Whathaveyoutosay，then？criedHarran，who，untilnow，hadnotspoken。
Ihavethistosay，answeredLyman，makingheadasbesthemight，thatthisisnoproperspiritinwhichtodiscussbusiness。TheCommissionhasfulfilleditsobligations。Ithasadjustedratestothebestofitsability。Wehavebeenatworkfortwomonthsonthepreparationofthisschedule——
That’salie，shoutedAnnixter，hisfacescarlet。that’salie。ThatschedulewasdrawnintheofficesofthePacificandSouthwesternandyouknowit。It’saschemeofratesmadefortheRailroadandbytheRailroadandyouwereboughtovertoputyournametoit。
Therewasaconcertedoutburstatthewords。Allthemenintheroomwereontheirfeet，gesticulatingandvociferating。
Gentlemen，gentlemen，criedMagnus，areweschoolboys，areweruffiansofthestreet？
We’reasetoffoolfarmersandwe’vebeenbetrayed，criedOsterman。
Well，whathaveyoutosay？Whathaveyoutosay？persistedHarran，leaningacrossthetabletowardhisbrother。ForGod’ssake，Lyman，you’vegotSOMEexplanation。
You’vemisunderstood，protestedLyman，whiteandtrembling。
You’vemisunderstood。You’veexpectedtoomuch。Nextyear，——
nextyear，——soonnow，theCommissionwilltakeupthe——theCommissionwillconsidertheSanJoaquinrate。We’vedoneourbest，thatisall。
Haveyou，sir？demandedMagnus。
TheGovernor’sheadwasinawhirl。asensation，almostoffaintness，hadseizeduponhim。Wasitpossible？Wasitpossible？
Haveyoudoneyourbest？ForasecondhecompelledLyman’seye。
Theglancesoffatherandsonmet，and，inspiteofhisbestefforts，Lyman’seyeswavered。Hebegantoprotestoncemore，explainingthematteroveragainfromthebeginning。ButMagnusdidnotlisten。Inthatbrieflapseoftimehewasconvincedthattheterriblethinghadhappened，thattheunbelievablehadcometopass。Itwasintheair。Betweenfatherandson，insomesubtlefashion，thetruththatwasaliestoodsuddenlyrevealed。ButeventhenMagnuswouldnotreceiveit。Lymandothis！Hisson，hiseldestson，descendtothis！Oncemoreandforthelasttimeheturnedtohimandinhisvoicetherewasthatringthatcompelledsilence。
Lyman，hesaid，Iadjureyou——I——Idemandofyouasyouaremysonandanhonourableman，explainyourself。Whatistherebehindallthis？ItisnolongerasChairmanoftheCommitteeI
speaktoyou，youamemberoftheRailroadCommission。Itisyourfatherwhospeaks，andIaddressyouasmyson。Doyouunderstandthegravityofthiscrisis。doyourealisetheresponsibilityofyourposition。doyounotseetheimportanceofthismoment？Explainyourself。
Thereisnothingtoexplain。
YouhavenotreducedratesintheSanJoaquin？YouhavenotreducedratesbetweenBonnevilleandtidewater？
Irepeat，sir，whatIsaidbefore。Anaveragetenpercent。
cut——
Lyman，answerme，yesorno。HaveyoureducedtheBonnevillerate？
Itcouldnotbedonesosoon。Giveustime。We——
Yesorno！ByGod，sir，doyoudareequivocatewithme？Yesorno。haveyoureducedtheBonnevillerate？
No。
AndanswerME，shoutedHarran，leaningfaracrossthetable，answerME。WereyoupaidbytheRailroadtoleavetheSanJoaquinrateuntouched？
Lyman，whiterthanever，turnedfuriousuponhisbrother。
Don’tyoudareputthatquestiontomeagain。
No，Iwon’t，criedHarran，becauseI’llTELLyoutoyourvillain’sfacethatyouWEREpaidtodoit。
Ontheinstanttheclamourburstforthafresh。Stillontheirfeet，theranchershad，littlebylittle，workedaroundthetable，Magnusalonekeepinghisplace。TheotherswereinagroupbeforeLyman，crowdinghim，asitwere，tothewall，shoutingintohisfacewithmenacinggestures。Thetruththatwasalie，thecertaintyofatrustbetrayed，apledgeruthlesslybroken，wasplaintoeveryoneofthem。
BytheLord！menhavebeenshotforlessthanthis，criedOsterman。You’vesoldusout，you，andifyoueverbringthatdagofaceofyoursonalevelwithmineagain，I’llslapit。
Keepyourhandsoff，exclaimedLymanquickly，theaggressivenessofthecorneredratflamingupwithinhim。Noviolence。Don’tyougotoofar。
Howmuchwereyoupaid？Howmuchwereyoupaid？vociferatedHarran。
Yes，yes，whatwasyourprice？criedtheothers。Theywerebesidethemselveswithanger。theirwordscameharshfrombetweentheirsetteeth。theirgesturesweremadewiththeirfistsclenched。
YouknowtheCommissionactedingoodfaith，retortedLyman。
Youknowthatallwasfairandaboveboard。
Liar，shoutedAnnixter。liar，bribe-eater。Youwereboughtandpaidfor，andwiththewordshisarmseemedalmostofitselftoleapoutfromhisshoulder。Lymanreceivedtheblowsquarelyinthefaceandtheforceofitsenthimstaggeringbackwardstowardthewall。Hetrippedoverhisvaliseandfellhalfway，hisbacksupportedagainstthecloseddooroftheroom。Magnussprangforward。Hissonhadbeenstruck，andtheinstinctsofafatherroseupininstantprotest。roseforamoment，thenforeverdiedawayinhisheart。Hecheckedthewordsthatflashedtohismind。Heloweredhisupraisedarm。No，hehadbutoneson。Thepoor，staggeringcreaturewiththefineclothes，whiteface，andblood-streakedlipswasnolongerhis。
Ablowcouldnotdishonourhimmorethanhehaddishonouredhimself。
ButGethings，theolderman，intervened，pullingAnnixterback，crying：
Stop，thiswon’tdo。Notbeforehisfather。
Iamnofathertothisman，gentlemen，exclaimedMagnus。Fromnowon，Ihavebutoneson。You，sir，heturnedtoLyman，you，sir，leavemyhouse。
Lyman，hishandkerchieftohislips，hissmartcravatindisarray，caughtuphishatandcoat。Hewasshakingwithfury，hisprotrudingeyeswereblood-shot。Heswungopenthedoor。
Ruffians，heshoutedfromthethreshold，ruffians，bullies。
Doyourowndirtybusinessyourselvesafterthis。I’mdonewithyou。Howisit，allofasuddenyoutalkabouthonour？Howisitthatallatonceyou’resocleanandstraight？Youweren’tsoparticularatSacramentojustbeforethenominations。HowwastheBoardelected？I’mabribe-eater，amI？IsitanyworsethanGIVINGabribe？AskMagnusDerrickwhathethinksaboutthat。AskhimhowmuchhepaidtheDemocraticbossesatSacramentotoswingtheconvention。
Hewentout，slammingthedoor。
Presleyfollowed。Thewholeaffairmadehimsickatheart，filledhimwithinfinitedisgust，infiniteweariness。Hewishedtogetawayfromitall。Heleftthedining-roomandtheexcited，clamouringmenbehindhimandsteppedoutontheporchoftheranchhouse，closingthedoorbehindhim。Lymanwasnowhereinsight。Presleywasalone。Itwaslate，andafterthelamp-heatedairofthedining-room，thecoolnessofthenightwasdelicious，anditsvastsilence，afterthenoiseandfuryofthecommitteemeeting，descendedfromthestarslikeabenediction。
Presleysteppedtotheedgeoftheporch，lookingofftosouthward。
Andtherebeforehim，mileaftermile，illimitable，coveringtheearthfromhorizontohorizon，laytheWheat。Thegrowth，nowmanydaysold，wasalreadyhighfromtheground。Thereitlay，avast，silentocean，shimmeringapallidgreenunderthemoonandunderthestars。amightyforce，thestrengthofnations，thelifeoftheworld。Thereinthenight，underthedomeofthesky，itwasgrowingsteadily。ToPresley’smind，thesceneintheroomhehadjustleftdwindledtopaltryinsignificancebeforethissight。Ah，yes，theWheat——itwasoverthisthattheRailroad，theranchers，thetraitorfalsetohistrust，allthemembersofanobscureconspiracy，werewrangling。Asifhumanagencycouldaffectthiscolossalpower！Whatweretheseheated，tinysquabbles，thisfeverish，smallbustleofmankind，thisminuteswarmingofthehumaninsect，tothegreat，majestic，silentoceanoftheWheatitself！Indifferent，gigantic，resistless，itmovedinitsappointedgrooves。Men，Liliputians，gnatsinthesunshine，buzzedimpudentlyintheirtinybattles，wereborn，livedthroughtheirlittleday，died，andwereforgotten。whiletheWheat，wrappedinNirvaniccalm，grewsteadilyunderthenight，alonewiththestarsandwithGod。
ChapterV。
Jack-rabbitswereapestthatyearandPresleyoccasionallyfoundamusementinhuntingthemwithHarran’shalf-dozengreyhounds，followingthechaseonhorseback。Oneday，betweentwoandthreemonthsafterLymansvisittoLosMuertos，ashewasreturningtowardtheranchhousefromadistantandlonelyquarterofLosMuertos，hecameunexpectedlyuponastrangesight。
Sometwentymen，Annixter’sandOsterman’stenants，andsmallranchersfromeastofGuadalajara——allmembersoftheLeague——
weregoingthroughthemanualofarmsunderHarranDerrick’ssupervision。TheywereallequippedwithnewWinchesterrifles。
Harrancarriedoneofthesehimselfandwithitheillustratedthevariouscommandshegave。Assoonasoneofthemenunderhissupervisionbecamemorethanusuallyproficient，hewastoldofftoinstructafileofthemorebackward。Afterthemanualofarms，Harrangavethecommandtotakedistanceasskirmishers，andwhenthelinehadopenedoutsothatsomehalf-dozenfeetintervenedbetweeneachman，anadvancewasmadeacrossthefield，themenstoopinglowandsnappingthehammersoftheirriflesatanimaginaryenemy。
TheLeaguehaditsagentsinSanFrancisco，whowatchedthemovementsoftheRailroadascloselyaswaspossible，andsometimebeforethis，AnnixterhadreceivedwordthattheMarshalandhisdeputieswerecomingdowntoBonnevilletoputthedummybuyersofhisranchinpossession。Thereportprovedtobebutthefirstofmanyfalsealarms，butithadstimulatedtheLeaguetounusualactivity，andsomethreeorfourhundredmenwerefurnishedwitharmsandfromtimetotimeweredrilledinsecret。
Amongthemselves，therancherssaidthatiftheRailroadmanagersdidnotbelievetheywereterriblyinearnestinthestandtheyhadtaken，theyweremakingafatalmistake。
HarranreassertedthisstatementtoPresleyonthewayhometotheranchhousethatsameday。HarranhadcaughtupwithhimbythetimehereachedtheLowerRoad，andthetwojoggedhomewardthroughthemilesofstandingwheat。
Theymayjumptheranch，Pres，hesaid，iftheytryhardenough，buttheywillneverdoitwhileIamalive。Bytheway，
headded，youknowweservednoticesyesterdayuponS。BehrmanandCy。Rugglestoquitthecountry。Ofcourse，theywon’tdoit，buttheywon’tbeabletosaytheydidn’thavewarning。
Aboutanhourlater，thetworeachedtheranchhouse，butasHarranrodeupthedriveway，heutteredanexclamation。
Hello，hesaid，somethingisup。That’sGenslinger’sbuckboard。
Infact，theeditor’steamwastiedunderneaththeshadeofagianteucalyptustreenearby。Harran，uneasyunderthisunexpectedvisitoftheenemy’sfriend，dismountedwithoutstablinghishorse，andwentatoncetothedining-room，wherevisitorswereinvariablyreceived。Butthedining-roomwasempty，andhismothertoldhimthatMagnusandtheeditorwereintheoffice。Magnushadsaidtheywerenottobedisturbed。
Earlierintheafternoon，theeditorhaddrivenuptotheporchandhadaskedMrs。Derrick，whomhefoundreadingabookofpoemsontheporch，ifhecouldseeMagnus。Atthetime，theGovernorhadgonewithPhelpstoinspecttheconditionoftheyoungwheatonHooven’sholding，butwithinhalfanhourhereturned，andGenslingerhadaskedhimforafewmoments’talkinprivate。
Thetwowentintotheoffice，Magnuslockingthedoorbehindhim。
Verycompleteyouarehere，Governor，observedtheeditorinhisalert，jerkymanner，hisblack，bead-likeeyestwinklingaroundtheroomfrombehindhisglasses。Telephone，safe，ticker，account-books——well，that’sprogress，isn’tit？Onlywaytomanageabigranchthesedays。Butthedayofthebigranchisover。Asthelandappreciatesinvalue，thetemptationtoselloffsmallholdingswillbetoostrong。Andthenthesmallholdingcanbecultivatedtobetteradvantage。Ishallhaveaneditorialonthatsomeday。
Thecostofmaintaininganumberofsmallholdings，saidMagnus，indifferently，is，ofcourse，greaterthaniftheywereallunderonemanagement。
Thatmaybe，thatmaybe，rejoinedtheother。
Therewasalongpause。Genslingerleanedbackinhischairandrubbedaknee。Magnus，standingerectinfrontofthesafe，waitedforhimtospeak。
Thisisanunfortunatebusiness，Governor，begantheeditor，thismisunderstandingbetweentheranchersandtheRailroad。I
wishitcouldbeadjusted。HEREaretwoindustriesthatMUSTbeinharmonywithoneanother，orweallgotopot。
Ishouldprefernottobeinterviewedonthesubject，Mr。
Genslinger，saidMagnus。
Oh，no，oh，no。Lordloveyou，Governor，Idon’twanttointerviewyou。Weallknowhowyoustand。
Againtherewasalongsilence。Magnuswonderedwhatthislittleman，usuallysogarrulous，couldwantofhim。Atlength，Genslingerbeganagain。HedidnotlookatMagnus，exceptatlongintervals。
AboutthepresentRailroadCommission，heremarked。ThatwasaninterestingcampaignyouconductedinSacramentoandSanFrancisco。
Magnusheldhispeace，hishandsshuttight。DidGenslingerknowofLyman’sdisgrace？Wasitforthishehadcome？Wouldthestoryofitbetheleadingarticleinto-morrow’sMercury？
Aninterestingcampaign，repeatedGenslinger，slowly。averyinterestingcampaign。Iwatcheditwitheverydegreeofinterest。Isawitseveryphase，Mr。Derrick。
Thecampaignwasnotwithoutitsinterest，admittedMagnus。
Yes，saidGenslinger，stillmoredeliberately，andsomephasesofitwere——moreinterestingthanothers，as，forinstance，letussaythewayinwhichyou——personally——securedthevotesofcertainchairmenofdelegations——NEEDIparticularisefurther？
Yes，thosemen——thewayyougottheirvotes。Now，THATIshouldsay，Mr。Derrick，wasthemostinterestingmoveinthewholegame——toyou。Hm，curious，hemurmured，musingly。Let’ssee。
Youdepositedtwoone-thousanddollarbillsandfourfive-hundreddollarbillsinabox——threehundredandeightwasthenumber——inaboxintheSafetyDepositVaultsinSanFrancisco，andthen——
let’ssee，yougaveakeytothisboxtoeachofthegentlemeninquestion，andaftertheelectiontheboxwasempty。Now，Icallthatinteresting——curious，becauseit’sanew，safe，andhighlyingeniousmethodofbribery。Howdidyouhappentothinkofit，Governor？
Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing，sir？Magnusburstforth。Doyouknowwhatyouareinsinuating，here，inmyownhouse？
Why，Governor，returnedtheeditor，blandly，I’mnotINSINUATINGanything。I’mtalkingaboutwhatIKNOW。
It’salie。
Genslingerrubbedhischinreflectively。
Well，heanswered，youcanhaveachancetoproveitbeforetheGrandJury，ifyouwantto。
MycharacterisknownallovertheState，blusteredMagnus。
Mypoliticsarepurepolitics。My——
Nooneneedsabetterreputationforpurepoliticsthanthemanwhosetsouttobeabriber，interruptedGenslinger，andI
mightaswelltellyou，Governor，thatyoucan’tshoutmedown。
Icanputmyhandonthetwochairmenyouboughtbeforeit’sdarkto-day。I’vehadtheirdepositionsinmysafeforthelastsixweeks。Wecouldmakethearreststo-morrow，ifwewanted。
Governor，yousuredidariskythingwhenyouwentintothatSacramentofight，anawfulriskything。Somemencanaffordtohavebriberychargespreferredagainstthem，anditdon’thurtonelittlebit，butYOU——Lord，itwouldBUSTyou，Governor，bustyoudead。IknowallaboutthewholeshananiganbusinessfromA
toZ，andifyoudon’tbelieveit——here，hedrewalongstripofpaperfromhispocket，here’sagalleyproofofthestory。
Magnustookitinhishands。There，underhiseyes，scare-
headed，double-leaded，themoreimportantclausesprintedinboldtype，wasthedetailedaccountofthedealMagnushadmadewiththetwodelegates。Itwaspitiless，remorseless，bald。Everystatementwassubstantiated，everystatisticverifiedwithGenslinger’smeticulousloveforexactness。Besidesallthat，ithadtheringoftruth。Itwasexposure，ruin，absoluteannihilation。
That’saboutcorrect，isn’tit？commentedGenslinger，asDerrickfinishedreading。Magnusdidnotreply。Ithinkitiscorrectenough，theeditorcontinued。ButIthoughtitwouldonlybefairtoyoutoletyouseeitbeforeitwaspublished。
TheonethoughtuppermostinDerrick’smind，hisoneimpulseofthemomentwas，atwhatevercost，topreservehisdignity，nottoallowthismantoexultinthesightofonequiverofweakness，onetraceofdefeat，onesuggestionofhumiliation。Byaneffortthatputallhisironrigiditytothetest，heforcedhimselftolookstraightintoGenslinger’seyes。
Icongratulateyou，heobserved，handingbacktheproof，uponyourjournalisticenterprise。Yourpaperwillsellto-morrow。
Oh，Idon’tknowasIwanttopublishthisstory，remarkedtheeditor，indifferently，puttingawaythegalley。I’mjustlikethat。Thefunformeisrunningagoodstorytoearth，butonceI’vegotit，Iloseinterest。And，then，Iwouldn’tliketoseeyou——holdingthepositionyoudo，PresidentoftheLeagueandaleadingmanofthecounty——Iwouldn’tliketoseeastorylikethissmashyouover。It’sworthmoretoyoutokeepitoutofprintthanformetoputitin。I’vegotnothingmuchtogainbutafewextraeditions，butyou——Lord，youwouldloseeverything。Yourcommitteewasinthedealrightenough。ButyourLeague，alltheSanJoaquinValley，everybodyintheStatebelievesthecommissionerswerefairlyelected。
Yourstory，suddenlyexclaimedMagnus，struckwithanidea，willbethoroughlydiscreditedjustsosoonasthenewgraintariffispublished。IhavemeansofknowingthattheSanJoaquinrate——theissueuponwhichtheboardwaselected——isnottobetouched。Isitlikelytherancherswouldsecuretheelectionofaboardthatplaysthemfalse？
Oh，weknowallaboutthat，answeredGenslinger，smiling。YouthoughtyouwereelectingLymaneasily。YouthoughtyouhadgottheRailroadtowalkrightintoyourtrap。Youdidn’tunderstandhowyoucouldpulloffyourdealsoeasily。Why，Governor，LYMAN
WASPLEDGEDTOTHERAILROADTWOYEARSAGO。HewasTHEONE
PARTICULARmanthecorporationwantedforcommissioner。Andyourpeopleelectedhim——savedtheRailroadallthetroubleofcampaigningforhim。Andyoucan’tmakeanycounterchargeofbriberythere。No，sir，thecorporationdon’tusesuchamateurishmethodsasthat。Confidentiallyandbetweenustwo，allthattheRailroadhasdoneforLyman，inordertoattachhimtotheirinterests，istopromisetobackhimpoliticallyinthenextcampaignforGovernor。It’stoobad，hecontinued，droppinghisvoice，andchanginghisposition。Itreallyistoobadtoseegoodmentryingtobuntastonewalloverwiththeirbareheads。Youcouldn’thavewonatanystageofthegame。I
wishIcouldhavetalkedtoyouandyourfriendsbeforeyouwentintothatSacramentofight。Icouldhavetoldyouthenhowlittlechanceyouhad。Whenwillyoupeoplerealisethatyoucan’tbuckagainsttheRailroad？Why，Magnus，it’slikemegoingoutinapaperboatandshootingpeasatabattleship。
Isthatallyouwishedtoseemeabout，Mr。Genslinger？
remarkedMagnus，bestirringhimself。Iamratheroccupiedto-
day。
Well，returnedtheother，youknowwhatthepublicationofthisarticlewouldmeanforyou。Hepausedagain，tookoffhisglasses，breathedonthem，polishedthelenseswithhishandkerchiefandreadjustedthemonhisnose。I’vebeenthinking，Governor，hebeganagain，withrenewedalertness，andquiteirrelevantly，ofenlargingthescopeofthe’Mercury。’
Yousee，I’mmidwaybetweenthetwobigcentresoftheState，SanFranciscoandLosAngeles，andIwanttoextendthe’Mercury’s’
sphereofinfluenceasfarupanddownthevalleyasIcan。I
wanttoillustratethepaper。Yousee，ifIhadaphoto-
engravingplantofmyown，Icoulddoagooddealofoutsidejobbingaswell，andtheinvestmentwouldpaytenpercent。Butittakesmoneytomakemoney。Iwouldn’twanttoputinanydinky，one-horseaffair。Iwantagoodplant。I’vebeenfiguringoutthebusiness。Besidestheplant，therewouldbetheexpenseofahighgradepaper。Can’tprinthalf-tonesonanythingbutcoatedpaper，andthatCOSTS。Well，whatwiththisandwiththatandrunningexpensestillthethingbegantopay，itwouldcostmeabouttenthousanddollars，andIwaswonderingif，perhaps，youcouldn’tseeyourwaycleartoaccommodatingme。
Tenthousand？
Yes。Sayfivethousanddown，andthebalancewithinsixtydays。
Magnus，forthemomentblindtowhatGenslingerhadinmind，turnedonhiminastonishment。
Why，man，whatsecuritycouldyougivemeforsuchanamount？
Well，totellthetruth，answeredtheeditor，Ihadn’tthoughtmuchaboutsecurities。Infact，Ibelievedyouwouldseehowgreatlyitwastoyouradvantagetotalkbusinesswithme。Yousee，I’mnotgoingtoprintthisarticleaboutyou，Governor，andI’mnotgoingtoletitgetoutsoasanyoneelsecanprintit，anditseemstomethatonegoodturndeservesanother。Youunderstand？
Magnusunderstood。Anoverwhelmingdesiresuddenlytookpossessionofhimtogripthisblackmailerbythethroat，tostranglehimwherehestood。or，ifnot，atleasttoturnuponhimwiththatold-timeterribleanger，beforewhichwholeconventionshadoncecowered。ButinthesamemomenttheGovernorrealisedthiswasnottobe。Onlyitsrighteousnesshadmadehiswrathterrible。onlythejusticeofhisangerhadmadehimfeared。Nowthefoundationwasgonefromunderhisfeet。hehadknockeditawayhimself。Threetimesfeeblewashewhosequarrelwasunjust。Beforethiscountryeditor，thispaidspeakeroftheRailroad，hestood，convicted。Themanhadhimathismercy。Thedetectedbribercouldnotresentaninsult。
Genslingerrose，smoothinghishat。
Well，hesaid，ofcourse，youwanttimetothinkitover，andyoucan’traisemoneylikethatonshortnotice。I’llwaittillFridaynoonofthisweek。WebegintosetSaturday’spaperataboutfour，Fridayafternoon，andtheformsarelockedabouttwointhemorning。Ihope，headded，turningbackatthedooroftheroom，thatyouwon’tfindanythingdisagreeableinyourSaturdaymorning’Mercury，’Mr。Derrick。
Hewentout，closingthedoorbehindhim，andinamoment，Magnusheardthewheelsofhisbuckboardgratingonthedriveway。
ThefollowingmorningbroughtalettertoMagnusfromGethings，oftheSanPuebloranch，whichwassituatedveryclosetoVisalia。TheletterwastotheeffectthatallaroundVisalia，upontheranchesaffectedbytheregradeoftheRailroad，menwerearminganddrilling，andthatthestrengthoftheLeagueinthatquarterwasundoubted。Buttorefer，continuedtheletter，toamostpainfulrecollection。Youwill，nodoubt，rememberthat，atthecloseofourlastcommitteemeeting，specificchargesweremadeastofraudinthenominationandelectionofoneofourcommissioners，emanating，mostunfortunately，fromthecommissionerhimself。Thesecharges，mydearMr。Derrick，weredirectedatyourself。Howthesecretsofthecommitteehavebeennoisedabout，Icannotunderstand。Youmaybe，ofcourse，assuredofmyownunquestioningconfidenceandloyalty。However，Iregretexceedinglytostatenotonlythattherumourofthechargesreferredtoaboveisspreadinginthisdistrict，butthatalsotheyaremadeuseofbytheenemiesoftheLeague。ItistobedeploredthatsomeoftheLeaguersthemselves——youknow，wenumberinourranksmanysmallfarmers，ignorantPortugueseandforeigners——havelistenedtothesestoriesandhavepermittedafeelingofuneasinesstodevelopamongthem。Eventhoughitwereadmittedthatfraudulentmeanshadbeenemployedintheelections，which，ofcourse，I
personallydonotadmit，IdonotthinkitwouldmakeverymuchdifferenceintheconfidencewhichthevastmajorityoftheLeaguersreposeintheirchiefs。YetwehavesoinsistedupontheprobityofourpositionasopposedtoRailroadchicanery，thatIbelieveitadvisabletoquellthisdistantsuspicionatonce。topublishadenialoftheserumouredchargeswouldonlybetogivethemtoomuchimportance。However，canyounotwritemealetter，statingexactlyhowthecampaignwasconducted，andthecommissionnominatedandelected？Icouldshowthistosomeofthemoredisaffected，anditwouldservetoallayallsuspicionontheinstant。Ithinkitwouldbewelltowriteasthoughtheinitiativecame，notfromme，butfromyourself，ignoringthispresentletter。Iofferthisonlyasasuggestion，andwillconfidentlyendorseanydecisionyoumayarriveat。
Theletterclosedwithrenewedprotestationsofconfidence。
Magnuswasalonewhenhereadthis。Heputitcarefullyawayinthefilingcabinetinhisoffice，andwipedthesweatfromhisforeheadandface。Hestoodforonemoment，hishandsrigidathissides，hisfistsclinched。
Thisispilingup，hemuttered，lookingblanklyattheoppositewall。MyGod，thisispilingup。WhatamItodo？
Ah，thebitternessofunavailingregret，theanguishofcompromisewithconscience，theremorseofabaddeeddoneinamomentofexcitement。Ah，thehumiliationofdetection，thedegradationofbeingcaught，caughtlikeaschoolboypilferinghisfellows’desks，and，worsethanall，worsethanall，theconsciousnessoflostself-respect，theknowledgeofaprestigevanishing，adignityimpaired，knowledgethatthegripwhichheldamultitudeincheckwastrembling，thatcontrolwaswavering，thatcommandwasbeingweakened。Thenthelittletrickstodeceivethecrowd，thelittlesubterfuges，thelittlepretencesthatkeptupappearances，thelies，thebluster，thepose，thestrut，thegasconade，whereoncewasironauthority。theturningoftheheadsoasnottoseethatwhichcouldnotbeprevented。
thesuspicionofsuspicion，thehauntingfearoftheManontheStreet，theuneasinessofthedirectglance，thequestioningastomotives——whyhadthisbeensaid，whatwasmeantbythatword，thatgesture，thatglance？
Wednesdaypassed，andThursday。Magnuskepttohimself，seeingnovisitors，avoidingevenhisfamily。Howtobreakthroughthemeshofthenet，howtoregaintheoldposition，howtopreventdiscovery？Iftherewereonlysomeway，somevast，superhumaneffortbywhichhecouldriseinhisoldstrengthoncemore，crushingLymanwithonehand，Genslingerwiththeother，andforonemoremoment，thelast，tostandsupremeagain，indomitable，theleader。thengotohisdeath，triumphantattheend，hismemoryuntarnished，hisfameundimmed。Buttheplague-spotwasinhimself，knittedforeverintothefabricofhisbeing。ThoughGenslingershouldbesilenced，thoughLymanshouldbecrushed，thougheventheLeagueshouldovercometheRailroad，thoughheshouldbetheacknowledgedleaderofaresplendentvictory，yettheplague-spotwouldremain。Therewasnosuccessforhimnow。
Howeverconspicuoustheoutwardachievement，he，hehimself，MagnusDerrick，hadfailed，miserablyandirredeemably。
Petty，materialcomplicationsintruded，sordidconsiderations。
EvenifGenslingerwastobepaid，wherewasthemoneytocomefrom？HislegalbattleswiththeRailroad，extendingnowoveraperiodofmanyyears，hadcosthimdear。hisplanofsowingallofLosMuertostowheat，dischargingthetenants，hadprovedexpensive，thecampaignresultinginLyman’selectionhaddrawnheavilyuponhisaccount。Allalonghehadbeenrelyinguponabonanzacroptoreimbursehim。ItwasnotbelievablethattheRailroadwouldjumpLosMuertos，butifthisshouldhappen，hewouldbeleftwithoutresources。Tenthousanddollars！Couldheraisetheamount？Possibly。Buttopayitouttoablackmailer！
Tobeheldupthusinroad-agentfashion，withoutasinglemeansofredress！Woulditnotcripplehimfinancially？Genslingercoulddohisworst。He，Magnus，wouldbraveitout。Wasnothischaracterabovesuspicion？
Wasit？ThisletterofGethings’s。Alreadythemurmurofuneasinessmadeitselfheard。Wasthisnotthethinedgeofthewedge？HowthepublicationofGenslinger’sstorywoulddriveithome！Howthesparkofsuspicionwouldflareintotheblazeofopenaccusation！Therewouldbeinvestigations。Investigation！
Therewasterrorintheword。Hecouldnotstandinvestigation。
Magnusgroanedaloud，coveringhisheadwithhisclaspedhands。
Briber，corrupterofgovernment，ballot-boxstuffer，descendingtothelevelofback-roompoliticians，ofbar-roomheelers，he，MagnusDerrick，statesmanoftheoldschool，Romaninhisironintegrity，abandoningacareerratherthanenterthenewpolitics，had，inonemomentofweakness。hazardingall，evenhonour，onasinglestake，takinggreatchancestoachievegreatresults，sweptawaytheworkofalifetime。
Gamblerthathewas，hehadatlastchancedhishigheststake，hispersonalhonour，inthegreatestgameofhislife，andhadlost。
ItwasPresley’smorbidlykeenobservationthatfirstnoticedtheevidenceofanewtroubleintheGovernor’sfaceandmanner。
PresleywassurethatLyman’sdefectionhadnotsoupsethim。
Themorningafterthecommitteemeeting，MagnushadcalledHarranandAnnieDerrickintotheoffice，and，aftertellinghiswifeofLyman’sbetrayal，hadforbiddeneitherofthemtomentionhisnameagain。Hisattitudetowardshisprodigalsonwasthatofstern，unrelentingresentment。Butnow，Presleycouldnotfailtodetecttracesofamoredeep-seatedtravail。Somethingwasinthewind。thetimesweretroublous。Whatnextwasabouttohappen？Whatfreshcalamityimpended？
Onemorning，towardtheveryendoftheweek，Presleywokeearlyinhissmall，white-paintedironbed。Hehastenedtogetupanddress。Therewasmuchtobedonethatday。Untillatethenightbefore，hehadbeenatworkonacollectionofsomeofhisverses，gatheredfromthemagazinesinwhichtheyhadfirstappeared。Presleyhadreceivedaliberalofferforthepublicationoftheseversesinbookform。TheToilerswastobeincludedinthisbook，and，indeed，wastogiveititsname——
TheToilersandOtherPoems。Thusitwasthat，untilthepreviousmidnight，hehadbeenpreparingthecollectionforpublication，revising，annotating，arranging。Thebookwastobesentoffthatmorning。
ButalsoPresleyhadreceivedatypewrittennotefromAnnixter，invitinghimtoQuienSabethatsameday。AnnixterexplainedthatitwasHilma’sbirthday，andthathehadplannedapicniconthehighgroundofhisranch，attheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek。Theyweretogointhecarry-all，Hilma，Presley，Mrs。
Dyke，Sidney，andhimself，andweretomakeadayofit。TheywouldleaveQuienSabeatteninthemorning。Presleyhadatonceresolvedtogo。HewasimmenselyfondofAnnixter——moresothaneversincehismarriagewithHilmaandtheastonishingtransformationofhischaracter。Hilma，aswell，wasdelightfulasMrs。Annixter。andMrs。Dykeandthelittletadhadalwaysbeenhisfriends。Hewouldhaveagoodtime。
ButnobodywastogointoBonnevillethatmorningwiththemail，andifhewishedtosendhismanuscript，hewouldhavetotakeitinhimself。Hehadresolvedtodothis，gettinganearlystart，andgoingonhorsebacktoQuienSabe，bywayofBonneville。
Itwasbarelysixo’clockwhenPresleysatdowntohiscoffeeandeggsinthedining-roomofLosMuertos。Thedaypromisedtobehot，andforthefirsttime，Presleyhadputonanewkhakiridingsuit，veryEnglish-looking，thoughinplaceoftheregulationtop-boots，heworehislacedknee-boots，withagreatspurontheleftheel。Harranjoinedhimatbreakfast，inhisworkingclothesofbluecanvas。Hewasboundfortheirrigatingditchtoseehowtheworkwasgettingonthere。
Howisthewheatlooking？askedPresley。
Bully，answeredtheother，stirringhiscoffee。TheGovernorhashadhisusualluck。Practically，everyacreoftheranchwassowntowheat，andeverywherethestandisgood。IwasoveronTwo，daybeforeyesterday，andifnothinghappens，Ibelieveitwillgothirtysackstotheacrethere。CutterreportsthattherearespotsonFourwherewewillgetforty-twoorthree。
Hooven，too，broughtupsomewonderfulfineearsformetolookat。Thegrainswerejustbeginningtoshow。Someoftheearscarriedtwentygrains。Thatmeansnearlyfortybushelsofwheattoeveryacre。Icallitabonanzayear。
Haveyougotanymail？saidPresley，rising。I’mgoingintotown。
Harranshookhishead，andtookhimselfaway，andPresleywentdowntothestable-corraltogethispony。
Asherodeoutofthestable-yardandpassedbytheranchhouse，onthedriveway，hewassurprisedtoseeMagnusontheloweststepoftheporch。
Goodmorning，Governor，calledPresley。Aren’tyouupprettyearly？
Goodmorning，Pres，myboy。TheGovernorcameforwardand，puttinghishandonthepony’swithers，walkedalongbyhisside。
Goingtotown，Pres？heasked。
Yes，sir。CanIdoanythingforyou，Governor？
Magnusdrewasealedenvelopefromhispocket。
IwishyouwoulddropinattheofficeoftheMercuryforme，
hesaid，andseeMr。Genslingerpersonally，andgivehimthisenvelope。Itisapackageofpapers，buttheyinvolveaconsiderablesumofmoney，andyoumustbecarefulofthem。A
fewyearsago，whenourenmitywasnotsostrong，Mr。GenslingerandIhadsomebusinessdealingswitheachother。Ithoughtitaswelljustnow，consideringthatwearesoopenlyopposed，toterminatethewholeaffair，andbreakoffrelations。Wecametoasettlementafewdaysago。Thesearethefinalpapers。Theymustbegiventohiminperson，Presley。Youunderstand。
Presleycanteredon，turningintothecountyroadandholdingnorthwardbythemammothwateringtankandBroderson’spopularwindbreak。AshepassedCaraher’s，hesawthesaloon-keeperinthedoorwayofhisplace，andwavedhimasalutationwhichtheotherreturned。
Bydegrees，PresleyhadcometoconsiderCaraherinamorefavourablelight。Hefound，tohisimmenseastonishment，thatCaraherknewsomethingofMillandBakounin，not，however，fromtheirbooks，butfromextractsandquotationsfromtheirwritings，reprintedintheanarchisticjournalstowhichhesubscribed。Morethanonce，thetwohadheldlongconversations，andfromCaraher’sownlips，Presleyheardtheterriblestoryofthedeathofhiswife，whohadbeenaccidentallykilledbyPinkertonsduringademonstrationofstrikers。Itinvestedthesaloon-keeper，inPresley’simagination，withallthedignityofthetragedy。HecouldnotblameCaraherforbeingared。Heevenwonderedhowitwasthesaloon-keeperhadnotputhistheoriesintopractice，andadjustedhisancientwrongwithhissixinchesofpluggedgas-pipe。Presleybegantoconceiveofthemanasacharacter。
Youwait，Mr。Presley，thesaloon-keeperhadoncesaid，whenPresleyhadprotestedagainsthisradicalideas。Youdon’tknowtheRailroadyet。Watchitanditsdoingslongenough，andyou’llcomeovertomywayofthinking，too。
Itwasabouthalf-pastsevenwhenPresleyreachedBonneville。
Thebusinesspartofthetownwasasyethardlyastir。hedespatchedhismanuscript，andthenhurriedtotheofficeoftheMercury。Genslinger，ashefeared，hadnotyetputinappearance，butthejanitorofthebuildinggavePresleytheaddressoftheeditor’sresidence，anditwastherehefoundhimintheactofsittingdowntobreakfast。Presleywashardlycourteoustothelittleman，andabruptlyrefusedhisofferofadrink。HedeliveredMagnus’senvelopetohimanddeparted。
IthadoccurredtohimthatitwouldnotdotopresenthimselfatQuienSabeonHilma’sbirthday，empty-handed，and，onleavingGenslinger’shouse，heturnedhispony’sheadtowardthebusinesspartofthetownagainpullingupinfrontofthejeweller’s，justastheclerkwastakingdowntheshutters。
Atthejeweller’s，hepurchasedalittlebroochforHilmaandatthecigarstandinthelobbyoftheYosemiteHouse，aboxofsuperfinecigars，which，whenitwastoolate，herealisedthatthemasterofQuienSabewouldneversmoke，holding，ashedid，withdefiantinconsistency，tomiserableweeds，black，bitter，andflagrantlydoctored，whichhebought，threeforanickel，atGuadalajara。
PresleyarrivedatQuienSabenearlyhalfanhourbehindtheappointedtime。but，ashehadexpected，thepartywereinnowayreadytostart。Thecarry-all，itshorsescoveredwithwhitefly-nets，stoodunderatreenearthehouse，youngVaccadozingontheseat。HilmaandSidney，thelatterexuberantwithagayetythatallbutbroughtthetearstoPresley’seyes，weremakingsandwichesonthebackporch。Mrs。Dykewasnowheretobeseen，andAnnixterwasshavinghimselfinhisbedroom。
Thislatterputahalf-latheredfaceoutofthewindowasPresleycanteredthroughthegate，andwavedhisrazorwithabeckoningmotion。
Comeonin，Pres，hecried。Nobody’sreadyyet。You’rehoursaheadoftime。
Presleycameintothebedroom，hishugespurclinkingonthestrawmatting。Annixterwaswithoutcoat，vestorcollar，hisbluesilksuspendershunginloopsovereitherhip，hishairwasdisordered，thecrownlockstifferthanever。
Gladtoseeyou，oldboy，heannounced，asPresleycamein。
No，don’tshakehands，I’malllather。Here，findachair，willyou？Iwon’tbelong。
Ithoughtyousaidteno’clock，observedPresley，sittingdownontheedgeofthebed。
Well，Idid，but——
But，thenagain，inaway，youdidn’t，hey？hisfriendinterrupted。
Annixtergruntedgood-humouredly，andturnedtostrophisrazor。
Presleylookedwithsuspiciousdisfavourathissuspenders。
Whyisit，heobserved，thatassoonasamanisabouttogetmarried，hebuyshimselfpalebluesuspenders，silkones？Thinkofit。You，BuckAnnixter，withsky-blue，silksuspenders。Itoughttobeastrapandanail。
Oldfool，observedAnnixter，whosereparteewastheheavingofbrickbats。Say，hecontinued，holdingtherazorfromhisface，andjerkinghisheadoverhisshoulder，whilehelookedatPresley’sreflectioninhismirror。say，lookaround。Isn’tthisaniftylittleroom？Werefittedthewholehouse，youknow。
Noticeshe’sallpainted？
Ihavebeenlookingaround，answeredPresley，sweepingtheroomwithaseriesofglances。Heforeborecriticism。Annixterwassoboyishlyproudoftheeffectthatitwouldhavebeenunkindtohaveundeceivedhim。Presleylookedatthemarvellous，department-storebedofbrass，withitsbrave，gaycanopy。themill-madewash-stand，withitspitcherandbowlofblindingredandgreenchina，thestraw-framedlithographsofsymbolicfemalefiguresagainstthemulti-coloured，newwall-paper。theinadequatespindlechairsofwhiteandgold。thesphereoftissuepaperhangingfromthegasfixture，andtheplumesofpampasgrasstackedtothewallatartisticangles，andoverhangingtwoastonishingoilpaintings，indazzlinggoldenframes。
Say，howaboutthosepaintings，Pres？inquiredAnnixteralittleuneasily。Idon’tknowwhetherthey’regoodornot。
Theywerepaintedbyathree-fingeredChinamaninMonterey，andI
gotthelotforthirtydollars，framesthrownin。Why，Ithinktheframesaloneareworththirtydollars。
Well，sodoI，declaredPresley。Hehastenedtochangethesubject。
Buck，hesaid，Ihearyou’vebroughtMrs。DykeandSidneytolivewithyou。Youknow，Ithinkthat’sratherwhiteofyou。
Oh，rot，Pres，mutteredAnnixter，turningabruptlytohisshaving。
Andyoucan’tfoolme，either，oldman，Presleycontinued。
You’regivingthispicnicasmuchforMrs。Dykeandthelittletadasyouareforyourwife，justtocheerthemupabit。
Oh，pshaw，youmakemesick。
Well，that’stherightthingtodo，Buck，andI’masgladforyoursakeasIamfortheirs。Therewasatimewhenyouwouldhaveletthemallgotograss，andneversomuchasthoughtofthem。Idon’twanttoseemtobeofficious，butyou’vechangedforthebetter，oldman，andIguessIknowwhy。She——Presleycaughthisfriend’seye，andaddedgravely，She’sagoodwoman，Buck。
Annixterturnedaroundabruptly，hisfaceflushingunderitslather。
Pres，heexclaimed，she’smadeamanofme。Iwasamachinebefore，andifanotherman，orwoman，orchildgotinmyway，I
rode’emdown，andIneverDREAMEDofanybodyelsebutmyself。
ButassoonasIwokeuptothefactthatIreallylovedher，why，itwasgloryhallelujahallinaminute，and，inaway，I
kindoflovedeverybodythen，andwantedtobeeverybody’sfriend。AndIbegantoseethatafellowcan’tliveFORhimselfanymorethanhecanliveBYhimself。He’sgottothinkofothers。Ifhe’sgotbrains，he’sgottothinkforthepoorducksthathaven’t’em，andnotgive’emabootinthebacksidesbecausetheyhappentobestupid。andifhe’sgotmoney，he’sgottohelpthosethatarebusted，andifhe’sgotahouse，he’sgottothinkofthosethatain’tgotanywheretogo。I’vegotawholelotofideassinceIbegantoloveHilma，andjustassoonasIcan，I’mgoingtogetinandHELPpeople，andI’mgoingtokeeptothatideatherestofmynaturallife。Thatain’tmuchofareligion，butit’sthebestI’vegot，andHenryWardBeechercouldn’tdoanymorethanthat。Andit’sallcomeaboutbecauseofHilma，andbecausewecaredforeachother。
Presleyjumpedup，andcaughtAnnixterabouttheshoulderswithonearm，grippinghishandhard。Thisabsurdfigure，withdanglingsilksuspenders，latheredchin，andtearfuleyes，seemedtobesuddenlyinvestedwithtruenobility。Besidethisblunderingstruggletodoright，tohelphisfellows，Presley’sownvagueschemes，glitteringsystemsofreconstruction，collapsedtoruin，andhehimself，withallhisrefinement，withallhispoetry，culture，andeducation，stood，abunglerattheworld’sworkbench。
You’reallRIGHT，oldman，heexclaimed，unabletothinkofanythingadequate。You’reallright。That’sthewaytotalk，andhere，bytheway，Ibroughtyouaboxofcigars。
AnnixterstaredasPresleylaidtheboxontheedgeofthewashstand。
Oldfool，heremarked，whatinhelldidyoudothatfor？
Oh，justforfun。
Isupposethey’rerottenstinkodoras，oryouwouldn’tgive’emaway。
Thiscringinggratitude——Presleybegan。
Shutup，shoutedAnnixter，andtheincidentwasclosed。
Annixterresumedhisshaving，andPresleylitacigarette。
AnynewsfromWashington？hequeried。
Nothingthat’sanygood，gruntedAnnixter。Hello，headded，raisinghishead，there’ssomebodyinahurryforsure。
Thenoiseofahorsegallopingsofastthatthehoof-beatssoundedinoneuninterruptedrattle，abruptlymadeitselfheard。
ThenoisewascomingfromthedirectionoftheroadthatledfromtheMissiontoQuienSabe。Withincredibleswiftness，thehoof-
beatsdrewnearer。TherewasthatintheirsoundwhichbroughtPresleytohisfeet。Annixterthrewopenthewindow。
Runaway，exclaimedPresley。
Annixter，withthoughtsoftheRailroad，andtheJumpingoftheranch，flunghishandtohishippocket。
Whatisit，Vacca？hecried。
YoungVacca，turninginhisseatinthecarryall，waslookinguptheroad。Allatonce，hejumpedfromhisplace，anddashedtowardsthewindow。
Dyke，heshouted。Dyke，it’sDyke。
Whilethewordswereyetinhismouth，thesoundofthehoof-
beatsrosetoaroar，andagreat，bell-tonedvoiceshouted：
Annixter，Annixter，Annixter！
ItwasDyke’svoice，andthenextinstantheshotintoviewintheopensquareinfrontofthehouse。
Oh，myGod！criedPresley。
Theex-engineerthrewthehorseonitshaunches，springingfromthesaddle。and，ashedidso，thebeastcollapsed，shuddering，totheground。Annixtersprangfromthewindow，andranforward，Presleyfollowing。
TherewasDyke，hatless，hispistolinhishand，agauntterriblefigurethebeardimmeasurablylong，thecheeksfallenin，theeyessunken。Hisclothesrippedandtornbyweeksofflightandhidinginthechaparral，wereraggedbeyondwords，thebootswereshredsofleather，bloodytotheanklewithfuriousspurring。
Annixter，heshouted，andagain，rollinghissunkeneyes，Annixter，Annixter！
Here，here，criedAnnixter。
Theotherturned，levellinghispistol。
Givemeahorse，givemeahorse，quick，doyouhear？Givemeahorse，orI’llshoot。
Steady，steady。Thatwon’tdo。Youknowme，Dyke。We’refriendshere。
Theotherloweredhisweapon。
Iknow，Iknow，hepanted。I’dforgotten。I’munstrung，Mr。
Annixter，andI’mrunningformylife。They’renottenminutesbehindme。
Comeon，comeon，shoutedAnnixter，dashingstablewards，hissuspendersflying。
Here’sahorse。
Mine？exclaimedPresley。Hewouldn’tcarryyouamile。
Annixterwasalreadyfarahead，trumpetingorders。
Thebuckskin，heyelled。Getherout，Billy。Where’sthestable-man？Getoutthatbuckskin。Getoutthatsaddle。
Thenfollowedminutesoffurioushaste，Presley，Annixter，Billythestable-man，andDykehimself，dartinghitherandthitherabouttheyellowmare，buckling，strapping，cinching，theirlipspale，theirfingerstremblingwithexcitement。
Wantanythingtoeat？Annixter’sheadwasunderthesaddleflapashetoreatthecinch。Wantanythingtoeat？Wantanymoney？
Wantagun？
Water，returnedDyke。They’vewatchedeveryspring。I’mkilledwiththirst。
There’sthehydrant。Quicknow。
IgotasfarastheKernRiver，buttheyturnedmeback，hesaidbetweenbreathsashedrank。
Don’tstoptotalk。
Mymother，andthelittletad——
I’mtakingcareofthem。They’restoppingwithme。
Here？
Youwon’tsee’em。bytheLord，youwon’t。You’llgetaway。
Where’sthatbackcinchstrap，BILLY？Goddamnit，areyougoingtolethimbeshotbeforehecangetaway？Now，Dyke，upyougo。
She’llkillherselfrunningbeforetheycancatchyou。
Godblessyou，Annixter。Where’sthelittletad？Isshewell，Annixter，andthemother？Tellthem——
Yes，yes，yes。Allclear，Pres？Letherhaveherowngait，Dyke。You’reonthebesthorseinthecountynow。Letgoherhead，Billy。Now，Dyke，——shakehands？YoubetIwill。That’sallright。Yes，Godblessyou。Lethergo。You’reOFF。
Answeringthegoadofthespur，andalreadyquiveringwiththeexcitementofthemenwhosurroundedher，thebuckskinclearedthestable-corralintwoleaps。then，gatheringherlegsunderher，herheadlow，herneckstretchedout，swungintotheroadfromoutthedrivewaydisappearinginablurofdust。
Withtheagilityofamonkey，youngVaccaswunghimselfintotheframeworkoftheartesianwell，clamberingalofttoitsverytop。
Hesweptthecountrywithaglance。
Well？demandedAnnixterfromtheground。Theotherscockedtheirheadstolisten。
Iseehim。Iseehim！shoutedVacca。He’sgoinglikethedevil。He’sheadedforGuadalajara。
Lookback，uptheroad，towardtheMission。Anythingthere？
Theanswercamedowninashoutofapprehension。
There’sapartyofmen。Threeorfour——onhorse-back。There’sdogswith’em。They’recomingthisway。Oh，Icanhearthedogs。And，say，oh，say，there’sanotherpartycomingdowntheLowerRoad，goingtowardsGuadalajara，too。Theygotguns。I
canseetheshineofthebarrels。And，oh，Lord，say，there’sthreemoremenonhorsescomingdownonthejumpfromthehillsontheLosMuertosstockrange。They’remakingtowardsGuadalajara。AndIcanhearthecourthousebellinBonnevilleringing。Say，thewholecountyisup。
AsyoungVaccasliddowntotheground，twosmallblack-and-tanhounds，withflappingearsandlollingtongues，lopedintoviewontheroadinfrontofthehouse。Theyweregreywithdust，theirnosesweretotheground。AtthegatewhereDykehadturnedintotheranchhousegrounds，theyhaltedinconfusionamoment。Onestartedtofollowthehighwayman’strailtowardsthestablecorral，buttheother，quarteringovertheroadwithlightningswiftness，suddenlypickedupthenewscentleadingontowardsGuadalajara。Hetossedhisheadintheair，andPresleyabruptlyshuthishandsoverhisears。
Ah，thatterriblecry！deep-toned，reverberatinglikethebourdonofagreatbell。Itwasthetrackersexultingonthetrailofthepursued，theprolonged，raucoushowl，eager，ominous，vibratingwiththealarmofthetocsin，sullenwiththeheavymufflingnoteofdeath。Butcloseuponthebayofthehounds，camethegallopofhorses。Fivemen，theireyesuponthehounds，theirriflesacrosstheirpommels，theirhorsesreekingandblackwithsweat，sweptbyinastormofdust，glintinghoofs，andstreamingmanes。
ThatwasDelaney’sgang，exclaimedAnnixter。Isawhim。
TheotherwasthatchapChristian，saidVacca，S。Behrman’scousin。Hehadtwodeputieswithhim。andthechapinthewhiteslouchhatwasthesherifffromVisalia。
BytheLord，theyaren’tfarbehind，declaredAnnixter。
AsthementurnedtowardsthehouseagaintheysawHilmaandMrs。
Dykeinthedoorwayofthelittlehousewherethelatterlived。
Theywerelookingout，bewildered，ignorantofwhathadhappened。
ButontheporchoftheRanchhouseitself，alone，forgottenintheexcitement，Sidney——thelittletad——stood，withpalefaceandserious，wide-openeyes。Shehadseeneverything，andhadunderstood。Shesaidnothing。Herheadinclinedtowardstheroadway，shelistenedtothefaintanddistantbayingofthedogs。
DykethunderedacrosstherailwaytracksbythedepotatGuadalajaranotfiveminutesaheadofhispursuers。Luckseemedtohavedesertedhim。Thestation，usuallysoquiet，wasnowoccupiedbythecrewofafreighttrainthatlayonthedowntrack。whileontheupline，nearathandandheadedinthesamedirection，wasadetachedlocomotive，whoseengineerandfiremanrecognizedhim，hewassure，asthebuckskinleapedacrosstherails。
Hehadhadnotimetoformulateaplansincethatmorning，when，torturedwiththirst，hehadventurednearthespringattheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek，onQuienSabe，andhadallbutfallenintothehandsofthepossethathadbeenwatchingforthatverymove。ItwasuselessnowtoregretthathehadtriedtofoilpursuitbyturningbackonhistrackstoregainthemountainseastofBonneville。NowDelaneywasalmostonhim。Todistancethatposse，wastheonlythingtobethoughtofnow。Itwasnolongeraquestionofhidingtillpursuitshouldflag。theyhaddrivenhimoutfromtheshelterofthemountains，downintothispopulouscountryside，whereanenemymightbemetwithateveryturnoftheroad。Nowitwaslifeordeath。Hewouldeitherescapeorbekilled。Heknewverywellthathewouldneverallowhimselftobetakenalive。Buthehadnomindtobekilled——toturnandfight——tillescapewasblocked。Hisonethoughtwastoleavepursuitbehind。
WeeksofflighthadsharpenedDyke’severysense。AsheturnedintotheUpperRoadbeyondGuadalajara，hesawthethreemengallopingdownfromDerrick’sstockrange，makingfortheroadaheadofhim。Theywouldcuthimoffthere。Heswungthebuckskinabout。HemusttaketheLowerRoadacrossLosMuertosfromGuadalajara，andhemustreachitbeforeDelaney’sdogsandposse。Backhegalloped，thebuckskinmeasuringherlengthwitheveryleap。Oncemorethestationcameinsight。Risinginhisstirrups，helookedacrossthefieldsinthedirectionoftheLowerRoad。Therewasacloudofdustthere。Fromawagon？No，horsesontherun，andtheirriderswerearmed！Hecouldcatchtheflashofgunbarrels。Theywereallclosinginonhim，convergingonGuadalajarabyeveryavailableroad。TheUpperRoadwestofGuadalajaraledstraighttoBonneville。Thatwaywasimpossible。Washeinatrap？Hadthetimeforfightingcomeatlast？
ButasDykenearedthedepotatGuadalajara，hiseyefelluponthedetachedlocomotivethatlayquietlysteamingontheupline，andwithathrillofexultation，herememberedthathewasanengineerbornandbred。Delaney’sdogswerealreadytobeheard，andtherollofhoofsontheLowerRoadwasdinninginhisears，asheleapedfromthebuckskinbeforethedepot。Thetraincrewscatteredlikefrightenedsheepbeforehim，butDykeignoredthem。Hispistolwasinhishandas，oncemoreonfoot，hesprangtowardtheloneengine。
Outofthecab，heshouted。Bothofyou。Quick，orI’llkillyouboth。
ThetwomentumbledfromtheironapronofthetenderasDykeswunghimselfup，droppinghispistolonthefloorofthecabandreachingwiththeoldinstinctforthefamiliarlevers。
Thegreatcompoundhissedandtrembledasthesteamwasreleased，andthehugedriversstirred，turningslowlyonthetracks。Buttherewasashout。Delaney’sposse，dogsandmen，swungintoviewattheturnoftheroad，theirfiguresleaningoverastheytookthecurveatfullspeed。Dykethreweverythingwideopenandcaughtuphisrevolver。FrombehindcamethechallengeofaWinchester。ThepartyontheLowerRoadwereevencloserthanDelaney。Theyhadseenhismanoeuvre，andthefirstshotofthefightshiveredthecabwindowsabovetheengineer’shead。
Butspinningfutilelyatfirst，thedriversoftheengineatlastcaughttherails。Theenginemoved，advanced，travelledpastthedepotandthefreighttrain，andgatheringspeed，rolledoutonthetrackbeyond。Smoke，blackandboiling，shotskywardfromthestack。notajointthatdidnotshudderwiththemightystrainofthesteam。hutthegreatironbrute——oneofBaldwin’snewestandbest——cametocall，obedientanddocileassoonaseverthegreatpulsingheartofitfeltamasterhanduponitslevers。Itgathereditsspeed，bracingitssteelmuscles，itsthewsofiron，androaredoutupontheopentrack，fillingtheairwiththeraspofitstempest-breath，blottingthesunshinewiththebelchofitshot，thicksmoke。Alreadyitwaslesseninginthedistance，whenDelaney，Christian，andthesheriffofVisaliadasheduptothestation。
Thepossehadseeneverything。
Stuck。Cursetheluck！vociferatedthecow-Puncher。
Butthesheriffwasalreadyoutofthesaddleandintothetelegraphoffice。
There’saderailingswitchbetweenhereandPixley，isn’tthere？hecried。
Yes。
Wireaheadtoopenit。We’llderailhimthere。Comeon。heturnedtoDelaneyandtheothers。Theysprangintothecabofthelocomotivethatwasattachedtothefreighttrain。
NameoftheStateofCalifornia，shoutedthesherifftothebewilderedengineer。Cutofffromyourtrain。
Thesheriffwasamantobeobeyedwithouthesitating。Timewasnotallowedthecrewofthefreighttrainfordebatingastotherightorthewrongofrequisitioningtheengine，andbeforeanyonethoughtofthesafetyordangeroftheaffair，thefreightenginewasalreadyflyingoutuponthedownline，hotinpursuitofDyke，nowfaraheadupontheuptrack。
Irememberperfectlywellthere’saderailingswitchbetweenhereandPixley，shoutedthesheriffabovetheroarofthelocomotive。Theyuseitincasetheyhavetoderailrunawayengines。Itrunsrightoffintothecountry。We’llpilehimupthere。Readywithyourguns，boys。
Ifweshouldmeetanothertraincominguponthistrack——
protestedthefrightenedengineer。
Thenwe’djumporbesmashed。Hi！look！Thereheis。Asthefreightengineroundedacurve，Dyke’senginecameintoview，shootingonsomequarterofamileaheadofthem，wreathedinwhirlingsmoke。
Theswitchain’tmuchfurtheron，clamouredtheengineer。YoucanseePixleynow。
Dyke，hishandonthegripofthevalvethatcontrolledthesteam，hisheadoutofthecabwindow，thunderedon。Hewasbackinhisoldplaceagain。oncemorehewastheengineer。oncemorehefelttheenginequiverunderhim。thefamiliarnoiseswereinhisears。thefamiliarbuffetingofthewindsurged，roaringathisface。thefamiliarodoursofhotsteamandsmokereekedinhisnostrils，andoneithersideofhim，parallelpanoramas，thetwohalvesofthelandscapesliced，asitwere，intwobytheclashingwheelsofhisengine，streamedbyingreenandbrownblurs。
Hefoundhimselfsettlingtotheoldpositiononthecabseat，leaningonhiselbowfromthewindow，onehandonthecontroller。
Allatonce，theinstinctofthepursuitthatoflatehadbecomesostrongwithinhim，promptedhimtoshootaglancebehind。Hesawtheotherengineonthedownline，plungingafterhim，rockingfromsidetosidewiththefuryofitsgallop。Notyethadheshakenthetrackersfromhisheels。notyetwasheoutofthereachofdanger。Hesethisteethand，throwingopenthefire-door，stokedvigorouslyforafewmoments。Theindicatorofthesteamgaugerose。hisspeedincreased。aglanceatthetelegraphpolestoldhimhewasdoinghisfiftymilesanhour。
Thefreightenginebehindhimwasneverbuiltforthatpace。
Barringtheterribleriskofaccident，hischancesweregood。
Butsuddenly——theengineerdominatingthehighway-man——heshutoffhissteamandthrewbackhisbraketotheextremenotch。
Directlyaheadofhimroseasemaphore，placedatapointwhereevidentlyaderailingswitchbranchedfromtheline。Thesemaphore’sarmwasdroppedoverthetrack，settingthedangersignalthatshowedtheswitchwasopen。
Inaninstant，Dykesawthetrick。Theyhadmeanttosmashhimhere。hadbeencleverenough，quick-wittedenoughtoopentheswitch，buthadforgottentheautomaticsemaphorethatworkedsimultaneouslywiththemovementoftherails。Togoforwardwascertaindestruction。Dykereversed。Therewasnothingforitbuttogoback。Withawrenchandaspasmofallitsmetalfibres，thegreatcompoundbraceditself，slidingwithrigidwheelsalongtherails。Then，asDykeappliedthereverse，itdrewbackfromthegreaterdanger，returningtowardstheless。
Inevitablynowthetwoengines，oneontheup，theotheronthedownline，mustmeetandpasseachother。
Dykereleasedthelevers，reachingforhisrevolver。Theengineeroncemorebecamethehighwayman，inperilofhislife。
Now，beyondalldoubt，thetimeforfightingwasathand。
Thepartyintheheavyfreightengine，thatlumberedafterinpursuit，theireyesfixedonthesmudgeofsmokeonaheadthatmarkedthepathofthefugitive，suddenlyraisedashout。