第6章

Butaglanceathisgood-humoredfaceandkindlingeyesremovedthatsuspicion。Nevertheless，hefeltsomewhatembarrassedandimpatient，andperhapscouldnotentirelyconcealit。Heforgotthattherudestnaturesaresometimesthemostdelicatelysensitivetoslights，andthestrangerhadnoticedhismannerandbeganapologetically。

"IallowedI\'djustdropinanywaytotellyethatthesetharpillsyougiv\'medidmeaheapo\'goodsofar——thoughmebbeit\'sonlyfairtogivetheothersashowtoo，whichI\'mreckoningtodo。"Hepaused，andtheninasubmissiveconfidencewenton："ButfirstI

wantedtohevyouexcusemeforhavin\'askedallthemquestionsaboutthathigh-tonedladylastnight，whenitwarn\'tnoneofmybusiness。Iamadarnedfool。"

Mr。Kaneinstantlysawthatitwasnousetokeepuphisattitudeofsecrecy，orimposeupontheignorant，simpleman，andsaidhurriedly："Ohno。Theladyisverywellknown。Sheistheproprietressofarestaurantdownthestreet——ahouseopentoeverybody。HernameisMadameleBlanc；youmayhaveheardofherbefore？"

Tohissurprisethemanexhibitednodiminutionofinterestnorchangeofsentimentatthisintelligence。"Then，"hesaidslowly，"IreckonImightgettoseeheragain。Yesee，Mr。Kane，Irathertookafancytohergeneralstyleandgait——arterseein\'herinthatfixlastnight。Itwasratherlikethemplaypicturesonthestage。Yedon\'tthinkshe\'dmakeanyfusstoseein\'aroughold\'forty-niner\'likeme？"

"Hardly，"saidKane，"buttheremightbesomeobjectionfromhergentlemenfriends，"headded，withasmile，——"JackLane，agambler，whokeepsafarobankinherrooms，andJimmyO\'Ryan，aprize-

fighter，whoisoneofher\'chuckersout。\'"

HisfurtherrelationofMadameleBlanc\'sentourageapparentlygavetheminernoconcern。HelookedatKane，nodded，andrepeatedslowlyandappreciatively："Yes，keepsagamblin\'andfarobankandaprize-fighter——Ireckonthatmightbeabouthergaitandstyletoo。Andyousayshelives"——

Hestopped，foratthismomentamanenteredtheshopquickly，shutthedoorbehindhim，andturnedthekeyinthelock。ItwasdonesoquicklythatKaneinstinctivelyfeltthatthemanhadbeenloiteringinthevicinityandhadapproachedfromthesidestreet。

Asingleglanceattheintruder\'sfaceandfigureshowedhimthatitwasthebullyofwhomhehadjustspoken。Hehadseenthatsquare，brutalfaceoncebefore，confrontingthepoliceinariot，andhadnotforgottenit。Buttoday，withtheflushofliquoronit，ithadanimpatientawkwardnessandconfusedembarrassmentthathecouldnotaccountfor。Hedidnotcomprehendthatthegenuinebullyisseldomdeliberateofattack，andisobliged——incommonwithmanyofthecombativeloweranimals——tolashhimselfintoapreviousfuryofprovocation。Thisprobablysavedhim，asperhapssomeinstinctivefeelingthathewasinnoimmediatedangerkepthimcool。Heremainedstandingquietlybehindthecounter。Allenglancedaroundcarelessly，lookingattheshelves。

Thesilenceofthetwomenapparentlyincreasedtheruffian\'srageandembarrassment。Suddenlyheleapedintotheairwithawhoopandclumsilyexecutedanegrodoubleshuffleonthefloor，whichjarredtheglasses——yetwasotherwisesosingularlyineffectiveandvoidofpurposethathestoppedinthemidstofitandhadtocontenthimselfwithglaringatKane。

"Well，"saidKanequietly，"whatdoesallthismean？Whatdoyouwanthere？"

"Whatdoesitmean？"repeatedthebully，findinghisvoiceinahighfalsetto，designedtoimitateKane\'s。"ItmeansI\'mgoingtoplaymerryh-llwiththisshop！ItmeansI\'mgoin\'tocleanitoutandtheblankhair-cuttin\'blankthatkeepsit。WhatdoIwanthere？Well——whatIwantIintendtohelpmyselfto，andallh-llcan\'tstopme！And"（workinghimselftothestrikingpoint）"whotheblankareyoutoaskme？"Hesprangtowardsthecounter，butatthesamemomentAllenseemedtoslipalmostimperceptiblyandnoiselesslybetweenthem，andKanefoundhimselfconfrontedonlybytheminer\'sbroadback。

"Hol\'yerhosses，stranger，"saidAllenslowly，astheruffiansuddenlycollidedwithhisimpassivefigure。"I\'masickmancomin\'inyerformedicine。I\'vegotsomethin\'wrongwithmyheart，andgoin\'sonlikethisyerkindersetsittothumpin\'。"

"Blankyouandyourblankheart！"screamedthebully，turninginafuryofamazementandcontemptatthisimpotentinterruption。

"Who"——buthisvoicestopped。Allen\'spowerfulrightarmhadpassedoverhisheadandshoulderslikeasteelhoop，andpinionedhiselbowsagainsthissides。Heldrigidlyupright，heattemptedtokick，butAllen\'srightleghereadvanced，andfirmlyheldhislowerlimbsagainstthecounterthatshooktohisstrugglesandblasphemousoutcries。AllenturnedquietlytoKane，and，withagestureofhisunemployedarm，saidconfidentially：

"WouldyemindpassingmedownthatarRomanticSpiritsofAmmonyeryegavemelastnight？"

Kanecaughttheidea，andhandedhimthebottle。

"Thar，"saidAllen，takingoutthestopperandholdingthepungentspiritagainstthebully\'sdilatednostrilsandvociferousmouth，"thar，smellthat，andtasteit，itwilldoyegood；itwaspowerfulkammin\'toMElastnight。"

Theruffiangasped，coughed，choked，buthisblasphemingvoicediedawayinasuffocatinghiccough。

"Thar，"continuedAllen，ashisnowsubduedcaptiverelaxedhisstruggling，"ye\'r\'better，andsoamI。It\'squieterherenow，andyeain\'taffectin\'myheartsobad。Alittlefreshairwillmakeusbothallright。"HeturnedagaintoKaneinhisformersubduedconfidentialmanner。

"Wouldyemindopenin\'thatdoor？"

Kaneflewtothedoor，unlockedit，andhelditwideopen。Thebullyagainbegantostruggle，butasecondinhalationofthehartshornquelledhim，andenabledhiscaptortodraghimtothedoor。Astheyemergeduponthesidewalk，thebully，withafinaldesperatestruggle，freedhisarmandgraspedhispistolathiship-pocket，butatthesamemomentAllendeliberatelycaughthishand，andwithapowerfulsidethrowcasthimonthepavement，retainingtheweaponinhisownhand。"I\'veoneofmyown，"hesaidtotheprostrateman，"butIreckonI\'llkeepthisyertoo，untilyou\'rebetter。"

Thecrowdthathadcollectedquickly，recognizingthenotoriousanddiscomfitedbully，werenotofaclasstoofferhimanysympathy，andheslunkawayfollowedbytheirjeers。Allenreturnedquietlytotheshop。Kanewasprofuseinhisthanks，andyetoppressedwithhissimplefriend\'sfatuousadmirationforawomanwhocouldkeepsuchruffiansinheremploy。"Youknowwhothatmanwas，I

suppose？"hesaid。

"Ireckonitwasthat\'erprize-fighterbelongin\'tothathigh-

tonedlady，"returnedAllensimply。"Buthedon\'tknowanythingaboutRASTLIN\'，b\'gosh；onlythatIwasafraido\'bringin\'onthathearttrouble，Imouthevhurthimbad。"

"Theythink"——hesitatedKane，"that——I——wasroughinmytreatmentofthatwomanandmaliciouslycutoffherhair。Thisattackwasrevenge——or"——hehesitatedstillmore，asherememberedDr。

Sparlow\'sindicationofthewoman\'sfeeling——"orthatbully\'sideaofrevenge。"

"Isee，"noddedAllen，openinghissmallsympatheticeyesonKanewithanexasperatingairofsecrecy——"justjealousy。"

Kanereddenedinsheerhopelessnessofexplanation。"No；itwasearninghiswages，ashethought。"

"Neveryemind，pard，"saidAllenconfidentially。"I\'llset\'embothright。Yesee，thissortergivesmeashowtocallatthattharrestaurantandgiveHIMbackhissix-shooter，andsetherontherighttrailforyou。Why，Lordy！Iwasherewhenyouwasfixin\'her——I\'mtestimonyo\'thewayyoudidit——andshe\'llrememberme。I\'llsorterwaltzroundtharthisafternoon。ButI

reckonIwon\'tbekeepin\'YOUfromyourworkanylonger。Andlookyar！——Isay，pard！——thisisseein\'lifein\'Frisco——ain\'tit？

Gosh！I\'vehadmorehightimesinthisveryshopintwodays，thanI\'vehadintwoyearsofSt。Jo。Solong，Mr。Kane！"Hewavedhishand，loungedslowlyoutoftheshop，gaveapartingglanceupthestreet，passedthewindow，andwasgone。

Thenextdaybeingahalf-holidayforKane，hedidnotreachtheshopuntilafternoon。"YourminingfriendAllenhasbeenhere，"

saidDoctorSparlow。"Itookthelibertyofintroducingmyself，andinducedhimtoletmecarefullyexaminehim。Hewasalittleshy，andIamsorryforit，asIfearhehassomeseriousorganictroublewithhisheartandoughttohaveamorethoroughexamination。"SeeingKane\'sunaffectedconcern，headded，"Youmightinfluencehimtodoso。He\'sagoodfellowandoughttotakesomecareofhimself。Bytheway，hetoldmetotellyouthathe\'dseenMadameleBlancandmadeitallrightaboutyou。Heseemstobequiteinfatuatedwiththewoman。"

"I\'msorryheeversawher，"saidKanebitterly。

"Well，hisseeingherseemstohavesavedtheshopfrombeingsmashedup，andyoufromgettingapunchedhead，"returnedtheDoctorwithalaugh。"He\'snofool——yetit\'safreakofhumannaturethatasimplehayseedlikethat——amanwho\'slivedinthebackwoodsallhislife，islikelytobethefirsttotumblebeforeapotofFrenchrougelikeher。"

Indeed，inacoupleofweeks，therewasnofurtherdoubtofMr。

ReubenAllen\'sinfatuation。Hedroppedintotheshopfrequentlyonhiswaytoandfromtherestaurant，wherehenowregularlytookhismeals；hespenthiseveningsingamblinginitsprivateroom。YetKanewasbynomeanssurethathewaslosinghismoneythereunfairly，orthathewasusedasapigeonbytheproprietressandherfriends。ThebullyO\'Ryanwasturnedaway；SparlowgrimlysuggestedthatAllenhadsimplytakenhisplace，butKaneingeniouslyretortedthattheDoctorwasonlypiquedbecauseAllenhadevadedhisprofessionaltreatment。Certainlythepatienthadneverconsentedtoanotherexamination，althoughherepeatedlyandgravelyboughtmedicines，andwasagenerouscustomer。OnceortwiceKanethoughtithisdutytocautionAllenagainsthisnewfriendsandenlightenhimastoMadameleBlanc\'sreputation，buthissuggestionswerereceivedwithagood-humoredsubmissionthatwaseithertheeffectofunbelieforofperfectresignationtothefact，andhedesisted。OnemorningDr。Sparlowsaidcheerfully：——

"WouldyouliketohearthelastthingaboutyourfriendandtheFrenchwoman？Theboyscan\'taccountforhersinglingoutafellowlikethatforherfriend，sotheysaythatthenightthatshecutherselfatthefeteanddroppedinhereforassistance，shefoundnobodyherebutAllen——achancecustomer！ThatitwasHEwhocutoffherhairandboundupherwoundsinthatsincerefashion，andshebelievedhehadsavedherlife。"TheDoctorgrinnedmaliciouslyasheadded："Andasthat\'sthewayhistoryiswrittenyouseeyourreputationissafe。"

ItmayhavebeenamonthlaterthatSanFranciscowasthrownintoaparoxysmofhorrorandindignationovertheassassinationofaprominentcitizenandofficialinthegambling-roomsofMadameleBlanc，atthehandsofanotoriousgambler。Thegamblerhadescaped，butinoneofthoserarespasmsofvengefulmoralitywhichsometimesovertakescommunitieswhohavetoolongwinkedatandsufferedtheexistenceofevil，thefairproprietressandherwholeentouragewerearrestedandhaledbeforethecoroner\'sjuryattheinquest。Thegreatestexcitementprevailed；itwassaidthatifthejuryfailedintheirduty，theVigilanceCommitteehadarrangedforthedestructionoftheestablishmentandthedeportationofitsinmates。ThecrowdthathadcollectedaroundthebuildingwasreinforcedbyKaneandDr。Sparlow，whohadclosedtheirshopinthenextblocktoattend。WhenKanehadfoughthiswayintothebuildingandthetemporarycourt，heldinthesplendidlyfurnishedgamblingsaloon，whosegildedmirrorsreflectedtheeagerfacesofthecrowd，theChiefofPolicewasgivinghistestimonyinaformalofficialmanner，impressiveonlyforitsrelentlessandimpassiverevelationofthecharacterandantecedentsoftheproprietress。

Thehousehadbeenlongundertheespionageofthepolice；MadameleBlanchadadozenaliases；shewas"wanted"inNewOrleans，inNewYork，inHavana！ItwasinHERhousethatDyer，thebankclerk，committedsuicide；itwastherethatColonelHooleywassetuponbyherbully，O\'Ryan；itwasshe——Kaneheardwithreddeningcheeks——whodefiedthepolicewithriotousconductatafetetwomonthsago。Ashecoollyrecitedthecountsofthisshamefulindictment，KanelookedeagerlyaroundforAllen，whomheknewhadbeenarrestedasawitness。HowwouldHEtakethisterribledisclosure？Hewassittingwiththeothers，hisarmthrownoverthebackofhischair，andhisgood-humoredfaceturnedtowardsthewoman，inhisoldconfidentialattitude。SHE，gorgeouslydressed，painted，butunblushing，wascool，collected，andcynical。

TheCoronernextcalledtheonlywitnessoftheactualtragedy，"ReubenAllen。"Themandidnotmovenorchangehisposition。Thesummonswasrepeated；apolicemantouchedhimontheshoulder。

Therewasapause，andtheofficerannounced："Hehasfainted，yourHonor！"

"Isthereaphysicianpresent？"askedtheCoroner。

Sparlowedgedhiswayquicklytothefront。"I\'mamedicalman，"

hesaidtotheCoroner，ashepassedquicklytothestill，upright，immovablefigureandkneltbesideitwithhisheaduponhisheart。

Therewasanawedsilenceas，afterapause，heroseslowlytohisfeet。

"Thewitnessisapatient，yourHonor，whomIexaminedsomeweeksagoandfoundsufferingfromvalvulardiseaseoftheheart。Heisdead。"

THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD

"Oh！it\'syou，isit？"saidtheEditor。

TheChineseboytowhomthecolloquialismwasaddressedansweredliterally，afterhishabit：——

"AlleesameLiTee；menochangee。MenoolleeChinaboy。"

"That\'sso，"saidtheEditorwithanairofconviction。"Idon\'tsupposethere\'sanotherimplikeyouinallTrinidadCounty。Well，nexttimedon\'tscratchoutsidetherelikeagopher，butcomein。"

"Lasstime，"suggestedLiTeeblandly，"metaptappee。Younoliketaptappee。Yousay，allesamedamwoodpeckel。"

Itwasquitetrue——thehighlysylvansurroundingsoftheTrinidad"Sentinel"office——alittleclearinginapineforest——anditsattendantfauna，madethesesignalsconfusing。AnaccurateimitationofawoodpeckerwasalsooneofLiTee\'saccomplishments。

TheEditorwithoutreplyingfinishedthenotehewaswriting；atwhichLiTee，asifstruckbysomecoincidentrecollection，lifteduphislongsleeve，whichservedhimasapocket，andcarelesslyshookoutaletteronthetablelikeaconjuringtrick。TheEditor，withareproachfulglanceathim，openedit。Itwasonlytheordinaryrequestofanagriculturalsubscriber——oneJohnson——

thattheEditorwould"notice"agiantradishgrownbythesubscriberandsentbythebearer。

"Where\'stheradish，LiTee？"saidtheEditorsuspiciously。

"Nohabgot。AskMellikanboy。"

"What？"

HereLiTeecondescendedtoexplainthatonpassingtheschoolhousehehadbeensetuponbytheschoolboys，andthatinthestrugglethebigradish——being，likemostsuchmonstrositiesofthequickCaliforniansoil，merelyamassoforganizedwater——was"mashed"

overtheheadofsomeofhisassailants。TheEditor，painfullyawareoftheseregularpersecutionsofhiserrandboy，andperhapsrealizingthataradishwhichcouldnotbeusedasabludgeonwasnotofasustainingnature，foreboreanyreproof。"ButIcannotnoticewhatIhaven\'tseen，LiTee，"hesaidgood-humoredly。

"S\'poseyoulie——alleesameasJohnson，"suggestedLiwithequalcheerfulness。"Hefooleeyouwithlottenstuff——youfooleeMellikanman，alleesame。"

TheEditorpreservedadignifiedsilenceuntilhehadaddressedhisletter。"TakethistoMrs。Martin，"hesaid，handingittotheboy；"andmindyoukeepclearoftheschoolhouse。Don\'tgobytheFlateitherifthemenareatwork，anddon\'t，ifyouvalueyourskin，passFlanigan\'sshanty，whereyousetoffthosefirecrackersandnearlyburnthimouttheotherday。LookoutforBarker\'sdogatthecrossing，andkeepoffthemainroadifthetunnelmenarecomingoverthehill。"ThenrememberingthathehadvirtuallyclosedalltheordinaryapproachestoMrs。Martin\'shouse，headded，"Bettergoroundbythewoods，whereyouwon\'tmeetANY

ONE。"

Theboydartedoffthroughtheopendoor，andtheEditorstoodforamomentlookingregretfullyafterhim。Helikedhislittleprotegeeversincethatunfortunatechild——awaiffromaChinesewash-house——wasimpoundedbysomeindignantminersforbringinghomeahighlyimperfectandinsufficientwashing，andkeptashostageforamoreproperreturnofthegarments。Unfortunately，anothergangofminers，equallyaggrieved，hadatthesametimelootedthewash-houseanddrivenofftheoccupants，sothatLiTeeremainedunclaimed。Forafewweekshebecameasportingappendageoftheminers\'camp；thestolidbuttofgood-humoredpracticaljokes，thevictimalternatelyofcarelessindifferenceorofextravagantgenerosity。Hereceivedkicksandhalf-dollarsintermittently，andpocketedbothwithstoicalfortitude。Butunderthistreatmenthepresentlylostthedocilityandfrugalitywhichwaspartofhisinheritance，andbegantoputhissmallwitsagainsthistormentors，untiltheygrewtiredoftheirownmischiefandhis。Buttheyknewnotwhattodowithhim。Hisprettynankeen-yellowskindebarredhimfromthewhite"publicschool，"

while，althoughasaheathenhemighthavereasonablyclaimedattentionfromtheSabbath-school，theparentswhocheerfullygavetheircontributionstotheheathenABROAD，objectedtohimasacompanionoftheirchildreninthechurchathome。AtthisjuncturetheEditorofferedtotakehimintohisprintingofficeasa"devil。"Forawhileheseemedtobeendeavoring，inhisoldliteralway，toactuptothattitle。Heinkedeverythingbutthepress。HescratchedChinesecharactersofanabusiveimporton"leads，"printedthem，andstuckthemabouttheoffice；heput"punk"intheforeman\'spipe，andhadbeenseentoswallowsmalltypemerelyasadiabolicalrecreation。Asamessengerhewasfleetoffoot，butuncertainofdelivery。SometimepreviouslytheEditorhadenlistedthesympathiesofMrs。Martin，thegood-naturedwifeofafarmer，totakehiminherhouseholdontrial，butonthethirddayLiTeehadrunaway。YettheEditorhadnotdespaired，anditwastourgehertoasecondattemptthathedispatchedthatletter。

Hewasstillgazingabstractedlyintothedepthsofthewoodwhenhewasconsciousofaslightmovement——butnosound——inaclumpofhazelnearhim，andastealthyfigureglidedfromit。Heatoncerecognizeditas"Jim，"awell-knowndrunkenIndianvagrantofthesettlement——tiedtoitscivilizationbythesinglelinkof"firewater，"forwhichheforsookequallytheReservationwhereitwasforbiddenandhisowncampswhereitwasunknown。Unconsciousofhissilentobserver，hedroppeduponallfours，withhisearandnosealternatelytothegroundlikesometrackinganimal。Thenhavingsatisfiedhimself，herose，andbendingforwardinadoggedtrot，madeastraightlineforthewoods。Hewasfollowedafewsecondslaterbyhisdog——aslinking，rough，wolf-likebrute，whosesuperiorinstinct，however，madehimdetectthesilentpresenceofsomealienhumanityinthepersonoftheEditor，andtorecognizeitwithayelpofhabit，anticipatoryofthestonethatheknewwasalwaysthrownathim。

"That\'scute，"saidavoice，"butit\'sjustwhatIexpectedallalong。"

TheEditorturnedquickly。Hisforemanwasstandingbehindhim，andhadevidentlynoticedthewholeincident。

"It\'swhatIallussaid，"continuedtheman。"ThatboyandthatInjinarethickasthieves。Yecan\'tseeonewithouttheother——

andthey\'vegottheirlittletricksandsignalsbywhichtheyfolloweachother。T\'otherdaywhenyouwaskalkilatin\'LiTeewasdoin\'yourerrandsItrackedhimoutonthemarsh，justbyfollowin\'thatornery，pizenousdogo\'Jim\'s。Therewasthewholecaboodleof\'em——includingJim——campin\'out，andeatin\'rawfishthatJimhadketched，andgreenstufftheyhadbothsneakedouterJohnson\'sgarden。Mrs。MartinmayTAKEhim，butshewon\'tkeephimlongwhileJim\'sround。WhatmakesLifollerthatblamedoldInjinsoaker，andwhatmakesJim，who，atleast，isa\'Merican，takeupwithafurrin\'heathen，justgetsme。"

TheEditordidnotreply。Hehadheardsomethingofthisbefore。

Yet，afterall，whyshouldnottheseequaloutcastsofcivilizationclingtogether！……

LiTee\'sstaywithMrs。Martinwasbrief。Hisdeparturewashastenedbyanuntowardevent——apparentlyusheredin，asinthecaseofothergreatcalamities，byamysteriousportentinthesky。

Onemorninganextraordinarybirdofenormousdimensionswasseenapproachingfromthehorizon，andeventuallybegantohoveroverthedevotedtown。Carefulscrutinyofthisominousfowl，however，revealedthefactthatitwasamonstrousChinesekite，intheshapeofaflyingdragon。Thespectacleimpartedconsiderablelivelinesstothecommunity，which，however，presentlychangedtosomeconcernandindignation。ItappearedthatthekitewassecretlyconstructedbyLiTeeinasecludedpartofMrs。Martin\'sclearing，butwhenitwasfirsttriedbyhimhefoundthatthroughsomeerrorofdesignitrequiredatailofunusualproportions。

Thishehurriedlysuppliedbythefirstmeanshefound——Mrs。

Martin\'sclothes-line，withpartoftheweeklywashdependingfromit。Thisfactwasnotatfirstnoticedbytheordinarysightseer，althoughthetailseemedpeculiar——yet，perhaps，notmorepeculiarthanadragon\'stailoughttobe。Butwhentheactualtheftwasdiscoveredandreportedthroughthetown，avivaciousinterestwascreated，andspy-glasseswereusedtoidentifythevariousarticlesofapparelstillhangingonthatravishedclothes-line。Thesegarments，inthecourseoftheirslowdisengagementfromtheclothes-pinsthroughthegyrationsofthekite，impartiallydistributedthemselvesoverthetown——oneofMrs。Martin\'sstockingsfallingupontheverandaofthePolkaSaloon，andtheotherbeingafterwardsdiscoveredonthebelfryoftheFirstMethodistChurch——tothescandalofthecongregation。ItwouldhavebeenwelliftheresultofLiTee\'sinventionhadendedhere。

Alas！thekite-flyerandhisaccomplice，"InjinJim，"weretrackedbymeansofthekite\'stell-talecordtoalonelypartofthemarshandrudelydispossessedoftheirchargebyDeaconHornblowerandaconstable。Unfortunately，thecaptorsoverlookedthefactthatthekite-flyershadtakentheprecautionofmakinga"half-turn"ofthestoutcordaroundalogtoeasethetremendouspullofthekite——

whosepowerthecaptorshadnotreckonedupon——andtheDeaconincautiouslysubstitutedhisownbodyforthelog。Asingularspectacleissaidtohavethenpresenteditselftotheon-lookers。

TheDeaconwasseentoberunningwildlybyleapsandboundsoverthemarshafterthekite，closelyfollowedbytheconstableinequallywildeffortstorestrainhimbytuggingattheendoftheline。Theextraordinaryracecontinuedtothetownuntiltheconstablefell，losinghisholdoftheline。ThisseemedtoimpartasingularspecificlevitytotheDeacon，who，totheastonishmentofeverybody，incontinentlysailedupintoatree！Whenhewassuccoredandcutdownfromthedemoniackite，hewasfoundtohavesustainedadislocationoftheshoulder，andtheconstablewasseverelyshaken。BythatoneinfelicitousstrokethetwooutcastsmadeanenemyoftheLawandtheGospelasrepresentedinTrinidadCounty。Itistobefearedalsothattheordinaryemotionalinstinctofafrontiercommunity，towhichtheywerenowsimplyabandoned，wasaslittletobetrusted。Inthisdilemmatheydisappearedfromthetownthenextday——nooneknewwhere。Apalebluesmokerisingfromalonelyislandinthebayforsomedaysafterwardssuggestedtheirpossiblerefuge。Butnobodygreatlycared。ThesympatheticmediationoftheEditorwascharacteristicallyopposedbyMr。ParkinSkinner，aprominentcitizen：——

"It\'sallverywellforyoutotalksentimentaboutniggers，Chinamen，andInjins，andyoufellerscanlaughabouttheDeaconbeingsnatcheduptoheavenlikeElijahinthatblamedChinesechariotofakite——butIkintellyou，gentlemen，thatthisisawhiteman\'scountry！Yes，sir，youcan\'tgetoverit！Theniggerofeverydescription——yeller，brown，orblack，callhim\'Chinese，\'

\'Injin，\'or\'Kanaka，\'orwhatyoulike——heztoclaroffofGod\'sfootstoolwhentheAnglo-Saxongetsstarted！Itstandstoreasonthattheycan\'tlivealongsideo\'printin\'presses，M\'Cormick\'sreapers，andtheBible！Yes，sir！theBible；andDeaconHornblowerkinproveittoyou。It\'sourmanifestdestinytoclarthemout——

that\'swhatwewasputherefor——andit\'sjusttheworkwe\'vegottodo！"

IhaveventuredtoquoteMr。Skinner\'sstirringremarkstoshowthatprobablyJimandLiTeeranawayonlyinanticipationofapossiblelynching，andtoprovethatadvancedsentimentsofthishighandennoblingnaturereallyobtainedfortyyearsagoinanordinaryAmericanfrontiertownwhichdidnotthendreamofExpansionandEmpire！

Howbeit，Mr。Skinnerdidnotmakeallowanceformerehumannature。

OnemorningMasterBobSkinner，hisson，agedtwelve，evadedtheschoolhouse，andstartedinanoldIndian"dug-out"toinvadetheislandofthemiserablerefugees。Hispurposewasnotclearlydefinedtohimself，butwastobemodifiedbycircumstances。HewouldeithercaptureLiTeeandJim，orjointhemintheirlawlessexistence。Hehadpreparedhimselfforeithereventbysurreptitiouslyborrowinghisfather\'sgun。Healsocarriedvictuals，havingheardthatJimategrasshoppersandLiTeerats，andmisdoubtinghisowncapacityforeitherdiet。Hepaddledslowly，wellinshore，tobesecurefromobservationathome，andthenstruckoutboldlyinhisleakycanoefortheisland——atufted，tussockyshredofthemarshypromontorytornoffinsometidalstorm。Itwasalovelyday，thebaybeingbarelyruffledbytheafternoon"trades；"butashenearedtheislandhecameupontheswellfromthebarandthethundersofthedistantPacific，andgrewalittlefrightened。Thecanoe，losingway，fellintothetroughoftheswell，shippingsaltwater，stillmorealarmingtotheprairie-bredboy。Forgettinghisplanofastealthyinvasion，heshoutedlustilyasthehelplessandwater-loggedboatbegantodriftpasttheisland；atwhichalithefigureemergedfromthereeds，threwoffatatteredblanket，andslippednoiselessly，likesomeanimal，intothewater。ItwasJim，who，halfwading，halfswimming，broughtthecanoeandboyashore。MasterSkinneratoncegaveuptheideaofinvasion，andconcludedtojointherefugees。

Thiswaseasyinhisdefencelessstate，andhismanifestdelightintheirrudeencampmentandgypsylife，althoughhehadbeenoneofLiTee\'soppressorsinthepast。ButthatstolidpaganhadaphilosophicalindifferencewhichmighthavepassedforChristianforgiveness，andJim\'snativereticenceseemedlikeassent。And，possibly，inthemindsofthesetwovagabondstheremighthavebeenanaturalsympathyforthisothertruantfromcivilization，andsomedelicateflatteryinthefactthatMasterSkinnerwasnotdrivenout，butcameofhisownaccord。Howbeit，theyfishedtogether，gatheredcranberriesonthemarsh，shotawildduckandtwoplovers，andwhenMasterSkinnerassistedinthecookingoftheirfishinaconicalbasketsunkintheground，filledwithwater，heatedbyrollingred-hotstonesfromtheirdrift-woodfireintotheburiedbasket，theboy\'sfelicitywassupreme。Andwhatanafternoon！Tolie，afterthisfeast，ontheirbelliesinthegrass，repletelikeanimals，hiddenfromeverythingbutthesunshineabovethem；soquietthatgraycloudsofsandpiperssettledfearlesslyaroundthem，andashiningbrownmuskratslippedfromtheoozewithinafewfeetoftheirfaces——wastofeelthemselvesapartofthewildlifeinearthandsky。Notthattheirownpredatoryinstinctswerehushedbythisdivinepeace；

thatintermittingblackspotuponthewater，declaredbytheIndiantobeaseal，thestealthyglideofayellowfoxintheambushofacallowbroodofmallards，themomentarystrayingofanelkfromtheuplanduponthebordersofthemarsh，awoketheirtinglingnervestothehappybutfruitlesschase。Andwhennightcame，toosoon，andtheypiggedtogetheraroundthewarmashesoftheircamp-fire，underthelowlodgepolesoftheirwigwamofdriedmud，reeds，anddriftwood，withthecombinedodorsoffish，wood-smoke，andthewarmsaltbreathofthemarshintheirnostrils，theysleptcontentedly。Thedistantlightsofthesettlementwentoutonebyone，thestarscameout，verylargeandverysilent，totaketheirplaces。Thebarkingofadogonthenearestpointwasfollowedbyanotherfartherinland。ButJim\'sdog，curledatthefeetofhismaster，didnotreply。WhathadHEtodowithcivilization？

ThemorningbroughtsomefearofconsequencestoMasterSkinner，butnoabatementofhisresolvenottoreturn。ButherehewasoddlycombatedbyLiTee。"S\'poseyougobackalleesame。Youtelleefam\'leecanoegotopsidedown——youplenteeswimeetobush。

Alleenightinbush。Houseebigwayoff——howcanget？Sabe？"

"AndI\'llleavethegun，andtellDadthatwhenthecanoeupsetthegungotdrowned，"saidtheboyeagerly。

LiTeenodded。

"AndcomeagainSaturday，andbringmorepowderandshotandabottleforJim，"saidMasterSkinnerexcitedly。

"Good！"gruntedtheIndian。

Thentheyferriedtheboyovertothepeninsula，andsethimonatrailacrossthemarshes，knownonlytothemselves，whichwouldbringhimhome。AndwhentheEditorthenextmorningchronicledamonghisnews，"AdriftontheBay——ASchoolboy\'sMiraculousEscape，"heknewaslittlewhatparthismissingChineseerrandboyhadtakeninitastherestofhisreaders。

Meantimethetwooutcastsreturnedtotheirislandcamp。ItmayhaveoccurredtothemthatalittleofthesunlighthadgonefromitwithBob；fortheywereinadull，stupidwayfascinatedbythelittlewhitetyrantwhohadbrokenbreadwiththem。Hehadbeendelightfullyselfishandfranklybrutaltothem，asonlyaschoolboycouldbe，withtheadditionoftheconsciousnessofhissuperiorrace。Yettheyeachlongedforhisreturn，althoughhewasseldommentionedintheirscantyconversation——carriedoninmonosyllables，eachinhisownlanguage，orwithsomecommonEnglishword，ormoreoftenrestrictedsolelytosigns。Byadelicateflattery，whentheydidspeakofhimitwasinwhattheyconsideredtobehisownlanguage。

"Bostonboy，plentylikecatcheeHIM，"Jimwouldsay，pointingtoadistantswan。OrLiTee，huntingastripedwatersnakefromthereeds，wouldutterstolidly，"Melikanboynolikeesnake。"Yetthenexttwodaysbroughtsometroubleandphysicaldiscomforttothem。

Bobhadconsumed，orwasted，alltheirprovisions——and，stillmoreunfortunately，hisrighteousvisit，hisgun，andhissuperabundantanimalspiritshadfrightenedawaythegame，whichtheirhabitualquietandtaciturnityhadbeguiledintotrustfulness。Theywerehalfstarved，buttheydidnotblamehim。Itwouldcomeallrightwhenhereturned。Theycountedthedays，Jimwithsecretnotchesonthelongpole，LiTeewithastringofcopper"cash"healwayskeptwithhim。Theeventfuldaycameatlast，——awarmautumnday，patchedwithinlandfoglikebluesmokeandsmooth，tranquil，opensurfacesofwoodandsea；buttotheirwaiting，confidenteyestheboycamenotoutofeither。Theykeptastolidsilenceallthatdayuntilnightfell，whenJimsaid，"MebbeBostonboygodead。"

LiTeenodded。ItdidnotseempossibletothesetwoheathensthatanythingelsecouldpreventtheChristianchildfromkeepinghisword。

Afterthat，bytheaidofthecanoe，theywentmuchonthemarsh，huntingapart，butoftenmeetingonthetrailwhichBobhadtaken，withgruntsofmutualsurprise。Thesesuppressedfeelings，nevermadeknownbywordorgesture，atlastmusthavefoundvicariousoutletinthetaciturndog，whosofarforgothisusualdiscretionastoonceortwiceseathimselfonthewater\'sedgeandindulgeinafitofhowling。IthadbeenacustomofJim\'soncertaindaystoretiretosomesecludedplace，where，foldedinhisblanket，withhisbackagainstatree，heremainedmotionlessforhours。Inthesettlementthishadbeenusuallyreferredtotheaftereffectsofdrink，knownasthe"horrors，"butJimhadexplaineditbysayingitwas"whenhisheartwasbad。"Andnowitseemed，bythesegloomyabstractions，that"hisheartwasbad"veryoften。Andthenthelongwithheldrainscameonenightonthewingsofafiercesouthwester，beatingdowntheirfraillodgeandscatteringitabroad，quenchingtheircamp-fire，androllingupthebayuntilitinvadedtheirreedyislandandhissedintheirears。ItdrovethegamefromJim\'sgun；ittorethenetandscatteredthebaitofLiTee，thefisherman。Coldandhalfstarvedinheartandbody，butmoredoggedandsilentthanever，theycreptoutintheircanoeintothestorm-tossedbay，barelyescapingwiththeirmiserablelivestothemarshypeninsula。Here，ontheirenemy\'sground，skulkingintherushes，orlyingclosebehindtussocks，theyatlastreachedthefringeofforestbelowthesettlement。Here，too，sorelypressedbyhunger，anddoggedlyrecklessofconsequences，theyforgottheircaution，andaflightoftealfelltoJim\'sgunontheveryoutskirtsofthesettlement。

Itwasafatalshot，whoseechoesawoketheforcesofcivilizationagainstthem。Foritwasheardbyaloggerinhishutnearthemarsh，who，lookingout，hadseenJimpass。Acareless，good-

naturedfrontiersman，hemighthavekepttheoutcasts\'merepresencetohimself；buttherewasthatdamningshot！AnIndianwithagun！Thatweapon，contrabandoflaw，withdirefinesandpenaltiestowhososoldorgaveittohim！Athingtobelookedinto——someonetobepunished！AnIndianwithaweaponthatmadehimtheequalofthewhite！Whowassafe？Hehurriedtotowntolayhisinformationbeforetheconstable，but，meetingMr。Skinner，impartedthenewstohim。Thelatterpooh-poohedtheconstable，whoheallegedhadnotyetdiscoveredthewhereaboutsofJim，andsuggestedthatafewarmedcitizensshouldmakethechasethemselves。ThefactwasthatMr。Skinner，neverquitesatisfiedinhismindwithhisson\'saccountofthelossofthegun，hadputtwoandtwotogether，andwasbynomeansinclinedtohavehisowngunpossiblyidentifiedbythelegalauthority。Moreover，hewenthomeandatonceattackedMasterBobwithsuchvigorandsohighlycoloredadescriptionofthecrimehehadcommitted，andthepenaltiesattachedtoit，thatBobconfessed。Morethanthat，I

grievetosaythatBoblied。TheIndianhad"stoledhisgun，"andthreatenedhislifeifhedivulgedthetheft。Hetoldhowhewasruthlesslyputashore，andcompelledtotakeatrailonlyknowntothemtoreachhishome。IntwohoursitwasreportedthroughoutthesettlementthattheinfamousJimhadaddedrobberywithviolencetohisillegalpossessionoftheweapon。Thesecretoftheislandandthetrailoverthemarshwastoldonlytoafew。

Meantimeithadfaredhardwiththefugitives。Theirnearnesstothesettlementpreventedthemfromlightingafire，whichmighthaverevealedtheirhiding-place，andtheycrepttogether，shiveringallnightinaclumpofhazel。Scaredthencebypassingbutunsuspectingwayfarerswanderingoffthetrail，theylaypartofthenextdayandnightamidsometussocksofsaltgrass，blownonbythecoldsea-breeze；chilled，butsecurelyhiddenfromsight。

Indeed，thankstosomemysteriouspowertheyhadofutterimmobility，itwaswonderfulhowtheycouldeffacethemselves，throughquietandthesimplestenvironment。Theleesideofastragglingvineinthemeadow，oreventhethinridgeofcast-updriftontheshore，behindwhichtheywouldlieforhoursmotionless，wasasufficientbarrieragainstpryingeyes。Inthisoccupationtheynolongertalkedtogether，butfollowedeachotherwiththeblindinstinctofanimals——yetalwaysunerringly，asifconsciousofeachother\'splans。Strangelyenough，itwastheREAL

animalalone——theirnamelessdog——whonowbetrayedimpatienceandacertainhumaninfirmityoftemper。Theconcealmenttheywereresignedto，thesufferingstheymutelyaccepted，healoneresented！Whencertainscentsorsounds，imperceptibletotheirsenses，wereblownacrosstheirpath，hewould，withbristlingback，snarlhimselfintogutturalandstrangulatedfury。Yet，intheirapathy，eventhiswouldhavepassedthemunnoticed，butthatonthesecondnighthedisappearedsuddenly，returningaftertwohours\'absencewithbloodyjaws——replete，butstillslinkingandsnappish。Itwasonlyinthemorningthat，creepingontheirhandsandkneesthroughthestubble，theycameuponthetornandmangledcarcassofasheep。Thetwomenlookedateachotherwithoutspeaking——theyknewwhatthisactofrapinemeanttothemselves。

Itmeantafreshhueandcryafterthem——itmeantthattheirstarvingcompanionhadhelpedtodrawthenetcloserroundthem。

TheIndiangrunted，LiTeesmiledvacantly；butwiththeirknivesandfingerstheyfinishedwhatthedoghadbegun，andbecameequallyculpable。Butthattheywereheathens，theycouldnothaveachievedadelicateethicalresponsibilityinamoreChristian-likeway。

Yettherice-fedLiTeesufferedmostintheirprivations。HishabitualapathyincreasedwithacertainphysicallethargywhichJimcouldnotunderstand。WhentheywereaparthesometimesfoundLiTeestretchedonhisbackwithanoddstareinhiseyes，andonce，atadistance，hethoughthesawavaguethinvapordriftfromwheretheChineseboywaslyingandvanishasheapproached。

Whenhetriedtoarousehimtherewasaweakdrawlinhisvoiceandadrug-likeodorinhisbreath。Jimdraggedhimtoamoresubstantialshelter，athicketofalder。Itwasdangerouslynearthefrequentedroad，butavagueideahadsprungupinJim\'snowtroubledmindthat，equalvagabondsthoughtheywere，LiTeehadmoreclaimsuponcivilization，throughthoseofhisownracewhowerepermittedtoliveamongthewhitemen，andwerenothuntedto"reservations"andconfinedtherelikeJim\'speople。IfLiTeewas"heapsick，"otherChinamenmightfindandnursehim。AsforLiTee，hehadlatelysaid，inamorelucidinterval："Megodead——

alleesameeMellikanboy。Yougodeadtoo——alleesamee，"andthenlaydownagainwithaglassystareinhiseyes。Farfrombeingfrightenedatthis，JimattributedhisconditiontosomeenchantmentthatLiTeehadevokedfromoneofhisgods——justashehimselfhadseen"medicine-men"ofhisowntribefallintostrangetrances，andwasgladthattheboynolongersuffered。Thedayadvanced，andLiTeestillslept。Jimcouldhearthechurchbellsringing；heknewitwasSunday——thedayonwhichhewashustledfromthemainstreetbytheconstable；thedayonwhichtheshopswereclosed，andthedrinkingsaloonsopenonlyatthebackdoor。

Thedaywhereonnomanworked——andforthatreason，thoughheknewitnot，thedayselectedbytheingeniousMr。Skinnerandafewfriendsasespeciallyfittingandconvenientforachaseofthefugitives。Thebellbroughtnosuggestionofthis——thoughthedogsnappedunderhisbreathandstiffenedhisspine。Andthenheheardanothersound，faroffandvague，yetonethatbroughtaflashintohismurkyeye，thatlituptheheavinessofhisHebraicface，andevenshowedaslightcolorinhishighcheek-bones。Helaydownontheground，andlistenedwithsuspendedbreath。Hehearditnowdistinctly。ItwastheBostonboycalling，andthewordhewascallingwas"Jim。"

ThenthefiredroppedoutofhiseyesasheturnedwithhisusualstoliditytowhereLiTeewaslying。Himheshook，sayingbriefly：

"Bostonboycomeback！"Buttherewasnoreply，thedeadbodyrolledoverinertlyunderhishand；theheadfellback，andthejawdroppedunderthepinchedyellowface。TheIndiangazedathimslowly，andthengravelyturnedagaininthedirectionofthevoice。Yethisdullmindwasperplexed，for，blendedwiththatvoicewereothersoundslikethetreadofclumsilystealthyfeet。

Butagainthevoicecalled"Jim！"andraisinghishandstohislipshegavealowwhoopinreply。Thiswasfollowedbysilence，whensuddenlyheheardthevoice——theboy\'svoice——onceagain，thistimeverynearhim，sayingeagerly：——

"Thereheis！"

ThentheIndianknewall。Hisface，however，didnotchangeashetookuphisgun，andamansteppedoutofthethicketintothetrail：——

"Dropthatgun，youd————dInjin。"

TheIndiandidnotmove。

"Dropit，Isay！"

TheIndianremainederectandmotionless。

Arifleshotbrokefromthethicket。AtfirstitseemedtohavemissedtheIndian，andthemanwhohadspokencockedhisownrifle。

ButthenextmomentthetallfigureofJimcollapsedwherehestoodintoamereblanketedheap。

Themanwhohadfiredtheshotwalkedtowardstheheapwiththeeasyairofaconqueror。Butsuddenlytherearosebeforehimanawfulphantom，theincarnationofsavagery——acreatureofblazingeyeballs，flashingtusks，andhotcarnivorousbreath。Hehadbarelytimetocryout"Awolf！"beforeitsjawsmetinhisthroat，andtheyrolledtogetherontheground。

Butitwasnowolf——asasecondshotproved——onlyJim\'sslinkingdog；theonlyoneoftheoutcastswhoatthatsuprememomenthadgonebacktohisoriginalnature。

AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN

Mr。JacksonPotterhaltedbeforethelittlecottage，halfshop，halfhostelry，oppositethegreatgatesofDomesdayPark，whereticketsofadmissiontothatvenerabledomainweresold。HereMr。

PotterrevealedhisnationalityasaWesternAmerican，notonlyinhisaccent，butinacertainhalf-humorous，half-practicalquestioningoftheticket-seller——asthatquasi-officialstampedhisticket——whichwasneverthelessdeliveredwithsuchunfailinggood-humor，andsuchfranksuggestivenessoftheperfectequalityoftheticket-sellerandthewell-dressedstrangerthat，farfromproducinganyirritation，itattractedthepleasedattentionnotonlyoftheofficial，buthiswifeanddaughterandacustomer。

Possiblythegoodlooksofthestrangerhadsomethingtodowithit。JacksonPotterwasasingularlyhandsomeyoungfellow，withoneofthoseidealfacesandfiguressometimesseeninWesternfrontiervillages，attributabletonoancestor，butevolvedpossiblyfromnovelsandbooksdevouredbyancestressesinthelongsolitarywintereveningsoftheirlonelycabinsonthefrontier。A

beardless，classicalhead，coveredbyshortflocculentblondecurls，poisedonashapelyneckandshoulders，wasmoreGreekinoutlinethansuggestiveofanyordinaryAmericantype。Finally，afterhavingthoroughlyamusedhissmallaudience，heliftedhisstrawhattothe"ladies，"andloungedoutacrosstheroadtothegateway。Herehepaused，consultinghisguide-book，andreadaloud："St。John\'sgateway。Thismassivestructure，accordingtoLeland，wasbuiltin"——murmured——"nevermindwhen；we\'llpassSt。

John，"markedthepagewithhispencil，andtenderinghistickettothegate-keeper，heard，withsomesatisfaction，that，astherewerenoothervisitorsjustthen，andastheciceroneonlyaccompaniedPARTIES，hewouldbelefttohimself，andatonceplungedintoaby-path。

Itwasthatloveliestofrarecreations——ahotsummerdayinEngland，withallthedampnessofthatsea-blownislewrungoutofit，exhaledinthequiveringbluevaultoverhead，orpassingasdimwraithsinthedistantwood，andallthelong-maturedgrowthofthatgreatoldgardenvivifiedandmaderesplendentbythefervidsun。Theashesofdeadandgoneharvests，eventhedustofthosewhohadforageswroughtinit，turnedagainandagainthroughincessantcultivation，seemedtomoveandliveoncemoreinthatpresentsunshine。Allcolorappearedtobedeepenedandmellowed，untileventheveryshadowsofthetreeswereasvelvetyastheswardtheyfellupon。Theprairie-bredPotter，accustomedtotheyouthfulcapricesandextravagancesofhisownvirginsoil，couldnothelpfeelingtheinfluenceoftheriperestraintsofthis。

Asheglancedthroughtheleavesacrossgreensunlitspacestotheivy-cladruinsofDomesdayAbbey，whichseemeditselfagrowthoftheverysoil，hemurmuredtohimself："Thingshadbeenmademightycomfortableforfolkshere，youbet！"Forgottenbookshehadreadasaboy，scrapsofschoolhistories，orrarernovels，camebacktohimashewalkedalong，andpeopledthesolitudeabouthimwiththeirheroes。