Theninaboutaweekhewentasecondtime。An'hepackedsomestuffwithhim。Nowhe'ssneakedoff，an'Nels，whowasdowntothelowertrail，sawhimmeetsomebodythatlookedlikePadreMarcos。Wal，Iwentdowntothechurch，and，sureenough，PadreMarcosisgone。Whatdoyouthinkofthat，MissMajesty？"
　　"MaybeStewartisgettingreligious，"laughedMadeline。Youtoldmesoonce。
　　Stillwellpuffedandwipedhisredface。
　　"Ifyou'dheerdhimcussMontythismawnin'you'dneverguessitwasreligion。Montyan'Nelshevbeengivin'Genealotoftroublelately。They'rebothsorean'infightin'moodeversinceDonCarloshedyoukidnapped。Surethey'regoin'tobreaksoon，an'thenwe'llhevacoupleofwildTexassteersridin'therange。I'veaheaptoworryme。"
　　"LetStewarttakehismysterioustripsintothemountains。Here，Stillwell，Ihavenewsforyouthatmaygiveyoureasonforworry。Ihavelettersfromhome。Andmysister，withapartyoffriends，iscomingouttovisitme。Theyaresocietyfolk，andoneofthemisanEnglishlord。"
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，Ireckonwe'llallbegladtoseethem，"saidStillwell。"OnlesstheypackyouoffbackEast。"
　　"Thatisn'tlikely，"repliedMadeline，thoughtfully。"Imustgobacksometime，though。Well，letmereadyouafewextractsfrommymail。"
　　Madelinetookuphersister'sletterwithastrangesensationofhoweasilysightofacrestedmonogramandscentofdelicatelyperfumedpapercouldrecallthebrilliantlifeshehadgivenup。
　　Shescannedthepagesofbeautifulhandwriting。Helen'sletterwasinturngayandbrilliantandlazy，justasshewasherself；
　　butMadelinedetectedmoreofcuriosityinitthanofreallongingtoseethesisterandbrotherintheFarWest。MuchofwhatHelenwrotewasenthusiasticanticipationofthefunsheexpectedtohavewithbashfulcowboys。Helenseldomwroteletters，andsheneverreadanything，notevenpopularnovelsoftheday。ShewasasabsolutelyignorantoftheWestastheEnglishman，who，shesaid，expectedtohuntbuffaloandfightIndians。Moreover，therewasasatiricnoteintheletterthatMadelinedidnotlike，andwhichrousedherspirit。Manifestly，Helenwasrevelingintheprospectofnewsensation。
　　Whenshefinishedreadingaloudafewparagraphstheoldcattlemansnortedandhisfacegrewredder。
　　"Didyoursisterwritethat？"heasked。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Wal，I——Ibegpawdin，MissMajesty。Butitdoesn'tseemlikeyou。Doesshethinkwe'realotofwildmenfromBorneo？"
　　"Evidentlyshedoes。Iratherthinksheisinforasurprise。
　　Now，Stillwell，youarecleverandyoucanseethesituation。I
　　wantmygueststoenjoytheirstayhere，butIdonotwantthattobeattheexpenseofthefeelingsofallofus，orevenanyone。Helenwillbringalivelycrowd。They'llcraveexcitement——
　　theunusual。Letusseethattheyarenotdisappointed。Youtaketheboysintoyourconfidence。Tellthemwhattoexpect，andtellthemhowtomeetit。Ishallhelpyouinthat。Iwanttheboystobeondress-paradewhentheyareoffduty。Iwantthemtobeontheirmostelegantbehavior。Idonotcarewhattheydo，whatmeasurestheytaketoprotectthemselves，whattrickstheycontrive，solongastheydonotoverstepthelimitofkindnessandcourtesy。Iwantthemtoplaytheirpartsseriously，naturally，asiftheyhadlivednootherway。Myguestsexpecttohavefun。Letusmeetthemwithfun。Nowwhatdoyousay？"
　　Stillwellrose，hisgreatbulktowering，hishugefacebeaming。
　　"Wal，Isayit'sthemostamazin'fineideeIeverheerdinmylife。"
　　"Indeed，Iamgladyoulikeit，"wentonMadeline。
　　"Cometomeagain，Stillwell，afteryouhavespokentotheboys。
　　But，nowthatIhavesuggestedit，Iamalittleafraid。Youknowwhatcowboyfunis。Perhaps——"
　　"Don'tyougobackonthatidee，"interruptedStillwell。Hewasassuringandbland，buthishurrytoconvinceMadelinebetrayedhim。"Leavetheboystome。Why，don'ttheyallswearbyyou，sameastheMexicansdototheVirgin？Theywon'tdisgraceyou，MissMajesty。They'llbesimplyimmense。It'llbeatanyshowyoueverseen。"
　　"Ibelieveitwill，"repliedMadeline。Shewasstilldoubtfulofherplan，buttheenthusiasmoftheoldcattlemanwasinfectiousandirresistible。"Verywell，wewillconsideritsettled。MyguestswillarriveonMayninth。MeanwhileletusgetHerMajesty'sRanchoinshapeforthisinvasion。"
　　OntheafternoonoftheninthofMay，perhapshalfanhourafterMadelinehadreceivedatelephonemessagefromLinkStevensannouncingthearrivalofherguestsatElCajon，Florencecalledheroutupontheporch。Stillwellwastherewithhisfacewrinkledbyhiswonderfulsmileandhiseagleeyesriveteduponthedistantvalley。Faraway，perhapstwentymiles，athinstreakofwhitedustrosefromthevalleyfloorandslantedskyward。
　　"Look！"saidFlorence，excitedly。
　　"Whatisthat？"askedMadeline。
　　"LinkStevensandtheautomobile！"
　　"Ohno！Why，it'sonlyafewminutessincehetelephonedsayingthepartyhadjustarrived。"
　　"Takealookwiththeglasses，"saidFlorence。
　　OneglancethroughthepowerfulbinocularsconvincedMadelinethatFlorencewasright。AndanotherglanceatStillwelltoldherthathewasspeechlesswithdelight。SherememberedalittleconversationshehadhadwithLinkStevensashortwhileprevious。
　　"Stevens，Ihopethecarisingoodshape，"shehadsaid。"Now，MissHammond，she'sasrightasthebest-trainedhossIeverrode，"hehadreplied。
　　"Thevalleyroadisperfect，"shehadgoneon，musingly。"I
　　neversawsuchabeautifulroad，eveninFrance。Nofences，noditches，norocks，novehicles。Justalonelyroadonthedesert。"
　　"Shore，it'slonely，"Stevenshadanswered，withslowlybrighteningeyes。"An'safe，MissHammond。"
　　"Mysisterusedtolikefastriding。IfIremembercorrectly，allofmyguestswerealittleafflictedwiththespeedmania。
　　ItisacommondiseasewithNew-Yorkers。Ihope，Stevens，thatyouwillnotgivethemreasontothinkwearealtogethersteepedintheslow，dreamymananalanguoroftheSouthwest。"
　　Linkdoubtfullyeyedher，andthenhisbronzefacechangeditsdarkaspectandseemedtoshine。
　　"Beggin'yourpardon，MissHammond，thet'sshoretalltalkferLinkStevenstosavvy。Youmean——aslongasIdrivecarefulan'
　　safeIcanrunawayfrommydust，sotosay，an'gethereinsomethin'lessthantheGreaser'sto-morrow？"
　　Madelinehadlaughedherassent。Andnow，asshewatchedthethinstreakofdust，atthatdistancemovingwithsnailpace，shereproachedherself。ShetrustedStevens；shehadneverknownsoskilful，daring，andiron-nervedadriverashewas。Ifshehadbeeninthecarherselfshewouldhavehadnoanxiety。But，imaginingwhatStevenswoulddoonfortymilesandmoreofthatdesertroad，Madelinesufferedaprickofconscience。
　　"Oh，Stillwell！"sheexclaimed。"IamafraidIwillgobackonmywonderfulidea。Whatmademedoit？"
　　"Yoursisterwantedtherealthing，didn'tshe？Saidtheyallwantedit。Wal，Ireckonthey'vebegungettin'it，"repliedStillwell。
　　ThatstatementfromthecattlemanallayedMadeline'spangsofconscience。Sheunderstoodjustwhatshefelt，thoughshecouldnothaveputitinwords。Shewashungryforasightofwell-rememberedfaces；shelongedtohearthesoftlaughterandgayreparteeofoldfriends；shewaseagerforgossipyfirst-handnewsofheroldworld。Nevertheless，somethinginhersister'sletter，inmessagesfromtheotherswhowerecoming，hadtouchedMadeline'spride。Inonesensetheexpectedguestswerehostile，inasmuchastheywerescornfulandcuriousabouttheWestthathadclaimedher。SheimaginedwhattheywouldexpectinaWesternranch。Theywouldsurelygettherealthing，too，asStillwellsaid；andinthatcertaintywassatisfactionforasmallgrainofsomethingwithinMadelinewhichapproachedresentment。Shewistfullywondered，however，ifhersisterorfriendswouldcometoseetheWestevenalittleasshesawit。
　　That，perhaps，wouldhehopingtoomuch。Sheresolvedonceforalltodoherbesttogivethemthesensationtheirsensescraved，andequallytoshowthemthesweetnessandbeautyandwholesomenessandstrengthoflifeintheSouthwest。
　　"Wal，asNelssays，Iwouldn'tbeinthatthereottomobilerightnowforamillionpesos，"remarkedStillwell。
　　"Why？IsStevensdrivingfast？"
　　"GoodLord！Fast？MissMajesty，therehain'teverbeenanythin'
　　exceptastreakoflightnin'runsofastinthiscountry。I'llbetLinkforonceisinheaven。Icanjestseehimnow，thegrim，crooked-leggedlittledevil，hunchin'downoverthatwheelasifitwasahoss'sneck。"
　　"Itoldhimnottolettheridebehotordusty，"remarkedMadeline。
　　"Haw，haw！"roaredStillwell。"Wal，I'llbegoin'。IreckonI'dliketobehyarwhenLinkdrivesup，butIwanttobewiththeboysdownbythebunks。It'llbesomefuntoseeNelsan'MontywhenLinkcomesflyin'along。"
　　"IwishAlhadstayedtomeetthem，"saidMadeline。
　　HerbrotherhadratherhurriedashipmentofcattletoCalifornia：anditwasMadeline'ssuppositionthathehadwelcomedtheopportunitytoabsenthimselffromtheranch。
　　"Iamsorryhewouldn'tstay，"repliedFlorence。"ButAl'sallbusinessnow。Andhe'sdoingfinely。It'sjustaswell，perhaps。"
　　"Surely。Thatwasmypridespeaking。IwouldliketohaveallmyfamilyandallmyoldfriendsseewhatamanAlhasbecome。
　　Well，LinkStevensisrunninglikethewind。Thecarwillbeherebeforeweknowit。Florence，we'veonlyafewmomentstodress。ButfirstIwanttoordermanyandvariousandexceedinglycoldrefreshmentsforthatapproachingparty。"
　　Lessthanahalf-hourlaterMadelinewentagaintotheporchandfoundFlorencethere。
　　"Oh，youlookjustlovely！"exclaimedFlorence，impulsively，asshegazedwide-eyedupatMadeline。"Andsomehowsodifferent！"
　　Madelinesmiledalittlesadly。Perhapswhenshehadputonthatexquisitewhitegownsomethinghadcometoherofthemannerwhichbefittedthewearingofit。Shecouldnotresistthedesiretolookfaironcemoreintheeyesofthesehypercriticalfriends。Thesadsmilehadbeenforthedaysthatweregone。
　　Forsheknewthatwhatsocietyhadoncebeenpleasedtocallherbeautyhadtrebledsinceithadlastbeenseeninadrawing-room。
　　Madelineworenojewels，butatherwaistshehadpinnedtwogreatcrimsonroses。Againstthedeadwhitetheyhadthelifeandfireandrednessofthedesert。
　　"Link'shittheoldround-uptrail，"saidFlorence，"andoh，isn'theridingthatcar！"
　　WithFlorence，aswithmostofthecowboys，thecarwasneverdriven，butridden。
　　Awhitespotwithalongtrailofdustshowedlowdowninthevalley。Itwasnowheadedalmoststraightfortheranch。
　　Madelinewatcheditgrowinglargermomentbymoment，andherpleasurableemotiongrewaccordingly。Thentherapidbeatofahorse'shoofscausedhertoturn。
　　Stewartwasridinginonhisblackhorse。Hehadbeenabsentonanimportantmission，andhisdutyhadtakenhimtotheinternationalboundary-line。HispresencehomelongbeforehewasexpectedwasparticularlygratifyingtoMadeline，foritmeantthathismissionhadbeenbroughttoasuccessfulissue。Oncemore，forthehundredthtime，theman'sreliabilitystruckMadeline。Hewasadoerofthings。Theblackhorsehaltedwearilywithouttheusualpoundofhoofsonthegravel，andthedustyriderdismountedwearily。Bothhorseandridershowedtheheatanddustandwindofmanymiles。
　　Madelineadvancedtotheporchsteps。AndStewart，aftertakingaparcelofpapersfromasaddle-bag，turnedtowardher。
　　"Stewart，youarethebestofcouriers，"shesaid。"Iampleased。"
　　Duststreamedfromhissombreroashedoffedit。Hisdarkfaceseemedtoriseashestraightenedwearyshoulders。
　　"Herearethereports，MissHammond，"hereplied。
　　Ashelookeduptoseeherstandingthere，dressedtoreceiveherEasternguests，hecheckedhisadvancewithaviolentactionwhichrecalledtoMadelinetheonehehadmadeonthenightshehadmethim，whenshedisclosedheridentity。Itwasnotfearnorembarrassmentnorawkwardness。Anditwasonlymomentary。Yet，slightashadbeenhispause，Madelinereceivedfromitanimpressionofsomestronghaltingforce。AmanstruckbyabulletmighthavehadaninstantjerkofmuscularcontrolsuchasconvulsedStewart。Inthatinstant，asherkeengazesearchedhisdust-cakedface，shemetthefull，freelookofhiseyes。
　　Herowndidnotfall，thoughshefeltawarmthstealtohercheeks。Madelineveryseldomblushed。Andnow，consciousofhersuddencoloragenuineblushflamedonherface。Itwasirritatingbecauseitwasincomprehensible。ShereceivedthepapersfromStewartandthankedhim。Hebowed，thenledtheblackdownthepathtowardthecorrals。
　　"WhenStewartlookslikethathe'sbeenriding，"saidFlorence。
　　"Butwhenhishorselookslikethathe'ssurebeenburningthewind。"
　　Madelinewatchedthewearyhorseandriderlimpdownthepath。
　　Whathadmadeherthoughtful？Mostlyitwassomethingneworsuddenorinexplicablethatstirredhermindtoquickanalysis。
　　InthisinstancethethingthathadstruckMadelinewasStewart'sglance。Hehadlookedather，andtheoldburning，inscrutablefire，thedarkness，hadlefthiseyes。Suddenlytheyhadbeenbeautiful。Thelookhadnotbeenoneofsurpriseoradmiration；
　　norhaditbeenoneoflove。Shewasfamiliar，toofamiliarwithallthree。Ithadnotbeenagazeofpassion，fortherewasnothingbeautifulinthat。Madelinepondered。AndpresentlysherealizedthatStewart'seyeshadexpressedastrangejoyofpride。ThatexpressionMadelinehadneverbeforeencounteredinthelookofanyman。Probablyitsstrangenesshadmadehernoticeitandaccountedforherblushing。Thelongershelivedamongtheseoutdoormenthemoretheysurprisedher。Particularly，howincomprehensiblewasthiscowboyStewart！Whyshouldhehaveprideorjoyatsightofher？
　　Florence'sexclamationmadeMadelineoncemoreattendtotheapproachingautomobile。Itwasontheslopenow，somemilesdownthelonggradualslant。Twoyellowfunnel-shapedcloudsofdustseemedtoshootoutfrombehindthecarandrollalofttojointhecolumnthatstretcheddownthevalley。
　　"Iwonderwhatridingamileaminutewouldbelike，"saidFlorence。"I'llsuremakeLinktakeme。Oh，butlookathimcome！"
　　Thegiantcarresembledawhitedemon，andbutforthedustwouldhaveappearedtobesailingintheair。Itsmotionwassteadilyforward，holdingtotheroadasifonrails。Anditsvelocitywasastounding。Long，grayveils，likepennants，streamedinthewind。Alowrushingsoundbecameperceptible，anditgrewlouder，becamearoar。Thecarshotlikeanarrowpastthealfalfa-field，bythebunk-houses，wherethecowboyswavedandcheered。Thehorsesandburrosinthecorralsbegantosnortandtrampandraceinfright。AtthebaseofthelongslopeofthefoothillLinkcutthespeedmorethanhalf。Yetthecarroaredup，rollingthedust，flyingcapesandveilsandulsters，andcrashedandcrackedtoahaltintheyardbeforetheporch。
　　Madelinedescriedagray，disheveledmassofhumanitypackedinsidethecar。Besidesthedriverthereweresevenoccupants，andforamomenttheyappearedtobecomingtolife，movingandexclaimingundertheveilsandwrapsanddust-shields。
　　LinkStevenssteppedoutand，removinghelmetandgoggles，coollylookedathiswatch。
　　"Anhouran'aquarter，MissHammond，"hesaid。"It'ssixty-threemilesbythevalleyroad，an'youknowthere'sacoupleofbadhills。Ireckonwemadefairtime，considerin'youwantedmetodriveslowan'safe。"
　　Fromthemassofdusty-veiledhumanityinthecarcamelowexclamationsandplaintivefemininewails。
　　Madelinesteppedtothefrontoftheporch。Thenthedeepvoicesofmenandsoftervoicesofwomenunitedinonegladoutburst，asmuchathanksgivingasagreeting，"MAJESTY！"
　　HelenHammondwasthreeyearsyoungerthanMadeline，andaslender，prettygirl。Shedidnotresemblehersister，exceptinwhitenessandfinenessofskin，beingmoreofabrown-eyed，brown-hairedtype。HavingrecoveredherbreathsoonafterMadelinetookhertoherroom，shebegantotalk。
　　"Majesty，oldgirl，I'mhere；butyoucanbetIwouldneverhavegottenhereifIhadknownaboutthatridefromtherailroad。
　　Youneverwrotethatyouhadacar。IthoughtthiswasoutWest——
　　stage-coach，andallthatsortofthing。Suchatremendouscar！
　　Andtheroad！Andthatterriblelittlemanwiththeleathertrousers！Whatkindofachauffeurishe？"
　　"He'sacowboy。Hewascrippledbyfallingunderhishorse，soI
　　hadhiminstructedtorunthecar。Hecandrive，don'tyouthink？"
　　"Drive？Goodgracious！Hescaredustodeath，exceptCastleton。
　　Nothingcouldscarethatcold-bloodedlittleEnglishman。Iamdizzyyet。Doyouknow，Majesty，IwasdelightedwhenIsawthecar。Thenyourcowboydrivermetusattheplatform。Whataqueer-lookingindividual！Hehadabigpistolstrappedtothoseleathertrousers。Thatmademenervous。Whenhepiledusallinwithourgrips，heputmeintheseatbesidehim，whetherIlikeditornot。IwasfoolenoughtotellhimIlovedtotravelfast。
　　Whatdoyouthinkhesaid？Well，heeyedmeinarathercoolandspeculativewayandsaid，withasmile，'Miss，Ireckonanythingyoulovean'wantbadwillbecomingtoyououthere！'Ididn'tknowwhetheritwasdelightfulcandororimpudence。Thenhesaidtoallofus：'Shoreyouhadbetterwrapupintheveilsan'
　　dusters。It'salong，slow，hot，dustyridetotheranch，an'
　　MissHammond'sorderwastodrivesafe。'Hegotourbaggagechecksandgavethemtoamanwithahugewagonandafour-horseteam。Thenhecrankedthecar，jumpedin，wrappedhisarmsroundthewheel，andsankdownlowinhisseat。Therewasacrack，ajerk，akindofflasharoundus，andthatdirtylittletownwassomewhereonthemapbehind。ForaboutfiveminutesIhadalovelytime。Thenthewindbegantotearmetopieces。I
　　couldn'thearanythingbuttherushofwindandroarofthecar。
　　Icouldseeonlystraightahead。Whataroad！Ineversawaroadinmylifetillto-day。Milesandmilesandmilesahead，withnotevenapostortree。Thatbigcarseemedtoleapatthemiles。Ithummedandsang。Iwasfascinated，thenterrified。
　　WewentsofastIcouldn'tcatchmybreath。Thewindwentthroughme，andIexpectedtobedisrobedbyitanyminute。IwasafraidIcouldn'tholdanyclotheson。PresentlyallIcouldseewasaflashinggraywallwithawhitelineinthemiddle。Thenmyeyesblurred。Myfaceburned。Myearsgrewfullofahundredthousandhowlingdevils。Iwasaboutreadytodiewhenthecarstopped。
　　Ilookedandlooked，andwhenIcouldsee，thereyoustood！"
　　"Helen，Ithoughtyouwerefondofspeeding，"saidMadeline，withalaugh。
　　"Iwas。ButIassureyouIneverbeforewasinafastcar；I
　　neversawaroad；Inevermetadriver。"
　　"PerhapsImayhaveafewsurprisesforyououthereinthewildandwoollyWest。"
　　Helen'sdarkeyesshowedasister'smemoryofpossibilities。
　　"You'vestartedwell，"shesaid。"Iamsimplystunned。Iexpectedtofindyouoldanddowdy。Majesty，you'rethehandsomestthingIeverlaideyeson。You'resosplendidandstrong，andyourskinislikewhitegold。What'shappenedtoyou？What'schangedyou？Thisbeautifulroom，thosegloriousrosesoutthere，thecool，darksweetnessofthiswonderfulhouse！Iknowyou，Majesty，and，thoughyouneverwroteit，Ibelieveyouhavemadeahomeouthere。That'sthemoststunningsurpriseofall。
　　Come，confess。IknowI'vealwaysbeenselfishandnotmuchofasister；butifyouarehappyouthereIamglad。Youwerenothappyathome。TellmeaboutyourselfandaboutAlfred。ThenI
　　shallgiveyouallthemessagesandnewsfromtheEast。"
　　ItaffordedMadelineexceedingpleasuretohavefromoneandallofherguestsvariedencomiumsofherbeautifulhome，andarealandwarminterestinwhatpromisedtobeadelightfulandmemorablevisit。
　　OfthemallCastletonwastheonlyonewhofailedtoshowsurprise。HegreetedherpreciselyasbehadwhenhehadlastseenherinLondon。Madeline，rathertoherastonishment，foundmeetinghimagainpleasurable。ShediscoveredshelikedthisimperturbableEnglishman。Manifestlyhercapacityforlikinganyonehadimmeasurablyenlarged。Quiteunexpectedlyheroldgirlishloveforheryoungersistersprangintolife，andwithitinterestinthesehalf-forgottenfriends，andawarmregardforEdithWayne，achumofcollegedays。
　　Helen'spartywassmallerthanMadelinehadexpectedittobe。
　　Helenhadbeencarefultoselectacompanyofgoodfriends，allofwhomwerewellknowntoMadeline。EdithWaynewasapatricianbrunette，aserious，soft-voicedwoman，sweetandkindly，despitearatherbitterexperiencethathadleftherworldlywise。Mrs。
　　CarrolltonBeck，aplain，livelyperson，hadchaperonedtheparty。ThefourthandlastofthefemininecontingentwasMissDorothyCoombs——Dot，astheycalledher——ayoungwomanofattractiveblondprettiness。
　　ForamanCastletonwasofverysmallstature。Hehadapink-and-whitecomplexion，asmallgoldenmustache，andhisheavyeyelids，alwaysdrooping，madehimlookdull。Hisattire，cuttowhatappearedtobeanexaggeratedEnglishstyle，attractedattentiontohisdiminutivesize。Hewasimmaculateandfastidious。RobertWeedewasaratherlargefloridyoungman，remarkableonlyforhisgoodnature。CountingBoydHarvey，ahandsome，pale-facedfellow，withthecarelesssmileofthemanforwhomlifehadbeeneasyandpleasant，thepartywascomplete。
　　Dinnerwasahappyhour，especiallyfortheMexicanwomenwhoserveditandwhocouldnotfailtonoteitssuccess。Theminglingoflowvoicesandlaughter，theold，gay，superficialtalk，thegraciousnessofaclasswhichlivedforthepleasureofthingsandtomaketimepasspleasurablyforothers——alltookMadelinefarbackintothepast。Shedidnotcaretoreturntoit，butshesawthatitwaswellshehadnotwhollycutherselfofffromherpeopleandfriends。
　　Whenthepartyadjournedtotheporchtheheathadmarkedlydecreasedandtheredsunwassinkingoverthereddesert。Anabsenceofspokenpraise，agraduallydeepeningsilence，attestedtotheimpressiononthevisitorsofthatnoblesunset。JustasthelastcurveofredrimvanishedbeyondthedimSierraMadresandthegoldenlightningbegantoflarebrighterHelenbrokethesilencewithanexclamation。
　　"Itwantsonlylife。Ah，there'sahorseclimbingthehill！
　　See，he'sup！Hehasarider！"
　　Madelineknewbeforeshelookedtheidentityofthemanridingupthemesa。Butshedidnotknowuntilthatmomenthowthehabitofwatchingforhimatthishourhadgrownuponher。Herodealongtherimofthemesaandouttothepoint，where，againstthegoldenbackground，horseandriderstoodsilhouettedinboldrelief。
　　"What'shedoingthere？Whoishe？"inquiredthecuriousHelen。
　　"ThatisStewart，myright-handman，"repliedMadeline。"Everydaywhenheisattheranchheridesupthereatsunset。Ithinkhelikestherideandthescene；buthegoestotakealookatthecattleinthevalley。"
　　"Isheacowboy？"askedHelen。
　　"Indeedyes！"repliedMadeline，withalittlelaugh。"YouwillthinksowhenStillwellgetsholdofyouandbeginstotalk。"
　　MadelinefounditnecessarytoexplainwhoStillwellwas，andwhathethoughtofStewart，and，whileshewasaboutit，ofherownaccordsheaddedafewdetailsofStewart'sfame。
　　"ElCapitan。Howinteresting！"musedHelen。"Whatdoeshelooklike？"
　　"Heissuperb。"
　　Florencehandedthefield-glasstoHelenandbadeherlook。
　　"Oh，thankyou！"saidHelen，asshecomplied。"There。Iseehim。
　　Indeed，heissuperb。Whatamagnificenthorse！Howstillhestands！Why，heseemscarvedinstone。"
　　"Letmelook？"saidDorothyCoombs，eagerly。
　　Helengavehertheglass。
　　"Youcanlook，Dot，butthat'sall。He'smine。Isawhimfirst。"
　　WhereuponMadeline'sfeminineguestsheldaspiritedcontestoverthefield-glass，andthreeofthemmadegay，banteringboastsnottoconsiderHelen'sself-assertedrights。MadelinelaughedwiththeotherswhileshewatchedthedarkfigureofStewartandhisblackoutlineagainstthesky。Therecameoverherathoughtnotbyanymeansneworstrange——shewonderedwhatwasinStewart'smindashestoodthereinthesolitudeandfacedthedesertandthedarkeningwest。Somedayshemeanttoaskhim。Presentlyheturnedthehorseandrodedownintotheshadowcreepingupthemesa。
　　"Majesty，haveyouplannedanyfun，anyexcitementforus？"askedHelen。Shewasrestless，nervous，anddidnotseemtobeabletositstillamoment。
　　"YouwillthinksowhenIgetthroughwithyou，"repliedMadeline。
　　"What，forinstance？"inquiredHelenandDotandMrs。Beck，inunison。EdithWaynesmiledherinterest。
　　"Well，Iamnotcountingridesandclimbsandgolf；butthesearenecessarytotrainyoufortripsoverintoArizona。IwanttoshowyouthedesertandtheAravaipaCanon。Wehavetogoonhorsebackandpackouroutfit。Ifanyofyouarealiveafterthosetripsandwantmoreweshallgoupintothemountains。I
　　shouldlikeverymuchtoknowwhatyoueachwantparticularly。"
　　"I'lltellyou，"repliedHelen，promptly。"DotwillbethesameouthereasshewasintheEast。Shewantstolookbashfullydownatherhand——ahandimprisonedinanother，bytheway——andlistentoamantalkpoetryabouthereyes。Ifcowboysdon'tmakelovethatwayDot'svisitwillbeafailure。NowElsieBeckwantssolelytoberevengeduponusfordraggingherouthere。
　　Shewantssomedreadfulthingtohappentous。Idon'tknowwhat'sinEdith'shead，butitisn'tfun。BobbywantstobenearElsie，andnomore。Boydwantswhathehasalwayswanted——theonlythingheeverwantedthathedidn'tget。Castletonhasahorriblebloodthirstydesiretokillsomething。"
　　"Ideclarenow，Iwanttorideandcampout，also，"protestedCastleton。
　　"Asformyself，"wentonHelen，"Iwant——Oh，ifIonlyknewwhatitisthatIwant！Well，IknowIwanttobeoutdoors，togetintotheopen，tofeelsunandwind，toburnsomecolorintomywhiteface。Iwantsomefleshandbloodandlife。Iamtiredout。BeyondallthatIdon'tknowverywell。I'lltrytokeepDotfromattachingallthecowboystohertrain。"
　　"Whatadiversityofwants！"saidMadeline。
　　"Aboveall，Majesty，wewantsomethingtohappen，"concludedHelen，withpassionatefinality。
　　"Mydearsister，maybeyouwillhaveyourwishfulfilled，"
　　repliedMadeline，soberly。"Edith，Helenhasmademecuriousaboutyourespecialyearning。"
　　"Majesty，itisonlythatIwantedtobewithyouforawhile，"
　　repliedthisoldfriend。
　　Therewasinthewistfulreply，accompaniedbyadarkandeloquentglanceofeyes，whattoldMadelineofEdith'sunderstanding，ofhersympathy，andperhapsabetrayalofherownunquietsoul。ItsaddenedMadeline。Howmanywomenmighttherenotbewhohadthelongingtobreakdownthebarsoftheircage，buthadnotthespirit！
　　XIIICowboyGolfInthewhirlofthesucceedingdaysitwasamootedquestionwhetherMadeline'sguestsorhercowboysorherselfgotthekeenestenjoymentoutoftheflyingtime。Consideringthesamenessofthecowboys'ordinarylife，shewasinclinedtothinktheymadethemostofthepresent。StillwellandStewart，however，hadfoundthesituationtrying。Theworkoftheranchhadtogoon，andsomeofitgotsadlyneglected。Stillwellcouldnotresisttheladiesanymorethanhecouldresistthefunintheextraordinarygoings-onofthecowboys。Stewartalonekeptthebusinessofcattle-raisingfromaserioussetback。Earlyandlatehewasinthesaddle，drivingthelazyMexicanswhomhehadhiredtorelievethecowboys。
　　OnemorninginJuneMadelinewassittingontheporchwithhermerryfriendswhenStillwellappearedonthecorralpath。HehadnotcometoconsultMadelineforseveraldays——anomissionsounusualastoberemarked。
　　"HerecomesBill——introuble，"laughedFlorence。
　　Indeed，heboresomefaintresemblancetoathundercloudasheapproachedtheporch；butthegreetingshegotfromMadeline'sparty，especiallyfromHelenandDorothy，chasedawaytheblacknessfromhisfaceandbroughtthewonderfulwrinklingsmile。
　　"MissMajesty，sureI'masaddemoralizedoldcattleman，"hesaid，presently。"An'I'minneedofaheapofhelp。"
　　"What'swrongnow？"askedMadeline，withherencouragingsmile。
　　"Wal，it'ssoamazin'strangewhatcowboyswilldo。Ijestamabouttogiveup。Why，youmightsaymycowboyswereallonstrikeforvacations。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？We'vechangedtheshifts，shortenedhours，letonean'anotheroffduty，hiredGreasers，an'，infact，doneeverythin'thatcouldbethoughtof。
　　Butthisvacationideegrowedworse。WhenStewartsethisfootdown，thentheboysbegintogetsick。NeverinmyborndaysasacattlemanhaveIheerdofsomanydiseases。An'yououghttoseehowlamean'crippledan'weakmanyoftheboyshavegotallofasudden。Theideeofacowboycomin'tomewithasorefingeran'
　　askin'tobeletoffforaday！There'sBooly。NowI'veknowedahosstofallalloverhim，an'onctherolleddownacanon。
　　Neverbotheredhimatall。He'sgotablisteronhisheel，aridin'blister，an'hesaysit'sgoin'toblood-poisonin'ifhedoesn'trest。There'sJimBell。He'sdevelopedwhathesaysisspinalmengalootis，orsomesuchlike。There'sFrankieSlade。
　　Hesworehehadscarletfeverbecausehisfaceburntsored，I
　　guess，an'whenIholleredthatscarletfeverwascontagiousan'
　　hemustbeputawaysomewhere，heupan'saysheguesseditwasn'tthat。Buthewassureawfulsickan'neededtoloafaroundan'beamused。Why，evenNelsdoesn'twanttoworkthesedays。Ifitwasn'tforStewart，who'shadGreaserswiththecattle，Idon'tknowwhatI'ddo。"
　　"Whyallthissuddenillnessandidleness？"askedMadeline。
　　"Wal，yousee，thetruthiseveryblamedcowboyontherangeexceptStewartthinksit'shisboundendutytoentertaintheladies。"
　　"Ithinkthatisjustfine！"exclaimedDorothyCoombs；andshejoinedinthegenerallaugh。
　　"Stewart，then，doesn'tcaretohelpentertainus？"inquiredHelen，incuriousinterest。"Wal，MissHelen，Stewartissuredifferentfromtheothercowboys，"repliedStillwell。"Yetheusedtobelikethem。ThereneverwasacowboyfullerofthedevilthanGene。Buthe'schanged。He'sforemanhere，an'thatmustbeit。Alltheresponsibilityrestsonhim。Hesurehasnotimeforamusin'theladies。"
　　"Iimaginethatisourloss，"saidEdithWayne，inherearnestway。"Iadmirehim。"
　　"Stillwell，youneednotbesodistressedwithwhatisonlygallantryintheboys，evenifitdoesmakeatemporaryconfusioninthework，"saidMadeline。
　　"MissMajesty，allIsaidisnotthehalf，northequarter，nornuthin'ofwhat'stroublin'me，"answeredhe，sadly。
　　"Verywell；unburdenyourself。"
　　"Wal，thecowboys，exceptin'Gene，havegoneplumbbatty，jestplaincrazyoverthisheahgameofgol-lof。"
　　AmerrypealofmirthgreetedStillwell'ssolemnassertion。
　　"Oh，Stillwell，youareinfun，"repliedMadeline。
　　"IhopetodieifI'mnotindaidearnest，"declaredthecattleman。"It'sanamazin'strangefact。AskFlo。She'lltellyou。Sheknowscowboys，an'howiftheyeverstartonsomethin'
　　theyrideitastheyrideahoss。"
　　Florencebeingappealedto，andevidentlyfeelingalleyesuponher，modestlyrepliedthatStillwellhadscarcelymisstatedthesituation。
　　"Cowboysplayliketheyworkorfight，"sheadded。"Theygivetheirwholesoulstoit。Theyaregreatbigsimpleboys。"
　　"Indeedtheyare，"saidMadeline。"Oh，I'mgladiftheylikethegameofgolf。Theyhavesolittleplay。"
　　"Wal，somethin'sgottobedidifwe'retogoonraisin'cattleatHerMajesty'sRancho，"repliedStillwell。Heappearedbothdeliberateandresigned。
　　MadelinerememberedthatdespiteStillwell'ssimplicityhewasasdeepasanyofhiscowboys，andtherewasabsolutelynogaginghimwherepossibilitiesoffunwereconcerned。Madelinefanciedthathisexaggeratedtalkaboutthecowboys'suddencrazeforgolfwasinlinewithcertainotherremarkabletalesthathadlatelyemanatedfromhim。Someverystrangethingshadoccurredoflate，anditwasimpossibletotellwhetherornottheywereaccidents，merecoincidents，ordeep-laid，skilfullyworked-outdesignsofthefun-lovingcowboys。Certainlytherehadbeengreatfun，andattheexpenseofherguests，particularlyCastleton。SoMadelinewasatalosstoknowwhattothinkaboutStillwell'slatestelaboration。Frommereforceofhabitshesympathizedwithhimandfounddifficultyindoubtinghisapparentsincerity。
　　"Togobackaways，"wentonStillwell，asMadelinelookedupexpectantly，"yourecollectwhatpridetheboystookinfixin'upthatgol-lofcourseoutonthemesa？Wal，theyworkedonthatjob，an'thoughIneverseenanyothercourse，I'llgambleyourscan'tbebeat。Theboyswassurecuriousaboutthatgame。Yourecollectalsohowtheyallwantedtoseeyouan'yourbrotherplay，an'becaddiesforyou？Wal，wheneveryou'dquitthey'dgotoworktryin'toplaythegame。MontyPrice，hewastheleadin'
　　spirit。OldasIam，MissMajesty，an'usedasIamtocowboyexcentrikities，InearlydroppeddaidwhenIheeredthatlittlehobble-footed，burned-upMontanacow-punchersaytherewasn'tanygametooswellforhim，an'gol-lofwasjusthisspeed。Seriousasapreacher，mindyou，hewas。An'hewasalwayspractisin'。
　　WhenStewartgavehimchargeofthecoursean'theclub-housean'
　　allthemfunnysticks，why，Montywastickledtodeath。Yousee，Montyissensitivethatheain'tmuchgoodanymoreforcowboywork。Hewasgladtohaveajobthathedidn'tfeelhewashangin'tobykindness。Wal，hepractisedthegame，an'hereadthebooksintheclub-house，an'hegottheboystodoin'thesame。Thatwasn'tveryhard，Ireckon。Theyplayedearlyan'
　　latean'inthemoonlight。ForawhileMontywascoach，an'theboysstoodit。ButprettysoonFrankieSladegotpuffedonhisgame，an'hehadtohaveitoutwithMonty。Wal，Montybeathimbad。ThenoneafteranothertheotherboystackledMonty。Hebeatthemall。Afterthattheysplitupan'begintoplaymatches，twoonaside。Foraspellthisworkedfine。Butcowboyscan'tneverbesatisfiedlongonlesstheywinallthetime。Montyan'LinkStevens，bothcripples，youmightsay，joinedforcesan'electedtobeatallcomers。Wal，theydid，an'
　　that'sthetrouble。Longan'patienttheothercowboystriedtobeatthemtwogamelegs，an'hevn'tdoneit。MebbeifMontyan'
　　Linkwasperfectlysoundintheirlegsliketheothercowboystherewouldn'thevbeensuchaholler。Butnosoundcowboys'lleverstandforadisgracelikethat。Why，downatthebunksintheevenin'sit'ssomemortifyin'thewayMontyan'Linkcrowovertherestoftheoutfit。They'vetakenonsuperiorairs。
　　Youcouldn'treachuptoMontywithatrimmedsprucepole。An'
　　Link——wal，he'sjustamazin'scornful。
　　"'It'saswellgame，ain'tit？'saysLink，powerfulsarcastic。
　　'Wal，what'shurtin'youlow-downcommoncowmen？Youkeepharpin'
　　onMonty'sgamelegan'onmygameleg。Ifwehedgoodlegswe'dbeatyouallthewuss。It'sbrainsthatwinsingol-lof。Brainsan'airstoocratikblood，whichofthesameyoufellerssurehevlittle。'
　　"An'thenMontyheblowssmokepowerfulcarelessan'superior，an'hesays：
　　"'Sureit'saswellgame。Youcow-headedgentsthinkbeefan'
　　brawnoughttohevthecalloverskillan'graymatter。You'llallhevtobackupan'getdown。Gooutan'learnthegame。Youdon'tknowabaffyfromaChineesandwich。Allyoucandoiswagglewithacluban'fozzletheball。'
　　"WheneverMontygetstousin'themqueernamestheboysgoroundkindofdotty。Montyan'Linkhevgotthebooksan'directionsofthegame，an'theywon'tlettheotherboysseethem。Theyshowtherules，butthat'sall。An'，ofcourse，everygameendsinarowalmostbeforeit'sstarted。Theboysareallturribleinearnestaboutthisgol-lof。An'Iwanttosay，forthegoodofranchin'，nottomentionapossiblefight，thatMontyan'Linkhevgottobebeat。There'llbenopeaceroundthisranchtillthat'sdone。"
　　Madeline'sguestsweremuchamused。Asforherself，inspiteofherscarcelyconsidereddoubt，Stillwell'staleofwoeoccasionedheranxiety。However，shecouldhardlycontrolhermirth。
　　"WhatintheworldcanIdo？"
　　"Wal，IreckonIcouldn'tsay。Ionlycometoyouforadvice。
　　Itseemsthataqueerkindofgamehaslocoedmycowboys，an'forthetimebein'ranchin'isatastandstill。Soundsridiculous，I
　　know，butcowboysareasstrangeaswildcattle。AllI'msureofisthattheconceithasgottobetakenoutofMontyan'Link。
　　Onct，justonct，willsquareit，an'thenwecanresoomeourwork。"
　　"Stillwell，listen，"saidMadeline，brightly。"We'llarrangeamatchgame，afoursome，betweenMontyandLinkandyourbestpickedteam。Castleton，whoisanexpertgolfer，willumpire。
　　Mysister，andfriends，andIwilltaketurnsascaddiesforyourteam。Thatwillbefair，consideringyoursistheweaker。
　　Caddiesmaycoach，andperhapsexpertadviceisallthatisnecessaryforyourteamtodefeatMonty's。"
　　"Agrandidee，"declaredStillwell，withinstantdecision。"Whencanwehavethismatchgame？"
　　"Why，to-day——thisafternoon。We'llallrideouttothelinks。"
　　"Wal，IreckonI'llbesomeindebtedtoyou，MissMajesty，an'
　　allyourguests，"repliedStillwell，warmly。Herosewithsombreroinhand，andatwinkleinhiseyethatagainpromptedMadelinetowonder。"An'nowI'llbegoin'tofixupforthegameofcowboygol-lof。Adios。"
　　TheideawasasenthusiasticallyreceivedbyMadeline'sguestsasithadbeenbyStillwell。Theywerehighlyamusedandspeculativetothepointoftakingsidesandmakingwagersontheirchoice。Moreover，thissituationsofranklyrevealedbyStillwellhadcompletedtheirdeepmystification。TheywerenowabsolutelynonplussedbythesingularcharacterofAmericancowboys。Madelinewaspleasedtonotehowseriouslytheyhadtakentheoldcattleman'sstory。Shehadalittlethrobofwildexpectancythatmadeherbothfearanddelightintheafternoon'sprospect。
　　TheJunedayshadsetinwarm；infact，hotduringthenoonhours：andthishadinculcatedinherinsatiablevisitorsatendencytoprofitbytheexperienceofthoseusedtotheSouthwest。Theyindulgedintherestfulsiestaduringtheheatedtermoftheday。
　　MadelinewasawakenedbyMajesty'swell-knownwhistleandpoundingonthegravel。Thensheheardtheotherhorses。Whenshewentoutshefoundherpartyassembledingalagolfattire，andwithspiritstomatchtheircostumes。Castleton，especially，appearedresplendentinagolfcoatthatbeggareddescription。
　　MadelinehadfaintmisgivingswhenshereflectedonwhatMontyandNelsandNickmightdoundertheinfluenceofthatblazinggarment。
　　"Oh。Majesty，"criedHelen，asMadelinewentuptoherhorse，"don'tmakehimkneel！Trythatflyingmount。Weallwanttoseeit。It'ssostunning。"
　　"Butthatway，too，Imusthavehimkneel，"saidMadeline，"orI
　　can'treachthestirrup。He'ssotremendouslyhigh。"
　　Madelinehadtoyieldtothelaughinginsistenceofherfriends，andafterallofthemexceptFlorencewereupshemadeMajestygodownononeknee。Thenshestoodonhisleftside，facingback，andtookagoodfirmgriponthebridleandpommelandhismane。
　　AftershehadslippedthetoeofherbootfirmlyintothestirrupshecalledtoMajesty。Hejumpedandswungherupintothesaddle。
　　"NowjusttoseehowitoughttobedonewatchFlorence，"saidMadeline。
　　TheWesterngirlwasatherbestinriding-habitandwithherhorse。Itwasbeautifultoseetheeaseandgracewithwhichsheaccomplishedthecowboys'flyingmount。Thensheledthepartydowntheslopeandacrosstheflattoclimbthemesa。
　　Madelineneversawagroupofhercowboyswithoutlookingthemover，almostunconsciously，forherforeman，GeneStewart。Thisafternoon，asusual，hewasnotpresent。However，shenowhadasense——ofwhichshewaswhollyconscious——thatshewasbothdisappointedandirritated。Hehadreallynotbeenattentivetoherguests，andhe，ofallhercowboys，wastheoneofwhomtheywantedmosttoseesomething。Helen，particularly，hadaskedtohavehimattendthematch。ButStewartwaswiththecattle。
　　Madelinethoughtofhisfaithfulness，andwasashamedofhermomentarylapseintothatoldimperioushabitofdesiringthingsirrespectiveofreason。
　　Stewart，however，immediatelyslippedoutofhermindasshesurveyedthegroupofcowboysonthelinks。Byactualcountthereweresixteen，notincludingStillwell。Andthesamenumberofsplendidhorses，allshinyandclean，grazedontheriminthecareofMexicanlads。Thecowboyswereondress-parade，lookingverydifferentinMadeline'seyes，atleast，fromthewaycowboysusuallyappeared。Buttheywererealandnaturaltoherguests；
　　andtheyweresopicturesquethattheymighthavebeenstagecowboysinsteadofrealones。Sombreroswithsilverbucklesandhorsehairbandswereinevidence；andbrightsilkscarfs，embroideredvests，fringedandornamentedchaps，hugeswingingguns，andclinkingsilverspurslentafestiveappearance。
　　Madelineandherpartywereatonceeagerlysurroundedbythecowboys，andshefounditdifficulttorepressasmile。Ifthesecowboyswerestillremarkabletoher，whatmusttheybetoherguests？
　　"Wal，you-allracedover，Iseen，"saidStillwell，takingMadeline'sbridle。"Getdown——getdown。We'resureamazin'gladan'proud。An'，MissMajesty，I'mofferin'tobegpawdinforthewaytheboysarepackin'guns。Mebbeitain'tpolite。Butit'sStewart'sorders。"
　　"Stewart'sorders！"echoedMadeline。Herfriendsweresuddenlysilent。
　　"Ireckonhewon'ttakenochancesontheboysbein'surprisedsuddenbyraiders。An'there'sraidersoperatin'infromtheGuadalupes。That'sall。Nothin'toworryover。Iwasjustexplainin'。"
　　Madeline，withseveralofherparty，expressedrelief，butHelenshowedexcitementandthendisappointment。
　　"Oh，Iwantsomethingtohappen！"shecried。
　　Sixteenpairsofkeencowboyeyesfastenedintentlyuponherpretty，petulantface；andMadelinedivined，ifHelendidnot，thatthedesiredconsummationwasnotfaroff。
　　"SodoI，"saidDotCoombs。"Itwouldbeperfectlylovelytohavearealadventure。"
　　Thegazeofthesixteencowboysshiftedandsoughtthedemurefaceofthisotherdiscontentedgirl。Madelinelaughed，andStillwellworehisstrange，movingsmile。
　　"Wal，Ireckonyouladiessurewon'thavetogohomeunhappy，"hesaid。"Why，asbossofthisheahoutfitI'dfeelmyselfdisgracedforeverifyoudidn'thaveyourwish。Justwait。An'
　　now，ladies，thematteronhandmaynotbeamusin'orexcitin'toyou；buttothisheahcowboyoutfitit'spowerfulimportant。An'
　　allthehelpyoucangiveuswillsurebethankfullyreceived。
　　Takealookacrossthelinks。Doyou-allseethemtwoapologiesforhumanbein'sprancin'likeacoupleofhobbledbroncs？Wal，you'regazin'atMontyPricean'LinkStevens，whohaveofasuddengottooswelltoassociatewiththeiroldbunkies。
　　They'repractisin'forthetoornament。Theydon'twantmyboystoseehowtheyhandlethemcrookedclubs。"
　　"Haveyoupickedyourteam？"inquiredMadeline。
　　Stillwellmoppedhisredfacewithanimmensebandana，andshowedsomethingofconfusionandperplexity。
　　"I'vesixteenboys，an'theyallwanttoplay，"hereplied。
　　"Pickin'theteamain'tgoin'tobeaneasyjob。Mebbeitwon'tbehealthy，either。There'sNelsandNick。Theyjuststatedcheerful-likethatiftheydidn'tplaywewon'thaveanygameatall。Nicknevertriedbefore，an'Nels，allhewantsistogetacrackatMontywithoneofthemcrookedclubs。"
　　"Isuggestyouletallyourboysdrivefromtheteeandchoosethetwowhodrivethefarthest，"saidMadeline。
　　Stillwell'sperplexedfacelightedup。
　　"Wal，that'saplumbgoodidee。Theboys'llstandforthat。"
　　Wherewithhebrokeuptheadmiringcircleofcowboysroundtheladies。
　　"Graparope——Imeanaclub——allyoucow-punchers，an'marchoverhyaran'takeaswipeatthislittlewhitebean。"
　　Thecowboysobeyedwithalacrity。Therewasconsiderabledifficultyoverthechoiceofclubsandwhoshouldtryfirst。
　　Thelatterquestionhadtobeadjustedbylot。However，afterFrankieSlademadeseveralineffectualattemptstohittheballfromtheteeing-ground，atlasttosenditonlyafewyards，theotherplayerswerenotsoeagertofollow。StillwellhadtopushBoolyforward，andBoolyexecutedamostmiserableshotandretiredtothelaughingcommentsofhiscomrades。Theeffortsofseveralsucceedingcowboysattestedtotheextremedifficultyofmakingagooddrive。
　　"Wal，Nick，it'syourturn，"saidStillwell。
　　"Bill，Iain'tsoall-firedparticularaboutplayin'，"repliedNick。
　　"Why？Youwasroarin'aboutitalittlewhileago。Afraidtoshowhowbadyou'llplay？"
　　"Nope，jestplainconsiderationformyfellercow-punchers，"
　　answeredNick，withspirit。"I'mappreciatin'howbadtheyplay，an'I'mnotmeanenoughtoshowthemup。"
　　"Wal，you'vegottoshowme，"saidStillwell。"Iknowyouneverseenagol-lofstickinyourlife。What'smore，I'llbetyoucan'thitthatlittleballsquare——notinadozencracksatit。"
　　"Bill，I'malsotoomuchofagenttotakeyourmoney。ButyouknowI'mfromMissouri。Gimmeaclub。"
　　Nick'sangryconfidenceseemedtoevaporateasoneafteranotherhetookupandhandledtheclubs。Itwasplainthathehadneverbeforewieldedone。But，also，itwasplainthathewasnotthekindofamantogivein。Finallyheselectedadriver，lookeddoubtfullyatthesmallknob，andthensteppedintopositionontheteeing-ground。
　　NickSteelestoodsixfeetfourinchesinheight。Hehadtherider'swiryslenderness，yethewasbroadofshoulder。Hisarmswerelong。Manifestlyhewasanexceedinglypowerfulman。Heswingthedriveraloftandwhirleditdownwithatremendousswing。Crack！Thewhiteballdisappeared，andfromwhereithadbeenroseatinycloudofdust。
　　Madeline'squicksightcaughttheballasitlinedsomewhattotheright。Itwasshootinglowandlevelwiththespeedofabullet。Itwentupandupinswift，beautifulflight，thenlostitsspeedandbegantosail，tocurve，todrop；anditfelloutofsightbeyondtherimofthemesa。Madelinehadneverseenadrivethatapproachedthisone。Itwasmagnificent，beyondbeliefexceptforactualevidenceofherowneyes。
　　TheyellingofthecowboysprobablybroughtNickSteeleoutoftheastoundingspellwithwhichhebeheldhisshot。ThenNick，suddenlyalivetothesituation，recoveredfromhistranceand，restingnonchalantlyuponhisclub，hesurveyedStillwellandtheboys。Aftertheirfirstsurprisedoutbursttheyweredumb。
　　You-allseenthet？"Nickgrandlywavedhishand。"ThaughtIwasjoshin'，didn'tyou？Why，IusedtogotoSt。Louisan'KansasCitytoplaythisheregame。Therewassometalkofthegolfclubstakin'medownEasttoplaythechampions。ButInevercaredferthegame。Tooeasyferme！ThemfellersbackinMissouriwerealotofcheapdubs，anyhow，alwayskickin'becausewheneverIhitaballhardIalwayslostit。Why，Ihedtohitsortofleft-handedtolet'emstayinmyclass。Nowyou-allcangoaheadan'playMontyan'Link。Icouldbeat'emboth，playin'
　　withonehand，ifIwantedto。ButIain'tinterested。Ijesthitthetballoffthemesatoshowyou。Isurewouldn'tbeseenplayin'onyourteam。"
　　WiththatNicksaunteredawaytowardthehorses。tillwellappearedcrushed。AndnotascornfulwordwashurledafterNick，whichfactprovedthenatureofhisvictory。ThenNelsstrodeintothelimelight。Asfarasitwaspossibleforthisiron-facedcowboytobeso，hewasblandandsuave。HeremarkedtoStillwellandtheothercowboysthatsometimesitwaspainfulforthemtojudgeofthegiftsofsuperiorcowboyssuchasbelongedtoNickandhimself。HepickeduptheclubNickhadusedandcalledforanewball。Stillwellcarefullybuiltupalittlemoundofsandand，placingtheballuponit，squaredawaytowatch。Helookedgrimandexpectant。
　　NelswasnotsolargeamanasNick，anddidnotlooksoformidableashewavedhisclubatthegapingcowboys。Stillhewaslithe，tough，strong。Briskly，withadebonairmanner，hesteppedupandthendeliveredamightyswingattheball。Hemissed。Thepowerandmomentumofhisswingflunghimoffhisfeet，andheactuallyturnedupsidedownandspunroundonhishead。Thecowboyshowled。Stillwell'sstentorianlaughrolledacrossthemesa。Madelineandherguestsfounditimpossibletorestraintheirmirth。AndwhenNelsgotuphecastareproachfulglanceatMadeline。Hisfeelingswerehurt。
　　Hissecondattempt，notbyanymeanssoviolent，resultedinascleanamissasthefirst，andbroughtjeersfromthecowboys。
　　Nels'sredfaceflamedredder。Angrilyheswungagain。Themoundofsandspreadovertheteeing-groundandtheexasperatinglittleballrolledafewinches。Thistimehehadtobuildupthesandmoundandreplacetheballhimself。Stillwellstoodscornfullyby，andtheboysaddressedremarkstoNels。
　　"Takeoffthemblinders，"saidone。
　　"Nels，youreyesareshorebad，"saidanother。
　　"Youdon'thitwhereyoulook。"
　　"Nels，yourlefteyehassprungalimp。"
　　"Why，youdog-gonedoldfule，youcain'thitthetbawl。"
　　Nelsessayedagain，onlytomeetignominiousfailure。Thencarefullyhegatheredhimselftogether，gageddistance，balancedtheclub，swungcautiously。Andtheheadoftheclubmadeabeautifulcurveroundtheball。
　　"Shoreit'sjestthetcrookedclub，"hedeclared。
　　Hechangedclubsandmadeanothersignalfailure。Ragesuddenlypossessinghim，hebegantoswingwildly。Always，itappeared，theillusivelittleballwasnotwhereheaimed。Stillwellhunchedhishugebulk，leanedhandsonknees，androaredhisriotousmirth。Thecowboysleapedupanddowninglee。
　　"Youcain'thitthetbawl，"sangoutoneofthenoisiest。Afewmorewhirling，desperatelungesonthepartofNels，allasfutileasiftheballhadbeenthinair，finallybroughttothedoggedcowboyarealizationthatgolfwasbeyondhim。
　　Stillwellbawled："Oh，haw，haw，haw！Nels，you're——tooold——
　　eyesnogood！"
　　Nelsslammeddowntheclub，andwhenhestraightenedupwiththeredleavinghisface，thentherealprideandfireofthemanshowed。Deliberatelyhesteppedofftenpacesandturnedtowardthelittlemounduponwhichrestedtheball。Hisarmshotdown，elbowcrooked，handlikeaclaw。
　　"Aw，Nels，thisisfun！"yelledStillwell。
　　ButswiftasagleamoflightNelsflashedhisgun，andthereportcamewiththeaction。Chipsflewfromthegolf-ballasittumbledfromthemound。Nelshadhititwithoutraisingtiledust。Thenhedroppedthegunbackinitssheathandfacedthecowboys。
　　"Mebbemyeyesain'tsoorfulbad，"hesaid，coolly，andstartedtowalkoff。
　　"Butlookah-heah，Nels，"yelledStillwell，"wecomeouttoplaygol-lof！Wecan'tletyouknocktheballaroundwithyourgun。
　　What'dyouwanttogetmadfor？It'sonlyfun。Nowyouan'Nickhangroundheahan'besociable。Weain'tdepreciatin'yourcompanynone，noryourusefulnessonoccasions。An'ifyoujusthain'tgotinbornpolitenesssufficienttodothegallantbeforetheladies，why，rememberStewart'sorders。"
　　"Stewart'sorders？"queriedNels，comingtoasuddenhalt。
　　"That'swhatIsaid，"repliedStillwell，withasperity。"Hisorders。Areyouforgettin'orders？Wal，you'reafinecowboy。
　　Youan'Nickan'Monty，'specially，aretoobeyorders。"
　　Nelstookoffhissombreroandscratchedhishead。"Bill，I
　　reckonI'msomeforgetful。ButIwasmad。I'd'a'rememberedprettysoon，an'mebbemymanners。"
　　"Sureyouwould，"repliedStillwell。"Wal，now，wedon'tseemtobeproceedin'muchwithmygol-lofteam。Nextambitiousplayerstepup。"
　　InAmbrose，whoshowedsomeskillindriving，Stillwellfoundoneofhisteam。Thesucceedingplayers，however，weresopoorandsoevenlymatchedthattheearnestStillwellwasindespair。HelosthistemperjustasspeedilyasNelshad。FinallyEdLinton'swifeappearedridingupwithAmbrose'swife，andperhapsthishelped，forEdsuddenlydisclosedabilitythatmadeStillwellsinglehimout。
　　"Letmecoachyoualittle，"saidBill。
　　"Sure，ifyoulike，"repliedEd。"ButIknowmoreaboutthisgamethanyoudo。"
　　"Wal，then，let'sseeyouhitaballstraight。Seemstomeyougotgoodall-firedquick。It'samazin'strange。"ereBilllookedaroundtodiscoverthetwoyoungwivesmodestlycastingeyesofadmirationupontheirhusbands。"Haw，haw！Itain'tsodarnedstrange。Mebbethat'llhelpsome。Now，Ed，standupanddon'tslingyourclubasifyouwasropin'asteer。Comeroundeasy-likean'hitstraight。"
　　Edmadeseveralattemptswhich，althoughbetterthanthoseofhispredecessors，wereratherdiscouragingtotheexactingcoach。
　　Presently，afteraparticularlyatrociousshot，Stillwellstrodeindistresshereandthere，andfinallystoppedadozenpacesormoreinfrontoftheteeing-ground。Ed，whoforacowboywassomewhatphlegmatic，calmlymadereadyforanotherattempt。
　　"Fore！"hecalled。
　　Stillwellstared。
　　"Fore！"yelledEd。
　　"Why'reyouhollerin'thatwayatme？"demandedBill。
　　"Imeanforyoutolopeoffthehorizon。Getbackfrominfront。"
　　"Oh，thatwasoneofthemdurnedcrazywordsMontyisalwayshollerin'。Wal，IreckonI'msafeenoughhyar。Youcouldn'thitmeinamillionyears。"
　　"Bill，oozeaway，"urgedEd。
　　"Didn'tIsayyoucouldn'thitme？WhatamIcoachin'youfor？
　　It'sbecauseyouhitcrooked，ain'tit？Wal，goahaidan'breakyourback。"
　　EdLintonwasashort，heavyman，andhisstockybuildgaveevidenceofconsiderablestrength。Hisformerstrokeshadnotbeenmadeattheexpenseofexertion，butnowhegotreadyforasupremeeffort。Asuddensilenceclampeddownupontheexuberantcowboys。Itwasoneofthosefatefulmomentswhentheairwaschargedwithdisaster。AsEdswungtheclubitfairlywhistled。
　　Crack！Instantlycameathump。ButnoonesawtheballuntilitdroppedfromStillwell'sshrinkingbody。Hisbighandswentspasmodicallytotheplacethathurt，andaterriblegroanrumbledfromhim。
　　Thenthecowboysbrokeintoafrenzyofmirththatseemedtofindadequateexpressiononlyindancingandrollingaccompanimenttotheirhowls。Stillwellrecoveredhisdignityassoonashecaughthisbreath，andheadvancedwitharuefulface。
　　"Wal，boys，it'sonBill，"hesaid。"I'malivin'proofofthepig-headednessofmankind。Ed，youwin。You'recaptainoftheteam。Youhitstraight，an'ifIhadn'tbeenobstructin'thegeneralatmospherethatballwouldsurehavegonecleartotheChiricahuas。"
　　Thenmakingamegaphoneofhishugehands，heyelledaloudblastofdefianceatMontyandLink。
　　"Hey，youswellgol-lofers！We'rewaitin'。Comeonifyouain'tscared。"
　　InstantlyMontyandLinkquitpractising，andliketwoemperorscamestalkingacrossthelinks。
　　"Guessmybluffdidn'tworkmuch，"saidStillwell。ThenheturnedtoMadelineandherfriends。"SureIhope，MissMajesty，thatyou-allwon'tweakenan'goovertotheenemy。Montyissomeeloquent，an'，besides，hehasawayofgettin'peopletoagreewithhim。He'llbeplumpwildwhenheheahswhathean'Linkareupagainst。Butit'sasquaredeal，becausehewouldn'thelpusorlendthebookthatshowshowtoplay。An'，besides，it'spolicyforustobeathim。Now，ifyou'llelectwho'stobecaddiesan'umpireI'llbepowerfulobliged。"
　　Madeline'sfriendswerehugelyamusedovertheprospectivematch；
　　but，exceptforDorothyandCastleton，theydisclaimedanyambitionforactiveparticipation。Accordingly，MadelineappointedCastletontojudgetheplay，DorothytoactascaddieforEdLinton，andsheherselftobecaddieforAmbrose。WhileStillwellbeaminglyannouncedthismomentousnewstohisteamandsupportersMontyandLinkwerestridingup。
　　Bothwerediminutiveinsize，bow-legged，lameinonefoot，andaltogetherunprepossessing。Linkwasyoung，andMonty'syears，morethantwiceLink's，hadlefttheirmark。ButitwouldhavebeenimpossibletotellMonty'sage。AsStillwellsaid，Montywasburnedtothecolorandhardnessofacinder。Henevermindedtheheat，andalwaysworeheavysheepskinchapswiththewooloutside。Thismadehimlookbroaderthanhewaslong。
　　Link，partialtoleather，had，sincehebecameMadeline'schauffeur，takentoleatheraltogether。Hecarriednoweapon，butMontyworeahugegun-sheathandgun。Linksmokedacigaretteandlookedcoollyimpudent。Montywasdark-faced，swaggering，foralltheworldlikeabarbarianchief。
　　"ThatMontymakesmyfleshcreep，"saidHelen，low-voiced。
　　"Really，Mr。Stillwell，ishesobad——desperate——asI'veheard？
　　Didheeverkillanybody？"
　　"Sure。'MostasmanyasNels，"repliedStillwell，cheerfully。
　　"Oh！AndisthatniceMr。Nelsadesperado，too？Iwouldn'thavethoughtso。He'ssokindandold-fashionedandsoft-voiced。"
　　"Nelsissureanexampleofthedooplicityofmen，MissHelen。
　　Don'tyoulistentohissoftvoice。He'sreallyasbadasaside-winderrattlesnake。"
　　AtthisjunctureMontyandLinkreachedtheteeing-ground，andStillwellwentouttomeetthem。Theothercowboyspressedforwardtosurroundthetrio。MadelineheardStillwell'svoice，andevidentlyhewasexplainingthathisteamwastohaveskilledadviceduringtheplay。Suddenlytherecamefromthecenterofthegroupaloud，angryroarthatbrokeoffassuddenly。Thenfollowedexcitedvoicesallmingledtogether。PresentlyMontyappeared，breakingawayfromrestraininghands，andhestrodetowardMadeline。
　　MontyPricewasatypeofcowboywhohadneverbeenknowntospeaktoawomanunlesshewasfirstaddressed，andthenheansweredinblunt，awkwardshyness。Uponthisgreatoccasion，however，itappearedthathemeanttoprotestorpleadwithMadeline，forheshowedstressofemotion。MadelinehadnevergottenacquaintedwithMonty。Shewasalittleinawe，ifnotinfear，ofhim，andnowshefounditimperativeforhertokeepinmindthatmorethananyotherofthewildfellowsonherranchthisoneshouldbedealtwithasifhewereabigboy。