CHAPTERI。
ThesunwasgoingdownontheCarquinezWoods。Thefewshaftsofsunlightthathadpiercedtheirpillaredgloomwerelostinunfathomabledepths，orsplinteredtheirineffectuallancesontheenormoustrunksoftheredwoods。Foratimethedullredoftheirvastcolumns，andthedullredoftheircast-offbarkwhichmattedtheecholessaisles，stillseemedtoholdafaintglowofthedyingday。Buteventhissoonpassed。Lightandcolorfledupwards。Thedarkinterlacedtreetops，thathadalldaymadeanimpenetrableshade，brokeintofirehereandthere;theirlostspiresglittered，faded，andwentutterlyout。Aweirdtwilightthatdidnotcomefromtheouterworld，butseemedbornofthewooditself，slowlyfilledandpossessedtheaisles。Thestraight，tall，colossaltrunksrosedimlylikecolumnsofupwardsmoke。Thefewfallentreesstretchedtheirhugelengthintoobscurity，andseemedtolieonshadowytrestles。Thestrangebreaththatfilledthesemysteriousvaultshadneithercoldnessnormoisture;adry，fragrantdustarosefromthenoiselessfootthattrodtheirbark-strewnfloor;theaislesmighthavebeentombs，thefallentreesenormousmummies;thesilencethesolitudeofaforgottenpast。
Andyetthissilencewaspresentlybrokenbyarecurringsoundlikebreathing，interruptedoccasionallybyinarticulateandstertorousgasps。Itwasnotthequick，panting，listeningbreathofsomestealthyfelineorcanineanimal，butindicatedalarger，slower，andmorepowerfulorganization，whoseprogresswaslesswatchfulandguarded，orasifafragmentofoneofthefallenmonstershadbecomeanimate。Attimesthislifeseemedtotakevisibleform，butasvaguely，asmisshapenly，asthephantomofanightmare。Nowitwasasquareobjectmovingsideways，endways，withneitherheadnortailandscarcelyvisiblefeet;
thenanarchedbulkrollingagainstthetrunksofthetreesandrecoilingagain，oranuprightcylindricalmass，butalwaysoscillatingandunsteady，andstrikingthetreesoneitherhand。
Thefrequentoccurrenceofthemovementsuggestedthefiguresofsomeweirdrhythmicdancetomusicheardbytheshapealone。
Suddenlyiteitherbecamemotionlessorfadedaway。
Therewasthefrightenedneighingofahorse，thesuddenjinglingofspurs，ashoutandoutcry，andtheswiftapparitionofthreedancingtorchesinoneofthedarkaisles;butsointensewastheobscuritythattheyshednolightonsurroundingobjects，andseemedtoadvanceoftheirownvolitionwithouthumanguidance，untiltheydisappearedsuddenlybehindtheinterposingbulkofoneofthelargesttrees。Beyonditseightyfeetofcircumferencethelightcouldnotreach，andthegloomremainedinscrutable。
Butthevoicesandjinglingspurswerehearddistinctly。
"Blastthemare！She’sshiedoffthatcursedtrailagain。"
"Yeain’tlostitagain，hevye？"growledasecondvoice。
"That’sjistwhatIhev。Andtheseblastedpine-knotsdon’tgivelightaninchbeyond’em。D——difIdon’tthinktheymakethiscursedholeblacker。"
Therewasalaugh——awoman’slaugh——hysterical，bitter，sarcastic，exasperating。Thesecondspeaker，withoutheedingit，wenton：——
"Whatinthunderskeertthehosses？Didyouseeorhearanything？"
"Nothin’。Thewoodislikeagraveyard。"
Thewoman’svoiceagainbrokeintoahoarse，contemptuouslaugh。
Themanresumedangrily：——
"Ifyouknowanything，whyinh-lldon’tyousayso，insteadofcacklinglikead——dsquawthere？P’rapsyoureckonyoukenfindthetrailtoo。"
"Takethisropeoffmywrist，"saidthewoman’svoice，"untiemyhands，letmedown，andI’llfindit。"ShespokequicklyandwithaSpanishaccent。
Itwasthemen’sturntolaugh。"Andgiveyouashowtosnatchthatsix-shooterandblowaholethroughme，asyoudidtotheSheriffofCalaveras，eh？Notifthiscourtunderstandsitself，"
saidthefirstspeakerdryly。
"Gotothedevil，then，"shesaidcurtly。
"Notbeforealady，"respondedtheother。Therewasanotherlaughfromthemen，thespursjingledagain，thethreetorchesreappearedfrombehindthetree，andthenpassedawayinthedarkness。
Foratimesilenceandimmutabilitypossessedthewoods;thegreattrunksloomedupwards，theirfallenbrothersstretchedtheirslowlengthintoobscurity。Thesoundofbreathingagainbecameaudible;theshapereappearedintheaisle，andrecommenceditsmysticdance。Presentlyitwaslostintheshadowofthelargesttree，andtothesoundofbreathingsucceededagratingandscratchingofbark。Suddenly，asifrivenbylightning，aflashbrokefromthecenterofthetree-
trunk，litupthewoods，andasharpreportrangthroughit。
Afterapausethejinglingofspursandthedancingoftorcheswererevivedfromthedistance。
"Hallo？"
Noanswer。
"Whofiredthatshot？"
Buttherewasnoreply。Aslightveilofsmokepassedawaytotheright，therewasthespiceofgunpowderintheair，butnothingmore。
Thetorchescameforwardagain，butthistimeitcouldbeseentheywereheldinthehandsoftwomenandawoman。Thewoman’shandsweretiedatthewristtothehorse-hairreinsofhermule，whileariata，passedaroundherwaistandunderthemule’sgirth，washeldbyoneofthemen，whowerebotharmedwithriflesandrevolvers。Theirfrightenedhorsescurveted，anditwaswithdifficultytheycouldbemadetoadvance。
"Ho！stranger，whatareyoushootingat？"
Thewomanlaughedandshruggedhershoulders。"Lookyonderattherootsofthetree。You’read——dsmartmanforasheriff，ain’tyou？"
Themanutteredanexclamationandspurredhishorseforward，buttheanimalrearedinterror。Hethensprangtothegroundandapproachedthetree。Theshapelaythere，ascarcelydistinguishablebulk。
"Agrizzly，bythelivingJingo！Shotthroughtheheart。"
Itwastrue。Thestrangeshapelitupbytheflaringtorchesseemedmorevague，unearthly，andawkwardinitsdyingthroes，yetthesmallshuteyes，thefeeblenose，theponderousshoulders，andhalf-humanfootarmedwithpowerfulclawswereunmistakable。Thementurnedbyacommonimpulseandpeeredintotheremoterecessesofthewoodagain。
"Hi，Mister！comeandpickupyourgame。Hallothere！"
Thechallengefellunheededontheemptywoods。
"Andyet，"saidhewhomthewomanhadcalledthesheriff，"hecan’tbefaroff。Itwasacloseshot，andthebearhezdroppedinhistracks。Why，wot’sthisstickinginhisclaws？"
Thetwomenbentovertheanimal。"Why，it’ssugar，brownsugar——
look！"Therewasnomistake。Thehugebeast’sforepawsandmuzzlewerestreakedwiththeunromantichouseholdprovision，andheightenedtheabsurdcontrastofitsincongruousmembers。Thewoman，apparentlyindifferent，hadtakenthatopportunitytopartlyfreeoneofherwrists。
"Ifwehadn’tbeencavortingroundthisyerspotforthelasthalfhour，I’dsweartherewasashantynotahundredyardsaway，"saidthesheriff。
Theotherman，withoutreplying，remountedhishorseinstantly。
"Ifthereis，andit’sinhabitedbyagentlemanthatkinmakecentreshotslikethatinthedark，anddon’tcaretoexplainhow，IreckonIwon’tdisturbhim。"
Thesheriffwasapparentlyofthesameopinion，forhefollowedhiscompanion’sexample，andoncemoreledtheway。Thespurstinkled，thetorchesdanced，andthecavalcadeslowlyreenteredthegloom。Inanothermomentithaddisappeared。
Thewoodsankagainintorepose，thistimedisturbedbyneithershapenorsound。Whatlowerformsoflifemighthavecreptclosetoitsrootswerehiddenintheferns，orpassedwithdeadenedtreadoverthebark-strewnfloor。Towardsmorningacoolnesslikedewfellfromabove，withhereandthereadroppingtwigornut，orthecrepitantawakeningandstretching-outofcrampedandwearybranches。Lateradull，luriddawn，notunlikethelastevening’ssunset，filledtheaisles。Thisfadedagain，andacleargraylight，inwhicheveryobjectstoodoutinsharpdistinctness，tookitsplace。Morningwaswaitingoutsideinallitsbrilliant，youthfulcoloring，butonlyenteredasthematuredandsoberedday。
Seeninthatstrongerlight，themonstroustreenearwhichthedeadbearlayrevealeditsageinitsdenudedandscarredtrunk，andshowedinitsbaseadeepcavity，afootortwofromtheground，partlyhiddenbyhangingstripsofbarkwhichhadfallenacrossit。Suddenlyoneofthesestripswaspushedaside，andayoungmanleapedlightlydown。
Butfortheriflehecarriedandsomemodernpeculiaritiesofdress，hewasofagracesounusualandunconventionalthathemighthavepassedforafaunwhowasquittinghisancestralhome。
Hesteppedtothesideofthebearwithalightelasticmovementthatwasasunlikecustomaryprogressionashisfaceandfigurewereunliketheordinarytypesofhumanity。Evenasheleaneduponhisrifle，lookingdownattheprostrateanimal，heunconsciouslyfellintoanattitudethatinanyothermortalwouldhavebeenapose，butwithhimwasthepicturesqueandunstudiedrelaxationofperfectsymmetry。
"Hallo，Mister！"
Heraisedhisheadsocarelesslyandlistlesslythathedidnototherwisechangehisattitude。Steppingfrombehindthetree，thewomanoftheprecedingnightstoodbeforehim。Herhandswerefreeexceptforathongoftheriata，whichwasstillknottedaroundonewrist，theendofthethonghavingbeentornorburntaway。Hereyeswerebloodshot，andherhairhungoverhershouldersinonelongblackbraid。
"IreckonedallalongitwasYOUwhoshotthebear，"shesaid;
"atleastsomeonehidingyer，"andsheindicatedthehollowtreewithherhand。"Itwasn’tnochanceshot。"Observingthattheyoungman，eitherfrommisconceptionorindifference，didnotseemtocomprehendher，sheadded，"Wecamebyhere，lastnight，aminuteafteryoufired。"
"Oh，thatwasYOUkickedupsucharow，wasit？"saidtheyoungman，withashadeofinterest。
"Ireckon，"saidthewoman，noddingherhead，"andthemthatwaswithme。"
"Andwhoarethey？"
"SheriffDunn，ofYolo，andhisdeputy。"
"Andwherearetheynow？"
"Thedeputy——inh-ll，Ireckon;Idon’tknowaboutthesheriff。"
"Isee，"saidtheyoungmanquietly;"andyou？"
"I——gotaway，"shesaidsavagely。Butshewastakenwithasuddennervousshiver，whichsheatoncerepressedbytightlydragginghershawloverhershouldersandelbows，andfoldingherarmsdefiantly。
"Andyou’regoing？"
"Tofollowthedeputy，maybe，"shesaidgloomily。"Butcome，I
say，ain’tyougoingtotreat？It’scursedcoldhere。"
"Waitamoment。"Theyoungmanwaslookingather，withhisarchedbrowsslightlyknitandahalfsmileofcuriosity。"Ain’tyouTeresa？"
Shewaspreparedforthequestion，butevidentlywasnotcertainwhethershewouldreplydefiantlyorconfidently。Afteranexhaustivescrutinyofhisfaceshechosethelatter，andsaid，"Youcanbetyourlifeonit，Johnny。"
"Idon’tbet，andmynameisn’tJohnny。Thenyou’rethewomanwhostabbedDickCursonoveratLagrange’s？"
Shebecamedefiantagain。
"That’sme，allthetime。Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
"Nothing。AndyouusedtodanceattheAlhambra？"Shewhiskedtheshawlfromhershoulders，heldituplikeascarf，andmadeoneortwostepsofthesembicuacua。Therewasnottheleastgayety，recklessness，orspontaneityintheaction;itwassimplymechanicalbravado。Itwassoineffective，evenuponherownfeelings，thatherarmspresentlydroppedtoherside，andshecoughedembarrassedly。"Where’sthatwhiskey，pardner？"sheasked。
Theyoungmanturnedtowardthetreehehadjustquitted，andwithoutfurtherwordsassistedhertomounttothecavity。Itwasanirregular-shapedvaultedchamber，piercedfiftyfeetabovebyashaftorcylindricalopeninginthedecayedtrunk，whichwasblackenedbysmoke，asifithadservedthepurposeofachimney。
Inonecornerlayabearskinandblanket;atthesideweretwoalcovesorindentations，oneofwhichwasevidentlyusedasatable，andtheotherasacupboard。Inanotherhollow，neartheentrance，layafewsmallsacksofflour，coffee，andsugar，thestickycontentsofthelatterstillstrewingthefloor。Fromthisstorehousetheyoungmandrewawickerflaskofwhiskey，andhandedit，withatincupofwater，tothewoman。Shewavedthecupaside，placedtheflasktoherlips，anddranktheundilutedspirit。Yeteventhiswasevidentlybravado，forthewaterstartedtohereyes，andshecouldnotrestraintheparoxysmofcoughingthatfollowed。
"Ireckonthat’sthekindthatkillsatfortyrods，"shesaid，withahystericallaugh。"ButIsay，pardner，youlookasifyouwerefixedheretostay，"andshestaredostentatiouslyaroundthechamber。Butshehadalreadytakeninitsminutestdetails，eventoobservingthatthehangingstripsofbarkcouldbedisposedsoastocompletelyhidetheentrance。
"Well，yes，"hereplied;"itwouldn’tbeveryeasytopullupthestakesandmovetheshantyfurtheron。"
Seeingthateitherfromindifferenceorcautionhehadnotacceptedhermeaning，shelookedathimfixedly，andsaid，——
"Whatisyourlittlegame？"
"Eh？"
"Whatareyouhidingfor——here，inthistree？"
"ButI’mnothiding。"
"Thenwhydidn’tyoucomeoutwhentheyhailedyoulastnight？"
"BecauseIdidn’tcareto。"
Teresawhistledincredulously。"Allright——thenifyou’renothiding，I’mgoingto。"Ashedidnotreply，shewenton："IfI
cankeepoutofsightforacoupleofweeks，thisthingwillblowoverhere，andIcangetacrossintoYolo。Icouldgetafairshowthere，wheretheboysknowme。Justnowthetrailsareallwatched，butnoonewouldthinkoflookin’here。"
"Thenhowdidyoucometothinkofit？"heaskedcarelessly。
"BecauseIknewthatbearhadn’tgonefarforthatsugar;becauseIknowhehadn’tstoleitfromacache——itwastoofresh，andwe’dhaveseenthetorn-upearth;becausewehadpassednocamp;
andbecauseIknewtherewasnoshantyhere。And，besides，"sheaddedinalowvoice，"maybeIwashuntin’aholemyselftodiein——andspotteditbyinstinct。"
Therewassomethinginthissuggestionofahuntedanimalthat，unlikeanythingshehadpreviouslysaidorsuggested，wasnotexaggerated，andcausedtheyoungmantolookatheragain。Shewasstandingunderthechimney-likeopening，andthelightfromaboveilluminatedherheadandshoulders。Thepupilsofhereyeshadlosttheirfeverishprominence，andwereslightlysuffusedandsoftenedasshegazedabstractedlybeforeher。Theonlyvestigeofherpreviousexcitementwasinherleft-handfingers，whichwereincessantlytwistingandturningadiamondringuponherrighthand，butwithoutimpartingtheleastanimationtoherrigidattitude。Suddenly，asifconsciousofhisscrutiny，shesteppedasideoutoftherevealinglightandbyaswiftfeminineinstinctraisedherhandtoherheadasiftoadjustherstragglinghair。Itwasonlyforamoment，however，for，asifawareoftheweakness，shestruggledtoresumeheraggressivepose。
"Well，"shesaid。"Speakup。AmIgoin’tostophere，orhaveI
gottogetupandget？"
"Youcanstay，"saidtheyoungmanquietly;"butasI’vegotmyprovisionsandammunitionhere，andhaven’tanyotherplacetogotojustnow，Isupposewe’llhavetoshareittogether。"
Sheglancedathimunderhereyelids，andahalf-bitter，half-
contemptuoussmilepassedacrossherface。"Allright，oldman，"
shesaid，holdingoutherhand，"it’sago。We’llstartinhousekeepingatonce，ifyoulike。"
"I’llhavetocomehereonceortwiceaday，"hesaid，quitecomposedly，"tolookaftermythings，andgetsomethingtoeat;
butI’llbeawaymostofthetime，andwhatwithcampingoutunderthetreeseverynightIreckonmysharewon’tincommodeyou。"
Sheopenedherblackeyesuponhim，atthisoriginalproposition。
Thenshelookeddownathertorndress。"Isupposethisstyleofthingain’tveryfancy，isit？"shesaid，withaforcedlaugh。
"IthinkIknowwheretobegorborrowachangeforyou，ifyoucan’tgetany，"herepliedsimply。
Shestaredathimagain。"Areyouafamilyman？"
"No。"
Shewassilentforamoment。"Well，"shesaid，"youcantellyourgirlI’mnotparticularaboutitsbeinginthelatestfashion。"
Therewasaslightflushonhisforeheadasheturnedtowardthelittlecupboard，butnotremorinhisvoiceashewenton：
"You’llfindteaandcoffeehere，and，ifyou’rebored，there’sabookortwo。Youread，don’tyou——ImeanEnglish？"
Shenodded，butcastalookofundisguisedcontemptuponthetwoworn，coverlessnovelsheheldouttoher。"Youhaven’tgotlastweek’s’SacramentoUnion，’haveyou？Iheartheyhavemycaseallin;onlythemlyingreportersmadeitoutagainstmeallthetime。"
"Idon’tseethepapers，"herepliedcurtly。
"Theysaythere’sapictureofmeinthe’PoliceGazette，’takenintheact，"andshelaughed。
Helookedalittleabstracted，andturnedasiftogo。"Ithinkyou’lldowelltorestawhilejustnow，andkeepasclosehidaspossibleuntilafternoon。Thetrailisamileawayatthenearestpoint，butsomeonemightmissitandstrayoverhere。
You’requitesafeifyou’recareful，andstandbythetree。Youcanbuildafirehere，"hesteppedunderthechimney-likeopening，"withoutitsbeingnoticed。Eventhesmokeislostandcannotbeseensohigh。"
Thelightfromabovewasfallingonhisheadandshoulders，asithadonhers。Shelookedathimintently。
"Youtravelagooddealonyourfigure，pardner，don’tyou？"shesaid，withacertainadmirationthatwasquitesexlessinitsquality;"butIdon’tseehowyoupickupalivingbyitintheCarquinezWoods。Soyou’regoing，areyou？Youmightbemoresociable。Good-by。"
"Good-by！"Heleapedfromtheopening。
"Isaypardner！"
Heturnedalittleimpatiently。Shehadkneltdownattheentrance，soastobenearerhislevel，andwasholdingoutherhand。Buthedidnotnoticeit，andshequietlywithdrewit。
"Ifanybodydroppedinandaskedforyou，whatnamewilltheysay？"
Hesmiled。"Don’twaittohear。"
"ButsupposeIwantedtosingoutforyou，whatwillIcallyou？"
Hehesitated。"Callme——Lo。"
"Lo，thepoorIndian？"*
"Exactly。"
*ThefirstwordofPope’sfamiliarapostropheishumorouslyusedintheFarWestasadistinguishingtitlefortheIndian。
Itsuddenlyoccurredtothewoman，Teresa，thatintheyoungman’sheight，supple，yeterectcarriage，color，andsingulargravityofdemeanortherewasarefined，aboriginalsuggestion。
HedidnotlooklikeanyIndianshehadeverseen，butratherasayouthfulchiefmighthavelooked。Therewasafurthersuggestioninhisfringedbuckskinshirtandmoccasins;butbeforeshecouldutterthehalf-sarcasticcommentthatrosetoherlipshehadglidednoiselesslyaway，evenasanIndianmighthavedone。
Shereadjustedtheslipsofhangingbarkwithfeminineingenuity，dispersingthemsoastocompletelyhidetheentrance。Yetthisdidnotdarkenthechamber，whichseemedtodrawapurerandmorevigorouslightthroughthesoaringshaftthatpiercedtheroofthanthatwhichcamefromthedimwoodlandaislesbelow。
Nevertheless，sheshivered，anddrawinghershawlcloselyaroundherbegantocollectsomehalf-burntfragmentsofwoodinthechimneytomakeafire。Butthepreoccupationofherthoughtsrenderedthisatediousprocess，asshewouldfromtimetotimestopinthemiddleofanactionandfallintoanattitudeofraptabstraction，withfar-offeyesandrigidmouth。Whenshehadatlastsucceededinkindlingafireandraisingafilmofpalebluesmoke，thatseemedtofadeanddissipateentirelybeforeitreachedthetopofthechimneyshaft，shecrouchedbesideit，fixedhereyesonthedarkestcornerofthecavern，andbecamemotionless。
Whatdidsheseethroughthatshadow？
Nothingatfirstbutaconfusedmedleyoffiguresandincidentsoftheprecedingnight;thingstobeputawayandforgotten;
thingsthatwouldnothavehappenedbutforanotherthing——thethingbeforewhicheverythingfaded！Aball-room;thesoundsofmusic;theonemanshehadcaredforinsultingherwiththeflauntingostentationofhisunfaithfulness;herselfdespised，putaside，laughedat，orworse，jilted。Andthenthemomentofdelirium，whenthelightdanced;theonewildactthatliftedher，thedespisedone，abovethemall——madeherthesupremefigure，tobeglancedatbyfrightenedwomen，staredatbyhalf-
startled，half-admiringmen！"Yes，"shelaughed;butstruckbythesoundofherownvoice，movedtwiceroundthecavernnervously，andthendroppedagainintoheroldposition。
Astheycarriedhimawayhehadlaughedather——likeahoundthathewas;hewhohadpraisedherforherspirit，andincitedherrevengeagainstothers;hewhohadtaughthertostrikewhenshewasinsulted;anditwasonlyfitheshouldreapwhathehadsown。Shewaswhathe，whatothermen，hadmadeher。Andwhatwasshenow？Whathadshebeenonce？
Shetriedtorecallherchildhood：themanandwomanwhomighthavebeenherfatherandmother;whofoughtandwrangledoverherprecociouslittlelife;abusedorcaressedherasshesidedwitheither;andthenleftherwithacircustroupe，whereshefirsttastedthepowerofhercourage，herbeauty，andherrecklessness。Sherememberedthoseflashesoftriumphthatleftafeverinherveins——afeverthatwhenitfailedmustbestimulatedbydissipation，byanything，byeverythingthatwouldkeephernameawonderinmen’smouths，anenviousfeartowomen。
Sherecalledhertransfertothestrollingplayers;hercheappleasures，andcheaperrivalriesandhatred——butalwaysTeresa！
thedaringTeresa！therecklessTeresa！audaciousasawoman，invincibleasaboy;dancing，flirting，fencing，shooting，swearing，drinking，smoking，fightingTeresa！"Oh，yes;shehadbeenloved，perhaps——whoknows？——butalwaysfeared。Whyshouldshechangenow？Ha，heshouldsee。"
Shehadlashedherselfinafrenzy，aswasherwont，withgestures，ejaculations，oaths，adjurations，andpassionateapostrophes，butwiththisstrangeandunexpectedresult。
Heretoforeshehadalwaysbeensustainedandkeptupbyanaudienceofsomekindorquality，ifonlyperhapsahumblecompanion;therehadalwaysbeensomeoneshecouldfascinateorhorrify，andshecouldreadherpowermirroredintheireyes。
Eventhehalf-abstractedindifferenceofherstrangehosthadbeensomething。Butshewasalonenow。Herwordsfellonapatheticsolitude;shewasactingtoviewlessspace。Sherushedtotheopening，dashedthehangingbarkaside，andleapedtotheground。
Sheranforwardwildlyafewsteps，andstopped。
"Hallo！"shecried。"Look，’tisI，Teresa！"
Theprofoundsilenceremainedunbroken。Hershrillesttoneswerelostinanecholessspace，evenasthesmokeofherfirehadfadedintopureether。Shestretchedoutherclenchedfistsasiftodefythepillaredausteritiesofthevaultsaroundher。
"Comeandtakemeifyoudare！"
Thechallengewasunheeded。Ifshehadthrownherselfviolentlyagainstthenearesttree-trunk，shecouldnothavebeenstrickenmorebreathlessthanshewasbythecompact，embattledsolitudethatencompassedher。Thehopelessnessofimpressingthesecoldandpassivevaultswithherselfishpassionfilledherwithavaguefear。Inherrageofthepreviousnightshehadnotseenthewoodinitsprofoundimmobility。Leftalonewiththemajestyofthoseenormouscolumns，shetrembledandturnedfaint。Thesilenceofthehollowtreeshehadjustquittedseemedtoherlessawfulthanthecrushingpresenceofthesemuteandmonstrouswitnessesofherweakness。Likeawoundedquailwithloweredcrestandtrailingwing，shecreptbacktoherhidingplace。
Eventhentheinfluenceofthewoodwasstilluponher。Shepickedupthenovelshehadcontemptuouslythrownaside，onlytoletitfallagaininutterweariness。Foramomentherfemininecuriositywasexcitedbythediscoveryofanoldbook，inwhoseblankleaveswerepressedavarietyofflowersandwoodlandgrasses。Asshecouldnotconceivethatthesehadbeenkeptforanybutasentimentalpurpose，shewasdisappointedtofindthatunderneatheachwasasentenceinanunknowntongue，thateventoheruntutoredeyedidnotappeartobethelanguageofpassion。
Finallysherearrangedthecouchofskinsandblankets，and，impartingtoitinthreeclevershakesanentirelydifferentcharacter，laydowntopursueherreveries。Butnatureassertedherself，anderesheknewitshewasasleep。
Sointenseandprolongedhadbeenherpreviousexcitementthat，thetensiononcerelieved，shepassedintoaslumberofexhaustionsodeepthatsheseemedscarcetobreathe。Highnoonsucceededmorning，thecentralshaftreceivedasinglerayofuppersunlight，theafternooncameandwent，theshadowsgatheredbelow，thesunsetfiresbegantoeattheirwaythroughthegroinedroof，andshestillslept。Shesleptevenwhenthebarkhangingsofthechamberwereputaside，andtheyoungmanreentered。
Helaiddownabundlehewascarryingandsoftlyapproachedthesleeper。Foramomenthewasstartledfromhisindifference;shelaysostillandmotionless。Butthiswasnotallthatstruckhim;thefacebeforehimwasnolongerthepassionate，haggardvisagethatconfrontedhimthatmorning;thefeverishair，theburningcolor，thestrainedmusclesofmouthandbrow，andthestaringeyesweregone;wipedaway，perhaps，bythetearsthatstilllefttheirtracesoncheekanddarkeyelash。Itwasthefaceofahandsomewomanofthirty，withevenasuggestionofsoftnessinthecontourofthecheekandarchingofherupperlip，nolongerrigidlydrawndowninanger，butrelaxedbysleeponherwhiteteeth。
Withthelithe，softtreadthatwashabitualtohim，theyoungmanmovedabout，examiningtheconditionofthelittlechamberanditsstockofprovisionsandnecessaries，andwithdrewpresently，toreappearasnoiselesslywithatinbucketofwater。
Thisdone，hereplenishedthelittlepileoffuelwithanarmfulofbarkandpinecones，castanapprovingglanceabouthim，whichincludedthesleeper，andsilentlydeparted。
Itwasnightwhensheawoke。Shewassurroundedbyaprofounddarkness，exceptwheretheshaft-likeopeningmadeanebulousmistinthecornerofherwoodencavern。Providentiallyshestruggledbacktoconsciousnessslowly，sothatthesolitudeandsilencecameuponhergradually，withagrowingrealizationoftheeventsofthepasttwenty-fourhours，butwithoutashock。
Shewasalonehere，butsafestill，andeveryhouraddedtoherchancesofultimateescape。Sherememberedtohaveseenacandleamongthearticlesontheshelf，andshebegantogropeherwaytowardsthematches。Suddenlyshestopped。Whatwasthatpanting？
Wasitherownbreathing，quickenedwithasuddennamelessterror？orwastheresomethingoutside？Herheartseemedtostopbeatingwhileshelistened。Yes！itwasapantingoutside——apantingnowincreased，multiplied，redoubled，mixedwiththesoundsofrustling，tearing，craunching，andoccasionallyaquick，impatientsnarl。Shecreptonherhandsandkneestotheopeningandlookedout。Atfirstthegroundseemedtobeundulatingbetweenherandtheoppositetree。Butasecondglanceshowedhertheblackandgray，bristling，tossingbacksoftumblingbeastsofprey，chargingthecarcassofthebearthatlayatitsroots，orcontestingfortheprizewithgluttonous，chokedbreath，sidelongsnarls，archedspines，andrecurvedtails。Oneoftheboldesthadleapeduponabuttressingrootofhertreewithinafootoftheopening。Theexcitement，awe，andterrorshehadundergoneculminatedinonewild，maddenedscream，thatseemedtopierceeventhecolddepthsoftheforest，asshedroppedonherface，withherhandsclaspedoverhereyesinanagonyoffear。
Herscreamwasanswered，afterapause，byasuddenvolleyoffirebrandsandsparksintothemidstofthepanting，crowdingpack;afewsmotheredhowlsandsnaps，andasuddendispersionoftheconcourse。Inanothermomenttheyoungman，withablazingbrandineitherhand，leapeduponthebodyofthebear。
Teresaraisedherhead，utteredahystericalcry，sliddownthetree，flewwildlytohisside，caughtconvulsivelyathissleeve，andfellonherkneesbesidehim。
"Saveme！saveme！"shegasped，inavoicebrokenbyterror。
"Savemefromthosehideouscreatures。No，no！"sheimplored，asheendeavoredtolifthertoherfeet。"No——letmestayhereclosebesideyou。So，"clutchingthefringeofhisleatherhunting-shirt，anddraggingherselfonherkneesnearerhim——
"so——don’tleaveme，forGod’ssake！"
"Theyaregone，"hereplied，gazingdowncuriouslyather，asshewoundthefringearoundherhandtostrengthenherhold;"they’reonlyalotofcowardlycoyotesandwolves，thatdarenotattackanythingthatlivesandcanmove。"
Theyoungwomanrespondedwithanervousshudder。"Yes，that’sit，"shewhispered，inabrokenvoice;"it’sonlythedeadtheywant。Promiseme——sweartome，ifI’mcaught，orhung，orshot，youwon’tletmebeleftheretobetornand——ah！myGod！what’sthat？"
Shehadthrownherarmsaroundhisknees，completelypinioninghimtoherfranticbreast。Somethinglikeasmileofdisdainpassedacrosshisfaceasheanswered，"It’snothing。Theywillnotreturn。Getup！"
Eveninherterrorshesawthechangeinhisface。"Iknow，I
know！"shecried。"I’mfrightened——butIcannotbearitanylonger。Hearme！Listen！Listen——butdon’tmove！Ididn’tmeantokillCurson——no！IsweartoGod，no！Ididn’tmeantokillthesheriff——andIdidn’t。Iwasonlybragging——doyouhear？Ilied！Ilied——don’tmove，IsweartoGodIlied。I’vemademyselfoutworsethanIwas。Ihave。Onlydon’tleavemenow——andifIdie——andit’snotfaroff，maybe——getmeawayfromhere——andfromTHEM。Swearit！"
"Allright，"saidtheyoungman，withascarcelyconcealedmovementofirritation。"Butgetupnow，andgobacktothecabin。"
"No;notTHEREalone。"Nevertheless，hequietlybutfirmlyreleasedhimself。
"Iwillstayhere，"hereplied。"Iwouldhavebeennearertoyou，butIthoughtitbetterforyoursafetythatmycamp-fireshouldbefurtheroff。ButIcanbuildithere，andthatwillkeepthecoyotesoff。"
"Letmestaywithyou——besideyou，"shesaidimploringly。
Shelookedsobroken，crushed，andspiritless，sounlikethewomanofthemorningthat，albeitwithanillgrace，hetacitlyconsented，andturnedawaytobringhisblankets。Butinthenextmomentshewasathisside，followinghimlikeadog，silentandwistful，andevenofferingtocarryhisburden。Whenhehadbuiltthefire，forwhichshehadcollectedthepine-conesandbrokenbranchesnearthem，hesatdown，foldedhisarms，andleanedbackagainstthetreeinreservedanddeliberatesilence。
Humbleandsubmissive，shedidnotattempttobreakinuponareverieshecouldnothelpbutfeelhadlittlekindlinesstoherself。Asthefiresnappedandsparkled，shepillowedherheaduponaroot，andlaystilltowatchit。
Itroseandfell，anddyingawayattimestoamereluridglow，andagain，agitatedbysomebreathscarcelyperceptibletothem，quickeningintoaroaringflame。Whenonlytheembersremained，adeadsilencefilledthewood。Thenthefirstbreathofmorningmovedthetangledcanopyabove，andadozentinyspraysandneedlesdetachedfromtheinterlockedboughswingedtheirsoftwaynoiselesslytotheearth。Afewfellupontheprostratewomanlikeagentlebenediction，andsheslept。Buteventhen，theyoungman，lookingdown，sawthattheslenderfingerswerestillaimlesslybutrigidlytwistedintheleatherfringeofhishunting-shirt。
CHAPTERII。
ItwasapeculiarityoftheCarquinezWoodthatitstoodapartanddistinctinitsgiganticindividuality。Evenwheretheintegrityofitsownsingularspecieswasnotentirelypreserved，itadmittednoinferiortrees。Norwasthereanydiminishingfringeonitsoutskirts;thesentinelsthatguardedthefewgatewaysofthedimtrailswereasmonstrousastheserriedranksdrawnupintheheartoftheforest。Consequently，theredhighwaythatskirtedtheeasternanglewasbareandshadeless，untilitslippedaleagueoffintoawateredvalleyandrefresheditselfunderlessersycamoresandwillows。ItwasherethenewlyborncityofExcelsior，stillinitscradle，had，likeaninfantHercules，strangledtheserpentineNorthForkoftheAmericanriver，andturneditslifecurrentintotheditchesandflumesoftheExcelsiormines。
Newestofthenewhousesthatseemedtohaveaccidentallyformeditssingle，stragglingstreetwastheresidenceoftheRev。
WinslowWynn，notunfrequentlyknownas"FatherWynn，"pastoroftheFirstBaptistchurch。The"pastorage，"asitwascheerfullycalled，hadtheglaringdistinctionofbeingbuiltofbrick，andwas，ashadbeenwickedlypointedoutbyidlescoffers，theonly"fireproof"structureintown。Thissarcasmwasnot，however，supposedtobeparticularlydistastefulto"FatherWynn，"whoenjoyedthereputationofbeing"hailfellow，wellmet"withtheroughminingelement，whocalledthembytheirChristiannames，hadbeenknowntodrinkatthebarofthePolkaSaloonwhileengagedintheconversionofaprominentcitizen，andwaspopularlysaidtohaveno"gospelstarch"abouthim。Certainconsciousoutcastsandtransgressorsweretouchedatthisapparentunbendingofthespiritualauthority。TherigidtenetsofFatherWynn’sfaithwerelostinthesupposedcatholicityofhishumanity。"Apreacherthatcanjineamanwhenhe’shistin’
liquorintohim，withoutjawin’aboutit，oughttobeallowedtowrestlewithsinnersandsplashaboutinasmuchcoldwaterashelikes，"wasthecriticismofoneofhisconverts。Nevertheless，itwastruethatFatherWynnwassomewhatloudandintolerantinhistolerance。Itwastruethathewasalittlemorerough，alittlemorefrank，alittlemorehearty，alittlemoreimpulsivethanhisdisciples。Itwastruethatoftentheproclamationofhisextremeliberalityandbrotherlyequalitypartooksomewhatofanapology。Itistruethatafewwhomighthavebeenmostbenefitedbythiskindofgospelregardedhimwithasingulardisdain。Itistruethathisliberalitywasofanornamental，insinuatingquality，accompaniedwithbutlittlesacrifice;hisacceptanceofacollectiontakenupinagamblingsaloonfortherebuildingofhischurch，destroyedbyfire，gavehimapopularitylargeenough，itmustbeconfessed，tocoverthesinsofthegamblersthemselves，butitwasnotproventhatHEhadeverorganizedanyformofrelief。ButitwastruethatlocalhistorysomehowacceptedhimasanexponentofminingChristianity，withouttheleastreferencetotheopinionsoftheChristianminersthemselves。
TheRev。Mr。Wynn’sliberalhabitsandopinionswerenot，however，sharedbyhisonlydaughter，amotherlessyoungladyofeighteen。NellieWynnwasintheeyeofExcelsioranunapproachabledivinity，asinaccessibleandcoldasherfatherwasimpulsiveandfamiliar。Anatmosphereofchasteandproudvirginitymadeitselffelteveninthestarchedintegrityofherspotlessskirts，inherneatlyglovedfinger-tips，inherclearambereyes，inherimperiousredlips，inhersensitivenostrils。
NeeditbesaidthattheyouthandmiddleageofExcelsiorweremadly，becauseapparentlyhopelessly，inlovewithher？Fortherest，shehadbeenexpensivelyeducated，wasprofoundlyignorantintwolanguages，withatrainedmisunderstandingofmusicandpainting，andanaturalandfaultlesstasteindress。
TheRev。Mr。Wynnwasengagedinacharacteristicheartypartingwithoneofhislatestconverts，uponhisowndoorstep，withadmirablealfrescoeffect。Hehadjustclappedhimontheshoulder。"Good-by，good-by，Charley，myboy，andkeepintherightpath;notup，ordown，orroundthegulch，youknow——ha，ha！——butstraightacrosslotstotheshininggate。"Hehadraisedhisvoiceunderthestimulusofafewadmiringspectators，andbackedhisconvertplayfullyagainstthewall。"Yousee！
we’regoin’intowin，youbet。Good-by！I’daskyoutostepinandhaveachat，butI’vegotmyworktodo，andsohaveyou。
Thegospelmustn’tkeepusfromthat，mustit，Charley？Ha，ha！"
Theconvert（whoelsewherewasaprofaneexpressman，andhadbecomequiteimbecileunderMr。Wynn’sactiveheartinessandbrotherlyhorse-playbeforespectators）managed，however，tofeeblystammerwithablushsomethingabout"MissNellie。"
"Ah，Nellie。She，too，isathertasks——trimmingherlamp——youknow，theparableofthewisevirgins，"continuedFatherWynnhastily，fearingthattheconvertmighttaketheillustrationliterally。"There，there——good-by。Keepintherightpath。"
AndwithapartingshovehedismissedCharleyandenteredhisownhouse。
That"wisevirgin，"Nellie，hadevidentlyfinishedwiththelamp，andwasnowgoingouttomeetthebridegroom，asshewasfullydressedandgloved，andhadapinkparasolinherhand，asherfatherenteredthesitting-room。Hisbluffheartinessseemedtofadeawayasheremovedhissoft，broad-brimmedhatandglancedacrossthetoofresh-lookingapartment。Therewasasmellofmortarstillintheair，andafaintsuggestionthatatanymomentgreengrassmightappearbetweentheintersticesofthered-brickhearth。Theroom，yieldingalittleinthepointofcoldness，seemedtoshareMissNellie’sfreshvirginity，and，barringthepinkparasol，setheroffasinavestal’scell。
"Isupposedyouwouldn’tcaretoseeBrace，theexpressman，soI
gotridofhimatthedoor，"saidherfather，drawingoneofthenewchairstowardshimslowly，andsittingdowncarefully，asifitwereahithertountriedexperiment。
MissNellie’sfacetookatintofinterest。"Thenhedoesn’tgowiththecoachtoIndianSpringto-day？"
"No;why？"
"IthoughtofgoingovermyselftogettheBurnhamgirlstocometochoir-meeting，"repliedMissNelliecarelessly，"andhemighthavebeencompany。"
"He’dgonow，ifheknewyouweregoing，"saidherfather;"butit’sjustaswellheshouldn’tbeneedlesslyencouraged。I
ratherthinkthatSheriffDunnisalittlejealousofhim。Bytheway，thesheriffismuchbetter。Icalledtocheerhimupto-day"（Mr。Wynnhadinfacttumultuouslyacceleratedthesickman’spulse），"andhetalkedofyou，asusual。Infact，hesaidhehadonlytwothingstogetwellfor。OnewastocatchandhangthatwomanTeresa，whoshothim;theother——can’tyouguesstheother？"headdedarchly，withafaintsuggestionofhisothermanner。
MissNelliecoldlycouldnot。
TheRev。Mr。Wynn’sarchnessvanished。"Don’tbeafool，"hesaiddryly。"Hewantstomarryyou，andyouknowit。"
"Mostofthemenheredo，"respondedMissNellie，withouttheleasttraceofcoquetry。"Istheweddingorthehangingtotakeplacefirst，ortogether，sohecanofficiateatboth？"
"HisshareintheUnionDitchisworthahundredthousanddollars，"continuedherfather;"andifheisn’tnominatedfordistrictjudgethisfall，he’sboundtogotothelegislature，anyway。Idon’tthinkagirlwithyouradvantagesandeducationcanaffordtothrowawaythechanceofshininginSacramento，SanFrancisco，or，ingoodtime，perhapsevenWashington。"
MissNellie’seyesdidnotreflectentiredisapprovalofthissuggestion，althoughsherepliedwithsomethingofherfather’spracticalquality。
"Mr。Dunnisnotoutofhisbedyet，andtheysayTeresa’sgotawaytoArizona，sothereisn’tanyparticularhurry。"
"Perhapsnot;butseehere，Nellie，I’vesomeimportantnewsforyou。YouknowyouryoungfriendoftheCarquinezWoods——Dorman，thebotanist，eh？Well，Braceknowsallabouthim。Andwhatdoyouthinkheis？"
MissNellietookuponherselfafewextradegreesofcold，anddidn’tknow。
"AnInjin！Yes，anout-and-outCherokee。YouseehecallshimselfDorman——LowDorman。That’sonlyFrenchfor’SleepingWater，’hisInjinname！——’LowDorman。’"
"Youmean’L’EauDormante，’"saidNellie。
"That’swhatIsaid。Thechiefcalledhim’SleepingWater’whenhewasaboy，andoneofthemFrenchCanadiantrapperstranslateditintoFrenchwhenhebroughthimtoCaliforniatoschool。Buthe’sanInjin，sure。Nowonderhepreferstoliveinthewoods。"
"Well？"saidNellie。
"Well，"echoedherfatherimpatiently，"he’sanInjin，Itellyou，andyoucan’tofcoursehaveanythingtodowithhim。Hemustn’tcomehereagain。"
"Butyouforget，"saidNellieimperturbably，"thatitwasyouwhoinvitedhimhere，andweresomuchexercisedoverhim。YourememberyouintroducedhimtotheBishopandthoseEasternclergymenasamagnificentspecimenofayoungCalifornian。YouforgetwhatanoccasionyoumadeofhiscomingtochurchonSunday，andhowyoumadehimcomeinhisbuckskinshirtandwalkdownthestreetwithyouafterservice！"
"Yes，yes，"saidtheRev。Mr。Wynn，hurriedly。
"And，"continuedNelliecarelessly，"howyoumadeussingoutofthesamebook’ChildrenofourFather’sFold，’andhowyoupreachedathimuntilheactuallygotacolor！"
"Yes，"saidherfather;"butitwasn’tknownthenhewasanInjin，andtheyarefrightfullyunpopularwiththoseSouthwesternmenamongwhomwelabor。Indeed，IamquiteconvincedthatwhenBracesaid’theonlygoodIndianwasadeadone’hisexpression，thoughextravagant，perhaps，reallyvoicedthesentimentsofthemajority。Itwouldbeonlykindnesstotheunfortunatecreaturetowarnhimfromexposinghimselftotheirrudebutconscientiousantagonism。"
"Perhapsyou’dbettertellhim，then，inyourownpopularway，whichtheyallseemtounderstandsowell，"respondedthedaughter。Mr。Wynncastaquickglanceather，buttherewasnotraceofironyinherface——nothingbutahalf-boredindifferenceasshewalkedtowardthewindow。
"Iwillgowithyoutothecoach-office，"saidherfather，whogenerallygavethesesimplepaternaldutiesthepronouncedcharacterofapublicChristianexample。
"It’shardlyworthwhile，"repliedMissNellie。"I’vetostopattheWatsons’，atthefootofthehill，andaskafterthebaby;soIshallgoontotheCrossingandpickupthecoachwhenitpasses。Good-by。"
Nevertheless，assoonasNelliehaddeparted，theRev。Mr。Wynnproceededtothecoach-office，andpubliclygraspingthehandofYubaBill，thedriver，commendedhisdaughtertohiscareinthenameoftheuniversalbrotherhoodofmanandtheChristianfraternity。Carriedawaybyhisheartiness，heforgothispreviouscaution，andconfidedtotheexpressmanMissNellie’sregretsthatshewasnottohavethatgentleman’scompany。TheresultwasthatMissNelliefoundthecoachwithitspassengersawaitingherwithupliftedhatsandwreathedsmilesattheCrossing，andtheboxseat（fromwhichanunfortunatestranger，whohadexpensivelypaidforit，hadbeensummarilyejected）atherservicebesideYubaBill，whohadthrownawayhiscigaranddonnedanewpairofbuckskinglovestodoherhonor。ButamoreseriousresulttotheyoungbeautywastheeffectoftheRev。Mr。
Wynn’sconfidencesupontheimpulsiveheartofJackBrace，theexpressman。Ithasbeenalreadyintimatedthatitwashis"dayoff。"Unabletosummarilyreassumehisusualfunctionsbesidethedriverwithoutsomepracticalreason，andashamedtogosopalpablyasamerepassenger，hewasforcedtoletthecoachproceedwithouthim。Discomfitedforthemoment，hewasnot，however，beaten。Hehadlosttheblissfuljourneybyherside，whichwouldhavebeenhisprofessionalright，but——shewasgoingtoIndianSpring！couldhenotanticipateherthere？Mighttheynotmeetinthemostaccidentalmanner？Andwhatmightnotcomefromthatmeetingawayfromthepryingeyesoftheirowntown？
Mr。Bracedidnothesitate，butsaddlinghisfleetBuckskin，bythetimethestage-coachhadpassedtheCrossinginthehigh-roadhehadmountedthehillandwasdashingalongthe"cutoff"inthesamedirection，afullmileinadvance。ArrivingatIndianSpring，helefthishorseataMexicanposadaontheconfinesofthesettlement，andfromthepileddebrisofatunnelexcavationawaitedtheslowarrivalofthecoach。Onmaturereflectionhecouldgivenoreasonwhyhehadnotboldlyawaiteditattheexpressoffice，exceptacertainbashfulconsciousnessofhisownfolly，andabeliefthatitmightbeglaringlyapparenttothebystanders。Whenthecoacharrivedandhehadovercomethisconsciousness，itwastoolate。YubaBillhaddischargedhispassengersforIndianSpringanddrivenaway。MissNelliewasinthesettlement，butwhere？Astimepassedhebecamemoredesperateandbolder。Hewalkedrecklesslyupanddownthemainstreet，glancinginattheopendoorsofshops，andeveninthewindowsofprivatedwellings。ItmighthaveseemedapoorcomplimenttoMissNellie，butitwasanevidenceofhiscompletepreoccupation，whenthesightofafemalefaceatawindow，eventhoughitwasplainorperhapspainted，causedhishearttobound，ortheglancingofaskirtinthedistancequickenedhisfeetandhispulses。HadJackcontentedhimselfwithremainingatExcelsiorhemighthavevaguelyregretted，butassoonbecomeasvaguelyaccustomedto，MissNellie’sabsence。Butitwasnotuntilhishithertoquietandpassivelovetookthisfirststepofactionthatitfullydeclareditself。Whenhehadmadethetourofthetownadozentimesunsuccessfully，hehadperfectlymadeuphismindthatmarriagewithNellieorthespeedydeathofseveralpeople，includingpossiblyhimself，wastheonlyalternative。Heregrettedhehadnotaccompaniedher;heregrettedhehadnotdemandedwhereshewasgoing;hecontemplatedacourseoffutureactionthattwohoursagowouldhavefilledhimwithbashfulterror。Therewasclearlybutonethingtodo——todeclarehispassiontheinstanthemether，andreturnwithhertoExcelsioranacceptedsuitor，ornottoreturnatall。
Suddenlyhewasvexatiouslyconsciousofhearinghisnamelazilycalled，andlookingupfoundthathewasontheoutskirtsofthetown，andinterrogatedbytwohorsemen。
"Gotdowntowalk，andthecoachgotawayfromyou，Jack，eh？"
Alittleashamedofhispreoccupation，Bracestammeredsomethingabout"collections。"Hedidnotrecognizethemen，buthisownface，name，andbusinesswerefamiliartoeverybodyforfiftymilesalongthestage-road。
"Well，youcansettleabetforus，Ireckon。BillDacretharbetmefivedollarsandthedrinksthatayounggalwemetattheedgeoftheCarquinezWoods，dressedinalongbrowndusterandhalfmuffledupinahood，wasthedaughterofFatherWynnofExcelsior。Ididnotgetafairlookather，butitstandstoreasonthatahigh-tonedyoungladylikeNellieWynndon’tgotrap’singalongthewoodlikeaPikeCountytramp。Itookthebet。Maybeyouknowifshe’shereorinExcelsior？"
Mr。Bracefelthimselfturningpalewitheagernessandexcitement。Butthenearprospectofseeingherpresentlygavehimbackhiscaution，andheansweredtruthfullythathehadleftherinExcelsior，andthatinhistwohours’sojourninIndianSpringhehadnotmetheronce。"But，"headded，withaCalifornian’sreverenceforthesanctityofabet，"Ireckonyou’dbettermakeitastand-offfortwenty-fourhours，andI’llfindoutandletyouknow。"Which，itisonlyfairtosay，hehonestlyintendedtodo。
Withahurriednodofparting，hecontinuedinthedirectionoftheWoods。Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatthestrangershadenteredthesettlement，andwouldnotfollowhimforfurtherexplanation，hequickenedhispace。Inhalfanhourhepassedbetweentwoofthegiganticsentinelsthatguardedtheentrancetoatrail。Herehepausedtocollecthisthoughts。TheWoodswerevastinextent，thetraildimanduncertain——attimesapparentlybreakingoff，orintersectinganothertrailasfaintasitself。BelievingthatMissNelliehaddivergedfromthehighwayonlyasamomentaryexcursionintotheshade，andthatshewouldnotdaretopenetrateitsmoresombreandunknownrecesses，hekeptwithinsightoftheskirtingplain。Bydegreesthesedateinfluenceofthesilentvaultsseemedtodepresshim。
Theardorofthechasebegantoflag。Underthecalmoftheirdimroofthefeverofhisveinsbegantosubside;hispaceslackened;hereasonedmoredeliberately。ItwasbynomeansprobablethattheyoungwomaninabrowndusterwasNellie;itwasnotherhabitualtravelingdress;itwasnotlikehertowalkunattendedintheroad;therewasnothinginhertastesandhabitstotakeherintothisgloomyforest，allowingthatshehadevenenteredit;andonthisabsolutequestionofheridentitythetwowitnessesweredivided。Hestoppedirresolutely，andcastalast，long，half-despairinglookaroundhim。Hithertohehadgiventhatpartofthewoodnearesttheplainhisgreatestattention。Hisglancenowsoughtitsdarkerrecesses。Suddenlyhebecamebreathless。Wasitabeamofsunlightthathadpiercedthegroinedroofabove，andnowrestedagainstthetrunkofoneofthedimmer，moresecludedgiants？No，itwasmoving;evenashegazeditslippedaway，glancedagainstanothertree，passedacrossoneofthevaultedaisles，andthenwaslostagain。Briefaswastheglimpse，hewasnotmistaken——itwasthefigureofawoman。
Inanothermomenthewasonhertrack，andsoonhadthesatisfactionofseeingherreappearatalesserdistance。Butthecontinualinterventionofthemassivetrunksmadethechasebynomeansaneasyone，andashecouldnotkeepheralwaysinsighthewasunabletofolloworunderstandtheoneintelligentdirectionwhichsheseemedtoinvariablykeep。Nevertheless，hegaineduponherbreathlessly，and，thankstothebark-strewnfloor，noiselessly。Hewasnearenoughtodistinguishandrecognizethedressshewore，apaleyellow，thathehadadmiredwhenhefirstsawher。ItwasNellie，unmistakably;ifitweresheofthebrownduster，shehaddiscardedit，perhapsforgreaterfreedom。Hewasnearenoughtocalloutnow，butasuddennervoustimidityovercamehim;hislipsgrewdry。Whatshouldhesaytoher？Howaccountforhispresence？"MissNellie，onemoment！"hegasped。Shedartedforwardand——vanished。
Atthismomenthewasnotmorethanadozenyardsfromher。Herushedtowhereshehadbeenstanding，butherdisappearancewasperfectandcomplete。Hemadeacircuitofthegroupoftreeswithinwhoseradiusshehadlastappeared，buttherewasneithertraceofher，norasuggestionofhermodeofescape。Hecalledaloudtoher;thevacantWoodslethishelplessvoicedieintheirunresponsivedepths。Hegazedintotheairanddownatthebark-strewncarpetathisfeet。Likemostofhisvocation，hewassparingofspeech，andepigrammaticafterhisfashion。
Comprehendinginoneswiftbutdespairingflashofintelligencetheexistenceofsomefatefulpowerbeyondhisownweakendeavor，heaccepteditslogicalresultwithcharacteristicgrimness，threwhishatupontheground，puthishandsinhispockets，andsaid——
"Well，I’md——d！"
CHAPTERIII。
OutofcomplimenttoMissNellieWynn，YubaBill，onreachingIndianSpring，hadmadeaslightdetourtoenablehimtoostentatiouslysetdownhisfairpassengerbeforethedooroftheBurnhams。Whenithadclosedontheadmiringeyesofthepassengersandthecoachhadrattledaway，MissNellie，withoutanyunduehasteorapparentchangeinherusualquietdemeanor，managed，however，todispatchherbusinesspromptly，and，leavinganimpressionthatshewouldcallagainbeforeherreturntoExcelsior，partedfromherfriendsandslippedawaythroughasidestreettotheGeneralFurnishingStoreofIndianSpring。Inpassingthisemporium，MissNellie’squickeyehaddiscoveredacheapbrownlinendusterhanginginitswindow。Topurchaseit，andputitoverherdelicatecambricdress，albeitwithashiveringsensethatshelookedlikeabadlyfoldedbrown-paperparcel，didnottakelong。Asshelefttheshopitwaswithmixedemotionsofchagrinandsecuritythatshenoticedthatherpassagethroughthesettlementnolongerturnedtheheadsofitsmaleinhabitants。ShereachedtheoutskirtsofIndianSpringandthehigh-roadataboutthetimeMr。Bracehadbegunhisfruitlesspatrolofthemainstreet。Farinthedistanceafaintolive-
greentablemountainseemedtoriseabruptlyfromtheplain。ItwastheCarquinezWoods。Gatheringherspotlessskirtsbeneathherextemporizedbrowndomino，shesetoutbrisklytowardsthem。
Butherprogresswasscarcelyfreeorexhilarating。Shewasnotaccustomedtowalkinginacountrywhere"buggy-riding"wasconsideredtheonlygenteelyoung-lady-likemodeofprogression，anditsregularprovisiontheexpectedcourtesyofmankind。
Alwaysfastidiouslybooted，herlow-quarteredshoeswerecharmingtotheeye，buthardlyadaptedtothedustandinequalitiesofthehighroad。ItwastruethatshehadthoughtofbuyingacoarserpairatIndianSpring，butoncefacetofacewiththeiruncompromisingugliness，shehadfalteredandfled。Thesunwasunmistakablyhot，butherparasolwastoowellknownandofferedtooviolentacontrasttothedusterforpracticaluse。Onceshestoppedwithanexclamationofannoyance，hesitated，andlookedback。Inhalfanhourshehadtwicelosthershoeandhertemper;apinkflushtookpossessionofhercheeks，andhereyeswerebrightwithsuppressedrage。Dustbegantoformgrimycirclesaroundtheirorbits;withcat-likeshiverssheevenfeltitpervadetherootsofherblondhair。Graduallyherbreathgrewmorerapidandhysterical，hersmartingeyesbecamehumid，andatlast，encounteringtwoobservanthorsemenintheroad，sheturnedandfled，until，reachingthewood，shebegantocry。
Neverthelessshewaitedforthetwohorsementopass，tosatisfyherselfthatshewasnotfollowed;thenpushedonvaguely，untilshereachedafallentree，where，withagestureofdisgust，shetoreoffherhaplessdusterandflungitontheground。Shethensatdownsobbing，butafteramomentdriedhereyeshurriedlyandstartedtoherfeet。Afewpacesdistant，erect，noiseless，withoutstretchedhand，theyoungsolitaryoftheCarquinezWoodsadvancedtowardsher。Hishandhadalmosttouchedhers，whenhestopped。
"Whathashappened？"heaskedgravely。
"Nothing，"shesaid，turninghalfaway，andsearchingthegroundwithhereyes，asifshehadlostsomething。"OnlyImustbegoingbacknow。"
"Youshallgobackatonce，ifyouwishit，"hesaid，flushingslightly。"Butyouhavebeencrying;why？"
FrankasMissNelliewishedtobe，shecouldnotbringherselftosaythatherfeethurther，andthedustandheatwereruininghercomplexion。Itwasthereforewithahalf-confidentbeliefthathertroubleswerereallyofamoralqualitythatsheanswered，"Nothing——nothing，but——but——it’swrongtocomehere。"
"Butyoudidnotthinkitwaswrongwhenyouagreedtocome，atourlastmeeting，"saidtheyoungman，withthatpersistentlogicwhichexasperatestheinconsequentfemininemind。"Itcannotbeanymorewrongto-day。"
"Butitwasnotsofaroff，"murmuredtheyounggirl，withoutlookingup。
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