Itwasthatandnoless。Itwasthefeedingofsomeprodigiousmonster，insatiable，withironteeth，gnashingandthreshingintothefieldsofstandingwheat。devouringalways，neverglutted，neversatiated，swallowinganentireharvest，snarlingandslobberinginawelterofwarmvapour，acridsmoke，andblinding，pungentcloudsofchaff。Itmovedbelly-deepinthestandinggrain，ahippopotamus，half-miredinriverooze，gorgingrushes，snorting，sweating。adinosaurwallowingthroughthick，hotgrasses，flounderingthere，crouching，grovellingthereasitsvastjawscrushedandtore，anditsenormousgulletswallowed，incessant，ravenous，andinordinate。
S。Behrman，verymuchamused，changedplaceswithoneofthesacksewers，allowinghimtoholdhishorsewhilehemountedthesackingplatformandtookhisplace。Thetrepidationandjostlingofthemachineshookhimtillhisteethchatteredinhishead。Hisearswereshockedandassaultedbyamyriad-tonguedclamour，clashingsteel，strainingbelts，jarringwoodwork，whiletheimpalpablechaffpowderfromtheseparatorssettledlikedustinhishair，hisears，eyes，andmouth。
Directlyinfrontofwherehesatontheplatformwasthechutefromthecleaner，andfromthisintothemouthofahalf-fullsackspoutedanunendinggushofgrain，winnowed，cleaned，threshed，readyforthemill。
ThepourfromthechuteofthecleanerhadforS。Behrmananimmensesatisfaction。Withoutaninstant’spause，athickrivuletofwheatrolledanddashedtumultuousintothesack。Inhalfaminute——sometimesintwentyseconds——thesackwasfull，waspassedovertothesecondsewer，themouthreevedup，andthesackdumpedoutupontheground，tobepickedupbythewagonsandhauledtotherailroad。
S。Behrman，hypnotised，satwatchingthatriverofgrain。Allthatshrieking，bellowingmachinery，allthatgiganticorganism，allthemonthsoflabour，theploughing，theplanting，theprayersforrain，theyearsofpreparation，theheartaches，theanxiety，theforesight，allthewholebusinessoftheranch，theworkofhorses，ofsteam，ofmenandboys，lookedtothisspot——
thegrainchutefromtheharvesterintothesacks。Itsvolumewastheindexoffailureorsuccess，ofrichesorpoverty。Andatthispoint，thelabouroftherancherended。Here，atthelipofthechute，hepartedcompanywithhisgrain，andfromherethewheatstreamedforthtofeedtheworld。TheyawningmouthsofthesacksmightwellstandfortheunnumberedmouthsofthePeople，allagapeforfood。andhere，intothesesacks，atfirstsolean。soflaccid，attenuatedlikestarvedstomachs，rushedthelivingstreamoffood，insistent，interminable，fillingtheempty，fatteningtheshrivelled，makingitsleekandheavyandsolid。
Halfanhourlater，theharvesterstoppedagain。Themenonthesackingplatformhadusedupallthesacks。ButS。Behrman’sforeman，anewmanonLosMuertos，putinanappearancewiththereportthatthewagonbringingafreshsupplywasapproaching。
HowisthegrainelevatoratPortCostagettingon，sir？
Finished，repliedS。Behrman。
ThenewmasterofLosMuertoshaddecideduponaccumulatinghisgraininbulkinagreatelevatoratthetide-waterport，wherethegrainshipsforLiverpoolandtheEasttookontheircargoes。
Tothisend，hehadboughtandgreatlyenlargedabuildingatPortCosta，thatwasalreadyinuseforthatpurpose，andtothiselevatorallthecropofLosMuertoswastobecarried。TheP。
andS。W。madeS。Behrmanaspecialrate。
Bytheway，saidS。Behrmantohissuperintendent，we’reinluck。Fallon’sbuyerwasinBonnevilleyesterday。He’sbuyingforFallonandforHolt，too。Ihappenedtorunintohim，andI’vesoldashipload。
Ashipload！
OfLosMuertoswheat。He’sactingforsomeIndianFamineReliefCommittee——lotofwomenpeopleupinthecity——andwantedawholecargo。Imadeadealwithhim。There’saboutfiftythousandtonsofdisengagedshippinginSanFranciscoBayrightnow，andshipsarefightingforcharters。IwiredMcKissickandgotalongdistancetelephonefromhimthismorning。Hegotmeabarque，the’Swanhilda。’She’lldockdayafterto-morrow，andbeginloading。
Hadn’tIbettertakearunup，observedthesuperintendent，andkeepaneyeonthings？
No，answeredS。Behrman，Iwantyoutostopdownhere，andseethatthosecarpentershustletheworkintheranchhouse。
Derrickwillbeoutbythen。Youseethisdealispeculiar。I’mnotsellingtoanymiddle-man——nottoFallon’sbuyer。Heonlyputmeontothething。I’mactingdirectwiththesewomenpeople，andI’vegottohavesomehandinshippingthisstuffmyself。ButImademysellingfigurecoverthepriceofacharter。It’saqueer，mixed-updeal，andIdon’tfancyitmuch，butthere’sboodleinit。I’llgotoPortCostamyself。
Alittlelateronintheday，whenS。Behrmanhadsatisfiedhimselfthathisharvestingwasgoingforwardfavourably，hereenteredhisbuggyanddrivingtotheCountyRoadturnedsouthwardtowardstheLosMuertosranchhouse。Hehadnotgonefar，however，beforehebecameawareofafamiliarfigureonhorse-back，joggingslowlyalongaheadofhim。HerecognisedPresley。heshookthereinsoverhishorse’sbackandverysoonrangingupbythesideoftheyoungmanpassedthetimeofdaywithhim。
Well，whatbringsyoudownhereagain，Mr。Presley？heobserved。Ithoughtwehadseenthelastofyou。
Icamedowntosaygood-byetomyfriends，answeredPresleyshortly。
Goingaway？
Yes——toIndia。
Well，uponmyword。Foryourhealth，hey？
Yes。
YouLOOKknockedup，assertedtheother。Bytheway，headded，Isupposeyou’veheardthenews？
Presleyshrankalittle。Oflatethereportsofdisastershadfollowedsoswiftlyupononeanotherthathehadbeguntotrembleandtoquailateveryunexpectedbitofinformation。
Whatnewsdoyoumean？heasked。
AboutDyke。Hehasbeenconvicted。Thejudgesentencedhimforlife。
Forlife！RidingonbythesideofthismanthroughtheranchesbytheCountyRoad，Presleyrepeatedthesewordstohimselftillthefulleffectofthemburstatlastuponhim。
Jailedforlife！Nooutlook。Nohopeforthefuture。Dayafterday，yearafteryear，totreadtheroundsofthesamegloomymonotony。Hesawthegreystonewalls，theirondoors。theflaggingoftheyardbareofgrassortrees——thecell，narrow，bald，cheerless。theprisongarb，theprisonfare，androundallthegrimgraniteofinsuperablebarriers，shuttingouttheworld，shuttinginthemanwithoutcasts，withthepariahdogsofsociety，thieves，murderers，menbelowthebeasts，losttoalldecency，druggedwithopium，utterreprobates。Tothis，Dykehadbeenbrought，Dyke，thanwhomnomanhadbeenmorehonest，morecourageous，morejovial。Thiswastheendofhim，aprison。thiswashisfinalestate，acriminal。
Presleyfoundanexcuseforridingon，leavingS。Behrmanbehindhim。HedidnotstopatCaraher’ssaloon，fortheheatofhisragehadlongsincebeguntocool，anddispassionately，hesawthingsintheirtruelight。Forallthetragedyofhiswife’sdeath，Caraherwasnonethelessanevilinfluenceamongtheranchers，aninfluencethatworkedonlytotheincitingofcrime。
Unwillingtoventurehimself，toriskhisownlife，theanarchistsaloon-keeperhadgoadedDykeandPresleybothtomurder。abadman，aplaguespotintheworldoftheranchers，poisoningthefarmers’bodieswithalcoholandtheirmindswithdiscontent。
Atlast，PresleyarrivedattheranchhouseofLosMuertos。Theplacewassilent。thegrassonthelawnwashalfdeadandoverafoothigh。thebeginningsofweedsshowedhereandthereinthedriveway。Hetiedhishorsetoaringinthetrunkofoneofthelargereucalyptustreesandenteredthehouse。
Mrs。Derrickmethiminthedining-room。Theoldlookofuneasiness，almostofterror，hadgonefromherwide-openbrowneyes。Therewasintheminstead，theexpressionofonetowhomacontingency，longdreaded，hasarrivedandpassed。Thestolidityofasettledgrief，ofanirreparablecalamity，ofadespairfromwhichtherewasnoescapewasinherlook，hermanner，hervoice。
Shewaslistless，apathetic，calmwiththecalmnessofawomanwhoknowsshecansuffernofurther。
Wearegoingaway，shetoldPresley，asthetwosatdownatoppositeendsofthediningtable。JustMagnusandmyself——allthereisleftofus。Thereisverylittlemoneyleft。Magnuscanhardlytakecareofhimself，tosaynothingofme。Imustlookafterhimnow。WearegoingtoMarysville。
Whythere？
Yousee，sheexplained，ithappensthatmyoldplaceisvacantintheSeminarythere。Iamgoingbacktoteach——literature。
Shesmiledwearily。Itisbeginningalloveragain，isn’tit？
Onlythereisnothingtolookforwardtonow。Magnusisanoldmanalready，andImusttakecareofhim。
Hewillgowithyou，then，Presleysaid，thatwillbesomecomforttoyouatleast。
Idon’tknow，shesaidslowly，youhavenotseenMagnuslately。
Ishe——howdoyoumean？Isn’theanybetter？
Wouldyouliketoseehim？Heisintheoffice。Youcangorightin。
Presleyrose。Hehesitatedamoment，then：
Mrs。Annixter，heasked，Hilma——isshestillwithyou？I
shouldliketoseeherbeforeIgo。
GoinandseeMagnus，saidMrs。Derrick。Iwilltellheryouarehere。
Presleysteppedacrossthestone-pavedhallwaywiththeglassroof，andafterknockingthreetimesattheofficedoorpusheditopenandentered。
MagnussatinthechairbeforethedeskanddidnotlookupasPresleyentered。Hehadtheappearanceofamannearereightythansixty。Alltheold-timeerectnesswasbrokenandbent。Itwasasthoughthemusclesthatoncehadheldthebackrigid，thechinhigh，hadsoftenedandstretched。Acertainfatness，theobesityofinertia，hungheavyaroundthehipsandabdomen，theeyewaswateryandvague，thecheeksandchinunshavenandunkempt，thegreyhairhadlostitsforwardcurltowardsthetemplesandhungthinandraggedaroundtheears。Thehawk-likenoseseemedhookedtomeetthechin。thelipswereslack，themouthhalf-opened。
WhereoncetheGovernorhadbeenamodelofneatnessinhisdress，thefrockcoatbuttoned，thelinenclean，henowsatinhisshirtsleeves，thewaistcoatopenandshowingthesoiledshirt。Hishandswerestainedwithink，andthese，theonlymembersofhisbodythatyetappearedtoretaintheiractivity，werebusywithagreatpileofpapers，——oblong，legaldocuments，thatlitteredthetablebeforehim。Withoutamoment’scessation，thesehandsoftheGovernor’scameandwentamongthepapers，deft，nimble，dexterous。
Magnuswassortingpapers。Fromtheheapuponhislefthandheselectedadocument，openedit，glancedoverit，thentieditcarefully，andlaiditawayuponasecondpileonhisrighthand。
Whenallthepaperswereinonepile，hereversedtheprocess，takingfromhisrighthandtoplaceuponhisleft，thenbackfromlefttorightagain，thenoncemorefromrighttoleft。Hespokenoword，hesatabsolutelystill，evenhiseyesdidnotmove，onlyhishands，swift，nervous，agitated，seemedalive。
Why，howareyou，Governor？saidPresley，comingforward。
Magnusturnedslowlyaboutandlookedathimandatthehandinwhichheshookhisown。
Ah，hesaidatlength，Presley……yes。
Thenhisglancefell，andhelookedaimlesslyaboutuponthefloor。
I’vecometosaygood-bye，Governor，continuedPresley，I’mgoingaway。
Goingaway……yes，whyit’sPresley。Good-day，Presley。
Good-day，Governor。I’mgoingaway。I’vecometosaygood-
bye。
Good-bye？Magnusbenthisbrows，whatareyousayinggood-byefor？
I’mgoingaway，sir。
TheGovernordidnotanswer。Staringattheledgeofthedesk，heseemedlostinthought。Therewasalongsilence。Then，atlength，Presleysaid：
Howareyougettingon，Governor？
Magnuslookedupslowly。
Whyit’sPresley，hesaid。Howdoyoudo，Presley。
Areyougettingonallright，sir？
Yes，saidMagnusafterawhile，yes，allright。Iamgoingaway。I’vecometosaygood-bye。No——Heinterruptedhimselfwithadeprecatorysmile，YOUsaidTHAT，didn’tyou？
Well，youaregoingaway，too，yourwifetellsme。
Yes，I’mgoingaway。Ican’tstayon……hehesitatedalongtime，gropingfortherightword，Ican’tstayon——on——what’sthenameofthisplace？
LosMuertos，putinPresley。
No，itisn’t。Yes，itis，too，that’sright，LosMuertos。I
don’tknowwheremymemoryhasgonetooflate。
Well，Ihopeyouwillbebettersoon，Governor。
AsPresleyspokethewords，S。Behrmanenteredtheroom，andtheGovernorsprangupwithunexpectedagilityandstoodagainstthewall，drawingonelongbreathafteranother，watchingtherailroadagentwithintenteyes。
S。Behrmansalutedbothmenaffablyandsatdownnearthedesk，drawingthelinksofhisheavywatchchainthroughhisfatfingers。
Therewasn’tanybodyoutsidewhenIknocked，butIheardyourvoiceinhere，Governor，soIcamerightin。Iwantedtoaskyou，Governor，ifmycarpenterscanbeginworkinheredayafterto-morrow。Iwanttotakedownthatpartitionthere，andthrowthisroomandthenextintoone。IguessthatwillbeO。K。，won’tit？You’llbeoutofherebythen，won’tyou？
TherewasnovaguenessaboutMagnus’sspeechormannernow。
Therewasthatsamealertnessinhisdemeanourthatoneseesinatamedlioninthepresenceofitstrainer。
Yes，yes，hesaidquickly，youcansendyourmenhere。Iwillbegonebyto-morrow。
Idon’twanttoseemtohurryyou，Governor。
No，youwillnothurryme。Iamreadytogonow。
AnythingIcandoforyou，Governor？
Nothing。
Yes，thereis，Governor，insistedS。Behrman。Ithinknowthatallisoverweoughttobegoodfriends。IthinkIcandosomethingforyou。Westillwantanassistantinthelocalfreightmanager’soffice。Now，whatdoyousaytohavingatryatit？There’sasalaryoffiftyamonthgoeswithit。Iguessyoumustbeinneedofmoneynow，andthere’salwaysthewifetosupport。whatdoyousay？Willyoutrytheplace？
Presleycouldonlystareatthemaninspeechlesswonder。Whatwashedrivingat？Whatreasonwastherebackofthisnewmove，andwhyshoulditbemadethusopenlyandinhishearing？Anexplanationoccurredtohim。WasthismerelyapleasantryonthepartofS。Behrman，awayofenjoyingtothefullhistriumph。
washetestingthecompletenessofhisvictory，tryingtoseejusthowfarhecouldgo，howfarbeneathhisfeethecouldpushhisold-timeenemy？
Whatdoyousay？herepeated。Willyoutrytheplace？
You——youINSIST？inquiredtheGovernor。
Oh，I’mnotinsistingonanything，criedS。Behrman。I’mofferingyouaplace，that’sall。Willyoutakeit？
Yes，yes，I’lltakeit。
You’llcomeovertoourside？
Yes，I’llcomeover。
You’llhavetoturn’railroad，’understand？
I’llturnrailroad。
Guesstheremaybetimeswhenyou’llhavetotakeordersfromme。
I’lltakeordersfromyou。
You’llhavetobeloyaltorailroad，youknow。Nofunnybusiness。
I’llbeloyaltotherailroad。
Youwouldliketheplacethen？
Yes。
S。BehrmanturnedfromMagnus，whoatonceresumedhisseatandbeganagaintosorthispapers。
Well，Presley，saidtherailroadagent：IguessIwon’tseeyouagain。
Ihopenot，answeredtheother。
Tut，tut，Presley，youknowyoucan’tmakemeangry。
Heputonhishatofvarnishedstrawandwipedhisfatforeheadwithhishandkerchief。Oflate，hehadgrownfatterthanever，andthelinenvest，stampedwithamultitudeofinterlockedhorseshoes，strainedtightitsimitationpearlbuttonsacrossthegreatprotuberantstomach。
Presleylookedatthemanamomentbeforereplying。
Butafewweeksagohecouldnotthushavefacedthegreatenemyofthefarmerswithoutagustofblindrageblowingtempestuousthroughallhisbones。Now，however，hefoundtohissurprisethathisfuryhadlapsedtoaprofoundcontempt，inwhichtherewasbitterness，butnotruculence。Hewastired，tiredtodeathofthewholebusiness。
Yes，heanswereddeliberately，Iamgoingaway。Youhaveruinedthisplaceforme。Icouldn’tliveherewhereIshouldhavetoseeyou，ortheresultsofwhatyouhavedone，wheneverI
stirredoutofdoors。
Nonsense，Presley，answeredtheother，refusingtobecomeangry。That’sfoolishness，thatkindoftalk。though，ofcourse，Iunderstandhowyoufeel。Iguessitwasyou，wasn’tit，whothrewthatbombintomyhouse？
Itwas。
Well，thatdon’tshowanycommonsense，Presley，returnedS。Behrmanwithperfectaplomb。Whatcouldyouhavegainedbykillingme？
NotsomuchprobablyasyouhavegainedbykillingHarranandAnnixter。Butthat’sallpassednow。You’resafefromme。Thestrangenessofthistalk，theoddityofthesituationburstuponhimandhelaughedaloud。Itdon’tseemasthoughyoucouldbebroughttobook，S。Behrman，byanybody，orbyanymeans，doesit？Theycan’tgetatyouthroughthecourts，——thelawcan’tgetyou，Dyke’spistolmissedfireforjustyourbenefit，andyouevenescapedCaraher’ssixinchesofpluggedgaspipe。Justwhatarewegoingtodowithyou？
Bestgiveitup，Pres，myboy，returnedtheother。Iguessthereain’tanythingcantouchme。Well，Magnus，hesaid，turningoncemoretotheGovernor。Well，I’llthinkoverwhatyousay，andletyouknowifIcangettheplaceforyouinadayortwo。Yousee，headded，you’regettingprettyold，MagnusDerrick。
Presleyflunghimselffromtheroom，unableanylongertowitnessthedepthsintowhichMagnushadfallen。Whatotherscenesofdegradationwereenactedinthatroom，howmuchfurtherS。
Behrmancarriedthehumiliation，hedidnotknow。Hesuddenlyfeltthattheairoftheofficewaschokinghim。
Hehurrieduptowhatoncehadbeenhisownroom。Onhiswayhecouldnotbutnotethatmuchofthehousewasindisarray，agreatpacking-upwasinprogress。trunks，half-full，stoodinthehallways，cratesandcasesinalitterofstrawencumberedtherooms。Theservantscameandwentwitharmfulsofbooks，ornaments，articlesofclothing。
Presleytookfromhisroomonlyafewmanuscriptsandnote-books，andasmallvalisefullofhispersonaleffects。atthedoorwayhepausedand，holdingtheknobofthedoorinhishand，lookedbackintotheroomaverylongtime。
Hedescendedtothelowerfloorandenteredthedining-room。
Mrs。Derrickhaddisappeared。Presleystoodforalongmomentinfrontofthefireplace，lookingabouttheroom，rememberingthescenesthathehadwitnessedthere——theconferencewhenOstermanhadfirstsuggestedthefightforRailroadCommissionerandthenlatertheattackonLymanDerrickandthesuddenrevelationofthatinconceivabletreachery。ButashestoodconsideringthesethingsadoortohisrightopenedandHilmaenteredtheroom。
Presleycameforward，holdingouthishand，allunabletobelievehiseyes。Itwasawoman，grave，dignified，composed，whoadvancedtomeethim。Hilmawasdressedinblack，thecutandfashionofthegownsevere，almostmonastic。Allthelittlefeminineandcontradictorydaintinesseswerenowheretobeseen。
Herstatuesquecalmevennessofcontouryetremained，butitwasthecalmnessofgreatsorrow，ofinfiniteresignation。Beautifulshestillremained，butshewasolder。Theseriousnessofonewhohasgainedtheknowledgeoftheworld——knowledgeofitsevil——
seemedtoenvelopeher。Thecalmgravityofagreatsufferingpast，butnotforgotten，satuponher。Notyettwenty-one，sheexhibitedthedemeanourofawomanofforty。
Theone-timeamplitudeofherfigure，thefulnessofhipandshoulder，thegreatdeepswellfromwaisttothroatweregone。
Shehadgrownthinnerand，inconsequence，seemedunusually，almostunnaturallytall。Herneckwasslender，theoutlineofherfulllipsandroundchinwasalittlesharp。herarms，thosewonderful，beautifularmsofhers，werealittleshrunken。Buthereyeswereaswideopenasalways，rimmedaseverbythethin，intenselyblacklineofthelashesandherbrown，fragranthairwasstillthick，still，attimes，glitteredandcoruscatedinthesun。Whenshespoke，itwaswiththeold-timevelvetyhuskinessofvoicethatAnnixterhadlearnedtolovesowell。
Oh，itisyou，shesaid，givinghimherhand。Youweregoodtowanttoseemebeforeyouleft。Ihearthatyouaregoingaway。
Shesatdownuponthesofa。
Yes，Presleyanswered，drawingachairneartoher，yes，I
feltIcouldnotstay——downhereanylonger。Iamgoingtotakealongoceanvoyage。Myshipsailsinafewdays。Butyou，Mrs。
Annixter，whatareyougoingtodo？IsthereanywayIcanserveyou？
No，sheanswered，nothing。Papaisdoingwell。Wearelivingherenow。
Youarewell？
Shemadealittlehelplessgesturewithbothherhands，smilingverysadly。
Asyousee，sheanswered。
Ashetalked，Presleywaslookingatherintently。Herdignitywasanewelementinhercharacterandthecertainslendereffectofherfigure，emphasisednowbythelongfoldsoftheblackgownshewore，carrieditalmostsuperbly。Sheconveyedsomethingoftheimpressionofaqueeninexile。Butshehadlostnoneofherwomanliness。rather，thecontrary。Adversityhadsoftenedher，aswellasdeepenedher。Presleysawthatveryclearly。Hilmahadarrivednowatherperfectmaturity。shehadknowngreatloveandshehadknowngreatgrief，andthewomanthathadawakenedinherwithheraffectionforAnnixterhadbeenstrengthenedandinfinitelyennobledbyhisdeath。
Whatifthingshadbeendifferent？Thus，asheconversedwithher，Presleyfoundhimselfwondering。Hersweetness，herbeautifulgentleness，andtendernesswerealmostlikepalpablepresences。Itwasalmostasifacaresshadbeenlaidsoftlyuponhischeek，asifagentlehandcloseduponhis。Here，heknew，wassympathy。here，heknew，wasaninfinitecapacityforlove。
Thensuddenlyallthetiredheartofhimwentouttowardsher。A
longingtogivethebestthatwasinhimtothememoryofher，tobestrongandnoblebecauseofher，toreshapehispurposeless，half-wastedlifewithhernobilityandpurityandgentlenessforhisinspirationleapedallatoncewithinhim，leapedandstoodfirm，hardeningtoaresolvestrongerthananyhehadeverknown。
Foraninstanthetoldhimselfthatthesuddennessofthisnewemotionmustbeevidenceofitsinsincerity。Hewasperfectlywellawarethathisimpulseswereabruptandofshortduration。
Butheknewthatthiswasnotsudden。Withoutrealisingit，hehadbeenfromthefirstdrawntoHilma，andallthroughtheselastterribledays，sincethetimehehadseenheratLosMuertos，justafterthebattleattheditch，shehadobtrudedcontinuallyuponhisthoughts。Thesightofherto-day，morebeautifulthanever，quiet，strong，reserved，hadonlybroughtmatterstoaculmination。
Areyou，heaskedher，areyousounhappy，Hilma，thatyoucanlookforwardtonomorebrightnessinyourlife？
UnlessIcouldforget——forgetmyhusband，sheanswered，howcanIbehappy？Iwouldratherbeunhappyinrememberinghimthanhappyinforgettinghim。Hewasmywholeworld，literallyandtruly。NothingseemedtocountbeforeIknewhim，andnothingcancountformenow，afterIhavelosthim。
Youthinknow，heanswered，thatinbeinghappyagainyouwouldbedisloyaltohim。Butyouwillfindafterawhile——yearsfromnow——thatitneednotbeso。Thepartofyouthatbelongedtoyourhusbandcanalwayskeephimsacred，thatpartofyoubelongstohimandhetoit。Butyouareyoung。youhaveallyourlifetoliveyet。Yoursorrowneednotbeaburdentoyou。
Ifyouconsideritasyoushould——asyouWILLsomeday，believeme——itwillonlybeagreathelptoyou。Itwillmakeyoumorenoble，atruerwoman，moregenerous。
IthinkIsee，sheanswered，andIneverthoughtaboutitinthatlightbefore。
Iwanttohelpyou，heanswered，asyouhavehelpedme。I
wanttobeyourfriend，andaboveallthingsIdonotwanttoseeyourlifewasted。IamgoingawayanditisquitepossibleI
shallneverseeyouagain，butyouwillalwaysbeahelptome。
Idonotunderstand，sheanswered，butIknowyoumeantobevery，verykindtome。Yes，Ihopewhenyoucomeback——ifyoueverdo——youwillstillbethat。Idonotknowwhyyoushouldwanttobesokind，unless——yes，ofcourse——youweremyhusband’sdearestfriend。
Theytalkedalittlelonger，andatlengthPresleyrose。
IcannotbringmyselftoseeMrs。Derrickagain，hesaid。Itwouldonlyservetomakeherveryunhappy。Willyouexplainthattoher？Ithinkshewillunderstand。
Yes，answeredHilma。Yes，Iwill。
Therewasapause。Thereseemedtobenothingmoreforeitherofthemtosay。Presleyheldouthishand。
Good-bye，shesaid，asshegavehimhers。
Hecarriedittohislips。
Good-bye，heanswered。Good-byeandmayGodblessyou。
Heturnedawayabruptlyandlefttheroom。
Butashewasquietlymakinghiswayoutofthehouse，hopingtogettohishorseunobserved，hecamesuddenlyuponMrs。DykeandSidneyontheporchofthehouse。Hehadforgottenthatsincetheaffairattheditch，LosMuertoshadbeenahometotheengineer’smotheranddaughter。
Andyou，Mrs。Dyke，heaskedashetookherhand，inthisbreak-upofeverything，wheredoyougo？
Tothecity，sheanswered，toSanFrancisco。Ihaveasistertherewhowilllookafterthelittletad。
Butyou，howaboutyourself，Mrs。Dyke？
Sheansweredhiminaquietvoice，monotonous，expressionless：
Iamgoingtodieverysoon，Mr。Presley。ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldliveanylonger。Mysonisinprisonforlife，everythingisoverforme，andIamtired，wornout。
Youmustn’ttalklikethat，Mrs。Dyke，protestedPresley，nonsense。youwilllivelongenoughtoseethelittletadmarried。Hetriedtobecheerful。Butheknewhiswordslackedtheringofconviction。Deathalreadyovershadowedthefaceoftheengineer’smother。Hefeltthatshespokethetruth，andashestoodtherespeakingtoherforthelasttime，hisarmaboutlittleSidney’sshoulder，heknewthathewasseeingthebeginningsofthewreckofanotherfamilyandthat，likeHildaHooven，anotherbabygirlwastobestartedinlife，throughnofaultofhers，fearfullyhandicapped，weigheddownatthethresholdofexistencewithaloadofdisgrace。HildaHoovenandSidneyDyke，whatwastobetheirhistories？theone，sisterofanoutcast。theother，daughterofaconvict。Andhethoughtofthatotheryounggirl，thelittleHonoraGerard，theheiressofmillions，petted，loved，receivingadulationfromallwhocameneartoher，whoseonlycarewastochoosefromamongthemultitudeofpleasuresthattheworldhastenedtopresenttoherconsideration。
Good-bye，hesaid，holdingouthishand。
Good-bye。
Good-bye，Sidney。
Hekissedthelittlegirl，claspedMrs。Dyke’shandamomentwithhis。then，slinginghissatchelabouthisshouldersbythelongstrapwithwhichitwasprovided，leftthehouse，andmountinghishorserodeawayfromLosMuertosnevertoreturn。
PresleycameoutupontheCountyRoad。AtalittledistancetohislefthecouldseethegroupofbuildingswhereonceBrodersonhadlived。Thesewerebeingremodelled，atlength，tosuitthelargerdemandsoftheNewAgriculture。Astrangemancameoutbytheroadgate。nodoubt，thenewproprietor。Presleyturnedaway，hurryingnorthwardsalongtheCountyRoadbythemammothwatering-tankandthelongwind-breakofpoplars。
HecametoCaraher’splace。Therewasnochangehere。Thesaloonhadweatheredthestorm，indispensabletothenewaswellastotheoldregime。Thesamedustybuggiesandbuckboardsweretiedundertheshed，andasPresleyhurriedbyhecoulddistinguishCaraher’svoice，loudasever，stillproclaiminghiscreedofannihilation。
BonnevillePresleyavoided。Hehadnoassociationswiththetown。Heturnedasidefromtheroad，andcrossingthenorthwestcornerofLosMuertosandthelineoftherailroad，turnedbackalongtheUpperRoadtillhecametotheLongTrestleandAnnixter’s，——Silence，desolation，abandonment。
Avaststillness，profound，unbroken，broodedlowoveralltheplace。Nolivingthingstirred。Therustedwind-millontheskeleton-liketoweroftheartesianwellwasmotionless。thegreatbarnempty。thewindowsoftheranchhouse，cookhouse，anddairyboardedup。Naileduponatreenearthebrokengatewaywasaboard，whitepainted，withstencilledletters，bearingtheinscription：
Warning。ALLPERSONSFOUNDTRESPASSINGONTHESEPREMISESWILL
BEPROSECUTEDTOTHEFULLESTEXTENTOFTHELAW。ByorderP。andS。W。R。R。
Ashehadplanned，PresleyreachedthehillsbytheheadwatersofBroderson’sCreeklateintheafternoon。Toilfullyheclimbedthem，reachedthehighestcrest，andturningabout，lookedlongandforthelasttimeatallthereachofthevalleyunrolledbeneathhim。Thelandoftheranchesopenedoutforeverandforeverunderthestimulusofthatmeasurelessrangeofvision。
ThewholegiganticsweepoftheSanJoaquinexpandedTitanicbeforetheeyeofthemind，flagellatedwithheat，quiveringandshimmeringunderthesun’sredeye。Itwastheseasonaftertheharvest，andthegreatearth，themother，afteritsperiodofreproduction，itspainsoflabour，deliveredofthefruitofitsloins，sleptthesleepofexhaustionintheinfinitereposeofthecolossus，benignant，eternal，strong，thenourisherofnations，thefeederofanentireworld。
AndasPresleylookedtherecametohimstrongandtruethesenseandthesignificanceofalltheenigmaofgrowth。Heseemedforoneinstanttotouchtheexplanationofexistence。Menwerenothings，mereanimalculae，mereephemeridesthatflutteredandfellandwereforgottenbetweendawnanddusk。Vanameehadsaidtherewasnodeath。ButforonesecondPresleycouldgoonestepfurther。Menwerenaught，deathwasnaught，lifewasnaught。
FORCEonlyexisted——FORCEthatbroughtmenintotheworld，FORCE
thatcrowdedthemoutofittomakewayforthesucceedinggeneration，FORCEthatmadethewheatgrow，FORCEthatgarnereditfromthesoiltogiveplacetothesucceedingcrop。
Itwasthemysteryofcreation，thestupendousmiracleofrecreation。thevastrhythmoftheseasons，measured，alternative，thesunandthestarskeepingtimeastheeternalsymphonyofreproductionswunginitstremendouscadenceslikethecolossalpendulumofanalmightymachine——primordialenergyflungoutfromthehandoftheLordGodhimself，immortal，calm，infinitelystrong。
Butashestoodthuslookingdownuponthegreatvalleyhewasawareofthefigureofaman，farinthedistance，movingsteadilytowardstheMissionofSanJuan。Themanwashardlymorethanadot，buttherewassomethingunmistakablyfamiliarinhisgait。andbesidesthis，Presleycouldfancythathewashatless。Hetouchedhisponywithhisspur。ThemanwasVanameebeyondalldoubt，andalittlelaterPresley，descendingthemazeofcow-pathsandcattle-trailsthatleddowntowardstheBrodersonCreek，overtookhisfriend。
InstantlyPresleywasawareofanimmensechange。Vanamee’sfacewasstillthatofanascetic，stillglowedwiththerarefiedintelligenceofayoungseer，ahalf-inspiredshepherd-prophetofHebraiclegends。buttheshadowofthatgreatsadnesswhichforsolonghadbroodedoverhimwasgone。thegriefthatoncehehadfancieddeathlesswas，indeed，dead，orratherswallowedupinavictoriousjoythatradiatedlikesunlightatdawnfromthedeep-
seteyes，andthehollow，swarthycheeks。Theytalkedtogethertillnearlysundown，buttoPresley’squestionsastothereasonsforVanamee’shappiness，theotherwouldsaynothing。Onceonlyheallowedhimselftotouchuponthesubject。
Deathandgriefarelittlethings，hesaid。Theyaretransient。Lifemustbebeforedeath，andjoybeforegrief。
Elsetherearenosuchthingsasdeathorgrief。Theseareonlynegatives。Lifeispositive。Deathisonlytheabsenceoflife，justasnightisonlytheabsenceofday，andifthisisso，thereisnosuchthingasdeath。Thereisonlylife，andthesuppressionoflife，thatwe，foolishly，sayisdeath。
’Suppression，’Isay，notextinction。Idonotsaythatlifereturns。Lifeneverdeparts。LifesimplyIS。Forcertainseasons，itishiddeninthedark，butisthatdeath，extinction，annihilation？Itakeit，thankGod，thatitisnot。Doesthegrainofwheat，hiddenforcertainseasonsinthedark，die？ThegrainwethinkisdeadRESUMESAGAIN。buthow？Notasonegrain，butastwenty。Soalllife。Deathisonlyrealforallthedetritusoftheworld，forallthesorrow，foralltheinjustice，forallthegrief。Presley，thegoodneverdies。evildies，cruelty，oppression，selfishness，greed——thesedie。butnobility，butlove，butsacrifice，butgenerosity，buttruth，thankGodforit，smallastheyare，difficultasitistodiscoverthem——theseliveforever，theseareeternal。Youareallbroken，allcastdownbywhatyouhaveseeninthisvalley，thishopelessstruggle，thisapparentlyhopelessdespair。Well，theendisnotyet。Whatisitthatremainsafterallisover，afterthedeadareburiedandtheheartsarebroken？Lookatitallfromthevastheightofhumanity——’thegreatestgoodtothegreatestnumbers。’Whatremains？Menperish，menarecorrupted，heartsarerentasunder，butwhatremainsuntouched，unassailable，undefiled？Trytofindthat，notonlyinthis，butineverycrisisoftheworld’slife，andyouwillfind，ifyourviewbelargeenough，thatitisnotevil，butgood，thatintheendremains。
Therewasalongpause。Presley，hismindfullofnewthoughts，heldhispeace，andVanameeaddedatlength：
IbelievedAngeledead。Iweptoverhergrave。mournedforherasdeadincorruption。Shehascomebacktome，morebeautifulthanever。Donotaskmeanyfurther。Toputthisstory，thisidyl，intowords，would，forme，beaprofanation。Thismustsufficeyou。Angelehasreturnedtome，andIamhappy。Adios。
Herosesuddenly。Thefriendsclaspedeachother’shands。
Weshallprobablynevermeetagain，saidVanamee。butifthesearethelastwordsIeverspeaktoyou，listentothem，andrememberthem，becauseIknowIspeakthetruth。Evilisshort-
lived。Neverjudgeofthewholeroundoflifebythemeresegmentyoucansee。Thewholeis，intheend，perfect。
Abruptlyhetookhimselfaway。Hewasgone。Presley，alone，thoughtful，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，passedonthroughtheranches——hereteemingwithripenedwheat——hisfacesetfromthemforever。
NotsoVanamee。Forhoursheroamedthecountryside，nowthroughthedesertedclusterofbuildingsthathadoncebeenAnnixter’shome。nowthroughtherustlingand，asyet，uncutwheatofQuienSabe！nowtreadingtheslopesofthehillsfartothenorth，andagainfollowingthewindingcoursesofthestreams。Thushespentthenight。
Atlength，thedaybroke，resplendent，cloudless。Thenightwaspassed。Therewasallthesparkleandeffervescenceofjoyinthecrystalsunlightasthedawnexpandedroseate，andatlengthflameddazzlingtothezenithwhenthesunmovedovertheedgeoftheworldandlookeddownuponalltheearthliketheeyeofGodtheFather。
Atthemoment，Vanameestoodbreast-deepinthewheatinasolitarycorneroftheQuienSaberancho。Heturnedeastward，facingthecelestialgloryofthedayandsenthisvoicelesscallfarfromhimacrossthegoldengrainouttowardsthelittlevalleyofflowers。
Swiftlytheanswercame。Itadvancedtomeethim。TheflowersoftheSeedranchweregone，driedandparchedbythesummer’ssun，sheddingtheirseedbyhandfulstobesownagainandblossomyetanothertime。TheSeedranchwasnolongerroyalwithcolour。Theroses，thelilies，thecarnations，thehyacinths，thepoppies，theviolets，themignonette，allthesehadvanished，thelittlevalleywaswithoutcolour。whereonceithadexhaledthemostdeliciousperfume，itwasnowodourless。Undertheblindinglightofthedayitstretchedtoitshillsides，bare，brown，unlovely。Theromanceoftheplacehadvanished，butwithithadvanishedtheVision。
Itwasnolongerafigmentofhisimagination，acreatureofdreamsthatadvancedtomeetVanamee。ItwasReality——itwasAngeleintheflesh，vital，sane，material，whoatlastissuedforthfromtheentranceofthelittlevalley。Romancehadvanished，butbetterthanromancewashere。Notamanifestation，notadream，butherveryself。Thenightwasgone，butthesunhadrisen。theflowershaddisappeared，butstrong，vigorous，noble，thewheathadcome。
Inthewheathewaitedforher。Hesawhercoming。Shewassimplydressed。Nofancifulwreathoftube-roseswasaboutherheadnow，nostrangegarmentofredandgoldenvelopedhernow。
Itwasnolongeranephemeralillusionofthenight，evanescent，mystic，butasimplecountrygirlcomingtomeetherlover。Thevisionofthenighthadbeenbeautiful，butwhatwasitcomparedtothis？RealitywasbetterthanRomance。Thesimplehonestyofaloving，trustingheartwasbetterthanalegendofflowers，anhallucinationofthemoonlight。Shecamenearer。Bathedinsunlight，hesawherfacetoface，sawherhairhangingintwostraightplaitsoneithersideofherface，sawtheenchantingfulnessofherlips，thestrange，balancingmovementofherheaduponherslenderneck。Butnowshewasnolongerasleep。Thewonderfuleyes，violetblue，heavy-lidded，withtheirperplexing，orientalslanttowardsthetemples，werewideopenandfixeduponhis。
Fromouttheworldofromance，outofthemoonlightandthestarsheen，outofthefaintradianceoftheliliesandthestillairheavywithperfume，shehadatlastcometohim。Themoonlight，theflowers，andthedreamwereallvanishedaway。AngelewasrealisedintheWheat。Shestoodforthinthesunlight，afact，andnolongerafancy。
Heranforwardtomeetherandsheheldoutherarmstohim。Hecaughthertohim，andshe，turningherfacetohis，kissedhimonthemouth。
Iloveyou，Iloveyou，shemurmured。
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UpondescendingfromhistrainatPortCosta，S。BehrmanaskedtobedirectedatoncetowherethebarkSwanhildawastakingongrain。Thoughhehadboughtandgreatlyenlargedhisnewelevatoratthisport，hehadneverseenit。Theworkhadbeencarriedonthroughagents，S。Behrmanhavingfartoomanyandmorepressingoccupationstodemandhispresenceandattention。
Now，however，hewastoseetheconcreteevidenceofhissuccessforthefirsttime。
Hepickedhiswayacrosstherailroadtrackstothelineofwarehousesthatborderedthedocks，numberedwithenormousRomannumeralsandfullofgraininbags。
Thesightofthesebagsofgrainputhiminmindofthefactthatamongalltheothershippershewaspracticallyaloneinhiswayofhandlinghiswheat。Theyhandledthegraininbags。he，however，preferreditinthebulk。Bagsweresometimesfourcentsapiece，andhehaddecidedtobuildhiselevatorandbulkhisgraintherein，ratherthantoincurthisexpense。Onlyasmallpartofhiswheat——thatonNumberThreedivision——hadbeensacked。Alltherest，practicallytwo-thirdsoftheentireharvestofLosMuertos，nowfounditselfwarehousedinhisenormouselevatoratPortCosta。
ToacertaindegreeithadbeenthedesireofobservingtheworkingofhissystemofhandlingthewheatinbulkthathaddrawnS。BehrmantoPortCosta。Butthemorepowerfulmotivehadbeencuriosity，nottosaydownrightsentiment。Solonghadheplannedforthisdayoftriumph，soeagerlyhadhelookedforwardtoit，thatnow，whenithadcome，hewishedtoenjoyittoitsfullestextent，wishedtomissnofeatureofthedisposalofthecrop。Hehadwatcheditharvested，hehadwatchedithauledtotherailway，andnowwouldwatchitasitpouredintotheholdoftheship，wouldevenwatchtheshipassheclearedandgotunderway。
Hepassedthroughthewarehousesandcameoutuponthedockthatranparallelwiththeshoreofthebay。Agreatquantityofshippingwasinview，barquesforthemostpart，CapeHorners，great，deepseatramps，whoseiron-shodforefeethadpartedeveryoceantheworldroundfromRangoontoRioJaneiro，andfromMelbournetoChristiania。Somewerestillinthestream，loadedwithwheattothePlimsollmark，readytodepartwiththenexttide。Butmanyotherslaidtheirgreatflanksalongsidethedocksandatthatmomentwerebeingfilledbyderrickandcranewiththousandsuponthousandsofbagsofwheat。Thescenewasbrisk。thecranescreakedandswungincessantlywitharattleofchains。stevedoresandwharfingerstoiledandperspired。
boatswainsanddock-mastersshoutedorders，draysrumbled，thewaterlappedatthepiles。agroupofsailors，paintingtheflanksofoneofthegreatships，raisedanoccasionalchanty。
thetradewindsangaeolianinthecordages，fillingtheairwiththenimbletaintofsalt。Allaroundwerethenoisesofshipsandthefeelandflavorofthesea。
S。Behrmansoondiscoveredhiselevator。Itwasthelargeststructurediscernible，anduponitsredroof，inenormouswhiteletters，washisownname。Thither，betweenpilesofgrainbags，halteddrays，cratesandboxesofmerchandise，withanoccasionalpyramidofsalmoncases，S。Behrmantookhisway。Cabledtothedock，closeunderhiselevator，layagreatshipwithloftymastsandgreatspars。Hersternwastowardhimasheapproached，anduponit，inraisedgoldenletters，hecouldreadthewordsSwanhilda——Liverpool。
Hewentaboardbyaverysteepgangwayandfoundthemateonthequarterdeck。S。Behrmanintroducedhimself。
Well，headded，howareyougettingon？
Veryfairly，sir，returnedthemate，whowasanEnglishman。
We’llhaveherallsnuggeddowntightbythistime，dayafterto-morrow。It’sagreatsavingoftimeshuntingthestuffinherlikethat，andthreemencandotheworkofseven。
I’llhavealook’round，Ibelieve，returnedS。Behrman。
Right——oh，answeredthematewithanod。
S。Behrmanwentforwardtothehatchthatopeneddownintothevastholdoftheship。Agreatironchuteconnectedthishatchwiththeelevator，andthroughitwasrushingaveritablecataractofwheat。
Itcamefromsomegiganticbinwithintheelevatoritself，rushingdowntheconfinesofthechutetoplungeintotheroomy，gloomyinterioroftheholdwithanincessant，metallicroar，persistent，steady，inevitable。Nomenwereinsight。Theplacewasdeserted。Nohumanagencyseemedtobebackofthemovementofthewheat。Rather，thegrainseemedimpelledwithaforceofitsown，aresistless，hugeforce，eager，vivid，impatientforthesea。
S。Behrmanstoodwatching，hisearsdeafenedwiththeroarofthehardgrainsagainstthemetallicliningofthechute。Heputhishandonceintotherushingtide，andthecontactraspedthefleshofhisfingersandlikeanundertowdrewhishandafteritinitsimpetuousdash。
Cautiouslyhepeereddownintothehold。Amustyodourrosetohisnostrils，thevigorous，pungentaromaoftherawcereal。Itwasdark。Hecouldseenothing。butallaboutandovertheopeningofthehatchtheairwasfullofafine，impalpabledustthatblindedtheeyesandchokedthethroatandnostrils。
Ashiseyesbecameusedtotheshadowsofthecavernbelowhim，hebegantodistinguishthegreymassofthewheat，agreatexpanse，almostliquidinitstexture，which，asthecataractfromaboveplungedintoit，movedandshiftedinlong，sloweddies。Ashestoodthere，thiscataractonasuddenincreasedinvolume。Heturnedabout，castinghiseyesupwardtowardtheelevatortodiscoverthecause。Hisfootcaughtinacoilofrope，andhefellheadforemostintothehold。
Thefallwasalongoneandhestruckthesurfaceofthewheatwiththesoddenimpactofabundleofdampclothes。Forthemomenthewasstunned。Allthebreathwasdrivenfromhisbody。
Hecouldneithermovenorcryout。But，bydegrees，hiswitssteadiedthemselvesandhisbreathreturnedtohim。Helookedaboutandabovehim。Thedaylightintheholdwasdimmedandcloudedbythethick，chaff-dustthrownoffbythepourofgrain，andeventhisdimnessdwindledtotwilightatashortdistancefromtheopeningofthehatch，whiletheremotestquarterswerelostinimpenetrableblackness。Hegotuponhisfeetonlytofindthathesunkankledeepintheloosepackedmassunderfoot。
Hell，hemuttered，here’safix。
Directlyunderneaththechute，thewheat，asitpouredin，raiseditselfinaconicalmound，butfromthesidesofthismounditshuntedawayincessantlyinthicklayers，flowinginalldirectionswiththenimblenessofwater。EvenasS。Behrmanspoke，awaveofgrainpouredaroundhislegsandroserapidlytothelevelofhisknees。Hesteppedquicklyback。Tostaynearthechutewouldsoonburyhimtothewaist。
Nodoubt，therewassomeotherexitfromthehold，somecompanionladderthatleduptothedeck。Hescuffledandwadedacrossthewheat，gropinginthedarkwithoutstretchedhands。Witheveryinhalationhechoked，fillinghismouthandnostrilsmorewithdustthanwithair。Attimeshecouldnotbreatheatall，butgaggedandgasped，hislipsdistended。Butsearchashewouldhecouldfindnooutlettothehold，nostairway，nocompanionladder。Againandagain，staggeringalongintheblackdarkness，hebruisedhisknucklesandforeheadagainsttheironsidesoftheship。Hegaveuptheattempttofindanyinteriormeansofescapeandreturnedlaboriouslytothespaceundertheopenhatchway。Alreadyhecouldseethatthelevelofthewheatwasraised。
God，hesaid，thisisn’tgoingtodoatall。Heutteredagreatshout。Hello，ondeckthere，somebody。ForGod’ssake。
Thesteady，metallicroarofthepouringwheatdrownedouthisvoice。Hecouldscarcelyhearithimselfabovetherushofthecataract。Besidesthis，hefounditimpossibletostayunderthehatch。Theflyinggrainsofwheat，spatteringastheyfell，stunghisfacelikewind-drivenparticlesofice。Itwasaveritabletorture。hishandssmartedwithit。Oncehewasallbutblinded。Furthermore，thesucceedingwavesofwheat，rollingfromthemoundunderthechute，beathimback，swirlinganddashingagainsthislegsandknees，mountingswiftlyhigher，carryinghimoffhisfeet。
Oncemoreheretreated，drawingbackfrombeneaththehatch。Hestoodstillforamomentandshoutedagain。Itwasinvain。Hisvoicereturneduponhim，unabletopenetratethethunderofthechute，andhorrified，hediscoveredthatsosoonashestoodmotionlessuponthewheat，hesankintoit。Beforeheknewit，hewasknee-deepagain，andalongswirlofgrainsweepingoutwardfromtheever-breaking，ever-reformingpyramidbelowthechute，pouredaroundhisthighs，immobolisinghim。
Afrenzyofterrorsuddenlyleapedtolifewithinhim。Thehorrorofdeath，theFearofTheTrap，shookhimlikeadryreed。
Shouting，hetorehimselffreeofthewheatandoncemorescrambledandstruggledtowardsthehatchway。Hestumbledashereacheditandfelldirectlybeneaththepour。Likeastormofsmallshot，mercilessly，pitilessly，theunnumberedmultitudeofhurtlinggrainsflagellatedandbeatandtorehisflesh。Bloodstreamedfromhisforeheadand，thickeningwiththepowder-likechaff-dust，blindedhiseyes。Hestruggledtohisfeetoncemore。Anavalanchefromtheconeofwheatburiedhimtohisthighs。Hewasforcedbackandbackandback，beatingtheair，falling，rising，howlingforaid。Hecouldnolongersee。hiseyes，crammedwithdust，smartedasiftransfixedwithneedleswheneverheopenedthem。Hismouthwasfullofthedust，hislipsweredrywithit。thirsttorturedhim，whilehisoutcrieschokedandgaggedinhisraspedthroat。
Andallthewhilewithoutstop，incessantly，inexorably，thewheat，asifmovingwithaforceallitsown，shotdownwardinaprolongedroar，persistent，steady，inevitable。
Heretreatedtoafarcorneroftheholdandsatdownwithhisbackagainsttheironhulloftheshipandtriedtocollecthisthoughts，tocalmhimself。Surelytheremustbesomewayofescape。surelyhewasnottodielikethis，dieinthisdreadfulsubstancethatwasneithersolidnorfluid。Whatwashetodo？
Howmakehimselfheard？
Butevenashethoughtaboutthis，theconeunderthechutebrokeagainandsentagreatlayerofgrainripplingandtumblingtowardhim。Itreachedhimwherehesatandburiedhishandandonefoot。
Hespranguptremblingandmadeforanothercorner。
ByGod，hecried，byGod，Imustthinkofsomethingprettyquick！
Oncemorethelevelofthewheatroseandthegrainsbeganpilingdeeperabouthim。Oncemoreheretreated。Oncemorehecrawledstaggeringtothefootofthecataract，screamingtillhisearssangandhiseyeballsstrainedintheirsockets，andoncemoretherelentlesstidedrovehimback。
Thenbeganthatterribledanceofdeath。themandodging，doubling，squirming，huntedfromonecornertoanother，thewheatslowly，inexorablyflowing，rising，spreadingtoeveryangle，toeverynookandcranny。Itreachedhismiddle。Furiousandwithbleedinghandsandbrokennails，hedughiswayouttofallbackward，allbutexhausted，gaspingforbreathinthedust-
thickenedair。Rousedagainbytheslowadvanceofthetide，heleapedupandstumbledaway，blindedwiththeagonyinhiseyes，onlytocrashagainstthemetalhullofthevessel。Heturnedabout，thebloodstreamingfromhisface，andpausedtocollecthissenses，andwitharush，anotherwaveswirledabouthisanklesandknees。Exhaustiongrewuponhim。Tostandstillmeanttosink。tolieorsitmeanttobeburiedthequicker。andallthisinthedark，allthisinanairthatcouldscarcelybebreathed，allthiswhilehefoughtanenemythatcouldnotbegripped，toilinginaseathatcouldnotbestayed。
Guidedbythesoundofthefallingwheat，S。Behrmancrawledonhandsandkneestowardthehatchway。Oncemoreheraisedhisvoiceinashoutforhelp。Hisbleedingthroatandraw，parchedlipsrefusedtoutterbutawheezingmoan。Oncemorehetriedtolooktowardtheonepatchoffaintlightabovehim。Hiseye-
lids，cloggedwithchaff，couldnolongeropen。TheWheatpouredabouthiswaistasheraisedhimselfuponhisknees。
Reasonfled。Deafenedwiththeroarofthegrain，blindedandmadedumbwithitschaff，hethrewhimselfforwardwithclutchingfingers，rollinguponhisback，andlaythere，movingfeebly，theheadrollingfromsidetoside。TheWheat，leapingcontinuouslyfromthechute，pouredaroundhim。Itfilledthepocketsofthecoat，itcreptupthesleevesandtrouserlegs，itcoveredthegreat，protuberantstomach，itranatlastinrivuletsintothedistended，gaspingmouth。Itcoveredtheface。
UponthesurfaceoftheWheat，underthechute，nothingmovedbuttheWheatitself。Therewasnosignoflife。Then，foraninstant，thesurfacestirred。Ahand，fat，withshortfingersandswollenveins，reachedup，clutching，thenfelllimpandprone。Inanotherinstantitwascovered。IntheholdoftheSwanhildatherewasnomovementbutthewideningripplesthatspreadflowingfromtheever-breaking，ever-reformingcone。nosound，buttherushingoftheWheatthatcontinuedtoplungeincessantlyfromtheironchuteinaprolongedroar，persistent，steady，inevitable。
CONCLUSION
TheSwanhildacastofffromthedocksatPortCostatwodaysafterPresleyhadleftBonnevilleandtheranchesandmadeherwayuptoSanFrancisco，anchoringinthestreamofftheCityfront。Afewhoursafterherarrival，Presley，waitingathisclub，receivedadespatchfromCedarquisttotheeffectthatshewouldclearearlythenextmorningandthathemustbeaboardofherbeforemidnight。
HesenthistrunksaboardandatoncehurriedtoCedarquist’sofficetosaygood-bye。Hefoundthemanufacturerinexcellentspirits。
WhatdoyouthinkofLymanDerricknow，Presley？hesaid，whenPresleyhadsatdown。He’sinthenewpoliticswithavengeance，isn’the？AndourowndearRailroadopenlyacknowledgeshimastheircandidate。You’veheardofhiscanvass。
Yes，yes，answeredPresley。Well，heknowshisbusinessbest。
ButCedarquistwasfullofanotheridea：hisnewventure——theorganizingofalineofclipperwheatshipsforPacificandOrientaltrade——wasprospering。
The’Swanhilda’isthemotherofthefleet，Pres。IhadtobuyHER，butthekeelofhersistershipwillbelaidbythetimeshedischargesatCalcutta。We’llcarryourwheatintoAsiayet。
TheAnglo-Saxonstartedfromthereatthebeginningofeverythingandit’smanifestdestinythathemustcircletheglobeandfetchupwherehebeganhismarch。Youareupwithprocession，Pres，goingtoIndiathiswayinawheatshipthatfliesAmericancolours。Bytheway，doyouknowwherethemoneyistocomefromtobuildthesistershipofthe’Swanhilda’？FromthesaleoftheplantandscrapironoftheAtlasWorks。Yes，I’vegivenitupdefinitely，thatbusiness。Thepeopleherewouldnotbackmeup。ButI’mworkingoffonthisnewlinenow。Itmaybreakme，butwe’lltryiton。Youknowthe’MillionDollarFair’wasformallyopenedyesterday。Thereis，headdedwithawink，aMidwayPleasanceinconnectionwiththething。Mrs。CedarquistandourfriendHartrath’gotupasubscription’toconstructafigureofCalifornia——heroicsize——outofdriedapricots。I
assureyou，heremarkedWithprodigiousgravity，itisarealworkofartandquitea’feature’oftheFair。Well，goodlucktoyou，Pres。WritetomefromHonolulu，andbonvoyage。MyrespectstothehungryHindoo。Tellhim’we’recoming，FatherAbraham，ahundredthousandmore。’TellthemenoftheEasttolookoutforthemenoftheWest。TheirrepressibleYankisknockingatthedoorsoftheirtemplesandhewillwanttosell’emcarpet-sweepersfortheirharemsandelectriclightplantsfortheirtempleshrines。Good-byetoyou。
Good-bye，sir。
Getfatyourselfwhileyou’reaboutit，Presley，heobserved，asthetwostoodupandshookhands。
Thereshouldn’tbeanylackoffoodonawheatship。Breadenough，surely。
Littlemonotonous，though。’Mancannotlivebybreadalone。’
Well，you’rereallyoff。Good-bye。
Good-bye，sir。
AndasPresleyissuedfromthebuildingandsteppedoutintothestreet，hewasabruptlyawareofagreatwagonshroudedinwhitecloth，insideofwhichabassdrumwasbeingfuriouslybeaten。
Onthecloth，ingreatletters，werethewords：
VoteforLymanDerrick，RegularRepublicanNomineeforGovernorofCalifornia。
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TheSwanhildaliftedandrolledslowly，majesticallyonthegroundswellofthePacific，thewaterhissingandboilingunderherforefoot，hercordagevibratinganddroninginthesteadyrushofthetradewinds。Itwasdrawingtowardseveningandherlightshadjustbeenset。ThemasterpassedPresley，whowasleaningovertherailsmokingacigarette，andpausedlongenoughtoremark：
Thelandyonder，ifyoucanmakeitout，isPointGordo，andifyouweretodrawalinefromourpositionnowthroughthatpointandcarryitonaboutahundredmilesfurther，itwouldjustaboutcrossTulareCountynotveryfarfromwhereyouusedtolive。
Isee，answeredPresley，Isee。Thanks。Iamgladtoknowthat。
Themasterpassedon，andPresley，goinguptothequarterdeck，lookedlongandearnestlyatthefaintlineofmountainsthatshowedvagueandbluishabovethewasteoftumblingwater。
ThosewerethemountainsoftheCoastrangeandbeyondthemwaswhatoncehadbeenhishome。Bonnevillewasthere，andGuadalajaraandLosMuertosandQuienSabe，theMissionofSanJuan，theSeedranch，Annixter’sdesolatedhomeandDyke’sruinedhop-fields。
Well，itwasallovernow，thatterribledramathroughwhichhehadlived。Alreadyitwasfardistantfromhim。butonceagainitroseinhismemory，portentous，sombre，ineffaceable。HepasseditallinreviewfromthedayofhisfirstmeetingwithVanameetothedayofhispartingwithHilma。Hesawitall——thegreatsweepofcountryopeningtoviewfromthesummitofthehillsattheheadwatersofBroderson’sCreek。thebarndanceatAnnixter’s，theharnessroomwithitsjamoffuriousmen。thequietgardenoftheMission。Dyke’shouse，hisflightupontheengine，hisbravefightinthechaparral。LymanDerrickatbayinthedining-roomoftheranchhouse。therabbitdrive。thefightattheirrigatingditch，theshoutingmobintheBonnevilleOperaHouse。
Thedramawasover。ThefightofRanchandRailroadhadbeenwroughtouttoitsdreadfulclose。Itwastrue，asShelgrimhadsaid，thatforcesratherthanmenhadlockedhornsinthatstruggle，butforallthatthemenoftheRanchandnotthemenoftheRailroadhadsuffered。Intotheprosperousvalley，intothequietcommunityoffarmers，thatgallopingmonster，thatterrorofsteelandsteamhadburst，shootingathwartthehorizons，flingingtheechoofitsthunderoveralltheranchesofthevalley，leavingbloodanddestructioninitspath。
Yes，theRailroadhadprevailed。Therancheshadbeenseizedinthetentaclesoftheoctopus。theiniquitousburdenofextortionatefreightrateshadbeenimposedlikeayokeofiron。
ThemonsterhadkilledHarran，hadkilledOsterman，hadkilledBroderson，hadkilledHooven。IthadbeggaredMagnusandhaddrivenhimtoastateofsemi-insanityafterhehadwreckedhishonourinthevainattempttodoevilthatgoodmightcome。IthadenticedLymanintoitstoilstopluckfromhimhismanhoodandhishonesty，corruptinghimandpoisoninghimbeyondredemption。ithadhoundedDykefromhislegitimateemploymentandhadmadeofhimahighwaymanandcriminal。IthadcastforthMrs。HooventostarvetodeathupontheCitystreets。IthaddrivenMinnatoprostitution。IthadslainAnnixterattheverymomentwhenpainfullyandmanfullyhehadatlastachievedhisownsalvationandstoodforthresolvedtodoright，toactunselfishlyandtoliveforothers。IthadwidowedHilmaintheverydawnofherhappiness。Ithadkilledtheverybabewithinthemother’swomb，stranglinglifeereyetithadbeenborn，stampingoutthesparkordainedbyGodtoburnthroughalleternity。
Whatthenwasleft？Wastherenohope，nooutlookforthefuture，noriftintheblackcurtain，noglimmerthroughthenight？Wasgoodtobethusoverthrown？Wasevilthustobestrongandtoprevail？Wasnothingleft？
ThensuddenlyVanamee’swordscamebacktohismind。Whatwasthelargerview，whatcontributedthegreatestgoodtothegreatestnumbers？Whatwasthefullroundofthecirclewhosesegmentonlyhebeheld？Intheend，theultimate，finalendofall，whatwasleft？Yes，goodissuedfromthiscrisis，untouched，unassailable，undefiled。
Men——motesinthesunshine——perished，wereshotdownintheverynoonoflife，heartswerebroken，littlechildrenstartedinlifelamentablyhandicapped。younggirlswerebroughttoalifeofshame。oldwomendiedintheheartoflifeforlackoffood。Inthatlittle，isolatedgroupofhumaninsects，misery，death，andanguishspunlikeawheeloffire。
BUTTHEWHEATREMAINED。Untouched，unassailable，undefiled，thatmightyworld-force，thatnourisherofnations，wrappedinNirvaniccalm，indifferenttothehumanswarm，gigantic，resistless，movedonwardinitsappointedgrooves。Throughthewelterofbloodattheirrigationditch，throughtheshamcharityandshallowphilanthropyoffaminereliefcommittees，thegreatharvestofLosMuertosrolledlikeafloodfromtheSierrastotheHimalayastofeedthousandsofstarvingscarecrowsonthebarrenplainsofIndia。
Falsenessdies。injusticeandoppressionintheendofeverythingfadeandvanishaway。Greed，cruelty，selfishness，andinhumanityareshort-lived。theindividualsuffers，buttheracegoeson。Annixterdies，butinafardistantcorneroftheworldathousandlivesaresaved。Thelargerviewalwaysandthroughallshams，allwickednesses，discoverstheTruththatwill，intheend，prevail，andallthings，surely，inevitably，resistlesslyworktogetherforgood。
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