CHAPTERI
JustafterpassingCaraher’ssaloon，ontheCountyRoadthatransouthfromBonneville，andthatdividedtheBrodersonranchfromthatofLosMuertos，PresleywassuddenlyawareofthefaintandprolongedblowingofasteamwhistlethatheknewmustcomefromtherailroadshopsnearthedepotatBonneville。Instartingoutfromtheranchhousethatmorning，hehadforgottenhiswatch，andwasnowperplexedtoknowwhetherthewhistlewasblowingfortwelveorforoneo’clock。Hehopedtheformer。Earlythatmorninghehaddecidedtomakealongexcursionthroughtheneighbouringcountry，partlyonfootandpartlyonhisbicycle，andnownoonwascomealready，andasyethehadhardlystarted。
Ashewasleavingthehouseafterbreakfast，Mrs。DerrickhadaskedhimtogoforthemailatBonneville，andhehadnotbeenabletorefuse。
Hetookafirmerholdofthecorkgripsofhishandlebars——theroadbeinginawretchedconditionaftertherecenthaulingofthecrop——andquickenedhispace。Hetoldhimselfthat，nomatterwhatthetimewas，hewouldnotstopforluncheonattheranchhouse，butwouldpushontoGuadalajaraandhaveaSpanishdinneratSolotari’s，ashehadoriginallyplanned。
Therehadnotbeenmuchofacroptohaulthatyear。HalfofthewheatontheBrodersonranchhadfailedentirely，andDerrickhimselfhadhardlyraisedmorethanenoughtosupplyseedforthewinter’ssowing。Butsuchlittlehaulingastherehadbeenhadreducedtheroadsthereaboutstoalamentablecondition，and，duringthedryseasonofthepastfewmonths，thelayerofdusthaddeepenedandthickenedtosuchanextentthatmorethanoncePresleywasobligedtodismountandtrudgealongonfoot，pushinghisbicycleinfrontofhim。
ItwasthelasthalfofSeptember，theveryendofthedryseason，andallTulareCounty，allthevastreachesoftheSanJoaquinValley——infactallSouthCentralCalifornia，wasbonedry，parched，andbakedandcrispedafterfourmonthsofcloudlessweather，whenthedayseemedalwaysatnoon，andthesunblazedwhitehotoverthevalleyfromtheCoastRangeinthewesttothefoothillsoftheSierrasintheeast。
AsPresleydrewneartothepointwherewhatwasknownastheLowerRoadstruckoffthroughtheRanchodeLosMuertos，leadingontoGuadalajara，hecameupononeofthecountywatering-tanks，agreat，iron-hoopedtowerofwood，straddlingclumsilyonitsfouruprightsbytheroadside。Sincethedayofitscompletion，thestorekeepersandretailersofBonnevillehadpaintedtheiradvertisementsuponit。Itwasalandmark。Inthatreachoflevelfields，thewhitelettersuponitcouldbereadformiles。
Awatering-troughstoodnearby，and，ashewasverythirsty，Presleyresolvedtostopforamomenttogetadrink。
Hedrewabreastofthetankandhaltedthere，leaninghisbicycleagainstthefence。Acoupleofmeninwhiteoverallswererepaintingthesurfaceofthetank，seatedonswingingplatformsthathungbyhooksfromtheroof。Theywerepaintingasign——anadvertisement。Itwasallbutfinishedandread，S。Behrman，RealEstate，Mortgages，MainStreet，Bonneville，OppositethePostOffice。Onthehorse-troughthatstoodintheshadowofthetankwasanotherfreshlypaintedinscription：S。BehrmanHasSomethingToSayToYou。
AsPresleystraightenedupafterdrinkingfromthefaucetatoneendofthehorse-trough，thewatering-cartitselflabouredintoviewaroundtheturnoftheLowerRoad。Twomulesandtwohorses，whitewithdust，strainedleisurelyinthetraces，movingatasnail’space，theirlimpearsmarkingthetime。whileperchedhighupontheseat，underayellowcottonwagonumbrella，PresleyrecognisedHooven，oneofDerrick’stenants，aGerman，whomeveryonecalledBismarck，anexcitablelittlemanwithaperpetualgrievanceandanendlessflowofbrokenEnglish。
Hello，Bismarck，saidPresley，asHoovenbroughthisteamtoastandstillbythetank，preparatorytorefilling。
YoostdermenIlookfor，Mist’rPraicely，criedtheother，twistingthereinsaroundthebrake。Yoostoneminute，youwait，hey？Iwantatalkmityou。
Presleywasimpatienttobeonhiswayagain。Alittlemoretimewasted，andthedaywouldbelost。Hehadnothingtodowiththemanagementoftheranch，andifHoovenwantedanyadvicefromhim，itwassomuchbreathwasted。Theseuncouthbrutesoffarmhandsandpettyranchers，grimedwiththesoiltheyworkedupon，wereodioustohimbeyondwords。Nevercouldhefeelinsympathywiththem，norwiththeirlives，theirways，theirmarriages，deaths，bickerings，andallthemonotonousroundoftheirsordidexistence。
Well，youmustbequickaboutit，Bismarck，heansweredsharply。I’mlatefordinner，asitis。
Soh，now。Twominuten，undIbemityou。Hedrewdowntheoverhangingspoutofthetanktotheventinthecircumferenceofthecartandpulledthechainthatletoutthewater。Thenheclimbeddownfromtheseat，jumpingfromthetireofthewheel，andtakingPresleybythearmledhimafewstepsdowntheroad。
Say，hebegan。Say，Iwanttohefsomeconverzationsmityou。
YoostdermenIwanttosee。Say，Caraher，hetolemedismorgen——say，hetolemeMist’rDerrickgowuntofarmderwholedemnrenchhisselufdernextyahr。Nomoretenants。Say，Caraher，hetolemealldertenantsgetdersach。Mist’rDerrickgowuntoworkderwholedemnrenchhisseluf，hey？ME，Igetdersachalzoh，hey？Youhefhearaboutdoseting？Say，me，Ihefonderranchbeensiebenyahr——sevenyahr。DoIalzoh——
You’llhavetoseeDerrickhimselforHarranaboutthat，Bismarck，interruptedPresley，tryingtodrawaway。That’ssomethingoutsideofmeentirely。
ButHoovenwasnottobeputoff。Nodoubthehadbeenmeditatinghisspeechallthemorning，formulatinghiswords，preparinghisphrases。
Say，no，no，hecontinued。Me，Iwantastaybeiderplace。
sevenyahrIhefstay。Mist’rDerrick，hedoandwantdotI
shouldbege-sacked。Who，den，willderditchge-tend？Say，youtell’umBismarckhefgottasurestaybeiderplace。Say，youhefderpullmitderGovernor。Youspeakdergutwordforme。
Harranisthemanthathasthepullwithhisfather，Bismarck，
answeredPresley。YougetHarrantospeakforyou，andyou’reallright。
SiebenyahrIhefstay，protestedHooven，andwhowillderditchge-tend，undalledemcettlesdrive？
Well，Harran’syourman，answeredPresley，preparingtomounthisbicycle。
Say，youhefhearaboutdoseting？
Idon’thearaboutanything，Bismarck。Idon’tknowthefirstthingabouthowtheranchisrun。
UNDDERPIPE-LINEGE-MEND，Hoovenburstout，suddenlyrememberingaforgottenargument。Hewavedanarm。Ach，derpipe-linebeiderMissionGreek，undderwaater-holefordosecettles。Say，hedoanddooutHIMSELLUF，berhaps，Idoandtink。
Well，talktoHarranaboutit。
Say，hedoandfarmderwholedemnrenchbeihisseluf。Me，I
gottastay。
Butonasuddenthewaterinthecartgushedoverthesidesfromtheventinthetopwithasmartsoundofsplashing。Hoovenwasforcedtoturnhisattentiontoit。Presleygothiswheelunderway。
IhefsomeconverzationsmitHerran，Hoovencalledafterhim。
Hedoanddooutbeihisseluf，den，Mist’rDerrick。ach，no。I
staybeiderrenchtodrivedosecettles。
Heclimbedbacktohisseatunderthewagonumbrella，and，ashestartedhisteamagainwithgreatcracksofhislongwhip，turnedtothepaintersstillatworkuponthesignanddeclaredwithsomedefiance：
Siebenyahr。yais，sir，seibenyahrIhefbeenondisrench。
Gitoop，youmuleyou，hoop！
MeanwhilePresleyhadturnedintotheLowerRoad。HewasnowonDerrick’sland，divisionNo。I，or，asitwascalled，theHomeranch，ofthegreatLosMuertosRancho。Theroadwasbetterhere，thedustlaidafterthepassageofHooven’swatering-cart，and，inafewminutes，hehadcometotheranchhouseitself，withitswhitepicketfence，itsfewflowerbeds，andgroveofeucalyptustrees。Onthelawnatthesideofthehouse。hesawHarranintheactofsettingouttheautomaticsprinkler。Intheshadeofthehouse，bytheporch，weretwoorthreeofthegreyhounds，partofthepackthatwereusedtohuntdownjack-
rabbits，andGodfrey，Harran’sprizedeerhound。
PresleywheeledupthedrivewayandmetHarranbythehorse-
block。HarranwasMagnusDerrick’syoungestson，averywell-
lookingyoungfellowoftwenty-threeortwenty-five。Hehadthefinecarriagethatmarkedhisfather，andstillfurtherresembledhiminthathehadtheDerricknose——hawk-likeandprominent，suchasoneseesinthelaterportraitsoftheDukeofWellington。Hewasblond，andincessantexposuretothesunhad，insteadoftanninghimbrown，merelyheightenedthecolourofhischeeks。Hisyellowhairhadatendencytocurlinaforwarddirection，justinfrontoftheears。
Besidehim，Presleymadethesharpestofcontrasts。Presleyseemedtohavecomeofamixedorigin。appearedtohaveanaturemorecomposite，atemperamentmorecomplex。UnlikeHarranDerrick，heseemedmoreofacharacterthanatype。Thesunhadbrownedhisfacetillitwasalmostswarthy。Hiseyeswereadarkbrown，andhisforeheadwastheforeheadoftheintellectual，wideandhigh，withacertainunmistakableliftaboutitthatarguededucation，notonlyofhimself，butofhispeoplebeforehim。Theimpressionconveyedbyhismouthandchinwasthatofadelicateandhighlysensitivenature，thelipsthinandlooselyshuttogether，thechinsmallandratherreceding。
OneguessedthatPresley’srefinementhadbeengainedonlybyacertainlossofstrength。Oneexpectedtofindhimnervous，introspective，todiscoverthathismentallifewasnotatalltheresultofimpressionsandsensationsthatcametohimfromwithout，butratherofthoughtsandreflectionsgerminatingfromwithin。Thoughmorbidlysensitivetochangesinhisphysicalsurroundings，hewouldbeslowtoactuponsuchsensations，wouldnotproveimpulsive，notbecausehewassluggish，butbecausehewasmerelyirresolute。Itcouldbeforeseenthatmorallyhewasofthatsortwhoavoidevilthroughgoodtaste，lackofdecision，andwantofopportunity。Histemperamentwasthatofthepoet。
whenhetoldhimselfhehadbeenthinking，hedeceivedhimself。
Hehad，onsuchoccasions，beenonlybrooding。
Someeighteenmonthsbeforethistime，hehadbeenthreatenedwithconsumption，and，takingadvantageofastandinginvitationonthepartofMagnusDerrick，hadcometostayinthedry，evenclimateoftheSanJoaquinforanindefinitelengthoftime。Hewasthirtyyearsold，andhadgraduatedandpost-graduatedwithhighhonoursfromanEasterncollege，wherehehaddevotedhimselftoapassionatestudyofliterature，and，moreespecially，ofpoetry。
Itwashisinsatiableambitiontowriteverse。Butuptothistime，hisworkhadbeenfugitive，ephemeral，anotehereandthere，heard，appreciated，andforgotten。Hewasinsearchofasubject。somethingmagnificent，hedidnotknowexactlywhat。
somevast，tremendoustheme，heroic，terrible，tobeunrolledinallthethunderingprogressionofhexameters。
Butwhateverhewrote，andinwhateverfashion，PresleywasdeterminedthathispoemshouldbeoftheWest，thatworld’sfrontierofRomance，whereanewrace，anewpeople——hardy，brave，andpassionate——werebuildinganempire。wherethetumultuousliferanlikefirefromdawntodark，andfromdarktodawnagain，primitive，brutal，honest，andwithoutfear。
Somethingtohisideanotmuchhadbeendonetocatchatthatlifeinpassing，butitspoethadnotyetarisen。Thefewsporadicattempts，thushetoldhimself，hadonlytouchedthekeynote。Hestroveforthediapason，thegreatsongthatshouldembraceinitselfawholeepoch，acompleteera，thevoiceofanentirepeople，whereinallpeopleshouldbeincluded——theyandtheirlegends，theirfolklore，theirfightings，theirlovesandtheirlusts，theirblunt，grimhumour，theirstoicismunderstress，theiradventures，theirtreasuresfoundinadayandgambledinanight，theirdirect，crudespeech，theirgenerosityandcruelty，theirheroismandbestiality，theirreligionandprofanity，theirself-sacrificeandobscenity——atrueandfearlesssettingforthofapassingphaseofhistory，un-
compromising，sincere。eachgroupinitsproperenvironment。thevalley，theplain，andthemountain。theranch，therange，andthemine——allthis，allthetraitsandtypesofeverycommunityfromtheDakotastotheMexicos，fromWinnipegtoGuadalupe，gatheredtogether，swepttogether，weldedandriventogetherinonesingle，mightysong，theSongoftheWest。Thatwaswhathedreamed，whilethingswithoutnames——thoughtsforwhichnomanhadyetinventedwords，terribleformlessshapes，vaguefigures，colossal，monstrous，distorted——whirledatagallopthroughhisimagination。
AsHarrancameup，Presleyreacheddownintothepouchesofthesun-bleachedshootingcoatheworeanddrewoutandhandedhimthepacketoflettersandpapers。
Here’sthemail。IthinkIshallgoon。
Butdinnerisready，saidHarran。wearejustsittingdown。
Presleyshookhishead。No，I’minahurry。PerhapsIshallhavesomethingtoeatatGuadalajara。Ishallbegoneallday。
Hedelayedafewmomentslonger，tighteningaloosenutonhisforwardwheel，whileHarran，recognisinghisfather’shandwritingononeoftheenvelopes，slititopenandcasthiseyerapidlyoveritspages。
TheGovernoriscominghome，heexclaimed，to-morrowmorningontheearlytrain。wantsmetomeethimwiththeteamatGuadalajara。AND，hecriedbetweenhisclenchedteeth，ashecontinuedtoread，we’velostthecase。
Whatcase？Oh，inthematterofrates？
Harrannodded，hiseyesflashing，hisfacegrowingsuddenlyscarlet。
Ulsteengavehisdecisionyesterday，hecontinued，readingfromhisfather’sletter。Heholds，Ulsteendoes，that’grainratesaslowasthenewfigurewouldamounttoconfiscationofproperty，andthat，onsuchabasis，therailroadcouldnotbeoperatedatalegitimateprofit。Asheispowerlesstolegislateinthematter，hecanonlyputtheratesbackatwhattheyoriginallywerebeforethecommissionersmadethecut，anditissoordered。’That’sourfriendS。Behrmanagain，addedHarran，grindinghisteeth。Hewasupinthecitythewholeofthetimethenewschedulewasbeingdrawn，andheandUlsteenandtheRailroadCommissionwereasthickasthieves。Hehasbeenupthereallthislastweek，too，doingtherailroad’sdirtywork，andbackingUlsteenup。’Legitimateprofit，legitimateprofit，’
hebrokeout。Canweraisewheatatalegitimateprofitwithatariffoffourdollarsatonformovingittwohundredmilestotide-water，withwheatateighty-sevencents？Whynotholdusupwithaguninourfaces，andsay，’handsup，’andbedonewithit？
Hedughisboot-heelintothegroundandturnedawaytothehouseabruptly，cursingbeneathhisbreath。
Bytheway，Presleycalledafterhim，Hoovenwantstoseeyou。
HeaskedmeaboutthisideaoftheGovernor’sofgettingalongwithoutthetenantsthisyear。Hoovenwantstostaytotendtheditchandlookafterthestock。Itoldhimtoseeyou。
Harran，hismindfullofotherthings，noddedtosayheunderstood。Presleyonlywaitedtillhehaddisappearedindoors，sothathemightnotseemtooindifferenttohistrouble。then，remounting，struckatonceintoabriskpace，and，turningoutfromthecarriagegate，heldonswiftlydowntheLowerRoad，goinginthedirectionofGuadalajara。Thesematters，theseeternalfiercebickeringsbetweenthefarmersoftheSanJoaquinandthePacificandSouthwesternRailroadirritatedhimandweariedhim。Hecaredfornoneofthesethings。Theydidnotbelongtohisworld。InthepictureofthathugeromanticWestthathesawinhisimagination，thesedissensionsmadetheonenoteofharshcolourthatrefusedtoenterintothegreatschemeofharmony。Itwasmaterial，sordid，deadlycommonplace。But，howeverhestrovetoshuthiseyestoitorhisearstoit，thethingpersistedandpersisted。Theromanceseemedcompleteuptothatpoint。Thereitbroke，thereitfailed，thereitbecamerealism，grim，unlovely，unyielding。Tobetrue——anditwasthefirstarticleofhiscreedtobeunflinchinglytrue——hecouldnotignoreit。Allthenoblepoetryoftheranch——thevalley——seemedinhismindtobemarredanddisfiguredbythepresenceofcertainimmovablefacts。Justwhathewanted，Presleyhardlyknew。Ononehand，itwashisambitiontoportraylifeashesawit——directly，frankly，andthroughnomediumofpersonalityortemperament。But，ontheotherhand，aswell，hewishedtoseeeverythingthrougharose-colouredmist——amistthatdulledallharshoutlines，allcrudeandviolentcolours。Hetoldhimselfthat，asapartofthepeople，helovedthepeopleandsympathisedwiththeirhopesandfears，andjoysandgriefs。andyetHooven，grimyandperspiring，withhisperpetualgrievanceandhiscontractedhorizon，onlyrevoltedhim。Hehadsethimselfthetaskofgivingtrue，absolutelytrue，poeticalexpressiontothelifeoftheranch，andyet，againandagain，hebroughtupagainsttherailroad，thatstubbornironbarrieragainstwhichhisromanceshattereditselftofrothanddisintegrated，flyingspume。Hisheartwentouttothepeople，andhisgropinghandmetthatofaslovenlylittleDutchman，whomitwasimpossibletoconsiderseriously。HesearchedfortheTrueRomance，and，intheend，foundgrainratesandunjustfreighttariffs。
ButthestuffisHERE，hemuttered，ashesenthiswheelrumblingacrossthebridgeoverBrodersonCreek。Theromance，therealromance，isheresomewhere。I’llgetholdofityet。
Heshotaglanceabouthimasifinsearchoftheinspiration。
BynowhewasnotquitehalfwayacrossthenorthernandnarrowestcornerofLosMuertos，atthispointsomeeightmileswide。HewasstillontheHomeranch。Afewmilestothesouthhecouldjustmakeoutthelineofwirefencethatseparateditfromthethirddivision。andtothenorth，seenfaintandbluethroughthehazeandshimmerofthenoonsun，alongfileoftelegraphpolesshowedthelineoftherailroadandmarkedDerrick’snortheastboundary。TheroadoverwhichPresleywastravellingranalmostdiametricallystraight。Infrontofhim，butatagreatdistance，hecouldmakeoutthegiantlive-oakandtheredroofofHooven’sbarnthatstoodnearit。
Allabouthimthecountrywasflat。Inalldirectionshecouldseeformiles。Theharvestwasjustover。Nothingbutstubbleremainedontheground。Withtheoneexceptionofthelive-oakbyHooven’splace，therewasnothinggreeninsight。Thewheatstubblewasofadirtyyellow。theground，parched，cracked，anddry，ofacheerlessbrown。Bytheroadsidethedustlaythickandgrey，and，oneitherhand，stretchingontowardthehorizon，losingitselfinameresmudgeinthedistance，rantheillimitableparallelsofthewirefence。Andthatwasall。thatandtheburnt-outblueoftheskyandthesteadyshimmeroftheheat。
Thesilencewasinfinite。Aftertheharvest，smallthoughthatharvesthadbeen，theranchesseemedasleep。Itwasasthoughtheearth，afteritsperiodofreproduction，itspainsoflabour，hadbeendeliveredofthefruitofitsloins，andnowsleptthesleepofexhaustion。
Itwastheperiodbetweenseasons，whennothingwasbeingdone，whenthenaturalforcesseemedtohangsuspended。Therewasnorain，therewasnowind，therewasnogrowth，nolife。theverystubblehadnoforceeventorot。Thesunalonemoved。
Towardtwoo’clock，PresleyreachedHooven’splace，twoorthreegrimyframebuildings，infestedwithaswarmofdogs。Ahogortwowanderedaimlesslyabout。Underashedbythebarn，abroken-downseederlayrustingtoitsruin。Butoverhead，amammothlive-oak，thelargesttreeinallthecountry-side，toweredsuperbandmagnificent。Greybunchesofmistletoeandfestoonsoftrailingmosshungfromitsbark。FromitslowestbranchhungHooven’smeat-safe，asquarebox，facedwithwirescreens。
WhatgaveaspecialinteresttoHooven’swasthefactthatherewastheintersectionoftheLowerRoadandDerrick’smainirrigatingditch，avasttrenchnotyetcompleted，whichheandAnnixter，whoworkedtheQuienSaberanch，werejointlyconstructing。Itrandirectlyacrosstheroadandatrightanglestoit，andlayadeepgrooveinthefieldbetweenHooven’sandthetownofGuadalajara，somethreemilesfartheron。
Besidesthis，theditchwasanaturalboundarybetweentwodivisionsoftheLosMuertosranch，thefirstandfourth。
Presleynowhadthechoiceoftworoutes。HisobjectivepointwasthespringattheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek，inthehillsontheeasternsideoftheQuienSaberanch。Thetrailaffordedhimashortcutthitherward。Ashepassedthehouse，Mrs。Hoovencametothedoor，herlittledaughterHilda，dressedinaboy’soverallsandclumsyboots，atherskirts。Minna，heroldestdaughter，averyprettygirl，whoseloveaffairswerecontinuallythetalkofallLosMuertos，wasvisiblethroughawindowofthehouse，busyattheweek’swashing。Mrs。Hoovenwasafaded，colourlesswoman，middle-agedandcommonplace，andofferingnottheleastcharacteristicthatwoulddistinguishherfromathousandotherwomenofherclassandkind。ShenoddedtoPresley，watchinghimwithastolidgazefromunderherarm，whichsheheldacrossherforeheadtoshadehereyes。
ButnowPresleyexertedhimselfingoodearnest。Hisbicycleflew。HeresolvedthatafterallhewouldgotoGuadalajara。Hecrossedthebridgeovertheirrigatingditchwithabrusquespurtofhollowsound，andshotforwarddownthelaststretchoftheLowerRoadthatyetintervenedbetweenHooven’sandthetown。Hewasonthefourthdivisionoftheranchnow，theonlyonewhereonthewheathadbeensuccessful，nodoubtbecauseoftheLittleMissionCreekthatranthroughit。Buthenolongeroccupiedhimselfwiththelandscape。Hisonlyconcernwastogetonasfastaspossible。HehadlookedforwardtospendingnearlythewholedayonthecrestofthewoodedhillsinthenortherncorneroftheQuienSaberanch，reading，idling，smokinghispipe。Butnowhewoulddowellifhearrivedtherebythemiddleoftheafternoon。Inafewmomentshehadreachedthelinefencethatmarkedthelimitsoftheranch。Hereweretherailroadtracks，andjustbeyond——ahuddledmassofroofs，withhereandthereanadobehouseonitsoutskirts——thelittletownofGuadalajara。
Nearerathand，anddirectlyinfrontofPresley，werethefreightandpassengerdepotsoftheP。andS。W。，paintedinthegreyandwhite，whichseemedtobetheofficialcoloursofallthebuildingsownedbythecorporation。Thestationwasdeserted。Notrainspassedatthishour。Fromthedirectionoftheticketwindow，Presleyheardtheunsteadychitteringofthetelegraphkey。Intheshadowofoneofthebaggagetrucksupontheplatform，thegreatyellowcatthatbelongedtotheagentdozedcomplacently，herpawstuckedunderherbody。Threeflatcars，loadedwithbright-paintedfarmingmachines，wereonthesidingabovethestation，while，ontheswitchbelow，ahugefreightenginethatlackeditscow-catchersatbackuponitsmonstrousdriving-wheels，motionless，solid，drawinglongbreathsthatwerepunctuatedbythesubduedsoundofitssteam-pumpclickingatexactintervals。
ButevidentlyithadbeendecreedthatPresleyshouldbestoppedateverypointofhisridethatday，for，ashewaspushinghisbicycleacrossthetracks，hewassurprisedtohearhisnamecalled。Hello，there，Mr。Presley。What’sthegoodword？
Presleylookedupquickly，andsawDyke，theengineer，leaningonhisfoldedarmsfromthecabwindowofthefreightengine。Butattheprospectofthisfurtherdelay，Presleywaslesstroubled。
Dykeandhewerewellacquaintedandthebestoffriends。Thepicturesquenessoftheengineer’slifewasalwaysattractivetoPresley，andmorethanoncehehadriddenonDyke’senginebetweenGuadalajaraandBonneville。Once，even，hehadmadetheentirerunbetweenthelattertownandSanFranciscointhecab。
Dyke’shomewasinGuadalajara。Helivedinoneoftheremodelled’dobecottages，wherehismotherkepthouseforhim。
Hiswifehaddiedsomefiveyearsbeforethistime，leavinghimalittledaughter，Sidney，tobringupasbesthecould。Dykehimselfwasaheavybuilt，well-lookingfellow，nearlytwicetheweightofPresley，withgreatshouldersandmassive，hairyarms，andatremendous，rumblingvoice。
Hello，oldman，answeredPresley，cominguptotheengine。
Whatareyoudoingabouthereatthistimeofday？Ithoughtyouwereonthenightservicethismonth。
We’vechangedaboutabit，answeredtheother。Comeuphereandsitdown，andgetoutofthesun。They’veheldusheretowaitorders，heexplained，asPresley，afterleaninghisbicycleagainstthetender，climbedtothefireman’sseatofworngreenleather。Theyarechangingtherunofoneofthecrackpassengerenginesdownbelow，andaresendingheruptoFresno。
TherewasasmashofsomekindontheBakersfielddivision，andshe’stohellandgonebehindhertime。Isupposewhenshecomes，she’llcomea-humming。ItwillbestandclearandanopentrackallthewaytoFresno。Theyhaveheldmeheretolethergoby。
Hetookhispipe，anoldT。D。clay，butcolouredtoabeautifulshinyblack，fromthepocketofhisjumperandfilledandlitit。
Well，Idon’tsupposeyouobjecttobeingheldhere，observedPresley。Givesyouachancetovisityourmotherandthelittlegirl。
AndpreciselytheychoosethisdaytogouptoSacramento，
answeredDyke。Justmyluck。Wentuptovisitmybrother’speople。Bytheway，mybrothermaycomedownhere——locatehere，Imean——andgointothehop-raisingbusiness。He’sgotanoptiononfivehundredacresjustbackofthetownhere。Hesaysthereisgoingtobemoneyinhops。Idon’tknow。maybeI’llgoinwithhim。
Why，what’sthematterwithrailroading？
Dykedrewacoupleofpuffsonhispipe，andfixedPresleywithaglance。
There’sthisthematterwithit，hesaid。I’mfired。
Fired！You！exclaimedPresley，turningabruptlytowardhim。
That’swhatI’mtellingyou，returnedDykegrimly。
Youdon’tmeanit。Why，whatfor，Dyke？
Now，YOUtellmewhatfor，growledtheothersavagely。Boyandman，I’veworkedfortheP。andS。W。forovertenyears，andneveroneyelpofacomplaintdidIeverhearfromthem。Theyknowdamnwellthey’venotgotasteadiermanontheroad。Andmorethanthat，morethanthat，Idon’tbelongtotheBrotherhood。Andwhenthestrikecamealong，Istoodbythem——
stoodbythecompany。Youknowthat。Andyouknow，andtheyknow，thatatSacramentothattime，Iranmytrainaccordingtoschedule，withagunineachhand，neverknowingwhenIwasgoingoveraminedculvert，andtherewastalkofgivingmeagoldwatchatthetime。Tohellwiththeirgoldwatches！Iwantordinaryjusticeandfairtreatment。Andnow，whenhardtimescomealong，andtheyarecuttingwages，whatdotheydo？Dotheymakeanydiscriminationinmycase？Dotheyrememberthemanthatstoodbythemandriskedhislifeintheirservice？No。
Theycutmypaydownjustasoff-handastheydothepayofanydirtylittlewiperintheyard。Cutmealongwith——listentothis——cutmealongwithmenthattheyhadBLACK-LISTED。strikersthattheytookbackbecausetheywereshortofhands。Hedrewfiercelyonhispipe。Iwenttothem，yes，Idid。IwenttotheGeneralOffice，andatedirt。ItoldthemIwasafamilyman，andthatIdidn’tseehowIwasgoingtogetalongonthenewscale，andIremindedthemofmyserviceduringthestrike。Theswinetoldmethatitwouldn’tbefairtodiscriminateinfavourofoneman，andthatthecutmustapplytoalltheiremployeesalike。Fair！heshoutedwithlaughter。Fair！HeartheP。andS。W。talkingaboutfairnessanddiscrimination。That’sgood，thatis。Well，Igotfurious。Iwasafool，Isuppose。Itoldthemthat，injusticetomyself，Iwouldn’tdofirst-classworkforthird-classpay。Andtheysaid，’Well，Mr。Dyke，youknowwhatyoucando。’Well，Ididknow。Isaid，’I’llaskformytime，ifyouplease，’andtheygaveittomejustasiftheyweregladtobeshutofme。Sothereyouare，Presley。That’stheP。
&S。W。RailroadCompanyofCalifornia。Iamonmylastrunnow。
Shameful，declaredPresley，hissympathiesallaroused，nowthatthetroubleconcernedafriendofhis。It’sshameful，Dyke。But，headded，anideaoccurringtohim，thatdon’tshutyououtfromwork。ThereareotherrailroadsintheStatethatarenotcontrolledbytheP。andS。W。
Dykesmotehiskneewithhisclenchedfist。
NAMEONE。
Presleywassilent。Dyke’schallengewasunanswerable。Therewasalapseintheirtalk，Presleydrummingonthearmoftheseat，meditatingonthisinjustice。Dykelookingoffoverthefieldsbeyondthetown，hisfrownlowering，histeethraspinguponhispipestem。Thestationagentcametothedoorofthedepot，stretchingandyawning。Onaheadoftheengine，theemptyrailsofthetrack，reachingouttowardthehorizon，threwoffvisiblelayersofheat。Thetelegraphkeyclickedincessantly。
SoI’mgoingtoquit，Dykeremarkedafterawhile，hisangersomewhatsubsided。MybrotherandIwilltakeupthishopranch。I’vesavedagooddealinthelasttenyears，andthereoughttobemoneyinhops。
Presleywenton，remountinghisbicycle，wheelingsilentlythroughthedesertedstreetsofthedecayedanddyingMexicantown。Itwasthehourofthesiesta。Nobodywasabout。Therewasnobusinessinthetown。ItwastooclosetoBonnevilleforthat。Beforetherailroadcame，andinthedayswhentheraisingofcattlewasthegreatindustryofthecountry，ithadenjoyedafierceandbrilliantlife。Nowitwasmoribund。Thedrugstore，thetwobar-rooms，thehotelatthecorneroftheoldPlaza，andtheshopswhereMexicancuriosweresoldtothoseoccasionalEasterntouristswhocametovisittheMissionofSanJuan，sufficedforthetown’sactivity。
AtSolotari’s，therestaurantonthePlaza，diagonallyacrossfromthehotel，Presleyatehislong-deferredMexicandinner——anomeletteinSpanish-Mexicanstyle，frijolesandtortillas，asalad，andaglassofwhitewine。Inacorneroftheroom，duringthewholecourseofhisdinner，twoyoungMexicansoneofwhomwasastonishinglyhandsome，afterthemelodramaticfashionofhisraceandanoldfellow！thecentenarianofthetown，decrepitbeyondbelief，sanganinterminablelove-songtotheaccompanimentofaguitarandanaccordion。
TheseSpanish-Mexicans，decayed，picturesque，vicious，andromantic，neverfailedtointerestPresley。AfewofthemstillremainedinGuadalajara，driftingfromthesaloontotherestaurant，andfromtherestauranttothePlaza，relicsofaformergeneration，standingforadifferentorderofthings，absolutelyidle，livingGodknewhow，happywiththeircigarette，theirguitar，theirglassofmescal，andtheirsiesta。ThecentenarianrememberedFremontandGovernorAlvarado，andthebanditJesusTejeda，andthedayswhenLosMuertoswasaSpanishgrant，averitableprincipality，leaguesinextent，andwhentherewasneverafencefromVisaliatoFresno。Uponthisoccasion，Presleyofferedtheoldmanadrinkofmescal，andexcitedhimtotalkofthethingsheremembered。TheirtalkwasinSpanish，alanguagewithwhichPresleywasfamiliar。
DeLaCuestaheldthegrantofLosMuertosinthosedays，thecentenariansaid。agrandman。Hehadthepoweroflifeanddeathoverhispeople，andtherewasnolawbuthisword。Therewasnothoughtofwheatthen，youmaybelieve。Itwasallcattleinthosedays，sheep，horses——steers，notsomany——andifmoneywasscarce，therewasalwaysplentytoeat，andclothesenoughforall，andwine，ah，yes，bythevat，andoiltoo。theMissionFathershadthat。Yes，andtherewaswheataswell，nowthatI
cometothink。butaverylittle——inthefieldnorthoftheMissionwherenowitistheSeedranch。wheatfieldswerethere，andalsoavineyard，allonMissiongrounds。Wheat，olives，andthevine。theFathersplantedthose，toprovidetheelementsoftheHolySacrament——bread，oil，andwine，youunderstand。Itwaslikethat，thoseindustriesbeganinCalifornia——fromtheChurch。
andnow，heputhischinintheair，whatwouldFatherUllivarihavesaidtosuchacropasSenorDerrickplantsthesedays？Tenthousandacresofwheat！NothingbutwheatfromtheSierratotheCoastRange。IrememberwhenDeLaCuestawasmarried。Hehadneverseentheyounglady，onlyherminiatureportrait，painted——heraisedashoulder——Idonotknowbywhom，small，alittlethingtobeheldinthepalm。Buthefellinlovewiththat，andmarryherhewould。Theaffairwasarrangedbetweenhimandthegirl’sparents。ButwhenthetimecamethatDeLaCuestawastogotoMontereytomeetandmarrythegirl，behold，JesusTejedabrokeinuponthesmallrancherosnearTerrabella。
ItwasnotimeforDeLaCuestatobeaway，sohesenthisbrotherEstebantoMontereytomarrythegirlbyproxyforhim。
IwentwithEsteban。Wewereacompany，nearlyahundredmen。
AndDeLaCuestasentahorseforthegirltoride，white，purewhite。andthesaddlewasofredleather。thehead-stall，thebit，andbuckles，allthemetalwork，ofvirginsilver。Well，therewasaceremonyintheMontereyMission，andEsteban，inthenameofhisbrother，wasmarriedtothegirl。Onourwayback，DeLaCuestarodeouttomeetus。HiscompanymetoursatAgathadosPalos。NeverwillIforgetDeLaCuesta’sfaceashiseyesfelluponthegirl。Itwasalook，aglance，comeandgonelikeTHAT，hesnappedhisfingers。NoonebutIsawit，butIwascloseby。Therewasnomistakingthatlook。DeLaCuestawasdisappointed。
Andthegirl？demandedPresley。
Sheneverknew。Ah，hewasagrandgentleman，DeLaCuesta。
Alwayshetreatedherasaqueen。Neverwashusbandmoredevoted，morerespectful，morechivalrous。Butlove？Theoldfellowputhischinintheair，shuttinghiseyesinaknowingfashion。Itwasnotthere。Icouldtell。TheyweremarriedoveragainattheMissionSanJuandeGuadalajara——OURMission——
andforaweekallthetownofGuadalajarawasinfete。Therewerebull-fightsinthePlaza——thisveryone——forfivedays，andtoeachofhistenants-in-chief，DeLaCuestagaveahorse，abarreloftallow，anounceofsilver，andhalfanounceofgolddust。Ah，thoseweredays。Thatwasagaylife。This——hemadeacomprehensivegesturewithhislefthand——thisisstupid。
Youmaywellsaythat，observedPresleymoodily，discouragedbytheother’stalk。Allhisdoubtsanduncertaintyhadreturnedtohim。Neverwouldhegraspthesubjectofhisgreatpoem。To-
day，thelifewascolourless。Romancewasdead。Hehadlivedtoolate。Towriteofthepastwasnotwhathedesired。Realitywaswhathelongedfor，thingsthathehadseen。Yethowtomakethiscompatiblewithromance。Herose，puttingonhishat，offeringtheoldmanacigarette。Thecentenarianacceptedwiththeairofagrandee，andextendedhishornsnuff-box。Presleyshookhishead。
Iwasborntoolateforthat，hedeclared，forthat，andformanyotherthings。Adios。
Youaretravellingto-day，senor？
Alittleturnthroughthecountry，togetthekinksoutofthemuscles，Presleyanswered。IgoupintotheQuienSabe，intothehighcountrybeyondtheMission。
Ah，theQuienSaberancho。Thesheeparegrazingtherethisweek。
Solotari，thekeeperoftherestaurant，explained：
YoungAnnixtersoldhiswheatstubbleonthegroundtothesheepraisersoffyonder。hemotionedeastwardtowardtheSierrafoothills。SinceSundaytheherdhasbeendown。Veryclever，thatyoungAnnixter。Hegetsapriceforhisstubble，whichelsehewouldhavetoburn，andalsomanureshislandasthesheepmovefromplacetoplace。AtrueYankee，thatAnnixter，agoodgringo。
Afterhismeal，Presleyoncemoremountedhisbicycle，andleavingtherestaurantandthePlazabehindhim，heldonthroughthemainstreetofthedrowsingtown——thestreetthatfartherondevelopedintotheroadwhichturnedabruptlynorthwardandledonwardthroughthehop-fieldsandtheQuienSaberanchtowardtheMissionofSanJuan。
TheHomeranchoftheQuienSabewasinthelittletriangleboundedonthesouthbytherailroad，onthenorthwestbyBrodersonCreek，andontheeastbythehopfieldsandtheMissionlands。Itwastraversedinalldirections，nowbythetrailfromHooven’s，nowbytheirrigatingditch——thesamewhichPresleyhadcrossedearlierintheday——andagainbytheroaduponwhichPresleythenfoundhimself。InitscentrewereAnnixter’sranchhouseandbarns，toppedbytheskeleton-liketoweroftheartesianwellthatwastofeedtheirrigatingditch。
Fartheron，thecourseofBrodersonCreekwasmarkedbyacurvedlineofgrey-greenwillows，whileonthelowhillstothenorth，asPresleyadvanced，theancientMissionofSanJuandeGuadalajara，withitsbelfrytowerandred-tiledroof，begantoshowitselfoverthecrestsofthevenerablepeartreesthatclusteredinitsgarden。
WhenPresleyreachedAnnixter’sranchhouse，hefoundyoungAnnixterhimselfstretchedinhishammockbehindthemosquito-baronthefrontporch，readingDavidCopperfield，andgorginghimselfwithdriedprunes。
Annixter——afterthetwohadexchangedgreetings——complainedofterrificcolicsalltheprecedingnight。Hisstomachwasoutofwhack，butyoubetheknewhowtotakecareofhimself。thelastspell，hehadconsultedadoctoratBonneville，agibberingbusy-
facewhohadfilledhimuptotheneckwithadoseofsomehogwashstuffthathadmadehimworse——ahealthylotthedoctorsknew，anyhow。HIScasewaspeculiar。HEknew。pruneswerewhatheneeded，andbythepound。
Annixter，whoworkedtheQuienSaberanch——somefourthousandacresofrichclayandheavyloams——wasaveryyoungman，youngereventhanPresley，likehimacollegegraduate。Helookedneverayearolderthanhewas。Hewassmooth-shavenandleanbuilt。
Buthisyouthfulappearancewasoffsetbyacertainmalecastofcountenance，thelowerlipthrustout，thechinlargeanddeeplycleft。Hisuniversitycoursehadhardenedratherthanpolishedhim。Hestillremainedoneofthepeople，roughalmosttoinsolence，directinspeech，intolerantinhisopinions，relyinguponabsolutelynoonebuthimself。yet，withallthis，ofanastonishingdegreeofintelligence，andpossessedofanexecutiveabilitylittleshortofpositivegenius。Hewasaferociousworker，allowinghimselfnopleasures，andexactingthesamedegreeofenergyfromallhissubordinates。Hewaswidelyhated，andaswidelytrusted。Everyonespokeofhiscrustytemperandbullyingdisposition，invariablyqualifyingthestatementwithacommendationofhisresourcesandcapabilities。Thedevilofadriver，ahardmantogetalongwith，obstinate，contrary，cantankerous。butbrains！Nodoubtofthat。brainstohisboots。
Onewouldliketoseethemanwhocouldgetaheadofhimonadeal。Twicehehadbeenshotat，oncefromambushonOsterman’sranch，andoncebyoneofhisownmenwhomhehadkickedfromthesackingplatformofhisharvesterforgrossnegligence。Atcollege，hehadspecialisedonfinance，politicaleconomy，andscientificagriculture。Afterhisgraduationhestoodalmostattheverytopofhisclasshehadreturnedandobtainedthedegreeofcivilengineer。Thensuddenlyhehadtakenanotionthatapracticalknowledgeoflawwasindispensabletoamodernfarmer。Ineightmonthshedidtheworkofthreeyears，studyingforhisbarexaminations。Hismethodofstudywascharacteristic。Hereducedallthematerialofhistext-bookstonotes。Tearingouttheleavesofthesenote-books，hepastedthemuponthewallsofhisroom。then，inhisshirt-sleeves，acheapcigarinhisteeth，hishandsinhispockets，hewalkedaroundandaroundtheroom，scowlingfiercelyathisnotes，memorising，devouring，digesting。Atintervals，hedrankgreatcupfulsofunsweetened，blackcoffee。Whenthebarexaminationswereheld，hewasadmittedattheveryheadofalltheapplicants，andwascomplimentedbythejudge。Immediatelyafterwards，hecollapsedwithnervousprostration。hisstomachgotoutofwhack，andheallbutdiedinaSacramentoboarding-
house，obstinatelyrefusingtohaveanythingtodowithdoctors，whomhevituperatedasarabbleofquacks，dosinghimselfwithapatentmedicineandstuffinghimselfalmosttoburstingwithliverpillsanddriedprunes。
HehadtakenatriptoEuropeafterthissicknesstoputhimselfcompletelytorights。Heintendedtobegoneayear，butreturnedattheendofsixweeks，fulminatingabuseofEuropeancooking。NearlyhisentiretimehadbeenspentinParis。butofthissojournhehadbroughtbackbuttwosouvenirs，anelectro-
platedbill-hookandanemptybirdcagewhichhadtickledhisfancyimmensely。
Hewaswealthy。Onlyayearprevioustothishisfather——awidower，whohadamassedafortuneinlandspeculation——haddied，andAnnixter，theonlyson，hadcomeintotheinheritance。
ForPresley，Annixterprofessedagreatadmiration，holdingindeeprespectthemanwhocouldrhymewords，deferringtohimwhenevertherewasquestionofliteratureorworksoffiction。
Nodoubt，therewasnotmuchuseinpoetry，andasfornovels，tohismind，therewereonlyDickens’sworks。Everythingelsewasalotoflies。Butjustthesame，ittookbrainstogrindoutapoem。Itwasn’teveryonewhocouldrhymebraveandglaive，
andmakesenseoutofit。Surenot。
ButPresley’scasewasanotableexception。OnnooccasionwasAnnixterpreparedtoacceptanotherman’sopinionwithoutreserve。Inconversationwithhim，itwasalmostimpossibletomakeanydirectstatement，howevertrivial，thathewouldacceptwithouteithermodificationoropencontradiction。Hehadapassionforviolentdiscussion。Hewouldargueuponeverysubjectintherangeofhumanknowledge，fromastronomytothetariff，fromthedoctrineofpredestinationtotheheightofahorse。Neverwouldheadmithimselftobemistaken。whencornered，hewouldintrenchhimselfbehindtheremark，Yes，that’sallverywell。Insomeways，itis，andthen，again，insomeways，itISN’T。
Singularlyenough，heandPresleywerethebestoffriends。Morethanonce，Presleymarvelledatthisstateofaffairs，tellinghimselfthatheandAnnixterhadnothingincommon。Inallhiscircleofacquaintances，PresleywastheonemanwithwhomAnnixterhadneverquarrelled。Thetwomenwerediametricallyopposedintemperament。Presleywaseasy-going。Annixter，alert。
Presleywasaconfirmeddreamer，irresolute，inactive，withastrongtendencytomelancholy。theyoungfarmerwasamanofaffairs，decisive，combative，whoseonlyreflectionuponhisinterioreconomywasamorbidconcerninthevagariesofhisstomach。Yetthetwonevermetwithoutamutualpleasure，takingagenuineinterestineachother’saffairs，andoftenputtingthemselvestogreatinconveniencetobeoftriflingservicetohelponeanother。
Asalastcharacteristic，Annixterpretendedtobeawoman-hater，fornootherreasonthanthathewasaverybull-calfofawkwardnessinfemininesurroundings。Feemales！Rot！Therewasafinewayforamantowastehistimeandhisgoodmoney，lallygaggingwithalotoffeemales。No，thankyou。noneofitinHIS，ifyouplease。Onceonlyhehadanaffair——atimid，littlecreatureinaglove-cleaningestablishmentinSacramento，whomhehadpickedup，Heavenknewhow。Afterhisreturntohisranch，acorrespondencehadbeenmaintainedbetweenthetwo，Annixtertakingtheprecautiontotypewritehisletters，andneveraffixinghissignature，inanexcessofprudence。Hefurthermoremadecarboncopiesofallhisletters，filingthemawayinacompartmentofhissafe。Ah，itwouldbeacleverfeemalewhowouldgethimintoamess。Then，suddenlysmittenwithapanicterrorthathehadcommittedhimself，thathewasinvolvinghimselftoodeeply，hehadabruptlysentthelittlewomanaboutherbusiness。Itwashisonlyloveaffair。Afterthat，hekepthimselffree。Nopetticoatsshouldeverhaveaholdonhim。
Surenot。
AsPresleycameuptotheedgeoftheporch，pushinghisbicycleinfrontofhim，Annixterexcusedhimselffornotgettingup，allegingthatthecrampsreturnedthemomenthewasoffhisback。
Whatareyoudoingupthisway？hedemanded。
Oh，justhavingalookaround，answeredPresley。How’stheranch？
Say，observedtheother，ignoringhisquestion，what’sthisI
hearaboutDerrickgivinghistenantsthebounce，andworkingLosMuertoshimself——workingALLhisland？
Presleymadeasharpmovementofimpatiencewithhisfreehand。
I’veheardnothingelsemyselfsincemorning。Isupposeitmustbeso。
Huh！gruntedAnnixter，spittingoutaprunestone。YougiveMagnusDerrickmycomplimentsandtellhimhe’safool。
Whatdoyoumean？
IsupposeDerrickthinkshe’sstillrunninghismine，andthatthesameprincipleswillapplytogettinggrainoutoftheearthastogettinggold。Oh，lethimgoonandseewherehebringsup。That’sright，there’syourWesternfarmer，heexclaimedcontemptuously。Getthegutsoutofyourland。workittodeath。nevergiveitarest。Neveralternateyourcrop，andthenwhenyoursoilisexhausted，sitdownandroarabouthardtimes。
IsupposeMagnusthinksthelandhashadrestenoughtheselasttwodryseasons，observedPresley。Hehasraisednocroptospeakoffortwoyears。Thelandhashadagoodrest。
Ah，yes，thatsoundswell，Annixtercontradicted，unwillingtobeconvinced。Inaway，theland’sbeenrested，andthen，again，inaway，ithasn’t。
ButPresley，scentinganargument，refrainedfromanswering，andbethoughthimselfofmovingon。
I’mgoingtoleavemywheelhereforawhile，Buck，hesaid，ifyoudon’tmind。I’mgoinguptothespring，andtheroadisroughbetweenhereandthere。
Stopinfordinneronyourwayback，saidAnnixter。There’llbeavenisonsteak。Oneoftheboysgotadeeroverinthefoothillslastweek。Outofseason，butnevermindthat。I
can’teatit。Thisstomachofminewouldn’tdigestsweetoilto-
day。Gethereaboutsix。
Well，maybeIwill，thankyou，saidPresley，movingoff。Bytheway，headded，Iseeyourbarnisaboutdone。
Youbet，answeredAnnixter。Inaboutafortnightnowshe’llbeallready。
It’sabigbarn，murmuredPresley，glancingaroundtheangleofthehousetowardwherethegreatstructurestood。
Guesswe’llhavetohaveadancetherebeforewemovethestockin，observedAnnixter。That’sthecustomallaroundhere。
Presleytookhimselfoff，butatthegateAnnixtercalledafterhim，hismouthfullofprunes，Say，takealookatthatherdofsheepasyougoup。Theyarerightoffheretotheeastoftheroad，abouthalfamilefromhere。Iguessthat’sthebiggestlotofsheepYOUeversaw。Youmightwriteapoemabout’em。
Lamb——ram。sheepgraze——sunnydays。Catchon？
BeyondBrodersonCreek，asPresleyadvanced，trampingalongonfootnow，thelandopenedoutagainintothesamevastspacesofdullbrownearth，sprinkledwithstubble，suchashadbeencharacteristicofDerrick’sranch。Totheeastthereachseemedinfinite，flat，cheerless，heat-ridden，unrollinglikeagiganticscrolltowardthefaintshimmerofthedistanthorizons，withhereandthereanisolatedlive-oaktobreakthesombremonotony。
Butborderingtheroadtothewestward，thesurfaceroughenedandraised，clamberinguptothehigherground，onthecrestofwhichtheoldMissionanditssurroundingpeartreeswerenowplainlyvisible。
JustbeyondtheMission，theroadbentabruptlyeastward，strikingoffacrosstheSeedranch。ButPresleylefttheroadatthispoint，goingonacrosstheopenfields。Therewasnolongeranytrail。Itwastowardthreeo’clock。Thesunstillspun，asilent，blazingdisc，highintheheavens，andtrampingthroughtheclodsofuneven，brokenploughwasfatiguingwork。Theslopeofthelowestfoothillsbegun，thesurfaceofthecountrybecamerolling，and，suddenly，ashetoppedahigherridge，Presleycameuponthesheep。
Alreadyhehadpassedthelargerpartoftheherd——aninterveningriseofgroundhavinghiddenitfromsight。Now，asheturnedhalfwayabout，lookingdownintotheshallowhollowbetweenhimandthecurveofthecreek，hesawthemveryplainly。Thefringeoftheherdwassometwohundredyardsdistant，butitsfartherside，inthatillusiveshimmerofhotsurfaceair，seemedmilesaway。Thesheepwerespreadoutroughlyintheshapeofafigureeight，twolargerherdsconnectedbyasmaller，andwereheadedtothesouthward，movingslowly，grazingonthewheatstubbleastheyproceeded。Butthenumberseemedincalculable。Hundredsuponhundredsuponhundredsofgrey，roundedbacks，allexactlyalike，huddled，close-packed，alive，hidtheearthfromsight。
Itwasnolongeranaggregateofindividuals。Itwasamass——acompact，solid，slowlymovingmass，huge，withoutform，likeathick-pressedgrowthofmushrooms，spreadingoutinalldirectionsovertheearth。Fromittherearoseavaguemurmur，confused，inarticulate，likethesoundofverydistantsurf，whilealltheairinthevicinitywasheavywiththewarm，ammoniacalodourofthethousandsofcrowdingbodies。
Allthecoloursofthesceneweresombre——thebrownoftheearth，thefadedyellowofthedeadstubble，thegreyofthemyriadofundulatingbacks。Onlyonthefarsideoftheherd，erect，motionless——asinglenoteofblack，aspeck，adot——theshepherdstood，leaninguponanemptywater-trough，solitary，grave，impressive。
Forafewmoments，Presleystood，watching。Then，ashestartedtomoveon，acuriousthingoccurred。Atfirst，hethoughthehadheardsomeonecallhisname。Hepaused，listening。therewasnosoundbutthevaguenoiseofthemovingsheep。Then，asthisfirstimpressionpassed，itseemedtohimthathehadbeenbeckonedto。Yetnothingstirred。exceptforthelonelyfigurebeyondtheherdtherewasnooneinsight。Hestartedonagain，andinhalfadozenstepsfoundhimselflookingoverhisshoulder。Withoutknowingwhy，helookedtowardtheshepherd。
thenhaltedandlookedasecondtimeandathird。Hadtheshepherdcalledtohim？Presleyknewthathehadheardnovoice。Brusquely，allhisattentionseemedriveteduponthisdistantfigure。Heputoneforearmoverhiseyes，tokeepoffthesun，gazingacrosstheinterveningherd。Surely，theshepherdhadcalledhim。Butatthenextinstanthestarted，utteringanexclamationunderhisbreath。Thefar-awayspeckofblackbecameanimated。Presleyremarkedasweepinggesture。
Thoughthemanhadnotbeckonedtohimbefore，therewasnodoubtthathewasbeckoningnow。Withoutanyhesitation，andsingularlyinterestedintheincident，Presleyturnedsharplyasideandhurriedontowardtheshepherd，skirtingtheherd，wonderingallthetimethatheshouldanswerthecallwithsolittlequestion，solittlehesitation。
ButtheshepherdcameforwardtomeetPresley，followedbyoneofhisdogs。Asthetwomenapproachedeachother，Presley，closelystudyingtheother，begantowonderwherehehadseenhimbefore。
Itmusthavebeenaverylongtimeago，upononeofhispreviousvisitstotheranch。Certainly，however，therewassomethingfamiliarintheshepherd’sfaceandfigure。Whentheycameclosertoeachother，andPresleycouldseehimmoredistinctly，thissenseofapreviousacquaintancewasincreasedandsharpened。
Theshepherdwasamanofaboutthirty-five。Hewasveryleanandspare。Hisbrowncanvasoverallswerethrustintolacedboots。Acartridgebeltwithoutanycartridgesencircledhiswaist。Agreyflannelshirt，openatthethroat，showedhisbreast，tannedandruddy。Heworenohat。Hishairwasveryblackandratherlong。Apointedbeardcoveredhischin，growingstraightandfinefromthehollowcheeks。Theabsenceofanycoveringforhisheadwas，nodoubt，habitualwithhim，forhisfacewasasbrownasanIndian’s——aruddybrownquitedifferentfromPresley’sdarkolive。ToPresley’smorbidlykeenobservation，thegeneralimpressionoftheshepherd’sfacewasintenselyinteresting。Itwasuncommontoanastonishingdegree。
Presley’svividimaginationchosetoseeinitthefaceofanascetic，ofarecluse，almostthatofayoungseer。Somusthaveappearedthehalf-inspiredshepherdsoftheHebraiclegends，theyoungerprophetsofIsrael，dwellersinthewilderness，beholdersofvisions，havingtheirexistenceinacontinualdream，talkerswithGod，giftedwithstrangepowers。
Suddenly，atsometwentypacesdistantfromtheapproachingshepherd，Presleystoppedshort，hiseyesrivetedupontheother。
Vanamee！heexclaimed。
Theshepherdsmiledandcameforward，holdingouthishands，saying，Ithoughtitwasyou。WhenIsawyoucomeoverthehill，Icalledyou。
Butnotwithyourvoice，returnedPresley。Iknewthatsomeonewantedme。Ifeltit。Ishouldhaverememberedthatyoucoulddothatkindofthing。
Ihaveneverknownittofail。Ithelpswiththesheep。
Withthesheep？
Inaway。Ican’ttellexactlyhow。Wedon’tunderstandthesethingsyet。Therearetimeswhen，ifIclosemyeyesanddigmyfistsintomytemples，Icanholdtheentireherdforperhapsaminute。Perhaps，though，it’simagination，whoknows？Butit’sgoodtoseeyouagain。Howlonghasitbeensincethelasttime？
Two，three，nearlyfiveyears。
Itwasmorethanthat。ItwassixyearssincePresleyandVanameehadmet，andthenithadbeenforashorttimeonly，duringoneoftheshepherd’speriodicalbriefreturnstothatpartofthecountry。DuringaweekheandPresleyhadbeenmuchtogether，forthetwoweredevotedfriends。Then，asabruptly，asmysteriouslyashehadcome，Vanameedisappeared。Presleyawokeonemorningtofindhimgone。Thus，ithadbeenwithVanameeforaperiodofsixteenyears。Helivedhislifeintheunknown，onecouldnottellwhere——inthedesert，inthemountains，throughoutallthevastandvagueSouth-west，solitary，strange。Three，four，fiveyearspassed。Theshepherdwouldbealmostforgotten。NeverthemosttrivialscrapofinformationastohiswhereaboutsreachedLosMuertos。Hehadmeltedoffintothesurface-shimmerofthedesert，intothemirage。hesankbelowthehorizons。hewasswallowedupinthewasteofsandandsage。Then，withoutwarning，hewouldreappear，cominginfromthewilderness，emergingfromtheunknown。Nooneknewhimwell。Inallthatcountrysidehehadbutthreefriends，Presley，MagnusDerrick，andthepriestattheMissionofSanJuandeGuadalajara，FatherSarria。Heremainedalwaysamystery，livingalifehalf-real，half-legendary。Inallthoseyearshedidnotseemtohavegrownolderbyasingleday。Atthistime，Presleyknewhimtobethirty-sixyearsofage。Butsincethefirstdaythetwohadmet，theshepherd’sfaceandbearinghad，tohiseyes，remainedthesame。Atthismoment，Presleywaslookingintothesamefacehehadfirstseenmany，manyyearsago。Itwasafacestampedwithanunspeakablesadness，adeathlessgrief，thepermanentimprintofatragedylongpast，butyetalivingissue。PresleytoldhimselfthatitwasimpossibletolooklongintoVanamee’seyeswithoutknowingthatherewasamanwhosewholebeinghadbeenatonetimeshatteredandriventoitslowestdepths，whoselifehadsuddenlystoppedatacertainmomentofitsdevelopment。
Thetwofriendssatdownupontheledgeofthewatering-trough，theireyeswanderingincessantlytowardtheslowmovingherd，grazingonthewheatstubble，movingsouthwardastheygrazed。
Wherehaveyoucomefromthistime？Presleyhadasked。Wherehaveyoukeptyourself？
Theothersweptthehorizontothesouthandeastwithavaguegesture。
Offthere，downtothesouth，veryfaroff。SomanyplacesthatIcan’tremember。IwenttheLongTrailthistime。along，longways。Arizona，TheMexicos，and，then，afterwards，UtahandNevada，followingthehorizon，travellingathazard。IntoArizonafirst，goinginbyMonumentPass，andthenontothesouth，throughthecountryoftheNavajos，downbytheAgaThiaNeedle——agreatbladeofredrockjuttingfromoutthedesert，likeaknifethrust。ThenonandonthroughTheMexicos，allthroughtheSouthwest，thenbackagaininagreatcirclebyChihuahuaandAldamatoLaredo，toTorreon，andAlbuquerque。
FromthereacrosstheUncompahgreplateauintotheUintahcountry。thenatlastduewestthroughNevadatoCaliforniaandtothevalleyoftheSanJoaquin。
Hisvoicelapsedtoamonotone，hiseyesbecomingfixed。hecontinuedtospeakasthoughhalfawake，histhoughtselsewhere，seeingagainintheeyeofhismindthereachofdesertandredhill，thepurplemountain，thelevelstretchofalkali，leperwhite，allthesavage，gorgeousdesolationoftheLongTrail。
HeignoredPresleyforthemoment，but，ontheotherhand，Presleyhimselfgavehimbuthalfhisattention。ThereturnofVanameehadstimulatedthepoet’smemory。HerecalledtheincidentsofVanamee’slife，reviewingagainthatterribledramawhichhaduprootedhissoul，whichhaddrivenhimforthawanderer，ashunnerofmen，asojournerinwasteplaces。Hewas，strangelyenough，acollegegraduateandamanofwidereadingandgreatintelligence，buthehadchosentoleadhisownlife，whichwasthatofarecluse。
OfatemperamentsimilarinmanywaystoPresley’s，therewerecapabilitiesinVanameethatwerenotordinarilytobefoundintherankandfileofmen。Livingclosetonature，apoetbyinstinct，wherePresleywasbutapoetbytraining，theredevelopedinhimagreatsensitivenesstobeautyandanalmostabnormalcapacityforgreathappinessandgreatsorrow。hefeltthingsintensely，deeply。Heneverforgot。Itwaswhenhewaseighteenornineteen，attheformativeandmostimpressionableperiodofhislife，thathehadmetAngeleVarian。Presleybarelyrememberedherasagirlofsixteen，beautifulalmostbeyondexpression，wholivedwithanagedauntontheSeedranchbackoftheMission。Atthismomenthewastryingtorecallhowshelooked，withherhairofgoldhangingintwostraightplaitsoneithersideofherface，makingthree-corneredherround，whiteforehead。herwonderfuleyes，violetblue，heavylidded，withtheirastonishingupwardslanttowardthetemples，theslantthatgaveastrange，orientalcasttoherface，perplexing，enchanting。HerememberedtheEgyptianfulnessofthelips，thestrangebalancingmovementofherheaduponherslenderneck，thesamemovementthatoneseesinasnakeatpoise。Neverhadheseenagirlmoreradiantlybeautiful，neverabeautysostrange，sotroublous，sooutofallacceptedstandards。ItwassmallwonderthatVanameehadlovedher，andlesswonder，still，thathislovehadbeensointense，sopassionate，sopartofhimself。
Angelehadlovedhimwithalovenolessthanhisown。Itwasoneofthoselegendarypassionsthatsometimesoccur，idyllic，untouchedbycivilisation，spontaneousasthegrowthoftrees，naturalasdew-fall，strongasthefirm-seatedmountains。
AtthetimeofhismeetingwithAngele，VanameewaslivingontheLosMuertosranch。Itwastherehehadchosentospendoneofhiscollegevacations。Buthepreferredtopassitinout-of-
doorwork，sometimesherdingcattle，sometimespitchinghay，sometimesworkingwithpickanddynamite-stickontheditchesinthefourthdivisionoftheranch，ridingtherange，mendingbreaksinthewirefences，makinghimselfgenerallyuseful。
Collegebredthoughhewas，thelifepleasedhim。Hewas，ashedesired，closetonature，livingthefullmeasureoflife，aworkeramongworkers，takingenjoymentinsimplepleasures，healthyinmindandbody。Hebelievedinanexistencepassedinthisfashioninthecountry，workinghard，eatingfull，drinkingdeep，sleepingdreamlessly。
Buteverynight，aftersupper，hesaddledhisponyandrodeovertothegardenoftheoldMission。The’dobedividingwallonthatside，whichoncehadseparatedtheMissiongardenandtheSeedranch，hadlongsincecrumbledaway，andtheboundarybetweenthetwopiecesofgroundwasmarkedonlybyalineofvenerablepeartrees。Here，underthesetrees，hefoundAngeleawaitinghim，andtherethetwowouldsitthroughthehot，stillevening，theirarmsabouteachother，watchingthemoonriseoverthefoothills，listeningtothetrickleofthewaterinthemoss-
encrustedfountaininthegarden，andthesteadycroakofthegreatfrogsthatlivedinthedampnorthcorneroftheenclosure。
Throughallonesummertheenchantmentofthatnew-found，wonderfullove，pureanduntainted，filledthelivesofeachofthemwithitssweetness。Thesummerpassed，theharvestmooncameandwent。Thenightswereverydark。Inthedeepshadeofthepeartreestheycouldnolongerseeeachother。Whentheymetattherendezvous，Vanameefoundheronlywithhisgropinghands。Theydidnotspeak，merewordswereuselessbetweenthem。
Silentlyashisreachinghandstouchedherwarmbody，hetookherinhisarms，searchingforherlipswithhis。Thenonenightthetragedyhadsuddenlyleapedfromouttheshadowwiththeabruptnessofanexplosion。