ThespeakersatdownamidstloudapplausefromtheLeaguersandlesspronounceddemonstrationsonthepartoftheaudience。
AsecondLeaguertookhisplace，atall，clumsyman，half-
rancher，half-politician。
Iwanttosecondwhatmycolleaguehasjustsaid，hebegan。
ThismatterofresistingthemarshalwhenhetriedtoputtheRailroaddummiesinpossessionontheranchesaroundhere，wasalltalkedoverinthecommitteemeetingsoftheLeaguelongago。
Itneverwasourintentiontofireasingleshot。Nosuchabsoluteauthorityaswasassumedyesterdaywasdelegatedtoanybody。OuresteemedPresidentisallright，butweallknowthatheisamanwholovesauthorityandwholikestogohisowngaitwithoutaccountingtoanybody。We——therestofusLeaguers——
neverwereinformedastowhatwasgoingon。Wesupposed，ofcourse，thatwatchwasbeingkeptontheRailroadsoaswewouldn’tbetakenbysurpriseaswewereyesterday。Anditseemsnowatchwaskeptatall，oriftherewas，itwasmightyineffective。OurideawastoforestallanymovementonthepartoftheRailroadandthenwhenweknewthemarshalwascomingdown，tocallameetingofourExecutiveCommitteeanddecideastowhatshouldbedone。WeoughttohavehadtimetocalloutthewholeLeague。Insteadofthat，whathappens？Whilewe’realloffchasingrabbits，theRailroadisallowedtostealamarchonusandwhenitistoolate，ahandfulofLeaguersisgottogetherandafightisprecipitatedandourmenkilled。I’M
sorryforourPresident，too。Nooneismoreso，butIwanttoputmyselfonrecordasbelievinghedidahastyandinconsideratething。Ifhehadmanagedright，hecouldhavehadsixhundredmentoopposetheRailroadandtherewouldnothavebeenanygunfightoranykilling。HeDIDN’TmanagerightandthereWASakillingandIdon’tseeashowtheLeagueoughttobeheldresponsible。TheideaoftheLeague，thewholereasonwhyitwasorganised，wastoprotectALLtheranchesofthisvalleyfromtheRailroad，anditlookstomeasifthelivesofourfellow-citizenshadbeensacrificed，notindefendingALLofourranches，butjustindefenceofoneofthem——LosMuertos——theonethatMr。Derrickowns。
ThespeakerhadnomorethanregainedhisseatwhenamanwasseenpushinghiswayfromthebackofthestagetowardsGarnett。
Hehandedtherancheranote，atthesametimewhisperinginhisear。Garnettreadthenote，thencameforwardtotheedgeofthestage，holdinguphishand。Whentheaudiencehadfallensilenthesaid：
Ihavejustreceivedsadnews。Ourfriendandfellow-citizen，Mr。Osterman，diedthismorningbetweenelevenandtwelveo’clock。
Instantlytherewasaroar。Everymaninthebuildingrosetohisfeet，shouting，gesticulating。Theroarincreased，theOperaHousetrembledtoit，thegasjetsinthelightedchandeliersvibratedtoit。Itwasaraucoushowlofexecration，abellowofrage，inarticulate，deafening。
AtornadoofconfusionsweptwhirlingfromwalltowallandthemadnessofthemomentseizedirresistiblyuponPresley。Heforgothimself。henolongerwasmasterofhisemotionsorhisimpulses。Allatoncehefoundhimselfuponthestage，facingtheaudience，flamingwithexcitement，hisimaginationonfire，hisarmsupliftedinfierce，wildgestures，wordsleapingtohismindinatorrentthatcouldnotbewithheld。
Onemoredead，hecried，onemore。Harrandead，Annixterdead，Brodersondead，Dabneydead，Ostermandead，Hoovendead。
shotdown，killed，killedinthedefenceoftheirhomes，killedinthedefenceoftheirrights，killedforthesakeofliberty。
Howlongmustitgoon？Howlongmustwesuffer？Whereistheend。whatistheend？Howlongmusttheiron-heartedmonsterfeedonourlife’sblood？Howlongmustthisterrorofsteamandsteelrideuponournecks？Willyouneverbesatisfied，willyouneverrelent，you，ourmasters，you，ourlords，you，ourkings，you，ourtask-masters，you，ourPharoahs。Willyouneverlistentothatcommand’LETMYPEOPLEGO’？Oh，thatcryringingdowntheages。Hearit，hearit。ItisthevoiceoftheLordGodspeakinginhisprophets。Hearit，hearit——’LetMypeoplego！’
RameseshearditinhispylonsatThebes，CaesarhearditonthePalatine，theBourbonLouishearditatVersailles，CharlesStuarthearditatWhitehall，thewhiteCzarhearditintheKremlin，——’LETMYPEOPLEGO。’Itisthecryofthenations，thegreatvoiceofthecenturies。everywhereitisraised。ThevoiceofGodisthevoiceofthePeople。Thepeoplecryout’Letus，thePeople，God’speople，go。’You，ourmasters，you，ourkings，you，ourtyrants，don’tyouhearus？Don’tyouhearGodspeakinginus？Willyouneverletusgo？Howlongatlengthwillyouabuseourpatience？Howlongwillyoudriveus？Howlongwillyouharassus？Willnothingdauntyou？Doesnothingcheckyou？
DoyounotknowthattoignoreourcrytoolongistowaketheRedTerror？Ramesesrefusedtolistentoitandperishedmiserably。CaesarrefusedtolistenandwasstabbedintheSenateHouse。TheBourbonLouisrefusedtolistenanddiedontheguillotine。CharlesStuartrefusedtolistenanddiedontheblock。thewhiteCzarrefusedtolistenandwasblownupinhisowncapital。Willyouletitcometothat？Willyoudriveustoit？Wewhoboastofourlandoffreedom，wewholiveinthecountryofliberty？
GoonasyouhavebegunanditWILLcometothat。Turnadeafeartothatcryof’LetMypeoplego’toolongandanothercrywillberaised，thatyoucannotchoosebuthear，acrythatyoucannotshutout。Itwillbethecryofthemanonthestreet，the’alaBastille’thatwakestheRedTerrorandunleashesRevolution。Harassed，plundered，exasperated，desperate，thepeoplewillturnatlastastheyhaveturnedsomany，manytimesbefore。You，ourlords，you，ourtask-masters，you，ourkings。
youhavecaughtyourSamson，youhavemadehisstrengthyourown。
Youhaveshornhishead。youhaveputouthiseyes。youhavesethimtoturnyourmillstones，togrindthegristforyourmills。
youhavemadehimashameandamock。Takecare，oh，asyouloveyourlives，takecare，lestsomedaycallingupontheLordhisGodhereachnotouthisarmsforthepillarsofyourtemples。
Theaudience，atfirstbewildered，confusedbythisunexpectedinvective，suddenlytookfireathislastwords。Therewasaroarofapplause。then，moresignificantthanmerevociferation，Presley’slisteners，ashebegantospeakagain，grewsuddenlysilent。Hisnextsentenceswereutteredinthemidstofaprofoundstillness。
Theyownus，thesetask-mastersofours。theyownourhomes，theyownourlegislatures。Wecannotescapefromthem。Thereisnoredress。Wearetoldwecandefeatthembytheballot-box。
Theyowntheballot-box。Wearetoldthatwemustlooktothecourtsforredress。theyownthecourts。Weknowthemforwhattheyare，——ruffiansinpolitics，ruffiansinfinance，ruffiansinlaw，ruffiansintrade，bribers，swindlers，andtricksters。Nooutragetoogreattodauntthem，nopettylarcenytoosmalltoshamethem。despoilingagovernmenttreasuryofamilliondollars，yetpickingthepocketsofafarmhandofthepriceofaloafofbread。
TheyswindleanationofahundredmillionandcallitFinanciering。theylevyablackmailandcallitCommerce。theycorruptalegislatureandcallitPolitics。theybribeajudgeandcallitLaw。theyhireblacklegstocarryouttheirplansandcallitOrganisation。theyprostitutethehonourofaStateandcallitCompetition。
AndthisisAmerica。WefoughtLexingtontofreeourselves。wefoughtGettysburgtofreeothers。Yettheyokeremains。wehaveonlyshiftedittotheothershoulder。Wetalkofliberty——oh，thefarceofit，oh，thefollyofit！Wetellourselvesandteachourchildrenthatwehaveachievedliberty，thatwenolongerneedfightforit。Why，thefightisjustbeginningandsolongasourconceptionoflibertyremainsasitisto-day，itwillcontinue。
ForweconceiveofLibertyinthestatuesweraisetoherasabeautifulwoman，crowned，victorious，inbrightarmourandwhiterobes，alightinherupliftedhand——aserene，calm，conqueringgoddess。Oh，thefarceofit，oh，thefollyofit！LibertyisNOTacrownedgoddess，beautiful，inspotlessgarments，victorious，supreme。LibertyistheManIntheStreet，aterriblefigure，rushingthroughpowdersmoke，fouledwiththemudandordureofthegutter，bloody，rampant，brutal，yellingcurses，inonehandasmokingrifle，intheother，ablazingtorch。
FreedomisNOTgivenfreetoanywhoask。Libertyisnotbornofthegods。SheisachildofthePeople，bornintheveryheightandheatofbattle，bornfromdeath，stainedwithblood，grimedwithpowder。Andshegrowstobenotagoddess，butaFury，afearfulfigure，slayingfriendandfoealike，raging，insatiable，merciless，theRedTerror。
Presleyceasedspeaking。Weak，shaking，scarcelyknowingwhathewasabout，hedescendedfromthestage。Aprolongedexplosionofapplausefollowed，theOperaHouseroaringtotheroof，mencheering，stamping，wavingtheirhats。Butitwasnotintelligentapplause。Instinctivelyashemadehiswayout，Presleyknewthat，afterall，hehadnotonceheldtheheartsofhisaudience。Hehadtalkedashewouldhavewritten。forallhisscornofliterature，hehadbeenliterary。Themenwholistenedtohim，ranchers，countrypeople，store-keepers，attentivethoughtheywere，werenotoncesympathetic。Vaguelytheyhadfeltthatherewassomethingwhichothermen——moreeducated——wouldpossiblyconsidereloquent。Theyapplaudedvociferouslybutperfunctorily，inordertoappeartounderstand。
Presley，forallhisloveofthepeople，sawclearlyforonemomentthathewasanoutsidertotheirminds。Hehadnothelpedthemnortheircauseintheleast。heneverwould。
Disappointed，bewildered，ashamed，hemadehiswayslowlyfromtheOperaHouseandstoodonthestepsoutside，thoughtful，hisheadbent。
Hehadfailed，thushetoldhimself。Inthatmomentofcrisis，thatatthetimehebelievedhadbeenaninspiration，hehadfailed。Thepeoplewouldnotconsiderhim，wouldnotbelievethathecoulddothemservice。Thensuddenlyheseemedtoremember。Theresolutesetofhislipsreturnedoncemore。
Pushinghiswaythroughthecrowdedstreets，hewentontowardsthestablewherehehadlefthispony。
Meanwhile，intheOperaHouse，agreatcommotionhadoccurred。
MagnusDerrickhadappeared。
Onlyasenseofenormousresponsibility，ofgravestdutycouldhaveprevaileduponMagnustohavelefthishouseandthedeadbodyofhissonthatday。ButhewasthePresidentoftheLeague，andneversinceitsorganisationhadameetingofsuchimportanceasthisonebeenheld。Hehadbeenincommandattheirrigatingditchthedaybefore。ItwashewhohadgatheredthehandfulofLeaguerstogether。Itwashewhomustbeartheresponsibilityofthefight。
WhenhehadenteredtheOperaHouse，makinghiswaydownthecentralaisletowardsthestage，alouddisturbancehadbrokenout，partlyapplause，partlyameaninglessuproar。Manyhadpressedforwardtoshakehishand，butotherswerenotfoundwantingwho，formerlyhisstaunchsupporters，nowscentingoppositionintheair，heldback，hesitating，afraidtocompromisethemselvesbyadheringtothefortunesofamanwhoseactionsmightbediscreditedbytheveryorganisationofwhichhewasthehead。
DecliningtotakethechairofpresidingofficerwhichGarnettofferedhim，theGovernorwithdrewtoanangleofthestage，wherehewasjoinedbyKeast。
Thisone，stillunalterablydevotedtoMagnus，acquaintedhimbrieflywiththetenorofthespeechesthathadbeenmade。
Iamashamedofthem，Governor，heprotestedindignantly，tolosetheirnervenow！Tofailyounow！itmakesmybloodboil。
Ifyouhadsucceededyesterday，ifallhadgonewell，doyouthinkwewouldhaveheardofanytalkof’assumptionofauthority，’or’actingwithoutadviceandconsent’？AsiftherewasanytimetocallameetingoftheExecutiveCommittee。Ifyouhadn’tactedasyoudid，thewholecountywouldhavebeengrabbedbytheRailroad。Getup，Governor，andbring’emallupstanding。Justtear’emalltopieces，show’emthatyouarethehead，theboss。That’swhattheyneed。Thatkillingyesterdayhasshakenthenervecleanoutofthem。
FortheinstanttheGovernorwastakenallaback。What，hislieutenantswerefailinghim？What，hewastobequestioned，interpolateduponyesterday’sirrepressibleconflict？HaddisaffectionappearedintheranksoftheLeague——atthis，ofallmoments？Heputfromhimhisterriblegrief。Thecausewasindanger。AttheinstanthewasthePresidentoftheLeagueonly，thechief，themaster。Aroyalangersurgedwithinhim，awide，toweringscornofopposition。Hewouldcrushthisdisaffectioninitsincipiency，wouldvindicatehimselfandstrengthenthecauseatoneandthesametime。Hesteppedforwardandstoodinthespeaker’splace，turningpartlytowardtheaudience，partlytowardtheassembledLeaguers。
GentlemenoftheLeague，hebegan，citizensofBonneville
ButatoncethesilenceinwhichtheGovernorhadbeguntospeakwasbrokenbyashout。Itwasasthoughhiswordshadfurnishedasignal。Inacertainquarterofthegallery，directlyopposite，amanarose，andinavoicepartlyofderision，partlyofdefiance，criedout：
HowaboutthebriberyofthosetwodelegatesatSacramento？
Tellusaboutthat。That’swhatwewanttohearabout。
Agreatconfusionbrokeout。Thefirstcrywasrepeatednotonlybytheoriginalspeaker，butbyawholegroupofwhichhewasbutapart。Othersintheaudience，however，seeinginthedisturbanceonlytheclamourofafewRailroadsupporters，attemptedtohowlthemdown，hissingvigorouslyandexclaiming：
Put’emout，put’emout。
Order，order，calledGarnett，poundingwithhisgavel。ThewholeOperaHousewasinanuproar。
ButtheinterruptionoftheGovernor’sspeechwasevidentlynotunpremeditated。Itbegantolooklikeadeliberateandplannedattack。Persistently，doggedly，thegroupinthegalleryvociferated：
TellushowyoubribedthedelegatesatSacramento。BeforeyouthrowmudattheRailroad，let’sseeifyouarecleanyourself。
Put’emout，put’emout。
Briber，briber——MagnusDerrick，unconvictedbriber！Puthimout。
Keast，besidehimselfwithanger，pusheddowntheaisleunderneathwheretherecalcitrantgrouphaditsplaceand，shakinghisfist，calledupatthem：
Youwerepaidtobreakupthismeeting。Ifyouhaveanythingtosay。youwillbeaffordedtheopportunity，butifyoudonotletthegentlemanproceed，thepolicewillbecalledupontoputyouout。
Butatthis，themanwhohadraisedthefirstshoutleanedoverthebalconyrail，and，hisfaceflamingwithwrath，shouted：
YAH！talktomeofyourpolice。Lookoutwedon’tcallonthemfirsttoarrestyourPresidentforbribery。Youandyourhowlaboutlawandjusticeandcorruption！Here——heturnedtotheaudience——readabouthim，readthestoryofhowtheSacramentoconventionwasboughtbyMagnusDerrick，PresidentoftheSanJoaquinLeague。Here’sthefactsprintedandproved。
Withthewords，hestoopeddownandfromunderhisseatdraggedforthagreatpackageofextraeditionsoftheBonnevilleMercury，notanhouroffthepresses。Otherequallylargebundlesofthepaperappearedinthehandsofthesurroundinggroup。Thestringswerecutandinhandfulsandarmfulsthepaperswereflungoutovertheheadsoftheaudienceunderneath。
Theairwasfulloftheflutterofthenewlyprintedsheets。
Theyswarmedovertherimofthegallerylikecloudsofmonstrous，wingedinsects，settledupontheheadsandintothehandsoftheaudience，werepassedswiftlyfrommantoman，andwithinfiveminutesofthefirstoutbreakeveryoneintheOperaHousehadreadGenslinger’sdetailedandsubstantiatedaccountofMagnusDerrick’sdealwiththepoliticalbossesoftheSacramentoconvention。
Genslinger，afterpocketingtheGovernor’shushmoney，hadsoldhimout。
Keast，onequiverofindignation，madehiswaybackuponthestage。TheLeaguerswereinwildconfusion。Halftheassemblyofthemwereontheirfeet，bewildered，shoutingvaguely。Fromprosceniumwalltofoyer，theOperaHousewasatumultofnoise。
ThegleamofthethousandsoftheMercuryextraswasliketheflashofwhitecapsonatroubledsea。
Keastfacedtheaudience。
Liars，heshouted，strivingwithallthepowerofhisvoicetodominatetheclamour，liarsandslanderers。Yourpaperisthepaidorganofthecorporation。Youhavenotoneshadowofprooftobackyouup。Doyouchoosethis，ofalltimes，toheapyourcalumnyupontheheadofanhonourablegentleman，alreadyprostratedbyyourmurderofhisson？Proofs——wedemandyourproofs！
We’vegottheveryassemblymenthemselves，camebacktheansweringshout。LetDerrickspeak。Whereishehiding？Ifthisisalie，lethimdenyit。LetHIMDISPROVEthecharge。
Derrick，Derrick，thunderedtheOperaHouse。
Keastwheeledabout。WherewasMagnus？Hewasnotinsightuponthestage。Hehaddisappeared。CrowdingthroughthethrongofLeaguers，Keastgotfromoffthestageintothewings。Herethecrowdwasnolessdense。NearlyeveryonehadacopyoftheMercury。Itwasbeingreadaloudtogroupshereandthere，andonceKeastoverheardthewords，Say，Iwonderifthisistrue，afterall？
Well，andevenifitwas，criedKeast，turninguponthespeaker，weshouldbethelastonestokick。Inanycase，itwasdoneforourbenefit。ItelectedtheRanchers’Commission。
AlotofbenefitwegotoutoftheRanchers’Commission，
retortedtheother。
Andthen，protestedathirdspeaker，thatain’tthewaytodo——
ifheDIDdoit——bribinglegislatures。Why，wewerebuckingagainstcorruptpolitics。Wecouldn’taffordtobecorrupt。
Keastturnedawaywithagestureofimpatience。Hepushedhiswayfartheron。Atlast，openingasmalldoorinahallwaybackofthestage，hecameuponMagnus。
Theroomwastiny。Itwasadressing-room。OnlytwonightsbeforeithadbeenusedbytheleadingactressofacomicoperatroupewhichhadplayedforthreenightsatBonneville。A
tatteredsofaandlimpingtoilettableoccupiedathirdofthespace。Theairwasheavywiththesmellofstalegreasepaint，ointments，andsachet。Fadedphotographsofyoungwomenintightsandgauzesornamentedthemirrorandthewalls。
Underneaththesofawasanoldpairofcorsets。Thespangledskirtofapinkdress，turnedinsideout，hungagainstthewall。
Andinthemidstofsuchenvironment，surroundedbyanexcitedgroupofmenwhogesticulatedandshoutedinhisveryface，pale，alert，agitated，histhinlipspressedtightlytogether，stoodMagnusDerrick。
Here，criedKeast，asheentered，closingthedoorbehindhim，where’stheGovernor？Here，Magnus，I’vebeenlookingforyou。
Thecrowdhasgonewildoutthere。You’vegottotalk’emdown。
Comeoutthereandgivethoseblacklegsthelie。Theyaresayingyouarehiding。
ButbeforeMagnuscouldreply，GarnettturnedtoKeast。
Well，that’swhatwewanthimtodo，andhewon’tdoit。
Yes，yes，criedthehalf-dozenmenwhocrowdedaroundMagnus，yes，that’swhatwewanthimtodo。
KeastturnedtoMagnus。
Why，what’sallthis，Governor？heexclaimed。You’vegottoanswerthat。Hey？whydon’tyougive’emthelie？
I——I，Magnusloosenedthecollarabouthisthroatitisalie。
Iwillnotstoop——Iwouldnot——wouldbe——itwouldbebeneathmy——
my——itwouldbebeneathme。
Keaststaredinamazement。WasthistheGreatMantheLeader，indomitable，ofRomanintegrity，ofRomanvalour，beforewhosevoicewholeconventionshadquailed？WasitpossiblehewasAFRAIDtofacethosehiredvillifiers？
Well，howaboutthis？demandedGarnettsuddenly。Itisalie，isn’tit？ThatCommissionwaselectedhonestly，wasn’tit？
Howdareyou，sir！Magnusburstout。Howdareyouquestionme——callmetoaccount！Pleaseunderstand，sir，thatItolerate——
Oh，quitit！criedavoicefromthegroup。Youcan’tscareus，Derrick。Thatsortoftalkwaswellenoughonce，butitdon’tgoanymore。Wewantayesornoanswer。
Itwasgone——thatold-timepowerofmastery，thatfacultyofcommand。Thegroundcrumbledbeneathhisfeet。Longsinceithadbeen，byhisownhand，undermined。Authoritywasgone。Whykeepupthismiserableshamanylonger？Couldtheynotreadthelieinhisface，inhisvoice？Whatafollytomaintainthewretchedpretence！Hehadfailed。Hewasruined。Harranwasgone。Hisranchwouldsoongo。hismoneywasgone。Lymanwasworsethandead。Hisownhonourhadbeenprostituted。Gone，gone，everythinghehelddear，gone，lost，andsweptawayinthatfiercestruggle。Andsuddenlyandallinamomentthelastremainingshellsofthefabricofhisbeing，theshamthathadstoodalreadywonderfullylong，crackedandcollapsed。
WastheCommissionhonestlyelected？insistedGarnett。Werethedelegates——didyoubribethedelegates？
Wewereobligedtoshutoureyestomeans，falteredMagnus。
Therewasnootherwayto——Thensuddenlyandwiththelastdregsofhisresolution，heconcludedwith：Yes，Igavethemtwothousanddollarseach。
Oh，hell！Oh，myGod！exclaimedKeast，sittingswiftlydownupontheraggedsofa。
Therewasalongsilence。Asenseofpoignantembarrassmentdescendeduponthosepresent。Nooneknewwhattosayorwheretolook。Garnett，withalabouredattemptatnonchalance，murmured：
Isee。Well，that’swhatIwastryingtogetat。Yes，Isee。
Well，saidGethingsatlength，bestirringhimself，IguessI’LLgohome。
Therewasamovement。Thegroupbrokeup，themenmakingforthedoor。Onebyonetheywentout。ThelasttogowasKeast。HecameuptoMagnusandshooktheGovernor’slimphand。
Good-bye，Governor，hesaid。I’llseeyouagainprettysoon。
Don’tletthisdiscourageyou。They’llcomearoundallrightafterawhile。Solong。
Hewentout，shuttingthedoor。
Andseatedintheonechairoftheroom，MagnusDerrickremainedalongtime，lookingathisfaceinthecrackedmirrorthatforsomanyyearshadreflectedthepaintedfacesofsoubrettes，inthisatmosphereofstaleperfumeandmouldyricepowder。
Ithadcome——hisfall，hisruin。Aftersomanyyearsofintegrityandhonestbattle，hislifehadendedhere——inanactress’sdressing-room，desertedbyhisfriends，hissonmurdered，hisdishonestyknown，anoldman，broken，discarded，discredited，andabandoned。
Beforenightfallofthatday，Bonnevillewasfurtherexcitedbyanastonishingbitofnews。S。Behrmanlivedinadetachedhouseatsomedistancefromthetown，surroundedbyagroveofliveoakandeucalyptustrees。Atalittleafterhalf-pastsix，ashewassittingdowntohissupper，abombwasthrownthroughthewindowofhisdining-room，explodingnearthedoorwayleadingintothehall。Theroomwaswreckedandnearlyeverywindowofthehouseshattered。Byamiracle，S。Behrman，himself，remaineduntouched。
ChapterVIII
OnacertainafternoonintheearlypartofJuly，aboutamonthafterthefightattheirrigatingditchandthemassmeetingatBonneville，Cedarquist，atthemomentopeninghismailinhisofficeinSanFrancisco，wasgenuinelysurprisedtoreceiveavisitfromPresley。
Well，uponmyword，Pres，exclaimedthemanufacturer，astheyoungmancameinthroughthedoorthattheofficeboyheldopenforhim，uponmyword，haveyoubeensick？Sitdown，myboy。
Haveaglassofsherry。Ialwayskeepabottlehere。
Presleyacceptedthewineandsankintothedepthsofagreatleatherchairnearby。
Sick？heanswered。Yes，Ihavebeensick。I’msicknow。I’mgonetopieces，sir。
Hismannerwastheextremeoflistlessness——thelistlessnessofgreatfatigue。Well，well，observedtheother。I’mrightsorrytohearthat。What’sthetrouble，Pres？
Oh，nervesmostly，Isuppose，andmyhead，andinsomnia，andweakness，ageneralcollapseallalongtheline，thedoctortellsme。’Over-cerebration，’hesays。’over-excitement。’IfancyI
rathernarrowlymissedbrainfever。
Well，Icaneasilysupposeit，answeredCedarquistgravely，afterallyouhavebeenthrough。
Presleyclosedhiseyes——theyweresunkenincirclesofdarkbrownflesh——andpressedathinhandtothebackofhishead。
Itisanightmare，hemurmured。Afrightfulnightmare，andit’snotoveryet。Youhaveheardofitallonlythroughthenewspaperreports。Butdownthere，atBonneville，atLosMuertos——oh，youcanhavenoideaofit，ofthemiserycausedbythedefeatoftheranchersandbythisdecisionoftheSupremeCourtthatdispossessesthemall。Wehadgoneonhopingtothelastthatwewouldwinthere。WehadthoughtthatintheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates，atleast，wecouldfindjustice。Andthenewsofitsdecisionwastheworst，lastblowofall。ForMagnusitwasthelast——positivelytheverylast。
Poor，poorDerrick，murmuredCedarquist。Tellmeabouthim，Pres。Howdoeshetakeit？Whatishegoingtodo？
Itbeggarshim，sir。Hesunkagreatdealmorethananyofusbelievedinhisranch，whenheresolvedtoturnoffmostofthetenantsandfarmtheranchhimself。ThenthefighthemadeagainsttheRailroadintheCourtsandthepoliticalcampaignhewentinto，togetLymanontheRailroadCommission，tookmoreofit。ThemoneythatGenslingerblackmailedhimof，itseems，wasaboutallhehadleft。Hehadbeengambling——youknowtheGovernor——onanotherbonanzacropthisyeartorecouphim。Well，thebonanzacamerightenough——justintimeforS。BehrmanandtheRailroadtograbit。Magnusisruined。
Whatatragedy！whatatragedy！murmuredtheother。Lymanturningrascal，Harrankilled，andnowthis。andallwithinsoshortatime——allattheSAMEtime，youmightalmostsay。
Ifithadonlykilledhim，continuedPresley。butthatistheworstofit。
Howtheworst？
I’mafraid，honestly，I’mafraiditisgoingtoturnhiswits，sir。It’sbrokenhim。oh，youshouldseehim，youshouldseehim。Ashambling，stooping，tremblingoldman，inhisdotagealready。Hesitsalldayinthedining-room，turningoverpapers，sortingthem，tyingthemup，openingthemagain，forgettingthem——allfumblingandmumblingandconfused。Andattablesometimesheforgetstoeat。And，listen，youknow，fromthehousewecanhearthetrainswhistlingfortheLongTrestle。
AsoftenasthathappenstheGovernorseemstobe——oh，Idon’tknow，frightened。Hewillsinkhisheadbetweenhisshoulders，asthoughheweredodgingsomething，andhewon’tfetchalongbreathagaintillthetrainisoutofhearing。Heseemstohaveconceivedanabject，unreasonedterroroftheRailroad。
ButhewillhavetoleaveLosMuertosnow，ofcourse？
Yes，theywillallhavetoleave。Theyhaveafortnightmore。
ThefewtenantsthatwerestillonLosMuertosareleaving。Thatisonethingthatbringsmetothecity。Thefamilyofoneofthemenwhowaskilled——Hoovenwashisname——havecometothecitytofindwork。Ithinktheyareliabletobeingreatdistress，unlesstheyhavebeenwonderfullylucky，andIamtryingtofindtheminordertolookafterthem。
Youneedlookingafteryourself，Pres。
Oh，onceawayfromBonnevilleandthesightoftheruinthere，I’mbetter。ButIintendtogoaway。Andthatmakesmethink，I
cametoaskyouifyoucouldhelpme。Ifyouwouldletmetakepassageononeofyourwheatships。TheDoctorsaysanoceanvoyagewouldsetmeup。
Why，certainly，Pres，declaredCedarquist。ButI’msorryyou’llhavetogo。Weexpectedtohaveyoudowninthecountrywithusthiswinter。
Presleyshookhishead。
No，heanswered。Imustgo。EvenifIhadallmyhealth，I
couldnotbringmyselftostayinCaliforniajustnow。Ifyoucanintroducemetooneofyourcaptains
Withpleasure。Whendoyouwanttogo？Youmayhavetowaitafewweeks。Ourfirstshipwon’tcleartilltheendofthemonth。
Thatwoulddoverywell。Thankyou，sir。
ButCedarquistwasstillinterestedinthelandtroublesoftheBonnevillefarmers，andtookthefirstoccasiontoask：
So，theRailroadareinpossessiononmostoftheranches？
Onallofthem，returnedPresley。TheLeaguewentalltopieces，sosoonasMagnuswasforcedtoresign。Theoldstory——
theygotquarrellingamongthemselves。Somebodystartedacompromiseparty，anduponthatissueanewpresidentwaselected。Thenthereweredefections。TheRailroadofferedtoleasethelandsinquestiontotheranchers——therancherswhoownedthem，heexclaimedbitterly，andbecausethetermswerenominal——almostnothing——plentyofthementookthechanceofsavingthemselves。And，ofcourse，oncesigningthelease，theyacknowledgedtheRailroad’stitle。ButtheroadwouldnotleasetoMagnus。S。BehrmantakesoverLosMuertosinafewweeksnow。
Nodoubt，theroadmadeovertheirtitleinthepropertytohim，observedCedarquist，asarewardofhisservices。
Nodoubt，murmuredPresleywearily。Herosetogo。
Bytheway，saidCedarquist，whathaveyouonhandfor，letussay，Fridayevening？Won’tyoudinewithusthen？ThegirlsaregoingtothecountryMondayofnextweek，andyouprobablywon’tseethemagainforsometimeifyoutakethatoceanvoyageofyours。
I’mafraidIshallbeverypoorcompany，sir，hazardedPresley。
There’sno’go，’nolifeinmeatallthesedays。Iamlikeaclockwithabrokenspring。
Notbroken，Pres，myboy。urgedtheother，onlyrundown。Tryandseeifwecan’twindyouupabit。Saythatwecanexpectyou。Wedineatseven。
Thankyou，sir。TillFridayatseven，then。
Regainingthestreet，Presleysenthisvalisetohisclubwherehehadengagedaroombyamessengerboy，andboardedaCastroStreetcar。BeforeleavingBonneville，hehadascertained，bystrenuousenquiry，Mrs。Hooven’saddressinthecity，andthitherwardhenowdirectedhissteps。
WhenPresleyhadtoldCedarquistthathewasill，thathewasjaded，wornout，hehadonlytoldhalfthetruth。Exhaustedhewas，nerveless，weak，butthisapathywasstillinvadedfromtimetotimewithfierceincursionsofaspiritofunrestandrevolt，reactions，momentaryreturnsoftheblind，undirectedenergythatatonetimehadpromptedhimtoavastdesiretoacquithimselfofsometerribledeedofreadjustment，justwhat，hecouldnotsay，someterrifyingmartyrdom，someawe-inspiringimmolation，consummate，incisive，conclusive。Hefanciedhimselftobefiredwiththepurblind，mistakenheroismoftheanarchist，hurlinghisvictimtodestructionwithfullknowledgethatthecatastropheshallsweephimalsointothevortexitcreates。
Buthisconstitutionalirresolutenessobstructedhispathcontinually。brain-sick，weakofwill，emotional，timideven，hetemporised，procrastinated，brooded。cametodecisionsinthedarkhoursofthenight，onlytoabandontheminthemorning。
OnceonlyhehadACTED。Andatthismoment，ashewascarriedthroughthewindy，squalidstreets，hetrembledattheremembranceofit。Thehorrorofwhatmighthavebeen
incompatiblewiththevengeancewhoseministerhefanciedhewas，oppressedhim。Thesceneperpetuallyreconstructeditselfinhisimagination。Hesawhimselfundertheshadeoftheencompassingtreesandshrubbery，creepingonhisbellytowardthehouse，inthesuburbsofBonneville，watchinghischances，seizingopportunities，spyinguponthelightedwindowswheretheraisedcurtainsaffordedaviewoftheinterior。Thenhadcometheappearanceintheglareofthegasofthefigureofthemanforwhomhewaited。Hesawhimselfriseandrunforward。HerememberedthefeelandweightinhishandofCaraher’sbomb——thesixinchesofpluggedgaspipe。Hisupraisedarmshotforward。
Therewasashiverofsmashedwindow-panes，then——avoid——aredwhirlofconfusion，theairrent，thegroundrocking，himselfflungheadlong，flungoffthespinningcircumferenceofthingsoutintoaplaceofterrorandvacancyanddarkness。Andthenafteralongtimethereturnofreason，theconsciousnessthathisfeetweresetupontheroadtoLosMuertos，andthathewasfleeingterror-stricken，gasping，allbutinsanewithhysteria。
Thenthenever-to-be-forgottennightthatensued，whenhedescendedintothepit，horrifiedatwhathesupposedhehaddone，atonemomentriddenwithremorse，atanotherragingagainsthisownfeebleness，hislackofcourage，hiswretched，vacillatingspirit。Butmorninghadcome，andwithittheknowledgethathehadfailed，andthebaserassurancethathewasnotevenremotelysuspected。Hisownescapehadbeennolessmiraculousthanthatofhisenemy，andhehadfallenonhiskneesininarticulateprayer，weeping，pouringouthisthankstoGodforthedeliverancefromthegulftotheverybrinkofwhichhisfeethadbeendrawn。
Afterthis，however，therehadcometoPresleyadeep-rootedsuspicionthathewas——ofallhumanbeings，themostwretched——afailure。Everythingtowhichhehadsethismindfailed——hisgreatepic，hiseffortstohelpthepeoplewhosurroundedhim，evenhisattempteddestructionoftheenemy，allthesehadcometonothing。Girdinghisshatteredstrengthtogether，heresolvedupononelastattempttoliveuptothebestthatwasinhim，andtothatendhadsethimselftoliftoutofthedespairintowhichtheyhadbeenthrust，thebereavedfamilyoftheGerman，Hooven。
Afterallwasover，andHooven，togetherwiththesevenotherswhohadfallenattheirrigatingditch，wasburiedintheBonnevillecemetery，Mrs。Hooven，askingnoone’saidoradvice，andtakingwithherMinnaandlittleHilda，hadgonetoSanFrancisco——hadgonetofindwork，abandoningLosMuertosandherhomeforever。Presleyonlylearnedofthedepartureofthefamilyafterfifteendayshadelapsed。
Atonce，however，thesuspicionforceditselfuponhimthatMrs。
Hooven——andMinna，tooforthematterofthat——country-bred，ignorantofcityways，mighteasilycometogriefinthehard，hugestruggleofcitylife。Thissuspicionhadswiftlyhardenedtoaconviction，actingatlastuponwhichPresleyhadfollowedthemtoSanFrancisco，bentuponfindingandassistingthem。
ThehousetowhichPresleywasledbytheaddressinhismemorandumbookwasacheapbutfairlydecenthotelnearthepowerhouseoftheCastroStreetcable。HeinquiredforMrs。
Hooven。
ThelandladyrecollectedtheHoovensperfectly。
Germanwoman，withalittlegirl-baby，andanolderdaughter，sure。Theolderdaughterwasmainpretty。SureIrememberthem，buttheyain’therenomore。Theyleftaweekago。Ihadtoaskthemfortheirroom。
Asitwas，theyowedaweek’sroom-rent。Mister，Ican’tafford——
Well，doyouknowwheretheywent？Didyouhearwhataddresstheyhadtheirtrunkexpressedto？
Ah，yes，theirtrunk，vociferatedthewoman，clappingherhandstoherhips，herfacepurpling。Theirtrunk，ah，sure。Igottheirtrunk，andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？I’mholdingittillIgetmymoney。Whathaveyougottosayaboutit？
Let’shearit。
Presleyturnedawaywithagestureofdiscouragement，hisheartsinking。Onthestreetcornerhestoodforalongtime，frowningintroubleandperplexity。Hissuspicionshadbeenonlytoowellfounded。Solongagoasaweek，theHoovenshadexhaustedalltheirlittlestoreofmoney。Forsevendaysnowtheyhadbeenwithoutresources，unless，indeed，workhadbeenfound。andwhat，heaskedhimself，whatworkinGod’snamecouldtheyfindtodohereinthecity？
Sevendays！Hequailedatthethoughtofit。Sevendayswithoutmoney，knowingnotasoulinallthatswarmingcity。IgnorantofcitylifeasbothMinnaandhermotherwere，wouldtheyevenrealisethattherewereinstitutionsbuiltandgenerouslyendowedforjustsuchasthey？Heknewthemtohavetheirshareofpride，thedoggedsullenprideofthepeasant。eveniftheyknewofcharitableorganisations，wouldthey，couldtheybringthemselvestoapplythere？ApoignantanxietythrustitselfsharplyintoPresley’sheart。Whereweretheynow？Wherehadtheysleptlastnight？Wherebreakfastedthismorning？Hadthereevenbeenanybreakfastthismorning？Hadthereevenbeenanybedlastnight？Lost，andforgottenintheplexusofthecity’slife，whathadbefallenthem？Towardswhatfatewastheebbtideofthestreetsdriftingthem？
Wasthistobestillanotherthemewroughtoutbyironhandsupontheold，theworld-old，world-widekeynote？Howfarweretheconsequencesofthatdreadfulday’sworkattheirrigatingditchtoreach？Towhatlengthwasthetentacleofthemonstertoextend？
Presleyreturnedtowardthecentral，thebusinessquarterofthecity，alternatelyformulatinganddismissingfromhismindplanafterplanforthefindingandaidingofMrs。Hoovenandherdaughters。HereachedMontgomeryStreet，andturnedtowardhisclub，hisimaginationoncemorereviewingallthecausesandcircumstancesofthegreatbattleofwhichforthelasteighteenmonthshehadbeenwitness。
Allatoncehepaused，hiseyecaughtbyasignaffixedtothewalljustinsidethestreetentranceofahugeofficebuilding，andsmittenwithanidea，stoodforaninstantmotionless，uponthesidewalk，hiseyeswide，hisfistsshuttight。
ThebuildingcontainedtheGeneralOfficeofthePacificandSouthwesternRailroad。Largethoughitwas，itnevertheless，wasnotpretentious，andduringhisvisitstothecity，Presleymusthavepassedit，unheeding，manytimes。
Butforallthatitwasthestrongholdoftheenemy——thecentreofallthatvastramifyingsystemofarteriesthatdrainedthelife-bloodoftheState。thenucleusofthewebinwhichsomanylives，somanyfortunes，somanydestinieshadbeenenmeshed。
Fromthisplace——sohetoldhimself——hademanatedthatpolicyofextortion，oppressionandinjusticethatlittlebylittlehadshoulderedtheranchersfromtheirrights，till，theirbackstothewall，exasperatedanddespairingtheyhadturnedandfoughtanddied。FromherehadcometheorderstoS。Behrman，toCyrusRugglesandtoGenslinger，theordersthathadbroughtDyketoaprison，thathadkilledAnnixter，thathadruinedMagnus，thathadcorruptedLyman。Herewasthekeepofthecastle，andhere，behindoneofthosemanywindows，inoneofthosemanyoffices，hishandupontheleversofhismightyengine，satthemaster，Shelgrimhimself。
Instantly，upontherealisationofthisfactanungovernabledesireseizeduponPresley，aninordinatecuriosity。Whynotsee，facetoface，themanwhosepowerwassovast，whosewillwassoresistless，whosepotencyforevilsolimitless，themanwhoforsolongandsohopelesslytheyhadallbeenfighting。Byreputationheknewhimtobeapproachable。whyshouldhenotthenapproachhim？Presleytookhisresolutioninbothhands。Ifhefailedtoactuponthisimpulse，heknewhewouldneveractatall。Hisheartbeating，hisbreathcomingshort，heenteredthebuilding，andinafewmomentsfoundhimselfseatedinanante-
room，hiseyesfixedwithhypnoticintensityuponthefrostedpaneofanadjoiningdoor，whereoningoldletterswasinscribedtheword，PRESIDENT。
Intheend，PresleyhadbeensurprisedtofindthatShelgrimwasstillin。Itwasalreadyverylate，aftersixo’clock，andtheotherofficesinthebuildingwereintheactofclosing。Manyofthemwerealreadydeserted。Ateveryinstant，throughtheopendooroftheante-room，hecaughtaglimpseofclerks，officeboys，book-keepers，andotheremployeeshurryingtowardsthestairsandelevators，quittingbusinessfortheday。Shelgrim，itseemed，stillremainedathisdesk，knowingnofatigue，requiringnoleisure。
WhattimedoesMr。Shelgrimusuallygohome？inquiredPresleyoftheyoungmanwhosatrulingformsatthetableintheante-
room。
Anywherebetweenhalf-pastsixandseven，theotheranswered，adding，Veryoftenhecomesbackintheevening。
Andthemanwasseventyyearsold。Presleycouldnotrepressamurmurofastonishment。Notonlymentally，then，wasthePresidentoftheP。andS。W。agiant。Seventyyearsofageandstillathispost，holdingtherewiththeenergy，withaconcentrationofpurposethatwouldhavewreckedthehealthandimpairedthemindofmanymenintheprimeoftheirmanhood。
ButthenextinstantPresleysethisteeth。
Itisanogre’svitality，hesaidtohimself。Justsoistheman-eatingtigerstrong。Themanshouldhaveenergywhohassuckedthelife-bloodfromanentirePeople。
Alittleelectricbellonthewallnearathandtrilledawarning。Theyoungmanwhowasrulingformslaiddownhispen，andopeningthedoorofthePresident’soffice，thrustinhishead，thenafterawordexchangedwiththeunseenoccupantoftheroom，heswungthedoorwide，sayingtoPresley：
Mr。Shelgrimwillseeyou，sir。
Presleyenteredalarge，welllighted，butsingularlybarrenoffice。Awell-worncarpetwasonthefloor，twosteelengravingshungagainstthewall，anextrachairortwostoodnearalarge，plain，litteredtable。Thatwasabsolutelyall，unlessheexceptedthecornerwash-stand，onwhichwassetapitcheroficewater，coveredwithaclean，stiffnapkin。Aman，evidentlysomesortofmanager’sassistant，stoodattheendofthetable，leaningonthebackofoneofthechairs。Shelgrimhimselfsatatthetable。
Hewaslarge，almosttomassiveness。Aniron-greybeardandamustachethatcompletelyhidthemouthcoveredthelowerpartofhisface。Hiseyeswereapaleblue，andalittlewatery。hereandthereuponhisfaceweremothspots。Buttheenormousbreadthoftheshoulderswaswhat，atfirst，mostvividlyforceditselfuponPresley’snotice。Neverhadheseenabroaderman。
theneck，however，seemedinamannertohavesettledintotheshoulders，andfurthermoretheywerehumpedandrounded，asiftobeargreatresponsibilities，andgreatabuse。
Atthemomenthewaswearingasilkskull-cap，pushedtoonesideandalittleawry，afrockcoatofbroadcloth，withlongsleeves，andawaistcoatfromthelowerbuttonsofwhichtheclothwaswornand，upontheedges，rubbedaway，showingthemetalunderneath。Atthetopthiswaistcoatwasunbuttonedandintheshirtfrontdisclosedweretwopearlstuds。
Presley，uninvited，unnoticedapparently，satdown。Theassistantmanagerwasintheactofmakingareport。Hisvoicewasnotlowered，andPresleyheardeverywordthatwasspoken。
Thereportprovedinteresting。Itconcernedabook-keeperintheofficeoftheauditorofdisbursements。Itseemshewasatmosttimesthoroughlyreliable，hard-working，industrious，ambitious。
Butatlongintervalstheviceofdrunkennessseizeduponthemanandforthreedaysrodehimlikeahag。Notonlyduringtheperiodofthisintemperance，butforthefewdaysimmediatelyfollowing，themanwasuseless，hisworkuntrustworthy。Hewasafamilymanandearnestlystrovetoridhimselfofhishabit。hewas，whensober，valuable。Inconsiderationofthesefacts，hehadbeenpardonedagainandagain。
Youremember，Mr。Shelgrim，observedthemanager，thatyouhavemorethanonceinterferedinhisbehalf，whenweweredisposedtolethimgo。Idon’tthinkwecandoanythingwithhim，sir。Hepromisestoreformcontinually，butitisthesameoldstory。Thislasttimewesawnothingofhimforfourdays。
Honestly，Mr。Shelgrim，IthinkweoughttoletTentellout。Wecan’taffordtokeephim。Heisreallylosingustoomuchmoney。
Here’stheorderreadynow，ifyoucaretoletitgo。
Therewasapause。Presleyallattention，listenedbreathlessly。
TheassistantmanagerlaidbeforehisPresidentthetypewrittenorderinquestion。Thesilencelengthened。inthehalloutside，thewrought-irondooroftheelevatorcageslidtowithaclash。
Shelgrimdidnotlookattheorder。Heturnedhisswivelchairaboutandfacedthewindowsbehindhim，lookingoutwithunseeingeyes。Atlasthespoke：
Tentellhasafamily，wifeandthreechildren。Howmuchdowepayhim？
Onehundredandthirty。
Let’sdoublethat，orsaytwohundredandfifty。Let’sseehowthatwilldo。
Why——ofcourse——ifyousayso，butreally，Mr。Shelgrim
Well，we’lltrythat，anyhow。
PresleyhadnottimetoreadjusthisperspectivetothisnewpointofviewofthePresidentoftheP。andS。W。beforetheassistantmanagerhadwithdrawn。Shelgrimwroteafewmemorandaonhiscalendarpad，andsignedacoupleoflettersbeforeturninghisattentiontoPresley。Atlast，helookedupandfixedtheyoungmanwithadirect，graveglance。Hedidnotsmile。Itwassometimebeforehespoke。Atlast，hesaid：
Well，sir。
Presleyadvancedandtookachairnearerathand。ShelgrimturnedandfromhisdeskpickedupandconsultedPresley’scard。
Presleyobservedthathereadwithouttheuseofglasses。
You，hesaid，againfacingabout，youaretheyoungmanwhowrotethepoemcalled’TheToilers。’
Yes，sir。
Itseemstohavemadeagreatdealoftalk。I’vereadit，andI’veseenthepictureinCedarquist’shouse，thepictureyoutooktheideafrom。
Presley，hissensesnevermorealive，observedthat，curiouslyenough，Shelgrimdidnotmovehisbody。Hisarmsmoved，andhishead，butthegreatbulkofthemanremainedimmobileinitsplace，andastheinterviewproceededandthispeculiarityemphasiseditself，PresleybegantoconceivetheoddideathatShelgrimhad，asitwere，placedhisbodyinthechairtorest，whilehisheadandbrainandhandswentonworkingindependently。
Asaucerofshelledfilbertsstoodnearhiselbow，andfromtimetotimehepickeduponeoftheseinagreatthumbandforefingerandputitbetweenhisteeth。
I’veseenthepicturecalled’TheToilers，’continuedShelgrim，andofthetwo，Ilikethepicturebetterthanthepoem。
Thepictureisbyamaster，Presleyhastenedtointerpose。
Andforthatreason，saidShelgrim，itleavesnothingmoretobesaid。Youmightjustaswellhavekeptquiet。There’sonlyonebestwaytosayanything。Andwhathasmadethepictureof’TheToilers’greatisthattheartistsaidinittheBESTthatcouldbesaidonthesubject。
Ihadneverlookedatitinjustthatlight，observedPresley。
Hewasconfused，allatsea，embarrassed。WhathehadexpectedtofindinShelgrim，hecouldnothaveexactlysaid。Buthehadbeenpreparedtocomeuponanogre，abrute，aterriblemanofbloodandiron，andinsteadhaddiscoveredasentimentalistandanartcritic。Nostandardsofmeasurementinhismentalequipmentwouldapplytotheactualman，anditbegantodawnuponhimthatpossiblyitwasnotbecausethesestandardsweredifferentinkind，butthattheywerelamentablydeficientinsize。Hebegantoseethatherewasthemannotonlygreat，butlarge。many-sided，ofvastsympathies，whounderstoodwithequalintelligence，thehumannatureinanhabitualdrunkard，theethicsofamasterpieceofpainting，andthefinancieringandoperationoftenthousandmilesofrailroad。
Ihadneverlookedatitinjustthatlight，repeatedPresley。
Thereisagreatdealinwhatyousay。
IfIamtolisten，continuedShelgrim，tothatkindoftalk，I
prefertolistentoitfirsthand。IwouldratherlistentowhatthegreatFrenchpainterhastosay，thantowhatYOUhavetosayaboutwhathehasalreadysaid。
Hisspeech，loudandemphaticatfirst，whentheideaofwhathehadtosaywasfreshinhismind，lapsedandlowereditselfattheendofhissentencesasthoughhehadalreadyabandonedandlostinterestinthatthought，sothattheconcludingwordswereindistinct，beneaththegreybeardandmustache。Alsoattimestherewasthefaintestsuggestionofalisp。
Iwrotethatpoem，hazardedPresley，atatimewhenIwasterriblyupset。Ilive，heconcluded，ordidliveontheLosMuertosranchinTulareCounty——MagnusDerrick’sranch。
TheRailroad’sranchLEASEDtoMr。Derrick，observedShelgrim。
Presleyspreadouthishandswithahelpless，resignedgesture。
And，continuedthePresidentoftheP。andS。W。withgraveintensity，lookingatPresleykeenly，IsupposeyoubelieveIamagrandoldrascal。
Ibelieve，answeredPresley，Iampersuaded——Hehesitated，searchingforhiswords。
Believethis，youngman，exclaimedShelgrim，layingathickpowerfulforefingeronthetabletoemphasisehiswords，trytobelievethis——tobeginwith——THATRAILROADSBUILDTHEMSELVES。
Wherethereisademandsoonerorlatertherewillbeasupply。
Mr。Derrick，doeshegrowhiswheat？TheWheatgrowsitself。
Whatdoeshecountfor？Doeshesupplytheforce？WhatdoI
countfor？DoIbuildtheRailroad？Youaredealingwithforces，youngman，whenyouspeakofWheatandtheRailroads，notwithmen。ThereistheWheat，thesupply。ItmustbecarriedtofeedthePeople。Thereisthedemand。TheWheatisoneforce，theRailroad，another，andthereisthelawthatgovernsthem——
supplyanddemand。Menhaveonlylittletodointhewholebusiness。Complicationsmayarise，conditionsthatbearhardontheindividual——crushhimmaybe——BUTTHEWHEATWILLBECARRIEDTO
FEEDTHEPEOPLEasinevitablyasitwillgrow。IfyouwanttofastentheblameoftheaffairatLosMuertosonanyoneperson，youwillmakeamistake。Blameconditions，notmen。
But——but，falteredPresley，youarethehead，youcontroltheroad。
Youareaveryyoungman。Controltheroad！CanIstopit？I
cangointobankruptcyifyoulike。ButotherwiseifIrunmyroad，asabusinessproposition，Icandonothing。Icannotcontrolit。Itisaforcebornoutofcertainconditions，andI——
noman——canstopitorcontrolit。CanyourMr。DerrickstoptheWheatgrowing？Hecanburnhiscrop，orhecangiveitaway，orsellitforacentabushel——justasIcouldgointobankruptcy——butotherwisehisWheatmustgrow。CananyonestoptheWheat？Well，thennomorecanIstoptheRoad。
Presleyregainedthestreetstupefied，hisbraininawhirl。
Thisnewidea，thisnewconceptiondumfoundedhim。Somehow，hecouldnotdenyit。Itrangwiththeclearreverberationoftruth。Wasnoone，then，toblameforthehorrorattheirrigatingditch？Forces，conditions，lawsofsupplyanddemand——
werethesethentheenemies，afterall？Notenemies。therewasnomalevolenceinNature。Colossalindifferenceonly，avasttrendtowardappointedgoals。Naturewas，then，agiganticengine，avastcyclopeanpower，huge，terrible，aleviathanwithaheartofsteel，knowingnocompunction，noforgiveness，notolerance。crushingoutthehumanatomstandinginitsway，withnirvaniccalm，theagonyofdestructionsendingneverajar，neverthefaintesttremourthroughallthatprodigiousmechanismofwheelsandcogs。
Hewenttohisclubandatehissupperalone，ingloomyagitation。Hewassombre，brooding，lostinadarkmazeofgloomyreflections。However，justashewasrisingfromthetableanincidentoccurredthatforthemomentrousedhimandsharplydivertedhismind。
Histablehadbeenplacednearawindowandashewassippinghisafter-dinnercoffee，hehappenedtoglanceacrossthestreet。
Hiseyewasatoncecaughtbythesightofafamiliarfigure。
WasitMinnaHooven？Thefigureturnedthestreetcornerandwaslosttosight。butithadbeenstrangelylike。Onthemoment，Presleyhadrisenfromthetableand，clappingonhishat，hadhurriedintothestreets，wherethelampswerealreadybeginningtoshine。
Butsearchthoughhewould，Presleycouldnotagaincomeupontheyoungwoman，inwhomhefanciedhehadseenthedaughteroftheunfortunateGerman。Atlast，hegaveupthehunt，andreturningtohisclub——atthishouralmostdeserted——smokedafewcigarettes，vainlyattemptedtoreadfromavolumeofessaysinthelibrary，andatlast，nervous，distraught，exhausted，retiredtohisbed。
Butnonetheless，Presleyhadnotbeenmistaken。ThegirlwhomhehadtriedtofollowhadbeenindeedMinnaHooven。
WhenMinna，aweekbeforethistime，hadreturnedtothelodginghouseonCastroStreet，afteraday’sunsuccessfulefforttofindemployment，andwastoldthathermotherandHildahadgone，shewasstruckspeechlesswithsurpriseanddismay。ShehadneverbeforebeeninanytownlargerthanBonneville，andnowknewnotwhichwaytoturnnorhowtoaccountforthedisappearanceofhermotherandlittleHilda。Thatthelandladywasonthepointofturningthemout，sheunderstood，butithadbeenagreedthatthefamilyshouldbeallowedtostayyetonemoreday，inthehopethatMinnawouldfindwork。Ofthissheremindedtheland-lady。
Butthislatteratoncelauncheduponhersuchatorrentofvituperation，thatthegirlwasfrightenedtospeechlesssubmission。
Oh，oh，shefaltered，Iknow。Iamsorry。Iknowweoweyoumoney，butwheredidmymothergo？Ionlywanttofindher。
Oh，Iain’tgoingtobebothered，shrilledtheother。HowdoIknow？
ThetruthofthematterwasthatMrs。Hooven，afraidtostayinthevicinityofthehouse，afterhereviction，andthreatenedwitharrestbythelandladyifshepersistedinhangingaround，hadleftwiththewomananotescrawledonanoldblotter，tobegiventoMinnawhenshereturned。Thisthelandladyhadlost。
Tocoverherconfusion，sheaffectedavastindignation，andaturbulent，irascibledemeanour。
Iain’tgoingtobebotheredwithsuchcattleasyou，shevociferatedinMinna’sface。Idon’tknowwhereyourfolksis。
Me，Ionlyhavedealingswithhonestpeople。Iain’tgotawordtosaysolongastherentispaid。ButwhenI’msoldieredoutofaweek’slodging，thenI’mdone。Yougetrightalongnow。I
don’tknowyou。Iain’tgoingtohavemyplacegetabadnamebyhavinganySouthofMarketStreetchippieshangingaround。Yougetalong，orI’llcallanofficer。
Minnasoughtthestreet，herheadinawhirl。Itwasaboutfiveo’clock。Inherpocketwasthirty-fivecents，allshehadintheworld。Whatnow？
Allatonce，theTerroroftheCity，thatblind，unreasonedfearthatonlytheoutcastknows，swoopeduponher，andclutchedhervulture-wise，bythethroat。
Herfirstfewdays’experienceinthematteroffindingemployment，hadtaughtherjustwhatshemightexpectfromthisnewworlduponwhichshehadbeenthrown。Whatwastobecomeofher？Whatwasshetodo，wherewasshetogo？Unanswerable，grimquestions，andnowshenolongerhadherselftofearfor。
Hermotherandthebaby，littleHilda，bothofthemequallyunabletolookafterthemselves，whatwastobecomeofthem，whereweretheygone？Lost，lost，allofthem，herselfaswell。
Butsheralliedherself，asshewalkedalong。Theideaofherstarving，ofhermotherandHildastarving，wasoutofallreason。Ofcourse，itwouldnotcometothat，ofcoursenot。Itwasnotthusthatstarvationcame。Somethingwouldhappen，ofcourse，itwould——intime。Butmeanwhile，meanwhile，howtogetthroughthisapproachingnight，andthenextfewdays。Thatwasthethingtothinkofjustnow。
Thesuddennessofitallwaswhatmostunnervedher。Duringallthenineteenyearsofherlife，shehadneverknownwhatitmeanttoshiftforherself。Herfatherhadalwayssufficedforthefamily。hehadtakencareofher，then，allofasudden，herfatherhadbeenkilled，hermothersnatchedfromher。Thenallofasuddentherewasnohelpanywhere。Thenallofasuddenaterriblevoicedemandedofher，Nowjustwhatcanyoudotokeepyourselfalive？Lifefacedher。shelookedthehugestoneimagesquarelyinthelustrelesseyes。
Itwasnearlytwilight。Minna，forthesakeofavoidingobservation——foritseemedtoherthatnowathousandpryingglancesfollowedher——assumedamatter-of-factdemeanour，andbegantowalkbrisklytowardthebusinessquarterofthetown。
Shewasdressedneatlyenough，inablueclothskirtwithablueplushbelt，fairlydecentshoes，oncehermother’s，apinkshirtwaist，andjacketandastrawsailor。Shewas，inanunusualfashion，pretty。Evenhertroubleshadnotdimmedthebrightlightofherpale，greenish-blueeyes，norfadedtheastonishingrednessofherlips，norhollowedherstrangelywhiteface。Herblue-blackhairwastrim。Shecarriedherwell-shaped，well-
roundedfigureerectly。Eveninherdistress，sheobservedthatmenlookedkeenlyather，andsometimesafterherasshewentalong。Butthisshenotedwithadimsub-consciousfaculty。TherealMinna，harassed，terrified，lashedwithathousandanxieties，keptmurmuringunderherbreath：
WhatshallIdo，whatshallIdo，oh，whatshallIdo，now？
Afteraninterminablewalk，shegainedKearneyStreet，andheldittillthewell-lighted，well-keptneighbourhoodoftheshoppingdistrictgaveplacetothevice-crowdedsaloonsandconcerthallsoftheBarbaryCoast。Sheturnedasideinavoidanceofthis，onlytoplungeintothepurlieusofChinatown，whenceonlysheemerged，panic-strickenandoutofbreath，afterahalfhourofnever-to-be-forgottenterrors，andatatimewhenithadgrownquitedark。
OnthecornerofCaliforniaandDupontstreets，shestoodalongmoment，pondering。
IMUSTdosomething，shesaidtoherself。ImustdoSOMETHING。
Shewastiredoutbynow，andtheideaoccurredtohertoentertheCatholicchurchinwhoseshadowshestood，andsitdownandrest。Thisshedid。Theeveningservicewasjustbeingconcluded。Butlongafterthepriestsandaltarboyshaddepartedfromthechancel，Minnastillsatinthedim，echoinginterior，confrontingherdesperatesituationasbestshemight。
Twoorthreehourslater，thesextonwokeher。Thechurchwasbeingclosed。shemustleave。Oncemore，chilledwiththesharpnightair，numbwithlongsittinginthesameattitude，stilloppressedwithdrowsiness，confused，frightened，Minnafoundherselfonthepavement。Shebegantobehungry，and，atlength，yieldingtothedemandthateverymomentgrewmoreimperious，boughtandeagerlydevouredafive-centbagoffruit。Then，oncemoreshetookuptheroundofwalking。
Atlength，inanobscurestreetthatbranchedfromKearneyStreet，nearthecornerofthePlaza，shecameuponanilluminatedsign，bearingtheinscription，BedsfortheNight，15and25cents。
Fifteencents！Couldsheaffordit？Itwouldleaveherwithonlythatmuchmore，thatmuchbetweenherselfandastateofprivationofwhichshedarednotthink。and，besides，theforbiddinglookofthebuildingfrightenedher。Itwasdark，gloomy，dirty，aplacesuggestiveofobscurecrimesandhiddenterrors。Fortwentyminutesorhalfanhour，shehesitated，walkingtwiceandthreetimesaroundtheblock。Atlast，shemadeuphermind。Exhaustionsuchasshehadneverknown，weighedlikeleaduponhershouldersanddraggedatherheels。
Shemustsleep。Shecouldnotwalkthestreetsallnight。Sheenteredthedoor-wayunderthesign，andfoundherwayupafilthyflightofstairs。Atthetop，amaninabluecheckedjumperwasfillingalampbehindahighdesk。TohimMinnaapplied。
Ishouldlike，shefaltered，tohavearoom——abedforthenight。Oneofthoseforfifteencentswillbegoodenough，I
think。
Well，thisplaceisonlyformen，saidtheman，lookingupfromthelamp。
Oh，saidMinna，oh——I——Ididn’tknow。
Shelookedathimstupidly，andhe，withequalstupidity，returnedthegaze。Thus，foralongmoment，theyheldeachother’seyes。
I——Ididn’tknow，repeatedMinna。
Yes，it’sformen，repeatedtheother。
Sheslowlydescendedthestairs，andoncemorecameoutuponthestreets。
Anduponthosestreetsthat，asthehoursadvanced，grewmoreandmoredeserted，moreandmoresilent，moreandmoreoppressivewiththesenseofthebitterhardnessoflifetowardsthosewhohavenomeansofliving，MinnaHoovenspentthefirstnightofherstruggletokeepherheadabovetheebb-tideofthecity’ssea，intowhichshehadbeenplunged。
Morningcame，andwithitrenewedhunger。Atthistime，shehadfoundherwayuptownagain，andtowardsteno’clockwassittinguponabenchinalittleparkfullofnurse-maidsandchildren。
Agroupofthemaidsdrewtheirbaby-buggiestoMinna’sbench，andsatdown，continuingaconversationtheyhadalreadybegun。