\"Wal，Ireckononlyabootfivehundredgoodhossstepsareseparatin’
usfromthatoutfit，\"drawledBlaisdell。
Noonerepliedtohisjocularity。GastonIsbel’seyesnarrowedtoaslitinhisfurrowedfaceandhekeptthemfasteneduponGreaves’sstore。
Blue，likewise，hadasombercastofcountenance，not，perhaps，anydarkernorgrimmerthanthoseofhiscomrades，butmorerepresentativeofintensepreoccupationofmind。ThelookofhimthrilledJean，whocouldsenseitsdeadliness，yetcouldnotgraspanymore。Altogether，themannerofthevillagersandthewatchfulpacingtoandfrooftheJorthfollowersandthesilent，bodingfrontofIsbelandhismensummedupforJeanthemenaceofthemomentthatmustverysoonchangetoaterriblereality。
AtacallfromMeeker，whostoodatthebackofthecabin，GastonIsbelrodeintotheyard，followedbytheothersofhisparty。\"Somebodylookafterthehosses，\"orderedIsbel，ashedismountedandtookhisrifleandpack。\"Betterleavethesaddleson，leastwaystillweseewhat’scomin’off。\"
JeanandBillIsbelledthehorsesbacktothecorral。Whilewateringandfeedingthem，JeansomehowreceivedtheimpressionthatBillwastryingtospeak，toconfideinhim，tounburdenhimselfofsomeload。
ThispeculiarityofBill’shadbecomemarkedwhenhewasperfectlysober。
Yethehadneverspokenorevenbegunanythingunusual。Uponthepresentoccasion，however，Jeanbelievedthathisbrothermighthavegottenridofhisemotion，orwhateveritwas，hadtheynotbeeninterruptedbyColmor。
\"Boys，theoldman’sordersareforustosneakroundonthreesidesofGreaves’sstore，keepin’outofgunshottillwefindgoodcover，an’thencrawlcloseran’topickoffanyofJorth’sgangwhoshowshimself。\"
BillIsbelstrodeoffwithoutareplytoColmor。
\"Well，Idon’tthinksomuchofthat，\"saidJean，ponderingly。
\"Jorthhaslotsoffriendshere。Somebodymightpickusoff。\"
\"Ikicked，buttheoldmanshutmeup。He’snottobebuckedag’in’
now。Struckmeaspowerfulqueer。Butnowonder。\"
\"Maybeheknowsbest。Didhesayanythin’aboutwhathean’therestofthemaregoin’todo？\"
\"Nope。Bluetaxedhimwiththatan’gotthesameasme。Ireckonwe’dbettertryitout，forawhile，anyway。\"
\"Lookslikehewantsustokeepoutofthefight，repliedJean，thoughtfully。\"Maybe，though……Dad’snofool。Colmor，youwaitheretillIgetoutofsight。I’llgoroundan’comeupascloseasadvisablebehindGreaves’sstore。Youtaketherightside。
An’keephid。\"
WiththatJeanstrodeoff，goingaroundthebarn，straightouttheorchardlanetotheopenflat，andthenclimbingafencetothenorthofthevillage。Presentlyhereachedalineofshedsandcorrals，towhichhehelduntilhearrivedattheroad。ThispointwasaboutaquarterofamilefromGreaves’sstore，andaroundthebend。Jeansightednoone。Theroad，thefields，theyards，thebacksofthecabinsalllookeddeserted。AblighthadsettleddownuponthepeacefulactivitiesofGrassValley。Crossingtheroad，Jeanbegantocircleuntilhecameclosetoseveralcabins，aroundwhichhemadeawidedetour。Thistookhimtotheedgeoftheslope，wherebrushandthicketsaffordedhimasafepassagetoalinedirectlybackofGreaves’sstore。Thenheturnedtowardit。Soonhewasagainapproachingacabinofthatside，andsomeofitsinmatesdescriedhim，Theiractionsattestedtotheiralarm。Jeanhalfexpectedashotfromthisquarter，suchwerehisgrowingdoubts，buthewasmistaken。Aman，unknowntoJean，closelywatchedhisguardedmovementsandthenwavedahand，asiftosignifytoJeanthathehadnothingtofear。Afterthisacthedisappeared。JeanbelievedthathehadbeenrecognizedbysomeonenotantagonistictotheIsbels。Thereforehepassedthecabinand，comingtoathickscrub—oaktreethatofferedshelter，hehidtheretowatch。FromthisspothecouldseethebackofGreaves’sstore，atadistanceprobablytoofarforariflebullettoreach。Beforehim，asfarasthestore，andoneachside，extendedthevillagecommon。
Infrontofthestorerantheroad。Jean’spositionwassuchthathecouldnotcommandsightofthisroaddowntowardMeeker’shouse，afactthatdisturbedhim。Notsatisfiedwiththisstand，hestudiedhissurroundingsinthehopeofespyingabetter。Andhediscoveredwhathethoughtwouldbeamorefavorableposition，althoughhecouldnotseemuchfartherdowntheroad。Jeanwentbackaroundthecabinand，comingoutintotheopentotheright，hegotthecornerofGreaves’sbarnbetweenhimandthewindowofthestore。Thenheboldlyhurriedintotheopen，andsoonreachedanoldwagon，frombehindwhichheproposedtowatch。Hecouldnotseeeitherwindowordoorofthestore，butifanyoftheJorthcontingentcameoutthebackwaytheywouldbewithinreachofhisrifle。Jeantooktheriskofbeingshotatfromeitherside。
SosharpandrovingwashissightthathesoonespiedColmorslippingalongbehindthetreessomehundredyardstotheleft。AllhiseffortstocatchaglimpseofBill，however，werefruitless。AndthisappearedstrangetoJean，fortherewereseveralgoodplacesontherightfromwhichBillcouldhavecommandedthefrontofGreaves’sstoreandthewholewestside。
Colmordisappearedamongsomeshrubbery，andJeanseemedleftalonetowatchadeserted，silentvillage。Watchingandlistening，hefeltthatthetimedragged。Yettheshadowscastbythesunshowedhimthat，nomatterhowtensehefeltandhowthemomentsseemedhours，theywerereallyflying。
SuddenlyJean’searsrangwiththevibrantshockofariflereport。
Hejerkedup，strungandthrilling。Itcamefrominfrontofthestore。
Itwasfollowedbyrevolvershots，heavy，booming。Threehecounted，andtherestweretooclosetogethertoenumerate。Asinglehoarseyellpealedout，somehowtrenchantandtriumphant。Otheryells，notsowildandstrange，muffledthefirstone。Thensilenceclappeddownonthestoreandthe，opensquare。
JeanwasdeadlycertainthatsomeoftheJorthclanwouldshowthemselves。Hestrainedtostillthetremblingthosesuddenshotsandthatsignificantyellhadcausedhim。Nomanappeared。NomoresoundscaughtJean’sears。Thesuspense，then，grewunbearable。
Itwasnotthathecouldnotwaitforanenemytoappear，butthathecouldnotwaittolearnwhathadhappened。Everymomentthathestayedthere，withhandslikesteelonhisrifle，witheyesofafalcon，butaddedtoadreadful，darkcertaintyofdisaster。Arifleshotswiftlyfollowedbyrevolvershots！Whatcould，theymean？Revolvershotsofdifferentcaliber，surelyfiredbydifferentmen！Whatcouldtheymean？
ItwasnottheseshotsthataccountedforJean’sdread，buttheyellwhichhadfollowed。Allhisintelligenceandallhisnervewerenotsufficienttofightdownthefeelingofcalamity。Andatlast，yieldingtoit，helefthispost，andranlikeadeeracrosstheopen，throughthecabinyard，andaroundtheedgeoftheslopetotheroad。Herehiscautionbroughthimtoahalt。Notalivingthingcrossedhisvision。
Breakingintoarun，hesoonreachedthebackofMeeker’splaceandentered，tohurryforwardtothecabin。
Colmorwasthereintheyard，breathinghard，hisfaceworking，andinfrontofhimcrouchedseveralofthemenwithriflesready。Theroad，toJean’sflashingglance，wasapparentlydeserted。Bluesatonthedoorstep，lightingacigarette。ThenonthemomentBlaisdellstrodetothedoorofthecabin。Jeanhadneverseenhimlooklikethat。
\"Jean——look——downtheroad，\"hesaid，brokenly，andwithbighandshakinghepointeddowntowardGreaves’sstore。
LikelightningJean’sglanceshotdown——down——down——untilitstoppedtofixupontheprostrateformofaman，lyinginthemiddleoftheroad。
Amanoflengthybuild，shirt—sleevedarmsflungwide，whiteheadinthedust——dead！Jean’srecognitionwasasswiftashissight。Hisfather！
Theyhadkilledhim！TheJorths！Itwasdone。Hisfather’spremonitionofdeathhadnotbeenfalse。Andthen，aftertheseflashingthoughts，cameasenseofblankness，momentarilyalmostoblivion，thatgaveplacetoarendingoftheheart。ThatpainJeanhadknownonlyatthedeathofhismother。Itpassed，thisagonizingpang，anditsicypressureyieldedtoarushinggustofblood，fieryashell。
\"Who——didit？\"whisperedJean。
\"Jorth！\"repliedBlaisdell，huskily。\"Son，wecouldn’tholdyourdadback……Wecouldn’t。Hewaslikealion……An’hethrowedhislifeaway！
Oh，ifithadn’tbeenforthatit’dnotbesoawful。Shore，wecomeheahtoshootan’beshot。Butnotlikethat……ByGod，itwasmurder——murder！\"
Jean’smutelipsframedaqueryeasilyread。
\"Tellhim，Blue。Icain’t，\"continuedBlaisdell，andhetrampedbackintothecabin。
\"Setdown，Jean，an’takethingseasy，\"saidBlue，calmly。\"Youknowweallreckonedwe’dgitpluggedonewayoranotherinthisdeal。
An’shoreitdoesn’tmattermuchhowafellargitsit。Allthetoughttobotherusistomakeshoretheotheroutfitbitesthedust——sameasyourdadhadto。\"
Underthisman’stranquilpresence，allthemorequietingbecauseitseemedtobesodeadlysureandcool，Jeanfelttheupliftofhisdarkspirit，theacceptanceoffatality，themountingcontroloffacultiesthatmustwait。Thelittlegunmanseemedtohaveabouthisinertpresencesomethingthatsuggestedarattlesnake’sinherentknowledgeofitsdestructiveness。Jeansatdownandwipedhisclammyface。
\"Jean，yourdadreckonedtosquareaccountswithJorth，an’saveusall，\"
beganBlue，puffingoutacloudofsmoke。\"Buthereckonedtoolate。
Mebbeyears;ago——orevennotlongago——ifhe’dcalledJorthoutmantomanthere’dneverbeenanyJorth—Isbelwar。GastonIsbel’sconsciencewoketoolate。That’showIfiggerit。\"
\"Hurry！Tellme——howit——happen，\"pantedJean。
\"Wal，alittlewhileaftery’uleftIseenyourdadwritin’onaleafhetoreoutofabook——Meeker’sBible，asyucansee。Ithoughtthetwasfunny。An’Blaisdellgavemeahunch。PrettysoonalongcomesyoungEvarts。Theoldmancallshimoutofourhearin’an’talkstohim。
ThenIseenhimgivetheboysomethin’，whichIafterwardfiggeredwaswhathewroteontheleafoutoftheBible。Mean’Blaisdellbothtriedtogitoutofhimwhatthetmeant。Butnotaword。Ikeptwatchin’an’
afterawhileIseenyoungEvartsslipoutthebackway。MebbehalfanhourIseenabare—leggedkidcross，theroadan’gointoGreaves’sstore……ThenshoreItumbledtoyourdad。He’dsentanotetoJorthtocomeoutan’meethimfacetoface，mantoman！……
Shoreitwaslikereadin’whatyourdadhadwrote。ButIdidn’tsaynothin’toBlaisdell。Ijestwatched。\"
Bluedrawledtheselastwords，asifheenjoyedremembranceofhiskeenreasoning。Asmilewreathedhisthinlips。Hedrewtwiceonthecigaretteandemittedanothercloudofsmoke。Quitesuddenlythenhechanged。Hemadearapidgesture——thewhipofahand，significantandpassionate。Andswiftwordsfollowed:
\"ColonelLeeJorthstalkedoutofthestore——outintotheroad——mebbeahundredsteps。Thenhehalted。Heworehislongblackcoatan’hiswideblackhat，an’hestoodlikeastone。
\"’Whatthehell！’burstoutBlaisdell，comin’outofhistrance。
\"Therestofusjestlooked。I’dforgotyourdad，fortheminnit。
Sohadallofus。Butwerememberedsoonenoughwhenweseenhimstalkout。Everybodyhadahunchthen。Icalledhim。Blaisdellbeggedhimtocomeback。Allthefellars;hadasay。Nouse！
ThenIshorecussedhiman’toldhimitwasplainasdaythetJorthdidn’thitmelikeanhonestman。Icansensesuchthings。IknewJorthhadtrickuphissleeve。I’venotbeenagunfighterfernothin’。
\"Yourdadhadnorifle。Hepackedhisgunathiship。Hejeststalkeddownthetroadlikeagiant，goin’fasteran’faster，holdin’hisheadhigh。Itshorewasfinetoseehim。ButIwassick。IheerdBlaisdellgroan，an’Frederickstharcussedsomethin’fierce……Whenyourdadhalted——IreckonabootfiftystepsfromJorth——thenweallwentnumb。
Iheerdyourdad’svoice——thenJorth’s。Theycutlikeknives。
Y’ucouldshoreheahthehatetheyhedfereachother。\"
Bluehadbecomealittlehusky。Hisspeechhadgrowngraduallytodenotehisfeeling。Underneathhisserenitytherewasadifferentorderofman。
\"Ireckonbothyourdadan’Jorthwentfertheirgunsatthesametime——anevenbreak。Butjestastheydrew，someoneshotariflefromthestore。Musthevbeenaforty—fiveseventy。Abiggun！Thebulletmusthavehityourdadlowdown，abootthemiddle。Heactedthetway，sinkin’
tohisknees。An’hewaswildinshootin’——sowildthethemusthevmissed。Thenhewabbled——an’Jorthruninadozensteps，shootin’fast，tillyourdadfellover……Jorthruncloser，bentoverhim，an’thenstraightenedupwithanApacheyell，ifIeverheerdone……An’thenJorthbackedslow——lookin’allthetime——backedtothestore，an’wentin。\"
Blue’svoiceceased。Jeanseemedsuddenlyreleasedfromanimpellingmagnetthatnowdroppedhimtosomenumb，dizzydepth。Blue’sleanfacegrewhazy。ThenJeanbowedhisheadinhishands，andsatthere，whileaslighttremorshookallhismusclesatonce。Hegrewdeathlycoldanddeathlysick。Thisparoxysmslowlyworeaway，andJeangrewconsciousofadullamazeattheapparentdeadnessofhisspirit。
Blaisdellplacedahuge，kindlyhandonhisshoulder。
\"Braceup，son！\"hesaid，withvoicenowclearandresonant。\"Shoreit’swhatyourdadexpected——an’whatweallmustlookfor……
Ifyuwasgoin’tokillJorthbefore——thinkhow————shorey’u’regoin’
tokillhimnow。\"
\"Blaisdell’stalkin’，\"putinBlue，andhisvoicehadacoldring。
\"LeeJorthwillneverseethesunriseag’in！\"
ThesecallstotheprimitiveinJean，totheIndian，werenotinvain。
Butevenso，whenthedarktideroseinhim，therewasstillahauntingconsciousnessofthecrueltyofthissingulardoomimposeduponhim。
StrangelyEllenJorth’sfacefloatedbackinthedepthsofhisvision，pale，fading，likethefaceofaspiritfloatingby。
\"Blue，\"saidBlaisdell，\"let’sgetIsbel’sbodysoonaswedare，an’buryit。Reckonwecan，rightafterdark。\"
\"Shore，\"repliedBlue。\"Buty’ufellarsfiggerthetout。I’mthinkin’
hard。I’vegotsomethin’onmymind。\"
Jeangrewfascinatedbythelooksandspeechandactionofthelittlegunman。Blue，indeed，hadsomethingonhismind。Anditbodedilltothemeninthatdarksquarestonehousedowntheroad。Hepacedtoandfrointheyard，backandforthonthepathtothegate，andthenheenteredthecabintostalkupanddown，fasterandfaster，untilallatoncehehaltedasifstruck，toupflinghisrightarminasingularfiercegesture。
\"Jean，callthemenin，\"hesaid，tersely。
Theyallfiledin，sinisterandsilent，witheagerfacesturnedtothelittleTexan。Hisdominanceshowedmarkedly。
Gordon，y’ustandinthedooran’keepyoureyepeeled，\"wentonBlue……Now，boys，listen！I’vethoughtitallout。Thisgameofmanhuntin’isthesametomeascattleraisin’istoy’u。An’mylifeinTexasallcomesbacktome，Ireckon，ingoodsteadferusnow。I’mgoin’tokillLeeJorth！Himfirst，an’mebbehisbrothers。IhadtothinkofagoodmanywaysbeforeIhitononeIreckonwillbeshore。
It’sgottobeSHORE。Jorthhasgottodie！Wal，heah’smyplan……
ThetJorthoutfitisdrinkin’some，wecangambleonit。They’renotgoin’toleavethetstore。An’ofcoursethey’llbeexpectin’ustostartafight。Ireckonthey’lllookfersomesuchsiegeastheyheldroundIsbel’sranch。Butweshoreain’tgoin’todothet。I’mgoin’
tosurprisethetoutfit。There’sonlyonemanamongthemwhoisdangerous，an’thet’sQueen。IknowQueen。Buthedoesn’tknowme。
An’I’mgoin’tofinishmyjobbeforehegetsacquaintedwithme。
Afterthet，allright！\"
Bluepausedamoment，hiseyesnarrowingdown，hiswholefacesettinginhardcastofintensepreoccupation，asifhevisualizedasceneofextraordinarynature。
\"Wal，what’syourtrick？\"demandedBlaisdell。
\"Y’uallknowGreaves’sstore，\"continuedBlue。\"Howthemwindershavewoodenshuttersthetkeepalightfromshowin’outside？Wal，I’mgamblin’
thetassoonasit’sdarkJorth’sgangwillbecelebratin。They’llbedrinkin’an’they’llhavealight，an’thewinderswillbeshut。They’renotgoin’toworrynoneabootus。Thetstoreislikeafort。Itwon’tburn。An’shorethey’dneverthinkofuschargin’theminthere。Wal，assoonasit’sdark，we’llgoroundbehindthelotsan’comeupjestacrosttheroadfromGreaves’s。Ireckonwe’dbetterleaveIsbelwherehelaystillthisfight’sover。Mebbey’u’llhavemore’nhimtobury。
We’llcrawlbehindthembushesinfrontofColeman’syard。An’heah’swhereJeancomesin。He’lltakeanax，an’hisguns，ofcourse，an’dosomeofhisInjunsneakin’roundtothebackofGreaves’sstore……
An’，Jean，y’umustdoaslickjobofthis。ButIreckonit’llbeeasyferyou。Backthereit’llbedarkaspitch，feranyonelookin’outofthestore。An’I’mfiggerin’y’ucantakeyourtimean’crawlrightup。
Nowify’udon’trememberhowGreaves’sbackyardlooksI’lltelly’u。\"
HereBluedroppedononekneetothefloorandwithafingerhetracedamapofGreaves’sbarnandfence，thebackdoorandwindow，andespeciallyabreakinthestonefoundationwhichledintoakindofcellarwhereGreavesstoredwoodandotherthingsthatcouldbeleftoutdoors。
\"Jean，Itakeparticularpainstoshowy’uwherethisholeis，\"saidBlue，\"becauseifthegangrunsouty’ucouldduckintherean’hide。
An’iftheyrunoutintotheyard——wal，y’u’dmakeitasorryrunferthem……Wal，wheny’u’vecrawledupclosetoGreaves’sbackdoor，an’waitedlongenoughtoseean’listen——thenyou’retorunfastan’
swingyouraxsmashag’in’thewinder。Takeaquickpeepinify’uwantto。Itmighthelp。Thenjumpquickan’takeaswingatthedoor。
Y’u’llbestandin’tooneside，soifthegangshootsthroughthedoortheywon’thity’u。Bangthetdoorgoodan’hard……Wal，now’swhereIcomein。Wheny’uswingthetaxI’llshorerunferthefrontofthestore。Jorthan’hisoutfitwillbesomeattentivetothetpoundin’ofyoursonthebackdoor。SoIreckon。An’they’llbelookin’thetway。I’llrunin——yell——an’throwmygunsonJorth。\"
\"Humph！Isthatall？\"ejaculatedBlaisdell。
\"Ireckonthet’sallan’I’mfiggerin’it’sahellofalot，\"respondedBlue，dryly。\"Thet’swhatJorthwillthink。\"
\"Wheredowecomein？\"
\"Wal，y’uallcanbackmeup，\"repliedBlue，dubiously。Y’usee，myplangoesasfaraskillin’Jorth——an’mebbehisbrothers。MebbeI’llgetacrackatQueen。ButI’llbeshoreofJorth。Afterthetalldepends。Mebbeit’llbeeasyfermetogetout。An’ifIdoy’ufellarswillknowitan’canfillthetstoreroomfullofbullets。\"
\"Wal，Blue，withallduerespecttoy’u，Ishoredon’tlikeyourplan，\"
declaredBlaisdell。\"Successdependsupontoomanylittlethingsanyoneofwhichmightgowrong。\"
\"Blaisdell，IreckonIknowthisheahgamebetterthany’u，\"repliedBlue。\"Agunfightergoesbyinstinct。Thistrickwillwork。\"
\"ButsupposethatfrontdoorofGreaves’sstoreisbarred，\"protestedBlaisdell。
\"Ithasn’tgotanybar，\"saidBlue。
\"Y’u’reshore？\"
\"Yes，Ireckon，\"repliedBlue。
\"Hell，man！Aren’ty’utakin’aterriblechance？\"queriedBlaisdell。
Blue’sanswertothatwasalookthatbroughtthebloodtoBlaisdell’sface。Onlythendidtherancherreallycomprehendhowthelittlegunmanhadtakensuchdesperatechancesbefore，andmeanttotakethemnow，notwithanyhopeorassuranceofescapingwithhislife，buttoliveuptohispeculiarcodeofhonor。
\"Blaisdell，didy’ueverheahofmeinTexas？\"hequeried，dryly。
\"Wal，no，Blue，Icain’tswearIdid，\"repliedtherancher，apologetically。\"An’Isbelwasalwayssortof’mysteriousaboothisacquaintancewithyou。\"
\"Myname’snotBlue。\"
\"Ahuh！Wal，whatisit，then——ifI’msafetoask？\"returnedBlaisdell，gruffly。
\"It’sKingFisher，\"repliedBlue。
TheshockthatstiffenedBlaisdellmusthavebeencommunicatedtotheothers。Jeancertainlyfeltamaze，andsomeotheremotionnotfullyrealized，whenhefoundhimselffacetofacewithoneofthemostnotoriouscharacterseverknowninTexas——anoutlawlongsupposedtobedead。
\"Men，IreckonI’dkeptmysecretifI’danyideeofcomin’outofthisIsbel—Jorthwaralive，\"saidBlue。\"ButI’mgoin’tocash。Ifeelitheah……Isbelwasmyfriend。Hesavedmefrombein’lynchedinTexas。An’soI’mgoin’tokillJorth。NowI’lltakeitkindofy’u——ifanyofy’ucomeoutofthisalive——totellwhoIwasan’whyIwasontheIsbelside。Becausethissheepan’cattlewar——thistalkofJorthan’theHashKnifeGang——itmakesme，sick。IKNOWthere’sbeencrookedworkonIsbel’sside，too。An’IneverwantitonrecordthetIkilledJorthbecausehewasarustler。\"
\"ByGod，Blue！it’slateinthedayforsuchtalk，\"burstoutBlaisdell，inrageandamaze。\"ButIreckony’uknowwhaty’u’retalkin’aboot……Wal，Ishoredon’twanttoheahit。\"
AtthisjunctureBillIsbelquietlyenteredthecabin，toolatetohearanyofBlue’sstatement。Jeanwaspositiveofthat，forasBluewasspeakingthoselastrevealingwordsBill’sheavybootshadresoundedonthegravelpathoutside。YetsomethinginBill’slookorinthewayBlueavertedhisleanfaceorintheentranceofBillatthatparticularmoment，orallthesetogether，seemedtoJeantoaddfurthermysterytothelongsecretcausesleadinguptotheJorth—Isbelwar。DidBillknowwhatBlueknew？Jeanhadaninklingthathedid。Andonthemoment，soperplexingandbitter，Jeangazedoutthedoor，downthedesertedroadtowherehisdeadfatherlay，white—hairedandghastlyinthesunlight。
\"Blue，youcouldhavekeptthattoyourself，aswellasyourrealname，\"
interposedJean，withbitterness。\"It’stoolatenowforeithertodoanygood……ButIappreciateyourfriendshipfordad，an’I’mreadytohelpcarryoutyourplan。\"
ThatdecisionofJean’sappearedtoputanendtoprotestorargumentfromBlaisdelloranyoftheothers。Blue’sfleetingdarksmilewasoneofsatisfaction。Thenuponmostofthisgroupofmenseemedtosettleagrimrestraint。Theywentoutandwalkedandwatched;theycameinagain，restlessandsomber。Jeanthoughtthathemusthavebenthisgazeathousandtimesdowntheroadtothetragicfigureofhisfather。Thatsightrousedallemotionsinhisbreast，andtheonethatstirredtheremostwaspity。Thepityofit！GastonIsbellyingfacedowninthedustofthevillagestreet！Patchesofbloodshowedonthebackofhisvestandonewhite—sleevedshoulder。Hehadbeenshotthrough。EverytimeJeansawthisbloodhehadtostifleagatheringofwild，savageimpulses。
Meanwhiletheafternoonhoursdraggedbyandthevillageremainedasifitsinhabitantshadabandonedit。Notevenadogshowedonthesideroad。Jorthandsomeofhismencameoutinfrontofthestoreandsatonthesteps，incloseconveninggroups。Everymovethey，madeseemedsignificantoftheirconfidenceandimportance。Aboutsunsettheywentbackintothestore，closingdoorandwindowshutters。ThenBlaisdellcalledtheIsbelfactiontohavefoodanddrink。Jeanfeltnohunger。AndBlue，whohadkeptapartfromtheothers，showednodesiretoeat。Neitherdidhesmoke，thoughearlyinthedayhehadneverbeenwithoutacigarettebetweenhislips。
Twilightfellanddarknesscame。Notalightshowedanywhereintheblackness。
\"Wal，Ireckonit’saboottime，\"saidBlue，andheledthewayoutofthecabintothebackofthelot。Jeanstrodebehindhim，carryinghisrifleandanax。Silentlytheothermenfollowed。Blueturnedtotheleftandledthroughthefielduntilhecamewithinsightofadarklineoftrees。
\"Thet’swheretheroadturnsoff，\"hesaidtoJean。\"An’heah’sthebackofColeman’splace……Wal，Jean，goodluck！\"
Jeanfeltthegripofasteel—likehand，andinthedarknesshecaughtthegleamofBlue’seyes。JeanhadnoresponseinwordsforthelaconicBlue，buthewrungthehard，thinhandandhurriedawayinthedarkness。
Oncealone，hispartofthebusinessathandrushedhimintoeagerthrillingaction。Thiswasthesortofworkhewasfittedtodo。
Inthisinstanceitwasimportant，butitseemedtohimthatBluehadcoollytakentheperilouspart。AndthiscowboywithgrayinhisthinhairwasinrealitythegreatKingFisher！Jeanmarveledatthefact。AndheshiveredalloverforJorth。Intenminutes——fifteen，moreorless，Jorthwouldliegaspingbloodyfrothandsinkingdown。
Somethinginthedark，lonely，silent，oppressivesummernighttoldJeanthis。Hestrodeonswiftly。Crossingtheroadatarun，hekeptonoverthegroundhehadtraversedduringtheafternoon，andinafewmomentshestoodbreathinghardattheedgeofthecommonbehindGreaves’sstore。
Apinpointoflightpenetratedtheblackness。ItmadeJean’sheartleap。TheJorthcontingentwereburningthebiglampthathunginthecenterofGreaves’sstore。Jeanlistened。Loudvoicesandcoarselaughtersoundeddiscordonthemelancholysilenceofthenight。WhatBluehadcalledhisinstincthadsurelyguidedhimaright。DeathofGastonIsbelwasbeingcelebratedbyrevel。
InafewmomentsJeanhadregainedhisbreath。Thenallhisfacultiessetintenselytotheactionathand。Heseemedtomagnifyhishearingandhissight。Hismovementsmadenosound。Hegainedthewagon，wherehecrouchedamoment。
Thegroundseemedapale，obscuremedium，hardlymorerealthanthegloomaboveit。Throughthisgloomofnight，whichlookedthicklikeacloud，butwasreallyclear，shonethethin，brightpointoflight，accentuatingtheblacksquarethatwasGreaves’sstore。Abovethisstoodagraylineoftreefoliage，andthentheintenselydark—blueskystuddedwithwhite，coldstars。
Ahoundbayedlonesomelysomewhereinthedistance。Voicesofmensoundedmoredistinctly，somedeepandlow，othersloud，unguarded，withthevacantnoteofthoughtlessness。
Jeangatheredallhisforces，untilsenseofsightandhearingwereinexquisiteaccordwiththesupplenessandlightnessofhismovements。