Intwohoursmoretheyhadovertakenthetrain，alreadyonthemarch，andwereinthemidstofthegroupofoutriders。JudgePeyton'sface，albeitatrifleperplexed，turnedtowardsClarencewithakindly，half-tolerantlookofwelcome。Theboy'sheartinstantlymeltedwithforgiveness。
"Well，myboy，let'shearYOURstory。Whathappened?"
Clarencecastahurriedglancearound，andsawJim，withfaceaverted，ridinggloomilybehind。Thennervouslyandhurriedlyhetoldhowhehadbeenthrownintothegullyonthebackofthewoundedbuffalo，andthemannerofhisescape。Anaudibletitterranthroughthecavalcade。Mr。Peytonregardedhimgravely。"Buthowdidthebuffalogetsoconvenientlyintothegully?"heasked。
"JimHookerlamedhimwithashotgun，andhefellover，"saidClarencetimidly。
AroarofHomericlaughterwentupfromtheparty。Clarencelookedup，stungandstartled，butcaughtasingleglimpseofJimHooker'sfacethatmadehimforgethisownmortification。Initshopeless，heart-sick，andutterlybeatendejection——thefirstandonlyrealexpressionhehadseenonit——hereadthedreadfultruth。Jim'sREPUTATIONhadruinedhim!Theonegenuineandstrikingepisodeofhislife，theonetrustworthyaccounthehadgivenofit，hadbeenunanimouslyacceptedasthebiggestandmostconsummatelieofhisrecord!
CHAPTERVII
Withthisincidentofthehuntclosed，toClarence，thelastrememberedepisodeofhisjourney。Buthedidnotknowuntillongafterthatithadalsoclosedtohimwhatmighthavebeentheopeningofanewcareer。ForithadbeenJudgePeyton'sintentioninadoptingSusytoincludeacertainguardianshipandprotectionoftheboy，providedhecouldgettheconsentofthatvaguerelationtowhomhewasconsigned。ButithadbeenpointedoutbyMrs。PeytonandherbrotherthatClarence'sassociationwithJimHookerhadmadehimadoubtfulcompanionforSusy，andeventheJudgehimselfwasforcedtoadmitthattheboy'sapparenttasteforevilcompanywasinconsistentwithhisallegedbirthandbreeding。
Unfortunately，Clarence，intheconvictionofbeinghopelesslymisunderstood，andthatdoggedacquiescencetofatewhichwasoneofhischaracteristics，wastooproudtocorrecttheimpressionbyanyofthehypocraciesofchildhood。HehadalsoacloudyinstinctofloyaltytoJiminhisdisgrace，without，however，experiencingeitherthesympathyofanequalorthezealofapartisan，butrather——ifitcouldbesaidofaboyofhisyears——withthepatronageandprotectionofasuperior。SoheacceptedwithoutdemurtheintimationthatwhenthetrainreachedCaliforniahewouldbeforwardedfromStocktonwithanoutfitandaletterofexplanationtoSacramento，itbeingunderstoodthatintheeventofnotfindinghisrelativehewouldreturntothePeytonsinoneofthesouthernvalleys，wheretheyelectedtopurchaseatractofland。
Withthisoutlook，andtheprospectofchange，independence，andalltherichpossibilitiesthattotheimaginationofyouthareincludedinthem，Clarencehadfoundthedaysdragging。ThehaltatSaltLake，thetransitofthedrearyAlkalidesert，eventhewildpassageoftheSierras，werebutablurredpictureinhismemory。Thesightofeternalsnowsandtherollingofendlessranksofpines，thefirstglimpseofahillsideofwildoats，thespectacleofarushingyellowriverthattohisfancyseemedtingedwithgold，weremomentaryexcitements，quicklyforgotten。Butwhen，onemorning，haltingattheoutskirtsofastrugglingsettlement，hefoundtheentirepartyeagerlygatheredaroundapassingstranger，whohadtakenfromhissaddle-bagsasmallbuckskinpouchtoshowthemadoublehandfulofshiningscalesofmetal，Clarencefeltthefirstfeverishandovermasteringthrillofthegold-seekers。Breathlesslyhefollowedthebreathlessquestionsandcarelessreplies。Thegoldhadbeendugoutofaplaceronlythirtymilesaway。Itmightbeworth，say，ahundredandfiftydollars；itwasonlyHISshareofaweek'sworkwithtwopartners。Itwasnotmuch；"thecountrywasgettingplayedoutwithfresharrivalsandgreenhorns。"Allthisfallingcarelesslyfromtheunshavenlipsofadusty，roughlydressedman，withalong-handledshovelandpickaxestrappedonhisback，andafrying-
pandependingfromhissaddle。ButnopanopliedorarmedknighteverseemedsoheroicorindependentafiguretoClarence。Whatcouldbefinerthanthenoblescornconveyedinhiscriticalsurveyofthetrain，withitscomfortablecoveredwagonsandappliancesofcivilization?"Ye'llhevtogetridofthemtherfixin'sifyergoin'inforplacerdiggin'!"WhatacorroborationofClarence'srealthoughts!Whatapictureofindependencewasthis!Thepicturesquescout，theall-powerfulJudgePeyton，thedaringyoungofficer，allcrumbledontheirclayeypedestalsbeforethisheroinaredflannelshirtandhigh-toppedboots。Tostrollaroundintheopenairallday，andpickupthoseshiningbitsofmetal，withoutstudy，withoutmethodorroutine——thiswasreallylife；tosomedaycomeuponthatlargenugget"youcouldn'tlift，"thatwasworthasmuchasthetrainandhorses——suchaoneasthestrangersaidwasfoundtheotherdayatSawyer'sBar——thiswasworthgivingupeverythingfor。Thatroughman，withhissmileofcarelesssuperiority，wasthelivinglinkbetweenClarenceandtheThousandandOneNights；inhimwereAladdinandSindbadincarnate。
TwodayslatertheyreachedStockton。HereClarence，whosesinglesuitofclotheshadbeenreinforcedbypatching，oddsandendsfromPeyton'sstores，andanextraordinarycostumeofarmycloth，gotupbytheregimentaltailoratFortRidge，wastakentoberefittedatageneralfurnishing"emporium。"Butalas!intheselectionoftheclothingforthatadultlocalityscantprovisionseemedtohavebeenmadeforaboyofClarence'syears，andhewaswithdifficultyfittedfromanoldcondemnedGovernmentstoreswith"aboy's"
seamansuitandabrass-buttonedpea-jacket。TothisoutfitMr。
Peytonaddedasmallsumofmoneyforhisexpenses，andaletterofexplanationtohiscousin。Thestage-coachwastostartatnoon。
ItonlyremainedforClarencetotakeleaveoftheparty。ThefinalpartingwithSusyhadbeendiscountedonthetwopreviousdayswithsometears，smallfrightsandclingings，andtheexpresseddeterminationonthechild'spart"togowithhim；"butintheexcitementofthearrivalatStocktonitwasstillfurthermitigated，andundertheinfluenceofalittlepresentfromClarence——hisfirstdisbursementofhissmallcapital——hadatlasttakentheformandpromiseofmerelytemporaryseparation。
Nevertheless，whentheboy'sscantypackwasdepositedunderthestage-coachseat，andhehadbeenleftalone，heranrapidlybacktothetrainforonemomentmorewithSusy。Pantingandalittlefrightened，hereachedMrs。Peyton'scar。
"Goodness!You'renotgoneyet，"saidMrs。Peytonsharply。"Doyouwanttolosethestage?"
Aninstantbefore，inhisloneliness，hemighthaveanswered，"Yes。"ButunderthecruelstingofMrs。Peyton'sevidentannoyanceathisreappearancehefelthislegssuddenlytremble，andhisvoicelefthim。HedidnotdaretolookatSusy。Buthervoicerosecomfortablyfromthedepthsofthewagonwhereshewassitting。
"Thestagewillbegoneaway，Kla'uns。"
Shetoo!Shameathisfoolishweaknesssenttheyearningbloodthathadsettledroundhisheartflyingbackintohisface。
"Iwaslookingfor——for——forJim，ma'am，"hesaidatlast，boldly。
HesawalookofdisgustpassoverMrs。Peyton'sface，andfeltamalicioussatisfactionasheturnedandranbacktothestage。Buthere，tohissurprise，heactuallyfoundJim，whomhereallyhadn'tthoughtof，darklywatchingthelaststrappingofluggage。Withamannercalculatedtoconveytheimpressiontotheotherpassengersthathewaspartingfromabrothercriminal，probablyonhiswaytoastateprison，JimshookhandsgloomilywithClarence，andeyedtheotherpassengersfurtivelybetweenhismatedlocks。
"Efyehearo'anythin'happenin'，ye'llknowwhat'sup，"hesaid，inalow，hoarse，butperfectlyaudiblewhisper。"Meandthem'sboundtopartcompanyaforelong。TellthefellowsatDeadman'sGulchtolookoutformeatanytime。"
AlthoughClarencewasnotgoingtoDeadman'sGulch，knewnothingofit，andhadafaintsuspicionthatJimwasequallyignorant，yetasoneortwoofthepassengersglancedanxiouslyatthedemure，gray-
eyedboywhoseemedbookedforsuchabalefuldestination，hereallyfeltthehalf-delighted，half-frightenedconsciousnessthathewasstartinginlifeunderfascinatingimmoralpretenses。Buttheforwardspringofthefine-spiritedhorses，thequickenedmotion，theglitteringsunlight，andthethoughtthathereallywasleavingbehindhimalltheshacklesofdependenceandcustom，andplungingintoalifeoffreedom，droveallelsefromhismind。Heturnedatlastfromthishopeful，blissfulfuture，andbegantoexaminehisfellowpassengerswithboyishcuriosity。Wedgedinbetweentwosilentmenonthefrontseat，oneofwhomseemedafarmer，andtheother，byhisblackattire，aprofessionalman，Clarencewasfinallyattractedbyablack-mantled，dark-haired，bonnetlesswomanonthebackseat，whoseattentionseemedtobemonopolizedbythejoculargallantriesofhercompanionsandthetwomenbeforeherinthemiddleseat。Fromherpositionhecouldseelittlemorethanherdarkeyes，whichoccasionallyseemedtomeethisfrankcuriosityinanamusedsortofway，buthewaschieflystruckbytheprettyforeignsoundofhermusicalvoice，whichwasunlikeanythinghehadeverheardbefore，and——alasfortheinconstancyofyouth——muchfinerthanMrs。Peyton's。Presentlyhisfarmercompanion，castingapatronizingglanceonClarence'spea-jacketandbrassbuttons，saidcheerily——
"Jestoffavoyage，sonny?"
"No，sir，"stammeredClarence；"Icameacrosstheplains。"
"ThenIreckonthat'stherig-outforthecrewofaprairieschooner，eh?"TherewasalaughatthiswhichperplexedClarence。
Observingit，thehumoristkindlycondescendedtoexplainthat"prairieschooner"wasthecurrentslangforanemigrantwagon。
"Icouldn't，"explainedClarence，naivelylookingatthedarkeyesonthebackseat，"getanyclothesatStocktonbutthese；Isupposethefolksdidn'tthinkthere'deverbeboysinCalifornia。"
Thesimplicityofthisspeechevidentlyimpressedtheothers，forthetwomeninthemiddleseatsturnedatawhisperfromtheladyandregardedhimcuriously。Clarenceblushedslightlyandbecamesilent。Presentlythevehiclebegantoslackenitsspeed。Theywereascendingahill；oneitherbankgrewhugecottonwoods，fromwhichoccasionallydependedabeautifulscarletvine。
"Ah!eeteespretty，"saidthelady，noddingherblack-veiledheadtowardsit。"Eetisgoodinzehair。"
Oneofthemenmadeanawkwardattempttoclutchasprayfromthewindow。AbrilliantinspirationflasheduponClarence。Whenthestagebegantheascentofthenexthill，followingtheexampleofanoutsidepassenger，hejumpeddowntowalk。Atthetopofthehillherejoinedthestage，flushedandpanting，butcarryingasmallbranchofthevineinhisscratchedhands。Handingittothemanonthemiddleseat，hesaid，withgrave，boyishpoliteness——
"Please——forthelady。"
AslightsmilepassedoverthefaceofClarence'sneighbors。Thebonnetlesswomannoddedapleasantacknowledgment，andcoquettishlywoundthevineinherglossyhair。Thedarkmanathisside，whohadn'tspokenyet，turnedtoClarencedryly。
"Ifyou'regoin'tokeepupthisgait，sonny，Ireckonyewon'tfindmuchtroublegettin'aman'ssuittofityoubythetimeyoureachSacramento。"
Clarencedidn'tquiteunderstandhim，butnoticedthatasingulargravityseemedtoovertakethetwojocularmenonthemiddleseat，andtheladylookedoutofthewindow。Hecametotheconclusionthathehadmadeamistakeaboutalludingtohisclothesandhissize。Hemusttryandbehavemoremanly。Thatopportunityseemedtobeofferedtwohourslater，whenthestagestoppedatawaysidehotelorrestaurant。
Twoorthreepassengershadgotdowntorefreshthemselvesatthebar。Hisrightandlefthandneighborswere，however，engagedinadrawlingconversationonthecomparativemeritsofSanFranciscosandhillandwaterlots；thejocularoccupantsofthemiddleseatwerestillengrossedwiththelady。Clarenceslippedoutofthestageandenteredthebar-roomwithsomeostentation。Thecompleteignoringofhispersonbythebarkeeperandhiscustomers，however，somewhatdisconcertedhim。Hehesitatedamoment，andthenreturnedgravelytothestagedoorandopenedit。
"Wouldyoumindtakingadrinkwithme，sir?"saidClarencepolitely，addressingthefarmer-lookingpassengerwhohadbeenmostciviltohim。Adeadsilencefollowed。Thetwomenonthemiddleseatfacedentirelyaroundtogazeathim。
"TheCommodoreasksifyou'lltakeadrinkwithhim，"explainedoneofthementoClarence'sfriendwiththegreatestseriousness。
"Eh?Oh，yes，certainly，"returnedthatgentleman，changinghisastonishedexpressiontooneofthedeepestgravity，"seeingit'stheCommodore。"
"Andperhapsyouandyourfriendwilljoin，too?"saidClarencetimidlytothepassengerwhohadexplained；"andyoutoo，sir?"headdedtothedarkman。
"Really，gentlemen，Idon'tseehowwecanrefuse，"saidthelatter，withthegreatestformality，andappealingtotheothers。
"Acomplimentofthiskindfromourdistinguishedfriendisnottobetakenlightly。"
"Ihaveobserved，sir，thattheCommodore'sheadislevel，"
returnedtheothermanwithequalgravity。
Clarencecouldhavewishedtheyhadnottreatedhisfirsthospitableeffortquitesoformally，butastheysteppedfromthecoachwithunbendingfacesheledthem，alittlefrightened，intothebar-room。Here，unfortunately，ashewasbarelyabletoreachoverthecounter，thebarkeeperwouldhaveagainoverlookedhimbutforaquickglancefromthedarkman，whichseemedtochangeeventhebarkeeper'sperfunctorysmilingfaceintosupernaturalgravity。
"TheCommodoreisstandingtreat，"saidthedarkman，withunbrokenseriousness，indicatingClarence，andleaningbackwithanairofrespectfulformality。"Iwilltakestraightwhiskey。TheCommodore，onaccountofjustchangingclimate，will，Ibelieve，forthepresentcontenthimselfwithlemonsoda。"
Clarencehadpreviouslyresolvedtotakewhiskey，liketheothers，butalittledoubtfulofthepolitenessofcountermandinghisguest'sorder，andperhapsslightlyembarrassedbythefactthatalltheothercustomersseemedtohavegatheredroundhimandhispartywithequallyimmovablefaces，hesaidhurriedly:
"Lemonsodaforme，please。"
"TheCommodore，"saidthebarkeeperwithimpassivefeatures，ashebentforwardandwipedthecounterwithprofessionaldeliberation，"isright。Nomatterhowmuchamanmaybeaccustomedallhislifetoliquor，whenheischangingclimate，gentlemen，hesays'Lemonsodaforme'allthetime。"
"Perhaps，"saidClarence，brightening，"youwilljointoo?"
"Ishallbeproudonthisoccasion，sir。"
"Ithink，"saidthetallman，stillasceremoniouslyunbendingasbefore，"thattherecanbebutonetoasthere，gentlemen。IgiveyouthehealthoftheCommodore。Mayhisshadowneverbeless。"
Thehealthwasdrunksolemnly。Clarencefelthischeekstingleandinhisexcitementdrankhisownhealthwiththeothers。Yethewasdisappointedthattherewasnotmorejoviality；hewonderedifmenalwaysdranktogethersostiffly。Anditoccurredtohimthatitwouldbeexpensive。Nevertheless，hehadhispurseallreadyostentatiouslyinhishand；infact，thepayingforitoutofhisownmoneywasnottheleastmanlyandindependentpleasurehehadpromisedhimself。"Howmuch?"heasked，withanaffectationofcarelessness。
Thebarkeepercasthiseyeprofessionallyoverthebarroom。"I
thinkyousaidtreatsforthecrowd；callittwentydollarstomakeevenchange。"
Clarence'sheartsank。HehadheardalreadyoftheexaggerationofCaliforniaprices。Twentydollars!Itwashalfhisfortune。
Nevertheless，withanheroiceffort，hecontrolledhimself，andwithslightlynervousfingerscountedoutthemoney。Itstruckhim，however，ascurious，nottosayungentlemanly，thatthebystanderscranedtheirnecksoverhisshouldertolookatthecontentsofhispurse，althoughsomeslightexplanationwasofferedbythetallman。
"TheCommodore'spurse，gentlemen，isreallyasingularone。
Permitme，"hesaid，takingitfromClarence'shandwithgreatpoliteness。"Itisoneofthenewpattern，youobserve，quiteworthyofinspection。"Hehandedittoamanbehindhim，whointurnhandedittoanother，whileachorusof"suthinquitenew，"
"thelateststyle，"followeditinitspassageroundtheroom，andindicatedtoClarenceitswhereabouts。Itwaspresentlyhandedbacktothebarkeeper，whohadbeggedalsotoinspectit，andwho，withanairofscrupulousceremonyinsisteduponplacingithimselfinClarence'ssidepocket，asifitwereanimportantpartofhisfunction。Thedriverherecalled"allaboard。"Thepassengershurriedlyreseatedthemselves，andtheepisodeabruptlyended。
For，toClarence'ssurprise，theseattentivefriendsofamomentagoatoncebecameinterestedintheviewsofanewpassengerconcerningthelocalpoliticsofSanFrancisco，andhefoundhimselfutterlyforgotten。Thebonnetlesswomanhadchangedherposition，andherheadwasnolongervisible。Thedisillusionanddepressionthatovercamehimsuddenlywereascompleteashispreviousexpectationsandhopefulnesshadbeenextravagant。Forthefirsttimehisutterunimportanceintheworldandhisinadequacytothisnewlifearoundhimcameuponhimcrushingly。
Theheatandjoltingofthestagecausedhimtofallintoaslightslumberandwhenheawokehefoundhistwoneighborshadjustgotoutatawaysidestation。Theyhadevidentlynotcaredtowakenhimtosay"Good-by。"Fromtheconversationoftheotherpassengershelearnedthatthetallmanwasawell-knowngambler，andtheonewholookedlikeafarmerwasashipcaptainwhohadbecomeawealthymerchant。Clarencethoughtheunderstoodnowwhythelatterhadaskedhimifhecameoffavoyage，andthatthenicknameof"Commodore"giventohim，Clarence，wassomejokeintendedforthecaptain'sunderstanding。Hemissedthem，forhewantedtotalktothemabouthisrelativeatSacramento，whomhewasnowsosoontosee。Atlast，betweensleepingandwaking，theendofhisjourneywasunexpectedlyreached。Itwasdark，but，being"steamernight，"theshopsandbusinessplaceswerestillopen，andMr。Peytonhadarrangedthatthestage-drivershoulddeliverClarenceattheaddressofhisrelativein"JStreet，"——anaddresswhichClarencehadluckilyremembered。Buttheboywassomewhatdiscomfitedtofindthatitwasalargeofficeorbanking-
house。He，however，descendedfromthestage，andwithhissmallpackinhishandenteredthebuildingasthestagedroveoff，and，addressingoneofthebusyclerks，askedfor"Mr。JacksonBrant。"
Therewasnosuchpersonintheoffice。Thereneverhadbeenanysuchperson。Thebankhadalwaysoccupiedthatbuilding。Wastherenotsomemistakeinthenumber?No；thename，number，andstreethadbeendeeplyengraftedintheboy'srecollection。Stop!
itmightbethenameofacustomerwhohadgivenhisaddressatthebank。Theclerkwhomadethissuggestiondisappearedpromptlytomakeinquiriesinthecounting-room。Clarence，witharapidlybeatingheart，awaitedhim。Theclerkreturned。Therewasnosuchnameonthebooks。JacksonBrantwasutterlyunknowntoeveryoneintheestablishment。
Foraninstantthecounteragainstwhichtheboywasleaningseemedtoyieldwithhisweight；hewasobligedtosteadyhimselfwithbothhandstokeepfromfalling。Itwasnothisdisappointment，whichwasterrible；itwasnotathoughtofhisfuture，whichseemedhopeless；itwasnothisinjuredprideatappearingtohavewillfullydeceivedMr。Peyton，whichwasmoredreadfulthanallelse；butitwasthesudden，sickeningsensethatHEhimselfhadbeendeceived，tricked，andfooled!Foritflasheduponhimforthefirsttimethatthevaguesenseofwrongwhichhadalwayshauntedhimwasthis——thatthiswasthevileculminationofaplantoGETRIDOFHIM，andthathehadbeendeliberatelylostandledastraybyhisrelativesashelplesslyandcompletelyasauselesscatordog!
Perhapstherewassomethingofthisinhisface，fortheclerk，staringathim，badehimsitdownforamoment，andagainvanishedintothemysteriousinterior。Clarencehadnoconceptionhowlonghewasabsent，orindeedanythingbuthisownbreathlessthoughts，forhewasconsciousofwonderingafterwardswhytheclerkwasleadinghimthroughadoorinthecounterintoaninnerroomofmanydesks，andagainthroughaglassdoorintoasmalleroffice，whereapreternaturallybusy-lookingmansatwritingatadesk。
Withoutlookingup，butpausingonlytoapplyablotting-padtothepaperbeforehim，themansaidcrisply——
"Soyou'vebeenconsignedtosomeonewhodon'tseemtoturnup，andcan'tbefound，eh?Nevermindthat，"asClarencelaidPeyton'sletterbeforehim。"Can'treaditnow。Well，IsupposeyouwanttobeshippedbacktoStockton?"
"No!"saidtheboy，recoveringhisvoicewithaneffort。
"Eh，that'sbusiness，though。Knowanybodyhere?"
"Notalivingsoul；that'swhytheysentme，"saidtheboy，insuddenrecklessdesperation。Hewasthemorefuriousthatheknewthetearswerestandinginhiseyes。
Theideaseemedtostrikethemanamusingly。"Looksalittlelikeit，don'tit?"hesaid，smilinggrimlyatthepaperbeforehim。
"Gotanymoney?"
"Alittle。"
"Howmuch?"
"Abouttwentydollars，"saidClarencehesitatingly。Themanopenedadrawerathisside，mechanically，forhedidnotraisehiseyes，andtookouttwoten-dollargoldpieces。"I'llgotwentybetter，"
hesaid，layingthemdownonthedesk。"That'llgiveyouachancetolookaround。Comebackhere，ifyoudon'tseeyourwayclear。"
Hedippedhispenintotheinkwithasignificantgestureasifclosingtheinterview。
Clarencepushedbackthecoin。"I'mnotabeggar，"hesaiddoggedly。
Themanthistimeraisedhisheadandsurveyedtheboywithtwokeeneyes。"You'renot，hey?Well，doIlooklikeone?"
"No，"stammeredClarence，asheglancedintotheman'shaughtyeyes。
"Yet，ifIwereinyourfix，I'dtakethatmoneyandbegladtogetit。"
"Ifyou'llletmepayyoubackagain，"saidClarence，alittleashamed，andconsiderablyfrightenedathisimpliedaccusationofthemanbeforehim。
"Youcan，"saidtheman，bendingoverhisdeskagain。
Clarencetookupthemoneyandawkwardlydrewouthispurse。Butitwasthefirsttimehehadtoucheditsinceitwasreturnedtohiminthebar-room，anditstruckhimthatitwasheavyandfull——
indeed，sofullthatonopeningitafewcoinsrolledoutontothefloor。Themanlookedupabruptly。
"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadonlytwentydollars?"heremarkedgrimly。
"Mr。Peytongavemeforty，"returnedClarence，stupefiedandblushing。"Ispenttwentydollarsfordrinksatthebar——and，"hestammered，"I——I——Idon'tknowhowtherestcamehere。"
"YouspenttwentydollarsforDRINKS?"saidtheman，layingdownhispen，andleaningbackinhischairtogazeattheboy。
"Yes——thatis——Itreatedsomegentlemenofthestage，sir，atDavidson'sCrossing。"
"Didyoutreatthewholestagecompany?"
"No，sir，onlyaboutfourorfive——andthebar-keeper。Buteverything'ssodearinCalifornia。Iknowthat。"
"Evidently。Butitdon'tseemtomakemuchdifferencewithYOU，"
saidtheman，glancingatthepurse。
"Theywantedmypursetolookat，"saidClarencehurriedly，"andthat'showthethinghappened。SomebodyputHISOWNMONEYbackintoMYpursebyaccident。"
"Ofcourse，"saidthemangrimly。
"Yes，that'sthereason，"saidClarence，alittlerelieved，butsomewhatembarrassedbytheman'spersistenteyes。
"Then，ofcourse，"saidtheotherquietly，"youdon'trequiremytwentydollarsnow。"
"But，"returnedClarencehesitatingly，"thisisn'tMYmoney。I
mustfindoutwhoitbelongsto，andgiveitbackagain。Perhaps，"
headdedtimidly，"Imightleaveitherewithyou，andcallforitwhenIfindtheman，orsendhimhere。"
WiththegreatestgravityhehereseparatedthesurplusfromwhatwasleftofPeyton'sgiftandthetwentydollarshehadjustreceived。Thebalanceunaccountedforwasfortydollars。Helaiditonthedeskbeforetheman，who，stilllookingathim，roseandopenedthedoor。
"Mr。Reed。"
TheclerkwhohadshownClarenceinappeared。
"Openanaccountwith——"HestoppedandturnedinterrogativelytoClarence。
"ClarenceBrant，"saidClarence，coloringwithexcitement。
"WithClarenceBrant。Takethatdeposit"——pointingtothemoney——
"andgivehimareceipt。"Hepausedastheclerkretiredwithawonderinggazeatthemoney，lookedagainatClarence，said，"I
thinkYOU'LLdo，"andreenteredtheprivateoffice，closingthedoorbehindhim。
IhopeitwillnotbedeemedinconceivablethatClarence，onlyafewmomentsbeforecrushedwithbitterdisappointmentandthehopelessrevelationofhisabandonmentbyhisrelatives，nowfelthimselfliftedupsuddenlyintoanimaginaryheightofindependenceandmanhood。Hewasleavingthebank，inwhichhestoodaminutebeforeafriendlessboy，notasasuccessfulbeggar，forthisimportantmanhaddisclaimedtheidea，butabsolutelyasacustomer!adepositor!abusinessmanlikethegrown-upclientswhowerethrongingtheouteroffice，andbeforetheeyesoftheclerkwhohadpitiedhim!Andhe，Clarence，hadbeenspokentobythisman，whosenamehenowrecognizedastheonethatwasonthedoorofthebuilding——amanofwhomhisfellow-passengershadspokenwithadmiringenvy——abankerfamousinallCalifornia!Willitbedeemedincrediblethatthisimaginativeandhopefulboy，forgettingallelse，theobjectofhisvisit，andeventhefactthatheconsideredthismoneywasnothisown，actuallyputhishatalittleononesideashestrolledoutonhiswaytothestreetsandprospectivefortune?
Twohourslaterthebankerhadanothervisitor。Itchancedtobethefarmer-lookingmanwhohadbeenClarence'sfellow-passenger。
Evidentlyaprivilegedperson，hewasatonceusheredas"CaptainStevens"intothepresenceofthebanker。Attheendofafamiliarbusinessinterviewthecaptainaskedcarelessly——
"Anylettersforme?"
Thebusybankerpointedwithhispentotheletter"S"inarowofalphabeticallylabeledpigeon-holesagainstthewall。Thecaptain，havingselectedhiscorrespondence，pausedwithaletterinhishand。
"Lookhere，Carden，therearelettershereforsomechapcalled'JohnSilsbee。'TheywereherewhenIcalled，tenweeksago。"
"Well?"
"That'sthenameofthatPikeCountymanwhowaskilledbyInjinsintheplains。The'Friscopapershadalltheparticularslastnight；maybeit'sforthatfellow。Ithasn'tgotapostmark。Wholeftithere?"
Mr。Cardensummonedaclerk。ItappearedthattheletterhadbeenleftbyacertainBrantFauquier，tobecalledfor。
CaptainStevenssmiled。"Brant'sbeentoobusydealin'farotothinkof'emagin，andsincethatshootin'affairatAngels'Ihearhe'sskippedtothesoutherncoastsomewhere。CalJohnson，hisoldchum，wasintheupstagefromStocktonthisafternoon。"
"DidyoucomebytheupstagefromStocktonthisafternoon?"saidCarden，lookingup。
"Yes，asfarasTen-mileStation——rodetherestofthewayhere。"
"Didyounoticeaqueerlittleold-fashionedkid——aboutsohigh——
likearunawayschool-boy?"
"DidI?ByG——d，sir，hetreatedmetodrinks。"
Cardenjumpedfromhischair。"Thenhewasn'tlying!"
"No!Welethimdoit；butwemadeitgoodforthelittlechapafterwards。Hello!What'sup?"
ButMr。CardenwasalreadyintheouterofficebesidetheclerkwhohadadmittedClarence。
"YourememberthatboyBrantwhowashere?"
"Yes，sir。"
"Wheredidhego?"
"Don'tknow，sir。"
"Goandfindhimsomewhereandsomehow。Gotoallthehotels，restaurants，andgin-millsnearhere，andhunthimup。Takesomeonewithyou，ifyoucan'tdoitalone。Bringhimbackhere，quick!"
Itwasnearlymidnightwhentheclerkfruitlesslyreturned。Itwasthefiercehighnoonof"steamernights"；lightflashedbrilliantlyfromshops，counting-houses，drinking-saloons，andgambling-hells。
Thestreetswereyetfullofeager，hurryingfeet——swiftoffortune，ambition，pleasure，orcrime。Butfromamongthesedeeperharsherfootfallstheechoofthehomelessboy'slight，innocenttreadseemedtohavediedoutforever。
CHAPTERVIII
WhenClarencewasoncemoreinthebusystreetbeforethebank，itseemedcleartohisboyishmindthat，beingnowcastadriftupontheworldandresponsibletonoone，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotatonceproceedtothenearestgoldmines!TheideaofreturningtoMr。PeytonandSusy，asadisownedandabandonedoutcast，wasnottobethoughtof。Hewouldpurchasesomekindofanoutfit，suchashehadseentheminerscarry，andstartoffassoonashehadgothissupper。Butalthoughoneofhismostdelightfulanticipationshadbeentheunfetteredfreedomoforderingamealatarestaurant，onenteringthefirstonehefoundhimselftheobjectofsomuchcuriosity，partlyfromhissizeandpartlyfromhisdress，whichtheunfortunateboywasbeginningtosuspectwasreallypreposterous，andheturnedawaywithastammeredexcuse，anddidnottryanother。Furtheronhefoundabaker'sshop，whereherefreshedhimselfwithsomegingerbreadandlemonsoda。Atanadjacentgroceryhepurchasedsomeherrings，smokedbeef，andbiscuits，asfutureprovisionsforhis"pack"orkit。Thenbeganhisrealquestforanoutfit。Inanhourhehadsecured——ostensiblyforsomefriend，toavoidcuriousinquiry——apan，ablanket，ashovelandpick，allofwhichhedepositedatthebaker's，hisunostentatiousheadquarters，withtheexceptionofapairofdisguisinghighbootsthathalfhidhissailortrousers，whichhekepttoputonatthelast。Eventohisinexperiencethecostofthesearticlesseemedenormous；whenhispurchaseswerecomplete，ofhisentirecapitalscarcelyfourdollarsremained!
Yetinthefondillusionsofboyhoodtheserudeappointmentsseemedpossessedoffarmorevaluethanthegoldhehadgiveninexchangeforthem，andhehadenjoyedachild'sdelightintestingthetransformingmagicofmoney。
Meanwhile，thefeverishcontactofthecrowdedstreethad，strangetosay，increasedhisloneliness，whiletheruderjovialityofitsdissipationsbegantofillhimwithvagueuneasiness。Thepassingglimpseofdancinghallsandgaudilywhirledfiguresthatseemedonlyfeminineintheirapparel；theshoutsandboisterouschorusesfromconcertrooms；thegroupsofdrunkenroisterersthatcongregatedaroundthedoorsofsaloonsor，hilariouslychargingdownthestreets，elbowedhimagainstthewall，orhumorouslyinsistedonhiscompany，discomposedandfrightenedhim。Hehadknownrudecompanionshipbefore，butitwasserious，practical，andundercontrol。Therewassomethinginthisvulgardegradationofintellectandpower——qualitiesthatClarencehadalwaysboyishlyworshiped——whichsickenedanddisillusionedhim。Lateronapistolshotinacrowdbeyond，therushofeagermenpasthim，thedisclosureofalimpandhelplessfigureagainstthewall，theclosingofthecrowdagainaroundit，althoughitstirredhimwithafearfulcuriosity，actuallyshockedhimlesshopelesslythantheirbrutishenjoymentsandabandonment。
Itwasinoneoftheserushesthathehadbeencrushedagainstaswingingdoor，which，givingwaytohispressure，disclosedtohiswonderingeyesalong，glitteringlyadorned，andbrightlylitroom，denselyfilledwithasilent，attentivethronginattitudesofdecorousabstractionandpreoccupation，thateventheshoutsandtumultatitsverydoorscouldnotdisturb。Menofallranksandconditions，plainlyorelaboratelyclad，weregroupedtogetherunderthismagicspellofsilenceandattention。Thetablesbeforethemwerecoveredwithcardsandlooseheapsofgoldandsilver。A
clicking，therattlingofanivoryball，andthefrequent，formal，lazyreiterationofsomeunintelligiblesentencewasallthatheheard。ButbyasuddeninstinctheUNDERSTOODitall。Itwasagamblingsaloon!
Encouragedbythedecorousstillness，andthefactthateverybodyappearedtoomuchengagedtonoticehim，theboydrewtimidlybesideoneofthetables。Itwascoveredwithanumberofcards，onwhichwereplacedcertainsumsofmoney。Lookingdown，Clarencesawthathewasstandingbeforeacardthatasyethadnothingonit。Asingleplayerathissidelookedup，glancedatClarencecuriously，andthenplacedhalfadozengoldpiecesonthevacantcard。Absorbedinthegeneralaspectoftheroomandtheplayers，Clarencedidnotnoticethathisneighborwontwice，andevenTHRICE，uponthatcard。Becomingaware，however，thattheplayerwhilegatheringinhisgains，wassmilinglyregardinghimhemovedinsomeembarrassmenttotheotherendofthetable，wherethereseemedanothergapinthecrowd。Itsochancedthattherewasalsoanothervacantcard。ThepreviousneighborofClarenceinstantlyshovedasumofmoneyacrossthetableonthevacantcardandwon!