Asuddendarkeningofthelandscapebelow，andasingularopaquewhiteningoftheairaroundthem，arousedhimfromhisthoughts。
　　Thedriverdrewupthecollarofhisovercoatandlaidhiswhipsmartlyoverthebacksofhiscattle。Theairgrewgraduallydarker，untilsuddenlyitseemedtodisintegrateintoinvisiblegrittyparticlesthatsweptthroughthewagon。Presentlytheseparticlesbecameheavier，moreperceptible，andpolishedlikesmallshot，andakeenwinddrovethemstinginglyintothefacesofthepassengers，orinsidiouslyintotheirpockets，collars，orthefoldsoftheirclothes。Thesnowforceditselfthroughthesmallestcrevice。
　　"We’llgetoverthiswhenoncewe’vepassedthebend；theroadseemstodipbeyond，"saidMastertoncheerfullyfromhisseatbesidethedriver。
　　Thedrivergavehimasinglescornfullook，andturnedtothepassengerwhooccupiedtheseatontheothersideofhim。"Idon’tlikethelooko’thingsdownthere，butefwearestuck，we’llhavetostrikeoutforthenextstation。"
　　"But，"saidMasterton，asthewindvolleyedthesharpsnowpelletsintheirfacesandtheleaderswerescarcelydistinguishablethroughthesmoke-likedischarges，"itcan’tbeworsethanhere。"
　　Thedriverdidnotspeak，buttheotherpassengercranedoverhisback，andsaidexplanatorily：——
　　"Ireckonyedon’tknowthesestorms；thiskindo’drysnowdon’tstickanddon’tclog。Look！"
　　Indeed，betweenthevolleys，Mastertoncouldseethattheroadwasperfectlybareandwind-swept，andexceptslightdriftsandbanksbesideoutlyingbushesandshrubs，——whicheventhenwereagainblownawaybeforehiseyes，——thelevellandscapewasunclothedandunchanged。Wherethesemysterioussnowpelletswenttopuzzledandconfusedhim；theyseemedtovanish，astheyhadappeared，intotheairaboutthem。
　　"I’dmakeastraightrushforthenextstation，"saidtheotherpassengerconfidentlytothedriver。"Ifwe’restuck，we’rethatmuchontheway；ifweturnbacknow，we’llhavetotakethegradeanywaywhenthestorm’sover，andneitheryounorIknowwhenTHAT’llbe。Itmaybeonlyasqualljustnow，butit’sgettin’
　　ratherlateintheseason。Justpitchinanddriveallyeknow。"
　　Thedriverlaidhislashonthehorses，andforafewmomentstheheavyvehicledashedforwardinviolentconflictwiththestorm。
　　Attimestheelastichickoryframeworkofitsdomedleatherroofswayedandbentliketheribsofanumbrella；attimesitseemedasifitwouldbeliftedbodilyoff；attimesthewholeinteriorofthevehiclewasfilledwithathinsmokebydriftsthrougheverycranny。Butpresently，toMasterton’sgreatrelief，theinterminablelevelseemedtoend，andbetweenthewhitenedblastshecouldseethattheroadwasdescending。Againthehorseswereurgedforward，andatlasthecouldfeelthatthevehiclebegantoaddthemomentumofitsdescenttoitsconflictwiththestorm。
　　Theblastsgrewlessviolent，orbecameonlythenaturalresistanceoftheairtotheirdominantrush。Withthecessationofthesnowvolleysandtheclearingoftheatmosphere，theroadbecamemorestronglydefinedasitplungeddownwardtoaterraceonthemountainflank，severalhundredfeetbelow。Presentlytheycameagainuponathickergrowthofbushes，andhereandthereasolitaryfir。Thewinddiedaway；thecoldseemedtobelessbitter。Masterton，inhisrelief，glancedsmilinglyathiscompanionsonthebox，butthedriver’smouthwascompressedasheurgedhisteamforward，andtheotherpassengerlookedhardlylessanxious。Theywerenowuponthelevelterrace，andthestormapparentlyspendingitsfuryhighupandbehindthem。Butinspiteoftheclearingoftheair，hecouldnotbutnoticethatitwassingularlydark。Whatwasmoresingular，thedarknessseemedtohaverisenfrombelow，andtoflowinuponthemastheydescended。
　　Acurtainofprofoundobscurity，darkereventhanthemountainwallattheirside，shutoutthehorizonandthevalleybelow。Butforthetemperature，Mastertonwouldhavethoughtathunderstormwasclosinginuponthem。Anoddfeelingofuneasinesscreptoverhim。
　　Afewfitfulgustsnowcamefromtheobscurity；oneofthemwasaccompaniedbywhatseemedaflightofsmallstartledbirdscrossingtheroadaheadofthem。Asecondlargerandmoresustainedflightshowedhisastonishedeyesthattheywerewhite，andeachbirdanenormousflakeofSNOW！Foraninstanttheairwasfilledwiththesedisks，shreds，patches，——twoorthreeclingingtogether，——likethedownfallshakenfromatree，strikingtheleatherroofandsideswithadullthud，spatteringtheroadintowhichtheydescendedwithlargerosettesthatmeltedawayonlytobefollowedbyhundredsmorethatstuckandSTAYED。Infiveminutesthegroundwaswhitewithit，thelongroadgleamingoutaheadinthedarkness；theroofandsidesofthewagonwereoverlaidwithitaswithacoatingofplasterofParis；theharnessofthehorses，andeventhereins，stoodoutovertheirsteamingbackslikewhitetrappings。Infiveminutesmorethesteamingbacksthemselveswereblanketedwithit；thearmsandlegsoftheoutsidepassengerspinionedtotheseatswithit，andthearmsofthedriverkeptfreeonlybyincessantmotion。Itwasnolongersnowing；itwas"snowballing；"itwasanavalancheoutoftheslopesofthesky。Theexhaustedhorsesflounderedinit；thecloggingwheelsdraggedinit；thevehicleatlastplungedintoabillowofit——andstopped。
　　Thebewilderedandhalfblindedpassengershurriedoutintotheroadtoassistthedrivertounshipthewheelsandfitthesteelrunnersintheiraxles。Butitwastoolate！Bythetimetheheavywagonwasconvertedintoasledge，itwasdeeplyimbeddedinwetandclingingsnow。Thenarrow，long-handledshovelsborrowedfromtheprospectors’kitswerepowerlessbeforethisheavy，halfliquidimpediment。Atlastthedriver，withanoath，relinquishedtheattempt，and，unhitchinghishorses，collectedthepassengersandledthemforwardbyanarrowerandmoreshelteredtrailtowardthenextstationsnowscarceamileaway。Theledhorsesbrokeapathbeforethem，thesnowfelllessheavily，butitwasnearlyanhourbeforethestragglingprocessionreachedthehouse，andthesnow-coatedandexhaustedpassengershuddledandsteamedroundthered-hotstoveinthebar-room。Thedriverhadvanishedwithhisteamintotheshed；Masterton’sfellowpassengeronthebox-seat，afterafewwhisperedwordstothelandlord，alsodisappeared。
　　"Iseeyou’vegotJakePoolewithyou，"saidoneofthebar-roomloungerstoMasterton，indicatingthepassengerwhohadjustleft。
　　"Ireckonhe’shereonthesamefoolbusiness。"
　　Mastertonlookedhissurpriseandmystification。
　　"JakePoole，thedeputysheriff，"repeatedtheother。"Ireckonhe’sherepretendin’tohuntforMontaguTrixitliketheSanFranciscodetectivesthatkemupyesterday。"
　　Mastertonwithdifficultyrepressedastart。HehadheardofPoole，butdidnotknowhimbysight。"Idon’tthinkI
　　understand，"hesaidcoolly。
　　"Ireckonyou’reastrangerintheseparts，"returnedthelounger，lookingatMastertoncuriously。"Efyouwarn’t，ye’dknowthataboutthelastmanSanFranciscoorCanadaCityWANTEDtoketchisMontyTrixit！HeknowstoomuchandTHEYknowit。Butthey’vegottokeepupashowchase——akindo’cirkis-ridin’——upheretosatisfythestockholders。YoubetthatJakePoolehezgothisorders——theymightkillhimtoshuthismouth，eftheygotanexcuse——andhemadeafight——butheain’tnosuchfool。No，sir！
　　Why，thesickestmanyoueversawwasthatdirectorthatkemupherewithadetectivewhenhefoundthatMontyHADN’TlefttheState。"
　　"ThenheIShidingabouthere？"saidMasterton，withassumedcalmness。
　　Themanpaused，loweredhisvoice，andsaid："Iwouldn’tswearhewasn’tamilefromwharwe’retalkin’now。Why，theydoallowthathe’stakenadrinkatthisverybarSINCEthenewscame！——andthatthar’sahosskepthandyinthestablealreadysaddledjusttotempthimefhewasinclinedtoscoot。"
　　"That’sonlyablufftostarthimgoin’sothattheykinshoothiminhistracks，"saidabystander。
　　"Thatain’tnogoodefhehas，astheySAYhehas，papersstowedawaywithafriendthatwouldfrightensomemightyparticklermenouto’theirboots，"returnedthefirstspeaker。"Buthe’sgothisspiestoo，andtharain’tamanthatcrossestheDivideasain’tspottedbythem。Theofficersbragabouthavin’putacordonaroundthedistrict，andyetthey’vejustfoundoutthathemanagedtosendatelegraphicdispatchfromBlackRockstationrightundertheirnoses。Why，onlyanhourorsoarterthedetectivesandthenewsarrivedhere，tharkemalongoneo’thememigrantteamsfromPike，andthedriversaidthatasmart-lookin’chapinstore-
　　clotheshadcomeoutofanoldprospector’scabinuptharontheriseaboutamileawayandaskedforanewspaper。AndthedescriptiontheteamstergavejustfittedTrixittoaT。Well，theinformationwasgivesopubliclikethatthedetectivesHADtomakearushoverthar，andb’gosh！althoughtharwasn’tasoulpassedthembutafileofChinesecoolies，whentheygotthartheyfoundNOTHIN’，——nothin’butthemChinamencookin’theirricebytheroadside。"
　　Mastertonsmiledcarelessly，andwalkedtothewindow，asifintentuponthestillfallingsnow。Buthehadatoncegraspedthesituationthatseemednowalmostprovidentialforhisinexperienceandhismission。Themanhewasseekingwaswithinhispossiblereach，ifthestoryhehadheardwastrue。Thedetectiveswouldnotbelikelytointerferewithhisplans，forhewastheonlymanwhoreallywishedtomeetthefugitive。ThepresenceofPoolemadehimuneasy，thoughhehadnevermetthemanbefore。Wasitbarelypossiblethathewasonthesamemissiononbehalfofothers？IF
　　whatheheardwastrue，theremightbeothersequallyinvolvedwiththeabscondingmanager。Butthenthespies——howcouldthedeputysheriffeludethem，andhowcouldHE？
　　HewasturningimpatientlyawayfromthewindowwhenhiseyecaughtsightofastragglingfileofChinamenbreastingthestormontheirwayupthehill。Asuddenideaseizedhim。PerhapsTHEYwerethespiesinquestion。Herememberedthedriver’sstory。Asuddenflashofintuitionmadehimnowunderstandthesingularwaythefileofcoolieswhichtheymethaddivertedtheircourseafterpassingthewagon。Theyhadrecognizedthedeputyonthebox。
　　Stay！——therewasanotherChinamaninthecoach；HEmighthavegiventhemthesignal。Heglancedhurriedlyaroundtheroomforhim；hewasgone。Perhapshehadalreadyjoinedthefilehehadjustseen。
　　Hisonlyhopewastofollowthem——buthow？andhowtodoitquietly？Theafternoonwaswaning；itwouldbethreeorfourhoursbeforethedowncoachwouldarrive，fromwhichthedriverexpectedassistance。Now，ifever，washisopportunity。
　　Hemadehiswaythroughthebackdoor，andfoundhimselfamongthestrawandchipsofthestable-yardandwoodshed。Stilluncertainwhattodo，hemechanicallypassedbeforethelongshedwhichservedastemporarystallsforthesteamingwagonhorses。Atthefurtherend，tohissurprise，wasatetheredmustangreadysaddledandbridled——theopportunehorseleftforthefugitive，accordingtothelounger’sstory。Mastertoncastaquickglancearoundthestable；itwasdesertedbyallsavethefeedinganimals。
　　Hewasnewtoadventuresofthiskind，orhewouldprobablyhaveweighedthepossibilitiesandconsequences。Hewasordinarilyathoughtful，reflectiveman，butlikemostmenofintellect，hewasalsoimaginativeandsuperstitious，andthiscrowningaccidentoftheprovidentialsituationinwhichhefoundhimselfwassuperiortohislogic。Therewouldalsobeagrimironyinhistakingthishorseforsuchapurpose。Heagainlookedandlistened。Therewasnoonewithinsightorhearing。Heuntiedtheropefromthebit-
　　ring，leapedintothesaddle，andemergedcautiouslyfromtheshed。
　　Thewetsnowmuffledthesoundofthehorse’shoofs。Movingroundtotherearofthestablesoastobringitbetweenhimselfandthestation，heclappedhisheelsintothemustang’sflanksanddashedintotheopen。
　　Atfirsthewasconfusedandbewilderedbythehalfhiddenbouldersandsnow-shroudedbushesthatbesetthebrokenground，anddazzledbythestilldrivingstorm。Butheknewthattheywouldalsodivertattentionfromhisflight，andbeyond，hecouldnowseeawhiteslopeslowlyrisingbeforehim，nearwhosecrestafewdarkspotswerecrawlinginfile，likeAlpineclimbers。TheyweretheChinamenhewasseeking。Hehadreasonedthatwhentheydiscoveredtheywerefollowedtheywould，intheabsenceofanychanceofsignalingthroughthestorm，detachoneoftheirnumbertogivethealarm。HIMhewouldfollow。Hefelthisrevolversafeonhiship；
　　hewoulduseitonlyifnecessarytointimidatethespies。
　　Forsomemomentshisascentthroughthewetsnowwasslowanddifficult，butasheadvanced，hefeltachangeoftemperaturecorrespondingtothathehadexperiencedthatafternoononthewagoncomingdown。Theairgrewkeener，thesnowdrierandfiner。
　　Hekeptasharplookoutforthemovingfigures，andscannedthehorizonforsomeindicationoftheprospector’sdesertedhut。
　　Suddenlythelineoffigureshewaswatchingseemedtobebroken，andthengatheredtogetherasagroup。Hadtheydetectedhim？
　　Evidentlytheyhad，for，ashehadexpected，oneofthemhadbeendetached，andwasnowmovingatrightanglesfromthepartytowardstheright。Withathrillofexcitementheurgedhishorseforward；
　　thegroupwasfartotheleft，andhewasnearingthesolitaryfigure。Buttohisastonishment，asheapproachedthetopoftheslopehenowobservedanotherfigure，asfartotheleftofthegroupashewastotheright，andthatfigurehecouldsee，evenatthatdistance，wasNOTaChinaman。Hehaltedforabetterobservation；foraninstanthethoughtitmightbethefugitivehimself，butasquicklyherecognizeditwasanotherman——thedeputy。ItwasHEwhomtheChinamanhaddiscovered；itwasHEwhohadcausedthediversionandthedispatchofthevedettetowarnthefugitive。Hisownfigurehadevidentlynotyetbeendetected。
　　Hisheartbeathighwithhope；heagaindashedforwardaftertheflyingmessenger，whowasundoubtedlyseekingtheprospector’sruinedhutand——Trixit。
　　Butitwasnoeasymatter。Atthiselevationthesnowhadformedacrust，overwhichthesingleChinaman——alitheyoungfigure——
　　skimmedlikeaskater，whileMasterton’shorsecrashedthoughitintounexpecteddepths。Again，therunnercoulddeviatebyashortercut，whilethehorsemanwascondemnedtotheonehalfobliteratedtrail。TheonlythinginMasterton’sfavor，however，wasthathewassteadilyincreasinghisdistancefromthegroupandthedeputysheriff，andsocuttingofftheirconnectionwiththemessenger。Butthetrailgrewmoreandmoreindistinctasitnearedthesummit，untilatlastitutterlyvanished。Stillhekeptuphisspeedtowardtheactivelittlefigure——whichnowseemedtobethatofamereboy——skimmingoverthefrozensnow。Twiceastumbleandflounderofthemustangthroughthebrokencrustoughttohavewarnedhimofhisrecklessness，butnowadistinctglimpseofalow，blackenedshanty，theprospector’sruinedhut，towardwhichthemessengerwasmaking，madehimforgetallelse。Thedistancewaslesseningbetweenthem；hecouldseethelongpigtailofthefugitivestandingoutfromhisbenthead，whensuddenlyhishorseplungedforwardanddownward。Inanawfulinstantofsuspenseandtwilight，suchashemighthaveseeninadream，hefelthimselfpitchedheadlongintosuffocatingdepths，followedbyashock，thecrushingweightandsteamingflankofhishorseacrosshisshoulder，utterdarkness，and——mercifulunconsciousness。
　　Howlonghelaytherethusheneverknew。Withhisreturningconsciousnesscamethisstrangetwilightagain，——thetwilightofadream。HewassittinginthenewchurchatCanadaCity，ashehadsatthefirstSundayofhisarrivalthere，gazingattheprettyfaceofCissyTrixitinthepewoppositehim，andwonderingwhoshewas。Againhesawthestartled，awakenedlightthatcameintoheradorableeyes，thefaintblushthatsuffusedhercheekasshemethisinquiringgaze，andtheconscious，halfconceited，halfgirlishtossofherlittleheadassheturnedhereyesaway，andthenafileofbrownChinamen，mutteringsomeharsh，uncouthgibberish，interposedbetweenthem。Thiswasfollowedbywhatseemedtobethecrashinginofthechurchroof，astiflingheatsucceededbyalong，deadlychill。ButheknewthatTHISlastwasalladream，andhetriedtostruggletohisfeettoseeCissy’sfaceagain，——arealitythathefeltwouldtakehimoutofthishorribletrance，——
　　andhecalledtoheracrossthepewandheardhersweetvoiceagaininanswer，andthenawaveofunconsciousnessoncemoresubmergedhim。
　　Hecamebacktolifewithasharptinglingofhiswholeframeasifpiercedwithathousandneedles。Heknewhewasbeingrubbed，andinhisattemptstothrowhistorturersaside，hesawfaintlybythelightofaflickeringfirethattheywereChinamen，andhewaslyingonthefloorofarudehut。Withhisfirstmovementstheyceased，and，wrappinghimlikeamummyinwarmblankets，draggedhimoutoftheheapofloosesnowwithwhichtheyhadbeenrubbinghim，towardthefirethatgloweduponthelargeadobehearth。Thestingingpainwassucceededbyawarmglow；apleasantlanguor，whichmadeeventhoughtaburden，cameoverhim，andyethisperceptionswerekeenlyalivetohissurroundings。HeheardtheChinamenmuttersomethingandthendepart，leavinghimalone。Butpresentlyhewasawareofanotherfigurethathadentered，andwasnowsittingwithitsbacktohimatarudetable，roughlyextemporizedfromapacking-box，apparentlyengagedinwriting。ItwasasmallChinaman，evidentlytheonehehadchased！Theeventsofthepastfewhours——hismission，hisintentions，andeveryincidentofthepursuit——flashedbackuponhim。Wherewashe？
　　Whatwashedoinghere？HadTrixitescapedhim？
　　InhisexhaustedstatehewasunabletoformulateaquestionwhicheventhenhedoubtediftheChinamancouldunderstand。Sohesimplywatchedhimlazily，andwithacertainkindoffascination，untilheshouldfinishhiswritingandturnround。Hislongpigtail，whichseemedridiculouslydisproportionatetohissize，——
　　thepigtailwhichherememberedhadstreamedintotheairinhisflight，——hadpartlyescapedfromthediscoveredhatunderwhichithadbeencoiled。Butwhatwassingular，itwasnotthewiryblackpigtailofhisMongolianfellows，butsoftandsilky，andasthefirelightplayeduponit，itseemedofashiningchestnutbrown！
　　Itwaslike——like——hestopped——washedreamingagain？Alongsighescapedhim。
　　Thefigureinstantlyturned。Hestarted。ItwasCissyTrixit！
　　Therewasnomistakingthatcharming，sensitiveface，glowingwithhealthandexcitement，albeitshowinghereandtherethemarkofthepigmentwithwhichithadbeenstained，nowhurriedlywashedoff。Alittleofithadrunintothecornersofhereyelids，andenhancedthebrilliancyofhereyes。
　　Hefoundhistonguewithaneffort。"Whatareyoudoinghere？"heaskedwithafaintvoice，andafainterattempttosmile。
　　"That’swhatImightaskaboutyou，"shesaidpertly，butwithaslighttouchofscorn；"butIguessIknowaswellasIdoabouttheothers。Icameheretoseemyfather，"sheaddeddefiantly。
　　"Andyouarethe——the——one——Ichased？"
　　"Yes；andI’dhaveoutrunyoueasily，evenwithyourhorsetohelpyou，"shesaidproudly，"onlyIturnedbackwhenyouwentdownintothatprospector’sholewithyourhorseandhisbrokenneckatopofyou。"
　　Hegroanedslightly，butmorefromshamethanpain。Theyounggirltookupaglassofwhiskeyreadyonthetableandbroughtittohim。"Takethat；itwillfetchyouallrightinamoment。Poppersaysnobonesarebroken。"
　　Mastertonwaivedtheprofferedglass。"Yourfather——ishehere？"
　　heaskedhurriedly，recallinghismission。
　　"Notnow；he’sgonetothestation——to——fetch——myclothes，"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。
　　"Tothestation？"repeatedMasterton，bewildered。
　　"Yes，"shereplied，"tothestation。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowthenews，"sheadded，withanairofgirlishimportance。"They’vestoppedallproceedingsagainsthim，andhe’sasfreeasyouare。"
　　Mastertontriedtorise，butanothergroanescapedhim。Hewasreallyinpain。Cissy’sbrighteyessoftened。Shekneltbesidehim，hersoftbreathfanninghishair，andliftedhimgentlytoasittingposition。
　　"Oh，I’vedoneitbefore，"shelaughed，asshereadhiswonder，withhisgratitude，inhiseyes。"Thehorsewasalreadystiff，andyouwerenearlyso，bythetimeIcameuptoyouandgot"——shelaughedagain——"theOTHERChinamantohelpmepullyououtofthathole。"
　　"IknowIoweyoumylife，"hesaid，hisfaceflushing。
　　"ItwasluckyIwasthere，"shereturnednaively；"perhapsluckyyouwerechasingme。"
　　"I’mafraidthatofthemanywhowouldrunafteryouIshouldbetheleastlucky，"hesaid，withanattempttolaughthatdidnot，however，concealhismortification；"butIassureyouthatIonlywishedtohaveaninterviewwithyourfather，——aBUSINESS
　　interview，perhapsasmuchinhisinterestasmyown。"
　　Theoldlookofaudacitycamebacktoherface。"Iguessthat’swhattheyallcameherefor，exceptone，butitdidn’tkeepthemfrombelievingandsayinghewasathiefbehindhisback。Yettheyallwantedhis——confidence，"sheaddedbitterly。
　　Mastertonfeltthathisburningcheekswereconfessingthetruthofthis。"Youexceptedone，"hesaidhesitatingly。
　　"Yes——thedeputysheriff。HecametohelpME。"
　　"You！"
　　"Yes，ME！"Acoquettishlittletossofherheadaddedtohisconfusion。"Hethrewuphisjobjusttofollowme，withoutmyknowingit，toseethatIdidn’tcometoanyharm。Hesawmeonlyonce，too，atthehousewhenhecametotakepossession。HesaidhethoughtIwas’cleargrit’toriskeverythingtofindfather，andhesaidhesawitinmewhenhewasthere；that’showheguessedwhereIwasgonewhenIranaway，andfollowedme。"
　　"Hewasasrightashewaslucky，"saidMastertongravely。"Buthowdidyougethere？"
　　Sheslippeddownonthefloorbesidehimwithanunconsciousmovementthathermasculinegarmentsonlymadethemorequaintlygirlish，and，claspingherkneewithbothhands，lookedatthefireassherockedherselfslightlybackwardandforwardasshespoke。
　　"Itwillshockapropermanlikeyou，Iknow，"shebegandemurely，"butIcameALONE，withonlyaChinamantoguideme。Igottheseclothesfromourlaundryman，sothatIshouldn’tattractattention。
　　IwouldhavegotaChineselady’sdress，butIcouldn’twalkinTHEIRshoes，"——shelookeddownatherlittlefeetencasedinwoodensandals，——"andIhadalongwaytowalk。ButevenifIdidn’tlookquiterighttoChinamen，nowhitemanwasabletodetectthedifference。Youpassedmetwiceinthestage，andyoudidn’tknowme。Itravelednightandday，mostofthetimewalking，andbeingpassedalongfromoneChinamantoanother，or，whenwewerealone，beingslungonapolebetweentwocoolieslikeabaleofgoods。I
　　atewhattheycouldgiveme，forIdarednotgointoashoporarestaurant；Icouldn’tshutmyeyesintheirdens，soIstayedawakeallnight。YetIgotaheadofyouandthesheriff，——thoughI
　　didn’tknowatthetimewhatYOUwereafter，"sheaddedpresently。
　　Hewasovercomewithwonderingadmirationofhercourage，andofself-reproachathisownshort-sightedness。Thiswasthegirlhehadlookeduponasaspoiledvillagebeauty，satisfiedwithhersmalltriumphsandprovincialelevation，andvacantofallotherpurpose。Herewasshe——theall-unconsciousheroine——andhehercritichelplessatherfeet！Itwasnotacheerfulreflection，andyethetookacertaindelightinhisexpiation。Perhapshehadhalfbelievedinherwithoutknowingit。Whatcouldhedoorsay？
　　Iregrettosayhedodgedthequestionmeanly。
　　"Andyouthinkyourdisguiseescapeddetection？"hesaid，lookingmarkedlyatherescapedbraidofhair。
　　Shefollowedhiseyesratherthanhiswords，halfpettishlycaughtuptheloosenedbraid，swiftlycoileditaroundthetopofherhead，and，clappingtheweather-beatenandbatteredconicalhatbackagainuponit，defiantlysaid："Yes！Everybodyisn’tascriticalasyouare，andevenyouwouldn’tbe——ofaChinaman！"
　　Hehadneverseenherexceptwhenshewasarrayedwiththefullintentiontoaffectthebeholdersandperfectlyconsciousofherattractions；hewasutterlyunpreparedforthiscompleteignoringofadornmentnow，albeithewasforthefirsttimeawarehowherrealprettinessmadeitunnecessary。Shelookedfullyascharminginthisgrotesquehead-coveringasshehadinthatparagonoffashion，thenewhat，whichhadexcitedhistolerantamusement。
　　"I’mafraidI’maverypoorcritic，"hesaidbluntly。"Ineverconceivedthatthissortofthingwasatalltoyourtaste。"
　　"IcametoseemyfatherbecauseIwantedto，"shesaid，withequalbluntness。
　　"AndIcametoseehimthoughIDIDN’Twantto，"hesaid，withacynicallaugh。
　　Sheturned，andfixedherbrowneyesinquiringlyuponhim。
　　"Whydidyoucome，then？"
　　"Iwasorderedbymydirectors。"
　　"Thenyoudidnotbelievehewasathief？"sheasked，hereyessoftening。
　　"Itwouldillbecomemetoaccuseyourfatherormydirectors，"heanswereddiplomatically。
　　Shewasquickenoughtodetectthesuggestionofmoralsuperiorityinhistone，butwomanenoughtoforgiveit。"You’renofriendofWindibrook，"shesaid，"Iknow。"
　　"Iamnot，"herepliedfrankly。
　　"Ifyouwouldliketoseemypopper，Icanmanageit，"shesaidhesitatingly。"He’lldoanythingforme，"sheadded，withatouchofheroldpride。
　　"Whocouldblamehim？"returnedMastertongravely。"Butifheisafreemannow，andabletogowherehelikes，andtoseewhomhelikes，hemaynotcaretogiveanaudiencetoameremessenger。"
　　"Youwaitandletmeseehimfirst，"saidthegirlquickly。Then，asthesoundofsleigh-bellscamefromtheroadoutside，sheadded，"Hereheis。I’llgetyourclothes；theyareoutheredryingbythefireintheshed。"Shedisappearedthroughabackdoor，andreturnedpresentlybearinghisdriedgarments。"DressyourselfwhileItakepopperintotheshed，"shesaidquickly，andranoutintotheroad。
　　Mastertondressedhimselfwithdifficulty。Althoughcirculationwasnowrestored，andhefeltaglowthroughhiswarmedclothes，hehadbeensorelybruisedandshakenbyhisfall。HehadscarcelyfinisheddressingwhenMontaguTrixitenteredfromtheshed。
　　Mastertonlookedathimwithanewinterestandarespecthehadneverfeltbefore。Therecertainlywaslittleofthedaughterinthiskeen-faced，resolute-lippedman，thoughhisbrowneyes，likehers，hadthesamefrank，steadfastaudacity。Withabusinessbrevitythatwashurriedbutnotunkindly，hehopedMastertonhadfullyrecovered。
　　"Thankstoyourdaughter，I’mallrightnow，"saidMasterton。"I
　　neednottellyouthatIbelieveIowemylifetoherenergyandcourage，forIthinkyouhaveexperiencedwhatshecandointhatway。ButYOUhavehadtheadvantageofthosewhohaveonlyenjoyedhersocialacquaintanceinknowingallthetimewhatshewascapableof，"headdedsignificantly。
　　"Sheisagoodgirl，"saidTrixitbriefly，yetwithaslightriseincoloronhisdark，sallowcheek，andasuddenwaveringofhissteadfasteyes。"Shetellsmeyouhaveamessagefromyourdirectors。IthinkIknowwhatitis，butwewon’tdiscussitnow。
　　AsIamgoingdirectlytoSacramento，Ishallnotseethem，butI
　　willgiveyouananswertotaketothemwhenwereachthestation。
　　Iamgoingtogiveyoualifttherewhenmydaughterisready。Andheresheis。"
　　ItwastheoldCissythatsteppedintotheroom，dressedasshewaswhensheleftherfather’shousetwodaysbefore。Oddlyenough，hefanciedthatsomethingofheroldconsciousmannerhadreturnedwithherclothes，andashesteppedwithherintothebackseatofthecoveredsleighinwaiting，hecouldnothelpsaying，"IreallythinkIunderstandyoubetterinyourotherclothes。"
　　AslightblushmountedtoCissy’scheek，buthereyeswerestillaudacious。"Allthesame，Idon’tthinkyou’dliketowalkdownMainStreetwithmeinthatrig，althoughyouoncethoughtnothingoftakingmeoveryouroldmillinyourblueblouseandoveralls。"
　　Andhavingapparentlygreatlyrelievedherproudlittleheartbythisenigmaticstatement，shegrewsochattyandconfidentialthattheyoungmanwassatisfiedthathehadbeeninlovewithherfromthefirst！
　　Whentheyreachedthestation，Trixitdrewhimaside。Takinganenvelopemarked"PrivateContracts"fromhispocket，heopeneditanddisplayedsomepapers。"Thesearethesecurities。Tellyourdirectorsthatyouhaveseenthemsafeinmyhands，andthatnooneelsehasseenthem。Tellthemthatiftheywillsendmetheirrenewednotes，datedfromto-day，toSacramentowithinthenextthreedays，Iwillreturnthesecurities。Thatismymessage。"
　　Theyoungmanbowed。ButbeforethecoachstartedhemanagedtodrawneartoCissy。"YouarenotreturningtoCanadaCity，"hesaid。
　　Theyounggirlmadeagestureofindignation。"No！Iamnevergoingthereagain。IgowithmypoppertoSacramento。"
　　"ThenIsupposeImustsay’good-by。’"
　　Thegirllookedathiminsurprise。"PoppersaysyouarecomingtoSacramentointhreedays！"
　　"AmI？"
　　Helookedatherfixedly。Shereturnedhisglanceaudaciously，steadfastly。
　　"Youare，"shesaid，inherlowbutdistinctvoice。
　　"Iwill。"
　　Andhedid。
　　WHATHAPPENEDATTHEFONDA
　　PARTI
　　"Well！"saidtheeditorofthe"MountainClarion，"lookingupimpatientlyfromhiscopy。"What’sthematternow？"
　　Theintruderinhissanctumwashisforeman。Hewasalsoactingaspressman，asmightbeseenfromhisshirt-sleevesspatteredwithink，rolledupoverthearmthathadjustbeenworking"theArchimedianleverthatmovestheworld，"whichwastheeditor’sfavoriteallusiontothehand-pressthatstricteconomyobligedthe"Clarion"touse。Hisbraces，slippedfromhisshouldersduringhiswork，wereloopednegligentlyoneitherside，theirfunctionsbeingreplacedbyonehand，whichoccasionallyhitcheduphistrouserstoasecurerposition。Apairofdown-at-heelslippers——
　　deartothecountryprinter——completedhisnegligee。
　　Buttheeditorknewthattheink-spatteredarmwassinewyandready，thatastoutandloyalheartbeatunderthesoiledshirt，andthattheslipshodslippersdidnotpreventitsowner’sfootfrombeing"putdown"veryfirmlyonoccasion。Heaccordinglymettheshrewd，good-humoredblueeyesofhisfaithfulhenchmanwithaninterrogatingsmile。
　　"Iwon’tkeepyoulong，"saidtheforeman，glancingattheeditor’scopywithhishabitualhalfhumoroustolerationofthatwork，itbeinghisgeneralconvictionthatnewsandadvertisementsweretheonlyvaluablefeaturesofanewspaper；"Ionlywantedtotalktoyouaminuteaboutmakin’suthinmoreo’thisyeraccidenttoColonelStarbottle。"
　　"Well，we’veafullreportofitin，haven’twe？"saidtheeditorwonderingly。"Ihaveevenmadeaneditorialpara。aboutthefrequencyoftheseaccidents，andcalledattentiontothedangerofridingthosehalfbrokenSpanishmustangs。"
　　"Yes，yedidthat，"saidtheforemantolerantly；"butyesee，thar’ssomefolksaroundherethatallowitwarn’tnoaccident。
　　There’saheapofthembelievethatnorunawayhossevermauledthecolonelezHEgotmauled。"
　　"ButIhearditfromthecolonel’sownlips，"saidtheeditor，"andHEsurelyoughttoknow。"
　　"Hemoutknowandhemoutn’t，andifheDIDknow，hewouldn’ttell，"saidtheforemanmusingly，rubbinghischinwiththecleanersideofhisarm。"Yedidn’tseehimwhenhewaspickedup，didye？"
　　"No，"saidtheeditor。"Onlyafterthedoctorhadattendedhim。
　　Why？"
　　"JakeParmlee，ezpickedhimupoutertheditch，saysthathewashalfchoked，andhisblacksilkneck-handkercherwaspulledtightaroundhisthroat。Therewasamarkonhisnoseezefsomeonehadtriedtogougeouthiseye，andhisleftearwaschawedezefhe’dbindowninareg’larrough-and-tumbleclinch。"
　　"Hetoldmehishorsebolted，buck-jumped，threwhim，andhelostconsciousness，"saidtheeditorpositively。"Hehadnoreasonforlying，andamanlikeStarbottle，whocarriesaDerringerandisadeadshot，wouldhavelefthismarkonsomebodyifhe’dbeenattacked。"
　　"That’swhattheboyssayisjustthereasonwhyhelied。HewasTOOKSUDDENT，don’tyesee，——he’dnoshow——anddon’tliketoconfessit。See？AmanlikeHIMain’tgoin’toadvertisethathekinbetackledandleftsenselessandnooneelsegothurtbyit！
　　Hispoliticalinfluencewouldberuinedhere！"
　　Theeditorwasmomentarilystaggeredatthislargetruth。
　　"Nonsense！"hesaid，withalaugh。"WhowouldattackColonelStarbottleinthatfashion？Hemighthavebeenshotonsightbysomepoliticalenemywithwhomhehadquarreled——butnotBEATEN。"
　　"S’poseitwarn’tnopoliticalenemy？"saidtheforemandoggedly。
　　"Thenwhoelsecoulditbe？"demandedtheeditorimpatiently。
　　"That’sjestforthepresstofindoutandexpose，"returnedtheforeman，withasignificantglanceattheeditor’sdesk。"Ireckonthat’swharthe’Clarion’oughttocomein。"
　　"Inamatterofthiskind，"saidtheeditorpromptly，"thepaperhasnobusinesstointerferewithaman’sstatement。Thecolonelhasaperfectrighttohisownsecret——ifthereisone，whichI
　　verymuchdoubt。But，"headded，inlaughingrecognitionofthehalfreproachful，halfhumorousdiscontentontheforeman’sface，"whatdreadfultheoryhaveYOUandtheboysgotaboutit——andwhatdoYOUexpecttoexpose？"
　　"Well，"saidtheforemanveryseriously，"it’sjestthis：Yousee，thecolonelismightysweetonthatSpanishwomanRamierezuponthehillyonder。Itwashermustanghewasridin’whentherowhappenednearherhouse。"
　　"Well？"saidtheeditor，withdisconcertingplacidity。
　　"Well，"——hesitatedtheforeman，"yousee，they’reabadlot，thoseGreasers，especiallytheRamierez，herhusband。"
　　Theeditorknewthattheforemanwasonlyechoingtheprovincialprejudiceagainstthisrace，whichhehimselfhadalwayscombated。
　　Ramierezkeptafondaorhostelryonasmallestate，——thelastofmanyleaguesformerlyownedbytheSpanishgrantee，hislandlord，——
　　andhadawifeofsomesmallcoquetriesandredundantcharms。
　　Gamblingtookplaceatthefonda，anditwassaidthecommonprejudiceagainsttheMexicandidnot，however，preventtheAmericanfromtryingtowinhismoney。
　　"ThenyouthinkRamierezwasjealousofthecolonel？Butinthatcasehewouldhaveknifedhim，——Spanishfashion，——andnotwithoutastruggle。"
　　"There’smorewaystheyhaveo’killin’amanthanthat；hemighthevbeendraggedoffhishorsebyalassoandchoked，"saidtheforemandarkly。
　　Theeditorhadheardofthisvaqueromethodofputtinganenemyhorsdecombat；butitwasaclumsyperformanceforthepublicroad，andthebrutalityofitsmannerwouldhavejustifiedthecolonelinexposingit。
　　Theforemansawtheincredulityexpressedinhisface，andsaidsomewhataggressively，"OfcourseIknowyedon’ttakenostockinwhat’ssaidagintheGreasers，andthat’swhattheboysknow，andwhattheysaid，andthat’sthereasonwhyIthoughtIoughtertellye，sothatyemightn’tseemtobealwaysfavorin’’em。"
　　Theeditor’sfacedarkenedslightly，buthekepthistemperandhisgoodhumor。"Sothattoprovethatthe’Clarion’isunbiasedwheretheMexicansareconcerned，Ioughttomakeittheironlyaccuser，andcastadoubtontheAmerican’sveracity？"hesaid，withasmile。
　　"Idon’tmeanthat，"saidtheforeman，reddening。"OnlyIthoughtyemight——asyeunderstandthesefolks’ways——yemightbeabletogetatthemeasy，andmebbemakesomecopyoutertheblamedthing。
　　Itwouldjustmakeastirhere，andbeabigboomforthe’Clarion。’"
　　"I’venodoubtitwould，"saidtheeditordryly。"However，I’llmakesomeinquiries；butyoumightaswelllet’theboys’knowthatthe’Clarion’willnotpublishthecolonel’ssecretwithouthispermission。Meanwhile，"hecontinued，smiling，"ifyouareveryanxioustoaddthefunctionsofareportertoyourotherdutiesandbringmeanydiscoveriesyoumaymake，I’ll——lookoveryourcopy。"
　　Hegoodhumoredlynodded，andtookuphispenagain，——ahintatwhichtheembarrassedforeman，undercoverofhitchinguphistrousers，awkwardlyandreluctantlywithdrew。
　　Itwaswithsomenaturalyouthfulcuriosity，butnolackofloyaltytoColonelStarbottle，thattheeditorthateveningsoughtthis"war-horseoftheDemocracy，"ashewasfamiliarlyknown，inhisinvalidchamberatthePalmettoHotel。Hefoundtheherowithabandagedearand——perhapsitwasfancysuggestedbythestoryofthechoking——cheeksmorethanusuallysuffusedandapoplectic。
　　Nevertheless，hewasseatedbythetablewithamintjulepbeforehim，andwelcomedtheeditorbyinstantlyorderinganother。
　　Theeditorwasgladtofindhimsomuchbetter。
　　"Gad，sir，nobonesbroken，butagooddealof’possumscratchingabouttheheadforsuchalittlethrowlikethat。ImusthaveslidayardortwoonmyleftearbeforeIbroughtup。"
　　"Youwereunconsciousfromthefall，Ibelieve。"
　　"Onlyforaninstant，sir——asingleinstant！IrecoveredmyselfwiththeassistanceofaNo’the’ngentleman——aMr。Parmlee——whowaspassing。"
　　"Thenyouthinkyourinjurieswereentirelyduetoyourfall？"
　　Thecolonelpausedwiththemintjulephalfwaytohislips，andsetitdown。"Sir！"heejaculated，withastoundedindignation。
　　"Yousayyouwereunconscious，"returnedtheeditorlightly，"andsomeofyourfriendsthinktheinjuriesinconsistentwithwhatyoubelievetobethecause。Theyareconcernedlestyouwereunknowinglythevictimofsomefoulplay。"
　　"Unknowingly！Sir！Doyoutakemeforachuckle-headedniggah，thatIdon’tknowwhenI’mthrownfromabuck-jumpingmustang？ordotheythinkI’maChinamantobehustledandbeatenbyagangofbullies？Dotheyknow，sir，thattheaccountIhavegivenIamresponsiblefor，sir？——personallyresponsible？"
　　Therewasnodoubttotheeditorthatthecolonelwasperfectlyserious，andthattheindignationarosefromnoguiltyconsciousnessofasecret。Amanaspepperyasthecolonelwouldhavebeenequallyalertindefense。
　　"Theyfearedthatyoumighthavebeenillusedbysomeevillydisposedpersonduringyourunconsciousness，"explainedtheeditordiplomatically；"butasyousayTHATwasonlyforamoment，andthatyouwereawareofeverythingthathappened"——Hepaused。
　　"Perfectly，sir！Perfectly！AsplainasIseethisjulepbeforeme。IhadjustlefttheRamierezrancho。Thesenora，——adevilishprettywoman，sir，——afteralittleplayfulbadinage，hadofferedtolendmeherdaughter’smustangifIcouldrideithome。Youknowwhatitis，Mr。Grey，"hesaidgallantly。"I’manoldermanthanyou，sir，butachallengefromad————dfascinatingcreature，I
　　trust，sir，Iamnotyetoldenoughtodecline。Gad，sir，I
　　mountedthebrute。I’veriddenMorganstockandBlueGrassthoroughbredsbareback，sir，butI’veneverthrownmylegoversuchablankedChinesecrackerbefore。AfterheboltedIheldmyownfairly，buthebuck-jumpedbeforeIcouldlockmyspursunderhim，andthesecondjumplandedme！"
　　"HowfarfromtheRamierezfondawereyouwhenyouwerethrown？"
　　"Amatteroffourorfivehundredyards，sir。"
　　"Thenyouraccidentmighthavebeenseenfromthefonda？"
　　"Scarcely，sir。Forinthatcase，Imaysay，withoutvanity，that——
　　er——the——ersenorawouldhavecometomyassistance。"
　　"Butnotherhusband？"
　　Theold-fashionedshirt-frillwhichthecolonelhabituallyworegrewerectilewithaswellingindignation，possiblyhalfassumedtoconcealacertainconscioussatisfactionbeneath。"Mr。Grey，"hesaid，withpainedseverity，"asapersonalfriendofmine，andarepresentativeofthepress，——apowerwhichIrespect，——Ioverlookadisparagingreflectionuponalady，whichIcanonlyattributetothelevityofyouthandthoughtlessness。Atthesametime，sir，"
　　headded，withillogicalsequence，"ifRamierezfeltaggrievedatmyattentions，heknewwhereIcouldbefound，sir，andthatitwasnotmyhabittodeclinegivinggentlemen——ofanynationality——
　　satisfaction——sir！——personalsatisfaction。"
　　Hepaused，andthenadded，withasingularblendingofanxietyandacertainnaturaldignity，"Itrust，sir，thatnothingofthis——er——
　　kindwillappearinyourpaper。"
　　"Itwastokeepitoutbylearningthetruthfromyou，mydearcolonel，"saidtheeditorlightly，"thatIcalledto-day。Why，itwasevensuggested，"headded，withalaugh，"thatyouwerehalfstrangledbyalasso。"
　　Tohissurprisethecoloneldidnotjoininthelaugh，butbroughthishandtohisloosecravatwithanuneasygestureandasomewhatdisturbedface。
　　"Iadmit，sir，"hesaid，withaforcedsmile，"thatIexperiencedacertainsensationofchoking，andImayhavementionedittoMr。
　　Parmlee；butitwasdue，Ibelieve，sir，tomycravat，whichI
　　alwayswearloosely，asyouperceive，becomingtwistedinmyfall，andinrollingover。"
　　Heextendedhisfatwhitehandtotheeditor，whoshookitcordially，andthenwithdrew。Nevertheless，althoughperfectlysatisfiedwithhismission，andfirmlyresolvedtopreventanyfurtherdiscussiononthesubject，Mr。Grey’scuriositywasnotwhollyappeased。WhatweretherelationsofthecolonelwiththeRamierezfamily？Fromwhathehimselfhadsaid，thetheoryoftheforemanastothemotivesoftheattackmighthavebeenpossible，andtheassaultitselfcommittedwhilethecolonelwasunconscious。
　　Mr。Grey，however，keptthistohimself，brieflytoldhisforemanthathefoundnoreasontoaddtotheaccountalreadyintype，anddismissedthesubjectfromhismind。Thecolonelleftthetownthenextday。