Magnusroseabruptlytohisfullheight，thenostrilsofhisthin，hawk-likenosevibrating，hissmooth-shavenfacepalerthanever。
Stoprightwhereyouare，sir，heexclaimed。Youforgetyourself，Mr。Annixter。PleaseunderstandthatItoleratesuchwordsasyouhavepermittedyourselftomakeuseoffromnoman，notevenfrommyguest。Ishallaskyoutoapologise。
Inaninstanthedominatedtheentiregroup，imposingarespectthatwasasmuchfearasadmiration。Noonemaderesponse。ForthemomenthewastheMasteragain，theLeader。Likesomanydelinquentschool-boys，theotherscoweredbeforehim，ashamed，puttoconfusion，unabletofindtheirtongues。InthatbriefinstantofsilencefollowinguponMagnus’soutburst，andwhileheheldthemsubduedandover-mastered，thefabricoftheirschemeofcorruptionanddishonestytrembledtoitsbase。ItwasthelastprotestoftheOldSchool，risingupthereindenunciationoftheneworderofthings，thestatesmanopposedtothepolitician。honesty，rectitude，uncompromisingintegrity，prevailingforthelasttimeagainstthedeviousmanoeuvring，theevilcommunications，therottenexpediencyofacorruptedinstitution。
Forafewsecondsnooneanswered。Then，Annixter，movingabruptlyanduneasilyinhisplace，muttered：
Ispokeuponprovocation。Ifyoulike，we’llconsideritunsaid。Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingtobecomeofus——gooutofbusiness，Ipresume。
IunderstandMagnusallright，putinOsterman。Hedon’thavetogointothisthing，ifit’sagainsthisconscience。That’sallright。Magnuscanstayoutifhewantsto，butthatwon’tpreventusgoingaheadandseeingwhatwecando。Onlythere’sthisaboutit。HeturnedagaintoMagnus，speakingwitheverydegreeofearnestness，everyappearanceofconviction。Ididnotdeny，Governor，fromtheverystartthatthiswouldmeanbribery。Butyoudon’tsupposethatIliketheideaeither。Iftherewasonelegitimatehopethatwasyetleftuntried，nomatterhowforlornitwas，Iwouldtryit。Butthere’snot。Itisliterallyandsoberlytruethateverymeansofhelp——everyhonestmeans——hasbeenattempted。Shelgrimisgoingtocinchus。
Grainratesareincreasing，while，ontheotherhand，thepriceofwheatissagginglowerandlowerallthetime。Ifwedon’tdosomethingweareruined。
Ostermanpausedforamoment，allowingpreciselytherightnumberofsecondstoelapse，thenalteringandloweringhisvoice，added：
IrespecttheGovernor’sprinciples。Iadmirethem。Theydohimeverydegreeofcredit。Then，turningdirectlytoMagnus，heconcludedwith，ButIonlywantyoutoaskyourself，sir，if，atsuchacrisis，oneoughttothinkofoneself，toconsiderpurelypersonalmotivesinsuchadesperatesituationasthis？
Now，wewantyouwithus，Governor。perhapsnotopenly，ifyoudon’twishit，buttacitly，atleast。Iwon’taskyouforananswerto-night，butwhatIdoaskofyouistoconsiderthismatterseriouslyandthinkoverthewholebusiness。Willyoudoit？
Ostermanceaseddefinitelytospeak，leaningforwardacrossthetable，hisevesfixedonMagnus’sface。Therewasasilence。
Outside，therainfellcontinuallywithaneven，monotonousmurmur。Inthegroupofmenaroundthetablenoonestirrednorspoke。TheylookedsteadilyatMagnus，who，forthemoment，kepthisglancefixedthoughtfullyuponthetablebeforehim。Inanothermomentheraisedhisheadandlookedfromfacetofacearoundthegroup。Afterall，thesewerehisneighbours，hisfriends，menwithwhomhehadbeenupontheclosesttermsofassociation。Inawaytheyrepresentedwhatnowhadcometobehisworld。Hissingleswiftglancetookinthemen，oneafteranother。Annixter，rugged，crude，sittingawkwardlyanduncomfortablyinhischair，hisunhandsomeface，withitsoutthrustlowerlipanddeeplycleftmasculinechin，flushedandeager，hisyellowhairdisordered，theonetuftonthecrownstandingstifflyforthlikethefeatherinanIndian’sscalplock。Broderson，vaguelycombingathislongbeardwithapersistentmaniacalgesture，distressed，troubledanduneasy。
Osterman，withhiscomedyface，thefaceofamusic-hallsinger，hisheadbaldandsetoffbyhisgreatredears，leaningbackinhisplace，softlycrackingtheknuckleofaforefinger，and，lastofallandclosetohiselbow，hisson，hissupport，hisconfidantandcompanion，Harran，solikehimself，withhisownerect，finecarriage，histhin，beak-likenoseandhisblondhair，withitstendencytocurlinaforwarddirectioninfrontoftheears，young，strong，courageous，fullofthepromiseofthefutureyears。Hisblueeyeslookedstraightintohisfather’swithwhatMagnuscouldfancyaglanceofappeal。Magnuscouldseethatexpressioninthefacesoftheothersveryplainly。Theylookedtohimastheirnaturalleader，theirchiefwhowastobringthemoutfromthisabominabletroublewhichwasclosinginuponthem，andinthemallhesawmanytypes。They——
thesemenaroundhistableonthatnightofthefirstrainofacomingseason——seemedtostandinhisimaginationformanyothers——allthefarmers，ranchers，andwheatgrowersofthegreatSanJoaquin。Theirwordswerethewordsofawholecommunity。
theirdistress，thedistressofanentireState，harriedbeyondtheboundsofendurance，driventothewall，coerced，exploited，harassedtothelimitsofexasperation。
Iwillthinkofit，hesaid，thenhastenedtoadd，butIcantellyoubeforehandthatyoumayexpectonlyarefusal。
AfterMagnushadspoken，therewasaprolongedsilence。Theconferenceseemedofitselftohavecometoanendforthatevening。Presleylightedanothercigarettefromthebuttoftheonehehadbeensmoking，andthecat，PrincessNathalie，disturbedbyhismovementandbyawhiffofdriftingsmoke，jumpedfromhiskneetothefloorandpickingherwayacrosstheroomtoAnnixter，rubbedgentlyagainsthislegs，hertailintheair，herbackdelicatelyarched。Nodoubtshethoughtittimetosettleherselfforthenight，andasAnnixtergavenoindicationofvacatinghischair，shechosethiswayofcajolinghimintocedinghisplacetoher。ButAnnixterwasirritatedatthePrincess’sattentions，misunderstandingtheirmotive。
Getout！heexclaimed，liftinghisfeettotherungofthechair。Lordloveme，butIsuredohateacat。
Bytheway，observedOsterman，IpassedGenslingerbythegateasIcameinto-night。Hadhebeenhere？
Yes，hewashere，saidHarran，and——butAnnixtertookthewordsoutofhismouth。
Hesaysthere’ssometalkoftherailroadsellingustheirsectionsthiswinter。
Oh，hedid，didhe？exclaimedOsterman，interestedatonce。
Wheredidhehearthat？
Wheredoesarailroadpapergetitsnews？FromtheGeneralOffice，Isuppose。
Ihopehedidn’tgetitstraightfromheadquartersthatthelandwastobegradedattwentydollarsanacre，murmuredBroderson。
What’sthat？demandedOsterman。Twentydollars！Here，putmeon，somebody。What’sallup？WhatdidGenslingersay？
Oh，youneedn’tgetscared，saidAnnixter。Genslingerdon’tknow，that’sall。HethinkstherewasnounderstandingthatthepriceofthelandshouldnotbeadvancedwhentheP。andS。W。
cametoselltous。
Oh，mutteredOstermanrelieved。Magnus，whohadgoneoutintotheofficeontheothersideoftheglass-roofedhallway，returnedwithalong，yellowenvelopeinhishand，stuffedwithnewspaperclippingsandthin，closelyprintedpamphlets。
Hereisthecircular，heremarked，drawingoutoneofthepamphlets。Theconditionsofsettlementtowhichtherailroadobligateditselfareveryexplicit。
Heranoverthepagesofthecircular，thenreadaloud：
’TheCompanyinvitessettlerstogouponitslandsbeforepatentsareissuedortheroadiscompleted，andintendsinsuchcasestoselltotheminpreferencetoanyotherapplicantsandatapricebaseduponthevalueofthelandwithoutimprovements，’andontheotherpagehere，heremarked，theyrefertothisagain。’Inascertainingthevalueofthelands，anyimprovementsthatasettleroranyotherpersonmayhaveonthelandswillnotbetakenintoconsideration，neitherwillthepricebeincreasedinconsequencethereof……Settlersarethusinsuredthatinadditiontobeingaccordedthefirstprivilegeofpurchase，atthegradedprice，theywillalsobeprotectedintheirimprovements。’Andhere，hecommented，inSectionIX。itreads，’Thelandsarenotuniforminprice，butareofferedatvariousfiguresfrom$2。50upwardperacre。Usuallylandcoveredwithtalltimberisheldat$5。00peracre，andthatwithpineat$10。00。Mostisforsaleat$2。50and$5。00。
Whenyoucometoreadthatcarefully，hazardedoldBroderson，it——it’snotsoVERYREASSURING。’MOSTisforsaleattwo-fiftyanacre，’itsays。Thatdon’tmean’ALL，’thatonlymeansSOME。
IwishnowthatIhadsecuredamoreiron-cladagreementfromtheP。andS。W。whenItookupitssectionsonmyranch，and——andGenslingerisinapositiontoknowtheintentionsoftherailroad。Atleast，he——he——heisinTOUCHwiththem。Allnewspapermenare。Those，Imean，whoaresubsidisedbytheGeneralOffice。But，perhaps，Genslingerisn’tsubsidised，I
don’tknow。I——Iamnotsure。Maybe——perhaps
Oh，youdon’tknowandyoudoknow，andmaybeandperhaps，andyou’renotsosure，vociferatedAnnixter。Howaboutignoringthevalueofourimprovements？NothinghazyaboutTHAT
statement，Iguess。Itsaysinsomanywordsthatanyimprovementswemakewillnotbeconsideredwhenthelandisappraisedandthat’sthesamething，isn’tit？Theunimprovedlandisworthtwo-fiftyanacre。onlytimberlandisworthmoreandthere’snonetoomuchtimberabouthere。
Well，onethingatatime，saidHarran。ThethingforusnowistogetintothisprimaryelectionandtheconventionandseeifwecanpushourmenforRailroadCommissioners。
Right，declaredAnnixter。Herose，stretchinghisarmsabovehishead。I’veabouttalkedallthewindoutofme，hesaid。
ThinkI’llbemovingalong。It’sprettynearmidnight。
ButwhenMagnus’sgueststurnedtheirattentiontothematterofreturningtotheirdifferentranches，theyabruptlyrealisedthatthedownpourhaddoubledandtrebledinitsvolumesinceearlierintheevening。Thefieldsandroadswereveritableseasofviscidmud，thenightabsolutelyblack-dark。assuredlynotanightinwhichtoventureout。MagnusinsistedthatthethreeranchersshouldputupatLosMuertos。Ostermanacceptedatonce，Annixter，afteraninterminablediscussion，allowedhimselftobepersuaded，intheendacceptingasthoughgrantingafavour。Brodersonprotestedthathiswife，whowasnotwell，wouldexpecthimtoreturnthatnightandwould，nodoubt，fretifhedidnotappear。Furthermore，helivedcloseby，atthejunctionoftheCountyandLowerRoad。Heputasackoverhisheadandshoulders，persistentlydecliningMagnus’sofferedumbrellaandrubbercoat，andhurriedaway，remarkingthathehadnoforemanonhisranchandhadtobeupandaboutatfivethenextmorningtoputhismentowork。
Fool！mutteredAnnixterwhentheoldmanhadgone。Imaginefarmingaranchthesizeofhiswithoutaforeman。
HarranshowedOstermanandAnnixterwheretheyweretosleep，inadjoiningrooms。Magnussoonafterwardretired。
Ostermanfoundanexcuseforgoingtobed，butAnnixterandHarranremainedinthelatter’sroom，inahazeofbluetobaccosmoke，talking，talking。Butatlength，attheendofallargument，Annixtergotup，remarking：
Well，I’mgoingtoturnin。It’snearlytwoo’clock。
Hewenttohisroom，closingthedoor，andHarran，openinghiswindowtoclearoutthetobaccosmoke，lookedoutforamomentacrossthecountrytowardthesouth。
Thedarknesswasprofound，impenetrable。therainfellwithanuninterruptedroar。Nearathandonecouldhearthesoundofdrippingeavesandfoliageandtheeager，suckingsoundofthedrinkingearth，andabruptlywhileHarranstoodlookingout，onehandupontheupraisedsash，agreatpuffoftheoutsideairinvadedtheroom，odourouswiththereekofthesoakingearth，redolentwithfertility，pungent，heavy，tepid。Heclosedthewindowagainandsatforafewmomentsontheedgeofthebed，oneshoeinhishand，thoughtfulandabsorbed，wonderingifhisfatherwouldinvolvehimselfinthisnewscheme，wonderingif，afterall，hewantedhimto。
Butsuddenlyhewasawareofacommotion，issuingfromthedirectionofAnnixter’sroom，andthevoiceofAnnixterhimselfupraisedinexpostulationandexasperation。ThedooroftheroomtowhichAnnixterhadbeenassignedopenedwithaviolentwrenchandanangryvoiceexclaimedtoanybodywhowouldlisten：
Oh，yes，funny，isn’tit？Inaway，it’sfunny，andthen，again，inawayitisn’t。
Thedoorbangedtosothatallthewindowsofthehouserattledintheirframes。
Harranhurriedoutintothedining-roomandtheremetPresleyandhisfather，whohadbeenarousedaswellbyAnnixter’sclamour。
Ostermanwasthere，too，hisbaldheadgleaminglikeabulbofivoryinthelightofthelampthatMagnuscarried。
What’sallup？demandedOsterman。WhateverintheworldisthematterwithBuck？
ConfusedandterriblesoundscamefrombehindthedoorofAnnixter’sroom。Aprolongedmonologueofgrievance，brokenbyexplosionsofwrathandthevaguenoiseofsomeoneinafurioushurry。AllatonceandbeforeHarranhadachancetoknockonthedoor，Annixterflungitopen。Hisfacewasblazingwithanger，hisoutthrustlipmoreprominentthanever，hiswiry，yellowhairindisarray，thetuftonthecrownstickingstraightintotheairliketheupraisedhacklesofanangryhound。
Evidentlyhehadbeendressinghimselfwiththemostheadlongrapidity。hehadnotyetputonhiscoatandvest，butcarriedthemoverhisarm，whilewithhisdisengagedhandhekepthitchinghissuspendersoverhisshoulderswithapersistentandhypnoticgesture。Withoutamoment’spausehegaveventtohisindignationinatorrentofwords。
Ah，yes，inmybed，sloop，aha！Iknowthemanwhoputitthere，hewenton，glaringatOsterman，andthatmanisaPIP。
Sloop！Slimy，disgustingstuff。youheardmesayIdidn’tlikeitwhentheChinkpassedittomeatdinner——andjustforthatreasonyouputitinmybed，andIstickmyfeetintoitwhenI
turnin。Funny，isn’tit？Oh，yes，toofunnyforanyuse。I’dlaughalittlelouderifIwasyou。
Well，Buck，protestedHarran，ashenoticedthehatinAnnixter’shand，you’renotgoinghomejustfor——
Annixterturnedonhimwithashout。
I’llgetplumboutofhere，hetrumpeted。Iwon’tstayhereanotherminute。
Heswungintohiswaistcoatandcoat，scrabblingatthebuttonsintheviolenceofhisemotions。AndIdon’tknowbutwhatitwillmakemesickagaintogooutinanightlikethis。NO，I
won’tstay。Somethingsarefunny，andthen，again，therearesomethingsthatarenot。Ah，yes，sloop！Well，that’sallright。Icanbefunny，too，whenyoucometothat。Youdon’tgetacentofmoneyoutofme。Youcandoyourdirtybriberyinyourowndirtyway。Iwon’tcomeintothisschemeatall。I
washmyhandsofthewholebusiness。It’srottenandit’swild-
eyed。it’sdirtfromstarttofinish。andyou’llalllandinState’sprison。Youcancountmeout。
But，Buck，lookhere，youcrazyfool，criedHarran，Idon’tknowwhoputthatstuffinyourbed，butI’mnotgoing。toletyougobacktoQuienSabeinarainlikethis。
Iknowwhoputitin，clamouredtheother，shakinghisfists，anddon’tcallmeBuckandI’lldoasIplease。IWILLgobackhome。I’llgetplumboutofhere。SorryIcame。SorryIeverlentmyselftosuchadisgusting，dishonest，dirtybriberygameasthisallto-night。Iwon’tputadimeintoit，no，notapenny。
Hestormedtothedoorleadingoutupontheporch，deaftoallreason。HarranandPresleyfollowedhim，tryingtodissuadehimfromgoinghomeatthattimeofnightandinsuchastorm，butAnnixterwasnottobeplacated。Hestampedacrosstothebarnwherehishorseandbuggyhadbeenstabled，splashingthroughthepuddlesunderfoot，goingoutofhiswaytodrenchhimself，refusingeventoallowPresleyandHarrantohelphimharnessthehorse。
What’stheuseofmakingafoolofyourself，Annixter？
remonstratedPresley，asAnnixterbackedthehorsefromthestall。Youactjustlikeaten-year-oldboy。IfOstermanwantstoplaythegoat，whyshouldyouhelphimout？
He’saPIP，vociferatedAnnixter。Youdon’tunderstand，Presley。Itrunsinmyfamilytohateanythingsticky。It’s——
it’s——it’sheredity。Howwouldyouliketogetintobedattwointhemorningandjamyourfeetdownintoaslimymesslikethat？Oh，no。It’snotsofunnythen。Andyoumarkmywords，Mr。HarranDerrick，hecontinued，asheclimbedintothebuggy，shakingthewhiptowardHarran，thisbusinesswetalkedoverto-
night——I’mOUTofit。It’syellow。It’stooCURSEDdishonest。
Hecutthehorseacrossthebackwiththewhipanddroveoutintothepeltingrain。Inafewsecondsthesoundofhisbuggywheelswaslostinthemuffledroarofthedownpour。
HarranandPresleyclosedthebarnandreturnedtothehouse，shelteringthemselvesunderatarpaulincarriagecover。Onceinside，HarranwenttoremonstratewithOsterman，whowasstillup。Magnushadagainretired。Thehousehadfallenquietagain。
AsPresleycrossedthedining-roomonthewaytohisownapartmentinthesecondstoryofthehouse，hepausedforamoment，lookingabouthim。Inthedulllightoftheloweredlamps，theredwoodpanellingoftheroomshowedadarkcrimsonasthoughstainedwithblood。Onthemassiveslabofthediningtablethehalf-emptiedglassesandbottlesstoodaboutintheconfusioninwhichtheyhadbeenleft，reflectingthemselvesdeepintothepolishedwood。theglassdoorsofthecaseofstuffedbirdswasasubduedshimmer。themany-colouredNavajoblanketoverthecouchseemedamerepatchofbrown。
Aroundthetablethechairsinwhichthemenhadsatthroughouttheeveningstillrangedthemselvesinasemi-circle，vaguelysuggestiveoftheconferenceofthepastfewhours，withallitspossibilitiesofgoodandevil，itssignificanceofafuturebigwithportent。Theroomwasstill。OnlyonthecushionsofthechairthatAnnixterhadoccupied，thecat，PrincessNathalie，atlastcomfortablysettledinheraccustomedplace，dozedcomplacently，herpawstuckedunderherbreast，fillingthedesertedroomwiththesubduedmurmurofhercontentedpurr。
CHAPTERIV
OntheQuienSaberanch，inoneofitswesterndivisions，nearthelinefencethatdivideditfromtheOstermanholding，Vanameewasharnessingthehorsestotheploughtowhichhehadbeenassignedtwodaysbefore，astable-boyfromthedivisionbarnhelpinghim。
Promptlydischargedfromtheemployofthesheep-raisersafterthelamentableaccidentneartheLongTrestle，VanameehadpresentedhimselftoHarran，askingforemployment。Theseasonwasbeginning。onalltheranchesworkwasbeingresumed。Therainhadputthegroundintoadmirableconditionforploughing，andAnnixter，Broderson，andOstermanallhadtheirgangsatwork。Thus，VanameewasvastlysurprisedtofindLosMuertosidle，thehorsesstillinthebarns，themengatheringintheshadeofthebunk-houseandeating-house，smoking，dozing，orgoingaimlesslyabout，theirarmsdangling。TheploughsforwhichMagnusandHarranwerewaitinginafuryofimpatiencehadnotyetarrived，andsincethemanagementofLosMuertoshadcounteduponhavingtheseinhandlongbeforethistime，noprovisionhadbeenmadeforkeepingtheoldstockinrepair。manyoftheseoldploughswereuseless，broken，andoutoforder。somehadbeensold。Itcouldnotbesaiddefinitelywhenthenewploughswouldarrive。Harranhaddecidedtowaitoneweeklonger，andthen，incaseoftheirnon-appearance，tobuyaconsignmentoftheoldstyleofploughfromthedealersinBonneville。Hecouldaffordtolosethemoneybetterthanhecouldaffordtolosetheseason。
FailingofworkonLosMuertos，VanameehadgonetoQuienSabe。
Annixter，whomhehadspokentofirst，hadsenthimacrosstheranchtooneofhisdivisionsuperintendents，andthislatter，afterassuringhimselfofVanamee’sfamiliaritywithhorsesandhispreviousexperience——eventhoughsomewhatremote——onLosMuertos，hadtakenhimonasadriverofoneofthegangploughs，thenatworkonhisdivision。
Theeveningbefore，whentheforemanhadblownhiswhistleatsixo’clock，thelonglineofploughshadhaltedupontheinstant，andthedrivers，unharnessingtheirteams，hadtakenthembacktothedivisionbarns——leavingtheploughsastheywereinthefurrows。Butanhourafterdaylightthenextmorningtheworkwasresumed。Afterbreakfast，Vanamee，ridingonehorseandleadingtheothers，hadreturnedtothelineofploughstogetherwiththeotherdrivers。Nowhewasbusyharnessingtheteam。Atthedivisionblacksmithshop——temporarilyputup——hehadbeenobligedtowaitwhileoneofhisleadhorseswasshod，andhehadthusbeendelayedquitefiveminutes。Nearlyalltheotherteamswereharnessed，thedriversontheirseats，waitingfortheforeman’ssignal。
Allreadyhere？inquiredtheforeman，drivinguptoVanamee’steaminhisbuggy。
Allready，sir，answeredVanamee，bucklingthelaststrap。
Heclimbedtohisseat，shakingoutthereins，andturningabout，lookedbackalongtheline，thenallaroundhimatthelandscapeinundatedwiththebrilliantglowoftheearlymorning。
Thedaywasfine。Sincethefirstrainoftheseason，therehadbeennoother。Nowtheskywaswithoutacloud，paleblue，delicate，luminous，scintillatingwithmorning。Thegreatbrownearthturnedahugeflanktoit，exhalingthemoistureoftheearlydew。Theatmosphere，washedcleanofdustandmist，wastranslucentascrystal。Farofftotheeast，thehillsontheothersideofBrodersonCreekstoodoutagainstthepallidsaffronofthehorizonasflatandassharplyoutlinedasifpastedonthesky。ThecampanileoftheancientMissionofSanJuanseemedasfineasfrostwork。Allaboutbetweenthehorizons，thecarpetofthelandunrolleditselftoinfinity。
Butnowitwasnolongerparchedwithheat，crackedandwarpedbyamercilesssun，powderedwithdust。Therainhaddoneitswork。
notaclodthatwasnotswollenwithfertility，notafissurethatdidnotexhalethesenseoffecundity。Onecouldnottakeadozenstepsupontherancheswithoutthebrusquesensationthatunderfootthelandwasalive。rousedatlastfromitssleep，palpitatingwiththedesireofreproduction。Deepdownthereintherecessesofthesoil，thegreatheartthrobbedoncemore，thrillingwithpassion，vibratingwithdesire，offeringitselftothecaressoftheplough，insistent，eager，imperious。Dimlyonefeltthedeep-seatedtroubleoftheearth，theuneasyagitationofitsmembers，thehiddentumultofitswomb，demandingtobemadefruitful，toreproduce，todisengagetheeternalrenascentgermofLifethatstirredandstruggledinitsloins。
Theploughs，thirty-fiveinnumber，eachdrawnbyitsteamoften，stretchedinaninterminableline，nearlyaquarterofamileinlength，behindandaheadofVanamee。Theywerearranged，asitwere，enechelon，notinfile——notonedirectlybehindtheother，buteachsucceedingploughitsownwidthfartherinthefieldthantheoneinfrontofit。Eachoftheseploughsheldfiveshears，sothatwhentheentirecompanywasinmotion，onehundredandseventy-fivefurrowsweremadeatthesameinstant。
Atadistance，theploughsresembledagreatcolumnoffieldartillery。Eachdriverwasinhisplace，hisglancealternatingbetweenhishorsesandtheforemannearestathand。Otherforemen，intheirbuggiesorbuckboards，wereatintervalsalongtheline，likebatterylieutenants。Annixterhimself，onhorseback，inbootsandcampaignhat，acigarinhisteeth，overlookedthescene。
Thedivisionsuperintendent，ontheoppositesideoftheline，gallopedpasttoapositionatthehead。Foralongmomenttherewasasilence。Asenseofpreparednessranfromendtoendofthecolumn。Allthingswereready，eachmaninhisplace。Theday’sworkwasabouttobegin。
Suddenly，fromadistanceattheheadofthelinecametheshrilltrillingofawhistle。AtoncetheforemannearestVanameerepeatedit，atthesametimeturningdowntheline，andwavingonearm。Thesignalwasrepeated，whistleansweringwhistle，tillthesoundslostthemselvesinthedistance。Atoncethelineofploughslostitsimmobility，movingforward，gettingslowlyunderway，thehorsesstraininginthetraces。A
prolongedmovementrippledfromteamtoteam，disengaginginitspassageamultitudeofsounds——theclickofbuckles，thecreakofstrainingleather，thesubduedclashofmachinery，thecrackingofwhips，thedeepbreathingofnearlyfourhundredhorses，theabruptcommandsandcriesofthedrivers，and，lastofall，theprolonged，soothingmurmurofthethickbrownearthturningsteadilyfromthemultitudeofadvancingshears。
Theploughingthuscommenced，continued。Thesunrosehigher。
Steadilythehundredironhandskneadedandfurrowedandstrokedthebrown，humidearth，thehundredironteethbitdeepintotheTitan’sflesh。Perchedonhisseat，themoistlivingreinsslippingandtugginginhishands，Vanamee，inthemidstofthissteadyconfusionofconstantlyvaryingsensation，sightinterruptedbysound，soundminglingwithsight，onthisswaying，vibratingseat，quiveringwiththeprolongedthrilloftheearth，lapsedtoasortofpleasingnumbness，inasense，hypnotisedbytheweavingmazeofthingsinwhichhefoundhimselfinvolved。
Tokeephisteamataneven，regulargait，maintainingthepreciseinterval，torunhisfurrowsascloselyaspossibletothosealreadymadebytheploughinfront——thisforthemomentwastheentiresumofhisduties。Butwhileonepartofhisbrain，alertandwatchful，tookcognisanceofthesematters，allthegreaterpartwaslulledandstupefiedwiththelongmonotonyoftheaffair。
Theploughing，nowinfullswing，envelopedhiminavague，slow-
movingwhirlofthings。Underneathhimwasthejarring，jolting，tremblingmachine。notaclodwasturned，notanobstacleencountered，thathedidnotreceivetheswiftimpressionofitthroughallhisbody，theveryfrictionofthedampsoil，slidingincessantlyfromtheshinysurfaceoftheshears，seemedtoreproduceitselfinhisfinger-tipsandalongthebackofhishead。Heheardthehorse-hoofsbythemyriadscrushingdowneasily，deeply，intotheloam，theprolongedclinkingoftrace-
chains，theworkingofthesmoothbrownflanksintheharness，theclatterofwoodenhames，thechampingofbits，theclickofironshoesagainstpebbles，thebrittlestubbleofthesurfacegroundcracklingandsnappingasthefurrowsturned，thesonorous，steadybreathswrenchedfromthedeep，labouringchests，strap-bound，shiningwithsweat，andallalongthelinethevoicesofthementalkingtothehorses。Everywheretherewerevisionsofglossybrownbacks，straining，heaving，swollenwithmuscle。harnessstreakedwithspecksoffroth，broad，cup-
shapedhoofs，heavywithbrownloam，men’sfacesredwithtan，blueoverallsspottedwithaxle-grease。muscledhands，theknuckleswhitenedintheirgriponthereins，andthroughitalltheammoniacalsmellofthehorses，thebitterreekofperspirationofbeastsandmen，thearomaofwarmleather，thescentofdeadstubble——andstrongerandmorepenetratingthaneverythingelse，theheavy，enervatingodouroftheupturned，livingearth。
Atintervals，fromthetopsofoneoftherare，lowswellsoftheland，Vanameeoverlookedawiderhorizon。OntheotherdivisionsofQuienSabethesameworkwasinprogress。Occasionallyhecouldseeanothercolumnofploughsintheadjoiningdivision——
sometimessocloseathandthatthesubduedmurmurofitsmovementsreachedhisear。sometimessodistantthatitresolveditselfintoalong，brownstreakuponthegreyoftheground。
FartherofftothewestontheOstermanranchothercolumnscameandwent，and，once，fromthecrestofthehighestswellonhisdivision，VanameecaughtadistantglimpseoftheBrodersonranch。There，too，movingspecksindicatedthattheploughingwasunderway。Andfartherawaystill，farofftherebeyondthefinelineofthehorizons，overthecurveoftheglobe，theshoulderoftheearth，heknewwereotherranches，andbeyondtheseothers，andbeyondthesestillothers，theimmensitiesmultiplyingtoinfinity。
EverywherethroughoutthegreatSanJoaquin，unseenandunheard，athousandploughsup-stirredtheland，tensofthousandsofshearsclutcheddeepintothewarm，moistsoil。
Itwasthelongstrokingcaress，vigorous，male，powerful，forwhichtheEarthseemedpanting。Theheroicembraceofamultitudeofironhands，grippingdeepintothebrown，warmfleshofthelandthatquiveredresponsiveandpassionateunderthisrudeadvance，sorobustastobealmostanassault，soviolentastobeveritablybrutal。There，underthesunandunderthespecklesssheenofthesky，thewooingoftheTitanbegan，thevastprimalpassion，thetwoworld-forces，theelementalMaleandFemale，lockedinacolossalembrace，atgrapplesinthethroesofaninfinitedesire，atonceterribleanddivine，knowingnolaw，untamed，savage，natural，sublime。
FromtimetotimetheganginwhichVanameeworkedhaltedonthesignalfromforemanoroverseer。Thehorsescametoastandstill，thevagueclamouroftheworklapsedaway。Thentheminutespassed。Thewholeworkhungsuspended。Allupanddownthelineonedemandedwhathadhappened。Thedivisionsuperintendentgallopedpast，perplexedandanxious。Forthemoment，oneoftheploughswasoutoforder，abolthadslipped，aleverrefusedtowork，oramachinehadbecomeimmobilisedinheavyground，orahorsehadlamedhimself。Once，even，towardnoon，anentireploughwastakenoutoftheline，sooutofgearthatamessengerhadtobesenttothedivisionforgetosummonthemachinist。
Annixterhaddisappeared。Hehadriddenfartherontotheotherdivisionsofhisranch，towatchtheworkinprogressthere。Attwelveo’clock，accordingtohisorders，allthedivisionsuperintendentsputthemselvesincommunicationwithhimbymeansofthetelephonewiresthatconnectedeachofthedivisionhouses，reportingtheconditionofthework，thenumberofacrescovered，theprospectsofeachploughtraversingitsdailyaverageoftwentymiles。
Athalf-pasttwelve，Vanameeandtherestofthedriversatetheirlunchinthefield，thetinbucketshavingbeendistributedtothemthatmorningafterbreakfast。Butintheevening，theroutineofthepreviousdaywasrepeated，andVanamee，unharnessinghisteam，ridingonehorseandleadingtheothers，returnedtothedivisionbarnsandbunk-house。
Itwasbetweensixandseveno’clock。ThehalfhundredmenofthegangthrewthemselvesuponthesuppertheChinesecookshadsetoutintheshedoftheeating-house，longasabowlingalley，unpainted，crude，theseatsbenches，thetablecoveredwithoilcloth。Overheadahalf-dozenkerosenelampsflaredandsmoked。
Thetablewastakenasifbyassault。theclatterofironknivesuponthetinplateswasasthereverberationofhailuponametalroof。Theploughmenrinsedtheirthroatswithgreatdraughtsofwine，and，theirelbowswide，theirforeheadsflushed，resumedtheattackuponthebeefandbread，eatingasthoughtheywouldneverhaveenough。Allupanddownthelongtable，wherethekerosenelampsreflectedthemselvesdeepintheoil-clothcover，oneheardtheincessantsoundsofmastication，andsawtheuninterruptedmovementofgreatjaws。Ateverymomentoneoranotherofthemendemandedafreshportionofbeef，anotherpintofwine，anotherhalf-loafofbread。Forupwardsofanhourthegangate。Itwasnolongerasupper。Itwasaveritablebarbecue，acrudeandprimitivefeasting，barbaric，homeric。
ButinallthissceneVanameesawnothingrepulsive。Presleywouldhaveabhorredit——thisfeedingofthePeople，thisgorgingofthehumananimal，eagerforitsmeat。Vanamee，simple，uncomplicated，livingsoclosetonatureandtherudimentarylife，understooditssignificance。Heknewverywellthatwithinashorthalf-hourafterthismealthemenwouldthrowthemselvesdownintheirbunkstosleepwithoutmoving，inertandstupefiedwithfatigue，tillthemorning。Work，food，andsleep，alllifereducedtoitsbareessentials，uncomplex，honest，healthy。Theywerestrong，thesemen，withthestrengthofthesoiltheyworked，intouchwiththeessentialthings，backagaintothestartingpointofcivilisation，coarse，vital，real，andsane。
Forabriefmomentimmediatelyafterthemeal，pipeswerelit，andtheairgrewthickwithfragranttobaccosmoke。Onacornerofthedining-roomtable，agameofpokerwasbegun。Oneofthedrivers，aSwede，producedanaccordion。agrouponthestepsofthebunk-houselistened，withalternategravityandshoutsoflaughter，totheacknowledgedstory-tellerofthegang。Butsoonthemenbegantoturnin，stretchingthemselvesatfulllengthonthehorseblanketsintheracklikebunks。Thesoundsofheavybreathingincreasedsteadily，lightswereputout，andbeforetheafterglowhadfadedfromthesky，thegangwasasleep。
Vanamee，however，remainedawake。Thenightwasfine，warm。theskysilver-greywithstarlight。Byandbytherewouldbeamoon。
Inthefirstwatchafterthetwilight，afaintpuffofbreezecameupoutofthesouth。Fromallaround，theheavypenetratingsmellofthenew-turnedearthexhaledsteadilyintothedarkness。
Afterawhile，whenthemooncameup，hecouldseethevastbrownbreastoftheearthturntowardit。Faroff，distantobjectscameintoview：ThegiantoaktreeatHooven’sranchhouseneartheirrigatingditchonLosMuertos，theskeleton-liketowerofthewindmillonAnnixter’sHomeranch，theclumpofwillowsalongBrodersonCreekclosetotheLongTrestle，and，lastofall，thevenerabletoweroftheMissionofSanJuanonthehighgroundbeyondthecreek。
Thitherward，likehomingpigeons，Vanamee’sthoughtsturnedirresistibly。Neartothattower，justbeyond，inthelittlehollow，hiddennowfromhissight，wastheSeedranchwhereAngeleVarianhadlived。Straininghiseyes，peeringacrosstheinterveninglevels，Vanameefanciedhecouldalmostseethelineofvenerablepeartreesinwhoseshadowshehadbeenaccustomedtowaitforhim。Onmanysuchanightasthishehadcrossedtheranchestofindherthere。Hismindwentbacktothatwonderfultimeofhislifesixteenyearsbeforethis，whenAngelewasalive，whentheytwowereinvolvedinthesweetintricaciesofalovesofine，sopure，somarvellousthatitseemedtothemamiracle，amanifestation，athingveritablydivine，putintothelifeofthemandtheheartsofthembyGodHimself。Tothattheyhadbeenborn。Forthislove’ssaketheyhadcomeintotheworld，andtheminglingoftheirliveswastobethePerfectLife，theintended，ordainedunionofthesoulofmanwiththesoulofwoman，indissoluble，harmoniousasmusic，beautifulbeyondallthought，aforetasteofHeaven，ahostageofimmortality。
No，he，Vanamee，couldnever，neverforget，neverwastheedgeofhisgrieftoloseitssharpness，neverwouldthelapseoftimebluntthetoothofhispain。Oncemore，ashesatthere，lookingoffacrosstheranches，hiseyesfixedontheancientcampanileoftheMissionchurch，theanguishthatwouldnotdieleapedathisthroat，tearingathisheart，shakinghimandrendinghimwithaviolenceasfierceandasprofoundasifitallhadbeenbutyesterday。Theachereturnedtohisheartaphysicalkeenpain。hishandsgrippedtighttogether，twisting，interlocked，hiseyesfilledwithtears，hiswholebodyshakenandrivenfromheadtoheel。
Hehadlosther。Godhadnotmeantit，afterall。Thewholematterhadbeenamistake。Thatvast，wonderfullovethathadcomeuponthemhadbeenonlytheflimsiestmockery。AbruptlyVanameerose。Heknewthenightthatwasbeforehim。Atintervalsthroughoutthecourseofhisprolongedwanderings，inthedesert，onthemesa，deepinthecanon，lostandforgottenontheflanksofunnamedmountains，aloneunderthestarsandunderthemoon’swhiteeye，thesehourscametohim，hisgriefrecoilinguponhimliketherecoilofavastandterribleengine。
Thenhemustfightoutthenight，wrestlingwithhissorrow，prayingsometimes，incoherent，hardlyconscious，askingWhyofthenightandofthestars。
Suchanothernighthadcometohimnow。Untildawnheknewhemuststrugglewithhisgrief，tornwithmemories，hisimaginationassaultedwithvisionsofavanishedhappiness。Ifthisparoxysmofsorrowwastoassailhimagainthatnight，therewasbutoneplaceforhimtobe。HewouldgototheMission——hewouldseeFatherSarria。hewouldpassthenightinthedeepshadowoftheagedpeartreesintheMissiongarden。
HestruckoutacrossQuienSabe，hisface，thefaceofanascetic，lean，brown，infinitelysad，settowardtheMissionchurch。InaboutanhourhereachedandcrossedtheroadthatlednorthwardfromGuadalajaratowardtheSeedranch，and，alittlefartheron，fordedBrodersonCreekwhereitranthroughonecorneroftheMissionland。Heclimbedthehillandhalted，outofbreathfromhisbriskwall，attheendofthecolonnadeoftheMissionitself。
UntilthismomentVanameehadnottrustedhimselftoseetheMissionatnight。OntheoccasionofhisfirstdaytimevisitwithPresley，hehadhurriedawayevenbeforethetwilighthadsetin，notdaringforthemomenttofacethecrowdingphantomsthatinhisimaginationfilledtheMissiongardenafterdark。Inthedaylight，theplacehadseemedstrangetohim。Noneofhisassociationswiththeoldbuildinganditssurroundingswerethoseofsunlightandbrightness。Whenever，duringhislongsojournsinthewildernessoftheSouthwest，hehadcalledupthepictureintheeyeofhismind，ithadalwaysappearedtohiminthedimmysteryofmoonlessnights，thevenerablepeartreesblackwithshadow，thefountainathingtobeheardratherthanseen。
Butasyethehadnotenteredthegarden。ThatlayontheothersideoftheMission。Vanameepasseddownthecolonnade，withitsunevenpavementofwornredbricks，tothelastdoorbythebelfrytower，andrangthelittlebellbypullingtheleatherthongthathungfromaholeinthedoorabovetheknob。
Butthemaid-servant，who，afteralongintervalopenedthedoor，blinkingandconfusedatbeingrousedfromhersleep，toldVanameethatSarriawasnotinhisroom。Vanamee，however，wasknowntoherasthepriest’sprotegeandgreatfriend，andsheallowedhimtoenter，tellinghimthat，nodoubt，hewouldfindSarriainthechurchitself。Theservantledthewaydownthecooladobepassagetoalargerroomthatoccupiedtheentirewidthofthebottomofthebelfrytower，andwhenceaflightofagedstepsledupwardintothedark。Atthefootofthestairswasadooropeningintothechurch。TheservantadmittedVanamee，closingthedoorbehindher。
TheinterioroftheMission，agreatoblongofwhite-washedadobewithaflatceiling，waslighteddimlybythesanctuarylampthathungfromthreelongchainsjustoverthechancelrailatthefarendofthechurch，andbytwoorthreecheapkerosenelampsinbracketsofimitationbronze。AllaroundthewallswastheinevitableseriesofpicturesrepresentingtheStationsoftheCross。Theywereofahideouscrudityofdesignandcomposition，yetwerewroughtoutwithaninnocent，unquestioningsinceritythatwasnotwithoutitscharm。Eachpictureframedalikeingilt，boreitssuitableinscriptioninstaringblackletters。
Simon，TheCyrenean，HelpsJesustoCarryHisCross。SaintVeronicaWipestheFaceofJesus。JesusFallsfortheFourthTime，andsoon。Half-wayupthelengthofthechurchthepewsbegan，coffin-likeboxesofblackenedoak，shiningfromyearsoffriction，eachwithitsdoor。whileoverthem，andbuiltoutfromthewall，wasthepulpit，withitstarnishedgiltsounding-boardaboveit，liketheraisedcoverofagreathat-box。Betweenthepews，intheaisle，theviolentvermilionofastripofingraincarpetassaultedtheeye。Fartheronwerethestepstothealtar，thechancelrailofworm-riddledoak，thehighaltar，withitsnaperyfromthebargaincountersofaSanFranciscostore，themassivesilvercandlesticks，eachasmuchasonemancouldlift，thegiftofadeadSpanishqueen，and，last，thepicturesofthechancel，theVirgininaglory，aChristinagonyonthecross，andSt。JohntheBaptist，thepatronsaintoftheMission，theSanJuanBautista，oftheearlydays，agauntgreyfigure，inskins，twofingersupraisedinthegestureofbenediction。
Theairoftheplacewascoolanddamp，andheavywiththeflat，sweetscentofstaleincensesmoke。Itwasofavault-likestillness，andtheclosingofthedoorbehindVanameereechoedfromcornertocornerwithaprolongedreverberationofthunder。
However，FatherSarriawasnotinthechurch。Vanameetookacoupleofturnsthelengthoftheaisle，lookingaboutintothechapelsoneithersideofthechancel。Butthebuildingwasdeserted。Thepriesthadbeenthererecently，nevertheless，forthealtarfurniturewasindisarray，asthoughhehadbeenrearrangingitbutamomentbefore。Onbothsidesofthechurchandhalf-wayuptheirlength，thewallswerepiercedbylowarchways，inwhichweremassivewoodendoors，clampedwithironbolts。Oneofthesedoors，onthepulpitsideofthechurch，stoodajar，andsteppingtoitandpushingitwideopen，Vanameelookeddiagonallyacrossalittlepatchofvegetables——beets，radishes，andlettuce——totherearofthebuildingthathadoncecontainedthecloisters，andthroughanopenwindowsawFatherSarriadiligentlypolishingthesilvercrucifixthatusuallystoodonthehighaltar。Vanameedidnotcalltothepriest。
Puttingafingertoeithertemple，hefixedhiseyessteadilyuponhimforamomentashemovedaboutathiswork。Inafewsecondsheclosedhiseyes，butonlypartway。Thepupilscontracted。hisforeheadloweredtoanexpressionofpoignantintensity。Soonafterwardhesawthepriestpauseabruptlyintheactofdrawingthecoveroverthecrucifix，lookingabouthimfromsidetoside。Heturnedagaintohiswork，andagaincametoastop，perplexed，curious。Withuncertainsteps，andevidentlywonderingwhyhedidso，hecametothedooroftheroomandopenedit，lookingoutintothenight。Vanamee，hiddeninthedeepshadowofthearchway，didnotmove，buthiseyesclosed，andtheintenseexpressiondeepenedonhisface。Thepriesthesitated，movedforwardastep，turnedback，pausedagain，thencamestraightacrossthegardenpatch，brusquelycollidingwithVanamee，stillmotionlessintherecessofthearchway。
Sarriagaveagreatstart，catchinghisbreath。
Oh——oh，it’syou。WasityouIheardcalling？No，Icouldnothaveheard——Iremembernow。Whatastrangepower！Iamnotsurethatitisrighttodothisthing，Vanamee。I——IHADtocome。I
donotknowwhy。Itisagreatforce——apower——Idon’tlikeit。
Vanamee，sometimesitfrightensme。
Vanameeputhischinintheair。
IfIhadwantedto，sir，IcouldhavemadeyoucometomefrombackthereintheQuienSaberanch。
Thepriestshookhishead。
Ittroublesme，hesaid，tothinkthatmyownwillcancountforsolittle。JustnowIcouldnotresist。Ifadeepriverhadbeenbetweenus，Imusthavecrossedit。SupposeIhadbeenasleepnow？
Itwouldhavebeenalltheeasier，answeredVanamee。I
understandaslittleofthesethingsasyou。ButIthinkifyouhadbeenasleep，yourpowerofresistancewouldhavebeensomuchthemoreweakened。
PerhapsIshouldnothavewaked。PerhapsIshouldhavecometoyouinmysleep。
Perhaps。
Sarriacrossedhimself。Itisoccult，hehazarded。No。Idonotlikeit。Dearfellow，heputhishandonVanamee’sshoulder，don’t——callmethatwayagain。promise。See，heheldouthishand，Iamallofatremble。There，wewon’tspeakofitfurther。Waitformeamoment。Ihaveonlytoputthecrossinitsplace，andafreshaltarcloth，andthenIamdone。To-
morrowisthefeastofTheHolyCross，andIampreparingagainstit。Thenightisfine。Wewillsmokeacigarinthecloistergarden。
Afewmomentslaterthetwopassedoutofthedoorontheothersideofthechurch，oppositethepulpit，Sarriaadjustingasilkskullcaponhistonsuredhead。Heworehiscassocknow，andwasfarmorethechurchmaninappearancethanwhenVanameeandPresleyhadseenhimonaformeroccasion。
Theywerenowinthecloistergarden。Theplacewascharming。
Everywheregrewclumpsofpalmsandmagnoliatrees。Agrapevine，overacenturyold，occupiedatrellisinoneangleofthewallswhichsurroundedthegardenontwosides。Alongthethirdsidewasthechurchitself，whilethefourthwasopen，thewallhavingcrumbledaway，itssitemarkedonlybyalineofeightgreatpeartrees，oldereventhanthegrapevine，gnarled，twisted，bearingnofruit。Directlyoppositethepeartrees，inthesouthwallofthegarden，wasaround，archedportal，whosegategivingupontheesplanadeinfrontoftheMissionwasalwaysclosed。Smallgravelledwalks，wellkept，borderedwithmignonette，twistedaboutamongtheflowerbeds，andunderneaththemagnoliatrees。
Inthecentrewasalittlefountaininastonebasingreenwithmoss，whilejustbeyond，betweenthefountainandthepeartrees，stoodwhatwasleftofasundial，thebronzegnomon，greenwiththebeatingsoftheweather，thefiguresonthehalf-circleofthedialwornaway，illegible。
Butontheothersideofthefountain，anddirectlyoppositethedooroftheMission，rangedagainstthewall，wereninegraves——
threewithheadstones，therestwithslabs。TwoofSarria’spredecessorswereburiedhere。threeofthegraveswerethoseofMissionIndians。OnewasthoughttocontainaformeralcaldeofGuadalajara。twomoreheldthebodiesofDeLaCuestaandhisyoungwifetakingwithhertothegravetheillusionofherhusband’slove，andthelastone，theninth，attheendoftheline，nearestthepeartrees，wasmarkedbyalittleheadstone，thesmallestofany，onwhich，togetherwiththeproperdates——
onlysixteenyearsapart——wascutthenameAngeleVarian。
Butthequiet，therepose，theisolationofthelittlecloistergardenwasinfinitelydelicious。Itwasatinycornerofthegreatvalleythatstretchedinalldirectionsaroundit——shutoff，discreet，romantic，agardenofdreams，ofenchantments，ofillusions。Outsidethere，faroff，thegreatgrimworldwentclashingthroughitsgrooves，butinhereneveranechoofthegrindingofitswheelsenteredtojaruponthesubduedmodulationofthefountain’suninterruptedmurmur。
SarriaandVanameefoundtheirwaytoastonebenchagainstthesidewalloftheMission，nearthedoorfromwhichtheyhadjustissued，andsatdown，Sarrialightingacigar，VanameerollingandsmokingcigarettesinMexicanfashion。
Allaboutthemwidenedthevastcalmnight。Allthestarswereout。Themoonwascomingup。Therewasnowind，nosound。Theinsistentflowingofthefountainseemedonlyasthesymbolofthepassingoftime，athingthatwasunderstoodratherthanheard，inevitable，prolonged。Atlongintervals，afaintbreeze，hardlymorethanabreath，founditswayintothegardenovertheenclosingwalls，andpassedoverhead，spreadingeverywherethedelicious，mingledperfumeofmagnoliablossoms，ofmignonette，ofmoss，ofgrass，andallthecalmgreenlifesilentlyteemingwithintheenclosureofthewalls。
Fromwherehesat，Vanamee，turninghishead，couldlookoutunderneaththepeartreestothenorth。Closeathand，alittlevalleylaybetweenthehighgroundonwhichtheMissionwasbuilt，andthelineoflowhillsjustbeyondBrodersonCreekontheQuienSabe。InherewastheSeedranch，whichAngele’speoplehadcultivated，auniqueandbeautifulstretchoffivehundredacres，plantedthickwithroses，violets，lilies，tulips，iris，carnations，tube-roses，poppies，heliotrope——allmanneranddescriptionofflowers，fivehundredacresofthem，solid，thick，exuberant。bloomingandfading，andleavingtheirseedorslipstobemarketedbroadcastallovertheUnitedStates。ThishadbeenthevocationofAngele’sparents——raisingflowersfortheirseeds。AlloverthecountrytheSeedranchwasknown。Nowitwasarid，almostdry，butwheninfullflower，towardthemiddleofsummer，thesightofthesehalf-thousandacresroyalwithcolour——vermilion，azure，flamingyellow——wasamarvel。Whenaneastwindblew，menonthestreetsofBonneville，nearlytwelvemilesaway，couldcatchthescentofthisvalleyofflowers，thischaosofperfume。
Andintothislifeofflowers，thisworldofcolour，thisatmosphereoppressiveandcloggedandcloyedandthickenedwithsweetodour，Angelehadbeenborn。Thereshehadlivedhersixteenyears。Thereshehaddied。ItwasnotsurprisingthatVanamee，withhisintense，delicatesensitivenesstobeauty，hisalmostabnormalcapacityforgreathappiness，hadbeendrawntoher，hadlovedhersodeeply。
Shecametohimfromoutoftheflowers，thesmelloftherosesinherhairofgold，thathungintwostraightplaitsoneithersideofherface。thereflectionofthevioletsintheprofounddarkblueofhereyes，perplexing，heavy-lidded，almond-shaped，oriental。thearomaandtheimperialredofthecarnationsinherlips，withtheiralmostEgyptianfulness。thewhitenessofthelilies，theperfumeofthelilies，andthelilies’slenderbalancinggraceinherneck。Herhandsdisengagedtheodouroftheheliotropes。Thefoldsofherdressgaveofftheenervatingscentofpoppies。Herfeetwereredolentofhyacinths。
Foralongtimeaftersittingdownuponthebench，neitherthepriestnorVanameespoke。ButafterawhileSarriatookhiscigarfromhislips，saying：
Howstillitis！Thisisabeautifuloldgarden，peaceful，veryquiet。SomedayIshallbeburiedhere。Iliketorememberthat。andyou，too，Vanamee。
Quiensabe？
Yes，you，too。Whereelse？No，itisbetterhere，yonder，bythesideofthelittlegirl。
Iamnotabletolookforwardyet，sir。Thethingsthataretobearesomehownothingtomeatall。Formetheyamounttonothing。
Theyamounttoeverything，myboy。
Yes，toonepartofme，butnottothepartofmethatbelongedtoAngele——thebestpart。Oh，youdon’tknow，heexclaimedwithasuddenmovement，noonecanunderstand。WhatisittomewhenyoutellmethatsometimeafterIshalldietoo，somewhere，inavagueplaceyoucallHeaven，Ishallseeheragain？Doyouthinkthattheideaofthatevermadeanyone’ssorroweasiertobear？
Evertooktheedgefromanyone’sgrief？
Butyoubelievethat——
Oh，believe，believe！echoedtheother。WhatdoIbelieve？
Idon’tknow。Ibelieve，orIdon’tbelieve。IcanrememberwhatsheWAS，butIcannothopewhatshewillbe。Hope，afterall，isonlymemoryseenreversed。WhenItrytoseeherinanotherlife——whateveryoucallit——inHeaven——beyondthegrave——
thisvagueplaceofyours。whenItrytoseeherthere，shecomestomyimaginationonlyaswhatshewas，material，earthly，asI
lovedher。Imperfect，yousay。butthatisasIsawher，andasIsawher，Ilovedher。andassheWAS，material，earthly，imperfect，shelovedme。It’sthat，thatIwant，heexclaimed。
Idon’twantherchanged。Idon’twantherspiritualised，exalted，glorified，celestial。IwantHER。Ithinkitisonlythisfeelingthathaskeptmefromkillingmyself。Iwouldratherbeunhappyinthememoryofwhatsheactuallywas，thanbehappyintherealisationofhertransformed，changed，madecelestial。Iamonlyhuman。Hersoul！Thatwasbeautiful，nodoubt。But，again，itwassomethingveryvague，intangible，hardlymorethanaphrase。Butthetouchofherhandwasreal，thesoundofhervoicewasreal，theclaspofherarmsaboutmyneckwasreal。Oh，hecried，shakenwithasuddenwrenchofpassion，givethosebacktome。TellyourGodtogivethosebacktome——thesoundofhervoice，thetouchofherhand，theclaspofherdeararms，REAL，REAL，andthenyoumaytalktomeofHeaven。
Sarriashookhishead。Butwhenyoumeetheragain，heobserved，inHeaven，you，too，willbechanged。Youwillseeherspiritualised，withspiritualeyes。Assheisnow，shedoesnotappealtoyou。Iunderstandthat。Itisbecause，asyousay，youareonlyhuman，whilesheisdivine。Butwhenyoucometobelikeher，assheisnow，youwillknowherasshereallyis，notassheseemedtobe，becausehervoicewassweet，becauseherhairwaspretty，becauseherhandwaswarminyours。
Vanamee，yourtalkisthatofafoolishchild。YouarelikeoneoftheCorinthianstowhomPaulwrote。Doyouremember？Listennow。Icanrecallthewords，andsuchwords，beautifulandterribleatthesametime，suchamajesty。Theymarchlikesoldierswithtrumpets。’Butsomemanwillsay’——asyouhavesaidjustnow——’Howarethedeadraisedup？Andwithwhatbodydotheycome？Thoufool！Thatwhichthousowestisnotquickenedexceptitdie，andthatwhichthousowest，thousowestnotthatbodythatshallbe，butbaregrain。Itmaychanceofwheat，orofsomeothergrain。ButGodgivethitabodyasithathpleasedhim，andtoeveryseedhisownbody……Itissownanaturalbody。itisraisedaspiritualbody。’Itisbecauseyouareanaturalbodythatyoucannotunderstandher，norwishforherasaspiritualbody，butwhenyouarebothspiritual，thenyoushallknoweachotherasyouare——knowasyouneverknewbefore。Yourgrainofwheatisyoursymbolofimmortality。Youburyitintheearth。Itdies，andrisesagainathousandtimesmorebeautiful。Vanamee，yourdeargirlwasonlyagrainofhumanitythatwehaveburiedhere，andtheendisnotyet。Butallthisissoold，soold。Theworldlearneditathousandyearsago，andyeteachmanthathaseverstoodbytheopengraveofanyonehelovedmustlearnitalloveragainfromthebeginning。
Vanameewassilentforamoment，lookingoffwithunseeingeyesbetweenthetrunksofthepeartrees，overthelittlevalley。
Thatmayallbeasyousay，heansweredafterawhile。Ihavenotlearnedityet，inanycase。Now，IonlyknowthatIloveher——oh，asifitallwereyesterday——andthatIamsuffering，suffering，always。
Heleanedforward，hisheadsupportedonhisclenchedfists，theinfinitesadnessofhisfacedeepeninglikeashadow，thetearsbrimminginhisdeep-seteyes。Aquestionthathemustask，whichinvolvedthethingthatwasscarcelytobethoughtof，occurredtohimatthismoment。Afterhesitatingforalongmoment，hesaid：
Ihavebeenawayalongtime，andIhavehadnonewsofthisplacesinceIleft。Isthereanythingtotell，Father？Hasanydiscoverybeenmade，anysuspiciondeveloped，asto——theOther？
Thepriestshookhishead。
Notaword，notawhisper。Itisamystery。Italwayswillbe。
Vanameeclaspedhisheadbetweenhisclenchedfists，rockinghimselftoandfro。
Oh，theterrorofit，hemurmured。Thehorrorofit。Andshe——thinkofit，Sarria，onlysixteen，alittlegirl。soinnocent，thatsheneverknewwhatwrongmeant，pureasalittlechildispure，whobelievedthatallthingsweregood。matureonlyinherlove。Andtobestruckdownlikethat，whileyourGodlookeddownfromHeavenandwouldnottakeherpart。Allatonceheseemedtolosecontrolofhimself。Oneofthosefuriesofimpotentgriefandwraththatassailedhimfromtimetotime，blind，insensate，incoherent，suddenlytookpossessionofhim。A
torrentofwordsissuedfromhislips，andheflungoutanarm，thefistclenched，inafierce，quickgesture，partlyofdespair，partlyofdefiance，partlyofsupplication。
No，yourGodwouldnottakeherpart。WherewasGod’smercyinthat？WherewasHeaven’sprotectioninthat？Wherewasthelovingkindnessyoupreachabout？WhydidGodgiveherlifeifitwastobestampedout？WhydidGodgiveherthepowerofloveifitwastocometonothing？Sarria，listentome。WhydidGodmakehersodivinelypureifHepermittedthatabomination？Ha！
heexclaimedbitterly，yourGod！Why，anApachebuckwouldhavebeenmoremerciful。YourGod！ThereisnoGod。ThereisonlytheDevil。TheHeavenyoupraytoisonlyajoke，awretchedtrick，adelusion。ItisonlyHellthatisreal。
Sarriacaughthimbythearm。
Youareafoolandachild，heexclaimed，anditisblasphemythatyouaresaying。Iforbidit。Youunderstand？Iforbidit。
Vanameeturnedonhimwithasuddencry。
Then，tellyourGodtogiveherbacktome！
Sarriastartedawayfromhim，hiseyeswideninginastonishment，surprisedoutofallcomposurebytheother’soutburst。
Vanamee’sswarthyfacewaspale，thesunkencheeksanddeep-seteyesweremarkedwithgreatblackshadows。Thepriestnolongerrecognisedhim。Theface，thatfaceoftheascetic，lean，framedinitslongblackhairandpointedbeard，wasquiveringwiththeexcitementofhallucination。ItwasthefaceoftheinspiredshepherdsoftheHebraiclegends，livingclosetonature，theyoungerprophetsofIsrael，dwellersinthewilderness，solitary，imaginative，believingintheVision，havingstrangedelusions，giftedwithstrangepowers。Inabriefsecondofthought，Sarriaunderstood。Outintothewilderness，thevastariddesertoftheSouthwest，Vanameehadcarriedhisgrief。Fordays，forweeks，monthseven，hehadbeenalone，asolitaryspecklostintheimmensityofthehorizons。continuallyhewasbrooding，hauntedwithhissorrow，thinking，thinking，oftenhardputtoitforfood。Thebodywasill-nourished，andthemind，concentratedforeverupononesubject，hadrecoileduponitself，hadpreyeduponthenaturallynervoustemperament，tilltheimaginationhadbecomeexalted，morbidlyactive，diseased，besetwithhallucinations，foreverinsearchofthemanifestation，ofthemiracle。Itwassmallwonderthat，bringingafancysodistortedbacktothesceneofavanishedhappiness，Vanameeshouldberackedwiththemostviolentillusions，besetinthethroesofaveritablehysteria。
TellyourGodtogiveherbacktome，herepeatedwithfierceinsistence。
Itwasthepitchofmysticism，theimaginationharassedandgoadedbeyondthenormalround，suddenlyflippingfromthecircumference，spinningoffatatangent，outintothevoid，whereallthingsseemedpossible，hurtlingthroughthedarkthere，gropingforthesupernatural，clamouringforthemiracle。
Anditwasalsothehuman，naturalprotestagainsttheinevitable，theirrevocable。thespasmofrevoltunderthestingofdeath，therebellionofthesoulatthevictoryofthegrave。
HecangiveherbacktomeifHeonlywill，Vanameecried。
Sarria，youmusthelpme。Itellyou——Iwarnyou，sir，Ican’tlastmuchlongerunderit。Myheadisallwrongwithit——I’venomoreholdonmymind。SomethingmusthappenorIshalllosemysenses。Iambreakingdownunderitall，mybodyandmymindalike。Bringhertome。makeGodshowhertome。Ifalltalesaretrue，itwouldnotbethefirsttime。IfIcannothaveher，atleastletmeseeherasshewas，real，earthly，notherspirit，herghost。Iwantherrealself，undefiledagain。Ifthisisdementia，thenletmebedemented。Buthelpme，youandyourGod。createthedelusion，dothemiracle。
Stop！criedthepriestagain，shakinghimroughlybytheshoulder。Stop。Beyourself。Thisisdementia。butIshallNOTletyoubedemented。Thinkofwhatyouaresaying。Bringherbacktoyou！IsthatthewayofGod？Ithoughtyouwereaman。thisisthetalkofaweak-mindedgirl。
Vanameestirredabruptlyinhisplace，drawingalongbreathandlookingabouthimvaguely，asifhecametohimself。
Youareright，hemuttered。IhardlyknowwhatIamsayingattimes。Buttherearemomentswhenmywholemindandsoulseemtoriseupinrebellionagainstwhathashappened。whenitseemstomethatIamstrongerthandeath，andthatifIonlyknewhowtousethestrengthofmywill，concentratemypowerofthought——
volition——thatIcould——Idon’tknow——notcallherback——but——
something——
Adiseasedanddistortedmindiscapableofhallucinations，ifthatiswhatyoumean，observedSarria。
PerhapsthatiswhatImean。PerhapsIwantonlythedelusion，afterall。
Sarriadidnotreply，andtherewasalongsilence。Inthedampsouthcornersofthewallsafrogbegantocroakatexactintervals。Thelittlefountainrippledmonotonously，andamagnoliaflowerdroppedfromoneofthetrees，fallingstraightasaplummetthroughthemotionlessair，andsettlinguponthegravelledwalkwithafaintrustlingsound。Otherwisethestillnesswasprofound。
Alittlelater，thepriest’scigar，longsinceout，slippedfromhisfingerstotheground。Hebegantonodgently。Vanameetouchedhisarm。
Asleep，sir？
Theotherstarted，rubbinghiseyes。
Uponmyword，IbelieveIwas。
Bettergotobed，sir。Iamnottired。IthinkIshallsitoutherealittlelonger。
Well，perhapsIwouldbebetteroffinbed。YOURbedisalwaysreadyforyouherewheneveryouwanttouseit。
No——IshallgobacktoQuienSabe——later。Good-night，sir。
Good-night，myboy。
Vanameewasleftalone。Foralongtimehesatmotionlessinhisplace，hiselbowsonhisknees，hischinproppedinhishands。
Theminutespassed——thenthehours。Themoonclimbedsteadilyhigheramongthestars。Vanameerolledandsmokedcigaretteaftercigarette，thebluehazeofsmokehangingmotionlessabovehishead，ordriftinginslowlyweavingfilamentsacrosstheopenspacesofthegarden。
Buttheinfluenceoftheoldenclosure，thiscornerofromanceandmystery，thisisolatedgardenofdreams，savouringofthepast，withitslegends，itsgraves，itscrumblingsundial，itsfountainwithitsrimeofmoss，wasnottoberesisted。Nowthatthepriesthadlefthim，thesameexaltationofspiritthathadseizeduponVanameeearlierintheevening，bydegreesgrewbigagaininhismindandimagination。Hissorrowassaultedhimliketheflagellationsofafinewhiplash，andhisloveforAngeleroseagaininhisheart，itseemedtohimneversodeep，sotender，soinfinitelystrong。Nodoubt，itwashisfamiliaritywiththeMissiongarden，hisclear-cutremembranceofit，asitwasinthedayswhenhehadmetAngelethere，tallyingnowsoexactlywiththerealitythereunderhiseyes，thatbroughthertohisimaginationsovividly。Asyethedarednottrusthimselfnearhergrave，but，forthemoment，heroseand，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，walkedslowlyfrompointtopointamidthetinygravelledwalks，recallingtheincidentsofeighteenyearsago。OnthebenchhehadquittedheandAngelehadoftensat。
Herebythecrumblingsundial，herecalledthenightwhenhehadkissedherforthefirsttime。Here，again，bytherimofthefountain，withitsfringeofgreen，sheoncehadpaused，and，baringherarmtotheshoulder，hadthrustitdeepintothewater，andthenwithdrawingit，hadgivenittohimtokiss，allwetandcool。andhere，atlast，undertheshadowofthepeartreestheyhadsat，eveningafterevening，lookingoffoverthelittlevalleybelowthem，watchingthenightbuilditself，dome-
like，fromhorizontozenith。
BrusquelyVanameeturnedawayfromtheprospect。TheSeedranchwasdarkatthistimeoftheyear，andflowerless。Farofftowarditscentre，hehadcaughtabriefglimpseofthehousewhereAngelehadlived，andafaintlightburninginitswindow。
Butheturnedfromitsharply。Thedeep-seatedtravailofhisgriefabruptlyreachedtheparoxysm。WithlongstrideshecrossedthegardenandreenteredtheMissionchurchitself，plungingintothecoolnessofitsatmosphereasintoabath。
Whathesearchedforhedidnotknow，or，rather，didnotdefine。
Heknewonlythathewassuffering，thatalongingforAngele，forsomeobjectaroundwhichhisgreatlovecouldenfolditself，wastearingathisheartwithironteeth。Hewasreadytobedeluded。cravedthehallucination。beggedpitifullyfortheillusion。anythingratherthantheempty，tenantlessnight，thevoicelesssilence，thevastlonelinessoftheoverspanningarcoftheheavens。
Beforethechancelrailofthealtar，underthesanctuarylamp，Vanameesankuponhisknees，hisarmsfoldedupontherail，hisheadboweddownuponthem。Heprayed，withwhatwordshecouldnotsayforwhathedidnotunderstand——forhelp，merely，forrelief，foranAnswertohiscry。
Itwasuponthat，atlength，thathisdisorderedmindconcentrateditself，anAnswer——hedemanded，heimploredanAnswer。NotavaguevisitationofGrace，notaformlesssenseofPeace。butanAnswer，somethingreal，eveniftherealitywerefancied，avoiceoutofthenight，respondingtohis，ahandinthedarkclaspinghisgropingfingers，abreath，human，warm，fragrant，familiar，likeasoft，sweetcaressonhisshrunkencheeks。Alonethereinthedimhalf-lightofthedecayingMission，withitscrumblingplaster，itsnaivecrudityofornamentandpicture，hewrestledfiercelywithhisdesires——
words，fragmentsofsentences，inarticulate，incoherent，wrenchedfromhistight-shutteeth。
ButtheAnswerwasnotinthechurch。Abovehim，overthehighaltar，theVirgininaglory，withdowncasteyesandfoldedhands，grewvagueandindistinctintheshadow，thecoloursfading，tarnishedbycenturiesofincensesmoke。TheChristinagonyontheCrosswasbutalamentablevisionoftormentedanatomy，greyflesh，spottedwithcrimson。TheSt。John，theSanJuanBautista，patronsaintoftheMission，thegauntfigureinskins，twofingersupraisedinthegestureofbenediction，gazedstolidlyoutintothehalf-gloomundertheceiling，ignoringthehumandistressthatbeatitselfinvainagainstthealtarrailbelow，andAngeleremainedasbefore——onlyamemory，fardistant，intangible，lost。
Vanameerose，turninghisbackuponthealtarwithavaguegestureofdespair。Hecrossedthechurch，andissuingfromthelow-archeddooroppositethepulpit，oncemoresteppedoutintothegarden。Here，atleast，wasreality。Thewarm，stillairdescendeduponhimlikeacloak，grateful，comforting，dispellingthechillthatlurkedinthedampmouldofplasterandcrumblingadobe。
Butnowhefoundhiswayacrossthegardenontheothersideofthefountain，where，rangedagainsttheeasternwall，wereninegraves。HereAngelewasburied，inthesmallestgraveofthemall，markedbythelittleheadstone，withitstwodates，onlysixteenyearsapart。Tothisspot，atlast，hehadreturned，aftertheyearsspentinthedesert，thewilderness——afterallthewanderingsoftheLongTrail。Here，ifever，hemusthaveasenseofhernearness。Closeathand，ashortfourfeetunderthatmoundofgrass，wastheformhehadsooftenheldintheembraceofhisarms。theface，theveryfacehehadkissed，thatfacewiththehairofgoldmakingthree-corneredtheroundwhiteforehead，theviolet-blueeyes，heavy-lidded，withtheirstrangeorientalslantupwardtowardthetemples。thesweetfulllips，almostEgyptianintheirfulness——allthatstrange，perplexing，wonderfulbeauty，sotroublous，soenchanting，sooutofallacceptedstandards。
Hebentdown，droppingupononeknee，ahandupontheheadstone，andreadagaintheinscription。Theninstinctivelyhishandleftthestoneandresteduponthelowmoundofturf，touchingitwiththesoftnessofacaress。andthen，beforehewasawareofit，hewasstretchedatfulllengthupontheearth，besidethegrave，hisarmsaboutthelowmound，hislipspressedagainstthegrasswithwhichitwascovered。Thepent-upgriefofnearlytwentyyearsroseagainwithinhisheart，andoverflowed，irresistible，violent，passionate。Therewasnoonetosee，noonetohear。