"SupposePogginormemightbedetained？"heasked。
　　Longstrethbentadarkglanceuponhislieutenant。
　　"Younevercantellwhat’llcomeoff，"continuedKnell。"I’lldomybest。"
　　"TheminuteyouseePoggintellhim。Ajobonhandsteadieshim。AndIsayagain——looktoitthatnothinghappens。EitheryouorPoggincarrythejobthrough。ButIwantbothofyouinit。Breakforthehills，andwhenyougetupintherockswhereyoucanhideyourtracksheadforMountOrd。Whenall’squietagainI’lljoinyouhere。That’sall。Callintheboys。"
　　LikeaswiftshadowandasnoiselessDuanestoleacrosstheleveltowardthedarkwallofrock。Everynervewasastrungwire。Foralittlewhilehismindwasclutteredandcloggedwithwhirlingthoughts，fromwhich，likeaflashingscroll，unrolledthelong，bafflingorderofaction。Thegamewasnowinhishands。HemustcrossMountOrdatnight。Thefeatwasimprobable，butitmightbedone。HemustrideintoBradford，fortymilesfromthefoothillsbeforeeighto’clocknextmorning。HemusttelegraphMacNellytobeinValVerdeonthetwenty—fifth。HemustridebacktoOrd，tointerceptKnell，facehimbedenounced，killhim，andwhiletheironwashotstrikehardtowinPoggin’shalf—woninterestashehadwhollywonFletcher’s。Failingthatlast，hemustlettheoutlawsalonetobidetheirtimeinOrd，tobefreetorideontotheirnewjobinValVerde。InthemeantimehemustplantoarrestLongstreth。Itwasamagnificentoutline，incredible，alluring，unfathomableinitsnamelesscertainty。Hefeltlikefate。Heseemedtobetheironconsequencesfallinguponthesedoomedoutlaws。
　　Underthewalltheshadowswereblack，onlythetipsoftreesandcragsshowing，yethewentstraighttothetrail。Itwasmerelyagraynessbetweenbordersofblack。Heclimbedandneverstopped。Itdidnotseemsteep。Hisfeetmighthavehadeyes。Hesurmountedthewall，and，lookingdownintotheebonygulfpiercedbyonepointoflight，heliftedamenacingarmandshookit。Thenhestrodeonanddidnotfaltertillhereachedthehugeshelvingcliffs。Herehelostthetrail;therewasnone;butherememberedtheshapes，thepoints，thenotchesofrockabove。Beforehereachedtheruinsofsplinteredrampartsandjumblesofbrokenwallsthemoontoppedtheeasternslopeofthemountain，andthemystifyingblacknesshehaddreadedchangedtomagicsilverlight。Itseemedaslightasday，onlysoft，mellow，andtheairheldatransparentsheen。Heranupthebareridgesanddownthesmoothslopes，and，likeagoat，jumpedfromrocktorock。Inthislightheknewhiswayandlostnotimelookingforatrail。Hecrossedthedivideandthenhadalldownhillbeforehim。Swiftlyhedescended，almostalwayssureofhismemoryofthelandmarks。
　　Hedidnotrememberhavingstudiedthemintheascent，yetheretheywere，eveninchangedlight，familiartohissight。Whathehadonceseenwaspicturedonhismind。And，trueasadeerstrikingforhome，hereachedthecanonwherehehadlefthishorse。
　　Bulletwasquicklyandeasilyfound。Duanethrewonthesaddleandpack，cinchedthemtight，andresumedhisdescent。Theworstwasnowtocome。Baredownwardstepsinrock，sliding，weatheredslopes，narrowblackgullies，athousandopeningsinamazeofbrokenstone——theseDuanehadtodescendinfasttime，leadingagiantofahorse。Bulletcrackedtheloosefragments，sentthemrolling，slidonthescalyslopes，plungeddownthesteps，followedlikeafaithfuldogatDuane’sheels。
　　Hourspassedasmoments。Duanewasequaltohisgreatopportunity。Buthecouldnotquellthatselfinhimwhichreachedbackoverthelapseoflonely，searingyearsandfoundtheboyinhim。Hewhohadbeenworsethandeadwasnowgraspingattheskirtsoflife——whichmeantvictory，honor，happiness。Duaneknewhewasnotjustrightinpartofhismind。Smallwonderthathewasnotinsane，hethought！Hetrampedondownward，hismarvelousfacultyforcoveringroughgroundandholdingtothetruecourseneverbeforeeveninflightsokeenandacute。Yetallthetimeaspiritwaskeepingstepwithhim。ThoughtofRayLongstrethashehadlefthermadehimweak。Butnow，withthegamecleartoitsend，withthetraptospring，withsuccessstrangelyhauntinghim，Duanecouldnotdispelmemoryofher。Hesawherwhiteface，withitssweetsadlipsandthedarkeyessotenderandtragic。Andtimeanddistanceandriskandtoilwerenothing。
　　Themoonslopedtothewest。Shadowsoftreesandcragsnowcrossedtotheothersideofhim。Thestarsdimmed。Thenhewasoutoftherocks，withthedimtrailpaleathisfeet。MountingBullet，hemadeshortworkofthelongslopeandthefoothillsandtherollinglandleadingdowntoOrd。Thelittleoutlawcamp，withitsshacksandcabinsandrowofhouses，laysilentanddarkunderthepalingmoon。Duanepassedbyonthelowertrail，headedintotheroad，andputBullettoagallop。Hewatchedthedyingmoon，thewaningstars，andtheeast。Hehadtimetospare，sohesavedthehorse。KnellwouldbeleavingtherendezvousaboutthetimeDuaneturnedbacktowardOrd。
　　Betweennoonandsunsettheywouldmeet。
　　Thenightworeon。Themoonsankbehindlowmountainsinthewest。Thestarsbrightenedforawhile，thenfaded。Graygloomenvelopedtheworld，thickened，laylikesmokeovertheroad。
　　Thenshadebyshadeitlightened，untilthroughthetransparentobscurityshoneadimlight。
　　DuanereachedBradfordbeforedawn。Hedismountedsomedistancefromthetracks，tiedhishorse，andthencrossedovertothestation。Heheardtheclickingofthetelegraphinstrument，anditthrilledhim。Anoperatorsatinsidereading。WhenDuanetappedonthewindowhelookedupwithstartledglance，thenwentswiftlytounlockthedoor。
　　"Hello。Givemepaperandpencil。Quick，"whisperedDuane。
　　Withtremblinghandstheoperatorcomplied。Duanewroteoutthemessagehehadcarefullycomposed。
　　"Sendthis——repeatittomakesure——thenkeepmum。I’llseeyouagain。Good—by。"
　　Theoperatorstared，butdidnotspeakaword。
　　Duaneleftasstealthilyandswiftlyashehadcome。Hewalkedhishorseacouplemilesbackontheroadandthenrestedhimtillbreakofday。Theeastbegantoredden，DuaneturnedgrimlyinthedirectionofOrd。
　　WhenDuaneswungintothewide，grassysquareontheoutskirtsofOrdhesawabunchofsaddledhorseshitchedinfrontofthetavern。Heknewwhatthatmeant。Luckstillfavoredhim。Ifitwouldonlyhold！Buthecouldasknomore。Therestwasamatterofhowgreatlyhecouldmakehispowerfelt。Anopenconflictagainstoddslayinthebalance。Thatwouldbefataltohim，andtoavoidithehadtotrusttohisnameandapresencehemustmaketerrible。Heknewoutlaws。Heknewwhatqualitiesheldthem。Heknewwhattoexaggerate。
　　Therewasnotanoutlawinsight。Thedustyhorseshadcovereddistancethatmorning。AsDuanedismountedheheardloud，angryvoicesinsidethetavern。Heremovedcoatandvest，hungthemoverthepommel。Hepackedtwoguns，onebeltedhighonthelefthip，theotherswinginglowontherightside。Heneitherlookednorlistened，butboldlypushedthedoorandsteppedinside。
　　Thebigroomwasfullofmen，andeveryfacepivotedtowardhim。Knell’spalefaceflashedintoDuane’sswiftsight;thenBoldt’s，thenBlossomKane’s，thenPanhandleSmith’s，thenFletcher’s，thenothersthatwerefamiliar，andlastthatofPoggin。ThoughDuanehadneverseenPogginorheardhimdescribed，heknewhim。Forhesawafacethatwasarecordofgreatandevildeeds。
　　Therewasabsolutesilence。Theoutlawswerelinedbackofalongtableuponwhichwerepapers，stacksofsilvercoin，abundleofbills，andahugegold—mountedgun。
　　"Areyougentslookin’forme？"askedDuane。Hegavehisvoicealltheringingforceandpowerofwhichhewascapable。Andhesteppedback，freeofanything，withtheoutlawsallbeforehim。
　　Knellstoodquivering，buthisfacemighthavebeenamask。TheotheroutlawslookedfromhimtoDuane。JimFletcherflunguphishands。
　　"MyGawd，Dodge，what’dyoubustinherefer？"hesaid，plaintively，andslowlysteppedforward。Hisactionwasthatofamantruetohimself。HemeanthehadbeensponsorforDuaneandnowhewouldstandbyhim。
　　"Back，Fletcher！"calledDuane，andhisvoicemadetheoutlawjump。
　　"Holdon，Dodge，an’you—all，everybody，"saidFletcher。"Letmetalk，seein’I’minwronghere。"
　　Hispersuasionsdidnoteasethestrain。
　　"Goahead。Talk，"saidPoggin。
　　FletcherturnedtoDuane。"Pard，I’mtakin’itonmyselfthetyoumeetenemiesherewhenIsworeyou’dmeetfriends。It’smyfault。I’llstandbyyouifyouletme。"
　　"No，Jim，"repliedDuane。
　　"Butwhat’dyoucomeferwithoutthesignal？"burstoutFletcher，indistress。Hesawnothingbutcatastropheinthismeeting。
　　"Jim，Iain’tpressin’mycompanynone。ButwhenI’mwantedbad——"
　　Fletcherstoppedhimwitharaisedhand。ThenheturnedtoPogginwitharudedignity。
　　"Poggy，he’smypard，an’he’sriled。Inevertoldhimawordthet’dmakehimsore。IonlysaidKnellhadn’tnomoreuseferhimthanferme。Now，whatyousaygoesinthisgang。Ineverfailedyouinmylife。Here’smypard。Ivouchferhim。Willyoustandferme？There’sgoin’tobehellifyoudon’t。An’uswithabigjobonhand！"
　　WhileFletchertoiledoverhisslow，earnestpersuasionDuanehadhisgazeriveteduponPoggin。TherewassomethingleonineaboutPoggin。Hewastawny。Heblazed。Heseemedbeautifulasfirewasbeautiful。Butlookedatcloser，withglanceseeingthephysicalman，insteadofthatthingwhichshonefromhim，hewasofperfectbuild，withmusclesthatswelledandrippled，bulginghisclothes，withthemagnificentheadandfaceofthecruel，fierce，tawny—eyedjaguar。
　　LookingatthisstrangePoggin，instinctivelydivininghisabnormalandhideouspower，Duanehadforthefirsttimeinhislifetheinwardquakingfearofaman。Itwaslikeacold—tonguedbellringingwithinhimandnumbinghisheart。Theoldinstinctivefiringofbloodfollowed，butdidnotdriveawaythatfear。Heknew。Hefeltsomethingheredeeperthanthoughtcouldgo。AndhehatedPoggin。
　　ThatindividualhadbeenconsideringFletcher’sappeal。
　　"Jim，Ianteup，"hesaid，"an’ifPhildoesn’traiseusoutwithabighand——why，he’llgetcalled，an’yourpardcansetinthegame。"
　　EveryeyeshiftedtoKnell。Hewasdeadwhite。Helaughed，andanyonehearingthatlaughwouldhaverealizedhisintenseangerequallywithanassurancewhichmadehimmasterofthesituation。
　　"Poggin，you’reagambler，youare——theace—high，straight—flushhandoftheBigBend，"hesaid，withstingingscorn。"I’llbetyoumyrolltoagreaserpesothatIcandealyouahandyou’llbeafraidtoplay。"
　　"Phil，you’retalkin’wild，"growledPoggin，withbothadviceandmenaceinhistone。
　　"Ifthere’sanythin’youhateit’samanwhopretendstobesomebodyelsewhenhe’snot。Thetso？"
　　Pogginnoddedinslow—gatheringwrath。
　　"Well，Jim’snewpard——thismanDodge——he’snotwhoheseems。
　　Oh—ho！He’sahellofalotdifferent。But_I__knowhim。An’
　　whenIspringhisnameonyou，Poggin，you’llfreezetoyourgizzard。Doyougetme？You’llfreeze，an’yourhand’llbestiffwhenitoughttobelightnin’——Allbecauseyou’llrealizeyou’vebeenstandin’therefiveminutes——fiveminutesALIVE
　　beforehim！"
　　Ifnothate，thenassuredlygreatpassiontowardPogginmanifesteditselfinKnell’sscornful，fieryaddress，intheshakinghandhethrustbeforePoggin’sface。IntheensuingsilentpauseKnell’spantingcouldbeplainlyheard。Theothermenwerepale，watchful，cautiouslyedgingeitherwaytothewall，leavingtheprincipalsandDuaneinthecenteroftheroom。
　　"Springhisname，then，you——"saidPoggin，violently，withacurse。
　　StrangelyKnelldidnotevenlookatthemanhewasabouttodenounce。HeleanedtowardPoggin，hishands，hisbody，hislongheadallsomewhatexpressiveofwhathisfacedisguised。
　　"BUCKDUANE！"heyelled，suddenly。
　　ThenamedidnotmakeanygreatdifferenceinPoggin。ButKnell’spassionate，swiftutterancecarriedthesuggestionthatthenameoughttobringPoggintoquickaction。Itwaspossible，too，thatKnell’smanner，theimportofhisdenunciationthemeaningbackofallhispassionheldPogginboundmorethanthesurprise。Fortheoutlawcertainlywassurprised，perhapsstaggeredattheideathathe，Poggin，hadbeenabouttostandsponsorwithFletcherforafamousoutlawhatedandfearedbyalloutlaws。
　　Knellwaitedalongmoment，andthenhisfacebrokeitscoldimmobilityinanextraordinaryexpressionofdevilishglee。HehadhoundedthegreatPogginintosomethingthatgavehimvicious，monstrousjoy。
　　"BUCKDUANE！Yes，"hebrokeout，hotly。"TheNuecesgunman！
　　Thattwo—shot，ace—of—spadeslonewolf！Youan’I——we’veheardathousandtimesofhim——talkedabouthimoften。An’hereheIN
　　FRONTofyou！Poggin，youwerebackin’Fletcher’snewpard，BuckDuane。An’he’dfooledyoubothbutforme。But_I_knowhim。An’Iknowwhyhedriftedinhere。ToflashagunonCheseldine——onyou——onme！Bah！Don’ttellmehewantedtojointhegang。Youknowagunman，foryou’reoneyourself。Don’tyoualwayswanttokillanotherman？An’don’tyoualwayswanttomeetarealman，notafour—flush？It’sthemadnessofthegunman，an’Iknowit。Well，Duanefacedyou——calledyou！An’
　　whenIsprunghisname，whatoughtyouhavedone？Whatwouldtheboss——anybody——haveexpectedofPoggin？Didyouthrowyourgun，swift，likeyouhavesooften？Naw;youfroze。An’why？
　　Becausehere’samanwiththekindofnerveyou’dlovetohave。
　　Becausehe’sgreat——meetin’usherealone。Becauseyouknowhe’sawonderwithagunan’youlovelife。Becauseyouan’I
　　an’everydamnedmanherehadtotakehisfront，eachtohimself。Ifwealldrewwe’dkillhim。Sure！Butwho’sgoin’tolead？Whowasgoin’tobefirst？Whowasgoin’tomakehimdraw？Notyou，Poggin！Youleavethatforalesserman——me——who’velivedtoseeyouacoward。Itcomesoncetoeverygunman。You’vemetyourmatchinBuckDuane。An’，byGod，I’mglad！Here’sonceIshowyouup！"
　　Thehoarse，tauntingvoicefailed。Knellsteppedbackfromthecomradehehated。Hewaswet，shaking，haggard，butmagnificent。
　　"BuckDuane，doyourememberHardin？"heasked，inscarcelyaudiblevoice。
　　"Yes，"repliedDuane，andaflashofinsightmadeclearKnell’sattitude。
　　"Youmethim——forcedhimtodraw——killedhim？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"HardinwasthebestpardIeverhad。"
　　Histeethclickedtogethertight，andhislipssetinathinline。
　　Theroomgrewstill。Evenbreathingceased。Thetimeforwordshadpassed。InthatlongmomentofsuspenseKnell’sbodygraduallystiffened，andatlastthequiveringceased。Hecrouched。Hiseyeshadasoul—piercingfire。
　　Duanewatchedthem。Hewaited。Hecaughtthethought——thebreakingofKnell’smuscle—boundrigidity。Thenhedrew。
　　Throughthesmokeofhisgunhesawtworedspurtsofflame。
　　Knell’sbulletsthuddedintotheceiling。Hefellwithascreamlikeawildthinginagony。
　　DuanedidnotseeKnelldie。HewatchedPoggin。AndPoggin，likeastrickenandastoundedman，lookeddownuponhisprostratecomrade。
　　FletcherranatDuanewithhandsaloft。
　　"Hitthetrail，youliar，oryou’llhevtokillme！"heyelled。
　　Withhandsstillup，heshoulderedandbodiedDuaneoutoftheroom。
　　Duaneleapedonhishorse，spurred，andplungedaway。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　DuanereturnedtoFairdaleandcampedinthemesquitetillthetwenty—thirdofthemonth。Thefewdaysseemedendless。AllhecouldthinkofwasthatthehourinwhichhemustdisgraceRayLongstrethwasslowlybutinexorablycoming。Inthatwaitingtimehelearnedwhatlovewasandalsoduty。Whenthedayatlastdawnedherodelikeonepossesseddowntheroughslope，hurdlingthestonesandcrashingthroughthebrush，withasoundinhisearsthatwasnotalltherushofthewind。
　　Somethingdraggedathim。
　　Apparentlyonesideofhismindwasunalterablyfixed，whiletheotherwasahurryingconglomerationofflashesofthought，receptionofsensations。Hecouldnotgetcalmness。Byandby，almostinvoluntarily，hehurriedfasteron。Actionseemedtomakehisstatelessoppressive;iteasedtheweight。Butthefartherhewentontheharderitwastocontinue。Hadheturnedhisbackuponlove，happiness，perhapsonlifeitself？
　　Thereseemednousetogoonfartheruntilhewasabsolutelysureofhimself。Duanereceivedaclearwarningthoughtthatsuchworkasseemedhauntinganddrivinghimcouldneverbecarriedoutinthemoodunderwhichhelabored。Hehungontothatthought。Severaltimesheslowedup，thenstopped，onlytogoonagain。Atlength，ashemountedalowridge，Fairdalelaybrightandgreenbeforehimnotfaraway，andthesightwasaconclusivecheck。Thereweremesquitesontheridge，andDuanesoughttheshadebeneaththem。Itwasthenoon—hour，withhot，glarysunandnowind。HereDuanehadtohaveouthisfight。
　　Duanewasutterlyunlikehimself;hecouldnotbringtheoldselfback;hewasnotthesamemanheoncehadbeen。Buthecouldunderstandwhy。ItwasbecauseofRayLongstreth。
　　Temptationassailedhim。Tohaveherhiswife！Itwasimpossible。Thethoughtwasinsidiouslyalluring。Duanepicturedahome。Hesawhimselfridingthroughthecottonandriceandcane，hometoastatelyoldmansion，wherelong—earedhoundsbayedhimwelcome，andawomanlookedforhimandmethimwithhappyandbeautifulsmile。Theremight——therewouldbechildren。Andsomethingnew，strange，confoundingwithitsemotion，cametolifedeepinDuane’sheart。Therewouldbechildren！Raytheirmother！Thekindoflifealonelyoutcastalwaysyearnedforandneverhad！Hesawitall，feltitall。
　　ButbeyondandaboveallotherclaimscameCaptainMacNelly’s。
　　Itwasthentherewassomethingcoldanddeath—likeinDuane’ssoul。Forheknew，whateverhappened，ofonethinghewassure——hewouldhavetokilleitherLongstrethorLawson。
　　Longstrethmightbetrappedintoarrest;butLawsonhadnosense，nocontrol，nofear。Hewouldsnarllikeapantherandgoforhisgun，andhewouldhavetobekilled。This，ofallconsummations，wastheonetobecalculatedupon。
　　Duanecameoutofitallbitterandcallousandsore——inthemostfittingofmoodstoundertakeadifficultanddeadlyenterprise。Hehadfallenuponhisoldstrange，futiledreams，nowrenderedpoignantbyreasonoflove。Hedroveawaythosedreams。Intheirplacescametheimagesoftheolive—skinnedLongstrethwithhissharpeyes，andthedark，evil—facedLawson，andthenreturnedtenfoldmorethrillingandsinistertheoldstrangepassiontomeetPoggin。
　　Itwasaboutoneo’clockwhenDuanerodeintoFairdale。Thestreetsforthemostpartweredeserted。HewentdirectlytofindMortonandZimmer。Hefoundthematlength，restless，somber，anxious，butunawareoftheparthehadplayedatOrd。
　　TheysaidLongstrethwashome，too。ItwaspossiblethatLongstrethhadarrivedhomeinignorance。
　　Duanetoldthemtobeonhandintownwiththeirmenincasehemightneedthem，andthenwithteethlockedhesetoffforLongstreth’sranch。
　　Duanestolethroughthebushesandtrees，andwhennearingtheporchheheardloud，angry，familiarvoices。LongstrethandLawsonwerequarrelingagain。HowDuane’sluckystarguidedhim！Hehadnoplanofaction，buthisbrainwasequaltoahundredlightning—swiftevolutions。HemeanttotakeanyriskratherthankillLongstreth。Bothofthemenwereoutontheporch。Duanewormedhiswaytotheedgeoftheshrubberyandcrouchedlowtowatchforhisopportunity。
　　Longstrethlookedhaggardandthin。Hewasinhisshirt—
　　sleeves，andhehadcomeoutwithaguninhishand。Thishelaidonatablenearthewall。Heworenobelt。
　　Lawsonwasred，bloated，thick—lipped，allfieryandsweatyfromdrink，thoughsoberonthemoment，andhehadtheexpressionofadesperatemaninhislaststand。Itwashislaststand，thoughhewasignorantofthat。
　　"What’syournews？Youneedn’tbeafraidofmyfeelings，"saidLawson。
　　"Rayconfessedtoaninterestinthisranger，"repliedLongstreth。
　　DuanethoughtLawsonwouldchoke。Hewasthick—neckedanyway，andtherushofbloodmadehimtearatthesoftcollarofhisshirt。Duaneawaitedhischance，patient，cold，allhisfeelingsshutinavise。
　　"Butwhyshouldyourdaughtermeetthisranger？"demandedLawson，harshly。
　　"She’sinlovewithhim，andhe’sinlovewithher。"
　　DuanereveledinLawson’scondition。Thestatementmighthavehadtheforceofajuggernaut。WasLongstrethsincere？Whatwashisgame？
　　Lawson，findinghisvoice，cursedRay，cursedtheranger，thenLongstreth。
　　"Youdamnedselfishfool！"criedLongstreth，indeepbitterscorn。"Allyouthinkofisyourself——yourlossofthegirl。
　　ThinkonceofME——myhome——mylife！"
　　ThentheconnectionsubtlyputoutbyLongstrethapparentlydawnedupontheother。Somehowthroughthisgirlherfatherandcousinweretobebetrayed。Duanegotthatimpression，thoughhecouldnottellhowtrueitwas。CertainlyLawson’sjealousywashisparamountemotion。
　　"Tohellwithyou！"burstoutLawson，incoherently。Hewasfrenzied。"I’llhaveher，ornobodyelsewill！"
　　"Youneverwill，"returnedLongstreth，stridently。"SohelpmeGodI’dratherseehertheranger’swifethanyours！"
　　WhileLawsonabsorbedthatshockLongstrethleanedtowardhim，allofhateandmenaceinhismien。
　　"Lawson，youmademewhatIam，"continuedLongstreth。"I
　　backedyou——shieldedyou。YOU’RECheseldine——ifthetruthistold！Nowit’sended。Iquityou。I’mdone！"
　　Theirgraypassion—cordedfaceswerestillasstones。
　　"GENTLEMEN！"Duanecalledinfar—reachingvoiceashesteppedout。"YOU’REBOTHDONE！"
　　TheywheeledtoconfrontDuane。
　　"Don’tmove！Notamuscle！Notafinger！"hewarned。
　　LongstrethreadwhatLawsonhadnotthemindtoread。Hisfaceturnedfromgraytoashen。
　　"Whatd’yemean？"yelledLawson，fiercely，shrilly。Itwasnotinhimtoobeyacommand，toseeimpendingdeath。
　　Allquiveringandstrung，yetwithperfectcontrol，Duaneraisedhislefthandtoturnbackalapelofhisopenvest。Thesilverstarflashedbrightly。
　　Lawsonhowledlikeadog。Withbarbarousandinsanefury，withsheerimpotentfolly，hesweptaclawinghandforhisgun。
　　Duane’sshotbrokehisaction。
　　BeforeLawsonevertottered，beforeheloosedthegun，Longstrethleapedbehindhim，claspedhimwithleftarm，quickaslightningjerkedthegunfrombothclutchingfingersandsheath。Longstrethprotectedhimselfwiththebodyofthedeadman。Duanesawredflashes，puffsofsmoke;heheardquickreports。Somethingstunghisleftarm。Thenablowlikewind，lightofsoundyetshockinginimpact，struckhim，staggeredhim。Thehotrendofleadfollowedtheblow。Duane’sheartseemedtoexplode，yethismindkeptextraordinarilyclearandrapid。
　　DuaneheardLongstrethworktheactionofLawson’sgun。Heheardthehammerclick，falluponemptyshells。LongstrethhadusedupalltheloadsinLawson’sgun。Hecursedasamancursedatdefeat。Duanewaited，coolandsurenow。Longstrethtriedtoliftthedeadman，toedgehimclosertowardthetablewherehisowngunlay。But，consideringtheperilofexposinghimself，hefoundthetaskbeyondhim。HebentpeeringatDuaneunderLawson’sarm，whichfloppedoutfromhisside。
　　Longstreth’seyesweretheeyesofamanwhomeanttokill。
　　Therewasneveranymistakingthestrangeandterriblelightofeyeslikethose。MorethanonceDuanehadachancetoaimatthem，atthetopofLongstreth’shead，atastripofhisside。
　　LongstrethflungLawson’sbodyoff。Butevenasitdropped，beforeLongstrethcouldleap，ashesurelyintended，forthegun，Duanecoveredhim，calledpiercinglytohim:
　　"Don’tjumpforthegun！Don’t！I’llkillyou！SureasGodI’llkillyou！"
　　LongstrethstoodperhapstenfeetfromthetablewherehisgunlayDuanesawhimcalculatingchances。Hewasgame。HehadthecouragethatforcedDuanetorespecthim。Duanejustsawhimmeasurethedistancetothatgun。Hewasmagnificent。Hemeanttodoit。Duanewouldhavetokillhim。
　　"Longstreth，listen，"criedDuane，swiftly。"Thegame’sup。
　　You’redone。Butthinkofyourdaughter！I’llspareyourlife——I’lltrytogetyoufreedomononecondition。Forhersake！I’vegotyounailed——alltheproofs。ThereliesLawson。
　　You’realone。I’veMortonandmentomyaid。Giveup。
　　Surrender。Consenttodemands，andI’llspareyou。MaybeIcanpersuadeMacNellytoletyougofreebacktoyouroldcountry。
　　It’sforRay’ssake！Herlife，perhapsherhappiness，canbesaved！Hurry，man！Youranswer！"
　　"SupposeIrefuse？"hequeried，withadarkandterribleearnestness。
　　"ThenI’llkillyouinyourtracks！Youcan’tmoveahand！Yourwordordeath！Hurry，Longstreth！Beaman！Forhersake！
　　Quick！Anothersecondnow——I’llkillyou！"
　　"Allright，BuckDuane，Igivemyword，"hesaid，anddeliberatelywalkedtothechairandfellintoit。
　　LongstrethlookedstrangelyatthebloodyblotonDuane’sshoulder。
　　"Therecomethegirls！"hesuddenlyexclaimed。"CanyouhelpmedragLawsoninside？Theymustn’tseehim。"
　　Duanewasfacingdowntheporchtowardthecourtandcorrals。
　　MissLongstrethandRuthhadcomeinsight，wereswiftlyapproaching，evidentlyalarmed。ThetwomensucceededindrawingLawsonintothehousebeforethegirlssawhim。
　　"Duane，you’renothardhit？"saidLongstreth。
　　"Reckonnot，"repliedDuane。
　　"I’msorry。Ifonlyyoucouldhavetoldmesooner！Lawson，damnhim！AlwaysI’vesplitoverhim！"
　　"Butthelasttime，Longstreth。"
　　"Yes，andIcameneardrivingyoutokillme，too。Duane，youtalkedmeoutofit。ForRay’ssake！She’llbeinhereinaminute。This’llbeharderthanfacingagun。"
　　"Hardnow。ButIhopeit’llturnoutallright。"
　　"Duane，willyoudomeafavor？"heasked，andheseemedshamefaced。
　　"Sure。"
　　"LetRayandRuththinkLawsonshotyou。He’sdead。Itcan’tmatter。Duane，theoldsideofmylifeiscomingback。It’sbeencoming。It’llbeherejustaboutwhensheentersthisroom。And，byGod，I’dchangeplaceswithLawsonifIcould！"
　　"Gladyou——saidthat，Longstreth，"repliedDuane。"Andsure——Lawsonpluggedme。It’soursecret。"
　　JustthenRayandRuthenteredtheroom。Duaneheardtwolowcries，sodifferentintone，andhesawtwowhitefaces。Raycametohisside，Sheliftedashakinghandtopointattheblooduponhisbreast。Whiteandmute，shegazedfromthattoherfather。
　　"Papa！"criedRay，wringingherhands。
　　"Don’tgiveway，"hereplied，huskily。"Bothyougirlswillneedyournerve。Duaneisn’tbadlyhurt。ButFloydis——isdead。
　　Listen。Letmetellitquick。There’sbeenafight。It——itwasLawson——itwasLawson’sgunthatshotDuane。Duaneletmeoff。
　　Infact，Ray，hesavedme。I’mtodividemyproperty——returnsofaraspossiblewhatI’vestolen——leaveTexasatoncewithDuane，underarrest。HesaysmaybehecangetMacNelly，therangercaptain，toletmego。Foryoursake！"
　　Shestoodthere，realizingherdeliverance，withthedarkandtragicgloryofhereyespassingfromherfathertoDuane。
　　"Youmustriseabovethis，"saidDuanetoher。"Iexpectedthistoruinyou。Butyourfatherisalive。Hewillliveitdown。
　　I’msureIcanpromiseyouhe’llbefree。PerhapsbackthereinLouisianathedishonorwillneverbeknown。Thiscountryisfarfromyouroldhome。AndeveninSanAntonioand。Austinaman’sevilreputemeanslittle。Thenthelinebetweenarustlerandarancherishardtodrawinthesewildborderdays。Rustlingisstealingcattle，andIonceheardawell—knownranchersaythatallrichcattlemenhaddonealittlestealingYourfatherdriftedouthere，and，likeagoodmanyothers，hesucceeded。
　　It’sperhapsjustaswellnottosplithairs，tojudgehimbythelawandmoralityofacivilizedcountry。Somewayorotherhedriftedinwithbadmen。Maybeadealthatwashonestsomehowtiedhishands。Thismatterofland，water，afewstrayheadofstockhadtobedecidedoutofcourt。I’msureinhiscaseheneverrealizedwherehewasdrifting。Thenonethingledtoanother，untilhewasfacetofacewithdealingthattookoncrookedform。Toprotecthimselfheboundmentohim。
　　Andsothegangdeveloped。Manypowerfulgangshavedevelopedthatwayouthere。Hecouldnotcontrolthem。Hebecameinvolvedwiththem。Andeventuallytheirdealingsbecamedeliberatelyandboldlydishonest。Thatmeanttheinevitablespillingofbloodsoonerorlater，andsohegrewintotheleaderbecausehewasthestrongest。Whateverheistobejudgedfor，Ithinkhecouldhavebeeninfinitelyworse。"
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　Onthemorningofthetwenty—sixthDuanerodeintoBradfordintimetocatchtheearlytrain。Hiswoundsdidnotseriouslyincapacitatehim。Longstrethwaswithhim。AndMissLongstrethandRuthHerbertwouldnotbeleftbehind。TheywereallleavingFairdaleforever。LongstrethhadturnedoverthewholeofhispropertytoMorton，whowastodivideitasheandhiscomradesbelievedjust。DuanehadleftFairdalewithhispartybynight，passedthroughSandersonintheearlyhoursofdawn，andreachedBradfordashehadplanned。
　　ThatfatefulmorningfoundDuaneoutwardlycalm，butinwardlyhewasinatumult。HewantedtorushtoValVerde。WouldCaptainMacNellybetherewithhisrangers，asDuanehadplannedforthemtobe？MemoryofthattawnyPogginreturnedwithstrangepassion。Duanehadbornehoursandweeksandmonthsofwaiting，hadenduredthelonghoursoftheoutlaw，butnowhehadnopatience。Thewhistleofthetrainmadehimleap。
　　Itwasafasttrain，yettherideseemedslow。
　　Duane，dislikingtofaceLongstrethandthepassengersinthecar，changedhisseattoonebehindhisprisoner。Theyhadseldomspoken。Longstrethsatwithbowedhead，deepinthought。
　　Thegirlssatinaseatnearbyandwerepalebutcomposed。
　　Occasionallythetrainhaltedbrieflyatastation。ThelatterhalfofthatrideDuanehadobservedawagon—roadrunningparallelwiththerailroad，sometimesrightalongside，atothersnearorfaraway。WhenthetrainwasabouttwentymilesfromValVerdeDuaneespiedadarkgroupofhorsementrottingeastward。Hisbloodbeatlikeahammerathistemples。
　　Thegang！HethoughtherecognizedthetawnyPogginandfeltastrangeinwardcontraction。Hethoughtherecognizedtheclean—cutBlossomKane，theblack—beardedgiantBoldt，thered—facedPanhandleSmith，andFletcher。Therewasanothermanstrangetohim。WasthatKnell？No！itcouldnothavebeenKnell。
　　DuaneleanedovertheseatandtouchedLongstrethontheshoulder。
　　"Look！"hewhispered。Cheseldinewasstiff。Hehadalreadyseen。
　　Thetrainflashedby;theoutlawgangrecededoutofrangeofsight。
　　"DidyounoticeKnellwasn’twiththem？"whisperedDuane。
　　DuanedidnotspeaktoLongstrethagaintillthetrainstoppedatValVerde。
　　Theygotoffthecar，andthegirlsfollowedasnaturallyasordinarytravelers。ThestationwasagooddeallargerthanthatatBradford，andtherewasconsiderableactionandbustleincidenttothearrivalofthetrain。
　　Duane’ssweepinggazesearchedfaces，resteduponamanwhoseemedfamiliar。Thisfellow’slook，too，wasthatofonewhoknewDuane，butwaswaitingforasign，acue。ThenDuanerecognizedhim——MacNelly，clean—shaven。Withoutmustacheheappeareddifferent，younger。
　　WhenMacNellysawthatDuaneintendedtogreethim，tomeethim，hehurriedforward。Akeenlightflashedfromhiseyes。Hewasglad，eager，yetsuppressinghimself，andtheglanceshesentbackandforthfromDuanetoLongstrethwerequestioning，doubtful。CertainlyLongstrethdidnotlookthepartofanoutlaw。
　　"Duane！Lord，I’mgladtoseeyou，"wastheCaptain’sgreeting。
　　ThenatcloserlookintoDuane’sfacehiswarmthfled——somethinghesawtherecheckedhisenthusiasm，oratleastitsutterance。
　　"MacNelly，shakehandwithCheseldine，"saidDuane，low—voiced。