Butaglanceathisgood-humoredfaceandkindlingeyesremovedthatsuspicion。Nevertheless，hefeltsomewhatembarrassedandimpatient，andperhapscouldnotentirelyconcealit。Heforgotthattherudestnaturesaresometimesthemostdelicatelysensitivetoslights，andthestrangerhadnoticedhismannerandbeganapologetically。
"IallowedI'djustdropinanywaytotellyethatthesetharpillsyougiv'medidmeaheapo'goodsofar——thoughmebbeit'sonlyfairtogivetheothersashowtoo，whichI'mreckoningtodo。"Hepaused，andtheninasubmissiveconfidencewenton："ButfirstI
wantedtohevyouexcusemeforhavin'askedallthemquestionsaboutthathigh-tonedladylastnight，whenitwarn'tnoneofmybusiness。Iamadarnedfool。"
Mr。Kaneinstantlysawthatitwasnousetokeepuphisattitudeofsecrecy，orimposeupontheignorant，simpleman，andsaidhurriedly："Ohno。Theladyisverywellknown。Sheistheproprietressofarestaurantdownthestreet——ahouseopentoeverybody。HernameisMadameleBlanc；youmayhaveheardofherbefore？"
Tohissurprisethemanexhibitednodiminutionofinterestnorchangeofsentimentatthisintelligence。"Then，"hesaidslowly，"IreckonImightgettoseeheragain。Yesee，Mr。Kane，Irathertookafancytohergeneralstyleandgait——arterseein'herinthatfixlastnight。Itwasratherlikethemplaypicturesonthestage。Yedon'tthinkshe'dmakeanyfusstoseein'aroughold'forty-niner'likeme？"
"Hardly，"saidKane，"buttheremightbesomeobjectionfromhergentlemenfriends，"headded，withasmile，——"JackLane，agambler，whokeepsafarobankinherrooms，andJimmyO'Ryan，aprize-
fighter，whoisoneofher'chuckersout。'"
HisfurtherrelationofMadameleBlanc'sentourageapparentlygavetheminernoconcern。HelookedatKane，nodded，andrepeatedslowlyandappreciatively："Yes，keepsagamblin'andfarobankandaprize-fighter——Ireckonthatmightbeabouthergaitandstyletoo。Andyousayshelives"——
Hestopped，foratthismomentamanenteredtheshopquickly，shutthedoorbehindhim，andturnedthekeyinthelock。ItwasdonesoquicklythatKaneinstinctivelyfeltthatthemanhadbeenloiteringinthevicinityandhadapproachedfromthesidestreet。
Asingleglanceattheintruder'sfaceandfigureshowedhimthatitwasthebullyofwhomhehadjustspoken。Hehadseenthatsquare，brutalfaceoncebefore，confrontingthepoliceinariot，andhadnotforgottenit。Buttoday，withtheflushofliquoronit，ithadanimpatientawkwardnessandconfusedembarrassmentthathecouldnotaccountfor。Hedidnotcomprehendthatthegenuinebullyisseldomdeliberateofattack，andisobliged——incommonwithmanyofthecombativeloweranimals——tolashhimselfintoapreviousfuryofprovocation。Thisprobablysavedhim，asperhapssomeinstinctivefeelingthathewasinnoimmediatedangerkepthimcool。Heremainedstandingquietlybehindthecounter。Allenglancedaroundcarelessly，lookingattheshelves。
Thesilenceofthetwomenapparentlyincreasedtheruffian'srageandembarrassment。Suddenlyheleapedintotheairwithawhoopandclumsilyexecutedanegrodoubleshuffleonthefloor，whichjarredtheglasses——yetwasotherwisesosingularlyineffectiveandvoidofpurposethathestoppedinthemidstofitandhadtocontenthimselfwithglaringatKane。
"Well，"saidKanequietly，"whatdoesallthismean？Whatdoyouwanthere？"
"Whatdoesitmean？"repeatedthebully，findinghisvoiceinahighfalsetto，designedtoimitateKane's。"ItmeansI'mgoingtoplaymerryh-llwiththisshop！ItmeansI'mgoin'tocleanitoutandtheblankhair-cuttin'blankthatkeepsit。WhatdoIwanthere？Well——whatIwantIintendtohelpmyselfto，andallh-llcan'tstopme！And"（workinghimselftothestrikingpoint）"whotheblankareyoutoaskme？"Hesprangtowardsthecounter，butatthesamemomentAllenseemedtoslipalmostimperceptiblyandnoiselesslybetweenthem，andKanefoundhimselfconfrontedonlybytheminer'sbroadback。
"Hol'yerhosses，stranger，"saidAllenslowly，astheruffiansuddenlycollidedwithhisimpassivefigure。"I'masickmancomin'inyerformedicine。I'vegotsomethin'wrongwithmyheart，andgoin'sonlikethisyerkindersetsittothumpin'。"
"Blankyouandyourblankheart！"screamedthebully，turninginafuryofamazementandcontemptatthisimpotentinterruption。
"Who"——buthisvoicestopped。Allen'spowerfulrightarmhadpassedoverhisheadandshoulderslikeasteelhoop，andpinionedhiselbowsagainsthissides。Heldrigidlyupright，heattemptedtokick，butAllen'srightleghereadvanced，andfirmlyheldhislowerlimbsagainstthecounterthatshooktohisstrugglesandblasphemousoutcries。AllenturnedquietlytoKane，and，withagestureofhisunemployedarm，saidconfidentially：
"WouldyemindpassingmedownthatarRomanticSpiritsofAmmonyeryegavemelastnight？"
Kanecaughttheidea，andhandedhimthebottle。
"Thar，"saidAllen，takingoutthestopperandholdingthepungentspiritagainstthebully'sdilatednostrilsandvociferousmouth，"thar，smellthat，andtasteit，itwilldoyegood；itwaspowerfulkammin'toMElastnight。"
Theruffiangasped，coughed，choked，buthisblasphemingvoicediedawayinasuffocatinghiccough。
"Thar，"continuedAllen，ashisnowsubduedcaptiverelaxedhisstruggling，"ye'r'better，andsoamI。It'squieterherenow，andyeain'taffectin'myheartsobad。Alittlefreshairwillmakeusbothallright。"HeturnedagaintoKaneinhisformersubduedconfidentialmanner。
"Wouldyemindopenin'thatdoor？"
Kaneflewtothedoor，unlockedit，andhelditwideopen。Thebullyagainbegantostruggle，butasecondinhalationofthehartshornquelledhim，andenabledhiscaptortodraghimtothedoor。Astheyemergeduponthesidewalk，thebully，withafinaldesperatestruggle，freedhisarmandgraspedhispistolathiship-pocket，butatthesamemomentAllendeliberatelycaughthishand，andwithapowerfulsidethrowcasthimonthepavement，retainingtheweaponinhisownhand。"I'veoneofmyown，"hesaidtotheprostrateman，"butIreckonI'llkeepthisyertoo，untilyou'rebetter。"
Thecrowdthathadcollectedquickly，recognizingthenotoriousanddiscomfitedbully，werenotofaclasstoofferhimanysympathy，andheslunkawayfollowedbytheirjeers。Allenreturnedquietlytotheshop。Kanewasprofuseinhisthanks，andyetoppressedwithhissimplefriend'sfatuousadmirationforawomanwhocouldkeepsuchruffiansinheremploy。"Youknowwhothatmanwas，I
suppose？"hesaid。
"Ireckonitwasthat'erprize-fighterbelongin'tothathigh-
tonedlady，"returnedAllensimply。"Buthedon'tknowanythingaboutRASTLIN'，b'gosh；onlythatIwasafraido'bringin'onthathearttrouble，Imouthevhurthimbad。"
"Theythink"——hesitatedKane，"that——I——wasroughinmytreatmentofthatwomanandmaliciouslycutoffherhair。Thisattackwasrevenge——or"——hehesitatedstillmore，asherememberedDr。
Sparlow'sindicationofthewoman'sfeeling——"orthatbully'sideaofrevenge。"
"Isee，"noddedAllen，openinghissmallsympatheticeyesonKanewithanexasperatingairofsecrecy——"justjealousy。"
Kanereddenedinsheerhopelessnessofexplanation。"No；itwasearninghiswages，ashethought。"
"Neveryemind，pard，"saidAllenconfidentially。"I'llset'embothright。Yesee，thissortergivesmeashowtocallatthattharrestaurantandgiveHIMbackhissix-shooter，andsetherontherighttrailforyou。Why，Lordy！Iwasherewhenyouwasfixin'her——I'mtestimonyo'thewayyoudidit——andshe'llrememberme。I'llsorterwaltzroundtharthisafternoon。ButI
reckonIwon'tbekeepin'YOUfromyourworkanylonger。Andlookyar！——Isay，pard！——thisisseein'lifein'Frisco——ain'tit？
Gosh！I'vehadmorehightimesinthisveryshopintwodays，thanI'vehadintwoyearsofSt。Jo。Solong，Mr。Kane！"Hewavedhishand，loungedslowlyoutoftheshop，gaveapartingglanceupthestreet，passedthewindow，andwasgone。
Thenextdaybeingahalf-holidayforKane，hedidnotreachtheshopuntilafternoon。"YourminingfriendAllenhasbeenhere，"
saidDoctorSparlow。"Itookthelibertyofintroducingmyself，andinducedhimtoletmecarefullyexaminehim。Hewasalittleshy，andIamsorryforit，asIfearhehassomeseriousorganictroublewithhisheartandoughttohaveamorethoroughexamination。"SeeingKane'sunaffectedconcern，headded，"Youmightinfluencehimtodoso。He'sagoodfellowandoughttotakesomecareofhimself。Bytheway，hetoldmetotellyouthathe'dseenMadameleBlancandmadeitallrightaboutyou。Heseemstobequiteinfatuatedwiththewoman。"
"I'msorryheeversawher，"saidKanebitterly。
"Well，hisseeingherseemstohavesavedtheshopfrombeingsmashedup，andyoufromgettingapunchedhead，"returnedtheDoctorwithalaugh。"He'snofool——yetit'safreakofhumannaturethatasimplehayseedlikethat——amanwho'slivedinthebackwoodsallhislife，islikelytobethefirsttotumblebeforeapotofFrenchrougelikeher。"
Indeed，inacoupleofweeks，therewasnofurtherdoubtofMr。
ReubenAllen'sinfatuation。Hedroppedintotheshopfrequentlyonhiswaytoandfromtherestaurant，wherehenowregularlytookhismeals；hespenthiseveningsingamblinginitsprivateroom。YetKanewasbynomeanssurethathewaslosinghismoneythereunfairly，orthathewasusedasapigeonbytheproprietressandherfriends。ThebullyO'Ryanwasturnedaway；SparlowgrimlysuggestedthatAllenhadsimplytakenhisplace，butKaneingeniouslyretortedthattheDoctorwasonlypiquedbecauseAllenhadevadedhisprofessionaltreatment。Certainlythepatienthadneverconsentedtoanotherexamination，althoughherepeatedlyandgravelyboughtmedicines，andwasagenerouscustomer。OnceortwiceKanethoughtithisdutytocautionAllenagainsthisnewfriendsandenlightenhimastoMadameleBlanc'sreputation，buthissuggestionswerereceivedwithagood-humoredsubmissionthatwaseithertheeffectofunbelieforofperfectresignationtothefact，andhedesisted。OnemorningDr。Sparlowsaidcheerfully：——
"WouldyouliketohearthelastthingaboutyourfriendandtheFrenchwoman？Theboyscan'taccountforhersinglingoutafellowlikethatforherfriend，sotheysaythatthenightthatshecutherselfatthefeteanddroppedinhereforassistance，shefoundnobodyherebutAllen——achancecustomer！ThatitwasHEwhocutoffherhairandboundupherwoundsinthatsincerefashion，andshebelievedhehadsavedherlife。"TheDoctorgrinnedmaliciouslyasheadded："Andasthat'sthewayhistoryiswrittenyouseeyourreputationissafe。"
ItmayhavebeenamonthlaterthatSanFranciscowasthrownintoaparoxysmofhorrorandindignationovertheassassinationofaprominentcitizenandofficialinthegambling-roomsofMadameleBlanc，atthehandsofanotoriousgambler。Thegamblerhadescaped，butinoneofthoserarespasmsofvengefulmoralitywhichsometimesovertakescommunitieswhohavetoolongwinkedatandsufferedtheexistenceofevil，thefairproprietressandherwholeentouragewerearrestedandhaledbeforethecoroner'sjuryattheinquest。Thegreatestexcitementprevailed；itwassaidthatifthejuryfailedintheirduty，theVigilanceCommitteehadarrangedforthedestructionoftheestablishmentandthedeportationofitsinmates。ThecrowdthathadcollectedaroundthebuildingwasreinforcedbyKaneandDr。Sparlow，whohadclosedtheirshopinthenextblocktoattend。WhenKanehadfoughthiswayintothebuildingandthetemporarycourt，heldinthesplendidlyfurnishedgamblingsaloon，whosegildedmirrorsreflectedtheeagerfacesofthecrowd，theChiefofPolicewasgivinghistestimonyinaformalofficialmanner，impressiveonlyforitsrelentlessandimpassiverevelationofthecharacterandantecedentsoftheproprietress。
Thehousehadbeenlongundertheespionageofthepolice；MadameleBlanchadadozenaliases；shewas"wanted"inNewOrleans，inNewYork，inHavana！ItwasinHERhousethatDyer，thebankclerk，committedsuicide；itwastherethatColonelHooleywassetuponbyherbully，O'Ryan；itwasshe——Kaneheardwithreddeningcheeks——whodefiedthepolicewithriotousconductatafetetwomonthsago。Ashecoollyrecitedthecountsofthisshamefulindictment，KanelookedeagerlyaroundforAllen，whomheknewhadbeenarrestedasawitness。HowwouldHEtakethisterribledisclosure？Hewassittingwiththeothers，hisarmthrownoverthebackofhischair，andhisgood-humoredfaceturnedtowardsthewoman，inhisoldconfidentialattitude。SHE，gorgeouslydressed，painted，butunblushing，wascool，collected，andcynical。
TheCoronernextcalledtheonlywitnessoftheactualtragedy，"ReubenAllen。"Themandidnotmovenorchangehisposition。Thesummonswasrepeated；apolicemantouchedhimontheshoulder。
Therewasapause，andtheofficerannounced："Hehasfainted，yourHonor！"
"Isthereaphysicianpresent？"askedtheCoroner。
Sparlowedgedhiswayquicklytothefront。"I'mamedicalman，"
hesaidtotheCoroner，ashepassedquicklytothestill，upright，immovablefigureandkneltbesideitwithhisheaduponhisheart。
Therewasanawedsilenceas，afterapause，heroseslowlytohisfeet。
"Thewitnessisapatient，yourHonor，whomIexaminedsomeweeksagoandfoundsufferingfromvalvulardiseaseoftheheart。Heisdead。"
THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
"Oh！it'syou，isit？"saidtheEditor。
TheChineseboytowhomthecolloquialismwasaddressedansweredliterally，afterhishabit：——
"AlleesameLiTee；menochangee。MenoolleeChinaboy。"
"That'sso，"saidtheEditorwithanairofconviction。"Idon'tsupposethere'sanotherimplikeyouinallTrinidadCounty。Well，nexttimedon'tscratchoutsidetherelikeagopher，butcomein。"
"Lasstime，"suggestedLiTeeblandly，"metaptappee。Younoliketaptappee。Yousay，allesamedamwoodpeckel。"
Itwasquitetrue——thehighlysylvansurroundingsoftheTrinidad"Sentinel"office——alittleclearinginapineforest——anditsattendantfauna，madethesesignalsconfusing。AnaccurateimitationofawoodpeckerwasalsooneofLiTee'saccomplishments。
TheEditorwithoutreplyingfinishedthenotehewaswriting；atwhichLiTee，asifstruckbysomecoincidentrecollection，lifteduphislongsleeve，whichservedhimasapocket，andcarelesslyshookoutaletteronthetablelikeaconjuringtrick。TheEditor，withareproachfulglanceathim，openedit。Itwasonlytheordinaryrequestofanagriculturalsubscriber——oneJohnson——
thattheEditorwould"notice"agiantradishgrownbythesubscriberandsentbythebearer。
"Where'stheradish，LiTee？"saidtheEditorsuspiciously。
"Nohabgot。AskMellikanboy。"
"What？"
HereLiTeecondescendedtoexplainthatonpassingtheschoolhousehehadbeensetuponbytheschoolboys，andthatinthestrugglethebigradish——being，likemostsuchmonstrositiesofthequickCaliforniansoil，merelyamassoforganizedwater——was"mashed"
overtheheadofsomeofhisassailants。TheEditor，painfullyawareoftheseregularpersecutionsofhiserrandboy，andperhapsrealizingthataradishwhichcouldnotbeusedasabludgeonwasnotofasustainingnature，foreboreanyreproof。"ButIcannotnoticewhatIhaven'tseen，LiTee，"hesaidgood-humoredly。
"S'poseyoulie——alleesameasJohnson，"suggestedLiwithequalcheerfulness。"Hefooleeyouwithlottenstuff——youfooleeMellikanman，alleesame。"
TheEditorpreservedadignifiedsilenceuntilhehadaddressedhisletter。"TakethistoMrs。Martin，"hesaid，handingittotheboy；"andmindyoukeepclearoftheschoolhouse。Don'tgobytheFlateitherifthemenareatwork，anddon't，ifyouvalueyourskin，passFlanigan'sshanty，whereyousetoffthosefirecrackersandnearlyburnthimouttheotherday。LookoutforBarker'sdogatthecrossing，andkeepoffthemainroadifthetunnelmenarecomingoverthehill。"ThenrememberingthathehadvirtuallyclosedalltheordinaryapproachestoMrs。Martin'shouse，headded，"Bettergoroundbythewoods，whereyouwon'tmeetANY
ONE。"
Theboydartedoffthroughtheopendoor，andtheEditorstoodforamomentlookingregretfullyafterhim。Helikedhislittleprotegeeversincethatunfortunatechild——awaiffromaChinesewash-house——wasimpoundedbysomeindignantminersforbringinghomeahighlyimperfectandinsufficientwashing，andkeptashostageforamoreproperreturnofthegarments。Unfortunately，anothergangofminers，equallyaggrieved，hadatthesametimelootedthewash-houseanddrivenofftheoccupants，sothatLiTeeremainedunclaimed。Forafewweekshebecameasportingappendageoftheminers'camp；thestolidbuttofgood-humoredpracticaljokes，thevictimalternatelyofcarelessindifferenceorofextravagantgenerosity。Hereceivedkicksandhalf-dollarsintermittently，andpocketedbothwithstoicalfortitude。Butunderthistreatmenthepresentlylostthedocilityandfrugalitywhichwaspartofhisinheritance，andbegantoputhissmallwitsagainsthistormentors，untiltheygrewtiredoftheirownmischiefandhis。Buttheyknewnotwhattodowithhim。Hisprettynankeen-yellowskindebarredhimfromthewhite"publicschool，"
while，althoughasaheathenhemighthavereasonablyclaimedattentionfromtheSabbath-school，theparentswhocheerfullygavetheircontributionstotheheathenABROAD，objectedtohimasacompanionoftheirchildreninthechurchathome。AtthisjuncturetheEditorofferedtotakehimintohisprintingofficeasa"devil。"Forawhileheseemedtobeendeavoring，inhisoldliteralway，toactuptothattitle。Heinkedeverythingbutthepress。HescratchedChinesecharactersofanabusiveimporton"leads，"printedthem，andstuckthemabouttheoffice；heput"punk"intheforeman'spipe，andhadbeenseentoswallowsmalltypemerelyasadiabolicalrecreation。Asamessengerhewasfleetoffoot，butuncertainofdelivery。SometimepreviouslytheEditorhadenlistedthesympathiesofMrs。Martin，thegood-naturedwifeofafarmer，totakehiminherhouseholdontrial，butonthethirddayLiTeehadrunaway。YettheEditorhadnotdespaired，anditwastourgehertoasecondattemptthathedispatchedthatletter。
Hewasstillgazingabstractedlyintothedepthsofthewoodwhenhewasconsciousofaslightmovement——butnosound——inaclumpofhazelnearhim，andastealthyfigureglidedfromit。Heatoncerecognizeditas"Jim，"awell-knowndrunkenIndianvagrantofthesettlement——tiedtoitscivilizationbythesinglelinkof"firewater，"forwhichheforsookequallytheReservationwhereitwasforbiddenandhisowncampswhereitwasunknown。Unconsciousofhissilentobserver，hedroppeduponallfours，withhisearandnosealternatelytothegroundlikesometrackinganimal。Thenhavingsatisfiedhimself，herose，andbendingforwardinadoggedtrot，madeastraightlineforthewoods。Hewasfollowedafewsecondslaterbyhisdog——aslinking，rough，wolf-likebrute，whosesuperiorinstinct，however，madehimdetectthesilentpresenceofsomealienhumanityinthepersonoftheEditor，andtorecognizeitwithayelpofhabit，anticipatoryofthestonethatheknewwasalwaysthrownathim。
"That'scute，"saidavoice，"butit'sjustwhatIexpectedallalong。"
TheEditorturnedquickly。Hisforemanwasstandingbehindhim，andhadevidentlynoticedthewholeincident。
"It'swhatIallussaid，"continuedtheman。"ThatboyandthatInjinarethickasthieves。Yecan'tseeonewithouttheother——
andthey'vegottheirlittletricksandsignalsbywhichtheyfolloweachother。T'otherdaywhenyouwaskalkilatin'LiTeewasdoin'yourerrandsItrackedhimoutonthemarsh，justbyfollowin'thatornery，pizenousdogo'Jim's。Therewasthewholecaboodleof'em——includingJim——campin'out，andeatin'rawfishthatJimhadketched，andgreenstufftheyhadbothsneakedouterJohnson'sgarden。Mrs。MartinmayTAKEhim，butshewon'tkeephimlongwhileJim'sround。WhatmakesLifollerthatblamedoldInjinsoaker，andwhatmakesJim，who，atleast，isa'Merican，takeupwithafurrin'heathen，justgetsme。"
TheEditordidnotreply。Hehadheardsomethingofthisbefore。
Yet，afterall，whyshouldnottheseequaloutcastsofcivilizationclingtogether！……
LiTee'sstaywithMrs。Martinwasbrief。Hisdeparturewashastenedbyanuntowardevent——apparentlyusheredin，asinthecaseofothergreatcalamities，byamysteriousportentinthesky。
Onemorninganextraordinarybirdofenormousdimensionswasseenapproachingfromthehorizon，andeventuallybegantohoveroverthedevotedtown。Carefulscrutinyofthisominousfowl，however，revealedthefactthatitwasamonstrousChinesekite，intheshapeofaflyingdragon。Thespectacleimpartedconsiderablelivelinesstothecommunity，which，however，presentlychangedtosomeconcernandindignation。ItappearedthatthekitewassecretlyconstructedbyLiTeeinasecludedpartofMrs。Martin'sclearing，butwhenitwasfirsttriedbyhimhefoundthatthroughsomeerrorofdesignitrequiredatailofunusualproportions。
Thishehurriedlysuppliedbythefirstmeanshefound——Mrs。
Martin'sclothes-line，withpartoftheweeklywashdependingfromit。Thisfactwasnotatfirstnoticedbytheordinarysightseer，althoughthetailseemedpeculiar——yet，perhaps，notmorepeculiarthanadragon'stailoughttobe。Butwhentheactualtheftwasdiscoveredandreportedthroughthetown，avivaciousinterestwascreated，andspy-glasseswereusedtoidentifythevariousarticlesofapparelstillhangingonthatravishedclothes-line。Thesegarments，inthecourseoftheirslowdisengagementfromtheclothes-pinsthroughthegyrationsofthekite，impartiallydistributedthemselvesoverthetown——oneofMrs。Martin'sstockingsfallingupontheverandaofthePolkaSaloon，andtheotherbeingafterwardsdiscoveredonthebelfryoftheFirstMethodistChurch——tothescandalofthecongregation。ItwouldhavebeenwelliftheresultofLiTee'sinventionhadendedhere。
Alas！thekite-flyerandhisaccomplice，"InjinJim，"weretrackedbymeansofthekite'stell-talecordtoalonelypartofthemarshandrudelydispossessedoftheirchargebyDeaconHornblowerandaconstable。Unfortunately，thecaptorsoverlookedthefactthatthekite-flyershadtakentheprecautionofmakinga"half-turn"ofthestoutcordaroundalogtoeasethetremendouspullofthekite——
whosepowerthecaptorshadnotreckonedupon——andtheDeaconincautiouslysubstitutedhisownbodyforthelog。Asingularspectacleissaidtohavethenpresenteditselftotheon-lookers。
TheDeaconwasseentoberunningwildlybyleapsandboundsoverthemarshafterthekite，closelyfollowedbytheconstableinequallywildeffortstorestrainhimbytuggingattheendoftheline。Theextraordinaryracecontinuedtothetownuntiltheconstablefell，losinghisholdoftheline。ThisseemedtoimpartasingularspecificlevitytotheDeacon，who，totheastonishmentofeverybody，incontinentlysailedupintoatree！Whenhewassuccoredandcutdownfromthedemoniackite，hewasfoundtohavesustainedadislocationoftheshoulder，andtheconstablewasseverelyshaken。BythatoneinfelicitousstrokethetwooutcastsmadeanenemyoftheLawandtheGospelasrepresentedinTrinidadCounty。Itistobefearedalsothattheordinaryemotionalinstinctofafrontiercommunity，towhichtheywerenowsimplyabandoned，wasaslittletobetrusted。Inthisdilemmatheydisappearedfromthetownthenextday——nooneknewwhere。Apalebluesmokerisingfromalonelyislandinthebayforsomedaysafterwardssuggestedtheirpossiblerefuge。Butnobodygreatlycared。ThesympatheticmediationoftheEditorwascharacteristicallyopposedbyMr。ParkinSkinner，aprominentcitizen：——
"It'sallverywellforyoutotalksentimentaboutniggers，Chinamen，andInjins，andyoufellerscanlaughabouttheDeaconbeingsnatcheduptoheavenlikeElijahinthatblamedChinesechariotofakite——butIkintellyou，gentlemen，thatthisisawhiteman'scountry！Yes，sir，youcan'tgetoverit！Theniggerofeverydescription——yeller，brown，orblack，callhim'Chinese，'
'Injin，'or'Kanaka，'orwhatyoulike——heztoclaroffofGod'sfootstoolwhentheAnglo-Saxongetsstarted！Itstandstoreasonthattheycan'tlivealongsideo'printin'presses，M'Cormick'sreapers，andtheBible！Yes，sir！theBible；andDeaconHornblowerkinproveittoyou。It'sourmanifestdestinytoclarthemout——
that'swhatwewasputherefor——andit'sjusttheworkwe'vegottodo！"
IhaveventuredtoquoteMr。Skinner'sstirringremarkstoshowthatprobablyJimandLiTeeranawayonlyinanticipationofapossiblelynching，andtoprovethatadvancedsentimentsofthishighandennoblingnaturereallyobtainedfortyyearsagoinanordinaryAmericanfrontiertownwhichdidnotthendreamofExpansionandEmpire！
Howbeit，Mr。Skinnerdidnotmakeallowanceformerehumannature。
OnemorningMasterBobSkinner，hisson，agedtwelve，evadedtheschoolhouse，andstartedinanoldIndian"dug-out"toinvadetheislandofthemiserablerefugees。Hispurposewasnotclearlydefinedtohimself，butwastobemodifiedbycircumstances。HewouldeithercaptureLiTeeandJim，orjointhemintheirlawlessexistence。Hehadpreparedhimselfforeithereventbysurreptitiouslyborrowinghisfather'sgun。Healsocarriedvictuals，havingheardthatJimategrasshoppersandLiTeerats，andmisdoubtinghisowncapacityforeitherdiet。Hepaddledslowly，wellinshore，tobesecurefromobservationathome，andthenstruckoutboldlyinhisleakycanoefortheisland——atufted，tussockyshredofthemarshypromontorytornoffinsometidalstorm。Itwasalovelyday，thebaybeingbarelyruffledbytheafternoon"trades；"butashenearedtheislandhecameupontheswellfromthebarandthethundersofthedistantPacific，andgrewalittlefrightened。Thecanoe，losingway，fellintothetroughoftheswell，shippingsaltwater，stillmorealarmingtotheprairie-bredboy。Forgettinghisplanofastealthyinvasion，heshoutedlustilyasthehelplessandwater-loggedboatbegantodriftpasttheisland；atwhichalithefigureemergedfromthereeds，threwoffatatteredblanket，andslippednoiselessly，likesomeanimal，intothewater。ItwasJim，who，halfwading，halfswimming，broughtthecanoeandboyashore。MasterSkinneratoncegaveuptheideaofinvasion，andconcludedtojointherefugees。
Thiswaseasyinhisdefencelessstate，andhismanifestdelightintheirrudeencampmentandgypsylife，althoughhehadbeenoneofLiTee'soppressorsinthepast。ButthatstolidpaganhadaphilosophicalindifferencewhichmighthavepassedforChristianforgiveness，andJim'snativereticenceseemedlikeassent。And，possibly，inthemindsofthesetwovagabondstheremighthavebeenanaturalsympathyforthisothertruantfromcivilization，andsomedelicateflatteryinthefactthatMasterSkinnerwasnotdrivenout，butcameofhisownaccord。Howbeit，theyfishedtogether，gatheredcranberriesonthemarsh，shotawildduckandtwoplovers，andwhenMasterSkinnerassistedinthecookingoftheirfishinaconicalbasketsunkintheground，filledwithwater，heatedbyrollingred-hotstonesfromtheirdrift-woodfireintotheburiedbasket，theboy'sfelicitywassupreme。Andwhatanafternoon！Tolie，afterthisfeast，ontheirbelliesinthegrass，repletelikeanimals，hiddenfromeverythingbutthesunshineabovethem；soquietthatgraycloudsofsandpiperssettledfearlesslyaroundthem，andashiningbrownmuskratslippedfromtheoozewithinafewfeetoftheirfaces——wastofeelthemselvesapartofthewildlifeinearthandsky。Notthattheirownpredatoryinstinctswerehushedbythisdivinepeace；
thatintermittingblackspotuponthewater，declaredbytheIndiantobeaseal，thestealthyglideofayellowfoxintheambushofacallowbroodofmallards，themomentarystrayingofanelkfromtheuplanduponthebordersofthemarsh，awoketheirtinglingnervestothehappybutfruitlesschase。Andwhennightcame，toosoon，andtheypiggedtogetheraroundthewarmashesoftheircamp-fire，underthelowlodgepolesoftheirwigwamofdriedmud，reeds，anddriftwood，withthecombinedodorsoffish，wood-smoke，andthewarmsaltbreathofthemarshintheirnostrils，theysleptcontentedly。Thedistantlightsofthesettlementwentoutonebyone，thestarscameout，verylargeandverysilent，totaketheirplaces。Thebarkingofadogonthenearestpointwasfollowedbyanotherfartherinland。ButJim'sdog，curledatthefeetofhismaster，didnotreply。WhathadHEtodowithcivilization？
ThemorningbroughtsomefearofconsequencestoMasterSkinner，butnoabatementofhisresolvenottoreturn。ButherehewasoddlycombatedbyLiTee。"S'poseyougobackalleesame。Youtelleefam'leecanoegotopsidedown——youplenteeswimeetobush。
Alleenightinbush。Houseebigwayoff——howcanget？Sabe？"
"AndI'llleavethegun，andtellDadthatwhenthecanoeupsetthegungotdrowned，"saidtheboyeagerly。
LiTeenodded。
"AndcomeagainSaturday，andbringmorepowderandshotandabottleforJim，"saidMasterSkinnerexcitedly。
"Good！"gruntedtheIndian。
Thentheyferriedtheboyovertothepeninsula，andsethimonatrailacrossthemarshes，knownonlytothemselves，whichwouldbringhimhome。AndwhentheEditorthenextmorningchronicledamonghisnews，"AdriftontheBay——ASchoolboy'sMiraculousEscape，"heknewaslittlewhatparthismissingChineseerrandboyhadtakeninitastherestofhisreaders。
Meantimethetwooutcastsreturnedtotheirislandcamp。ItmayhaveoccurredtothemthatalittleofthesunlighthadgonefromitwithBob；fortheywereinadull，stupidwayfascinatedbythelittlewhitetyrantwhohadbrokenbreadwiththem。Hehadbeendelightfullyselfishandfranklybrutaltothem，asonlyaschoolboycouldbe，withtheadditionoftheconsciousnessofhissuperiorrace。Yettheyeachlongedforhisreturn，althoughhewasseldommentionedintheirscantyconversation——carriedoninmonosyllables，eachinhisownlanguage，orwithsomecommonEnglishword，ormoreoftenrestrictedsolelytosigns。Byadelicateflattery，whentheydidspeakofhimitwasinwhattheyconsideredtobehisownlanguage。
"Bostonboy，plentylikecatcheeHIM，"Jimwouldsay，pointingtoadistantswan。OrLiTee，huntingastripedwatersnakefromthereeds，wouldutterstolidly，"Melikanboynolikeesnake。"Yetthenexttwodaysbroughtsometroubleandphysicaldiscomforttothem。
Bobhadconsumed，orwasted，alltheirprovisions——and，stillmoreunfortunately，hisrighteousvisit，hisgun，andhissuperabundantanimalspiritshadfrightenedawaythegame，whichtheirhabitualquietandtaciturnityhadbeguiledintotrustfulness。Theywerehalfstarved，buttheydidnotblamehim。Itwouldcomeallrightwhenhereturned。Theycountedthedays，Jimwithsecretnotchesonthelongpole，LiTeewithastringofcopper"cash"healwayskeptwithhim。Theeventfuldaycameatlast，——awarmautumnday，patchedwithinlandfoglikebluesmokeandsmooth，tranquil，opensurfacesofwoodandsea；buttotheirwaiting，confidenteyestheboycamenotoutofeither。Theykeptastolidsilenceallthatdayuntilnightfell，whenJimsaid，"MebbeBostonboygodead。"
LiTeenodded。ItdidnotseempossibletothesetwoheathensthatanythingelsecouldpreventtheChristianchildfromkeepinghisword。
Afterthat，bytheaidofthecanoe，theywentmuchonthemarsh，huntingapart，butoftenmeetingonthetrailwhichBobhadtaken，withgruntsofmutualsurprise。Thesesuppressedfeelings，nevermadeknownbywordorgesture，atlastmusthavefoundvicariousoutletinthetaciturndog，whosofarforgothisusualdiscretionastoonceortwiceseathimselfonthewater'sedgeandindulgeinafitofhowling。IthadbeenacustomofJim'soncertaindaystoretiretosomesecludedplace，where，foldedinhisblanket，withhisbackagainstatree，heremainedmotionlessforhours。Inthesettlementthishadbeenusuallyreferredtotheaftereffectsofdrink，knownasthe"horrors，"butJimhadexplaineditbysayingitwas"whenhisheartwasbad。"Andnowitseemed，bythesegloomyabstractions，that"hisheartwasbad"veryoften。Andthenthelongwithheldrainscameonenightonthewingsofafiercesouthwester，beatingdowntheirfraillodgeandscatteringitabroad，quenchingtheircamp-fire，androllingupthebayuntilitinvadedtheirreedyislandandhissedintheirears。ItdrovethegamefromJim'sgun；ittorethenetandscatteredthebaitofLiTee，thefisherman。Coldandhalfstarvedinheartandbody，butmoredoggedandsilentthanever，theycreptoutintheircanoeintothestorm-tossedbay，barelyescapingwiththeirmiserablelivestothemarshypeninsula。Here，ontheirenemy'sground，skulkingintherushes，orlyingclosebehindtussocks，theyatlastreachedthefringeofforestbelowthesettlement。Here，too，sorelypressedbyhunger，anddoggedlyrecklessofconsequences，theyforgottheircaution，andaflightoftealfelltoJim'sgunontheveryoutskirtsofthesettlement。
Itwasafatalshot，whoseechoesawoketheforcesofcivilizationagainstthem。Foritwasheardbyaloggerinhishutnearthemarsh，who，lookingout，hadseenJimpass。Acareless，good-
naturedfrontiersman，hemighthavekepttheoutcasts'merepresencetohimself；buttherewasthatdamningshot！AnIndianwithagun！Thatweapon，contrabandoflaw，withdirefinesandpenaltiestowhososoldorgaveittohim！Athingtobelookedinto——someonetobepunished！AnIndianwithaweaponthatmadehimtheequalofthewhite！Whowassafe？Hehurriedtotowntolayhisinformationbeforetheconstable，but，meetingMr。Skinner，impartedthenewstohim。Thelatterpooh-poohedtheconstable，whoheallegedhadnotyetdiscoveredthewhereaboutsofJim，andsuggestedthatafewarmedcitizensshouldmakethechasethemselves。ThefactwasthatMr。Skinner，neverquitesatisfiedinhismindwithhisson'saccountofthelossofthegun，hadputtwoandtwotogether，andwasbynomeansinclinedtohavehisowngunpossiblyidentifiedbythelegalauthority。Moreover，hewenthomeandatonceattackedMasterBobwithsuchvigorandsohighlycoloredadescriptionofthecrimehehadcommitted，andthepenaltiesattachedtoit，thatBobconfessed。Morethanthat，I
grievetosaythatBoblied。TheIndianhad"stoledhisgun，"andthreatenedhislifeifhedivulgedthetheft。Hetoldhowhewasruthlesslyputashore，andcompelledtotakeatrailonlyknowntothemtoreachhishome。IntwohoursitwasreportedthroughoutthesettlementthattheinfamousJimhadaddedrobberywithviolencetohisillegalpossessionoftheweapon。Thesecretoftheislandandthetrailoverthemarshwastoldonlytoafew。
Meantimeithadfaredhardwiththefugitives。Theirnearnesstothesettlementpreventedthemfromlightingafire，whichmighthaverevealedtheirhiding-place，andtheycrepttogether，shiveringallnightinaclumpofhazel。Scaredthencebypassingbutunsuspectingwayfarerswanderingoffthetrail，theylaypartofthenextdayandnightamidsometussocksofsaltgrass，blownonbythecoldsea-breeze；chilled，butsecurelyhiddenfromsight。
Indeed，thankstosomemysteriouspowertheyhadofutterimmobility，itwaswonderfulhowtheycouldeffacethemselves，throughquietandthesimplestenvironment。Theleesideofastragglingvineinthemeadow，oreventhethinridgeofcast-updriftontheshore，behindwhichtheywouldlieforhoursmotionless，wasasufficientbarrieragainstpryingeyes。Inthisoccupationtheynolongertalkedtogether，butfollowedeachotherwiththeblindinstinctofanimals——yetalwaysunerringly，asifconsciousofeachother'splans。Strangelyenough，itwastheREAL
animalalone——theirnamelessdog——whonowbetrayedimpatienceandacertainhumaninfirmityoftemper。Theconcealmenttheywereresignedto，thesufferingstheymutelyaccepted，healoneresented！Whencertainscentsorsounds，imperceptibletotheirsenses，wereblownacrosstheirpath，hewould，withbristlingback，snarlhimselfintogutturalandstrangulatedfury。Yet，intheirapathy，eventhiswouldhavepassedthemunnoticed，butthatonthesecondnighthedisappearedsuddenly，returningaftertwohours'absencewithbloodyjaws——replete，butstillslinkingandsnappish。Itwasonlyinthemorningthat，creepingontheirhandsandkneesthroughthestubble，theycameuponthetornandmangledcarcassofasheep。Thetwomenlookedateachotherwithoutspeaking——theyknewwhatthisactofrapinemeanttothemselves。
Itmeantafreshhueandcryafterthem——itmeantthattheirstarvingcompanionhadhelpedtodrawthenetcloserroundthem。
TheIndiangrunted，LiTeesmiledvacantly；butwiththeirknivesandfingerstheyfinishedwhatthedoghadbegun，andbecameequallyculpable。Butthattheywereheathens，theycouldnothaveachievedadelicateethicalresponsibilityinamoreChristian-likeway。
Yettherice-fedLiTeesufferedmostintheirprivations。HishabitualapathyincreasedwithacertainphysicallethargywhichJimcouldnotunderstand。WhentheywereaparthesometimesfoundLiTeestretchedonhisbackwithanoddstareinhiseyes，andonce，atadistance，hethoughthesawavaguethinvapordriftfromwheretheChineseboywaslyingandvanishasheapproached。
Whenhetriedtoarousehimtherewasaweakdrawlinhisvoiceandadrug-likeodorinhisbreath。Jimdraggedhimtoamoresubstantialshelter，athicketofalder。Itwasdangerouslynearthefrequentedroad，butavagueideahadsprungupinJim'snowtroubledmindthat，equalvagabondsthoughtheywere，LiTeehadmoreclaimsuponcivilization，throughthoseofhisownracewhowerepermittedtoliveamongthewhitemen，andwerenothuntedto"reservations"andconfinedtherelikeJim'speople。IfLiTeewas"heapsick，"otherChinamenmightfindandnursehim。AsforLiTee，hehadlatelysaid，inamorelucidinterval："Megodead——
alleesameeMellikanboy。Yougodeadtoo——alleesamee，"andthenlaydownagainwithaglassystareinhiseyes。Farfrombeingfrightenedatthis，JimattributedhisconditiontosomeenchantmentthatLiTeehadevokedfromoneofhisgods——justashehimselfhadseen"medicine-men"ofhisowntribefallintostrangetrances，andwasgladthattheboynolongersuffered。Thedayadvanced，andLiTeestillslept。Jimcouldhearthechurchbellsringing；heknewitwasSunday——thedayonwhichhewashustledfromthemainstreetbytheconstable；thedayonwhichtheshopswereclosed，andthedrinkingsaloonsopenonlyatthebackdoor。
Thedaywhereonnomanworked——andforthatreason，thoughheknewitnot，thedayselectedbytheingeniousMr。Skinnerandafewfriendsasespeciallyfittingandconvenientforachaseofthefugitives。Thebellbroughtnosuggestionofthis——thoughthedogsnappedunderhisbreathandstiffenedhisspine。Andthenheheardanothersound，faroffandvague，yetonethatbroughtaflashintohismurkyeye，thatlituptheheavinessofhisHebraicface，andevenshowedaslightcolorinhishighcheek-bones。Helaydownontheground，andlistenedwithsuspendedbreath。Hehearditnowdistinctly。ItwastheBostonboycalling，andthewordhewascallingwas"Jim。"
ThenthefiredroppedoutofhiseyesasheturnedwithhisusualstoliditytowhereLiTeewaslying。Himheshook，sayingbriefly：
"Bostonboycomeback！"Buttherewasnoreply，thedeadbodyrolledoverinertlyunderhishand；theheadfellback，andthejawdroppedunderthepinchedyellowface。TheIndiangazedathimslowly，andthengravelyturnedagaininthedirectionofthevoice。Yethisdullmindwasperplexed，for，blendedwiththatvoicewereothersoundslikethetreadofclumsilystealthyfeet。
Butagainthevoicecalled"Jim！"andraisinghishandstohislipshegavealowwhoopinreply。Thiswasfollowedbysilence，whensuddenlyheheardthevoice——theboy'svoice——onceagain，thistimeverynearhim，sayingeagerly：——
"Thereheis！"
ThentheIndianknewall。Hisface，however，didnotchangeashetookuphisgun，andamansteppedoutofthethicketintothetrail：——
"Dropthatgun，youd————dInjin。"
TheIndiandidnotmove。
"Dropit，Isay！"
TheIndianremainederectandmotionless。
Arifleshotbrokefromthethicket。AtfirstitseemedtohavemissedtheIndian，andthemanwhohadspokencockedhisownrifle。
ButthenextmomentthetallfigureofJimcollapsedwherehestoodintoamereblanketedheap。
Themanwhohadfiredtheshotwalkedtowardstheheapwiththeeasyairofaconqueror。Butsuddenlytherearosebeforehimanawfulphantom，theincarnationofsavagery——acreatureofblazingeyeballs，flashingtusks，andhotcarnivorousbreath。Hehadbarelytimetocryout"Awolf！"beforeitsjawsmetinhisthroat，andtheyrolledtogetherontheground。
Butitwasnowolf——asasecondshotproved——onlyJim'sslinkingdog；theonlyoneoftheoutcastswhoatthatsuprememomenthadgonebacktohisoriginalnature。
AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
Mr。JacksonPotterhaltedbeforethelittlecottage，halfshop，halfhostelry，oppositethegreatgatesofDomesdayPark，whereticketsofadmissiontothatvenerabledomainweresold。HereMr。
PotterrevealedhisnationalityasaWesternAmerican，notonlyinhisaccent，butinacertainhalf-humorous，half-practicalquestioningoftheticket-seller——asthatquasi-officialstampedhisticket——whichwasneverthelessdeliveredwithsuchunfailinggood-humor，andsuchfranksuggestivenessoftheperfectequalityoftheticket-sellerandthewell-dressedstrangerthat，farfromproducinganyirritation，itattractedthepleasedattentionnotonlyoftheofficial，buthiswifeanddaughterandacustomer。
Possiblythegoodlooksofthestrangerhadsomethingtodowithit。JacksonPotterwasasingularlyhandsomeyoungfellow，withoneofthoseidealfacesandfiguressometimesseeninWesternfrontiervillages，attributabletonoancestor，butevolvedpossiblyfromnovelsandbooksdevouredbyancestressesinthelongsolitarywintereveningsoftheirlonelycabinsonthefrontier。A
beardless，classicalhead，coveredbyshortflocculentblondecurls，poisedonashapelyneckandshoulders，wasmoreGreekinoutlinethansuggestiveofanyordinaryAmericantype。Finally，afterhavingthoroughlyamusedhissmallaudience，heliftedhisstrawhattothe"ladies，"andloungedoutacrosstheroadtothegateway。Herehepaused，consultinghisguide-book，andreadaloud："St。John'sgateway。Thismassivestructure，accordingtoLeland，wasbuiltin"——murmured——"nevermindwhen；we'llpassSt。
John，"markedthepagewithhispencil，andtenderinghistickettothegate-keeper，heard，withsomesatisfaction，that，astherewerenoothervisitorsjustthen，andastheciceroneonlyaccompaniedPARTIES，hewouldbelefttohimself，andatonceplungedintoaby-path。
Itwasthatloveliestofrarecreations——ahotsummerdayinEngland，withallthedampnessofthatsea-blownislewrungoutofit，exhaledinthequiveringbluevaultoverhead，orpassingasdimwraithsinthedistantwood，andallthelong-maturedgrowthofthatgreatoldgardenvivifiedandmaderesplendentbythefervidsun。Theashesofdeadandgoneharvests，eventhedustofthosewhohadforageswroughtinit，turnedagainandagainthroughincessantcultivation，seemedtomoveandliveoncemoreinthatpresentsunshine。Allcolorappearedtobedeepenedandmellowed，untileventheveryshadowsofthetreeswereasvelvetyastheswardtheyfellupon。Theprairie-bredPotter，accustomedtotheyouthfulcapricesandextravagancesofhisownvirginsoil，couldnothelpfeelingtheinfluenceoftheriperestraintsofthis。
Asheglancedthroughtheleavesacrossgreensunlitspacestotheivy-cladruinsofDomesdayAbbey，whichseemeditselfagrowthoftheverysoil，hemurmuredtohimself："Thingshadbeenmademightycomfortableforfolkshere，youbet！"Forgottenbookshehadreadasaboy，scrapsofschoolhistories，orrarernovels，camebacktohimashewalkedalong，andpeopledthesolitudeabouthimwiththeirheroes。