——JAMESW。STEELE
　　FROMthebeginningofthingsintheWalnutValley，theKickapooCorralhaditsuses。Naturebuiltittothisend。TherivercoursefollowsthepatternoftheletterSfacedwestwardinsteadofeastward。
　　Theupperhalfoftheletterisproperlyshaped，butthesharpenedcurveatthemiddleleavesonlyanarrowdistanceacrossthelowerspace。
　　InthisoutlinerunstheWalnut，itsuppercurvealmostsurroundingalittlewoodedpeninsulathatslopesgentlyonitssidetothewater'sedge。
　　Butthefartherbankstandsupinastraightlimestonebluffformingahighwallofprotectionabouttheriver-encircledground。
　　Alessseverebluffcrossestheopenpartofthepeninsula，reachingthehithersideoftheriverbelowthesharpbend。
　　Thespaceinside，stone-walledandwater-bound，madeanidealshelterforthewildlifethatshouldinhabitit。AndNaturesawthatitwasgoodandwentawayandleftit，notforgettingtolockthedooruponit。
　　Fortheenemywhowouldenterthisprotectingsheltermustcomethroughthegatewayoftheriver。Therewasonlyonerightplacetodothis。
　　Deceivinglyneartotheshallowrock-basedfordbeforetheCorral，sonearthatonlythewiseonesknewhowtomissit，Natureplacedthecruelestwhirlpoolthateverswunganevensurfaceupstream，itsgentlemotiontellingnothingofthefatalsuctionunderneaththatlevelstretchofsteady，slowmoving，irresistiblewater。
　　Whatusetheprimitivetribesmadeofthisspottheriverhasnevertold。
　　ButinthedayoftheKickapoosupremacyitcametoitschristening。
　　Herethetribefoundarefugeandharboreditsstolenplunder。
　　Fromthiswoodedcovertitsentitsdeath-singingarrowsthroughtheheartofitsenemywhodaredtostandinreliefonthatstonebluff。
　　Hereitlaughedatthedrowningcriesofthosewhowerecaughtinthefatalwhirlpoolbeyondthecurveintheriverwall，andhereitenduredsiegeandslaughterwhenfoeswerevaliantenough，andnumerousenoughtostormintoitsstrongholdoverthedeadbodiesoftheirownvanguard。
　　WeirdandtragicalarethelegendsoftheKickapooCorral，leftforastrongerracetomarvelover。For，withtheswingoftime，thewhitemancutaroaddownthesteepbluffatthesharpestbendandmadeafordintheshallowplacebetweenthewhirlpoolandtheoldCorral，andtheNature-builtstockadebecameapeacefulspot，speciallyordainedbyProvidence，theSunriseFreshmenclaimed，asapicnicgroundfortheirautumnholiday。AtleasttheyoungfolkforwhomProfessorBurgesswasactingaschaperontookitso，andreveledintheright。
　　InterestinGreekhadgreatlyincreasedinSunrisewiththeadventofthehandsomeyoungHarvardman，andhisdesiredseclusionforprofoundresearchhadnotyetbeenfullyrealized。
　　Typesforstudywereplentiful，however，especiallythetypeofthepresumptuousyoungfellowwhodaredtoadmireElinorWream。BydivinerightshewasthemostpopulargirlinSunrise，whichpleasedProfessorBurgessuptoacertainpoint。
　　ThatpointwasVictorBurleigh。Thesilentantagonismbetweenthesetwodailygrewstronger；why，neitheronecouldhavetolduptothisholiday。
　　Thedayhadbeenperfect——theweather，thedinner，thecompany，thewoodland——
　　eventheamberlightintheskysofteningtheglowastheafternoonslippeddowntowardtwilightintheshelteredoldCorral。
　　"Come，VicBurleigh，helpmetostartthisfireforsupper，"
　　DennieSaxoncalled。"Wewon'tgetourcoffeeandhamandeggsreadybeforemidnight。”
　　"Here，Trench，orsomeofyoufellows，getbusy，"ViccalledbacktothebigrightguardoftheSunrisefootballsquad。"ElinorandIaregoingtoclimbthewestblufftoseewhat'sthematterwiththesun。Itlookssick。
　　I'vebeenhiredmanallday；carriednineteengirlsacrosstheshallows，packedallthelunch-baskets，totedallthewood，builtallthefires，washedallthedishes——"
　　"Ateallthedinner，drankallthegrapejuice，steppedonallthecustardpies，upsetallthecreambottles。Oh，youpiker，getout!"
　　Trenchaimedanemptylunch-basketatVic'sheadwiththewords。
　　BeingachaperonwasapleasantofficetoProfessorBurgesstodaybutforthetaskofthrowingabarrieraboutElinoreverytimeVicBurleighcamenear。
　　AndBurleigh，lackingmanyotherthingsmorethaninsight，kepthimbusyatbarrierbuilding。
　　"MissWream，youcan'tthinkofclimbingthatroughplace，"
　　Burgessprotested，withasharpglanceofresentmentatthebigyoungfellowwhodaredtocallherElinor。
　　Thetiger-lightblazedintheeyesthatflashedbackathim，asViccrieddaringly。
　　"Oh，comeon，Elinor；beagoodIndian!"
　　"Don'tdoit，MissWream，"VincentBurgesspleaded。
　　Elinorlookedfromtheonetotheother，andtheverymagnetismofpowercalledher。
　　"Imeantotry，anyhow，"shedeclared。"WillyoupickmeupifIfall，Victor？"
　　"Well，Iwouldn'thardlygoawayandleaveyoutoperishmiserably，"
　　Vicassuredher，andtheywereofftogether。
　　TheWreammenwereslender，andallofthem，exceptLloydFenneben，thestepbrother，worenoseglassesanddrankhotwateratbreakfast，andatepredigestedfoods，andtalkedofacidsandcarbons，andtookprescribedgesturesforexercise。Thejoyousnessofperfecthealthwasineverymotionofthisyoungman。Hisbrownsweatershowedahardwhitethroat。
　　Heplantedhisfeetfirmly。Andheleapedupthebluffsideeasily。
　　IfElinorslipped，thestrengthofhisgriponherarmreassuredher，untilclimbingbesidehimbecameajoy。
　　ThebluffwaslesssurlythanitappearedtobedownintheCorral，andthebenedictionofautumnwasintheviewfromitscrest。
　　Theysatdownonthestoneledgecrowningit，andElinorthrewasideherjauntyscarletoutingcap。Thebreezesplayedinherdarkhair，andhercheekswerepinkfromtheexercise。
　　VictorBurleighlookedatherwithfrank，wide-openeyes。
　　"What'sthematter？Ismyhairafright？"shemurmured。
　　"Afright!"Burleighflungoffhiscapandranhisfingersthroughhisownhair。"NotwhatIcallafright，"heassertedinaneventone。
　　"What'sthatscaronyourleftarm？Itlookslikealittleholedugout，"Elinordeclared。
　　Vic'sbrownsweatersleevewaspusheduptotheelbow。
　　"ItisalittleholeIputinwhereIdugoutthefleshwithapocketknife，"
　　hereplied，carelessly。
　　"Didyoudothatyourself？"Elinorcried。"Whatmadeyoubesocruel？"
　　"Iwasn'tsocruel。`IseenmydutyandIdoneitnoble，'astheessayruns。
　　Imadethatvacancytogetaheadofarattlesnakethatgotmethere，avenomousbigonewithninepolicecallsonitstail，andthat'snosnakestory，either。Icutthefleshouttogetridofthepoison。Iwasn'tinacollegelaboratoryandIhadtoworkfastandusewhattoolsIhadwithme。
　　Ikilledthegentlemanthatdidthemischief，though，"Vicaddedcarelessly，deftlyslippingdownhissleeveasiftochangethesubject。
　　"Oh，tellmeaboutit，do，"Elinorurged。"YouwerekillingasnakethefirsttimeIsawyou。”
　　Howdaintyandsweetshewassittingthereinherneat-fittingoutingsuitofdarkgraywithscarletpipingsandbuttonsandpocketflaps，andthescarletofherfulllips，andthecoraltintofhercheeks，thewhitehandsandwhitethroatandbrow，thedarkeyesandfinelyshapedheadwithabundantbeautifulhair。
　　VicBurleighsatlookingstraightatherandthelightinhisowneyestoldnothingoftheglitterthathadflashedinthemwhenheglaredatProfessorBurgessdownintheCorral。
　　"Iwasn'tkillingsnakes。Iwaslookingupatagirlontherotundastairsthefirsttime，"hesaid，"andIdon'twanttotellaboutthisscar，becauseI'vewishedathousandtimestoforgetit。
　　Seehowmuchdarkeritisdowntherethanitisuphere。”
　　TheshadowswerelengtheningintheCorralwherethesupperfiresweregleaming。AcrossthelowblufftheimprisonedsunwassendingadullredglowalongthewatersoftheWalnut。
　　"Lookatthatstillplaceintheriver，Victor。Theripplesareallonthefartherside，"Elinorsaid，lookingpensivelydownstream。
　　"Watchitaminute。Doyouseethatbitofdriftcomingupstreaminthestillwater？"Vicasked。
　　"Why，thewaterdoesmove；towardus，too，insteadofdowntheriver。
　　I'dliketoboataroundinthatquietplace。”
　　Shewasleaningforward，restingherchininherhand。
　　Inoutlineagainstthemistybackgroundshotthroughwiththecrimsonlightfromthestorm-smotheredsun，withthegrayshadowsoftheoldKickapooCorralbelowthem，hemmedinbythesilvergleamingwatersoftheWalnut，apicturegrewupbeforeVictorBurleigh'seyesthathewasnevertoforget。
　　Likethecleftofthelightningthroughthecloud，liketheflashoftheswallow'swing，thecareless-heartedboyleapedtothestatureofaman，intowhosesoultheloveofalifetimeisborn。
　　Unconsciously，hedrewawayfromher，andlongafterwardsherecalledthesweetnessofhisdeepvoicewhenhespokeagain。
　　"ElinorWream，I'dratherseeyouhelplessupherewiththehungriestwildbeastbetweenusthatevertoreahumanformtopiecesthantoseeyouinthatquietwaterbelowtheshallows。”
　　"Why？"Elinorlookedupintohisface。
　　"BecauseIcouldsaveyourlifehere，maybe，evenifIlostmine。
　　DownthereIcoulddrownforyou，butthatwouldn'tsaveyou。
　　Nobodyeverswamthatwhirlpoolandlivedtotellaboutit。
　　There'saledgeunderneaththatholdsdownwhattheinfernalslowsuctionswallows。Butit'sdeadsure。”
　　"Why，that'sawful，"Elinorsaid，lightly，forshehadnopictureofhimengulfedintheslow-movingtreacherybelowthem。
　　"There'sanoldIndianlegendaboutthatpool，"Vicsaid，staringdownatthewater。
　　"Tellmeaboutit。”Elinorwasbreakingthetwigsfromabranchofbuck-berrygrowingbesideher。
　　"Oh，it'satragicalone，likeeverythingelseaboutthatplace，"
　　Vicresponded，grimly。"OldLagonda，ChiefoftheWahoos，Ireckon，Idon'tknowhistribe，didn'twanttogiveupthisvalleytothesonsandheirsofSunrisetodesecratewithsalmoncansandpopbottlesandHarvard-turnedchaperons。Heheldoutagainstputtinghismultiplicationsigntothetreaty，claimingthatlandwaslikewaterandairandcouldn'tbeboughtandsold。
　　Butthewhitemenwithtruemissionarycourtesyheldhisheadunderwatertillheburbled`Nuff，'andsignedupwithapieceofcharcoal。
　　Thenhewentdowntherivertothissmooth-facedwhirlpool，andlaidacurseonthesonsofmenwhohadtakenhisownfromhim。”
　　Thetwilighthaddeepened。Thesunwaslostinthecloudbankoutofwhichahotwindwassweepingeastward。Vicwastellingthestorywell，andthemagnetismofhisvoicewascompelling。
　　Elinordrewnearertohim。
　　"Whatwasthecurse？Iwouldn'twanttogonearthatplace，unlessyouwerewithme。”
　　TheveryinnocenceofthewordsputathrillinVicBurleigh'severypulsebeat。
　　"Don'teverdoit，ifyoucanhelpit。”Viccouldnotkeepbackthewords。
　　"OldLagondadecreedatributetotheriverforthewrongdonetohim，alifeayearinthatpool。AndtheWalnuthasbeenexactinginitsrights。
　　Lifeafterlifehasgoneoutdownthereuntilsometimesitseemsliketheoldchief'scursewouldneverbelifted。”
　　"Ihopeitmaybe，whileIamatSunrise，anyhow，"Elinorsaid。
　　"Idon'tlikerealtragediesaboutme。Ilikeaneasy，comfortablelife，andeverybodygoodandhappy。IhopethecursewillbestaiduntilI
　　gobackhome。”
　　Vichadn'tthoughtofthis。Ofcourse，shewouldleaveSunrisesometime。
　　HerhomewasinCambridge-by-the-Sea，notonthePrairie-by-the-Walnut。Shebelongedtothedead-languagescholars，nottocrudered-bloodedcreatureslikehimself。Heturnedhisfacetothewestandthethreateningskyseemedinharmonywithhisstorm-rivensoul。Hewassoyoung——lessthanhalfanhourolderthanthebigwhole-heartedfellowwhostartedupthebluffinpicnicfrolicwithaprettygirlwhomProfessorBurgessadored。Thatwasonereasonwhyhehadbroughtherup。HewantedtoteasetheProfessorthen。
　　HehatedBurgessnow，andthewhiteteethclinchedatthethoughtofhim。
　　Asuddenshoutingandbeatingoftom-tomsdownintheCorral，andthecallincruderhymetostragglingcouplestoclosein，announcedsupper。
　　HighaboveotherwhoopingthevoiceofTrench，thebigrightguard，reachedthetopofthebluff:
　　VictorBurleighandElinorWream，BetterwakefromLove'sYoungDream，Beforetheantsgetintothecream。
　　Thebeatingofadishpandrownedthechorus。ThendownbytheriverDennie'ssopranostreamedout，Thesunissot，Thecoffee'shot，Thesupper'sgot。
　　What？
　　Yes!Got!
　　AnsweringthiscallfromthenorthendoftheCorral，aheavybasegrowled，Dennieissad，Theeggsarebad；
　　TheProfessor'smadAtaCollegelad。
　　Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!
　　Comehome!Comehome!Comehome!
　　"TheKickapoosareonthewarpath。Let'sgodownandgetintotherunning。”
　　VicliftedElinortoherfeetwithasortofreverenceinhistouch。
　　Butshedidnotnotethatitwasotherwisethanthegood-naturedgripofthecomradewhohadhelpedherupthesteepplaceshalfanhourago。
　　Descentwasmoredifficult，anditwasgrowingdarkrapidly。
　　Vicheldherarmtokeepherfromfalling，andonceonaslidingrock，hehadtocatchbothofherhands，andhalf-lifthertosolidfooting。
　　Hershiningeyes，starbrightinthegloom，thedaintyrosehueofhercheeks，thetouchofhersoftwhitehands，andherneedforhisstrength，madetheshadowypathdeliciousforhercompanion。
　　Thecallofthewildwasinthateveningcampintheautumnwoodland，inthecharmofthedeepeningtwilightwarmedwiththeredglowofthefires，intheappetizingodorofcoffee，theunconventionalfreedom，thecarelessnessofyouth，thejollygood-fellowshipofcomrades。
　　ToProfessorBurgessithadtheaddedcharmofnewness。
　　Allthepleasuresofpopularitywerehisthisevening，forhewasyounghimself，hedressedwell，andhehadthegraceofagentleman。
　　Theenjoymentofthedaygavehimathrillofsurprise。
　　HewasalreadydroppingtheviewpointofDr。JoshuaWreamforDeanFenneben'sangleofvision。Andinthesepicturesquesurroundingsheforgotabouttheweatherandtheprudenceofgettinghomeearly。
　　"Throwthatlogonthefire，Vic。Itbeginstolookspookybackhere。
　　I'vejusthadmyeartothegroundandIheardanawfulroaringsomewhere。”
　　Trench，whohadbeensprawlinglazilyintheshadows，nowdeclared，"Say，I'dhatetobepennedintothisplacesoIcouldn'tgetout。
　　There'snoskinningupthatrockwallevenifafellowcouldswimtheriver，andIcan't，"andthebigguardstretchedhimselfonthegroundagain。
　　"What'sthatoldstoryabouttheKickapooshere？"somebodyasked。
　　"DennieSaxonknowsit。Tellusaboutit，Dennie，ANDTHENWE'LL
　　ALLGOHOME。”Thelastwordswerehalf-sung。
　　"Beswift，Dennie，bequiteswift。Iheardthatnoiseagain。
　　I'mafraidit'sastampedeofwildhorses。”Trench，whohadhadhiseartotheground，satupsuddenly。Butnobodypaidanyattentiontohim。
　　"Come，DenmarkSaxon，let'sclosethedayinsongandstory。
　　YoutellthestoryandthenI'llsingthesong，"somebodydeclared。
　　"Aw-w-w!"aprolongedchorus。"Makeyourstorylong，Dennie；
　　makeitlengthy。”
　　"Don'tyoudoit，Dennie。Itellyouthisgroundisshaking。
　　Ifeelit，"Trenchinsisted。
　　"Say，who'sgotthebromo-seltzer？Therightguard'ssupperisn'ttreatinghimright。Goahead，Dennie，"thecrowdurged。
　　Theywereallinacircleaboutthefire。ItsflickeringglowlightedVicBurleigh'sruggedface，andgleamedinhisauburnhair。
　　ElinorsatbetweenhimandVincentBurgess。DenniewasjustbeyondVincent，whonotedincidentallytheplayoflightandshadowontheblowsyripplesofherhairthatnightandremembereditallonadaylongafterward。
　　"Onceuponatime，"Denniebegan，therewasabeautifulKickapooIndianmaiden——"
　　"Yep，anyKickapoo'sabeaut。Hurryup，Dennie。Ihearsomethingcoming。”
　　Itwasthebiglazyguardagain。
　　"Oh!VicBurleigh，sitonhisprostrateform。Goon，Dennie，"
　　thecompanyinsisted，andshecontinued。
　　"HernamewasTheFawnoftheMorningLight，herbestloverwasSwiftElk。”
　　"YoubeMrs。SwiftElk——"butVicBurleigh'sarmaboutTrench'sthroatchokedhiswords。
　　"AndtherewasawilySioux，namedRedFox。wholovedtheFawnandwantedhertomarryhim。Shewouldn'tdoit。
　　TheKickapooswereheap-biggrafters，andtheyhadthisoldCorralfullofponiesandjunktheyhadrelievedothertribesofcaringfor。
　　Andtheonlywaytogetinhere，besidesfallingoverthebluffandbecomingapin-cushionforpoisonedarrows，wastocomeinbytheshallowsintheriverwherethefordisnowaboveoldLagonda'spool，andmostIndiansneededadiagramforthat。”
　　AlthoughDenniespokelightly，sheshudderedalittleatthethought，andthewholecompanygrewgraver。
　　"AnIndiandoesn'tforget。So，RedFox，whohadsworntohaveTheFawn，camedownherewithhundredsofSiouxwhowantedtheponiestheKickapooshadstolen，asRedFoxwantedSwiftElk'sgirl。
　　TheKickapooswouldn'tgiveuptheponiesandSwiftElkwouldn'tgiveupTheFawn。Sothesiegebegan。RightwherewearesosafeandpeacefultonightthoseKickapoosfought，andstarved，anddied，whiletheSiouxkeptcruelwatchonthetopofthatoldstoneledge，neverlettingoneescape。Atlast，afterhoursandhoursofsiege，TheFawnandSwiftElkdecidedtoescapebytheriverinthenight。
　　Astormhadcomeonsuddenly，andacloudburstuptheWalnutwassendingaperfectsurgeofwaterdownaroundthebend。ThetwoloverswerecaughtinitssweepandcarriedbeyondtheshallowswhenaflashoflightningshowedthemtoRedFoxwatchingonthebluffupthere。
　　AtthenextflashhesentanarrowstraightthroughSwiftElk'sbodyandintoTheFawn'sshoulder，pinningthetwotogether。
　　TheSiouxleapedintothestreamtosavethegirlheloved，buttheheavycurrentsweptthemtowardthewhirlpool，andbeforetheycouldpreventthedyingandwoundedandrescuingwereallcaughtbythefatalsuction。ThentheSiouxwarriorsrushedinfromallsides，upstream，downtheblufffromwestprairie，andovertheCorral，andslaughteredeveryKickapoohere。
　　Theirfierceyellsandtheshrieksofthesquawsandpappooses，thepoundingofhorses'hoofsinthestampedeofhundredsofponies，theroaroftheriver，thewrathofthestormmadeascenethisoldCorralwillneverseeagain。”Denniepaused。
　　"IthinkIhearsomethinglikeit，rightnow，"cameTrench'sirrepressiblevoicefromtheshadowsintheedgeofthecircle。
　　Butnobodyheededit。
　　Andallthewhilefromfaracrossthewestprairiethestormcloudwasrollingin，blackandangry，blowingitshotbreathbeforeit，whilefromacloudburstupstreamanhourbeforeagreatsurgeofwaterwasrushingdowntheWalnut，turningthequietrivertoamurderousflood。
　　ButthehighwallshidallthisfromthevalleyandtheheedlessyoungfolktookthefulltimelimitoftheirholidayintheshelteringgloomoftheoldKickapooCorral。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THESTORM
　　_Rockandmoan，androaralone，Andthedreadofsomenamelessthingunknown_——
　　LOWELL
　　THEsilencefollowingDennie'sstorywasbrokenbyasuddenpealofthunderoverhead。AtthesameinstanttheblacknessofmidnightlifteditselfabovethestoneledgesanddroppeddownupontheCorral，smotheringeverythingindarkness。
　　Arushingwhirlwind，aluridblazeoflightning，andasecondpealofthunderthrewthecampintoblinddisorder。
　　Intheminute'slullfollowingthefirststormherald，therewasawildscramblingforwrapsandlunchbaskets。
　　Thenthedarknessthickenedandthestorm'sfuryburstuponthecrowd——amadlashingofbendingtreetops，ablindingwhirlofdustfillingtheair，thethunder'sterrificcannonade，theincessantblazeoflightning，therattlingofthedistantrain；
　　andaboveallthese，unlikethemall，asteady，dreadfulroaring，comingnearereachmoment。
　　ProfessorBurgesswasnocoward，buthehadlittlepowerofgeneralship。
　　Asthecrowdhuddledtogetherundertheswayingtrees，TrenchcalledtoBurleigh:
　　"There'sbeenacloudburstupstream。TheroarI'vebeenhearingisawallofwatercomingdown。We'vegottogetoutofthis。”
　　ThenaboveallthecrashingandboomingtheyheardVicBurleigh'svoice:
　　"Everyfellowtakeagirlandrunfortheford。Comeon!"
　　Inthedarkness，eachboycaughtthearmofthegirlnearesthimandmadeadashfortheford。AflashoflightningshowedBurleighthatthewhite-facedgirlclingingtohisarmwasElinorWream。Afterthat，thestormwasaplaythingforhim。
　　ThefirsttoreachthefordwereVincentBurgessandDennieSaxon。Denniewassure-footedandsheknewbyinstinctwheretofindtheshallows。
　　Buttheriverwasrisingrapidlyandthewaterswereblackandangryunderthelightning'sglitter。AsthecrowdheldbackVicshouted:
　　"You'llhavetowade。It'snotverydeepyet。Professor，youmustcrossfirst，andcount'emastheycome。Goquick!Oneatatime。
　　Thewayisnarrow。AndforGod'ssake，keeptotheuppersideoftheshallows。Standinthemiddle，Trench，anddon'tletthemgetdownstreambelowyou。”
　　TheywereallsafelyacrossexceptVicandElinor，whenTrenchcriedout:
　　"Sendyourgirlinquick，Burleigh，andyourunwest。
　　Thefloodisatthebendnow。Hurry!"
　　"Runin，Elinor。Trenchwilltakeyouthrough，andI'llfollow，forIcanswimandhecan't。I'llberightbehindyou。Run!"
　　AvisionofthewhirlpoolandofSwiftElkandTheFawnflashedintoElinor'smind，fillingherwithterror。
　　BeforeViccouldpushherforward，Trenchshouted:
　　"It'stoolate。Don'ttryit。I'vegottorun。”
　　Hewasstrongandsure-footedandhefoughthiswaygallantlytothefurthersideasagreatwaveswirledaroundthecurveoftheriver，engulfingtheshallowsinitsmadsurge。
　　Whenhereachedtheeastbankthecountofthecompanynumberedallbuttwo。
　　"It'sVicandElinor，"Trenchdeclared。"Vicwouldn'tcometillthelast，andElinorwastoodeadscaredtotrustanybodyelse，Iguess。
　　Nobodycouldcrosstherenow，Professor。ButVicisasstrongasanoxandhe'snotafraidofthedevil。He'llkeepboththeirheadsabovewater。
　　HewantstowinoutintheThanksgivinggametoomuchtogetlostnow。
　　Trusthimtogetupthebluffsomeway，andbacktotownbytheMainstreetbridgelikeasnot，beforewegetthere。There'snoshelterbetweenhereandLagondaLedge。Let'sallcutforitbeforetherainbeatsusintothemud。”
　　Thedelugewasjustbeginning，so，safe，butwet，andmud-smeared，fightingwindandrainanddarkness，takingitallasajollylark，althoughtheyhadsliddenintosafetybutahand'sbreadthinfrontofdeath，thecouplesstraggledbacktotown。
　　VincentBurgess，anxious，angry，andjealous，foundanunconsciouscomfortinDennieSaxoninthathomewardstruggle。ShewassocapableandcheerythatheforgotalittlethegirlwhohadassurelydrawnhimKansas-wardashisinterestintypesandgeographicalbreadthhaddone。
　　Itdimlyenteredhisconsciousness，ashetoldDenniegood-bye，thatmaybeshehadbeenthemostdesirablecompanionofthecrowdonsuchanightasthis。
　　Heknew，atleast，thathewouldhaveshownElinormuchmoreattentionthanhehadshowntoDennie，andheknewthatElinorwouldhaverequireditofhim。
　　ThelightfromthehallwasstreamingacrosstheverandaoftheSaxonHouse，abeamasfaithfulandfriendlyattheborderofthelowercampusasthebiggerbeaconinthecollegeturretuponthelime-stoneridge。
　　AsBurgessstartedawaytheworstdelugeofthenightfelloutofthesky，sohedroppeddownonaseattowaitforthedownpourtoweaken。
　　Hewasverytiredandhismindwasfeverishlybusy。WherecouldBurleighandElinorbenow？Whatdangersmightthreatenthem？
　　WhatillmightbefallElinorfromexposuretothisbeatingstorm？
　　Hewasfranticwiththethought。ThenherecalledDennie，thegirlwhowasworkingherwaythroughcollege，whomhe——ProfessorVincentBurgess，A。B。，fromHarvard——hadescortedhome。HowcheapKansaswasmakinghim。
　　TheboysandgirlshadtakenDennieasoneofthemtoday；
　　andtruly，shedidaddtothecomfortandpleasureoftheouting。
　　Itseemedallrightdowninthewoodswhereallwasunconventional。
　　Butnow，alone，inhowcommonagradeheseemedtohaveplacedhimself，tobeforcedtopayattentiontothepoorestgirlinschool。
　　Hischeeksgrewhotattheverythoughtofit。
　　Intheshadows，beyondhim，aformstraightenedupstupidly:
　　"Shay，ProfeshBurgush，thatyou？"
　　Dennie'sfather，half-drunkenstill!Oh，Shadesofclassicculture!
　　Towhatdepthsinsocialcontactmayacollegemanfallinthiswretchedland!
　　"Shay!Is'tyou，orain'tityou？Yougonnatellme？"
　　OldBondqueried。
　　"ThisisVincentBurgess，"theyoungmanreplied。
　　"Denniehome？"thefatherasked。
　　"Yes，sir，"camethecurtanswer。
　　"Who？Whobringherhome？VicBurleigh？"
　　"Ibroughtherhome。Sheisagoodgirl，too。”
　　Inspiteofhimself，Burgessresentedtheshameofsuchafatherforthecapable，happy-spiriteddaughter。
　　"Yesh，Dennie'sgoodgirl，allright。”
　　Thenasilencefell。
　　Presently，theoldmanspokeagain。
　　"Shay，Profesh，'dyeminddoin'somethin'forme？"
　　"Whatisit？"Burgesswasbynaturecourteous。
　　"Ifanythingsh'deverhappentome，'dyoutakecareofDennie？Shay，wouldyou？"
　　"IfIcoulddoanythingforher，Iwoulddoit，"theyoungmanreplied。
　　"Somethin'gonnahappentome。Iain'tshafe。IknowI'llgothatway。Butyou'llbegoodtoDennie。Now，wouldn'tyou？
　　I'daskFunnybone，buthe'snoshafer'nIam。Noshafer!
　　You'llbegoodtoDennie，yousaidso。Shayitagain!"
　　BondwasstandingnowbendingthreateninglytowardBurgess，whohadalsorisen。
　　"I'lldoallthatagentlemanoughttodo。”Hehadonlyonethought——
　　topacifythedrunkenmanandgetaway。Andtheoldmanunderstood。
　　"Shwearit，Itellyou!Lif'upyourrighthandan'——an'shweartotakecareofDennie，orI'llkillyou!"Bondinsisted。
　　Hewasalarge，muscularman，toweringovertheslenderyoungprofessorlikeaverygiant，andinhiseyestherewasacruelgleam。
　　VincentBurgesswasatthelimitofmentalresistance。
　　Liftinghisshapelyrighthandintheshadowylight，hesaidwearily:
　　"Iswearit!"
　　"Onemorequestion，andyoumaygo。YouknowthatlittleboyVicBurleightakescareofhere？"
　　TheProfessorhadheardofhim。
　　"Vickeepsthatlittleboyallright。Hedon'tcomplainnone。
　　S'poseyouhelpmewatchum，Profesh。”Thenasanafterthought，Saxonadded:"Youngwomanlivin'outnorthoftown。
　　Prettywoman。Shedon'tknownothing'boutthatlittleboy。
　　Now，honest，shedon't。Livesallbyherselfwithabigdog。”
　　Jealousyisanugly，suspiciousbeast。VincentBurgesswasnoworsethanmanyothermenwouldhavebeen，becausehismindleapedtothemeaningoldSaxon'swordsmightcarry。
　　AndthiswasthemanwithElinorinthedarknessandthestorm。
　　BeforeBurgesscouldthinkclearly，Saxoncameastepnearer。
　　"Shay，where'sVictonight？"
　　"AcrosstheriverwithMissWream。Theywerecutoffbythedeepwater，"Vincentanswered。
　　AquickchangefromdrunkennesstosobersenseleapedintoBondSaxon'seyes。
　　"Acrosstheriver!GreatGod!"Thensternly，withagrimsetofjaw，hecommanded:"Yougohome!Ifyoudaretosayaword，I'llkillyou。
　　Ifyoutrytofollowme，he'llkillyou。Gohome!I'mgoingoverthere，ifIdieforit。”Andthedarknessandrainswallowedhimasheleapedawaytothewestward!
　　BurgessgazedintotheblacknessintowhichBondSaxonhadgoneuntilasofthandtouchedhis，andhelookeddowntoseelittleBugBuler，cladinhisnightgown，standingbarefootbesidehim。