Itwasimpossibleafterwardstoreconstructthemannerofitsoccurrence。ToAngele’smind——whattherewasleftofit——thematteralwaysremainedahideousblur，ablot，avague，terribleconfusion。Nodoubttheytwohadbeenwatched。theplansucceededtoowellforanyothersupposition。Onemoonlessnight，Angele，arrivingundertheblackshadowofthepeartreesalittleearlierthanusual，foundtheapparentlyfamiliarfigurewaitingforher。Allunsuspectingshegaveherselftotheembraceofastrangepairofarms，andVanameearrivingbutascoreofmomentslater，stumbledoverherprostratebody，inertandunconscious，intheshadowoftheoverspiringtrees。

WhowastheOther？AngelewascarriedtoherhomeontheSeedranch，delirious，allbutraving，andVanamee，withknifeandrevolverready，rangedthecountry-sidelikeawolf。Hewasnotalone。Thewholecountyrose，raging，horror-struck。Posseafterpossewasformed，sentout，andreturned，withoutsomuchasaclue。Uponnoonecouldeventheshadowofsuspicionbethrown。TheOtherhadwithdrawnintoanimpenetrablemystery。

Thereheremained。Heneverwasfound。heneverwassomuchasheardof。Alegendaroseabouthim，thisprowlerofthenight，thisstrange，fearfulfigure，withanunseenface，swoopingintherefromoutthedarkness，comeandgoneinaninstant，butleavingbehindhimatrackofterroranddeathandrageandundyinggrief。Withintheyear，ingivingbirthtothechild，Angelehaddied。

ThelittlebabewastakenbyAngele’sparents，andAngelewasburiedintheMissiongardenneartotheaged，greysundial。

Vanameestoodbyduringtheceremony，buthalfconsciousofwhatwasgoingforward。Atthelastmomenthehadsteppedforward，lookedlongintothedeadfaceframedinitsplaitsofgoldhair，thehairthatmadethree-corneredtheround，whiteforehead。

lookedagainattheclosedeyes，withtheirperplexingupwardslanttowardthetemples，oriental，bizarre。atthelipswiththeirEgyptianfulness。atthesweet，slenderneck。thelong，slimhands。thenabruptlyturnedabout。Thelastclodswerefillingthegraveatatimewhenhewasalreadyfaraway，hishorse’sheadturnedtowardthedesert。

Fortwoyearsnosyllablewasheardofhim。Itwasbelievedthathehadkilledhimself。ButVanameehadnothoughtofthat。FortwoyearshewanderedthroughArizona，livinginthedesert，inthewilderness，arecluse，anomad，anascetic。But，doubtless，allhisheartwasinthelittlecoffinintheMissiongarden。

Onceinsooftenhemustcomebackthither。OnedayhewasseenagainintheSanJoaquin。Thepriest，FatherSarria，returningfromavisittothesickatBonneville，methimontheUpperRoad。

EighteenyearshadpassedsinceAngelehaddied，butthethreadofVanamee’slifehadbeensnapped。Nothingremainednowbutthetangledends。Hehadneverforgotten。Thelong，dullache，thepoignantgriefhadnowbecomeapartofhim。Presleyknewthistobeso。

WhilePresleyhadbeenreflectinguponallthis，Vanameehadcontinuedtospeak。Presley，however，hadnotbeenwhollyinattentive。Whilehismemorywasbusyreconstructingthedetailsofthedramaoftheshepherd’slife，anotherpartofhisbrainhadbeenswiftlyregisteringpictureafterpicturethatVanamee’smonotonousflowofwordsstruckoff，asitwere，uponasteadilymovingscroll。Themusicoftheunfamiliarnamesthatoccurredinhisrecitalwasastimulanttothepoet’simagination。Presleyhadthepoet’spassionforexpressive，sonorousnames。AsthesecameandwentinVanamee’smonotonousundertones，likelittlenotesofharmonyinamusicalprogression，helistened，delightedwiththeirresonance-

Navajo，Quijotoa，Uintah，Sonora，Laredo，Uncompahgre——tohimtheyweresomanysymbols。ItwashisWestthatpassed，unrollingtherebeforetheeyeofhismind：theopen，heat-

scourgedroundofdesert。themesa，likeavastaltar，shimmeringpurpleintheroyalsunset。thestill，giganticmountains，heavingintotheskyfromoutthecanyons。thestrenuous，fiercelifeofisolatedtowns，lostandforgotten，downthere，faroff，belowthehorizon。Abruptlyhisgreatpoem，hisSongoftheWest，leapedupagaininhisimagination。Forthemoment，heallbutheldit。Itwasthere，closeathand。Inanotherinstanthewouldgraspit。

Yes，yes，heexclaimed，Icanseeitall。Thedesert，themountains，allwild，primordial，untamed。HowIshouldhavelovedtohavebeenwithyou。Then，perhaps，Ishouldhavegotholdofmyidea。

Youridea？

ThegreatpoemoftheWest。It’sthatwhichIwanttowrite。

Oh，toputitallintohexameters。strikethegreatironnote。

singthevast，terriblesong。thesongofthePeople。theforerunnersofempire！

Vanameeunderstoodhimperfectly。Henoddedgravely。

Yes，itisthere。ItisLife，theprimitive，simple，directLife，passionate，tumultuous。Yes，thereisanepicthere。

Presleycaughtattheword。Ithadneverbeforeoccurredtohim。

Epic，yes，that’sit。ItistheepicI’msearchingfor。AndHOWIsearchforit。Youdon’tknow。Itissometimesalmostanagony。OftenandoftenIcanfeelitrightthere，there，atmyfinger-tips，butIneverquitecatchit。Italwayseludesme。I

wasborntoolate。Ah，togetbacktothatfirstclear-eyedviewofthings，toseeasHomersaw，asBeowulfsaw，astheNibelungenpoetssaw。Thelifeishere，thesameasthen。thePoemishere。

myWestishere。theprimeval，epiclifeishere，hereunderourhands，inthedesert，inthemountain，ontheranch，alloverhere，fromWinnipegtoGuadalupe。Itisthemanwhoislacking，thepoet。wehavebeeneducatedawayfromitall。Weareoutoftouch。Weareoutoftune。

Vanameeheardhimtotheend，hisgrave，sadfacethoughtfulandattentive。Thenherose。

IamgoingovertotheMission，hesaid，toseeFatherSarria。

Ihavenotseenhimyet。

Howaboutthesheep？

Thedogswillkeeptheminhand，andIshallnotbegonelong。

Besidesthat，Ihaveaboyheretohelp。Heisoveryonderontheothersideoftheherd。Wecan’tseehimfromhere。

Presleywonderedattheheedlessnessofleavingthesheepsoslightlyguarded，butmadenocomment，andthetwostartedoffacrossthefieldinthedirectionoftheMissionchurch。

Well，yes，itisthere——yourepic，observedVanamee，astheywentalong。Butwhywrite？WhynotLIVEinit？Steeponeselfintheheatofthedesert，thegloryofthesunset，thebluehazeofthemesaandthecanyon。

Asyouhavedone，forinstance？

Vanameenodded。

No，Icouldnotdothat，declaredPresley。Iwanttogoback，butnotsofarasyou。IfeelthatImustcompromise。Imustfindexpression。Icouldnotlosemyselflikethatinyourdesert。Whenitsvastnessoverwhelmedme，oritsbeautydazzledme，oritslonelinessweigheddownuponme，Ishouldhavetorecordmyimpressions。Otherwise，Ishouldsuffocate。

Eachtohisownlife，observedVanamee。

TheMissionofSanJuan，builtofbrown’dobeblocks，coveredwithyellowplaster，thatatmanypointshaddroppedawayfromthewalls，stoodonthecrestofalowriseoftheground，facingtothesouth。Acoveredcolonnade，pavedwithround，wornbricks，fromwhenceopenedthedoorsoftheabandonedcells，onceusedbythemonks，adjoineditontheleft。Theroofwasoftiledhalf-cylinders，splitlongitudinally，andlaidinalternaterows，nowconcave，nowconvex。Themainbodyofthechurchitselfwasatrightanglestothecolonnade，andatthepointofintersectionrosethebelfrytower，anancientcampanile，whereswungthethreecrackedbells，thegiftoftheKingofSpain。

BeyondthechurchwastheMissiongardenandthegraveyardthatoverlookedtheSeedranchinalittlehollowbeyond。

PresleyandVanameewentdownthelongcolonnadetothelastdoornextthebelfrytower，andVanameepulledtheleatherthongthathungfromaholeinthedoor，settingalittlebelljanglingsomewhereintheinterior。Theplace，butforthisnoise，wasshroudedinaSundaystillness，anabsoluterepose。Onlyatintervals，oneheardthetrickleoftheunseenfountain，andtheliquidcooingofdovesinthegarden。

FatherSarriaopenedthedoor。Hewasasmallman，somewhatstout，withasmoothandshinyface。Heworeafrockcoatthatwasratherdirty，slippers，andanoldyachtingcapofbluecloth，withabrokenleathervizor。Hewassmokingacheapcigar，veryfatandblack。

ButinstantlyherecognisedVanamee。Hisfacewentallalightwithpleasureandastonishment。Itseemedasifhewouldneverhavefinishedshakingbothhishands。and，asitwas，hereleasedbutoneofthem，pattinghimaffectionatelyontheshoulderwiththeother。Hewasvolubleinhiswelcome，talkingpartlyinSpanish，partlyinEnglish。

Sohehadcomebackagain，thisgreatfellow，tannedasanIndian，leanasanIndian，withanIndian’slong，blackhair。

Buthehadnotchanged，notintheveryleast。Hisbeardhadnotgrownaninch。Aha！Therascal，nevertogivewarning，todropdown，asitwere，fromoutthesky。Suchahermit！Toliveinthedesert！AveritableSaintJerome。DidalionfeedhimdownthereinArizona，orwasitaraven，likeElijah？ThegoodGodhadnotfattenedhim，atanyrate，and，apropos，hewasjustabouttodinehimself。Hehadmadeasaladfromhisownlettuce。

Thetwowoulddinewithhim，eh？Forthis，myson，thatwaslostisfoundagain。

ButPresleyexcusedhimself。Instinctively，hefeltthatSarriaandVanameewantedtotalkofthingsconcerningwhichhewasanoutsider。ItwasnotatallunlikelythatVanameewouldspendhalfthenightbeforethehighaltarinthechurch。

Hetookhimselfaway，hismindstillbusywithVanamee’sextraordinarylifeandcharacter。But，ashedescendedthehill，hewasstartledbyaprolongedandraucouscry，discordant，veryharsh，thricerepeatedatexactintervals，and，lookingup，hesawoneofFatherSarria’speacocksbalancinghimselfuponthetopmostwireofthefence，hislongtailtrailing，hisneckoutstretched，fillingtheairwithhisstupidoutcry，fornoreasonthanthedesiretomakeanoise。

Aboutanhourlater，towardfourintheafternoon，PresleyreachedthespringattheheadofthelittlecanyoninthenortheastcorneroftheQuienSaberanch，thepointtowardwhichhehadbeentravellingsinceearlyintheforenoon。Theplacewasnotwithoutitscharm。Innumerablelive-oaksoverhungthecanyon，andBrodersonCreek——thereamererivulet，runningdownfromthespring——gaveacertaincoolnesstotheair。Itwasoneofthefewspotsthereaboutsthathadsurvivedthedryseasonofthelastyear。Nearlyalltheotherspringshaddriedcompletely，whileMissionCreekonDerrick’sranchwasnothingbetterthanadustycuttingintheground，filledwithbrittle，concaveflakesofdriedandsun-crackedmud。

Presleyclimbedtothesummitofoneofthehills——thehighest——

thatroseoutofthecanyon，fromthecrestofwhichhecouldseeforthirty，fifty，sixtymilesdownthevalley，and，fillinghispipe，smokedlazilyforupwardsofanhour，hisheademptyofthought，allowinghimselftosuccumbtoapleasant，gentleinanition，alittledrowsycomfortableinhisplace，proneupontheground，warmedjustenoughbysuchsunlightasfilteredthroughthelive-oaks，soothedbythegoodtobaccoandtheprolongedmurmurofthespringandcreek。Bydegrees，thesenseofhisownpersonalitybecameblunted，thelittlewheelsandcogsofthoughtmovedslowerandslower。consciousnessdwindledtoapoint，theanimalinhimstretcheditself，purring。Adelightfulnumbnessinvadedhismindandhisbody。Hewasnotasleep，hewasnotawake，stupefiedmerely，lapsingbacktothestateofthefaun，thesatyr。

Afterawhile，rousinghimselfalittle，heshiftedhispositionand，drawingfromthepocketofhisshootingcoathislittletree-calfeditionoftheOdyssey，readfarintothetwenty-firstbook，where，afterthefailureofallthesuitorstobendUlysses’sbow，itisfinallyput，withmockery，intohisownhands。Abruptlythedramaofthestoryrousedhimfromallhislanguor。Inaninstanthewasthepoetagain，hisnervestingling，alivetoeverysensation，responsivetoeveryimpression。Thedesireofcreation，ofcomposition，grewbigwithinhim。Hexametersofhisownclamoured，tumultuous，inhisbrain。Notforalongtimehadhefelthispoem，ashecalledthissensation，sopoignantly。Foraninstanthetoldhimselfthatheactuallyheldit。

Itwas，nodoubt，Vanamee’stalkthathadstimulatedhimtothispoint。ThestoryoftheLongTrail，withitsdesertandmountain，itscliff-dwellers，itsAztecruins，itscolour，movement，andromance，filledhismindwithpictureafterpicture。Theepicdefiledbeforehisvisionlikeapageant。

Oncemore，heshotaglanceabouthim，asifinsearchoftheinspiration，andthistimeheallbutfoundit。Herosetohisfeet，lookingoutandoffbelowhim。

Asfromapinnacle，Presley，fromwherehenowstood，dominatedtheentirecountry。Thesunhadbeguntoset，everythingintherangeofhisvisionwasoverlaidwithasheenofgold。

First，closeathand，itwastheSeedranch，carpetingthelittlehollowbehindtheMissionwithaspreadofgreens，somedark，somevivid，somepalealmosttoyellowness。BeyondthatwastheMissionitself，itsvenerablecampanile，inwhosearcheshungtheSpanishKing’sbells，alreadyglowingruddyinthesunset。

Fartheron，hecouldmakeoutAnnixter’sranchhouse，markedbytheskeleton-liketoweroftheartesianwell，and，alittlefarthertotheeast，thehuddled，tiledroofsofGuadalajara。

Fartothewestandnorth，hesawBonnevilleveryplain，andthedomeofthecourthouse，apurplesilhouetteagainsttheglareofthesky。Otherpointsdetachedthemselves，swimminginagoldenmist，projectingblueshadowsfarbeforethem。themammothlive-

oakbyHooven’s，toweringsuperbandmagnificent。thelineofeucalyptustrees，behindwhichheknewwastheLosMuertosranchhouse——hishome。thewatering-tank，thegreatiron-hoopedtowerofwoodthatstoodatthejoiningoftheLowerRoadandtheCountyRoad。thelongwind-breakofpoplartreesandthewhitewallsofCaraher’ssaloonontheCountyRoad。

Butallthisseemedtobeonlyforeground，amerearrayofaccessories——amassofirrelevantdetails。BeyondAnnixter’s，beyondGuadalajara，beyondtheLowerRoad，beyondBrodersonCreek，ontothesouthandwest，infinite，illimitable，stretchingoutthereunderthesheenofthesunsetforeverandforever，flat，vast，unbroken，ahugescroll，unrollingbetweenthehorizons，spreadthegreatstretchesoftheranchofLosMuertos，bareofcrops，shavedcloseintherecentharvest。Nearathandwerehills，butonthatfarsouthernhorizononlythecurveofthegreatearthitselfcheckedtheview。AdjoiningLosMuertos，andwideningtothewest，openedtheBrodersonranch。

TheOstermanranchtothenorthwestcarriedonthegreatsweepoflandscape。ranchafterranch。Then，astheimaginationitselfexpandedunderthestimulusofthatmeasurelessrangeofvision，eventhosegreatranchesresolvedthemselvesintomereforeground，mereaccessories，irrelevantdetails。Beyondthefinelineofthehorizons，overthecurveoftheglobe，theshoulderoftheearth，wereotherranches，equallyvast，andbeyondthese，others，andbeyondthese，stillothers，theimmensitiesmultiplying，lengtheningoutvasterandvaster。ThewholegiganticsweepoftheSanJoaquinexpanded，Titanic，beforetheeyeofthemind，flagellatedwithheat，quiveringandshimmeringunderthesun’sredeye。Atlongintervals，afaintbreathofwindoutofthesouthpassedslowlyoverthelevelsofthebakedandemptyearth，accentuatingthesilence，markingoffthestillness。Itseemedtoexhalefromthelanditself，aprolongedsighasofdeepfatigue。Itwastheseasonaftertheharvest，andthegreatearth，themother，afteritsperiodofreproduction，itspainsoflabour，deliveredofthefruitofitsloins，sleptthesleepofexhaustion，theinfinitereposeofthecolossus，benignant，eternal，strong，thenourisherofnations，thefeederofanentireworld。

Ha！thereitwas，hisepic，hisinspiration，hisWest，histhunderingprogressionofhexameters。Asuddenuplift，asenseofexhilaration，ofphysicalexaltationappearedabruptlytosweepPresleyfromhisfeet。Asfromapointhighabovetheworld，heseemedtodominateauniverse，awholeorderofthings。

Hewasdizzied，stunned，stupefied，hismorbidsupersensitivemindreeling，drunkwiththeintoxicationofmereimmensity。

Stupendousideasforwhichtherewerenonamesdroveheadlongthroughhisbrain。Terrible，formlessshapes，vaguefigures，gigantic，monstrous，distorted，whirledatagallopthroughhisimagination。

Hestartedhomeward，stillinhisdream，descendingfromthehill，emergingfromthecanyon，andtooktheshortcutstraightacrosstheQuienSaberanch，leavingGuadalajarafartohisleft。

Hetrampedsteadilyonthroughthewheatstubble，walkingfast，hisheadinawhirl。

Neverhadhesonearlygraspedhisinspirationasatthatmomentonthehilltop。Evennow，thoughthesunsetwasfading，thoughthewidereachofvalleywasshutfromsight，itstillkepthimcompany。Nowthedetailscamethrongingback——thecomponentpartsofhispoem，thesignsandsymbolsoftheWest。Itwasthere，closeathand，hehadbeenintouchwithitallday。Itwasinthecentenarian’svividlycolouredreminiscences——DeLaCuesta，holdinghisgrantfromtheSpanishcrown，withhispoweroflifeanddeath。theromanceofhismarriage。thewhitehorsewithitspillionofredleatherandsilverbridlemountings。thebull-fightsinthePlaza。thegiftsofgolddust，andhorsesandtallow。ItwasinVanamee’sstrangehistory，thetragedyofhislove。AngeleVarian，withhermarvellousloveliness。theEgyptianfulnessofherlips，theperplexingupwardslantofhervioleteyes，bizarre，oriental。herwhiteforeheadmadethreecorneredbyherplaitsofgoldhair。themysteryoftheOther。herdeathatthemomentofherchild’sbirth。ItwasinVanamee’sflightintothewilderness。thestoryoftheLongTrail，thesunsetsbehindthealtar-likemesas，thebakingdesolationofthedeserts。thestrenuous，fiercelifeofforgottentowns，downthere，faroff，lostbelowthehorizonsofthesouthwest。thesonorousmusicofunfamiliarnames——Quijotoa，Uintah，Sonora，Laredo，Uncompahgre。ItwasintheMission，withitscrackedbells，itsdecayingwalls，itsvenerablesundial，itsfountainandoldgarden，andintheMissionFathersthemselves，thepriests，thepadres，plantingthefirstwheatandoilandwinetoproducetheelementsoftheSacrament——atrinityofgreatindustries，takingtheirriseinareligiousrite。

Abruptly，asifinconfirmation，PresleyheardthesoundofabellfromthedirectionoftheMissionitself。ItwasthedeProfundis，anoteoftheOldWorld。oftheancientregime，anechofromthehillsidesofmediaevalEurope，soundingthereinthisnewland，unfamiliarandstrangeatthisend-of-the-centurytime。

Bynow，however，itwasdark。Presleyhurriedforward。HecametothelinefenceoftheQuienSaberanch。Everythingwasverystill。Thestarswereallout。TherewasnotasoundotherthanthedeProfundis，stillsoundingfromveryfaraway。Atlongintervalsthegreatearthsigheddreamilyinitssleep。Allabout，thefeelingofabsolutepeaceandquietandsecurityanduntroubledhappinessandcontentseemeddescendingfromthestarslikeabenediction。Thebeautyofhispoem，itsidyl，cametohimlikeacaress。thatalonehadbeenlacking。Itwasthat，perhaps，whichhadleftithithertoincomplete。Atlasthewastograsphissonginallitsentity。

Butsuddenlytherewasaninterruption。PresleyhadclimbedthefenceatthelimitoftheQuienSaberanch。BeyondwasLosMuertos，butbetweenthetworantherailroad。Hehadonlytimetojumpbackupontheembankmentwhen，withaquiveringofalltheearth，alocomotive，single，unattached，shotbyhimwitharoar，fillingtheairwiththereekofhotoil，vomitingsmokeandsparks。itsenormouseye，cyclopean，red，throwingaglarefarinadvance，shootingbyinasuddencrashofconfusedthunder。fillingthenightwiththeterrificclamourofitsironhoofs。

AbruptlyPresleyremembered。ThismustbethecrackpassengerengineofwhichDykehadtoldhim，theonedelayedbytheaccidentontheBakersfielddivisionandforwhosepassagethetrackhadbeenopenedallthewaytoFresno。

BeforePresleycouldrecoverfromtheshockoftheirruption，whiletheearthwasstillvibrating，therailsstillhumming，theenginewasfaraway，flingingtheechoofitsfranticgallopoverallthevalley。ForabriefinstantitroaredwithahollowdiapasonontheLongTrestleoverBrodersonCreek，thenplungedintoacuttingfartheron，thequiveringglareofitsfireslosingitselfinthenight，itsthunderabruptlydiminishingtoasubduedanddistanthumming。Allatoncethisceased。Theenginewasgone。

Butthemomentthenoiseoftheenginelapsed，Presley——abouttostartforwardagain——wasconsciousofaconfusionoflamentablesoundsthatroseintothenightfromouttheengine’swake。

Prolongedcriesofagony，sobbingwailsofinfinitepain，heart-

rending，pitiful。

Thenoisescamefromalittledistance。Herandownthetrack，crossingtheculvert，overtheirrigatingditch，andattheheadofthelongreachoftrack——betweentheculvertandtheLongTrestle——pausedabruptly，heldimmovableatthesightofthegroundandrailsallabouthim。

Insomeway，theherdofsheep——Vanamee’sherd——hadfoundabreachinthewirefencebytherightofwayandhadwanderedoutuponthetracks。Abandhadbeencrossingjustatthemomentoftheengine’spassage。Thepathosofitwasbeyondexpression。

Itwasaslaughter，amassacreofinnocents。Theironmonsterhadchargedfullintothemidst，merciless，inexorable。Totherightandleft，allthewidthoftherightofway，thelittlebodieshadbeenflung。backsweresnappedagainstthefenceposts。brainsknockedout。Caughtinthebarbsofthewire，wedgedin，thebodieshungsuspended。Underfootitwasterrible。Theblackblood，winkinginthestarlight，seepeddownintotheclinkersbetweenthetieswithaprolongedsuckingmurmur。

Presleyturnedaway，horror-struck，sickatheart，overwhelmedwithaquickburstofirresistiblecompassionforthisbruteagonyhecouldnotrelieve。Thesweetnesswasgonefromtheevening，thesenseofpeace，ofsecurity，andplacidcontentmentwasstrickenfromthelandscape。Thehideousruinintheengine’spathdroveallthoughtofhispoemfromhismind。Theinspirationvanishedlikeamist。ThedeProfundishadceasedtoring。

HehurriedonacrosstheLosMuertosranch，almostrunning，evenputtinghishandsoverhisearstillhewasoutofhearingdistanceofthatallbuthumandistress。Notuntilhewasbeyondear-shotdidhepause，lookingback，listening。Thenighthadshutdownagain。Foramomentthesilencewasprofound，unbroken。

Then，faintandprolonged，acrossthelevelsoftheranch，heheardtheenginewhistlingforBonneville。Againandagain，atrapidintervalsinitsflyingcourse，itwhistledforroadcrossings，forsharpcurves，fortrestles。ominousnotes，hoarse，bellowing，ringingwiththeaccentsofmenaceanddefiance。andabruptlyPresleysawagain，inhisimagination，thegallopingmonster，theterrorofsteelandsteam，withitssingleeye，cyclopean，red，shootingfromhorizontohorizon。butsawitnowasthesymbolofavastpower，huge，terrible，flingingtheechoofitsthunderoverallthereachesofthevalley，leavingbloodanddestructioninitspath。theleviathan，withtentaclesofsteelclutchingintothesoil，thesoullessForce，theiron-

heartedPower，themonster，theColossus，theOctopus。

CHAPTERII

Onthefollowingmorning，HarranDerrickwasupandaboutbyalittleaftersixo’clock，andaquarterofanhourlaterhadbreakfastinthekitchenoftheranchhouse，preferringnottowaituntiltheChinesecooklaidthetableintheregulardining-

room。Hescentedahardday’sworkaheadofhim，andwasanxioustobeatitbetimes。HewaspracticallythemanagerofLosMuertos，and，withtheaidofhisforemanandthreedivisionsuperintendents，carriedforwardnearlytheentiredirectionoftheranch，occupyinghimselfwiththedetailsofhisfather’splans，executinghisorders，signingcontracts，payingbills，andkeepingthebooks。

Forthelastthreeweekslittlehadbeendone。Thecrop——suchasitwas——hadbeenharvestedandsold，andtherehadbeenageneralrelaxationofactivityforupwardsofamonth。Now，however，thefallwascomingon，thedryseasonwasaboutatitsend。anytimeafterthetwentiethofthemonththefirstrainsmightbeexpected，softeningtheground，puttingitintoconditionfortheplough。Twodaysbeforethis，HarranhadnotifiedhissuperintendentsonThreeandFourtosendinsuchgrainastheyhadreservedforseed。OnTwothewheathadnotevenshownitselfabovetheground，whileonOne，theHomeranch，whichwasunderhisownimmediatesupervision，theseedhadalreadybeengradedandselected。

ItwasHarran’sintentiontocommenceblue-stoninghisseedthatday，adelicateandimportantprocesswhichpreventedrustandsmutappearinginthecropwhenthewheatshouldcomeup。But，furthermore，hewantedtofindtimetogotoGuadalajaratomeettheGovernoronthemorningtrain。Hisdaypromisedtobebusy。

ButasHarranwasfinishinghislastcupofcoffee，Phelps，theforemanontheHomeranch，whoalsolookedafterthestoragebarnswheretheseedwaskept，presentedhimself，capinhand，onthebackporchbythekitchendoor。

IthoughtI’dspeaktoyouabouttheseedfromFour，sir，hesaid。Thathasn’tbeenbroughtinyet。

Harrannodded。

I’llseeaboutit。You’vegotalltheblue-stoneyouwant，haveyou，Phelps？andwithoutwaitingforananswerheadded，TellthestablemanIshallwanttheteamaboutnineo’clocktogotoGuadalajara。Puttheminthebuggy。Thebays，youunderstand。

Whentheotherhadgone，Harrandrankofftherestofhiscoffee，and，rising，passedthroughthedining-roomandacrossastone-

pavedhallwaywithaglassroofintotheofficejustbeyond。

Theofficewasthenerve-centreoftheentiretenthousandacresofLosMuertos，butitsappearanceandfurnishingswerenotintheleastsuggestiveofafarm。Itwasdividedataboutitsmiddlebyawirerailing，paintedgreenandgold，andbehindthisrailingwerethehighdeskswherethebookswerekept，thesafe，theletter-pressandletter-files，andHarran’stypewritingmachine。AgreatmapofLosMuertoswitheverywater-course，depression，andelevation，togetherwithindicationsofthevaryingdepthsoftheclaysandloamsinthesoil，accuratelyplotted，hungagainstthewallbetweenthewindows，whilenearathandbythesafewasthetelephone。

But，nodoubt，themostsignificantobjectintheofficewastheticker。ThiswasaninnovationintheSanJoaquin，anideaofshrewd，quick-wittedyoungAnnixter，whichHarranandMagnusDerrickhadbeenquicktoadopt，andafterthemBrodersonandOsterman，andmanyothersofthewheatgrowersofthecounty。

TheofficesoftherancheswerethusconnectedbywirewithSanFrancisco，andthroughthatcitywithMinneapolis，Duluth，Chicago，NewYork，andatlast，andmostimportantofall，withLiverpool。Fluctuationsinthepriceoftheworld’scropduringandaftertheharvestthrilledstraighttotheofficeofLosMuertos，tothatoftheQuienSabe，toOsterman’s，andtoBroderson’s。DuringaflurryintheChicagowheatpitsintheAugustofthatyear，whichhadaffectedeventheSanFranciscomarket，HarranandMagnushadsatupnearlyhalfofonenightwatchingthestripofwhitetapejerkingunsteadilyfromthereel。Atsuchmomentstheynolongerfelttheirindividuality。

Theranchbecamemerelythepartofanenormouswhole，aunitinthevastagglomerationofwheatlandthewholeworldround，feelingtheeffectsofcausesthousandsofmilesdistant——adroughtontheprairiesofDakota，arainontheplainsofIndia，afrostontheRussiansteppes，ahotwindonthellanosoftheArgentine。

Harrancrossedovertothetelephoneandrangsixbells，thecallforthedivisionhouseonFour。Itwasthemostdistant，themostisolatedpointonalltheranch，situatedatitsfarsoutheasternextremity，wherefewpeopleeverwent，closetothelinefence，adot，aspeck，lostintheimmensityoftheopencountry。Bytheroaditwaselevenmilesdistantfromtheoffice，andbythetrailtoHooven’sandtheLowerRoadallofnine。

Howaboutthatseed？demandedHarranwhenhehadgotCutterontheline。

Theothermadeexcusesforanunavoidabledelay，andwasaddingthathewasonthepointofstartingout，whenHarrancutinwith：

Youhadbettergothetrail。ItwillsavealittletimeandI

aminahurry。Putyoursacksonthehorses’backs。And，Cutter，ifyouseeHoovenwhenyougobyhisplace，tellhimI

wanthim，and，bytheway，takealookattheendoftheirrigatingditchwhenyougettoit。SeehowtheyaregettingalongthereandifBillywantsanything。Tellhimweareexpectingthosenewscoopsdownto-morrowornextdayandtogetalongwithwhathehasuntilthen……How’severythingonFour？……Allright，then。GiveyourseedtoPhelpswhenyougethereifIamnotabout。IamgoingtoGuadalajaratomeettheGovernor。He’scomingdownto-day。Andthatmakesmethink。

welostthecase，youknow。IhadaletterfromtheGovernoryesterday……Yes，hardluck。S。Behrmandidusup。Well，good-bye，anddon’tloseanytimewiththatseed。Iwanttoblue-stoneto-day。

AftertelephoningCutter，Harranputonhishat，wentovertothebarns，andfoundPhelps。Phelpshadalreadycleanedoutthevatwhichwastocontainthesolutionofblue-stone，andwasnowatworkregradingtheseed。Againstthewallbehindhimrangedtherowofsacks。Harrancutthefasteningsoftheseandexaminedthecontentscarefully，takinghandfulsofwheatfromeachandallowingittorunthroughhisfingers，ornippingthegrainsbetweenhisnails，testingtheirhardness。

Theseedwasallofthewhitevarietiesofwheatandofaveryhighgrade，theberrieshardandheavy，rigidandswollenwithstarch。

Ifitwasalllikethat，sir，hey？observedPhelps。

Harranputhischinintheair。

Breadwouldbeasgoodascake，then，heanswered，goingfromsacktosack，inspectingthecontentsandconsultingthetagsaffixedtothemouths。

Hello，heremarked，here’saredwheat。Wheredidthiscomefrom？

That’sthatredClawsonwesowedtothepieceonFour，norththeMissionCreek，justtoseehowitwoulddohere。Wedidn’tgetaverygoodcatch。

Wecan’tdobetterthantostaybyWhiteSonoraandPropo，

remarkedHarran。We’vegotourbestresultswiththat，andEuropeanmillerslikeittomixwiththeEasternwheatsthathavemoreglutenthanours。Thatis，ifwehaveanywheatatallnextyear。

Afeelingofdiscouragementforthemomentboredownheavilyuponhim。Atintervalsthiscametohimandforthemomentitwasoverpowering。Theideaofwhat’s-the-usewasuponoccasionaveritableoppression。Everythingseemedtocombinetolowerthepriceofwheat。Theextensionofwheatareasalwaysexceededincreaseofpopulation。competitionwasgrowingfiercereveryyear。Thefarmer’sprofitsweretheobjectofattackfromascoreofdifferentquarters。Itwasaflockofvulturesdescendinguponacommonprey——thecommissionmerchant，theelevatorcombine，themixing-housering，thebanks，thewarehousemen，thelabouringman，and，aboveall，therailroad。SteadilytheLiverpoolbuyerscutandcutandcut。Everything，everyelementoftheworld’smarkets，tendedtoforcedownthepricetothelowestpossiblefigureatwhichitcouldbeprofitablyfarmed。Nowitwasdowntoeighty-seven。Itwasatthatfigurethecrophadsoldthatyear。andtothinkthattheGovernorhadseenwheatattwodollarsandfivecentsintheyearoftheTurko-RussianWar！

HeturnedbacktothehouseaftergivingPhelpsfinaldirections，gloomy，disheartened，hishandsdeepinhispockets，wonderingwhatwastobetheoutcome。Sonarrowhadthemarginofprofitshrunkthatadryseasonmeantbankruptcytothesmallerfarmersthroughoutallthevalley。Heknewverywellhowwidespreadhadbeenthedistressthelasttwoyears。WiththeirowntenantsonLosMuertos，affairshadreachedthestageofdesperation。

DerrickhadpracticallybeenobligedtocarryHoovenandsomeoftheothers。TheGovernorhimselfhadmadealmostnothingduringthelastseason。athirdyearlikethelast，withthepricesteadilysagging，meantnothingelsebutruin。

Butherehecheckedhimself。TwoconsecutivedryseasonsinCaliforniawerealmostunprecedented。athirdwouldbebeyondbelief，andthecompleterestfornearlyallthelandwasacompensation。Theyhadmadenomoney，thatwastrue。buttheyhadlostnone。ThankGod，thehomesteadwasfreeofmortgage。

onegoodseasonwouldmorethanmakeupthedifference。

Hewasinabettermoodbythetimehereachedthedrivewaythatleduptotheranchhouse，andasheraisedhiseyestowardthehouseitself，hecouldnotbutfeelthatthesightofhishomewascheering。Theranchhousewassetinagreatgroveofeucalyptus，oak，andcypress，enormoustreesgrowingfromoutalawnthatwasasgreen，asfresh，andaswell-groomedasanyinagardeninthecity。Thislawnflankedallonesideofthehouse，anditwasonthissidethatthefamilyelectedtospendmostofitstime。Theotherside，lookingoutupontheHomeranchtowardBonnevilleandtherailroad，wasbutlittleused。Adeepporchranthewholelengthofthehousehere，andinthelowerbranchesofalive-oaknearthestepsHarranhadbuiltalittlesummerhouseforhismother。Totheleftoftheranchhouseitself，towardtheCountyRoad，wasthebunk-houseandkitchenforsomeofthehands。Fromthestepsoftheporchtheviewtothesouthwardexpandedtoinfinity。Therewasnotsomuchasatwigtoobstructtheview。Inoneleaptheeyereachedthefine，delicatelinewhereearthandskymet，milesaway。Theflatmonotonyoftheland，cleanoffencing，wasbrokenbyonespotonly，theroofoftheDivisionSuperintendent’shouseonThree——amerespeck，justdarkerthantheground。Cutter’shouseonFourwasnoteveninsight。Thatwasbelowthehorizon。

AsHarrancameuphesawhismotheratbreakfast。ThetablehadbeensetontheporchandMrs。Derrick，stirringhercoffeewithonehand，heldopenwiththeotherthepagesofWalterPater’sMarius。Atherfeet，PrincessNathalie，thewhiteAngoracat，sleek，over-fed，self-centred，satonherhaunches，industriouslylickingatthewhitefurofherbreast，whilenearathand，bytherailingoftheporch，Presleypotteredwithanewbicyclelamp，fillingitwithoil，adjustingthewicks。

Harrankissedhismotherandsatdowninawickerchairontheporch，removinghishat，runninghisfingersthroughhisyellowhair。

MagnusDerrick’swifelookedhardlyoldenoughtobethemotheroftwosuchbigfellowsasHarranandLymanDerrick。Shewasnotfarintothefifties，andherbrownhairstillretainedmuchofitsbrightness。Shecouldyetbecalledpretty。Hereyeswerelargeandeasilyassumedalookofinquiryandinnocence，suchasonemightexpecttoseeinayounggirl。Bydispositionshewasretiring。sheeasilyobliteratedherself。Shewasnotmadefortheharshnessoftheworld，andyetshehadknowntheseharshnessesinheryoungerdays。Magnushadmarriedherwhenshewastwenty-oneyearsold，atatimewhenshewasagraduateofsomeyears’standingfromtheStateNormalSchoolandwasteachingliterature，music，andpenmanshipinaseminaryinthetownofMarysville。Sheoverworkedherselfherecontinually，loathingthestrainofteaching，yetclingingtoitwithatenacitybornoftheknowledgethatitwasheronlymeansofsupport。Bothherparentsweredead。shewasdependentuponherself。HeroneambitionwastoseeItalyandtheBayofNaples。TheMarbleFaun，Raphael’sMadonnasandIlTrovatorewereherbeauidealsofliteratureandart。ShedreamedofItaly，Rome，Naples，andtheworld’sgreatart-

centres。TherewasnodoubtthatheraffairwithMagnushadbeenalove-match，butAnniePaynewouldhavelovedanymanwhowouldhavetakenheroutofthedroning，heart-breakingroutineoftheclassandmusicroom。Shehadfollowedhisfortunesunquestioningly。FirstatSacramento，duringtheturmoilofhispoliticalcareer，lateronatPlacervilleinElDoradoCounty，afterDerrickhadinterestedhimselfintheCorpusChristigroupofmines，andfinallyatLosMuertos，where，aftersellingouthisfourthinterestinCorpusChristi，hehadturnedrancherandhadcomeinonthenewtractsofwheatlandjustthrownopenbytherailroad。Shehadlivedherenowfornearlytenyears。Butneverforonemomentsincethetimeherglancefirstlostitselfintheunbrokenimmensityoftherancheshadsheknownamoment’scontent。Continuallytherecameintoherpretty，wide-openeyes——

theeyesofayoungdoe——alookofuneasiness，ofdistrust，andaversion。LosMuertosfrightenedher。SherememberedthedaysofheryounggirlhoodpassedonafarmineasternOhio——fivehundredacres，neatlypartitionedintothewaterlot，thecowpasture，thecornlot，thebarleyfield，andwheatfarm。cosey，comfortable，home-like。wherethefarmerslovedtheirland，caressingit，coaxingit，nourishingitasthoughitwereathingalmostconscious。wheretheseedwassownbyhand，andasingletwo-horseploughwassufficientfortheentirefarm。wherethescythesufficedtocuttheharvestandthegrainwasthrashedwithflails。

Butthisneworderofthings——aranchboundedonlybythehorizons，where，asfarasonecouldsee，tothenorth，totheeast，tothesouthandtothewest，wasalloneholding，aprincipalityruledwithironandsteam，bulliedintoayieldofthreehundredandfiftythousandbushels，whereevenwhenthelandwasresting，unploughed，unharrowed，andunsown，thewheatcameup——troubledher，andevenattimesfilledherwithanundefinableterror。Tohermindtherewassomethinginordinateaboutitall。somethingalmostunnatural。Thedirectbrutalityoftenthousandacresofwheat，nothingbutwheatasfarastheeyecouldsee，stunnedheralittle。Theone-timewriting-

teacherofayoungladies’seminary，withherprettydeer-likeeyesanddelicatefingers，shrankfromit。Shedidnotwanttolookatsomuchwheat。Therewassomethingvaguelyindecentinthesight，thisfoodofthepeople，thiselementalforce，thisbasicenergy，welteringhereunderthesuninalltheunconsciousnakednessofasprawling，primordialTitan。

Themonotonyoftheranchateintoherhearthourbyhour，yearbyyear。Andwithitall，whenwasshetoseeRome，Italy，andtheBayofNaples？Itwasadifferentprospecttruly。Magnushadgivenherhispromisethatoncetheranchwaswellestablished，theytwoshouldtravel。Butcontinuallyhehadbeenobligedtoputheroff，nowforonereason，nowforanother。themachinewouldnotasyetrunofitself，hemuststillfeelhishanduponthelever。nextyear，perhaps，whenwheatshouldgotoninety，ortherainsweregood。Shedidnotinsist。Sheobliteratedherself，onlyallowing，fromtimetotime，herpretty，questioningeyestomeethis。Inthemeantimesheretiredwithinherself。Shesurroundedherselfwithbooks。Hertastewasofthedelicacyofpointlace。SheknewherAustinDobsonbyheart。Shereadpoems，essays，theideasoftheseminaryatMarysvillepersistinginhermind。MariustheEpicurean，TheEssaysofElia，SesameandLilies，TheStonesofVenice，andthelittletoymagazines，fulloftheflaccidbanalitiesoftheMinorPoets，werecontinuallyinherhands。

WhenPresleyhadappearedonLosMuertos，shehadwelcomedhisarrivalwithdelight。Hereatlastwasacongenialspirit。Shelookedforwardtolongconversationswiththeyoungmanonliterature，art，andethics。ButPresleyhaddisappointedher。

Thathe——outsideofhisfewchosendeities——shouldcarelittleforliterature，shockedherbeyondwords。Hisindifferencetostyle，toelegantEnglish，wasapositiveaffront。Hissavageabuseandopenridiculeoftheneatlyphrasedrondeauxandsestinasandchansonettesofthelittlemagazineswastohermindawantonanduncalled-forcruelty。ShefoundhisHomer，withitsslaughtersandhecatombsandbarbaricfeastingsandheadstrongpassions，violentandcoarse。Shecouldnotseewithhimanyromance，anypoetryinthelifearoundher。shelookedtoItalyforthat。HisSongoftheWest，whichonlyonce，incoherentandfierce，hehadtriedtoexplaintoher，itsswift，tumultouslife，itstruth，itsnobilityandsavagery，itsheroismandobscenityhadrevoltedher。

But，Presley，shehadmurmured，thatisnotliterature。

No，hehadcriedbetweenhisteeth，no，thankGod，itisnot。

Alittlelater，oneofthestablemenbroughtthebuggywiththeteamofbaysuptothestepsoftheporch，andHarran，puttingonadifferentcoatandablackhat，tookhimselfofftoGuadalajara。

Themorningwasfine。therewasnocloudinthesky，butasHarran’sbuggydrewawayfromthegroveoftreesabouttheranchhouse，emergingintotheopencountryoneithersideoftheLowerRoad，hecaughthimselflookingsharplyattheskyandthefaintlineofhillsbeyondtheQuienSaberanch。TherewasacertainindefinitecasttothelandscapethattoHarran’seyewasnottobemistaken。Rain，thefirstoftheseason，wasnotfaroff。

That’sgood，hemuttered，touchingthebayswiththewhip，wecan’tgetourploughstohandanytoosoon。

TheseploughsMagnusDerrickhadorderedfromanEasternmanufacturersomemonthsbefore，sincehewasdissatisfiedwiththeresultsobtainedfromtheoneshehadusedhitherto，whichwereoflocalmake。However，therehadbeenexasperatingandunexpecteddelaysintheirshipment。MagnusandHarranbothhadcounteduponhavingtheploughsintheirimplementbarnsthatveryweek，butatracersentafterthemhadonlyresultedinlocatingthem，stillenroute，somewherebetweenTheNeedlesandBakersfield。Nowtherewaslikelihoodofrainwithintheweek。

Ploughingcouldbeundertakenimmediatelyafterward，sosoonasthegroundwassoftened，buttherewasafairchancethattheranchwouldlieidleforwantofpropermachinery。

ItwastenminutesbeforetraintimewhenHarranreachedthedepotatGuadalajara。TheSanFranciscopapersoftheprecedingdayhadarrivedonanearliertrain。Heboughtacouplefromthestationagentandlookedthemovertilladistantandprolongedwhistleannouncedtheapproachofthedowntrain。

Inoneofthefourpassengersthatalightedfromthetrain，herecognisedhisfather。Hehalfroseinhisseat，whistlingshrillybetweenhisteeth，wavinghishand，andMagnusDerrick，catchingsightofhim，cameforwardquickly。

Magnus——theGovernor——wasallofsixfeettall，andthoughnowwelltowardhissixtiethyear，wasaserectasanofficerofcavalry。Hewasbroadinproportion，afinecommandingfigure，imposinganimmediaterespect，impressingonewithasenseofgravity，ofdignityandacertainprideofrace。Hewassmooth-

shaven，thin-lipped，withabroadchin，andaprominenthawk-likenose——thecharacteristicofthefamily——thin，withahighbridge，suchasoneseesinthelaterportraitsoftheDukeofWellington。Hishairwasthickandiron-grey，andhadatendencytocurlinaforwarddirectionjustinfrontofhisears。Heworeatop-hatofgrey，withawidebrim，andafrockcoat，andcarriedacanewithayellowedivoryhead。

AsayoungmanithadbeenhisambitiontorepresenthisnativeState——NorthCarolina——intheUnitedStatesSenate。Calhounwashisgreatman，butintwosuccessivecampaignshehadbeendefeated。Hiscareercheckedinthisdirection，hehadcometoCaliforniainthefifties。HehadknownandhadbeentheintimatefriendofsuchmenasTerry，Broderick，GeneralBaker，Lick，Alvarado，Emerich，Larkin，and，aboveall，oftheunfortunateandmisunderstoodRalston。OncehehadbeenputforwardastheDemocraticcandidateforgovernor，butfailedofelection。AfterthisMagnushaddefinitelyabandonedpoliticsandhadinvestedallhismoneyintheCorpusChristimines。Thenhehadsoldouthisinterestatasmallprofit——justintimetomisshischanceofbecomingamulti-millionaireintheComstockboom——andwaslookingforreinvestmentsinotherlineswhenthenewsthatwheathadbeendiscoveredinCaliforniawaspassedfrommouthtomouth。Practicallyitamountedtoadiscovery。

Dr。Glenn’sfirstharvestofwheatinColusaCounty，quietlyundertakenbutsuddenlyrealisedwithdramaticabruptness，gaveanewmatterforreflectiontothethinkingmenoftheNewWest。

Californiasuddenlyleapedunheraldedintotheworld’smarketasacompetitorinwheatproduction。Inafewyearsheroutputofwheatexceededthevalueofherout-putofgold，andwhen，lateron，thePacificandSouthwesternRailroadthrewopentosettlerstherichlandsofTulareCounty——concededtothecorporationbythegovernmentasabonusfortheconstructionoftheroad——

MagnushadbeenquicktoseizetheopportunityandhadtakenupthetenthousandacresofLosMuertos。Whereverhehadgone，Magnushadtakenhisfamilywithhim。LymanhadbeenbornatSacramentoduringtheturmoilandexcitementofDerrick’scampaignforgovernor，andHarranatShingleSprings，inElDoradoCounty，sixyearslater。

ButMagnuswasineverysensetheprominentman。Inwhatevercirclehemovedhewasthechieffigure。Instinctivelyothermenlookedtohimastheleader。Hehimselfwasproudofthisdistinction。heassumedthegrandmannerveryeasilyandcarrieditwell。Asapublicspeakerhewasoneofthelastofthefollowersoftheoldschooloforators。Heevencarriedthedictionandmanneroftherostrumintoprivatelife。Itwassaidofhimthathismostcolloquialconversationcouldbetakendowninshorthandandreadoffasanadmirablespecimenofpure，well-

chosenEnglish。Helovedtodothingsuponagrandscale，topreside，todominate。InhisgoodhumourtherewassomethingJovian。Whenangry，everybodyaroundhimtrembled。Buthehadnotthegeniusfordetail，wasnotpatient。Thecertaingrandioselavishnessofhisdispositionoccupieditselfmorewithresultsthanwithmeans。Hewasalwaysreadytotakechances，tohazardeverythingonthehopesofcolossalreturns。IntheminingdaysatPlacervilletherewasnomoreredoubtablepokerplayerinthecounty。Hehadbeenasluckyinhisminesasinhisgambling，sinkingshaftsandtunnellinginviolationofexperttheoryandfindingpayineverycase。Withoutknowingit，heallowedhimselftoworkhisranchmuchasifhewasstillworkinghismine。Theold-timespiritof’49，hap-hazard，unscientific，persistedinhismind。Everythingwasagamble——

whotookthegreatestchanceswasmostapttobethegreatestwinner。TheideaofmanuringLosMuertos，ofhusbandinghisgreatresources，hewouldhavescoutedasniggardly，Hebraic，ungenerous。

Magnusclimbedintothebuggy，helpinghimselfwithHarran’soutstretchedhandwhichhestillheld。Thetwowereimmenselyfondofeachother，proudofeachother。TheywereconstantlytogetherandMagnuskeptnosecretsfromhisfavouriteson。

Well，boy。

Well，Governor。

Iamverypleasedyoucameyourself，Harran。IfearedthatyoumightbetoobusyandsendPhelps。Itwasthoughtful。

Harranwasahouttoreply，butatthatmomentMagnuscaughtsightofthethreeflatcarsloadedwithbright-paintedfarmingmachineswhichstillremainedonthesidingabovethestation。

HelaidhishandsonthereinsandHarrancheckedtheteam。

Harran，observedMagnus，fixingthemachinerywithajudicialfrown，Harran，thoselooksingularlylikeourploughs。Driveover，boy。

ThetrainhadbythistimegoneonitswayandHarranbroughttheteamuptothesiding。

Ah，Iwasright，saidtheGovernor。’MagnusDerrick，LosMuertos，Bonneville，fromDitson&Co。，Rochester。’Theseareours，boy。

Harranbreathedasighofrelief。

Atlast，heanswered，andjustintime，too。We’llhaverainbeforetheweekisout。Ithink，nowthatIamhere，IwilltelephonePhelpstosendthewagonrightdownforthese。I

startedblue-stoningto-day。

Magnusnoddedagraveapproval。

Thatwasshrewd，boy。Astotherain，Ithinkyouarewellinformed。wewillhaveanearlyseason。Theploughshavearrivedatahappymoment。

Itmeansmoneytous，Governor，remarkedHarran。

Butasheturnedthehorsestoallowhisfathertogetintothebuggyagain，thetwoweresurprisedtohearathick，throatyvoicewishingthemgood-morning，andturningaboutwereawareofS。Behrman，whohadcomeupwhiletheywereexaminingtheploughs。Harran’seyesflashedontheinstantandthroughhisnostrilshedrewasharp，quickbreath，whileacertainrigourofcarriagestiffenedthesetofMagnusDerrick’sshouldersandback。Magnushadnotyetgotintothebuggy，butstoodwiththeteambetweenhimandS。Behrman，eyeinghimcalmlyacrossthehorses’backs。S。BehrmancamearoundtotheothersideofthebuggyandfacedMagnus。

Hewasalarge，fatman，withagreatstomach。hischeekandtheupperpartofhisthickneckrantogethertoformagreattremulousjowl，shavenandblue-greyincolour。arolloffat，sprinkledwithsparsehair，moistwithperspiration，protrudedoverthebackofhiscollar。Heworeaheavyblackmoustache。

Onhisheadwasaround-toppedhatofstiffbrownstraw，highlyvarnished。Alight-brownlinenvest，stampedwithinnumerableinterlockedhorseshoes，coveredhisprotuberantstomach，uponwhichaheavywatchchainofhollowlinksroseandfellwithhisdifficultbreathing，clinkingagainstthevestbuttonsofimitationmother-of-pearl。

S。BehrmanwasthebankerofBonneville。Butbesidesthishewasmanyotherthings。Hewasarealestateagent。Heboughtgrain。

hedealtinmortgages。Hewasoneofthelocalpoliticalbosses，butmoreimportantthanallthis，hewastherepresentativeofthePacificandSouthwesternRailroadinthatsectionofTulareCounty。TherailroaddidlittlebusinessinthatpartofthecountrythatS。Behrmandidnotsupervise，fromtheconsignmentofashipmentofwheattothemanagementofadamagesuit，oreventotherepairandmaintenanceoftherightofway。Duringthetimewhentheranchersofthecountywerefightingthegrain-

ratecase，S。BehrmanhadbeenmuchinevidenceinandabouttheSanFranciscocourtroomsandthelobbyofthelegislatureinSacramento。HehadreturnedtoBonnevilleonlyrecently，adecisionadversetotheranchersbeingforeseen。ThepositionheoccupiedonthesalarylistofthePacificandSouthwesterncouldnotreadilybedefined，forhewasneitherfreightagent，passengeragent，attorney，real-estatebroker，norpoliticalservant，thoughhisinfluenceinalltheseofficeswasundoubtedandenormous。Butforallthat，theranchersaboutBonnevilleknewwhomtolooktoasasourceoftrouble。TherewasnodenyingthefactthatforOsterman，Broderson，AnnixterandDerrick，S。Behrmanwastherailroad。

Mr。Derrick，good-morning，hecriedashecameup。Good-

morning，Harran。Gladtoseeyouback，Mr。Derrick。Heheldoutathickhand。

Magnus，headandshouldersabovetheother，tall，thin，erect，lookeddownuponS。Behrman，inclininghishead，failingtoseehisextendedhand。

Good-morning，sir，heobserved，andwaitedforS。Behrman’sfurtherspeech。

Well，Mr。Derrick，continuedS。Behrman，wipingthebackofhisneckwithhishandkerchief，Isawinthecitypapersyesterdaythatourcasehadgoneagainstyou。

Iguessitwasn’tanygreatnewstoYOU，commentedHarran，hisfacescarlet。IguessyouknewwhichwayUlsteenwasgoingtojumpafteryourveryfirstinterviewwithhim。Youdon’tliketobesurprisedinthissortofthing，S。Behrman。

Now，youknowbetterthanthat，Harran，remonstratedS。Behrmanblandly。Iknowwhatyoumeantoimply，butIain’tgoingtoletitmakemegetmad。IwantedtosaytoyourGovernor——I

wantedtosaytoyou，Mr。Derrick——asonemantoanother——lettingalonefortheminutethatwewereonoppositesidesofthecase——

thatI’msorryyoudidn’twin。Yoursidemadeagoodfight，butitwasinamistakencause。That’sthewholetrouble。Why，youcouldhavefiguredoutbeforeyoueverwentintothecasethatsuchratesareconfiscationofproperty。Youmustallowus——mustallowtherailroad——afairinterestontheinvestment。Youdon’twantustogointothereceiver’shands，doyounow，Mr。

Derrick？

TheBoardofRailroadCommissionerswasbought，remarkedMagnussharply，akeen，briskflashglintinginhiseye。

Itwaspartofthegame，putinHarran，fortheRailroadCommissiontocutratestoaridiculousfigure，farbelowaREASONABLEfigure，justsothatitWOULDbeconfiscation。

WhetherUlsteenisatoolofyoursornot，hehadtoputtheratesbacktowhattheywereoriginally。

Ifyouenforcedthoserates，Mr。Harran，returnedS。Behrmancalmly，wewouldn’tbeabletoearnsufficientmoneytomeetoperatingexpensesorfixedcharges，tosaynothingofasurplusleftovertopaydividends——

TellmewhentheP。andS。W。everpaiddividends。

Thelowestrates，continuedS。Behrman，thatthelegislaturecanestablishmustbesuchaswillsecureusafairinterestonourinvestment。

Well，what’syourstandard？Come，let’shearit。Whoistosaywhat’safairrate？Therailroadhasitsownnotionsoffairnesssometimes。

ThelawsoftheState，returnedS。Behrman，fixtherateofinterestatsevenpercent。That’sagoodenoughstandardforus。Thereisnoreason，Mr。Harran，whyadollarinvestedinarailroadshouldnotearnasmuchasadollarrepresentedbyapromissorynote——sevenpercent。Byapplyingyourscheduleofrateswewouldnotearnacent。wewouldbebankrupt。

Interestonyourinvestment！criedHarran，furious。It’sfinetotalkaboutfairinterest。IknowandyouknowthatthetotalearningsoftheP。andS。W——theirmain，branchandleasedlinesforlastyear——wasbetweennineteenandtwentymillionsofdollars。Doyoumeantosaythattwentymilliondollarsissevenpercent。oftheoriginalcostoftheroad？

S。Behrmanspreadouthishands，smiling。

Thatwasthegross，notthenetfigure——andhowcanyoutellwhatwastheoriginalcostoftheroad？

Ah，that’sjustit，shoutedHarran，emphasisingeachwordwithablowofhisfistuponhisknee，hiseyessparkling，youtakecursedgoodcarethatwedon’tknowanythingabouttheoriginalcostoftheroad。Butweknowyouarebondedfortrebleyourvalue。andweknowthis：thattheroadCOULDhavebeenbuiltforfifty-fourthousanddollarspermileandthatyouSAYitcostyoueighty-seventhousand。Itmakesadifference，S。Behrman，onwhichofthesetwofiguresyouarebasingyoursevenpercent。

Thatallmayshowobstinacy，Harran，observedS。Behrmanvaguely，butitdon’tshowcommonsense。

Wearethreshingoutoldstraw，Ibelieve，gentlemen，remarkedMagnus。Thequestionwasthoroughlysiftedinthecourts。

Quiteright，assentedS。Behrman。Thebestwayisthattherailroadandthefarmerunderstandeachotherandgetalongpeaceably。Wearebothdependentoneachother。Yourploughs，I

believe，Mr。Derrick。S。Behrmannoddedtowardtheflatcars。

Theyareconsignedtome，admittedMagnus。

Itlooksatriflelikerain，observedS。Behrman，easinghisneckandjowlinhislimpcollar。Isupposeyouwillwanttobeginploughingnextweek。

Possibly，saidMagnus。

I’llseethatyourploughsarehurriedthroughforyouthen，Mr。

Derrick。Wewillroutethembyfastfreightforyouanditwon’tcostyouanythingextra。

Whatdoyoumean？demandedHarran。Theploughsarehere。Wehavenothingmoretodowiththerailroad。Iamgoingtohavemywagonsdownherethisafternoon。

Iamsorry，answeredS。Behrman，butthecarsaregoingnorth，not，asyouthought，comingFROMthenorth。TheyhavenotbeentoSanFranciscoyet。

Magnusmadeaslightmovementoftheheadasonewhoremembersafacthithertoforgotten。ButHarranwasasyetunenlightened。

ToSanFrancisco！heanswered，wewantthemhere——whatareyoutalkingabout？

Well，youknow，ofcourse，theregulations，answeredS。Behrman。FreightofthiskindcomingfromtheEasternpointsintotheStatemustgofirsttooneofourcommonpointsandbereshippedfromthere。

Harrandidremembernow，butneverbeforehadthemattersostruckhome。Heleanedbackinhisseatindumbamazementfortheinstant。EvenMagnushadturnedalittlepale。Then，abruptly，Harranbrokeoutviolentandraging。

Whatnext？MyGod，whydon’tyoubreakintoourhousesatnight？Whydon’tyoustealthewatchoutofmypocket，stealthehorsesoutoftheharness，holdusupwithashot-gun。yes，’standanddeliver。yourmoneyoryourlife。’HerewebringourploughsfromtheEastoveryourlines，butyou’renotcontentwithyourlong-haulratebetweenEasternpointsandBonneville。

Youwanttogetusunderyourruinousshort-haulratebetweenBonnevilleandSanFrancisco，ANDRETURN。Thinkofit！Here’saloadofstuffforBonnevillethatcan’tstopatBonneville，whereitisconsigned，buthasgottogouptoSanFranciscofirstBY

WAYOFBonneville，atfortycentspertonandthenbereshippedfromSanFranciscobacktoBonnevilleagainatFIFTY-ONEcentsperton，theshort-haulrate。Andwehavetopayitallorgowithout。Herearetheploughsrighthere，insightofthelandtheyhavegottobeusedon，theseasonjustreadyforthem，andwecan’ttouchthem。Oh，heexclaimedindeepdisgust，isn’titaprettymess！Isn’titafarce！thewholedirtybusiness！

S。Behrmanlistenedtohimunmoved，hislittleeyesblinkingunderhisfatforehead，thegoldchainofhollowlinksclickingagainstthepearlbuttonsofhiswaistcoatashebreathed。

Itdon’tdoanygoodtoletlooselikethat，Harran，hesaidatlength。IamwillingtodowhatIcanforyou。I’llhurrytheploughsthrough，butIcan’tchangethefreightregulationoftheroad。

What’syourblackmailforthis？vociferatedHarran。Howmuchdoyouwanttoletusgo？HowmuchhavewegottopayyoutobeALLOWEDtouseourownploughs——what’syourfigure？Come，spititout。

Iseeyouaretryingtomakemeangry，Harran，returnedS。

Behrman，butyouwon’tsucceed。Bettergiveuptrying，myboy。

AsIsaid，thebestwayistohavetherailroadandthefarmergetalongamicably。Itistheonlywaywecandobusiness。

Well，s’long，Governor，Imusttrotalong。S’long，Harran。Hetookhimselfoff。

ButbeforeleavingGuadalajaraMagnusdroppedintothetown’ssmallgrocerystoretopurchaseaboxofcigarsofacertainMexicanbrand，unprocurableelsewhere。Harranremainedinthebuggy。

Whilehewaited，Dykeappearedattheendofthestreet，and，seeingDerrick’syoungerson，cameovertoshakehandswithhim。

HeexplainedhisaffairwiththeP。andS。W。，andaskedtheyoungmanwhathethoughtoftheexpectedriseinthepriceofhops。

Hopsoughttobeagoodthing，Harrantoldhim。ThecropinGermanyandinNewYorkhasbeenadeadfailureforthelastthreeyears，andsomanypeoplehavegoneoutofthebusinessthatthere’slikelytobeashortageandastiffadvanceintheprice。Theyoughttogotoadollarnextyear。Sure，hopsoughttobeagoodthing。How’stheoldladyandSidney，Dyke？

Why，fairlywell，thankyou，Harran。They’reuptoSacramentojustnowtoseemybrother。Iwasthinkingofgoinginwithmybrotherintothishopbusiness。ButIhadaletterfromhimthismorning。Hemaynotbeabletomeetmeonthisproposition。

He’sgototherbusinessonhand。Ifhepullsout——andheprobablywill——I’llhavetogoitalone，butI’llhavetoborrow。

Ihadthoughtwithhismoneyandminewewouldhaveenoughtopullofftheaffairwithoutmortgaginganything。Asitis，I

guessI’llhavetoseeS。Behrman。

I’llbecursedifIwould！exclaimedHarran。

Well，S。Behrmanisascrew，admittedtheengineer，andheis’railroad’tohisboots。butbusinessisbusiness，andhewouldhavetostandbyacontractinblackandwhite，andthischanceinhopsistoogoodtoletslide。Iguesswe’lltryiton，Harran。Icangetagoodforemanthatknowsallabouthopsjustnow，andifthedealpays——well，IwanttosendSidtoaseminaryupinSanFrancisco。

Well，mortgagethecrops，butdon’tmortgagethehomestead，Dyke，saidHarran。And，bytheway，haveyoulookedupthefreightratesonhops？

No，Ihaven’tyet，answeredDyke，andIhadbetterbesureofthat，hadn’tI？Ihearthattherateisreasonable，though。

Youbesuretohaveaclearunderstandingwiththerailroadfirstabouttherate，Harranwarnedhim。

WhenMagnuscameoutofthegrocerystoreandoncemoreseatedhimselfinthebuggy，hesaidtoHarran，Boy，driveoverheretoAnnixter’sbeforewestarthome。Iwanttoaskhimtodinewithusto-night。OstermanandBrodersonaretodropin，Ibelieve，andIshouldliketohaveAnnixteraswell。

Magnuswaslavishlyhospitable。LosMuertos’sdoorsinvariablystoodopentoalltheDerricks’neighbours，andonceinsooftenMagnushadafewofhisintimatestodinner。

AsHarranandhisfatherdrovealongtheroadtowardAnnixter’sranchhouse，Magnusaskedaboutwhathadhappenedduringhisabsence。

Heinquiredafterhiswifeandtheranch，commentingupontheworkontheirrigatingditch。Harrangavehimthenewsofthepastweek，Dyke’sdischarge，hisresolvetoraiseacropofhops。

Vanamee’sreturn，thekillingofthesheep，andHooven’spetitiontoremainupontheranchasMagnus’stenant。ItneededonlyHarran’srecommendationthattheGermanshouldremaintohaveMagnusconsentupontheinstant。

YouknowmoreaboutitthanI，boy，hesaid，andwhateveryouthinkiswiseshallbedone。

Harrantouchedthebayswiththewhip，urgingthemtotheirbriskestpace。TheywerenotyetatAnnixter’sandhewasanxioustogetbacktotheranchhousetosupervisetheblue-

stoningofhisseed。

Bytheway，Governor，hedemandedsuddenly，howisLymangettingon？

Lyman，Magnus’seldestson，hadnevertakenkindlytowardranchlife。HeresembledhismothermorethanhedidMagnus，andhadinheritedfromheradistasteforagricultureandatendencytowardaprofession。AtatimewhenHarranwaslearningtherudimentsoffarming，LymanwasenteringtheStateUniversity，and，graduatingthence，hadspentthreeyearsinthestudyoflaw。Butlateron，traitsthatwereparticularlyhisfather’sdeveloped。Politicsinterestedhim。Hetoldhimselfhewasabornpolitician，wasdiplomatic，approachable，hadatalentforintrigue，agiftofmakingfriendseasilyand，mostindispensableofall，averitablegeniusforputtinginfluentialmenunderobligationstohimself。AlreadyhehadsucceededingainingforhimselftwoimportantofficesinthemunicipaladministrationofSanFrancisco——wherehehadhishome——sheriff’sattorney，and，lateron，assistantdistrictattorney。Butwiththesesmallachievementshewasbynomeanssatisfied。Thelargenessofhisfather’scharacter，modifiedinLymanbyacounter-influenceofselfishness，hadproducedinhimaninordinateambition。Wherehisfatherduringhispoliticalcareerhadconsideredhimselfonlyasanexponentofprincipleshestrovetoapply，Lymansawbuttheoffice，hisownpersonalaggrandisement。Hebelongedtothenewschool，whereinobjectswereattainednotbyorationsbeforesenatesandassemblies，butbysessionsofcommittees，caucuses，compromisesandexpedients。HisgoalwastobeinfactwhatMagnuswasonlyinname——governor。Lyman，withshutteeth，hadresolvedthatsomedayhewouldsitinthegubernatorialchairinSacramento。

Lymanisdoingwell，answeredMagnus。Icouldwishhewasmorepronouncedinhisconvictions，lesswillingtocompromise，butIbelievehimtobeearnestandtohaveatalentforgovernmentandcivics。Hisambitiondoeshimcredit，andifheoccupiedhimselfalittlemorewithmeansandalittlelesswithends，hewould，Iamsure，betheidealservantofthepeople。

ButIamnotafraid。ThetimewillcomewhentheStatewillbeproudofhim。

AsHarranturnedtheteamintothedrivewaythatleduptoAnnixter’shouse，Magnusremarked：

Harran，isn’tthatyoungAnnixterhimselfontheporch？

Harrannoddedandremarked：

Bytheway，Governor，Iwouldn’tseemtoocordialinyourinvitationtoAnnixter。Hewillbegladtocome，Iknow，butifyouseemtowanthimtoomuch，itisjustlikehisconfoundedobstinacytomakeobjections。

Thereissomethinginthat，observedMagnus，asHarrandrewupattheporchofthehouse。Heisaqueer，cross-grainedfellow，butinmanywayssterling。

Annixterwaslyinginthehammockontheporch，preciselyasPresleyhadfoundhimthedaybefore，readingDavidCopperfield

andstuffinghimselfwithdriedprunes。WhenherecognisedMagnus，however，hegotup，thoughcarefultogiveevidenceofthemostpoignantdiscomfort。Heexplainedhisdifficultyatgreatlength，protestingthathisstomachwasnobetterthanaspongebag。WouldMagnusandHarrangetdownandhaveadrink？

Therewaswhiskeysomewhereabout。

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