Wilsonpointedtowherethegirlstood，herhairflyingwildlyalloverherfaceandshoulders。Shewasmakingmostelaboratebowstoanoldstump，sweepingthegroundwithhertressesinherobeisance。
Ansonstarted。Hegrewutterlyastounded。Hisamazewasludicrous。Andtheothertwomenlookedtostare，toequaltheirleader\'sbewilderment。
\"What\'nhell\'scomeoverher？\"askedAnson，dubiously。
\"Musthevperkedup……Butsheain\'tfeelin\'thetgay！\"
Wilsontappedhisforeheadwithasignificantfinger。
\"ShoreIwasscaredofherthismawnin\'，\"hewhispered。
\"Naw！\"exclaimedAnson，incredulously。
\"Ifshehain\'tqueerIneverseennoqueerwimmin，\"
vouchsafedShadyJones，anditwouldhavebeenjudged，bythewayhewaggedhishead，thathehadbeenallhisdaysfamiliarwithwomen。
Mozelookedbeyondwords，andquitealarmed。
\"Iseenitcomin\'，\"declaredWilson，verymuchexcited。\"ButIwasscaredtosayso。You-allmadefunofmeaboother。
NowIshorewishIhadspokenup。\"
Ansonnoddedsolemnly。Hedidnotbelievetheevidenceofhissight，butthefactsseemedstunning。Asifthegirlwereadangerousandincomprehensiblething，heapproachedherstepbystep。Wilsonfollowed，andtheothersappeareddrawnirresistibly。
\"Heythar——kid！\"calledAnson，hoarsely。
Thegirldrewherslightformuphaughtily。Throughherspreadingtresseshereyesgleamedunnaturallyupontheoutlawleader。Butshedeignednottoreply。
\"Heythar——youRaynergirl！\"addedAnson，lamely。\"What\'sailin\'you？\"
\"Mylord！didyouaddressme？\"sheasked，loftily。
ShadyJonesgotoverhisconsternationandevidentlyextractedsomehumorfromthesituation，ashisdarkfacebegantobreakitsstrain。
\"Aww！\"breathedAnson，heavily。
\"Opheliaawaitsyourcommand，mylord。I\'vebeengatheringflowers，\"shesaid，sweetly，holdingupheremptyhandsasiftheycontainedabouquet。
ShadyJonesexplodedinconvulsedlaughter。Buthismerrimentwasnotshared。Andsuddenlyitbroughtdisasteruponhim。Thegirlflewathim。
\"Whydoyoucroak，youtoad？Iwillhaveyouwhippedandputinirons，youscullion！\"shecried，passionately。
Shadyunderwentaremarkablechange，andstumbledinhisbackwardretreat。ThenshesnappedherfingersinMoze\'sface。
\"Youblackdevil！Gethence！Avaunt！\"
Ansonpluckedupcourageenoughtotouchher。
\"Aww！Now，Ophelyar——\"
Probablyhemeanttotrytohumorher，butshescreamed，andhejumpedbackasifshemightburnhim。Shescreamedshrilly，inwild，staccatonotes。
\"You！You！\"shepointedherfingerattheoutlawleader。
\"Youbrutetowomen！Youranofffromyourwife！\"
Ansonturnedplum-colorandthenslowlywhite。Thegirlmusthavesentarandomshothome。
\"Andnowthedevil\'sturnedyouintoasnake。Along，scalysnakewithgreeneyes！Uugh！You\'llcrawlonyourbellysoon——whenmycowboyfindsyou。Andhe\'lltrampyouinthedust。\"
Shefloatedawayfromthemandbegantowhirlgracefully，armsspreadandhairflying；andthen，apparentlyobliviousofthestaringmen，shebrokeintoalow，sweetsong。Nextshedancedaroundapine，thendancedintoherlittlegreeninclosure。Fromwhichpresentlyshesentoutthemostdolefulmoans。
\"Aww！Whatashame！\"burstoutAnson。\"Thetfine，healthy，nervykid！Cleangone！Daffy！Crazy\'nabedbug！\"
\"Shoreit\'sashame，\"protestedWilson。\"Butit\'swussforus。Lord！ifwewashoodooedbefore，whatwillwebenow？
Didn\'tItellyou，SnakeAnson？Youwaswarned。AskShadyan\'Moze——theyseewhat\'sup。\"
\"Noluck\'llevercomeourwayag\'in，\"predictedShady，mournfully。
\"Itbeatsme，boss，itbeatsme，\"mutteredMoze。
\"Acrazywomanonmyhands！Ifthetain\'tthelaststraw！\"
brokeoutAnson，tragically，asheturnedaway。Ignorant，superstitious，workeduponbythingsastheyseemed，theoutlawimaginedhimselfatlastbesetbymalignforces。Whenheflunghimselfdownupononeofthepackshisbigred-hairedhandsshook。ShadyandMozeresembledtwoothermenattheendoftheirropes。
Wilson\'stensefacetwitched，andheavertedit，asapparentlyhefoughtoffaparoxysmofsomenature。JustthenAnsonsworeathunderingoath。
\"Crazyornot，I\'llgitgoldoutofthetkid！\"heroared。
\"But，man，talksense。Areyougittin\'daffy，too？Ideclarethisoutfit\'sbeeneatin\'loco。Youcan\'tgitgoldferher！\"
saidWilson，deliberately。
\"Whycan\'tI？\"
\"\'Causewe\'retracked。Wecan\'tmakenodickers。Why，inanotherdayorsowe\'llbedodgin\'lead。\"
\"Tracked！Whar\'dyougitthetidee？Assoonasthis？\"
queriedAnson，liftinghisheadlikeastrikingsnake。Hismen，likewise，betrayedsuddeninterest。
\"Shoreit\'snoidee。I\'ain\'tseenanyone。ButIfeelitinmysenses。Ihearsomebodycomin\'——asteponourtrail——
allthetime——nightinparticular。Reckonthere\'sabigposseafterus。\"
\"Wal，ifIseeorhearanythin\'I\'llknockthegirlontheheadan\'we\'lldigoutofhyar，\"repliedAnson，sullenly。
Wilsonexecutedaswiftforwardmotion，violentandpassionate，soutterlyunlikewhatmighthavebeenlookedforfromhim，thatthethreeoutlawsgaped。
\"Thenyou\'llshorehevtoknockJimWilsononthehaidfirst，\"hesaid，invoiceasstrangeashisaction。
\"Jim！Youwouldn\'tgobackonme！\"imploredAnson，withupliftedhands，inadignityofpathos。
\"I\'mlosin\'myhaid，too，an\'youshoremightaswellknockitin，an\'you\'llhevtobeforeI\'llstandyoumurderin\'
thetporelittlegurlyou\'vedrovecrazy。\"
\"Jim，Iwasonlymad，\"repliedAnson。\"Ferthetmatter，I\'mgrowin\'daffymyself。Aw！weallneedagoodstiffdrinkofwhisky。\"
Sohetriedtothrowoffgloomandapprehension，buthefailed。Hiscomradesdidnotrallytohishelp。Wilsonwalkedaway，noddinghishead。
\"Boss，letJimalone，\"whisperedShady。\"It\'sorfulthewayyoubuckag\'in\'him——whenyouseenhe\'sstirredup。Jim\'strueblue。Butyougottabecareful。\"
Mozecorroboratedthisstatementbygloomynods。
Whenthecard-playingwasresumed，Ansondidnotjointhegame，andbothMozeandShadyevincedlittleofthatwhole-heartedobsessionwhichusuallyattendedtheirgambling。Ansonlayatlength，hisheadinasaddle，scowlingatthelittleshelterwherethecaptivegirlkeptherselfoutofsight。Attimesafaintsongorlaugh，veryunnatural，waswaftedacrossthespace。Wilsonploddedatthecookingandapparentlyheardnosounds。Presentlyhecalledthementoeat，whichofficetheysurlilyandsilentlyperformed，asifitwasafavorbestoweduponthecook。
\"Snake，hadn\'tIoughttotakeabiteofgrubovertothegurl？\"askedWilson。
\"Doyouhevtoaskmethet？\"snappedAnson。\"She\'sgottabefed，ifwehevtostuffitdownherthroat。\"
\"Wal，Iain\'tstuckonthejob，\"repliedWilson。\"ButI\'lltackleit，seein\'you-allgotcoldfeet。\"
Withplateandcupbereluctantlyapproachedthelittlelean-to，and，kneeling，heputhisheadinside。Thegirl，quick-eyedandalert，hadevidentlyseenhimcoming。Atanyrate，shegreetedhimwithacautioussmile。
\"Jim，wasIprettygood？\"shewhispered。
\"Miss，youwasshorethefinestaktressIeverseen，\"heresponded，inalowvoice。\"Butyoudamnearoverdidit。I\'mgoin\'totellAnsonyou\'resicknow——poisonedorsomethin\'
awful。Thenwe\'llwaittillnight。Daleshorewillhelpusout。\"
\"Oh，I\'monfiretogetaway，\"sheexclaimed。\"JimWilson，I\'llneverforgetyouaslongasIlive！\"
Heseemedgreatlyembarrassed。
\"Wal——miss——I——I\'lldomybestlicks。ButIain\'tgamblin\'noneonresults。Bepatient。Keepyournerve。Don\'tgetscared。Ireckonbetweenmean\'Daleyou\'llgitawayfromheah。\"
Withdrawinghishead，hegotupandreturnedtothecamp-fire，whereAnsonwaswaitingcuriously。
\"Ileftthegrub。Butshedidn\'ttouchit。Seemssortofsicktome，likeshewaspoisoned。\"
\"Jim，didn\'tIhearyoutalkin\'？\"askedAnson。
\"Shore。Iwascoaxin\'her。Reckonsheain\'tsorantyasshewas。Butsheshoreisdoubled-up，an\'sickish。\"
\"Wussan\'wussallthetime，\"saidAnson，betweenhisteeth。
\"An\'where\'sBurt？Hyarit\'snoonan\'heleftearly。Heneverwasnowoodsman。He\'sgotlost。\"
\"Eitherthetorhe\'srunintosomethin\'，\"repliedWilson，thoughtfully。
Ansondoubledahugefistandcurseddeepunderhisbreath——thereactionofamanwhoseaccomplicesandpartnersandtools，whoseluck，whosefaithinhimselfhadfailedhim。Heflunghimselfdownunderatree，andafterawhile，whenhisrigidityrelaxed，heprobablyfellasleep。MozeandShadykeptattheirgame。Wilsonpacedtoandfro，satdown，andthengotuptobunchthehorsesagain，walkedaroundthedellandbacktocamp。Theafternoonhourswerelong。Andtheywerewaitinghours。Theactofwaitingappearedonthesurfaceofalltheseoutlawsdid。
Atsunsetthegoldengloomoftheglenchangedtoavague，thicktwilight。Ansonrolledover，yawned，andsatup。Asheglancedaround，evidentlyseekingBurt，hisfaceclouded。
\"NosignofBurt？\"heasked。
Wilsonexpressedamildsurprise。\"Wal，Snake，youain\'texpectin\'Burtnow？\"
\"Iam，courseIam。Whynot？\"demandedAnson。\"Anyothertimewe\'dlookferhim，wouldn\'twe？\"
\"Anyothertimeain\'tnow……Burtwon\'tevercomeback！\"
Wilsonspokeitwithapositivefinality。\"
\"A-huh！Somemoreofthemqueerfeelin\'sofyourn——
operatin\'again，hey？Themonnaturalkindthetyoucan\'texplain，hey？\"
Anson\'squerieswerebitterandrancorous。
\"Yes。An\'，Snake，Itaxyouwiththisheah。Ain\'tanyofthemqueerfeelin\'soperatin\'inyou？\"
\"No！\"rolledouttheleader，savagely。Buthispassionatedenialwasaproofthathelied。Fromthemomentofthisoutburst，whichwasafierceclingingtotheold，braveinstinctsofhischaracter，unlessasuddenchangemarkedthenatureofhisfortunes，hewouldrapidlydeterioratetothebreaking-point。Andinsuchbrutal，unrestrainednaturesashisthisbreaking-pointmeantadesperatestand，adesperateforcingofevents，adesperateaccumulationofpassionsthatstalkedouttodealandtomeetdisasterandbloodanddeath。
Wilsonputalittlewoodonthefireandhemunchedabiscuit。Nooneaskedhimtocook。Noonemadeanyefforttodoso。Onebyoneeachmanwenttothepacktogetsomebreadandmeat。
Thentheywaitedasmenwhoknewnotwhattheywaitedfor，yethatedanddreadedit。
Twilightinthatglenwasnaturallyastrange，veiledconditionoftheatmosphere。Itwasamergingofshadeandlight，whichtwoseemedtomakegray，creepingshadows。
Suddenlyasnortingandstampingofthehorsesstartledthemen。
\"Somethin\'scaredthehosses，\"saidAnson，rising。\"Comeon。\"
Mozeaccompaniedhim，andtheydisappearedinthegloom。
Moretramplingofhoofswasheard，thenacrackingofbrush，andthedeepvoicesofmen。Atlengththetwooutlawsreturned，leadingthreeofthehorses，whichtheyhalteredintheopenglen。
Thecamp-firelightshowedAnson\'sfacedarkandserious。
\"Jim，themhossesarewilder\'ndeer，\"hesaid。\"Iketchedmine，an\'Mozegottwo。Buttherestworkedawaywheneverwecomeclose。Somevarminthasscaredthembad。Weallgottarustleouttharquick。\"
Wilsonrose，shakinghisheaddoubtfully。Andatthatmomentthequietairsplittoapiercing，horridneighofaterrifiedhorse。Prolongedtoascreech，itbrokeandended。
Thenfollowedsnortsoffright，poundandcrackandthudofhoofs，andcrashofbrush；thenagatheringthumping，crashingroar，splitbypiercingsounds。
\"Stampede！\"yelledAnson，andherantoholdhisownhorse，whichhehadhalteredrightincamp。Itwasbigandwild-looking，andnowrearedandplungedtobreakaway。
Ansonjustgotthereintime，andthenittookallhisweighttopullthehorsedown。Notuntilthecrashing，snorting，poundingmeleehadsubsidedanddiedawayovertherimoftheglendidAnsondareleavehisfrightenedfavorite。
\"Gone！Ourhorsesaregone！Didyouhear\'em？\"heexclaimed，blankly。
\"Shore。They\'reacut-upan\'crippledbunchbynow，\"repliedWilson。
\"Boss，we\'llnevergit\'ernback，not\'nahundredyears，\"
declaredMoze。
\"Thetsettlesus，SnakeAnson，\"stridentlyaddedShadyJones。\"Themhossesaregone！Youcankissyourhandtothem……Theywasn\'thobbled。Theyhedanorfulscare。
Theysplitonthetstampedean\'they\'llnevergittogether……Seewhatyou\'vefetchedusto！\"
Undertheforceofthistriplearraignmenttheoutlawleaderdroppedtohisseat，staggeredandsilenced。Infact，silencefelluponallthemenandlikewiseenfoldedtheglen。
Nightsetinjet-black，dismal，lonely，withoutastar。
Faintlythewindmoaned。Weirdlythebrookbabbledthroughitsstrangechordstoendinthesoundthatwashollow。Itwasneverthesame——arumble，asiffaint，distantthunder——adeepgurgle，asofwaterdrawnintoavortex——arolling，asofastoneinswiftcurrent。Theblackcliffwasinvisible，yetseemedtohavemanyweirdfaces；thegiantpinesloomedspectral；theshadowswerethick，moving，changing。Flickeringlightsfromthecamp-firecircledthehugetrunksandplayedfantasticallyoverthebroodingmen。
Thiscamp-firedidnotburnorblazecheerily；ithadnoglow，nosputter，nowhiteheart，nored，livingembers。Onebyonetheoutlaws，asifwithcommonconsent，triedtheirhandsatmakingthefireburnaright。Whatlittlewoodhadbeencollectedwasold；itwouldburnupwithfalseflare，onlytodiequickly。
Afterawhilenotoneoftheoutlawsspokeorstirred。Notonesmoked。Theirgloomyeyeswerefixedonthefire。Eachonewasconcernedwithhisownthoughts，hisownlonelysoulunconsciouslyfullofadoubtofthefuture。Thatbroodinghourseveredhimfromcomrade。
Atnightnothingseemedthesameasitwasbyday。Withsuccessandplenty，withfull-bloodedactionpastandmoreinstore，theseoutlawswereasdifferentfromtheirpresentstateasthisblacknightwasdifferentfromthebrightdaytheywaitedfor。Wilson，thoughheplayedadeepgameofdeceitforthesakeofthehelplessgirl——andthusdidnothavehauntingandsuperstitiousfearsonheraccount——wasprobablymoreconsciousofimpendingcatastrophethananyofthem。
Theeviltheyhaddonespokeinthevoiceofnature，outofthedarkness，andwasinterpretedbyeachaccordingtohishopesandfears。Fearwastheirpredominatingsense。Foryearstheyhadlivedwithsomespeciesoffear——ofhonestmenorvengeance，ofpursuit，ofstarvation，oflackofdrinkorgold，ofbloodanddeath，ofstrongermen，ofluck，ofchance，offate，ofmysteriousnamelessforce。Wilsonwasthetypeoffearlessspirit，butheenduredthemostgnawingandimplacablefearofall——thatofhimself——thathemustinevitablyfalltodeedsbeneathhismanhood。
Sotheyhunchedaroundthecamp-fire，broodingbecausehopewasatlowestebb；listeningbecausetheweird，blacksilence，withitsmoanofwindandhollowlaughofbrook，compelledthemtohear；waitingforsleep，forthehourstopass，forwhateverwastocome。
AnditwasAnsonwhocaughtthefirstintimationofanimpendingdoom。
CHAPTERXXIII
\"Listen！\"
Ansonwhisperedtensely。Hispoisewasmotionless，hiseyesrovedeverywhere。Heheldupashaking，bludgyfinger，tocommandsilence。
Athirdandstrangersoundaccompaniedthelow，weirdmoanofthewind，andthehollowmockeryofthebrook——anditseemedabarelyperceptible，exquisitelydelicatewailorwhine。Itfilledinthelullsbetweentheothersounds。
\"Ifthet\'ssomevarminthe\'sclose，\"whisperedAnson。
\"Butshore，it\'sfaroff，\"saidWilson。
ShadyJonesandMozedividedtheiropinionsinthesameway。
Allbreathedfreerwhenthewailceased，relaxingtotheirformerloungingpositionsaroundthefire。Animpenetrablewallofblacknesscircledthepalespacelightedbythecamp-fire；andthiscirclecontainedthedark，sombergroupofmeninthecenter，thedyingcamp-fire，andafewspectraltrunksofpinesandthetetheredhorsesontheouteredge。Thehorsesscarcelymovedfromtheirtracks，andtheirerect，alertheadsattestedtotheirsensitivenesstothepeculiaritiesofthenight。
Then，atanunusuallyquietlullthestrangesoundgraduallyarosetoawailingwhine。
\"It\'sthetcrazywenchcryin\'，\"declaredtheoutlawleader。
Apparentlyhisalliesacceptedthatstatementwithasmuchreliefastheyhadexpressedfortheterminationofthesound。
\"Shore，thetmustbeit，\"agreedJimWilson，gravely。
\"We\'llgitalotofsleepwiththetgurlwhinin\'allnight，\"
growledShadyJones。
\"Shegivesmethecreeps，\"saidMoze。
Wilsongotuptoresumehisponderingwalk，headbent，handsbehindhisback，agrim，realisticfigureofperturbation。
\"Jim——setdown。Youmakemenervous，\"saidAnson，irritably。
Wilsonactuallylaughed，butlow，asiftokeephisstrangemirthwellconfined。
\"Snake，I\'llbetyoumyhossan\'mygunag\'in\'abiscuitthetinabootsixsecondsmoreorlessI\'llbestampedinlikethemhosses。\"
Anson\'sleanjawdropped。Theothertwooutlawsstaredwithroundeyes。Wilsonwasnotdrunk，theyevidentlyknew；butwhathereallywasappearedamystery。
\"JimWilson，areyoushowin\'yellow？\"queriedAnson，hoarsely。
\"Mebbe。TheLordonlyknows。Butlistenheah……Snake，you\'veseenan\'heardpeoplecroak？\"
\"Youmeancashin——die？\"
\"Shore。\"
\"Wal，yes——acoupleorso，\"repliedAnson，grimly。
\"Butyouneverseennoonedieofshock——ofanorfulscare？\"
\"No，IreckonIneverdid。\"
\"Ihave。An\'thet\'swhat\'sailin\'JimWilson，\"andheresumedhisdoggedsteps。
Ansonandhistwocomradesexchangedbewilderedglanceswithoneanother。
\"A-huh！Say，what\'sthetgottodowithushyar？askedAnson，presently。
\"Thetgurlisdyin\'！\"retortedWilson，inavoicecrackinglikeawhip。
Thethreeoutlawsstiffenedintheirseats，incredulous，yetirresistiblyswayedbyemotionsthatstirredtothisdark，lonely，ill-omenedhour。
Wilsontrudgedtotheedgeofthelightedcircle，mutteringtohimself，andcamebackagain；thenhetrudgedfarther，thistimealmostoutofsight，butonlytoreturn；thethirdtimehevanishedintheimpenetrablewalloflight。Thethreemenscarcelymovedamuscleastheywatchedtheplacewherehehaddisappeared。Inafewmomentshecamestumblingback。
\"Shoreshe\'salmostgone，\"hesaid，dismally。\"Ittookmynerve，butIfeltofherface……Thetorfulwailisherbreathchokin\'inherthroat……Likeadeath-rattle，onlylonginsteadofshort。\"
\"Wal，ifshe\'sgottacroakit\'sgoodshegitsitoverquick，\"repliedAnson。\"I\'ain\'thedsleepferthreenights……An\'whatIneediswhisky。\"
\"Snake，thet\'sgospelyou\'respoutin\'，\"remarkedShadyJones，morosely。
Thedirectionofsoundintheglenwasdifficulttobeassuredof，butanymannotstirredtoahighpitchofexcitementcouldhavetoldthatthedifferenceinvolumeofthisstrangewailmusthavebeencausedbydifferentdistancesandpositions。Also，whenitwasloudest，itwasmostlikeawhine。Buttheseoutlawsheardwiththeirconsciences。
Atlastitceasedabruptly。
Wilsonagainleftthegrouptobeswallowedupbythenight。
Hisabsencewaslongerthanusual，buthereturnedhurriedly。
\"She\'sdaid！\"heexclaimed，solemnly。\"Thetinnocentkid——
whoneverharmednoone——an\'who\'dmakeanymanbetterferseein\'her——she\'sdaid！……Anson，you\'veshoreaheaptoanswerferwhenyourtimecomes。\"
\"What\'seatin\'you？\"demandedtheleader，angrily。\"Herbloodain\'tonmyhands。\"
\"Itshoreis，\"shoutedWilson，shakinghishandatAnson。
\"An\'you\'llhevtotakeyourmedicine。Ifeltthetcomin\'
allalong。An\'Ifeelsomemore。\"
\"Aw！She\'sjestgonetosleep，\"declaredAnson，shakinghislongframeasherose。\"Gimmealight。\"
\"Boss，you\'replumbofftogonearadeadgurlthet\'sjestdiedcrazy，\"protestedShadyJones。
\"Off！Haw！Haw！Whoain\'toffinthisoutfit，I\'dliketoknow？\"Ansonpossessedhimselfofastickblazingatoneand，andwiththishestalkedofftowardthelean-towherethegirlwassupposedtobedead。Hisgauntfigure，lightedbythetorch，certainlyfittedtheweird，blacksurroundings。Anditwasseenthatoncenearthegirl\'sshelterheproceededmoreslowly，untilhehalted。Hebenttopeerinside。
\"SHE\'SGONE！\"heyelled，inharsh，shakenaccents。
Thanthetorchburnedout，leavingonlyaredglow。Hewhirleditabout，buttheblazedidnotrekindle。Hiscomrades，peeringintently，lostsightofhistallformandtheendofthered-endedstick。Darknesslikepitchswallowedhim。Foramomentnosoundintervened。Againthemoanofwind，thestrangelittlemockinghollowroar，dominatedtheplace。Thentherecamearushofsomething，perhapsofair，likethesoftswishingofsprucebranchesswingingaside。Dull，thuddingfootstepsfollowedit。Ansoncamerunningbacktothefire。Hisaspectwaswild，hisfacepale，hiseyeswerefierceandstartingfromtheirsockets。
Hehaddrawnhisgun。
\"Did——ye——seeerhear——anythin\'？\"hepanted，peeringback，thenallaround，andatlastathisman。
\"No。An\'Ishorewaslookin\'an\'listenin\'，\"repliedWilson。
\"Boss，therewasn\'tnothin\'，\"declaredMoze。
\"Iain\'tsosartin，\"saidShadyJones，withdoubtful，staringeyes。\"IbelieveIheerdarustlin\'。\"
\"Shewasn\'tthere！\"ejaculatedAnson，inwonderingawe。
\"She\'sgone！……Mytorchwentout。Icouldn\'tsee。An\'
jestthenIfeltsomethin\'waspassin\'。Fast！Ijerked\'round。Allwasblack，an\'yetifIdidn\'tseeabiggraystreakI\'mcrazier\'nthetgurl。ButIcouldn\'tsweartoanythin\'butarushin\'ofwind。Ifeltthet。\"
\"Gone！\"exclaimedWilson，ingreatalarm。\"Fellars，ifthet\'sso，thenmebbeshewasn\'tdaidan\'shewanderedoff……Butshewasdaid！Herhearthedquitbeatin\'。I\'llsweartothet。\"
\"Imovetobreakcamp，\"saidShadyJones，gruffly，andhestoodup。Mozesecondedthatmovebyanexpressiveflashofhisblackvisage。
\"Jim，ifshe\'sdead——an\'gone——what\'nhell\'scomeoff？\"
huskilyaskedAnson。\"It，onlyseemsthetway。We\'reallworkedup……Let\'stalksense。\"
\"Anson，shorethere\'saheapyouan\'medon\'tknow，\"repliedWilson。\"Theworldcometoanendonce。Wal，itcancometoanotherend……ItellyouIain\'tsurprised——\"
\"THAR！\"criedAnson，whirling，withhisgunleapingout。
Somethinghuge，shadowy，grayagainsttheblackrushedbehindthemenandtrees；andfollowingitcameaperceptibleaccelerationoftheair。
\"Shore，Snake，therewasn\'tnothin\'，\"saidWilson，presently。\"
\"Iheerd，\"whisperedShadyJones。
\"Itwasonlyabreezeblowin\'thetsmoke，\"rejoinedMoze。
\"I\'dbetmysoulsomethin\'wentbackofme，\"declaredAnson，glaringintothevoid。
\"Listenan\'let\'smakeshore，\"suggestedWilson。
Theguilty，agitatedfacesoftheoutlawsshowedplainenoughintheflickeringlightforeachtoseeaconvictingdreadinhisfellow。Likestatuestheystood，watchingandlistening。
Fewsoundsstirredinthestrangesilence。Nowandthenthehorsesheavedheavily，butstoodstill；adismal，drearynoteofthewindinthepinesviedwithahollowlaughofthebrook。Andtheselowsoundsonlyfastenedattentionuponthequalityofthesilence。Abreathing，lonelyspiritofsolitudepermeatedtheblackdell。Likeapitofunplumbeddepthsthedarknightyawned。Anevilconscience，listeningthere，couldhaveheardthemostpeaceful，beautiful，andmournfulsoundsofnatureonlyasstrainsofacallinghell。
Suddenlythesilent，oppressive，surchargedairsplittoashort，piercingscream。
Anson\'sbighorsestoodupstraight，pawingtheair，andcamedownwithacrash。Theotherhorsesshookwithterror。
\"Wasn\'t——thet——acougar？\"whisperedAnson，thickly。
\"Thetwasawoman\'sscream，\"repliedWilson，andheappearedtobeshakinglikealeafinthewind。
\"Then——Ifiggeredright——thekid\'salive——wonderin\'
around——an\'sheletoutthetorfulscream，\"saidAnson。
\"Wonderin\'\'round，yes——butshe\'sdaid！\"
\"MyGawd！itain\'tpossible！\"
\"Wal，ifsheain\'twonderin\'rounddaidshe\'salmostdaid，\"
repliedWilson。Andhebegantowhispertohimself。
\"IfI\'donlyknowedwhatthetdealmeantI\'dhevpluggedBeasleyinsteadoflistenin\'……An\'Ioughttohevknockedthetkidontheheadan\'madesartinshe\'dcroaked。
Ifshegoesscreamin\'\'roundthetway——\"
Hisvoicefailedasthereroseathin，splitting，high-pointedshriek，somewhatresemblingthefirstscream，onlylesswild。Itcameapparentlyfromthecliff。
Fromanotherpointinthepitch-blackglenrosethewailing，terriblecryofawomaninagony。Wild，haunting，mournfulwail！
Anson\'shorse，loosingthehalter，plungedback，almostfallingoveraslightdepressionintherockyground。Theoutlawcaughthimanddraggedhimnearerthefire。Theotherhorsesstoodshakingandstraining。Mozeranbetweenthemandheldthem。ShadyJonesthrewgreenbrushonthefire。
Withsputterandcrackleablazestarted，showingWilsonstandingtragically，hisarmsout，facingtheblackshadows。
Thestrange，liveshriekwasnotrepeated。Butthecry，likethatofawomaninherdeath-throes，piercedthesilenceagain。Itleftaquiveringringthatsoftlydiedaway。Thenthestillnessclampeddownoncemoreandthedarknessseemedtothicken。Themenwaited，andwhentheyhadbeguntorelaxthecryburstoutappallinglyclose，rightbehindthetrees。
Itwashuman——thepersonificationofpainandterror——
thetremendousstruggleofpreciouslifeagainsthorribledeath。Sopure，soexquisite，sowonderfulwasthecrythatthelistenerswrithedasiftheysawaninnocent，tender，beautifulgirltornfrightfullybeforetheireyes。Itwasfullofsuspense；itthrilledfordeath；itsmarvelouspotencywasthewildnote——thatbeautifulandghastlynoteofself-preservation。
Insheerdesperationtheoutlawleaderfiredhisgunattheblackwallwhencethecrycame。Thenhehadtofighthishorsetokeephimfromplungingaway。Followingtheshotwasanintervalofsilence；thehorsesbecametractable；themengatheredclosertothefire，withthehaltersstillheldfirmly。
\"Ifitwasacougar——thet\'dscarehimoff，\"saidAnson。
\"Shore，butitain\'tacougar，\"repliedWilson。\"Waitan\'
see！\"
Theyallwaited，listeningwithearsturnedtodifferentpoints，eyesrovingeverywhere，afraidoftheirveryshadows。Oncemorethemoanofwind，themockeryofbrook，deepgurgle，laughandbabble，dominatedthesilenceoftheglen。
\"Boss，let\'sshakethisspookyhole，\"whisperedMoze。
ThesuggestionattractedAnson，andhepondereditwhileslowlyshakinghishead。
\"We\'veonlythreehosses。An\'mine\'lltakeridin\'——afterthemsqualls，\"repliedtheleader。\"We\'vegotpacks，too。
An\'hell\'ain\'tnothin\'onthisplaceferbein\'dark。\"
\"Nomatter。Let\'sgo。I\'llwalkan\'leadtheway，\"saidMoze，eagerly。\"Igotsharpeyes。Youfellarscanridean\'
carryapack。We\'llgitoutofherean\'comebackindaylightfertherestoftheoutfit。\"
\"Anson，I\'mkeenferthetmyself，\"declaredShadyJones。
\"Jim，whatd\'yesaytothet？\"queriedAnson。\"Rustlin\'outofthisblackhole？\"
\"Shoreit\'sagrandidee，\"agreedWilson。
\"Thetwasacougar，\"avowedAnson，gatheringcourageasthesilenceremainedunbroken。\"Butjestthesameitwasastoughonmeasifithedbeenawomanscreamin\'overabladetwistin\'inhergizzards。\"
\"Snake，shoreyouseenawomanheahlately？\"deliberatelyaskedWilson。
\"ReckonIdid。Thetkid，\"repliedAnson，dubiously。
\"Wal，youseenhergocrazy，didn\'tyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"\'An\'shewasn\'theahwhenyouwenthuntin\'ferher？\"
\"Correct。\"
\"Wal，ifthet\'sso，whatdoyouwanttoblababoutcougarsfor？\"
Wilson\'sargumentseemedincontestable。ShadyandMozenoddedgloomilyandshiftedrestlesslyfromfoottofoot。
Ansondroppedhishead。
\"Nomatter——ifweonlydon\'thear——\"hebegan，suddenlytogrowmute。
Rightuponthem，fromsomeplace，justoutthecircleoflight，roseascream，byreasonofitsproximitythemostpiercingandagonizingyetheard，simplypetrifyingthegroupuntilthepealpassed。Anson\'shugehorsereared，andwithasnortofterrorlungedintremendousleap，straightout。HestruckAnsonwiththuddingimpact，knockinghimovertherocksintothedepressionbackofthecamp-fire，andplungingafterhim。Wilsonhadmadeaflyingleapjustintimetoavoidbeingstruck，andheturnedtoseeAnsongodown。Therecameacrash，agroan，andthenthestrikeandpoundofhoofsasthehorsestruggledup。Apparentlyhehadrolledoverhismaster。
\"Help，fellars！\"yelledWilson，quicktoleapdownoverthelittlebank，andinthedimlighttograspthehalter。Thethreemendraggedthehorseoutandsecurelytiedhimclosetoatree。Thatdone，theypeereddownintothedepression。
Anson\'sformcouldjustbarelybedistinguishedinthegloom。Helaystretchedout。Anothergroanescapedhim。
\"ShoreI\'mscaredhe\'shurt，\"saidWilson。
\"Hossrolledrightontopofhim。An\'thethoss\'sheavy，\"
declaredMoze。
Theygotdownandkneltbesidetheirleader。Inthedarknesshisfacelookeddullgray。Hisbreathingwasnotright。
\"Snake，oldman，youain\'t——hurt？\"askedWilson，withatremorinhisvoice。Receivingnoreply，hesaidtohiscomrades，\"Layholdan\'we\'llhefthimupwherewecansee。\"
ThethreemencarefullyliftedAnsonuponthebankandlaidhimnearthefireinthelight。Ansonwasconscious。Hisfacewasghastly。Bloodshowedonhislips。
Wilsonkneltbesidehim。Theotheroutlawsstoodup，andwithonedarkgazeatoneanotherdamnedAnson\'schanceoflife。Andontheinstantrosethatterribledistressingscreamofacuteagony——likethatofawomanbeingdismembered。ShadyJoneswhisperedsomethingtoMoze。Thentheystoodup，gazingdownattheirfallenleader。
\"Tellmewhereyou\'rehurt？\"askedWilson。
\"He——smashed——mychest，\"saidAnson，inabroken，strangledwhisper。
Wilson\'sdefthandsopenedtheoutlaw\'sshirtandfeltofhischest。
-335-
\"No。Shoreyourbreast-boneain\'tsmashed，\"repliedWilson，hopefully。AndhebegantorunhishandaroundonesideofAnson\'sbodyandthentheother。Abruptlyhestopped，avertedhisgaze，thenslowlyranthehandallalongthatside。Anson\'sribshadbeenbrokenandcrushedinbytheweightofthehorse。Hewasbleedingatthemouth，andhisslow，painfulexpulsionsofbreathbroughtabloodyfroth，whichshowedthatthebrokenboneshadpenetratedthelungs。
Aninjurysoonerorlaterfatal！
\"Pard，youbustedaribortwo，\"saidWilson。
\"Aw，Jim——itmustbe——wuss\'nthet！\"hewhispered。\"I\'m——inorful——pain。An\'Ican\'t——gitany——breath。\"
\"Mebbeyou\'llbebetter，\"saidWilson，withacheerfulnesshisfacebelied。
MozebentcloseoverAnson，tookashortscrutinyofthatghastlyface，attheblood-stainedlips，andtheleanhandspluckingatnothing。Thenhejerkederect。
\"Shady，he\'sgoin\'tocash。Let\'sclearoutofthis。\"
\"I\'myoursperticklerprevious，\"repliedJones。
Bothturnedaway。Theyuntiedthetwohorsesandledthemuptowherethesaddleslay。Swiftlytheblanketswenton，swiftlythesaddlesswungup，swiftlythecinchessnapped。
AnsonlaygazingupatWilson，comprehendingthismove。AndWilsonstoodstrangelygrimandsilent，somehowdetachedcoldlyfromthatselfofthepastfewhours。
\"Shady，yougrabsomebreadan\'I\'llpackabunkofmeat，\"
saidMoze。Bothmencamenearthefire，intothelight，withintenfeetofwheretheleaderlay。
\"Fellars——youain\'t——slopin\'？\"hewhispered，inhuskyamaze。
\"Boss，weairthetsame。Wecan\'tdoyounogoodan\'thisholeain\'thealthy，\"repliedMoze。
ShadyJonesswunghimselfastridehishorse，allabouthimsharp，eager，strung。
\"Moze，I\'lltotethegruban\'youleadoutofhyar，tillwegitpastthewusttimber，\"hesaid。
\"Aw，Moze——youwouldn\'tleave——Jimhyar——alone，\"
imploredAnson。
\"Jimcanstaytillherots，\"retortedMoze。\"I\'vehedenoughofthishole。\"
\"But，Moze——itain\'tsquare——\"pantedAnson。\"Jimwouldn\'t——leaveme。I\'dstick——byyou……I\'llmakeit——alluptoyou。\"
\"Snake，you\'regoin\'tocash，\"sardonicallyreturnedMoze。
AcurrentleapedallthroughAnson\'sstretchedframe。Hisghastlyfaceblazed。Thatwasthegreatandtheterriblemomentwhichforlonghadbeeninabeyance。Wilsonhadknowngrimlythatitwouldcome，byonemeansoranother。Ansonhaddoggedlyandfaithfullystruggledagainstthetideoffatalissues。MozeandShadyJones，deeplockedintheirself-centeredmotives，hadnotrealizedtheinevitabletrendoftheirdarklives。
Anson，prostrateashewas，swiftlydrewhisgunandshotMoze。WithoutsoundormovementofhandMozefell。ThentheplungeofShady\'shorsecausedAnson\'ssecondshottomiss。
AquickthirdshotbroughtnoapparentresultbutShady\'scursingresorttohisownweapon。Hetriedtoaimfromhisplunginghorse。HisbulletsspattereddustandgraveloverAnson。ThenWilson\'slongarmstretchedandhisheavygunbanged。Shadycollapsedinthesaddle，andthefrightenedhorse，throwinghim，plungedoutofthecircleoflight。
Thuddinghoofs，crashingsofbrush，quicklyceased。
\"Jim——didyou——githim？\"whisperedAnson。
\"Shoredid，Snake，\"wastheslow，haltingresponse。JimWilsonmusthavesustainedasickshudderashereplied。
Sheathinghisgun，hefoldedablanketandputitunderAnson\'shead。
\"Jim——myfeet——airorfulcold，\"whisperedAnson。
\"Wal，it\'sgittin\'chilly，\"repliedWilson，and，takingasecondblanket，helaidthatoverAnson\'slimbs。\"Snake，I\'mfearedShadyhityouonce。\"
\"A-huh！ButnotsoI\'dcare——much——ifIhed——nowusshurt。\"
\"Youlaystillnow。ReckonShady\'shossstoppedoutheahaways。An\'I\'llsee。\"
\"Jim——I\'ain\'theerd——thetscreamfer——alittle。\"
\"Shoreit\'sgone……Reckonnowthetwasacougar。\"
\"Iknowedit！\"
Wilsonstalkedawayintothedarkness。Thatinkywalldidnotseemsoimpenetrableandblackafterhehadgottenoutofthecircleoflight。Heproceededcarefullyanddidnotmakeanymissteps。Hegropedfromtreetotreetowardthecliffandpresentlybroughtupagainstahugeflatrockashighashishead。Herethedarknesswasblackest，yethewasabletoseealightformontherock。
\"Miss，areyouthere——allright？\"hecalled，softly。
\"Yes，butI\'mscaredtodeath，\"shewhisperedinreply。
\"Shoreitwoundupsudden。Comenow。Ireckonyourtrouble\'sover。\"
Hehelpedherofftherock，and，findingherunsteadyonherfeet，hesupportedherwithonearmandheldtheotheroutinfrontofhimtofeelforobjects。Footbyfoottheyworkedoutfromunderthedenseshadowofthecliff，followingthecourseofthelittlebrook。Itbabbledandgurgled，andalmostdrownedthelowwhistleWilsonsentout。
Thegirldraggedheavilyuponhimnow，evidentlyweakening。
Atlengthhereachedthelittleopenpatchattheheadoftheravine。Haltinghere，hewhistled。Ananswercamefromsomewherebehindhimandtotheright。Wilsonwaited，withthegirlhangingonhisarm。
\"Dale\'sheah，\"hesaid。\"An\'don\'tyoukeelovernow——
afterallthenerveyouhed。\"
Aswishingofbrush，astep，asoft，paddedfootfall；alooming，darkfigure，andalong，lowgrayshape，stealthilymoving——itwasthelastofthesethatmadeWilsonjump。
\"Wilson！\"cameDale\'ssubduedvoice。
\"Heah。I\'vegother，Dale。Safeansound，\"repliedWilson，steppingtowardthetallform。AndheputthedroopinggirlintoDale\'sarms。
\"Bo！Bo！You\'reallright？\"Dale\'sdeepvoicewastremulous。
Sherouseduptoseizehimandtoutterlittlecriesofjoy\"Oh，Dale！……Oh，thankHeaven！I\'mreadytodropnow……Hasn\'titbeenanight——anadventure？……I\'mwell——safe——sound……Dale，weoweittothisJimWilson。\"
\"Bo，I——we\'llallthankhim——allourlives，\"repliedDale。\"Wilson，you\'reaman！……Ifyou\'llshakethatgang——\"
\"Dale，shorethereain\'tmuchofagangleft，onlessyouletBurtgitaway，\"repliedWilson。
\"Ididn\'tkillhim——orhurthim。ButIscaredhimsoI\'llbethe\'srunnin\'yet……Wilson，didalltheshootin\'
meanafight？\"
\"Tolerable。\"
\"Oh，Dale，itwasterrible！Isawitall。I——\"
\"Wal，Miss，youcantellhimafterIgo……I\'mwishin\'
yougoodluck。\"
Hisvoicewasacool，easydrawl，slightlytremulous。
Thegirl\'sfaceflashedwhiteinthegloom。Shepressedagainsttheoutlaw——wrunghishands。
\"Heavenhelpyou，JimWilson！YouAREfromTexas！……I\'llrememberyou——prayforyouallmylife！\"
Wilsonmovedaway，outtowardthepaleglowoflightundertheblackpines。
CHAPTERXXIV
AsHelenRaynerwatchedDalerideawayonaquestperiloustohim，andwhichmeantalmostlifeordeathforher，itwassurpassingstrangethatshecouldthinkofnothingexceptthethrilling，tumultuousmomentwhenshehadputherarmsroundhisneck。
ItdidnotmatterthatDale——splendidfellowthathewas——hadmadetheensuingmomentfreeofshamebytakingheractionashehadtakenit——thefactthatshehadactuallydoneitwasenough。Howutterlyimpossibleforhertoanticipateherimpulsesortounderstandthem，oncetheywereactedupon！ConfoundingrealizationthenwasthatwhenDalereturnedwithhersister，Helenknewshewoulddothesamethingoveragain！\"
\"IfIdo——Iwon\'tbetwo-facedaboutit，\"shesoliloquized，andahotblushflamedhercheeks。
ShewatchedDaleuntilherodeoutofsight。
Whenhehadgone，worryanddreadreplacedthisotherconfusingemotion。Sheturnedtothebusinessofmeetingevents。Beforesuppershepackedhervaluablesandbooks，papers，andclothes，togetherwithBo\'s，andhadtheminreadinesssoifshewasforcedtovacatethepremisesshewouldhaveherpersonalpossessions。
TheMormonboysandseveralotherofhertrustedmensleptintheirtarpaulinbedsontheporchoftheranch-housethatnight，sothatHelenatleastwouldnotbesurprised。Butthedaycame，withitsmanifolddutiesundisturbedbyanyevent。Anditpassedslowlywiththeleadenfeetoflistening，watchingvigilance。
Carmichaeldidnotcomeback，norwastherenewsofhimtobehad。Thelastknownofhimhadbeenlatetheafternoonoftheprecedingday，whenasheep-herderhadseenhimfaroutonthenorthrange，headedforthehills。TheBeemansreportedthatRoy\'sconditionhadimproved，andalsothattherewasasubduedexcitementofsuspensedowninthevillage。
ThissecondlonelynightwasalmostunendurableforHelen。
Whenshesleptitwastodreamhorribledreams；whenshelayawakeitwastohaveherheartleaptoherthroatatarustleofleavesnearthewindow，andtobeintortureofimaginationastopoorBo\'splight。AthousandtimesHelensaidtoherselfthatBeasleycouldhavehadtheranchandwelcome，ifonlyBohadbeenspared。Helenabsolutelyconnectedherenemywithhersister\'sdisappearance。Riggsmighthavebeenameanstoit。
Daylightwasnotattendedbysomanyfears；therewerethingstodothatdemandedattention。Andthusitwasthatthenextmorning，shortlybeforenoon，shewasrecalledtoherperplexitiesbyashoutingoutatthecorralsandagallopingofhorsessomewherenear。Fromthewindowshesawabigsmoke。
\"Fire！Thatmustbeoneofthebarns——theoldone，farthestout，\"shesaid，gazingoutofthewindow。\"SomecarelessMexicanwithhiseverlastingcigarette！\"
Helenresistedanimpulsetogooutandseewhathadhappened。Shehaddecidedtostayinthehouse。Butwhenfootstepssoundedontheporchandaraponthedoor，sheunhesitatinglyopenedit。FourMexicansstoodclose。Oneofthem，quickasthought，flashedahandintograspher，andinasinglemotionpulledheracrossthethreshold。
\"Nohurt，Senuora，\"hesaid，andpointed——makingmotionsshemustgo。
Helendidnotneedtobetoldwhatthisvisitmeant。Manyasherconjectureshadbeen，however，shehadnotthoughtofBeasleysubjectinghertothisoutrage。Andherbloodboiled。
\"Howdareyou！\"shesaid，tremblinginherefforttocontrolhertemper。Butclass，authority，voiceavailednothingwiththeseswarthyMexicans。Theygrinned。AnotherlaidholdofHelenwithdirty，brownhand。Sheshrankfromthecontact。
\"Letgo！\"sheburstout，furiously。Andinstinctivelyshebegantostruggletofreeherself。Thentheyalltookholdofher。Helen\'sdignitymightneverhavebeen！Aburning，chokingrushofbloodwasherfirstacquaintancewiththeterriblepassionofangerthatwasherinheritancefromtheAuchinclosses。Shewhohadresolvednevertolayherselfopentoindignitynowfoughtlikeatigress。TheMexicans，jabberingintheirexcitement，hadalltheycoulddo，untiltheyliftedherbodilyfromtheporch。Theyhandledherasifshehadbeenahalf-emptysackofcorn。Oneholdingeachhandandfoottheypackedher，withdressdisarrangedandhalftornoff，downthepathtothelaneanddownthelanetotheroad。Theretheystooduprightandpushedheroffherproperty。
Throughhalf-blindeyesHelensawthemguardingthegateway，readytopreventherentrance。Shestaggereddowntheroadtothevillage。Itseemedshemadeherwaythroughareddimness——thattherewasacongestioninherbrain——thatthedistancetoMrs。Cass\'scottagewasinsurmountable。Butshegotthere，tostaggerupthepath，toheartheoldwoman\'scry。Dizzy，faint，sick，withablacknessenvelopingallshelookedat，Helenfeltherselfledintothesitting-roomandplacedinthebigchair。
Presentlysightandclearnessofmindreturnedtoher。ShesawRoy，whiteasasheet，questioningherwithterribleeyes。Theoldwomanhungmurmuringoverher，tryingtocomfortheraswellasfastenthedisordereddress。
\"Fourgreasers——packedmedown——thehill——threwmeoffmyranch——intotheroad！\"pantedHelen。
Sheseemedtotellthisalsotoherownconsciousnessandtorealizethemightywaveofdangerthatshookherwholebody。
\"IfI\'dknown——Iwouldhavekilledthem！\"
Sheexclaimedthat，full-voicedandhard，withdry，hoteyesonherfriends。Royreachedouttotakeherhand，speakinghuskily。Helendidnotdistinguishwhathesaid。Thefrightenedoldwomanknelt，withunsteadyfingersfumblingovertherentsinHelen\'sdress。ThemomentcamewhenHelen\'squiveringbegantosubside，whenherbloodquietedtoletherreasonsway，whenshebegantodobattlewithherrage，andslowlytotakefearfulstockofthisconsumingperilthathadbeenasleepingtigressinherveins。
\"Oh，MissHelen，youlookedsoturrible，Imadesureyouwashurted，\"theoldwomanwassaying。
Helengazedstrangelyatherbruisedwrists，attheonestockingthathungdownoverhershoe-top，attherentI
whichhadbaredhershouldertotheprofanegazeofthosegrinning，beady-eyedMexicans。
\"Mybody\'s——nothurt，\"shewhispered。
Royhadlostsomeofhiswhiteness，andwherehiseyeshadbeenfiercetheywerenowkind。
\"Wal，MissNell，it\'sluckynoharm\'sdone……Nowifyou\'llonlyseethiswholedealclear！……Notletitspoilyoursweetwayoflookin\'an\'hopin\'！Ifyoucanonlyseewhat\'srawinthisWest——an\'loveitjestthesame！\"
Helenonlyhalfdivinedhismeaning，butthatwasenoughforafuturereflection。TheWestwasbeautiful，buthard。Inthefacesofthesefriendsshebegantoseethemeaningofthekeen，slopinglines，andshadowsofpain，ofalean，nakedtruth，cutasfrommarble。
\"Fortheland\'ssakes，tellusallaboutit，\"importunedMrs。Cass。
WhereuponHelenshuthereyesandtoldthebriefnarrativeofherexpulsionfromherhome。
\"Shorewe-allexpectedthet，\"saidRoy。\"An\'it\'sjestaswellyou\'reherewithawholeskin。Beasley\'sinpossessionnowan\'Ireckonwe\'dallsoonerhevyouawayfromthetranch。\"
\"But，Roy，Iwon\'tletBeasleystaythere，\"criedHelen。
\"MissNell，shorebythetimethisherePinehasgrowedbigenoughferlawyou\'llhevgrayinthetprettyhair。Youcan\'tputBeasleyoffwithyourhonestan\'rightfulclaim。
AlAuchinclosswasaharddriver。Hemadeenemiesan\'hemadesomehedidn\'tkill。Theevilmendolivesafterthem。
An\'you\'vegottosufferferAl\'ssins，thoughAlwasasgoodasanymanwhoeverprosperedintheseparts。\"
\"Oh，whatcanIdo？Iwon\'tgiveup。I\'vebeenrobbed。Can\'tthepeoplehelpme？MustImeeklysitwithmyhandscrossedwhilethathalf-breedthief——Oh，it\'sunbelievable！\"
\"Ireckonyou\'lljesthevtobepatientferafewdays，\"
saidRoy，calmly。\"It\'llallcomerightintheend。\"
\"Roy！You\'vehadthisdeal，asyoucallit，allworkedoutinmindforalongtime！\"exclaimedHelen。
\"Shore，an\'I\'ain\'tmissedareckonin\'yet。\"
\"Thenwhatwillhappen——inafewdays？\"
\"NellRayner，areyougoin\'tohevsomespunkan\'notloseyournerveagainorgowildoutofyourhead？\"
\"I\'lltrytobebrave，but——butImustbeprepared，\"shereplied，tremulously。
\"Wal，there\'sDalean\'LasVegasan\'meferBeasleytoreckonwith。An\'，MissNell，hischancesferlonglifeareasporeashischancesferheaven！\"
\"But，Roy，Idon\'tbelieveindeliberatetakingoflife，\"
repliedHelen，shuddering。\"That\'sagainstmyreligion。I
won\'tallowit……And——then——think，Dale，allofyou——indanger！\"
\"Girl，how\'reyouevergoin\'tohelpyourself？ShoreyoumightholdDaleback，ifyoulovehim，an\'swearyouwon\'tgiveyourselftohim……An\'IreckonI\'drespectyourreligion，ifyouwasgoin\'tosufferthroughme……ButnotDalenoryou——norBo——norloveorheavenorhellcaneverstopthetcowboyLasVegas！\"
\"Oh，ifDalebringsBobacktome——whatwillIcareformyranch？\"murmuredHelen。
\"Reckonyou\'llonlybegintocarewhenthethappens。Yourbighunterhasgottobeputtowork，\"repliedRoy，withhiskeensmile。
BeforenoonthatdaythebaggageHelenhadpackedathomewasleftontheporchofWidowCass\'scottage，andHelen\'sanxiousneedofthehourwassatisfied。Shewasmadecomfortableintheoldwoman\'sonespareroom，andshesetherselfthetaskoffortitudeandendurance。
Tohersurprise，manyofMrs。Cass\'sneighborscameunobtrusivelytothebackdoorofthelittlecottageandmadesympatheticinquiries。Theyappearedasubduedandapprehensivegroup，andwhisperedtooneanotherastheyleft。HelengatheredfromtheirvisitsaconvictionthatthewivesofthemendominatedbyBeasleybelievednogoodcouldcomeofthishigh-handedtakingoveroftheranch。Indeed，Helenfoundattheendofthedaythatastrengthhadbeenborneofhermisfortune。
ThenextdayRoyinformedherthathisbrotherJohnhadcomedowntheprecedingnightwiththenewsofBeasley\'sdescentupontheranch。Notashothadbeenfired，andtheonlydamagedonewasthatoftheburningofahay-filledbarn。
ThishadbeensetonfiretoattractHelen\'smentoonespot，whereBeasleyhadriddendownuponthemwiththreetimestheirnumber。Hehadboldlyorderedthemofftheland，unlesstheywantedtoacknowledgehimbossandremainthereinhisservice。ThethreeBeemanshadstayed，havingplannedthatjustinthiseventtheymightbevaluabletoHelen\'sinterests。BeasleyhadriddendownintoPinethesameasuponanyotherday。Royreportedalsonewswhichhadcomeinthatmorning，howBeasley\'scrowdhadcelebratedlatethenightbefore。
Thesecondandthirdandfourthdaysendlesslyworeaway，andHelenbelievedtheyhadmadeherold。Atnightshelayawakemostofthetime，thinkingandpraying，butduringtheafternoonshegotsomesleep。Shecouldthinkofnothingandtalkofnothingexcepthersister，andDale\'schancesofsavingher。
\"Well，shoreyoupayDaleaporecompliment，\"finallyprotestedthepatientRoy。\"Itellyou——MiltDalecandoanythin\'hewantstodointhewoods。Youcanbelievethet……ButIreckonhe\'llrunchancesafterhecomesback。\"
ThissignificantspeechthrilledHelenwithitsassuranceofhope，andmadeherbloodcurdleattheimpliedperilawaitingthehunter。
OntheafternoonofthefifthdayHelenwasabruptlyawakenedfromhernap。Thesunhadalmostset。Sheheardvoices——theshrill，cacklingnotesofoldMrs。Cass，highinexcitement，adeepvoicethatmadeHelentingleallover，agirl\'slaugh，brokenbuthappy。Therewerefootstepsandstampingofhoofs。DalehadbroughtBoback！Helenknewit。
Shegrewveryweak，andhadtoforceherselftostanderect。
Herheartbegantopoundinherveryears。Asweetandperfectjoysuddenlyfloodedhersoul。ShethankedGodherprayershadbeenanswered。Thensuddenlyalivewithsheermadphysicalgladness，sherushedout。
ShewasjustintimetoseeRoyBeemanstalkoutasifhehadneverbeenshot，andwithayellgreetabig，gray-clad，gray-facedman——Dale。
\"Howdy，Roy！Gladtoseeyouup，\"saidDale。HowthequietvoicesteadiedHelen！ShebeheldBo。Bo，lookingthesame，exceptalittlepaleanddisheveled！ThenBosawherandleapedather，intoherarms。
\"Nell！I\'mhere！Safe——allright！Neverwassohappyinmylife……Oh-h！talkaboutyouradventures！Nell，youdearoldmothertome——I\'vehade-enoughforever！\"
Bowaswildwithjoy，andbyturnsshelaughedandcried。
ButHelencouldnotvoiceherfeelings。HereyesweresodimthatshecouldscarcelyseeDalewhenheloomedoverherassheheldBo。Buthefoundthehandsheputshakilyout。
\"Nell！……Reckonit\'sbeenharder——onyou。\"Hisvoicewasearnestandhalting。Shefelthissearchinggazeuponherface。\"Mrs。Casssaidyouwerehere。An\'Iknowwhy。\"
Royledthemallindoors。
\"Milt，oneoftheneighborboyswilltakecareofthethoss，\"hesaid，asDaleturnedtowardthedustyandwearyRanger。\"Where\'dyouleavethecougar？\"
\"Isenthimhome，\"repliedDate。
\"Lawsnow，Milt，ifthisain\'tgrand！\"cackledMrs。Cass。
\"We\'veworriedsomehere。An\'MissHelennearstarveda-hopin\'feryou。\"
\"Mother，Ireckonthegirlan\'Iarenearerstarvedthananybodyyouknow，\"repliedDale，withagrimlaugh。
\"Fertheland\'ssake！I\'llbefixin\'supperthisminit。\"
\"Nell，whyareyouhere？\"askedBo，suspiciously。
ForanswerHelenledhersisterintothespareroomandclosedthedoor。Bosawthebaggage。Herexpressionchanged。
Theoldblazeleapedtothetelltaleeyes。
\"He\'sdoneit！\"shecried，hotly。
\"Dearest——thankGod。I\'vegotyou——backagain！\"murmuredHelen，findinghervoice。\"Nothingelsematters！……I\'veprayedonlyforthat！\"
\"GoodoldNell！\"whisperedBo，andshekissedandembracedHelen。\"Youreallymeanthat，Iknow。Butnixforyourstruly！I\'mbackaliveandkicking，youbet……Where\'smy——where\'sTom？\"
\"Bo，notawordhasbeenheardofhimforfivedays。He\'ssearchingforyou，ofcourse。\"
\"Andyou\'vebeen——beenputofftheranch？\"
\"Well，rather，\"repliedHelen，andinafewtremblingwordsshetoldthestoryofhereviction。
Boutteredawildwordthathadmoreforcethanelegance，butitbecameherpassionateresentmentofthisoutragedonehersister。
\"Oh！……DoesTomCarmichaelknowthis？\"sheadded，breathlessly。
\"Howcouldhe？\"
\"Whenhefindsout，then——Oh，won\'ttherebehell？I\'mgladIgotherefirst……Nell，mybootshaven\'tbeenoffthewholeblessedtime。Helpme。Andoh，forsomesoapandhotwaterandsomecleanclothes！Nell，oldgirl，Iwasn\'traisedrightfortheseWesterndeals。Tooluxurious！\"