"No，"saidBillsullenly，"he’sameancuss。"
　　"Iknowhim，"saidtheHon。Fred，"letmetryhim。"Butthestrangerdeclaredthepintosuitedhimdowntothegroundandhewouldn’ttaketwicehismoneyforhim。
　　"Why，"heprotested，"thatthere’swhatIcallanunusualhoss，anddowninMontanaforaladyhe’dfetchuptoahundredandfiftydollars。"Invaintheyhaggledandbargained;themanwasimmovable。Eightydollarshewouldn’tlookat，ahundredhardlymadehimhesitate。AtthispointLadyCharlottecamedownintothelightandstoodbyherhusband，whoexplainedthecircumstancestoher。ShehadalreadyheardBill’sdescriptionofGwen’saccidentandofherpartinthechurch-buildingschemes。Therewassilenceforafewmomentsasshestoodlookingatthebeautifulpony。
　　"Whatashamethepoorchildshouldhavetopartwiththedearlittlecreature！"shesaidinalowtonetoherhusband。Then，turningtothestranger，shesaidinclear，sweettones：
　　"Whatdoyouaskforhim？"Hehesitatedandthensaid，liftinghishatawkwardlyinsalute："IwasjustremarkinghowthatpintowouldfetchonehundredandfiftydollarsdownintoMontana。Butseein’
　　asaladyisenquirin’，I’llputhimdowntoonehundredandtwenty-five。"
　　"Toomuch，"shesaidpromptly，"fartoomuch，isitnot，Bill？"
　　"Well，"drawledBill，"if’twereafellaraswasusedtoladieshe’dofferyouthepinto，buthe’stoopizenmeaneventocomedowntotheevenhundred。"
　　TheYankeetookhimupquickly。"Wall，ifIweresoblanked——
　　pardon，madam"——takingoffhishat，"usedtoladiesassomefolkswouldliketothinkthemselves，I’dbuythattherepintoandmakeapresentofittothishereladyasstandsbeforeme。"Billtwisteduneasily。
　　"ButIain’tgoin’tobemean;I’llputthatpintoinfortheevenmoneyfortheladyifanymancarestoputupthestuff。"
　　"Well，mydear，"saidtheHon。Fredwithabow，"wecannotwellletthatgagelie。"SheturnedandsmiledathimandthepintowastransferredtotheAshleystables，toBill’soutspokendelight，whodeclaredhe"couldn’thavefacedthemusicifthattherepintohadgoneacrosstheline。"Iconfess，however，IwassomewhatsurprisedattheeasewithwhichHiescapedhiswrath，andmysurprisewasinnowaylessenedwhenIsaw，laterintheevening，thetwopartnerswiththestrangertakingaquietdrinkoutofthesamebottlewithevidentmutualadmirationanddelight。
　　"You’reanA1corker，youare！I’llbeblankedifyouain’tabird——asingin’bird——areg’larcanary，"IheardHisaytoBill。
　　ButBill’sonlyreplywasalong，slowwinkwhichpassedintoafrownashecaughtmyeye。Mysuspicionwasarousedthatthesaleofthepintomightbearinvestigation，andthissuspicionwasdeepenedwhenGwennextweekgavemearapturousaccountofhowsplendidlyBillhaddisposedofthepinto，showingmebillsforonehundredandfiftydollars！Tomylookofamazement，Gwenreplied：
　　"Yousee，hemusthavegotthembiddingagainsteachother，andbesides，Billsayspintosaregoingup。"
　　Lightbegantodawnuponme，butIonlyansweredthatIknewtheyhadrisenveryconsiderablyinvaluewithinamonth。TheextrafiftywasBill’s。
　　IwasnotpresenttowitnessthefinishingofBill’sbluff，butwastoldthatwhenBillmadehiswaythroughthecrowdedaisleandlaidhisfivehundredandfiftydollarsontheschoolhousedeskthelookofdisgust，surpriseandfinallyofpleasureonRobbie’sface，wasworthahundredmore。ButRobbiewasreadyandputdownhistwohundredwiththesingleremark：
　　"Ay！ye’renoasdaftasyelook，"midroarsoflaughterfromall。
　　ThenThePilot，witheyesandfaceshining，roseandthankedthemall;butwhenhetoldofhowthelittlegirlinherlonelyshackinthehillsthoughtsomuchofthechurchthatshegaveupforitherbelovedpony，heronepossession，thelightfromhiseyesglowedintheeyesofall。
　　Butthemenfromtherancheswhocouldunderstandthefullmeaningofhersacrificeandwhoalsocouldrealizethefullmeasureofhercalamity，werestirredtotheirhearts’depths，sothatwhenBillremarkedinaverydistinctundertone，"IcherishtheopinionthatthishereGospelshopwouldn’tbematerializin’intoitspresentshapebutforthatleetlegel，"thererosegrowlsofapprovalinavarietyoftonesandexpletivesthatleftnodoubtthathisopinionwasthatofall。
　　ButthoughThePilotnevercouldquitegetatthetrueinwardnessofBill’smeasuresandmethods，andwasdoubtlessallthemorecomfortableinmindforthat，hehadnodoubtthatwhileGwen’sinfluencewasthemovingspringofaction，Bill’sbluffhadagooddealtodowiththe"materializin’"ofthefirstchurchinSwanCreek，andinthisconviction，Ishare。
　　WhethertheHon。FredeverunderstoodthepeculiarstyleofBill’sfinancing，Idonotquiteknow。Butifheeverdidcometoknow，hewasfartoomuchofamantomakeafuss。Besides，Ifancythesmileonhislady’sfacewasworthsomelargeamounttohim。Atleast，sothelookofproudandfondloveinhiseyesseemedtosayasheturnedawaywithherfromthefirethenightofthepinto’ssale。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THELADYCHARLOTTE
　　Thenightofthepinto’ssalewasanightmomentoustoGwen，forthenitwasthattheLadyCharlotte’sinterestinherbegan。
　　Momentous，too，totheLadyCharlotte，foritwasthatnightthatbroughtThePilotintoherlife。
　　Ihadturnedbacktothefirearoundwhichthemenhadfallenintogroupspreparedtohaveanhour’ssoliddelight，forthescenewasfullofwildandpicturesquebeautytome，whenTheDukecameandtouchedmeontheshoulder。
　　"LadyCharlottewouldliketoseeyou。"
　　"Andwhy，pray？"
　　"ShewantstohearaboutthisaffairofBill’s。"
　　Wewentthroughthekitchenintothelargedining-room，atoneendofwhichwasastonechimneyandfireplace。LadyCharlottehaddeclaredthatshedidnotmuchcarewhatkindofahousetheHon。
　　Fredwouldbuildforher，butthatshemusthaveafireplace。
　　Shewasverybeautiful——tall，slightandgracefulineveryline。
　　Therewasareserveandagrandairinherbearingthatputpeopleinaweofher。ThisaweIshared;butasIenteredtheroomshewelcomedmewithsuchkindlygracethatIfeltquiteateaseinamoment。
　　"Comeandsitbyme，"shesaid，drawinganarmchairintothecircleaboutthefire。"Iwantyoutotellusallaboutagreatmanythings。"
　　"Youseewhatyou’reinfor，Connor，"saidherhusband。"Itisaseriousbusinesswhenmyladytakesoneinhand。"
　　"Asheknowstohiscost，"shesaid，smilingandshakingherheadatherhusband。
　　"SoIcantestify，"putinTheDuke。
　　"Ah！Ican’tdoanythingwithyou，"shereplied，turningtohim。
　　"Yourmostabjectslave，"herepliedwithaprofoundbow。
　　"Ifyouonlywere，"smilingathim——alittlesadly，Ithought——"I’dkeepyououtofallsortsofmischief。"
　　"Quitetrue，Duke，"saidherhusband，"justlookatme。"
　　TheDukegazedathimamomentortwo。"Wonderful！"hemurmured，"whatadeliverance！"
　　"Nonsense！"brokeinLadyCharlotte。"Youareturningmymindawayfrommypurpose。"
　　"Isitpossible，doyouthink？"saidTheDuketoherhusband。
　　"Notintheveryleast，"hereplied，"ifmyexperiencegoesforanything。"
　　ButLadyCharlotteturnedherbackuponthemandsaidtome：
　　"Now，tellmefirstaboutBill’sencounterwiththatfunnylittleScotchman。"
　　ThenItoldherthestoryofBill’sbluffinmybeststyle，imitating，asIhavesomesmallskillindoing，themannerandspeechofthevariousactorsinthescene。Shewasgreatlyamusedandinterested。
　　"AndBillhasreallygothisshareready，"shecried。"Itisverycleverofhim。"
　　"Yes，"Ireplied，"butBillisonlytheveryhumbleinstrument，themovingspiritisbehind。"
　　"Oh，yes，youmeanthelittlegirlthatownsthepony，"shesaid。
　　"That’sanotherthingyoumusttellmeabout。"
　　"TheDukeknowsmorethanI，"Ireplied，shiftingtheburdentohim;"myacquaintanceisonlyofyesterday;hisislifelong。"
　　"Whyhaveyounevertoldmeofher？"shedemanded，turningtotheDuke。
　　"Haven’tItoldyouofthelittleMeredithgirl？SurelyIhave，"
　　saidTheDuke，hesitatingly。
　　"Now，youknowquitewellyouhavenot，andthatmeansyouaredeeplyinterested。Oh，Iknowyouwell，"shesaid，severely。
　　"Heisthemostsecretiveman，"shewentontome，"shamefullyandungratefullyreserved。"
　　TheDukesmiled;thensaid，lazily："Why，she’sjustachild。Whyshouldyoubeinterestedinher？Noonewas，"headdedsadly，"tillmisfortunedistinguishedher。"
　　Hereyesgrewsoft，andhergaymannerchanged，andshesaidtoTheDukegently："Tellmeofhernow。"
　　Itwasevidentlyaneffort，buthebeganhisstoryofGwenfromthetimehesawherfirst，yearsago，playinginandoutofherfather’sramblingshack，shyandwildasayoungfox。Ashewentonwithhistale，hisvoicedroppedintoalow，musicaltone，andheseemedasifdreamingaloud。Unconsciouslyheputintothetalemuchofhimself，revealinghowgreataninfluencethelittlechildhadhaduponhim，andhowemptyoflovehislifehadbeeninthislonelyland。LadyCharlottelistenedwithfaceintentuponhim，andevenherbluffhusbandwasconsciousthatsomethingmorethanusualwashappening。HehadneverheardTheDukebreakthroughhisproudreservebefore。
　　ButwhenTheDuketoldthestoryofGwen’sawfulfall，whichhedidwithgreatgraphicpower，alittleredspotburnedupontheLadyCharlotte’spalecheek，and，asTheDukefinishedhistalewiththewords，"Itwasherlastride，"shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandcried：
　　"Oh，Duke，itishorribletothinkof！Butwhatsplendidcourage！"
　　"Greatstuff！eh，Duke？"criedtheHon。Fred，kickingaburninglogvigorously。
　　ButTheDukemadenoreply。
　　"Howisshenow，Duke？"saidLadyCharlotte。TheDukelookedupasfromadream。"Brightasthemorning，"hesaid。Then，inreplytoLadyCharlotte’slookofwonder，headded：
　　"ThePilotdidit。Connorwilltellyou。Idon’tunderstandit。"
　　"NordoI，either。ButIcantellyouonlywhatIsawandheard，"
　　Ianswered。
　　"Tellme，"saidLadyCharlotteverygently。
　　ThenItoldherhow，onebyone，wehadfailedtohelpher，andhowThePilothadriddenupthatmorningthroughthecanyon，andhowhehadbroughtthefirstlightandpeacetoherbyhismarvellouspicturesoftheflowersandfernsandtreesandallthewonderfulmysteriesofthatwonderfulcanyon。
　　"Butthatwasn’tall，"saidtheDukequickly，asIstopped。
　　"No，"Isaidslowly，"thatwasNOTallbyalongway;buttherestIdon’tunderstand。That’sThePilot’ssecret。"
　　"Tellmewhathedid，"saidLadyCharlotte，softly，oncemore。"I
　　wanttoknow。"
　　"Idon’tthinkIcan，"Ireplied。"HesimplyreadoutoftheScripturestoherandtalked。"
　　LadyCharlottelookeddisappointed。
　　"Isthatall？"shesaid。
　　"ItisquiteenoughforGwen，"saidTheDukeconfidently，"forthereshelies，oftensuffering，alwayslongingforthehillsandthefreeair，butwithherfaceradiantastheflowersofthebelovedcanyon。"
　　"Imustseeher，"saidLadyCharlotte，"andthatwonderfulPilot。"
　　"You’llbedisappointedinhim，"saidTheDuke。
　　"Oh，I’veseehimandheardhim，butIdon’tknowhim，"shereplied。"Theremustbesomethinginhimthatonedoesnotseeatfirst。"
　　"SoIhavediscovered，"saidTheDuke，andwiththatthesubjectwasdropped，butnotbeforetheLadyCharlottemademepromisetotakehertoGwen，TheDukebeingstrangelyunwillingtodothisforher。
　　"You’llbedisappointed，"hesaid。"Sheisonlyasimplelittlechild。"
　　ButLadyCharlottethoughtdifferently，and，havingmadeupherminduponthematter，therewasnothingforit，asherhusbandsaid，but"forallhandstosurrenderandthesoonerthebetter。"
　　AndsotheLadyCharlottehadherway，which，asitturnedout，wasmuchthewisestandbest。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　THROUGHGWEN’SWINDOW
　　WhenItoldThePilotofLadyCharlotte’spurposetovisitGwen，hewasnottoowellpleased。
　　"WhatdoesshewantwithGwen？"hesaidimpatiently。"Shewilljustputnotionsintoherheadandmakethechilddiscontented。"
　　"Whyshouldshe？"saidI。
　　"Shewon’tmeanto，butshebelongstoanotherworld，andGwencannottalktoherwithoutgettingglimpsesofalifethatwillmakeherlongforwhatshecanneverhave，"saidThePilot。
　　"ButsupposeitisnotidlecuriosityinLadyCharlotte，"I
　　suggested。
　　"Idon’tsayitisquitethat，"heanswered，"butthesepeopleloveasensation。"
　　"Idon’tthinkyouknowLadyCharlotte，"Ireplied。"Ihardlythinkfromhertonetheothernightthatsheisasensationhunter。"
　　"Atanyrate，"heanswered，decidedly，"sheisnottoworrypoorGwen。"
　　Iwasalittlesurprisedathisattitude，andfeltthathewasunfairtoLadyCharlotte，butIforboretoarguewithhimonthematter。HecouldnotbeartothinkofanypersonorthingthreateningthepeaceofhisbelovedGwen。
　　TheveryfirstSaturdayaftermypromisewasgivenweweresurprisedtoseeLadyCharlotterideuptothedoorofourshackintheearlymorning。
　　"Yousee，Iamnotgoingtoletyouoff，"shesaid，asIgreetedher。"Andthedayissoveryfineforaride。"
　　Ihastenedtoapologizefornotgoingtoher，andthentogetoutofmydifficulty，rathermeanlyturnedtowardThePilot，andsaid：
　　"ThePilotdoesn’tapproveofourvisit。"
　　"Andwhynot，mayIask？"saidLadyCharlotte，liftinghereyebrows。
　　ThePilot’sfaceburned，partlywithwrathatme，andpartlywithembarrassment;forLadyCharlottehadputonhergrandair。Buthestoodtohisguns。
　　"Iwassaying，LadyCharlotte，"hesaid，lookingstraightintohereyes，"thatyouandGwenhavelittleincommon——and——and——"hehesitated。
　　"Littleincommon！"saidLadyCharlottequietly。"Shehassufferedgreatly。"
　　ThePilotwasquicktocatchthenoteofsadnessinhervoice。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，wonderingathertone，"shehassufferedgreatly。"
　　"And，"continuedLadyCharlotte，"sheisbrightasthemorning，TheDukesays。"Therewasalookofpaininherface。
　　ThePilot’sfacelitup，andhecamenearerandlaidhishandcaressinglyuponherbeautifulhorse。
　　"Yes，thankGod！"hesaidquickly，"brightasthemorning。"
　　"Howcanthatbe？"sheasked，lookingdownintohisface。"Perhapsshewouldtellme。"
　　"LadyCharlotte，"saidThePilotwithasuddenflush，"Imustaskyourpardon。Iwaswrong。Ithoughtyou——"hepaused;"butgotoGwen，shewilltellyou，andyouwilldohergood。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidLadyCharlotte，puttingoutherhand，"andperhapsyouwillcomeandseeme，too。"
　　ThePilotpromisedandstoodlookingafterusaswerodeupthetrail。
　　"ThereissomethingmoreinyourPilotthanatfirstappears，"shesaid。"TheDukewasquiteright。"
　　"Heisagreatman，"Isaidwithenthusiasm;"tenderasawomanandwiththeheartofahero。"
　　"YouandBillandTheDukeseemtoagreeabouthim，"shesaid，smiling。
　　ThenItoldhertalesofThePilot，andofhiswayswiththemen，tillherblueeyesgrewbrightandherbeautifulfacelostitsproudlook。
　　"Itisperfectlyamazing，"Isaid，finishingmystory，"howthesedevil-may-careroughfellowsrespecthim，andcometohiminallsortsoftrouble。Ican’tunderstandit，andyetheisjustaboy。"
　　"No，notamazing，"saidLadyCharlotteslowly。"IthinkI
　　understandit。Hehasatrueman’sheart;andholdsagreatpurposeinit。I’veseenmenlikethat。Notclergymen，Imean，butmenwithagreatpurpose。"
　　Then，afteramoment’sthought，sheadded："Butyououghttocareforhimbetter。Hedoesnotlookstrong。"
　　"Strong！"Iexclaimedquickly，withaqueerfeelingofresentmentatmyheart。"Hecandoasmuchridingasanyofus。"
　　"Still，"shereplied，"there’ssomethinginhisfacethatwouldmakehismotheranxious。"Inspiteofmyrepudiationofhersuggestion，Ifoundmyselfforthenextfewminutesthinkingofhowhewouldcomeexhaustedandfaintfromhislongrides，andI
　　resolvedthathemusthavearestandchange。
　　ItwasoneofthoseearlySeptemberdays，thebestofallinthewesterncountry，whenthelightfallslessfiercelythroughasofthazethatseemstofilltheairaboutyou，andthatgrowsintopurpleonthefarhilltops。Bythetimewereachedthecanyonthesunwasridinghighandpouringitsraysfullintoallthedeepnookswheretheshadowsmostlylay。
　　Therewerenoshadowsto-day，exceptsuchasthetreescastuponthegreenmossbedsandtheblackrocks。Thetopsofthetallelmsweresereandrusty，buttheleavesoftheruggedoaksthatfringedthecanyon’slipsshonearichandglossybrown。Alldownthesidesthepoplarsanddelicatebirches，paleyellow，butsometimesflushingintoorangeandred，stoodshimmeringinthegoldenlight，whilehereandtherethebroad-spreading，featherysumachsmadegreatsplashesofbrilliantcrimsonupontheyellowandgold。Downinthebottomstoodthecedarsandthebalsams，stillgreen。Westoodsomemomentssilentlygazingintothistangleofinterlacingboughsandshimmeringleaves，allglowinginyellowlight，thenLadyCharlottebrokethesilenceintonessoftandreverentasifshestoodinagreatcathedral。
　　"AndthisisGwen’scanyon！"
　　"Yes，butsheneverseesitnow，"Isaid，forIcouldneverridethroughwithoutthinkingofthechildtowhoseheartthiswassodear，butwhoseeyesneverresteduponit。LadyCharlottemadenoreply，andwetookthetrailthatwounddownintothismazeofminglingcolorsandlightsandshadows。Everywherelaythefallenleaves，brownandyellowandgold;——everywhereonourtrail，onthegreenmossesandamongthedeadferns。Andaswerode，leavesfluttereddownfromthetreesabovesilentlythroughthetangledboughs，andlaywiththeothersonmossandrockandbeatentrail。
　　Theflowerswereallgone;buttheLittleSwansangaseveritsmany-voicedsong，asitflowedinpoolsandeddiesandcascades，withhereandthereagoldenleafuponitsblackwaters。Ah！howofteninweary，dustydaysthesesightsandsoundsandsilenceshavecometomeandbroughtmyheartrest！
　　Aswebegantoclimbupintotheopen，Iglancedatmycompanion’sface。Thecanyonhaddoneitsworkwithheraswithallwholovedit。Thetouchofpridethatwasthehabitofherfacewasgone，andinitsplacerestedtheearnestwonderofalittlechild，whileinhereyeslaythecanyon’stenderglow。AndwiththisfaceshelookedinuponGwen。
　　AndGwen，whohadbeenwaitingforher，forgotallhernervousfear，andwithhandsoutstretched，criedoutinwelcome：
　　"Oh，I’msoglad！You’veseenitandIknowyouloveit！Mycanyon，youknow！"shewenton，answeringLadyCharlotte’smystifiedlook。
　　"Yes，dearchild，"saidLadyCharlotte，bendingoverthepalefacewithitshaloofgoldenhair，"Iloveit。"Butshecouldgetnofurther，forhereyeswerefulloftears。Gwengazedupintothebeautifulface，wonderingathersilence，andthensaidgently：
　　"Tellmehowitlooksto-day！ThePilotalwaysshowsittome。Doyouknow，"sheadded，thoughtfully，"ThePilotlookslikeithimself。Hemakesmethinkofit，and——and——"shewentonshyly，"youdo，too。"
　　BythistimeLadyCharlottewaskneelingbythecouch，smoothingthebeautifulhairandgentlytouchingthefacesopaleandlinedwithpain。
　　"Thatisagreathonor，truly，"shesaidbrightlythroughhertears——"tobelikeyourcanyonandlikeyourPilot，too。"
　　Gwennodded，butshewasnottobedenied。
　　"Tellmehowitlooksto-day，"shesaid。"Iwanttoseeit。Oh，I
　　wanttoseeit！"
　　LadyCharlottewasgreatlymovedbytheyearninginthevoice，but，controllingherself，shesaidgaily：
　　"Oh，Ican’tshowittoyouasyourPilotcan，butI’lltellyouwhatIsaw。"
　　"TurnmewhereIcansee，"saidGwentome，andIwheeledhertowardthewindowandraisedherupsothatshecouldlookdownthetrailtowardthecanyon’smouth。
　　"Now，"shesaid，afterthepainoftheliftinghadpassed，"tellme，please。"
　　ThenLadyCharlottesetthecanyonbeforeherinrichandradiantcoloring，whileGwenlistened，gazingdownuponthetrailtowheretheelmtopscouldbeseen，rustyandsere。
　　"Oh，itislovely！"saidGwen，"andIseeitsowell。ItisalltherebeforemewhenIlookthroughmywindow。"
　　ButLadyCharlottelookedather，wonderingtoseeherbrightsmile，andatlastshecouldnothelpthequestion：
　　"Butdon’tyouwearytoseeitwithyourowneyes？"
　　"Yes，"saidGwengently，"oftenIwantandwantit，oh，somuch！"
　　"Andthen，Gwen，dear，howcanyoubearit？"Hervoicewaseagerandearnest。"Tellme，Gwen。Ihaveheardallaboutyourcanyonflowers，butIcan’tunderstandhowthefrettingandthepainwentaway。"
　　Gwenlookedatherfirstinamazement，andthenindawningunderstanding。
　　"Haveyouacanyon，too？"sheasked，gravely。
　　LadyCharlottepausedamoment，thennodded。Itdidappearstrangetomethatsheshouldbreakdownherproudreserveandopenherhearttothischild。
　　"Andtherearenoflowers，Gwen，notone，"shesaidratherbitterly，"norsunnorseedsnorsoil，Ifear。"
　　"Oh，ifThePilotwerehere，hewouldtellyou。"
　　Atthispoint，feelingthattheywouldratherbealone，Iexcusedmyselfonthepretextoflookingafterthehorses。
　　WhattheytalkedofduringthenexthourIneverknew，butwhenI
　　returnedtotheroomLadyCharlottewasreadingslowlyandwithperplexedfacetoGwenoutofhermother’sBiblethewords"forthesufferingofdeath，crownedwithgloryandhonor。"
　　"YouseeevenforHim，suffering，"Gwensaideagerly，"butIcan’texplain。ThePilotwillmakeitclear。"Thenthetalkended。
　　WehadlunchwithGwen——bannocksandfreshsweetmilkandblueberries——andafteranhourofgayfunwecameaway。
　　LadyCharlottekissedhertenderlyasshebadeGwengood-by。
　　"Youmustletmecomeagainandsitatyourwindow，"shesaid，smilingdownuponthewanface。
　　"Oh，Ishallwatchforyou。Howgoodthatwillbe！"criedGwen，delightedly。"Howmanycometoseeme！Youmakefive。"Thensheadded，softly："Youwillwriteyourletter。"ButLadyCharlotteshookherhead。
　　"Ican’tdothat，Ifear，"shesaid，"butIshallthinkofit。"
　　Itwasabrightfacethatlookedoutuponusthroughtheopenwindowaswerodedownthetrail。Justbeforewetookthedipintothecanyon，Iturnedtowavemyhand。
　　"Gwen’sfriendsalwayswavefromhere，"Isaid，wheelingmybronco。
　　AgainandagainLadyCharlottewavedherhandkerchief。
　　"Howbeautiful，buthowwonderful！"shesaidasiftoherself。
　　"Truly，HERcanyonisfullofflowers。"
　　"Itisquitebeyondme，"Ianswered。"ThePilotmayexplain。"
　　"IsthereanythingyourPilotcan’tdo？"saidLadyCharlotte。
　　"Tryhim，"Iventured。
　　"Imeanto，"shereplied，"butIcannotbringanyonetomycanyon，Ifear，"sheaddedinanuncertainvoice。
　　AsIleftheratherdoorshethankedmewithcourteousgrace。
　　"Youhavedoneagreatdealforme，"shesaid，givingmeherhand。
　　"Ithasbeenabeautiful，awonderfulday。"
　　WhenItoldthePilotalltheday’sdoings，heburstout：
　　"Whatastupidandself-righteousfoolIhavebeen！Ineverthoughttherecouldbeanycanyoninherlife。Howshortoursightis！"andallthatnightIcouldgetalmostnowordsfromhim。
　　ThatwasthefirstofmanyvisitstoGwen。NotaweekpassedbutLadyCharlottetookthetrailtotheMeredithranchandspentanhouratGwen’swindow。OftenThePilotfoundherthere。Butthoughtheywerealwayspleasanthourstohim，hewouldcomehomeingreattroubleaboutLadyCharlotte。
　　"SheisperfectlycharminganddoingGwennoendofgood，butsheisproudasanarchangel。Hashadanawfulbreakwithherfamilyathome，anditisspoilingherlife。Shetoldmesomuch，butshewillallownoonetotouchtheaffair。"
　　Butonedaywemetherridingtowardthevillage。Aswedrewnear，shedrewupherhorseandheldupaletter。
　　"Home！"shesaid。"Iwroteitto-day，andImustgetitoffimmediately。"
　　ThePilotunderstoodheratonce，butheonlysaid：
　　"Good！"butwithsuchemphasisthatwebothlaughed。
　　"Yes，Ihopeso，"shesaidwiththeredbeginningtoshowinhercheek。"Ihavedroppedsomeseedintomycanyon。"
　　"IthinkIseetheflowersbeginningtospring，"saidThePilot。
　　Sheshookherheaddoubtfullyandreplied：
　　"IshallrideupandsitwithGwenatherwindow。"
　　"Do，"repliedThePilot，"thelightisgoodthere。WonderfulthingsaretobeseenthroughGwen’swindow。"
　　"Yes，"saidLadyCharlottesoftly。"DearGwen！——butIfearitisoftenmadebrightwithtears。"
　　Asshespokeshewheeledherhorseandcanteredoff，forherowntearswerenotfaraway。Ifollowedherinthoughtupthetrailwindingthroughtheround-toppedhillsanddownthroughthegoldenlightsofthecanyonandintoGwen’sroom。Icouldseethepaleface，withitsgoldenaureole，lightupandglow，astheysatbeforethewindowwhileLadyCharlottewouldtellherhowGwen’sCanyonlookedto-dayandhowinherownbleakcanyontherewasthesignofflowers。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　HOWBILLFAVORED"HOME-GROWNINDUSTRIES"
　　ThebuildingoftheSwanCreekChurchmadeasensationinthecountry，andallthemorethatBroncoBillwasincommand。
　　"WhenIputupmoneyIstaywiththegame，"heannounced;andstayhedid，tothegreatbenefitoftheworkandtothedelightofThePilot，whowaswearinghislifeoutintryingtodoseveralmen’swork。ItwasBillthatorganizedthegangsforhaulingstoneforthefoundationandlogsforthewalls。ItwasBillthatassignedthevariousjobstothosevolunteeringservice。ToRobbieMuirandtwostalwartGlengarrymenfromtheOttawalumberregion，whoknewallaboutthebroadaxe，hegavethehewingdownofthelogsthatformedthewalls。Andwhentheyhaddone，Billdeclaredtheywere"better’anasawmill。"ItwasBill，too，thatdidthefinancing，andhispassagewithWilliams，thestorekeeperfrom"theotherside"whodealtinlumberandbuildingmaterial，wassuchasestablishedforeverBill’sreputationinfinance。
　　WithThePilot’splansinhishandshewenttoWilliams，seizingatimewhenthestorewasfullofmenaftertheirmailmatter。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkovthemplans？"heaskedinnocently。
　　Williamswasvolublewithopinionsandcriticismandsuggestions，allofwhichweregratefully，evenhumblyreceived。
　　"Kindovhardtofiggeroutjesthowmuchlumber’llgointotheshack，"saidBill;"yeseethelogsmakesadifference。"
　　ToWilliamsthethingwassimplicityitself，and，aftersomefiguring，hehandedBillacompletestatementoftheamountoflumberofallkindsthatwouldberequired。
　　"Now，whatwouldthattherecometo？"
　　Williamsnamedhisfigure，andthenBillentereduponnegotiations。
　　"Iaintnomantobeatdownprices。No，sir，Isaygiveamanhisfigger。Ofcourse，thishereaintmyfuneral;besides，bein’aGospelshop，thepricenaterallywouldbedifferent。"TothistheboysallassentedandWilliamslookeduncomfortable。
　　"Infact，"andBilladoptedhispublictonetoHi’sadmirationandjoy，"thishere’sapublicinstitooshun"（thiswasWilliams’ownthunder），"condoocin’tothegoodofthecommunity"（Hislappedhisthighandsquirtedhalfwayacrossthestoretosignifyhisentireapproval，"andIcherishtheopinion"——（delightedchucklefromHi）——
　　"thatpublicmenareinterestedinthisconcern。"
　　"That’sso！Rightyouare！"chorusedtheboysgravely。
　　Williamsagreed，butdeclaredhehadthoughtofallthisinmakinghiscalculation。Butseeingitwasachurch，andthefirstchurchandtheirownchurch，hewouldmakeacut，whichhedidaftermorefiguring。Billgravelytooktheslipofpaperandputitintohispocketwithoutaword。Bytheendoftheweek，havinginthemeantimeriddenintotownandinterviewedthedealersthere，BillsaunteredintothestoreandtookuphispositionremotefromWilliams。
　　"You’llbewantingthatsheeting，won’tyou，nextweek，Bill？"saidWilliams。
　　"Whatsheetin’’sthat？"
　　"Why，forthechurch。Aintthelogsup？"
　　"Yes，that’sso。Iwasjustgoin’toseetheboyshereaboutgettin’ithauled，"saidBill。
　　"Hauled！"saidWilliams，inamazedindignation。"Aintyougoin’tosticktoyourdeal？"
　　"Igenerallymakeitmycustomtosticktomydeals，"saidBill，lookingstraightatWilliams。
　　"Well，whataboutyourdealwithmelastMondaynight？"saidWilliams，angrily。
　　"Let’ssee。LastMondaynight，"saidBill，apparentlythinkingback;"can’tsayasIrememberanyperticklerdeal。Anyovyoufellersremember？"
　　Noonecouldrecallanydeal。
　　"Youdon’tremembergettinganypaperfromme，Isuppose？"saidWilliams，sarcastically。
　　"Paper！Why，IbelieveI’vegotthattherepaperontomypersonatthispresentmoment，"saidBill，divingintohispocketanddrawingoutWilliams’estimate。Hespentafewmomentsincarefulscrutiny。
　　"Thereain’tnodealontothisasIcansee，"saidBill，gravelypassingthepapertotheboys，whoeachscrutinizeditandpasseditonwithashakeoftheheadoraremarkastotheabsenceofanysignofadeal。Williamschangedhistone。Forhispart，hewasindifferentinthematter。
　　ThenBillmadehimanoffer。
　　"Ovcourse，Ibelieveinsupportin’home-grownindustries，andifyoucantouchmyfiggerI’dbeuncommonlygladtogiveyouthecontract。"
　　ButBill’sfigure，whichwasquitefiftypercent。lowerthanWilliams’bestoffer，wasrejectedasquiteimpossible。
　　"ThoughtI’dmakeyoutheoffer，"saidBill，carelessly，"seein’asyou’reinstitootin’thetradeandtheboyshere’llallbebuildin’
　　moreorless，andIbelieveinstandin’upforlocaltradesandmanufactures。"Therewerenodsofapprovalonallsides，andWilliamswasforcedtoaccept，forBillbeganarrangingwiththeHillbrothersandHitomakeanearlystartonMonday。Itwasagreattriumph，butBilldisplayednosignofelation;hewasratherfullofsympathyforWilliams，andeagertohelponthelumberbusinessasalocal"institooshun。"
　　SecondincommandinthechurchbuildingenterprisestoodLadyCharlotte，andunderherlaboredtheHon。Fred，TheDuke，and，indeed，allthecompanyoftheNobleSeven。Herhomebecamethecentreofanewtypeofsociallife。Withexquisitetact，andmuchwasneededforthiskindofwork，shedrewthebachelorsfromtheirlonelyshacksandfromtheirwildcarousals，andgavethematasteofthejoysofapurehome-life，thefirsttheyhadhadsinceleavingtheoldhomesyearsago。AndthenshemadethemworkforthechurchwithsuchzealanddiligencethatherhusbandandTheDukedeclaredthatranchinghadbecomequiteanincidentalinterestsincethechurch-buildinghadbegun。ButThePilotwentaboutwitharadiantlookonhispaleface，whileBillgaveitforthashisopinion，"thoughshewasaleetlehighintheaction，shecouldhitanuncommongait。"
　　WithsuchenergydidBillpushtheworkofconstructionthatbythefirstofDecemberthechurchstoodroofed，sheeted，flooredandreadyforwindows，doorsandceiling，sothatThePilotbegantohopethatheshouldseethedesireofhisheartfulfilled——thechurchofSwanCreekopenfordivineserviceonChristmasDay。
　　Duringtheseweekstherewasmorethanchurch-buildinggoingon，forwhilethedaysweregiventotheshapingoflogs，andthedrivingofnailsandtheplaningofboards，thelongwintereveningswerespentintalkaroundthefireinmyshack，whereThePilotforsomemonthspasthadmadehishomeandwhereBill，sincethebeginningofthechurchbuilding，hadcome"tocamp。"ThoseweregreatnightsforThePilotandBill，and，indeed，forme，too，andtheotherboys，who，afteraday’sworkonthechurch，werealwaysbroughtinbyBillorThePilot。
　　Greatnightsforusalltheywere。Afterbaconandbeansandbannocks，andoccasionallypotatoes，andrarelyapudding，withcoffee，richandsteaming，towashalldown，pipeswouldfollow，andthenyarnsofadventures，possibleandimpossible，allexcitingandwonderful，andallreceivedwiththegreatestcredulity。
　　If，however，thepowersofbeliefwereputtotoogreatastrainbyataleofmorethanordinarymarvel，Billwouldfollowwithoneofsuchutterimpossibilitythatthecompanywouldfeelthatthelimithadbeenreached，andtheyarnswouldcease。ButafterthefirstweekmostofthetimewasgiventoThePilot，whowouldreadtousofthedeedsofthemightymenofold，whohadmadeandwreckedempires。
　　Whathappynightstheyweretothosecowboys，whohadbeencastuplikedriftwooduponthisstrangeandlonelyshore！Someofthemhadneverknownwhatitwastohaveathoughtbeyondtheworkandsportoftheday。AndtheworldintowhichThePilotwasusheringthemwasallnewandwonderfultothem。Happynights，withoutacare，butthatThePilotwouldnotgettheghastlylookoutofhisface，andlaughedattheideaofgoingawaytillthechurchwasbuilt。And，indeed，wewouldallhavesorelymissedhim，andsohestayed。
　　CHAPTERXXI。
　　HOWBILLHITTHETRAIL
　　When"thecrowd"waswithusThePilotreadusallsortsoftalesofadventuresinalllandsbyheroesofallages，butwhenwethreesattogetherbyourfireThePilotwouldalwaysreadustalesoftheheroesofsacredstory，andthesedelightedBillmorethanthoseofanyoftheancientempiresofthepast。Hehadhisfavorites。Abraham，Moses，Joshua，Gideon，neverfailedtoarousehisadmiration。ButJacobwastohimalways"ameancuss，"andDavidhecouldnotappreciate。MostofallheadmiredMosesandtheApostlePaul，whomhecalled"thatlittlechap。"But，whenthereadingwasabouttheOneGreatManthatmovedmajesticamidthegospelstories，Billmadenocomments;Hewastoohighforapproval。
　　ByandbyBillbegantotellthesetalestotheboys，andonenight，whenaquietmoodhadfallenuponthecompany，Billbrokethesilence。
　　"Say，Pilot，wherewasitthatthelittlechapgotmixedupintothatriot？"
　　"Riot！"saidThePilot。
　　"Yes;yourememberwhenhestoodoffthewholegangfromthestairs？"
　　"Oh，yes，atJerusalem！"
　　"Yes，that’sthespot。Perhapsyouwouldreadthattotheboys。
　　Goodyarn！Littlechap，youknow，stoodupandtold’emtheywereallsortsofblankedthievesandcut-throats，andstood’emoff。
　　Playeditalone，too。"
　　Mostoftheboysfailedtorecognizethestoryinitsnewdress。
　　Therewasmuchinterest。
　　"Whowastheduck？Whowasthegang？Whatwastherowabout？"
　　"ThePilothere’lltellyou。Ifyou’dkindo’give’emaleadbeforeyoubegin，they’dcatchontotheyarnbetter。"ThislasttoThePilot，whowaspreparingtoread。
　　"Well，itwasatJerusalem，"beganThePilot，whenBillinterrupted：
　　"IfImightremark，perhapsitmighthelptheboysontothetrailmebbe，ifyou’dtell’emhowthelittlechapstruckhisnewgait。"
　　SohedesignatedtheApostle’sconversion。
　　ThenThePilotintroducedtheApostlewithsomeformalitytothecompany，describingwithsuchvividtoucheshislifeandearlytraining，hissuddenwrenchfromallhehelddear，underthestressofanewconviction，hismagnificententhusiasmandcourage，histendernessandpatience，thatIwassurprisedtofindmyselfregardinghimasasortofhero，andtheboyswereallreadytobackhimagainstanyodds。AsThePilotreadthestoryoftheArrestatJerusalem，stoppingnowandthentopicturethescene，wesawitallandwereinthethickofit。Theragingcrowdhustlingandbeatingthelifeoutofthebravelittleman，thesuddenthrustofthedisciplinedRomanguardthroughthemass，therescue，thepauseonthestairway，thecalmfaceofthelittleherobeckoningforahearing，thequietingofthefrantic，frothingmob，thefearlessspeech——allpassedbeforeus。Theboyswerethrilled。
　　"Goodstuff，eh？"
　　"Ain’theadaisy？"
　　"Daisy！He’sawholesunflowerpatch！"
　　"Yes，"drawledBill，highlyappreciatingtheirmarksofapproval。
　　"That’swhatIcallaparticklerfinecharacterofaman。Thereain’tnomannerofinsecksontohim。"
　　"Youbet！"saidHi。
　　"Isay，"brokeinoneoftheboys，whowasjustemergingfromthetenderfootstage，"o’coursethat’sintheBible，ain’tit？"
　　ThePilotassented。
　　"Well，howdoyouknowit’strue？"
　　ThePilotwasproceedingtoelaboratehisargumentwhenBillcutinsomewhatmoreabruptlythanwashiswont。
　　"Lookhere，youngfeller！"Bill’svoicewasinthetoneofcommand。Themanlookedashewasbid。"Howdoyouknowanything’strue？HowdoyouknowThePilothere’struewhenhespeaks？Can’tyoutellbythefeel？Youknowbythesoundofhisvoice，don’tyou？"Billpausedandtheyoungfellowagreedreadily。
　　"Wellhowdoyouknowablankedsonofashejackasswhenyouseehim？"AgainBillpaused。Therewasnoreply。
　　"Well，"saidBill，resuminghisdeliberatedrawl。"I’llgiveyoutheinformationwithoutextracharge。It’sbythesoundhemakeswhenheopenshisblankedjaw。"
　　"But，"wentontheyoungskeptic，nettledatthelaughthatwentround，"thatdon’tproveanything。Youknow，"turningtoThePilot，"thatthereareheapsofpeoplewhodon’tbelievetheBible。"
　　ThePilotnodded。
　　"Someofthesmartest，best-educatedmenareagnostics，"proceededtheyoungman，warmingtohistheme，andfailingtonoticethestiffeningofBill’slankfigure。"Idon’tknowbutwhatIamonemyself。"
　　"Thatso？"saidBill，withsuddeninterest。
　　"Iguessso，"wasthemodestreply。
　　"Gotitbad？"wentonBill，withanoteofanxietyinhistone。
　　ButtheyoungmanturnedtoThePilotandtriedtoopenafreshargument。
　　"Whateverhe’sgot，"saidBilltotheothers，inamildvoice，"it’sspoilin’hismanners。"
　　"Yes，"wentonBill，meditatively，aftertheslightlaughhaddied，"it’sruinin’tothejudgment。Hedon’tseemtoknowwhenheinterfereswiththegame。Pity，too。"
　　Stilltheargumentwenton。
　　"Seemsasifheoughttotakesomethin’，"saidBill，inavoicesuspiciouslymild。"Whatwouldyousuggest？"
　　"Awalk，mebbe！"saidHi，indelightedexpectation。
　　"Iholdtheopinionthatyouhavementionedanuncommonlyvallableremedy，better’nPainKilleralmost。"
　　Billroselanguidly。
　　"Isay，"hedrawled，tappingtheyoungfellow，"itappearstomealittlewalkwouldperhapsbegood，mebbe。"
　　"Allright，waittillIgetmycap，"wastheunsuspectingreply。
　　"Idon’tthinkperhapsyouwon’tneedit，mebbe。Icherishtheopinionyou’ll，perhaps，bewarmenough。"Bill’svoicehadunconsciouslypassedintoasternertone。Hiwasonhisfeetandatthedoor。
　　"ThishereinterviewisprivateANDconfidential，"saidBilltohispartner。
　　"Exactly，"saidHi，openingthedoor。Atthistheyoungfellow，whowasastrappingsix-footer，butsoftandflabby，drewbackandrefusedtogo。Hewastoolate。Bill’sgripwasonhiscollarandouttheywentintothesnow，andbehindthemHiclosedthedoor。
　　Invaintheyoungfellowstruggledtowrenchhimselffreefromthehandsthathadhimbytheshoulderandthebackoftheneck。I
　　tookitallinfromthewindow。Hemighthavebeenaboyforalltheeffecthisplungingshaduponthelong，sinewyarmsthatgrippedhimsofiercely。Afteraminute’sfuriousstruggletheyoungfellowstoodquiet，whenBillsuddenlyshiftedhisgripfromtheshouldertotheseatofhisbuckskintrousers。Thenbeganaseriesofevolutionsbeforethehouse——upanddown，forwardandback，whichtheunfortunatevictim，withhandswildlyclutchingatemptyair，wasquitepowerlesstoresisttillhewasbroughtuppantingandgasping，subdued，toastandstill。
　　"I’lllarnyouagnosticsandseveralotherkindsofticks，"saidBill，inaterriblevoice，hisdrawllengtheningperceptibly。
　　"Comeroundhere，willyou，andshoveyourblankedsecond-handedtrashdownourthroats？"Billpausedtogetwords;then，burstingoutinrisingwrath：
　　"Thereain’tnosootablewordsforsichconduct。Bythelivin’
　　Jeminy——"Hesuddenlyswunghisprisoneroffhisfeet，liftedhimbodily，andheldhimoverhisheadatarm’slength。"I’veanotionto——"
　　"Don’t！don’t！forHeaven’ssake！"criedthestrugglingwretch，"I’llstopit！Iwill！"
　　Billatonceloweredhimandsethimonhisfeet。
　　"Allright！Shake！"hesaid，holdingouthishand，whichtheothertookwithcaution。
　　Itwasaremarkablysuddenconversionandlastinginitseffects。
　　TherewasnomoreagnosticisminthelittlegroupthatgatheredaroundThePilotforthenightlyreading。
　　Theinterestinthereadingkeptgrowingnightbynight。
　　"SeemsasifThePilotwasgittin’inhiswork，"saidBilltome;
　　andlookingatthegrave，eagerfaces，Iagreed。HewasgettinginhisworkwithBill，too;thoughperhapsBilldidnotknowit。I
　　rememberonenight，whentheothershadgone，ThePilotwasreadingtoustheParableoftheTalents，Billwasparticularlyinterestedintheservantwhofailedinhisduty。
　　"Ornerycuss，eh？"heremarked;"andgall，too，eh？Servedhimblamedwellright，inmyopinion！"
　　Butwhenthepracticalbearingoftheparablebecamecleartohim，afterlongsilence，hesaid，slowly：
　　"Well，thatthereseemstoindicatethatit’sabouttimeformetogetarustleon。"Then，afteranothersilence，hesaid，hesitatingly，"Thisherechurch-buildin’businessnow，doyouthinkthat’llperhapscount，mebbe？Iguessnot，eh？’Tain’tmuch，o’
　　course，anyway。"PoorBill，hewaslikeachild，andThePilothandledhimwithamother’stouch。
　　"Whatareyoubestat，Bill？"
　　"Bronco-bustin’andcattle，"saidBill，wonderingly;"that’smyline。"
　　"Well，Bill，mylineispreachingjustnow，andpiloting，youknow。"ThePilot’ssmilewaslikeasunbeamonarainyday，forthereweretearsinhiseyesandvoice。"Andwehavejustgottobefaithful。Youseewhathesays：’Welldone，goodandFAITHFUL
　　servant。ThouhastbeenFAITHFUL。’"
　　Billwaspuzzled。
　　"Faithful！"herepeated。"Doesthatmeanwiththecattle，perhaps？"
　　"Yes，that’sjustit，Bill，andwitheverythingelsethatcomesyourway。"
　　AndBillneverforgotthatlesson，forIheardhim，withakindofquietenthusiasm，givingittoHiasagreatfind。"Now，Icallthatafairdeal，"hesaidtohisfriend;"giveseverymanashow。
　　Nocardsupthesleeve。"
　　"That’sso，"wasHi’sthoughtfulreply;"distributesthetrumps。"
　　SomehowBillcametoberegardedasanauthorityuponquestionsofreligionandmorals。Nooneeveraccusedhimof"gettin’
　　religion。"Hewentabouthisworkinhisslow，quietway，buthewasalwayssharinghisdiscoverieswith"theboys。"AndifanyonepuzzledhimwithsubtletiesheneverrestedtillhehadhimfacetofacewithThePilot。Andsoitcamethatthesetwodrewtoeachotherwithmorethanbrotherlyaffection。WhenBillgotintodifficultywithproblemsthathavevexedthesoulsofmenfarwiserthanhe，ThePilotwouldeitherdisentangletheknotsorwouldturnhismindtotheveritiesthatstoodoutsureandclear，andBillwouldbecontent。
　　"That’sgoodenoughforme，"hewouldsay，andhisheartwouldbeatrest。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　HOWTHESWANCREEKCHURCHWASOPENED
　　When，neartheendoftheyear，ThePilotfellsick，BillnursedhimlikeamotherandsenthimoffforarestandchangetoGwen，forbiddinghimtoreturntillthechurchwasfinishedandvisitinghimtwiceaweek。Thelovebetweenthetwowasmostbeautiful，and，whenIfindmyheartgrowhardandunbelievinginmenandthings，IletmymindwanderbacktoascenethatIcameuponinfrontofGwen’shouse。Thesetwowerestandingaloneintheclearmoonlight，BillwithhishanduponThePilot’sshoulder，andThePilotwithhisarmaroundBill’sneck。
　　"DearoldBill，"ThePilotwassaying，"dearoldBill，"andthevoicewasbreakingintoasob。AndBill，standingstiffandstraight，lookedupatthestars，coughedandswallowedhardforsomemoments，andsaid，inaqueer，croakyvoice：
　　"Shouldn’twonderifaChinookwouldblowup。"
　　"Chinook？"laughedThePilot，withacatchinhisvoice。"Youdearoldhumbug，"andhestoodwatchingtillthelankformswayeddownintothecanyon。
　　Thedayofthechurchopeningcame，asalldays，howeverlongwaitedfor，willcome——abright，beautifulChristmasDay。Theairwasstillandfulloffrostylight，asifarrestedbyavoiceofcommand，waitingthewordtomove。Thehillslayundertheirdazzlingcoverlets，asleep。Backofall，thegreatpeaksliftedmajesticheadsoutofthedarkforestsandgazedwithcalm，steadfastfacesuponthewhite，sunlitworld。To-day，asthelightfilledupthecracksthatwrinkledtheirhardfaces，theyseemedtosmile，asiftheChristmasjoyhadsomehowmovedsomethingintheirold，stonyhearts。
　　Thepeoplewereallthere——farmers，ranchers，cowboys，wivesandchildren——allhappy，allproudoftheirnewchurch，andnowallexpectant，waitingforThePilotandtheOldTimer，whoweretodrivedownifThePilotwasfitandweretobringGwenifthedaywasfine。Asthetimepassedon，Bill，asmasterofceremonies，begantogrowuneasy。ThenIndianJoeappearedandhandedanotetoBill。Hereadit，grewgrayinthefaceandpassedittome。
　　Looking，Isawinpoor，waveringlinesthewords，"DearBill。Goonwiththeopening。SingthePsalm，youknowtheone，andsayaprayer，andoh，cometomequick，Bill。YourPilot。"
　　Billgraduallypulledhimselftogether，announcedinastrangevoice，"ThePilotcan’tcome，"handedmethePsalm，andsaid：
　　"Makethemsing。"
　　ItwasthatgrandPsalmforallhillpeoples，"Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，"andwithwonderingfacestheysangthestrong，steadyingwords。AfterthePsalmwasoverthepeoplesatandwaited，BilllookedattheHon。FredAshley，thenatRobbieMuir，thensaidtomeinalowvoice：
　　"Kinyoumakeaprayer？"
　　Ishookmyhead，ashamedasIdidsoofmycowardice。
　　AgainBillpaused，thensaid：
　　"ThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer。Kinanyonemakeone？"
　　Againdead，solemnsilence。
　　ThenHi，whowasneartheback，said，comingtohispartner’shelp：
　　"What’sthematterwithyoutrying，yourself，Bill？"
　　TheredbegantocomeupinBill’swhiteface。
　　"’Taintinmyline。ButThePilotsaysthere’sgottobeaprayer，andI’mgoingtostaywiththegame。"Then，leaningonthepulpit，hesaid：
　　"Let’spray，"andbegan：
　　"GodAlmighty，Iain’tnogoodatthis，andperhapsyou’llunderstandifIdon’tputthingsright。"Thenapausefollowed，duringwhichIheardsomeofthewomenbeginningtosob。
　　"WhatIwanttosay，"Billwenton，"is，we’remightygladaboutthischurch，whichweknowit’syouandThePilotthat’sworkedit。
　　Andwe’reallgladtochipin。"
　　Thenagainhepaused，and，lookingup，Isawhishard，grayfaceworkingandtwotearsstealingdownhischeeks。Thenhestartedagain：
　　"ButaboutThePilot——Idon’twanttopersoom——butifyoudon’tmind，we’dliketohavehimstay——infact，don’tseehowwekindowithouthim——lookatalltheboyshere;he’sjustgettinghisworkinandisbringin’’emrightalong，and，GodAlmighty，ifyoutakehimawayitmightbeagoodthingforhimself，butforus——oh，God，"thevoicequiveredandwassilent"Amen。"
　　Thensomeone，IthinkitmusthavebeentheLadyCharlotte，began：
　　"OurFather，"andalljoinedthatcouldjoin，totheend。ForafewmomentsBillstoodup，lookingatthemsilently。Then，asifrememberinghisduty，hesaid：
　　"Thisherechurchisopen。Excuseme。"
　　Hestoodatthedoor，gaveawordofdirectiontoHi，whohadfollowedhimout，andleapingonhisbroncoshookhimoutintoahardgallop。
　　TheSwanCreekChurchwasopened。Theformofservicemaynothavebeencorrect，but，ifgreatlovecountsforanythingandappealingfaith，thenallthatwasnecessarywasdone。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　THEPILOT’SLASTPORT
　　IntheoldtimesafuneralwasregardedintheSwanCreekcountryasakindofsolemnfestivity。Inthosedays，forthemostpart，mendiedintheirbootsandwereplantedwithmuchhonorandloyallibation。Therewasoftenneithershroudnorcoffin，andintheFarWestmanyapoorfellowliesashefell，wrappedinhisownorhiscomrade’sblanket。
　　ItwasthemanageroftheXLCompany’sranchthatintroducedcrape。Theoccasionwasthefuneralofoneoftheranchcowboys，killedbyhisbronco，butwhenthepall-bearersandmournersappearedwithbandsandstreamersofcrape，thiswasvotedbythemajorityas"toogay。"Thatcircumstancealonewassufficienttorenderthatfuneralfamous，butitwasremembered，too，ashavingshockedtheproprietiesinanotherandmoreseriousmanner。Noonewouldbesonarrow-mindedastoobjecttothecustomofthereturnprocessionfallingintoaseriesofhorse-racesofthewildestdescription，andendingupatLatour’sinageneralriot。Buttoracewiththecorpsewasconsideredbadform。The"corpse-driver，"
　　ashewascalled，couldhardlybeblamedonthisoccasion。Hisacknowledgedplacewasattheheadoftheprocession，anditwasapointofhonorthatthatplaceshouldberetained。ThefaultclearlylaywiththedriveroftheXLranchsleigh，containingthemourners（aninnovation，bytheway），whofeltaggrievedthatHiKendal，drivingtheAshleyteamwiththepall-bearers（anotherinnovation），shouldbegiventheplaceofhonornextthecorpse。
　　TheXLdriverwantedtoknowwhat，inthenameofallthatwasblackandblue，theAshleyRanchhadtodowiththefuneral？Whosewasthatcorpse，anyway？Didn’titbelongtotheXLranch？Hi，ontheotherhand，contendedthatthecorpsewasinchargeofthepall-bearers。"Itwastheirdutytoseeitrighttothegrave，andiftheywerenotonhand，howwasitgoin’togetthere？Theydidn’texpectitwouldgitupandgettherebyitself，didthey？
　　Hididn’twantnoblankedmournersfoolin’roundthatcorptillitwasproperlyplanted;afterthattheymightgitintheirwork。"
　　ButtheXLdrivercouldnotacceptthisview，andatthefirstopportunityslippedpastHiandhispall-bearersandtooktheplacenextthesleighthatcarriedthecoffin。ItispossiblethatHimighthavebornewiththisaffrontandlossofpositionwithevenmind，butthejeeringremarksofthemournersastheyslidpasttriumphantlycouldnotbeendured，andthenextmomentthethreeteamswereabreastinaraceasfordearlife。Thecorpse-driver，havingtheadvantageofthebeatentrack，soonlefttheothertwobehindrunningneckandneckforsecondplace，whichwascapturedfinallybyHiandmaintainedtothegraveside，inspiteofmanyattemptsonthepartoftheXL’s。Thewholeproceeding，however，wasconsideredquiteimproper，andatLatour’s，thatnight，afterfullandbibulousdiscussion，itwasagreedthatthecorpse-driverfairlydistributedtheblame。"Forhispart，"hesaid，"heknewhehadn’toughttomakenocorpgitanysuchmoveon，buthewasn’tgoin’toseethattherecorptakesecondplaceathisownfuneral。
　　Notifhecouldhelpit。Andasfortheothers，hethoughtthatthepall-bearershadablankedsightmoretodowiththeplantin’
　　thanthemgiddymourners。"
　　ButwhentheygatheredattheMeredithranchtocarryoutThePilottohisgraveitwasfeltthattheFoothillCountrywascalledtoanewexperience。Theywereallthere。ThemenfromthePorcupineandfrombeyondtheFort，thePolicewiththeInspectorincommand，allthefarmersfortwentymilesaround，andofcoursealltheranchersandcowboysoftheSwanCreekcountry。Therewasnoeffortatrepression。Therewasnoneed，forinthecowboys，forthefirsttimeintheirexperience，therewasnoheartforfun。
　　Andastheyrodeupandhitchedtheirhorsestothefence，ordrovetheirsleighsintotheyardandtookoffthebells，therewasnoloud-voicedsalutation，noguyingnorchaffing，butwithsilentnodtheytooktheirplacesinthecrowdaboutthedoororpassedintothekitchen。
　　ThemenfromthePorcupinecouldnotquiteunderstandthegloomysilence。Itwassomethingunprecedentedinacountrywheremenlaughedallcaretoscornandsaluteddeathwithanod。Buttheywerequicktoreadsigns，andwithcharacteristiccourtesytheyfellinwiththemoodtheycouldnotunderstand。Thereisnomanlivingsoquicktofeelyourmood，andsoreadytoadapthimselftoit，asisthetrueWesterner。
　　Thiswasthedayofthecowboy’sgrief。TotherestofthecommunityThePilotwaspreacher;tothemhewascomradeandfriend。Theyhadbeenslowtoadmithimtotheirconfidence，butsteadilyhehadwonhisplacewiththem，tillwithinthelastfewmonthstheyhadcometocounthimasofthemselves。Hehadriddentherangewiththem;hehadsleptintheirshacksandcookedhismealsontheirtinstoves;and，besides，hewasBill’schum。Thatalonewasenoughtogivehimarighttoalltheyowned。Hewastheirs，andtheywereonlybeginningtotakefullprideinhimwhenhepassedoutfromthem，leavinganemptinessintheirlifenewandunexplained。Nomaninthatcountryhadevershownconcernforthem，norhaditoccurredtothemthatanymancould，tillThePilotcame。Ittookthemlongtobelievethattheinterestheshowedinthemwasgenuineandnotsimplyprofessional。Then，too，fromapreachertheyhadexpectedchieflypity，warning，rebuke。
　　ThePilotastonishedthembygivingthemrespect，admiration，andopen-heartedaffection。Itwasmonthsbeforetheycouldgetovertheirsuspicionthathewashumbuggingthem。Whenoncetheydid，theygavehimbackwithoutknowingitallthetrustandloveoftheirbig，generoushearts。Hehadmadethisworldnewtosomeofthem，andtoallhadgivenglimpsesofthenext。Itwasnowonderthattheystoodindumbgroupsaboutthehousewheretheman，whohaddoneallthisforthemandhadbeenallthistothemlaydead。
　　Therewasnodemonstrationofgrief。TheDukewasincommand，andhisquiet，firmvoice，givingdirections，helpedalltoself-
　　control。Thewomenwhoweregatheredinthemiddleroomwereweepingquietly。Billwasnowheretobeseen，butneartheinnerdoorsatGweninherchair，withLadyCharlottebesideher，holdingherhand。Herface，wornwithlongsuffering，waspale，butsereneasthemorningsky，andwithnotatraceoftears。Asmyeyecaughthers，shebeckonedmetoher。
　　"Where’sBill？"shesaid。"Bringhimin。"
　　Ifoundhimatthebackofthehouse。
　　"Aren’tyoucomingin，Bill？"Isaid。
　　"No;Iguessthere’splentywithoutme，"hesaid，inhisslowway。
　　"You’dbettercomein;theserviceisgoingtobegin，"Iurged。
　　"Don’tseemasifIcaredfortohearanythin’much。Iain’tmuchusedtopreachin’，anyway，"saidBill，withcarefulindifference，butheaddedtohimself，"excepthis，ofcourse。"
　　"Comein，Bill，"Iurged。"Itwilllookqueer，youknow，"butBillreplied：
　　"IguessI’llnotbother，"adding，afterapause："Yousee，there’sthemwimminturnin’onthewaterworks，andlikeasnotthey’dswampmesure。"
　　"That’sso，"saidHi，whowasstandingnear，insilentsympathywithhisfriend’sgrief。
　　IreportedtoGwen，whoansweredinheroldimperiousway，"TellhimIwanthim。"ItookBillthemessage。
　　"Whydidn’tyousaysobefore？"hesaid，and，startingup，hepassedintothehouseandtookuphispositionbehindGwen’schair。
　　Opposite，andleaningagainstthedoor，stoodTheDuke，withalookofquietearnestnessonhishandsomeface。AthissidestoodtheHon。FredAshley，andbehindhimtheOldTimer，lookingbewilderedandwoe-stricken。ThePilothadfilledalargeplaceintheoldman’slife。Therestofthemenstoodabouttheroomandfilledthekitchenbeyond，allquiet，solemn，sad。
　　InGwen’sroom，theonefarthestin，layThePilot，statelyandbeautifulunderthemagictouchofdeath。AndasIstoodandlookeddownuponthequietfaceIsawwhyGwenshednotear，butcarriedalookofserenetriumph。Shehadreadthefacearight。
　　Thelinesofwearinessthathadbeengrowingsopainfullyclearthelastfewmonthsweresmoothedout，thelookofcarewasgone，andinplaceofwearinessandcare，wastheproudsmileofvictoryandpeace。Hehadmethisfoeandwassurprisedtofindhisterrorgone。
　　Theservicewasbeautifulinitssimplicity。Theminister，ThePilot’schief，hadcomeoutfromtowntotakecharge。Hewasratheralittleman，butsturdyandwellset。Hisfacewasburntandsearedwiththesunsandfrostshehadbravedforyears。Stillintheprimeofhismanhood，hishairandbeardweregrizzledandhisfacedeep-lined，forthetoilsandcaresofapioneermissionary’slifeareneitherfewnorlight。Butoutofhiskindlyblueeyelookedtheheartofahero，andashespoketouswefelttheprophet’stouchandcaughtagleamoftheprophet’sfire。
　　"Ihavefoughtthefight，"heread。Theringinhisvoiceliftedupallourheads，and，ashepicturedtousthelifeofthatbatteredherowhohadwrittenthesewords，IsawBill’seyesbegintogleamandhislankfigurestraightenoutitslazyangles。Thenheturnedtheleavesquicklyandreadagain，"Letnotyourheartbetroubled……inmyfather’shousearemanymansions。"Hisvoicetookalower，sweetertone;helookedoverourheads，andforafewmomentsspokeoftheeternalhope。Thenhecamebacktous，and，lookingroundintothefacesturnedsoeagerlytohim，talkedtousofThePilot——howatthefirsthehadsenthimtouswithfearandtrembling——hewassoyoung——buthowhehadcometotrustinhimandtorejoiceinhiswork，andtohopemuchfromhislife。Nowitwasallover;buthefeltsurehisyoungfriendhadnotgivenhislifeinvain。Hepausedashelookedfromonetotheother，tillhiseyesrestedonGwen’sface。Iwasstartled，asIbelievehewas，too，atthesmilethatpartedherlips，soevidentlysaying："Yes，buthowmuchbetterIknowthanyou。"
　　"Yes，"hewenton，afterapause，answeringhersmile，"youallknowbetterthanIthathisworkamongyouwillnotpassawaywithhisremoval，butendurewhileyoulive，"andthesmileonGwen’sfacegrewbrighter。"Andnowyoumustnotgrudgehimhisrewardandhisrest……andhishome。"AndBill，noddinghisheadslowly，saidunderhisbreath，"That’sso。"
　　ThentheysangthathymnofthedawninggloryofImmanuel’sland，——
　　LadyCharlotteplayingtheorganandTheDukeleadingwithclear，steadyvoiceverseafterverse。Whentheycametothelastversetheministermadeasignand，whiletheywaited，hereadthewords：
　　"I’vewrestledontowardsheaven’Gainststorm，andwind，andtide。"
　　Andsoontothatlastvictoriouscry，——
　　"IhailtheglorydawningInImmanuel’sLand。"
　　Foramomentitlookedasifthesingingcouldnotgoon，fortearswereontheminister’sfaceandthewomenwerebeginningtosob，butTheDuke’sclear，quietvoicecaughtupthesongandsteadiedthemalltotheend。
　　AftertheprayertheyallwentinandlookedatThePilot’sfaceandpassedout，leavingbehindonlythosethatknewhimbest。TheDukeandtheHon。Fredstoodlookingdownuponthequietface。
　　"Thecountryhaslostagoodman，Duke，"saidtheHon。Fred。TheDukebowedsilently。ThenLadyCharlottecameandgazedamoment。
　　"DearPilot，"shewhispered，hertearsfallingfast。"Dear，dearPilot！ThankGodforyou！Youhavedonemuchforme。"Thenshestoopedandkissedhimonhiscoldlipsandonhisforehead。
　　ThenGwenseemedtosuddenlywakenasfromadream。Sheturnedand，lookingupinafrightenedway，saidtoBillhurriedly：
　　"Iwanttoseehimagain。Carryme！"
　　AndBillgatheredherupinhisarmsandtookherin。Astheylookeddownuponthedeadfacewithitslookofproudpeaceandtouchedwiththestatelinessofdeath，Gwen’sfearpassedaway。
　　ButwhenTheDukemadetocovertheface，Gwendrewasharpbreathand，clingingtoBill，said，withasuddengasp：
　　"Oh，Bill，Ican’tbearitalone。I’mafraidalone。"
　　Shewasthinkingofthelong，wearydaysofpainbeforeherthatshemustfacenowwithoutThePilot’stouchandsmileandvoice。
　　"Me，too，"saidBill，thinkingofthedaysbeforehim。Hecouldhavesaidnothingbetter。Gwenlookedinhisfaceamoment，thensaid：
　　"We’llhelpeachother，"andBill，swallowinghard，couldonlynodhisheadinreply。OncemoretheylookeduponThePilot，leaningdownandlingeringoverhim，andthenGwensaidquietly：
　　"Takemeaway，Bill，"andBillcarriedherintotheouterroom。
　　TurningbackIcaughtalookonTheDuke’sfacesofullofgriefthatIcouldnothelpshowingmyamazement。Henoticedandsaid：
　　"ThebestmanIeverknew，Connor。Hehasdonesomethingformetoo……I’dgivetheworldtodielikethat。"
　　Thenhecoveredtheface。
　　WesatGwen’swindow，Bill，withGweninhisarms，andIwatching。
　　Downthesloping，snow-coveredhillwoundtheprocessionofsleighsandhorsemen，withoutsoundofvoiceorjingleofbelltill，onebyone，theypassedoutofoursightanddippeddownintothecanyon。
　　Butwekneweverystepofthewindingtrailandfollowedtheminfancythroughthatfairysceneofmysticwonderland。Weknewhowthegreatelmsandthepoplarsandthebirchesclingingtothesnowysidesinterlacedtheirbareboughsintoanetworkofbewilderingcomplexity，andhowthecedarsandbalsamsandsprucesstoodinthebottom，theirdarkboughsweighteddownwithheavywhitemantlesofsnow，andhoweverystumpandfallenlogandrottingstickwasmadeathingofbeautybythesnowthathadfallensogentlyontheminthatquietspot。Andwecouldseetherocksofthecanyonsidesgleamoutblackfromunderoverhangingsnow-banks，andwecouldhearthesongoftheSwaninitsmanytones，nowunderanicysheet，cooingcomfortably，andthenburstingoutintosunlitlaughterandleapingintoafoamingpool，toglideawaysmoothlymurmuringitsdelighttothewhitebanksthatcurvedtokissthedarkwaterasitfled。Andwheretheflowershadbeen，thevioletsandthewind-flowersandtheclematisandthecolumbineandallthefernsandfloweringshrubs，therelaythesnow。Everywherethesnow，pure，white，andmyriad-gemmed，buteveryflakeaflower’sshroud。
　　Outwherethecanyonopenedtothesunny，slopingprairie，theretheywouldlayThePilottosleep，withintouchofthecanyonheloved，withallitssleepingthings。Andthereheliestothistime。ButSpringhascomemanytimestothecanyonsincethatwinterday，andhascalledtothesleepingflowers，summoningthemforthinmerrytroops，andevermoreandmoretillthecanyonrippleswiththem。Andlivesarelikeflowers。Indyingtheyabidenotalone，butsowthemselvesandbloomagainwitheachreturningspring，andevermoreandmore。
　　Foroftenduringthefollowingyears，ashereandthereIcameupononeofthosethatcompaniedwithusinthoseFoothilldays，Iwouldcatchaglimpseinwordanddeedandlookofhimwecalled，firstinjest，butafterwardswithtrueandtenderfeelingwewerenotashamedtoown，ourSkyPilot。