THEMANANDTHEMOUNTAIN
Hewassuchalarge，strongmanthat，whenhefirstsetfootinthelittleparallelogramIcalledmygarden，itseemedtoshrinktohalfitssizeandbecomepreposterous。ButInoticedatthesametimethathewasholdingintheopenpalmofhishugehandtherootsofaviolet，withsuchinfinitetendernessanddelicacythatIwouldhaveengagedhimasmygardeneronthespot。Butthiscouldnotbe，ashewasalreadytheproudproprietorofamarket-
gardenandnurseryontheoutskirtsofthesuburbanCaliforniantownwhereIlived。Hewould，however，comefortwodaysintheweek，stockandlookaftermygarden，andimparttomyurbanintellectsuchhorticulturalhintsaswerenecessary。Hisnamewas"Rutli，"whichIpresumedtobeGerman，butwhichmyneighborsrenderedas"Rootleigh，"possiblyfromsomevagueconnectionwithhisoccupation。HisownknowledgeofEnglishwasoralandphonetic。IhaveadelightfulrecollectionofabillofhisinwhichIwaschargedfor"fioletz，"withthevagueadditionof"mainecains。"Subsequentexplanationprovedittobe"manykinds。"
Nevertheless，mylittlegardenbourgeonedandblossomedunderhislarge，protectinghand。Ibecameaccustomedtowalkaroundhisfeetrespectfullywhentheyblockedthetinypaths，andtoexpectthetotaleclipseofthatgarden-bedonwhichheworked，byhishugebulk。Forthetiniestandmostreluctantrootletseemedtorespondtohiscaressingpaternaltouch；itwasaprettysighttoseehishugefingerstyingupsomeslenderstalktoitsstickwiththesmallestthread，andhehadareverentwayoflayingabulborseedintheground，andthengentlyshapingandsmoothingasmallmoundoverit，whichmadethelittleinscriptiononthestickabovemorelikeanaffectingepitaphthanever。Muchofthisgentlenessmayhavebeenthatapologyforhisgreatstrength，commonwithlargemen；buthisfacewasdistinctlyamiable，andhisverylightblueeyeswereattimeswistfulanddoglikeintheirkindliness。I
wassoontolearn，however，thatplacabilitywasnotentirelyhisnature。
Thegardenwaspartofafiftyvaralotofland，onwhichIwassimultaneouslyerectingahouse。Butthegardenwasfinishedbeforethehousewas，throughcertaincircumstancesverycharacteristicofthatepochandcivilization。IhadpurchasedtheSpanishtitle，theonlyLEGALone，totheland，which，however，hadbeeninPOSSESSIONofa"squatter。"Buthehadbeenunabletoholdthatpossessionagainsta"jumper，"——anotherkindofsquatterwhohadentereduponitcovertly，fenceditin，andmarkeditoutinbuildingsites。Neitherhavinglegalrights，theycouldnotinvokethelaw；thelastmanheldpossession。Therewasnodoubtthatinduecourseoflitigationandtimeboththeseingenuousgentlemenwouldhavebeendispossessedinfavoroftherealowner，——myself，——
butthatcoursewouldbeaprotractedone。Followingtheusualcustomofthelocality，IpaidacertainsumtothejumpertoyielduppeaceablyHISpossessionoftheland，andbegantobuilduponit。Itmightbereasonablysupposedthatthequestionwassettled。
Butitwasnot。Thehousewasnearlyfinishedwhen，onemorning，I
wascalledoutofmyeditorialsanctumbyapallidpainter，lookingevenmorewhite-leadedthanusual，whoinformedmethatmyhousewasinthepossessionoffivearmedmen！Theentryhadbeenmadepeaceablyduringthepainters’absencetodinnerunderawaysidetree。Whentheyreturned，theyhadfoundtheirpotsandbrushesintheroad，andanintimationfromthewindowsthattheirreentrancewouldbeforciblyresistedasatrespass。
IhonestlybelievethatRutliwasmoreconcernedthanmyselfoverthisdispossession。WhileheloyallybelievedthatIwouldgetbackmyproperty，hewasdreadfullygrievedovertheinevitabledamagethatwouldbedonetothegardenduringthisintervalofneglectandcarelessness。Ieventhinkhewouldhavemadeatrucewithmyenemies，iftheywouldonlyhavelethimlookafterhisbelovedplants。Asitwas，hekeptapassingbutmelancholysurveillanceofthem，andwasindeedabetterspyoftheactionsoftheintrudersthananyIcouldhaveemployed。Oneday，tomyastonishment，hebroughtmeamoss-rosebudfromabushwhichhadbeentrainedagainstacolumnoftheveranda。Itappearedthathehadcalled，fromoverthefence，theattentionofoneofthementotheneglectedconditionoftheplant，andhadobtainedpermissionto"comeinandtieitup。"Themen，beingmerelyhirelingsofthechiefsquatter，hadnopersonalfeeling，andIwasnotthereforesurprisedtohearthattheypresentlyallowedRutlitocomeinoccasionallyandlookafterhisprecious"slips。"Iftheyhadanysuspicionsofhisgreatstrength，itwasprobablyoffsetbyhispeacefulavocationandhisbland，childlikeface。Meantime，Ihadbeguntheusualuselesslegalproceeding，buthadalsoengagedafewrascalsofmyowntobereadytotakeadvantageofanywantofvigilanceonthepartofmyadversaries。IneverthoughtofRutliinthatconnectionanymorethantheyhad。
AfewSundayslaterIwassittinginthelittletea-arborofRutli’snursery，peacefullysmokingwithhim。Presentlyhetookhislongchina-bowledpipefromhismouth，and，lookingatmeblandlyoverhisyellowmustache，said：——
"Youvontssometimestogoindothouse，eh？"
Isaid，"Decidedly。"
"Mitarevolver，andkeepdothousedosemenout？"
"Yes！"
"Vell！Iputyouindothouse——today！"
"Sunday？"
"Shoostso！Itisagootday！OnderSuntayDREEmenvilloutgotovalkmitdemselluffs，andviskytrinken。TWO，"holdinguptwogiganticfingers，apparentlyonlyashadeortwosmallerthanhisdestinedvictims，"staydere。DoseIliftdefenceover。"
IhastenedtoinformhimthatanyviolenceattemptedagainstthepartiesWHILEINPOSSESSION，althoughthatpossessionwasillegal，would，byafatuityofthelaw，landhiminthecountyjail。I
saidIwouldnothearofit。
"Butsupposederevosnofiolence？Supposedosemenvosvillin’，eh？Howvosdotforhigh？"
"Idon’tunderstand。"
"So！YoushallNOTunderstand！Dotisbetter。Goawaynowanddellyourmentocoomdothousearountathalluffpastdree。ButYOUcoom，mityourselluffalone，shoostasifyouvosspazierengehen，foravalk，bydatfenceatdree！Venyoushalldotfrontdoorvideopensee，goin，anddereyouvos！Youvillderrestleeftome！"
ItwasinvainthatIbeggedRutlitodivulgehisplan，andpointedoutagainthedangerofhistechnicallybreakingthelaw。Buthewasfirm，assuringmethatImyselfwouldbeawitnessthatnoassaultwouldbemade。Ilookedintohisclear，good-humoredeyes，andassented。Ihadaburningdesiretorightmywrongs，butI
thinkIalsohadconsiderablecuriosity。
IpassedamiserablequarterofanhourafterIhadwarnedmypartisans，andthenwalkedaloneslowlydownthebroadleafystreettowardsthesceneofcontest。Ihaveaveryvividrecollectionofmyconflictingemotions。IdidnotbelievethatIwouldbekilled；
Ihadnodistinctintentionofkillinganyofmyadversaries；butI
hadsomeconsiderableconcernformyloyalfriendRutli，whomI
foresawmightbeinsomeperilfromtherevolverinmyunpracticedhand。IfIcouldonlyavoidshootingHIM，Iwouldbesatisfied。I
rememberthatthebellswereringingforchurch，——achurchofwhichmyenemy，thechiefsquatter，wasadeaconingoodstanding，——andI
feltguiltilyconsciousofmyrevolverinmyhip-pocket，astwoorthreechurch-goerspassedmewiththeirhymn-booksintheirhands。
Iwalkedleisurely，soasnottoattractattention，andtoappearattheexacttime，anotveryeasytaskinmyyouthfulexcitement。
AtlastIreachedthefrontgatewithabeatingheart。Therewasnooneonthehighveranda，whichoccupiedthreesidesofthelowone-storiedhouse，norinthegardenbeforeit。Butthefrontdoorwasopen；Isoftlypassedthroughthegate，darteduptheverandaandintothehouse。Asingleglancearoundthehallandbare，desertedrooms，stillsmellingofpaint，showedmeitwasempty，andwithmypistolinonehandandtheotheronthelockofthedoor，Istoodinside，readytoboltitagainstanyonebutRutli。
ButwherewasHE？
Thesoundoflaughterandanoiselikeskylarkingcamefromtherearofthehouseandthebackyard。ThenIsuddenlyheardRutli’sheavytreadontheveranda，butitwasslow，deliberate，andsoexaggeratedinitsweightthatthewholehouseseemedtoshakewithit。ThenfromthewindowIbeheldanextraordinarysight！ItwasRutli，swayingfromsidetoside，butsteadilycarryingwithoutstretchedarmstwoofthesquatterparty，hishandstightlygraspingtheircollars。YetIbelievehistouchwasasgentleaswiththeviolets。Hisfacewaspreternaturallygrave；theirs，tomyintenseastonishment，whiletheyhungpassivefromhisarms，worethatfatuous，imbecilesmileseenonthefacesofthosewholendthemselvestotricksofacrobatsandstrongmeninthearena。
Heslowlytraversedthewholelengthofonesideofthehouse，walkeddownthestepstothegate，andthengravelydepositedthemOUTSIDE。Iheardhimsay，"Dotvinsderpet，ain’tit？"andimmediatelyafterthesharpclickofthegate-latch。
Withoutunderstandingathingthathadhappened，Irightlyconceivedthiswasthecueformyappearancewithmyrevolveratthefrontdoor。AsIopeneditIstillheardthesoundoflaughter，which，however，instantlystoppedatasentencefromRutli，whichIcouldnothear。Therewasanoath，themomentaryapparitionoftwofuriousandindignantfacesoverthefence；butthese，however，seemedtobeinstantlyextinguishedandputdownbytheenormouspalmsofRutliclappedupontheirheads。Therewasapause，andthenRutliturnedaroundandquietlyjoinedmeinthedoorway。Butthegatewasnotagainopeneduntilthearrivalofmypartisans，whenthehousewasclearlyinmypossession。
Safeinsidewiththedoorbolted，IturnedeagerlytoRutliforanexplanation。Itthenappearedthatduringhisoccasionalvisitstothegardenhehadoftenbeenanobjectofamusementandcriticismtothemenonaccountofhissize，whichseemedtothemridiculouslyinconsistentwithhisgreatgoodhumor，gentleness，anddelicacyoftouch。Theyhaddoubtedhisstrengthandchallengedhispowers。Hehadrespondedonceortwicebefore，liftingweightsorevencarryingoneofhiscriticsatarm’slengthforafewsteps。Buthehadreservedhisfinalfeatforthisdayandthispurpose。Itwasforabet，whichtheyhadeagerlyaccepted，secureintheirbeliefinhissimplicity，thesincerityofhismotivesincomingthere，andgladoftheopportunityofalittleSundaydiversion。Intheirsecuritytheyhadnotlockedthedoorwhentheycameout，andhadnotnoticedthatHEhadopenedit。Thiswashissimplestory。Hisonlycomment，"Ihafvonderpet，butIdinksIshallnodgollectdermoney。"Thetwomendidnotreturnthatafternoon，nordidtheircomrades。
Whethertheywiselyconceivedthatamanwhowassopowerfulinplaymightbeterribleinearnest；whethertheyknewthathisact，inwhichtheyhadbeenwillingperformers，hadbeenwitnessedbypassingcitizens，whosupposeditwasskylarking；orwhethertheiremployergottiredofhisexpensiveoccupation，Ineverknew。Thepublicbelievedthelatter；Rutli，myself，andthetwomenhehadevictedalonekeptoursecret。
FromthattimeRutliandIbecamefirmfriends，and，longafterI
hadnofurtherneedofhisservicesintherecapturedhouse，Ioftenfoundmyselfinthelittletea-arborofhisprosperousnursery。Hewasfrugal，sober，andindustrious；smallwonderthatinthatgrowingtownhewaxedrich，andpresentlyopenedarestaurantinthemainstreet，connectedwithhismarket-garden，whichbecamefamous。
Hisrelationstomeneverchangedwithhischangedfortunes；hewasalwaysthesimplemarket-gardenerandfloristwhohadaidedmyfirsthousekeeping，andstoodbymeinanhourofneed。Ofallthingsregardinghimselfhewassingularlyreticent；Idonotthinkhehadanyconfidantsorintimates，evenamonghisowncountrymen，whomI
believedtobeGerman。ButonedayhequiteaccidentallyadmittedhewasaSwiss。AsayouthfuladmireroftheraceIwasdelighted，andtoldhimso，withtheenthusiasticadditionthatIcouldnowquiteunderstandhisindependence，withhisdevotedadherencetoanother’scause。Hesmiledsadly，andastonishedmebysayingthathehadnotheardfromSwitzerlandsinceheleftsixyearsago。Hedidnotwanttohearanything；heevenavoidedhiscountrymenlestheshould。Iwasconfounded。
"But，"Isaid，"surelyyouhavealongingtoreturntoyourcountry；allSwisshave！Youwillgobacksomedayjusttobreathetheairofyournativemountains。"
"Ishallgobacksomedays，"saidRutli，"afterIhavemademooch，moochmoney，butnotfordotair。"
"Whatfor，then？"
"Forrevenge——togetefen。"
Surprised，andforamomentdismayedasIwas，Icouldnothelplaughing。"Rutliandrevenge！"Impossible！Andtomakeitthemoreabsurd，hewasstillsmokinggentlyandregardingmewithsoft，complacenteyes。Sounchangedwashisfaceandmannerthathemighthavetoldmehewasgoingbacktobemarried。
"Youdonotoonderstand，"hesaidforgivingly。"SomedaysIshalldelltoyouid。Idisastory。Youshallmakeityoursellufffordosebabersdotyouwrite。Itisnotbretty，berhaps，ain’tit，butitisdroo。Anddeendtisnotyet。"
OnlythatRutlineverjoked，exceptinaponderousfashionwithmanyinvolvedsentences，Ishouldhavethoughthewastakingagood-humoredriseoutofme。Butitwasnotfunny。IamafraidI
dismisseditfrommymindasarevelationofsomethingweakandpuerile，quiteinconsistentwithhispracticalcommonsenseandstrongsimplicity，andwishedhehadnotalludedtoit。Ineveraskedhimtotellmethestory。Itwasayearlater，andonlywhenhehadinvitedmetocometotheopeningofanewhotel，erectedbyhimatamountainspaofgreatresort，thathehimselfalludedtoit。
Thehotelwasawonderfulaffair，evenforthosedays，andRutli’soutlayofcapitalconvincedmethatbythistimehemusthavemadethe"moochmoney"hecoveted。Somethingofthiswasinmymindwhenwesatbythewindowofhishandsomelyfurnishedprivateoffice，overlookingthepinesofaCaliforniancanyon。IaskedhimifthescenerywaslikeSwitzerland。
"Ach！no！"hereplied；"butIvillpuildahotelshoostlikedisdare。"
"Isthatapartofyourrevenge？"Iasked，withalaugh。
"Ah！so！abart。"
Ifeltrelieved；arevengesopracticaldidnotseemverymaliciousoridiotic。Afterapausehepuffedcontemplativelyathispipe，andthensaid，"Idellyousomedingsofdotstorynow。"
Hebegan。IshouldliketotellitinhisownparticularEnglish，mixedwithAmericanslang，butitwouldnotconveythesimplicityofthenarrator。HewasthesonofalargefamilywhohadlivedforcenturiesinoneofthehighestvillagesintheBerneseOberland。Heattainedhissizeandstrengthearly，butwithasingulardistastetousethemintheroughregularworkonthefarm，althoughhewasagreatclimberandmountaineer，and，whatwasatfirstoverlookedasmereboyishfancy，hadaninsatiableloveandcuriousknowledgeofplantsandflowers。HeknewthehauntsofEdelweiss，Alpinerose，andbluegentian，andhadbroughthomerareandunknownblossomsfromundertheicylipsofglaciers。
Butashedidthiswhenhistimewassupposedtobeoccupiedinlookingafterthecowsinthehigherpasturesandmakingcheeses，therewastroubleinthathard-working，practicalfamily。AgiantwiththetastesanddispositionofaschoolgirlwasananomalyinaSwissvillage。Unfortunatelyagain，hewasnotstudious；hisrecordinthevillageschoolhadbeenonaparwithhismanualwork，andthefamilyhadnoteventheconsolationofbelievingthattheywerefosteringagenius。Inacommunitywherepracticalindustrywasthehighestvirtue，itwasnotstrange，perhaps，thathewascalled"lazy"and"shiftless；"nooneknewthelongclimbsandtirelessvigilshehadundergoneinremotesolitudesinquestofhisfavorites，or，knowing，forgavehimforit。Abstemious，frugal，andpatientashewas，eventhecrustsofhisfather’stableweregivenhimgrudgingly。Heoftenwenthungryratherthanaskthebreadhehadfailedtoearn。Howhisgreatframewasnurturedinthosedaysheneverknew；perhapsthegiantmountainsrecognizedsomekininhimandfedandstrengthenedhimaftertheirownfashion。Evenhisgentlenesswasconfoundedwithcowardice。
"Dotvosdehardtest，"hesaidsimply；"itisnotgoottobeopligittohalfcrushyourbrudder，venhewouldmakealaughofyoutoyoursweetheart。"Theendcamesoonerthanheexpected，and，oddlyenough，throughthissweetheart。"Gottlieb，"shesaidtohimoneday，"theEnglishFremdewhostayedherelastnightmetmewhenIwascarryingsomeofthosebeautifulflowersyougaveme。
Heaskedmewheretheyweretobefound，andItoldhimonlyYOU
knew。Hewantstoseeyou；gotohim。Itmaybelucktoyou。"
Rutliwent。Thestranger，anEnglishAlpineclimberofscientifictastes，talkedwithhimforanhour。Attheendofthattime，toeverybody’sastonishment，heengagedthishopelessidlerashispersonalguideforthreemonths，atthesumoffivefrancsaday！
Itwasinconceivable，itwasunheardof！TheEnglanderwasasmadasGottlieb，whoseintellecthadalwaysbeenundersuspicion！Theschoolmasterpurseduphislips，thepastorshookhishead；nogoodcouldcomeofit；thefamilylookeduponitasanotherfreakofGottlieb’s，buttherewasonebigmouthlesstofeedandmoreroominthekitchen，andtheylethimgo。Theypartedfromhimasungraciouslyastheyhadenduredhispresence。
ThenfollowedtwomonthsofsunshineinRutli’slife——associationwithhisbelovedplants，andtheintelligentsympathyanddirectionofacultivatedman。Eveninaltitudessodangerousthattheyhadtotakeotherandmoreexperiencedguides，Rutliwasalwaysathismaster’sside。Thatsavant’scollectionofAlpinefloraexcelledallpreviousones；hetalkedfreelywithRutlioffurtherworkinthefuture，andrelaxedhisEnglishreservesofarastoconfidetohimthattheoutcomeoftheircollectionandobservationmightbeabook。HegaveafloweraLatinname，inwhicheventheignorantanddelightedRutlicoulddistinguishsomelikenesstohisown。
Butthebookwasnevercompiled。Inoneoftheirlaterandmoredifficultascentstheyandtheirtwoadditionalguideswereovertakenbyasuddenstorm。Sweptfromtheirfeetdownanice-
boundslope，Rutlialoneoftheroped-togetherpartykeptafootholdonthetreacherousincline。HerethisyoungTitan，withbleedingfingersclenchedinarockcleft，sustainedthestrugglesandheldupthelivesofhiscompanionsbythatpreciousthreadformorethananhour。Perhapshemighthavesavedthem，butintheirdesperateeffortstoregaintheirfootingtheropeslippeduponajaggededgeofoutcropandpartedasifcutbyaknife。Thetwoguidespassedwithoutanoutcryintoobscurityanddeath；Rutli，withalastdespairingexertion，draggedtohisownlevelhisunconsciousmaster，crippledbyabrokenleg。
Yourtrueheroisapttotellhistalesimply。Rutlididnotdwelluponthesedetails，norneedI。Leftaloneuponatreacherousiceslopeinbenumbingcold，withahelplessman，eighthoursafterwardshestaggered，halfblind，incoherent，andinarticulate，intoa"shelter"hut，withthedeadbodyofhismasterinhisstiffenedarms。Theshelter-keepersturnedtheirattentiontoRutli，whoneededitmost。Blindanddelirious，withscarceachanceforlife，hewassentthenextdaytoahospital，wherehelayforthreemonths，helpless，imbecile，andunknown。ThedeadbodyoftheEnglishmanwasidentified，andsenthome；thebodiesoftheguideswererecoveredbytheirfriends；butnooneknewaughtofRutli，evenhisname。Whiletheeventwasstillfreshinthemindsofthosewhosawhimenterthehutwiththebodyofhismaster，aparagraphappearedinaBernejournalrecordingtheheroismofthisnamelessman。Butitcouldnotbecorroboratednorexplainedbythedementedhero，andwaspresentlyforgotten。Sixmonthsfromthedayhehadlefthishomehewasdischargedcured。
Hehadnotakreutzerinhispocket；hehadneverdrawnhiswagesfromhisemployer；hehadpreferredtohaveitinalumpsumthathemightastonishhisfamilyonhisreturn。Hiseyeswerestillweak，hismemoryfeeble；onlyhisgreatphysicalstrengthremainedthroughhislongillness。Afewsympathizingtravelersfurnishedhimthemeanstoreachhisnativevillage，manymilesaway。HefoundhisfamilyhadheardofthelossoftheEnglishmanandtheguides，andhadbelievedhewasoneofthem。Alreadyhewasforgotten。
"Venyouvosoncepeliefedtobedet，"saidRutli，afteraphilosophicpauseandpuff，"itvosnotgoottoondeceifbeoples。
Youoopsetsomedings，soomdimesalways。Derholedotyouhefmadeindergrount，amongyourfrientsandyourfamily，voscoveredupalretty。Youareloockyifyouvillnotfintsomevellarsshtandinguponid！Myfrent，venyouvosDINKdet，SHTAYdet，BE
det，andyouvilllifhappy！"
"Butyoursweetheart？"Isaideagerly。
AslightgleamofsatirestoleintoRutli’slighteyes。"Mysweetheart，venIvosdinksdet，isdermillerengageddobromply！
Itismoochbetterdantoamandotvosboorandplintandgrazy！
So！Vell，dernextdayIpidsdemgoot-py，undfromderdoorI
say，’Iamdetnow；butvenInextcomespackalife，Ishalldisvillagepy！derlants，derhousesalltogedders。Anddenforyourselluffslookoudt！’"
"Thenthat’syourrevenge？Thatiswhatyoureallyintendtodo？"
Isaid，halflaughing，yetwithanuneasyrecollectionofhisillnessandenfeebledmind。
"Yes。Lookhere！Ishowyousomedings。"Heopenedadrawerofhisdeskandtookoutwhatappearedtobesomediagrams，plans，andasmallwater-coloredmap，likeasurveyor’stracing。"Look，"hesaid，layinghisfingeronthelatter，"datisamapfrommyfillage。Ihefmyselluffmadeitoutfrommymemory。Dot，"
pointingtoablankspace，"isdermountainsidehighup，sofar。
ItisnogootuntilIvillatunnelmakeordergradelefel。Derevasminefader’shouse，derevosderchurch，derschoolhouse，dotvosdeburgomaster’shouse，"hewenton，pointingtotherespectiveplotsinthisoldcurvingparallelogramofthemountainshelf。"SowasthefillagewhenIleavehimonthe5thofMarch，eighteenhundredandfeefty。NowyoushallseehimshoostasIvillmakehimvenIgoback。"Hetookupanotherplan，beautifullydrawnandcolored，andevidentlydonebyaprofessionalhand。Itwasapractical，yetalmostfairyliketransformationofthesamespot！
Thenarrowmountainshelfwaswidenedbyexcavation，andaboulevardstretchedoneitherside。Agreathotel，notunliketheoneinwhichwesat，stoodinanopenterrace，withgardensandfountains——thesiteofhisfather’shouse。Blocksofprettydwellings，shops，andcafesfilledtheintermediatespace。Ilaiddownthepaper。
"Howlonghaveyouhadthisidea？"
"EfersinceIleftdere，fifteenyearsago。"
"Butyourfatherandmothermaybedeadbythistime？"
"So，butderevillbeodders。Undderblace——itvillremain。"
"Butallthiswillcostafortune，andyouarenotsure"——
"Iknowshoostvotidvillgost，toacend。"
"Andyouthinkyoucaneveraffordtocarryoutyouridea？"
"IVILLaffortid。VenyoushallmakeyetsomemoneysandgotoEurope，youshallsee。IVILLinfiteyouderefirst。Nowcoomandlookderhousearound。"……
IdidNOTmake"somemoneys，"butIDIDgotoEurope。ThreeyearsafterthislastinterviewwithRutliIwascomingfromInterlakentoBernebyrail。Ihadnotheardfromhim，andIhadforgottenthenameofhisvillage，butasIlookedupfromthepaperIwasreading，IsuddenlyrecognizedhiminthefurtherendofthesamecompartmentIoccupied。Hisrecognitionofmewasevidentlyassuddenandunexpected。Afterourfirsthand-graspandgreeting，I
said：——
"Andhowaboutournewvillage？"
"Dereisnofillage。"
"What！Youhavegivenuptheidea？"
"Yes。Thereisnofillage，oltornew。"
"Idon’tunderstand。"
Helookedatmeamoment。"Youhavenotheard？"
"No。"
Hegentlypickedupalittlelocalguidebookthatlayinmylap，andturningitsleaves，pointedtoapage，andreadasfollows：——
"5M。beyond，thetrainpassesacurveR。，whereafineviewofthelakemaybeseen。AlittletotheR。risesthesteepslopesofthe————，thesceneofaterribledisaster。Atthreeo’clockonMarch5，1850，thelittlevillageof————，lyingmidwayoftheslope，withitspopulationof950souls，wascompletelydestroyedbyalandslipfromthetopofthemountain。Sosuddenwasthecatastrophethatnotasingleescapeisrecorded。Alargeportionofthemountaincrest，aswillbeobservedwhenitisseeninprofile，descendedtothevalley，buryingtheunfortunatevillagetoadepthvariouslyestimatedatfrom1000ft。to1800ft。Thegeologicalcauseswhichproducedthisextraordinarydisplacementhavebeenfullydiscussed，butthegreaterevidencepointstothetheoryofsubterraneanglaciers。5M。beyond————thetraincrossestheR。bridge。"
Ilaiddowntheguide-bookinbreathlessastonishment。
"Andyouneverheardofthisinalltheseyears？"
"Nefer！Iaskednoquestions，Ireadnopooks。Ihavenoleddersfromhome。"
"Andyetyou"——Istopped，Icouldnotcallhimafool；neithercouldI，inthefaceofhisperfectcomposureandundisturbedeyes，exhibitaconcerngreaterthanhisown。Anuneasyrecollectionofwhatheconfessedhadbeenhismentalconditionimmediatelyafterhisaccidentcameoverme。Hadhebeenthevictimofastrangehallucinationregardinghishouseandfamilyalltheseyears？Werethesedreamsofrevenge，thisfancyofcreatinganewvillage，onlyanoutcomeofsomeshockarisingoutofthedisasteritself，whichhehadlongsinceforgotten？
Hewaslookingfromthewindow。"Coom，"hesaid，"vearenearderblace。Ivillshowidtoyou。"Heroseandpassedouttotherearplatform。Wewereintherearcar，andanewpanoramaofthelakeandmountainsflasheduponusateverycurveoftheline。I
followedhim。Presentlyhepointedtowhatappearedtobeasheerwallofrockandstuntedvegetationtoweringtwoorthreethousandfeetaboveus，whichstartedoutofagorgewewerepassing。"Dereitvos！"hesaid。Isawthevaststretchofrockfacerisingupwardandonward，butnothingelse。Nodebris，noruins，norevenaswellingorroundingofthemountainflankoverthatawfultomb。
Yet，stay！aswedashedacrossthegorge，andthefaceofthemountainshifted，highup，thesky-linewasslightlybrokenasifafewinches，amerehandful，ofthecrestwascrumbledaway。Andthen——bothgorgeandmountainvanished。
Iwasstillembarrassedanduneasy，andknewnotwhattosaytothismanatmyside，whosehopesandambitionhadbeenasquicklyoverthrownandburied，andwhoselife-dreamhadasquicklyvanished。Buthehimself，takinghispipefromhislips，brokethesilence。
"Itvosanarrowesgabe！"
"Whatwas？"
"Vy，disdings。IfIhadstayedinmyfader’shouse，Ivouldhafbeendetforgoot，andperriedtoo！Somedimesdosedingscoomsoudtapoutright，don’tid？"
Unvanquishedphilosopher！Aswestoodtherelookingattheflyinglandscapeandsinkinglesserhills，onebyonethegreatsnowpeaksslowlyarosebehindthem，liftingthemselves，asiftotakealastwonderinglookatthemantheyhadtriumphedover，buthadnotsubdued。
THEPASSINGOFENRIQUEZ
WhenEnriquezSaltilloranawaywithMissMannersley，asalreadyrecordedinthesechronicles，*herrelativesandfriendsfounditmucheasiertoforgivethatill-assortedunionthantounderstandit。For，afterall，EnriquezwasthescionofanoldSpanish-
Californianfamily，andinduetimewouldhavehisshareofhisfather’sthreesquareleagues，whateverincongruitytherewasbetweenhislivelyLatinextravaganceandMissMannersley’sPuritanprecisionandintellectualsuperiority。TheyhadgonetoMexico；
Mrs。Saltillo，aswasknown，havinganinterestinAztecantiquities，andhebeingutterlysubmissivetoherwishes。FormyselffrommyknowledgeofEnriquez’snature，Ihadgravedoubtsofhisentiresubjugation，althoughIknewtheprevailingopinionwasthatMrs。Saltillo’ssuperioritywouldspeedilytamehim。
Sincehisbriefandcharacteristicnoteapprisingmeofhismarriage，Ihadnotheardfromhim。Itwas，therefore，withsomesurprise，agooddealofreminiscentaffection，andaslighttwingeofreproachthat，twoyearsafter，Ilookedupfromsomeproofs，inthesanctumofthe"DailyExcelsior，"torecognizehishandwritingonanotethatwashandedtomebyayellowMexicanboy。
*See"TheDevotionofEnriquez，"inSelectedStoriesbyBretHarteGutenberg#1312。
AsingleglanceatitscontentsshowedmethatMrs。Saltillo’scorrectBostonianspeechhadnotyetsubduedEnriquez’speculiarSpanish-Americanslang：——
"Hereweareagain，——rightsideupwithcare，——at1110DupontStreet，TelegraphHill。Secondfloorfromtop。’Ringandpush。’
’Nobookagentsneedapply。’How’syourroyalnibs？Ikissyourhand！Comeatsix，——thebandshallplayatseven，——andregardyourfriend’MeesBoston，’whowilltellyouaboutthelittleoldniggerboys，andyouroldUncle’Ennery。"
Twothingsstruckme：Enriquezhadnotchanged；Mrs。Saltillohadcertainlyyieldedupsomeofherpeculiarprejudices。Fortheaddressgiven，farfrombeingafashionabledistrict，wasknownasthe"Spanishquarter，"which，whileitstillheldsomeoldSpanishfamilies，waschieflygivenovertohalf-castesandobscurerforeigners。EvenpovertycouldnothavedrivenMrs。Saltillotosucharefugeagainstherwill；nevertheless，agooddealofconcernforEnriquez’sfortunemingledwithmycuriosity，asI
impatientlywaitedforsixo’clocktosatisfyit。
Itwasabreezyclimbto1110DupontStreet；andalthoughthestreethadbeengraded，thehousesretainedtheirairyelevation，andwereaccessibleonlybysuccessiveflightsofwoodenstepstothefrontdoor，whichstillgaveperilouslyuponthestreet，sixtyfeetbelow。InowpainfullyappreciatedEnriquez’sadaptationofthetime-honoredjokeaboutthesecondfloor。AninvinciblesmellofgarlicalmosttookmyremainingbreathawayasthedoorwasopenedtomebyaswarthyMexicanwoman，whoseloosecamisaseemedtobeslippingfromherunstablebust，andwasheldononlybythemantua-likeshawlwhichsupplementedit，grippedbyonebrownhand。
Dizzyfrommyascenttothatnarrowperch，whichlookeduponnothingbutthedistantbayandshoresofContraCosta，IfeltasapologeticasifIhadlandedfromaballoon；butthewomangreetedmewithalanguidSpanishsmileandalazydisplayofwhiteteeth，asifmyarrivalwasquitenatural。DonEnriquez，"ofafact，"wasnothimselfinthecasa，butwasexpected"ontheinstant。""DonnaUrania"wasathome。
"DonnaUrania"？ForaninstantIhadforgottenthatMrs。Saltillo’sfirstnamewasUrania，sopleasantlyandspontaneouslydiditfallfromtheSpanishlips。NorwasIdispleasedatthischanceoflearningsomethingofDonEnriquez’sfortunesandtheSaltillomenagebeforeconfrontingmyoldfriend。Theservantprecededmetothenextfloor，and，openingadoor，usheredmeintothelady’spresence。
Ihadcarriedwithme，onthatupwardclimb，alivelyrecollectionofMissMannersleyasIhadknownhertwoyearsbefore。I
rememberedherupright，almoststiff，slightfigure，thegracefulprecisionofherposes，thefaultlesssymmetryandtasteofherdress，andtheatmosphereofafastidiousandwholesomecleanlinesswhichexhaledfromher。IntheladyIsawbeforeme，halfreclininginarocking-chair，therewasnoneofthestiffnessandnicety。Habitedinaloosegownofsomeeasy，flexible，butrichmaterial，wornwiththatpeculiarlyindolentslouchoftheMexicanwoman，Mrs。Saltillohadpartedwithhalfherindividuality。Evenherarchedfeetandthinankles，theclose-fittingbootsorsmallslippersofwhichwerewonttoaccenttheirdelicacy，werenowlostinashort，low-quarteredkidshoeoftheSpanishtype，inwhichtheymovedloosely。Herhair，whichshehadalwayswornwithacertainGreeksimplicity，waspartedatoneside。Yetherface，withitsregularityoffeature，andsmall，thin，red-lippedmouth，wasquiteunchanged；andhervelvetybrowneyeswereasbeautifulandinscrutableasever。
WiththesameglanceIhadtakeninhersurroundings，quiteasincongruoustoherformerhabits。Thefurniture，thoughofoldandheavymahogany，hadsufferedfromcarelessalienhands，andwasinterspersedwithmodernandunmatchablemakeshifts，yetpreservingthedistinctlyscantandformalattitudeoffurnishedlodgings。Itwascertainlyunliketheartistictriflesanddelicaterefinementsofheruncle’sdrawing-room，whichweallknewhertastehaddictatedandruled。Theblackandwhiteengravings，theoutlinedheadsofMinervaandDiana，wereexcludedfromthewallsfortwocheapcoloredCatholicprints，——asoullessVirgin，andthemysteryoftheBleedingHeart。Againstthewall，inonecorner，hungtheonlyobjectwhichseemedamementooftheirtravels，——asingular-
lookinguprightIndian"papoose-case"orcradle，glaringlydecoratedwithbeadsandpaint，probablyanAztecrelic。Onaroundtable，thevelvetcoverofwhichshowedmarksofusageandabusage，therewerescatteredbooksandwritingmaterials；andmyeditorialinstinctsuddenlyrecognized，withathrillofapprehension，thelooseleavesofanundoubtedmanuscript。Thiscircumstance，takenwiththefactofDonnaUrania’shairbeingpartedononeside，andthegeneralnegligeeofherappearance，wasadisturbingrevelation。
Mywanderingeyeapparentlystruckher，forafterthefirstgreetingshepointedtothemanuscriptwithasmile。
"Yes；thatisTHEmanuscript。IsupposeEnriqueztoldyouallaboutit？Hesaidhehadwritten。"
Iwasdumfounded。IcertainlyhadnotunderstoodALLofEnriquez’sslang；itwasalwayssodecidedlyhisown，andpeculiar。YetI
couldnotrecallanyallusiontothis。
"Hetoldmesomethingofit，butveryvaguely，"Iventuredtosaydeprecatingly；"butIamafraidthatIthoughtmoreofseeingmyoldfriendagainthanofanythingelse。"
"DuringourstayinMexico，"continuedMrs。Saltillo，withsomethingofheroldprecision，"ImadesomeresearchesintoAztechistory，asubjectalwaysdeeplyinterestingtome，andIthoughtI
wouldutilizetheresultbythrowingitonpaper。Ofcourseitisbetterfittedforavolumeofreferencethanforanewspaper，butEnriquezthoughtyoumightwanttouseitforyourjournal。"
IknewthatEnriquezhadnotasteforliterature，andhadevenratherdepreciateditintheolddays，withhisusualextravagance；
butImanagedtosayverypleasantlythatIwasdelightedwithhissuggestionandshouldbegladtoreadthemanuscript。Afterall，itwasnotimprobablethatMrs。Saltillo，whowaseducatedandintelligent，shouldwritewell，ifnotpopularly。"ThenEnriquezdoesnotbegrudgeyouthetimethatyourworktakesfromhim，"I
addedlaughingly。"Youseemtohaveoccupiedyourhoneymoonpractically。"
"Wequitecomprehendourrespectiveduties，"saidMrs。Saltillodryly；"andhavefromthefirst。Wehaveourownlivestolive，independentofmyuncleandEnriquez’sfather。Wehavenotonlyacceptedtheresponsibilityofourownactions，butwebothfeelthehigherprivilegeofcreatingourownconditionswithoutextraneousaidfromourrelatives。"
Itstruckmethatthissomewhatexaltedstatementwasdecidedlyapose，orareturnofUraniaMannersley’soldironicalstyle。I
lookedquietlyintoherbrown，near-sightedeyes；but，asoncebefore，myglanceseemedtoslipfromtheirmoistsurfacewithoutpenetratingtheinnerthoughtbeneath。"AndwhatdoesEnriquezdoforHISpart？"Iaskedsmilingly。
IfullyexpectedtohearthattheenergeticEnriquezwasutilizinghispeculiartastesandexperiencesbyhorse-breaking，stock-
raising，professionalbull-fighting，orevenhorse-racing，butwasquiteastonishedwhensheansweredquietly：——
"Enriquezisgivinghimselfuptogeologyandpracticalmetallurgy，withaviewtoscientific，purelyscientific，mining。"
Enriquezandgeology！InthatinstantallIcouldrememberofitwerehisgibesatthe"geologian，"ashewaswonttotermProfessorDobbs，aformeradmirerofMissMannersley’s。ToaddtomyconfusionMrs。Saltilloatthesamemomentabsolutelyvoicedmythought。
"YoumayrememberProfessorDobbs，"shewentoncalmly，"oneofthemosteminentscientistsoverhere，andaveryoldBostonfriend。
HehastakenEnriquezinhand。Hisprogressismostsatisfactory；
wehavethegreatesthopesofhim。"
"Andhowsoondoyoubothhopetohavesomepracticalresultsofhisstudy？"Icouldnothelpaskingalittlemischievously；forI
somehowresentedthepluralpronouninherlastsentence。
"Verysoon，"saidMrs。Saltillo，ignoringeverythingbutthequestion。"YouknowEnriquez’ssanguinetemperament。Perhapsheisalreadygiventoevolvingtheorieswithoutasufficientbasisoffact。Still，hehasthedaringofadiscoverer。Hisideasoftheooliticformationarenotwithoutoriginality，andProfessorDobbssaysthatinhisconceptionoftheSilurianbeachtherearegleamsthataredistinctlyprecious。"
IlookedatMrs。Saltillo，whohadreinforcedhereyeswithheroldpiquantpince-nez，butcoulddetectnoironyinthem。Shewasprettilyimperturbable，thatwasall。Therewasanawkwardsilence。Thenitwasbrokenbyaboundingsteponthestairs，awide-openflingofthedoor，andEnriquezpirouettedintotheroom：
Enriquez，asofold，unchangedfromthecrownofhissmooth，coal-
blackhairtothetipsofhissmall，narrowArabianfeet；Enriquez，withhisthin，curlingmustache，hisdancingeyessetinhisimmovableface，justasIhadalwaysknownhim！
Heaffectedtolapseagainstthedoorforaminute，asifstaggeredbyaresplendentvision。Thenhesaid：——
"WhatdoIregard？Isitadream，orhaveIagaingotthem——theesjimjams？Mybestfriendandmybest——ImeanmyONLY——wife！
Embraceme！"
Hegavemeanenthusiasticembraceandawinklikesheet-lightning，passedquicklytohiswife，beforewhomhedroppedononeknee，raisedthetoeofherslippertohislips，andthensankonthesofainsimulatedcollapse，murmuring，"Theesistoomoochofwhitestoneforoneday！"
ThroughallthisIsawhiswiferegardinghimwithexactlythesamecriticallyamusedexpressionwithwhichshehadlookeduponhiminthedaysoftheirstrangecourtship。Sheevidentlyhadnottiredofhisextravagance，andyetIfeelaspuzzledbyhermannerasthen。Sheroseandsaid："Isupposeyouhaveagooddealtosaytoeachother，andIwillleaveyoubyyourselves。"Turningtoherhusband，sheadded，"IhavealreadyspokenabouttheAztecmanuscript。"
ThewordbroughtEnriqueztohisfeetagain。"Ah！Thelittleoldnigger——youhaveread？"Ibegantounderstand。"Mywife，mybestfriend，andthelittleoldnigger，allinoneday。Eetisperfect！"Nevertheless，inspiteofthisecstaticandoverpoweringcombination，hehurriedtotakehiswife’shand；kissingit，heledhertoadooropeningintoanotherroom，madeheralowbowtothegroundasshepassedout，andthenrejoinedme。
"Sothesearethelittleoldniggersyouspokeofinyournote，"I
said，pointingtothemanuscript。"DeucetakemeifIunderstoodyou！"
"Ah，myleetlebrother，itisYOUwhohavechanged！"saidEnriquezdolorously。"IsitthatyounomoreunderstandAmerican，orhavethe’bighead’oftheeditor？Regardme！OftheseAztecsmywifehavemadestudy。Shehavepursuedthelittleniggertohiscave，hisgrotto，whereheisdeadathousandyear。Ihavemyselfassist，thoughIlikeitnot，becausetheesmummy，lookyou，Pancho，isnotlively。Andthemummywhoisnotdead，believeme！
eventheyoungladymummy，youshallnottaketoyourheart。Butmywife"——hestopped，andkissedhishandtowardthedoorwhenceshehadflitted——"ah，SHEiswonderful！Shehasmadethestoryofthem，thepeectureofthem，fromthelifeandontheinstant！Youshalltakethem，myleetlebrother，foryourjournal；youshallannounceinthebigletter：’MoochImportance。TheAztec，HeisFound。’’HowHeLookandLif。’’TheEverlastingNigger。’Youshallsellmanypaper，andUraniashallhavescoopinmuchspondulicsandrocks。Hoop-la！For——youcomprehend？——mywifeandIhavesettledthatsheshallforgifheroncle；Ishallforgifmyfather；butfromthemwetakenocent，notared，notascad！Weareindependent！OfourselveswemakeaFourthofJuly。Unitedwestand；dividedweshallfallover！Thereyouare！Bueno！"
Itwasimpossibletoresisthiswild，yetperfectlysincere，extravagance，hisdancingblackeyesandoccasionalflashofwhiteteethinhisotherwiseimmovableandseriouscountenance。
Nevertheless，Imanagedtosay：——
"Buthowaboutyourself，Enriquez，andthisgeology，youknow？"
Hiseyestwinkled。"Ah，youshallhear。Butfirstyoushalltakeadrink。IhavetheveryoldBourbon。HeisnotsooldastheAztec，but，believeme，heisverymuchliflier。Attend！Hol’
on！"Hewasalreadyrummagingonashelf，butapparentlywithoutsuccess；thenheexploredabuffet，withnobetterresults，andfinallyattackedalargedrawer，throwingoutonthefloor，withhisoldimpetuosity，anumberofgeologicalspecimens，carefullylabeled。Ipickeduponethathadrollednearme。Itwaslabeled"Conglomeratesandstone。"Ipickedupanother：ithadthesamelabel。
"Thenyouarereallycollecting？"Isaid，withastonishment。
"Ciertamente，"respondedEnriquez，——"whatotherfoolshallIlook？
IshallrelateofthisgeologywhenIshallhavefoundthisbeastofabottle。Ah，herehehavehide！"Heextractedfromadrawerabottlenearlyfullofspirits，——tipplingwasnotoneofEnriquez’svices。"Youshallsay’when。’’Ere’stoournobleselfs！"
Whenhehaddrunk，Ipickedupanotherfragmentofhiscollection。
Ithadthesamelabel。"Youareveryrichin’conglomeratesandstone，’"Isaid。"Wheredoyoufindit？"
"Inthestreet，"saidEnriquez，withgreatcalmness。
"Inthestreet？"Iechoed。
"Yes，myfriend！Heeescallthe’cobblestone，’alsothe’pouding-
stone，’whenheeesathishomeinthecountry。Heeesalsoasmall’boulder。’Ipickhimup；Icrackhim；hemadethreeseparatepieceofconglomeratesandstone。Ibringhimhometomywifeinmypocket。Sherejoice；wearehappy。Whencomestheefening，Isitdownandmakehimalabel；whilemywife，shesitdownandwriteoftheAztec。Ah，myfriend，youshallsayofthegeologyiteesafine，aBEAUTIFULstudy；butthestudyofthewife，andwhatshallpleaseher，believeme，eesmuchfiner！
BelieveyouroldUncle’Enneryeverytime！Ontheesquestionhegetsthere；hegetsleft，nevarre！"
"ButProfessorDobbs，yourgeologian，whatdoesHEsaytothisfrequentrecurrenceoftheconglomeratesandstoneperiodinyourstudy？"Iaskedquickly。
"Hesaynothing。Youcomprehend？Heeesaprofoundgeologian，buthealsohastheadmirationexcessifformywifeUrania。"Hestoppedtokisshishandagaintowardthedoor，andlightedacigarette。"Thegeologianwouldnotthatheshouldbreakupthehappyefeningofhisfriendsbytheessmalldetail。Heputasidehishead——so；hesay，’Aleetlefreestone，aleetlegranite，nowandthen，forvariety；theyarebuildinginMontgomeryStreet。’I
takethehint，likeawinktothehorsethathasgoneblind。I
attachtomyselfpartoftheedificethatiserectinghimselfinMontgomeryStreet。Icrackhim；Ibringhimhome。IsitagainatthefeetofmybeautifulUrania，andIlabelhim’Freestone，’
’Granite；’butIdonotsay’fromParrott’sBank’——eetisnotnecessaryforourhappiness。"
"Andyoudothissortofthingonlybecauseyouthinkitpleasesyourwife？"Iaskedbluntly。
"Myfriend，"rejoinedEnriquez，perchinghimselfonthebackofthesofa，andcaressinghiskneesashepuffedhiscigarettemeditatively，"youhaveaskaconundrum。Giftomeaneasierone！
ItisoftruththatImakemuchofthesethingtopleaseUrania。
ButIshallconfessall。Behold，Iappeartoyou，myleetlebrother，inmycamisa——myshirt！Iblowonmyself；Igifmyselfaway。"
Herosegravelyfromthesofa，anddrewasmallboxfromoneofthedrawersofthewardrobe。Openingit，hediscoveredseveralspecimensofgold-bearingquartz，andoneortwoscalesofgold。
"Thees，"hesaid，"friendPancho，ismyowngeology；fortheesIamwhatyousee。ButIsaynothingtoUrania；forshehavemuchdisgustofmeregold，——ofwhatshecalls’vulgarmining，’——andbelieveme，afearoftheeffectof’speculation’uponmytemperamento——youcomprehendmycomplexion，mybrother？Reflectuponit，Pancho！I，whoamthefilosofo，ifthatIamanything！"
Helookedatmewithgreatlevityofeyeandsupernaturalgravityofdemeanor。"Buteeteesthejealousaffectionofthewife，myfriend，forwhichImakeplaytoherwiththehumbleleetlepouding-stoneratherthanthegoldquartzthataffrights。"
"Butwhatdoyouwantwiththem，ifyouhavenosharesinanythinganddonotspeculate？"Iasked。
"Pardon！Thateeswhereyouslipup，myleetlefriend。"Hetookfromthesamedraweraclaspedportfolio，andunlockedit，producinghalfadozenprospectusesandcertificatesofminingshares。IstoodaghastasIrecognizedthenamesofoneortwoextravagantfailuresofthelasttenyears，——"played-out"minesthathadbeengalvanizedintodeceptivelifeinLondon，Paris，andNewYork，tothegriefofshareholdersabroadandthelaughteroftheinitiatedathome。Icouldscarcelykeepmyequanimity。"Youdonotmeantosaythatyouhaveanybelieforinterestinthisrubbish？"Isaidquickly。
"Whatyoucall’rubbish，’mygoodPancho，eestherubbishthattheAmericanspeculatorhavedumphimselfuponthemintheshaft，therubbishoftheadvertisement，oftheextravagantexpense，ofthesalary，oftheassessment，ofthe’freeze-out。’Forthees，lookyou，istheoldMexicanmine。Mygrandfatherandheesfatherhavebothseenthemworkbeforeyouwereborn，andtheAmericanknewnottherewasgoldinCalifornia。"
Iknewhespoketruly。Oneortwowereoriginalsilverminesinthesouth，workedbypeonsandIndianslaves，aropewindlass，andavenerabledonkey。
"Butthoseweresilvermines，"Isaidsuspiciously，"andthesearegoldspecimens。"
"Theyarefromthesamemother，"saidtheimperturbableEnriquez，——
"thesamemine。TheoldpeonsworkedhimforSILVER，thepreciousdollarthatbuyeverything，thathesendinthegalleontothePhilippinesforthesilkandspice！THATisgoodenoughforHIM！
Forthegoldhemadenothing，evenasmyleetlewifeUrania。Andregardmehere！Thereeesaproverbofmyfather’swhichsaythat’itshalltakeagoldminetoworkasilvermine，’somoochmorehecost。Youworkhim，youarelost！Naturalmente，ifyouturnhimround，ifittakeyouonlyasilverminetoworkagoldmine，youaregain。Theeseeslogic！"
Theintensegravityofhisfaceatthisextraordinarydeductionupsetmyown。ButasIwasnevercertainthatEnriquezwasnotpurposelymystifyingme，withsomeulteriorobject，Icouldnothelpsayingalittlewickedly：——
"Yes，Iunderstandallthat；buthowaboutthisgeologian？Willhenottellyourwife？Youknowhewasagreatadmirerofhers。"
"Thatshallshowthegreatintelligenceofhim，myPancho。HewillhavethefourS’s，’especiallythesecreto！"
Therecouldbenoseriousdiscussioninhispresentmood。I
gatheredupthepagesofhiswife’smanuscript，saidlightlythat，asshehadthefirstclaimuponmytime，IshouldexaminetheAztecmaterialandreportinadayortwo。AsIknewIhadlittlechanceinthehandsofthesetwoincomprehensiblestogether，Ibeggedhimnottocallhiswife，buttoconveymyadieustoher，and，inspiteofhisembracesandprotestations，Imanagedtogetoutoftheroom。ButIhadscarcelyreachedthefrontdoorwhenIheardEnriquez’svoiceandhisboundingsteponthestairs。Inanothermomenthisarmwasroundmyneck。