoDaylight’sboyhoodhomeinEasternOregon，stoppingonthewayatDede’sgirlhoodhomeinSiskiyou。Andallthejoysofanticipationweretheirsathousandtimesastheycontemplatedthedetaileddelightsofthisgrandadventure。

Oneday，stoppingtomailaletterattheGlenEllenpostoffice，theywerehailedbytheblacksmith。”Say，Daylight，”hesaid，”ayoungfellownamedSlossonsendsyouhisregards。Hecamethroughinanauto，onthewaytoSantaRosa。Hewantedtoknowifyoudidn’tlivehereabouts，butthecrowdwithhimwasinahurry。Sohesentyouhisregardsandsaidtotellyouhe’dtakenyouradviceandwasstillgoingonbreakinghisownrecord。”

DaylighthadlongsincetoldDedeoftheincident。”Slosson？”hemeditated，”Slosson？Thatmustbethehammer-thrower。

Heputmyhanddowntwice，theyoungscamp。”HeturnedsuddenlytoDede。”Say，it’sonlytwelvemilestoSantaRosa，andthehorsesarefresh。”

Shedivinedwhatwasinhismind，ofwhichhistwinklingeyesandsheepish，boyishgringavesufficientadvertisement，andshesmiledandnoddedacquiescence。”We’llcutacrossbyBennettValley，”hesaid。”It’snearerthatway。”

Therewaslittledifficulty，onceinSantaRosa，offindingSlosson。

HeandhispartyhadregisteredattheOberlinHotel，andDaylightencounteredtheyounghammer-throwerhimselfintheoffice。”Lookhere，son，”Daylightannounced，assoonashehadintroducedDede，”I’vecometogoyouanotherflutteratthathandgame。Here’salikelyplace。”

Slossonsmiledandaccepted。Thetwomenfacedeachother，theelbowsoftheirrightarmsonthecounter，thehandsclasped。Slosson’shandquicklyforcedbackwardanddown。”You’rethefirstmanthateversucceededindoingit，”hesaid。”Let’stryitagain。””Sure，”Daylightanswered。”Anddon’tforget，son，thatyou’rethefirstmanthatputminedown。That’swhyIlitoutafteryouto-day。”

Againtheyclaspedhands，andagainSlosson’shandwentdown。Hewasabroad-shouldered，heavy-muscledyounggiant，atleasthalfaheadtallerthanDaylight，andhefranklyexpressedhischagrinandaskedforathirdtrial。Thistimehesteeledhimselftotheeffort，andforamomenttheissuewasindoubt。Withflushedfaceandsetteethhemettheother’sstrengthtillhiscracklingmusclesfailedhim。Theairexplodedsharplyfromhistensedlungs，asherelaxedinsurrender，andthehanddroppedlimplydown。”You’retoomanyforme，”heconfessed。”Ionlyhopeyou’llkeepoutofthehammer-throwinggame。”

Daylightlaughedandshookhishead。”Wemightcompromise，andeachstayinhisownclass。Yousticktohammer-throwing，andI’llgoonturningdownhands。”

ButSlossonrefusedtoacceptdefeat。”Say，”hecalledout，asDaylightandDede，astridetheirhorses，werepreparingtodepart。”Say——doyoumindifIlookyouupnextyear？I’dliketotackleyouagain。””Sure，son。You’rewelcometoaflutteranytime。ThoughIgiveyoufairwarningthatyou’llhavetogosome。You’llhavetotrainup，forI’mploughingandchoppingwoodandbreakingcoltsthesedays。”

Nowandagain，onthewayhome，Dedecouldhearherbigboy-husbandchucklinggleefully。AstheyhaltedtheirhorsesonthetopofthedivideoutofBennettValley，inordertowatchthesunset，herangedalongsideandslippedhisarmaroundherwaist。”Littlewoman，”hesaid，”you’resureresponsibleforitall。AndI

leaveittoyou，ifallthemoneyincreationisworthasmuchasonearmlikethatwhenit’sgotasweetlittlewomanlikethistogoaround。”

Forofallhisdelightsinthenewlife，Dedewashisgreatest。Asheexplainedtohermorethanonce，hehadbeenafraidofloveallhislifeonlyintheendtocometofinditthegreatestthingintheworld。Notalonewerethetwowellmated，butincomingtoliveontheranchtheyhadselectedthebestsoilinwhichtheirlovewouldprosper。Inspiteofherbooksandmusic，therewasinherawholesomesimplicityandloveoftheopenandnatural，whileDaylight，ineveryfiberofhim，wasessentiallyanopen-airman。

OfonethinginDede，Daylightnevergotovermarvelingabout，andthatwasherefficienthands——thehandsthathehadfirstseentakingdownflyingshorthandnotesandtickingawayatthetypewriter；thehandsthatwerefirmtoholdamagnificentbrutelikeBob，thatwonderfullyflashedoverthekeysofthepiano，thatwereunhesitantinhouseholdtasks，andthatweretwinmiraclestocaressandtorunripplingfingersthroughhishair。

ButDaylightwasnotundulyuxorious。Helivedhisman’slifejustasshelivedherwoman’slife。Therewasproperdivisionoflaborintheworktheyindividuallyperformed。Butthewholewasentwinedandwovenintoafabricofmutualinterestandconsideration。Hewasasdeeplyinterestedinhercookingandhermusicasshewasinhisagriculturaladventuresinthevegetablegarden。Andhe，whoresolutelydeclinedtodieofoverwork，sawtoitthatsheshouldlikewiseescapesodirearisk。

Inthisconnection，usinghisman’sjudgmentandputtinghisman’sfootdown，herefusedtoallowhertobeburdenedwiththeentertainingofguests。

Forgueststheyhad，especiallyinthewarm，longsummers，andusuallytheywereherfriendsfromthecity，whowereputtocampintentswhichtheycaredforthemselves，andwhere，liketruecampers，theyhadalsotocookforthemselves。PerhapsonlyinCalifornia，whereeverybodyknowscamplife，wouldsuchaprogramhavebeenpossible。ButDaylight’ssteadfastcontentionwasthathiswifeshouldnotbecomecook，waitress，andchambermaidbecauseshedidnothappentopossessahouseholdofservants。Ontheotherhand，chafing-dishsuppersinthebigliving-roomfortheircampingguestswereacommonhappening，atwhichtimesDaylightallottedthemtheirchoresandsawthattheywereperformed。Foronewhostoppedonlyforthenightitwasdifferent。Likewiseitwasdifferentwithherbrother，backfromGermany，andagainabletositahorse。Onhisvacationshebecamethethirdinthefamily，andtohimwasgiventhebuildingofthefires，thesweeping，andthewashingofthedishes。

DaylightdevotedhimselftothelighteningofDede’slabors，anditwasherbrotherwhoincitedhimtoutilizethesplendidwater-poweroftheranchthatwasrunningtowaste。ItrequiredDaylight’sbreakingofextrahorsestopayforthematerials，andthebrotherdevotedathreeweeks’vacationtoassisting，andtogethertheyinstalledaPeltingwheel。

Besidessawingwoodandturninghislatheandgrindstone，Daylightconnectedthepowerwiththechurn；buthisgreattriumphwaswhenheputhisarmaroundDede’swaistandledherouttoinspectawashing-machine，runbythePeltonwheel，whichreallyworkedandreallywashedclothes。

DedeandFerguson，betweenthem，afterapatientstruggle，taughtDaylightpoetry，sothatintheendhemighthavebeenoftenseen，sittingslackinthesaddleanddroppingdownthemountaintrailsthroughthesun-fleckedwoods，chantingaloudKipling’s”Tomlinson，”or，whensharpeninghisax，singingintothewhirlinggrindstoneHenley’s”SongoftheSword。”Notthatheeverbecameconsummatelyliteraryinthewayhistwoteacherswere。

Beyond”FraLippoLippi”and”CalibanandSetebos，”hefoundnothinginBrowning，whileGeorgeMeredithwaseverhisdespair。Itwasofhisowninitiative，however，thatheinvestedinaviolin，andpractisedsoassiduouslythatintimeheandDedebeguiledmanyahappyhourplayingtogetherafternighthadfallen。

Soallwentwellwiththiswell-matedpair。Timeneverdragged。Therewerealwaysnewwonderfulmorningsandstillcooltwilightsattheendofday；andeverathousandinterestsclaimedhim，andhisinterestsweresharedbyher。Morethoroughlythanheknew，hadhecometoacomprehensionoftherelativityofthings。Inthisnewgameheplayedhefoundinlittlethingsalltheintensitiesofgratificationanddesirethathehadfoundinthefrenziedbigthingswhenhewasapowerandrockedhalfacontinentwiththefuryoftheblowshestruck。Withheadandhand，atriskoflifeandlimb，tobitandbreakawildcoltandwinittotheserviceofman，wastohimnolessgreatanachievement。Andthisnewtableonwhichheplayedthegamewasclean。Neitherlying，norcheating，norhypocrisywashere。Theothergamehadmadefordecayanddeath，whilethisnewonemadeforcleanstrengthandlife。Andsohewascontent，withDedeathisside，towatchtheprocessionofthedaysandseasonsfromthefarm-houseperchedonthecanon-lip；toridethroughcrispfrostymorningsorunderburningsummersuns；andtoshelterinthebigroomwhereblazedthelogsinthefireplacehehadbuilt，whileoutsidetheworldshudderedandstruggledinthestorm-claspofasoutheaster。

OnceonlyDedeaskedhimifheeverregretted，andhisanswerwastocrushherinhisarmsandsmotherherlipswithhis。Hisanswer，aminutelater，tookspeech。”Littlewoman，evenifyoudidcostthirtymillions，youaresurethecheapestnecessityoflifeIeverindulgedin。”Andthenheadded，”Yes，Idohaveoneregret，andamonstrousbigone，too。I’dsureliketohavethewinningofyoualloveragain。I’dliketogosneakingaroundthePiedmonthillslookingforyou。I’dliketomeanderintothoseroomsofyoursatBerkeleyforthefirsttime。Andthere’snousetalking，I’mplumbsoakingwithregretthatIcan’tputmyarmsaroundyouagainthattimeyouleanedyourheadonmybreastandcriedinthewindandrain。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXVIIPartIIChapterXXVIIButtherecametheday，oneyear，inearlyApril，whenDedesatinaneasychairontheporch，sewingoncertainsmallgarments，whileDaylightreadaloudtoher。Itwasintheafternoon，andabrightsunwasshiningdownonaworldofnewgreen。Alongtheirrigationchannelsofthevegetablegardenstreamsofwaterwereflowing，andnowandagainDaylightbrokeofffromhisreadingtorunoutandchangetheflowofwater。Also，hewasteasinglyinterestedinthecertainsmallgarmentsonwhichDedeworked，whileshewasradiantlyhappyoverthem，thoughattimes，whenhistenderfunwastooinsistent，shewasrosilyconfusedoraffectionatelyresentful。

Fromwheretheysattheycouldlookoutovertheworld。Likethecurveofaskirtingblade，theValleyoftheMoonstretchedbeforethem，dottedwithfarm-housesandvariedbypasture-lands，hay-fields，andvineyards。

Beyondrosethewallofthevalley，everycreaseandwrinkleofwhichDedeandDaylightknew，andatoneplace，wherethesunstrucksquarely，thewhitedumpoftheabandonedmineburnedlikeajewel。Intheforeground，inthepaddockbythebarn，wasMab，fullofprettyanxietiesfortheearlyspringfoalthatstaggeredaboutherontotterylegs。Theairshimmeredwithheat，andaltogetheritwasalazy，baskingday。Quailwhistledtotheiryoungfromthethicketedhillsidebehindthehouse。therewasagentlecooingofpigeons，andfromthegreendepthsofthebigcanonarosethesobbingwoodnoteofamourningdove。Once，therewasawarningchorusfromtheforaginghensandawildrushforcover，asahawk，highintheblue，castitsdriftingshadowalongtheground。

Itwasthis，perhaps，thatarousedoldhuntingmemoriesinWolf。Atanyrate，DedeandDaylightbecameawareofexcitementinthepaddock，andsawharmlesslyreenactedagrimoldtragedyoftheYoungerWorld。Curiouslyeager，velvet-footedandsilentasaghost，slidingandglidingandcrouching，thedogthatwasmeredomesticatedwolfstalkedtheenticingbitofyounglifethatMabhadbroughtsorecentlyintotheworld。Andthemare，herownancientinstinctsarousedandquivering，circledeverbetweenthefoalandthismenaceofthewildyoungdayswhenallherancestryhadknownfearofhimandhishuntingbrethren。Once，shewhirledandtriedtokickhim，butusuallyshestrovetostrikehimwithherfore-hoofs，orrusheduponhimwithopenmouthandearslaidbackinanefforttocrunchhisbackbonebetweenherteeth。Andthewolf-dog，withearsflatteneddownandcrouching，wouldslidesilkilyaway，onlytocircleuptothefoalfromtheothersideandgivecausetothemarefornewalarm。ThenDaylight，urgedonbyDede’ssolicitude，utteredalowthreateningcry；andWolf，droopingandsagginginallthebodyofhimintokenofhisinstantreturntoman’sallegiance，slunkoffbehindthebarn。

ItwasafewminuteslaterthatDaylight，breakingofffromhisreadingtochangethestreamsofirrigation，foundthatthewaterhadceasedflowing。

Heshoulderedapickandshovel，tookahammerandapipe-wrenchfromthetool-house，andreturnedtoDedeontheporch。”IreckonI’llhavetogodownanddigthepipeout，”hetoldher。”It’sthatslidethat’sthreatenedallwinter。Iguessshe’scomedownatlast。””Don’tyoureadahead，now，”hewarned，ashepassedaroundthehouseandtookthetrailthatleddownthewallofthecanon。

Halfwaydownthetrail，hecameupontheslide。Itwasasmallaffair，onlyafewtonsofearthandcrumblingrock；but，startingfromfiftyfeetabove，ithadstruckthewaterpipewithforcesufficienttobreakitataconnection。Beforeproceedingtowork，heglancedupthepathoftheslide，andheglancedwiththeeyeoftheearth-trainedminer。Andhesawwhatmadehiseyesstartleandceaseforthemomentfromquestingfarther。”Hello，”hecommunedaloud，”lookwho’shere。”

Hisglancemovedonupthesteepbrokensurface，andacrossitfromsidetoside。Hereandthere，inplaces，smalltwistedmanzanitaswererootedprecariously，butinthemain，saveforweedsandgrass，thatportionofthecanonwasbare。Thereweresignsofasurfacethathadshiftedoftenastherainspouredaflowofricherodedsoilfromaboveoverthelipofthecanon。”Atruefissurevein，orIneversawone，”heproclaimedsoftly。

Andastheoldhuntinginstinctshadarousedthatdayinthewolf-dog，soinhimrecrudescedalltheoldhotdesireofgold-hunting。Droppingthehammerandpipe-wrench，butretainingpickandshovel，heclimbeduptheslidetowhereavaguelineofoutputtingbutmostlysoil-coveredrockcouldbeseen。Itwasallbutindiscernible，buthispractisedeyehadsketchedthehiddenformationwhichitsignified。Hereandthere，alongthiswallofthevein，heattackedthecrumblingrockwiththepickandshoveledtheencumberingsoilaway。Severaltimesheexaminedthisrock。

Sosoftwassomeofitthathecouldbreakitinhisfingers。Shiftingadozenfeethigherup，heagainattackedwithpickandshovel。Andthistime，whenherubbedthesoilfromachunkofrockandlooked，hestraightenedupsuddenly，gaspingwithdelight。Andthen，likeadeeratadrinkingpoolinfearofitsenemies，heflungaquickglancearoundtoseeifanyeyeweregazinguponhim。Hegrinnedathisownfoolishnessandreturnedtohisexaminationofthechunk。Aslantofsunlightfellonit，anditwasallaglitterwithtinyspecksofunmistakablefreegold。”Fromthegrassrootsdown，”hemutteredinanawestrickenvoice，asheswunghispickintotheyieldingsurface。

Heseemedtoundergoatransformation。Noquartofcocktailshadeverputsuchaflameinhischeeksnorsuchafireinhiseyes。Asheworked，hewascaughtupintheoldpassionthathadruledmostofhislife。A

frenzyseizedhimthatmarkedlyincreasedfrommomenttomoment。Heworkedlikeamadman，tillhepantedfromhisexertionsandthesweatdrippedfromhisfacetotheground。Hequestedacrossthefaceoftheslidetotheoppositewalloftheveinandbackagain。And，midway，hedugdownthroughtheredvolcanicearththathadwashedfromthedisintegratinghillabove，untilheuncoveredquartz，rottenquartz，thatbrokeandcrumbledinhishandsandshowedtobealivewithfreegold。

Sometimeshestartedsmallslidesofearththatcovereduphisworkandcompelledhimtodigagain。Once，hewassweptfiftyfeetdownthecanon-side；butheflounderedandscrambledupagainwithoutpausingforbreath。Hehituponquartzthatwassorottenthatitwasalmostlikeclay，andherethegoldwasricherthanever。Itwasaveritabletreasurechamber。

Forahundredfeetupanddownhetracedthewallsofthevein。Heevenclimbedoverthecanon-liptolookalongthebrowofthehillforsignsoftheoutcrop。Butthatcouldwait，andhehurriedbacktohisfind。

Hetoiledoninthesamemadhaste，untilexhaustionandanintolerableacheinhisbackcompelledhimtopause。Hestraightenedupwithevenaricherpieceofgold-ladenquartz。Stooping，thesweatfromhisforeheadhadfallentotheground。Itnowranintohiseyes，blindinghim。Hewipeditfromhimwiththebackofhishandandreturnedtoascrutinyofthegold。

Itwouldrunthirtythousandtotheton，fiftythousand，anything——

heknewthat。Andashegazedupontheyellowlure，andpantedforair，andwipedthesweataway，hisquickvisionleapedandsettowork。Hesawthespur-trackthatmustrunupfromthevalleyandacrosstheuplandpastures，andheranthegradesandbuiltthebridgethatwouldspanthecanon，untilitwasrealbeforehiseyes。Acrossthecanonwastheplaceforthemill，andthereheerectedit；andheerected，also，theendlesschainofbuckets，suspendedfromacableandoperatedbygravity，thatwouldcarrytheoreacrossthecanontothequartz-crusher。Likewise，thewholeminegrewbeforehimandbeneathhim-tunnels，shafts，andgalleries，andhoistingplants。

Theblastsoftheminerswereinhisears，andfromacrossthecanonhecouldheartheroarofthestamps。Thehandthatheldthelumpofquartzwastrembling，andtherewasatired，nervouspalpitationapparentlyinthepitofhisstomach。Itcametohimabruptlythatwhathewantedwasadrink——whiskey，cocktails，anything，adrink。Andeventhen，withthisnewhotyearningforthealcoholuponhim，heheard，faintandfar，driftingdownthegreenabyssofthecanon，Dede’svoice，crying:——”Here，chick，chick，chick，chick，chick！Here，chick，chick，chick！”

Hewasastoundedatthelapseoftime。Shehadlefthersewingontheporchandwasfeedingthechickenspreparatorytogettingsupper。Theafternoonwasgone。Hecouldnotconceivethathehadbeenawaythatlong。

Againcamethecall:”Here，chick，chick，chick，chick，chick！Here，chick，chick，chick！”

Itwasthewayshealwayscalled——firstfive，andthenthree。Hehadlongsincenoticedit。Andfromthesethoughtsofheraroseotherthoughtsthatcausedagreatfearslowlytogrowinhisface。Foritseemedtohimthathehadalmostlosther。Notoncehadhethoughtofherinthosefrenziedhours，andforthatmuch，atleast，hadshetrulybeenlosttohim。

Hedroppedthepieceofquartz，sliddowntheslide，andstartedupthetrail，runningheavily。Attheedgeoftheclearingheeaseddownandalmostcrepttoapointofvantagewhencehecouldpeerout，himselfunseen。

Shewasfeedingthechickens，tossingtothemhandfulsofgrainandlaughingattheirantics。

Thesightofherseemedtorelievethepanicfearintowhichhehadbeenflung，andheturnedandranbackdownthetrail。Againheclimbedtheslide，butthistimeheclimbedhigher，carryingthepickandshovelwithhim。Andagainhetoiledfrenziedly，butthistimewithadifferentpurpose。Heworkedartfully，loosingslideafterslideoftheredsoilandsendingitstreamingdownandcoveringupallhehaduncovered，hidingfromthelightofdaythetreasurehehaddiscovered。Heevenwentintothewoodsandscoopedarmfulsoflastyear’sfallenleaveswhichhescatteredovertheslide。Butthishegaveupasavaintask；andhesentmoreslidesofsoildownuponthesceneofhislabor，untilnosignremainedoftheout-juttingwallsofthevein。

Nextherepairedthebrokenpipe，gatheredhistoolstogether，andstartedupthetrail。Hewalkedslowly，feelingagreatweariness，asofamanwhohadpassedthroughafrightfulcrisis。

Heputthetoolsaway，tookagreatdrinkofthewaterthatagainflowedthroughthepipes，andsatdownonthebenchbytheopenkitchendoor。

Dedewasinside，preparingsupper，andthesoundofherfootstepsgavehimavastcontent。

Hebreathedthebalmymountainairingreatgulps，likeadiverfresh-risenfromthesea。And，ashedrankintheair，hegazedwithallhiseyesatthecloudsandskyandvalley，asifheweredrinkinginthat，too，alongwiththeair。

Dededidnotknowhehadcomeback，andattimesheturnedhisheadandstoleglancesinather——atherefficienthands，atthebronzeofherbrownhairthatsmoulderedwithfirewhenshecrossedthepathofsunshinethatstreamedthroughthewindow，atthepromiseofherfigurethatshotthroughhimapangmoststrangelysweetandsweetlydear。Heheardherapproachingthedoor，andkepthisheadturnedresolutelytowardthevalley。

Andnext，hethrilled，ashehadalwaysthrilled，whenhefeltthecaressinggentlenessofherfingersthroughhishair。”Ididn’tknowyouwereback，”shesaid。”Wasitserious？””Prettybad，thatslide，”heanswered，stillgazingawayandthrillingtohertouch。”MoreseriousthanIreckoned。ButI’vegottheplan。DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？——I’mgoingtoplanteucalyptusalloverit。They’llholdit。I’llplantthemthickasgrass，sothatevenahungryrabbitcan’tsqueezebetweenthem；andwhentheygettheirrootsagoing，nothingincreationwillevermovethatdirtagain。””Why，isitasbadasthat？”

Heshookhishead。”Nothingexciting。ButI’dsureliketoseeanyblamedoldslidegetthebestofme，that’sall。I’mgoingtosealthatslidedownsothatit’llstaythereforamillionyears。Andwhenthelasttrumpsounds，andSonomaMountainandalltheothermountainspassintonothingness，thatoldslidewillbestilla-standingthere，heldupbytheroots。”

Hepassedhisarmaroundherandpulledherdownonhisknees。”Say，littlewoman，yousuremissalotbylivinghereontheranch——music，andtheatres，andsuchthings。Don’tyoueverhaveahankeringtodropitallandgoback？”

Sogreatwashisanxietythathedarednotlookather，andwhenshelaughedandshookherheadhewasawareofagreatrelief。Also，henotedtheundiminishedyouththatrangthroughthatsameold-timeboyishlaughofhers。”Say，”hesaid，withsuddenfierceness，”don’tyougofoolingaroundthatslideuntilafterIgetthetreesinandrooted。It’smightydangerous，andIsurecan’taffordtoloseyounow。”

Hedrewherlipstohisandkissedherhungrilyandpassionately。”Whatalover！”shesaid；andprideinhimandinherownwomanhoodwasinhervoice。”Lookatthat，Dede。”Heremovedoneencirclingarmandsweptitinawidegestureoverthevalleyandthemountainsbeyond。”TheValleyoftheMoon——agoodname，agoodname。Doyouknow，whenIlookoutoveritall，andthinkofyouandofallitmeans，itkindofmakesmeacheinthethroat，andIhavethingsinmyheartIcan’tfindthewordstosay，andIhaveafeelingthatIcanalmostunderstandBrowningandthoseotherhigh-flyingpoet-fellows。LookatHoodMountainthere，justwherethesun’sstriking。Itwasdowninthatcreasethatwefoundthespring。””Andthatwasthenightyoudidn’tmilkthecowstillteno’clock，”

shelaughed。”Andifyoukeepmeheremuchlonger，supperwon’tbeanyearlierthanitwasthatnight。”

Botharosefromthebench，andDaylightcaughtupthemilk-pailfromthenailbythedoor。Hepausedamomentlongertolookoutoverthevalley。”It’ssuregrand，”hesaid。”It’ssuregrand，”sheechoed，laughingjoyouslyathimandwithhimandherselfandalltheworld，asshepassedinthroughthedoor。

AndDaylight，liketheoldmanheoncehadmet，himselfwentdownthehillthroughthefiresofsunsetwithamilkpailonhisarm。