ReckonIunderstand。Youdon’tmeetmanystrangersan’Isortofhityouwrong——makin’youfeeltoomuch——an’talktoomuch。Whoan’
　　whatyouareisnoneofmybusiness。Butwemet……An’Ireckonsomethin’hashappened——perhapsmoretomethantoyou……Nowletmeputyoustraightaboutclothesan’women。ReckonIknowmostwomenlovenicethingstowearan’thinkbecauseclothesmakethemlookprettythatthey’renicerorbetter。Butthey’rewrong。You’rewrong。Maybeit’dbetoomuchforagirllikeyoutobehappywithoutclothes。Butyoucanbe——youaxejustasnice，an’——an’fine——an’，forallyouknow，agooddealmoreappealin’tosomemen。"
　　"Stranger，y’ushoremustexcusemytemperan’theshowImadeofmyself，"repliedthegirl，withcomposure。"That，tosaytheleast，wasnotnice。An’Idon’twantanyonethinkin’betterofmethanI
　　deserve。MymotherdiedinTexas，an’I’velivedoutheahinthiswildcountry——agirlaloneamongroughmen。Meetin’y’uto—daymakesmeseewhatahardlottheyare——an’whatit’sdonetome。"
　　Jeansmotheredhiscuriosityandtriedtoputoutofhismindagrowingsensethathepitiedher，likedher。
　　"Areyouasheepherder？"heasked。
　　"ShoreIamnowan’then。Myfatherlivesbackheahinacanyon。
　　He’sasheepman。Latelythere’sbeenherdersshotat。Justnowwe’reshortan’Ihavetofillin。ButIlikeshepherdin’an’Ilovethewoods，andtheRimRockan’alltheTonto。Iftheywereall，I’dshorebehappy。"
　　"Herdersshotat！"exclaimedJean，thoughtfully。"Bywhom？
　　An’whatfor？"
　　"Troublebrewin’betweenthecattlemendownintheBasinan’thesheepmenupontheRim。Dadsaysthere’llshorebehelltopay。
　　ItellhimIhopethecattlemenchasehimbacktoTexas。"
　　"Then——Areyouontheranchers’side？"queriedJean，tryingtopretendcasualinterest。
　　"No。I’llalwaysbeonmyfather’sside，"shereplied，withspirit。
　　"ButI’mboundtoadmitIthinkthecattlemenhavethefairsideoftheargument。"
　　"Howso？"
　　"Becausethere’sgrasseverywhere。Iseenosenseinasheepmangoin’
　　outofhiswaytosurroundacattlemanan’sheepoffhisrange。Thatstartedtherow。Lordknowshowit’llend。FormostallofthemheaharefromTexas。"
　　"SoIwastold，"repliedJean。"An’Iheard’mostalltheseTexansgotrunoutofTexas。Anytruthinthat？"
　　"ShoreIreckonthereis，"shereplied，seriously。"But，stranger，itmightnotbehealthyfory’uto，saythatanywhere。Mydad，forone，wasnotrunoutofTexas。ShoreInevercanseewhyhecameheah。
　　He’saccumulatedstock，buthe’snotrichnorsowelloffashewasbackhome。"
　　"Areyougoin’tostayherealways？"queriedJean，suddenly。
　　"IfIdosoit’llbeinmygrave，"sheanswered，darkly。"Butwhat’stheuseofthinkin’？Peoplestayplacesuntiltheydriftaway。Y’ucannevertell……Well，stranger，thistalkiskeepin’y’u。"
　　Sheseemedmoodynow，andanoteofdetachmentcreptintohervoice。
　　Jeanroseatonceandwentforhishorse。Ifthisgirldidnotdesiretotalkfurtherhecertainlyhadnowishtoannoyher。Hismulehadstrayedoffamongthebleatingsheep。Jeandroveitbackandthenledhishorseuptowherethegirlstood。Sheappearedtallerand，thoughnotofrobustbuild，shewasvigorousandlithe，withsomethingaboutherthatfittedtheplace。Jeanwasloathtobidhergood—by。
　　"WhichwayistheRim？"heasked，turningtohissaddlegirths。
　　"South，"shereplied，pointing。"It’sonlyamileorso。I’llwalkdownwithy’u……Supposey’u’reonthewaytoGrassValley？"
　　"Yes;I’verelativesthere，"hereturned。Hedreadedhernextquestion，whichhesuspectedwouldconcernhisname。Butshedidnotask。Takingupherriflesheturnedaway。Jeanstrodeaheadtoherside。"ReckonifyouwalkIwon’tride。"
　　SohefoundhimselfbesideagirlwiththefreestepofaMountaineer。
　　Herbare，brownheadcameupnearlytohisshoulder。Itwasasmall，prettyhead，graceful，wellheld，andthethickhaironitwasashiny，softbrown。Sheworeitinabraid，ratheruntidilyandtangled，hethought，anditwastiedwithastringofbuckskin。Altogetherherapparelproclaimedpoverty。
　　Jeanlettheconversationlanguishforalittle。Hewantedtothinkwhattosaypresently，andthenhefeltarathervaguepleasureinstalkingbesideher。Herprofilewasstraightcutandexquisiteinline。Fromthissideviewthesoftcurveoflipscouldnotbeseen。
　　Shemadeseveralattemptstostartconversation，allofwhichJeanignored，manifestlytohergrowingconstraint。PresentlyJean，havingdecidedwhathewantedtosay，suddenlybegan:"Ilikethisadventure。Doyou？"
　　"Adventure！Meetin’meinthewoods？"Andshelaughedthelaughofyouth。"Shoreyoumustbehardupforadventure，stranger。"
　　"Doyoulikeit？"hepersisted，andhiseyessearchedthehalf—avertedface。
　　"Imightlikeit，"sheanswered，frankly，"if——ifmytemperhadnotmadeafoolofme。InevermeetanyoneIcaretotalkto。Whyshoulditnotbepleasanttorunacrosssomeonenew——someonestrangeinthisheahwildcountry？"
　　"Weareasweare，"saidJean，simply。"Ididn’tthinkyoumadeafoolofyourself。IfIthoughtso，wouldIwanttoseeyouagain？"
　　"Doy’u？"Thebrownfaceflashedonhimwithsurprise，withalighthetookforgladness。Andbecausehewantedtoappearcalmandfriendly，nottooeager，hehadtodenyhimselfthethrillofmeetingthosechangingeyes。
　　"SureIdo。ReckonI’moverboldonsuchshortacquaintance。ButI
　　mightnothaveanotherchancetotellyou，sopleasedon’tholditagainstme。"
　　Thisdeclarationover，Jeanfeltreliefandsomethingofexultation。
　　Hehadbeenafraidhemightnothavethecouragetomakeit。Shewalkedonasbefore，onlywithherheadbowedalittleandhereyesdowncast。Nocolorbutthegold—browntanandthebluetraceryofveinsshowedinhercheeks。Henoticedthenaslightswellingquiverofherthroat;andhebecamealivetoitsgracefulcontour，andtohowfullandpulsatingitwas，hownoblyitsetintothecurveofhershoulder。Hereinherquiveringthroatwastheweaknessofher，theevidenceofhersex，thewomanlinessthatbeliedthemountaineerstrideandthegraspofstrongbrownhandsonarifle。IthadaneffectonJeantotallyinexplicabletohim，bothinthestrangewarmththatstoleoverhimandintheutterancehecouldnotholdback。
　　"Girl，we’restrangers，butwhatofthat？We’vemet，an’Itellyouitmeanssomethin’tome。I’veknowngirlsformonthsan’neverfeltthisway。Idon’tknowwhoyouarean’Idon’tcare。Youbetrayedagooddealtome。You’renothappy。You’relonely。An’ifIdidn’twanttoseeyouagainformyownsakeIwouldforyours。SomethingsyousaidI’llnotforgetsoon。I’vegotasister，an’Iknowyouhavenobrother。An’Ireckon……"
　　AtthisjunctureJeaninhisearnestnessandquitewithoutthoughtgraspedherhand。Thecontactcheckedtheflowofhisspeechandsuddenlymadehimaghastathistemerity。Butthegirldidnotmakeanyefforttowithdrawit。SoJean，inhalingadeepbreathandtryingtoseethroughhisbewilderment，heldonbravely。Heimaginedhefeltafaint，warm，returningpressure。Shewasyoung，shewasfriendless，shewashuman。BythishandinhisJeanfeltmorethaneverthelonelinessofher。Then，justashewasabouttospeakagain，shepulledherhandfree。
　　"Heah’stheRim，"shesaid，inherquaintSoutherndrawl。
　　"An’there’sY’urTontoBasin。"
　　Jeanhadbeenintentonlyuponthegirl。Hehadkeptstepbesideherwithouttakingnoteofwhatwasaheadofhim。Atherwordshelookedupexpectantly，tobestruckmute。
　　Hefeltasheerforce，adownwarddrawingofanimmenseabyssbeneathhim。
　　Ashelookedafarhesawablackbasinoftimberedcountry，thedarkestandwildesthehadevergazedupon，ahundredmilesofbluedistanceacrosstoanunflungmountainrange，hazypurpleagainstthesky。
　　Itseemedtobeastupendousgulfsurroundedonthreesidesbybold，undulatinglinesofpeaks，andonhissidebyawallsohighthathefeltliftedaloftontherunofthesky。
　　Southeasty’useetheSierraAnchas，"saidthegirlpointing。"ThatnotchintherangeisthepasswheresheeparedriventoPhoenixan’
　　Maricopa。ThosebigroughmountainstothesoutharetheMazatzals。
　　RoundtothewestistheFourPeaksRange。An’y’u’restandin’ontheRim。"
　　JeancouldnotseeatfirstjustwhattheRimwas，butbyshiftinghisgazewestwardhegraspedthisremarkablephenomenonofnature。
　　Forleaguesandleaguesacolossalredandyellowwall，arampart，amountain—facedcliff，seemedtozigzagwestward。Grandandboldwerethepromontoriesreachingoutoverthevoid。Theyrantowardthewesteringsun。Sweepingandimpressivewerethelonglinesslantingawayfromthem，slopingdarklyspotteddowntomergeintotheblacktimber。Jeanhadneverseensuchawildandruggedmanifestationofnature’sdepthsandupheavals。Hewasheldmute。
　　"Stranger，lookdown，"saidthegirl。
　　Jean’ssightwaseducatedtojudgeheightsanddepthsanddistances。
　　Thiswalluponwhichhestoodsheeredprecipitouslydown，sofarthatitmadehimdizzytolook，andthenthecraggybrokencliffsmergedintored—slided，cedar—greenedslopesrunningdownanddownintogorgeschokedwithforests，andfromwhichsoareduparoarofrushingwaters。Slopeafterslope，ridgebeyondridge，canyonmergingintocanyon——sothetremendousbowlsunkawaytoitsblack，deceivingdepths，awildernessacrosswhichtravelseemedimpossible。
　　"Wonderful！"exclaimedJean。
　　"Indeeditis！"murmuredthegirl。"ShorethatisArizona。IreckonIloveTHIS。Theheightsan’depths——theawfulnessofitswilderness！"
　　"An’youwanttoleaveit？"
　　"Yesan’no。Idon’tdenythepeacethatcomestomeheah。ButnotoftendoIseetheBasin，an’forthatmatter，onedoesn’tliveongrandscenery。"
　　"Child，evenonceinawhile——thissightwouldcureanymisery，ifyouonlysee。I’mgladIcame。I’mgladyoushowedittomefirst。"
　　Shetooseemedunderthespellofavastnessandlonelinessandbeautyandgrandeurthatcouldnotbutstriketheheart。
　　Jeantookherhandagain。"Girl，sayyouwillmeetmehere，"hesaid，hisvoiceringingdeepinhisears。
　　"ShoreIwill，"shereplied，softly，andturnedtohim。ItseemedthenthatJeansawherfaceforthefirsttime。Shewasbeautifulashehadneverknownbeauty。Limnedagainstthatscene，shegaveitlife——wild，sweet，younglife——thepoignantmeaningofwhichhauntedyeteludedhim。Butshebelongedthere。Hereyeswereagainsearchinghis，asif。forsomelostpartofherself，unrealized，neverknownbefore。Wondering，wistful，hopeful，glad—theywereeyesthatseemedsurprised，torevealpartofhersoul。
　　Thenherredlipsparted。TheirtremulousmovementwasamagnettoJean。
　　Aninvisibleandmightyforcepulledhimdowntokissthem。Whateverthespellhadbeen，thatrude，unconsciousactionbrokeit。
　　Hejerkedaway，asifheexpectedtobestruck。"Girl——I——I"——hegaspedinamazeandsudden—dawningcontrition——"Ikissedyou——butIswearitwasn’tintentional——Ineverthought……"
　　TheangerthatJeananticipatedfailedtomaterialize。Hestood，breathinghard，withahandheldoutinunconsciousappeal。Bythesamemagic，perhaps，thathadtransfiguredheramomentpast，shewasnowinvestedagainbytheoldercharacter。
　　"ShoreIreckonmycallin’y’uagentlemanwasalittleprevious，"
　　shesaid，witharatherdrybitterness。"But，stranger，yu’resudden。"
　　"You’renotinsulted？"askedJean，hurriedly。
　　"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore。Shoremenareallalike。"
　　"They’renot，"hereplied，hotly，withasubtlerushofdisillusion，adullingofenchantment。"Don’tyouclassmewithothermenwho’vekissedyou。Iwasn’tmyselfwhenIdiditan’I’dhavegoneonmykneestoaskyourforgiveness……ButnowIwouldn’t——an’Iwouldn’tkissyouagain，either——evenifyou——youwantedit。"
　　Jeanreadinherstrangegazewhatseemedtohimavaguedoubt，asifshewasquestioninghim。
　　"Miss，Itakethatback，"addedJean，shortly。"I’msorry。Ididn’tmeantoberude。Itwasameantrickformetokissyou。Agirlaloneinthewoodswho’sgoneoutofherwaytobekindtome！Idon’tknowwhyIforgotmymanners。An’Iaskyourpardon。"
　　Shelookedawaythen，andpresentlypointedfaroutanddownintotheBasin。
　　"There’sGrassValley。Thatlonggrayspotintheblack。It’saboutfifteenmiles。RidealongtheRimthatwaytilly’ucrossatrail。
　　Shorey’ucan’tmissit。Thengodown。"
　　"I’mmuchobligedtoyou，"repliedJean，reluctantlyacceptingwhatheregardedashisdismissal。Turninghishorse，heputhisfootinthestirrup，then，hesitating，helookedacrossthesaddleatthegirl。
　　Herabstraction，asshegazedawayoverthepurpledepthssuggestedlonelinessandwistfulness。Shewasnotthinkingofthatscenespreadsowondrouslybeforeher。ItstruckJeanshemightbeponderingasubtlechangeinhisfeelingandattitude，somethinghewasconsciousof，yetcouldnotdefine。
　　"Reckonthisisgood—by，"hesaid，withhesitation。
　　"ADIOS，SENOR，"shereplied，facinghimagain。Sheliftedthelittlecarbinetothehollowofherelbowand，halfturning，appearedreadytodepart。
　　"Adiosmeansgood—by？"hequeried。
　　"Yes，good—bytillto—morroworgood—byforever。Takeitasy’ulike。"
　　"Thenyou’llmeetmeheredayafterto—morrow？"Howeagerlyhespoke，onimpulse，withoutaconsiderationoftheintangiblethingthathadchangedhim！
　　"DidIsayIwouldn’t？"
　　"No。ButIreckonedyou’dnotcaretoafter——"hereplied，breakingoffinsomeconfusion。
　　"ShoreI’llbegladtomeety’u。Dayafterto—morrowaboutmid—afternoon。Rightheah。FetchallthenewsfromGrassValley。"
　　"Allright。Thanks。That’llbe——fine，"repliedJean，andashespokeheexperiencedabuoyantthrill，apleasantlightnessofenthusiasm，suchasalwaysstirredboyishlyinhimataprospectofadventure。
　　Beforeitpassedhewonderedatitandfeltunsureofhimself。
　　Heneededtothink。
　　"StrangershoreI’mnotrecollectin’thaty’utoldmewhoy’uare，"
　　shesaid。
　　"No，reckonIdidn’ttell，"hereturned。"Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？IsaidIdidn’tcarewhoorwhatyouare。Can’tyoufeelthesameaboutme？"
　　"Shore——Ifeltthatway，"shereplied，somewhatnon—plussed，withthelevelbrowngazesteadilyonhisface。Butnowy’umakemethink。"
　　"Let’smeetwithoutknowin’anymoreabouteachotherthanwedonow。"
　　"Shore。I’dlikethat。InthisbigwildArizonaagirl——an’Ireckonaman——feelssoinsignificant。What’saname，anyhow？Still，peoplean’thingshavetobedistinguished。I’llcally’u’Stranger’an’besatisfied——ify’usayit’sfairfory’unottotellwhoy’uare。"
　　"Fair！No，it’snot，"declaredJean，forcedtoconfession。"Myname’sJean——JeanIsbel。"
　　"ISBEL！"sheexclaimed，withaviolentstart。"Shorey’ucan’tbesonofoldGassIsbel……I’veseenbothhissons。"
　　"Hehasthree，"repliedJean，withrelief，nowthesecretwasout。
　　"I’mtheyoungest。I’mtwenty—four。NeverbeenoutofOregontillnow。Onmyway——"
　　Thebrowncolorslowlyfadedoutofherface，leavingherquitepale，witheyesthatbegantoblaze。Thesupplenessofherseemedtostiffen。
　　"Myname’sEllenJorth，"sheburstout，passionately。Doesitmeananythin’toy’u？"
　　"Neverhearditinmylife，"protestedJean。"SureIreckonedyoubelongedtothesheepraiserswho’reontheoutswithmyfather。
　　That’swhyIhadtotellyouI’mJeanIsbel……EllenJorth。
　　It’sstrangean’pretty……ReckonIcanbejustasgooda——afriendtoyou——"
　　"NoIsbel，caneverbeafriendtome，"shesaid，withbittercoldness。
　　Strippedofhereaseandhersoftwistfulness，shestoodbeforehimoneinstant，entirelyanothergirl，ahostileenemy。Thenshewheeledandstrodeoffintothewoods。
　　Jean，inamaze，inconsternation，watchedherswiftlydrawawaywithherlithe，freestep，wantingtofollowher，wantingtocalltoher;
　　buttheresentmentrousedbyhersuddenlyavowedhostilityheldhimmuteinhistracks。Hewatchedherdisappear，andwhenthebrown—and—greenwallofforestswallowedtheslendergrayformhefoughtagainsttheinsistentdesiretofollowher，andfoughtinvain。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ButEllenJorth’smoccasinedfeetdidnotleaveadistinguishabletrailonthespringypineneedlecoveringoftheground，andJeancouldnotfindanytraceofher。
　　Alittlefutilesearchingtoandfrocooledhisimpulseandcalledpridetohisrescue。Returningtohishorse，hemounted，rodeoutbehindthepackmuletostartitalong，andsoonfeltthereliefofdecisionandaction。ClumpsofsmallpinesgrewthicklyinspotsontheRim，makingitnecessaryforhimtoskirtthem;atwhichtimeshelostsightofthepurplebasin。Everytimehecamebacktoanopeningthroughwhichhecouldseethewildruggednessandcolorsanddistances，hisappreciationoftheirnaturegrewonhim。
　　ArizonafromYumatotheLittleColoradohadbeentohimanendlesswasteofwind—scoured，sun—blastedbarrenness。Thisblack—forestedrock—rimmedlandofuntroddenwayswasaworldthatinitselfwouldsatisfyhim。SomeinstinctinJeancalledforalonely，wildland，intothefastnessesofwhichhecouldroamatwillandbetheotherstrangeselfthathehadalwaysyearnedtobebuthadneverbeen。
　　EveryfewmomentsthereintrudedintohisflowingconsciousnesstheflashingfaceofEllenJorth，thewayshehadlookedathim，thethingsshehadsaid。"ReckonIwasafool，"hesoliloquized，withanacutesenseofhumiliation。"SheneversawhowmuchinearnestIwas。"AndJeanbegantorememberthecircumstanceswithavividnessthatdisturbedandperplexedhim。
　　Theaccidentofrunningacrosssuchagirlinthatlonelyplacemightbeoutoftheordinary——butithadhappened。Surprisehadmadehimdull。
　　Thecharmofherappearance，theappealofhermanner，musthavedrawnhimattheveryfirst，buthehadnotrecognizedthat。Onlyatherwords，"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore，"hadhisfeelingsbeencheckedintheirheedlessprogress。Andtheutteranceofthemhadmadeadifferencehenowsoughttoanalyze。Somepersonalityinhim，somevoice，someideahadbeguntodefendherevenbeforehewasconsciousthathehadarraignedherbeforethebarofhisjudgment。Suchdefenseseemedclamoringinhimnowandheforcedhimselftolisten。Hewanted，inhishurtpride，tojustifyhisamazingsurrendertoasweetandsentimentalimpulse。
　　Herealizednowthatatfirstglanceheshouldhaverecognizedinherlook，herpoise，hervoicethequalityhecalledthoroughbred。Raggedandstainedappareldidnotproveherofacommonsort。Jeanhadknownanumberoffineandwholesomegirlsofgoodfamily;andherememberedhissister。ThisEllenJorthwasthatkindofagirlirrespectiveofherpresentenvironment。Jeanchampionedherloyally，evenafterhehadgratifiedhisselfishpride。
　　Itwasthen——contendingwithanintangibleandstealingglamour，unrealandfanciful，likethedreamofaforbiddenenchantment——thatJeanarrivedatthepartinthelittlewoodlanddramawherehehadkissedEllenJorthandhadbeenunrebuked。Whyhadshenotresentedhisaction？Dispelledwastheillusionhehadbeendreamilyandnoblyconstructing。"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore！"Theshocktohimnowexceededhisfirstdismay。Halfbitterlyshehadspoken，andwhollyscornfulofherself，orofhim，orofallmen。Forshehadsaidallmenwerealike。Jeanchafedunderthesmartofthat，ataunteverydecentmanhated。Naturallyeveryhappyandhealthyyoungmanwouldwanttokisssuchred，sweetlips。Butifthoselipshadbeenforothers——neverforhim！Jeanreflectedthatnotsincechildishgameshadhekissedagirl——untilthisbrown—facedEllenJorthcamehisway。
　　Hewonderedatit。Moreover，hewonderedatthesignificanceheplaceduponit。Afterall，wasitnotmerelyanaccident？Whyshouldheremember？Whyshouldheponder？Whatwasthefaint，deep，growingthrillthataccompaniedsomeofhisthoughts？
　　Ridingalongwithbusymind，Jeanalmostcrossedawell—beatentrail，leadingthroughapinethicketanddownovertheRim。Jean’spackmuleledthewaywithoutbeingdriven。AndwhenJeanreachedtheedgeofthebluffonelookdownwasenoughtofetchhimoffhishorse。
　　Thattrailwassteep，narrow，cloggedwithstones，andasfullofsharpcornersasacrosscutsaw。Onceonthedescentwithapackedmuleandaspiritedhorse，Jeanhadnotimeformindwanderingsandverylittleforoccasionalglimpsesoutoverthecedartopstothevastbluehollowasleepunderawesteringsun。
　　Thestonesrattled，thedustrose，thecedartwigssnapped，thelittleavalanchesofredearthsliddown，theiron—shodhoofsrangontherocks。
　　ThisslopehadbeennarrowattheapexintheRimwherethetrailleddownacrack，anditwidenedinfanshapeasJeandescended。Hezigzaggeddownathousandfeetbeforetheslopebenchedintodividingridges。Herethecedarsandjunipersfailedandpinesoncemorehidthesun。Deepravineswereblackwithbrush。Fromsomewhererosearoarofrunningwater，mostpleasanttoJean’sears。Freshdeerandbeartrackscoveredoldonesmadeinthetrail。
　　ThosetimberedridgeswerebutbillowsofthattremendousslopethatnowsheeredaboveJean，endinginamagnificentyellowwallofrock，greenedinniches，stainedbyweatherrust，carvedandcrackedandcaverned。AsJeandescendedfartherthehumofbeesmademelody，theroarofrapidwaterandthemurmurofarisingbreezefilledhimwiththecontentofthewild。SheepmenlikeColterandwildgirlslikeEllenJorthandallthatseemedpromisingormenacinginhisfather’slettercouldneverchangetheIndianinJean。Sohethought。Harduponthatconclusionrushedanother——onewhichtroubledwithitsstingingrevelation。SurelytheseinfluenceshehaddefiedwerejusttheonestobringoutinhimtheIndianhehadsensedbuthadneverknown。TheeventfuldayhadbroughtnewandbitterfoodforJeantoreflectupon。
　　Thetraillandedhiminthebowlder—strewnbedofawidecanyon，wherethehugetreesstretchedacanopyoffoliagewhichdeniedthesunlight，andwhereabeautifulbrookrushedandfoamed。HereatlastJeantastedwaterthatrivaledhisOregonsprings。"Ah，"hecried，"thatsureisgood！"Darkandshadedandfernyandmossywasthisstreamway;andeverywhereweretracksofgame，fromthegiantspreadofagrizzlybeartothetiny，birdlikeimprintsofasquirrel。Jeanheardfamiliarsoundsofdeercracklingthedeadtwigs;andthechatterofsquirrelswasincessant。Thisfragrant，coolretreatundertheRimbroughtbacktohimthedimrecessesofOregonforests。Afterall，JeanfeltthathewouldnotmissanythingthathehadlovedintheCascades。Butwhatwasthevaguesenseofallnotbeingwellwithhim——theessenceofafaintregret——theinsistenceofahoveringshadow？Andthenflashedagain，etchedmorevividlybytherepetitioninmemory，apictureofeyes，oflips——ofsomethinghehadtoforget。
　　WildandbrokenasthisrollingBasinfloorhadappearedfromtheRim，therealityoftravelingoveritmadethatfirstimpressionadeceitofdistance。Downhereallwasonabig，rough，brokenscale。Jeandidnotfindevenafewrodsoflevelground。Bowldersashugeashousesobstructedthestreambed;sprucetreeseightfeetthicktriedtolorditoverthebrawnypines;theravinewasaveritablecanyonfromwhichoccasionalglimpsesthroughthefoliageshowedtheRimasaloftyred—tippedmountainpeak。
　　Jean’spackmulebecamefrightenedatscentofabearorlionandranoffdowntheroughtrail，imperilingJean’soutfit。Itwasnotaneasytasktoheadhimoffnor，whenthatwasaccomplished，tokeephimtoatrot。Buthisfrightandsucceedingskittishnessatleastmadeforfasttraveling。JeancalculatedthathecoveredtenmilesundertheRimbeforethecharacterofgroundandforestbegantochange。
　　Thetrailhadturnedsoutheast。Insteadofgorgeaftergorge，red—walledandchokedwithforest，therebegantoberollingridges，somehigh;otherswereknolls;andathickcedargrowthmadeupforafallingoffofpine。Thesprucehadlongdisappeared。Juniperthicketsgavewaymoreandmoretothebeautifulmanzanita;andsoononthesouthslopesappearedcactusandascrubbyliveoak。Butforthewell—brokentrail，Jeanwouldhavefaredillthroughthistoughbrush。
　　Jeanespiedseveraldeer，andagainacoyote，andwhathetooktobeasmallherdofwildhorses。Nomoreturkeytracksshowedinthedustypatches。Hecrossedanumberoftinybrooklets，andatlengthcametoaplacewherethetrailendedormergedinaroughroadthatshowedevidenceofconsiderabletravel。Horses，sheep，andcattlehadpassedalongtherethatday。Thisroadturnedsouthward，andJeanbegantohavepleasurableexpectations。
　　Theroad，likethetrail，leddowngrade，butnolongeratsuchsteepangles，andwasborderedbycedarandpinyon，jack—pineandjuniper，mescalandmanzanita。Quitesharply，goingaroundaridge，theroadledJean’seyedowntoasmallopenflatofmarshy，oratleastgrassy，ground。ThisgreenoasisinthewildernessofredandtimberedridgesmarkedanotherchangeinthecharacteroftheBasin。Beyondthatthecountrybegantospreadoutandrollgracefully，itsdark—greenforestinterspersedwithgrassyparks，untilJeanheadedintoalong，widegray—greenvalleysurroundedbyblack—fringedhills。Hispulsesquickenedhere。Hesawcattledottingtheexpanse，andhereandtherealongtheedgelogcabinsandcorrals。
　　Asavillage，GrassValleycouldnotboastofmuch，apparently，inthewayofpopulation。Cabinsandhouseswerewidelyscattered，asiftheinhabitantsdidnotcaretoencroachupononeanother。Buttheonestore，builtofstone，andstampedalsowiththecharacteristicisolation，seemedtoJeantobearatherremarkableedifice。Notexactlylikeafortdiditstrikehim，butifithadnotbeendesignedfordefenseitcertainlygavethatimpression，especiallyfromthelong，lowsidewithitsdarkeye—likewindowsabouttheheightofaman’sshoulder。Someratherfinehorsesweretiedtoahitchingrail。