PROLOGUE。
ThesunwasgoingdownontheBlackSpurRange。Theredlightithadkindledtherewasstilleatingitswayalongtheserriedcrest，showingthroughgapsintheranksofpines，etchingouttheintersticesofbrokenboughs，fadingawayandthenflashingsuddenlyoutagainlikesparksinburnt-uppaper。Thenthenightwindsweptdownthewholemountainside，andbeganitsusualstrugglewiththeshadowsupclimbingfromthevalley，onlytoloseitselfintheendandbeabsorbedintheall-conqueringdarkness。YetforsometimethepinesonthelongslopeofHeavyTreeHillmurmuredandprotestedwithswayingarms；butastheshadowsstoleupwards，andcabinaftercabinandtunnelaftertunnelwereswallowedup，acompletesilencefollowed。Onlytheskyremainedvisible——avastconcavemirrorofdullsteel，inwhichthestarsdidnotseemtobeset，butonlyreflected。
AsinglecabindooronthecrestofHeavyTreeHillhadremainedopentothewindanddarkness。Thenitwasslowlyshutbyaninvisiblefigure，afterwardsrevealedbytheembersofthefireitwasstirring。Atfirstonlythisfigurebroodingoverthehearthwasshown，butastheflamesleapedup，twootherfigurescouldbeseensittingmotionlessbeforeit。Whenthedoorwasshut，theyacknowledgedthatinterruptionbyslightlychangingtheirposition；
theonewhohadrisentoshutthedoorsankbackintoaninvisibleseat，buttheattitudeofeachmanwasoneofprofoundreflectionorreserve，andapparentlyuponsomecommonsubjectwhichmadethemrespecteachother’ssilence。However，thiswasatlastbrokenbyalaugh。Itwasaboyishlaugh，andcamefromtheyoungestoftheparty。Thetwoothersturnedtheirprofilesandglancedinquiringlytowardshim，butdidnotspeak。
"Iwasthinking，"hebeganinapologeticexplanation，"howmightyqueeritwasthatwhilewewereworkinglikeniggersongrubwages，withouttheghostofachanceofmakingastrike，howweusedtosithere，nightafternight，andflapdoodleandspeculateaboutwhatwe’ddoifweeverDIDmakeone；andnow，GreatScott！thatweHAVEmadeit，andarejustwallowingingold，herewearesittingasglumandsilentasifwe’dhadawashout！Why，Lord！Irememberonenight——notsolongago，either——thatyoutwoquarreledovertheswellhotelyouweregoingtostopatin’Frisco，andwhetheryouwouldn’tstrikestraightoutforLondonandRomeandParis，orgoawaytoJapanandChinaandroundbyIndiaandtheRedSea。"
"No，wedidn’tQUARRELoverit，"saidoneofthefiguresgently；
"therewasonlyalittlediscussion。"
"Yes，butyoudid，though，"returnedtheyoungfellowmischievously，"andyoutoldStacy，there，thatwe’dbetterlearnsomethingoftheworldbeforewetriedtobuyitorevenhireit，andthatitwasjustaswelltogetthehayseedoutofourhairandtheslumgullionoffourbootsbeforewemixedinpolitesociety。"
"Well，Idon’tseewhat’sthematterwiththatsentimentnow，"
returnedthesecondspeakergood-humoredly；"only，"headdedgravely，"wedidn’tquarrel——Godforbid！"
Therewassomethinginthespeaker’stonewhichseemedtotouchacommonchordintheirnatures，andthiswasvoicedbyBarkerwithsuddenandalmostpatheticearnestness。"Itellyouwhat，boys，weoughttoswearhereto-nighttoalwaysstandbyeachother——inluckandoutofit！Weoughttoholdourselvesalwaysateachother’scall。Weoughttohaveakindofpasswordorsignal，youknow，bywhichwecouldsummoneachotheratanytimefromanyquarteroftheglobe！"
"Comeofftheroof，Barker，"murmuredStacy，withoutliftinghiseyesfromthefire。ButDemorestsmiledandglancedtolerantlyattheyoungerman。
"Yes，butlookhere，Stacy，"continuedBarker，"comradeslikeus，intheolddays，usedtodothatintimesoftroubleandadventures。
Whyshouldn’twedoitinourluck？"
"There’sagooddealinthat，Barkerboy，"saidDemorest，"though，asageneralthing，passwordsbutternoparsnips，andtheordinary，every-day，singleyelpfromawolfbringsthewholepacktogetherforbusinessaboutasquickasapassword。Butyouclingtothatsentiment，andputitawaywithyourgold-dustinyourbelt。"
"WhatIlikeaboutBarkerishiscommodiousness，"saidStacy。
"Hereheis，theonlymanamongusthathashisfuturefixedandhispreemptionlineslaidoutandregistered。He’salreadygotagirlthathe’sgoingtomarryandsettledownwithonthestrengthofhisluck。AndI’dliketoknowwhatKittyCarter，whenshe’sMrs。Barker，wouldsaytoherhusbandbeingsignaledforfromAsiaorAfrica。Idon’tseemtoseehertumblingtoanypassword。Andwhenheandshegointoanewpartnership，Ireckonshe’lllettheoldoneslide。"
"That’sjustwhereyou’rewrong！"saidBarker，withquicklyrisingcolor。"She’sthesweetestgirlintheworld，andshe’dbesuretounderstandourfeelings。Why，shethinkseverythingofyoutwo；
shewasjusteagerforyoutogetthisclaim，whichhasputuswhereweare，whenIheldback，andifithadn’tbeenforher，byJove！wewouldn’thavehadit。"
"ThatwasonlybecauseshecaredforYOU，"returnedStacy，withahalf-yawn；"andnowthatyou’vegotYOURsharesheisn’tgoingtotakeabreathlessinterestinUS。And，bytheway，I’dratherYOU’DremindusthatweoweourlucktoherthanthatSHEshouldeverremindYOUofit。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidBarkerquickly。ButDemoresthereroselazily，and，throwingagiganticshadowonthewall，stoodbetweenthetwowithhisbacktothefire。"Hemeans，"hesaidslowly，"thatyou’retalkingrot，andsoishe。However，asyourscomesfromtheheartandhisfromthehead，Ipreferyours。Butyou’rebothmakingmetired。Let’shaveafreshdeal。"
NobodyeverdreamedofcontradictingDemorest。Nevertheless，Barkerpersistedeagerly："Butisn’titbetterforustolookatthischeerfullyandhappilyallround？There’snothingcriminalinourhavingmadeastrike！Itseemstome，boys，thatofallwaysofmakingmoneyit’sthesquarestandmostlevel；nobodyisthepoorerforit；ourluckbringsnomisfortunetoothers。Thegoldwasputthereagesagoforanybodytofind；wefoundit。Ithasn’tbeentarnishedbyman’stouchbefore。Idon’tknowhowitstrikesyou，boys，butitseemstomethatofallgiftsthataregoingitisthestraightest。Forwhetherwedeserveitornot，itcomestousfirst-hand——fromGod！"
Thetwomenglancedquicklyatthespeaker，whosefaceflushedandthensmiledembarrassedlyasifashamedoftheenthusiasmintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed。ButDemorestdidnotsmile，andStacy’seyesshoneinthefirelightashesaidlanguidly，"Ineverheardthatprospectingwasareligiousoccupationbefore。ButI
shouldn’twonderifyou’reright，Barkerboy。Solet’sliquorup。"
Neverthelesshedidnotmove，nordidtheothers。Thefireleapedhigher，bringingouttheruderaftersandsternlyeconomicdetailsoftheroughcabin，andmakingtheoccupantsintheirseatsbeforethefirelookgiganticbycontrast。
"Whoshutthedoor？"saidDemorestafterapause。
"Idid，"saidBarker。"Ireckoneditwasgettingcold。"
"Betteropenitagain，nowthatthefire’sblazing。Itwilllightthewayifanyofthemenfrombelowwanttodropinthisevening。"
Stacystaredathiscompanion。"IthoughtthatitwasunderstoodthatweweregivingthemthatdinneratBoomvilletomorrownight，sothatwemighthavethelasteveningherebyourselvesinpeaceandquietness？"
"Yes，butifanyoneDIDwanttocomeitwouldseemchurlishtoshuthimout，"saidDemorest。
"Ireckonyou’refeelingverymuchasIam，"saidStacy，"thatthisgoodfortuneisrathercrowdingtousthreealone。Formyself，I
know，"hecontinued，withabackwardglancetowardsablanketed，coveredpileinthecornerofthecabin，"thatIfeelratheroppressedby——byitsspecificgravity，Icalculate——andsortofcrampyandtwitchyinthelegs，asifIoughtto’lite’outanddosomething，andyetitholdsmehere。Allthesame，Idoubtifanybodywillcomeup——exceptfromcuriosity。Ourluckhasmadethemrathersoredownthehill，forallthey’recomingtothedinnerto-morrow。"
"That’sonlyhumannature，"saidDemorest。
"But，"saidBarkereagerly，"whatdoesitmean？Why，onlythisafternoon，whenIwaspassingthe’OldKentuck’tunnel，wherethoseMarshallshavebeengrubbingalongforfouryearswithoutmakingasinglestrike，Ifeltashamedtolookatthem，andastheybarelynoddedtomeIslinkedbyasifIhaddonethemaninjury。Idon’tunderstandit。"
"Itsomehowdoesnotseemtosquarewiththis’giftofGod’ideaofyours，doesit？"saidStacy。"Butwe’llopenthedoorandgivethemashow。"
Ashedidsoitseemedasifthenightweretheironlyguest，andhadbeenwaitingonthethresholdtonowenterbodilyandpervadeallthingswithitspresence。Withthatcool，fragrantinflowofairtheybreathedfreely。TherededgehadgonefromBlackSpur，butitwasevenmoreclearlydefinedagainsttheskyinitstoweringblackness。Theskyitselfhadgrownlighter，althoughthestarsstillseemedmerereflectionsofthesolitarypin-pointsoflightscatteredalongtheconcavevalleybelow。Minglingwiththecooler，restfulairofthesummit，yetpenetratinglydistinctfromit，arosethestimulatingbreathofthepinesbelow，stillhotandpantingfromtheday-longsun。Thesilencewasintense。Thefar-
offbarkingofadogontheinvisibleriver-barnearlyamilebeneaththemcametothemlikeasoundinadream。Theyhadrisen，and，standinginthedoorway，bycommonconsentturnedtheirfacestotheeast。Itwasthefrequentattitudeofthehome-rememberingminer，anditgavehimthecrowninggloryoftheview。For，beyondthepine-hearsedsummits，rarelyseenexceptagainsttheeveningsky，layathin，whitecloudlikeadroppedportionoftheMilkyWay。Faintwithanindescribablepallor，remoteyetdistinctenoughtoassertitselfaboveandbeyondallsurroundingobjects，itwasalwaysthere。Itwasthesnow-lineoftheSierras。
Theyturnedawayandsilentlyreseatedthemselves，thesamethoughtinthemindsofeach。Herewassomethingtheycouldnottakeaway，somethingtobeleftforeverandirretrievablybehind，——leftwiththehealthylifetheyhadbeenleading，thecheerfulendeavor，theundyinghopefulnesswhichithadfosteredandblessed。WaswhattheyWEREtakingawayworthit？Andoddlyenough，frankandoutspokenastheyhadalwaysbeentoeachother，thatcommonthoughtremainedunuttered。EvenBarkerwassilent；perhapshewasalsothinkingofKitty。
Suddenlytwofiguresappearedintheverydoorwayofthecabin。
Theeffectwasstartlinguponthepartners，whohadonlyjustreseatedthemselves，andforamomenttheyhadforgottenthatthenarrowbandoflightwhichshotforthfromtheopendoorrenderedthedarknessoneithersideofitmoreimpenetrable，andthatoutofthisdarkness，althoughthemselvesguidedbythelight，thefigureshadjustemerged。Yetonewasfamiliarenough。ItwastheHilldrunkard，DickHall，or，ashewascalled，"WhiskeyDick，"or，indicatedstillmoresuccinctlybytheHillhumorists，"AlkyHall。"
Everybodyhadseenthatsodden，puffy，butgood-humoredface；
everybodyhadfeltthefieryexhalationsofthatenormousredbeard，whichalwaysseemedtobekeptinastateofmoist，unkemptluxuriancebyliquor；everybodyknewtheabsurddignityofmannerandattemptedprecisionofstatementwithwhichhewaswonttodisguisehisfrequentexcesses。Veryfew，however，knew，orcaredtoknow，thepatheticwearinessandchillinghorrorthatsometimeslookedoutofthosebloodshoteyes。
Hewasevidentlyequallyunpreparedforthethreesilentseatedfiguresbeforethedoor，andforamomentlookedatthemblanklywiththedoubtsofafrequentlydeceivedperception。Washesurethattheywerequitereal？Hehadnotdaredtolookathiscompanionforverification，butsmiledvaguely。
"Good-evening，"saidDemorestpleasantly。
WhiskeyDick’sfacebrightened。"Good-evenin’，good-evenin’
yourselves，boys——andseehowyoulikeit！Lemmeinterdrushmyolefrien’WilliamJ。Steptoe，ofRedGulch。Stepsho——Steptoe——isshtay——ishstay——"Hestopped，hiccupped，wavedhishandgravely，andwithanairofreproachfuldignityconcluded，"sojourningforthepresentontheBar。Wewishtoofferourcongrashulashenandfelish——felish——"Hepausedagain，and，leaningagainstthedoor-
post，addedseverely，"——itations。"
Hiscompanion，however，laughedcoarsely，and，pushingpastDick，enteredthecabin。Hewasashort，powerfulman，withacloselycroppedcrustofbeardandhairthatseemedtoadheretohisroundheadlikemossorlichen。Hecastaglance——furtiveratherthancuriousaroundthecabin，andsaid，withafamiliaritythathadnotevengoodhumortoexcuseit，"Soyou’rethegaygalootswho’vemadethebigstrike？ThoughtI’dmeanderuptheHillwiththisoldbloatAlky，anddropintoseetheshow。Andhereyouare，feelingyouroats，eh？andnotcaringanyparticularG-dd——nifschoolkeepsornot。"
"ShowMr。Steptoe——thewhiskey，"saidDemoresttoStacy。ThenquietlyaddressingDick，butignoringSteptoeascompletelyasSteptoehadignoredhisunfortunatecompanion，hesaid，"Youquitestartledusatfirst。Wedidnotseeyoucomeupthetrail。"
"No。WecameupthebacktrailtopleaseSteptoe，whowantedtoseeroundthecabin，"saidDick，glancingnervouslyyetwithaforcedindifferencetowardsthewhiskeywhichStacywasofferingtothestranger。
"Whatyergettin’offthere？"saidSteptoe，facingDickalmostbrutally。"YOUknowyourtangledlegswouldn’ttakeyoustraightupthetrail，andyouhadtomakeacircumbendibus。Gosh！ifyouhadn’tscentedthislickeratthetopyou’dhaveneverfoundit。"
"Nomatter！I’mgladyouDIDfindit，Dick，"saidDemorest，"andI
hopeyou’llfindtheliquorgoodenoughtopayyouforthetrouble。"
BarkerstaredatDemorest。Thisextraordinarytoleranceofthedrunkardwassomethingnewinhispartner。ButataglancefromDemorestheledDicktothedemijohnandtincupwhichstoodonatableinthecorner。AndinanothermomentDickhadforgottenhiscompanion’srudeness。
Demorestremainedbythedoor，lookingoutintothedarkness。
"Well，"saidSteptoe，puttingdownhisemptiedcup，"trotoutyourstrike。Ireckonoureyesarestrongenoughtobearitnow。"
Stacydrewtheblanketfromthevaguepilethatstoodinthecorner，anddiscoveredadeeptinprospecting-pan。Itwasheapedwithseverallargefragmentsofquartz。Atfirstthemarblewhitenessofthequartzandtheglitteringcrystalsofmicainitsveinswerethemostnoticeable，butastheydrewclosertheycouldseethedullyellowofgoldfillingthedecomposedandhoneycombedportionoftherockasifstillliquidandmolten。Theeyesofthepartysparkledlikethemica——eventhoseofBarkerandStacy，whowerealreadyfamiliarwiththetreasure。
"Whichistherichestchunk？"askedSteptoeinathickeningvoice。
Stacypointeditout。
"Why，it’ssmallerthantheothers。"
"Heftitinyourhand，"saidBarker，withboyishenthusiasm。
Theshort，thickfingersofSteptoegraspeditwithacertainaquilinesuggestion；hiswholearmstrainedoverituntilhisfacegrewpurple，buthecouldnotliftit。
"Tharuseterbealittlegameinthe’FriscoMint，"saidDick，restoredtofluencybyhisliquor，"whentharwarladiesvisitingit，andthatwastooffertogive’emanyofthoselittleboxesofgoldcoin，thatcontainedfivethousanddollars，eftheywouldkindlyliftitfromthecounterandtakeitaway！Itwasn’tnobiggerthanoneofthesechunks；butJiminy！yououghterhaveseedthemgalsgripandheaveonit，andthenhevtogiveitup！Youseetheydidn’tknowanythingaboutthepaci——（hic）thespeshif——"
Hestoppedwithgreatdignity，andaddedwithpainfulprecision，"thespecificgravityofgold。"
"Dryup！"saidSteptoeroughly。ThenturningtoStacyhesaidabruptly，"Butwhere’stherestofit？You’vegotmorethanthat。"
"WesentittoBoomvillethismorning。Youseewe’vesoldoutourclaimtoacompanywhotakeitupto-morrow，andputupamillandstamps。Infact，it’sundertheirchargenow。They’vegotagangofmenontheclaimalready。"
"Andwhatmoutyehevgotforit，ifit’safairquestion？"saidSteptoe，withaforcedsmile。
Stacysmiledalso。"Idon’tknowthatit’sabusinessquestion，"
hesaid。
"Fivehundredthousanddollars，"saidDemorestabruptlyfromthedoorway，"andatrebleinterest。"
Theeyesofthetwomenmet。TherewasnomistakingthedullfireofenvyinSteptoe’sglance，butDemorestreceiveditwithacertaincoldcuriosity，andturnedawayasthesoundofarrivingvoicescamefromwithout。
"Fivehundredthousand’sabigfigger，"saidSteptoe，withacoarselaugh，"andIdon’twonderitmakesyoufeelsod————dsassy。ButitWASafairquestion。"
Unfortunatelyithereoccurredtothewhiskey-stimulatedbrainofDickthatthefriendhehadintroducedwasbeingtreatedwithscantcourtesy，andheforgothisowntreatmentbySteptoe。Leaningagainstthewallhewavedadignifiedrebuke。"I’msashifiedmyolefrien’isakshuatedbyonlybusineshprinciples。"Hepaused，recollectedhimself，andaddedwithgreatprecision："WhenIsayhehimselfhasavaluableclaiminRedGulch，andtomyshertainknowledgehasreceivedoffers——Ihavesaidenough。"
ThelaughthatbrokefromStacyandBarker，towhomtheinfelicitousreputationofRedGulchwasnotorious，didnotallaySteptoe’sirritation。HedartedavindictiveglanceattheunfortunateDick，butjoinedinthelaugh。"Andwhatwasyegoin’todowiththat？"
hesaid，pointingtothetreasure。
"Oh，we’retakingthatwithus。There’sachunkforeachofusasamemento。Wecastlotsforthechoice，andDemorestwon，——thatonewhichyoucouldn’tliftwithonehand，youknow，"saidStacy。
"Oh，couldn’tI？Ireckonyouain’tgoin’togivemethesamechancethattheydidattheMint，eh？"
Althoughtheremarkwasaccompaniedwithhisusualcoarse，familiarlaugh，therewasalookinhiseyesoinconsequentinitssignificancethatStacywouldhavemadesomereply，butatthismomentDemorestre-enteredthecabin，usheringinahalfdozenminersfromtheBarbelow。Theywere，althoughyoungishmen，someoftheolderlocatorsinthevicinity，yet，throughyearsofseclusionanduneventfullabors，theyhadacquiredacertainchildishsimplicityofthoughtandmannerthatwasalternatelyamusingandpathetic。TheyhadneverintrudeduponthereserveofthethreepartnersofHeavyTreeHillbefore；nothingbutaninfantinecuriosity，ashyrecognitionofthepartners’courtesyininvitingthemwiththewholepopulationofHeavyTreetothedinnerthenextday，andthenever-to-be-resistedtemptationofaneveningof"freeliquor"andforgetfulnessofthepasthadbroughtthemtherenow。Amongthem，andyetnotofthem，wasayoungmanwho，althoughspeakingEnglishwithoutaccent，wasdistinctlyofadifferentnationalityandrace。This，withacertainneatnessofdressandartificialsuavityofaddress，hadgainedhimthenicknameof"theCount"and"Frenchy，"althoughhewasreallyofFlemishextraction。HewastheUnionDitchCompany’sagentontheBar，byvirtueofhisknowledgeoflanguages。
Barkerutteredanexclamationofpleasurewhenhesawhim。Himselftheincarnationofnaturalness，hehadalwayssecretlyadmiredthisyoungforeigner，withhislacqueredsmoothness，althoughavagueconsciousnessthatneitherStacynorDemorestsharedhisfeelingshadrestrictedtheiracquaintance。Nevertheless，hewasproudnowtoseethebowwithwhichPaulVanLooenteredthecabinasifitwereadrawing-room，andperhapsdidnotreflectuponthatwantofrealfeelinginanactwhichmadetheothersuncomfortable。
Theslightawkwardnesstheirentranceproduced，however，wasquicklyforgottenwhentheblanketwasagainliftedfromthepanoftreasure。Singularlyenough，too，thesamefeverishlightcameintotheeyesofeachastheyallgatheredaroundthisyellowshrine。EventhepolitePaulrudelyelbowedhiswaybetweentheothers，thoughhisartificial"Pardon"seemedtoBarkertocondonethisactofbrutalinstinct。ButitwasmoreinstructivetoobservethemannerinwhichtheolderlocatorsreceivedthisconfirmationofthefickleFortunethathadoverlookedtheirwearylaborsandyearsofwaitingtolavishherfavorsonthenewandinexperiencedamateurs。Yetastheyturnedtheirdazzledeyesuponthethreepartnerstherewasnoenvyormaliceintheirdepths，noreproachontheirlips，noinsincerityintheirwonderingsatisfaction。Rathertherewasatouching，almostchildlikeresumptionofhopeastheygazedatthisconclusiveevidenceofNature’sbounty。Thegoldhadbeenthere——THEYhadonlymissedit！
Andifthere，morecouldbefound！WasitnotaproofoftherichnessofHeavyTreeHill？Sostronglywasthisreflectedontheirfacesthatacasualobserver，contrastingthemwiththethoughtfulcountenancesoftherealowners，wouldhavethoughtthemtheluckyones。IttouchedBarker’squicksympathies，itpuzzledStacy，itmadeDemorestmoreserious，itarousedSteptoe’sactivecontempt。WhiskeyDickaloneremainedstolidandimpassiveinadesperateattempttopullhimselfoncemoretogether。Eventuallyhesucceeded，eventotheambitiousachievementofmountingachairandliftinghistincupwithadangerouslyunsteadyhand，whichdidnot，however，affecthisprecisionofutterance，andsaid：——
"Order，gentlemen！We’lldrinksuccessto——to"——
"Thenextstrike！"saidBarker，leapingimpetuouslyonanotherchairandbeamingupontheoldlocators——"andmayitcometothosewhohavesolongdeservedit！"
Hissincereandgenerousenthusiasmseemedtobreakthespellofsilencethathadfallenuponthem。Othertoastsquicklyfollowed。
InthegeneralgoodfeelingBarkerattachedhimselftoVanLoowithhisusualboyisheffusion，andinaburstofconfidenceimpartedthesecretofhisengagementtoKittyCarter。VanLoolistenedwithpoliteattention，formalcongratulations，butinscrutableeyes，thatoccasionallywanderedtoStacyandagaintothetreasure。AslightchillofdisappointmentcameoverBarker’squicksensitiveness。Perhapshisenthusiasmhadboredthissuperiormanoftheworld。Perhapshisconfidenceswereinbadtaste！Withanewsenseofhisinexperienceheturnedsadlyaway。
VanLootookthatopportunitytoapproachStacy。
"What’sallthisIhearofBarkerbeingengagedtoMissCarter？"hesaid，withafaintlysuperiorsmile。"Isitreallytrue？"
"Yes。Whyshouldn’titbe？"returnedStacybluntly。
VanLoowasinstantlydeprecatingandsmiling。"Whynot，ofcourse？Butisn’titsudden？"
"Theyhaveknowneachothereversincehe’sbeenonHeavyTreeHill，"respondedStacy。
"Ah，yes！True，"saidVanLoo。"Butnow"——
"Well——he’sgotmoneyenoughtomarry，andhe’sgoingtomarry。"
"Ratheryoung，isn’the？"saidVanLoo，stilldeprecatingly。"Andshe’sgotnothing。Usedtowaitonthetableatherfather’shotelinBoomville，didn’tshe？"
"Yes。Whatofthat？Weallknowit。"
"Ofcourse。It’sanexcellentthingforher——andherfather。
He’llhavearichson-in-law。Abouttwohundredthousandishisshare，isn’tit？IsupposeoldCarterisdelighted？"
Stacyhadthoughtthisbefore，butdidnotcaretohaveitcorroboratedbythissuperfineyoungforeigner。"AndIdon’treckonthatBarkerisoffendedifheis，"hesaidcurtlyasheturnedaway。Nevertheless，hefeltirritatedthatoneofthethreesuperiorpartnersofHeavyTreeHillshouldbethoughtadupe。
Suddenlytheconversationdropped，thelaughterceased。Everyoneturnedround，and，byacommoninstinct，lookedtowardsthedoor。
Fromtheobscurityofthehillslopebelowcameawonderfultenorvoice，modulatedbydistanceandspiritualizedbythedarkness：——
"WhenatsomefuturedayIshallbefaraway，Thouwiltbeweeping，Thylonewatchkeeping。"
Themenlookedatoneanother。"That’sJackHamlin，"theysaid。
"What’shedoinghere？"
"Thewolvesaregatheringaroundfreshmeat，"saidSteptoe，withhiscoarselaughandaglanceatthetreasure。"Didn’tyeknowhecameoverfromRedDogyesterday？"
"Well，giveJackafairshowandhisowngame，"saidoneoftheoldlocators，"andhe’dcleanoutthatpileaforesunrise。"
"Andloseitnextday，"addedanother。
"Butneverturnahairorchangeamuscleineithercase，"saidathird。"Lord！I’veheardhimsingawayjustlikethatwhenhe’sbeenleavingtheboardwithfivethousanddollarsinhispocket，orgoingawaystrippedofhislastredcent。"
VanLoo，whohadbeenlisteningwithapeculiarsmile，heresaidinhismostdeprecatingmanner，"Yes，butdidyouneverconsidertheinfluencethatsuchamanhasonthehard-workingtunnelmen，whoarereadytogambletheirwholeweek’searningstohim？Perhapsnot。ButIknowthedifficultiesofgettingtheDitchratesfromthesemenwhenhehasbeenincamp。"
Heglancedaroundhimwithsomeimportance，butonlyalaughfollowedhisspeech。"Come，Frenchy，"saidanoldlocator，"youonlysaythatbecauseyourlittlebrotherwantedtoplaywithJacklikeagrownman，andwhenJackorderedhimofftheboardandhebecamesassy，Jackscootedhimouterthesaloon。"
VanLoo’sfacereddenedwithanangerthathadtheapparenteffectofremovingeverytraceofhisformerpolishedrepose，andleavingonlyahardoutlinebeneath。AtwhichDemorestinterfered：——
"Ican’tsaythatIseemuchdifferenceingamblingbyputtingmoneyintoaholeinthegroundandexpectingtotakemorefromitthanbyputtingitonacardforthesamepurpose。"
Heretheravishingtenorvoice，whichhadbeenapproaching，ceased，andwassucceededbyaheart-breakingandequallymelodiouswhistlingtofinishthebarofthesinger’ssong。AndthenextmomentJackHamlinappearedinthedoorway。
Whateverwashispresentfinancialcondition，inperfectself-
possessionandcharmingsang-froidhefullyboreouthispreviousdescription。Hewasascleanandrefreshinglookingasamadrono-
treeinthedust-blownforest。Anodorofscentedsoapandfreshlyironedlinenwaswaftedfromhim；therewasscarcelyacreaseinhiswhitewaistcoat，noraspeckuponhisvarnishedshoes。Hemighthavebeenanauditorofthepreviousconversation，soquicklyandcompletelydidheseemtotakeinthewholesituationataglance。Perhapstherewasanextratilttohisblack-ribbonedPanamahat，andacertaindancingdevilryinhisbrowneyes——whichmightalsohavebeenananswertoadversecriticism。
"WhenI，histruthtoprove，wouldtriflewithmylove，"hewarbledingeneralcontinuancefromthedoorway。Thendroppingcheerfullyintospeech，headded，"Well，boys，Iamheretowelcomethelittlestranger，andtotrustthatthefamilyaredoingaswellascanbeexpected。Ah！thereitis！Blessit！"hewenton，walkingleisurelytothetreasure。"Triplets，too！——andplumpatthat。
Haveyouhad’emweighed？"
FranknesswasanessentialqualityofHeavyTreeHill。"Wewerejustsaying，Jack，"saidanoldlocator，"that，givingyouafairshowandyourowngame，youcouldmanagetogetawaywiththatpilebeforedaybreak。"
"AndI’mjustthinking，"saidJackcheerfully，"thatthereweresomeofyouherethatcoulddothatwithoutanysuchuselesspreliminary。"HisbrowneyesrestedforamomentonSteptoe，butturningquiteabruptlytoVanLoo，heheldouthishand。Startledandembarrassedbeforetheothers，theyoungmanatlastadvancedhis，whenJackcoollyputhisown，asifforgetfully，inhispocket。"Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowwhatthatlittlebrotherofyoursisdoing，"hesaidtoVanLoo，yetlookingatSteptoe。"I
foundhimwanderingabouttheHillherequitedrunk。"
"Ihaverepeatedlywarnedhim"——beganVanLoo，reddening。
"Againstbadcompany——Iknow，"suggestedJackgayly；"yetinspiteofallthat，IthinkheowessomeofhisliquortoSteptoeyonder。"
"Ineversupposedthefoolwouldgetdrunkoveraglassofwhiskeyofferedinfun，"saidSteptoeharshly，yetevidentlyquiteasmuchdisconcertedasangry。
"ThetroublewithSteptoe，"saidHamlin，thoughtfullyspanninghisslimwaistwithbothhandsashelookeddownathispolishedshoes，"isthathehassuchasoft-heartedlikingforallweaknesses。
Alwayswantingtoprotectchapsthatcan’tlookafterthemselves，whetherit’sWhiskeyDicktherewhenhehasapullon，orsomeniggerwhenhe’smadealittlestrike，orthatstrayinglambofVanLoo’swhenhe’spuppydrunk。Butyou’rewrongaboutme，boys。Youcan’tdrawmeinanygameto-night。Thisisoneofmynightsoff，whichIdevoteexclusivelytocontemplationandsong。But，"headded，suddenlyturningtohisthreehostswithabewilderingandfascinatingchangeofexpression，"Icouldn’tresistcomingupheretoseeyouandyourpile，evenifIneversawtheoneortheotherbefore，andamnotlikelytoseeeitheragain。Ibelieveinluck！
Anditcomesamightysightoftenerthanafellowthinksitdoes。
Butitdoesn’tcometostay。SoI’dadviseyoutokeepyoureyesskinned，andhangontoitwhileit’swithyou，likegrimdeath。
Solong！"
Resistingallattemptsofhishosts——whohadapparentlyfallenassuddenlyandunaccountablyunderthemagicofhismanner——todetainhimlonger，hesteppedlightlyaway，hisvoicepresentlyrisingagaininmelodyashedescendedthehill。Norwasitatallremarkablethattheothers，apparentlydrawnbythesameinevitablemagnetism，wereimpelledtofollowhim，naturallyjoiningtheirvoiceswithhis，leavingSteptoeandVanLoosomarkedlybehindthemalonethattheywerecompelledatlastinsheerembarrassmenttocloseuptherearoftheprocession。Inanothermomentthecabinandthethreepartnersagainrelapsedintothepeaceandquietofthenight。Withthedyingawayofthelastvoicesonthehillsidetheoldsolitudereasserteditself。
Butsincetheirruptionofthestrangerstheyhadlosttheirformersluggishcontemplation，andnowbusiedthemselvesinpreparationfortheirearlydeparturefromthecabinthenextmorning。TheyhadarrangedtospendthefollowingdayandnightatBoomvilleandCarter’sHotel，wheretheyweretogivetheirfarewelldinnertoHeavyTreeHill。Theytalkedbutlittletogether：sincetherebuffhisenthusiasticconfidenceshadreceivedfromVanLoo，Barkerhadbeengraveandthoughtful，andStacy，withtheirritatingrecollectionofVanLoo’scriticismsinhismind，hadrefrainedfromhisusualrallyingofBarker。Oddlyenough，theyspokechieflyofJackHamlin，——tillthenpersonallyastrangertothem，onaccountofhisinfelixreputation，——andeventhecriticalDemorestexpressedawishtheyhadknownhimbefore。"Butyouneverknowtherealvalueofanythinguntilyou’requittingitorit’squittingyou，"headdedsententiously。
BarkerandStacybothstaredattheircompanion。ItwasunlikeDemoresttoregretanything——particularlyameresocialdiversion。
"Theysay，"remarkedStacy，"thatifyouhadknownJackHamlinearlierandprofessionally，agreatdealofrealvaluewouldhavequittedyoubeforehedid。"
"Don’trepeatthatrotflungoutbymenwhohaveplayedJack’sgameandlost，"returnedDemorestderisively。"I’drathertrusthimthan"——Hestopped，glancedatthemeditativeBarker，andthenconcludedabruptly，"thewholecaboodleofhiscritics。"
Theyweresilentforafewmoments，andthenseemedtohavefallenintotheirformerdreamymoodastheyrelapsedintotheiroldseatsagain。AtlastStacydrewalongbreath。"Iwishwehadsentthosenuggetsoffwiththeothersthismorning。"
"Why？"saidDemorestsuddenly。
"Why？Well，d——nitall！theykindofoppressme，don’tyousee。
Iseemtofeel’emhere，onmychest——allthethree，"returnedStacyonlyhalfjocularly。"It’stheird————dspecificgravity，I
suppose。Idon’tliketheideaofsleepinginthesameroomwith’em。They’realtogethertoomuchforusthreementobeleftalonewith。"
"Youdon’tmeanthatyouthinkthatanybodywouldattempt"——saidDemorest。
Stacycurledafightingliprathersuperciliously。"No；Idon’tthinkTHAT——IratherwishIdid。It’stheblessedchunksofsolidgoldthatseemtohavegotUSfast，don’tyouknow，andaregoingtosticktousforgoodorill。AsortofFrankensteinmonsterthatwe’vepickedoutofaholefrombelow。"
"IknowjustwhatStacymeans，"saidBarkerbreathlessly，roundinghisgrayeyes。"I’vefeltit，too。Couldn’twemakeasortofcacheofit——buryitjustoutsidethecabinforto-night？Itwouldbesortofputtingitbackintoitsoldplace，youknow，forthetimebeing。ITmightlikeit。"
Theothertwolaughed。"RatherroughonProvidence，Barkerboy，"
saidStacy，"handingbacktheHeaven-sentgiftsosoon！Besides，what’stokeepanyprospectorfromcomingalongandmakingastrikeofit？Youknowthat’smininglaw——ifyouhaven’tpreemptedthespotasaclaim。"
ButBarkerwastoostaggeredbythismaterialstatementtomakeanyreply，andDemorestarose。"AndIfeelthatyou’dbothbetterbeturningin，aswe’vegottogetupearly。"Hewenttothecornerofthecabin，andthrewtheblanketbackoverthepananditstreasure。"Therethat’llkeepthechunksfromgettinguptorideastrideofyoulikeanightmare。"Heshutthedoorandgaveamomentaryglanceatitscheaphingesandtheabsenceofboltorbar。Stacycaughthiseye。"We’llmissthissecurityinSanFrancisco——perhapseveninBoomville，"hesighed。
Itwasscarcelyteno’clock，butStacyandBarkerhadbeguntoundressthemselveswithintervalsofyawninganddesultorytalk，Barkercontinuinganamusingstory，withonestockingoffandhistrousershangingonhisarm，untilatlastbothmenweresnuglycurledupintheirrespectivebunks。PresentlyStacy’svoicecamefromundertheblankets：——
"Hallo！aren’tyougoingtoturnintoo？"
"Notyet，"saidDemorestfromhischairbeforethefire。"Youseeit’sthelastnightintheoldshanty，andIreckonI’llseetherestofitout。"
"That’sso，"saidtheimpulsiveBarker，strugglingviolentlywithhisblankets。"Itellyouwhat，boys：wejustoughttomakeawatch-nightofit——aregularvigil，youknow——untiltwelveatleast。Holdon！I’llgetup，too！"ButhereDemorestarose，caughthisyouthfulpartner’sbarefootwhichwentsearchingpainfullyforthegroundinonehand，tuckeditbackundertheblankets，andheapingthemonthetopofhim，pattedthebulkwithanauthoritative，paternalair。
"You’lljustsayyourprayersandgotosleep，sonny。You’llwanttobefreshasadaisytoappearbeforeMissKittyto-morrowearly，andyoucankeepyourvigilsforto-morrownight，afterdinner，inthebackdrawing-room。Isaid’Good-night，’andImeanit！"
Protestingfeebly，Barkerfinallyyieldedinanestlingshiverandasuddensilence。Demorestwalkedbacktohischair。AprolongedsnorecamefromStacy’sbunk；theneverythingwasquiet。Demoreststirredupthefire，castahugerootuponit，and，leaningbackinhischair，satwithhalf-closedeyesanddreamed。
Itwasanolddreamthatforthepastthreeyearshadcometohimdaily，sometimesevenovertakinghimundertheshadeofabuckeyeinhisnoontiderestonhisclaim，——adreamthathadneveryetfailedtowaitforhimatnightbythefiresidewhenhispartnerswereatrest；adreamofthepast，butsorealthatitalwaysmadethepresentseemthedreamthroughwhichhewasmovingtowardssomesureawakening。
Itwasnotstrangethatitshouldcometohimto-night，asithadoftencomebefore，slowlyshapingitselfoutoftheobscurityasthevisionofafairyounggirlseatedinoneoftheemptychairsbeforehim。Alwaysthesamepretty，childlikeface，fraughtwithahalf-frightened，half-wonderingtrouble；alwaysthesameslender，gracefulfigure，butalwaysglimmeringindiamondsandsatin，orspiritualinlaceandpearls，againsthisownrudeandsordidsurroundings；alwayssilentwithpartedlips，untilthenightwindsmotesomechordofrecollection，andthenmingledarememberedvoicewithhisown。Foratthosetimesheseemedtospeakalso，albeitwithclosedlips，andanutteranceinaudibletoallbuther。
"Well？"hesaidsadly。
"Well？"thevoicerepeated，likeagentleechoblendingwithhisown。
"Youknowitallnow，"hewenton。"Youknowthatithascomeatlast，——allthatIhadworkedfor，prayedfor；allthatwouldhavemadeushappyhere；allthatwouldhavesavedyoutomehascomeatlast，andalltoolate！"
"Toolate！"echoedthevoicewithhis。
"Youremember，"hewenton，"thelastdayweweretogether。Yourememberyourfriendsandfamilywouldhaveyougivemeup——apennilessman。Yourememberwhentheyreproachedyouwithmypoverty，andtoldyouthatitwasonlyyourwealththatIwasseeking，thatIthendeterminedtogoawayandnevertoreturntoclaimyouuntilthatreproachcouldberemoved。Youremember，dearest，howyouclungtomeandbademestaywithyou，evenflywithyou，butnottoleaveyoualonewiththem。Youworethesamedressthatday，darling；youreyeshadthesamewonderingchildlikefearandtroubleinthem；yourjewelsglitteredonyouasyoutrembled，andIrefused。Inmypride，orratherinmyweaknessandcowardice，Irefused。Icameawayandbrokemyheartamongtheserocksandledges，yetgrewstrong；andyou，mylove，YOU，shelteredandguardedbythoseyouloved，YOU"——Hestoppedandburiedhisfaceinhishands。Thenightwindbreatheddownthechimney，andfromthestirredashesonthehearthcamethesoftwhisper，"I
died。"
"Andthen，"hewenton，"Icaredfornothing。Sometimesmyheartawokeforthisyoungpartnerofmineinhisinnocent，trustfulloveforagirlthateveninherhumblestationwasfarbeyondhishopes，andIpitiedmyselfinhim。Home，fortune，friends，Inolongercaredfor——allwereforgotten。Andnowtheyarereturningtome——onlythatImayseethehollownessandvanityofthem，andtastethebitternessforwhichIhavesacrificedyou。Andhere，onthislastnightofmyexile，Iamconfrontedwithonlythejealousy，thedoubt，themeannessandselfishnessthatistocome。
Toolate！Toolate！"
Thewondering，troubledeyesthathadlookedintohishereappearedtoclearandbrightenwithasweetprescience。Wasitthewindmoaninginthechimneythatseemedtowhispertohim："Toolate，beloved，forME，butnotforyou。Idied，butLovestilllives。
Behappy，Philip。AndinyourhappinessItoomayliveagain"？
Hestarted。Intheflickeringfirelightthechairwasempty。Thewindthathadsweptdownthechimneyhadstirredtheasheswithasoundlikethepassageofarustlingskirt。Therewasachillintheairandasmelllikethatofopenedearth。Anervousshiverpassedoverhim。Thenhesatupright。Therewasnomistake；itwasnosuperstitiousfancy，butafaint，dampcurrentofairwasactuallyflowingacrosshisfeettowardsthefireplace。Hewasabouttorisewhenhestoppedsuddenlyandbecamemotionless。
Hewasactivelyconsciousnowofastrangesoundwhichhadaffectedhimeveninthepreoccupationofhisvision。Itwasagentlebrushingofsomeyieldingsubstancelikethatmadebyasoftbroomonsand，orthesweepofagown。Buttohismountainears，attunedtoeverywoodlandsound，itwasnotlikethegnawingofgopherorsquirrel，thescratchingofwildcat，northehairyrubbingofbear。
Norwasithuman；thelong，deeprespirationsofhissleepingcompanionsweredistinctfromthatmonotonoussound。HecouldnoteventellifitwereINthecabinorwithout。Suddenlyhiseyefelluponthepileinthecorner。Theblanketthatcoveredthetreasurewasactuallymoving！
Herosequickly，butsilently，alert，self-contained，andmenacing。
Forthisdreamer，thisbereavedman，thisscornfulphilosopherofricheshaddisappearedwiththatmidnighttrespassuponthesacredtreasure。Themovementoftheblanketceased；thesoft，swishingsoundrecommenced。Hedrewaglitteringbowie-knifefromhisboot-
leg，andinthreenoiselessstrideswasbesidethepile。Therehesawwhathefullyexpectedtosee，——anarrow，horizontalgapbetweenthelogwallsofthecabinandtheadobefloor，slowlywideninganddeepeningbytheburrowingofunseenhandsfromwithout。Thecoldouterairwhichhehadfeltbeforewasnowplainlyflowingintotheheatedcabinthroughtheopening。Theswishingsoundrecommenced，andstopped。Thenthefourfingersofahand，palmdownwards，werecautiouslyintroducedbetweenthebottomlogandthedenudedfloor。Uponthatintrudinghandthebowie-knifeofDemorestdescendedlikeaflashoflightning。Therewasnooutcry。EveninthatsuprememomentDemorestfeltapangofadmirationforthestoicismoftheunseentrespasser。Butthemaimedhandwasquicklywithdrawn，andasquicklyDemorestrushedtothedooranddashedintotheouterdarkness。
Foraninstanthewasdazedandbewilderedbythesuddenchange。
Butthenextmomenthesawadodging，doublingfigurerunningbeforehim，andthrewhimselfuponit。Intheshockbothmenfell，buteveninthatcontactDemorestfeltthetangledbeardandalcoholicfumesofWhiskeyDick，andfeltalsothatthehandswhichwerethrownupagainsthisbreast，thepalmsturnedoutwardwiththeinstinctivemovementofatimid，defenselessman，wereunstainedwithsoilorblood。Withanoathhethrewthedrunkardfromhimanddashedtotherearofthecabin。Buttoolate！
There，indeed，wasthescatteredearth，therethewidenedburrowasithadbeenexcavatedapparentlybythatmutilatedhand——butnothingelse！
HeturnedbacktoWhiskeyDick。Butthemiserableman，althoughstillretainingalookofdazedterrorinhiseyes，hadrecoveredhisfeetinakindofangryconfidenceandaforcedsenseofinjury。WhatdidDemorestmeanbyattacking"innoshent"gentlemenonthetrailoutsidehiscabin？Yes！OUTSIDEhiscabin，hewouldswearit！
"Whatwereyoudoinghereatmidnight？"demandedDemorest。