ThisthawinhisdivinitysentArmstrong'sheartgoingfaster。SomightanArcticexplorerthrillathisfirstkenofgreenfieldsandliquescentwaters。Theywereonalowerplaneofearthandlifeandweresuccumbingtoitspeculiar，subtleinfluence。Theausterityofthehillsnolongerthinnedtheairtheybreathed。Aboutthemwasthebreathoffruitandcornandbuildedhomes，thecomfortablesmellofsmokeandwarmearthandtheconsolationsmanhasplacedbetweenhimselfandthedustofhisbrotherearthfromwhichhesprung。Whiletraversingthoseawfulmountains，Mile。Giraudhadseemedtobewrappedintheirspiritofreverentreserve。
　　Wasthisthatsamewoman——nowpalpitating，warm，eager，throbbingwithconsciouslifeandcharm，femininetoherfinger-tips？Ponderingoverthis，Armstrongfeltcertainmisgivingsintrudeuponhisthoughts。Hewishedhecouldstoptherewiththischangingcreature，descendingnofarther。Herewastheelevationandenvironmenttowhichhernatureseemedtorespondwithitsbest。Hefearedtogodownupontheman-dominatedlevels。Wouldherspirit-notyieldstillfurtherinthatartificialzonetowhichtheyweredescending？
　　Nowfromalittleplateautheysawtheseaflashattheedgeofthegreenlowlands。Mile。Giraudgavealittle，catchingsigh。
　　"Oh!look，Mr。Armstrong，thereisthesea!Isn'titlovely？I'msotiredofmountains。"Sheheavedaprettyshoulderinagestureofrepugnance。"ThosehorridIndians!JustthinkofwhatIsuffered!AlthoughIsupposeIattainedmyambitionofbecomingastellarattraction，Iwouldn'tcaretorepeattheengagement。Itwasveryniceofyoutobringmeaway。Tellme，Mr。
　　Armstrong——honestly，now——doIlooksuchanawful，awfulfright？Ihaven'tlookedintoamirror，youknow，formonths。"
　　Armstrongmadeansweraccordingtohischangedmoods。Alsohelaidhishanduponhersasitresteduponthehornofhersaddle。Luiswasattheheadofthepacktrainandcouldnotsee。Sheallowedittoremainthere，andhereyessmiledfranklyintohis。
　　Thenatsundowntheydroppeduponthecoastlevelunderthepalmsandlemonsamongthevividgreensandsearletsandochresofthetierracaliente。TheyrodeintoMacuto，andsawthelineofvolatilebathersfrolick-
　　inginthesurf。Themountainswereveryfaraway。
　　Mlle。Giraud'seyeswereshiningwithajoythatcouldnothaveexistedunderthechaperonageofthemountain-
　　tops。Therewereotherspiritscallingtoher——nymphsoftheorangegroves，pixiesfromthechatteringsurf，imps，bornofthemusic，theperfumes，coloursandtheinsinuatingpresenceofhumanity。Shelaughedaloud，musically，atasuddenthought。
　　"Won'ttherebeasensation？"shecalledtoArmstrong。
　　"Don'tIwishIhadanengagementjustnow，though!
　　Whatapicnicthepressagentwouldhave!'HeldaprisonerbyabandofsavageIndianssubduedbythespellofherwonderfulvoice'——wouldn'tthatmakegreatstuff？ButIguessIquitthegamewinner，anyhow——
　　thereoughttobeacoupleofthousanddollarsinthatsackofgolddustIcollectedasencores，don'tyouthink？"
　　HeleftheratthedoorofthelittleHoteldeBuenDescansar，whereshehadstoppedbefore。Twohourslaterhereturnedtothehotel。Heglancedinattheopendoorofthelittlecombinedreceptionroomandcafe。
　　HalfadozenofMacuto'srepresentativesocialandofficialcaballerosweredistributedabouttheroom。
　　SefiorVillablanca，thewealthyrubberconcessionist，reposedhisfatfigureontwochairs，withanemollientsmilebeaminguponhischocolate-colouredface。Guil-
　　bert，theFrenchminingengineer，leeredthroughhispolishednose-glasses。ColonelMendez，oftheregulararmy，ingold-laceduniformandfatuousgrin，wasbusilyextractingcorksfromchampagnebottles。Otherpat-
　　ternsofMacutiangallantryandfashionprancedandposed。Theairwashazywithcigarettesmoke。Winedrippeduponthefloor。
　　PercheduponatableinthecentreoftheroominanattitudeofeasypreeminencewasMlle。Giraud。A
　　chiccostumeofwhitelawnandcherryribbonssupplantedhertravellinggarb。Therewasasuggestionoflace，andafrillortwo，withadiscreet，smallimplicationofhand-
　　embroideredpinkhosiery。Uponherlaprestedaguitar。
　　Inherfacewasthelightofresurrection，thepeaceofelysiumattainedthroughfireandsuffering。Shewassingingtoalivelyaccompanimentalittlesong:
　　"WhenyouseedebigroundmoonComin'uplikeaballoon，DisniggerskipsfurtokissdelipsObhisstylish，black-facedcoon。"
　　ThesingercaughtsightofArmstrong。
　　"Hi!there，Johnny，"shecalled；"I'vebeenexpectingyouforanhour。Whatkeptyou？Gee!butthesesmokedguysaretheslowestyoueversaw。Theyain'ton，atall。Comealongin，andI'llmakethiscoffee-
　　colouredoldsportwiththegoldepaulettesopenoneforyourightofftheice。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidArmstrong；"notjustnow，I
　　believe。I'veseveralthingstoattendto。"
　　Hewalkedoutanddownthestreet，andmetRuckercomingupfromtheConsulate。
　　"Playyouagameofbilliards，"saidArmstrong。"I
　　wantsomethingtotakethetasteofthesealeveloutofmymouth。"
　　"GIRL"
　　INGILTlettersonthegroundglassofthedoorofroomNo。962werethewords:"Robbins&Hartley，Brokers。"Theclerkshadgone。Itwaspastfive，andwiththesolidtrampofadroveofprizePercherons，scrub-
　　womenwereinvadingthecloud-cappedtwenty-storyofficebuilding。Apuffofred-hotairflavouredwithlemonpeelings，soft-coalsmokeandtrainoilcameinthroughthehalf-openwindows。
　　Robbins，fifty，somethingofanoverweightbeau，andaddictedtofirstnightsandhotelpalm-rooms，pretendedtobeenviousofhispartner'scommuter'sjoys。
　　"Goingtobesomethingdoinginthehumiditylineto-night，"hesaid。"Youout-of-townchapswillbethepeople，withyourkatydidsandmoonlightandlongdrinksandthingsoutonthefrontporch。"
　　Hartley，twenty-nine，serious，thin，good-looking，ner-
　　vous，sighedandfrownedalittle。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，"wealwayshavecoolnightsinFloral-
　　hurst，especiallyinthewinter。"
　　AmanwithanairofmysterycameinthedoorandwentuptoHartley。
　　"I'vefoundwhereshelives，"heannouncedintheportentoushalf-whisperthatmakesthedetectiveatworkamarkedbeingtohisfellowmen。
　　Hartleyscowledhimintoastateofdramaticsilenceandquietude。ButbythattimeRobbinshadgothiscaneandsethistiepintohisliking，andwithadebonairnodwentouttohismetropolitanamusements。
　　"Hereistheaddress，"saidthedetectiveinanaturaltone，beingdeprivedofanaudiencetofoil。
　　Hartleytooktheleaftornoutofthesleuth'sdingymemorandumbook。Onitwerepencilledthewords"VivienneArlington，No。341East——thStreet，careofMrs。McComus。"
　　"Movedthereaweekago，"saidthedetective。"Now，ifyouwantanyshadowingdone，Mr。Hartley，Icandoyouasfineajobinthatlineasanybodyinthecity。Itwillbeonly$7adayandexpenses。Cansendinadailytypewrittenreport，covering——"
　　"Youneedn'tgoon，"interruptedthebroker。"Itisn'tacaseofthatkind。Imerelywantedtheaddress。
　　HowmuchshallIpayyou？"
　　"Oneday'swork，"saidthesleuth。"Atennerwillcoverit。"
　　Hartleypaidthemananddismissedhim。ThenhelefttheofficeandboardedaBroadwaycar。Atthefirstlargecrosstownarteryoftravelhetookaneastboundcarthatdepositedhiminadecayingavenue，whoseancientstructuresonceshelteredtheprideandgloryofthetown。
　　Walkingafewsquares，hecametothebuildingthathesought。Itwasanewflathouse，bearingcarveduponitscheapstoneportalitssonorousname，"TheVallambrosa。"
　　Fire-escapeszigzaggeddownitsfront——theseladenwithhouseholdgoods，dryingclothes，andsquallingchildrenevictedbythemidsummerheat。Hereandthereapalerubberplantpeepedfromthemiscellaneousmass，asifwonderingtowhatkingdomitbelonged——
　　vegetable，animalorartificial。
　　Hartleypressedthe"McComus"button。Thedoorlatchclickedspasmodically——nowhospitably，nowdoubt-
　　fully，asthoughinanxietywhetheritmightbeadmittingfriendsorduns。Hartleyenteredandbegantoclimbthestairsafterthemannerofthosewhoseektheirfriendsincityflat-houses——whichisthemannerofaboywhoclimbsanapple-tree，stoppingwhenhecomesuponwhathewants。
　　OnthefourthfloorhesawViviennestandinginanopendoor。Sheinvitedhiminside，withanodandabright，genuinesmile。Sheplacedachairforhimnearawindow，andpoisedherselfgracefullyupontheedgeofoneofthoseJekyll-and-Hydepiecesoffurniturethataremaskedandmysteriouslyhooded，unguessablebulksbydayandinquisitorialracksoftorturebynight。
　　Hartleycastaquick，critical，appreciativeglanceatherbeforespeaking，andtoldhimselfthathistasteinchoosinghadbeenflawless。
　　Viviennewasabouttwenty-one。ShewasofthepurestSaxontype。Herhairwasaruddygolden，eachfilamentoftheneatlygatheredmassshiningwithitsownlustreanddelicategraduationofcolour。Inperfectharmonywereherivory-clearcomplexionanddeepsea-blueeyesthatlookedupontheworldwiththeingenuouscalmnessofamermaidorthepixieofanundiscoveredmountainstream。Herframewasstrongandyetpossessedthegraceofabsolutenaturalness。AndyetwithallherNorth-
　　ernclearnessandfranknessoflineandcolouring，thereseemedtobesomethingofthetropicsinher——somethingoflanguorinthedroopofherpose，ofloveofeaseinheringeniouscomplacencyofsatisfactionandcomfortinthemereactofbreathing——somethingthatseemedtoclaimforherarightasaperfectworkofnaturetoexistandbeadmiredequallywitharareflowerorsomebeauti-
　　ful，milk-whitedoveamongitssober-huedcompanions。
　　Shewasdressedinawhitewaistanddarkskirt-thatdiscreetmasqueradeofgoose-girlandduchess。
　　"Vivienne，"saidHartley，lookingatherpleadingly，"youdidnotanswermylastletter。Itwasonlybynearlyaweek'ssearchthatIfoundwhereyouhadmovedto。
　　WhyhaveyoukeptmeinsuspensewhenyouknewhowanxiouslyIwaswaitingtoseeyouandhearfromyou？"
　　Thegirllookedoutthewindowdreamily。
　　"Mr。Hartley，"shesaidhesitatingly，"Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。Irealizealltheadvantagesofyouroffer，andsometimesIfeelsurethatIcouldbecontentedwithyou。But，again，Iamdoubtful。Iwasbornacitygirl，andIamafraidtobindmyselftoaquietsub-
　　urbanlife。"
　　"Mydeargirl，"saidHartley，ardently，"haveInottoldyouthatyoushallhaveeverythingthatyourheartcandesirethatisinmypowertogiveyou？Youshallcometothecityforthetheatres，forshoppingandtovisityourfriendsasoftenasyoucareto。Youcantrustme，canyounot？"
　　"Tothefullest，"shesaid，turningherfrankeyesuponhimwithasmile。"Iknowyouarethekindestofmen，andthatthegirlyougetwillbealuckyone。IlearnedallaboutyouwhenIwasattheMontgomerys'。"
　　"Ah!"exclaimedHartley，withatender，reminiscentlightinhiseye；"IrememberwelltheeveningIfirstsawyouattheMontgomerys'。Mrs。Montgomerywassound-
　　ingyourpraisestomealltheevening。Andshehardlydidyoujustice。Ishallneverforgetthatsupper。Come，Vivienne，promiseme。Iwantyou。You'llneverregretcomingwithme。Nooneelsewillevergiveyouaspleasantahome。"
　　Thegirlsighedandlookeddownatherfoldedhands。
　　AsuddenjealoussuspicionseizedHartley。
　　"Tellme，Vivienne，"heasked，regardingherkeenly，"isthereanother——istheresomeoneelse？"
　　Arosyflushcreptslowlyoverherfaircheeksandneck。
　　"Youshouldn'taskthat，Mr。Hartley，"shesaid，insomeconfusion。"ButIwilltellyou。Thereisoneother——buthehasnoright——Ihavepromisedhimnothing。"
　　"Hisname？"demandedHartley，sternly。
　　"Townsend。"
　　"RaffordTownsend!"exclaimedHartley，withagrimtighteningofhisjaw。"Howdidthatmancometoknowyou？AfterallI'vedoneforhim——"
　　"Hisautohasjuststoppedbelow，"saidVivienne，bendingoverthewindow-sill。"He'scomingforhisanswer。OhIdon'tknowwhattodo!"
　　Thebellintheflatkitchenwhirred。Viviennehurriedtopressthelatchbutton。
　　"Stayhere，"saidHartley。"Iwillmeethiminthehall。"
　　Townsend，lookinglikeaSpanishgrandeeinhislighttweeds，Panamahatandcurlingblackmustache，cameupthestairsthreeatatime。HestoppedatsightofHartleyandlookedfoolish。
　　"Goback，"saidHartley，firmly，pointingdownstairswithhisforefinger。
　　"Hullo!"saidTownsend，feigningsurprise。"What'sup？Whatareyoudoinghere，oldman？"
　　"Goback，"repeatedHartley，inflexibly。"TheLawoftheJungle。DoyouwantthePacktotearyouinpieces？Thekillismine。"
　　"Icameheretoseeaplumberaboutthebathroomconnections，"saidTownsend，bravely。
　　"Allright，"saidHartley。"Youshallhavethatlyingplastertostickuponyourtraitoroussoul。But，goback。"
　　Townsendwentdownstairs，leavingabitterwordtobewaftedupthedraughtofthestaircase。Hartleywentbacktohiswooing。
　　"Vivienne，"saidhe，masterfully。"Ihavegottohaveyou。Iwilltakenomorerefusalsordilly-dallying。"
　　"Whendoyouwantme？"sheasked。
　　"Now。Assoonasyoucangetready。"
　　Shestoodcalmlybeforehimandlookedhimintheeye。
　　"Doyouthinkforonemoment，"shesaid，"thatIwouldenteryourhomewhileH閘oiseisthere？"
　　Hartleycringedasiffromanunexpectedblow。Hefoldedhisarmsandpacedthecarpetonceortwice。
　　"Sheshallgo，"hedeclaredgrimly。Dropsstooduponhisbrow。"WhyshouldIletthatwomanmakemylifemiserable？NeverhaveIseenonedayoffreedomfromtroublesinceIhaveknownher。Youareright，Vivienne。H閘oisemustbesentawaybeforeIcantakeyouhome。Butsheshallgo。Ihavedecided。Iwillturnherfrommydoors。"
　　"Whenwillyoudothis？"askedthegirl。
　　Hartleyclinchedhisteethandbenthisbrowstogether。
　　"To-night，"hesaid，resolutely。"Iwillsendherawayto-night。"
　　"Then，"saidVivienne，"myansweris'yes。'Comeformewhenyouwill。"
　　Shelookedintohiseyeswithasweet，sincerelightinherown。Hartleycouldscarcelybelievethathersur-
　　renderwastrue，itwassoswiftandcomplete。
　　"Promiseme，"hesaidfeelingly，"onyourwordandhonour。"
　　"Onmywordandhonour，"repeatedVivienne，softly。
　　Atthedoorheturnedandgazedatherhappily，butyetasonewhoscarcelytruststhefoundationsofhisjoy。
　　"To-morrow，"hesaid，withaforefingerofreminderuplifted。
　　"To-morrow，"sherepeatedwithasmileoftruthandcandour。
　　InanhourandfortyminutesHartleysteppedoffthetrainatFloralhurst。Abriskwalkoftenminutesbroughthimtothegateofahandsometwo-storycottagesetuponawideandwell-tendedlawn。Halfwaytothehousehewasmetbyawomanwithjet-blackbraidedhairandflowingwhitesummergown，whohalfstrangledhimwithoutapparentcause。
　　Whentheysteppedintothehallshesaid:
　　"Mamma'shere。Theautoiscomingforherinhalfanhour。Shecametodinner，butthere'snodinner。"
　　"I'vesomethingtotellyou，"saidHartley。"Ithoughttobreakittoyougently，butsinceyourmotherisherewemayaswelloutwithit。"
　　Hestoopedandwhisperedsomethingatherear。
　　Hiswifescreamed。Hermothercamerunningintothehall。Thedark-hairedwomanscreamedagain-
　　thejoyfulscreamofawell-belovedandpettedwoman。
　　"Oh，mamma!"shecriedecstatically，"whatdoyouthink？Vivienneiscomingtocookforus!SheistheonethatstayedwiththeMontgomerysawholeyear。
　　Andnow，Billy，dear，"sheconcluded，"youmustgorightdownintothekitchenanddischargeH閘oise。Shehasbeendrunkagainthewholedaylong。"
　　SOCIOLOGYINSERGEANDSTRAW
　　Theseasonofirresponsibilityisathand。Come，letustwineroundourbrowswreathsofpoisonivythatisforidiocy，andwanderhandinhandwithsociologyinthesummerfields。
　　Likelyasnottheworldisflat。Thewisemenhavetriedtoprovethatitisround，withindifferentsuccess。
　　Theypointedouttousashipgoingtosea，andbadeusobservethat，atlength，theconvexityoftheearthhidfromourviewallbutthevessel'stopmast。Butwepickedupatelescopeandlooked，andsawthedecksandhullagain。Thenthewisemensaid:"Oh，pshaw!
　　anyhow，thevariationoftheintersectionoftheequatorandtheeclipticprovesit。"Wecouldnotseethisthroughourtelescope，soweremainedsilent。Butitstandstoreasonthat，iftheworldwereround，thequeuesofChina-
　　Menwouldstandstraightupfromtheirheadsinsteadofhangingdowntheirbacks，astravellersassureustheydo。
　　Anotherhot-weathercorroborationoftheflattheoryisthefactthatalloflife，asweknowit，movesinlittle，unavailingcircles。Morejustlythantoanythingelse，itcanbelikenedtothegameofbaseball。Crack!wehittheball，andawaywego。Ifweearnaruninlifewecallitsuccesswegetbacktothehomeplateandsituponabench。Ifwearethrownout，wewalkbacktothehomeplate——andsituponabench。
　　Thecircumnavigatorsoftheallegedglobemayhavesailedtherimofawaterycirclebacktothesameportagain。Thetrulygreatreturnatthehightideoftheirattainmentstothesimplicityofachild。Thebillionairesitsdownathismahoganytohisbowlofbreadandmilk。Whenyoureachtheendofyourcareer，justtakedownthesign"Goal"andlookattheothersideofit。Youwillfind"BeginningPoint"there。Ithasbeenreversedwhileyouweregoingaroundthetrack。
　　Butthisishumour，andmustbestopped。LetusgetbacktotheseriousquestionsthatarisewheneverSociologyturnssummerboarder。Youareinvitedtoconsiderthesceneofthestory-wild，Atlanticwaves，thunderingagainstawoodedandrock-boundshore——
　　intheGreaterCityofNewYork。
　　ThetownofFishampton，onthesouthshoreofLongIsland，isnotedforitsclamfrittersandthesummerresidenceoftheVanPlushvelts。
　　TheVanPlushveltshaveahundredmilliondollars，andtheirnameisahouseholdwordwithtradesmenandphotographers。
　　OnthefifteenthofJunetheVanPlushveltsboardedupthefrontdooroftheircityhouse，carefullydepositedtheircatonthesidewalk，instructedthecaretakernottoallowittoeatanyoftheivyonthewalls，andwhizzedawayina40-horse-powertoFishamptontostrayalonetheshade——Amaryllisnotbeingintheirclass。IfasubscribertotheToadies'Magazine，youhaveoften——Yousayyouarenot？Well，youbuyitatanews-stand，thinkingthatthenewsdealerisnotwisetoyou。Butheknowsaboutitall。HEknows——HE
　　knows!IsaythatyouhaveoftenseenintheToadies'
　　MagazinepicturesoftheVanPlushvelts'summerhome；
　　soitwillnotbedescribedhere。OurbusinessiswithyoungHaywoodVanPlushvelt，sixteenyearsold，heirtothecenturyofmillions，darlingofthefinancialgodsandgreatgrandsonofPeterVanPlushvelt，formerownerofaparticularlyfinecabbagepatchthathasbeenruinedbyanintrusivelotofdowntownskyscrapers。
　　OneafternoonyoungHaywoodVanPlushveltstrolledoutbetweenthegranitegatepostsof"DolcefarNiente"——
　　that'swhattheycalledtheplace；anditwasanimprove-
　　mentondolceFarRockaway，Icantellyou。
　　Haywoodwalkeddownintothevillage。Hewashuman，afterall，andhisprospectivemillionsweigheduponhim。Wealthhadwreakeduponhimitsdirefullest。
　　Hewastheproductofprivatetutors。Evenunderhisfirsthobby-horsehadtanbarkbeenstrewn。Hehadbeenbornwithagoldspoon，lobsterforkandfish-setinhismouth。ForwhichIhope，later，tosubmitjustification，Imustaskyourconsiderationofhishaberdasheryandtailoring。
　　YoungFortunatuswasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneat，whitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，ofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarriedaslender，neat，bamboocane。
　　DownPersimmonStreetthere'snevertreenorthofHagerstown，Md。camefromthevillage"Smoky"
　　Dodson，fifteenandahalf，worstboyinFishampton。
　　"Smoky"wasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"serviceable"brand。Dust，clingingtothemois-
　　tureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。"Smoky"carriedabaseballbat，andaleagueballthatadvertiseditselfintherotundityofhistrouserspocket。Haywoodstoppedandpassedthetimeofday。
　　"Goingtoplayball？"heasked。
　　"Smoky's"eyesandcountenanceconfrontedhimwithafrankblue-and-freckledscrutiny。
　　"Me？"hesaid，withdeadlymildness；"surenot。
　　Can'tyouseeI'vegotadivin'suiton？I'mgoin'upinasubmarineballoontocatchbutterflieswithatwo-inchauger。
　　"Excuseme，"saidHaywood，withtheinsultingpolite——
　　nessofhiscaste，"formistakingyouforagentleman。I
　　mighthaveknownbetter。"
　　"HowmightyouhaveknownbetterifyouthoughtI
　　wasone？"said"Smoky，"unconsciouslyalogician。
　　"Byyourappearances，"saidHaywood。"Nogentle-
　　manisdirty，raggedandaliar。"
　　"Smoky"hootedoncelikeaferry-boat，spatonhishand，gotafirmgriponhisbaseballbatandthendroppeditagainstthefence。
　　"Say，"saidhe，"Iknowsyou。You'rethepupthatbelongsinthatswellprivatesummersanitariumforcity-
　　guysoverthere。Iseenyoucomeoutofthegate。Youcan'tbluffnobodybecauseyou'rerich。Andbecauseyougotonswellclothes。Arabella!Yah!"
　　"Ragamuffin!"saidHay-wood。
　　"Smoky"pickedupafence-railsplinterandlaiditonhisshoulder。
　　"Dareyoutoknockitoff，"hechallenged。
　　"Iwouldn'tsoilmyhandswithyou，"saidthearistocrat。
　　"'Fraid，"said"Smoky"concisely。"Yousecity-
　　ducksain'tgottheIsand。Ikinlickyouwithone-
　　hand。"
　　"Idon'twishtohaveanytroublewithyou，"saidHaywood。"Iaskedyouacivilquestion；andyoureplied，likea——likea——acad。"
　　"Wot'sacad？"asked"Smoky。"
　　"Acadisadisagreeableperson，"answeredHaywood，"wholacksmannersanddoesn'tknowhisplace。They，sometimesplaybaseball。"
　　"Icantellyouwhatamollycoddleis，"said"Smoky。"
　　"It'samonkeydressedupbyitsmotherandsentouttoopickdaisiesonthelawn。"
　　"Whenyouhavethehonourtorefertothemembersofmyfamily，"saidHaywood，withsomedimideasofacodeinhismind，"you'dbetterleavetheladiesoutofyourremarks。"
　　"Ho!ladies!"mockedtherudeone。"Isayladies!
　　Iknowwhatthemrichwomeninthecitydoes。They，drinkcocktailsandswearandgivepartiestogorillas。
　　Thepaperssaysso。"
　　ThenHaywoodknewthatitmustbe。Hetookoffhiscoat，foldeditneatlyandlaiditontheroadsidegrass，placedhishatuponitandbegantounknothisbluesilktie。
　　"Hadn'tyerbetterringferyermaid，Arabella？"
　　taunted"Smoky。""Wotyergoingtodo——gotobed？"
　　"I'mgoingtogiveyouagoodtrouncing，"saidthehero。Hedidnothesitate，althoughtheenemywasfarbeneathhimsocially。Herememberedthathisfatheroncethrashedacabman，andthepapersgaveittwocol-
　　umns，firstpage。AndtheToadies'MagazinehadaspecialarticleonUpperCutsbytheUpperClasses，andrannewpicturesoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat，atFishampton。
　　"Wot'strouncing？"asked"Smoky，"suspiciously。
　　"Idon'twantyouroldclothes。I'mno——oh，youmeantoscrap!My，my!Iwon'tdoathingtomamma'spet。
　　Criminy!I'dhatetobeahand-launderedthinglikeyou。
　　"Smoky"waitedwithsomeawkwardnessforhisadversarytoprepareforbattle。Hisowndeckswerealwaysclearforaction。Whenheshouldspituponthepalmofhisterriblerightitwasequivalentto"Youmayfirenow，Gridley。"
　　Thehatedpatricianadvanced，withhisshirtsleevesneatlyrolledup。"Smoky"waited，inanattitudeofease，expectingtheaffairtobeconductedaccordingtoFishampton'srulesofwar。Theseallowedcombattobeprefacedbystigma，recrimination，epithet，abuseandinsultgraduallyincreasinginemphasisanddegree。
　　Afteraroundofthese"you'reanothers"wouldcomethechipknockedfromtheshoulder，ortheadvanceacrossthe"dare"linedrawnwithatoeontheground。Nextlighttapsgivenandtaken，thesealsoincreasinginforceuntilfinallythebloodwasupandfistsgoingattheirbest。
　　ButHaywooddidnotknowFishampton'srules。
　　Noblesseobligekeptafaintsmileonhisfaceashewalkedslowlyupto"Smoky"andsaid:
　　"Goingtoplayball？"
　　"Smoky"quicklyunderstoodthistobeaputtingofthepreviousquestion，givinghimthechancetomakepracticalapologybyansweringitwithcivilityandrelevance。
　　"Listenthistime，'saidhe。"I'mgoin'skatin'ontheriver。Don'tyouseemeautomobilewithChineselanternsonitstandin'andwaitin'forme？"
　　Haywoodknockedhimdown。
　　"Smoky"feltwronged。Tothusdeprivehimofpreliminarywrangleandobjurgationwastosendanarmouredknightfulltiltagainstacrashinglancewithoutpermittinghimfirsttocaracolearoundthelisttotheflourishoftrumpets。Buthescrambledupandfelluponhisfoe，head，feetandfists。
　　Thefightlastedoneroundofanhourandtenminutes。
　　Itwaslengtheneduntilitwasmorelikeawarorafamilyfeudthanafight。Haywoodhadlearnedsomeofthescienceofboxingandwrestlingfromhistutors，butthesehediscardedforthemoreinstinctivemethodsofbattlehandeddownbythecave-dwellingVanPlushvelts。
　　So，whenhefoundhimself，duringthem阬閑，seateduponthekickingandroaring"Smoky's"chest，heimprovedtheopportunitybyvigorouslykneadinghand-
　　fulsofsandandsoilintohisadversary'sears，eyesandmouth，andwhen"Smoky"gottheproperlegholdand"turned"him，hefastenedbothhandsinthePlushvelthairandpoundedthePlushveltheadagainstthelapofmotherearth。Ofcourse，thestrifewasnotincessantlyactive。Therewereseasonswhenonesatupontheother，holdinghimdown，whileeachblewlikeagrampus，spatoutthemoreinconvenientlylargesectionsofgravelandandstrovetosubduethespiritofhisopponentwithafrightfulandsoul-paralyzingglare。
　　Atlast，itseemedthatinthelanguageofthering，theireffortslackedsteam。Theybrokeaway，andeachdisappearedinacloudashebrushedawaythedustoftheconflict。Assoonashisbreathpermitted，Haywoodwalkedcloseto"Smoky"andsaid:
　　"Goingtoplayball？"
　　"Smoky"lookedpensivelyatthesky，athisbatlyingontheground，andatthe"leaguer"roundinghispocket。
　　"Sure，"hesaid，offhandedly。"The'Yellowjackets'"
　　playsthe'LongIslands。'I'mcap'nofthe'LongIslands。'
　　"IguessIdidn'tmeantosayyouwereragged，"saidHaywood。"Butyouaredirty，youknow。"
　　"Sure，"said"Smoky。""Yergetthatwayknockin'
　　around。Say，Idon'tbelievethemNewYorkpapersaboutladiesdrinkin'andhavin'monkeysdinin'atthetablewith'em。Iguessthey'relies，liketheyprintaboutpeopleeatin'outofsilverplates，andownin'dogsthatcost$100。"
　　"Certainly，"saidHaywood。"Whatdoyouplayonyourteam？"
　　"Ketcher。Everplayany？"
　　"Neverinmylife，"saidHaywood。"I'veneverknownanyfellowsexceptoneortwoofmycousins。"
　　"Jerliketolearn？We'regoin'tohaveapractice-
　　gamebeforethematch。Wantercomealong？I'llputyerinleft-field，andyerwon'tbelongketchin'on。"
　　"I'dlikeitbully，"saidHaywood。"I'vealway-
　　wantedtoplaybaseball。"
　　Theladies'maidsofNewYorkandthefamiliesofWesternmineownerswithsocialambitionswillrememberwellthesensationthatwascreatedbythereportthattheyoungmulti-millionaire，HaywoodVanPlushvelt，wasplayingballwiththevillageyouthsofFishampton。Itwasconcededthatthemillenniumofdemocracyhadcome。Reportersandphotographersswarmedtotheisland。Thepapersprintedhalf-pagepicturesofhimasshort-stopstoppingahotgrounder。TheToadies'
　　MagazinegotoutaBatandBallnumberthatcoveredthesubjecthistorically，beginningwiththevampirebatandendingwiththePatriarchs'ball——illustratedwithinteriorviewsoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat。
　　Ministers，educatorsandsociologistseverywherehailedtheeventasthetocsincallthatproclaimedtheuniversalbrotherhoodofman。
　　OneafternoonIwasrecliningunderthetreesneartheshoreatFishamptonintheesteemedcompanyofaneminent，bald-headedyoungsociologist。Bywayofnoteitmaybeinsertedthatallsociologistsaremoreorlessbald，andexactlythirty-two。Look'emover。
　　ThesociologistwascitingtheVanPlushveltcaseasthemostimportant"uplift"symptomofageneration，andasanexcuseforhisownexistence。
　　Immediatelybeforeuswerethevillagebaseballgrounds。
　　AndnowcamethesportiveyouthofFishamptonanddistributedthemselves，shouting，aboutthediamond。
　　"There，"saidthesociologist，pointing，"thereisyoungVanPlushvelt。"
　　IraisedmyselfsofaracosycophantwithMaryAnn
　　andgazed。
　　YoungVanPlushveltsatupontheground。Hewasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-
　　worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"ser-
　　viceable"brand。Dustclingingtothemoistureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。
　　"Thatishe，"repeatedthesociologist。Ifhehadsaid"him"Icouldhavebeenlessvindictive。
　　Onabench，withanair，sattheyoungmillionaire'schum。
　　Hewasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneatwhitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，linenofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarrieda-slender，neatbamboocane。
　　Ilaughedloudlyandvulgarly。
　　"Whatyouwanttodo，"saidItothesociologist，"istoestablishareformatoryfortheLogicalViciousCircle。
　　OrelseI'vegotwheels。Itlookstomeasifthingsarerunningroundandroundincirclesinsteadofgettinganywhere。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthemanofprogress。
　　"Why，lookwhathehasdoneto"Smoky，"Ireplied。
　　"Youwillalwaysbeafool，"saidmyfriend，thesociolo-
　　gist，gettingupandwalkingaway。
　　THERANSOMOFREDCHIEF
　　ITLOOKEDlikeagoodthing:butwaittillItellyou。
　　WeweredownSouth，inAlabama——BillDriscollandmyself——whenthiskidnappingideastruckus。Itwas，asBillafterwardexpressedit，"duringamomentoftemporarymentalapparition"；butwedidn'tfindthatouttilllater。
　　Therewasatowndownthere，asflatasaflannel-cake，andcalledSummit，ofcourse。ItcontainedinhabitantsOfasundeleteriousandself-satisfiedaclassofpeasantryaseverclusteredaroundaMaypole。
　　Billandmehadajointcapitalofaboutsixhundreddollars，andweneededjusttwothousanddollarsmoretopulloffafraudulenttown-lotschemeinWesternIllinoiswith。Wetalkeditoveronthefrontstepsofthehotel。Philoprogenitiveness，sayswe，isstronginsemi-
　　ruralcommunities；thereforeandforotherreasons，akidnappingprojectoughttodobettertherethanintheradiusofnewspapersthatsendreportersoutinplainclothestostiruptalkaboutsuchthings。WeknewthatSummitcouldn'tgetafteruswithanythingstrongerthanconstablesandmaybesomelackadaisicalblood-
　　houndsandadiatribeortwointheWeeklyFarmers'
　　Budget。So，itlookedgood。
　　WeselectedforourvictimtheonlychildofaprominentcitizennamedEbenezerDorset。Thefatherwasrespect-
　　ableandtight，amortgagefancierandastern，uprightcollection-platepasserandforecloser。Thekidwasaboyoften，withbas-relieffreckles，andhairthecolourofthecoverofthemagazineyoubuyatthenews-standwhenyouwanttocatchatrain。BillandmefiguredthatEbenezerwouldmeltdownforaransomoftwothousanddollarstoacent。ButwaittillItellyou。
　　AbouttwomilesfromSummitwasalittlemountain，coveredwithadensecedarbrake。Ontherearelevationofthismountainwasacave。Therewestoredprovisions。
　　Oneeveningaftersundown，wedroveinabuggypastoldDorset'shouse。Thekidwasinthestreet，throw-
　　ingrocksatakittenontheoppositefence。
　　"Hey，littleboy!"saysBill，"wouldyouliketohaveabagofcandyandaniceride？"
　　TheboycatchesBillneatlyintheeyewithapieceofbrick。
　　"Thatwillcosttheoldmananextrafivehundreddollars，"saysBill，climbingoverthewheel。
　　Thatboyputupafightlikeawelter-weightcinnamonbear；but，atlast，wegothimdowninthebottomofthebuggyanddroveaway。WetookhimuptothecaveandIhitchedthehorseinthecedarbrake。AfterdarkI
　　drovethebuggytothelittlevillage，threemilesaway，wherewehadhiredit，andwalkedbacktothemoun-
　　tain。
　　Billwaspastingcourt-plasteroverthescratchesandbruisesonhisfeatures。Therewasaburningbehindthebigrockattheentranceofthecave，andtheboywaswatchingapotofboilingcoffee，withtwobuzzardtail-
　　feathersstuckinhisredhair。HepointsastickatmewhenIcomeup，andsays:
　　"Ha!cursedpaleface，doyoudaretoenterthecampofRedChief，theterroroftheplains？
　　"He'sallrightnow，"saysBill，rollinguphistrousersandexaminingsomebruisesonhisshins。"We'replayingIndian。We'remakingBuffaloBill'sshowlooklikemagic-lanternviewsofPalestineinthetownhall。
　　I'mOldHank，theTrapper，RedChief'scaptive，andI'mtobescalpedatdaybreak。ByGeronimo!thatkidcankickhard。"
　　Yes，sir，thatboyseemedtobehavingthetimeofhislife。Thefunofcampingoutinacavehadmadehimforgetthathewasacaptive，himself。HeimmediatelychristenedmeSnake-eye，theSpy，andannouncedthat，whenhisbravesreturnedfromthewarpath，Iwastobebroiledatthestakeattherisingofthesun。
　　Thenwehadsupper；andhefilledhismouthfullofbaconandbreadandgravy，andbegantotalk。Hemadeaduring-dinnerspeechsomethinglikethis:
　　"Ilikethisfine。Inevercampedoutbefore；butI
　　hadapet'possumonce，andIwasninelastbirthday。
　　Ihatetogotoschool。RatsateupsixteenofJimmyTalbot'saunt'sspeckledhen'seggs。ArethereanyrealIndiansinthesewoods？Iwantsomemoregravy。
　　Doesthetreesmovingmakethewindblow？Wehadfivepuppies。Whatmakesyournosesored，Hank？
　　Myfatherhaslotsofmoney。Arethestarshot？I
　　whippedEdWalkertwice，Saturday。Idon'tlikegirls。
　　Youdassentcatchtoadsunlesswithastring。Dooxenmakeanynoise？Whyareorangesround？Haveyougotbedstosleeponinthiscave？AmosMurrayhasgotSixtoes。Aparrotcantalk，butamonkeyorafishcan't。
　　Howmanydoesittaketomaketwelve？"
　　Everyfewminuteshewouldrememberthathewasapeskyredskin，andpickuphisstickrifleandtiptoetothemouthofthecavetorubberforthescoutsofthehatedpaleface。Nowandthenhewouldletoutawar-
　　whoopthatmadeOldHanktheTrappershiver。ThatboyhadBillterrorizedfromthestart。
　　"RedChief，"saysItothekid，"wouldyouliketogohome？"
　　"Aw，whatfor？"sayshe。"Idon'thaveanyfunathome。Ihatetogotoschool。Iliketocampout。Youwon'ttakemebackhomeagain，Snake-eye，willyou？"
　　"Notrightaway，"saysI。"We'llstayhereinthecaveawhile。"
　　"Allright!"sayshe。"That'llbefine。Ineverhadsuchfuninallmylife。"
　　Wewenttobedabouteleveno'clock。WespreaddownsomewideblanketsandquiltsandputRedChiefbetweenus。Weweren'tafraidhe'drunaway。Hekeptusawakeforthreehours，jumpingupandreachingforhisrifleandscreeching:"Hist!pard，"inmineandBill'sears，asthefanciedcrackleofatwigortherustleofaleafrevealedtohisyoungimaginationthestealthyapproachoftheoutlawband。Atlast，Ifellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamedthatIhadbeenkidnappedandchainedtoatreebyaferociouspiratewithredhair。
　　Justatdaybreak，IwasawakenedbyaseriesofawfulscreamsfromBill。Theyweren'tyells，orhowls，orshouts，orwhoops，oryalps，suchasyou'dexpectfromamanlysetofvocalorgans——theyweresimplyindecent，terrifying，humiliatingscreams，suchaswomenemitwhentheyseeghostsorcaterpillars。It'sanawfulthingtohearastrong，desperate，fatmanscreamincontinentlyinacaveatdaybreak。
　　Ijumpeduptoseewhatthematterwas。RedChiefwassittingonBill'schest，withonehandtwinedinBill'shair。Intheotherhehadthesharpcase-knifeweusedforslicing，bacon；andhewasindustriouslyandrealisticallytryingtotakeBill'sscalp，accordingtothesentencethathadbeenpronounceduponhimtheeveningbefore。
　　Igottheknifeawayfromthekidandmadehimliedownagain。But，fromthatmoment，Bill'sspiritwasbroken。Helaiddownonhissideofthebed，butheneverclosedaneyeagaininsleepaslongasthatboywaswithus。
　　Idozedoffforawhile，butalongtowardsun-upIremem-
　　beredthatRedChiefhadsaidIwastobeburnedatthestakeattherisingofthesun。Iwasn'tnervousorafraid；
　　butIsatupandlitmypipeandleanedagainstarock。
　　"Whatyougettingupsosoonfor，Sam？"askedBill。
　　"Me？"saysI。"Oh，Igotakindofapaininmyshoulder。Ithoughtsittingupwouldrestit。"
　　"You'realiar!"saysBill。"You'reafraid。Youwastobeburnedatsunrise，andyouwasafraidhe'ddoit。Andhewould，too，ifhecouldfindamatch。
　　Ain'titawful，Sam？Doyouthinkanybodywillpayoutmoneytogetalittleimplikethatbackhome？"
　　"Sure，"saidI。"Arowdykidlikethatisjustthekindthatparentsdoteon。Now，youandtheChiefgetupandcookbreakfast，whileIgouponthetopofthismountainandreconnoitre。"
　　Iwentuponthepeakofthelittlemountainandranmyeyeoverthecontiguousvicinity。OvertowardSummitI
　　expectedtoseethesturdyyeomanryofthevillagearmedwithscythesandpitchforksbeatingthecountrysideforthedastardlykidnappers。ButwhatIsawwasapeacefullandscapedottedwithonemanploughingwithadunmule。Nobodywasdraggingthecreek；nocouriersdashedhitherandyon，bringingtidingsofnonewstothedistractedparents。TherewasasylvanattitudeofsomnolentsleepinesspervadingthatsectionoftheexternaloutwardsurfaceofAlabamathatlayexposedtomyview。
　　"Perhaps，"saysItomyself，"ithasnotyetbeendiscov-
　　eredthatthewolveshavehomeawaythetenderlambkinfromthefold。Heavenhelpthewolves!"saysI，andI
　　wentdownthemountaintobreakfast。
　　WhenIgottothecaveIfoundBillbackedupagainstthesideofit，breathinghard，andtheboythreateningtosmashhimwitharockhalfasbigasacocoanut。
　　"Heputared-hotboiledpotatodownmyback，"
　　explainedBill，"andthemasheditwithhisfoot；andIboxedhisears。Haveyougotagunaboutyou，Sam？
　　Itooktherockawayfromtheboyandkindofpatcheduptheargument。"I'llfixyou，"saysthekidtoBill。
　　"NomaneveryetstrucktheRedChiefbutwhathegotpaidforit。Youbetterbeware!"
　　Afterbreakfastthekidtakesapieceofleatherwithstringswrappedarounditoutofhispocketandgoesout-
　　sidethecaveunwindingit。
　　"What'sheuptonow？"saysBill，anxiously。"Youdon'tthinkhe'llrunaway，doyou，Sam？"
　　"Nofearofit，"saysI。"Hedon'tseemtobemuchofahomebody。Butwe'vegottofixupsomeplanabouttheransom。Theredon'tseemtobemuchexcitementaroundSummitonaccountofhisdisappearance；butmaybetheyhaven'trealizedyetthathe'sgone。Hisfolksmaythinkhe'sspendingthenightwithAuntJaneoroneoftheneighbours。Anyhow，he'llbemissedto-day。
　　To-nightwemustgetamessagetohisfatherdemandingthetwothousanddollarsforhisreturn。"
　　JustthenweheardakindOfwar-whoop，suchasDavidmighthaveemittedwhenheknockedoutthechampionGoliath。ItwasaslingthatRedChiefhadpulledoutofhispocket，andhewaswhirlingitaroundhishead。
　　Idodged，andheardaheavythudandakindofasighfromBill，likeahorsegivesoutwhenyoutakehissaddleoff。AniggerheadrockthesizeofanegghadcaughtBilljustbehindhisleftear。Heloosenedhimselfalloverandfellinthefireacrossthefryingpanofhotwaterforwashingthedishes。Idraggedhimoutandpouredcoldwateronhisheadforhalfanhour。
　　Byandby，Billsitsupandfeelsbehindhisearandsays:"Sam，doyouknowwhomyfavouriteBiblicalcharacteris？"
　　"Takeiteasy，"saysI。"You'llcometoyoursensespresently。"
　　"KingHerod，"sayshe。"Youwon'tgoawayandleavemeherealone，willyou，Sam？"
　　Iwentoutandcaughtthatboyandshookhimuntilhisfrecklesrattled。
　　"Ifyoudon'tbehave，"saysI，"I'lltakeyoustraighthome。Now，areyougoingtobegood，ornot？"
　　"Iwasonlyfunning，"sayshesullenly。"Ididn'tmeantohurtOldHank。Butwhatdidhehitmefor？
　　"I'llbehave，Snake-eye，ifyouwon'tsendmehome，andifyou'llletmeplaytheBlackScoutto-day。"
　　"Idon'tknowthegame，"saysI。"That'sforyouandMr。Billtodecide。He'syourplaymatefortheday。
　　I'mgoingawayforawhile，onbusiness。Now，youcomeinandmakefriendswithhimandsayyouaresorryforhurtinghim，orhomeyougo，atonce。"
　　ImadehimandBillshakehands，andthenItookBillasideandtoldhimIwasgoingtoPoplarCove，alittlevillagethreemilesfromthecave，andfindoutwhatI
　　couldabouthowthekidnappinghadbeenregardedinSummit。Also，IthoughtitbesttosendaperemptorylettertooldmanDorsetthatday，demandingtheransomanddictatinghowitshouldbepaid。
　　"Youknow，Sam，"saysBill，"I'vestoodbyyouwith-
　　outbattinganeyeinearthquakes，fireandflood——inpokergames，dynamiteoutrages，policeraids，trainrobberiesandcyclones。Ineverlostmynerveyettillwekidnappedthattwo-leggedskyrocketofakid。He'sgotmegoing。Youwon'tleavemelongwithhim，willyou，Sam？"
　　"I'llbebacksometimethisafternoon，"saysI。"YoumustkeeptheboyamusedandquiettillIreturn。Andnowwe'llwritethelettertooldDorset。"
　　BillandIgotpaperandpencilandworkedontheletterwhileRedChief，withablanketwrappedaroundhim，struttedupanddown，guardingthemouthofthecave。Billbeggedmetearfullytomaketheransomfifteenhundreddollarsinsteadoftwothousand。"I
　　ain'tattempting，"sayshe，"todecrythecelebratedmoralaspectofparentalaffection，butwe'redealingwithhumans，anditain'thumanforanybodytogiveuptwothousanddollarsforthatforty-poundchunkoffreckledwildcat。I'mwillingtotakeachanceatfifteenhundreddollars。Youcanchargethedifferenceuptome。"
　　So，torelieveBill，Iacceded，andwecollaboratedaletterthatranthisway:
　　EbenezerDorset，Esq。:
　　WehaveyourboyconcealedinaplacefarfromSummit。
　　Itisuselessforyouorthemostskilfuldetectivestoattempttofindhim。Absolutely，theonlytermsonwhichyoucanhavehimrestoredtoyouarethese:Wedemandfifteenhundreddollarsinlargebillsforhisreturn；
　　themoneytobeleftatmidnightto-nightatthesamespotandinthesameboxasyourreply——ashereinafterdescribed。Ifyouagreetotheseterms，sendyouranswerinwritingbyasolitarymessengerto-nightathalf-pasteighto'clock。AftercrossingOwlCreek，ontheroadtoPoplarCove，therearethreelargetreesaboutahundredyardsapart，closetothefenceofthewheatfieldontheright-handside。Atthebottomofthefence-post，oppositethethirdtree，willbefoundasmallpasteboardbox。
　　ThemessengerwillplacetheanswerinthisboxandreturnimmediatelytoSummit。
　　Ifyouattemptanytreacheryorfailtocomplywithourdemandasstated，youwillneverseeyourboyagain。
　　Ifyoupaythemoneyasdemanded，hewillbereturnedtoyousafeandwellwithinthreehours。Thesetermsarefinal，andifyoudonotaccedetothemnofurthercoin-
　　municationwillbeattempted。
　　TWODESPERATEMEN。
　　IaddressedthislettertoDorset，andputitinmypocket。
　　AsIwasabouttostart，thekidcomesuptomeandsays:
　　"Aw，Snake-eye，yousaidIcouldplaytheBlackScoutwhileyouwasgone。"
　　"Playit，ofcourse，"saysI。"Mr。Billwillplaywithyou。Whatkindofagameisit？"
　　"I'mtheBlackScout，"saysRedChief，"andI
　　havetoridetothestockadetowarnthesettlersthattheIndiansarecoming。I'mtiredofplayingIndianmyself。
　　IwanttobetheBlackScout。"
　　"Allright，"saysI。"Itsoundsharmlesstome。
　　IguessMr。Billwillhelpyoufoilthepeskysavages。"
　　"WhatamItodo？"asksBill，lookingatthekidsuspiciously。
　　"Youarethehoss，"saysBlackScout。"Getdownonyourhandsandknees。HowcanIridetothestockadewithoutahoss？"
　　"You'dbetterkeephiminterested，"saidI，"tillwegettheschemegoing。Loosenup。"
　　Billgetsdownonhisallfours，andalookcomesinhiseyelikearabbit'swhenyoucatchitinatrap。
　　"Howfarisittothestockade，kid？"heasks，inahuskymannerofvoice。
　　"Ninetymiles，"saystheBlackScout。"Andyouhavetohumpyourselftogetthereontime。Whoa，now!"
　　TheBlackScoutjumpsonBill'sbackanddigshisheelsinhisside。
　　"ForHeaven'ssake，"saysBill，"hurryback，Sam，assoonasyoucan。Iwishwehadn'tmadetheransommorethanathousand。Say，youquitkickingmeorI'llgetupandwarmyougood。"
　　IwalkedovertoPoplarCoveandsataroundthepost-
　　officeandstore，talkingwiththechawbaconsthatcameintotrade。OnewhiskerandosaysthathehearsSummitisallupsetonaccountofElderEbenezerDorset'sboyhavingbeenlostorstolen。ThatwasallIwantedtoknow。
　　Iboughtsomesmokingtobacco，referredcasuallytothepriceofblack-eyedpeas，postedmylettersurreptitiouslyandcameaway。Thepostmastersaidthemail-carrierwouldcomebyinanhourtotakethemailontoSummit。
　　WhenIgotbacktothecaveBillandtheboywerenottobefound。Iexploredthevicinityofthecave，andriskedayodelortwo，buttherewasnoresponse。
　　SoIlightedmypipeandsatdownonamossybanktoawaitdevelopments。
　　InabouthalfanhourIheardthebushesrustle，andBillwabbledoutintothelittlegladeinfrontofthecave。
　　Behindhimwasthekid，steppingsoftlylikeascout，withabroadgrinonhisface。Billstopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。Thekidstoppedabouteightfeetbehindhim。
　　"Sam，"saysBill，"Isupposeyou'llthinkI'marene-
　　gade，butIcouldn'thelpit。I'magrownpersonwithmasculineproclivitiesandhabitsofself-defense，butthereisatimewhenallsystemsofegotismandpredominancefail。Theboyisgone。Ihavesenthimhome。Allisoff。Therewasmartyrsinoldtimes，"goesonBill，"thatsuffereddeathratherthangiveuptheparticulargrafttheyenjoyed。Noneof'emeverwassubjugatedtosuchsupernaturaltorturesasIhavebeen。Itriedtobefaithfultoourarticlesofdepredation；buttherecamealimit。"
　　"What'sthetrouble，Bill？"Iaskshim。
　　"Iwasrode，"saysBill，"theninetymilestothestockade，notbarringaninch。Then，whenthesettlerswasrescued，Iwasgivenoats。Sandain'tapalatablesubstitute。
　　Andthen，foranhourIhadtotrytoexplaintohimwhytherewasnothin'inholes，howaroadcanrunbothwaysandwhatmakesthegrassgreen。Itellyou，Sam，ahumancanonlystandsomuch。Itakeshimbytheneckofhisclothesanddragshimdownthemountain。
　　Onthewayhekicksmylegsblack-and-bluefromthekneesdown；andI'vegottohavetwoorthreebitesonmythumbandhandcauterized。
　　"Buthe'sgone"——continuesBill——"gonehome。
　　IshowedhimtheroadtoSummitandkickedhimabouteightfeetnearerthereatonekick。I'msorrywelosetheransom；butitwaseitherthatorBillDriscolltothemadhouse。"
　　Billispuffingandblowing，butthereisalookofineffablepeaceandgrowingcontentonhisrose-pinkfeatures。
　　"Bill，"saysI，"thereisn'tanyheartdiseaseinyourfamily，isthere？
　　"No，"saysBill，"nothingchronicexceptmalariaandaccidents。Why？"
　　"Thenyoumightturnaround，"saysI，"andhaveatookbehindyou。"
　　Billturnsandseestheboy，andloseshiscomplexionandsitsdownplumpontheroundandbeginstopluckaimlesslyatgrassandlittlesticks。ForanhourIwasafraidforhismind。AndthenItoldhimthatmyschemewastoputthewholejobthroughimmediatelyandthatwewouldgettheransomandbeoffwithitbymidnightifoldDorsetfellinwithourproposition。SoBillbracedupenoughtogivethekidaweaksortofasmileandapromisetoplaytheRussianinaJapanesewarwithhimissoonashefeltalittlebetter。
　　Ihadaschemeforcollectingthatransomwithoutdangerofbeingcaughtbycounterplotsthatoughttocommenditselftoprofessionalkidnappers。Thetreeunderwhichtheanswerwastobeleft——andthemoneylateron——wasclosetotheroadfencewithbig，barefieldsonallsides。Ifagangofconstablesshouldbewatchingforanyonetocomeforthenotetheycouldseehimalongwayoffcrossingthefieldsorintheroad。Butno，sirree!Athalf-pasteightIwasupinthattreeaswellhiddenasatreetoad，waitingforthemessengertoarrive。
　　Exactlyontime，ahalf-grownboyridesuptheroadonabicycle，locatesthepasteboardboxatthefootofthefence-post，slipsafoldedpieceofpaperintoitandpedalsawayagainbacktowardSummit。
　　Iwaitedanhourandthenconcludedthethingwassquare。Isliddownthetree，gotthenote，slippedalongthefencetillIstruckthewoods，andwasbackatthecaveinanotherhalfanhour。Iopenedthenote，gotnearthelanternandreadittoBill。Itwaswrittenwithapeninacrabbedhand，andthesumandsubstanceofitwasthis:
　　TwoDesperateMen。