Thefollowingday，towardevening，hehappeneduponaroadwhichhebelievedmightleadtothevillage。Therewereagoodmanyfreshhorse—tracksinthesand，andthesemadehimthoughtful。Nevertheless，hefollowedtheroad，proceedingcautiously。Hehadnotgoneveryfarwhenthesoundofrapidhoof—beatscaughthisears。Theycamefromhisrear。Inthedarkeningtwilighthecouldnotseeanygreatdistancebackalongtheroad。Voices，however，warnedhimthattheseriders，whoevertheywere，hadapproachedcloserthanheliked。Togofartherdowntheroadwasnottobethoughtof，soheturnedalittlewayinamongthemesquitesandhalted，hopingtoescapebeingseenorheard。Ashewasnowafugitive，itseemedeverymanwashisenemyandpursuer。
Thehorsemenwerefastapproaching。PresentlytheywereabreastofDuane’sposition，sonearthathecouldhearthecreakofsaddles，theclinkofspurs。
\"Shorehecrossedtheriverbelow，\"saidoneman。
\"Ireckonyou’reright，Bill。He’sslippedus，\"repliedanother。
Rangersoraposseofranchersinpursuitofafugitive！TheknowledgegaveDuaneastrangethrill。Certainlytheycouldnothavebeenhuntinghim。Butthefeelingtheirproximitygavehimwasidenticaltowhatitwouldhavebeenhadhebeenthisparticularhuntedman。Heheldhisbreath;heclenchedhisteeth;hepressedaquietinghanduponhishorse。Suddenlyhebecameawarethatthesehorsemenhadhalted。Theywerewhispering。Hecouldjustmakeoutadarkgroupcloselymassed。
Whathadmadethemhaltsosuspiciously？
\"You’rewrong，Bill，\"saidaman，inalowbutdistinctvoice。
\"Theideeofhearin’ahossheave。You’rewuss’naranger。Andyou’rehell—bentonkillin’thatrustler。NowIsaylet’sgohomeandeat。\"
\"Wal，I’lljusttakealookatthesand，\"repliedthemancalledBill。
Duaneheardtheclinkofspursonsteelstirrupandthethudofbootsontheground。Therefollowedashortsilencewhichwasbrokenbyasharplybreathedexclamation。
Duanewaitedfornomore。Theyhadfoundhistrail。Hespurredhishorsestraightintothebrush。Atthesecondcrashingboundtherecameyellsfromtheroad，andthenshots。Duaneheardthehissofabulletclosebyhisear，andasitstruckabranchitmadeapeculiarsingingsound。TheseshotsandtheproximityofthatleadmissilerousedinDuaneaquick，hotresentmentwhichmountedintoapassionalmostungovernable。Hemustescape，yetitseemedthathedidnotcarewhetherhedidornot。Somethinggrimkepturginghimtohaltandreturnthefireofthesemen。
Afterrunningacoupleofhundredyardsheraisedhimselffromoverthepommel，wherehehadbenttoavoidthestingingbranches，andtriedtoguidehishorse。Inthedarkshadowsundermesquitesandcottonwoodshewashardputtoittofindopenpassage;however，hesucceededsowellandmadesuchlittlenoisethatgraduallyhedrewawayfromhispursuers。Thesoundoftheirhorsescrashingthroughthethicketsdiedaway。
Duanereinedinandlistened。Hehaddistancedthem。Probablytheywouldgointocamptilldaylight，thenfollowhistracks。
Hestartedonagain，walkinghishorse，andpeeredsharplyattheground，sothathemighttakeadvantageofthefirsttrailhecrossed。Itseemedalongwhileuntilhecameuponone。Hefollowedituntilalatehour，when，strikingthewillowbrakesagainandhencetheneighborhoodoftheriver，hepicketedhishorseandlaydowntorest。Buthedidnotsleep。Hismindbitterlyrevolvedthefatethathadcomeuponhim。Hemadeeffortstothinkofotherthings，butinvain。
Everymomentheexpectedthechill，thesenseoflonelinessthatyetwasominousofastrangevisitation，thepeculiarlyimaginedlightsandshadesofthenight——thesethingsthatpresagedthecomingofCalBain。DoggedlyDuanefoughtagainsttheinsidiousphantom。Hekepttellinghimselfthatitwasjustimagination，thatitwouldwearoffintime。Stillinhishearthedidnotbelievewhathehoped。Buthewouldnotgiveup;hewouldnotaccepttheghostofhisvictimasareality。
Graydawnfoundhiminthesaddleagainheadedfortheriver。
Halfanhourofridingbroughthimtothedensechaparralandwillowthickets。Thesehethreadedtocomeatlengthtotheford。Itwasagravelbottom，andthereforeaneasycrossing。
Onceupontheoppositeshorehereinedinhishorseandlookeddarklyback。Thisactionmarkedhisacknowledgmentofhissituation:hehadvoluntarilysoughttherefugeoftheoutlaws;
hewasbeyondthepale。Abitterandpassionatecursepassedhislipsashespurredhishorseintothebrakesonthatalienshore。
Herodeperhapstwentymiles，notsparinghishorsenorcaringwhetherornotheleftaplaintrail。
\"Letthemhuntme！\"hemuttered。
Whentheheatofthedaybegantobeoppressive，andhungerandthirstmadethemselvesmanifest，Duanebegantolookabouthimforaplacetohaltforthenoon—hours。Thetrailledintoaroadwhichwashardpackedandsmoothfromthetracksofcattle。Hedoubtednotthathehadcomeacrossoneoftheroadsusedbyborderraiders。Heheadedintoit，andhadscarcelytraveledamilewhen，turningacurve，hecamepoint—blankuponasinglehorsemanridingtowardhim。Bothriderswheeledtheirmountssharplyandwerereadytorunandshootback。Notmorethanahundredpacesseparatedthem。Theystoodthenforamomentwatchingeachother。
\"Mawnin’，stranger，\"calledtheman，droppinghishandfromhiship。
\"Howdy，\"repliedDuane，shortly。
Theyrodetowardeachother，closinghalfthegap，thentheyhaltedagain。
\"Iseenyouain’tnoranger，\"calledtherider，\"an’shoreI
ain’tnone。\"
Helaughedloudly，asifhehadmadeajoke。
\"How’dyouknowIwasn’taranger？\"askedDuane，curiously。
Somehowhehadinstantlydivinedthathishorsemanwasnoofficer，orevenaranchertrailingstolenstock。
\"Wal，\"saidthefellow，startinghishorseforwardatawalk，\"aranger’dnevergitreadytoruntheotherwayfromoneman。\"
Helaughedagain。Hewassmallandwiry，slouchyofattire，andarmedtotheteeth，andhebestrodeafinebayhorse。Hehadquick，dancingbrowneyes，atoncefrankandbold，andacoarse，bronzedface。Evidentlyhewasagood—naturedruffian。
Duaneacknowledgedthetruthoftheassertion，andturnedoverinhismindhowshrewdlythefellowhadguessedhimtobeahuntedman。
\"Myname’sLukeStevens，an’Ihailfromtheriver。Who’reyou？\"saidthisstranger。
Duanewassilent。
\"Ireckonyou’reBuckDuane，\"wentonStevens。\"Iheerdyouwasadamnbadmanwithagun。\"
ThistimeDuanelaughed，notatthedoubtfulcompliment，butattheideathatthefirstoutlawhemetshouldknowhim。Herewasproofofhowswiftlyfactsaboutgun—playtraveledontheTexasborder。
\"Wal，Buck，\"saidStevens，inafriendlymanner，\"Iain’tpresumin’onyourtimeorcompany。Iseeyou’reheadin’fertheriver。Butwillyoustoplongenoughtostakeafellertoabiteofgrub？\"
\"I’moutofgrub，andprettyhungrymyself，\"admittedDuane。
\"Beenpushin’yourhoss，Isee。Wal，Ireckonyou’dbetterstockupbeforeyouhitthetstretchofcountry。\"
Hemadeawidesweepofhisrightarm，indicatingthesouthwest，andtherewasthatinhisactionwhichseemedsignificantofavastandbarrenregion。
\"Stockup？\"queriedDuane，thoughtfully。
\"Shore。Afellerhasjestgottoeat。Icanrustlealongwithoutwhisky，butnotwithoutgrub。Thet’swhatmakesitsoembarrassin’travelin’thesepartsdodgin’yourshadow。Now，I’monmywaytoMercer。It’salittletwo—bittownuptheriveraways。I’mgoin’topackoutsomegrub。\"
Stevens’stonewasinviting。EvidentlyhewouldwelcomeDuane’scompanionship，buthedidnotopenlysayso。Duanekeptsilence，however，andthenStevenswenton。
\"Stranger，inthisherecountrytwo’sacrowd。It’ssafer。1
neverwasmuchonthislone—wolfdodgin’，thoughI’vedoneitofnecessity。Ittakesadamngoodmantotravelaloneanylengthoftime。Why，I’vebeenthetsickIwasjestachin’fersomerangertocomealongan’plugme。Givemeapardneranyday。Now，mebbeyou’renotthetkindofafeller，an’I’mshorenotpresumin’toask。ButIjustdeclaresmyselfsufficient。\"
\"Youmeanyou’dlikemetogowithyou？\"askedDuane。
Stevensgrinned。\"Wal，Ishouldsmile。I’dbeparticularproudtobebracedwithamanofyourreputation。\"
\"Seehere，mygoodfellow，that’sallnonsense，\"declaredDuane，insomehaste。
\"ShoreIthinkmodestybecomin’toayoungster，\"repliedStevens。\"Ihateabrag。An’I’venouseferthesefour—flushcowboysthet’realwayslookin’fertroublean’talkin’
gun—play。Buck，Idon’tknowmuchaboutyou。Buteverymanwho’slivedalongtheTexasborderremembersalotaboutyourDad。Itwasexpectedofyou，Ireckon，an’muchofyourrepwasestablishedbeforeyouthrongedyourgun。Ijestheerdthetyouwaslightnin’onthedraw，an’whenyoucutloosewithagun，whythefiggerontheaceofspadeswouldcoveryourclusterofbullet—holes。Thet’sthewordthet’sgonedowntheborder。It’sthekindofreputationmostsuretoflyfaran’swiftaheadofamaninthiscountry。An’thesafest，too;I’llgambleonthet。It’sthelandofthedraw。Iseenowyou’reonlyaboy，thoughyou’reshoreastrappin’huskyone。Now，Buck，I’mnotaspringchicken，an’I’vebeenlongonthedodge。Mebbealittleofmysocietywon’thurtyounone。You’llneedtolearnthecountry。\"
Therewassomethingsincereandlikableaboutthisoutlaw。
\"Idaresayyou’reright，\"repliedDuane，quietly。\"AndI’llgotoMercerwithyou。\"
NextmomenthewasridingdowntheroadwithStevens。Duanehadneverbeenmuchofatalker，andnowhefoundspeechdifficult。
Buthiscompaniondidnotseemtomindthat。Hewasajocose，volublefellow，probablygladnowtohearthesoundofhisownvoice。Duanelistened，andsometimeshethoughtwithapangofthedistinctionofnameandheritageofbloodhisfatherhadlefttohim。
CHAPTERIII
Latethatday，acoupleofhoursbeforesunset，DuaneandStevens，havingrestedtheirhorsesintheshadeofsomemesquitesnearthetownofMercer，saddledupandpreparedtomove。
\"Buck，aswe’relookin’fergrub，an’nottrouble，Ireckonyou’dbetterhangupouthere，\"Stevenswassaying，ashemounted。\"Yousee，townsan’sheriffsan’rangersarealwayslookin’fernewfellersgonebad。Theysortofforgetmostoftheoldboys，exceptthoseasareplumbbad。Now，nobodyinMercerwilltakenoticeofme。Reckonthere’sbeenathousandmenrunintotherivercountrytobecomeoutlawssinceyourstruly。Youjestwaitherean’bereadytoridehard。Mebbemybesettin’sinwillgooperatin’inspiteofmygoodintentions。
Inwhichcasethere’llbe——\"
Hispausewassignificant。Hegrinned，andhisbrowneyesdancedwithakindofwildhumor。
\"Stevens，haveyougotanymoney？\"askedDuane。
\"Money！\"exclaimedLuke，blankly。\"Say，Ihaven’townedatwo—bitpiecesince——wal，fersometime。\"
\"I’llfurnishmoneyforgrub，\"returnedDuane。\"Andforwhisky，too，providingyouhurrybackhere——withoutmakingtrouble。\"
\"Shoreyou’readownrightgoodpard，\"declaredStevens，inadmiration，ashetookthemoney。\"Igivemyword，Buck，an’
I’mheretosayIneverbrokeityet。Laylow，an’lookfermebackquick。\"
Withthathespurredhishorseandrodeoutofthemesquitestowardthetown。Atthatdistance，aboutaquarterofamile，Mercerappearedtobeaclusteroflowadobehousessetinagroveofcottonwoods。Pasturesofalfalfaweredottedbyhorsesandcattle。Duanesawasheep—herderdrivinginameagerflock。
PresentlyStevensrodeoutofsightintothetown。Duanewaited，hopingtheoutlawwouldmakegoodhisword。ProbablynotaquarterofanhourhadelapsedwhenDuaneheardtheclearreportsofaWinchesterrifle，theclatterofrapidhoof—beats，andyellsunmistakablythekindtomeandangerforamanlikeStevens。Duanemountedandrodetotheedgeofthemesquites。
Hesawacloudofdustdowntheroadandabayhorserunningfast。Stevensapparentlyhadnotbeenwoundedbyanyoftheshots，forhehadasteadyseatinhissaddleandhisriding，evenatthatmoment，struckDuaneasadmirable。Hecarriedalargepackoverthepommel，andhekeptlookingback。Theshotshadceased，buttheyellsincreased。Duanesawseveralmenrunningandwavingtheirarms。Thenhespurredhishorseandgotintoaswiftstride，soStevenswouldnotpasshim。
Presentlytheoutlawcaughtupwithhim。Stevenswasgrinning，buttherewasnownofuninthedancingeyes。Itwasadevilthatdancednthem。Hisfaceseemedashadepaler。
\"Wasjestcomin’outofthestore，\"yelledStevens。\"Runplumbintoarancher——whoknowedme。Heopenedupwitharifle。Thinkthey’llchaseus。\"
Theycoveredseveralmilesbeforetherewereanysignsofpursuit，andwhenhorsemendidmoveintosightoutofthecottonwoodsDuaneandhiscompanionsteadilydrewfartheraway。
\"Nohossesinthetbunchtoworryus，\"calledoutStevens。
Duanehadthesameconviction，andhedidnotlookbackagain。
Herodesomewhattothefore，andwasconstantlyawareoftherapidthuddingofhoofsbehind，asStevenskeptclosetohim。
Atsunsettheyreachedthewillowbrakesandtheriver。Duane’shorsewaswindedandlashedwithsweatandlather。ItwasnotuntilthecrossinghadbeenaccomplishedthatDuanehaltedtoresthisanimal。Stevenswasridingupthelow，sandybank。Hereeledinthesaddle。WithanexclamationofsurpriseDuaneleapedoffandrantotheoutlaw’sside。
Stevenswaspale，andhisfaceborebeadsofsweat。Thewholefrontofhisshirtwassoakedwithblood。
\"You’reshot！\"criedDuane。
\"Wal，who’nhellsaidIwasn’t？Wouldyoumindgivin’mealift——onthisherepack？\"
DuaneliftedtheheavypackdownandthenhelpedStevenstodismount。Theoutlawhadabloodyfoamonhislips，andhewasspittingblood。
\"Oh，whydidn’tyousayso！\"criedDuane。\"Ineverthought。Youseemedallright。\"
\"Wal，LukeStevensmaybeasgabbyasanoldwoman，butsometimeshedoesn’tsayanythin’。Itwouldn’thavedonenogood。\"
Duanebadehimsitdown，removedhisshirt，andwashedthebloodfromhisbreastandback。Stevenshadbeenshotinthebreast，fairlylowdown，andthebullethadgoneclearthroughhim。Hisride，holdinghimselfandthatheavypackinthesaddle，hadbeenafeatlittleshortofmarvelous。Duanedidnotseehowithadbeenpossible，andhefeltnohopefortheoutlaw。Buthepluggedthewoundsandboundthemtightly。
\"Feller’snamewasBrown，\"Stevenssaid。\"Mean’himfelloutoverahossIstolefromhimoverinHuntsville。Wehadashootin’—scrapethen。Wal，asIwasstraddlin’myhossbackthereinMercerIseenthisBrown，an’seenhimbeforeheseenme。Couldhavekilledhim，too。ButIwasn’tbreakin’mywordtoyou。Ikindofhopedhewouldn’tspotme。Buthedid——an’
fustshothegotmehere。Whatdoyouthinkofthishole？\"
\"It’sprettybad，\"repliedDuane;andhecouldnotlookthecheerfuloutlawintheeyes。
\"Ireckonitis。Wal，I’vehadsomebadwoundsIlivedover。
GuessmebbeIcanstandthisone。Now，Buck，getmesomeplaceinthebrakes，leavemesomegruban’wateratmyhand，an’
thenyouclearout。\"
\"Leaveyouherealone？\"askedDuane，sharply。
\"Shore。Yousee，Ican’tkeepupwithyou。Brownan’hisfriendswillfollerusacrosstheriveraways。You’vegottothinkofnumberoneinthisgame。\"
\"Whatwouldyoudoinmycase？\"askedDuane，curiously。
\"Wal，IreckonI’dclearoutan’savemyhide，\"repliedStevens。
Duanefeltinclinedtodoubttheoutlaw’sassertion。Forhisownparthedecidedhisconductwithoutfurtherspeech。Firsthewateredthehorses，filledcanteensandwaterbag，andthentiedthepackuponhisownhorse。Thatdone，heliftedStevensuponhishorse，and，holdinghiminthesaddle，turnedintothebrakes，beingcarefultopickouthardorgrassygroundthatleftlittlesignsoftracks。JustaboutdarkheranacrossatrailthatStevenssaidwasagoodonetotakeintothewildcountry。
\"Reckonwe’dbetterkeeprightoninthedark——tillIdrop，\"
concludedStevens，withalaugh。
AllthatnightDuane，gloomyandthoughtful，attentivetothewoundedoutlaw，walkedthetrailandneverhaltedtilldaybreak。Hewastiredthenandveryhungry。Stevensseemedinbadshape，althoughhewasstillspiritedandcheerful。Duanemadecamp。Theoutlawrefusedfood，butaskedforbothwhiskyandwater。Thenhestretchedout。
\"Buck，willyoutakeoffmyboots？\"heasked，withafaintsmileonhispallidface。
Duaneremovedthem，wonderingiftheoutlawhadthethoughtthathedidnotwanttodiewithhisbootson。Stevensseemedtoreadhismind。
\"Buck，myolddaddyusedtosaythetIwasborntobehanged。
ButIwasn’t——an’dyin’withyourbootsonisthenextwustwaytocroak。\"
\"You’veachanceto—togetoverthis，\"saidDuane。
\"Shore。ButIwanttobecorrectabouttheboots——an’say，pard，ifIdogoover，jestyourememberthetIwasappreciatin’ofyourkindness。\"
Thenheclosedhiseyesandseemedtosleep。
Duanecouldnotfindwaterforthehorses，buttherewasanabundanceofdew—wetgrassuponwhichhehobbledthem。Afterthatwasdonehepreparedhimselfamuch—neededmeal。Thesunwasgettingwarmwhenhelaydowntosleep，andwhenheawokeitwassinkinginthewest。Stevenswasstillalive，forhebreathedheavily。Thehorseswereinsight。Allwasquietexceptthehumofinsectsinthebrush。Duanelistenedawhile，thenroseandwentforthehorses。
WhenhereturnedwiththemhefoundStevensawake，bright—eyed，cheerfulasusual，andapparentlystronger。
\"Wal，Buck，I’mstillwithyouan’goodferanothernight’sride，\"hesaid。\"GuessaboutallIneednowisabigpullonthetbottle。Helpme，willyou？There！thetwasbully。Iain’tswallowin’mybloodthisevenin’。MebbeI’vebledalltherewasinme。\"
WhileDuanegotahurriedmealforhimself，packedupthelittleoutfit，andsaddledthehorsesStevenskeptontalking。
HeseemedtobeinahurrytotellDuaneallaboutthecountry。
Anothernightridewouldputthembeyondfearofpursuit，withinstrikingdistanceoftheRioGrandeandthehiding—placesoftheoutlaws。
WhenitcametimeformountingthehorsesStevenssaid，\"Reckonyoucanpullonmybootsoncemore。\"InspiteofthelaughaccompanyingthewordsDuanedetectedasubtlechangeintheoutlaw’sspirit。
Onthisnighttravelwasfacilitatedbythefactthatthetrailwasbroadenoughfortwohorsesabreast，enablingDuanetoridewhileupholdingStevensinthesaddle。
Thedifficultymostpersistentwasinkeepingthehorsesinawalk。Theywereusedtoatrot，andthatkindofgaitwouldnotdoforStevens。Thereddiedoutofthewest;apaleafterglowprevailedforawhile;darknesssetin;thenthebroadexpanseofbluedarkenedandthestarsbrightened。AfterawhileStevensceasedtalkinganddroopedinhissaddle。Duanekeptthehorsesgoing，however，andtheslowhoursworeaway。Duanethoughtthequietnightwouldneverbreaktodawn，thattherewasnoendtothemelancholy，broodingplain。Butatlengthagraynessblottedoutthestarsandmantledthelevelofmesquiteandcactus。
Dawncaughtthefugitivesatagreencamping—siteonthebankofarockylittlestream。StevensfelladeadweightintoDuane’sarms，andonelookatthehaggardfaceshowedDuanethattheoutlawhadtakenhislastride。Heknewit，too。Yetthatcheerfulnessprevailed。
\"Buck，myfeetareorfultiredpackin’themheavyboots，\"hesaid，andseemedimmenselyrelievedwhenDuanehadremovedthem。
Thismatteroftheoutlaw’sbootswasstrange，Duanethought。
HemadeStevensascomfortableaspossible，thenattendedtohisownneeds。Andtheoutlawtookupthethreadofhisconversationwherehehadleftoffthenightbefore。
\"Thistrailsplitsupawaysfromhere，an’everybranchofitleadstoaholewhereyou’llfindmen——afew，mebbe，likeyourself——somelikeme——an’gangsofno—goodhoss—thieves，rustlers，an’such。It’seasylivin’，Buck。Ireckon，though，thatyou’llnotfinditeasy。You’llnevermixin。You’llbealonewolf。Iseenthatrightoff。Wal，ifamancanstandtheloneliness，an’ifhe’squickonthedraw，mebbelone—wolfin’
itisthebest。ShoreIdon’tknow。Butthesefellersinherewillbesuspiciousofamanwhogoesitalone。Iftheygetachancethey’llkillyou。\"
Stevensaskedforwaterseveraltimes。Hehadforgottenorhedidnotwantthewhisky。Hisvoicegrewperceptiblyweaker。
\"Bequiet，\"saidDuane。\"Talkingusesupyourstrength。\"
\"Aw，I’lltalktill——I’mdone，\"hereplied，doggedly。\"Seehere，pard，youcangambleonwhatI’mtellin’you。An’it’llbeuseful。Fromthiscampwe’ll——you’llmeetmenrightalong。
An’noneofthemwillbehonestmen。Allthesame，somearebetter’nothers。I’velivedalongtheriverfertwelveyears。
There’sthreebiggangsofoutlaws。KingFisher——youknowhim，Ireckon，ferhe’shalfthetimelivin’amongrespectablefolks。Kingisaprettygoodfeller。It’lldototieupwithhimanthisgang。Now，there’sCheseldine，whohangsoutintheRimRockwayuptheriver。He’sanoutlawchief。Ineverseenhim，thoughIstayedoncerightinhiscamp。Lateyearshe’sgotrichan’keepsbackprettywellhid。ButBland——IknowedBlandferyears。An’Ihaven’tanyuseferhim。Blandhasthebiggestgang。Youain’tlikelytomissstrikin’hisplacesometimeorother。He’sgotaregulartown，Imightsay。Shorethere’ssomegamblin’an’gun—fightin’goin’onatBland’scampallthetime。Blandhaskilledsometwentymen，an’thet’snotcountin’greasers。\"
HereStevenstookanotherdrinkandthenrestedforawhile。
\"Youain’tlikelytogetonwithBland，\"heresumed，presently。
\"You’retoostrappin’bigan’good—lookin’topleasethechief。
Ferhe’sgotwomeninhiscamp。Thenhe’dbejealousofyourpossibilitieswithagun。ShoreIreckonhe’dbecareful，though。Bland’snofool，an’heloveshishide。Ireckonanyoftheothergangswouldbebetterferyouwhenyouain’tgoin’italone。\"
ApparentlythatexhaustedthefundofinformationandadviceStevenshadbeeneagertoimpart。Helapsedintosilenceandlaywithclosedeyes。Meanwhilethesunrosewarm;thebreezewavedthemesquites;thebirdscamedowntosplashintheshallowstream;Duanedozedinacomfortableseat。Byandbysomethingrousedhim。Stevenswasoncemoretalking，butwithachangedtone。
\"Feller’sname——wasBrown，\"herambled。\"Wefellout——overahossIstolefromhim——inHuntsville。Hestoleitfuss。Brown’soneofthemsneaks——afraidoftheopen——hestealsan’pretendstobehonest。Say，Buck，mebbeyou’llmeetBrownsomeday——Youan’mearepardsnow。\"
\"I’llremember，ifIevermeethim，\"saidDuane。
Thatseemedtosatisfytheoutlaw。Presentlyhetriedtolifthishead，buthadnotthestrength。Astrangeshadewascreepingacrossthebronzedroughface。
\"Myfeetareprettyheavy。Shoreyougotmybootsoff？\"
Duaneheldthemup，butwasnotcertainthatStevenscouldseethem。Theoutlawclosedhiseyesagainandmutteredincoherently。Thenhefellasleep。Duanebelievedthatsleepwasfinal。Thedaypassed，withDuanewatchingandwaiting。
TowardsundownStevensawoke，andhiseyesseemedclearer。
Duanewenttogetsomefreshwater，thinkinghiscomradewouldsurelywantsome。WhenhereturnedStevensmadenosignthathewantedanything。Therewassomethingbrightabouthim，andsuddenlyDuanerealizedwhatitmeant。
\"Pard，you——stuck——tome！\"theoutlawwhispered。
Duanecaughtahintofgladnessinthevoice;hetracedafaintsurpriseinthehaggardface。Stevensseemedlikealittlechild。
ToDuanethemomentwassad，elemental，big，withaburdenofmysteryhecouldnotunderstand。
Duaneburiedhiminashallowarroyoandheapedupapileofstonestomarkthegrave。Thatdone，hesaddledhiscomrade’shorse，hungtheweaponsoverthepommel;and，mountinghisownsteed，herodedownthetrailinthegatheringtwilight。
CHAPTERIV
Twodayslater，aboutthemiddleoftheforenoon，DuanedraggedthetwohorsesupthelastascentofanexceedinglyroughtrailandfoundhimselfontopoftheRimRock，withabeautifulgreenvalleyathisfeet，theyellow，sluggishRioGrandeshininginthesun，andthegreat，wild，mountainousbarrenofMexicostretchingtothesouth。
Duanehadnotfalleninwithanytravelers。Hehadtakenthelikeliest—lookingtrailhehadcomeacross。Whereithadledhimhehadnottheslightestidea，exceptthatherewastheriver，andprobablytheinclosedvalleywastheretreatofsomefamousoutlaw。
Nowonderoutlawsweresafeinthatwildrefuge！Duanehadspentthelasttwodaysclimbingtheroughestandmostdifficulttrailhehadeverseen。Fromthelooksofthedescentheimaginedtheworstpartofhistravelwasyettocome。Notimprobablyitwastwothousandfeetdowntotheriver。Thewedge—shapedvalley，greenwithalfalfaandcottonwood，andnestlingdownamidthebarewallsofyellowrock，wasadelightandarelieftohistiredeyes。Eagertogetdowntoalevelandtofindaplacetorest，Duanebeganthedescent。
Thetrailprovedtobethekindthatcouldnotbedescendedslowly。Hekeptdodgingrockswhichhishorsesloosedbehindhim。Andinashorttimehereachedthevalley，enteringattheapexofthewedge。Astreamofclearwatertumbledoutoftherockshere，andmostofitranintoirrigation—ditches。Hishorsesdrankthirstily。Andhedrankwiththatfullnessandgratefulnesscommontothedeserttravelerfindingsweetwater。
Thenhemountedandrodedownthevalleywonderingwhatwouldbehisreception。
Thevalleywasmuchlargerthanithadappearedfromthehighelevation。Wellwatered，greenwithgrassandtree，andfarmedevidentlybygoodhands，itgaveDuaneaconsiderablesurprise。