ItwastruethatHilmahadfeltafainttremourofseasicknessontheferry-boatcomingfromthecitytotheOaklandmole。Nodoubtalittlenauseayetremainedwithher。ButAnnixterrefusedtoacceptthisexplanation。Hewasdistressedbeyondexpression。
Nowyou’regoingtobesick，hecriedanxiously。
No，no，sheprotested，notabit。
Butyousaidyoudidn’tfeelverywell。Whereisityoufeelsick？
Idon’tknow。I’mnotsick。Oh，dearme，whywillyoubother？
Headache？
Nottheleast。
Youfeeltired，then。That’sit。Nowonder，thewayrushedyou’roundto-day。
Dear，I’mNOTtired，andI’mNOTsick，andI’mallRIGHT。
No，no。Icantell。Ithinkwe’dbesthavetheberthmadeupandyouliedown。
Thatwouldbeperfectlyridiculous。
Well，whereisityoufeelsick？Showme。putyourhandontheplace。Wanttoeatsomething？
Withelaborateminuteness，hecross-questionedher，refusingtoletthesubjectdrop，protestingthatshehaddarkcirclesunderhereyes。thatshehadgrownthinner。
Wonderifthere’sadoctoronboard，hemurmured，lookinguncertainlyaboutthecar。Letmeseeyourtongue。Iknow——alittlewhiskeyiswhatyouwant，thatandsomepru——
No，no，NO，sheexclaimed。I’maswellasIeverwasinallmylife。Lookatme。Now，tellme，dollooklikeeasicklady？
Hescrutinisedherfacedistressfully。
Now，don’tIlookthepictureofhealth？shechallenged。
Inawayyoudo，hebegan，andthenagain——
Hilmabeatatattoowithherheelsuponthefloor，shuttingherfists，thethumbstuckedinside。Sheclosedhereyes，shakingherheadenergetically。
Iwon’tlisten，Iwon’tlisten，Iwon’tlisten，shecried。
But，justthesame——
Gibble——gibble——gibble，shemocked。Iwon’tListen，Iwon’tlisten。Sheputahandoverhismouth。Look，here’sthedining-carwaiter，andthefirstcallforsupper，andyourwifeishungry。
Theywentforwardandhadsupperinthediner，whilethelongtrain，nowoutuponthemainline，settleditselftoitspace，theprolonged，evengallopthatitwouldholdforthebetterpartoftheweek，spinningoutthemilesasacottonspinnerspinsthread。
ItwasalreadydarkwhenAntiochwasleftbehind。AbruptlythesunsetappearedtowheelintheskyandreadjusteditselftotherightofthetrackbehindMountDiablo，herevisiblealmosttoitsbase。Thetrainhadturnedsouthward。Nerolywaspassed，thenBrentwood，thenByron。Inthegatheringdusk，mountainsbegantobuildthemselvesuponeitherhand，faroff，blockingthehorizon。Thetrainshotforward，roaring。Betweenthemountainsthelandlaylevel，cutupintofarms，ranches。Thesecontinuallygrewlarger。growingwheatbegantoappear，billowinginthewindofthetrain’spassage。Themountainsgrewhigher，thelandricher，andbythetimethemoonrose，thetrainwaswellintothenorthernmostlimitsofthevalleyoftheSanJoaquin。
Annixterhadengagedanentiresection，andafterheandhiswifewenttobedhadtheporterclosetheupperberth。Hilmasatupinbedtosayherprayers，bothhandsoverherface，andthenkissingAnnixtergood-night，wenttosleepwiththedirectnessofalittlechild，holdinghishandinbothherown。
Annixter，whonevercouldsleeponthetrain，dozedandtossedandfrettedforhours，consultinghiswatchandtime-tablewhenevertherewasastop。twiceherosetogetadrinkoficewater，andbetweenwhileswasforeversittingupinthenarrowberth，stretchinghimselfandyawning，murmuringwithuncertainrelevance：
Oh，Lord！Oh-h-hLORD！
Thereweresomedozenotherpassengersinthecar——aladywiththreechildren，agroupofschool-teachers，acoupleofdrummers，astoutgentlemanwithwhiskers，andawell-dressedyoungmaninaplaidtravellingcap，whomAnnixterhadobservedbeforesuppertimereadingDaudet’sTartarinintheFrench。
Butbynineo’clock，allthesepeoplewereintheirberths。
Occasionally，abovetherhythmicrumbleofthewheels，Annixtercouldhearoneofthelady’schildrenfidgetingandcomplaining。
Thestoutgentlemansnoredmonotonouslyintwonotes，onearaspingbass，theotheraprolongedtreble。Atintervals，abrakemanorthepassengerconductorpusheddowntheaisle，betweenthecurtains，hisredandwhitelampoverhisarm。
LookingoutintothecarAnnixtersawinanendsectionwheretheberthshadnotbeenmadeup，theporter，inhiswhiteduckcoat，dozing，hismouthwideopen，hisheadonhisshoulder。
Thehourspassed。Midnightcameandwent。Annixter，checkingoffthestations，notedtheirpassageofModesto，Merced，andMadeira。Then，afteranotherbrokennap，helostcount。Hewonderedwheretheywere。HadtheyreachedFresnoyet？Raisingthewindowcurtain，hemadeashadewithbothhandsoneithersideofhisfaceandlookedout。Thenightwasthick，dark，cloudedover。Afinerainwasfalling，leavinghorizontalstreaksontheglassoftheoutsidewindow。Onlythefaintestgreyblurindicatedthesky。Everythingelsewasimpenetrableblackness。
IthinksurewemusthavepassedFresno，hemuttered。Helookedathiswatch。Itwasabouthalf-pastthree。IfwehavepassedFresno，hesaidtohimself，I’dbetterwakethelittlegirlprettysoon。She’llneedaboutanhourtodress。Betterfindoutforsure。
Hedrewonhistrousersandshoes，gotintohiscoat，andsteppedoutintotheaisle。Intheseatthathadbeenoccupiedbytheporter，thePullmanconductor，hiscashboxandcar-schedulesbeforehim，wascheckinguphisberths，abluepencilbehindhisear。
What’sthenextstop，Captain？inquiredAnnixter，comingup。
HavewereachedFresnoyet？
Justpassedit，theotherresponded，lookingatAnnixteroverhisspectacles。
What’sthenextstop？
Goshen。Wewillbethereinaboutforty-fiveminutes。
Fairblacknight，isn’tit？
Blackasapocket。Let’ssee，you’rethepartyinupperandlower9。
Annixtercaughtatthebackofthenearestseat，justintimetopreventafall，andtheconductor’scashboxwasshuntedoffthesurfaceoftheplushseatandcameclankingtothefloor。ThePintschlightsoverheadvibratedwithblindingrapidityinthelong，slidingjarthatranthroughthetrainfromendtoend，andthemomentumofitsspeedsuddenlydecreasing，allbutpitchedtheconductorfromhisseat。Ahideousear-splittingraspmadeitselfheardfromtheclamped-downWestinghousegearunderneath，andAnnixterknewthatthewheelshadceasedtorevolveandthatthetrainwasslidingforwarduponthemotionlessflanges。
Hello，hello，heexclaimed，what’sallupnow？
Emergencybrakes，declaredtheconductor，catchinguphiscashboxandthrustinghispapersandticketsintoit。Nothingmuch。
probablyacowonthetrack。
Hedisappeared，carryinghislanternwithhim。
Buttheotherpassengers，allbutthestoutgentleman，wereawake。headswerethrustfromoutthecurtains，andAnnixter，hurryingbacktoHilma，wasassailedbyallmannerofquestions。
Whatwasthat？
Anythingwrong？
What’sup，anyways？
HilmawasjustwakingasAnnixterpushedthecurtainaside。
Oh，Iwassofrightened。What’sthematter，dear？sheexclaimed。
Idon’tknow，heanswered。Onlytheemergencybrakes。Justacowonthetrack，Iguess。Don’tgetscared。Itisn’tanything。
ButwithafinalshriekoftheWestinghouseappliance，thetraincametoadefinitehalt。
Atoncethesilencewasabsolute。Theears，stillnumbwiththelong-continuedroarofwheelsandclashingiron，atfirstrefusedtoregistercorrectlythesmallernoisesofthesurroundings。
Voicescamefromtheotherendofthecar，strangeandunfamiliar，asthoughheardatagreatdistanceacrossthewater。
Thestillnessofthenightoutsidewassoprofoundthattherain，drippingfromthecarroofupontheroad-bedunderneath，wasasdistinctasthetickingofaclock。
Well，we’vesurestopped，observedoneofthedrummers。
Whatisit？askedHilmaagain。Areyousurethere’snothingwrong？
Sure，saidAnnixter。
Outside，underneaththeirwindow，theyheardthesoundofhurriedfootstepscrushingintotheclinkersbythesideoftheties。
Theypassedon，andAnnixterheardsomeoneinthedistanceshout：
Yes，ontheotherside。
Thenthedoorattheendoftheircaropenedandabrakemanwitharedbeardrandowntheaisleandoutupontheplatforminfront。Theforwarddoorclosed。Everythingwasquietagain。Inthestillnessthefatgentleman’ssnoresmadethemselvesheardoncemore。
Theminutespassed。nothingstirred。Therewasnosoundbutthedrippingrain。Thelineofcarslayimmobilisedandinertunderthenight。Oneofthedrummers，havingsteppedoutsideontheplatformforalookaround，returned，saying：
Theresureisn’tanystationanywheresaboutandnosiding。Betyoutheyhavehadanaccidentofsomekind。
Asktheporter。
Idid。Hedon’tknow。
Maybetheystoppedtotakeonwoodorwater，orsomething。
Well，theywouldn’tusetheemergencybrakesforthat，wouldthey？Why，thistrainstoppedalmostinherownlength。Prettynearslungmeouttheberth。Thoseweretheemergencybrakes。I
heardsomeonesayso。
Fromfarouttowardsthefrontofthetrain，nearthelocomotive，camethesharp，incisivereportofarevolver。thentwomorealmostsimultaneously。then，afteralonginterval，afourth。
Say，that’sSHOOTING。ByGod，boys，they’reshooting。Say，thisisahold-up。
Instantlyawhite-hotexcitementflaredfromendtoendofthecar。Incrediblysinister，heardthusinthenight，andintherain，mysterious，fearful，thosefourpistolshotsstartedconfusionfromoutthesenseofsecuritylikeafrightenedrabbithuntedfromherburrow。Wide-eyed，thepassengersofthecarlookedintoeachother’sfaces。Ithadcometothematlast，this，theyhadsooftenreadabout。Nowtheyweretoseetherealthing，nowtheyweretofaceactuality，facethisdangerofthenight，leapinginfromouttheblacknessoftheroadside，masked，armed，readytokill。Theywerefacingitnow。Theywereheldup。
Hilmasaidnothing，onlycatchingAnnixter’shand，lookingsquarelyintohiseyes。
Steady，littlegirl，hesaid。Theycan’thurtyou。Iwon’tleaveyou。BytheLord，hesuddenlyexclaimed，hisexcitementgettingthebetterofhimforamoment。BytheLord，it’sahold-up。
Theschool-teacherswereintheaisleofthecar，innightgown，wrapper，anddressingsack，huddledtogetherlikesheep，holdingontoeachother，lookingtothemen，silentlyappealingforprotection。Twoofthemwereweeping，whitetothelips。
Oh，oh，oh，it’sterrible。Oh，iftheyonlywon’thurtme。
Buttheladywiththechildrenlookedoutfromherberth，smiledreassuringly，andsaid：
I’mnotabitfrightened。Theywon’tdoanythingtousifwekeepquiet。I’vemywatchandjewelryallreadyfortheminmylittleblackbag，see？
Sheexhibitedittothepassengers。Herchildrenwereallawake。
Theywerequiet，lookingaboutthemwitheagerfaces，interestedandamusedatthissurprise。Inhisberth，thefatgentlemanwithwhiskerssnoredprofoundly。
Say，I’mgoingoutthere，suddenlydeclaredoneofthedrummers，flourishingapocketrevolver。
Hisfriendcaughthisarm。
Don’tmakeafoolofyourself，Max，hesaid。
Theywon’tcomenearus，observedthewell-dressedyoungman。
theyareaftertheWells-Fargoboxandtheregisteredmail。Youwon’tdoanygoodoutthere。
Buttheotherloudlyprotested。No。hewasgoingout。Hedidn’tproposetobebuncoedwithoutafight。Hewasn’tanycoward。
Well，youdon’tgo，that’sall，saidhisfriend，angrily。
There’swomenandchildreninthiscar。Youain’tgoingtodrawthefirehere。
Well，that’stobethoughtof，saidtheother，allowinghimselftobepacified，butstillholdinghispistol。
Don’tlethimopenthatwindow，criedAnnixtersharplyfromhisplacebyHilma’sside，forthedrummerhadmadeasiftoopenthesashinoneofthesectionsthathadnotbeenmadeup。
Sure，that’sright，saidtheothers。Don’topenanywindows。
Keepyourheadin。You’llgetusallshotifyouaren’tcareful。
However，thedrummerhadgotthewindowupandhadleanedoutbeforetheotherscouldinterfereanddrawhimaway。
Say，byjove，heshouted，asheturnedbacktothecar，ourengine’sgone。We’restandingonacurveandyoucanseetheendofthetrain。She’sgone，Itellyou。Well，lookforyourself。
Inspiteoftheirprecautions，oneafteranother，hisfriendslookedout。Sureenough，thetrainwaswithoutalocomotive。
They’vedoneitsowecan’tgetaway，vociferatedthedrummerwiththepistol。Now，byjiminy-Christmas，they’llcomethroughthecarsandstandusup。They’llbeinhereinaminute。LORD！
WHATWASTHAT？
Fromfarawayupthetrack，apparentlysomehalf-mileaheadofthetrain，camethesoundofaheavyexplosion。Thewindowsofthecarvibratedwithit。
Shootingagain。
Thatisn’tshooting，exclaimedAnnixter。They’vepulledtheexpressandmailcaronaheadwiththeengineandnowtheyaredynamitingheropen。
Thatmustbeit。Yes，sure，that’sjustwhattheyaredoing。
Theforwarddoorofthecaropenedandclosedandtheschool-
teachersshriekedandcowered。Thedrummerwiththerevolverfacedabout，hiseyesbulging。However，itwasonlythetrainconductor，hatless，hislanterninhishand。Hewassoakedwithrain。Heappearedintheaisle。
Isthereadoctorinthiscar？heasked。
Promptlythepassengerssurroundedhim，volublewithquestions。
Buthewasinabadtemper。
Idon’tknowanythingmorethanyou，heshoutedangrily。Itwasahold-up。Iguessyouknowthat，don’tyou？Well，whatmoredoyouwanttoknow？Iain’tgottimetofoolaround。Theycutoffourexpresscarandhavecrackeditopen，andtheyshotoneofourtraincrew，that’sall，andIwantadoctor。
Didtheyshoothim——killhim，doyoumean？
Ishehurtbad？
Didthemengetaway？
Oh，shutup，willyouall？exclaimedtheconductor。
WhatdoIknow？IsthereaDOCTORinthiscar，that’swhatI
wanttoknow？
Thewell-dressedyoungmansteppedforward。
I’madoctor，hesaid。
Well，comealongthen，returnedtheconductor，inasurlyvoice，andthepassengersinthiscar，headded，turningbackatthedoorandnoddinghisheadmenacingly，willgobacktobedandSTAYthere。It’salloverandthere’snothingtosee。
Hewentout，followedbytheyoungdoctor。
Thenensuedaninterminableperiodofsilence。Theentiretrainseemeddeserted。Helpless，bereftofitsengine，ahuge，decapitatedmonsteritlay，half-wayaroundacurve，rainedupon，abandoned。
Therewasmorefearinthislastconditionofaffairs，moreterrorintheideaofthisprolongedlineofsleepers，withtheirnickelledfittings，theirplateglass，theirupholstery，vestibules，andthelike，loadeddownwithpeople，lostandforgotteninthenightandtherain，thantherehadbeenwhentheactualdangerthreatened。
Whatwastobecomeofthemnow？Whowastheretohelpthem？
Theirenginewasgone。theywerehelpless。Whatnextwastohappen？
Nobodycamenearthecar。Eventheporterhaddisappeared。Thewaitseemedendless，andthepersistentsnoringofthewhiskeredgentlemanraspedthenerveslikethescrapeofafile。
Well，howlongarewegoingtostickherenow？beganoneofthedrummers。Wonderiftheyhurttheenginewiththeirdynamite？
Oh，Iknowtheywillcomethroughthecarandrobus，wailedtheschool-teachers。
Theladywiththelittlechildrenwentbacktobed，andAnnixter，assuredthatthetroublewasover，didlikewise。Butnobodyslept。Fromberthtoberthcamethesoundofsuppressedvoicestalkingitallover，formulatingconjectures。Certainpointsseemedtobesettledupon，nooneknewhow，asindisputable。Thehighwaymenhadbeenfourinnumberandhadstoppedthetrainbypullingthebellcord。Abrakemanhadattemptedtointerfereandhadbeenshot。TherobbershadbeenonthetrainallthewayfromSanFrancisco。ThedrummernamedMaxrememberedtohaveseenfoursuspicious-lookingcharactersinthesmoking-caratLathrop，andhadintendedtospeaktotheconductoraboutthem。
Thisdrummerhadbeeninahold-upbefore，andtoldthestoryofitoverandoveragain。
Atlast，afterwhatseemedtohavebeenanhour’sdelay，andwhenthedawnhadalreadybeguntoshowintheeast，thelocomotivebackedontothetrainagainwithareverberatingjarthatranfromcartocar。Atthejolting，theschool-teachersscreamedinchorus，andthewhiskeredgentlemanstoppedsnoringandthrusthisheadfromhiscurtains，blinkingatthePintschlights。ItappearedthathewasanEnglishman。
Isay，heaskedofthedrummernamedMax，Isay，myfriend，whatplaceisthis？
Theothersroaredwithderision。
WewereHELDUP，sir，that’swhatwewere。Wewereheldupandyousleptthroughitall。Youmissedtheshowofyourlife。
Thegentlemanfixedthegroupwithaprolongedgaze。Hesaidneveraword，butlittlebylittlehewasconvincedthatthedrummerstoldthetruth。Allatoncehegrewwrathful，hisfacepurpling。Hewithdrewhisheadangrily，buttoninghiscurtainstogetherinafury。Thecauseofhisragewasinexplicable，buttheycouldhearhimresettlinghimselfuponhispillowswithexasperatedmovementsofhisheadandshoulders。Inafewmomentsthedeepbassandshrilltrebleofhissnoringoncemoresoundedthroughthecar。
Atlastthetraingotunderwayagain，withuselesswarningblastsoftheengine’swhistle。Inafewmomentsitwastearingawaythroughthedawnatawonderfulspeed，rockingaroundcurves，roaringacrossculverts，makinguptime。
Andalltherestofthatstrangenightthepassengers，sittingupintheirunmadebeds，intheswayingcar，lightedbyastrangeminglingofpalliddawnandtremblingPintschlights，rushingatbreak-neckspeedthroughthemistyrain，wereoppressedbyavisionoffiguresofterror，farbehindtheminthenighttheyhadleft，masked，armed，gallopingtowardthemountainspistolinhand，thebootyboundtothesaddlebow，galloping，gallopingon，sendingathrilloffearthroughallthecountryside。
Theyoungdoctorreturned。Hesatdowninthesmoking-room，lightingacigarette，andAnnixterandthedrummerspressedaroundhimtoknowthestoryofthewholeaffair。
Themanisdead，hedeclared，thebrakeman。Hewasshotthroughthelungstwice。Theythinkthefellowgotawaywithaboutfivethousandingoldcoin。
Thefellow？Wasn’ttherefourofthem？
No。onlyone。Andsay，letmetellyou，hehadhisnervewithhim。Itseemshewasontheroofoftheexpresscarallthetime，andgoingasfastaswewere，hejumpedfromtheroofofthecardownontothecoalontheengine’stender，andcrawledoverthatandheldupthemeninthecabwithhisgun，tooktheirgunsfrom’emandmade’emstopthetrain。Evenordered’emtousetheemergencygear，seemsheknewallaboutit。Thenhewentbackanduncoupledtheexpresscarhimself。
Whilehewasdoingthis，abrakeman——yourememberthatbrakemanthatcamethroughhereonceortwice——hadaredmustache。
THATchap？
Sure。Well，assoonasthetrainstopped，thisbrakemanguessedsomethingwaswrongandranup，sawthefellowcuttingofftheexpresscarandtookacoupleofshotsathim，andthefiremansaysthefellowdidn’teventakehishandoffthecoupling-pin。
justturnedaroundascoolashow-do-you-doandNAILEDthebrakemanrightthere。Theyweren’tfivefeetapartwhentheybeganshooting。Thebrakemanhadcomeonhimunexpected，hadnoideahewassoclose。
Andtheexpressmessenger，allthistime？
Well，hedidhisbest。Jumpedoutwithhisrepeatingshot-gun，butthefellowhadhimcoveredbeforehecouldturnround。Heldhimupandtookhisgunawayfromhim。Say，youknowIcallthatnerve，justthesame。Onemanstandingupawholetrain-load，likethat。Then，assoonashe’dcuttheexpresscaroff，hemadetheengineerrunherupthetrackabouthalfamiletoaroadcrossing，WHEREHEHADAHORSETIED。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？Didn’thehaveitallfiguredoutclose？Andwhenhegotthere，hedynamitedthesafeandgottheWells-Fargobox。Hetookfivethousandingoldcoin。themessengersaysitwasrailroadmoneythatthecompanyweresendingdowntoBakersfieldtopayoffwith。Itwasinabag。Henevertouchedtheregisteredmail，norawholewadofgreenbacksthatwereinthesafe，butjusttookthecoin，gotonhishorse，andlitout。Theengineersayshewenttotheeast’ard。
Hegotaway，didhe？
Yes，buttheythinkthey’llgethim。Heworeakindofmask，butthebrakemanrecognisedhimpositively。Wegothisante-
mortemstatement。Thebrakemansaidthefellowhadagrudgeagainsttheroad。Hewasadischargedemployee，andlivesnearBonneville。
Dyke，bytheLord！exclaimedAnnixter。
That’sthename，saidtheyoungdoctor。
WhenthetrainarrivedatBonneville，fortyminutesbehindtime，itlandedAnnixterandHilmainthemidstoftheverythingtheymostwishedtoavoid——anenormouscrowd。ThenewsthattheOverlandhadbeenheldupthirtymilessouthofFresno，abrakemankilledandthesafelooted，andthatDykealonewasresponsibleforthenight’swork，hadbeenwiredonaheadfromFowler，thetrainconductorthrowingthedespatchtothestationagentfromtheflyingtrain。
BeforethetrainhadcometoastandstillunderthearchedroofoftheBonnevilledepot，itwasallbuttakenbyassault。
Annixter，withHilmaonhisarm，hadalmosttofighthiswayoutofthecar。Thedepotwasblackwithpeople。S。Behrmanwasthere，Delaney，CyrusRuggles，thetownmarshal，themayor。
Genslinger，hishatonthebackofhishead，rangedthetrainfromcabtorear-lights，note-bookinhand，interviewing，questioning，collectingfactsforhisextra。AsAnnixterdescendedfinallytotheplatform，theeditor，alertasablack-
and-tanterrier，histhin，osseoushandsquiveringwitheagerness，hisbrown，dryfaceworkingwithexcitement，caughthiselbow。
CanIhaveyourversionoftheaffair，Mr。Annixter？
Annixterturnedonhimabruptly。
Yes！heexclaimedfiercely。YouandyourgangdroveDykefromhisjobbecausehewouldn’tworkforstarvationwages。Thenyouraisedfreightratesonhimandrobbedhimofallhehad。YouruinedhimanddrovehimtofillhimselfupwithCaraher’swhiskey。He’sonlytakenbackwhatyouplunderedhimof，andnowyou’regoingtohoundhimovertheState，hunthimdownlikeawildanimal，andbringhimtothegallowsatSanQuentin。That’smyversionoftheaffair，MisterGenslinger，butit’sworthyoursubsidyfromtheP。andS。W。toprintit。
Therewasamurmurofapprovalfromthecrowdthatstoodaround，andGenslinger，withanangryshrugofoneshoulder，tookhimselfaway。
Atlength，AnnixterbroughtHilmathroughthecrowdtowhereyoungVaccawaswaitingwiththeteam。However，theycouldnotatoncestartfortheranch，Annixterwishingtoasksomequestionsatthefreightofficeaboutafinalconsignmentofchairs。Itwasnearlyeleveno’clockbeforetheycouldstarthome。ButtogaintheUpperRoadtoQuienSabe，itwasnecessarytotraverseallofMainStreet，runningthroughtheheartofBonneville。
Theentiretownseemedtobeuponthesidewalks。Bynowtherainwasoverandthesunshining。Thestoryofthehold-up——theworkofamanwhomeveryoneknewandliked——wasineverymouth。HowhadDykecometodoit？Whowouldhavebelieveditofhim？
Thinkofhispoormotherandthelittletad。Well，afterall，hewasnotsomuchtoblame。therailroadpeoplehadbroughtitonthemselves。Buthehadshotamantodeath。Ah，thatwasaseriousbusiness。Good-natured，big，broad-shouldered，jovialDyke，themantheyknew，withwhomtheyhadshakenhandsonlyyesterday，yes，anddrankwithhim。Hehadshotaman，killedhim，hadstoodthereinthedarkandintherainwhiletheywereasleepintheirbeds，andhadkilledaman。Nowwherewashe？
Instinctivelyeyeswereturnedeastward，overthetopsofthehouses，ordownvistasofsidestreetstowherethefoot-hillsofthemountainsrosedimandvastovertheedgeofthevalley。Hewasinamongstthem。somewhere，inallthatpileofbluecrestsandpurplecanyonshewashiddenaway。Nowforweeksofsearching，falsealarms，clews，trailings，watchings，allthethrillandheart-burstingexcitementofaman-hunt。Wouldhegetaway？Hardlyamanonthesidewalksofthetownthatdaywhodidnothopeforit。
AsAnnixter’steamtrottedthroughthecentralportionofthetown，youngVaccapointedtoadenserandlargercrowdaroundtherearentranceoftheCityHall。Fullytwentysaddlehorsesweretiedtotheironrailunderneaththescant，half-growntreesnearby，andasAnnixterandHilmadroveby，thecrowdpartedandadozenmenwithrevolversontheirhipspushedtheirwaytothecurbstone，and，mountingtheirhorses，rodeawayatagallop。
It’stheposse，saidyoungVacca。
Outsidethetownlimitsthegroundwaslevel。Therewasnothingtoobstructtheview，andtothenorth，inthedirectionofOsterman’sranch，Vaccamadeoutanotherpartyofhorsemen，gallopingeastward，andbeyondthesestillanother。
There’retheotherposses，heannounced。ThatfurtheroneisArchieMoore’s。He’sthesheriff。HecamedownfromVisaliaonaspecialenginethismorning。
Whentheteamturnedintothedrivewaytotheranchhouse，Hilmautteredalittlecry，claspingherhandsjoyfully。Thehousewasoneglitterofnewwhitepaint，thedrivewayhadbeenfreshlygravelled，theflower-bedsreplenished。Mrs。Vaccaandherdaughter，whohadbeenbusyputtingonthefinishingtouches，cametothedoortowelcomethem。
What’sthiscasehere？askedAnnixter，when，afterhelpinghiswifefromthecarry-all，hiseyefelluponawoodenboxofsomethreebyfivefeetthatstoodontheporchandboretheredWells-Fargolabel。
Itcameherelastnight，addressedtoyou，sir，exclaimedMrs。
Vacca。Weweresureitwasn’tanyofyourfurniture，sowedidn’topenit。
Oh，maybeit’saweddingpresent，exclaimedHilma，hereyessparkling。
Well，maybeitis，returnedherhusband。Here，m’son，helpmeinwiththis。
AnnixterandyoungVaccaborethecaseintothesitting-roomofthehouse，andAnnixter，hammerinhand，attackeditvigorously。
Vaccadiscreetlywithdrewonsignalfromhismother，closingthedoorafterhim。Annixterandhiswifewereleftalone。
Oh，hurry，hurry，criedHilma，dancingaroundhim。
Iwanttoseewhatitis。Whodoyousupposecouldhavesentittous？Andsoheavy，too。Whatdoyouthinkitcanbe？
Annixterputtheclawofthehammerunderneaththeedgeoftheboardtopandwrenchedwithallhismight。Theboardshadbeenclampedtogetherbyatransversebarandthewholetopoftheboxcameawayinonepiece。Alayerofexcelsiorwasdisclosed，andonitaletteraddressedbytypewritertoAnnixter。Itborethetrade-markofabusinessfirmofLosAngeles。AnnixterglancedatthisandpromptlycaughtitupbeforeHilmacouldsee，withanexclamationofintelligence。
Oh，Iknowwhatthisis，heobserved，carelesslytryingtorestrainherbusyhands。Itisn’tanything。Justsomemachinery。Letitgo。
Butalreadyshehadpulledawaytheexcelsior。Underneath，intemporaryracks，weretwodozenWinchesterrepeatingrifles。
Why——what——what——murmuredHilmablankly。
Well，Itoldyounottomind，saidAnnixter。Itisn’tanything。Let’slookthroughtherooms。
Butyousaidyouknewwhatitwas，sheprotested，bewildered。
Youwantedtomakebelieveitwasmachinery。Areyoukeepinganythingfromme？Tellmewhatitallmeans。Oh，whyareyougetting——these？
Shecaughthisarm，lookingwithintenseeagernessintohisface。
Shehalfunderstoodalready。Annixtersawthat。
Well，hesaid，lamely，YOUknow——itmaynotcometoanythingatall，butyouknow——well，thisLeagueofours——supposetheRailroadtriestojumpQuienSabeorLosMuertosoranyoftheotherranches——wemadeupourminds——theLeaguershave——thatwewouldn’tletit。That’sall。
AndIthought，criedHilma，drawingbackfearfullyfromthecaseofrifles，andIthoughtitwasaweddingpresent。
Andthatwastheirhome-coming，theendoftheirbridaltrip。
Throughtheterrorofthenight，echoingwithpistolshots，throughthatsceneofrobberyandmurder，intothisatmosphereofalarms，aman-huntorganising，armedhorsemensilhouettedagainstthehorizons，casesofrifleswhereweddingpresentsshouldhavebeen，Annixterbroughthisyoungwifetobemistressofahomehemightatanymomentbecalledupontodefendwithhislife。
Thedayspassed。Soonaweekhadgoneby。MagnusDerrickandOstermanreturnedfromthecitywithoutanydefiniteideaastotheCorporation’splans。Lymanhadbeenreticent。HeknewnothingastotheprogressofthelandcasesinWashington。
Therewasnonews。TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheLeagueheldaperfunctorymeetingatLosMuertosatwhichnothingbutroutinebusinesswastransacted。AschemeputforwardbyOstermanforaconferencewiththerailroadmanagersfellthroughbecauseoftherefusalofthecompanytotreatwiththeranchersuponanyotherbasisthanthatofthenewgrading。ItwasimpossibletolearnwhetherornotthecompanyconsideredLosMuertos，QuienSabe，andtheranchesaroundBonnevillecoveredbythetestcasesthenonappeal。
MeanwhiletherewasnodecreaseintheexcitementthatDyke’shold-uphadsetlooseoverallthecounty。Dayafterdayitwastheonetopicofconversation，atstreetcorners，atcross-roads，overdinnertables，inoffice，bank，andstore。S。Behrmanplacardedthetownwithanoticeof$500。00rewardfortheex-
engineer’scapture，deadoralive，andtheexpresscompanysupplementedthisbyanotherofferofanequalamount。Thecountrywasthickwithpartiesofhorsemen，armedwithriflesandrevolvers，recruitedfromVisalia，Goshen，andthefewrailroadsympathisersaroundBonnevilleandGuadlajara。Oneafteranotherofthesereturned，empty-handed，coveredwithdustandmud，theirhorsesexhausted，tobemetandpassedbyfreshpossesstartingouttocontinuethepursuit。ThesheriffofSantaClaraCountysentdownhisbloodhoundsfromSanJose——small，harmless-lookingdogs，withaterrificbay——tohelpinthechase。ReportersfromtheSanFranciscopapersappeared，interviewingeveryone，sometimesevenaccompanyingthesearchingbands。Horsehoofsclatteredovertheroadsatnight。bellswererung，theMercury
issuedextraafterextra。thebloodhoundsbayed，gunbuttsclashedontheasphaltpavementsofBonneville。accidentaldischargesofrevolversbroughtthewholetownintothestreet。
farmhandscalledtoeachotheracrossthefencesofranch-
divisions——inaword，thecountry-sidewasinanuproar。
Andalltonoeffect。Thehoof-marksofDyke’shorsehadbeentracedinthemudoftheroadtowithinaquarterofamileofthefoot-hillsandthereirretrievablylost。Threedaysafterthehold-up，asheep-herderwasfoundwhohadseenthehighwaymanonaridgeinthehighermountains，tothenortheastofTaurusa。
Andthatwasabsolutelyall。Rumourswerethick，promisingclewswerediscovered，newtrailstakenup，butnothingtranspiredtobringthepursuersandpursuedanyclosertogether。Then，aftertendaysofstrain，publicinterestbegantoflag。ItwasbelievedthatDykehadsucceededingettingaway。Ifthiswastrue，hehadgonetothesouthward，aftergainingthemountains，anditwouldbehisintentiontoworkoutoftherangesomewherenearthesouthernpartoftheSanJoaquin，nearBakersfield。
Thus，thesheriffs，marshals，anddeputiesdecided。Theyhadhuntedtoomanycriminalsinthesemountainsbeforenottoknowtheusualcoursestaken。Intime，DykeMUSTcomeoutofthemountainstogetwaterandprovisions。Butthistimepassed，andfromnotoneofthewatchedpointscameanywordofhisappearance。Atlastthepossesbegantodisband。Littlebylittlethepursuitwasgivenup。
OnlyS。Behrmanpersisted。HehadmadeuphismindtobringDykein。HesucceededinarousingthesamedegreeofdeterminationinDelaney——bynow，atrustedaideoftheRailroad——andofhisowncousin，arealestatebroker，namedChristian，whoknewthemountainsandhadoncebeenmarshalofVisaliaintheoldstock-
raisingdays。ThesetwowentintotheSierras，accompaniedbytwohireddeputies，andcarryingwiththemamonth’sprovisionsandtwoofthebloodhoundsloanedbytheSantaClarasheriff。
OnacertainSunday，afewdaysafterthedepartureofChristianandDelaney，Annixter，whohadbeenreadingDavidCopperfield
inhishammockontheporchoftheranchhouse，putdownthebookandwenttofindHilma，whowashelpingLouisaVaccasetthetablefordinner。Hefoundherinthedining-room，herhandsfullofthegold-borderedchinaplates，onlyusedonspecialoccasionsandwhichLouisawasforbiddentotouch。
Hiswifewasmorethanordinarilyprettythatday。Sheworeadressoffloweredorgandieoverpinksateenwithpinkribbonsaboutherwaistandneck，andonherslimfeetthelowshoesshealwaysaffected，withtheirsmart，brightbuckles。Herthick，brown，sweet-smellinghairwasheapedhighuponherheadandsetoffwithabowofblackvelvet，andunderneaththeshadowofitscoils，herwide-openeyes，rimmedwiththethin，blacklineofherlashes，shonecontinually，reflectingthesunlight。MarriagehadonlyaccentuatedthebeautifulmaturityofHilma’sfigure——
nownolongerprecocious——definingthesingle，deepswellfromherthroattoherwaist，thestrong，fineamplitudeofherhips，thesweetfeminineundulationofherneckandshoulders。Hercheekswerepinkwithhealth，andherlargeroundarmscarriedthepiled-updisheswithneveratremour。Annixter，observantenoughwherehiswifewasconcernednotedhowthereflectionofthewhitechinasetaglowofpalelightunderneathherchin。
Hilma，hesaid，I’vebeenwonderinglatelyaboutthings。
We’resoblamedhappyourselvesitwon’tdoforustoforgetaboutotherpeoplewhoaredown，willit？Mightchangeourluck。
AndI’mjustlikelytoforgetthatway，too。It’smynature。
Hiswifelookedupathimjoyfully。HerewasthenewAnnixter，certainly。
InallthishullabalooaboutDyke，hewentonthere’ssomeonenobodyain’tthoughtaboutatall。That’sMRS。Dyke——andthelittletad。Iwouldn’tbesurprisediftheywereinaholeoverthere。Whatdoyousaywedriveovertothehopranchafterdinnerandseeifshewantsanything？
Hilmaputdowntheplatesandcamearoundthetableandkissedhimwithoutaword。
Assoonastheirdinnerwasover，Annixterhadthecarry-allhitchedup，and，dispensingwithyoungVacca，droveovertothehopranchwithHilma。
Hilmacouldnotkeepbackthetearsastheypassedthroughthelamentabledesolationofthewithered，brownvines，symbolsofperishedhopesandabandonedeffort，andAnnixtersworebetweenhisteeth。
Thoughthewheelsofthecarry-allgratedloudlyontheroadwayinfrontofthehouse，nobodycametothedoornorlookedfromthewindows。Theplaceseemedtenantless，infinitelylonely，infinitelysad。
Annixtertiedtheteam，andwithHilmaapproachedthewide-opendoor，scufflingandtrampingontheporchtoattractattention。
Nobodystirred。ASundaystillnesspervadedtheplace。Outside，thewitheredhop-leavesrustledlikedrypaperinthebreeze。
Thequietwasominous。Theypeeredintothefrontroomfromthedoorway，Hilmaholdingherhusband’shand。Mrs。Dykewasthere。
Shesatatthetableinthemiddleoftheroom，herhead，withitswhitehair，downuponherarm。Aclutterofunwasheddisheswerestrewedovertheredandwhitetablecloth。Theunkemptroom，onceamarvelofneatness，hadnotbeencleanedfordays。
Newspapers，Genslinger’sextrasandcopiesofSanFranciscoandLosAngelesdailieswerescatteredallovertheroom。Onthetableitselfwerecrumpledyellowtelegrams，adozenofthem，ascoreofthem，blowingaboutinthedraughtfromthedoor。Andinthemidstofallthisdisarray，surroundedbythepublishedaccountsofherson’scrime，thetelegraphedanswerstoherpitifulappealsfortidingsflutteringaboutherhead，thehighwayman’smother，wornout，abandonedandforgotten，sleptthroughthestillnessoftheSundayafternoon。
NeitherHilmanorAnnixtereverforgottheirinterviewwithMrs。
Dykethatday。Suddenlywaking，shehadcaughtsightofAnnixter，andatonceexclaimedeagerly：
Isthereanynews？
Foralongtimeafterwardsnothingcouldbegotfromher。ShewasnumbtoallotherissuesthantheonequestionofDyke’scapture。Shedidnotanswertheirquestionsnorreplytotheiroffersofassistance。HilmaandAnnixterconferredtogetherwithoutloweringtheirvoices，atherveryelbow，whileshelookedvacantlyatthefloor，drawingonehandovertheotherinapersistent，maniacalgesture。Fromtimetotimeshewouldstartsuddenlyfromherchair，hereyeswide，andasifallatoncerealisingAnnixter’spresence，wouldcryout：
Isthereanynews？
WhereisSidney，Mrs。Dyke？askedHilmaforthefourthtime。
Isshewell？Isshetakencareof？
Here’sthelasttelegram，saidMrs。Dyke，inaloud，monotonousvoice。See，itsaysthereisnonews。Hedidn’tdoit，shemoaned，rockingherselfbackandforth，drawingonehandovertheother，hedidn’tdoit，hedidn’tdoit，hedidn’tdoit。I
don’tknowwhereheis。
Whenatlastshecametoherself，itwaswithafloodoftears。
Hilmaputherarmsaroundthepoor，oldwoman，asshebowedherselfagainuponthetable，sobbingandweeping。
Oh，myson，myson，shecried，myownboy，myonlyson！IfI
couldhavediedforyoutohavepreventedthis。Irememberhimwhenhewaslittle。Suchasplendidlittlefellow，sobrave，soloving，withneveranunkindthought，neverameanaction。Soitwasallhislife。Wewereneverapart。Itwasalways’dearlittleson，’and’dearmammy’betweenus——neveroncewasheunkind，andhelovedmeandwasthegentlestsontome。AndhewasaGOODman。Heisnow，heisnow。Theydon’tunderstandhim。Theyarenotevensurethathedidthis。Henevermeantit。Theydon’tknowmyson。Why，hewouldn’thavehurtakitten。Everybodylovedhim。Hewasdriventoit。Theyhoundedhimdown，theywouldn’tlethimalone。Hewasnotrightinhismind。Theyhoundedhimtoit，shecriedfiercely，theyhoundedhimtoit。Theydrovehimandgoadedhimtillhecouldn’tstanditanylonger，andnowtheymeantokillhimforturningonthem。
Theyarehuntinghimwithdogs。nightafternightIhavestoodontheporchandheardthedogsbayingfaroff。Theyaretrackingmyboywithdogslikeawildanimal。MayGodneverforgivethem。Sherosetoherfeet，terrible，herwhitehairunbound。
MayGodpunishthemastheydeserve，maytheyneverprosper——onmykneesIshallprayforiteverynight——maytheirmoneybeacursetothem，maytheirsons，theirfirst-born，onlysons，betakenfromthemintheiryouth。
ButHilmainterrupted，begginghertobesilent，tobequiet。
Thetearscameagainthenandthechokingsobs。Hilmatookherinherarms。
Oh，mylittleboy，mylittleboy，shecried。Myonlyson，allthatIhad，tohavecometothis！Hewasnotrightinhismindorhewouldhaveknownitwouldbreakmyheart。Oh，myson，myson，ifIcouldhavediedforyou。
Sidneycamein，clingingtoherdress，weeping，imploringhernottocry，protestingthattheynevercouldcatchherpapa，thathewouldcomebacksoon。Hilmatookthemboth，thelittlechildandthebroken-downoldwoman，inthegreatembraceofherstrongarms，andtheyallthreesobbedtogether。
Annixterstoodontheporchoutside，hisbackturned，lookingstraightbeforehimintothewildernessofdeadvines，histeethshuthard，hislowerlipthrustout。
IhopeS。Behrmanissatisfiedwithallthis，hemuttered。I
hopeheissatisfiednow，damnhissoul！
Allatonceanideaoccurredtohim。Heturnedaboutandreenteredtheroom。
MrsDyke，hebegan，IwantyouandSidneytocomeoverandliveatQuienSabe。Iknow——youcan’tmakemebelievethatthereportersandofficersandofficiousbusy-facesthatpretendtoofferhelpjustsoastheycansatisfytheircuriosityaren’tnaggingyoutodeath。Iwantyoutoletmetakecareofyouandthelittletadtillallthistroubleofyoursisoverwith。
There’splentyofplaceforyou。Youcanhavethehousemywife’speopleusedtolivein。You’vegottolookthesethingsintheface。Whatareyougoingtodotogetalong？Youmustbeveryshortofmoney。S。Behrmanwillforecloseonyouandtakethewholeplaceinalittlewhile，now。Iwantyoutoletmehelpyou，letHilmaandmebegoodfriendstoyou。Itwouldbeaprivilege。
Mrs。Dyketriedbravelytoassumeherpride，insistingthatshecouldmanage，butherspiritwasbroken。Thewholeaffairendedunexpectedly，withAnnixterandHilmabringingDyke’smotherandlittlegirlbacktoQuienSabeinthecarry-all。
Mrs。Dykewouldnottakewithherastickoffurniturenorasingleornament。Itwouldonlyservetoremindherofavanishedhappiness。ShepackedafewclothesofherownandSidney’sinalittletrunk，Hilmahelpingher，andAnnixterstowedthetrunkunderthecarry-all’sbackseat。Mrs。DyketurnedthekeyinthedoorofthehouseandAnnixterhelpedhertoherseatbesidehiswife。Theydrovethroughthesear，brownhopvines。AttheangleoftheroadMrs。Dyketurnedaroundandlookedbackattheruinofthehopranch，theroofofthehousejustshowingabovethetrees。Sheneversawitagain。
AssoonasAnnixterandHilmawerealone，aftertheirreturntoQuienSabe——Mrs。DykeandSidneyhavingbeeninstalledintheTrees’oldhouse——Hilmathrewherarmsaroundherhusband’sneck。
Fine，sheexclaimed，oh，itwasfineofyou，deartothinkofthemandtobesogoodtothem。MyhusbandissuchaGOODman。
Sounselfish。Youwouldn’thavethoughtofbeingkindtoMrs。
DykeandSidneyalittlewhileago。Youwouldn’thavethoughtofthematall。Butyoudidnow，andit’sjustbecauseyoulovemetrue，isn’tit？Isn’tit？Andbecauseit’smadeyouabetterman。I’msoproudandgladtothinkit’sso。Itisso，isn’tit？Justbecauseyoulovemetrue。
Youbetitis，Hilma，hetoldher。
AsHilmaandAnnixterweresittingdowntothesupperwhichtheyfoundwaitingforthem，LouisaVaccacametothedoorofthedining-roomtosaythatHarranDerrickhadtelephonedoverfromLosMuertosforAnnixter，andhadleftwordforhimtoringupLosMuertosassoonashecamein。
Hesaiditwasimportant，addedLouisaVacca。
MaybetheyhavenewsfromWashington，suggestedHilma。
Annixterwouldnotwaittohavesupper，buttelephonedtoLosMuertosatonce。Magnusansweredthecall。TherewasaspecialmeetingoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheLeaguesummonedforthenextday，hetoldAnnixter。ItwasforthepurposeofconsideringthenewgraintariffpreparedbytheRailroadCommissioners。Lymanhadwrittenthatthescheduleofthistariffhadjustbeenissued，thathehadnotbeenabletoconstructitpreciselyaccordingtothewheat-growers’wishes，andthathe，himself，wouldcomedowntoLosMuertosandexplainitsapparentdiscrepancies。MagnussaidLymanwouldbepresentatthesession。
Annixter，curiousfordetails，forbore，nevertheless，toquestion。TheconnectionfromLosMuertostoQuienSabewasmadethroughBonneville，andinthosetroublesometimesnoonecouldbetrusted。Itcouldnotbeknownwhowouldoverhearconversationscarriedonoverthelines。HeassuredMagnusthathewouldbeonhand。
ThetimefortheCommitteemeetinghadbeensetforseveno’clockintheevening，inordertoaccommodateLyman，whowrotethathewouldbedownontheeveningtrain，butwouldbecompelled，bypressureofbusiness，toreturntothecityearlythenextmorning。
Atthetimeappointed，themencomposingtheCommitteegatheredaboutthetableinthedining-roomoftheLosMuertosranchhouse。ItwasalmostareproductionofthesceneofthefamouseveningwhenOstermanhadproposedtheplanoftheRanchers’
RailroadCommission。MagnusDerricksatattheheadofthetable，inhisbuttonedfrockcoat。Whiskeybottlesandsiphonsofsoda-waterwerewithineasyreach。Presley，whobynowwasconsideredtheconfidentialfriendofeverymemberoftheCommittee，loungedasbeforeonthesofa，smokingcigarettes，thecatNathalieonhisknee。BesidesMagnusandAnnixter，Ostermanwaspresent，andoldBrodersonandHarran。GarnetfromtheRubyRanchoandGethingsoftheSanPablo，whowerealsomembersoftheExecutiveCommittee，wereonhand，preoccupied，beardedmen，smokingblackcigars，and，lastofall，Dabney，thesilentoldman，ofwhomlittlewasknownbuthisname，andwhohadbeenmadeamemberoftheCommittee，nobodycouldtellwhy。
MysonLymanshouldbehere，gentlemen，withinatleasttenminutes。IhavesentmyteamtomeethimatBonneville，
explainedMagnus，ashecalledthemeetingtoorder。TheSecretarywillcalltheroll。
Ostermancalledtheroll，and，tofillinthetime，readovertheminutesofthepreviousmeeting。ThetreasurerwasmakinghisreportastothefundsatthedisposaloftheLeaguewhenLymanarrived。
MagnusandHarranwentforwardtomeethim，andtheCommitteeratherawkwardlyroseandremainedstandingwhilethethreeexchangedgreetings，themembers，someofwhomhadneverseentheircommissioner，eyeinghimoutofthecornersoftheireyes。
Lymanwasdressedwithhisusualcorrectness。Hiscravatwasofthelatestfashion，hisclothesofcarefuldesignandunimpeachablefit。Hisshoes，ofpatentleather，reflectedthelamplight，andhecarriedadrabovercoatoverhisarm。BeforebeingintroducedtotheCommittee，heexcusedhimselfamomentandrantoseehismother，whowaitedforhimintheadjoiningsitting-room。Butinafewmomentshereturned，askingpardonforthedelay。
Hewasallaffability。hisprotrudingeyes，thatgavesuchanunusual，foreignappearancetohisverydarkface，radiatedgeniality。Hewasevidentlyanxioustoplease，toproduceagoodimpressionuponthegrave，clumsyfarmersbeforewhomhestood。
Butatthesametime，Presley，watchinghimfromhisplaceonthesofa，couldimaginethathewasrathernervous。Hewastoonimbleinhiscordiality，andthelittlegestureshemadeinbringinghiscuffsintoviewandintouchingtheendsofhistight，blackmustachewiththeballofhisthumbwererepeatedwithunnecessaryfrequency。
Mr。Broderson，myson，Lyman，myeldestson。Mr。Annixter，myson，Lyman。
TheGovernorintroducedhimtotheranchers，proudofLyman’sgoodlooks，hiscorrectdress，hiseaseofmanner。Lymanshookhandsallaround，keepingupaflowofsmalltalk，findinganewphraseforeachmember，complimentingOsterman，whomhealreadyknew，uponhistalentfororganisation，recallingamutualacquaintancetothemindofoldBroderson。Atlength，however，hesatdownattheendofthetable，oppositehisbrother。Therewasasilence。
MagnusrosetorecapitulatethereasonsfortheextrasessionoftheCommittee，statingagainthattheBoardofRailwayCommissionerswhichthey——theranchers——hadsucceededinseatinghadatlengthissuedthenewscheduleofreducedrates，andthatMr。DerrickhadbeenobligingenoughtooffertocomedowntoLosMuertosinpersontoacquaintthewheat-growersoftheSanJoaquinwiththenewratesforthecarriageoftheirgrain。
ButLymanverypolitelyprotested，addressinghisfatherpunctiliouslyasMr。Chairman，andtheotherranchersasGentlemenoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheLeague。Hehadnowish，hesaid，todisarrangetheregularproceedingsoftheCommittee。Woulditnotbepreferabletodeferthereadingofhisreporttillnewbusinesswascalledfor？Inthemeanwhile，lettheCommitteeproceedwithitsusualwork。Heunderstoodthenecessarilydelicatenatureofthiswork，andwouldbepleasedtowithdrawtillthepropertimearrivedforhimtospeak。
Gooddealofbackingandfillingaboutthereadingofacolumnoffigures，mutteredAnnixtertothemanathiselbow。
LymanawaitedtheCommittee’sdecision。Hesatdown，touchingtheendsofhismustache。
Oh，playball，growledAnnixter。
Gethingsrosetosaythatasthemeetinghadbeencalledsolelyforthepurposeofhearingandconsideringthenewgraintariff，hewasoftheopinionthatroutinebusinesscouldbedispensedwithandtheschedulereadatonce。Itwassoordered。
Lymanroseandmadealongspeech。VolubleasOstermanhimself，he，nevertheless，hadathiscommandavastnumberofready-madephrases，thestaplesofapoliticalspeaker，thestockintradeofthecommerciallawyer，whichrolledoffhistonguewiththemostpersuasivefluency。Bydegrees，inthecourseofhisspeech，hebegantoinsinuatetheideathatthewheat-growershadneverexpectedtosettletheirdifficultieswiththeRailroadbytheworkofasinglecommission。thattheyhadcounteduponalong，continuedcampaignofmanyyears，railwaycommissionsucceedingrailwaycommission，beforethedesiredlowratesshouldbesecured。thatthepresentBoardofCommissionerswasonlythebeginningandthattoogreatresultswerenotexpectedfromthem。Allthishecontrivedtomentioncasually，inthetalk，asifitwereaforegoneconclusion，amatterunderstoodbyall。
Asthespeechcontinued，theeyesoftheranchersaroundthetablewerefixedwithgrowingattentionuponthiswell-dressed，city-bredyoungman，whospokesofluentlyandwhotoldthemoftheirownintentions。Afeelingofperplexitybegantospread，andthefirsttaintofdistrustinvadedtheirminds。
Butthegoodworkhasbeenmostauspiciouslyinaugurated，
continuedLyman。Reformssosweepingastheonecontemplatedcannotbeaccomplishedinasinglenight。Greatthingsgrowslowly，benefitstobepermanentmustaccruegradually。Yet，inspiteofallthis，yourcommissionershavedonemuch。Alreadythephalanxoftheenemyispierced，alreadyhisarmourisdinted。Pledgedaswereyourcommissionerstoanaveragetenpercent。reductioninratesforthecarriageofgrainbythePacificandSouthwesternRailroad，wehaverigidlyadheredtothedemandsofourconstituency，wehaveobeyedthePeople。Themainproblemhasnotyetbeencompletelysolved。thatisforlater，whenweshallhavegatheredsufficientstrengthtoattacktheenemyinhisverystronghold。BUTANAVERAGETENPERCENT。CUTHASBEEN
MADEALLOVERTHESTATE。Wehavemadeagreatadvance，havetakenagreatstepforward，andiftheworkiscarriedahead，uponthelineslaiddownbythepresentcommissionersandtheirconstituents，thereiseveryreasontobelievethatwithinaveryfewyearsequitableandstableratesfortheshipmentofgrainfromtheSanJoaquinValleytoStockton，PortCosta，andtidewaterwillbepermanentlyimposed。
Well，holdon，exclaimedAnnixter，outoforderandignoringtheGovernor’sreproof，hasn’tyourcommissionreducedgrainratesintheSanJoaquin？
Wehavereducedgrainratesbytenpercent。allovertheState，rejoinedLyman。Herearecopiesofthenewschedule。
Hedrewthemfromhisvaliseandpassedthemaroundthetable。
Yousee，heobserved，theratebetweenMayfieldandOakland，forinstance，hasbeenreducedbytwenty-fivecentsaton。
Yes——but——but——saidoldBroderson，itisratherunusual，isn’tit，forwheatinthatdistricttobesenttoOakland？
Why，lookhere，exclaimedAnnixter，lookingupfromtheschedule，whereisthereanyreductioninratesintheSanJoaquin——fromBonnevilleandGuadalajara，forinstance？Idon’tseeasyou’vemadeanyreductionatall。Isthisright？Didyougivemetherightschedule？
Ofcourse，ALLthepointsintheStatecouldnotbecoveredatonce，returnedLyman。Weneverexpected，youknow，thatwecouldcutratesintheSanJoaquintheveryfirstmove。thatisforlater。ButyouwillseewemadeverymaterialreductionsonshipmentsfromtheupperSacramentoValley。alsotheratefromIonetoMarysvillehasbeenreducedeightycentsaton。
Why，rot，criedAnnixter，nooneevershipswheatthatway。
TheSalinasrate，continuedLyman，hasbeenloweredseventy-
fivecents。theSt。Helenaratefiftycents，andpleasenoticetheverydrasticcutfromRedBluff，north，alongtheOregonroute，totheOregonStateLine。
Wherenotacarloadofwheatisshippedinayear，commentedGethingsoftheSanPablo。
Oh，youwillfindyourselfmistakenthere，Mr。Gethings，
returnedLymancourteously。Andforthematterofthat，alowratewouldstimulatewheat-productioninthatdistrict。
Theorderofthemeetingwasbrokenup，neglected。Magnusdidnotevenpretendtopreside。Inthegrowingexcitementovertheinexplicableschedule，routinewasnotthoughtof。Everyonespokeatwill。
Why，Lyman，demandedMagnus，lookingacrossthetabletohisson，isthisschedulecorrect？YouhavenotcutratesintheSanJoaquinatall。We——thesegentlemenhereandmyself，wearenobetteroffthanwewerebeforewesecuredyourelectionascommissioner。
Wewerepledgedtomakeanaveragetenpercent。cut，sir——
ItISanaveragetenpercent。cut，criedOsterman。Oh，yes，that’splain。It’sanaveragetenpercent。cutallright，butyou’vemadeitbycuttinggrainratesbetweenpointswherepracticallynograinisshipped。We，thewheat-growersintheSanJoaquin，whereallthewheatisgrown，arerightwherewewerebefore。TheRailroadwon’tloseanickel。ByJingo，boys，
heglancedaroundthetable，I’dliketoknowwhatthismeans。
TheRailroad，ifyoucometothat，returnedLyman，hasalreadylodgedaprotestagainstthenewrate。
Annixterutteredaderisiveshout。
Aprotest！That’sgood，thatis。WhentheP。andS。W。objectstoratesitdon’t’protest，’m’son。ThefirstyouhearfromMr。
Shelgrimisaninjunctionfromthecourtspreventingtheorderfornewratesfromtakingeffect。BytheLord，hecriedangrily，leapingtohisfeet，Iwouldliketoknowwhatallthismeans，too。Whydidn’tyoureduceourgrainrates？Whatdidweelectyoufor？
Yes，whatdidweelectyoufor？demandedOstermanandGethings，alsogettingtotheirfeet。
Order，order，gentlemen，criedMagnus，rememberingthedutiesofhisofficeandrappinghisknucklesonthetable。Thismeetinghasbeenallowedtodegeneratetoofaralready。
Youelectedus，declaredLymandoggedly，tomakeanaveragetenpercent。cutongrainrates。Wehavedoneit。Onlybecauseyoudon’tbenefitatonce，youobject。Itmakesadifferencewhoseoxisgored，itseems。
Lyman！
ItwasMagnuswhospoke。Hehaddrawnhimselftohisfullsixfeet。Hiseyeswereflashingdirectintohisson’s。Hisvoicerangwithseverity。
Lyman，whatdoesthismean？
Theotherspreadouthishands。
Asyousee，sir。Wehavedoneourbest。Iwarnedyounottoexpecttoomuch。Itoldyouthatthisquestionoftransportationwasdifficult。Youwouldnotwishtoputratessolowthattheactionwouldamounttoconfiscationofproperty。
WhydidyounotlowerratesinthevalleyoftheSanJoaquin？
ThatwasnotaPROMINENTissueintheaffair，respondedLyman，carefullyemphasisinghiswords。Iunderstand，ofcourse，itwastobeapproachedINTIME。ThemainpointwasANAVERAGETEN
PERCENT。REDUCTION。RatesWILLbeloweredintheSanJoaquin。
TheranchersaroundBonnevillewillbeabletoshiptoPortCostaatequitablerates，butsoradicalameasureasthatcannotbeputthroughinaturnofthehand。Wemuststudy——
YouKNEWtheSanJoaquinratewasanissue，shoutedAnnixter，shakinghisfingeracrossthetable。WhatdowemenwhobackedyoucareaboutratesupinDelNorteandSiskiyouCounties？Notawhoopinhell。ItwastheSanJoaquinratewewerefightingfor，andweelectedyoutoreducethat。Youdidn’tdoitandyoudon’tintendto，and，bytheLordHarry，Iwanttoknowwhy。
You’llknow，sir——beganLyman。
Well，I’lltellyouwhy，vociferatedOsterman。I’lltellyouwhy。It’sbecausewehavebeensoldout。It’sbecausetheP。
andS。W。havehadtheirspooninthisboiling。It’sbecauseourcommissionershavebetrayedus。It’sbecausewe’reasetofdamnfoolfarmersandhavebeencinchedagain。
Lymanpaledunderhisdarkskinatthedirectattack。Heevidentlyhadnotexpectedthissosoon。Forthefractionofoneinstanthelosthispoise。Hestrovetospeak，butcaughthisbreath，stammering。