ItwasthevoiceofColonelStarbottle；itwasthefrilledshirtfront，thelightlybuttonedbluecoatwithitsexpandinglapels，likeburstingpetals，andthesmilingmaskofthatgentlemanrisingabovethetableandbowingtoClarenceBrantandhiswifewithinfinitecourtesy。"The——er——humiliatingsituationinwhichwefindourselves，gentlemen，——thereluctantwitnessesof——er——whatwetrustisonlyatemporarydisagreementbetweenourcharminghostessandthe——er——gentlemanwhomsherecognizedunderthehighesttitletoourconsideration，——isdistressingtousall，andwouldseemtoamplyjustifythatgentleman’sclaimstoapersonalsatisfaction，whichIknowwewouldalldelighttogive。Butthatsituationrestsuponthesuppositionthatourgatheringherewasofapurelysocialorfestivenature！Itmaybe，"continuedthecolonelwithablandlyreflectiveair，"thatthespectacleofthesedecantersandglasses，andthenectarfurnishedusbyourHebe-likehostess"（heliftedaglassofwhiskeyandwatertohislipswhilehebowedtoMrs。Brantgracefully），"hasledthegentlemantosuchadeduction。
ButwhenIsuggesttohimthatourmeetingwasofabusiness，orprivatenature，itstrikesmethatthequestionofintrusionmaybefairlydividedbetweenhimandourselves。Wemaybeevenjustified，inviewofthatprivacy，inaskinghimifhis——er——entrancetothishousewas——er——coincidentwithhisappearanceamongus。"
"Withmyfrontdoorinpossessionofstrangers，"saidClarence，moreinreplytoasuddencontemptuousglancefromhiswifethanStarbottle’sinsinuation，"Ienteredthehousethroughthewindow。"
"Ofmyboudoir，whereanotherintruderoncebrokehisneck，"
interruptedhiswifewithamockinglaugh。
"WhereIoncehelpedthisladytoregainpossessionofherhousewhenitwasheldbyanotherpartyofillegaltrespassers，who，however，werecontenttocallthemselves’jumpers，’anddidnotclaimtheprivacyofgentlemen。"
"Doyoumeantoimply，sir，"beganColonelStarbottlehaughtily，"that"——
"Imeantoimply，sir，"saidClarencewithquietscorn，"thatI
haveneitherthewishtoknownortheslightestconcerninanypurposethatbroughtyouhere，andthatwhenyouquitthehouseyoutakeyoursecretsandyourprivacywithyouintact，withoutletorhindrancefromme。"
"Doyoumeantosay，Mr。Brant，"saidJudgeBeeswinger，suppressingtheangryinterruptionofhisfellowswithadominantwaveofhishand，ashefixedhiseyesonClarencekeenly，"thatyouhavenosympathywithyourwife’spoliticalsentiments？"
"Ihavealreadygivenyoutheinformationnecessarytomakeyouquitthishouse，andthatisallyouhavearighttoknow，"
returnedClarencewithfoldedarms。
"ButIcananswerforhim，"saidMrs。Brant，rising，withaquiveringvoiceandcurlinglip。"ThereISnosympathybetweenus。
Weareasfarapartasthepoles。Wehavenothingincommonbutthishouseandhisname。"
"Butyouarehusbandandwife，boundtogetherbyasacredcompact。"
"Acompact！"echoedMrs。Brant，withabitterlaugh。"Yes，thecompactthatbindsSouthCarolinatothenigger-worshippingMassachusetts。Thecompactthatlinkstogetherwhiteandblack，thegentlemanandthetrader，theplanterandthepoorwhite——thecompactofthoseUNITEDStates。Bah！THAThasbeenbroken，andsocanthis。"
Clarence’sfacepaled。Butbeforehecouldspeaktherewasarapidclatteringatthegateandadismountedvaqueroenteredexcitedly。
TurningtoMrs。Branthesaidhurriedly，"MotherofGod！thecasaissurroundedbyarabbleofmountedmen，andthereisoneamongthemevennowwhodemandsadmittanceinthenameoftheLaw。"
"Thisisyourwork，"saidBrooks，facingClarencefuriously。"Youhavebroughtthemwithyou，but，byGod，theyshallnotsaveyou！"
HewouldhaveclutchedClarence，butthepowerfularmofJudgeBeeswingerintervened。Nevertheless，hestillstruggledtoreachClarence，appealingtotheothers："Areyoufoolstostandthereandlethimtriumph！Don’tyouseethecowardlyYankeetrickhe’splayeduponus？"
"Hehasnot，"saidMrs。Branthaughtily。"Ihavenoreasontolovehimorhisfriends；butIknowhedoesnotlie。"
"Gentlemen！——gentlemen！"imploredColonelStarbottlewithbeamingandunctuouspersuasion，"mayI——er——remark——thatallthisisfarfromthequestion？Arewetobealarmedbecauseanunknownrabble，nomatterwhencetheycome，demandentrancehereinthenameoftheLaw？IamnotawareofanylawoftheStateofCaliforniathatweareinfringing。Byallmeansadmitthem。"
Thegatewasthrownopen。Asinglethick-setman，apparentlyunarmedanddressedlikeanordinarytraveler，followedbyhalfadozenotherequallyunpretentious-lookingmen，entered。Theleaderturnedtothebalcony。
"IamtheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco。IhavewarrantsforthearrestofColonelCulpepperStarbottle，JoshuaBrooks，CaptainPinckney，ClarenceBrantandAlicehiswife，andotherschargedwithincitingtoriotandunlawfulpracticecalculatedtodisturbthepeaceoftheStateofCaliforniaanditsrelationswiththeFederalgovernment，"saidtheleader，inadryofficialvoice。
Clarencestarted。Inspiteofitsmonotonousutteranceitwasthevoiceofthered-beardedcontroversialistofthestage-coach。Butwherewerehischaracteristicbeardandhair？InvoluntarilyClarenceglancedatJudgeBeeswinger；thatgentlemanwasquietlyregardingthestrangerwithanimpassivefacethatbetrayednorecognitionwhatever。
"ButthecityofSanFranciscohasnojurisdictionhere，"saidColonelStarbottle，turningablandsmiletowardshisfellow-
members。"Iam——er——sorrytoinformyouthatyouaresimplytrespassing，sir。"
"Iamherealsoasdeputysheriff，"returnedthestrangercoolly。
"Wewereunabletolocatethepreciseplaceofthismeeting，althoughweknewofitsexistence。IwassworninthismorningatSantaInezbythejudgeofthisdistrict，andthesegentlemenwithmearemyposse。"
Therewasaquickmovementofresistancebythemembers，whichwas，however，againwaivedblandlyasidebyColonelStarbottle。Leaningforwardinaslightlyforensicattitude，withhisfingersonthetableandashirtfrillthatseemedtohavebecomeofitselferectile，hesaid，withpainedbutpoliteprecision，"Igrievetohavetostate，sir，thateventhatpositionisutterlyuntenablehere。Iamalawyermyself，asmyfriendhere，JudgeBeeswinger——
eh？Ibegyourpardon！"
Theofficerofthelawhadmomentarilystarted，withhiseyesfixedonJudgeBeeswinger，who，however，seemedtobequietlywritingatthetable。
"AsJudgeBeeswinger，"continuedColonelStarbottle，"willprobablytellyouandasajuristhimself，hewillalsoprobablyagreewithmewhenIalsoinformyouthat，astheUnitedStatesgovernmentisanaggrievedparty，itisamatterfortheFederalcourtstoprosecute，andthattheonlyofficerwecanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalforthedistrict。WhenIaddthatthemarshal，ColonelCrackenthorpe，isoneofmyoldestfriends，andanactivesympathizerwiththeSouthinthepresentstruggle，youwillunderstandthatanyactionfromhiminthismatterisexceedinglyimprobable。"
Thegeneralmurmuroflaughter，relief，andapprovalwasbrokenbythequietvoiceofJudgeBeeswinger。
"Letmeseeyourwarrant，Mr。DeputySheriff。"
Theofficerapproachedhimwithaslightlyperplexedandconstrainedair，andexhibitedthepaper。JudgeBeeswingerhandeditbacktohim。"ColonelStarbottleisquiterightinhiscontention，"hesaidquietly；"theonlyofficerthatthisassemblycanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalorhislegaldeputy。ButColonelStarbottleiswronginhissuppositionthatColonelCrackenthorpestillretainsthefunctionsofthatoffice。HewasremovedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，andhissuccessorwasappointedandsworninbytheFederaljudgeearlythismorning。"Hepaused，andfoldingupthepaperonwhichhehadbeenwriting，placeditinthehandsofthedeputy。"Andthis，"hecontinuedinthesameevenvoice，"constitutesyouhisdeputy，andwillenableyoutocarryoutyourdutyincominghere。"
"Whatthedevildoesthismean，sir？Whoareyou？"gaspedColonelStarbottle，recoilingsuddenlyfromthemanathisside。
"IamthenewUnitedStatesMarshalfortheSouthernDistrictofCalifornia。"
CHAPTERIII。
UnsuspectedandastoundingastherevelationwastoClarence，itsstrangereceptionbytheconspiratorsseemedtohimasastounding。
Hehadstartedforward，halfexpectingthatthecomplacentandself-confessedspywouldbeimmolatedbyhisinfuriateddupes。Buttohissurprisetheshockseemedtohavechangedtheirnatures，andgiventhemthedignitytheyhadlacked。Theexcitability，irritation，andrecklessnesswhichhadpreviouslycharacterizedthemhaddisappeared。Thedeputyandhisposse，whohadadvancedtotheassistanceoftheirrevealedchief，metwithnoresistance。
Theyhadevidently，asifwithoneaccord，drawnawayfromJudgeBeeswinger，leavingaclearedspacearoundhim，andregardedtheircaptorswithsullencontemptuoussilence。ItwasonlybrokenbyColonelStarbottle：——
"Yourdutycommandsyou，sir，touseallpossiblediligenceinbringingusbeforetheFederaljudgeofthisdistrict——unlessyourmasterinWashingtonhasviolatedtheConstitutionsofarastoremovehim，too！"
"Iunderstandyouperfectly，"returnedJudgeBeeswinger，withunchangedcomposure；"andasyouknowthatJudgeWilsonunfortunatelycannotberemovedexceptthrougharegularcourseofimpeachment，IsupposeyoumaystillcountuponhisSouthernsympathiestobefriendyou。WiththatIhavenothingtodo；mydutyiscompletewhenmydeputyhasbroughtyoubeforehimandI
havestatedthecircumstancesofthearrest。"
"Icongratulateyou，sir，"saidCaptainPinckney，withanironicalsalute，"onyourpromptrewardforyourtreacherytotheSouth，andyourequallypromptadoptionofthepeculiartacticsofyourfriendsinthewayinwhichyouhaveenteredthishouse。"
"IamsorryIcannotcongratulateYOU，sir，"returnedJudgeBeeswingergravely，onbreakingyouroathtothegovernmentwhichhaseducatedandsupportedyouandgivenyoutheepaulettesyoudisgrace。NorshallIdiscuss’treachery’withthemanwhohasnotonlyviolatedthetrustofhiscountry，buteventheintegrityofhisfriend’shousehold。ItisforthatreasonthatIwithholdtheactionofthiswarrantinsofarasitaffectsthepersonsofthemasterandmistressofthishome。IamsatisfiedthatMr。BranthasbeenasignorantofwhathasbeendonehereasIamthathiswifehasbeenonlythefoolishdupeofadoubletraitor！"
"Silence！"
ThewordsbrokesimultaneouslyfromthelipsofClarenceandCaptainPinckney。Theystoodstaringateachother——theonepale，theothercrimson——asMrs。Brant，apparentlyobliviousofthesignificanceoftheirunitedadjuration，turnedtoJudgeBeeswingerinthefuryofherstillstifledrageandmortification。
"Keepyourmercyforyourfellow-spy，"shesaid，withacontemptuousgesturetowardsherhusband；"Igowiththesegentlemen！"
"Youwillnot，"saidClarencequietly，"untilIhavesaidawordtoyoualone。"Helaidhishandfirmlyuponherwrist。
Thedeputyandhisprisonersfiledslowlyoutofthecourtyardtogether，thelattercourteouslysalutingMrs。Brantastheypassed，butturningfromJudgeBeeswingerincontemptuoussilence。
Thejudgefollowedthemtothegate，buttherehepaused。TurningtoMrs。Brant，whowasstillhalfstrugglinginthestronggripofherhusband，hesaid，——
"AnycompunctionImayhavehadinmisleadingyoubyacceptingyourinvitationhereIdismissedafterIhadenteredthishouse。AndI
trust，"headded，turningtoClarencesternly，"Ileaveyouthemasterofit！"
Asthegateclosedbehindhim，Clarencelockedit。Whenhiswifeturneduponhimangrily，hesaidquietly，——
"Ihavenointentionofrestrainingyourlibertyamomentafterourinterviewisover，butuntilthenIdonotintendtobedisturbed。"
Shethrewherselfdisdainfullybackinherchair，herhandsclaspedinherlapinhalf-contemptuousresignation，withhereyesuponherlongslimarchedfeetcrossedbeforeher。Eveninherattitudetherewassomethingofheroldfascinationwhich，however，nowseemedtostingClarencetothequick。
"Ihavenothingtosaytoyouinregardtowhathasjustpassedinthishouse，exceptthataslongasIremainevennominallyitsmasteritshallnotberepeated。AlthoughIshallnolongerattempttoinfluenceorcontrolyourpoliticalsympathies，Ishallnotallowyoutoindulgethemwhereinanywaytheyseemtoimplymysanction。ButsolittledoIopposeyourliberty，thatyouarefreetorejoinyourpoliticalcompanionswheneveryouchoosetodosoonyourownresponsibility。ButImustfirstknowfromyourownlipswhetheryoursympathiesarepurelypolitical——oranameforsomethingelse？"
Shehadalternatelyflushedandpaled，althoughstillkeepingherscornfulattitudeashewenton，buttherewasnomistakingthegenuinenessofhervaguewondermentathisconcludingwords。
"Idon’tunderstandyou，"shesaid，liftinghereyestohisinamomentofcoldcuriosity。"Whatdoyoumean？"
"WhatdoImean？WhatdidJudgeBeeswingermeanwhenhecalledCaptainPinckneyadoubletraitor？"hesaidroughly。
Shesprangtoherfeetwithflashingeyes。"Andyou——YOU！daretorepeatthecowardlylieofaconfessedspy。This，then，iswhatyouwishedtotellme——thistheinsultforwhichyouhavekeptmehere；becauseyouareincapableofunderstandingunselfishpatriotismordevotion——eventoyourowncause——youdaretojudgemebyyourownbase，Yankee-tradingstandards。Yes，itisworthyofyou！"Shewalkedrapidlyupanddown，andthensuddenlyfacedhim。"Iunderstanditall；Iappreciateyourmagnanimitynow。YouarewillingIshouldjointhecompanyofthesechivalrousgentlemeninordertogivecolortoyourcalumnies！Sayatoncethatitwasyouwhoputupthisspytocorrespondwithme——tocomehere——inordertoentrapme。Yesentrapme——I——whoamomentagostoodupforyoubeforethesegentlemen，andsaidyoucouldnotlie。Bah！"
Struckonlybythewildextravaganceofherspeechandtemper，Clarencedidnotknowthatwhenwomenaremostillogicaltheyareapttobemostsincere，andfromaman’sstandpointherunreasoningdeductionsappearedtohimonlyasanaffectationtogaintimeforthought，oratheatricaldisplay，likeSusy’s。Andhewasturninghalfcontemptuouslyaway，whensheagainfacedhimwithflashingeyes。
"Well，hearme！Iaccept；Ileavehereatonce，tojoinmyownpeople，myownfriends——thosewhounderstandme——putwhatconstructiononitthatyouchoose。Doyourworst；youcannotdomoretoseparateusthanyouhavedonejustnow。"
Shelefthim，andranupthestepswithasingularreturnofheroldoccasionalnymph-likenimbleness——themovementofawomanwhohadneverbornechildren——andaswishofherlongskirtsthatherememberedformanyadayafter，asshedisappearedinthecorridor。Heremainedlookingafterher——indignant，outraged，andunconvinced。Therewasarattlingatthegate。
Herememberedhehadlockedit。HeopenedittotheflushedpinkcheeksanddancingeyesofSusy。Therainwasstilldrippingfromherwetcloakassheswungitfromhershoulders。
"Iknowitall！——allthat’shappened，"sheburstoutwithhalf-
girlishexuberanceandhalftheactress’sdeclamation。"Wemetthemallintheroad——posseandprisoners。ChiefThompsonknewmeandtoldmeall。Andsoyou’vedoneit——andyou’remasterinyouroldhouseagain。Clarence，oldboy！Jimsaidyouwouldn’tdoit——
saidyou’dweakenonaccountofher！ButIsaid’No。’Iknewyoubetter，oldClarence，andIsawitinyourface，forallyourstiffness！ha！ButforallthatIwasmightynervousanduneasy，andIjustmadeJimsendanexcusetothetheatreandwerusheditdownhere！Lordy！butitlooksnaturaltoseetheoldhouseagain！
Andshe——youpackedheroffwiththeothers——didn’tyou？Tellme，Clarence，"inheroldappealingvoice，"youshookher，too！"
Dazedandastounded，andyetexperiencingavaguesenseofreliefwithsomethinglikehisoldtendernesstowardsthewillfulwomanbeforehim，hehadsilentlyregardedheruntilherallusiontohiswiferecalledhimtohimself。
"Hush！"hesaidquickly，withaglancetowardsthecorridor。
"Ah！"saidSusy，withamalicioussmile，"thenthat’swhyCaptainPinckneywaslingeringintherearwiththedeputy。"
"Silence！"repeatedClarencesternly。"Gointhere，"pointingtothegardenroombelowthebalcony，"andwaittherewithyourhusband。"
Hehalfled，halfpushedherintotheroomwhichhadbeenhisbusinessoffice，andreturnedtothepatio。Ahesitatingvoicefromthebalconysaid，"Clarence！"
Itwashiswife’svoice，butmodifiedandgentler——morelikehervoiceashehadfirstheardit，orasifithadbeenchastenedbysomereminiscenceofthosedays。Itwashiswife’sface，too，thatlookeddownonhis——palerthanhehadseenitsinceheenteredthehouse。Shewasshawledandhooded，carryingatraveling-baginherhand。
"Iamgoing，Clarence，"shesaid，pausingbeforehim，withgentlegravity，"butnotinanger。IevenaskyoutoforgivemeforthefoolishwordsthatIthinkyourstillmorefoolishaccusation"——shesmiledfaintly——"draggedfromme。IamgoingbecauseIknowthatI
havebrought——andthatwhileIamhereIshallalwaysbebringing——
uponyoutheimputationandeventheresponsibilityofmyownfaith！WhileIamproudtoownit，——andifneedsbesufferforit，——Ihavenorighttoruinyourprospects，orevenmakeyouthevictimoftheslursthatothersmaycastuponme。Letuspartasfriends——separatedonlybyourdifferentpoliticalfaiths，butkeepingallotherfaithstogether——untilGodshallsettletherightofthisstruggle。Perhapsitmaybesoon——Isometimesthinkitmaybeyearsofagonyforall；butuntilthen，good-by。"
Shehadslowlydescendedthestepstothepatio，lookinghandsomerthanhehadeverseenher，andasifsustainedandupheldbytheenthusiasmofhercause。Herhandwasoutstretchedtowardshis——
hisheartbeatviolently——inanothermomenthemighthaveforgottenallandclaspedhertohisbreast。Suddenlyshestopped，heroutstretchedarmstiffened，herfingerpointedtothechaironwhichSusy’scloakwashanging。
"What’sthat？"shesaidinasharp，high，metallicvoice。"Whoishere？Speak！"
"Susy，"saidClarence。
Shecastascathingglanceroundthepatio，andthensettledherpiercingeyesonClarencewithabittersmile。
"Already！"
Clarencefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceashestammered，"Sheknewwhatwashappeninghere，andcametogiveyouwarning。"
"Liar！"
"Stop！"saidClarence，withawhiteface。"ShecametotellmethatCaptainPinckneywasstilllingeringforyouintheroad。"
Hethrewopenthegatetoletherpass。Asshesweptoutsheliftedherhand。Asheclosedthegatetherewerethewhitemarksofherfourfingersonhischeek。
CHAPTERIV。
ForonceSusyhadnotexaggerated。CaptainPinckneyWASlingering，withthedeputywhohadchargeofhim，onthetrailnearthecasa。
Ithadalreadybeenprettywellunderstoodbybothcaptivesandcaptorsthatthearrestwassimplyalegaldemonstration；thatthesympathizingFederaljudgewouldundoubtedlyorderthedischargeoftheprisonersontheirownrecognizances，anditwasprobablethatthedeputysawnoharmingrantingPinckney’srequest——whichwasvirtuallyonlyadelayinhisliberation。ItwasalsopossiblethatPinckneyhadworkeduponthechivalroussympathiesofthemanbyprofessinghisdisinclinationtoleavetheirdevotedcolleague，Mrs。Brant，atthemercyofherantagonisticandcold-bloodedhusbandatsuchacrisis，anditistobefearedalsothatClarence，asareputedlukewarmpartisan，excitednopersonalsympathy，evenfromhisownparty。Howbeit，thedeputyagreedtodelayPinckney’sjourneyforapartinginterviewwithhisfairhostess。
HowfarthisexpressedtherealsentimentsofCaptainPinckneywasneverknown。WhetherhispoliticalassociationwithMrs。Branthaddevelopedintoawarmersolicitude，understoodorignoredbyher，——
whatwerehishopesandaspirationsregardingherfuture，——werebythecourseoffateneverdisclosed。Amanofeasyethics，butrigidartificialitiesofhonor，flatteredandpamperedbyclassprejudice，aso-called"manoftheworld，"withnoexperiencebeyondhisownlimitedcircle，yetbraveanddevotedtothat，itwerewellperhapstoleavethislastactofhisinefficientlifeasitwasacceptedbythedeputy。
Dismountingheapproachedthehousefromthegarden。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwiththelowarcheddoorwaywhichledtothebusinessroom，andfromwhichhecouldgainadmittancetothepatio，butitsochancedthatheenteredthedarkpassageatthemomentthatClarencehadthrustSusyintothebusinessroom，andhearditsdoorshutsharply。ForaninstanthebelievedthatMrs。
Branthadtakenrefugethere，butashecautiouslymovedforwardheheardhervoiceinthepatiobeyond。Itsaccentsstruckhimaspleading；anintensecuriositydrewhimfurtheralongthepassage。
Suddenlyhervoiceseemedtochangetoangrydenunciation，andtheword"Liar"ranguponhisears。ItwasfollowedbyhisownnameutteredsardonicallybyClarence，theswiftrustleofaskirt，theclashofthegate，andthen——forgettingeverything，heburstintothepatio。
Clarencewasjustturningfromthegatewiththemarksofhiswife’shandstillredonhiswhitecheek。HesawCaptainPinckney’seyesuponit，andthefaint，half-malicious，half-
hystericsmileuponhislips。Butwithoutastartorgestureofsurprisehelockedthegate，andturningtohim，saidwithfrigidsignificance，——
"Ithankyouforreturningsopromptly，andforrecognizingtheonlythingInowrequireatyourhand。"
ButCaptainPinckneyhadrecoveredhissuperciliouseasewiththesignificantdemand。
"Youseemtohavehadsomethingalreadyfromanother’shand，sir，butIamatyourservice，"hesaidlightly。
"YouwillconsiderthatIhaveaccepteditfromyou，"saidClarence，drawingclosertohimwitharigidface。"Isupposeitwillnotbenecessaryformetoreturnit——tomakeyouunderstandme。"
"Goon，"saidPinckney，flushingslightly。"Makeyourterms；Iamready。"
"ButI’mnot，"saidtheunexpectedvoiceofthedeputyatthegrilleofthegateway。"Excusemyinterfering，gentlemen，butthissorto’thingain’tdowninmyschedule。I’veletthisgentleman，"
pointingtoCaptainPinckney，"offforaminittosay’good-by’toalady，whoIreckonhasjustriddenoffinherbuggywithherservantwithoutsayingbyyourleave，butIdidn’tcalkelatetolethiminteranotherbusiness，which，likeasnot，maypreventmefromdeliveringhisbodysafeandsoundintocourt。Youhearme！"AsClarenceopenedthegateheadded，"Idon’twantterspoilsportbetweengents，butit’sgottocomeinafterI’vedonemyduty。"
"I’llmeetyou，sir，anywhere，andwithwhatweaponsyouchoose，"
saidPinckney，turningangrilyuponClarence，"assoonasthisfarce——forwhichyouandyourfriendsareresponsible——isover。"
HewasfuriousattheintimationthatMrs。Branthadescapedhim。
Adifferentthoughtwasinthehusband’smind。"ButwhatassurancehaveIthatyouaregoingonwiththedeputy？"hesaidwithpurposelyinsultingdeliberation。
"Myword，sir，"saidCaptainPinckneysharply。
"Andifthatain’tenuff，there’smine！"saidthedeputy。"ForifthisgentlemanswervestotherightorleftbetwixtthisandSantaInez，I’llblowaholethroughhimmyself。Andthat，"headdeddeprecatingly，"issayingagooddealforamanwhodoesn’twanttospoilsport，andforthematterofthatiswillingtostandbyandseefairplaydoneatSantaInezanytimeto-morrowbeforebreakfast。"
"ThenIcancountonyou，"saidClarence，withasuddenimpulseextendinghishand。
Themanhesitatedamomentandthengraspedit。
"Well，Iwasn’texpectingthat，"hesaidslowly；"butyoulookasifyoumeantbusiness，andifyouain’tgotanybodyelsetoseeyouthrough，I’mthar！Isupposethisgentlemanwillhavehisfriends。"
"Ishallbethereatsixwithmyseconds，"saidPinckneycurtly。
"Leadon。"
Thegateclosedbehindthem。Clarencestoodlookingaroundtheemptypatioandthesilenthouse，fromwhichitwasnowplainthattheservantshadbeenwithdrawntoinsurethesecrecyoftheconspiracy。Coolandcollectedasheknewhewas，heremainedforamomentinhesitation。Thenthesoundofvoicescametohisearfromthegardenroom，thelightfrivolityofSusy’slaughandHooker’shuskieraccents。Hehadforgottentheywerethere——hehadforgottentheirexistence！
Trustingstilltohiscalmness，hecalledtoHookerinhisusualvoice。Thatgentlemanappearedwithafacewhichhisattemptstomakeunconcernedandimpassivehad，however，onlydeepenedintofunerealgravity。
"Ihavesomethingtoattendto，"saidClarence，withafaintsmile，"andImustaskyouandSusytoexcusemeforalittlewhile。Sheknowsthehouseperfectly，andwillcalltheservantsfromtheannextoprovideyoubothwithrefreshmentuntilIjoinyoualittlelater。"SatisfiedfromHooker’smannerthattheyknewnothingofhislaterinterviewwithPinckney，heturnedawayandascendedtohisownroom。
Therehethrewhimselfintoanarmchairbythedimlightofasinglecandleasiftoreflect。Buthewasconscious，eventhen，ofhisowncalmnessandwantofexcitement，andthatnoreflectionwasnecessary。Whathehaddoneandwhatheintendedtodowasquiteclear，therewasnoalternativesuggestedortobeevensoughtafter。Hehadthatsenseofreliefwhichcomeswiththeclimaxofallgreatstruggles，evenofdefeat。
Hehadneverknownbeforehowhopelessandcontinuoushadbeenthatstruggleuntilnowitwasover。Hehadnofearoftomorrow，hewouldmeetitashehadto-day，withthesamesingularconsciousnessofbeingequaltotheoccasion。Therewasevennonecessityofpreparationforit；hiswill，leavinghisfortunetohiswife，——
whichseemedaslightthingnowinthisgreaterseparation，——wasalreadyinhissafeinSanFrancisco，hispistolswereinthenextroom。Hewasevenslightlydisturbedbyhisowninsensibility，andpassedintohiswife’sbedroompartlyinthehopeofdisturbinghisserenitybysomemementooftheirpast。Therewasnodisorderofflight——everythingwasinitsplace，exceptthedrawerofherdesk，whichwasstillopen，asifshehadtakensomethingfromitasanafterthought。Therewerelettersandpapersthere，someofhisownandsomeinCaptainPinckney’shandwriting。Itdidnotoccurtohimtolookatthem——eventojustifyhimself，orexcuseher。HeknewthathishatredofCaptainPinckneywasnotsomuchthathebelievedhimherlover，ashissuddenconvictionthatshewaslikehim！Hewasthemaleofherspecies——abeingantagonistictohimself，whomhecouldfight，andcrush，andrevengehimselfupon。Butmostofallheloathedhispast，notonaccountofher，butofhisownweaknessthathadmadehimherdupeandamisunderstoodmantohisfriends。Hehadbeenderelictofdutyinhisunselfishdevotiontoher；hehadstifledhisambition，andunderratedhisownpossibilities。Nowonderthatothershadacceptedhimathisownvaluation。ClarenceBrantwasamodestman，buttheegotismofmodestyismorefatalthanthatofpretension，forithasthehauntingconsciousnessofsuperiorvirtue。
Here-enteredhisownroomandagainthrewhimselfintohischair。
Hiscalmwasbeingsucceededbyaphysicalweariness；herememberedhehadnotsleptthenightbefore，andheoughttotakesomeresttobefreshintheearlymorning。Yethemustalsoshowhimselfbeforehisself-invitedguests，——Susyandherhusband，——ortheirsuspicionswouldbearoused。Hewouldtrytosleepforalittlewhileinthechairbeforehewentdownstairsagain。HeclosedhiseyesoddlyenoughonadimdreamyrecollectionofSusyintheolddays，inthelittlemadronohollowwhereshehadoncegivenhimarendezvous。Heforgotthematurerandcriticaluneasinesswithwhichhehadthenreceivedhercoquettishandwillfuladvances，whichhenowknewwastheeffectofthegrowingdominanceofMrs。
Peytonoverhim，andrememberedonlyherbright，youthfuleyes，andthekisseshehadpresseduponhersoftfragrantcheek。Thefaintnesshehadfeltwhenwaitingintheoldrosegarden，afewhoursago，seemedtostealonhimoncemore，andtolapseintoapleasantdrowsiness。Heevenseemedagaintoinhaletheperfumeoftheroses。
"Clarence！"
Hestarted。Hehadbeensleeping，butthevoicesoundedstrangelyreal。
Alight，girlishlaughfollowed。Hesprangtohisfeet。ItwasSusystandingbesidehim——andSusyevenasshelookedintheolddays！
Forwithaflashofheroldaudacity，aidedbyherfamiliarknowledgeofthehouseandthebunchofhouseholdkeysshehadfound，whichdangledfromhergirdle，asintheoldfashion，shehaddisinterredoneofheroldfrocksfromacloset，slippediton，andunlooseningherbrownhairhadletitfallinripplingwavesdownherback。ItwasSusyinheroldgirlishness，withtheinstinctofthegrownactressinthearrangementofhershortskirtoverherprettyanklesandthehalf-consciousposeshehadtaken。
"PoordearoldClarence，"shesaid，withdancingeyes；"Imighthavewonadozenpairsofglovesfromyouwhileyousleptthere。
Butyou’retired，dearoldboy，andyou’vehadahardtimeofit。
Nomatter；you’veshownyourselfamanatlast，andI’mproudofyou。"
Halfashamedofthepleasurehefelteveninhisembarrassment，Clarencestammered，"Butthischange——thisdress。"
Susyclappedherhandslikeachild。"Iknewitwouldsurpriseyou！It’sanoldfrockIworetheyearIwentawaywithauntie。I
knewwhereitwashidden，andfisheditoutagainwiththesekeys，Clarence；itseemedsolikeoldtimes。Lord！whenIwaswiththeoldservantsagain，andyoudidn’tcomedown，IjustfeltasifI’dneverbeenaway，andIjustrampagedfree。Itseemedtome，don’tyouknow，notasifI’djustcome，butasifI’dalwaysbeenrighthere，anditwasyouwho’djustcome。Don’tyouunderstand！JustasyoucamewhenmeandMaryRogerswerehere；don’tyourememberher，Clarence，andhowsheusedtodo’gooseberry’forus？Well，justlikethat。SoIsaidtoJim，’Idon’tknowyouanymore——
get！’andIjustslippedonthisfrockandorderedManuelaaroundasIusedtodo——andsheinfitsoflaughter；Ireckon，Clarence，shehasn’tlaughedasmuchsinceIleft。AndthenIthoughtofyou——perhapsworriedandflusteredasyetoverthings，andthechange，andIjustslippedintothekitchenandItoldoldfatConchitatomakesomeofthesetortillasyouknow，——withsugarandcinnamonsprinkledontop，——andItiedonanapronandbrought’emuptoyouonatraywithaglassofthatoldCatalanwineyouusedtolike。ThenIsorterfeltfrightenedwhenIgothere，andI
didn’thearanynoise，andIputthetraydowninthehallandpeepedinandfoundyouasleep。Sitstill，I’llfetchem。"
Shetrippedoutintothepassage，returningwiththetray，whichsheputonthetablebesideClarence，andthenstandingbackalittleandwithherhandstuckedsoubrettefashioninthetinypocketsofherapron，gazedathimwithamischievoussmile。
ItwasimpossiblenottosmilebackashenibbledthecrispMexicancakeanddranktheoldmissionwine。AndSusy’stonguetrilledanaccompanimenttohisthanks。
"Lord！itseemssonicetobehere——justyouandme，Clarence——likeintheolddays——withnobodynaggin’andswoopin’roundafteryou。
Don’tbegreedy，Clarence，butgivemeacake。"Shetookoneandfinishedthedregsofhisglass。
Thensittingonthearmofhischair，shedartedavioletrayofhalfreproachandhalfmischievousnessintohisamusedandretrospectiveeyes。"Thereusedtoberoomfortwointhatchair，Klarns。"
Theuseoftheoldchildishdiminutiveforhisnameseemedtohimnaturalasherfamiliarity，andhemovedalittlesidewaystomakeroomforherwithaninstinctofpleasure，butthesamesenseofirresponsibilitythathadcharacterizedhisreflections。
Nevertheless，helookedcriticallyintothemischievouseyes，andsaidquietly，——
"Whereisyourhusband？"
Therewasnotraceofembarrassment，apology，orevenofconsciousnessinherprettyfaceasshereplied，passingherhandlightlythroughhishair，——
"Oh，Jim？I’vepackedhimoff！"
"Packedhimoff！"echoedClarence，slightlyastonished。
"Yes，toFairPlains，fulltiltafteryourwife’sbuggy。Yousee，Clarence，aftertheoldcat——that’syourwife，please——left，I
wantedtomakesureshehadgone，andwasn’thangin’roundtoleadyouoffagainwithyourlegtiedtoherapronstringlikeachicken’s！No！IsaidtoJim，’Justyourideafterheruntilyouseeshe’ssafeandsoundinthedowncoachfromFairPlainswithoutherknowin’it，andifshe’sinclinedtohangbackorwobbleany，youpostbackhereandletmeknow！’ItoldhimIwouldstayandlookafteryoutoseeyoudidn’tbolttoo！"Shelaughed，andthenadded，"ButIdidn’tthinkIshouldfallintotheoldwayssosoon，andhavesuchanicetime。Didyou，Clarence？"
Shelookedsoirresponsible，sittingtherewithherfacenearhis，andsochildishly，orperhapsthoughtlessly，happy，thathecouldonlyadmireherlevity，andeventheslightshockthatherflippantallusiontohiswifehadgivenhimseemedtohimonlyaweaknessofhisown。Afterall，wasnothersthetruephilosophy？Whyshouldnotthesebrighteyesseethingsmoreclearlythanhisown？
Nevertheless，withhiseyesstillfixeduponthem，hecontinued，——
"AndJimwaswillingtogo？"
Shestopped，withherfingersstillliftingalockofhishair。
"Why，yes，yousilly——whyshouldn’the？I’dliketoseehimrefuse。Why，Lord！JimwilldoanythingIaskhim。"Sheputdownthelockofhair，andsuddenlylookingfullintohiseyes，said，"That’sjustthedifferencebetweenhimandme，andyouand——thatwoman！"
"Thenyoulovehim！"
"Aboutasmuchasyouloveher，"shesaid，withanunaffectedlaugh；"onlyhedon’twindmearoundhisfinger。"
Nodoubtshewasrightforallherthoughtlessness，andyethewasgoingtofightaboutthatwomanto-morrow！No——heforgot；hewasgoingtofightCaptainPinckneybecausehewaslikeher！
Susyhadputherfingeronthecreasebetweenhisbrowswhichthissuppositionhadmade，andtriedtorubitout。
"YouknowitaswellasIdo，Clarence，"shesaid，withaprettywrinklingofherownbrows，whichwashernearestapproachtothoughtfulness。"Youknowyouneverreallylikedher，onlyyouthoughtherwaysweregranderandmoreproperthanmine，andyouknowyouwerealwaysalittlebitofasnobandaprigtoo——dearboy。AndMrs。Peytonwas——blessmysoul！——aBenhamandaplanter’sdaughter，andI——Iwasonlyapicked-uporphan！That’swhereJimisbetterthanyou——nowsitstill，goosey！——evenifIdon’tlikehimasmuch。Oh，Iknowwhatyou’realwaysthinking，you’rethinkingwe’rebothexaggeratedandtheatrical，ain’tyou？Butdon’tyouthinkit’saheapbettertobeexaggeratedandtheatricalaboutthingsthatarejustsentimentalandromanticthantobesoawfullypossessedandovercomeaboutthingsthatareonlyreal？
There，youneedn’tstareatmeso！It’strue。You’vehadyourfillofgrandeurandpropriety，and——hereyouare。And，"sheaddedwithalittlechuckle，asshetuckedupherfeetandleanedalittleclosertohim，"here’sME。"
Hedidnotspeak，buthisarmquiteunconsciouslypassedroundhersmallwaist。
"Yousee，Clarence，"shewentonwithequalunconsciousnessoftheact，"yououghtnevertohaveletmego——never！Yououghttohavekeptmehere——orrunawaywithme。Andyououghtn’ttohavetriedtomakemeproper。Andyououghtn’ttohavedrivenmetoflirtwiththathorridSpaniard，andyououghtn’ttohavebeensohorriblycoldandseverewhenIdid。Andyououghtn’ttohavemademetakeupwithJim，whowastheonlyonewhothoughtmehisequal。
Imighthavebeenverysillyandcapricious；Imighthavebeenveryvain，butmyvanityisn’tabitworsethanyourpride；myloveofpraiseandapplauseinthetheatreisn’tabitmorehorridthanyourfearsofwhatpeoplemightthinkofyouorme。That’sgospeltruth，isn’tit，Clarence？Tellme！Don’tlookthatwayandthis——
lookatME！Iain’tpoisonous，Clarence。Why，oneofyourcheeksisredderthantheother，Clarence；that’stheonethat’sturnedfromme。Come，"shewenton，takingthelapelsofhiscoatbetweenherhandsandhalfshakinghim，halfdrawinghimnearerherbrightface。"Tellme——isn’tittrue？"
"IwasthinkingofyoujustnowwhenIfellasleep，Susy，"hesaid。
Hedidnotknowwhyhesaidit；hehadnotintendedtotellher，hehadonlymeanttoavoidadirectanswertoherquestion；yetevennowhewenton。"AndIthoughtofyouwhenIwasoutthereintherosegardenwaitingtocomeinhere。"
"Youdid？"shesaid，drawinginherbreath。Awaveofdelicatepinkcolorcameuptoherveryeyes，itseemedtohimasquicklyandasinnocentlyaswhenshewasagirl。"AndwhatDIDyouthink，Klarns，"shehalfwhispered——"tellme。"
Hedidnotspeak，butansweredherblueeyesandthenherlips，asherarmsslippedquitenaturallyaroundhisneck……
ThedawnwasbreakingasClarenceandJimHookeremergedtogetherfromthegateofthecasa。Mr。Hookerlookedsleepy。Hehadfound，afterhisreturnfromFairPlains，thathishosthadanearlyengagementatSantaInez，andhehadinsisteduponrisingtoseehimoff。Itwaswithdifficulty，indeed，thatClarencecouldpreventhisaccompanyinghim。ClarencehadnotrevealedtoSusythenightbeforetherealobjectofhisjourney，nordidHookerevidentlysuspectit，yetwhentheformerhadmountedhishorse，hehesitatedforaninstant，extendinghishand。
"IfIshouldhappentobedetained，"hebeganwithahalfsmile。
ButJimwasstrugglingwithayawn。"That’sallright——don’tmindus，"hesaid，stretchinghisarms。Clarence’shesitatinghanddroppedtohisside，andwithalightrecklesslaughandahalfsenseofprovidentialreliefhegallopedaway。
WhathappenedimmediatelythereafterduringhissolitaryridetoSantaInez，lookingbackuponitinafteryears，seemedbutaconfusedrecollection，morelikeadream。Thelongstretchesofvaguedistance，graduallyopeningclearerwiththerisingsuninanuncloudedsky；themeetingwithafewearlyorbelatedtravelersandhisunconsciousavoidanceofthem，asiftheymightknowofhisobject；theblackshadowsofforeshortenedcattlerisingbeforehimontheplainandarousingthesameuneasysensationoftheirbeingwaylayingmen；thewonderingrecognitionofhousesandlandmarkshehadlongbeenfamiliarwith；hispurposelessattemptstorecallthecircumstancesinwhichhehadknownthem——allthesewerelikeadream。So，too，weretherecollectionsofthenightbefore，theepisodewithSusy，alreadymingledandblendedwiththememoryoftheirpreviouspast；hisfutileattemptstolookforwardtothefuture，always，however，abandonedwithreliefatthethoughtthatthenextfewhoursmightmakethemunnecessary。SoalsowasthesuddenrealizationthatSantaInezwasbeforehim，whenhehadthoughthewasnotyethalfwaythere，andashedismountedbeforetheCourtHousehissingularfeeling——followed，however，bynofearordistress——wasthathehadcomesoearlytotherendezvousthathewasnotyetquitepreparedforit。
Thissamesenseofunrealitypervadedhismeetingwiththedeputysheriff，atthenewsthattheFederaljudgehad，aswasexpected，dismissedtheprisonersontheirownrecognizances，andthatCaptainPinckneywasatthehotelatbreakfast。Inthelikeabstractedmannerherepliedtotheoneortwoquestionsofthedeputy，exhibitedthepistolshehadbroughtwithhim，andfinallyaccompaniedhimtoalittlemeadowhiddenbytrees，belowthehotel，wheretheotherprincipalandhissecondswereawaitingthem。Andhereheawoke——clear-eyed，keen，forceful，andintense！
Sostimulatedwerehisfacultiesthathissenseofhearinginitsacutenesstookineverywordoftheconversationbetweentheseconds，afewpacesdistant。Heheardhisadversary’ssecondssaycarelesslytothedeputysheriff，"Ipresumethisisacasewheretherewillbenoapologyormediation，"andthedeputy’sreply，"I
reckonmymanmeansbusiness，butheseemsalittlequeer。"Heheardtheothersecondlaugh，andsaylightly，"They’reapttobesowhenit’stheirfirsttimeout，"followedbythemoreanxiousasideoftheothersecondasthedeputyturnedaway，——"Yes，butbyG-dIdon’tlikehislooks！"Hissenseofsightwasalsosoacutethathavinglostthechoiceofposition，whenthecoinwastossed，andbeingturnedwithhisfacetothesun，eventhroughtheglarehesaw，withunerringdistinctnessofoutline，theblack-coatedfigureofhisopponentmovedintorange——sawtheperfectoutlineofhisfeatures，andhowtheeasy，supercilioussmile，ashethrewawayhiscigar，appearedtodropoutofhisfacewithakindofvacantaweashefacedhim。Hefelthisnervesbecomeassteelasthecountingbegan，andattheword"three，"knewhehadfiredbytherecoilofthepistolinhisleveledhand，simultaneouslywithitsutterance。Andatthesamemoment，stillstandinglikearock，hesawhisadversarymiserablycollapse，hislegsgrotesquelycurvinginwardsunderhim，——withouteventhedignityofdeathinhisfall，——andsosinkhelplesslylikeafelledbulltotheground。
Stillerect，andloweringonlythemuzzleofhispistol，asathinfeatherofsmokecurledupitsshiningside，hesawthedoctorandsecondsrunquicklytotheheap，trytoliftitslimpimpotenceintoshape，andletitdropagainwiththewords，"Rightthroughtheforehead，byG-d！"
"You’vedoneforhim，"saidthedeputy，turningtoClarencewithasingularlookofcuriosity，"andIreckonyouhadbettergetoutofthismightyquick。Theydidn’texpectit；they’rejustragin’；
theymayroundonyou——and"——headded，moreslowly，"theyseemtohavejustfoundoutwhoyouare。"
Evenwhilehewasspeaking，Clarence，withhisquickenedear，heardthewords，"OneofHamiltonBrant’spups""Justlikehisfather，"
fromthegrouparoundthedeadman。Hedidnothesitate，butwalkedcoollytowardsthem。Yetacertainfiercepride——whichhehadneverknownbefore——stirredinhisveinsastheirvoiceshushedandtheyhalfrecoiledbeforehim。
"AmItounderstandfrommysecond，gentlemen，"hesaid，lookingroundthegroup，"thatyouarenotsatisfied？"
"Thefightwassquareenough，"saidPinckney’ssecondinsomeembarrassment，"butIreckonthathe，"pointingtothedeadman，"didnotknowwhoyouwere。"
"DoyoumeanthathedidnotknowthatIwasthesonofamanproficientintheuseofarms？"
"Ireckonthat’saboutit，"returnedthesecond，glancingattheothers。
"Iamgladtosay，sir，thatIhaveabetteropinionofhiscourage，"saidClarence，liftinghishattothedeadbodyasheturnedaway。
Yethewasconsciousofnoremorse，concern，orevenpityinhisact。Perhapsthiswasvisibleinhisface，forthegroupappearedawedbythisperfectionoftheduelist’scoolness，andevenreturnedhisformalpartingsalutationwithavagueandtimidrespect。Hethankedthedeputy，regainedthehotel，saddledhishorseandgallopedaway。
ButnottowardstheRancho。Nowthathecouldthinkofhisfuture，thathadnoplaceinhisreflections；eventheepisodeofSusywasforgotteninthenewandstrangeconceptionofhimselfandhisirresponsibilitywhichhadcomeuponhimwiththekillingofPinckneyandthewordsofhissecond。Itwashisdeadfatherwhohadstiffenedhisarmanddirectedthefatalshot！Itwashereditaryinfluences——whichothershadbeensoquicktorecognize——
thathadbroughtaboutthiscompletingclimaxofhistrouble。Howelsecouldheaccountforitthathe——aconscientious，peaceful，sensitiveman，tenderandforgivingashehadbelievedhimselftobe——couldnowfeelsolittlesorroworcompunctionforhisculminatingact？Hehadreadofsuccessfulduelistswhowerehauntedbyremorsefortheirfirstvictim；whoretainedaterribleconsciousnessoftheappearanceofthedeadman；hehadnosuchfeeling；hehadonlyagrimcontentmentinthewiped-outinefficientlife，andcontemptforthelimpandhelplessbody。HesuddenlyrecalledhiscallousnessasaboywhenfacetofacewiththevictimsoftheIndianmassacre，hissenseoffastidioussuperciliousnessinthediscoveryofthebodyofSusy’smother！——
surelyitwasthecoldbloodofhisfatherinfluencinghimeverthus。Whathadhetodowithaffection，withdomestichappiness，withtheordinaryambitionsofman’slife——whosebloodwasfrozenatitssource！Yetevenwiththisverythoughtcameoncemoretheoldinconsistenttendernesshehadasaboylavisheduponthealmostunknownandfugitivefatherwhohadforsakenhischildishcompanionship，andrememberedhimonlybysecretgifts。HerememberedhowhehadworshipedhimevenwhilethepiouspadresatSanJosewereendeavoringtoeliminatethisterriblepoisonfromhisbloodandcombathishereditaryinstinctinhisconflictswithhisschool-fellows。Anditwasapartofthisinconsistencythat，ridingawayfromthesceneofhisfirstbloodshed，hiseyesweredimmedwithmoisture，notforhisvictim，butfortheonebeingwhohebelievedhadimpelledhimtotheact。
ThisandmorewasinhismindduringhislongridetoFairPlains，hisjourneybycoachtotheEmbarcadero，hismidnightpassageacrossthedarkwatersofthebay，andhisre-entrancetoSanFrancisco，butwhatshouldbehisfuturewasstillunsettled。
AshewoundroundthecrestofRussianHillandlookeddownagainupontheawakenedcity，hewasstartledtoseethatitwasflutteringandstreamingwithbunting。Fromeverypublicbuildingandhotel，fromtheroofsofprivatehouses，andeventhewindowsoflonelydwellings，flappedandwavedthestripedandstarrybanner。Thesteadybreathoftheseacarrieditoutfrommastsandyardsofshipsattheirwharves，fromthebattlementsofthefortsAlcatrazandYerbaBueno。HerememberedthattheferrymanhadtoldhimthatthenewsfromFortSumterhadsweptthecitywitharevulsionofpatrioticsentiment，andthattherewasnodoubtthattheStatewassavedtotheUnion。Helookeddownuponitwithhaggard，bewilderedeyes，andthenastrangegaspandfullnessofthethroat！Forafarasolitarybuglehadblownthe"reveille"atFortAlcatraz。
PARTII。
CHAPTERI。
Nightatlast，andthestirandtumultofagreatfightover。Eventheexcitementthathadsweptthisportionofthebattlefield——onlyasmallsectionofavasterareaofstruggle——intowhichabrigadehadmarched，helditsown，beenbeatenback，recovereditsground，andpursuing，hadpassedoutofitforever，leavingonlyitsdeadbehind，andknowingnothingmoreofthatstrugglethanitsownimpactandmomentum——eventhiswildexcitementhadlongsinceevaporatedwiththestingingsmokeofgunpowder，theacridsmellofburningragsfromtheclothingofadeadsoldierfiredbyaburstingshell，ortheheatedreekofsweatandleather。Acoolbreaththatseemedtobringbackoncemoretheodoroftheupturnedearthworksalongthenowdumblineofbattlebegantomovefromthesuggestivedarknessbeyond。
Butintothatawfulpenetraliaofdeathandsilencetherewasnoinvasion——therehadbeennoretreat。Afewofthewoundedhadbeenbroughtout，underfire，buttheothershadbeenleftwiththedeadforthemorninglightandsuccor。Foritwasknownthatinthathorribleobscurity，riderlesshorses，franticwiththesmellofblood，gallopedwildlyhereandthere，or，maddenedbywounds，plungedfuriouslyattheintruder；thatthewoundedsoldier，stillarmed，couldnotalwaysdistinguishfriendfromfoeorfromtheghoulsofcampfollowerswhostrippedthedeadinthedarknessandstruggledwiththedying。Ashotortwoheardsomewhereinthatobscuritycountedasnothingwiththelongfusilladethathadsweptitinthedaytime；thepassingofasinglelife，moreorless，amountedtolittleinthelongroll-calloftheday’sslaughter。
Butwiththefirstbeamsofthemorningsun——andtheslowlymoving"reliefdetail"fromthecamp——cameaweirdhalf-resurrectionofthatghastlyfield。Thenitwasthatthelongraysofsunlight，streamingawayamilebeyondthebattleline，pointedoutthefirstharvestofthedeadwherethereserveshadbeenposted。Theretheylayinheapsandpiles，killedbysolidshotorburstingshellsthathadleapedthebattlelinetoplungeintothewaitingranksbeyond。Asthesunliftedhigheritsbeamsfellwithintherangeofmusketryfire，wherethedeadlaythicker，——evenastheyhadfallenwhenkilledoutright，——witharmsextendedandfeetatallanglestothefield。Asittouchedthesedeadupturnedfaces，strangelyenoughitbroughtoutnoexpressionofpainoranguish——
butratherasifdeathhadarrestedthemonlyinsurpriseandawe。
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