"Foreman？"queriedMadeline。
　　"IamsimplybossofStillwell'scowboys，andrightgladofmyjob。"
　　Madelinewasconsciousofaninwardburning。Itrequiredaneffortforhertoretainheroutwardtranquillity。Annoyingconsciousnessshehadalsoofthereturningsenseofnewdisturbingemotions。Shebegantoseejusthowwalledinfromunusualthought-provokingincidentandsensationhadbeenherexclusivelife。
　　"Cannotyourpropertybereclaimed？"sheasked。"Howmuchdoyouowe？"
　　"Tenthousanddollarswouldclearmeandgivemeanotherstart。
　　But，Majesty，inthiscountrythat'sagooddealofmoney，andI
　　haven'tbeenabletoraiseit。Stillwell'sinworseshapethanI
　　am。"
　　MadelinewentovertoAlfredandputherhandsonhisshoulders。
　　"Wemustnotbeindebt。"
　　Hestaredatherasifherwordshadrecalledsomethinglongforgotten。Thenhesmiled。
　　"Howimperiousyouare！I'dfcrgottenjustwhomybeautifulsisterreallyis。Majesty，you'renotgoingtoaskmetotakemoneyfromyou？"
　　"Iam。"
　　"Well，I'llnotdoit。Ineverdid，evenwhenIwasincollege，andthentherewasn'tmuchbeyondme。"
　　"Listen，Alfred，"shewenton，earnestly，"thisisentirelydifferent。Ihadonlyanallowancethen。YouhadnowaytoknowthatsinceIlastwroteyouIhadcomeintomyinheritancefromAuntGrace。Itwas——well，thatdoesn'tmatter。Only，Ihaven'tbeenabletospendhalftheincome。It'smine。It'snotfather'smoney。Youwillmakemeveryhappyifyou'llconsent。Alfred，I'mso——soamazedatthechangeinyou。I'msohappy。Youmustnevertakeabackwardstepfromnowon。Whatistenthousanddollarstome？SometimesIspendthatinamonth。Ithrowmoneyaway。Ifyouletmehelpyouitwillbedoingmegoodaswellasyou。Please，Alfred。"
　　Hekissedher，evidentlysurprisedatherearnestness。AndindeedMadelinewassurprisedherself。Oncestarted，herspeechhadflowed。
　　"Youalwayswerethebestoffellows，Majesty。Andifyoureallycare——ifyoureallywanttohelpmeI'llbeonlytoogladtoaccept。Itwillbefine。Florencewillgowild。AndthatGreaserwon'tharassmeanymore。Majesty，prettysoonsometitledfellowwillbespendingyourmoney；Imayaswelltakealittlebeforehegetsitall，"hefinished，jokingly。
　　"Whatdoyouknowaboutme？"sheasked，lightly。
　　"Morethanyouthink。EvenifwearelostouthereinthewoollyWestwegetnews。EverybodyknowsaboutAnglesbury。AndthatDagodukewhochasedyoualloverEurope，thatLordCastletonhastherunningnowandseemsabouttowin。Howaboutit，Majesty？"
　　Madelinedetectedahintthatsuggestedscorninhisgayspeech。
　　Anddeepinhissearchingglanceshesawaflame。Shebecamethoughtful。ShehadforgottenCastleton，NewYork，society。
　　"Alfred，"shebegan，seriously，"Idon'tbelieveanytitledgentlemanwilleverspendmymoney，asyouelegantlyexpressit。"
　　"Idon'tcareforthat。It'syou！"hecried，passionately，andhegraspedherwithaviolencethatstartledher。Hewaswhite；
　　hiseyeswerenowlikefire。"Youaresosplendid——sowonderful。
　　PeoplecalledyoutheAmericanBeauty，butyou'remorethanthat。
　　You'retheAmericanGirl！Majesty，marrynomanunlessyoulovehim，andloveanAmerican。StayawayfromEuropelongenoughtolearntoknowthemen——therealmenofyourowncountry。"
　　"Alfred，I'mafraidtherearenotalwaysrealmenandrealloveforAmericangirlsininternationalmarriages。ButHelenknowsthis。It'llbeherchoice。She'llbemiserableifshemarriesAnglesbury。"
　　"It'llserveherjustright，"declaredherbrother。"Helenwasalwayscrazyforglitter，adulation，fame。I'llgamblesheneversawmoreofAnglesburythanthegoldandribbonsonhisbreast。"
　　"Iamsorry。Anglesburyisagentleman；butitisthemoneyhewanted，Ithink。Alfred，tellmehowyoucametoknowaboutme，'wayouthere？YoumaybeassuredIwasastonishedtofindthatMissKingsleyknewmeasMajestyHammond。"
　　"Iimagineitwasasurprise，"hereplied，withalaugh，"ItoldFlorenceaboutyou——gaveherapictureofyou。And，ofcourse，beingawoman，sheshowedthepictureandtalked。She'sinlovewithyou。Then，mydearsister，wedogetNewYorkpapersouthereoccasionally，andwecanseeandread。YoumaynotbeawarethatyouandyoursocietyfriendsareobjectsofintenseinterestintheU。S。ingeneral，andtheWestinparticular。Thepapersarefullofyou，andperhapsalotofthingsyouneverdid。"
　　"ThatMr。Stewartknew，too。Hesaid，'You'renotMajestyHammond？'"
　　"Nevermindhisimpudence！"exclaimedAlfred；andthenagainhelaughed。"Geneisallright，onlyyou'vegottoknowhim。I'lltellyouwhathedid。Hegotholdofoneofthosenewspaperpicturesofyou——theoneintheTimes；hetookitawayfromhere，andinspiteofFlorencehewouldn'tfetchitback。Itwasapictureofyouinriding-habitwithyourblue-ribbonhorse，WhiteStockings——remember？ItwastakenatNewport。Well，Stewarttackedthepictureupinhisbunk-houseandnamedhisbeautifulhorseMajesty。Allthecowboysknewit。Theywouldseethepictureandteasehimunmercifully。Buthedidn'tcare。OnedayIhappenedtodropinonhimandfoundhimjustrecoveringfromacarouse。Isawthepicture，too，andIsaidtohim，'Gene，ifmysisterknewyouwereadrunkardshe'dnotbeproudofhavingherpicturestuckupinyourroom。'Majesty，hedidnottouchadropforamonth，andwhenhediddrinkagainhetookthepicturedown，andhehasneverputitback。"
　　Madelinesmiledatherbrother'samusement，butshedidnotreply。ShesimplycouldnotadjustherselftothesequeerfreeWestern'ways。Herbrotherhadeloquentlypleadedforhertokeepherselfaboveasordidandbrilliantmarriage，yethenotonlyallowedacowboytokeepherpictureinhisroom，butactuallyspokeofherandusedhernameinatemperancelecture。
　　Madelinejustescapedfeelingdisgust。Shewassavedfromthis，however，bynothinglessthanherbrother'snaivegladnessthatthroughsubtlesuggestionStewarthadbeenpersuadedtobegoodforamonth。SomethingmadeupofStewart'seffronterytoher；
　　ofFlorenceKingsleymeetingher，franklyasitwere，asanequal；oftheeldersister'sslow，quiet，easyacceptanceofthisvisitorwhohadbeenhonoredatthecourtsofroyalty；ofthatfainthintofscorninAlfred'svoice，andhisamusedstatementinregardtoherpictureandthenameMajesty——somethingmadeupofallthesestungMadelineHammond'spride，alienatedherforaninstant，andthenstimulatedherintelligence，excitedherinterest，andmadeherresolvetolearnalittleaboutthisincomprehensibleWest。
　　"Majesty，Imustrundowntothesiding，"hesaid，consultinghiswatch。"We'reloadingashipmentofcattle。I'llbebackbysupper-timeandbringStillwellwithme。You'lllikehim。Givemethecheckforyourtrunk。"
　　Shewentintothelittlebedroomand，takingupherbag，shegotoutanumberofchecks。
　　"Six！Sixtrunks！"heexclaimed。"Well，I'mverygladyouintendtostayawhile。Say，Majesty，itwilltakemeaslongtorealizewhoyoureallyareasit'lltaketobreakyouofbeingatenderfoot。Ihopeyoupackedariding-suit。Ifnotyou'llhavetoweartrousers！You'llhavetodothat，anyway，whenwegoupinthemountains。"
　　"No！"
　　"Yousurewill，asFlorencesays。"
　　"Weshallseeaboutthat。Idon'tknowwhat'sinthetrunks。I
　　neverpackanything。Mydearbrother，whatdoIhavemaidsfor？"
　　"Howdiditcomethatyoudidn'ttravelwithamaid？"
　　"Iwantedtobealone。Butdon'tyouworry。Ishallbeabletolookaftermyself。Idaresayitwillbegoodforme。"
　　Shewenttothegatewithhim。
　　"Whatashaggy，dustyhorse！He'swild，too。Doyoulethimstandthatwaywithoutbeinghaltered？Ishouldthinkhewouldrunoff。"
　　"Tenderfoot！You'llbegreatfun，Majesty，especiallyforthecowboys。"
　　"Oh，willI？"sheasked，constrainedly。
　　"Yes，andinthreedaystheywillbefightingoneanotheroveryou。That'sgoingtoworryme。Cowboysfallinlovewithaplainwoman，anuglywoman，anywoman，solongasshe'syoung。
　　Andyou！GoodLord！They'llgooutoftheirheads。"
　　"Youarepleasedtohefacetious，Alfred。IthinkIhavehadquiteenoughofcowboys，andIhaven'tbeenheretwenty-fourhours。"
　　"Don'tthinktoomuchoffirstimpressions。ThatwasmymistakewhenIarrivedhere。Good-by。I'llgonow。Betterrestawhile。
　　Youlooktired。"
　　ThehorsestartedasAlfredputhisfootinthestirrupandwasrunningwhentheriderslippedhislegoverthesaddle。Madelinewatchedhiminadmiration。Heseemedtobelooselyfittedtothesaddle，movingwiththehorse。
　　"Isupposethat'sacowboy'sstyle。Itpleasesme，"shesaid。
　　"HowdifferentfromtheseatofEasternriders！"
　　ThenMadelinesatupontheporchandfelltointerestedobservationofhersurrounding。Nearathanditwasdecidedlynotprepossessing。Thestreetwasdeepindust，andthecoolwindwhippeduplittlepuffs。Thehousesalongthisstreetwerealllow，square，flat-roofedstructuresmadeofsomekindofredcement。Itoccurredtohersuddenlythatthisbuilding-materialmustbetheadobeshehadreadabout。Therewasnopersoninsight。Thelongstreetappearedtohavenoend，thoughthelineofhousesdidnotextendfar。Oncesheheardahorsetrottingatsomedistance，andseveraltimestheringingofalocomotivebell。Wherewerethemountains，wonderedMadeline。Soonlowoverthehouse-roofsshesawadim，dark-blue，ruggedoutline。
　　Itseemedtocharmhereyesandfixhergaze。SheknewtheAdirondacks，shebadseentheAlpsfromthesummitofMontBlanc，andhadstoodunderthegreatblack，white-tippedshadowoftheHimalayas。ButtheyhadnotdrawnherastheseremoteRockies。
　　Thisdimhorizonlineboldlycuttingtheblueskyfascinatedher。
　　FlorenceKingsley'sexpression"beckoningmountains"returnedtoMadeline。Shecouldnotseeorfeelsomuchasthat。Herimpressionwasratherthatthesemountainswerealoof，unattainable，thatifapproachedtheywouldrecedeorvanishlikethedesertmirage。
　　Madelinewenttoherroom，intendingtorestawhile，andshefellasleep。ShewasarousedbyFlorence'sknockandcall。
　　"MissHammond，yourbrotherhascomebackwithStillwell。"
　　"Why，howIhaveslept！"exclaimedMadeline。"It'snearlysixo'clock。"
　　"I'msureglad。Youweretired。Andtheairheremakesstrangerssleepy。Come，wewantyoutomeetoldBill。Hecallshimselfthelastofthecattlemen。HehaslivedinTexasandhereallhislife。"
　　MadelineaccompaniedFlorencetotheporch。Herbrother，whowassittingnearthedoor，jumpedupandsaid：
　　"Hello，Majesty！"Andasheputhisarmaroundherheturnedtowardamassivemanwhosebroad，craggyfacebegantorippleandwrinkle。"IwanttointroducemyfriendStillwelltoyou。Bill，thisismysister，thesisterI'vesooftentoldyouabout——
　　Majesty。"
　　"Wal，wal，Al，this'stheproudestmeetin'ofmylife，"repliedStillwell，inaboomingvoice。Heextendedahugehand。"Miss——
　　MissMajesty，sightofyouisaswelcomeastherainan'theflowerstoanolddesertcattleman。"
　　Madelinegreetedhim，anditwasallshecoulddotorepressacryatthewayhecrunchedherbaudinagraspofiron。Hewasold，white-haired，weather-beaten，withlongfurrowsdownhischecksandwithgrayeyesalmosthiddeninwrinkles。Ifhewassmilingshefancieditamostextraordinarysmile。Thenextinstantsherealizedthatithadbeenasmile，forhisfaceappearedtostoprippling，thelightdied，andsuddenlyitwaslikerudelychiseledstone。ThequalityofhardnessshehadseeninStewartwasimmeasurablyintensifiedinthisoldman'sface。
　　"MissMajesty，it'splumbhumiliatin'toallofusthetwewasn'tonhandtomeetyou，"Stillwellsaid。"Mean'AlsteppedintotheP。O。an'saidafewmildan'cheerfulthings。Themmessagesoughttohevbeensentouttotheranch。I'msureafraiditwasabitunpleasantferyoulastnightatthestation。"
　　"Iwasratheranxiousatfirstandperhapsfrightened，"repliedMadeline。
　　"Wal，I'msomegladtotellyouthetthere'snomaninthesepartsexceptyourbrotherthetI'dasliefhevmetyouasGeneStewart。"
　　"Indeed？"
　　"Yes，an'thet'stakin'intoconsiderationGene'sweakness，too。
　　I'mallusfondofsayin'ofmyselfthetI'mthelastoftheoldcattlemen。Wal，Stewart'snotanativeWesterner，buthe'smypickofthelastofthecowboys。Sure，he'syoung，buthe'sthelastoftheoldstyle——thepicturesque——an'chivalrous，too，I
　　makeboldtosay，MissMajesty，aswellastheoldhard-ridin'
　　kind。FolksaredownonStewart。An'I'monlysayin'agoodwordforhimhecauseheisdown，an'mebbelastnighthemighthevscaredyou，youbein'freshfromtheEast。"
　　Madelinelikedtheoldfellowforhisloyaltytothecowboyheevidentlycaredfor；butastheredidnotseemanythingforhertosay，sheremainedsilent。
　　"MissMajesty，thedayofthecattlemanisaboutover。An'thedayofthecowboy，suchasGeneStewart，isover。There'snoplaceforGene。Iftheseweren'tmoderndayshe'dcomenearbein'agun-man，sameaswehadinTexas，whenIranchedthereinthe'seventies。Buthecan'tfitnowherenow；hecan'tholdajob，an'he'sgoin'down。"
　　"Iamsorrytohearit，"murmuredMadeline。"But，Mr。Stillwell，aren'tthesemoderndaysoutherejustalittlewild——yet？Theconductoronmytraintoldmeofrebels，bandits，raiders。ThenIhavehadotherimpressionsof——well，thatwerewildenoughforme。"
　　"Wal，it'ssomemorepleasantan'excitin'thesedaysthanformanyyears，"repliedStillwell。"Theboyshevtooktopackin'
　　gunsagain。Butthet'sowin'totherevolutioninMexico。
　　There'sgoin'tobetroublealongtheborder。IreckonpeopleintheEastdon'tknowthereisarevolution。Wal，MaderowilloustDiaz，an'thensomeotherrebelwilloustMadero。Itmeanstroubleontheborderan'acrosstheborder，too。Iwouldn'twonderifUncleSamhedtogetahandinthegame。There'salreadybeenholdupsontherailroadsan'raidsalongtheRioGrandeValley。An'theselittletownsarefullofGreasers，alldisturbedbythefightin'downinMexico。We'vebeenhevin'
　　shootin'-scrapesan'knifin'-scrapes，an'somecattle-raidin'。I
　　hevbeenlosin'afewcattlerightalong。Remindsmeofoldtimes；an'prettysoonifitdoesn'tstop，I'lltaketheold-timewaytostopit。"
　　"Yes，indeed，Majesty，"putinAlfred，"youhavehituponaninterestingtimetovisitus。"
　　"Wal，thetsure'pearstobeso，"rejoinedStillwell。"Stewartgotintroubledownheahto-day，an'I'mmorethansorrytohevtotellyouthetyournamefiggeredinit。ButIcouldn'tblamehim，ferIsurewouldhevdonethesamemyself。"
　　"Thatso？"queriedAifred，laughing。"Well，tellusaboutit。"
　　Madelinesimplygazedatherbrother，and，thoughheseemedamusedatherconsternation，therewasmortificationinhisface。
　　Itrequirednogreatperspicuity，Madelinethought，toseethatStillwelllovedtotalk，andthewayhesquaredhimselfandspreadhishugehandsoverhiskneessuggestedthathemeanttodothisopportunityjustice。
　　"MissMajesty，Ireckon，bein'asyou'reintheWestnow，thetyoumusttakethingsastheycome，an'mindeachthingalittlelessthantheonebefore。Ifweoldfellershedn'tbeenthetwaywe'dneverhevlasted。
　　"Lastnightwasn'tparticularbad，ratin'withsomeothernightslately。Therewasn'tmuchdoin'。But，Ihadahardknock。
　　YesterdaywhenwestartedinwithabunchofcattleIsentoneofmycowboys，DannyMains，alongahead，carryin'moneyIhedtopayoffhandsan'mybills，an'Iwantedthetmoneytogetintownbeforedark。Wal，Dannywasheldup。Idon'tdistrustthelad。
　　There'sbeenstrangeGreasersintownlately，an'mebbetheyknewaboutthemoneycomin'。
　　"Wal，whenIarrivedwiththecattleIwassomeputtoittomakeendsmeet。An'to-dayIwasn'tinnoangelichumor。WhenIbedmybusinessalldoneIwentaroundpokin'mynosebeakan'there，tryin'togetscentofthetmoney。An'Ihappenedinatahallwehevthetdoesdutyfer'jailan'hospitalan'election-postan'whatnot。Wal，justthenitwasdoin'dutyasahospital。
　　Lastnightwasfiestanight——theseGreasershevafiestaeveryweekorso——an'oneGreaserwhohedbeenbadhurtwaslayin'inthehall，wherehehedbeenfetchedfromthestation。SomebodyhedsentofftoDouglasferadoctor，butbehedn'tcomeyet。
　　I'vehedsomeexperiencewithgunshotwounds，an'Ilookedthisfellerover。Hewasn'tshotupmuch，butIthoughttherewasdangerofblood-poison-in'。Anyway，IdidallIcould。
　　"Thehallwasfullofcowboys，ranchers，Greasers，miners，an'
　　townfolks，alongwithsomestrangers。IwasabouttogetstartedupthiswaywhenPatHawecomein。
　　"Pathe'sthesheriff。Ireckon，MissMajesty，thetsheriffsarenewtoyou，an'fersakeoftheWestI'llexplaintoyouthetwedon'thevmanyoftherealthinganymore。Garrett，whokilledBillytheKidan'waskilledhimselfnearayearorsoago——hewasthekindofsheriffthethelpstomakeaself-respectin'
　　country。ButthisPatHawe——wal，Ireckonthere'snogoodinmesayin'whatIthinkofhim。Hecomeintothehall，an'hewasroarin'aboutthings。Hewasgoin'toarrestDannyMainsonsight。Wal，Ijestpolite-liketoldPatthetthemoneywasminean'heneedn'tgetriledaboutit。An'ifIwantedtotrailthethiefIreckonIcoulddoitaswellasanybody。Pathowledthetlawwaslaw，an'hewasgoin'tolaydownthelaw。Sureit'pearedtomethetPatwasdaidsettoarrestthefirstmanhecouldfindexcuseto。
　　"Thenhecooleddownabitan'wasaskin'questionsaboutthewoundedGreaserwhenGeneStewartcomein。WheneverPatan'Genecometogetheritremindsmeoftheearlydaysbackinthe'seventies。Jestnaturallyeverybodyshutup。FerPathatesGene，an'IreckonGeneain'tverysweetonPat。They'rejestnaturalfoesinthefirstplace，an'thenthecourseofeventshereinElCajonhasbeenaggravatin'。
　　"'Hello，Stewart！You'rethefellerI'mlookin'fer，'saidPat。
　　"Stewarteyedhiman'said，mightycoolan'sarcastic，'Hawe，youlookagooddealfermewhenI'mhittin'upthedusttheotherway。'
　　"Patwentredatthet，butheheldin。'Say，Stewart，you-allthinkalotofthetroanhorseofyourn，withthearistocraticname？'
　　"'IreckonIdo，'repliedGene，shortly。
　　"'Wal，whereishe？'
　　"'Thet'snoneofyourbusiness，Hawe。'
　　"'Oho！itain't，hey？Wal，IguessIcanmakeitmybusiness。
　　Stewart，therewassomequeergoings-onlastnightthetyouknowsomethin'about。DannyMainsrobbed——Stillwell'smoneygone——
　　yourroanhorsegone——thetlittlehussyBonitagone——an'thisGreaserneargone，too。Now，seein'thetyouwasuplatean'
　　prowlin'roundthestationwherethisGreaserwasfound，itain'tonreasonabletothinkyoumightknowhowhegotplugged——isit？'
　　"Stewartlaughedkindofcold，an'herolledacigarette，allthetimeeyin'Pat，an'thenhesaidifhe'dpluggedtheGreaserit'dneverhevbeensichabunglin'job。
　　"'Icanarrestyouonsuspicion，Stewart，butbeforeIgothetfarIwantsomeevidence。IwanttoroundupDannyMainsan'
　　thetlittleGreasergirl。Iwanttofindoutwhat'sbecomeofyourhoss。You'veneverlenthimsinceyoubedhim，an'thereain'tenoughraidersacrossthebordertostealhimfromyou。
　　It'sgotaqueerlook——thethossbein'gone。'
　　"'Yousureareaswelldetective，Hawe，an'Iwishyouaheapofluck，'repliedStewart。
　　"Thet'pearedtonettlePatbeyondbounds，an'hestampedaroundan'swore。Thenhehadanidea。Itjeststuckoutalloverhim，an'heshookhisfingerinStewart'sface。
　　"'Youwasdrunklastnight？'
　　"Stewartneverbattedaneye。
　　'YoumetsomewomanonNumberEight，didn'tyou？'shoutedHawe。
　　"'Imetalady，'repliedStewart，quietan'menacin'like。
　　"'YoumetAlHammond'ssister，an'youtookheruptoKingsley's。
　　An'cinchthis，mycowboycavalier，I'mgoin'uptherean'askthisgranddamesomequestions，an'ifshe'sasclose-mouthedasyouareI'llarresther！'
　　"GeneStewartturnedwhite。Iferoneexpectedtoseehimjumplikelightnin'，ashedoeswhenhe'sriledsudden。Buthewascalman'hewasthinkin'hard。Presentlyhesaid：
　　"'Pat，thet'safoolidee，an'ifyoudothetrickit'llhurtyoualltherestofyourlife。There'sabsolutelynoreasontofrightenMissHammond。An'tryin'toarrestherwouldbesuchadamnedoutrageaswon'tbestoodferinElCajon。Ifyou'resoreonmesendmetojail。I'llgo。IfyouwanttohurtAlHammond，goan'doitsomemankindofway。Don'ttakeyourspiteoutonusbyinsultin'aladywhohascomehyartohevalittlevisit。
　　We'rebadenoughwithoutbein'low-downasGreasers。'
　　"ItwasalongtalkforGene，an'Iwasassurprisedastherestofthefellers。ThinkofGeneStewarttalkin'softan'sweettothetred-eyedcoyoteofasheriff！An'Pat，helookedsodevilishlygleefulthetifsomethin'aboutGenehedn'theldmetightI'dhevgotinthegamemy-self。Itwasplaintomean'
　　otherswhospokeofitafterwardsthetPatHawehedforgottenthelawan'theofficerinthemanan'hishate。
　　"'I'ma-goin'，an'I'ma-goin'rightnow！'heshouted。"An'afterthetanyonecouldhevheerdaclocktickamileoff。Stewartseemedkindofchokin'，an'heseemedtohevbeenbewilderedbytheideeofHawe'sconfrontin'you。
　　"An'finallyheburstout：'But，man，thinkwhoitis！It'sMissHammond！Ifyouseenher，evenifyouwaslocoedordrunk，you——
　　youcouldn'tdoit。'
　　"'Couldn'tI？Wal，I'llshowyoudamnquick。WhatdoIcarewhosheis？ThemswellEasternwomen——I'veheerdofthem。They'renotsomuch。ThisHamrnondwoman——'
　　"SuddenlyHaweshutup，an'withhisredmugturnin'greenhewentforhisgun。"
　　Stillwellpausedinhisnarrativetogetbreath，andhewipedhismoistbrow。Andnowhisfacebegantoloseitscragginess。Itchanged，itsoftened，itrippledandwrinkled，andallthatstrangemobilityfocusedandshoneinawonderfulsmile。
　　"An'then，MissMajesty，thentherewassomethin'happened。
　　StewarttookPat'sgunawayfromhimandthroweditonthefloor。
　　An'whatfollowedwasbeautiful。SureitwasthebeautifulestsightIeverseen。Onlyitwasoversosoon！Alittlewhileafter，whenthedoctorcame，hehedanotherpatientbesidesthewoundedGreaser，an'hesaidthetthisnewonewouldrequireaboutfourmonthstobeupan'aroundcheerful-likeagain。An'
　　GeneStewarthedhitthetrailfortheborder。"
　　IVARideFromSunriseToSunsetNextmorning，whenMadelinewasarousedbyherbrother，itwasnotyetdaybreak；theairchilledher，andinthegraygloomshehadtofeelaroundformatchesandlamp。Herusuallanguidmannervanishedatatouchofthecoldwater。Presently，whenAlfredknockedonherdoorandsaidhewasleavingapitcherofhotwateroutside，shereplied，withchatteringteeth，"Th-thanky-you，b-butId-don'tne-needanynow。"Shefounditnecessary，however，towarmhernumbfingersbeforeshecouldfastenhooksandbuttons。Andwhenshewasdressedshemarkedinthedimmirrorthatthereweretingesofredinhercheeks。
　　"Well，ifIhaven'tsomecolor！"sheexclaimed。
　　Breakfastwaitedforherinthedining-room。Thesistersatewithher。Madelinequicklycaughtthefeelingofbriskactionthatseemedtobeintheair。Fromthebackofthehousesoundedthetrampofbootsandvoicesofmen，andfromoutsidecameadullthumpofhoofs，therattleofharness，andcreakofwheels。
　　ThenAlfredcamestampingin。
　　"Majesty，here'swhereyougettherealthing，"heannounced，merrily。"We'rerushingyouoff，I'msorrytosay；butwemusthustlebacktotheranch。Thefallround-upbeginsto-morrow。
　　Youwillrideinthebuck-boardwithFlorenceandStillwell。
　　I'llrideonaheadwiththeboysandfixupalittleforyouattheranch。Yourbaggagewillfollow，butwon'tgettheretillto-morrowsometime。It'salongrideout——nearlyfiftymilesbywagon-road。Flo，don'tforgetacoupleofrobes。Wrapherupwell。Andhustlegettingready。We'rewaiting。"
　　Alittlelater，whenMadelinewentoutwithFlorence，thegraygloomwaslightening。Horseswerechampingbitsandpoundinggravel。
　　"Mawnin'，MissMajesty，"saidStillwell，gruffly，fromthefrontseatofahighvehicle。
　　Alfredbundledherupintothebackseat，andFlorenceafterher，andwrappedthemwithrobes。Thenhemountedhishorseandstartedoff。"Gid-eb！"growledStillwell，andwithacrackofhiswhiptheteamjumpedintoatrot。FlorencewhisperedintoMadeline'sear：
　　"Bill'sgrouchyearlyinthemawnin'。He'llthawoutsoonasitgetswarm。"
　　ItwasstillsograythatMadelinecouldnotdistinguishobjectsatanyconsiderabledistance，andsheleftElCajonwithoutknowingwhatthetownreallylookedlike。Shedidknowthatshewasgladtogetoutofit，andfoundaneasiertaskofdispellingpersistenthauntingmemory。
　　"Herecomethecowboys，"saidFlorence。
　　AlineofhorsemenappearedcomingfromtherightandfellinbehindAlfred，andgraduallytheydrewahead，todisappearfromsight。WhileMadelinewatchedthemthegraygloomlightenedintodawn。Allaboutherwasbareanddark；thehorizonseemedclose；
　　notahillnoratreebrokethemonotony。Thegroundappearedtobeflat，buttheroadwentupanddownoverlittleridges。
　　MadelineglancedbackwardinthedirectionofElCajonandthemountainsshehadseenthedaybefore，andshesawonlybareanddarkground，likethatwhichrolledbefore。
　　Apuffofcoldwindstruckherfaceandsheshivered。Florencenoticedherandpulledupthesecondrobeandtuckeditcloselyroundheruptoherchin。
　　"Ifwehavealittlewindyou'llsurefeelit，"saidtheWesterngirl。
　　Madelinerepliedthatshealreadyfeltit。Thewindappearedtopenetratetherobes。itwascold，pure，nipping。Itwassothinshehadtobreatheasfastasifshewereunderordinaryexertion。Ithurthernoseandmadeherlungsache。
　　"Aren'tyouco-cold？"askedMadeline。
　　"I？"Florencelaughed。"I'musedtoit。Inevergetcold。"
　　TheWesterngirlsatwithunglovedhandsontheoutsideoftherobesheevidentlydidnotneedtodrawuparoundher。Madelinethoughtshehadneverseensuchaclear-eyed，healthy，splendidgirl。
　　"Doyouliketoseethesunrise？"askedFlorence。
　　"Yes，IthinkIdo，"repliedMadeline，thoughtfully。"Frankly，I
　　havenotseenitforyears。"
　　"Wehavebeautifulsunrises，andsunsetsfromtheranchareglorious。"
　　Longlinesofpinkfireranlevelwiththeeasternhorizon，whichappearedtorecedeasdaybrightened。Abankofthin，fleecycloudswasturningrose。Tothesouthandwesttheskywasdark；
　　buteverymomentitchanged，theblueturningbluer。Theeasternskywasopalescent。Theninoneplacegatheredagoldenlight，andslowlyconcentratedtillitwaslikefire。Therosybankofcloudturnedtosilverandpearl，andbehinditshotupagreatcircleofgold。Abovethedarkhorizongleamedanintenselybrightdisk。Itwasthesun。Itroseswiftly，blazingoutthedarknessbetweentheridgesandgivingcoloranddistancetothesweepofland。
　　"Wal，wal，"drawledStillwell，andstretchedhishugearmsasifhehadjustawakened，"thet'ssomethin'like。"
　　FlorencenudgedMadelineandwinkedather。
　　"Finemawnin'，girls，"wentonoldBill，crackinghiswhip。
　　"MissMajesty，it'llbesomeoninterestin'rideallmawnin'。Butwhenwegetupabityou'llsurelikeit。There！Looktothesouthwest，jestoverthetfarthestridge。"
　　Madelineswepthergazealongthegray，slopinghorizon-linetowheredark-bluespiresrosefarbeyondtheridge。
　　"PeloncilloMountains，"saidStillwell。"Thet'shome，whenwegetthere。Wewon'tseenomoreofthemtillafternoon，whentheyriseupsudden-like。"
　　Peloncillo！Madelinemurmuredthemelodiousname。Wherehadsheheardit？Thensheremembered。ThecowboyStewarthadtoldthelittleMexicangirlBonitato"hitthePeloncillotrail。"
　　Probablythegirlhadriddenthebig，darkhorseoverthisveryroadatnight，alone。Madelinehadalittleshiverthatwasnotoccasionedbythecoldwind。
　　"There'sajack！"criedFlorence，suddenly。
　　Madelinesawherfirstjack-rabbit。Itwasaslargeasadog，anditsearswereenormous。Itappearedtobeimpudentlytame，andthehorseskickeddustoveritastheytrottedby。FromthenonoldBillandFlorenceviedwitheachotherincallingMadeline'sattentiontomanythingsalongtheway。Coyotesstealingawayintothebrush；buzzardsflappingoverthecarcassofacowthathadbeenmiredinawash；queerlittlelizardsrunningswiftlyacrosstheroad；cattlegrazinginthehollows；
　　adobehutsofMexicanherders；wild，shaggyhorses，withheadshigh，watchingfromthegrayridges——allthesethingsMadelinelookedat，indifferentlyatfirst，becauseindifferencehadbecomehabitualwithher，andthenwithaninterestthatflourishedupandinsensiblygrewassherodeon。Itgrewuntilsightofalittleragged；Mexicanboyastridethemostdiminutiveburroshehadeverseenawakenedhertothetruth。Shebecameconsciousoffaint，unmistakableawakeningoflong-deadfeelings——
　　enthusiasmanddelight。Whensherealizedthat，shebreatheddeepofthecold，sharpairandexperiencedaninwardjoy。Andshedivinedthen，thoughshedidnotknowwhy，thathenceforththerewastobesomethingnewinherlife，somethingshehadneverfeltbefore，somethinggoodforhersoulinthehomely，thecommonplace，thenatural，andthewild。
　　Meanwhile，asMadelinegazedaboutherandlistenedtohercompanions，thesunrosehigherandgrewwarmandsoaredandgrewhot；thehorsesheldtirelesslytotheirsteadytrot，andmileaftermileofrollinglandslippedby。
　　FromthetopofaridgeMadelinesawdownintoahollowwhereafewofthecowboyshadstoppedandweresittingroundafire，evidentlybusyatthenoondaymeal。Theirhorseswerefeedingonthelong，graygrass。
　　"Wal，smellofthetburnin'greasewoodmakesmymouthwater，"
　　saidStillwell。"I'msurehungry。We'llnoonhyaran'letthehossesrest。It'salongpulltotheranch。"
　　Hehaltednearthecamp-fire，and，clamberingdown，begantounharnesstheteam。FlorenceleapedoutandturnedtohelpMadeline。
　　"Walkroundalittle，"shesaid。"Youmustbecrampedfromsittingstillsolong。I'llgetlunchready。"
　　Madelinegotdown，gladtostretchherlimbs，andbegantostrollabout。SheheardStillwellthrowtheharnessonthegroundandslaphishorses。"Roll，yousons-of-guns！"hesaid。Bothhorsesbenttheirforelegs，heaveddownontheirsides，andtriedtorollover。Onehorsesucceededonthefourthtry，andthenheavedupwithasatisfiedsnortandshookoffthedustandgravel。Theotheronefailedtorollover，andgaveitup，halfrosetohisfeet，andthenlaydownontheotherside。
　　"He'ssuregoingtofeeltheground，"saidFlorence，smilingatMadeline。"MissHammond，Isupposethatprizehorseofyours——
　　WhiteStockings——wouldspoilhiscoatifhewereheahtorollinthisgreasewoodandcactus。"
　　Duringlunch-timeMadelineobservedthatshewasanobjectofmanifestlygreatinteresttothethreecowboys。Shereturnedthecompliment，andwasamusedtoseethatag1ancetheirwaycausedthempainfulembarrassment。Theyweregrownmen——oneofwhomhadwhitehair——yettheyactedlikeboyscaughtintheactofstealingaforbiddenlookataprettygirl。
　　"Cowboysaresureallflirts，"saidFlorence，asifstatinganuninterestingfact。ButMadelinedetectedamerrytwinkleinhercleareyes。Thecowboysheard，andtheeffectuponthemwasmagical。Theyfelltoshamedconfusionandtohurrieduselesstasks。Madelinefounditdifficulttoseewheretheyhadbeenbold，thoughevidentlytheywerestrickenwithconsciousguilt。
　　SherecalledappraisinglooksofcriticalEnglisheyes，impudentFrenchstares，burningSpanishglances——gantletswhichanyAmericangirlhadtorunabroad。Comparedwithforeigneyestheeyesofthesecowboyswerethoseofsmiling，eagerbabies。
　　"Haw，haw！"roaredStillwell。"Florence，youjesthitthenailonthehaid。Cowboysareallplumbflirts。Iwaswonderin'whythemboysnoonedhyar。Thisain'tnoplacetonoon。Ain'tnograzin'orwoodwuthburnin'ornuthin'。Themboysjestheldup，throwedthepacks，an'waitedferus。Itain'tsosurprisin'ferBoolyan'Ned——they'reyoungan'coltish——butNelsthere，why，he'soldenoughtobethepawofbothyougirls。Itsureisamazin'strange。"
　　Asilenceensued。Thewhite-hairedcowboy，Nels，fussedaimlesslyoverthecamp-fire，andthenstraightenedupwithaveryredface。
　　"Bill，you'readog-goneliar，"hesaid。"IreckonIwon'tstandtobeclassedwithBoolyan'Ned。Thereain'tnocowboyonthisrangethet'smoreappreciatin'oftheladiesthanme，butIshoreain'tridin'outofmyway。IreckonIhevenoughridin'todo。
　　Now，Bill，ifyou'vesichdog-gonegoodeyesmebbeyouseensomethin'onthewayout？"
　　"Nels，Ihevn'tseennothin'，"hereplied，bluntly。Hislevitydisappeared，andtheredwrinklesnarrowedroundhissearchingeyes。
　　"Jesttakeasquintatthesehosstracks，"saidNels，andhedrewStillwellafewpacesasideandpointedtolargehoofprintsinthedust。"Ireckonyouknowthehossthetmadethem？"
　　"GeneStewart'sroan，orI'mason-of-a-gun！"exclaimedStillwell，andhedroppedheavilytohiskneesandbegantoscrutinizethetracks。"Myeyesaresurepore；but，Nels，theyain'tfresh。"
　　"Ireckonthemtrackswasmadeearlyyesterdaymornin'。"
　　"Wal，whatiftheywas？"Stillwelllookedathiscowboy。"It'ssureasthetrednoseofyournGenewasn'tridin'theroan。"
　　"Who'ssayin'hewas？Bill，itsmore'nyoureyesthet'sgettin'
　　old。Jestfollerthemtracks。Comeon。"
　　Stillwellwalkedslowly，withhisheadbent，mutteringtohimself。Somethirtypacesormorefromthecamp-firehestoppedshortandagainfloppedtohisknees。Thenhecrawledabout，evidentlyexamininghorsetracks。
　　"Nels，whoeverwasstraddlin'Stewart'shossmetsomebody。An'
　　theyhauledupabit，butdidn'tgitdown。"
　　"Tolerablegoodforyou，Bill，thetreasonin'，"repliedthecowboy。
　　Stillwellpresentlygotupandwalkedswiftlytotheleftforsomerods，halted，andfacedtowardthesouthwest，thenretracedhissteps。Helookedattheimperturbablecowboy。
　　"Nels，Idon'tlikethisalittle，"hegrowled。"ThemtracksmakestraightferthePeloncillotrail。"
　　"Shore，"repliedNels。
　　"Wal？"wentonStillwell，impatiently。
　　"Ireckonyouknowwhathossmadetheothertracks？"
　　"I'mthinkin'hard，butIain'tsure"
　　"ItwasDannyMains'sbronc。"
　　"Howdoyouknowthet？"demandedStillwell，sharply。"Bill，theleftfrontfootofthetlittlehossalwayswearsashoethetsetscrooked。Anyoftheboyscantellyou。I'dknowthettrackifI
　　wasblind。"
　　Stillwell'sruddyfacecloudedandhekickedatacactusplant。
　　"WasDannycomin'orgoin'？"heasked。
　　"Ireckonhewashittin'acrosscountryferthePeloncillotrail。
　　ButIain'tshoreofthetwithoutback-trailin'himaways。I
　　wasjestwaitin'feryoutocomeup。"
　　"Nels，youdon'tthinktheboy'sslopedwiththetlittlehussy，Bonita？"
　　"Bill，heshorewassweetonBonita，sameasGenewas，an'EdLintonbeforehegotengaged，an'alltheboys。She'sshorechain-lightnin'，thatlittleblack-eyeddevil。Dannymighthevslopedwithherallright。Dannywashelduponthewaytotown，an'thenintheshameofithegotdrunk。Buthe'llshewupsoon。"
　　"Wal，mebbeyouan'theboysareright。Ibelieveyouare。
　　Nels，thereain'tnodoubtonearthaboutwhowasridin'
　　Stewart'shoss？"
　　"Thet'sasplainasthehoss'stracks。"
　　"Wal，it'sallamazin'strange。Itbeatsme。Iwishtheboyswouldeaseupondrinkin'。IwasprettyfondofDannyan'Gene。
　　I'mafraidGene'sdonefer，sure。Ifhecrossestheborderwherehecanfightitwon'ttakelongferhimtogetplugged。IguessI'mgettin'old。Idon'tstandthingslikeIusedto。"
　　"Bill，IreckonI'dbetterhitthePeloncillotrail。MebbeIcanfindDanny。"
　　"Ireckonyouhad，Nels，"repliedStillwell。"Butdon'ttakemore'nacoupleofdays。Wecan'tdomuchontheround-upwithoutyou。I'mshortofboys。"
　　Thatendedtheconversation。Stillwellimmediatelybegantohitchuphisteam，andthecowboyswentouttofetchtheirstrayedhorses。Madelinehadbeencuriouslyinterested，andshesawthatFlorenceknewit。
　　"Thingshappen，MissHammond，"shesaid，soberly，almostsadly。
　　Madelinethought。AndthenstraightwayFlorencebeganbrightlytohumatuneandtobusyherselfrepackingwhatwasleftofthelunch。MadelineconceivedastronglikingandrespectforthisWesterngirl。Sheadmiredtheconsiderationordelicacyorwisdom——what-everitwas——whichkeptFlorencefromaskingherwhatshekneworthoughtorfeltabouttheeventsthathadtakenplace。
　　Soontheywereoncemorebowlingalongtheroaddownagradualincline，andthentheybegantoclimbalongridgethathadforhourshiddenwhatlaybeyond。Thatclimbwasrathertiresome，owingtothesunandthedustandtherestrictedview。
　　WhentheyreachedthesummitMadelinegavealittlegaspofpleasure。Adeep，gray，smoothvalleyopenedbelowandslopedupontheothersideinlittleridgeslikewaves，andtheseledtothefoothills，dottedwithclumpsofbrushortrees，andbeyondrosedarkmountains，pine-fringedandcrag-spired。
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，nowwe'regettin'somewhere，"saidStillwell，crackinghiswhip。"Tenmilesacrossthisvalleyan'we'llbeinthefoothillswheretheApachesusedtorun。"
　　"Tenmiles！"exclaimedMadeline。"Itlooksnomorethanhalfamiletome。"
　　"Wal，youngwoman，beforeyougotoridin'offaloneyouwanttogetyoureyescorrectedtoWesterndistance。Now，what'dyoucallthemblackthingsoffthereontheslope？"
　　"Horsemen。No，cattle，"repliedMadeline，doubtfully。"Nope。
　　Jestplain，every-daycactus。An'overhyar——lookdownthevalley。Somethin'ofaprettyforest，ain'tthet？"heasked，pointing。
　　Madelinesawabeautifulforestinthecenterofthevalleytowardthesouth。
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，thet'sjestthisdeceivin'air。There'snoforest。It'samirage。"
　　"Indeed！Howbeautifulitis！"Madelinestrainedhergazeonthedarkblot，anditseemedtofloatintheatmosphere，tohavenoclearlydefinedmargins，towaverandshimmer，andthenitfadedandvanished。
　　Themountainsdroppeddownagainbehindthehorizon，andpresentlytheroadbeganoncemoretoslopeup。Thehorsesslowedtoawalk。Therewasamileofrollingridge，andthencamethefoothills。Theroadascendedthroughwindingvalleys。
　　Treesandbrushandrocksbegantoappearinthedryravines。
　　Therewasnowater，yetallalongthesandywasheswereindicationsoffloodsatsomeperiods。TheheatandtheduststifledMadeline，andshehadalreadybecometired。Stillshelookedwithallhereyesandsawbirds，andbeautifulquailwithcrests，andrabbits，andonceshesawadeer。
　　"MissMajesty，"saidStillwell，"intheearlydaystheIndiansmadethiscountryabadonetolivein。Ireckonyouneverheerdmuchaboutthemtimes。Surelyyouwashardlybornthen。I'llhevtotellyousomedayhowIfoughtComanchesinthePanhandle——
　　thetwasnorthernTexas——an'Ihadsomemightyhair-raisin'
　　scaresinthiscountrywithApaches。"
　　HetoldheraboutCochise，chiefoftheChiricahuaApaches，themostsavageandbloodthirstytribethatevermadelifeahorrorforthepioneer。Cochisebefriendedthewhitesonce；buthewasthevictimofthatfriendliness，andhebecamethemostimplacableoffoes。Then，Geronimo，anotherApachechief，had，aslateas1885，goneonthewar-path，andhadleftabloodytraildowntheNewMexicoandArizonalinealmosttotheborder。
　　Loneranchmenandcowboyshadbeenkilled，andmothershadshottheirchildrenandthenthemselvesattheapproachoftheApache。
　　ThenameApachecurdledthebloodofanywomanoftheSouthwestinthosedays。
　　Madelineshuddered，andwasgladwhentheoldfrontiersmanchangedthesubjectandbegantotalkofthesettlingofthatcountrybytheSpaniards，thelegendsoflostgold-mineshandeddowntotheMexicans，andstrangestoriesofheroismandmysteryandreligion。TheMexicanshadnotadvancedmuchinspiteofthespreadofcivilizationtotheSouthwest。Theywerestillsuperstitious，andbelievedthelegendsoftreasureshiddeninthewallsoftheirmissions，andthatunseenhandsrolledrocksdownthegulliesupontheheadsofprospectorswhodaredtohuntforthelostminesofthepadres。
　　"Upinthemountainsbackofmyranchthere'salostmine，"saidStillwell。"Mebbeit'sonlyalegend。ButsomehowIbelieveit'sthere。Otherlostmineshevbeenfound。An'asfer'therollin'stones，Isureknowthet'strue，asanyonecanfindoutifhegoestrailin'upthegulch。Mebbethet'sonlytheweatherin'ofthecliffs。It'sasleepy，strangecountry，thisSouthwest，an'，MissMajesty，you'rea-goin'toloveit。You'llcallitro-mantic，Wal，Ireckonro-manticiscorrect。Afellergetslazyouthyaran'dreamy，an'hewantstoputoffworktillto-morrow。Somefolkssayit'salandofmanana——alandofto-morrow。Thet'stheMexicanofit。
　　"ButIlikebesttothinkofwhataladysaidtomeouct——aneddicatedladylikeyou，MissMajesty。Wal，shesaidit'salandwhereit'salwaysafternoon。Ilikedthet。Ialwaysgetupsoreinthemawnin's，an'don'tfeelgoodtillnoon。ButintheafternoonIgetsortawarman'likethings。An'sunsetismytime。IreckonIdon'twantnothin'anyfinerthansunsetfrommyranch。YoulookoutoveravalleythatspreadswidebetweenGuadalupeMountainsan'theChiricahuas，downacrosstheredArizonadesertcleartotheSierraMadresinMexico。Twohundredmiles，MissMajesty！An'allasclearasprint！An'thesunsetsbehindallthet！WhenmytimecomestodieI'dlikeittobeonmyporchsmokin'mypipean'facin'thewest。"
　　SotheoldcattlemantalkedonwhileMadelinelistened，andFlorencedozedinherseat，andthesunbegantowane，andthehorsesclimbedsteadily。Presently，atthefootofthesteepascent，Stillwellgotoutandwalked，leadingtheteam。DuringthislongclimbfatigueclaimedMadeline，andshedrowsilyclosedhereyes，tofindwhensheopenedthemagainthattheglaringwhiteskyhadchangedtoasteel-blue。Thesunhadsunkbehindthefoothillsandtheairwasgrowingchilly。Stillwellhadreturnedtothedriving-seatandwaschucklingtothehorses。
　　Shadowscreptupcutofthehollows。
　　"Wal，Flo，"saidStillwell，"Ireckonwe'dbetterhevtherestofthettherelunchbeforedark。"
　　"Youdidn'tleavemuchofit，"laughedFlorence，assheproducedthebasketfromundertheseat。
　　Whiletheyate，theshorttwilightshadedandgloomfilledthehollows。Madelinesawthefirststar，afaint，winkingpointoflight。Theskyhadnowchangedtoahazygray。Madelinesawitgraduallyclearanddarken，toshowotherfaintstars。Afterthattherewasperceptibledeepeningofthegrayandanenlargingofthestarsandabrighteningofnew-bornones。Nightseemedtocomeonthecoldwind。MadelinewasgladtohavetherobesclosearoundherandtoleanagainstFlorence。Thehollowswerenowblack，butthetopsofthefoothillsgleamedpaleinasoftlight。Thesteadytrampofthehorseswenton，andthecreakofwheelsandcrunchingofgravel。Madelinegrewsosleepythatshecouldnotkeepherwearyeyelidsfromfalling。Thereweredrowsierspellsinwhichshelostafeelingofwhereshewas，andtheseweredisturbedbythejoltofwheelsoveraroughplace。
　　Thencameablankinterval，shortorlong，whichendedinamoreviolentlurchofthebuckboard。MadelineawoketofindherheadonFlorence'sshoulder。Shesatuplaughingandapologizingforherlaziness。Florenceassuredhertheywouldsoonreachtheranch。
　　Madelineobservedthenthatthehorseswereoncemoretrotting。
　　Thewindwascolder，thenightdarker，thefoot-hillsflatter。
　　Andtheskywasnowawonderfuldeepvelvet-blueblazingwithmillionsofstars。Someofthemweremagnificent。Howstrangelywhiteandalive！AgainMadelinefelttheinsistenceoffamiliaryetbafflingassociations。Thesewhitestarscalledstrangelytoherorhauntedher。
　　VTheRound-UpItwasacracklingandroaringoffirethatawakenedMadelinenextmorning，andthefirstthingshesawwasahugestonefireplaceinwhichlayabundleofblazingsticks。Someonehadkindledafirewhilesheslept。Foramomentthecurioussensationofbeinglostreturnedtoher。Shejustdimlyrememberedreachingtheranchandbeingtakenintoahugehouseandahuge，dimlylightedroom。Anditseemedtoherthatshehadgonetosleepatonce，andhadawakenedwithoutrememberinghowshehadgottentobed。
　　Butshewaswideawakeinaninstant。Thebedstoodnearoneendofanenormouschamber。Theadobewallsresembledahallinanancientfeudalcastle，stone-floored，stone-walled，withgreatdarkenedraftersrunningacrosstheceiling。Thefewarticlesoffurniturewerewornoutandsadlydilapidated。Lightfloodedintotheroomfromtwowindowsontherightofthefireplaceandtwoontheleft，andanotherlargewindownearthebedstead。
　　Lookingoutfromwhereshelay，Madelinesawadark，slowup-sweepofmountain。Hereyesreturnedtothecheery，snappingfire，andshewatcheditwhilegatheringcouragetogetup。Theroomwascold。Whenshedidslipherbarefeetoutuponthestonefloorsheveryquicklyputthembackunderthewarmblankets。Andshewasstillinbedtryingtopluckuphercouragewhen，withaknockonthedoorandacheerfulgreeting，Florenceentered，carryingsteaminghotwater。
　　"Goodmawnin'，MissHammond。Hopeyousleptwell。Yousureweretiredlastnight。Iimagineyou'llfindthisoldrancnohouseascoldasabarn。It'llwarmupdirectly。Al'sgonewiththeboysandBill。We'retoridedownontherangeafterawhilewhenyourbaggagecomes。"
　　Florenceworeawoolenblousewithascarfroundherneck，ashortcorduroydividedskirt，andboots；andwhileshetalkedsheenergeticallyheapeduptheburningwoodinthefireplace，andlaidMadeline'sclothesatthefootofthebed，andheatedarugandputthatonthefloorbythebedside。Andlastly，withasweet，directsmile，shesaid：
　　"Altoldme——andIsuresawmyself——thatyouweren'tusedtobeingwithoutyourmaid。Willyouletmehelpyou？"
　　"Thankyou，Iamgoingtobemyownmaidforawhile。IexpectI
　　doappearaveryhelplessindividual，butreallyIdonotfeelso。PerhapsIhavehadjustalittletoomuchwaitingon。"
　　"Allright。Breakfastwillbereadysoon，andafterthatwe'lllookabouttheplace。"
　　MadelinewascharmedwiththeoldSpanishhouse，andthemoreshesawofitthemoreshethoughtwhatadelightfulhomeitcouldbemade。Allthedoorsopenedintoacourtyard，orpatio，asFlorencecalledit。Thehousewaslow，intheshapeofarectangle，andsoimmenseinsizethatMadelinewonderedifithadbeenaSpanishbarracks。Manyoftheroomsweredark，withoutwindows，andtheywereempty。Otherswerefullofranchers'implementsandsacksofgrainandbalesofhay。
　　Florencecalledtheselastalfalfa。Thehouseitselfappearedstrongandwellpreserved，anditwasverypicturesque。Butintheliving-roomswereonlythebarestnecessities，andthesewerewornoutandcomfortless。
　　However，whenMadelinewentoutdoorssheforgotthecheerless，bareinterior。Florenceledthewayoutonaporchandwavedahandatavast，coloredvoid。"That'swhatBilllikes，"shesaid。
　　AtfirstMadelinecouldnottellwhatwasskyandwhatwasland。
　　Theimmensityofthescenestunnedherfacultiesofconception。
　　Shesatdowninoneoftheoldrocking-chairsandlookedandlooked，andknewthatshewasnotgraspingtherealityofwhatstretchedwondrouslybeforeher。
　　"We'reupattheedgeofthefoothills，"Florencesaid。"Yourememberwerodearoundthenorthernendofthemountainrange？
　　Well，that'sbehindusnow，andyoulookdownacrossthelineintoArizonaandMexico。ThatlongslopeofgrayistheheadoftheSanBernardinoValley。StraightacrossyouseetheblackChiricahuaMountains，andawaydowntothesouththeGuadalupeMountains。Thatawfulredgulfbetweenisthedesert，andfar，farbeyondthedim，bluepeaksaretheSierraMadresinMexico。"
　　Madelinelistenedandgazedwithstrainingeyes，andwonderedifthiswasonlyastupendousmirage，andwhyitseemedsodifferentfromallelsethatshehadseen，andsoendless，sobaffling，sogrand。
　　"It'llsuretakeyoualittlewhiletogetusedtobeinguphighandseeingsomuch，"explainedFlorence。"That'sthesecret——
　　we'reuphigh，theairisclear，andthere'sthewholebareworldbeneathus。Don'titsomehowrestyou？Well，itwill。Nowseethosespecksinthevalley。Theyarestations，littletowns。
　　Therailroadgoesdownthatway。ThelargestspeckisChiricahua。It'soverfortymilesbytrail。HereroundtothenorthyoucanseeDonCarlos'srancho。He'sfifteenmilesoff，andIsurewishhewereathousand。Thatlittlegreensquareabouthalf-waybetweenhereandDonCarlos——that'sAl'sranch。
　　JustbelowusaretheadobehousesoftheMexicans。There'sachurch，too。AndheretotheleftyouseeStillwell'scorralsandbunk-housesandhisstablesallfallingtopieces。Theranchhasgonetoruin。Alltheranchesaregoingtoruin。Butmostofthemarelittleone-horseaffairs。Andhere——seethatcloudofdustdowninthevalley？It'stheround-up。Theboysarethere，andthecattle。Wait，I'llgettheglasses。"
　　BytheiraidMadelinesawintheforegroundagreat，denseherdofcattlewithdark，thickstreamsanddottedlinesofcattleleadingineverydirection。Shesawstreaksandcloudsofdust，runninghorses，andabandofhorsesgrazing；andshedescriedhorsemenstandingstilllikesentinels，andothersinaction。
　　"Theround-up！Iwanttoknowallaboutit——toseeit，"declaredMadeline。"Pleasetellmewhatitmeans，whatit'sfor，andthentakemedownthere。"
　　"It'ssureasight，MissHammond。I'llbegladtotakeyoudown，butIfancyyou'llnotwanttogoclose。FewEasternpeoplewhoregularlyeattheirchoicecutsofroastbeefandporterhousehaveanyideaoftheopenrangeandthestrugglecattlehavetoliveandthehardlifeofcowboys。It'llsureopenyoureyes，MissHammond。I'mgladyoucaretoknow。Yourbrotherwouldhavemadeabigsuccessinthiscattlebusinessifithadn'tbeenforcrookedworkbyrivalranchers。He'llmakeityet，inspiteofthem。"
　　"Indeedheshall，"repliedMadeline。"Buttellme，please，allabouttheround-up。"
　　"Well，inthefirstplace，everycattlemanhastohaveabrandtoidentifyhisstock。Withoutitnocattleman，norhalfahundredcowboys，ifhehadsomany，couldeverrecognizeallthecattleinabigherd。Therearenofencesonourranges。Theyareallopentoeverybody。SomedayIhopewe'llberichenoughtofencearange。Thedifferentherdsgrazetogether。Everycalfhastobecaught，ifpossible，andbrandedwiththemarkofitsmother。
　　That'snoeasyjob。Amaverickisanunbrandedcalfthathasbeenweanedandshiftsforitself。Themaverickthenbelongstothemanwhofindsitandbrandsit。Theselittlecalvesthatlosetheirmotherssurehaveacrueltimeofit。Manyofthemdie。Thenthecoyotesandwolvesandlionspreyonthem。Everyyearwehavetwobiground-ups，buttheboysdosomebrandingalltheyear。Acalfshouldbebrandedassoonasit'sfound。Thisisasafeguardagainstcattle-thieves。Wedon'thavetherustlingofherdsandbunchesofcattlelikeweusedto。Butthere'salwaysthecalf-thief，andalwayswillbeaslongasthere'scattle-raising。Thethieveshaveagoodmanycunningtricks。Theykillthecalf'smotherorslitthecalf'stonguesoitcan'tsuckandsolosesitsmother。Theystealandhideacalfandwatchittillit'sbigenoughtofareforitself，andthenbrandit。Theymakeimperfectbrandsandfinishthematalatertime。
　　"Wehaveourbiground-upinthefall，whenthere'splentyofgrassandwater，andalltheriding-stockaswellasthecattleareinfineshape。Thecattlemeninthevalleymeetwiththeircowboysanddriveinallthecattletheycanfind。Thentheybrandandcutouteachman'sherdanddriveittowardhome。Thentheygoonupordownthevalley，makeanothercamp，anddriveinmorecattle。Ittakesweeks。TherearesomanyGreaserswithlittlebandsofstock，andtheyarecraftyandgreedy。BillsaysheknowsGreasercowboys，vaqueros，whoneverownedasteeroracow，andnowthey'vegotgrowingherds。Thesamemightbesaidofmorethanonewhitecowboy。Butthere'snotasmuchofthatasthereusedtobe。"
　　"Andthehorses？Iwanttoknowaboutthem，"saidMadeline，whenFlorencepaused。
　　"Oh，thecow-ponies！Well，theysureareinteresting。Broncos，theboyscallthem。Wild！they'rewilderthanthesteerstheyhavetochase。Bill'sgotbroncosheahthatneverhavebeenbrokenandneverwillbe。Andnoteveryboycanridethem，either。Thevaqueroshavethefinesthorses。DonCarloshasablackthatI'dgiveanythingtoown。Andhehasotherfinestock。GeneStewart'sbigroanisaMexicanhorse，theswiftestandproudestIeversaw。Iwasuponhimonceand——oh，hecanrun！Helikesawoman，too，andthat'ssuresomethingIwantinahorse。IheardAlandBilltalkingatbreakfastaboutahorseforyou。Theywerewrangling。Billwantedyoutohaveone，andAlanother。Itwasfunnytohearthem。Finallytheyleftthechoicetome，untiltheround-upisover。ThenIsupposeeverycowboyontherangewillofferyouhisbestmount。Come，let'sgoouttothecorralsandlookoverthefewhorsesleft。"
　　ForMadelinethemorninghoursflewby，withagoodlypartofthetimespentontheporchgazingoutoverthatever-changingvista。
　　Atnoonateamsterdroveupwithhertrunks。ThenwhileFlorencehelpedtheMexicanwomangetlunchMadelineunpackedpartofhereffectsandgotoutthingsforwhichshewouldhaveimmediateneed。Afterlunchshechangedherdressforariding-habitand，goingoutside，foundFlorencewaitingwiththehorses。
　　TheWesterngirl'scleareyesseemedtotakestockofMadeline'sappearanceinoneswift，inquisitiveglanceandthenshonewithpleasure。
　　"Yousurelook——you'reapicture，MissHammond。Thatriding-outfitisanewone。Whatit'dlooklikeonmeoranotherwomanIcan'timagine，butonyouit's——it'sstunning。
　　Billwon'tletyougowithinamileofthecowboys。Iftheyseeyouthat'llbethefinishoftheround-up。"
　　WhiletheyrodedowntheslopeFlorencetalkedabouttheopenrangesofNewMexicoandArizona。
　　"Waterisscarce，"shesaid。"IfBillcouldaffordtopipewaterdownfromthemountainshe'dhavethefinestranchinthevalley。"
　　Shewentontotellthattheclimatewasmildinwinterandhotinsummer。Warm，sunshinydaysprevailednearlyalltheyearround。Somesummersitrained，andoccasionallytherewouldbeadryyear，thedreadedanosecooftheMexicans。Rainwasalwaysexpectedandprayedforinthemidsummermonths，andwhenitcamethegrama-grasssprangup，makingthevalleysgreenfrommountaintomountain。Theintersectingvalleys，rangingbetweenthelongslopeoffoothills，affordedthebestpastureforcattle，andthesewerejealouslysoughtbytheMexicanswhohadonlysmallherdstolookafter。Stillwell'scowboyswerealwayschasingthesevaquerosofflandthatbelongedtoStillwell。Heownedtwentythousandacresofunfencedlandadjoiningtheopenrange。
　　DonCarlospossessedmoreacreagethanthat，andhiscattlewerealwaysminglingwithStillwell's。AndinturnDonCarlos'svaqueroswerealwayschasingStillwell'scattleawayfromtheMexican'swatering-place。Badfeelinghadbeenmanifestedforyears，andnowrelationswerestrainedtothebreaking-point。
　　AsMadelinerodealongshemadegooduseofhereyes。Thesoilwassandyandporous，andsheunderstoodwhytherainandwaterfromthefewspringsdisappearedsoquickly。Atalittledistancethegrama-grassappearedthick，butnearathanditwasseentobesparse。Bunchesofgreasewoodandcactusplantswereinterspersedhereandthereinthegrass。WhatsurprisedMadelinewasthefactthat，thoughsheandFlorencehadseemedtoberidingquiteawhile，theyhadapparentlynotdrawnanyclosertotheround-up。Theslopeofthevalleywasnoticeableonlyaftersomemileshadbeentraversed。Lookingforward，Madelineimaginedthevalleyonlyafewmileswide。Shewouldhavebeensureshecouldwalkherhorseacrossitinanhour。Yetthatblack，boldrangeofChiricahuaMountainswasdistantalongday'sjourneyforevenahard-ridingcowboy。ItwasonlybylookingbackthatMadelinecouldgraspthetruerelationofthings；shecouldnotbedeceivedbydistanceshehadcovered。
　　Graduallytheblackdotsenlargedandassumedshapeofcattleandhorsesmovingroundagreatdustypatch。Inanotherhalf-hourMadelinerodebehindFlorencetotheoutskirtsofthesceneofaction。Theydrewreinnearahugewagonintheneighborhoodofwhichweremorethanahundredhorsesgrazingandwhistlingandtrottingaboutandliftingheadstowatchthenew-comers。Fourcowboysstoodmountedguardoverthisdroveofhorses。Perhapsaquarterofamilefartheroutwasadustymelee。AroaroftrampinghoofsfilledMadeline'sears。Thelinesofmarchingcattlehadmergedintoagreat，movingherdhalfobscuredbydust。
　　"Icanmakelittleofwhatisgoingon，"saidMadeline。"Iwanttogocloser。"
　　Theytrottedacrosshalftheinterveningdistance，andwhenFlorencehaltedagainMadelinewasstillnotsatisfiedandaskedtobetakennearer。Thistime，beforetheyreinedinagain，AlHammondsawthemandwheeledhishorseintheirdirection。HeyelledsomethingwhichMadelinedidnotunderstand，andthenhaltedthem。
　　"Closeenough，"hecalled；andinthedinhisvoicewasnotveryclear。"It'snotsafe。Wildsteers！I'mgladyoucame，girls。
　　Majesty，whatdoyouthinkofthatbunchofcattle？"
　　Madelinecouldscarcelyreplywhatshethought，forthenoiseanddustandceaselessactionconfusedher。
　　"They'remilling，Al，"saidFlorence。
　　"Wejustroundedthemup。They'remilling，andthat'sbad。Thevaquerosareharddrivers。Theybeatusallhollow，andwedrovesome，too。"Hewaswetwithsweat，blackwithdust，andoutofbreath。"I'moffnow。Flo，mysisterwillhaveenoughofthisinabouttwominutes。Takeherbacktothewagon。I'lltellBillyou'rehere，andruninwheneverIgetaminute。"
　　Thebawlingandbellowing，thecracklingofhornsandpoundingofhoofs，thedustywhirlofcattle，andtheflyingcowboysdisconcertedMadelineandfrightenedheralittle；butshewasintenselyinterestedandmeanttostaythereuntilshesawforherselfwhatthatstrifeofsoundandactionmeant。Whenshetriedtotakeinthewholesceneshedidnotmakeoutanythingclearlyandshedeterminedtoseeitlittlebylittle。
　　"Willyoustaylonger？"askedFlorence；and，receivinganaffirmativereply，shewarnedMadeline："Ifarunawaysteerorangrycowcomesthiswayletyourhorsego。He'llgetoutoftheway。"
　　Thatlentthesituationexcitement，andMadelinebecameabsorbed。