Whatevertheactionheintended，hewastoolateforitsexecution。Stewartlungedout，struckthevaquero，andknockedhimofftheporch。Ashefelladaggerglitteredinthesunlightandrolledclinkingoverthestones。Themanwentdownhardanddidnotmove。Withthesameabruptviolence，andamannerofcontempt，StewartthrewHaweofftheporch，thenDonCarlos，who，beinglesssupple，fellheavily。ThenthemobbackedbeforeStewart'srushuntilallweredowninthecourtyard。
Theshufflingoffeetceased，theclankingofspurs，andtheshouting。NelsandMonty，nowreinforcedbyNickSteele，wereasshadowsofStewart，socloselydidtheyfollowhim。Stewartwavedthembackandsteppeddownintotheyard。Hewasabsolutelyfearless；butwhatstruckMadelinesokeenlywashismagnificentdisdain。Manifestly，heknewthenatureofthemenwithwhomhewasdealing。FromthelookofhimitwasnaturalforMadelinetoexpectthemtogivewaybeforehim，whichtheydid，evenHaweandhisattendantssullenlyretreating。
DonCarlosgotuptoconfrontStewart。Theprostratevaquerostirredandmoaned，butdidnotrise。
"Youneedn'tjibberSpanishtome，"saidStewart。"YoucantalkAmerican，andyoucanunderstandAmerican。Ifyoustartarough-househereyouandyourGreaserswillbecleanedup。
You'vegottoleavethisranch。Youcanhavethestock，thepacksandtrapsinthesecondcorral。There'sgrub，too。Saddleupandhitthetrail。DonCarlos，I'mdealingmorethansquarewithyou。You'relyingabouttheseboxesofgunsandcartridges。
You'rebreakingthelawsofmycountry，andyou'redoingitonpropertyinmycharge。IfIletsmugglinggoonhereI'dbeimplicatedmyself。Nowyougetofftherange。Ifyoudon'tI'llhavetheUnitedStatescavalryhereinsixhours，andyoucangamblethey'llgetwhatmycowboysleaveofyou。"
DonCarloswaseitheracapitalactorandgratefullyrelievedatStewart'sleniencyorelsehewasthoroughlycowedbyreferencestothetroops。"Si，Senor！Gracias，Senor！"heexclaimed；andthen，turningaway，hecalledtohismen。Theyhurriedafterhim，whilethefallenvaquerogottohisfeetwithStewart'shelpandstaggeredacrossthecourtyard。Inamomenttheyweregone，leavingHaweandhisseveralcomradesbehind。
Hawewasspitefullyejectingawadoftobaccofromhismouthandswearinginanundertoneabout"white-liveredGreasers。"HecockedhisredeyespeculativelyatStewart。
"Wal，Ireckonasyou'resohell-bentondoin'itupbrownthetyou'lltrytofiremeoff'ntherange，too？"
"IfIeverdo，Pat，you'llneedtobecarriedoff，"repliedStewart。"JustnowI'mpolitelyinvitingyouandyourdeputysheriffstoleave。"
"We'llgo；butwe'recomin'backoneofthesedays，an'whenwedowe'llputyouinirons。"
"Hawe，ifyou'vegotitinthatbadforme，comeoverhereinthecorralandlet'sfightitout。"
"I'manofficer，an'Idon'tfightoutlawsan'sichexceptwhenI
hevtomakearrests。"
"Officer！You'readisgracetothecounty。Ifyoueverdidgetironsonmeyou'dtakemesomeplaceoutofsight，shootme，andthenswearyoukilledmeinself-defense。Itwouldn'tbethefirsttimeyoupulledthattrick，PatHawe。"
"Ho，ho！"laughedHawe，derisively。Thenhestartedtowardthehorses。
Stewart'slongarmshotout，hishandclappedonHawe'sshoulder，spinninghimroundlikeatop。
"You'releaving，Pat，butbeforeyouleaveyou'llcomeoutwithyourplayoryou'llcrawl，"saidStewart。"You'vegotitinforme，mantoman。Speakupnowandproveyou'renotthecowardlyskunkI'vealwaysthoughtyou。I'vecalledyourhand。"
PatHawe'sfaceturnedablackish-purplehue。
"YoucanjestbetthetI'vegotitinferyou，"heshouted，hoarsely。"You'reonlyalow-downcow-puncher。YouneverhedadollaroradecentjobtillyouwasmixedupwiththetHammondwoman-"
Stewart'shandflashedoutandhitHawe'sfaceinaringingslap。
Thesheriff'sheadjerkedback，hissombrerofelltotheground。
Ashebentovertoreachithishandshook，hisarmshook，hiswholebodyshook。
MontyPricejumpedstraightforwardandcroucheddownwithastrange，lowcry。
Stewartseemedallatoncerigid，bendingalittle。
"SayMissHammond，ifthere'soccasiontousehername，"saidStewart，inavoicethatseemedcoollypleasant，yethadadeadlyundernote。
Hawedidamoment'sbattlewithstranglingfury，whichheconqueredinsomemeasure。
"Isaidyouwasalow-down，drunkencow-puncher，atoughasdamnnearadesperadoasweeverhedontheborder，"wentonHawe，deliberately。HisspeechappearedtobeaddressedtoStewart，althoughhisflame-pointedeyeswereriveteduponMontyPrice。
"Iknowyoupluggedthatvaquerolastfall，an'whenIgitmyproofI'mcomin'afteryou。"
"That'sallright，Hawe。Youcancallmewhatyoulike，andyoucancomeaftermewhenyoulike，"repliedStewart。"Butyou'regoingtogetinbadwithme。You'reinbadnowwithMontyandNels。Prettysoonyou'llqueeryourselfwithallthecowboysandtheranchers，too。Ifthatdon'tputsenseintoyou——Here，listentothis。Youknewwhattheseboxescontained。YouknowDonCarloshasbeensmugglingarmsandammunitionacrosstheborder。Youknowheishandandglovewiththerebels。You'vebeenwearingblinders，andithasbeentoyourinterest。Takeahunchfromme。That'sall。Lightoutnow，andthelessweseeofyourhandsomemugthebetterwe'lllikeyou。"
Muttering，cursing，pallidofface，Haweclimbedastridehishorse。Hiscomradesfollowedsuit。Certainitappearedthatthesheriffwascontendingwithmorethanfearandwrath。HemusthavehadanirresistibleimpulsetoflingmoreinvectiveandthreatuponStewart，buthewasspeechless。Savagelyhespurredhishorse，andasitsnortedandleapedheturnedinhissaddle，shakinghisfist。Hiscomradesledtheway，withtheirhorsesclatteringintoacanter。Theydisappearedthroughthegate。
When，laterintheday，MadelineandFlorence，accompaniedbyAlfredandStillwell，leftDonCarlos'sranchitwasnotanytoosoonforMadeline。TheinsideoftheMexican'shomewasmoreunprepossessinganduncomfortablethantheoutside。Thehallsweredark，theroomshuge，empty，andmusty；andtherewasanairofsilenceandsecrecyandmysteryaboutthemmostfittingtothecharacterFlorencehadbestowedupontheplace。
Ontheotherhand，Alfred'sranch-house，wherethepartyhaltedtospendthenight，waspicturesquelylocated，smallandcozy，camplikeinitsarrangement，andaltogetheragreeabletoMadeline。
Theday'slongridesandtheexcitingeventshadweariedher。
SherestedwhileFlorenceandthetwomengotsupper。DuringthemealStillwellexpressedsatisfactionoverthegoodriddanceofthevaqueros，andwithhisusualoptimismtrustedhehadseenthelastofthem。Alfred，too，tookadecidedlyfavorableviewoftheday'sproceedings。However，itwasnotlostuponMadelinethatFlorenceappearedunusuallyquietandthoughtful。Madelinewonderedalittleatthecause。SherememberedthatStewarthadwantedtocomewiththem，ordetailafewcowboystoaccompanythem，butAlfredhadlaughedattheideaandwouldhavenoneofit。
AftersupperAlfredmonopolizedtheconversationbydescribingwhathewantedtodotoimprovehishomebeforeheandFlorenceweremarried。
Thenatanearlyhourtheyallretired。
Madeline'sdeepslumbersweredisturbedbyapoundinguponthewall，andthenbyFlorence'scryingoutinanswertoacall：
"Getup！Throwsomeclothesonandcomeout！"
ItwasAlfred'svoice。
"What'sthematter？"askedFlorence，assheslippedoutofbed。
"Alfred，isthereanythingwrong？"addedMadeline，sittingup。
Theroomwasdarkaspitch，butafaintglowseemedtomarkthepositionofthewindow。
"Oh，nothingmuch，"repliedAlfred。"OnlyDonCarlos'sranchogoingupinsmoke。"
"Fire！"criedFlorence，sharply。
"You'llthinksowhenyouseeit。Hurryout。Majesty，oldgirl，nowyouwon'thavetoteardownthatheapofadobe，asyouthreatened。Idon'tbelieveawallwillstandafterthatfire。"
"Well，I'mgladofit，"saidMadeline。"Agoodhealthyfirewillpurifytheatmosphereoverthereandsavemeexpense。Ugh！thathauntedranchogotonmynerves！Florence，Idobelieveyou'veappropriatedpartofmyriding-habit。Doesn'tAlfredhavelightsinthishouse？"
FlorencelaughinglyhelpedMadelinetodress。Thentheyhurriedlystumbledoverchairs，and，passingthroughthedining-room，wentoutupontheporch。
Awaytothewestward，lowdownalongthehorizon，shesawleapingredflamesandwind-sweptcolumnsofsmoke。
Stillwellappearedgreatlyperturbed。
"Al，I'mlookin'ferthatammunitiontoblowup，"hesaid。
"Therewasenoughofittoblowtheroofofftherancho。"
"Bill，surelythecowboyswouldgetthatstuffoutthefirstthing，"repliedAlfred，anxiously。
"Ireckonso。Butallthesame，I'mworryin'。Mebbetherewasn'ttime。Supposin'thetpowderwentoffastheboyswasgoin'feritorcarryin'itout！We'llknowsoon。Iftheexplosiondoesn'tcomequicknowwecanfiggertheboysgottheboxesout。"
Forthenextfewmomentstherewasasilenceofsustainedandpainfulsuspense。FlorencegrippedMadeline'sarm。Madelinefeltafullnessinherthroatandarapidbeatingofherheart。
PresentlyshewasrelievedwiththeotherswhenStillwelldeclaredthedangerofanexplosionneededtobefearednolonger。
"SureyoucangambleonGeneStewart，"headded。
Thenighthappenedtobepartlycloudy，withbrokenriftsshowingthemoon，andthewindblewunusuallystrong。Thebrightnessofthefireseemedsubdued。Itwaslikeahugebonfiresmotheredbysomegreatcovering，penetratedbydifferent，widelyseparatedpointsofflame。Thesecornersofflameflewup，curlinginthewind，andthendieddown。Thusthescenewasconstantlychangingfromdulllighttodark。Therecameamomentwhenablackershadeoverspreadthewideareaofflickeringgleamsandthenobliteratedthem。Nightenfoldedthescene。Themoonpeepedacurvedyellowrimfromunderbrokenclouds。Toallappearancesthefirehadburneditselfout。Butsuddenlyapinpointoflightshowedwhereallhadbeendenseblack。Itgrewandbecamelongandsharp。Itmoved。Ithadlife。Itleapedup。Itscolorwarmedfromwhitetored。Thenfromallaboutitburstflameonflame，toleapintoagreatchangingpillaroffirethatclimbedhighandhigher。Hugefunnelsofsmoke，yellow，black，white，alltingedwiththecoloroffire，slantedskyward，driftingawayonthewind。
"Wal，Ireckonwewon'thevthegoodofthemtwothousandtonsofalfalfawewasfiggerin'on，"remarkedStillwell。
"Ah！Thenthatlastoutbreakoffirewasburninghay，"saidMadeline。"Idonotregrettherancho。Butit'stoobadtolosesuchaquantityofgoodfeedforthestock。"
"It'slost，an'nomistake。Thefire'sdyin'asquickassheflaredup。Wal，Ihopenoneoftheboysgotriskytosaveasaddleorblanket。Monty——he'shellonrunnin'thegantletoffire。He'slikeabossthat'sjestbeendraggedoutofaburnin'
stablean'runsbacksurelocoed。There！She'ssmolderin'downnow。Reckonwe-allmightjestaswellturninagain。It'sonlythreeo'clock。"
"Iwonderhowthefireoriginated？"remarkedAlfred。"Somecarelesscowboy'scigarette，I'llbet。"
Stillwellrolledouthislaugh。
"Al，yousureareafree-hearted，trustin'feller。I'msomedoubtin'thecigaretteidee；butyoucangambleifitwasacigaretteitbelongedtoacunnin'vaquero，an'wasn'tdroppedaccident-like。"
"Now，Bill，youdon'tmeanDonCarlosburnedtherancho？"
ejaculatcdAlfred，inmingledamazeandanger。
Againtheoldcattlemanlaughed。
"Powerfulstrangetosay，myfriend，oleBillmeansjestthet。"
"OfcourseDonCarlossetthatfire，"putinFlorence，withspirit。"Al，ifyouliveoutheahahundredyearsyou'llneverlearnthatGreasersaretreacherous。IknowGeneStewartsuspectedsomethingunderhand。That'swhyhewantedustohurryaway。That'swhyheputmeontheblackhorseofDonCarlos's。
Hewantsthathorseforhimself，andfearedtheDonwouldstealorshoothim。Andyou，BillStillwell，you'reasbadasAl。Youneverdistrustanybodytillit'stoolate。You'vebeensingingeversinceStewartorderedthevaquerosofftherange。Butyousurehaven'tbeenthinking。"
"Wal，now，Flo，youneedn'tpitchintomejestbecauseIhevanaturalChristianspirit，"repliedStillwell，muchaggrieved。"I
reckonI'vehedenoughtroubleinmylifeso'snottogolookin'
fermore。Wal，I'msorryaboutthehayburnin'。Butmebbetheboyssavedthestock。An'asferthatoleadobehouseofdarkholesan'under-groundpassages，solong'sMissMajestydoesn'tmind，I'mdarngladitburned。Come，let'sallturninagain。
Somebody'llrideoverearlyan'telluswhat'swhat。"
Madelineawakenedearly，butnotsoearlyastheothers，whowereupandhadbreakfastreadywhenshewentintothedining-room。
Stillwellwasnotinanamiableframeofmind。Thefurrowsofworrylinedhisbroadbrowandhecontinuallyglancedathiswatch，andgrowledbecausethecowboysweresolateinridingoverwiththenews。Hegulpedhisbreakfast，andwhileMadelineandtheothersatetheirshetrampedupanddowntheporch。
MadelinenotedthatAlfredgrewnervousandrestless。PresentlyheleftthetabletojoinStillwelloutside。
"They'llslopeofftoDonCarlos'sranchoandleaveustoridehomealone，"observedFlorence。
"Doyoumind？"questionedMadeline。
"No，Idon'texactlymind；we'vegotthefastesthorsesinthiscountry。I'dliketorunthatbigblackdeviloffhislegs。No，Idon'tmind；butI'venohankeringforasituationGeneStewartthinks——"
Florencebegandisconnectedly，andsheendedevasively。Madelinedidnotpressthepoint，althoughshehadsomesenseofmisgiving。Stillwelltrampedin，shakingthefloorwithhishugeboots；Alfredfollowedhim，carryingafield-glass。
"Notahossinsight，"complainedStillwell。"Some-thin'wrongoverDonCarlos'sway。MissMajesty，it'llbejestaswellferyouan'Flotohitthehometrail。Wecantelephoneoveran'seethattheboysknowyou'recomin'。"
Alfred，standinginthedoor，sweptthegrayvalleywithhisfield-glass。
"Bill，Iseerunningstock-horsesorcattle；Ican'tmakeoutwhich。Iguesswe'dbetterrustleoverthere。"
Bothmenhurriedout，andwhilethehorseswerebeingbroughtupandsaddledMadelineandFlorenceputawaythebreakfast-dishes，thenspeedilydonnedspurs，sombreros，andgauntlets。
"Herearethehorsesready，"calledAlfred。"Flo，thatblackMexicanhorseisaprince。"
ThegirlswentoutintimetohearStillwell'sgood-byashemountedandspurredaway。AlfredwentthroughthemotionsofassistingMadelineandFlorencetomount，whichassistancetheyalwaysflouted，andthenhe，too，swungupastride。
"Iguessit'sallright，"hesaid，ratherdubiously。"YoureallymustnotgoovertowardDonCarlos's。It'sonlyafewmileshome。"
"Sureit'sallright。Wecanride，can'twe？"retortedFlorence。
"Betterhaveacareforyourself，goingoffovertheretomixingoodnessknowswhat。"
Alfredsaidgood-by，spurredhishorse，androdeaway。
"IfBilldidn'tforgettotelephone！"exclaimedFlorence。"I
declareheandAlweresurerattled。"
Florencedismountedandwentintothehouse。Sheleftthedooropen。MadelinehadsomedifficultyinholdingMajesty。ItstruckMadelinethatFlorencestayedratherlongindoors。
Presentlyshecameoutwithsoberfaceandrathertightlips。
"Icouldn'tgetanybodyonthe'phone。Noanswer。Itriedadozentimes。"
"Why，Florence！"Madelinewasmoreconcernedbythegirl'slooksthanbytheinformationsheimparted。
"Thewire'sbeencut，"saidFlorence。HergrayglancesweptswiftlyafterAlfred，whowasnowfaroutofearshot。"Idon'tlikethisalittlebit。Heah'swhereI'vegotto'figger，'asBillsays。"
Sheponderedamoment，thenhurriedintothehouse，toreturnpresentlywiththefield-glassthatAlfredhadused。Withthisshetookasurveyofthevalley，particularlyinthedirectionofMadeline'sranch-house。Thiswashiddenbylow，rollingridgeswhichwerequitecloseby。
"Anyway，nobodyinthatdirectioncanseeusleaveheah，"shemused。"There'smesquiteontheridges。We'vegotcoverlongenoughtosaveustillwecanseewhat'sahead。"
"Florence，what——whatdoyouexpect？"askedMadeline，nervously。
"Idon'tknow。There'sneveranytellingaboutGreasers。IwishBillandAlhadn'tleftus。Still，cometothinkofthat，theycouldn'thelpusmuchincaseofachase。We'drunrightawayfromthem。Besides，they'dshoot。IguessI'maswellassatisfiedthatwe'vegotthejobofgettinghomeonourownhands。Wedon'tdarefollowAltowardDonCarlos'sranch。Weknowthere'stroubleoverthere。Soallthat'sleftistohitthetrailforhome。Come，let'sride。YousticklikeaSpanishneedletome。"
Aheavygrowthofmesquitecoveredthetopofthefirstridge，andthetrailwentthroughit。Florencetookthelead，proceedingcautiously，andassoonasshecouldseeoverthesummitsheusedthefield-glass。Thenshewenton。Madeline，followingclosely，sawdowntheslopeoftheridgetoabare，wide，grassyhollow，andonwardtomorerollingland，thickwithcactusandmesquite。Florenceappearedcautious，deliberate，yetshelostnotime。Shewasominouslysilent。Madeline'smisgivingstookdefiniteshapeinthefearofvaquerosinambush。
Upontheascentofthethirdridge，whichMadelinerememberedwasthelastunevengroundbetweenthepointshehadreachedandhome，Florenceexercisedevenmoreguardedcareinadvancing。
Beforeshereachedthetopofthisridgeshedismounted，loopedherbridleroundadeadsnag，and，motioningMadelinetowait，sheslippedaheadthroughthemesquiteoutofsight。Madelinewaited，anxiouslylisteningandwatching。Certainitwasthatshecouldnotseeorhearanythingalarming。Thesunbegantohaveatouchofheat；themorningbreezerustledthethinmesquitefoliage；thedeepmagentaofacactusflowercaughthereye；along-tailed，cruel-beaked，brownbirdsailedsoclosetohershecouldhavetoucheditwithherwhip。Butshewasonlyvaguelyawareofthesethings。ShewaswatchingforFlorence，listeningforsomesoundfraughtwithuntowardmeaning。AllofasuddenshesawMajesty'searswereheldstraightup。ThenFlorence'sface，nowstrangelywhite，showedroundtheturnofthetrail。
"'S-s-s-sh！"whisperedFlorence，holdingupawarningfinger。
Shereachedtheblackhorseandpettedhim，evidentlytostillanuneasinesshemanifested。"We'reinforit，"shewenton。"A
wholebunchofvaqueroshidingamongthemesquiteovertheridge！
They'venotseenorheardusyet。We'dbetterriskridingahead，cutoffthetrail，andbeatthemtotheranch。Madeline，you'rewhiteasdeath！Don'tfaintnow！"
"Ishallnotfaint。Butyoufrightenme。Istheredanger？Whatshallwedo？"
"There'sdanger。Madeline，Iwouldn'tdeceiveyou，"wentonFlorence，inanearnestwhisper。"ThingshaveturnedoutjustasGeneStewarthinted。Oh，weshould——AlshouldhavelistenedtoGene！Ibelieve——I'mafraidGeneknew！"
"Knewwhat？"askedMadeline。
"Nevermindnow。Listen。Wedaren'ttakethebacktrail。We'llgoon。I'veaschemetofoolthatgrinningDonCarlos。Getdown，Madeline——hurry。"
Madelinedismounted。
"Givemeyourwhitesweater。Takeitoff——Andthatwhitehat！
Hurry，Madeline。"
"Florence，whatonearthdoyoumean？"criedMadeline。
"Notsoloud，"whisperedtheother。Hergrayeyessnapped。Shehaddivestedherselfofsombreroandjacket，whichsheheldouttoMadeline。"Heah。Takethese。Givemeyours。Thengetupontheblack。I'llrideMajesty。Rustlenow，Madeline。Thisisnotimetotalk。"
"But，dear，why——whydoyouwant——？Ah！You'regoingtomakethevaquerostakeyouforme！"
"Youguessedit。Willyou——"
"Ishallnotallowyoutodoanythingofthekind，"returnedMadeline。
ItwasthenthatFlorence'sface，changing，tookonthehard，sternsharpnesssotypicalofacowboy's。MadelinehadcaughtglimpsesofthatexpressioninAlfred'sface，andonStewart'swhenhewassilent，andonStillwell'salways。Itwasalookofironandfire——unchangeable，unquenchablewill。TherewasevenmuchofviolenceintheswiftactionwherebyFlorencecompelledMadelinetothechangeofapparel。
"It'dbeenmyidea，anyhow，ifStewarthadn'ttoldmetodoit，"
saidFlorence，herwordsasswiftasherhands。"DonCarlosisafteryou——you，MissMadelineHammond！Hewouldn'tambushatrailforanyoneelse。He'snotkillingcowboysthesedays。Hewantsyouforsomereason。SoGenethought，andnowIbelievehim。Well，we'llknowforsureinfiveminutes。Youridetheblack；I'llrideMajesty。We'llsliproundthroughthebrush，outofsightandsound，tillwecanbreakoutintotheopen。
Thenwe'llsplit。Youmakestraightfortheranch。I'llcutlooseforthevalleywhereGenesaidpositivelythecowboyswerewiththecattle。Thevaqueroswilltakemeforyou。Theyallknowthosestrikingwhitethingsyouwear。They'llchaseme。
They'llnevergetanywherenearme。Andyou'llbeonafasthorse。Hecantakeyouhomeaheadofanyvaqueros。Butyouwon'tbechased。I'mstakingallonthat。Trustme，Madeline。
Ifitwereonlymycalculation，maybeI'd——It'sbecauseI
rememberStewart。Thatcowboyknowsthings。Come，thisheah'sthesafestandsmartestwaytofoolDonCarlos。"Madelinefeltherselfmoreforcedthanpersuadedintoacquiescence。Shemountedtheblackandtookupthebridle。InanothermomentshewasguidingherhorseoffthetrailinthetracksofMajesty。
Florenceledoffatrightangles，threadingaslowpassagethroughthemesquite。Shefavoredsandypatchesandopenaislesbetweenthetrees，andwascarefulnottobreakabranch。Oftenshestoppedtolisten。ThisdetourofperhapshalfamilebroughtMadelinetowhereshecouldseeopenground，theranch-houseonlyafewmilesoff，andthecattledottingthevalley。Shehadnotlosthercourage，butitwascertainthatthesefamiliarsightssomewhatlightenedthepressureuponherbreast。Excitementgrippedher。TheshrillwhistleofahorsemadeboththeblackandMajestyjump。Florencequickenedthegaitdowntheslope。SoonMadelinesawtheedgeofthebrush，thegray-bleachedgrassandlevelground。
Florencewaitedattheopeningbetweenthelowtrees。ShegaveMadelineaquick，brightglance。
"Alloverbuttheride！That'llsurebeeasy。Boltnowandkeepyournerve！"
WhenFlorencewheeledthefieryroanandscreamedinhisearMadelineseemedsuddenlytogrowlaxandhelpless。Thebighorseleapedintothunderingaction。ThiswasmemorableofBonitaoftheflyinghairandthewildnightride。Florence'shairstreamedonthewindandshonegoldinthesunlight。YetMadelinesawherwiththesamethrillwithwhichshehadseenthewild-ridingBonita。ThenhoarseshoutsunclampedMadeline'spowerofmovement，andshespurredtheblackintotheopen。
Hewantedtorunandhewasswift。Madelineloosenedthereins——
laidthemlooseuponhisneck。Hisactionwasstrangetoher。
Hewashardtoride。Buthewasfast，andshecaredfornothingelse。Madelineknewhorseswellenoughtorealizethattheblackhadfoundhewasfreeandcarryingalightweight。Afewtimesshetookupthebridleandpulledtorightorleft，tryingtoguidehim。Hekeptastraightcourse，however，andcrashedthroughsmallpatchesofmesquiteandjumpedthecracksandwashes。Unevengroundofferednoperceptibleobstacletohisrunning。ToMadelinetherewasnowathrillingdifferenceinthelashofwindandtheflashofthegraygroundunderneath。Shewasrunningawayfromsomething；whatthatwasshedidnotknow。
ButsherememberedFlorence，andshewantedtolookback，yethatedtodosoforfearofthenamelessdangerFlorencehadmentioned。
Madelinelistenedforthepoundingofpursuinghoofsinherrear。
Involuntarilysheglancedback。Onthemileormoreofgraylevelbetweenherandtheridgetherewasnotahorse，aman，oranythingliving。Shewheeledtolookbackontheotherside，downthevalleyslope。
ThesightofFlorenceridingMajestyinzigzagflightbeforeawholetroopofvaquerosblanchedMadeline'scheekandmadehergripthepommelofhersaddleinterror。Thatstrangegaitofherroanwasnothiswonderfulstride。CouldMajestyberunningwild？Madelinesawonevaquerodrawcloser，whirlinghislassoroundhishead，buthedidnotgetnearenoughtothrow。SoitseemedtoMadeline。Anothervaquerosweptacrossinfrontofthefirstone。Then，whenMadelinegaspedinbreathlessexpectancy，theroanswervedtoeludetheattack。ItflashedoverMadelinethatFlorencewasputtingthehorsetosomesuchawkwardflightasmighthavebeenexpectedofanEasterngirlfrightenedoutofherwits。Madelinemadesureofthiswhen，afterlookingagain，shesawthatFlorence，inspiteofthehorse'sbreakinggaitandtheirregularcourse，wasdrawingslowlyandsurelydownthevalley。
Madelinehadnotlostherheadtotheextentofforgettingherownmountandthenatureofthegroundinfront。When，presently，sheturnedagaintowatchFlorence，uncertaintyceasedinhermind。Thestrangefeaturesofthatracebetweengirlandvaqueroswerenolongerinevidence。Majestywasinhisbeautiful，wonderfulstride，lowdownalongtheground，stretching，withhisnoselevelandstraightforthevalley。
Betweenhimandtheleanhorsesinpursuitlayanever-increasingspace。Hewasrunningawayfromthevaqueros。Florencewasindeed"ridingthewind，"asStewarthadaptlyexpressedhisideaofflightuponthefleetroan。
AdimnesscameoverMadeline'seyes，anditwasnotallowingtothestingofthewind。Sherubbeditaway，seeingFlorenceasaflyingdotinastrangeblur。Whatadaring，intrepidgirl！
Thiskindofstrength——andaye，splendidthoughtforaweakersister——waswhattheWestinculcatedinawoman。
ThenexttimeMadelinelookedbackFlorencewasfaraheadofherpursuersandgoingoutofsightbehindalowknoll。AssuredofFlorence'ssafety，Madelineputhermindtoherownrideandthepossibilitiesawaitingattheranch。Sherememberedthefailuretogetanyofherservantsorcowboysonthetelephone。Tobesure，awind-stormhadoncebrokenthewire。Butshehadlittlerealhopeofsuchbeingthecaseinthisinstance。Sherodeon，pullingtheblackasshenearedtheranch。Herapproachwasfromthesouthandofftheusualtrail，sothatshewentupthelongslopeoftheknolltowardthebackofthehouse。Underthesecircumstancesshecouldnotconsideritoutoftheordinarythatshedidnotseeanyoneaboutthegrounds。
Itwasperhapsfortunateforher，shethought，thattheclimbuptheslopecuttheblack'sspeedsoshecouldmanagehim。Hewasnotveryhardtostop。Themomentshedismounted，however，hejumpedandtrottedoff。Attheedgeoftheslope，facingthecorrals，hehaltedtolifthisheadandshootuphisears。Thenheletoutapiercingwhistleanddasheddownthelane。
Madeline，preparedbythatwarningwhistle，triedtofortifyherselfforanewandunexpectedsituation；butassheespiedanunfamiliarcompanyofhorsemenrapidlyridingdownahollowleadingfromthefoothillsshefeltthereturnoffearsgrippingatherlikecoldhands，andshefledprecipitouslyintothehouse。
XIABandofGuerrillasMadelineboltedthedoor，and，flyingintothekitchen，shetoldthescaredservantstoshutthemselvesin。Thensherantoherownrooms。Itwasonlyamatterofafewmomentsforhertocloseandbartheheavyshutters，yetevenasshewasfasteningthelastoneintheroomsheusedasanofficeaclatteringroarofhoofsseemedtoswelluptothefrontofthehouse。Shecaughtaglimpseofwild，shaggyhorsesandragged，dustymen。
Shehadneverseenanyvaquerosthatresembledthesehorsemen。
Vaqueroshadgraceandstyle；theywerefondoflaceandglitterandfringe；theydressedtheirhorsesinsilveredtrappings。Buttheridersnowtramplingintothedrivewaywereuncouth。lean，savage。Theywereguerrillas，abandoftheraiderswhohadbeenharassingthebordersincethebeginningoftherevolution。A
secondglimpseassuredMadelinethattheywerenotallMexicans。
ThepresenceofoutlawsinthatbandbroughthometoMadelineherrealdanger。SherememberedwhatStillwellhadtoldheraboutrecentoutlawraidsalongtheRioGrande。Theseflyingbands，operatingundertheexcitementoftherevolution，appearedhereandthere，everywhere，inremoteplaces，andweregoneasquicklyastheycame。Mostlytheywantedmoneyandarms，buttheywouldstealanything，andunprotectedwomenhadsufferedattheirhands。
Madeline，hurriedlycollectinghersecuritiesandtheconsiderablemoneyshehadinherdesk，ranout，closedandlockedthedoor，crossedthepatiototheoppositesideofthehouse，and，enteringagain，wentdownalongcorridor，tryingtodecidewhichofthemanyunusedroomswouldbebesttohidein。
Andbeforeshemadeuphermindshecametothelastroom。JustthenabatteringondoororwindowinthedirectionofthekitchenandshrillscreamsfromtheservantwomenincreasedMadeline'salarm。
Sheenteredthelastroom。Therewasnolockorbaruponthedoor。Buttheroomwaslargeanddark，anditwashalffullofbalesofalfalfahay。Probablyitwasthesafestplaceinthehouse；atleasttimewouldbenecessarytofindanyonehiddenthere。Shedroppedhervaluablesinadarkcornerandcoveredthemwithloosehay。Thatdone，shefeltherwaydownanarrowaislebetweenthepiled-upbalesandpresentlycrouchedinaniche。
Withthenecessityofactionoverfortheimmediatepresent，Madelinebecameconsciousthatshewasquiveringandalmostbreathless。Herskinfelttightandcold。Therewasaweightonherchest；hermouthwasdry，andshehadastrangetendencytoswallow。Herlisteningfacultyseemedmostacute。Dullsoundscamefrompartsofthehouseremotefromher。Intheintervalsofsilencebetweenthesesoundssheheardthesqueakingandrustlingofmiceinthehay。Amouseranoverherhand。
Shelistened，waiting，hopingyetdreadingtoheartheclatteringapproachofhercowboys。Therewouldhefighting——blood——meninjured，perhapskilled。Eventhethoughtofviolenceofanykindhurther。Butperhapstheguerrillaswouldrunintimetoavoidaclashwithhermen。Shehopedforthat，prayedforit。
ThroughhermindflittedwhatsheknewofNels，ofMonty，ofNickSteele；andsheexperiencedasensationthatlefthersomewhatchilledandsick。Thenshethoughtofthedark-browed，fire-eyedStewart。Shefeltathrilldriveawaythecoldnausea。Andherexcitementaugmented。
Waiting，listeningincreasedallheremotions。Nothingappearedtobehappening。Yethoursseemedtopasswhileshecrouchedthere。HadFlorencebeenovertaken？CouldanyofthoseleanhorsesoutrunMajesty？Shedoubtedit；sheknewitcouldnotbetrue。Nevertheless，thestrainofuncertaintywastorturing。
Suddenlythebangofthecorridordoorpiercedherthroughandthroughwiththedreadofuncertainty。Someoftheguerrillashadenteredtheeastwingofthehouse。Sheheardababelofjabberingvoices，theshufflingofbootsandclinkingofspurs，theslammingofdoorsandransackingofrooms。
Madelinelostfaithinherhiding-place。Morever，shefounditimpossibletotakethechance。Theideaofbeingcaughtinthatdarkroombythoseruffiansfilledherwithhorror。Shemustgetoutintothelight。Swiftlysheroseandwenttothewindow。Itwasrathermoreofadoorthanwindow，beingalargeapertureclosedbytwowoodendoorsonhinges。Theironhookyieldedreadilytohergrasp，andonedoorstuckfast，whiletheotheropenedafewinches。Shelookedoutuponagreenslopecoveredwithflowersandbunchesofsageandbushes。Neithermannorhorseshowedinthenarrowfieldofhervision。Shebelievedshewouldbesaferhiddenoutthereintheshrubberythaninthehouse。Thejumpfromthewindowwouldbeeasyforher。Andwithherquickdecisioncamearushandstirofspiritthatwardedoffherweakness。
Shepulledatthedoor。Itdidnotbudge。Ithadcaughtatthebottom。Pullingwithallhermightprovedtobeinvain。
Pausing，withpalmshotandbruised，sheheardalouder，closerapproachoftheinvadersofherhome。Fear，wrath，andimpotencecontestedforsupremacyoverheranddrovehertodesperation。
Shewasalonehere，andshemustrelyonherself。Andasshestrainedeverymuscletomovethatobstinatedoorandheardthequick，harshvoicesofmenandthesoundsofahurriedsearchshesuddenlyfeltsurethattheywerehuntingforher。Sheknewit。
Shedidnotwonderatit。ButshewonderedifshewerereallyMadelineHammond，andifitwerepossiblethatbrutalmenwouldharmher。Thenthetrampingofheavyfeetontheflooroftheadjoiningroomlentherthelaststrengthoffear。Pushingwithhandsandshoulders，shemovedthedoorfarenoughtopermitthepassageofherbody。Thenshesteppeduponthesillandslippedthroughtheaperture。Shesawnoone。Lightlyshejumpeddownandraninamongthebushes。Butthesedidnotaffordherthecoversheneeded。Shestolefromoneclumptoanother，findingtoolatethatshehadchosenwithpoorjudgment。Thepositionofthebusheshaddrawnherclosertothefrontofthehouseratherthanawayfromit，andjustbeforeherwerehorses，andbeyondagroupofexcitedmen。WithherheartinherthroatMadelinecroucheddown。
Ashrillyell，followedbyrunningandmountingguerrillas，rousedherhope。Theyhadsightedthecowboysandwereinflight。Rapidthumpingofbootsontheporchtoldofmenhurryingfromthehouse。Severalhorsesdashedpasther，nottenfeetdistant。Oneridersawher，forheturnedtoshoutback。
ThisdroveMadelineintoapanic。Hardlyknowingwhatshedid，shebegantorunawayfromthehouse。Herfeetseemedleaden。
Shefeltthesamehorriblepowerlessnessthatsometimescameoverherwhenshedreamedofbeingpursued。Horseswithshoutingridersstreakedpastherintheshrubbery。Therewasathunderofhoofsbehindher。Sheturnedaside，butthethunderinggrewnearer。Shewasbeingrundown。
AsMadelineshuthereyesand，staggering，wasabouttofall，apparentlyrightunderpoundinghoofs，arude，powerfulhandclappedroundherwaist，clutcheddeepandstrong，andswungheraloft。Shefeltaheavyblowwhentheshoulderofthehorsestruckher，andthenawrenchingofherarmasshewasdraggedup。Asuddenblightingpainmadesightandfeelingfadefromher。
Butshedidnotbecomeunconscioustotheextentthatshelostthesenseofbeingrapidlyborneaway。Sheseemedtoholdthatforalongtime。Whenherfacultiesbegantoreturnthemotionofthehorsewasnolongerviolent。Forafewmomentsshecouldnotdetermineherposition。Apparentlyshewasupsidedown。
Thenshesawthatshewasfacingtheground，andmustbelyingacrossasaddlewithherheadhangingdown。Shecouldnotmoveahand；shecouldnottellwhereherhandswere。Thenshefeltthetouchofsoftleather。Shesawahigh-toppedMexicanboot，wearingahugesilverspur，andthereekingflankandlegsofahorse，andadusty，narrowtrail。Soonakindofreddarknessveiledhereyes，herheadswam，andshefeltmotionandpainonlydully。
Afterwhatseemedathousandwearyhourssomeoneliftedherfromthehorseandlaidherupontheground，where，gradually，asthebloodleftherheadandshecouldsee，shebegantogettherightrelationofthings。
Shelayinasparsegroveoffirs，andtheshadowstoldoflateafternoon。Shesmelledwoodsmoke，andsheheardthesharpcrunchofhorses'teethnippinggrass。Voicescausedhertoturnherface。Agroupofmenstoodandsatroundacamp-fireeatinglikewolves。ThelooksofhercaptorsmadeMadelineclosehereyes，andthefascination，thefeartheyrousedinhermadeheropenthemagain。Mostlytheywerethin-bodied，thin-beardedMexicans，blackandhaggardandstarved。Whatevertheymightbe，theysurelywerehunger-strickenandsqualid。Notonehadacoat。Afewhadscarfs。Someworebeltsinwhichwerescatteredcartridges。Onlyafewhadguns，andthesewereofdiversepatterns。Madelinecouldseenopacks，noblankets，andonlyafewcooking-utensils，allbatteredandblackened。Hereyesfasteneduponmenshebelievedwerewhitemen；butitwasfromtheirfeaturesandnottheircolorthatshejudged。OnceshehadseenabandofnomadrobbersintheSahara，andsomehowwasremindedofthembythismotleyoutlawtroop。
Theydividedattentionbetweenthesatisfyingofravenousappetitesandavigilantwatchingdowntheforestaisles。Theyexpectedsomeone，Madelinethought，and，manifestly，ifitwereapursuingposse，theydidnotshowanxiety。Shecouldnotunderstandmorethanawordhereandtherethattheyuttered。
Presently，however，thenameofDonCarlosrevivedkeencuriosityinherandrealizationofhersituation，andthenoncemoredreadpossessedherbreast。
Alowexclamationandasweepofarmfromoneoftheguerrillascausedthewholebandtowheelandconcentratetheirattentionintheoppositedirection。Theyheardsomething。Theysawsomeone。
Grimyhandssoughtweapons，andtheneverymanstiffened。
Madelinesawwhathuntedmenlookedlikeatthemomentofdiscovery，andthesightwasterrible。Sheclosedhereyes，sickwithwhatshesaw，fearfulofthemomentwhenthegunswouldleapout。
Thereweremutteredcurses，ashortperiodofsilencefollowedbywhisperings，andthenaclearvoicerangout，"ElCapitan！"
AstrongshockvibratedthroughMadeline，andhereyelidssweptopen。InstantlysheassociatedthenameElCapitanwithStewartandexperiencedasensationofstrangeregret。Itwasnotpursuitorrescueshethoughtofthen，butdeath。ThesemenwouldkillStewart。Butsurelyhehadnotcomealone。Thelean，darkfaces，cordedandrigid，toldherinwhatdirectiontolook。
Sheheardtheslow，heavythumpofhoofs。Soonintothewideaislebetweenthetreesmovedtheformofaman，armsflunghighoverhishead。ThenMadelinesawthehorse，andsherecognizedMajesty，andsheknewitwasreallyStewartwhorodetheroan。
Whendoubtwasnolongerpossibleshefeltasuffocatingsenseofgladnessandfearandwonder。
Manyoftheguerrillasleapedupwithdrawnweapons。StillStewartapproachedwithhishandshigh，andheroderightintothecamp-firecircle。Thenaguerrilla，evidentlythechief，waveddownthethreateningmenandstrodeuptoStewart。Hegreetedhim。Therewasamazeandpleasureandrespectinthegreeting。Madelinecouldtellthat，thoughshedidnotknowwhatwassaid。AtthemomentStewartappearedtoherascoolandcarelessasifheweredismountingatherporchsteps。Butwhenhegotdownshesawthathisfacewaswhite。Heshookhandswiththeguerrilla，andthenhisglitteringeyesrovedoverthemenandaroundthegladeuntiltheyresteduponMadeline。Withoutmovingfromhistracksheseemedtoleap，asifapowerfulcurrenthadshockedhim。Madelinetriedtosmiletoassurehimshewasaliveandwell；buttheintentinhiseyes，thepowerofhiscontrolledspirittellingherofherperilandhis，frozethesmileonherlips。
WiththathefacedthechiefandspokerapidlyintheMexicanjargonMadelinehadalwaysfoundsodifficulttotranslate。Thechiefanswered，spreadingwidehishands，oneofwhichindicatedMadelineasshelaythere。Stewartdrewthefellowalittleasideandsaidsomethingforhisearalone。Thechief'shandssweptupinagestureofsurpriseandacquiescence。AgainStewartspokeswiftly。Hishearerthenturnedtoaddresstheband。Madelinecaughtthewords"DonCarlos"and"pesos。"Therewasabriefmutteringprotestwhichthechiefthundereddown。
Madelineguessedherreleasehadbeengivenbythisguerrillaandboughtfromtheothersoftheband。
Stewartstrodetoherside，leadingtheroan。Majestyrearedandsnortedwhenhesawhismistressprostrate。Stewartknelt，stillholdingthebridle。
"Areyouallright？"heasked。
"Ithinkso，"shereplied，essayingalaughthatwasratherafailure。"Myfeetaretied。"
Darkbloodblottedoutallthewhitefromhisface，andlightningshotfromhiseyes。Shefelthishands，likesteeltongs，looseningthebondsroundherankles。WithoutawordheliftedheruprightandthenuponMajesty。Madelinereeledalittleinthesaddle，heldhardtothepommelwithoneband，andtriedtoleanonStewart'sshoulderwiththeother。
"Don'tgiveup，"hesaid。
Shesawhimgazefurtivelyintotheforestonallsides。Anditsurprisedhertoseetheguerrillasridingaway。Puttingthetwofactstogether，MadelineformedanideathatneitherStewartnortheothersdesiredtomeetwithsomeoneevidentlydueshortlyintheglade。StewartguidedtheroanofftotherightandwalkedbesideMadeline，steadyingherinthesaddle。AtfirstMadelinewassoweakanddizzythatshecouldscarcelyretainherseat。
Thedizzinessleftherpresently，andthenshemadeanefforttoridewithouthelp。Herweakness，however，andapaininherwrenchedarmmadethetasklaborsome。
Stewarthadstruckoffthetrail，iftherewereone，andwaskeepingtodenserpartsoftheforest。Thesunsanklow，andtheshaftsofgoldfellwithalongslantamongthefirs。Majesty'shoofsmadenosoundonthesoftground，andStewartstrodeonwithoutspeaking。Neitherhishurrynorvigilancerelaxeduntilatleasttwomileshadbeencovered。Thenheheldtoastraightercourseanddidnotsendsomanyglancesintothedarkeningwoods。
Theleveloftheforestbegantobecutupbylittlehollows，allofwhichslopedandwidened。Presentlythesoftgroundgaveplacetobare，rockysoil。Thehorsesnortedandtossedhishead。Asoundofsplashingwaterbrokethesilence。Thehollowopenedintoawideronethroughwhichalittlebrookmurmureditswayoverthestones。Majestysnortedagainandstoppedandbenthishead。
"Hewantsadrink，"saidMadeline。"I'mthirsty，too，andverytired。"
Stewartliftedheroutofthesaddle，andastheirhandspartedshefeltsomethingmoistandwarm。Bloodwasrunningdownherarmandintothepalmofherhand。
"I'm——bleeding，"shesaid，alittleunsteadily。"Oh，Iremember。
Myarmwashurt。"
Shehelditout，thebloodmakingherconsciousofherweakness。
Stewart'sfingersfeltsofirmandsure。Swiftlyherippedthewetsleeve。Herforearmhadbeencutorscratched。Hewashedofftheblood。
"Why，Stewart，it'snothing。Iwasonlyalittlenervous。I
guessthat'sthefirsttimeIeversawmyownblood。"
Hemadenoreplyashetoreherhandkerchiefintostripsandboundherarm。Hisswiftmotionsandhissilencegaveherahintofhowhemightmeetamoreseriousemergency。Shefeltsafe。
Andbecauseofthatimpression，whenheliftedhisheadandshesawthathewaspaleandshaking，shewassurprised。Hestoodbeforeherfoldinghisscarf，whichwasstillwet，andfromwhichhemadenoefforttoremovetheredstains。
"MissHammond，"hesaid，hoarsely，"itwasaman'shands——aGreaser'sfinger-nails——thatcutyourarm。Iknowwhohewas。I
couldhavekilledhim。ButImightn'thavegotyourfreedom。
Youunderstand？Ididn'tdare。"
MadelinegazedatStewart，astoundedmorebyhisspeechthanhisexcessiveemotion。
"Mydearboy！"sheexclaimed。Andthenshepaused。Shecouldnotfindwords。
Hewasmakinganapologytoherfornotkillingamanwhohadlaidaroughhanduponherperson。Hewasashamedandseemedtobeinatorturethatshewouldnotunderstandwhyhehadnotkilledtheman。Thereseemedtobesomethingofpassionatescorninhimthathehadnotbeenabletoavengeheraswellasfreeher。
"Stewart，Iunderstand。Youwerebeingmykindofcowboy。I
thankyou。"
Butshedidnotunderstandsomuchassheimplied。Shehadheardmanystoriesofthisman'scoolindifferencetoperilanddeath。
Hehadalwaysseemedashardasgranite。Whyshouldthesightofalittleblooduponherarmpalehischeekandshakehishandandthickenhisvoice？Whatwasthereinhisnaturetomakehimimplorehertoseetheonlyreasonhecouldnotkillanoutlaw？
Theanswertothefirstquestionwasthathelovedher。Itwasbeyondhertoanswerthesecond。Butthesecretofitlayinthesamestrengthfromwhichhislovesprang——anintensityoffeelingwhichseemedcharacteristicoftheseWesternmenofsimple，lonely，elementallives。AllatonceoverMadelinerushedatideofrealizationofhowgreatlyitwaspossibleforsuchamanasStewarttoloveher。Thethoughtcametoherinallitssingularpower。AllherEasternloverswhohadthegracesthatmadethemherequalsinthesightoftheworldwerewithouttheonlygreatessentialthatalonely，hardlifehadgiventoStewart。Natureherestruckajustbalance。Somethingdeepanddiminthefuture，anunknownvoice，calledtoMadelineanddisturbedher。
Andbecauseitwasnotavoicetoherintelligenceshedeadenedtheearsofherwarmandthrobbinglifeanddecidednevertolisten。
"Isitsafetorestalittle？"sheasked。"Iamsotired。
PerhapsI'llbestrongerifIrest。"
"We'reallrightnow，"hesaid。"Thehorsewillbebetter，too。
Iranhimout。Anduphill，atthat。"
"Wherearewe？"
"Upinthemountains，tenmilesandmorefromtheranch。There'satrailjustbelowhere。Icangetyouhomebymidnight。
They'llbesomeworrieddownthere。"
"Whathappened？"
"Nothingmuchtoanyonebutyou。That'sthe——thehardluckofit。Florencecaughtusoutontheslope。Wewerereturningfromthefire。Weweredeadbeat。Butwegottotheranchbeforeanydamagewasdone。Wesurehadtroubleinfindingatraceofyou。
Nickspottedtheprintsofyourheelsunderthewindow。Andthenweknew。Ihadtofighttheboys。Ifthey'dcomeafteryouwe'dneverhavegottenyouwithoutafight。Ididn'twantthat。OldBillcameoutpackingadozenguns。Hewascrazy。IhadtoropeMonty。Honest，Itiedhimtotheporch。NelsandNickpromisedtostayandholdhimtillmorning。ThatwasthebestIcoulddo。
Iwassureluckytocomeupwiththebandsosoon。Ihadfiguredright。Iknewthatguerrillachief。He'sabanditinMexico。
It'sabusinesswithhim。ButhefoughtforMadero，andIwaswithhimagooddeal。HemaybeaGreaser，buthe'swhite。"
"Howdidyoueffectmyrelease？"
"Iofferedthemmoney。That'swhattherebelsallwant。Theyneedmoney。They'realotofpoor，hungrydevils。"
"Igatheredthatyouofferedtopayransom。Howmuch？"
"TwothousanddollarsMex。Igavemyword。I'llhavetotakethemoney。ItoldthemwhenandwhereI'dmeetthem。"
"Certainly。I'mgladI'vegotthemoney。"Madelinelaughed。
"Whatastrangethingtohappentome！Iwonderwhatdadwouldsaytothat？Stewart，I'mafraidhe'dsaytwothousanddollarsismorethanI'mworth。Buttellme。Thatrebelchieftaindidnotdemandmoney？"
"No。Themoneyisforhismen。"
"Whatdidyousaytohim？Isawyouwhisperinhisear。"
Stewartdroppedhishead，avertingherdirectgaze。
"WewerecomradesbeforeJuarez。OnedayIdraggedhimoutofaditch。Iremindedhim。ThenI——ItoldhimsomethingI——I
thought——"
"Stewart，Iknowfromthewayhelookedatmethatyouspokeofme。"
Hercompaniondidnotofferareplytothis，andMadelinedidnotpressthepoint。
"IheardDonCarlos'snameseveraltimes。Thatinterestsme。
WhathaveDonCarlosandhisvaquerostodowiththis？"
"ThatGreaserhasalltodowithit，"repliedStewart，grimly。
"Heburnedhisranchandcorralstokeepusfromgettingthem。
Buthealsodidittodrawalltheboysawayfromyourhome。
Theyhadadeepplot，allright。Ileftordersforsomeonetostaywithyou。ButAlandStillwell，who'rebothhot-headed，rodeoffthismorning。Thentheguerrillascamedown。"
"Well，whatwastheidea——theplot——asyoucallit？"
"Togetyou，"hesaid，bluntly。
"Me！Stewart，youdonotmeanmycapture——whateveryoucallit——
wasanythingmorethanmereaccident？"
"Idomeanthat。ButStillwellandyourbrotherthinktheguerrillaswantedmoneyandarms，andtheyjusthappenedtomakeoffwithyoubecauseyouranunderahorse'snose。"
"Youdonotinclinetothatpointofview？"
"Idon't。NeitherdoesNelsnorNickSteele。AndweknowDonCarlosandtheGreasers。LookhowthevaqueroschasedFloforyou！"
"Whatdoyouthink，then？"
"I'drathernotsay。"
"But，Stewart，Iwouldliketoknow。Ifitisaboutme，surelyI
oughttoknow，"protestedMadeline。"WhatreasonhaveNelsandNicktosuspectDonCarlosofplottingtoabductme？"
"Isupposethey'venoreasonyou'dtake。OnceIheardNelssayhe'dseentheGreaserlookatyou，andifheeversawhimdoitagainhe'dshoothim。"
"Why，Stewart，thatisridiculous。Toshootamanforlookingatawoman！Thisisacivilizedcountry。"
"Well，maybeitwouldberidiculousinacivilizedcountry。
There'ssomethingsaboutcivilizationIdon'tcarefor。"
"What，forinstance？"
"Foronething，Ican'tstandforthewaymenletothermentreatwomen。"
"But，Stewart，thisisstrangetalkfromyou，who，thatnightI
came——"
Shebrokeoff，sorrythatshehadspoken。Hisshamewasnotpleasanttosee。Suddenlyheliftedhishead，andshefeltscorchedbyflamingeyes。
"SupposeIwasdrunk。SupposeIhadmetsomeordinarygirl。
SupposeIhadreallymadehermarryme。Don'tyouthinkIwouldhavestoppedbeingadrunkardandhavebeengoodtoher？"
"Stewart，Idonotknowwhattothinkaboutyou，"repliedMadeline。
Thenfollowedashortsilence。Madelinesawthelastbrightraysofthesettingsunglideupoveradistantcrag。Stewartrebridledthehorseandlookedatthesaddle-girths。
"Igotoffthetrail。AboutDonCarlosI'llsayrightout，notwhatNelsandNickthink，butwhatIknow。DonCarloshopedtomakeoffwithyouforhimself，thesameasifyouhadbeenapoorpeonslave-girldowninSonora。Maybehehadadeeperplotthanmyrebelfriendtoldme。MaybeheevenwentsofarastohopeforAmericantroopstochasehim。TherebelsaretryingtostiruptheUnitedStates。They'dwelcomeintervention。But，howeverthatmaybe，theGreasermeanteviltoyou，andhasmeantiteversincehesawyoufirst。That'sall。"
"Stewart，youhavedonemeandmyfamilyaservicewecanneverhopetorepay。"
"I'vedonetheservice。Onlydon'tmentionpaytome。Butthere'sonethingI'dlikeyoutoknow，andIfindithardtosay。It'sprompted，maybe，bywhatIknowyouthinkofmeandwhatIimagineyourfamilyandfriendswouldthinkiftheyknew。
It'snotpromptedbyprideorconceit。Andit'sthis：SuchawomanasyoushouldneverhavecometothisGod-forsakencountryunlessshemeanttoforgetherself。Butasyoudidcome，andasyouweredraggedawaybythosedevils，Iwantyoutoknowthatallyourwealthandpositionandinfluence——allthatpowerbehindyou——wouldneverhavesavedyoufromhellto-night。OnlysuchamanasNelsorNickSteeleorIcouldhavedonethat。"
MadelineHammondfeltthegreatlevelingforceofthetruth。
WhateverthedifferencebetweenherandStewart，orwhatevertheimagineddifferencesetupbyfalsestandardsofclassandculture，thetruthwasthathereonthiswildmountain-sideshewasonlyawomanandhewassimplyaman。Itwasamanthatsheneeded，andifherchoicecouldhavebeenconsideredinthisextremityitwouldhavefallenuponhimwhohadjustfacedherinquiet，bitterspeech。Herewasfoodforthought。
"Ireckonwe'dbetterstartnow，"hesaid，anddrewthehorseclosetoalargerock。"Come。"
Madeline'swillgreatlyexceededherstrength。Forthefirsttimesheacknowledgedtoherselfthatshehadbeenhurt。Still，shedidnotfeelmuchpainexceptwhenshemovedhershoulder。
Onceinthesaddle，whereStewartliftedher，shedroopedweakly。
Thewaywasrough；everystepthehorsetookhurther；andtheslopeofthegroundthrewherforwardonthepommel。Presently，astheslopegrewrockierandherdiscomfortincreased，sheforgoteverythingexceptthatshewassuffering。
"Hereisthetrail，"saidStewart，atlength。
NotfarfromthatpointMadelineswayed，andbutforStewart'ssupportwouldhavefallenfromthesaddle。Sheheardhimswearunderhisbreath。
"Here，thiswon'tdo，"hesaid。"Throwyourlegoverthepommel。
Theotherone——there。"
Then，mounting，heslippedbehindherandliftedandturnedher，andthenheldherwithhisleftarmsothatshelayacrossthesaddleandhisknees，herheadagainsthisshoulder。
AsthehorsestartedintoarapidwalkMadelinegraduallylostallpainanddiscomfortwhensherelaxedhermuscles。Presentlysheletherselfgoandlayinert，greatlytoherrelief。Foralittlewhilesheseemedtobehalfdrunkwiththegentleswayingofahammock。Hermindbecameatoncedreamyandactive，asifitthoughtfullyrecordedtheslow，softimpressionspouringinfromallhersenses。
Aredglowfadedinthewest。Shecouldseeoutoverthefoothills，wheretwilightwassettlinggrayonthecrests，darkinthehollows。Cedarandpinontreeslinedthetrail，andtherewerenomorefirs。Atintervalshugedrab-coloredrocksloomedoverher。Theskywasclearandsteely。Afaintstartwinkled。
Andlastly，closetoher，shesawStewart'sface，oncemoredarkandimpassive，withtheinscrutableeyesfixedonthetrail。
Hisarm，likeabandofiron，heldher，yetitwasflexibleandyieldedhertothemotionofthehorse。Oneinstantshefeltthebrawn，thebone，heavyandpowerful；thenextthestretchandripple，theelasticityofmuscles。Heheldheraseasilyasifshewereachild。Theroughnessofhisflannelshirtrubbedhercheek，andbeneaththatshefeltthedampnessofthescarfhehadusedtobatheherarm，anddeeperstilltheregularpoundofhisheart。Againstherear，fillingitwithstrong，vibrantbeat，hisheartseemedamightyenginedeepwithinagreatcavern。Herheadhadneverbeforerestedonaman'sbreast，andshehadnolikingforitthere；butshefeltmorethanthephysicalcontact。
Thepositionwasmysteriousandfascinating，andsomethingnaturalinitmadeherthinkoflife。Thenasthecoolwindblewdownfromtheheights，looseninghertumbledhair，shewascompelledtoseestrandsofitcurlsoftlyintoStewart'sface，beforehiseyes，acrosshislips。Shewasunabletoreachitwithherfreehand，andthereforecouldnotrefastenit。Andwhensheshuthereyesshefeltthoseloosenedstrandsplayingagainsthischeeks。
Inthekeenerpressofsuchsensationsshecaughtthesmellofdustandafaint，wild，sweettangontheair。Therewasalow，rustlingsighofwindinthebrushalongthetrail。Suddenlythesilencerippedaparttothesharpbarkofacoyote，andthen，fromfaraway，camealongwail。AndthenMajesty'smetal-rimmedhoofrangonastone。
TheselaterthingslentprobabilitytothatrideforMadeline。
Otherwiseitwouldhaveseemedlikeadream。Evensoitwashardtobelieve。AgainshewonderedifthiswomanwhohadbeguntothinkandfeelsomuchwasMadelineHammond。Nothinghadeverhappenedtoher。Andhere，playingaboutherlikeherhairplayedaboutStewart'sface，wasadventure，perhapsdeath，andsurelylife。Shecouldnotbelievetheevidenceoftheday'shappenings。Wouldanyofherpeople，herfriends，everbelieveit？Couldshetellit？HowimpossibletothinkthatacunningMexicanmighthaveusedhertofurthertheinterestsofaforlornrevolution。Sherememberedtheghoulishvisagesofthosestarvedrebels，andmarveledatherblessedfortuneinescapingthem。
Shewassafe，andnowself-preservationhadsomemeaningforher。
Stewart'sarrivalintheglade，thecouragewithwhichhehadfacedtheoutlawedmen，grewasrealtohernowastheironarmthatclaspedher。HaditbeenaninstinctwhichhadimportunedhertosavethismanwhenhelayillandhopelessintheshackatChiricahua？Inhelpinghimhadshehedgedroundherforcesthathadjustoperatedtosaveherlife，orifnotthat，morethanlifewastoher？Shebelievedso。
Madelineopenedhereyesafterawhileandfoundthatnighthadfallen。Theskywasadark，velvetyblueblazingwithwhitestars。Thecoolwindtuggedatherhair，andthroughwavingstrandsshesawStewart'sprofile，boldandsharpagainstthesky。
Then，ashermindsuccumbedtoherbodilyfatigue，againhersituationbecameunrealandwild。Aheavylanguor，likeablanket，begantostealuponher。Shewaveredanddrifted。Withthelasthalf-conscioussenseofamuffledthrobatherear，asomethingintangiblysweet，deep-toned，andstrange，likeadistantcallingbell，shefellasleepwithherheadonStewart'sbreast。
XIIFriendsfromtheEastThreedaysafterherreturntotheranchMadelinecouldnotdiscoveranyphysicaldiscomfortasareminderofheradventurousexperiences。Thissurprisedher，butnotnearlysomuchasthefactthatafterafewweeksshefoundshescarcelyrememberedtheadventuresatall。IfithadnotbeenforthequietandpersistentguardianshipofhercowboysshemightalmosthaveforgottenDonCarlosandtheraiders。Madelinewasassuredofthesplendidphysicalfitnesstowhichthisranchlifehaddevelopedher，andthatshewasassimilatingsomethingoftheWesterndisregardofdanger。Ahardride，anaccident，adayinthesunanddust，anadventurewithoutlaws——thesemightoncehavebeenmattersoflargeimport，butnowforMadelinetheywereinorderwithalltherestofherchangedlife。
Therewasneveradaythatsomethinginterestingwasnotbroughttohernotice。Stillwell，whohadceaselesslyreproachedhimselfforridingawaythemorningMadelinewascaptured，grewmorelikeananxiousparentthanafaithfulsuperintendent。HewasneverateaseregardingherunlesshewasneartheranchorhadleftStewartthere，orelseNelsandNickSteele。Naturally，hetrustedmoretoStewartthantoanyoneelse。
"MissMajesty，it'ssureamazin'strangeaboutGene，"saidtheoldcattleman，ashetrampedintoMadeline'soffice。
"What'sthematternow？"sheinquired。
"Wal，Genehasrustledoffintothemountainsagain。"
"Again？Ididnotknowhehadgone。Igavehimmoneyforthatbandofguerrillas。Perhapshewenttotakeittothem。"
"No。Hetookthatadayorsoafterhefetchedyoubackhome。