CHAPTERI

ForsomemomentsprofoundsilenceanddarknesshadaccompaniedaSierranstage—coachtowardsthesummit。Thehuge，dimbulkofthevehicle，swayingnoiselesslyonitsstraps，glidedonwardandupwardasifobeyingsomemysteriousimpulsefrombehind，sofaintandindefiniteappeareditsrelationtotheviewlessandsilenthorsesahead。Theshadowytrunksoftalltreesthatseemedtoapproachthecoachwindows，lookin，andthenmovehurriedlyaway，weretheonlydistinguishableobjects。Yeteventheseweresovagueandunrealthattheymighthavebeenthemerephantomsofsomedreamofthehalf—sleepingpassengers；forthethickly—strewnneedlesofthepine，thatchokedthewayanddeadenedallsound，yieldedunderthesilently—crushingwheelsafaintsoporificodorthatseemedtobenumbtheirsenses，alreadyslippingbackintounconsciousnessduringthelongascent。Suddenlythestagestopped。

Threeofthefourpassengersinsidestruggledatonceintouprightwakefulness。Thefourthpassenger，JohnHale，hadnotbeensleeping，andturnedimpatientlytowardsthewindow。Itseemedtohimthattwoofthemovingtreeshadsuddenlybecomemotionlessoutside。Oneofthemmovedagain，andthedooropenedquicklybutquietly，asofitself。

"Gitdown，"saidavoiceinthedarkness。

AllthepassengersexceptHalestarted。Themannexttohimmovedhisrighthandsuddenlybehindhim，butasquicklystopped。Oneofthemotionlesstreeshadapparentlycloseduponthevehicle，andwhathadseemedtobeaboughprojectingfromitatrightangleschangedslowlyintothefaintlyshiningdouble—barrelsofagunatthewindow。

"Dropthat!"saidthevoice。

Themanwhohadmovedutteredashortlaugh，andreturnedhishandemptytohisknees。Thetwoothersperceptiblyshruggedtheirshouldersasoveragamethatwaslost。Theremainingpassenger，JohnHale，fearlessbynature，inexperiencedbyhabit，awakingsuddenlytothetruth，conceiveddesperateresistance。Butwithouthismakingagesturethiswasinstinctivelyfeltbytheothers；themuzzleofthegunturnedspontaneouslyonhim，andhewasvaguelyconsciousofacertaincontemptandimpatienceofhiminhiscompanions。

"Gitdown，"repeatedthevoiceimperatively。

Thethreepassengersdescended。Hale，furious，alert，buthelplessofanyopportunity，followed。Hewassurprisedtofindthestage—

driverandexpressmessengerstandingbesidehim；hehadnotheardthemdismount。Heinstinctivelylookedtowardsthehorses。Hecouldseenothing。

"Holdupyourhands!"

Oneofthepassengershadalreadyliftedhis，inaweary，perfunctoryway。Theothersdidthesamereluctantlyandawkwardly，butapparentlymorefromtheconsciousnessoftheludicrousnessoftheirattitudethanfromanysenseofdanger。Theraysofabull’s—eyelantern，deftlymanagedbyinvisiblehands，whileitlefttheintrudersinshadow，completelyilluminatedthefacesandfiguresofthepassengers。Inspiteofthemajesticobscurityandsilenceofsurroundingnature，thegroupofhumanitythusilluminatedwasmorefarcicalthandramatic。Ascrapofnewspaper，partofasandwich，andanorangepeelthathadfallenfromthefloorofthecoach，broughtintoequalprominencebythesearchinglight，completedtheabsurdity。

"There’samanherewithapackageofgreenbacks，"saidthevoice，withanofficialcoolnessthatlentacertainsuggestionofCustomHouseinspectiontothetransaction；"whoisit？"Thepassengerslookedateachother，andtheirglancefinallysettledonHale。

"It’snotHIM，"continuedthevoice，withaslighttingeofcontemptontheemphasis。"You’llsavetimeandsearching，gentlemen，ifyou’lltoteitout。Ifwe’vegottogothrougheveryoneofyouwe’lltrytomakeitpay。"

Thesignificantthreatwasnotunheeded。Thepassengerwhohadfirstmovedwhenthestagestoppedputhishandtohisbreast。

"T’otherpocketfirst，ifyouplease，"saidthevoice。

Themanlaughed，drewapistolfromhishippocket，and，underthestronglightofthelantern，laiditonaspotintheroadindicatedbythevoice。Athickenvelope，takenfromhisbreastpocket，waslaidbesideit。"Itoldthed——dfoolsthatgaveittome，insteadofsendingitbyexpress，itwouldbeattheirownrisk，"hesaidapologetically。

"Asit’sgoingwiththeexpressnowit’sallthesame，"saidtheinevitablehumoristoftheoccasion，pointingtothedespoiledexpresstreasure—boxalreadyintheroad。

TheintentionanddeliberationoftheoutragewasplainenoughtoHale’sinexperiencenow。Yethecouldnotunderstandthecoolacquiescenceofhisfellow—passengers，andwasfurious。Hisreflectionswereinterruptedbyavoicewhichseemedtocomefromagreaterdistance。Hefancieditwasevensofterintone，asifacertainausteritywasrelaxed。

"Stepinasquickasyoulike，gentlemen。You’vefiveminutestowait，Bill。"

Thepassengersreenteredthecoach；thedriverandexpressmessengerhurriedlyclimbedtotheirplaces。Halewouldhavespoken，butanimpatientgesturefromhiscompanionsstoppedhim。

Theywereevidentlylisteningforsomething；helistenedtoo。

Yetthesilenceremainedunbroken。Itseemedincrediblethatthereshouldbenoindicationnearorfarofthatforcefulpresencewhichamomentagohadbeensodominant。Norustleinthewayside"brush，"norechofromtherockycanyonbelow，betrayedasoundoftheirflight。Afaintbreezestirredthetalltipsofthepines，aconedroppedonthestageroof，oneoftheinvisiblehorsesthatseemedtobelisteningtoomovedslightlyinhisharness。Butthisonlyappearedtoaccentuatetheprofoundstillness。Themomentsweregrowinginterminable，whenthevoice，sonearastostartleHale，brokeoncemorefromthesurroundingobscurity。

"Good—night!"

Itwasthesignalthattheywerefree。Thedriver’swhipcrackedlikeapistolshot，thehorsessprangfuriouslyforward，thehugevehiclelurchedahead，andthenboundedviolentlyafterthem。WhenHalecouldmakehisvoiceheardintheconfusion——aconfusionwhichseemedgreaterfromthecolorlessintensityoftheirlastfewmoments’experience——hesaidhurriedly，"Thenthatfellowwasthereallthetime？"

"Ireckon，"returnedhiscompanion，"hestoppedfiveminutestocoverthedriverwithhisdouble—barrel，untilthetwoothermengotoffwiththetreasure。"

"TheTWOothers!"gaspedHale。"ThentherewereonlyTHREEmen，andweSIX。"

Themanshruggedhisshoulders。Thepassengerwhohadgivenupthegreenbacksdrawled，withaslow，irritatingtolerance，"Ireckonyou’reastrangerhere？"

"Iam——tothissortofthing，certainly，thoughIliveadozenmilesfromhere，atEagle’sCourt，"returnedHalescornfully。

"Thenyou’rethechapthat’sdoin’thatfancyranchin’overatEagle’s，"continuedthemanlazily。

"WhateverI’mdoingatEagle’sCourt，I’mnotashamedofit，"saidHaletartly；"andthat’smorethanIcansayofwhatI’vedone——orHAVEN’Tdone——to—night。I’vebeenoneofsixmenover—awedandrobbedbyTHREE。"

"Astotheover—awin’，ezyoucallit——mebbeeyouknowmoreaboutitthanus。Astotherobbin’——ezfarasIkinremember，YOU

haven’tonloadedmuch。Efyou’retalkin’aboutwhatOUGHTERhavebeendone，I’lltellyouwhatCOULDhavehappened。P’r’apsyenoticedthatwhenhepulledupImadeakindofgrabformyweppingbehindme？"

"Idid；andyouwern’tquickenough，"saidHaleshortly。

"Iwasn’tquickenough，andthatsavedYOU。ForefIgotthatpistoloutandinsighto’thatmanthatheldthegun——"

"Well，"saidHaleimpatiently，"he’dhavehesitated。"

"He’dhevblownYOUwithbothbarrelsouterthewindow，andthatbeforeI’dgotahalf—cockonmyrevolver。"

"Butthatwouldhavebeenonlyonemangone，andtherewouldhavebeenfiveofyouleft，"saidHalehaughtily。

"Thatmighthavebeen，efyou’dcontractedtotakethehullchargeoftwohandfulsofbuck—shotandslugs；butezoneeightho’thatamountwouldhavedoneyourbusiness，andyetleftenoughtohavegoneround，promiskiss，andsatisfiedtheotherpassengers，itwouldn’tdotokalkilateupon。"

"Buttheexpressmessengerandthedriverwerearmed，"continuedHale。

"Theywerearmed，butnotFIXED；thatmakesallthedifference。"

"Idon’tunderstand。"

"Ireckonyouknowwhataduelis？"

"Yes。"

"Well，thechancesaginUSwasaboutthesameasyou’dhaveefyouwasputupaginanotherchapwhowasallowedtodrawabeadonyou，andthesignaltofirewasYOURDRAWIN’YOURWEAPON。Youmaybeastrangertothissorto’thing，andp’r’apsyouneverfoughtaduel，buteventhenyouwouldn’tgofoolin’yourlifeawayonanysuchchances。"

Somethingintheman’smanner，asinacertainslyamusementtheotherpassengersappearedtoextractfromtheconversation，impressedHale，alreadybeginningtobeconsciousoftheludicrousinsufficiencyofhisowngrievancebesidethatofhisinterlocutor。

"Thenyoumeantosaythisthingisinevitable，"saidhebitterly，butlessaggressively。

"EzlongeztheyhuntYOU；whenyouhuntTHEMyou’vegottheadvantage，allusprovidedyouknowhowtogetatthemezwellastheyknowhowtogetatyou。Thisyercoachisboundtogoregular，andoncertaindays。THEYain’t。Bythetimethesheriffgetsouthispossethey’veskedaddled，andtheleader，likeasnot，istakin’hisquietcocktailattheBankExchange，ormebbelosin’

hisearningstothesheriffoverdrawpoker，inSacramento。Youseeyoucan’tproveanythingaginthemunlessyoutakethem’onthefly。’ItmaybeapartofJoaquimMurietta’sband，thoughI

wouldn’tsweartoit。"

"TheleadermighthavebeenGentlemanGeorge，fromup—country，"

interposedapassenger。"Heseemedtothrowinafewfancytouches，particlerlyinthat’Goodnight。’Sorterchuckedalittlesentimentinit。Didn’tseemtobethesamethingez，’Git，yerd——dsuckers，’ontheotherline。"

"Whoeverhewas，heknewtheroadandthemenwhotravelledonit。

Likeeznot，hewentoverthelinebesidethedriverontheboxonthedowntrip，andtookstockofeverything。HeevenknewIhadthosegreenbacks；thoughtheywerehandedtomeinthebankatSacramento。Hemusthavebeenhanging’roundthere。"

ForsomemomentsHaleremainedsilent。Hewasacivic—bredman，withanintenseloveoflawandorder；thekindofmanwhoisthefirsttotakethatlawandorderintohisownhandswhenhedoesnotfinditexistingtopleasehim。HehadaBostonian’srespectforrespectability，tradition，andpropriety，butwaswillingtofaceirregularityandimproprietytocreateorderelsewhere。HewasfondofNaturewiththeselimitations，neverquitetrustingherunguidedinstincts，andfindingherasaninstructressgreatlyinferiortoHarvardUniversity，thoughpossiblynottoCornell。

WithdauntlessenterpriseandenergyhehadbuiltandstockedacharmingcottagefarminanookintheSierras，whenceheopposed，likethelesserEnglishmanthathewas，hisowntastestothoseofthealienWest。Inthepresentinstancehefeltitincumbentuponhimnotonlytoasserthisprinciples，buttoactuponthemwithhisusualenergy。Howfarhewasimpelledbythehalf—contemptuouspassivenessofhiscompanionsitwouldbedifficulttosay。

"Whatistopreventthepursuitofthematonce？"heaskedsuddenly。"Weareafewmilesfromthestation，wherehorsescanbeprocured。"

"Who’stodoit？"repliedtheotherlazily。"Thestagecompanywilllodgethecomplaintwiththeauthorities，butitwilltaketwodaystogetthecountyofficersout，andit’snobodyelse’sfuneral。"

"Iwillgoforone，"saidHalequietly。"Ihaveahorsewaitingformeatthestation，andcanstartatonce。"

Therewasaninstantofsilence。Thestage—coachhadlefttheobscurityoftheforest，andbythestrongerlightHalecouldperceivethathiscompanionwasexamininghimwithtwocolorless，lazyeyes。Presentlyhesaid，meetingHale’sclearglance，butratherasifyieldingtoacarelessreflection，——

"ItMIGHTbedonewithfourmen。Weoughterraiseonemanatthestation。"Hepaused。"Idon’tknowezI’dmindtakingahandmyself，"headded，stretchingouthislegswithaslightyawn。

"YecancountMEin，ifyou’regoin’，Kernel。IreckonI’mtalkin’

toKernelClinch，"saidthepassengerbesideHalewithsuddenalacrity。"I’mRawlins，ofFrisco。Heerdofyeafore，Kernel，andkinderspottedyoujistnowfromyourtalk。"

ToHale’ssurprisethetwomen，afterawkwardlyandperfunctorilygraspingeachother’shand，enteredatonceintoalanguidconversationontherecentelectionatFresno，withouttheslightestfurtherreferencetothepursuitoftherobbers。ItwasnotuntiltheremainingandundenominatedpassengerturnedtoHale，and，regrettingthathehadimmediatebusinessattheSummit，offeredtoaccompanythepartyiftheywouldwaitacoupleofhours，thatColonelClinchbrieflyreturnedtothesubject。

"FOURmenwilldo，andezwe’llhevtotakehorsesfromthestationwe’llhevtotakethefourthmanfromthere。"

WiththesewordsheresumedhisuninterestingconversationwiththeequallyuninterestedRawlins，andtheundenominatedpassengersubsidedintoanadmiringanddreamycontemplationofthemboth。

Withallhisprincipleandreallyhigh—mindedpurpose，Halecouldnothelpfeelingconstrainedandannoyedatthesuddensubordinateandauxiliarypositiontowhichhe，theprojectoroftheenterprise，hadbeenreduced。Itwastruethathehadneverofferedhimselfastheirleader；itwastruethattheprinciplehewishedtoupholdandtheeffecthesoughttoobtainwouldbeequallydemonstratedunderanother；itwastruethattheexecutionofhisownconceptiongravitatedbysomeoccultimpulsetothemanwhohadnotsoughtit，andwhomhehadalwaysregardedasanincapable。Butallthiswassounlikeprecedentortraditionthat，afterthefashionofconservativemen，hewassuspiciousofit，andonlythathishonorwasnowinvolvedhewouldhavewithdrawnfromtheenterprise。Therewasstillachanceofreassertinghimselfatthestation，wherehewasknown，andwheresomeauthoritymightbedeputedtohim。

Buteventhisprospectfailed。Thestation，halfhotelandhalfstable，containedonlythelandlord，whowasalsoexpressagent，andthenewvolunteerwhoClinchhadsuggestedwouldbefoundamongthestable—men。Thenearestjusticeofthepeacewastenmilesaway，andHalehadtoabandonevenhishopeofbeingsworninasadeputyconstable。Thisintroductionofacommonandilliterateostlerintothepartyonequaltermswithhimselfdidnotaddtohissatisfaction，andaremarkfromRawlinsseemedtocompletehisembarrassment。

"Yehadamightynarrerescapedowntherejustnow，"saidthatgentlemanconfidentially，asHalebuckledhissaddlegirths。

"Ithought，aswewerenotsupposedtodefendourselves，therewasnodanger，"saidHalescornfully。

"Oh，Idon’tmeanthemroadagents。ButHIM。"

"Who？"

"KernelClinch。Youjistezgoodasallowedhehadn’tanygrit。"

"WhateverIsaid，IsupposeIamresponsibleforit，"answeredHalehaughtily。

"That’swhatgitsme，"wastheimperturbablereply。"He’sthebestshotinSouthernCalifornia，andhezletdaylightthroughadozenchapsaforenowforhalfwhatyousaid。"

"Indeed!"

"Howsummever，"continuedRawlinsphilosophically，"ezhe’sconcludedtogoWITHyeinsteadofFORye，you’relikelytohevyourideasonthismattercarriedoutuptothehandle。He’llmakeshortworkofit，youbet。Ef，ezIsuspect，theleaderisanairyyoungfellerfromFrisco，whoheztooktotheroadlately，Clinchhezgotapersonalgrudgeaginhimfromaquarreloverdrawpoker。"

ThiswasthelastblowtoHale’sidealcrusade。Herehewas——anhonest，respectablecitizen——engagedassimpleaccessorytoalawlessvendettaoriginatingatagamblingtable!Whenthefirstshockwasoverthatgrimphilosophywhichisthereactionofallimaginativeandsensitivenaturescametohisaid。Hefeltbetter；

oddlyenoughhebegantobeconsciousthathewasthinkingandactinglikehiscompanions。Withthisfeelingavaguesympathy，beforeabsent，faintlyshoweditselfintheiractions。TheSharpe’srifleputintohishandsbythestable—manwasaccompaniedbyafamiliarwordofsuggestionastoanequal，whichhewasashamedtofindflatteredhim。HewasabletocontinuetheconversationwithRawlinsmorecoolly。

"Thenyoususpectwhoistheleader？"

"Onlyonginiralprinciples。Therewasafinertouch，sotospeak，inthisyerrobberythatwasn’tintheold—fashionedstyle。Downinmycountrytheyhedcrudeideasaboutthemthings——usedtostripthepassengersofeverything，includin’theirclothes。Theysaythatatthestationhotels，whenthecoachcamein，thefolksusedtostandroundwithblanketstowrapupthepassengerssoeznottoskeerthewimen。Thar’sastorythatthedriverandexpressmanagerdroveuponedaywithonlyacopyoftheAltyCalifornywrappedaround’em；butthin，"addedRawlinsgrimly，"thereWAS

folksezsaidthehullstorywasonlyanadvertisementgotupfortheAlty。"

"Time’sup。"

"Areyouready，gentlemen？"saidColonelClinch。

Halestarted。HehadforgottenhiswifeandfamilyatEagle’sCourt，tenmilesaway。Theywouldbealarmedathisabsence，wouldperhapshearsomeexaggeratedversionofthestagecoachrobbery，andfeartheworst。

"IsthereanywayIcouldsendalinetoEagle’sCourtbeforedaybreak？"heaskedeagerly。

Thestationwasalreadydrainedofitssparemenandhorses。Theundenominatedpassengersteppedforwardandofferedtotakeithimselfwhenhisbusiness，whichhewoulddespatchasquicklyaspossible，wasconcluded。

"Thatain’tabadidea，"saidClinchreflectively，"forefyerhurryyou’llhead’emoffincasetheyscentus，andtrytodoublebackontheNorthRidge。They’llfightshyofthetrailiftheyseeanybodyonit，andoneman’sasgoodasadozen。"

Halecouldnothelpthinkingthathemighthavebeenthatoneman，andhadhisopportunityforindependentactionbutforhisrashproposal，butitwastoolatetowithdrawnow。Hehastilyscribbledafewlinestohiswifeonasheetofthestationpaper，handedittotheman，andtookhisplaceinthelittlecavalcadeasitfiledsilentlydowntheroad。

Theyhadriddeninsilencefornearlyanhour，andhadpassedthesceneoftherobberybyahighertrack。Morninghadlongagoadvanceditscolorsonthecoldwhitepeakstotheirright，andwastakingpossessionofthespurwheretheyrode。

"Itlookslikesnow，"saidRawlinsquietly。

Haleturnedtowardshiminastonishment。Nothingonearthorskylookedlesslikely。Ithadbeencold，butthatmighthavebeenonlyacurrentfromthefrozenpeaksbeyond，reachingthelowervalley。Theridgeonwhichtheyhadhaltedwasstillthickwithyellowish—greensummerfoliage，mingledwiththedarkerevergreenofpineandfir。Oven—likecanyonsinthelongflanksofthemountainseemedstilltoglowwiththeheatofyesterday’snoon；

thebreathlessairyettrembledandquiveredoverstiflinggorgesandpassesinthegraniterocks，whilefarattheirfeetsixtymilesofperpetualsummerstretchedawayoverthewindingAmericanRiver，nowandthenlostinagossamerhaze。ItwasscarcelyripeOctoberwheretheystood；theycouldseetheplenitudeofAuguststilllingeringinthevalleys。

"I’veseenThomson’sPasschokedupwithfifteenfeeto’snowearlierthanthis，"saidRawlins，answeringHale’sgaze；"andlastSeptemberthepassengerssleddedovertheroadwecamelastnight，andallthetimeThomson，amilelowerdownovertheridgeinthehollow，smokinghispipesunderrosesinhispiazzy!Mountainsismightyuncertain；theymaketheirownweathereztheywantit。I

reckonyouain’twinteredhereyet。"

HalewasobligedtoadmitthathehadonlytakenEagle’sCourtintheearlyspring。

"Oh，you’reallrightatEagle’s——whenyou’rethere!Butit’slikeThomson’s——it’sthegettin’therethat——Hallo!What’sthat？"

Ashot，distantbutdistinct，hadrungthroughthekeenair。Itwasfollowedbyanothersoalikeastoseemanecho。

"That’soveryon，ontheNorthRidge，"saidtheostler，"abouttwomilesasthecrowfliesandfivebythetrail。Somebody’sshootin’

b’ar。"

"Notwithashotgun，"saidClinch，quicklywheelinghishorsewithagesturethatelectrifiedthem。"It’sTHEM，andthe’vedoubledonus!TotheNorthRidge，gentlemen，andrideallyouknow!"

Itneedednosecondchallengetocompletelytransformthatquietcavalcade。Thewildman—huntinginstinct，inseparabletomosthumanity，roseattheirleader’slookandword。Withanincoherentandunintelligiblecry，givingvoicetothechaselikethecommonesthoundoftheirfields，theorder—lovingHaleandthephilosophicalRawlinswheeledwiththeothers，andinanotherinstantthelittlebandsweptoutofsightintheforest。

Animmenseandimmeasurablequietsucceeded。Thesunlightglistenedsilentlyoncliffandscar，thevastdistancebelowseemedtostretchoutandbroadenintorepose。Itmighthavebeenfancy，butoverthesharplineoftheNorthRidgealightsmokeliftedasofanescapingsoul。

CHAPTERII

Eagle’sCourt，oneofthehighestcanyonsoftheSierras，wasinrealityaplateauoftable—land，embayedlikeagreenlakeinasemi—circularsweepofgranite，that，liftingitselfthreethousandfeethigher，becameafoundationfortheeternalsnows。Themountaingeniiofspaceandatmospherejealouslyguardeditsseclusionandsurroundeditwithillusions；itneverlookedtobeexactlywhatitwas：thetravellerwhosawitfromtheNorthRidgeapparentlyathisfeetindescendingfoundhimselfseparatedfromitbyamile—longabyssandarushingriver；thosewhosoughtitbyaseemingdirecttrailattheendofanhourlostsightofitcompletely，or，abandoningthequestandretracingtheirsteps，suddenlycameuponthegapthroughwhichitwasentered。ThatwhichfromtheRidgeappearedtobeacopseofbushesbesidethetinydwellingweretreesthreehundredfeethigh；thecultivatedlawnbeforeit，whichmighthavebeencoveredbythetraveller’shandkerchief，wasafieldofathousandacres。

Thehouseitselfwasalong，low，irregularstructure，chieflyofroofandveranda，picturesquelyupheldbyrusticpillarsofpine，withthebarkstilladhering，andcoveredwithvinesandtrailingroses。Yetitwasevidentthatthecoolnessproducedbythisvastextentofcoverwasmorethanthearchitect，whohadplanneditundertheinfluenceofastaringandbewilderingsky，hadtrustfullyconceived，forithadtobemitigatedbyblazingfiresinopenhearthswhenthethermometermarkedahundreddegreesinthefieldbeyond。Thedry，restlesswindthatcontinuallyrockedthetallmastsofthepineswithasoundlikethedistantsea，whileitstimulatedout—doorphysicalexertionanddefiedfatigue，leftthesedentarydwellersinthesealtitudeschilledintheshadetheycourted，orscorchedthemwithheatwhentheyventuredtobasksupinelyinthesun。WhitemuslincurtainsattheFrenchwindows，andrugs，skins，andheavyfursdispersedintheinterior，withcertainothercharmingbutincongruousdetailsoffurniture，markedtheinconsistenciesoftheclimate。

TherewasacoquettishindicationofthisinthecostumeofMissKateScottasshesteppedoutontheverandathatmorning。Aman’sbroad—brimmedPanamahat，partlyunsexedbyatwistedgayly—coloredscarf，butretainingenoughcharactertogivepiquancytotheprettycurvesofthefacebeneath，protectedherfromthesun；aredflannelshirt——anotherspoilfromtheenemy——andathickjacketshieldedherfromtheausteritiesofthemorningbreeze。Butthenextinconsistencywaspeculiarlyherown。MissKatealwaysworethefreshestandlightestofwhitecambricskirts，withouttheleastreferencetothetemperature。Tothepracticalsanatoryremonstrancesofherbrother—in—law，andtotheconventionalcriticismofhersister，sheopposedthesamedefence："Howelseisonetotellwhenitissummerinthisridiculousclimate？Andthen，woollenisstuffy，colordrawsthesun，andoneatleastknowswhenoneiscleanordirty。"Artisticallytheresultwasfarfromunsatisfactory。Itwasaprettyfigureunderthesombrepines，againstthegraygraniteandthesteelysky，andseemedtolendtheyellowingfieldsfromwhichtheflowershadalreadyfledafloralreliefofcolor。Idonotthinkthefewmasculinewayfarersofthatlocalityobjectedtoit；indeed，somehadbetrayedanindiscreetadmiration，andhadcuriouslyfollowedtheinvitationofMissKate’swarmly—coloredfigureuntiltheyhadencounteredtheinvincibleindifferenceofMissKate’scoldgrayeyes。Withthesemanifestationsherbrother—in—lawdidnotconcernhimself；hehadperfectconfidenceinherunqualifieddisinterestintheneighboringhumanity，andpermittedhertowanderinhersolitarypicturesqueness，oraccompaniedherwhensherodeinherdarkgreenhabit，withequalfreedomfromanxiety。

ForMissScott，althoughonlytwenty，hadalreadysubjectedmostofhermaidenlyillusionstomaturecriticalanalyses。ShehadvoluntarilyaccompaniedhersisterandmothertoCalifornia，intheearnesthopethatnaturecontainedsomethingworthsayingtoher，andwasdisappointedtofindshehadalreadydiscounteditsvalueinthepagesofbooks。Shehopedtofindavaguefreedominthisunconventionallifethusopenedtoher，orrathertoshowothersthatsheknewhowintelligentlytoappreciateit，butasyetshewasonlyabletoexpressitintheonedetailofdressalreadyalludedto。Someofthemen，andnearlyallthewomen，shehadmetthusfar，shewasamazedtofind，valuedtheconventionalitiesshebelievedshedespised，andwerevoluntarilyassumingthechainsshethoughtshehadthrownoff。Insteadoflearninganythingfromthem，thesechildrenofnaturehadboredherwitheagerquestioningsregardingthecivilizationshehadabandoned，orirritatedherwithcrudeimitationsofitforherbenefit。

"Fancy，"shehadwrittentoafriendinBoston，"mycallingonSueMurphy，whorememberedtheDonnertragedy，andwhoonceshotagrizzlythatwasprowlingroundhercabin，andthinkofherbeggingmetolendhermysackforapattern，andwantingtoknowif’polonays’werestillworn。"Sherememberedmorebitterlytheromancethathadtickledherearlierfancy，toldoftwocollegefriendsofherbrother—in—law’swhowerelivingthe"perfectlife"

inthemines，laboringintheditcheswithacopyofHomerintheirpockets，andwritinglettersofthepurestphilosophyunderthefreeairofthepines。How，comingunexpectedlyonthemintheirArcadia，thepartyfoundthemunpresentablethroughdirt，andthenceforthunknowablethroughdomesticcomplicationsthathadfilledtheirArcadiancabinwithhalf—breedchildren。

Muchofthisdisillusionshehadkeptwithinherownheart，fromafeelingofpride，oronlylightlytoucheduponitinherrelationswithhermotherandsister。ForMrs。HaleandMrs。Scotthadnoidolstoshatter，noenthusiasmtosubdue。Firmlyandunalterablyconsciousoftheirownsuperioritytothelifetheyledandthecommunitythatsurroundedthem，theyacceptedtheirdutiescheerfully，andperformedthemconscientiously。ThosedutieswereloyaltytoHale’sinterestsandavaguemissionaryworkamongtheneighbors，which，likemostmissionarywork，consistedratherinmakingtheirownideasunderstoodthaninunderstandingtheideasoftheiraudience。OldMrs。Scott’szealwaspartlyreligious，aninheritancefromherPuritanancestry；Mrs。Hale’swastheaffabilityofagentlewomanandtheobligationofherposition。TothiswasaddedtheslightlanguorofthecultivatedAmericanwife，whosehealthhasbeenaffectedbythebirthofherfirstchild，andwhoseviewsofmarriageandmaternitywereslightlytingedwithgentlescepticism。Shewassincerelyattachedtoherhusband，"whodominatedthehousehold"liketherestofhis"womenfolk，"withthefaintconsciousnessofthatdivisionofservicewhichrendersthepositionofthesultanofaseraglioatoncesoprominentandsoprecarious。TheattitudeofJohnHaleinhisfamilycirclewasdominantbecauseithadneverbeensubjectedtocriticismorcomparison；andperilousforthesamereason。

Mrs。Halepresentlyjoinedhersisterintheveranda，and，shadinghereyeswithanarrowwhitehand，glancedontheprospectwithapoliteinterestandladylikeurbanity。Thesearchingsun，which，asMissKateonceintimated，was"vulgarityitself，"staredatherinreturn，butcouldnotcallablushtohersomewhatsallowcheek。

Neithercoulditdetract，however，fromthedelicateprettinessofherrefinedfacewithitssoftgrayshadows，orthedarkgentleeyes，whoseblue—veinedlidswerejustthenwrinkledintocoquettishlymischievouslinesbythestronglight。ShewastallerandthinnerthanKate，andhadattimesacertainshy，coysinuosityofmovementwhichgaveheramorevirginalsuggestionthanherunmarriedsister。ForMissKate，fromherearliestyouth，hadbeendistinguishedbythatmatronlysedatenessofvoiceandstep，andcompletenessoffigure，whichindicatessomemembersofthegallinaceoustribefromtheircallowinfancy。

"IsupposeJohnmusthavestoppedattheSummitonsomebusiness，"

saidMrs。Hale，"orhewouldhavebeenherealready。It’sscarcelyworthwhilewaitingforhim，unlessyouchoosetorideoverandmeethim。Youmightchangeyourdress，"shecontinued，lookingdoubtfullyatKate’scostume。"Putonyourriding—habit，andtakeManuelwithyou。"

"Andtaketheonlymanwehave，andleaveyoualone？"returnedKateslowly。"No!"

"TherearetheChinesefieldhands，"saidMrs。Hale；"youmustcorrectyourideas，andreallyallowthemsomehumanity，Kate。

Johnsaystheyhaveaverygoodcompulsoryschoolsystemintheirowncountry，andcanreadandwrite。"

"Thatwouldbeoflittleusetoyouherealoneif——if——"Katehesitated。

"Ifwhat？"saidMrs。Halesmiling。"AreyouthinkingofManuel’sdreadfulstoryofthegrizzlytracksacrossthefieldsthismorning？IpromiseyouthatneitherI，normother，norMinnieshallstiroutofthehouseuntilyoureturn，ifyouwishit。"

"Iwasn’tthinkingofthat，"saidKate；"thoughIdon’tbelievethebeatingofagongandtheusingofstronglanguageisthebestwaytofrightenagrizzlyfromthehouse。Besides，theChinesearegoingdowntheriverto—daytoafuneral，orawedding，orafeastofstolenchickens——they’reallthesame——andwon’tbehere。"

"ThentakeManuel，"repeatedMrs。Hale。"WehavetheChineseservantsandIndianMollyinthehousetoprotectusfromHeavenknowswhat!IhavethegreatestconfidenceinChy—Leeasawarrior，andinChinesewarfaregenerally。Onehasonlytohearhimpipeintimeofpeacetoimaginewhataterrorhemightbecomeinwartime。Indeed，anythingmoredeadlyandsoul—harrowingthanthatlovesonghesangforuslastnightIcannotconceive。Butreally，Kate，Iamnotafraidtostayalone。YouknowwhatJohnsays：weoughttobealwayspreparedforanythingthatmighthappen。

"MydearJosie，"returnedKate，puttingherarmaroundhersister’swaist，"Iamperfectlyconvincedthatifthree—fingeredJack，ortwo—toedBill，orevenJoaquimMuriettahimself，shouldstep，red—

handed，onthatveranda，youwouldgentlyinvitehimtotakeacupoftea，inquireaboutthestateoftheroad，andrefraindelicatelyfromanyallusionstothesheriff。ButIshan’ttakeManuelfromyou。Ireallycannotundertaketolookafterhismoralsatthestation，andkeephimfromdrinkingaguardientewithsuspiciouscharactersatthebar。Itistruehe’kissesmyhand’inhisspeech，evenwhenitisthickest，andoffershisbacktomeforahorse—block，butIthinkIpreferthesoberandhonestfamiliarityofeventhatPikeCountylandlordwhoissatisfiedtosay，’Jump，girl，andI’llketchye!’"

"Ihopeyoudidn’tchangeyourmannertoeitherofthemforthat，"

saidMrs。Halewithafaintsigh。"Johnwantstobegoodfriendswiththem，andtheyarebehavingquitedecentlylately，consideringthattheycan’tspeakagrammaticalsentencenorknowtheuseofafork。"

"AndnowthemanputsonglovesandatallhattocomehereonSundays，andthewomanwon’tcalluntilyou’vecalledfirst，"

retortedKate；"perhapsyoucallthatimprovement。Thefactis，Josephine，"continuedtheyounggirl，foldingherarmsdemurely，"wemightaswelladmititatonce——thesepeopledon’tlikeus。"

"That’simpossible!"saidMrs。Hale，withsublimesimplicity。"Youdon’tlikethem，youmean。"

"Ilikethembetterthanyoudo，Josie，andthat’sthereasonwhyI

feelitandYOUdon’t。"Shecheckedherself，andafterapauseresumedinalightertone："No；Isha’n’tgotothestation；I’llcommunewithnatureto—day，andwon’t’takeanyhumanityinmine，thankyou，’asBillthedriversays。Adios。"

"IwishKatewouldnotusethatdreadfulslang，eveninjest，"saidMrs。Scott，inherrocking—chairattheFrenchwindow，whenJosephinereenteredtheparlorashersisterwalkedbrisklyaway。

"Iamafraidsheisbeinginfectedbythepeopleatthestation。

Sheoughttohaveachange。"

"Iwasjustthinking，"saidJosephine，lookingabstractedlyathermother，"thatIwouldtrytogetJohntotakehertoSanFranciscothiswinter。TheCareysareexpected，youknow；shemightvisitthem。"

"I’mafraid，ifshestaysheremuchlonger，shewon’tcaretoseethematall。Sheseemstocarefornothingnowthatsheeverlikedbefore，"returnedtheoldladyominously。

Meantimethesubjectofthesecriticismswascarryingawayherownreflectionstightlybuttonedupinhershortjacket。ShehaddrivenbackherdogSpot——anotheroneofherdisillusions，who，givingwaytohislowernature，hadoncekilledasheep——asshedidnotwishherJacques—likecontemplationofanywoundeddeertobeinconsistentlyinterruptedbyafreshoutragefromhercompanion。

Theairwasreallyverychilly，andforthefirsttimeinhermountainexperiencethedirectraysofthesunseemedtobeshornoftheirpower。Thiscompelledhertowalkmorebrisklythanshewasconsciousof，forinlessthananhourshecamesuddenlyandbreathlesslyuponthemouthofthecanyon，ornaturalgatewaytoEagle’sCourt。

Toheralwaysaprofoundspectacleofmountainmagnificence，itseemedto—dayalmostterribleinitscold，stronggrandeur。Thenarrowingpasswaschokedforamomentbetweentwogiganticbuttressesofgranite，approachingeachothersocloselyattheirtoweringsummitsthattreesgrowinginoppositecleftsoftherockintermingledtheirbranchesandpointedthesoaringGothicarchofastupendousgateway。Sheraisedhereyeswithaquicklybeatingheart。Sheknewthattheinterlacingtreesaboveherwereaslargeasthoseshehadjustquitted；sheknewalsothatthepointwheretheymetwasonlyhalf—wayupthecliff，forshehadoncegazeddownuponthem，dwindledtoshrubsfromtheairysummit；sheknewthattheirshakenconesfellathousandfeetperpendicularly，orboundedlikeshotfromthescarredwallstheybombarded。Sherememberedthatoneofthesepines，dislodgedfromitshighfoundations，hadoncedroppedlikeaportcullisinthearchway，blockingthepass，andwasonlycarriedafterwardsbyassaultofsteelandfire。Bendingherheadmechanically，sheranswiftlythroughtheshadowypassage，andhaltedonlyatthebeginningoftheascentontheotherside。

Itwasherethattheactualpositionoftheplateau，soindefiniteofapproach，begantoberealized。Itnowappearedanindependentelevation，surroundedonthreesidesbygorgesandwatercourses，sonarrowastobeoverlookedfromtheprincipalmountainrange，withwhichitwasconnectedbyalongcanyonthatledtotheridge。Attheoutletofthiscanyon——inbygoneagesamightyriver——ithadtheappearanceofhavingbeenslowlyraisedbythediluviumofthatriver，andthedebriswasheddownfromabove——asuggestionrepeatedinminiaturebytheartificialplateausofexcavatedsoilraisedbeforethemouthsofminingtunnelsinthelowerflanksofthemountain。Itwastherealizationofafact——oftenforgottenbythedwellersinEagle’sCourt——thatthevalleybelowthem，whichwastheirconnectinglinkwiththesurroundingworld，wasonlyreachedbyascendingthemountain，andthenearestroadwasoverthehighermountainridge。Neverbeforehadthisimpresseditselfsostronglyupontheyounggirlaswhensheturnedthatmorningtolookupontheplateaubelowher。Itseemedtoillustratetheconvictionthathadbeenslowlyshapingitselfoutofherreflectionsontheconversationofthatmorning。Itwaspossiblethattheperfectunderstandingofahigherlifewasonlyreachedfromaheightstillgreater，andthattothosehalf—wayupthemountainthesummitwasneverastruthfullyrevealedastothehumblerdwellersinthevalley。

Idonotknowthattheseprofoundtruthspreventedherfromgatheringsomequaintfernsandberries，orfromkeepinghercalmgrayeyesopentocertainpracticalchangesthatweretakingplacearoundher。Shehadnoticedasingularthickeningintheatmospherethatseemedtopreventthepassageofthesun’srays，yetwithoutdiminishingthetransparentqualityoftheair。Thedistantsnow—peakswereasplainlyseen，thoughtheyappearedasifinmoonlight。Thisseemedduetonocloudormist，butrathertoafadingofthesunitself。Theoccasionalflurryofwingsoverhead，thewhirringoflargerbirdsinthecover，andafrequentrustlingintheundergrowth，asofthepassageofsomestealthyanimal，beganequallytoattractherattention。Itwassodifferentfromthehabitualsilenceofthesesedatesolitudes。Katehadnovaguefearofwildbeasts；shehadbeenlongenoughamountaineertounderstandthegeneralimmunityenjoyedbytheunmolestingwayfarer，andkeptherwayundismayed。Shewasdescendinganabrupttrailwhenshewasstoppedbyasuddencrashinthebushes。

Itseemedtocomefromtheoppositeincline，directlyinalinewithher，andapparentlyontheverytrailthatshewaspursuing。

Thecrashwasthenrepeatedagainandagainlowerdown，asofadescendingbody。Expectingtheapparitionofsomefallentree，ordetachedboulderburstingthroughthethicket，initswaytothebottomofthegulch，shewaited。Thefoliagewassuddenlybrushedaside，andalargegrizzlybearhalfrolled，halfwaddled，intothetrailontheoppositesideofthehill。Afewmomentsmorewouldhavebroughtthemfacetofaceatthefootofthegulch；whenshestoppedtherewerenotfiftyyardsbetweenthem。

Shedidnotscream；shedidnotfaint；shewasnotevenfrightened。

Theredidnotseemtobeanythingterrifyinginthishuge，stupidbeast，who，arrestedbytherustleofastonedisplacedbyherdescendingfeet，roseslowlyonhishaunchesandgazedatherwithsmall，wonderingeyes。Nordiditseemstrangetoher，seeingthathewasinherway，topickupastone，throwitinhisdirection，andsaysimply，"Sho!getaway!"asshewouldhavedonetoanintrudingcow。Nordiditseemoddthatheshouldactually"goaway"ashedid，scramblingbackintothebushesagain，anddisappearinglikesomegrotesquefigureinatransformationscene。

Itwasnotuntilafterhehadgonethatshewastakenwithaslightnervousnessandgiddiness，andretracedherstepssomewhathurriedly，shyingalittleateveryrustleinthethicket。Bythetimeshehadreachedthegreatgatewayshewasdoubtfulwhethertobepleasedorfrightenedattheincident，butsheconcludedtokeepittoherself。

Itwasstillintenselycold。Thelightofthemiddaysunhaddecreasedstillmore，andonreachingtheplateauagainshesawthatadarkcloud，notunliketheprecursorofathunder—storm，wasbroodingoverthesnowypeaksbeyond。Inspiteofthecoldthissingularsuggestionofsummerphenomenawasstillborneoutbythedistantsmilingvalley，andeveninthesoftgrassesatherfeet。

Itseemedtoherthecrowninginconsistencyoftheclimate，andwithahalf—serious，half—playfulprotestonherlipsshehurriedforwardtoseektheshelterofthehouse。

CHAPTERIII

ToKate’ssurprise，thelowerpartofthehousewasdeserted，buttherewasanunusualactivityonthefloorabove，andthesoundofheavysteps。Therewerealienmarksofdustyfeetonthescrupulouslycleanpassage，andonthefirststepofthestairsaspotofblood。Withasuddengenuinealarmthatdroveherpreviousadventurefromhermind，sheimpatientlycalledhersister’sname。

Therewasahastyyetsubduedrustleofskirtsonthestaircase，andMrs。Hale，withherfingeronherlip，sweptKateunceremoniouslyintothesitting—room，closedthedoor，andleanedbackagainstit，withafaintsmile。Shehadacrumpledpaperinherhand。

"Don’tbealarmed，butreadthatfirst，"shesaid，handinghersisterthepaper。"Itwasbroughtjustnow。"

Kateinstantlyrecognizedherbrother’sdistincthand。Shereadhurriedly，"Thecoachwasrobbedlastnight；nobodyhurt。I’velostnothingbutaday’stime，asthisbusinesswillkeepmehereuntilto—morrow，whenManuelcanjoinmewithafreshhorse。Nocauseforalarm。Asthebearergoesoutofhiswaytobringyouthis，seethathewantsfornothing。"

"Well，"saidKateexpectantly。

"Well，the’bearer’wasfireduponbytherobbers，whowerelurkingontheRidge。Hewaswoundedintheleg。Luckilyhewaspickedupbyhisfriend，whowascomingtomeethim，andbroughthereasthenearestplace。He’sup—stairsinthesparebedinthespareroom，withhisfriend，whowon’tleavehisside。Hewon’tevenhavemotherintheroom。They’vestoppedthebleedingwithJohn’sambulancethings，andnow，Kate，here’sachanceforyoutoshowthevalueofyoureducationintheambulanceclass。Theballhasgottobeextracted。Here’syouropportunity。"

Katelookedathersistercuriously。Therewasafaintpinkflushonherpalecheeks，andhereyesweregentlysparkling。Shehadneverseenherlooksoprettybefore。

"WhynothavesentManuelforadoctoratonce？"askedKate。

"Thenearestdoctorisfifteenmilesaway，andManuelisnowheretobefound。Perhapshe’sgonetolookafterthestock。There’ssometalkofsnow；imaginetheabsurdityofit!"

"Butwhoarethey？"

"Theyspeakofthemselvesas’friends，’asifitwereaprofession。

Thewoundedonewasapassenger，Isuppose。"

"Butwhataretheylike？"continuedKate。"Isupposethey’relikethemall。"

Mrs。Haleshruggedhershoulders。

"Thewoundedone，whenhe’snotfaintingaway，islaughing。Theotherisacreaturewithamoustache，andgloomybeyondexpression。"

"Whatareyougoingtodowiththem？"saidKate。

"WhatshouldIdo？EvenwithoutJohn’sletterIcouldnotrefusetheshelterofmyhousetoawoundedandhelplessman。Ishallkeephim，ofcourse，untilJohncomes。Why，Kate，Ireallybelieveyouaresoprejudicedagainstthesepeopleyou’dliketoturnthemout。ButIforget!It’sbecauseyouLIKEthemsowell。Well，youneednotfeartoexposeyourselftothefascinationsofthewoundedChristyMinstrel——I’msurehe’sthat——ortotheunspeakableone，whoisshynessitself，andwouldnotdaretoraisehiseyestoyou。"

Therewasatimid，hesitatingstepinthepassage。Itpausedbeforethedoor，movedaway，returned，andfinallyasserteditsintentionsinthegentlestoftaps。

"It’shim；I’msureofit，"saidMrs。Hale，withasuppressedsmile。

Katethrewopenthedoorsmartly，totheextremediscomfitureofatall，darkfigurethatalreadyhadslunkawayfromit。Forallthat，hewasagood—lookingenoughfellow，withamoustacheaslongandalmostasflexibleasaringlet。Katecouldnothelpnoticingalsothathishand，whichwasnervouslypullingthemoustache，waswhiteandthin。

"Excuseme，"hestammered，withoutraisinghiseyes，"Iwaslookingfor——for——theoldlady。I——Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tknowthatyou——theyoungladies——company——werehere。Iintended——Ionlywantedtosaythatmyfriend——"HestoppedattheslightsmilethatpassedquicklyoverMrs。Hale’smouth，andhispalefacereddenedwithanangryflush。

"Ihopeheisnotworse，"saidMrs。Hale，withmorethanherusuallanguidgentleness。"Mymotherisnothereatpresent。CanI——canWE——thisismysister——doaswell？"

WithoutlookinguphemadeaconstrainedrecognitionofKate’spresence，thatembarrassedandcurtasitwas，hadnoneoftheawkwardnessofrusticity。

"Thankyou；you’reverykind。Butmyfriendisalittlestronger，andifyoucanlendmeanextrahorseI’lltrytogethimontheSummitto—night。"

"Butyousurelywillnottakehimawayfromussosoon？"saidMrs。

Hale，withalanguidlookofalarm，inwhichKate，however，detectedacertainrealfeeling。"Waitatleastuntilmyhusbandreturnsto—morrow。"

"Hewon’tbehereto—morrow，"saidthestrangerhastily。Hestopped，andasquicklycorrectedhimself。"Thatis，hisbusinessissoveryuncertain，myfriendsays。"

OnlyKatenoticedtheslip；butshenoticedalsothathersisterwasapparentlyunconsciousofit。"Youthink，"shesaid，"thatMr。

Halemaybedelayed？"

Heturneduponheralmostbrusquely。"Imeanthatitisalreadysnowingupthere；"hepointedthroughthewindowtothecloudKatehadnoticed；"ifitcomesdownlowerinthepasstheroadswillbeblockedup。Thatiswhyitwouldbebetterforustotryandgetonatonce。"

"ButifMr。Haleislikelytobestoppedbysnow，soareyou，"saidMrs。Haleplayfully；"andyouhadbetterletustrytomakeyourfriendcomfortablehereratherthanexposehimtothatuncertaintyinhisweakcondition。Wewilldoourbestforhim。Mysisterisdyingforanopportunitytoshowherskillinsurgery，"shecontinued，withanunexpectedmischievousnessthatonlyaddedtoKate’ssurprisedembarrassment。"Aren’tyou，Kate？"

Equivocalastheyounggirlknewhersilenceappeared，shewasunabletoutterthesimplestpoliteevasion。Someunaccountableimpulsekeptherconstrainedandspeechless。Thestrangerdidnot，however，waitforherreply，but，castingaswift，hurriedglancearoundtheroom，said，"It’simpossible；wemustgo。Infact，I’vealreadytakenthelibertytoorderthehorsesround。Theyareatthedoornow。Youmaybecertain，"headded，withquickearnestness，suddenlyliftinghisdarkeyestoMrs。Hale，andasrapidlywithdrawingthem，"thatyourhorsewillbereturnedatonce，and——and——wewon’tforgetyourkindness。"Hestoppedandturnedtowardsthehall。"I——Ihavebroughtmyfrienddown—stairs。

Hewantstothankyoubeforehegoes。"

Asheremainedstandinginthehallthetwowomensteppedtothedoor。Totheirsurprise，halfrecliningonacanesofawasthewoundedman，andwhatcouldbeseenofhisslightfigurewaswrappedinadarkserape。Hisbeardlessfacegavehimaquaintboyishnessquiteinconsistentwiththematurelinesofhistemplesandforehead。Pale，andinpain，asheevidentlywas，hisblueeyestwinkledwithintenseamusement。Notonlydidhismannerofferamarkedcontrasttothesombreuneasinessofhiscompanion，butheseemedtobetheonlyoneperfectlyathiseaseinthegrouparoundhim。

"It’sratherroughmakingyoucomeoutheretoseemeoff，"hesaid，withanotunmusicallaughthatwasveryinfectious，"butNedthere，whocarriedmedownstairs，wantedtototemeroundthehouseinhisarmslikeababytosayta—tatoyouall。Excusemynotrising，butIfeelasuncertainbelowasamermaid，andasoutofmyelement，"headded，withamischievousglanceathisfriend。

"NedconcludedImustgoon。ButImustsaygood—bytotheoldladyfirst。Ah!heresheis。"

ToKate’scompletebewilderment，notonlydidtheutterfamiliarityofthisspeech，passunnoticedandunrebukedbyhersister，butactuallyherownmotheradvancedquicklywitheveryexpressionoflivelysympathy，andwiththeauthorityofheryearsandanalmostmaternalanxietyendeavoredtodissuadetheinvalidfromgoing。

"Thisisnotmyhouse，"shesaid，lookingatherdaughter，"butifitwereIshouldnothearofyourleaving，notonlyto—night，butuntilyouwereoutofdanger。Josephine!Kate!Whatareyouthinkingoftopermitit？Well，thenIforbidit——there!"

Hadtheybecomesuddenlyinsane，orweretheybewitchedbythismoroseintruderandhisinsufferablyfamiliarconfidant？Themanwaswounded，itwastrue；theymighthavetoputhimupincommonhumanity；butherewasherausteremother，whowouldn’tcomeintheroomwhenWhiskyDickcalledonbusiness，actuallypressingbothoftheinvalid’shands，whilehersister，whoneverextendedafingertotheordinaryvisitinghumanityoftheneighborhood，lookedonwithevidentcomplacency。

ThewoundedmansuddenlyraisedMrs。Scott’shandtohislips，kisseditgently，and，withhissmilequitevanished，endeavoredtorisetohisfeet。"It’sofnouse——wemustgo。Givemeyourarm，Ned。Quick!Arethehorsesthere？"

"Dearme，"saidMrs。Scottquickly。"Iforgottosaythehorsecannotbefoundanywhere。Manuelmusthavetakenhimthismorningtolookupthestock。Buthewillbebackto—nightcertainly，andifto—morrow——"

Thewoundedmansankbacktoasittingposition。"IsManuelyourman？"heaskedgrimly。

"Yes。"

Thetwomenexchangedglances。

"Markedonhisleftcheekanddrinksagooddeal？"

"Yes，"saidKate，findinghervoice。"Why？"

Theamusedlookcamebacktotheman’seyes。"Thatkindofmanisn’tsafetowaitfor。Wemusttakeourownhorse，Ned。Areyouready？"

"Yes。"

Thewoundedmanagainattemptedtorise。Hefellback，butthistimequiteheavily。Hehadfainted。

Involuntarilyandsimultaneouslythethreewomenrushedtohisside。"Hecannotgo，"saidKatesuddenly。

"Hewillbebetterinamoment。"

"Butonlyforamoment。Willnothinginduceyoutochangeyourmind？"

Asifinreplyasuddengustofwindbroughtavolleyofrainagainstthewindow。

"THATwill，"saidthestrangerbitterly。

"Therain？"

"AmilefromhereitisSNOW；andbeforewecouldreachtheSummitwiththesehorsestheroadwouldbeimpassable。"

Hemadeaslightgesturetohimself，asifacceptinganinevitabledefeat，andturnedtohiscompanion，whowasslowlyrevivingundertheactiveministrationofthetwowomen。Thewoundedmanlookedaroundwithaweaksmile。"Thisisonewayofgoingoff，"hesaidfaintly，"butIcoulddothissortofthingaswellontheroad。"

"Youcandonothingnow，"saidhisfriend，decidedly。"BeforewegettotheGatetheroadwillbeimpassableforourhorses。"

"ForANYhorses？"askedKate。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读