Butinthebeginningitwasnotconsciousnessoftheman。Itwasnew，sensoriallife，elemental，primitive，aliberationofamillioninheritedinstincts，quiveringandphysical，overwhichEllenhadnomorecontrolthanshehadoverthegloryofthesun。Ifshethoughtatallitwasofherneedtobehidden，likeananimal，lowdownneartheearth，coveredbygreenthicket，lostinthewildnessofnature。Shewenttonature，unconsciouslyseekingamother。Andlovewasabirthfromthedepthsofher，likearushingspringofpurewater，longunderground，andatlastpropelledtothesurfacebyaconvulsion。
　　Ellengraduallylosthertenserigidityandrelaxed。Herbodysoftened。
　　Sherolledoveruntilherfacecaughtthelacy，goldenshadowscastbysunandbough。Scattereddropsofrainpatteredaroundher。Theairwashot，anditsodorwasthatofdrypineandsprucefragrancepenetratedbybrimstonefromthelightning。Thenestwhereshelaywaswarmandsweet。Noeyesavethatofnaturesawherinherabandonment。Anineffableandexquisitesmilewreathedherlips，dreamy，sad，sensuous，thesupremityofunconscioushappiness。Overherdarkandeloquenteyes，asEllengazedupward，spreadaluminousfilm，aveil。Shewaslookingintensely，yetshedidnotsee。Thewildernessenvelopedherwithitssecretive，elementalsheathsofrock，oftree，ofcloud，ofsunlight。
　　Throughherthrillingskinpouredthemultipleandnamelesssensationsofthelivingorganismstirredtosupremesensitiveness。Shecouldnotliestill，butallhermovementsweregentle，involuntary。Theslowreachingoutofherhand，tograspatnothingvisible，wassimilartothelazystretchingofherlimbs，totheheaveofherbreast，totherippleofmuscle。
　　Ellenknewnotwhatshefelt。Tolivethatsublimehourwasbeyondthought。Suchhappinesswaslikethefirstdawnoftheworldtothesightofman。Ithadtodowithbygoneages。Herheart，herblood，herflesh，herveryboneswerefilledwithinstinctsandemotionscommontotheracebeforeintellectdeveloped，whenthesavagelivedonlywithhissensorialperceptions。Ofallhappiness，joy，bliss，rapturetowhichmanwasheir，thatofintenseandexquisitepreoccupationofthesenses，unhinderedandunburdenedbythought，wasthegreatest。Ellenfeltthatwhichlifemeantwithitsinscrutabledesign。Lovewasonlytherealizationofhermissionontheearth。
　　Thedarkstormcloudwithitswhite，raggedropesoflightninganddown—streaminggrayveilsofrain，thepurplegulfrollinglikeacoloredseatothedimmountains，thegloriousgoldenlightofthesun——thesehadenchantedhereyeswithherbeautyoftheuniverse。
　　Theyhadburstthewindowsofherblindness。Whenshecrawledintothegreen—browncovertitwastoescapetoogreatperception。Sheneededtobeencompassedbyclose，tangiblethings。Andthereherbodypaidthetributetotherealizationoflife。Shock，convulsion，pain，relaxation，andthenunutterableandinsupportablesensingofherenvironmentandtheheart！Inonewayshewasawildanimalaloneinthewoods，forcedintothematingthatmeantreproductionofitskind。Inanothershewasaninfinitelyhigherbeingshotthroughandthroughwiththemostresistlessandmysterioustransportthatlifecouldgivetoflesh。
　　Andwhenthatspellslackeneditsholdtherewedgedintohermindaconsciousnessofthemansheloved——JeanIsbel。Thenemotionandthoughtstroveformasteryoverher。Itwasnotherselforlovethatsheloved，butalivingman。Suddenlyheexistedsoclearlyforherthatshecouldseehim，hearhim，almostfeelhim。Herwholesoul，herverylifecriedouttohimforprotection，forsalvation，forlove，forfulfillment。Nodenial，nodoubtmarredthewhiteblazeofherrealization。FromtheinstantthatshehadlookedupintoJeanIsbel’sdarkfaceshehadlovedhim。Onlyshehadnotknown。Shebowednow，andbent，andhumblyquiveredunderthemasteryofsomethingbeyondherken。Thoughtclungtothebeginningsofherromance——tothethreetimesshehadseenhim。Everylook，everyword，everyactofhisreturnedtohernowinthelightofthetruth。Loveatfirstsight！
　　Hehadswornit，bitterly，eloquently，scornfulofherdoubts。Andnowablind，sweet，shudderingecstasyswayedher。Howweakandfrailseemedherbody——toosmall，tooslightforthismonstrousandterribleengineoffireandlightningandfuryandglory——herheart！Itmustburstorbreak。RelentlesslymemorypursuedEllen，andherthoughtswhirledandemotionconqueredher。Atlastshequivereduptoherkneesasiflashedtoaction。ItseemedthatfirstkissofIsbel’s，coolandgentleandtimid，wasonherlips。Andhereyesclosedandhottearswelledfromunderherlids。Hergropinghandsfoundonlythedeadtwigsandthepineboughsofthetrees。Hadshereachedouttoclasphim？ThenhardandviolentonhermouthandcheekandneckburnedthoseotherkissesofIsbel’s，andwiththeflashing，stingingmemorycamethetruththatnowshewouldhavebarteredhersoulforthem。
　　Utterlyshesurrenderedtotheresistlessnessofthislove。Herlossofmotherandfriends，herwanderingfromonewildplacetoanother，herlonelylifeamongboldandroughmen，haddevelopedherforviolentlove。Itoverthrewallpride，itengenderedhumility，itkilledhate。
　　Ellenwipedthetearsfromhereyes，andassheknelttheresheswepttoherbreastafragrantspreadingboughofpineneedles。"I’llgotohim，"shewhispered。"I’lltellhimof——ofmy——mylove。I’lltellhimtotakemeaway——awaytotheendoftheworld——awayfromheah——beforeit’stoolate！"
　　Itwasasolemn，beautifulmoment。Butthelastspokenwordslingeredhauntingly。"Toolate？"shewhispered。
　　Andsuddenlyitseemedthatdeathitselfshudderedinhersoul。
　　Toolate！Itwastoolate。Shehadkilledhislove。ThatJorthbloodinher——thatpoisonoushate——hadchosentheonlywaytostrikethisnobleIsbeltotheheart。Basely，withanabandonmentofwomanhood，shehadmockinglyperjuredhersoulwithavilelie。Shewrithed，sheshookunderthewhipofthisinconceivablefact。Lost！Lost！Shewailedhermisery。ShemightaswellbewhatshehadmadeJeanIsbelthinkshewas。Ifshehadbeenshamedbefore，shewasnowabased，degraded，lostinherownsight。Andifshewouldhavegivenhersoulforhiskisses，shenowwouldhavekilledherselftoearnbackhisrespect。JeanIsbelhadgivenheratsightthedeferencethatshehadunconsciouslycraved，andthelovethatwouldhavebeenhersalvation。Whatahorriblemistakeshehadmadeofherlife！Nothermother’sblood，butherfather’s——theJorthblood——hadbeenherruin。
　　AgainEllenfelluponthesoftpine—needlemat，facedown，andshegroveledandburrowedthere，inanagonythatcouldnotbearthesenseoflight。Allshehadsufferedwasasnothingtothis。Tohaveawakenedtoasplendidandupliftingloveforamanwhomshehadimaginedshehated，whohadfoughtforhernameandhadkilledinrevengeforthedishonorshehadavowed——tohavelosthisloveandwhatwasinfinitelymoreprecioustohernowinherignominy——hisfaithinherpurity——thisbrokeherheart。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　WhenEllen，utterlyspentinbodyandmind，reachedhomethatdayamelancholy，sultrytwilightwasfalling。Fitfulflaresofsheetlightningsweptacrossthedarkhorizontotheeast。Thecabinsweredeserted。AntonioandtheMexicanwomanweregone。ThecircumstancesmadeEllenwonder，butshewastootiredandtoosunkeninspirittothinklongaboutitortocare。Shefedandwateredherhorseandlefthiminthecorral。Then，supperlessandwithoutremovingherclothes，shethrewherselfuponthebed，andatoncesankintoheavyslumber。
　　Sometimeduringthenightsheawoke。Coyoteswereyelping，andfromthatsoundsheconcludeditwasneardawn。Herbodyached;hermindseemeddull。Drowsilyshewassinkingintoslumberagainwhensheheardtherapidclip—clopoftrottinghorses。Startled，sheraisedherheadtolisten。Themenwerecomingback。Reliefanddreadseemedtoclearherstupor。
　　Thetrottinghorsesstoppedacrossthelanefromhercabin，evidentlyatthecorralwhereshehadleftSpades。Sheheardhimwhistle。
　　>Fromthesoundofhoofsshejudgedthenumberofhorsestobesixoreight。Lowvoicesofmenmingledwiththudsandcrackingofstrapsandfloppingofsaddlesontheground。Afterthattheheavytreadofbootssoundedontheporchofthecabinopposite。Adoorcreakedonitshinges。Nextaslowfootstep，accompaniedbyclinkingofspurs，approachedEllen’sdoor，andaheavyhandbangeduponit。Sheknewthispersoncouldnotbeherfather。
　　"Hullo，Ellen！"
　　SherecognizedthevoiceasbelongingtoColter。Somehowitstone，orsomethingaboutit，sentalittleshiverclownherspine。Itactedlikearevivifyingcurrent。Ellenlostherdragginglethargy。
　　"Hey，Ellen，arey’uthere？"addedColter，loudervoice。
　　"Yes。OfcourseI’mheah，"shereplied。Whatdoy’uwant？"
　　"Wal——I’mshoreglady’u’rehome，"hereplied。"Antonio’sgonewithhissquaw。An’Iwassomeworriedabooty’u。"
　　"Who’swithy’u，Colter？"queriedEllen，sittingup。
　　"RockWellsan’Springer。TadJorthwaswithus，butwehadtoleavehimoverheahinacabin。"
　　"What’sthematterwithhim？"
　　"Wal，he’shurttolerablebad，"wastheslowreply。
　　EllenheardColter’sspursjangle，asifhehaduneasilyshiftedhisfeet。
　　"Where’sdadan’UncleJackson？"askedEllen。
　　AsilencepregnantenoughtoaugmentEllen’sdreadfinallybroketoColter’svoice，somehowdifferent。"Shorethey’rebackonthetrail。
　　An’we’retomeetthemwhereweleftTad。"
　　"Areyugoin’awayagain？"
　　"Ireckon……An’，Ellen，y’u’regoin’withus。"
　　"Iamnot，"sheretorted。
　　"Wal，y’uare，ifIhavetopacky’u，"hereplied，forcibly。"It’snotsafeheahanymore。Thatdamnedhalf—breedIsbelwithhisgangareonourtrail。"
　　Thatnameseemedlikeared—hotbladeatEllen’sleadenheart。
　　ShewantedtoflingahundredqueriesonColter，butshecouldnotutterone。
　　"Ellen，we’vegottohitthetrailan’hide，"continuedColter，anxiously。"Y’umustn’tstayheahalone。SupposethemIsbelswouldtrapy’u！……They’dtearyourclothesoffan’ropey’utoatree。
　　Ellen，shorey’u’regoin’……Y’uheahme！"
　　"Yes——I’llgo，"shereplied，asifforced。
　　"Wal——that’sgood，"hesaid，quickly。"An’rustletolerablelively。
　　We’vegottopack。"
　　TheslowjangleofColter’sspursandhisslowstepsmovedawayoutofEllen’shearing。Throwingofftheblankets，sheputherfeettothefloorandsatthereamomentstaringattheblanknothingnessofthecabininteriorintheobscuregrayofdawn。Cold，gray，dreary，obscure——likeherlife，herfuture！Andshewascompelledtodowhatwashatefultoher。AsaJorthshemusttaketotheunfrequentedtrailsandhidelikearabbitinthethickets。Buttheinterestofthemoment，apremonitionofeventstobe，quickenedherintoaction。
　　Ellenunbarredthedoortoletinthelight。Daywasbreakingwithanintense，clear，steelylightintheeastthroughwhichthemorningstarstillshonewhite。Aruddyflarebetokenedtheadventofthesun。
　　Ellenunbraidedhertangledhairandbrushedandcombedit。Aqueer，stillpangcametoheratsightofpineneedlestangledinherbrownlocks。Thenshewashedherhandsandface。Breakfastwasamatterofconsiderableworkandshewashungry。
　　Thesunroseandchangedthegrayworldofforest。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeEllenhatedthegoldenbrightness，thewonderfulblueofsky，thescreamoftheeagleandthescreechofthejay;andthesquirrelsshehadalwayslovedtofeedwereneglectedthatmorning。
　　Coltercamein。EitherEllenhadneverbeforelookedattentivelyathimorelsehehadchanged。Herscrutinyofhislean，hardfeaturesaccordedhimmoreTexanattributesthanformerly。Hisgrayeyeswereaslight，asclear，asfierceasthoseofaneagle。Andthesandgrayofhisface，thelong，drooping，fairmustachehidthesecretsofhismind，butnotitsstrength。TheinstantEllenmethisgazeshesensedapowerinhimthatsheinstinctivelyopposed。ColterhadnotbeensoboldnorsorudeasDaggs，buthewasthesamekindofman，perhapsthemoredangerousforhissecretiveness，hiscool，waitinginscrutableness。
　　"’Mawnin’，Ellen！"hedrawled。"Y’ushorelookgoodforsoreeyes。"
　　"Don’tpaymecompliments，Colter，"repliedEllen。"An’youreyesarenotsore。"
　　"Wal，I’mshoresorefromfightin’an’ridin’an’layin’out，"
　　hesaid，bluntly。
　　"Tellme——what’shappened，"returnedEllen。
　　"Girl，it’satolerablelongstory，"repliedColter。"An’we’venotimenow。Waittillwegettocamp。"
　　"AmItopackmybelongin’sorleavethemheah？"askedEllen。
　　"Reckony’u’dbetterleave——themheah。"
　　"Butifwedidnotcomeback——"
　　"Wal，Ireckonit’snotlikelywe’llcome——soon，"hesaid，ratherevasively。
　　"Colter，I’llnotgooffintothewoodswithjusttheclothesIhaveonmyback。"
　　"Ellen，weshoregottopackallthegrabwecan。Thisshoreain’tgoin’tobeavisittoneighbors。We’reshypackhosses。Buty’umakeupabundleofbelongin’sy’ucarefor，an’thethingsy’u’llneedbad。We’llthrowitonsomewhere。"
　　Colterstalkedawayacrossthelane，andEllenfoundherselfdubiouslystaringathistallfigure。Wasitthesituationthatstruckherwithaforebodingperplexityorwasherintuitionsteelingheragainstthisman？Ellencouldnotdecide。Butshehadtogowithhim。Herprejudicewasunreasonableatthisportentousmoment。Andshecouldnotyetfeelthatshewassolelyresponsibletoherself。
　　Whenitcametomakingasmallbundleofherbelongingsshewasinaquandary。Shediscardedthisandputinthat，andthenreversedtheorder。Nextinpreciousnesstohermother’sthingswerethelong—hiddengiftsofJeanIsbel。Shecouldpartwithneither。
　　WhileshewasselectingandpackingthisbundleColteragainenteredand，withoutspeaking，begantorummageinthecornerwhereherfatherkepthispossessions。ThisirritatedEllen。
　　"Whatdoy’uwantthere？"shedemanded。
　　"Wal，Ireckonyourdadwantshispapers——an’thegoldheleftheah——
　　an’achangeofclothes。Nowdoesn’the？"returnedColter，coolly。
　　"Ofcourse。ButIsupposedy’uwouldhavemepackthem。"
　　Coltervouchsafednoreplytothis，butdeliberatelywentonrummaging，withlittleregardforhowhescatteredthings。Ellenturnedherbackonhim。Atlength，whenheleft，shewenttoherfather’scornerandfoundthat，asfarasshewasabletosee，Colterhadtakenneitherpapersnorclothes，butonlythegold。Perhaps，however，shehadbeenmistaken，forshehadnotobservedColter’sdeparturecloselyenoughtoknowwhetherornothecarriedapackage。Shemissedonlythegold。
　　Herfather’spapers，oldandmusty，werescatteredabout，andtheseshegathereduptoslipinherownbundle。
　　Colter，oroneofthemen，hadsaddledSpades，andhewasnowtiedtothecorralfence，champinghisbitandpoundingthesand。Ellenwrappedbreadandmeatinsidehercoat，andaftertyingthisbehindhersaddleshewasreadytogo。Butevidentlyshewouldhavetowait，and，preferringtoremainoutdoors，shestayedbyherhorse。Presently，whilewatchingthemenpack，shenoticedthatSpringerworeabandageroundhisheadunderthebrimofhissombrero。Hismotionswereslowandlackedenergy。Shudderingatthesight，Ellenrefusedtoconjecture。
　　Alltoosoonshewouldlearnwhathadhappened，andalltoosoon，perhaps，sheherselfwouldbeinthemidstofanotherfight。Shewatchedthemen。Theyweremakingahurriedslipshodjobofpackingfoodsuppliesfrombothcabins。MorethanonceshecaughtColter’sgraygleamofgazeonher，andshedidnotlikeit。
　　"I’llrideupan’saygood—bytoSprague，"shecalledtoColter。
　　"Shorey’uwon’tdonothin’ofthekind，"hecalledback。
　　TherewasauthorityinhistonethatangeredEllen，andsomethingelsewhichinhibitedheranger。WhatwasthereaboutColterwithwhichshemustreckon？TheothertwoTexanslaughedaloud，tobesuddenlysilencedbyColter’sharshandloweredcurses。Ellenwalkedoutofhearingandsatuponalog，wheresheremaineduntilColterhailedher。
　　"Getupan’ride，"hecalled。
　　Ellencompliedwiththisorderand，ridingupbehindthethreemountedmen，shesoonfoundherselfleavingwhatforyearshadbeenherhome。
　　Notoncedidshelookback。Shehopedshewouldneverseethesqualid，barepretensionofaranchagain。
　　Colterandtheotherridersdrovethepackhorsesacrossthemeadow，offofthetrails，anduptheslopeintotheforest。NotverylongdidittakeEllentoseethatColter’sobjectwastohidetheirtracks。
　　Hezigzaggedthroughtheforest，avoidingthebarespotsofdust，thedry，sun—bakedflatsofclaywherewaterlayinspring，andhechosethegrassy，openglades，thelong，pine—needlemattedaisles。Ellenrodeattheirheelsanditpleasedhertowatchfortheirtracks。Coltermanifestlyhadbeenlongpracticedinthisgameofhidinghistrail，andheshowedtheskillofarustler。ButEllenwasnotconvincedthathecouldevereludearealwoodsman。Notimprobably，however，Colterwasonlyaimingtoleaveatraildifficulttofollowandwhichwouldallowhimandhisconfederatesampletimetoforgeaheadofpursuers。
　　Ellencouldnotacceptacertaintyofpursuit。YetColtermusthaveexpectedit，andSpringerandWellsalso，fortheyhadadark，sinister，furtivedemeanorthatstrangelycontrastedwiththecool，easymannerhabitualtothem。
　　Theywerenotseekingthelevelroutesoftheforestland，thatwassure。
　　Theyrodestraightacrossthethick—timberedridgedownintoanothercanyon，upoutofthat，andacrossrough，rockybluffs，anddownagain。
　　Theseridersheadedalittletothenorthwestandeverymilebroughtthemintowilder，moreruggedcountry，untilEllen，losingcountofcanyonsandridges，hadnoideawhereshewas。Nostopwasmadeatnoontorestthelaboring，sweatingpackanimals。
　　UndercircumstanceswherepleasuremighthavebeenpossibleEllenwouldhavereveledinthishardrideintoawonderfulforesteverthickeninganddarkening。Butthewildbeautyofgladeandthespruceslopesandthedeep，bronze—walledcanyonslefthercold。Shesawandfelt，buthadnothrill，exceptnowandthenathrillofalarmwhenSpadesslidtohishaunchesdownsomesteep，damp，pinydeclivity。
　　Allthewoodland，upanddown，appearedtoberichergreenerastheytraveledfartherwest。Grassgrewthickandheavy。Waterraninallravines。Therockswerebronzeandcopperandrusset，andsomehadgreenpatchesoflichen。
　　EllenfeltthesunnowonherleftcheekandknewthatthedaywaswaningandthatColterwasswingingfarthertothenorthwest。Shehadneverbeforeriddenthroughsuchheavyforestanddownandupsuchwildcanyons。Towardsunsetthedeepestandruggedestcanyonhaltedtheiradvance。Colterrodetotheright，searchingforaplacetogetdownthroughasprucethicketthatstoodonend。Presentlyhedismountedandtheothersfollowedsuit。EllenfoundshecouldnotleadSpadesbecausehesliddownuponherheels，sosheloopedtheendofherreinsoverthepommelandlefthimfree。Sheherselfmanagedtodescendbyholdingtobranchesandslidingallthewaydownthatslope。
　　Sheheardthehorsescrackingthebrush，snortingandheaving。Onepackslippedandhadtoberemovedfromthehorse，androlleddown。Atthebottomofthisdeep，green—wallednotchroaredastreamofwater。
　　Shadowed，cool，mossy，damp，thisnarrowgulchseemedthewildestplaceEllenhadeverseen。Shecouldjustseethesunset—flushed，gold—tippedsprucesfaraboveher。Themenrepackedthehorsethathadslippedhisburden，andoncemoreresumedtheirprogressahead，nowturningupthiscanyon。Therewasnohorsetrail，butdeerandbeartrailswerenumerous。Thesunsankandtheskydarkened，butstillthemenrodeon;andthefarthertheytraveledthewildergrewtheaspectofthecanyon。
　　AtlengthColterbrokeawaythroughaheavythicketofwillowsandenteredasidecanyon，themouthofwhichEllenhadnotevendescried。
　　Itturnedandwidened，andatlengthopenedoutintoaroundpocket，apparentlyinclosed，andaslonelyandisolatedaplaceasevenpursuedrustlerscoulddesire。Hiddenbyjuttingwallandthicketofspruceweretwooldlogcabinsjoinedtogetherbyroofandatticfloor，thesameasthedoublecabinattheJorthranch。
　　Ellensmelledwoodsmoke，andpresently，ongoingroundthecabins，sawabrightfire。OnemanstoodbesideitgazingatColter’sparty，whichevidentlyhehadheardapproaching。
　　"Hullo，Queen！"saidColter。How’sTad？"
　　"He’sholdin’onfine，"repliedQueen，bendingoverthefire，whereheturnedpiecesofmeat。
　　"Where’sfather？"suddenlyaskedEllen，addressingColter。
　　Asifhehadnotheardher，hewentonwearilylooseningapack。
　　Queenlookedather。Thelightofthefireonlypartiallyshoneonhisface。Ellencouldnotseeitsexpression。ButfromthefactthatQueendidnotanswerherquestionshegotfurtherintimationofanimpendingcatastrophe。Thelong，wildridehadhelpedprepareherforthesecrecyandtaciturnityofmenwhohadresortedtoflight。Perhapsherfatherhadbeendelayedorwasstilloffonthedeadlymissionthathadobsessedhim;ortheremight，andprobablywas，darkerreasonforhisabsence。Ellenshutherteethandturnedtotheneedsofherhorse。
　　Andpresently。returningtothefire，shethoughtofheruncle。
　　"Queen，ismyuncleTadheah？"sheasked。
　　"Shore。He’sinthere，"repliedQueen，pointingatthenearercabin。
　　Ellenhurriedtowardthedarkdoorway。Shecouldseehowthelogsofthecabinhadmovedawryandwhatabig，dilapidatedhovelitwas。
　　Asshelookedin，Colterloomedoverher——placedafamiliarandsomehowmasterfulhanduponher。Ellenletitrestonhershoulderamoment。
　　Mustsheforeverberepulsingtheserudemenamongwhomherlotwascast？
　　DidColtermeanwhatDaggshadalwaysmeant？Ellenfeltherselfweary，weakinbody，andherspentspirithadnotrallied。Yet，whateverColtermeantbyhisfamiliarity，shecouldnotbearit。Sosheslippedoutfromunderhishand。
　　"UncleTad，arey’uheah？"shecalledintotheblackness。Sheheardthemicescamperandrustleandshesmelledthemusty，old，woodyodorofalong—unusedcabin。
　　"Hello，Ellen！"cameavoicesherecognizedasheruncle’s，yetitwasstrange。"Yes。I’mheah——badlucktome！……How’rey’ubuckin’up，girl？"
　　"I’mallright，UncleTad——onlytiredan’worried。I——"
　　"Tad，how’syourhurt？"interruptedColter。
　　"ReckonI’measier，"repliedJorth，wearily，"butshoreI’minbadshape。
　　I’mstillspittin’blood。Ikeeptellin’Queenthatbulletlodgedinmylungs—buthesaysitwentthrough。"
　　"Wal，hangon，Tad！"repliedColter，withacheerfulnessEllensensedwasreallyindifferent。
　　"Oh，whatthehell’stheuse！"exclaimedJorth。"It’sall——upwithus——Colter！"
　　"Wal，shutup，then，"terselyreturnedColter。"Itain’tdoin’
　　y’uorusanygoodtoholler。"
　　TadJorthdidnotreplytothis。Ellenheardhisbreathinganditdidnotseemnatural。Itraspedalittle——camehurriedly——thencaughtinhisthroat。Thenhespat。Ellenshrunkbackagainstthedoor。
　　Hewasbreathingthroughblood。
　　"Uncle，arey’uinpain？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，Ellen——itburnslikehell，"hesaid。
　　"Oh！I’msorry……Isn’ttheresomethingIcando？"
　　"Ireckonnot。Queendidallanybodycoulddoforme——now——
　　unlessit’spray。"
　　Colterlaughedatthis——theslow，easy，drawlinglaughofaTexan。
　　ButEllenfeltpityforthiswoundeduncle。Shehadalwayshatedhim。
　　Hehadbeenadrunkard，agambler，awasterofherfather’sproperty;
　　andnowhewasarustlerandafugitive，lyinginpain，perhapsmortallyhurt。
　　"Yes，uncle——Iwillprayfory’u，"shesaid，softly。
　　Thechangeinhisvoiceheldanoteofsadnessthatshehadbeenquicktocatch。
　　"Ellen，y’u’retheonlygoodJorth——inthewholedamnedlot，"hesaid。
　　"God！Iseeitallnow……We’vedraggedy’utohell！"
　　"Yes，UncleTad，I’veshorebeendraggedsome——butnotyet——tohell，"
　　sheresponded，withabreakinhervoice。
　　"Y’uwillbe——Ellen——unless——"
　　"Aw，shutupthatkindofgab，willy’u？"brokeinColter，harshly。
　　ItamazedEllenthatColtershoulddominateheruncle，eventhoughhewaswounded。TadJorthhadbeenthelastmantotakeordersfromanyone，muchlessarustleroftheHashKnifeGang。ThisColterbegantoloomupinEllen’sestimateasheloomedphysicallyoverher，aloftyfigure，darkmotionless，somehowmenacing。
　　"Ellen，hasColtertoldy’uyet——aboot——abootLeean’Jackson？"
　　inquiredthewoundedman。
　　Thepitch—blackdarknessofthecabinseemedtohelpfortifyEllentobearfurthertrouble。
　　"Coltertoldmedadan’UncleJacksonwouldmeetusheah，"sherejoined，hurriedly。
　　Jorthcouldbeheardbreathingindifficulty，andhecoughedandspatagain，andseemedtohiss。
　　"Ellen，heliedtoy’u。They’llnevermeetus——heah！"
　　"Whynot？"whisperedEllen。
　　"Because——Ellen——"hereplied，inhuskypants，"yourdadan’——uncleJackson——aredaid——an’buried！"
　　IfEllensufferedaterribleshockitwasablankness，adeadness，andaslow，creepingfailureofsenseinherknees。Theygavewayunderherandshesankonthegrassagainstthecabinwall。Shedidnotfaintnorgrowdizzynorlosehersight，butforawhiletherewasnoprocessofthoughtinhermind。Suddenlythenitwasthere——thequick，spiritualrendingofherheart——followedbyaprofoundemotionofintimateandirretrievableloss——andafterthatgriefandbitterrealization。
　　AnhourlaterEllenfoundstrengthtogotothefireandpartakeofthefoodanddrinkherbodysorelyneeded。