"PadreJuantooktheflowersandlefthishome，promisingtoreturn，andhetravelednorthwardoverthehotanddustydesert，throughthemountainpasses，toanewcountrywherefierceandwarlikeIndiansmenacedhislife。Hewasgentleandgood，andofapersuasivespeech。Moreover，hewasyoungandhandsomeofperson。TheIndianswereApaches，andamongthemhebecameamissionary，whilealwayshewassearchingfortheflowersofgold。Heheardofgoldlyinginpebblesuponthemountainslopes，butheneverfoundany。AfewoftheApachesheconverted；themostofthem，however，werepronetobehostiletohimandhisreligion。ButPadreJuanprayedandworkedon。
　　"TherecameatimewhentheoldApachechief，imaginingthepadrehaddesignsuponhisinfluencewiththetribe，soughttoputhimtodeathbyfire。Thechief'sdaughter，abeautiful，dark-eyedmaiden，secretlylovedJuanandbelievedinhismission，andsheintercededforhislifeandsavedhim。Juanfellinlovewithher。Onedayshecametohimwearinggoldenflowersinherdarkhair，andasthewindblewtheflowersagoldendustblewuponit。Juanaskedherwheretofindsuchflowers，andshetoldhimthatuponacertaindayshewouldtakehimtothemountaintolookforthem。Anduponthedaysheleduptothemountain-topfromwhichtheycouldseebeautifulvalleysandgreattreesandcoolwaters。Thereatthetopofawonderfulslopethatlookeddownupontheworld，sheshowedJuantheflowers。AndJuanfoundgoldinsuchabundancethathethoughthewouldgooutofhismind。Dustofgold！Grainsofgold！Pebblesofgold！Rocksofgold！Hewasrichbeyondalldreams。HerememberedtheVirginandherwords。Hemustreturntohispeopleandbuildtheirchurch，andthegreatcitythatwouldbearhisname。
　　"ButJuantarried。Alwayshewasgoingmanana。Helovedthedark-eyedApachegirlsowellthathecouldnotleaveher。HehatedhimselfforhisinfidelitytohisVirgin，tohispeople。
　　Hewasweakandfalse，asinner。Buthecouldnotgo，andhegavehimselfuptoloveoftheIndianmaiden。
　　"TheoldApachechiefdiscoveredthesecretloveofhisdaughterandthepadre。And，fierceinhisanger，hetookherupintothemountainsandburnedheraliveandcastherashesuponthewind。
　　HedidnotkillPadreJuan。Hewastoowise，andperhapstoocruel，forhesawthestrengthofJuan'slove。Besides，manyofhistribehadlearnedmuchfromtheSpaniard。
　　"PadreJuanfellintodespair。Hehadnodesiretolive。Hefadedandwastedaway。ButbeforehediedhewenttotheoldIndianswhohadburnedthemaiden，andhebeggedthem，whenhewasdead，toburnhisbodyandtocasthisashestothewindfromthatwonderfulslope，wheretheywouldblowawaytomingleforeverwiththoseofhisIndiansweetheart。
　　"TheIndianspromised，andwhenPadreJuandiedtheyburnedhisbodyandtookhisashestothemountainheightsandcastthemtothewind，wheretheydriftedandfelltomixwiththeashesoftheIndiangirlhehadloved。
　　"Yearspassed。MorepadrestraveledacrossthedeserttothehomeoftheApaches，andtheyheardthestoryofJuan。AmongtheirnumberwasapadrewhoinhisyouthhadbeenoneofJuan'speople。HesetforthtofindJuan'sgrave，wherehebelievedhewouldalsofindthegold。Andhecamebackwithpebblesofgoldandflowersthatshedagoldendust，andhetoldawonderfulstory。Hehadclimbedandclimbedintothemountains，andhehadcometoawonderfulslopeunderthecrags。Thatslopewasyellowwithgoldenflowers。Whenhetouchedthemgoldenashesdriftedfromthemandblewdownamongtherocks。Therethepadrefounddustofgold，grainsofgold，pebblesofgold，rocksofgold。
　　"Thenallthepadreswentintothemountains。Butthediscovereroftheminelosthisway。Theysearchedandsearcheduntiltheywereoldandgray，butneverfoundthewonderfulslopeandflowersthatmarkedthegraveandthemineofPadreJuan。
　　"Inthesucceedingyearsthestorywashandeddownfromfathertoson。ButofthemanywhohuntedforthelostmineofthepadrestherewasneveraMexicanoranApache。FortheApachethemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofanIndianmaidenwhohadbeenfalsetohertribeandforeveraccursed。FortheMexicanthemountainslopeswerehauntedbythespiritofthefalsepadrewhorolledstonesupontheheadsofthoseadventurerswhosoughttofindhisgraveandhisaccursedgold。"
　　XVIIIBonitaFlorence'sstoryofthelostminefiredMadeline'sguestswiththefeverforgold-hunting。Butaftertheyhadtrieditafewtimesandtheglamourofthethingworeofftheygaveupandremainedincamp。Havingexhaustedalltheresourcesofthemountain，suchthathadinterestforthem，theysettledquietlydownforarest，whichMadelineknewwouldsoonendinadesireforcivilizedcomforts。Theywerealmosttiredofroughingit。
　　Helen'sdiscontentmanifesteditselfinherremark，"Iguessnothingisgoingtohappen，afterall。"
　　Madelineawaitedtheirpleasureinregardtothebreakingofcamp；andmeanwhile，asnoneofthemcaredformoreexertion，shetookherwalkswithoutthem，sometimesaccompaniedbyoneofthecowboys，alwaysbythestag-hounds。Thesewalksfurnishedherexceedingpleasure。And，nowthatthecowboyswouldtalktoherwithoutreserve，shegrewfonderoflisteningtotheirsimplestories。Themoresheknewofthemthemoreshedoubtedthewisdomofshut-inlives。CompanionshipwithNelsandmostofthecowboyswasinitseffectlikethatoftheruggedpinesandcragsandtheuntaintedwind。Humor，theirpredominanttraitwhenapersongrewtoknowthem，savedMadelinefromfindingtheirhardnesstrying。Theyweredreamers，asallmenwholivedlonelylivesinthewildsweredreamers。
　　Thecowboysallhadsecrets。Madelinelearnedsomeofthem。Shemarveledmostatthestrangewayinwhichtheyhidemotions，exceptofviolenceofmirthandtempersoeasilyaroused。Itwasallthemoreremarkableinviewofthefactthattheyfeltintenselyoverlittlethingstowhichmenoftheworldwereblindanddead。Madelinehadtobelievethatahardandperilouslifeinabarrenandwildcountrydevelopedgreatprinciplesinmen。
　　Livingclosetoearth，underthecold，bleakpeaks，onthedust-veileddesert，mengrewlikethenaturethatdevelopedthem——
　　hard，fierce，terrible，perhaps，butbig——bigwithelementalforce。
　　Butoneday，whileoutwalkingalone，beforesherealizeditshehadgonealongwaydownadimtrailwindingamongtherocks。Itwasthemiddleofasummerafternoon，andallaboutherwereshadowsofthecragscrossingthesunlitpatches。Thequietwasundisturbed。Shewentonandon，notblindtothefactthatshewasperhapsgoingtoofarfromcamp，butriskingitbecauseshewassureofherwayback，andenjoyingthewild，craggyrecessesthatwerenewtoher。Finallyshecameoutuponabankthatbrokeabruptlyintoabeautifullittleglade。Hereshesatdowntorestbeforeundertakingthereturntrip。
　　SuddenlyRuss，thekeenerofthestag-hounds，raisedhisheadandgrowled。Madelinefearedhemighthavescentedamountain-lionorwildcat。Shequietedhimandcarefullylookedaround。Toeachsidewasanirregularlineofmassiveblocksofstonethathadweatheredfromthecrags。Thelittlegladewasopenandgrassy，withhereapine-tree，thereaboulder。Theoutletseemedtogodownintoawildernessofcanonsandridges。Lookinginthisdirection，Madelinesawtheslight，darkfigureofawomancomingstealthilyalongunderthepines。Madelinewasamazed，thenalittlefrightened，forthatstealthywalkfromtreetotreewassuggestiveofsecrecy，ifnothingworse。
　　Presentlythewomanwasjoinedbyatallmanwhocarriedapackage，whichhegavetoher。Theycameonupthegladeandappearedtobetalkingearnestly。InanothermomentMadelinerecognizedStewart。Shehadnogreaterfeelingofsurprisethanhadatfirstbeenhers。Butforthenextmomentshescarcelythoughtatall——merelywatchedthecoupleapproaching。InaflashcamebackherformercuriosityastoStewart'sstrangeabsencesfromcamp，andthenwiththereturnofherdoubtofhimtherecognitionofthewoman。Thesmall，darkhead，thebrownface，thebigeyes——Madelinenowsawdistinctly——belongedtotheMexicangirlBonita。Stewarthadmetherthere。Thiswasthesecretofhislonelytrips，takeneversincehehadcometoworkforMadeline。Thissecludedgladewasarendezvous。Hehadherhiddenthere。
　　QuietlyMadelinearose，withagesturetothedogs，andwentbackalongthetrailtowardcamp。SucceedinghersurprisewasafeelingofsorrowthatStewart'sregenerationhadnotbeencomplete。Sorrowgaveplacetoinsufferabledistrustthatwhileshehadbeenromancingaboutthiscowboy，dreamingofhergoodinfluenceoverhim，hehadbeenmerelybase。Somehowitstungher。Stewarthadbeennothingtoher，shethought，yetshehadbeenproudofhim。Shetriedtorevolvethething，tobefairtohim，wheneveryinstinctivetendencywastoexpelhim，andallpertainingtohim，fromherthoughts。Andhereffortatsympathy，atextenuation，failedutterlybeforeherpride。
　　Exertingherwill-power，shedismissedStewartfromhermind。
　　Madelinedidnotthinkofhimagaintilllatethatafternoon，when，asshewasleavinghertenttojoinseveralofherguests，Stewartappearedsuddenlyinherpath。
　　"MissHammond，Isawyourtracksdownthetrail，"hebegan，eagerly，buthistonewaseasyandnatural。"I'mthinking——well，maybeyousuregottheidea——"
　　"Idonotwishforanexplanation，"interruptedMadeline。
　　Stewartgaveaslightstart。Hismannerhadasemblanceoftheold，coolaudacity。Ashelookeddownatheritsubtlychanged。
　　Whateffrontery，Madelinethought，tofaceherbeforeherguestswithanexplanationofhisconduct！Suddenlyshefeltaninwardflashoffirethatwaspain，sostrange，soincomprehensible，thathermindwhirled。Thenangerpossessedher，notatStewart，butatherself，thatanythingcouldrouseinherarawemotion。
　　Shestoodthere，outwardlycold，serene，withlevel，haughtyeyesuponStewart；butinwardlyshewasburningwithrageandshame。
　　"I'msurenotgoingtohaveyouthink——"Hebeganpassionately，buthebrokeoff，andaslow，dullcrimsonblottedoverthehealthyred-brownofhisneckandcheeks。
　　"Whatyoudoorthink，Stewart，isnoconcernofmine。"
　　"Miss——MissHammond！Youdon'tbelieve——"falteredStewart。
　　Thecrimsonrecededfromhisface，leavingitpale。Hiseyeswereappealing。TheyhadakindoftimidlookthatstruckMadelineeveninheranger。Therewassomethingboyishabouthimthen。
　　Hetookastepforwardandreachedoutwithhishandopen-palmedinagesturethatwashumble，yetheldacertaindignity。
　　"Butlisten。Nevermindnowwhatyou——youthinkaboutme。
　　There'sagoodreason——"
　　"Ihavenowishtohearyourreason。"
　　"Butyououghtto，"hepersisted。
　　"Sir！''
　　Stewartunderwentanotherswiftchange。Hestartedviolently。A
　　darktideshadedhisfaceandaglitterleapedtohiseyes。Hetooktwolongstrides——loomedoverher。
　　"I'mnotthinkingaboutmyself，"hethundered。"Willyoulisten？"
　　"No，"shereplied；andtherewasfreezinghauteurinhervoice。
　　Withaslightgestureofdismissal，unmistakableinitsfinality，sheturnedherbackuponhim。Thenshejoinedherguests。
　　Stewartstoodperfectlymotionless。Thenslowlyhebegantolifthisrighthandinwhichheheldhissombrero。Hesweptitupanduphighoverhishead。Histallformtowered。Withfiercesuddennessheflunghissombrerodown。Heleapedathisblackhorseanddraggedhimtowherehissaddlelay。Withonepitchhetossedthesaddleuponthehorse'sback。Hisstronghandsflashedatgirthsandstraps。Everyactionwasswift，decisive，fierce。Boundingforhisbridle，whichhungoverabush，heranagainstacowboywhoawkwardlytriedtoavoidtheonslaught。
　　"Getoutofmyway！"heyelled。
　　Thenwiththesamesavagehasteheadjustedthebridleonhishorse。
　　"Mebbeyoubetterholdonaminnit，Gene，olefeller，"saidMontyPrice。
　　"Monty，doyouwantmetobrainyou？"saidStewart，withtheshort，hardringinhisvoice。
　　"Now，considerin'thehighclassofmybrains，Ioughterberealcarefultokeep'em，"repliedMonty。"Youcanbetcherlife，Gene，Iain'tgoin'togitinfrontofyou。ButIjestsays——
　　Listen！"
　　Stewartraisedhisdarkface。Everybodylistened。Andeverybodyheardtherapidbeatofahorse'shoofs。Thesunhadset，buttheparkwaslight。Nelsappeareddownthetrail，andhishorsewasrunning。Inanothermomenthewasinthecircle，pullinghisbaybacktoaslidinghalt。HeleapedoffabreastofStewart。
　　MadelinesawandfeltadifferenceinNels'spresence。
　　"What'sup，Gene？"hequeried，sharply。
　　"I'mleavingcamp，"repliedStewart，thickly。HisblackhorsebegantostampasStewartgraspedbridleandmaneandkickedthestirrupround。
　　Nels'slongarmshotout，andhishandfelluponStewart，holdinghimdown。
　　"ShoreI'msorry，"saidNels，slowly。"Thenyouwasgoin'tohitthetrail？"
　　"Iamgoingto。Letgo，Nels。"
　　"Shoreyouain'tgoin'，Gene？"
　　"Letgo，damnyou！"criedStewart，ashewrestledfree。
　　"What'swrong？"askedNels，liftinghishandagain。
　　"Man！Don'ttouchme！"
　　Nelssteppedbackinstantly。HeseemedtobecomeawareofStewart'swhite，wildpassion。AgainStewartmovedtomount。
　　"Nels，don'tmakemeforgetwe'vebeenfriends，"hesaid。
　　"ShoreIain'tfergettin'，"repliedNels。"An'Iresignmyjobrightherean'now！"
　　Hisstrangespeechcheckedthemountingcowboy。Stewartsteppeddownfromthestirrup。Thentheirhardfaceswerestillandcoldwhiletheireyeslockedglances。
　　MadelinewasasmuchstartledbyNels'sspeechasStewart。Quicktonoteachangeinthesemen，shenowsensedonethatwasunfathomable。
　　"Resign？"questionedStewart。
　　"Shore。What'dyouthinkI'ddoundercircumstancessichashascomeup？"
　　"Butseehere，Nels，Iwon'tstandforit。"
　　"You'renotmybossnomore，an'Iain'tbeholdin'toMissHammond，neither。I'mmyownboss，an'I'lldoasIplease。
　　Sabe，senor？"
　　Nels'swordswereatvariancewiththemeaninginhisface。
　　"Gene，yousentmeonalittlescoutdowninthemountains，didn'tyou？"hecontinued。
　　"Yes，Idid，"repliedStewart，withanewsharpnessinhisvoice。
　　"Wal，shoreyouwassogoodan'rightinyourfiggerin'，asopposedtomine，thatI'msickwithadmirin'ofyou。Ifyouhedn'tsentme——wal，I'mreckonin'somethin'mighthevhappened。
　　Asitiswe'reshoreupagainstahellofaproposition！"
　　Howsignificantwastheeffectofhiswordsuponallthecowboys！
　　Stewartmadeafierceandviolentmotion，terriblewherehisothermotionshadbeenbutpassionate。Montyleapedstraightupintotheairinasingularactionassuggestiveofsurpriseasitwasofwildacceptanceofmenace。LikeastalkinggiantNickSteelestrodeovertoNelsandStewart。Theothercowboysrosesilently，withoutaword。
　　Madelineandherguests，inalittlegroup，watchedandlistened，unabletodivinewhatallthisstrangetalkandactionmeant。
　　"Holdon，Nels，theydon'tneedtohearit，"saidStewart，hoarsely，ashewavedahandtowardMadeline'ssilentgroup。
　　"Wal，I'msorry，butIreckonthey'daswellknowfustaslast。
　　Mebbethetyearnin'wishofMissHelen'sfersomethin'tohappenwillcometrue。ShoreI——"
　　"Cutoutthejoshin'，"rangoutMonty'sstridentvoice。
　　Ithadasdecidedaneffectasanyprecedingwordsoraction。
　　Perhapsitwasthelastthingneededtotransformthesemen，doingunaccustomeddutyasescortsofbeautifulwomen，totheirnaturalstateasmenofthewild。
　　"Telluswhat'swhat，"saidStewart，coolandgrim。"DonCarlosan'hisguerrillasarecampin'onthetrailsthetleaduphere。
　　They'vegotthemtrailsblocked。Byto-morrerthey'dheduscorralled。Mebbetheymeanttosurpriseus。He'sgotalotofGreasersan'outlaws。They'rewellarmed。Nowwhatdotheymean？
　　You-allcanfiggeritouttosuityourselves。MebbetheDonwantstopayasociablecallonourladies。Mebbehisgangissomehungry，asusual。Mebbetheywanttostealafewhosses，oranythin'theycanlayhandson。Mebbetheymeanwuss，too。Nowmyideeisthis，an'mebbeit'swrong。IlongsinceseparatedfromlovewithGreasers。Thetblack-facedDonCarloshasgotadeepgame。Thettwo-bitofarevolutionishevin'hardtimes。
　　TherebelswantAmericanintervention。They'dstretchanypointtomaketrouble。We'reonlytenmilesfromtheborder。Supposethemguerrillasgotourcrowdacrossthetborder？TheU。S。
　　cavalrywouldfoller。You-allknowwhatthet'dmean。MebbeDonCarlos'smindworksthetway。Mebbeitdon't。Ireckonwe'llknowsoon。An'now，Stewart，whatevertheDon'sgameis，shoreyou'rethemantooutfiggerhim。Mebbeit'sjustaswellyou'regoodan'madaboutsomethin'。An'IresignmyjobbecauseIwanttofeelunbeholdin'toanybody。Shoreitstruckmelongsincethettheolddayshedcomebackferalittlespell，an'thereI
　　wastrailin'apromisenottohurtanyGreaser。"
　　XIXDonCarlosStewarttookNels，Monty，andNickSteeleasideoutofearshot，andtheyevidentlyentereduponanearnestcolloquy。Presentlytheothercowboyswerecalled。Theyalltalkedmoreorless，butthedeepvoiceofStewartpredominatedovertheothers。Thentheconsultationbrokeup，andthecowboysscattered。
　　"Rustle，youIndians！"orderedStewart。
　　TheensuingsceneofactionwasnotreassuringtoMadelineandherfriends。Theywerequiet，awaitingsomeonetotellthemwhattodo。AttheoffsetthecowboysappearedtohaveforgottenMadeline。Someofthemranoffintothewoods，othersintotheopen，grassyplaces，wheretheyroundedupthehorsesandburros。
　　Severalcowboysspreadtarpaulinsuponthegroundandbegantoselectandrollsmallpacks，evidentlyforhurriedtravel。Nelsmountedhishorsetoridedownthetrail。MontyandNickSteelewentoffintothegrove，leadingtheirhorses。Stewartclimbedupasteepjumbleofstonebetweentwosectionsoflow，crackedcliffbackofthecamp。
　　Castletonofferedtohelpthepackers，andwascurtlytoldhewouldbeintheway。Madeline'sfriendsallimportunedher：Wasthererealdanger？Weretheguerrillascoming？Wouldastartbemadeatoncefortheranch？Whyhadthecowboyssuddenlybecomesodifferent？Madelineansweredasbestshecould；butherreplieswereonlyconjecture，andmodifiedtoallaythefearsofherguests。Helenwasinawhiteglowofexcitement。
　　Sooncowboysappearedridingbarebackedhorses，drivinginothersandtheburros。Someofthesehorsesweretakenawayandevidentlyhiddenindeeprecessesbetweenthecrags。Thestringofburroswerepackedandsentoffdownthetrailinchargeofacowboy。NickSteeleandMontyreturned。ThenStewartappeared，clamberingdownthebreakbetweenthecliffs。
　　HisnextmovewastoorderallthebaggagebelongingtoMadelineandhergueststakenupthecliff。Thiswasstrenuoustoil，requiringtheneedoflassoestohauluptheeffects。
　　"Getreadytoclimb，"saidStewart，turningtoMadelinesparty。
　　"Where？"askedHelen。
　　Hewavedhishandattheascenttobemade。Exclamationsofdismayfollowedhisgesture。
　　"Mr。Stewart，istheredanger？"askedDorothy；andhervoicetrembled。
　　ThiswasthequestionMadelinehaduponherlipstoaskStewart，butshecouldnotspeakit。
　　"No，there'snodanger，"repliedStewart，"butwe'retakingprecautionsweallagreedonasbest。"
　　DorothywhisperedthatshebelievedStewartlied。Castletonaskedanotherquestion，andthenHarveyfollowedsuit。Mrs。Beckmadeatimidquery。
　　"Pleasekeepquietanddoasyou'retold，"saidStewart，bluntly。
　　Atthisjuncture，whenthelastofthebaggagewasbeinghauledupthecliff，MontyapproachedMadelineandremovedhissombrero。
　　Hisblackfaceseemedthesame，yetthiswasavastlychangedMonty。
　　"MissHammond，I'mgivin'noticeIresignmyjob，"hesaid。
　　"Monty！Whatdoyoumean？WhatdoesNelsmeannow，whendangerthreatens？"
　　"Wejestquit。Thet'sall，"repliedMonty，tersely。Hewassternandsomber；hecouldnotstandstill；hiseyesrovedeverywhere。
　　Castletonjumpedupfromthelogwherehehadbeensitting，andhisfacewasveryred。
　　"Mr。Price，doesallthisbloomingfussmeanwearetoberobbedorattackedorabductedbyalotofragamuffinguerrillas？"
　　"You'vecalledthebet。"
　　DorothyturnedaverypalefacetowardMonty。
　　"Mr。Price，youwouldn't——youcouldn'tdesertusnow？YouandMr。
　　Nels——"
　　"Desertyou？"askedMonty，blankly。
　　"Yes，desertus。Leaveuswhenwemayneedyousomuch，withsomethingdreadfulcoming。"
　　Montyutteredashort，hardlaughashebentastrangelookuponthegirl。
　　"Mean'Nelsispurtymuchscared，an'we'regoin'toslope。
　　MissDorothy，bein'aswe'verustledroundsomuch；itsortahurtsustoseeniceyounggirlsdraggedoffbythehair。"
　　Dorothyutteredalittlecryandthenbecamehysterical。
　　Castletonforoncewasfullyaroused。
　　"ByGad！Youandyourpartnerareacoupleofbloomingcowards。
　　Wherenowisthatcourageyouboastedof？"
　　Monty'sdarkfaceexpressedextremesarcasm。
　　"Dook，inmytimeI'veseensomebrightfellers，butyoutakethecake。It'smostmarveloushowbrightyouare。Figger'n'mean'
　　Nelssocorrect。Say，Dook，ifyoudon'tgitrustledofftoMexicoan'ropedtoacactus-bushyou'llhevaswellstoryferyourEnglishchums。BahJove！You'lltell'emhowyouseentwoold-timegun-menrunlikescaredjack-rabbitsfromalotofGreasers。Likehellyouwill！Unlessyoulielikethetimeyoutoldaboutproddin'thelion。Thattherestoryallus——"
　　"Monty，shutup！"yelledStewart，ashecamehurriedlyup。ThenMontyslouchedaway，cursingtohimself。
　　MadelineandHelen，assistedbyCastleton，workedoverDorothy，andwithsomedifficultyquietedher。Stewartpassedseveraltimeswithoutnoticingthem，andMonty，whohadbeensoridiculouslyeagertopayeverylittleattentiontoDorothy，didnotseeheratall。Rudeitseemed；inMonty'seasemorethanthat。Madelinehardlyknewwhattomakeofit。
　　Stewartdirectedcowboystogototheheadoftheopenplaceinthecliffandletdownlassoes。Then，withlittlewasteofwords，heurgedthewomentowardthisroughladderofstones。
　　"Wewanttohideyou，"hesaid，whentheydemurred。"Iftheguerrillascomewe'lltellthemyou'veallgonedowntotheranch。Ifwehavetofightyou'llbesafeupthere。"
　　HelensteppedboldlyforwardandletStewartputtheloopofalassoroundherandtightenit。Hewavedhishandtothecowboysabove。
　　"Justwalkup，now，"hedirectedHelen。
　　Itprovedtothewatcherstobeaneasy，safe，andrapidmeansofscalingthesteeppassage。Themenclimbedupwithoutassistance。Mrs。Beck，asusual，hadhysteria；shehalfwalkedandwashalfdraggedup。StewartsupportedDorothywithonearm，whilewiththeotherheheldtothelasso。AmbrosehadtocarryChristine。TheMexicanwomenrequirednoassistance。EdithWayneandMadelineclimbedlast；and，onceup，Madelinesawanarrowbench，thickwithshrubs，andovershadowedbyhuge，leaningcrags。Therewereholesintherock，anddarkfissuresleadingback。Itwasarough，wildplace。Tarpaulinsandbeddingwerethenhauledup，andfoodandwater。Thecowboysspreadcomfortablebedsinseveralofthecaves，andtoldMadelineandherfriendstobeasquietaspossible，nottomakealight，andtosleepdressed，readyfortravelatamoment'snotice。
　　Afterthecowboyshadgonedownitwasnotacheerfulgroupleftthereinthedarkeningtwilight。Castletonprevaileduponthemtoeat。
　　"Thisissimplygreat，"whisperedHelen。
　　"Oh，it'sawful！"moanedDorothy。"It'syourfault，Helen。Youprayedforsomethingtohappen。"
　　"Ibelieveit'sahorridtrickthosecowboysareplaying，"saidMrs。Beck。
　　Madelineassuredherfriendsthatnotrickwasbeingplayeduponthem，andthatshedeploredthediscomfortanddistress，butfeltnorealalarm。Shewasmoreinclinedtoevasivekindnessherethantosincerity，forshehadadecideduneasiness。Theswiftchangeinthemannerandlooksofhercowboyshadbeenashocktoher。ThelastglanceshehadofStewart'sface，thenstern，almostsad，andhaggardwithworry，remainedtoaugmentherforeboding。
　　Darknessappearedtodropswiftlydown；thecoyotesbegantheirhaunting，mournfulhowls；thestarsshowedandgrewbrighter；thewindmoanedthroughthetipsofthepines。Castletonwasrestless。Hewalkedtoandfrobeforetheoverhangingshelfofrock，wherehiscompanionssatlamenting，andpresentlyhewentouttotheledgeofthebench。Thecowboysbelowhadbuiltafire，andthelightfromitroseinahuge，fan-shapedglow。
　　Castleton'slittlefigurestoodoutblackagainstthislight。
　　Curiousandanxiousalso，Madelinejoinedhimandpeereddownfromthecliff。Thedistancewasshort，andoccasionallyshecoulddistinguishawordspokenbythecowboys。Theywereunconcernedlycookingandeating。ShemarkedtheabsenceofStewart，andmentionedittoCastleton。SilentlyCastletonpointedalmoststraightdown，andthereinthegloomstoodStewart，withthetwostag-houndsathisfeet。
　　PresentlyNickSteelesilencedthecamp-firecirclebyraisingawarninghand。Thecowboysbenttheirheads，listening。Madelinelistenedwithallhermight。Sheheardoneofthehoundswhine，thenthefaintbeatofhorse'shoofs。Nickspokeagainandturnedtohissupper，andtheothermenseemedtoslackeninattention。
　　Thebeatofhoofsgrewlouder，enteredthegrove，thenthecircleoflight。TheriderwasNels。Hedismounted，andthesoundofhislowvoicejustreachedMadeline。
　　"Gene，it'sNels。Somethin'doin'，"Madelineheardoneofthecowboyscall，softly。
　　"Sendhimover，"repliedStewart。
　　Nelsstalkedawayfromthefire。
　　"Seehere，Nels，theboysareallright，butIdon'twantthemtoknoweverythingaboutthismix-up，"saidStewart，asNelscameup。"Didyoufindthegirl？"
　　MadelineguessedthatStewartreferredtotheMexicangirlBonita。
　　"No。ButImet"——Madelinedidnotcatchthename——"an'hewaswild。Hewaswithaforest-ranger。An'theysaidPatHawehadtrailedheran'wastakin'herdownunderarrest。"
　　Stewartmuttereddeepunderhisbreath，evidentlycursing。
　　"Wonderwhyhedidn'tcomeonuphere？"hequeried，presently。
　　"Hecanseeatrail。"
　　"Wal，Gene，Patknowedyouwashereallright，ferthetrangersaidPathedwindoftheguerrillas，an'PatsaidifDonCarlosdidn'tkillyou——whichhehopedhe'ddo——thenit'dbetimeenoughtoputyouinjailwhenyoucomedown。"
　　"He'sdeadsettoarrestme，Nels。"
　　"An'he'lldoit，liketheoldladywhokepttavernoutWest。
　　Gene，thereasonthetred-facedcoyotedidn'ttrailyouuphereisbecausehe'sscared。Healluswasscaredofyou。ButIreckonhe'sshorescaredtodeathofmean'Monty。"
　　"Well，we'lltakePatinhisturn。Thethingnowis，whenwillthatGreaserstalkus，andwhat'llwedowhenhecomes？"
　　"Myboy，there'sonlyonewaytohandleaGreaser。Ishoretoldyouthet。Hemeansroughtowardus。He'llcomesmilin'up，allsoci'blelike，insinuatin'an'sweeter'nawoman。Buthe'streacherous；he'swussthananIndian。An'，Gene，weknowforapositivefacthowhisganghevbeenoperatin'betweenthesehillsan'AguaPrieta。They'renonervygangofoutlawslikeweusedtohev。Butthey'replumbbad。They'veraidedandmurderedthroughtheSanLuisPassan'GuadalupeCanon。They'vemurderedwomen，an'wussthanthet，bothnorthan'southofAguaPrieta。
　　MebbetheU。S。cavalrydon'tknowit，an'thegoodoldStates；
　　butwe，youan'mean'Montyan'Nick，weknowit。Weknowjestaboutwhatthetrebelwardownthereamountsto。It'sguerrillawar，an'shoresomeharvest-timeferalotofcheapthievesan'
　　outcasts。"
　　Oh，you'reright，Nels。I'mnotdisputingthat，"repliedStewart。"Ifitwasn'tforMissHammondandtheotherwomen，I'dratherenjoyseeingyouandMontyopenuponthatbunch。I'mthinkingI'dbegladtomeetDonCarlos。ButMissHammond！Why，Nels，suchawomanassheiswouldneverrecoverfromthesightofrealgun-play，letaloneanystuntswitharope。TheseEasternwomenaredifferent。I'mnotbelittlingourWesternwomen。It'sintheblood。MissHammondis——is——"
　　"Shoresheis，"interruptedNels；"butshe'sgotadamnsightmorespunkthanyouthinkshehas，GeneStewart。I'mnothick-skulledcow。I'dhatesomethin'powerfultohevMissHammondseeanyroughwork，letalonemean'Montystartin'
　　somethin'。An'mean'Monty'llsticktoyou，Gene，aslongasseemsreasonable。Mind，olefeller，beggin'yourpardon，you'reshorestuckonMissHammond，an'over-tendernottohurtherfeelin'sormakehersickbylettin'someblood。We'reinbadhere，an'mebbewe'llhevtofight。Sabe，senor？Wal，wedoyoucanjestgamblethetMissHammond'llbegame。An'I'llbetyouamillionpesosthetifyougotgoin'onct，an'sheseenyouasI'veseenyou——wal，Iknowwhatshe'dthinkofyou。Thisoldworld'ain'tchangedmuch。Somewomenmaybewhite-skinnedan'
　　soft-eyedan'sweet-voicedan'high-souled，buttheyallliketoseeaman！Gene，here'syourgame。LetDonCarloscomealong。
　　Becivil。Ifhean'hisgangarehungry，feed'em。Takeevenalittleoverbearin'Greasertalk。Beblindifhewantshisgangtostealsomethin'。Lethimthinkthewomenhevmosieddowntotheranch。Butifhesaysyou'relyin'——ifheasmuchaslooksroundtoseethewomen——jestjumphimsameasyoujumpedPatHawe。Mean'Monty'llhangbackferthet，an'ifyourstrongbluffdon'tgothrough，iftheDon'sgangeventhinksofflashin'guns，thenwe'llopenup。An'allIgottosayisifthemGreasersstandferrealgun-playthey'llbethefustIeverseen。"
　　"Nels，therearewhitemeninthatgang，"saidStewart。
　　"Shore。Butmean'Monty'llbethinkin'ofthet。Iftheystartanythin'it'llhevtobeshorequick。"
　　"Allright，Nels，oldfriend，andthanks，"repliedStewart。Nelsreturnedtothecamp-fire，andStewartresumedhissilentguard。
　　MadelineledCastletonawayfromthebrinkofthewall。
　　"ByJove！Cowboysarebloom~ngstrangefolk！"heexclaimed。
　　"Theyarenotwhattheypretendtobe。"
　　"Indeed，youareright，"repliedMadeline。"Icannotunderstandthem。Come，letustelltheothersthatNelsandMontywereonlytalkinganddonotintendtoleaveus。Dorothy，atleast，willbelessfrightenedifsheknows。"
　　Dorothywassomewhatcomforted。Theothers，however，complainedofthecowboys'singularbehavior。Morethanoncetheideawasadvancedthatanelaboratetrickhadbeenconcocted。Upongeneraldiscussionthisideagainedground。Madelinedidnotcombatit，becauseshesawittendedtoalessperturbedconditionofmindamongherguests。Castletonforonceprovedthathewasnotabsolutelyobtuse，andhelpedalongtheidea。
　　Theysattalkinginlowvoicesuntilalatehour。TheincidentnowbegantotakeonthenatureofHelen'slong-yearned-foradventure。Someofthepartyevengrewmerryinasubduedway。
　　Then，gradually，onebyonetheytiredandwenttobed。Helenvowedshecouldnotsleepinaplacewheretherewerebatsandcrawlingthings。Madelinefancied，however，thattheyallwenttosleepwhileshelaywide-eyed，staringupattheblackbulgeofoverhangingrockandbeyondthestarrysky。
　　TokeepfromthinkingofStewartandtheburningangerhehadcausedhertofeelforherself，Madelinetriedtokeephermindonotherthings。Butthoughtofhimrecurred，andeachtimetherewasahotcommotioninherbreasthardtostifle。
　　Intelligentreasoningseemedoutofherpower。InthedaylightithadbeenpossibleforhertobeoblivioustoStewart'sdeceitafterthemomentofitsrealization。Atnight，however，inthestrangesilenceandhoveringshadowsofgloom，withthespeakingstarsseemingtocalltoher，withthemoanofthewindinthepines，andthemelancholymournofcoyotesinthedistance，shewasnotabletogovernherthoughtandemotion。Thedaywaspractical，cold；thenightwasstrangeandtense。Inthedarknessshehadfancieswhollyunknowntoherinthebrightlightofthesun。Shebattledwithahauntingthought。ShehadinadvertentlyheardNels'sconversationwithStewart；shehadlistened，hopingtohearsomegoodnewsortoheartheworst；shehadlearnedboth，and，moreover，enlightenmentononepointofStewart'scomplexmotives。Hewishedtospareheranysightthatmightoffend，frighten，ordisgusther。YetthisStewart，whoshowedafinenessoffeelingthatmighthavebeenwantingeveninBoydHarvey，maintainedasecretrendezvouswiththatpretty，abandonedBonita。Herealwaysthehotshame，likealive，stinging，internalfire，abruptlyendedMadeline'sthought。Itwasintolerable，anditwasthemoresobecauseshecouldneithercontrolnorunderstandit。Thehoursworeon，andatlength，asthestarsbegantopaleandtherewasnosoundwhatever，shefellasleep。
　　Shewascalledoutofherslumber。Dayhadbrokenbrightandcool。Thesunwasstillbelowtheeasterncrags。Ambrose，withseveralothercowboys，hadbroughtupbucketsofspring-water，andhotcoffeeandcakes。Madeline'spartyappearedtobenonetheworseforthenight'sexperience。Indeed，themeagerbreakfastmighthavebeenasmerrilypartakenofasitwashungrilyhadnotAmbroseenjoinedsilence。
　　"They'reexpectin'companydownbelow，"hesaid。
　　Thisinformationandthesummarymannerinwhichthecowboyssoonledthepartyhigherupamongtheruinedshelvesofrockcausedarecurrenceofanxiety。Madelineinsistedonnotgoingbeyondaprojectionofclifffromwhichshecouldseedirectlydownintothecamp。Asthevantage-pointwasoneaffordingconcealment，Ambroseconsented，butheplacedthefrightenedChristinenearMadelineandremainedtherehimself。
　　"Ambrose，doyoureallythinktheguerrillaswillcome？"askedMadeline。
　　"Sure。Weknow。Nelsjustrodeinandsaidtheywereontheirwayup。MissHammond，canItrustyou？Youwon'tletoutasquealifthere'safightdownthere？Stewarttoldmetohideyououtofsightorkeepyoufromlookin'。"
　　"Ipromisenottomakeanynoise，"repliedMadeline。Madelinearrangedhercoatsothatshecouldlieuponit，andsettleddowntowaitdevelopments。Therecameaslightrattlingofstonesintherear。SheturnedtoseeHelenslidingdownabankwithaperplexedandtroubledcowboy。HelencamestoopinglowtowhereMadelinelayandsaid："Iamgoingtoseewhathappens，ifIdieintheattempt！Icanstanditifyoucan。Shewaspaleandbig-eyed。Ambrosepromptlysworeatthecowboywhohadlethergetawayfromhim。"Takeahalf-hitchonheryourselfan'seewhereyouendup，"repliedthefellow，anddisappearedinthejumbleofrocks。Ambrose，findingwordsuseless，sternlyandheroicallypreparedtocarryHelenbacktotheothers。Helaidholdofher。Inafury，witheyesblazing，Helenwhispered：
　　"Letgoofme！Majesty，whatdoesthisfoolmean？"
　　Madelinelaughed。SheknewHelen，andhadmarkedthewhisper，whenordinarilyHelenwouldhavespokenimperiously，andnotlow。
　　Madelineexplainedtohertheexigencyofthesituation。"I
　　mightrun，butI'llneverscream，"saidHelen。WiththatAmbrosehadtobecontenttoletherstay。However，hefoundheraplacesomewhatfartherbackfromMadeline'sposition，wherehesaidtherewaslessdangerofherbeingseen。Thenhesternlyboundhertosilence，tarriedamomenttocomfortChristine，andreturnedtowhereMadelinelayconcealed。Hehadbeentherescarcelyamomentwhenhewhispered：
　　"Ihearhosses。Theguerrillasarecomin'。"
　　Madeline'shiding-placewaswellprotectedfrompossiblediscoveryfrombelow。Shecouldpeepoverakindofparapet，throughanopeninginthetipsofthepinesthatreacheduptothecliff，andobtainacommandingviewofthecampcircleanditsimmediatesurroundings。Shecouldnot，however，seefareithertorightorleftofthecamp，owingtotheobstructingfoliage。Presentlythesoundofhorses'hoofsquickenedthebeatofherpulseandcausedhertoturnkeenergazeuponthecowboysbelow。
　　AlthoughshehadsomeinklingofthecourseStewartandhismenweretopursue，shewasnotbyanymeanspreparedfortheindifferenceshesaw。Frankwasasleep，orpretendedtobe。
　　Threecowboyswerelazilyandunconcernedlyattendingtocamp-fireduties，suchasbakingbiscuits，watchingtheovens，andwashingtinsandpots。Theelaboratesetofaluminumplates，cups，etc。，togetherwiththeothercampfixturesthathaddoneserviceforMadeline'sparty，haddisappeared。NickSteelesatwithhisbacktoalog，smokinghispipe。Anothercowboyhadjustbroughtthehorsescloserintocamp，wheretheystoodwaitingtobesaddled。Nelsappearedtobefussingoverapack。
　　Stewartwasrollingacigarette。Montyhadapparentlynothingtodoforthepresentexceptwhistle，whichhewasdoingmuchmoreloudlythanmelodiously。Thewholeensemblegaveanimpressionofcarelessindifference。
　　Thesoundofhorses'hoofsgrewlouderandsloweditsbeat。Oneofthecowboyspointeddownthetrail，towardwhichseveralofhiscomradesturnedtheirheadsforamoment，thenwentonwiththeiroccupations。
　　Presentlyashaggy，dustyhorsebearingalean，ragged，darkriderrodeintocampandhalted。Anotherfollowed，andanother。
　　HorseswithMexicanriderscameinsinglefileandstoppedbehindtheleader。
　　Thecowboyslookedup，andtheguerrillaslookeddown。"Buenosdias，senor，"ceremoniouslysaidtheforemostguerrilla。
　　BystrainingherearsMadelineheardthatvoice，andsherecognizeditasbelongingtoDonCarlos。HisgracefulbowtoStewartwasalsofamiliar。Otherwiseshewouldneverhaverecognizedtheformerelegantvaquerointhisuncouth，roughlydressedMexican。
　　StewartansweredthegreetinginSpanish，and，wavinghishandtowardthecamp-fire，addedinEnglish，"Getdownandeat。"
　　Theguerrillaswereanythingbutslowincomplying。Theycrowdedtothefire，thenspreadinalittlecircleandsquattedupontheground，layingtheirweaponsbesidethem。InappearancetheytalliedwiththebandofguerrillasthathadcarriedMadelineupintothefoothills，onlythisbandwaslargerandbetterarmed。
　　Themen，moreover，werejustashungryandaswildandbeggarly。
　　Thecowboyswerenotcordialintheirreceptionofthisvisit，buttheywerehospitable。Thelawofthedeserthadalwaysbeentogivefoodanddrinktowayfaringmen，whetherlostorhuntedorhunting。
　　"There'stwenty-threeinthatoutfit，"whisperedAmbrose，"includin'fourwhitemen。Prettyrummyoutfit。"
　　"Theyappeartobefriendlyenough，"whisperedMadeline。
　　"Thingsdownthereain'twhattheyseem，"repliedAmbrose。
　　"Ambrose，tellme——explaintome。Thisismyopportunity。Aslongasyouwillletmewatchthem，pleaseletmeknowthe——therealthing。"
　　"Sure。Butrecollect，MissHammond，thatGene'llgiveittomegoodifheeverknowsIletyoulookandtoldyouwhat'swhat。
　　Well，decent-likeGeneisseem'thempoordevilsgetasquaremeal。They'reonlyalotofcalf-thievesinthiscountry。
　　Acrosstheborderthey'rebandits，someofthem，theothersjustriffraffoutlaws。Thatrebelbluffdoesn'tgodownwithus。I'dhavetoseefirstbeforeI'dbelievethemGreaserswouldfight。
　　They'realotofhard-ridin'thieves，andthey'dstealafellow'sblanketortobacco。Genethinksthey'reafteryouladies——tocarryyouoff。ButGene——Oh，Gene'ssomehighfalutininhisideaslately。Mostofusboysthinktheguerrillasareouttorob——that'sall。"
　　WhatevermighthavebeenthesecretmotiveofDonCarlosandhismen，theydidnotallowittointerferewithaheartyappreciationofagenerousamountoffood。Plainly，eachindividualateallthathewasabletoeatatthetime。Theyjabberedlikeaflockofparrots；somewereevenmerry，inakindofwildway。Then，aseachandeveryonebegantorollandsmoketheinevitablecigaretteoftheMexican，therewasasubtlechangeinmanner。Theysmokedandlookedaboutthecamp，offintothewoods，upatthecrags，andbackattheleisurelycowboys。Theyhadtheairofmenwaitingforsomething。
　　"Senor，"beganDonCarlos，addressingStewart。Ashespokeheswepthissombrerotoindicatethecampcircle。
　　Madelinecouldnotdistinguishhiswords，buthisgestureplainlyindicatedaquestioninregardtotherestofthecampingparty。
　　Stewart'sreplyandthewaveofhishanddownthetrailmeantthathispartyhadgonehome。Stewartturnedtosometask，andtheguerrillaleaderquietlysmoked。Helookedcunningandthoughtful。Hismengraduallybegantomanifestarestlessness，noticeableintheabsenceofformerlanguorandslowpuffingofcigarettesmoke。Presentlyabig-bonedmanwithabulletheadandablisteredredfaceofevilcoarsenessgotupandthrewawayhiscigarette。HewasanAmerican。
　　"Hey，cull，"hecalledinloudvoice，"ain'tyegoin'tocoughupadrink？"
　　"Myboysdon'tcarryliquoronthetrail，"repliedStewart。Heturnednowtofacetheguerrillas。
　　"Haw，haw！IheerdoverinRodeothetyewasgittin'tobeshoresomefertemperance，"saidthisfellow。"Ihatetodrinkwater，butIguessI'vegotterdoit。"
　　Hewenttothespring，sprawleddowntodrink，andallofasuddenhethrusthisarmdowninthewatertobringforthabasket。Thecowboysinthehurryofpackinghadneglectedtoremovethisbasket；anditcontainedbottlesofwineandliquorsforMadeline'sguests。Theyhadbeensubmergedinthespringtokeepthemcold。Theguerrillafumbledwiththelid，openedit，andthengotup，utteringaloudroarofdelight。
　　Stewartmadeanalmostimperceptiblemotion，asiftoleapforward；buthecheckedtheimpulse，andafteraquickglanceatNelshesaidtotheguerrilla：
　　"Guessmypartyforgotthat。You'rewelcometoit。"Likebeestheguerrillasswarmedaroundtheluckyfinderofthebottles。
　　Therewasababelofvoices。Thedrinkdidnotlastlong，anditservedonlytoliberatethespiritofrecklessness。Theseveralwhiteoutlawsbegantoprowlaroundthecamp；someoftheMexicansdidlikewise；otherswaited，showingbytheirill-concealedexpectancythenatureoftheirthoughts。
　　ItwasthedemeanorofStewartandhiscomradesthatpuzzledMadeline。Apparentlytheyfeltnoanxietyorevenparticularinterest。DonCarlos，whohadbeencovertlywatchingthem，nowmadehisscrutinyopen，evenaggressive。HelookedfromStewarttoNelsandMonty，andthentotheothercowboys。Whilesomeofhismenprowledaroundtheotherswatchedhim，andthewaitingattitudehadtakenonsomethingsinister。Theguerrillaleaderseemedundecided，butnotinanysensepuzzled。WhenheturnedhiscunningfaceuponNelsandMontyhehadthemannerofamaninwhomdecisionwaslacking。
　　InhergrowingexcitementMadelinehadnotclearlyheardAmbrose'slowwhispersandshemadeanefforttodistractsomeofherattentionfromthosebelowtothecowboycrouchingbesideher。
　　Thequality，thenoteofAmbrose'swhisperhadchanged。Ithadaslightsibilantsound。
　　"Don'tbemadifsudden-likeIclapmyhandsoveryoureyes，MissHammond，"hewassaying。"Somethin'sbrewin'below。IneverseenGenesocool。That'sadangeroussigninhim。Andlook，seehowtheboysareworkin'together！Oh，it'sslowandaccident-like，butIknowit'ssurenotaccident。ThatfoxyGreaserknows，too。
　　Butmaybehismendon't。Iftheyarewisetheyhaven'tsenseenoughtocare。TheDon，though——he'sworried。He'snotpayin'
　　somuchattentiontoGene，either。It'sNelsandMontyhe'swatchin'。Andwellheneeddoit！There，NickandFrankhavesettleddownonthatlogwithBooly。Theydon'tseemtobepackin'guns。Butlookhowheavytheirvestshang。Agunineachside！Thoseboyscanpullagunandflopoverthatlogquickerthanyoucanthink。DoyounoticehowNelsandMontyandGenearesquarebetweenthemguerrillasandthetrailuphere？
　　Itdoesn'tseemonpurpose，butitis。LookatNelsandMonty。
　　Howquiettheyareconfabbin'together，payin'noattentiontotheguerrillas。IseeMontylookatGene，thenIseeNelslookatGene。Well，it'suptoGene。Andthey'regoin'tobackhim。
　　Ireckon，MissHammond，there'dbedeadGreasersroundthatcamplongagoifNelsandMontywerefoot-loose。They'rebeholdin'toGene。That'splain。And，Lord！howitticklesmetowatchthem！
　　Bothpackin'twoforty-fives，buttsswingin'clear。There'stwenty-fourshotsinthemfourguns。Andthere'stwenty-threeguerrillas。IfNelsandMontyeverthrowgunsatthatcloserange，why，beforeyou'dknowwhatwasupthere'dbeapileofGreasers。There！StewartsaidsomethingtotheDon。Iwonderwhat。I'llgambleitwassomethingtogettheDon'soutfitallclosetogether。Sure！Greasershavenosense。Butthemwhiteguerrillas，they'relookin'somedubious。Whatever'scomin'offwillcomesoon，youcanbet。IwishIwasdownthere。Butmaybeitwon'tcometoascrap。Stewart'ssetonavoidin'that。He'sawonderfulchaptogethisway。Lord，though，I'dliketoseehimgoafterthatoverbearin'Greaser！See！theDoncan'tstandprosperity。Allthisstrangebehaviorofcowboysisbeyondhispulque-soakedbrains。Thenhe'saGreaser。IfGenedoesn'tknockhimontheheadpresentlyhe'llbegintogetoverhisscare，evenofNelsandMonty。ButGene'llpickouttherighttime。AndI'mgettin'nervous。Iwantsomethin'tostart。
　　NeversawNelsinbutonefight，thenhejustshotaGreaser'sarmofffortryin'todrawonhim。ButI'veheardallabouthim。
　　AndMonty！Monty'stherealold-fashionedgun-man。Why，noneofthemstories，themlieshetoldtoentertaintheEnglishman，wasamarkertowhatMontyhasdone。WhatIdon'tunderstandishowMontykeepssoquietandeasyandpeaceful-like。That'snothisway，withsuchanoutfitlookin'fortrouble。O-ha！Nowforthegrandbluff。Lookslikenofightatall！"
　　Theguerrillaleaderhadceasedhisrestlessstepsandglances，andturnedtoStewartwithsomethingofboldresolutioninhisaspect。
　　"Gracias，senor，"hesaid。"Adios。"Heswepthissombrerointhedirectionofthetrailleadingdownthemountaintotheranch；andashecompletedthegestureasmile，craftyandjeering，crossedhisswarthyface。
　　AmbrosewhisperedsolowthatMadelinescarcelyheardhim。"IftheGreasergoesthatwayhe'llfindourhorsesandgetwisetothetrick。Oh，he'swisenow！ButI'llgambleheneverevenstartsonthattrail。"
　　NeitherhurriedlynorguardedlyStewartroseoutofhisleaningpostureandtookacoupleoflongstridestowardDonCarlos。
　　"Gobackthewayyoucame，"hefairlyyelled；andhisvoicehadtheringofabugle。
　　AmbrosenudgedMadeline；hiswhisperwastenseandrapid："Don'tmissnothin'。Gene'scalledhim。Whatever'scomin'offwillbeherequickaslightnin'。See！IguessmaybethatGreaserdon'tsavvygoodU。S。lingo。Lookatthatdirtyyallerfaceturngreen。PutoneeyeonNelsandMonty！That'sgreat——justtosee'em。Justasquietandeasy。Butoh，thedifference！Bentandstiff——thatmeanseverymuscleislikearawhideriata。They'rewatchin'witheyesthatcanseetheworkin'softhemGreasers'
　　minds。Nowthereain'tahoss-hairbetweenthemGreasersandhell！"
　　DonCarlosgaveStewartonelongmalignantstare；thenhethrewbackhishead，sweptupthesombrero，andhisevilsmileshowedgleamingteeth。
　　"Senor——"hebegan。
　　WithmagnificentboundStewartwasuponhim。Theguerrilla'scrywasthrottledinhisthroat。Afiercewrestlingensued，tooswifttoseeclearly；thenheavy，soddenblows，andDonCarloswasbeatentotheground。Stewartleapedback。Then，crouchingwithhishandsonthebuttsofgunsathiships，heyelled，hethunderedattheguerrillas。Hehadbeenquickerthanapanther，andnowhisvoicewassoterriblethatitcurdledMadeline'sblood，andthemenaceofdeadlyviolenceinhiscrouchingpositionmadehershuthereyes。Butshehadtoopenthem。InthatsingleinstantNelsandMontyhadleapedtoStewart'sside。
　　Bothwerebentdown，withhandsonthebuttsofgunsattheirhips。Nels'spiercingyellseemedtodivideMonty'sroarofrage。Thentheyceased，andechoesclappedfromthecrags。Thesilenceofthosethreemencrouchingliketigersabouttoleapwasmoremenacingthanthenerve-rackingyells。
　　Thentheguerrillaswaveredandbrokeandranfortheirhorses。
　　DonCarlosrolledover，rose，andstaggeredaway，tobehelpeduponhismount。Helookedback，hispaleandbloodyfacethatofathwarteddemon。Thewholebandgotintoactionandweregoneinamoment。
　　"Iknewit，"declaredAmbrose。"NeverseenaGreaserwhocouldfacegun-play。Thatwassomewarm。AndMontyPriceneverflashedagun！He'llnevergetoverthat。Ireckon，MissHarnmond，we'resomeluckytoavoidtrouble。Genehadhisway，asyouseen。We'llbemakin'tracksfortheranchinabouttwoshakes。"
　　"Why？"whisperedMadeline，breathlessly。Shebecameconsciousthatshewasweakandshaken。
　　"Becausetheguerrillassurewillgettheirnerveback，andcomesneakin'onourtrailortrytoheadusoffbyambushin'，"
　　repliedAmbrose。"That'stheirway。Otherwisethreecowboyscouldn'tbluffawholeganglikethat。GeneknowsthenatureofGreasers。They'rewhite-livered。ButIreckonwe'reinmoredangernowthanbefore，unlesswegetagoodstartdownthemountain。There！Gene'scallin'。Come！Hurry！"
　　Helenhadslippeddownfromhervantage-point，andthereforehadnotseenthelastactinthatlittlecamp-firedrama。Itseemed，however，thatherdesireforexcitementwassatisfied，forherfacewaspaleandshetrembledwhensheaskediftheguerrillasweregone。
　　"Ididn'tseethefinish，butthosehorribleyellswereenoughforme。"
　　Ambrosehurriedthethreewomenovertheroughrocks，downthecliff。Thecowboysbelowweresaddlinghorsesinhaste。
　　Evidentlyallthehorseshadbeenbroughtoutofhiding。
　　Swiftly，withregardonlyforlifeandlimb，Madeline，Helen，andChristinewereloweredbylassoesandhalfcarrieddowntothelevel。Bythetimetheyweresafelydowntheothermembersofthepartyappearedonthecliffabove。Theywereinexcellentspirits，appearingtotreatthematterasahugejoke。
　　AmbroseputChristineonahorseandrodeawaythroughthepines；
　　FrankieSladedidlikewisewithHelen。StewartledMadeline'shorseuptoher，helpedhertomount，andspokeonesternword，"Wait！"Thenasfastasoneofthewomenreachedthelevelshewasputuponahorseandtakenawaybyacowboyescort。Fewwordswerespoken。Hasteseemedtobethegreatessential。Thehorseswereurged，and，onceinthetrail，spurredandledintoaswifttrot。Onecowboydroveupfourpack-horses，andthesewerehurriedlyloadedwiththeparty'sbaggage。Castletonandhiscompanionsmounted，andgallopedofftocatchtheothersinthelead。ThisleftMadelinebehindwithStewartandNelsandMonty。
　　"They'regoin'toswitchoffatthehollerthetheadsnearthetrailafewmilesdown，"Nelswassaying，ashetightenedhissaddle-girth。"Thethollerheadsintoabigcanon。Onceinthet，it'llbeeverymanferhisself。Ireckontherewon'tbeanythin'wussthanaroughride。"
　　NelssmiledreassuringlyatMadeline，buthedidnotspeaktoher。Montytookhercanteenandfilleditatthespringandhungitoverthepommelofhersaddle。Heputacoupleofbiscuitsinthesaddle-bag。
　　"Don'tfergittotakeadrinkan'abiteasyou'reridin'along，"
　　hesaid。"An'don'tworry，MissMajesty。Stewart'llbewithyou，an'mean'Nelshangin'ontheback-trail。"
　　Hissomberandsullenfacedidnotchangeinitsstrangeintensity，butthelookinhiseyesMadelinefeltshewouldneverforget。Leftalonewiththesethreemen，nowstrippedofallpretense，sherealizedhowfortunehadfavoredherandwhatperilstillhunginthebalance。Stewartswungastridehisbigblack，spurredhim，andwhistled。AtthewhistleMajestyjumped，andwithswiftcanterfollowedStewart。MadelinelookedbacktoseeNelsalreadyupandMontyhandinghimarifle。Thenthepineshidherview。
　　Onceinthetrail，Stewart'shorsebrokeintoagallop。Majestychangedhisgaitandkeptattheblack'sheels。Stewartcalledbackawarning。Thelow，wide-spreadingbranchesoftreesmightbrushMadelineoutofthesaddle。Fastridingthroughtheforestalongacrooked，obstructedtrailcalledforthallheralertness。
　　Likewisethestirringofherblood，alwayssusceptibletothespiritandmotionofaride，letaloneoneofperil，nowbegantothrobandburnawaytheworry，thedread，thecoldnessthathadweightedherdown。
　　BeforelongStewartwheeledatrightanglesoffthetrailandenteredahollowbetweentwolowbluffs。Madelinesawtracksintheopenpatchesofground。HereStewart'shorsetooktoabriskwalk。Thehollowdeepened，narrowed，becamerocky，fulloflogsandbrush。Madelineexertedallherkeenness，andneededit，tokeepclosetoStewart。Shedidnotthinkofhim，norherownsafety，butofkeepingMajestycloseinthetracksoftheblack，ofeludingthesharpspikesinthedeadbrush，ofavoidingthetreacherousloosestones。
　　AtlastMadelinewasbroughttoadeadhaltbyStewartandhishorseblockingthetrail。Lookingup，shesawtheywereattheheadofacanonthatyawnedbeneathandwideneditsgray-walled，green-patchedslopesdowntoablackforestoffir。Thedrabmonotonyofthefoothillsmadecontrastbelowtheforest，andawayinthedistance，rosyandsmoky，laythedesert。Retractinghergaze，Madelinesawpack-horsescrossanopenspaceamilebelow，andshethoughtshesawthestag-hounds。Stewart'sdarkeyessearchedtheslopeshighupalongthecraggyescarpments。
　　Thenheputtheblacktothedescent。
　　Iftherehadbeenatrailleftbytheleadingcowboys，Stewartdidnotfollowit。Heledofftotheright，zigzagginganintricatecoursethroughtheroughestgroundMadelinehadeverriddenover。Hecrashedthroughcedars，threadedatortuouswayamongboulders，madehishorseslidedownslantingbanksofsoftearth，pickedaslowandcautiousprogressacrossweatheredslopesoflooserock。Madelinefollowed，findinginthisrideataxonstrengthandjudgment。OnanordinaryhorseshenevercouldhavekeptinStewart'strail。Itwasdustandheat，aparchingthroat，thatcausedMadelinetothinkoftime；andshewasamazedtoseethesunslopingtothewest。Stewartneverstopped；heneverlookedback；heneverspoke。Hemusthaveheardthehorseclosebehindhim。MadelinerememberedMonty'sadviceaboutdrinkingandeatingassherodealong。Theworstofthatroughtravelcameatthebottomofthecanon。Deadcedarsandbrushandlogswereeasytopasscomparedwiththemiles，itseemed，oflooseboulders。Thehorsesslippedandstumbled。
　　Stewartproceededherewithexceedingcare。Atlast，whenthecanonopenedintoalevelforestoffirs，thesunwassettingredinthewest。
　　Stewartquickenedthegaitofhishorse。Afteramileorsoofeasytravelthegroundagainbegantofalldecidedly，slopinginnumerousridges，withdrawsbetween。Soonnightshadowedthedeepergullies。Madelinewasrefreshedbythecoolingoftheair。
　　Stewarttraveledslowlynow。Thebarksofcoyotesseemedtostartlehim。Oftenhestoppedtolisten。Andduringoneofthoseintervalsthesilencewasbrokenbysharprifle-shots。
　　Madelinecouldnottellwhethertheywerenearorfar，torightorleft，behindorbefore。EvidentlyStewartwasbothalarmedandbaffled。Hedismounted。Hewentcautiouslyforwardtolisten。Madelinefanciedsheheardacry，lowandfaraway。Itwasonlythatofacoyote，sheconvincedherself，yetitwassowailing，sohuman，thatsheshuddered。Stewartcameback。Heslippedthebridlesofbothhorses，andheledthem。Everyfewpaceshestoppedtolisten。Hechangedhisdirectionseveraltimes，andthelasttimehegotamongrough，rockyridges。Theironshoesofthehorsescrackedontherocks。Thatsoundmusthavepenetratedfarintotheforest。ItperturbedStewart，forhesearchedforsofterground。Meanwhiletheshadowsmergedintodarkness。Thestarsshone。Thewindrose。Madelinebelievedhourspassed。
　　Stewarthaltedagain。InthegloomMadelinediscernedalogcabin，andbeyonditpear-pointeddarktreespiercingthesky-line。ShecouldjustmakeoutStewart'stallformasheleanedagainsthishorse。Eitherhewaslisteningordebatingwhattodo——perhapsboth。Presentlyhewentinsidethecabin。
　　Madelineheardthescratchingofamatch；thenshesawafaintlight。Thecabinappearedtobedeserted。Probablyitwasoneofthemanyhabitationsbelongingtoprospectorsandforesterswholivedinthemountains。Stewartcameoutagain。Hewalkedaroundthehorses，outintothegloom，thenbacktoMadeline。Foralongmomenthestoodasstillasastatueandlistened。Thensheheardhimmutter，"IfwehavetostartquickIcanridebareback。"Withthathetookthesaddleandblanketoffhishorseandcarriedthemintothecabin。
　　"Getoff，"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashesteppedoutofthedoor。
　　Hehelpedherdownandledherinside，whereagainhestruckamatch。Madelinecaughtaglimpseofarudefireplaceandrough-hewnlogs。Stewart'sblanketandsaddlelayonthehard-packedearthenfloor。
　　"Restalittle，"hesaid。"I'mgoingintothewoodsapiecetolisten。Goneonlyaminuteorso。"
　　Madelinehadtofeelroundinthedarktolocatethesaddleandblanket。Whenshelaydownitwaswithagratefulsenseofeaseandrelief。Asherbodyrested，however，hermindbecametheoldthrongingmazeforsensationandthought。Alldayshehadattendedtothealertbusinessofhelpingherhorse。Now，whathadalreadyhappened，thenight，thesilence，theproximityofStewartandhisstrange，sterncaution，thepossiblehappeningstoherfriends——allclaimedtheirdueshareofherfeeling。Shewentoverthemallwithlightningswiftnessofthought。Shebelieved，andshewassureStewartbelieved，thatherfriends，owingtotheirquickerstartdownthemountain，hadnotbeenheadedoffintheirtravelbyanyofthethingswhichhaddelayedStewart。Thisconvictionliftedthesuddenlyreturningdreadfromherbreast；andasforherself，somehowshehadnofear。
　　Butshecouldnotsleep；shedidnottryto。
　　Stewart'ssoftstepssoundedoutside。Hisdarkformloomedinthedoor。AshesatdownMadelineheardthethumpofagunthathelaidbesidehimonthesill；thenthethumpofanotherasheputthatdown，too。Thesoundsthrilledher。Stewart'swideshouldersfilledthedoor；hisfinelyshapedheadandstrong，sternprofileshowedclearlyinoutlineagainstthesky；thewindwavedhishair。Heturnedhiseartothatwindandlistened。
　　Motionlesshesatforwhattoherseemedhours。
　　Thenthestirringmemoryoftheday'sadventure，thefeelingofthebeautyofthenight，andastrange，deep-seated，sweetlyvagueconsciousnessofhappinessportending，wereallburnedoutinhot，pressingpainattheremembranceofStewart'sdisgraceinhereyes。Somethinghadchangedwithinhersothatwhathadbeenangeratherselfwassorrowforhim。Hewassuchasplendidman。
　　Shecouldnotfeelthesame；sheknewherdebttohim，yetshecouldnotthankhim，couldnotspeaktohim。Shefoughtanunintelligiblebitterness。
　　Thensherestedwithclosedeyes，andtimeseemedneithershortnorlong。WhenStewartcalledhersheopenedhereyestoseethegrayofdawn。Sheroseandsteppedoutside。Thehorseswhinnied。
　　Inamomentshewasinthesaddle，awareofcrampedmusclesandawearinessoflimbs。Stewartledoffatasharptrotintothefirforest。Theycametoatrailintowhichbeturned。Thehorsestraveledsteadily；thedescentgrewlesssteep；thefirsthinnedout；thegraygloombrightened。
　　WhenMadelinerodeoutofthefirsthesunhadarisenandthefoothillsrolledbeneathher；andattheiredge，wherethegrayofvalleybegan，shesawadarkpatchthatsheknewwastheranch-house。
　　XXTheSheriffofElCajonAboutthemiddleoftheforenoonofthatdayMadelinereachedtheranch。Herguestshadallarrivedtherelatethenightbefore，andwantedonlyherpresenceandtheassuranceofherwell-beingtoconsiderthelastofthecampingtriparareadventure。
　　Likewise，theyvoteditthecowboys'masterpieceofatrick。
　　Madeline'sdelay，theyaverred，hadbeenonlyaclevercouptogiveafinaleffect。Shedidnotcorrecttheirimpression，northinkitneedfultostatethatshehadbeenescortedhomebyonlyonecowboy。