Thepeach-andapple-treeswereminglingblossomsofpinkandwhite；adrowsyhumofbeesfilledthefragrantair；
　　rich，dark-greenalfalfacoveredthesmallorchardflat；awoodfiresentupalazycolumnofbluesmoke；andbirdsweresingingsweetly。
　　Helencouldscarcelybelievethatamidallthistranquillityamanlayperhapsfatallyinjured。AssuredlyCarmichaelhadbeensomberandreticentenoughtorousethegravestfears。
　　WidowCassappearedonthelittleporch，agray，bent，worn，butcheerfuloldwomanwhomHelenhadcometoknowasherfriend。
　　"Myland！I'mthetgladtoseeyou，MissHelen，"shesaid。
　　"An'you'vefetchedthelittlelassasI'venotgotacquaintedwithyet。"
　　"Goodmorning，Mrs。Cass。How——howisRoy？"repliedHelen，anxiouslyscanningthewrinkledface。
　　"Roy？Nowdon'tyoulooksoscared。Roy's'mostreadytogitonhishossan'ridehome，ifIlethim。Heknowedyouwasa-comin'。An'hemademeholdalookin'-glassforhimtoshave。How'sthetferamanwithabullet-holethroughhim！
　　Youcan'tkillthemMormons，nohow。"
　　Sheledthemintoalittlesitting-room，whereonacouchunderneathawindowRoyBeemanlay。Hewaswideawakeandsmiling，buthaggard。Helaypartlycoveredwithablanket。
　　Hisgrayshirtwasopenattheneck，disclosingbandages。
　　"Mornin'——girls，"hedrawled。"Shoreisgoodofyou，now，comin'down。"
　　Helenstoodbesidehim，bentoverhim，inherearnestness，asshegreetedhim。Shesawashadeofpaininhiseyesandhisimmobilitystruckher，buthedidnotseembadlyoff。Bowaspale，round-eyed，andapparentlytooagitatedtospeak。
　　Carmichaelplacedchairsbesidethecouchforthegirls。
　　"Wal，what'sailin'youthisnicemornin'？"askedRoy，eyesonthecowboy。
　　"Huh！Wouldyouexpectmetobewearin'thesmileof'afellargoin'tobemarried？"retortedCarmichael。
　　"Shoreyouhaven'tmadeupwithBoyet，"returnedRoy。
　　Boblushedrosyred，andthecowboy'sfacelostsomethingofitssomberhue。
　　"Iallowit'snoneofyourd——darnbiznessifSHEain'tmadeupwithme，"hesaid。
　　"LasVegas，you'reawonderwithahossan'arope，an'I
　　reckonwithagun，butwhenitcomestogirlsyoushoreain'tthere。"
　　"I'mnoMormon，bygolly！Come，MaCass，let'sgetoutofhere，sotheycantalk。"
　　"Folks，Iwasjesta-goin'tosaythetRoy'sgotfeveran'
　　heoughtn'tt'talktoomuch，"saidtheoldwoman。ThensheandCarmichaelwentintothekitchenandclosed，thedoor。
　　RoylookedupatHelenwithhiskeeneyes，morekindlypiercingthanever。
　　"MybrotherJohnwashere。He'djustleftwhenyoucome。HerodehometotellmyfolksI'mnotsobadhurt，an'thenhe'sgoin'torideabee-lineintothemountains。"
　　Helen'seyesaskedwhatherlipsrefusedtoutter。
　　"He'sgoin'afterDale。Isenthim。Ireckonedwe-allsortaneededsightofthetdoggonehunter。"
　　RoyhadavertedhisgazequicklytoBo。
　　"Don'tyouagreewithme，lass？"
　　"Isuredo，"repliedBo，heartily。
　　AllwithinHelenhadbeenstilledforthemomentofherrealization；andthencameswellandbeatofheart，andinconceivablechafingofatideatitsrestraint。
　　"CanJohn——fetchDaleout——whenthesnow'ssodeep？"sheasked，unsteadily。
　　"Shore。He'stakin'twohossesuptothesnow-line。Then，ifnecessary，he'llgooverthepassonsnow-shoes。ButIbethimDalewouldrideout。Snow'saboutgoneexceptonthenorthslopesan'onthepeaks。"
　　"Then——whenmayI——weexpecttoseeDale？"
　　"Threeorfourdays，Ireckon。Iwishhewasherenow……
　　MissHelen，there'stroubleafoot。"
　　"Irealizethat。I'mready。DidLasVegastellyouaboutBeasley'svisittome？"
　　"No。Youtellme，"repliedRoy。
　　BrieflyHelenbegantoacquainthimwiththecircumstancesofthatvisit，andbeforeshehadfinishedshemadesureRoywasswearingtohimself。
　　"Heaskedyoutomarryhim！Jerusalem！……ThetI'dneverhavereckoned。The——low-downcoyoteofagreaser！……
　　Wal，MissHelen，whenImetupwithSenuorBeasleylastnighthewasshorespoilin'fromsomethin'；nowIseewhatthetwas。An'IreckonIpickedoutthebadtime。"
　　"Forwhat？Roy，whatdidyoudo？"
　　"Wal，I'dmadeupmymindawhilebacktotalktoBeasleythefirstchanceIhad。An'thetwasit。IwasinthestorewhenIseenhimgointoTurner's。SoIfollowed。Itwas'mostdark。Beasleyan'Riggsan'Mulveyan'somemoreweredrinkin'an'powwowin'。SoIjustbracedhimrightthen。"
　　"Roy！Oh，thewayyouboyscourtdanger！"
　　"But，MissHelen，thet'stheonlyway。TobeafraidMAKES
　　moredanger。Beasley'pearedcivilenoughfirstoff。Himan'
　　mekeptedgin'off，an'hispardskeptedgin'afterus，tillwegotoverinacornerofthesaloon。Idon'tknowallI
　　saidtohim。ShoreItalkedaheap。Itoldhimwhatmyoldmanthought。An'BeasleyknowedaswellasIthetmyoldman'snotonlytheoldestinhabitanthereabouts，buthe'sthewisest，too。An'hewouldn'ttellalie。Wal，Iusedallhissayin'sinmyargumenttoshowBeasleythetifhedidn'thaulupshorthe'dendalmostasshort。Beasley'sthick-headed，an'powerfulconceited。Vainasapeacock！Hecouldn'tsee，an'hegotmad。Itoldhimhewasrichenoughwithoutrobbin'youofyourranch，an'——wal，Ishoreputupabigtalkforyourside。Bythistimehean'hisganghadmecrowdedinacorner，an'fromtheirlooksIbeguntogetcoldfeet。ButIwasinitan'hadtomakethebestofit。Theargumentworkeddowntohispinnin'metomywordthatI'dfightforyouwhenthetfightcomeoff。An'IshoretoldhimformyownsakeIwishedit'dcomeoffquick……Then——wal——thensomethin'didcomeoffquick！"
　　"Roy，thenheshotyou！"exclaimedHelen，passionately。
　　"Now，MissHelen，Ididn'tsaywhodoneit，"repliedRoy，withhisengagingsmile。
　　"Tellme，then——whodid？"
　　"Wal，IreckonIsha'n'ttellyouunlessyoupromisenottotellLasVegas。Thetcowboyisplumboffhishead。Hethinksheknowswhoshotmean'I'vebeenlyin'somethin'
　　scandalous。Yousee，ifhelearns——thenhe'llgogunnin'。
　　An'，MissHelen，thetTexanisbad。HemightgetpluggedasIdid——an'therewouldbeanothermanputoffyoursidewhenthebigtroublecomes。"
　　"Roy，IpromiseyouIwillnottellLasVegas，"repliedHelen，earnestly。
　　"Wal，then——itwasRiggs！"Roygrewstillpalerasheconfessedthisandhisvoice，almostawhisper，expressedshameandhate。"Thetfour-flushdidit。ShotmefrombehindBeasley！Ihadnochance。Icouldn'tevenseehimdraw。ButwhenIfellan'laytherean'theothersdroppedback，thenIseenthesmokin'guninhishand。Helookedpowerfulimportant。An'Beasleybegantocusshiman'wascussin'himastheyallrunout。"
　　"Oh，coward！thedespicablecoward！"criedHelen。
　　"NowonderTomwantstofindout！"exclaimedBo，lowanddeep。"I'llbethesuspectsRiggs。"
　　Shorehedoes，butIwouldn'tgivehimnosatisfaction。"
　　"Roy，youknowthatRiggscan'tlastouthere。"
　　"Wal，IhopehelaststillIgetonmyfeetagain。"
　　"Thereyougo！Hopeless，allyouboys！Youmustspillblood！"murmuredHelen，shudderingly。
　　"DearMissHelen，don'ttakeonso。I'mlikeDale——nomantohuntuptrouble。Butoutherethere'sasortofunwrittenlaw——aneyeforaneye——atoothforatooth。IbelieveinGodAlmighty，an'killin'isagainstmyreligion，butRiggsshotme——thesameasshootin'meintheback。"
　　"Roy，I'monlyawoman——Ifear，faint-heartedandunequaltothisWest。"
　　"Waittillsomethin'happenstoyou。'Supposin'Beasleycomesan'grabsyouwithhisowndirtybigpawsan'，aftermaulin'yousome，throwsyououtofyourhome！Orsupposin'
　　Riggschasesyouintoacorner！"
　　Helenfeltthestartofallherphysicalbeing——aviolentleapofblood。Butshecouldonlyjudgeofherlooksfromthegrimsmileofthewoundedmanashewatchedherwithhiskeen，intenteyes。
　　"Myfriend，anythin'canhappen，"hesaid。"Butlet'shopeitwon'tbetheworst。"
　　Hehadbeguntoshowsignsofweakness，andHelen，risingatonce，saidthatsheandBohadbetterleavehimthen，butwouldcometoseehimthenextday。AthercallCarmichaelenteredagainwithMrs。Cass，andafterafewremarksthevisitwasterminated。Carmichaellingeredinthedoorway。
　　"Wal，Cheerup，youoldMormon！"hecalled。
　　"Cheerupyourself，youcrossoldbachelor！"retortedRoy，quiteunnecessarilyloud。"Can'tyouraiseenoughnervetomakeupwithBo？"
　　Carmichaelevacuatedthedoorwayasifhehadbeenspurred。
　　Hewasquiteredinthefacewhileheunhitchedtheteam，andsilentduringtherideuptotheranch-house。Therehegotdownandfollowedthegirlsintothesittingroom。Heappearedstillsomber，thoughnotsullen，andhadfullyregainedhiscomposure。
　　"DidyoufindoutwhoshotRoy？"heasked，abruptly，ofHelen。
　　"Yes。ButIpromisedRoyIwouldnottell，"repliedHelen，nervously。Sheavertedhereyesfromhissearchinggaze，intuitivelyfearinghisnextquery。
　　"Wasitthet——Riggs？"
　　"LasVegas，don'taskme。Iwillnotbreakmypromise。"
　　Hestrodetothewindowandlookedoutamoment，andpresently，whenheturnedtowardBo，heseemedastronger，loftier，moreimpellingman，withallhisemotionsundercontrol。
　　"Bo，willyoulistentome——ifIsweartospeakthetruth——asIknowit？"
　　"Why，certainly，"repliedBo，withthecolorcomingswiftlytoherface。
　　"Roydoesn'twantmetoknowbecausehewantstomeetthetfellarhimself。An'IwanttoknowbecauseIwanttostophimbeforehecandomoredirttousorourfriends。Thet'sRoy'sreasonan'mine。An'I'maskin'YOUtotellme。"
　　"But，Tom——Ioughtn't，"repliedBo，haltingly。
　　"DidyoupromiseRoynottotell？"
　　"No。"
　　"Oryoursister？"
　　"No。Ididn'tpromiseeither。"
　　"Wal，thenyoutellme。Iwantyoutotrustmeinthisherematter。ButnotbecauseIloveyouan'oncehadawilddreamyoumightcarealittleforme——"
　　"Oh——Tom！"falteredBo。
　　"Listen。IwantyoutotrustmebecauseI'mtheonewhoknowswhat'sbest。Iwouldn'tliean'Iwouldn'tsaysoifI
　　didn'tknowshore。IswearDalewillbackmeup。Buthecan'tbehereforsomedays。An'thetganghasgottobebluffed。Yououghttoseethis。Ireckonyou'vebeenquickinsavvyin'Westernways。Icouldn'tpayyounohighercompliment，BoRayner……Nowwillyoutellme？"
　　"Yes，Iwill，"repliedBo，withtheblazeleapingtohereyes。
　　"Oh，Bo——pleasedon't——pleasedon't。Wait！"imploredHelen。
　　"Bo——it'sbetweenyouan'me，"saidCarmichael。
　　"Tom，I'lltellyou，"whisperedBo。"Itwasalowdown，cowardlytrick……Roywassurrounded——andshotfrombehindBeasley——bythatfour-flushRiggs！"
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　ThememoryofawomanhadruinedMiltDale'speace，hadconfoundedhisphilosophyofself-sufficient，lonelyhappinessinthesolitudeofthewilds，hadforcedhimtocomefacetofacewithhissoulandthefatalsignificanceoflife。
　　Whenherealizedhisdefeat，thatthingswerenotastheyseemed，thattherewasnojoyforhiminthecomingofspring，thathehadbeenblindinhisfree，sensorial，Indianrelationtoexistence，hefellintoaninexplicablystrangestate，adespondency，agloomasdeepasthesilenceofhishome。Dalereflectedthatthestrongerananimal，thekeeneritsnerves，thehigheritsintelligence，thegreatermustbeitssufferingunderrestraintorinjury。Hethoughtofhimselfasahighorderofanimalwhosegreatphysicalneedwasaction，andnowtheincentivetoactionseemeddead。Hegrewlax。Hedidnotwanttomove。Heperformedhisdiminishingdutiesundercompulsion。
　　Hewatchedforspringasaliberation，butnotthathecouldleavethevalley。Hehatedthecold，hegrewwearyofwindandsnow；heimaginedthewarmsun，theparkoncemoregreenwithgrassandbrightwithdaisies，thereturnofbirdsandsquirrelsanddeertoheiroldhaunts，wouldbethemeanswherebyhecouldbreakthisspelluponhim。Thenhemightgraduallyreturntopastcontentment，thoughitwouldneverbethesame。
　　Butspring，comingearlytoParadisePark，broughtafevertoDale'sblood——afireofunutterablelonging。Itwasgood，perhaps，thatthiswasso，becauseheseemeddriventowork，climb，tramp，andkeepceaselesslyonthemovefromdawntilldark。Actionstrengthenedhislaxmusclesandkepthimfromthosemotionless，senselesshoursofbrooding。Heatleastneednotbeashamedoflongingforthatwhichcouldneverbehis——thesweetnessofawoman——ahomefulloflight，joy，hope，themeaningandbeautyofchildren。Butthosedarkmoodsweresinkingsintoapitofhell。
　　Dalehadnotkepttrackofdaysandweeks。HedidnotknowwhenthesnowmeltedoffthreeslopesofParadisePark。Allheknewwasthatanagehaddraggedoverhisheadandthatspringhadcome。Duringhisrestlesswakinghours，andevenwhenhewasasleep，thereseemedalwaysinthebackofhismindagrowingconsciousnessthatsoonhewouldemergefromthistrial，achangedman，readytosacrificehischosenlot，togiveuphislonelylifeofselfishindulgenceinlazyaffinitywithnature，andtogowhereverhisstronghandsmightperformsomerealservicetopeople。
　　Nevertheless，hewantedtolingerinthismountainfastnessuntilhisordealwasover——untilhecouldmeether，andtheworld，knowinghimselfmoreofamanthaneverbefore。
　　Onebrightmorning，whilehewasathiscamp-fire，thetamecougargavealow，growlingwarning。Dalewasstartled。Tomdidnotactlikethatbecauseofaprowlinggrizzlyorastrayingstag。PresentlyDaleespiedahorsemanridingslowlyoutofthestragglingspruces。AndwiththatsightDale'sheartgavealeap，recallingtohimadivinationofhisfuturerelationtohiskind。Neverhadhebeensogladtoseeaman！
　　ThisvisitorresembledoneoftheBeemans，judgingfromthewayhesathishorse，andpresentlyDalerecognizedhimtobeJohn。
　　Atthisjuncturethejadedhorsewasspurredintoatrot，soonreachingthepinesandthecamp。
　　"Howdy，there，youoleb'ar-hunter！"calledJohn，wavinghishand。
　　ForallhisheartygreetinghisappearancecheckedalikeresponsefromDale。ThehorsewasmudtohisflanksandJohnwasmudtohisknees，wet，bedraggled，worn，andwhite。Thishueofhisfacemeantmorethanfatigue。
　　"Howdy，John？"repliedDale。
　　Theyshookhands。Johnwearilyswunghislegoverthepommel，butdidnotatoncedismount。Hiscleargrayeyeswerewonderinglyriveteduponthehunter。
　　"Milt——what'nhell'swrong？"hequeried。
　　"Why？"
　　"Bustmeifyouain'tchangedsoIhardlyknowedyou。You'vebeensick——allalonehere！"
　　"DoIlooksick？"
　　"Wal，Ishouldsmile。Thinan'palean'downinthemouth！
　　Milt，whatailsyou？"
　　"I'vegonetoseed。"
　　"You'vegoneoffyourhead，jestasRoysaid，livin'alonehere。Youoverdidit，Milt。An'youlooksick。"
　　"John，mysicknessishere，"repliedDale，soberly，ashelaidahandonhisheart。
　　"Lungtrouble！"ejaculatedJohn。"Withthetchest，an'upinthisair？……Getout！"
　　"No——notlungtrouble，"saidDale。
　　"Isavvy。HadahunchfromRoy，anyhow。"
　　"Whatkindofahunch？"
　　"Easynow，Dale，oleman……Don'tyoureckonI'mridin'
　　inonyouprettyearly？Lookatthethoss！"Johnslidoffandwavedahandatthedroopingbeast，thenbegantounsaddlehim。"Wal，hedonegreat。Weboggedsomecomin'
　　over。An'Iclimbedthepassatnightonthefrozensnow。"
　　"You'rewelcomeastheflowersinMay。John，whatmonthisit？"
　　"Byspades！areyouasbadasthet？……Let'ssee。It'sthetwenty-thirdofMarch。"
　　"March！Well，I'mbeat。I'velostmyreckonin'——an'alotmore，maybe。"
　　"Thar！"declaredJohn，slappingthemustang。"Youcanjesthangupheretillmynexttrip。Milt，how'reyourhosses？"
　　"Winteredfine。"
　　"Wal，thet'sgood。We'llneedtwobig，stronghossesrightoff。"
　　"Whatfor？"queriedDale，sharply。Hedroppedastickofwoodandstraightenedupfromthecamp-fire。
　　"You'regoin'toridedowntoPinewithme——thet'swhatfor。"
　　FamiliarlythencamebacktoDalethequiet，intentsuggestivenessoftheBeemansinmomentsforebodingtrial。
　　AtthiscertainassuranceofJohn's，toosignificanttobedoubted，Dale'sthoughofPinegaveslowbirthtoastrangesensation，asifhehadbeendeadandwasvibratingbacktolife。
　　"Tellwhatyougottotell！"hebrokeout。
　　QuickasaflashtheMormonreplied："Roy'sbeenshot。Buthewon'tdie。Hesentforyou。Baddeal'safoot。BeasleymeanstoforceHelenRayneroutan'stealherranch。"
　　AtremorranallthroughDale。Itseemedanotherpainfulyetthrillingconnectionbetweenhispastandthisvaguelycallingfuture。Hisemotionshadbeenbroodingsdreams，longings。Thisthinghisfriendsaidhadthestingofreallife。
　　"ThenoldAl'sdead？"heasked。
　　"Longago——IreckonaroundthemiddleofFebruary。ThepropertywenttoHelen。She'sbeendoin'fine。An'manyfolkssayit'sapityshe'llloseit。"
　　"Shewon'tloseit，"declaredDale。Howstrangehisvoicesoundedtohisownears！Itwashoarseandunreal，asiffromdisuse。
　　"Wal，we-allhaveouridees。Isayshewill。Myfathersaysso。Carmichaelsaysso。"
　　"Who'she？"
　　"Reckonyourememberthetcow-puncherwhocameupwithRoyan'Auchinclossafterthegirls——lastfall？"
　　"Yes。TheycalledhimLas——LasVegas。Ilikedhislooks。"
　　"Humph！You'lllikehimaheapwhenyouknowhim。He'skepttheranchgoin'forMissHelenallalong。Butthedeal'scomin'toahead。Beasley'sgotthickwiththetRiggs。Yourememberhim？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Wal，he'sbeenhangin'outatPineallwinter，watchin'forsomechancetogetatMissHelenorBo。Everybody'sseenthet。An'jestlatelyhechasedBoonhossback——gavethekidanastyfall。RoysaysRiggswasafterMissHelen。ButI
　　thinkoneort'otherofthegirlswoulddothetvarmint。
　　Wal，thetsortastartedgoin's-on。CarmichaelbeatRiggsan'
　　drovehimoutoftown。Buthecomeback。BeasleycalledonMissHelenan'offeredtomarryherso'snottotaketheranchfromher，hesaid。"
　　Daleawokewithathunderingcurse。
　　"Shore！"exclaimedJohn。"I'dsaythesame——onlyI'mreligious。Don'tthetbeady-eyedgreaser'sgallmakeyouwanttospitalloveryourself？MyGawd！butRoywasmad！
　　Roy'spowerfulfondofMissHelenan'Bo……Wal，then，Roy，firstchancehegot，bracedBeasleyan'givehimsomestraighttalk。Beasleywasfoamin'atthemouth，Roysaid。
　　ItwasthenRiggsshotRoy。ShothimfrombehindBeasleywhenRoywasn'tlookin'！An'Riggsbragsofbein'agun-fighter。Mebbethetwasn'tabadshotforhim！"
　　"Ireckon，"repliedDale，asheswallowedhard。"Now，justwhatwasRoy'smessagetome？"
　　"Wal，Ican'trememberallRoysaid，"answeredJohn，dubiously。"ButRoyshorewasexcitedan'deadinearnest。
　　Hesays：'TellMiltwhat'shappened。TellhimHelenRayner'sinmoredangerthanshewaslastfall。TellhimI'veseenherlookawayacrostthemountainstowardParadiseParkwithherheartinhereyes。Tellhimsheneedshimmostofall！'"
　　Daleshookalloveraswithanattackofague。Hewasseizedbyawhirlwindofpassionate，terriblesweetnessofsensation，whenwhathewildlywantedwastocurseRoyandJohnfortheirsimple-mindedconclusions。
　　"Roy's——crazy！"pantedDale。
　　"Wal，now，Milt——thet'sdownrightsurprisin'ofyou。Roy'sthelevel-headestofanyfellarsIknow。"
　　"Man！ifheMADEmebelievehim——an'itturnedoutuntrue——I'd——I'dkillhim，"repliedDale。
　　"Untrue！DoyouthinkRoyBeemanwouldlie？"
　　"But，John——youfellowscan'tseemycase。NellRaynerwantsme——needsme！……Itcan'tbetrue！"
　　"Wal，mylove-sickpard——itjestIStrue！"exclaimedJohn，feelingly。"Thet'sthehelloflife——neverknowin'。Buthereit'sjoyforyou。YoucanbelieveRoyBeemanaboutwomenasquickasyou'dtrusthimtotrackyourlosthoss。
　　Roy'smarriedthreegirls。Ireckonhe'llmarrysomemore。
　　Roy'sonlytwenty-eightan'hehastwobigfarms。Hesaidhe'dseenNellRayner'sheartinhereyes，lookin'foryou——an'youcanjestbetyourlifethet'strue。An'hesaiditbecausehemeansyoutorustledowntherean'fightforthetgirl。"
　　"I'll——go，"saidDale，inashakywhisper，ashesatdownonapinelognearthefire。Hestaredunseeinglyatthebluebellsinthegrassbyhisfeetwhilestormafterstormpossessedhisbreast。Theywerefierceandbriefbecausedrivenbyhiswill。InthosefewmomentsofcontendingstrifeDalewasimmeasurablyremovedfromthatdarkgulfofselfwhichhadmadehiswinteranightmare。Andwhenhestooderectagainitseemedthattheoldearthhadastirring，electrifyingimpetusforhisfeet。Somethingblack，bitter，melancholy，andmorbid，alwaysunrealtohim，hadpassedawayforever。Thegreatmomenthadbeenforceduponhim。HedidnotbelieveRoyBeeman'spreposteroushintregardingHelen；buthehadgonebackorsoaredonward，asifbymagic，tohisoldtrueself。
　　MountedonDale'sstrongesthorses，withonlyalightpack，anax，andtheirweapons，thetwomenhadreachedthesnow-lineonthepassbynoonthatday。Tom，thetamecougar，trottedalongintherear。
　　Thecrustofthesnow，nowhalfthawedbythesun，wouldnotholdtheweightofahorse，thoughitupheldthemenonfoot。Theywalked，leadingthehorses。Travelwasnotdifficultuntilthesnowbegantodeepen；thenprogressslackenedmaterially。Johnhadnotbeenabletopickoutthelineofthetrail，soDaledidnotfollowhistracks。AnoldblazeonthetreesenabledDaletokeepfairlywelltothetrail；andatlengththeheightofthepasswasreached，wherethesnowwasdeep。Herethehorseslabored，plowingthroughfootbyfoot。When，finally，theysanktotheirflanks，theyhadtobedraggedandgoadedon，andhelpedbythickflatbunchesofspruceboughsplacedundertheirhoofs。Ittookthreehoursofbreakingtoiltodothefewhundredyardsofdeepsnowontheheightofthepass。Thecougardidnothavegreatdifficultyinfollowing，thoughitwasevidenthedidnotlikesuchtraveling。
　　Thatbehindthem，thehorsesgatheredheartandworkedontotheedgeofthesteepdescent，wheretheyhadalltheycoulddotoholdbackfromslidingandrolling。Fasttimewasmadeonthisslope，atthebottomofwhichbeganadenseforestwithsnowstilldeepinplacesandwindfallshardtolocate。
　　ThemenhereperformedHerculeanlabors，buttheygotthroughtoaparkwherethesnowwasgone。Theground，however，softandboggy，inplaceswasmoretreacherousthanthesnow；andthetravelershadtoskirttheedgeoftheparktoapointopposite，andthengoonthroughtheforest。
　　Whentheyreachedbareandsolidground，justbeforedarkthatnight，itwashightime，forthehorseswerereadytodrop，andthemenlikewise。
　　Campwasmadeinanopenwood。Darknessfellandthemenwererestingonboughbeds，feettothefire，withTomcurledupcloseby，andthehorsesstilldroopingwheretheyhadbeenunsaddled。Morning，however，discoveredthemgrazingonthelong，bleachedgrass。Johnshookhisheadwhenhelookedatthem。
　　"YoureckonedtomakePinebynightfall。Howfarisit——
　　thewayyou'llgo？"
　　"Fiftymileorthereabouts，"repliedDale。
　　"Wal，wecan'trideitonthemcritters。"
　　"John，we'ddomorethanthatifwehadto。"
　　Theyweresaddledandonthemovebeforesunrise，leavingsnowandbogbehind。Levelparksandlevelforestsledoneafteranothertolongslopesandsteepdescents，allgrowingsunnierandgreenerasthealtitudediminished。Squirrelsandgrouse，turkeysanddeer，andlesstamedenizensoftheforestgrewmoreabundantasthetraveladvanced。Inthisgamezone，however，DalehadtroublewithTom。Thecougarhadtobewatchedandcalledoftentokeephimoffoftrails。
　　"Tomdoesn'tlikealongtrip，"saidDale。"ButI'mgoin'totakehim。Somewayorotherhemaycomeinhandy。"
　　"SichimontoBeasley'sgang，"repliedJohn。"Somemenarepowerfulscaredofcougars。ButIneverwas。"
　　"Norme。ThoughI'vehadcougarsgivemeadarnuncannyfeelin'。"
　　Thementalkedbutlittle。Daleledtheway，withTomtrottingnoiselesslybesidehishorse。Johnfollowedclosebehind。Theylopedthehorsesacrossparks，trottedthroughtheforests，walkedslowupwhatfewinclinestheymet，andsliddownthesoft，wet，pine-matteddescents。Sotheyaveragedfromsixtoeightmilesanhour。Thehorsesheldupwellunderthatsteadytravel，andthiswithoutanyrestatnoon。
　　Daleseemedtofeelhimselfinanemotionaltrance。Yet，despitethis，thesameoldsensorialperceptionscrowdedthickandfastuponhim，strangelysweetandvividafterthepastdeadmonthswhenneithersunnorwindnorcloudnorscentofpinenoranythinginnaturecouldstirhim。Hismind，hisheart，hissoulseemedsteepedinanintoxicatingwineofexpectation，whilehiseyesandearsandnosehadneverbeenkeenertoregisterthefactsoftheforest-land。
　　Hesawtheblackthingfaraheadthatresembledaburnedstump，butheknewwasabearbeforeitvanished；hesawgrayflashofdeerandwolfandcoyote，andtheredoffox，andthesmall，waryheadsofoldgobblersjuststickingabovethegrass；andhesawdeeptracksofgameaswellastheslow-risingbladesofbluebellswheresomesoft-footedbeasthadjusttrod。Andheheardthemelancholynotesofbirds，thetwitterofgrouse，thesoughofthewind，thelightdroppingofpine-cones，thenearanddistantbarkofsquirrels，thedeepgobbleofaturkeycloseathandandthechallengefromarivalfaraway，thecrackingoftwigsinthethickets，themurmurofrunningwater，thescreamofaneagleandtheshrillcryofahawk，andalwaysthesoft，dull，steadypadsofthehoofsofthehorses。
　　Thesmells，too，werethesweet，stingingonesofspring，warmandpleasant——theodoroftheclean，freshearthcuttingitswaythroughthatthick，strongfragranceofpine，thesmelloflogsrottinginthesun，andoffreshnewgrassandflowersalongabrookofsnow-water。
　　"Ismellsmoke，"saidDale，suddenly，ashereinedin，andturnedforcorroborationfromhiscompanion。
　　Johnsniffedthewarmair。
　　"Wal，you'remoreofanInjunthanme，"hereplied，shakinghishead。
　　Theytraveledon，andpresentlycameoutupontherimofthelastslope。Alongleagueofgreenslantedbelowthem，breakingupintostragglinglinesoftreesandgrovesthatjoinedthecedars，andtheseinturnstretchedonanddowningray-blackpatchestothedesert，thatglitteringandbare，withstreaksofsomberhue，fadedintheobscurityofdistance。
　　ThevillageofPineappearedtonestleinacurveoftheedgeofthegreatforest，andthecabinslookedliketinywhitedotssetingreen。
　　"Lookthere，"saidDale，pointing。
　　Somemilestotherightagrayescarpmentofrockcroppedoutoftheslope，formingapromontory；andfromitathin，palecolumnofsmokecurledupwardtobelostfromsightassoonasithadnobackgroundofgreen。
　　"Thet'syoursmoke，shoreenough，"repliedJohn，thoughtfully。"Now，Ijestwonderwho'scampin'there。Nowaternearorgrassforhosses。"
　　"John，thatpoint'sbeenusedforsmokesignalsmanyatime。"
　　"Wasjestthinkin'ofthetsame。Shallweridearoundtherean'takeapeek？"
　　"No。Butwe'llrememberthat。IfBeasley'sgothisdeepschemegoin'，he'llhaveSnakeAnson'sgangsomewhereclose。"
　　"Roysaidthetsame。Wal，it'ssomethreehourstillsundown。Thehosseskeepup。IreckonI'mfooled，forwe'llmakePineallright。ButoldTomthere，he'stiredorlazy。"
　　Thebigcougarwaslyingdown，panting，andhishalf-shuteyeswereonDale。
　　"Tom'sonlylazyan'fat。Hecouldtravelatthisgaitforaweek。Butlet'srestahalf-houran'watchthatsmokebeforemovin'on。WecanmakePinebeforesundown。"
　　Whentravelhadbeenresumed，half-waydowntheslopeDale'ssharpeyescaughtabroadtrackwhereshodhorseshadpassed，climbinginalongslanttowardthepromontory。Hedismountedtoexamineit，andJohn，comingup，proceededwithalacritytogetoffanddolikewise。Dalemadehisdeductions，afterwhichhestoodinabrownstudybesidehishorse，waitingforJohn。
　　"Wal，what'dyoumakeoftheseheretracks？"askedthatworthy。
　　"Somehorsesan'aponywentalonghereyesterday，an'
　　to-dayasinglehorsemade，thatfreshtrack。"
　　"Wal，Milt，forahunteryouain'tsobadathosstracks，"
　　observedJohn，"Buthowmanyhosseswentyesterday？"
　　"Icouldn'tmakeout——several——maybefourorfive。"
　　"Sixhossesan'acoltorlittlemustang，unshod，tobestrict-correct。Wal，supposin'theydid。What'sitmeantous？"
　　"Idon'tknowasI'dthoughtanythin'unusual，ifithadn'tbeenforthatsmokewesawofftherim，an'thenthisherefreshtrackmadealongto-day。Looksqueertome。"
　　"WishRoywashere，"repliedJohn，scratchinghishead。
　　"Milt，I'veahunch，ifhewas，he'dfollerthemtracks。"
　　"Maybe。Butwehaven'ttimeforthat。Wecanbacktrailthem，though，iftheykeepclearastheyarehere。An'we'llnotloseanytime，either。"
　　ThatbroadtrackledstraighttowardPine，downtotheedgeofthecedars，where，amidsomejaggedrocks，evidencesshowedthatmenhadcampedtherefordays。Hereitendedasabroadtrail。Butfromthenorthcamethesinglefreshtrackmadethatveryday，andfromtheeast，moreinalinewithPine，cametwotracksmadethedaybefore。Andthesewereimprintsofbigandlittlehoofs。ManifestlytheseinterestedJohnmorethantheydidDale，whohadtowaitforhiscompanion。
　　"Milt，itain'tacolt's——thetlittletrack，"avowedJohn。
　　"Whynot——an'whatifitisn't？"queriedDale。
　　"Wal，itain't，becauseacoltalwaysstragglesback，an'
　　fromonesidetot'other。Thislittletrackkeepsclosetothebigone。An'，byGeorge！itwasmadebyaledmustang。"
　　JohnresembledRoyBeemanthenwiththatleaping，intentfireinhisgrayeyes。Dale'sreplywastospurhishorseintoatrotandcallsharplytothelaggingcougar。
　　Whentheyturnedintothebroad，blossom-borderedroadthatwastheonlythoroughfareofPinethesunwassettingredandgoldbehindthemountains。Thehorsesweretootiredforanymorethanawalk。Nativesofthevillage，catchingsightofDaleandBeeman，andthehugegraycatfollowinglikeadog，calledexcitedlytooneanother。AgroupofmeninfrontofTurner'sgazedintentlydowntheroad，andsoonmanifestedsignsofexcitement。DaleandhiscomradedismountedinfrontofWidowCass'scottage。AndDalecalledashestrodeupthelittlepath。Mrs。Casscameout。Shewaswhiteandshaking，butappearedcalm。AtsightofherJohnBeemandrewasharpbreath。
　　"Wal，now——"hebegan，hoarsely，andleftoff。
　　"How'sRoy？"queriedDale。
　　"LordknowsI'mgladtoseeyou，boys！Milt，you'rethinan'
　　strange-lookin'。Roy'shadalittlesetback。Hegotashockto-dayan'itthrowedhimoff。Fever——an'nowhe'soutofhishead。Itwon'tdonogoodforyoutowastetimeseein'
　　him。Takemywordforithe'sallright。Butthere'sothersas——Fortheland'ssakes，MiltDale，youfetchedthetcougarback！Don'tlethimnearme！"
　　"Tomwon'thurtyou，mother，"saidDale，asthecougarcamepaddingupthepath。"Youweresayin'somethin'——aboutothers。IsMissHelensafe？Hurry！"
　　"Rideuptoseeher——an'wastenomoretimehere。"
　　Dalewasquickinthesaddle，followedbyJohn，butthehorseshadtobeseverelypunishedtoforcethemeventoatrot。Andthatwasalaggingtrot，whichnowdidnotleaveTornbehind。
　　TherideuptoAuchincloss'sranch-houseseemedendlesstoDale。Nativescameoutintheroadtowatchafterhehadpassed。SternasDalewasindominatinghisfeelings，hecouldnotwhollysubordinatehismountingjoytoawaitingterribleanticipationofcatastrophe。Butnomatterwhatawaited——norwhatfatefuleventsmighthingeuponthisnamelesscircumstanceabouttobedisclosed，thewonderfulandgloriousfactofthepresentwasthatinamomenthewouldseeHelenRayner。
　　Thereweresaddledhorsesinthecourtyard，butnoriders。A
　　Mexicanboysatontheporchbench，intheseatwhereDalerememberedhehadencounteredAlAuchincloss。Thedoorofthebigsitting-roomwasopen。Thescentofflowers，themurmurofbees，thepoundingofhoofscamevaguelytoDale。
　　Hiseyesdimmed，sothattheground，whenheslidoutofhissaddle，seemedfarbelowhim。Hesteppedupontheporch。Hissightsuddenlycleared。AtightfullnessathisthroatmadeincoherentthewordshesaidtotheMexicanboy。Buttheywereunderstood，astheboyranbackaroundthehouse。Daleknockedsharplyandsteppedoverthethreshold。
　　Outside，John，truetohishabits，wasthinking，eveninthatmomentofsuspense，aboutthefaithful，exhaustedhorses。Asheunsaddledthemhetalked："Fersoftan'fathosses，winterin'highup，wal，you'vedonesomethin'！"
　　ThenDaleheardavoiceinanotherroom，astep，acreakofthedoor。Itopened。Awomaninwhiteappeared。HerecognizedHelen。Butinsteadoftherichbrownbloomanddark-eyedbeautysohauntinglylimnedonhismemory，hesawawhite，beautifulface，strainedandquiveringinanguish，andeyesthatpiercedhisheart。Hecouldnotspeak。
　　"Oh！myfriend——you'vecome！"shewhispered。
　　Daleputoutashakinghand。Butshedidnotseeit。Sheclutchedhisshoulders，asiftofeelwhetherornothewasreal，andthenherarmswentuproundhisneck。
　　"Oh，thankGod！Iknewyouwouldcome！"shesaid，andherheadsanktohisshoulder。
　　Daledivinedwhathehadsuspected。Helen'ssisterhadbeencarriedoff。Yet，whilehisquickmindgraspedHelen'sbrokenspirit——theunbalancethatwasreasonforthismarvelousandgloriousact——hedidnottakeothermeaningoftheembracetohimself。Hejuststoodthere，transported，chargedlikeatreestruckbylightning，makingsurewithallhiskeensenses，sothathecouldfeelforever，howshewasclingingroundhisneck，herfaceoverhisburstingheart，herquiveringformclosepressedtohis。
　　"It's——Bo，"hesaid，unsteadily。
　　"Shewentridingyesterday——and——never——came——back！"
　　repliedHelen，brokenly。
　　"I'veseenhertrail。She'sbeentakenintothewoods。I'llfindher。I'llfetchherback，"hereplied，rapidly。
　　Withashocksheseemedtoabsorbhismeaning。Withanothershocksheraisedherface——leanedbackalittletolookathim。
　　"You'llfindher——fetchherback？"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，instantly。
　　WiththatringingworditseemedtoDalesherealizedhowshewasstanding。Hefelthershakeasshedroppedherarmsandsteppedback，whilethewhiteanguishofherfacewasfloodedoutbyawaveofscarlet。Butshewasbraveinherconfusion。Hereyesneverfell，thoughtheychangedswiftly，darkeningwithshame，amaze，andwithfeelingshecouldnotread。
　　"I'malmost——outofmyhead，"shefaltered。
　　"Nowonder。Isawthat……Butnowyoumustgetclear-headed。I'venotimetolose。"
　　Heledhertothedoor。
　　"John，it'sBothat'sgone，"hecalled。"Sinceyesterday……Sendtheboytogetmeabagofmeatan'bread。Youruntothecorralan'getmeafreshhorse。MyoldhorseRangerifyoucanfindhimquick。An'rustle。"
　　WithoutawordJohnleapedbarebackononeofthehorseshehadjustunsaddledandspurredhimacrossthecourtyard。
　　Thenthebigcougar，seeingHelen，gotupfromwherehelayontheporchandcametoher。
　　"Oh，it'sTom！"criedHelen，andasherubbedagainstherkneesshepattedhisheadwithtremblinghand。"Youbig，beautifulpet！Oh，howIremember！Oh，howBowouldloveto——"
　　"Where'sCarmichael？"interruptedDale。"Outhuntin'Bo？"
　　"Yes。Itwashewhomissedherfirst。Herodeeverywhereyesterday。Lastnightwhenhecamebackhewaswild。I'venotseenhimto-day。HemadealltheothermenbutHalandJoestayhomeontheranch。"
　　"Right。An'Johnmuststay，too，declaredDale。"Butit'sstrange。Carmichaeloughttohavefoundthegirl'stracks。
　　Shewasridin'apony？"
　　"BorodeSam。He'salittlebronc，verystrongandfast。"
　　"Icomeacrosshistracks。How'dCarmichaelmissthem？"
　　"Hedidn't。Hefoundthem——trailedthemallalongthenorthrange。That'swhereheforbadeBotogo。Yousee，they'reinlovewitheachother。They'vebeenatodds。
　　Neitherwillgivein。Bodisobeyedhim。There'shardgroundoffthenorthrange，sohesaid。Hewasabletofollowhertracksonlysofar。"
　　"Werethereanyothertracksalongwithhers？"
　　"No。"
　　"MissHelen，Ifoundthem'waysoutheastofPineupontheslopeofthemountain。Thereweresevenotherhorsesmakin'
　　thattrail——whenwerunacrossit。Onthewaydownwefoundacampwheremenhadwaited。An'Bo'spony，ledbyarideronabighorse，comeintothatcampfromtheeast——
　　maybenorthalittle。An'thattellsthestory。"
　　"Riggsranherdown——madeoffwithher！"criedHelen，passionately。"Oh，thevillain！Hehadmeninwaiting。
　　That'sBeasley'swork。Theywereafterme。"
　　"Itmaynotbejustwhatyousaid，butthat'scloseenough。
　　An'Bo'sinabadfix。Youmustfacethatan'trytobearupunder——fearsoftheworst。"
　　"Myfriend！Youwillsaveher！"
　　"I'llfetchherback，aliveordead。"
　　"Dead！Oh，myGod！"Helencried，andclosedhereyesaninstant，toopenthemburningblack。"ButBoisn'tdead。I
　　knowthat——Ifeelit。She'llnotdieveryeasy。She'salittlesavage。Shehasnofear。She'dfightlikeatigressforherlife。She'sstrong。Yourememberhowstrong。Shecanstandanything。Unlesstheymurderheroutrightshe'lllive——alongtime——throughanyordeal……SoIbegyou，myfriend，don'tloseanhour——don'tevergiveup！"
　　Daletrembledundertheclaspofherhands。Loosinghisownfromherclinginghold，hesteppedoutontheporchAtthatmomentJohnappearedonRanger，comingatagallop。
　　"Nell，I'llnevercomebackwithouther，"saidDale。"I
　　reckonyoucanhope——onlybeprepared。That'sall。It'shard。ButthesedamneddealsarecommonouthereintheWest。"
　　"SupposeBeasleycomes——here！"exclaimedHelen，andagainherhandwentouttowardhim。
　　"Ifhedoes，yourefusetogetoff，"repliedDale。"Butdon'tlethimorhisgreasersputadirtyhandonyou。
　　Shouldhethreatenforce——why，packsomeclothes——an'
　　yourvaluables——an'godowntoMrs。Cass's。An'waittillIcomeback！"
　　"Wait——tillyou——comeback！"shefaltered，slowlyturningwhiteagain。Herdarkeyesdilated。"Milt——you'relikeLasVegas。You'llkillBeasley！"
　　Daleheardhisownlaugh，verycoldandstrange，foreigntohisears。Agrim，deadlyhateofBeasleyviedwiththetendernessandpityhefeltforthisdistressedgirl。Itwasasoretrialtoseeherleaningthereagainstthedoor——tobecompelledtoleaveheralone。Abruptlybestalkedofftheporch。Tomfollowedhim。TheblackhorsewhinniedhisrecognitionofDaleandsnortedatsightofthecougar。JustthentheMexicanboyreturnedwithabag。Daletiedthis，withthesmallpack，behindthesaddle。
　　"John，youstayherewithMissHelen，"saidDale。"An'ifCarmichaelcomesback，keephim，too！An'to-night，ifanyoneridesintoPinefromthewaywecome，youbesuretospothim。"
　　"I'lldothet，Milt，"respondedJohn。
　　Dalemounted，and，turningforalastwordtoHelen，hefeltthewordsofcheerhaltedonhislipsashesawherstandingwhiteandbroken-hearted，withherhandstoherbosom。Hecouldnotlooktwice。
　　"Comeonthere，youTom，"hecalledtothecougar。Reckononthistrackyou'llpaymeforallmytrainin'ofyou"
　　"Oh，myfriend！"cameHelen'ssadvoice，almostawhispertohisthrobbingears。"Heavenhelpyou——tosaveher！I——"
　　ThenRangerstartedandDaleheardnomore。Hecouldnotlookback。Hiseyeswerefulloftearsandhisbreastached。
　　Byatremendouseffortheshiftedthatemotion——calledonallthespiritualenergyofhisbeingtothedutyofthisgrimtaskbeforehim。
　　Hedidnotridedownthroughthevillage，butskirtedthenorthernborder，andworkedroundtothesouth，where，comingtothetrailhehadmadeanhourpast，heheadedonit，straightfortheslopenowdarkeninginthetwilight。
　　Thebigcougarshowedmorewillingnesstoreturnonthistrailthanhehadshowninthecoming。Rangerwasfreshandwantedtogo，butDaleheldhimin。
　　Acoolwindblewdownfromthemountainwiththecomingofnight。AgainstthebrighteningstarsDalesawthepromontoryliftitsboldoutline。Itwasmilesaway。Ithauntedhim，strangelycalling。Anight，andperhapsaday，separatedhimfromthegangthatheldBoRaynerprisoner。Dalehadnoplanasyet。HehadonlyamotiveasgreatastheloveheboreHelenRayner。
　　Beasley'sevilgeniushadplannedthisabduction。Riggswasatool，acowardlyknavedominatedbyastrongerwill。SnakeAnsonandhisganghadlaininwaitatthatcedarcamp；hadmadethatbroadhooftrackleadingupthemountain。Beasleyhadbeentherewiththemthatveryday。AllthiswasasassuredtoDaleasifhehadseenthemen。
　　ButthematterofDale'srecoveringthegirlanddoingitspeedilystrunghismentalstrengthtoitshighestpitch。
　　Manyoutlinesofactionflashedthroughhismindasherodeon，peeringkeenlythroughthenight，listeningwithpractisedears。Allwererejected。Andattheoutsetofeverynewbranchingofthoughthewouldgazedownatthegrayformofthecougar，long，graceful，heavy，ashepaddedbesidethehorse。FromthefirstthoughtofreturningtohelpHelenRaynerhehadconceivedanundefinedideaofpossiblevalueinthequalitiesofhispet。Tomhadperformedwonderfulfeatsoftrailing，buthehadneverbeentriedonmen。Dalebelievedhecouldmakehimtrailanything，yethehadnoproofofthis。OnefactstoodoutofallDale'sconjectures，anditwasthathehadknownmen，andbravemen，tofearcougars。
　　Farupontheslope，inalittlehollowwherewaterranandtherewasalittlegrassforRangertopick，Dalehalteredhimandmadereadytospendthenight。Hewassparingwithhisfood，givingTommorethanhetookhimself。CurledcloseuptoDale，thebigcatwenttosleep。
　　ButDalelayawakeforlong。
　　Thenightwasstill，withonlyafaintmoanofwindonthisshelteredslope。Dalesawhopeinthestars。HedidnotseemtohavepromisedhimselforHelenthathecouldsavehersister，andthenherproperty。Heseemedtohavestatedsomethingunconsciouslysettled，outsideofhisthinking。
　　Strangehowthiscertaintywasnotvague，yetirreconcilablewithanyplanshecreated！Behindit，somehownamelesswithinconceivablepower，surgedallhiswonderfulknowledgeofforest，oftrails，ofscents，ofnight，ofthenatureofmenlyingdowntosleepinthedark，lonelywoods，ofthenatureofthisgreatcatthatliveditseveryactioninaccordancewithhiswill。
　　Hegrewsleepy，andgraduallyhismindstilled，withhislastconsciousthoughtaportentthathewouldawakentoaccomplishhisdesperatetask。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　YoungBurtpossessedthekeenesteyesofanymaninSnakeAnson'sgang，forwhichreasonhewasgiventhepostaslookoutfromtheloftypromontory。Hisinstructionsweretokeepsharpwatchovertheopenslopesbelowandtoreportanysightofahorse。
　　Acedarfirewithgreenboughsontopofdeadwoodsentupalong，palecolumnofsmoke。Thissignal-firehadbeenkeptburningsincesunrise。
　　Theprecedingnightcamphadbeenmadeonalevelspotinthecedarsbackofthepromontory。ButmanifestlyAnsondidnotexpecttoremaintherelong。For，afterbreakfast，thepackshadbeenmadeupandthehorsesstoodsaddledandbridled。Theywererestlessanduneasy，tossingbitsandfightingflies。Thesun，nowhalf-waytomeridian，washotandnobreezeblewinthatshelteredspot。
　　ShadyJoneshadriddenoffearlytofillthewater-bags，andhadnotyetreturned。Anson，thinnerandscalierandmoresnakelikethanever，wasdealingagreasy，dirtydeckofcards，hisopponentbeingthesquare-shaped，black-visagedMoze。Inlieuofmoneythegamblerswageredwithcedar-berries，eachofwhichberriesrepresentedapipefuloftobacco。JimWilsonbroodedunderacedar-tree，hisunshavenfaceadirtydust-hue，asmolderingfireinhislighteyes，asullensettohisjaw。EverylittlewhilehewouldraisehiseyestoglanceatRiggs，anditseemedthataquickglancewasenough。Riggspacedtoandfrointheopen，coatlessandhatless，hisblack-broadclothtrousersandembroideredvestdustyandtorn。Anenormousgunbumpedawkwardlyinitssheathswingingbelowhiship。Riggslookedperturbed。Hisfacewassweatingfreely，yetitwasfarfromredincolor。Hedidnotappeartomindthesunortheflies。Hiseyeswerestaring，dark，wild，shiftingingazefromeverythingtheyencountered。Butoftenthatgazeshotbacktothecaptivegirlsittingunderacedarsomeyardsfromtheman。
　　BoRayner'slittle，bootedfeetweretiedtogetherwithoneendofalassoandtheotherendtrailedoffovertheground。Herhandswerefree。Herriding-habitwasdustyanddisordered。Hereyesblazeddefiantlyoutofasmall，paleface。
　　"HarveRiggs，Iwouldn'tbestandinginthosecheapbootsofyoursforamilliondollars，"shesaid，sarcastically。Riggstooknonoticeofherwords。
　　"Youpackthatgun-sheathwrongendout。Whathaveyougotthegunfor，anyhow？"sheadded，tauntingly。
　　SnakeAnsonletoutahoarselaughandMoze'sblackvisageopenedinahugegrin。JimWilsonseemedtodrinkinthegirl'swords。Sullenandsomber，hebenthisleanhead，verystill，asiflistening。
　　"You'dbettershutup，"saidRiggs，darkly。
　　"Iwillnotshutup，"declaredBo。
　　"ThenI'llgagyou，"hethreatened。
　　"Gagme！Why，youdirty，low-down，two-bitofabluff！"sheexclaimed，hotly，"I'dliketoseeyoutryit。I'lltearthatlonghairofyoursrightoffyourhead。"
　　Riggsadvancedtowardherwithhishandsclutching，asifeagertothrottleher。Thegirlleanedforward，herfacereddening，hereyesfierce。
　　"Youdamnedlittlecat！"mutteredRiggs，thickly。"I'llgagyou——ifyoudon'tstopsquallin'。"
　　"Comeon。Idareyoutolayahandonme……HarveRiggs，I'mnottheleastafraidofyou。Can'tyousavvythat？
　　You'realiar，afour-flush，asneak！Why，you'renotfittowipethefeetofanyoftheseoutlaws。"
　　Riggstooktwolongstridesandbentoverher，histeethprotrudinginasnarl，andhecuffedherhardonthesideofthehead。
　　Bo'sheadjerkedbackwiththeforceoftheblow，butsheutterednocry。
　　"Areyougoin'tokeepyourjawshut？"hedemanded，stridently，andadarktideofbloodsurgedupintohisneck。
　　"IshouldsmileI'mnot，"retortedBo，incool，deliberateangerofopposition。"You'veropedme——andyou'vestruckme！Nowgetaclub——standoffthere——outofmyreach——
　　andbeatme！Oh，ifIonlyknewcusswordsfitforyou——
　　I'dcallyouthem！"
　　SnakeAnsonhadstoppedplayingcards，andwaswatching，listening，withhalf-disgusted，half-amusedexpressiononhisserpent-likeface。JimWilsonslowlyrosetohisfeet。
　　Ifanyonehadobservedhimitwouldhavebeentonotethathenowseemedsingularlyfascinatedbythisscene，yetallthewhileabsorbedinhimself。Onceheloosenedtheneck-bandofhisblouse。
　　Riggsswunghisarmmoreviolentlyatthegirl。Butshedodged。
　　"Youdog！"shehissed。"Oh，ifIonlyhadagun！"
　　Herfacethen，withitsdeadwhitenessandtheeyesofflame，heldatragic，impellingbeautythatstungAnsonintoremonstrance。
　　"Aw，Riggs，don'tbeatupthekid，"heprotested。"Thetwon'tdoanygood。Letheralone。"
　　"Butshe'sgottoshutup，"repliedRiggs。
　　"How'nhellairyougoin'toshetherup？Mebbeifyougetoutofhersightshe'llbequiet……Howaboutthet，girl？"
　　AnsongnawedhisdroopingmustacheasheeyedBo。
　　"HaveImadeanykicktoyouoryourmenyet？"shequeried。
　　"Itstrikesmeyou'ain't，"repliedAnson。
　　"Youwon'thearmemakeanysolongasI'mtreateddecent，"
　　saidBo。"Idon'tknowwhatyou'vegottodowithRiggs。Heranmedown——ropedme——draggedmetoyourcamp。NowI'veahunchyou'rewaitingforBeasley。"
　　"Girl，yourhunch'scorrect，"saidAnson。
　　"Well，doyouknowI'mthewronggirl？"
　　"What'sthet？Ireckonyou'reNellRayner，whogotleftalloldAuchincloss'sproperty。"
　　"No。I'mBoRayner。Nellismysister。Sheownstheranch。
　　Beasleywantedher。"
　　Ansoncurseddeepandlow。Underhissharp，bristlingeyebrowshebentcunninggreeneyesuponRiggs。
　　"Say，you！Iswhatthiskidsaysso？"
　　"Yes。She'sNellRayner'ssister，"repliedRiggs，doggedly。
　　"A-huh！Wal，whyinthehelldidyoudragherintomycampan'offupheretosignalBeasley？Heain'twantin'her。Hewantsthegirlwhoownstheranch。Didyoutakeonefertheother——sameasthetdaywewaswithyou？"
　　"GuessImusthave，"repliedRiggs，sullenly。
　　"Butyouknowedherfromhersisteraforeyoucometomycamp？"
　　Riggsshookhishead。Hewaspalernowandsweatingmorefreely。Thedankhairhungwetoverhisforehead。Hismannerwasthatofamansuddenlyrealizinghehadgottenintoatightplace。
　　"Oh，he'saliar！"exclaimedBo，withcontemptuousringinhervoice。"Hecomesfrommycountry。HehasknownNellandmeforyears。"
　　SnakeAnsonturnedtolookatWilson。
　　"Jim，nowhyar'saqueerdealthisfellerhasrunginonus。
　　Ithoughtthetkidwasprettyyoung。Don'tyourememberBeasleytoldusNellRaynerwasahandsomewoman？"
　　"Wal，pardAnson，ifthisheahgurlain'thandsomemyeyeshavegonepore，"drawledWilson。
　　"A-huh！SoyourTexaschilvareeovertheladiesissomeoperatin'，"retortedAnson，withfinesarcasm。"Butthetain'ttellin'mewhatyouthink？"
　　"Wal，Iain'ttellin'youwhatIthinkyet。ButIknowthetkidain'tNellRayner。ForI'veseenher。"
　　Ansonstudiedhisright-handmanforamoment，then，takingouthistobacco-pouch，hesathimselfdownuponastoneandproceededleisurelytorollacigarette。Heputitbetweenhisthinlipsandapparentlyforgottolightit。Forafewmomentshegazedattheyellowgroundandsomescantsage-brush。Riggstooktopacingupanddown。Wilsonleanedasbeforeagainstthecedar。Thegirlslowlyrecoveredfromherexcessofanger。
　　"Kid，seehyar，"saidAnson，addressingthegirl；"ifRiggsknowedyouwasn'tNellan'fetchedyoualonganyhow——what'dhedothetfur？"
　　"Hechasedme——caughtme。Thenhesawsomeoneafterusandhehurriedtoyourcamp。Hewasafraid——thecur！"
　　Riggsheardherreply，forheturnedamalignantglanceuponher。
　　"Anson，IfetchedherbecauseIknowNellRaynerwillgiveupanythin'onearthforher，"hesaid，inloudvoice。
　　Ansonponderedthisstatementwithanairofconsideringitsapparentsincerity。
　　"Don'tyoubelievehim，"declaredBoRayner，bluntly。"He'saliar。He'sdouble-crossingBeasleyandallofyou。"
　　Riggsraisedashakinghandtoclenchitather。"Keepstillorit'llbetheworseforyou。"
　　"Riggs，shutupyourself，"putinAnson，asheleisurelyrose。"Mebbeit'ain'toccurredtoyouthetshemighthavesometalkinterestin'tome。An'I'mrunnin'thishyarcamp……Now，kid，talkupan'saywhatyoulike。"
　　"Isaidhewasdouble-crossingyouall，"repliedthegirl，instantly。"Why，I'msurprisedyou'dbecaughtinhiscompany！MyuncleAlandmysweetheartCarmichaelandmyfriendDale——they'vealltoldmewhatWesternmenare，evendowntooutlaws，robbers，cutthroatrascalslikeyou。
　　AndIknowtheWestwellenoughnowtobesurethatfour-flushdoesn'tbelonghereandcan'tlasthere。HewenttoDodgeCityonceandwhenhecamebackhemadeabluffatbeingabadman。Hewasaswaggering，bragging，drinkinggun-fighter。Hetalkedofthemenhe'dshot，ofthefightshe'dhad。Hedressedlikesomeofthosegun-throwinggamblers……HewasinlovewithmysisterNell。Shehatedhim。HefollowedusoutWestandhehashungonouractionslikeasneakingIndian。Why，NellandIcouldn'tevenwalktothestoreinthevillage。Herodeaftermeoutontherange——chasedme……ForthatCarmichaelcalledRiggs'sbluffdowninTurner'ssaloon。Daredhimtodraw！
　　Cussedhimeverynameontherange！Slappedandbeatandkickedhim！DrovehimoutofPine！……Andnow，whateverhehassaidtoBeasleyoryou，it'sadeadsurebethe'splayinghisowngame。That'stogetholdofNell，andifnother——thenme！……Oh，I'moutofbreath——andI'moutofnamestocallhim。IfItalkedforever——I'dneverbe——
　　ableto——dohimjustice。Butlendme——agun——aminute！"
　　JimWilson'squietformvibratedwithastart。Ansonwithhisadmiringsmilepulledhisgunand，takingacoupleofstepsforward，helditoutbuttfirst。Shestretchedeagerlyforitandhejerkeditaway。
　　"Holdonthere！"yelledRiggs，inalarm。
　　"Damme，Jim，ifshedidn'tmeanbizness！"exclaimedtheoutlaw。
　　"Wal，now——seeheah，Miss。Wouldyouborehim——ifyouhedagun？"inquiredWilson，withcuriousinterest。Therewasmoreofrespectinhisdemeanorthanadmiration。
　　"No。Idon'twanthiscowardlybloodonmyhands，"repliedthegirl。"ButI'dmakehimdance——I'dmakehimrun。"
　　"Shoreyoucanhandleagun？"
　　Shenoddedheranswerwhilehereyesflashedhateandherresolutelipstwitched。