You'vesureputheartinthem。"
　　"Indeed，Stillwell，Iamgladtohearthat，"repliedMadeline。
　　"AndIshallbepleasedtoteachthemall。ButmayInothavethemalluphereatonce——atleastthoseoffduty？"
　　"Wal，Ireckonyoucan'tonlessyouwanttohevthemscrappin'，"
　　rejoinedStillwell，dryly。"Whatyou'vegotonyourhandsnow，MissMajesty，istolet'emcomeonebyone，an'makeeachcowboythinkyou'retakin'moreespecialpleasureinshowin'himthanthefellerwhocamebeforehim。Thenmebbewecangoonwithcattle-raisin'。"
　　Madelineprotested，andStillwellheldinexorablytowhathesaidwaswisdom。SeveraltimesMadelinehadgoneagainsthisadvice，toherutterdiscomfitureandrout。Shedarednotriskitagain，andresignedherselfgrace-fullyandwithsubduedmerrimenttohertask。JimBellwasusheredintothegreat，light，spotlesskitchen，wherepresentlyMadelineappearedtoputonanapronandrolluphersleeves。Sheexplainedtheuseoftheseveralpiecesofaluminumthatmadeupthebread-mixerandfastenedthebuckettothetable-shelf。Jim'slifemighthavedependeduponthislesson，judgingfromhisabsorbedmannerandhisdesiretohavethingsexplainedoverandover，especiallytheturningofthecrank。WhenMadelinehadtotakeJim'shandthreetimestoshowhimthesimplemechanismandthenhedidnotunderstandshebegantohavefaintmisgivingsastohisabsolutesincerity。SheguessedthataslongasshetouchedJim'shandheneverwouldunderstand。ThenasshebegantomeasureoutflourandmilkandlardandsaltandyeastshesawwithdespairthatJimwasnotlookingattheingredients，wasnotpayingtheslightestattentiontothem。Hiseyeswerecovertlyuponher。
　　"Jim，Iamnotsureaboutyou，"saidMadeline，severely。"Howcanyoulearntomakebreadifyoudonotwatchmemixit？"
　　"Iama-watchin'you，"repliedJim，innocently。
　　FinallyMadelinesentthecowboyonhiswayrejoicingwiththebread-mixerunderhisarm。Nextmorning，truetoStillwell'sprophecy，FrankSlade，Jim'sbunkmate，presentedhimselfcheerfullytoMadelineandunbosomedhimselfofalong-deferredandpersistentdesiretorelievehisoverworkedcomradeofsomeofthehouse-keepingintheirbunk。
　　"MissHammond，"saidFrank，"Jim'sorfulkindwantin'todoitallhisself。Butheain'tverybright，an'Ididn'tbelievehim。
　　Yousee，I'mfromMissouri，an，you'llhavetoshowme。"
　　ForawholeweekMadelineheldclinicswheresheexpoundedthescientificmethodofmodernbread-making。Shegotagooddealofenjoymentoutofherlectures。Whatboysthesegreathulkingfellowswere！Shesawthroughtheirsimpleruses。Someofthemweregraveasdeacons；othersworeexpressionsimportantenoughtohavefittedthefacesofstatesmensigninggovernmenttreaties。Thesecowboyswerechildren；theyneededtobegoverned；butinordertogovernthemtheyhadtobehumored。A
　　morelight-hearted，fun-lovingcrowdofboyscouldnothavebeenfound。Andtheyweregrownmen。Stillwellexplainedthattheexuberanceofspiritslayinthedifferenceintheirfortunes。
　　Twenty-sevencowboys，inrelaysofnine，workedeighthoursaday。ThathadneverbeenheardofbeforeintheWest。StillwelldeclaredthatcowboysfromallpointsofthecompasswouldheadtheirhorsestowardHerMajesty'sRancho。
　　VIIIElCapitanStillwell'sinterestintherevolutionacrosstheMexicanlinehadmanifestlyincreasedwiththenewsthatGeneStewarthadachieveddistinctionwiththerebelforces。ThereaftertheoldcattlemansentforElPasoandDouglasnewspapers，wrotetoranchmenheknewonthebigbendoftheRioGrande，andhewouldtalkindefinitelytoanyonewhowouldlistentohim。TherewasnotanypossibilityofStillwell'sfriendsattheranchforgettinghisfavoritecowboy。StillwellalwaysprefacedhiseulogywithanapologeticstatementthatStewarthadgonetothebad。Madelinelikedtolistentohim，thoughshewasnotalwayssurewhichnewswasauthenticandwhichimagination。
　　Thereappearedtobenodoubt，however，thatthecowboyhadperformedsomedaringfeatsfortherebels。Madelinefoundhisnamementionedinseveraloftheborderpapers。WhentherebelsunderMaderostormedandcapturedthecityofJuarez，StewartdidfightingthatwonhimthenameofElCapitan。Thisbattleapparentlyendedtherevolution。ThecapitulationofPresidentDiazfollowedshortly，andtherewasafeelingofreliefamongranchersontheborderfromTexastoCalifornia。NothingmorewasheardofGeneStewartuntilApril，whenareportreachedStillwellthatthecowboyhadarrivedinElCajon，evidentlyhuntingtrouble。Theoldcattlemansaddledahorseandstartedpost-hastefortown。Intwodayshereturned，depressedinspirit。MadelinehappenedtobepresentwhenStillwelltalkedtoAlfred。
　　"Igottheretoolate，Al，"saidthecattleman。"Genewasgone。
　　An'whatdoyouthinkofthis？DannyMainshedjestleftwithacoupleofburrospacked。Icouldn'tfindwhatwayhewent，butI'mbettin'hehitthePeloncillotrail。"
　　"Dannywillshowupsomeday，"repliedAlfred。"WhatdidyoulearnaboutStewart？MaybeheleftwithDanny。"
　　"Notmuch，"saidStillwell，shortly。"Gene'shell-bentferelection！Nomountainsferhim。"
　　"Welltellusabouthim。"
　　Stillwellwipedhissweatybrowandsquaredhimselftotalk。
　　"Wal，it'ssureamazin'strangeaboutGene。Itsgotmelocoed。
　　HearrivedinElCajonaweekorsoago。Hewastraineddownlikeasifhe'dbeenridin'therangeallwinter。Hehedplentyofmoney——Mex，theysaid。An'alltheGreaserswascrazyabouthim。CalledhimElCapitan。Hegotdrunkan'wentroarin'roundferPatHawe。YourememberthatGreaserwhowaspluggedlastOctober——thenightMissMajestyarrived？Wal，he'sdaid。He'sdaid，an'peoplesaysthetPatisa-goin'tolaythetkillin'
　　ontoGene。Ireckonthet'sjesttalk，thoughPatismeanenoughtodoit，ifhehedthenerve。Anyway，ifhewasinElCajonhekeptmightymuchtohisself。Genewalkedupan'down，upan'
　　down，alldayan'night，lookin'ferPat。Buthedidn'tfindhim。An'，ofcourse，hekeptgettin'drunker。Hejestgotplumbbad。Hemadelotsoftrouble，buttherewasn'tnogun-play。
　　Mebbethetmadehimsore，sohewentan'lickedFlo'sbrother-in-law。Thetwasn'tsobad。Jacksureneededagoodlickin'。Wal，thenGenemetDannyan'triedtogetDannydrunk。
　　An'hecouldn't！Whatdoyouthinkofthat？Dannyhedn'tbeendrinkin'——wouldn'ttouchadrop。I'msuregladofthet，butit'samazin'strange。Why，Dannywasafishferredliquor。Iguesshean'Genehadsomeprettyhardwords，thoughI'mnotsureaboutthet。Anyway，Genewentdowntotherailroadan'hegotonanengine，an'hewasintheenginewhenitpulledout。Lord，I
　　hopehedoesn'tholdupthetrain！IfhegetsgayoverinArizonahe'llgotothepenatYuma。An'thetpenisagraveyardfercowboys。IwiredtoagentsalongtherailroadtolookoutferStewart，an'towirebacktomeifhe'slocated。"
　　"Supposeyoudofindhim，Stillwell，whatcanyoudo？"inquiredAlfred。
　　Theoldmannoddedgloomily。
　　"Istraightenedhimuponce。MebbeIcandoitagain。"Then，brighteningsomewhat，beturnedtoMadeline。"Ijesthedanidee，MissMajesty。IfIcangethim，GeneStewardisthecowboyIwantfermyforeman。Hecanmanagethisbunchofcow-punchersthetaredrivin'medotty。What'smore，sincehe'sfoughtfertherebelsan'gotthatnameElCapitan，alltheGreasersinthecountrywillkneeltohim。Now，MissMajesty，wehevn'tgotridofDonCarlosan'hisvaquerosyet。Tobesure，hesoldyouhishousean'ranchan'stock。Butyouremembernothin'wasputinblackandwhiteaboutwhenheshouldgetout。An'DonCarlosain'tgettin'out。Idon'tlikethelooksofthingsalittlebit。I'lltellyounowthetDonCarlosknowssomethin'aboutthecattleIlost，an'thetyou'vebeenlosin'rightalong。ThetGreaserishandan'glovewiththerebels。I'mwillin'togamblethetwhenhedoesgetouthean'hisvaqueroswillmakeanotheroneofthebandsofguerrillasthetareharassin'theborder。
　　Thisrevolutionain'tover'yet。It'sjestcommenced。An'allthesegangsofoutlawsaregoin'totakeadvantageofit。We'llseesomeoldtimes，mebbe。Wal，IneedGeneStewart。Ineedhimbad。Willyouletmehirehim，MissMajesty，ifIcangethimstraightenedup？"
　　Theoldcattlemanendedhuskily。
　　"Stillwell，byallmeansfindStewart，anddonotwaittostraightenhimup。Bringhimtotheranch，"repliedMadeline。
　　Thankingher，Stillwellledhishorseaway。
　　"Strangehowhelovesthatcowboy！"murmuredMadeline。
　　"Notsostrange，Majesty，"repliedherbrother。"Notwhenyouknow。StewarthasbeenwithStillwellonsomehardtripsintothedesertalone。There'snomiddlecourseoffeelingbetweenmenfacingdeathinthedesert。Eitherheyhateeachotherorloveeachother。Idon'tknow，butIimagineStewartdidsomethingforStillwell——saveduslife，perhaps。Besides，Stewart'salovablechapwhenhe'sgoingstraight。IhopeStillwellbringshimback。Wedoneedhim，Majesty。He'sabornleader。OnceIsawhimrideintoabunchofMexicanswhomwesuspectedofrustling。Itwasfinetoseehim。Well，I'msorrytotellyouthatweareworriedaboutDonCarlos。SomeofhisvaqueroscameintomyyardtheotherdaywhenIhadleftFloalone。Shehadabadscare。ThesevaqueroshavebeendifferentsinceDonCarlossoldtheranch。Forthatmatter，Ineverwouldhavetrustedawhitewomanalonewiththem。Buttheyareboldernow。Something'sinthewind。They'vegotassurance。Theycanrideoffanynightandcrosstheborder。"
　　DuringthesucceedingweekMadelinediscoveredthatagooddealofhersympathyforStillwellinhishuntfortherecklessStewarthadinsensiblygrowntobesympathyforthecowboy。Itwasratheraparadox，shethought，thatopposedtothecontinualreportsofStewart'swildnessashecarousedfromtowntotownwerethecontinualexpressionsofgoodwillandfaithandhopeuniversallygivenoutbythosenearherattheranch。Stillwelllovedthecowboy；Florencewasfondofhim；Alfredlikedandadmiredhim，pitiedhim；thecowboyssworetheirregardforhimthemorehedisgracedhimself。TheMexicanscalledhimElGranCapitan。Madeline'spersonalopinionofStewarthadnotchangedintheleastsincethenightithadbeenformed。Butcertainattributesofhis，notclearlydefinedinhermind，andthegiftofhisbeautifulhorse，hisvalorwiththefightingrebels，andallthisstrangeregardforhim，especiallythatofherbrother，madeherexceedinglyregretthecowboy'spresentbehavior。
　　MeanwhileStillwellwassoearnestandzealousthatonenotfamiliarwiththesituationwouldhavebelievedhewastryingtofindandreclaimhisownson。Hemadeseveraltripstolittlestationsinthevalley，andfromthesehereturnedwithagloomyface。MadelinegotthedetailsfromAlfred。Stewartwasgoingfrombadtoworse——drunk，disorderly，savage，suretolandinthepenitentiary。ThencameareportthathurriedStillwellofftoRodeo。Hereturnedonthethirdday，acrushedman。Hebadbeensobitterlyhurtthatnoone，notevenMadeline，couldgetoutofhimwhathadhappened。HeadmittedfindingStewart，failingtoinfluencehim；andwhentheoldcattlemangotsofarheturnedpurpleinthefaceandtalkedtohimself，asifdazed："ButGenewasdrunk。Hewasdrunk，orhecouldn'thevtreatedoldBilllikethet！"
　　Madelinewasstirredwithanangertowardthebrutalcowboythatwasasstrongashersorrowfortheloyaloldcattleman。AnditwaswhenStillwellgaveupthatsheresolvedtotakeahand。ThepersistentfaithofStillwell，hispatheticexcusesinthefaceofwhatmusthavebeenStewart'sviolence，perhapsbaseness，actuatedherpowerfully，gavehernewinsightintohumannature。
　　Shehonoredafaiththatremainedunshaken。AndthestrangethoughtcametoherthatStewartmustsomehowbeworthyofsuchafaith，orhenevercouldhaveinspiredit。Madelinediscoveredthatshewantedtobelievethatsomewheredeepdowninthemostdepravedandsinfulwretchuponearththerewassomegrainofgood。SheyearnedtohavethefaithinhumannaturethatStillwellhadinStewart。
　　ShesentNels，mounteduponhisownhorse，andleadingMajesty，toRodeoinsearchofStewart。NelshadinstructionstobringStewartbacktotheranch。InduetimeNelsreturned，leadingtheroanwithoutarider。
　　"Yep，Ishorefoundhim，"repliedNels，whenquestioned。"Foundhimhalfsoberedup。He'dbeeninascrap，an'somebodyhedputhimtosleep，Iguess。Wal，whenheseenthetroanhossheletoutayellan'grabbedhimroundtheneck。Thehossknowedhim，allright。ThenGenehuggedthehossan'cried——criedlike——I
　　neverseennoonewhocriedlikehedid。Iwaitedawhile，an'
　　wasjestgoin'tosaysomethin'tohimwhenheturnedonmered-eyed，madasfire。'Nels，'hesaid，'Icareahellofalotferthetboss，an'Ilikedyouprettywell，butifyoudon'ttakehimawayquickI'llshootyouboth。'Wal，Ilitout。Ididn'tevengittosayhowdytohim。"
　　Nels，youthinkituseless——anyattempttoseehim——persuadehim？"askedMadeline。
　　"Ishoredo，MissHammond，"repliedNels，gravely。"I'veseenafewsun-blindedan'locoedan'snake-poisonedan'skunk-bittencow-punchersinmyday，butGeneStewartbeats'emall。He'sshorerunnin'wildferthedivide。"
　　MadelinedismissedNels，butbeforehegotoutofearshotsheheardhimspeaktoStillwell，whoawaitedhimontheporch。
　　"Bill，putthisinyourpipean'smokeit——noneofthemscrapsGenehashedwasoverawoman！Itusedtobethetwhenhewasdrankhe'dscrapovereveryprettyGreasergirlhe'drunacross。
　　Thet'swhyPatHawethinksGenepluggedthestrangevaquerowhowaswithlittleBonitathetnightlastfall。Wal，Gene'sscrappin'nowjesttogitshotuphisself，forsomereasonthetonlyGodAlmightyknows。"
　　Nels'sstoryofhowStewartweptoverhishorseinfluencedMadelinepowerfully。HernextmovewastopersuadeAlfredtoseeifhecouldnotdobetterwiththisdoggedlybentcowboy。Alfredneededonlyawordofpersuasion，forhesaidhehadconsideredgoingtoRodeoofhisownaccord。Hewent，andreturnedalone。
　　"Majesty，Ican'texplainStewart'ssingularactions，"saidAlfred。"Isawhim，talkedwithhim。Heknewme，butnothingI
　　saidappearedtogettohim。Hehaschangedterribly。Ifancyhisoncemagnificentstrengthisbreaking。It——itactuallyhurtmetolookathim。Icouldn'thavefetchedhimbackhere——notasheisnow。Iheardallabouthim，andifheisn'tdownrightoutofhismindhe'shell-bent，asBillsays，ongettingkilled。
　　Someofhisescapadesare——arenotforyourears。Billdidallanymancoulddoforanother。We'vealldoneourbestforStewart。Ifyou'dbeengivenachanceperhapsyoucouldhavesavedhim。Butit'stoolate。Putitoutofmindnow，dear。"
　　Madeline，however，didnotforgetnorgiveitup。Ifshehadforgottenorsurrendered，shefeltthatshewouldhavebeenrelinquishinginfinitelymorethanhopetoaidoneruinedman。
　　Butshewasatalosstoknowwhatfurtherstepstotake。Dayspassed，andeachonebroughtadditionalgossipofStewart'sheadlongcareertowardtheYumapenitentiary。ForhehadcrossedthelineintoCochiseCounty，Arizona，wheresheriffskeptastricterobservanceoflaw。FinallyalettercamefromafriendofNels'sinChiricahuasayingthatStewarthadbeenhurtinabrawlthere。Hishurtwasnotserious，butitwouldprobablykeephimquietlongenoughtogetsober，andthisopportunity，Nels'sinformantsaid，wouldbeagoodoneforStewart'sfriendstotakehimhomebeforehegotlockedup。ThisepistleinclosedalettertoStewartfromhissister。Evidently，ithadbeenfounduponhim。Ittoldastoryofillnessandmadeanappealforaid。
　　Nels'sfriendforwardedthisletterwithoutStewart'sknowledge，thinkingStillwellmightcaretohelpStewart'sfamily。Stewarthadnomoney，hesaid。
　　Thesister'sletterfounditswaytoMadeline。Shereadit，tearsinhereyes。IttoldMadelinemuchmorethanitsbriefstoryofillnessandpovertyandwonderwhyGenehadnotwrittenhomeforsolong。Ittoldofmotherlylove，sisterlylove，brotherlylove——dearfamilytiesthathadnotbeenbroken。ItspokeofprideinthisElCapitanbrotherwhohadbecomefamous。
　　Itwassigned"yourlovingsisterLetty。"
　　Notimprobably，Madelinerevolvedinmind，thisletterwasonereasonforStewart'sheadstrong，long-continuedabasement。Ithadbeenreceivedtoolate——afterhehadsquanderedthemoneythatwouldhavemeantsomuchtomotherandsister。Bethatasitmight，Madelineimmediatelysentabank-drafttoStewart'ssisterwithaletterexplainingthatthemoneywasdrawninadvanceonStewart'ssalary。Thisdone，sheimpulsivelydeterminedtogotoChiricahuaherself。
　　Thehorseback-ridesMadelinehadtakentothislittleArizonahamlethadtriedherendurancetotheutmost；butthejourneybyautomobile，exceptforsomerockybitsofroadandsandystretches，wascomfortable，andamatterofonlyafewhours。
　　Thebigtouring-carwasstillakindofseventhwondertotheMexicansandcowboys；notthatautomobileswereverynewandstrange，butbecausethisonewassuchanenormousmachineandcapableofgreaterspeedthananexpress-train。Thechauffeurwhohadarrivedwiththecarfoundhissituationamongthejealouscowboyssomewhatfarremovedfromabedofroses。Hehadbeeninducedtoremainlongenoughtoteachtheoperatingandmechanicaltechniqueofthecar。AndchoicefelluponLinkStevens，forthesimplereasonthatofallthecowboyshewastheonlyonewithanyknackformechanics。NowLinkhadbeenahard-riding，hard-drivingcowboy，andthatwinterhehadsustainedaninjurytohisleg，causedbyabadfall，andwasunabletosithishorse。Thishadbeengallandwormwoodtohim。
　　Butwhenthebigwhiteautomobilecameandhewaselectedtodriveit，lifewasoncemoreworthlivingforhim。ButalltheothercowboysregardedLinkandhismachineassomecorrelatedspeciesofdemon。Theyweredeathlyafraidofboth。
　　ItwasforthisreasonthatNels，whenMadelineaskedhimtoaccompanyhertoChiricahua，replied，reluctantly，thathewouldratherfollowonhishorse。However，sheprevailedoverhishesitancy，andwithFlorencealsointhecartheysetout。Formilesandmilesthevalleyroadwassmooth，hard-packed，andslightlydownhill。Andwhenspeedingwasperfectlysafe，Madelinewasnotaversetoit。Thegrassyplainsailedbackwardingraysheets，andthelittledotinthevalleygrewlargerandlarger。FromtimetotimeLinkglancedroundatunhappyNels，whoseeyeswerewildandwhosehandsclutchedhisseat。Whilethecarwascrossingthesandyandrockyplaces，goingslowly，Nelsappearedtobreatheeasier。Andwhenitstoppedinthewide，dustystreetofChiricahuaNelsgladlytumbledout。
　　"Nels，weshallwaithereinthecarwhileyoufindStewart，"
　　saidMadeline。
　　"MissHammond，IreckonGene'llrunwhenheseesus，ifhe'sabletorun，"repliedNels。"Wal，I'llgofindhiman'makeupmymindthenwhatwe'dbetterdo。"
　　Nelscrossedtherailroadtrackanddisappearedbehindthelow，flathouses。Afteralittletimehereappearedandhurrieduptothecar。Madelinefelthisgraygazesearchingherface。
　　"MissHammond，Ifoundhim，"saidNels。"Hewassleepin'。I
　　wokehim。He'ssoberan'notbadhurt；butIdon'tbelieveyououghttoseehim。MebbeFlorence-"
　　"Nels，Iwanttoseehimmyself。Whynot？WhatdidhesaywhenyoutoldhimIwashere？"
　　"ShoreIdidn'ttellhimthat。Ijestsays，'Hullo，Gene！'an'
　　hesays，'MyGawd！Nels！mebbeIain'tgladtoseeahumanbein'。'Heaskedmewhowaswithme，an'ItoldhimLinkan'
　　somefriends。IsaidI'dfetchthemin。Heholleredatthet。
　　ButIwent，anyway。Now，ifyoureallywillseehim，MissHammond，it'sagoodchance。Butshoreit'satouchymatter，an'
　　you'llbesomesickatsightofhim。He'slayin'inaGreaserholeoverhere。LikelytheGreasershevbeenkindtohim。Butthey'reshoreapoorlot。"
　　Madelinedidnothesitateamoment。
　　"Thankyou，Nels。Takemeatonce。Come，Florence。"
　　Theyleftthecar，nowsurroundedbygaping-eyedMexicanchildren，andcrossedthedustyspacetoanarrowlanebetweenredadobewalls。Passingbyseveralhouses，Nelsstoppedatthedoorofwhatappearedtobeanalleywayleadingback。Iwasfilthy。
　　"He'sinthere，aroundthetfirstcorner。It'sapatio，openan'
　　sunny。An'，MissHammond，ifyoudon'tmind，I'llwaithereforyou。IreckonGenewouldn'tlikeanyfellersaroundwhenheseesyougirls。"
　　ItwasthatwhichmadeMadelinehesitatethenandgoforwardslowly。ShehadgivennothoughtatalltowhatStewartmightfeelwhensuddenlysurprisedbyherpresence。
　　"Florence，youwaitalso，"saidMadeline，atthedoorway，andturnedinalone。
　　Andshehadsteppedintoabroken-downpatiolitteredwithalfalfastrawanddebris，allclearinthesunlight。Uponabench，backtowardher，satamanlookingoutthroughtherentsinthebrokenwall。Hehadnotheardher。TheplacewasnotquitesofilthyandstiflingasthepassagesMadelinehadcomethroughtogetthere。Thenshesawthatithadbeenusedasacorral。Aratranboldlyacrossthedirtfloor。Theairswarmedwithflies，whichthemanbrushedatwithwearyhand。MadelinedidnotrecognizeStewart。Thesideofhisfaceexposedtohergazewasblack，bruised，bearded。Hisclotheswereraggedandsoiled。Therewerebitsofalfalfainhishair。Hisshoulderssagged。Hemadeawretchedandhopelessfiguresittingthere。
　　MadelinedivinedsomethingofwhyNelsshrankfrombeingpresent。
　　"Mr。Stewart。ItisI，MissHammond，cometoseeyou，"shesaid。
　　Hegrewsuddenlyperfectlymotionless，asifhehadbeenchangedtostone。Sherepeatedhergreeting。
　　Hisbodyjerked。Hemovedviolentlyasifinstinctivelytoturnandfacethisintruder；butamoreviolentmovementcheckedhim。
　　Madelinewaited。Howsingularthatthisruinedcowboyhadpridewhichkepthimfromshowinghisface！Andwasitnotshamemorethanpride？
　　"Mr。Stewart，Ihavecometotalkwithyou，ifyouwillletme。"
　　"Goaway，"hemuttered。
　　"Mr。Stewart！"shebegan，withinvoluntaryhauteur。Butinstantlyshecorrectedherself，becamedeliberateandcool，forshesawthatshemightfailtobeevenheardbythisman。"Ihavecometohelpyou。Willyouletme？"
　　"ForGod'ssake！You——you——"hechokedoverthewords。"Goaway！"
　　"Stewart，perhapsitwasforGod'ssakethatIcame，"saidMadeline，gently。"Surelyitwasforyours——andyoursister's-"
　　Madelinebithertongue，forshehadnotmeanttobetrayherknowledgeofLetty。
　　Hegroaned，and，staggeringuptothebrokenwall，heleanedtherewithhisfacehidden。Madelinereflectedthatperhapstheslipofspeechhadbeenwell。
　　"Stewart，pleaseletmesaywhatIhavetosay？"
　　Hewassilent。Andshegatheredcourageandinspiration。
　　"Stillwellisdeeplyhurt，deeplygrievedthathecouldnotturnyoubackfromthis——thisfatalcourse。Mybrotherisalso。Theywantedtohelpyou。AndsodoI。Ihavecome，thinkingsomehowImightsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。Nelsbroughtyoursister'sletter。I——Ireadit。Iwasonlythemoredeterminedtotrytohelpyou，andindirectlyhelpyourmotherandLetty。
　　Stewart，wewantyoutocometotheranch。Stillwellneedsyouforhisforeman。Thepositionisopentoyou，andyoucannameyoursalary。BothAlandStillwellareworriedaboutDonCarlos，thevaqueros，andtheraidsdownalongtheborder。Mycowboysarewithoutacapableleader。Willyoucome？"
　　"No，"heanswered。
　　"ButStillwellwantsyousobadly。"
　　"No。"
　　"Stewart，Iwantyoutocome。"
　　"No。"
　　Hisreplieshadbeenhoarse，loud，furious。TheydisconcertedMadeline，andshepaused，tryingtothinkofawaytoproceed。
　　Stewartstaggeredawayfromthewall，and，fallinguponthebench，hehidhisfaceinhishands。Allhismotions，likehisspeech，hadbeenviolent。
　　"Willyoupleasegoaway？"heasked。
　　"Stewart，certainlyIcannotremainherelongerifyouinsistuponmygoing。ButwhynotlistentomewhenIwantsomuchtohelpyou？Why？"
　　"I'madamnedblackguard，"heburstout。"ButIwasagentlemanonce，andI'mnotsolowthatIcanstandforyouseeingmehere。"
　　"WhenImadeupmymindtohelpyouImadeituptoseeyouwhereveryouwere。Stewart，comeaway，comebackwithustotheranch。Youareinabadconditionnow。Everythinglooksblacktoyou。Butthatwillpass。Whenyouareamongfriendsagainyouwillgetwell。Youwillheyouroldself。Theveryfactthatyouwereonceagentleman，thatyoucomeofgoodfamily，makesyouowesomuchmoretoyourself。Why，Stewart，thinkhowyoungyouare！Itisashametowasteyourlife。Comebackwithme。"
　　"MissHammond，thiswasmylastplunge，"hereplied，despondently。"It'stoolate。"
　　"Ohno，itisnotsobadasthat。"
　　"It'stoolate。"
　　"Atleastmakeaneffort，Stewart。Try！"
　　"No。There'snouse。I'mdonefor。Pleaseleaveme——thankyoufor-"
　　Hehadbeensavage，thensullen，andnowhewasgrim。Madelineallbutlostpowertoresisthisstrange，deadly，coldfinality。
　　Nodoubtheknewhewasdoomed。Yetsomethinghaltedher——heldherevenasshetookabackwardstep。Andshebecameconsciousofasubtlechangeinherownfeeling。Shehadcomeintothatsqualidhole，MadelineHammond，earnestenough，kindenoughinherownintentions；butshehadbeenalmostimperious——awomanhabitually，proudlyusedtobeingobeyed。Shedivinedthatallthepride，blueblood，wealth，culture，distinction，alltheimpersonalcondescendingpersuasion，allthefatuousphilanthropyonearthwouldnotavailtoturnthismanasinglehair's-breadthfromhisdownwardcareertodestruction。Hercominghadterriblyaugmentedhisbitterhateofhimself。Shewasgoingtofailtohelphim。Sheexperiencedasensationofimpotencethatamountedalmosttodistress。Thesituationassumedatragickeenness。
　　Shehadsetforthtoreversethetideofawildcowboy'sfortunes；shefacedtheswiftwastingofhislife，thedamnationofhissoul。ThesubtleconsciousnessofchangeinherwasthebirthofthatfaithshehadreveredinStillwell。Andallatonceshebecamemerelyawoman，braveandsweetandindomitable。
　　"Stewart，lookatme，"shesaid。
　　Heshuddered。Sheadvancedandlaidahandonhisbentshoulder。
　　Underthelighttouchheappearedtosink。
　　"Lookatme，"sherepeated。
　　Buthecouldnotlifthishead。Hewasabject，crushed。Hedarednotshowhisswollen，blackenedface。Hisfierce，crampedposturerevealedmorethanhisfeaturesmighthaveshown；itbetrayedthetorturingshameofamanofprideandpassion，amanwhohadbeenconfrontedinhisdegradationbythewomanhehaddaredtoenshrineinhisheart。Itbetrayedhislove。
　　"Listen，then，"wentonMadeline，andhervoicewasunsteady。
　　"Listentome，Stewart。Thegreatestmenarethosewhohavefallendeepestintothemire，sinnedmost，sufferedmost，andthenhavefoughttheirevilnaturesandconquered。Ithinkyoucanshakeoffthisdesperatemoodandbeaman。"
　　"No！"hecried。
　　"Listentomeagain。SomehowIknowyou'reworthyofStillwell'slove。Willyoucomebackwithus——forhissake？"
　　"No。It'stoolate，Itellyou。"
　　"Stewart，thebestthinginlifeisfaithinhumannature。I
　　havefaithinyou。Ibelieveyenareworthit。"
　　"You'reonlykindandgood——sayingthat。Youcan'tmeanit。"
　　"Imeanitwithallmyheart，"shereplied，asuddenrichwarmthsuffusingherbodyasshesawthefirstsignofhissoftening。
　　"Willyoucomeback——ifnotforyourownsakeorStillwell's——
　　thenformine？"
　　"WhatamItosuchawomanasyou？"
　　"Amanintrouble，Stewart。ButIhavecometohelpyou，toshowmyfaithinyou。"
　　"IfIbelievedthatImighttry，"hesaid。
　　"Listen，"shebegan，softly，hurriedly。"Mywordisnotlightlygiven。Letitprovemyfaithinyou。Lookatmenowandsayyouwillcome。"
　　Heheaveduphisbigframeasiftryingtocastoffagiant'sburden，andthenslowlyheturnedtowardher。Hisfacewasablotchedandterriblething。Thephysicalbrutalizingmarkswerethere，andatthatinstantallthatappearedhumantoMadelinewasthedawningindead，furnace-likeeyesofabeautifullight。
　　"I'llcome，"hewhispered，huskily。"Givemeafewdaystostraightenup，thenI'llcome。"
　　IXTheNewForemanTowardtheendoftheweekStillwellinformedMadelinethatStewarthadarrivedattheranchandhadtakenupquarterswithNels。
　　"Gene'ssick。Helooksbad，"saidtheoldcattleman。"He'ssoweakan'shakyhecan'tliftacup。NelssaysthatGenehashedsomebadspells。Alittleliquorwouldstraightenhimupnow。
　　ButNelscan'tforcehimtodrinkadrop，an'hashedtosneaksomeliquorinhiscoffee。Wal，Ithinkwe'llpullGenethrough。
　　He'sforgottenalot。Iwasgoin'totellhimwhathedidtomeupatRodeo。ButIknowifhe'dbelieveithe'dbesickerthanheis。Gene'slosin'hismind，orhe'sgotsomethin'powerfulstrangeonit。"
　　FromthattimeStillwell，whoevidentlyfoundMadelinehismostsympatheticlistener，unburdenedhimselfdailyofhishopesandfearsandconjectures。
　　Stewartwasreallyill。ItbecamenecessarytosendLinkStevensforaphysician。ThenStewartbeganslowlytomendandpresentlywasabletogetupandabout。Stillwellsaidthecowboylackedinterestandseemedtobeabrokenman。Thisstatement，however，theoldcattlemanmodifiedasStewartcontinuedtoimprove。ThenpresentlyitwasagoodauguryofStewart'sprogressthatthecowboysoncemoretookuptheteasingrelationwhichhadbeencharacteristicofthembeforehisillness。Acowboywasindeedoutofsortswhenhecouldnotventhis。peculiarhumoronsomebodyorsomething。Stewarthadevidentlybecomeabroadtargetfortheirbadinage。
　　"Wal，theboysaresureafterGene，"saidStillwell，withhishugesmile。"Joshin'himallthetimeabouthowhesitsaroundan'hangsaroundan'loafsaroundjesttogetaglimpseofyou，MissMajesty。Surealltheboyshevaprettybadcaseovertheirprettyboss，butnoneofthemisamarkertoGene。He'sgotitsobad，MissMajesty，thetheactoolydon'tknowtheyarejoshin'
　　him。It'stheamazin'eststrangethingIeverseen。Why，Genewasalwaysafellerthetyoucouldjosh。An'he'dlaughan'getbackatyou。Buthewasneverbeforedeaftotalk，an'therewasacertainlimitnofellercaredtocrosswithhim。Nowhetakeseverywordan'smilesdreamylike，an'jestlooksan'looks。
　　Why，he'sbeginnin'tomakemetired。He'llneverrunthetbunchofcowboysifhedoesn'twakeupquick。"
　　MadelinesmiledheramusementandexpressedabeliefthatStillwellwantedtoomuchinsuchshorttimefromamanwhohaddonebodyandmindagrievousinjury。
　　IthadbeenimpossibleforMadelinetofailtoobserveStewart'ssingularbehavior。Sheneverwentouttotakehercustomarywalksandrideswithoutseeinghimsomewhereinthedistance。
　　Shewasawarethathewatchedforherandavoidedmeetingher。
　　WhenshesatontheporchduringtheafternoonoratsunsetStewartcouldalwaysbedescriedatsomepointnear。Heidledlistlesslyinthesun，loungedontheporchofhisbunk-house，satwhittlingthetopbarofthecorralfence，andalwaysitseemedtoMadelinehewaswatchingher。Once，whilegoingtheroundswithhergardener，sheencounteredStewartandgreetedhimkindly。Hesaidlittle，buthewasnotembarrassed。Shedidnotrecognizeinhisfaceanyfeaturethatsheremembered。Infact，oneachofthefewoccasionswhenshehadmetStewarthehadlookedsodifferentthatshehadnoconsistentideaofhisfacialappearance。Hewasnowpale，haggard，drawn。Hiseyesheldashadowthroughwhichshoneasoft，subduedlight；and，oncehavingobservedthis，MadelinefancieditwaslikethelightinMajesty'seyes，inthedumb，worshipingeyesofherfavoritestag-hound。ShetoldStewartthatshehopedhewouldsoonbeinthesaddleagain，andpassedonherway。
　　ThatStewartlovedherMadelinecouldnothelpbutsee。Sheendeavoredtothinkofhimasoneofthemanywho，shewasgladtoknow，likedher。Butshecouldnotregulateherthoughtstofittheorderherintelligenceprescribed。ThoughtofStewartdissociateditselffromthoughtoftheothercowboys。Whenshediscoveredthisshefeltalittlesurpriseandannoyance。Thensheinterrogatedherself，andconcludedthatitwasnotthatStewartwassodifferentfromhiscomrades，butthatcircumstancesmadehimstandoutfromthem。Sherecalledhermeetingwithhimthatnightwhenhebadtriedtoforcehertomarryhim。Thiswasunforgetableinitself。Shecalledsubsequentmentionofhim，andfoundithadbeenpeculiarlymemorable。Themanandhisactionsseemedtohingeonevents。
　　Lastly，thefactstandingclearofallothersinitsrelationtoherinterestwasthathehadbeenalmostruined，almostlost，andshehadsavedhim。Thatalonewassufficienttoexplainwhyshethoughtofhimdifferently。Shehadbefriended，upliftedtheothercowboys；shehadsavedStewart'slife。Tobesure，hehadbeenaruffian，butawomancouldnotsavethelifeofevenaruffianwithoutrememberingitwithgladness。MadelineatlengthdecidedherinterestinStewartwasnatural，andthatherdeeperfeelingwaspity。Perhapstheinteresthadbeenforcedfromher；
　　however，shegavethepityasshegaveeverything。
　　Stewartrecoveredhisstrength，thoughnotintimetorideatthespringround-up；andStillwelldiscussedwithMadelinetheadvisabilityofmakingthecowboyhisforeman。
　　"Wal，Geneseemstobegettin'along，"saidStillwell。"Butheain'tlikehisoldself。Ithinkmoreofhimatthet。Butwhere'shisspirit？Theboys'driderough-shodalloverhim。
　　MebbeI'ddobesttowaitlongernow，astheslackseasonison。
　　Allthesame，ifthosevaqueroofDonCarlos'sdon'tlaylowI'llsendGeneoverthere。Thet'llwakehimup。"
　　AfewdaysafterwardStillwellcametoMadeline，rubbinghisbighandsinsatisfactionandwearingagrinthatwasenormous。
　　"MissMajesty，IreckonbeforethisI'vesaidthingswasamazin'
　　strange。ButnowGeneStewarthasgonean'doneit！Listentome。ThemGreasersdownonourslopehevbeengettin'prosperous。
　　They'regrowin'likebadweeds。An'theygotanewpadre——thelittleoldfellerfromElCajon，PadreMarcos。Wal，thiswasallright，alltheboysthought，exceptGene。An'hegotblacker'nthunderan'roaredroundlikeadehornedbull。Iwassuregladtoseehecouldgetmadagain。ThenGenehaidsdowntheslopeferthechurch。Nelsan'mefolleredhim，thinkin'hemighthevbeentooksuddenwithacrazyspellorsomethin'。Hehasn'tneverbeenjestrightyetsinceheleftoffdrinkin'。Wal，werunintohimcomin'outofthechurch。Weneverwassodumfoundedinourlives。Genewascrazy，allright——hesurehedaspell。Butitwasthekindofaspellhehedthetparalyzedus。Heranpastuslikeastreak，an'wefollered。Wecouldn'tketchhim。Weheerdhimlaugh——thestrangestlaughIeverheerd！You'dthoughtthefellerwassuddenlymadeaking。Hewaslikethetfellerwhowastiedinabunyin'-sackan'throwedintothesea，an'cuthiswayout，an'swamtotheislandwherethetreasureswas，an'stoodupyellin'，'Theworldismine。'Wal，whenwegotuptohisbunk-househewasgone。Hedidn'tcomebackalldayan'allnight。FrankieSlade，whohasasharptongue，saysGenehedgonecrazyforliquoran'thetwashisfinish。Nelswassomeworried。
　　An'Iwassick。
　　"Wal。thismawnin'IwentovertoNels'sbunk。Someofthefellerswasthere，allspeculatin'aboutGene。ThenbigaslifeGenestrutsroundthecorner。Hewasn'tthesameGene。Hisfacewaspalean'hiseyesburnedlikefire。Hehadthetoldmockin'，coolsmile，an'somethin'besidesthetIcouldn'tunderstand。
　　FrankieSladeupan'madearemark——nowussthanhe'dbeenmakin'
　　ferdays——an'Genetumbledhimoutofhischair，punchedhimgood，walkedalloverhim。Frankiewasn'thurtsomuchashewasbewildered。'Gene，'hesays，'whatthehellstruckyou？'An'
　　Genesays，kindofsweetlike，'Frankie，youmaybeanicefellerwhenyou'realone，butyourtalk'soffensivetoagentleman。'
　　"AfterthetwhatwassaidtoGenewaswithanicesmile。Now，MissMajesty，it'sbeyondmewhattoallowforGene'ssuddenchange。Firstoff，IthoughtPadreMarcoshadconvertedhim。I
　　actoolythoughtthet。ButIreckonit'sonlyGeneStewartcomeback——theoldGeneStewartan'some。Thet'sallIcareabout。
　　I'mrememberin'howIoncetoldyouthetGenewasthelastofthecowboys。PerhapsIshouldhevsaidhe'sthelastofmykindofcowboys。Wal，MissMajesty，you'llbeapprecatin'ofwhatI
　　meantfromnowon。"
　　ItwasalsobeyondMadelinetoaccountforGeneStewart'santics，and，makingallowancefortheoldcattle-man'sfancy，shedidnotweighhisremarksveryheavily。SheguessedwhyStewartmighthavebeenangryatthepresenceofPadreMarcos。Madelinesupposedthatitwasratheranunusualcircumstanceforacowboytobeconvertedtoreligiousbelief。Butitwaspossible。Andsheknewthatreligiousfervoroftenmanifesteditselfinextremesoffeelingandaction。Mostlikely，inStewart'scase，hisrealmannerhadbeenbothmisunderstoodandexaggerated。
　　However，Madelinehadacuriousdesire，whichshedidnotwhollyadmittoherself，toseethecowboyandmakeherowndeductions。
　　Theopportunitydidnotpresentitselffornearlytwoweeks。
　　Stewarthadtakenuphisdutiesasforeman，andhisactivitieswereceaseless。Hewasabsentmostofthetime，rangingdowntowardtheMexicanline。WhenhereturnedStillwellsentforhim。
　　ThiswaslateintheafternoonofadayinthemiddleofApril。
　　AlfredandFlorencewerewithMadelineontheporch。TheysawthecowboyturnhishorseovertooneoftheMexicanboysatthecorralandthencomewithwearystepuptothehouse，beatingthedustoutofhisgauntlets。Littlestreamsofgraysandtrickledfromhissombreroasheremoveditandbowedtothewomen。
　　Madelinesawthemansheremembered，butwithasingularlydifferentaspect。Hisskinwasbrown；hiseyeswerepiercinganddarkandsteady；hecarriedhimselferect；heseemedpreoccupied，andtherewasnotatraceofembarrassmentinhismanner。
　　"Wal，Gene，I'msuregladtoseeyou，"Stillwellwassaying。
　　"Wheredoyouhailfrom？"
　　"GuadaloupeCanon，"repliedthecowboy。
　　Stillwellwhistled。
　　"Waydownthere！Youdon'tmeanyoufolleredthemhosstracksthetfar？"
　　"AllthewayfromDonCarlos'sranchoacrosstheMexicanline。I
　　tookNickSteelewithme。Nickisthebesttrackerintheoutfit。Thistrailwewereonledalongthefoothillvalleys。
　　Firstwethoughtwhoevermadeitwashuntingforwater。Buttheypassedtworancheswithoutwatering。AtSeaton'sWashtheydugforwater。Heretheymetapack-trainofburrosthatcamedownthemountaintrail。Theburroswereheavilyloaded。HorseandburrotracksstrucksouthfromSeaton'stotheoldCaliforniaemigrantroad。WefollowedthetrailthroughGuadelopeCanonandacrosstheborder。OnthewaybackwestoppedatSlaughter'sranch，wheretheUnitedStatescavalryarecamping。TherewemetforestersfromthePeloncilloforestreserve。Ifthesefellowsknewanythingtheykeptittothemselves。Sowehitthetrailhome。"
　　"Wal，Ireckonyouknowenough？"inquiredStillwell，slowly。
　　"Ireckon，"repliedStewart。
　　"Wal，outwithit，then，"saidStillwell，gruffly。"MissHammondcan'tbekeptinthedarkmuchlonger。Makeyourreporttoher。"
　　ThecowboyshiftedhisdarkgazetoMadeline。Hewascoolandslow。
　　"We'relosingafewcattleontheopenrange。Night-drivesbythevaqueros。Someofthesecattlearedrivenacrossthevalley，othersuptothefoothills。SofarasIcanfindoutnocattlearebeingdrivensouth。Sothisraidingisablindtofoolthecowboys。DonCarlosisaMexicanrebel。Helocatedhisranchohereafewyearsagoandpretendedtoraisecattle。Allthattimehehasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。
　　HewasforMaderoagainstDiaz。NowheisagainstMaderobecauseheandalltherebelsthinkMaderofailedtokeephispromises。
　　Therewillbeanotherrevolution。AndallthearmsgofromtheStatesacrosstheborder。ThoseburrosItoldaboutwerepackedwithcontrabandgoods。"
　　"That'samatterfortheUnitedStatescavalry。Theyarepatrollingtheborder，"saidAlfred。
　　"Theycan'tstopthesmugglingofarms，notdowninthatwildcorner，"repliedStewart。
　　"Whatismy——myduty？Whathasittodowithme？"inquiredMadeline，somewhatperturbed。
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，Ireckonithasn'tnothingtodowithyou，"
　　putinStillwell。"Thet'smybiznessan'Stewart's。ButIjestwantedyoutoknow。Theremightbesometroublefollerin'myorders。"
　　"Yourorders？"
　　"IwanttosendStewartovertofireDonCarlosan'hisvaquerosofftherange。They'vegottogo。DonCarlosisbreakin'thelawoftheUnitedStates，an'doin'itonourpropertyan'withourhosses。HevIyourpermission，MissHammond？"
　　"Why，assuredlyyouhave！Stillwell，youknowwhattodo。
　　Alfred，whatdoyouthinkbest？"
　　"It'llmaketrouble，Majesty，butit'sgottobedone，"repliedAlfred。"HereyouhaveacrowdofEasternfriendsduenextmonth。Wewanttherangetoourselvesthen。But，Stillwell，ifyoudrivethosevaquerosoff，won'ttheyhangaroundinthefoothills？Ideclaretheyareabadlot。"
　　Stillwell'smindwasnotatease。Hepacedtheporchwithafrowncloudinghisbrow。
　　"Gene，IreckonyougotthisGreaserdealfiggeredbetter'nme，"
　　saidStillwell。"Nowwhatdoyousay？"
　　"He'llhavetobeforcedoff，"repliedStewart，quietly。TheDon'sprettyslick，buthisvaquerosarebadactors。It'sjustthisway。Nelssaidtheotherdaytome，'Gene，Ihaven'tpackedagunforyearsuntillately，anditfeelsgoodwheneverImeetanyofthosestrangeGreasers。'Yousee，Stillwell，DonCarloshasvaqueroscomingandgoingallthetime。They'reguerrillabands，that'sall。Andthey'regettinguglier。Therehavebeenseveralshooting-scrapeslately。AranchernamedWhite，wholivesupthevalley，wasbadlyhurt。It'sonlyamatteroftimetillsomethingstirsuptheboyshere。Stillwell，youknowNelsandMontyandNick。"
　　"SureIknow'em。An'you'renotmentionin'onemoreparticularcowboyinmyoutfit，"saidStiliwell，withadrychuckleandaglanceatStewart。
　　Madelinedivinedthecovertmeaning，andaslightchillpassedoverher，asifacoldwindhadblowninfromthehills。
　　"Stewart，Iseeyoucarryagun，"shesaid，pointingtoablackhandleprotrudingfromasheathswinginglowalonghisleatherchaps。
　　"Yes，ma'am。"
　　"Whydoyoucarryit？"sheasked。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"it'snotaprettygun——andit'sheavy。"Shecaughttheinference。Thegunwasnotanornament。Hiskeen，steady，darkgazecausedhervaguealarm。Whathadonceseemedcoolandaudaciousaboutthiscowboywasnowcoldandpowerfulandmystical。Bothherinstinctandherintelligencerealizedthesteelfiberoftheman'snature。Asshewashisemployer，shehadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnotdowhatwassochillinglymanifestthathemightdo。ButMadelinecouldnotdemand。Shefeltcuriouslyyoungandweak，andthefivemonthsofWesternlifewereasiftheyhadneverbeen。Shenowhadtodowithaquestioninvolvinghumanlife。Andthevaluesheplaceduponhumanlifeanditsspiritualsignificancewasamatterfarfromhercowboy'sthoughts。Astrangeideaflashedup。Didsheplacetoomuchvalueuponallhumanlife？Shecheckedthat，wondering，almosthorrifiedatherself。Andthenherintuitiontoldherthatshepossessedafarstrongerpowertomovetheseprimitivementhananywoman'ssternruleororder。
　　"Stewart，IdonotfullyunderstandwhatyouhintthatNelsandhiscomradesmightdo。Pleasebefrankwithme。DoyoumeanNelswouldshootuponlittleprovocation？"
　　"MissHammond，asfarasNelsisconcerned，shootingisnowjustamatterofhismeetingDonCarlos'svaqueros。It'swonderfulwhatNelshasstoodfromthem，consideringtheMexicanshe'salreadykilled。"
　　"Alreadykilled！Stewart，youarenotinearnest？"criedMadeline，shocked。
　　"Iam。NelshasseenhardlifealongtheArizonaborder。Helikespeaceaswellasanyman。Butafewyearsofthatdoesn'tchangewhattheearlydaysmadeofhim。AsforNickSteeleandMonty，they'rejustbadmen，andlookingfortrouble。"
　　"Howaboutyourself，Stewart？Stillwell'sremarkwasnotlostuponme，"saidMadeline，promptedbycuriosity。
　　Stewartdidnotreply。Helookedatherinrespectfulsilence。
　　InherkeenearnestnessMadelinesawbeneathhiscoolexteriorandwasallthemorebaffled。Wasthereaslight，inscrutable，mockinglightinhiseyes，orwasitonlyherimagination？
　　However，thecowboy'sfacewasashardasflint。
　　"Stewart，Ihavecometolovemyranch，"saidMadeline，slowly，"andIcareagreatdealformy——mycowboys。Itwouldbedreadfuliftheyweretokillanybody，orespeciallyifoneofthemshouldbekilled。"
　　"MissHammond，you'vechangedthingsconsiderableouthere，butyoucan'tchangethesemen。Allthat'sneededtostartthemisalittletrouble。AndthisMexicanrevolutionisboundtomakeroughtimesalongsomeofthewilderpassesacrosstheborder。
　　We'reinline，that'sall。Andtheboysaregettingstirredup。"
　　"Verywell，then，Imustaccepttheinevitable。Iamfacingaroughtime。Andsomeofmycowboyscannotbecheckedmuchlonger。But，Stewart，whateveryouhavebeeninthepast，youhavechanged。"Shesmiledathim，andhervoicewassingularlysweetandrich。"Stillwellhassooftenreferredtoyouasthelastofhiskindofcowboy。Ihavejustafaintideaofwhatawildlifeyouhaveled。Perhapsthatfitsyoutobealeaderofsuchroughmen。Iamnojudgeofwhataleadershoulddointhiscrisis。Mycowboysareentailingriskinmyemploy；mypropertyisnotsafe；perhapsmylifeevenmightbeendangered。Iwanttorelyuponyou，sinceStillwellbelieves，andI，too，thatyouarethemanforthisplace。Ishallgiveyounoorders。Butisittoomuchtoaskthatyoubemykindofacowboy？"
　　MadelinerememberedStewart'sformerbrutalityandshameandabjectworship，andshemeasuredthegreatchangeinhimbythecontrastaffordednowinhisdark，changeless，intentface。
　　"MissHammond，whatkindofacowboyisthat？"heasked。
　　"I——Idon'texactlyknow。ItisthatkindwhichIfeelyoumightbe。ButIdoknowthatintheproblemathandIwantyouractionstobegovernedbyreason，notpassion。Humanlifeisnotforanymantosacrificeunlessinself-defenseorinprotectingthosedependentuponhim。WhatStillwellandyouhintedmakesmeafraidofNelsandNickSteeleandMonty。Cannottheybecontrolled？IwanttofeelthattheywillnotgogunningforDonCarlos'smen。Iwanttoavoidallviolence。AndyetwhenmyguestscomeIwanttofeelthattheywillbesafefromdangerorfrightorevenannoyance。MayInotrelywhollyuponyou，Stewart？JusttrustyoutomanagetheseobstreperouscowboysandprotectmypropertyandAlfred's，andtakecareofus——ofme，untilthisrevolutionisended？Ihaveneverhadaday'sworrysinceIboughttheranch。ItisnotthatIwanttoshirkmyresponsibilities；itisthatIlikebeinghappy。MayIputsomuchfaithinyou？"
　　"Ihopeso，MissHammond，"repliedStewart。Itwasaninstantresponse，butnonethelessfraughtwithconsciousnessofresponsibility。Hewaitedamoment，andthen，asneitherStillwellnorMadelineofferedfurtherspeech，hebowedandturneddownthepath，hislongspursclinkinginthegravel。
　　"Wal，wal，"exclaimedStillwell，"thet'snolittlejobyougivehim，MissMajesty。"
　　"Itwasawoman'scunning，Stillwell，"saidAlfred。"Mysisterusedtobeawonderatgettingherownwaywhenwewerekids。
　　Justasmileortwo，afewsweetwordsorturnsofthought，andshehadwhatshewanted。"
　　"Al，whatacharactertogiveme！"protestedMadeline。"Indeed，I
　　wasdeeplyinearnestwithStewart。Idonotunderstandjustwhy，butItrusthim。Heseemslikeironandsteel。ThenIwasalittlefrightenedattheprospectoftroublewiththevaqueros。
　　BothyouandStillwellhaveinfluencedmetolookuponStewartasinvaluable。Ithoughtitbesttoconfessmyutterhelplessnessandtolooktohimforsupport。"
　　"Majesty，whateveractuatedyou，itwasastrokeofdiplomacy，"
　　repliedherbrother。"Stewarthasgotgoodstuffinhim。Hewasdownandout。Well，he'smadeagamefight，anditlooksasifhe'dwin。Trustinghim，givinghimresponsibility，relyinguponhim，wasthesurestwaytostrengthenhisholduponhimself。
　　Thenthatlittletouchofsentimentaboutbeingyourkindofcowboyandprotectingyou——well，ifGeneStewartdoesn'tdevelopintoanArgus-eyedknightI'llsayIdon'tknowcowboys。But，Majesty，remember，he'sacompositeoftigerbreedandforkedlightning，anddon'timaginehehasfailedyouifhegetsintoafight。
　　"I'llsuretellyouwhatGeneStewartwilldo，"saidFlorence。
　　"Don'tIknowcowboys？Why，theyusedtotakemeupontheirhorseswhenIwasababy。GeneStewartwillbethekindofcowboyyoursistersaidhemightbe，whateverthatis。Shemaynotknowandwemaynotguess，butheknows。"
　　"Wal，Flo，thereyouhitplumbcenter，"repliedtheoldcattleman。"An'Icouldn'tbegladderifhewasmyownson。"
　　XDonCarlos'sVaquerosEarlythefollowingmorningStewart，withacompanyofcowboys，departedforDonCarlos'srancho。Asthedayworeonwithoutanyreportfromhim，Stillwellappearedtogrowmoreatease；andatnightfallhetoldMadelinethatheguessedtherewasnownoreasonforconcern。
　　"Wal，thoughit'ssureamazin'strange，"hecontinued，"I'vebeenworryin'someabouthowwewasgoin'tofireDonCarlos。ButGenehasawayofdoin'things。"
　　NextdayStillwellandAlfreddecidedtorideoverDonCarlos'splace，takingMadelineandFlorencewiththem，anduponthereturntriptostopatAlfred'sranch。Theystartedinthecool，graydawn，andafterthreehours'riding，asthesunbegantogetbright，theyenteredamesquitegrove，surroundingcorralsandbarns，andanumberoflow，squatbuildingsandahuge，ramblingstructure，allbuiltofadobeandmostlycrumblingtoruin。Onlyonegreenspotrelievedthebaldredofgroundsandwalls；andthisevidentlywasmadebythespringwhichhadgivenbothvalueandfametoDonCarlos'srange。Theapproachtothehousewasthroughawidecourtyard，bare，stony，hardpacked，withhitching-railsandwatering-troughsinfrontofalongporch。
　　Severaldusty，tiredhorsesstoodwithdroopingheadsandbridlesdown，theirwetflanksattestingtotraveljustended。
　　"Wal，dog-goneit，Al，ifthereain'tPatHawe'shossI'lleatit，"exclaimedStillwell。
　　"What'sPatwanthere，anyhow？"growledAlfred。
　　Noonewasinsight；butMadelineheardloudvoicescomingfromthehouse。Stillwelldismountedattheporchandstalkedinatthedoor。Alfredleapedoffhishorse，helpedFlorenceandMadelinedown，and，biddingthemrestandwaitontheporch，hefollowedStillwell。
　　"IhatetheseGreaserplaces，"saidFlorence，withagrimace。
　　"They'resomysteriousandcreepy。Justwatchnow！They'llbedark-skinned，beady-eyed，soft-footedGreaserssliprightupoutoftheground！There'llbeanuglyfaceineverydoorandwindowandcrack。"
　　"It'slikeahugebarnwithitscharacteristicodorpermeatedbytobaccosmoke，"repliedMadeline，sittingdownbesideFlorence。
　　"Idon'tthinkverymuchofthisendofmypurchase。Florence，isn'tthatDonCarlos'sblackhorseoverthereinthecorral？"
　　"Itsureis。ThentheDon'sheahyet。Iwishwehadn'tbeeninsuchahurrytocomeover。There！thatdoesn'tsoundencouraging。"
　　Fromthecorridorcametherattlingofspurs，trampingofboots，andloudvoices。MadelinedetectedAlfred'squicknoteswhenhewasannoyed："We'llrustlebackhome，then，"hesaid。Theanswercame，"No！"MadelinerecognizedStewart'svoice，andshequicklystraightenedup。"Iwon'thavetheminhere，"wentonAlfred。
　　"Outdoorsorin，they'vegottobewithus！"repliedStewart，sharply。"Listen，Al，"cametheboomofStillwell'sbigvoice，"nowthatwe'vebuttedinoverhyarwiththegirls，youletStewartrunthings。"
　　Thenacrowdofmentrampedpell-melloutupontheporch。
　　Stewart，dark-browedandsomber，wasinthelad。Nelshungclosetohim，andMadeline'squickglancesawthatNelshadundergonesomeindescribablechange。Thegrinning，brilliant-eyedDonCarloscamejostlingoutbesideagaunt，sharp-featuredmanwearingasilvershield。This，nodoubt，wasPatHawe。InthebackgroundbehindStillwellandAlfredstoodNickSteele，headandshouldersoveranumberofvaquerosandcowboys。
　　"MissHammond，I'msorryyoucame，"saidStewart，bluntly。
　　"We'reinamuddlehere。I'veinsistedthatyouandFlobekeptclosetous。I'llexplainlater。Ifyoucan'tstopyourearsI
　　begyoutooverlookroughtalk。"
　　Withthatheturnedtothemenbehindhim："Nick，takeBooly，gobacktoMontyandtheboys。Fetchoutthatstuff。Allofit。
　　Rustle，now！"
　　StillwellandAlfreddisengagedthemselvesfromthecrowdtotakeuppositionsinfrontofMadelineandFlorence。PatHaweleanedagainstapostandinsolentlyogledMadelineandthenFlorence。
　　DonCarlospressedforward。HiswholefigurefilledMadeline'sreluctantbutfascinatedeyes。Heworetightvelveteenbreeches，withaheavyfolddowntheoutsideseam，whichwasornamentedwithsilverbuttons。Roundhiswaistwasasash，andabeltwithfringedholster，fromwhichprotrudedapearl-handledgun。A
　　vestorwaistcoat，richlyembroidered，partlyconcealedablouseofsilkandwhollyrevealedasilkenscarfroundhisneck。Hisswarthyfaceshoweddarklines，likecords，underthesurface。
　　Hislittleeyeswereexceedinglyprominentandglittering。ToMadelinehisfaceseemedtobeabold，handsomemaskthroughwhichhiseyespiercinglybetrayedtheevilnatureoftheman。
　　Hebowedlowwithelaborateandsinuousgrace。Hissmilerevealedbrilliantteeth，enhancedthebrillanceofhiseyes。Heslowlyspreaddeprecatoryhands。
　　"Senoritas，Ibegathousandpardons，"hesaid。HowstrangeitwasforMadelinetohearEnglishspokeninasoft，whininglysweetaccent！"ThegracioushospitalityofDonCarloshaspassedwithhishouse。"
　　Stewartsteppedforwardand，thrustingDonCarlosaside，hecalled，"Makeway，there！"
　　Thecrowdfellbacktothetrampofheavyboots。Cowboysappearedstaggeringoutofthecorridorwithlongboxes。Thesetheyplacedsidebysideupontheflooroftheporch。
　　"Now，Hawe，we'llproceedwithourbusiness，"saidStewart。"Youseetheseboxes，don'tyou？"
　　"IreckonIseeagoodmanythingsroundhyar，"repliedHawe，meaningly。
　　"Well，doyouintendtoopentheseboxesuponmysay-so？"
　　"No！"retortedHawe。"It'snotmyplacetomeddlewithpropertyascomebyexpressan'allaccountedferregular。"
　　"Youcallyourselfasheriff！"exclaimedStewart，scornfully。
　　"Mebbeyou'llthinksobeforelong，"rejoinedHawe，sullenly。
　　"I'llopenthem。Here，oneofyouboys，knockthetopsofftheseboxes，"orderedStewart。"No，notyou，Monty。Youuseyoureyes。LetBoolyhandletheax。Rustle，now！"
　　MontyPricehadjumpedoutofthecrowdintothemiddleoftheporch。ThemannerinwhichhegavewaytoBoolyandfacedthevaqueroswasnotsignificantoffriendlinessortrust。
　　"Stewart，you'redeadwrongtobustopenthemboxes。Thet'sag'in'thelaw，"protestedHawe，tryingtointerfere。
　　Stewartpushedhimback。ThenDonCarlos，whohadbeenstunnedbytheappearanceoftheboxes，suddenlybecameactiveinspeechandperson。Stewartthrusthimbackalso。TheMexican'sexcitementincreased。Hewildlygesticulated；heexclaimedshrillyinSpanish。When，however，thelidswerewrenchedopenandaninsidepackingtornawayhegrewrigidandsilent。
　　MadelineraisedherselfbehindStillwelltoseethattheboxeswerefullofriflesandammunition。
　　"There，Hawe！WhatdidItellyou？"demandedStewart。"Icameoverheretotakechargeofthisranch。Ifoundtheseboxeshiddeninanunusedroom。Isuspectedwhattheywere。Contrabandgoods！"
　　"Wal，supposin'theyare？Idon'tseeanycallfersechall-firedfussasyou'remakin'。Stewart，Icalkilateyou'resomestuckonyournewjoban'wanttomakeabigshowbefore-"
　　"Hawe，stopslingingthatkindoftalk，"interruptedStewart。
　　"Yougottoofreewithyourmouthoncebefore！Nowhere，I'msupposedtobeconsultinganofficerofthelaw。Willyoutakechargeofthesecontrabandgoods？"
　　"Say，you'reholdin'onhighan'mighty，"repliedHawe，inastonishmentthatwasplainlypretended。"What'reyoudrivin'
　　at？"
　　Stewartmutteredanimprecation。Hetookseveralswiftstridesacrosstheporch；heheldouthishandstoStillwellasiftoindicatethehopelessnessofintelligentandreasonablearbitration；helookedatMadelinewithaglanceeloquentofhisregretthathecouldnothandlethesituationtopleaseher。
　　ThenashewheeledhecamefacetofacewithNels，whohadslippedforwardoutofthecrowd。
　　Madelinegatheredseriousimportfromthesteel-bluemeaningflashofeyeswherebyNelscommunicatedsomethingtoStewart。
　　Whateverthatsomethingwas，itdispelledStewart'simpatience。
　　AslightmovementofhishandbroughtMontyPriceforwardwithajump。InthesesuddenjumpsofMonty'stherewasasuggestionofrestrainedferocity。ThenNelsandMontylinedupbehindStewart。Itwasadeliberateaction，eventoMadeline，unmistakablyformidable。PatHawe'sfacetookonanuglylook；
　　hiseyeshadareddishgleam。DonCarlosaddedapalefaceandextremenervousnesstohisformerexpressionsofagitation。Thecowboysedgedawayfromthevaquerosandthebronzed，beardedhorsemenwhowereevidentlyHawe'sassistants。
　　"I'mdrivingatthis，"spokeupStewart，presently；andnowhewasslowandcaustic。"Here'scontrabandofwar！Hawe，doyougetthat？Armsandammunitionfortherebelsacrosstheborder！
　　Ichargeyouasanofficertoconfiscatethesegoodsandtoarrestthesmuggler——DonCarlos。"
　　ThesewordsofStewart'sprecipitatedariotamongDonCarlosandhisfollowers，andtheysurgedwildlyaroundthesheriff。Therewasanupflingingofbrown，clenchinghands，ashrill，jabberingbabelofMexicanvoices。ThecrowdaroundDonCarlosgrewlouderanddenserwiththeadditionofarmedvaquerosandbarefootedstable-boysanddusty-bootedherdsmenandblanketedMexicans，thelastofwhomsuddenlyslippedfromdoorsandwindowsandroundcomers。Itwasamotleyassemblage。Thelaced，fringed，ornamentedvaquerospresentedasharpcontrasttothebare-legged，sandal-footedboysandtheraggedherders。Shrillcries，evidentlyfromDonCarlos，somewhatquietedthecommotion。
　　ThenDonCarloscouldbeheardaddressingSheriffHaweinanexhortationofmingledEnglishandSpanish。Hedenied，heavowed，heproclaimed，andallinrapid，passionateutterance。
　　Hetossedhisblackhairinhisvehemence；hewavedhisfistsandstampedthefloor；herolledhisglitteringeyes；hetwistedhisthinlipsintoahundreddifferentshapes，andlikeacorneredwolfshowedsnarlingwhiteteeth。
　　ItseemedtoMadelinethatDonCarlosdeniedknowledgeoftheboxesofcontrabandgoods，thenknowledgeoftheirrealcontents，thenknowledgeoftheirdestination，and，finally，everythingexceptthattheywerethereinsight，damningwitnessestosomebody'scomplicityinthebreakingofneutralitylaws。
　　Passionateashadbeenhisdenialofallthis，itwasasnothingcomparedtohisdenunciationofStewart。
　　"SenorStewart，hekeelmyVaquero！"shoutedDonCarlos，as，sweatingandspent，heconcludedhisarraignmentofthecowboy。
　　"Himyoumustarrest！SenorStewartabadman！Hekeelmyvaquero！"
　　"Doyouhearthet？"yelledHawe。"TheDon'sgotyoufiggeredferthetlittlejobatElCajonlastfall。"
　　Theclamorburstintoaroar。HawebeganshakinghisfingerinStewart'sfaceandhoarselyshouting。Thenalitheyoungvaquero，swiftasanIndian，glidedunderHawe'supliftedarm。