"No！Iwanttoapologize。Sitdown，co’nnle。"
　　"But，MissSally"——
　　"Sitdown，quick！"
　　Hedidso，seatinghimselfsidewaysonthebank。MissSallystoodbesidehim。
　　"Takeoffyo’hat，sir。"
　　Heobeyedsmilingly。MissSallysuddenlyslippedbehindhim。Hefeltthesofttouchofhersmallhandsonhisshoulders;warmbreathstirredtherootsofhishair，andthen——thelightpressureonhisscalpofwhatseemedthelipsofachild。
　　Heleapedtohisfeet，yetbeforehecouldturncompletelyround——adifficultytheyoungladyhadevidentlycalculatedupon——hewastoolate！ThefloatingdraperiesoftheartfulandshamelessMissSallywerealreadydisappearingamongthetombsinthedirectionofthehollow。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　ThehouseoccupiedbythemanageroftheDrummondSyndicateinRedlands——theformerresidenceofalocallawyerandjusticeofthepeace——wasnotlarge，buthadanimposingporticoofwoodenDoriccolumns，whichextendedtotheroofandfrontedthemainstreet。
　　Theall—pervadingcreepercloselycoveredit;thesidewalkbeforeitwasshadedbyarowofbroad—leavedailantus。Thefrontroom，withFrenchwindowsopeningontheportico，wasusedbyColonelCourtlandasageneraloffice;beyondthisasitting—roomanddining—roomoverlookedtheold—fashionedgardenwithitsdetachedkitchenandinevitablenegrocabin。Itwasacloseevening;thereweredarkcloudscomingupinthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，buttheleavesoftheailantushungheavyandmotionlessinthehushofanimpendingstorm。Thesparksoflazilyfloatingfirefliessoftlyexpandedandwentoutinthegloomoftheblackfoliage，orinthedarkrecessesoftheoffice，whosewindowswerewidelyopen，andwhoselightsCourtlandhadextinguishedwhenhebroughthisarmchairtotheporticoforcoolness。Oneofthesesparksbeyondthefence，althoughalternatelyglowingandpaling，wasstillsopersistentandstationarythatCourtlandleanedforwardtowatchitmoreclosely，atwhichitdisappeared，andavoicefromthestreetsaid：——
　　"Isthatyou，Courtland？"
　　"Yes。Comein，won’tyou？"
　　ThevoicewasChampney’s，andthelightwasfromhiscigar。Asheopenedthegateandcameslowlyupthestepsoftheporticotheusualhesitationofhismannerseemedtohaveincreased。Alongsightrilledthelimpleavesoftheailantusandasquicklysubsided。Afewheavyperpendicularraindropscrashedandspatteredthroughthefoliagelikemoltenlead。
　　"You’vejustescapedtheshower，"saidCourtlandpleasantly。HehadnotseenChampneysincetheypartedinthecemeterysixweeksbefore。
　　"Yes！——I——IthoughtI’dliketohavealittletalkwithyou，Courtland，"saidChampney。Hehesitatedamomentbeforetheprofferedchair，andthenadded，withacautiousglancetowardsthestreet，"Hadn’twebettergoinside？"
　　"Asyoulike。Butyou’llfinditwofullyhot。We’requitealonehere;there’snobodyinthehouse，andthisshowerwilldriveanyloungersfromthestreet。"Hewasquitefrank，althoughtheirrelationstoeachotherinregardtoMissSallywerestillsoundefinedastoscarcelyinvitehisconfidence。
　　HowbeitChampneytooktheprofferedchairandtheglassofjulepwhichCourtlandbroughthim。
　　"YouremembermyspeakingtoyouofDumont？"hesaidhesitatingly，"MissDows’Frenchcousin，youknow？Well——he’scominghere：he’sgotpropertyhere——thosethreehousesoppositetheCourtHouse。
　　FromwhatIhear，he’scomeoverwithalotofnew—fangledFrenchideasontheniggerquestion——rotaboutequalityandfraternity，don’tyouknow——andthehighesteducationandhighestofficesforthem。Youknowwhatthefeelingisherealready？YouknowwhathappenedatthelastelectionatCoolidgeville——howthewhiteswouldn’tlettheniggersgotothepollsandthejollyrowthatwaskickedupoverit？Well，itlooksasifthatsortofthingmighthappenHERE，don’tyouknow，ifMissDowstakesuptheseideas。"
　　"ButI’vereasontosuppose——Imean，"saidCourtlandcorrectinghimselfwithsomedeliberation，"thatanyonewhoknowsMissDows’
　　opinionsknowsthatthesearenotherviews。Whyshouldshetakethemup？"
　　"BecauseshetakesHIMup，"returnedChampneyhurriedly;"andevenifshedidn’tbelieveinthemherself，she’dhavetosharetheresponsibilitywithhimintheeyesofeveryunreconstructedrowdylikeTomHigbeeandtherestofthem。They’dmakeshortworkofherniggersallthesame。"
　　"ButIdon’tseewhysheshouldbemaderesponsiblefortheopinionsofhercousin，nordoIexactlyknewwhat’takinghimup’
　　means，"returnedCourtlandquietly。
　　Champneymoistenedhisdrylipswiththejulepandutteredanervouslaugh。"Supposewesayherhusband——forthat’swhathiscomingbackheremeans。Everybodyknowsthat;youwould，too，ifyouevertalkedwithheraboutanythingbutbusiness。"
　　AbrightflashoflightningthatlitupthefacesofthetwomenwouldhaverevealedChampney’sflushedfeaturesandCourtland’slackofcolorhadtheybeenlookingateachother。Buttheywerenot，andthelongreverberatingcrashofthunderwhichfollowedpreventedanyaudiblereplyfromCourtland，andcoveredhisagitation。
　　ForwithoutfullyacceptingChampney’sconclusionshewascruellyshockedattheyoungman’sutteranceofthem。HehadscrupulouslyrespectedthewishesofMissSallyandhadfaithfully——althoughneverhopelessly——heldbackanyexpressionofhisownlovesincetheirconversationinthecemetery。ButwhilehisnativetruthfulnessandsenseofhonorhadoverlookedtheseeminginsincerityofherattitudetowardsChampney，hehadneverjustifiedhisowntacitparticipationinit，andtheconcealmentofhisownpretensionsbeforehispossiblerival。Itwastruethatshehadforbiddenhimtoopenlyenterthelistswithheradmirers，butChampney’sinnocentassumptionofhisindifferencetoherandhisconsequenthalfconfidencesaddedpoignancytohisstory。
　　Thereseemedtobeonlyonewaytoextricatehimself，andthatwasbyaquarrel。WhetherhedidordidnotbelieveChampney’sstory，whetheritwasonlythejealousexaggerationofarival，orMissSallywasactuallydeceivingthemboth，hispositionhadbecomeintolerable。
　　"Imustremindyou，Champney，"hesaid，withfreezingdeliberation，"thatMissMirandaDowsandherniecenowrepresenttheDrummondCompanyequallywithmyself，andthatyoucannotexpectmetolistentoanyreflectionsuponthewaytheychoosetoadministertheirpartinitsaffairs，eithernow，ortocome。StilllessdoI
　　caretodiscusstheidlegossipwhichcanaffectonlythePRIVATE
　　interestsoftheseladies，withwhichneitheryounorIhaveanyrighttointerfere。"
　　ButthenaiveteoftheyoungEnglishmanwasasinvincibleasMissSally’sown，andasfataltoCourtland’sattitude。"OfcourseI
　　haven’tanyRIGHT，youknow，"hesaid，calmlyignoringtheseverepreambleofhiscompanion’sspeech，"butIsay！hangitall！evenifafellowhasnochanceHIMSELF，hedon’tliketoseeagirlthrowherselfandherpropertyawayonamanlikethat。"
　　"Onemoment，Champney，"saidCourtland，undertheinfectionofhisguest’ssimplicity，abandoninghisformersuperiorattitude。"Yousayyouhavenochance。DoyouwantmetounderstandthatyouareregularlyasuitorofMissDows？"
　　"Y—e—e—s，"saidtheyoungfellow，butwiththehesitationofconscientiousnessratherthanevasion。"Thatis——youknowIWAS。
　　Butdon’tyousee，itcouldn’tbe。Itwouldn’tdo，youknow。Ifthoseclannishneighborsofhers——thatSouthernset——suspectedthatMissSallywascourtedbyanEnglishman，don’tyouknow——apoacherontheirpreserves——itwouldbeallupwithherpositiononthepropertyandherinfluenceoverthem。Idon’tmindtellingyouthat’sonereasonwhyIleftthecompanyandtookthatotherplantation。Buteventhatdidn’twork;theyhadtheirsuspicionsexcitedalready。"
　　"DidMissDowsgivethatasareasonfordecliningyoursuit？"
　　askedCourtlandslowly。
　　"Yes。Youknowwhatastraightforwardgirlsheis。Shedidn’tcomenorotabout’notexpectinganythingofthekind，’orabout’beingasistertome，’andallthat，for，byJove！she’salwaysmorelikeafellow’ssister，don’tyouknow，thanhisgirl。Ofcourse，itwashardlinesforme，butIsupposeshewasaboutright。"Hestopped，andthenaddedwithakindofgentlepersistency："YOUthinkshewasaboutright，don’tyou？"
　　WithwhatwaspassinginCourtland’smindthequestionseemedsobitterlyironicalthatatfirstheleanedhalfangrilyforward，inanunconsciousattempttocatchthespeaker’sexpressioninthedarkness。"Ishouldhardlyventuretogiveanopinion，"hesaid，afterapause。"MissDows’relationswithherneighborsaresoverypeculiar。Andfromwhatyoutellmeofhercousinitwouldseemthatherdesiretoplacatethemisnotalwaystobedependedupon。"
　　"I’mnotfindingfaultwithHER，youknow，"saidChampneyhastily。
　　"I’mnotsuchabeastlycadasthat;Iwouldn’thavespokenofmyaffairsatall，butyouasked，youknow。Ionlythought，ifshewasgoingtogetherselfintotroubleonaccountofthatFrenchman，youmighttalktoher——she’dlistentoyou，becauseshe’dknowyouonlydiditoutofbusinessreasons。Andthey’rereallybusinessreasons，youknow。Isupposeyoudon’tthinkmuchofmybusinesscapacity，colonel，andyouwouldn’tgomuchonmyjudgment——
　　especiallynow;butI’vebeenherelongerthanyouand"——heloweredhisvoiceslightlyanddraggedhischairnearerCourtland——"Idon’tlikethelooksofthingshere。There’ssomedevilmentplottingamongthoserascals。They’reonlyawaitinganopportunity;asingleflashwouldbeenoughtosettheminablaze，evenifthefirewasn’tlitandsmoulderingalreadylikeasparkinabaleofcotton。I’dcutthewholethingandclearoutifIdidn’tthinkitwouldmakeitharderforMissDows，whowouldbeleftalone。"
　　"You’reagoodfellow，Champney，"saidCourtland，layinghishandontheyoungman’sshoulderwithasuddenimpulse，"andIforgiveyouforoverlookinganyconcernthatImighthave。Indeed，"headded，withanoddseriousnessandahalfsigh，"it’snotstrangethatyoushould。ButImustremindyouthattheDowsesarestrictlytheagentsandtenantsofthecompanyIrepresent，andthattheirrightsandpropertyunderthattenancyshallnotbeinterferedwithbyothersaslongasIamhere。Ihavenoright，however，"headdedgravely，"tokeepMissDowsfromimperilingthembyhersocialrelations。"
　　Champneyroseandshookhandswithhimawkwardly。"Theshowerseemstobeholdingup，"hesaid，"andI’lltoddlealongbeforeitstartsafresh。Good—night！Isay——youdidn’tmindmycomingtoyouthisway，didyou？ByJove！Ithoughtyouwerealittlestand—
　　offishatfirst。ButyouknowwhatImeant？"
　　"Perfectly，andIthankyou。"Theyshookhandsagain。Champneysteppedfromtheportico，and，reachingthegate，seemedtovanishashehadcome，outofthedarkness。
　　Thestormwasnotyetover;theairhadagainbecomecloseandsuffocating。Courtlandremainedbroodinginhischair。WhetherhecouldacceptChampney’snewsastrueornot，hefeltthathemustendthissuspenseatonce。Ahalf—guiltyconsciousnessthathewasthinkingmoreofitinreferencetohisownpassionthanhisdutytothecompanydidnotrenderhismeditationslessunpleasant。YetwhilehecouldnotreconcileMissSally’sconfidencesinthecemeteryconcerningtheindifferenceofherpeopletoChampney’sattentionswithwhatChampneyhadjusttoldhimofthereasonsshehadgivenHIMfordecliningthem，Iamafraidhewasnotshockedbyherpeculiarethics。Aloverseldomfindsfaultwithhismistressfordeceivinghisrival，andisaslittleapttoconsiderthelogicaldeductionthatshecoulddeceivehimalso，asOthellowastoacceptBrabantio’swarning，Themasculinesenseofhonorwhichmighthaveresentedthefriendshipofamancapableofsuchtreacherydidnothesitatetoaccepttheloveofawomanunderthesameconditions。Perhapstherewasanimpliedcomplimentinthusallowinghertotakethesoleethicalresponsibility，whichfewwomenwouldresist。
　　InthemidstofthisgloomyabstractionCourtlandsuddenlyraisedhisheadandlistened。
　　"Cato。"
　　"Yes，sah。"
　　Therewasasoundofheavyfootstepsinthehallcomingfromtherearofthehouse，andpresentlyadarkerbulkappearedintheshadoweddoorway。Itwashisprincipaloverseer——astrongandsuperiornegro，selectedbyhisfellow—freedmenfromamongtheirnumberinaccordancewithCourtland’snewregime。
　　"Didyoucomeherefromtheplantationorthetown？"
　　"Thetown，sah。"
　　"Ithinkyouhadbetterkeepoutofthetownintheeveningsforthepresent，"saidCourtlandinatoneofquietbutpositiveauthority。
　　"Aredeygoin’tobringbackdeole’patterrollers，’*sah？"askedthemanwithaslightsneer。
　　*The"patrol"orlocalpolicewhoformerlyhadthesurveillanceofslaves。
　　"Idon’tknow，"returnedCourtlandcalmly，ignoringhisoverseer’smanner。"ButiftheydidyoumustcomplywiththelocalregulationsunlesstheyconflictwiththeFederallaws，whenyoumustappealtotheFederalauthorities。Ipreferyoushouldavoidanytroubleuntilyouaresure。"
　　"Ireckontheywon’ttryanygamesonme，"saidthenegrowithashortlaugh。
　　Courtlandlookedathimintently。
　　"Ithoughtasmuch！You’recarryingarms，Cato！Handthemover。"
　　Theoverseerhesitatedforamoment，andthenunstrappedarevolverfromhisbelt，andhandedittoCourtland。
　　"Nowhowmanyofyouareinthehabitofgoingroundthetownarmedlikethis？"
　　"Onlydemenwho’vebeeninsulted，sah。"
　　"AndhowhaveYOUbeeninsulted？"
　　"MarseTomHigheedownindemarketreckoneditwashightimefancyniggerswasdrovintodeswamp，andIallowedthatloafersandbeggarshadbetterroosthighwhenworkin’folkswasaround，andMarseTomsaidhe’dcutmyhahtout。"
　　"Anddoyouthinkyourcarryingarevolverwillpreventhimandhisfriendsperformingthatoperationifyouprovokedthem？"
　　"Yousaidwewastopertectourse’fs，sah，"returnedthenegrogloomily。"Whatfohdendidyoudrillustousedemriflesindearmory？"
　　"TodefendyourselvesTOGETHERunderordersifattacked，nottosinglythreatenwiththeminastreetrow。Together，youwouldstandsomechanceagainstthosemen;separatelytheycouldeatyouup，Cato。"
　　"Iwouldn’ttrusttoomuchtosomeofdemniggersstandingtogether，sah，"saidGatedarkly。"Dey’drunbeforedeoldmasters——iftheydidn’trunto’em。Shuah！"
　　AfearofthiskindhadcrossedCourtland’smindbefore，buthemadenopresentcomment。"Ifoundtwoofthearmoryriflesinthemen’scabinsyesterday，"heresumedquietly。"Seethatitdoesnotoccuragain！Theymustnotbetakenfromthearmoryexcepttodefendit。"
　　"Yes，sah。"
　　Therewasamomentofsilence。Thenitwasbrokenbyasuddengustthatsweptthroughthecolumnsoftheportico，stirringthevines。
　　Thebroadleavesoftheailantusbegantorustle;anominouspatteringfollowed;therainhadrecommenced。AndasCourtlandroseandwalkedtowardstheopenwindowitsblankpanesandtheinterioroftheofficeweresuddenlyilluminatedbyagleamofreturninglightning。
　　Heenteredtheoffice，biddingCatofollow，andlitthelampabovehisdesk。Thenegroremainedstandinggloomilybutrespectfullybythewindow。
　　"Cato，doyouknowanythingofMr。Dumont——MissDows’cousin？"
　　Thenegro’swhiteteethsuddenlyflashedinthelamplight。"Ya！
　　ha！Ireckon，sah。"
　　"Thenhe’sagreatfriendofyourpeople？"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutdat，sah。Buthe’sapow’fulenemyofdeReedsanddeHigbees！"
　　"Onaccountofhisviews，ofcourse？"
　　"’Deedno！"saidCatowithanastoundedair。"Jessonaccountofdevendetta！"
　　"Thevendetta？"
　　"Yes，sah。Deoldbloodquo’llofdefamilies。It’sbeengoin’onoverfiftyyears，sah。Degranfader，fader，andbrudderofdeHigbeeswaskilledbydegranfader，fader，andbrudderofdeDoomonts。DeReedschippedinwhenalldeHigbeeswasplayedout，fo’deywasrelations，butdeywaschawedupbysomeofdeDowses，firstcousinstodeDoomonts。"
　　"What？AretheDowsinthisvendetta？"
　　"No，sah。Nomo’。Dey’sbinnomanindefamilysinceMissSally’sfaderdied——dat’sletdeDowsoutfo’ever。Delas’
　　shootin’wasdonebyMarseJackDoomont，whocrippledMarseTomHigbee’sbrudderJo，anddenskippedtoEurope。Deysayhe’scomeback，andislyinglowoveratAtlanty。Dar’llbelivelytimesofhecomesheretoseeMissSally。"
　　"Buthemayhavechangedhisideaswhilelivingabroad，wherethissortofthingissimplemurder。"
　　Thenegroshookhisheadgrimly。"Denhewouldn’tcome，sah。No，sah。HeknowsdatTomHigbee’sboundtogofo’himorleavedeplace，andMarseJackwouldn’tmindsettlin’HIMtooaswellashisbrudder，fordescoresisagin’deDoomontsyet。AndMarseJackain’tnoslouchwidascattergun。"
　　AtanyothertimetheimminenceofthissurvivalofalawlessbarbarismofwhichhehadheardsomuchwouldhaveimpressedCourtland;nowhewasonlyinterestedinitonaccountoftheinconceivablepositioninwhichitleftMissSally。Hadsheanythingtodowiththisbalefulcousin’sreturn，orwassheonlytobeahelplessvictimofit？
　　Awhite，dazzling，andbewilderingflashoflightningsuddenlylituptheroom，theporch，thedrippingailantus，andthefloodedstreetbeyond。Itwasfollowedpresentlybyacrashofthunder，withwhatseemedtobeasecondfainterflashoflightning，orratherasifthefirstflashhadsuddenlyignitedsomeinflammablesubstance。Withthelongreverberationofthethunderstillshakingthehouse，Courtlandslippedquicklyoutofthewindowandpasseddowntothegate。
　　"Diditstrikeanything，sah？"saidthestartlednegro，asCourtlandreturned。
　　"NotthatIcansee，"saidhisemployershortly。"Goinside，andcallZoeandherdaughterfromthecabinandbringtheminthehall。StaytillIcome。Go！——I’llshutthewindowsmyself。"
　　"Itmusthavestrucksomewhere，sah，shuah！Deh’sapow’fulsmellofsulphurrighthere，"saidthenegroashelefttheroom。
　　Courtlandthoughtsotoo，butitwasakindofsulphurthathehadsmelledbefore——onthebattlefield！Forwhenthedoorwasclosedbehindhisoverseerhetookthelamptotheoppositewallandexamineditcarefully。TherewasthedistinctholemadebyabulletwhichhadmissedCato’sheadattheopenwindowbyaninch。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　InaninstantCourtlandhadregainedcompletepossessionofhimself。Hisdistractingpassion——howdistractinghehadneverbeforerealized——wasgone！Hisclearsight——nolongerdistortedbysentiment——hadcomeback;hesaweverythinginitsjustproportion——
　　hisduty，theplantation，thehelplessfreedmanthreatenedbylawlessfury;thetwowomen——nolongerhisonetantalizingvision，butnowonlyapassingdetailoftheworkbeforehim。Hesawthemthroughnoaberratingmistoftendernessorexpediency——butwiththesingledirectnessofthemanofaction。
　　TheshothadclearlybeenintendedforCato。Evenifitwereanactofmerepersonalrevenge，itshowedaconfidenceandsecurityinthewould—beassassinthatbetokenedcooperationandanorganizedplan。Hehadavailedhimselfofthethunderstorm，theflashandlongreverberatingrollofsound——anartificenotunknowntoborderambush——toconfusediscoveryattheinstant。Yettheattackmightbeonlyanisolatedone;oritmightbethebeginningofageneralraidupontheSyndicate’sfreedmen。IftheformerhecouldprotectCatofromitsrepetitionbyguardinghimintheofficeuntilhecouldbeconveyedtoaplaceofsafety;ifthelatter，hemustatoncecollectthenegroesattheirquarters，andtakeCatowithhim。Heresolveduponthelattercourse。ThequarterswerehalfamilefromtheDows’dwelling——whichwastwomilesaway。
　　HesatdownandwroteafewlinestoMissDowsstatingthat，inviewofsomethreateneddisturbancesinthetown，hethoughtitadvisabletokeepthenegroesintheirquarters，whitherhewashimselfgoing。Hesentherhishousekeeperandthechild，astheyhadbothbetterremaininaplaceofsecurityuntilhereturnedtotown。HegavethenotetoZoe，biddingherhastenbythebackgardenacrossthefields。ThenheturnedtoCato。
　　"Iamgoingwithyoutothequarterstonight，"hesaidquietly，"andyoucancarryyourpistolbacktothearmoryyourself。"Hehandedhimtheweapon。Thenegroreceiveditgratefully，butsuddenlycastasearchingglanceathisemployer。Courtland’sface，however，betrayednochange。WhenZoehadgone，hecontinuedtranquilly，"Wewillgobythebackwaythroughthewoods。"Asthenegrostartedslightly，Courtlandcontinuedinthesameeventone：
　　"Thesulphuryousmelledjustnow，Cato，wasthesmokeofagunfiredatYOUfromthestreet。Idon’tproposethattheshotshallberepeatedunderthesameadvantages。"
　　Thenegrobecameviolentlyagitated。"Itwasdatsneakin’hound，TomHigbee，"hesaidhuskily。
　　Courtlandlookedathimsharply。"ThentherewassomethingmorethanWORDSpassedbetweenhimandyou，Cato。Whathappened？Come，speakout！"
　　"Helashedmewithhiswhip，andIgibhimonerightundertheyeah，anddruppedhim，"saidCato，recoveringhiscouragewithhisangerattherecollection。"Ihadarighttodefendmyse’f，sah。"
　　"Yes，andIhopeyou’llbeabletodoit，now，"saidCourtlandcalmly，hisfacegivingnosignofhisconvictionthatCato’sfatewasdoomedbythatsingleretaliatingblow，"butyou’llbesaferatthequarters。"Hepassedintohisbedroom，tookarevolverfromhisbedheadandaderringerfromthedrawer，bothofwhichhequicklyslippedbeneathhisbuttonedcoat，andreturned。
　　"Whenweareinthefields，clearofthehouse，keepclosebymyside，andeventrytokeepstepwithme。Whatyouhavetosay，sayNOW;theremustbenotalkingtobetrayourposition——wemustgosilently，andyou’llhaveenoughtodotoexerciseyoureyesandears。Ishallstandbetweenyouandanyattack，butIexpectyoutoobeyorderswithouthesitation。"Heopenedthebackdoor，motionedtoCatotopassout，followedhim，lockedthedoorbehindthem，andtakingthenegro’sarmwalkedbesidethelowpalingstotheendofthegarden，wheretheyclimbedthefenceandstoodupontheopenfieldbeyond。
　　Unfortunately，ithadgrownlighterwiththebreakingoftheheavyclouds，andgustygleamsofmoonlightchasedeachotheroverthefield，orstruckaglitterfromstandingrain—poolsbetweenthelittlehillocks。Tocrosstheopenfieldandgainthefringeofwoodsontheothersidewasthenearestwaytothequarters，butforthemomentwasthemostexposedcourse;tofollowthehedgetothebottomofthefieldandtheboundaryfenceandthencrossatrightangles，initsshadow，wouldbesafer，buttheywouldlosevaluabletime。BelievingthatCato’svengefulassailantwasstillhoveringnearwithhiscomrades，CourtlandcastaquickglancedowntheshadowylineofOsagehedgebesidethem。SuddenlyCatograspedhisarmandpointedinthesamedirection，wheretheboundaryfencehehadnoticed——abarrierofroughpalings——crossedthefield。
　　Withthemoonlowontheothersideofit，itwasamereblacksilhouette，brokenonlybybrightsilveropeningsandgapsalongitssurfacethatindicatedthemoonlitfieldbeyond。AtfirstCourtlandsawnothingelse。Thenhewasstruckbythefactthattheseopeningsbecamesuccessivelyandregularlyeclipsed，aswiththepassingofsomeopaqueobjectbehindthem。Itwasafileofmenontheothersideofthefence，keepinginitsshelterastheycrossedthefieldtowardshishouse。Roughlycalculatingfromthepassingobscurations，theremusthavebeentwelveorfifteeninall。
　　Hecouldnolongerdoubttheircombinedintentions，norhesitatehowtomeetthem。HemustatoncemakeforthequarterswithCato，evenifhehadtocrossthatopenfieldbeforethem。Heknewthattheywouldavoidinjuringhimpersonally，inthefearofpossibleFederalandpoliticalcomplications，andheresolvedtousethatfeartoinsureCato’ssafety。Placinghishandsonthenegro’sshoulders，heshovedhimforwards，fallingintoa"lockstep"soclosebehindhimthatitbecameimpossibleforthemostexpertmarksmantofireatonewithoutimperilingtheother’slife。Whenhalfwayacrossthefieldhenoticedthattheshadowsseenthroughtheopeningsofthefencehadpaused。Theambushedmenhadevidentlyseenthedoubleapparition，understoodit，and，asheexpected，darednotfire。HereachedtheothersidewithCatoinsafety，butnotbeforehesawthefatefulshadowsagainmoving，andthistimeintheirowndirection。Theywereevidentlyintendingtopursuethem。ButoncewithinthewoodsCourtlandknewthathischanceswereequal。Hebreathedmorefreely。Cato，nowlessagitated，hadevenregainedsomethingofhisformeremotionalcombativenesswhichCourtlandhadchecked。Althoughfarfromconfidentofhishenchman’sprowessinanemergency，theprospectofgettinghimsafeintothequartersseemedbrighter。
　　Itwasnecessary，also，totrusttohissuperiorwood—craftandknowledgeofthelocality，andCourtlandstillwalkingbetweenhimandhispursuersandcoveringhisretreatallowedhimtoleadtheway。Itlayovergroundthatwasbeginningtoslopegently;theunderbrushwaspresentlyexchangedforspringymoss，thecharacterofthetreeschanged，theblacktrunksofcypressesmadethegloomthicker。Trailingvinesandparasitesbrushedtheirfaces，acurrentofdampairseemedtoflowjustabovethesoilinwhichtheirlowerlimbsmovedsluggishlyasthroughstagnantwater。Asyettherewasnoindicationofpursuit。ButCourtlandfeltthatitwasnotabandoned。Indeed，hehadbarelytimetocheckanexclamationfromthenegro，beforethedullgallopofhorse—hoofsintheopenaheadofthemwasplaintothemboth。Itwasasecondpartyoftheirpursuers，mounted，whohadevidentlybeensenttopreventtheirfinalegressfromthewoods，whilethosetheyhadjustevadedwerenodoubtslowlyandsilentlyfollowingthemonfoot。Theyweretobecaughtbetweentwofires！
　　"Whatistheretotheleftofus？"whisperedCourtlandquickly。
　　"Deswamp。"
　　Courtlandsethisteethtogether。Hisdull—wittedcompanionhadevidentlywalkedthembothintothetrap！Nevertheless，hisresolvewasquicklymade。Hecouldalreadyseethroughthethinningfringeoftimberthefiguresofthemountedmeninthemoonlight。
　　"Thisshouldbetheboundarylineoftheplantation？Thisfieldbesideusisours？"hesaidinterrogatively。
　　"Yes，"returnedthenegro，"butdequartersisamilefurder。"
　　"Good！StayhereuntilIcomebackorcallyou;I’mgoingtotalktothesefellows。Butifyouvalueyourlife，don’tYOUspeaknorstir。"
　　Hestrodequicklythroughtheinterveningtreesandsteppedoutintothemoonlight。Asuppressedshoutgreetedhim，andhalfadozenmountedmen，maskedandcarryingrifles，rodedowntowardshim，butheremainedquietlywaitingthere，andasthenearestapproachedhim，hemadeastepforwardandcried，"Halt！"
　　Themenpulledupsharplyandmechanicallyatthatringofmilitaryimperiousness。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"saidCourtland。
　　"Wereckonthat’sOURbusiness，co’nnle。"
　　"It’smine，whenyou’reonpropertythatIcontrol。"
　　Themanhesitatedandlookedinterrogativelytowardshisfellows。
　　"Iallowyou’vegotusthere，co’nnle，"hesaidatlastwiththelazyinsolenceofconsciouspower，butIdon’tmindtellingyouwe’rewantinganiggeraboutthesizeofyourCato。Wehain’tgotanythingaginYOU，co’nnle;wedon’twanttointerferewithYOUR
　　property，andYOURways，butwedon’tcalculatetohavestrangersinterferewithOURwaysandOURcustoms。Trotoutyournigger——youNo’th’nfolksdon’tcallHIM’property，’youknow——andwe’llclearoffyourland。"
　　"AndmayIaskwhatyouwantofCato？"saidCourtlandquietly。
　　"ToshowhimthatalltheFederallawinh—llwon’tprotecthimwhenhestrikesawhiteman！"burstoutoneofthemaskedfigures，ridingforward。
　　"ThenyoucompelmetoshowYOU，"saidCourtlandimmovably，"whatanyFederalcitizenmaydointhedefenseofFederallaw。ForI’llkillthefirstmanthatattemptstolayhandsuponhimonmyproperty。Someofyou，whohavealreadytriedtoassassinatehimincoldblood，Ihavemetbeforeinlessdishonorablewarfarethanthis，andTHEYknowIamabletokeepmyword。"
　　Therewasamoment’ssilence;thebarreloftherevolverhewasholdingathissideglistenedforaninstantinthemoonlight，buthedidnotmove。Thetwomenrodeuptothefirstspeakerandexchangedwords。Alightlaughfollowed，andthefirstspeakerturnedagaintoCourtlandwithamockingpoliteness。
　　"Verywell，co’nnle，ifthat’syouropinion，andyouallowwecan’tfollowourgameoveryourproperty，why，wereckonwe’llhavetogivewayTOTHOSEWHOCAN。SorrytohavetroubledYOU。Good—
　　night。"
　　Heliftedhishatironically，wavedittohisfollowers，andthenextmomentthewholepartyweregallopingfuriouslytowardsthehighroad。
　　ForthefirsttimethateveninganervoussenseofapprehensionpassedoverCourtland。Theimpendingofsomeunknowndangerisalwaysmoreterribletoabravemanthanthemostoverwhelmingoddsthathecanseeandrealize。Hefeltinstinctivelythattheyhadutterednovaguebravadotocoveruptheirdefeat;therewasstillsomeadvantageonwhichtheyconfidentlyreckoned——butwhat？Wasitonlyareferencetotheotherpartytrackingthemthroughthewoodsonwhichtheirenemiesnowsolelyrelied？HeregainedCatoquickly;thewhiteteethofthefoolishlyconfidentnegrowerealreadyflashinghisimaginedtriumphtohisemployer。Courtland’sheartgrewsickashesawit。
　　"We’renotoutofthewoodsyet，Cato，"hesaiddryly;"norarethey。Keepyoureyesandearsopen，andattendtome。Howlongcanwekeepinthecoverofthesewoods，andstillpushoninthedirectionofthequarters？"
　　"There’sawayroun’deedgeo’deswamp，sah，butwe’dhavetogobackaspelltofindit。"
　　"Goon！"
　　"Anddar’smoccasinsandcopperheadslyingroundhereindetrail！
　　Deydon’tgoforusginerally——but，"behesitated，"whitemendon’tstandmuchshow。"
　　"Good！Thenitisasbadforthosewhoarechasingusasforme。
　　Thatwilldo。Leadon。"
　　Theyretracedtheirstepscautiously，untilthenegroturnedintoalighterby—way。Astrangemephiticodorseemedtocomefromsoddenleavesandmossesthatbegantooozeundertheirfeet。Theyhadpickedtheirwayinsilenceforsomeminutes;thestuntedwillowsandcypressstandingfartherandfartherapart，andtheopeningswithclumpsofsedgewerefrequent。Courtlandwasbeginningtofearthisexposureofhisfollower，andhadmovedupbesidehim，whensuddenlythenegrocaughthisarm，andtrembledviolently。
　　Hislipswerepartedoverhisteeth，thewhitesofhiseyesglistened，heseemedgaspingandspeechlesswithfear。
　　"What’sthematter，Cato？"saidCourtlandglancinginstinctivelyatthegroundbeneath。"Speak，man！——haveyoubeenbitten？"
　　Thewordseemedtowringanagonizedcryfromthemiserableman。
　　"Bitten！No;butdon’tyouhear’emcoming，sah！GodAlmighty！
　　don’tyouheardat？"
　　"What？"
　　"Dedogs！dehouns！——DEBLOODHOUNS！Dey’veset’emlooseonme！"
　　Itwastrue！AfaintbayinginthedistancewasnowdistinctlyaudibletoCourtland。Heknewnowplainlythefull，cruelpurportoftheleader’sspeech，——thosewhocouldgoanywhereweretrackingtheirgame！
　　Everytraceofmanhoodhadvanishedfromthenegro’scoweringframe。Courtlandlaidhishandassuringly，appealingly，andthensavagelyonhisshoulder。
　　"Come！Enoughofthis！Iamhere，andwillstandbyyou，whatevercomes。Thesedogsarenomoretobefearedthantheothers。Rouseyourself，man，andatleasthelpMEmakeafightofit。"
　　"No！no！"screamedtheterrifiedman。"Lemmego！LemmegobacktodeMassas！Tell’emI’llcome！Tell’emtocalldehounsoffme，andI’llgoquiet！Lemmego！"Hestruggledviolentlyinhiscompanion’sgrasp。
　　InallCourtland’sself—control，habitsofcoolness，anddiscipline，itistobefearedtherewasstillsomethingoftheoldBerserkertemper。Hisfacewaswhite，hiseyesblazedinthedarkness;onlyhisvoicekeptthatleveldistinctnesswhichmadeitforamomentmoreterriblethaneventhebayingofthetrackinghoundstothenegro’sear。"Cato，"hesaid，"attempttorunnow，and，byGod！I’llsavethedogsthetroubleofgrapplingyourlivingcarcass！Comehere！Upthattreewithyou！"pointingtoaswampmagnolia。"Don’tmoveaslongasIcanstandhere，andwhenI’mdown——butnottillthen——saveyourself——thebestyoucan。"
　　Hehalfhelped，halfdragged，thenowpassiveAfricantothesolitarytree;asthebayofasinglehoundcamenearer，thenegroconvulsivelyscrambledfromCourtland’skneeandshouldertotheforkofbranchesadozenfeetfromtheground。Courtlanddrewhisrevolver，and，steppingbackafewyardsintotheopen，awaitedtheattack。
　　Itcameunexpectedlyfrombehind。AsuddenyelpofpantingcrueltyandfrenziedanticipationatCourtland’sbackcausedhimtochangefrontquickly，andthedrippingfangsandsnakyboa—likeneckofagrayweirdshadowpassedhim。Withanawfulsupernaturalnessofinstinct，itkeptoninanunerringlinetothefatefultree。ButthatdreaddirectnessofscentwasCourtland’sopportunity。Hisrevolverflashedoutinanaimasunerring。Thebrute，piercedthroughneckandbrain，dashedonagainstthetreeinhisimpetus，andthenrolledoveragainstitinaquiveringbulk。AgainanotherbaycomingfromthesamedirectiontoldCourtlandthathispursuershadoutflankedhim，andthewholepackwerecrossingtheswamp。
　　Buthewasprepared;againthesameweirdshadow，asspectralandmonstrousasadream，dashedoutintothebrieflightoftheopen，butthistimeitwasstopped，androlledoverconvulsivelybeforeithadcrossed。Flushed，withthefireoffightinhisveins，Courtlandturnedalmostfuriouslyfromthefallenbrutesathisfeettomeettheonsetofthemorecowardlyhunterswhomheknewwereathisheels。Atthatmomentitwouldhavefaredillwiththeforemost。Nolongerthecalculatingstewardanddiplomaticmanager，nolongerthecool—headedarbiterofconflictinginterests，hewasreadytomeetthem，notonlywiththeintrepidinstinctsofasoldier，butwithanarousedpartisanfuryequaltotheirown。Tohissurprisenoonefollowed;thebayingofathirdhoundseemedtobesilencedandchecked;thesilencewasbrokenonlybythesoundofdistantdisputingvoicesandtheuneasytramplingofhoofs。Thiswasfollowedbytwoorthreerifleshotsinthedistance，butnoteitherinthedirectionofthequartersnortheDows’dwelling—house。Thereevidentlywassomeinterruptioninthepursuit，——adiversionofsomekindhadtakenplace，——butwhatheknewnot。Hecouldthinkofnoonewhomighthaveinterferedonhisbehalf，andtheshoutingandwranglingseemedtobecarriedonintheaccentsoftheonesectionalparty。HecalledcautiouslytoCato。Thenegrodidnotreply。Hecrossedtothetreeandshookitimpatiently。Itsboughswereempty;Catowasgone！Themiserablenegromusthavetakenadvantageofthefirstdiversioninhisfavortoescape。Butwhere，andhow，therewasnothinglefttoindicate。
　　AsCourtlandhadtakenlittlenoteofthetrail，hehadnoideaofhisownwhereabouts。Heknewhemustreturntothefringeofcypresstobeabletocrosstheopenfieldandgainthenegroquarters，whereitwasstillpossiblethatCatohadfled。Takingageneraldirectionfromthefewstarsvisibleabovetheopening，hebegantoretracehissteps。Buthehadnolongerthenegro’swoodcrafttoguidehim。Attimeshisfeetwerecaughtintrailingvineswhichseemedtocoilaroundhisankleswithominoussuggestiveness;attimestheyieldingsoilbeneathhistreadshowedhisperilousproximitytotheswamp，aswellasthefactthathewasbeginningtoinclinetowardsthatdreadcirclewhichisthehopelessinstinctofalllostandstrayinghumanity。Luckilytheedgeoftheswampwasmoreopen，andhewouldbeenabledtocorrecthischangedcourseagainbythepositionofthestars。Buthewasbecomingchilledandexhaustedbythesefruitlessefforts，andatlength，afteramoredeviousandprolongeddetour，whichbroughthimbacktotheswampagain，heresolvedtoskirtitsedgeinsearchofsomeothermodeofissuance。Beyondhim，thelightseemedstronger，asofamoreextendedopeningorclearing，andtherewasevenasuperficialgleamfromtheendoftheswampitself，asiffromsomeignisfatuusortheglancingofapoolofunbrokenwater。Afewrodsfartherbroughthimtoitandafullviewoftheunencumberedexpanse。Beyondhim，faracrosstheswamp，hecouldseeahillsidebathedinthemoonlightwithsymmetricallinesofsmallwhitesquaresdottingitsslopesandstretchingdownintoavalleyofgleamingshafts，pyramids，andtombs。Itwasthecemetery;thewhitesquaresonthehillsidewerethesoldiers’graves。Andamongthemevenatthatdistance，upliftingsolemnly，likeareproachfulphantom，wasthebrokenshaftabovethedustofChesterBrooks。
　　Withtheviewofthatfatefulspot，whichhehadnotseensincehislastmeetingtherewithSallyDows，afloodofrecollectionrusheduponhim。Inthewhitemistthathunglowalongthefartheredgeoftheswamphefanciedhecouldseeagainthebatterysmokethroughwhichtheghostlyfigureofthedeadriderhadchargedhisgunthreeyearsbefore;inthevaporywhiteplumesofafunerealplantinthelongavenuehewasremindedofthelightfigureofMissSallyassheappearedattheirlastmeeting。Inanothermoment，inhisalreadydazedcondition，hemighthavesuccumbedtosomesensuousmemoryofherformerfascinations，buthethrewitoffsavagelynow，withaquickandbitterrecallingofherdeceitandhisownweakness。Turninghisbackuponthescenewithahalf—
　　superstitioustremor，heplungedoncemoreintothetracklesscovert。Buthewasconsciousthathiseyesightwasgraduallygrowingdimandhisstrengthfalling。Hewasobligedfromtimetotimetostopandrallyhissluggishsenses，thatseemedtogrowheavierundersomedeadlyexhalationthatflowedaroundhim。Heevenseemedtohearfamiliarvoices，——butthatmustbedelusion。
　　Atlasthestumbled。Throwingoutanarmtoprotecthimself，hecameheavilydownupontheooze，strikingadull，half—elasticrootthatseemed——itmusthavebeenanotherdelusion——tomovebeneathhim，andeven——soconfusedwerehissensesnow——tostrikebackangrilyuponhisprostratearm。Asharppainranfromhiselbowtoshoulderandforamomentstunghimtofullconsciousnessagain。
　　Therewerevoicessurely，——thevoicesoftheirformerpursuers！IftheywereseekingtorevengethemselvesuponhimforCato’sescape，hewasreadyforthem。Hecockedhisrevolverandstooderect。A
　　torchflashedthroughthewood。Butevenatthatmomentafilmcameoverhiseyes;hestaggeredandfell。
　　Anintervalofhelplesssemi—consciousnessensued。Hefelthimselfliftedbystrongarmsandcarriedforward，hisarmhanginguselesslyathisside。Thedankodorofthewoodwaspresentlyexchangedforthefreeairoftheopenfield;theflamingpine—knottorcheswereextinguishedinthebrightmoonlight。Peoplepressedaroundhim，butsoindistinctlyhecouldnotrecognizethem。Allhisconsciousnessseemedcentredintheburning，throbbingpainofhisarm。Hefelthimselflaiduponthegravel;thesleevecutfromhisshoulder，thecoolsensationofthehotandburstingskinbaredtothenightair，andthenasoft，cool，andindescribablepressureuponawoundhehadnotfeltbefore。Avoicefollowed，——high，lazilypetulant，andfamiliartohim，andyetonehestroveinvaintorecall。
　　"DeLawdy—Gawdsaveus，MissSally！Wotyo’doin’dah？Chile！
　　Chile！Yo’’llkillyo’se’f，shuah！"
　　Thepressurecontinued，strangeandpotenteventhroughhispain，andwasthenwithdrawn。Andavoicethatthrilledhimsaid：——
　　"It’stheonlythingtosavehim！Hush，yechatteringblackcrow！
　　Sayanythingaboutthistoalivingsoul，andI’llhaveyo’
　　flogged！Nowtrotoutthewhiskeybottleandpouritdownhim。"
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　WhenCourtland’seyesopenedagain，hewasinbedinhisownroomatRedlands，withthevividmorningsunoccasionallylightingupthewallwheneverthecloselydrawncurtainswerelightlyblownasidebythefresheningbreeze。Thewholeeventsofthenightmighthavebeenadreambutfortheinsupportablelanguorwhichnumbedhissenses，andthetorporofhisarm，that，swollenanddiscolored，layoutsidethecoverletonapillowbeforehim。
　　ClothsthathadbeenwrungoutinicedwaterwerereplaceduponitfromtimetotimebySophy，MissDows’housekeeper，who，seatednearhisbedhead，waslazilyfanninghim。Theireyesmet。
　　"Broken？"hesaidinterrogatively，withafaintreturnofhisolddeliberatemanner，glancingathishelplessarm。
　　"Deedyno，cunnle！Snakebite，"respondedthenegress。
　　"Snakebite！"repeatedCourtlandwithlanguidinterest，"whatsnake？"
　　"Moccasino’copperhead——ifyoudounknowyo’se’fwhich，"shereplied。"Butit’sallrightnow，honey！Depizen’sdraw’doutandcleangone。Wotyerfeelsnowisdewhiskey。DewhiskeySTAYS，sah。Itgetsintodelubricationsofdeskin，sah，andhastobeabso’bed。"
　　Somefaintchordofmemorywastouchedbythegirl’speculiarvocabulary。
　　"Ah，"saidCourtlandquickly，"you’reMissDows’Sophy。Thenyoucantellme"——
　　"Nuffin，sahabsomlutelynuffin！"interruptedthegirl，shakingherheadwithimpressiveofficialdignity。"It’sdonegonefo’bidbydedoctor！Yo’’retoliedarandshutyo’reye，honey，"sheadded，forthemomentrevertingunconsciouslytothenativematernaltendernessofherrace，"andyo’’renottobodderyo’se’fefschoolkeepso’not。Demedicalmansaydistinctly，sah，"sheconcluded，sternlyrecallingherdutyagain，"noconversationwiddepatient。"
　　ButCourtlandhadwinningwayswithalldependents。"ButyouwillanswermeONEquestion，Sophy，andI’llnotaskanother。Has"——hehesitatedinhisstilluncertaintyastotheactualityofhisexperienceanditsprobableextent——"has——Cato——escaped？"
　　"Ifyo’meandatsassy，bull—niggeroberseerofyo’se，cunnle，HE’S
　　safe，yo’bet！"returnedSophysharply。"Safeinhisownquo’tahsnightafo’las’，afterbraggin’aboutthebloodhaownshekilled;
　　andsafeoberthecountylineyes’daymoan’in，afterkickingupalldisrumpus。Ifdarisasassy，highfalutin’niggerIjiss’spises——
　　itsdatblackniggerCatoo’yo’se！Now，"——relenting——"yo’jisswinkyo’eye，honey，anddon’texciteyo’se’faboutsachblacktrash;drapofftosleepcomfor’ble。Fo’youdo’angetannuderwordouto’Sophy，shuah！"
　　Asifinobedience，Courtlandclosedhiseyes。ButeveninhisweakstatehewasconsciousofthebloodcomingintohischeekatSophy’srelentlesscriticismofthemanforwhomhehadjustperiledhislifeandposition。Muchofithefeltwastrue;buthowfarhadhebeenadupeinhisquixoticdefenseofaquarrelsomeblustererandcowardlybully？Yettherewastheunmistakableshotandcold—bloodedattemptatCato’sassassination！Andtherewerethebloodhoundssenttotracktheunfortunateman！Thatwasnodream——butabrutalinexcusablefact！
　　ThemedicalpractitionerofRedlandsherememberedwasconservative，old—fashioned，anddiplomatic。Buthissympathieshadbeenbroadenedbysomearmyexperiences，andCourtlandtrustedtosomesoldierlyandfrankexpositionofthematterfromhim。Nevertheless，Dr。Maynardwasfirsthealer，and，likeSophy，professionallycautious。Thecolonelhadbetternottalkaboutitnow。Itwasalreadytwodaysold;thecolonelhadbeennearlyforty—eighthoursinbed。Itwasaregrettableaffair，butthenaturalclimaxoflong—continuedpoliticalandracialirritation——andnotwithoutGREATprovocation！Assassinationwasastrongword;couldColonelCourtlandswearthatCatowasactuallyAIMEDAT，orwasitnotmerelyademonstrationtofrightenabullyingnegro？Itmighthavebeennecessarytoteachhimalesson——whichthecolonelbythistimeoughttoknowcouldonlybetaughttotheseinferiorracesbyFEAR。
　　Thebloodhounds！Ah，yes！——well，thebloodhoundswere，infact，onlyapartofthatwholesomediscipline。SurelyColonelCourtlandwasnotsofoolishastobelievethat，evenintheoldslave—holdingdays，planterssentdogsafterrunawaystomangleanddestroyTHEIR
　　OWNPROPERTY？Theymightaswell，atonce，letthemescape！No，sir！Theywereusedonlytofrightenanddrivetheniggersoutofswamps，brakes，andhiding—places——asnoniggerhadeverdaredtoface’em。Catomightlieasmuchasheliked，buteverybodyknewWHOitwasthatkilledMajorReed’shounds。Nobodyblamedthecolonelforit，——notevenMajorReed，——butifthecolonelhadlivedalittlelongerintheSouth，he’dhaveknownitwasn’tnecessarytodothatinself—preservation，asthehoundswouldneverhavegoneforawhiteman。ButthatwasnotamatterforthecoloneltobotheraboutNOW。Hewasdoingwell;hehadsleptnearlythirtyhours;
　　therewasnofever，hemustcontinuetodozeofftheexhaustionofhispowerfulstimulant，andhe，thedoctor，wouldreturnlaterintheafternoon。