Colterandthemenwaitedonhersolicitously，andinsilence，nowandthenstealingfurtiveglancesatherfromundertheshadowoftheirblacksombreros。Thedarknightsettleddownlikeablanket。Therewerenostars。Thewindmoanedfitfullyamongthepines，andallaboutthatlonely，hiddenrecesswasinharmonywithEllen’sthoughts。
\"Girl，y’u’reshoregame，\"saidColter，admiringly。\"An’Ireckony’unevergotitfromtheJorths。\"
\"Tadinthere——he’sgame，\"saidQueen，inmildprotest。
\"Nottomynotion，\"repliedColter。\"Anymancanbegamewhenhe’scroakin’，withsomebodyaround……ButLeeJorthan’Jackson——theyalwayswasyellowcleartotheirgizzards。TheywasborninLouisiana——notTexas……Shorethey’renomoreTexansthanIam。Ellenheah，shemusthavegotanotherstraininherblood。
ToEllentheirwordshadnomeaning。Sheroseandasked，\"WherecanIsleep？\"
\"I’llfetchalightpresentlyan’y’ucanmakeyourbedintherebyTad，\"repliedColter。
\"Yes，I’dlikethat。\"
\"Wal，ify’ureckony’ucancoaxhimtotalkyou’reshorewrong，\"declaredColter，withthatcoldtimbreofvoicethatstrucklikesteelonEllen’snerves。\"Icussedhimgoodan’toldhimhe’dkeephismouthshut。Talkin’makeshimcoughan’thatfetchesuptheblood……Besides，IreckonI’mtheonetotelly’uhowyourdadan’unclegotkilled。Taddidn’tseeitdone，an’hewasbadhurtwhenithappened。Shoreallthefellarslefthavetheirideeabootit。
ButI’vegotitstraight。\"
\"Colter——tellmenow，\"criedEllen。
\"Wal，allright。Comeoverheah，\"hereplied，anddrewherawayfromthecampfire，outintheshadowofgloom。\"Poorkid！Ishorefeelbadabootit。\"Heputalongarmaroundherwaistanddrewheragainsthim。Ellenfeltit，yetdidnotofferanyresistance。Allherfacultiesseemedabsorbedinamorbidandsadanticipation。
\"Ellen，y’ushoreknowIalwayslovedy’u——nowdon’ty’u？\"heasked，withsuppressedbreath。
\"No，Colter。It’snewstome——an’notwhatIwanttoheah。\"
\"Wal，y’umayaswellheahitrightnow，\"hesaid。\"It’strue。
An’what’smore——yourdadgavey’utomebeforehedied。\"
\"What！Colter，y’umustbealiar。\"
\"Ellen，IswearI’mnotlyin’，\"hereturned，ineagerpassion。\"Iwaswithyourdadlastan’heardhimlast。HeshoreknewI’dlovedy’uforyears。An’hesaidhe’drathery’ubeleftinmycarethananybody’s。\"
\"Myfathergavemetoy’uinmarriage！\"ejaculatedEllen，inbewilderment。
Colter’sreadyassurancedidnotcarryhimoverthispoint。Itwasevidentthatherwordssomewhatsurprisedanddisconcertedhimforthemoment。
\"Toletmemarryarustler——oneoftheHashKnifeGang！\"exclaimedEllen，withwearyincredulity。
\"Wal，yourdadbelongedtoDaggs’sgang，sameasIdo，\"repliedColter，recoveringhiscoolardor。
\"No！\"criedEllen。
\"Yes，heshoredid，foryears，\"declaredColter，positively。
\"BackinTexas。An’itwasyourdadthatgotDaggstocometoArizona。\"
Ellentriedtoflingherselfaway。Butherstrengthandherspiritwereebbing，andColterincreasedthepressureofhisarm。Allatonceshesanklimp。Couldsheescapeherfate？Nothingseemedlefttofightwithorfor。
\"Allright——don’tholdme——sotight，\"shepanted。\"Nowtellmehowdadwaskilled……an’who——who——\"
Colterbentoversohecouldpeerintoherface。InthedarknessEllenjustcaughtthegleamofhiseyes。Shefeltthevirileforceofthemaninthestrainofhisbodyashepressedherclose。Itallseemedunreal——ahideousdream——thegloom，themoanofthewind，theweirdsolitude，andthisrustlerwithhandandwilllikecoldsteel。
\"We’dcomebacktoGreaves’sstore，\"Colterbegan。\"An’asGreaveswasdaidweallgotfreewithhisliquor。Shoresomeofusgotdrunk。
Brucewasdrunk，an’Tadinthere——hewasdrunk。Yourdadputawaymore’nIeverseenhim。Butshorehewasn’texactlydrunk。Hegotoneofthemweakan’shakyspells。Hecriedan’hewantedsomeofustogettheIsbelstocalloffthefightin’……Heshorewasreadytocallitquits。Ireckonthekillin’ofDaggs——an’thentheawfulwayGreaveswascutupbyJeanIsbel——tookallthefightoutofyourdad。Hesaidtome，’Colter，we’lltakeEllenan’leavethisheahcountry——an’beginlifealloveragain——wherenooneknowsus。’\"
\"Oh，didhereallysaythat？……Didhe——reallymeanit？\"murmuredEllen，withasob。
\"I’llswearitbythememoryofmydaidmother，\"protestedColter。
\"Wal，whennightcometheIsbelsrodedownonusinthedarkan’begantoshoot。Theysmashedinthedoor——triedtoburnusout——an’holleredaroundforawhile。Thentheyleftan’wereckonedthere’dbenomoretroublethatnight。Allthesamewekeptwatch。Iwasthesoberestonean’Ibossedthegang。Wehadsomequarrelsabootthedrinkin’。Yourdadsaidifwekeptitupit’dbetheendoftheJorths。An’heplannedtosendwordtotheIsbelsnextmawnin’thathewasreadyforatruce。
An’IwastogofixitupwithGastonIsbel。Wal，yourdadwenttobedinGreaves’sroom，an’alittlewhilelateryouruncleJacksonwentinthere，too。Someofthemenlaiddowninthestorean’wenttosleep。
Ikeptguardtillabootthreeinthemawnin’。An’IgotsosleepyI
couldn’tholdmyeyesopen。SoIwakedupWellsan’Slateran’setthemonguard，oneateachendofthestore。ThenIlaiddownonthecountertotakeanap。\"
Colter’slowvoice，thestrainandbreathlessnessofhim，theagitationwithwhichheappearedtobelaboring，andespeciallythesimple，matter—of—factdetailofhisstory，carriedabsoluteconvictiontoEllenJorth。Hervaguedoubtofhimhadbeencreatedbyhisattitudetowardher。Emotiondominatedherintelligence。Theimages，thescenescalledupbyColter’swords，wereastrueasthegloomofthewildgulchandthelonelinessofthenightsolitude——astrueasthestrangefactthatshelaypassiveinthearmofarustler。
\"Wall，afterawhileIwokeup，\"wentonColter，clearinghisthroat。
\"Itwasgraydawn。Allwasasstillasdeath……An’somethin’shorewaswrong。Wellsan’Slaterhadgottodrinkin’againan’nowlaiddaiddrunkorasleep。Anyways，whenIkickedthemtheynevermoved。ThenI
heardamoan。Itcamefromtheroomwhereyourdadan’unclewas。I
wentin。Itwasjustlightenoughtosee。YouruncleJacksonwaslayin’
onthefloor——cuthalfintwo——daidasadoornail……Yourdadlayonthebed。Hewasalive，breathin’hislast……Hesays，’Thathalf—breedIsbel——knifedus——whileweslept！’……Thewindershutterwasopen。IseenwhereJeanIsbelhadcomeinan’goneout。Iseenhismoccasintracksinthedirtoutsidean’Iseenwherehe’dsteppedinJackson’sbloodan’trackedittothewinder。Y’ushorecanseethembloodytracksyourself，ify’ugobacktoGreaves’sstore……
Yourdadwasgoin’fast……Hesaid，’Colter——takecareofEllen，’
an’Ireckonhemeantalotbythat。Hekeptsayin’，’MyGod！ifI’donlyseenGastonIsbelbeforeitwastoolate！’an’thenheravedalittle，whisperin’outofhishaid……An’afterthathedied……
Iwokeupthemen，an’abootsunupwecarriedyourdadan’uncleoutoftownan’buriedthem……An’themIsbelsshotatuswhilewewereburyin’ourdaid！That’swhereTadgothishurt……ThenwehitthetrailforJorth’sranch……Annow，Ellen，that’sallmystory。
Yourdadwasreadytoburythehatchetwithhisoldenemy。An’thatNezPerceJeanIsbel，likethesneakin’savageheis，murderedyourunclean’yourdad……Cuthimhorrible——madehimsuffertorturesofhell——allforIsbelrevenge！\"
WhenColter’shuskyvoiceceasedEllenwhisperedthroughlipsascoldandstillasice，\"Letmego……leaveme——heah——alone！\"
\"Why，shore！IreckonIunderstand，\"repliedColter。\"Ihatedtotelly’u。Buty’uhadtoheahthetruthabootthathalf—breed……
I’llcarryyourpackinthecabinan’unrollyourblankets。\"
Releasingher，Colterstrodeoffinthegloom。Likeadeadweight，Ellenbegantoslideuntilsheslippeddownfulllengthbesidethelog。
Andthenshelayinthecool，dampshadow，inertandlifelesssofarasoutwardphysicalmovementwasconcerned。Shesawnothingandfeltnothingofthenight，thewind，thecold，thefallingdew。Forthemomentorhourshewascrushedbydespair，andseemedtoseeherselfsinkingdownanddownintoablack，bottomlesspit，intoanabysswheremurkytidesofbloodandfuriousgustsofpassioncontendedbetweenherbodyandhersoul。Intothestormyblastofhell！Inherdespairshelonged，sheachedfordeath。Bornofinfidelity，cursedbyataintofevilblood，furthercursedbyhigherinstinctforgoodandhappylife，draggedfromonelonelyandwildandsordidspottoanother，neverknowingloveorpeaceorjoyorhome，lefttothecompanionshipofviolentandvilemen，drivenbyastrangefatetolovewithunquenchableandinsupportablelovea’half—breed，asavage，anIsbel，thehereditaryenemyofherpeople，andatlastthe。ruthlessmurdererofherfather——
whatinthenameofGodhadshelefttolivefor？Revenge！Aneyeforaneye！Alifeforalife！ButshecouldnotkillJeanIsbel。
Woman’slovecouldturntohate，butnottheloveofEllenJorth。
Hecoulddragherbythehairinthedust，beather，andmakeherathingtoloathe，andcuthermortallyinhissavageandimplacablethirstforrevenge——butwithherlastgaspshewouldwhispershelovedhimandthatshehadliedtohimtokillhisfaith。Itwasthat——hisstrangefaithinherpurity——whichhadwonherlove。Ofallmen，thatheshouldbetheonetorecognizethetruthofher，thewomanhoodyetunsullied——howstrange，howterrible，howoverpowering！False，indeed，wasshetotheJorths！FalseashermotherhadbeentoanIsbel！
ThisagonyanddestructionofhersoulwasthebitterDeadSeafruit——thesinsofherparentsvisiteduponher。
\"I’llenditall，\"shewhisperedtothenightshadowsthathoveredoverher。Nocowardwasshe——nofearofpainormangledfleshordeathorthemysterioushereaftercouldeverstayher。Itwouldbeeasy，itwouldbealastthrill，atransportofself—abasementandsupremeself—proofofherloveforJeanIsbeltokisstheRimrockwherehisfeethadtrodandthenflingherselfdownintothedepths。ShewasthelastJorth。SothewrongedIsbelswouldbeavenged。
\"Buthewouldneverknow——neverknow——Iliedtohim！\"shewailedtothenightwind。
Shewaslost——lostonearthandtohopeofheaven。Shehadrightneithertolivenortodie。Shewasnothingbutalittleweedalongthetrailoflife，trampledupon，buriedinthemud。Shewasnothingbutasinglerottenthreadinatangledwebofloveandhateandrevenge。
Andshehadbroken。
Lowerandlowersheseemedtosink。Wastherenoendtothisgulfofdespair？IfColterhadreturnedhewouldhavefoundheraragandatoy——acreaturedegraded，fitforhisvileembrace。Tobethrustdeeperintothemire——tobepunishedfittinglyforherbetrayalofaman’snobleloveandherownwomanhood——tobemadeanendof，body，mind，andsoul。
ButColterdidnotreturn。
Thewindmourned，theowlshooted，theleavesrustled，theinsectswhisperedtheirmelancholynightsong，thecamp—fireflickeredandfaded。
ThenthewildforestlandseemedtocloseimponderablyoverEllen。Allthatshewailedinherdeapair，allthatsheconfessedinherabasement，wastrue，andhardaslifecouldbe——butshebelongedtonature。Ifnaturehadnotfailedher，hadGodfailedher？Itwasthere——thelonelylandoftreeandfernandflowerandbrook，fullofwildbirdsandbeasts，wherethemossyrockscouldspeakandthesolitudehadears，whereshehadalwaysfeltherselfunutterablyapartofcreation。Thusawaveringsparkofhopequiveredthroughtheblacknessofhersoulandgatheredlight。
Thegloomofthesky，theshiftingcloudsofdullshade，splitasundertoshowaglimpseofaradiantstar，piercinglywhite，cold，pure，asteadfasteyeoftheuniverse，beyondallunderstandingandillimitablewithitsmeaningofthepastandthepresentandthefuture。Ellenwatchedituntilthedriftingcloudsoncemorehiditfromherstrainedsight。
Whathadthatstartodowithhell？Shemightbecrushedanddestroyedbylife，butwastherenotsomethingbeyond？Justtobeborn，justtosuffer，justtodie——couldthatbeall？DespairdidnotlooseitsholdonEllen，thestrifeandpangofherbreastdidnotsubside。Butwiththelonghoursandthestrangeclosinginoftheforestaroundherandthefleetingglimpseofthatwonderfulstar，withasubtledivinationofthemeaningofherbeatingheartandthrobbingmind，and，lastly，withavoicethunderingatherconsciencethataman’sfaithinawomanmustnotbegreater，nobler，thanherfaithinGodandeternity——withtheseshecheckedthedarkflightofhersoultowarddestruction。
CHAPTERXII
Achill，gray，somberdawnwasbreakingwhenEllendraggedherselfintothecabinandcreptunderherblankets，theretosleepthesleepofexhaustion。
Whensheawokethehourappearedtobelateafternoon。Sunandskyshonethroughthesunkenanddecayedroofoftheoldcabin。Heruncle，TadJorth，layuponablanketbedupheldbyacrudecouchofboughs。
Thelightfelluponhisface，pale，lined，castinastillmoldofsuffering。Hewasnotdead，forsheheardhisrespiration。
ThefloorunderneathEllen’sblanketswasbareclay。SheandJorthwerealoneinthiscabin。Itcontainednothingbesidestheirbedsandarankgrowthofweedsalongthedecayedlowerlogs。Halfofthecabinhadarudeceilingofrough—hewnboardswhichformedakindofloft。
Thisatticextendedthroughtotheadjoiningcabin，formingtheceilingoftheporch—likespacebetweenthetwostructures。Therewasnopartition。Aladderoftwoaspensaplings，peggedtothelogs，andwithbracesbetweenforsteps，leduptotheattic。
Ellensmelledwoodsmokeandtheodoroffryingmeat，andsheheardthevoicesofmen。ShelookedouttoseethatSlaterandSomershadjoinedtheirparty——anadditionthatmighthavestrengtheneditfordefense，butdidnotlendherownsituationanythingfavorable。Somershadalwaysappearedtheonebesttoavoid。
Colterespiedherandcalledherto\"Comean’feedyourpaleface。\"
Hiscomradeslaughed，notloudly，butguardedly，asifnoisewassomethingtoavoid。Nevertheless，theyawokeTadJorth，whobegantotossandmoanonthebed。
Ellenhurriedtohissideandatonceascertainedthathehadahighfeverandwasinacriticalcondition。Everytimehetossedheopenedawoundinhisrightbreast，ratherhighup。Forallshecouldsee，nothinghadbeendoneforhimexceptthebindingofascarfroundhisneckandunderhisarm。Thisscantbandagehadworkedloose。Goingtothedoor，shecalledout:
\"Fetchmesomewater。\"WhenColterbroughtit，Ellenwasrummaginginherpackforsomeclothingortowelthatshecoulduseforbandages。
\"Weren’tanyofy’udecentenoughtolookaftermyuncle？\"shequeried。
\"Huh！Wal，whatthehell！\"rejoinedColter。\"Weshoredidallwecould。
Ireckony’uthinkitwasn’tatoughjobtopackhimuptheRim。Hewasdoneforthenan’Isaidso。\"
\"I’lldoallIcanforhim，\"saidEllen。
\"Shore。Goahaid。WhenIgetpluggedorknifedbythathalf—breedIshorehopey’u’llberoundtonurseme。\"
\"Y’useemtobeprettyshoreofyourfate，Colter。\"
\"Shoreashell！\"hebitout，darkly。\"SomerssawIsbelan’hisgangtrailin’ustotheJorthranch。\"
\"Arey’ugoin’tostayheah——an’waitforthem？\"
\"ShoreI’vebeenquarrelin’withthefellarsoutthereoverthatveryquestion。I’mforleavin’thecountry。ButQueen，thedamngunfighter，isdaidsettokillthatcowman，Blue，whosworehewasKingFisher，theoldTexasoutlaw。NonebutQueenarespoilin’foranotherfight。
Allthesametheywon’tleaveTadJorthheahalone。\"
ThenColterleanedinatthedoorandwhispered:\"Ellen，Icain’tbossthisoutfit。Solet’sy’uan’meshake’em。I’vegotyourdad’sgold。
Let’srideoffto—nightan’shakethiscountry。\"
Colter，mutteringunderhisbreath，leftthedoorandreturnedtohiscomrades。Ellenhadreceivedherfirstintimationofhiscowardice;
andhismentionofherfather’sgoldstartedatrainofthoughtthatpersistedinspiteofhereffortstoputallhermindtoattendingheruncle。Hegrewconsciousenoughtorecognizeherworkingoverhim，andthankedherwithalookthattouchedEllendeeply。Itchangedthedirectionofhermind。Hissufferingandimminentdeath，whichshewasabletoalleviateandretardsomewhat，workeduponherpityandcompassionsothatsheforgotherownplight。Halfthenightshewastendinghim，coolinghisfever，holdinghimquiet。Wellsherealizedthatbutforherministrationshewouldhavedied。Atlengthhewenttosleep。
AndEllen，sittingbesidehiminthelonely，silentdarknessofthatlatehour，receivedagaintheintimationofnature，thosevagueandnamelessstirringsofherinnermostbeing，thosewhisperingsoutofthenightandtheforestandthesky。Somethinggreatwouldnotletgoofhersoul。Shepondered。
AttentiontothewoundedmanoccupiedEllen;andsoonsheredoubledheractivitiesinthisregard，findinginthemsomethingofprotectionagainstColter。
Hehadwaylaidherasshewenttoaspringforwater，andwithalungelikethatofabearhehadtriedtoembraceher。ButEllenhadbeentooquick。
\"Wal，arey’ugoin’awaywithme？\"hedemanded。
\"No。I’llstickbymyuncle，\"shereplied。
Thatmotiveofhersseemedtoobstructhiswill。EllenwaskeentoseethatColterandhiscomradeswereatalaststandanddisintegratingunderaseverestrain。Nerveandcourageoftheopenandthewildtheypossessed，butonlyinalimiteddegree。Colterseemedobsessedbyhispassionforher，andthoughElleninherstubbornpridedidnotyetfearhim，sherealizedsheoughtto。Afterthatincidentshewatchedclosely，neverleavingheruncle’sbedsideexceptwhenColterwasabsent。Oneormoreofthemenkeptconstantlookoutsomewheredownthecanyon。
Dayafterdaypassedonthewingsofsuspense，ofwatching，ofministeringtoheruncle，ofwaitingforsomehourthatseemedfixed。
Colterwaslikeahounduponhertrail。Ateveryturnhewastheretoimportunehertorunoffwithhim，tofrightenherwiththemenaceoftheIsbels，tobeghertogiveherselftohim。Itcametopassthattheonlyreliefshehadwaswhensheatewiththemenorbarredthecabindooratnight。Notmuchrelief，however，wasthereintheshutandbarreddoor。WithonethrustofhispowerfularmColtercouldhavecaveditin。HeknewthisaswellasEllen。Stillshedidnothavethefearsheshouldhavehad。Therewasherriflebesideher，andthoughshedidnotallowhermindtorundarklyonitspossibleuse，stillthefactofitsbeingthereathandsomehowstrengthenedher。
Colterwasacatplayingwithamouse，butnotyetsureofhisquarry。
Ellencametoknowhourswhenshewasweak——weakphysically，mentally，spiritually，morally——whenunderthesheerweightofthisfrightfulandgrowingburdenofsuspenseshewasnotcapableoffightinghermisery，herabasement，herlowebbofvitality，andatthesametimewhollywithstandingColter’sadvances。
Hewouldcomeintothecabinand，utterlyindifferenttoTadJorth，hewouldtrytomakeboldandunrestrainedlovetoEllen。Whenhecaughtherinoneofherunresistingmomentsandwasabletoholdherinhisarmsandkissherheseemedtobebesidehimselfwiththewonderofher。Atsuchmoments，ifhehadanysoftnessorgentlenessinhim，theyexpressedthemselvesinhissoonerorlaterlettinghergo，whenapparentlyshewasabouttofaint。SoitmusthavebecomefascinatinglyfixedinColter’smindthatattimesEllenrepulsedhimwithscornandatotherscouldnotresisthim。
Ellenhadescapedtwocrisesinherrelationwiththisman，andasamorbiddoubt，likeapoisonousfungus，begantostranglehermind，sheinstinctivelydivinedthattherewasanapproachingandfinalcrisis。Noupliftofherspiritcamethistime——nointimations——nowhisperings。Howhorribleitallwas！Tolongtobegoodandnoble——torealizethatshewasneither——tosinklowerdaybyday！Mustshedecaytherelikeoneoftheserottinglogs？Worstofall，then，wastheinsinuatingandever—growinghopelessness。Whatwastheuse？
Whatdiditmatter？WhowouldeverthinkofEllenJorth？\"OGod！\"
shewhisperedinherdistraction，\"istherenothingleft——nothingatall？\"
AperiodofseveraldaysoflesstormenttoEllenfollowed。HeruncleapparentlytookaturnforthebetterandColterletheralone。ThislastcircumstancenonplusedEllen。ShewasatalosstounderstanditunlesstheIsbelmenacenowencroacheduponColtersoformidablythathehadforgottenherforthepresent。
ThenonebrightAugustmorning，whenshehadjustbeguntorelaxhereternalvigilanceandbreathewithoutoppression，Colterencounteredherand，darklysilentandfierce，hegraspedheranddrewheroffherfeet。Ellenstruggledviolently，butthetotalsurprisehaddeprivedherofstrength。Andthatparalyzingweaknessassailedherasneverbefore。WithoutapparenteffortColtercarriedher，stridingrapidlyawayfromthecabinsintotheborderofsprucetreesatthefootofthecanyonwall。
\"Colter——where——oh，whereareY’utakin’me？\"shefoundvoicetocryout。
\"ByGod！Idon’tknow，\"hereplied，withstrong，vibrantpassion。
\"Iwasafoolnottocarryy’uofflongago。ButIwaited。Iwashopin’y’u’dloveme！……An’nowthatIsbelganghascorralledus。
Somersseenthehalf—breedupontherocks。An’Springerseentherestofthemsneakin’around。Irunbackaftermyhorsean’y’u。\"
\"ButUncleTad！……Wemustn’tleavehimalone，\"criedEllen。
\"We’vegotto，\"repliedColter，grimly。\"Tadshorewon’tworryy’unomore——soonasJeanIsbelgetstohim。\"
\"Oh，letmestay，\"imploredEllen。\"Iwillsavehim。\"
Colterlaughedattheutterabsurdityofherappealandclaim。
Suddenlyhesetherdownuponherfeet。\"Standstill，\"heordered。
Ellensawhisbigbayhorse，saddled，withpackandblanket，tiedthereintheshadeofaspruce。WithswifthandsColteruntiedhimandmountedhim，scarcelymovinghispiercinggazefromEllen。Hereachedtograspher。\"Upwithy’u！……Putyourfootinthestirrup！\"Hiswill，likehispowerfularm，wasirresistibleforEllenatthatmoment。Shefoundherselfswungupbehindhim。Thenthehorseplungedaway。WhatwiththehardmotionandColter’sirongrasponherEllenwasinapainfulposition。Herkneesandfeetcameintoviolentcontactwithbranchesandsnags。Hegallopedthehorse，tearingthroughthedensethicketofwillowsthatservedtohidetheentrancetothesidecanyon，andwhenoutinthelargerandmoreopencanyonheurgedhimtoarun。PresentlywhenColterputthehorsetoaslowriseofground，therebybringinghimtoawalk，itwasjustintimetosaveEllenaseriousbruising。Againthesunlightappearedtoshadeover。
Theywereinthepines。SuddenlywithbackwardlungeColterhaltedthehorse。Ellenheardayell。SherecognizedQueen’svoice。
\"Turnback，Colter！Turnback！\"
WithanoathColterwheeledhismount。\"IfIdidn’trunplumpintothem，\"heejaculated，harshly。Andscarcelyhadthegoadedhorsegottenastartwhenashotrangout。Ellenfeltaviolentshock，asifhermomentumhadsuddenlymetwithacheck，andthenshefeltherselfwrenchedfromColter，fromthesaddle，andpropelledintotheair。
Shealightedonsoftgroundandthickgrass，andwasunhurtsavefortheviolentwrenchandshakingthathadrenderedherbreathless。BeforeshecouldriseColterwaspullingather，liftinghertoherfeet。Shesawthehorselyingwithbloodyhead。Tallpinesloomedallaround。
Anotherriflecracked。\"Run！\"hissedColter，andheboundedoff，draggingherbythehand。Anotheryellpealedout。\"Hereweare，Colter！\"。AgainitwasQueen’sshrillvoice。Ellenranwithallhermight，herheartinherthroat，hersightfailingtorecordmorethanablurofpassingpinesandablankgreenwallofspruce。Thenshelostherbalance，wasfalling，yetcouldnotfallbecauseofthatsteelgriponherhand，andwasdragged，andfinallycarried，intoadenseshade。Shewasblinded。Thetreeswhirledandfaded。Voicesandshotssoundedfaraway。Thensomethingblackseemedtobewipedacrossherfeeling。
Itturnedtogray，tomovingblankness，todim，hazyobjects，spectralandtall，likeblanketedtrees，andwhenEllenfullyrecoveredconsciousnessshewasbeingcarriedthroughtheforest。
\"Wal，littleone，thatwasacloseshavefory’u，\"saidColter’shardvoice，growingclearer。\"Reckonyourkeelin’overwasnaturalenough。\"
Heheldherlightlyinbotharms，herheadrestingabovehisleftelbow。
Ellensawhisfaceasagrayblur，thentakingsharperoutline，untilitstoodoutdistinctly，paleandclammy，witheyescoldandwonderfulintheirintenseflare。AsshegazedupwardColterturnedhisheadtolookbackthroughthewoods，andhismotionbetrayedakeen，wildvigilance。Theveinsofhislean，brownneckstoodoutlikewhipcords。
Twocomradeswerestalkingbesidehim。Ellenheardtheirstealthysteps，andshefeltColtersheerfromonesideortheother。Theywereproceedingcautiously，fearfuloftherear，butnotwhollytrustingtothefore。
\"Reckonwe’dbettergoslowan’lookbeforeweleap，\"saidonewhosevoiceEllenrecognizedasSpringer’s。
\"Shore。Thatopenslopeain’ttomylikin’，withourNezPercefriendprowlin’round，\"drawledColter，ashesetEllendownonherfeet。
Anotheroftherustlerslaughed。\"Say，can’thetwinklethroughtheforest？Ihadfourshotsathim。Hardertohitthanaturkeyrunnin’
crossways。\"
Thisfacetiousspeakerwastheevil—visaged，sardonicSomers。
Hecarriedtworiflesandworetwobeltsofcartridges。
\"Ellen，shorey’uain’tsodaidwhiteasy’uwas，\"observedColter，andhechuckedherunderthechinwithfamiliarhand。\"Setdownheah。
Idon’twanty’ustoppin’anybullets。An’there’snotellin’。\"
Ellenwasgladtocomplywithhiswish。Shehadbeguntorecoverwitsandstrength，yetshestillfeltshaky。Sheobservedthattheirpositionthenwasontheedgeofawell—woodedslopefromwhichshecouldseethegrassycanyonfloorbelow。Theywereonalevelbench，projectingoutfromthemaincanyonwallthatloomedgrayandruggedandpinefringed。
SomersandCotterandSpringergavecarefulattentiontoallpointsofthecompass，especiallyinthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome。
Theyevidentlyanticipatedbeingtrailedorcircledorheadedoff，butdidnotmanifestmuchconcern。Somerslitacigarette;Springerwipedhisfacewithagrimyhandandcountedtheshellsinhisbelt，whichappearedtobehalfempty。Colterstretchedhislongnecklikeavultureandpeereddowntheslopeandthroughtheaislesoftheforestuptowardthecanyonrim。
\"Listen！\"hesaid，tersely，andbenthisheadalittletooneside，eartotheslightbreeze。