Itwasimpossibleafterwardstoreconstructthemannerofitsoccurrence。ToAngele’smind——whattherewasleftofit——thematteralwaysremainedahideousblur，ablot，avague，terribleconfusion。Nodoubttheytwohadbeenwatched。theplansucceededtoowellforanyothersupposition。Onemoonlessnight，Angele，arrivingundertheblackshadowofthepeartreesalittleearlierthanusual，foundtheapparentlyfamiliarfigurewaitingforher。Allunsuspectingshegaveherselftotheembraceofastrangepairofarms，andVanameearrivingbutascoreofmomentslater，stumbledoverherprostratebody，inertandunconscious，intheshadowoftheoverspiringtrees。
WhowastheOther？AngelewascarriedtoherhomeontheSeedranch，delirious，allbutraving，andVanamee，withknifeandrevolverready，rangedthecountry-sidelikeawolf。Hewasnotalone。Thewholecountyrose，raging，horror-struck。Posseafterpossewasformed，sentout，andreturned，withoutsomuchasaclue。Uponnoonecouldeventheshadowofsuspicionbethrown。TheOtherhadwithdrawnintoanimpenetrablemystery。
Thereheremained。Heneverwasfound。heneverwassomuchasheardof。Alegendaroseabouthim，thisprowlerofthenight，thisstrange，fearfulfigure，withanunseenface，swoopingintherefromoutthedarkness，comeandgoneinaninstant，butleavingbehindhimatrackofterroranddeathandrageandundyinggrief。Withintheyear，ingivingbirthtothechild，Angelehaddied。
ThelittlebabewastakenbyAngele’sparents，andAngelewasburiedintheMissiongardenneartotheaged，greysundial。
Vanameestoodbyduringtheceremony，buthalfconsciousofwhatwasgoingforward。Atthelastmomenthehadsteppedforward，lookedlongintothedeadfaceframedinitsplaitsofgoldhair，thehairthatmadethree-corneredtheround，whiteforehead。
lookedagainattheclosedeyes，withtheirperplexingupwardslanttowardthetemples，oriental，bizarre。atthelipswiththeirEgyptianfulness。atthesweet，slenderneck。thelong，slimhands。thenabruptlyturnedabout。Thelastclodswerefillingthegraveatatimewhenhewasalreadyfaraway，hishorse’sheadturnedtowardthedesert。
Fortwoyearsnosyllablewasheardofhim。Itwasbelievedthathehadkilledhimself。ButVanameehadnothoughtofthat。FortwoyearshewanderedthroughArizona，livinginthedesert，inthewilderness，arecluse，anomad，anascetic。But，doubtless，allhisheartwasinthelittlecoffinintheMissiongarden。
Onceinsooftenhemustcomebackthither。OnedayhewasseenagainintheSanJoaquin。Thepriest，FatherSarria，returningfromavisittothesickatBonneville，methimontheUpperRoad。
EighteenyearshadpassedsinceAngelehaddied，butthethreadofVanamee’slifehadbeensnapped。Nothingremainednowbutthetangledends。Hehadneverforgotten。Thelong，dullache，thepoignantgriefhadnowbecomeapartofhim。Presleyknewthistobeso。
WhilePresleyhadbeenreflectinguponallthis，Vanameehadcontinuedtospeak。Presley，however，hadnotbeenwhollyinattentive。Whilehismemorywasbusyreconstructingthedetailsofthedramaoftheshepherd’slife，anotherpartofhisbrainhadbeenswiftlyregisteringpictureafterpicturethatVanamee’smonotonousflowofwordsstruckoff，asitwere，uponasteadilymovingscroll。Themusicoftheunfamiliarnamesthatoccurredinhisrecitalwasastimulanttothepoet’simagination。Presleyhadthepoet’spassionforexpressive，sonorousnames。AsthesecameandwentinVanamee’smonotonousundertones，likelittlenotesofharmonyinamusicalprogression，helistened，delightedwiththeirresonance-
Navajo，Quijotoa，Uintah，Sonora，Laredo，Uncompahgre——tohimtheyweresomanysymbols。ItwashisWestthatpassed，unrollingtherebeforetheeyeofhismind：theopen，heat-
scourgedroundofdesert。themesa，likeavastaltar，shimmeringpurpleintheroyalsunset。thestill，giganticmountains，heavingintotheskyfromoutthecanyons。thestrenuous，fiercelifeofisolatedtowns，lostandforgotten，downthere，faroff，belowthehorizon。Abruptlyhisgreatpoem，hisSongoftheWest，leapedupagaininhisimagination。Forthemoment，heallbutheldit。Itwasthere，closeathand。Inanotherinstanthewouldgraspit。
Yes，yes，heexclaimed，Icanseeitall。Thedesert，themountains，allwild，primordial，untamed。HowIshouldhavelovedtohavebeenwithyou。Then，perhaps，Ishouldhavegotholdofmyidea。
Youridea？
ThegreatpoemoftheWest。It’sthatwhichIwanttowrite。
Oh，toputitallintohexameters。strikethegreatironnote。
singthevast，terriblesong。thesongofthePeople。theforerunnersofempire！
Vanameeunderstoodhimperfectly。Henoddedgravely。
Yes，itisthere。ItisLife，theprimitive，simple，directLife，passionate，tumultuous。Yes，thereisanepicthere。
Presleycaughtattheword。Ithadneverbeforeoccurredtohim。
Epic，yes，that’sit。ItistheepicI’msearchingfor。AndHOWIsearchforit。Youdon’tknow。Itissometimesalmostanagony。OftenandoftenIcanfeelitrightthere，there，atmyfinger-tips，butIneverquitecatchit。Italwayseludesme。I
wasborntoolate。Ah，togetbacktothatfirstclear-eyedviewofthings，toseeasHomersaw，asBeowulfsaw，astheNibelungenpoetssaw。Thelifeishere，thesameasthen。thePoemishere。
myWestishere。theprimeval，epiclifeishere，hereunderourhands，inthedesert，inthemountain，ontheranch，alloverhere，fromWinnipegtoGuadalupe。Itisthemanwhoislacking，thepoet。wehavebeeneducatedawayfromitall。Weareoutoftouch。Weareoutoftune。
Vanameeheardhimtotheend，hisgrave，sadfacethoughtfulandattentive。Thenherose。
IamgoingovertotheMission，hesaid，toseeFatherSarria。
Ihavenotseenhimyet。
Howaboutthesheep？
Thedogswillkeeptheminhand，andIshallnotbegonelong。
Besidesthat，Ihaveaboyheretohelp。Heisoveryonderontheothersideoftheherd。Wecan’tseehimfromhere。
Presleywonderedattheheedlessnessofleavingthesheepsoslightlyguarded，butmadenocomment，andthetwostartedoffacrossthefieldinthedirectionoftheMissionchurch。
Well，yes，itisthere——yourepic，observedVanamee，astheywentalong。Butwhywrite？WhynotLIVEinit？Steeponeselfintheheatofthedesert，thegloryofthesunset，thebluehazeofthemesaandthecanyon。
Asyouhavedone，forinstance？
Vanameenodded。
No，Icouldnotdothat，declaredPresley。Iwanttogoback，butnotsofarasyou。IfeelthatImustcompromise。Imustfindexpression。Icouldnotlosemyselflikethatinyourdesert。Whenitsvastnessoverwhelmedme，oritsbeautydazzledme，oritslonelinessweigheddownuponme，Ishouldhavetorecordmyimpressions。Otherwise，Ishouldsuffocate。
Eachtohisownlife，observedVanamee。
TheMissionofSanJuan，builtofbrown’dobeblocks，coveredwithyellowplaster，thatatmanypointshaddroppedawayfromthewalls，stoodonthecrestofalowriseoftheground，facingtothesouth。Acoveredcolonnade，pavedwithround，wornbricks，fromwhenceopenedthedoorsoftheabandonedcells，onceusedbythemonks，adjoineditontheleft。Theroofwasoftiledhalf-cylinders，splitlongitudinally，andlaidinalternaterows，nowconcave，nowconvex。Themainbodyofthechurchitselfwasatrightanglestothecolonnade，andatthepointofintersectionrosethebelfrytower，anancientcampanile，whereswungthethreecrackedbells，thegiftoftheKingofSpain。
BeyondthechurchwastheMissiongardenandthegraveyardthatoverlookedtheSeedranchinalittlehollowbeyond。
PresleyandVanameewentdownthelongcolonnadetothelastdoornextthebelfrytower，andVanameepulledtheleatherthongthathungfromaholeinthedoor，settingalittlebelljanglingsomewhereintheinterior。Theplace，butforthisnoise，wasshroudedinaSundaystillness，anabsoluterepose。Onlyatintervals，oneheardthetrickleoftheunseenfountain，andtheliquidcooingofdovesinthegarden。
FatherSarriaopenedthedoor。Hewasasmallman，somewhatstout，withasmoothandshinyface。Heworeafrockcoatthatwasratherdirty，slippers，andanoldyachtingcapofbluecloth，withabrokenleathervizor。Hewassmokingacheapcigar，veryfatandblack。
ButinstantlyherecognisedVanamee。Hisfacewentallalightwithpleasureandastonishment。Itseemedasifhewouldneverhavefinishedshakingbothhishands。and，asitwas，hereleasedbutoneofthem，pattinghimaffectionatelyontheshoulderwiththeother。Hewasvolubleinhiswelcome，talkingpartlyinSpanish，partlyinEnglish。
Sohehadcomebackagain，thisgreatfellow，tannedasanIndian，leanasanIndian，withanIndian’slong，blackhair。
Buthehadnotchanged，notintheveryleast。Hisbeardhadnotgrownaninch。Aha！Therascal，nevertogivewarning，todropdown，asitwere，fromoutthesky。Suchahermit！Toliveinthedesert！AveritableSaintJerome。DidalionfeedhimdownthereinArizona，orwasitaraven，likeElijah？ThegoodGodhadnotfattenedhim，atanyrate，and，apropos，hewasjustabouttodinehimself。Hehadmadeasaladfromhisownlettuce。
Thetwowoulddinewithhim，eh？Forthis，myson，thatwaslostisfoundagain。
ButPresleyexcusedhimself。Instinctively，hefeltthatSarriaandVanameewantedtotalkofthingsconcerningwhichhewasanoutsider。ItwasnotatallunlikelythatVanameewouldspendhalfthenightbeforethehighaltarinthechurch。
Hetookhimselfaway，hismindstillbusywithVanamee’sextraordinarylifeandcharacter。But，ashedescendedthehill，hewasstartledbyaprolongedandraucouscry，discordant，veryharsh，thricerepeatedatexactintervals，and，lookingup，hesawoneofFatherSarria’speacocksbalancinghimselfuponthetopmostwireofthefence，hislongtailtrailing，hisneckoutstretched，fillingtheairwithhisstupidoutcry，fornoreasonthanthedesiretomakeanoise。
Aboutanhourlater，towardfourintheafternoon，PresleyreachedthespringattheheadofthelittlecanyoninthenortheastcorneroftheQuienSaberanch，thepointtowardwhichhehadbeentravellingsinceearlyintheforenoon。Theplacewasnotwithoutitscharm。Innumerablelive-oaksoverhungthecanyon，andBrodersonCreek——thereamererivulet，runningdownfromthespring——gaveacertaincoolnesstotheair。Itwasoneofthefewspotsthereaboutsthathadsurvivedthedryseasonofthelastyear。Nearlyalltheotherspringshaddriedcompletely，whileMissionCreekonDerrick’sranchwasnothingbetterthanadustycuttingintheground，filledwithbrittle，concaveflakesofdriedandsun-crackedmud。
Presleyclimbedtothesummitofoneofthehills——thehighest——
thatroseoutofthecanyon，fromthecrestofwhichhecouldseeforthirty，fifty，sixtymilesdownthevalley，and，fillinghispipe，smokedlazilyforupwardsofanhour，hisheademptyofthought，allowinghimselftosuccumbtoapleasant，gentleinanition，alittledrowsycomfortableinhisplace，proneupontheground，warmedjustenoughbysuchsunlightasfilteredthroughthelive-oaks，soothedbythegoodtobaccoandtheprolongedmurmurofthespringandcreek。Bydegrees，thesenseofhisownpersonalitybecameblunted，thelittlewheelsandcogsofthoughtmovedslowerandslower。consciousnessdwindledtoapoint，theanimalinhimstretcheditself，purring。Adelightfulnumbnessinvadedhismindandhisbody。Hewasnotasleep，hewasnotawake，stupefiedmerely，lapsingbacktothestateofthefaun，thesatyr。
Afterawhile，rousinghimselfalittle，heshiftedhispositionand，drawingfromthepocketofhisshootingcoathislittletree-calfeditionoftheOdyssey，readfarintothetwenty-firstbook，where，afterthefailureofallthesuitorstobendUlysses’sbow，itisfinallyput，withmockery，intohisownhands。Abruptlythedramaofthestoryrousedhimfromallhislanguor。Inaninstanthewasthepoetagain，hisnervestingling，alivetoeverysensation，responsivetoeveryimpression。Thedesireofcreation，ofcomposition，grewbigwithinhim。Hexametersofhisownclamoured，tumultuous，inhisbrain。Notforalongtimehadhefelthispoem，ashecalledthissensation，sopoignantly。Foraninstanthetoldhimselfthatheactuallyheldit。
Itwas，nodoubt，Vanamee’stalkthathadstimulatedhimtothispoint。ThestoryoftheLongTrail，withitsdesertandmountain，itscliff-dwellers，itsAztecruins，itscolour，movement，andromance，filledhismindwithpictureafterpicture。Theepicdefiledbeforehisvisionlikeapageant。
Oncemore，heshotaglanceabouthim，asifinsearchoftheinspiration，andthistimeheallbutfoundit。Herosetohisfeet，lookingoutandoffbelowhim。
Asfromapinnacle，Presley，fromwherehenowstood，dominatedtheentirecountry。Thesunhadbeguntoset，everythingintherangeofhisvisionwasoverlaidwithasheenofgold。
First，closeathand，itwastheSeedranch，carpetingthelittlehollowbehindtheMissionwithaspreadofgreens，somedark，somevivid，somepalealmosttoyellowness。BeyondthatwastheMissionitself，itsvenerablecampanile，inwhosearcheshungtheSpanishKing’sbells，alreadyglowingruddyinthesunset。
Fartheron，hecouldmakeoutAnnixter’sranchhouse，markedbytheskeleton-liketoweroftheartesianwell，and，alittlefarthertotheeast，thehuddled，tiledroofsofGuadalajara。
Fartothewestandnorth，hesawBonnevilleveryplain，andthedomeofthecourthouse，apurplesilhouetteagainsttheglareofthesky。Otherpointsdetachedthemselves，swimminginagoldenmist，projectingblueshadowsfarbeforethem。themammothlive-
oakbyHooven’s，toweringsuperbandmagnificent。thelineofeucalyptustrees，behindwhichheknewwastheLosMuertosranchhouse——hishome。thewatering-tank，thegreatiron-hoopedtowerofwoodthatstoodatthejoiningoftheLowerRoadandtheCountyRoad。thelongwind-breakofpoplartreesandthewhitewallsofCaraher’ssaloonontheCountyRoad。
Butallthisseemedtobeonlyforeground，amerearrayofaccessories——amassofirrelevantdetails。BeyondAnnixter’s，beyondGuadalajara，beyondtheLowerRoad，beyondBrodersonCreek，ontothesouthandwest，infinite，illimitable，stretchingoutthereunderthesheenofthesunsetforeverandforever，flat，vast，unbroken，ahugescroll，unrollingbetweenthehorizons，spreadthegreatstretchesoftheranchofLosMuertos，bareofcrops，shavedcloseintherecentharvest。Nearathandwerehills，butonthatfarsouthernhorizononlythecurveofthegreatearthitselfcheckedtheview。AdjoiningLosMuertos，andwideningtothewest，openedtheBrodersonranch。
TheOstermanranchtothenorthwestcarriedonthegreatsweepoflandscape。ranchafterranch。Then，astheimaginationitselfexpandedunderthestimulusofthatmeasurelessrangeofvision，eventhosegreatranchesresolvedthemselvesintomereforeground，mereaccessories，irrelevantdetails。Beyondthefinelineofthehorizons，overthecurveoftheglobe，theshoulderoftheearth，wereotherranches，equallyvast，andbeyondthese，others，andbeyondthese，stillothers，theimmensitiesmultiplying，lengtheningoutvasterandvaster。ThewholegiganticsweepoftheSanJoaquinexpanded，Titanic，beforetheeyeofthemind，flagellatedwithheat，quiveringandshimmeringunderthesun’sredeye。Atlongintervals，afaintbreathofwindoutofthesouthpassedslowlyoverthelevelsofthebakedandemptyearth，accentuatingthesilence，markingoffthestillness。Itseemedtoexhalefromthelanditself，aprolongedsighasofdeepfatigue。Itwastheseasonaftertheharvest，andthegreatearth，themother，afteritsperiodofreproduction，itspainsoflabour，deliveredofthefruitofitsloins，sleptthesleepofexhaustion，theinfinitereposeofthecolossus，benignant，eternal，strong，thenourisherofnations，thefeederofanentireworld。
Ha！thereitwas，hisepic，hisinspiration，hisWest，histhunderingprogressionofhexameters。Asuddenuplift，asenseofexhilaration，ofphysicalexaltationappearedabruptlytosweepPresleyfromhisfeet。Asfromapointhighabovetheworld，heseemedtodominateauniverse，awholeorderofthings。
Hewasdizzied，stunned，stupefied，hismorbidsupersensitivemindreeling，drunkwiththeintoxicationofmereimmensity。
Stupendousideasforwhichtherewerenonamesdroveheadlongthroughhisbrain。Terrible，formlessshapes，vaguefigures，gigantic，monstrous，distorted，whirledatagallopthroughhisimagination。
Hestartedhomeward，stillinhisdream，descendingfromthehill，emergingfromthecanyon，andtooktheshortcutstraightacrosstheQuienSaberanch，leavingGuadalajarafartohisleft。
Hetrampedsteadilyonthroughthewheatstubble，walkingfast，hisheadinawhirl。
Neverhadhesonearlygraspedhisinspirationasatthatmomentonthehilltop。Evennow，thoughthesunsetwasfading，thoughthewidereachofvalleywasshutfromsight，itstillkepthimcompany。Nowthedetailscamethrongingback——thecomponentpartsofhispoem，thesignsandsymbolsoftheWest。Itwasthere，closeathand，hehadbeenintouchwithitallday。Itwasinthecentenarian’svividlycolouredreminiscences——DeLaCuesta，holdinghisgrantfromtheSpanishcrown，withhispoweroflifeanddeath。theromanceofhismarriage。thewhitehorsewithitspillionofredleatherandsilverbridlemountings。thebull-fightsinthePlaza。thegiftsofgolddust，andhorsesandtallow。ItwasinVanamee’sstrangehistory，thetragedyofhislove。AngeleVarian，withhermarvellousloveliness。theEgyptianfulnessofherlips，theperplexingupwardslantofhervioleteyes，bizarre，oriental。herwhiteforeheadmadethreecorneredbyherplaitsofgoldhair。themysteryoftheOther。herdeathatthemomentofherchild’sbirth。ItwasinVanamee’sflightintothewilderness。thestoryoftheLongTrail，thesunsetsbehindthealtar-likemesas，thebakingdesolationofthedeserts。thestrenuous，fiercelifeofforgottentowns，downthere，faroff，lostbelowthehorizonsofthesouthwest。thesonorousmusicofunfamiliarnames——Quijotoa，Uintah，Sonora，Laredo，Uncompahgre。ItwasintheMission，withitscrackedbells，itsdecayingwalls，itsvenerablesundial，itsfountainandoldgarden，andintheMissionFathersthemselves，thepriests，thepadres，plantingthefirstwheatandoilandwinetoproducetheelementsoftheSacrament——atrinityofgreatindustries，takingtheirriseinareligiousrite。
Abruptly，asifinconfirmation，PresleyheardthesoundofabellfromthedirectionoftheMissionitself。ItwasthedeProfundis，anoteoftheOldWorld。oftheancientregime，anechofromthehillsidesofmediaevalEurope，soundingthereinthisnewland，unfamiliarandstrangeatthisend-of-the-centurytime。
Bynow，however，itwasdark。Presleyhurriedforward。HecametothelinefenceoftheQuienSaberanch。Everythingwasverystill。Thestarswereallout。TherewasnotasoundotherthanthedeProfundis，stillsoundingfromveryfaraway。Atlongintervalsthegreatearthsigheddreamilyinitssleep。Allabout，thefeelingofabsolutepeaceandquietandsecurityanduntroubledhappinessandcontentseemeddescendingfromthestarslikeabenediction。Thebeautyofhispoem，itsidyl，cametohimlikeacaress。thatalonehadbeenlacking。Itwasthat，perhaps，whichhadleftithithertoincomplete。Atlasthewastograsphissonginallitsentity。
Butsuddenlytherewasaninterruption。PresleyhadclimbedthefenceatthelimitoftheQuienSaberanch。BeyondwasLosMuertos，butbetweenthetworantherailroad。Hehadonlytimetojumpbackupontheembankmentwhen，withaquiveringofalltheearth，alocomotive，single，unattached，shotbyhimwitharoar，fillingtheairwiththereekofhotoil，vomitingsmokeandsparks。itsenormouseye，cyclopean，red，throwingaglarefarinadvance，shootingbyinasuddencrashofconfusedthunder。fillingthenightwiththeterrificclamourofitsironhoofs。
AbruptlyPresleyremembered。ThismustbethecrackpassengerengineofwhichDykehadtoldhim，theonedelayedbytheaccidentontheBakersfielddivisionandforwhosepassagethetrackhadbeenopenedallthewaytoFresno。
BeforePresleycouldrecoverfromtheshockoftheirruption，whiletheearthwasstillvibrating，therailsstillhumming，theenginewasfaraway，flingingtheechoofitsfranticgallopoverallthevalley。ForabriefinstantitroaredwithahollowdiapasonontheLongTrestleoverBrodersonCreek，thenplungedintoacuttingfartheron，thequiveringglareofitsfireslosingitselfinthenight，itsthunderabruptlydiminishingtoasubduedanddistanthumming。Allatoncethisceased。Theenginewasgone。
Butthemomentthenoiseoftheenginelapsed，Presley——abouttostartforwardagain——wasconsciousofaconfusionoflamentablesoundsthatroseintothenightfromouttheengine’swake。
Prolongedcriesofagony，sobbingwailsofinfinitepain，heart-
rending，pitiful。
Thenoisescamefromalittledistance。Herandownthetrack，crossingtheculvert，overtheirrigatingditch，andattheheadofthelongreachoftrack——betweentheculvertandtheLongTrestle——pausedabruptly，heldimmovableatthesightofthegroundandrailsallabouthim。
Insomeway，theherdofsheep——Vanamee’sherd——hadfoundabreachinthewirefencebytherightofwayandhadwanderedoutuponthetracks。Abandhadbeencrossingjustatthemomentoftheengine’spassage。Thepathosofitwasbeyondexpression。
Itwasaslaughter，amassacreofinnocents。Theironmonsterhadchargedfullintothemidst，merciless，inexorable。Totherightandleft，allthewidthoftherightofway，thelittlebodieshadbeenflung。backsweresnappedagainstthefenceposts。brainsknockedout。Caughtinthebarbsofthewire，wedgedin，thebodieshungsuspended。Underfootitwasterrible。Theblackblood，winkinginthestarlight，seepeddownintotheclinkersbetweenthetieswithaprolongedsuckingmurmur。
Presleyturnedaway，horror-struck，sickatheart，overwhelmedwithaquickburstofirresistiblecompassionforthisbruteagonyhecouldnotrelieve。Thesweetnesswasgonefromtheevening，thesenseofpeace，ofsecurity，andplacidcontentmentwasstrickenfromthelandscape。Thehideousruinintheengine’spathdroveallthoughtofhispoemfromhismind。Theinspirationvanishedlikeamist。ThedeProfundishadceasedtoring。
HehurriedonacrosstheLosMuertosranch，almostrunning，evenputtinghishandsoverhisearstillhewasoutofhearingdistanceofthatallbuthumandistress。Notuntilhewasbeyondear-shotdidhepause，lookingback，listening。Thenighthadshutdownagain。Foramomentthesilencewasprofound，unbroken。
Then，faintandprolonged，acrossthelevelsoftheranch，heheardtheenginewhistlingforBonneville。Againandagain，atrapidintervalsinitsflyingcourse，itwhistledforroadcrossings，forsharpcurves，fortrestles。ominousnotes，hoarse，bellowing，ringingwiththeaccentsofmenaceanddefiance。andabruptlyPresleysawagain，inhisimagination，thegallopingmonster，theterrorofsteelandsteam，withitssingleeye，cyclopean，red，shootingfromhorizontohorizon。butsawitnowasthesymbolofavastpower，huge，terrible，flingingtheechoofitsthunderoverallthereachesofthevalley，leavingbloodanddestructioninitspath。theleviathan，withtentaclesofsteelclutchingintothesoil，thesoullessForce，theiron-
heartedPower，themonster，theColossus，theOctopus。
CHAPTERII
Onthefollowingmorning，HarranDerrickwasupandaboutbyalittleaftersixo’clock，andaquarterofanhourlaterhadbreakfastinthekitchenoftheranchhouse，preferringnottowaituntiltheChinesecooklaidthetableintheregulardining-
room。Hescentedahardday’sworkaheadofhim，andwasanxioustobeatitbetimes。HewaspracticallythemanagerofLosMuertos，and，withtheaidofhisforemanandthreedivisionsuperintendents，carriedforwardnearlytheentiredirectionoftheranch，occupyinghimselfwiththedetailsofhisfather’splans，executinghisorders，signingcontracts，payingbills，andkeepingthebooks。
Forthelastthreeweekslittlehadbeendone。Thecrop——suchasitwas——hadbeenharvestedandsold，andtherehadbeenageneralrelaxationofactivityforupwardsofamonth。Now，however，thefallwascomingon，thedryseasonwasaboutatitsend。anytimeafterthetwentiethofthemonththefirstrainsmightbeexpected，softeningtheground，puttingitintoconditionfortheplough。Twodaysbeforethis，HarranhadnotifiedhissuperintendentsonThreeandFourtosendinsuchgrainastheyhadreservedforseed。OnTwothewheathadnotevenshownitselfabovetheground，whileonOne，theHomeranch，whichwasunderhisownimmediatesupervision，theseedhadalreadybeengradedandselected。
ItwasHarran’sintentiontocommenceblue-stoninghisseedthatday，adelicateandimportantprocesswhichpreventedrustandsmutappearinginthecropwhenthewheatshouldcomeup。But，furthermore，hewantedtofindtimetogotoGuadalajaratomeettheGovernoronthemorningtrain。Hisdaypromisedtobebusy。
ButasHarranwasfinishinghislastcupofcoffee，Phelps，theforemanontheHomeranch，whoalsolookedafterthestoragebarnswheretheseedwaskept，presentedhimself，capinhand，onthebackporchbythekitchendoor。
IthoughtI’dspeaktoyouabouttheseedfromFour，sir，hesaid。Thathasn’tbeenbroughtinyet。
Harrannodded。
I’llseeaboutit。You’vegotalltheblue-stoneyouwant，haveyou，Phelps？andwithoutwaitingforananswerheadded，TellthestablemanIshallwanttheteamaboutnineo’clocktogotoGuadalajara。Puttheminthebuggy。Thebays，youunderstand。
Whentheotherhadgone，Harrandrankofftherestofhiscoffee，and，rising，passedthroughthedining-roomandacrossastone-
pavedhallwaywithaglassroofintotheofficejustbeyond。
Theofficewasthenerve-centreoftheentiretenthousandacresofLosMuertos，butitsappearanceandfurnishingswerenotintheleastsuggestiveofafarm。Itwasdividedataboutitsmiddlebyawirerailing，paintedgreenandgold，andbehindthisrailingwerethehighdeskswherethebookswerekept，thesafe，theletter-pressandletter-files，andHarran’stypewritingmachine。AgreatmapofLosMuertoswitheverywater-course，depression，andelevation，togetherwithindicationsofthevaryingdepthsoftheclaysandloamsinthesoil，accuratelyplotted，hungagainstthewallbetweenthewindows，whilenearathandbythesafewasthetelephone。
But，nodoubt，themostsignificantobjectintheofficewastheticker。ThiswasaninnovationintheSanJoaquin，anideaofshrewd，quick-wittedyoungAnnixter，whichHarranandMagnusDerrickhadbeenquicktoadopt，andafterthemBrodersonandOsterman，andmanyothersofthewheatgrowersofthecounty。
TheofficesoftherancheswerethusconnectedbywirewithSanFrancisco，andthroughthatcitywithMinneapolis，Duluth，Chicago，NewYork，andatlast，andmostimportantofall，withLiverpool。Fluctuationsinthepriceoftheworld’scropduringandaftertheharvestthrilledstraighttotheofficeofLosMuertos，tothatoftheQuienSabe，toOsterman’s，andtoBroderson’s。DuringaflurryintheChicagowheatpitsintheAugustofthatyear，whichhadaffectedeventheSanFranciscomarket，HarranandMagnushadsatupnearlyhalfofonenightwatchingthestripofwhitetapejerkingunsteadilyfromthereel。Atsuchmomentstheynolongerfelttheirindividuality。
Theranchbecamemerelythepartofanenormouswhole，aunitinthevastagglomerationofwheatlandthewholeworldround，feelingtheeffectsofcausesthousandsofmilesdistant——adroughtontheprairiesofDakota，arainontheplainsofIndia，afrostontheRussiansteppes，ahotwindonthellanosoftheArgentine。
Harrancrossedovertothetelephoneandrangsixbells，thecallforthedivisionhouseonFour。Itwasthemostdistant，themostisolatedpointonalltheranch，situatedatitsfarsoutheasternextremity，wherefewpeopleeverwent，closetothelinefence，adot，aspeck，lostintheimmensityoftheopencountry。Bytheroaditwaselevenmilesdistantfromtheoffice，andbythetrailtoHooven’sandtheLowerRoadallofnine。
Howaboutthatseed？demandedHarranwhenhehadgotCutterontheline。
Theothermadeexcusesforanunavoidabledelay，andwasaddingthathewasonthepointofstartingout，whenHarrancutinwith：
Youhadbettergothetrail。ItwillsavealittletimeandI
aminahurry。Putyoursacksonthehorses’backs。And，Cutter，ifyouseeHoovenwhenyougobyhisplace，tellhimI
wanthim，and，bytheway，takealookattheendoftheirrigatingditchwhenyougettoit。SeehowtheyaregettingalongthereandifBillywantsanything。Tellhimweareexpectingthosenewscoopsdownto-morrowornextdayandtogetalongwithwhathehasuntilthen……How’severythingonFour？……Allright，then。GiveyourseedtoPhelpswhenyougethereifIamnotabout。IamgoingtoGuadalajaratomeettheGovernor。He’scomingdownto-day。Andthatmakesmethink。
welostthecase，youknow。IhadaletterfromtheGovernoryesterday……Yes，hardluck。S。Behrmandidusup。Well，good-bye，anddon’tloseanytimewiththatseed。Iwanttoblue-stoneto-day。
AftertelephoningCutter，Harranputonhishat，wentovertothebarns，andfoundPhelps。Phelpshadalreadycleanedoutthevatwhichwastocontainthesolutionofblue-stone，andwasnowatworkregradingtheseed。Againstthewallbehindhimrangedtherowofsacks。Harrancutthefasteningsoftheseandexaminedthecontentscarefully，takinghandfulsofwheatfromeachandallowingittorunthroughhisfingers，ornippingthegrainsbetweenhisnails，testingtheirhardness。
Theseedwasallofthewhitevarietiesofwheatandofaveryhighgrade，theberrieshardandheavy，rigidandswollenwithstarch。
Ifitwasalllikethat，sir，hey？observedPhelps。
Harranputhischinintheair。
Breadwouldbeasgoodascake，then，heanswered，goingfromsacktosack，inspectingthecontentsandconsultingthetagsaffixedtothemouths。
Hello，heremarked，here’saredwheat。Wheredidthiscomefrom？
That’sthatredClawsonwesowedtothepieceonFour，norththeMissionCreek，justtoseehowitwoulddohere。Wedidn’tgetaverygoodcatch。
Wecan’tdobetterthantostaybyWhiteSonoraandPropo，
remarkedHarran。We’vegotourbestresultswiththat，andEuropeanmillerslikeittomixwiththeEasternwheatsthathavemoreglutenthanours。Thatis，ifwehaveanywheatatallnextyear。
Afeelingofdiscouragementforthemomentboredownheavilyuponhim。Atintervalsthiscametohimandforthemomentitwasoverpowering。Theideaofwhat’s-the-usewasuponoccasionaveritableoppression。Everythingseemedtocombinetolowerthepriceofwheat。Theextensionofwheatareasalwaysexceededincreaseofpopulation。competitionwasgrowingfiercereveryyear。Thefarmer’sprofitsweretheobjectofattackfromascoreofdifferentquarters。Itwasaflockofvulturesdescendinguponacommonprey——thecommissionmerchant，theelevatorcombine，themixing-housering，thebanks，thewarehousemen，thelabouringman，and，aboveall，therailroad。SteadilytheLiverpoolbuyerscutandcutandcut。Everything，everyelementoftheworld’smarkets，tendedtoforcedownthepricetothelowestpossiblefigureatwhichitcouldbeprofitablyfarmed。Nowitwasdowntoeighty-seven。Itwasatthatfigurethecrophadsoldthatyear。andtothinkthattheGovernorhadseenwheatattwodollarsandfivecentsintheyearoftheTurko-RussianWar！
HeturnedbacktothehouseaftergivingPhelpsfinaldirections，gloomy，disheartened，hishandsdeepinhispockets，wonderingwhatwastobetheoutcome。Sonarrowhadthemarginofprofitshrunkthatadryseasonmeantbankruptcytothesmallerfarmersthroughoutallthevalley。Heknewverywellhowwidespreadhadbeenthedistressthelasttwoyears。WiththeirowntenantsonLosMuertos，affairshadreachedthestageofdesperation。
DerrickhadpracticallybeenobligedtocarryHoovenandsomeoftheothers。TheGovernorhimselfhadmadealmostnothingduringthelastseason。athirdyearlikethelast，withthepricesteadilysagging，meantnothingelsebutruin。
Butherehecheckedhimself。TwoconsecutivedryseasonsinCaliforniawerealmostunprecedented。athirdwouldbebeyondbelief，andthecompleterestfornearlyallthelandwasacompensation。Theyhadmadenomoney，thatwastrue。buttheyhadlostnone。ThankGod，thehomesteadwasfreeofmortgage。
onegoodseasonwouldmorethanmakeupthedifference。
Hewasinabettermoodbythetimehereachedthedrivewaythatleduptotheranchhouse，andasheraisedhiseyestowardthehouseitself，hecouldnotbutfeelthatthesightofhishomewascheering。Theranchhousewassetinagreatgroveofeucalyptus，oak，andcypress，enormoustreesgrowingfromoutalawnthatwasasgreen，asfresh，andaswell-groomedasanyinagardeninthecity。Thislawnflankedallonesideofthehouse，anditwasonthissidethatthefamilyelectedtospendmostofitstime。Theotherside，lookingoutupontheHomeranchtowardBonnevilleandtherailroad，wasbutlittleused。Adeepporchranthewholelengthofthehousehere，andinthelowerbranchesofalive-oaknearthestepsHarranhadbuiltalittlesummerhouseforhismother。Totheleftoftheranchhouseitself，towardtheCountyRoad，wasthebunk-houseandkitchenforsomeofthehands。Fromthestepsoftheporchtheviewtothesouthwardexpandedtoinfinity。Therewasnotsomuchasatwigtoobstructtheview。Inoneleaptheeyereachedthefine，delicatelinewhereearthandskymet，milesaway。Theflatmonotonyoftheland，cleanoffencing，wasbrokenbyonespotonly，theroofoftheDivisionSuperintendent’shouseonThree——amerespeck，justdarkerthantheground。Cutter’shouseonFourwasnoteveninsight。Thatwasbelowthehorizon。
AsHarrancameuphesawhismotheratbreakfast。ThetablehadbeensetontheporchandMrs。Derrick，stirringhercoffeewithonehand，heldopenwiththeotherthepagesofWalterPater’sMarius。Atherfeet，PrincessNathalie，thewhiteAngoracat，sleek，over-fed，self-centred，satonherhaunches，industriouslylickingatthewhitefurofherbreast，whilenearathand，bytherailingoftheporch，Presleypotteredwithanewbicyclelamp，fillingitwithoil，adjustingthewicks。
Harrankissedhismotherandsatdowninawickerchairontheporch，removinghishat，runninghisfingersthroughhisyellowhair。
MagnusDerrick’swifelookedhardlyoldenoughtobethemotheroftwosuchbigfellowsasHarranandLymanDerrick。Shewasnotfarintothefifties，andherbrownhairstillretainedmuchofitsbrightness。Shecouldyetbecalledpretty。Hereyeswerelargeandeasilyassumedalookofinquiryandinnocence，suchasonemightexpecttoseeinayounggirl。Bydispositionshewasretiring。sheeasilyobliteratedherself。Shewasnotmadefortheharshnessoftheworld，andyetshehadknowntheseharshnessesinheryoungerdays。Magnushadmarriedherwhenshewastwenty-oneyearsold，atatimewhenshewasagraduateofsomeyears’standingfromtheStateNormalSchoolandwasteachingliterature，music，andpenmanshipinaseminaryinthetownofMarysville。Sheoverworkedherselfherecontinually，loathingthestrainofteaching，yetclingingtoitwithatenacitybornoftheknowledgethatitwasheronlymeansofsupport。Bothherparentsweredead。shewasdependentuponherself。HeroneambitionwastoseeItalyandtheBayofNaples。TheMarbleFaun，Raphael’sMadonnasandIlTrovatorewereherbeauidealsofliteratureandart。ShedreamedofItaly，Rome，Naples，andtheworld’sgreatart-
centres。TherewasnodoubtthatheraffairwithMagnushadbeenalove-match，butAnniePaynewouldhavelovedanymanwhowouldhavetakenheroutofthedroning，heart-breakingroutineoftheclassandmusicroom。Shehadfollowedhisfortunesunquestioningly。FirstatSacramento，duringtheturmoilofhispoliticalcareer，lateronatPlacervilleinElDoradoCounty，afterDerrickhadinterestedhimselfintheCorpusChristigroupofmines，andfinallyatLosMuertos，where，aftersellingouthisfourthinterestinCorpusChristi，hehadturnedrancherandhadcomeinonthenewtractsofwheatlandjustthrownopenbytherailroad。Shehadlivedherenowfornearlytenyears。Butneverforonemomentsincethetimeherglancefirstlostitselfintheunbrokenimmensityoftherancheshadsheknownamoment’scontent。Continuallytherecameintoherpretty，wide-openeyes——
theeyesofayoungdoe——alookofuneasiness，ofdistrust，andaversion。LosMuertosfrightenedher。SherememberedthedaysofheryounggirlhoodpassedonafarmineasternOhio——fivehundredacres，neatlypartitionedintothewaterlot，thecowpasture，thecornlot，thebarleyfield，andwheatfarm。cosey，comfortable，home-like。wherethefarmerslovedtheirland，caressingit，coaxingit，nourishingitasthoughitwereathingalmostconscious。wheretheseedwassownbyhand，andasingletwo-horseploughwassufficientfortheentirefarm。wherethescythesufficedtocuttheharvestandthegrainwasthrashedwithflails。
Butthisneworderofthings——aranchboundedonlybythehorizons，where，asfarasonecouldsee，tothenorth，totheeast，tothesouthandtothewest，wasalloneholding，aprincipalityruledwithironandsteam，bulliedintoayieldofthreehundredandfiftythousandbushels，whereevenwhenthelandwasresting，unploughed，unharrowed，andunsown，thewheatcameup——troubledher，andevenattimesfilledherwithanundefinableterror。Tohermindtherewassomethinginordinateaboutitall。somethingalmostunnatural。Thedirectbrutalityoftenthousandacresofwheat，nothingbutwheatasfarastheeyecouldsee，stunnedheralittle。Theone-timewriting-
teacherofayoungladies’seminary，withherprettydeer-likeeyesanddelicatefingers，shrankfromit。Shedidnotwanttolookatsomuchwheat。Therewassomethingvaguelyindecentinthesight，thisfoodofthepeople，thiselementalforce，thisbasicenergy，welteringhereunderthesuninalltheunconsciousnakednessofasprawling，primordialTitan。
Themonotonyoftheranchateintoherhearthourbyhour，yearbyyear。Andwithitall，whenwasshetoseeRome，Italy，andtheBayofNaples？Itwasadifferentprospecttruly。Magnushadgivenherhispromisethatoncetheranchwaswellestablished，theytwoshouldtravel。Butcontinuallyhehadbeenobligedtoputheroff，nowforonereason，nowforanother。themachinewouldnotasyetrunofitself，hemuststillfeelhishanduponthelever。nextyear，perhaps，whenwheatshouldgotoninety，ortherainsweregood。Shedidnotinsist。Sheobliteratedherself，onlyallowing，fromtimetotime，herpretty，questioningeyestomeethis。Inthemeantimesheretiredwithinherself。Shesurroundedherselfwithbooks。Hertastewasofthedelicacyofpointlace。SheknewherAustinDobsonbyheart。Shereadpoems，essays，theideasoftheseminaryatMarysvillepersistinginhermind。MariustheEpicurean，TheEssaysofElia，SesameandLilies，TheStonesofVenice，andthelittletoymagazines，fulloftheflaccidbanalitiesoftheMinorPoets，werecontinuallyinherhands。
WhenPresleyhadappearedonLosMuertos，shehadwelcomedhisarrivalwithdelight。Hereatlastwasacongenialspirit。Shelookedforwardtolongconversationswiththeyoungmanonliterature，art，andethics。ButPresleyhaddisappointedher。
Thathe——outsideofhisfewchosendeities——shouldcarelittleforliterature，shockedherbeyondwords。Hisindifferencetostyle，toelegantEnglish，wasapositiveaffront。Hissavageabuseandopenridiculeoftheneatlyphrasedrondeauxandsestinasandchansonettesofthelittlemagazineswastohermindawantonanduncalled-forcruelty。ShefoundhisHomer，withitsslaughtersandhecatombsandbarbaricfeastingsandheadstrongpassions，violentandcoarse。Shecouldnotseewithhimanyromance，anypoetryinthelifearoundher。shelookedtoItalyforthat。HisSongoftheWest，whichonlyonce，incoherentandfierce，hehadtriedtoexplaintoher，itsswift，tumultouslife，itstruth，itsnobilityandsavagery，itsheroismandobscenityhadrevoltedher。
But，Presley，shehadmurmured，thatisnotliterature。
No，hehadcriedbetweenhisteeth，no，thankGod，itisnot。
Alittlelater，oneofthestablemenbroughtthebuggywiththeteamofbaysuptothestepsoftheporch，andHarran，puttingonadifferentcoatandablackhat，tookhimselfofftoGuadalajara。
Themorningwasfine。therewasnocloudinthesky，butasHarran’sbuggydrewawayfromthegroveoftreesabouttheranchhouse，emergingintotheopencountryoneithersideoftheLowerRoad，hecaughthimselflookingsharplyattheskyandthefaintlineofhillsbeyondtheQuienSaberanch。TherewasacertainindefinitecasttothelandscapethattoHarran’seyewasnottobemistaken。Rain，thefirstoftheseason，wasnotfaroff。
That’sgood，hemuttered，touchingthebayswiththewhip，wecan’tgetourploughstohandanytoosoon。
TheseploughsMagnusDerrickhadorderedfromanEasternmanufacturersomemonthsbefore，sincehewasdissatisfiedwiththeresultsobtainedfromtheoneshehadusedhitherto，whichwereoflocalmake。However，therehadbeenexasperatingandunexpecteddelaysintheirshipment。MagnusandHarranbothhadcounteduponhavingtheploughsintheirimplementbarnsthatveryweek，butatracersentafterthemhadonlyresultedinlocatingthem，stillenroute，somewherebetweenTheNeedlesandBakersfield。Nowtherewaslikelihoodofrainwithintheweek。
Ploughingcouldbeundertakenimmediatelyafterward，sosoonasthegroundwassoftened，buttherewasafairchancethattheranchwouldlieidleforwantofpropermachinery。
ItwastenminutesbeforetraintimewhenHarranreachedthedepotatGuadalajara。TheSanFranciscopapersoftheprecedingdayhadarrivedonanearliertrain。Heboughtacouplefromthestationagentandlookedthemovertilladistantandprolongedwhistleannouncedtheapproachofthedowntrain。
Inoneofthefourpassengersthatalightedfromthetrain，herecognisedhisfather。Hehalfroseinhisseat，whistlingshrillybetweenhisteeth，wavinghishand，andMagnusDerrick，catchingsightofhim，cameforwardquickly。
Magnus——theGovernor——wasallofsixfeettall，andthoughnowwelltowardhissixtiethyear，wasaserectasanofficerofcavalry。Hewasbroadinproportion，afinecommandingfigure，imposinganimmediaterespect，impressingonewithasenseofgravity，ofdignityandacertainprideofrace。Hewassmooth-
shaven，thin-lipped，withabroadchin，andaprominenthawk-likenose——thecharacteristicofthefamily——thin，withahighbridge，suchasoneseesinthelaterportraitsoftheDukeofWellington。Hishairwasthickandiron-grey，andhadatendencytocurlinaforwarddirectionjustinfrontofhisears。Heworeatop-hatofgrey，withawidebrim，andafrockcoat，andcarriedacanewithayellowedivoryhead。
AsayoungmanithadbeenhisambitiontorepresenthisnativeState——NorthCarolina——intheUnitedStatesSenate。Calhounwashisgreatman，butintwosuccessivecampaignshehadbeendefeated。Hiscareercheckedinthisdirection，hehadcometoCaliforniainthefifties。HehadknownandhadbeentheintimatefriendofsuchmenasTerry，Broderick，GeneralBaker，Lick，Alvarado，Emerich，Larkin，and，aboveall，oftheunfortunateandmisunderstoodRalston。OncehehadbeenputforwardastheDemocraticcandidateforgovernor，butfailedofelection。AfterthisMagnushaddefinitelyabandonedpoliticsandhadinvestedallhismoneyintheCorpusChristimines。Thenhehadsoldouthisinterestatasmallprofit——justintimetomisshischanceofbecomingamulti-millionaireintheComstockboom——andwaslookingforreinvestmentsinotherlineswhenthenewsthatwheathadbeendiscoveredinCaliforniawaspassedfrommouthtomouth。Practicallyitamountedtoadiscovery。
Dr。Glenn’sfirstharvestofwheatinColusaCounty，quietlyundertakenbutsuddenlyrealisedwithdramaticabruptness，gaveanewmatterforreflectiontothethinkingmenoftheNewWest。
Californiasuddenlyleapedunheraldedintotheworld’smarketasacompetitorinwheatproduction。Inafewyearsheroutputofwheatexceededthevalueofherout-putofgold，andwhen，lateron，thePacificandSouthwesternRailroadthrewopentosettlerstherichlandsofTulareCounty——concededtothecorporationbythegovernmentasabonusfortheconstructionoftheroad——
MagnushadbeenquicktoseizetheopportunityandhadtakenupthetenthousandacresofLosMuertos。Whereverhehadgone，Magnushadtakenhisfamilywithhim。LymanhadbeenbornatSacramentoduringtheturmoilandexcitementofDerrick’scampaignforgovernor，andHarranatShingleSprings，inElDoradoCounty，sixyearslater。
ButMagnuswasineverysensetheprominentman。Inwhatevercirclehemovedhewasthechieffigure。Instinctivelyothermenlookedtohimastheleader。Hehimselfwasproudofthisdistinction。heassumedthegrandmannerveryeasilyandcarrieditwell。Asapublicspeakerhewasoneofthelastofthefollowersoftheoldschooloforators。Heevencarriedthedictionandmanneroftherostrumintoprivatelife。Itwassaidofhimthathismostcolloquialconversationcouldbetakendowninshorthandandreadoffasanadmirablespecimenofpure，well-
chosenEnglish。Helovedtodothingsuponagrandscale，topreside，todominate。InhisgoodhumourtherewassomethingJovian。Whenangry，everybodyaroundhimtrembled。Buthehadnotthegeniusfordetail，wasnotpatient。Thecertaingrandioselavishnessofhisdispositionoccupieditselfmorewithresultsthanwithmeans。Hewasalwaysreadytotakechances，tohazardeverythingonthehopesofcolossalreturns。IntheminingdaysatPlacervilletherewasnomoreredoubtablepokerplayerinthecounty。Hehadbeenasluckyinhisminesasinhisgambling，sinkingshaftsandtunnellinginviolationofexperttheoryandfindingpayineverycase。Withoutknowingit，heallowedhimselftoworkhisranchmuchasifhewasstillworkinghismine。Theold-timespiritof’49，hap-hazard，unscientific，persistedinhismind。Everythingwasagamble——
whotookthegreatestchanceswasmostapttobethegreatestwinner。TheideaofmanuringLosMuertos，ofhusbandinghisgreatresources，hewouldhavescoutedasniggardly，Hebraic，ungenerous。
Magnusclimbedintothebuggy，helpinghimselfwithHarran’soutstretchedhandwhichhestillheld。Thetwowereimmenselyfondofeachother，proudofeachother。TheywereconstantlytogetherandMagnuskeptnosecretsfromhisfavouriteson。
Well，boy。
Well，Governor。
Iamverypleasedyoucameyourself，Harran。IfearedthatyoumightbetoobusyandsendPhelps。Itwasthoughtful。
Harranwasahouttoreply，butatthatmomentMagnuscaughtsightofthethreeflatcarsloadedwithbright-paintedfarmingmachineswhichstillremainedonthesidingabovethestation。
HelaidhishandsonthereinsandHarrancheckedtheteam。
Harran，observedMagnus，fixingthemachinerywithajudicialfrown，Harran，thoselooksingularlylikeourploughs。Driveover，boy。
ThetrainhadbythistimegoneonitswayandHarranbroughttheteamuptothesiding。
Ah，Iwasright，saidtheGovernor。’MagnusDerrick，LosMuertos，Bonneville，fromDitson&Co。，Rochester。’Theseareours，boy。
Harranbreathedasighofrelief。
Atlast，heanswered，andjustintime，too。We’llhaverainbeforetheweekisout。Ithink，nowthatIamhere，IwilltelephonePhelpstosendthewagonrightdownforthese。I
startedblue-stoningto-day。
Magnusnoddedagraveapproval。
Thatwasshrewd，boy。Astotherain，Ithinkyouarewellinformed。wewillhaveanearlyseason。Theploughshavearrivedatahappymoment。
Itmeansmoneytous，Governor，remarkedHarran。
Butasheturnedthehorsestoallowhisfathertogetintothebuggyagain，thetwoweresurprisedtohearathick，throatyvoicewishingthemgood-morning，andturningaboutwereawareofS。Behrman，whohadcomeupwhiletheywereexaminingtheploughs。Harran’seyesflashedontheinstantandthroughhisnostrilshedrewasharp，quickbreath，whileacertainrigourofcarriagestiffenedthesetofMagnusDerrick’sshouldersandback。Magnushadnotyetgotintothebuggy，butstoodwiththeteambetweenhimandS。Behrman，eyeinghimcalmlyacrossthehorses’backs。S。BehrmancamearoundtotheothersideofthebuggyandfacedMagnus。
Hewasalarge，fatman，withagreatstomach。hischeekandtheupperpartofhisthickneckrantogethertoformagreattremulousjowl，shavenandblue-greyincolour。arolloffat，sprinkledwithsparsehair，moistwithperspiration，protrudedoverthebackofhiscollar。Heworeaheavyblackmoustache。
Onhisheadwasaround-toppedhatofstiffbrownstraw，highlyvarnished。Alight-brownlinenvest，stampedwithinnumerableinterlockedhorseshoes，coveredhisprotuberantstomach，uponwhichaheavywatchchainofhollowlinksroseandfellwithhisdifficultbreathing，clinkingagainstthevestbuttonsofimitationmother-of-pearl。
S。BehrmanwasthebankerofBonneville。Butbesidesthishewasmanyotherthings。Hewasarealestateagent。Heboughtgrain。
hedealtinmortgages。Hewasoneofthelocalpoliticalbosses，butmoreimportantthanallthis，hewastherepresentativeofthePacificandSouthwesternRailroadinthatsectionofTulareCounty。TherailroaddidlittlebusinessinthatpartofthecountrythatS。Behrmandidnotsupervise，fromtheconsignmentofashipmentofwheattothemanagementofadamagesuit，oreventotherepairandmaintenanceoftherightofway。Duringthetimewhentheranchersofthecountywerefightingthegrain-
ratecase，S。BehrmanhadbeenmuchinevidenceinandabouttheSanFranciscocourtroomsandthelobbyofthelegislatureinSacramento。HehadreturnedtoBonnevilleonlyrecently，adecisionadversetotheranchersbeingforeseen。ThepositionheoccupiedonthesalarylistofthePacificandSouthwesterncouldnotreadilybedefined，forhewasneitherfreightagent，passengeragent，attorney，real-estatebroker，norpoliticalservant，thoughhisinfluenceinalltheseofficeswasundoubtedandenormous。Butforallthat，theranchersaboutBonnevilleknewwhomtolooktoasasourceoftrouble。TherewasnodenyingthefactthatforOsterman，Broderson，AnnixterandDerrick，S。Behrmanwastherailroad。
Mr。Derrick，good-morning，hecriedashecameup。Good-
morning，Harran。Gladtoseeyouback，Mr。Derrick。Heheldoutathickhand。
Magnus，headandshouldersabovetheother，tall，thin，erect，lookeddownuponS。Behrman，inclininghishead，failingtoseehisextendedhand。
Good-morning，sir，heobserved，andwaitedforS。Behrman’sfurtherspeech。
Well，Mr。Derrick，continuedS。Behrman，wipingthebackofhisneckwithhishandkerchief，Isawinthecitypapersyesterdaythatourcasehadgoneagainstyou。
Iguessitwasn’tanygreatnewstoYOU，commentedHarran，hisfacescarlet。IguessyouknewwhichwayUlsteenwasgoingtojumpafteryourveryfirstinterviewwithhim。Youdon’tliketobesurprisedinthissortofthing，S。Behrman。
Now，youknowbetterthanthat，Harran，remonstratedS。Behrmanblandly。Iknowwhatyoumeantoimply，butIain’tgoingtoletitmakemegetmad。IwantedtosaytoyourGovernor——I
wantedtosaytoyou，Mr。Derrick——asonemantoanother——lettingalonefortheminutethatwewereonoppositesidesofthecase——
thatI’msorryyoudidn’twin。Yoursidemadeagoodfight，butitwasinamistakencause。That’sthewholetrouble。Why，youcouldhavefiguredoutbeforeyoueverwentintothecasethatsuchratesareconfiscationofproperty。Youmustallowus——mustallowtherailroad——afairinterestontheinvestment。Youdon’twantustogointothereceiver’shands，doyounow，Mr。
Derrick？
TheBoardofRailroadCommissionerswasbought，remarkedMagnussharply，akeen，briskflashglintinginhiseye。
Itwaspartofthegame，putinHarran，fortheRailroadCommissiontocutratestoaridiculousfigure，farbelowaREASONABLEfigure，justsothatitWOULDbeconfiscation。
WhetherUlsteenisatoolofyoursornot，hehadtoputtheratesbacktowhattheywereoriginally。
Ifyouenforcedthoserates，Mr。Harran，returnedS。Behrmancalmly，wewouldn’tbeabletoearnsufficientmoneytomeetoperatingexpensesorfixedcharges，tosaynothingofasurplusleftovertopaydividends——
TellmewhentheP。andS。W。everpaiddividends。
Thelowestrates，continuedS。Behrman，thatthelegislaturecanestablishmustbesuchaswillsecureusafairinterestonourinvestment。
Well，what’syourstandard？Come，let’shearit。Whoistosaywhat’safairrate？Therailroadhasitsownnotionsoffairnesssometimes。
ThelawsoftheState，returnedS。Behrman，fixtherateofinterestatsevenpercent。That’sagoodenoughstandardforus。Thereisnoreason，Mr。Harran，whyadollarinvestedinarailroadshouldnotearnasmuchasadollarrepresentedbyapromissorynote——sevenpercent。Byapplyingyourscheduleofrateswewouldnotearnacent。wewouldbebankrupt。
Interestonyourinvestment！criedHarran，furious。It’sfinetotalkaboutfairinterest。IknowandyouknowthatthetotalearningsoftheP。andS。W——theirmain，branchandleasedlinesforlastyear——wasbetweennineteenandtwentymillionsofdollars。Doyoumeantosaythattwentymilliondollarsissevenpercent。oftheoriginalcostoftheroad？
S。Behrmanspreadouthishands，smiling。
Thatwasthegross，notthenetfigure——andhowcanyoutellwhatwastheoriginalcostoftheroad？
Ah，that’sjustit，shoutedHarran，emphasisingeachwordwithablowofhisfistuponhisknee，hiseyessparkling，youtakecursedgoodcarethatwedon’tknowanythingabouttheoriginalcostoftheroad。Butweknowyouarebondedfortrebleyourvalue。andweknowthis：thattheroadCOULDhavebeenbuiltforfifty-fourthousanddollarspermileandthatyouSAYitcostyoueighty-seventhousand。Itmakesadifference，S。Behrman，onwhichofthesetwofiguresyouarebasingyoursevenpercent。
Thatallmayshowobstinacy，Harran，observedS。Behrmanvaguely，butitdon’tshowcommonsense。
Wearethreshingoutoldstraw，Ibelieve，gentlemen，remarkedMagnus。Thequestionwasthoroughlysiftedinthecourts。
Quiteright，assentedS。Behrman。Thebestwayisthattherailroadandthefarmerunderstandeachotherandgetalongpeaceably。Wearebothdependentoneachother。Yourploughs，I
believe，Mr。Derrick。S。Behrmannoddedtowardtheflatcars。
Theyareconsignedtome，admittedMagnus。
Itlooksatriflelikerain，observedS。Behrman，easinghisneckandjowlinhislimpcollar。Isupposeyouwillwanttobeginploughingnextweek。
Possibly，saidMagnus。
I’llseethatyourploughsarehurriedthroughforyouthen，Mr。
Derrick。Wewillroutethembyfastfreightforyouanditwon’tcostyouanythingextra。
Whatdoyoumean？demandedHarran。Theploughsarehere。Wehavenothingmoretodowiththerailroad。Iamgoingtohavemywagonsdownherethisafternoon。
Iamsorry，answeredS。Behrman，butthecarsaregoingnorth，not，asyouthought，comingFROMthenorth。TheyhavenotbeentoSanFranciscoyet。
Magnusmadeaslightmovementoftheheadasonewhoremembersafacthithertoforgotten。ButHarranwasasyetunenlightened。
ToSanFrancisco！heanswered，wewantthemhere——whatareyoutalkingabout？
Well，youknow，ofcourse，theregulations，answeredS。Behrman。FreightofthiskindcomingfromtheEasternpointsintotheStatemustgofirsttooneofourcommonpointsandbereshippedfromthere。
Harrandidremembernow，butneverbeforehadthemattersostruckhome。Heleanedbackinhisseatindumbamazementfortheinstant。EvenMagnushadturnedalittlepale。Then，abruptly，Harranbrokeoutviolentandraging。
Whatnext？MyGod，whydon’tyoubreakintoourhousesatnight？Whydon’tyoustealthewatchoutofmypocket，stealthehorsesoutoftheharness，holdusupwithashot-gun。yes，’standanddeliver。yourmoneyoryourlife。’HerewebringourploughsfromtheEastoveryourlines，butyou’renotcontentwithyourlong-haulratebetweenEasternpointsandBonneville。
Youwanttogetusunderyourruinousshort-haulratebetweenBonnevilleandSanFrancisco，ANDRETURN。Thinkofit！Here’saloadofstuffforBonnevillethatcan’tstopatBonneville，whereitisconsigned，buthasgottogouptoSanFranciscofirstBY
WAYOFBonneville，atfortycentspertonandthenbereshippedfromSanFranciscobacktoBonnevilleagainatFIFTY-ONEcentsperton，theshort-haulrate。Andwehavetopayitallorgowithout。Herearetheploughsrighthere，insightofthelandtheyhavegottobeusedon，theseasonjustreadyforthem，andwecan’ttouchthem。Oh，heexclaimedindeepdisgust，isn’titaprettymess！Isn’titafarce！thewholedirtybusiness！
S。Behrmanlistenedtohimunmoved，hislittleeyesblinkingunderhisfatforehead，thegoldchainofhollowlinksclickingagainstthepearlbuttonsofhiswaistcoatashebreathed。
Itdon’tdoanygoodtoletlooselikethat，Harran，hesaidatlength。IamwillingtodowhatIcanforyou。I’llhurrytheploughsthrough，butIcan’tchangethefreightregulationoftheroad。
What’syourblackmailforthis？vociferatedHarran。Howmuchdoyouwanttoletusgo？HowmuchhavewegottopayyoutobeALLOWEDtouseourownploughs——what’syourfigure？Come，spititout。
Iseeyouaretryingtomakemeangry，Harran，returnedS。
Behrman，butyouwon’tsucceed。Bettergiveuptrying，myboy。
AsIsaid，thebestwayistohavetherailroadandthefarmergetalongamicably。Itistheonlywaywecandobusiness。
Well，s’long，Governor，Imusttrotalong。S’long，Harran。Hetookhimselfoff。
ButbeforeleavingGuadalajaraMagnusdroppedintothetown’ssmallgrocerystoretopurchaseaboxofcigarsofacertainMexicanbrand，unprocurableelsewhere。Harranremainedinthebuggy。
Whilehewaited，Dykeappearedattheendofthestreet，and，seeingDerrick’syoungerson，cameovertoshakehandswithhim。
HeexplainedhisaffairwiththeP。andS。W。，andaskedtheyoungmanwhathethoughtoftheexpectedriseinthepriceofhops。
Hopsoughttobeagoodthing，Harrantoldhim。ThecropinGermanyandinNewYorkhasbeenadeadfailureforthelastthreeyears，andsomanypeoplehavegoneoutofthebusinessthatthere’slikelytobeashortageandastiffadvanceintheprice。Theyoughttogotoadollarnextyear。Sure，hopsoughttobeagoodthing。How’stheoldladyandSidney，Dyke？
Why，fairlywell，thankyou，Harran。They’reuptoSacramentojustnowtoseemybrother。Iwasthinkingofgoinginwithmybrotherintothishopbusiness。ButIhadaletterfromhimthismorning。Hemaynotbeabletomeetmeonthisproposition。
He’sgototherbusinessonhand。Ifhepullsout——andheprobablywill——I’llhavetogoitalone，butI’llhavetoborrow。
Ihadthoughtwithhismoneyandminewewouldhaveenoughtopullofftheaffairwithoutmortgaginganything。Asitis，I
guessI’llhavetoseeS。Behrman。
I’llbecursedifIwould！exclaimedHarran。
Well，S。Behrmanisascrew，admittedtheengineer，andheis’railroad’tohisboots。butbusinessisbusiness，andhewouldhavetostandbyacontractinblackandwhite，andthischanceinhopsistoogoodtoletslide。Iguesswe’lltryiton，Harran。Icangetagoodforemanthatknowsallabouthopsjustnow，andifthedealpays——well，IwanttosendSidtoaseminaryupinSanFrancisco。
Well，mortgagethecrops，butdon’tmortgagethehomestead，Dyke，saidHarran。And，bytheway，haveyoulookedupthefreightratesonhops？
No，Ihaven’tyet，answeredDyke，andIhadbetterbesureofthat，hadn’tI？Ihearthattherateisreasonable，though。
Youbesuretohaveaclearunderstandingwiththerailroadfirstabouttherate，Harranwarnedhim。
WhenMagnuscameoutofthegrocerystoreandoncemoreseatedhimselfinthebuggy，hesaidtoHarran，Boy，driveoverheretoAnnixter’sbeforewestarthome。Iwanttoaskhimtodinewithusto-night。OstermanandBrodersonaretodropin，Ibelieve，andIshouldliketohaveAnnixteraswell。
Magnuswaslavishlyhospitable。LosMuertos’sdoorsinvariablystoodopentoalltheDerricks’neighbours，andonceinsooftenMagnushadafewofhisintimatestodinner。
AsHarranandhisfatherdrovealongtheroadtowardAnnixter’sranchhouse，Magnusaskedaboutwhathadhappenedduringhisabsence。
Heinquiredafterhiswifeandtheranch，commentingupontheworkontheirrigatingditch。Harrangavehimthenewsofthepastweek，Dyke’sdischarge，hisresolvetoraiseacropofhops。
Vanamee’sreturn，thekillingofthesheep，andHooven’spetitiontoremainupontheranchasMagnus’stenant。ItneededonlyHarran’srecommendationthattheGermanshouldremaintohaveMagnusconsentupontheinstant。
YouknowmoreaboutitthanI，boy，hesaid，andwhateveryouthinkiswiseshallbedone。
Harrantouchedthebayswiththewhip，urgingthemtotheirbriskestpace。TheywerenotyetatAnnixter’sandhewasanxioustogetbacktotheranchhousetosupervisetheblue-
stoningofhisseed。
Bytheway，Governor，hedemandedsuddenly，howisLymangettingon？
Lyman，Magnus’seldestson，hadnevertakenkindlytowardranchlife。HeresembledhismothermorethanhedidMagnus，andhadinheritedfromheradistasteforagricultureandatendencytowardaprofession。AtatimewhenHarranwaslearningtherudimentsoffarming，LymanwasenteringtheStateUniversity，and，graduatingthence，hadspentthreeyearsinthestudyoflaw。Butlateron，traitsthatwereparticularlyhisfather’sdeveloped。Politicsinterestedhim。Hetoldhimselfhewasabornpolitician，wasdiplomatic，approachable，hadatalentforintrigue，agiftofmakingfriendseasilyand，mostindispensableofall，averitablegeniusforputtinginfluentialmenunderobligationstohimself。AlreadyhehadsucceededingainingforhimselftwoimportantofficesinthemunicipaladministrationofSanFrancisco——wherehehadhishome——sheriff’sattorney，and，lateron，assistantdistrictattorney。Butwiththesesmallachievementshewasbynomeanssatisfied。Thelargenessofhisfather’scharacter，modifiedinLymanbyacounter-influenceofselfishness，hadproducedinhimaninordinateambition。Wherehisfatherduringhispoliticalcareerhadconsideredhimselfonlyasanexponentofprincipleshestrovetoapply，Lymansawbuttheoffice，hisownpersonalaggrandisement。Hebelongedtothenewschool，whereinobjectswereattainednotbyorationsbeforesenatesandassemblies，butbysessionsofcommittees，caucuses，compromisesandexpedients。HisgoalwastobeinfactwhatMagnuswasonlyinname——governor。Lyman，withshutteeth，hadresolvedthatsomedayhewouldsitinthegubernatorialchairinSacramento。
Lymanisdoingwell，answeredMagnus。Icouldwishhewasmorepronouncedinhisconvictions，lesswillingtocompromise，butIbelievehimtobeearnestandtohaveatalentforgovernmentandcivics。Hisambitiondoeshimcredit，andifheoccupiedhimselfalittlemorewithmeansandalittlelesswithends，hewould，Iamsure，betheidealservantofthepeople。
ButIamnotafraid。ThetimewillcomewhentheStatewillbeproudofhim。
AsHarranturnedtheteamintothedrivewaythatleduptoAnnixter’shouse，Magnusremarked：
Harran，isn’tthatyoungAnnixterhimselfontheporch？
Harrannoddedandremarked：
Bytheway，Governor，Iwouldn’tseemtoocordialinyourinvitationtoAnnixter。Hewillbegladtocome，Iknow，butifyouseemtowanthimtoomuch，itisjustlikehisconfoundedobstinacytomakeobjections。
Thereissomethinginthat，observedMagnus，asHarrandrewupattheporchofthehouse。Heisaqueer，cross-grainedfellow，butinmanywayssterling。
Annixterwaslyinginthehammockontheporch，preciselyasPresleyhadfoundhimthedaybefore，readingDavidCopperfield
andstuffinghimselfwithdriedprunes。WhenherecognisedMagnus，however，hegotup，thoughcarefultogiveevidenceofthemostpoignantdiscomfort。Heexplainedhisdifficultyatgreatlength，protestingthathisstomachwasnobetterthanaspongebag。WouldMagnusandHarrangetdownandhaveadrink？
Therewaswhiskeysomewhereabout。