"No，ma’am，"hesighed，"youcan’tdonothing，Iguess。"
　　"Justletmegooverandgetourmedicines。"
　　"Thankyou，ma’am，"saidJake，andthepainonhisfacewasmiserabletosee；"thereain’tnomedicine。We’rekindofusedtothis，Andyandme。
　　Maybe，ifyouwouldn’tmindstayin’tillhecomesto——Why，asickmantakescomfortatthesightofalady。"
　　Whenthefithadpassedtheyhelpedhimtohisfeet，andJakeledhimaway。
　　Mrs。Jakemadeherfirstappearanceupontheguestssittingdowntotheirmeal，whenshewaitedontable，passingbusilyforthfromthekitchenwithherdishes。ShehadbutthreeorfourEnglishwords，andherbestyearswereplainlybehindher；buthercookingwasgood，friedandboiledwithsticksofherownchopping，andsheservedwithindustry。Indeed，asquawisoneofthefewspeciesofthedomesticwifethatsurvivetodayuponourcontinent。Andyseemednowtokeepallhisdislikeforher，andfollowedherwithascowlingeye，whilehefrequentedJake，drawingachairtositnexthimwhenhesmokedbythewallaftersupper，andsome—
　　timeswatchinghimwithasortofcloudedaffectionuponhisface。Hedidnottalk，andtheseizurehadevidentlyjarredhismindaswellashisframe。Whenthesquawwasaboutlightingalamphebrushedherarminachildishwaysothatthematchwentout，andsethimlaughing。ShepouredoutaharangueinChinook，showingthedeadmatchtoJake，whoroseandgravelylightedthelamphimself，Andylaughingmorethanever。WhenMrs。
　　ClallamhadtakenNancywithhertobed，JakewalkedJohnClallamtotheriver—bank，andlookingupanddown，spokealittleofhisrealmind。
　　"Iguessyouseehowitiswithme。Anyway，Idon’tcommonlyhevuseforstranger—folksinthishouse。Butthatlittlegirlofyournstartedcryin’aboutnothavin’thepumpalongthatshe’dbeenusedtoseein’intheyardathome。AndIsaystomyself，’Looka—here，Jake，Idon’tcareiftheydoketchontoyouandyerblamedwhiskeybusiness。They’renotthesorttotellonyou。’Gee！butthataboutthepumpgotme！AndI
　　says，’Jake，you’regoin’togivethemthebestyouhevgot。’Why，thatBigBenddesertandlonesomevalleyoftheColumbiahezchilledmyheartinthedaysthataregonewhenIweren’tusedtothings；andthelittlegirlhedcamesofur！AndIknowedhowshewasa—feelin’。"
　　Hestopped，andseemedtobeturningmattersover。
　　"I’mmuchobligedtoyou，"saidClallam。
　　"AndyourwifewasjestbeautifulaboutAndy。You’vesawmewickedtoAndy。Iam，andoften，forIrileturrublequick，andGodforgiveme！Butwhenthatboygitsathismeanness——yu’veseenjestatouchofit——
　　there’sscarcelylivin’withhim。Itseemslikehegotreg’larinspired。
　　Somedayshe’lllie——makeupbigliestothefustmancomesinatthedoor。Theyain’tharmless，hisliesain’t。Thenhe’lltrickmywoman，that’srealgoodtohim；andIbelievehe’dlickwhiskeyupoffthedirt。
　　Andeverydropispoisonforhimwithhiscomplaint。ButI’doughttoremember。You’dsurelythinkIcouldremember，andforbear。Mostlikelyhemadeabigtalktoyouaboutthatcabin。"
　　JohnClallamtoldhim。
　　"Well，that’salltrue，foronced。Ididthinkhe’dbeenuptostealin’
　　thatwhiskeygradual，’steadoffishin’，thetimeshewasoutallday。
　　AndthesalaryIgivehim"——Jakelaughedalittle——"ain’tenoughtojustifyaman’sbreakingthelaw。Ididtakehisrifleawaywhenhetriedtoshootmywoman。IguessitwasSiwashesbruckintothatcabin。"
　　"I’mprettycertainofit，"saidClallam。
　　"You？Whatmakesyou？"
　　Johnbeganthetaleofthegallopingdots，andJakestoppedwalkingtolistentheharder。"Yes，"hesaid；"that’sbad。That’sjestbad。Theyhevcarriedalotofftodrink。That’stheworst。"
　　Hehadlittletosayafterthis，buttalkedunderhistongueastheywenttothehouse，whereheofferedabedtoClallamandMart。Theywouldnotturnhimout，soheshowedthemovertoahaystack，wheretheycrawledinandwenttosleep。
　　Mostwhitemenknowwhentheyhavehadenoughwhiskey。MostIndiansdonot。Thisisadifferencebetweentheracesofwhichgovernmenthastakennotice。Governmentsaysthat"noardentspiritsshallbeintroducedunderanypresenceintotheIndiancountry。"Italsosaysthatthewhitemanwhoattemptstobreakthislaw"shallbepunishedbyimprisonmentfornotmorethantwoyearsandbyafineofnotmorethanthreehundreddollars。"ItfurthersaysthatifanysuperintendentofIndianaffairshasreasontosuspectaman，hemaycausethe"boats，stores，packages，wagons，sleds，andplacesofdeposit"ofsuchpersontobesearched，andifardentspiritsbefounditshallbeforfeit，togetherwiththeboatsandallothersubstanceswithitconnected，onehalftotheinformerandtheotherhalftotheuseoftheUnitedStates。Thecourtsandalllegalmachinesnecessaryfortrialandpunishmentofoffendersareoiledandready；twoyearsisalongwhileinjail；threehundreddollarsandconfiscationsoundsheavy；altogetherthepenaltylookssevereontheprintedpage——andallthewhilethere’snobriskersuccessinourfarWestthansellingwhiskeytoIndians。Veryfewpeopleknowwhatthewhiskeyismadeof，andtheIndiandoesnotcare。Hedrinkstillhedropssenseless。Ifhehaskillednobodyandnobodyhimduringtheprocess，itisagoodthing，forthenthematterendswithhisgettingsoberandgoinghometohistenttillsuchhappytimewhenhecanputhishandonsomefurtherpossessiontotradeaway。Thewhiteoffenderiscaughtnowandthen；butOkanagonCountyliesprettysnugfromthearmofthelaw。
　　It’sagainstCanadatothenorth，andtheemptycountyofStevenstotheeast；southofitrushestheColumbia，withthenakedhorribleBigBendbeyond，andtoitswestrisesadomainofunfootedmountains。ThereislawupinthetopofitatConconullysometimes，butnotmuchevento—day，forthatisstillanewcountry，whereflowtheMethow，theAshinola，andtheSimilikameen。
　　ConsequentlyacabinlikeWild—GooseJake’swasaholidayplace。Theblanketeddenizensofthereservationcrossedtoit，andthecitizenswhohadneighboringcabinsalongthetrailrepairedheretospendwhatmoneytheyhad。AsMrs。Clallamlayinherbedsheheardcustomersarrive。TwoorthreeloudvoicesspokeinEnglish，andseveralIndiansandsquawsseemedtobewiththeparty，banteringinChinook。ThevisitorswereintoostrongforceforJake’swordaboutcomingsomeothernighttobeofanyavail。
　　"Openyourcellarandquityourtalk，"Elizabethheard，andnextsheheardsomedoorthatstuck，pulledopenwithashriekofthewarpedtimber。Nexttheyweregambling，andmadenotmuchnoiseoveritatfirst；buttheIndiansinduetimebegantolosetothesobererwhites，becomingquarrelsome，andraisingaclumsydisturbance，thoughitwasplainthewhiteshadtheirownwayandwerefeared。Thevoicesrose，andsoontherewasnomomentthatseveralwerenotshoutingcursesatonce，tillMrs。Clallamstoppedherears。Shewasstillforatime，hearingonlyinamuffledway，whenallatoncethesmellofdrinkandtobacco，thathadsiftedonlyalittlethroughthecracks，grewheavyintheroom，andshefeltNancyshrinkclosetoherside。
　　"Mother，mother，"thechildwhispered，"what’sthat？"
　　Ithadgonebeyondcard—playingwiththecompanyinthesaloon；theyseemednowtobehavingasavagehorse—play，thoseontheirfeettrampingintheirscufflesuponothersonthefloor，whobellowedincoherently。
　　ElizabethClallamtookNancyinherarmsandtoldherthatnobodywouldcomewheretheywere。
　　Butthechildwasshaking。"Yes，theywill，"shewhispered，interror。
　　"Theyare！"Andshebeganatearlesssobbing，holdinghermotherwithherwholestrength。
　　Alittlesoundcameclosebythebed，andElizabeth’ssensesstoppedsothatforhalfaminuteshecouldnotstir。Shestayedrigidbeneaththequilt，andNancyclungtoher。Somethingwasmovingoverthefloor。Itcamequitenear，butturned，anditsslightrustlecrawledawaytowardsthewindow。
　　"Whoisthat？"demandedMrs。Clallam，sittingup。
　　Therewasnoanswer，buttheslowcreepingcontinued，alwaysclosealongthefloor，likethefoldsofstuffrubbing，andhandsfeelingtheirwayinshortslidesagainsttheboards。Shehadnowaytofindwhereherhusbandwassleeping，andwhileshethoughtofthisandwhetherornottorushoutatthedoor，thetablewasgentlyshaken，therewasadraweropened，andsomeobjectfell。
　　"Onlyathief，"shesaidtoherself，andinasortofsharpjoycriedoutherquestionagain。
　　Thesingularbrokenvoiceofawomananswered，seeminglyinfear。
　　"Match—es，"itsaid；and"Match—es"saidasecondvoice，pronouncingwithdifficulty，likethefirst。Sheknewitwassomeofthesquaws，andsprangfromthebed，askingwhattheyweredoingthere。"Match—es，"theymurmured；andwhenshehadstruckalightshesawhowthetwowerecringing，theirblanketshuddledroundthem。Theirmotionlessblackeyeslookedupatherfromthefloorwheretheylaysprawled，makingnooffertogetup。Itwascleartoherfromthepleadingfearintheonewordtheyansweredtowhatevershesaid，thattheyhadcomeheretohidefromthefuryofthenextroom；andasshestoodlisteningtothisshewouldhaveletthemremain，buttheirescapehadbeennoticed。Amanburstintotheroom，andatsightofherandNancystopped，andwasblunderingexcuses，whenJakecaughthisarmandhaddraggedhimalmostout，buthesawthetwoonthefloor；atthis，gettinghimselffree，hehalfsweptthecrouchingfigureswithhisbootastheyfledoutoftheroom，andthedoorwasswungshut。Mrs。Clallamheardhisviolentwordstothesquawsfordaringtodisturbthestrangers，andtherefollowedtheheavylashingofaquirt，withscreamsandlamenting。NotroublecamefromtheIndianhusbands，fortheywerestupefiedontheground，andwhentheirintelligencesquickenedenoughforthemtomove，thepunishmentwaslongoverandnooneinthehouseawakebutElizabethandNancy，seatedtogetherintheirbed，watchingfortheday。Motheranddaughterheardthemrisetogooutonebyone，andthehoof—beatsoftheirhorsesgrewdistantupanddowntheriver。Astherustlingtreeslightedandturnedtransparentintherisingsun，Jakerousedthosethatremainedandgotthemaway。Laterheknockedatthedoor。
　　"Ihevalittleraftfixedthismorning，"saidhe，"andIguesswecanswimthewagonoverhere。"
　　"Whatever’squickesttotakeusfromthisplace，"Elizabethanswered。
　　"Breakfast’llbeready，ma’am，wheneveryousay。"
　　"Iamreadynow。Ishallwanttostartferryingourthings——Where’sMr。
　　Clallam？Tellhimtocomehere。"
　　"Iwill，ma’am。I’msorry——"
　　"TellMr。Clallamtocomehere，please。"
　　Johnhadsleptsoundinhishaystack，andheardnothing。"Well，"hesaid，aftercomfortinghiswifeandNancy，"youwerebetteroffintheroom，anyway。I’dnotblamehimso，Liza。Howwashegoingtohelpit？"
　　ButElizabethwasawoman，andjustnowsawonethingalone：ifsellingwhiskeyledtosuchthingsinthiscountry，themanwhosolditwasmuchworsethananymerelaw—breaker。JohnClallam，beingnowalongtimemarried，madenoargument。Hewaslookingabsentlyattheopendrawerofatable。"That’squeer，"hesaid，andpickedupatintype。
　　Shehadnocuriosityforanythinginthatroom，andhelaiditinthedraweragain，histhoughtsbeingtakenupwiththenextstepoftheirjourney，andwhatmightbecomingtothemall。
　　DuringbreakfastJakewashumbleaboutthefrighttheladieshadreceivedinhishouse，explaininghowhethoughthehadactedforthebest；atwhichClallamandMartsaidthatinaroughcountryfolksmustlookforroughdoings，andgetalongaswellastheycan；butElizabethsaidnothing。ThelittlerafttookallbutNancyovertherivertothewagon，wheretheysetaboutdividingtheirbelongingsinloadsthatcouldbefloatedback，oneatatime，andJakereturnedtorepairsomeofthedisorderthatremainedfromthenightatthecabin。JohnandMartpoledthefirstcargoacross，andwhiletheywereontheotherside，Elizabethlookedoutofthewagon，whereshewasworkingalone，andsawfiveIndianriderscomingdownthevalley。Thedusthungintheairtheyhadrushedthrough，andtheyswungapartandclosedagainasshehadseenbefore；soshelookedforarifle；butthefirearmshadgoneovertheOkanagonwiththefirstload。Shegotdownandstoodatthefrontwheelofthewagon，confrontingtheriderswhentheypulleduptheirhorses。Oneclimbedunsteadilyfromhissaddleandswayedtowardsher。
　　"Drink！"saidhe，halffriendly，andheldoutabottle。
　　Elizabethshookherhead。
　　"Drink，"hegruntedagain，pushingthebottleather。"Piah—chuck！
　　Skookurn！"Hehadaslugglishanimalgrin，andwhenshedrewback，tippedthebottleintohismouth，anddirectlychoked，sothathisfriendsontheirhorseslaughedloudashestoodcoughing。"Heapgood，"heremarked，lookingatElizabeth，whowatchedhiseyesswimwiththeplotofthedrink。"Whereyoucomeback？"heinquired，touchingthewagon。"YoucrossOkanagon？Mecrossyou；crosshorses；crossall。Heapcheap。Whatyes？"
　　Theothersnodded。"Heapcheap，"theysaid。
　　"Wedon’twantyou，"saidElizabeth。
　　"Nocross？Maybehegoingcrossyou？Whatyes？"
　　AgainElizabethnodded。
　　"MaybeheJake？"pursuedtheIndian。
　　"Yes，heis。Wedon’twantyou。"
　　"Wecrossyouallsame。Henot。"
　　TheIndianspokeloudandthick，andElizabethlookedovertheriverwhereherhusbandwasrunningwitharifle，andJakebehindhim，holdingawarninghandonhisarm。JakecalledacrosstotheIndians，wholistenedsullenly，butgotontheirhorsesandwentuptheriver。
　　"Now，"saidJaketoClallam，"theyain’tgone。GetyourwifeoverheresoshekinsetinmyroomtillIseewhatkinbedone。"
　　Johnlefthimatonce，andcrossedontheraft。Hiswifewassteppingonit，whenthenoiseandflightofridersdescendedalongtheotherbank，whereJakewaswaiting。Theywentinacircle，withhoarseshouts，roundthecabinasMartwithNancycamefromthepasture。Theboynosoonersawthemthanhecaughthissisterupandcarriedherquicklyawayamongthecorralsandsheds，wherethetwowentoutofsight。
　　"Youstayhere，Liza，"herhusbandsaid。"I’llgobackover。"
　　ButMrs。Clallamlaughed。
　　"Getashore，"hecriedtoher。"Quick！"
　　"Whereyougo，Igo，John。"
　　"Whatgood，whatgood，inthename——"
　　"ThenI’llgetmyselfover，"saidshe。Andheseizedherasshewouldhavejumpedintothestream。
　　Whiletheycrossed，theIndianshadtiedtheirhorsesandrambledintothecabin。JakecamefromittostoptheClallams。
　　"They’reafteryourcontract，"saidhe，quietly。"Theysaythey’regoingtohavethejoboftakin’thebalanceofyourstuffthat’sleftacrossttheOkanagonovertothisside。"
　　"Whatdidyousay？"askedMrs。Clallam。
　　"Iset’emupdrinkstogaintime。"
　　"Doyouwantmethere？"saidClallam。
　　"Begosh，no！Thatwouldmixthingsworse。"
　　"Can’tyoumakethemgoaway？"Elizabethinquired。
　　"Meandthem，yesee，ma’am，wehevasortofbargainthey’retogitcertainferryin’。Ican’tmake’emsavvyhowItookchargeofyou。Ifyouwantthem——"Hepaused。
　　"Wewantthem！"exclaimedElizabeth。"Ifyou’rejoking，it’sapoorjoke。"
　　"Itain’tnojokeatall，ma’am。"Jake’sfacegrewbrooding。"Ofcoursefolkskinsaywhothey’llbeferriedby。AndyoumaybelieveI’dratherdoit。Ididn’tlookforjestthiscomplication；butmaybeIkinsteerthrough；andit’smyselfI’vegottothank。Ofcourse，ifthemSiwashesdidgityourjob，they’dsoberupgittin’ready。And——"
　　Theemigrantswaited，buthedidnotgoonwithwhatwasinhismind。
　　"It’sallright，"saidhe，inabrisktone。"Whatever’sa—comin’sa—comin’。"Heturnedabruptlytowardsthedoor。"Keepyerselvesawayjestnow，"headded，andwentinside。
　　Theparentssoughttheirchildren，findingMarthadconcealedNancyinthehaystack。TheyputMrs。Clallamalsoinaprotectedplace，asaloudaltercationseemedtoberisingatthecabin；thisgrewastheylistened，andJake’ssquawcamerunningtohideherself。Shecouldtellthemnothing，normakethemunderstandmorethantheyknew；butshetouchedJohn’srifle，signingtoknowifitwereloaded，andwasgreatlyrelievedwhenheshowedherthemagazinefullofcartridges。Thequarrellinghadfallensilent，butroseinanewgustoffierceness，soundingasifintheopenairandcomingtheirway。NoIndianappeared，however，andthenoisepassedtotheriver，wheretheemigrantssooncouldhearwoodbeingsplitinpieces。
　　Johnriskedasurvey。"It’stheraft，"hesaid。"They’resmashingit。Nowthey’regoingback。Staywiththechildren，Liza。"
　　"You’renevergoingtothatcabin？"shesaid。
　　"He’sinascrape，mother。"
　　Johnstartedaway，heedlessofhiswife’sdespair。AthiscomingtheIndiansshoutedandsurroundedhim，whileheheardJakesay，"Dropyourgunanddrinkwiththem。"
　　"Drink！"saidAndy，laughingwiththesamescreechhehadmadeatthematchgoingout。"WereallgoingtoCanaan，Connecticut。"
　　EachIndianheldatincup，andattheinstantthesewereemptiedtheywerethrusttowardsJake，whofilledthemagain，goingandcomingthroughadoorthatledasteportwodownintoadarkplacewhichwashalfunderground。Oncehewasnotquick，orwasimaginedtoberefusing，foranIndianraisedhiscupanddrunkenlydasheditonJake’shead。Jakelaughedgood—humoredly，andfilledthecup。
　　"It’souronechance，"saidhetoJohnastheIndian，proppinghimselfbyahandonthewall，offeredthewhiskeytoClallam。
　　"WecrossyouOkanagon，"hesaid。"Whatyes？"
　　"Maybeyousayno？"saidanother，pressingtheemigranttothewall。
　　Athirdinterfered，sayingsomethingintheirlanguage，atwhichtheothertwodisagreed。Theytalkedamomentwiththreateningragetillsuddenlyalldrewpistols。Atthisthetworemainingstumbledamongthegroup，andashotwentintotheroof。Jakewasthereinonestepwithakeg，thattheynosoonersawthantheyfelluponit，andtheliquorjettedoutastheyclinched，wrestlingovertheroomtillonelayonhisbackwithhismouthattheopenbung。Itwaswrenchedfromhim，anddirectlytherewasnotadropmoreinit。Theytiltedit，andwhennoneranout，flungthekegoutofdoorsandcrowdedtothedoorofthedarkplace，whereJakebarredtheway。"Don’ttaketothatyet！"hesaidtoClallam，forJohnwasliftinghisrifle。
　　"Piah—chuck！"yelledtheIndians，scarcelyabletostand。Allotherthoughthadleftthem，andanewthoughtcametoJake。Hereachedforafreshkeg，whiletheyheldtheirtincupsinthelefthandandpistolsintheright，pushingsoitwasaslowmattertogetthekegopened。Theywerefastnearingthesoddenstage，andonesankonthefloor。Jakeglancedinatthedoorbehindhim，andfilledthecupsonceagain。Whileallweredrinkinghewentinthestore—roomandsetmoreliquoropen，beckoningthemtocomeastheylookedupfromtherimstowhichtheirlipshadbeenglued。Theymovedroundbehindthetable，graspingittokeepontheirfeet，withtheoneonthefloorcrawlingamongthelegsoftherest。Whentheywereallinside，Jakeleapedoutandlockedthedoor。
　　"Theykinsleepnow，"saidhe。"Gunpowderwon’tbeneeded。Keepwideawayfrominfront。"
　　Therewasaminuteofstillnesswithin，andthenagrovelingnoiseandstruggle。Acoupleofbulletscameharmlessthroughthedoor。Thoseinsidefoughttogetheraswellastheycould，whilethoseoutsidelistenedasitgrewless，thebodiesfallingstupefiedwithoutfurthersoundofrising。Oneortwo，stillactive，beganstrikingattheboardswithwhatheavythingtheycouldfind，untilsuddenlythebladeofanaxecrashedthrough。
　　"Keepaway！"criedJake。ButAndyhadleapedinsanelyinfrontofthedoor，andfelldeadwithabulletthroughhim。Withaterriblescream，Jakeflunghimselfattheplace，andpouredsixshotsthroughthepanel；
　　then，asClallamcaughthim，wrenchedatthelock，andtheysawinside。
　　Whiskeyandblooddrippedtogether，andnoonewasmovingthere。Itwasliquorwithsome，anddeathwithothers，andallofitlayupontheguiltysoulofJake。
　　"Youdeservekillingyourself，"saidClallam。
　　"That’sbeenattendedto，"repliedJake，andhereeled，forduringhisfiresomeIndianhadshotoncemore。
　　ClallamsupportedhimtotheroomwherehiswifeandNancyhadpassedthenight，andlaidhimonthebed。"I’llgetMrs。Clallam，"saidhe。
　　"Ifshe’llbewillin’toseeme，"saidthewoundedman，humbly。
　　Shecame，dazedbeyondfeelinganyhorror，orevenanyjoy，andshedidwhatshecould。
　　"Itwasseein’’emhitAndy，"saidJake。"IsAndygone？Yes，Ikintellhe’sgonefromyourface。"Heshuthiseyes，andlaystillsolongatimethattheythoughthemightbedyingnow；buthemovedatlength，andlookedslowlyroundthewalltillhesawtheprintofthevillageamongtheelmsandthecoveredbridge。Hishandliftedtoshowthemthis。
　　"That’stheroad，"saidhe。"Andyandmeusedtogofishin’acrosstthatbridge。DidyoueverseetheHousatonicRiver？I’vefishedalotthere。
　　Cornwall，Connecticut。Thehillsareprettythere。ThenAndygotworse。
　　Youlookinthatdrawer。"Johnremembered，andwhenhegotoutthetintype，Jakestretchedforiteagerly。"Hismotherandhim，ageten，"heexplainedtoElizabeth，andhelditforhertosee，thenstudiedthefacesinsilence。"Youkintellit’sAndy，can’tyu’？"Shetoldhimyes。
　　"Thatwasbeforeweknowedheweren’t——weren’tgoin’togrowupliketheotherboysheplayedwith。Soafterawhile，whenshewasgone，Igotashamedseein’Andy’sfriendsmakin’theirwaywhenhecouldn’tseemto，andsoItookhimawaywherenobodyhedeverbeenacquaintedwithus。I
　　waslayin’moneybytogethimthebestdoctorinEurope。I’ain’tbeenagoodman。"
　　Afaintnessmasteredhim，andElizabethwouldhaveputthepictureonthetable，buthishandclosedroundit。Theylethimlieso，andElizabethsatthere，whileJohn，withMart，keptNancyawaytillthehorrorintheouterroomwasmadeinvisible。Theycameandwentquietly，andJakeseemedinadeepeningtorpor，onceonlyrousingsuddenlytocallhisson’sname，andthen，uponlookingfromonetotheother，herecollected，andhiseyesclosedagain。Hismindwandered，butverylittle，fortorporseemedtobeovercominghim。Thesquawhadstolenin，andsatcoweringanduseless。TowardssundownJohn’sheartsickenedatthesoundofmorehorsemen；butitwasonlytwowhitemen，asheriffandhisdeputy。
　　"Goeasy，"saidJohn。"He’snotgoingtoresist。"
　　"What’suphere，anyway？Whoareyou？"
　　Clallamexplained，andwasevidentlynotsomuchashalfbelieved。
　　"IfthereareIndianskilled，"saidthesheriff，"there’sstillanothermatterforthelawtosettlewithhim。We’resenttosearchforwhiskey。
　　Thecounty’sabouttiredofhim。"
　　"You’llfindhimprettysick，"saidJohn。
　　"PeopleIfindalwaysareprettysick，"saidthesheriff，andpushedhiswayin，stoppingatsightofMrs。Clallamandthefigureonthebed。"I’marrestingthatman，madam，"hesaid，withashadeofapology。"Thecountycourtwantshim。"
　　Jakesatupandknewthesheriff。"You’realittlelate，Proctor，"saidhe。"TheSupremeCourt’sa—goin’tocallmycase。"Thenhefellback，forhiscasehadbeencalled。
　　Hank’sWomanI
　　Manyfishwerestillinthepool；andthoughluckseemedtohaveleftme，stillIstoodattheendofthepoint，castingandcastingmyvainline，whiletheVirginianlayandwatched。Noonday’sextremebrightnesshadlefttheriverandtheplainincoolingshadow，butspreadandglowedovertheyetundimmedmountains。Westward，theTetonsliftedtheirpeakspaleandkeenassteelthroughthehigh，radiantair。Deepdownbetweenthebluegashesoftheircanonsthesunsanklongshaftsoflight，andtheglazedlapsoftheirsnow—fieldsshoneseparateandwhiteupontheirloftyvastness，likehandkerchiefslaidouttodry。Opposite，abovethevalley，rosethatotherrange，theContinentalDivide，notsharp，butlongandample。Itwasbareinsomehighplaces，andbelowtheseitstretchedeverywhere，highandlow，inbrownandyellowparks，orinpurplemilesofpineaworldofsereneundulations，agreatsweetcountryofsilence。
　　Apassingbandofantelopestoodherdedsuddenlytogetheratsightofus；
　　thenalittlebreezeblewforamomentfromustothem，andtheydriftedlikephantomsaway，andwerelostinthelevelsofthesage—brush。
　　"Ifhumanscoulddolikethat，"saidtheVirginian，watchingthemgo。
　　"Run，youmean？"saidI。
　　"Tellafoebythesmellofhim，"explainedthecow—puncher；"atfiftyyards——oramile。"
　　"Yes，"Isaid；"menwouldbehardtocatch。"
　　"Awomanneedsitmost，"hemurmured。Helaydownagaininhisloungingsprawl，withhisgraveeyesintentlyfixeduponmyfly—casting。
　　Thegradualdaymountedupthehillsfartherfromthefloorofearth。
　　Warmairseddiedinitswakeslowly，stirringthescentsoftheplaintogether。IlookedattheSoutherner；andtherewasnoguessingwhathisthoughtsmightbeatworkuponbehindthatdrowsyglance。Thenforamomentatroutrose，butonlytolookandwhipdownagainintothepoolthatwedgeditscalmintotherifflefrombelow"Secondthoughts，"musedtheVirginian；andasthetroutcamenomore，"Secondthoughts，"herepeated；"andevenafishwillhavethemsoonerthanfolkshastheminthismightyhastycountry。"Andherolledoverintoanewpositionofease。
　　Atwhomorwhatwasheaimingtheseshaftsoftruth？Ordidhemoralizemerelybecausehealthandtheweatherhadsteepedhiminthatserenitywhichliftsusamongthespheres？Well，sometimeshewentonfromthesebeginningsandtoldmewonderfulthings。
　　"Ireckon，"saidhe，presently，"thatknowingwhentochangeyourmindwouldbeprettynearknowledgeenoughforplainpeople。"
　　Sincemyacquaintancewithhim——thiswasthesecondsummerofit——Ihadcometounderstandhimenoughtoknowthathewasunfathomable。Still，foramomentitcrossedmythoughtsthatperhapsnowhewasdiscoursingabouthimself。HehadallowedajealousforemantofalloutwithhimatSunkCreekranchinthespring，duringJudgeHenry’sabsence。Theman，havingabriefauthority，partedwithhim。TheSouthernerhadchosenthatthisshouldbethemeansofultimatelygettingtheforemandismissedandhimselfrecalled。Itwasstrategic。Asheputittome："WhenIamgone，itwillberighteasyfortheJudgetoseewhichofustwohewants。AndI’llnothavedoneanytalking。"Allofwhichdulybefellintheautumnashehadplanned：theforemanwassentoff，hisassistantpromoted，andtheVirginianagainhired。Butthiswasmeanwhile。Hewasindulginghimselfinaseveralmonths’drifting，andwhilethusdriftinghehadwrittentome。Thatishowwetwocametobeonourwayfromtherailroadtohunttheelkandthemountain—sheep，andwerepausingtofishwhereBuffaloForkjoinsitswaterswithSnakeRiver。Inthosedaystheantelopestillranthereinhundreds，theYellowstoneParkwasanewthing，andmankindlivedveryfaraway。SincemeetingmewiththehorsesinIdahotheVirginianhadbeensilent，evenforhim。SonowIstoodcastingmyfly，andtrustingthathewasnottroubledwithsecondthoughtsoverhisstrategy。
　　"Haveyu’studdedmuchaboutmarriage？"henowinquired。Hisseriouseyesmetmineashelaystretchedalongtheground。
　　"Notmuch，"Isaid；"notverymuch。"
　　"Let’sswim，"hesaid。"Theyhavechangedtheirminds。"
　　Forthwithweshookoffourbootsanddroppedourfewclothes，andheedlessofwhatfishwemightnowdriveaway，wewentintothecool，slow，deepbreadthofbackwaterwhichthebendmakesjustthere。Ashecameupnearme，shakinghisheadofblackhair，thecowpuncherwassmilingalittle。
　　"Notthatanynumberofbaths，"heremarked，"wouldconcealaman’sobjectionablenessfromanantelope——notevenashe—one。"
　　Thenhewentunderwater，andcameupagainalongwayoff。
　　Wedriedbeforethefire，withouthaste。Toneednoclothesisbetterthanpurpleandfinelinen。Thenhetossedtheflap—jacks，andIservedthetrout，andafterthiswelayonourbacksuponabuffalo—hidetosmokeandwatchtheTetonsgrowmoresolemn，asthelargestarsopenedoutoverthesky。
　　"Idon’tcareifInevergohome，"saidI。
　　TheVirginiannodded。"Itgivesallthepeaceo’beingasleepwithallthepleasureo’feelingthewidestkindofawake，"saidhe。"Yu’mightsaythewholeyear’sstrengthflowsheartyineverywaggleofyourthumb。"Welaystillforawhile。"Howmanythingssurpriseyu’anymore？"henextasked。
　　Ibeganconsidering；buthissilencehadatlengthworkedroundtospeech。
　　"Inventions，ofcourse，"saidhe，"thesehyehtelephonesan’truckyu’
　　seesomuchaboutinthepapers——butIain’tspeakingo’suchthingsofthebrain。ItisjustthecommonthingsImean。Thethingsthatalivin’，noticin’manisliabletoseeandmaybesampleforhimself。Howmanyo’
　　themkindcansurpriseyu’still？"
　　Istillconsidered。
　　"Mosteverythingsurprisedmeonced，"thecow—punchercontinued，inhisgentleSouthernvoice。"Imusthavebeenamightygreenboy。TillIwasfourteenorfifteenIexpectIwasastonishedbyteno’clockeverymorning。Butamanbeginstoketchontofolksandthingsafterawhile。
　　Idon’tconsidehthatwhen——thataftehamanis，saytwenty—five，itiscreditableheshouldgetastonishedtooeasy。Andsoyu’venotexaminedyourselfthat—away？"
　　Ihadnot。
　　"Well，there’stwothingsanyway——Iknowthemforsure——thatIexpectwillalwaysgetme——don’tcareifIlivetothirty—five，orforty—five，oreighty。Andone’sthewayslightningcanstrike。"Hepaused。Thenhegotupandkickedthefire，andstoodbyit，staringatme。"Andtheotheristhepeoplethatotherpeoplewillmarry。"
　　Hestoppedagain；andIsaidnothing。
　　"Thepeoplethatotherpeoplewillmarry，"herepeated。"ThatwillsurprisemetillIdie。"
　　"Ifmysympathy——"Ibegan。
　　Butthebriefsoundthathegavewasanswerenough，andmorethanenoughcureformylevity。
　　"No，"saidhe，reflectively；"notanysuchthingasafam’lyforme，yet。
　　Never，itmaybe。NottillIcan’thelpit。Andthatwomanhasnotcomealongsofar。ButIhavebeensorryforawomanlately。Ikeepthinkingwhatshewilldo。Forshewillhavetodosomething。Doyu’knowAustrians？Aretheyquickintheirfeelings，likeI—talians？Oraretheyapttobesluggish，sameasNorwegiansandthemotherDutch—speakin’
　　races？"
　　ItoldhimwhatlittleIknewaboutAustrians。
　　"ThiswomanisthefirstIhaveeversawof’em，"hecontinued。"OfcoursemenwillstampedeintomarriageinthishyehWesterncountry，whereawomanisascantything。Itain’twhatHankhasdonethatsurprisesme。Anditisnotonhimthatthesorrowwillfall。Forsheisgood。Sheisverygood。Doyu’rememberlittleblackHank？FromTexasheclaimsheis。HewasworkingonthemainditchoveratSunkCreeklastsummerwhenthatEm’lyhenwasaround。Well，seh，yu’wouldnothavepleasuredinhiscompany。AndthisyearHankisplacer—miningonGalenaCreek，wherewe’lllikelygoforsheep。There’sHoneyWigginandayoungfello’namedLinMcLean，andsomeothersalongwiththeoutfit。ButHank’swomanwillnotlookatanyofthem，thoughtheMcLeanboyisalikelyhand。Ihaveseenthat；forIhavedonearightsmarto’businessthat—a—waymyself，hereandthere。Shewillmendtheirclothesforthem，andshewillcooklunchesforthemanytimeo’day，andherconductgavethemhopesatthestart。ButIreckonAustrianshavegoodreligion。"
　　"NobetterthanAmericans，"saidI。
　　ButtheVirginianshookhishead。"Better’nwhatI’vesawanyAmericanshave。OfcourseIamnotjudgingawholenationbyonecitizen，andespeciallyherawoman。AndofcourseinthembigAustriantownsthefolkshasshooktheirvirtuoussayin’sloosefromtheirdailydoin’s，sameaswehave。Iexpectsellingyourselfbringsthequickestreturnstomanorwomanalltheworldover。ButIamspeakin’notoftowns，butofthebackcountry，wherefolksdon’tjustmerelyarriveonthecyars，butcomeintotheworldthenaturalway，andgrowupslow。Oncedaweekanywaytheyseethebunchofoldgrave—stonesthatmarkstheirfam’ly。
　　Theirbloodandnameareknowedaboutintheneighborhood，andit’snotoftenoneofsuchwillsellthemselves。Buttheirreligionain’ttothemlikethiswoman’s。Theycanberip—snortin’or’tn’aryinways。Nowsheisgettingnaughtbuthindranceandtemptationandmeannessfromherhusbandandeverylivin’thingaroundher——yetshekeepsrightalong，nordoesshemostlybearanysignsinherface。Shehascert’nlycomefromwheretheyareusedtobelievinginGodandahereaftermightyhard，andalldaylong。Shehasgotoneo’themcrucifixes，andHankcan’tmakeherquitprayin’toit。Butwhatisshegoingtodo？"
　　"Hewillprobablyleaveher，"Isaid。
　　"Yes，"saidtheVirginian——"leaveher。Alone；hermoneyallspent；
　　knowin’maybetwentywordsofEnglish；andthousandsofmilesawayfromeverythingshecanunderstand。Forourwordsandwaysisallalikestrangetoher。"
　　"Thenwhydidhewantsuchaperson？"Iexclaimed。
　　Therewassurpriseinthegraveglancewhichthecow—punchergaveme。
　　"Why，anymanwould，"heanswered。"Iwantedhermyself，tillIfoundshewasgood。"
　　Ilookedatthissonofthewilderness，standingthoughtfulandsplendidbythefire，andunconsciousofhisownreligionthathadunexpectedlyshoneforthintheselastwords。ButIsaidnothing；forwordstoointimate，especiallywordsofesteem，puthiminvariablytosilence。
　　"Ihadforgottomentionherlookstoyu’。"hepursued，simply。"Sheisfitforaman。"Hestoppedagain。
　　"ThentherewasherwagesthatHanksawpaidtoher，"heresumed。"AndsomarriagewasbutalittlethingtoHank——agaynstsuchaheapofadvantages。Asforherideaintakin’suchashim——maybeitwasthathewassmallandshewasbig；tallandbig。Ormaybeitwasjusthiswhiteteeth。Themridiculousreasonswillbringawomantoaman，haven’tyu’
　　noticed？Butmaybeitwasjusthersorrowful，helplessstate，leftstrandedasshewas，andhimkeepinghimselfnearherandsoberforaweek。
　　"Ihadbeenseein’thishyehYellowstonePark，takin’initsgeysers，andthisandthat，formyenjoyment；andwhenIfoundwhattheyclaimedaboutitsstrangesightstobeprettynearso，IlandedupatGalenaCreektowatchtheboysprospectin’。HoneyWiggin，yu’know，andMcLean，andtherest。AndsotheygotmetogodownwithHanktoGardnerforflourandsugarandtruck，whichwehadtowaitfor。WelayaroundtheMammothSpringsandGardnerforthreedays，playin’cyardswithfriends。AndI
　　gotplumbinterestedinthemtourists。ForIhadpartlyforgotaboutEasternpeople。Andhyehtheycamefresheverydaytoremindamanofthegreatsizeofhiscountry。Mostalwaystheywouldtalktoyu’ifyu’gave’emthechance；andIdid。Ihavecomemightynighregrettin’thatIdidnotkeepatallyofthequestionsthemfolksaskedme。Andastheyseemedgenu—winelyanxioustobelieveanythingatall，andtheworserthethingthebelievingerthey’dgrow，whyI——well，there’stimeswhenIhavegottolietokeepingoodhealth。
　　"SoIfooledandIfooled。AndonenoonIwasonthefrontpoachofthebighoteltheyhaveopenedattheMammothSpringsfortourists，andthehotelkid，bein’onthewatchout，heseesthedustcomin’upthehill，andheyellsout，’Stage！’
　　"Yu’venotsawthathotelyet，seh？Well，whenthekidsays’Stage，’theconsequencesismostsudden。Aboutasconspicuous，yu’maysay，aswhenOldFaithfulGeyserletsloose。Yu’see，onebatcho’touristspullsoutrightafterbreakfastforNorrisBasin，leavin’thingsemptyandyawnin’。
　　Bynoonthewholehoteloutfithasbeenslumberin’initschairssteadyforthreehours。Maybeyu’mighthearaflybuzz，butmaybenot。
　　Everything’sliabletoberestin’，barrin’thekid。He’sa—watchin’out。
　　Thenheseesthedust，andhesays’Stage！’andittouchesthefolksofflikeahotpokeh。TheSyndicatemanagerhelopestoalookin’glass，andthenorganizeshimselfbehindthebook；andtheyoungphotographchapbouncesouto’hisprivatedoorlikeoneo’themcuckooclocks；andthefossilmanclawshisspecimensandcuriositiesintoshape，andtheporterslineupsameasparade，andawaygoesthepianoandfiddlesup—stairs。Itismightyconspicuous。SoHankhecomerennin’outfromsomewherestoo，andthestagedrivesup。
　　"Thenoutgetsatallwoman，andInoticedheryello’hair。Shewaskindo’dumb—eyed，yetfinetosee。IreckonHanknoticedhertoo，rightaway。
　　Andrightawayhertroublebegins。Forshewasalady’smaid，andherladywasoutofthestageandroundin’herupquick。Andit’s’Wherehaveyouputthekeys，Willomene？’Theladywasrichandstinkin’
　　lookin’，andhadcomefromNewYawkinherhusband’sprivatecyar。
　　"Well，Willomenefussedaroundinherpockets，andthemkeyswasnotthere。SoshestartedexplainingintanglefootEnglishtoherladyhowherladymusthavetookthemfromherbeforeleavin’thecyar。Buttheladyseemedtorelishhustlin’herselfintoarage。Shegottolerableconspicuous，too。Andafteraheapo’words，’Youaredischarged，’shesays；andoffshestruts。SoonherhusbandcameouttoWillomene，stillstandin’likestatuary，andhepaysheragoodsumofcash，andhegoesaway，andshekeepsastandingyetforaspell。ThenallofasuddenshesayssomethingIreckonwas’O，Jesus，’andsitsdownandstartsacryin’。
　　"Iwouldliketohavegivenhercomfort。Butweallstoodaroundonthehotelpoach，andtherightthingwouldnotcomeintomyhaid。Thenthebaggage—wagoncameinfromCinnabar，andtheyhadpickedthekeysupontheroadbetweenCinnabarandGardner。Sotheladyandhertoiletwasrescued，butthatdidnogoodtoWillomene。Theystoodhertrunkdownalongwiththerest——abrass—nailedlittleoldconcern——andtherewasWillomeneoutofajobandafootalong，longwaysfromherownrange；
　　andsoshekeptsitting，andoncedinawhileshe’dcrysomemore。WegotheraroominthecheaphotelwheretheParkdriverssleepswhenthey’reinattheSprings，andsheactedgratefullike，thankingtheboysinhertanglefootEnglish。Nextmawnin’herfolksdruvoffinaprivateteamtoNorrisBasin，andsheseemeddazed。ForItalkedwithherthen，andquestionedherastoherwishes，butshecouldnotsaywhatshewished，norifitwasEastorWestshewouldgo；andIreckonshewastoostrickentohavewishes。
　　"OurstuffforGalenaCreekdelayedontherailroad，andIgottoknowher，andthenIquitgivin’Hankcauseforjealousy。Ikeptmyselfwiththeboys，andIplayedmorecyards，whileHankhesca’celyplayedatall。
　　OnenightIcameonthem——HankandWillomene——walkin’amongthepineswheretheroadgoesdownthehill。Yu’shouldhavesawthatpairo’
　　lovers。Herbigshapewasplainandkindo’steadfastinthemoon，andalongsideofherlittleblackHank！Andthereitwas。Ofcourseitain’tnothingtobesurprisedatthatameanandtriflin’mantriestoseemwhatheisnotwhenhewantstopleaseagoodwoman。Butwhydoesshegetfooled，whenit’ssoplaintootherfolksthatarenotgivin’itanyspecialthought？AlltherestofthemenandwomenattheMammothunder—
　　stoodHank。Theyknowedhewasaworthlessproposition。AndIcert’nlyreliedonhisgettin’backtohiswhiskeyandopenin’hereyesthatway。
　　Buthedidnot。ImetthemnexteveningagainbytheLibertyCap。Sup—
　　posin’I’dbeenherbrotherorhermother，whatusewasitmewarningher？Brothersandmothersdon’tgetbelieved。
　　"TherailroadbroughtthestuffforGalenaCreek，andHankwouldnotlookatitonaccountofhiscourtin’。ItookitalonemyselfbyYancey’sandthesecondbridgeandMillerCreektothecamp，norIdidn’ttellWillomenegood—bye，forIhadgotdisgustedatherblindness。"
　　TheVirginianshiftedhisposition，andjerkedhisoverallstoamorecomfortablefit。Thenhecontinued：
　　"TheywasmarriedtheTuesdayafteratLivingston，andHankmusthavebeenpow’fulpleasedathimself。ForhegaveWillomeneaweddingpresent，withthebalanceofhiscash，spendinghislastnickelonbuyingherared—tailedparrottheyhadforsaleattheFirstNationalBank。Theson—of—a—gunholladsofreelyatthebank，thepresidentawde’dthecashiertogetshedoftheout—ragiousbird，orhewouldwringitsneck。
　　"SoHankandWillomenestayedaweekupinLivingstononhermoney，andthenhefetchedherbacktoGardner，andboughttheirgrub，andbrideandgroomcameuptothecampwehadonGalenaCreek。
　　"Shehadneverslep’outbefore。Shehadneverbeenonahawss，neither。
　　AndshemightynearrolledoffdownintoPitchstoneCanyon，comin’upbythecut—offtrail。Why，seh，Iwouldnotwillinglytakeyouthroughthatplace，exceptyu’promisedmeyu’wouldleadyourhawsswhenIsaidto。
　　ButHanktakesthewomanhehadmarried，andhetakesheavy—loadedpack—hawsses。’Tisthefirsttimesuchathinghasbeenknownofinthecountry。Yu’rememberthembigtallgrass—toppedmountainsoverintheHoodoocountry，andhowtheydescendsslamdownthroughthecross—timberthatyu’can’tscatcelyworkthroughafoot，tilltheypitchesoverintolotsan’lotso’littlecanyons，withmaybetwoinchesofwaterrunnin’inthebottom？AllthatisEastForkwater，andoverthedivideisClark’sFork，orStinkin’Water，ifyu’takethecountryyondehtothesoutheast。
　　Butanyplaceyu’goisthemundesirablesteepslopes，andthecut—offtrailtakesalongabouttheworstinthebusiness。
　　"Well，Hankhegothisoutfitoveritsomehow，and，gentlemen，hush！butyu’doughtt’veseenhimandthatpoorgirlpullintoourcamp。Yu’dcert’nlyneverhaveconjecturedthemtwowasaweddin’journey。Hewasleadin’，butskewedaroundinhissaddletojawbackatWillomeneforridingsoignorant。Supposeitwasathingshewasresponsiblefor，yu’dnothavetalkedtoherthat—a—wayeveninprivate；andhyehwasthecampa—lookin’，anda—listenin’，andsomeofusashamed。Shewassettingstraddlewayslikeamountain，andbetweenhimandherwentthethreepackanimals，plumbshiverin’playedout，andtheflour——theyhadtwohundredpounds——tiltedoverhellwards，withthered—tailedparrotshoutin’landslidesinhiscagetiedontopo’theleanin’sacks。
　　"Itwasthatmeantosee，thatshamelessandunkind，thatevenathoughtlesskidliketheMcLeanboyfeltoffended，andfavorabletosomesortofremonstrance。’Theson—of—a——！’hesaidtome。’Theson—of—a——！
　　Ifhedon’tstop，let’sstophim。’AndIreckonwemighthave。
　　"ButHankhequit。’Twasplaintoseehe’dgotagenu—winescarecomin’
　　throughPitchstoneCanyon，anditturnedhimsour，sohe’dhardlytalktous，butjustmumbled’How！’kindo’gruff，whentheboyscomeuptocon—
　　gratulatehimastohismarriage。
　　"ButWillomene，shesayswhenshesawme，’Oh，Iamsoglad！’andweshookhandsrightfriendly。AndIwishedI’dtoldhergood—byethatdayattheMammoth。Forsheborenospite，andmaybeIhadforgotherfeelingsinthinkin’ofmyown。IhadtalkedtoherdownattheMammothatfirst，yu’know，andshesaidawordaboutoldfriends。Ourfriendshipwasthreeweeksoldthatday，butIexpecthernewexperienceslookedlikeyearstoher。Andshetoldmehownearshecometogettin’killed。
　　"Yu’ain’teverbeenoverthattrail，seh？Yu’cert’nlymustseePitchstoneCanyon。Butwe’llnotgotherewithpacks。Andwewillgetoffourhawssesagoodwaysback。Formanyanimalsfeelsthatthere’ssomethingthematterwiththatplace，andtheyactverystrangeaboutit。
　　"TheGrandCanyonisgrand，andmakesyu’feelgoodtolookatit，andageyserisgrandandallright，too。ButthishyehPitchstonehole，ifWillomenehadwentdownintothat——well，I’lltellyu’，thatyoumayjudge。
　　"Sheseenthetraila—drawin’nearerandnearertheaidge，betweenthetimberandthejumpin’—offplace，andsheseenhowthemlittleloosestonesandthecrumblestuffwouldslideandslideawayunderthehawss’sfeet。Shecouldhearthestuffrattlin’continuallyfromhissteps，andwhensheturnedherhaidtolook，sheseenitgoin’downclosebesideher，butintowhatitwentshecouldnotsee。Only，therewasaqueersteamwouldcomeupnowandagayn，andherhawsstrembled。Soshetriedtogetoffandwalkwithoutsayin’nothin’toHank。Hekep’onahaid，andherhawssshehadpulledupstartedtofollo’asshewashalfoffhim，andthatgaveheratumble，buttherewasanoldcrookeddeadtree。Itgrowedrightouto’theaidge。Thereshehung。
　　"Downbelowisalittlegreenwatertricklin’，greenasthestuffthatgetsonbrass，andtricklin’alongoversoftcream—coloredformation，likepie。Anditain’tsofartofallbutwhatamanmightnotbetoomuchhurtforcrawlin’out。Butthereain’tnocrawlin’outo’PitchstoneCanyon，theysay。Downinthereiscavesthatyu’cannotsee。’Tisthemthatcoughsupthestreamnowandagayn。Withthewindyu’cansmell’emamileaway，andinthenightIhavebeenlayin’quietandheard’em。Notthatit’sabignoise，evenwhenamaniscloseup。It’safluffykindofasigh。Butitsoundsasifsomeawfulthingwasa—makin’itdeepdowninthegutsoftheworld。Theyclaimthere’spoisonaircomesouto’thecavesandlayslowalongthewater。Theyclaimifabearoranelkstraysinfrombelow，andthecavessetsuptheircoughin’，whichtheydon’tregulareveryday，theanimalsdie。Ihaveseenitcomeintwoseconds。
　　Andwhenitcomesthat—a—wayrisin’uponyu’withthatfluffykindofasigh，yu’feelmightylonesome，seh。
　　"SoHankhehappenedtolookbackandseeWillomenehangin’attheaidgeo’themblackrocks。Andhisscaremadehimmad。Andhismadstayedwithhimtilltheycomeintocamp。Shelookedaround，andwhensheseenHank’stentthathimandherwastosleepinsheshowedsurprise。Andheshowedsurprisewhenheseethebreadshecooked。
　　"’WhatkindofaDutchwomanareyu’，’sayshe，strainin’forajoke，’ifyu’can’tuseaDutch—oven？’
　　"’Yousaytomeyouhaveahousetolivein，’saysWillomene。’Whereisthathouse？’
　　"’Ididnotfigureongettin’awomanwhenIleftcamp，’saysHank，grinnin’，butnotpleasant，’orI’dhavehurriedupwiththeshackI’mabuildin’。’
　　"Hewasbuildin’one。WhenIleftGalenaCreekandcomeawayfromthatcountrytomeetyou，thehousewasfinishedenoughforthecoupletomovein。Iheftedherbrass—nailedtrunkupthehillfromtheirtentmyself，andIwatchedhertakeouthercrucifix。Butshewouldnotletmehelpherwiththat。She’dnotletmetouchit。She’dfixeditupagaynstthewallherownselfherownway。ButsheacceptedsomeflowersIpicked，andsettheminacanfrontofthecrucifix。ThenHankhecomein，andseein’，saystome，’Areyouoneofthekindthatsquatsbeforethemsillydolls？’’Iwouldtellyu’，Iansweredhim；’butitwouldnotinter—estyu’。’AndIclearedout，andlefthimandWillomenetobegintheirhousekeepin’。
　　"Alreadytheyhadquithavin’muchtosaytoeachotherdownintheirtent。Theonlysteadytalkin’doneinthathousewasdonebytheparrot。
　　I’veneversawanygoahaidofthatbird。Ihavetoldyu’aboutHank，andhowwhenhe’dcomehomeandseeherprayin’tothatcrucifixhe’dalwaysgetriledup。Hewouldmentionitfreelytotheboys。Notthatsheneglectedhim，yu’know。Shedoneherpart，workin’mightyhard，forshewasawillin’woman。Buthecouldnotmakeherquitherreligion；andWillomeneshehadgottobein’verysilentbeforeIcomeaway。Sheusedtotalktomesomeatfirst，butshedroppedit。Idon’tknowwhy。I
　　expectmaybeitwashardforhertohaveusthatcloseincamp，witnessin’hertroubleseveryday，andsheaforeigner。Ireckonifshegotanycomfort，itwouldbewhenwewasoffprospectin’orhuntin’，andshecouldshutthecabindoorandbealone。"
　　TheVirginianstoppedforamoment。
　　"ItwillsoonbeamonthsinceIleftGalenaCreek，"heresumed。"ButI
　　cannotgetthebusinessouto’myhaid。Ikeepastudyin’overit。"
　　Histalkwasdone。Hehadunburdenedhismind。Nightlaydeepandquietaroundus，withnosoundfarornear，saveBuffaloForkplashingoveritsriffle。
　　II
　　WeleftSnakeRiver。WewentupPacificCreek，andthroughTwoOceanPass，anddownamongthewaterywillow—bottomsandbeaverdamsoftheUpperYellowstone。Wefished；weenjoyedexistencealongthelake。ThenwewentoverPelicanCreektrailandcamesteeplydownintothegiantcountryofgrasstoppedmountains。Atdawnanddusktheelkhadbeguntocallacrossthestillness。AndonemorningintheHoodoocountry，wherewewerelookingforsheep，wecameroundajutofthestrange，organ—pipeformationuponalongleggedboyofaboutnineteen，alsohunting。
　　"Stillhyeh？"saidtheVirginian，withoutemotion。
　　"Iguessso，"returnedtheboy，equallymatter—of—fact。"Yu’seemtobearoundyourself，"headded。
　　Theymighthavebeennext—doorneighbors，meetinginatownstreetforthesecondtimeinthesameday。
　　TheVirginianmademeknowntoMr。LinMcLean，whogavemeabriefnod。
　　"Anyluck？"heinquired，butnotofme。
　　"Oh，"drawledtheVirginian，"luckenough。"
　　Knowingthewaysofthecountry，Isaidnoword。Itwasbootlesstointerrupttheirownmethodsofgettingatwhatwasreallyinboththeirminds。
　　Theboyfixedhiswide—openhazeleyesuponme。"Fineweather，"hementioned。
　　"Veryfine，"saidI。
　　"Iseenyourhorsesawhileago，"hesaid。"Campfarfromhere？"heaskedtheVirginian。
　　"Notspecially。Stayandeatwithus。We’vegotelkmeat。"
　　"That’swhatI’mafterforcamp，"saidMcLean。"Allofusisoutonahuntto—day——excepthim。"
　　"Howmanyareyu’now？"
　　"Thewholesix。"
　　"Makin’money？"
　　"Oh，somedaysthegoldwashesoutgoodinthepan，andothersit’sthatfineit’llfloatoffwithoutsettlin’。"
　　"SoHankain’thuntin’to—day？"
　　"Huntin’！Welefthimlayin’outinthatclumpo’brushbelowtheircabin。
　　Beendrinkin’allnight。"
　　TheVirginianbrokeoffapieceoftheHoodoomud—rockfromtheweirderodedpillarthatwestoodbeside。Hethrewitintoabankoflastyear’ssnow。Weallwatcheditasifitwereimportant。Upthroughthemountainsilencepiercedthelongquiveringwhistleofabull—elk。Itwaslikeanunearthlysingerpractisinganunearthlyscale。
　　"Firsttimesheheardthat，"saidMcLean，"shewasscared。"
　　"Nothin’maybetoresembleitinAustria，"saidtheVirginian。
　　"That’sso，"saidMcLean。"That’sso，youbet！Nothin’justlikeHankoverthere，neither。"
　　"Well，fleshismostlyfleshinalllands，Ireckon，"saidtheVirginian。
　　"Iexpectyu’canbedrunkanddisorderlyineverylanguage。ButanAustrianHankwouldbeliabletorespecthercrucifix。""
　　"That’sso！"
　　"Heain’tmadeherquitityet？"
　　"Nothim。Buthe’sgotmeaner。"
　　"Drunkthismawnin’，yu’say？"
　　"That’shismostharmlessconditionnow。"
　　"Nobody’sincampbutthemtwo？Herandhimalone？"
　　"Oh，hedassenttouchher。"
　　"Whodidhetellthatto？"
　　"Oh，thecampisbackin’her。Thecamphasexplainedthattohimseveraltimes，youbet！Andwhat’smore，shehasgottheupperhandofhimherself。Shehashimbeat。"
　　"Howbeat？"
　　"Shehasdownedhimwithhereye。Justbyendurin’himpeacefully；andwithhereye。I’vesawit。Thingschangedsomeafteryu’pulledout。Wehadagoodcrowdstill，anditwaspleasant，andnottoolivelynoryettooslow。AndWillomene，shecomemoreamongus。She’dnotstayshutin—doors，likeshedoneatfirst。I’dhaveliketo’veshowedherhowtopunishHank。"
　　"Aftehshehaddownedyu’withhereye？"inquiredtheVirginian。
　　YoungMcLeanreddened，andthrewafurtivelookuponme，thestranger，theoutsider。"Oh，well，"hesaid，"Idonenothingonusual。Butthat’salldifferentnow。Allofuslikesherandrespectsher，andmakesallowancesforherbein’Dutch。Yu’can’thelpbutrespecther。Andsheshowssheknows。"
　　"IreckonmaybesheknowshowtodealwithHank，"saidtheVirginian。
　　"Shucks！"saidMcLean，scornfully。Andhersobigandhimsopuny！She’doughttolifthimofftheearthwithonearmandlamhimwithabasteortwowiththeother，andhe’dimprove。"
　　"Maybethat’swhyshedon’t，"musedtheVirginian，slowly；"becausesheissobig。Biginthespirit，Imean。She’dnotstooptohislevel。Don’tyu’seesheiskindo’wayupabovehimandcampandeverything——justherandhercrucifix？"
　　"Herandhercrucifix！"repeatedyoungLinMcLean，staringatthisinterpretation，whichwasbeyondhislivelyunderstanding。"Herandhercrucifix。Turrublelonesomecompany！Well，themarethingsyu’don’tknowabout。Ikindo’laughedmyselfthefirsttimeIseenheratit。Hank，hesaystomesoft，’Comehere，Lin，’andIpeepedinwhereshewasa—prayin’。Sheseenustwo，butshedidn’tquit。SoIquit，andHankcamewithme，sayin’toughwordsaboutit。Yes，themarethingsyu’suredon’tknowabout。What’sthematterwithyoucampingwithusboystonight？"
　　Wehadbeengoingtovisitthemthenextday。Wemadeitto—day，instead。
　　AndMr。McLeanhelpeduswithourpacks，andwecarriedourwelcomeintheshapeofelkmeat。Soweturnedourfacesdownthegrass—toppedmountainstowardsGalenaCreek。Once，farthroughanopengapawaybelowus，wesightedthecabinwiththehelpofourfield—glasses。
　　"Pitywecan’tmakeoutHanksleepin’inthatbrush，"saidMcLean。
　　"Hehasprobablygoneintothecabinbynow，"saidI。
　　"Nothim！Heprefersthebrushalldaywhenhe’sthatdrunk，youbet！"
　　"Afraidofher？"
　　"Well——oneasyinherpresence。Notthatshe’sliabletobeintherenow。
　　Shedon’tstayinsidenowadayssomuch。She’sbeencomin’roundtheditch，silent—likebutfriendly。Andshe’llwatchusworkin’foraspell，andthenshe’sapttomoveoffaloneintothewoods，singin’themDutchsongsofhernthatain’tgotnotoon。I’vemetherwalkin’thatway，tallandearnest，lotsoftimes。Butshedon’twantyourcompany，thoughshe’llpatchyouroverallsandgiveyu’lunchalways。Norshewon’ttakepay。"
　　Thusweproceededdownfromtheopensummitsintotheclosepines；andwhilewemadeourwayamongthecross—timberandoverthelittlestreams，McLeantoldusofvariousdaysandnightsatthecamp，andhowHankhadcometoventinghiscowardiceuponhiswife’sfaith。
　　"Why，heinformedheronedaywhenhewasgoin’takehisdusttotown，thatifhecomebackandfoundthatthinginthehouse，he’ddoitupforher。’Soyu’betterpackoffyourwoodendummysomewheres，’sayshe。Andshejustlookedathimkindo’stone—likeandsolemn。Forshedon’tcareforhiswordsnomore。
　　"Andwhilehewasawayshe’dhaveusallintosupperupattheshack，andlookatuseatin’whileshe’dwalkaroundputtin’grubonyourplate。
　　Daytimeshe’dcomearoundtheditch，watchin’forawhile，andmoveoffslow，singin’herDutchsongs。AndwhenHankcomesbackfromspendin’hisdust，heseesthecrucifixsameasalways，andhesays，’Didn’tItellyu’totakethatdown？’’Youdid，’saysWillomene，lookin’athimveryquiet。Andhequit。
　　"AndHoneyWigginsaystohim，’Hank，leaveheralone。’AndHank，bein’
　　alltremblyfromspreein’intown，hesays，’You’reallaginme！’likeasifhewereababy。"
　　"Ishouldthinkyouwouldrunhimoutofcamp，"saidI。
　　"Well，we’vestudiedoverthatsome，"McLeananswered。"Butwhat’stobedonewithWillomene？"
　　Ididnotknow。Noneofusseemedtoknow。
　　"Theboysgottogethernightbeforelast，"continuedMcLean，"andafterholdin’aunanimousmeetin’，wevisitedherandspoketoheraboutgoin’
　　backtoherhome。Shewasslowincorrallin’ourideaonaccountofherbein’noEnglishscholar。Butwhenshedid，afterthreeofustakin’
　　theirturnatputtin’thepropositiontoher，shewouldnotacceptanyofourdust。Andthoughshestartedtothankusthehandsomestsheknowedhow，itseemedtogrieveher，forshecried。Sowethoughtwe’dbettergetout。She’striedtotellusthenameofherhome，butyu’can’tpronouncesuchoutlandishness。"
　　Aswewentdownthemountains，wetalkedofotherthings，butalwayscamebacktothis；andwewereturningitoverstillwhenthesunhaddepartedfromthenarrowcleftthatwewerefollowing，andshoneonlyonthedistantgrassytopswhichroseroundusintoanupperworldoflight。
　　"We’llallsoonhavetomoveoutofthiscamp，anyway，"saidMcLean，unstrappinghiscoatfromhissaddleanddrawingiton。"Itgetschillnowintheafternoons。D’yu’seethequakin’—aspsallturnedyello’，andtheleaveskeepsfallin’withoutnowindtoblow’emdown？We’reliabletogetsnowedinonshortnoticeinthismountaincountry。Ifthewatergoestofreezeonuswe’llhavetoquitworkin’。There’scamp。"
　　Wehadroundedacorner，andoncemoresightedthecabin。Isupposeitmayhavebeenstillhalfamileaway，uponthefurthersideofaravineintowhichourlittlevalleyopened。Butfield—glasseswerenotneedednowtomakeoutthecabinclearly，windowsanddoor。Smokerosefromit；
　　forsupper—timewasnearing，andwestoppedtosurveythescene。Aswewerelooking，anotherhunterjoinedus，comingfromthedeepwoodstotheedgeofthepineswherewewerestanding。ThiswasHoneyWiggin。Hehadkilledadeer，andhesurmisedthatalltheboyswouldbebacksoon。
　　Othershadmetluckbesideshimself；hehadleftonedressinganelkoverthenextridge。Nobodyseemedtohavegotinyet，fromappearances。
　　Didn’tthecamplooklonesome？
　　"There’ssomebody，though，"saidMcLean。
　　TheVirginiantooktheglasses。"Ireckon——yes，that’sHank。Thecoldhaswokehimup，andhe’scomin’inouto’thebrush。"
　　Eachofustooktheglassesinturn；andIwatchedthefiguregoupthehilltothedoorofthecabin。Itseemedtopauseanddivergetothewindow。Atthewindowitstoodstill，headbent，lookingin。Thenitreturnedquicklytothedoor。Itwastoofartodiscern，eventhroughtheglasses，whatthefigurewasdoing。Whetherthedoorwaslocked，whetherhewasknockingorfumblingwithakey，orwhetherhespokethroughthedoortothepersonwithin——Icannottellwhatitwasthatcamethroughtheglassesstraighttomynerves，sothatIjumpedatasuddensound；
　　anditwasonlythedistantshrillcallofanelk。IwashandingtheglassestotheVirginianforhimtoseewhenthefigureopenedthedooranddisappearedinthedarkinterior。AsIwatchedthesquareofdarknesswhichthedoor’sopeningmade，somethingseemedtohappenthere——orelseitwasaspark，aflash，inmyownstrainingeyes。
　　ButatthatsameinstanttheVirginiandashedforwarduponhishorse，leavingtheglassesinmyhand。Andwiththecontagionofhisacttherestofusfollowedhim，leavingthepackanimalstofollowusastheyshouldchoose。
　　"Look！"criedMcLean。"He’snotshother。"
　　Isawthetallfigureofawomanrushoutofthedoorandpassquicklyroundthehouse。
　　"He’smissedher！"criedMcLean，again。"She’ssavin’herself。"
　　Buttheman’sfiguredidnotappearinpursuit。Insteadofthis，thewomanreturnedasquicklyasshehadgone，andenteredthedarkinterior。
　　"Shehadsomething，"saidWiggin。"Whatwouldthatbe？"
　　"Maybeit’sallright，afterall，"saidMcLean。"Shewentouttogetwood。"
　　Theroughsteepnessofourtrailhadbroughtusdowntoawalk，andaswecontinuedtopressforwardatthispaceasfastaswecould，wecomparedafewnotes。McLeandidnotthinkhesawanyflash。Wigginthoughtthathehadheardasound，butitwasatthemomentwhentheVirginian’shorsehadnoisilystartedaway。
　　Ourtrailhadnowtakenusdownwherewecouldnolongerlookacrossandseethecabin。Andthehalf—mileprovedalongoneoverthisground。Atlengthwereachedandcrossedtherockyford，overtakingtheVirginianthere。
　　"Thesehawsses，"saidhe，"areplayedout。We’llclimbuptocampafoot。
　　Andjustkeepbehindmeforthepresent。"
　　Weobeyedournaturalleader，andmadereadyforwhateverwemightbegoinginto。Wepassedupthesteepbankandcameagaininsightofthedoor。Itwasstillwideopen。Westood，andfeltasortofsilencewhichtheapproachoftwonew—comerscouldnotbreak。Theyjoinedus。Theyhadbeencominghomefromhunting，andhadplainlyheardashothere。Westoodforamomentmoreafterlearningthis，andthenoneofthemencalledoutthenamesofHankandWillomene。Againwe——orIatleast——feltthatsamesilence，whichtomydisturbedimaginationseemedtoberisingroundusasmistsrisefromwater。