Directlybeforeit，however，tohisconsternation，werethemassive，buttimeworn，irongatesofapark，whichDickdidnotdoubtwastheoneinwhichhehadspentthepreviousnight。Butitwasimpossibletogofurtherinhispresentplight，andheboldlyapproachedtherestaurant。Ashewaspreparingtomakehisusualexplanatorysigns，tohisgreatdelighthewasaddressedinaquaint，brokenEnglish，mixedwithforgottenAmericanslang，bythewhite—trousered，black—alpacacoatedproprietor。Morethanthat——
　　hewasaSocialDemocratandanenthusiasticloverofAmerica——hadhenotbeento"Bos—town"andNewYork，andpenetratedasfarwestas"Booflo，"andhadmuchpleasureinthatbeautifulandfreecountry？Yes！itwasa"go—a—’ed"country——you"bet—your—lif’。"
　　Onehadreasontosayso：therewasyourelectricity——yourstreetcars——your"steambots"——ah！suchsteambots——andyour"r—rail—r—
　　roads。"Ah！observe！compareyourr—rail—r—roadsandthebuffetofthePullmanwiththelinefromParis，forexample——andwhereisone？Nowhere！Actually，positively，withoutdoubt，nowhere！
　　Later，atanappetizingbreakfast——atwhich，toDick’sgreatsatisfaction，thegoodmanhadpermittedandcongratulatedhimselftositattablewithafree—bornAmerican——hewasevenmoreloquacious。Forwhatthen，hewouldask，wasthisincompetence，thisimbecility，ofFrance？Hewouldtell。ItwasthevilecorruptionofParis，thegraspingofcapitalandcompanies，thefatalinfluenceofthestillclingingnoblesse，andtheinsidiousJesuiticalpowerofthepriests。Asforexample，Monsieur"theBooflo—bil"haddoubtlessnoticedthegreatgatesoftheparkbeforethecafe？Itwasthepreserve，——thehunting—parkofoneoftheoldgrandseigneurs，stillkeptupbyhisdescendants，theComtesdeFontonelles——hundredsofacresthathadneverbeentilled，andkeptaswildwastewilderness，——keptforaday’spleasureinayear！And，lookyou！thepeasantsstarvingarounditswallsintheirsmallgardenpatchesandpinchedfarms！AndthepresentComtedeFontonellescascadinggoldonhismistressesinParis；andtheComtesse，hismother，andherdaughterlivingtheretofeedandfattenandpensionabroodofplotting，black—cowledpriests。Ah，bah！wherewasyourRepublicanFrance，then？Butatimewouldcome。The"Booflo—bil"had，withoutdoubt，noticed，ashecamealongtheroad，thebreachesinthewallofthepark？
　　Dick，withaslightdryreserve，"reckonedthathehad。"
　　"TheyweremadebythescythesandpitchforksofthepeasantsintheRevolutionof’93，whenthecountwasemigre，asonesayswithreason’skedadelle，’toEngland。Letthemlookthenexttimethattheyburnnotthechateau，——’betyourlif’！’"
　　"Thechateau，"saidDick，withaffectedcarelessness。"Wot’stheblamedthinglike？"
　　Itwasanoldaffair，——witharmorandapicture—gallery，——andbricabrac。Hehadneverseenit。Notevenasaboy，——itwaskeptverysecludedthen。Asaman——youunderstand——hecouldnotaskthefavor。TheComtesdeFontonellesandhimselfwerenotfriends。
　　Thefamilydidnotlikeacafeneartheirsacredgates，——wherehadstoodonlythehutsoftheirretainers。TheAmericanwouldobservethathehadnotcalledit"CafedeChateau，"nor"CafedeFontonelles，"——thegoldofCaliforniawouldnotinducehim。Whydidheremainthere？Naturally，togoadthem！Itwasaprinciple，oneunderstood。ToGOADthemandholdthemincheck！Onekeptacafe，——whynot？Onehadone’sprinciples，——one’sconviction，——thatwasanotherthing！Thatwasthekindof"’air—pin"——wasitnot？——
　　thatHE，GustavRibaud，waslike！
　　Yetforallhistruculentsocialism，hewasquick，obliging，andcharminglyattentivetoDickandhisneeds。AstoDick’shorse，heshouldhavethebestveterinarysurgeon——therewasanincomparableoneinthepersonoftheblacksmith——seetohim，andifitwereanaffairofdays，andDickmustgo，hehimselfwouldbegladtopurchasethebeast，hissaddle，andaccoutrements。Itwasanaffairofbusiness，——anadvertisementforthecafe！Hewouldridethehorsehimselfbeforethegatesofthepark。Itwouldpleasehiscustomers。Ha！hehadlearnedatrickortwoinfreeAmerica。
　　Dick’sfirstacthadbeentoshaveoffhischaracteristicbeardandmustache，andeventosubmithislongcurlstothevillagebarber’sshears，whileastrawhat，whichheboughttotaketheplaceofhisslouchedsombrero，completedhistransformation。Hishostsawinthechangeonlythenaturalpreparationofavoyager，butDickhadreallymadethesacrifice，notfromfearofdetection，forhehadrecoveredhisoldswaggeringaudacity，butfromaquickdistastehehadtakentohisresemblancetotheportrait。HewastoogenuineaWesterner，andtoovainaman，tofeelflatteredathisresemblancetoanaristocraticbully，ashebelievedtheancestralDeFontonellestobe。EvenhismomentarysensationashefacedtheCureinthepicture—gallerywasmorefromavaguesensethatlibertieshadbeentakenwithhis，Dick’s，personality，thanthathehadborrowedanythingfromtheportrait。
　　Buthewasnotsoclearabouttheyounggirl。Hertender，appealingvoice，althoughheknewithadbeenaddressedonlytoavision，stillthrilledhisfancy。Thepluckthathadmadeherwithstandherfearsolong——untilhehadutteredthatdreadfulword——stillexcitedhisadmiration。Hiscuriositytoknowwhatmistakehehadmade——forheknewitmusthavebeensomefrightfulblunder——wasallthemorekeen，ashehadnochancetorectifyit。
　　Whatabruteshemusthavethoughthim——orDIDshereallythinkhimabruteeventhen？——forherlookwasonemoreofdespairandpity！
　　Yetshewouldrememberhimonlybythatlastword，andneverknowthathehadriskedinsultandejectionfromherfriendstocarryhertoherplaceofsafety。Hecouldnotbeartogoacrosstheseascarryingthepale，unsatisfiedfaceofthatgentlegirleverbeforehiseyes！Asenseofdelicacy——newtoDick，butalwaystheaccompanimentofdeepfeeling——kepthimfromevenhintinghisstorytohishost，thoughheknew——perhapsBECAUSEheknew——thatitwouldgratifyhisenmitytothefamily。AsuddenthoughtstruckDick。
　　Heknewherhouse，andhername。Hewouldwriteheranote。
　　Somebodywouldbesuretotranslateitforher。
　　Heborrowedpen，ink，andpaper，andinthecleansolitudeofhisfreshchintzbedroom，inditedthefollowingletter：——
　　DEARMISSFONTONELLES，——Pleaseexcusemeforhavingskeertyou。I
　　hadn’tanycalltodoit，Ineverreckonedtodoit——itwasalljestmydernedluck；IonlyreckonedtotellyouIwaslost——inthemblamedwoods——don’tyouremember？——"lost"——PERDOO！——andthenyouupandfainted！Iwouldn’thavecomeintoyourgarden，only，yousee，I’djustskeeredbyaccidenttwoofyourhelps，reg’larsofties，andIwantedtoexplain。IreckontheyallowedIwasthatmanthatthatpictureinthehallwaspaintedafter。IreckontheytookMEforhim——see？Butheain’tMYstyle，nohow，andIneversawthepictureatalluntilafterI’dtotedyou，whenyoufainted，uptoyourhouse，orI’dhavemademykalkilationsandactedaccording。I’dhavelaidlowinthewoods，andgotawaywithoutskeerin’you。YouseewhatImean？Itwasmightymeanofme，I
　　suppose，tohavetetchedyouatall，withoutsaying，"Excuseme，miss，"andtotedyououtofthegardenandupthestepsintoyourownparlorwithoutaskingyourleave。Butthewholethingtumbledsosuddent。Anditdidn’tseemthesquarethingformetoliteoutandleaveyoulyingthereonthegrass。That’swhy！I’msorryI
　　skeertthatoldpreacher，buthecameuponmeinthepicturehallsosuddent，thatitwasamightyclosecall，Itellyou，togetoffwithoutashindy。Pleaseforgiveme，MissFontonelles。Whenyougetthis，IshallbegoingbackhometoAmerica，butyoumightwritetomeatDenverCity，sayingyou’reallright。Ilikedyourstyle；Ilikedyourgritinstandinguptomeinthegardenuntilyouhadyoursay，whenyouthoughtIwastheLordknowswhat——
　　thoughIneverunderstoodawordyougotoff——notknowingFrench。
　　Butit’sallthesamenow。Say！I’vegotyourrose！
　　Yoursveryrespectfully，RICHARDFOUNTAINS。
　　Dickfoldedtheepistleandputitinhispocket。Hewouldpostithimselfonthemorningbeforeheleft。Whenhecamedownstairshefoundhisindefatigablehostawaitinghim，withthereportoftheveterinaryblacksmith。Therewasnothingseriouslywrongwiththemustang，butitwouldbeunfittotravelforseveraldays。Thelandlordrepeatedhisformeroffer。Dick，whosemoneywasprettywellexhausted，wasfaintoaccept，reflectingthatSHEhadneverseenthemustangandwouldnotrecognizeit。Buthedrewthelineatthesombrero，towhichhishosthadtakenagreatfancy。HehadwornitbeforeHER！
　　LaterintheeveningDickwassittingonthelowverandaofthecafe，overlookingthewhiteroad。Aroundwhitetablewasbesidehim，hisfeetwereontherailing，buthiseyeswererestingbeyondonthehigh，mouldyirongatesofthemysteriouspark。Whathewasthinkingofdidnotmatter，buthewasalittleimpatientatthesuddenappearanceofhishost——whomhehadevadedduringtheafternoon——athisside。Theman’smannerwasfullofburstingloquacityandmysteriouslevity。
　　Truly，itwasagoodhourwhenDickhadarrivedatFontonelles，——
　　"justintime。"HecouldseenowwhataworldofimbecileswasFrance。Whatstupidignoranceruled，whatlowcunningandlowtactcouldachieve，——ineffect，whatjugglersandmountebanks，hypocriticalpriestsandlicentiousandlyingnoblessewenttomakeupexistingsociety。Ah，therehadbeenafineexcitement，aregularcoupd’theatreatFontonelles，——thechateauyonder；hereatthevillage，wherethenewswasbroughtbyfrightenedgroomsandsillywomen！Hehadbeeninthethickofitalltheafternoon！Hehadexaminedit，——interrogatedthemlikeajuged’instruction，——
　　winnowedit，siftedit。Andwhatwasitall？Anattemptbythesewretchedpriestsandnoblessetoreviveinthenineteenthcentury——
　　theageofelectricityandPullmancars——amiserablemediaevallegendofanapparition，amiracle！Yes；oneisaskedtobelievethatatthechateauyonderwasseenlastnightthreetimestheapparitionofArmanddeFontonelles！
　　Dickstarted。"ArmanddeFontonelles！"Herememberedthatshehadrepeatedthatname。
　　"Who’she？"hedemandedabruptly。
　　"ThefirstComtedeFontonelles！Whenmonsieurknowsthatthefirstcomtehasbeendeadthreehundredyears，hewillseetheimbecilityoftheaffair！"
　　"Wotdidhecomebackfor？"growledDick。
　　"Ah！itwasalegend。Consideritsartfulness！TheComteArmandhadbeenahardliver，adissipatedscoundrel，arecklessbeast，butamightyhunterofthestag。ItwassaidthatononeoftheseoccasionshehadbeenwarnedbytheapparitionofSt。Hubert；buthehadlaughed，——for，observe，HEalwaysjeeredattheprieststoo；
　　hencethisstory！——andhaddeclaredthattheflamingcrossseenbetweenthehornsofthesacredstagwasonlythetorchofapoacher，andhewouldshootit！Good！thebodyofthecomte，dead，butwithoutawound，wasfoundinthewoodthenextday，withhisdischargedarquebusinhishand。TheArchbishopofRouenrefusedhisbodytheritesoftheChurchuntilanumberofmassesweresaideveryyearand——paidfor！Oneunderstands！oneseestheir’littlegame；’thecountnowappears，——heisinpurgatory！Moremasses，——
　　moremoney！Thereyouare。Bah！Oneunderstands，too，thattheaffairtakesplace，notinacafelikethis，——notinapublicplace，——butatachateauofthenoblesse，andisseenby"——theproprietorcheckedthecharactersonhisfingers——TWOretainers；
　　oneyoungdemoiselleofthenoblesse，daughterofthechatelaineherself；and，myfaith，itgoeswithoutsaying，byafatpriest，theCure！Ineffect，twointerestedones！Andthepriest，——hislieismagnificent！Superb！Forhesawthecomteinthepicture—
　　gallery，——ineffect，steppingintohisframe！"
　　"Oh，comeofftheroof，"saidDickimpatiently；"theymusthaveseenSOMETHING，youknow。Theyoungladywouldn’tlie！"
　　MonsieurRibaudleanedover，withamysterious，cynicalsmile，andloweringhisvoicesaid：——
　　"Youhavereasontosayso。Youhavehitit，myfriend。ThereWAS
　　asomething！Andifweregardtheyounglady，youshallhear。ThestoryofMademoiselledeFontonellesisthatshehaswalkedbyherselfaloneinthegarden，——youobserve，ALONE——inthemoonlight，neartheedgeofthewood。Youcomprehend？ThemotherandtheCureareinthehouse，——forthetimeeffaced！Hereattheedgeofthewood——thoughwhyshecontinues，ayoungdemoiselle，totheedgeofthewooddoesnotmakeitselfclear——shebeholdsherancestor，asonapedestal，young，pale，butveryhandsomeandexalte，——
　　pardon！"
　　"Nothing，"saidDickhurriedly；"goon！"
　　"Shebeseecheshimwhy！Hesaysheislost！Shefaintsaway，ontheinstant，there——regardme！——ONTHEEDGEOFTHEWOOD，shesays。
　　ButhermotherandMonsieurleCurefindherpale，agitated，distressed，ONTHESOFAINTHESALON。Oneisaskedtobelievethatsheistransportedthroughtheair——likeanangel——bythespiritofArmanddeFontonelles。Incredible！"
　　"Well，wotdoYOUthink？"saidDicksharply。
　　Thecafeproprietorlookedaroundhimcarefully，andthenloweredhisvoicesignificantly：——
　　"Alover！"
　　"Awhat？"saidDick，withagasp。
　　"Alover！"repeatedRibaud。"Youcomprehend！Mademoisellehasnodot，——thepropertyisnothing，——thebrotherhaseverything。A
　　MademoiselledeFontonellescannotmarryoutofherclass，andthenoblesseareallpoor。Mademoiselleisyoung，——pretty，theysay，ofherkind。Itisanintolerablelifeattheoldchateau；
　　mademoiselleconsolesherself！"
　　MonsieurRibaudneverknewhownearhewastothewhiteroadbelowtherailingatthatparticularmoment。Luckily，Dickcontrolledhimself，andwisely，asMonsieurRibaud’snextsentenceshowedhim。
　　"Aromance，——aninnocent，foolishliaison，ifyoulike，——but，allthesame，ifknownofaMademoiselledeFontonelles，acompromising，afatalentanglement。Thereyouare。Look！forthis，then，allthisstoryofcockandbullsandspirits！Mademoisellehasbeendiscoveredwithherloverbysomeone。Thisprettystoryshallstoptheirmouths！"
　　"Butwot，"saidDickbrusquely，"wotifthegirlwasreallyskeertatsomethingshe’dseen，andfainteddeadaway，asshesaidshedid，——and——and"——hehesitated——"somestrangercamealongandpickedherup？"
　　MonsieurRibaudlookedathimpityingly。
　　"AMademoiselledeFontonelleispickedupbyherservants，byherfamily，butnotbytheyoungmaninthewoods，alone。Itisevenmorecompromising！"
　　"Doyoumeantosay，"saidDickfuriously，"thattheragpickersandsneaksthatwadearoundintheslumgallionofthiscountrywoulddaretospatterthatyounggal？"
　　"Imeantosay，yes，——assuredly，positivelyyes！"saidRibaud，rubbinghishandswithacertainsatisfactionatDick’sfury。"ForyoucomprehendnotthepositionoflajeunefilleinallFrance！
　　Ah！inAmericatheyoungladyshegoeverywherealone；Ihaveseenher——pretty，charming，fascinating——alonewiththeyoungman。Buthere，no，never！Regardme，myfriend。TheFrenchmother，shesaytoherdaughter’sfiance，’Look！thereismydaughter。Shehasneverbeenalonewithayoungmanforfiveminutes，——notevenwithyou。Takeherforyourwife！’Itismonstrous！itisimpossible！
　　itisso！"
　　Therewasasilenceofafewminutes，andDicklookedblanklyattheirongatesoftheparkofFontonelles。Thenhesaid："Givemeacigar。"
　　MonsieurRibaudinstantlyproducedhiscigarcase。Dicktookacigar，butwavedasidetheprofferedmatch，andenteringthecafe，tookfromhispocketthelettertoMademoiselledeFontonelles，twisteditinaspiral，lighteditatacandle，lithiscigarwithit，andreturningtotheverandahelditinhishanduntilthelastashesdroppedonthefloor。Thenhesaid，gravely，toRibaud：——
　　"You’vetreatedmelikeawhiteman，Frenchy，andIain’tgoin’
　　backonyer——thoughyourwaysain’tmyways——nohow；butIreckoninthisyermatterattheshottoyou’realittletooprevious！ForthoughIdon’tasagin’ralthingtakestockinghosts，IBELIEVE
　　EVERYWORDTHATTHEMFOLKSAIDUPTHAR。And，"headded，leaninghishandsomewhatheavilyonRibaud’sshoulder，"ifyou’rethemanItakeyoufor，you’llbelieveittoo！Andifthatchap，ArmanddeFontonelles，hadn’thevpickedupthatgalatthatmoment，hewouldhevdeservedtoroastinhellanotherthreehundredyears！That’swhyIbelieveherstory。Soyou’lllettheseyerFontonelleskeeptheirghostsforallthey’reworth；andwhenyounextfeelinclinedtotalkaboutthatgirl’sLOVER，you’llthinkofme，andshutyourhead！Youhearme，Frenchy，I’mshoutin’！Anddon’tyouforgetit！"
　　Nevertheless，earlythenextmorning，MonsieurRibaudaccompaniedhisguesttotherailwaystation，andpartedfromhimwithgreateffusion。Onhiswaybackanold—fashionedcarriagewithapostilionpassedhim。Atasignfromitsoccupant，thepostilionpulledup，andMonsieurRibaud，bowingtothedust，approachedthewindow，andthepale，sternfaceofadignified，white—hairedwomanofsixtythatlookedfromit。
　　"Hashegone？"saidthelady。
　　"Assuredly，madame；Iwaswithhimatthestation。"
　　"Andyouthinknoonesawhim？"
　　"Noone，madame，butmyself。"
　　"And——whatkindofamanwashe？"
　　MonsieurRibaudliftedhisshoulders，threwouthishandsdespairingly，yetwithaworldofsignificance，andsaid：——
　　"AnAmerican。"
　　"Ah！"
　　Thecarriagedroveonandenteredthegatesofthechateau。AndMonsieurRibaud，cafeproprietorandSocialDemocrat，straightenedhimselfinthedustandshookhisfistafterit。
　　ANIGHTONTHEDIVIDE
　　Withthelullingofthewindtowardseveningitcameontosnow——
　　heavily，instraight，quicklysucceedingflakes，droppinglikewhitelancesfromthesky。ThiswasfollowedbytheusualSierranphenomenon。Thedeepgorge，which，asthesunwentdown，hadlapsedintodarkness，presentlybegantoreappear；atfirstthevanishedtrailcamebackasavividlywhiteningstreakbeforethem；
　　thenthelarchesandpinesthatascendedfromitlikebuttressesagainstthehillsidesglimmeredinghostlydistinctness，untilatlastthetwoslopescurvedoutofthedarknessasifhewninmarble。Forthesuddenstorm，whichextendedscarcelytwomiles，hadleftnotraceuponthesteepgranitefaceofthehighcliffsabove；thesnow，slippingsilentlyfromthem，leftthemstillhiddenintheobscurityofnight。Inthevanishedlandscapethegorgealonestoodout，setinachaosofcloudandstormthroughwhichthemoonbeamsstruggledineffectually。
　　Itwasthisunexpectedsightwhichburstupontheoccupantsofalargecovered"stationwagon"whohadchanceduponthelowerendofthegorge。Comingfromastillloweraltitude，theyhadknownnothingofthestorm，whichhadmomentarilyceased，buthadleftarecordofitsintensityinnearlytwofeetofsnow。Forsomemomentsthehorsesflounderedandstruggledon，inwhatthetravelersbelievedtobesomeoldforgottendriftoravalanche，untiltheextentandfreshnessofthefallbecameapparent。Toaddtotheirdifficulties，thestormrecommenced，andnotcomprehendingitsrealcharacterandlimit，theydidnotdaretoattempttoreturnthewaytheycame。Togoon，however，wasimpossible。Inthisquandarytheylookedabouttheminvainforsomeotherexitfromthegorge。Thesidesofthatgiganticwhitefurrowterminatedindarkness。Hemmedinfromtheworldinalldirections，itmighthavebeentheirtomb。
　　ButalthoughTHEYcouldseenothingbeyondtheirprisonwalls，theythemselveswereperfectlyvisiblefromtheheightsabovethem。AndJackTenbrook，quartzminer，whowassinkingatunnelintherockyledgeofshelfabovethegorge，steppingoutfromhiscabinatteno’clocktotakealookattheweatherbeforeturningin，couldobservequitedistinctlytheoutlineoftheblackwagon，theflounderinghorses，andthecrouchingfiguresbytheirside，scarcelylargerthanpygmiesonthewhitesurfaceofthesnow，sixhundredfeetbelowhim。Jackhadcourageandstrength，andthegoodhumorthataccompaniesthem，buthecontentedhimselfforafewmomentswithlazilyobservingthetravelers’discomfiture。Hehadtakeninthesituationwithaglance；hewouldhavehelpedabrotherminerormountaineer，althoughheknewthatitcouldonlyhavebeendrinkorbravadothatbroughtHIMintothegorgeinasnowstorm，butitwasveryevidentthatthesewere"greenhorns，"oreasterntourists，anditservedtheirstupidityandarroganceright！Herememberedalsohowhe，havingoncehelpedanEasternvisitorcatchthemustangthathad"bucked"him，hadbeencalled"myman，"andpresentedwithfivedollars；herecalledhowhehadoncespreadthehumbleresourcesofhiscabinbeforesomestrayingmembersoftheSanFranciscopartywhowere"opening"thenewrailroad，andheardtheaudiblewonderofaladythatacivilizedbeingcouldliveso"coarsely"？Withtheserecollectionsinhismind，hemanagedtosurveythedistantstrugglinghorseswithafinesenseofhumor，notunmixedwithself—righteousness。Therewasnorealdangerinthesituation；itmeantattheworstadelayandacampinginthesnowtillmorning，whenhewouldgodowntotheirassistance。Theyhadaspacioustravelingequipage，andwere，nodoubt，wellsuppliedwithfurs，robes，andprovisionsforaseveralhours’journey；hisownporkbarrelwasquiteempty，andhisblanketsworn。Hehalfsmiled，extendedhislongarmsinadecidedyawn，andturnedbackintohiscabintogotobed。Thenhecastafinalglancearoundtheinterior。Everythingwasallright；
　　hisloadedriflestoodagainstthewall；hehadjustrakedashesovertheembersofhisfiretokeepitintacttillmorning。Onlyonethingslightlytroubledhim；agrizzlybear，two—thirdsgrown，butonlyhalftamed，whichhadbeengiventohimbyayoungladynamed"Miggles，"whenthatcharmingandhistoricgirlhaddecidedtoaccompanyherparalyticlovertotheSanFranciscohospital，wasmissingthatevening。Ithadbeenitsregularhabittocometothedooreverynightforsomesweetbiscuitorsugarbeforegoingtoitslairintheunderbrushbehindthecabin。EverybodyknewitalongthelengthandbreadthofHemlockRidge，aswellasthefactofitsbeingalegacyfromthefairexile。Noriflehadeveryetbeenraisedagainstitslazybulkorthestupid，small—eyedheadandruffofcirclinghairsmademoreerectbyitswell—wornleathercollar。Consolinghimselfwiththethoughtthatthestormhadprobablydelayeditsreturn，Jacktookoffhiscoatandthrewitonhisbunk。Butfromthinkingofthestormhisthoughtsnaturallyreturnedagaintotheimpededtravelersbelowhim，andhehalfmechanicallysteppedoutinhisshirt—sleevesforafinallookatthem。
　　Butheresomethingoccurredthatchangedhisresolutionentirely。
　　Hehadpreviouslynoticedonlythethreeforeshortened，crawlingfiguresaroundthenowstationarywagonbulk。Theywerenowapparentlymakingarrangementstocampforthenight。Butanotherfigurehadbeenaddedtothegroup，andasitstoodpercheduponawagonseatlaidonthesnowJackcouldseethatitsoutlinewasnotbifurcatedliketheothers。Buteventhatgeneralsuggestionwasnotneeded！thelittlehead，thesymmetricalcurvesvisibleevenatthatdistance，werequiteenoughtoindicatethatitwasawoman！
　　TheeasysmilefadedfromJack’sface，andwassucceededbyalookofconcernandthenofresignation。Hehadnochoicenow；heMUST
　　go！Therewasawomanthere，andthatsettledit。Yethehadarrivedatthisconclusionfromnosenseofgallantry，nor，indeed，ofchivalroustransport，butasamatterofsimpledutytothesex。
　　Hewasgivinguphissleep，wasgoingdownsixhundredfeetofsteeptrailtoofferhisservicesduringtherestofthenightasmuchasamatterofcourseasanEasternmanwouldhaveofferedhisseatinanomnibustoawoman，andwithaslittleexpectationofreturnforhiscourtesy。
　　Havingresumedhiscoat，withabottleofwhiskeythrustintoitspocket，heputonapairofindia—rubberbootsreachingtohisthighs，and，catchingtheblanketfromhisbunk，startedwithanaxeandshovelonhisshoulderonhisdownwardjourney。Whenthedistancewashalfcompletedheshoutedtothetravelersbelow；thecrywasjoyouslyansweredbythethreemen；hesawthefourthfigure，nowunmistakablythatofaslenderyouthfulwoman，inacloak，helpedbackintothewagon，asifdeliverancewasnowsureandimmediate。ButJackonarrivingspeedilydissipatedthatillusivehope；theycouldonlygetthroughthegorgebytakingoffthewheelsofthewagon，placingtheaxleonrudesledge—runnersofsplitsaplings，which，withtheirassistance，hewouldfashioninacoupleofhoursathiscabinandbringdowntothegorge。Theonlyotheralternativewouldbeforthemtocometohiscabinandremaintherewhilehewentforassistancetotheneareststation，butthatwouldtakeseveralhoursandnecessitateadoublejourneyforthesledgeifhewasluckyenoughtofindone。ThepartyquicklyacquiescedinJack’sfirstsuggestion。
　　"Verywell，"saidJack，"thenthere’snotimetobelost；unhitchyourhorsesandwe’lldigaholeinthatbankforthemtostandinoutofthesnow。"Thiswasspeedilydone。"Now，"continuedJack，"you’lljustfollowmeuptomycabin；it’saprettytoughclimb，butI’llwantyourhelptobringdowntherunners。"
　　Herethemanwhoseemedtobetheheadoftheparty——ofmiddleageandasuperior，professionaltype——forthefirsttimehesitated。
　　"Iforgottosaythatthereisaladywithus，——mydaughter，"hebegan，glancingtowardsthewagon。
　　"Ireckonedasmuch，"interruptedJacksimply，"andIallowedtocarryherupmyselftheroughestpartoftheway。Shekinmakeherselfwarmandcomf’bleinthecabinuntilwe’vegottherunnersready。"
　　"Youhearwhatourfriendsays，Amy？"suggestedthegentleman，appealingly，totheclosedleathercurtainsofthewagon。
　　Therewasapause。Thecurtainwassuddenlydrawnaside，andacharminglittleheadandshoulders，furredtothethroatandtoppedwithabewitchingvelvetcap，werethrustout。Intheobscuritylittlecouldbeseenofthegirl’sfeatures，buttherewasacertainwillfulnessandimpatienceinherattitude。Beingintheshadow，shehadtheadvantageoftheothers，particularlyofJack，ashisfigurewasfullyrevealedinthemoonlightagainstthesnowbank。Hereyesrestedforamomentonhishighboots，hisheavymustache，solongastominglewiththeunkemptlockswhichfelloverhisbroadshoulders，onhishugeredhandsstreakedwithblackgreasefromthewagonwheels，andsomeblood，stanchedwithsnow，drawnfrombruisesincuttingoutbramblesinthebrush；on——
　　moreawfulthanall——amonstrous，shiny"specimen"goldringencirclingoneofhisfingers，——onthewhiskeybottlethatshamelesslybulgedfromhissidepocket，andthen——slowlydroppedherdissatisfiedeyelids。
　　"Whycan’tIstayHERE？"shesaidlanguidly。"It’squiteniceandcomfortable。"
　　"Becausewecan’tleaveyoualone，andwemustgowiththisgentlemantohelphim。"
　　MissAmyletthetailofhereyeagaincreepshudderinglyoverthisimpossibleJack。"Ithoughtthe——thegentlemanwasgoingtohelpUS，"shesaiddryly。
　　"Nonsense，Amy，youdon’tunderstand，"saidherfatherimpatiently。
　　"Thisgentlemaniskindenoughtooffertomakesomesledge—runnersforusathiscabin，andwemusthelphim。"
　　"ButIcanstayherewhileyougo。I’mnotafraid。"
　　"Yes，butyou’reALONEhere，andsomethingmighthappen。"
　　"Nothingcouldhappen，"interruptedJack，quicklyandcheerfully。
　　Hehadflushedatfirst，buthewasnowconsideringthatthecarryingofaladyasexpensivelyattiredandapparentlyasdelicateandparticularasthisonemightbesomewhatdifficult。
　　"There’snothin’thatwouldhurtyehere，"hecontinued，addressingthevelvetcapandfurredthroatinthedarkness，"andiftherewasitcouldn’tgetatye，bein’，sotospeak，inthesamesorto’fixasyou。Soyou’reallright，"headdedpositively。
　　Inconsistentlyenough，theyoungladydidnotacceptthisasgratefullyasmighthavebeenimagined，butJackdidnotseetheslightflashofhereyeas，ignoringhim，sherepliedmarkedlytoherfather，"I’dmuchratherstophere，papa。"
　　"And，"continuedJack，turningalsotoherfather，"youcankeepthewagonandthewholegorgeinsightfromthetrailallthewayup。Soyoucanseethateverything’sallright。Why，IsawYOU
　　fromthefirst。"Hestoppedawkwardly，andadded，"Comealong；thesoonerwe’reoffthequickerthejob’sover。"
　　"Praydon’tdelaythegentlemanand——thejob，"saidMissAmysweetly。
　　ReassuredbyJack’slastsuggestion，herfatherfollowedhimwiththedriverandthesecondmanoftheparty，ayoungishandsomewhatundistinctiveindividual，buttowhosegallantanxietiesMissAmyrespondedeffusively。Nevertheless，theyoungladyhadespeciallynotedJack’sconfessionthathehadseenthemwhentheyfirstenteredthegorge。"AndIsuppose，"sheaddedtoherselfmentally，"thathesattherewithhisboozingcompanions，laughingandjeeringatourstruggles。"
　　Butwhenthesoundofhercompanions’voicesdiedaway，andtheirfigureswereswallowedupinthedarknessbehindthesnow，sheforgotallthis，andmuchelsethatwasmundaneandfrivolous，intheimpressiveandmajesticsolitudewhichseemedtodescenduponherfromtheobscurityabove。
　　Atfirstitwasaccompaniedwithaslightthrillofvaguefear，butthispassedpresentlyintothatprofoundpeacewhichthemountainsalonecangivetheirlonelyorperturbedchildren。ItseemedtoherthatNaturewasneverthesame，onthegreatplainswheremenandcitiesalwaysloomedintosuchridiculousproportions，aswhentheGreatMotherraisedherselftocomfortthemwithsmilinghillsides，orencompassedthemanddrewthemcloserinthelovingarmsofhermountains。Thelongwhitecanadastretchedbeforeherinapuritythatdidnotseemoftheearth；thevaguebulkofthemountainsroseoneithersideofherinamysterythatwasnotofthislife。Yetitwasnotoppressive；neitherwasitsrestfulnessandquietsuggestiveofobliviousnessandslumber；onthecontrary，thehighlyrarefiedairseemedtogiveadditionalkeennesstohersenses；herhearinghadbecomesingularlyacute；hereyesightpiercedtheuttermostextremityofthegorge，litbythefullmoonthatoccasionallyshonethroughslowlydriftingclouds。Hernervesthrilledwithadelicioussenseoffreedomandastrangedesiretorunorclimb。Itseemedtoher，inherexaltedfancy，thatthesesolitudesshouldbepeopledonlybyakinglyrace，andnotbysuchgrossandmaterialchurlsasthismountaineerwhohelpedthem。
　　And，Igrievetosay，——writingofanidealistthatWAS，andaheroinethatIStobe，——shewasgettingoutrageouslyhungry。
　　Therewereafewbiscuitsinhertraveling—bag，andsherememberedthatshehadbeenpresentedwithasmalljarofCaliforniahoneyatSanJose。Thisshetookoutandopenedontheseatbeforeher，andspreadingthehoneyonthebiscuits，atethemwithakeenschoolgirlrelishandapleasantsuggestionofasylvanpicnicinspiteofthecold。Itwasallverystrange；quiteanexperienceforhertospeakofafterwards。Peoplewouldhardlybelievethatshehadspentanhourortwo，allalone，inadesertedwagoninamountainsnowpass。
　　Itwasanadventuresuchasonereadsofinthemagazines。Onlysomethingwaslackingwhichthemagazinesalwayssupplied，——somethingheroic，somethingdonebysomebody。Ifthatawful—lookingmountaineer——thatmanwiththelonghairandmustache，andthathorriblegoldring，——whysucharing？——wasonlydifferent！ButhewasprobablygorgingbeefsteakorvenisonwithherfatherandMr。
　　Waterhouse，——menwerealwayssuchselfishcreatures！——andhadquiteforgottenallabouther。Itwouldhavebeenonlydecentforthemtohavebroughtherdownsomethinghot；biscuitsandhoneywerecertainlycloying，andsomehowdidn’tagreewiththetemperature。
　　Shewasreallyhalfstarved！Andmuchtheycared！ItwouldjustservethemrightifsomethingDIDhappentoher，——orSEEMtohappentoher，——ifonlytofrightenthem。Andtheprettyfacethatwasturnedupinthemoonlightworeacharmingbutdecidedpout。
　　Goodgracious，whatwasthat？Thehorseswereeitherstrugglingorfightingintheirsnowshelters。Thenonewithafrightenedneighbrokefromitshalteranddashedintotheroad，onlytobeplungedsnortingandhelplessintothedrifts。Thentheotherfollowed。
　　Howsilly！Somethinghadfrightenedthem。Perhapsonlyarabbitoramole；horsesweresuchabsurdlynervouscreatures！However，itisjustaswell；somebodywouldseethemorhearthem，——thatneighwasquitehumanandawful，——andtheywouldhurrydowntoseewhatwasthematter。SHEcouldn’tbeexpectedtogetoutandlookafterthehorsesinthesnow。Anyhow，sheWOULDN’T！Shewasagooddealsaferwhereshewas；itmighthavebeenratsormiceaboutthatfrightenedthem！Goodness！
　　Shewasstillwatchingwithcuriouswonderthecontinuedfrightoftheanimals，whensuddenlyshefeltthewagonhalfbumped，halfliftedfrombehind。Itwassuchalazy，deliberatemovementthatforamomentshethoughtitcamefromtheparty，whohadreturnednoiselesslywiththerunners。Shescrambledovertothebackseat，unbuttonedtheleathercurtain，liftedit，butnothingwastobeseen。Consequently，withfemininequickness，shesaid，"Iseeyouperfectly，Mr。Waterhouse——don’tbesilly！"Butatthismomenttherewasanothershocktothewagon，andfrombeneathitarosewhatatfirstseemedtohertobeanupliftingofthedriftitself，but，asthesnowwasshakenawayfromitsheavybulk，provedtobetheenormousheadandshouldersofabear！
　　YeteventhenshewasnotWHOLLYfrightened，forthesnoutthatconfrontedherhadafeebleinoffensiveness；thesmalleyeswerebrightwithaneager，almostchildishcuriosityratherthanasavageardor，andthewholeattitudeofthecreaturelifteduponitshindlegswascircus—likeandludicrousratherthanaggressive。
　　Shewasenabledtosaywithsomedignity，"Goaway！Shoo！"andtowaveherluncheonbasketatitwithexemplaryfirmness。Butherethecreaturelaidonepawonthebackseatasiftosteadyitself，withthesingulareffectofcollapsingthewholesideofthewagon，andthenopeneditsmouthasifinsomesortofinarticulatereply。
　　Buttherevelationofitsredtongue，itsglisteningteeth，and，aboveall，thehot，suggestivefumeofitsbreath，broughtthefirstscreamfromthelipsofMissAmy。Itwasrealandconvincing；thehorsesjoinedinit；thethreescreamedtogether！
　　Thebearhesitatedforaninstant，then，catchingsightofthehoney—potonthefrontseat，whichtheshrinking—backoftheyounggirlhaddisclosed，heslowlyreachedforwardhisotherpawandattemptedtograspit。Thisexceedinglysimplemovement，however，atoncedoubledupthefrontseat，sentthehoney—potadozenfeetintotheair，anddroppedMissAmyuponherkneesinthebedofthewagon。Thecombinedmentalandphysicalshockwastoomuchforher；sheinstantlyandsincerelyfainted；thelastthinginherearsamidstthiswreckofmatterbeingthe"wheep"ofabulletandthesharpcrackofarifle……
　　Sherecoveredherconsciousnessintheflickeringlightofafireofbark，thatplayedupontheraftersofaroofthatchedwithbarkanduponafloorofstrewnandshreddedbark。Sheevensuspectedshewaslyinguponamattressofbarkunderneaththeheavybearskinshecouldfeelandtouch。Shehadadelicioussenseofwarmth，and，mingledwiththisstrangespicingofwoodlandfreedom，evenasenseofhomeprotection。Andsurelyenough，lookingaround，shesawherfatheratherside。
　　Hebrieflyexplainedthesituation。Theyhadbeenatfirstattractedbythecryofthefrightenedhorsesandtheirplunging，whichtheycouldseedistinctly，althoughtheysawnothingelse。
　　"But，Mr。Tenbrook"——
　　"Mr。Who？"saidAmy，staringattherafters。
　　"Theownerofthiscabin——themanwhohelpedus——caughtuphisgun，and，callingustofollow，ranlikelightningdownthetrail。Atfirstwefollowedblindly，andunknowingly，forwecouldonlyseethestrugglinghorses，who，however，seemedtobeALONE，andthewagonfromwhichyoudidnotseemtohavestirred。Then，forthefirsttime，mydearchild，wesuddenlysawyourdanger。Imaginehowwefeltasthathideousbruteroseupintheroadandbeganattackingthewagon。WecalledonTenbrooktofire，butforsomeinconceivablereasonhedidnot，althoughhestillkeptrunningatthetopofhisspeed。Thenweheardyoushriek——"
　　"Ididn’tshriek，papa；itwasthehorses。"
　　"Mychild，Iknewyourvoice。"
　　"Well，itwasonlyaVERYLITTLEscream——becauseIhadtumbled。"
　　Thecolorwascomingbackrapidlytoherpinkcheeks。
　　"And，then，atyourscream，Tenbrookfired！——itwasawonderfulshotforthedistance，soeverybodysays——andkilledthebear，thoughTenbrooksaysitoughtn’tto。Ibelievehewantedtocapturethecreaturealive。They’vequeernotions，thosehunters。
　　Andthen，asyouwereunconscious，hebroughtyouuphere。"
　　"WHObroughtme？"
　　"Tenbrook；he’sasstrongasahorse。Slungyouuponhisshoulderslikeafeatherpillow。"
　　"Oh！"
　　"Andthen，asthewagonrequiredsomerepairingfromthebrute’sattack，weconcludedtotakeitleisurely，andletyouresthereforawhile。"
　　"Andwhereis——whereareTHEY？"
　　"Atworkonthewagon。Ideterminedtostaywithyou，thoughyouareperfectlysafehere。"
　　"IsupposeIought——tothank——thisman，papa？"
　　"Mostcertainly，thoughofcourse，Ihavealreadydoneso。Buthewasrathercurtinreply。Thesehalf—savagemenhavesuchsingularideas。Hesaidthebeastwouldneverhaveattackedyouexceptforthehoney—potwhichitscented。That’sabsurd。"
　　"Thenit’sallmyfault？"
　　"Nonsense！HowcouldYOUknow？"
　　"AndI’vemadeallthistrouble。Andfrightenedthehorses。Andspoiltthewagon。Andmadethemanrundownandbringmeupherewhenhedidn’twantto！"
　　"Mydearchild！Don’tbeidiotic！Amy！Well，really！"
　　Fortheidioticonewasreallywipingtwolargetearsfromherlovelyblueeyes。Shesubsidedintoanominoussilence，brokenbyasinglesniffle。"Trytogotosleep，dear；you’vehadquiteashocktoyournerves，addedherfathersoothingly。Shecontinuedsilent，butnotsleeping。
　　"Ismellcoffee。"
　　"Yes，dear。"
　　"You’vebeenhavingcoffee，papa？"
　　"WeDIDhavesome，Ithink，"saidthewretchedmanapologetically，thoughwhyhecouldnotdetermine。
　　"BeforeIcameup？whilethebearwastryingtoeatme？"
　　"No，after。"
　　"I’veahorridtasteinmymouth。It’sthehoney。I’llnevereathoneyagain。Never！"
　　"Perhapsit’sthewhiskey。"
　　"What？"
　　"Thewhiskey。Youwerequitefaintandchilled，youknow。Wegaveyousome。"
　　"Outof——that——black——bottle？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Anothersilence。
　　"I’dlikesomecoffee。Idon’tthinkhe’dbegrudgemethat，ifhedidsavemylife。"
　　"Idaresaythere’ssomeleft。"Herfatheratoncebestirredhimselfandpresentlybroughthersomecoffeeinatincup。ItwaspartofMissAmy’srapidconvalescence，orequallyofherdebilitatedcondition，thatshemadenocommentonthevessel。Shelayforsomemomentslookingcuriouslyaroundthecabin；shehadnodoubtithadaworselookinthedaylight，butsomehowthefirelightbroughtoutawondrousluxuryofcolorinthebarkfloorandthatching。Besides，itwasnot"smelly，"asshefeareditwouldbe；onthecontrarythespicyaromaofthewoodswasalwaysdominant。Sherememberedthatitwasthisthatalwaysmadeagreasy，oilypicnictolerable。Sheraisedherselfonherelbow，seeingwhichherfathercontinuedconfidently，"Perhaps，dear，ifyousatupforafewmomentsyoumightbestrongenoughpresentlytowalkdownwithmetothewagon。Itwouldsavetime。"
　　Amyinstantlylaydownagain。"Idon’tknowwhatyoucanbethinkingof，papa。AfterthisshockreallyIdon’tfeelasifI
　　couldSTANDalone，muchlessWALK。But，ofcourse，"withpatheticresignation，"ifyouandMr。Waterhousesupportedme，perhapsI
　　mightcrawlafewstepsatatime。"
　　"Nonsense，Amy。Ofcourse，thismanTenbrookwillcarryyoudownashebroughtyouup。OnlyIthought，——buttherearesteps，they’recomingnow。No！——onlyHE。"
　　Thesoundofcracklingintheunderbrushwasfollowedbyamomentarydarkeningoftheopendoorofthecabin。Itwasthetallfigureofthemountaineer。Buthedidnotevenmakethepretenseofentering；standingatthedoorhedeliveredhisnewstotheinteriorgenerally。Itwastotheeffectthateverythingwasready，andthetwoothermenwereeventhenharnessingthehorses。
　　Thenhedrewbackintothedarkness。
　　"Papa，"saidAmy，inasuddenfrightenedvoice，"I’velostmybracelet。"
　　"Haven’tyoudroppeditsomewherethereinthebunk？"askedherfather。
　　"No。It’sonthefloorofthewagon。IremembernowitfelloffwhenItumbled！Anditwillbetroddenuponandcrushed！Couldn’tyourundown，aheadofme，andwarnthem，papa，dear？Mr。Tenbrookwillhavetogososlowlywithme。"Shetumbledoutofthebunkwithsingularalacrity，shookherselfandherskirtsintoinstantaneousgracefulness，andfittedthevelvetcaponherstrayinghair。Thenshesaidhurriedly，"Runquick，papadear，andasyougo，callhiminandsayIamquiteready。"
　　Thusadjured，theobedientparentdisappearedinthedarkness。
　　WithhimalsodisappearedMissAmy’ssingularalacrity。Sittingdowncarefullyagainontheedgeofthebunk，sheleanedagainstthepostwithacertainindefinablelanguorthatwasastouchingasitwasgraceful。Ineednottellanyfemininereadersthattherewasnodissimulationinallthis，——nocoquetry，noostentation，——
　　andthattheyounggirlwasperfectlysincere！Butthemasculinereadermightliketoknowthatthesimplefactwasthat，sinceshehadregainedconsciousness，shehadbeenfilledwithremorseforhercapriciousandungenerousrejectionofTenbrook’sprofferedservice。Morethanthat，shefeltshehadperiledherlifeinthatmomentoffolly，andthatthisman——thishero——hadsavedher。Forherohewas，evenifhedidnotfulfillherideal，——itwasonlySHE
　　thatwasnotaheroine。Perhapsifhehadbeenmorelikewhatshewishedshewouldhavefeltthislesskeenly；loveleaveslittleroomfortheexerciseofmoralethics。SoMissAmyForester，beingagoodgirlatbottom，andnotexactlylovingthisman，felttowardshimafrankandtenderconsiderationwhichamoreromanticpassionwouldhaveshrunkfromshowing。Consequently，whenTenbrookenteredamomentlater，hefoundAmypalerandmorethoughtful，but，ashefancied，muchprettierthanbefore，lookingupathimwitheyesofthesincerestsolicitude。
　　Nevertheless，heremainedstandingnearthedoor，asifindicatingapossibleintrusion，hisfacewearingalookofloweringabstraction。Itstruckherthatthismightbetheeffectofhislonghairandgeneraluncouthness，andthisonlyspurredhertoafullerrecognitionofhisotherqualities。
　　"Iamafraid，"shebegan，withacharmingembarrassment，"thatinsteadofrestingsatisfiedwithyourkindnessincarryingmeuphere，Iwillhavetoburdenyouagainwithmydreadfulweakness，andaskyoutocarrymedownalso。ButallthisseemssolittleafterwhatyouhavejustdoneandforwhichIcannever，NEVERhopetothankyou！"Sheclaspedhertwolittlehandstogether，holdingherglovesbetween，andbroughtthemdownuponherlapinagestureasprettilyhelplessasitwasunaffected。
　　"Ihavedonescarcelyanything，"hesaid，glancingawaytowardsthefire，"and——yourfatherhasthankedme。"
　　"Youhavesavedmylife！"
　　"No！no！"hesaidquickly。"Notthat！Youwereinnodanger，exceptfrommyrifle，hadImissed。"
　　"Isee，"shesaideagerly，withalittleposthumousthrillathavingbeenafterallakindofheroine，"anditwasawonderfulshot，foryouweresocarefulnottotouchme。"
　　"Pleasedon’tsayanymore，"hesaid，withaslightmovementofhalfawkwardness，halfimpatience。"Itwasaroughjob，butit’sovernow。"
　　Hestoppedandchafedhisredhandsabstractedlytogether。Shecouldseethathehadevidentlyjustwashedthem——andtheglaringringwasmoreinevidencethanever。Butthethoughtgaveheraninspiration。
　　"You’llatleastletmeshakehandswithyou！"shesaid，extendingbothherownwithchildishfrankness。
　　"Holdon，MissForester，"hesaid，withsuddendesperation。"Itain’tthesquarething！Lookhere！Ican’tplaythisthingonyou！——Ican’tletyouplayitonmeanylonger！Youweren’tinanydanger，——youNEVERwere！Thatbearwasonlyahalf—wildthingI
　　helpedtora’rmyself！It’stakensugarfrommyhandnightafternightatthedoorofthiscabinasitmighthavetakenitfromyourshereifitwasalivenow。Itsleptnightafternightinthebrush，notfiftyyardsaway。Themorning’snevercomeyet——tillnow，"hesaidhastily，tocoveranoddbreakinhisvoice，"whenitdidn’tbrushalongthewholesideofthiscabintokinderwakemeupandsay’Solong，’aforeitbrowsedawayintothecanyon。Tharain’tamanalongthewholeDividewhodidn’tknowit；tharain’tamanalongthewholeDividethatwouldhavedrawnabeadorpulledatriggeronittillnow。Itneverhadanenemybutthebees；itneverevenknewwhyhorsesandcattlewerefrightenedofit。Itwasn’tmuchofapet，you’dsay，MissForester；itwasn’tmuchtomeetalady’seye；butweofthewoodsmusttakeourfriendswherewefind’emandofourownkind。Itain’tnofaultofyours，Miss，thatyoudidn’tknowit；itain’tnofaultofyourswhathappened；
　　butwhenitcomestoyourTHANKINGmeforit，why——it’s——it’sratherrough，yousee——andgetsme。"Hestoppedshortasdesperatelyandasabruptlyashehadbegun，andstaredblanklyatthefire。
　　Awaveofpityandshamesweptovertheyounggirlandleftitshightideonhercheek。Buteventhenitwascloselyfollowedbythefeminineinstinctofdefenceanddefiance。TheREALhero——theGENTLEMAN——shereasonedbitterly，wouldhavesparedherallthisknowledge。
　　"Butwhy，"shesaid，withknittedbrows，"why，ifyouknewitwassopreciousandsoharmless——whydidyoufireuponit？"
　　"Because，"hesaidalmostfiercely，turninguponher，"becauseyouSCREAMED，andTHENIKNEWITHADFRIGHTENEDYOU！"Hestoppedinstantlyasshemomentarilyrecoiledfromhim，buttheverybrusquenessofhisactionhaddislodgedatearfromhisdarkeyesthatfellwarmonthebackofherhand，andseemedtoblotouttheindignity。"Listen，Miss，"hewentonhurriedly，asiftocoveruphismomentaryunmanliness。"Iknewthebearwasmissingto—night，andwhenIheardthehorsesscurryingaboutIreckonedwhatwasup。
　　Iknewnoharmcouldcometoyou，forthehorseswereunharnessedandawayfromthewagon。Ipelteddownthattrailaheadofthemalllikegrimdeath，calkilatin’togettherebeforethebear；theywouldn’thaveunderstoodme；Iwastoohighuptocalltothecreaturewhenhedidcomeout，andIkinderhopedyouwouldn’tseehim。Evenwhenheturnedtowardsthewagon，Iknewitwasn’tYOU
　　hewasafter，butsuthin’else，andIkinderhoped，Miss，thatyou，beingdifferentandquicker—mindedthantherest，wouldseeittoo。
　　Allthewhilethemfolkswereyellin’behindmetofire——asifI
　　didn’tknowmywork。Iwashalf—waydown——andthenyouscreamed！
　　AndthenIforgoteverything，——everythingbutstandingclearofhittingyou，——andIfired。IwasthatsavagethatIwantedtobelievethathe’dgonemad，andwouldhavetouchedyou，tillIgotdownthereandfoundthehoney—potlyingalongsideofhim。Butthere，——it’sallovernow！Iwouldn’thaveletonawordtoyouonlyIcouldn’tbeartotakeYOURTHANKSforit，andIcouldn’tbeartohaveyouthinkingmeabrutefordodgin’them。"Hestopped，walkedtothefire，leanedagainstthechimneyundertheshallowpretextofkickingthedullembersintoablaze，which，however，hadonlytheeffectofrevealinghistwoglisteningeyesasheturnedbackagainandcametowardsher。"Well，"hesaid，withanineffectuallaugh，"it’sallovernow，it’sallintheday’swork，Ireckon，——andnow，Miss，ifyou’reready，andwilljustfixyourselfyourownwaysoastorideeasy，I’llcarryyoudown。"Andslightlybendinghisstrongfigure，hedroppedononekneebesideherwithextendedarms。