CONTENTS
FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
ATREASUREOFTHEREDWOODS
ABELLEOFCANADACITY
WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA
AJACKANDJILLOFTHESIERRAS
MR。BILSON’SHOUSEKEEPER
FROMSANDHILLTOPINE
ANIECEOFSNAPSHOTHARRY’S
I
Therewasaslightjarringthoughthewholeframeofthecoach，agrindingandhissingfromthebrakes，andthenasuddenjoltasthevehicleranuponandrecoiledfromthetautpole-strapsofthenowarrestedhorses。Themurmurofavoiceintheroadwasheard，followedbytheimpatientaccentsofYubaBill，thedriver。
"Wha-a-t？Speakup，can’tye？"
Herethevoiceutteredsomethinginalouderkey，butequallyunintelligibletothenowinterestedandfullyawakenedpassengers。
Oneofthemdroppedthewindownearesthimandlookedout。Hecouldseethefaintglisteningofarain-washedlanternnearthewheelers’heads，minglingwiththestrongercoachlights，andtheglowofadistantopencabindoorthroughtheleavesandbranchesoftheroadside。Thesoundoffallingrainontheroof，asoftswayingofwind-tossedtrees，andanimpatientmovementonthebox-
seatwerealltheyheard。ThenYubaBill’svoiceroseagain，apparentlyinanswertotheother。
"Why，that’shalfamileaway！"
"Yes，butyemighthavedroppedontoitinthedark，andit’sallonthedowngrade，"respondedthestrangevoicemoreaudibly。
Thepassengerswerenowthoroughlyaroused。
"What’sup，Ned？"askedtheoneatthewindowofthenearestoftwofiguresthathaddescendedfromthebox。
"Treefallenacrosstheroad，"saidNed，theexpressman，briefly。
"Idon’tseenotree，"respondedthepassenger，leaningoutofthewindowtowardstheobscurityahead。
"Now，that’sonfortnit！"saidYubaBillgrimly；"butefanygentlemanwillonlylendhimanoperyglass，mebbehecanseeroundthecurveandovertheothersideo’thehillwhereitis。Now，then，"addressingthestrangerwiththelantern，"bringalongyouraxes，can’tye？"
"Here’sone，Bill，"saidanofficiousoutsidepassenger，producingtheinstrumenthehadtakenfromitsstrapintheboot。Itwasthe"regulation"axe，beautifullyshaped，highlypolished，andutterlyineffective，asBillwellknew。
"Weain’tcuttin’nokindlin’s，"hesaidscornfully；thenheaddedbrusquelytothestranger："Fetchoutyourbiggestwoodaxe——you’vegotone，yeknow——andlooksharp。"
"Idon’tthinkBillneedbesod————droughwiththestranger，consideringhe’ssavedthecoachaverybadsmash，"suggestedareflectiveyoungjournalistinthenextseat。"Hetalksasifthemanwasresponsible。"
"Heain’tquitesureifthatisn’tthefact，"saidtheexpressmessenger，inaloweredvoice。
"Why？Whatdoyoumean？"clamoredtheothersexcitedly。
"Well——THISisaboutthespotwheretheupcoachwasrobbedsixmonthsago，"returnedthemessenger。
"Dearme！"saidtheladyinthebackseat，risingwithahalfhystericallaugh，"hadn’twebettergetoutbeforetheycome？"
"Thereisnottheslightestdanger，madam，"saidaquiet，observantman，whohadscarcelyspokenbefore，"ortheexpressmanwouldnothavetoldus；norwouldhe，Ifancy，havelefthispostbesidethetreasureonthebox。"
Theslightsarcasmimpliedinthiswasenoughtoreddentheexpressman’scheekinthelightofthecoachlampwhichYubaBillhadjustunshippedandbroughttothewindow。Hewouldhavemadesometartrejoinder，butwaspreventedbyYubaBilladdressingthepassengers："Ye’llhavetoputupwithONElight，Ireckon，untilwe’vegotthisjobfinished。"
"Howlongwillitlast，Bill？"askedthemannearestthewindow。
"Well，"saidBill，withacontemptuousglanceattheelegantcoachaxehewascarryinginhishand，"considerin’thesepurtyfirst-
classhighlyexpensivehashchoppersthatthekempanyfurnishesus，Ireckonitmaytakeanhour。"
"Butistherenoplacewherewecanwait？"askedtheladyanxiously。
"Iseealightinthathouseyonder。"
"Yemighttryit，thoughthekempany，asarule，ain’tinthehabito’makin’socialcallsthere，"returnedBill，withacertaingrimsignificance。Then，turningtosomeoutsidepassengers，headded，"Now，then！themezisgoin’tohelpmetacklethattree，trotdown！Ireckonthatblitherin’idiot"（thestrangerwiththelantern，whohaddisappeared）"willhavesenseenoughtofetchussomeropeswithhisdarnedaxe。"
Thepassengersthusaddressed，apparentlyminersandworkingmen，goodhumoredlydescended，allexceptone，whoseemeddisinclinedtoleavethemuchcovetedseatontheboxbesidethedriver。
"I’lllookafteryourplacesandkeepmyown，"hesaid，withalaugh，astheothersfollowedBillthroughthedrippingrain。Whentheyhaddisappeared，theyoungjournalistturnedtothelady。
"Ifyouwouldreallyliketogotothathouse，Iwillgladlyaccompanyyou。"ItwaspossiblethatinadditiontohisyouthfulchivalrytherewasalittleyouthfulresentmentofYubaBill’sdomineeringprejudicesinhisattitude。However，thequiet，observantpassengerliftedalookofapprovaltohim，andadded，inhispreviouslevel，halfcontemptuoustone：——
"You’llbequiteaswellthereashere，madam，andthereiscertainlynoreasonforyourstoppinginthecoachwhenthedriverchoosestoleaveit。"
Thepassengerslookedateachother。Thestrangerspokewithauthority，andBillhadcertainlybeenalittlearbitrary！
"I’llgotoo，"saidthepassengerbythewindow。"Andyou’llcome，won’tyou，Ned？"headdedtotheexpressmessenger。Theyoungmanhesitated；hewasrecentlyappointed，andasyetfreshtothebusiness——buthewasnottobetaughthisdutybyanofficiousstranger！HeresentedtheinterferenceyouthfullybydoingtheverythinghewouldhavepreferredNOTtodo，andwithassumedcarelessness——yetfeelinginhispockettoassurehimselfthatthekeyofthetreasurecompartmentwassafe——turnedtofollowthem。
"Won’tYOUcometoo？"saidthejournalist，politelyaddressingthecynicalpassenger。
"No，Ithankyou！I’lltakechargeofthecoach，"wasthesmilingrejoinder，ashesettledhimselfmorecomfortablyinhisseat。
Thelittleprocessionmovedawayinsilence。Oddlyenough，noone，exceptthelady，reallycaredtogo，andtwo——theexpressmanandjournalist——wouldhavepreferredtoremainonthecoach。Butthenationalinstinctofquestioninganypurelyarbitraryauthorityprobablywasasufficientimpulse。Astheynearedtheopeneddoorofwhatappearedtobeafour-roomed，unpainted，redwoodboardedcabin，thepassengerwhohadoccupiedtheseatnearthewindowsaid，——
"I’llgofirstandsampletheshanty。"
Hewasnot，however，sofarinadvanceofthembutthattheotherscouldhearquitedistinctlyhisoffhandintroductionoftheirpartyonthethreshold，andthesomewhatlukewarmresponseoftheinmates。"Wethoughtwe’djustdropinandbesociableuntilthecoachwasreadytostartagain，"hecontinued，astheotherpassengersentered。"ThisyergentlemanisNedBrice，Adams&
Co。’sexpressman；thisyerisFrankFrenshaw，editorofthe’MountainBanner；’thisyer’salady，soitain’tnecessarytogiveHERname，Ireckon——evenifweknowedit！Mine’sSamHexshill，ofHexshill&Dobbs’sFlourMills，ofStockton，whar，efyouevercomethatway，I’llbehappytoreturnthecomplimentandhospitality。"
Theroomtheyhadenteredhadlittleofcomfortandbrightnessinitexceptthefireofpinelogswhichroaredandcrackledintheadobechimney。Theairwouldhavebeentoowarmbutforthestrongwestwindandrainwhichenteredtheopendoorfreely。Therewasnootherlightthanthefire，anditstremulousandever-changingbrilliancygaveaspasmodicmobilitytothefacesofthoseturnedtowardsit，orthrewintostrongershadowthefeaturesthatwereturnedaway。Yet，bythisuncertainlight，theycouldseethefiguresofamanandtwowomen。Themanroseand，withacertainapatheticgesturethatseemedtopartakemoreofwearinessandlongsufferingthanpositivediscourtesy，tenderedseatsonchairs，boxes，andevenlogstotheself-invitedguests。Thestagepartyweresurprisedtoseethatthismanwasthestrangerwhohadheldthelanternintheroad。
"Ah！thenyoudidn’tgowithBilltohelpcleartheroad？"saidtheexpressmansurprisedly。
Themanslowlydrewuphistall，shamblingfigurebeforethefire，andthenfacingthem，withhishandsbehindhim，asslowlyloweredhimselfagainasiftobringhisspeechtothelevelofhishearersandgivealazierandmoredeliberateeffecttohislong-drawnutterance。
"Well——no！"hesaidslowly。"I——didn’t——go——with——no——Bill——to——
help——clear——theroad！I——don’t——reckon——TOgo——with——no——Bill——
to——clear——ANYroad！I’vejustwhittledthisthingdowntoapint，andit’sthis——Iain’tnostagekempany’snigger！Sofarasturnin’outandwarnin’’emagingoin’tosmashoverafallentree，andslapdownintothecanyonwithapasselofinnercentpassengers，I’mthatmuchawhiteman，butIain’tnoNIGGERtoworkclearingthingsawayfor’em，norIain’tnoscrubtoworkbeside’em。"Heslowlystraightenedhimselfupagain，and，withhisformerapatheticair，lookingdownupononeofthewomenwhowassettingacoffee-potonthecoals，added，"ButIreckonmyoldwomanherekingiveyousomecoffeeandwhiskey——ofyoukeerforit。"
UnfortunatelytheyoungexpressmanwasmoreloyaltoBillthandiplomatic。"IfBill’salittlerough，"hesaid，withaheightenedcolor，"perhapshehassomeexcuseforit。Youforgetit’sonlysixmonthsagothatthiscoachwas’heldup’notahundredyardsfromthisspot。"
Thewomanwiththecoffee-potherefacedabout，stoodup，and，eitherfromdesignorsomeoddcoincidence，fellintothesamedoggedattitudethatherhusbandhadpreviouslytaken，exceptthatsherestedherhandsonherhips。Shewasprematurelyaged，likemanyofherclass，andherblack，snake-likelocks，twistingloosefromhercombassheliftedherhead，showedthreadsofwhiteagainstthefirelight。Thenwithslowandimplacabledeliberationshesaid：
"We’forget’！Well！notmuch，sonny！Weain’tforgotit，andweain’tgoin’toforgetit，neither！Weain’tbinlikelytoforgetitforanytimethelastsixmonths。Whatwithvisitationsfromthecountyconstables，snoopin’sroundfrom’Friscodetectives，droppin’s-infromnewspapermen，andyawpin’sandstarin’sfromtrampsandstrangersontheroad——wehaven’thadachancetodisrememberMUCH！AndwhenatlastHiramtackledtheheadstageagentatMarysville，andallowedthatthisyerpesterin’andpersecutin’hadgotterstop——whatdidthatyerheadagenttellhim？Toldhimto’shethishead，’andbethankfulthathis’thievin’oldshantywasn’tburntdownaroundhisears！’Forgetthatsixmonthsagothecoachwasheldupnearhere？Notmuch，sonny——notmuch！"
Thesituationwasembarrassingtotheguests，asordinarypolitenesscalledforsomeexpressionofsympathywiththeirgloomyhostess，andyetaselfishinstinctofhumanitywarnedthemthattheremustbesomefoundationforthisgeneraldistrustofthepublic。Thejournalistwastroubledinhisconscience；theexpressmantookrefugeinanofficialreticence；theladycoughedslightly，anddrewnearertothefirewithavaguebutsafecomplimenttoitsbrightnessandcomfort。ItdevolveduponMr。Heckshill，whofelttheresponsibilityofhislateairyintroductionoftheparty，toboldlykeepuphisrole，withanequallynon-committal，light-heartedphilosophy。
"Well，ma’am，"hesaid，addressinghishostess，"it’saqueerworld，andnoman’sgotsabeenoughtosaywhat’stherightsandwrongso’anything。Somefolksbelieveonethingandactuponit，andotherfolksthinkdifferentlyandactuponTHAT！TheonlythingyekinsafelysayisthatTHINGSISEZTHEYBE！MyrulehereandatthemillisjesttotakethingsezIfind’em！"
ItoccurredtothejournalistthatMr。Heckshillhadthereputation，inhisearliercareer，of"taking"suchthingsasunoccupiedlandsandtimber"ashefoundthem，"withoutmuchreferencetotheiractualowners。Apparentlyhewasactinguponthesameprinciplenow，ashereachedforthedemijohnofwhiskeywiththeingenuouspleasantry，"Didsomebodysaywhiskey，ordidI
dreamit？"
ButthisdidnotsatisfyFrenshaw。"Isuppose，"hesaid，ignoringHeckshill’sdiplomaticphilosophy，"thatyoumayhavebeenthevictimofsomemisunderstandingorsomeunfortunatecoincidence。
Perhapsthecompanymayhaveconfoundedyouwithyourneighbors，whoarebelievedtobefriendlytothegang；oryoumayhavemadesomeinjudiciousacquaintances。Perhaps"——
Hewasstoppedbyasuppressedbutnotunmusicalgiggle，whichappearedtocomefromthewomaninthecornerwhohadnotyetspoken，andwhosefaceandfigureintheshadowhehadpreviouslyoverlooked。Buthecouldnowseethatheroutlinewasslimandgraceful，andthecontourofherheadcharming，——factsthathadevidentlynotescapedtheobservationoftheexpressmanandMr。
Heckshill，andthatmighthaveaccountedforthecautiousreticenceoftheoneandthecomfortablemoralizingoftheother。
Theoldwomancastanuneasyglanceonthefairgiggler，butrepliedtoFrenshaw：
"That’sit！’injerdishusacquaintances！’Butjustbecausewemighthappentohavefriends，orevenbesorterrelatedtofolksinanotherlineo’businessthatain’tnoneo’ours，thekempanyhain’tnocalltopersecuteUSforit！S’posewedohappentoknowsomeonelike"——
"Spititout，aunty，nowyou’vestartedin！Idon’tmind，"saidthefairgiggler，nowapparentlycastingoffallrestraintinanoutburstoflaughter。
"Well，"saidtheoldwoman，withdoggeddesperation，"suppose，then，thatthatyounggirltharisthenieceofSnapshotHarry，whostoppedthecoachthelasttime"——
"Andain’tashamedofit，either！"interruptedtheyounggirl，risinganddisclosinginthefirelightanaudaciousbutwonderfullyprettyface；"andsupposingheISmyuncle，thatain’tanycausefortheirbedevilin’mypooroldcousinsHiramandSophythar！"
Foralltheindignationofherwords，herlittlewhiteteethflashedmischievouslyinthedancinglight，asifsheratherenjoyedtheembarrassmentofheraudience，notexcludingherownrelatives。EvidentlycousinSophythoughtsotoo。
"It’sallverywellforyoutolaugh，Flo，youlimb！"sheretortedquerulously，yetwithanadmiringglanceatthegirl，"foryeknowtharain’tamandaretouchyeevenwithaword；butit’smightyhardonmeandHiram，allthesame。"
"Neveryoumind，Sophydear，"saidthegirl，placingherhandhalfaffectionately，halfhumorouslyontheoldwoman’sshoulder；"mebbeIwon’talwaysbeadiscreditandabothertoyou。Jestyouholdyourhosses，andwaituntiluncleHarry’holdsup’thenextPioneerCoach，"——thedancingdevilinhereyesglancedasifaccidentallyontheyoungexpressman，——"andhe’llmakeabigenoughpiletosendmetoEurope，andyou’llbequito’me。"
Theembarrassment，suspiciousness，anduneasinessofthecoachpartyherefoundreliefinahalfhystericexplosionoflaughter，inwhicheventhedoggedHiramandSophyjoined。Itseemedasimpossibletowithstandthegirl’sinvincibleaudacityasherbeauty。Shewasquicktoperceiveheradvantage，and，witharesponsivelaughandapicturesquegestureofinvitation，said：——
"Nowthat’sallsettled，ye’dbetterwaltzinandhaveyourwhiskeyandcoffeeaforethestagestarts。Yekincomfortyourselvesthatitain’tstolenorpizoned，evenifitisserveduptoyebySnapshotHarry’sniece！"Withanothereasygesturesheswungthedemijohnoverherarm，and，offeringatincuptoeachofthemen，filledtheminturn。
Theicethusbroken，orperhapsthusperilouslyskatedover，thepassengerswereasprofuseintheirthanksandapologiesastheyhadbeenconstrainedandartificialbefore。HeckshillandFrenshawviedwitheachotherforaglancefromtheaudaciousFlo。Iftheircomplimentspartookofanextravagancethatwasattimesironical，thegirlwasevidentlynotdeceivedbyit，butrepliedinkind。
Onlytheexpressmanwhoseemedtohavefallenunderthespellofheraudaciousglances，wasuneasyatthelicenseoftheothers，yethimselfdumbtowardsher。Theladydiscreetlydrewnearertothefire，theoldwoman，andhercoffee；Hiramsubsidedintohisapatheticattitudebythefire。
AshoutfromtheroadatlastproclaimedthereturnofYubaBillandhishelpers。Ithadthesingulareffectofstartlingthepartyintoavagueanduneasyconsciousnessofindiscretion，asifithadbeenthevoiceoftheouterworldoflawandorder，andtheirmanneragainbecameconstrained。Theleave-takingwashurriedandperfunctory；thediplomaticHeckshillagainlapsedintoglitteringgeneralitiesabout"thebestoffriendsparting。"Onlytheexpressmanlingeredforamomentonthedoorstepinthelightofthefireandthegirl’sdancingeyes。
"Ihope，"hestammered，withaveryyouthfulblush，"tocomethenexttime——with——with——abetterintroduction。"
"UncleHarry’s，"shesaid，withaquicklaughandamockcurtsey，assheturnedaway。
Onceoutofhearing，thepartybrokeintohurriedcommentandcriticismofthescenetheyhadjustwitnessed，andparticularlyofthefairactresswhohadplayedsoimportantapart，averringtheiremphaticintentionofwrestingthefactsfromYubaBillatonce，andcross-examininghimclosely；butoddlyenough，reachingthecoachandthatredoubtedindividual，nooneseemedtocaretotaketheinitiative，andtheyallscrambledhurriedlytotheirseatswithoutaword。HowfarYubaBill’sirritabilityandimperioushastecontributedtothis，orafearthathemightinturncatechisethemkeptthemsilent，nooneknew。Thecynicallyobservantpassengerwasnotthere；heandthesoleoccupantofthebox-seat，theyweretold，hadjoinedtheclearingpartysomemomentsbefore，andwouldbepickedupbyYubaBilllateron。
FiveminutesafterBillhadgatheredupthereins，theyreachedthesceneofobstruction。Thegreatpine-treewhichhadfallenfromthesteepbankaboveandstretchedacrosstheroadhadbeenpartlyloppedofitsbranches，dividedintwolengths，whichwerenowrolledtoeithersideofthetrack，leavingbarelyspaceforthecoachtopass。Thehugevehicle"slowedup"asYubaBillskillfullyguidedhissixhorsesthroughthisnarrowalley，whosetasselsofpine，glisteningwithwet，brushedthepanelsandsidesofthecoach，andeffectuallyexcludedanyviewfromitswindows。
Seenfromthecoachtop，thehorsesappearedtobecleavingtheirwaythroughadark，shiningolivesea，thatpartedbeforeandclosedbehindthem，astheyslowlypassed。Theleaderswerejustemergingfromit，andBillwasgatheringuphisslackenedreins，whenaperemptoryvoicecalled，"Halt！"Atthesamemomentthecoachlightsflasheduponamaskedandmotionlesshorsemanintheroad。Billmadeanimpulsivereachforhiswhip，butinthesameinstantcheckedhimself，reinedinhishorseswithasuppressedoath，andsatperfectlyrigid。Notsotheexpressman，whocaughtuphisrifle，butitwasarrestedbyBill’sarm，andhisvoiceinhisear！
Toolate！——we’recovered！——don’tbead————dfool！"
Theinsidepassengers，stillencompassedbyobscurity，knewonlythatthestagehadstopped。The"outsiders"knew，byexperience，thattheywerecoveredbyunseengunsinthewaysidebranches，andscarcelymoved。
"Ididn’tthinkitwasthesquarethingtostopyou，Bill，tillyou’dgotthroughyourwork，"saidamasterfulbutnotunpleasantvoice，"andifyou’lljusthanddowntheexpressbox，I’llpassyouandtherestofyourloadthroughfree。Butaswe’rebothinahurry，you’dbetterlooklivelyaboutit。"
"Handitdown，"saidBillgrufflytotheexpressman。
Theexpressmanturnedwithawhitecheckbutblazingeyestothecompartmentbelowhisseat。Helingered，apparentlyinsomedifficultywiththelockofthecompartment，butfinallybroughtouttheboxandhandedittoanotherarmedandmaskedfigurethatappearedmysteriouslyfromthebranchesbesidethewheels。
"Thankyou！"saidthevoice；"youcanslideonnow。"
"Andthankyoufornothing，"saidBill，gatheringuphisreins。
"It’sthefirsttimeanyofyourkindhadtothrowdownatreetoholdmeup！"
"You’relying，Bill！——thoughyoudon’tknowit，"saidthevoicecheerfully。"Farfromthrowingdownatreetostopyou，itwasI
sentwordalongtheroadtowarnyoufromcrashingdownuponit，andsendingyouandyourloadtoh-llbeforeyourtime！Driveon！"
TheangryBillwaitedfornosecondcomment，butlayinghiswhipoverthebacksofhisteam，drovefuriouslyforward。Sorapidlyhadthewholescenepassedthattheinsidepassengersknewnothingofit，andeventhoseonthetopofthecoachrousedfromtheirstuporandingloriousinactiononlytoclingdesperatelytotheterriblyswayingcoachasitthundereddownthegradeandtrytokeeptheirequilibrium。Yet，furiousaswastheirspeed，YubaBillcouldnothelpnoticingthattheexpressmanfromtimetotimecastahurriedglancebehindhim。Billknewthattheyoungmanhadshownreadinessandnerveintheattack，althoughbothwerehopeless；yethewassomuchconcernedathissetwhitefaceandcompressedlipsthatwhen，attheendofthreemiles’unabatedspeed，theygallopeduptothefirststation，heseizedtheyoungmanbythearm，and，astheclamorofthenewstheyhadbroughtrosearoundthem，draggedhimpastthewonderingcrowd，caughtadecanterfromthebar，and，openingthedoorofasideroom，pushedhimintoitandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
"Lookyar，Brice！Stopit！Quititrightthar！"hesaidemphatically，layinghislargehandontheyoungfellow’sshoulder。
"Beaman！You’veshownyouareone，greenezyouare，foryouhadthesandinye——thecleargritto-night，yetyou’dhavebeenadeadmannow，ifIhadn’tstoppedye！Man！youhadnoshowfromthebeginning！You’vedoneyourlevelbesttosaveyourtreasure，andI’myourwitnesstothekempany，andproudofit，too！Soshetyourheadand——and，"pouringoutaglassofwhiskey，"swallerthat！"
ButBricewavedhimasidewithburningeyesanddrylips。
"Youdon’tknowitall，Bill！"hesaid，withahalfchokedvoice。
"Allwhat？"
"Swearthatyou’llkeepitasecret，"hesaidfeverishly，grippingBill’sarminturn，"andI’lltellyou。"
"Goon！"
"THECOACHWASROBBEDBEFORETHAT！"
"Wotyersay？"ejaculatedBill。
"Thetreasure——apacketofgreenbacks——hadbeentakenfromtheboxbeforethegangstoppedus！"
"Theh-ll，yousay！"
"Listen！Whenyoutoldmetohanddownthebox，Ihadanidea——ad————dfoolone，perhaps——oftakingthatpackageoutandjumpingfromthecoachwithit。Iknewtheywouldfireatmeonly；Imightgetaway，butiftheykilledme，I’dhavedoneonlymyduty，andnobodyelsewouldhavegothurt。ButwhenIgottotheboxIfoundthatthelockhadbeenforcedandthemoneywasgone。ImanagedtosnapthelockagainbeforeIhandeditdown。Ithoughttheymightdiscoveritatonceandchaseus，buttheydidn’t。"
"Andthentharwarnogreenbacksintheboxthattheytook？"gaspedBill，withstaringeyes。
"No！"
Billraisedhishandintheairasifinsolemnadjuration，andthenbroughtitdownonhisknee，doublingupinafitofuncontrollablebutperfectlynoiselesslaughter。"Oh，Lord！"hegasped，"hol’meaforeIbustrightopen！Hush，"hewenton，withajerkofhisfingerstowardsthenextroom，"notawordo’thistoanyone！It’stoomuchtokeep，Iknow；it’snearlykillingme！
butwemustswalleritourselves！Oh，JerusalemtheGolden！Oh，Brice！Thinko’thatfaceo’SnapshotHarry’sezheopenedthattreasureboxaforehisganginthebrush！Andheallerssokeenandsoeasyandsococksure！Createdsnakes！I’dgothroughthiseverytripforonesightofhimashejustrizupfromthatboxandcussed！"Heagainshookwithinwardconvulsionstillhisfacegrewpurple，andeventheredcamebacktotheyoungerman’scheek。
"Butthisdon’tbringthemoneyback，Bill，"saidBricegloomily。
YubaBillswallowedtheglassofwhiskeyatagulp，wipedhismouthandeyes，smotheredasecondexplosion，andthengravelyconfrontedBrice。
"Whendoyouthinkitwastaken，andhow？"
"ItmusthavebeentakenwhenIleftthecoachontheroadandwentovertothatsettler’scabin，"saidBricebitterly。"YetI
believedeverythingwassafe，andIlefttwomen——bothpassengers——
oneinsideandoneonthebox，thatmanwhosattheothersideofyou。"
"Jeewhillikins！"ejaculatedBill，withhishandtohisforehead，"themenIcleanforgottopickupintheroad，andnowIreckontheyneverintendedtobepickedup，either。"
"Nodoubtapartofthegang，"saidBrice，withincreasedbitterness；"Iseeitallnow。"
"No！"saidBilldecisively，"thatain’tSnapshotHarry’sstyle；
he’sacleanfighter，withnounderhandtricks。AndIdon’tbelievehethrewdownthattree，either。Lookyer，sonny！"headded，suddenlylayinghishandonBrice’sshoulder，"ahundredtoonethatthatwastheworkofacoupleo’d————dsneaksortraitorsinthatgangwhokemalongaspassengers。Inevertookanystockinthatcoyotewhopaidextraforhisbox-seat。"
BriceknewthatBillneverlookedkindlyonanypassengerwho，bybribingtheticketagent，securedthisfavoriteseat，whichBillfeltwasduetohispersonalfriendsandwasinhisownselection。
Heonlyreturnedgloomily：——
"Idon’tseewhatdifferenceitmakestouswhichrobbergotthemoney。
"Yedon’t，"saidBill，raisinghishead，withasuddentwinkleinhiseyes。"Thenyedon’tknowSnapshotHarry。Doyesupposehe’sgoin’tositdownandtwiddlehisthumbswiththatskingameplayedonhim？No，sir，"hecontinued，withathoughtfuldeliberation，drawinghisfingersslowlythroughhislongbeard，"hespottedit——
andsmeltoutthewholetrickezsoonezheopenedthatbox，andthat’swhyhedidn’tfollerus！He’llhuntthosesneakthievesintoh-llbutwhathe’llget’em，and，"hewentonstillmoreslowly，"bythelivin’hokey！Ireckon，sonny，that’sjesthowye’llgetyourchancetochipin！"
"Idon’tunderstand，"saidBriceimpatiently。
"Well，"saidBill，withmoreprovokingslowness，asifhewerecommuningwithhimselfratherthanBrice，"Harry’smightyproudandhightoned，andtobegivenawaylikethishascutdownintohisheart，youbet。Itain’tthemoneyhe’sthinkin’of；it’sthissplitinthegang——thelossofhispowerezboss，yesee——andefhecouldgetholdo’themchapshe’dletthemoneyslideezlongeztheydidn’tgetit。Soyou’vegotadetectiveonyoursidethat’sworththewholepoliceforceofCaliforny！YeneverheardanythingaboutSnapshotHarry，didye？"askedBillcarelessly，raisinghiseyestoBrice’seagerface。
Theyoungmanflushedslightly。"Verylittle，"hesaid。Atthesametimeavisionoftheprettygirlinthesettler’scabinflasheduponhimwithanewsignificance。
"He’smorethanhalfwhite，insomeways，"saidBillthoughtfully，"andtheysayhelivessomewhereabouthereinacabininthebush，withacrippledsisterandherdarter，whobothswearbyhim。Itmightn’tbehardtofindhim——efamanwasdeadsetonit。"
Bricefacedaboutwithdeterminedeyes。"I’LLDOIT，"hesaidquietly。
"Yemight，"saidBill，stillmoredeliberatelystrokinghisbeard，"mentionmyname，efyeevergettoseehim。"
"Yourname，"ejaculatedtheastonishedBrice。
"Myname，"repeatedBillcalmly。"Heknowsit’smyboundendutytokillhimefIgetthechance，andIknowthathe’dplugmefullo’
holesinaminiteftharwaranecessityforit。Butintheseyeraffairs，sonny，itseemstobetheunderstoodthingbythekempanythatI’mtokeepfieryyoungsquirtslikeyou，andchuckle-headedpassengerslikethem"——jerkinghisthumbtowardstheotherroom——
"fromgettin’themselveskilledbytheirrashness。Soontilthekempanyfillthetopo’thatcoachwithmenwhoain’tgotanybusinesstodoBUTfightin’othermenwhoain’tgotanyotherbusinesstodoBUTtofightthem——theoddsareaginus！Harryhasalwaysactedsquaretome——that’showIknowheain’tinthissneak-thiefbusiness，andwhyhedidn’tfollerus，suspectin’
suthin’，andI’vealwaysactedsquaretohim。Allthesame，I’dliketerhevseenhisfacewhenthatboxwasopened！Lordy！"HereBillagaincollapsedinhissilentparoxysmofmirth。"YemighttellhimhowIlaughed！"
"Iwouldhardlydothat，Bill，"saidtheyoungman，smilinginspiteofhimself。"Butyou’vegivenmeanidea，andI’llworkitout。"
Billglancedattheyoungfellow’skindlingeyesandflushingcheek，andnodded。"Well，rastlewiththatidealateron，sonny。
I’llfixyouallrightinmyreporttothekempany，buttherestyoumustworkalone。I’vestartedouttheusualposse，circus-
ridin’downtheroadafterHarry。He’dbearoughcustomertomeetjustnow，"continuedBill，withachuckle，"eftharwastheghostofachanceo’themcomin’upwithhim，forhimandhisgangisscatteredmilesawaybythis。"Hepaused，tossedoffanotherglassofwhiskey，wipedhismouth，andsayingtoBrice，withawink，"It’sabouttimetogoandcomfortthemtharpassengers，"ledthewaythroughthecrowdedbarroomintothestageoffice。
ThespectacleofBill’shumorouslysatisfiedfaceandBrice’sbrighteyesandheightenedcolorwassingularlyeffective。The"inside"passengers，whohadexperiencedneithertheexcitementnorthedangeroftherobbery，yethadbeenobligedtolistentothehairbreadthescapesoftheothers，pooh-poohedthewholeaffair，andeventhe"outsides"themselveswereatlastconvincedthattherobberywasaslightone，withlittleornolosstothecompany。
Theclamorsubsidedalmostassuddenlyasithadarisen；thewiserpassengersfashionedtheirattitudeonthesang-froidofYubaBill，andthewholecoachloadpresentlyrolledawayascomplacentlyasifnothinghadhappened。
II
Therobberyfurnishedtheusualamountofcopyforthelocalpress。
TherewastheinevitablecomplimenttoYubaBillforhiswell-knowncoolness；theconductoftheyoungexpressman，"who，thoughnewtotheservice，displayedanintrepiditythatonlysuccumbedtonumbers，"washighlycommended，andeventhepassengersreceivedtheirmeedofpraise，notforgettingthelady，"whoacceptedtheincidentwiththelight-heartedpleasantrycharacteristicoftheCalifornianwoman。"TherewastheusualallusiontothenecessityofaVigilanceCommitteetocopewiththis"organizedlawlessness"
butitistobefearedthatthereadersof"TheRedDogClarion，"
howeverreadytolynchahorsethief，wereoftheopinionthatrichstageexpresscompanieswerequiteabletotakecareoftheirownproperty。
ItwaswithfullcognizanceofthesefactsandtheiruselessnesstohimthatthenextmorningMr。NedBriceturnedfromtheroadwherethecoachhadjusthaltedonthepreviousnightandapproachedthesettler’scabin。IfalittlelesssanguinethanhewasinYubaBill’spresence，hewasstilldoggedlyinflexibleinhisdesign，whateveritmighthavebeen，forhehadnotrevealediteventoYubaBill。Itwashisown；itwasprobablycrudeandyouthfulinitsdirectness，butforthatreasonitwasprobablymoreconvincingthanthevacillationsofoldercounsel。
Hepausedamomentatthecloseddoor，conscious，however，ofsomehurriedmovementwithinwhichsignifiedthathisapproachhadbeenobserved。Thedoorwasopened，anddisclosedonlytheoldwoman。
Thesamedoggedexpressionwasonherfaceaswhenhehadlastseenit，withtheadditionofquerulousexpectancy。Inreplytohispolite"Good-morning，"sheabruptlyfacedhimwithherhandsstillonthedoor。
"Yekinstoprightthere！Efyerwanttermakeanytalkaboutthisyarrobbery，yemightezwellskedaddletooncet，forweain’t’takin’any’to-day！"
"Ihavenowishtotalkabouttherobbery，"saidBricequietly，"andasfarasIcanpreventit，youwillnotbetroubledbyanyquestions。Ifyoudoubtmywordortheintentionsofthecompany，perhapsyouwillkindlyreadthat。"
Hedrewfromhispocketastilldampcopyof"TheRedDogClarion"
andpointedtoaparagraph。
"Wot’sthat？"shesaidquerulously，feelingforherspectacles。
"ShallIreadit？"
"Goon。"
Hereaditslowlyaloud。Igrievetosayithadbeenjointlyconcoctedthenightbeforeattheofficeofthe"Clarion"byhimselfandtheyoungjournalist——thelatter’sassistancebeinghisownpersonaltributetothegracesofMissFlo。Itreadasfollows：——
"ThegreatestassistancewasrenderedbyHiramTarbox，Esq。，aresidentofthevicinity，inremovingtheobstruction，whichwas，nodoubt，thepreliminaryworkofsomeoftherobbergang，andinprovidinghospitalityforthedelayedpassengers。Infact，butforthetimelywarningofYubaBillbyMr。Tarbox，thecoachmighthavecrashedintothetreeatthatdangerouspoint，andanaccidentensuedmoredisastroustolifeandlimbthantherobberyitself。"
Thesuddenandunmistakabledelightthatexpandedtheoldwoman’smouthwassoconvincingthatitmighthavegivenBriceatingeofremorseoverthesuccessofhisstratagem，hadhenotbeenutterlyabsorbedinhispurpose。"Hiram！"sheshoutedsuddenly。
Theoldmanappearedfromsomebackdoorwithapromptnessthatprovedhisnearproximity，andglancedangrilyatBriceuntilhecaughtsightofhiswife’sface。Thenhisangerchangedtowonder。
"Readthatagain，youngfeller，"shesaidexultingly。
Bricere-readtheparagraphaloudforMr。Tarbox’sbenefit。
"That’ar’HiramTarbox，Esquire，’meansYOU，Hiram，"shegasped，indelightedexplanation。
Hiramseizedthepaper，readtheparagraphhimself，spreadoutthewholepage，examineditcarefully，andthenafatuousgrinbeganslowlytoextenditselfoverhiswholeface，invadinghiseyesandears，untiltheheavy，harsh，doggedlinesofhisnostrilsandjawshadutterlydisappeared。
"B’gosh！"hesaid，"that’ssquare！KinIkeepit？"
"Certainly，"saidBrice。"Ibroughtitforyou。"
"Isthatallyecamefor？"saidHiram，withsuddensuspicion。
"No，"saidtheyoungmanfrankly。Yethehesitatedamomentasheadded，"IwouldliketoseeMissFlora。"
Hishesitationandheightenedcolorweremoredisarmingtosuspicionthanthemostelaborateandcarefullypreparedindifference。Withtheirknowledgeandprideintheirrelative’sfascinationstheyfeltitcouldhavebutonemeaning！Hiramwipedhismouthwithhishand，assumedademureexpression，glancedathiswife，andanswered：——
"Sheain’therenow。"
Mr。Brice’sfacedisplayedhisdisappointment。Butthetrueloverholdsatalismanpotentwitholdandyoung。Mrs。TarboxfeltasneakingmaternalpityforthissuddenlystrickenStrephon。
"She’sgonehome，"sheaddedmoregently——"wentatsun-upthismornin’。"
"Home，"repeatedBrice。"Where’sthat？"
Mrs。Tarboxlookedatherhusbandandhesitated。Thenshesaid——alittleinheroldmanner——"Heruncle’s。"
"Canyoudirectmethewaythere？"askedBricesimply。
Theastonishmentintheirfacespresentlydarkenedintosuspicionagain。"Efthat’syourlittlegame，"beganHiram，withaloweringbrow——
"Ihavenolittlegamebuttoseeherandspeakwithher，"saidBriceboldly。"Iamaloneandunarmed，asyousee，"hecontinued，pointingtohisemptybeltandsmalldispatchbagslungonhisshoulder，"andcertainlyunabletodoanyoneanyharm。Iamwillingtotakewhatrisksthereare。Andasnooneknowsofmyintention，norofmycominghere，whatevermighthappentome，nooneneedknowit。Youwouldbesafefromquestioning。"
Therewasthathopefuldeterminationinhismannerthatoverrodetheirresigneddoggedness。"Efweknewhowtodirectyouthar，"
saidtheoldwomancautiously，"ye’dbekilledouterhandaforeyeevenseteyesonthegirl。Thehouseisinahollerwithhillskeptbyspies；ye’dbeadeadmanassoonasyecrosseditsboundary。"
"WotdoYOUknowaboutit？"interruptedherhusbandquickly，inquerulouswarning。"Wotareyetalkin’about？"
"Youleavemealone，Hiram！Iain’tgoin’toletthatyoungfellergetpoppedoffwithoutashow，orwithoutknowin’jestwothe’sgottotackle，nohowyekinfixit！Andcan’tyeseehe’sboundtogo，whateveryesays？"
Mr。TarboxsawthisfactplainlyinBrice’seyes，andhesitated。
"ThemostthatIkintellye，"hesaidgloomily，"isthewaythegaltakeswhenshegoesfromhere，buthowfaritis，orifitain’tablind，Ican’tswar，forIhevn’tbintharmyself，andHarrynevercomesherebutonanoffnight，whenthecoachain’trunnin’andthar’snotravel。"Hestoppedsuddenlyanduneasily，asifhehadsaidtoomuch。
"Tharyego，Hiram，andyetalkofothersgabblin’！Soyemightaswelltelltheyoungfellerhowthattharain’tbutoneway，andthat’sthewayHarrytakes，too，whenhecomesyeroncetinanagetotalktohisownfleshandblood，andseeaChristianfacethatain’taginhim！"
Mr。Tarboxwassilent。"Yeknowwharthetreewasthrowndownontheroad，"hesaidatlast。
"Yes。"
"Themountainrisesstraightupontherightsideoftheroad，allhazelbrushandthorn——wharagoatcouldn’tclimb。"
"Yes。"
"Butthat’salie！forthar’salittletrail，notafootwide，runsupfromtheroadforamile，keepin’itinviewallthewhile，butbein’hiddenbythebrush。Yekinseeeverythingfromthar，andhearateamsterspitontheroad。"
"Goon，"saidBriceimpatiently。
"Thenitgoesupandovertheridge，anddowntheothersideintoalittlegulchuntilitcomestothecanyonoftheNorthFork，wherethestageroadcrossesoverthebridgehighup。ThetrailwindsroundthebankoftheForkandcomesoutontheLEFTsideofthestageroadaboutathousandfeetbelowit。That’sthevalleyandhollowwharHarrylives，andthat’stheonlywayitcanbefound。
ForallalongtheLEFTofthestageroadisasheerpitchdownthatthousandfeet，wharnoonekingitupordown。"
"Iunderstand，"saidBrice，withsparklingeyes。"I’llfindmywayallright。"
"Andwhenyegitthar，lookoutforyourself！"putinthewomanearnestly。"Yemayhaveregulargreenhorn’sluckandpickupFloaforeyecrosstheboundary，forshe’sthatboldthatwhenshegetslonesomeo’stayin’tharshegoeswanderin’outo’bounds。"
"Hevyeanyweppin，——anyshootin’-ironaboutye？"askedTarbox，withalatentsuspicion。
Theyoungmansmiled，andagainshowedhisemptybelt。"None！"hesaidtruthfully。
"Iain’tsureefthatain’tthesafestthingarterallwithashotlikeHarry，"remarkedtheoldmangrimly。"Well，solong！"headded，andturnedaway。
Itwasclearlyaleave-taking，andBrice，warmlythankingthemboth，returnedtotheroad。
Itwasnotfartothesceneoftheobstruction，yetbutforTarbox’stimelyhint，thelittletrailupthemountainsidewouldhaveescapedhisobservation。Ascending，hesoonfoundhimselfcreepingalonganarrowledgeofrock，hiddenfromtheroadthatranfiftyyardsbelowbyathicknetworkgrowthofthornandbramble，whichstillenabledhimtoseeitswholeparallellength。
Perilousintheextremetoanyhesitatingfoot，atonepoint，directlyabovetheobstruction，theledgeitselfwasmissing——
brokenawaybythefallofthetreefromtheforestcresthigherup。ForaninstantBricestooddizzyandirresolutebeforethegap。Lookingdownforafoothold，hiseyecaughtthefaintimprintofawoman’sshoeonaclayeyrockprojectingmidwayofthechasm。
Itmusthavebeentheyounggirl’sfootprintmadethatmorning，forthenarrowtoewaspointedinthedirectionshewouldgo！WhereSHEcouldpassshouldheshrinkfromgoing？Withoutfurtherhesitationhetwinedhisfingersaroundtherootsabovehim，andhalfswung，halfpulledhimselfalonguntilheoncemorefelttheledgebelowhim。
Fromtimetotime，ashewentonalongthedifficulttrack，thenarrowlittletoe-printpointedthewaytohim，likeanarrowthroughthewilds。Itwasapleasantthought，andyetaperplexingone。Wouldhehaveundertakenthisquestjusttoseeher？Wouldhebecontentwiththatifhisothermotivefailed？Forashemadehiswayuptotheridgehewasmorethanonceassailedbydoubtsofthepracticalsuccessofhisenterprise。Intheexcitementoflastnight，andeventhehopefulnessoftheearlymorning，itseemedaneasythingtopersuadethevainandeccentrichighwaymanthattheirinterestsmightbeidentical，andtoconvincehimthathis，Brice’s，assistancetorecoverthestolengreenbacksandinsurethepunishmentoftherobber，withthepossibleadditionofarewardfromtheexpresscompany，wouldbeaninducementforthemtoworktogether。Therisksthathewasrunningseemedtohisyouthfulfancytoatoneforanydefectsinhislogicorhisplans。Yetashecrossedtheridge，leavingthecivilizedhighwaybehindhim，anddescendedthenarrowtrail，whichgrewwilderateachstep，hisargumentsseemednolongersoconvincing。Henowhurriedforward，however，withafeverishhastetoanticipatetheworstthatmightbefallhim。
Thetrailgrewmoreintricateinthedeepferns；thefriendlylittlefootprinthadvanishedinthisprimevalwilderness。Ashepushedthroughthegorge，hecouldhearatlasttheroaroftheNorthForkforcingitswaythroughthecanyonthatcrossedthegorgeatrightangles。Atlasthereacheditscurrent，shutinbytwonarrowprecipitouswallsthatwerespannedfivehundredfeetabovebythestageroadoveraperilousbridge。Asheapproachedthegloomycanyon，herememberedthattheriver，seenfromabove，seemedtohavenobanks，buttohavecutitswaythroughthesolidrock。
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