"Wal，Ireckononlyabootfivehundredgoodhossstepsareseparatin’
　　usfromthatoutfit，"drawledBlaisdell。
　　Noonerepliedtohisjocularity。GastonIsbel’seyesnarrowedtoaslitinhisfurrowedfaceandhekeptthemfasteneduponGreaves’sstore。
　　Blue，likewise，hadasombercastofcountenance，not，perhaps，anydarkernorgrimmerthanthoseofhiscomrades，butmorerepresentativeofintensepreoccupationofmind。ThelookofhimthrilledJean，whocouldsenseitsdeadliness，yetcouldnotgraspanymore。Altogether，themannerofthevillagersandthewatchfulpacingtoandfrooftheJorthfollowersandthesilent，bodingfrontofIsbelandhismensummedupforJeanthemenaceofthemomentthatmustverysoonchangetoaterriblereality。
　　AtacallfromMeeker，whostoodatthebackofthecabin，GastonIsbelrodeintotheyard，followedbytheothersofhisparty。"Somebodylookafterthehosses，"orderedIsbel，ashedismountedandtookhisrifleandpack。"Betterleavethesaddleson，leastwaystillweseewhat’scomin’off。"
　　JeanandBillIsbelledthehorsesbacktothecorral。Whilewateringandfeedingthem，JeansomehowreceivedtheimpressionthatBillwastryingtospeak，toconfideinhim，tounburdenhimselfofsomeload。
　　ThispeculiarityofBill’shadbecomemarkedwhenhewasperfectlysober。
　　Yethehadneverspokenorevenbegunanythingunusual。Uponthepresentoccasion，however，Jeanbelievedthathisbrothermighthavegottenridofhisemotion，orwhateveritwas，hadtheynotbeeninterruptedbyColmor。
　　"Boys，theoldman’sordersareforustosneakroundonthreesidesofGreaves’sstore，keepin’outofgunshottillwefindgoodcover，an’thencrawlcloseran’topickoffanyofJorth’sgangwhoshowshimself。"
　　BillIsbelstrodeoffwithoutareplytoColmor。
　　"Well，Idon’tthinksomuchofthat，"saidJean，ponderingly。
　　"Jorthhaslotsoffriendshere。Somebodymightpickusoff。"
　　"Ikicked，buttheoldmanshutmeup。He’snottobebuckedag’in’
　　now。Struckmeaspowerfulqueer。Butnowonder。"
　　"Maybeheknowsbest。Didhesayanythin’aboutwhathean’therestofthemaregoin’todo？"
　　"Nope。Bluetaxedhimwiththatan’gotthesameasme。Ireckonwe’dbettertryitout，forawhile，anyway。"
　　"Lookslikehewantsustokeepoutofthefight，repliedJean，thoughtfully。"Maybe，though……Dad’snofool。Colmor，youwaitheretillIgetoutofsight。I’llgoroundan’comeupascloseasadvisablebehindGreaves’sstore。Youtaketherightside。
　　An’keephid。"
　　WiththatJeanstrodeoff，goingaroundthebarn，straightouttheorchardlanetotheopenflat，andthenclimbingafencetothenorthofthevillage。Presentlyhereachedalineofshedsandcorrals，towhichhehelduntilhearrivedattheroad。ThispointwasaboutaquarterofamilefromGreaves’sstore，andaroundthebend。Jeansightednoone。Theroad，thefields，theyards，thebacksofthecabinsalllookeddeserted。AblighthadsettleddownuponthepeacefulactivitiesofGrassValley。Crossingtheroad，Jeanbegantocircleuntilhecameclosetoseveralcabins，aroundwhichhemadeawidedetour。Thistookhimtotheedgeoftheslope，wherebrushandthicketsaffordedhimasafepassagetoalinedirectlybackofGreaves’sstore。Thenheturnedtowardit。Soonhewasagainapproachingacabinofthatside，andsomeofitsinmatesdescriedhim，Theiractionsattestedtotheiralarm。Jeanhalfexpectedashotfromthisquarter，suchwerehisgrowingdoubts，buthewasmistaken。Aman，unknowntoJean，closelywatchedhisguardedmovementsandthenwavedahand，asiftosignifytoJeanthathehadnothingtofear。Afterthisacthedisappeared。JeanbelievedthathehadbeenrecognizedbysomeonenotantagonistictotheIsbels。Thereforehepassedthecabinand，comingtoathickscrub—oaktreethatofferedshelter，hehidtheretowatch。FromthisspothecouldseethebackofGreaves’sstore，atadistanceprobablytoofarforariflebullettoreach。Beforehim，asfarasthestore，andoneachside，extendedthevillagecommon。
　　Infrontofthestorerantheroad。Jean’spositionwassuchthathecouldnotcommandsightofthisroaddowntowardMeeker’shouse，afactthatdisturbedhim。Notsatisfiedwiththisstand，hestudiedhissurroundingsinthehopeofespyingabetter。Andhediscoveredwhathethoughtwouldbeamorefavorableposition，althoughhecouldnotseemuchfartherdowntheroad。Jeanwentbackaroundthecabinand，comingoutintotheopentotheright，hegotthecornerofGreaves’sbarnbetweenhimandthewindowofthestore。Thenheboldlyhurriedintotheopen，andsoonreachedanoldwagon，frombehindwhichheproposedtowatch。Hecouldnotseeeitherwindowordoorofthestore，butifanyoftheJorthcontingentcameoutthebackwaytheywouldbewithinreachofhisrifle。Jeantooktheriskofbeingshotatfromeitherside。
　　SosharpandrovingwashissightthathesoonespiedColmorslippingalongbehindthetreessomehundredyardstotheleft。AllhiseffortstocatchaglimpseofBill，however，werefruitless。AndthisappearedstrangetoJean，fortherewereseveralgoodplacesontherightfromwhichBillcouldhavecommandedthefrontofGreaves’sstoreandthewholewestside。
　　Colmordisappearedamongsomeshrubbery，andJeanseemedleftalonetowatchadeserted，silentvillage。Watchingandlistening，hefeltthatthetimedragged。Yettheshadowscastbythesunshowedhimthat，nomatterhowtensehefeltandhowthemomentsseemedhours，theywerereallyflying。
　　SuddenlyJean’searsrangwiththevibrantshockofariflereport。
　　Hejerkedup，strungandthrilling。Itcamefrominfrontofthestore。
　　Itwasfollowedbyrevolvershots，heavy，booming。Threehecounted，andtherestweretooclosetogethertoenumerate。Asinglehoarseyellpealedout，somehowtrenchantandtriumphant。Otheryells，notsowildandstrange，muffledthefirstone。Thensilenceclappeddownonthestoreandthe，opensquare。
　　JeanwasdeadlycertainthatsomeoftheJorthclanwouldshowthemselves。Hestrainedtostillthetremblingthosesuddenshotsandthatsignificantyellhadcausedhim。Nomanappeared。NomoresoundscaughtJean’sears。Thesuspense，then，grewunbearable。
　　Itwasnotthathecouldnotwaitforanenemytoappear，butthathecouldnotwaittolearnwhathadhappened。Everymomentthathestayedthere，withhandslikesteelonhisrifle，witheyesofafalcon，butaddedtoadreadful，darkcertaintyofdisaster。Arifleshotswiftlyfollowedbyrevolvershots！Whatcould，theymean？Revolvershotsofdifferentcaliber，surelyfiredbydifferentmen！Whatcouldtheymean？
　　ItwasnottheseshotsthataccountedforJean’sdread，buttheyellwhichhadfollowed。Allhisintelligenceandallhisnervewerenotsufficienttofightdownthefeelingofcalamity。Andatlast，yieldingtoit，helefthispost，andranlikeadeeracrosstheopen，throughthecabinyard，andaroundtheedgeoftheslopetotheroad。Herehiscautionbroughthimtoahalt。Notalivingthingcrossedhisvision。
　　Breakingintoarun，hesoonreachedthebackofMeeker’splaceandentered，tohurryforwardtothecabin。
　　Colmorwasthereintheyard，breathinghard，hisfaceworking，andinfrontofhimcrouchedseveralofthemenwithriflesready。Theroad，toJean’sflashingglance，wasapparentlydeserted。Bluesatonthedoorstep，lightingacigarette。ThenonthemomentBlaisdellstrodetothedoorofthecabin。Jeanhadneverseenhimlooklikethat。
　　"Jean——look——downtheroad，"hesaid，brokenly，andwithbighandshakinghepointeddowntowardGreaves’sstore。
　　LikelightningJean’sglanceshotdown——down——down——untilitstoppedtofixupontheprostrateformofaman，lyinginthemiddleoftheroad。
　　Amanoflengthybuild，shirt—sleevedarmsflungwide，whiteheadinthedust——dead！Jean’srecognitionwasasswiftashissight。Hisfather！
　　Theyhadkilledhim！TheJorths！Itwasdone。Hisfather’spremonitionofdeathhadnotbeenfalse。Andthen，aftertheseflashingthoughts，cameasenseofblankness，momentarilyalmostoblivion，thatgaveplacetoarendingoftheheart。ThatpainJeanhadknownonlyatthedeathofhismother。Itpassed，thisagonizingpang，anditsicypressureyieldedtoarushinggustofblood，fieryashell。
　　"Who——didit？"whisperedJean。
　　"Jorth！"repliedBlaisdell，huskily。"Son，wecouldn’tholdyourdadback……Wecouldn’t。Hewaslikealion……An’hethrowedhislifeaway！
　　Oh，ifithadn’tbeenforthatit’dnotbesoawful。Shore，wecomeheahtoshootan’beshot。Butnotlikethat……ByGod，itwasmurder——murder！"
　　Jean’smutelipsframedaqueryeasilyread。
　　"Tellhim，Blue。Icain’t，"continuedBlaisdell，andhetrampedbackintothecabin。
　　"Setdown，Jean，an’takethingseasy，"saidBlue，calmly。"Youknowweallreckonedwe’dgitpluggedonewayoranotherinthisdeal。
　　An’shoreitdoesn’tmattermuchhowafellargitsit。Allthetoughttobotherusistomakeshoretheotheroutfitbitesthedust——sameasyourdadhadto。"
　　Underthisman’stranquilpresence，allthemorequietingbecauseitseemedtobesodeadlysureandcool，Jeanfelttheupliftofhisdarkspirit，theacceptanceoffatality，themountingcontroloffacultiesthatmustwait。Thelittlegunmanseemedtohaveabouthisinertpresencesomethingthatsuggestedarattlesnake’sinherentknowledgeofitsdestructiveness。Jeansatdownandwipedhisclammyface。
　　"Jean，yourdadreckonedtosquareaccountswithJorth，an’saveusall，"
　　beganBlue，puffingoutacloudofsmoke。"Buthereckonedtoolate。
　　Mebbeyears;ago——orevennotlongago——ifhe’dcalledJorthoutmantomanthere’dneverbeenanyJorth—Isbelwar。GastonIsbel’sconsciencewoketoolate。That’showIfiggerit。"
　　"Hurry！Tellme——howit——happen，"pantedJean。
　　"Wal，alittlewhileaftery’uleftIseenyourdadwritin’onaleafhetoreoutofabook——Meeker’sBible，asyucansee。Ithoughtthetwasfunny。An’Blaisdellgavemeahunch。PrettysoonalongcomesyoungEvarts。Theoldmancallshimoutofourhearin’an’talkstohim。
　　ThenIseenhimgivetheboysomethin’，whichIafterwardfiggeredwaswhathewroteontheleafoutoftheBible。Mean’Blaisdellbothtriedtogitoutofhimwhatthetmeant。Butnotaword。Ikeptwatchin’an’
　　afterawhileIseenyoungEvartsslipoutthebackway。MebbehalfanhourIseenabare—leggedkidcross，theroadan’gointoGreaves’sstore……ThenshoreItumbledtoyourdad。He’dsentanotetoJorthtocomeoutan’meethimfacetoface，mantoman！……
　　Shoreitwaslikereadin’whatyourdadhadwrote。ButIdidn’tsaynothin’toBlaisdell。Ijestwatched。"
　　Bluedrawledtheselastwords，asifheenjoyedremembranceofhiskeenreasoning。Asmilewreathedhisthinlips。Hedrewtwiceonthecigaretteandemittedanothercloudofsmoke。Quitesuddenlythenhechanged。Hemadearapidgesture——thewhipofahand，significantandpassionate。Andswiftwordsfollowed:
　　"ColonelLeeJorthstalkedoutofthestore——outintotheroad——mebbeahundredsteps。Thenhehalted。Heworehislongblackcoatan’hiswideblackhat，an’hestoodlikeastone。
　　"’Whatthehell！’burstoutBlaisdell，comin’outofhistrance。
　　"Therestofusjestlooked。I’dforgotyourdad，fortheminnit。
　　Sohadallofus。Butwerememberedsoonenoughwhenweseenhimstalkout。Everybodyhadahunchthen。Icalledhim。Blaisdellbeggedhimtocomeback。Allthefellars;hadasay。Nouse！
　　ThenIshorecussedhiman’toldhimitwasplainasdaythetJorthdidn’thitmelikeanhonestman。Icansensesuchthings。IknewJorthhadtrickuphissleeve。I’venotbeenagunfighterfernothin’。
　　"Yourdadhadnorifle。Hepackedhisgunathiship。Hejeststalkeddownthetroadlikeagiant，goin’fasteran’faster，holdin’hisheadhigh。Itshorewasfinetoseehim。ButIwassick。IheerdBlaisdellgroan，an’Frederickstharcussedsomethin’fierce……Whenyourdadhalted——IreckonabootfiftystepsfromJorth——thenweallwentnumb。
　　Iheerdyourdad’svoice——thenJorth’s。Theycutlikeknives。
　　Y’ucouldshoreheahthehatetheyhedfereachother。"
　　Bluehadbecomealittlehusky。Hisspeechhadgrowngraduallytodenotehisfeeling。Underneathhisserenitytherewasadifferentorderofman。
　　"Ireckonbothyourdadan’Jorthwentfertheirgunsatthesametime——anevenbreak。Butjestastheydrew，someoneshotariflefromthestore。Musthevbeenaforty—fiveseventy。Abiggun！Thebulletmusthavehityourdadlowdown，abootthemiddle。Heactedthetway，sinkin’
　　tohisknees。An’hewaswildinshootin’——sowildthethemusthevmissed。Thenhewabbled——an’Jorthruninadozensteps，shootin’fast，tillyourdadfellover……Jorthruncloser，bentoverhim，an’thenstraightenedupwithanApacheyell，ifIeverheerdone……An’thenJorthbackedslow——lookin’allthetime——backedtothestore，an’wentin。"
　　Blue’svoiceceased。Jeanseemedsuddenlyreleasedfromanimpellingmagnetthatnowdroppedhimtosomenumb，dizzydepth。Blue’sleanfacegrewhazy。ThenJeanbowedhisheadinhishands，andsatthere，whileaslighttremorshookallhismusclesatonce。Hegrewdeathlycoldanddeathlysick。Thisparoxysmslowlyworeaway，andJeangrewconsciousofadullamazeattheapparentdeadnessofhisspirit。
　　Blaisdellplacedahuge，kindlyhandonhisshoulder。
　　"Braceup，son！"hesaid，withvoicenowclearandresonant。"Shoreit’swhatyourdadexpected——an’whatweallmustlookfor……
　　Ifyuwasgoin’tokillJorthbefore——thinkhow————shorey’u’regoin’
　　tokillhimnow。"
　　"Blaisdell’stalkin’，"putinBlue，andhisvoicehadacoldring。
　　"LeeJorthwillneverseethesunriseag’in！"
　　ThesecallstotheprimitiveinJean，totheIndian，werenotinvain。
　　Butevenso，whenthedarktideroseinhim，therewasstillahauntingconsciousnessofthecrueltyofthissingulardoomimposeduponhim。
　　StrangelyEllenJorth’sfacefloatedbackinthedepthsofhisvision，pale，fading，likethefaceofaspiritfloatingby。
　　"Blue，"saidBlaisdell，"let’sgetIsbel’sbodysoonaswedare，an’buryit。Reckonwecan，rightafterdark。"
　　"Shore，"repliedBlue。"Buty’ufellarsfiggerthetout。I’mthinkin’
　　hard。I’vegotsomethin’onmymind。"
　　Jeangrewfascinatedbythelooksandspeechandactionofthelittlegunman。Blue，indeed，hadsomethingonhismind。Anditbodedilltothemeninthatdarksquarestonehousedowntheroad。Hepacedtoandfrointheyard，backandforthonthepathtothegate，andthenheenteredthecabintostalkupanddown，fasterandfaster，untilallatoncehehaltedasifstruck，toupflinghisrightarminasingularfiercegesture。
　　"Jean，callthemenin，"hesaid，tersely。
　　Theyallfiledin，sinisterandsilent，witheagerfacesturnedtothelittleTexan。Hisdominanceshowedmarkedly。
　　Gordon，y’ustandinthedooran’keepyoureyepeeled，"wentonBlue……Now，boys，listen！I’vethoughtitallout。Thisgameofmanhuntin’isthesametomeascattleraisin’istoy’u。An’mylifeinTexasallcomesbacktome，Ireckon，ingoodsteadferusnow。I’mgoin’tokillLeeJorth！Himfirst，an’mebbehisbrothers。IhadtothinkofagoodmanywaysbeforeIhitononeIreckonwillbeshore。
　　It’sgottobeSHORE。Jorthhasgottodie！Wal，heah’smyplan……
　　ThetJorthoutfitisdrinkin’some，wecangambleonit。They’renotgoin’toleavethetstore。An’ofcoursethey’llbeexpectin’ustostartafight。Ireckonthey’lllookfersomesuchsiegeastheyheldroundIsbel’sranch。Butweshoreain’tgoin’todothet。I’mgoin’
　　tosurprisethetoutfit。There’sonlyonemanamongthemwhoisdangerous，an’thet’sQueen。IknowQueen。Buthedoesn’tknowme。
　　An’I’mgoin’tofinishmyjobbeforehegetsacquaintedwithme。
　　Afterthet，allright！"
　　Bluepausedamoment，hiseyesnarrowingdown，hiswholefacesettinginhardcastofintensepreoccupation，asifhevisualizedasceneofextraordinarynature。
　　"Wal，what’syourtrick？"demandedBlaisdell。
　　"Y’uallknowGreaves’sstore，"continuedBlue。"Howthemwindershavewoodenshuttersthetkeepalightfromshowin’outside？Wal，I’mgamblin’
　　thetassoonasit’sdarkJorth’sgangwillbecelebratin。They’llbedrinkin’an’they’llhavealight，an’thewinderswillbeshut。They’renotgoin’toworrynoneabootus。Thetstoreislikeafort。Itwon’tburn。An’shorethey’dneverthinkofuschargin’theminthere。Wal，assoonasit’sdark，we’llgoroundbehindthelotsan’comeupjestacrosttheroadfromGreaves’s。Ireckonwe’dbetterleaveIsbelwherehelaystillthisfight’sover。Mebbey’u’llhavemore’nhimtobury。
　　We’llcrawlbehindthembushesinfrontofColeman’syard。An’heah’swhereJeancomesin。He’lltakeanax，an’hisguns，ofcourse，an’dosomeofhisInjunsneakin’roundtothebackofGreaves’sstore……
　　An’，Jean，y’umustdoaslickjobofthis。ButIreckonit’llbeeasyferyou。Backthereit’llbedarkaspitch，feranyonelookin’outofthestore。An’I’mfiggerin’y’ucantakeyourtimean’crawlrightup。
　　Nowify’udon’trememberhowGreaves’sbackyardlooksI’lltelly’u。"
　　HereBluedroppedononekneetothefloorandwithafingerhetracedamapofGreaves’sbarnandfence，thebackdoorandwindow，andespeciallyabreakinthestonefoundationwhichledintoakindofcellarwhereGreavesstoredwoodandotherthingsthatcouldbeleftoutdoors。
　　"Jean，Itakeparticularpainstoshowy’uwherethisholeis，"saidBlue，"becauseifthegangrunsouty’ucouldduckintherean’hide。
　　An’iftheyrunoutintotheyard——wal，y’u’dmakeitasorryrunferthem……Wal，wheny’u’vecrawledupclosetoGreaves’sbackdoor，an’waitedlongenoughtoseean’listen——thenyou’retorunfastan’
　　swingyouraxsmashag’in’thewinder。Takeaquickpeepinify’uwantto。Itmighthelp。Thenjumpquickan’takeaswingatthedoor。
　　Y’u’llbestandin’tooneside，soifthegangshootsthroughthedoortheywon’thity’u。Bangthetdoorgoodan’hard……Wal，now’swhereIcomein。Wheny’uswingthetaxI’llshorerunferthefrontofthestore。Jorthan’hisoutfitwillbesomeattentivetothetpoundin’ofyoursonthebackdoor。SoIreckon。An’they’llbelookin’thetway。I’llrunin——yell——an’throwmygunsonJorth。"
　　"Humph！Isthatall？"ejaculatedBlaisdell。
　　"Ireckonthet’sallan’I’mfiggerin’it’sahellofalot，"respondedBlue，dryly。"Thet’swhatJorthwillthink。"
　　"Wheredowecomein？"
　　"Wal，y’uallcanbackmeup，"repliedBlue，dubiously。Y’usee，myplangoesasfaraskillin’Jorth——an’mebbehisbrothers。MebbeI’llgetacrackatQueen。ButI’llbeshoreofJorth。Afterthetalldepends。Mebbeit’llbeeasyfermetogetout。An’ifIdoy’ufellarswillknowitan’canfillthetstoreroomfullofbullets。"
　　"Wal，Blue，withallduerespecttoy’u，Ishoredon’tlikeyourplan，"
　　declaredBlaisdell。"Successdependsupontoomanylittlethingsanyoneofwhichmightgowrong。"
　　"Blaisdell，IreckonIknowthisheahgamebetterthany’u，"repliedBlue。"Agunfightergoesbyinstinct。Thistrickwillwork。"
　　"ButsupposethatfrontdoorofGreaves’sstoreisbarred，"protestedBlaisdell。
　　"Ithasn’tgotanybar，"saidBlue。
　　"Y’u’reshore？"
　　"Yes，Ireckon，"repliedBlue。
　　"Hell，man！Aren’ty’utakin’aterriblechance？"queriedBlaisdell。
　　Blue’sanswertothatwasalookthatbroughtthebloodtoBlaisdell’sface。Onlythendidtherancherreallycomprehendhowthelittlegunmanhadtakensuchdesperatechancesbefore，andmeanttotakethemnow，notwithanyhopeorassuranceofescapingwithhislife，buttoliveuptohispeculiarcodeofhonor。
　　"Blaisdell，didy’ueverheahofmeinTexas？"hequeried，dryly。
　　"Wal，no，Blue，Icain’tswearIdid，"repliedtherancher，apologetically。"An’Isbelwasalwayssortof’mysteriousaboothisacquaintancewithyou。"
　　"Myname’snotBlue。"
　　"Ahuh！Wal，whatisit，then——ifI’msafetoask？"returnedBlaisdell，gruffly。
　　"It’sKingFisher，"repliedBlue。
　　TheshockthatstiffenedBlaisdellmusthavebeencommunicatedtotheothers。Jeancertainlyfeltamaze，andsomeotheremotionnotfullyrealized，whenhefoundhimselffacetofacewithoneofthemostnotoriouscharacterseverknowninTexas——anoutlawlongsupposedtobedead。
　　"Men，IreckonI’dkeptmysecretifI’danyideeofcomin’outofthisIsbel—Jorthwaralive，"saidBlue。"ButI’mgoin’tocash。Ifeelitheah……Isbelwasmyfriend。Hesavedmefrombein’lynchedinTexas。An’soI’mgoin’tokillJorth。NowI’lltakeitkindofy’u——ifanyofy’ucomeoutofthisalive——totellwhoIwasan’whyIwasontheIsbelside。Becausethissheepan’cattlewar——thistalkofJorthan’theHashKnifeGang——itmakesme，sick。IKNOWthere’sbeencrookedworkonIsbel’sside，too。An’IneverwantitonrecordthetIkilledJorthbecausehewasarustler。"
　　"ByGod，Blue！it’slateinthedayforsuchtalk，"burstoutBlaisdell，inrageandamaze。"ButIreckony’uknowwhaty’u’retalkin’aboot……Wal，Ishoredon’twanttoheahit。"
　　AtthisjunctureBillIsbelquietlyenteredthecabin，toolatetohearanyofBlue’sstatement。Jeanwaspositiveofthat，forasBluewasspeakingthoselastrevealingwordsBill’sheavybootshadresoundedonthegravelpathoutside。YetsomethinginBill’slookorinthewayBlueavertedhisleanfaceorintheentranceofBillatthatparticularmoment，orallthesetogether，seemedtoJeantoaddfurthermysterytothelongsecretcausesleadinguptotheJorth—Isbelwar。DidBillknowwhatBlueknew？Jeanhadaninklingthathedid。Andonthemoment，soperplexingandbitter，Jeangazedoutthedoor，downthedesertedroadtowherehisdeadfatherlay，white—hairedandghastlyinthesunlight。
　　"Blue，youcouldhavekeptthattoyourself，aswellasyourrealname，"
　　interposedJean，withbitterness。"It’stoolatenowforeithertodoanygood……ButIappreciateyourfriendshipfordad，an’I’mreadytohelpcarryoutyourplan。"
　　ThatdecisionofJean’sappearedtoputanendtoprotestorargumentfromBlaisdelloranyoftheothers。Blue’sfleetingdarksmilewasoneofsatisfaction。Thenuponmostofthisgroupofmenseemedtosettleagrimrestraint。Theywentoutandwalkedandwatched;theycameinagain，restlessandsomber。Jeanthoughtthathemusthavebenthisgazeathousandtimesdowntheroadtothetragicfigureofhisfather。Thatsightrousedallemotionsinhisbreast，andtheonethatstirredtheremostwaspity。Thepityofit！GastonIsbellyingfacedowninthedustofthevillagestreet！Patchesofbloodshowedonthebackofhisvestandonewhite—sleevedshoulder。Hehadbeenshotthrough。EverytimeJeansawthisbloodhehadtostifleagatheringofwild，savageimpulses。
　　Meanwhiletheafternoonhoursdraggedbyandthevillageremainedasifitsinhabitantshadabandonedit。Notevenadogshowedonthesideroad。Jorthandsomeofhismencameoutinfrontofthestoreandsatonthesteps，incloseconveninggroups。Everymovethey，madeseemedsignificantoftheirconfidenceandimportance。Aboutsunsettheywentbackintothestore，closingdoorandwindowshutters。ThenBlaisdellcalledtheIsbelfactiontohavefoodanddrink。Jeanfeltnohunger。AndBlue，whohadkeptapartfromtheothers，showednodesiretoeat。Neitherdidhesmoke，thoughearlyinthedayhehadneverbeenwithoutacigarettebetweenhislips。
　　Twilightfellanddarknesscame。Notalightshowedanywhereintheblackness。
　　"Wal，Ireckonit’saboottime，"saidBlue，andheledthewayoutofthecabintothebackofthelot。Jeanstrodebehindhim，carryinghisrifleandanax。Silentlytheothermenfollowed。Blueturnedtotheleftandledthroughthefielduntilhecamewithinsightofadarklineoftrees。
　　"Thet’swheretheroadturnsoff，"hesaidtoJean。"An’heah’sthebackofColeman’splace……Wal，Jean，goodluck！"
　　Jeanfeltthegripofasteel—likehand，andinthedarknesshecaughtthegleamofBlue’seyes。JeanhadnoresponseinwordsforthelaconicBlue，buthewrungthehard，thinhandandhurriedawayinthedarkness。
　　Oncealone，hispartofthebusinessathandrushedhimintoeagerthrillingaction。Thiswasthesortofworkhewasfittedtodo。
　　Inthisinstanceitwasimportant，butitseemedtohimthatBluehadcoollytakentheperilouspart。AndthiscowboywithgrayinhisthinhairwasinrealitythegreatKingFisher！Jeanmarveledatthefact。AndheshiveredalloverforJorth。Intenminutes——fifteen，moreorless，Jorthwouldliegaspingbloodyfrothandsinkingdown。
　　Somethinginthedark，lonely，silent，oppressivesummernighttoldJeanthis。Hestrodeonswiftly。Crossingtheroadatarun，hekeptonoverthegroundhehadtraversedduringtheafternoon，andinafewmomentshestoodbreathinghardattheedgeofthecommonbehindGreaves’sstore。
　　Apinpointoflightpenetratedtheblackness。ItmadeJean’sheartleap。TheJorthcontingentwereburningthebiglampthathunginthecenterofGreaves’sstore。Jeanlistened。Loudvoicesandcoarselaughtersoundeddiscordonthemelancholysilenceofthenight。WhatBluehadcalledhisinstincthadsurelyguidedhimaright。DeathofGastonIsbelwasbeingcelebratedbyrevel。
　　InafewmomentsJeanhadregainedhisbreath。Thenallhisfacultiessetintenselytotheactionathand。Heseemedtomagnifyhishearingandhissight。Hismovementsmadenosound。Hegainedthewagon，wherehecrouchedamoment。
　　Thegroundseemedapale，obscuremedium，hardlymorerealthanthegloomaboveit。Throughthisgloomofnight，whichlookedthicklikeacloud，butwasreallyclear，shonethethin，brightpointoflight，accentuatingtheblacksquarethatwasGreaves’sstore。Abovethisstoodagraylineoftreefoliage，andthentheintenselydark—blueskystuddedwithwhite，coldstars。
　　Ahoundbayedlonesomelysomewhereinthedistance。Voicesofmensoundedmoredistinctly，somedeepandlow，othersloud，unguarded，withthevacantnoteofthoughtlessness。
　　Jeangatheredallhisforces，untilsenseofsightandhearingwereinexquisiteaccordwiththesupplenessandlightnessofhismovements。