第4章

"Youdon’t？"returnedMrs。Baxter。"Blessyourinnocentheart！

Whywashesokeentohuntmeupatfirst，shadowingmyfriendsandallthat，andwhyhashedroppeditnowheknowsI’mhere，ifhedidn’tknowwhereSpencerwas？"

"Icanexplainthat，"interruptedMrs。Tucker，hastily，withablushofconfusion。"Thatis——I——"

"Thenmebbeyoukinexplaintoo，"brokeinPattersonwithgloomysignificance，"whyhehasboughtupmostofSpencer’sdebtshimself，andperhapsyou’resatisfieditISN’Ttoholdthewhiphandofhimandkeephimfromcomingbackopenly。Pr’apsyouknowwhyhe’smovin’heavenandearthtomakeDonJoseSantierraselltheranch，andwhytheDondon’tseeitall。"

"DonJosesellLosCuervos！Buyit，youmean？"saidMrs。Tucker。

"Iofferedtosellittohim。"

Pattersonarosefromthechair，lookeddespairinglyaroundhim，passedhishandsadlyacrosshisforehead，andsaid："It’scome！I

knewitwould。It’sthewarning！It’ssuthingbetwixtjim—jamsanddodderingidjiocy。HereI’dhevbeenwillin’toswearthatMrs。BaxterheretoldmeSHEhadsoldthisyerranchnearlytwoyearsagotoDonJose，andnowyou——"

"Stop！"saidMrs。Tucker，inavoicethatchilledthem。

Shewasstandinguprightandrigid，asifstrickentostone。"I

commandyoutotellmewhatthismeans！"shesaid，turningonlyherblazingeyesuponthewoman。

EventhereadysmilefadedfromMrs。Baxter’slipsassherepliedhesitatinglyandsubmissively："IthoughtyouknewalreadythatSpencerhadgiventhisranchtome。IsoldittoDonJosetogetthemoneyforustogoawaywith。ItwasSpencer’sidea——"

"Youlie！"saidMrs。Tucker。

Therewasadeadsilence。ThewrathfulbloodthathadquicklymountedtoMrs。Baxter’scheek，toPatterson’sadditionalbewilderment，fadedasquickly。ShedidnotlifthereyesagaintoMrs。Tucker’s，but，slowlyraisingherselffromherseat，said，"I

wishtoGodIdidlie;butit’strue。Andit’struethatInevertouchedacentofthemoney，butgaveitalltohim！"ShelaidherhandonPatterson’sarm，andsaid，"Come！letusgo，"andledhimafewstepstowardsthegateway。ButherePattersonpaused，andagainpassedhishandoverhismelancholybrow。Thenecessityofcoherentlyandlogicallyclosingtheconversationimpresseditselfuponhisdarkeningmind。"Thenyoudon’thappentohaveheardanythingofSpencer？"hesaidsadly，andvanishedwithMrs。Baxterthroughthegate。

Leftalonetoherself，Mrs。Tuckerraisedherhandsaboveherheadwithalittlecry，interlockedherrigidfingers，andslowlybroughtherpalmsdownuponherupturnedfaceandeyes，pressinghardasiftocrushoutalllightandsenseoflifebeforeher。

Shestoodthusforamomentmotionlessandsilent，withtherisingwindwhisperingwithoutandfleckingherwhitemorningdresswithgustyshadowsfromthearbor。Then，withclosedeyes，droppingherhandstoherbreast，stillpressinghard，sheslowlypassedthemdowntheshapelycontoursofherfiguretothewaist，andwithanothercrycastthemoffasifshewerestrippingherselfofsomeloathsomegarment。Thenshewalkedquicklytothegateway，lookedout，returnedtothecorridor，unlooseningandtakingoffherwedding—ringfromherfingerasshewalked。Hereshepaused，thenslowlyanddeliberatelyrearrangedthechairsandadjustedthegay—

coloredrugsthatdrapedthem，andquietlyre—enteredherchamber。

TwodaysafterwardsthesweatingsteedofCaptainPoindexterwasturnedlooseinthecorral，andamomentlaterthecaptainenteredthecorridor。HandingalettertothedecrepitConcha，whoseemedtobeutterlydisorganizedbyitscontents，andthefewcurtwordswithwhichitwasdelivered，hegazedsilentlyuponthevacantbower，stillfreshandredolentwiththedelicacyandperfumeofitsgracefuloccupant，untilhisdarkeyesfilledwithunaccustomedmoisture。Buthisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofjinglingspurswithout，andtheoldhumorstruggledbackinhiseyesasDonJoseimpetuouslyentered。TheSpaniardstartedback，butinstantlyrecoveredhimself。

"SoIfindyouhere。Ah！itiswell！"hesaidpassionately，producingaletterfromhisbosom。"Look！Doyoucallthishonor？

Lookhowyoukeepyourcompact！"

Poindextercoollytooktheletter。ItcontainedafewwordsofgentledignityfromMrs。Tucker，informingDonJosethatshehadonlythatinstantlearnedofhisjustclaimsuponLosCuervos，tenderinghimhergratitudeforhisdelicateintentions，butpointingoutwithrespectfulfirmnessthathemustknowthatamoment’sfurtheracceptanceofhiscourtesywasimpossible。

"Shehasgainedthisknowledgefromnowordofmine，"saidPoindexter，calmly。"Rightorwrong，Ihavekeptmypromisetoyou。Ihaveasmuchreasontoaccuseyouofbetrayingmysecretinthis，"headdedcoldly，ashetookanotherletterfromhispocketandhandedittoDonJose。

Itseemedbrieferandcolder，butwasneither。ItremindedPoindexterthatashehadagaindeceivedhershemusttakethegovernmentofheraffairsinherownhandshenceforth。SheabandonedallthefurnitureandimprovementsshehadputinLosCuervostohim，towhomshenowknewshewasindebtedforthem。

Shecouldnotthankhimforwhathishabitualgenerosityimpelledhimtodoforanywoman，butshecouldforgivehimformisunderstandingherlikeanyotherwoman，perhapssheshouldsay，likeachild。WhenhereceivedthisshewouldbealreadyonherwaytoheroldhomeinKentucky，whereshestillhopedtobeablebyherowneffortstoamassenoughtodischargeherobligationstohim。

"Shedoesnotspeakofherhusband，thiswoman，"saidDonJose，scanningPoindexter’sface。"Itispossiblesherejoinshim，eh？"

"Perhapsinonewayshehasneverlefthim，DonJose，"saidPoindexter，withgravesignificance。

DonJose’sfaceflushed，buthereturnedcarelessly，"Andtherancho，naturallyyouwillnotbuyitnow？"

"Onthecontrary，Ishallabidebymyoffer，"saidPoindexter，quietly。

DonJoseeyedhimnarrowly，andthensaid，"Ah，weshallconsiderofit。"

Hedidconsiderit，andacceptedtheoffer。Withthefullcontroloftheland，CaptainPoindexter’simprovements，soindefinitelypostponed，wereactivelypushedforward。Thethickwallsofthehaciendawerethefirsttomeltawaybeforethem;thelowlinesofcorralwereeffaced，andtheearlybreathofthesummertradewindssweptuninterruptedlyacrossthenowleveledplaintotheembarcadero，whereanewerstructurearose。Amorevividgreenalonemarkedthespotwherethecrumblingadobewallsofthecasahadreturnedtotheparentsoilthatgaveit。Thechannelwasdeepened，thelagoonwasdrained，untiloneeveningthemagicmirrorthathadsolongreflectedthewearywaitingoftheBlueGrassPenelopelaydull，dead，lustreless，anopaquequagmireofnoisomecorruptionanddecaytobeputawayfromthesightofmanforever。Onthisspotthecrows，thetitulartenantsofLosCuervos，assembledintumultuouscongress，comingandgoinginmysteriousclouds，orlaboringinthickandwrithingmasses，asiftheywerecontinuingtheworkofimprovementbegunbyhumanagency。

Sowellhadtheydonetheworkthatbytheendofaweekonlyafewscatteredwhiteobjectsremainedglitteringonthesurfaceofthequicklydryingsoil。Buttheywerethebonesofthemissingoutcast，SpencerTucker！……

Thesamespringabreathofwarsweptoverafoul，decayingquagmireofthewholeland，beforewhichsuchpassingdeedsasthesewereblownasvapor。Itcalledmenofallrankandconditiontobattleforanation’slife，andamongthefirsttorespondwerethoseintowhoseboyishhandshadbeenplacedthenation’shonor。

ItreturnedtheepauletstoPoindexter’sshoulderwiththeadditionofadoublestar，carriedhimtriumphantlytothefront，andlefthim，attheendofasummer’sdayandahard—wonfight，sorelywounded，atthedoorofaBlueGrassfarmhouse。Andthewomanwhosoughthimoutandministeredtohiswantssaidtimidly，assheleftherhandinhis，"ItoldyouIshouldlivetorepayyou。"

LEFTOUTONLONESTARMOUNTAIN。

CHAPTERI

TherewaslittledoubtthattheLoneStarclaimwas"playedout。"

Notdugout，workedout，washedout，butPLAYEDout。Fortwoyearsitsfivesanguineproprietorshadgonethroughthevariousstagesofminingenthusiasm;hadprospectedandplanned，duganddoubted。

Theyhadborrowedmoneywithheartybutunredeemingfrankness，establishedacreditwithunselfishabnegationofallresponsibility，andhadbornethedisappointmentoftheircreditorswithacheerfulresignationwhichonlytheconsciousnessofsomedeepCompensatingFuturecouldgive。Givinglittleelse，however，asingulardissatisfactionobtainedwiththetraders，and，beingaccompaniedwithareluctancetomakefurtheradvances，atlasttouchedthegentlestoicismoftheproprietorsthemselves。Theyouthfulenthusiasmwhichhadatfirstliftedthemostineffectualtrial，themostuselessessay，totheplaneofactualachievement，diedout，leavingthemonlythedull，prosaicrecordofhalf—finishedditches，purposelessshafts，untenablepits，abandonedengines，andmeaninglessdisruptionsofthesoilupontheLoneStarclaim，andemptyfloursacksandporkbarrelsintheLoneStarcabin。

Theyhadbornetheirpoverty，ifthattermcouldbeappliedtoalightrenunciationofallsuperfluitiesinfood，dress，orornament，amelioratedbythegentledepredationsalreadyalludedto，withunassuminglevity。Morethanthat：havingsegregatedthemselvesfromtheirfellow—minersofRedGulch，andentereduponthepossessionofthelittlemanzanita—thicketedvalleyfivemilesaway，thefailureoftheirenterprisehadassumedintheireyesonlythevaguesignificanceofthedeclineandfallofageneralcommunity，andtothatextentrelievedthemofindividualresponsibility。ItwaseasierforthemtoadmitthattheLoneStarclaimwas"playedout"thanconfesstoapersonalbankruptcy。

Moreover，theystillretainedthesacredrightofcriticismofgovernment，androsesuperiorintheirprivateopinionstotheirowncollectivewisdom。Eachoneexperiencedagratefulsenseoftheentireresponsibilityoftheotherfourinthefateoftheirenterprise。

OnDecember24，1863，agentlerainwasstillfallingoverthelengthandbreadthoftheLoneStarclaim。Ithadbeenfallingforseveraldays，hadalreadycalledafaintspringcolortothewanlandscape，repairingwithtendertouchestheravageswroughtbytheproprietors，orcharitablycoveringtheirfaults。Theraggedseamsingulchandcanyonlosttheirharshoutlines，athingreenmantlefaintlyclothedthetornandabradedhillside。Afewweeksmore，andaveilofforgetfulnesswouldbedrawnoverthefeeblefailuresoftheLoneStarclaim。Thecharmingderelictsthemselves，listeningtotheraindropsontheroofoftheirlittlecabin，gazedphilosophicallyfromtheopendoor，andacceptedtheprospectasamoraldischargefromtheirobligations。Fourofthefivepartnerswerepresent。TheRightandLeftBowers，UnionMills，andtheJudge。

Itisscarcelynecessarytosaythatnotoneofthesetitleswasthegenuinenameofitspossessor。TheRightandLeftBowersweretwobrothers;theirsobriquets，acheerfuladaptationfromthefavoritegameofeuchre，expressingtheirrelativevalueinthecamp。ThemerefactthatUnionMillshadatonetimepatchedhistrouserswithanoldfloursacklegiblybearingthatbrandofitsfabrication，wasatemptingbaptismalsuggestionthattheotherpartnerscouldnotforego。TheJudge，asingularlyinequitableMissourian，withnoknowledgewhateverofthelaw，wasaninspirationofgratuitousirony。

UnionMills，whohadbeenforsometimesittingplacidlyonthethresholdwithonelegexposedtotherain，fromasheerindolentinabilitytochangehisposition，finallywithdrewthatweather—

beatenmember，andstoodup。Themovementmoreorlessderangedtheattitudesoftheotherpartners，andwasreceivedwithcynicaldisfavor。Itwassomewhatremarkablethat，althoughgenerallygivingtheappearanceofhealthyyouthandperfectphysicalcondition，theyoneandallsimulatedthedecrepitudeofageandinvalidism，andafterlimpingaboutforafewmoments，settledbackagainupontheirbunksandstoolsintheirformerpositions。TheLeftBowerlazilyreplacedabandagethathehadwornaroundhisankleforweekswithoutanyapparentnecessity，andtheJudgescrutinizedwithtendersolicitudethefadedcicatrixofascratchuponhisarm。Apassivehypochondria，bornoftheirisolation，wasthelastludicrouslypathetictouchtotheirsituation。

Theimmediatecauseofthiscommotionfeltthenecessityofanexplanation。

"Itwouldhavebeenjustaseasyforyoutohavestayedoutsidewithyourbusinessleg，insteadofdraggingitintoprivatelifeinthatobtrusiveway，"retortedtheRightBower;"butthatexhaustiveeffortisn’tgoingtofilltheporkbarrel。ThegrocerymanatDaltonsays——what’sthathesaid？"heappealedlazilytotheJudge。

"SaidhereckonedtheLoneStarwasaboutplayedout，andhedidn’twantanymoreinhis——thankyou！"repeatedtheJudgewithamechanicaleffortofmemoryutterlydevoidofpersonalorpresentinterest。

"Ialwayssuspectedthatman，afterGrimshawbeguntodealwithhim，"saidtheLeftBower。"They’rejustmeanenoughtojoinhandsagainstus。"ItwasafixedbeliefoftheLoneStarpartnersthattheywerepursuedbypersonalenmities。

"MorethanlikelythosenewstrangersoverintheForkhavebeenpayingcashandfilledhimupwithconceit，"saidUnionMills，tryingtodryhislegbyalternatelybeatingitorrubbingitagainstthecabinwall。"Oncebeginwrongwiththatkindofsnipeandyoudrageverybodydownwithyou。"

Thisvagueconclusionwasreceivedwithdeadsilence。Everybodyhadbecomeinterestedinthespeaker’speculiarmethodofdryinghisleg，totheexclusionoftheprevioustopic。Afewofferedcriticism，nooneassistance。

"Whodidthegrocerymansaythatto？"askedtheRightBower，finallyreturningtothequestion。

"TheOldman，"answeredtheJudge。

"Ofcourse，"ejaculatedtheRightBowersarcastically。

"Ofcourse，"echoedtheotherpartnerstogether。"That’slikehim。

TheOldManallover！"

ItdidnotappearexactlywhatwasliketheOldMan，orwhyitwaslikehim，butgenerallythathealonewasresponsibleforthegroceryman’sdefection。ItwasputmoreconciselybyUnionMills。

"Thatcomesoflettinghimgothere！It’sjustafairprovocationtoanymantohavetheOldMansenttohim。Theycan’t，sorter，restrainthemselvesathim。He’senoughtospoilthecreditoftheRothschilds。"

"That’sso，"chimedintheJudge。"Andlookathisprospecting。

Why，hewasouttwonightslastweek，allnight，prospectinginthemoonlightforblindleads，justoutofsheerfoolishness。"

"Itwasquiteenoughforme，"brokeintheLeftBower，"whentheotherday，yourememberwhen，heproposedtouswhitementosettledowntoplaingroundsluicing，making’grub’wagesjustlikeanyChinaman。ItjustshowedhisideaoftheLoneStarclaim。"

"Well，Ineversaiditafore，"addedUnionMills，"butwhenthatoneoftheMattisonboyscameoverheretoexaminetheclaimwithaneyetopurchasin’，itwastheOldManthattooktheconceitoutofhim。Hejustasgoodasadmittedthatalotofworkhadgottobedoneaforeanypayorecouldberealized。Neverevenaskedhimovertotheshantyheretojineusinafriendlygame;justkepthim，sotospeak，tohimself。AndnaturallytheMattisonsdidn’tseeit。"

Asilencefollowed，brokenonlybytherainmonotonouslyfallingontheroof，andoccasionallythroughthebroadadobechimney，whereitprovokedaretaliatinghissandsplutterfromthedyingembersofthehearth。TheRightBower，withasuddenaccessofenergy，drewtheemptybarrelbeforehim，andtakingapackofwell—worncardsfromhispocket，begantomakea"solitaire"uponthelid。

Theothersgazedathimwithlanguidinterest。

"Makin’itforanythin’？"askedMills。

TheRightBowernodded。

TheJudgeandLeftBower，whowerepartlylyingintheirrespectivebunks，satuptogetabetterviewofthegame。UnionMillsslowlydisengagedhimselffromthewallandleanedoverthe"solitaire"

player。TheRightBowerturnedthelastcardinapauseofalmostthrillingsuspense，andclappeditdownonthelidwithfatefulemphasis。

"Itwent！"saidtheJudgeinavoiceofhushedrespect。"Whatdidyoumakeitfor？"healmostwhispered。

"Toknowifwe’dmakethebreakwetalkedaboutandvamosetheranch。It’stheFIFTHtimetoday，"continuedtheRightBowerinavoiceofgloomysignificance。"Anditwentaginbadcardstoo。"

"Iain’tsuperstitious，"saidtheJudge，withaweandfatuitybeamingfromeverylineofhiscredulousface，"butit’sflyin’inthefaceofProvidencetogoaginsuchsignsasthat。"

"Makeitagain，toseeiftheOldManmustgo，"suggestedtheLeftBower。

Thesuggestionwasreceivedwithfavor，thethreemengatheringbreathlesslyaroundtheplayer。Againthefatefulcardswereshuffleddeliberately，placedintheirmysteriouscombination，withthesameominousresult。Yeteverybodyseemedtobreathemorefreely，asifrelievedfromsomeresponsibility，theJudgeacceptingthismanifestexpressionofProvidencewithresignedself—righteousness。

"Yes，gentlemen，"resumedtheLeftBower，serenely，asifacalmlegaldecisionhadjustbeenrecorded，"wemustnotletanyfoolishnessorsentimentgetmixedupwiththisthing，butlookatitlikebusinessmen。Theonlysensiblemoveistogetupandgetoutofthecamp。"

"AndtheOldMan？"queriedtheJudge。

"TheOldMan——hush！he’scoming。"

Thedoorwaywasdarkenedbyaslightlissomeshadow。Itwastheabsentpartner，otherwiseknownas"theOldMan。"NeeditbeaddedthathewasaBOYofnineteen，withaslightdownjustclothinghisupperlip！

"Thecreekisupovertheford，andIhadto’shin’upawillowonthebankandswingmyselfacross，"hesaid，withaquick，franklaugh;"butallthesame，boys，it’sgoingtoclearupinaboutanhour，youbet。It’sbreakingawayoverBaldMountain，andthere’sasunflashonabitofsnowonLonePeak。Look！youcanseeitfromhere。It’sforalltheworldlikeNoah’sdovejustlandedonMountArarat。It’sagoodomen。"

FromsheerforceofhabitthemenhadmomentarilybrightenedupattheOldMan’sentrance。Buttheunblushingexhibitionofdegradingsuperstitionshowninthelastsentencerecalledtheirjustseverity。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。UnionMillsutteredhopelesslytohimself："Hell’sfullofsuchomens。"

Toooccupiedwithhissubjecttonoticethisominousreception，theOldMancontinued："IreckonIstruckafreshleadinthenewgrocerymanattheCrossing。Hesayshe’lllettheJudgehaveapairofbootsoncredit，buthecan’tsendthemoverhere;andconsideringthattheJudgehasgottotrythemanyway，itdon’tseemtobeaskingtoomuchfortheJudgetogooverthere。Hesayshe’llgiveusabarrelofporkandabagofflourifwe’llgivehimtherightofusingourtail—raceandcleanoutthelowerendofit。"

"It’stheworkofaChinaman，andafourdays’job，"brokeintheLeftBower。

"Ittookonewhitemanonlytwohourstocleanoutathirdofit，"

retortedtheOldMantriumphantly，"forIpitchedinatoncewithapickheletmehaveoncredit，anddidthatamountofworkthismorning，andtoldhimtherestofyouboyswouldfinishitthisafternoon。"

AslightgesturefromtheRightBowercheckedanangryexclamationfromtheLeft。TheOldMandidnotnoticeeither，but，knittinghissmoothyoungbrowinapaternallyreflectivefashion，wenton：

"You’llhavetogetanewpairoftrousers，Mills，butashedoesn’tkeepclothing，we’llhavetogetsomecanvasandcutyououtapair。ItradedoffthebeansheletmehaveforsometobaccofortheRightBowerattheothershop，andgotthemtothrowinanewpackofcards。Theseareaboutplayedout。We’llbewantingsomebrushwoodforthefire;there’saheapinthehollow。Who’sgoingtobringitin？It’stheJudge’sturn，isn’tit？Why，what’sthematterwithyouall？"

Therestraintandevidentuneasinessofhiscompanionshadatlasttouchedhim。Heturnedhisfrankyoungeyesuponthem;theyglancedhelplesslyateachother。Yethisfirstconcernwasforthem，hisfirstinstinctpaternalandprotecting。Heranhiseyesquicklyoverthem;theywereallthereandapparentlyintheirusualcondition。"Anythingwrongwiththeclaim？"hesuggested。

WithoutlookingathimtheRightBowerrose，leanedagainsttheopendoorwithhishandsbehindhimandhisfacetowardsthelandscape，andsaid，apparentlytothedistantprospect："Theclaim’splayedout，thepartnership’splayedout，andthesoonerweskedaddleoutofthisthebetter。If，"headded，turningtotheOldMan，"ifYOUwanttostay，ifyouwanttodoChinaman’sworkatChinaman’swages，ifyouwanttohangontothecharityofthetradersattheCrossing，youcandoit，andenjoytheprospectsandtheNoah’sdovesalone。Butwe’recalculatin’tostepoutofit。"

"ButIhaven’tsaidIwantedtodoitALONE，"protestedtheOldManwithagestureofbewilderment。

"Iftheseareyourgeneralideasofthepartnership，"continuedtheRightBower，clingingtotheestablishedhypothesisoftheotherpartnersforsupport，"itain’tours，andtheonlywaywecanproveitistostopthefoolishnessrighthere。Wecalculatedtodissolvethepartnershipandstrikeoutforourselveselsewhere。

You’renolongerresponsibleforus，norweforyou。Andwereckonit’sthesquarethingtoleaveyoutheclaimandthecabin，andallitcontains。Topreventanytroublewiththetraders，we’vedrawnupapaperhere——"

"Withabonusoffiftythousanddollarseachdown，andtheresttobesettledonmychildren，"interruptedtheOldMan，withahalf—

uneasylaugh。"Ofcourse。But——"hestoppedsuddenly，theblooddroppedfromhisfreshcheek，andheagainglancedquicklyroundthegroup。"Idon’tthink——I——Iquitesabe，boys，"headded，withaslighttremorofvoiceandlip。"Ifit’saconundrum，askmeaneasierone。"

AnylingeringdoubthemighthavehadoftheirmeaningwasdispelledbytheJudge。"It’saboutthesoftestthingyoukindropinto，OldMan，"hesaidconfidentially;"ifIhadn’tpromisedtheotherboystogowiththem，andifIdidn’tneedthebestmedicaladviceinSacramentoformylungs，I’djustenjoystayingwithyou。"

"Itgivesasorterfreedomtoayoungfellowlikeyou，OldMan，likegoin’intotheworldonyourowncapital，thateveryCalifornianboyhasn’tgot，"saidUnionMills，patronizingly。

"Ofcourseit’sratherhardpapersonus，youknow，givin’upeverything，sotospeak;butit’sforyourgood，andweain’tgoin’

backonyou，"saidtheLeftBower，"arewe，boys？"

ThecolorhadreturnedtotheOldMan’sfacealittlemorequicklyandfreelythanusual。Hepickedupthehathehadcastdown，putitoncarefullyoverhisbrowncurls，drewtheflapdownonthesidetowardshiscompanions，andputhishandsinhispockets。

"Allright，"hesaid，inaslightlyalteredvoice。"Whendoyougo？"

"To—day，"answeredtheLeftBower。"WecalculatetotakeamoonlightpasearovertotheCrossRoadsandmeetthedownstageatabouttwelveto—night。There’splentyoftimeyet，"headded，withaslightlaugh;"it’sonlythreeo’clocknow。"

Therewasadeadsilence。Eventherainwithhelditscontinuouspatter，adumb，grayfilmcoveredtheashesofthehushedhearth。

ForthefirsttimetheRightBowerexhibitedsomeslightembarrassment。

"Ireckonit’sheldupforaspell，"hesaid，ostentatiouslyexaminingtheweather，"andwemightaswelltakearunroundtheclaimtoseeifwe’veforgottennothing。Ofcourse，we’llbebackagain，"headdedhastily，withoutlookingattheOldMan，"beforewego，youknow。"

Theothersbegantolookfortheirhats，butsoawkwardlyandwithsuchevidentpreoccupationofmindthatitwasnotatfirstdiscoveredthattheJudgehadhisalreadyon。Thisraisedalaugh，asdidalsoaclumsystumbleofUnionMillsagainsttheporkbarrel，althoughthatgentlemantookrefugefromhisconfusionandsecuredadecentretreatbyagrossexaggerationofhislameness，ashelimpedaftertheRightBower。TheJudgewhistledfeebly。

TheLeftBower，inamoreambitiousefforttoimpartacertaingayetytohisexit，stoppedonthethresholdandsaid，asifinarchconfidencetohiscompanions，"DarnediftheOldMandon’tlooktwoincheshighersincehebecameaproprietor，"laughedpatronizingly，andvanished。

Ifthenewly—madeproprietorhadincreasedinstature，hehadnototherwisechangedhisdemeanor。Heremainedinthesameattitudeuntilthelastfiguredisappearedbehindthefringeofbuckeyethathidthedistanthighway。Thenhewalkedslowlytothefire—place，and，leaningagainstthechimney，kickedthedyingemberstogetherwithhisfoot。Somethingdroppedandspatteredinthefilmofhotashes。Surelytherainhadnotyetceased！

Hishighcolorhadalreadyfledexceptforaspotoneithercheek—

bonethatlentabrightnesstohiseyes。Heglancedaroundthecabin。Itlookedfamiliarandyetstrange。Rather，itlookedstrangeBECAUSEstillfamiliar，andthereforeincongruouswiththenewatmospherethatsurroundedit——discordantwiththeechooftheirlastmeeting，andpainfullyaccentingthechange。Therewerethefour"bunks，"orsleepingberths，ofhiscompanions，eachstillbearingsometracesoftheindividualityofitslateoccupantwithadumbloyaltythatseemedtomaketheirlight—hearteddefectionmonstrous。InthedeadashesoftheJudge’spipe，scatteredonhisshelf，stilllivedhisoldfire;inthewhittledandcarvededgesoftheLeftBower’sbunkstillwerethememoriesofbygonedaysofdeliciousindolence;inthebullet—holesclusteredroundaknotofoneofthebeamstherewasstilltherecordoftheRightBower’sold—timeskillandpractice;inthefewengravingsoffemalelovelinessstuckuponeachheadboardthereweretheproofsoftheiroldextravagantdevotion——allamuteprotesttothechange。

Herememberedhow，afatherless，truantschoolboy，hehaddriftedintotheiradventurous，nomadiclife，itselfalifeofgrown—uptruancylikehisown，andbecameoneofthatgypsyfamily。Howtheyhadtakentheplaceofrelationsandhouseholdinhisboyishfancy，fillingitwiththeunsubstantialpageantryofachild’splayatgrown—upexistence，heknewonlytoowell。Buthow，frombeingapetandprotege，hehadgraduallyandunconsciouslyassertedhisownindividualityandtakenuponhisyoungershouldersnotonlyapoet’skeenappreciationofthatlife，butitsactualresponsibilitiesandhalf—childishburdens，heneversuspected。Hehadfondlybelievedthathewasaneophyteintheirways，anoviceintheircharmingfaithandindolentcreed，andtheyhadencouragedit;nowtheirrenunciationofthatfaithcouldonlybeanexcuseforarenunciationofHIM。Thepoetrythathadfortwoyearsinvestedthematerialandsometimesevenmeandetailsoftheirexistencewastoomuchapartofhimselftobelightlydispelled。

Thelessonofthoseingenuousmoralistsfailed，assuchlessonsareapttofail;theirdisciplineprovokedbutdidnotsubdue;arisingindignation，stirredbyasenseofinjury，mountedtohischeekandeyes。Itwasslowtocome，butwasnonethelessviolentthatithadbeenprecededbythebenumbingshockofshameandpride。

IhopeIshallnotprejudicethereader’ssympathiesifmydutyasasimplechroniclercompelsmetostate，therefore，thatthesobersecondthoughtofthisgentlepoetwastoburndownthecabinonthespotwithallitscontents。Thisyieldedtoamildercounsel——

waitingforthereturnoftheparty，challengingtheRightBower，adueltothedeath，perhapshimselfthevictim，withacrushingexplanationinextremis，"ItseemsweareONEtoomany。Nomatter;

itissettlednow。Farewell！"Dimlyremembering，however，thattherewassomethingofthisinthelastwell—wornnoveltheyhadreadtogether，andthathisantagonistmightrecognizeit，orevenworse，anticipateithimself，theideawasquicklyrejected。

Besides，theopportunityforanapotheosisofself—sacrificewaspast。Nothingremainednowbuttorefusetheprofferedbribeofclaimandcabinbyletter，forhemustnotwaittheirreturn。Hetorealeaffromablotteddiary，begunandabandonedlongsince，andessayedtowrite。Scrawlafterscrawlwastornup，untilhisfuryhadcooleddowntoafrigidthirdpersonality。"Mr。JohnFordregretstoinformhislatepartnersthattheirtenderofhouse，offurniture，"however，seemedtooinconsistentwiththepork—barreltablehewaswritingon;amoreeloquentrenunciationoftheirofferbecamefrivolousandidioticfromacaricatureofUnionMills，labelandall，thatappearedsuddenlyontheothersideoftheleaf;andwhenheatlastinditedasatisfactoryandimpassionedexpositionofhisfeelings，thelegibleaddendumof"Oh，ain’tyougladyou’reoutofthewilderness！"——theforgottenfirstlineofapopularsong，whichnoscratchingwoulderase——

seemedtoolikeanironicalpostscripttobethoughtofforamoment。Hethrewasidehispenandcastthediscordantrecordofpastfoolishpastimeintothedeadashesofthehearth。

Howquietitwas。Withthecessationoftherainthewindtoohadgonedown，andscarcelyabreathofaircamethroughtheopendoor。

Hewalkedtothethresholdandgazedonthehushedprospect。Inthislistlessattitudehewasfaintlyconsciousofadistantreverberation，amerephantomofsound——perhapstheexplosionofadistantblastinthehills——thatleftthesilencemoremarkedandoppressive。Asheturnedagainintothecabinachangeseemedtohavecomeoverit。Italreadylookedoldanddecayed。Thelonelinessofyearsofdesertionseemedtohavetakenpossessionofit;theatmosphereofdryrotwasinthebeamsandrafters。Tohisexcitedfancythefewdisorderedblanketsandarticlesofclothingseemeddroppingtopieces;inoneofthebunkstherewasahideousresemblanceinthelongitudinalheapofclothingtoawitheredandmummiedcorpse。Soitmightlookinafteryearswhensomepassingstranger——buthestopped。Adreadoftheplacewasbeginningtocreepoverhim;adreadofthedaystocome，whenthemonotonoussunshineshouldlaybarethelonelinessofthesewalls;thelong，longdaysofendlessblueandcloudless，overhangingsolitude;

summerdayswhenthewearying，incessanttradewindsshouldsingaroundthatemptyshellandvoiceitsdesolation。Hegatheredtogetherhastilyafewarticlesthatwereespeciallyhisown——

ratherthatthefreecommunionofthecamp，fromindifferenceoraccident，hadleftwhollytohim。Hehesitatedforamomentoverhisrifle，but，scrupulousinhiswoundedpride，turnedawayandleftthefamiliarweaponthatinthedarkdayshadsooftenprovidedthedinnerorbreakfastofthelittlehousehold。Candorcompelsmetostatethathisequipmentwasnotlargenoreminentlypractical。Hisscantpackwasalightweightforevenhisyoungshoulders，butIfearhethoughtmoreofgettingawayfromthePastthanprovidingfortheFuture。

Withthisvaguebutsolepurposeheleftthecabin，andalmostmechanicallyturnedhisstepstowardsthecreekhehadcrossedthatmorning。Heknewthatbythisroutehewouldavoidmeetinghiscompanions;itsdifficultiesandcircuitousnesswouldexercisehisfeverishlimbsandgivehimtimeforreflection。Hehaddeterminedtoleavetheclaim，butwhencehehadnotyetconsidered。Hereachedthebankofthecreekwherehehadstoodtwohoursbefore;

itseemedtohimtwoyears。Helookedcuriouslyathisreflectioninoneofthebroadpoolsofoverflow，andfanciedhelookedolder。

HewatchedtherushandoutsetoftheturbidcurrenthurryingtomeettheSouthFork，andtoeventuallyloseitselfintheyellowSacramento。Eveninhispreoccupationhewasimpressedwithalikenesstohimselfandhiscompanionsinthisfloodthathadburstitspeacefulboundaries。Inthedriftingfragmentsofoneoftheirforgottenflumeswashedfromthebank，hefanciedhesawanomenofthedisintegrationanddecayoftheLoneStarclaim。

Thestrangehushintheairthathehadnoticedbefore——acalmsoinconsistentwiththathourandtheseasonastoseemportentous——

becamemoremarkedincontrasttothefeverishrushoftheturbulentwater—course。Afewcloudslazilyhuddledinthewestapparentlyhadgonetorestwiththesunonbedsofsomnolentpoppies。Therewasagleamasofgoldenwatereverywherealongthehorizon，washingoutthecoldsnowpeaks，anddrowningeventherisingmoon。Thecreekcaughtithereandthere，until，ingrimirony，itseemedtobeartheirbrokensluice—boxesanduselessenginesontheveryPactolianstreamtheyhadbeenhopefullycreatedtodirectandcarry。Butbysomepeculiartrickoftheatmosphere，theperfectplenitudeofthatgoldensunsetglorywaslavishedontheruggedsidesandtangledcrestoftheLoneStarmountain。Thatisolatedpeak，thelandmarkoftheirclaim，thegauntmonumentoftheirfolly，transfiguredintheeveningsplendor，keptitsradianceunquenchedlongaftertheglowhadfallenfromtheencompassingskies，andwhenatlasttherisingmoon，stepbystep，putoutthefiresalongthewindingvalleyandplains，andcreptuptheboskysidesofthecanyon，thevanishingsunsetwaslostonlytoreappearasagoldencrown。

Theeyesoftheyoungmanwerefixeduponitwithmorethanamomentarypicturesqueinterest。Ithadbeenthefavoritegroundofhisprospectingexploits，itslowestflankhadbeenscarredintheoldenthusiasticdayswithhydraulicengines，orpiercedwithshafts，butitscentralpositionintheclaimanditssuperiorheighthadalwaysgivenitacommandingviewoftheextentoftheirvalleyanditsapproaches，anditwasthispracticalpre—eminencethataloneattractedhimatthatmoment。Heknewthatfromitscresthewouldbeabletodistinguishthefiguresofhiscompanions，astheycrossedthevalleynearthecabin，inthegrowingmoonlight。

Thushecouldavoidencounteringthemonhiswaytothehighroad，andyetseethem，perhaps，forthelasttime。Eveninhissenseofinjurytherewasastrangesatisfactioninthethought。

Theascentwastoilsome，butfamiliar。Allalongthedimtrailhewasaccompaniedbygentlermemoriesofthepast，thatseemed，likethefaintodorofspicedleavesandfragrantgrasseswetwiththerainandcrushedbeneathhisascendingtread，toexhalethesweeterperfumeinhisefforttosubdueorriseabovethem。Therewasthethicketofmanzanita，wheretheyhadbrokennoondaybreadtogether;

herewastherockbesidetheirmaidenshaft，wheretheyhadpouredawildlibationinboyishenthusiasmofsuccess;andheretheledgewheretheirfirstflag，aredshirtheroicallysacrificed，wasdisplayedfromalong—handledshoveltothegazeofadmirersbelow。

Whenheatlastreachedthesummit，themysterioushushwasstillintheair，asifinbreathlesssympathywithhisexpedition。Inthewest，theplainwasfaintlyilluminated，butdisclosednomovingfigures。Heturnedtowardstherisingmoon，andmovedslowlytotheeasternedge。Suddenlyhestopped。Anotherstepwouldhavebeenhislast！Hestooduponthecrumblingedgeofaprecipice。Alandsliphadtakenplaceontheeasternflank，leavingthegauntribsandfleshlessbonesofLoneStarmountainbareinthemoonlight。Heunderstoodnowthestrangerumbleandreverberationhehadheard;heunderstoodnowthestrangehushofbirdandbeastinbrakeandthicket！

Althoughasinglerapidglanceconvincedhimthattheslidehadtakenplaceinanunfrequentedpartofthemountain，aboveaninaccessiblecanyon，andreflectionassuredhimhiscompanionscouldnothavereachedthatdistancewhenittookplace，afeverishimpulseledhimtodescendafewrodsinthetrackoftheavalanche。Thefrequentrecurrenceofoutcropandanglemadethiscomparativelyeasy。Herehecalledaloud;thefeebleechoofhisownvoiceseemedonlyadullimpertinencetothesignificantsilence。Heturnedtoreascend;thefurrowedflankofthemountainbeforehimlayfullinthemoonlight。Tohisexcitedfancy，adozenluminousstar—likepointsintherockycrevicesstartedintolifeashefacedthem。Throwinghisarmovertheledgeabovehim，hesupportedhimselfforamomentbywhatappearedtobeaprojectionofthesolidrock。Ittrembledslightly。Asheraisedhimselftoitslevel，hisheartstoppedbeating。Itwassimplyafragmentdetachedfromtheoutcrop，lyinglooselyontheledgebutupholdinghimbyITSOWNWEIGHTONLY。Heexamineditwithtremblingfingers;theencumberingsoilfellfromitssidesandleftitssmoothedandwornprotuberancesglisteninginthemoonlight。Itwasvirgingold！

Lookingbackuponthatmomentafterwards，herememberedthathewasnotdazed，dazzled，orstartled。Itdidnotcometohimasadiscoveryoranaccident，astrokeofchanceoracapriceoffortune。Hesawitallinthatsuprememoment;Naturehadworkedouttheirpoordeduction。Whattheirfeebleengineshadessayedspasmodicallyandhelplesslyagainstthecurtainofsoilthathidthetreasure，theelementshadachievedwithmightierbutmorepatientforces。Theslowsappingofthewinterrainshadloosenedthesoilfromtheauriferousrock，evenwhiletheswollenstreamwascarryingtheirimpotentandshatteredenginestothesea。

Whatmatteredthathissinglearmcouldnotliftthetreasurehehadfound！Whatmatteredthattounfixthoseglitteringstarswouldstilltaxbothskillandpatience！Theworkwasdone，thegoalwasreached！evenhisboyishimpatiencewascontentwiththat。

Heroseslowlytohisfeet，unstrappedhislong—handledshovelfromhisback，secureditinthecrevice，andquietlyregainedthesummit。

Itwasallhisown！Hisownbyrightofdiscoveryunderthelawoftheland，andwithoutacceptingafavorfromTHEM。HerecalledeventhefactthatitwasHISprospectingonthemountainthatfirstsuggestedtheexistenceofgoldintheoutcropandtheuseofthehydraulic。HEhadneverabandonedthatbelief，whatevertheothershaddone。Hedweltsomewhatindignantlytohimselfonthiscircumstance，andhalfunconsciouslyfaceddefiantlytowardstheplainbelow。Butitwassleepingpeacefullyinthefullsightofthemoon，withoutlifeormotion。Helookedatthestars;itwasstillfarfrommidnight。Hiscompanionshadnodoubtlongsincereturnedtothecabintopreparefortheirmidnightjourney。Theywerediscussinghim，perhapslaughingathim，orworse，pityinghimandhisbargain。Yetherewashisbargain！Aslightlaughhegaveventtoherestartledhimalittle，itsoundedsohardandsounmirthful，andsounlike，asheoddlyfancied，whathereallyTHOUGHT。ButWHATdidhethink？

Nothingmeanorrevengeful;no，theyneverwouldsayTHAT。Whenhehadtakenoutallthesurfacegoldandputthemineinworkingorder，hewouldsendthemeachadraftforathousanddollars。Ofcourse，iftheywereeverillorpoorhewoulddomore。Oneofthefirst，theveryfirstthingsheshoulddowouldbetosendthemeachahandsomegunandtellthemthatheonlyaskedinreturntheold—fashionedriflethatoncewashis。Lookingbackatthemomentinafteryears，hewonderedthat，withthisexception，hemadenoplansforhisownfuture，orthewayheshoulddisposeofhisnewlyacquiredwealth。Thiswasthemoresingularasithadbeenthecustomofthefivepartnerstolieawakeatnight，audiblycomparingwitheachotherwhattheywoulddoincasetheymadeastrike。Herememberedhow，Alnaschar—like，theynearlyseparatedonceoveradifferenceinthedisposalofahundredthousanddollarsthattheyneverhad，norexpectedtohave。HerememberedhowUnionMillsalwaysbeganhiscareerasamillionnairebya"squaremeal"atDelmonico’s;howtheRightBower’sinitialstepwasalwaysatriphome"toseehismother";howtheLeftBowerwouldimmediatelyplacatetheparentsofhisbelovedwithpricelessgifts（itmaybeparentheticallyremarkedthattheparentsandthebelovedonewereashypotheticalasthefortune）;andhowtheJudgewouldmakehisfirststartasacapitalistbybreakingacertainfarobankinSacramento。Hehimselfhadbeenequallyeloquentinextravagantfancyinthosepennilessdays，hewhonowwasquitecoldandimpassivebesidethemoreextravagantreality。

Howdifferentitmighthavebeen！Iftheyhadonlywaitedadaylonger！iftheyhadonlybrokentheirresolvestohimkindlyandpartedingoodwill！Howhewouldlongerethishaverushedtogreetthemwiththejoyfulnews！Howtheywouldhavedancedaroundit，sungthemselveshoarse，laugheddowntheirenemies，andrunuptheflagtriumphantlyonthesummitoftheLoneStarMountain！Howtheywouldhavecrownedhim"theOldMan，""theheroofthecamp！"

Howhewouldhavetoldthemthewholestory;howsomestrangeinstincthadimpelledhimtoascendthesummit，andhowanothersteponthatsummitwouldhaveprecipitatedhimintothecanyon！

Andhow——butwhatifsomebodyelse，UnionMillsortheJudge，hadbeenthefirstdiscoverer？Mighttheynothavemeanlykeptthesecretfromhim;haveselfishlyhelpedthemselvesanddone——

"WhatYOUaredoingnow。"

Thehotbloodrushedtohischeek，asifastrangevoicewereathisear。Foramomenthecouldnotbelievethatitcamefromhisownpalelipsuntilhefoundhimselfspeaking。Herosetohisfeet，tinglingwithshame，andbeganhurriedlytodescendthemountain。

Hewouldgotothem，tellthemofhisdiscovery，letthemgivehimhisshare，andleavethemforever。Itwastheonlythingtobedone，strangethathehadnotthoughtofitatonce。Yetitwashard，veryhardandcrueltobeforcedtomeetthemagain。Whathadhedonetosufferthismortification？Foramomentheactuallyhatedthisvulgartreasurethathadforeverburiedunderitsgrossponderabilitythelightandcarelesspast，andutterlycrushedoutthepoetryoftheirold，indolent，happyexistence。

HewassuretofindthemwaitingattheCrossRoadswherethecoachcamepast。Itwasthreemilesaway，yethecouldgetthereintimeifhehastened。Itwasawiseandpracticalconclusionofhisevening’swork，alameandimpotentconclusiontohisevening’sindignation。Nomatter。Theywouldperhapsatfirstthinkhehadcometoweaklyfollowthem，perhapstheywouldatfirstdoubthisstory。Nomatter。Hebithislipstokeepdownthefoolishrisingtears，butstillwentblindlyforward。

Hesawnotthebeautifulnight，cradledinthedarkhills，swathedinluminousmists，andhushedintheaweofitsownloveliness！

Hereandtherethemoonhadlaidhercalmfaceonlakeandoverflow，andgonetosleepembracingthem，untilthewholeplainseemedtobeliftedintoinfinitequiet。Walkingonasinadream，theblack，impenetrablebarriersofskirtingthicketsopenedandgavewaytovaguedistancesthatitappearedimpossibletoreach，dimvistasthatseemedunapproachable。Graduallyheseemedhimselftobecomeapartofthemysteriousnight。Hewasbecomingaspulseless，ascalm，aspassionless。

Whatwasthat？Ashotinthedirectionofthecabin！yetsofaint，soecholess，soineffectiveinthevastsilence，thathewouldhavethoughtithisfancybutforthestrangeinstinctivejaruponhissensitivenerves。Wasitanaccident，orwasitanintentionalsignaltohim？Hestopped;itwasnotrepeated，thesilencereasserteditself，butthistimewithanominousdeath—likesuggestion。Asuddenandterriblethoughtcrossedhismind。Hecastasidehispackandallencumberingweight，tookadeepbreath，loweredhisheadanddartedlikeadeerinthedirectionofthechallenge。

CHAPTERII

TheexodusofthesecedingpartnersoftheLoneStarclaimhadbeenscarcelyanimposingone。Forthefirstfiveminutesafterquittingthecabin，theprocessionwasstragglingandvagabond。

Unwontedexertionhadexaggeratedthelamenessofsome，andfeeblenessofmoralpurposehadpredisposedtheotherstoobtrusivemusicalexhibition。UnionMillslimpedandwhistledwithaffectedabstraction;theJudgewhistledandlimpedwithaffectedearnestness。TheRightBowerledthewaywithsomeshowofdefinitedesign;theLeftBowerfollowedwithhishandsinhispockets。Thetwofeeblernatures，drawntogetherinunconscioussympathy，lookedvaguelyateachotherforsupport。

"Yousee，"saidtheJudge，suddenly，asiftriumphantlyconcludinganargument，"thereain’tanythingbetterforayoungfellowthanindependence。Nature，sotospeak，pointstheway。Lookattheanimals。"

"There’saskunkhereabouts，"saidUnionMills，whowassupposedtobegiftedwitharistocraticallysensitivenostrils，"withintenmilesofthisplace;likeasnotcrossingtheRidge。It’salwaysmylucktohappenoutjustatsuchtimes。Idon’tseethenecessityanyhowoftrapesingroundtheclaimnow，ifwecalculatetoleaveitto—night。"

BothmenwaitedtoobserveifthesuggestionwastakenupbytheRightandLeftBowermoodilyploddingahead。Noresponsefollowing，theJudgeshamelesslyabandonedhiscompanion。

"Youwouldn’tstandsnoopin’roundinsteadoflettin’theOldMangetusedtotheideaalone？No;Icouldseeallalongthathewastakin’itin，takin’itin，kindlybutslowly，andIreckonedthebestthingforustodowastogitupandgituntilhe’dgotroundit。"TheJudge’svoicewasslightlyraisedforthebenefitofthetwobeforehim。

"Didn’thesay，"remarkedtheRightBower，stoppingsuddenlyandfacingtheothers，"didn’thesaythatthatnewtraderwasgoin’tolethimhavesomeprovisionsanyway？"

UnionMillsturnedappealinglytotheJudge;thatgentlemanwasforcedtoreply，"Yes;Irememberdistinctlyhesaidit。ItwasoneofthethingsIwasparticularaboutonhisaccount，"respondedtheJudge，withtheairofhavingarrangeditallhimselfwiththenewtrader。"IrememberIwaseasierinmymindaboutit。"

"Butdidn’thesay，"queriedtheLeftBower，alsostoppingshort，"suthin’aboutit’sbeingcontingentonourdoingsomeworkontherace？"

TheJudgeturnedforsupporttoUnionMills，who，however，underthehollowpretenseofpreparingforalongconference，hadluxuriouslyseatedhimselfonastump。TheJudgesatdownalso，andreplied，hesitatingly，"Well，yes！Usorhim。"

"Usorhim，"repeatedtheRightBower，withgloomyirony。"Andyouain’tquiteclearinyourmind，areyou，ifYOUhaven’tdonetheworkalready？You’rejustkillingyourselfwiththisspontaneous，promiscuous，andprematureoverwork;that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。"

"IreckonIheardsomebodysaysuthin’aboutit’sbeingaChinaman’sthree—dayjob，"interpolatedtheLeftBower，withequalirony，"butIain’tquiteclearinmymindaboutthat。"

"It’llbeasorterdistractionfortheOldMan，"saidUnionMills，feebly——"kindertakehismindoffhisloneliness。"

Nobodytakingtheleastnoticeoftheremark，unionMillsstretchedouthislegsmorecomfortablyandtookouthispipe。HehadscarcelydonesowhentheRightBower，wheelingsuddenly，setoffinthedirectionofthecreek。TheLeftBower，afteraslightpause，followedwithoutaword。TheJudge，wiselyconceivingitbettertojointhestrongerparty，ranfeeblyafterhim，andleftUnionMillstobringupaweakandvacillatingrear。

Theircourse，divergingfromLoneStarMountain，ledthemnowdirectlytothebendofthecreek，thebaseoftheiroldineffectualoperations。Herewasthebeginningofthefamoustail—

racethatskirtedthenewtrader’sclaim，andthenlostitswayinaswampyhollow。Itwaschokedwithdebris;athin，yellowstreamthatonceranthroughitseemedtohavestoppedworkwhentheydid，andgoneintogreenishliquidation。

Theyhadscarcelyspokenduringthisbriefjourney，andhadreceivednootherexplanationfromtheRightBower，wholedthem，thanthataffordedbyhismuteexamplewhenhereachedtherace。

Leapingintoitwithoutaword，heatoncebegantoclearawaythebrokentimbersanddriftwood。Firedbythespectacleofwhatappearedtobeanewandutterlyfrivolousgame，themengaylyleapedafterhim，andweresoonengagedinafascinatingstrugglewiththeimpededrace。TheJudgeforgothislamenessinspringingoverabrokensluice—box;UnionMillsforgothiswhistleinahappyimitationofaChinesecoolie’ssong。Nevertheless，aftertenminutesofthismilddissipation，thepastimeflagged;UnionMillswasbeginningtorubhislegwhenadistantrumbleshooktheearth。

Themenlookedateachother;thediversionwascomplete;alanguiddiscussionoftheprobabilitiesofitsbeinganearthquakeorablastfollowed，inthemidstofwhichtheRightBower，whowasworkingalittleinadvanceoftheothers，utteredawarningcryandleapedfromtherace。Hiscompanionshadbarelytimetofollowbeforeasuddenandinexplicableriseinthewatersofthecreeksentaswiftirruptionofthefloodthroughtherace。Inaninstantitschokedandimpededchannelwascleared，theracewasfree，andthescattereddebrisoflogsandtimberfloateduponitseasycurrent。Quicktotakeadvantageofthislabor—savingphenomenon，theLoneStarpartnerssprangintothewater，andbydisentanglinganddirectingtheeddyingfragmentscompletedtheirwork。

"TheOldManoughterbeenheretoseethis，"saidtheLeftBower;

"it’sjustoneo’themclimaxesofpoeticjusticehe’salwayshuntin’up。It’seasytoseewhat’shappened。Oneo’themhigh—

tonedshrimpsoverintheExcelsiorclaimhasputablastintoonearthecreek。He’stumbledthebankintothecreekandsentthebackwaterdownherejusttowashoutourrace。That’swhatIcallpoeticalretribution。"

"Andwhowasitadvisedustodamthecreekbelowtheraceandmakeitdothething？"askedtheRightBower，moodily。

"ThatwasoneoftheOldMan’sideas，Ireckon，"saidtheLeftBower，dubiously。

"Andyouremember，"brokeintheJudgewithanimation，"Iallussaid，’Goslow，goslow。Youjustholdonandsuthin’willhappen。’And，"headded，triumphantly，"youseesuthin’hashappened。Idon’twanttotakecredittomyself，butIreckonedonthemExcelsiorboysbein’fools，andtookthechances。"

"AndwhatifIhappentoknowthattheExcelsiorboysain’tblastin’to—day？"saidtheRightBower，sarcastically。

AstheJudgehadevidentlybasedhishypothesisontheallegedfactofablast，hedeftlyevadedthepoint。"Iain’tsayingtheOldMan’sheadain’tlevelonsomethings;hewantsalittlemoresabeoftheworld。He’simprovedagooddealineuchrelately，andinpoker——well！he’sgotthatsorterdreamy，listenin’—to—the—angelskindo’waythatyoucan’texactlytellwhetherhe’sbluffin’orhasgotafullhand。Hasn’the？"heasked，appealingtoUnionMills。

Butthatgentleman，whohadbeenwatchingthedarkfaceoftheRightBower，preferredtotakewhathebelievedtobehiscuefromhim。"Thatain’tthequestion，"hesaidvirtuously;"weain’ttakin’thissteptomakeacardsharpoutofhim。We’renotdoin’

Chinamen’sworkinthisraceto—dayforthat。No，sir！We’reteachin’himtopaddlehisowncanoe。"NotfindingthesympatheticresponsehelookedforintheRightBower’sface，heturnedtotheLeft。

"Ireckonwewereteachin’himourcanoewastoofull，"wastheLeftBower’sunexpectedreply。"That’saboutthesizeofit。"

TheRightBowershotarapidglanceunderhisbrowsathisbrother。

Thelatter，withhishandsinhispockets，staredunconsciouslyattherushingwaters，andthenquietlyturnedaway。TheRightBowerfollowedhim。"Areyougoin’backonus？"heasked。

"Areyou？"respondedtheother。

"No！"

"NO，thenitis，"returnedtheLeftBowerquietly。Theelderbrotherhesitatedinhalf—angryembarrassment。

"Thenwhatdidyoumeanbysayingwereckonedourcanoewastoofull？"

"Wasn’tthatouridea？"returnedtheLeftBower，indifferently。

Confoundedbythispracticalexpressionofhisownunformulatedgoodintentions，theRightBowerwasstaggered。

"Speakin’oftheOldMan，"brokeintheJudge，withcharacteristicinfelicity，"Ireckonhe’llsorto’missus，timeslikethese。Wewereallersrunnin’himandbedevilin’him，afterwork，justtogethimexcitedandamusin’，andhe’llkindermissthatsorto’

stimulatin’。Ireckonwe’llmissittoo，somewhat。Don’tyouremember，boys，thenightweputupthatlittlesellonhimandmadehimbelievewe’dstruckitrichinthebankofthecreek，andgothimsoconceited，hewantedtogooffandsettleallourdebtsatonce？"

"AndhowIcamebustin’intothecabinwithapanfullofironpyritesandblacksand，"chuckledUnionMills，continuingthereminiscences，"andhowthembiggrayeyesofhisnearlybulgedoutofhishead。Well，it’ssomesatisfactiontoknowwedidourdutybytheyoungfelloweveninthoselittlethings。"HeturnedforconfirmationoftheirgeneraldisinterestednesstotheRightBower，buthewasalreadystridingaway，uneasilyconsciousofthelazyfollowingoftheLeftBower，likealaggardconscienceathisback。

ThismovementagainthrewUnionMillsandtheJudgeintofeeblecomplicityintherear，astheprocessionslowlystraggledhomewardfromthecreek。

Nighthadfallen。TheirwaylaythroughtheshadowofLoneStarMountain，deepenedhereandtherebytheslight，boskyridgesthat，startingfromitsbase，creptacrosstheplainlikevastrootsofitsswellingtrunk。Theshadowsweregrowingblackerasthemoonbegantoassertitselfovertherestofthevalley，whentheRightBowerhaltedsuddenlyononeoftheseridges。TheLeftBowerloungeduptohim，andstoppedalso，whilethetwootherscameupandcompletedthegroup。

"There’snolightintheshanty，"saidtheRightBowerinalowvoice，halftohimselfand，halfinanswertotheirinquiringattitude。Themenfollowedthedirectionofhisfinger。InthedistancetheblackoutlineoftheLoneStarcabinstoodoutdistinctlyintheilluminedspace。Therewastheblank，sightless，externalglitterofmoonlightonitstwowindowsthatseemedtoreflectitsdimvacancy，emptyalikeoflight，andwarmth，andmotion。

"That’ssing’lar，"saidtheJudgeinanawedwhisper。

TheLeftBower，bysimplyalteringthepositionofhishandsinhistrousers’pockets，managedtosuggestthatheknewperfectlythemeaningofit，hadalwaysknownit;butthatbeingnow，sotospeak，inthehandsofFate，hewascalloustoit。Thismuch，atleast，theelderbrotherreadinhisattitude。ButanxietyatthatmomentwasthecontrollingimpulseoftheRightBower，asacertainsuperstitiousremorsewastheinstinctofthetwoothers，andwithoutheedingthecynic，thethreestartedatarapidpaceforthecabin。

Theyreacheditsilently，asthemoon，nowridinghighintheheavens，seemedtotouchitwiththetendergraceandhushedreposeofatomb。ItwaswithsomethingofthisfeelingthattheRightBowersoftlypushedopenthedoor;itwaswithsomethingofthisdreadthatthetwootherslingeredonthethreshold，untiltheRightBower，aftervainlytryingtostirthedeadembersonthehearthintolifewithhisfoot，struckamatchandlittheirsolitarycandle。Itsflickeringlightrevealedthefamiliarinteriorunchangedinaughtbutonething。ThebunkthattheOldManhadoccupiedwasstrippedofitsblankets;thefewcheapornamentsandphotographsweregone;therudepovertyofthebareboardsandscantpalletlookedupatthemunrelievedbythebrightfaceandgraciousyouththathadoncemadethemtolerable。Inthegrimironyofthatexposure，theirownpenurywasdoublyconscious。

Thelittleknapsack，theteacupandcoffee—potthathadhungnearhisbed，weregonealso。Themostindignantprotest，themostpatheticofthelettershehadcomposedandrejected，whosetornfragmentsstilllitteredthefloor，couldneverhavespokenwiththeeloquenceofthisemptyspace！Themenexchangednowords：thesolitudeofthecabin，insteadofdrawingthemtogether，seemedtoisolateeachoneinselfishdistrustoftheothers。EventheunthinkinggarrulityofUnionMillsandtheJudgewaschecked。A

momentlater，whentheLeftBowerenteredthecabin，hispresencewasscarcelynoticed。

ThesilencewasbrokenbyajoyousexclamationfromtheJudge。HehaddiscoveredtheOldMan’srifleinthecorner，whereithadbeenatfirstoverlooked。"Heain’tgoneyet，gentlemen——foryer’shisrifle，"hebrokein，withafeverishreturnofvolubility，andahighexcitedfalsetto。"Hewouldn’thaveleftthisbehind。No！I

knoweditfromthefirst。He’sjustoutsideabit，foragingforwoodandwater。No，sir！ComingalonghereIsaidtoUnionMills——

didn’tI？——’BetyourlifetheOldMan’snotfaroff，evenifheain’tinthecabin。’Why，themomentIsteppedfoot——"

"AndIsaidcomingalong，"interruptedUnionMills，withequallyrevivingmendacity，’Likeasnothe’shangin’roundyerandlyin’

lowjusttogiveusasurprise。’He！ho！"

"He’sgoneforgood，andheleftthatriflehereonpurpose，"saidtheLeftBowerinalowvoice，takingtheweaponalmosttenderlyinhishands。

"Dropit，then！"saidtheRightBower。Thevoicewasthatofhisbrother，butsuddenlychangedwithpassion。Thetwootherpartnersinstinctivelydrewbackinalarm。

"I’llnotleaveithereforthefirstcomer，"saidtheLeftBower，calmly，"becausewe’vebeenfoolsandhetoo。It’stoogoodaweaponforthat。"

"Dropit，Isay！"saidtheRightBower，withasavagestridetowardshim。

Theyoungerbrotherbroughttherifletoahalfchargewithawhitefacebutasteadyeye。

"Stopwhereyouare！"hesaidcollectedly。"Don’trowwithME，becauseyouhaven’teitherthegrittosticktoyourideasorthehearttoconfessthemwrong。We’vefollowedyourlead，and——hereweare！Thecamp’sbrokenup——theOldMan’sgone——andwe’regoing。

Andasforthed————drifle——"

"Dropit，doyouhear！"shoutedtheRightBower，clingingtothatoneideawiththeblindpertinacityofrageandalosingcause。

"Dropit！"

TheLeftBowerdrewback，buthisbrotherhadseizedthebarrelwithbothhands。Therewasamomentarystruggle，aflashthroughthehalf—lightedcabin，andashatteringreport。Thetwomenfellbackfromeachother;therifledroppedonthefloorbetweenthem。

Thewholethingwasoversoquicklythattheothertwopartnershadnothadtimetoobeytheircommonimpulsetoseparatethem，andconsequentlyevennowcouldscarcelyunderstandwhathadpassed。

Itwasoversoquicklythatthetwoactorsthemselveswalkedbacktotheirplaces，scarcelyrealizingtheirownact。

Adeadsilencefollowed。TheJudgeandUnionMillslookedateachotherindazedastonishment，andthennervouslysetabouttheirformerhabits，apparentlyinthatfatuousbeliefcommontosuchnatures，thattheywereignoringapainfulsituation。TheJudgedrewthebarreltowardshim，pickedupthecards，andbeganmechanicallyto"makeapatience，"onwhichUnionMillsgazedwithostentatiousinterest，butwitheyesfurtivelyconsciousoftherigidfigureoftheRightBowerbythechimneyandtheabstractedfaceoftheLeftBoweratthedoor。Tenminuteshadpassedinthisoccupation，theJudgeandUnionMillsconversinginthefurtivewhispersofchildrenunavoidablybutfascinatedlypresentatafamilyquarrel，whenalightstepwashearduponthecracklingbrushwoodoutside，andthebrightpantingfaceoftheOldManappeareduponthethreshold。Therewasashoutofjoy;inanothermomenthewashalf—buriedinthebosomoftheRightBower’sshirt，half—draggedintothelapoftheJudge，upsettingthebarrel，andcompletelyencompassedbytheLeftBowerandUnionMills。Withtheenthusiasticutteranceofhisnamethespellwasbroken。

Happilyunconsciousofthepreviousexcitementthathadprovokedthisspontaneousunanimityofgreeting，theOldMan，equallyrelieved，atoncebrokeintoafeverishannouncementofhisdiscovery。Hepaintedthedetails，with，Ifear，aslightexaggerationofcoloring，duepartlytohisownexcitement，andpartlytojustifytheirown。Buthewasstrangelyconsciousthatthesebankruptmenappearedlesselatedwiththeirpersonalinterestintheirstrokeoffortunethanwithhisownsuccess。"Itoldyouhe’ddoit，"saidtheJudge，witharecklessunscrupulousnessofstatementthatcarriedeverybodywithit;"lookathim！thegamelittlepup。""Ohno！heain’ttherightbreed，ishe？"echoedUnionMillswitharchirony，whiletheRightandLeftBower，graspingeitherhand，pressedaproudbutsilentgreetingthatwashalfnewtohim，butwhollydelicious。Itwasnotwithoutdifficultythathecouldatlastprevailuponthemtoreturnwithhimtothesceneofhisdiscovery，oreventhenrestrainthemfromattemptingtocarryhimthitherontheirshouldersonthepleaofhispreviousprolongedexertions。Onceonlytherewasamomentaryembarrassment。"Thenyoufiredthatshottobringmeback？"saidtheOldMan，gratefully。

Intheawkwardsilencethatfollowed，thehandsofthetwobrotherssoughtandgraspedeachother，penitently。"Yes，"interposedtheJudge，withdelicatetact，"yeseetheRightandLeftBoweralmostquarreledtoseewhichshouldbethefirsttofireforye。I

disrememberwhichdid"——"Inevertouchedthetrigger，"saidtheLeftBower，hastily。Withahurriedbackwardkick，theJudgeresumed，"Itwentoffsorterspontaneous。"

ThedifferenceinthesentimentoftheprocessionthatoncemoreissuedfromtheLoneStarcabindidnotfailtoshowitselfineachindividualpartneraccordingtohistemperament。ThesubtletactofUnionMills，however，inexpressinganawakenedrespectfortheirfortunatepartnerbyaddressinghim，asifunconsciously，as"Mr。Ford"wasatfirstdiscomposing，buteventhiswasforgottenintheirbreathlessexcitementastheynearedthebaseofthemountain。WhentheyhadcrossedthecreektheRightBowerstoppedreflectively。

"Yousayyouheardtheslidecomedownbeforeyouleftthecabin？"

hesaid，turningtotheOldMan。

"Yes;butIdidnotknowthenwhatitwas。Itwasaboutanhourandahalfafteryouleft，"wasthereply。

"Thenlookhere，boys，"continuedtheRightBowerwithsuperstitiousexultation;"itwastheSLIDEthattumbledintothecreek，overflowedit，andhelpedUSclearouttherace！"

ItseemedsoclearthatProvidencehadtakenthepartnersoftheLoneStardirectlyinhandthattheyfacedthetoilsomeascentofthemountainwiththeassuranceofconquerors。TheypausedonlyonthesummittoallowtheOldMantoleadthewaytotheslopethatheldtheirtreasure。Headvancedcautiouslytotheedgeofthecrumblingcliff，stopped，lookedbewildered，advancedagain，andthenremainedwhiteandimmovable。InaninstanttheRightBowerwasathisside。

"Isanythingthematter？Don’t——don’tlookso，OldMan，forGod’ssake！"

TheOldManpointedtothedull，smooth，blacksideofthemountain，withoutacrag，break，orprotuberance，andsaidwithashenlips：——

"It’sgone！"……

Anditwasgone！ASECONDslidehadtakenplace，strippingtheflankofthemountain，andburyingthetreasureandtheweakimplementthathadmarkeditssidedeepunderachaosofrockanddebrisatitsbase。

"ThankGod！"TheblankfacesofhiscompanionsturnedquicklytotheRightBower。"ThankGod！"herepeated，withhisarmroundtheneckoftheOldMan。"Hadhestayedbehindhewouldhavebeenburiedtoo。"Hepaused，and，pointingsolemnlytothedepthsbelow，said，"AndthankGodforshowinguswherewemayyetlaborforitinhopeandpatiencelikehonestmen。"

Themensilentlybowedtheirheadsandslowlydescendedthemountain。Butwhentheyhadreachedtheplainoneofthemcalledouttotheotherstowatchastarthatseemedtoberisingandmovingtowardsthemoverthehushedandsleepingvalley。

"It’sonlythestagecoach，boys，"saidtheLeftBower，smiling;

"thecoachthatwastotakeusaway。"

Inthesecurityoftheirnew—foundfraternitytheyresolvedtowaitandseeitpass。Asitsweptbywithflashoflight，beatofhoofs，andjingleofharness，theonlyrealpresenceinthedreamylandscape，thedrivershoutedahoarsegreetingtothephantompartners，audibleonlytotheJudge，whowasnearestthevehicle。

"Didyouhear——DIDyouhearwhathesaid，boys？"hegasped，turningtohiscompanions。"No！Shakehandsallround，boys！Godblessyouall，boys！Tothinkwedidn’tknowitallthiswhile！"

"Knowwhat？"

"MerryChristmas！"