Hilmaleapedbackfromhimwithaninstinctiverecoilofherwholebeing，throwingoutherhandsinagestureofdefence，fearingsheknewnotwhat。Therewasasyetnosenseofinsultinhermind，nooutragedmodesty。Shewasonlyterrified。Itwasasthoughsearchingforwildflowersshehadcomesuddenlyuponasnake。
Shestoodforaninstant，spellbound，hereyeswide，herbosomswelling。then，allatonce，turnedandfled，dartingacrosstheplankthatservedforafootbridgeoverthecreek，gainingtheoppositebankanddisappearingwithabriskrustleofunderbrush，suchasmighthavebeenmadebytheflightofafrightenedfawn。
AbruptlyAnnixterfoundhimselfalone。Foramomenthedidnotmove，thenhepickeduphiscampaignhat，carefullycreaseditslimpcrownandputitonhisheadandstoodforamoment，lookingvaguelyatthegroundonbothsidesofhim。Hewentawaywithoututteringaword，withoutchangeofcountenance，hishandsinhispockets，hisfeettakinggreatstridesalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheranchhouse。
HehadnosightofHilmaagainthatevening，andthenextmorninghewasupearlyanddidnotbreakfastattheranchhouse。
BusinessoftheLeaguecalledhimtoBonnevilletoconferwithMagnusandthefirmoflawyersretainedbytheLeaguetofighttheland-grabbingcases。AnappealwastobetakentotheSupremeCourtatWashington，anditwastobesettledthatdaywhichofthecasesinvolvedshouldbeconsideredastestcases。
InsteadofdrivingorridingintoBonneville，asheusuallydid，Annixtertookanearlymorningtrain，theBakersfield-FresnolocalatGuadalajara，andwenttoBonnevillebyrail，arrivingthereattwentyminutesaftersevenandbreakfastingbyappointmentwithMagnusDerrickandOstermanattheYosemiteHouse，onMainStreet。
TheconferenceofthecommitteewiththelawyerstookplaceinafrontroomoftheYosemite，oneofthelatterbringingwithhimhisclerk，whomadeastenographicreportoftheproceedingsandtookcarboncopiesofallletterswritten。Theconferencewaslongandcomplicated，thebusinesstransactedoftheutmostmoment，anditwasnotuntiltwoo’clockthatAnnixterfoundhimselfatliberty。
However，asheandMagnusdescendedintothelobbyofthehotel，theywereawareofanexcitedandinterestedgroupcollectedabouttheswingdoorsthatopenedfromthelobbyoftheYosemiteintothebarofthesamename。Dykewasthere——evenatadistancetheycouldhearthereverberationofhisdeep-tonedvoice，upliftedinwrathandfuriousexpostulation。MagnusandAnnixterjoinedthegroupwondering，andallatoncefellfulluponthefirstsceneofadrama。
ThatsamemorningDyke’smotherhadawakenedhimaccordingtohisinstructionsatdaybreak。AconsignmentofhishoppolesfromthenorthhadarrivedatthefreightofficeoftheP。andS。W。
inBonneville，andhewastodriveinonhisfarmwagonandbringthemout。Hewouldhaveabusyday。
Hello，hello，hesaid，ashismotherpulledhiseartoarousehim。morning，mamma。
It’stime，shesaid，afterfivealready。Yourbreakfastisonthestove。
Hetookherhandandkisseditwithgreataffection。Helovedhismotherdevotedly，quiteasmuchashedidthelittletad。Intheirlittlecottage，intheforestofgreenhopsthatsurroundedthemoneveryhand，thethreeledajoyousandsecludedlife，contented，industrious，happy，askingnothingbetter。Dyke，himself，wasabig-hearted，jovialmanwhospreadanatmosphereofgood-humourwhereverhewent。IntheeveningsheplayedwithSidneylikeabigboy，anolderbrother，lyingonthebed，orthesofa，takingherinhisarms。Betweenthemtheyhadinventedagreatgame。Theex-engineer，hisbootsremoved，hishugelegsintheair，hoistedthelittletadonthesolesofhisstockingedfeetlikeacircusacrobat，dandlingherthere，pretendinghewasabouttoletherfall。Sidney，chokingwithdelight，heldonnervously，withlittlescreamsandchirpsofexcitement，whileheshiftedhergingerlyfromonefoottoanother，andthence，thefinalact，thegreatgalleryplay，tothepalmofonegreathand。
AtthispointMrs。Dykewascalledin，bothfatheranddaughter，childrenboth，cryingoutthatshewastocomeinandlook，look。
Shearrivedoutofbreathfromthekitchen，thepotatomasherinherhand。
Suchchildren，shemurmured，shakingherheadatthem，amusedforallthat，tuckingthepotatomasherunderherarmandclappingherhands。
Intheend，itwaspartofthegamethatSidneyshouldtumbledownuponDyke，whereatheinvariablyventedagreatbellowasifinpain，declaringthathisribswerebroken。Gasping，hiseyesshut，hepretendedtobeintheextremeofdissolution——perhapshewasdying。Sidney，alwaysalittleuncertain，amusedbutdistressed，shookhimnervously，tuggingathisbeard，pushingopenhiseyelidwithonefinger，imploringhimnottofrightenher，towakeupandbegood。
Onthisoccasion，whileyethewashalf-dressed，Dyketiptoedintohismother’sroomtolookatSidneyfastasleepinherlittleironcot，herarmunderherhead，herlipsparted。Withinfiniteprecautionhekissedhertwice，andthenfindingonelittlestocking，hungwithitsmateveryneatlyoverthebackofachair，droppedintoitadime，rolledupinawadofpaper。Hewinkedalltohimselfandwentoutagain，closingthedoorwithexaggeratedcarefulness。
Hebreakfastedalone，Mrs。Dykepouringhiscoffeeandhandinghimhisplateofhamandeggs，andhalfanhourlatertookhimselfoffinhisspringless，skeletonwagon，hummingatunebehindhisbeardandcrackingthewhipoverthebacksofhisstaidandsolidfarmhorses。
Themorningwasfine，thesunjustcomingup。HeleftGuadalajara，sleepingandlifeless，onhisleft，andgoingacrosslots，overanangleofQuienSabe，cameoutupontheUpperRoad，amilebelowtheLongTrestle。Hewasingreatspirits，lookingabouthimoverthebrownfields，ruddywiththedawn。Almostdirectlyinfrontofhim，butfaroff，thegildeddomeofthecourt-houseatBonnevillewasglintingradiantinthefirstraysofthesun，whileafewmilesdistant，towardthenorth，thevenerablecampanileoftheMissionSanJuanstoodsilhouettedinpurplishblackagainsttheflamingeast。Asheproceeded，thegreatfarmhorsesjoggingforward，placid，deliberate，thecountrysidewakedtoanotherday。Crossingtheirrigatingditchfurtheron，hemetagangofPortuguese，withpicksandshovelsovertheirshoulders，justgoingtowork。Hooven，alreadyabroad，shoutedhimaGootmornunfrombehindthefenceofLosMuertos。Faroff，towardthesouthwest，inthebareexpanseoftheopenfields，whereaclumpofeucalyptusandcypresstreessetadarkgreennote，athinstreamofsmokerosestraightintotheairfromthekitchenofDerrick’sranchhouses。
ButamileorsobeyondtheLongTrestlehewassurprisedtoseeMagnusDerrick’sprotege，theone-timeshepherd，Vanamee，comingacrossQuienSabe，byatrailfromoneofAnnixter’sdivisionhouses。Withoutknowingexactlywhy，Dykereceivedtheimpressionthattheyoungmanhadnotbeeninbedallofthatnight。
Asthetwoapproachedeachother，Dykeeyedtheyoungfellow。HewasdistrustfulofVanamee，havingthecountry-bredsuspicionofanypersonhecouldnotunderstand。Vanameewas，beyonddoubt，nopartofthelifeofranchandcountrytown。Hewasanalien，avagabond，astrangefellowwhocameandwentinmysteriousfashion，makingnofriends，keepingtohimself。Whydidheneverwearahat，whyindulgeinafine，black，pointedbeard，wheneitheraroundbeardoramustachewastheinvariablecustom？
Whydidhenotcuthishair？Aboveall，whydidheprowlaboutsomuchatnight？Asthetwopassedeachother，Dyke，forallhisgood-nature，wasalittlebluntinhisgreetingandlookedbackattheex-shepherdoverhisshoulder。
Dykewasrightinhissuspicion。Vanamee’sbedhadnotbeendisturbedforthreenights。OntheMondayofthatweekhehadpassedtheentirenightinthegardenoftheMission，overlookingtheSeedranch，inthelittlevalley。Tuesdayeveninghadfoundhimmilesawayfromthatspot，inadeeparroyointheSierrafoothillstotheeastward，whileWednesdayhehadsleptinanabandoned’dobeonOsterman’sstockrange，twentymilesfromhisrestingplaceofthenightbefore。
ThefactofthematterwasthattheoldrestlessnesshadoncemoreseizeduponVanamee。Somethingbegantuggingathim。thespurofsomeunseenridertouchedhisflank。Theinstinctofthewandererwokeandmoved。ForsometimenowhehadbeenapartoftheLosMuertosstaff。OnQuienSabe，asontheotherranches，theslackseasonwasathand。Whilewaitingforthewheattocomeupnoonewasdoingmuchofanything。VanameehadcomeovertoLosMuertosandspentmostofhisdaysonhorseback，ridingtherange，roundingupandwatchingthecattleinthefourthdivisionoftheranch。Butifthevagabondinstinctnowrouseditselfinthestrangefellow’snature，acounterinfluencehadalsosetin。MoreandmoreVanameefrequentedtheMissiongardenafternightfall，sometimesremainingtheretillthedawnbegantowhiten，lyingproneontheground，hischinonhisfoldedarms，hiseyessearchingthedarknessoverthelittlevalleyoftheSeedranch，watching，watching。Asthedayswentby，hebecamemorereticentthanever。Presleyoftencametofindhimonthestockrange，alonelyfigureinthegreatwildernessofbare，greenhillsides，butVanameenolongertookhimintohisconfidence。FatherSarriaaloneheardhisstrangestories。
DykedroveontowardBonneville，thinkingoverthewholematter。
Heknew，aseveryonedidinthatpartofthecountry，thelegendofVanameeandAngele，theromanceoftheMissiongarden，themysteryoftheOther，Vanamee’sflighttothedesertsofthesouthwest，hisperiodicreturns，hisstrange，reticent，solitarycharacter，but，likemanyanotherofthecountrypeople，heaccountedforVanameebyashortandeasymethod。Nodoubt，thefellow’switswereturned。Thatwasthelongandshortofit。
Theex-engineerreachedthePostOfficeinBonnevilletowardseleveno’clock，buthedidnotatoncepresenthisnoticeofthearrivalofhisconsignmentatRuggles’soffice。Itentertainedhimtoindulgeinanhour’sloungingaboutthestreets。Itwasseldomhegotintotown，andwhenhedidhepermittedhimselftheluxuryofenjoyinghisevidentpopularity。Hemetfriendseverywhere，inthePostOffice，inthedrugstore，inthebarbershopandaroundthecourt-house。Witheachoneheheldamoment’sconversation。almostinvariablythisendedinthesameway：
Comeon’nhaveadrink。
Well，Idon’tcareifIdo。
AndthefriendsproceededtotheYosemitebar，pledgingeachotherwithpunctiliousceremony。Dyke，however，wasastrictlytemperateman。Hislifeontheenginehadtrainedhimwell。
Alcoholhenevertouched，drinkinginsteadgingerale，sarsaparilla-and-iron——softdrinks。
Atthedrugstore，whichalsokeptastockofmiscellaneousstationery，hiseyewascaughtbyatransparentslate，achild’stoy，whereuponalittlepaneoffrostedglassonecouldtracewithconsiderableelaborationoutlinefiguresofcows，ploughs，bunchesoffruitandevenruralwatermillsthatwereprintedonslipsofpaperunderneath。
Now，there’sanidea，Jim，heobservedtotheboybehindthesoda-waterfountain。Iknowalittletadthatwouldjustaboutjumpoutofherskinforthat。ThinkI’llhavetotakeitwithme。
How’sSidneygettingalong？theotherasked，whilewrappingupthepackage。
Dyke’senthusiasmhadmadeofhislittlegirlacelebritythroughoutBonneville。
Theex-engineerpromptlybecamevoluble，assertive，doggedlyemphatic。
SmartestlittletadinallTulareCounty，andmorefun！A
regularwholeshowinherself。
Andthehops？inquiredtheother。
Bully，declaredDyke，withthegood-naturedman’sreadinesstotalkofhisprivateaffairstoanyonewhowouldlisten。Bully。
I’mdeadsureofabonanzacropbynow。TheraincameJUST
right。Iactuallydon’tknowasIcanstorethecropinthosebarnsIbuilt，it’sgoingtobesobig。Thatforemanofminewasadaisy。Jim，I’mgoingtomakemoneyinthatdeal。AfterI’vepaidoffthemortgage——youknowIhadtomortgage，yes，cropandhomesteadboth，butIcanpayitoffandalltheinteresttoboot，lovely，——well，andasIwassaying，afterallexpensesarepaidoffI’llclearbigmoney，m’son。Yes，sir。IKNEWtherewasboodleinhops。Youknowthecropiscontractedforalready。
Sure，theforemanmanagedthat。He’sadaisy。ChapinSanFranciscowilltakeitallandattheadvancedprice。Iwantedtohangon，toseeifitwouldn’tgotosixcents，buttheforemansaid，’No，that’sgoodenough。’SoIsigned。Ain’titbully，hey？
Thenwhat’llyoudo？
Well，Idon’tknow。I’llhavealay-offforamonthorsoandtakethelittletadandmotherupandshow’emthecity——’Frisco——
untilit’stimefortheschoolstoopen，andthenwe’llputSidintheseminaryatMarysville。Catchon？
Isupposeyou’llstayrightbyhopsnow？
Rightyouare，m’son。IknowagoodthingwhenIseeit。
There’splentyothersgoingintohopsnextseason。Iset’emtheexample。Wouldn’tbesurprisedifitcametobearegularindustryhereabouts。I’mplanningaheadfornextyearalready。
Icanlettheforemango，nowthatI’velearnedthegamemyself，andIthinkI’llbuyapieceoflandoffQuienSabeandgetabiggercrop，andbuildacouplemorebarns，and，byGeorge，inaboutfiveyearstimeI’llhavethingshumming。I’mgoingtomakeMONEY，Jim。
Heemergedoncemoreintothestreetandwentuptheblockleisurely，plantinghisfeetsquarely。Hefanciedthathecouldfeelhewasconsideredofmoreimportancenowadays。Hewasnolongerasubordinate，anemployee。Hewashisownman，aproprietor，anownerofland，furtheringasuccessfulenterprise。
Noonehadhelpedhim。hehadfollowednoone’slead。Hehadstruckoutunaidedforhimself，andhissuccesswasduesolelytohisownintelligence，industry，andforesight。Hesquaredhisgreatshoulderstilltheblueginghamofhisjumperallbutcracked。Oflate，hisgreatblondbeardhadgrownandtheworkinthesunhadmadehisfaceveryred。Underthevisorofhiscap——relicofhisengineeringdays——hisblueeyestwinkledwithvastgood-nature。HefeltthathemadeafinefigureashewentbyagroupofyounggirlsinlawnsandmuslinsandgardenhatsontheirwaytothePostOffice。Hewonderediftheylookedafterhim，wonderediftheyhadheardthathewasinafairwaytobecomearichman。
Butthechronometerinthewindowofthejewelrystorewarnedhimthattimewaspassing。Heturnedabout，and，crossingthestreet，tookhiswaytoRuggles’soffice，whichwasthefreightaswellasthelandofficeoftheP。andS。W。Railroad。
Ashestoodforamomentatthecounterinfrontofthewirepartition，waitingfortheclerktomakeouttheorderforthefreightagentatthedepot，DykewassurprisedtoseeafamiliarfigureinconferencewithRuggleshimself，byadeskinsidetherailing。
Thefigurewasthatofamiddle-agedman，fat，withagreatstomach，whichhestrokedfromtimetotime。Asheturnedabout，addressingaremarktotheclerk，DykerecognisedS。Behrman。
Thebanker，railroadagent，andpoliticalmanipulatorseemedtotheex-engineer’seyestobemoregrossthanever。Hissmooth-
shavenjowlstoodoutbigandtremulousoneithersideofhisface。therolloffatonthenapeofhisneck，sprinkledwithsparse，stiffhairs，bulgedoutwithgreaterprominence。Hisgreatstomach，coveredwithalightbrownlinenvest，stampedwithinnumerableinterlockedhorseshoes，protrudedfarinadvance，enormous，aggressive。Heworehisinevitableround-
toppedhatofstiffbrownstraw，varnishedsobrightthatitreflectedthelightoftheofficewindowslikeahelmet，andevenfromwherehestoodDykecouldhearhisloudbreathingandtheclinkofthehollowlinksofhiswatchchainuponthevestbuttonsofimitationpearl，ashisstomachroseandfell。
Dykelookedathimwithattention。Therewastheenemy，therepresentativeoftheTrustwithwhichDerrick’sLeaguewaslockinghorns。Thegreatstrugglehadbeguntoinvestthecombatantswithinterest。Daily，almosthourly，Dykewasintouchwiththeranchers，thewheat-growers。Heheardtheirdenunciations，theirgrowlsofexasperationanddefiance。Herewastheotherside——thisplacid，fatman，withastiffstrawhatandlinenvest，whoneverlosthistemper，whosmiledaffablyuponhisenemies，givingthemgoodadvice，commiseratingwiththeminonedefeatafteranother，neverruffled，neverexcited，sureofhispower，consciousthatbackofhimwastheMachine，thecolossalforce，theinexhaustiblecoffersofamightyorganisation，vomitingmillionstotheLeague’sthousands。
TheLeaguewasclamorous，ubiquitous，itsobjectsknowntoeveryurchinonthestreets，buttheTrustwassilent，itswaysinscrutable，thepublicsawonlyresults。Itworkedoninthedark，calm，disciplined，irresistible。AbruptlyDykereceivedtheimpressionofthemultitudinousramificationsofthecolossus。Underhisfeetthegroundseemedmined。downtherebelowhiminthedarkthehugetentacleswentsilentlytwistingandadvancing，spreadingoutineverydirection，sappingthestrengthofallopposition，quiet，gradual，bidingthetimetoreachupandoutandgripwithasuddenunleashingofgiganticstrength。
I’llbewantingsomecarsofyoupeoplebeforethesummerisout，observedDyketotheclerkashefoldedupandputawaytheorderthattheotherhadhandedhim。Herememberedperfectlywellthathehadarrangedthematteroftransportinghiscropsomemonthsbefore，buthisroleofproprietoramusedhimandhelikedtobusyhimselfagainandagainwiththedetailsofhisundertaking。
Isuppose，headded，you’llbeabletogive’emtome。
There’llbeabigwheatcroptomovethisyearandIdon’twanttobecaughtinanycarfamine。
Oh，you’llgetyourcars，murmuredtheother。
I’llbethemeansofbringingbusinessyourway，Dykewenton。
I’vedonesowellwithmyhopsthattherearealotofothersgoingintothebusinessnextseason。Suppose，hecontinued，struckwithanidea，supposewewentintosomesortofpool，asortofshippers’organisation，couldyougiveusspecialrates，cheaperrates——sayacentandahalf？
Theotherlookedup。
Acentandahalf！SayFOURcentsandahalfandmaybeI’lltalkbusinesswithyou。
Fourcentsandahalf，returnedDyke，Idon’tseeit。Why，theregularrateisonlytwocents。
No，itisn’t，answeredtheclerk，lookinghimgravelyintheeye，it’sfivecents。
Well，there’swhereyouarewrong，m’son，Dykeretorted，genially。Youlookitup。You’llfindthefreightonhopsfromBonnevilleto’Friscoistwocentsapoundforcarloadlots。
Youtoldmethatyourselflastfall。
Thatwaslastfall，observedtheclerk。Therewasasilence。
Dykeshotaglanceofsuspicionattheother。Then，reassured，heremarked：
Youlookitup。You’llseeI’mright。
S。Behrmancameforwardandshookhandspolitelywiththeex-
engineer。
AnythingIcandoforyou，Mr。Dyke？
Dykeexplained。Whenhehaddonespeaking，theclerkturnedtoS。Behrmanandobserved，respectfully：
Ourregularrateonhopsisfivecents。
Yes，answeredS。Behrman，pausingtoreflect。yes，Mr。Dyke，that’sright——fivecents。
TheclerkbroughtforwardafolderofyellowpaperandhandedittoDyke。ItwasinscribedatthetopTariffScheduleNo。8，
andunderneaththesewords，inbrackets，wasasmallerinscription，SUPERSEDESNO。7OFAUG。1
Seeforyourself，saidS。Behrman。HeindicatedanitemundertheheadofMiscellany。
Thefollowingratesforcarriageofhopsincarloadlots，readDyke，takeeffectJune1，andwillremaininforceuntilsupersededbyalatertariff。ThosequotedbeyondStocktonaresubjecttochangesintrafficarrangementswithcarriersbywaterfromthatpoint。
Inthelistthatwasprintedbelow，DykesawthattherateforhopsbetweenBonnevilleorGuadalajaraandSanFranciscowasfivecents。
ForamomentDykewasconfused。Thenswiftlythematterbecameclearinhismind。TheRailroadhadraisedthefreightonhopsfromtwocentstofive。
Allhiscalculationsastoaprofitonhislittleinvestmenthehadbasedonafreightrateoftwocentsapound。Hewasundercontracttodeliverhiscrop。Hecouldnotdrawback。Thenewrateateupeverycentofhisgains。Hestoodthereruined。
Why，whatdoyoumean？heburstout。YoupromisedmearateoftwocentsandIwentaheadwithmybusinesswiththatunderstanding。Whatdoyoumean？
S。Behrmanandtheclerkwatchedhimfromtheothersideofthecounter。
Therateisfivecents，declaredtheclerkdoggedly。
Well，thatruinsme，shoutedDyke。Doyouunderstand？I
won’tmakefiftycents。MAKE！Why，IwillOWE，——I’llbe——be——
Thatruinsme，doyouunderstand？
Theother，raisedashoulder。
Wedon’tforceyoutoship。Youcandoasyoulike。Therateisfivecents。
Well——but——damnyou，I’mundercontracttodeliver。WhatamI
goingtodo？Why，youtoldme——youpromisedmeatwo-centrate。
Idon’trememberit，saidtheclerk。Idon’tknowanythingaboutthat。ButIknowthis。Iknowthathopshavegoneup。I
knowtheGermancropwasafailureandthatthecropinNewYorkwasn’tworththehauling。Hopshavegoneuptonearlyadollar。
Youdon’tsupposewedon’tknowthat，doyou，Mr。Dyke？
What’sthepriceofhopsgottodowithyou？
It’sgotTHIStodowithus，returnedtheotherwithasuddenaggressiveness，thatthefreightratehasgoneuptomeettheprice。We’renotdoingbusinessforourhealth。Myordersaretoraiseyourratetofivecents，andIthinkyouaregettingoffeasy。
Dykestaredinblankastonishment。Forthemoment，theaudacityoftheaffairwaswhatmostappealedtohim。Heforgotitspersonalapplication。
GoodLord，hemurmured，goodLord！Whatwillyoupeopledonext？Lookhere。What’syourbasisofapplyingfreightrates，anyhow？hesuddenlyvociferatedwithfurioussarcasm。What’syourrule？Whatareyouguidedby？
Butatthewords，S。Behrman，whohadkeptsilentduringtheheatofthediscussion，leanedabruptlyforward。Fortheonlytimeinhisknowledge，Dykesawhisfaceinflamedwithangerandwiththeenmityandcontemptofallthisfarmingelementwithwhomhewascontending。
Yes，what’syourrule？What’syourbasis？demandedDyke，turningswiftlytohim。
S。Behrmanemphasisedeachwordofhisreplywithatapofoneforefingeronthecounterbeforehim：
All——the——traffic——will——bear。
Theex-engineersteppedbackapace，hisfingersontheledgeofthecounter，tosteadyhimself。Hefelthimselfgrowpale，hisheartbecameamereleadenweightinhischest，inert，refusingtobeat。
Inasecondthewholeaffair，inallitsbearings，wentspeedingbeforetheeyeofhisimaginationliketherapidunrollingofapanorama。Everycentofhisearningswassunkinthishopbusinessofhis。Morethanthat，hehadborrowedmoneytocarryiton，certainofsuccess——borrowedofS。Behrman，offeringhiscropandhislittlehomeassecurity。Oncehefailedtomeethisobligations，S。Behrmanwouldforeclose。NotonlywouldtheRailroaddevoureverymorselofhisprofits，butalsoitwouldtakefromhimhishome。atablowhewouldbeleftpennilessandwithoutahome。Whatwouldthenbecomeofhismother——andwhatwouldbecomeofthelittletad？She，whomhehadbeenplanningtoeducatelikeaveritablelady。Forallthatyearhehadtalkedofhisambitionforhislittledaughtertoeveryonehemet。AllBonnevilleknewofit。Whatamarkforgibeshehadmadeofhimself。Theworkingmanturnedfarmer！Whatatargetforjeers——hewhohadfanciedhecouldeludetheRailroad！HerememberedhehadoncesaidthegreatTrusthadoverlookedhislittleenterprise，disdainingtoplundersuchsmallfry。Heshouldhaveknownbetterthanthat。HowhadheeverimaginedtheRoadwouldpermithimtomakeanymoney？
Angerwasnotinhimyet。norousingoftheblind，white-hotwraththatleapstotheattackwithprehensilefingers，movedhim。Theblowmerelycrushed，staggered，confused。
Hesteppedasidetogiveplacetoacoatlessmaninapinkshirt，whoentered，carryinginhishandsanautomaticdoor-closingapparatus。
Wheredoesthisgo？inquiredtheman。
Dykesatdownforamomentonaseatthathadbeenremovedfromaworn-outrailwaycartododutyinRuggles’soffice。Onthebackofayellowenvelopehemadesomevaguefigureswithastumpofbluepencil，multiplying，subtracting，perplexinghimselfwithmanyerrors。
S。Behrman，theclerk，andthemanwiththedoor-closingapparatusinvolvedthemselvesinalongargument，gazingintentlyatthetoppanelofthedoor。Themanwhohadcometofixtheapparatuswasunwillingtoguaranteeit，unlessasignwasputontheoutsideofthedoor，warningincomersthatthedoorwasself-
closing。Thissignwouldcostfifteencentsextra。
Butyoudidn’tsayanythingaboutthiswhenthethingwasordered，declaredS。Behrman。No，Iwon’tpayit，myfriend。
It’sanovercharge。
Youneedn’tthink，observedtheclerk，thatjustbecauseyouaredealingwiththeRailroadyouaregoingtoworkus。
Genslingercamein，accompaniedbyDelaney。S。Behrmanandtheclerk，abruptlydismissingthemanwiththedoor-closingmachine，putthemselvesbehindthecounterandengagedinconversationwiththesetwo。GenslingerintroducedDelaney。Thebusterhadastringofhorseshewasshippingsouthward。NodoubthehadcometomakearrangementswiththeRailroadinthematterofstockcars。Theconferenceofthefourmenwasamicableintheextreme。
Dyke，studyingthefiguresonthebackoftheenvelope，cameforwardagain。Absorbedonlyinhisowndistress，heignoredtheeditorandthecow-puncher。
Say，hehazarded，howaboutthis？Imakeout——
We’vetoldyouwhatourratesare，Mr。Dyke，exclaimedtheclerkangrily。That’sallthearrangementwewillmake。Takeitorleaveit。HeturnedagaintoGenslinger，givingtheex-
engineerhisback。
Dykemovedawayandstoodforamomentinthecentreoftheroom，staringatthefiguresontheenvelope。
Idon’tsee，hemuttered，justwhatI’mgoingtodo。No，I
don’tseewhatI’mgoingtodoatall。
Rugglescamein，bringingwithhimtwoothermeninwhomDykerecogniseddummybuyersoftheLosMuertosandOstermanranchos。
Theybrushedbyhim，jostlinghiselbow，andashewentoutofthedoorheheardthemexchangejovialgreetingswithDelaney，Genslinger，andS。Behrman。
DykewentdownthestairstothestreetandproceededonwardaimlesslyinthedirectionoftheYosemiteHouse，fingeringtheyellowenvelopeandlookingvacantlyatthesidewalk。
Therewasastooptohismassiveshoulders。Hisgreatarmsdangledlooselyathissides，thepalmsofhishandsopen。
Ashewentalong，acertainfeelingofshametouchedhim。Surelyhispredicamentmustbeapparenttoeverypasser-by。Nodoubt，everyonerecognisedtheunsuccessfulmanintheverywayheslouchedalong。Theyounggirlsinlawns，muslins，andgardenhats，returningfromthePostOffice，theirhandsfullofletters，mustsurelyseeinhimthetypeofthefailure，thebankrupt。
Thenbrusquelyhistardyrageflamedup。ByGod，NO，itwasnothisfault。hehadmadenomistake。Hisenergy，industry，andforesighthadbeensound。Hehadbeenmerelytheobjectofacolossaltrick，asordidinjustice，avictimoftheinsatiategreedofthemonster，caughtandchokedbyoneofthosemillionsoftentaclessuddenlyreachingupfrombelow，fromoutthedarkbeneathhisfeet，coilingaroundhisthroat，throttlinghim，stranglinghim，suckinghisblood。Foramomenthethoughtofthecourts，butinstantlylaughedattheidea。Whatcourtwasimmunefromthepowerofthemonster？Ah，therageofhelplessness，thefuryofimpotence！Nohelp，nohope，——ruinedinabriefinstant——heaveritablegiant，builtofgreatsinews，powerful，inthefulltideofhismanhood，havingallhishealth，allhiswits。Howcouldhenowfacehishome？Howcouldhetellhismotherofthiscatastrophe？AndSidney——thelittletad。howcouldheexplaintoherthiswretchedness——howsoftenherdisappointment？Howkeepthetearsfromouthereyes——howkeepaliveherconfidenceinhim——herfaithinhisresources？
Bitter，fierce，ominous，hiswrathloomedupinhisheart。Hisfistsgrippedtighttogether，histeethclenched。Oh，foramomenttohavehishanduponthethroatofS。Behrman，wringingthebreathfromhim，wrenchingouttheredlifeofhim——stainingthestreetwiththebloodsuckedfromtheveinsofthePeople！
Tothefirstfriendthathemet，Dyketoldthetaleofthetragedy，andtothenext，andtothenext。Theaffairwentfrommouthtomouth，spreadingwithelectricalswiftness，overpassingandrunningaheadofDykehimself，sothatbythetimehereachedthelobbyoftheYosemiteHouse，hefoundhisstoryawaitinghim。
Agroupformedabouthim。Inhisimmediatevicinitybusinessfortheinstantwassuspended。Thegroupswelled。Oneafteranotherofhisfriendsaddedthemselvestoit。MagnusDerrickjoinedit，andAnnixter。Againandagain，Dykerecountedthematter，beginningwiththetimewhenhewasdischargedfromthesamecorporation’sserviceforrefusingtoacceptanunfairwage。Hisvoicequiveredwithexasperation。hisheavyframeshookwithrage。hiseyeswereinjected，bloodshot。hisfaceflamedvermilion，whilehisdeepbassrumbledthroughouttherunningcommentsofhisauditorslikethethunderousreverberationofdiapason。
Fromallpointsofview，thestorywasdiscussedbythosewholistenedtohim，nowintheheatofexcitement，nowcalmly，judicially。Oneverdict，however，prevailed。ItwasvoicedbyAnnixter：You’restuck。Youcanroartillyou’reblackintheface，butyoucan’tbuckagainsttheRailroad。There’snothingtobedone。
Youcanshoottheruffian，youcanshootS。Behrman，clamouredoneofthegroup。Yes，sir。bytheLord，youcanshoothim。
Poorfool，commentedAnnixter，turningaway。
Nothingtobedone。No，therewasnothingtobedone——notonething。Dyke，atlastaloneanddrivinghisteamoutofthetown，turnedthebusinessconfusedlyoverinhismindfromendtoend。
Advice，suggestion，evenoffersoffinancialaidhadbeenshowereduponhimfromalldirections。Friendswerenotwantingwhoheatedlypresentedtohisconsiderationallmannerofingeniousplans，wonderfuldevices。Theywereworthless。Thetentacleheldfast。Hewasstuck。
Bydegrees，ashiswagoncarriedhimfartheroutintothecountry，andopenemptyfields，hisangerlapsed，andthenumbnessofbewildermentreturned。Hecouldnotlookonehouraheadintothefuture。couldformulatenoplansevenforthenextday。Hedidnotknowwhattodo。Hewasstuck。
Withthelimpnessandinertiaofasackofsand，thereinsslippinglooselyinhisdanglingfingers，hiseyesfixed，staringbetweenthehorses’heads，heallowedhimselftobecarriedaimlesslyalong。Heresignedhimself。Whatdidhecare？Whatwastheuseofgoingon？Hewasstuck。
TheteamhewasdrivinghadoncebelongedtotheLosMuertosstablesandunguidedasthehorseswere，theytookthecountyroadtowardsDerrick’sranchhouse。Dyke，allabroad，wasunawareofthefacttill，drawnbythesmellofwater，thehorseshaltedbythetroughinfrontofCaraher’ssaloon。
Theex-engineerdismounted，lookingabouthim，realisingwherehewas。Somuchtheworse。itdidnotmatter。Nowthathehadcomesofaritwasasshorttogohomebythisrouteastoreturnonhistracks。Slowlyheuncheckedthehorsesandstoodattheirheads，watchingthemdrink。
Idon’tsee，hemuttered，justwhatIamgoingtodo。
Caraherappearedatthedoorofhisplace，hisredface，redbeard，andflamingcravatstandingsharplyoutfromtheshadowofthedoorway。HecalledawelcometoDyke。
Hello，Captain。
Dykelookedup，noddinghisheadlistlessly。
Hello，Caraher，heanswered。
Well，continuedthesaloonkeeper，comingforwardastep，what’sthenewsintown？
Dyketoldhim。Caraher’sredfacesuddenlytookonadarkercolour。Theredglintinhiseyesshotfromunderhiseyebrows。
Furious，heventedarollingexplosionofoaths。
Andnowit’syourturn，hevociferated。Theyain’tafteronlythebigwheat-growers，therichmen。ByGod，they’llevenpickthepoorman’spocket。Oh，they’llgettheirbelliesfullsomeday。Itcan’tlastforever。They’llwakeupthewrongkindofmansomemorning，themanthat’sgotgutsinhim，thatwillhitbackwhenhe’skickedandthatwilltalkto’emwithatorchinonehandandastickofdynamiteintheother。Heraisedhisclenchedfistsintheair。Sohelpme，God，hecried，whenI
thinkitalloverIgocrazy，Iseered。Oh，ifthepeopleonlyknewtheirstrength。Oh，ifIcouldwake’emup。There’snotonlyShelgrim，butthere’sothers。Allthemagnates，allthebutchers，alltheblood-suckers，bythethousands。Theirdaywillcome，byGod，itwill。
Bynow，theex-engineerandthebar-keeperhadretiredtothesaloonbackofthegrocerytotalkoverthedetailsofthisnewoutrage。Dyke，stillalittledazed，satdownbyoneofthetables，preoccupied，sayingbutlittle，andCaraherasamatterofcoursesetthewhiskeybottleathiselbow。
Ithappenedthatatthissamemoment，Presley，returningtoLosMuertosfromBonneville，hispocketsfullofmail，stoppedinatthegrocerytobuysomeblackleadforhisbicycle。Inthesaloon，ontheothersideofthenarrowpartition，heoverheardtheconversationbetweenDykeandCaraher。Thedoorwasopen。
Hecaughteveryworddistinctly。
Tellusallaboutit，Dyke，urgedCaraher。
ForthefiftiethtimeDyketoldthestory。Alreadyithadcrystallisedintoacertainform。Heusedthesamephraseswitheachrepetition，thesamesentences，thesamewords。Inhisminditbecameset。Thushewouldtellittoanyonewhowouldlistenfromnowon，weekafterweek，yearafteryear，alltherestofhislife——AndIbasedmycalculationsonatwo-centrate。SosoonastheysawIwastomakemoneytheydoubledthetariff——allthetrafficwouldbear——andImortgagedtoS。Behrman——ruinedmewithaturnofthehand——stuck，cinched，andnotonethingtobedone。
Ashetalked，hedrankglassafterglassofwhiskey，andthehonestrage，theopen，above-boardfuryofhismindcoagulated，thickened，andsunktoadull，evilhatred，awicked，obliquemalevolence。Caraher，surenowofwinningadisciple，replenishedhisglass。
Doyoublameusnow，hecried，usothers，theReds？Ah，yes，it’sallverywellforyourmiddleclasstopreachmoderation。I
coulddoit，too。Youcoulddoit，too，ifyourbellywasfed，ifyourpropertywassafe，ifyourwifehadnotbeenmurderedifyourchildrenwerenotstarving。Easyenoughthentopreachlaw-
abidingmethods，legalredress，andallsuchrot。ButhowaboutUS？hevociferated。Ah，yes，I’maloud-mouthedrum-seller，ain’tI？I’mawild-eyedstriker，ain’tI？I’mablood-thirstyanarchist，ain’tI？Waittillyou’veseenyourwifebroughthometoyouwiththefaceyouusedtokisssmashedinbyahorse’shoof——killedbytheTrust，asithappenedtome。Thentalkaboutmoderation！Andyou，Dyke，black-listedengineer，dischargedemployee，ruinedagriculturist，waittillyouseeyourlittletadandyourmotherturnedoutofdoorswhenS。Behrmanforecloses。
Waittillyousee’emgettingthinandwhite，andtillyouhearyourlittlegirlaskyouwhyyoualldon’teatalittlemoreandthatshewantsherdinnerandyoucan’tgiveittoher。Waittillyousee——atthesametimethatyourfamilyisdyingforlackofbread——ahundredthousandacresofwheat——millionsofbushelsoffood——grabbedandgobbledbytheRailroadTrust，andthentalkofmoderation。ThattalkisjustwhattheTrustwantstohear。
Itain’tfrightenedofthat。There’sonethingonlyitdoeslistento，onethingitisfrightenedof——thepeoplewithdynamiteintheirhands，——sixinchesofpluggedgaspipe。THAT
talks。
Dykedidnotreply。Hefilledanotherponyofwhiskeyanddrankitintwogulps。Hisfrownhadloweredtoascowl，hisfacewasadarkred，hisheadhadsunk，bull-like，betweenhismassiveshoulders。withoutwinkinghegazedlongandwithtroubledeyesathisknotted，muscularhands，lyingopenonthetablebeforehim，idle，theiroccupationgone。
Presleyforgothisblacklead。HelistenedtoCaraher。ThroughtheopendoorhecaughtaglimpseofDyke’sback，broad，muscled，boweddown，thegreatshouldersstooping。
Thewholedramaofthedoubledfreightrateleapedsalientanddistinctintheeyeofhismind。Andthiswasbutoneinstance，anisolatedcase。Becausehewasnearathandhehappenedtoseeit。Howmanyotherswerethere，thelengthandbreadthoftheState？Constantlythissortofthingmustoccur——littleindustrieschokedoutintheirverybeginnings，theairfullofthedeathrattlesoflittleenterprises，expiringunobservedinfar-offcounties，upincanyonsandarroyosofthefoothills，forgottenbyeveryonebutthemonsterwhowasdauntedbythemagnitudeofnobusiness，howevergreat，whooverlookednoopportunityofplunder，howeverpetty，whowithonetentaclegrabbedahundredthousandacresofwheat，andwithanotherpilferedapocketfulofgrowinghops。
Hewentawaywithoutaword，hisheadbent，hishandsclutchedtightlyonthecorkgripsofthehandlebarsofhisbicycle。Hislipswerewhite。Inhisheartablinddemonofrevoltragedtumultuous，shriekingblasphemies。
AtLosMuertos，PresleyovertookAnnixter。AsheguidedhiswheelupthedrivewaytoDerrick’sranchhouse，hesawthemasterofQuienSabeandHarraninconversationonthestepsoftheporch。Magnusstoodinthedoorway，talkingtohiswife。
OccupiedwiththepressofbusinessandinvolvedinthefinalconferencewiththeLeague’slawyersontheeveofthelatter’sdepartureforWashington，AnnixterhadmissedthetrainthatwastotakehimbacktoGuadalajaraandQuienSabe。Accordingly，hehadacceptedtheGovernor’sinvitationtoreturnwithhimonhisbuck-boardtoLosMuertos，andbeforeleavingBonnevillehadtelephonedtohisranchtohaveyoungVaccabringthebuckskin，bywayoftheLowerRoad，tomeethimatLosMuertos。Hefoundherwaitingthereforhim，butbeforegoingon，delayedafewmomentstotellHarranofDyke’saffair。
Iwonderwhathewilldonow？observedHarranwhenhisfirstoutburstofindignationhadsubsided。
Nothing，declaredAnnixter。He’sstuck。
ThateatsupeverycentofDyke’searnings，Harranwenton。
Hehasbeentenyearssavingthem。Oh，ItoldhimtomakesureoftheRailroadwhenhefirstspoketomeaboutgrowinghops。
I’vejustseenhim，saidPresley，ashejoinedtheothers。HewasatCaraher’s。Ionlysawhisback。Hewasdrinkingatatableandhisbackwastowardsme。Butthemanlookedbroken——
absolutelycrushed。Itisterrible，terrible。
HewasatCaraher’s，washe？demandedAnnixter。
Yes。
Drinking，hey？
Ithinkso。Yes，Isawabottle。
DrinkingatCaraher’s，exclaimedAnnixter，rancorously。IcanseeHISfinish。
Therewasasilence。Itseemedasifnothingmorewastobesaid。Theypaused，lookingthoughtfullyontheground。
Insilence，grim，bitter，infinitelysad，thethreemenasifatthatmomentactuallystandinginthebar-roomofCaraher’sroadsidesaloon，contemplatedtheslowsinking，theinevitablecollapseandsubmergingofoneoftheircompanions，thewreckofacareer，theruinofanindividual。anhonestman，strong，fearless，upright，struckdownbyacolossalpower，pervertedbyanevilinfluence，goreelingtohisruin。
Iseehisfinish，repeatedAnnixter。ExitDyke，andscoreanothertallyforS。Behrman，ShelgrimandCo。
Hemovedawayimpatiently，looseningthetie-ropewithwhichthebuckskinwasfastened。Heswunghimselfup。
Godforusall，hedeclaredasherodeaway，andthedeviltakethehindmost。Good-bye，I’mgoinghome。Istillhaveonealittlelonger。
HegallopedawayalongtheLowerRoad，inthedirectionofQuienSabe，emergingfromthegroveofcypressandeucalyptusabouttheranchhouse，andcomingoutuponthebarebrownplainofthewheatland，stretchingawayfromhiminapparentbarrennessoneitherhand。
Itwaslateintheday，alreadyhisshadowwaslonguponthepaddeddustoftheroadinfrontofhim。Onahead，alongwaysoff，andalittletothenorth，thevenerablecampanileoftheMissionSanJuanwasglintingradiantinthelastraysofthesun，whilebehindhim，towardsthenorthandwest，thegildeddomeofthecourthouseatBonnevillestoodsilhouettedinpurplishblackagainsttheflamingwest。Annixterspurredthebuck-skinforward。Hefearedhemightbelatetohissupper。HewonderedifitwouldbebroughttohimbyHilma。
Hilma！Thenamestruckacrossinhisbrainwithapleasant，glowingtremour。Allthroughthatdayofactivity，ofstrenuousbusiness，theminuteandcautiousplanningofthefinalcampaigninthegreatwaroftheLeagueandtheTrust，theideaofherandtherecollectionofherhadbeentheundercurrentofhisthoughts。Atlasthewasalone。Hecouldputallotherthingsbehindhimandoccupyhimselfsolelywithher。
Inthatgloryoftheday’send，inthatchaosofsunshine，hesawheragain。Unimaginative，crude，direct，hisfancy，nevertheless，placedherbeforehim，steepedinsunshine，saturatedwithgloriouslight，brilliant，radiant，alluring。Hesawthesweetsimplicityofhercarriage，thestatuesqueevennessofthecontoursofherfigure，thesingle，deepswellofherbosom，thesolidmassesofherhair。Herememberedthesmallcontradictorysuggestionsoffemininedaintinesshehadsooftenremarkedabouther，herslim，narrowfeet，thelittlesteelbucklesofherlowshoes，theknotofblackribbonshehadbeguntowearoflateonthebackofherhead，andheheardhervoice，low-pitched，velvety，asweet，murmuringhuskinessthatseemedtocomemorefromherchestthanfromherthroat。
Thebuckskin’shoofsclattereduponthegravellyflatsofBroderson’sCreekunderneaththeLongTrestle。Annixter’smindwentbacktothesceneofthepreviousevening，whenhehadcomeuponheratthisplace。Hesethisteethwithangeranddisappointment。Whyhadshenotbeenabletounderstand？Whatwasthematterwiththesewomen，alwayssetuponthismarryingnotion？Wasitnotenoughthathewantedhermorethananyothergirlheknewandthatshewantedhim？Shehadsaidasmuch。DidshethinkshewasgoingtobemistressofQuienSabe？Ah，thatwasit。Shewasafterhisproperty，wasformarryinghimbecauseofhismoney。Hisunconquerablesuspicionofthewoman，hisinnatedistrustofthefeminineelementwouldnotbedoneawaywith。Whatfathomlessduplicitywashers，thatshecouldappearsoinnocent。Itwasalmostunbelievable。infact，wasitbelievable？
Forthefirsttimedoubtassailedhim。SupposeHilmawasindeedallthatsheappearedtobe。Supposeitwasnotwithheraquestionofhisproperty，afterall。itwasapoortimetothinkofmarryinghimforhispropertywhenallQuienSabehungintheissueofthenextfewmonths。Supposeshehadbeensincere。Buthecaughthimselfup。Washetobefooledbyafeemalegirlatthislatedate？He，BuckAnnixter，crafty，hard-headed，amanofaffairs？Notmuch。Whatevertranspiredhewouldremainthemaster。
HereachedQuienSabeinthisframeofmind。Butatthishour，Annixter，forallhisresolutions，couldnolongercontrolhisthoughts。Ashestrippedthesaddlefromthebuckskinandledhertothewateringtroughbythestablecorral，hisheartwasbeatingthickattheverynotionofbeingnearHilmaagain。Itwasgrowingdark，butcovertlyheglancedhereandthereoutofthecornersofhiseyestoseeifshewasanywhereabout。
Annixter——how，hecouldnottell——hadbecomepossessedoftheideathatHilmawouldnotinformherparentsofwhathadpassedbetweenthemthepreviouseveningundertheLongTrestle。Hehadnoideathatmatterswereatanendbetweenhimselfandtheyoungwoman。Hemustapologise，hesawthatclearlyenough，musteatcrow，ashetoldhimself。Well，hewouldeatcrow。Hewasnotafraidofheranylonger，nowthatshehadmadeherconfessiontohim。Hewouldseeherassoonaspossibleandgetthisbusinessstraightenedout，andbeginagainfromanewstartingpoint。
WhathewantedwithHilma，Annixterdidnotdefineclearlyinhismind。Atonetimehehadknownperfectlywellwhathewanted。
Now，thegoalofhisdesireshadbecomevague。Hecouldnotsayexactlywhatitwas。Hepreferredthatthingsshouldgoforwardwithoutmuchideaofconsequences。ifconsequencescame，theywoulddosonaturallyenough，andofthemselves。allthathepositivelyknewwasthatHilmaoccupiedhisthoughtsmorning，noon，andnight。thathewashappywhenhewaswithher，andmiserablewhenawayfromher。
TheChinesecookservedhissupperinsilence。Annixterateanddrankandlightedacigar，andafterhismealsatontheporchofhishouse，smokingandenjoyingthetwilight。Theeveningwasbeautiful，warm，theskyonepowderofstars。FromthedirectionofthestablesheheardoneofthePortuguesehandspickingaguitar。
ButhewantedtoseeHilma。Theideaofgoingtobedwithoutatleastaglimpseofherbecamedistastefultohim。Annixtergotupanddescendingfromtheporchbegantowalkaimlesslyaboutbetweentheranchbuildings，witheyeandearalert。Possiblyhemightmeethersomewheres。
TheTrees’littlehouse，towardwhichinevitablyAnnixterdirectedhissteps，wasdark。Hadtheyallgonetobedsosoon？
Hemadeawidecircuitaboutit，listening，butheardnosound。
Thedoorofthedairy-housestoodajar。Hepusheditopen，andsteppedintotheodorousdarknessofitsinterior。Thepansanddeepcansofpolishedmetalglowedfaintlyfromthecornersandfromthewalls。Thesmellofnewcheesewaspungentinhisnostrils。Everythingwasquiet。Therewasnobodythere。Hewentoutagain，closingthedoor，andstoodforamomentinthespacebetweenthedairy-houseandthenewbarn，uncertainastowhatheshoulddonext。
Ashewaitedthere，hisforemancameoutofthemen’sbunkhouse，ontheothersideofthekitchens，andcrossedovertowardthebarn。Hello，Billy，mutteredAnnixterashepassed。
Oh，goodevening，Mr。Annixter，saidtheother，pausinginfrontofhim。Ididn’tknowyouwereback。Bytheway，headded，speakingasthoughthematterwasalreadyknowntoAnnixter，IseeoldmanTreeandhisfamilyhaveleftus。Aretheygoingtobegonelong？Havetheyleftforgood？
What’sthat？Annixterexclaimed。Whendidtheygo？Didallofthemgo，allthree？
Why，Ithoughtyouknew。Sure，theyallleftontheafternoontrainforSanFrancisco。Clearedoutinahurry——tookalltheirtrunks。Yes，allthreewent——theyounglady，too。Theygavemenoticeearlythismorning。Theyain’toughttohavedonethat。
Idon’tknowwhoI’mtogettorunthedairyonsuchshortnotice。Doyouknowanyone，Mr。Annixter？
Well，whyinhelldidyouletthemgo？vociferatedAnnixter。
Whydidn’tyoukeepthemheretillIgotback？Whydidn’tyoufindoutiftheyweregoingforgood？Ican’tbeeverywhere。
WhatdoIfeedyouforifitain’ttolookafterthingsIcan’tattendto？
Heturnedonhisheelandstrodeawaystraightbeforehim，notcaringwherehewasgoing。Hetrampedoutfromthegroupofranchbuildings。holdingonovertheopenreachofhisranch，histeethset，hisheelsdiggingfuriouslyintotheground。Theminutespassed。Hewalkedonswiftly，mutteringtohimselffromtimetotime。
Gone，bytheLord。Gone，bytheLord。BytheLordHarry，she’sclearedout。
Asyethisheadwasemptyofallthought。Hecouldnotsteadyhiswitstoconsiderthisnewturnofaffairs。Hedidnoteventry。
Gone，bytheLord，heexclaimed。BytheLord，she’sclearedout。
Hefoundtheirrigatingditch，andthebeatenpathmadebytheditchtendersthatborderedit，andfolloweditsomefiveminutes。thenstruckoffatrightanglesovertheruggedsurfaceoftheranchland，towhereagreatwhitestonejuttedfromtheground。Therehesatdown，andleaningforward，restedhiselbowsonhisknees，andlookedoutvaguelyintothenight，histhoughtsswiftlyreadjustingthemselves。
Hewasalone。Thesilenceofthenight，theinfinitereposeoftheflat，bareearth——twoimmensities——widenedaroundandabovehimlikeillimitableseas。Agreyhalf-light，mysterious，grave，floodeddownwardfromthestars。
Annixterwasintorment。Now，therecouldbenolongeranydoubt——nowitwasHilmaornothing。Onceoutofhisreach，oncelosttohim，andtherecollectionofherassailedhimwithunconquerablevehemence。Muchasshehadoccupiedhismind，hehadneverrealisedtillnowhowvasthadbeentheplaceshehadfilledinhislife。Hehadtoldherasmuch，buteventhenhedidnotbelieveit。
Suddenly，abitterrageagainsthimselfoverwhelmedhimashethoughtofthehurthehadgivenherthepreviousevening。Heshouldhavemanageddifferently。How，hedidnotknow，butthesenseoftheoutragehehadputuponherabruptlyrecoiledagainsthimwithcruelforce。Now，hewassorryforit，infinitelysorry，passionatelysorry。Hehadhurther。Hehadbroughtthetearstohereyes。Hehadsoflagrantlyinsultedherthatshecouldnolongerbeartobreathethesameairwithhim。
Shehadtoldherparentsall。ShehadleftQuienSabe——hadlefthimforgood，attheverymomentwhenhebelievedhehadwonher。
Brute，beastthathewas，hehaddrivenheraway。
Anhourwentby。thentwo，thenfour，thensix。Annixterstillsatinhisplace，gropingandbattlinginaconfusionofspirit，thelikeofwhichhehadneverfeltbefore。Hedidnotknowwhatwasthematterwithhim。Hecouldnotfindhiswayoutofthedarkandoutoftheturmoilthatwheeledaroundhim。Hehadhadnoexperiencewithwomen。Therewasnoprecedenttoguidehim。
Howwashetogetoutofthis？Whatwastheclewthatwouldseteverythingstraightagain？
ThathewouldgiveHilmaup，neveronceenteredhishead。Haveherhewould。Shehadgivenherselftohim。Everythingshouldhavebeeneasyafterthat，andinstead，herehewasaloneinthenight，wrestlingwithhimself，indeepertroublethanever，andHilmafartherthaneverawayfromhim。
Itwastrue，hemighthaveHilma，evennow，ifhewaswillingtomarryher。Butmarriage，tohismind，hadbeenalwaysavague，mostremotepossibility，almostasvagueandasremoteashisdeath，——athingthathappenedtosomemen，butthatwouldsurelyneveroccurtohim，or，ifitdid，itwouldbeafterlongyearshadpassed，whenhewasolder，moresettled，moremature——aneventthatbelongedtotheperiodofhismiddlelife，distantasyet。
Hehadneverfacedthequestionofhismarriage。Hehadkeptitatanimmensedistancefromhim。Ithadneverbeenapartofhisorderofthings。Hewasnotamarryingman。
ButHilmawasanever-presentreality，asneartohimashisrighthand。Marriagewasaformless，fardistantabstraction。
Hilmaatangible，imminentfact。Beforehecouldthinkofthetwoasone。beforehecouldconsidertheideaofmarriage，sidebysidewiththeideaofHilma，measurelessdistanceshadtobetraversed，thingsasdisassociatedinhismindasfireandwater，hadtobefusedtogether。andbetweenthetwohewastornasifuponarack。
Slowly，byimperceptibledegrees，theimagination，unused，unwillingmachine，begantowork。Thebrain’sactivitylapsedproportionately。Hebegantothinkless，andfeelmore。Inthatruggedcomposition，confused，dark，harsh，afurrowhadbeendrivendeep，alittleseedplanted，alittleseedatfirstweak，forgotten，lostinthelowerdarkplacesofhischaracter。
Butastheintellectmovedslower，itsfunctionsgrowingnumb，theideaofselfdwindled。Annixternolongerconsideredhimself。nolongerconsideredthenotionofmarriagefromthepointofviewofhisowncomfort，hisownwishes，hisownadvantage。Herealisedthatinhisnewfounddesiretomakeherhappy，hewassincere。Therewassomethinginthatidea，afterall。Tomakesomeonehappy——howaboutthatnow？Itwasworththinkingof。
Faraway，lowdownintheeast，adimbelt，agreylightbegantowhitenoverthehorizon。ThetoweroftheMissionstoodblackagainstit。Thedawnwascoming。Thebafflingobscurityofthenightwaspassing。Hiddenthingswerecomingintoview。
Annixter，hiseyeshalf-closed，hischinuponhisfist，allowedhisimaginationfullplay。HowwoulditbeifheshouldtakeHilmaintohislife，thisbeautifulyounggirl，pureashenowknewhertobe。innocent，noblewiththeinbornnobilityofdawningwomanhood？Anoverwhelmingsenseofhisownunworthinesssuddenlyboredownuponhimwithcrushingforce，ashethoughtofthis。Hehadgoneaboutthewholeaffairwrongly。Hehadbeenmistakenfromtheveryfirst。Shewasinfinitelyabovehim。Hedidnotwant——heshouldnotdesiretobethemaster。Itwasshe，hisservant，poor，simple，lowlyeven，whoshouldcondescendtohim。
Abruptlytherewaspresentedtohismind’seyeapictureoftheyearstocome，ifhenowshouldfollowhisbest，hishighest，hismostunselfishimpulse。HesawHilma，hisown，forbetterorforworse，forricherorforpoorer，allbarriersdownbetweenthem，hegivinghimselftoherasfreely，asnobly，asshehadgivenherselftohim。Byasupremeeffort，notofthewill，butoftheemotion，hefoughthiswayacrossthatvastgulfthatforatimehadgapedbetweenHilmaandtheideaofhismarriage。Instantly，liketheswiftblendingofbeautifulcolours，liketheharmonyofbeautifulchordsofmusic，thetwoideasmeltedintoone，andinthatmomentintohisharsh，unlovelyworldanewideawasborn。
Annixterstoodsuddenlyupright，amightytenderness，agentlenessofspirit，suchashehadneverconceivedof，inhisheartstrained，swelled，andinamomentseemedtoburst。Outofthedarkfurrowsofhissoul，upfromthedeepruggedrecessesofhisbeing，somethingrose，expanding。Heopenedhisarmswide。
Animmensehappinessoverpoweredhim。Actualtearscametohiseyes。Withoutknowingwhy，hewasnotashamedofit。Thispoor，crudefellow，harsh，hard，narrow，withhisunlovelynature，hisfiercetruculency，hisselfishness，hisobstinacy，abruptlyknewthatallthesweetnessoflife，allthegreatvivifyingeternalforceofhumanityhadburstintolifewithinhim。
Thelittleseed，longsinceplanted，gatheringstrengthquietly，hadatlastgerminated。
Thenastherealisationofthishardenedintocertainty，inthegrowinglightofthenewdaythathadjustdawnedforhim，Annixterutteredacry。Nowatlength，heknewthemeaningofitall。
Why——I——I，ILOVEher，hecried。Neveruntilthenhaditoccurredtohim。Neveruntilthen，inallhisthoughtsofHilma，hadthatgreatwordpassedhislips。
ItwasaMemnoniancry，thegreetingofthehard，harshimageofman，rough-hewn，flinty，granitic，utteringanoteofjoy，acclaimingthenewrisensun。
Bynowitwasalmostday。Theeastglowedopalescent。AllabouthimAnnixtersawthelandinundatedwithlight。Buttherewasachange。Overnightsomethinghadoccurred。Inhisperturbationthechangeseemedtohim，atfirst，elusive，almostfanciful，unreal。Butnowasthelightspread，helookedagainatthegiganticscrollofranchlandsunrolledbeforehimfromedgetoedgeofthehorizon。Thechangewasnotfanciful。Thechangewasreal。Theearthwasnolongerbare。Thelandwasnolongerbarren，——nolongerempty，nolongerdullbrown。AllatonceAnnixtershoutedaloud。
Thereitwas，theWheat，theWheat！Thelittleseedlongplanted，germinatinginthedeep，darkfurrowsofthesoil，straining，swelling，suddenlyinonenighthadburstupwardtothelight。Thewheathadcomeup。Itwastherebeforehim，aroundhim，everywhere，illimitable，immeasurable。Thewinterbrownnessofthegroundwasoverlaidwithalittleshimmerofgreen。Thepromiseofthesowingwasbeingfulfilled。Theearth，theloyalmother，whoneverfailed，whoneverdisappointed，waskeepingherfaithagain。Oncemorethestrengthofnationswasrenewed。Oncemoretheforceoftheworldwasrevivified。OncemoretheTitan，benignant，calm，stirredandwoke，andthemorningabruptlyblazedintogloryuponthespectacleofamanwhoseheartleapedexuberantwiththeloveofawoman，andanexultingearthgleamingtranscendentwiththeradiantmagnificenceofaninviolablepledge。
ChapterIII
Presley’sroomintheranchhouseofLosMuertoswasinthesecondstoryofthebuilding。Itwasacornerroom。oneofitswindowsfacingthesouth，theothertheeast。Itsappointmentswereofthesimplest。Inoneanglewasthesmallwhitepaintedironbed，coveredwithawhitecounterpane。Thewallswerehungwithawhitepaperfiguredwithknotsofpalegreenleaves，verygayandbright。Therewasastrawmattingonthefloor。Whitemuslinhalf-curtainshunginthewindows，uponthesillsofwhichcertainplantsbearingpinkwaxenflowersofwhichPresleydidnotknowthename，grewinoblonggreenboxes。Thewallswereunadorned，savebytwopictures，oneareproductionoftheReadingfromHomer，theotheracharcoaldrawingoftheMissionofSanJuandeGuadalajara，whichPresleyhadmadehimself。Bytheeastwindowstoodtheplainestofdealtables，innocentofanyclothorcovering，suchasmighthavebeenusedinakitchen。
ItwasPresley’sworktable，andwasinvariablylitteredwithpapers，half-finishedmanuscripts，draftsofpoems，notebooks，pens，half-smokedcigarettes，andthelike。Nearathand，uponashelf，werehisbooks。Therewerebuttwochairsintheroom——
thestraightbackedwoodenchair，thatstoodinfrontofthetable，angular，upright，andinwhichitwasimpossibletotakeone’sease，andthelongcomfortablewickersteamerchair，stretchingitslengthinfrontofthesouthwindow。Presleywasimmenselyfondofthisroom。Itamusedandinterestedhimtomaintainitsairofrigoroussimplicityandfreshness。Heabhorredclutteredbric-a-bracandmeaninglessobjetsd’art。
Onceinsooftenhesubmittedhisroomtoavigorousinspection。
settingittorights，removingeverythingbuttheessentials，thefewornamentswhich，inaway，werepartofhislife。
Hiswritinghadbythistimeundergoneacompletechange。ThenotesforhisgreatSongoftheWest，theepicpoemheoncehadhopedtowritehehadflungaside，togetherwithalltheabortiveattemptsatitsbeginning。Alsohehadtornupagreatquantityoffugitiveverses，preservingonlyacertainhalf-finishedpoem，thathecalledTheToilers。Thispoemwasacommentuponthesocialfabric，andhadbeeninspiredbythesightofapaintinghehadseeninCedarquist’sartgallery。Hehadwrittenallbutthelastverse。
OnthedaythathehadoverheardtheconversationbetweenDykeandCaraher，inthelatter’ssaloon，whichhadacquaintedhimwiththemonstrousinjusticeoftheincreasedtariff，PresleyhadreturnedtoLosMuertos，whiteandtrembling，rousedtoapitchofexaltation，thelikeofwhichhehadneverknowninallhislife。HiswrathwaslittleshortofevenCaraher’s。Hetoosawred。amightyspiritofrevoltheavedtumultuouswithinhim。Itdidnotseempossiblethatthisoutragecouldgoonmuchlonger。
Theoppressionwasincredible。theplainstoryofitsetdownintruthfulstatementoffactwouldnotbebelievedbytheoutsideworld。
Hewentuptohislittleroomandpacedthefloorwithclenchedfistsandburningface，tillatlast，therepressionofhiscontendingthoughtsallbutsuffocatedhim，andheflunghimselfbeforehistableandbegantowrite。Foratime，hispenseemedtotravelofitself。wordscametohimwithoutsearching，shapingthemselvesintophrases，——thephrasesbuildingthemselvesuptogreat，forciblesentences，fullofeloquence，offire，ofpassion。Ashisprosegrewmoreexalted，itpassedeasilyintothedomainofpoetry。Soonthecadenceofhisparagraphssettledtoanorderedbeatandrhythm，andintheendPresleyhadthrustasidehisjournalandwasoncemorewritingverse。
HepickeduphisincompletepoemofTheToilers，readithastilyacoupleoftimestocatchitsswing，thentheIdeaofthelastverse——theIdeaforwhichhesolonghadsoughtinvain——
abruptlyspringingtohisbrain，wroteitoffwithoutsomuchasreplenishinghispenwithink。Headdedstillanotherverse，bringingthepoemtoadefiniteclose，resumingitsentireconception，andendingwithasinglemajesticthought，simple，noble，dignified，absolutelyconvincing。
Presleylaiddownhispenandleanedbackinhischair，withthecertaintythatforonemomenthehadtoucheduntrodheights。Hishandswerecold，hisheadonfire，hisheartleapingtumultuousinhisbreast。
Nowatlast，hehadachieved。Hesawwhyhehadnevergraspedtheinspirationforhisvast，vague，IMPERSONALSongoftheWest。
Atthetimewhenhesoughtforit，hisconvictionshadnotbeenaroused。hehadnotthencaredforthePeople。Hissympathieshadnotbeentouched。Smallwonderthathehadmissedit。NowhewasofthePeople。hehadbeenstirredtohislowestdepths。
Hisearnestnesswasalmostafrenzy。HeBELIEVED，andsotohimallthingswerepossibleatonce。
Thentheartistinhimreasserteditself。Hebecamemoreinterestedinhispoem，assuch，thaninthecausethathadinspiredit。Hewentoveritagain，retouchingitcarefully，changingawordhereandthere，andimprovingitsrhythm。Forthemoment，heforgotthePeople，forgothisrage，hisagitationoftheprevioushour，herememberedonlythathehadwrittenagreatpoem。
Thendoubtintruded。Afterall，wasitsogreat？Didnotitssublimityoverpassalittletheboundsoftheridiculous？Hadheseentrue？Hadhefailedagain？Here-readthepoemcarefully。
anditseemedallatoncetoloseforce。
Bynow，Presleycouldnottellwhetherwhathehadwrittenwastruepoetryordoggerel。Hedistrustedprofoundlyhisownjudgment。Hemusthavetheopinionofsomeoneelse，someonecompetenttojudge。Hecouldnotwait。to-morrowwouldnotdo。
Hemustknowtoacertaintybeforehecouldrestthatnight。
Hemadeacarefulcopyofwhathehadwritten，andputtingonhishatandlacedboots，wentdownstairsandoutuponthelawn，crossingovertothestables。HefoundPhelpsthere，washingdownthebuckboard。
DoyouknowwhereVanameeisto-day？heaskedthelatter。
Phelpsputhischinintheair。