CHAPTERI。
WheretheSanLeandroturnpikestretchesitsdusty，hot，andinterminablelengthalongthevalley，atapointwheretheheatanddusthavebecomeintolerable，themonotonousexpanseofwildoatsoneithersideillimitable，andthedistanthorizonapparentlyremoterthanever，itsuddenlyslipsbetweenastuntedthicketorhedgeof"scruboaks，"whichuntilthatmomenthadbeenundistinguishableabovethelong，misty，quiveringlevelofthegrain。Thethicketrisinggraduallyinheight，butwitharegularslopewhosegradienthadbeendeterminedbycenturiesofwesterntradewinds，presentlybecomesafairwoodoflive—oak，andafewhundredyardsfurtheratlastassumestheaspectofaprimevalforest。Adeliciouscoolnessfillstheair;thelong，shadowyaislesgreettheachingeyewithasoothingtwilight;themurmurofunseenbrooksisheard，and，byastrangeirony，theenormous，widely—spacedstacksofwildoatsarereplacedbyacarpetoftiny—leavedmossesandchickweedattherootsoftrees，andtheminutestcloverinmoreopenspaces。Thebakedandcrackedadobesoilofthenowvanishedplainsisexchangedforaheavyredmineraldustandgravel，rocksandbouldersmaketheirappearance，andattimestheroadiscrossedbythewhiteveinsofquartz。ItisstilltheSanLeandroturnpike，——afewmileslatertorisefromthiscanadaintotheupperplainsagain，——butitisalsotheactualgatewayandavenuetotheRoblesRancho。WhenthedepartingvisitorsofJudgePeyton，nowowneroftherancho，reachtheouterplainsagain，aftertwentyminutes’drivefromthehouse，thecanada，rancho，andavenuehaveascompletelydisappearedfromviewasiftheyhadbeenswallowedupintheplain。
Acrossroadfromtheturnpikeistheusualapproachtothecasaormansion，——along，lowquadrangleofbrownadobewallinabarebutgentlyslopingeminence。Andhereasecondsurprisemeetsthestranger。Heseemstohaveemergedfromtheforestuponanotherillimitableplain，butoneutterlytrackless，wild，anddesolate。
Itis，however，onlyalowerterraceofthesamevalley，and，infact，comprisesthethreesquareleaguesoftheRoblesRancho。
Uncultivatedandsavageasitappears，givenovertowildcattleandhorsesthatsometimessweepinfrightenedbandsaroundtheverycasaitself，thelongsouthwallofthecorralembracesanorchardofgnarledpear—trees，anoldvineyard，andavenerablegardenofolivesandoranges。Amanor，formerlygrantedbyCharlesV。toDonVincenteRobles，ofAndalusia，ofpiousandasceticmemory，ithadcommendeditselftoJudgePeyton，ofKentucky，amodernhereticpioneerofbookishtastesandsecludedhabits，whohadboughtitofDonVincente’sdescendants。HereJudgePeytonseemedtohaverealizedhisideaofaperfectclimate，andaretirement，half—
studious，half—active，withsomethingoftheseignioraltyoftheoldslaveholderthathehadbeen。Here，too，hehadseenthehopeofrestoringhiswife’shealth——forwhichhehadundertakentheoverlandemigration——morethanfulfilledinMrs。Peyton’simprovedphysicalcondition，albeitattheexpense，perhaps，ofsomeofthelanguorousgracesofailingAmericanwifehood。
ItwaswithacuriousrecognitionofthislatterfactthatJudgePeytonwatchedhiswifecrossingthepatioorcourtyardwithherarmaroundtheneckofheradopteddaughter"Suzette。"Asuddenmemorycrossedhismindofthefirstdaythathehadseenthemtogether，——
thedaythathehadbroughtthechildandherboy—companion——twoestraysfromanemigranttrainontheplains——tohiswifeincamp。
CertainlyMrs。Peytonwasstouterandstrongerfibred;thewonderfulCalifornianclimatehadmaterializedherfigure，asithadtheirEasternfruitsandflowers，butitwasstrangerthat"Susy"——thechildofhomelierfrontierbloodandparentage，whosewholesomepeasantplumpnesshadatfirstattractedthem——shouldhavegrownthinnerandmoregraceful，andevenseemedtohavegainedthedelicacyhiswifehadlost。Sixyearshadimperceptiblywroughtthischange;ithadneverstruckhimbeforesoforciblyasonthisdayofSusy’sreturnfromtheconventschoolatSantaClarafortheholidays。
Thewomanandchildhadreachedthebroadverandawhich，ononesideofthepatio，replacedtheoldSpanishcorridor。ItwasthesinglemoderninnovationthatPeytonhadallowedhimselfwhenhehadbrokenthequadrangularsymmetryoftheoldhousewithawooden"annexe"oradditionbeyondthewalls。Itmadeapleasantlounging—place，shadowedfromthehotmiddaysunbyslopingroofsandawnings，andshelteredfromtheboisterousafternoontradewindsbytheoppositesideofthecourt。ButSusydidnotseeminclinedtolingertherelongthatmorning，inspiteofMrs。Peyton’sevidentdesireforamaternaltete—a—tete。Thenervouspreoccupationandcapriciousennuiofanindulgedchildshowedinherprettybutdiscontentedface，andknithercurvedeyebrows，andPeytonsawalookofpainpassoverhiswife’sfaceastheyounggirlsuddenlyandhalf—
laughinglybrokeawayandflutteredofftowardstheoldgarden。
Mrs。Peytonlookedupandcaughtherhusband’seye。
"IamafraidSusyfindsitmoredullhereeverytimeshereturns，"
shesaid，withanapologeticsmile。"Iamgladshehasinvitedoneofherschoolfriendstocomeforavisitto—morrow。Youknow，yourself，John，"sheadded，withaslightpartisanattitude，"thatthelonelyoldhouseandwildplainarenotparticularlylivelyforyoungpeople，howevermuchtheymaysuitYOURways。"
"Itcertainlymustbedullifshecan’tstanditforthreeweeksintheyear，"saidherhusbanddryly。"ButwereallycannotopentheSanFranciscohouseforhersummervacation，norcanwemovefromtheranchotoamorefashionablelocality。Besides，itwilldohergoodtorunwildhere。Icanrememberwhenshewasn’tsofastidious。Infact，Iwasthinkingjustnowhowchangedshewasfromthedaywhenwepickedherup"——
"HowoftenamItoremindyou，John，"interruptedthelady，withsomeimpatience，"thatweagreednevertospeakofherpast，oreventothinkofherasanythingbutourownchild。Youknowhowitpainsme！Andthepoordearherselfhasforgottenit，andthinksofusonlyasherownparents。IreallybelievethatifthatwretchedfatherandmotherofhershadnotbeenkilledbytheIndians，orweretocometolifeagain，shewouldneitherknowthemnorcareforthem。Imean，ofcourse，John，"shesaid，avertinghereyesfromaslightlycynicalsmileonherhusband’sface，"thatit’sonlynaturalforyoungchildrentobeforgetful，andreadytotakenewimpressions。"
"Andaslong，dear，asWEarenotthesubjectsofthisyouthfulforgetfulness，andsheisn’treallyfindingUSasstupidastherancho，"repliedherhusbandcheerfully，"Isupposewemustn’tcomplain。"
"John，howcanyoutalksuchnonsense？"saidMrs。Peytonimpatiently。
"ButIhavenofearofthat，"sheadded，withaslightlyostentatiousconfidence。"IonlywishIwasassure"——
"Ofwhat？"
"Ofnothinghappeningthatcouldtakeherfromus。Idonotmeandeath，John，——likeourfirstlittleone。Thatdoesnothappentoonetwice;butIsometimesdread"——
"What？She’sonlyfifteen，andit’sratherearlytothinkabouttheonlyotherinevitableseparation，——marriage。Come，Ally，thisismerefancy。Shehasbeengivenuptousbyherfamily，——atleast，byallthatweknowareleftofthem。Ihavelegallyadoptedher。
IfIhavenotmadehermyheiress，itisbecauseIprefertoleaveeverythingtoYOU，andIwouldrathersheshouldknowthatshewasdependentuponyouforthefuturethanuponme。"
"AndIcanmakeawillinherfavorifIwantto？"saidMrs。Peytonquickly。
"Always，"respondedherhusbandsmilingly;"butyouhaveampletimetothinkofthat，Itrust。MeanwhileIhavesomenewsforyouwhichmaymakeSusy’svisittotheranchothistimelessdulltoher。YourememberClarenceBrant，theboywhowaswithherwhenwepickedherup，andwhoreallysavedherlife？"
"No，Idon’t，"saidMrs。Peytonpettishly，"nordoIwantto！Youknow，John，howdistastefulandunpleasantitisformetohavethosedreary，petty，andvulgardetailsofthepoorchild’spastliferecalled，and，thankHeaven，Ihaveforgottenthemexceptwhenyouchoosetodragthembeforeme。Youagreed，longago，thatwewerenevertotalkoftheIndianmassacreofherparents，sothatwecouldalsoignoreitbeforeher;thenwhydoyoutalkofhervulgarfriends，whoarejustasunpleasant？Pleaseletusdropthepast。"
"Willingly，mydear;but，unfortunately，wecannotmakeothersdoit。Andthisisacaseinpoint。Itappearsthatthisboy，whomwebroughttoSacramentotodelivertoarelative"——
"Andwhowasawickedlittleimpostor，——yourememberthatyourself，John，forhesaidthathewasthesonofColonelBrant，andthathewasdead;andyouknow，andmybrotherHarryknew，thatColonelBrantwasaliveallthetime，andthathewaslying，andColonelBrantwasnothisfather，"brokeinMrs。Peytonimpatiently。
"Asitseemsyoudorememberthatmuch，"saidPeytondryly，"itisonlyjusttohimthatIshouldtellyouthatitappearsthathewasnotanimpostor。HisstorywasTRUE。IhavejustlearnedthatColonelBrantWASactuallyhisfather，buthadconcealedhislawlesslifehere，aswellashisidentity，fromtheboy。HewasreallythatvaguerelativetowhomClarencewasconfided，andunderthatdisguiseheafterwardsprotectedtheboy，hadhimcarefullyeducatedattheJesuitCollegeofSanJose，and，dyingtwoyearsagointhatfilibusterraidinMexico，lefthimaconsiderablefortune。"
"AndwhathashetodowithSusy’sholidays？"saidMrs。Peyton，withuneasyquickness。"John，yousurelycannotexpectherevertomeetthiscommoncreatureagain，withhisvulgarways。HiswretchedassociateslikethatJimHooker，and，asyouyourselfadmit，thebloodofanassassin，duelist，and——Heavenknowswhatkindofapiratehisfatherwasn’tatthelast——inhisveins！Youdon’tbelievethataladofthistype，howevermuchofhisfather’sill—
gottenmoneyhemayhave，canbefitcompanyforyourdaughter？Younevercouldhavethoughtofinvitinghimhere？"
"I’mafraidthat’sexactlywhatIhavedone，Ally，"saidthesmilingbutunmovedPeyton;"butI’mstillmoreafraidthatyourconceptionofhispresentconditionisanunfairone，likeyourremembranceofhispast。FatherSobriente，whomImetatSanJoseyesterday，saysheisveryintelligent，andthoroughlyeducated，withcharmingmannersandrefinedtastes。Hisfather’smoney，whichtheysaywasaninvestmentforhiminCarson’sBankfiveyearsago，isasgoodasanyone’s，andhisfather’sbloodwon’thurthiminCaliforniaortheSouthwest。Atleast，heisreceivedeverywhere，andDonJuanRobinsonwashisguardian。Indeed，asfarassocialstatusgoes，itmightbeaseriousquestioniftheactualdaughterofthelateJohnSilsbee，ofPikeCounty，andtheadoptedchildofJohnPeytonwasintheleasthissuperior。AsFatherSobrienteevidentlyknewClarence’sformercompanionshipwithSusyandherparents，itwouldbehardlypoliticforustoignoreitorseemtobeashamedofit。
SoIintrustedSobrientewithaninvitationtoyoungBrantonthespot。"
Mrs。Peyton’simpatience，indignation，andopposition，whichhadsuccessivelygivenwaybeforeherhusband’squiet，masterfulgoodhumor，heretooktheformofaneuroticfatalism。Sheshookherheadwithsuperstitiousresignation。
"Didn’tItellyou，John，thatIalwayshadadreadofsomethingcoming"——
"Butifitcomesintheshapeofashyyounglad，Iseenothingsingularlyportentousinit。Theyhavenotmetsincetheywerequitesmall;theirtasteshavechanged;iftheydon’tquarrelandfighttheymaybeequallyboredwitheachother。Yetuntilthen，inonewayoranother，Clarencewilloccupytheyounglady’svacantcaprice，andherschoolfriend，MaryRogers，willbehere，youknow，todividehisattentions，and，"addedPeyton，withmocksolemnity，preservetheinterestofstrictpropriety。ShallIbreakittoher，——orwillyou？"
"No，——yes，"hesitatedMrs。Peyton;"perhapsIhadbetter。"
"Verywell，Ileavehischaracterinyourhands;onlydon’tprejudiceherintoaromanticfancyforhim。"AndJudgePeytonloungedsmilinglyaway。
ThentwolittletearsforcedthemselvesfromMrs。Peyton’seyes。
AgainshesawthatprospectofuninterruptedcompanionshipwithSusy，uponwhicheachsuccessiveyearshehadbuiltsomanymaternalhopesandconfidences，fadeawaybeforeher。ShedreadedthecomingofSusy’sschoolfriend，whosharedherdaughter’spresentthoughtsandintimacy，althoughshehadherselfinvitedherinamoredesperatedreadofthechild’sabstracted，discontentedeyes;shedreadedtheadventoftheboywhohadsharedSusy’searlylifebeforesheknewher;shedreadedtheordealofbreakingthenewsandperhapsseeingthatprettyanimationspringintohereyes，whichshehadbeguntobelievenosolicitudeortendernessofherowneveragainawakened，——andyetshedreadedstillmorethatherhusbandshouldseeittoo。Fortheloveofthisrecreatedwoman，althoughnotentirelymaterializedwithherchangedfibre，hadneverthelessbecomeacoarserselfishnessfosteredbyherlonelinessandlimitedexperience。Thematernalyearningleftunsatisfiedbythelossofherfirst—bornhadneverbeenfilledbySusy’sthoughtlessacceptanceofit;shehadbeenledastraybythechild’seasytransferenceofdependenceandtheforgetfulnessofyouth，andwasonlynowdimlyconsciousoffindingherselffacetofacewithanaliennature。
ShestartedtoherfeetandfollowedthedirectionthatSusyhadtaken。Foramomentshehadtofronttheafternoontradewindwhichchilledherasitswepttheplainbeyondthegateway，butwasstoppedbytheadobewall，abovewhoseshelterthestuntedtreetops——
throughyearsofexposure——slantedasiftrimmedbygiganticshears。Atfirst，lookingdownthevenerablealleyoffantastic，knottedshapes，shesawnotraceofSusy。Buthalfwaydownthegleamofawhiteskirtagainstathicketofdarkolivesshowedhertheyounggirlsittingonabenchinaneglectedarbor。Inthemidstofthisformalandfadedpageantryshelookedcharminglyfresh，youthful，andpretty;andyettheunfortunatewomanthoughtthatherattitudeandexpressionatthatmomentsuggestedmorethanherfifteenyearsofgirlhood。Hergoldenhairstillhungunfetteredoverherstraight，boy—likebackandshoulders;hershortskirtstillshowedherchildishfeetandankles;yetthereseemedtobesomeundefinedmaturityoravaguewomanlinessaboutherthatstungMrs。Peyton’sheart。Thechildwasgrowingawayfromher，too！
"Susy！"
Theyounggirlraisedherheadquickly;herdeepvioleteyesseemedalsotoleapwithasuddensuspicion，andwithahalf—mechanical，secretivemovement，thatmighthavebeenonlyaschoolgirl’sinstinct，herrighthandhadslippedapaperonwhichshewasscribblingbetweentheleavesofherbook。Yetthenextmoment，evenwhilelookinginterrogativelyathermother，shewithdrewthepaperquietly，toreitupintosmallpieces，andthrewthemontheground。
ButMrs。Peytonwastoopreoccupiedwithhernewstonoticethecircumstance，andtoonervousinherhastetobetactful。"Susy，yourfatherhasinvitedthatboy，ClarenceBrant，——youknowthatcreaturewepickedupandassistedontheplains，whenyouwereamerebaby，——tocomedownhereandmakeusavisit。"
Herheartseemedtostopbeatingasshegazedbreathlesslyatthegirl。ButSusy’sface，unchangedexceptforthealert，questioningeyes，remainedfixedforamoment;thenachildishsmileofwonderopenedhersmallredmouth，expandeditslightlyasshesaidsimply：——
"Lor，mar！Hehasn’t，really！"
Inexpressibly，yetunreasonablyreassured，Mrs。Peytonhurriedlyrecountedherhusband’sstoryofClarence’sfortune，andwasevenjoyfullysurprisedintosomefairnessofstatement。
"Butyoudon’trememberhimmuch，doyou，dear？Itwassolongago，and——youarequiteayoungladynow，"sheaddedeagerly。
Theopenmouthwasstillfixed;thewonderingsmilewouldhavebeenidioticinanyfacelessdimpled，rosy，andpiquantthanSusy’s。
Afteraslightgasp，asifinstillincredulousandpartlyreminiscentpreoccupation，shesaidwithoutreplying：——
"Howfunny！Whenishecoming？"
"Dayafterto—morrow，"returnedMrs。Peyton，withacontentedsmile。
"AndMaryRogerswillbehere，too。Itwillberealfunforher。"
Mrs。Peytonwasmorethanreassured。Halfashamedofherjealousfears，shedrewSusy’sgoldenheadtowardsherandkissedit。Andtheyounggirl，stillreminiscent，withsmilinglyabstractedtoleration，returnedthecaress。
CHAPTERII。
ItwasnotthoughtinconsistentwithSusy’scapriciousnessthatsheshoulddeclareherintentionthenextmorningofdrivingherponybuggytoSantaIneztoanticipatethestage—coachandfetchMaryRogersfromthestation。Mrs。Peyton，asusual，supportedtheyounglady’swhimandopposedherhusband’sobjections。
"Becausethestage—coachhappenstopassourgate，John，itisnoreasonwhySusyshouldn’tdriveherfriendfromSantaInezifsheprefersit。It’sonlysevenmiles，andyoucansendPedrotofollowheronhorsebacktoseethatshecomestonoharm。"
"Butthatisn’tPedro’sbusiness，"saidPeyton。
"Heoughttobeproudoftheprivilege，"returnedthelady，withatossofherhead。
Peytonsmiledgrimly，butyielded;andwhenthestage—coachdrewupthenextafternoonattheSantaInezHotel，Susywasalreadywaitinginherponycarriagebeforeit。Althoughthesusceptibledriver，expressman，andpassengersgenerally，charmedwiththisgolden—
hairedvision，wouldhavegladlyprotractedthemeetingofthetwoyoungfriends，thetransferofMaryRogersfromthecoachtothecarriagewaseffectedwithconsiderablehauteurandyouthfuldignitybySusy。EvenMaryRogers，twoyearsSusy’ssenior，aseriousbrunette，whosegood—humordidnot，however，impairhercapacityforsentiment，wasimpressedandevenembarrassedbyherdemeanor;butonlyforamoment。Whentheyhaddrivenfromthehotelandwerefairlyhiddenagaininthedustoftheoutlyingplain，withthediscreetPedrohoveringinthedistance，Susydroppedthereins，and，graspinghercompanion’sarm，gasped，intonesofdramaticintensity：——
"He’sbeenheardfrom，andiscomingHERE！"
"Who？"
Asickeningsensethatheroldconfidantehadalreadylosttouchwithher——theyhadbeenseparatedfornearlytwoweeks——mighthavepassedthroughSusy’smind。
"Who？"sherepeated，withaviciousshakeofMary’sarm，"why，ClarenceBrant，ofcourse。"
"No！"saidMary，vaguely。
Nevertheless，Susywentonrapidly，asiftoneutralizetheeffectofhercomrade’svacuity。
"Younevercouldhaveimaginedit！Never！EvenI，whenmothertoldme，IthoughtIshouldhavefainted，andALLwouldhavebeenrevealed！"
"But，"hesitatedthestillwonderingconfidante，"Ithoughtthatwasalloverlongago。Youhaven’tseenhimnorheardfromhimsincethatdayyoumetaccidentallyatSantaClara，twoyearsago，haveyou？"
Susy’seyesshotabluerayofdarkbutunutterablesignificanceintoMary’s，andthenwerecarefullyaverted。MaryRogers，althoughperfectlysatisfiedthatSusyhadneverseenClarencesince，neverthelessinstantlyacceptedandwaseventhrilledwiththisartfulsuggestionofaclandestinecorrespondence。Suchwasthesimplefaithofyouthfulfriendship。
"Motherknowsnothingofit，ofcourse，andawordfromyouorhimwouldruineverything，"continuedthebreathlessSusy。"That’swhyIcametofetchyouandwarnyou。Youmustseehimfirst，andwarnhimatanycost。IfIhadn’truneveryrisktocomehereto—day，Heavenknowswhatmighthavehappened！Whatdoyouthinkoftheponies，dear？They’remyown，andthesweetest！Thisone’sSusy，thatoneClarence，——butprivately，youknow。Beforetheworldandinthestableshe’sonlyBirdie。"
"ButIthoughtyouwrotetomethatyoucalledthem’PaulandVirginie，’"saidMarydoubtfully。
"Ido，sometimes，"saidSusycalmly。"Butonehastolearntosuppressone’sfeelings，dear！"Thenquickly，"Idosohatedeceit，don’tyou？Tellme，don’tyouthinkdeceitperfectlyhateful？"
Withoutwaitingforherfriend’sloyalassent，shecontinuedrapidly："Andhe’sjustrollinginwealth！andeducated，papasays，tothehighestdegree！"
"Then，"beganMary，"ifhe’scomingwithyourmother’sconsent，andifyouhaven’tquarreled，anditisnotbrokenoff，Ishouldthinkyou’dbejustdelighted。"
ButanotherquickflashfromSusy’seyesdispersedthesebeatificvisionsofthefuture。"Hush！"shesaid，withsuppresseddramaticintensity。"Youknownotwhatyousay！There’sanawfulmysteryhangsoverhim。MaryRogers，"continuedtheyounggirl，approachinghersmallmouthtoherconfidante’searinanappallingwhisper。
"Hisfatherwas——aPIRATE！Yes——livedapirateandwaskilledapirate！"
Thestatement，however，seemedtobepartlyineffective。MaryRogerswasstartledbutnotalarmed，andevenprotestedfeebly。
"But，"shesaid，"ifthefather’sdead，what’sthattodowithClarence？Hewasalwayswithyourpapa——soyoutoldme，dear——orotherpeople，andcouldn’tcatchanythingfromhisownfather。AndI’msure，dearest，healwaysseemedniceandquiet。"
"Yes，SEEMED，"returnedSusydarkly，"butthat’sallyouknow！ItwasinhisBLOOD。Youknowitalwaysis，——youreaditinthebooks，——youcouldseeitinhiseye。Thereweretimes，mydear，whenhewasthwarted，——whentheslightestattentionfromanotherpersontomerevealedit！Ihavekeptittomyself，——butthink，dearest，oftheeffectsofjealousyonthatpassionatenature！
SometimesItrembletolookbackuponit。"
Nevertheless，sheraisedherhandsandthrewbackherlovelygoldenmanefromherchildishshoulderswithaneasy，untroubledgesture。
ItwassingularthatMaryRogers，leaningbackcomfortablyinthebuggy，alsoacceptedtheseheart—rendingrevelationswithcomfortablyknittedbrowsandluxuriouslycontentedconcern。IfshefounditdifficulttorecognizeinthepicturejustdrawnbySusythequiet，gentle，andsadlyreservedyouthshehadknown，shesaidnothing。Afterasilence，lazilywatchingthedistantwheelingvacquero，shesaid：——
"Andyourfatheralwayssendsanoutriderlikethatwithyou？Hownice！Sopicturesque——andliketheoldSpanishdays。"
"Hush！"saidSusy，withanotherunutterableglance。
ButthistimeMarywasinfullsympatheticcommunionwithherfriend，andequaltoanyincoherenthiatusofrevelation。
"No！"shesaidpromptly，"youdon’tmeanit！"
"Don’taskme，Idaren’tsayanythingtopapa，forhe’dbesimplyfurious。Buttherearetimeswhenwe’realone，andPedrowheelsdownsonearwithSUCHalookinhisblackeyes，thatI’mallinatremble。It’sdreadful！Theysayhe’sarealBriones，——andhesometimessayssomethinginSpanish，endingwith’senorita，’butI
pretendIdon’tunderstand。"
"AndIsupposethatifanythingshouldhappentotheponies，he’djustriskhislifetosaveyou。"
"Yes，——anditwouldbesoawful，——forIjusthatehim！"
"ButifIwaswithyou，dear，hecouldn’texpectyoutobeasgratefulasifyouwerealone。Susy！"shecontinuedafterapause，"ifyoujuststirreduptheponiesalittlesoastomake’emgofast，perhapshemightthinkthey’dgotawayfromyou，andcomedashingdownhere。Itwouldbesofunnytoseehim，——wouldn’tit？"
Thetwogirlslookedateachother;theireyessparkledalreadywithafearfuljoy，——theydrewalongbreathofguiltyanticipation。ForamomentSusyevenbelievedinherimaginarysketchofPedro’sdevotion。
"PapasaidIwasn’ttousethewhipexceptinacaseofnecessity，"
shesaid，reachingfortheslendersilver—handledtoy，andsettingherprettylipstogetherwiththeaddeddeterminationofdisobedience。"G’long！"——andshelaidthelashsmartlyontheshiningbacksoftheanimals。
Theywerewiry，slenderbrutesofMojaveIndianblood，onlylatelybrokentoharness，andstillundisciplinedintemper。Thelashsentthemrearingintotheair，where，forgettingthemselvesintheslackenedtracesandloosereins，theycamedownwithasuccessionofboundsthatbroughtthelightbuggyleapingafterthemwithitswheelsscarcelytouchingtheground。Thatunluckylashhadknockedawaythebondsofafewmonths’servitudeandsentthehalf—brokenbrutesinstinctivelycareeringwitharchedbacksandkickingheelsintothefieldtowardsthenearestcover。
MaryRogerscastahurriedglanceoverhershoulder。Alas，theyhadnotcalculatedontheinsidiouslevelsoftheterracedplain，andthefaithfulPedrohadsuddenlydisappeared;theinterventionofsixinchesofrisingwildoatshadwipedhimoutoftheprospectandtheirpossiblesalvationascompletelyasifhehadbeenmilesaway。
Nevertheless，thegirlswerenotfrightened;perhapstheyhadnottime。Therewas，however，thebriefestintervalforthemostdominantoffeminineemotions，anditwastakenadvantageofbySusy。
"ItwasallYOURfault，dear！"shegasped，astheforewheelsofthebuggy，droppingintoagopherrut，suddenlytiltedupthebackofthevehicleandshotitsfairoccupantsintotheyieldingpalisadesofdustygrain。Theshockdetachedthewhiffletreefromthesplinter—bar，snappedthelightpole，and，turningthenowthoroughlyfrightenedanimalsagainfromtheircourse，sentthem，goadedbytheclatteringfragments，flyingdowntheturnpike。Halfamilefartherontheyovertookthegleamingwhitecanvashoodofaslowlymovingwagondrawnbytwooxen，and，swervingagain，thenearerponysteppeduponatrailingtraceandingloriouslyendedtheircareerbyrollinghimselfandhiscompanioninthedustattheveryfeetofthepeacefullyploddingteam。
EquallyharmlessandingloriouswasthecatastropheofSusyandherfriend。Thestrong，elasticstalksofthetallgrainbroketheirfallandenabledthemtoscrambletotheirfeet，dusty，disheveled，butunhurt，andevenunstunnedbytheshock。Theirfirstinstinctivecriesoveradamagedhatorrippedskirtwerefollowedbythequickreactionofchildishlaughter。Theywerealone;theverydefectionofPedroconsoledthem，initsabsenceofanywitnesstotheirdisaster;eventheirpreviousslightattitudetoeachotherwasforgotten。Theygropedtheirway，pushingandpanting，totheroadagain，where，beholdingtheoversetbuggywithitswheelsludicrouslyintheair，theysuddenlyseizedandshookeachother，andinanoutburstofhilariousecstasy，fairlylaugheduntilthetearscameintotheireyes。
Thentherewasabreathlesssilence。
"Thestagewillbecomingbyinamoment，"composedlysaidSusy。
"Fixme，dear。"
MaryRogerscalmlywalkedaroundherfriend，bestowingapracticalshakethere，apluckhere，completelyretyingonebowandrestoringanengagingfullnesstoanother，yetcriticallyexamining，withherheadononeside，thefascinatingresult。ThenSusyperformedthesamefunctionforMarywithequaldeliberationanddeftness。
SuddenlyMarystartedandlookedup。
"It’scoming，"shesaidquickly，"andthey’veSEENUS。"
Theexpressionofthefacesofthetwogirlsinstantlychanged。A
paineddignityandresignation，apparentlybornofthemostharrowingexperiencesandcontrolledonlybyperfectgoodbreeding，wasdistinctlysuggestedintheirfeaturesandattitudeastheystoodpatientlybythewreckoftheiroverturnedbuggyawaitingtheoncomingcoach。Insharpcontrastwastheevidentexcitementamongthepassengers。Afewrosefromtheirseatsintheireagerness;asthestagepulledupintheroadbesidethebuggyfourorfiveoftheyoungermenleapedtotheground。
"Areyouhurt，miss？"theygaspedsympathetically。
Susydidnotimmediatelyreply，butominouslyknittedherprettyeyebrowsasifrepressingaspasmofpain。Thenshesaid，"Notatall，"coldly，withthesuggestionofstoicallyconcealingsomelastingorperhapsfatalinjury，andtookthearmofMaryRogers，whohad，inthemeantime，establishedatouchingyetgracefullimp。
Decliningtheprofferedassistanceofthepassengers，theyhelpedeachotherintothecoach，andfreezinglyrequestingthedrivertostopatMr。Peyton’sgate，maintainedastatuesqueandimpressivesilence。Atthegatestheygotdown，followedbythesympatheticglancesoftheothers。
Toallappearancetheirescapade，albeitfraughtwithdangerouspossibilities，hadhappilyended。Butintheeconomyofhumanaffairs，asinnature，forcesarenotsuddenlyletloosewithoutmoreorlesssympatheticdisturbancewhichisapttolingeraftertheimpellingcauseisharmlesslyspent。Thefrightwhichthegirlshadunsuccessfullyattemptedtoproduceintheheartoftheirescorthadpassedhimtobecomeapanicelsewhere。JudgePeyton，ridingnearthegatewayofhisrancho，wassuddenlyconfrontedbythespectacleofoneofhisvacquerosdrivingonbeforehimthetwolassoedanddustyponies，withafacethatbrokeintoviolentgesticulatingathismaster’squickinterrogation。
"Ah！MotherofGod！Itwasanevilday！Forthebronchoshadrunaway，upsetthebuggy，andhadonlybeenstoppedbyabraveAmericanoofanox—team，whoselassowasevennowaroundtheirnecks，toproveit，andwhohadbeendraggedamatterofahundredvaras，likeacalf，attheirheels。Thesenoritas，——ah！hadhenotalreadysaidtheyweresafe，bythemercyofJesus！——pickedupbythecoach，andwouldbehereatthismoment。"
"ButwherewasPedroallthetime？Whatwashedoing？"demandedPeyton，withadarkenedfaceandgatheringanger。
Thevacquerolookedathismaster，andshruggedhisshoulderssignificantly。AtanyothertimePeytonwouldhaverememberedthatPedro，asthereputedscionofadecayedSpanishfamily，andclaimingsuperiority，wasnotafavoritewithhisfellow—retainers。
Butthegesture，halfofsuggestion，halfofdepreciation，irritatedPeytonstillmore。
"Well，whereisthisAmericanwhoDIDsomethingwhentherewasn’tamanamongyouallabletostopachild’srunawayponies？"hesaidsarcastically。"Letmeseehim。"
Thevacquerobecamestillmoredeprecatory。
"Ah！HehaddrivenonwithhisteamtowardsSanAntonio。Hewouldnotstoptobethanked。Butthatwasthewholetruth。He，Incarnacion，couldsweartoitastotheCreed。Therewasnothingmore。"
"Takethosebeastsaroundthebackwaytothecorral，"saidPeyton，thoroughlyenraged，"andnotawordofthistoanyoneatthecasa，doyouhear？NotawordtoMrs。Peytonortheservants，or，byHeaven，I’llcleartheranchoofthewholelazycrewofyouatonce。
Outofthewaythere，andbeoff！"
Hespurredhishorsepastthefrightenedmenial，anddasheddownthenarrowlanethatledtothegate。But，asIncarnacionhadtrulysaid，"Itwasanevilday，"foratthebottomofthelane，amblingslowlyalongashelazilypuffedayellowcigarette，appearedthefigureoftheerringPedro。Utterlyunconsciousoftheaccident，attributingthedisappearanceofhischargestotheinequalitiesoftheplain，and，intruth，littleinterestedinwhathefirmlybelievedwashispurelyartificialfunction，hehadevenmadealargercircuittostopatawaysidefondaforrefreshments。
Unfortunately，thereisnomoreillogicalsequenceofhumanemotionthantheexasperationproducedbytheblandmanneroftheunfortunateobjectwhohasexcitedit，althoughthatveryunconcernmaybetheconvincingproofofinnocenceofintention。JudgePeyton，alreadyinfluenced，wasfuriousatthecomfortableobliviousnessofhiscarelesshenchman，androdeangrilytowardshim。OnlyaquickturnofPedro’swristkeptthetwomenfromcomingintocollision。
"Isthisthewayyouattendtoyourduty？"demandedPeyton，inathick，suppressedvoice，"Whereisthebuggy？Whereismydaughter？"
TherewasnomistakingJudgePeyton’smanner，evenifthereasonofitwasnotsocleartoPedro’smind，andhishotLatinbloodflewinstinctivelytohisface。Butforthat，hemighthaveshownsomeconcernoraskedanexplanation。Asitwas，heatonceretortedwiththenationalshrugandthenationalhalf—scornful，half—lazy"Quiensabe？"
"Whoknows？"repeatedPeyton，hotly。"Ido！Shewasthrownoutofherbuggythroughyournegligenceandinfernallaziness！Theponiesranaway，andwerestoppedbyastrangerwhowasn’tafraidofriskinghisbones，whileyouwerelimpingaroundsomewherelikeaslouching，cowardlycoyote。"
Thevacquerostruggledamomentbetweenblankastonishmentandinarticulaterage。Atlastheburstout：——
"Iamnocoyote！Iwasthere！Isawnorunaway！"
"Don’tlietome，sir！"roaredPeyton。"Itellyouthebuggywassmashed，thegirlswerethrownoutandnearlykilled"——Hestoppedsuddenly。Thesoundofyouthfullaughterhadcomefromthebottomofthelane，whereSusyPeytonandMaryRogers，justalightedfromthecoach，inthereactionoftheirpreviousconstrainedattitude，wereflyinghilariouslyintoview。AslightembarrassmentcrossedPeyton’sface;astilldeeperflushofangeroverspreadPedro’ssullencheek。
ThenPedrofoundtongueagain，hisnativeone，rapidly，violently，halfincoherently。"Ah，yes！Ithadcometothis。Itseemshewasnotavacquero，acompanionofthepadroneonlandsthathadbeenhisownbeforetheAmericanosrobbedhimofit，butaservant，alackeyofmuchachas，anattendantonchildrentoamusethem，or——whynot？——anappendagetohisdaughter’sstate！Ah，JesusMaria！suchastate！suchamuchacha！Apicked—upfoundling——aswineherd’sdaughter——tobeennobledbyhis，Pedro’s，attendance，andforwhosevulgar，clownishtricks，——tricksofaswineherd’sdaughter，——he，Pedro，wastobebroughttobookandinsultedasifshewereofHidalgoblood！Ah，Caramba！DonJuanPeytonwouldfindhecouldnomoremakeaservantofhimthanhecouldmakealadyofher！"
Thetwoyounggirlswererapidlyapproaching。JudgePeytonspurredhishorsebesidethevacquero’s，and，swingingthelongthongofhisbridleominouslyinhisclenchedfingers，said，withawhiteface：——
"Vamos！"
Pedro’shandslidtowardshissash。Peytononlylookedathimwitharigidsmileofscorn。
"OrI’lllashyouherebeforethemboth，"headdedinalowervoice。
ThevacquerometPeyton’srelentlesseyeswithayellowflashofhate，drewhisreinssharply，untilhismustang，galledbythecruelbit，rearedsuddenlyasiftostrikeattheimmovableAmerican，then，apparentlywiththesameaction，heswungitaroundonitshindlegs，asonapivot，anddashedtowardsthecorralatafuriousgallop。
CHAPTERIII。
Meantimetheheroicproprietorofthepeacefulox—team，whosevalorIncarnacionhadsoinfelicitouslycelebrated，waswalkinglistlesslyinthedustbesidehiswagon。Atafirstglancehisslouchingfigure，takeninconnectionwithhisbucolicconveyance，didnotimmediatelysuggestahero。Asheemergedfromthedustyclouditcouldbeseenthathewaswearingabeltfromwhichalargedragoonrevolverandhuntingknifewereslung，andplacedsomewhatostentatiouslyacrossthewagonseatwasarifle。Yettheothercontentsofthewagonwereofasingularlyinoffensivecharacter，andevensuggestedarticlesofhomelybarter。Culinaryutensilsofallsizes，tubs，scullerybrushes，andclocks，withseveralrollsofcheapcarpetingandcalico，mighthavebeenthewaresofsometravelingvender。Yet，astheywereonlyvisiblethroughaflapofthedrawncurtainsofthecanvashood，theydidnotmitigatethegeneralaggressiveeffectoftheirowner’sappearance。Aredbandannahandkerchiefknottedandthrownlooselyoverhisshoulders，aslouchedhatpulleddarklyoveraheadoflongtangledhair，which，however，shadowedaround，comfortableface，scantilyandyouthfullybearded，werepartoftheseconfusinginconsistencies。
Theshadowsoftheteamwagonwerealreadylengtheninggrotesquelyovertheflat，cultivatedfields，whichforsometimehadtakentheplaceoftheplainsofwildoatsinthebranchroadintowhichtheyhadturned。Thegiganticshadowoftheproprietor，occasionallyprojectedbeforeit，wasincharacteristicexaggeration，andwasoftenobliteratedbyapuffofdust，stirredbytheploddinghoofsofthepeacefuloxen，andsweptacrossthefieldbythestrongafternoontrades。Thesunsanklower，althoughastillpotentpresenceabovethehorizonline;thecreakingwagonlumberedstillheavilyalong。Yetatintervalsitsbelligerentproprietorwouldstartupfromhisslouching，silentmarch，breakoutintoviolent，disproportionate，bututterlyineffectiveobjurgationofhiscattle，jumpintotheairandkickhisheelstogetherinsomeparoxysmofindignationagainstthem，——anact，however，whichwasreceivedalwayswithheavybovineindifference，thedoggedscornofswaying，repudiatingheads，orthedullcontemptoflazilyflickingtails。
Towardssunsetoneortwostragglingbarnsandcottagesindicatedtheirapproachtotheoutskirtsofacountrytownorsettlement。
Heretheteamhalted，asifthebelligerent—lookingteamsterhadfelthisappearancewasinconsistentwithaneffeminatecivilization，andtheoxenwereturnedintoanopenwasteoppositeanondescriptwoodentenement，halffarmhouseandhalfcabin，evidentlyoftherudestWesternorigin。Hemayhaverecognizedthefactthatthese"shanties"werenot，astheordinarytravelermightinfer，thefirstrudeshelteroftheoriginalpioneersorsettlers，butthelatermakeshiftsofsomerecentWesternimmigrantswho，likehimself，probablyfoundthemselvesunequaltothesettledhabitsofthevillage，andwhostillretainedtheirnomadicinstincts。Itchanced，however，thatthecabinatpresentwasoccupiedbyaNewEnglandmechanicandhisfamily，whohademigratedbyshiparoundCapeHorn，andwhohadnoexperienceoftheWest，theplains，oritspeople。Itwasthereforewithsomecuriosityandacertainamountoffascinatedawethatthemechanic’sonlydaughterregardedfromtheopendoorofherdwellingthearrivalofthiswildandlawless—
lookingstranger。
Meantimehehadopenedthecurtainsofthewagonandtakenfromitsinterioranumberofpots，pans，andculinaryutensils，whichheproceededtohanguponcertainhooksthatwereplacedontheouterribsoftheboardandthesidesofthevehicle。Tothisheaddedarollofragcarpet，theendofwhichhungfromthetailboard，andarollofpinkcalicotemptinglydisplayedontheseat。Themystificationandcuriosityoftheyounggirlgrewmoreintenseattheseproceedings。Itlookedliketheordinaryexhibitionofatravelingpeddler，butthegloomyandembattledappearanceofthemanhimselfscoutedsopeacefulandcommonplaceasuggestion。Underthepretenseofchasingawayamaraudinghen，shesalliedoutuponthewastenearthewagon。Itthenbecameevidentthatthetravelerhadseenher，andwasnotaversetoherinterestinhismovements，althoughhehadnotchangedhisattitudeofsavageretrospection。
Anoccasionalejaculationofsuppressedpassion，asifthememoryofsomepastconflictwastoomuchforhim，escapedhimeveninthispeacefuloccupation。Asthispossiblycausedtheyounggirltostillhovertimidlyinthedistance，hesuddenlyenteredthewagonandreappearedcarryingatinbucket，withwhichhesomewhatostentatiouslycrossedherpath，hiseyesdarklywanderingasifseekingsomething。
"Ifyou’relookin’forthespring，it’saspellfurderon——bythewillows。"
Itwasapleasantvoice，theteamsterthought，albeitwithadry，crisp，NewEnglandaccentunfamiliartohisears。Helookedintothedepthsofanunlovelyblue—checksunbonnet，andsawcertainsmall，irregularfeaturesandasallowcheck，litupbyapairofperfectlyinnocent，trustful，andwonderingbrowneyes。Theirtimidpossessorseemedtobeagirlofseventeen，whosefigure，althoughapparentlycladinoneofhermother’sgowns，wasstillundevelopedandrepressedbyrustichardshipandinnutrition。Ashereyesmethisshesawthatthefaceofthisgloomystrangerwasstillyouthful，bynomeansimplacable，and，evenatthatmoment，wasactuallysuffusedbyabrick—coloredblush！Inmattersofmereintuition，thesex，eveninitsmostrusticphase，isstilloursuperior;andthisunsophisticatedgirl，asthetrespasserstammered，"Thankye，miss，"wasinstinctivelyemboldenedtogreaterfreedom。
"Dadain’ttuhum，butyekinhaveadrinko’milkifyekeerforit。"
Shemotionedshylytowardsthecabin，andthenledtheway。Thestranger，withaninarticulatemurmur，afterwardsdisguisedasacough，followedhermeekly。Nevertheless，bythetimetheyhadreachedthecabinhehadshakenhislonghairoverhiseyesagain，andadarkabstractiongatheredchieflyinhiseyebrows。Butitdidnoteffacefromthegirl’smindthepreviousconcessionofablush，and，althoughitaddedtohercuriosity，didnotalarmher。Hedrankthemilkawkwardly。Butbythelawsofcourtesy，evenamongthemostsavagetribes，shefelthewas，atthatmomentatleast，harmless。Atimidsmileflutteredaroundhermouthasshesaid：——
"WhenyehungupthemthingsIthoughtyemightbehavin’suthingtoswaporsell。Thatis，"——withtactfulpoliteness，——"motherwaswantin’anewskillet，anditwouldhavebeenhandyifyou’dhadone。But"——withanapologeticglanceathisequipments——"ifitain’tyourbusiness，it’sallright，andnooffense。"
"I’vegotaloto’skillets，"saidthestrangeteamster，withmarkedcondescension，"andshecanhaveone。They’reallthat’sleftouteraheapo’trader’sstuffcapturedbyInjunst’othersideofLaramie。
Wehadabigfighttoget’emback。Losttwoofourbestmen，——
scalpedatBloodyCreek，——andhadtodropadozenredskinsintheirtracks，——meandanotherman，——lyin’flatinerwagonandfirin’
undertheflapso’thecanvas。Idon’tknoweztheywazwuthit，"
headdedingloomyretrospect;"butI’vegottogetridof’em，I
reckon，somehow，aforeIworkovertoDeadman’sGulchagain。"
Theyounggirl’seyesbrightenedtimidlywithafeminineminglingofimaginativeaweandpersonal，pityinginterest。Hewas，afterall，soyoungandamiablelookingforsuchhardshipsandadventures。Andwithallthis，he——thisIndianfighter——wasalittleafraidofHER！
"Thenthat’swhyyoucarrythatknifeandsix—shooter？"shesaid。
"Butyouwon’twant’emnow，hereinthesettlement。"
"That’sezmebbe，"saidthestrangerdarkly。Hepaused，andthensuddenly，asifrecklesslyacceptingadangerousrisk，unbuckledhisrevolverandhandeditabstractedlytotheyounggirl。Butthesheathofthebowie—knifewasafixtureinhisbody—belt，andhewasobligedtowithdrawtheglitteringbladebyitself，andtohandittoherinallitsnakedterrors。Theyounggirlreceivedtheweaponswithasmilingcomplacency。UponsuchaltarsasthesetheskepticalreaderwillrememberthatMarshadoncehunghis"batteredshield，"hislance，and"uncontrolledcrest。"
Nevertheless，thewarliketeamsterwasnotwithoutembarrassment。
Mutteringsomethingaboutthenecessityof"lookingafterhisstock，"heachievedahesitatingbow，backedawkwardlyoutofthedoor，andreceivingfromtheconqueringhandsoftheyounggirlhisweaponsagain，wasobligedtocarrythemsomewhatingloriouslyinhishandsacrosstheroad，andputthemonthewagonseat，where，incompanywiththeculinaryarticles，theyseemedtolosetheirdistinctivelyaggressivecharacter。Here，althoughhischeekwasstillflushedfromhispeacefulencounter，hisvoiceregainedsomeofitshoarseseverityashedrovetheoxenfromthemuddypoolintowhichtheyhadluxuriantlywandered，andbroughttheirfodderfromthewagon。Later，asthesunwassetting，helitacorn—cobpipe，andsomewhatostentatiouslystrolleddowntheroad，withafurtiveeyelingeringuponthestillopendoorofthefarmhouse。Presentlytwoangularfiguresappearedfromit，thefarmerandhiswife，intentonbarter。
Thesehereceivedwithhispreviousgloomypreoccupation，andaslightvariationofthestoryhehadtoldtheirdaughter。Itispossiblethathissuggestiveindifferencepiquedandheightenedthebargaininginstinctsofthewoman，forshenotonlyboughttheskillet，butpurchasedaclockandarollofcarpeting。Stillmore，insomeeffusionofrusticcourtesy，sheextendedaninvitationtohimtosupwiththem，whichhedeclinedandacceptedinthesameembarrassedbreath，returningtheprofferedhospitalitybyconfidentiallyshowingthemacoupleofdriedscalps，presumablyofIndianorigin。Itwasinthesamemomentofhumanweaknessthatheansweredtheirpolitequeryasto"whattheymightcallhim，"byintimatingthathisnamewas"RedJim，"——atitleofachievementbywhichhewasgenerallyknown，whichforthepresentmustsufficethem。Butduringtherepastthatfollowedthiswasshortenedto"MisterJim，"andevenfamiliarlybytheelderstoplain"Jim。"
Onlytheyounggirlhabituallyusedtheformalprefixinreturnforthe"MissPhoebe"thathecalledher。
WiththreesuchsympatheticandunexperiencedauditorsthegloomyembarrassmentofRedJimwassoondissipated，althoughitcouldhardlybesaidthathewasgenerallycommunicative。DarktalesofIndianwarfare，ofnightattacksandwildstampedes，inwhichhehadalwaystakenaprominentpart，flowedfreelyfromhislips，butlittleelseofhispasthistoryorpresentprospects。Andevenhisnarrativesofadventureweremoreorlessfragmentaryandimperfectindetail。
"Youwozsaying，"saidthefarmer，withslow，matteroffact，NewEnglanddeliberation，"ezhowyouguessedyouwozbeguiledamongsttheInjinsbyyourMexicanpartner，apow’fulinfluentialman，andyetyouwoztheonlyoneescapedthegen’ralslarterin’。HowcametheInjinstokillHIM，——theirfriend？"
"Theydidn’t，"returnedJim，withominouslyavertedeyes。
"Whatbecameofhim？"continuedthefarmer。
RedJimshadowedhiseyeswithhishand，andcastadarkglanceofscrutinyoutofthedoorsandwindows。Theyounggirlperceiveditwithtimid，fascinatedconcern，andsaidhurriedly：——
"Don’taskhim，father！Don’tyouseehemustn’ttell？"
"Notwhenspiesmaybehangin’round，anddoggin’meateverystep，"
saidRedJim，asifreflecting，withanotherfurtiveglancetowardsthealreadyfadingprospectwithout。"They’vesworntorevengehim，"headdedmoodily。
Amomentarysilencefollowed。Thefarmercoughedslightly，andlookeddubiouslyathiswife。Butthetwowomenhadalreadyexchangedfeminineglancesofsympathyforthisevidentslayeroftraitors，andwereapparentlyinclinedtostopanyadversecriticism。
Inthemidstofwhichashoutwasheardfromtheroad。Thefarmerandhisfamilyinstinctivelystarted。RedJimaloneremainedunmoved，——afactwhichdidnotlessentheadmirationofhisfeminineaudience。Thehostrosequickly，andwentout。Thefigureofahorsemanhadhaltedintheroad，butafterafewmoments’
conversationwiththefarmertheybothmovedtowardsthehouseanddisappeared。Whenthefarmerreturned，itwastosaythat"oneofthem’Friscodandies，whodidn’tkeeraboutstoppin’atthehotelinthesettlement，"hadhaltedtogivehis"critter"afeedanddrinkthathemightcontinuehisjourney。Hehadaskedhimtocomeinwhilethehorsewasfeeding，butthestrangerhad"guessedhe’dstretchhislegsoutsideandsmokehiscigar;"hemighthavethoughtthecompany"notfineenoughforhim，"buthewas"civilspokenenough，andhadanall—firedsmarthoss，andseemedtoknowhowtorunhim。"Totheanxiousinquiriesofhiswifeanddaughterheaddedthatthestrangerdidn’tseemlikeaspyoraMexican;was"asyoungasHIM，"pointingtothemoodyRedJim，"andadarnedsightmorepeaceful—likeinstyle。"
Perhapsowingtothecriticismofthefarmer，perhapsfromsomestilllurkingsuspicionofbeingoverheardbyeavesdroppers，orpossiblyfromahumanedesiretorelievethestrainedapprehensionofthewomen，RedJim，asthefarmerdisappearedtorejointhestranger，againdroppedintoalighterandgentlerveinofreminiscence。Hetoldthemhow，whenamereboy，hehadbeenlostfromanemigranttrainincompanywithalittlegirlsomeyearshisjunior。How，whentheyfoundthemselvesaloneonthedesolateplain，withthevanishedtrainbeyondtheirreach，heendeavoredtokeepthechildfromaknowledgeoftherealdangeroftheirposition，andtosootheandcomforther。Howhecarriedheronhisback，until，exhausted，hesankinaheapofsage—brush。HowhewassurroundedbyIndians，who，however，neversuspectedhishiding—
place;andhowheremainedmotionlessandbreathlesswiththesleepingchildforthreehours，untiltheydeparted。How，atthelastmoment，hehadperceivedatraininthedistance，andhadstaggeredwithherthither，althoughshotatandwoundedbythetrainmeninthebeliefthathewasanIndian。Howitwasafterwardsdiscoveredthatthechildwasthelong—lostdaughterofamillionaire;howhehadresolutelyrefusedanygratuityforsavingher，andshewasnowapeerlessyoungheiress，famousinCalifornia。
Whetherthislightertoneofnarrativesuitedhimbetter，orwhethertheactivefemininesympathyofhisauditorshelpedhimalong，certainitwasthathisstorywasmorecoherentandintelligibleandhisvoicelesshoarseandconstrainedthaninhispreviousbelligerentreminiscences;hisexpressionchanged，andevenhisfeaturesworkedintosomethinglikegentleremotion。ThebrighteyesofPhoebe，fasteneduponhim，turneddimwithafaintmoisture，andherpalecheektookuponitselfalittlecolor。Themother，afterinterjecting"Dutell，"and"Iwanterknow，"remainedopen—
mouthed，staringathervisitor。Andinthesilencethatfollowed，apleasant，butsomewhatmelancholyvoicecamefromtheopendoor。
"Ibegyourpardon，butIthoughtIcouldn’tbemistaken。ItISmyoldfriend，JimHooker！"
Everybodystarted。RedJimstumbledtohisfeetwithaninarticulateandhystericexclamation。Yettheapparitionthatnowstoodinthedoorwaywasfarfrombeingterrifyingordiscomposing。
Itwasevidentlythestranger，——aslender，elegantly—knitfigure，whoseupperlipwasfaintlyshadowedbyasoft，darkmustacheindicatingearlymanhood，andwhoseunstudiedeaseinhiswell—
fittinggarmentsbespokethedwellerofcities。Good—lookingandwell—dressed，withouttheconsciousnessofbeingeither;self—
possessedthrougheasycircumstances，yetwithoutself—assertion;
courteousbynatureandinstinctaswellasfromanexperienceofgrantingfavors，hemighthavebeenawelcomeadditiontoevenamorecriticalcompany。ButRedJim，hurriedlyseizinghisoutstretchedhand，instantlydraggedhimawayfromthedoorwayintotheroadandoutofhearingofhisaudience。
"DidyouhearwhatIwassaying？"heaskedhoarsely。
"Well，yes，——Ithinkso，"returnedthestranger，withaquietsmile。
"Yeain’tgoin’backonme，Clarence，areye，——ain’tgoin’togimmeawayaforethem，oldpard，areye？"saidJim，withasuddenchangetoalmostpatheticpleading。
"No，"returnedthestranger，smiling。"Andcertainlynotbeforethatinterestedyounglady，Jim。Butstop。Letmelookatyou。"
Heheldoutbothhands，tookJim’s，spreadthemapartforamomentwithaboyishgesture，and，lookinginhisface，saidhalfmischievously，halfsadly，"Yes，it’sthesameoldJimHooker，——
unchanged。"
"ButYOU’REchanged，——reg’larwarpaint，BigInjinstyle！"saidHooker，lookingupathimwithanawkwardminglingofadmirationandenvy。"Heardyoustruckitrichwiththeoldman，andwasMisterBrantnow！"
"Yes，"saidClarencegently，yetwithasmilethathadnotonlyatingeofwearinessbutevenofsadnessinit。
Unfortunately，theact，whichwasquitenaturaltoClarence’ssensitiveness，andindeedpartlysprangfromsomeconcerninhisoldcompanion’sfortunes，translateditselfbyaveryhumanprocesstoHooker’sconsciousnessasapieceofrankaffectation。HEwouldhavebeenexaltedandexultantinClarence’splace，consequentlyanyotherexhibitionwasonly"airs。"Nevertheless，atthepresentmomentClarencewastobeplacated。
"Youdidn’tmindmytellingthatstoryaboutyoursavin’Susyasmyown，didye？"hesaid，withahastyglanceoverhisshoulder。"I
onlydidittofooltheoldmanandwomen—folks，andmaketalk。Youwon’tblowonme？Yeain’tmadaboutit？"
IthadcrossedClarence’smemorythatwhentheywerebothyoungerJimHookerhadoncenotonlyborrowedhisstory，buthisnameandpersonalityaswell。Yetinhisloyaltytooldmemoriestherewasminglednoresentmentforpastinjury。"Ofcoursenot，"hesaid，withasmilethatwas，however，stillthoughtful。"WhyshouldI？
OnlyIoughttotellyouthatSusyPeytonislivingwithheradoptedparentsnottenmilesfromhere，anditmightreachtheirears。
She’squiteayoungladynow，andifIwouldn’ttellherstorytostrangers，Idon’tthinkYOUoughtto，Jim。"
HesaidthissopleasantlythateventheskepticalJimforgotwhathebelievedwerethe"airsandgraces"ofself—abnegation，andsaid，"Let’sgoinside，andI’llintroduceyou，"andturnedtothehouse。
ButClarenceBrantdrewback。"I’mgoingonassoonasmyhorseisfed，forI’monavisittoPeyton，andIintendtopushasfarasSantaInezstillto—night。Iwanttotalkwithyouaboutyourself，Jim，"headdedgently;"yourprospectsandyourfuture。Iheard，"
hewentonhesitatingly，"thatyouwere——atwork——inarestaurantinSanFrancisco。I’mgladtoseethatyouareatleastyourownmasterhere，"——heglancedatthewagon。"Youaresellingthings，I
suppose？Foryourself，oranother？Isthatteamyours？Come，"headded，stillpleasantly，butinanolderandgravervoice，withperhapstheleasttouchofexperiencedauthority，"befrank，Jim。
Whichisit？Nevermindwhatthingsyou’vetoldINTHERE，tellME
thetruthaboutyourself。CanIhelpyouinanyway？Believeme，I
shouldliketo。Wehavebeenoldfriends，whateverdifferenceinourluck，Iamyoursstill。"
Thusadjured，theredoubtableJim，inahoarsewhisper，withafurtiveeyeonthehouse，admittedthathewastravelingforanitinerantpeddler，whomheexpectedtojoinlaterinthesettlement;
thathehadhisownmethodsofdisposingofhiswares，and（darkly）
thathisproprietorandtheworldgenerallyhadbetternotinterferewithhim;that（withareturntomoreconfidentiallightness）hehadalready"workedtheWildWestInjin"businesssosuccessfullyastodisposeofhiswares，particularlyinyonderhouse，andmightdoevenmoreifnotprematurelyandwantonly"blownupon，""gonebackon，"or"givenaway。"
"Butwouldn’tyouliketosettledownonsomebitoflandlikethis，andimproveitforyourself？"saidClarence。"Allthesevalleyterracesareboundtoriseinvalue，andmeantimeyouwouldbeindependent。Itcouldbemanaged，Jim。IthinkIcouldarrangeitforyou，"hewenton，withaslightglowofyouthfulenthusiasm。
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