"Youmeanyouwanttobuymysilence，shutmymouthaboutthislumbersteal？"
Hedrewinhisbreathaudibly，yetstillhedidnotspeak。Eitherhewasdullofcomprehensionorelsehewasastonishedbeyondwords。IknewIwasmadtogoadhimlikethat，butIcouldnothelpit。Igrewhotwithanger，andthemoreclearlyIrealizedthathehadbelievedhecould"fix"mewithhisdirtymoneythehotterIgot。
"YoutoldStocktonyouwerelearyofWashington，andwereafraidI’dqueeryourbigdeal……Well，Mr。Buell，that’sexactlywhatI’mgoingtodo——
queerit！"
Hewentblackintheface，and，cursinghorribly，graspedmebythearm。I
struggled，butIcouldnotloosethatironhand。SuddenlyIfeltaviolentwrenchthatfreedme。ThenIsawDickswingbackhisshoulderandshootouthisarm。HeknockedBuellclearacrosstheroom，andwhenthemanfellI
thoughtthecabinwascomingdowninthecrash。Heappearedstunned，forhegropedaboutwithhishands，foundachair，and，usingitasasupport，rosetohisfeet，swayingunsteadily。
"Leslie，I’llgetyouforthis——takeitfromme，"hemuttered。
Dick’slipsweretight，andhewatchedBuellwithflamingeyes。Thelumbermanlurchedoutofthedoor，andweheardhimcursingafterhehaddisappeared。ThenDicklookedatmewithnolittledisapproval。
"WhatdidyousaytomakeBuellwildlikethat？"
ItoldDick，wordforword。Firsthelookeddumfounded，thenangry，andheendedupwithagrimlaugh。
"Ken，you’resurebentonstartingsomething，asJimwouldsay。You’vestarteditallright。AndJim’llloveyouforit。ButI’mresponsibletoyourmother。Ken，Irememberyourmother——andyou’regoingbackhome。"
"Dick！"
"You’regoingbackhomeasfastasIcangetyoutoHolstonandputyouonatrain，that’sall。"
"Iwon’tgo！"Icried。
WithoutanymorewordsDickledmedownthestreettoarudecorral;hereherapidlysaddledandpackedhishorses。TheonlytimehespokewaswhenheaskedmewhereIhadtiedmymustangs。Soonwewerehurryingoutthroughtheslashtowardtheforest。Dick’stroubledfacekeptdownmyresentment，butmyheartgrewlikelead。Whatanendingtomylong—cherishedtriptotheWest！Ithadlastedtwodays。ThedisappointmentseemedmorethanI
couldbear。
WefoundthemustangsasIhadleftthem，andthesightofHalandthefeelingofthesaddlemademealltheworse。Wedidnotclimbthefoot—hillbythetrailwhichtheMexicanhadused，buttookalong，slowascentfarroundtotheleft。Dickglancedbackoften，andwhenwereachedthetophelookedagaininawaytoconvincemethathehadsomeapprehensionsofbeingfollowed。
Twilightofthateventfuldayfounduspitchingcampinathicklytimberedhollow。IcouldnothelpdwellingonhowdifferentmyfeelingswouldhavebeenifthisnightwerebutthebeginningofmanynightswithDick。Itwasthelast，andthemoreIthoughtaboutitthemorewretchedIgrew。Dickrolledinhisblanketwithoutsayingevengood—night，andIlaytherewatchingtheveilsandshadowsoffirelightflickeronthepines，andlistening，tothewind。Graduallythebitternessseemedtogoaway;mybodyrelaxedandsankintothesoft，fragrantpine—needles;thegreatshadowytreesmixedwiththesurroundingdarkness。WhenIawokeitwasbroaddaylight，andDickwasshakingmyarm。
"HuntupthehorseswhileIgetthegrubready，"hesaid，curtly。
Asthehollowwascarpetedwiththickgrassourhorseshadnotstrayed。I
noticedthatherethelargertreeshadbeencut，andtheforestresembledafinepark。Inthesunnypatchesseedlingsweresprouting，manylittlebushypinesweregrowing，andthesaplingshadsufficientroomandlighttoprosper。IcommentedtoDickuponthedifferencebetweenthispartofPenetierandthehideousslashwehadleft。
"TherewereacoupleofGovernmentmarkerswentthroughhereandmarkedthetimbertobecut，"saidDick。
"WasthetimbercutinthemillIsaw？"
"No。Buell’sjustrunupthatmill。Theoldoneisouthereaways，nearerHolston。"
"Isitpossible，Dick，thatanyofthoseloggersbacktheredon’tknowtheGovernmentisbeingdefrauded？"
"Ken，hardlyanyofthemknowit，andtheywouldn’tcareiftheydid。Yousee，thisforest—preservebusinessisnewouthere。Formerlythelumbermenboughtsomuchlandandcutoverit——skinnedit。Twoyearsago，whentheNationalForestswerelaidout，thelumberingmen——thatis，theloggers，sawmillhands，andsoon——foundtheydidnotgetasmuchemploymentasformerly。Sogenerallythey’resoreontheNationalForestidea。"
"But，Dick，iftheyunderstandtheideaofforestrythey’dneveropposeit。"
"Maybe。Idon’tunderstandittoowellmyself。Icanfightfire——that’smybusiness;butthisrangerworkisnew。IdoubtiftheWesternerswilltaketoforestry。There’vebeensomeshadydealsallovertheWestbecauseofit。Buell，now，he’satimbershark。HeboughtsomuchtimberfromtheGovernment，andhadthemarkerscomeintomarkthecut;thenaftertheyweregone，herushedupamillandclappedonathousandhands。"
"Andtherangersstandforit？Where’lltheirjobsbewhentheGovernmentfindsout？"
"Iwasagainstitfromthestart。SowasJim，particularly。Buttheotherrangerspersuadedus。"
ItbegantodawnuponmethatDickLesliemight，afterall，turnouttobegoodsoilinwhichtoplantsomeseedsofforestry。Isaidnomorethen，aswewerebusypackingforthestart，butwhenwehadmountedIbegantotalk。ItoldhimallIhadlearnedabouttrees，howIlovedthem，andhowI
haddeterminedtodevotemylifetotheirstudy，care，anddevelopment。Aswerodealongunderthewide—spreadingpinesIillustratedmyremarksbyeveryexampleIcouldpossiblyuse。ThemoreItalkedthemoreinterestedDickbecame，andthisspurredmeon。PerhapsIexaggerated，butmyconscienceneverprickedme。Hebegantoaskquestions。
Wereachedaspringatmidday，andhaltedforarest。Ikeptonpleading，andpresentlyIdiscovered，tomyjoy，thatIhadmadeastrongimpressionuponDick。Itseemedastrangethingformetobetryingtoexplainforestrytoaforestranger，butsoitwas。
"Ken，it’sallnewstome。I’vebeenonPenetieraboutayear，andIneverheardawordofwhatyou’vebeentellingme。Mydutieshavebeenthepracticalonesthatanywoodsmanknows。Jimandtheotherrangers——why，theydon’tknowanymorethanI。It’sagreatthing，andI’vequeeredmychancewiththeGovernment。"
"No，youhaven’t——neitherhasJim——notifyou’llbestraightfromnowon。
Youcan’tkeepfaithwithBuell。Hetriedtokidnapme。Thatletsyouout。
We’llspoilBuell’slittledealandsavePenetier。Alettertofatherwilldoit。HehasfriendsintheForestryDepartmentatWashington。Dick，whatdoyousay？It’snottoolate！"
Thedarkshadeliftedfromtheranger’sface，andhelookedatmewiththesmileoftheoldfishingdays。
"Say？Isayyes！"heexclaimed，inringingvoice，"Ken，you’vemadeamanofme！"
VI。BACKTOHOLSTON
Soonwewereoutoftheforest，andridingacrossthesage—flatwithHolstoninsight。Bothofusavoidedtheunpleasantsubjectofmyenforcedhome—going。EvidentlyDickfeltcutupaboutit，anditcausedmesuchapangthatIdroveitfrommymind。TowardtheendofourrideDickbeganagaintotalkofforestry。
"Ken，it’smightyinteresting——allthisyou’vesaidabouttrees。SomeofthethingsaresosimplethatIwonderIdidn’thitonthemlongago;infact，Iknewalotofwhatyoumightcallforestry，butthescientificideas——theystumpme。Now，whatyousaidaboutapine—treecleaningitself——comebackatmewiththat。"
"Why，that’ssimpleenough，Dick，"Ianswered。"Now，sayherewehaveaclumpofpinesaplings。Theystandprettyclose——closeenoughtomakedenseshade，butnottoocrowded。Theshadehaspreventedthelowerbranchesfromproducingleaves。Asaconsequencethesebranchesdie。Thentheydry，rot，andfalloff，sowhenthetreesmaturetheyareclean—shafted。Theyhavefine，cleartrunks。Theyhavecleanedthemselves，andsomakethebestoflumber，freefromknots。"
Soourtalkwenton。OnceintownIwasimpatienttowritetomyfather，forwehaddecidedthatwewouldnottelegraph。LeavingourhorsesinCless’scorral，wewenttothehotelandproceededtocomposetheletter。
Thisturnedoutmoreofataskthanwehadbargainedfor。Butwegotitfinishedatlast，notforgettingtoputinawordforJimWilliams，andthenwebothsignedit。
"There！"Icried。"Dick，somethingwillbedoingroundHolstonbeforemanydays。"
"That’snojoke，youcanbet，"repliedDick，wipinghisface。"Ken，it’smademesweatjusttoseethatletterstartEast。Buellisatoughsort，andhe’llmaketrouble。Well，hewantstosteerclearofJimandme。"
Afterthatwefellsilent，andwalkedslowlybacktowardCless’scorral。
Dick’slipswereclosedtight，andhedidnotlookatme。Evidentlyhedidnotintendtoactuallyputmeaboardatrain，andthetimeforpartinghadcome。Hewateredhishorsesatthetrough，andfussedoverhispackandfumbledwithhissaddle—girths。Itlookedtomeasthoughhehadnotthecouragetosaygoodby。
"Ken，itdidn’tlooksobad——someantillnow，"hesaid。"I’mallbrokenup……Togetyouwayouthere！Oh！what’stheuse？I’mmightysorry……Good—bye——maybe—"
Hebrokeoffsuddenly，and，wringingmyhand，hevaultedintothesaddle。
Hegrowledathispack—pony，anddrovehimoutofthecorral。Thenhesetoffatasteadytrotdownthestreettowardtheopencountry。
Itcametomeinaflash，asIsawhimridingfartherandfartheraway，thatthereasonmyheartwasnotbrokenwasbecauseIdidnotintendtogohome。DickhadtakenitforgrantedthatIwouldboardthenexttrainfortheEast。ButIwasnotgoingtodoanythingofthesort。TomyamazeI
foundmymindmadeuponthatscore。Ihadnodefiniteplan，butIwasdeterminedtoendurealmostanythingratherthangiveupmymustangandoutfit。
"It’sshiftformyselfnow，"Ithought，soberly。"IguessIcanmakegood……I’mgoingbacktoPenetier。"
EveninthemomentofimpulseIknewhowfoolishthiswouldbe。ButIcouldnothelpit。Thatforesthadbewitchedme。Imeanttogobacktoit。
"I’llstayawayfromthesawmill，"Imeditated，growinglighterofhearteveryminute。"I’llkeepoutofsightofthelumbermen。I’llgohigheruponthemountain，andhunt，andstudythetrees……I’lldoit。"
WhereuponImarchedoffatoncetoastoreandboughtthesupplyofprovisionsthatBuellhaddecidedagainstwhenhehelpedmewithmyoutfit。
Thisadditionmadepackingtheponymoreofaproblemthanever，butI
contrivedtogetitallontomysatisfaction。ItwasnearingsunsetwhenI
rodeoutofHolstonthissecondtime。Thesageflatwasbareandgray。Dickhadlongsincereachedthepines，andwouldprobablymakecampatthespringwherewehadstoppedforlunch。Icertainlydidnotwanttocatchupwithhim，butastherewassmallchanceofthat;itcausedmenoconcern。
Shortlyaftersunsettwilightfell，anditwasnightwhenIreachedthefirstpine—trees。Still，asthetrailwaseasilytobeseen，Ikepton，forIdidnotwanttocampwithoutwater。Theforestwasverydark，insomeplaceslikeahugeblacktent，andIhadnotriddenfarwhentheoldfearofnight，thefancyofthingsoutthereinthedarkness，oncemorepossessedme。Itmademeangry。WhycouldInothavethesameconfidencethatIhadinthedaytime？Itwasimpossible。Theforestwasfullofmovingshadows。Whenthewindcameuptoroarinthepine—tipsitwasareliefbecauseitbrokethesilence。
IbegantodoubtwhetherIcouldbesureoflocatingthespring，andI
finallydecidedtomakecampatonce。IstoppedHal，andhadswungmylegoverthepommelwhenIsawafaintglimmeroflightfarahead。Ittwinkledlikeastar，butwasnotwhiteandcoldenoughforastar。
"That’sDick’scampfire，"Isaid。"I’llhavetostophere。MaybeI’mtooclosenow。"
Iponderedthequestion。Theblazewasalongwayoff，andIconcludedI
couldriskcampingonthespot，providedIdidnotmakeafire。AccordinglyIdismounted，andwassearchingforasuitableplacewhenIhappenedtothinkthatthecampfiremightnotbeDick’s，afterall。PerhapsBuellhadsenttheMexicanwithBudandBillonmytrailagain。Thiswouldnotdo。
ButIdidnotwanttogobackorturnoffthetrail。
"I’llslipupandseewhoitis，"Idecided。
Theideapleasedme;however，Ididnotyieldtoitwithoutfurtherconsideration。Ihadaclearsenseofresponsibility。IknewthatfromnowonIshouldbecalledupontoreasonoutmanyperplexingthings。Ididnotwanttomakeanymistakes。SoItiedHalandthepack—ponytoabushfringingthetrail，andsetoffthroughtheforest。
Itdawneduponmepresentlythatthecampfirewasmuchfartherawaythanitappeared。Oftenitwentoutofsightbehindtrees。Bydegreesitgrewlargerandlarger。ThenIsloweddownandapproachedmorecautiously。OncewhenthetreesobscureditItraveledsomedistancewithoutgettingagoodviewofit。PassingdownintoalittlehollowIlostitagain。WhenI
climbedoutIhauledupshortwithasharpcatchofmybreath。Therewereseveralfiguresmovingaroundthecampfire。IhadstumbledonacampthatsurelywasnotDickLeslie’s。
Thegroundwasassoftasvelvet，andmyfootstepsgaveforthnosound。
WhenthewindlulledIpausedbehindatreeandwaitedforanothergustyroar。Ikeptveryclosetothetrail，forthatwastheonlymeansbywhichIcouldreturntomyhorses。Ifelttheskintightenonmyface。Suddenly，asIpaused，Ibeardangryvoices，pitchedhigh。ButIcouldnotmakeoutthewords。
Curiositygotthebetterofme。IfthemenwerehiredbyBuellIwantedtoknowwhattheywerequarrellingabout。Istolestealthilyfromtreetotree，andanotherhollowopenedbeneathme。ItwassowideandthepinessoovershadoweditthatIcouldnottellhowclosetheoppositesidemightbetothecampfire。Islippeddownalongtheedgeofthetrail。Theblazedisappeared。Onlyafaintarcoflightshowedthroughthegloom。
Ipeeredkeenlyintotheblackness。AtlengthIreachedtheslope。HereI
droppedtomyhandsandknees。
Itwasalongcrawltothetop。Reachingit，Icautiouslypeepedover。
Thereweretreeshidingthefire。Butitwasclose。Iheardthevoicesofmen。Ibackeddowntheslope，crossedthetrail，andcameupontheotherside。Pinesgrewthickonthislevel，andIstolesilentlyfromonetoanother。FinallyIreachedtheblacktrunkofatreeclosetothecampfire。
ForamomentIlaylow。Ididnotseemexactlyafraid，butIwasalltenseandhard，andmyheartdrummedinmyears。Therewassomethingticklishaboutthisscouting。ThenIpeepedout。
ItaddedlittletomyexcitementtorecognizetheMexican。Hesatnearthefiresmokingacigarette。Nearhimwereseveralmen，oneofwhomwasBill。
Facingthemsatamanwithhisbacktoasmallsapling。Hewastiedwithalasso。
Oneglanceathiswhitefacemademedropbehindthetree，whereIlaystunnedandbewildered——forthatmanwasDickLeslie。
VIII。THELUMBERMEN
ForafullmomentIjustlaystill，huggingtheground，andIdidnotseemtothinkatall。Voicesloudinangerrousedme。Raisingmyself，I
guardedlylookedfrombehindthetree。
Oneofthelumbermenthrewbrushonthefire，makingitblazebrightly。Hewastallandhadaredbeard。IrecognizedStockton，Buell’srighthandinthelumberdeal。
"Leslie，you’realiar！"hesaid。
Dick’seyesglintedfromhispaleface。
"Yes，that’syourspeed，Stockton，"heretorted。"Youbringyourthugsintomycamppretendingtobefriendly。Yougrabafellowbehindhisback，tiehimup，andthencallhimaliar。Wait，youtimbershark！"
"You’relyingaboutthatkid，Ward，"declaredtheother。"YousenthimbackEast，that’swhat。He’llhavethewholeforestservicedownhere。Buellwillbewild。Oh，hewon’tdoathingwhenhelearnsWardhasgivenustheslip！"
"Itellyou，KenWardgavemetheslip，"repliedDick。"I’lladmitImeanttoseehimsafeinHolston。Buthewouldn’tgo。Heranofffrommerighthereinthisforest。"
WhatcouldhavebeenDick’sobjectintellingsuchalie？Itmademewonder。PerhapstheselumbermenweremoredangerousthanIhadsupposed，andDickdidnotwishthemtobelieveIhadleftPenetier。Maybehewasplayingfortime，anddidnotwantthemtogetalarmedandescapebeforetheofficerscame。
"Whydidherunoff？"askedStockton。
"BecauseImeanttosendhimhome，andhedidn’twanttogo。He’scrazytocampout，tohuntandride。"
"Ifthat’strue，Leslie，there’sbeennowordsenttoWashington。"
"Howcouldtherebe？"
"Well，I’vegottoholdyouanywaytillweseeBuell。HisordersweretokeepyouandWardprisonerstillthislumberdealispulledoff。We’renotgoingtobestoppednow。"
Leslieturnedcrimson，andstrainedonthelassothatboundhimtothesapling。"Somebodyisgoingtopayforthisbusiness！"hedeclared，savagely。"YouforgetI’manofficerinthisforest。"
"I’llholdyou，Leslie，whatevercomesofit，"answeredthelumberman。"I’dadviseyoutocooldown。"
"YouandBuellhavebarkedupthewrongtree，mindthat，Stockton。JimWilliams，mypardner，iswise。Heexpectsmebacktomorrow。"
"Seehyar，Stockton，"putinBill，"you’renewinArizona，an’Iwanttogiveyouahunch。IfJimWilliamshitsthistrail，youain’tgoin’tobewellenoughtocareaboutanyoldlumbersteal。"
"Jimhitthetrailallright，"wentonDick。"He’safterGreaser。It’dgohardwithyouifJimhappenedtowalkinnow。"
"Idon’twanttobuckagainstWilliams，that’scertain，"repliedStockton。
"Iknowhisrecord。ButI’lltakeachance——anyway，tillBuellknows。It’shisgame。"
Dickmadenoanswer，andsatthereeyeinghiscaptors。Therewaslittletalkafterthis。Budthrewalogonthefire。StocktontoldtheMexicantotakealookatthehorses。GreaserwalkedwithintwentyfeetofwhereI
lay，andIheldmybreathwhilebepassed。Theothersrolledintheirblankets。ItwasnowsodarkthatIcouldnotdistinguishanythingoutsideofthecampfirecircle。ButIheardGreaser’ssoft，shufflingfootstepsashereturned。Thenhisdark，slimfiguremadeashadowbetweenmeandthelight。Hesatdownbeforethefireandbegantorollacigarette。Hedidnotseemsleepy。
Adaringschemeflashedintomymind。IwouldcrawlintocampandfreeDick。NotonlywouldIoutwitthelumberthieves，butalsomakeDickthinkwellofme。WhatwouldJimWilliamssayofatricklikethat？ThethoughtoftheTexanbanishedwhatlittlehesitationIfelt。Glancingroundthebrightcircle，Imademyplan;itwastocrawlfarbackintothedarkness，goaroundtotheothersideofthecamp，andthenslipupbehindDick。
Alreadyhisheadwasnoddingonhisbreast。Itmademefurioustoseehimsittingsouncomfortably，sagginginthelasso。
Itriedtobeatdownmyexcitement，buttherewasatinglingallovermethatwouldnotsubside。ButIsoonsawthatImighthavealongwait。TheMexicandidnotgotosleep，soIhadtimetocooloff。
Thecampfiregraduallyburnedout，andthewhiteglowchangedtored。Oneofthemensnoredinawaythatsoundedlikeawheezywhistle。Coyoteshowledinthewoods，andthelongerIlistenedtothelong，strangehowlsthebetterIlikedthem。Theroarinthewindhaddieddowntoamoaning。I
thoughtofmyselflyingthere，withmyskinpricklingandmyeyessharponthedarkeningforms。IthoughtofthenightsIhadspentwithHalintheoldwoodsathome。Howfullthepresentseemed！Mybreastswelled，myhandgrippedmyrevolver，myeyespiercedthedarkness，andIwouldnothavebeenanywhereelsefortheworld。
Greasersmokedouthiscigarette，andbegantonod。Thatwasthesignalforme。Icrawlednoiselesslyfromthetree。WhenIfoundmyselfgoingdownintothehollow，Istoppedandrosetomyfeet。TheforestwassopitchyblackthatIcouldnottellthetreesfromthedarkness。Igropedtotheleft，tryingtocircle。OnceIsnappedatwig;itcrackedlikeapistol—shot，andmyheartstoppedbeating，thenbegantothump。ButGreaserneverstirredashesatinthewaninglight。AtlastIhadhalfcircledthecamp。
AfterashortrestIstartedforward，slowandstealthyasacreepingcat。
WhenwithinfiftyfeetofthefireIwentdownonall—foursandbegantocrawl。TwiceIgotoutofline。ButatlastDick’sburlyshouldersloomedupbetweenmeandthelight。
ThenIhalted。Mybreastseemedbursting，andIpantedsohardthatIwasinaterrorlestIshouldawakensomeone。AgainIthoughtofwhatIwasdoing，andfoughtdesperatelytogainmycoolness，NowtheonlycoverIhadwasDick’sbroadback，forthesaplingtowhichhewastiedwassmall。Idrewmyhunting—knife。OnemorewrigglebroughtmeclosetoDick，withmyfacenearhishands，whichwereboundbehindhim。I
slippedthebladeunderthelasso，andcutitthrough。
Dickstartedasifhehadreceivedanelectricshock。Hethrewbackhisheadandutteredasuddenexclamation。
AlthoughIwasalmostparalyzedwithfrightIputmyhandonhisshoulderandwhispered："S—s—s—h！It’sKen！"
Greaserutteredashrillcry。Dickleapedtohisfeet。ThenIgrewdizzy，andmysightblurred。Iheardhoarseshoutsandsawdarkformsrisingasifoutoftheearth。Allwasconfusion。Iwantedtorun，butcouldnotgetup。
Therewasawrestling，whirlingmassinfrontofme。
Butthisdimnessofsightandweaknessofbodydidnotlast。Isawtwomenontheground，withDickstandingoverthem。Stocktonwasclosingin。
Greaserranaroundthemwithsomethinginhishandthatglitteredinthefirelight。StocktondivedforDick’slegsandupsethim。Theywentdowntogether，andtheMexicanleapedonthem，wavingthebrightthinghighoverhishead。
Iboundedforward，and，graspinghiswristwithbothhands，Iwrenchedhisarmwithallmymight。Someonestruckmeoverthehead。Isawamilliondartingpointsoflight——thenallwentblack。
WhenIopenedmyeyesthesunwasshining。Ihadaqueer，numbfeelingallover，andmyheadhurtterribly。Everythingaboutmewashazy。IdidnotknowwhereIwas。AfteralittleIstruggledtositup，andwithgreatdifficultymanagedit。Myhandsweretied。Thenitallcamebacktome。
Stocktonstoodbeforemeholdingatincupofwatertowardmylips。Mythroatwasparched，andIdrank。Stocktonhadagreatbruiseonhisforehead;hisnostrilswerecrustedwithblood，andhisshirtwashalftornoff。
"You’reallright？"hesaid。
"Sure，"Ireplied，whichwasnottrue。
Iimaginedthatalookofreliefcameoverhisface。NextIsawBillnursinghiseye，andbathingitwithawethandkerchief。Itwasswollenshut，puffedouttothesizeofagoose—egg，andblueasindigo。DickhadcertainlylandedhardonBill。ThenIturnedroundtoseeDicksittingagainstthelittlesapling，boundfastwithalasso。Hiscleanfacedidnotlookasifhehadbeeninafight;hewassmiling，yettherewasanxietyinhiseyes。
"Ken，nowyou’veplayedhob，"hesaid。Itwasareproach，buthislookmademeproud。
"Oh，Dick，ifyouhadn’tcalledout！"Iexclaimed。
"Darnedifyou’renotright！Butitwasaslickjob，andyou’lltickleJimtodeath。Iwasanoldwoman。Butthatcoldknife—blademademejump。"
IglancedroundthecampfortheMexicanandBudandthefifthman，buttheyweregone。Billvariedhisoccupationofthemomentbykneadingbiscuitdoughinabasin。ThentherecamesuchaseverepaininmyheadthatIwentblindforalittlewhile。"What’sthematterwithmyhead？
Whohitme？"Icried。
"Budsluggedyouwiththebuttofhispistol，"saidDick。"And，Ken，I
thinkyousavedmefrombeingknifedbytheGreaser。Youtwistedhisarmhalfoff。Hecursedallnight……Ha！therehecomesnowwithyouroutfit。"
Sureenough，theMexicanappearedonthetrail，leadingmyhorses。IwassogladtoseeHalthatIforgotIwasaprisoner。ButGreaser’ssullenfaceandglitteringeyesremindedmeofitquicklyenough。Ireadtreacheryinhisglance。
Budrodeintocampfromtheotherdirection，andhebroughtabunchofhorses，twoofwhichIrecognizedasDick’s。Thelumbermensetaboutgettingbreakfast，andStocktonhelpedmetowhatlittleIcouldeatanddrink。NowthatIwascaughthedidnotappearatallmeanorharsh。Ididnotshrinkfromhim，andhadthefeelingthathemeantwellbyme。
Thehorsesweresaddledandbridled，andDickandI，stilltied，werebundledastrideourmounts。Thepack—poniesledtheway，withBillfollowing;Icamenext，Greaserrodebehindme，andDickwasbetweenBudandStockton。Sowetraveled，andnotimewaswasted。Inoticedthatthemenkeptasharplookoutbothtotheforeandtherear。Webranchedoffthemaintrailandtookasteeperoneleadinguptheslope。Werodeforhours。
ThereweremomentswhenIreeledinmysaddle，butforthegreaterwhileI
stoodmypainandwearinesswellenough。Sometimeintheafternoonashrillwhistleaheadattractedmyattention。Imadeouttwohorsemenwaitingonthetrail。
"Huh！abouttime！"growledBill。"Hyar’sBuellan’Herky—Jerky。"
AsweapproachedIsawBuell，andthefellowwiththequeernameturnedouttobenootherthantheabsentmanIhadbeenwonderingabout。Hehadbeendispatchedtofetchthelumberman。
Buellwassuperblymountedonasleekbay，andhelookedverymuchthesamejovialfellowIhadmetonthetrain。Hegrinnedatthedisfiguredmen。
"Takeitfromme，youfellerswouldn’tlookanyworsebungedupifyou’dbeenjoltedbythesawlogsinmymill。"
"Wecan’tstandheretocrackjokes，"saidStockton，sharply。"Somerangermightseeus。Nowwhat？"
"Youketchedthekidintime。That’sallIwanted。Takehiman’Leslieupinoneofthecanyonsan’keepthemtheretillfurtherorders。Youneedn’tstay，Stockton，afteryougettheminasafeplace。An’youcansendupgrub。"
Thenheturnedtome。
"You’llnotbehurtif——"
"Don’tyouspeaktome！"Iburstout。ItwasonmylipstotellhimofthelettertoWashington，butsomehowIkeptsilent。
"Leslie，"wentonBuell，"I’lloverlookyourhittin’mean’letyougoifyou’llgivemeyourwordtokeepmumaboutthis。"
Dickdidnotspeak，butlookedatthelumbermanwithadarkgleaminhiseyes。
"There’sonething，Buell，"saidStockton。"JimWilliamsiswise。You’vegottolookoutforhim。"
Buell’sruddyfaceblanched。Then，withoutanotherword，hewavedhishandtowardtheslope，and，wheelinghishorse，gallopeddownthetrail。
IX。TAKENINTOTHEMOUNTAINS
Weclimbedtoanotherlevelbenchwherewebranchedoffthetrail。Theforeststillkeptitsopen，park—likecharacter。Underthegreatpinesthegroundwasbareandbrownwithathickcoveringofpine—needles，butinthegladesweregreengrassandblueflowers。
OnceacrossthislevelweencounteredasteeperascentthananyIhadyetclimbed。Herethecharacteroftheforestbegantochange。Therewereothertreesthanpines，andparticularlyonekind，cone—shaped，symmetrical，andbright，whichDickcalledasilverspruce。Iwasgladitbelongedtotheconifers，orpine—treefamily，becauseitwasthemostbeautifultreeIhadeverseen。Weclimbedridgesandthreadedthroughaspenthicketsinhollowstillnearsunset。ThenStocktonorderedahaltforcamp。
Itcamenonetoosoonforme，andIwassoexhaustedthatIhadtobehelpedoffmymustang。Stocktonarrangedmyblankets，fedme，andbathedthebruiseonmyhead，butIwastoowearyandsicktobegratefulortocareaboutanythingexceptsleep。Eventhefactthatmyhandswereuncomfortablybounddidnotkeepmeawake。
Whensomeonecalledmenextmorningmyeyesdidnotwanttostayopen。I
hadalazyfeelingandadullacheinmybones，butthepainhadgonefrommyhead。Thatmadeeverythingelseseemallright。
Soonwewereclimbingagain，andmyinterestinmysurroundingsgrewaswewentup。Forawhilewebrushedthroughthicketsofscruboak。Thewholeslopeofthemountainwasridgedandhollowed，sothatwewerealwaysgoingdownandclimbingup。Thepinesandsprucesgrewsmaller，andweremoreruggedandgnarled。
"Hyar’sthecanyon！"sangoutBill，presently。
Wecameoutontheedgeofadeephollow。Itwashalfamilewide。Ilookeddownalonginclineofsharptree—tips。Theroarofwaterrosefrombelow，andinplacesawhiterushingtorrentshowed。Aboveloomedthesnow—cladpeak，glisteninginthemorningsun。Howwonderfullyfaroffandhighitstillwas！
Tomyregretitwasshutofffrommysightaswedescendedintothecanyon。
However，Isoonforgotthat。Isawatroopofcoyotes，andmanyblackandwhitesquirrels。Fromtimetotimehugebirds，almostasbigasturkeys，crashedoutofthethicketsandwhirredaway。Theyflewswiftaspheasants，andIaskedDickwhattheywere。
"Bluegrouse，"hereplied。"Looksharpnow，Ken，therearedeeraheadofus。Seethetracks？"
LookingdownIsawlittle，sharp—pointed，ovaltracks。Presentlytwofoxescrossedanopenpatchnotfiftyyardsfromus，butIdidnotgetaglimpseofthedeer。Soonwereachedthebottomofthecanyon，andstruckintoanothertrail。Theairwasfullofthelowroaroftumblingwater。Thismountain—torrentwasabouttwentyfeetwide，butitsswiftnessandfoammadeitimpossibletotellitsdepth。Thetrailledup—stream，andturnedsoconstantlythathalfthetimeBill，theleader，wasnotinsight。Oncethesharpcrackofhisriflehaltedthetrain。Iheardcrashingsinthethicket。Dickyelledformetolookuptheslope，andthereIsawthreegraydeerwithwhitetailsraised。Iheardastrange，whistlingsound。
OngoingforwardwefoundthatBillhadkilledadeerandwasropingitonhispack—horse。Asweproceededupthecanyonitgrewnarrower，andsoonweenteredaveritablegorge。Itwasshort，butthefloorwasexceedinglyrough，andmadehardgoingforthehorses。SuddenlyIwasamazedtoseethegorgeopenoutintoakindofamphitheatreseveralhundredfeetacross。Thewallsweresteep，andonesideshelvedout，makingalong，shallowcave，Inthecenterofthisamphitheatrewasadeepholefromwhichthemountainstreamboiledandbubbled。
"Hyarweare，"saidBill，andswungoutofhissaddle。Theothermenfollowedsuit，andhelpedDickandmedown。Stocktonuntiedourhands，sayinghereckonedwewouldbemorecomfortablethatway。Indeedwewere。
Mywristswereswollenandblistered。StocktondetailedtheMexicantokeepguardoverus。
"Ken，I’veheardofthisplace，"saidDick。"How’sthatforaspring？
Twentyyardswide，andnotellinghowdeep！Thisissnow—waterstraightfromthepeaks。We’renotathousandfeetbelowthesnow—line。"
"Icantellthat。LookatthoseJwaripines，"Ireplied，pointingupoverthewall。Aruggedsloperoseaboveourcamp—site，anditwascoveredwithatangledmassofstuntedpines。Manyofthemweretwistedandmisshapen;
somewerehalfdeadandbleachedwhiteatthetops。"It’smyfirstsightofsuchtrees，"Iwenton，"butI’vestudiedaboutthem。Uphereit’snotlackofmoisturethatstuntsandretardstheirgrowth。It’sfightingtheelements——cold，storm—winds，snowslides。Isupposenotoneinathousandseedlingstakesrootandsurvives。Buttheforestfightshardtolive。"
"Well，Ken，wemayaswellsitbacknowandtalkforestrytillBuellskinsallhewantsofPenetier，"saidDick。"It’sreallyafinecamping—spot。
Plentyofdeeruphereandbear，too。"
"Dick，couldn’tweescape？"Iwhispered。
"We’renotlikelytohaveachance。ButIsay，Ken，howdidyouhappentoturnup？Ithoughtyouweregoingtohoponthefirsttrainforhome。"
"Dick，youhadanotherthinkcoming。Icouldn’tgohome。I’llhaveagreattimeyet——I’mhavingitnow。"
"Yes，thatlumponyourheadlookslikeit，"repliedDick，withalaugh。
"IfBudhadn’tputyououtwe’dhavecomeclosertolickingthisbunch。
Ken，keepyoureyeonGreaser。He’streacherous。Hisarm’slameyet。"
"We’vehadtworun—insalready，"Isaid。"Thethirdtimeistheworst，theysay。Ihopeitwon’tcome……But，Dick，I’masbig——I’mbiggerthanheis。"
"Hearthekidtalk！Icertainlyoughttohaveputyouonthattrain——"
"Whattrain？"askedStockton，sharply，fromourrear。Hetookusinwithsuspiciouseyes。
"IwastellingKenIoughttohaveputhimonatrainforhome，"answeredDick。
Stocktonlettheremarkpasswithoutfurthercomment;still，heappearedtobedoingsomehardthinking。HeputDickatoneendofthelongcave，meattheother。Ourbeddingwasunpackedandplacedatourdisposal。Wemadeourbeds。AfterthatIkeptmyeyesopenanddidnotmissanything。
"Leslie，I’mgoingtotreatyouandWardwhite，"saidStockton。"You’llhavegoodgrub。Herky—Jerky’sthebestcookthissideofHolston，andyou’llbeleftuntiedinthedaytime。Butifeitherofyouattemptstogetawayitmeansalegshotoff。Doyougetthat？"
"Allright，Stockton;that’sprettysquareofyou，considering，"repliedDick。"You’readecentsortofchaptobemixedupwithathieflikeBuell。
I’msorry。"
Stocktonturnedawayatthisratherabruptly。ThenBillappearedonthewallabove，andbegantothrowdownfirewood。Budreturnedfromthecanyon，wherehehaddriventhehorses。Greasersatonastonepuffingacigarette。
ItwasthefirsttimeIhadtakenagoodlookathim。HewassmallerthanI
hadfancied;hisfeetandhandsandfeaturesresembledthoseofawoman，buthiseyeswerelivecoalsofblackfire。InthedaylightIwasnotintheleastafraidofhim。
Herky—Jerkywasthemostinterestingoneofourcaptors。Hehadashort，stockyfigure，andwasthemostbow—leggedmanIeversaw。Neveronearthcouldhehavestoppedapiginalane。Astubbybeardcoveredthelowerhalfofhisbrick—redface。ThemoststrikingthingaboutHerky—Jerky，however，washisperpetualgrin。Helookedveryjolly，yeteverytimeheopenedhismouthitwastoutterbadlanguage。Hecursedthefire，thepans，thecoffee，thebiscuits，allofwhichhehandledmostskillfully。Itwasdisgusting，andyetasidefromthisIratherlikedhim。
Itgrewdarkveryquicklywhilewewereeating，andthewindthatdippeddownintothegorgewascold。Ikeptedgingcloserandclosertotheblazingcampfire。Ihadnevertastedvenisonbefore，andratherdislikeditatfirst。ButIsooncultivatedalikingforit。
ThatnightStocktontiedmesecurely，butinawaywhichmadeiteasyformetoturn。Isleptsoundlyandawokelate。WhenIsatupStocktonstoodbyhissaddledhorse，andwasgivingorderstothemen。Hespokesharply。Hemadeitclearthattheywerenottobelaxintheirvigilance。Then，withoutawordtoDickorme，herodedownthegorgeanddisappearedbehindacornerofyellowwall。
BilluntiedtheropethatheldDick’sarms，butlefthisfeetbound。Iwasfreedentirely，anditfeltsogoodtohavetheuseofallmylimbsoncemorethatIprancedroundinaratherlivelyway。EithermyanticsannoyedHerky—Jerkyorhethoughtitagoodopportunitytoshowhisskillwithalasso，forheshottheloopovermesohardthatitstungmyback。
"I’mallthereasaroper！"hesaid，pullingthelassotightroundmymiddle。ThemenalllaughedasItumbledoverinthegravel。
"Betterkeepahalf—hitchonthecolt，"remarkedBud。
Sotheyleftthelassofastaboutmywaist，andittrailedaftermeasI
walked。Herky—JerkyputmetocarryingDick’sbreakfastfromthecampfireupintothecave。ThisIdidwithalacrity。DickandIexchangedcommonplaceremarksaloud，butwehadseverallittlewhispers。
"Ken，wemaygetthedroponthemorgivethemtheslipyet，"whisperedDick，inoneoftheseinterludes。
Thisputideasintomyhead。Theremightbeachanceformetoescape，ifnotforDick。Imadeupmymindtotryifagoodchanceoffered，butIdidnotwanttogoalonedownthatcanyonwithoutagun。Stocktonhadtakenmyrevolverandhunting—knife，butIstillhadthelittleleathercasewhichHalandIhadusedsooftenbackontheSusquehanna。Besidesapen—knifethiscasecontainedsaltandpepper，fishinghooksandlines，matches——ahostoflittlethingsthataboywhohadneverbeenlostmightimaginehewouldneedinanemergency。WhilethinkingandplanningIsatontheedgeofthegreatholewherethespringwas。SuddenlyIsawaswirlinthewater，andthenasplendidspottedfish。Itbrokewatertwice。Itwastwofeetlong。
"Dick，there’sfishinthishole！"Iyelled，eagerly。
"Shouldn’twonder，"repliedhe。"Sure，kid，thethole’sfulloftrout——
speckledtrout，"saidHerky—Jerky。"Buttheycan’tbeketched。"
"Whynot？"Idemanded。IhadnotcaughtlittletroutinthePennsylvaniahillsfornothing。"Theyeat，don’tthey？ThatfishIsawwasawhale，andhebrokewaterforabug。Getmeapoleandsomebugsorworms！"
WhenItookoutmylittlecaseandshowedthefishing—line，Herky—Jerkysaidhewouldfindmesomebait。
WhilehewasabsentIstudiedthatspringwithnewandawakenedeyes。Itwasroundandverydeep，andthewaterbulgedupingreatgreenishswirls。
Theoutletwasanarrowlittlecleftthroughwhichthewaterflowedslowly，asthoughitdidnotwanttotakeitsfreedom。Therushandroarcamefromthegorgebelow。
Herky—Jerkyreturnedwithalong，slenderpole。Itwasaspliantasabuggy—whip，andoncetrimmedandriggeditwasfarfrombeingapoortackle。Herky—Jerkywatchedmewithextremeattention，allthetimegrinning。Thenheheldoutahandfulofgrubs。
"IfyouketchatroutonthetI’llswallerthepole！"heexclaimed。
Istoopedlowandapproachedthespring，beingcarefultokeepoutofsight。
"Youforgottospitonyerbait，kid，"saidBill。
Theyalllaughedinawaytorousemyire。ButdespiteitIflippedthebaitintothewaterwiththesameoldthrillingexpectancy。
Thebaitdroppedwithalittlespat。Anarrowyshadow，blackandgold，flashedup。Splash！Thelinehissed。ThenIjerkedhard。Thepolebentdouble，wobbled，andswayedthiswayandthat。Thefishwasapowerfulone;
hisrusheswerelikethoseofaheavybass。Butneverhadabassgivenmesuchastruggle。EveryinstantImadesurethetacklewouldbewrecked。
Then，justatthebreaking—point，thefishwouldturn。Atlasthebegantotire。Ifeltthathewasrisingtothesurface，andIputonmorestrain。
SoonIsawhim;thenheturned，flashinglikeagoldbar。Iledmycaptivetotheoutletofthespring，whereIreacheddownandgotmyfingersinhisgills。WiththatIliftedhim。DickwhoopedwhenIheldupthefish;asforme，Iwasspeechless。Thetroutwasalmosttwofeetlong，broadandheavy，withshinysidesfleckedwithcolor。
Herky—Jerkycelebratedmyluckwithagenerousoutburstofenthusiasm，whereuponhiscomradesremindedhimofhisoffertoswallowmyfishingpole。
Iputonafreshbaitandinstantlyhookedanotherfish，asmallerone，whichwasnotsobardtoland。Thespringholewasfulloftrout。TheymadethewaterboilwhenIcast。Severallargeonestorethehookloose;Ihadneverdreamedofsuchfishing。Reallyitwasastrangesituation。HereI
wasaprisoner，withGreaserorBudtakingturnsatholdingtheotherendofthelasso。Morethanoncetheytetheredmeupshortfornootherreasonthantotormentme。YetneverinmylifehadIsoenjoyedfishing。
By—and—byBillandHerky—Jerkyleftthecamp。IheardHerkytellGreasertokeephiseyeonthestew—pots，anditoccurredtomethatGreaserhadbetterkeephiseyeonKenWard。WhenIsawBudliedownIrememberedwhatDickhadwhispered。Ipretendedtobeabsorbedinmyfishing，butreallyI
waswatchingGreaser。Asusual，hewassmoking，andappearedlistless，buthestillheldontothelasso。
SuddenlyIsawabigbluerevolverlyingonastoneandIcouldevencatchtheglintofbrassshellsinthecylinder。ItwasnotclosetoBudnorsoveryclosetoGreaser。Ifheshoulddropthelasso！Awildideapossessedme——heldmeinitsgrip。justthenthestew—potboiledover。Therewasasputterandacloudofsteam，GreaserlazilysworeinMexican;hegotuptomovethestew—potanddroppedthelasso。
WhenhereachedthefireIboundedup，jerkingthelassofarbehindme。I
ranandgrabbedtherevolver。Greaserheardmeandwheeledwithayell。Budsatupquickly。Ipointedtherevolverathim，thenatGreaser，andkeptmovingitfromonesidetotheother。
"Don’tmove！I’llshoot！"Icried。
"Goodboy！"yelledDick。"You’vegotthedrop。Keepit，Ken，keepit！Don’tloseyournerve。Edgeroundhereandcutmeloose……Bud，ifyoumoveI’llmakehimshoot。Comeon，Ken。"
"Greaser，cuthimloose！"IcommandedthesnarlingMexican。
Itrembledsothattherevolverwabbledinmyhand。Tryingtoholditsteadied，Isqueezedithard。Bang！Itwentoffwithabellowlikeacannon。ThebulletscatteredthegravelnearGreaser。Hisyellowfaceturnedadirtywhite。Hejumpedstraightupinhisfright。
"Cuthimloose！"Iordered。
GreaserrantowardDick。
"Lookout，Ken！Behindyou！Quick！"yelledDick。
Ibeardacrunchingofgravel。EvenasIwheeledIfeltatremendouspullonthelassoandIseemedtobesailingintheair。IgotablurredglimpseofHerky—Jerkyleaningbackonthetautlasso。ThenIplungeddown，slidovertherocks，andwentsouseintothespring。
X。ESCAPE
Down，downIplunged，andtheshockoftheicywaterseemedtopetrifyme。
Ishouldhavegonestraighttothebottomlikeapieceofleadbutforthelasso。Ittightenedaroundmychest，andbegantohaulmeup。
Ifelttheairandthelight，andopenedmyeyestoseeHerky—Jerkyhaulingawayontherope。Whenhecaughtsightofmehelookedasifreadytododgebehindthebank。
"Whar’smygun？"heyelled。
Ihaddroppeditinthespring。Heletthelassosag，andIhadtoswim。
Then，seeingthatmyhandswereempty，hebegantoswearandtodragmeroundandroundinthepool。Whenhehadpulledmeacrossherantotheothersideandjerkedmeback。IwasdrawnthroughthewaterwithaforcethatIfearedwouldtearmeapart。Greaserchatteredlikeahideousmonkey，andrantoandfroinglee。Herky—Jerkysoonhadmesputtering，gasping，choking。WhenhefinallypulledmeoutoftheholeIwasallbutdrowned。
"Youbow—leggedbeggar！"shoutedDick，"I’llfixyouforthat。"
"Whar’smygun？"yelledHerky，asIfelltotheground。
"Ilost——it，"Ipanted。
Hebegantorave。ThenIhalfswooned，andwhensightandhearingfullyreturnedIwaslyinginthecaveonmyblankets。Agreatlassitudeweightedmedown。Theterriblethrashingaboutintheicywaterhadquenchedmyspirit。ForawhileIwastooplayedouttomove，andlaythereinmywetclothes。FinallyIaskedleavetotakethemoff。Bud，whohadcomebackinthemeantime，helpedme，orIshouldneverhavegotoutofthem。Herkybroughtupmycoat，which，fortunately，Ihadtakenoffbeforetheducking。
IdidnothavethehearttospeaktoDickorlookathim，soIclosedmyeyesandfellasleep。
ItwasanotherdaywhenIawoke。Ifeltallrightexceptforasorenessundermyarmsandacrossmychestwherethelassohadchafedandbruisedme。StillIdidnotrecovermygoodspirits。Herky—Jerkykeptongrinningandcrackingjokesonmyfailuretoescape。Hehadappropriatedmyrevolverforhimself，andheaskedmeseveraltimesifIwantedtoborrowittoshootGreaser。
Thatdaypassedquietly，andsodidthetwothatfollowed。Themenwouldnotletmefishnormoveabout。TheyhadbeenexpectingStockton，andashedidnotcomeitwasdecidedtosendBuddowntothemill;infact，Buddecidedthematterhimself。HewarnedGreaserandHerkytokeepclosewatchoverDickandme。Thenherodeaway。DickandIresumedourtalkaboutforestry，andaswewereseparatedbythelengthofthecaveitwasnecessarytospeakloud。Soourcaptorsheardeverywordwesaid。
"Ken，what’sthedifferencebetweenGovernmentforestryouthereand，say，forestrypracticedbyafarmerbackinPennsylvania？"askedDick。
"There’sabigdifference，Iimagine。ForestryisestablishedinsomepartsoftheEast;it’sonlyanexperimentouthere。"
ThenIwentontotellhimaboutthemethodofthefarmer。Heusuallyhadasmallpieceofforest，mostlyhardwood。Whenthesnowwasonhecutfirewood，fence—rails，andlumberforhisownuseinbuilding。Someseasonslumberbroughthighprices;thenhewouldselectmaturedlogsandhaulthemtothesawmill。Buthewouldnotcutagreatdeal，andhewouldusecareintheselection。Itwashisaimtokeepthelandwellcoveredwithforest。Hewouldsowaswellasharvest。
"NowtheGovernmentpolicyistopreservetheNationalForestsfortheuseofthepeople。Thesoilmustbekeptproductive。Agriculturewouldbeimpossiblewithoutwater，andtheforestsholdwater。TheWestwantspeopletocometostay。Thelumbermanwhoslashesoffthetimbermaygetrichhimself，butheruinstheland。"
"What’sthatnewlawCongressistryingtopass？"queriedDick。
Iwaspuzzled，butpresentlyIcaughthismeaning。BillandHerky—Jerkywerehangingonourwordswithunconcealedattention。EventheMexicanwaslistening。Dick’scuewastoscarethem，oratleasttohavesomefunattheirexpense。
"They’vepassedit，"Ireplied。"FellowslikeBuellwillgotothepenitentiaryforlife。Hismen’llgettwentyyearsonbreadandwater。Nowhiskey！Serves’emright。"
"What’llthePresidentdowhenhelearnsthesemenkidnappedyou？"
"Do？He’llhavethewholeforestserviceouthereandtheNationalGuard。
He’safriendofmyfather’s。Why，thesekidnapperswillbehanged！"
"IwishtheGuardwouldcomequick。Toobadyoucouldn’thavesentword！
I’denjoyseeingGreaserswing。Say，hehasn’taghostofachance，withthePresidentandJimWilliamsafterhim。"
"Dick，IwanttheringsinGreaser’sears。"
"Whatfor？They’reonlybrass。"
"Souvenirs。MaybeI’llhavewatch—charmsmadeofthem。Anyway，IcanshowthemtomyfriendsbackEast。"
"It’llbegreat——whatyou’llhavetotell，"wentonDick。"It’llbefunny，too。"
Greaserhadbeguntosnarlviciously，andHerkyandBilllookedglumandthoughtful。ThearrivalofBudinterruptedtheconversationandputanendtoourplayfulmood。Weheardalittleofwhathetoldhiscomrades，andgatheredthatJimWilliamshadmetStocktonandhadaskedquestionshardtoanswer。Dickflashedmeasignificantlook，whichwasasmuchastosaythatJimwasgrowingsuspicious。Budhadbroughtastoreofwhiskey，andhiscompanionsnowkeptclosercompanywithhimthaneverbefore。Butfromappearancestheydidnotgetalltheywanted。
"We’vegottomovethisherecamp，"saidBud。
BudandBillandHerkywalkedoffdownthegorge。Perhapstheyreallywenttofindanotherplaceforthecamp，forthepresentspotwascertainlyakindoftrap。ButfromthelooksofGreaserIguessedthattheywereleavinghimtokeepguardwhiletheywentofftodrinkbythemselves。
Greasermutteredandsnarled。Asthemomentspassedhisfacegrewsullen。
Allatoncehecametowardme。Heboundmyhandsandmyfeet。Dickwasalreadysecurelytied，butGreaserputanotherlassoonhim。Thenhesloucheddownthegorge。Hishigh—peakedMexicansombrerobobbedabovetherocks，thendisappeared。
"Ken，now’sthechance，"saidDick，lowandquick。"Ifyoucanonlyworkloose！There’syourrifleandmine，too。Wecouldholdthisfortforamonth。"
"WhatcanIdo？"Iasked，strainingonmyropes。
"You’renotfasttotherock，asIam。Rolloverhereanduntiemewithyourteeth。"
Iraisedmyheadtogetthedirection，andthen，withaviolenttwistofmybody，Istartedtowardhim;butbeingboundfastIcouldnotguidemyself，andIrolledofftheledge。Thebanktherewasprettysteep，and，unabletostop，Ikeptonlikeabarrelgoingdown—bill。Thethoughtofrollingintothespringfilledmewithhorror。SuddenlyIbumpedhardintosomethingthatcheckedme。Itwasalogoffirewood，andinoneendstuckthebigknifewhichHerky—Jerkyusedtocutmeat。
InstantlyIconceivedtheideaofcuttingmybondswiththisknife。ButhowwasItosetaboutit？
"Dick，here’saknife。How’llIgettoitsoastofreemyself？"
"Easyaspie，"repliedhe，eagerly。"Thesharpedgepointsdown。Youhitchyourselfthisway——That’sit———good！"
WhatDickcalledeasyaspiewasthehardestworkIeverdid。Ilayflatonmyback，boundhandandfoot，anditwasnecessarytojerkmybodyalongthelogtillmyhandsshouldbeundertheknife。Iliftedmylegsandedgedalonginchbyinch。
"Finework，Ken！Nowyou’reright！Turnonyourside！Becarefulyoudon’tloosentheknife！"
Notonlyweremywristsbound，butthelassohadbeenwrappedroundmyelbows，holdingthemclosetomybody。Turningonmyside，IfoundthatI
couldnotreachtheknife——notbyseveralinches。Thiswasabitterdisappointment。Istrainedandheaved。InmyefforttoliftmybodysidewiseIpressedmyfaceintothegravel。"Hurry，Ken，hurry！"criedDick。"Somebody’scoming！"
Thusurged，Igrewdesperate。InmystruggleIdiscoveredthatitwaspossibletoedgeuponthelogandstickthere。Igluedmyselftothatlog。
BydintofgreatexertionIbroughtthetightcordagainsttheblade。Itpartedwithalittlesnap，myelbowsdroppedfree。Raisingmywrists，I
sawedquicklythroughthebonds。Icutmyself，thebloodflowed，butthatwasnomatter。jerkingtheknifefromthelog，Iseveredtheropesroundmyanklesandleapedup。
"Hurry，boy！"criedDick，withasharpnoteofalarm。
Irantowherehelay，andattackedtheheavyhalterwithwhichhehadbeensecured。Ihadcuthalfthroughtheknotswhenashrillcryarrestedme。ItwastheMexican’svoice。
"Headhimoff！He’safteryourgun！"yelledDick。
ThesightofGreaserrunningtowardthecaveputmeintoafrenzy。Droppingtheknife，Idartedtowheremyrifleleanedacrossmysaddle。ButIsawtheMexicanwouldbeatmetoit。Checkingmyspeed，Igrabbeduparoundstoneandletfly。Thatwaswheremyball—playingstoodmeingoodstead，forthestonehitGreaserontheshoulder，knockinghimflat。Buthegotup，andlungedfortheriflejustasIreachedhim。
Ikickedtherifleoutofhisband，grappledwithhim，anddownwewenttogether。Wewrestledandthrashedofftheledge，andwhenwelandedinthegravelIwasontop。
"Slughim，Ken！"yelledDick，wildly。"Oh，that’sfine！Giveittohim！
Punchhim！Gethiswind！"
EitheritwasamortaldreadofGreaser’sknifeorsomekindofanew—bornfurythatlentmesuchstrength。Hescreeched，hesnappedlikeawolf，heclawedme，hestruckme，buthecouldnotshakemeoff。Severaltimeshehadmeturning，butahardraponhisheadknockedhimbackagain。ThenI
begantobanghimintheribs。
"That’stheplace！"shoutedDick。"Ken，you’regoingtodohimup！Soakhim！Oh—h，butthisisgreat！"
IkepttheadvantageoverGreaser，butstillhepunishedmecruelly。
Suddenlyhegothissnakyhandsonmythroatandbegantochokeme。WithallmymightIswungmyfistintohisstomach。
Hishandsdropped，hismouthopenedinagasp，hisfaceturnedgreen。Theblowhadmadehimhorriblysick，andhesankbackutterlyhelpless。I
jumpedupwithashoutoftriumph。
"Run！Runforit！"yelledDick，inpiercingtones。"They’recoming！
Nevermindme！Run，Itellyou！Notdownthegorge！Climbout！"
ForamomentIcouldnotmoveoutofmytracks。ThenIsawBillandHerkyrunningupthegorge，and，fartherdown，Budstaggeringandlurching。
Thislentmewings。IntwojumpsIhadgrabbedmyrifle;then，turning，I
ranroundthepool，andstarteduptheoneplaceinthesteepwallwhereclimbingwaspossible。AbovetheyellsofthemenIheardDick’spiercingcry：
"Go—go—go，Ken！"
Isentthelooserocksdowninmyflight。HereIleapedup;thereIranalongalittleledge;inanotherplaceIclimbedhandandfoot。Thelastfewyardswasagravellyincline。IseemedtoslidebackasmuchasI
gained。
"Comebackhyar！"bawledBill。
Crack！Crack！Crack……Thereportsrangoutinquicksuccession。A
bulletwhistledoverme，anotherstruckthegravelandsentashowerofdustintomyface。Ipitchedmyrifleupoverthebankandbegantodigmyfingersandtoesintothelooseground。AsIgainedthetoptwomorebulletssangpastmyheadsoclosethatIknewBillwasaimingtomorethanscareme。Idraggedmyselfovertheedgeandwassafe。
Thecanyon，withitsdensethicketsandscrubbyclumpsoftrees，laybelowinplainsight。Oncehiddenthere，Iwouldbehardtofind。Pickingupmyrifle，Iranswiftlyalongthebaseoftheslopeandsoongainedthecoverofthewoods。
XI。THEOLDHUNTER
IrantillIgotastitchinmyside，andthensloweddowntoadog—trot。
Theonethingtodowastogetalongwayaheadofmypursuers，forsurelyattheoutsettheywouldsticklikehoundstomytrail。
AmileormorebelowthegorgeItooktothestreamandwaded。Itwasslippery，dangerouswork，forthecurrenttoreaboutmylegsandthreatenedtoupsetme。AfteralittleIcrossedtotheleftbank。Heretheslopeofthecanyonwasthickwithgrassthathidmytracks。Itwasalongclimbuptothelevel。UponreachingitIdropped，exhausted。
"I’ve——giventhem——theslip，"Ipanted，exultantly……"But——nowwhat？"
ItstruckmethatnowIwasfree，Ihadonlyjumpedoutofthefrying—panintothefire。HurriedlyIexaminedmyWinchester。Themagazinecontainedtencartridges。WhatluckthatStocktonhadneglectedtounloadit！Thismadethingslookbetter。Ihadsaltandpepper，aknife，andmatches——
thankstothelittleleathercase——andsoIcouldliveinthewoods。
Itwastoolateforregrets。ImighthavefreedDicksomehoworevenheldthemenatbay，butIhadthoughtonlyofescape。Thelackofnerveandjudgmentstungme。ThenIwasbitteroverlosingmymustangandoutfit。
Butonthinkingitallover，IconcludedthatIoughttobethankfulforthingsastheywere。Iwasfree，withawholeskin。Thatclimboutofthegorgehadbeennosmallrisk。Howthosebulletshadwhistledandhissed！
"I’mprettylucky，"Imuttered。"Nowtogetgoodandclearofthisvicinity。They’llridedownthetrailafterme。Bettergooverthisridgeintothenextcanyonandstrikedownthat。Imustgodown。Buthowfar？
WhatmustIstrikefor？"
Itookalonglookatthecanyon。Inplacesthestreamshowed，alsothetrail;thentherewereopenpatches，butIsawnohorsesormen。WithagrimcertaintythatIshouldbelostinaverylittlewhile，Iturnedintothecool，darkforest。
Everystoneandlog，everybitofhardgroundinmypath，servedtohelphidemytrail。Herky—Jerkyverylikelyhadthecowboy’sskillatfindingtracks，butIleftfewtracesofmypresenceonthatlongslope。OnlyanIndianorahoundcouldhavetrailedme。Thetimberwassmallandroughbrushgreweverywhere。PresentlyIsawlightahead，andIcametoanopenspace。Itwasawideswathintheforest。AtonceIrecognizedthepathofanavalanche。Itslopedupcleanandbaretothegraycliffsfarabove。
Belowwasagreatmassoftreesandrocks，alltangledinblacksplinteredruin。Ipushedonacrossthepath，intotheforest，andupanddownthehollows。Thesunhadgonedownbehindthemountain，andtheshadowsweregatheringwhenIcametoanotherlargecanyon。ItlookedsomuchlikethefirstthatIfearedIhadbeentravellinginacircle。Butthisoneseemedwider，deeper，andtherewasnoroarofrushingwater。
Itwastimetothinkofmakingcamp，andsoIhurrieddowntheslope。AtthebottomIfoundasmallbrookwindingamongbouldersandledgesofrock。
Thefarsideofthiscanyonwassteepandcraggy。SoonIdiscoveredaplacewhereIthoughtitwouldbesafetobuildafire。Myclotheswerewet，andtheairhadgrownkeenandcold。Gatheringastoreofwood，Imademyfireinaniche。ForabedIcutsomesweet—scentedpineboughs（Ithoughttheymustbefromabalsam—tree），andtheseIlaidcloseupinarockycorner。
ThusIhadthefirebetweenmeandtheopening，andwithplentyofwoodtoburnIdidnotfearvisitsfrombearsorlions。AtlastIlaydown，dryandwarmindeed，butverytiredandhungry。
Darknessclosedinuponme。Isawafewstars，heardthecheerycrackleofmyfire，andthenIfellasleep。TwiceinthenightIawakenedcold，butbyputtingonmorefirewoodIwassooncomfortableagain。
WhenIawokethesunwasshiningbrightlyintomyrockybedchamber。Thefirehaddiedoutcompletely，therewasfrostonthestones。Tobuildupanotherfireandtobathemyfaceintheice—waterofthebrookweremyfirsttasks。Theairwassweet;itseemedtofreezeasIbreathed，andwasabracingtonic。Iwastinglingallover，andashungryasastarvedwolf。
Isetforthonahuntforgame。EvenifthesoundofashotbetrayedmywhereaboutsIshouldhavetoabidebyit，forIhadtoeat。Steppingsoftlyalong，Iglancedaboutmewithsharpeyes。Deertrailswerethick。Thebottomofthiscanyonwasverywide，andgrewwiderasIproceeded。Thenthepinesoncemorebecamelargeandthrifty。IjudgedIhadcomedownthemountain，perhapsacoupleofthousandfeetbelowthecampinthegorge。I
flushedmanyofthebigbluegrouse，andIsawnumerouscoyotes，afox，andalargebrownbeastwhichmovedswiftlyintoathicket。Itwasenoughtomakemyheartriseinmythroat。Todreamofhuntingbearswassomethingvastlydifferentfrommeetingoneinalonelycanyon。
JustafterthisIsawaherdofdeer。Theywereagoodwayoff。Ibegantoslipfromtreetotree，anddrewcloser。PresentlyIcametoalittlehollowwithathick，shortpatchofunderbrushgrowingontheoppositeside。Somethingcrashedinthethicket。Thentwobeautifuldeerranout。
Oneboundedleisurelyuptheslope;theother，withlongearserect，stoppedtolookatme。Itwasnomorethanfiftyyardsaway。Tremblingwitheagerness，Ileveledmyrifle。Icouldnotgetthesighttostaysteadyonthedeer。Eventhen，withtheriflewobblinginmyintenseexcitement，I
thoughtofhowbeautifulthatwildcreaturewas。Strainingeverynerve，I
drewthesighttillitwasinlinewiththegrayshape，thenfired。Thedeerleapeddowntheslope，staggered，andcrumpleddowninaheap。
Itorethroughthebushes，andhadalmostreachedthebottomofthehollowwhenIrememberedthatawoundeddeerwasdangerous。SoIhalted。Thegrayformwasasstillasstone。Iventuredcloser。Thedeerwasdead。Mybullethadenteredhighabovetheshoulderatthejunctureoftheneck。ThoughI
hadonlyaimedathimgenerally，Itookagooddealofprideinmyfirstshotatadeer。
Fortunatelymypen—knifehadafair—sizedblade。WithitIdecidedtocutoutpartofthedeerandcarryitbacktomycamp。ThenitoccurredtomethatImightaswellcampwhereIwas。Therewereseveraljumblesofrockandacliffwithinastone’s—throwofwhereIstood。Besides，ImustgetusedtomakingcampwhereverIhappenedtobe。Accordingly，Itookholdofthedeer，anddraggedhimdownthehollowtillIcametoaleaningslabofrock。
Skinningadeerwas，ofcourse，newtome。Ihaggledthefleshsomewhatandcutthroughtheskinoften，myknife—bladebeingmuchtoosmallforsuchwork。FinallyIthoughtitwouldbeenoughformetocutoutthehaunches，andthenIgotdowntoonehaunch。IthadbotheredmehowIwasgoingtoseverthejoint，buttomygreatsurpriseIfoundtheredidnotseemtobeanyconnectionbetweenthebones。Thehaunchcameouteasily，andIhungituponabranchwhilemakingafire。
Herky—Jerky’smethodofbroilingapieceofvenisonattheendofasticksolvedtheproblemofcooking。Thenitwasthatthelittleflatflask，fullofmixedsaltandpepper，rewardedmeforthelongcarryingofit。Iwashungry，andIfeasted。
Bythistimethesunshonewarm，andthecanyonwasdelightful。Iroamedaround，satonsunnystones，andlayintheshadeofpines。Deerbrowsedintheglades。Whentheywindedorsawmetheywouldstanderect，shootuptheirlongcars，andthenleisurelylopeaway。Coyotestrottedoutofthicketsandwatchedmesuspiciously。Icouldhaveshotseveral，butdeemeditwisetobesavingofmyammunition。OnceIheardalowdrumming。Icouldnotimaginewhatmadeit。Thenabigbluegrousestruttedoutofapatchofbushes。Hespreadhiswingsandtailandneckfeathers，afterthefashionofaturkey—gobbler。Itwasaflaporshakeofhiswingsthatproducedthedrumming。Iwonderedifheintended，byhisactions，tofrightenmeawayfromhismate’snest。SoIwenttowardhim，andgotveryclosebeforeheflew。Icaughtsightofhismateinthebushes，and，asIhadsupposed，shewasonanest。Thoughwantingtoseehereggsoryoungones，Iresistedthetemptation，forIwasafraidifIwentnearershemightabandonhernest，assomemotherbirdsdo。
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