Andgethatedjustastheywasbythefolkshere，——andasWEare，too，forthematterofthat。"

"Well，Idunno，"rejoinedthefarrier，"itdon’tseemnateralforwhitementoquarrelwitheachotheraboutthewaytotreatanInjin，andthatInjinlyin’inambushtoshoot’emboth。Andefgov’mentwouldonlymakeupitsmindhowtotreat’em，insteadofonedaypretendin’tobetheir’GreatFather’andtreatin’themlikebabies，andthenextmakin’treatieswith’emlikeastheywosforriners，andthenextsendin’outahandfulofustolicktenthousandofthem——Wot’stheuseofONEregiment——eventwo——aginanation——ontheirownground？"

"Anation，——andontheirownground，——that’sjustwharyou’vehitit，Softy。That’stheargumentofthatCongressmanAtherly，asI’veheardhimtalkwiththekernel。"

"Andwhatdidthekernelsay？"

"Thekernelreckoneditwashisbusinesstoobeyorders，——andsoshouldyou。Soshutyourhead！Ifyewantedtotalkaboutgov’mentyemightsaysuthin’aboutitsusin’ustoconvoypicnicsandexcursionpartiesaround，whocomeoutheretohaveaday’sshootin’，undersomebig—wigofapoliticalbossorarailroadpresident，withalettertothegeneral。AndWE’REtoldofftolookartertheirpreciousskins，andkeeptheInjinsoff’em，——andtheyshootin’orskeerin’offtheInjins’nat’ralgame，andourprovender！Darnmyskinefthere’llbemuchtoscoutforefthisgoeson。Andb’gosh！——oftheyaren’tnowringin’inalotoftitledforrinerstohunt’biggame，’astheycallit，——LordThis—

and—ThatandCountSo—and—So，——allof’emwithletterstothegeneralfromtheWashingtoncabinettoshow’hospitality，’orfrommillionaireswho’vebinhobnobbin’with’emintheoldcountry。

Anddarnmyskinefsomeof’emain’tbringin’theirwivesandsistersalongtoo。Therewasalordandladypassedthroughhereunderescortlastweek，andwe’regoin’topickupsomemoreof’ematFortBiggstomorrow，——andIreckonsomeofuswillbetoldofftoactasladies’maidsormilliners。Nothin’shortofagoodInjinscare，Ireckon，wouldsendthemandusaboutourreg’larbusiness。Whoa，then，willye？Atitagain，areye？What’sgoneofthed——dcritter？"

Herethefractiousnearhorsewasagainbeginningtoshowsignsofdisturbanceandactiveterror。Hisquiveringnostrilswereturnedtowardsthewind，andhealmostleapedthecentrepoleinhisfranticefforttoavoidit。Theeyesofthetwomenwereturnedinstinctivelyinthatdirection。Nothingwastobeseen，——theillimitableplainandthesinkingsunwereallthatmettheeye。

Butthehorsecontinuedtostruggle，andthewagonstopped。Thenitwasdiscoveredthatthehorseofanadjacenttrooperwasalsolaboringunderthesamemysteriousexcitement，andatthesamemomentwagonNo。3halted。Theinfectionofsomeinexplicableterrorwasspreadingamongthem。Thentwonon—commissionedofficerscameridingdownthelineatasharpcanter，andwerejoinedquicklybytheyounglieutenant，whogaveanorder。Thetrumpeterinstinctivelyraisedhisinstrumenttohislips，butwasstoppedbyanotherorder。

Andthen，asseenbyadistantobserver，asingularspectaclewasunfolded。Thestragglingtrainsuddenlyseemedtoresolveitselfintoalargewideningcircleofhorsemen，revolvingroundandpartlyhidingthefewheavywagonsthatwerebeingrapidlyfreedfromtheirstrugglingteams。These，too，joinedthecircle，andweredrivenbeforethewhirlingtroopers。Graduallythecircleseemedtogrowsmallerunderthe"winding—up"ofthoseevolutions，untilthehorselesswagonsreappearedagain，motionless，frontingthefourpointsofthecompass，thusmakingtheradiiofasmallerinnercircle，intowhichtheteamsofthewagonsaswellasthetroopers’horseswereclosely"woundup"anddenselypackedtogetherinanimmovablemass。Asthecirclebecamesmallerthetroopersleapedfromtheirhorses，——which，however，continuedtoblindlyfolloweachotherinthenarrowercircle，——andrantothewagons，carbinesinhand。Infiveminutesfromthetimeofgivingtheorderthestragglingtrainwasafortifiedcamp，thehorsescorralledinthecentre，thedismountedtrooperssecurelypostedwiththeirrepeatingcarbinesintheanglesoftherudebastionsformedbythedesertedwagons，andreadyforanattack。Thestampede，ifsuchitwas，wasstopped。

Andyetnocauseforitwastobeseen！Nothinginearthorskysuggestedareasonforthisextraordinarypanic，orthemarvelousevolutionthatsuppressedit。Theguide，withthreemeninopenorder，rodeoutandradiatedacrosstheemptyplain，returningasemptyofresult。Inanhourthehorsesweresufficientlycalmedandfed，thecampslowlyunwounditself，theteamsweresettoandwereledoutofthecircle，andastheraysofthesettingsunbegantoexpandfanlikeacrosstheplainthecavalcademovedon。

Butbetweenthemandthesinkingsun，andvisiblethroughitslastrays，wasafaintlineofhazeparallelwiththeirtrack。Yeteventhis，too，quicklyfadedaway。

Hadtheguide，however，penetratedhalfamilefurthertothewesthewouldhavecomeuponthecauseofthepanic，andaspectaclemoremarvelousthanthathehadjustwitnessed。Fortheillimitableplainwithitsmonotonousprospectwasfarfrombeinglevel；ahundredyardsfurtheronhewouldhaveslowlyandimperceptiblydescendedintoadepressionnearlyamileinwidth。

Herehenotonlywouldhavecompletelylostsightofhisowncavalcade，buthavecomeuponanotherthriceitslength。Forherewasatrailinglineofjog—trottingduskyshapes，somecrouchingondwarfponieshalftheirsize，sometrailinglances，lodge—poles，rifles，womenandchildrenafterthem，allmovingwithamonotonousrhythmicmotionasmarkedasthemilitaryprecisionoftheothercavalcade，andalwaysonaparallellinewithit。Theyhaddonesoallday，keepingtouchanddistancebystealthyvidettesthatcreptandcrawledalongtheimperceptibleslopetowardstheunconsciouswhitemen。Itwas，nodoubt，thenearproximityofoneofthosewatchersthathadtouchedthekeenscentofthetroopers’horses。

Themooncameup；thetwocavalcades，scarcelyamileapart，movedoninunisontogether。Thensuddenlytheduskycaravanseemedtoarise，stretchitselfout，andsweptawaylikeamorningmisttowardsthewest。ThebuglesofFortBiggshadjustrungout……

PeterAtherlywasupearlythenextmorningpacingtheverandaofthecommandant’shouseatFortBiggs。IthadbeenhisintentiontovisitthenewIndianReservationthatday，buthehadjustreceivedaletterannouncinganunexpectedvisitfromhissister，whowishedtojoinhim。HehadnevertoldherthesecretoftheirIndianpaternity，asithadbeenrevealedtohimfromthescornfullipsofGrayEagleayearago；heknewherstrangelyexcitablenature；

besides，shewasawifenow，andthesecretwouldhavetobesharedwithherhusband。Whenhehimselfhadrecoveredfromtheshockoftherevelation，twothingshadimpressedthemselvesuponhisreservedandgloomynature：ahorrorofhispreviousclaimupontheAtherlys，andaninfinitepityandsenseofdutytowardshisownrace。Hehaddevotedhimselfandhisincreasingwealthtothisoneobject；itseemedtohimattimesalmostprovidentialthathispositionasalegislator，whichhehadacceptedasawhimorfancy，shouldhavegivenhimthissingularopportunity。

Yetitwasnotaneasytaskoranenviableposition。Hewasobligedtodivorcehimselffromhispoliticalpartyaswellaskeepclearofthewildschemesofimpracticalenthusiasts，toopractical"contractors，"andthestillmorehelplessbigotryofChristiancivilizers，whowouldhaveregeneratedtheIndianwithatextwhichhedidnotunderstandandtheywereunabletoillustratebyexample。Hehadexpectedtheoppositionoflawlessfrontiersmenandignorantsettlers——asroughlyindicatedintheconversationalreadyrecorded；indeedhehadfeltitdifficulttoarguehishumanetheoriesunderthesmokingroofofaraidedsettler’scabin，whoseowner，however，hadforgottenhisownrepeatedprovocations，orthetrespassofwhichhewasproud。ButAtherly’sunaffectedandunobtrusivezeal，hisfixityofpurpose，hisundoubtedcourage，hisself—abnegation，andaboveallthegentlemelancholyandhalf—

philosophicalwisdomofthisnewmissionary，wonhimtherespectandassistanceofeventhemostcallousorthemostskepticalofofficials。TheSecretaryoftheInteriorhadgivenhimcarteblanche；thePresidenttrustedhim，anditwassaidhadgrantedhimextraordinarypowers。OddlyenoughitwasonlyhisownCalifornianconstituency，whohadoncelaughedatwhattheydeemedhisearlyaristocraticpretensions，whonowfoundfaultwithhisdemocraticphilanthropy。ThatamanwhohadbeensowellreceivedinEngland——

thenewsofhisvisittoAshleyGrangehadbeendulyrecorded——

shouldsinksolowas"totakeupwiththeInjins"ofhisowncountrygalledtheirrepublicanpride。AfewofhispersonalfriendsregrettedthathehadnotbroughtbackfromEnglandmoreconservativeandfashionablegraces，andhadnotimprovedhisopportunities。UnfortunatelytherewasnoessentiallyEnglishpolicyoftrustingaboriginesthattheyknewof。

Inhisgloomyself—scrutinyhehadoftenwonderedifheoughtnottoopenlyproclaimhiskinshipwiththedespisedrace，buthewasalwaysdeterredbythethoughtofhissisterandherhusband，aswellasbythepersistentdoubtwhetherhisadvocacyofIndianrightswithhisfellowcountrymenwouldbeaswellservedbysuchacourse。Andhereagainhewasperplexedbyasingularincidentofhisearlymissionaryeffortswhichhehadatfirsttreatedwithcoldsurprise，buttowhichlaterreflectionhadgivenanewsignificance。AfterGrayEagle’srevelationhehadmadeapilgrimagetotheIndiancountrytoverifythestatementsregardinghisdeadfather，——theIndianchiefSilverCloud。DespitetheconfusionoftribaldialectshewasamazedtofindthattheIndiantonguecamebacktohimalmostasaforgottenboyishmemory，sothathewassoonabletodowithoutaninterpreter；butnotuntilthatfunctionary，whoknewhissecret，appearedonedayasamoresignificantambassador。"GrayEaglesaysifyouwanttrulytobeabrothertohispeopleyoumusttakeawifeamongthem。Helovesyou——takeoneofhis！"Peter，throughwhoseveins——albeitofmixedblood——ranthatPuritanicesooftenfoundthroughouttheGreatWest，wasfrigidlyamazed。Invaindidtheinterpreterassurehimthatthewifeinquestion，LittleDaybreak，wasawifeonlyinname，aprudentreservekeptbyGrayEagleintheorphandaughterofabrotherbrave。ButPeterwasadamant。WhateveranswertheinterpreterreturnedtoGrayEagleheneverknew。ButtohisalarmhepresentlyfoundthattheIndianmaidenLittleDaybreakhadbeenawareofGrayEagle’soffer，andhadwithpatheticsimplicityalreadyconsideredherselfPeter’sspouse。Duringhisstayattheencampmenthefoundhersittingbeforehislodgeeverymorning。A

girlofsixteeninyears，achildofsixinintellect，sheflashedherlittlewhiteteethuponhimwhenheliftedhistentflap，contenttoreceivehisgrave，melancholybow，orpatientlytrottedathissidecarryingthingshedidnotwant，whichshehadtakenfromthelodge。Whenhesatdowntowork，sheremainedseatedatadistance，lookingathimwithglisteningbeadyeyeslikeblackberriessetinmilk，andsoftlyscratchingthelittlebarebrownankleofonefootwiththeturned—intoesoftheother，afteraninfantinefashion。Yetafterhehadleft——astillsingleman，solelythoughhisinterpreter’sdiplomacy，ashealwaysbelieved——

hewasveryworriedastothewisdomofhiscourse。Whyshouldhenotinthiswayallyhimselftohisunfortunateraceirrevocably？

Perhapstherewasananswersomewhereinhisconsciousnesswhichhedarednotvoicetohimself。SincehisvisittotheEnglishAtherlys，hehadputresolutelyasideeverythingthatrelatedtothatepisode，whichhenowconsideredwasanunhappyimposture。

ButthereweretimeswhenavisionofLadyElfrida，gazingathimwithwondering，fascinatedeyes，passedacrosshisfancy；eventhecontactwithhisownraceandhisthoughtsoftheirwrongsrecalledtohimthetombofthesoldierAtherlyandthecarvencaptivesavagesupporter。HecouldnotpasstheuprightsupportedbierofanIndianbrave——slowlydesiccatinginthedesertair——withoutseeinginthedeadwarrior’sparaphernaliaofarmsandtrophiessomeresemblancetothecross—leggedcrusaderonwhosemarbleeffigySHEhadgirlishlyperchedherselfasshetoldthestoryofherancestors。Yetonlythepeacefulgloomandreposeoftheoldchurchtouchedhimnow；evenshe，too，withallhergloryofEnglishgirlhood，seemedtobelongtothatremotepast。Shewaspartoftherestfulquietofthechurch；theyewsinthequaintoldchurchyardmighthavewavedoverheraswell。

Still，hewaseagertoseehissister，andifheshouldconcludetoimparttoherhissecret，shemightadvisehim。Atallevents，hedecidedtodelayhisdepartureuntilherarrival，adecisionwithwhichthecommandingofficerconcurred，asaforagingpartyhadthatmorningdiscoveredtracesofIndiansinthevicinityofthefort，andthelatelyarrivedcommissarytrainhadreportedtheunaccountablebutpromptlypreventedstampede。

Unfortunately，hissisterJennyappearedaccompaniedbyherhusband，whoseizedanearlyopportunitytotakePeterasideandconfidetohimhisanxietyaboutherhealth，andthestrangefitsofexcitementunderwhichsheoccasionallylabored。RememberingtheepisodeoftheCalifornianwoodsthreeyearsago，Peterstaredatthisgood—natured，good—lookingman，whoselifehehadalwaysbelievedsheonceimperiled，andwonderedmorethaneverattheirstrangeunion。

"Doyoueverquarrel？"askedPeterbluntly。

"No，"saidthegood—heartedfellowwarmly，"never！Wehaveneverhadaharshword；she’sthedearestgirl，——thebestwifeintheworldtome，but"——hehesitated，"youknowtherearetimeswhenI

thinksheconfoundsmewithsomebodyelse，andisstrange！

Sometimeswhenweareincompanyshestandsaloneandstaresateverybody，withoutsayingaword，asifshedidn’tunderstandthem。

Orelseshegetspainfullyexcitedanddancesallnightuntilsheisexhausted。Ithought，perhaps，"headdedtimidly，"thatyoumightknow，andwouldtellmeifshehadanysingularexperienceasachild，——anyillness，or，"hewentonstillmoregently，"ifperhapshermotherorfather"——

"No，"interruptedPeteralmostbrusquely，withthesuddenconvictionthatthiswasnotimeforrevelationofhissecret，"no，nothing。"

"Thedoctorsays，"continuedLascelleswiththathesitating，almostmysticdelicacywithwhichmostgentlemenapproachasubjectuponwhichtheirwivestalkopenly，"thatitmaybeowingtoJenny’speculiarstateofhealthjustnow，youknow，andthatif——allwentwell，youknow，andthereshouldbe——don’tyousee——alittlechild"——

Peterinterruptedhimwithastart。Achild！Jenny’schild！

SilverCloud’sgrandchild！Thiswasacomplicationhehadnotthoughtof。No！Itwastoolatetotellhissecretnow。Heonlynoddedhisheadabstractedlyandsaidcoldly，"Idaresayheisright。"

Nevertheless，Jennywaslookingremarkablywell。Perhapsitwastheexcitementoftravelandnewsurroundings；buthertall，lithefigure，nearlyhalfaheadtallerthanherhusband’s，wasastrikingoneamongtheofficers’wivesinthecommandant’ssitting—

room。Herolivecheekglowedwithafaintilluminatingcolor；

therewassomethingevenpatricianinherslightlycurvednoseandhighcheekbones，andhersmile，rareeveninhermostexcitedmoments，was，likeherbrother’s，singularlyfascinating。Theofficersevidentlythoughtsotoo，andwhentheyounglieutenantofthecommissaryescort，freshfromWestPointandFlirtationWalk，gallantlyattachedhimselftoher，theladieswereslightlyscandalizedatthenaiveairofcamaraderiewithwhichMrs。

Lascellesreceivedhisattentions。EvenPeterwasalittledisturbed。OnlyLascelles，delightedwithhiswife’sanimation，andpleasedathersuccess，gazedatherwithunqualifiedadmiration。Indeed，hewassosatisfiedwithherimprovement，andsosanguineofherultimaterecovery，thathefeltjustifiedinleavingherwithherbrotherandreturningtoOmahabytheregularmailwagonnextday。TherewasnodangertobeapprehendedinheraccompanyingPeter；theywouldhaveafullescort；thereservationlayinadirectionunfrequentedbymaraudingtribes；theroadwastheprincipaloneusedbythegovernmenttoconnectthefortwiththesettlements，andwelltraveled；theofficers’wiveshadoftenjourneyedthither。

ThechildishcuriosityandhighspiritswhichJennyshowedonthejourneytothereservationwasincreasedwhenshereacheditanddrewupbeforethehouseoftheIndianagent。Peterwasrelieved；

hehadbeenanxiousandnervousastoanyinstinctiveeffectwhichmightbeproducedonherexcitablenaturebyafirstviewofherownkinsfolk，althoughshewasstillignorantofherrelationship。

Herinterestandcuriosity，however，hadnothingabnormalinit。

ButhewasnotpreparedfortheeffectproduceduponTHEMatherfirstappearance。Afewofthebravesgatheredeagerlyaroundher，andoneevenaddressedherinhisowngutturaltongue，atwhichshebetrayedaslightfeelingofalarm；andPetersawwithsatisfactionthatshedrewclosetohim。KnowingthathisoldinterpreterandGrayEaglewereofadifferentandhostiletribeahundredmilesaway，andthathissecretwassafewiththem，hesimplyintroducedherashissister。Buthepresentlyfoundthatthebraveshadaddedtotheircuriosityacertainsuspiciousnessandsullendemeanor，andhewasgladtoresignhissisterintothehandsoftheagent’swife，whileheprosecutedhisbusinessofexaminationandinspection。Later，onhisreturntothecabin，hewasmetbytheagent，whoseemedtobewithdifficultysuppressingalaugh。

"Yoursisterisexcitingquiteasensationhere，"hesaid。"DoyouknowthatsomeoftheseidioticbravesandtheMedicineManinsistuponitthatshe’sASQUAW，andthatyou’rekeepingherincaptivityagainstyourplightedfaithtothem！You’llexcuseme，"

hewentonwithanattempttorecoverhisgravity，"troublingyouwiththeird——dfooltalk，andyouwon’tsayanythingtoHERaboutit，butIthoughtyououghttoknowitonaccountofyourpositionamong’em。Youdon’twanttolosetheirconfidence，andyouknowhoweasilytheirskeeryfacultiesarestampededwithanidea！"

"Whereisshenow？"demandedPeter，withadarkeningface。

"Somewherewiththesquaws，Ireckon。Ithoughtshemightbealittleskeeredofthebraves，andI’vekeptthemaway。SHE’Sallright，youknow；onlyifyouintendtostayherelongI’d"——

ButPeterwasalreadystridingawayinthedirectionofathicketofcottonwoodwhereheheardtherippleofwomen’sandchildren’svoices。Whenhehadpenetratedit，hefoundhissistersittingonastump，surroundedbyalaughing，gesticulatingcrowdofyounggirlsandoldwomen，withatightlyswaddledpapooseinherlap。

Someofthemhadalreadyhalfmischievously，halfcuriouslypossessedthemselvesofherdustcloak，hat，parasol，andgloves，andwereparadingbeforeherintheirgrotesquefinery，apparentlyasmuchtoherchildishexcitedamusementastheirown。Shewasevenansweringtheirgesticulationswithequivalentgesturesinherattempttounderstandthem，andtryingamidstshoutsoflaughtertorespondtothemonotonouschantoftheoldwomenwhowerezigzaggingadancebeforeher。Withthegaylystripedblanketslyingontheground，thestringsofbeads，wampum，andhighlycoloredfeathershangingfromthetrees，andtheflickeringlightsandshadows，itwasaninnocentandevenidyllicpicture，butthemoreexperiencedPetersawintheperformancesonlytheuncertaintemperandwantofconsecutiveideaofplayinganimals，andthestolidunwinkingpapooseinhissister’slapgavehissentimentamomentaryshock。

Seeinghimapproachsherantomeethim，thesquawsandchildrenslinkingawayfromhisgraveface。"Ihavehadsuchafunnytime，Peter！Onlytothinkofit，Ibelievethey’veneverseenmenorwomenwithdecentclothesbefore，——ofcoursethesettlers’wivesdon’tdressmuch，——andIbelievethey’dhavehadeverythingI

possessifyouhadn’tcome。Butthey’reTOOfunnyforanything。

Itwaskillingtoseethemputonmyhatwrongsidebefore，andtrytomakeoneoutofmyparasol。ButIlikethemagreatdealbetterthanthosegloomychiefs，andIthinkIunderstandthemalmost。

Anddoyouknow，Peter，somehowIseemtohaveknownthemallbefore。Andthosedearlittlepapooses，aren’ttheyridiculouslylovely。Ionlywish"——shestopped，forPeterhadsomewhathurriedlytakentheIndianboyfromherarmsandrestoredittothefrightenedmother。Asingularchangecameoverherface，andsheglancedathimquickly。Butsheresumed，withaheightenedcolor，"Ilikeiteversomuchbetterherethandownatthefort。AndeversomuchbetterthanNewYork。Idon’twonderthatyoulikethemsomuch，Peter，andaresodevotedtothem。Don’tbeangry，dear，becauseIletthemhavemythings；I’msureInevercaredparticularlyforthem，andIthinkitwouldbesuchfuntodressastheydo。"PeterrememberedkeenlyhissuddenshockatherprecipitatechangetobrightcolorsafterleavinghernovitiateattheSacredHeart。"Idohope，"shewentoneagerly，"thatwearegoingtostayalongtimehere。"

"Weareleavingto—morrow，"hesaidcurtly。"IfindIhaveurgentbusinessatthefort。"

Andtheydidleave。Nonetoosoon，thoughtPeterandtheIndianagent，astheyglancedatthefacesoftheduskychiefswhohadgatheredaroundthecabin。Luckilythepresenceoftheircavalryescortrenderedanyoutbreakimpossible，andthestoicaltaciturnityoftheracekeptPeterfromanyverbalinsult。ButMrs。Lascellesnoticedtheirloweringdissatisfaction，andhereyesflashed。"Iwonderyoudon’tpunishthem，"shesaidsimply。

Forafewdaysaftertheirreturnshedidnotalludetohervisit，andPeterwasbeginningtothinkthatherlateimpressionswereasvolatileastheywerechildlike。Hedevotedhimselftohisgovernmentreport，andwhilehekeptuphiscommunicationswiththereservationandtheagent，forthepresentdomiciledhimselfatthefort。

ColonelBryce，thecommandantthoughdoubtfulofcivilians，wasnotslowtoappreciatethedifferenceofplayinghosttoamanofAtherly’swealthandpositionandevenfoundinPeter’sreserveandmelancholyanagreeablerelieftothesomewhatboisterousandmaterialrecreationsofgarrisonlife，andagentlecheckupontheyoungerofficers。For，whilePeterdidnotgambleordrink，therewasyetanunobtrusiveandgentledignityinhisabstentionthatrelievedhimfromtheattitudeofaprigoran"example。"Mrs。

Lascelleswaspopularwiththeofficers，andacceptedmoretolerantlybythewives，sincetheyrecognizedherharmlessness。

Onceortwiceshewasfoundapparentlyinterestedinthegesticulationsofafew"friendlies"whohadpenetratedtheparadegroundoftheforttobarterbeadsandwampum。Thecolonelwasobligedatlasttocautionheragainstthis，asitwasfoundthatinherinexperienceshehadgiventhemcertainarticlesthatwerecontrabandoftherules，andfinallytostopthemfromanintrusionwhichwasbecomingmorefrequentandannoying。Leftthustoherself，sherelievedherisolationbywalksbeyondtheprecinctsofthegarrison，whereshefrequentlymetthose"friendly"wanderers，chieflysquawsandchildren。Hereshewasagaincautionedbythecommander，——

"Don’tputtoomuchfaithinthosecreatures，Mrs。Lascelles。"

Jennyelevatedherblackbrowsandthrewupherarchednoselikeacharger。"I’mnotafraidofoldwomenandchildren，"shesaidloftily。

"ButIam，"saidthecolonelgravely。"It’sahorriblethingtothinkof，butthesefeebleoldwomenandinnocentchildrenarealwaysselectedtotorturetheprisonerstakenbythebraves，and，byJove，theyseemtolikeit。"

Thusrestricted，Mrs。LascellesfellbackupontheattentionsofLieutenantForsyth，whosegallantrywasalwaysasfreshashissmartcadet—liketunics，andtheytooksomeridestogether。

Whetheritwasmilitarycautionorthefemininediscretionofthecolonel’swife，——tothequietamusementoftheotherofficers，——atrooperwasaddedtotheridingpartybytheorderofthecolonel，andthereafteritconsistedofthree。Onenight，however，theridersdidnotappearatdinner，andtherewasconsiderableuneasinessmingledwithsomegossipthroughoutthegarrison。Itwasalreadymidnightbeforetheyarrived，andthenwithhorsesblownandtremblingwithexhaustion，andthewholepartybearingeverysignoffatigueanddisturbance。Thecolonelsaidafewsharp，decisivewordstothesubaltern，who，paleandreticent，pluckedathislittlemoustache，buttookthewholeblameuponhimself。HEandMrs。Lascelleshad，hesaid，outriddenthetrooperandgotlost；itwaslatewhenCassidy（thetrooper）foundthem，butitwasnofaultofHIS，andtheyhadtorideatthetopoftheirspeedtocoverthegroundbetweenthemandthefort。ItwasnoticedthatMrs。LascellesscarcelyspoketoForsyth，andturnedabruptlyawayfromthecolonel’sinterrogationsandwenttoherroom。

Peter，absorbedinhisreport，scarcelynoticedtheincident，northesingularrestraintthatseemedtofalluponthelittlemilitaryhouseholdforadayortwoafterwards。Hehadacceptedthelieutenant’sstorywithoutcommentorquestion；heknewhisownsistertoowelltobelievethatshehadlentherselftoaflirtationwithForsyth；indeed，hehadratherpitiedtheyoungofficerwhenherememberedLascelles’experienceinhisearlycourtship。ButhewassomewhatastonishedoneafternoontofindthetrooperCassidyaloneinhisoffice。

"OithoughtOi’dmakebouldtohaveawordwidye，sorr，"hesaid，recoveringfromastiffsalutewithhisfingersnippingthecordofhistrousers。"It’snotformeeself，sorr，althoughtheouldmanwasharrdonme，norfortheleddy，yoursister，butforthesakeoftheleftenant，sorr，whotheouldmanwasharrdestonofall。

Oiwasoftheparrtythatrodewithyoursister。"

"Yes，yes，Iremember，Iheardthestory，"saidPeter。"SheandMr。Forsythgotlost。"

"Axin’yourpardin，sorr，shedidn’t。Mr。Forsythloid。Loidlikeanofficerandajintleman——asheis，Godblesshim——tosavealeddy，morebetokenyoursister，sorr。Theynevergotlost，sorr。

Wewasallthreetogetherfromthetoimeweshtartedtillwegotback，andit’stheloveavGodthatweevergotbackatall。Andit’sbreakingmehearrt，sorr，toseeHIMgoin’roundwiththeblacklooksofeverybodyuponhim，andhea—twirlin’hismoustacheandpurtendingnottomind。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"saidPeter，uneasily。

"Oimanetobetellin’youwhathappened，sorr，"saidCassidystoutly。"WhenweshtartedoutOifellthreefilestotherear，asbecameme，soasnottobeinthewayo’theircolloguing，butsorraabito’stragglin’wasthere，andOikeptthemaforemeallthetoime。WhenwegottoPostOakBottomtheleddyp’intsherwhipofftotheroight，andsezshe：’It’safinebitofturfthere，MistherForsyth，’invitin’like，andwiththatshegallopsawaytotheright。Theleftenantfollysher，andOicloseduptherear。Soweridesawayinnoshentlikeamongstthetrees，methinkin’onlyitworamightyqueerplaceformanoovrin’，untilweseed，justbeyondusinthehollow，thesmokeofanInjincampandalotofwomenandchilder。AndMrs。Lascellesgetsoffandgoestodiscoursin’andblarneyingwid’em：andOiseesMr。Forsythglancin’roundandlookin’oneasy。Thenhegoesupandsezsomethingtoyoursister，andshewon’tgivehimahearin’。Andthenhetellshershemustmountandbeoff。Andsheturnsuponhim，bedad，likeatayger，andbidshimbeoffhimself。Thenhecomestomeandsezhe，’Oidon’tlikethelooko’this，Cassidy，’

sezhe；’thewoodsbehindisfullofbraves，’sezhe。’Thrueforyou，leftenant，’sezOi，’it’sintoatrapthattheleddyhezledus，Godsaveher！’’Whisht，’hesez，’takemyhorse，it’sthestrongest。Gobesideher，andwhenOisaythewordliftherupintothesaddlebeforeye，andgalloplikeblazes。Oi’llbringuptherearandtheotherhorse。’Widthatwechangedhorsesandcantereduptowhereshewasstanding，andhegivesthewordwhensheisn’tlookin’，andOigrabsherup——shesthrugglin’likemadbutnotutterin’acry——andOilightsoutforthetrailagin。Andsureenoughthebravesmadeasiftheywouldfolly，buttheleftenantthrowsthereinsofherhorseoverthehornofhissaddle，andwhipsouthisrevolverandhoulds’embacktillI’vegotwellawaytothetrailagain。Andthentheyletflytheirarrows，andbegorrathenextthingaBULLETwhizzesbyhim。Andthenheknowstheyhavearrmswid’emandare’hostiles，’andherowlsthenearestoneover，wheelin’andfightin’andcoverin’ourretreattillwegetstotheroadagin。Andtheydaren’tfollyusoutofcover。Thentheladygetsmoresinsible，andtheleftenantpershuadeshertomountherhorseagin。Butbeforewecomestothefort，heseztome：’Cassidy，’sezhe，’notawordo’thisonaccountoftheleddy。’AndIwasmum，sorr，whilehewasshootin’

offhismouthabouthimbein’lostandallthat，andhimbein’

bully—raggedbythekernel，andmeknowin’thatbutforhimyoursisterwouldn’tbebetweenthesewallshere，andOiwouldn’tbetalkin’toye。Andshure，sorr，yemightbetellin’sthekernelashowtheleddywastookbythehysterics，andwasthatloonythatshedidn’tknowwhatevershewassayin’，andsogettheleftenantinfavoragain。"

"Iwillspeakwiththecolonelto—night，"saidPetergloomily。

"Lordsaveyerhonor，"returnedthetroopergratefully，"andifyecouldbesayin’thattheLEDDYtouldyou，——itwouldonlybethemeresttasteofaloiye’dbetellin’，——andyou’dsavemefrombreakin’mewordtotheleftenant。"

"Ishallofcoursespeaktomysisterfirst，"returnedPeter，withaguiltyconsciousnessthathehadacceptedthetrooper’sstorymainlyfromhispreviousknowledgeofhissister’scharacter。

Nevertheless，inspiteofthisforegoneconclusion，heDIDspeaktoher。Tohissurpriseshedidnotdenyit。LieutenantForsyth，——avainandconceitedfool，——whosesillyattentionsshehadacceptedsolelythatshemightgetrecreationbeyondthefort，——hadpresumedtotellherwhatSHEmustdo！AsifSHEwasoneofthosestupidofficers’wivesorsisters！Anditneverwouldhavehappenedifhe——Peter——hadletherremainatthereservationwiththeIndianagent’swife，orif"Charley"（thegentleLascelles）werehere！HE

wouldhavelethergo，ortakenherthere。Besidesallthewhileshewasamongfriends；HIS，Peter’sownfriends，——thepeoplewhosecausehewaschampioning！InvaindidPetertrytopointouttoherthatthese"people"werestillchildreninmindandimpulse，andcapableofvacillationoreventreachery。Herememberedhewastalkingtoachildinmindandimpulse，whohadshownthesamequalities，andintryingtoconvinceherofherdangerhefelthewasonlyvoicingthecommonargumentsofhisopponents。

Hespokealsotothecolonel，excusingherthroughherignorance，hertrustinhisinfluencewiththesavages，andthegeneralderangementofherhealth。Thecolonel，relievedofhissuspicionsofapromisingyoungofficer，wasgentleandsympathetic，butfirmastoPeter’sfuturecourse。Inamomentofcapriceandwillfulnessshemightimperilthegarrisonasshehadherescort，and，morethanthat，shewasimperilingPeter’sinfluencewiththeIndians。Absurdstorieshadcometohisearsregardingtheattitudeofthereservationtowardshim。Hethoughtsheoughttoreturnhomeasquicklyaspossible。Fortunatelyanopportunityoffered。ThegeneralcommandinghadadvisedhimofthevisittothefortofapartyofEnglishtouristswhohadbeenshootinginthevicinity，andwhoweremakingthefortthefarthestpointoftheirwesternexcursion。Therewerethreeorfourladiesintheparty，andastheywouldbereturningtothelineofrailroadunderescort，shecouldeasilyaccompanythem。This，addedColonelCarter，wasalsoMrs。Carter’sopinion，——shewasawomanofexperience，andhadamarrieddaughterofherown。InthemeantimePeterhadbetternotbroachthesubjecttohissister，buttrusttothearrivalofthestrangers，whowouldremainforaweek，andwhowouldundoubtedlydivertMrs。Lascelles’impressiblemind，andeventuallymakethepropositionmorenaturalandattractive。

IntheintervalPeterrevisitedthereservation，andendeavoredtopacifytheirritationthathadsprungfromhispreviousinspection。

TheoutrageatPostOakBottomhewasassuredhadnorelationtotheincidentatthereservation，butwascommittedbysomestragglersfromothertribeswhohadnotyetacceptedthegovernmentbounty，yethadnotbeenthusfarclassifiedas"hostile。"Therehadbeenno"GhostDancing"norotherindicationofdisturbance。Thecolonelhadnotdeemeditnecessarytosendoutanexemplaryforce，ormakeacounterdemonstration。Theincidentwasallowedtodrop。AtthereservationPeterhadignoredthepreviousconductofthechiefstowardshim；hadwithquietcourageexposedhimselffully——unarmedandunattended——amongstthem，andhadasfullyletitbeknownthatthispreviousincidentwasthereasonthathissisterhadnotaccompaniedhimonhissecondvisit。Heleftthematthecloseoftheseconddaymoresatisfiedinhismind，andperhapsinamoreenthusiasticattitudetowardshisreport。

Ashecamewithinsoundofthesunsetbugles，hestruckanarrowertrailwhichledtothefort，throughanoasisofoaksandcottonwoodsandasmallstreamor"branch，"whichafterwardslostitselfinthedustyplain。Hehadalreadypassedafewsettler’scabins，asutler’sshop，andotherbuildingsthathadsprunguparoundthisarmednucleusofcivilization——which，indueseason，wastobecomeafrontiertown。Butasyetthebriefwoodwaswildandsecluded；frequentedonlybythewomenandchildrenofthefort，withinwhoseprotectingboundsitstood，andtowhoseformal"parade，"andtrimwhiteandgreencottage"quarters，"itaffordedanagreeablerelief。Asherodeabstractedlyforwardunderthelowcottonwoodvaulthefeltastrangeinfluencestealingoverhim，aninfluencethatwasnotonlyapresentexperiencebutatthesametimeafar—offmemory。Theconcavevaultabovedeepened；thesunsetlightfromthelevelhorizonbeyondstreamedthroughtheleavesasthroughthechequersofstainedglasswindows；throughthetwoshaftsbeforehimstretchedthepillaredaislesofAshleyChurch！Hewasridingasinadream，andwhenafiguresuddenlyslippedacrosshispathwayfromacolumn—liketreetrunk，hewokewiththedisturbanceandsenseofunrealityofadream。ForhesawLadyElfridastandingbeforehim！

Itwasnotamerememoryconjuredupbyassociation，foralthoughthefigure，face，andattitudewerethesame，therewerecertainchangesofcostumewhichtheeyeofrecollectionnoticed。Inplaceofthesmartnarrow—brimmedsailorhatheremembered，shewaswearingaslouchedcavalryhatwithagoldcordarounditscrown，that，withallitsbecomingnessandpicturesqueaudacity，seemedtobecomecharacteristicandrespectable，asacresttoherrefinedhead，andashistoricasaLelycanvas。Sheworeaflannelshirt，beltedinatherslightwaistwithabandofyellowleather，defininghersmallhips，andshortstraightpleatlessskirtsthatfelltohertrimanklesandbuckledleathershoes。Shewasfreshandcool，wholesomeandclean，freeandunfettered；indeed，herbeautyseemedonlyanafterthoughtoraccident。SomuchsothatwhenPetersawherafterwards，amidstthebillowy，gauzy，andchallenginggracesoftheofficer’swives，whoweredressedintheirbestandprettiestfrockstowelcomeher，theeyeturnednaturallyfromthatsuggestionofenhancementtothegirlwhoseemedtodefyit。Shewasclearlynotanidealizedmemory，aspiritoraghost，butnaturalisticandrosy；hethoughtatriflerosier，asshelaughinglyaddressedhim：——

"Isupposeitisn’tquitefairtosurpriseyoulikethat，"shesaid，withanhonestgirlishhand—shake，"foryouseeIknowallaboutyounow，andwhatyouaredoinghere，andevenwhenyouwereexpected；andIdaresayyouthoughtwewerestillinEngland，ifyourememberedusatall。Andwehaven’tmetsincethatdayatAshleyChurchwhenIputmyfootinit，——orratheronyourpetprotege’s，theIndian’s：yourememberMajorAtherly’stomb？Andtothinkthatallthewhilewedidn’tknowthatyouwereapublicmanandagreatpoliticalreformer，andhadafadlikethis。Why，we’dhavegotupmeetingsforyou，andmyfatherwouldhavepresided，——

he’salwaysfondofdoingthesethings，——andwe’dhavepassedresolutions，andgivenyousubscriptions，andBibles，andflannelshirts，andrevolvers——butIbelieveyoudrawthelineatthat。Mybrotherwassayingonlytheotherdaythatyouweren’thalfpraisedenoughforgoinginforthissortofthingwhenyouweresorich，andneedn’tcare。Andsothat’swhyyourushedawayfromAshleyGrange，——justtocomehereandworkoutyourmission？"

Hiswholelife，hisfirstwildCaliforniandream，hisEnglishvisit，therevelationofGrayEagle，thefinalcollapseofhisoldbeliefs，werewhirlingthroughhisbraintothemusicofthisclearyoungvoice。Andbysomecruelironyofcircumstanceitseemednowtoevenmockhislaterdreamsofexpiationasitalsocalledbackhisunhappyexperienceofthelastweek。

"Haveyou——haveyou"——hestammeredwithafaintsmile，"seenmysister？"

"Notyet，"saidLadyElfrida。"Ibelievesheisnotwellandisconfinedtoherroom；youwillintroduceme，won’tyou？"sheaddedeagerly。"Ofcourse，whenweheardthattherewasanAtherlyhereweinquiredaboutyou；andItoldthemyouwerearelationofours，"shewentonwithahalf—mischievousshyness，——"yourememberthedeBracys，——andtheyseemedsurprisedandrathercurious。I

supposeonedoesnottalksomuchaboutthesethingsoverhere，andIdaresayyouhavesomuchtooccupyyourmindyoudon’ttalkofusinEngland。"Withthequicknessofarefinedperceptionshesawaslightshadeinhisface，andchangedthesubject。"Andwehavehadsuchajollytime；wehavemetsomanypleasantpeople；andthey’veallbeensoawfullygoodtous，fromtheofficialsandofficersdowntotheplainestworking—man。Andallsonaturallytoo——sodifferentfromus。Isometimesthinkwehavetoworkourselvesuptobeciviltostrangers。""No，"shewentongayly，inanswertohisprotestinggesture，andhisstammeredreminderofhisownreception。"No。Youcameasasortofkinsman，andSirEdwardknewallaboutyoubeforeheaskedyoudowntotheGrange——

orevensentoverformefromtheTowers。No！youAmericanstakepeopleontheir’facevalue，’asmybrotherReggysays，andwealwayswanttoknowwhatarethe’securities。’AndthenAmericanmenaremoregallant，though，"shedeclaredmischievously，"Ithinkyouareanexceptioninthatway。Indeed，"shewenton，"themoreIseeofyourcountrymenthelessyouseemlikethem。Youaremorelikeus，——morelikeanEnglishman——indeed，morelikeanEnglishmanthanmostEnglishmen，——Imeaninthematterofreserveandallthatsortofthing，youknow。It’sodd，——isn’tit？Isyoursisterlikeyou？"

"Youshalljudgeforyourself，"saidPeterwithagayetythatwasforcedinproportionashisforebodingsbecamemoregloomy。Wouldhissister’speculiarities——evenhersecret——besafefromthecleareyesoftheyounggirl？

"IknowIshalllikeher，"saidLadyElfrida，simply。"Imeantomakefriendswithherbeforeweleave，andIhopetoseeagreatdealofher；and，"shesaidwithanaivenonsequitur，that，however，haditspainfulsignificancetoPeter，"IdowantyoutoshowmesomeIndians——yourIndians，youknowYOURfriends。I’veseensomeofthem，ofcourse；IamafraidIamalittleprejudiced，forIdidnotlikethem。Youseemytastehastobeeducated，I

suppose；butIthoughtthemsofoolishlyvainandpresuming。"

"Thatistheirperfectchildishness，"saidPeterquickly。"Itisnot，Ibelieve，consideredamoraldefect，"headdedbitterly。

LadyElfridalaughed，andyetatthesamemomentalookofappealthatwasinitselfquiteaschildlikeshoneinherblueeyes。

"There，Ihaveblunderedagain，Iknow；butItoldyouIhavesuchridiculousprejudices！AndIreallywanttolikethemasyoudo。

Only，"shelaughedagain，"itseemsstrangethatYOU，ofallmen，shouldhaveinterestedyourselfinpeoplesototallydifferenttoyou。Butwhatwillbetheresultifyoureffortsaresuccessful？

Willtheyremainadistinctrace？Willyoumakecitizens，soldiers，congressmen，governorsofthem？Willtheyintermarrywiththewhites？Isthatapartofyourplan？Ihopenot！"

ItwasapartofPeter’ssensitiveexcitementthateventhroughtheunconsciousironyofthisspeechhewasnoticingthedifferencebetweentheyoungEnglishgirl’sevidentinterestinapoliticalproblemandtheutterindifferenceofhisowncountrywomen。Herewasagirlscarcelyoutofherteens，withnopretensiontobeingabluestocking，withhalftheaplombofanAmericangirlofherownage，gravelyconsideringaquestionofpoliticaleconomy。Oddlyenough，itaddedtohisotherirritation，andhesaidalmostabruptly，"Whynot？"

Shetookthequestionliterallyandwithalittleyouthfultimidity。"Butthesemixedracesneverattaintoanything，dothey？Ithoughtthatwasunderstood。But，"sheaddedwithfemininequickness，"andIsupposeit’sagainonlyaPERSONAL

argument，YOUwouldn’tlikeyoursistertohavemarriedanIndian，wouldyou？"

TheironyofthesituationhadreacheditsclimaxtoPeter。Itdidn’tseemtobehisvoicethatsaid，"Icananswerbyanargumentstillmorepersonal。IhaveeventhoughtmyselfofmarryinganIndianwoman。"

Itseemedtohimthatwhathesaidwasirrevocable，buthewasdesperate。Itseemedtohimthatinamomentmorehewouldhavetoldherhiswholesecret。Buttheyounggirldrewbackfromhimwithaslightstartofsurprise。Theremayhavebeensomethinginthetoneofhisvoiceandinhismannerthatvergeduponaseriousnessshewasnevercontemplatinginherrandomtalk；itmayhavebeenanuneasinessofsomeyouthfulimprudenceinpressingthesubjectuponamanofhissuperiority，andthathisabruptclimaxwasarebuke。Butitwasonlyforamoment；heryouthfulbuoyancy，and，aboveall，acertaincommonsensethatwasnotincompatibletoherhighnature，cametoherrescue。"Butthat，"shesaidwithquickmischievousness，"wouldbeaSACRIFICEtakenintheinterestofthesepeople，don’tyousee；andbeingasacrifice，it’snoargument。"

Petersawhismistake，buttherewassomethingsoinnocentanddelightfulintheyouthfultriumphofthisred—lippedlogician，thathewasforcedtosmile。Ihavesaidthathissmilewasrareandfascinating，aconcessionwrungfromhisdarkfaceandcalmbeardlesslipsthatmostpeoplefoundirresistible，butitwasodd，nevertheless，thatLadyElfridanowforthefirsttimefeltasuddenandnotaltogetherunpleasantembarrassmentovertheverysubjectshehadapproachedwithsuchinnocentfearlessness。Therewasanewlightinhereyes，afreshercolorinhercheeksassheturnedherface——sheknewnotwhy——awayfromhim。Butitenabledhertoseeafigureapproachingthemfromthefort。AndIgrievetosaythat，perhapsforthefirsttimeinherlife，LadyElfridawasguiltyofanaffectedstart。

"Oh，here’sReggycomingtolookforme。I’dquiteforgotten，butI’msoglad。IwantyoutoknowmybrotherReggy。HewasalwayssosorryhemissedyouattheGrange。"

Thetall，young，good—lookingbrownEnglishmanwhohadsaunteredupbestowedafarmorecriticalglanceuponPeter’shorsethanuponPeter，butneverthelessgraspedhishandheartilyashissisterintroducedhim。Perhapsbothmenwereequallyundemonstrative，althoughthereserveofonewasfromtemperamentandtheotherfromeducation。NeverthelessLordReginaldremarked，withalaugh，thatitwasawfullyjollytobethere，andthatithadbeenabeastlyshamethathewasinScotlandwhenAtherlywasattheGrange。Thatnoneofthemhadeversuspectedtilltheycametothefortthathe，Atherly，wasoneofthosegovernmentchappies，andsoawfullykeenonIndianpolitics。"Friddy"hadbeenthefirsttofinditout，buttheythoughtshewaschaffing。Atwhich"Friddy，"whohadsuddenlyresolvedherselfintotheyouthfulestofschoolgirlsinthepresenceofherbrother，putherparasollikeanIndianclubbehindherback，andstillrosy，beamedadmiringlyuponReggy。

Thenthethree，Peterleadinghishorse，movedontowardsthefort，presentlymeeting"Georgy，"thesix—footGuardsmancousininextraordinarytweedsandflannelshirt；LordRunnybroke，uncleofFriddy，middle—agedandflannel—shirted，amightyhunter；LadyRunnybroke，inabrownduster，butwithastatelyheadthatsuggestedostrichfeathers；Moyler—Spence，M。P。，withaneyeglass，andtheHon。EvelynKayne，closelyattendedbythealwaysgallantLieutenantForsyth。Peterbegantofeelanervouslongingtobealoneontheburningplainandtheemptyhorizonbeyondthem，untilhecouldreadjusthimselftothesenewconditions，andglancedhalf—wearilyaroundhim。ButhiseyemetFriddy’s，whoseemedtohaveevokedthisgatheringwithawaveofherparasol，likethefairyofapantomime，andhewalkedoninsilence。

AdayortwoofunexpectedpleasurepassedforPeter。InthesenewsurroundingshefoundhecouldseparateLadyElfridafromhismiserablepast，andtheconventionalrestraintofAshleyGrange。

Again，therevelationofherfamiliarnameFriddyseemedtomakehermoreaccessibleandhumantohimthanherformaltitle，andsuitedthegirlishsimplicitythatlayatthefoundationofhercharacter，ofwhichhehadseensolittlebefore。Atleastsohefancied，andsoexcusedhimself；itwasdelightfultofindherreferringtohimasanolderfriend；pleasant，indeed，toseethatherfamilytacitlyrecognizedit，andfrequentlyappealedtohimwiththeintroduction，"Friddysaysyoucantellus，"or"YouandFriddyhadbetterarrangeitbetweenyou。"Eventhedreadedintroductionofhissisterwasanagreeablesurprise，owingtoLadyElfrida’sfrankandsympatheticprepossession，whichJennycouldnotresist。Inafewmomentstheywerewalkingtogetherinseriousandapparentlyconfidentialconversation。FortoPeter’swonderitwasthe"LadyElfrida"sideoftheEnglishgirl’snaturethatseemedtohaveattractedJenny，andnottheplayfulnessof"Friddy，"andhewasdelightedtoseethattheyounggirlhadassumedagravechaperonshipofthetallMrs。LascellesthatwouldhavedonecredittoMrs。CarterorLadyRunnybroke。Hadhebeenlessserioushemighthavebeenamused，too，attheimportanceofhisownpositioninthemilitaryoutpost，throughthearrivalofthestrangers。ThatthisgravepoliticalenthusiastandcivilianshouldbeonfamiliartermswithayoungEnglishwomanofrankwasatfirstinconceivabletotheofficers。Andthathehadneveralludedtoitbeforeseemedtothemstillmoreremarkable。

Nevertheless，therewasmuchlivelinessandgoodfellowshipatthefort。Captainsandlieutenantsdowntotheyoungest"cub，"

Forsyth，viedwitheachothertopleasetheEnglishmen，suppliedthemwiththatcharacteristicAmericanhumorandanecdotewhichitisanEnglishman’sprivilegetobringawaywithhim，andwerepicturesquelyandchivalrouslydevotedintheirattentionstotheladies，whowerepleasedandamusedbyit，thoughitistobedoubtedifitincreasedtheirrespectforthegiver，althoughtheyweremoregratefulforitthantheaverageAmericanwoman。LadyElfridafoundtheofficersveryentertainingandgallant。

AccustomedtotheEnglishofficer，andhissomewhatboredwayoftreatinghisprofessionandhisduties，shemayhavebeenamusedatthezeal，earnestness，andenthusiasmoftheseyouthfulwarriors，whoaspiredtoappearasnothingbutsoldiers，whenshecontrastedthemwithherGuardsmenrelativeswhoaspiredtobeeverythingelsebutthat；butshekeptittoherself。Itwasarecognized，respectable，andevensuperioroccupationforgentlemeninEngland；

whatitmightbeinAmerica，——whoknows？ShecertainlyfoundPeter，thecivilian，moreattractive，fortherereallywasnothingEnglishtocomparehimwith，andshehadsomethingofthesamefeelinginherfriendshipforJenny，exceptthepatronagewhichJennyseemedtosolicit，andperhapsrequire，asaforeigner。

OneafternoontheEnglishguests，accompaniedbyafewoftheirhostsandasmallescort，weremakingashootingexpeditiontothevicinityofGreenSpring，whenPeter，plungedinhisreport，lookeduptofindhissisterenteringhisoffice。Herfacewaspale，andtherewassomethinginherexpressionwhichreawakenedhisoldanxiety。Neverthelesshesmiled，andsaidgently：——

"Whyareyounotenjoyingyourselfwiththeothers？"

"Ihaveaheadache，"shesaid，languidly，"but，"liftinghereyessuddenlytohis，"whyareYOUnot？Youaretheirgoodfriend，youknow，——eventheirrelation。"

"Nomorethanyouare，"hereturned，withaffectedgayety。"Butlookatthereport——itisonlyhalffinished！Ihavealreadybeenshirkingitforthem。"

"Youmustn’tletyourdevotiontotheIndianskeepyoufromyourolderfriends，"saidMrs。Lascelles，withanoddlaugh。"Butyounevertoldmeaboutthesepeoplebefore，Peter；tellmenow。Theywereverykindtoyou，weren’tthey，onaccountofyourrelationship？"

"Entirelyonaccountofthat，"saidPeter，withasuddenbitternesshecouldnotrepress。"Buttheyareverypleasant，"headdedquickly，"andverysimpleandunaffected，inspiteoftheirrank；

perhapsIoughttosay，BECAUSEofit。"

"Youmeantheyarekindtousbecausetheyfeelthemselvessuperior，——justasyouarekindtotheIndians，Peter。"

"Iamafraidtheyhavenosuchsenseofpoliticalequalitytowardsus，Jenny，asimpelsmetobejusttotheIndian，"hesaidwithaffectedlightness。"ButLadyElfridasympathizeswiththeIndians——verymuch。"

"She！"Theemphasiswhichhissisterputuponthepersonalpronounwasunmistakable，butPeterignoredit，andsoapparentlydidshe，asshesaidthenextmomentinadifferentvoice，"She’sverypretty，don’tyouthink？"

"Very，"saidPetercoldly。

Therewasalongpause。Peterslightlyfingeredoneofthesheetsofhisdelayedreportonhisdesk。Hissisterlookedup。"I’mafraidI’masbadasLadyElfridainkeepingyoufromyourIndians；

butIhadsomethingtosaytoyou。Nomatter，anothertimewilldowhenyou’renotsobusy。"

"Pleasegoonnow，"saidPeter，withaffectedunconcern，yetwithafeelingofuneasinesscreepingoverhim。

"Itwasonlythis，"saidJenny，seatingherselfwithherelbowonthedeskandherchininacup—likehollowofherhand，"didyoueverthinkthatintheinterestsofthesepoorIndians，youknow，purelyforthesakeofyourbeliefinthem，andjusttoshowthatyouwereabovevulgarprejudices，——didyoueverthinkyoucouldmarryoneofthem？"

TwothoughtsflashedquicklyonPeter’smind，——first，thatLadyElfridahadrepeatedsomethingoftheirconversationtohissister；

secondly，thatsomeonehadtoldherofLittleDaybreak。Eachwasequallydisturbing。Butherecoveredhimselfquicklyandsaid，"I

mightifIthoughtitwasrequired。Butevenasacrificeisnotalwaysanexample。"

"Thenyouthinkitwouldbeasacrifice？"shesaid，slowlyraisingherdarkeyestohis。

"IfIdidsomethingagainstreceivedopinion，againstprecedent，andforaughtIknowagainsteventheprejudicesofthoseIwishtoserve，howeverloftymyintentionwasandhowevergreatthebenefittothemintheend，itwouldstillbeasacrificeinthepresent。"

Hesawhisownmiserablelogicandaffecteddidactics，buthewentonlightly，"Butwhydoyouasksuchaquestion？Youhaven’tanyoneinyourmindforme，haveyou？"

Shehadrisenthoughtfullyandwasmovingtowardsthedoor。

Suddenlysheturnedwithaquick，oddvivacity："PerhapsIhad。

Oh，Peter，therewassuchalovelylittlesquawIsawthelasttimeIwasatOakBottom！ShewasnodarkerthanIam，butsobeautiful。Eveninherlittlecottongownandblanket，withonlyastringofbeadsaroundherthroat，shewasasprettyasanyonehere。AndIdaresayshecouldbeeducatedandappearaswellasanywhitewoman。Ishouldsoliketohaveyouseeher。Iwouldhavetriedtobringhertothefort，butthebravesareveryjealousoftheirwivesordaughtersseeingwhitemen，youknow，andIwasafraidofthecolonel。"

Shehadspokenvolublyandwithastrangeexcitement，butevenatthemomentherfacechangedagain，andasshelefttheoffice，withaquicklaughandpartinggesture，thereweretearsinhereyes。

Accustomedtohermoodsandcaprices，Peterthoughtlittleoftheintrusion，relievedashewasofhisfirstfears。Shehadcometohimfromlonelinessandcuriosity，and，perhaps，hethoughtwithasadsmile，fromalittlesisterlyjealousyoftheyounggirlwhohadevincedsuchaninterestinhim，andhadknownhimbefore。Hetookuphispenandcontinuedtheinterruptedparagraphofhisreport。

"Iamsatisfiedthatmuchofthemischievousandextravagantprejudiceagainstthehalfbreedandallalliancesofthewhiteandredracesspringsfromtheignoranceofthefrontiersmanandhishastygeneralizationoffacts。Thereisnodoubtthatanintermixtureofbloodbringsoutpurelysuperficialcontraststhemorestrongly，andthatagainstthecivilizinghabitsandevencostumesofthehalfbreed，certainIndiandefectsappearthemorestronglyasinthecaseofthecolorlineofthequadroonandoctoroon，butitmustnotbeforgottenthattheseareonlythecontrastsofspecificimprovement，andtheinferencethattheborroweddefectsofahalfbreedexceedtheoriginaldefectsofthefull—bloodedaborigineisutterlyillogical。"Hestoppedsuddenlyandlaiddownhispenwithaheightenedcolor；thebuglehadblown，theguardwasturningouttoreceivethecommandantandhisreturningparty，amongwhomwasFriddy……

Throughtheillusionsofdepressionanddistancethe"sink"ofButternutCreekseemedonlyanincrustationofblackishmossonthedullgrayplain。Itwasnotuntiloneapproachedwithinhalfamileofitthatitresolveditselfintoacopseofbutternut—treessunkenbelowthedistantlevels。Hereonce，ingeologicalstory，thewatersofButternutCreek，despairingofevercrossingtheleaguesofaridwastebeforethem，hadsuddenlydisappearedintheprovidentialinterpositionofanareaofloosersoil，andsogivenuptheeffortandtheghostforever，theirgravebeingmarkedbythebutternutcopse，chance—sownbybirdorbeastinthesaturatedground。InIndianlegendthe"sink"commemoratedtheequallyprovidentialescapeofagreattribewho，surroundedbyenemies，appealedtotheGreatSpiritforprotection，andwaspromptlyconveyedbysubterraneouspassagestothebanksoftheGreatRiverahundredmilesaway。Itsouteredgeswerealreadyinvadedbythedustoftheplain，butwithinthemrancoolrecesses，afewopenings，andtheashesofsomelong—forgottencamp—fires。To—dayitssombreshadowswererelievedbybrightcoloreddresses，thejacketsofthedriversofalargesutler’swagon，whosewhitecanvasheadmarkedtheentranceofthecopse，andalltheparaphernaliaofapicnic。Itwasapartygottenupbytheforeigngueststotheladiesofthefort，preparedandarrangedbytheactiveLadyElfrida，assistedbytheonlygentlemanoftheparty，PeterAtherly，who，fromhisacquaintancewiththelocality，wasallowedtoaccompanythem。Theothergentlemen，whowithalargepartyofofficersandsoldierswereshootinginthevicinity，weresufficientlynearforprotection。Theywouldrejointheladieslater。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读