第5章

Asuddendarkeningofthelandscapebelow，andasingularopaquewhiteningoftheairaroundthem，arousedhimfromhisthoughts。

Thedriverdrewupthecollarofhisovercoatandlaidhiswhipsmartlyoverthebacksofhiscattle。Theairgrewgraduallydarker，untilsuddenlyitseemedtodisintegrateintoinvisiblegrittyparticlesthatsweptthroughthewagon。Presentlytheseparticlesbecameheavier，moreperceptible，andpolishedlikesmallshot，andakeenwinddrovethemstinginglyintothefacesofthepassengers，orinsidiouslyintotheirpockets，collars，orthefoldsoftheirclothes。Thesnowforceditselfthroughthesmallestcrevice。

"We’llgetoverthiswhenoncewe’vepassedthebend；theroadseemstodipbeyond，"saidMastertoncheerfullyfromhisseatbesidethedriver。

Thedrivergavehimasinglescornfullook，andturnedtothepassengerwhooccupiedtheseatontheothersideofhim。"Idon’tlikethelooko’thingsdownthere，butefwearestuck，we’llhavetostrikeoutforthenextstation。"

"But，"saidMasterton，asthewindvolleyedthesharpsnowpelletsintheirfacesandtheleaderswerescarcelydistinguishablethroughthesmoke-likedischarges，"itcan’tbeworsethanhere。"

Thedriverdidnotspeak，buttheotherpassengercranedoverhisback，andsaidexplanatorily：——

"Ireckonyedon’tknowthesestorms；thiskindo’drysnowdon’tstickanddon’tclog。Look！"

Indeed，betweenthevolleys，Mastertoncouldseethattheroadwasperfectlybareandwind-swept，andexceptslightdriftsandbanksbesideoutlyingbushesandshrubs，——whicheventhenwereagainblownawaybeforehiseyes，——thelevellandscapewasunclothedandunchanged。Wherethesemysterioussnowpelletswenttopuzzledandconfusedhim；theyseemedtovanish，astheyhadappeared，intotheairaboutthem。

"I’dmakeastraightrushforthenextstation，"saidtheotherpassengerconfidentlytothedriver。"Ifwe’restuck，we’rethatmuchontheway；ifweturnbacknow，we’llhavetotakethegradeanywaywhenthestorm’sover，andneitheryounorIknowwhenTHAT’llbe。Itmaybeonlyasqualljustnow，butit’sgettin’

ratherlateintheseason。Justpitchinanddriveallyeknow。"

Thedriverlaidhislashonthehorses，andforafewmomentstheheavyvehicledashedforwardinviolentconflictwiththestorm。

Attimestheelastichickoryframeworkofitsdomedleatherroofswayedandbentliketheribsofanumbrella；attimesitseemedasifitwouldbeliftedbodilyoff；attimesthewholeinteriorofthevehiclewasfilledwithathinsmokebydriftsthrougheverycranny。Butpresently，toMasterton’sgreatrelief，theinterminablelevelseemedtoend，andbetweenthewhitenedblastshecouldseethattheroadwasdescending。Againthehorseswereurgedforward，andatlasthecouldfeelthatthevehiclebegantoaddthemomentumofitsdescenttoitsconflictwiththestorm。

Theblastsgrewlessviolent，orbecameonlythenaturalresistanceoftheairtotheirdominantrush。Withthecessationofthesnowvolleysandtheclearingoftheatmosphere，theroadbecamemorestronglydefinedasitplungeddownwardtoaterraceonthemountainflank，severalhundredfeetbelow。Presentlytheycameagainuponathickergrowthofbushes，andhereandthereasolitaryfir。Thewinddiedaway；thecoldseemedtobelessbitter。Masterton，inhisrelief，glancedsmilinglyathiscompanionsonthebox，butthedriver’smouthwascompressedasheurgedhisteamforward，andtheotherpassengerlookedhardlylessanxious。Theywerenowuponthelevelterrace，andthestormapparentlyspendingitsfuryhighupandbehindthem。Butinspiteoftheclearingoftheair，hecouldnotbutnoticethatitwassingularlydark。Whatwasmoresingular，thedarknessseemedtohaverisenfrombelow，andtoflowinuponthemastheydescended。

Acurtainofprofoundobscurity，darkereventhanthemountainwallattheirside，shutoutthehorizonandthevalleybelow。Butforthetemperature，Mastertonwouldhavethoughtathunderstormwasclosinginuponthem。Anoddfeelingofuneasinesscreptoverhim。

Afewfitfulgustsnowcamefromtheobscurity；oneofthemwasaccompaniedbywhatseemedaflightofsmallstartledbirdscrossingtheroadaheadofthem。Asecondlargerandmoresustainedflightshowedhisastonishedeyesthattheywerewhite，andeachbirdanenormousflakeofSNOW！Foraninstanttheairwasfilledwiththesedisks，shreds，patches，——twoorthreeclingingtogether，——likethedownfallshakenfromatree，strikingtheleatherroofandsideswithadullthud，spatteringtheroadintowhichtheydescendedwithlargerosettesthatmeltedawayonlytobefollowedbyhundredsmorethatstuckandSTAYED。Infiveminutesthegroundwaswhitewithit，thelongroadgleamingoutaheadinthedarkness；theroofandsidesofthewagonwereoverlaidwithitaswithacoatingofplasterofParis；theharnessofthehorses，andeventhereins，stoodoutovertheirsteamingbackslikewhitetrappings。Infiveminutesmorethesteamingbacksthemselveswereblanketedwithit；thearmsandlegsoftheoutsidepassengerspinionedtotheseatswithit，andthearmsofthedriverkeptfreeonlybyincessantmotion。Itwasnolongersnowing；itwas"snowballing；"itwasanavalancheoutoftheslopesofthesky。Theexhaustedhorsesflounderedinit；thecloggingwheelsdraggedinit；thevehicleatlastplungedintoabillowofit——andstopped。

Thebewilderedandhalfblindedpassengershurriedoutintotheroadtoassistthedrivertounshipthewheelsandfitthesteelrunnersintheiraxles。Butitwastoolate！Bythetimetheheavywagonwasconvertedintoasledge，itwasdeeplyimbeddedinwetandclingingsnow。Thenarrow，long-handledshovelsborrowedfromtheprospectors’kitswerepowerlessbeforethisheavy，halfliquidimpediment。Atlastthedriver，withanoath，relinquishedtheattempt，and，unhitchinghishorses，collectedthepassengersandledthemforwardbyanarrowerandmoreshelteredtrailtowardthenextstationsnowscarceamileaway。Theledhorsesbrokeapathbeforethem，thesnowfelllessheavily，butitwasnearlyanhourbeforethestragglingprocessionreachedthehouse，andthesnow-coatedandexhaustedpassengershuddledandsteamedroundthered-hotstoveinthebar-room。Thedriverhadvanishedwithhisteamintotheshed；Masterton’sfellowpassengeronthebox-seat，afterafewwhisperedwordstothelandlord，alsodisappeared。

"Iseeyou’vegotJakePoolewithyou，"saidoneofthebar-roomloungerstoMasterton，indicatingthepassengerwhohadjustleft。

"Ireckonhe’shereonthesamefoolbusiness。"

Mastertonlookedhissurpriseandmystification。

"JakePoole，thedeputysheriff，"repeatedtheother。"Ireckonhe’sherepretendin’tohuntforMontaguTrixitliketheSanFranciscodetectivesthatkemupyesterday。"

Mastertonwithdifficultyrepressedastart。HehadheardofPoole，butdidnotknowhimbysight。"Idon’tthinkI

understand，"hesaidcoolly。

"Ireckonyou’reastrangerintheseparts，"returnedthelounger，lookingatMastertoncuriously。"Efyouwarn’t，ye’dknowthataboutthelastmanSanFranciscoorCanadaCityWANTEDtoketchisMontyTrixit！HeknowstoomuchandTHEYknowit。Butthey’vegottokeepupashowchase——akindo’cirkis-ridin’——upheretosatisfythestockholders。YoubetthatJakePoolehezgothisorders——theymightkillhimtoshuthismouth，eftheygotanexcuse——andhemadeafight——butheain’tnosuchfool。No，sir！

Why，thesickestmanyoueversawwasthatdirectorthatkemupherewithadetectivewhenhefoundthatMontyHADN’TlefttheState。"

"ThenheIShidingabouthere？"saidMasterton，withassumedcalmness。

Themanpaused，loweredhisvoice，andsaid："Iwouldn’tswearhewasn’tamilefromwharwe’retalkin’now。Why，theydoallowthathe’stakenadrinkatthisverybarSINCEthenewscame！——andthatthar’sahosskepthandyinthestablealreadysaddledjusttotempthimefhewasinclinedtoscoot。"

"That’sonlyablufftostarthimgoin’sothattheykinshoothiminhistracks，"saidabystander。

"Thatain’tnogoodefhehas，astheySAYhehas，papersstowedawaywithafriendthatwouldfrightensomemightyparticklermenouto’theirboots，"returnedthefirstspeaker。"Buthe’sgothisspiestoo，andtharain’tamanthatcrossestheDivideasain’tspottedbythem。Theofficersbragabouthavin’putacordonaroundthedistrict，andyetthey’vejustfoundoutthathemanagedtosendatelegraphicdispatchfromBlackRockstationrightundertheirnoses。Why，onlyanhourorsoarterthedetectivesandthenewsarrivedhere，tharkemalongoneo’thememigrantteamsfromPike，andthedriversaidthatasmart-lookin’chapinstore-

clotheshadcomeoutofanoldprospector’scabinuptharontheriseaboutamileawayandaskedforanewspaper。AndthedescriptiontheteamstergavejustfittedTrixittoaT。Well，theinformationwasgivesopubliclikethatthedetectivesHADtomakearushoverthar，andb’gosh！althoughtharwasn’tasoulpassedthembutafileofChinesecoolies，whentheygotthartheyfoundNOTHIN’，——nothin’butthemChinamencookin’theirricebytheroadside。"

Mastertonsmiledcarelessly，andwalkedtothewindow，asifintentuponthestillfallingsnow。Buthehadatoncegraspedthesituationthatseemednowalmostprovidentialforhisinexperienceandhismission。Themanhewasseekingwaswithinhispossiblereach，ifthestoryhehadheardwastrue。Thedetectiveswouldnotbelikelytointerferewithhisplans，forhewastheonlymanwhoreallywishedtomeetthefugitive。ThepresenceofPoolemadehimuneasy，thoughhehadnevermetthemanbefore。Wasitbarelypossiblethathewasonthesamemissiononbehalfofothers？IF

whatheheardwastrue，theremightbeothersequallyinvolvedwiththeabscondingmanager。Butthenthespies——howcouldthedeputysheriffeludethem，andhowcouldHE？

HewasturningimpatientlyawayfromthewindowwhenhiseyecaughtsightofastragglingfileofChinamenbreastingthestormontheirwayupthehill。Asuddenideaseizedhim。PerhapsTHEYwerethespiesinquestion。Herememberedthedriver’sstory。Asuddenflashofintuitionmadehimnowunderstandthesingularwaythefileofcoolieswhichtheymethaddivertedtheircourseafterpassingthewagon。Theyhadrecognizedthedeputyonthebox。

Stay！——therewasanotherChinamaninthecoach；HEmighthavegiventhemthesignal。Heglancedhurriedlyaroundtheroomforhim；hewasgone。Perhapshehadalreadyjoinedthefilehehadjustseen。

Hisonlyhopewastofollowthem——buthow？andhowtodoitquietly？Theafternoonwaswaning；itwouldbethreeorfourhoursbeforethedowncoachwouldarrive，fromwhichthedriverexpectedassistance。Now，ifever，washisopportunity。

Hemadehiswaythroughthebackdoor，andfoundhimselfamongthestrawandchipsofthestable-yardandwoodshed。Stilluncertainwhattodo，hemechanicallypassedbeforethelongshedwhichservedastemporarystallsforthesteamingwagonhorses。Atthefurtherend，tohissurprise，wasatetheredmustangreadysaddledandbridled——theopportunehorseleftforthefugitive，accordingtothelounger’sstory。Mastertoncastaquickglancearoundthestable；itwasdesertedbyallsavethefeedinganimals。

Hewasnewtoadventuresofthiskind，orhewouldprobablyhaveweighedthepossibilitiesandconsequences。Hewasordinarilyathoughtful，reflectiveman，butlikemostmenofintellect，hewasalsoimaginativeandsuperstitious，andthiscrowningaccidentoftheprovidentialsituationinwhichhefoundhimselfwassuperiortohislogic。Therewouldalsobeagrimironyinhistakingthishorseforsuchapurpose。Heagainlookedandlistened。Therewasnoonewithinsightorhearing。Heuntiedtheropefromthebit-

ring，leapedintothesaddle，andemergedcautiouslyfromtheshed。

Thewetsnowmuffledthesoundofthehorse’shoofs。Movingroundtotherearofthestablesoastobringitbetweenhimselfandthestation，heclappedhisheelsintothemustang’sflanksanddashedintotheopen。

Atfirsthewasconfusedandbewilderedbythehalfhiddenbouldersandsnow-shroudedbushesthatbesetthebrokenground，anddazzledbythestilldrivingstorm。Butheknewthattheywouldalsodivertattentionfromhisflight，andbeyond，hecouldnowseeawhiteslopeslowlyrisingbeforehim，nearwhosecrestafewdarkspotswerecrawlinginfile，likeAlpineclimbers。TheyweretheChinamenhewasseeking。Hehadreasonedthatwhentheydiscoveredtheywerefollowedtheywould，intheabsenceofanychanceofsignalingthroughthestorm，detachoneoftheirnumbertogivethealarm。HIMhewouldfollow。Hefelthisrevolversafeonhiship；

hewoulduseitonlyifnecessarytointimidatethespies。

Forsomemomentshisascentthroughthewetsnowwasslowanddifficult，butasheadvanced，hefeltachangeoftemperaturecorrespondingtothathehadexperiencedthatafternoononthewagoncomingdown。Theairgrewkeener，thesnowdrierandfiner。

Hekeptasharplookoutforthemovingfigures，andscannedthehorizonforsomeindicationoftheprospector’sdesertedhut。

Suddenlythelineoffigureshewaswatchingseemedtobebroken，andthengatheredtogetherasagroup。Hadtheydetectedhim？

Evidentlytheyhad，for，ashehadexpected，oneofthemhadbeendetached，andwasnowmovingatrightanglesfromthepartytowardstheright。Withathrillofexcitementheurgedhishorseforward；

thegroupwasfartotheleft，andhewasnearingthesolitaryfigure。Buttohisastonishment，asheapproachedthetopoftheslopehenowobservedanotherfigure，asfartotheleftofthegroupashewastotheright，andthatfigurehecouldsee，evenatthatdistance，wasNOTaChinaman。Hehaltedforabetterobservation；foraninstanthethoughtitmightbethefugitivehimself，butasquicklyherecognizeditwasanotherman——thedeputy。ItwasHEwhomtheChinamanhaddiscovered；itwasHEwhohadcausedthediversionandthedispatchofthevedettetowarnthefugitive。Hisownfigurehadevidentlynotyetbeendetected。

Hisheartbeathighwithhope；heagaindashedforwardaftertheflyingmessenger，whowasundoubtedlyseekingtheprospector’sruinedhutand——Trixit。

Butitwasnoeasymatter。Atthiselevationthesnowhadformedacrust，overwhichthesingleChinaman——alitheyoungfigure——

skimmedlikeaskater，whileMasterton’shorsecrashedthoughitintounexpecteddepths。Again，therunnercoulddeviatebyashortercut，whilethehorsemanwascondemnedtotheonehalfobliteratedtrail。TheonlythinginMasterton’sfavor，however，wasthathewassteadilyincreasinghisdistancefromthegroupandthedeputysheriff，andsocuttingofftheirconnectionwiththemessenger。Butthetrailgrewmoreandmoreindistinctasitnearedthesummit，untilatlastitutterlyvanished。Stillhekeptuphisspeedtowardtheactivelittlefigure——whichnowseemedtobethatofamereboy——skimmingoverthefrozensnow。Twiceastumbleandflounderofthemustangthroughthebrokencrustoughttohavewarnedhimofhisrecklessness，butnowadistinctglimpseofalow，blackenedshanty，theprospector’sruinedhut，towardwhichthemessengerwasmaking，madehimforgetallelse。Thedistancewaslesseningbetweenthem；hecouldseethelongpigtailofthefugitivestandingoutfromhisbenthead，whensuddenlyhishorseplungedforwardanddownward。Inanawfulinstantofsuspenseandtwilight，suchashemighthaveseeninadream，hefelthimselfpitchedheadlongintosuffocatingdepths，followedbyashock，thecrushingweightandsteamingflankofhishorseacrosshisshoulder，utterdarkness，and——mercifulunconsciousness。

Howlonghelaytherethusheneverknew。Withhisreturningconsciousnesscamethisstrangetwilightagain，——thetwilightofadream。HewassittinginthenewchurchatCanadaCity，ashehadsatthefirstSundayofhisarrivalthere，gazingattheprettyfaceofCissyTrixitinthepewoppositehim，andwonderingwhoshewas。Againhesawthestartled，awakenedlightthatcameintoheradorableeyes，thefaintblushthatsuffusedhercheekasshemethisinquiringgaze，andtheconscious，halfconceited，halfgirlishtossofherlittleheadassheturnedhereyesaway，andthenafileofbrownChinamen，mutteringsomeharsh，uncouthgibberish，interposedbetweenthem。Thiswasfollowedbywhatseemedtobethecrashinginofthechurchroof，astiflingheatsucceededbyalong，deadlychill。ButheknewthatTHISlastwasalladream，andhetriedtostruggletohisfeettoseeCissy’sfaceagain，——arealitythathefeltwouldtakehimoutofthishorribletrance，——

andhecalledtoheracrossthepewandheardhersweetvoiceagaininanswer，andthenawaveofunconsciousnessoncemoresubmergedhim。

Hecamebacktolifewithasharptinglingofhiswholeframeasifpiercedwithathousandneedles。Heknewhewasbeingrubbed，andinhisattemptstothrowhistorturersaside，hesawfaintlybythelightofaflickeringfirethattheywereChinamen，andhewaslyingonthefloorofarudehut。Withhisfirstmovementstheyceased，and，wrappinghimlikeamummyinwarmblankets，draggedhimoutoftheheapofloosesnowwithwhichtheyhadbeenrubbinghim，towardthefirethatgloweduponthelargeadobehearth。Thestingingpainwassucceededbyawarmglow；apleasantlanguor，whichmadeeventhoughtaburden，cameoverhim，andyethisperceptionswerekeenlyalivetohissurroundings。HeheardtheChinamenmuttersomethingandthendepart，leavinghimalone。Butpresentlyhewasawareofanotherfigurethathadentered，andwasnowsittingwithitsbacktohimatarudetable，roughlyextemporizedfromapacking-box，apparentlyengagedinwriting。ItwasasmallChinaman，evidentlytheonehehadchased！Theeventsofthepastfewhours——hismission，hisintentions，andeveryincidentofthepursuit——flashedbackuponhim。Wherewashe？

Whatwashedoinghere？HadTrixitescapedhim？

InhisexhaustedstatehewasunabletoformulateaquestionwhicheventhenhedoubtediftheChinamancouldunderstand。Sohesimplywatchedhimlazily，andwithacertainkindoffascination，untilheshouldfinishhiswritingandturnround。Hislongpigtail，whichseemedridiculouslydisproportionatetohissize，——

thepigtailwhichherememberedhadstreamedintotheairinhisflight，——hadpartlyescapedfromthediscoveredhatunderwhichithadbeencoiled。Butwhatwassingular，itwasnotthewiryblackpigtailofhisMongolianfellows，butsoftandsilky，andasthefirelightplayeduponit，itseemedofashiningchestnutbrown！

Itwaslike——like——hestopped——washedreamingagain？Alongsighescapedhim。

Thefigureinstantlyturned。Hestarted。ItwasCissyTrixit！

Therewasnomistakingthatcharming，sensitiveface，glowingwithhealthandexcitement，albeitshowinghereandtherethemarkofthepigmentwithwhichithadbeenstained，nowhurriedlywashedoff。Alittleofithadrunintothecornersofhereyelids，andenhancedthebrilliancyofhereyes。

Hefoundhistonguewithaneffort。"Whatareyoudoinghere？"heaskedwithafaintvoice，andafainterattempttosmile。

"That’swhatImightaskaboutyou，"shesaidpertly，butwithaslighttouchofscorn；"butIguessIknowaswellasIdoabouttheothers。Icameheretoseemyfather，"sheaddeddefiantly。

"Andyouarethe——the——one——Ichased？"

"Yes；andI’dhaveoutrunyoueasily，evenwithyourhorsetohelpyou，"shesaidproudly，"onlyIturnedbackwhenyouwentdownintothatprospector’sholewithyourhorseandhisbrokenneckatopofyou。"

Hegroanedslightly，butmorefromshamethanpain。Theyounggirltookupaglassofwhiskeyreadyonthetableandbroughtittohim。"Takethat；itwillfetchyouallrightinamoment。Poppersaysnobonesarebroken。"

Mastertonwaivedtheprofferedglass。"Yourfather——ishehere？"

heaskedhurriedly，recallinghismission。

"Notnow；he’sgonetothestation——to——fetch——myclothes，"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。

"Tothestation？"repeatedMasterton，bewildered。

"Yes，"shereplied，"tothestation。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowthenews，"sheadded，withanairofgirlishimportance。"They’vestoppedallproceedingsagainsthim，andhe’sasfreeasyouare。"

Mastertontriedtorise，butanothergroanescapedhim。Hewasreallyinpain。Cissy’sbrighteyessoftened。Shekneltbesidehim，hersoftbreathfanninghishair，andliftedhimgentlytoasittingposition。

"Oh，I’vedoneitbefore，"shelaughed，asshereadhiswonder，withhisgratitude，inhiseyes。"Thehorsewasalreadystiff，andyouwerenearlyso，bythetimeIcameuptoyouandgot"——shelaughedagain——"theOTHERChinamantohelpmepullyououtofthathole。"

"IknowIoweyoumylife，"hesaid，hisfaceflushing。

"ItwasluckyIwasthere，"shereturnednaively；"perhapsluckyyouwerechasingme。"

"I’mafraidthatofthemanywhowouldrunafteryouIshouldbetheleastlucky，"hesaid，withanattempttolaughthatdidnot，however，concealhismortification；"butIassureyouthatIonlywishedtohaveaninterviewwithyourfather，——aBUSINESS

interview，perhapsasmuchinhisinterestasmyown。"

Theoldlookofaudacitycamebacktoherface。"Iguessthat’swhattheyallcameherefor，exceptone，butitdidn’tkeepthemfrombelievingandsayinghewasathiefbehindhisback。Yettheyallwantedhis——confidence，"sheaddedbitterly。

Mastertonfeltthathisburningcheekswereconfessingthetruthofthis。"Youexceptedone，"hesaidhesitatingly。

"Yes——thedeputysheriff。HecametohelpME。"

"You！"

"Yes，ME！"Acoquettishlittletossofherheadaddedtohisconfusion。"Hethrewuphisjobjusttofollowme，withoutmyknowingit，toseethatIdidn’tcometoanyharm。Hesawmeonlyonce，too，atthehousewhenhecametotakepossession。HesaidhethoughtIwas’cleargrit’toriskeverythingtofindfather，andhesaidhesawitinmewhenhewasthere；that’showheguessedwhereIwasgonewhenIranaway，andfollowedme。"

"Hewasasrightashewaslucky，"saidMastertongravely。"Buthowdidyougethere？"

Sheslippeddownonthefloorbesidehimwithanunconsciousmovementthathermasculinegarmentsonlymadethemorequaintlygirlish，and，claspingherkneewithbothhands，lookedatthefireassherockedherselfslightlybackwardandforwardasshespoke。

"Itwillshockapropermanlikeyou，Iknow，"shebegandemurely，"butIcameALONE，withonlyaChinamantoguideme。Igottheseclothesfromourlaundryman，sothatIshouldn’tattractattention。

IwouldhavegotaChineselady’sdress，butIcouldn’twalkinTHEIRshoes，"——shelookeddownatherlittlefeetencasedinwoodensandals，——"andIhadalongwaytowalk。ButevenifIdidn’tlookquiterighttoChinamen，nowhitemanwasabletodetectthedifference。Youpassedmetwiceinthestage，andyoudidn’tknowme。Itravelednightandday，mostofthetimewalking，andbeingpassedalongfromoneChinamantoanother，or，whenwewerealone，beingslungonapolebetweentwocoolieslikeabaleofgoods。I

atewhattheycouldgiveme，forIdarednotgointoashoporarestaurant；Icouldn’tshutmyeyesintheirdens，soIstayedawakeallnight。YetIgotaheadofyouandthesheriff，——thoughI

didn’tknowatthetimewhatYOUwereafter，"sheaddedpresently。

Hewasovercomewithwonderingadmirationofhercourage，andofself-reproachathisownshort-sightedness。Thiswasthegirlhehadlookeduponasaspoiledvillagebeauty，satisfiedwithhersmalltriumphsandprovincialelevation，andvacantofallotherpurpose。Herewasshe——theall-unconsciousheroine——andhehercritichelplessatherfeet！Itwasnotacheerfulreflection，andyethetookacertaindelightinhisexpiation。Perhapshehadhalfbelievedinherwithoutknowingit。Whatcouldhedoorsay？

Iregrettosayhedodgedthequestionmeanly。

"Andyouthinkyourdisguiseescapeddetection？"hesaid，lookingmarkedlyatherescapedbraidofhair。

Shefollowedhiseyesratherthanhiswords，halfpettishlycaughtuptheloosenedbraid，swiftlycoileditaroundthetopofherhead，and，clappingtheweather-beatenandbatteredconicalhatbackagainuponit，defiantlysaid："Yes！Everybodyisn’tascriticalasyouare，andevenyouwouldn’tbe——ofaChinaman！"

Hehadneverseenherexceptwhenshewasarrayedwiththefullintentiontoaffectthebeholdersandperfectlyconsciousofherattractions；hewasutterlyunpreparedforthiscompleteignoringofadornmentnow，albeithewasforthefirsttimeawarehowherrealprettinessmadeitunnecessary。Shelookedfullyascharminginthisgrotesquehead-coveringasshehadinthatparagonoffashion，thenewhat，whichhadexcitedhistolerantamusement。

"I’mafraidI’maverypoorcritic，"hesaidbluntly。"Ineverconceivedthatthissortofthingwasatalltoyourtaste。"

"IcametoseemyfatherbecauseIwantedto，"shesaid，withequalbluntness。

"AndIcametoseehimthoughIDIDN’Twantto，"hesaid，withacynicallaugh。

Sheturned，andfixedherbrowneyesinquiringlyuponhim。

"Whydidyoucome，then？"

"Iwasorderedbymydirectors。"

"Thenyoudidnotbelievehewasathief？"sheasked，hereyessoftening。

"Itwouldillbecomemetoaccuseyourfatherormydirectors，"heanswereddiplomatically。

Shewasquickenoughtodetectthesuggestionofmoralsuperiorityinhistone，butwomanenoughtoforgiveit。"You’renofriendofWindibrook，"shesaid，"Iknow。"

"Iamnot，"herepliedfrankly。

"Ifyouwouldliketoseemypopper，Icanmanageit，"shesaidhesitatingly。"He’lldoanythingforme，"sheadded，withatouchofheroldpride。

"Whocouldblamehim？"returnedMastertongravely。"Butifheisafreemannow，andabletogowherehelikes，andtoseewhomhelikes，hemaynotcaretogiveanaudiencetoameremessenger。"

"Youwaitandletmeseehimfirst，"saidthegirlquickly。Then，asthesoundofsleigh-bellscamefromtheroadoutside，sheadded，"Hereheis。I’llgetyourclothes；theyareoutheredryingbythefireintheshed。"Shedisappearedthroughabackdoor，andreturnedpresentlybearinghisdriedgarments。"DressyourselfwhileItakepopperintotheshed，"shesaidquickly，andranoutintotheroad。

Mastertondressedhimselfwithdifficulty。Althoughcirculationwasnowrestored，andhefeltaglowthroughhiswarmedclothes，hehadbeensorelybruisedandshakenbyhisfall。HehadscarcelyfinisheddressingwhenMontaguTrixitenteredfromtheshed。

Mastertonlookedathimwithanewinterestandarespecthehadneverfeltbefore。Therecertainlywaslittleofthedaughterinthiskeen-faced，resolute-lippedman，thoughhisbrowneyes，likehers，hadthesamefrank，steadfastaudacity。Withabusinessbrevitythatwashurriedbutnotunkindly，hehopedMastertonhadfullyrecovered。

"Thankstoyourdaughter，I’mallrightnow，"saidMasterton。"I

neednottellyouthatIbelieveIowemylifetoherenergyandcourage，forIthinkyouhaveexperiencedwhatshecandointhatway。ButYOUhavehadtheadvantageofthosewhohaveonlyenjoyedhersocialacquaintanceinknowingallthetimewhatshewascapableof，"headdedsignificantly。

"Sheisagoodgirl，"saidTrixitbriefly，yetwithaslightriseincoloronhisdark，sallowcheek，andasuddenwaveringofhissteadfasteyes。"Shetellsmeyouhaveamessagefromyourdirectors。IthinkIknowwhatitis，butwewon’tdiscussitnow。

AsIamgoingdirectlytoSacramento，Ishallnotseethem，butI

willgiveyouananswertotaketothemwhenwereachthestation。

Iamgoingtogiveyoualifttherewhenmydaughterisready。Andheresheis。"

ItwastheoldCissythatsteppedintotheroom，dressedasshewaswhensheleftherfather’shousetwodaysbefore。Oddlyenough，hefanciedthatsomethingofheroldconsciousmannerhadreturnedwithherclothes，andashesteppedwithherintothebackseatofthecoveredsleighinwaiting，hecouldnothelpsaying，"IreallythinkIunderstandyoubetterinyourotherclothes。"

AslightblushmountedtoCissy’scheek，buthereyeswerestillaudacious。"Allthesame，Idon’tthinkyou’dliketowalkdownMainStreetwithmeinthatrig，althoughyouoncethoughtnothingoftakingmeoveryouroldmillinyourblueblouseandoveralls。"

Andhavingapparentlygreatlyrelievedherproudlittleheartbythisenigmaticstatement，shegrewsochattyandconfidentialthattheyoungmanwassatisfiedthathehadbeeninlovewithherfromthefirst！

Whentheyreachedthestation，Trixitdrewhimaside。Takinganenvelopemarked"PrivateContracts"fromhispocket，heopeneditanddisplayedsomepapers。"Thesearethesecurities。Tellyourdirectorsthatyouhaveseenthemsafeinmyhands，andthatnooneelsehasseenthem。Tellthemthatiftheywillsendmetheirrenewednotes，datedfromto-day，toSacramentowithinthenextthreedays，Iwillreturnthesecurities。Thatismymessage。"

Theyoungmanbowed。ButbeforethecoachstartedhemanagedtodrawneartoCissy。"YouarenotreturningtoCanadaCity，"hesaid。

Theyounggirlmadeagestureofindignation。"No！Iamnevergoingthereagain。IgowithmypoppertoSacramento。"

"ThenIsupposeImustsay’good-by。’"

Thegirllookedathiminsurprise。"PoppersaysyouarecomingtoSacramentointhreedays！"

"AmI？"

Helookedatherfixedly。Shereturnedhisglanceaudaciously，steadfastly。

"Youare，"shesaid，inherlowbutdistinctvoice。

"Iwill。"

Andhedid。

WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA

PARTI

"Well！"saidtheeditorofthe"MountainClarion，"lookingupimpatientlyfromhiscopy。"What’sthematternow？"

Theintruderinhissanctumwashisforeman。Hewasalsoactingaspressman，asmightbeseenfromhisshirt-sleevesspatteredwithink，rolledupoverthearmthathadjustbeenworking"theArchimedianleverthatmovestheworld，"whichwastheeditor’sfavoriteallusiontothehand-pressthatstricteconomyobligedthe"Clarion"touse。Hisbraces，slippedfromhisshouldersduringhiswork，wereloopednegligentlyoneitherside，theirfunctionsbeingreplacedbyonehand，whichoccasionallyhitcheduphistrouserstoasecurerposition。Apairofdown-at-heelslippers——

deartothecountryprinter——completedhisnegligee。

Buttheeditorknewthattheink-spatteredarmwassinewyandready，thatastoutandloyalheartbeatunderthesoiledshirt，andthattheslipshodslippersdidnotpreventitsowner’sfootfrombeing"putdown"veryfirmlyonoccasion。Heaccordinglymettheshrewd，good-humoredblueeyesofhisfaithfulhenchmanwithaninterrogatingsmile。

"Iwon’tkeepyoulong，"saidtheforeman，glancingattheeditor’scopywithhishabitualhalfhumoroustolerationofthatwork，itbeinghisgeneralconvictionthatnewsandadvertisementsweretheonlyvaluablefeaturesofanewspaper；"Ionlywantedtotalktoyouaminuteaboutmakin’suthinmoreo’thisyeraccidenttoColonelStarbottle。"

"Well，we’veafullreportofitin，haven’twe？"saidtheeditorwonderingly。"Ihaveevenmadeaneditorialpara。aboutthefrequencyoftheseaccidents，andcalledattentiontothedangerofridingthosehalfbrokenSpanishmustangs。"

"Yes，yedidthat，"saidtheforemantolerantly；"butyesee，thar’ssomefolksaroundherethatallowitwarn’tnoaccident。

There’saheapofthembelievethatnorunawayhossevermauledthecolonelezHEgotmauled。"

"ButIhearditfromthecolonel’sownlips，"saidtheeditor，"andHEsurelyoughttoknow。"

"Hemoutknowandhemoutn’t，andifheDIDknow，hewouldn’ttell，"saidtheforemanmusingly，rubbinghischinwiththecleanersideofhisarm。"Yedidn’tseehimwhenhewaspickedup，didye？"

"No，"saidtheeditor。"Onlyafterthedoctorhadattendedhim。

Why？"

"JakeParmlee，ezpickedhimupoutertheditch，saysthathewashalfchoked，andhisblacksilkneck-handkercherwaspulledtightaroundhisthroat。Therewasamarkonhisnoseezefsomeonehadtriedtogougeouthiseye，andhisleftearwaschawedezefhe’dbindowninareg’larrough-and-tumbleclinch。"

"Hetoldmehishorsebolted，buck-jumped，threwhim，andhelostconsciousness，"saidtheeditorpositively。"Hehadnoreasonforlying，andamanlikeStarbottle，whocarriesaDerringerandisadeadshot，wouldhavelefthismarkonsomebodyifhe’dbeenattacked。"

"That’swhattheboyssayisjustthereasonwhyhelied。HewasTOOKSUDDENT，don’tyesee，——he’dnoshow——anddon’tliketoconfessit。See？AmanlikeHIMain’tgoin’toadvertisethathekinbetackledandleftsenselessandnooneelsegothurtbyit！

Hispoliticalinfluencewouldberuinedhere！"

Theeditorwasmomentarilystaggeredatthislargetruth。

"Nonsense！"hesaid，withalaugh。"WhowouldattackColonelStarbottleinthatfashion？Hemighthavebeenshotonsightbysomepoliticalenemywithwhomhehadquarreled——butnotBEATEN。"

"S’poseitwarn’tnopoliticalenemy？"saidtheforemandoggedly。

"Thenwhoelsecoulditbe？"demandedtheeditorimpatiently。

"That’sjestforthepresstofindoutandexpose，"returnedtheforeman，withasignificantglanceattheeditor’sdesk。"Ireckonthat’swharthe’Clarion’oughttocomein。"

"Inamatterofthiskind，"saidtheeditorpromptly，"thepaperhasnobusinesstointerferewithaman’sstatement。Thecolonelhasaperfectrighttohisownsecret——ifthereisone，whichI

verymuchdoubt。But，"headded，inlaughingrecognitionofthehalfreproachful，halfhumorousdiscontentontheforeman’sface，"whatdreadfultheoryhaveYOUandtheboysgotaboutit——andwhatdoYOUexpecttoexpose？"

"Well，"saidtheforemanveryseriously，"it’sjestthis：Yousee，thecolonelismightysweetonthatSpanishwomanRamierezuponthehillyonder。Itwashermustanghewasridin’whentherowhappenednearherhouse。"

"Well？"saidtheeditor，withdisconcertingplacidity。

"Well，"——hesitatedtheforeman，"yousee，they’reabadlot，thoseGreasers，especiallytheRamierez，herhusband。"

Theeditorknewthattheforemanwasonlyechoingtheprovincialprejudiceagainstthisrace，whichhehimselfhadalwayscombated。

Ramierezkeptafondaorhostelryonasmallestate，——thelastofmanyleaguesformerlyownedbytheSpanishgrantee，hislandlord，——

andhadawifeofsomesmallcoquetriesandredundantcharms。

Gamblingtookplaceatthefonda，anditwassaidthecommonprejudiceagainsttheMexicandidnot，however，preventtheAmericanfromtryingtowinhismoney。

"ThenyouthinkRamierezwasjealousofthecolonel？Butinthatcasehewouldhaveknifedhim，——Spanishfashion，——andnotwithoutastruggle。"

"There’smorewaystheyhaveo’killin’amanthanthat；hemighthevbeendraggedoffhishorsebyalassoandchoked，"saidtheforemandarkly。

Theeditorhadheardofthisvaqueromethodofputtinganenemyhorsdecombat；butitwasaclumsyperformanceforthepublicroad，andthebrutalityofitsmannerwouldhavejustifiedthecolonelinexposingit。

Theforemansawtheincredulityexpressedinhisface，andsaidsomewhataggressively，"OfcourseIknowyedon’ttakenostockinwhat’ssaidagintheGreasers，andthat’swhattheboysknow，andwhattheysaid，andthat’sthereasonwhyIthoughtIoughtertellye，sothatyemightn’tseemtobealwaysfavorin’’em。"

Theeditor’sfacedarkenedslightly，buthekepthistemperandhisgoodhumor。"Sothattoprovethatthe’Clarion’isunbiasedwheretheMexicansareconcerned，Ioughttomakeittheironlyaccuser，andcastadoubtontheAmerican’sveracity？"hesaid，withasmile。

"Idon’tmeanthat，"saidtheforeman，reddening。"OnlyIthoughtyemight——asyeunderstandthesefolks’ways——yemightbeabletogetatthemeasy，andmebbemakesomecopyoutertheblamedthing。

Itwouldjustmakeastirhere，andbeabigboomforthe’Clarion。’"

"I’venodoubtitwould，"saidtheeditordryly。"However，I’llmakesomeinquiries；butyoumightaswelllet’theboys’knowthatthe’Clarion’willnotpublishthecolonel’ssecretwithouthispermission。Meanwhile，"hecontinued，smiling，"ifyouareveryanxioustoaddthefunctionsofareportertoyourotherdutiesandbringmeanydiscoveriesyoumaymake，I’ll——lookoveryourcopy。"

Hegoodhumoredlynodded，andtookuphispenagain，——ahintatwhichtheembarrassedforeman，undercoverofhitchinguphistrousers，awkwardlyandreluctantlywithdrew。

Itwaswithsomenaturalyouthfulcuriosity，butnolackofloyaltytoColonelStarbottle，thattheeditorthateveningsoughtthis"war-horseoftheDemocracy，"ashewasfamiliarlyknown，inhisinvalidchamberatthePalmettoHotel。Hefoundtheherowithabandagedearand——perhapsitwasfancysuggestedbythestoryofthechoking——cheeksmorethanusuallysuffusedandapoplectic。

Nevertheless，hewasseatedbythetablewithamintjulepbeforehim，andwelcomedtheeditorbyinstantlyorderinganother。

Theeditorwasgladtofindhimsomuchbetter。

"Gad，sir，nobonesbroken，butagooddealof’possumscratchingabouttheheadforsuchalittlethrowlikethat。ImusthaveslidayardortwoonmyleftearbeforeIbroughtup。"

"Youwereunconsciousfromthefall，Ibelieve。"

"Onlyforaninstant，sir——asingleinstant！IrecoveredmyselfwiththeassistanceofaNo’the’ngentleman——aMr。Parmlee——whowaspassing。"

"Thenyouthinkyourinjurieswereentirelyduetoyourfall？"

Thecolonelpausedwiththemintjulephalfwaytohislips，andsetitdown。"Sir！"heejaculated，withastoundedindignation。

"Yousayyouwereunconscious，"returnedtheeditorlightly，"andsomeofyourfriendsthinktheinjuriesinconsistentwithwhatyoubelievetobethecause。Theyareconcernedlestyouwereunknowinglythevictimofsomefoulplay。"

"Unknowingly！Sir！Doyoutakemeforachuckle-headedniggah，thatIdon’tknowwhenI’mthrownfromabuck-jumpingmustang？ordotheythinkI’maChinamantobehustledandbeatenbyagangofbullies？Dotheyknow，sir，thattheaccountIhavegivenIamresponsiblefor，sir？——personallyresponsible？"

Therewasnodoubttotheeditorthatthecolonelwasperfectlyserious，andthattheindignationarosefromnoguiltyconsciousnessofasecret。Amanaspepperyasthecolonelwouldhavebeenequallyalertindefense。

"Theyfearedthatyoumighthavebeenillusedbysomeevillydisposedpersonduringyourunconsciousness，"explainedtheeditordiplomatically；"butasyousayTHATwasonlyforamoment，andthatyouwereawareofeverythingthathappened"——Hepaused。

"Perfectly，sir！Perfectly！AsplainasIseethisjulepbeforeme。IhadjustlefttheRamierezrancho。Thesenora，——adevilishprettywoman，sir，——afteralittleplayfulbadinage，hadofferedtolendmeherdaughter’smustangifIcouldrideithome。Youknowwhatitis，Mr。Grey，"hesaidgallantly。"I’manoldermanthanyou，sir，butachallengefromad————dfascinatingcreature，I

trust，sir，Iamnotyetoldenoughtodecline。Gad，sir，I

mountedthebrute。I’veriddenMorganstockandBlueGrassthoroughbredsbareback，sir，butI’veneverthrownmylegoversuchablankedChinesecrackerbefore。AfterheboltedIheldmyownfairly，buthebuck-jumpedbeforeIcouldlockmyspursunderhim，andthesecondjumplandedme！"

"HowfarfromtheRamierezfondawereyouwhenyouwerethrown？"

"Amatteroffourorfivehundredyards，sir。"

"Thenyouraccidentmighthavebeenseenfromthefonda？"

"Scarcely，sir。Forinthatcase，Imaysay，withoutvanity，that——

er——the——ersenorawouldhavecometomyassistance。"

"Butnotherhusband？"

Theold-fashionedshirt-frillwhichthecolonelhabituallyworegrewerectilewithaswellingindignation，possiblyhalfassumedtoconcealacertainconscioussatisfactionbeneath。"Mr。Grey，"hesaid，withpainedseverity，"asapersonalfriendofmine，andarepresentativeofthepress，——apowerwhichIrespect，——Ioverlookadisparagingreflectionuponalady，whichIcanonlyattributetothelevityofyouthandthoughtlessness。Atthesametime，sir，"

headded，withillogicalsequence，"ifRamierezfeltaggrievedatmyattentions，heknewwhereIcouldbefound，sir，andthatitwasnotmyhabittodeclinegivinggentlemen——ofanynationality——

satisfaction——sir！——personalsatisfaction。"

Hepaused，andthenadded，withasingularblendingofanxietyandacertainnaturaldignity，"Itrust，sir，thatnothingofthis——er——

kindwillappearinyourpaper。"

"Itwastokeepitoutbylearningthetruthfromyou，mydearcolonel，"saidtheeditorlightly，"thatIcalledto-day。Why，itwasevensuggested，"headded，withalaugh，"thatyouwerehalfstrangledbyalasso。"

Tohissurprisethecoloneldidnotjoininthelaugh，butbroughthishandtohisloosecravatwithanuneasygestureandasomewhatdisturbedface。

"Iadmit，sir，"hesaid，withaforcedsmile，"thatIexperiencedacertainsensationofchoking，andImayhavementionedittoMr。

Parmlee；butitwasdue，Ibelieve，sir，tomycravat，whichI

alwayswearloosely，asyouperceive，becomingtwistedinmyfall，andinrollingover。"

Heextendedhisfatwhitehandtotheeditor，whoshookitcordially，andthenwithdrew。Nevertheless，althoughperfectlysatisfiedwithhismission，andfirmlyresolvedtopreventanyfurtherdiscussiononthesubject，Mr。Grey’scuriositywasnotwhollyappeased。WhatweretherelationsofthecolonelwiththeRamierezfamily？Fromwhathehimselfhadsaid，thetheoryoftheforemanastothemotivesoftheattackmighthavebeenpossible，andtheassaultitselfcommittedwhilethecolonelwasunconscious。

Mr。Grey，however，keptthistohimself，brieflytoldhisforemanthathefoundnoreasontoaddtotheaccountalreadyintype，anddismissedthesubjectfromhismind。Thecolonelleftthetownthenextday。