Heglidedonabouttenshort，swiftstepsbeforehehalted。Thatwasasfarashispiercingeyescouldpenetrate。IftherehadbeenaguardstationedoutsidethestoreJeanwouldhaveseenhimbeforebeingseen。
　　Hesawthefence，reachedit，enteredtheyard，glidedinthedenseshadowofthebarnuntiltheblacksquarebegantoloomgray——thecolorofstoneatnight。Jeanpeeredthroughtheobscurity。Nodarkfigureofamanshowedagainstthatgraywall——onlyablackpatch，whichmustbetheholeinthefoundationmentioned。Arayoflightnowstreakedoutfromthelittleblackwindow。Totherightshowedthewide，blackdoor。
　　FartheronJeanglidedsilently。Thenhehalted。Therewasnoguardoutside。Jeanheardtheclinkofacap，thelazydrawlofaTexan，andthenastrong，harshvoice——Jorth’s。ItstrungJean’swholebeingtightandvibrating。Insidehewasonfirewhilecoldthrillsrippledoverhisskin。Ittooktremendouseffortofwilltoholdhimselfbackanotherinstanttolisten，tolook，tofeel，tomakesure。Andthatinstantchargedhimwithamightycurrentofhotblood，straining，throbbing，damming。
　　WhenJeanleapedthiscurrentburst。Inafewswiftboundshegainedhispointhalfwaybetweendoorandwindow。Heleanedhisrifleagainstthestonewall。Thenheswungtheax。Crash！Thewindowshuttersplitandrattledtothefloorinside。Thesilencethenbrokewithahoarse，"What’sthet？"
　　WithallhismightJeanswungtheheavyaxonthedoor。Smash！Thelowerhalfcavedinandbangedtothefloor。Brightlightflaredoutthehole。
　　"Lookout！"yelledaman，inloudalarm。"They’rebatterin’thebackdoor！"
　　Jeanswungagain，highonthesplintereddoor。Crash！Piecesflewinside。
　　"They’vegotaxes，"hoarselyshoutedanothervoice。"Shovethecounterag’in’thedoor。"
　　"No！"thunderedavoiceofauthoritythatdenotedterroraswell。
　　"Letthemcomein。Pullyourgunsan’taketocover！"
　　"Theyain’tcomin’in，"wasthehoarsereply。"They’llshootinonusfromthedark。"
　　"Putoutthelamp！"yelledanother。
　　Jean’sthirdheavyswingcavedinpartoftheupperhalfofthedoor。
　　Shoutsandcursesintermingledwiththeslidingofbenchesacrossthefloorandthehardshuffleofboots。Thisconfusionseemedtobesplitandsilencedbyapiercingyell，ofdifferentcaliber，ofterriblemeaning。ItstayedJean’sswing——causedhimtodroptheaxandsnatchuphisrifle。
　　"DON’TANYBODYMOVE！"
　　Likeasteelwhipthisvoicecutthesilence。ItbelongedtoBlue。
　　Jeanswiftlybenttoputhiseyetoacrackinthedoor。Mostofthosevisibleseemedtohavebeenfrozenintounnaturalpositions。Jorthstoodratherinfrontofhismen，hatlessandcoatless，onearmoutstretched，andhisdarkprofilesettowardalittlemanjustinsidethedoor。ThismanwasBlue。JeanneededonlyoneflashinglookatBlue’sface，athisleveled，quiveringguns，tounderstandwhyhehadchosenthistrick。
　　"Who’re———you？"demandedJorth，inhuskypants。
　　"ReckonI’mIsbel’sright—handman，"camethebitingreply。
　　"OncetolerablewellknowninTexas……KINGFISHER！"
　　Thenamemusthavebeenaguaranteeofdeath。Jorthrecognizedthisoutlawandrealizedhisownfate。Inthelamplighthisfaceturnedapalegreenishwhite。Hisoutstretchedhandbegantoquiverdown。
　　Blue’sleftgunseemedtoleapupandflashredandexplode。Severalheavyreportsmergedalmostasone。Jorth’sarmjerkedlimply，flinginghisgun。Andhisbodysaggedinthemiddle。Hishandsflutteredlikecrippledwingsandfoundtheirwaytohisabdomen。Hisdeath—palefaceneverchangeditssetlooknorpositiontowardBlue。Buthisgaspingutterancewasoneofhorriblemortalfuryandterror。Thenhebegantosway，stillwiththatstrange，rigidsetofhisfacetowardhisslayer，untilhefell。
　　Hisfallbrokethespell。EvenBlue，likethegunmanhewas，hadpausedtowatchJorthinhislastmortalaction。Jorth’sfollowersbegantodrawandshoot。JeansawBlue’sreturnfirebringdownahugeman，whofellacrossJorth’sbody。ThenJean，quickasthethoughtthatactuatedhim，raisedhisrifleandshotatthebiglamp。Itburstinaflare。Itcrashedtothefloor。Darknessfollowed——ablank，thick，envelopingmantle。Thenredflashesofgunsemphasizedtheblackness。
　　Insidethestoretherebrokelooseapandemoniumofshots，yells，curses，andthuddingboots。Jeanshovedhisriflebarrelinsidethedoorand，holdingitlowdown，hemovedittoandfrowhileheworkedleverandtriggeruntilthemagazinewasempty。Then，drawinghissix—shooter，heemptiedthat。AroarofriflesfromthefrontofthestoretoldJeanthathiscomradeshadenteredthefray。Bulletszippedthroughthedoorhehadbroken。Jeanranswiftlyroundthecorner，takingcaretosheeroffalittletotheleft，andwhenhegotclearofthebuildinghesawalineofflashesinthemiddleoftheroad。Blaisdellandtheotherswerefiringintothedoorofthestore。WithnimblefingersJeanreloadedhisrifle。Thenswiftlyheranacrosstheroadanddowntogetbehindhiscomrades。Theirshootinghadslackened。Jeansawdarkformscominghisway。
　　"Hello，Blaisdell！"hecalled，warningly。
　　"Thaty’u，Jean？"returnedtherancher，loomingup。"Wal，wewasn’tworriedabooty’u。"
　　"Blue？"queriedJean，sharply。
　　Alittle，darkfigureshuffledpastJean。"Howdy，Jean！"saidBlue，dryly。"Y’ushoredidyourpart。ReckonI’llneedtobetiedup，butIain’thurtmuch。"
　　"Colmor’shit，"calledthevoiceofGordon，afewyardsdistant。
　　"Helpme，somebody！"
　　JeanrantohelpGordonupholdtheswayingColmor。"Areyouhurt—bad？"
　　askedJean，anxiously。Theyoungman’sheadrolledandhung。Hewasbreathinghardanddidnotreply。Theyhadalmosttocarryhim。
　　"Comeon，men！"calledBlaisdell，turningbacktowardtheotherswhowerestillfiring。"We’llletwellenoughalone……Fredericks，y’uan’Billhelpmefindthebodyoftheoldman。It’sheahsomewhere。"
　　FartherondowntheroadthesearchersstumbledoverGastonIsbel。
　　TheypickedhimupandfollowedJeanandGordon，whoweresupportingthewoundedColmor。JeanlookedbacktoseeBluedragginghimselfalongintherear。Itwastoodarktoseedistinctly;nevertheless，JeangottheimpressionthatBluewasmoreseverelywoundedthanhehadclaimedtobe。ThedistancetoMeeker’scabinwasnotfar，butittookwhatJeanfelttobealongandanxioustimetogetthere。
　　Colmorapparentlyralliedsomewhat。WhenthisprocessionenteredMeeker’syard，Bluewaslaggingbehind。
　　"Blue，howairy’u？"calledBlaisdell，withconcern。
　　"Wal，Igot——myboots——on——anyhow，"repliedBlue，huskily。
　　Helurchedintotheyardandsliddownonthegrassandstretchedout。
　　"Man！Y’u’rehurtbad！"exclaimedBlaisdell。Theothershaltedintheirslowmarchand，asifbytacit，unspokenword，loweredthebodyofIsbeltotheground。ThenBlaisdellkneltbesideBlue。JeanleftColmortoGordonandhurriedtopeerdownintoBlue’sdimface。
　　"No，Iain’t——hurt，"saidBlue，inamuchweakervoice。I’m——jestkilled！……ItwasQueen！……Y’uallheerdme——Queenwas——onlybadmaninthatlot。Iknowedit……Icould——hevkilledhim……
　　ButIwas——afterLeeJorthan’hisbrothers……"
　　Blue’svoicefailedthere。
　　"Wal！"ejaculatedBlaisdell。
　　"Shorewasfunny——Jorth’sface——whenIsaid——KingFisher，"whisperedBlue。"Funnier——whenIbored——himthrough……Butit——was——Queen——"
　　Hiswhisperdiedaway。
　　"Blue！"calledBlaisdell，sharply。Receivingnoanswer，hebentlowerinthestarlightandplacedahandupontheman’sbreast。
　　"Wal，he’sgone……IwonderifhereallywastheoldTexasKingFisher。Noonewouldeverbelieveit……ButifhekilledtheJorths，I’llshorebelievehim。
　　CHAPTERX
　　TwoweeksoflonelysolitudeintheforesthadworkedincalculablechangeinEllenJorth。
　　LateinJuneherfatherandhertwouncleshadpackedandriddenoffwithDaggs，Colter，andsixothermen，allheavilyarmed，somesomberwithdrink，othershardandgrimwithaforetasteoffight。Ellenhadnotbeengivenanyorders。Herfatherhadforgottentobidhergood—byorhadavoidedit。Theirdarkmissionwasstampedontheirfaces。
　　Theyhadgoneand，keenashadbeenEllen’spang，nevertheless，theirdeparturewasarelief。ShehadheardthemblusterandbragsooftenthatshehadherdoubtsofanygreatJorth—Isbelwar。Barkingdogsdidnotbite。Somebody，perhapsoneachside，wouldbebadlywounded，possiblykilled，andthenthefeudwouldgoonasbefore，mostlytalk。
　　Manyofherformerimpressionshadfaded。Developmenthadbeensorapidandcontinuousinherthatshecouldlookbacktoaday—by—daytransformation。Atnightshehadhatedthesightofherselfandwhenthedawncameshewouldrise，singing。
　　JorthhadleftEllenathomewiththeMexicanwomanandAntonio。
　　Ellensawthemonlyatmealtimes，andoftennotthen，forshefrequentlyvisitedoldJohnSpragueorcamehomelatetodoherowncooking。
　　ItwasbutashortdistanceuptoSprague’scabin，andsinceshehadstoppedridingtheblackhorse，Spades，shewalked。Spadeswasaccustomedtohavinggrain，andinthemorningshewouldcomedowntotheranchandwhistle。EllenhadvowedshewouldneverfeedthehorseandbadeAntoniodoit。ButonemorningAntoniowasabsent。
　　ShefedSpadesherself。Whenshelaidahandonhimandwhenherubbedhisnoseagainsthershouldershewasnotquitesosureshehatedhim。
　　"WhyshouldI？"shequeried。"Ahorsecain’thelpitifhebelongsto——to——"Ellenwasnotsureofanythingexceptthatmoreandmoreitgrewgoodtobealone。
　　Awholedayinthelonelyforestpassedswiftly，yetitleftafeelingoflongtime。Shelivedbyherthoughts。Alwaysthemorningwasbright，sunny，sweetandfragrantandcolorful，andhermoodwaspensive，wistful，dreamy。Andalways，justassurelyasthehourspassed，thoughtintrudeduponherhappiness，andthoughtbroughtmemory，andmemorybroughtshame，andshamebroughtfight。Sunsetaftersunsetshehaddraggedherselfbacktotheranch，sullenandsickandbeaten。Yetsheneverceasedtostruggle。
　　TheJulystormscame，andtheforestfloorthathadbeensosearandbrownanddryanddustychangedasifbymagic。Thegreengrassshotup，theflowersbloomed，andalongthecanyonbedsoflacyfernsswayedinthewindandbenttheirgracefultipsovertheamber—coloredwater。
　　Ellenhauntedthesecooldells，thesepine—shaded，mossy—rockedravineswherethebrookstinkledandthedeercamedowntodrink。Shewanderedalone。Buttheregrewtobecompanyintheaspensandthemusicofthelittlewaterfalls。Ifshecouldhavelivedinthatsolitudealways，neverreturningtotheranchhomethatremindedherofhername，shecouldhaveforgottenandhavebeenhappy。
　　Shelovedthestorms。Itwasadrycountryandshehadlearnedthroughyearstowelcomethecreamycloudsthatrolledfromthesouthwest。Theycamesailingandclusteringanddarkeningatlasttoformagreat，purple，angrymassthatappearedtolodgeagainstthemountainrimandburstintodazzlingstreaksoflightningandgraypallsofrain。Lightningseldomstruckneartheranch，butupontheRimtherewasneverastormthatdidnotsplinterandcrashsomeofthenoblepines。Duringthestormseasonsheepherdersandwoodsmengenerallydidnotcampunderthepines。
　　Fearoflightningwasinborninthenatives，butforEllenthedazzlingwhitestreaksorthetremendoussplitting，cracklingshock，orthethunderousboomandrumblealongthebattlementsoftheRimhadnoterrors。Astormeasedherbreast。Deepinherheartwasahiddengatheringstorm。Andsomehow，tobeoutwhentheelementswerewarring，whentheearthtrembledandtheheavensseemedtoburstasunder，affordedherstrangerelief。
　　Thesummerdaysbecameweeks，andfartherandfarthertheycarriedEllenonthewingsofsolitudeandlonelinessuntilsheseemedtolookbackyearsattheselfshehadhated。Andalways，whenthedarkmemoryimpingeduponpeace，shefoughtandfoughtuntilsheseemedtobefightinghatreditself。Scornofscornandhateofhate！Yetevenherbattlesgrewtobedreams。ForwhentheinevitableretrospectbroughtbackJeanIsbelandhisloveandhercowardlyfalsehoodshewouldshudderalittleandputanunconscioushandtoherbreastandutterlyfailinherfightanddriftoffdowntovagueandwistfuldreams。
　　Thecleanandhealingforest，withitswhisperingwindandimperioussolitude，hadcomebetweenEllenandthemeaningofthesqualidsheepranch，withitstravestyofhome，itstragicowner。Anditwascomingbetweenhertwoselves，theonethatshehadbeenforcedtobeandtheotherthatshedidnotknow——thethinker，thedreamer，theromancer，theonewholivedinfancythelifesheloved。
　　ThesummermorningdawnedthatbroughtEllenstrangetidings。Theymusthavebeencreatedinhersleep，andnowwererealizedinthegloriousburstofgoldensun，inthesweepofcreamycloudsacrosstheblue，inthesolemnmusicofthewindinthepines，inthewildscreechofthebluejaysandthenoblebugleofastag。Theseheraldedthedayasnoordinaryday。Somethingwasgoingtohappentoher。
　　Shedivinedit。Shefeltit。Andshetrembled。Nothingbeautiful，hopeful，wonderfulcouldeverhappentoEllenJorth。Shehadbeenborntodisaster，tosuffer，tobeforgotten，anddiealone。Yetallnatureaboutherseemedamagnificentrebuketohermorbidness。Thesamespiritthatcameouttherewiththethick，amberlightwasinher。Shelived，andsomethinginherwasstrongerthanmind。
　　Ellenwenttothedoorofhercabin，wheresheflungoutherarms，driventoembracethisnamelesspurportofthemorning。Andawell—knownvoicebrokeinuponherrapture。
　　"Wal，lass，Iliketoseeyouhappyan’Ihatemyselffercomin’。
　　BecauseI’vebeentoGrassValleyfertwodaysan’I’vegotnews。"
　　OldJohnSpraguestoodthere，withasmilethatdidnothideatroubledlook。
　　"Oh！UncleJohn！Youstartledme，"exclaimedEllen，shockedbacktoreality。Andslowlysheadded:"GrassValley！News？"
　　Sheputoutanappealinghand，whichSpraguequicklytookinhisown，asiftoreassureher。
　　"Yes，an’notbadsofarasyouJorthsareconcerned，"hereplied。
　　"ThefirstJorth—Isbelfighthascomeoff……Reckonyouremembermakin’mepromisetotellyouifIheerdanythin’。Wal，Ididn’twaitferyoutocomeup。"
　　"SoEllenheardhervoicecalmlysaying。Whatwasthislyingcalmwhenthereseemedtobeastonehammeratherheart？Thefirstfight——notsobadfortheJorths！ThenithadbeenbadfortheIsbels。
　　Asudden，coldstillnessfelluponhersenses。
　　"Let’ssitdown——outdoors，"Spraguewassaying。"Nicean’sunnythis——mornin’。Ideclare——I’moutofbreath。Notusedtowalkin’。An’
　　besides，IleftGrassValley，inthenight——an’I’mtired。Butexcoosemefromhangin’roundthetvillagelastnight！Therewasshore——"
　　"Who——whowaskilled？"interruptedEllen，hervoicebreakinglowanddeep。
　　"GuyIsbelan’BillJacobsontheIsbelside，an’Daggs，Craig，an’
　　Greavesonyourfather’sside，"statedSprague，withsomethingofawedhaste。
　　"Ah！"breathedEllen，andsherelaxedtosinkbackagainstthecabinwall。
　　Spragueseatedhimselfonthelogbesideher，turningtofaceher，andheseemedburdenedwithgraveandimportantmatters。
　　"Iheerdagoodmanyconflictin’stories，"hesaid，earnestly。"Thevillagefolksisallskeeredan’there’snobelievin’theirgossip。
　　ButIgotwhathappenedstraightfromJakeEvarts。Thefightcomeoffdaybeforeyestiddy。Yourfather’sgangrodedowntoIsbel’sranch。
　　Daggswasseentobewantin’someoftheIsbelhosses，soEvartssays。
　　An’GuyIsbelan’Jacobsranoutinthepasture。Daggsan’someothersshotthemdown"Killedthem——thatway？"putinEllen，sharply。
　　"SoEvartssays。Hewasontheridgean’swearsheseenitall。TheykilledGuyan’Jacobsincoldblood。Nochancefertheirlives——noteventofight！……Wall，hentheysurroundedtheIsbelcabin。Thefightlastallthetdayan’allnightan’thenextday。EvartssaysGuyan’Jacobslaidouttharallthistime。An’aherdofhogsbrokeinthepasturean’waseatin’thedeadbodies……"
　　"MyGod！"burstoutEllen。"UncleJohn，y’ushorecain’tmeanmyfatherwouldn’tstopfightin’longenoughtodrivethehogsoffan’
　　burythosedaidmen？"
　　"Evartssaystheystoppedfightin’，allright，butitwastowatchthehogs，"declaredSprague。"An’then，whatd’yethink？Thewimminfolkscomeout——thered—headedone，Guy’swife，an’Jacobs’swife——theydrovethehogsawayan’buriedtheirhusbandsrightthereinthepasture。Evartssaysheseenthegraves。"
　　"ItisthewomenwhocanteachthesebloodyTexansalesson，"
　　declaredEllen，forcibly。
　　"Wal，Daggswasdrunk，an’hegotupfrombehindwherethegangwashidin’，an’daredtheIsbelstocomeout。Theyshothimtopieces。
　　An’thetnightsomeoneoftheIsbelsshotCraig，whowasaloneonguard……An’last——thishere’swhatIcometotellyou——JeanIsbelslippedupinthedarkonGreavesan’knifedhim。"
　　"Whydidy’uwanttotellmethatparticularly？"askedEllen，slowly。
　　"BecauseIreckonthefactsinthecasearequeer——an’because，Ellen，yournamewasmentioned，"announcedSprague，positively。
　　"Myname——mentioned？"echoedEllen。Herhorroranddisgustgavewaytoaquickeningprocessofthought，amountingastonishment。"Bywhom？"
　　"JeanIsbel，"repliedSprague，asifthenameandthefactweremomentous。
　　Ellensatstillasastone，herhandsbetweenherknees。Slowlyshefeltthebloodrecedefromherface，pricklingherkindownbelowherneck。Thatnamelockedherthought。
　　"Ellen，it’samightyqueerstory——tooqueertobealie，"wentonSprague。"Nowyoulisten！EvartsgotthisfromTedMeeker。An’TedMeekerheerditfromGreaves，whodidn’tdietillthenextdayafterJeanIsbelknifedhim。An’yourdadshotTedfertellin’whatheheerd……No，Greaveswasn’tkilledoutright。Hewascutsomethin’turrible——intwoplaces。Theywrappedhimallupan’nextdaypackedhiminawagonbacktoGrassValley。EvartssaysTedMeekerwasfriendlywithGreavesan’wenttoseehimashewaslayin’inhisroomnexttothestore。Wal，accordin’toMeeker’sstory，Greavescametoan’talked。
　　Hesaidhewassittin’thereinthedark，shootin’occasionallyatIsbel’scabin，whenheheerdarustlebehindhiminthegrass。Heknowedsomeonewascrawlin’onhim。Butbeforehecouldgethisgunaroundhewasjumpedbywhathethoughtwasagrizzlybear。Butitwasaman。HeshutoffGreaves’swindan’draggedhimbackintheditch。
　　An’hesaid:’Greaves，it’sthehalf—breed。An’he’sgoin’tocutyou——FIRSTFORELLENJORTH！an’thenforGastonIsbel！’……GreavessaidJeanrippedhimwithabowieknife……An’thetwasallGreavesremembered。Hediedsoonaftertellin’thisstory。Hemusthevfoughtawfulhard。ThetsecondcutIsbelgavehimwentclearthroughhim……
　　SomeofthegangwastharwhenGreavestalked，an’naturallytheywonderedwhyJeanIsbelhadsaid’firstforEllenJorth。’……SomebodyrememberedthetGreaveshadcastasluronyourgoodname，Ellen。An’
　　thentheyhadJeanIsbel’sreasonfersayin’thettoGreaves。Itcausedalotoftalk。An’whenSimmBrucebustedinsomeoftheganghaw—hawedhiman’saidashowhe’dgetthethirdcutfromJeanIsbel’sbowie。
　　Brucewashalfdrunkan’hebegantocussan’raveaboutJeanIsbelbein’inlovewithhisgirl……Asbadluckwouldhaveit，acoupleofmorefellarscomeinan’askedMeekerquestions。Hejestgottothetpart，’Greaves，it’sthehalf—breed，an’he’sgoin’tocutyou——
　　FIRSTFORELLENJORTH，’wheninwalkedyourfather！……Thenitallhadtocomeout——whatJeanIsbelhadsaidan’done——an’why。
　　HowGreaveshadbackedSimmBruceinslurrin’you！"
　　SpraguepausedtolookhardatEllen。
　　"Oh！Then——whatdiddaddo？"whisperedEllen。
　　"Hesaid，’ByGod！half—breedornot，there’soneIsbelwho’saman！’
　　An’hekilledBruceonthespotan’gaveMeekeranastywound。
　　SomebodygrabbedhimbeforehecouldshootMeekeragain。TheythrewMeekeroutan’hecrawledtoaneighbor’shouse，wherehewaswhenEvartsseenhim。"
　　EllenfeltSprague’sroughbutkindlyhandshakingher。"An’nowwhatdoyouthinkofJeanIsbel？"hequeried。
　　Agreat，unsurmountablewallseemedtoobstructEllen’sthought。
　　Itseemedgrayincolor。Itmovedtowardher。Itwasinsideherbrain。
　　"Itellyou，EllenJorth，"declaredtheoldman，"thetJeanIsbellovesyou—lovesyouturribly——an’hebelievesyou’regood。"
　　"Ohno——hedoesn’t！"falteredEllen。
　　"Wal，hejestdoes。"
　　"Oh，UncleJohn，hecain’tbelievethat！"shecried。
　　"Ofcoursehecan。Hedoes。Youaregood——goodasgold，Ellen，an’
　　heknowsit……Whataqueerdealitallis！Poordevil！Toloveyouthetturriblyan’hevtofightyourpeople！Ellen，yourdadhaditcorrect。Isbelornot，he’saman……An’Isaywhatashameyoutwoaredividedbyhate。Hatethetyouhednothin’todowith。"
　　Spraguepattedherheadandrosetogo。"Mebbethetfightwillendthetrouble。Ireckonitwill。Don’tcrossbridgestillyoucometothem，Ellen。，……Imusthurrybacknow。Ididn’ttaketimetounpackmyburros。Comeupsoon……An’，say，Ellen，don’tthinkhardanymoreofthetJeanIsbel。"
　　Spraguestrodeaway，andEllenneitherheardnorsawhimgo。Shesatperfectlymotionless，yethadastrangesensationofbeingliftedbyinvisibleandmightypower。Itwaslikemovementfeltinadream。
　　Shewasbeingimpelledupwardwhenherbodyseemedimmovableasstone。
　　Whenherbloodbeatdownthisdeadlockofanherphysicalbeingandrushedonandonthroughherveinsitgaveheranirresistibleimpulsetofly，tosailthroughspace，toranandrunandran。
　　Andonthemomenttheblackhorse，Spades，comingfromthemeadow，whinniedatsightofher。Ellenleapedupandranswiftly，butherfeetseemedtobestumbling。Shehuggedthehorseandburiedherhotfaceinhismaneandclungtohim。Thenjustasviolentlysherushedforhersaddleandbridleandcarriedtheheavyweightaseasilyasifithadbeenanemptysack。Throwingthemuponhim，shebuckledandstrappedwithstrong，eagerhands。Itneveroccurredtoherthatshewasnotdressedtoride。Upsheflungherself。Andthehorse，sensingherspirit，plungedintostrong，freegaitdownthecanyontrail。
　　Theride，theaction，thethrill，thesensationsofviolencewerenotallsheneeded。Solitude，theemptyaislesoftheforest，thefarmilesoflonelywilderness——werethesetheaddedall？Spadestookaswinging，rhythmiclopeupthewindingtrail。Thewindfannedherhotface。Thestingofwhippingaspenbrancheswaspleasant。Adeeprumbleofthundershookthesultryair。Upbeyondthegreenslopeofthecanyonmassedthecreamyclouds，shadingdarkeranddarker。Spadeslopedonthelevels，leapedthewashes，trottedovertherockyground，andtooktoawalkupthelongslope。Ellendroppedthereinsoverthepommel。
　　Herhandscouldnotstaysetonanything。Theypressedherbreastandflewouttocaressthewhiteaspensandtotearatthemapleleaves，andgatherthelavenderjuniperberries，andcamebackagaintoherheart。
　　Herheartthatwasgoingtoburstorbreak！Asithadswelled，sonowitlabored。Itcouldnotkeeppacewithherneeds。Allthatwasphysical，allthatwaslivinginherhadtobeunleashed。
　　Spadesgainedthelevelforest。Howthegreat，brown—greenpinesseemedtobendtheirloftybranchesoverher，protectively，understandingly。
　　Patchesofazure—blueskyflashedbetweenthetrees。Thegreatwhitecloudssailedalongwithher，andshaftsofgoldensunlight，fleckedwithgleamsoffallingpineneedles，shonedownthroughthecanopyoverhead。Awayinfrontofher，uptheslowheaveofforestland，boomedtheheavythunderboltsalongthebattlementsoftheRim。
　　Wassheridingtoescapefromherself？FornogaitsuitedheruntilSpadeswasrunninghardandfastthroughtheglades。Thenthepressureofdrywind，thethickodorofpine，theflashesofbrownandgreenandgoldandblue，thesoft，rhythmicthudsofhoofs，thefeelofthepowerfulhorseunderher，thewhipofsprucebranchesonhermusclescontractingandexpandinginhardaction——allthesesensationsseemedtoquellforthetimethemountingcataclysminherheart。
　　Theoakswales，themaplethickets，theaspengroves，thepine—shadedaisles，andthemilesofsilverspruceallspedbyher，asifshehadriddenthewind;andthroughtheforestaheadshonethevastopenoftheBasin，gloomedbypurpleandsilvercloud，shadowedbygraystorm，andinthewestbrightenedbygoldensky。
　　StraighttotheRimshehadridden，andtothepointwhereshehadwatchedJeanIsbelthatunforgetableday。Sherodetothepromontorybehindthepinethicketandbeheldascenewhichstayedherrestlesshandsuponherheavingbreast。
　　Theworldofskyandcloudandearthlyabyssseemedoneofstorm—sunderedgrandeur。Theairwassultryandstill，andsmelledofthepeculiarburnt—woododorcausedbylightningstrikingtrees。Afewheavydropsofrainwerepatteringdownfromthethin，grayedgeofcloudsoverhead。
　　Totheeasthungthestorm——ablackcloudlodgedagainsttheRim，fromwhichlong，mistyveilsofrainstreameddownintothegulf。Theroarofrainsoundedlikethesteadyroaroftherapidsofariver。Thenablue—white，piercinglybright，raggedstreakoflightningshotdownoutoftheblackcloud。ItstruckwithasplittingreportthatshockedtheverywallofrockunderEllen。Thentheheavensseemedtoburstopenwiththunderingcrashandclosewithmightythunderingboom。Longroarandlongerrumblerolledawaytotheeastward。Therainpoureddowninroaringcataracts。
　　Thesouthheldapanoramaofpurple—shroudedrangeandcanyon，canyonandrange，onacrosstherollingleaguestothedim，loftypeaks，allcanopiedoverwithangry，dusky，low—driftingclouds，horizon—wide，smoky，andsulphurous。AndasEllenwatched，handspressedtoherbreast，feelingincalculablereliefinsightofthistempestandgulfthatresembledhersoul，thesunburstoutfrombehindthelongbankofpurplecloudinthewestandfloodedtheworldtherewithgoldenlightning。
　　"Itisforme！"criedEllen。"Mymind——myheart——myverysoul……
　　Oh，Iknow！Iknownow！……Ilovehim——lovehim——lovehim！"
　　Shecrieditouttotheelements。"Oh，IloveJeanIsbel——an’myheartwillburstorbreak！"
　　Themightofherpassionwasliketheblazeofthesun。Beforeitallelseretreated，diminished。Thesuddennessofthetruthdimmedhersight。
　　Butshesawclearlyenoughtocrawlintothepinethicket，throughtheclutching，drytwigs，overthematsoffragrantneedlestothecovertwhereshehadoncespieduponJeanIsbel。Andhereshelayfacedownforawhile，handsclutchingtheneedles，breastpressedhardupontheground，strickenandspent。Butvitalitywasexceedingstronginher。
　　Itpassed，thatweaknessofrealization，andsheawakenedtotheconsciousnessoflove。