THEOPENRIVER
ThewinterhadbrokenearlyandtheScotchRiverwasrunningice-
freeandfullfrombanktobank。Therewasstillsnowinthewoods，andwithgoodsleighingandopenriverseverydaywasgoldentothelumbermenwhohadstufftogetdowntothebigwater。Adaygainednowmightsaveweeksatachutefartherdown，wheretheraftswouldcrowdoneanotherandstriveforrightofway。
DanMurphywasmightilypleasedwithhimselfandwiththebitoftheworldabouthim，fortherelayhiswinter'scutoflogsintheriverbelowhimsnugandsecureandheldtightbyaboomacrossthemouth，justwhereitflowedintotheNation。Inafewdayshewouldhavehiscribmade，andhisoutfitreadytostartfortheOttawamills。Hewassuretobeaheadofthebigtimberraftsthattookupsomuchspace，andwhosecrewswithunbearableeffronteryconsideredthemselvesthearistocratsoftheriver。
Yes，itwasapleasantandsatisfyingsight，somethreesolidmilesoflogsboomedattheheadofthebigwater。SuddenlyMurphyturnedhisfaceuptheriver。
"What'sthatnow，d'yethink，LeNware？"heasked。
LeNoir，or"LeNware，"astheyallcalleditinthatcountry，wasDanMurphy'sforeman，andashehimselfsaid，"forhaxe，forhiteat，forfightdebossondereeverHottawa！byGar！"LouisLeNoirwasaFrench-Canadian，handsome，active，hardy，andpowerfullybuilt。HehadcomefromtheNewBrunswickwoodssomethreeyearsago，andhadwroughtandfoughthisway，ashethought，againstallrivalstotheproudpositionof"bossondereever，"
thetopmostpinnacleofalumberman'sambition。ItwassomethingtoseeLeNoir"runalog"acrosstheriverandback；thatis，hewouldbalancehimselfuponafloatinglog，andbyspinningitround，wouldsenditwhitherhewould。AtMurphy'squestionLeNoirstoodlisteningwithbentheadandopenmouth。Downtherivercamethesoundofsinging。"Don-nome！Ahoui！bedam！DasMacdonaldgangforsure！DemenfromGlengarrie，lesdiables！Deynothoutdereeveryet。"Hisbosswentoffintoavolleyofoaths——
"They'llbewantingtherivernow，an'they'redivilstofight。"
"Wegiveemdefullbelly，heh？Bon！"saidLeNoir，throwingbackhishead。HisonlyunconqueredrivalontheriverwasthebossoftheMacdonaldgang。
Horo，monigheandonnbhoidheach，Hi-ri，monigheandonnbhoidheach，Mochaileag，laghach，bhoidheach，Chaphosainnachthu。
Downtherivercamethestrong，clearchorusofmen'svoices，andsoona"pointer"pulledbysixstalwartmenwithaladinthesternswungroundthebendintoview。Asinglevoicetookupthesong——
'Sannthamorun'snabeanntaibh，Farbheilmoribhinnghreannar，MarrosamfasachshamhraidhAngleannfadoshuil。
Aftertheversethefullchorusbrokeforthagain——
Horo，monighean，etc。
Swiftlythepointershotdownthecurrent，theswayingbodiesandswingingoarsinperfectrhythmwiththesongthatroseandfellwithmelancholybutmusicalcadence。Themenonthehighbankstoodlookingdownupontheapproachingsingers。"Youknowdemfellers？"saidLeNoir。Murphynodded。"Iverydivilivthim——BigMackCameron，DannieRoss，FinlayCampbell——theredheadedone——thenextIdon'tknow，andyes！bedad！there'sthatblankedYankee，YankeeJim，theycallhim，an'badlucktillhim。Thedivilwillhavetotakethepokertillhim，forhe'llbatehimwidhisfists，andsohewill——andthatbigblackdivilisBlackHugh，thebrotherivthebossMacdonald。He'llbeupinthecampbeyant，andamightyluckythingforyou，LeNoir，heis。"
"Bah！"spatLeNoir，"DatbeegMacdonaldImakheemrunlikeoneleetlesheep，onetamatdelongSault，bah！Nogood！"LeNoir'scontemptforMacdonaldwasgenuineandcomplete。FortwoyearshehadtriedtomeetthebossMacdonald，buthisrivalhadalwaysavoidedhim。
Meantime，thepointercameswingingalong。Asitturnedthepointtheboyutteredanexclamation——"Lookthere！"Thesongandtherowingstoppedabruptly；thebig，darkmanstoodupandgazeddowntheriver，packedfrombanktobankwiththebrownsaw-logs；deepcursesbrokefromhim。Thenhecaughtsightofthemenonthebank。Awordofcommandandthepointershotintotheshore，andthenextmomentMacdonaldDubh，orBlackHugh，ashewassometimescalled，followedbyhismen，wasclimbingupthesteepbank。
"Whattheblank，blank，dotheselogsmean，Murphy？"hedemanded，withoutpauseforsalutation。
"Tisafoineavenin'MistherMacdonald，"saidMurphy，blandlyofferinghishand，"an'Hivenblissye。"
MacdonaldcheckedhimselfwithaneffortandreluctantlyshookhandswithMurphyandLeNoir，whomheslightlyknew。"Itisaferygootevening，indeed，"hesaid，inasquietavoiceashecouldcommand，"butIaminquiringabouttheselogs。"
"Shure，an'itisadhrynight，andonpolitetokapeyeztalkinghere。Comeinwidyez，"andmuchagainsthiswillBlackHughfollowedMurphytothetavern，themostpretentiousofagroupoflogbuildings——oncealumbercamp——whichstoodbackalittledistancefromtheriver，andaboutwhichMurphy'smen，somesixtyofthem，werenowcamped。
ThetavernwasfullofMurphy'sgang，amotleycrew，mostlyFrenchCanadiansandIrish，justoutofthewoodsandreadyforanydevilmentthatpromisedexcitement。Mostofthemknewbysight，andallbyreputation，Macdonaldandhisgang，forfromthefarthestreachesoftheOttawadowntheSt。LawrencetoQuebectheMacdonaldgangofGlengarrymenwasfamous。Theycame，mostofthem，fromthatstripofcountryrunningbackfromtheSt。LawrencethroughGlengarryCounty，knownastheIndianLands——onceanIndianreservation。TheyweresonsofthemenwhohadcomefromthehighlandsandislandsofScotlandintheearlyyearsofthelastcentury。Drivenfromhomesinthelandoftheirfathers，theyhadsetthemselveswithindomitablefaithandcouragetohewfromthe，solidforest，homesforthemselvesandtheirchildrenthatnonemighttakefromthem。Thesepioneerswereboundtogetherbytiesofblood，butalsobybondsstrongerthanthoseofblood。Theirloneliness，theirtriumphs，theirsorrows，bornoftheircommonlife-longconflictwiththeforestanditsfiercebeasts，knittheminbondscloseandenduring。Thesonsborntothemandrearedintheheartofthepineforestsgrewuptowitnessthatheroicstrugglewithsternnatureandtotaketheirpartinit。Andmightymentheywere。Theirlifebredinthemhardinessofframe，alertnessofsense，readinessofresource，endurance，superbself-
reliance，acouragethatgrewwithperil，andwithalacertainwildnesswhichattimesdeepenedintoferocity。Bytheirfatherstheforestwasdreadedandhated，butthesons，withriflesinhand，troditspathlessstretcheswithoutfear，andwiththeirbroad-axestheytooktolloftheirancientfoe。Forwhileinspringandsummertheyfarmedtheirnarrowfields，andrescuednewlandsfromthebrule；inwintertheysoughttheforest，andbackontheirownfarmsorin"theshanties"theycutsawlogs，ormadesquaretimber，theironlysourceofwealth。Theshantylifeoftheearlyfiftiesoflastcenturywasnottheluxuriousthingofto-
day。Itwasfullofprivation，forthemenwerepoorlyhousedandfed，andofperil，forthemakingofthetimberandthegettingitdownthesmallerriverstothebigwaterwasaworkofhardshipanddanger。Remotefromtherestraintsoflawandofsociety，andlivinginwildsurroundingsandinhourlytouchwithdanger，smallwonderthatoftentheshanty-menwerewildandreckless。SothatmanyapoorfellowinasinglewildcarouseinQuebec，ormorefrequentlyinsomerivertown，wouldflingintothehandsofsharksandharlotsandtavern-keepers，withwhomthebossesweresometimesinleague，theearningsofhislongwinter'swork，andwouldwaketofindhimselfsickandpenniless，farfromhomeandbrokeninspirit。
Ofalltheshanty-menoftheOttawathemenofGlengarry，andofGlengarrymenMacdonald'sgangwereeasilyfirst，andofthegangDonaldBhainMacdonald，orMacdonaldMore，ortheBigMacdonald，forhewasvariouslyknown，wasnotonlythe"boss"butbestandchief。Therewasnonelikehim。Agiantinsizeandstrength，aprinceofbroad-axemen，athomeinthewoods，sure-footedanddaringonthewater，freewithhiswages，andalwaysreadytodrinkwithfriendorfightwithfoe，thewholeriveradmired，feared，orhatedhim，whilehisownmenfollowedhimintothewoods，ontoajam，orintoafightwithequaljoyousnessanddevotion。Fightingwaslikewinetohim，whenthefightwasworthwhile，andhewentintothefightshisadmirerswerealwaysarrangingforhimwiththeeasiestgoodhumorandwithasmileonhisface。ButMacdonaldBhain'scarousing，fightingdayscametoanabruptstopaboutthreeyearsbeforetheopeningofthistale，forononeofhissummervisitstohishome，"ThewordoftheLordinthemouthofhisservantAlexanderMurray，"ashewaswonttosay，"foundhimandhewasanewman。"Hewentintohisnewlifewiththesamewhole-
souledjoyousnessashadmarkedtheold，andheannouncedthatwiththeshantyandtheriverhewas"doneforevermore。"Butafterthesummer'sworkwasdone，andtheloggingover，andwhenthesnapofthefirstfrostnippedtheleavesfromthetrees，Macdonaldbecamerestless。Hetookdownhisbroad-axeandspenthourspolishingitandbringingittoanedge，thenheputitinitswoodensheathandlaiditaway。Butthefeverwasuponhim，tenthousandvoicesfromtheforestwereshoutingforhim。Hewentawaytroubledtohisminister。Inanhourhecamebackwiththeoldgoodhumorinhisface，tookdownthebroad-axeagain，andretouchedit，lovingly，hummingthewhiletheoldriversongoftheGlengarrymen——
Horomonighean，etc。
Hewasgoingbacktothebushandtothebiggestfightofhislife。
Nowonderhewasglad。Thenhisgoodlittlewifebegantogetreadyhislong，heavystockings，histhickmits，hishomespunsmock，andothergear，forsheknewwellthatsoonshewouldbealoneforanotherwinter。BeforelongthewordwentroundthatMacdonaldBhainwasfortheshantiesagain，andhismencametohimfortheirorders。
ButitwasnottotheoldlifethatMacdonaldwasgoing，andhegravelytoldthosethatcametohimthathewouldtakenomanwhocouldnothandlehisaxeandhand-spike，andwhocouldnotbehavehimself。"Behavinghimself"meanttakingnomorewhiskeythanamancouldcarry，andrefusingallinvitationstofightunless"necessitywaslaiduponhim。"Theonlymantoobjectwashisownbrother，MacdonaldDubh，whosetemperwasswifttoblaze，andwithwhomtheblowwasquickerthantheword。ButafterthesecondyearoftheneworderevenBlackHughfellintoline。MacdonaldsoonbecamefamousontheOttawa。Hepickedonlythebestmen，hefedthemwell，paidthemthehighestwages，andcaredfortheircomfort，butheldtheminstrictestdiscipline。Theywoulddrinkbutkeptsober，theywouldspendmoneybutknewhowmuchwascomingtothem。Theyfearednomenevenof"twicetheirownheavyandbig，"butwouldneverfightexceptundernecessity。Contractsbegantocometheirway。Theymademoney，andwhatwasbetter，theybroughtithome。Thebestmensoughttojointhem，butbyrivalgangsandbymenrejectedfromtheirrankstheywerehatedwithdeepesthearthatred。ButthemenfromGlengarryknewnofearandsoughtnofavor。Theyaskedonlyagoodbeltofpineandanopenriver。Asaruletheygotboth，anditwaspeculiarlymaddeningtoBlackHughtofindtwoorthreemilesofsolidlogsbetweenhistimberandtheopenwateroftheNation。BlackHughhadatemperfierceandquick，andwheninfullflamehewasamantoavoid，forfromneithermannordevilwouldheturn。TheonlymanwhocouldholdhimwashisbrotherMacdonaldBhain，forstrongmanashewas，BlackHughknewwellthathisbrothercouldwithasingleswiftgripbringhimtohisknees。
ItwasunfortunatethatthecommandofthepartythisdayshouldhavebeenMacdonaldDubh's。Unfortunate，too，thatitwasDanMurphyandhismenthathappenedtobeblockingtherivermouth。
FortheGlengarrymen，whohandledonlysquaretimber，despisedtheMurphygangassawlog-men；"log-rollers"or"mushrats"theycalledthem，andhatedthemasIrish"Papishes"andFrench"Crapeaux，"
whilebetweenDanMurphyandMacdonaldDubhtherewasanancientpersonalgrudge，andto-dayMurphythoughthehadfoundhistime。
Therewereonlysixoftheenemy，hehadtentimesthenumberwithhim，manyofthemeagertopayoffoldscores；andbesidestherewasLouisLeNoirasthe"BossBully"oftheriver。TheFrenchmanwasnotonlyapowerfulman，activewithhandsandfeet，buthewasanadeptinallkindsoffightingtricks。SincecomingtotheOttawahehadheardofthebigMacdonald，andhesoughttomeethim。ButMacdonaldavoidedhimonceandagaintillLeNoir，havingneverknownanyoneavoidingafightforanyreasonotherthanfear，proclaimedMacdonaldacoward，andhimself"debossondereever。"Nowtherewasachanceofmeetinghisrivalandofforcingafight，fortheGlengarrycampcouldnotbefarawaywherethebigMacdonaldhimselfwouldbe。SoDanMurphy，backedupwithnumbers，andthebossbullyLeNoir，determinedthatfortheseMacdonaldmenthedayofsettlementhadcome。Buttheyweredangerousmen，anditwouldbewelltotakeallprecautions，andhencehisfriendlyinvitationtothetavernfordrinks。
MacdonaldDubh，scorningtoshowhesitation，thoughhesuspectedtreachery，strodeafterMurphytothetaverndoorandthroughthecrowdofshanty-menfillingtheroom。Theywereasferociouslookingalotofmenascouldwellbegottogether，eveninthatcountryandinthosedays——shaggyofhairandbeard，dressedoutinredandblueandgreenjerseys，withknittedsashesabouttheirwaists，andredandblueandgreentuquesontheirheads。Drunkenrowsweretheirdelight，andfightssofiercethatmanyamancameoutbatteredandbruisedtodeathortolife-longdecrepitude。
Theyweresittingonthebenchesthatranroundtheroom，orloungingagainstthebarsinging，talking，blaspheming。AtthesightofMacdonaldDubhandhismentherefelladeadsilence，andthengrowlsofrecognition，butMurphywasnotyetready，androaringout"Dh-r-r-i-n-k-s，"heseizedacoupleofhismenleaningagainstthebar，andhurlingthemtorightandleft，cried，"Ma-a-keroomforyerbetthers，bethepowers！Sthandup，bhoys，andfillyirsilves！"
BlackHughandhismenlinedupgravelytothebarandwerestraightwaysurroundedbythecrowdyellinghideously。ButifMurphyandhisgangthoughttointimidatethosegraveHighlanderswithnoise，theyweregreatlymistaken，fortheystoodquietlywaitingfortheirglassestobefilled，alert，butwithanairofperfectindifference。Someeightortenglassesweresetdownandfilled，whenMurphy，snatchingacoupleofbottlesfromtheshelfbehindthebar，handedthemouttohismen，crying，"Here，yebluddythaves，lavetheglassestothegintlemen！"
Therewasnomistakingtheinsolenceinhistone，andthechorusofderisiveyellsthatansweredhimshowedthathisremarkhadgonetothespot。
YankeeJim，whohadkeptclosetoBlackHugh，sawtheveinsinhisneckbeginningtoswell，andfacetogrowdark。HewaslongingtobeatMurphy'sthroat。"Speakhimfair，"hesaid，inalowtone，"there'sratheragoodstringof'emraound。"MacdonaldDubhglancedabouthim。Hiseyefellonhisboy，andforthefirsttimehisfacebecameanxious。"Ranald，"hesaid，angrily，"takeyourselfoutofthis。Itisnoplaceforyouwhatever。"Theboy，aslightladofseventeen，buttallandwell-knit，andwithhisfather'sfierce，wild，darkface，hesitated。
"Go，"saidhisfather，givinghimaslightcuff。
"Here，boy！"yelledLeNoir，catchinghimbythearmandholdingthebottletohismouth，"drink。"Theboytookagulp，choked，andspatitout。LeNoirandhismenroared。"Datgoodwhiskey，"hecried，stillholdingtheboy。"Younotlakdat，hey？"
"No，"saidtheboy，"itisnotgoodatall。"
"Tryheemsomemore，"saidLeNoir，thrustingthebottleathimagain。
"Iwillnot，"saidRanald，lookingatLeNoirstraightandfearless。
"Ho-ho！monbraveenfant！Butyouhavenotdegoodmannere。Come，drink！"Hecaughttheboybythebackoftheneck，andmadeasiftopourthewhiskeydownhisthroat。BlackHugh，whohadbeenkeptbackbyYankeeJimallthistime，startedforward，butbeforehecouldtakeasecondstepRanald，squirmingroundlikeacat，hadsunkhisteethintoLeNoir'swrist。WithacryofrageandpainLeNoirraisedthebottleandwasbringingitdownonRanald'shead，whenBlackHugh，withonehand，caughtthefallingblow，andwiththeotherseizedRanald，andcrying，"Getoutofthis！"heflunghimtowardsthedoor。ThenturningtoLeNoir，hesaid，withsurprisingself-control，"Itismyselfthatissorrythataboyofmineshouldbeguiltyofbitinglikeadog。"
"Sa-c-r-relechien！"yelledLeNoir，shakingoffMacdonaldDubh；
"heisonedog，andthesonofadog！"Heturnedandstartedfortheboy。ButYankeeJimhadgotRanaldtothedoorandwaswhisperingtohim。"Run！"criedYankeeJim，pushinghimoutofthedoor，andtheboywasofflikethewind。LeNoirpursuedhimashortwayandreturnedraging。
YankeeJim，orYankee，ashewascalledforshort，camebacktoMacdonaldDubh'sside，andwhisperingtotheotherHighlanders，"Keepyourbacksclear，"satupcoollyonthecounter。Thefightwassuretocomeandtherewereseventooneagainstthemintheroom。Ifhecouldonlygaintime。Everyminutewasprecious。Itwouldtaketheboyfifteenminutestorunthetwomilestocamp。
ItwouldbehalfanhourbeforetherestoftheGlengarrymencouldarrive，andmuchfightingmaybedoneinthattime。HemustavertattentionfromMacdonaldDubh，whowaswaitingtocramLeNoir'sinsultdownhisthroat。YankeeJimhadnotonlyallthecoolcouragebutalsotheshrewd，calculatingspiritofhisrace。Hewasreadytofight，andifneedbeagainstodds，buthepreferredtofightonaseventermsaspossible。
SoonLeNoircameback，wildwithfury，andyellingcursesatthetopofhisvoice。Hehurledhimselfintotheroom，thecrowdfallingbackfromhimoneitherhand。
"Hola！"heyelled，"Sacrebleu！"Hetooktwoquicksteps，andspringingupintotheairhekickedthestovepipethatranalongsomesevenfeetabovethefloor。
"Purtygoodkicking，"calledoutYankee，slidingdownfromhisseat。"Usedtokicksomemyself。ExcuseME。"Hestoodforamomentlookingupatthestovepipe，thenwithoutapparentefforthesprangintotheair，shotuphislonglegs，andknockedthestovepipewithabangagainsttheceiling。Therewasashoutofadmiration。
"Mydamages，"hesaidtoPatMurphy，whostoodbehindthecounter。
"Goodthingthereain'tnofire。Thoughtitwashigher。Wouldn'tcaretokickforthedrinks，wouldye？"headdedtoLeNoir。
LeNoirwastoofurioustoenterintoanycontestsopeaceful，butashespeciallypridedhimselfonhishighkick，hepausedamomentandwasabouttoagreewhenBlackHughbrokein，harshly，spoilingallYankee'splans。
"Thereisnotimeforsuchfoolishness，"hesaid，turningtoDanMurphy。"Iwanttoknowwhenwecangetourtimberout。"
"Depindsintoirlyonyirsilf，"saidMurphy。
"Whenwillyourlogsbeoutoftheway？"
"Indadean'that'saha-r-r-done，"laughedMurphy。
"Andwillyoutellmewhatrighthevyoutocloseuptheriver？"
BlackHugh'swrathwasrising。
"Youwudthinknowitwuzyirsilfthatownedtheriver。An'bedadit'sthethoughtofyirmind，itis。An'it'snottheriveronly，butthewholecreationyeanyirbrotherthinkisyours。DanMurphywascloseuptoMacdonaldDubhbythistime。"Yis，blank，blank，yirfaces，an'ye'dliketoturnbetterthanyirsilvesfromafftheriver，soyewud，yeblack-heartedthavesthatyeare。"
This，ofcourse，wasbeyondallendurance。ForanswerBlackHughsmotehimsuddenandfierceonthemouth，andMurphywentdown。
"Purtyone，"sangoutYankee，cheerily。"Now，boys，backtothewall。"
BeforeMurphycouldrise，LeNoirsprangoverhimandlituponMacdonaldlikeacat，butMacdonaldshookhimselffreeandsprangbacktotheGlengarrylineatthewall。
"Macan'Diabboil，"heroared，"Glengarryforever！"
"Glengarry！"yelledthefourHighlandersbesidehim，wildwiththedelightofbattle。Itwasaplainnecessity，andtheywentintoitwithfreeconsciencesandhappyhearts。
"Letmeathim，"criedMurphy，strugglingpastLeNoirtowardsMacdonald。
"Non！Heistome！"yelledLeNoir，dancinginfrontofMacdonald。
"Here，Murphy，"calledoutYankee，obligingly，"helpyourselfthisway。"Murphydashedathim，butYankee'slongarmshotouttomeethim，andMurphyagainfoundthefloor。
"Comeon，boys，"criedPatMurphy，Dan'sbrother，andfollowedbyhalfadozenothers，heflunghimselfatYankeeandthelineofmenstandingupagainstthewall。ButYankee'sarmsflashedoutonce，twice，thrice，andPatMurphyfellbackoverhisbrother；twoothersstaggeredacrossandcheckedtheoncomingrush，whileDannieRossandbigMackCameronhadeachbeatenbacktheirman，andtheGlengarrylinestoodunbroken。Manformantheywerefarmorethanamatchfortheiropponents，andstandingshouldertoshoulder，withtheirbackstothewall，theytauntedMurphyandhisgangwithallthewealthofgibesandoathsattheircommand。
"Where'stherestofyouroutfit，Murphy？"drawledYankee。"Don'tseem'sifyou'dcountedright。"
"Itisacolddayfortheparleyvoos，"laughedBigMackCameron。
"Comeup，lads，andtakeatasteofsomethinghot。"
ThentheMurphymen，clearingawaythefallen，rushedagain。TheystrovetobringtheHighlanderstoaclinch，butYankee'svoicewashighandclearincommand。
"Keeptheline，boys！Don'tlet'emdrawyou！"AndtheGlengarrymenwaitedtilltheycouldstrike，andwhentheystruckmenwentdownandwerepulledbackbytheirfriends。
"Intilthem，bhoys！"yelledDanMurphy，keepingoutofrangehimself。"Intilthedivils！"Andagainandagainhismencrowdeddownuponthelineagainstthewall，butagainandagaintheywerebeatendownorhurledbackbruisedandbleeding。
MeantimeLeNoirwasdevotinghimselftoBlackHughatoneendoftheline，dancinginuponhimandawayagain，butwithoutmuchresult。BlackHughrefusedtobedrawnout，andfoughtwarilyondefense，knowingtheoddsweregreatandwaitinghischancetodeliveronegoodblow，whichwasallheasked。
TheGlengarrymenwereenjoyingthemselveshugely，andwhennotshoutingtheirbattle-cry，"Glengarryforever！"ortauntingtheirfoes，theywerejokingeachotheronthefortunesofwar。BigMackCameron，whoheldthecenter，drewmostofthesallies。Hewaseasy-temperedandgood-natured，andtookhisknockswiththeutmostgoodhumor。
"Thatwasagoodone，Mack，"saidDannieRoss，hisspecialchum，asasoundingwhackcameinonBigMack'sface。"AstrueasdeathI
willbetellingittoBellaPeter。Bella，thedaughterofPeterMcGregor，wassupposedtobedeartoBigMack'sheart。
"Whatapeetyshecouldnotseehimthenow，"saidFinlayCampbell。
"Manalive，shewouldsaythewordqueeck！"
"'Tismorethanshewilldotoyouwhatever，ifyoucannotkeepoffthatcrapeauyonderalittlebetter，"saidBigMack，reachingforaFrenchmanwhokeptdodginginuponhimwithannoyingpersistence。
ThenMackbegantoswearGaelicoaths。
'Tain'tfair，Mack！"calledoutYankeefromhisendoftheline，"badlanguageinEnglishisbadenough，butinGaelicitmustbeuncommonrough。"Sotheygibedeachother。Butthetacticsoftheenemywereexceedinglyirritating，andwerebeginningtotelluponthetempersoftheHighlanders。
"Cometome，yecowardlylittledevil，"roaredMacktohispersistingassailant。"Noonewillhurtyou！Comeaway，man！
A-a-ah-ouch！"Hiscryofsatisfactionathavinggrabbedhismanendedinahowlofpain，fortheFrenchmanhadgotMack'sthumbbetweenhisteeth，andwaschewingitvigorously。
"Yewould，wouldyou，yedog？"roaredBigMack。HeclosedhisfingersintotheFrenchman'sgullet，anddrewhimuptostrike，butoneverysidehandsreachedforhimandstayedhisblow。Thenhelosthimself。Withayellofragehejambedhismanbackintothecrowd，sinkinghisfingersdeeperanddeeperintohisenemy'sthroattillhisfacegrewblackandhisheadfelloverononeside。
ButitwasafatalmoveforMack，andovercomebynumbersthatcrowdeduponhim，hewentdownfightingwildlyandbearingtheFrenchmanbeneathhim。TheGlengarrylinewasbroken。BlackHughsawMack'speril，andknewthatitmeantdestructiontoall。Withawildercrythanusual，"Glengarry！Glengarry！"hedashedstraightintoLeNoir，whogavebackswiftly，caughttwomenwhowerebeatingBigMack'slifeout，andhurledthemaside，andgraspinghisfriend'scollar，hauledhimtohisfeet，andthrewhimbackagainstthewallandintothelineagainwithhisgripstilluponhisFrenchman'sthroat。
"Letdeadmengo，Mack，"hecried，butevenashespokeLeNoir，seeinghisopportunity，sprangathimandwithabackwardkickcaughtMacdonaldfairinthefaceandlashedhimhardagainstthewall。ItwastheterribleFrench'lash'andwasoneofLeNoir'sspecialtricks。BlackHugh，stunnedanddazed，leanedbackagainstthewall，spreadingouthishandsweaklybeforehisface。LeNoir，seeingvictorywithinhisgrasp，rushedintofinishoffhisspecialfoe。ButYankeeJim，who，whileengagedincheerfullyknockingbackthetwoMurphysandotherswhotooktheirturnathim，hadbeenkeepinganeyeonthelineofbattle，sawMacdonald'sdanger，andknowingthatthecrisishadcome，dashedacrosstheline，crying"Followme，boys。"Hislongarmsswungroundhisheadlikethesailsofawind-mill，andmenfellbackfromhimasiftheyhadbeenmadeofwood。AsLeNoirsprang，Yankeeshotfiercelyathim，buttheFrenchman，tooquickforhim，duckedandleapeduponBlackHugh，whowasstillswayingagainstthewall，borehimdownandjumpedwithhisheavy"corked"bootsonhisbreastandface。AgaintheGlengarrylinewasbroken。AtoncethecrowdsurgedabouttheGlengarrymen，whonowstoodbacktoback，beatingoffthemenleapingatthemfromeveryside，asastagbeatsoffdogs，andstillchantinghightheirdauntlesscry，"Glengarryforever，"towhichBigMackaddedatintervals，"TohellwiththePapishes！"Yankee，failingtocheckLeNoir'sattackuponBlackHugh，foughtoffthemencrowdinguponhim，andmadehiswaytothecornerwheretheFrenchmanwasstillengagedinkickingtheprostrateHighlandertodeath。
"Takethat，youblamedcuss，"hesaid，catchingLeNoirinthejawandknockinghisheadwithathudagainstthewall。Beforehecouldstrikeagainhewasthrownagainsthisenemy，whoclutchedhimandheldlikeavice。
CHAPTERII
VENGEANCEISMINE
TheGlengarrymenhadfoughttheirfight，anditonlyremainedfortheirfoestowreaktheirvengeanceuponthemandwipeoutoldscores。Oneminutemorewouldhavedoneforthem，butinthatminutethedoorcamecrashingin。Therewasamightyroar，"Glengarry！Glengarry！"andthegreatMacdonaldhimself，withtheboyRanaldandsomehalf-dozenofhismenbehindhim，stoodamongthem。Onallhandsthefightstopped。Amomenthestood，hisgreatheadandshoulderstoweringabovethecrowd，histawnyhairandbeardfallingaroundhisfacelikeagreatmane，hisblueeyesgleamingfromunderhisshaggyeyebrowslikelividlightning。A
singleglancearoundtheroom，andagainraisinghisbattle-cry，"Glengarry！"heseizedthenearestshrinkingFrenchman，liftedhimhigh，andhurledhimsmashingintothebottlesbehindthecounter。
Hismen，followinghim，boundedliketigersontheirprey。Afewminutesoffierce，eagerfighting，andtheGlengarrymenwereallfreedandontheirfeet，allexceptBlackHugh，wholaygroaninginhiscorner。"Hold，lads！"MacdonaldBhaincried，inhismightyvoice。"Stop，I'mtellingyou。"Thefightingceased。
"DanMurphy！"hecried，castinghiseyeroundtheroom，"whereareyou，yesonofBelial？"
Murphy，crouchingatthebackofthecrowdnearthedoor，soughttoescape。
"Ah！thereyouare！"criedMacdonald，andreachingthroughthecrowdwithhisgreat，longarm，hecaughtMurphybythehairoftheheadanddraggedhimforward。
"R-r-r-a-a-t！R-r-r-a-a-t！R-r-r-a-a-t！"hesnarled，shakinghimtillhisteethrattled。"Itisyourselfthatisthecauseofthiswickedness。Now，maytheLordhavemercyonyoursoul。"WithonehandhegrippedMurphybythethroat，holdinghimatarm'slength，andraisedhishugefisttostrike。Butbeforetheblowfellhepaused。
"No！"hemuttered，inadisappointedtone，"itisnotgoodenough。
Iwillnotbedemeaningmyself。Hence，your-r-a-a-t！"Ashespokeheliftedtheshakingwretchasifhehadbeenabundleofclothes，swunghimhalfroundandhurledhimcrashingthroughthewindow。
"Istherenogootmanhereatallwhowillstandbeforeme？"heragedinawild，joyousfury。"Willnottwoofyoucomeforth，then？"Noonemoved。"Cometome！"hesuddenlycried，andsnatchingtwooftheenemy，hedashedtheirheadstogether，andthrewtheminsensibleonthefloor。
ThenhecaughtsightofhisbrotherforthefirsttimelyinginthecornerwithBigMacksupportinghishead，andLeNoirstandingnear。
"Whatisthis？Whatisthis？"hecried，stridingtowardLeNoir。
"Andisityouthathasdonethiswork？"heasked，inavoiceofsubduedrage。
"Oui！"criedLeNoir，steppingbackandputtinguphishands，"dasme；LouisLeNoir！byGar！"Hestruckhimselfonthebreastashespoke。
"Outofmyway！"criedMacdonald，swinginghisopenhandontheFrenchman'sear。WithaswiftsweephebrushedLeNoirasidefromhisplace，andignoringhimstoopedoverhisbrother。ButLeNoirwasnocoward，andbesideshisboastedreputationwasatstake。Hethoughthesawhischance，andrushingatMacdonaldashewasbendingoverhisbrother，deliveredhisterrible'lash'。ButMacdonaldhadnotlivedwithandfoughtwithFrenchmenalltheseyearswithoutknowingtheirtricksandways。HesawLeNoir's'lash'coming，andquicklyturninghishead，avoidedtheblow。
"Ah！wouldye？Takethat，then，andbequate！"andsosaying，hecaughtLeNoironthesideoftheheadandsenthimtothefloor。
"Keephimoffawhile，Yankee！"saidMacdonald，forLeNoirwasupagain，andcomingathim。
Thenkneelingbesidehisbrotherhewipedthebloodyfroththatwasoozingfromhislips，andsaidinalow，anxioustone：
"Hugh，bhodaicholdman，areyehurted？Canyenotspeaktome，Hugh？"
"Oich-oh，"BlackHughgroaned。"Itwasanecessity——Donaldman——
and——hetookme——unawares——withhis——keeck。"
"Indeed，andI'llwarrantyou！"agreedhisbrother，"butIwillbeattendingtohim，neveryoufear。"
Macdonaldwasabouttorise，whenhisbrothercaughthisarm。
"Youwill——notbe——killinghim，"heurged，betweenhispainfulgasps，"becauseIwillbedoingthatmyselfsomeday，byGod'shelp。"
HiswordsandtheeagerhateinhisfaceseemedtoquietMacdonald。
"Alas！alas！"hesaid，sadly，"itisnotallowedmetosmitehimashedeserves——'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord，'andIhavesolemnlypromisedtheministernottosmiteforgloryorforrevenge！Alas！alas！"
ThenturningtoLeNoir，hesaid，gravely："Itisnotgivenmetopunishyouforyourcoward'sblow。Gofromme！"ButLeNoirmisjudgedhim。
"Bah！"hecried，contemptuously，"youtinkmeonebaby，youstrikemeondeheadsidelikeonelittleboy。Bon！LouisLeNware，debesbullyondeHottawa，he'snot'fraidforhanyman，byGar！"HeprancedupanddownbeforeMacdonald，workinghimselfintoagreatrage，asMacdonaldgrewmoreandmorecontrolled。
Macdonaldturnedtohismenwithakindofappeal——"Ihevgivenmypromise，andMacdonaldwillnotbreakhisword。"
"Bah！"criedLeNoir，spittingathim。
"NowmaytheLordgivemegracetowithstandtheenemy，"saidMacdonald，gravely，"forIamgreatlymovedtotakevengeanceuponyou。"
"Bah！"criedLeNoiragain，mistakingMacdonald'squietnessandself-controlforfear。"Younogood！Yourbrotherisnogood！
Beegsheep！Beegsheep！Bah！"
"Godhelpme，"saidMacdonaldasiftohimself。"Iamamanofgrace！Butmustthisdoggounpunished？"
LeNoircontinuedstridingupanddown，nowandthenspringinghighintheairandknockinghisheelstogetherwithblood-curdlingyells。HeseemedtofeelthatMacdonaldwouldnotfight，andhiscourageanddesireforbloodgrewaccordingly。
"Willyounotbequate？"saidMacdonald，risingafterafewmomentsfromhisbrother'sside，wherehehadbeenwipinghislipsandgivinghimwatertodrink。"Youwillbebetteroutside。"
"Oui！youstrikemeontheheadside。Bon！Istrikeyoudesameway！ByGar！"sosayingheapproachedMacdonaldlightly，andstruckhimaslightblowonthecheek。
"Ay，"saidMacdonald，growingwhiteandrigid。"Istruckyoutwice，LeNoir。Here！"heofferedtheothersideofhisface。
LeNoirdancedupcarefully，madeaslightpass，andstrucktheofferedcheek。
"Now，thatisdone，willitpleaseyoutodoitagain？"saidMacdonald，withearnestentreatyinhisvoice。LeNoirmusthavebeenmadwithhisrageandvanity，elsehehadcaughttheglitterintheblueeyeslookingthroughtheshaggyhair。AgainLeNoirapproached，thistimewithgreaterconfidence，anddealtMacdonaldastingingblowonthesideofthehead。
"NowtheLordbepraised，"hecried，joybreakingoutinhisface。
"Hehasdeliveredmyenemyintomyhand。Foritisthethirdtimehehassmittenme，andthatisbeyondthelimitappointedbyHimself。"WiththisheadvanceduponLeNoirwithagladheart。
Hisconsciencewasclearatlast。
LeNoirstoodupagainsthisantagonist。Hewellknewhewasabouttomakethefightofhislife。HehadbeatenmenasbigasMacdonald，butheknewthathishopelayinkeepingoutoftheenemy'sreach。Sohedancedaroundwarily。Macdonaldfollowedhimslowly。LeNoiropenedwithaswiftandsavagereachforMacdonald'sneck，butfailedtobreaktheguardanddancedoutagain，Macdonaldstillpressingonhim。AgainandagainLeNoirrushed，buttheguardwasimpregnable，andsteadilyMacdonaldadvanced。Thatsteady，relentlessadvancebegantotellontheFrenchman'snerves。Thesweatgatheredinbigdropsonhisforeheadandrandownhisface。Hepreparedforasupremeeffort。
Swiftlyretreating，heluredMacdonaldtoamorerapidadvance，thenwithayellhedoubledhimselfintoaballanddeliveredhimselfhead，hands，andfeetintoMacdonald'sstomach。Itisatrickthatsometimesavailstobreakanunsteadyguardandtosecureaclinchwithanunwaryopponent。ButMacdonaldhadbeenwaitingforthattrick。Stoppingshort，heleanedovertooneside，andstoopingslightly，caughtLeNoirlowandtossedhimclearoverhishead。LeNoirfellwithaterriblethudonhisback，butwasonhisfeetagainlikeacatandreadyfortheever-advancingMacdonald。Butthoughhehadnotbeenstruckasingleblowheknewthathehadmethismaster。Thatunbreakableguard，thesmilingfacewiththegleaming，unsmilingeyes，thatawfulunwaveringadvance，weretoomuchforhim。Hewaspale，hisbreathcameinquickgasps，andhiseyesshowedthefearofahuntedbeast。Hepreparedforafinaleffort。Feigningagreaterdistressthanhefelt，heyieldedweaklytoMacdonald'sadvance，thensuddenlygatheringhisfullstrengthhesprangintotheairandlashedoutbackwardatthathated，smilingface。Hisbootfounditsmark，notonMacdonald'sface，butfaironhisneck。Theeffectwasterrific。Macdonaldstaggeredbacktwoorthreepaces，butbeforeLeNoircouldbeathim，hehadrecoveredsufficientlytomaintainhisguard，andshakeoffhisfoe。AttheyellthatwentupfromMurphy'smen，thebigHighlander'sfacelostitssmileandbecamekeenandcruel，hiseyesglitteredwiththeflashofsteelandhecameforwardoncemorewithaquick，lighttread。Hisgreatbodyseemedtolosebothsizeandweight，solightlydidhestepontiptoe。Therewasnomorepause，butlightly，swiftly，andeagerlyheglideduponLeNoir。Therewassomethingterrifyinginthatswift，cat-likemovement。InvaintheFrenchmanbackedanddodgedandtriedtoguard。Once，twice，Macdonald'sfistsfell。LeNoir'srightarmhunglimpbyhissideandhestaggeredbacktothewallhelpless。Withoutaninstant'sdelay，Macdonaldhadhimbythethroat，andgrippinghimfiercely，begantoslowlybendhimbackwardoverhisknee。ThenforthefirsttimeMacdonaldspoke：
"LeNoir，"hesaid，solemnly，"thedaysofyourboastingareover。
Youwillnolongergloryinyourstrength，fornowIwillbreakyourbacktoyou。"
LeNoirtriedtospeak，buthisvoicecameinhorriblegurgles。Hisfacewasaghastlygreenishhue，linedwithpurpleandswollenveins，hiseyeswerestandingoutofhishead，andhisbreathsobbinginraucousgasps。Slowlytheheadwentback。Thecrowdstoodinhorror-strickensilencewaitingforthesickeningsnap。
Yankee，unabletostanditanylonger，steppeduptohischief，andinamostmatteroffactvoicedrawledout，"AboutaninchmorethatwayIguess'lldothetrick，ifheain'tdouble-jointed。"
"Aye，"saidMacdonald，holdinggrimlyon。
"Tonald，"——BlackHugh'svoicesoundedfaintbutclearintheawfulsilence——"Tonald——youwillnot——bekilling——him。Rememberthatnow。Iwill——never——forgiveyou——ifyouwill——takethat——frommyhands。"
ThecryforvengeancesmoteMacdonaldtotheheart，andrecalledhimtohimself。Hepaused，threwbackhislocksfromhiseyes，thenrelaxinghisgrip，stoodup。
"Godpreserveme！"hegroaned，"whatamIabout？"
Forsometimeheremainedstandingsilent，withheaddownasifnotquitesureofhimself。Hewasrecalledbyagripofhisarm。Heturnedandsawhisnephew，Ranald，athisside。Theboy'sdarkfacewaspalewithpassion。
"Andisthatallyouaregoingtodotohim？"hedemanded。
Macdonaldgazedathim。
"Doyounotseewhathehasdone？"hecontinued，pointingtohisfather，whowasstilllyingproppeduponsomecoats。"Whydidyounotbreakhisback？Yousaidyouwould！Thebrute，beast！"
Hehurledoutthewordsinhothate。Hisvoicepiercedthenoiseoftheroom。Macdonaldstoodstill，gazingatthefierce，darkfaceinsolemnsilence。Thenhesadlyshookhishead。
"Mylad，'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord。'Itwouldhavepleasedmewell，butthehandoftheLordwaslaiduponmeandIcouldnotkillhim。"
"Thenitismyselfwillkillhim，"heshrieked，springinglikeawildcatatLeNoir。Buthisunclewoundhisarmsaroundhimandheldhimfast。Foraminuteandmorehestruggledfiercely，cryingtobesetfree，tillrecognizingtheuselessnessofhiseffortshegrewcalm，andsaidquietly，"Letmeloose，uncle；Iwillbequiet。"Andhisunclesethimfree。Theboyshookhimself，andthenstandingupbeforeLeNoirsaid，inahigh，clearvoice：
"Willyouhearme，LeNoir？ThedaywillcomewhenIwilldotoyouwhatyouhavedonetomyfather，andifmyfatherwilldie，thenbythelifeofGod[acommonoathamongtheshanty-men]Iwillhaveyourlifeforit。"Hisvoicehadanunearthlyshrillnessinit，andLeNoirshrankback。
"Whist，whist，lad！bequate！"saidhisuncle；"thesearenotgootwords。"Theladheededhimnot，butsankdownbesidehisfatheronthefloor。BlackHughraisedhimselfonhiselbowwithagrimsmileonhisface。
"Itisagootladwhatever，butpleaseGodhewillnotneedtokeephisword。"Helaidhishandinamomentarycaressuponhisboy'sshoulder，andsankbackagain，saying，"Takemeoutofthis。"
ThenMacdonaldBhainturnedtoDanMurphyandgravelyaddressedhim：
"DanMurphy，itisanungodlyandcowardlyworkyouhavedonethisday，andthecurseofGodwillbeonyouifyouwillnotrepent。"
Thenheturnedaway，andwithBigMack'shelpborehisbrothertothepointer，followedbyhismen，bloody，bruised，butunconquered。
ButbeforehelefttheroomLeNoirsteppedforward，andofferinghishand，said，"Youmakfriendswit'me。YoudebossbullyondereeverHottawa。"
Macdonaldneitheranswerednorlookedhisway，butpassedoutingravesilence。
ThenYankeeJimremarkedtoDanMurphy，"Iguessyou'dbettergitthemlogsoutpurtymightyquick。We'llwanttheriverinabouttwodays。"DanMurphysaidnotaword，butwhentheGlengarrymenwantedtherivertheyfounditopen。
ButforMacdonaldthefightwasnotyetover，forashesatbesidehisbrother，listeningtohisgroans，hismencouldseehimwreathinghishandsandchantinginanundertonethewords，"VengeanceisminesaiththeLord。"Andashesatbythecamp-firethatnightlisteningtoYankee'saccountofthebeginningofthetrouble，andheardhowhisbrotherhadkepthimselfinhand，andhowatlasthehadbeenfoullysmitten，Macdonald'sconflictdeepened，andheroseupandcriedaloud：
"Godhelpme！Isthistogounpunished？Iwillseekhimto-morrow。"
Andhepassedoutintothedarkwoods。
AfterafewmomentstheboyRanaldslippedawayafterhimtobegthathemightbeallowedtogowithhimto-morrow。Stealingsilentlythroughthebusheshecametowherehecouldseethekneelingfigureofhisuncleswayingupanddown，andcaughtthesoundsofwordsbrokenwithgroans：
"Letmego，OLord！Letmego！"HeplednowinGaelicandagaininEnglish。"Letnotthemanbeescapinghisjustpunishment。
Grantmethis，O，Lord！Letmesmitebutonce！"Thenafterapausecamethewords，"'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord！'
Vengeanceismine！Ay，itisthetrueword！But，Lord，letnotthismanofBelial，thisPapish，escape！"Thenagain，likearefrainwouldcomethewords，"Vengeanceismine。Vengeanceismine，"inever-deeperagony，tillthrowinghimselfonhisface，helaysilentalongtime。
Suddenlyherosetohiskneesandsoremained，lookingsteadfastlybeforehimintothewoods。Thewindcamesighingthroughthepineswithawailandasob。Macdonaldshudderedandthenfellonhisfaceagain。TheVisionwasuponhim。"Ah，Lord，itisthebloodyhandsandfeetIsee。Itisenough。"AtthisRanaldslippedbackawe-strickentothecamp。When，afteranhour，Macdonaldcamebackintothefirelight，hisfacewaspaleandwet，butcalm，andtherewasanexaltedlookinhiseyes。Hismengazedathimwithwonderandaweintheirfaces。
"Mercyonus！Hewillbeseeingsomething，"saidBigMacktoYankeeJim。
"Seein'somethin'？What？Abar？"inquiredYankee。
"Whistnow！"saidBigMack，inalowvoice。"Hehasthesight。Bequatenow，willyou？Hewillbespeaking。"
ForashorttimeMacdonaldsatgazingintothefireinsilence，thenturninghisfacetowardthemenwhowerewaiting，hesaid：
"Therewillbenomoreofthis。'VengeanceisminesaiththeLord！'Itisnotforme。TheLordwilldoHisownwork。ItisthewilloftheLord。"Andthemenknewthatthelastwordhadbeensaidonthatsubject，andthatLeNoirwassafe。
CHAPTERIII
THEMANSEINTHEBUSH
StraightnorthfromtheSt。LawrencerunstheroadthroughtheIndianLands。Atfirstitswayliesthroughopencountry，fromwhichtheforesthasbeendrivenfarbacktothehorizononeitherside，foralongthegreatriverthesemanyyearsvillageshaveclustered，withopenfieldsaboutthemstretchingfaraway。ButwhenoncetheroadleavestheFront，withitstownsandvillagesandopenfields，andpassesbeyondMartintownandovertheNorthBranch，itreachesacountrywheretheforestismoreafeatureofthelandscape。Andwhensomedozenormoreofthecrossroadsmarkingtheconcessionswhichleadofftoeastandwesthavebeenpassed，theroadseemstostrikeintoadifferentworld。Theforestlosesitsconqueredappearance，anddominateseverything。
Thereisforesteverywhere。Itlinesupcloseandthickalongtheroad，andhereandtherequiteovershadowsit。Itcrowdsinuponthelittlefarmsandshutsthemofffromoneanotherandfromtheworldoutside，andpeersinthroughthelittlewindowsoftheloghouseslookingsosmallandlonely，butsobeautifulintheirforestframes。Atthenineteenthcross-roadtheforestgivesgroundalittle，forheretheroadrunsrightpastthenewbrickchurch，whichisalmostfinished，andwhichwillbeopenedinafewweeks。Beyondthecross，theroadleadsalongtheglebe，andaboutaquarterofamilebeyondthecornerthereopensuponitthebig，heavygatethatthemembersoftheRev。AlexanderMurray'scongregationmustswingwhentheywishtovisitthemanse。Theopeningofthisgate，madeofuprightpolesheldbyauger-holesinaframeofbiggerpoles，wasalmosttoogreatataskfortheminister'sseven-year-oldsonHughie，whoalwaysrodedown，standingonthehindaxleofthebuggy，toopenitforhisfather。
ItwasagreatrelieftohimwhenLongJohnCameron，whohadtheknackofdoingthingsforpeople'scomfort，broughthisaxandbigaugeronedayandmadeakindofcradleontheprojectingendofthetopbar，whichhethenweightedwithheavystones，sothatthegate，whenoncethepinwaspulledoutofthepost，wouldswingbackitselfwithHughiestraddledonthetopofit。
Itwashisfavoritepostofobservationwhenwaitingforhismothertocomehomefromoneofhermanymeetings。AndonthisparticularMarcheveninghehadbeenwaitinglongandimpatiently。
Suddenlyheshouted："Horo，mamma！Horo！"Hehadcaughtsightofthelittleblackponyawayupatthechurchhill，andhadbecomesowildlyexcitedthathewasnowstandingonthetopbarfranticallywavinghisScotchbonnetbythetails。Downtheslopecametheponyonthegallop，forsheknewwellthatsoonLambertwouldhavehersaddleoff，andthathernosewouldbedeepintobranmashwithinfiveminutesmore。Butherridersatherfirmlyandbroughtherdowntoagentletrotbythetimethegatewasreached。
"Horo，mamma！"shoutedHughie，clamberingdowntoopenthegate。
"Well，mydarling！haveyoubeenagoodboyallafternoon？"
"Huh-huh！Guesswho'scomebackfromtheshanties！"
"I'msureIcan'tguess。Whoisit？"Itwasaverybrightandverysweetface，withlarge，serious，gray-browneyesthatlookeddownonthelittleboy。
"Guess，mamma！"
"Why，whocanitbe？BigMack？"
"No！"Hughiedanceddelightedly。"Tryagain。He'snotbig。"
"IamsureIcanneverguess。Whoa，Pony！"Ponywasmostunwillingtogetincloseenoughtothegate-posttoletHughiespringonbehindhismother。
"You'llhavetobequick，Hughie，whenIgetnearagain。Therenow！Whoa，Pony！Takecare，child！"
Hughiehadsprungcleanoffthepost，andlightingonPony'sbackjustbehindthesaddle，hadclutchedhismotherroundthewaist，whiletheponystartedofffullgallopforthestable。
"Now，mother，whoisit？"insistedHughie，asLambert，theFrench-
Canadianman-of-all-work，liftedhimfromhisplace。
"You'llhavetotellme，Hughie！"
"Ranald！"
"Ranald？"
"Yes，Ranaldandhisfather，MacdonaldDubh，andhe'shurtedawfulbad，and——"
"Hurt，Hughie，"interposedthemother，gently。
"Huh-huh！Ranaldsaidhewashurted。"
"Hurt，youmean，Hughie。Whowashurt？Ranald？"
"No；hisfatherwashurted——hurt——awfulbad。Hewaslyingdowninthesleigh，andYankeeJim——"
"Mr。Latham，youmean，Hughie。"
"Huh-huh，"wentonHughie，breathlessly，"andYankee——Mr。Lathamaskediftheministerwashome，andIsaid'No，'andthentheywentaway。"
"Whatwasthematter？Didyouseethem，Lambert？"
"Oui""Way，"Lambertpronouncedit，"butdeynottellmewhathe'shurt。"
Theminister'swifewenttowardthehouse，withashadowonherface。Shesharedwithherhusbandhispeople'ssorrows。Sheknewevenbetterthanhethelife-historyofeveryfamilyinthecongregation。MacdonaldDubhhadlongbeenclassedamongthewildandcarelessinthecommunity，anditweigheduponherheartthathislifemightbeindanger。
"Ishallseehimto-morrow，"shesaidtoherself。
Forafewmomentsshestoodonthedoorsteplookingattheglowintheskyoverthedarkforest，whichonthewestsidecamequiteuptothehouseandbarn。
"Look，Hughie，atthebeautifultintsintheclouds，andseethedarkshadowspointingouttowardusfromthebush。"Hughieglancedamoment。
"Mamma，"hesaid，"Iamjustdeadforsupper。"
"Oh，notquite，Ihope，Hughie。Butlook，Iwantyoutonoticethosecloudsandtheskybehindthem。Howlovely！Oh，howwonderful！"
Herenthusiasmcaughttheboy，andforafewmomentsheforgotevenhishunger，andholdinghismother'shand，gazedupatthewesternsky。Itwasapictureofrarebeautythatlaystretchedoutfromthemansebackdoor。Closetothebarncamethepasture-fielddottedwithhugestumps，thenthebrulewherethetreeslayfallenacrossoneanother，overwhichthefirehadrun，andthenthesolidwallofforesthereandthereovertoppedbytheloftycrestofawhitepine。Intotheforestinthewestthesunwasdescendingingorgeousrobesofglory。Thetreetopscaughttheyellowlight，andgleamedlikethegoldenspiresofsomegreatandfabledcity。
"Oh，mamma，seethatbigpinetop！Doesn'titlooklikewindows？"
criedHughie，pointingtooneoftheloftypinecreststhroughwhichtheskyquiveredlikemoltengold。
"Andthestreetsofthecityarepuregold，"saidthemother，softly。
"Yes，Iknow，"saidHughie，confidently，fortohimallthescenesandstoriesoftheBiblehadlongbeenfamiliar。"Isitlikethat，mamma？"
"Muchbetter，eversomuchbetterthanyoucanthink。"
"Oh，mamma，I'mjustawfulhungry！"
"Comeaway，then；soamI。Whathaveyougot，Jessie，fortwoveryhungrypeople？"
"Porridgeandpancakes，"saidJessie，theminister's"girl，"whonotonlyruledinthekitchen，butusingthekitchenasabase，controlledtheinterioreconomyofthemanse。
"Oh，goody！"yelledHughie；"justwhatIlike。"Andfromtheplatesofporridgeandthepilesofpancakesthatvanishedfromhisplatenoonecoulddoubthisword。
Theirreadingthatnightwasaboutthecitywhosestreetswereofpuregold，andafteralittletalk，Hughieandhisbabybrotherweretuckedawaysafelyforthenight，andthemothersatdowntohernever-endingtaskofmakingandmending。
TheministerwasawayatPresbyterymeetinginMontreal，andfortendayshiswifewouldstandinthebreach。OfcoursetheelderswouldtakethemeetingontheSabbathdayandontheWednesdayevening，butforallotherministerialdutieswhentheministerwasabsentthecongregationlookedtotheminister'swife。Andsoonitcamethatthesickandthesorrowingandthesin-burdenedfoundintheminister'swifesuchhelpandcomfortandguidanceasmadetheabsenceoftheministerseemnogreattrialafterall。Eightyearsagotheministerhadbroughthiswifefromahomeofgentleculture，fromalifeofintellectualandartisticpursuits，andfromacircleoflovingfriendsofwhichshewastheprideandjoy，tothishomeintheforest。There，isolatedfromallcongenialcompanionshipwithherownkind，deprivedofalltheluxuriesandofmanyofthecomfortsofheryoungdays，andofthementalstimulusofthatcontactofmindswithoutwhichfewcanmaintainintellectuallife，shegaveherselfwithoutstinttoherhusband'speople，withneverathoughtofself-pityorself-praise。Bydayandbynightshelaboredforherhusbandandfamilyandforherpeople，forshethoughtthemhers。Shetaughtthewomenhowtoadorntheirrudehomes，gatheredthemintoBibleclassesandsewingcircles，whereshereadandtalkedandwroughtandprayedwiththemtilltheygrewtoadoreherasasaint，andtotrustherasaleaderandfriend，andtobealittlelikeher。Andnotthewomenonly，butthemen，too，lovedandtrustedher，andthebigboysfounditeasiertotalktotheminister'swifethantotheministerortoanyofhissession。Shemadeherownandherchildren'sclothes，collars，hats，andcaps，herhusband'sshirtsandneckties，toilinglateintothemorninghours，andallwithoutfrownorshadowofcomplaint，andindeedwithoutsuspicionthatanybutthehappiestlotwashers，orthatshewas，ashersisterssaid，"justburiedaliveinthebackwoods。"Notshe！Shelivedtoserve，andthewhereandhowwerenotherstodetermine。So，withbrightfaceandbraveheart，shemetherdaysandfacedthebattle。
Andscoresofwomenandmenarelivingbetterandbraverlivesbecausetheyhadherfortheirminister'swife。
Butthedayhadbeenlong，andthestrugglewiththeMarchwindpullsharduponthestrength，andoutsidethepineswerecrooningsoftly，andgraduallythebraveheaddroopedtillbetweenthestitchesshefellasleep。Butnotformanyminutes，foraknockatthekitchendoorstartledher，andbeforelongsheheardJessie'svoicerisewrathful。
"Indeed，I'lldonosuchthing。Thisisnotimetocometotheminister'shouse。"
Foranswertherewasamumbleofwords。
"Well，then，youcanjustwaituntilmorning。Shecangointhemorning。"
"Whatisit，Jessie？"Theminister'swifecameintothekitchen。
"Oh，Ranald，I'mgladtoseeyouback。Hughietoldmeyouhadcome。Butyourfatherisill，hesaid。Howishe？"
Ranaldshookhandsshyly，feelingmuchashamedunderJessie'ssharpreproof。
"Indeed，itwasAuntKirstythatsentme，"saidRanald，apologetically。
"Thensheoughttohaveknownbetter，"saidJessie，sharply。
"Nevermind，Jessie。Ranald，tellmeaboutyourfather。"
"Heisverybadindeed，andmyauntisafraidthat——"Theboy'sliptrembled。Thenhewenton："Andshethoughtperhapsyoumighthavesomemedicine，and——"
"Butwhatisthematter，Ranald？"
"Hewashurtedbad——andheisnotrightwiseinhishead。"
"Buthowwashehurt？"
Ranaldhesitated。
"Iwasnotthere——Iamthinkingitwassomethingthatstruckhim。"
"Ah，atree！Butwheredidthetreestrikehim？"
"Here，"pointingtohisbreast；"anditissoreinhisbreathing。"
"Well，Ranald，ifyouputthesaddleonPony，Ishallbereadyinaminute。"
Jessiewasindignant。
"Youwillnotstirafootthisnight。Youwillsendsomemedicine，andthenyoucangointhemorning。"
Buttheminister'swifeheededhernot。
"Youarenotwalking，Ranald？"
"No，Ihavethecolt。"
"Oh，that'ssplendid。We'llhaveafinegallop——thatis，ifthemoonisup。"
"Yes，itisjustcomingup，"saidRanald，hurryingawaytothestablethathemightescapeJessie'swrathandgettheponyready。
Itwasnounusualthingfortheministerandhiswifetobecalledupontododutyfordoctorandnurse。Thedoctorwastwentymilesaway。SoMrs。Murraygotintoherriding-habit，threwherknittedhoodoverherhead，putsomesimplemedicinesintoherhand-bag，andintenminuteswaswaitingforRanaldatthedoor。
CHAPTERIV
THERIDEFORLIFE
Thenightwasclear，withatouchoffrostintheair，yetwiththefeelinginitofapproachingspring。Adimlightfellovertheforestfromthehalf-moonandthestars，andseemedtofillupthelittleclearinginwhichthemansestood，withaweirdandmysteriousradiance。Farawayintheforestthelong-drawnhowlofawolfroseandfell，andinamomentsharpandclearcameananswerfromthebushjustathand。Mrs。Murraydreadedthewolves，butshewasnocowardandscornedtoshowfear。
"Thewolvesareout，Ranald，"shesaid，carelessly，asRanaldcameupwiththepony。
"Theyarenotmany，Ithink，"answeredtheboyascarelessly；"but——
areyou——doyouthink——perhapsIcouldjusttakethemedicine——andyouwillcome——"
"Nonsense，Ranald！bringupthepony。DoyouthinkIhavelivedallthistimeinIndianLandstobeafraidofawolf？"
"Indeed，youarenotafraid，Iknowthatwell！"Ranaldshrankfromlayingthecrimeofbeingafraidatthedooroftheminister'swife，whosefearlessnesswasproverbialinthecommunity；"butmaybe——"Thetruthwas，Ranaldwouldratherbealoneifthewolvescameout。
ButMrs。Murraywasinthesaddle，andtheponywasimpatienttobeoff。
"WewillgobytheCamerons'clearing，andthentaketheirwoodtrack。Itisabetterroad，"saidRanald，aftertheyhadgotthroughthebiggate。
"Now，Ranald，youthinkIamafraidoftheswamp，andbytheCamerons'ismuchlonger。"
"Indeed，Ihearthemsaythatyouarenotafraidofthe——ofanything，"saidRanald，quickly，"butthisroadisbetterforthehorses。"
"Comeon，then，withyourcolt"；andtheponydartedawayonherquick-springinggallop，followedbythecoltgoingwithalong，easy，lopingstride。ForamiletheykeptsidebysidetilltheyreachedtheCamerons'lane，whenRanaldheldinthecoltandallowedtheponytolead。AstheypassedthroughtheCamerons'
yardthebigblackdogs，famousbear-hunters，camebayingatthem。