TheslopethatStewartentereduponwasamagnificentmonumenttotheruinedcragsabove。Itwasasoutherlyslope，andthereforesemi-arid，coveredwithcercocarpusandyuccaandsomeshrubthatMadelinebelievedwasmanzanita。EveryfootofthetrailseemedtoslideunderMajesty。Whathardgroundtherewascouldnotbetraveledupon，owingtothespinycoveringormassesofshatteredrocks。Gullieslinedtheslope。
　　Thentheskygrewblacker；theslow-gatheringcloudsappearedtobesuddenlyagitated；theypiledandrolledandmushroomedandobscuredthecrags。Theairmovedheavilyandseemedtobeladenwithsulphuroussmoke，andsharplightningflashesbegantoplay。
　　Adistantroarofwindcouldbeheardbetweenthepealsofthunder。
　　StewartwaitedforMadelineundertheleeofashelvingcliff，wherethecowboyshadhaltedthepack-train。Majestywassensitivetotheflashesoflightning。Madelinepattedhisneckandsoftlycalledtohim。Thewearyburrosnodded；theMexicanwomencoveredtheirheadswiththeirmantles。StewartuntiedtheslickeratthebackofMadeline'ssaddleandhelpedheronwithit。Thenheputonhisown。Theothercowboysfollowedsuit。
　　PresentlyMadelinesawMontyandDorothyroundingthecliff，andhopedtheotherswouldcomesoon。
　　Ablue-white，knottedropeoflightningburneddownoutoftheclouds，andinstantlyathunder-clapcrashed，seemingtoshakethefoundationsoftheearth。Thenitrolled，asifbangingfromcloudtocloud，andboomedalongthepeaks，andreverberatedfromdeeptolow，atlasttorumbleawayintosilence。MadelinefelttheelectricityinMajesty'smane，anditseemedtotinglethroughhernerves。Theairhadaweird，brightcast。Theponderouscloudsswallowedmoreandmoreoftheeasterndomes。
　　Thismomentofthebreakingofthestorm，withthestrangegrowingroarofwind，likeamoaningmonster，waspregnantwithaheart-disturbingemotionforMadelineHammond。Gloriousitwastobefree，healthy，outintheopen，undertheshadowofthemountainandcloud，intheteethofthewindandrainandstorm。
　　Anotherdazzlingblueblazeshowedtheboldmountain-sideandthestorm-drivenclouds。IntheflareoflightMadelinesawStewart'sface"Areyouafraid？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，"hereplied，simply。
　　Thenthethunderboltrackedtheheavens，andasitboomedawayinlesseningpowerMadelinereflectedwithsurpriseuponStewart'sanswer。Somethinginhisfacehadmadeheraskhimwhatsheconsideredafoolishquestion。Hisreplyamazedher。Shelovedastorm。Whyshouldhefearit——he，withwhomshecouldnotassociatefear？
　　"Howstrange！Haveyounotbeenoutinmanystorms？"
　　Asmilethatwasonlyagleamflittedoverhisdarkface。
　　"Inhundredsofthem。Byday，withthecattlestampeding。Atnight，aloneonthemountain，withthepinescrashingandtherocksrolling——infloodonthedesert。"
　　"It'snotonlythelightning，then？"sheasked。
　　"No。Allthestorm。"
　　Madelinefeltthathenceforthshewouldhavelessfaithinwhatshehadimaginedwasherloveoftheelements。Whatlittlesheknew！Ifthisiron-nervedmanfearedastorm，thentherewassomethingaboutastormtofear。
　　Andsuddenly，asthegroundquakedunderherhorse'sfeet，andalltheskygrewblackandcrisscrossedbyflamingstreaks，andbetweenthunderousreportstherewasastrangehollowroarsweepingdownuponher，sherealizedhowsmallwasherknowledgeandexperienceofthemightyforcesofnature。Then，withthatperversityofcharacterofwhichshewaswhollyconscious，shewashumble，submissive，reverent，andfearfulevenwhileshegloriedinthegrandeurofthedark，cloud-shadowedcragsandcanons，thestupendousstrifeofsound，thewonderfuldrivinglancesofwhitefire。
　　Withblackergloomanddeafeningroarcamethetorrentofrain。
　　Itwasacloud-burst。Itwaslikesolidwatertumblingdown。
　　ForlongMadelinesatherhorse，headbenttothepeltingrain。
　　WhenitsforcelessenedandsheheardStewartcallforalltofollow，shelookeduptoseethathewasstartingoncemore。SheshotaglimpseatDorothyandasquicklyglancedaway。Dorothy，whowouldnotwearahatsuitableforinclementweather，noroneofthehorridyellow，stickyslickers，wasadrenchedanddisheveledspectacle。Madelinedidnottrustherselftolookattheothergirls。Itwasenoughtoheartheirlament。SosheturnedherhorseintoStewart'strail。
　　Rainfellsteadily。Thefuryofthestorm，however，hadpassed，andtherollofthunderdiminishedinvolume。Theairhadwonderfullyclearedandwasgrowingcool。Madelinebegantofeeluncomfortablycoldandwet。Stewartwasclimbingfasterthanformerly，andshenotedthatMontykeptatherheels，pressingheron。Timehadbeenlost，andthecamp-sitewasalongwayoff。Thestag-houndsbegantolagandgetfootsore。Thesharprocksofthetrailwerecrueltotheirfeet。Then，asMadelinebegantotire，shenoticedlessandlessaroundher。Theascentgrewrougherandsteeper——slowtoilforpantinghorses。Thethinningraingrewcolder，andsometimesastrongerwhipofwindlashedstinginglyinMadeline'sface。Herhorseclimbedandclimbed，andbrushandsharpcornersofstoneeverlastinglypulledandtoreatherwetgarments。Agraygloomsettleddownaroundher。Nightwasapproaching。Majestyheavedupwardwithasnort，thewetsaddlecreaked，andanevenmotiontoldMadelineshewasonlevelground。Shelookeduptoseeloomingcragsandspires，likehugepipe-organs，darkatthebaseandgrowinglightupward。Therainhadceased，butthebranchesoffir-treesandjuniperwerewater-soakedarmsreachingoutforher。ThroughanopeningbetweencragsMadelinecaughtamomentaryglimpseofthewest。Redsun-shaftsshonethroughthemurky，brokenclouds。
　　Thesunhadset。
　　Stewart'shorsewasonajog-trotnow，andMadelineleftthetrailmoretoMajestythantoherownchoosing。Theshadowsdeepened，andthecragsgrewgloomyandspectral。Acoolwindmoanedthroughthedarktrees。Coyotes，scentingthehounds，keptapaceofthem，andbarkedandhowledoffinthegloom。Butthetiredhoundsdidnotappeartonotice。
　　Asblacknightbegantoenvelophersurroundings，Madelinemarkedthatthefir-treeshadgivenplacetopineforest。Suddenlyapin-pointoflightpiercedtheebonyblackness。Likeasolitarystarindarkskyittwinkledandblinked。Shelostsightofit——
　　founditagain。Itgrewlarger。Blacktree-trunkscrossedherlineofvision。Thelightwasafire。Sheheardacowboysongandthewildchorusofapackofcoyotes。Dropsofrainonthebranchesoftreesglitteredintheraysofthefire。Stewart'stallfigure，withsombrerosloucheddown，wasnowandthenoutlinedagainstagrowingcircleoflight。Andbytheaidofthatlightshesawhimturneverymomentorsotolookback，probablytoassurehimselfthatshewasclosebehind。
　　Withaprospectoffireandwarmth，andfoodandrest，Madeline'senthusiasmrevived。Whataclimb！Therewaspromiseinthiswildrideandlonelytrailandhiddencraggyheight，notonlyintheadventureherfriendsyearnedfor，butinsomenamelessjoyandspiritforherself。
　　XVITheCragsGladindeedwasMadelinetobeliftedoffherhorsebesidearoaringfire——toseesteamingpotsuponred-hotcoals。Exceptabouthershoulders，whichhadbeenprotectedbytheslicker，shewaswringingwet。TheMexicanwomencamequicklytohelpherchangeinatentnearby；butMadelinepreferredforthemomenttowarmhernumbfeetandhandsandtowatchthespectacleofherarrivingfriends。
　　Dorothyplumpedoffhersaddleintothearmsofseveralwaitingcowboys。Shecouldscarcelywalk。Farremovedinappearancewasshefromherusualstylishself。Herfacewashiddenbyalimpandlopsidedhat。Fromunderthedisheveledbrimcameaplaintivemoan："O-h-h！whata-ana-awfulride！"Mrs。Beckwasinworsecondition；shehadtobetakenoffherhorse。"I'mparalyzed——I'mawreck。Bobby，getaroller-chair。"Bobbywassolicitousandwilling，buttherewerenoroller-chairs。
　　Florencedismountedeasily，andbutforhermassofhair，wetandtumbling，wouldhavebeentakenforahandsomecowboy。EdithWaynehadstoodthephysicalstrainoftheridebetterthanDorothy；however，ashermountwasrathersmall，shehadbeenmoreatthemercyofcactusandbrush。Herhabithungintatters。Helenhadpreservedaremnantofstyle，aswellasofpride，andperhapsalittlestrength。Butherfacewaswhite，hereyeswerebig，andshelimped。"Majesty！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Whatdidyouwanttodotous？Killusoutrightormakeushomesick？"Ofallofthem，however，Ambrose'swife，Christine，thelittleFrenchmaid，hadsufferedthemostinthatlongride。
　　Shewasunaccustomedtohorses。Ambrosehadtocarryherintothebigtent。FlorencepersuadedMadelinetoleavethefire，andwhentheywentinwiththeothersDorothywaswailingbecauseherwetbootswouldnotcomeoff，Mrs。BeckwasweepingandtryingtodirectaMexicanwomantounfastenherbedraggleddress，andtherewasgeneralpandemonium。
　　"Warmclothes——hotdrinksandgrub——warmblankets，"rangoutStewart'ssharporder。
　　Then，withFlorencehelpingtheMexicanwomen，itwasnotlonguntilMadelineandthefemininesideofthepartywerecomfortable，exceptforthewearinessandachesthatonlyrestandsleepcouldalleviate。
　　Neitherfatiguenorpains，however，northestrangenessofbeingpackedsardine-likeundercanvas，northehowlsofcoyotes，keptMadeline'sguestsfromstretchingoutwithlong，gratefulsighs，andonebyonedroppingintodeepslumber。MadelinewhisperedalittletoFlorence，andlaughedwithheronceortwice，andthenthelightflickeringonthecanvasfadedandhereyelidsclosed。
　　Darknessandroarofcamplife，lowvoicesofmen，thumpofhorses'hoofs，coyoteserenade，thesenseofwarmthandsweetrest——alldriftedaway。
　　Whensheawakenedshadowsofswayingbranchesmovedonthesunlitcanvasaboveher。Sheheardtheringingstrokesofanax，butnoothersoundfromoutside。Slow，regularbreathingattestedtothedeepslumbersofhertentcomrades。SheobservedpresentlythatFlorencewasmissingfromthenumber。Madelineroseandpeepedoutbetweentheflaps。
　　Anexquisitelybeautifulscenesurprisedandenthralledhergaze。
　　Shesawalevelspace，greenwithlonggrass，brightwithflowers，dottedwithgrovesofgracefulfirsandpinesandspruces，reachingtosuperbcrags，rosyandgoldeninthesunlight。Eagertogetoutwhereshecouldenjoyanunrestrictedview，shesearchedforherpack，founditinacorner，andthenhurriedlyandquietlydressed。
　　Herfavoritestag-hounds，RussandTartar，wereasleepbeforethedoor，wheretheyhadbeenchained。Sheawakenedthemandloosenedthem，thinkingthewhilethatitmusthavebeenStewartwhohadchainedthemnearher。Closeathandalsowasacowboy'sbedrolledupinatarpaulin。
　　Thecoolair，fragrantwithpineandspruceandsomesubtlenamelesstang，sweetandtonic，madeMadelinestanderectandbreatheslowlyanddeeply。Itwaslikedrinkingofamagicdraught。Shefeltitinherblood，thatitquickeneditsflow。
　　Turningtolookintheotherdirection，beyondthetent，shesawtheremnantsoflastnight'stemporarycamp，andfartheronagroveofbeautifulpinesfromwhichcamethesharpringoftheax。Widergazetookinawonderfulpark，notonlysurroundedbyloftycrags，butfullofcragsoflesserheight，manyliftingtheirheadsfromdark-greengrovesoftrees。Themorningsun，notyetabovetheeasternelevations，sentitsrosyandgoldenshaftsinbetweenthetoweringrocks，totipthepines。
　　Madeline，withthehoundsbesideher，walkedthroughthenearestgrove。Thegroundwassoftandspringyandbrownwithpine-needles。Thenshesawthataclumpoftreeshadpreventedherfromseeingthemoststrikingpartofthisnaturalpark。Thecowboyshadselectedacampsitewheretheywouldhavethemorningsunandafternoonshade。Severaltentsandflieswerealreadyup；therewasahugelean-tomadeofspruceboughs；cowboyswerebusyroundseveralcamp-fires；pilesofpackslaycoveredwithtarpaulins，andbedswererolledupunderthetrees。Thisspacewasakindofrollingmeadow，withisolatedtreeshereandthere，andothertreesinaislesandcircles；anditmountedupinlow，grassybankstogreattowersofstonefivehundredfeethigh。
　　Othercragsrosebehindthese。Fromunderamossycliff，hugeandgreenandcool，bubbledafull，clearspring。Wildflowersfringeditsbanks。Outinthemeadowthehorseswereknee-deepingrassthatwavedinthemorningbreeze。
　　FlorenceespiedMadelineunderthetreesandcamerunning。Shewaslikeayounggirl，withlifeandcolorandjoy。Sheworeaflannelblouse，corduroyskirt，andmoccasins。AndherhairwasfastenedunderabandlikeanIndian's。
　　"Castleton'sgonewithagun，forhours，itseems，"saidFlorence。"Genejustwenttohunthimup。Theothergentlemenarestillasleep。Iimaginetheysurewillsleepupheahinthisair。"
　　Then，business-like，FlorencefelltoquestioningMadelineaboutdetailsofcamparrangementwhichStewart，andFlorenceherself，couldhardlyseetowithoutsuggestion。
　　BeforeanyofMadeline'ssleepyguestsawakenedthecampwascompleted。MadelineandFlorencehadatentunderapine-tree，buttheydidnotintendtosleepinitexceptduringstormyweather。Theyspreadatarpaulin，madetheirbedonit，andelectedtosleepunderthelightofthestars。Afterthat，takingthehoundswiththem，theyexplored。ToMadeline'ssurprise，theparkwasnotalittlehalf-milenooknestlingamongthecrags，butextendedfartherthantheycaredtowalk，andwasratheraseriesofparks。Theywerenomorethansmallvalleysbetweengray-toothedpeaks。AsthedayadvancedthecharmoftheplacegrewuponMadeline。Evenatnoon，withthesunbeatingdown，therewascomfortablewarmthratherthanheat。ItwasthekindofwarmththatMadelinelikedtofeelinthespring。Andthesweet，thin，rareatmospherebegantoaffectherstrangely。
　　Shebreatheddeeplyofituntilshefeltlight-headed，asifherbodylackedsubstanceandmightdriftawaylikeathistledown。
　　Allatonceshegrewuncomfortablysleepy。Adreamylanguorpossessedher，and，lyingunderapinewithherheadagainstFlorence，shewenttosleep。Whensheopenedhereyestheshadowsofthecragsstretchedfromthewest，andbetweenthemstreamedared-goldlight。Itwashazy，smokysunshinelosingitsfire。Theafternoonhadfaradvanced。Madelinesatup。
　　Florencewaslazilyreading。ThetwoMexicanwomenwereatworkundertheflywherethebigstonefireplacehadbeenerected。Nooneelsewasinsight。
　　Florence，uponbeingquestioned，informedMadelinethatincidentaboutcamphadbeendelightfullyabsent。Castletonhadreturnedandwasprofoundlysleepingwiththeothermen。PresentlyachorusofmerrycallsattractedMadeline'sattention，andsheturnedtoseeHelenlimpingalongwithDorothy，andMrs。BeckandEdithsupportingeachother。Theywereallrested，butlame，anddelightedwiththeplace，andashungryasbearsawakenedfromawinter'ssleep。Madelineforthwithescortedthemroundthecamp，andthroughthemanyaislesbetweenthetrees，andtothemossy，pine-mattednooksunderthecrags。
　　Thentheyhaddinner，sittingonthegroundafterthemannerofIndians；anditwasadinnerthatlackedmerrimentonlybecauseeverybodywastoobusilyappeasingappetite。
　　LaterStewartledthemacrossaneckofthepark，uparathersteepclimbbetweentoweringcrags，totakethemoutuponagrassypromontorythatfacedthegreatopenwest——avast，ridged，streaked，andreddenedsweepofearthrollingdown，asitseemed，tothegoldensunsetendoftheworld。Castletonsaiditwasajollyfineview；Dorothyvoicedherusuallanguidenthusiasm；
　　Helenwasonfirewithpleasureandwonder；Mrs。BeckappealedtoBobbytoseehowhelikeditbeforesheventured，andshethenreiteratedhispraise；andEdithWayne，likeMadelineandFlorence，wassilent。Boydwaspolitelyinterested；hewasthekindofmanwhoappearedtocareforthingsasotherpeoplecaredforthem。
　　Madelinewatchedtheslowtransformationofthechangingwest，withitshazeofdesertdust，throughwhichmountainandcloudandsunslowlydarkened。Shewatcheduntilhereyesached，andscarcelyhadathoughtofwhatshewaswatching。WhenhereyesshiftedtoencounterthetallformofStewartstandingmotionlessontherim，hermindbecameactiveagain。Asusual，hestoodapartfromtheothers，andnowheseemedaloofandunconscious。
　　Hemadeadark，powerfulfigure，andhefittedthatwildpromontory。
　　Sheexperiencedastrange，annoyingsurprisewhenshediscoveredbothHelenandDorothywatchingStewartwithpeculiarinterest。
　　Edith，too，wasalivetothesplendidpicturethecowboymade。
　　ButwhenEdithsmiledandwhisperedinherear，"It'ssogoodtolookatamanlikethat，"Madelineagainfeltthesurprise，onlythistimetheaccompanimentwasavaguepleasureratherthanannoyance。HelenandDorothywereflirts，onedeliberateandskilled，theotherunconsciousandnatural。EdithWayne，occasionally——andMadelinereflectedthattheoccasionswereinfrequent——admiredamansincerely。JusthereMadelinemighthavefallenintoasomewhatrevealingstateofmindifithadnotbeenforthefactthatshebelievedStewartwasonlyanobjectofdeepinteresttoher，notasaman，butasapartofthiswildandwonderfulWestwhichwasclaimingher。SoshedidnotinquireofherselfwhyHelen'scoquetryandDorothy'slanguishingallurementannoyedher，orwhyEdith'seloquentsmileandwordshadpleasedher。Shegotasfar，however，astothinkscornfullyhowHelenandDorothywouldwelcomeandmeetaflirtationwiththiscowboyandthengobackhomeandforgethimasutterlyasifhehadneverexisted。Shewondered，too，withacurioustwistoffeelingthatwasalmosteagerness，howthecowboywouldmeettheiradvances。Obviouslythesituationwasunfairtohim；andifbysomestrangeaccidentheescapedunscathedbyDorothy'sbeautifuleyeshewouldneverbeabletowithstandHelen'ssubtleandfascinatingandimperiouspersonality。
　　Theyreturnedtocampinthecooloftheeveningandmademerryroundablazingcamp-fire。ButMadeline'sguestssoonsuccumbedtothepersistentandirresistibledesiretosleep。
　　ThenMadelinewenttobedwithFlorenceunderthepine-tree。
　　RusslayupononesideandTartarupontheother。Thecoolnightbreezesweptoverher，fanningherface，wavingherhair。Itwasnotstrongenoughtomakeanysoundthroughthebranches，butitstirredafaint，silkenrustleinthelonggrass。Thecoyotesbegantheirweirdbarkandhowl。Russraisedhisheadtogrowlattheirimpudence。
　　Madelinefacedupward，anditseemedtoherthatunderthosewonderfulwhitestarsshewouldneverbeabletogotosleep。
　　Theyblinkeddownthroughtheblack-barred，delicatecrisscrossofpinefoliage，andtheylookedsobigandsoclose。Thenshegazedawaytoopenspace，whereanexpanseofskyglitteredwithstars，andthelongershegazedthelargertheygrewandthemoreshesaw。
　　Itwasherbeliefthatshehadcometoloveallthephysicalthingsfromwhichsensationsofbeautyandmysteryandstrengthpouredintoherresponsivemind；butbestofallshelovedtheseWesternstars，fortheyweretohavesomethingtodowithherlife，weresomehowtoinfluenceherdestiny。
　　ForafewdaystheprevailingfeaturesofcamplifeforMadeline'sguestsweresleepandrest。DorothyCoombssleptthroughtwenty-fourhours，andthenwassodifficulttoawakenthatforawhileherfriendswerealarmed。Helenalmostfellasleepwhileeatingandtalking。Themenweremorevisiblyaffectedbythemountainairthanthewomen。Castleton，however，wouldnotsuccumbtothestrangedrowsinesswhilehehadachancetoprowlaroundwithagun。
　　Thislanguorousspelldisappearedpresently，andthenthedayswerefulloflifeandaction。Mrs。BeckandBobbyandBoyd，however，didnotgoinforanythingverystrenuous。EdithWayne，too，preferredtowalkthroughthegrovesorsituponthegrassypromontory。ItwasHelenandDorothywhowantedtoexplorethecragsandcanons，andwhentheycouldnotgettheotherstoaccompanythemtheywentalone，givingthecowboyguidesmanyalongclimb。
　　Necessarily，ofcourse，Madelineandherguestswerenowthrownmuchincompanywiththecowboys。Andthepartygrewtobelikeonebigfamily。Herfriendsnotonlyadaptedthemselvesadmirablytothesituation，butcametorevelinit。AsforMadeline，shesawthatoutsideofacertainproclivityofthecowboystobegallantandondress-paradeandalivetopossibilitiesoffunandexcitement，theywerenotgreatlydifferentfromwhattheywereatalltimes。IftherewerealevelingprocesshereitwasmadebyherfriendscomingdowntomeettheWesterners。Besides，anyclassofpeoplewouldtendtogrownaturalinsuchcircumstancesandenvironment。
　　Madelinefoundthesituationoneofkeenanddoubleinterestforher。Ifbeforeshehadcaredtostudyhercowboys，particularlyStewart，now，withthecontrastsaffordedbyherguests，shefeltbyturnsshewasamusedandmystifiedandperplexedandsaddened，andthenagainsubtlypleased。
　　Monty，oncehehadovercomehisshyness，becameasourceofdelighttoMadeline，and，forthatmatter，toeverybody。Montyhadsuddenlydiscoveredthathewasasuccessamongtheladies。
　　Eitherhewasexaltedtoheroicheightsbythisknowledgeorhemadeitappearso。Dorothyhadbeenhisundoing，andinjusticetoherMadelinebelievedherinnocent。DorothythoughtMontyhideoustolookat，and，accordingly，ifhehadbeenaheroahundredtimesandhadsavedahundredpoorlittlebabies'lives，hecouldnothaveinterestedher。Montyfollowedheraround，remindingher，shetoldMadeline，ofalittleadoringdogonemomentandthenextofahuge，devouringgorilla。
　　NelsandNickstalkedatHelen'sheelslikegrenadiersonduty，andifsheasmuchasdroppedherglovetheyalmostcametoblowstoseewhoshouldpickitup。
　　InawayCastletonwasthebestfeatureofthecampingparty。Hewassuchanabsurd-lookinglittleman，andhisabilitieswereatsuchtremendousoddswithwhatmighthavebeenexpectedofhimfromhislooks。Hecouldride，tramp，climb，shoot。Helikedtohelparoundthecamp，andthecowboyscouldnotkeephimfromit。
　　Hehadaninsatiabledesiretodothingsthatwerenewtohim。
　　Thecowboysplayedinnumerabletricksuponhim，notoneofwhichheeverdiscovered。Hewasserious，slowinspeechandaction，andabsolutelyimperturbable。Ifimperturbabilitycouldeverbegoodhumor，thenhewasalwaysgood-humored。Presentlythecowboysbegantounderstandhim，andthentolikehim。Whentheylikedamanitmeantsomething。MadelinehadbeensorrymorethanoncetoseehowlittlethecowboyschosetospeaktoBoydHarvey。WithCastleton，however，theyactuallybecamefriends。
　　Theydidnotknowit，andcertainlysuchathingneveroccurredtohim；allthesame，itwasafact。AnditgrewsolelyoutofthetruththattheEnglishmanwasmanlyintheonlywaycowboyscouldhaveinterpretedmanliness。When，afterinnumerableattempts，hesucceededinthrowingthediamond-hitchonapack-horsethecowboysbegantorespecthim。Castletonneededonlyonemoreaccomplishmenttoclaimtheirhearts，andhekepttryingthat——torideabuckingbronco。OneofthecowboyshadabroncothattheycalledDevil。EverydayforaweekDevilthrewtheEnglishmanalloverthepark，ruinedhisclothes，bruisedhim，andfinallykickedhim。ThenthecowboyssolicitouslytriedtomakeCastletongiveup；andthiswasremarkableenough，forthespectacleofanEnglishlordonabuckingbroncowasonethatanyWesternerwouldhaveriddenathousandmilestosee。
　　WheneverDevilthrewCastletonthecowboyswentintospasms。ButCastletondidnotknowthemeaningofthewordfail，andtherecameadaywhenDevilcouldnotthrowhim。ThenitwasasingularsighttoseethemenlineuptoshakehandswiththecoolEnglishman。EvenStewart，whohadwatchedfromthebackground，cameforwardwithawarmandpleasantsmileonhisdarkface。WhenCastletonwenttohistenttherewasmuchcharacteristiccowboytalk，andthistimevastlydifferentfromtheformerpersiflage。
　　"ByGawd！"ejaculatedMontyPrice，whoseemedtobethemostamazedandelatedofthemall。"Thet'sthefustEnglishmanI
　　everseen！He'sorfuldeceivin'tolookat，butIknownowwhyEnglandrulesthewurrld。Jesttakeapeekatthetbronco。Hisspiritisbroke。RidbyaleetleEnglishdooknobigger'nagrasshopper！Fellers，ifithain'tdawnedonyouyit，letMontyPricegiveyouahunch。There'snofliesonCastleton。An'I'llbetamillionsteerstoarawhideropethetnexthe'llbethrowin'agunasgoodasNels。"
　　ItwasadistinctpleasureforMadelinetorealizethatshelikedCastletonallthebetterforthetraitsbroughtoutsoforciblybyhisassociationwiththecowboys。Ontheotherhand，shelikedthecowboysbetterforsomethinginthemthatcontactwithEasternersbroughtout。ThiswasespeciallytrueinStewart'scase。ShehadbeenwhollywrongwhenshehadimaginedhewouldfallaneasyvictimtoDorothy'seyesandHelen'slures。Hewaskind，helpful，courteous，andwatchful。Buthehadnosentiment。
　　HedidnotseeDorothy'scharmsorfeelHelen'sfascination。AndtheireffortstocaptivatehimwerenowsoobviousthatMrs。Becktauntedthem，andEdithsmiledknowingly，andBobbyandBoydmadeplayfulremarks。AllofwhichcutHelen'sprideandhurtDorothy'svanity。TheyessayedopenconquestofStewart。
　　SoitcameaboutthatMadelineunconsciouslyadmittedthecowboytoaplaceinhermindneveroccupiedbyanyother。Theinstantitoccurredtoherwhyhewasproofagainstthewilesoftheotherwomenshedrovethatamazingandstrangelydisturbingthoughtfromher。Nevertheless，asshewashuman，shecouldnothelpthinkingandbeingpleasedandenjoyingalittlethediscomfitureofthetwocoquettes。
　　Moreover，fromthisthoughtofStewart，andthewatchfulnessgrowingoutofitshediscoveredmoreabouthim。Hewasnothappy；heoftenpacedupanddownthegroveatnight；heabsentedhimselffromcampsometimesduringtheafternoonwhenNelsandNickandMontywerethere；hewasalwayswatchingthetrails，asifheexpectedtoseesomeonecomeridingup。Healoneofthecowboysdidnotindulgeinthefunandtalkaroundthecamp-fire。
　　Heremainedpreoccupiedandsad，andwasalwayslookingawayintodistance。Madelinehadastrangesenseofhisguardianshipoverher；and，rememberingDonCarlos，sheimaginedheworriedagooddealoverhischarge，and，indeed，overthesafetyofalltheparty。
　　Butifhedidworryaboutpossiblevisitsfromwanderingguerrillas，whydidheabsenthimselffromcamp？SuddenlyintoMadeline'sinquisitivemindflashedaremembranceofthedark-eyedMexicangirl，Bonita，whohadneverbeenheardofsincethatnightsherodeStewart'sbighorseoutofElCajon。Theremembranceofherbroughtanidea。PerhapsStewarthadarendezvousinthemountains，andtheselonelytripsofhisweretomeetBonita。WiththeideahotbloodflamedintoMadeline'scheek。Thenshewasamazedatherownfeelings——amazedbecauseherswiftestsucceedingthoughtwastodenytheidea——amazedthatitsconceptionhadfiredhercheekwithshame。Thenheroldself，theonealooffromthisred-bloodednewself，gainedcontroloverheremotions。
　　ButMadelinefoundthatnew-bornselfacreatureofstrangepowertoreturnandgovernatanymoment。Shefounditfightingloyallyforwhatintelligenceandwisdomtoldherwasonlyherromanticconceptionofacowboy。Shereasoned：IfStewartwerethekindofmanherfeminineskepticismwantedtomakehim，hewouldnothavebeensoblindtothecoquettishadvancesofHelenandDorothy。Hehadoncebeen——shedidnotwanttorecallwhathehadoncebeen。Buthehadbeenuplifted。MadelineHammonddeclaredthat。Shewasswayedbyastrong，beatingpride，andherinstinctivewoman'sfaithtoldherthathecouldnotstooptosuchdishonor。Shereproachedherselfforhavingmomentarilythoughtofit。
　　Oneafternoonahugestorm-cloudswoopedoutoftheskyandenvelopedthecrags。Itobscuredthewesteringsunandlaidamantleofdarknessoverthepark。Madelinewasuneasybecauseseveralofherparty，includingHelenandDorothy，hadriddenoffwiththecowboysthatafternoonandhadnotreturned。Florenceassuredherthateveniftheydidnotgetbackbeforethestormbroketherewasnoreasonforapprehension。Nevertheless，MadelinesentforStewartandaskedhimtogoorsendsomeoneinsearchofthem。
　　PerhapshalfanhourlaterMadelineheardthewelcomepatteringofhoofsonthetrail。Thebigtentwasbrightlylightedbyseverallanterns。EdithandFlorencewerewithher。ItwassoblackoutsidethatMadelinecouldnotseearodbeforeherface。
　　Thewindwasmoaninginthetrees，andbigdropsofrainwerepeltinguponthecanvas。
　　Presently，justoutsidethedoor，thehorseshalted，andtherewasasharpbustleofsound，suchaswouldnaturallyresultfromahurrieddismountingandconfusioninthedark。Mrs。Beckcamerunningintothetentoutofbreathandradiantbecausetheyhadbeatenthestorm。Helenenterednext，andalittlelatercameDorothy，butlongenoughtomakeherentrancemorenoticeable。
　　TheinstantMadelinesawDorothy'sblazingeyessheknewsomethingunusualhadhappened。WhateveritwasmighthaveescapedcommenthadnotHelencaughtsightofDorothy。
　　"Heavens，Dot，butyou'rehandsomeoccasionally！"remarkedHelen。
　　"Whenyougetsomelifeinyourfaceandeyes！"
　　Dorothyturnedherfaceawayfromtheothers，andperhapsitwasonlyaccidentthatshelookedintoamirrorhangingonthetentwall。Swiftlysheputherhanduptofeelawideredweltonhercheek。Dorothyhadbeenassiduouslycarefulofhersoft，whiteskin，andherewasanuglymarkmarringitsbeauty。
　　"Lookatthat！"shecried，indistress。"Mycomplexion'sruined！"
　　"Howdidyougetsuchasplotch？"inquiredHelen，goingcloser。
　　"I'vebeenkissed！"exclaimedDorothy，dramatically。
　　"What？"queriedHelen，morecuriously，whiletheotherslaughed。
　　"I'vebeenkissed——huggedandkissedbyoneofthoseshamelesscowboys！Itwassopitch-darkoutsideIcouldn'tseeathing。
　　AndsonoisyIcouldn'thear。Butsomebodywastryingtohelpmeoffmyhorse。Myfootcaughtinthestirrup，andawayIwent——
　　rightintosomebody'sarms。Thenhedidit，thewretch！Hehuggedandkissedmeinamostawfulbearishmanner。Icouldn'tbudgeafinger。I'msimplyboilingwithrage！"
　　WhentheoutburstofmirthsubsidedDorothyturnedherbig，dilatedeyesuponFlorence。
　　"Dothesecowboysreallytakeadvantageofagirlwhenshe'shelplessandinthedark？"
　　"Ofcoursetheydo，"repliedFlorence，withherfranksmile。
　　"Dot，whatintheworldcouldyouexpect？"askedHelen。"Haven'tyoubeendyingtobekissed？"
　　"No。"
　　"Well，youactedlikeit，then。Ineverbeforesawyouinarageoverbeingkissed。"
　　"I——Iwouldn'tcaresomuchifthebrutehadn'tscouredtheskinoffmyface。Hehadwhiskersassharpandstiffassandpaper。
　　AndwhenIjerkedawayherubbedmycheekwiththem。"
　　Thisrevelationastothecauseofheroutrageddignityalmostprostratedherfriendswithglee。
　　"Dot，Iagreewithyou；it'sonethingtobekissed，andquiteanothertohaveyourbeautyspoiled，"repliedHelen，presently。
　　"Whowasthisparticularsavage？"
　　"Idon'tknow！"burstoutDorothy。"IfIdidI'd——I'd——"
　　Hereyesexpressedthedirefulpunishmentshecouldnotspeak。
　　"Honestlynow，Dot，haven'tyoutheleastideawhodidit？"
　　questionedHelen。
　　"Ihope——IthinkitwasStewart，"repliedDorothy。
　　"Ah！Dot，yourhopeisfathertothethought。Mydear，I'msorrytoriddleyourlittleromance。Stewartdidnot——couldnothavebeentheoffenderorhero。"
　　"Howdoyouknowhecouldn't？"demandedDorothy，flushing。
　　"Becausehewasclean-shavento-dayatnoon，beforewerodeout。
　　Irememberperfectlyhowniceandsmoothandbrownhisfacelooked。"
　　"Oh，doyou？Well，ifyourmemoryforfacesissogood，maybeyoucantellmewhichoneofthesecowboyswasn'tclean-shaven。"
　　"Merelyamatterofelimination，"repliedHelen，merrily。"ItwasnotNick；itwasnotNels；itwasnotFrankie。Therewasonlyoneothercowboywithus，andhehadashort，stubbygrowthofblackbeard，muchlikethatcactuswepassedonthetrail。"
　　"Oh，Iwasafraidofit，"moanedDorothy。"Iknewhewasgoingtodoit。Thathorriblelittlesmilingdemon，MontyPrice！"
　　Afavoritelounging-spotofMadeline'swasashadednicheundertheleeofcragsfacingtheeast。Heretheoutlookwasentirelydifferentfromthatonthewesternside。Itwasnotredandwhiteandglaring，norsochangeablethatittaxedattention。
　　Thiseasternviewwasoneofthemountainsandvalleys，where，tobesure，therewerearidpatches；buttherestfulgreenofpineandfirwasthere，andthecoolgrayofcrags。Boldandruggedindeedwerethesemountainfeatures，yettheywerecompanionablyclose，notimmeasurablydistantandunattainablelikethedesert。
　　HereintheshadeofafternoonMadelineandEdithwouldoftenloungeunderalow-branchedtree。Seldomtheytalkedmuch，foritwasafternoonanddreamywiththestrangespellofthismountainfastness。Therewassmokyhazeinthevalleys，afleecycloudrestingoverthepeaks，asailingeagleinthebluesky，silencethatwastheunbrokensilenceofthewildheights，andasoftwindladenwithincenseofpine。
　　Oneafternoon，however，Edithappearedpronetotalkseriously。
　　"Majesty，Imustgohomesoon。Icannotstayouthereforever。
　　Areyougoingbackwithme？"
　　"Well，maybe，"repliedMadeline，thoughtfully。"Ihaveconsideredit。Ishallhavetovisithomesometime。ButthissummermotherandfatheraregoingtoEurope。"
　　"Seehere，MajestyHammond，doyouintendtospendtherestofyourlifeinthiswilderness？"askedEdith，bluntly。
　　Madelinewassilent。
　　"Oh，itisglorious！Don'tmisunderstandme，dear，"wentonEdith，earnestly，asshelaidherhandonMadeline's。"Thistriphasbeenarevelationtome。Ididnottellyou，Majesty，thatI
　　wasillwhenIarrived。NowI'mwell。Sowell！LookatHelen，too。Why，shewasaghostwhenwegothere。Nowsheisbrownandstrongandbeautiful。IfitwerefornothingelsethanthiswonderfulgiftofhealthIwouldlovetheWest。ButIhavecometoloveitforotherthings——evenspiritualthings。Majesty，I
　　havebeenstudyingyou。Iseeandfeelwhatthislifehasmadeofyou。WhenIcameIwonderedatyourstrength，yourvirility，yourserenity，yourhappiness。AndIwasstunned。Iwonderedatthecausesofyourchange。NowIknow。Youweresickofidleness，sickofuselessness，ifnotofsociety——sickofthehorriblenoisesandsmellsandcontactsonecannolongerescapeinthecities。Iamsickofallthat，too，andIcouldtellyoumanywomenofourkindwhosufferinalikemanner。Youhavedonewhatmanyofuswanttodo，buthavenotthecourage。Youhaveleftit。Iamnotblindtothesplendiddifferenceyouhavemadeinyourlife。IthinkIwouldhavediscovered，evenifyourbrotherhadnottoldme，whatgoodyouhavedonetotheMexicansandcattlemenofyourrange。Thenyouhaveworktodo。Thatismuchthesecretofyourhappiness，isitnot？Tellme。Tellmesomethingofwhatitmeanstoyou？"
　　"Work，ofcourse，hasmuchtodowithanyone'shappiness，"
　　repliedMadeline。"Noonecanbehappywhohasnowork。Asregardsmyself——fortherestIcanhardlytellyou。Ihavenevertriedtoputitinwords。Frankly，Ibelieve，ifIhadnothadmoneythatIcouldnothavefoundsuchcontentmenthere。ThatisnotinanysenseajudgmentagainsttheWest。ButifIhadbeenpoorIcouldnothaveboughtandmaintainedmyranch。Stillwelltellsmetherearemanylargerranchesthanmine，butnonejustlikeit。ThenIamalmostpayingmyexpensesoutofmybusiness。
　　Thinkofthat！Myincome，insteadofbeingwasted，ismostlysaved。Ithink——IhopeIamuseful。IhavebeenofsomelittlegoodtotheMexicans——easedthehardshipsofafewcowboys。Fortherest，Ithinkmylifeisakindofdream。Ofcoursemyranchandrangearereal，mycowboysaretypical。IfIweretotellyouhowIfeelaboutthemitwouldsimplybeastoryofhowMadelineHammondseestheWest。TheyaretruetotheWest。ItisIwhoamstrange，andwhatIfeelforthemmaybestrange，too。Edith，holdtoyourownimpressions。"
　　"But，Majesty，myimpressionshavechanged。AtfirstIdidnotlikethewind，thedust，thesun，theendlessopenstretches。
　　ButnowIdolikethem。WhereonceIsawonlyterriblewastesofbarrengroundnowIseebeautyandsomethingnoble。Then，atfirst，yourcowboysstruckmeasdirty，rough，loud，crude，savage——allthatwasprimitive。Ididnotwantthemnearme。I
　　imaginedthemcallous，hardmen，theironlyjoyacarousewiththeirkind。ButIwaswrong。Ihavechanged。Thedirtwasonlydust，andthisdesertdustisclean。Theyarestillrough，loud，crude，andsavageinmyeyes，butwithadifference。Theyarenaturalmen。Theyarelittlechildren。MontyPriceisoneofnature'snoblemen。Thehardthingistodiscoverit。Allhishideousperson，allhisactionsandspeech，aremasksofhisrealnature。Nelsisajoy，asimple，sweet，kindly，quietmanwhomsomewomanshouldhaveloved。Whatwouldlovehavemeanttohim！
　　Hetoldmethatnowomaneverlovedhimexcepthismother，andhelostherwhenhewasten。Everymanoughttobeloved——
　　especiallysuchamanasNels。Somehowhisgunrecorddoesnotimpressme。Inevercouldbelievehekilledaman。Thentakeyourforeman，Stewart。Heisacowboy，hisworkandlifethesameastheothers。Buthehaseducationandmostofthegracesweareinthehabitofsayingmakeagentleman。Stewartisastrangefellow，justlikethisstrangecountry。He'saman，Majesty，andIadmirehim。So，yousee，myimpressionsaredevelopingwithmystayouthere。"
　　"Edith，Iamsogladyoutoldmethat，"repliedMadeline，warmly。
　　"Ilikethecountry，andIlikethemen，"wentonEdith。"OnereasonIwanttogohomesoonisbecauseIamdiscontentedenoughathomenow，withoutfallinginlovewiththeWest。For，ofcourse，Majesty，Iwould。Icouldnotliveouthere。Andthatbringsmetomypoint。Admittingallthebeautyandcharmandwholesomenessandgoodofthiswonderfulcountry，stillitisnoplaceforyou，MadelineHammond。Youhaveyourposition，yourwealth，yourname，yourfamily。Youmustmarry。Youmusthavechildren。Youmustnotgiveupallthatforaquixoticlifeinawilderness。"
　　"Iamconvinced，Edith，thatIshallliveherealltherestofmylife。"
　　"Oh，Majesty！Ihatetopreachthisway。ButIpromisedyourmotherIwouldtalktoyou。AndthetruthisIhate——IhatewhatI'msaying。Ienvyyouyourcourageandwisdom。IknowyouhaverefusedtomarryBoydHarvey。Icouldseethatinhisface。I
　　believeyouwillrefuseCastleton。Whomwillyoumarry？Whatchanceisthereforawomanofyourpositiontomarryouthere？
　　Whatintheworldwillbecomeofyou？"
　　"Quiensabe？"repliedMadeline，withasmilethatwasalmostsad。
　　NotsomanyhoursafterthisconversationwithEdithMadelinesatwithBoydHarveyuponthegrassypromontoryoverlookingthewest，andshelistenedonceagaintohissuavecourtship。
　　Suddenlysheturnedtohimandsaid，"Boyd，ifImarriedyouwouldyoubewilling——gladtospendtherestofyourlifehereintheWest？"
　　"Majesty！"heexclaimed。Therewasamazeinthevoiceusuallysoevenandwellmodulated——amazeinthehandsomefaceusuallysoindifferent。Herquestionhadstartledhim。Shesawhimlookdowntheiron-graycliffs，overthebarrenslopesandcedaredridges，beyondthecactus-coveredfoothillstothegrimandghastlydesert。Justthen，withitsredveilsofsunlitdust-clouds，itsillimitablewasteofruinedandupheavedearth，itwasasinisterspectacle。
　　"No，"hereplied，withatingeofshameinhischeek。Madelinesaidnomore，nordidhespeak。Shewassparedthepainofrefusinghim，andsheimaginedhewouldneveraskheragain。
　　Therewasbothreliefandregretintheconviction。Humiliatedloversseldommadegoodfriends。
　　ItwasimpossiblenottolikeBoydHarvey。Thethoughtofthat，andwhyshecouldnotmarryhim，concentratedhernever-satisfiedmindupontheman。Shelookedathim，andshethoughtofhim。
　　Hewashandsome，young，rich，wellborn，pleasant，cultivated——hewasallthatmadeagentlemanofhisclass。Ifhehadanyvicesshehadnotheardofthem。Sheknewhehadnothirstfordrinkorcrazeforgambling。Hewasconsideredaverydesirableandeligibleyoungman。Madelineadmittedallthis。
　　Thenshethoughtofthingsthatwereperhapsexclusivelyherownstrangeideas。BoydHarvey'swhiteskindidnottaneveninthissouthwesternsunandwind。Hishandswerewhiterthanherown，andassoft。Theywerereallybeautiful，andsherememberedwhatcarehetookofthem。Theywereaproofthatheneverworked。
　　Hisframewastall，graceful，elegant。Itdidnotbearevidenceofruggedness。Hehadneverindulgedinasportmorestrenuousthanyachting。Hehatedeffortandactivity。Herodehorsebackverylittle，dislikedanybutmoderatemotoring，spentmuchtimeinNewportandEurope，neverwalkedwhenhecouldhelpit，andhadnoambitionunlessitweretopassthedayspleasantly。Ifheeverhadanysonstheywouldbelikehim，onlyagenerationmoretowardtheinevitableextinctionofhisrace。
　　Madelinereturnedtocampinjustthemoodtomakeasharp，decidingcontrast。Ithappened——fatefully，perhaps——thatthefirstmanshesawwasStewart。Hehadjustriddenintocamp，andasshecameupheexplainedthathehadgonedowntotheranchfortheimportantmailaboutwhichshehadexpressedanxiety。
　　"Downandbackinoneday！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Yes，"hereplied。"Itwasn'tsobad。"
　　"Butwhydidyounotsendoneoftheboys，andlethimmaketheregulartwo-daytrip？"
　　"Youwereworriedaboutyourmail，"heanswered，briefly，ashedeliveredit。Thenhebenttoexaminethefetlocksofhiswearyhorse。
　　Itwasmidsummernow，Madelinereflectedandexceedinglyhotanddustyonthelowertrail。Stewarthadriddendownthemountainandbackagainintwelvehours。Probablynohorseintheoutfit，excepthisbigblackorMajesty，couldhavestoodthattrip。Andhishorseshowedtheeffectsofagruelingday。Hewascakedwithdustandlameandweary。
　　Stewartlookedasifhehadsparedthehorsehisweightonmanyamileofthatroughascent。Hisbootswereevidenceofit。Hisheavyflannelshirt，wetthroughwithperspiration，adheredcloselytohisshouldersandarms，sothateveryrippleofmuscleplainlyshowed。Hisfacewasblack，exceptroundthetemplesandforehead，whereitwasbrightred。Dropsofsweat，runningoffhisblackenedhandsdrippedtotheground。Hegotupfromexaminingthelamefoot，andthenthrewoffthesaddle。Theblackhorsesnortedandlungedforthewatering-pool。Stewartlethimdrinkalittle，thenwithironarmsdraggedhimaway。Inthisactiontheman'slithe，powerfulformimpressedMadelinewithawonderfulsenseofmuscularforce。Hisbrawnywristwasbare；
　　hisbig，stronghand，firstclutchingthehorse'smane，thenpattinghisneck，hadabruisedknuckle，andonefingerwasboundup。Thathandexpressedasmuchgentlenessandthoughtfulnessforthehorseasithadstrengthtodraghimbackfromtoomuchdrinkingatadangerousmoment。
　　Stewartwasacombinationoffire，strength，andaction。Theseattributesseemedtoclingabouthim。Therewassomethingvitalandcompellinginhispresence。Wornandspentanddrawnashewasfromthelongride，hethrilledMadelinewithhispotentialyouthandunusedvitalityandpromiseofthingstobe，red-bloodeddeeds，bothoffleshandspirit。Inhimshesawthestrengthofhisforefathersunimpaired。Thelifeinhimwasmarvelouslysignificant。Thedust，thedirt，thesweat，thesoiledclothes，thebruisedandbandagedhand，thebrawnandbone——thesehadnotbeendespisedbytheknightsofancientdays，norbymodernwomenwhoseeyesshedsoftlightuponcoarseandbloodytoilers。
　　MadelineHammondcomparedthemanoftheEastwiththemanoftheWest；andthatcomparisonwasthelastpartingregretforheroldstandards。
　　XVIITheLostMineofthePadresInthecool，starryeveningsthecamperssataroundablazingfireandtoldandlistenedtostoriesthrillinglyfittedtothedarkcragsandthewildsolitude。
　　MontyPricehadcometoshinebrilliantlyasastoryteller。Hewasanatrociousliar，butthisfactwouldnothavebeenevidenttohisenthralledlistenersifhiscowboycomrades，inbasejealousy，hadnotbetrayedhim。Thetruthabouthisremarkablefabrications，however，hadnotbecomeknowntoCastleton，solelybecauseoftheEnglishman'sobtuseness。Andtherewasanotherthingmuchstrangerthanthisandquiteasamusing。DorothyCoombsknewMontywasaliar；butshewassofascinatedbytheglittering，basiliskeyesheriveteduponher，sotakeninbyhishorribletalesofblood，thatdespiteherknowledgeshecouldnothelpbelievingthem。
　　ManifestlyMontywasveryproudofhissuddenlyacquiredgift。
　　Formerlyhehadhardlybeenknowntoopenhislipsinthepresenceofstrangers。Montyhaddevelopedmorethanonesingularandhithertounknowntraitsincehissupremacyatgolfhadrevealedhispossibilities。Hewasassoberandvainandpompousabouthiscapacityforlyingasaboutanythingelse。
　　Someofthecowboyswerejealousofhimbecauseheheldtheattentionand，apparently，theadmirationoftheladies；andNelswasjealous，notbecauseMontymadehimselfouttobeawonderfulgun-man，butbecauseMontycouldtellastory。Nelsreallyhadbeentheheroofahundredfights；hehadneverbeenknowntotalkaboutthem；butDorothy'seyesandHelen'ssmilehadsomehowupsethismodesty。WheneverMontywouldbegintotalkNelswouldgrowlandknockhispipeonalog，andmakeitappearhecouldnotstayandlisten，thoughheneverreallyleftthecharmedcircleofthecamp-fire。Wildhorsescouldnothavedraggedhimaway。
　　Oneeveningattwilight，asMadelinewasleavinghertent，sheencounteredMonty。Evidently，hehadway-laidher。Withthemostmysteriousofsignsandwhispersheledheralittleaside。
　　"MissHammond，I'mmakin'boldtoaskafavorofyou，"hesaid。
　　Madelinesmiledherwillingness。
　　"To-night，whenthey'veallshotofftheirchinsan'it'squiet-like，Iwantyoutoaskme，jestthisway，'Monty，seein'
　　asyou'vehedmoreadventuresthanallthemcow-punchersputtogether，tellusaboutthemostturribletimeyoueverhed。'
　　Willyouaskme，MissHammond，jestkindasincerelike？"
　　"CertainlyIwill，Monty，"shereplied。
　　Hisdark，searedfacehadnomorewarmththanapieceofcold，volcanicrock，whichitresembled。MadelineappreciatedhowmonstrousDorothyfoundthisburnedanddistortedvisage，howdeformedthelittlemanlookedtoawomanofrefinedsensibilities。ItwasdifficultforMadelinetolookintohisface。Butshesawbehindtheblackenedmask。AndnowshesawinMonty'sdeepeyesaspiritofpurefun。
　　So，truetoherword，Madelinerememberedatanopportunemoment，whenconversationhadhushedandonlythelong，dismalwailofcoyotesbrokethesilence，toturntowardthelittlecowboy。
　　"Monty，"shesaid，andpausedforeffect——"Monty，seeingthatyouhavehadmoreadventuresthanallthecowboystogether，tellusaboutthemostterribletimeyoueverhad。"
　　Montyappearedstartledatthequestionthatfastenedalleyesuponhim。Hewavedadeprecatoryhand。
　　"Aw，MissHammond，thankin'youallmodest-likeferthecompliment，I'llhevtorefuse，"repliedMonty，laboringindistress。"It'stooharrowin'fertender-heartedgurlstolistento。"
　　"Goon？"criedeverybodyexceptthecowboys。Nelsbegantonodhisheadasifhe，aswellasMonty，understoodhumannature。
　　Dorothyhuggedherkneeswithakindofshudder。Montyhadfastenedthehypnoticeyesuponher。Castletonceasedsmoking，adjustedhiseyeglass，andpreparedtolisteningreatearnestness。
　　Montychangedhisseattoonewherethelightfromtheblazinglogsfelluponhisface；andheappearedplungedintomelancholyandprofoundthought。
　　"NowItaxmyself，Ican'tjestdecidewhichwastheorfulesttimeIeverhed，"hesaid，reflectively。
　　HereNelsblewforthanimmensecloudofsmoke，asifhedesiredtohidehimselffromsight。Montypondered，andthenwhenthesmokerolledawayheturnedtoNels。
　　"Seehyar，oldpard，mean'youseensomethin'ofeachotherinthePanhandle，more'nthirtyyearsago——"
　　"Whichwedidn't，"interruptedNels，bluntly。"Shoreyoucan'tmakemeoutanoleman。"
　　"Mebbeitwasn'tsodarnlong。Anyhow，Nels，yourecollectthemthreehoss-thievesIhungallononecottonwood-tree，an'
　　likewisethetboo-tifulblondgurlIrescooedfromabandofcutthroatswhomurderedherpaw，oleBillWarren，thebuffalo-hunter？Now，whichofthemtwoscrapswastheturriblest，inyouridee？"
　　"Monty，mymemory'sshorebad，"repliedtheunimpeachableNels。
　　"Tellusaboutthebeautifulblonde，"criedatleastthreeoftheladies。Dorothy，whohadsufferedfromnightmarebecauseofaformerstoryofhangingmenontrees，hadvoicelesslyappealedtoMontytosparehermoreofthat。
　　"Allright，we'llhevtheblondgurl，"saidMonty，settlingback，"thoughIain'tthinkin'herstoryismostturribleofthetwo，an'it'llrakeovertenderaffectionslongslumberin'inmybreast。"
　　Ashepausedtherecameasharp，rappingsound。ThisappearedtobeNelsknockingtheashesoutofhispipeonastump——atrueindicationofthepassingofcontentfromthatjealouscowboy。
　　"ItwasdowninthePanhandle，'wayoverinthewestendofthetComanchehuntin'-ground，an'alltheredskinsan'outlawsinthetcountrywerehidin'intheriver-bottoms，an'chasin'someofthelastbuffaloherdsthethedwinteredinthere。Iwasayoungbuckthemdays，an'purtymuchofadesperado，I'mthinkin'。
　　Thoughofalltheseventeennotchesonmygun——an'eachnotchmeantamankilledfacetoface——therewasonlyonethetIwasashamedof。ThetonewasferanexpressmessengerwhoIhitontheheadmostunprofessionallike，jestbecausehewouldn'thandoveraleetlepackage。Ihedthekindofareputashunthetmadeallthefellersinsaloonssmilean'buydrinks。
　　"Well，IdroppedintoaplacenamedTaylor'sBend，an'waspeacefulstandin'tothebarwhenthreecow-puncherscomein，an'，mebein'withmyhackturned，theydidn'trecognizemean'
　　gotplayful。Ididn'tstopdrinkin'，an'Ididn'tturnsquareround；butwhenIstoppedshootin'undermyarmthesaloon-keeperhedtogoovertothesawmillan'fetchaheapofsawdusttocoverupwhatwasleftofthemthreecow-punchers，aftertheywashauledout。Yousee，Iwasroughthemdays，an'wouldshootearsoffan'nosesoffan'handsoff；wheninlaterdaysI'djestkillamanquick，sameasWildBill。
　　"Newsdriftsintotownthetnightthetagangofcut-throatshedmurderedoleBillWarrenan'carriedoffhisgurl。Igathersupafewgoodgun-men，an'weridoutan'downtheriver-bottom，toanolelogcabin，wheretheoutlawshedarondevoo。Weridupboldlike，an'madeahellofaracket。Thenthegangbegantothrowleadfromthecabin，an'weallhuntedcover。Fightin'
　　wentonallnight。Inthemornin'allmyoutfitwaskilledbuttwo，an'theywasshotupbad。Wefoughtalldaywithouteatin'
　　ordrinkin'，exceptsomewhiskyIhed，an'atnightIwasonthejobbymylonesome。
　　"Bein'bungedupsomemyself，Ilaidoffan'wentdowntotherivertowashthebloodoff，tieupmywounds，an'drinkaleetle。WhileIwasdowntherealongcomesoneofthecutthroatswithabucket。Insteadofgettin'waterhegotlead，an'asbewasabouttocroakhetellsmeawholebunchofoutlawswasheadin'inthere，dooto-morrer。An'ifIwantedtorescoothegurlIhedtobehurryin'。Therewasfivefellersleftinthecabin。
　　IwenthacktothethicketwhereIhedleftmyhoss，an'loadedupwithtwomoregunsan'anotherbelt，an'bustedafreshboxofshells。IfIrecollectproper，Igotsomecigarettes，too。
　　Well，Imoziedbacktothecabin。Itwasaboo-tifulmoonshinynight，an'IwonderedifoleBill'sgunwasaspurtyasI'dheerd。Thegrassgrowedlongroundthecabin，an'Icrawleduptothedoorwithoutstartin'anythin'。ThenIfiggered。Therewasonlyonedoorinthetcabin，an'itwasblackdarkinside。I
　　jestgrabbedopenthedooran'slippedinquick。Itworkedallright。Theyheerdme，buthedn'tbeenquickenoughtoketchmeinthelightofthedoor。Ofcoursetherewassomeshots，butI
　　duckedtooquick，an'changedmyposition。
　　"Ladiesan'gentlemen，thettherewassomedoolbynight。An'I
　　wasn'toftenintheplacewheretheyshot。Iwasmostwonderfulpatient，an'jestwaiteduntiloneofthemdarnedruffianswouldgetsonervoushe'dhevtohuntmeup。Whenmornin'cometheretheywasallpileduponthefloor，allshottopieces。Ifoundthegurl。Purty！Say，shewasboo-tiful。Wewentdowntotheriver，whereshebeguntobathemywounds。I'dcollectedadozenmoreorso，an'thesightoftearsinherlovelyeyes，an'myblooda-stainin'ofherlittlehands，jestnat'rallywakenedatremblyspellinmyheart。Iseenshewastookthesameway，an'
　　thetsettledit。
　　"Wewascomin'upfromtheriver，an'Ihedjeststraddledmyhoss，withthegurlbehind，whenwerunrightintothetcutthroatgangthetwasdooaboutthen。Bein'somehandicapped，Icouldn'tdropmore'nonegun-roundofthem，an'thenIhedtoslope。Thewholegangfolleredme，an'somemilesoutchasedmeoveraridgerightintoabigherdofbuffalo。BeforeIknowedwhatwaswhatthetherdbrokeintoastampede，withmeinthemiddle。Purtysoonthebuffaloclosedintight。IknowedIwasinsomeperilthen。Butthegurltrustedmesomethin'pitiful。Iseenagainthetshehedfellinlovewithme。Icouldtellfromthewayshehuggedmean'yelled。BeforelongIwassomeputtoittokeepmybossonhisfeet。FarasIcouldseewasdusty，black，bobbin'，shaggyhumps。Ahugecloudofdustwentalongoverourheads。Theroaroftramplin'hoofswasturrible。Myhossweakened，wentdown，an'wascarriedalongaleetlewhileI
　　slippedoffwiththegurlontothebacksofthebuffalo。
　　"Ladies，Iain'tdenyin'thatthenMontyPricewassomescairt。
　　Fusttimeinmylife！Butthetrustin'faceofthetboo-tifulgurl，asshelayinmyarmsan'huggedmean'yelled，mademyspiritleaplikeashootin'star。Ijustbegantojumpfrombuffalotobuffalo。Imusthevjumpedamileofthembobbin'
　　backsbeforeIcometoopenplaces。An'here'swhereIperformedthegreateststuntsofmylife。Ihedonmybigspurs，an'I
　　jestsitdownan'ridan'spurredtillthetperticklerbuffaloI
　　wasongotnearanother，an'thenI'dflopover。ThuslyIgottotheedgeoftheherd，tumbledoff'nthelastone，an'rescooedthegurl。
　　"Well，asmymemorytakesmeback，thetwasamostaffectin'walkhometothelittletownwhereshelived。Butshewasn'ttrootome，an'marriedanotherfeller。Iwastoomuchasporttokillhim。Butthetlow-downtrickrankledinmybreast。Gurlsisstrange。I'veneverstoppedwonderin'howanygurlwhohasbeenhuggedan'kissedbyonemancouldmarryanother。Butmatoorexperienceteachesmethetsichisthecase。"
　　Thecowboysroared；HelenandMrs。BeckandEdithlaughedtilltheycried；Madelinefoundrepressionabsolutelyimpossible；
　　Dorothysathuggingherknees，herhorroratthestorynogreaterthanatMonty'sunmistakablereferencetoherandtotheficklenessofwomen；andCastletonforthefirsttimeappearedtobemovedoutofhisimperturbability，thoughnotinanysensebyhumor。Indeed，whenhecametonoticeit，hewasdumfoundedbythemirth。
　　"ByJove！youAmericansareanextraordinarypeople，"hesaid。
　　"Idon'tseeanythingbloomingfunnyinMr。Price'sstoryofhisadventure。ByJove！thatwasaballywarmoccasion。Mr。Price，whenyouspeakofbeingfrightenedfortheonlytimeinyourlife，Iappreciatewhatyoumean。Ihaveexperiencedthat。I
　　wasfrightenedonce。"
　　"Dook，Iwouldn'thevthoughtitofyou，"repliedMonty。"I'msuretolerablecurioustohearaboutit。"
　　Madelineandherfriendsdarednotbreakthespell，forfearthattheEnglishmanmightholdtohisusualmodestreticence。HehadexploredinBrazil，seenserviceintheBoerWar，huntedinIndiaandAfrica——mattersofexperienceofwhichheneverspoke。Uponthisoccasion，however，evidentlytakingMonty'srecitalwordforwordasliteraltruth，andexcitedbyitintoaHomericmood，hemighttellastory。Thecowboysalmostfellupontheirkneesintheirimportunity。Therewasasuppressedeagernessintheirsolicitations，ahintofsomethingthatmeantmorethandesire，greatasitwas，tohearastorytoldbyanEnglishlord。
　　MadelinedivinedinstantlythatthecowboyshadsuddenlyfanciedthatCastletonwasnotthedenseandeasilyfooledpersontheyhadmadesuchgameof；thathehadplayedhispartwell；thathewashavingfunattheirexpense；thathemeanttotellastory，aliewhichwouldsimplydwarfMonty's。Nels'skeen，brightexpectationsuggestedhowhewouldwelcomethejoketurneduponMonty。TheslowclosingofMonty'scavernoussmile，thegradualsinkingofhisproudbearing，thedoubtwithwhichhebegantoregardCastleton——thesewereproofsofhisfears。
　　"IhavefacedchargingtigersandelephantsinIndia，andchargingrhinosandlionsinAfrica，"beganCastleton，hisquickandfluentspeechsodifferentfromthedrawlofhisordinaryconversation；"butIneverwasfrightenedbutonce。Itwillnotdotohuntthosewildbeastsifyouareeasilyballedup。ThisadventureIhaveinmindhappenedinBritishEastAfrica，inUganda。Iwasoutwithsafari，andwewereinanativedistrictmuchinfestedbyman-eatinglions。PerhapsImayaswellstatethatman-eatersareverydifferentfromordinarylions。Theyarealwaysmaturedbeasts，andsometimes——indeed，mostly——areold。
　　Theybecomeman-eatersmostlikelybyaccidentornecessity。
　　Whenoldtheyfinditmoredifficulttomakeakill，beingslower，probably，andwithpoorerteeth。Drivenbyhunger，theystalkandkillanative，and，oncehavingtastedhumanblood，theywantnoother。Theybecomeabsolutelyfearlessandterribleintheirattacks。
　　"Thenativesofthisvillagenearwherewecampedwereinaterrorizedstateowingtodepredationsoftwoormoreman-eaters。
　　Thenightofourarrivalalionleapedastockadefence，seizedanativefromamongotherssittingroundafire，andleapedoutagain，carryingthescreamingfellowawayintothedarkness。I
　　determinedtokilltheselions，andmadeapermanentcampinthevillageforthatpurpose。BydayIsentbeatersintothebrushandrocksoftheriver-valley，andbynightIwatched。Everynightthelionsvisitedus，butIdidnotseeone。Idiscoveredthatwhentheyroaredaroundthecamptheywerenotsoliabletoattackaswhentheyweresilent。Itwasindeedremarkablehowsilentlytheycouldstalkaman。Theycouldcreepthroughathicketsodenseyouwouldnotbelievearabbitcouldgetthrough，anddoitwithouttheslightestsound。Then，whenreadytocharge，theydidsowithterribleonslaughtandroar。Theyleapedrightintoacircleoffires，toredownhuts，evendraggednativesfromthelowtrees。Therewasnowaytotellatwhichpointtheywouldmakeanattack。
　　"AftertendaysormoreofthisIwaswornoutbylossofsleep。
　　Andonenight，whentiredoutwithwatching，Ifellasleep。Mygun-bearerwasaloneinthetentwithme。Aterribleroarawakenedme，thenanunearthlyscreampiercedrightintomyears。
　　Ialwayssleptwithmyrifleinmyhands，and，graspingit，I
　　triedtorise。ButIcouldnotforthereasonthatalionwasstandingoverme。ThenIlaystill。Thescreamsofmygun-bearertoldmethatthelionhadhim。Iwasfondofthisfellowandwantedtosavehim。Ithoughtitbest，however，nottomovewhilethelionstoodoverme。Suddenlyhestepped，andIfeltpoorLuki'sfeetdraggingacrossme。Hescreamed，'Saveme，master！'AndinstinctivelyIgraspedathimandcaughthisfoot。
　　ThelionwalkedoutofthetentdraggingmeasIheldtoLuki'sfoot。Thenightwasbrightmoonlight。Icouldseetheliondistinctly。Hewasahuge，black-manedbrute，andheheldLukibytheshoulder。Thepoorladkeptscreamingfrightfully。Theman-eatermusthavedraggedmefortyyardsbeforehebecameawareofadoubleincumbrancetohisprogress。Thenhehaltedandturned。ByJove！hemadeadevilishfierceobjectwithhisshaggy，massivehead，hisgreen-fireeyes，andhishugejawsholdingLuki。IletgoofLuki'sfootandbethoughtmyselfofthegun。ButasIlaythereonmyside，beforeattemptingtorise，Imadeahorriblediscovery。Ididnothavemyrifleatall。IhadLuki'sironspear，whichhealwayshadnearhim。Myriflehadslippedoutofthehollowofmyarm，andwhenthelionawakenedme，inmyconfusionIpickedupLuki'sspearinstead。
　　ThebloodybrutedroppedLukiandutteredaroarthatshooktheground。ItwasthenIfeltfrightened。ForaninstantIwasalmostparalyzed。Thelionmeanttocharge，andinonespringhecouldreachme。Undercircumstanceslikethoseamancanthinkmanythingsinlittletime。Iknewtotrytorunwouldbefatal。
　　Irememberedhowstrangelylionshadbeenknowntoactuponoccasion。Onehadbeenfrightenedbyanumbrella；onehadbeenfrightenedbyablastfromacow-horn；anotherhadbeenfrightenedbyanativewhoinrunningfromonelionranrightattheotherwhichhehadnotseen。Accordingly，IwonderedifI
　　couldfrightenthelionthatmeanttoleapatme。Actinguponwildimpulse，Iproddedhiminthehindquarterswiththespear。
　　Ladiesandgentlemen，Iamabloomingidiotifthatliondidnotcowerlikeawhippeddog，puthistaildown，andbegintoslinkaway。Quicktoseemychance，Ijumpedupyelling，andmadeafterhim，proddinghimagain。Heletoutabellowsuchasyoucouldimaginewouldcomefromanoutragedkingofbeasts。I
　　proddedagain，andthenhelopedoff。IfoundLukinotbadlyhurt。Infact，hegotwell。ButI'veneverforgottenthatscare。"
　　WhenCastletonfinishedhisnarrativetherewasatrenchantsilence。AlleyeswereuponMonty。Helookedbeaten，disgraced，adisgustedman。YetthereshonefromhisfaceawonderfuladmirationforCastleton。
　　"Dook，youwin！"hesaid；and，droppinghishead，heleftthecamp-firecirclewiththemannerofadeposedemperor。
　　Thenthecowboysexploded。Thequiet，serene，low-voicedNelsyelledlikeamadmanandhestooduponhishead。Alltheothercowboyswentthroughmarvelouscontortions。MerenoisewasinsufficienttorelievetheirjoyatwhattheyconsideredthefallandhumiliationofthetyrantMonty。
　　TheEnglishmanstoodthereandwatchedtheninamusedconsternation。Theybaffledhisunderstanding。PlainitwastoMadelineandherfriendsthatCastletonhadtoldthesimpletruth。Butneverontheearth，oranywhereelse，couldNelsandhiscomradeshavebeenpersuadedthatCastletonhadnotlieddeliberatelytohumbletheirgreatexponentofAnanias。
　　Everybodyseemedreluctanttobreakthecamp-firespell。Thelogshadburnedouttoagreatheapofopalandgoldandredcoals，intheheartofwhichquiveredaglowalluringtothespiritofdreams。Astheblazesubsidedtheshadowsofthepinesencroacheddarkeranddarkeruponthecircleoffadinglight。A
　　coolwindfannedtheembers，whippedupflakesofwhiteashes，andmoanedthroughthetrees。Thewildyelpsofcoyotesweredyinginthedistance，andtheskywasawonderfuldark-bluedomespangledwithwhitestars。
　　"Whataperfectnight！"saidMadeline。"This。isanighttounderstandthedream，themystery，thewonderoftheSouthwest。
　　Florence，forlongyouhavepromisedtotellusthestoryofthelostmineofthepadres。Itwillgiveusallpleasure，makeusunderstandsomethingofthethrallinwhichthislandheldtheSpaniardswhodiscovereditsomanyyearsago。Itwillbeespeciallyinterestingnow，becausethismountainhidessomewhereunderitscragsthetreasuresofthelostmineofthepadres。"
　　'Inthesixteenthcentury，"Florencebegan，inhersoft，slowvoicesosuitedtothenatureofthelegend，"apooryoungpadreofNewSpainwasshepherdinghisgoatsuponahillwhentheVirginappearedbeforehim。Heprostratedhimselfatherfeet，andwhenhelookedupshewasgone。Butuponthemagueyplantnearwhereshehadstoodthereweregoldenashesofastrangeandwonderfulsubstance。Hetooktheincidentasagoodomenandwentagaintothehilltop。Underthemagueyhadsprungupslenderstalksofwhite，bearingdelicategoldflowers，andastheseflowerswavedinthewindafinegoldendust，asfineaspowderedashes，blewawaytowardthenorth。PadreJuanwasmystified，butbelievedthatgreatfortuneattendeduponhimandhispoorpeople。SohewentagainandagaintothehilltopinhopethattheVirginwouldappeartohim。
　　"Onemorning，asthesunrosegloriously，helookedacrossthewindyhilltowardthewavinggrassaridgoldenflowersunderthemaguey，andhesawtheVirginbeckoningtohim。Againhefelluponhisknees；butsheliftedhimandgavehimofthegoldenflowers，andbadehimleavehishomeandpeopletofollowwheretheseblowinggoldenashesled。Therehewouldfindgold——puregold——wonderfulfortunetobringbacktohispoorpeopletobuildachurchforthem，andacity。