NeitherdoIthinkitcouldbesaidthataslightdeafness，whichmightimpartanembarrassingpublicitytoanystatement——thereverseofourgeneralfeeling——thatmightbeconfidedbyanyonetoherprivateear，wasasufficientreason；foritwaspointedoutthatshealwaysunderstoodeverythingthatTomSparrelltoldherinhisordinarytoneofvoice。Briefly，itwasverypossiblethatDelaware——theyoungestMissPiper——didnotlikeus。YetitwasfondlybelievedbyusthattheothersistersfailedtoshowthatindifferencetoourexistenceshownbyMissDelaware，althoughtheheartburnings，misunderstandings，jealousies，hopesandfears，andfinallythechivalrousresignationwithwhichweatlastacceptedthelongforegoneconclusionthattheywerenotforus，andfarbeyondourreach，isnotapartofthisveraciouschronicle。
EnoughthatnoneoftheflirtationsofhereldersistersaffectedorweresharedbytheyoungestMissPiper。Shemovedinthisheart-breakingatmospherewithsublimeindifference，treatinghersisters'affairswithwhatweconsideredranksimplicityorappallingfrankness。Theirfewadmirerswhowereweakenoughtoattempttogainhermediationorconfidencehadreasontoregretit。
"It'snokindo'usegivin'megoodies，"shesaidtoahelplesssuitorofLouisianaPiper'swhohadofferedtobringhersomesweets，"forIain'tgotnoinfluencewithLu，andifIdon'tgive'emuptoherwhenshehearsofit，she'llnagmeandhateyoulikepizen。Unless，"sheaddedthoughtfully，"itwaswintergreenlozenges；Lucan'tstandthem，oranybodywhoeatsthemwithinamile。"Itisneedlesstoaddthatthemiserableman，thusputuponhisgallantry，wasobligedinhonortoprovideDelwiththewintergreenlozengesthatkepthimindisfavorandatadistance。
Unfortunately，too，anypredilectionorpityforanyparticularsuitorofhersister'swasattendedbyevenmoredisastrousconsequences。Itwasreportedthatwhileactingas"gooseberry"——aroleusuallyassignedtoher——betweenVirginiaPiperandanexceptionallytimidyoungsurveyor，duringaramblesheconceivedararesentimentofhumanitytowardstheunhappyman。Afteronceortwicelingeringbehindintheostentatiouspickingofawaysideflower，or"runningonahead"tolookatamountainview，withoutanyapparenteffectontheshyandspeechlessyouth，shedecoyedhimasidewhilehereldersisterrambledindifferentlyandsomewhatscornfullyon。TheyoungestMissPiperleapedupontherailofafence，andwiththestalkofathimbleberryinhermouthswunghersmallfeettoandfroandsurveyedhimdispassionately。
"Yedon'tseemtobeketchin'on？"shesaidtentatively。
Theyoungmansmiledfeeblyandinterrogatively。
"Don'tseemtobeeitherfolleringsuitnortrumpin'，"continuedDelbluntly。
"Isupposeso——thatis，IfearthatMissVirginia"——hestammered。
"Speakup！I'malittledeaf。Sayitagain！"saidDel，screwinguphereyesandeyebrows。
Theyoungmanwasobligedtoadmitinstentoriantonesthathisprogresshadbeenscarcelysatisfactory。
"You'regoin'ontooslow——that'sit，"saidDelcritically。"Why，whenCaptainSavagemeanderedalongherewithJinny"（Virginia）
"lastweek，aforewegotasfarasthishe'dreeledoffaheapofByronandJamieson"（Tennyson），"andsich；andonlyyesterdayJinnyandDoctorBeveridgewasblowin'thistletopstoknowwhichwasaflirtallalongthetrailpastthecrossroads。Why，yeain'tpickedezmuchasasingleberryforJinny，letaloneLad'sLoveorJohnnyJumpupsandKissme's，andyekeeptalkin'acrossme，youtwo，tillI'mtired。Nowlookhere，"sheburstoutwithsuddendecision，"Jinny'sgoneonaheadinakindo'huff；butIreckonshe'sdonethataforetoo，andyou'llfindher，jestasSpinnerdid，ontheriseofthehill，sittin'onapinestumpandlookin'
likethis。"（HeretheyoungestMissPiperlockedherfingersoverherleftknee，anddrewitslightlyup，——withasublimeindifferencetotheexposureofconsiderablesmall-ankledredstocking，——andwithafar-off，plaintivestare，achievedacolorableimitationofhereldersister'sprobableattitude。）
"Thenyoujestgoupsoftly，likeasyouwasabear，andclapyourhandsonhereyes，andsayinadisguisedvoicelikethis"（hereDelturnedonahighfalsettobeyondanymasculinecompass），"'Who'swho？'jestlikeinforfeits。"
"Butshe'llbesuretoknowme，"saidthesurveyortimidly。
"Shewon't，"saidDelinscornfulskepticism。
"Ihardlythink"——stammeredtheyoungman，withanawkwardsmile，"thatI——infact——she'lldiscoverme——beforeIcangetbesideher。"
"Notifyougosoftly，forshe'llbesittin'backtotheroad，so——
gazingaway，so"——theyoungestMissPiperagainstareddreamilyinthedistance，"andyou'llcreepupjustbehind，likethis。"
"Butwon'tshebeangry？Ihaven'tknownherlong——thatis——don'tyousee？"Hestoppedembarrassedly。
"Can'thearawordyousay，"saidDel，shakingherheaddecisively。
"You'vegotmydeafear。Speaklouder，orcomecloser。"
Butheretheinstructionsuddenlyended，onceandforalltime！
Forwhethertheyoungmanwasseriouslyanxioustoperfecthimself；
whetherhewastrulygratefultotheyounggirlandtriedtoshowit；whetherhewasemboldenedbythechildishappealofthelongbrowndistinguishingbraiddownherback，orwhetherhesuddenlyfoundsomethingpeculiarlyprovocativeinthereddishbrowneyesbetweentheirthicksethedgeoflashes，andwiththetrimfigureandpiquantpose，andwasseizedwiththathystericdesperationwhichsometimesattackstimidityitself，Icannotsay！Enoughthathesuddenlyputhisarmaroundherwaistandhislipstohersoftsatincheek，pepperedandsaltedasitwasbysun-frecklesandmountainair，andreceivedasoundboxontheearforhispains。
Theincidentwasclosed。Hedidnotrepeattheexperimentoneithersister。Thedisclosureofhisrebuffseemed，however，togiveasingularsatisfactiontoRedGulch。
WhileitmaybegatheredfromthisthattheyoungestMissPiperwasimpervioustogeneralmasculineadvances，itwasnotuntillaterthatRedGulchwasthrownintoskepticalastonishmentbytherumorsthatallthistimeshereallyhadalover！AllusionhasbeenmadetothechargethatherdeafnessdidnotpreventherfromperfectlyunderstandingtheordinarytoneofvoiceofacertainMr。ThomasSparrell。
Nounduesignificancewasattachedtothisfactthroughtheveryinsignificanceand"impossibility"ofthatindividual；——alanky，red-hairedyouth，incapacitatedformanuallaborthroughlameness，——
aclerkinageneralstoreattheCrossRoads！HehadneverbeentherecipientofJudgePiper'shospitality；hehadnevervisitedthehouseevenwithparcels；apparentlyhisonlyinterviewswithheroranyofthefamilyhadbeenoverthecounter。Todohimjusticehecertainlyhadneverseemedtoseekanyneareracquaintance；hewasnotatthechurchdoorwhenhersisters，beautifulintheirSundaygowns，filedintotheaisle，withlittleDelawarebringinguptherear；hewasnotattheDemocraticbarbecue，thatweattendedwithoutreferencetoourpersonalpolitics，andsolelyforthesakeofJudgePiperandthegirls；nordidhegototheAgriculturalFairBall——opentoall。Hisabstentionwebelievedtobeowingtohislameness；toawholesomeconsciousnessofhisownsocialdefects；oraninordinatepassionforreadingcheapscientifictextbooks，whichdidnot，however，addfluencynorconvictiontohisspeech。Neitherhadhetheabstractionofastudent，forhisaccountswerekeptwithanaccuracywhichstruckus，whodealtatthestore，asignoblypractical，andevenmalignant。Possiblywemighthaveexpressedthisopinionmorestronglybutforacertainrudevigorofreparteewhichhepossessed，andasuggestionthathemighthaveatemperonoccasion。"Themred-hairedchapsisliketobetetchyandtokinderseebloodthroughtheireyelashes，"hadbeensuggestedbyanobservingcustomer。
Inshort，littleasweknewoftheyoungestMissPiper，hewasthelastmanweshouldhavesuspectedhertoselectasanadmirer。
Whatwedidknowoftheirpublicrelations，purelycommercialones，impliedthereverseofanycordialunderstanding。TheprovisioningofthePiperhouseholdwasentrustedtoDel，withotherpracticaloddsandendsofhousekeeping，notornamental，andthefollowingissaidtobeatruthfulrecordofoneoftheiroverheardinterviewsatthestore：——
TheyoungestMissPiper，entering，displacingaquantityofgoodsinthecentretomakeasidewaysseatforherself，andlookingaroundloftilyasshetookamemorandum-bookandpencilfromherpocket。
"Ahem！IfIain'ttakingyouawayfromyourstudies，Mr。Sparrell，maybeyou'llbegoodenoughtolookhereaminit；——but"（inaffectedpoliteness）"ifI'mdisturbingyouIcancomeanothertime。"
Sparrell，placingthebookhehadbeenreadingcarefullyunderthecounter，andadvancingtoMissDelawarewithacompleteignoringofherirony："Whatcanwedoforyouto-day，MissPiper？"
MissDelaware，withgreatsuavityofmanner，examininghermemorandum-book："Isupposeitwouldn'tbeshockingyourdelicatefeelingstoomuchtoinformyouthatthecannedlobsterandoystersyousentusyesterdaywasn'tfitforhogs？"
Sparrell（blandly）："Theyweren'tintendedforthem，MissPiper。
IfwehadknownyouwerehavingcompanyoverfromRedGulchtodinner，wemighthaveprovidedsomethingmoresuitableforthem。
Wehaveafairqualityofoil-cakeandcorn-cobsinstock，atreducedfigures。Butthecannedprovisionswereforyourownfamily。"
MissDelaware（secretlypleasedatthissarcasticallusiontohersister'sfriends，butconcealingherdelight）："Iadmiretohearyoutalkthatway，Mr。Sparrell；it'sbetterthanminstrelsoracircus。Isupposeyougetitouterthatbook，"indicatingtheconcealedvolume。"Whatdoyoucallit？"
Sparrell（politely）："TheFirstPrinciplesofGeology。"
MissDelaware，leaningsidewaysandcurlingherlittlefingersaroundherpinkear："Didyousaythefirstprinciplesof'geology'
or'politeness'？YouknowIamsodeaf；but，ofcourse，itcouldn'tbethat。"
Sparrell（easily）："Ohno，youseemtohavethatinyourhand"——
pointingtoMissDelaware'smemorandum-book——"youwerequotingfromitwhenyoucamein。"
MissDelaware，afteranaffectedsilenceofdeepresignation：
"Well！it'stoobadfolkscan'tjustspendtheirliveslistenin'tosucheleganttalk；I'dadmiretodonothingelse！Butthere'smyfamilyupatCottonwood——andtheymusteat。They'rethatlowthattheyexpectmetowastemytimegettingfoodfor'emhere，insteadofdrinkingintheFirstPrinciplesoftheGrocery。"
"Geology，"suggestedSparrellblandly。"Thehistoryofrockformation。"
"Geology，"acceptedMissDelawareapologetically；"thehistoryofrocks，whichissonecessaryforknowingjusthowmuchsandyoucanputinthesugar。SoIreckonI'llleavemylisthere，andyoucanhavethethingstotedtoCottonwoodwhenyou'vegotthroughwithyourFirstPrinciples。"
Shetoreoutalistofhercommissionsfromapageofhermemorandum-book，leapedlightlyfromthecounter，threwherbrownbraidfromherleftshouldertoitsproperplacedownherback，shookoutherskirtsdeliberately，andsaying，"Thankyouforamostimprovin'afternoon，Mr。Sparrell，"saileddemurelyoutofthestore。
AfewauditorsofthisnarrativethoughtitinconsistentthatadaughterofJudgePiperandasisteroftheangelichostshouldputupwithamereclerk'sfamiliarity，butitwaspointedoutthat"shegavehimasgoodashesent，"andthestorywasgenerallycredited。Butcertainlynooneeverdreamedthatitpointedtoanymorepreciousconfidencesbetweenthem。
Ithinkthesecretburstuponthefamily，withotherthings，atthebigpicnicatReservoirCanyon。Thisfestivityhadbeenarrangedforweekspreviously，andwasundertakenchieflybythe"RedGulchContingent，"aswewerecalled，asaslightreturntothePiperfamilyfortheirfrequenthospitality。ThePipersisterswereexpectedtobringnothingbuttheirownpersonalgracesandattendtotheministrationofsuchviandsanddelicaciesastheboyshadprofuselysupplied。
ThesiteselectedwasReservoirCanyon，abeautiful，triangularvalleywithverysteepsides，oneofwhichwascrownedbytheimmensereservoirofthePioneerDitchCompany。Thesheerflanksofthecanyondescendedinfurrowedlinesofvinesandclingingbushes，likefoldsoffallingskirts，untiltheybrokeagainintoflouncesofspangledshrubberyoverabroadlevelcarpetofmonkshood，mariposas，lupines，poppies，anddaisies。Temperedandsecludedfromthesun'sraysbyitsloftyshadows，thedeliciousobscurityofthecanyonwasinsharpcontrasttothefierymountaintrailthatinthefullglareofthenoondayskymadeitstortuouswaydownthehillside，likeastreamoflava，toplungesuddenlyintothevalleyandextinguishitselfinitscoolnessasinalake。
Theheavyodorsofwildhoneysuckle，syringa，andceanothusthathungoveritwerelightenedandfreshenedbythesharpspicingofpineandbay。Themountainbreezewhichsometimesshooktheserratedtopsofthelargeredwoodsabovewithachillfromtheremotesnowpeaksevenintheheartofsummer，neverreachedthelittlevalley。
Itseemedanidealplaceforapicnic。Everybodywasthereforeastonishedtohearthatanobjectionwassuddenlyraisedtothisperfectsite。TheywerestillmoreastonishedtoknowthattheobjectorwastheyoungestMissPiper！Pressedtogiveherreasons，shehadrepliedthatthelocalitywasdangerous；thatthereservoirplaceduponthemountain，notoriouslyoldandwornout，hadbeenrenderedmoreunsafebyfalseeconomyinunskillfulandhastyrepairstosatisfyspeculatingstockbrokers，andthatithadlatelyshownsignsofleakageandsappingofitsouterwalls；that，intheeventofanoutbreak，thelittletriangularvalley，fromwhichtherewasnooutlet，wouldbeinstantlyflooded。Askedstillmorepressinglytogiveherauthorityforthesedetails，sheatfirsthesitated，andthengavethenameofTomSparrell。
Thederisionwithwhichthisstatementwasreceivedbyusall，astheopinionofasedentaryclerk，wasquitenaturalandobvious，butnottheangerwhichitexcitedinthebreastofJudgePiper；
foritwasnotgenerallyknownthatthejudgewastheholderofaconsiderablenumberofsharesinthePioneerDitchCompany，andthatlargedividendshadbeenlatelykeptupbyafalseeconomyofexpenditure，toexpeditea"sharpdeal"inthestock，bywhichthejudgeandotherscouldselloutofafailingcompany。Rather，itwasbelieved，thatthejudge'sangerwasdueonlytothediscoveryofSparrell'sinfluenceoverhisdaughterandhisinterferencewiththesocialaffairsofCottonwood。ItwassaidthattherewasasharpscenebetweentheyoungestMissPiperandthecombinedforcesofthejudgeandtheeldersisters，whichendedintheformer'sresoluterefusaltoattendthepicnicatallifthatsitewasselected。
AsDelawarewasknowntobefearlesseventothepointofrecklessness，andfondofgayety，herrefusalonlyintensifiedthebeliefthatshewasmerely"stickin'upforSparrell'sjudgment"
withoutanyreferencetoherownpersonalsafetyorthatofhersisters。Thewarningwaslaughedaway；theopinionofSparrelltreatedwithridiculeasthedyspepticandenviousexpressionofanimpracticalman。Itwaspointedoutthatthereservoirhadlastedalongtimeeveninitsallegedruinousstate；thatonlyamiracleofcoincidencecouldmakeitbreakdownthatparticularafternoonofthepicnic；thatevenifitdidhappen，therewasnodirectproofthatitwouldseriouslyfloodthevalley，oratbestaddmorethanaspiceofexcitementtotheaffair。The"RedGulchContingent，"whoWOULDbethere，wasquiteascapableoftakingcareoftheladies，incaseofanyaccident，asanylamecrankwhowouldn't，butcouldonlycroakawarningtothemfromadistance。
Afewevenwishedsomethingmighthappenthattheymighthaveanopportunityofshowingtheirsuperiordevotion；indeed，theprospectofcarryingthehalf-submergedsisters，inaconditionofhelplessloveliness，intheirarmstoaplaceofsafetywasafascinatingpossibility。Thewarningwasconspicuouslyineffective；
everybodylookedeagerlyforwardtothedayandtheunchangedlocality；tothegreatesthopefulnessandanticipationwasaddedthestirringofdefiance，andwhenatlasttheappointedhourhadarrived，thepicnicpartypasseddownthetwistingmountaintrailthroughtheheatandglareinafeverofenthusiasm。
Itwasaprettysighttoviewthissparklingprocession——thegirlscoolandradiantintheirwhite，blue，andyellowmuslinsandflyingribbons，the"Contingent"initscleanestducks，andblueandredflannelshirts，thejudgewhite-waistcoatedandpanama-
hatted，withanewdignityborrowedfromthepreviouscircumstances，andthreeorfourimpressiveChinamenbringinguptherearwithhampers——asitatlastdebouchedintoReservoirCanyon。
Heretheydispersedthemselvesoverthelimitedarea，scarcelyhalfanacre，withthefreedomofescapedschoolchildren。Theyweresecureintheirwoodlandprivacy。Theywereoverlookedbynohighroadanditspassingteams；theyweresafefromaccidentalintrusionfromthesettlement；indeedtheywentsofarastoeffecttheexclusivenessof"clique。"AtfirsttheyamusedthemselvesbycastinghumorouslydefianteyesatthelonglowDitchReservoir，whichpeepedoverthegreenwalloftheridge，sixhundredfeetabovethem；attimestheyevensimulatedanexaggeratedterrorofit，andonerecognizedhumoristdeclaimedagrotesqueappealtoitsforbearance，withdelightfullocalallusions。Otherspretendedtodiscovernearawoodman'shut，amongthebeltofpinesatthetopofthedescendingtrail，thepeepingfigureoftheridiculousandenviousSparrell。Butallthiswaspresentlyforgottenintheactualfestivity。Smallaswastherangeofthevalley，itstillallowedretreatsduringthedancesforwaitingcouplesamongtheconvenientlaurelandmanzanitabusheswhichflouncedthemountainside。Afterthedancing，old-fashionedchildren'sgameswererevivedwithgreatlaughterandhalf-heartedandcoyprotestsfromtheladies；notablyonepastimeknownas"I'ma-pinin'，"inwhichingeniousperformancethevictimwasobligedtostandinthecentreofacircleandpublicly"pine"foramemberoftheoppositesex。
SomehilaritywasoccasionedbythemischievousMiss"Georgy"Piperdeclaring，whenitcametoherturn，thatshewas"pinin'"foralookatthefaceofTomSparrelljustnow！
Inthislocaltriflingtwohourspassed，untilthepartysatdowntothelong-lookedforrepast。ItwasherethatthehealthofJudgePiperwasneatlyproposedbytheeditorofthe"Argus。"Thejudgerespondedwithgreatdignityandsomeemotion。Heremindedthemthatithadbeenhishumbleendeavortopromoteharmony——thatharmonysocharacteristicofAmericanprinciples——insocialashehadinpoliticalcircles，andparticularlyamongthestrangelyconstitutedyetpurelyAmericanelementsoffrontierlife。Heacceptedthepresentfestivitywithitsoverflowinghospitalities，notinrecognitionofhimself——（"yes！yes！"）——norofhisfamily——
（enthusiasticprotests）——butofthatAmericanprinciple！Ifatonetimeitseemedprobablethatthesefestivitiesmightbemarredbythemachinationsofenvy——（groans）——orthatharmonyinterruptedbytheimportationoflow-tonedmaterialinterests——（groans）——hecouldsaythat，lookingaroundhim，hehadneverbeforefelt——er——that——
Herethejudgestoppedshort，reeledslightlyforward，caughtatacamp-stool，recoveredhimselfwithanapologeticsmile，andturnedinquiringlytohisneighbor。
Alightlaugh——instantlysuppressed——atwhatwasatfirstsupposedtobetheeffectofthe"overflowinghospitality"uponthespeakerhimself，wentaroundthemalecircleuntilitsuddenlyappearedthathalfadozenothershadstartedtotheirfeetatthesametime，withwhitefaces，andthatoneoftheladieshadscreamed。
"Whatisit？"everybodywasaskingwithinterrogatorysmiles。
ItwasJudgePiperwhoreplied：——
"Alittleshockofearthquake，"hesaidblandly；"amerethrill！I
think，"headdedwithafaintsmile，"wemaysaythatNatureherselfhasapplaudedoureffortsingoodoldCalifornianfashion，andsignifiedherassent。Whatareyousaying，Fludder？"
"Iwasthinking，sir，"saidFludderdeferentially，inalowervoice，"thatifanythingwaswronginthereservoir，thisshock，youknow，might"——
Hewasinterruptedbyafaintcrashingandcracklingsound，andlookingup，beheldagood-sizedboulder，evidentlydetachedfromsomegreaterheight，striketheuplandplateauattheleftofthetrailandboundintothefringeofforestbesideit。Aslightcloudofdustmarkeditscourse，andthenlazilyfloatedawayinmidair。Butithadbeenwatchedagitatedly，anditwasevidentthatthatsingularlossofnervousbalancewhichisapttoaffectallthosewhogothroughtheslightestearthquakeexperiencewasfeltbyall。Butsomesenseofhumor，however，remained。
"Looksasifthewaterriskswetookain'tgoin'tocoverearthquakes，"drawledDickFrisney；"stillthatwasn'tabadshot，ifweonlyknewwhattheywereaimingat。"
"Dobequiet，"saidVirginiaPiper，hercheekspinkwithexcitement。
"Listen，can'tyou？What'sthatfunnymurmuringyouhearnowandthenupthere？"
"It'sonlythesnow-windplayin'withthepinesonthesummit。Yougirlswon'tallowanybodyanyfunbutyourselves。"
Buthereascreamfrom"Georgy，"who，assistedbyCaptainFairfax，hadmountedacamp-stoolatthemouthofthevalley，attractedeverybody'sattention。Shewasstandingupright，withdilatedeyes，staringatthetopofthetrail。"Look！"shesaidexcitedly，"ifthetrailisn'tmoving！"
Everybodyfacedinthatdirection。Atthefirstglanceitseemedindeedasifthetrailwasactuallymoving；wrigglingandundulatingitstortuouswaydownthemountainlikeahugesnake，onlyswollentotwiceitsusualsize。Butthesecondglanceshowedittobenolongeratrailbutachannelofwater，whosestream，liftedinabore-likewallfourorfivefeethigh，wasplungingdownintothedevotedvalley。
Foraninstanttheywereunabletocomprehendeventhenatureofthecatastrophe。Thereservoirwasdirectlyovertheirheads；theburstingofitswalltheyhadimaginedwouldnaturallybringdownthewaterinadozentricklingstreamsorfallsoverthecliffabovethemandalongtheflanksofthemountain。Butthatitssuddenlyliberatedvolumeshouldoverflowtheuplandbeyondandthendescendinapent-upfloodbytheirowntrailandtheironlyavenueofescape，hadbeenbeyondtheirwildestfancy。
TheymetthissmitingtruthwiththatcharacteristicshortlaughwithwhichtheAmericanusuallyreceivestheblowofFateortheunexpected——asifherecognizedonlytheabsurdityofthesituation。Thentheyrantothewomen，collectedthemtogether，anddraggedthemtovantagesoffanciedsecurityamongthebusheswhichflouncedthelongskirtsofthemountainwalls。ButIleavethispartofthedescriptiontothecharacteristiclanguageofoneoftheparty：——
"Whenthefloodstruckus，itdidnotseemtotakeanystockofusinparticular，butlaiditselfoutto'gofor'thatpicnicforallitwasworth！Itwipeditoffthefaceoftheearthinabouttwenty-fiveseconds！Itfirstmadeacleanbreakfromstemtostern，carryingeverythingalongwithit。ThefirstthingIsawwasoldJudgePiper，puttin'onhisbestlickstogetawayfromabigcanofstrawberryicecreamthatwastrundlingafterhimandtryingtoemptyitselfonhiscollar，wheneverabiggerwaveliftedit。Hewasfollowedbywhatwasleftofthebrassband；thebigdrumjusthumpin'itselftokeepabreasto'theicecream，mixedupwithcamp-stools，music-stands，afewChinamen，andthenwhattheycallinthembigSanFranciscoprocessions'citizensgenerally。'
Thehullthingsweptupthecanyoninsideo'thirtyseconds。Then，whatCaptainFairfaxcalled'thereflexactioninthelawso'
motion'happened，anddarnedifthehullblamedprocessiondidn'tsweepbackagain——thistimealltheheavyartillery，suchascamp-
kettles，lagerbeerkegs，bottles，glasses，andcrockerythatwasleftbehindtakin'theleadnow，andJudgePiperandthaticecreamcanbringin'uptherear。Asthejedgepassedusthesecondtime，wenoticedthatthaticecreamcan——hevin'swallowedwater——waskinderlosingitswind，andweencouragedtheoldmanbyshoutin'
out，'Fivetooneonhim！'Andthen，youwouldn'tbelievewhatfollowed。Why，darnmyskin，whenthat'reflex'metthecurrentattheotherend，itjustswirledaroundagaininwhatCaptainFairfaxcalledthe'centrifugalcurve，'andjustwentroundandroundthecanyonlikeezwhenyerwashin'thedirtouto'aprospectin'pan——
everynowandthenwashin'someoneoftheboysthatwasinit，likescum，upag'inthebanks。
"Wemanagedinthiswaytosnakeoutthejudge，jestezhewassailin'roundonthehomestretch，passin'thequarterposttwolengthsaheado'thecan。Agooddealo'theicecreamhadwashedaway，butittookustenminutestoshakethecrackediceandpowderedsaltouto'theoldman'sclothes，andwarmhimupagaininthelaurelbushwherehewasclinging。Thissorto''Herewegoroundthemulberrybush'kep'onuntilmosto'thehumanswasgotout，andonlythefurnitureo'thepicnicwasleftintherace。
Thenitgotkindermixedup，andwentsloshin'roundhereandthere，ezthewaterkep'comin'downbythetrail。ThenLuluPiper，whatIwasholdin'upallthetimeinalaurelbush，getsanidea，forallshewaswetanddraggled；andezthethingswentbobbin'round，shecallsoutthefigureso'acotillonto'em。
'Twocamp-stoolsforward。''Sashayandbacktoyourplaces。'
'Changepartners。''Handsallround。'
"Shewascleargrit，youbet！Andthejokecaughtonandtheothergirlsjinedin，anditkindercheered'em，fortheywaswantin'it。
ThenFludderallowedtopacify'embysayin'hejustfiguredupthesizeo'thereservoirandthesizeo'thecanyon，andhekalkilatedthatthecubewasaboutekal，andthecanyoncouldn'tfloodanymore。AndthenLulu——whowaspeartasajayandcouldn'tbefooled——speaksupandsays，'What'sthematterwiththeditch，Dick？'
"Lord！thenweknewthatsheknewtheworst；forofcourseallthewaterintheditchitself——fiftymilesofit！——wasdrainin'nowintothatreservoirandwasboundtocomedowntothecanyon。"
Itwasatthispointthatthesituationbecamereallydesperate，fortheyhadnowcrawledupthesteepsidesasfarasthebushesaffordedfoothold，andthewaterwasstillrising。Thechatterofthegirlsceased，therewerelongsilences，inwhichthemendiscussedthewildestplans，andproposedtoteartheirshirtsintostripstomakeropestosupportthegirlsbysticksdrivenintothemountainside。Itwasinoneofthoseintervalsthatthedistinctstrokesofawoodman'saxewereheardhighontheuplandatthepointwherethetraildescendedtothecanyon。Everyearwasalert，butonlythoseononesideofthecanyoncouldgetafairviewofthespot。ThiswasthegoodfortuneofCaptainFairfaxandGeorgyPiper，whohadclimbedtothehighestbushonthatside，andwerenowstandingup，gazingexcitedlyinthatdirection。
"Someoneiscuttingdownatreeattheheadofthetrail，"shoutedFairfax。Theresponseandjoyfulexplanation，"foradamacrossthetrail，"wasoneverybody'slipsatthesametime。
Butthestrokesoftheaxewereslowandpainfullyintermittent。
Impatienceburstout。
"Yelltohimtohurryup！Whyhaven'ttheybroughttwomen？"
"It'sonlyoneman，"shoutedthecaptain，"andheseemstobeacripple。ByJiminy！——itis——yes！——it'sTomSparrell！"
Therewasadeadsilence。Then，Igrievetosay，shameanditstwinbrotherragetookpossessionoftheirweakhumanity。Oh，yes！
Itwasallofapiece！WhyinthenameofFollyhadn'thesentforanable-bodiedman。Weretheytobedrownedthroughhiscrankyobstinacy？
Theblowsstillwentonslowly。Presently，however，theyseemedtoalternatewithotherblows——butalas！theywereslower，andifpossiblefeebler！
"Havetheygotanothercrippletowork？"roaredtheContingentinonefuriousvoice。
"No——it'sawoman——alittleone——yes！agirl。Hello！Why，sureasyoulive，it'sDelaware！"
AspontaneouscheerburstfromtheContingent，partlyasarebuketoSparrell，Ithink，partlyfromsomeshameovertheirpreviousrage。Hecouldtakeitasheliked。
Stilltheblowswentondistressinglyslow。Thegirlswerehoistedonthemen'sshoulders；themenwerehalfsubmerged。Thentherewasapainfulpause；thenacrumblingcrash。Anothercheerwentupfromthecanyon。
"It'sdown！straightacrossthetrail，"shoutedFairfax，"andapartofthebankonthetopofit。"
Therewasanothermomentofsuspense。Woulditholdorbecarriedawaybythemomentumoftheflood？Itheld！InafewmomentsFairfaxagaingavevoicetothecheeringnewsthattheflowhadstoppedandthesubmergedtrailwasreappearing。Intwentyminutesitwasclear——amuddyriverbed，butpossibleofascent！Ofcoursetherewasnodiminutionofthewaterinthecanyon，whichhadnooutlet，yetitnowwaspossibleforthepartytoswingfrombushtobushalongthemountainsideuntilthefootofthetrail——nolongeranopposingone——wasreached。Thereweresomemisstepsandmishaps，——flounderingsinthewater，andsomedangerousrescues，——
butinhalfanhourthewholeconcoursestooduponthetrailandcommencedtheascent。Itwasaslow，difficult，andlugubriousprocession——Ifearnotthebest-temperedone，nowthatthestimulusofdangerandchivalrywaspast。Whentheyreachedthedammadebythefallentree，althoughtheywereobligedtomakealongdetourtoavoiditssteepsides，theycouldseehowsuccessfullyithaddivertedthecurrenttoadeclivityontheotherside。
Butstrangelyenoughtheyweregreetedbynothingelse！SparrellandtheyoungestMissPiperweregone；andwhentheyatlastreachedthehighroad，theywereastoundedtohearfromapassingteamsterthatnooneinthesettlementknewanythingofthedisaster！
Thiswasthelastdropintheircupofbitterness！Theywhohadexpectedthatthesettlementwaswaitingbreathlesslyfortheirrescue，whoanticipatedthattheywouldbewelcomedasheroes，wereobligedtomeettheill-concealedamusementofpassengersandfriendsattheirdishevelledandbedraggledappearance，whichsuggestedonlytheblunderingmishapsofanordinarysummerouting！
"Boatin'inthereservoir，andfellin？""Playingatcanal-boatintheDitch？"weresomeofthecheerfulhypotheses。Thefleetingsenseofgratitudetheyhadfeltfortheirdelivererswasdissipatedbythetimetheyhadreachedtheirhomes，andtheirrancorincreasedbytheinformationthatwhentheearthquakeoccurredMr。TomSparrellandMissDelawarewereenjoyinga"pasear"intheforest——
hehavingahalf-holidaybyvirtueofthefestival——andthattheearthquakehadrevivedhisfearsofacatastrophe。Thetwohadprocuredaxesinthewoodman'shutanddidwhattheythoughtwasnecessarytorelievethesituationofthepicnickers。Buttheverymodestyofthisaccountoftheirownperformancehadtheeffectofbelittlingthecatastropheitself，andthepicnickers'reportoftheirexceedingperilwasreceivedwithincredulouslaughter。
ForthefirsttimeinthehistoryofRedGulchtherewasaseriousdivisionbetweenthePiperfamily，supportedbytheContingent，andtherestofthesettlement。TomSparrell'swarningwasrememberedbythelatter，andtheingratitudeofthepicnickerstotheirrescuerscommentedupon；theactualcalamitytothereservoirwasmoreorlessattributedtotheimprudentandrecklesscontiguityoftherevelersonthatday，andtherewerenotwantingthosewhoreferredtheaccidentitselftothemachinationsoftheschemingDitchDirectorPiper！
ItwassaidthattherewasastormysceneinthePiperhouseholdthatevening。ThejudgehaddemandedthatDelawareshouldbreakoffheracquaintancewithSparrell，andshehadrefused；thejudgehaddemandedofSparrell'semployerthatheshoulddischargehim，andhadbeenmetwiththeastoundinginformationthatSparrellwasalreadyasilentpartnerintheconcern。AtthisrevelationJudgePiperwasalarmed；whilehemightobjecttoaclerkwhocouldnotsupportawife，asaconsistentdemocrathecouldnotopposeafairlyprosperoustradesman。AfinalappealwasmadetoDelaware；
shewasimploredtoconsiderthesituationofhersisters，whohadallmademoreambitiousmarriagesorwereabouttomakethem。Whyshouldshenowdegradethefamilybymarryingacountrystorekeeper？
ItissaidthatheretheyoungestMissPipermadeamemorablereply，andarevelationthetruthofwhichwasnevergainsaid：——
"YouallwanterknowwhyI'mgoingtomarryTomSparrell？"shequeried，standingupandfacingthewholefamilycircle。
"Yes。"
"WhyIpreferhimtothehullcaboodlethatyougirlshavemarriedoraregoingtomarry？"shecontinued，meditativelybitingtheendofherbraid。
"Yes。"
"Well，he'stheonlymanofthewholelotthathasn'tproposedtomefirst。"
ItispresumedthatSparrellmadegoodtheomission，orthatthefamilyweregladtogetridofher，fortheyweremarriedthatautumn。AndreallyalatercomparisonofthefamilyrecordsshowsthatwhileCaptainFairfaxremained"CaptainFairfax，"andtheothersons-in-lawdidnotadvanceproportionatelyinstandingorriches，thelamestorekeeperofRedGulchbecametheHon。SenatorTomSparrell。
AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY
TheWidowWadewasstandingatherbedroomwindowstaringout，inthatvagueinstinctwhichcompelshumanityinmomentsofdoubtandperplexitytoseekthischangeofobservationorsuperiorillumination。NotthatMrs。Wade'sdisturbancewasofaseriouscharacter。Shehadpassedtheacutestageofwidowhoodbyatleasttwoyears，andtheslightrednessofhersofteyelidsaswellasthedroopofherprettymouthweremerelytherecognizedoutwardandvisiblesignsofthegrievouslymindedreligiouscommunityinwhichshelived。Themourningshestillworewasalsopartlyinconformitywiththesad-coloredgarmentsofherneighbors，andthenecessitiesoftherainyseason。Shewasincomfortablecircumstances，themistressofalargeranchinthevalley，whichhadlatelybecomemorevaluablebytheextensionofawagonroadthroughitscentre。Shewassimplyworryingwhethersheshouldgotoa"sociable"endingwith"adance"——adaringinnovationofsomestrangers——atthenewhotel，orcontinuetoeschewsuchfollies，thatwere，accordingtolocalbelief，unsuitedto"avaleoftears。"
Indeedatthismomenttheprospectshegazedabstractedlyuponseemedtojustifythatlugubriousdescription。TheSantaAnaValley——alongmonotonouslevel——wasdimlyvisiblethroughmovingcurtainsofrainorveilsofmist，totheblackmourningedgeofthehorizon，andhadlookedlikethatformonths。Thevalley——insomeremoteepochanarmoftheSanFranciscoBay——everyrainyseasonseemedtobetryingtoreverttoitsoriginalcondition，and，longaftertheearlyspringhadlaidonitsliberalcolorinstrips，bands，andpatchesofblueandyellow，theblossomsofmustardandlupineglistenedlikewetpaint。NeverthelessonthatrichalluvialsoilNature'stearsseemedonlytofattenthewidow'sacresandincreasehercrops。Herneighbors，too，wereequallyprosperous。YetforsixmonthsoftheyeartherecognizedexpressionofSantaAnawasoneofsadness，andfortheothersixmonths——ofresignation。Mrs。Wadehadyieldedearlytothisinfluence，asshehadtoothers，intheweaknessofhergentlenature，andpartlyasitwasmorebecomingthesingulartragedythathadmadeherawidow。
ThelateMr。WadehadbeenfounddeadwithabulletthroughhisheadinasecludedpartoftheroadoverHeavyTreeHillinSonoraCounty。Nearhimlaytwootherbodies，oneafterwardsidentifiedasJohnStubbs，aresidentoftheHill，andprobablyatravelingcompanionofWade's，andtheotheranoteddesperadoandhighwayman，stillmasked，asatthemomentoftheattack。Wadeandhiscompanionhadprobablysoldtheirlivesdearly，andagainstodds，foranothermaskwasfoundontheground，indicatingthattheattackwasnotsingle-handed，andasWade'sbodyhadnotyetbeenrifled，itwasevidentthattheremaininghighwaymanhadfledinhaste。Thehueandcryhadbeengivenbyapparentlytheonlyoneofthetravelerswhoescaped，butashewashasteningtotaketheoverlandcoachtotheEastatthetime，histestimonycouldnotbesubmittedtothecoroner'sdeliberation。Thefacts，however，weresufficientlyplainforaverdictofwillfulmurderagainstthehighwayman，althoughitwasbelievedthattheabsentwitnesshadbaselydesertedhiscompanionandlefthimtohisfate，or，aswassuggestedbyothers，thathemightevenhavebeenanaccomplice。
Itwasthiscircumstancewhichprotractedcommentontheincident，andthesufferingsofthewidow，farbeyondthatrapidobliterationwhichusuallyovertooksuchaffairsinthefeverishhasteoftheearlydays。ItcausedhertoremovetoSantaAna，whereheroldfatherhadfeeblyrancheda"quartersection"inthevalley。Hesurvivedherhusbandonlyafewmonths，leavinghertheproperty，andoncemoreinmourning。Perhapsthiscontinuityofwoeendearedhertoaneighborhoodwheredistinctiveravagesofdiphtheriaorscarletfevergaveakindofsocialpreeminencetoanyhousehold，andshewassosympatheticallyassistedbyherneighborsinthemanagementoftheranchthat，fromanunkemptandwastefulwilderness，itbecamepayingproperty。Theslim，willowyfigure，softred-liddedeyes，anddeepcrapeof"SisterWade"atchurchorprayer-meetingwasgratefultothesoulofthesegloomyworshipers，andintimesheherselffoundthatthearmofthesedyspepticsofmindandbodywasneverthelessstrongandsustaining。Smallwonderthatsheshouldhesitateto-nightaboutplungingintoinconsistent，eventhoughtrifling，frivolities。
Butapartfromthissuperficialreason，therewasanotherinstinctiveonedeepdownintherecessesofMrs。Wade'stimidheartwhichshehadkepttoherself，andindeedwouldhavetearfullyresentedhaditbeenofferedbyanother。ThelateMr。Wadehadbeen，infact，asingularexampleofthiskindoffrivolousexistencecarriedtoaman-likeexcess。Besidesbeingapatronofamusements，Mr。Wadegambled，raced，anddrank。Hewasoftenhomelate，andsometimesnotatall。Notthatthisconductwasexceptionalinthe"roaringdays"ofHeavyTreeHill，butithadgivenMrs。Wadeperhapsanunduepreferenceforalesscertain，evenifamoreseriouslife。
Histragicdeathwas，ofcourse，akindofmartyrdom，whichexaltedhiminthefemininemindtoasaintlymemory；yetMrs。Wadewasnotwithoutacertainreliefinthat。Itwasvoiced，perhapscrudely，bythewidowofAbnerDrakeinavisitofcondolencetothetearfulMrs。WadeafewdaysafterWade'sdeath。"It'savaleo'sorrow，Mrs。Wade，"saidthesympathizer，"butithasitsupsanddowns，andIreckenye'llbefeelin'soonprettymuchasIdidaboutAbnerwhenHEwastook。Itwasmightysoothin'andcomfortin'tofeelthatwhatevermighthappennow，IalwaysknewjustwharAbnerwaspassin'
hisnights。"PoorslimMrs。Wadehadnodisquietingsenseofhumortointerferewithherreceptionofthislargetruth，andsheaccepteditwithaburstofreminiscenttears。
Alongvolleyingshowerhadjustpasseddownthelevellandscape，andwasfollowedbyarollingmistfromthewarmsaturatedsoillikethesmokeofthedischarge。Throughitshecouldseeafaintlighteningofthehiddensun，againdarkeningthroughasuddenonsetofrain，andchangingaswithherconflictingdoubtsandresolutions。Thusgazing，shewasvaguelyconsciousofanadditiontothelandscapeintheshapeofamanwhowaspassingdowntheroadwithapackonhisbacklikethetramping"prospectors"shehadoftenseenatHeavyTreeHill。Thatmemoryapparentlysettledhervacillatingmind；shedeterminedshewouldNOTgotothedance。
Butasshewasturningawayfromthewindowasecondfigure，ahorseman，appearedinanotherdirectionbyacross-road，ashortercutthroughherdomain。Thisshehadnodifficultyinrecognizingasoneofthestrangerswhoweregettingupthedance。ShehadnoticedhimatchurchonthepreviousSunday。Ashepassedthehouseheappearedtobegazingatitsoearnestlythatshedrewbackfromthewindowlestsheshouldbeseen。Andthen，fornoreasonwhatever，shechangedhermindoncemore，andresolvedtogotothedance。Gravelyannouncingthisfacttothewifeofhersuperintendentwhokepthousewithherinherloneliness，shethoughtnothingmoreaboutit。Sheshouldgoinhermourning，withperhapstheadditionofawhitecollarandfrill。
Itwasevident，however，thatSantaAnathoughtagooddealmorethanshedidofthisnewidea，whichseemedapartoftheinnovationalreadybegunbythebuildingupofthenewhotel。Itwasarguedbysomethatasthenewchurchandnewschoolhousehadbeenopenedbyprayer，itwasonlynaturalthatalighterfestivityshouldinauguratetheopeningofthehotel。"Ireckonthatdancin'
isaboutthenextthingtotravelin'forgettin'upanappetiteforrefreshments，andthat'swhatthelandlordiskalkilatin'tosarve，"wastheremarkofagloomybutpracticalcitizenontheverandaof"TheValleyEmporium。""That'sso，"rejoinedabystander；"andInoticeonthatlastboxo'pillsIgotforchillsthedirectionssaythatalittle'agreeableexercise'——nottooviolent——isagreatassistancetotheworkingo'thepills。"
"IreckonthatthatMr。Brookswho'sdownherelookin'artermillproperty，gotupthedance。He'sbinroundtowncanvassin'allthewomenfolksanddrummin'uplikelygalsforit。TheysayheactooallysentaninvitetotheWidderWade，"remarkedanotherlounger。"Gosh！he'sgotcheek！"
"Well，gentlemen，"saidtheproprietorjudicially，"whilewedon'tintendtohevanyminin'campfandangosor'FriscofalalsroundSantaAny——（SantaAnawasproudofitssimpleagriculturalvirtues）——Iain'tsohard-shelledasnottogivenewthingsafairtrial。And，afterall，it'sthewomenfolkthathasthesayaboutit。Why，there'soldMissFordsezshehasn'tkickedafutsencesheleftMizoori，butwouldn'tmindtryingitagin。EztoBrookstakin'thattrouble——well，Isupposeit'salongo'hisbein'
HEALTHY！"Heheavedadeepdyspepticsigh，whichwasfaintlyechoedbytheothers。"Why，lookathimnow，ridin'roundonthatblackhosso'his，inthewetsincedaylightandnotcarin'forblindchillsorrhumatiz！"
Hewaslookingataserape-drapedhorseman，theonethewidowhadseenonthepreviousnight，whowasnowcanteringslowlyupthestreet。Seeingthegroupontheveranda，herodeup，threwhimselflightlyfromhissaddle，andjoinedthem。Hewasanalert，determined，good-lookingfellowofaboutthirty-five，whosesmooth，smilingfacehardlycommendeditselftoSantaAna，thoughhiseyesweredistinctlysympathetic。Heglancedatthedepressedgrouparoundhimandbecameominouslyserious。
"Whendidithappen？"heaskedgravely。
"Whathappen？"saidthenearestbystander。
"TheFuneral，Flood，Fight，orFire。WhichofthefourF'swasit？"
"Whatareyetalkin'about？"saidtheproprietorstiffly，scentingsomedangeroushumor。
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