Thegirlshadconsiderablefunaswellaspainingettingupandkeepingeachothererectuntiltheirlimbswouldholdthemfirmly。Theyweredelightedwiththesprucelean-to。Itfacedtheopenandstoodjustunderthewide-spreadingshelfofrock。Thetinyoutletfromthespringflowedbesideitandspilleditsclearwateroverastone，tofallintoalittlepool。Thefloorofthiswoodlandhabitationconsistedoftipsofspruceboughstoaboutafootindepth，alllaidoneway，smoothandspringy，andsosweetlyodorousthattheairseemedintoxicating。HelenandBoopenedtheirbaggage，andwhatwithuseofthecoldwater，brushandcomb，andcleanblouses，theymadethemselvesfeelascomfortableaspossible，consideringtheexcruciatingaches。Thentheywentouttothecampfire。
　　Helen'seyewasattractedbymovingobjectsnearathand。
　　ThensimultaneouslywithBo'scryofdelightHelensawabeautifuldoeapproachingunderthetrees。Dalewalkedbesideit。
　　"Yousurehadalongsleep，"wasthehunter'sgreeting。"I
　　reckonyoubothlookbetter。"
　　"Goodmorning。Orisitafternoon？We'rejustabletomoveabout，"saidHelen。
　　"Icouldride，"declaredBo，stoutly。"Oh，Nell，lookatthedeer！It'scomingtome。"
　　ThedoehadhungbackalittleasDalereachedthecamp-fire。Itwasagray，slendercreature，smoothassilk，withgreatdarkeyes。Itstoodamoment，longearserect，andthenwithagracefullittletrotcameuptoBoandreachedaslimnoseforheroutstretchedhand。Allaboutit，exceptthebeautifulsofteyes，seemedwild，andyetitwasastameasakitten。Then，suddenly，asBofondledthelongears，itgaveastartand，breakingaway，ranbackoutofsightunderthepines。
　　"Whatfrightenedit？"askedBo。
　　Dalepointedupatthewallundertheshelvingroofofrock。
　　There，twentyfeetfromtheground，curleduponaledge，layahugetawnyanimalwithafacelikethatofacat。
　　"She'safraidofTom，"repliedDale。"Recognizeshimasahereditaryfoe，Iguess。Ican'tmakefriendsofthem。"
　　"Oh！Sothat'sTom——thepetlion！"exclaimedBo。"Ugh！Nowonderthatdeerranoff！"
　　"Howlonghashebeenupthere？"queriedHelen，gazingfascinatedatDale'sfamouspet。
　　"Icouldn'tsay。Tomcomesan'goes，"repliedDale。"ButI
　　senthimuptherelastnight。"
　　"Andhewasthere——perfectlyfree——rightoverus——
　　whileweslept！"burstoutBo。
　　"Yes。An'Ireckonyousleptthesaferforthat。"
　　"Ofallthings！Nell，isn'theamonster？Buthedoesn'tlooklikealion——anAfricanlion。He'sapanther。Isawhislikeatthecircusonce。"
　　"He'sacougar，"saidDale。"Thepantherislongandslim。
　　Tomisnotonlylong，butthickan'round。I'vehadhimfouryears。An'hewasakittennobigger'nmyfistwhenIgothim。"
　　"Isheperfectlytame——safe？"askedHelen，anxiously。
　　"I'venevertoldanybodythatTomwassafe，butheis，"
　　repliedDale。"Youcanabsolutelybelieveit。Awildcougarwouldn'tattackamanunlesscorneredorstarved。An'Tomislikeabigkitten。"
　　Thebeastraisedhisgreatcatlikeface，withitssleepy，half-shuteyes，andlookeddownuponthem。
　　"ShallIcallhimdown？"inquiredDale。
　　ForonceBodidnotfindhervoice。
　　"Letus——getalittlemoreusedtohim——atadistance，"
　　repliedHelen，withalittlelaugh。
　　"Ifhecomestoyou，justrubhisheadan'you'llseehowtameheis，"saidDale。"Reckonyou'rebothhungry？"
　　"Notsovery，"returnedHelen，awareofhispenetratinggraygazeuponher。
　　"Well，Iam，"vouchsafedBo。
　　"Soonastheturkey'sdonewe'lleat。Mycampisroundbetweentherocks。I'llcallyou。"
　　NotuntilhisbroadbackwasturneddidHelennoticethatthehunterlookeddifferent。Thenshesawheworealighter，cleanersuitofbuckskin，withnocoat，andinsteadofthehigh-heeledhorseman'sbootsheworemoccasinsandleggings。
　　Thechangemadehimappearmorelithe。
　　"Nell，Idon'tknowwhatyouthink，but_I_callhimhandsome，"declaredBo。
　　Helenhadnoideawhatshethought。
　　"Let'strytowalksome，"shesuggested。
　　Sotheyessayedthatpainfultaskandgotasfarasapinelogsomefewrodsfromtheircamp。Thispointwasclosetotheedgeofthepark，fromwhichtherewasanunobstructedview。
　　"My！Whataplace！"exclaimedBo，witheyeswideandround。
　　"Oh，beautiful！"breathedHelen。
　　Anunexpectedblazeofcolordrewhergazefirst。Outoftheblackspruceslopesshonepatchesofaspens，gloriouslyredandgold，andlowdownalongtheedgeoftimbertroopsofaspensranoutintothepark，notyetsoblazingasthoseabove，butpurpleandyellowandwhiteinthesunshine。
　　Massesofsilverspruce，liketreesinmoonlight，borderedthepark，sendingouthereandthereanisolatedtree，sharpasaspear，withunder-branchesclosetotheground。Longgolden-greengrass，resemblinghalf-ripewheat，coveredtheentirefloorofthepark，gentlywavingtothewind。Abovesheeredtheblack，gold-patchedslopes，steepandunscalable，risingtobuttressesofdark，iron-huedrock。
　　Andtotheeastcircledtherowsofcliff-bench，grayandoldandfringed，splittingatthetopinthenotchwherethelacy，slumberouswaterfall，likewhitesmoke，fellandvanished，toreappearinwidersheetoflace，onlytofallandvanishagaininthegreendepths。
　　Itwasaverdantvalley，deep-setinthemountainwalls，wildandsadandlonesome。Thewaterfalldominatedthespiritoftheplace，dreamyandsleepyandtranquil；itmurmuredsweetlyononebreathofwind，andlulledwithanother，andsometimesdiedoutaltogether，onlytocomeagaininsoft，strangeroar。
　　"ParadisePark！"whisperedBotoherself。
　　AcallfromDaledisturbedtheirraptures。Turning，theyhobbledwitheagerbutpainfulstepsinthedirectionofalargercamp-fire，situatedtotherightofthegreatrockthatshelteredtheirlean-to。Nohutorhouseshowedthereandnonewasneeded。Hiding-placesandhomesforahundredhunterswerethereinthesectionsofcavernedcliffs，splitoffinbygoneagesfromthemountainwallabove。Afewstatelypinesstoodoutfromtherocks，andaclumpofsilversprucerandowntoabrownbrook。Thiscampwasonlyastepfromthelean-to，roundthecornerofahugerock，yetithadbeenoutofsight。Hereindeedwasevidenceofahunter'shome——peltsandskinsandantlers，aneatpileofsplitfire-wood，alongledgeofrock，wellsheltered，andloadedwithbagslikeahugepantry-shelf，packsandropesandsaddles，toolsandweapons，andaplatformofdrybrushasshelterforafirearoundwhichhungonpolesavariousassortmentofutensilsforcamp。
　　"Hyar——yougit！"shoutedDale，andhethrewastickatsomething。Abearcubscamperedawayinhaste。Hewassmallandwoollyandbrown，andhegruntedasheran。Soonhehalted。
　　"That'sBud，"saidDale，asthegirlscameup。"Guesshenearstarvedinmyabsence。An'nowhewantseverythin'，especiallythesugar。Wedon'thavesugaroftenuphere。"
　　"Isn'thedear？Oh，Ilovehim！"criedBo。"Comeback，Bud。
　　Come，Buddie。"
　　Thecub，however，kepthisdistance，watchingDalewithbrightlittleeyes。
　　"Where'sMr。Roy？"askedHelen。
　　"Roy'sgone。Hewassorrynottosaygood-by。Butit'simportanthegetsdowninthepinesonAnson'strail。He'llhangtoAnson，an'incasetheygetnearPinehe'llrideintoseewhereyouruncleis。"
　　"Whatdoyouexpect？"questionedHelen，gravely。
　　"'Mostanythin'，"hereplied。"Al，Ireckon，knowsnow。
　　Maybehe'srustlin'intothemountainsbythistime。IfhemeetsupwithAnson，wellan'good，forRoywon'tbefaroff。An'sureifherunsacrossRoy，whythey'llsoonbehere。ButifIwereyouIwouldn'tcountonseein'youruncleverysoon。I'msorry。I'vedonemybest。Itsureisabaddeal。"
　　"Don'tthinkmeungracious，"repliedHelen，hastily。Howplainlyhehadintimatedthatitmustbeprivationandannoyanceforhertobecompelledtoaccepthishospitality！
　　"Youaregood——kind。Ioweyoumuch。I'llbeeternallygrateful。"
　　Dalestraightenedashelookedather。Hisglancewasintent，piercing。Heseemedtobereceivingastrangeorunusualportent。Noneedforhimtosayhehadneverbeforebeenspokentolikethat！
　　"Youmayhavetostayherewithme——forweeks——maybemonths——ifwe'vethebadlucktogetsnowedin，"hesaid，slowly，asifstartledatthisdeduction。"You'resafehere。
　　Nosheep-thiefcouldeverfindthiscamp。I'lltakeriskstogetyousafeintoAl'shands。ButI'mgoin'tobeprettysureaboutwhatI'mdoin'……So——there'splentytoeatan'it'saprettyplace。"
　　"Pretty！Why，it'sgrand！"exclaimedBo。"I'vecalleditParadisePark。"
　　"ParadisePark，"herepeated，weighingthewords。"You'venameditan'alsothecreek。ParadiseCreek！I'vebeenheretwelveyearswithnofitnameformyhometillyousaidthat。"
　　"Oh，thatpleasesme！"returnedBo，withshiningeyes。
　　"Eatnow，"saidDale。"An'Ireckonyou'lllikethatturkey。"
　　Therewasacleantarpaulinuponwhichwerespreadsteaming，fragrantpans——roastturkey，hotbiscuitsandgravy，mashedpotatoesaswhiteasifpreparedathome，steweddriedapples，andbutterandcoffee。Thisbounteousrepastsurprisedanddelightedthegirls；whentheyhadoncetastedtheroastwildturkey，thenMiltDalehadoccasiontoblushattheirencomiums。
　　"Ihope——UncleAl——doesn'tcomeforamonth，"declaredBo，asshetriedtogetherbreath。Therewasabrownspotonhernoseandoneoneachcheek，suspiciouslyclosetohermouth。
　　Dalelaughed。Itwaspleasanttohearhim，forhislaughseemedunusedanddeep，asifitcamefromtranquildepths。
　　"Won'tyoueatwithus？"askedHelen。
　　"ReckonIwill，"hesaid。"it'llsavetime，an'hotgrubtastesbetter。"
　　Quiteanintervalofsilenceensued，whichpresentlywasbrokenbyDale。
　　"HerecomesTom。"
　　Helenobservedwithathrillthatthecougarwasmagnificent，seenerectonall-fours，approachingwithslow，sinuousgrace。Hiscolorwastawny，withspotsofwhitishgray。Hehadbow-legs，bigandroundandfurry，andahugeheadwithgreattawnyeyes。Nomatterhowtamehewassaidtobe，helookedwild。Likeadoghewalkedrightup，anditsohappenedthathewasdirectlybehindBo，withinreachofherwhensheturned。
　　"Oh，Lord！"criedBo，andupwentbothofherhands，inoneofwhichwasahugepieceofturkey。Tomtookit，notviciously，butneverthelesswithasnapthatmadeHelenjump。Asifbymagictheturkeyvanished。AndTomtookaclosersteptowardBo。Herexpressionoffrightchangedtoconsternation。
　　"Hestolemyturkey！"
　　"Tom，comehere，"orderedDale，sharply。Thecougarglidedroundrathersheepishly。"Nowliedownan'behave。"
　　Tomcrouchedonall-fours，hisheadrestingonhispaws，withhisbeautifultawnyeyes，lightandpiercing，fixeduponthehunter。
　　"Don'tgrab，"saidDale，holdingoutapieceofturkey。
　　WhereuponTomtookitlessvoraciously。
　　Asithappened，thelittlebearcubsawthistransaction，andheplainlyindicatedhisopinionofthepreferenceshowntoTom。
　　"Oh，thedear！"exclaimedBo。"Hemeansit'snotfair……
　　Come，Bud——comeon。"
　　ButBudwouldnotapproachthegroupuntilcalledbyDale。
　　Thenhescrambledtothemwitheverymanifestationofdelight。Boalmostforgotherownneedsinfeedinghimandgettingacquaintedwithhim。TomplainlyshowedhisjealousyofBud，andBudlikewiseshowedhisfearofthegreatcat。
　　Helencouldnotbelievetheevidenceofhereyes——thatshewasinthewoodscalmlyandhungrilypartakingofsweet，wild-flavoredmeat——thatafull-grownmountainlionlayononesideofherandababybrownbearsatontheother——
　　thatastrangehunter，amanoftheforest，thereinhislonelyandisolatedfastness，appealedtotheromanceinherandinterestedherasnooneelseshehadevermet。
　　WhenthewonderfulmealwasatlastfinishedBoenticedthebearcubaroundtothecampofthegirls，andtheresoonbecamegreatcomradeswithhim。Helen，watchingBoplay，wasinclinedtoenvyher。NomatterwhereBowasplaced，shealwaysgotsomethingoutofit。Sheadaptedherself。She，whocouldhaveagoodtimewithalmostanyoneoranything，wouldfindthehourssweetandfleetinginthisbeautifulparkofwildwonders。
　　Butmerelyobjectiveactions——merelyphysicalmovements，hadneveryetcontentedHelen。Shecouldrunandclimbandrideandplaywithheartyandhealthyabandon，butthosethingswouldnotsufficelongforher，andhermindneededfood。Helenwasathinker。OnereasonshehaddesiredtomakeherhomeintheWestwasthatbytakingupalifeoftheopen，ofaction，shemightthinkanddreamandbroodless。AndhereshewasinthewildWest，afterthethreemoststrenuouslyactivedaysofhercareer，andstillthesameoldgiantrevolvedhermindandturnedituponherselfanduponallshesaw。
　　"WhatcanIdo？"sheaskedBo，almosthelplessly。
　　"Why，rest，yousilly！"retortedBo。"Youwalklikeanold，crippledwomanwithonlyoneleg。"
　　Helenhopedthecomparisonwasundeserved，buttheadvicewassound。Theblanketsspreadoutonthegrasslookedinvitingandtheyfeltcomfortablywarminthesunshine。Thebreezewasslow，languorous，fragrant，anditbroughtthelowhumofthemurmuringwaterfall，likeamelodyofbees。
　　Helenmadeapillowandlaydowntorest。Thegreenpine-needles，sothinandfineintheircrisscrossnetwork，showedclearlyagainstthebluesky。Shelookedinvainforbirds。Thenhergazewent。wonderinglytotheloftyfringedrimofthegreatamphitheater，andasshestudieditshebegantograspitsremoteness，howfarawayitwasintherarefiedatmosphere。Ablackeagle，sweepingalong，lookedoftinysize，andyethewasfarundertheheightsabove。
　　Howpleasantshefanciedittobeupthere！Anddrowsyfancylulledhertosleep。
　　Helensleptallafternoon，anduponawakening，towardsunset，foundBocurledbesideher。Dalehadthoughtfullycoveredthemwithablanket；alsohehadbuiltacamp-fire。
　　Theairwasgrowingkeenandcold。
　　Later，whentheyhadputtheircoatsonandmadecomfortableseatsbesidethefire，Dalecameover，apparentlytovisitthem。
　　"Ireckonyoucan'tsleepallthetime，"hesaid。"An'bein'
　　citygirls，you'llgetlonesome。"
　　"Lonesome！"echoedHelen。Theideaofherbeinglonesomeherehadnotoccurredtoher。
　　"I'vethoughtthatallout，"wentonDale，ashesatdown，Indianfashion，beforetheblaze。"It'snaturalyou'dfindtimedraguphere，bein'usedtolotsofpeoplean'
　　goin's-on，an'work，an'allgirlslike。"
　　"I'dneverbelonesomehere，"repliedHelen，withherdirectforce。
　　Daledidnotbetraysurprise，butheshowedthathismistakewassomethingtoponderover。
　　"Excuseme，"hesaid，presently，ashisgrayeyesheldhers。
　　"That'showIhadit。AsIremembergirls——an'itdoesn'tseemlongsinceIlefthome——mostofthemwoulddieoflonesomenessuphere。"ThenheaddressedhimselftoBo。"Howaboutyou？Yousee，Ifiguredyou'dbetheonethatlikedit，an'yoursistertheonewhowouldn't。"
　　"Iwon'tgetlonesomeverysoon，"repliedBo。
　　"I'mglad。Itworriedmesome——noteverhavin'girlsascompanybefore。An'inadayorso，whenyou'rerested，I'llhelpyoupassthetime。"
　　Bo'seyeswerefullofflashinginterest，andHelenaskedhim，"How？"
　　Itwasasincereexpressionofhercuriosityandnotdoubtfulorironicchallengeofaneducatedwomantoamanoftheforest。Butasachallengehetookit。
　　"How！"herepeated，andastrangesmileflittedacrosshisface。"Why，bygivin'youridesan'climbstobeautifulplaces。An'then，ifyou'reinterested，'toshowyouhowlittleso-calledcivilizedpeopleknowofnature。"
　　Helenrealizedthenthatwhateverhiscalling，hunterorwandererorhermit，hewasnotuneducated，evenifheappearedilliterate。
　　"I'llbehappytolearnfromyou，"shesaid。
　　"Me，too！"chimedinBo。"Youcan'ttelltoomuchtoanyonefromMissouri。"
　　Hesmiled，andthatwarmedHelentohim，forthenheseemedlessremovedfromotherpeople。Aboutthishuntertherebegantobesomethingoftheverynatureofwhichhespoke——astillness，aloofness，anunbreakabletranquillity，acold，clearspiritlikethatinthemountainair，aphysicalsomethingnotunlikethetamedwildnessofhispetsorthestrengthofthepines。
　　"I'llbetIcantellyoumore'nyou'lleverremember，"hesaid。
　　"What'llyoubet？"retortedBo。
　　"Well，moreroastturkeyagainst——saysomethin'nicewhenyou'resafean'hometoyouruncleAl's，runnin'hisranch。"
　　"Agreed。Nell，youhear？"
　　Helennoddedherhead。
　　"Allright。We'llleaveittoNell，"beganDale，halfseriously。"NowI'lltellyou，first，forthefunofpassin'
　　timewe'llridean'racemyhorsesoutinthepark。An'
　　we'llfishinthebrooksan'huntinthewoods。There'sanoldsilvertiparoundthatyoucanseemekill。An'we'llclimbtothepeaksan'seewonderfulsights……Somuchforthat。Now，ifyoureallywanttolearn——orifyouonlywantmetotellyou——well，that'snomatter。OnlyI'llwinthebet！……You'llseehowthisparkliesinthecraterofavolcanoan'wasoncefullofwater——an'howthesnowblowsinononesideinwinter，ahundredfeetdeep，whenthere'snoneontheother。An'thetrees——howtheygrowan'livean'fightoneanotheran'dependononeanother，an'protecttheforestfromstorm-winds。An'howtheyholdthewaterthatisthefountainsofthegreatrivers。An'howthecreaturesan'thingsthatliveinthemoronthemaregoodforthem，an'neithercouldlivewithouttheother。An'
　　thenI'llshowyoumypetstamean'untamed，an'tellyouhowit'smanthatmakesanycreaturewild——howeasytheyaretotame——an'howtheylearntoloveyou。An'there'sthelifeoftheforest，thestrifeofit——howthebearlives，an'thecats，an'thewolves，an'thedeer。You'llseehowcruelnatureishowsavagean'wildthewolforcougartearsdownthedeer——howawolflovesfresh，hotblood，an'howacougarunrollstheskinofadeerbackfromhisneck。An'you'llseethatthiscrueltyofnature——thisworkofthewolfan'cougar——iswhatmakesthedeersobeautifulan'healthyan'swiftan'sensitive。Withouthisdeadlyfoesthedeerwoulddeterioratean'dieout。An'
　　you'llseehowthisprincipleworksoutamongallcreaturesoftheforest。Strife！It'sthemeanin'ofallcreation，an'
　　thesalvation。Ifyou'requicktosee，you'lllearnthatthenaturehereinthewildsisthesameasthatofmen——onlymenarenolongercannibals。Treesfighttolive——birdsfight——animalsfight——menfight。Theyallliveoffoneanother。An'it'sthisfightin'thatbringsthemallcloseran'closertobein'perfect。Butnothin'willeverbeperfect。"
　　"Buthowaboutreligion？"interruptedHelen，earnestly。
　　"Naturehasareligion，an'it'stolive——togrow——toreproduce，eachofitskind。"
　　"ButthatisnotGodortheimmortalityofthesoul，"
　　declaredHelen。
　　"Well，it'sasclosetoGodan'immortalityasnatureevergets。"
　　"Oh，youwouldrobmeofmyreligion！"
　　"No，IjusttalkasIseelife，"repliedDale，reflectively，ashepokedastickintotheredembersofthefire。"MaybeIhaveareligion。Idon'tknow。Butit'snotthekindyouhave——nottheBiblekind。Thatkinddoesn'tkeepthemeninPinean'Snowdropan'allover——sheepmenan'ranchersan'farmersan'travelers，suchasI'veknown——thereligiontheyprofessdoesn'tkeepthemfromlyin'，cheatin'，stealin'，an'killin'。IreckonnomanwholivesasIdo——whichperhapsismyreligion——willlieorcheatorstealorkill，unlessit'stokillinself-defenseorlikeI'ddoifSnakeAnsonwouldrideupherenow。Myreligion，maybe，isloveoflife——wildlifeasitwasinthebeginnin'——an'thewindthatblowssecretsfromeverywhere，an'thewaterthatsingsalldayan'night，an'
　　thestarsthatshineconstant，an'thetreesthatspeaksomehow，an'therocksthataren'tdead。I'mneveralonehereoronthetrails。There'ssomethin'unseen，butalwayswithme。An'that'sIt！CallitGodifyoulike。Butwhatstallsmeis——wherewasthatSpiritwhenthisearthwasaballoffierygas？WherewillthatSpiritbewhenalllifeisfrozenoutorburnedoutonthisglobean'ithangsdeadinspacelikethemoon？Thattimewillcome。There'snowasteinnature。Notthelittlestatomisdestroyed。Itchanges，that'sall，asyouseethispinewoodgoupinsmokean'feelsomethin'that'sheatcomeoutofit。Wheredoesthatgo？It'snotlost。Nothin'islost。So，thebeautifulan'savin'thoughtis，maybeallrockan'wood，wateran'bloodan'flesh，areresolvedbackintotheelements，tocometolifesomewhereagainsometime。"
　　"Oh，whatyousayiswonderful，butit'sterrible！"
　　exclaimedHelen。Hehadstruckdeepintohersoul。
　　"Terrible？Ireckon，"hereplied，sadly。
　　Thenensuedalittleintervalofsilence。
　　"MiltDale，Ilosethebet，"declaredBo，withearnestnessbehindherfrivolity。
　　"I'dforgottenthat。ReckonItalkedalot，"hesaid，apologetically。"Yousee，Idon'tgetmuchchancetotalk，excepttomyselforTom。Yearsago，whenIfoundthehabitofsilencesettlin'downonme，Itooktothinkin'outloudan'talkin'toanythin'。"
　　"Icouldlistentoyouallnight，"returnedBo，dreamily。
　　"Doyouread——doyouhavebooks？"inquiredHelen，suddenly。
　　"Yes，Ireadtolerablewell；agooddealbetterthanItalkorwrite，"hereplied。"IwenttoschooltillIwasfifteen。
　　Alwayshatedstudy，butlikedtoread。YearsagoanoldfriendofminedownhereatPine——WidowCass——shegavemealotofoldbooks。An'Ipackedthemuphere。Winter'sthetimeIread。"
　　Conversationlaggedafterthat，exceptfordesultoryremarks，andpresentlyDalebadethegirlsgoodnightandleftthem。Helenwatchedhistallformvanishinthegloomunderthepines，andafterhehaddisappearedshestillstared。
　　"Nell！"calledBo，shrilly。"I'vecalledyouthreetimes。I
　　wanttogotobed。"
　　"Oh！I——Iwasthinking，"rejoinedHelen，halfembarrassed，halfwonderingatherself。"Ididn'thearyou。"
　　"Ishouldsmileyoudidn't，"retortedBo。"Wishyoucouldjusthaveseenyoureyes。Nell，doyouwantmetotellyousomething？
　　"Why——yes，"saidHelen，ratherfeebly。Shedidnotatall，whenBotalkedlikethat。
　　"You'regoingtofallinlovewiththatwildhunter，"
　　declaredBoinavoicethatranglikeabell。
　　Helenwasnotonlyamazed，butenraged。Shecaughtherbreathpreparatorytogivingthisincorrigiblesisterapieceofhermind。Bowentcalmlyon。
　　"Icanfeelitinmybones。"
　　"Bo，you'realittlefool——asentimental，romancing，gushylittlefool！"retortedHelen。"Allyouseemtoholdinyourheadissomerotaboutlove。Tohearyoutalkonewouldthinkthere'snothingelseintheworldbutlove。"
　　Bo'seyeswerebright，shrewd，affectionate，andlaughingasshebenttheirsteadygazeuponHelen。
　　"Nell，that'sjustit。ThereISnothingelse！"
　　CHAPTERX
　　ThenightofsleepwassoshortthatitwasdifficultforHelentobelievethathourshadpassed。Boappearedlivelierthismorning，withlesscomplaintofaches。
　　"Nell，you'vegotcolor！"exclaimedBo。"Andyoureyesarebright。Isn'tthemorningperfectlylovely？……Couldn'tyougetdrunkonthatair？Ismellflowers。Andoh！I'mhungry！"
　　"Bo，ourhostwillsoonhaveneedofhishuntingabilitiesifyourappetiteholds，"saidHelen，asshetriedtokeepherhairoutofhereyeswhileshelacedherboots。
　　"Look！there'sabigdog——ahound。"
　　HelenlookedasBodirected，andsawahoundofunusuallylargeproportions，blackandtanincolor，withlong，droopingears。Curiouslyhetrottednearertothedooroftheirhutandthenstoppedtogazeatthem。Hisheadwasnoble，hiseyesshonedarkandsad。Heseemedneitherfriendlynorunfriendly。
　　"Hello，doggie！Comerightin——wewon'thurtyou，"calledBo，butwithoutenthusiasm。
　　ThismadeHelenlaugh。"Bo，you'resimplydelicious，"shesaid。"You'reafraidofthatdog。"
　　"Sure。Wonderifhe'sDale's。Ofcoursehemustbe。"
　　Presentlythehoundtrottedawayoutofsight。Whenthegirlspresentedthemselvesatthecamp-firetheyespiedtheircuriouscaninevisitorlyingdown。Hisearsweresolongthathalfofthemlayontheground。
　　"IsentPedroovertowakeyougirlsup，"saidDale，aftergreetingthem。"Didhescareyou？"
　　"Pedro。Sothat'shisname。No，hedidn'texactlyscareme。
　　HedidNell，though。She'sanawfultenderfoot，"repliedBo。
　　"He'sasplendid-lookingdog，"saidHelen，ignoringhersister'ssally。"Ilovedogs。Willhemakefriends？"
　　"He'sshyan'wild。Yousee，whenIleavecamphewon'thangaround。Hean'Tomarejealousofeachother。Ihadapackofhoundsan'lostallbutPedroonaccountofTom。IthinkyoucanmakefriendswithPedro。Tryit。"
　　WhereuponHelenmadeoverturestoPedro，andnotwhollyinvain。Thedogwasmatured，ofalmoststernaloofness，andmanifestlynotusedtopeople。Hisdeep，wine-darkeyesseemedtosearchHelen'ssoul。Theywerehonestandwise，withastrangesadness。
　　"Helooksintelligent，"observedHelen，asshesmoothedthelong，darkears。
　　"Thathoundisnighhuman，"respondedDale。"Come，an'whileyoueatI'lltellyouaboutPedro。"
　　DalehadgottenthehoundasapupfromaMexicansheep-herderwhoclaimedhewaspartCaliforniabloodhound。
　　Hegrewup，becomingattachedtoDale。InhisyoungerdayshedidnotgetalongwellwithDale'sotherpetsandDalegavehimtoarancherdowninthevalley。PedrowasbackinDale'scampnextday。FromthatdayDalebegantocaremoreforthehound，buthedidnotwanttokeephim，forvariousreasons，chiefofwhichwasthefactthatPedrowastoofineadogtobeleftalonehalfthetimetoshiftforhimself。
　　ThatfallDalehadneedtogotothefarthestvillage，Snowdrop，whereheleftPedrowithafriend。ThenDalerodetoShowDownandPine，andthecampoftheBeemans'andwiththemhetrailedsomewildhorsesforahundredmiles，overintoNewMexico。ThesnowwasflyingwhenDalegotbacktohiscampinthemountains。AndtherewasPedro，gauntandworn，overjoyedtowelcomehimhome。RoyBeemanvisitedDalethatOctoberandtoldthatDale'sfriendinSnowdrophadnotbeenabletokeepPedro。Hebrokeachainandscaledaten-footfencetoescape。HetrailedDaletoShowDown，whereoneofDale'sfriends，recognizingthehound，caughthim，andmeanttokeephimuntilDale'sreturn。ButPedrorefusedtoeat。IthappenedthatafreighterwasgoingouttotheBeemancamp，andDale'sfriendboxedPedroupandputhimonthewagon。Pedrobrokeoutofthebox，returnedtoShowDown，tookupDale'strailtoPine，andthenontotheBeemancamp。ThatwasasfarasRoycouldtracethemovementsofthehound。Buthebelieved，andsodidDale，thatPedrohadtrailedthemoutonthewild-horsehunt。ThefollowingspringDalelearnedmorefromtheherderofasheepmanatwhosecampheandtheBeemans；hadrestedonthewayintoNewMexico。ItappearedthatafterDalehadleftthiscampPedrohadarrived，andanotherMexicanherderhadstolenthehound。ButPedrogotaway。
　　"An'hewasherewhenIarrived，"concludedDale，smiling。
　　"Ineverwantedtogetridofhimafterthat。He'sturnedouttobethefinestdogIeverknew。HeknowswhatIsay。
　　Hecanalmosttalk。An'Iswearhecancry。HedoeswheneverIstartoffwithouthim。"
　　"Howperfectlywonderful！"exclaimedBo。"Aren'tanimalsgreat？……ButIlovehorsesbest。"
　　ItseemedtoHelenthatPedrounderstoodtheyweretalkingabouthim，forhelookedashamed，andswallowedhard，anddroppedhisgaze。Sheknewsomethingofthetruthabouttheloveofdogsfortheirowners。ThisstoryofDale's，however，wasstrangerthananyshehadeverheard。
　　Tom，thecougar，putinanappearancethen，andtherewasscarcelyloveinthetawnyeyeshebentuponPedro。Butthehounddidnotdeigntonoticehim。TomsidleduptoBo，whosatonthefarthersideofthetarpaulintable-cloth，andmanifestlywantedpartofherbreakfast。
　　"Gee！Ilovethelookofhim，"shesaid。"Butwhenhe'sclosehemakesmyfleshcreep。"
　　"Beastsareasqueeraspeople，"observedDale。"Theytakelikesan'dislikes。IbelieveTomhastakenashinetoyouan'Pedrobeginstobeinterestedinyoursister。Icantell。"
　　"Where'sBud？"inquiredBo。
　　"He'sasleeporaroundsomewhere。Now，soonasIgettheworkdone，whatwouldyougirlsliketodo？"
　　"Ride！"declaredBo，eagerly。
　　"Aren'tyousorean'stiff？"
　　"Iamthat。ButIdon'tcare。Besides，whenIusedtogoouttomyuncle'sfarmnearSaintJoeIalwaysfoundridingtobeacureforaches。"
　　"Sureis，ifyoucanstandit。An'whatwillyoursisterliketodo？"returnedDale，turningtoHelen。
　　"Oh，I'llrest，andwatchyoufolks——anddream，"repliedHelen。
　　"Butafteryou'verestedyoumustbeactive，"saidDale，seriously。"Youmustdothings。Itdoesn'tmatterwhat，justaslongasyoudon'tsitidle。"
　　"Why？"queriedHelen，insurprise。"Whynotbeidlehereinthisbeautiful，wildplace？justtodreamawaythehours——
　　thedays！Icoulddoit。"
　　"Butyoumustn't。Ittookmeyearstolearnhowbadthatwasforme。An'rightnowIwouldlovenothin'morethantoforgetmywork，myhorsesan'pets——everythin'，an'justlayaround，seein'an'feelin'。"
　　"Seeingandfeeling？Yes，thatmustbewhatImean。Butwhy——whatisit？Therearethebeautyandcolor——thewild，shaggyslopes——thegraycliffs——thesingingwind——thelullingwater——theclouds——thesky。Andthesilence，loneliness，sweetnessofitall。"
　　"It'sadriftin'back。WhatIlovetodoan'yetfearmost。
　　It'swhatmakesalonehunterofaman。An'itcangrowsostrongthatitbindsamantothewilds。"
　　"Howstrange！"murmuredHelen。"ButthatcouldneverbindME。Why，Imustliveandfulfilmymission，myworkinthecivilizedworld。"
　　ItseemedtoHelenthatDalealmostimperceptiblyshrankatherearnestwords。
　　"ThewaysofNaturearestrange，"hesaid。"Ilookatitdifferent。Nature'sjustaskeentoweanyoubacktoasavagestateasyouaretobecivilized。An'ifNaturewon，youwouldcarryoutherdesignallthebetter。"
　　Thishunter'stalkshockedHelenandyetstimulatedhermind。
　　"Me——asavage？Ohno！"sheexclaimed。"But，ifthatwerepossible，whatwouldNature'sdesignbe？"
　　"Youspokeofyourmissioninlife，"hereplied。"Awoman'smissionistohavechildren。Thefemaleofanyspecieshasonlyonemission——toreproduceitskind。An'Naturehasonlyonemission——towardgreaterstrength，virility，efficiency——absoluteperfection，whichisunattainable。"
　　"Whatofmentalandspiritualdevelopmentofmanandwoman？"
　　askedHelen。
　　"BotharedirectobstaclestothedesignofNature。Natureisphysical。Tocreateforlimitlessenduranceforeternallife。ThatmustbeNature'sinscrutabledesign。An'whyshemustfail。"
　　"Butthesoul！"whisperedHelen。
　　"Ah！Whenyouspeakofthesoulan'Ispeakoflifewemeanthesame。Youan'Iwillhavesometalkswhileyou'rehere。
　　Imustbrushupmythoughts。"
　　"SomustI，itseems，"saidHelen，withaslowsmile。Shehadbeenrenderedgraveandthoughtful。"ButIguessI'llriskdreamingunderthepines。"
　　Bohadbeenwatchingthemwithherkeenblueeyes。
　　"Nell，it'dtakeathousandyearstomakeasavageofyou，"
　　shesaid。"Butaweekwilldoforme。"
　　"Bo，youwereonebeforeyouleftSaintJoe，"repliedHelen。
　　"Don'tyourememberthatschool-teacherBarneswhosaidyouwereawildcatandanIndianmixed？Hespankedyouwitharuler。"
　　"Never！Hemissedme，"retortedBo，withredinhercheeks。
　　"Nell，Iwishyou'dnottellthingsaboutmewhenIwasakid。"
　　"Thatwasonlytwoyearsago，"expostulatedHelen，inmildsurprise。
　　"Supposeitwas。Iwasakidallright。I'llbetyou-"Bobrokeupabruptly，and，tossingherhead，shegaveTomapatandthenranawayaroundthecornerofcliffwall。
　　Helenfollowedleisurely。
　　"Say，Nell，"saidBo，whenHelenarrivedattheirlittlegreenledge-polehut，"doyouknowthathunterfellowwillupsetsomeofyourtheories？"
　　"Maybe。I'lladmitheamazesme——andaffrontsme，too，I'mafraid，"repliedHelen。"Whatsurprisesmeisthatinspiteofhisevidentlackofschoolinghe'snotraworcrude。He'selemental。"
　　"Sisterdear，wakeup。Theman'swonderful。Youcanlearnmorefromhimthanyoueverlearnedinyourlife。SocanI。
　　Ialwayshatedbooks，anyway。"
　　When，alittlelater，Daleapproachedcarryingsomebridles，thehoundPedrotrottedathisheels。
　　"Ireckonyou'dbetterridethehorseyouhad，"hesaidtoBo。
　　"Whateveryousay。ButIhopeyouletmeridethemall，byandby。"
　　"Sure。I'veamustangoutthereyou'lllike。Buthepitchesalittle，"herejoined，andturnedawaytowardthepark。ThehoundlookedafterhimandthenatHelen。
　　"Come，Pedro。Staywithme，"calledHelen。
　　Dale，hearingher，motionedthehoundback。ObedientlyPedrotrottedtoher，stillshyandsoberlywatchful，asifnotsureofherintentions，butwithsomethingoffriendlinessabouthimnow。Helenfoundasoft，restfulseatinthesunfacingthepark，andtherecomposedherselfforwhatshefeltwouldbeslow，sweet，idlehours。Pedrocurleddownbesideher。ThetallformofDalestalkedacrossthepark，outtowardthestragglinghorses。Againshesawadeergrazingamongthem。HowerectandmotionlessitstoodwatchingDale！Presentlyitboundedawaytowardtheedgeoftheforest。Someofthehorseswhistledandran，kickingheelshighintheair。Theshrillwhistlesrangclearinthestillness。
　　"Gee！Lookatthemgo！"exclaimedBo，gleefully，cominguptowhereHelensat。Bothrewherselfdownuponthefragrantpine-needlesandstretchedherselflanguorously，likealazykitten。Therewassomethingfelineinherlithe，gracefuloutline。Shelayflatandlookedupthroughthepines。
　　"Wouldn'titbegreat，now，"shemurmured，dreamily，halftoherself，"ifthatLasVegascowboywouldhappensomehowtocome，andthenanearthquakewouldshutusuphereinthisParadisevalleysowe'dnevergetout？"
　　"Bo！Whatwouldmothersaytosuchtalkasthat？"gaspedHelen。
　　"But，Nell，wouldn'titbegreat？"
　　"Itwouldbeterrible。"
　　"Oh，thereneverwasanyromanceinyou，NellRayner，"
　　repliedBo。"Thatverythinghasactuallyhappenedouthereinthiswonderfulcountryofwildplaces。Youneednottellme！Sureit'shappened。Withthecliff-dwellersandtheIndiansandthenwhitepeople。EveryplaceIlookmakesmefeelthat。Nell，you'dhavetoseepeopleinthemoonthroughatelescopebeforeyou'dbelievethat。"
　　"I'mpracticalandsensible，thankgoodness！"
　　"But，forthesakeofargument，"protestedBo，withflashingeyes，"supposeitMIGHThappen。Justtopleaseme，supposeweDIDgetshutupherewithDaleandthatcowboywesawfromthetrain。Shutinwithoutanyhopeofeverclimbingout……Whatwouldyoudo？Wouldyougiveupandpineawayanddie？Orwouldyoufightforlifeandwhateverjoyitmightmean？"
　　"Self-preservationisthefirstinstinct，"repliedHelen，surprisedatastrange，deepthrillinthedepthsofher。
　　"I'dfightforlife，ofcourse。"
　　"Yes。Well，really，whenIthinkseriouslyIdon'twantanythinglikethattohappen。But，justthesame，ifitDID
　　happenIwouldgloryinit。"
　　WhiletheyweretalkingDalereturnedwiththehorses。
　　"Canyoubridlean'saddleyourownhorse？"heasked。
　　"No。I'mashamedtosayIcan't，"repliedBo。
　　"Timetolearnthen。Comeon。WatchmefirstwhenIsaddlemine。"
　　BowasalleyeswhileDaleslippedoffthebridlefromhishorseandthenwithslow，plainactionreadjustedit。Nexthesmoothedthebackofthehorse，shookouttheblanket，and，foldingithalfover，hethrewitinplace，beingcarefultoexplaintoBojusttherightposition。Heliftedhissaddleinacertainwayandputthatinplace，andthenhetightenedthecinches。
　　"Nowyoutry，"hesaid。
　　AccordingtoHelen'sjudgmentBomighthavebeenaWesterngirlallherdays。ButDaleshookhisheadandmadeherdoitover。
　　"Thatwasbetter。Ofcourse，thesaddleistooheavyforyoutoslingitup。Youcanlearnthatwithalightone。Nowputthebridleonagain。Don'tbeafraidofyourhands。Hewon'tbite。Slipthebitinsideways……There。Nowlet'sseeyoumount。"
　　WhenBogotintothesaddleDalecontinued："Youwentupquickan'light，butthewrongway。Watchme。"
　　BohadtomountseveraltimesbeforeDalewassatisfied。
　　Thenhetoldhertorideoffalittledistance。WhenBohadgottenoutofearshotDalesaidtoHelen："She'lltaketoahorselikeaducktakestowater。"Then，mounting，herodeoutafterher。
　　Helenwatchedthemtrottingandgallopingandrunningthehorsesroundthegrassypark，andratherregrettedshehadnotgonewiththem。EventuallyBorodeback，todismountandflingherselfdown，red-cheekedandradiant，withdisheveledhair，andcurlsdamponhertemples。Howalivesheseemed！
　　Helen'ssensesthrilledwiththegraceandcharmandvitalityofthissurprisingsister，andshewasawareofasheerphysicaljoyinherpresence。Borested，butshedidnotrestlong。ShewassoonofftoplaywithBud。Thenshecoaxedthetamedoetoeatoutofherhand。ShedraggedHelenoffforwildflowers，curiousandthoughtlessbyturns。Andatlengthshefellasleep，quickly，inawaythatremindedHelenofthechildhoodnowgoneforever。
　　Dalecalledthemtodinneraboutfouro'clock，asthesunwasreddeningthewesternrampartofthepark。Helenwonderedwherethedayhadgone。Thehourshadflownswiftly，serenely，bringingherscarcelyathoughtofheruncleordreadofherforceddetentionthereorpossiblediscoverybythoseoutlawssupposedtobehuntingforher。
　　AftersherealizedthepassingofthosehoursshehadanintangibleandindescribablefeelingofwhatDalehadmeantaboutdreamingthehoursaway。ThenatureofParadiseParkwasinimicaltothekindofthoughtthathadhabituallybeenhers，Shefoundthenewthoughtabsorbing，yetwhenshetriedtonameitshefoundthat，afterall，shehadonlyfelt。Atthemealhourshewasmorethanusuallyquiet。ShesawthatDalenoticeditandwastryingtointerestherordistractherattention。Hesucceeded，butshedidnotchoosetolethimseethat。Shestrolledawayalonetoherseatunderthepine。Bopassedheronce，andcried，tantalizingly：
　　"My，Nell，butyou'regrowingromantic！"
　　NeverbeforeinHelen'slifehadthebeautyoftheeveningstarseemedsoexquisiteorthetwilightsomovingandshadowyorthedarknesssochargedwithloneliness。Itwastheirenvironment——theaccompanimentofwildwolf-mourn，ofthemurmuringwaterfall，ofthisstrangemanoftheforestandtheunfamiliarelementsamongwhichhemadehishome。
　　Nextmorning，herenergyhavingreturned，HelensharedBo'slessoninbridlingandsaddlingherhorse，andinriding。
　　Bo，however，rodesofastandsohardthatforHelentosharehercompanywasimpossible。AndDale，interestedandamused，yetanxious，spentmostofhistimewithBo。ItwasthusthatHelenrodeallovertheparkalone。Shewasastonishedatitssize，whenfromalmostanypointitlookedsosmall。Theatmospheredeceivedher。Howclearlyshecouldsee！Andshebegantojudgedistancebythesizeoffamiliarthings。Ahorse，lookedatacrossthelongestlengthofthepark，seemedverysmallindeed。Hereandtheresherodeupondark，swift，littlebrooks，exquisitelyclearandamber-coloredandalmosthiddenfromsightbythelonggrass。Theseallranoneway，andunitedtoformadeeperbrookthatapparentlywoundunderthecliffsatthewestend，andplungedtoanoutletinnarrowclefts。WhenDaleandBocametoheronceshemadeinquiry，andshewassurprisedtolearnfromDalethatthisbrookdisappearedinaholeintherocksandhadanoutletontheothersideofthemountain。Sometimehewouldtakethemtothelakeitformed。
　　"Overthemountain？"askedHelen，againrememberingthatshemustregardherselfasafugitive。"Willitbesafetoleaveourhiding-place？Iforgetsooftenwhywearehere。"
　　"Wewouldbebetterhiddenovertherethanhere，"repliedDale。"Thevalleyonthatsideisaccessibleonlyfromthatridge。An'don'tworryaboutbein'found。ItoldyouRoyBeemaniswatchin'Ansonan'hisgang。Roywillkeepbetweentheman'us。"
　　Helenwasreassured，yettheremustalwayslingerinthebackgroundofhermindasenseofdread。Inspiteofthis，shedeterminedtomakethemostofheropportunity。Bowasastimulus。AndsoHelenspenttherestofthatdayridingandtaggingafterhersister。
　　ThenextdaywaslesshardonHelen。Activity，rest，eating，andsleepingtookonawonderfulnewmeaningtoher。Shehadreallyneverknownthemasstrangejoys。Sherode，shewalked，sheclimbedalittle，shedozedunderherpine-tree，sheworkedhelpingDaleatcamp-firetasks，andwhennightcameshesaidshedidnotknowherself。Thatfacthauntedherinvague，deepdreams。Uponawakeningsheforgotherresolvetostudyherself。Thatdaypassed。Andthenseveralmorewentswiftlybeforesheadaptedherselftoasituationshehadreasontobelievemightlastforweeksandevenmonths。
　　ItwasafternoonthatHelenlovedbestofallthetimeoftheday。Thesunrisewasfresh，beautiful；themorningwaswindy，fragrant；thesunsetwasrosy，glorious；thetwilightwassad，changing；andnightseemedinfinitelysweetwithitsstarsandsilenceandsleep。Buttheafternoon，whennothingchanged，whenallwasserene，whentimeseemedtohalt，thatwasherchoice，andhersolace。
　　Oneafternoonshehadcampalltoherself。Bowasriding。
　　Dalehadclimbedthemountaintoseeifhecouldfindanytraceoftracksorseeanysmokefromcamp-fire。Budwasnowheretobeseen，noranyoftheotherpets。Tomhadgoneofftosomesunnyledgewherehecouldbaskinthesun，afterthehabitofthewilderbrothersofhisspecies。Pedrohadnotbeenseenforanightandaday，afactthatHelenhadnotedwithconcern。However，shehadforgottenhim，andthereforewasthemoresurprisedtoseehimcominglimpingintocamponthreelegs。
　　"Why，Pedro！Youhavebeenfighting。Comehere，"shecalled。
　　Thehounddidnotlookguilty。Helimpedtoherandhelduphisrightforepaw。Theactionwasunmistakable。Helenexaminedtheinjuredmemberandpresentlyfoundapieceofwhatlookedlikemussel-shellembeddeddeeplybetweenthetoes。Thewoundwasswollen，bloody，andevidentlyverypainful。Pedrowhined。Helenhadtoexertallthestrengthofherfingerstopullitout。ThenPedrohowled。Butimmediatelyheshowedhisgratitudebylickingherhand。
　　Helenbathedhispawandbounditup。
　　WhenDalereturnedsherelatedtheincidentand，showingthepieceofshell，sheasked："Wheredidthatcomefrom？Arethereshellsinthemountains？"
　　"Oncethiscountrywasunderthesea，"repliedDale。"I'vefoundthingsthat'dmakeyouwonder。"
　　"Underthesea！"ejaculatedHelen。Itwasonethingtohavereadofsuchastrangefact，butavastlydifferentonetorealizeithereamongtheseloftypeaks。Dalewasalwaysshowinghersomethingortellinghersomethingthatastoundedher。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaidoneday。"Whatdoyoumakeofthatlittlebunchofaspens？"
　　Theywereonthefarthersideoftheparkandwererestingunderapine-tree。Theforesthereencroachedupontheparkwithitsstragglinglinesofspruceandgrovesofaspen。ThelittleclumpofaspensdidnotdifferfromhundredsHelenhadseen。
　　"Idon'tmakeanythingparticularlyofit，"repliedHelen，dubiously。"Justatinygroveofaspens——someverysmall，somelarger，butnoneverybig。Butit'sprettywithitsgreenandyellowleavesflutteringandquivering。"
　　"Itdoesn'tmakeyouthinkofafight？"
　　"Fight？No，itcertainlydoesnot，"repliedHelen。
　　"Well，it'sasgoodanexampleoffight，ofstrife，ofselfishness，asyouwillfindintheforest，"hesaid。"Nowcomeover，youan'Bo，an'letmeshowyouwhatImean。"
　　"Comeon，Nell，"criedBo，withenthusiasm。"He'llopenoureyessomemore。"
　　Nothingloath，Helenwentwiththemtothelittleclumpofaspens。
　　"Aboutahundredaltogether，"saidDale。"They'reprettywellshadedbythespruces，buttheygetthesunlightfromeastan'south。Theselittletreesallcamefromthesameseedlings。They'reallthesameage。Fourofthemstand，say，tenfeetormorehighan'they'reaslargearoundasmywrist。Here'sonethat'slargest。Seehowfull-foliagedheis——howhestandsovermostoftheothers，butnotsomuchoverthesefournexttohim。Theyallstandclosetogether，veryclose，yousee。Mostofthemarenolargerthanmythumb。Lookhowfewbranchestheyhave，an'nonelowdown。
　　Lookathowfewleaves。Doyouseehowallthebranchesstandouttowardtheeastan'south——howtheleaves，ofcourse，facethesameway？Seehowonebranchofonetreebendsasideonefromanothertree。That'safightforthesunlight。Hereareone——two——threedeadtrees。Look，I
　　cansnapthemoff。An'nowlookdownunderthem。Herearelittletreesfivefeethigh——fourfeethigh——downtotheseonlyafoothigh。Lookhowpale，delicate，fragile，unhealthy！Theygetsolittlesunshine。Theywerebornwiththeothertrees，butdidnotgetanequalstart。Positiongivestheadvantage，perhaps。"
　　Daleledthegirlsaroundthelittlegrove，illustratinghiswordsbyaction。Heseemeddeeplyinearnest。
　　"Youunderstandit'safightforwateran'sun。Butmostlysun，because，iftheleavescanabsorbthesun，thetreean'
　　rootswillgrowtograsptheneededmoisture。Shadeisdeath——slowdeathtothelifeoftrees。Theselittleaspensarefightin'forplaceinthesunlight。Itisamercilessbattle。Theypushan'bendoneanother'sbranchesasidean'
　　chokethem。Onlyperhapshalfoftheseaspenswillsurvive，tomakeoneofthelargerclumps，suchasthatoneoffull-growntreesoverthere。Oneseasonwillgiveadvantagetothissaplin'an'nextyeartothatone。Afewseasons'
　　advantagetooneassuresitsdominanceovertheothers。Butitisneversureofholdin'thatdominance。An'ifwindorstormorastrong-growin'rivaldoesnotoverthrowit，thensoonerorlateroldagewill。Forthereisabsoluteandcontinualfight。Whatistrueoftheseaspensistrueofallthetreesintheforestan'ofallplantlifeintheforest。
　　Whatismostwonderfultomeisthetenacityoflife。"
　　AndnextdayDaleshowedthemanevenmorestrikingexampleofthismysteryofnature。
　　Heguidedthemonhorsebackuponeofthethick，verdant-woodedslopes，callingtheirattentionatvarioustimestothedifferentgrowths，untiltheyemergedonthesummitoftheridgewherethetimbergrewscantanddwarfed。
　　Attheedgeoftimber-lineheshowedagnarledandknottedspruce-tree，twistedoutofallsemblancetoabeautifulspruce，bentandstorm-blasted，withalmostbarebranches，allreachingone'way。Thetreewasaspecter。Itstoodalone。Ithadlittlegreenuponit。Thereseemedsomethingtragicaboutitscontortions。Butitwasaliveandstrong。
　　Ithadnorivalstotakesunormoisture。Itsenemieswerethesnowandwindandcoldoftheheights。
　　Helenfelt，astherealizationcametoher，theknowledgeDalewishedtoimpart，thatitwasassadaswonderful，andasmysteriousasitwasinspiring。Atthatmomenttherewereboththestingandsweetnessoflife——thepainandthejoy——inHelen'sheart。Thesestrangefactsweregoingtoteachher——totransformher。Andeveniftheyhurt，shewelcomedthem。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　"I'llrideyouifitbreaks——myneck！"pantedBo，passionately，shakingherglovedfistatthegraypony。
　　Dalestoodnearwithabroadsmileonhisface。Helenwaswithinearshot，watchingfromtheedgeofthepark，andshefeltsofascinatedandfrightenedthatshecouldnotcalloutforBotostop。Thelittlegraymustangwasabeauty，clean-limbedandracy，withlongblackmaneandtail，andafine，spiritedhead。Therewasablanketstrappedonhisback，butnosaddle。Boheldtheshorthalterthathadbeenfastenedinahackamoreknotroundhisnose。Sheworenocoat；herblousewascoveredwithgrassandseeds，anditwasopenattheneck；herhairhunglooseanddisheveled；
　　onesideofherfaceboreastainofgrassanddirtandasuspicionofblood；theotherwasredandwhite；hereyesblazed；beadsofsweatstoodoutonherbrowandwetplacesshoneonhercheeks。Asshebegantostrainonthehalter，pullingherselfclosertothefierypony，theoutlineofherslendershapestoodoutlitheandstrong。
　　BohadbeendefeatedinhercherishedanddeterminedambitiontorideDale'smustang，andshewasfurious。Themustangdidnotappeartobeviciousormean。Buthewasspirited，tricky，mischievous，andhehadthrownhersixtimes。ThesceneofBo'sdefeatwasattheedgeofthepark，wherethickmossandgrassaffordedsoftplacesforhertofall。Italsoaffordedpoorfootholdforthegraymustang，obviouslyplacinghimatadisadvantage。Daledidnotbridlehim，becausehehadnotbeenbrokentoabridle；andthoughitwasharderforBototrytoridehimbareback，therewaslessriskofherbeinghurt。Bohadbeguninalleagernessandenthusiasm，lovingandpettingthemustang，whichshenamed"Pony。"Shehadevidentlyanticipatedanadventure，buthersmiling，resolutefacehaddenotedconfidence。Ponyhadstoodfairlywelltobemounted，andthenhadpitchedandtosseduntilBohadslidofforbeenupsetorthrown。
　　AftereachfallBobouncedupwithlessofasmile，andmoreofspirit，untilnowtheWesternpassiontomasterahorsehadsuddenlyleapedtolifewithinher。Itwasnolongerfun，nomoreadaringcircustricktoscareHelenandrouseDale'sadmiration。TheissuenowlaybetweenBoandthemustang。
　　Ponyreared，snorting，tossinghishead，andpawingwithfrontfeet。
　　"Pullhimdown！"yelledDale。
　　Bodidnothavemuchweight，butshehadstrength，anshehauledwithallhermight，finallybringinghimdown。
　　"Nowholdhardan'takeupropean'getintohim，"calledDale。"Good！You'resurenotafraidofhim。Heseesthat。
　　Nowholdhim，talktohim，tellhimyou'regoin'toridehim。Pethimalittle。An'whenhequitsshakin'，grabhismanean'jumpupan'slidealegoverhim。Thenhookyourfeetunderhim，hardasyoucan，an'stickon。"
　　IfHelenhadnotbeensofrightenedforBoshewouldhavebeenabletoenjoyherothersensations。Creeping，coldthrillschasedoverherasBo，suppleandquick，slidanarmandalegoverPonyandstraighteneduponhimwithadefiantcry。Ponyjerkedhisheaddown，broughthisfeettogetherinonejump，andbegantobounce。Bogottheswingofhimthistimeandstayedon。
　　"You'reridin'him，"yelledDale。"Nowsqueezehardwithyourknees。Crackhimovertheheadwithyourrope……
　　That'stheway。Hangonnowan'you'llhavehimbeat。"
　　ThemustangpitchedalloverthespaceadjacenttoDaleandHelen，tearingupthemossandgrass。SeveraltimeshetossedBohigh，butsheslidbacktogriphimagainwithherlegs，andhecouldnotthrowher。Suddenlyheraisedhisheadandbolted。DaleansweredBo'striumphantcry。ButPonyhadnotrunfiftyfeetbeforehetrippedandfell，throwingBofaroverhishead。Asluckwouldhaveit——goodluck，Daleafterwardsaid——shelandedinaboggyplaceandtheforceofhermomentumwassuchthatsheslidseveralyards，facedown，inwetmossandblackooze。
　　Helenutteredascreamandranforward。BowasgettingtoherkneeswhenDalereachedher。Hehelpedherupandhalfled，halfcarriedheroutoftheboggyplace。Bowasnotrecognizable。Fromheadtofootshewasdrippingblackooze。
　　"Oh，Bo！Areyouhurt？"criedHelen。
　　EvidentlyBo'smouthwasfullofmud。
　　"Pp——su——tt！Ough！Whew！"shesputtered。"Hurt？No！Can'tyouseewhatIlitin？Dale，thesun-of-a-gundidn'tthrowme。Hefell，andIwentoverhishead。"
　　"Right。Yousurerodehim。An'hetrippedan'slungyouamile，"repliedDale。"It'sluckyyoulitinthatbog。"
　　"Lucky！Witheyesandnosestoppedup？Oooo！I'mfullofmud。Andmynice——newriding-suit！"
　　Bo'stonesindicatedthatshewasreadytocry。Helen，realizingBohadnotbeenhurt，begantolaugh。Hersisterwasthefunniest-lookingobjectthathadevercomebeforehereyes。
　　"NellRayner——areyou——laughing——atme？"demandedBo，inmostrighteousamazeandanger。
　　"Melaugh-ing？N-never，Bo，"repliedHelen。"Can'tyouseeI'mjust——just——"
　　"See？Youidiot！myeyesarefullofmud！"flashedBo。"ButIhearyou。I'll——I'llgeteven。"
　　Dalewaslaughing，too，butnoiselessly，andBo，beingblindforthemoment，couldnotbeawareofthat。Bythistimetheyhadreachedcamp。Helenfellflatandlaughedasshehadneverlaughedbefore。WhenHelenforgotherselfsofarastorollonthegrounditwasindeedalaughingmatter。
　　Dale'sbigframeshookashepossessedhimselfofatoweland，wettingitatthespring，begantowipethemudoffBo'sface。Butthatdidnotserve。Boaskedtobeledtothewater，whereshekneltand，withsplashing，washedouthereyes，andthenherface，andthenthebedraggledstrandsofhair。
　　"Thatmustangdidn'tbreakmyneck，butherootedmyfaceinthemud。I'llfixhim，"shemuttered，asshegotup。"Pleaseletmehavethetowel，now……Well！MiltDale，you'relaughing！"
　　"Ex-cuseme，Bo。I——Haw！haw！haw！"ThenDalelurchedoff，holdinghissides。
　　BogazedafterhimandthenbackatHelen。
　　"IsupposeifI'dbeenkickedandsmashedandkilledyou'dlaugh，"shesaid。Andthenshemelted。"Oh，myprettyriding-suit！Whatamess！Imustbeasight……Nell，I
　　rodethatwildpony——thesun-of-a-gun！Irodehim！That'senoughforme。YOUtryit。Laughallyouwant。Itwasfunny。
　　Butifyouwanttosquareyourselfwithme，helpmecleanmyclothes。"
　　LateinthenightHelenheardDalesternlycallingPedro。
　　Shefeltsomelittlealarm。However，nothinghappened，andshesoonwenttosleepagain。AtthemorningmealDaleexplained。
　　"Pedroan'Tomwereuneasylastnight。Ithinktherearelionsworkin'overtheridgesomewhere。Iheardonescream。"
　　"Scream？"inquiredBo，withinterest。
　　"Yes，an'ifyoueverhearalionscreamyouwillthinkitawomaninmortalagony。Thecougarcry，asRoycallsit，isthewildesttobeheardinthewoods。Awolfhowls。Heissad。hungry，andwild。Butacougarseemshumanan'dyin'
　　an'wild。We'llsaddleupan'rideoverthere。MaybePedrowilltreealion。Bo，ifhedoeswillyoushootit？"
　　"Sure，"repliedBo，withhermouthfullofbiscuit。
　　Thatwashowtheycametotakealong，slow，steeprideundercoverofdensespruce。Helenlikedtherideaftertheygotontheheights。Buttheydidnotgettoanypointwhereshecouldindulgeinherpleasureofgazingafarovertheranges。Daleledupanddown，andfinallymostlydown，untiltheycameoutwithinsightofsparserwoodedridgeswithparkslyingbelowandstreamsshininginthesun。
　　MorethanoncePedrohadtobeharshlycalledbyDale。Thehoundscentedgame。
　　"Here'sanoldkill，"saidDale，haltingtopointatsomebleachedbonesscatteredunderaspruce。Tuftsofgrayish-whitehairlaystrewnaround。
　　"Whatwasit？"askedBo。
　　"Deer，ofcourse。Killedtherean'eatenbyalion。Sometimelastfall。See，eventheskullissplit。ButIcouldnotsaythattheliondidit。"
　　Helenshuddered。ShethoughtofthetamedeerdownatDale'scamp。Howbeautifulandgraceful，andresponsivetokindness！
　　Theyrodeoutofthewoodsintoagrassyswalewithrocksandclumpsofsomegreenbushesborderingit。HerePedrobarked，thefirsttimeHelenhadheardhim。Thehaironhisneckbristled，anditrequiredsterncallsfromDaletoholdhimin。Daledismounted。
　　"Hyar，Pede，yougetback，"heordered。"I'llletyougopresently……Girls，you'regoin'toseesomethin'。Butstayonyourhorses。"
　　Dale，withthehoundtenseandbristlingbesidehim，strodehereandthereattheedgeoftheswale。Presentlyhehaltedonaslightelevationandbeckonedforthegirlstorideover。
　　"Here，seewherethegrassispresseddownallnicean'
　　round，"hesaid，pointing。"Alionmadethat。Hesneakedthere，watchin'fordeer。Thatwasdonethismornin'。Comeon，now。Let'sseeifwecantrailhim。"
　　Dalestoopednow，studyingthegrass，andholdingPedro。
　　Suddenlyhestraightenedupwithaflashinhisgrayeyes。
　　"Here'swherehejumped。"
　　ButHelencouldnotseeanyreasonwhyDaleshouldsaythat。
　　Themanoftheforesttookalongstridethenanother。
　　"An'here'swherethatlionlitonthebackofthedeer。Itwasabigjump。Seethesharphooftracksofthedeer。"Dalepressedasidetallgrasstoshowdark，rough，freshtracksofadeer，evidentlymadebyviolentaction。
　　"Comeon，"calledDale，walkingswiftly。"You'resuregoin'
　　toseesomethin'now……Here'swherethedeerbounded，carryin'thelion。"
　　"What！"exclaimedBo，incredulously。
　　"Thedeerwasrunnin'herewiththeliononhisback。I'llproveittoyou。Comeon，now。Pedro，youstaywithme。
　　Girls，it'safreshtrail。"Dalewalkedalong，leadinghishorse，andoccasionallyhepointeddownintothegrass。
　　"There！Seethat！That'shair。"
　　Helendidseesometuftsofgrayishhairscatteredontheground，andshebelievedshesawlittle，darkseparationsinthegrass，whereananimalhadrecentlypassed。AllatonceDalehalted。WhenHelenreachedhimBowasalreadythereandtheyweregazingdownatawide，flattenedspaceinthegrass。EvenHelen'sinexperiencedeyescouldmakeoutevidencesofastruggle。Tuftsofgray-whitehairlayuponthecrushedgrass。Helendidnotneedtoseeanymore，butDalesilentlypointedtoapatchofblood。Thenhespoke：
　　"Thelionbroughtthedeerdownherean'killedhim。
　　Probablybrokehisneck。Thatdeerranahundredyardswiththelion。See，here'sthetrailleftwheretheliondraggedthedeeroff。"
　　Awell-definedpathshowedacrosstheswale。
　　"Girls，you'llseethatdeerprettyquick，"declaredDale，startingforward。"Thisworkhasjustbeendone。Onlyafewminutesago。"
　　"Howcanyoutell？"queriedBo。
　　"Look！Seethatgrass。Ithasbeenbentdownbythedeerbein'draggedoverit。Nowit'sspringin'up。"
　　Dale'snextstopwasontheothersideoftheswale，underasprucewithlow，spreadingbranches。ThelookofPedroquickenedHelen'spulse。Hewaswildtogivechase。
　　FearfullyHelenlookedwhereDalepointed，expectingtoseethelion。Butshesawinsteadadeerlyingprostratewithtongueoutandsightlesseyesandbloodyhair。
　　"Girls，thatlionheardusan'left。He'snotfar，"saidDale，ashestoopedtolifttheheadofthedeer。"Warm！
　　Neckbroken。Seethelion'steethan'clawmarks……It'sadoe。Lookhere。Don'tbesqueamish，girls。Thisisonlyanhourlyincidentofeverydaylifeintheforest。SeewherethelionhasrolledtheskindownasneatasIcoulddoit，an'he'djustbeguntobiteintherewhenheheardus。"
　　"Whatmurderouswork，Thesightsickensme！"exclaimedHelen。
　　"Itisnature，"saidDale，simply。
　　"Let'skillthelion，"addedBo。
　　ForanswerDaletookaquickturnattheirsaddle-girths，andthen，mounting，hecalledtothehound。"Hunthimup，Pedro。"
　　Likeashotthehoundwasoff。
　　"Rideinmytracksan'keepclosetome，"calledDale，ashewheeledhishorse。
　　"We'reoff！"squealedBo，inwilddelight，andshemadehermountplunge。
　　Helenurgedherhorseafterthemandtheybrokeacrossacomeroftheswaletothewoods。Pedrowasrunningstraight，withhisnosehigh。Heletoutoneshortbark。Heheadedintothewoods，withDalenotfarbehind。HelenwasononeofDale'sbesthorses，butthatfactscarcelymanifesteditself，becausetheothersbegantoincreasetheirlead。
　　Theyenteredthewoods。Itwasopen，andfairlygoodgoing。
　　Bo'shorseranasfastinthewoodsashedidintheopen。
　　ThatfrightenedHelenandsheyelledtoBotoholdhimin。
　　Sheyelledtodeafears。ThatwasBo'sgreatrisk——shedidnotintendtobecareful。SuddenlytheforestrangwithDale'sencouragingyell，meanttoaidthegirlsinfollowinghim。Helen'shorsecaughtthespiritofthechase。HegainedsomewhatonBo，hurdlinglogs，sometimestwoatonce。
　　Helen'sbloodleapedwithastrangeexcitement，utterlyunfamiliarandasutterlyresistless。Yethernaturalfear，andtheintelligencethatreckonedwiththefoolishriskofthisride，sharedalikeinhersumofsensations。ShetriedtorememberDale'scautionaboutdodgingbranchesandsnags，andslidingherkneesbacktoavoidknocksfromtrees。Shebarelymissedsomefrightfulreachingbranches。Shereceivedahardknock，thenanother，thatunseatedher，butfranticallysheheldonandslidback，andattheendofalongrunthroughcomparativelyopenforestshegotastingingblowinthefacefromafar-spreadingbranchofpine。Bomissed，bywhatseemedonlyaninch，asolidsnagthatwouldhavebrokenherintwo。BothPedroandDalegotoutofHelen'ssight。ThenHelen，asshebegantoloseBo，feltthatshewouldratherrungreaterrisksthanbeleftbehindtogetlostintheforest，andsheurgedherhorse。
　　Dale'syellpealedback。Thenitseemedevenmorethrillingtofollowbysoundthanbysight。Windandbrushtoreather。Theairwasheavilypungentwithodorofpine。Helenheardawild，fullbayofthehound，ringingback，fullofsavageeagerness，andshebelievedPedrohadrousedoutthelionfromsomecovert。Itlentmorestirtoherbloodanditsurelyurgedherhorseonfaster。
　　Thentheswiftpaceslackened。AwindfalloftimberdelayedHelen。ShecaughtaglimpseofDalefarahead，climbingaslope。Theforestseemedfullofhisringingyell。Helenstrangelywishedforlevelgroundandtheformerswiftmotion。NextshesawBoworkingdowntotheright，andDale'syellnowcamefromthatdirection。Helenfollowed，gotoutofthetimber，andmadebettertimeonagradualslopedowntoanotherpark。
　　WhenshereachedtheopenshesawBoalmostacrossthisnarrowopenground。HereHelendidnotneedtourgehermount。HesnortedandplungedatthelevelandhegottogoingsofastthatHelenwouldhavescreamedaloudinmingledfearanddelightifshehadnotbeenbreathless。
　　Herhorsehadthebadlucktocrosssoftground。HewenttohiskneesandHelensailedoutofthesaddleoverhishead。
　　Softwillowsandwetgrassbrokeherfall。Shewassurprisedtofindherselfunhurt。UpsheboundedandcertainlydidnotknowthisnewHelenRayner。Herhorsewascoming，andhehadpatiencewithher，buthewantedtohurry。Helenmadethequickestmountofherexperienceandsomehowfeltaprideinit。ShewouldtellBothat。ButjustthenBoflashedintothewoodsoutofsight。Helenfairlychargedintothatgreenfoliage，breakingbrushandbranches。Shebrokethroughintoopenforest。Bowasinside，ridingdownanaislebetweenpinesandspruces。AtthatjunctureHelenheardDale'smelodiousyellnearathand。Comingintostillmoreopenforest，withrockshereandthere，shesawDaledismountedunderapine，andPedrostandingwithforepawsuponthetree-trunk，andthenhighuponabranchahugetawnycoloredlion，justlikeTom。
　　Bo'shorseslowedupandshowedfear，buthekeptonasfarasDale'shorse。ButHelen'srefusedtogoanynearer。Shehaddifficultyinhaltinghim。Presentlyshedismountedand，throwingherbridleoverastump，sheranon，pantingandfearful，yettinglingallover，uptohersisterandDale。
　　"Nell，youdidprettygoodforatenderfoot，"wasBo'sgreeting。
　　"Itwasafinechase，"saidDale。"Youbothrodewell。I
　　wishyoucouldhaveseenthelionontheground。Hebounded——greatlongboundswithhistailupintheair——veryfunny。An'Pedroalmostcaughtupwithhim。Thatscaredme，becausehewouldhavekilledthehound。Pedrowasclosetohimwhenhetreed。An'thereheis——theyellowdeer-killer。He'samalean'fullgrown。"
　　WiththatDalepulledhisriflefromitssaddle-sheathandlookedexpectantlyatBo。Butshewasgazingwithgreatinterestandadmirationupatthelion。
　　"Isn'thejustbeautiful？"sheburstout。"Oh，lookathimspit！Justlikeacat！Dale，helooksafraidhemightfalloff。"
　　"Hesuredoes。Lionsareneversureoftheirbalanceinatree。ButIneversawonemakeamisstep。Heknowshedoesn'tbelongthere。"
　　ToHelenthelionlookedsplendidperchedupthere。Hewaslongandroundandgracefulandtawny。Histonguehungoutandhisplumpsidesheaved，showingwhataquick，hardrunhehadbeendrivento。WhatstruckHelenmostforciblyabouthimwassomethinginhisfaceashelookeddownatthehound。Hewasscared。Herealizedhisperil。ItwasnotpossibleforHelentowatchhimkilled，yetshecouldnotbringherselftobegBonottoshoot。Helenconfessedshewasatenderfoot。
　　"Getdown，Bo，an'let'sseehowgoodashotyouare，saidDale。BoslowlywithdrewherfascinatedgazefromthelionandlookedwitharuefulsmileatDale。
　　"I'vechangedmymind。IsaidIwouldkillhim，butnowI
　　can't。Helooksso——sodifferentfromwhatI'dimagined。"